“So if one partner had stronger feelings than the other,” Kloy asked, appearing amused, “What would that look like?”

“The parts where the auras touched would blend unevenly and shift around,” Eweylona replied, “The aura of the person with stronger feelings attempting to push further in. If the nature of one’s feelings were entirely one-sided – that is, if one person felt strong romantic feelings while the other felt strong platonic feelings – their auras would not blend at all. Jurao and Braelin’s auras blend smoothly and evenly. That is how I know they are equally matched in both strength and nature of their feelings.

“Similarly, though I only caught a glimpse once,” she chuckled, “Jurao and Feyl’s auras blend quite significantly as well, which reflects the strength of their friendship.”

“So romantic and platonic blending is not visually distinct?” Kloy asked.

“No,” Eweylona replied, “I can tell how close two people are by the blending of their auras, and who holds greater influence in that relationship, but I cannot immediately tell the nature of their closeness in that way.”

“Holds greater influence,” Jurao questioned, still a bit uncertain of the meaning.

“I have considered the meaning of that as well,” Ebener chuckled, “When Eweylona explained it to me the first time. I think it is best considered in this manner – it is not that one partner has more… control, shall we say, in the general scheme of a relationship-”

Eweylona chuckled, turning his head slightly to kiss his cheek.

“-but more like who the lead partner is in a dance. If both partners are participating in the dance willingly, one is still guiding the steps – but the second is following by choice,” Ebener finished, smiling. He asked, “Though I admit, it surprises me to think that Braelin would be the lead in a relationship. He’s usually fairly passive.”

Jurao considered this suggestion. He did not often participate in partnered dances – as an officer, he had been obligated from time to time, but as General, he had spent more time away from court to guard the Challenge Gate. As King, he could make the excuse of not showing undue favoritism – though Feyl said most of the court knew he just did not enjoy the activity. Which was not strictly true – he mostly did not enjoy dancing so closely with strangers.

But when he considered their relationship in that light, he thought it made a good deal of sense – it was Braelin who asked Jurao if he had romantic feelings and if they were courting. Braelin had also been the one to ask if Jurao was interested in sex and the one to initiate their first time doing so. Braelin confessed his love first – yes, at every major turn, his partner had been the one guiding their path.

Kloy chuckled, “I think you have your answer here.”

“Hm,” Jurao asked.

“My lord, your partner is not the least patient of men,” Kloy mused, “But nor is he the most.”

Jurao frowned, then his brows rose as he caught the physician’s meaning, “Ah. I do take some time to consider these things.”

Kloy looked to the former royal couple and said, “To be a bit rude to our King, if Braelin were not taking the lead, I think it may have taken at least a month before he and Jurao began courting. After Jurao realized he had a romantic interest.”

Eweylona snorted, “From what I have heard, I am afraid that does not surprise me, your highness.”

“I am inclined to agree,” Jurao hummed.

They spoke idly for the rest of the carriage ride – Jurao headed first to speak with Maenscul, Kloy intending to guide Eweylona and Ebener to their desired goods while he did.

As usual, Maenscul appeared on their throne when the Demon King was halfway across the room.

“Good morning,” the deity greeted with their typical wide grin, “What news have you for me today, Jurao?”

“If I may,” Jurao replied, taking his seat, “I had some questions for you.”

“Questions for me rather than Nosu?” Maenscul chuckled, “I am all ears.”

The Demon King decided to start with the most recent question: “Does your influence make those under your patronage better at sex.”

Maenscul started laughing in surprise, needing a moment to collect themselves before replying, “Why do you ask?”

“I rode into the city with Kloy and Braelin’s parents – ah, they arrived with Malson’s wife and children two weeks ago,” Jurao said, as he had mentioned them previously.

“How happy for them,” Maenscul said, their smile softening in that small way it did at times. It made Jurao believe they were sincere.

