Chapter 8 - Beauty at the Ball

A few days of the same routine of training throughout the day, and relaxing besides that, brought me to the weekend. Today, Kylvia was able to start training so she came to the early morning work out session that was a standard with our squad. Apparently she waited a day to accept the Captains' offer, and seemed happy enough, considering what happened to her last squad. She isn't cold about losing them, but orcs handle death differently, and she seems to be okay.

Her shamanistic focus was around buffing allies and weakening enemies. She had different debuffing spells, and other status inducing spells like blinding, silence, weakening etc.. She had a powerful buffing spell that would send energy into our strikes and blocks giving us a basic damage increasing buff for melee users, called the Power of the Willful.

The wand that she carried, adorned with 3 feathers, was a staple of the Shaman class. The Wand has three bird feathers, the Condor, the Raven, and the Blooded Eagle. The blooded eagle feather was a deep red that had black spots on it, and was the largest feather that hung from the tip on a small chain, so that they dangled.

The standard enchantment for a shamans wand, is the Transfer Enchantment, which removes smaller, yet sometimes life threatening injuries, and is able to store a certain "amount" of those injuries, to transfer into another living being later. The more complex the injury, illness, or disease, the more power and energy it would take to move it to another target. For example, Kylvia could take the wound if a slice form a sword, just a flesh wound, she can remove it from your body, and target another being and transfer the wound to the exact spot on them.

"This won't hurt, I promise." Kylvias rich, lustful voice seems to linger as she finishes speaking.

The Captain sighed and said, "It's all right, just don't cut off your hand Draed...Wait, does it work on lost limbs?"

Kylvia laughed and shook her head, "No."

Draed, who was definitely acting tough for this beautiful shaman shrugs his shoulders and pulls his boot knife. He actually put a decent sized gash on the back of his left hand and Kylvia immediately went to work. Her spell was cast within a few seconds and the wound was closed up, well more like just gone, it disappeared. She then pointed at the Captain and the knife cut immediately showed on his left hand, blood dripping.

"Ahhh!!" The surprised response from the Captain made us all chuckle and I laid down my healing well to quickly heal him up and he nods in thanks.

"Well that is....badass." Dorris has to add as we finish up our training session.

"Badass..." Kylvia lets a slight giggle out after that and finishes with "...I like that."

A few chuckles and giggles come from the rest of us, even the normally quiet and shy pair of Ellestrae and Taezed were looking with humor dancing in their eyes.

"So Kylvia...." Draeds booming voice echoes through the training room, "You heard of this banquet right?"

It seems Kylvia is already in the know as far as what is comming, but cannot help but tease Draed a little.

"Banquet..you say?" She pulls out her sly seductive voice with a smirk to match.

Draed turns pinkish-red in his own form of a blush, and clears his throat, "uhh yeah, I was wondering if you would like to be my date?" His voice kept rising as he was speaking and was definitely too loud for normal conversation. There was a round of giggles, Kylvia was trying to hide it at least.

After collecting herself she says, "Yes, Draed, I think I will go with you."

I hear a whisper over my shoulder in the metallic voice of my Ghost. "This...is...fascinating." Ghost tried to whisper but it was loud enough in the echoey room that everyone heard and started laughing. Draed turned more pink.

"What IS that thing?" Kylvia asked, and so my Ghost introduced himself, and went through his practiced introduction speech.

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The other two squads(1 and 4) that were out on their own missions returned the previous day, and the current plan is for the entire guild to have a banquet for new members, and apparently for an announcement of some sort. It rarely happens as such, but it seems that my arrival was larger for the guild that I anticipated, it was rather intimidating. This guild is huge, and while there is only 4 main squads, there are many, many people who work and live here.

Almost all of the guilds' small teams and individual adventurers were all coming to this party, including the rest of the staff, and I am still not entirely sure what it is about.

Tonight is a very formal occasion in which dressing up seems to be the standard. There is an entire catering staff hired from the outside, and the whole guild and their families are invited.

The Lunar Hall, as it is named, is our largest banquet room that is furnished with our guild symbols and furniture. Apparently there is enough seating for the entire guild, not just the 4 squads and the leaders, but the small adventurer groups and even the staff that works the guild hall AND everyones families. This room is massive. They entirely cater out the cooking and cleaning for the evening and bring in a musician group of some sort as well.

I was sitting in my room after eating a quiet lunch of just a few Canto fruits and some water. I sat on the bed, which was accross from where the new rack that I had installed in place of a random painting, to hold a certain deadly trident.

