Take Responsibility For What You Want

Merigold returned to the workshop to find Merida, Mira, and Chloe discussing several different options for traps. Chloe said, “I would still rather not use this at all.”

Merida replied, “I ken, but think aboot it. If we put the dirty bomb as a trap, they’ll have tae find a way tae constantly combat the effects or get infected.”

Chloe frowned. “Yes, I realize that, but I’m not sure that’s a better choice. Plus, as I’ve mentioned, they have several people at least resistant to it, if not outright immune. It’s a moot point right now, anyway. Can I borrow Mira and Merigold to come work on the barracks with me?”

Merida nodded. “Fine with me; we need those constructed. I’ll finish this up an' then come join ye.” Merida saw Merigold. “The ithers get tae where they need tae, okay?”

Merigold nodded. “Aye, I got them as near as I could.”

“Good, ye three go ahead; I shouldnae be long here,” Merida said.

Mira frowned, not particularly happy being ordered around like a lackey, but she knew that isn’t how Merida saw her, or any of the other Meridas, so she kept her mouth shut and didn’t complain, as some honest work was paradise compared to what she had gone through recently.

Merida finished work on part of an item she thought would be crucial for when they had to face the opposing team. She just hoped she could finish the whole thing before they attacked, as she had a feeling they were getting close and they wouldn’t wait until the last day to strike.

The group at the dungeon arrived back at base. On the way back, they had swapped several times between storage spaces. They briefly stopped on the way back to discuss whether they should work on the rulebook as thanks to the other team’s efforts; they thought they could finish it off by that evening if they focused on it instead. Mark objected, but he was overruled by unanimous vote of all others present.

As they exited Hilde’s storage space at the base, Ellen told Hilde, “I think maybe another few hours and the rulebook will be done. I can’t do any more, or I’ll risk glitches; same with Mark.”

Hilde replied, “I’ll see what I can do. Worst comes to worst, we finish it up first thing in the morning.”

Before Kitty or Ellen could leave, Mark said, “Hold on, you two. The rulebook is still in effect; you need to fork over something.”

Ellen wasn’t pleased, as she had to strip off almost everything so she could take off her bra and give it to Mark. “I’m going to bed because no way am I even attempting moving around without a bra with these.”

Kitty tilted her head to the side in annoyance. “Meow…”

Mark asked, “What’s the issue, Kitty?”

The issue for Kitty was that she only had her gear on, and of what she was wearing, she would either need Mark to take her collar or her armor. So instead of giving either, she wrapped her arms around Mark and gripped tightly, making it clear she wasn’t leaving until this was resolved.

Aubrey said, “I hope you realize that when Hilde can’t work on this anymore, I am dragging Mark to his room. Alone. Do I make myself clear?”

Kitty nodded.

With that settled, the four got comfortable in the lounge and let Hilde get to work. It took her forty-five minutes before she said anything. “Okay, Master, that’s it for this evening. Try getting rid of the panty or orgasm rule.”

Mark summoned his rule book and tried crossing out the panty rule, and was surprised to see it would allow him to erase it. He then tried to erase the other two rules, and they wouldn’t budge. “Hilde, not complaining, but why can’t I get rid of the other two rules?”

Hilde wiped her forehead. “I’m not able to do more this evening, but I managed to reduce the number of rules Cassandra can include by one. Unfortunately, Master, I don’t get to decide which rules remain in place. That’s the one that got removed.”

Mark said, “Well, hear that, Kitty?” He looked down at Kitty, who had been using Mark’s lap as a pillow for the past thirty minutes. He gently stroked between her lion ears. “You don’t have to give me anything now.”

Kitty let out a low “Meow.” Then she started to knead his thighs with her claws, causing him to feel a warm happiness spread through him.

He smiled, glad she was content, as he was getting worried the stress of this round was getting to her. “Hey Kitty, can I get up? I need to go with Aubrey now.”

Kitty let out an annoyed rumbling sound, but sat up, hugged Mark, and left.

Hilde said, “Don’t suppose I get dinner for my hard work today, Master?”

Aubrey walked over and put a hand on Hilde’s shoulder. “No, you don’t.”

