Bonded Summoner-Chapter 21BS7 - : First Date

A week passed in a blur, the family traveling to the different spirals to experience different environments, and watching the many arena bouts. While Jake, Fhesiah, Ophelia, Bree and Tanda each participated, they were not overly challenged by any individual–even though many of them faced warriors that were meant to go to the quarter-finals. In the end, each only stayed for two to three matches, to not influence the tournament overly much.

Jake’s fights had been against some of the people who were favored to win, but they were no match for how rapidly he could mold his runes and cast his spells.

The Qi-powered spells were more powerful individually, and some also had some mystical effects. But thanks to Jake being able to rapidly coalesce so many runes at once from all of his practice, he was often able to cast two to three spells to their one.

He quickly countered their elements, then overwhelmed them and became the victor. He was tempted to just use summons because it was fun, but reasoned he would only do that if he joined the fight with tamers. Even that didn’t quite feel right.

Tanda and Ophelia both enjoyed their bouts because the martial artists were strong for their level. Both showed a mastery using their Techniques that allowed them to overcome their daos, their bodies infused with hearth flames able to nearly match that level of spirituality and easily able to outlast or counter them.

Fhesiah’s fights were similar to Jake’s, only she used her flames to do her best to understand the enemy’s magic for a time. Until she then used her Breath of Alchemy to absorb their magical attacks and reflect them, winning the match.

Sati and Ruby both pushed to the end of their respective tournaments, but only Sati found victory, in the end. Ruby’s true power was the power of blood, and she couldn’t utilize it in the martial tournament for her fights, except for defense and a little bit of her attack–enhancing the sharpness of her swords. She was also focused on improving her skill with the sword.

This wasn’t enough to claim victory over a highly skilled sword cultivator that was at the peak of the Tier, and people had given him the title of Sword Saint on this world. His aether-infused sword strikes cut through her blood platemail, and without being able to claim more blood, she couldn’t continue healing the armor, or her sliced body, forever.

The man was one of the top damage dealers in the Dungeon Raid as well, and had benefitted quite a bit from their victory. Soon when the Aetheris Dungeon opens, the man would be pushing into it with a team, in hopes of getting materials and his final levels for creating his Nascent Soul.

Sati’s final opponent was similar in that he was at the peak of the Tier. His aether-infused ice was truly formidable, but Sati showed both her capability and her resolve. She had incredible mobility as she began to fly around much like the fire sprites, dodging giant shards of ice and blasts of cold as she returned the attacks with her own demon runic spells. In all, she fought much like Jake, but was limited to fire spells.

Her attacks of white flames had a special heat and purity to them, which resembled Ophelia’s purifying lightning within her vajrafire. She continued to dodge like rocket boosters were attached to her feet, dancing away from the icy attacks as she flew at intense speeds and counters of balls and beams of her bright white flames.

Eventually, the enemy had flooded the Arena with cold, and dropped what was a giant mystical block of ice on her with strange glyphs on it. While she tried to dodge the attack at first, it was like the ball of ice had some kind of special nature to it, where it followed her, no matter how fast she moved. She took on her prayer pose and covered herself with intense, golden flames and met the attack head-on.

The ice cracked and started to melt as her flaming body crashed into it. The remaining ice started to freeze her, but she held on with dogged determination, her inner fire burning brightly as the ice melted. Once the block of ice was defeated, the enemy surrendered. It appeared that they had used all their Qi to create and empower the spell, and the fight was over when she beat it.

The highlights for the family in the past week were definitely what they learned from the crafting artisans, and the many experiences in the environments had certainly added up as well. Each had found some kind of epiphany throughout the week, Ophelia from the metal spiral which made her shield manifestation even sturdier, and Tanda from the wood spiral. What she learned was surprising, as it was related to the rotting of trees, granting her deathly manifestation a rotting effect.

Fhesiah was granted some special time within the aether fire temple, and Jake had joined her for some aether-infused dual cultivation fun. Thanks to this, she had actually gained an epiphany and was forced to take out a Source Energy pill mid-activity, which was…a little surprising for Jake.

