Talking After the Orgy is Over

Authors Note: Last week I started also posting this story to Questionable Questing. Just in case anyone wants to know. This will hopefully be the last place I crosspost to.

Also, a while back I retroactively changed the mental / Far-Speaking communication to use ⟨angle brackets⟩, and I don't think I mentioned that before. I think it looks a bit better this way, and it also doesn't get confused as HTML code like < > sometimes did. Which is nice.

Warmth and love surrounds the barbarian.

Dreams flicker through her mind. Fuzzy memories. Unspoken desires. None lingering long enough to truly be remembered.

She sees the loves of her life before her, around her. One moment their bellies are swollen and heavy, the next they’re all one big family. Veils of white lace and snowy flower crowns rest atop their heads. Beautiful, picturesque. Smiling. Joy and happiness made manifest.

Krvavy’s eyes flutter open.

The bright and vibrant canopy of her Dryad’s tree hangs overhead, beams of sunlight flickering between the gently rustling leaves. Countless different shades of green, teal, turquoise, cyan, and all in between paint the view above. Almost a sky in its own right.

The weight of many bodies press down onto the barbarian. She doesn’t need to look to know where each and every one of her girls are.

Khalia is sprawled across her legs, snoring audibly and seemingly unbothered by her uneven bed.

Adeline is held in the Were-Beast’s furred arms, cuddling that dangerous predator while also clinging to Krvavy’s thick tail. Her own thinner one, with its tufted tip, is coiled and twisted around that meaty appendage.

Thea is laying half atop Krvavy, one leg stretched over the barbarian’s buff belly. She shifts slightly in her sleep, nuzzling into the crook of Krvavy’s left arm. She... must have crawled over Krvavy at some point, to take her proper place at Krvavy’s left. The place of a wife, in her own view.

Beryl is on the barbarian’s other side, cuddling and hugging onto a strong arm as her toned back presses into Krvavy’s body. Her vines have long since been retracted into her body, keeping them from tangling everyone up, but her cute branch-like antlers still poke out of her short and messy hair, bumping into the barbarian’s shoulder as she faintly stirs.

Inanna is the only one of Krvavy’s girl’s not atop the Drakling. Her plump belly, soft and yet firm, cushions Krvavy’s head. A pillow even more perfect than her thick thighs.

Supple moss covers the ground as a thick and uneven mattress, removing all discomfort that this cuddling pile of bodies should feel.

Krvavy softly smiles, closing her eyes and choosing to simply enjoy the moment while it lasts.

Clink. Clack.

The sound of cutlery and plates clanking together fills the otherwise quiet air.

Krvavy bites into one of the pasties that Adeline has made. As with everything that adorable girl cooks up, it is absolutely delicious. But that wonderful flavour isn’t enough to distract her thoughts. Krvavy can’t help but feel a bit... nervous... as she watches her girls clear the out of place table.

A soft breeze blows through Beryl’s grove, rustling the vibrant leaves overhead. The warm and loving atmosphere that filled this otherworldly space had slowly faded away over the course of their lunch. A stifling silence hangs in the air, oppressive and awkward.

“Ach,” the Dryad eventually speaks up, clenching tightly onto handful of simple wooden forks. “Ah’m sorry, my dearest love. Ah... Ah can almost reach all the way up ta our ‘ome. So it’ll only be a few more days before we can get back ta normal and all eat up there once more. It’ll only be a few more days before Ah can be back in bed wit’ the lot o’ ya...”

“It’s okay. I... I did come back a little early.” Krvavy tries sounding a bit playful in hopes of lightening the mood, but... she doesn’t do a very good job of it.

“Aye, a ‘appy thing, in other circumstances...”

Krvavy pinches the bridge of her nose. “Sorry, I –”

“There is no need to apologize, my Ushumgal. While we all would have preferred it not happen, we all understand what you did and why you did it.”

