CW:

Kisses. Teasing about being tied up for fun times.

“Nonsense!” Lady Ophrit pats her Bound Beloved’s arm as we walk down the street, “If we’re going to spend time in that old Carbuncle's estate I’m going to make sure we all shine!”

Delphian sighs, “We could have gotten started on our research, instead of… of wasting time on this frivolity!”

The rest of the day was pretty boring until the final hours. We took the writ to the Academy and… well… mostly just waited in quiet hallways on busy women to file our request and get myself a visitors pass for the library. I’d still need to be on Delphian’s arm to access the more important sections though.

She was very quiet and nearly dripping with a rising anxious anger and annoyance and… an eternity of other things after the meeting with her grandmother. I… I don’t know what to say, or how to help. I try and fail to distract or pull her into relieving a bit of the stress through healthy venting, But… she seemed so far away that it all just falls flat.

Then her Beloved Bound arrived just before she meant to take me down into the archives and grand libraries.

It was like… like watching someone cold and weary from a long day of travel find warmth and rest. Delphian unthawed as I explained, as best I could, the meeting with her Matron.

Simply the presence of her lover cracks the shell she’d woven to protect herself.

Lady Ophrit lured her from her melancholy by insisting we spend the rest of the evening finding new wondrous outfits to wear to this first gathering with Delphian’s family. The younger woman had protested and complained, but… all while letting her lover lead us into an gorgeous Arudian market positively packed with various carts and stores. Once there Delphian’s objections melted as we began to pick out new outfits for the evening.

I’d insisted they let me purchase my own wares, but… in hindsight it’s wonderful that Lady Ophrit already knew half the merchants and ensured none would take my coin so long as she was with me. The costs in this city are unreasonably high!

So here we walk through a pretty Arudian night, just barely able to see the final glimmers of the sun fade from the sky.

“Thank you for wasting time on frivolity with me,” I reach out and touch Lady Ophrit’s shoulder, but look at them both.

“Of course dear,” Lady Ophrit’s eyes twinkle with… something. Subtle and mischievous and… well I’m not sure how I feel about it. “As a guest of our house it’s only natural that we see to your every need while you’re here!”

Delphian stiffens a little as the manor of Rell comes into sight. “Oh… oh please don’t–”

“Oh how the rumors would spread if word got out that the house of Rell didn’t keep their oaths or pamper their guests.” The older woman tuts, completely ignoring the younger’s protest.

“Quetian!” Delphian hisses under her breath. “Don’t… Please don’t start this with her.”

Quetian? Is… is that her first name or a pet name? Yrelia had only introduced her as the Lady Ophrit.

“Start what?” She replies with an innocent smile and taunting eyes. “You think I mean to challenge someone on how well our family treats guests?”

“She will see through you in an instant!” Delphian growls as we turn the corner and move off the main street into the path leading up to the Rell manor.

“Let her!” Lady Ophrit laughs then. “If the Matron of Rell wants to take sleight at my words her only recourse is to prove me wrong and ensure our young companion is kept in all possible comfort.”

The younger woman stops her then, prompting me to halt a few steps beyond as I try to… to figure out what they're talking about and if I should be a part of it.

“You don’t know her like I do.” Delphian whispers. “She’ll twist your words and take more interest in Ina than either of us want. I… I may wish for her to reveal her nature, but I will not willfully let you coax her into a position where she is forced to deal with that.”

“Um… I would appreciate that.” I chime in at my name’s mention. “If I understand Lady Delphian’s concerns, that is. I still mean to leave this mountain with as little knowledge of my passing till me and my lovers are halfway across Arudia please!”

Lady Ophrit sighs, “Fine. You’re probably right, beloved. I just find it so hard to not poke at the old hag’s pri–”

Delphian pulls her close then, “Stop. Not here. Not in front of her fucking house. I will not let you invite such wroth down upon yourself. I will have you tied up and sent back home.”

Lady Ophrit smirks, reaches out a hand to cradle the face of her furious lover. “Only if it was you tying those knots, Beloved.”

And suddenly Delphian is blushing, but her fury remains as she reaches out to snatch the wrist touching her face. “I’m not being salacious, If you cannot control your mouth I will not let you come anywhere near this manor. Tonight or ever again.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

That only tempts Lady Ophrit further, makes her lean close and whisper. “But I do have such a tongue between these lips. Might need taming again or–”

To my surprise and confusion it is Delphian that takes up Lady Ophrit’s chin and pulls her into a long and angry kiss, and I am left… well… in an odd place of confusion and jealousy at not having one of my own lovers here to hold me close and pull me into such an embrace.

Then I become aware of a subtle shift in the lights, and look back to see the main door to the Rell estate is open. I believe I can just make out the silhouette of Elpherin watching this exchange. As I turn back to my companions they are only just parting, and I catch a soft murmur of thanks from Delphian.

“Of course,” Lady Ophrit replies so softly, cupping her lover's cheek once again. "Anything and everything you need, my Beloved Bound."

They don’t separate for… well it was probably only a few more seconds. But it feels longer. I find myself shuffling anxiously between them and the manse behind me. I was about to mention Elpherin to them, but then they shift to simply standing arm in arm, and we walk up to the house of Rell. The first servant is giving them both quite the unimpressed look.

“Lady Delphian, Lady Ophrit, Hetaera Inamatorii.” She nods, “You’re later than expected. Dinner has already been served.”

“Good evening Elpherin! It’s been quite a while since I’ve been graced with your glimmering… hospitality.” Lady Ophrit gives her a grin that’s all mocking. “We’re well, thanks for asking. How are you?”