Hilde could see this was going to be an entire thing between Aubrey and Mark and wanted nothing to do with it, and zipped out of the room.

Aubrey then jerked her head towards Mark’s room. He sighed, as he wasn’t sure what Aubrey’s problem had been today.

When they got to his room and she had closed the door, Aubrey just moved over to the table and sat down. She didn’t insist that Mark come sit with her, nor had she made a particular fuss as she sat down. She pulled out a hairbrush and started brushing her long golden locks. Mark could tell she wanted to talk, but that she was also giving him the choice and space to come to the conversation when he was ready.

While Mark was extremely conflict-avoidant, he knew that putting this off was likely to be worse. So, he went to the kitchenette the room had, brewed some tea for them both, and then joined Aubrey at the table. Aubrey said, “Thank you for the tea.”

“You’re welcome. Can you tell me what was with you today? I feel like I’ve gotten emotional whiplash from you.”

“I’m honestly not sure what you mean?” Aubrey tilted her head, confused.

Mark found that hard to believe, but she said it was such sincerity. “Let's start with how you practically drag me to the BP store this morning wanting my opinion, then not being happy with my opinions. Then when I try and bring in Chloe for advice, you become annoyed, but suddenly, despite not really changing anything, you accept my suggestions. Then at the dungeon, you tried to conceal stuff from me. I don’t mean the things you put for your archway either. You clearly weren’t happy with the idea of me helping out Kitty, but then you decided ‘fuck it’ and also included Hilde in your retaliation. Not even asking if I was okay with any of that. I’m honestly not surprised you lost points for that. I’m simply surprised you didn’t lose more points.”

Aubrey frowned and checked her point total on her phone. “I’m at the same points as earlier.”

Mark nodded. “Yeah, that’s how I know you lost points. You’ve never handled my dick before. You would earn points for that. Maybe more, depending if Cassandra counted that as a handjob. Then you kept going back and forth between being really upset about me healing you. After the fight, I saw you were upset I wasn’t the one carrying you. Then just now you went and decided for me again whether or not I was going to give Hilde what she wanted.”

Aubrey pursed her lips. “Mark… I’m not trying to control what you can and can’t do with the others. I’m just trying to defend my portion of your time.”

“Just because it’s your night with me doesn’t mean the entire day is yours without exception. I’ve done stuff with you and made time for you on other people’s nights.”

“Yes, I know that,” Aubrey said, slightly annoyed with the way Mark was talking to her. “The difference is, I didn’t ask for you to do things with me in front of the others, or while they were waiting for you to do something with them.”

Mark tilted his head to the side. “Not sure that’s completely true, but a fair point, regardless. You still could have handled things with Hilde better. I’d still like to know what was with you flipping between being standoffish and clingy.”

“I was not clingy.” Aubrey firmly refuted. “As for your question, I feel like my frustrations were all pretty justified today.”

Mark rubbed his eyes in frustration as he clearly wasn’t getting his point across. “I’m not saying they weren’t. I’m confused by you going from being frustrated to suddenly agreeable. Though I still don’t understand the cause of your frustrations with me at the BP store this morning.”

“Firstly, I was annoyed because I wanted your opinions, not Chloe’s. That was only partially because my breasts were filling with milk, making me want your guidance. I get that you were trying to make me happy, and I appreciate that, but sometimes, you need to stop trying to analyze the situation for the best possible solution and just answer a direct question. Would it really have been so hard to just tell me what you wanted?”

“Aubrey, you realize that if I do that while you’re filled with milk, I’ll essentially change your opinion on stuff. I was trying not to do that.”

Aubrey took deep, slow breaths, clearly annoyed. “Mark, I don’t want you tiptoeing around telling me what you want for the rest of our lives.”

“You would have preferred that I used your milky state to convince you to purchase Bound in Gold instead?”

“YES! If that’s what you actually wanted for me to purchase.”

Mark opened his mouth to retort but closed it as he really wasn’t sure what to say to that.

Aubrey did her best to remain calm as she spoke. “Look, Mark, it wouldn’t have been my choice that’s for sure, and yes, I would likely have taken your guidance and put significant weight on it, but you don’t rewrite my opinions like that. If you had told me you thought I should buy that, I probably would have. You telling me that wouldn’t have made me agree that was the best course of action or be thrilled about it, though.”