“Hmph... From the sound of it, you did not have the time to think your actions through.” Thea comments, crossing her arms beneath her breasts as she tries to hide her concern beneath a bratty act. “Not that that would have changed anything...”

“Ya saved Rina’s life.” Beryl’s hand gently comes to rest on the seated Drakling’s shoulder. “And it all would’a worked out just fine if not fer tha’ poison... Tha’ ‘black kiss’...”

A faint buzzing echoes through the back of Krvavy’s mind. Her lips press into a thin line, eyebrows pulling together. Where has she heard tha–

“And look on the bright side: yer scars are all gone now!” The former Wood Elf pointedly pokes her Draconic lover in the back, dexterous fingers dancing across the black scales that, before Krvavy’s departure, were marred by three lines left ages ago by the Rock Bear’s claws.

“Mm. Some of them were rather aesthetic, lending to your rugged and beautifully barbaric appearance.” The Dwarf comments, almost clinically looking her lover up and down. “But I will not morn their loss. Nor am I looking forward to the day you inevitably earn more.”

“Aye. My dearest love, ya made those ugly marks look good.” A tinge of **** underlines Beryl’s words. She clearly isn’t all that happy about admitting that. “It ‘ad best be quite some time ‘til Ah see any more on ya, understand?”

“Yup, got it.” Krvavy easily agrees to that demand, finding herself smiling slightly. She should have known better than to be nervous. Her girl’s... She really does love them.

“Mmm...” The grey-skinned shortstack’s thick brow furrows slightly. “I suppose that you will want to speak to the Countess now? You surely have much to explain to her.”

“She has more to explain than I do.” The barbarian states a little coldly, her good mood fading away into something far more... conflicted.

Beryl leans forwards, pressing her pert breasts into the back of Krvavy’s head as her arms lazily drape over the Drakling’s shoulders. “Wha’ do ya mean?” Her fingers idly dance across her lover’s pale breasts, just barely resisting the urge to grope and ****.

“I don’t know how much she told you, bu–”

“Very little.” The tanned tomboy cuts Krvavy off, resting her chin atop her lovers blood-red hair. “She explained wha’ ‘appened, as quick as it was, and ‘ow she tried ta keep ya from dyin’. But beyond tha’... she mentioned coverin’ up yer **** and preventin’ even the assassin from knowin’ ya died, though not ‘ow she’d manage tha’.”

“And that you had told her about the fact that you can come back from ****.” Inanna helpfully adds.

“Aye, tha’ as well.”

A frown works its way onto Krvavy’s face. “That’s all?”

The Dwarf simply nods. “Just about.”

“She also apologized quite a bit, offerin’ all sorts o’ ways ta make it up ta ya.” While the barbarian can’t quite see her sweet berry, she can still feel the former Wood Elf shrug. “Ya made ‘er worry quite a bit, ya charmer~. Ah’d almost say tha’ she is smitten wit’ ya, my deares–”

“Rina knew I was the Champion of a God before I even tried to tell her.”

Silence hangs in the air as the seconds drag on.

“Shadow.” Inanna correctly assumes. “The Countess has some deal with that Champion, no doubt. That you even met her in the first place may well have been arranged.”

“Ach. Ah met ‘er. Ah spoke wit’ ‘er. Ah slept wit’ ‘er. The affection she ‘as towards our dearest love... It wasn’t the same ‘as ‘ow we feel about our Krvavy, but... it felt genuine. Ah...” The Dryad glances down at her hands, and then towards her tree. Not another word makes it past her green lips, just a long and resigned sigh.

“Mm. Speculation will not bring answers. Speaking directly to the Countess will.”

“Ugh, here.” Thea rolls her eyes and holds her left hand out, all but shoving it into Krvavy’s face. “Take it. Just get this over with already.”

The barbarian’s throat feels dry and tight as she delicately slips the Far-Speaking ring off of her fiancée’s finger. She hesitates for only a second before placing it onto her lower right horn. The magical ring reshapes itself, sitting snugly where another used to rest.