I had the trident in my hands just feeling it, and my Ghost started to speak after a while. "Did that death bother you? Usually, it doesn't seem to effect you like this....it is because of the team, isn't it?" He asks this over the course of a minute or so, and I just kept staring at this weapon. I had a frown on my face by the time Ghost finished speaking.

I looked at him, and nodded my head once.

A small silence goes by and he said, "I scanned that trident, I have never seen anything like it, but it is as strong as any weapon from our system. It seems to be some kind of crystaline formation, but I dont understand the pattern that makes it strong."

Holding the Trident up to the light, the Metallic sheen is almost see through, creating an iridescent surface, that had a redish-purple color when looked directly through at a light.

"There also seems to be some sort of activatable energy in there, it might be worth getting checked out, or at least trying to fight with." Ghost said, as I nodded.

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Aliana knocked and walked in, "Kira?" and while I knew she was there I still was staring at the weapon and it took me a second to turn towards her.

"Brooding doesn't look as great on your face as a smile would, Kira." Aliana says in her melodic voice. Her voice was always entrancing, somehow it would wrap around you in its sensual embrace before entering your ears, so you feel it with your body before her words actually register.

I smiled at her, and stood from the bed and returned the trident to the wall mount.

"I figured you might need some help to get into that formal dress of yours and I brought my own so we can get ready together." Aliana says with a smile, it wasn't a question, but there was no way I would say no.

My Ghost disappeared and I smiled in return while nodding. She immediately started undressing after she closed the door and I was staring at her gorgeous, elegant figure. She had the exact image of Elven perfection, and it was long, slim, and very tight. She had the cutest butt and when she turned to "look" at me, (and definitely caught me checking her out), her face split into a devastating smile that gave me chills.

"Sooo are you going to get undressed for the bath, or just stand there and watch?" She taunts, I closed my mouth and started to unequip my armor from this mornings workout. I couldn't help but notice she had her blindfold set squarely at me before I covered up my naked form in a towel.

She still was wearing her smile and blindfold like a knowing mask to the world....but she definitely was returning the leering gaze before I was covered, I had the chills, and was too nervous to make eye contact with her blindfold.

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As we were walking to the womens bath down the hallway we passed by Dorris room where he was just emerging. His jaw immediately dropped when making eye contact with me. Though his eyes only rested on mine for a second, and I wished I was wearing more than a towel as his gaze lowered. "Soooo....Kira.." Before he could finish Aliana cuts him off and grabs my arm, "You wish Dorris." And with a small laugh she leads me on to the bathing chambers.

It was time for another soak in the bath house, or the divine relaxation place (at least that is my name for it). I will never get enough of it, my skin feels amazing afterwards, and I smell fantastic.

That might be one weird aspect about becoming a female, I really cared about how I smelled, as a guy, it was just whatever deaoderant I had, and good to go. Now, I loved to smell good, it made me feel good about myself. I haven't been in this body for long, but it is truly mine, and I feel good in it....Something I couldn't say in my past life, but I was proud of who I was, even if talking too much was super embarrassing.

As Aliana led me through the mist wall into the bath, I immediately felt eyes on our naked forms. The small conversation stopped and Aliana moved to the side to almost present me to the group of ladies. Kylvia was actually gawking at me...I was the darkest shade of blue I had ever acheived and tried not to cover my parts as to seem comfortable?

"I thought those were tattoos, but it looks like they cover every inch of your body....and they move. What is it that covers your skin, if you don't mind me asking? It is very attractive Kira." Kylvias deep and sensual voice gave me the chills as she looks right at my....lower parts with a scary smile.

I opened my mouth to speak, when my ghost spoke, "Well actually it is something that all Awoken Humans have, it is the Light that the Awoken naturally generate and." I cut him off and grabbed my Ghost before he could look around more. I know that he could just as easily scan everything, I also know he isn't a human, or elf, but rather....whatever this ghost thing was. I am comfortable around the ghost when I am naked, but I could only guess as to how the rest of them would react.

Ghost struggled while still muffled speaking, and I harshly whispered, "Please don't show up when we are naked!!" I was quiet, but I am sure most definitely heard me. "Oh, sorry." And he disappeared, I sighed with horror.