As to what she had gained, it was some understanding about the nature of transformation of energy thanks to aether, which fed into her dao of alchemy. When Fhesiah explained it, she simply stated that because aether included all Qi, it allowed for a more rapid transformation or enhancement of the opposing elements she drew in with her breath, improving the outcome. As long as she had aether in her lungs or to infuse into her claws, the transformation would go more smoothly and the result would be slightly more powerful.

The addition of aether Qi into her cultivation was added seamlessly, and she actually found it was something quite useful because it had some minor compatibilities with mana. If they had access to it in their hearths, this should definitely be a benefit, she imagined. Thanks to obtaining an endless supply finally, she had decided to include it in her cultivation.

And their Refuge being docked with the world meant that they had access to some Aether. The gains from each of these epiphanies were relatively small, but they did gain bonuses to their mental and spiritual attributes–Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma as a result.

The mini-dates continued, with Nessa joining the family for all of these activities. Jake thought she really fit in, and all his snake-girl daughters instantly liked her, unsurprisingly. Nora and Clara enjoyed sparing with her, and then Rena loved that she was basically a snake ninja girl, watching her fight with stars in her eyes.

Jake was now getting dressed for an actual one-on-one date with her. It would likely be their only one before their wedding ceremony with the exception of the special event he had planned, so he was hoping to make it memorable for her. Everything he needed was available in his Storage Ring, enabling him to be ready for other aspects of his date if required.

Blood was straightening his tux and fixing his blue flower, and making sure his hair looked just right. “You look dashing and handsome, milord. She’ll enjoy your plans, I’m sure.”

Fhesiah hummed, looking him over with a smile and running her hands over him. “Hmm, but what base do you think they’ll get to? Do you think he’ll even get to second base? In my opinion, he should at least go for third. Give her something to really remember for the next week before the special night.”

Berri’s eyes lit up. “Base? Jake and Nessy are playing baseball?! I want to come…but if we’re playing, you should always go for a home run.”

“She’s got a point, Jake. Definitely go for a home run.” Fhesiah waggled her brows, and unfurled what looked like packaging for condoms, the wrappers dangling downward in the almost accordion fashion. “Take these, just in case you need them.”

Jake frowned as he looked at them, and noticed that rather than condoms, they were pills in colored, special casing meant to look like a bunch of them, for some reason.

She pointed at each one from top to bottom. “This one will make her pregnant, but this one will make her like, super pregnant. This one will make you really enjoy it, and this one will make her super enjoy it–those two are best used together. Then this one will make you huge down there only, while–”

Jake groaned. “That’s alright, I know I won’t be needing that.”

“Aw.” She stuffed them away in her breasts, giving him a coy look, batting her eyelashes. “Maybe we can try some of these later?”

Berri looked longingly at Fhesiah’s chest, where the packages disappeared. “What’s this about super pregnant?”

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Jake got away as quickly as he could, teleporting out of his Refuge and arriving in the Alliance HQ. Taking his upgraded, flying, magical crystal boat he used for Avalara’s date, he flew over to pick up Nessa in front of her massive tower.

Nessa was waiting for him to pick her up, and he landed near her and walked over. He smiled as he saw how pretty she was all dressed up.

Her bob cut went just to her shoulders, the blue hair matching her eyes and eyeshadow-like scales. She wore a beautiful blue silk cheongsam-style dress, which was tight on the top like a second skin. It then became a white color with blue flowers for the skirt that flared out beneath her waist.

Her shoulders were bare, showing off her pale, perfect skin. Because the dress was so tight on her, it was easy to see her pert but small chest–compared to his other girls–and slender body.

Jake called out to her as he neared. “You look fantastic. I love the dress, it suits you very well.”

“Thank you. And you look amazing in your tux. I like the toga and your chieftain outfit, but this is very nice.”

“For you.” Jake took out his gift, plushes of himself and her, both wearing armor and weapons. The cartoon-style plushes were ready for battle, their oversized heads and eyes making the figures look silly.

Nessa laughed as he handed them to her, and she examined them. “They both look so cute! I love it, thank you.” She walked closer and kissed him on the cheek, and then he offered his arm to her, which she took.

“Let’s be off?” He asked.