“Tell us when ya’re done.” Beryl gently asks, remaining where she is draped over her Draconic lover.

“Don’t you want to listen in? I can ‘call’ you as well and –”

“Nah.” The tanned tomboy simply shakes her head. “Let Rina ‘ave some privacy. Ya’ll tell us all the important bits anyway.”

Krvavy glances at each of her girls. None of them seem to disagree. Or, well, Inanna doesn’t seem to disagree. Thea just gave up her ring, so she can’t listen in even if she wanted to. Which she clearly doesn’t. Khalia is getting ready for an after-lunch nap. And Adeline is more interested in ‘subtly’ dragging a chair over to Krvavy’s side so that she can cuddle against the barbarian’s body.

“Well... alright.”

With a deep breath, Krvavy closes her eyes and focuses on ‘calling’ Rina. The Far-Speaking ring pulses and pulses and pulses and –

⟨Krvavy?⟩

The Countess’ voice is soft, almost hesitant.

Krvavy isn’t entirely sure how to respond or even what to say. ⟨Yeah.⟩ She weakly shrugs, wrapping an arm around Adeline as the adorable girl sidles up against her.

A feeling of relief mingled with tension passes through their connection, perhaps not intentionally. ⟨You have many questions, no doubt. I will try to answer all that I can. So, please, ask away.⟩

⟨Are you okay?⟩

It takes a few, long seconds of silence before Rina responds. ⟨Y...yes. Yes, I am. We left Vratsa first thing in the morn, shielded and obscured. As did most of my peers, once they learned of the attack. We returned to Raseyne without incident, and have been keeping a close eye on the sky since.⟩ The Countess pauses for just a moment, and when she resumes talking her voice is even softer. Barely even a whisper. ⟨And what of you?⟩

⟨I’m alright.⟩ Krvavy idly gnaws on the inside of her cheek, keeping her eyes shut and doing her best to tune out the quiet sounds that her girls can’t help but make. ⟨The worst part is... already over.⟩

⟨Good, good...⟩ Rina doesn’t sound any more relieved hearing that. Her projected voice is... slightly tense. Not obviously so. She is trying to hide whatever worries are hanging above her head. ⟨Everything you left behind is here, ready for when you wish to collect it. Your armour, the outfits we never had a chance for you to wear, the enchanted ring I gave you and the one I’m speaking through now, as well as your payment. In light of... of your sacrifice... you will receive much more of that than what we agreed. Thrice as much money, at the very least. I also... your ashes are here too.⟩

Silence fills the connection. Krvavy’s carnivorous teeth idly hold her tongue in place.

⟨There will be no issue in regards to you collecting what you are due.⟩ Rina reassures. The faintest bit of worry, almost an unnoticeable amount, underlines her words. ⟨As far as all but Vera and I are aware, you were simply wounded and needed time to recover. A process in which I spared no expense to ensure all went well.⟩

⟨How long did you know?⟩ The barbarian abruptly asks, unable to keep the tinge of betrayal and accusation from her tone. The warmth of her Halfling and her Dryad, one clinging to her side and the other draped over her shoulders, is all that keeps her from being outright hostile.

More silence. It drags on and on until finally...

⟨I knew what you were before we even met.⟩

Even though she was expecting that... It still feels as if a knife had been driven into her heart.

⟨You... you’ve been manipulating me from the very beginning...?⟩ Krvavy didn’t want to ask that. She doesn’t want to know the answer. But she needs to hear the truth.