"Sorry." I said louder than my whisper, and sort of peaked around through my hair, using it as an embarrassment shield. No one honestly seemed to mind and I didn't actually have to answer any questions about it, but I was still shocked with embarrassment, there was no way I could relax enough to hear the magical music. This room was enchanted with a spell that only worked once you were really relaxed, and not really engaging with others. It was so you can still speak with people but it can keep you in a relaxed state beyond speech if you are silent.

This time we had all of our female squad members already in the bath as I took the open seat to the left Aliana. Aethena, Shirina, Ellestrae, and even our new and beautiful Kylvia was basking in the baths with us. I had sat down very quickly, and it was definitely noticed and laughed at, but not commented on thankfully. I am not used to being stared at, even though I should be since that is all that happens when out in public.

After a few minutes of relaxing small talk and smiles shared around, Ellestrae stands up showing off her very fit figure for an....older elf woman...I had to try hard not concentrate on her very gorgeous pale skin as she began to speak. Her breasts were not perfectly perky or large, but as typical of elvin stature, they were petite and sexy. I had to shake my head to get my eyes to move away.

"Well ladies, we have a full party in here, so it is only right that we have a drink." Ellestrae says while making her way to the side of the room, where there was a shelf with glasses, and what appeared to be a stone looking....mini-fridge thing? Yeah, she pulled a bottle out and I definitely didn't check her out as she reached down. Using her arcane power she floated each glass of this dark redish-purple with silver flakes drink that was slowly swirling around.

I was curious what it was but my attention was drawn away as Ellestrae's graceful figure re-entered the bath. She said, "To the Lunar Pact, to Kylvia, and to Kira. May we all find our paths together."

Everyone agreed and we toasted and drank with smiles all around. The drink tasted like a black berry soda, that was mixed with champagne some how. It was really good though. You can feel the silver looking flakes hit your tongue and burst with energy. It sent warm shivers through my body, and my breathing deepened a little. I had a few more sips, because it was so good, sending a bubbling sensation down my throat.

As Aliana leans over to me, she whispers, "Careful Kira, it is an aphrodisiac." She had an evil smile while my skin immediately blushed and my eyes went wide.

I looked to Ellestrae who just gave me a double lift of the eyebrows suggestively with a small smile, while Aethena chuckled and finished her drink with ease next to her. I couldn't be sure if it was the drink or the heat, but I was definitely all smiles after a few minutes and feeling great.

After all of us had a bit the talk livened up, and not a single lady in the room didn't have a smile on and was slightly squirming....something that probably shouldn't happen in a relaxing environment, but I felt the urge to move my legs around a bit too. I couldn't describe it besides that. There was almost a change in my light patterns as the euphoric feelings heightened.

"So, Kylvia, Draed actually got the balls to ask you to the banquet, how does it feel?" Aethena asks with a cocky tone.

Kylvia smiled a devious smile and said, "Haha I said yes, he's very handsome after all, and I would imagine that his.....well his assests are very large." It was a good thing she was a sturdy looking woman, because Draed is a beast, I wonder how big his....wow this drink is dangerous.

"Are you going with anyone?" Kylvia responds in her usualy deep sensual voice after the round of giggles stopped.

"Of course, Jaren, from Squad 1, we have been seeing each other on and off for a while...." Aethena replies in a sly look and tone, suggesting all the lude thoughts that she was having. I was blown away, because she seemed like such a cold person, at least that is how I viewed her, or at least someone who wouldn't go far with a person...I guess I have no clue, but either way it was kind of neat to see her change in character. This drink is stronger than I thought.

She continued after a second when a huge devilish grin split her face, "Annnnd you should see...what he can do...with that magic of his." She paused after every few words drawing out the suspense. She actually winked at us...that was enough to make my blush deepen and I giggled with a shocked face.

She caught my surprised look, "What? Just cause I am not loud about it doesn't mean I don't have any interestes outside of the squad." Aethena says rather defensively.

I giggled but didn't reply. "Has anyone asked to take you, Kira?" Aethena then asks with a revenge filled smile.

I had made an "o" with my mouth, just surprised by the question, and immediately shook my head with vigor.

Aethena, just smiled at me, in fact everyone was looking at me, making my blueberry blushing powers engage again.

"Well I, am very excited, it has been a while since Taezed and I have had the night to ourselves, and we are going to have a great night." Shirina says, with a huge smile on her face and a blush. Oh man this blackberry champagne stuff is dangerous, good luck Taezed!!

The gossip continued, and I wore a smile the whole time, I actually had to try to gather myself a bit before we started to leave the pool. It seems all the ladies were going to be in prime condition this evening...

