Rose’s Turn

When Rose got back to the inn, he was surprised to just find the teenage girls. But Sakura then whispered what happened earlier between Izuku and Pal, and Rose understood. The boys needed some daddy-son time. And maybe Izuku needed to get some darkness off his chest.

Crisis poked out of the kitchen. “They plan to be back by sundown.”

Rose nodded. “That’s fair. I’m gonna take a quick shower.”

Rose walked in, starting to remove the armor. He had a naturally slim body, much more feminine than his true gender, but that helped him pass off as female very easily. He had used that to his advantage more than once.

Blood knocked. Rose knew it was Blood due to the soft, nearly silent sound. Even Wonder’s nervous knocks weren’t that quiet.

“One second.”

Rose finished shedding armor and clothes, putting them in the hamper. He climbed into the shower, slid the glass divider shut and cast the fogging spell. He then tapped the floating orb, starting the warm water. “You can come in.”

Blood was nearly silent. But years of training with sound allowed Rose to detect him. Blood thankfully just sat on the toilet and started doing business.

Soon a message came in: When are we going to tell Wonder?

Rose groaned. He had been thinking of this problem all day. He admitted, “I don’t know. My husband is sensitive about these matters.”

Rose finished his hair. “On one hand, he’d be delighted to have a second mate that we can share. His terror of being rejected is bigger than he ever admits.”

No, he admits it. He just now shoots whoever dares cross him.

Rose laughed. “OK, you got me. But also… I dunno if he’s gonna take someone who just sleeps around as trustworthy.”

Heeeeeeeey!

Also 2: I don’t just ‘sleep around’.

“You know what I mean. You flirt with everyone you meet. I get it’s Lightwraith culture, but to Wonder it is a possible sign of treachery.”

Even if we prep him? I mean, everyone does take it as a joke.

Rose had to think on that. “Ugh… it is a maybe. The problem is I don’t know. We’re still relatively new at this ourselves.”

Rose heard Blood flush and clean his hands. Then: Think we should wait until after Oracle City?

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Rose shook his head. “Not that long. He’ll definitely feel betrayed then. But… I dunno.”

I vote before Fasis then. Everyone knows me and the Flirt will be a million times because people joke-flirt with me.

Rose sighed. He said, “Yeah… dammit…”

Hey, what’s with the slug?

“What slug?”

Rose peeked around the division. There was a decent-sized slug crawling down the frame of the mirror. Rose said, “Probably one of Wonder’s smaller Beasts. He’s been trying to capture more to get experience and prep for the Tamer Battles. He doubts he’ll ever get to Izuku’s level, but there is a childhood dream that he wants to do.”

Blood chuckled and gave the slug a quick scratch, earning a deep purr. He then slipped out. Talk to you somewhere less embarrassing.

“Deal.”

Rose went back into the bathroom…

Then they got it.

Wonder: FIGURED OUT GROUP TEXTING! And by the way, guys, maybe next time don’t have a conversation like that around one of my spy-beasts?

*****************

Wonder’s Turn

“Okay, question. And maybe this is for Flirt-A-Mactic.”

Both Blood and Rose winced. Wonder had long since let that little pow-wow go… heck, he understood why. His sensitivity towards certain matters was definitely one worth plotting around. But both of his now-mates were definitely sensitive about the subject.

Wonder said, “How many people am I gonna have to shoot because they’re flirting with mykids?”

Everyone in the posse burst into laughter.

Blood typed: Well, I can see Izuku and Pal getting a few flirting from curious teenagers, but in general they should be clear. Sakura they’ll stay clear of once they realize she is Majin’s mate. In general, people don’t wanna mess with royalty.

Wonder nodded. “And if they do, they are probably the bad types.”

Pal suddenly froze. “Mister Wonder… up ahead.”

Wonder quickly popped his bow out. “Good or bad?”

“Both. But I think bad first.”

She was riding with Izuku. Izuku put a gentle hand on her shoulder, and nodded at Wonder. He disappeared, warping to where he could safely summon his masses of Beasts. Sakura quickly started her enhancement spells, though the morning-star appeared at her waist. Crisis quickly scooted by her, pulling a gun from his hip holster. Rose pulled out her bongos.

Wonder summoned his bow. He scanned the area, but Blood had already vanished. Probably went up ahead.

Blood texted: This is a problem. This is a camp of Lightwraith slaves. Not the Slave March. It’s one of the Champion families. I know this punk. His name is Malcroi.

Wonder typed: Are we in danger?

Yes. This punk is the son of a… very extremist family, the Bloodruns. He’s probably here to kill you all to “defend the purity of the Lightwraiths” or some shit. Good news is that no one likes the family.

Wonder groaned. Can you get the brat in charge?

Not safely. He’s keeping a few slaves near him as a meat shield.

Of course. Life wasn’t easy.

Wonder got a wild idea. He looked at Rose. “Boost my AGI and DEF?”

Rose smirked. “Of course.”

Wonder nodded, then looked at Sakura. “You start boosting everyone else. If this fails, we’re going to need it.”

Sakura nodded. “Will do, Dad.”

Wonder got off the Mislo mouse. Rose hit her drums. The moment Wonder got the notification, he shot off. Once more, everyone was slowed down nearly to standing.

Which meant that punk had no chance when Wonder “appeared” and shot an arrow directly into his brain.