Lunch time!

When you see Niki again, she's also wearing something you've seen before. It's her thick black hoodie, opened down the middle by a silver zipper, decorated with the letters WARRIOR across the chest an the image of a shield on the back. Beneath is a tight crop top. Her bare belly button has been further decorated by a piercing--a gold stud with a shiny red gemstone. Each ear has an earring to match. She also wears dark blue jeans with torn knees, which rest quite low from her hips. Her feet are covered by a pair of sneakers.

Finally, you. Luna has made for you an incredibly comfortable, durable pair of jeans. All the denim around you almost makes you forget you're in a fantasy world. Above that is a fancy yet casual blue button-up top with a white undershirt beneath it. You're been given a pair of running shoes as well. You almost mistook them for something by Nike at first, though it isn't their symbol on the side, but the words, "Luna Silk". Around your neck is a striped scarf, and while it isn't as soft as Luna's hair, it feels as if she's cuddling up beside you as you wrap it around your skin. It feels good to wear something new, but it's surreal for it to also feel somewhat old at the same time. She's done amazing slowly translating what you've taught her about Earth. And between the magic batteries and the GameBoy, you may slowly merge your two homes together after all.

Only time will tell. But for now, it's time for lunch.

It does take nearly an hour for the group to hike their way down the mountain path, though when the plains open up and Crystal Lake becomes visible a short distance ahead, the view makes it clear the decision to come this far was correct. Noon comes, and the sun high above pierces through the clouds to light up the surface of the lake like a painted canvas. Once you arrive, and everyone has a moment to rest their feet and catch their breath, some begin to lay out the blankets a small walk from the edge of the water. Piece by piece, the baskets are placed down and opened to reveal all sorts of different delicious foods--sandwiches, fruits, and baked treats like cookies and sweet rolls. There's water to drink, as well as some honey mead. When everything is finally settled, you sit down at the edge of a blanket and let out a deep, relaxing sigh.

Eva, facing the lake, stretches her hands high above her head. The shorts she wears squeeze her thighs. You can't help but eye her up and down, taking in the view of her ass in those shorts. When she turns, you especially glance at her chest, bouncing freely in such a loose-fitting top. She approaches the blanket you're at and places down her purse before sitting on her knees. "This is so perfect," she whispers. "The temperature, the smell, the everything!"

"I never thought I'd be so happy doing something that has nothing to do with fighting, exploring dungeons, or whatever," says Niki. Her hands are behind her head, pulling her hoodie open to a skimpy top that does little to hide the size of her tits. Her midriff is so toned, and it's even more alluring with the piece of jewellery over her belly button. She bends down, and slips her feet first from her sneakers, than her socks, as she pushes her bare feet down against the blades of grass. "Aaahh. That's better."

Amara is adorable in her overalls. The large brim of her hat briefly blocks the sun from your eyes as she kneels down to sit beside you. "Shall we eat?" she asks.

Her mother steps closer--body bouncing beneath the tight-fitting white dress she now wears. She reaches up and adjusts the hat atop her long, golden hair. "That sounds lovely. I trust everybody is now settled?"

Padrui and Mavaia, Niki's father and mother, sit beside one another on an adjacent blanket.

"I baked these biscuits only yesterday," says Mavaia. "Please enjoy."

Rada is the first to bite into one. He smiles with rosy cheeks. "This is delicious!"

"Before I eat, I should probably say hello to the Lady," you say, glancing to those sitting nearby before standing up once again. "I'll be right back."

"The Lady?" asks Padrui. "Does somebody live here by the lake?"

"Oh yeah. He's talking about the Lady of the Lake," Niki answers.

"She's some sort of old water elemental," Eva explains. "Or something similar. She's the guardian of Crystal Lake."

Yaera chuckles. "Ms. and Mr. Vakila. You must be prepared for a number of surprises. I have seen much in my travels, and I am still surprised what it is that Kyle says and does. Truly I could not have hoped for a better home for my daughter. And it is because of everybody that Tivera is safe. You must be very proud of Niki."

Before they can answer, Niki raises her hands into the air. "Oh it was nothing! I mean, Elok messed with us, so we messed him up. Simple."

A couple dozen steps take you to the edge of the lake. There you stare out at the extensive sheet of glass before you. Most of it is silver, though there's a radiating ball of orange and yellow like a flame from beneath the surface of the water. There's hardly any wind, so the water is still. It's truly a beautiful sight. You then kneel down and submerge the tips of your fingers. "Lady of the Lake," you say softly. "If you're awake, we'd like to greet you. We've come to have a peaceful lunch, and it would be rude to ignore you."

The ripple from your hand meets another from farther in. They amplify, and the water churns more and more as you stand and take a step back. Suddenly, a bubble of water begins to raise from the center of Crystal Lake, shimmering with the light of the afternoon sun as if the previous flame was trying to escape. Water rushes to the coast, forcing your feet back as you watch the spectacle ahead take shape. Slowly, the water runs back down, and eventually the only thing above the lake's center is a single, feminine figure. She stands atop the surface as if it truly were glass, and once again the lake is calm. She steps silently closer, and those who haven't seen her before are left in awe.

Even if she has no details to discern, she's a beautiful shape, and it's something to behold--a translucent woman, with hair flowing like a waterfall, and a voice that reverberates out in all directions seeming to not begin at any sort of mouth. "Kyle Warren," she says.

Padrui pulls Mavaia in closer, to keep her safe.

The Lady of the Lake continues. "For all you have done, I would be glad to have you beside my lake... or in it, if you would desire. Sit and eat. Relax and rest. No harm will come to you here. I will make certain of it. It is good to see you again so soon, Kyle. I am happy to know that I was able to aid you in protecting these lands. I never thought I would be involved so directly in mortal affairs."

"We're happy you were," you reply. "Thanks again."

Yaera approaches you from behind. She holds up a long, thin purple object. It bends in her grasp. "This is a candy I kept when I travelled here from the south. Please, allow me to show you how to eat it, Kyle, if you will."

"Oh. I'd be glad to try it."

"Wonderful." She smiles warmly, and carefully she places the tip of it into your mouth so that it hangs down. "Do not eat it yet. Come, Amara. Come."

Hmm. Grape.

You watch as she brings her daughter up to stand before you. She then takes hold of her hat, and removes it from her head for the moment. She whispers something into her ear. Due to them both being elves, they could whisper as silently at the dead of the night, and both could likely year it. The most sensitive ears are bunnyfolk's, though Eva is busy with stuffing her cheeks.

Amara then comes really close, and suddenly takes the other end of the candy into her mouth.

Yaera explains, "Now you both eat it, and meet in the middle."

You'd like to question her motives, but your mouth is unfortunately occupied. You eat a bit more, as does Amara, and your lips slowly approach one another, all while Yaera watches eagerly. At the end of it, Amara blushes and closes her eyes as the candy snaps off in the middle, but she pushes forward to deliver a delicious, grape-flavoured kiss. You take hold of her cheek and linger there, giving her what she desires. Your Kitty Sense tells you just how happy she is. It seems she really likes kissing, even more than one normally may, and it's only been enhanced by it being such an adorable gesture. After the kiss, you pull back slowly and stare into her eyes.

You let out a chuckle through your nose, and while still holding her cheek, you glance to her mother. "Quite the candy."

Yaera shrugs and begins walking gracefully away, though she glances back one more time to offer you a wink.