“I can't believe we made it to the quarterfinals.” Jura laughed, swinging Tyr's hand around playfully and giving it a squeeze. They made their way down the straight thoroughfare of the shopping district, hand in hand. Some people looked at them, an orc and human pairing was quite rare, but seeing his hair was enough. The snow white locks, now cut short on the sides with a few inches on the top, as real a badge of identity as anything else. His return glares did the rest. “I knew you said we'd win, but I never thought we'd do so well. Like you said, it was pretty easy.”

“Saorsa won't be.” Tyr replied. He looked forward to fighting them, but it would be a challenge requiring the efforts of the whole team to pull through. Girshan and Yana were talented, obviously, but Nala was a literal awakened chimera. How she'd managed to gain admission to the contest was beyond his understanding, they weren't a race that should be permitted to be here. She was tricky, though, which was likely the reason why she was here. And they couldn't ignore the others, a few kijin of brutal reputation and a foxen who carried the rank of a platinum rank adventurer. An ursa, a bear variant beastkin known for strength and hardiness as one might imagine. “You look very nice, by the way. I like what you've done with your hair as well.” He smiled.

Jura had uncoiled her braids and wore her hair in a more human style, tied back in a tail, smooth and thick and straight. He preferred the braids, but according to her – as she was clan-less – she shouldn't be wearing them at all. She had long silky hair, and it fell down to her waist in a waterfall of glossy jet. For the first time since he'd met her, she was also wearing what many might consider clothes for 'normal people'. Out of her armor and in more modest affair, a gray and white day dress with a leather corset latched around her midriff and accentuating... Well... Parts. Parts that he was quite fond of.

“You have exceptional breasts.” Tyr added, just for posterity. “Large milkers, as we in the industry like to call them.”

She blushed, an expression that was fairly rare for her, such a confident and bold person. “Thank you, you look nice as well.”

Tyr chuckled, he didn't care for frills and frocks, cummerbunds, ties and jewelry. All he'd done is throw a thin knee-length cardigan over his typical riding attire. A white linen shirt, and black pants to match the half-robe. He wasn't much for fashion, but Mikhail was quite insistent that it was disrespectful to Jura not to at least show some effort on their 'date'. Tyr didn't get it, in truth. They'd eaten dinner together several hundreds of times in the past and his attire had never been a concern. It wasn't as if he went about covered in much and... Well, no. Tyr's hands were usually stained black from forge work even while he ate, a nice layer of carbon and oil wasn't 'dirty' – not to him. Now, he'd been scrubbed uncomfortably of everything, even under his fingernails. Cleaner than he'd been in years, maybe.

Reminded in that moment that he could've just cut his hands off and waited for them to grow back. A missed opportunity, but Jura didn't like it when he did that sort of thing. To him, it was just another Tuesday, but he could see where she was coming from.

“Are we friends, Jura?” Tyr asked. He'd asked that question once to others in the past and received an unexpected answer, and now he'd ask it again.

“What a ridiculous question, of course we are friends.” She asserted confidently before laughing. “You are my best friend and companion. Nobody means more to me than you, my man servant who always feeds me and brushes my hair. Calls me pretty so often that it's begun to irk me, buys me whatever I want and has given me so many gifts that I've been cast into the well of life debt. We get along too well to not be friends, what else could we be?”

“Man servant...” Tyr supposed marriage was a kind of servitude, all said and done. “I guess that's not too far from the truth. Who set this up, by the way?”

“I did.” She said. “You never would have approached me for a proper day of leisure, all you want to do is work and take me when you're done. While I quite enjoy that pastime of ours, I...”

Tyr nodded, he could easily understand. Even after their years together in the astral space, Jura had never really been given the freedom she'd desired after living so long in slavery. In some ways, he feared that desire for freedom, knowing she would eventually leave. But that was okay, and her right to do so, man and wife of higher station rarely remained attached at the hip for long. Eventually, she would seek her own path independent from him, she was just that kind of person. Wanted to taste and feel all the world had to offer, to see things and travel beyond Tyr's interest to do so.

“I get it. You deserve this.”