The Demon King nodded and continued, “We recently learned Braelin’s birthday was this past week, but they plan to have a family celebration for all the ones they have missed in a few weeks. I will be acting as a guide for them to select gifts after this meeting.”

“I see,” they chuckled.

“Ah, I did have another question – related to the kind of goods Kloy is currently helping them obtain,” Jurao said, “It was that question which led to the second.”

“I am delighted with this turn of conversation,” Maenscul laughed, “And what kinds of goods is Kloy helping your partner’s parents locate?”

“Goods for use during sexual activities,” Jurao replied, “I believe Kloy and Feyl have also referred to them as toys.”

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

“And your question is?” Maenscul asked, appearing ready to laugh again.

“What are those,” Jurao asked.

The deity did laugh again – their hair whipping about them with more energy before they regained their composure, “Did Kloy suggest you ask me?”

“He did,” Jurao confirmed.

“I thought as much,” Maenscul chuckled again, “Toys for use during sex are most often designed to be inserted in place of a cock, or to emulate a tight entrance for penetration. There is a wider variety than that, but those are the core kind. The general idea is that they can enhance sexual gratification, with or without a partner.”

“I see,” Jurao nodded. He went on, “Thank you. It was after Kloy suggested I ask you that he mentioned you are his patron. Feyl had said he was very accomplished at sex, and I wondered if your patronage had an effect in that regard.”

“It very well may have,” Maenscul shrugged, “Though not in such a direct way.”

“No,” Jurao asked.

“My influence would not make him inherently better at sex than others,” Maenscul replied, “But it may have given him a higher desire to have sex, which led him to gain more experience than others.”

Jurao hummed, and said, “I have never felt very wise.”

Maenscul chuckled, “Do you know what Nosu’s favorite mortal trait is?”

“Curiosity,” Jurao replied, “Or so fos said.”

“Well, fos is hardly a liar!” Maenscul laughed, “Would you consider yourself a curious person, Jurao?”

“Ah,” the Demon King realized, “I have a drive to obtain wisdom, rather than possessing it directly.”

Maenscul nodded, “Exactly – though how we influence individuals is not exacting. My influence may increase how often one experiences arousal, but not everyone who experiences arousal desires to have sex to alleviate it. And it is not my only domain – my influence can affect any mortal attribute that falls into my domains, but which it affects is tempered by the individual. Patronage is not so great a Blessing that it is not influenced by a mortal soul in turn.”

“So it is a Blessing,” Jurao considered.

“Was that in question?” Maenscul asked.

“It appears the deities of the other Mortal Triads do not grant Blessings to those under their patronage,” Jurao replied, “Eweylona thought it may be a Blessing due to demon auras being as bright as magician auras, though less vibrant.”

“I suppose to them it does not seem necessary,” Maenscul waved a hand, “As their realms are not as harsh.”

There was a general belief amongst all the Mortal Realms that the deities of the Strength Triad were the least invested in their mortal creations – demon deities in particular. Often, their people took pride in this, seeing it as their deities having faith in their natural strength to survive.

But what Maenscul said suggested that demon deities granted more of their power to their mortals than other deities as a way to help them survive – which suggested they were not as aloof as generally believed.

Jurao hummed and said, “I had another question, but you may not like it.”

Maenscul arched their left and central brow ridges, waving for him to go on.

“Why do you pretend you do not care about the affairs of the realm,” Jurao asked, braced for the question to be rejected.

Maenscul stared at him – their ever-present smile slowly fading. Their hair settled more about them than the Demon King had ever seen, almost but not quite motionless. They rested their chin in a hand, looking as though they were considering him, rather than his question.

Jurao was familiar with that kind of look – but Maenscul’s study was somehow… softer, than others who had made it before.

“You know,” they said, “In all this time, you are the only one who has ever asked,” they snorted, “Though I suppose that is because my fellow deities already know the answer.”

Jurao nodded, having nothing to add to the statement.