She nodded, and he helped her over to her seat, and sat down and wrapped his arm around her waist. They took off, heading toward the theater. They enjoyed the scenery, and Jake could feel her contentment through their bond. The girl was happy and excited to be on a date alone with him, and he knew that they could do just about anything together, and she would just eat it up.

Nessa gave off a happy sigh, and leaned her head into him.

He asked, “What is it?”

“It’s just… I was only away from you for a few hours, but it felt like forever. It feels good to be back.”

Jake chuckled. “You’ve certainly been by my side a lot this week. I’ve enjoyed it.”

Nessa had worked most nights arranging her guild, but had visited a few nights at the Refuge while they crafted and had fun.

They arrived at the theater with plenty of time to spare, and he escorted her inside. She floated an inch off the ground with her snake tail floating in the half sphere around both of them now, which Jake thought was an interesting effect. She didn’t use the tail for movement like Bloodberri did–except underwater–so it really just floated around them like a decorative streamer or ribbon.

Arriving at their special box up above, they got a special view and privilege over the stage in the distance. They could enjoy a meal and have small talk, without interrupting the play at all. Others couldn’t even see inside their viewing box, let alone hear anything that was going on inside. Yet, they could see others and could hear them if they wanted, still giving them the ambiance of being at the theater.

Nessa smiled as she looked over the theater. “I have always liked the theater, but it’s different coming with you.”

“You told me you like stories of heroes and liked plays, so I figured you’d enjoy coming here. Did you and your father watch them together?”

“We did, a few times. I wouldn’t say we did it often, but they were memorable when he found the time to spend with me.”

“It’s good that you got some time with him, even if it was limited. I had a hard time picturing how a Divine might approach parenting. I know many of them can see into the future somewhat, as well as other things. It’d be hard for them to not calculate every word said and every action’s outcome, to change the child’s future for the better–in their eyes.”

Nessa hesitated. “I do think he was trying to instill values into me with the plays he chose, but… In the end, I did enjoy that I could spend time with my dad. Even if calculated, I know that he only has good intentions, and my best interest at heart.” She paused, and said, “What about your wives?”

“Blood and Ophelia both like plays to some extent, and Fhesiah likes to mix fun into high-class events–her goal would definitely be to have some fun in this box if she were here. Tanda loves plays, and even acting and singing in them. Avalara seems to enjoy most things, and could probably enjoy watching paint dry with me. Berri doesn’t have the attention span unless it’s a play done by children she knows, or about a topic that she favors. Like ninjas, snakes, or baseball.”

Nessa chuckled. “That sounds like her, doesn’t it? I feel like I knew the answer for most of them before I even asked. I’m guessing Ophelia is a lot like me in that she likes plays about heroes? What’s this play supposed to be about?”

Jake arched his brow. “I wonder? I think you’ll like it.”

Nessa pouted, and so Jake handed her the menu brochure, which had two cultivators and their swords in a dancing pose, with cherry blossoms covering it. “The Blossoms Beneath the Blade, a tale of forbidden love and heroism?”

The curtains opened, and the actors stormed out, dancing across the stage. The narrator spoke over their entry, giving the setting of the story.

The dancer’s outfits were made of a shiny silk with bright colors, long robes that fit a martial style. Their movements were not much different from ballet, the fairy-like warriors leaping and prancing through the air. Many of them had various silk streamers flowing along with their movements, and he saw they were using Qi to control the streams somewhat.

Nessa noted, “Their costumes are so colorful.”

“I like their use of the silk. It flows like water, giving an ethereal feel.”

Even though they could talk, aside from light exclamations and pointing out something that they liked, they kept the conversation light until the intermission.

When it finally came, food and drinks were delivered, and then the servers left the room.

Jake squeezed her hand as he drank some wine. “It’s a fun play. I’m sure you enjoy that there is a hero and a heroine, and they are fighting side by side.”

Nessa smiled and clutched his hand tighter. “Yeah. It is a different kind of tale, but not all that dissimilar to more Nordic ones.”

“Have you had a good time this week?”

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“Oh yes, so much fun. Your wives and children are…so energetic, but fun and refreshing to spend time with. It’s such a big surprise that they have so much fun, yet are so strong.”