When I looked to Aliana, she had her had laid back and I could see her body moving around slightly, this drink made any friction feel amazing, as I copied her movement to see how it felt.

We finally left, although I could have stayed in there for hours.

I had my ghost dry me and my hair before we left, and I felt absolutely amazing, walking on clouds.

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I closed the door to my room and turned to find Aliana already had a more elegant golden and white threaded blindfold that had an artistic mystical eye in a rainbow of colors in the center, replacing her normal one. I walked past her facing away from the closed door when I dropped my towel and was about to grab my dress. Then I felt hands on my shoulders.

Aliana spun me around and pulled my naked body against hers. She smiled at my surprised look but I couldn't stop myself form rubbing against her amazing soft skin. I was looking up into her blindfold as she kissed me after a second and we continued to writhe against each other. The kiss started soft as just the velvety soft skin of her lips graced mine with their presence, and slowly she began to deepen the contact.

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I was immediately lost in her embrace, trying eagerly to connect with her, and our tongues mimicked our squirming bodies. She pulled away, then leaned in again and I was so excited to kiss her again, which is when she stepped away with a devious smile, I could only pout and try to catch my breath. I was stunned, I had never experienced these sensations before, and I was being lead on a string of pleasure, Aliana holding the other end.

She continued to smile when she said, "I knew it." Her tone was just so confident and self assured it felt like she knew my darkest secrets and just confirmed them with the kiss.

"Knew..what?" was all I could say after a little longer than it should have been. She only smiled and chuckled softly at me as she put her dress on. I looked away and decided I should do the same.

I remember how they had showed me to put on my dress at first, at the store, and I was now stepping into it. I blushed, as I knew I could not wear underwear in this dress...it would show where the slit came up to my hip....dangerously high. I also didnt wear a bra, as my back was mostly exposed, the matieral of this dress is so soft that I honestly keep looking down to make sure I am still weaing clothing. This is going to be the hardest mission of my life....

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I kept my hair the same, but added this dark blue lily, with white dots on the right side of my head, which sat perfectly on the part in my silky black hair with a clip, Aliana brought it with her when she first arrived.

I had ordered my ghost to stop keeping my hair the same length when it would clean me, and my hair had grown a tiny amount, not much, but I noticed it. I loved moving my head around and feeling the hair embrace me, so I want to grow it out, not quite as long as Alianas...but maybe to my shoulders.

Aliana's hair was put into a beautiful braid, that intricately curled up the left side of her head and wrapped around down her left side. Her dress matched her regal blindfold and it wrapped up over her left, exposing her delicate right. It wrapped over her pert breasts and flowed down her elegant figure, showing some skin along the way. her left side from just below her breasts, to just below her waist was exposed, it was amazing that such a garmet could stay like that, but it seemed tight. She had a slit up the other side of her dress that stopped about mid thigh, and to say she looked like a Goddess would not be far from the truth, she was amazing, and thinking about how she kissed me, I was in shock.

I had my guild ring on, and I actually wished I had some jewelry to go on my skin, as I saw her put earrings and a gorgeous necklace on, this has to be the weirdest feeling I have had in a while because it feels so foreign. I have no jewelry, or anything shiny other than my eyes and my weapons....maybe I should bring my sword?

I didn't have to worry about make up, because my ghost took care of that for me. The last step was our shoes, Aliana had a pair of golden sandals that wrapped up her calves. I stepped into my high heels that showed just a bit of my black painted toes. I looked into the mirror and was actually shocked. I keep forgetting that I used to be a guy, and looking at this babe of an Awoken staring me and I can't say I missed being a guy.... I was very pretty.

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Knock Knock.

I froze, who is that? I looked at Aliana with a raised eyebrow, and she put down her drink and smiled as she looked at me.

"So, I know that you don't have a date for the night, and I have to sit at the Guild Masters Table, so I figured you could take my place." Aliana said.

Now I was super confused, she wants me to take her place at the Guild Master's table?

She glided to the door and opened it, then my mouth dropped to the floor.

Standing on the other side was him... The Captain was standing there smiling. His hair was perfect like some anime character messy but sexy somehow, and also... must be magic for how it stays perfect. His dress coat is a swallow-tail fit that would have been popular in the early 1900's in America, it showed the definition in his chest and shoulders...and arms. The black of the coat was rich and in the pocket held a square that perfectly match my light-blue skin tone. The shirt he wore also matched me, the same light blue color, with a black tie to match his jacket and pants.