“You're absolutely right.” She smiled brightly, pressing her body against his own and pecking his cheek affectionately. Jura was incredibly affectionate and always said how she felt, which was refreshing after what felt like ten years of watching his 'other wives' glare at him during their rare meetings or the odd mandatory banquet. “I do deserve this. And you'll get what you deserve if you manage to get through this without troubling me.”

“I'd get it anyway.” Tyr snorted, shaking her head at her sudden re-adoption of bossing him around. “Know your place, woman.”

“Ugh... You are not charming in the least.”

–

“Pah!” Jura belched loudly, speaking of charming. She might be making changes to herself out of a wish to have more experiences, but she remained mostly immodest. Even in a place like this, a refined establishment of dark wood paneling filled with finer nobles. Luckily for her, nobles who lived close enough to Haran to be 'aware' weren't likely to interject. Remaining silent with lowered heads at their first sign of Tyr, that 'little monster'.

Not so little any more.

For those that didn't know, he made sure his eyes communicated a need to keep their own where they belonged, this night was for her and he would ensure she enjoyed it. At all costs necessary.

“What is this?” She asked, raising the flagon.

“Malted barely, wheat and water.” Tyr replied. “I think...? Given my predilection for drink, perhaps I should try to learn a few things about brewing. Beer is good.”

“It is, but I meant this.” She pointed toward the meat. The staff were in the process of serving a five course meal before a gold coin and a glare from Tyr had seen the menu suddenly changed. First, it had been a bunch of lettuce covered in a tangy sauce. He wasn't pretentious when it came to food, but that dish and all the others certainly were. Even with his favorable opinion on vegetables, it was just too sweet for him. What in the ungodly hell was the point of putting what amounted to little more than tangy syrup on lettuce?

Next was a duck's egg filled with black, round spheres. The waitress had indicated them as the eggs of a fish, maybe the first thing Tyr had ever tasted that he wholeheartedly disliked. They were incredibly salty, and uncomfortably creamy, layering his mouth. After that, he'd refused the next dish and insisted that he make it himself.

He'd lived a prince for most of his life, finding their insistence that this was 'gourmet cuisine' a joke. Nothing beat the grilled flesh of an animal, that was universal law. These people could sit there all they want and talk about 'stars', who in their right mind would look at a pile of fish eggs, and a steak, and pick the former? Humanity had fallen far at some point and he doubted they could ever be redeemed.

A bit of a show, really. The proprietor of the establishment was here to make money, and that was in attracting notable individuals. A gold coin and the presence of the 'white wolf' himself was enough to see him alter the menu without argument. In Tyr's opinion, food was just food. It was supposed to fill one up and be pleasant doing so. He didn't need salty and sour eggs or sweet lettuce. What a ridiculous concept that was. Sweet lettuce...

“It's pork belly.” Tyr said, using a pair of tongs to flip the thick slab of fatty meat over. It was quite a show, seeing him take out a wide steel plate and begin using it to cook an assortment of things provided by the restaurant. Which, right now, were several fat rectangular slices of pork with vegetables soaking up the rich fat. Unfortunately, this restaurant didn't serve beef in any form, but meat was meat and most flesh had an upside. “I met a man named Jin in Amistad once who said this was his favorite dish. I've only had it once before, and this restaurant has exceptional meat quality if nothing else. Do you like it?”

“Mmm...” Jura couldn't respond, groaning as the layer of skin present on the meat crunched pleasantly in her mouth, releasing a tide of rich and hearty juices. Eyes closed in pleasure until shooting open to lock eyes with another. She waved the mystery figure over to their table, an elegant and mature woman in a revealing white dress joining them. Revealing, not as an observation of a low neckline, but there seemed to be less cloth than skin showing, a very provocative design considering the setting. “Ish sho good.”

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Nala, I'd love to spend more time with you, any other time – but as you can see I'm here on a uh... A date.”

“I'm aware.” Nala fluttered her eyes innocently. “And I'm sorry I'm late for our... Uh, date.” Her voice was amused and a bit more than mocking.