Jake chuckled. “They all know how to work hard and play hard, for sure, and I’m happy to see you fitting in with that. So, I’ve been wondering. What are your plans for Love and Justice after our wedding ceremony?”

“Oh! I have done my best to align several subordinates to take over my role in Love and Justice, and that most of the elites would join Hearthtribe. So, I was planning on moving in with my new clan, and working or adventuring with you and the rest… Is that…problematic?” Nessa looked at him worriedly, and her tail seemed to tighten on him once again.

Jake smiled. “It’s good. I was certainly hoping we could spend more time together, rather than you staying separate from our family and running your guild. That could have worked, but I always want my wives close. But we are probably going to have to do one of two things for our dungeon party on the party-focused floors. We are already shuffling seals as we go.”

“Ah, yes. We’ll be more than five now, even more than that if you consider Bree and Avalara, let alone Sati and Ruby. So I take it when you explore a party-focused floor, one…or later more, will have to sit out, and we’ll cycle through us? What’s the other option?”

“Two parties, and I take my permanent summons separately. I can have the Framework be the one to manifest or maintain their bodies, making them Adventurers in their own right and allowing them to act more as individuals rather than as summons, like Ruby and Sati have been doing these past few years.”

Nessa frowned. “Oh, traveling separately. I’m not so sure… I like that.”

“Why’s that?”

“Well, because…” She clutched his arm tighter, blushing, and couldn’t meet his eyes. “Because then we’re not fighting together. I too…would rather us be close.” Her tail had already coiled around his ankle and waist, and she had really been exploring his body with her tail. He pretended it wasn’t happening, mostly, which was becoming a bit of a game, it felt. How far would she go if he left it alone?

Jake chuckled, and hugged her tighter to himself. “I see. You did say you missed me after only a few hours. Only been a week, and you don’t like the idea of being away from me? Isn’t that more of us fighting on the same battlefield in your mind, as you said?”

Nessa looked at her snake tail that had coiled around both him and her, before meeting his eyes. “I’m… very attached now. I was used to us being apart, but now… I don’t want to. It’s not…annoying, is it?” She blushed and then her eyes widened as she realized that he was nearly entirely covered by her tail, and so she started loosening her grip on him.

Seeing her look cute like that and wanting what he wanted, he couldn’t resist and leaned in for a kiss. Her eyes widened just before they closed, and she offered her lips to him. The snake girl’s lips were cold to the touch, but it was just a pleasant, cool sensation that added to the kiss rather than subtracted.

The softness of her lips combined with her eager feelings for them to be closer gave a pleasant feeling in Jake’s chest. And seeing her amorous gaze that wanted to just devour him made him want to dive in for more of her touch.

Their bond increased to the third level finally, and Nessa gave him a wide smile. She fist-pumped in her mind, and Jake actually saw much of her tail spiral moved to one side, as if to mirror that action. Nessa blushed as his eyes followed her tail, and she pouted. “T-This thing…”

Jake laughed. “No, if anything, your tail and your attachment to me are both cute. But do not worry about us spending time apart for now. It will be a while before we’re in the dungeon next and for our small party size to matter much again–many months away. We’ll discuss it again when the time comes. As a family.”

Nessa sighed happily. “Family… Yes, I understand. Those girls are truly giving. I’m sure they might indulge me if it’s too hard for me…”

“That’s right, though safety and strength over our enemies is always first. There are other things to consider, such as our children, too. And for the Conquest, we will just move as a bigger Battlegroup.”

“I see. Yes, I think that should work just fine. We can move with a small group of elites with us.”

On Highlands, they had numerous reasons why they hadn’t wanted to move with Hearthtribe, and took on Rifts as a small party. Largely, that their recruits hadn’t been ready at a terribly low level, and secondly, they were lacking in mobility. The latter was likely to be the case still when compared to Ophelia on Valora, but there were definitely going to be more challenges than just Rifts for them to hit now.

Fortress Assaults and Greater Rifts would be much more common, and often generated as part of the enemy’s campaign against cities and Alliance HQ’s. Rifts themselves could be much more varied, and even enemy races like the Bloodwrought could show up and make more coordinated efforts in leading or fighting alongside the armies of monsters.

