Who knew being granted a draconic legacy, obtaining a perfect body, being in another world with swords and magic and even having just had sex could be so depressing?

Even Rou knew that he should be having the time of his life.

Instead, it's like… all the good luck he used for his perk removed every bit of good luck from his present life and all he was left with was… nothing. It wasn't even bad luck. Just… left with an empty feeling.

All the wonder and desire he had during the time before and while in the castle had returned to nothing.

And it's not like he could even do his normal and talk with Affection to pass the time or feel better. Because then he'd just feel lonely all over again because it was a long distance friendship.

–

By the time the next morning came, Rou woke up with an odd sensation. His constitution didn't allow him to really get all that drunk and he didn't have terribly much money anyways, but somehow, he still managed at least a little. The shit tasted terrible, even in his previous life he had no taste for it, and still didn't. But what confused him briefly before he remembered, was waking up besides someone twice his age or more.

A bit like Celia, she'd noticed his mood and pulled him in with affection and warmth and being as needy as he was, Rou bit the hook and here he was. Smelling of sex, overly expensive wine and the caked on perfume from… Wilma? He could barely remember. The panther was laid on her back, clearing having enjoyed something from the night before, covers on the floor as she'd kicked them off from turning in her sleep.

As Rou stared at her, lost in her thoughts, she'd woken up at some point and poked his chest. "Morning." she purred out, causing him to laugh softly, "Hello to you as well."

"Again?" she inquired invitingly, expecting a fellow his age to be having those thoughts. But instead of saying no, Rou ignored that instinct and said yes.

Again. And again. The whole day tangled up with someone whose name he couldn't even remember and hadn't even bothered to ask for clarification. Seeking comfort, craving emotional and physical satisfaction. Of course, he wasn't remotely a good lover, but he was eager, needy and was very much scratching that itch the older woman had so she was happy to play with him as long he had the taste for it.

–

Between the rich older woman having a maid to bring them food and drinks and a bathing room in her chambers with the relevant magical tools to clean up, it was several days before Rou finally came out of his haze. Eat, sleep, bathe, sex, wake, sex, nap, sex, repeat, rinse…

It was all a bit much. Rou wasn't even sure he was enjoying himself. Sure, it felt lovely, an experience he'd never enjoyed in that life or this one. Even as he sat there on the bed, relaxing back against the panthers headboard as she lavished him with her neediness, all in all it felt like he was just going through the motions. No, Rou knew very well he was going through the motions.

–

But those motions very much scratched every itch he had and it quickly became an addiction for him. It only stopped several days later even still when the panther couldn't keep up with him for a change and finally had to cut things off. After one final bath and another round of farewell fornication, Rou wandered away from the panthers manor and tried to process what his last week was like.

It did take his mind off his problems. He did indeed not feel as weepy or upset as he was. Sure, he was still quite sour regarding Celia and wasn't sure what to do about his parents, but maybe a week of… whatever that was… happened to be just what he needed?

Where had Rou gotten his money? Both a gift from the King in parting and his parents, his father having given him something to help tide him over while things with his mother got worked out.

Of course, originally Rou hadn't wanted to take advantage of the Kings token, but given he'd been told it could be used for whatever he needed, including charging things to the royal accounts, the red panda began to take the King up on his offer. After all, perhaps he'd earned it. Once he realized just how many kids the King and Queen had once his dysfunction was cured? Mm… yes, sure, he earned it.

–

What did he do first? No, it wasn't finding yet another middle-aged rich woman to spend a week and a half with. Instead, he went to find a wrinkly, short, stocky, bearded old man. A dwarf! …not that there were dwarves in this world of course, but eventually he came across a gopher who roughly matched that description. In the trade district of the royal capital, there was an area where a lot of blacksmiths set up shop and this happened to be one of them.

"May I watch you work?" Rou asked the older fellow. The gopher looked him over only to snort out and whistle, "You'll catch fire. Go put on a dress, girly, and shake your tail somewhere without sparks and oil." A few of apprentices laughed at the retort, leaving Rou to walk over towards the grand conmunal forge, quietly reach in, grab a lit coal and squeeze it in his hand. Before the dragons legacy, he might’ve been worried about doing this, but currently, he had sublimated a dragons heart. What self-respecting dragon would allow himself to be burnt?

"Lad are you mad?!" The gopher ran over and tried to pry his hand open but realized that no matter how strong he was, the fluffy lads grip strength made the effort useless. Eventually Rou opened his hand and dropped the broken pieces of the coal and dusted his hands off. "Perhaps you should be the one to go put on a dress old man. I'm partial to women but not exclusive." Rou's overly confrontational tone got a look of confusion only for the gopher to fall over laughing.

The apprentices in the shop were all confused, in disbelief at what had happened before the gopher reached for his smudged glasses, put them on and looked at Rou while propping himself up with a hand. "Well you've certainly got a mouth on you. And I don't know how you pulled off that mess with the coal but sure, fuck me, you can stay and watch. …well, no, don't fuck me, you may be into that but I ain't, but y'know what I mean."