Again, it takes an excruciatingly long time for Alexandrina to respond. Each second is an eternity of agony. ⟨To... to a degree, yes.⟩ A hint of pain fills the Countess’ projected voice, almost hidden beneath the cold and clinical emptiness. ⟨I am sorry, truly. But... I needed to know what sort of person you were. To know if you were a danger to my people, my city, my... ambitions.⟩

⟨So you seduced me.⟩

⟨I... I intended only to speak with you, at first.⟩ Each word is more hollow than the last. An empty justification. To herself or to Krvavy? ⟨But... you are an attractive woman. And I saw where your gaze lay. The path I took was... It was an easy way to see your truth, yes, but... it was also indulgent. I wanted to bed the beautiful woman before me. That you had a penis... complicated matters. Your nature as a Champion urged me past that. It let me be more open with you. More ****. To better earn your trust.⟩

Were Krvavy’s eyelids not shut tight right now, tears may well be trickling down her cheeks. As if sensing her pain, another body presses against her side, opposite to Adeline. Slim, soft. Thea.

⟨Everything we had was a lie.⟩ The Drakling’s question is icy and harsh, like the land her kind comes from. ⟨Our... friendship... and whatever else it could have been. All of it was a lie.⟩

⟨No! N-no!⟩ The Countess’ mentally projected voice wavers and cracks, sounding as if she is holding back a sob. But is she really? Or is that also a lie? ⟨I truly have grown to... to care for you...! Each visit beyond your first...! You grew on me more and more...! That first night and the morning after...! I had learned all that I needed to! All beyond that was indulgence! I, the woman not the Countess, wanted to know you, the woman not the Champion, better! I wanted to grow closer to you! To...! To...⟩

Krvavy’s carnivorous teeth grind together. Her clenched jaw is so tense it hurts. Fire burns in her heart. Rage. Hate. But not directed at the one she is ‘speaking’ to. Not entirely, at least. ⟨Shadow. It’s Shadow’s fault...! Shadow **** you to...!⟩

⟨No, I...! I...!⟩ Rina’s shaking voice trails off into a gasp. A gasp of pain and despair. ⟨I... I can’t do this... Not... not like this... Not through a ring... Through... It isn’t secure... It isn’t right... I... I’m sorry, Krvavy. You deserve the truth. But I... Please, come to me in person. When... when you’re ready. I will explain everything to you. Everything... everything...⟩

⟨Wai–!⟩ Krvavy stops herself off before she can even finish thinking that single word.

The connection has already been cut.

“Are ya alright, my dearest love...?” Beryl’s soft voice dances through the air after... a minute? Two? More...?

The Drakling’s eyes open, her gaze empty. “You were right.” Her tone is cold and curt as she glances towards her Dwarf. The shortstack’s copper-orange eyes are filled with remorse. “The Countess and I only met because of Shadow. She only spoke to me because of Shadow. She...”

“But...! The way she looked at ya, my dearest love...!” The tanned tomboy’s toned arms tremble as they tightly wrap around Krvavy’s chest. “Tha’...! It...!”

“So she was a whore all along...” Thea mutters out, not sounding happy in the slightest despite having been vindicated and proven right about how she initially felt about the Countess. The first girl to be called Krvavy’s fiancée leans even further to the side, resting her head on the barbarian’s bosom.

“There must be more to it, yes?” Inanna’s voice is even more neutral than normal, guarded and almost emotionless.

Krvavy simply nods. “The Countess wants to explain everything to me in person.”

“Ach, she wasn’t willin’ ta tell it ta ya now?” Bitterness fills the Dryad’s tone as she no longer defends Alexandrina’s actions. “My dearest love... ya –”

“H-hear her out!” Adeline’s squeaked shout shocks everyone. “P-p-please!” The timid girl begs, shrinking into herself.

“It could be a trap!” Thea hisses, tightly grasping the Drakling’s hand with both of her own. “This ‘Shadow’ may just be using that whore to lure our Krvavy in so that she can lose another of her lives!”

“Perhaps. But...” Inanna slowly breathes in and back out again. “I do not see that as likely. ‘Shadow’ has had plenty of opportunities to stab our love in the back. To kill her. And while I do not trust this ‘Shadow’ figure in the slightest, I do not believe they are an immediate threat.”