Mobility still mattered, but it mattered a bit less than it did at the first Tier in the day-to-day activities. They even had better options for airships and travel, though some areas could restrict this heavily, such as underground caverns, or even zones or events where it was disallowed.

Jake knew that, as a Nord or ex-Nord, she was very into fighting and battle. “Are you excited? For Conquest, I mean.”

“Oh yes. I love my brothers in arms from my guild, but I’ve always dreamed of fighting side by side with my warrior husband. The thrill of combat mixed with doing the right thing and bringing justice to evil fills me with excitement, and that I can do it together with you...” She gave a dreamy stare off to the side, and he could tell her heart was beating faster.

Jake chuckled. “It’s not all that different from Ophelia and her goals. But she likes to make things to protect others as well. Could you tell me more about your path? You form a lake when you fight, and I would call you an assassin more than a mage or a warrior, but you seem talented at all three.”

“You saw that? I wasn’t sure you were watching me.”

Jake had watched her while his other wives were busy taking on their special environments, and he had noticed that she hadn’t done anything while he was doing anything–so that she could watch him.

“Of course I wanted to watch my new bride, and learn more about her. And through our bond I felt how much you enjoyed fighting, but something else surprised me more. When you submerge in your lake, there is a strong feeling of contentment. Of home, and safety.”

“Yes, and that surprised me as well. For my whole life, the only things I valued were justice and battle…and a little love and romance. But when I awakened my mother’s bloodline, I felt… I started to value other things as well. Purity even more than before, and then the home of my lake.”

She told him a little more about how she fought and how why she had made her choices in magic. It seemed she also used an icy poison, which she brewed with her special hearth-a frostheart cauldron.

Jake was having difficulty picturing just what kind of assassin was stronger only at home, but somehow, that home was mobile. He realized this likely didn’t have an easy answer. He would need to see her fight some more, and see how she evolved to fit into their group.

“We’ll have to get you a proper lake in our Refuge. We have one, but it sounds like it isn’t going to be quite like yours.”

For some reason, this made her blush heavily. “Y-Yeah. We should be able to…merge our two homes together, and I will be able to bring my chamber as it is.”

Jake hadn’t realized that their Refuge’s would be able to merge, but it made sense. None of his other girls were really Adventurers before they met him to have one. “That’s great. I can’t wait to see it. That said, you’ve been a little cagey about our upcoming wedding ceremony. What is your plan?”

“I wonder? I think you’ll like it.”

Jake laughed–she had thrown back his tease from before. “Oh come on, that’s no fair. It’s important for me to be prepared for this special day. The Divine will at least witness it, right?”

“I want it to be a surprise, the event. They will, but I’m unsure of the specifics of who will be present outside of their statues or gaze. I’m sure my dad will make a scene of some kind, but I don’t think there’s a way you can prepare for that.”

Jake chuckled. “No, I suppose not. But is it going to be a cultivator style, or a Nordic one?”

Nessa blushed. “I suppose you at least need to know that. I decided on a cultivator style, as it’s fitting for me, and where we are. Something about this culture is novel to me, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. Not only because it’s interesting, but because it has helped me find success in battle and in love.”

Jake smiled. “It probably helps that it’s your mother’s culture as well. And for me, Fhesiah’s culture has always been interesting and important to me. Ah, it’s starting again.”

The intermission concluded, and the show continued into its next act. Now that they weren’t talking, they dug into the food and drink as they enjoyed the rest of the play. The two played with feeding one another, as well as sharing a few more kisses and more tender touches.

Jake made sure to appreciate her tail with his hand caressing it, and she shivered at his touch of it even more than a hand on her knee or thigh.

The story was a classic forbidden love tale, with two clans at odds with one another. However, a greater threat arrives–an assortment of demons. The two clans, along with the hero and heroine, set aside their feud to face the larger threat together.

Facing off against the large humanoid demon was interesting, a large construction brought out onto the stage and driven by a dozen of the stagehands or actors. It had many maws like snakes that darted forward, and the bodies arms swung its blades at the story’s heroes. But the hero and heroine eventually fought it back, and defeated it by sending red and blue silks into it, like casting magic spells.

Despite the threat defeated, the hero and heroine’s love was still forbidden, and they had to convince the two clans that they were stronger together. The two clans had to be brought together, before their love was accepted.

