Micheal followed Lindsey upstairs thinking he should still apologize. He had a vivid memory of Vivian putting a fork within poking distance of his eye when he had marked her on accident. He got into the room with her as a few others were gathering at the table.

“How was the magic practice, you two?” Mike asked, smiling as his wife ran to his arms.

“Oh he learned a thing or two. Mostly how to knock things over and some small blessing Binding. See.” She said immediately pulled down the top of her dress for him to look, and it wasn't the modest way she had when standing next to Micheal.

She blinked patiently as Mike looked down at her chest, and then put a finger under his chin to lead him up and back to her mark. She was smiling the whole while.

“Oh yeah there it is.” Mike said after a long moment.

“Faith?” Mike asked, reading it he pointed a questioning gaze at Micheal. “-You're religious already? I thought you just got here and all that?”

Lindsey laughed.

“Faith in me silly.”

Mike blinked, but then smiled at her and then at Micheal. There was an unspoken shared understanding between them almost immediately. Mike took her in and seemed to notice that she wasn't in full pep. He knew some magic too so had likely practiced with her and seen what talking about it could bring out of her. He grinned and looked back at his wife.

“Of course. You are pretty great with magic after all. What did you tell him you're not all that good or something? It's not like you beat out almost anyone in the guild with how wide your skill set is or anything.” Mike said to her.

She eyed him with a challenging look, but he shot one of his own right back.

“No. I'm sticking to it this time. You were cool and sexy in the little ambush we made and everybody saw it. It was like everyone was Micheal looking at Vivian when you went by.”

Everyone who was listening laughed but Micheal, and then Vivian who just came out of their shared room. She had taken to reading in there when Micheal was at practice. She looked at everyone smiling, likely wondering what it was about, but Luna was the first to pipe up aside from Pelanna and Julia who were quietly helping Leah take orders for everyone's dinner.

Leah was wearing just her chainmail hauberk which seemed to be padded on the inside. The girls had giggled at her stomping around in her big boots, and after lunch they had taken to their rooms to try to find shoes or slippers either of them had that might fit her. Unfortunately they seemed to have found none that fit her so now the innocent seeming girl walked around in her bare feet. The girls had tried to get her in a dress, but after so long of not being allowed to wear her armor she seemed to want to be wearing at least part of it.

Micheal scratched his head not sure what to say, but that went away when Vivian came over and kissed his cheek.

“How'd it go?” She asked.

Micheal gave her a sheepish look and lent his left hand to her. She spotted the other spirit mark right away. She narrowed her eyes at him.

“It didn't happen like it did mine did it?” She asked in a low warning voice, half smiling with one dark amber eyebrow raised at him.

Micheal shook his head going a little wide eyed for her benefit. She put on a dangerous smile while holding his hand, but then pushed him backwards by putting a hand to his face. He stumbled back and away, but she was still looking at his mark so he didn't have far to go.

“Is that the rune for Faith?”

“Yup.” Lindsey answered for him. “-I got mopey thinking about how I was trained and he gave me this big speech about how we were friend's and about how I am such a great sorceress.” She said with a smile as she plopped herself down into Mike's lap. She put her arms together to her chest and seemed to swoon.

“Oh and then he took me by my shoulders, shook me, stared deep into my eyes, and told me just how much faith he had that I would continue to grow. I was almost ready to kiss him.”

Mike and Vivian shared a concerned glance. Micheal ran a hand down his face and Lindsey giggled as she sat on her husband's lap. Mike she waylaid by wiggling her hips closer to his groin and turning around to kiss him until he grew a little pale and breathless. Vivian gave Micheal a flat look, but smiled and shook her head.

“Sounds like him actually.” She commented dryly.

Lindsey giggled.

“No other spells though?” Vivian asked.

“No, he has some sort of attack spell. We just haven't figured it out all the way yet.” Lindsey said, sounding rather pleased.

Leah came over to Micheal then, holding a menu and notebook. She was shorter compared to him more so than most of the others, being a whole sixteen or so inches shorter rather than just eight or ten, and he had to look down at her. Her eyes shone for a moment with a cold light, but then she smiled up at him, the light gone or hidden behind her gaze.

“What do you want to eat Micheal?” She asked sweetly.

Leah was really quite pretty in all honesty. Her soft and girlish features were only enhanced by her youthful and sweet attitude she bore, and though she often spoke much like a child, she was in fact in the body of a fully grown young adult.

“Can I sit next to you today?” She asked suddenly as he took the menu and flipped it over to read the back page. He was slowly trying all the special meals the Adventurer's Guild made.