Beryl buries her face into the top of Krvavy’s head, her voice being muffled by the barbarian’s crimson coloured hair. “Ah... Ah can’t... My tree...”

“Rrrh. I. Will. Go. With. Mate.” Khalia snarls out, rising from the patch of moss she has been laying on. The emptied table creaks as she drags it aside and out of her way. “Me– I. Will. Protect. Mate.” Her paw-like hands, inhumanly strong, grab onto Krvavy’s horns, forcing the barbarian to meet her gaze. A fire burns in her amber-gold eyes. Determined. Raging. “Mate. Will. Be. Safe.”

The former Wood Elf raises a hand up, softly cupping Khalia’s cheek. “Puppy... Ah...” She pauses, slowly sighing out. “Thank ya.”

“Mm. My Ushumgal.” The Dwarf’s thick brow furrows faintly. “If you are heading back to Raseyne, you will need to bring two Far-Speaking rings: the one you are currently wearing, and a potential replacement for Thea. She can wear a placeholder in the meantime. Depending on how the conversation goes... you may wish to integrate the Countess into our communication network.”

The brat in question stiffens slightly. “Who says that I would want to speak with that whore? Krvavy can just take her ring back and be done with this ‘Countess’.”

“I am simply being optimistic. If Krvavy wishes to keep in contact with the Countess after learning whatever truth she has to say, then this will aid in that.”

“Hmph...”

“I... I’m not going back right away.” The barbarian breathes out, not resisting in the slightest as her precious puppy climbs into her lap, straddling her about as much as possible with the two blondes still clinging to her sides.

“Of course.” Inanna nods. “You only just returned to us. The Countess can wait.”

A few soft sounds of affirmation fill the otherwise silent air. None of Krvavy’s girls have a problem with her lingering around a little longer, obviously.

Despite everything that happened, despite the thoughts lurking in her mind, Krvavy finds herself smiling ever so faintly. Her thick and meaty tail twists around, reaching out for the only woman not in direct contact with her. Inanna steps closer, letting that Draconic appendage wrap around her waist.

“Ugh...” Thea groans, seemingly unbothered by the fact that her face is kind of being squished between the barbarian and Were-Beast’s breasts. “I am sorry for asking, but... Did anything else important happen while you were away?”

“Did... did I tell you about the deer?”

“Aye, the day ya dealt wit’ it.” Beryl nods, rubbing her face into Krvavy’s hair. “Worryin’, tha’ is. Real worryin’...”

“Mhm.” A degree of hesitance fills the Dwarf’s hum. Her stout hands idly rub the tip of Krvavy’s tail. “You did not attend the Council for long, but... did you avoid drawing the Duke’s gaze?”

The barbarian’s lips twist down into a frown. The fact that Khalia’s face is hovering directly in front of her own, the Orc’s every breath brushing over her lips, now feels a little awkward. “He wasn’t there. Sent some officer in his place.”

“Mm... Suppose that was for the best...”

“And...” Thea hesitantly speaks up, struggling to keep a tinge of hope out of her voice. “What of my father? Or brothers? I... You wanted to see them.”

Krvavy’s frown shifts into a full blown grimace. She closes her eyes, unable to meet her precious puppy’s intense and loving gaze. The next few words to come out of her lips almost hurt to say. “No one from Svaneti was present. The Duke’s representative tried to speak in their place but... none of the others let him.”

“I... I see...” The silver-blonde noble girl softly sighs, her tone painfully blank.

“Ach! Enough o’ this!” The tomboyish Dryad gives her Draconic lover, and all those clinging onto her, a rough shake. “Ya’re back in the land o’ the livin’! Ya’re back wit’ us! Let us not spoil tha’ wit’ dark and ‘orrid talk!”

“Right. Yes.” The grey-skinned shortstack nods, her neutral voice filling with resolve. “Let us make this day a pleasant one. Calm and relaxing. Does that sound like a plan, my Ushumgal.”