“And you would have preferred I do that instead of worrying about what you want?”

“I would prefer you make a choice when I ask you to!” Aubrey stood up in frustration and started pacing. “Mark, like it or not, YOU are in control here. This is just like when we got here, and we rerolled my student path. I wanted you to make the choice. You are the one, who this family is going to revolve around. I’m not going to be happy with every choice you make. That’s fine. I don’t mind that. I don’t even mind you seeking advice sometimes. That’s smart. This morning, however, you were insistent on not making a choice. You left it to me and Chloe. Then you refused to give me guidance on what I consider critical information. Which is what you want! Mark, you are my partner. We haven’t established anything official, but that doesn’t change the fact that you are my partner, in some manner. Did you even consider that what would make me happy is making you happy?”

Mark kept his mouth closed as he furrowed his brow.

After staring at Mark and waiting for him to answer for several seconds, Aubrey said, “Mark, I want an answer. That wasn’t a rhetorical question.”

“No, not really,” Mark replied.

Aubrey calmed down and sat back down. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have started ranting. That isn’t productive, and you asked us not to do that.”

Aubrey took a moment before continuing to make sure she wouldn’t go off on another rant. “Mark, while things have been frustrating, I thought about what you told me on our last night together, and you were right. A lot of our issues have been unfortunate timing and my transformation putting pressure on things.”

Aubrey stood and walked around the table and sat down in Mark’s lap, putting her arms around him. “Now, you were so concerned with making me happy, and what I want, so I want you to listen closely. Tonight I’m hoping you will choose to carry me over to the bed and make love to me. I’ve been hoping that tonight will be the start of something great between us. I’m hoping for a whole mess of reasons that I’ll get pregnant tonight.” Aubrey leaned in and gently kissed him. “Now, what I want is for you to decide if you’re ready to make that choice. I want you to choose to take me to bed because it’s what you want, not because it makes things simpler or because it’s what I want. I want you to take responsibility for that choice and all that comes with it as well. I won’t be happy to learn that you got me pregnant out of a sense of obligation instead of desire. So, tonight make your choice on what we’re doing, but make sure it’s what you want, because I like you and want to make you happy too. I’d like to do that as your girlfriend and one day as your wife and mother of our children together.”

Aubrey just stared into his eyes and noticed he had wrapped his arms around her waist, but she wasn’t sure exactly when that had happened. Mark brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear. He asked, “And if I decide I’m not ready for that with you?”

“I’ll be disappointed, but I’d rather that than you take me to bed out of obligation. Mark, I know you’re trying, but you can’t make all of us happy all the time. Especially if you are making sacrifices for the rest of us. You need to take care of yourself, too. For our sake, if nothing else. Having a child with someone is a big decision, one I’d be upset with you for if you made it lightly. I know that this has been a central issue between us. I’d love for it to be out of our way, too. But just because it’s going to happen one day doesn’t mean we should just get it out of the way like it’s a chore that needs to be done.” Aubrey took a deep breath. “Since you won’t prioritize yourself, I’m telling you clearly: while I hope you will make me incredibly happy tonight by picking me up and taking me to bed, doing that will only make me happy if it’s what you’re sure you desire for yourself. Otherwise I’ll be pissed.”

Mark just held her on his lap for a bit. Then he hugged her tightly. Aubrey hugged him back. They stayed like that for a bit until he started to chuckle uncontrollably to himself.

Aubrey leaned back from the hug to look at him. “What’s so funny?”

“I just had some intrusive thoughts that I found humorous, that I doubt you would,” Mark replied.

“Oh? Like what?”

Mark slipped an arm beneath her knees and stood with her in a princess carry. He started to carry her towards the bed. He could feel her short sheep’s tail wag back and forth against his abdomen. He sat down on the bed with her in his lap before answering. “Well, you essentially want me to be a bit more selfish in what I want. Right? That’s essentially what I heard.”

Aubrey pursed her lips in thought. “I guess maybe just a little. That, and take responsibility for things. What has that got to do with making you laugh?”

