Jace struggled against his covers, everyone hated getting out of bed in the morning if they felt they hadn’t gotten enough sleep. Which for him was just about always, he flopped around in bed for a minute before he heaved himself out of it. He put his undergarments on, there was always a layer of thick cloth that was worn under his armour. A gambeson was what it was called if he remembered correctly, once he had his clothes on his armour started flying towards him and equipping itself. It had been doing that ever since the blood had decided to make itself comfortable in the steel. He wondered how that worked, how did the blood make the armour float. Another question that would harm his unscientific brain if he tried to answer it.
He shrugged and let the armour put itself on, he grabbed his sword and picked up his shield. He gave the shield a loving pat, it was relatively new, he had bought it when they were still dungeon diving. He had gone to the best blacksmith in the capital and spent all the money he had earned in the last three months on that shield. The shield was his weapon of choice after all, it was made by something called dwarven black iron. Which was a metal found deep in the mountains and was mined mostly by the dwarven people. It was heavy, much heavier than a normal person should be able to carry around comfortably.
It was a creation of a master, the blacksmith had worked together with a mage and givin it properties that allowed the shield to grow. If it came into contact with other metals that could strengthen it the shield would absorb the metals and upgrade itself. He was surprised that something like that could be ordered, he expected the like of the shield to be a legendary drop. Apparently the first of its kind had been, blacksmiths and mages had studied it and taken it apart. After years of research they figured it out, it was extremely expensive to make such a weapon but it was doable by most skilled craftsmen. The shield cost more than his house however. Worth every penny in his opinion, not that they had pennies in this world.
After donning his armour and arming himself he stepped out of the door. He glanced down the stairs and saw that most of the platoon was up already, Cili was cooking for the rest of the group. Something everyone appreciated, most weren’t a fan of cooking. Cili loved it so everyone gladly let her take charge, Jace had somewhat expected an elf to be against cooking meat but Cili told him elves ate meat just fine. She herself wasn’t much of a fan but it wasn’t against any rules. He plopped down on a couch and looked at the others, “So anything new we are going to do today?”
Xivr shook his head, “Nope, as far as I am aware the next few weeks will be the same every day. Are you looking forward to the next flute class?” He asked with wiggling eyebrows, Jace glared at him.
The others perked up with interest, “What’s this about flute class?” Arian asked.
Vivianna smiled, “His class is given by an Alluracian, one that loves her powers at that.”
Some people groaned while others laughed, Jace glared at the bunch of them. “I’d like to see you guys go through that class, I bet a few of you are interested in learning the flute, why not join me!”
Mimla put his hands up, “I’m a married man no thanks.” Cili’s clear laugh was heard from the kitchen, “I’d take her up on that offer!”
Jace frowned, “A question if i may, I noticed that a lot of people are interested in the same gender. Is that normal here?”
James blinked, “Seven out of ten people are interested in both genders around here.”
Jace’s jaw dropped. “Wait really, how did that happen?”
The group shrugged, Karl grinned and scratched at his beard. “My personal theory is that people simply changed that way so that the potential amount of people they can have sex with doubles.”
Arian laughed, before he quickly stifled it and went back to looking arrogant. “That may actually make sense, a lot of people have open-minded marriages as well. I expect it is different from your home. Sex is something people are quite open about, although having sex in public is seen as uncouth, it is not all that uncommon. Sometimes one married couple might invite another couple to join them in their beds. Some noble families even have contracts involving intercourse between each other.”
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Vivianna nodded and smiled as she looked at Jace’s shocked face. “For instance my parent’s have such a contract with Arian’s. I remember once when we were children and walked in on them.”
Arian groaned, “Please do not remind me, that has left me a trauma and I shall never like men because of it.”
Vivianna smiled, “It made me interested in women on the other hand.”
Arian made puking sounds and turned his head away, the group laughed. James laughed, “In reality more women are okay with same gender interactions than men are. Part of it is culture, it leaves people with less inhibitions. But men having sex with other men has always been something that bothered most of us if our main interest lies in women. According to some studies women have less of those inhibitions, some called it the alpha male syndrome.”
Jace shook his head, “Here I was thinking the culture would be behind ours, but it seems in somethings it is more progressive.”
Karl patted him on the shoulder, “Well if you ever want some same gender experience let me know.” He winked.
Jace did a dramatic shudder and hid himself behind Vivianna, Everyone laughed. Karl smirked, “Perhaps I should walk in during one of these flute lessons.”
Jace groaned, “I should really change classes.”