He is half human, and the bulkyness that accompanied his 6'4 frame was very noticable in his perfectly fitting suit. My eyes made their way to his strong chin, human side showing again, and his longer brown hair was unkempt, and I loved it. I could see his pointy ears, and they were also attractive, I wanted to touch them....and then powerful blue eyes, that had so much emotion in them were staring at me. My glowing white eyes, me his dark blue, and I seemed to not be able to look away, until Aliana cleared her throat.

He smiled a devastating smile and stepped into the room. He hugged Aliana, and looked her over as well. She hugged him and kissed him on the cheek. "You look amazing Ali." He kissed her on the lips, and it was cute because she was taller than him, as a full elf, she stood at nearly 6'6" and Aedra was 6'4". But his size was still something that made him hold presence over her, she was taller, but delicate, and something to be loved, and worshipped. Aedra, was huge, and commanded his presence with an aura of confidence and electrical energy, it was as if he could just spark and turn into lightning at any moment.

He then let go an came up to me. After thoroughly examining me, he took my hands and said, "Kira, you are intoxicating, would you be our date tonight?" He asks me on behalf of both of them.

I was speechless, not that it was different from normal, but my heart was racing and I was blue as can be. Aliana walked up and put a hand on his shoulder while putting her other hand on my waist. "Kira, Aedra and I both have feelings for you, feelings that, well that were made clear with our...kiss." She giggled and looked at Aedra mischievously, daring him to say something. He only smiled and leaned to kiss Aliana again.

I blinked, my mouth still open in shock. "But..." I looked at the Aedra, not sure if this was actually happenning, or if the blackberry drink was still doing wonders for me.

"Ever since the first moment I saw you standing next to me, I knew you were something special. I stared at you in shock as your helmet vanished and your glowing eyes met mine. I have great feelings for you Kira, I want you to come with us tonight, and have a great time. I want you to be our date." He pulled a flat square box out of his coat and handed it to me.

"Your eyes pierce through me, to my very soul, and I want them to swallow me up. Aliana and I purchased this for you, as a token of our feelings for you, we are drawn by the light of your eyes, and by the strong feelings we have for you. And so we want to give you some "light" of our own for you to wear tonight, and well, anytime you wish.....Go on, open it." Aedra says, and Aliana nods with a smile.

I opened the box and if I could not have been more speechless. A necklace lay inside, with a platinum white thick chain that would leave it just below the V of my neck holding a large white glowing stone, encased in a black metallic swirling cage that made it seem to spiral. There are two matching earrings that are also glowing white to match my eyes.

"It is a fallen star, just as you are Kira, infused with holy light. It will remain bright for thousands of years." Aliana said, I think she means meteorite, but it's absolutely gorgeous either way. I don't know what to say, I have never received a gift like this before, and my eyes are tearing up a bit.

"It is from both of us, I hope you accept." Aedra said.

"I.." I was going to say something, but just went forward and hugged both of them instead. I honestly had to hold back some tears. I had never been given something like this, even in my last lives. Also, I can't describe the warmth and joy I felt at being given something by people who wanted me, for me. In my first life, I had love, but it was always distant and fleeting. I have never been sought after and I have to admit, I absolutely loved it.

Aliana just made a loving noise and embraced me, while Aedra chuckled slightly.

I was now very aware of how much taller they were than me, even in my heels I was only up to Aedras chin in height, and Aliana was a few inches taller than him, which is common for full elves like her.

"Thank you." I said, earnestly. "I would love to go as your...dates." It took all I had to say that to them, but these two people are the closest friends...or rather family that I have. We have trained, fought, traveled, and are only just beginning to really get to know each other. I know I want love in this life, and if it is from these two amazing people, I can only try my best to return it.

They both smiled, nodded and Aliana said, "Well, Aedra, help her put the necklace on." She said it with a little spice, teasingly. "We are going to be late if you don't hurry."

I turned around for him as Aliana took the box from me and let Aedra take the necklace out. His arms reached around me and grabbed the necklace and I shivered from the proximity of him, and the amazing scent he had. He put it on and clasped it under the hair I was holding up. His hands followed my shoulders down to my hands and I shook again in euphoria. I turned again and looked up at them.

"It matches your eyes, and the light patterns so perfectly." He said as his hand followed my arms away from my necklace to my hands. It gave me the chills.

I brought out my ghost and asked, "Can you...pierce my ears for these earrings please?"

"Of course, where on your ear would you like them?" My ghost said, and Aliana showed him on my ear. It was a simple as a wave of light over my body. Aliana then put my earrings on and smiled at me.