“I was just thinking about if you’d still have that opinion considering a few things that came to mind.”

“Like what? Yes, I really do want to know.”

“Well… I can say after the events of this round… you’d make one attractive cow-girl.” Aubrey lightly shoved him, causing him to fall backwards onto the bed.

“Seriously!?” Aubrey’s face went pink with annoyance.

Mark just burst out laughing. “See, I figured that would be your reaction. I was also thinking about the comment I made about you in black. I really do like you in black and pink.”

“Well, even after I lose Black Sheep, I’ll keep that in mind. Plus everything black gets boosted by my Pink Boon now too, so that was going to happen anyway. You aren’t seriously looking to turn me into a cow, are you?” Aubrey’s face indicated she would be rather annoyed if he were.

Mark chuckled, “No, but maybe you could take an animal cookie on occasion…” Mark grinned as Aubrey shoved him again.

“You’re incorrigible.” Aubrey crossed her arms and pouted. “Here I am trying to be serious—”

Mark pulled Aubrey down on top of him. “I’m being serious too. I just can’t help it if I also find the situation funny. Also, since you really want to know what I’d like. Yeah, I think both A Magic Touch and Bound In Gold would be incredibly enjoyable. So if you really would like me to be selfish, I might just get those next round for you.”

“I… I’m glad you told me, and I’d prefer you didn’t, but… maybe we could find something similar if tying me up in my own hair is really that much of a thing for you.” Aubrey did her best not to sound upset, since she had asked for Mark’s honesty, and she didn’t want to discourage it right as he decided to give it to her.

Mark ran his hands up her sides. “And what about having magic fingers?” Mark started to move his fingers in a slight tickling motion, causing Aubrey to laugh as she rolled off of him and onto the bed.

“Mercy!” Aubrey said through laughter as Mark had followed after her as she rolled and continued tickling her. “Mercy! Please!” Mark finally let up as she was pink in the face. He kissed her. Slow and gentle at first, then more passionately as he ran his hand up her leg, stopping just below her butt. The two rolled across the bed several times towards the center, as their kissing became more frantic. The two started undressing one another as they ran their hands across each other’s bodies. Mark couldn’t help but let out some laughter as Aubrey used her hair to toss away some of his clothes, and it brushed against his skin, tickling him.

He was surprised by Aubrey’s forcefulness as she grabbed fistfuls of his hair as she didn’t want him to stop kissing her. It didn’t take long for the two to be naked in bed, with Aubrey beneath him, and her arms and hair wrapped around his torso. Mark gripped one of her thighs in his arm to spread her wide.

Aubrey bit his lip in anticipation. She slipped one hand from around his back up to his lips. “Wait. Are you sure? You aren’t getting swept up, right?”

Mark used his free hand to take her hand from his lips and pin it to the bed. He leaned down and spoke into her ear, “Aubrey, you are going to make a great mom and wife. I’m going to make you both of those things one day. Sorry I’m doing them out of order, though.” Mark pushed himself inside of her, causing her to gasp in pleasure.

Mark started kissing her neck as she held him close to her. At least she did until Mark grabbed her other hand with his free one and pinned it like her other one.

“Baaa! BA BAA BAAA!” Aubrey couldn’t make any other sounds as she was overcome with pleasure as he took her. Not liking the separation between their bodies, Aubrey snaked her hair around both of their waists several times until they were bound together.

Mark didn’t mind much, except with their waists tied together like this, he couldn’t really position himself to be able to kiss her, due to their height difference. So instead, he brought her hands together, keeping them pinned with one hand while reaching down with his other to run his fingers through the base of her hair.

Mark didn’t hold back as he climaxed inside of her. He pulled out and away from her, and she let him, unwrapping her hair from their waists. She was surprised when she was pulled on top of him, and he continued screwing her, actively bouncing his hips. She felt him swell inside of her, and fill her completely. She reached out and took his hands in hers, pressing against them for support, as she bleated out in pleasure. She could feel as he filled her full of his baby batter over and over again.