Rou smiled a bit at the genial response from the old man and nodded. "Thank you for the offer. I mostly wanted to see about the process of designing and getting a couple of swords customized for me. But also that I'm… a giant wimp and not sure I'd be good for close-up combat."

"Wimp? WIMP?! Boy you just grabbed a coal in yer bare hand and had the nerve to threaten ME with a good time. Quit your bitchin and humor me. What're you after?"

"Would you believe me if I said I haven't the faintest idea? I don't know a damn thing about swords or types or metals or styles or any of that."

"Fuck me… no, wait, don't do that."

–

Over the next several hours, the blacksmith took Rou around various shops in the district and had him pick up and swing around various swords of differing sizes and shapes to see if he found any that he thought might be particularly enjoyable. But over and over Rou came to believe the same thing. Thinner, lighter, longer… perhaps he should just make his own? Then again why was he even wanting a sword? Not like he was an adventurer or anything. …but he could be. Would he even want to be? Rou threw up simply being around blood in copious amounts.

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The gopher blacksmith noticed him lost in his thoughts and jumped up to kick at his backside. Of course, he just hurt his foot. "Fuck kid, you got iron for asscheeks or something? G'damn, think I broke a toe, shit." He cursed and complained, Rou feeling a bit bad but relaxing once the blacksmith did as well. "Quit wasting my time, what's on your mind kid?" Despite Rou not being a kid anymore, and in fact being in an adults body, he was certainly by comparison a 'kid' to this fellow. "I was just thinking that I have two options. A single giant sword to just crush things with, which at that point might as well be a mallet or something, or instead either a long sword that's thin, but extremely hard to damage, or two of them or something. I can use magic to make them weigh far less, so you'd know better, make them super heavy and I can reduce their weight, or make them light and I don't need to?"

"Enh, heavier swords are better. Denser metal and all, some of'em more durable. But then you're getting into the pricey range of stuff, and the rarer ones, and… But with them grippers and arms of yours, why not just punch and kick things?"

"I'm a giant wimp and don't want to get up close."

"Ah stop with that shit, you're acting like a little girl." They both laughed, but Rou knew it was true. He was a coward. "Besides, Rou was it? If the sword gets too long you can't use it in confined spaces. But if it's too short you might as well stab them with your pecker if it's half as hard as that ass of yours."

The two hadn't known each other long but after that initial spat between them, one would think they'd been friends for life.

"How about we start you off with two swords of a normal length and durability? And don't try to be no fancy pants show-off and use two at once, use just the one, and keep the other for backup in case y'fuck up and break the first."

"Heh… caught."

–

Instead of customized swords, for the time being, Rou was indeed just given two non-descript long swords that were just about as long as he was tall. Feeling rather cool, he held one in each hand and struck a pose, swinging them around heroically!...

Only to have a nearby maid giggle at him and leaving him to shrink a little, ears tucking back as he got caught without realizing it.

"Our secret?" Rou begged. The maid shook her head, "I have to tell someone! It was too funny."

He walked over and leaned to stare, giving off a playfully not-so-imposing threat of, "Careful, I might flail them at you and swat a few flies in the area." The mouse maid giggled again, only to realize he was quite close. A moment of silence, then she awkwardly looked aside.

Ever since his time with the panther, being the target of Celia's desires and the way others looked at him, he'd began to get a bit more confidence in being sexually forward with others. Not that he went out of his way to be that way, but teasing the maid like this? It was nice to be outgoing for a change.

"I'd ask if you can keep me company a bit as payment for giggling at me, but we might not quite match up stature-wise. Perhaps I can just get your name instead?" he smiled at the maid, who looked up at him thoughtfully only to reach out and take his hand, quickly dragging him somewhere.

–

Seems his parents weren't the only ones around who liked a physical challenge.

–

'Whore.'

"W… Affection?"

It was the first time he'd heard her voice in a while.

'Whore.'

Rou snorted softly. "Been watching? I didn't know you were the type."

'You act like you know me at all.'

"Well… I know you have a beautiful tail and…"

'Don't try to butter me up. After all I did for you, you run around and… disgusting.' She tried to sound haughty, angry and offended, but her voice cracked a little and finally they both began to laugh. Though as Rou finally said softly, "I missed hearing your voice, dummy, why'd you wait so long to reach back out to me?"

Affection seemed taken aback before responding gently, "I thought you needed some time and privacy with your family. Not like I expected to find you getting your whistle blown by a maid the moment I check back in."

Rou coughed and tried to pretend like he hadn't been guilty of just that a few moments ago. "Yes, well…"

"Enjoy yourself?" Instead of letting her thoughts echo softly in his mind, she was actually speaking to him again properly. That old comfort Rou felt with Affection quickly returned. "Mm… I like having my whistle blown."