“Yeah, that's fine Leah. I thought maybe you could help me work out if heavy armor like yours is on the table for me. Pelanna and Julia said you knew a lot about it when you were walking them through how your armor goes on.” He said back to her.

It was always a challenge knowing what she really was compared to that sweet face, or rather what laid in rest beneath it. Micheal had to keep in mind that she really could be just as sweet as she seemed, but always be aware of the incredible violence she was capable of, and for that point it wasn't just her strength. Should she release her swarm she could overwhelm the Adventurer's Guild. Again without strong area of effect attacks like fire bombs or firestorm spells there might not be any way to beat her in a straight fight if she had people and blood to feed on.

Leah's eyes twinkled as she looked up at him.

“How strong are you really?” She asked innocently. “If you can lift lots of heavy things nice hauberks like mine are good, and you can wear brigdine and plate curiasses over them too. There are greaves and sabatons and lots of other styles of boots too to protect your feet. Gauntlets and bracers are important too. It's always best to protect your hands when you fight. If your hands get hit you can't hold your weapon very well so you have to wear good armor on your hands and arms.” The blue eyed girl said excitedly.

Micheal tried to keep his ease as she went on.

“That all sounds pretty complicated.” He said to her, “Next time the rain stops, will you go with me and point out what I should look for?”

The cold light flashed in her eyes again, but her face split in a big smile. Every time that happened, that change in her eyes, it gave him extreme yandere vibes. -And probably for a good reason. He wasn't sure how sane either Leah, or Sarra was at all. Leah was clearly in control at the moment with her childish way of speaking and sweet personality, but that had never been Sarra. More specifically the long since changed human adventurer Sarraleah. Sara's mind might have fractured under the stress of living with the hive inside her, but she would be the efficient fisherman's daughter still somewhere inside. Micheal couldn't be overt about it, but he had decided that since he had written her this way he had to help her as much as he could. Even if it was just taking Theradin's place in coaching Leah how to be a better and more responsive person.

“You want me to go shopping with you?” She asked, drawing in on herself shyly and boasting a huge, almost crazed smile she tried to hide behind her hands.

He nodded at her trying not to show any of his worry.

“Just come find me if it looks like it's going to stop raining for a while. I would like to get used to whatever I get before we leave if I can, or at least get familiar with it. So help me out okay?” He asked.

She beamed up at him in a controlled, but still very wide smile.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

“Okay! But umm, what food are you getting?”

He went about ordering with a smile on his face and she jotted down the order in block letters before going on to Vivian and the others. After that she and the two girls she was now staying with gathered and went downstairs to the kitchens together.

Dexter sitting at the table eyed him and them as they left.

“I'm not sure if she's just crazy or as dumb as she sounds.” He commented rather dryly. Vivian slapped him over the back of the head as she went across the room to go talk with Eva and Forgen.

“-Ow. I'm just saying.”

“Leave her alone if you can't keep your mouth shut.” Vivian said in a harsh command. “She's more dangerous than you could imagine so just let her be happy and innocent like she is now. Jakcova was startled to hear she had come back, but he did send advice. Everyone's been doing pretty well with her, but she is unstable if you hadn't caught on. I spoke to Pel and Julia earlier about it, but the rest of you should know too. She has a number of abilities that are both frightening and forbidden by many laws and moral practices, but because of her unique situation and connections to Theradin she has been allowed to continue existing.”

Dexter sat back stunned.

“Really? That's what you were on about with the whole 'don't use your other powers' thing?” He stretched and put his arms behind his head. “-Forbidden too huh? So necromancy? Blood magic? Can't tell me a girl like her can mess with time.”

“Shut it Dex.” Vivian said harshly.

Dexter looked at her smiling, but as she held his gaze he put up his hands in surrender. Or at least just on that topic, but it didn't stop him for long.

“I'll just leave the friending up to the girls and Micheal over there then. He seems to follow after anything that smiles at him.”

“You need to cool it Farren.” Vivian warned.

The room went quiet as the door opened and Luna and Jack came in. After they saw it was just Luna everyone seemed to relax. Luna caught the mood of the room right away hesitating, but Jack charged in to greet Micheal and rub his slightly damp fur on his trouser legs. Micheal just sighed and petted the enormous fur ball.

“You being a good boy for Luna?” He asked him, trying not to pay Dexter any mind with his taunting.

The Bear Dog spun and made little low growling talking sounds reminiscent of the sounds Husky's made. That had come about since he was learning it wasn't appreciated when he barked inside.

“I thought so.” Micheal said crouching down to really get into his familiar's fur and to let him press close and get the cuddles he wanted from his master.