All doubts she had about him wanting this vanished as he picked her up after coming inside her again and carried her over to the table and laid her back down on it, grabbing both her legs to fuck her senseless. Then when he carried her down to the bath and screwed her there. Then on the stairs back up to the bed, then the floor, then pressed up against the wall. When they finally returned to the bed, she felt sore. Her hair had even started lightly glowing sometime around when they got to the bath to help both recover. Even so, she felt stuffed, a bit bloated, and sore from the repeated fucking. As that had most definitely gone from two people having sex to two animals in heat trying to breed. Aubrey lay next to Mark, holding his hand with hers, with their arms wrapped together with her hair.

“Wow,” Aubrey said. “Just… Wow.”

Mark smiled and, clearly exhausted, replied, “I take it you enjoyed your first time?”

“Yeah… but not as much as my second… or third… or what? Tenth? I lost count.”

“Me too.” Mark chuckled out. Mark leaned over and rested his head on top of hers. They lay there for a bit, just enjoying being close to one another. “I’m going to do my best to make you and the rest of our family as happy as I can. I’ll try to remember that means allowing myself to be happy and want things too.”

“Good. Now I feel I should let you know. I’m definitely pregnant.”

Mark chuckled, “Oh? What makes you so sure? Cassandra said she’d let me know when it happens with any of you, but she wouldn’t typically be sure that it took until later.”

Aubrey nuzzled him affectionately. “Because, mister, I no longer feel an aching need in my uterus. I’m telling you I’m definitely pregnant. The real question is how many.”

+5 VP Gave Virginity to Master
+10 VP Sex
+10 VP Pregnant

Mark let out a long sigh.

Aubrey asked, “You aren’t regretting tonight already, are you?” She didn’t pull away from him, but there was some heat in her voice.

“Not at all… It’s just your comment about how many reminded me that in about nine months I’m going to be a father to at least five now. It’s kind of terrifying to think about, even if I’m excited.”

Aubrey let out a low, contented hum as she heard the excitement in his voice. “Well, you’ll have plenty of help, and a staff to assist with managing everything. So even if you might have more kids than the average father.” Mark barked out a laugh at her underselling the situation. She continued as if he hadn’t interrupted, “You’ll probably have an easier time than most.”

“I don’t know about that. You haven’t met my mother.”

Aubrey just shook her head. “I actually have, remember? At your wedding. Also, if we are talking about overbearing relatives telling us how to raise our kids, I don’t see that being an issue, considering Sam has made dealing with your problems one of her things. Meaning, worst comes to worst, we can just sick a dragon on our relatives until they drop the issue.”

“I was just planning on throwing a suitcase of money at my mom to shut her up, but I like your idea too.”

Aubrey sat up and put a hand on his chest. “Seriously, though, if your mom, or brothers, or anyone else’s family start telling you how you should raise your children, Sam will not be their greatest concern. Giving advice is one thing, but telling you that your choices are wrong is another. Unless you choose not to vaccinate them, at which point I’ll hang you out to dry.”

“Um…” Mark started, and Aubrey glared at him.

Aubrey said, “Don’t even joke about this, Mark.” She pressed her fingers into his chest, making it clear he best not.

“I’m not. Just so we’re clear. I’m with you on the vaccinations. I just… well, our kids aren’t exactly going to be human… right? So… I mean… I figured we’d probably talk with Maja, Smug, or Cassandra about healthcare for them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to listen to the experts about that sort of thing. It’s just… that might not be doctors anymore.”

Aubrey pouted in annoyance. “Fairish point. I know it’s technically true, but we’re still essentially human. Maybe not Sam or Laura, but the rest of us just have added animal parts. I doubt Cassandra would make problems for us by making standard medicine not work for us. Plus any sons we have could be human.” Aubrey relaxed and plopped back into Mark’s arms, nuzzling him. “I still think it’s ridiculous that the girls are guaranteed to be animal girls, but the boys aren’t.”

Mark poked her belly and asked, “Do you have a preference? I mean, boys or girls?”

“Not really. I figure I’m going to have several of each. So no strong feelings. What about you?”

“Before this, I would have said I thought girls would be easier to handle… now I’m not so sure.”

Aubrey burst out laughing and didn’t stop for quite a while. By the time she had the two were ready for bed and fell asleep in each other’s arms.

End of Day Standings:
Unspent Empire Merit: 1150