A few days passed and it was more of the same, flute classes remained a test of his self-control. Rury’s advances only got worse as time passed, he had heard a rumor that Rury had been sending letters towards the capital. Jace really hoped those letters weren’t addressed to Sarai. His bond with Tyrant grew, he was a lot of work to take care of. Between cleaning the hooves, grooming, feeding and training they spent most of the day together. Finally weekend had arrived and they were allowed to go home for a couple days. It had caught Jace by surprise, he was under the impression that they would stay the entire year.
The others had joked with him that he really should pay attention when people explained things. He smirked and made his way back to the capital. Vivianna, Arian and Lily had decided to come with him towards his home. Cili, Grumgar and Xivr were going with James for the weekend. Next week they would switch around a little, it should take two days to reach the capital. That was if he took the normal carriage that was used by commoners. Vivianna and Arian had smirked, both of them were high level nobles and had carriages and magical mounts. They could make the journey within four hours. They decided to give everyone a lift, otherwise they could only spend their break in the nearby villages.
Jace glanced at the creatures pulling the carriage, they reminded him of hippos, tall slim hippos with long legs. He shook his head, sometimes he forget that he was in another world but things like this reminded him where he was. Just before he closed the door of the carriage a voice rang out, “In such a rush my dear student?”
Jace shivered as he heard the rolling r’s. He looked at Vivianna with wide panicked eyes, “Quick let’s get out of here.”
Vivianna raised an eyebrow, and opened her mouth but a before she could answer the door swung open and Rury entered. Vivianna choked on her words as she stared at the Alluracian. Jace saw a blush creep on Lily’s cheeks as she leaned forwards. Jace put a hand on her shoulder, and pulled her back. Vivianna quickly regained control of herself, Arian however was entranced.
Jace forced a smile, “Rury, why are you here. Don’t you have teacher things to take care of?”
Rury chuckled, the sound causing goosebumps and making it harder for him to hold on to Lily. “But my dear student, how else would I ask your wife for an exciting night other than with a visit.”
Rury then gazed at Lily, “Why what an adorable young lady, would you mind sitting on my lap for the trip? It is quite cold outside and you look suitably warm.”
Lily’s breath shook as she tried to stand up, Jace clamped his hand on her shoulder. “Please stop teasing my squadmates, she’s a bit too young to meet the likes of you.”
Rury chuckled once more, “Relax dear student, I won’t do anything untoward. A few hours on my lap and she will get used to the pheromones. I was actually suggesting it out of practicality.”
Jace narrowed his brows, “Then why not ask Arian for the same? He seems to be willing.”
The man in question nodded his head excitedly. Rury smiled, this time Jace noted a tinge of sadness in her smile. “Aaah but he is merely interested in sex, which would make it troublesome. This innocent lass on the other hand merely wishes for some physical contact, a hug would be enough to satisfy her.”
Jace paused and looked at Vivianna, who pursed her lips but eventually nodded. Jace released his hold on Lily’s shoulder and watched as she stood up and sat down on Rury’s lap. After Rury stroked her head a few times Lily seemed to calm down, there was a slight blush on her cheeks. More from embarrassment than excitement but she stayed on the Alluracians lap.
Rury sighed and leaned back, she was still wearing the same alluring red dress she always did. “You misunderstand my people Jace, you think sex is all we are after and we use it to manipulate others. While we do indeed truly enjoy it, it is not our goal. We can sense people’s emotional state, and when people are harmed or uncomfortable we can feel it. Being around people who have been abused for instance, feels like an ache. It causes us actual pain to be around these people.”
Vivianna nodded, “Alluracians are mostly found in brothels, but while they are well known for their… skills in that area. They are even better known as people who look after those emotional problems. An Alluracian is often seen helping people who have been abused or have a horrible past.”
Rury smiled, “Such a knowledgeable girl, and so beautiful. You are more than welcome to come and sit on my lap should you so wish.”
Vivianna smiled, “I might take you up on that some day.”
Rury turned back to Jace, “Back to the matter at hand, you are easily one of the most broken people I have ever met. I can sense so much damage in you that it…” She shivered, “Yet for some reason it causes me no pain, for whatever was done to you, it bothers you no longer.”
Vivianna and even Arian stared at Jace for a few moments, Jace rolled his shoulders and hunched a little. He shrugged, “Shit happens.”
Rury eyed him for a moment, “That it does, yet you ooze kindness, an attraction and will to help people who have been through tough times themselves. It is intoxicating, so I wish to know what the people around you are like. That is the reason I shall be joining you.”