Micheal had to be careful to avoid being knocked over as he petted the excited boy. If he fell the occasional lick to the chin or cheek would suddenly turn to a full on face licking attack until he was able to wrestle his way back to his feet. The furball meant well though and certainly wasn't shy showing his affections for everyone.

Luna came over smiling kind of sheepishly still unsure about the mood of the others in the room. She picked up on tension like a deer did on twigs snapping in the woods.

“Sorry that I take him all the time.” She said, guiltily playing with a loose lock of hair.

Micheal just looked up at her and gave her a smile as Jack finally rolled on his back and began demanding belly rubs. She knelt beside him wearing her oil treated cloak and a fine purple velvet dress that had only modest amounts of lace about it compared to her others. There was fur on the front of the dress around where Jack's head must meet, and her fine boots were damp and muddy.

“I'm actually really glad to have someone who will take him out to potty and to run him around. I kind of have my hands full with this training. Are you still fine with having him sleep in your room too? I can at least manage him at night to give you a small break.”

Luna blushed and shook her head rather quickly.

“No. No, that's fine. He uh...” She blushed a little more, but her tone solidified as she fought through the embarrassment.

“He actually helps me sleep. Back home I always had younger siblings that would sneak into bed with me so it's actually kinda nice.”

Dexter laughed bitterly.

“You sleep with that big fur ball in your bed?” He asked dryly, and far too loudly.

He rolled his head back and laughed until he began to tear up.

Luna stood straight and stomped one foot like she usually did when she got mad, but Dexter only laughed harder. Her face turned red, and then a little more and then she began to look hurt as he continued laughing. Her stern expression turned to a frown and tears showed in her eyes until her controlled expression crumbled. She turned and ran to her room crying, and Jack floundered around on the ground as he went after her. She slammed the door to her room behind her however and Jack reeled back pulling up just short of the door.

Lindsey, Mike, Vivian, Forgen, Eva, and the three Bunnary brothers who had until then sat at the back of the room up against their door chatting and preparing their poisons and flash powders all had watched the exchange and stared at Dexter. Lindsey had her hand under her skirt going for her wand where she was sitting still on Mike's lap, but Mike had put a hand over her dress pinning the hand inside.

Dexter looked about catching on to the sudden silence.

“You are a brute and a moron Dexter Farren.” Eva pronounced in a scathing tone.

Forgen grunted in agreement as he turned to go into his room waving Eva to follow in. She blushed at him playfully after a moment's glance at his face, and then gave him quite the quizzical look. He shrugged casually and she chuckled as she followed after, but not before shooting Farren another withering glance.

James, Ted, and Fredrick, none of which really spoke to Luna much at all, shook their heads and slowly got back to what they were doing. Their animosity with Luna came from their stations and the political rivalries of their families, not mean behavior. They were still allies even if they wouldn't interact with each other often, and kept things polite when they did need to interact.

Vivian took a deep breath looking up from the floor and put her hands on her hips.

“Maybe I can find a way to make the spirit mark for ‘asshole’ that will zap you when you're being one Dex.” Micheal said to him; himself being bewildered by the bitter and sudden mockery he had made of the woman that should have been his closest friend.

There was teasing, and this could have been that, but he clearly took it too far.

Vivian shook her head and pointed to the door.

“Since you declined to take a room at all you can either get out and take a walk to cool your head for the night or go in there and apologize.” She ordered harshly.

“What just because she can't take a joke like that?” Dexter said a little outrage and harshness still remaining after being called out. “She'll be fine she's just--”

“Out or apologize.” Vivian said, projecting her voice firmly.

Dexter stood quickly, seeming to have venom on his tongue, but it died as he turned and looked at Luna's door, his hand raised as if to point. A small white ceramic looking card slipped out from somewhere inside his belted cloak he almost always wore. It bounced off the table and then to the floor having stolen all of Dexter's attention as it went.

Jack was whimpering at Luna's door. He put a big paw up to it and scratched a few times before hanging his head and sitting down; seeming determined to wait for her to come out for him.

Dexter's dark skin grew darker with anger as he swiped up the card. Vivian watched him with stern eyes. Lindsey looked between Vivian and him with her face growing worried and her hand gently coming out of her dress with her wand in hand, but she kept it low.

“Be nice to her, Dex.” Lindsey said offering advice. “She likes you. You know that. Don't be like that to her.”

Mike punctuated what his wife said by nodding and leveling the gaze of a disappointed friend at Dexter like a weapon all its own.

Dexter looked at Lindsey and Mike softening his face a little, but that all went away when he looked back at Vivian. He almost growled out something, but then shook his head violently and stormed over to Luna's door.