They sighed, looking away, “I will not insult you by pretending you are wrong – but that is not a conversation I am prepared to have.”

“Ah,” Jurao said, “I apologize if it is a painful subject.”

Maenscul chuckled, “You know, most of those born under Nosu’s gaze become academics – scholars of one subject or another. I think you may be the first warrior in profession amongst them.”

The Demon King was not sure what they meant to say by that remark.

“Academics can often be blinded by what they think is fact,” Maenscul went on, “It is not always their fault; more a natural mortal tendency to accept what is as they believe it is. Sometimes, learning the right question is more difficult than finding the answer, as Nosu says.

“Warriors do not work that way – not the best of them. You make no assumptions about any of your opponents – assumptions get you killed. You assess and reevaluate continuously. And most importantly, you observe,” the deity finally turned their gaze back to him, smiling gently, “There is a wisdom in being able to see when the things you observe do not match the ‘facts’ you have been told and questioning them.

“Ergirri saw that wisdom in you,” Maenscul said – and surprised the King by reaching out gently pat his head, “I think it may lead you to finally realize his dream.”

Jurao did not think Maenscul meant Prince Ergirri when they said ‘him’ – but the deity dissipated before he could think to ask who they did mean.

When he left the King’s Shrine, the Grand Preistis Losse met him before he made it outside the temple.

“That was a rather short audience, your highness,” e said, lightly panting from jogging to catch him.

“Yes,” Jurao said, brushing a hand through his hair. It still tingled with celestial power – he wondered if it was related to auras.

The Grand Preistis cleared eir throat, “I mean to ask, if it does not trouble you…”

E paused as it began to rain – only lightly, but there had been no sign of rain occurring that day.

Jurao hummed, looking out the front arched doorway of the temple at the weather. He said, “They were not angry, but I did ask Maenscul a question I believe saddened them.”

“I see,” Losse sighed, “Well, so long as it was nothing worse, I suppose there is nothing to be done.”

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” Jurao replied.

He bid the Grand Preistis farewell and ventured out to find his companions. The original plan had been to meet outside the temple, but that plan had been made assuming Jurao would be speaking with Maenscul longer.

Fortunately, it took only a little asking around to find where Kloy, Ebener, and Eweylona had gone. It appeared to be a combination smithy and stonemason shop, bordering the two associated streets for both. He found Kloy in the main portion of the smithy side.

“My lord,” the physician greeted, “Did something happen during your talk with Maenscul?”

The blacksmith – a horse-featured beastly demon with goat horns – appeared alarmed by this question.

“I believe I saddened them,” Jurao said regretfully.

Kloy snorted, “Well, Ergirri certainly never managed to do that. How did you manage it?”

The Demon King hummed, “I asked why they pretended not to care about the affairs of the realm. They acknowledged they do so, but did not wish to discuss it.”

“Well,” Kloy chuckled, “I suppose these things do happen. Better now than right before the feast. People might see it as a bad omen.”

“That is true,” Jurao nodded. Then added, “They did explain what goods for sexual use are.”

Kloy laughed, genuinely appearing at ease, “I thought they would. Nouks, may I present his highness, Demon King Jurao. My lord, this is Nouks – he runs this store with his partners, Ejil and Folae.”

“Good… morning, your highness,” the blacksmith said, bowing from the waist, “As you can see, I run the smithy – Folae is the mason, and Ejil does leatherwork.”

“She can obtain animal leather for an appropriate fee, but primarily uses fish leather,” Kloy added – which was common of demon leather workers. If she were not also a tanner, it also made sense that the shop did not include the accouterments for such.

“A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Jurao replied.

“Eweylona needed a fitting with Ejil for what she was looking for,” the doctor added, appearing amused, “But I believe we should be finished before she returns. I was considering a new commission of my own in the meantime – would you be interested in seeing some samples, my lord?”

Jurao considered, then nodded, “Yes, I believe so.”