To those of that are in need

4th Amansdae, the 30th day of the month of Semens (Sem), the 3672nd year of Salvation's Landing

After a revelatory finding this morning, the rest of the day was filled with a variety of errands, ranging from the tedious to pleasant. After years of sifting through so many grains of material, there was finally a bit of actionable information. But to do so, Tabitha had to start spinning wheels immediately given what was coming in the next week.

The first order of business was to confer with Govren. She had found the nugget she needed and who had written it. Now she needed more eyes to scour the texts and tome that she had of that author’s work. And that meant an assistant. Full-time. It had taken some time to twist the steward to her way of thinking. The man was both stubborn, as well as legendarily frugal with the House coffers.

In the end he relented but said that Tabitha should speak with the King as well. That was the lesser of the obstacles regarding the amount of patience needed. The King took her word nine times out of ten. It was just a matter of finding the man. Like she thought, it was a matter of minutes in the sovereign’s presence before she had been granted the permission.

After that, it was a quick trip to Shonda, the seamstress. With a brief interaction and an exchange of a small purse, the willowy woman smiled at Tabitha and curtsied.

To end the afternoon, the Magistricia made her way out to the workhouse. On her way out there, she made note of Reglin walking and talking with the Lady Falina and her handmaid. However, that was of little import at that time. She had a proposition to make.

Walking into the stone building, Tabitha saw Asha immediately as she scrubbed bed linens and conversed with the older laundress, Lina. “Forgive me for interrupting, ladies. Asha, I need to discuss a matter with you, if you would not mind…”

Asha’s nonchalant manner was evident as she smiled at Tabitha, “Magistricia, you can speak however you want. Lina and I talked about just about everything together.”

That didn’t settle well with Tabitha. She trusted Asha, but was she so glib as to talk about their strange circumstances with the older woman? Too late now in any case, “If you wish… Asha, I have found a subject that I need to research. And it needs to be done as quick as possible. Time is essential. In the few days that I have tutored you, you have shown yourself to be diligent and thorough in your studies of the histories.”

“That is Asha, for certain. Always thorough…” Lina said almost absently as she continued to scrub her sheet on the washboard. “Sharp as a blade, she is too… Oh, sorry for interrupting Magistricia!” the woman gave a fair representation of being shamed.

Giving the older laundress a soft smile, Tabitha went on, “No problem at all. She is indeed bright. And that is what I need in an assistant… full time…” She spaced her words out, making sure they rang through to the beautiful brunette.

Those hazel eyes opened wide as it did indeed sink in. “A-Are you serious, Tabitha?” She was obviously shocked. She had not used anything but proper ceremony with Tabitha with anyone else around. “I-I’m going to work with you full time?”

The wide grin that split her face made Tabitha’s heart sing, knowing that she was able to give this lovely girl something that she obviously regarded highly. “I am… But it is no leisure stroll. Little time for gossiping like you are used to. And the tomes can be almost as hard on skin as the wash water. As I said, I need someone now and would prefer you. But if you have an objecti-”

“No! Absolutely not!” Asha yelled loudly in the confines. She jumped and turned to face Lina, “Dear Lina, I am sorry… But you must understand…” The poor girl’s face was a mask of anguish.

Lina put the sheet down and walked over to her younger coworker. “Girl, I would call you insane if you didn’t take this chance. You are young and you have an opportunity to gain some noble learning. Of course you should.” Lina took Asha’s hands in hers. “Maybe we will get some chances to catch up with each other now and then…”

With eyes that were filling with tears, Asha nodded and sniffed, “Of course we will!” The girl cleared her throat and adjusted herself, “I can’t be getting all mopey over a woman like you!” A broad smile forming as she wiped the edges of her eyes.

"You'll have to forgive us, Mistress Lina, I beg you. But we have matters to attend to. Steward Govren is sending a messenger to get you some help for today's work. Regarding that, if either of you know someone trustworthy to fill the vacancy Asha will leave, please let the Steward know. The quicker the better..." Tabitha gave a respectful nod to Lina, who looked more flabbergasted at the respect being accorded to her. "Please stay in touch, Mistress Lina. From what I have gathered about you, you seem of quality character. And one can never have too many of those around... But... Please tread carefully with Master Lim. He is boisterous and braggadocios, but he is a genuinely sweet man. With that, I wish nothing but the best for the two of you in whatever may come.” Lina’s cheeks colored at those words. Perhaps Tabitha was a bit too meddlesome with that. Yet, that was the exact truth of it. And that was besides, the heartfelt feelings that Reglin carried for his comrade.” I am sorry, but we must go now. Come along, Asha… Good day, Mistress Lina.” Another bow of the head and she was heading out and into the doorway.

Waiting there a moment, Tabitha looked over her shoulder to see Asha rush over and embrace Lina, followed my quick, quiet words. They shared a giggle before Asha pulled away and headed toward Tabitha, giving one last wave to her fellow laundress. Once caught up, the Magistricia lead the brunette out.