"You look incredible, Kira." She said.

My body tried to increase my blush, and I quietly responded, "You..both look amazing."

They both smiled and we headed out to the party.

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After entering the main lobby, still arm in arm with the Captain, Aliana on the other side of him, we walked up to Draed and Kylvia, also arm in arm. They were talking to a man that was taller than Aliana, had to be almost seven feet! He had his back to us but Draed spotted us and called out.

"Oh, Hey Capt'n, looking sharp with those beauties on your arms." Followed by a booming laugh, and the tall white haired man turned with a huge grin. His glacial eyes widened when the locked on me, and his grin got larger if that was possible.

He had a massive greatsword sheathed on his back, probably close to as tall as I was, and he was wearing very clean armor in our guilds colors. It was impressive, and he held a presence that could not be ignored.

Aedra chuckled but before he could speak the man beat him to it, "Well I'll be damned, if the pretty boy didn't get himself another beautiful lass to wear on his arm like jewelry. BAHAHHAHAHAAHA" His laugh was loud, as Draeds was booming and deep, but they laughed together all the same. He has a very heavily accented voice that made his words seem to drag on, and change length depending on how long he wanted to hold the letters at the end of each word.

I felt Aedra sigh more than heard it, and I definitely looked down to make sure I still had my dress on. I can feel it on my legs when im walking but, I honestly feel naked, it was so terrifying. And this giant just looked over every inch of me, I felt exposed, but at leat Aedra was there.

"Well if it isn't.." Aedra began, but was immediately interrupted by the man.

"Strieeten O'Connell it is, I am! Squad 1 Cap'm, and you, must be the Starfall I've been 'earin so much about then?" The inflection at the end of his sentence happened just before the end which I oddly noticed as it dropped down at the very end, but I couldn't speculate as to why it stood out. His eyes are kind, but full of laughter, also as he says starfall his voice turns from a loud boisterous one, to a deep rumbling secretive one, as if no one else could hear it, but it was ridiculously loud still.

I nodded and quietly said, "I'm Kira."

"BAHHAHAHAHHAH, we got a shy one don't we? Well don't you worry your pretty little eyes out lassy, I won't go biting ya. Now, what has this horrible Cap'm done to ye, to let him take you on a date?" He always said Captain with an "M" somehow, but it worked with his accent, I had trouble replying as he stared at me.

"uhh."

"Alright, Strieet, give her a break. How was that mission?" Aedra interjects.

"Ohhhh trying for business talk are we? No no no no, not a time like this! I won't be havin' it!" Captain O'Connell says while shaking a finger and his head, making his beard go wild.

"What I am just curious?" Aedra says with a grin, trying to break the rock of the other Captains will.

"Nope, not gonna do it, ye weren a sly drabbeart you are." Strieet says, in his heavily accented voice, what does that even mean? He shook his head violently and made wild gestures with his hands, he was a character!

"Alright, we are gonna go get a drink then, but we are not done with this conversation." Aedra said, I just noticed that Aliana was over talking to Kylvia and Draed, and made her around the mountain that is Captain O'Connell, back to us.

"Ready?" she asked, and Aedra nodded and off we went, through the massive 30ft doors that were opened showing a beautifully decorated guild hall.

It was still massive, and had the 4 rows of tables that went almost the enire length. There was a dance floor set up, and a group of musicians were playing music. There was a few couples dancing, but I was shocked at how many people there was. Everyone looked amazing.

We made our way to the bar where a few different women were serving drinks.

"Know what you want to drink?" He seemed to sense my hesitation, and I leaned forward to Aliana for help.

"Ah, we will have two of the Garnet Whites I think." Aliana replies. Garnet was the drink that definitely had some...certain effects, but the White was the weakest, and Gold the strongest. There was 7 different strengths, all with a different amount of those....effects.

"Oh yeah? What is going through your mind?" He asks with a chuckle.

"I said light..." She replied almost sheepishly.

"Buuut..you already had some already didn't you?" He asked with a knowing smile.

"I will neither confirm nor deny having any Garnet - Silver tonight, isn't that right Kira?" Aliana asked, Garnet Silver was the second strongest, and after one glass earlier, I could tell every lady was feeling great. So hopefully this won't be as intense.

"Is that what we had in the baths?" I asked.

"Kira! You aren't supposed to tell him..." She said with a sly smile.