The curtain closed, and the crowd applauded the show.

Nessa smiled at Jake. “That was a lovely story. The dances and fights were both beautiful and exciting.”

“I enjoyed the tale, and the style of delivery. In many ways, it wasn’t all that different from the beastkin and their plays. You’ll have to come with us when we’re back on Highlands to see one with the rest of the family. Even the kids love it.”

“I’d like that very much.” She sighed happily, as she looked at him with adoring eyes. “Just thinking about the future with you and the rest… I can’t wait.”

Jake returned her smile. “You won’t have to wait much longer. Less than a week and we’ll be together always.”

She looked at the crowd, and people were beginning to leave. “I guess it’s time. Shall we go?” Nessa made to float into the air, but Jake pulled her down into his lap.

“In a hurry? Our next destination is a little less private. I think we can enjoy a moment to ourselves first before we go.”

He kissed her fiercely, and she met his lips with passion. As he deepened the kiss by putting his tongue inside, she eagerly let him in and met his with her own. Her tail began to wrap around him tightly, and her hands began to roam his chest and arms.

Cupping her cheek and holding her hip firm, he enjoyed his future bride’s cold and fresh tongue, the taste and feeling much like mint.

Nessa pulled herself deeper into his lap using her tail, panting as she kissed him in return. Before he knew it, she was rubbing herself along his crotch, and he could feel her need and desire over their bond. When he noticed this, it seemed she snapped out of her lust, and pulled back to breathe.

“Sorry. I got…a little carried away.”

Jake laughed. “It’s no problem. But if we go much further, I won’t want to stop either.”

Worry and alarm went over her bond. “I…think it’s best we don’t. It’s not that big of a deal, but it’s against my…plans to give you something special.”

Jake frowned. “Something special? I don’t really need anything beyond you.”

Nessa smiled. “I know that, and that’s wonderful. It’s not a huge thing, I don’t think. So if you insist, I won’t say no.”

Jake was tempted to continue, but then he remembered something else–the mention of bases. This amused him–

Nessa looked at him. “What is it? You’re thinking…something silly.”

Jake chuckled. “I just remembered my wives and their talk about bases, and their guesses about how far we would go on our date–sexually.”

Nessa had trouble parsing what baseball could have to do with anything related to sex, looking confused. “Bases? What does that have to do with anything?”

Knowing this was what she really wanted anyway, Jake stood, and helped her find her place floating next to him so he could escort her out. “Don’t worry. I’ll explain on the way to the next venue.”

Leaving the theater, the two took his flying boat over to their next destination, the tea gardens. It was already sunset now, the sky a beautiful velvet mixed with orange color. Walking through the flower and plant covered archway, the place was full of vibrant hues.

The tea gardens featured numerous ponds and small waterfalls, with bridges and walkways. Stacked stones lined the pathways, with vibrant plants and flowers covering everything as far as they could see. The many small trees were trimmed into leveled bonsai style, giving a very clean look. Large koi and turtles swam in the pond, the water clear and full of floating lilies and sparkling lights.

Numerous lights had already begun to turn on throughout the tea garden, and they were of various colors. They reflected on the flowers, giving off an almost prismatic look to the blossoming arrangements.

Nessa was in awe. “Wow, this place is even prettier at night, isn’t it?”

“You’ve been here before?”

“I have had a few meetings here... I guess… I haven’t much valued places like this to want to go here otherwise.”

Jake nodded. “I was interested in part because I knew Tanda and Avalara were. However, I find the meticulous care and design taken with the plants, such as with the bonsais, and the focus on beauty to be interesting. It’s an example of humans creating something beautiful together with nature.”

“I hadn’t thought of it like that. You’re right, even the manmade items like the stacked stones feel natural in some way. And the rock garden feels special–unique.”

They continued walking through the tea garden, the special lights shifting the color of flowers in the night. The two eventually walked over a bridge, where a waterfall fell behind it. The view was picturesque, and using his hearthflames, he snapped a few pictures with his camera.

Kissing on the bridge with the waterfall behind them as he held her tight and her body molded willingly to his, he felt it had truly become natural.