Both he and Affection promptly began to snort and laugh again, him hearing that cackling laughter after such a while and realizing, "Probably a good thing you're up there and I'm down here."

"Oh?" Affection questioned, "And why is that?"

"As mouthy as you are, I'd have to imagine you're better at whistle blowing than the mousey maid."

"...we gods do not blow whistles, thank you very much. Besides, who needs you anyways. If my low-dimensional body I traipse around in for the fun of it gets me any urges, I have that spare body of yours you customized to enjoy all to my own whims."

"Mm… right. The one you asked Creation to use to help me sublimate the crystal heart?"

Affection hissed, "The old bastard told you that?! Fuck…"

"It's okay, I'll find my way up there eventually. I still intend to give you that kiss I promised you a while ago. That, and since we /are/ betrothed… can't very well wed you if I can't get to you."

Though he was being playful, it actually made Affection a little bashful. "Right… well… I'm waiting for you up here whenever."

The whole time they'd been talking, Rou noticed something. Unlike all the past times, now that he had adjusted to his eyes… his perception of things was different. He could see a faint echoing in the fabric of the aether whenever Affection was chatting. As he looked around, eventually he pinpointed a very specific spot and walked over to it. It was like some kind of… node in the air, quite tiny, invisible to anyone else but him.

"Hey, lean forward a moment up there?"

"What? Why would I lean forward? Why are you being weird?"

"Just do it!" Rou grumbled, causing her to grumble back, "Fine, what is it?"

Given he continued to see the rippling coming from the node - stronger as she 'leaned forward', Rou leaned down and kissed the air at the node, pressing his mouth to it like he was going to kiss her. At best Rou assumed she would see him do it and find it funny, but what he hadn't expected? Was the both of them to actually feel that.

"Just how the hell did you… what nonsense was that?!" Affection scrambled backwards.

"...I don't know either, I was just being playful. I saw your voice coming from there in the aether to me and thought I'd tease you, but if I can kiss you through that…"

"Rou, I put up with a lot of nonsense from you but if you stick your dick through there so help me."

"Well, I wasn't thinking that but since you insist…"

"Don't!" Affection squawked, caught between almost wanting to see him try and being completely freaked out that somehow he, from the low dimension, managed to kiss her in the high.

Suddenly Creation appeared in Affection's domain and looked around, "Did you do something strange?" he asked Affection who pointed at the node Rou had just interacted with, "It was him, not me! Somehow that dummy figured out a way to… I don't even know, cross the barrier?" Affection quickly threw Rou under the bus.

"...Rou? Show me what she means." Creation said towards the one on the other side.

Realizing that being naughty with Affection wasn't really opportune at the moment, Rou instead took out his sword and poked the node with the tip, carefully pushing it through.

On the other side, Creation and Affection watched as the sword crossed the dimensional barrier. "Well, look at that. And it doesn't even cause any rippling in and of itself."

"Rou…" Creation added, "Do me a favor, pull the sword out and see if you can't try to… pry that apart with your hands. No one else could possibly even see the thing, let alone chance upon one nearby and think to try. So something like this I never accounted for when helping create this world."

Having no reason not to oblige, Rou pulled the sword back and slid it into the leather sheath he got for free as a set on his back. At which point he reached out with both hands, grasped for the node with a slight opening and seemed to be unable to. At least at first, but after a moment he managed to get it just right and upon prying the connection point apart, like a ripe melon, it just… cracked and left a hole in the air that only he could see.

Of course, on the other side of that hole was Creation and Affection.

"See if you can't widen it and come through?" Creation furthered the task. Rou tried and it took him a bit of fiddling, unable to pry it apart in the same way. It wasn't until he tried 'ripping' the top and bottom of the opening that he was able to widen it. At which point he had an idea and took his sword off, slashing the spread-open node entirely and in a single swing, cut a hole between dimensions large enough to hop through.

"Uh… hello, Creation, Affection. Can't say I expected to be seeing you two today like this." Rou offered an awkward smile as Creation sighed softly, closing the tear by 95% so nothing could accidentally cross over. "It would seem you can safely come and go. I do not detect any rippling from Rou using this method, as he's not using high-dimensional power to accomplish anything. Simply the existing network of aether in the world and the transit nodes between high and low. Affection… you should be able to figure out how to open and close the nodes back to normal, right?"

"Uh…" Affection, quite stunned, shrugged and pointed a hand at the node Rou used to get there, nearly causing it to spread open and close. But before she did, Creation stopped her, "Ah… never open it yourself, my fault for wording it that way. You're using high-dimensional energy. Rou… open it again?" Rou promptly reached over and cut through the aether, causing it to widen. "Now, Affection." Creation urged, causing Affection to nearly close it. "Good. Don't abuse it. You have my blessing to come and go freely. And according to my earlier statement, Affection, Rou is now your partner while in the higher dimension. At least, if he wants you. If he doesn't, don't mind me."

Despite being a fox, affection near croaked at Creation's declaration.