As the two headed out of the stone building, they turned to the palace. Immediately they saw Reglin approaching. Tabitha thought she kept herself in check, but inwardly it was still astounding to her how the sight of the man caused such flutters in her belly. And just how quickly that had come over her. Gathering herself, she was then able to make note of who was on their lover’s arm.

Lady Falina looked at Tabitha and Asha with what the Advisor knew was her usual dispassion. Though, Tabitha did think she saw a light of curiosity in her eyes as she observed herself and Asha interacting with Reglin. Deciding to smooth over the edges, Tabitha gave a gracious curtsey to the noble girl, with Asha quickly following suit. Falina and her handmaiden, Deela did so in kind. For his part, Reglin made a flourishing bow worthy of any court. That raised a brow on the usually placid face of Falina.

The two parties made pleasantries for a very short time. However, with the scrutinous eyes of the western noblewoman and a number of things still to attend to before this evening, Tabitha was quickly excusing herself and Asha and headed onward to the palace.

On their way, Tabitha found it difficult to restrain her excitement with what this morning’s findings had provided. She spoke to Asha about the passage that she found and how that gave clue to the likely next step of investigation into that Affection Artifact.

They ceased their speaking once inside the palace, waiting to get to the privacy of the Advisor’s office before talking more openly about the remarkable relic in Reglin’s possession. Those quiet moments allowed Tabitha’s mind to wander, and like a divining rod, it went to tonight with Yelena, and what may come from it.

Evidently those thoughts were more worries, and Tabitha was not so circumspect in their suppression. Asha saw something in her face and spoke softly once they were inside the library, “Tabitha, is… is everything alright?” The girl’s voice gave note to the concern she showed for the older woman on her face.

Amazing… In no time relatively speaking, this palace staff member had gone from a mere acquaintance to someone that Tabitha felt a sincere bond with. Someone who she felt safe and comfortable with… in more ways than Tabitha would have ever thought. It was those carnal thoughts that wormed into her mind now that made the subject of tonight an anxious one.

The Arcanist chose not to reply until they were in her office. Once inside, she closed the door behind Asha. Her new assistant turned to face her then, concern still prevalent. Tabitha only sighed softly then and gathered her thoughts. “It’s… It’s tonight.” She said, as if that was explanation enough. When Asha rose a brow, as if to say ‘and?’, Tabitha tried to expound, “It’s Yelena. She apparently has had feelings for me for some time.” The idea of that caused her to bite her bottom lip.

Nodding as if that was an obvious statement, Asha smirked, “Not a surprise, given what I have made of the situation. Reglin wondered if she was into men at all.” A contemplative look formed. “What if she isn’t attracted to men? What if the scroll is doing that to her?” She looked at Tabitha and immediately stopped, “Sorry… A question for another time. So, you are anxious about the Princess having feelings for you…”

At the queueing of the sentence Tabitha followed, “Because I have not held those kinds of feelings for a woman. I have always been attracted to men…” She said that and knew what was coming next. But she chose not preempt Asha so she could have a few moments more to solidify her thoughts.

Asha gave a ‘hmmm’ and squinted at the older woman. The words Tabitha expected were slow in coming, if they were to come at all. Finally Asha gave a snort of a laugh, “I understand… I have been the same. I can appreciate a woman’s beauty, such as yours. But I have never sought to bed even the loveliest of women. Yet… When you and I were together and doing…” Her face reddened at the memories, “things… it felt like the most natural thing in the world.”

Tabitha felt her own cheeks heating at Asha’s and couldn’t help but wonder if they were thinking of the same instance. Where Asha had dove between Tabitha’s thighs and lapped away at her cunt, licking up Reglin’s seed that he had filled her with. And there it was. Reglin. “I-I know what you mean… But if you were to ask me to be intimate right this moment, I do not know if I would. I mean, at least not yet. It is like a door has been cracked with you. But I do not feel comfortable crossing that threshold with Reglin there. It is like the man is some sort of balm, or… lubricant to feelings. Feelings that normally would clash and never be born are suddenly sliding against another’s feelings of the like.” She shook her head at that. From a sky’s height that made total sense, given who he was and what he possessed. But it didn’t help her from an emotional standpoint. To know that your own proclivities are being turned and swayed by an external power was… terrifying. ‘But you knew this was possible when it started!’ she scolded herself.

Another somber nod from Asha confirmed in Tabitha’s mind that her thoughts were running parallel to her own. “True enough… But Tabitha, you warned me of this yourself. You think that Reglin isn’t the hub of all this. You can see that whatever her inclinations are, she is fully enthralled by our man as well. She’s young and naïve.” Tabitha snorted at that. Asha and the Princess were of an age. “You know what I mean. She’s shy and just now seems to be finding her comfort with others. She’s had no real experience in romance. Maybe you just epitomize a formative time in her emotional life. It could be nothing more than a fixation.” Asha gave Tabitha a devious smile then, “And maybe once she’s had Reglin deep inside of her, you’ll wish she was still enamored with you instead of competing with you for that lovely cock of his…”

Both women giggled at that last sentence. It brought some levity and buoyed Tabitha’s thoughts a good bit. Maybe Asha was right. The girl was bright and seemed to have that head of hers on straight. “I will just be honest with her… But I feel like I should be there for her. This is all so new to her, I’m sure. If I can provide her some semblance of balance in this, I feel I should…” Her face screwed up in puzzlement once more.