Throughout the week, Jake’s feelings for Nessa had grown, and hers for him did as well. Each detail she learned about him seemed to only make her love him more, and it was to the point where Jake hardly felt this was a political marriage, aside from arranging the initial meeting and intent. Still, it was the merger of two factions and their holdings, so it still fit.

He was already fond of her, and was starting to feel he wouldn’t want to let her go.

Their kiss ended, and she looked at his face longingly. Her breaths were heavy, and her blush increased. “Oh, that’s such a good feeling.”

“You’re talking about the bond?”

“Yes. That I can feel you…falling in love with me. The strength of your feelings increasing. My eyes can somewhat see or feel it now, but it’s not nearly the same. I love it.”

“From the beginning, I’ve always been fond of it and how it somehow conveys the truth. But the truth can sometimes be sad, and painful.”

Nessa looked surprised. “What do you…?”

“Less so for me, I suppose–I’ve been blessed in that all of my girls love me the same or more than I did them, until we became in sync. It just feels a little sad for me to know how much you and even Sati or Bree feel for me, but my feelings do not match. In your case, I am rapidly joining you, but what about them? I think many people have been in a one-sided love, and deep down they probably knew it. But the bond is like a proof that cannot be ignored. There is little room for doubt or hope, and I think it would, or could, be painful.”

“I see. Yes, that is sometimes the burden of truth. Seeing my trusted people I liked and invested so much of my time in lying to me was very painful. As for Sati, I think she is rather patient and has a positive outlook, and doesn’t see your feelings not matching hers as painful–she simply treasures the ones that you do have for her. Perhaps it would be if you never returned her feelings and told her that you never would, but it wouldn’t break her. She is strong in heart and spirit, and would simply continue to serve even if her love was one-sided forever.” Nessa frowned. “You’re not going to do that to her, are you? She’s such a lovely girl.”

Jake chuckled. “Advocating for her, are you? Even though she will take your precious time with me away from you?”

Nessa’s tail lurched behind him. She laughed a little awkwardly. “Ahaha–when you put it like that… But no, I value my time with you, but I understand the truth. That we will be together always, and if we reach the peak, the number of wives that love you will be no issue at all. As long as you continue as you have, it will only be a strength, something that improves our chances of success.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know about avatars and projections, right? We’ll all be capable of running several of them, and that includes you. With that, you’re going to have time for all of us, even if we are more numerous than days in a month. You and your clan will also be all the stronger for it, and that’s not even considering the power of your bonds themselves. In a way, we should all encourage you to increase your number of wives.”

“And they do. But I think it’s better to keep things on a slow roll. I don’t intend Sati to wait forever, but I did at least want you and me to be wed before I gave her too much of my attention.”

“And I appreciate that, but you didn’t have to. I saw how much attention you were able to give your wives, all while you made me feel special.”

They continued their walk, talking about the future as they enjoyed the many flowers and looked over the koi and turtle ponds. They had tea behind the waterfall in a special alcove, that felt ethereal and beautiful, and even overlooked much of the tea garden.

Jake got to see how she lit up talking about her plans for the Sector. It was all things that he had heard from Blood that they had worked out, but he listened to them again and asked questions.

Eventually, they took off and headed back to her home.

As they arrived, she brought out her gift once again, and smiled at it as she hugged the soft plush. “I had a lovely date, Jake. It was my first, and you’ve made it so memorable. Thank you.”

“I enjoyed it too. It’ll be the first of many, I promise.”

Giving her one last kiss for the night, Nessa once again didn’t look like she wanted to let him go. But it was her that had things she wanted to do before tomorrow. While she said she had made plans for Love and Justice, not all of the specifics had been carried out, and she had been busy this past week, and likely would be all the way up to their wedding ceremony.

“Good night, Nessa.”

“Good night, Jake. First thing tomorrow, I hope?”

“Definitely. You can come to our Refuge anytime, you know. Maybe we ought to make it a habit for you to come to breakfast for the next week, if that works for you.”

“Ah! I’d like that. Yes, I think we can make that fit. See you soon.”

Jake created his portal to the Refuge and headed home. The next date was one that she would enjoy a lot more than him, even if she didn’t know it was happening yet.