The captain was surprised, but just laughed, "Okay, well I won't argue that." And he grabbed two Garnet Whites, that were serverd in a beautiful guild markest wine glass, from the nearest bartender. He also received some liquor that was served on the rocks.

We stepped back away from the bar, and he pulled us around, "Ladies, this is to a great night, may it last forever." He said.

"Well said." Aliana said lightly, and I made an agreement sounding "mhm" while nodding happily.

We mingled around for quite a while, and I got to meet so many people that I lost track of names....I hope Ghost can remember them. It was very tiring, but also enjoyable. The Captain was showing me and Aliana off, and it felt good to hold onto him as a support.

He escorted Aliana and myself to the Guild Masters table where they both got up and received us.

"Hello Captain, Aliana, Kira. You all look incredible today." Guild Master Korbias said to us, with a fond smile.

"Indeed they do, Aliana, dear, I hope you sit with us for the evening, I do miss your company in the office when I am forced to sit beside this old fool for days." Guild Master Liadri says with feigned distress.

Aliana laughs, and says, "I missed you as well Liadri, I trust you have been keeping HIM in line?" As she nods to Korbias with a chuckle. He just smiled, completely unfazed.

"Of course I have dear. Now lets see what we have here. My goodness Kira you are breath taking dear! Come here!" She pulls me into a very warm embrace. Just like my mostly Elven dates, Liadri also towers over me, and it feels very motherly and loving to be in her embrace.

"Thank you..Liadri." I said quietly, ugh, I am not great in crowds, with my quiet behavior, but she just smiles and lets me go.

We left Aliana to remain at their table, and the Liadri was talking with her, when to my surprise Ellestrae came up to them with an embrace and sat with them as well! It seems they are all great friends, and it brought a smile to my face.

"Yeah, they will talk like that for hours, lets go find our seats, shall we?" Aedra says to me with a smile for Aliana.

"Sure!" I said.

Across from us sat Aethena, in a stunning white dress, her normally straight hair had been curled and it was gorgeous. "You look amazing Aethena." I mustered the courage to say to her.

She looked at me with a surprised-to-hear-me-speak smile and said, "Kira, YOU, look amazing, thank you though. Oh this is Jaren Paleless, he's in squad 1, and is a big tough battlemage!" She said the last part with a laugh, and in a funny attempt of a Jaren impression.

He rolled his eyes at her, and bowed towards me. "A pleasure to meet you Kira, Aethena has spoken highly of you."

"Aghck! I have not! Don't go making stuff up! You shut your mouth!" She said it with a fake serious tone I knew she was joking but my face went darker blue anyways.

To my surprise Shirina sat next to me with Taezed in a SUIT of all things, he looked very uncomfortable, but Shirina was absolutely beaming while holding his arm. She was also very pretty in a Dark Red and black modest dress that seemed to match the few scales that are visible on Taezed. She leaned over to me, "You look, amazing Kira!!! I love this, it brings out your skin so well!!!"

I laughed with her enthusiasm and replied, "Thank you, you look gorgeous as well!" My longer sentence made her face brighten even further if possible and she squeezed me with a one-arm hug.

"I have been looking forward to tonight for so long, and it finally happened, and Taezed here is absolutely handsome! I am in heaven right now!" Shirina declares, while Taezed tries to look anywhere but at his adorable wife.

Conversation continues on and we had dinner brought out to us. I had a fish that was a very moderate portion, of the most elegant tasting fish, rice, and a nice salad to go with it. It melted in my mouth, the lemon-garlic-butter taste absolutely melted my soul. I had stopped with the Garnet drink so I could maintain my sanity, and enjoy the meal, but I felt its effects since leaving the baths. I was hot and bothered.

After Dinner, Korbias Stood and cleared his throat grabbing everyones attention.

"I would just like to say, Thank you, for the entire guild. Thank you all for being a part of this amazing place, that I have worked my entire life at. My wife and I look at all of you as our family and I want you to know that, Liadri and I feel the same. As that is said, I would like to announce the newest memebers of our squad 3, who is finally getting filled again." Korbias said this with a humorous look towards Aedra, as he had been trying to get more people into his squad for years.

"Anyways, first, we all know her as Starfall, the beautiful and powerful Kira, guardian of earth! Welcome to the Lunar pact, stand and be recognized!!!"

I just kept thinking, please don't make me come up there, but standing up now is just as scary. I turned my horrified face to Aedra, and he smiled and sad, "Come on stand up!"

I obeyed, and tried to ignore the world.