The first servant doesn’t reply, simply steps aside for us to enter and helps remove our coats. As she hangs them over one arm the rolling noises of conversation comes into focus.

Delphian’s eyes dart to Elpherin, “How many has she sought to ambush me with tonight?”

“None, This evening was already planned.” Elpherin turns back to us. “And she’ll be happy to see you haven't gotten lost in the library to avoid it.”

Lady Ophrit chuckles, “Oh I remember those days! Wonderful times! To be entranced by a lover amidst that gallery of shimmering lights was wonderful.”

Elpherin turns without a word, but… I’m certain I just… no she’s too restrained to show annoyance at Lady Ophrit. Then we begin to move. The tink tink tink of my cane echoes ahead and announces our presence long before we pass through the dining room into a cozy offshoot.

Sitting or standing about it are five women including the Matron herself. Its carpet is a rich maroon, and the chairs look to be the most comfy things imaginable. Big fluffy couches with granite and gemstone shoulders.

There are also a few oddly textured paintings hanging about that stretch out from their canvas, the mixture of illustration with sculpture distracts me for a second as I wish I had considered such an idea back in Lyttoral!

Most eyes have already turned to regard us before Elpherin announces. “Pardon my intrusion, but Lady Heiress Delphian Rell and her companions have arrived. The Lady Ophrit and Hetaera Inamatorii.”

All have various levels of Cultivation changes. Horns, weird pointed ears, one even seems to have… um… are those hoofed feet? Two women, one standing and the other sitting immediately seem to blanch at our entrance. The other seems bored, while the last seems annoyed.

I… wait. H– heiress? Like… just is that an Arudian turn of phrase for all grandchildren or…

But before I can organize my mind enough to ask, two of the women have already moved to cross the room. One immediately opens her arms to embrace Delphian, which Lady Ophrit allows but remains very close.

“Delphian! I didn’t… No one mentioned you’d be visiting!” She exclaims, squeezing the young woman like she’s afraid she might vanish. She’s a little heavier set than the rest. With lighter skin like Elpherin and few obvious changes besides very bright green eyes.

“Mothers, It’s… wonderful to see you.” Delphian says in a tone that borders on making her lie plain.

There is a distant thumping, and Elpherin turns to leave.

“And her Beloved Bound.” The other purses her lips, she is taller and thin. With dark skin to match the Matrons. Very dull red eyes almost glower. “Also a… pleasant surprise.”

Lady Ophrit laughs warmly as she moves to retake Delphian’s arm, “Oh, don’t lie Hiphiat! You’ll only show joy at my name or face when I’m being paraded in a cold box.”

I stiffen at the… the incredibly rude implication. But… No one else does. Was… Was that a joke or…?

Hiphiat shrugs, reaching out to only take Delphian's free hand in a much less intimate way. “Welcome home.”

Delphian purses her lips. “I… Thank you mothers.”

“Wonderful to see you all.” Lady Ophrit continues forward with a grin and jovial tone. Like she’s walked into a room of warmth and love and… but not this. How can she remain so full of mirth when I feel we’ve stumbled upon a room of venomous snakes?

“And to you, Matron Veletross Rell.” She continues, even offering an overly formal bow and flourish to the Matron herself. “What a pleasure to stand in your halls after so long!”

Like… like a dark thing sculpted into the chair against the far wall, the Matron rises to lock her gaze onto Ophrit.

“It truly has been a span of years,” She purrs, “I certainly hope you’ve been seeing to my Heiress’s every need.”

“Someone certainly has to!” Lady Ophrit smirks, pats Delphian’s arm as the younger woman stiffens at the exchange. “But honestly she’s more than capable of looking after herself. I’m just delighted to bask in my Beloved’s radiance!”

I’m probably the only person that smiles at the loving words, everyone else seems to… well not procure overtly rude expressions, but the tense pause and flashes of emotions in the women’s eyes shows me just what they think of Delphian’s lover.

But then some of those shifting eyes turn to me, The Matron’s adopt a… a bit of green? What does that mean?

“And I see you brought our entertainment for the evening.” Her words and start roll down my spine like ice water. “I believe I was promised a song from our young Hetaera.”

Oh… right. Fuck.

“Of… of course.” I offer a little bow, mind racing. What… Well what song should I sing here? My healing song is nice and I could keep the Amwella drain low, but… would it be too much? I think back to the two women from the showers six months back, and Delphian’s warning about not wanting to attract too much attention.

“Matron, Ina is a treasured companion, much more than simple entertainment.” Delphian chides, “Perhaps the hospitality of a drink and rest from our walk would be appropriate?”

“The young are so full of energy, surely a simple stroll hasn’t worn her down too much?” The Matron moves to a table with wine and drinks, slowly fills a glass and turns to regard me, eyes wander back down to my leg and cane. “And we’ve already had dinner, I’m curious if her skills can serenade us sufficiently?”

Both of my companions are about to object more, but I speak up first. “My leg does tend to slow anyone walking alongside me. I apologize for our lateness this evening, I’d be happy to sing a melody to ease the stress of the day.”

The Matron seems bored with my efforts, but motions for everyone to sit while I remain standing. Well… at least the little aches that have gathered from today can be soothed. I gather myself, rest both hands on my cane as I close my eyes and focus.

Let the troubles and worries and pains of today gather within me. Bubble up and up and up. The World Song becoming clearer and clearer around me. Anxiety and stiff muscles form the foundations, while a harmony of pleas will echo back from my lips.

Mouth open, Amwella glowing and…

And a storm of fire crashes into my awareness. A burning maelstrom of will and roiling power burning through the World Song like the midday sun!