*1346.06.06*

“Joram,” Avi said, then paused as he turned, looking like the child who’d been caught stealing a cookie. “Why are you dressed like Wolverine from X-Force?”

He snatched off his cowl, shifting uncomfortably under her examining gaze.

“Ah, well, you see. There’s a good explanation to that,” he said, his rambling speeding up. “As you know, wardrobe malfunctions are a serious concern during a spar or a fight. So, I’ve worked hard to make something that’ll prevent what happened yesterday from happening again any time soon!”

Avi nodded, the incident still fresh in her mind.

“So, why… that?” She asked, motioning to Joram’s costume.

He’d done a marvelous job with it, all told. It was pretty much all black, but had a couple places where a very dark grey provided suitable contrast. As much as it looked like it might be one piece, though the belt around his hips likely meant that it was actually two separate parts.

His boots, though, needed work. She hadn’t ever been a fan of boots with weird parts coming off them, like a good deal of the costumes Wolverine had been drawn in over the years. Give her a nice, clean and snug boot top any day.

“Kinda been a bit of a fantasy since I was a kid,” he replied sheepishly.

Avi took a deep breath to remind herself to keep breathing steadily. The fact that she’d gotten so angry with him the day before hadn’t sat well with her after she’d had time to cool down. Even after reflecting on it, she still hadn’t managed to pinpoint the source, which meant that she was still dealing with those feeling rearing their ugly heads every now and then.

“I’m sorry for getting so angry with you yesterday,” she suddenly blurted out. “I don’t know exactly why it bothered me so much, but it did. And it happened. And it’s done. But, it still bothers me- the anger part. The situation, well, if it hadn’t been you, I’d have probably laughed at it. But since it was you-,” she was cut off by Joram placing a finger across her lips as he stepped in close to her.

“Over all, it wasn’t the best thing to have happened,” he said softly as he gazed into her eyes. “As for your anger, I trust that you’ll figure out its source,” he said, then changed the subject.

“That said. Have you sent my apology yet?”

“Yes,” she said, annoyed with herself all over again for insisting that she do it instead of him.

Again, that anger had flashed in her, and she’d spoken without thinking.

“Thanks,” he said, then leaned in for a kiss.

She briefly considered declining, but the only thing preventing the kiss was her stubborn pride. So, she leaned in and accepted it.

“It seems that it’s almost time to head off to Dawn Star for my weekly performance,” he said breathlessly once they’d separated.

She took a moment to breath before she reluctantly spoke.

“I guess the regulars would get mad if you skipped a week,” she said, her business sense not allowing for such a thing to happen.

“Well, Alyraele is getting pretty good with the piano. I think she’d be able to take over in not too much longer,” he said, looking thoughtful. “And with how well Mo Yu is doing with the guitar, I think they’d make a decent pairing for the stage. After that, maybe if Bai Lian does anything with the drums, she could be added too.”

“You’re going to make a girl band?” Avi asked dryly.

It really wasn’t all that different than her making a team comprised solely of women on the Goddess Ranking. But at the same time, they’d likely become a different type of idol for the students. Though, thinking about it, at least they’d get attention for their skills and not just for their looks.

“Hah, that’d be funny,” Joram said, doing his odd grunt/chuckle. “Nah, I know better than anyone how hard it is to get up in front of people like that. If they want to, I’m sure they’ll ask. But wouldn’t it be funny to start the world’s first Idol Band?” He asked with a chuckle.

Avi snorted out a laugh. She couldn’t believe that he was thinking that. Well, maybe it would be a good thing.

“I could be the lead vocalist,” she said with a teasing grin. “I can just swap places with Alicia whenever, so that could work. But let’s see…. You’d have to pick another instrument if Mo Yu is on guitar and Alyraele on piano. Maybe you could play the bass? Yeah, that’d work well. It’d work with the image people have of you now, too.”

“Wait, what?” He asked, starting to look concerned.

“Ah~~,” Avi started, drawing the word out. “The savage beast that defeated the White Princess in furious combat of epic proportions! So strong! So fierce! Embracing like that, do you think they’ll get married? Who knew that the polite, quiet, and shy musician would be such a beast?!” She said, pitching her voice high as she mimicked young women gossiping.

Avi watched as his face grew two shades darker than what would have been healthy for a non-cultivator. Well, it probably wasn’t too health for anyone to have their blood pressure rise that high.

