Information and a road trip

The next morning Emmy got properly introduced to Regina and the Reality Ring. Her eyes grew wider and wider as we explained, making Regina smug for some reason.

I also shared everything I had learned and inferred from my confrontation with Taylor.

Gwen already knew the basics from what I told her yesterday, but when I laid out my theory about a hidden god or gods maintaining order. She started bouncing around her tiny kitchen, a mix of worry and giddy excitement filling her.

As my bunny babbled in the background, unsuccessfully interrogating Regina, I looked to Emmy. She was quietly cuddled into my side, idly playing with my tail.

I ran a hand through her hair, admiring the contrast between crimson hair and my midnight blue skin,"You're not worried about the whole secret magical society stuff?"

She shook her head and smiled contentedly. "I'm just happy that of all the ways I could've found magic, it was you, Master. I know you'll handle it, and I'll help however you need me to."

My heart warmed and I hugged her tighter.

I tuned back into Gwen and Regina. "–as much as you'd expect. I spend most of my time in the ringmaster's harem. I don't get out much." The spirit's eyes glazed over in memory before Gwen spoke up again.

"Fine. Can you at least tell us who used to be in charge? And why magic is hidden?"

Regina sighed. "The Thirteen Pantheons used to be pretty active and were somewhat lax in controlling the mortals. As long as they got tribute and had fun they were cool with magic everywhere." Thirteen!? "All I know is about three thousand years ago, Atlantis and multiple Pantheons and their civilizations collapsed during a war. I wasn't found again until some kid in Arabia dug me up a thousand years later. Magic slowly became more and more scarce until it's like it is today." She shrugged like she admitted to jaywalking, and not just upended humanity's understanding of history and the world in general.

I licked my lips, mouth dry. "Regina. How old are you?"

"Ehh, at least ten thousand, I wasn't really conscious early on and I sleep in-between Masters so give or take a couple millennia."

The mortals in the room looked at each other, even Emmy's calm facade was broken as we digested this information.

Regina held out her hands in defense at our questions. "Hey! I'm a party slut, not a historian or a stuffy philosopher! I'm also bound not to answer certain questions."

That made us grumble in frustration, Gwen muttering about 'lousy info-dump characters', but we let the matter drop for now.

We needed to get ready for our trip to the new house!

Gwen stuffed a backpack full of books and her laptop, but left everything else behind, she hadn't decided on fully dropping out or switching to online courses yet. She would only stay one night before heading back either way.

I could make everything I'd need with the Ring and Emmy merely shook her head when we asked if she needed anything from her sorority. Regina struggled with a small mountain of luggage and smiled at my fond eye-roll and the others' giggles.

We once again walked back to my apartment to meet up with Taylor. I was dressed in my usual attire. Gwen bounced in front wearing an oversized hoodie and leggings. Regina floated along invisibly, while Emmy wore simple sandals, a short sarong skirt and a flimsy top for modesty. "So everyone could see who I belong to." She answered when I asked.

We drew a lot of attention, Emmy especially, her tattoos and cuffs weren't hidden by the glamour, at her request. But we made it to the car park attached to my apartment complex without incident.

(Well, significant incident, anyway. That guy was weird, his Aura oddly still.)

There we found Taylor in her human glamour next to an older car that was probably an expensive luxury model. What? I'm not a car girl!

As we made introductions we dispelled our various glamours and Taylor revealed her full Arachne form. Gwen ran right up to her and asked to be tied up. I facepalmed and Emmy laughed.

Taylor, to my relief, took the existence of my fuckbunny and pet elf in stride, and barely blinked when Regina appeared in front of her. I still made sure to increase her feelings of fondness and companionship as we drove into the hills outside of town.

I sat in the passenger seat while Taylor drove. Gwen and Emmy took advantage of the roomy backseat and Regina lounged next to them, idly fingering herself at the show.

I contented myself to watch the beautiful scenery of nature. The mountains around here were beautiful, with temperate forests, the occasional snowcapped peak and misty valleys.

When we reached a particularly twisty road in the mountains, Taylor glared into the rearview mirror. "Hey! Put your seatbelts on, this road is treacherous and we're almost there." The girls calmed down and complied.

"Yes Moomm~" Gwen sang. Taylor rolled her eyes and smiled as we descended on a poorly maintained road into a small valley.

I rode out the bumps and watched eagerly as the trees thinned out and our new home appeared.

It was a blend of summer home and fortified bunker. All stone and heavy oak with small windows except for where it looked out over the small, glacier fed lake.

The manor itself was three storys tall, with several wings in an H-shape. It was enclosed along with a few storage sheds and what looked like the remains of a large greenhouse. There was even a small boathouse attached to a crumbling pier next to the lake.

I sobered when I saw one outer wall had several charred lines in it, as if a flaming sword had sliced it. This wasn't the Weaver's main home, but people had still fought and died here.

After passing through the rusted gates we came to a stop before a garage with a heavily dented door. We got out and looked at what we had to work with. The inner courtyard was heavily overgrown, the beginnings of a forest growing wild from two decades of neglected landscaping.

It was oddly beautiful. I'm sure a more poetic person could go on about new life after tragedy and the resiliency of nature.

The entryway was fairly intact, we oohed and ahhed appropriately at the fancy staircases and decor. Once we began exploring the house, Taylor pulled me aside and hugged me. "I know my family wouldn't approve of this, but I'm looking forward to living here with my new one." She kissed me then skittered away to help the others find rooms. Radiating embarrassed happiness.

I smiled and got to work fixing up our new home.