“Whatever you decide, be truthful… Let her know that you love Reglin. As do I. As she does perhaps. That for better or worse, it seems that we are spokes in a wheel, with the man as the hub…”

A wistful look came over Asha then and Tabitha had to ask, though she did so gently, “What are you thinking about this very moment?”

That thoughtful expression fled, and Asha looked Tabitha in the eyes, “I just wondered… I can’t imagine being happier than I am at this moment. But something tells me that it will not always be so. And If I made the right choice…” She then suddenly stepped toward Tabitha and embraced the Royal Advisor, “But I look at you, and I look at him and I know that this will be a story to tell. And that I would hate myself for not taking the chance to be a part of it.”

Hugging the girl back tightly, Tabitha appreciated the show of affection, “Yes, I think you would hate to not see this through. And I think you have a significant role to play in it all. Yes, we may be pulled along in Reglin’s wake, but we are still quite capable and autonomous women.” Tabitha then relented and pulled back to look Asha in the face, “I will talk to Reglin in a bit, but I am of a mind to tell Yelena everything. From all my time with her, my readings of her aura, she is true in spirit. But after her, I think we should refrain from sharing too much too easily.”

A small nod and a soft smile on the brunette beauty’s face said in so many words tat she would leave that up to Tabitha and Reglin, “Sounds fair. Now, show me what it is that I am tasked to do for the foreseeable future.”

Taking a deep cleansing breath, Tabitha released it, this had been good. She had a girlfriend to confide in! It had been some time. “Yes… Here.” Tabitha went to her desk and showed Asha that tome that she had found the information she had so longed for, “Chartrugh… I have not come to a conclusion if they are he, or a she, but their texts are old. But I want whatever is we can surface about them. I realize that is a monumental task, but it is necessary. Something tells me that we may be going on a voyage though. All that I have found speaks of them in the Old Lands to the west.” She paused and looked up at Asha, whose face was a cross of excitement and utter fear, “But first things first, my dear. You now know the wide task before you. Now you are to go and get yourself some food and then head to Mistress Shonda’s rooms. She is expecting you.”

That confusing expression of Asha’s became a look of confusion then. “W-Why am I going to see her?” She was looking at Tabitha with a suspicious eye.

“Because, my dear, you are going to be with me at most times. That means you will be in Royal Audiences. That means a new wardrobe is in demand. Mistress Shonda is more than capable.” Tabitha reached out and patted Asha on the wrist, “Relax… Have fun with it! She has commission enough to give you whatever you desire… Well, within reason, I suppose.” She smiled sardonically. “But, go… Go indulge yourself. Enjoy. And I will see you back here tonight?”

Still suspicious, Asha had a hard time repressing a growing smile though, “Yes, of course… I have duties to attend to after all… Tabby… Thank you.” Hearing Asha say her name and those words made Tabitha’s heart flutter once more from this woman.

With that, Asha turned and headed out of the office and out of the library. These feelings that she was getting from making Asha happy were new… different than doing a good deed alone… Damn that man for twisting her up!

~This is knowledge for the Reader~

The Affection Multiplier

~Mana: 580~

~Mana Channels: ~Labiae Passionii (Lips of Passion) free, ~ Corpu Vigorii (Vigorous Body) 100, ~ Uirtau Proelium (Martial Prowess) 100, ~Mensu Lucidae (Bright Mind) 100, ~ Tactu Beatae (Blissful Touch) 100, ~Plurem Amatrixae Normalii (The Normalcy of Many Loves) 500, ~Corpu Libidaem (Lustful Body) 100, ~Corpu Spectabilum (Intimidating Body) 100, ~Mentulae Potencii (Potent Cock) 150, ~Limbu Infinitum (Endless Loins) 100, ~Voluptae Gustatum (Delightful Flavor, Gratify the Appetite), ~Figurae Cultura (Shaping Culture), ~Vulgum Venerae (The Love of the Masses), ~Corpu Vigorii Magii (A More Vigorous Body) 400

~Lovers~ A: 200 E: 200 L: 200
~Tabitha~ Affectionae: 100 Erosii: 100 Libidae: 100 (Effective 66)
~Asha~ A: 100 E: 100 L: 100 (Effective 62)

~Royal Polivander House~ A: 74 E: 43 L: 80

~Nobles~ A: 125 E: 12 L: 88

~Royal and Noble maidens~ A: 196 E: 8 L: 124

~Day watch~ A: 249 E: 3

~Evening watch~ A: 22

~Night watch~ A: 6

~Palace Staff~ A: 64 L: 6