“Our date?” Tyr asked, looking to Jura. She nodded energetically before indicating that this was intended to be a date between all three of them – not just they alone. Tyr couldn't help but notice the apprising stares of the other patrons in the restaurant. Jura was beautiful by all measures of the word, but she was half orc, and Nala had an unnatural elegance to her that was hard to describe. In the same way that Iscari seemed to perfect, she was fairly similar. Her dark skin, golden hair, and voluptuous body. Such refined behavior to match it, at least when she was in public. That, and she looked human, matching the ideal of a beauty standard on the continent whereas Jura, or Astrid and Sigi, might not. Even Alex was considered 'too tall' by many. They had odd tastes, these people.

Men were men, they were simple creatures and typically only thought with one head. It was not shocking in the slightest that she'd managed to find some 'fans', in any case. “Well...” Tyr accepted it, he had to. “I'm glad you're here. It's been a long time since we last spoke. I'd even say I missed you, but then you caused me a whole heap of trouble making such a ridiculous display at the opening ceremony.”

“And how else should I stake my claim? I did come to watch you play, but you made no attempt to speak to me, my feelings were quite hurt.” Nala pouted, but her eyes were always predatory, and rare were her reservations.

“I've actually been wondering, how do you two know one another?” Jura asked, pausing from her energetic feasting for the first time. “You said you were lovers? If that is so, why are you so rude to her?” Her accusing gaze hit Tyr like a lightning bolt. He had no idea why Jura was so respectful to a chimera, almost reverent of the woman whereas all races he'd ever spent time with were terrified of them.

“We were not lovers.” Tyr said before conceding a point. “But we are friends and we were traveling companions, and I certainly don't dislike her. She has taught me a great deal, and I am certain that without her I would have gone in a much worse direction.”

Nala didn't seemed concerned with eating, probably playing at some game or another as she always did, a cruel woman who liked to watch him squirm. Leaning forward to expose her open dress, smiling as Tyr looked away in annoyance. “Actually, I was the one that came for him and he denied me. He seemed so cute and innocent back then, even after everything... What a nice toy, I thought – but he rebuffed my attempts time and time again. After that... I suppose I became more interested with the man than the experience.”

“That's...” Tyr sighed. “Fairly correct, but let's circle back. What do you mean a 'nice toy'? I thought we had good chemistry.”

“Of course we do, and insecurity is so appalling – don't make yourself the fool when I intended to make no such slight on your character.” She stared at him with a vague look of disgust. “I'm very old, and you know that, we take our pleasures where we can and you are an incredibly amusing boy.”

“We didn't even do anything and I still feel used.” Tyr frowned.

“I think I understand the situation...” Jura concluded. “In that case, I would like to begin the process of including sister Nala into our matrimony.”

Sister Nala...?

Tyr balked, flinching back while Nala laughed. “I do not care for human laws, little one. Never have I sought to make a husband of him. Also, I'd like to say that I intend no disrespect or forceful conclusion to business. I do like you Tyr, quite a bit, and I respect you for your spirit, but all I wish is to bear a child with you. As you are the only primus not likely to resist, if not kill me on the spot, I wish to see what would come of it. A fine diversion.”

“I can't.” Tyr replied. “The law states that--”

“Mmm.” She smiled. “The law. Chimera and our offspring alike do not have souls. Even when we cross breed with other races – no soul, they are always chimera, it is something that cannot be bred out of us. I've spent some time looking into this and I am absolutely sure it'll be safe, if that is your concern. If you'd like, I could turn you into a woman and we can do it the other way around. We have no gender, this form of mine is just the most pleasing to me.”

“...” Tyr felt a chill roll down his back. He didn't even need to ask if that was possible – he knew that Nala meant it. “I won't do it without marriage. I'm sure you're right, but I have to be safe.”

Jura smiled happily, delighted. Tyr had changed more in personality and was becoming far more articulate and playful. And so fast... The progress seemed unnaturally expedient, but she didn't dislike it.

“You're making quite a harem for yourself.” Nala gave a deep chuckle. “Those three humans, this bold young lady, and even a maxxid. I feel left out, and perhaps I'll do as you ask. I never thought you of an interest of the crustaceous variety, though. How does that even work? Do you just rub your parts on his, or the shell? I've heard they are exceptional water mages, how much oil is involved? Does it chafe?”