Lindsey sat up straight in Mike's lap with her wand ready; in spite of his earlier hesitancy Mike even looked about ready to stand up and take action as well. For that matter Micheal himself was about ready to club him just by the way he was charging over there. Dexter glowered over his shoulder at Vivian again and then looked at the card in his hand.

He was the only one in the room other than Forgen who could get into the room. Forgen's key was the master for the apartment so he could technically get into anyone's room, but, as a matter of course, respected everyone's privacy. Dexter sighed in one great shuddering breath though and then gently put the card to Luna's door.

“Go away.” An obviously crying Luna shouted immediately, and for emphasis threw a pillow at Dexter as he opened the door.

He took the soft blow without flinching and stepped inside. She sobbed and threw another at him that he weathered yet again.

Jack got up and tried to make his way in, but Micheal lunged forward from where he had been slowly making his way around to take him by the collar.

Dexter turned and shook his head, his eyes soft as he looked back at Jack. He had paused in the doorway to make sure the pillows at least stayed in the room with Luna.

“No Micheal. Let him come in. He'll calm her down so we can talk and that way you guys won't worry and barge in if we're in here for a while. That or he'll eat me.” Dexter said his voice suddenly subdued and soft.

He offered a single knuckle that Jack nuzzled before Micheal let the Bear Dog go.

Micheal did as he asked and urged Jack on, gesturing to Luna for emphasis. Jack went into the room with Dexter and put his head up into the hunter's hand as he joined him at the bed. Dexter didn't seem to know how to react at first, but then scratched the top of Jack's head with his fingernails. Jack wagged his tail once and then clambered onto the bed to Luna in her pile of extra pillows and blankets to find her where she buried herself. Dexter quietly shut the door looking actually remorseful, but he didn't meet the eyes of anyone in the room before the door closed.

Lindsey sighed in relief and flopped back onto her husband who caught her suddenly limp body before she started sliding off of him. Vivian closed her eyes and sighed too for that matter. She shook her head and leaned down to Lindsey's side near where the couple sat and whispered to her. After that she came over to Micheal and took him by the hand.

He looked at her for what she wanted, but she just led him back to their room. Once they were inside she took his staff and set it aside against the door frame. She put herself in close and kissed him. And then again before he could ask her any questions. He returned the kisses, but held her shoulders back when she went to put her arms around him once more. She shook her head.

“Dexter tried to convince me to stay with him once.” She admitted.

She leaned in close and sighed.

“He's known Luna for a good couple years now and she's always liked him so there was that, and the fact that I wasn't interested in sex or partnership at all until you and my cycle came along. Maybe he just acted at the wrong time and maybe I would have let him if my cycle had happened five years earlier than it had, or maybe if it had I would have kicked him in the junk for asking.”

Micheal nodded.

“I picked up on a little of that when I first met you.”

She nodded and then pressed against him. She was almost a different person when she got soft like this compared to the stern leader she had shown outside just now. The fire inside was the same though.

“Please.” She said, “Let's not talk about that. I..” She hesitated for a long moment and color flooded into her cheeks before she finally looked up at him.

“I want you.” She finished with particular emphasis.

Her cheeks were colored enough for him to feel the warmth of them as they stood close. It made him smile and heart started to race. He was getting used to her urges now though and his heart beat eagerly, his mind too was ready to fill his memory with more of her to balance out what else he had seen here.

“Good thing the doors are sound proof I guess. Makes mid-day fooling a little easier to manage.” He joked and she gave him a flat look as she undid his belt.

He gave her little room to go further as he pulled her into a sudden kiss. She was a little startled at first, but then leaned into it heavily.

Then she almost tore her own plain belt out of her leather trousers as they kissed. She gasped after that as an idea struck Micheal in the heat of the moment and he pulled away and picked her up by the legs before she could so much as start to get her boots off. He put her against the wall and peeled up the leather trousers and the silky fitting pants she wore beneath. She watched him startled and her boots came up on either side of his head and then she moaned into his mouth as he started kissing her again. Her hands grabbed at him frantically for a grip, but he had her pinned tight and was gently teasing her without using his hands as best he could manage. Even then he wasn't sure where this sudden desire for her had come from. He had an idea it was the tension they were all under with things seemingly spinning slowly out of control, but even those faded away as the sounds Vivian made washed over him.

Vivian bucked and kicked every once in a while once things took their natural course from there, but he didn't let her down from the wall or drop her in any way. The hunger in her eyes when their lips came apart for ragged breaths gave him all the motivation he needed to continue. It was when putting her down came up that the trouble showed. Her legs were shaky and it took a combined effort to them without simply walking her to the bed and dropping her. They were both panting and Vivian was wide eyed as she pulled her pants and trousers back into place. She brushed loose hair from her face and gave him a few excited and maybe a little nervous glances.