"Well, she's shy, but she is incredibly powerful, and is definitely welcome among us as family!" Korbias said, and an echoing chorus of "Here, here" and "hell yeah" rolled through the crowded room.

After the applause stopped, I sat down, and Korbias continued, "Next I would like to introduce the mighty Orc Shaman, Kylvia of the Willful, Welcome to the Lunar pact, Stand and be recognized!!!"

She stood immediately, her dark purple dress that she got from the same store as me, was shining and beautiful. It complimented her green skin tone, and matched the dark purple of her hair. She bowed and then sat down after the cheering stopped.

"Good, well, I welcome you new people and I would like to annouce the next steps for our guild. We have some upcomming missions that will require full cooperation, of all squads, and many adventureres as well. I know we can work together on this, but the monster problem is only getting worse. We now know they are artificially created, and soon we will be sending out squads and strike teams to investigate, and eventually eliminate these threats." Korbias said.

"Alright, that is all that needs said on serious topics, now, lets have a great evening, and there will be no work tomorrow, as the guild will be shut down for the day!" Korbias finished his easy speech, and everyone cheered.

After dinner, Aedra and I shared a cheesecake style dessert while talking about different things, but of course the trident came up, "I saw the....Trident, on your wall. Are you alright, with having it and everything?" He said cautiously, I was definitely not sober, but was only buzzed, but I still had a mood shift.

"Honestly, Aedra," I said only loud enough so he can hear. "When I saw your face, after I respawned...my heart kind of broke, I am used to death, and it has happened willingly, many times for me. I will die again, and I am not scared of that. But I am terrified that you will look at me like that again." I was shocked to hear myself spill these words out, but I think I had to get it off my chest.

"I know I told you this, but yeah, it was the worst thing I have ever seen, and I have not been able to get it out of my mind. I look at you every day, and see your smile, but I also see your corpse. I really care about you Kira, Please don't give your life away again, regardless of how easy it is to get it back. Please?" Aedra says in a heartbreakingly soft tone, I noticed that Aethena was staring at me, but I did my best to not look at her.

"If I can save someone, then I will gladly give it again. I am a Guardian, but I don't want to see that look on your face again, so I promise I will do all I can to avoid making that decision again." I know I will die again..it is just part of being a Guardian, but hopefully he...won't notice? Either way I knew we had to have that conversation, it might as well be now.

"Thank you." He said, and he leaned over, using his left hand to guide my cheek, and brought me into a kiss. It was soft, but very firm, he was a powerful kisser, and it was just as amazing for different reasons that Alianas kiss. Before it got too intense we heard a loud throat clear from accross the table.

"Alright you two, lets keep it clean until after the banquet please?" Aethena says with a mean smile that seems to immediately make me blush.

Aedra clears his throat "Well, Kira, do you want to dance?"

And a smile split my face, of course I want to dance. I have never made so many people more uncomfortable when they asked me to show them some dances. I loved every second of it.

The music even slowed for a while, and Aedra pulled me close. The dancing naked feeling from my dress in combination of being pressed up against a wall of muscle, I was certainly in another world. The drinks had me floating and the music was amazing, we spun around and enjoyed the dancing quite a bit.

I stopped him for a second, and grabbed his hand, I pulled him to the Grandmasters table, and walked over to Aliana.

I whispered in her ear, "Come dance with Aedra."

She turned at smiled at me, "I would love to."

They danced for a while and I got another drink. I was at the bar next to Draed and Kylvia, and they were not speaking...to anyone else. I am happy to see they are getting...along. They are gonna have a good night. Speaking of good nights, a few minutes into Aliana and Aedra dancing, Aliana stopped him with a smile and a hand on his chest. She whispered something in his ear and he smiles and nods. They kissed, and Aliana came straight over to me.

She took my hand without a word and walked me onto the dance floor. I had just enough time to put the glass down before being out of reach of the bar.

She pulled me into a slow dance and I had my arms up around her neck. We swayed for a bit, and finally she stopped, and whispered in my ear, "I think it is time to go upstairs." And she had a smile to kill for, I nodded and my stomach fluttered with nervousness.

We walked to where the Captain was leaning against a wall.

No words were spoken, he just took my hand and we walked to Aedra's room. As we passed mine, I stopped, opened the door with my guild ring and summoned my ghost. "Will you stay here please?"

"Yeah, you got it." Ghost said as it floated into my room, he had a nervous sounding tone, but I promise I am way more nervous than the ghost right now.