“Please shut up.” Tyr said. “If you promise to leave me alone, and obey my own request, I'll do whatever you want.”

“Be careful.” Nala warned, suddenly serious. “A promise made is not a promise easily withdrawn. Let us call this a business transaction. I will see to it that my team loses to you in the tournament should you promise to grant my request – and only that. I don't care to be married or bound to you, because we already are by happenstance, and you know it. I want your seed, and nothing else from you, I've had a dozen partners and while I think you're special, you are not my muse. Is this a bargain?”

“It's not a bargain.” Tyr shook his head. Feeling pleased at the glow of pride in Jura's eyes as he refused to let her throw the match. Even if he hadn't been of a necessity to face a fair challenge, seeing that look would have made it worth it. It made him giddy, almost childish joy rolling through him.

“Suit yourself.” Nala said. “I expect that you'll allow me to accompany you after the events in this ridiculous city if I choose to do so. We are friends, after all, and bound of souls.”

Tyr nodded. “Do whatever you want, lion grandma, just don't try to poison me again because it was 'funny'.”

“I suppose we'll see.”

–

He wasn't one for vulnerability. Tyr had been pressured into a toxic view of what it meant to be a man, a primus, even a husband, since he was young. Yet he doubted that he'd ever stop loving the feeling of fingers being run through his hair, being doted on as was the traditional place of a wife. Whether it was wrong or not, he didn't care. Not right now.

Jura liked doing it in any case, his hair was soft and silky. The reassuring weight of his head on her lap was a contentedness beyond her norm. Like an oath in living motion as he snuggled up against her, so trusting and revealed. Communication was key, and for all their differences they communicated very well, and that felt nice. Tyr never forced her to do a single thing she didn't want to, and would almost always capitulate when she wanted him to do something that he did not.

She knew he hadn't wanted to, many times before. But he saw Jura for the her she was now in respect to the past she'd experienced. It was an incredible feeling, that compromise coming from him out of respect for all she'd been through, and not in the way that might make one consider themselves pitied. Not that she fancied herself a damsel in distress by any means, but he was considerate enough to allow her to do something like this to show appreciation. Soft beneath his tough exterior.

As for Tyr, that wasn't quite the truth. It felt good, and for him it was as simple as that. Her soft, springy thighs, and... Well... He'd more often than not shake those thoughts out of his head. There'd be time for that sort of thing long into the foreseeable future, ideally. Most of all, it made him feel safe and secure – calmed his heart and mind and let him sleep when he'd had such a difficult time of it before. He didn't know where the need to be nurtured had come from, becoming a part of his identity, but it was there.

“Why do you like Nala so much?” Tyr suddenly asked, voice thick with drowsiness.

“Because she's a magical beast.” Jura replied softly, watching in amusement as her Freki curled itself on Tyr's chest after stretching himself. It was a good sign that her soul bound familiar was similarly positive in its opinion of Tyr. Even better that it'd ignore their relationship to bite him if he ever got to be too physical in the wrong sort of way. “We revere magical beasts, and that is all. Whether they be chimera, or something like Okami. It doesn't matter. Where is he, by the way?”

“No idea.” Tyr replied. “He runs off on his own all the time, it's not like he's my pet or anything. Okami is stronger, faster, and smarter than me. And he doesn't like crowds of people too much, it makes him uncomfortable. A being like him shouldn't stay cooped up in a city just lounging about, and he always comes back. Maybe he's looking for some hot steamy animal sex, I don't care.”

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” Jura laughed at his comment. “They aren't going to be easy to beat, but I'm glad you didn't accept Nala's offer. I was very proud of you, even if I like her, I was disturbed that she'd put that on the table.”

“Mmm.” Tyr nodded sleepily, feeling himself slipping away under the rhythmic passage of her nails on his scalp. “We'll lose, but I'm sure we'll manage to do it in style.”

"You've been talking a lot more than you used to."

"I never thought I'd say this..." Tyr yawned. "But I think it's nice to be back in the world again. Doing something normal, at least, if this can even be considered normal..."

"Not chance of that." Jura smiled, running her fingers through his hair and finding that contrast of white against green so pleasing to the eye. "Nothing about us is ever going to be normal."