“I’m going to bury myself now,” Joram said, his voice devoid of all emotion as he pulled his cowl back on and walked away.

Ah, that was too much, she thought as she quickly caught up to him and grabbed his arm. She was then unceremoniously pulled off her feet as he continued to trudge along.

“Joram, it’s fine!” She said, tugging for all she was worth. “There’ll always be rumours when someone stands out. You know that! Just embrace them! Make it yours! Or just blow them out of the water with who you really are! Because they don’t matter! I know who you really are. Those close to you know how good of a person you are. Just be yourself!”

“Did you know?” Joram said as he came to a halt, her arms still wrapped around his. “When I had to be somewhere, a social gathering so something with lots of people. Being so shy, I always stuck to the sides. It was hard to approach people. So, I would read a book, or write something in a notebook.

“I always had my backpack with me. Didn’t matter where. It was kind of like a security blanket for me. I could bring a book, notebooks, a walkman or something. I’d usually have a snack or two and a water bottle just in case I was out longer than I’d anticipated. You know, busses being unreliable and all that.

“I thought that I wasn’t really noticed. People would generally just pass me by, or at best, they’d politely say ‘Hi’ as they passed by. Then, one day a buddy of mine told me something that changed my forever.

“It wasn’t some tripe or regurgitated pep-talk that someone gives you when they’re trying to get you out and ‘having fun’. No. He decided to tell me the truth.

“He said: ‘Hey, you should really try to talk with more people, because everyone thinks that you’re stuck up. A snob that thinks he’s too good to talk with anyone’,” Joram said as he continued looking forward, his jaw now clenched.

“I was being myself. No one likes me when I’m being myself because they can’t understand my true self. So, I started faking it. Started being more social. Started to pretend to enjoy being out there and talking to random strangers because that’s what everyone expected of me. It felt so hollow and pointless.

“My ‘true’ self is an introvert with the self-esteem of a fruit fly. I’d rather be at home, working on a project, reading a book, playing a video game, or even writing more of my stupid stories. Sure, gathering with a few friends every week or two is fun, but not what I need all the time.

“I enjoy doing things for my family and close friends. Making something for someone who genuinely appreciates it? That’s awesome. Helping someone move? Yeah, I’ve always been somewhat large of stature, so I was more than happy to help them move something large or heavy; it was easy for me.

“Helping someone get up when they’ve tripped on the ice. Paying that extra buck someone is sort of at the cashier. Making funny faces at the crying child on the bus because their parent is too burned out to do more than half-heartedly shush them every now and then. Getting up to hold the door for someone with a walker.

“As sedentary as I was before coming here, I did enjoy pushing myself. I was actually pretty good, you know? My first time playing paintball, I could see the paint ball coming for my face; and I could dodge it and then shoot them right back. I would climb trees to find the perfect branch on which I could take a nap, and not fall out of the tree.

“I’m more competitive than just about anyone I know, but I had to curb that hard because I’ve always been very strong for my size. If I wasn’t careful, people would get hurt. So, I dropped that part of who I was.

“Growing up, people thought I was on cocaine because they couldn’t keep up with my thought process. School was so boring because it catered to the masses. I got crap marks because I refused to do homework, because schoolwork is for school, not home. Being at school all day was bad enough that I didn’t want my home time taken up with more pointless work that I’d already learned and filed away.

“People never cared for who I was, but what they either wanted me to be, or expected me to be. A relatively tall man with broad shoulders and a solid build, who people called handsome. For twenty years, people even told me that I should be in radio because of my voice. Hairdressers always complimented my hair. A few people even said I should model.

“None of those people had any idea who I was. I don’t even think they really cared to even get to know me, content to keep their preconceived image of me in their minds as we interacted with each other. And so, once again, I would become the social chameleon.

“It was exhausting,” he said, his head now bowing as he spoke. “It’s still exhausting. You’ve been with me the longest of anyone in this life or my last. You understand. But them,” he said, gesturing vaguely off to the side. “They have no idea. Bai Lian? Mo Yu? I haven’t refused them because I’m stuck on monogamy- but because they don’t actually know me.

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“All they see is this crazy powerful Reincarnator who can do things they’ve never heard of; who’s on a quest to take his family and friends back from their kidnappers. Do they even understand how hard it is for me to have to wait to get strong enough to challenge their Sects without it becoming a suicide mission? How hard it is to let go of the hatred still deep in my heart?

“I understand Grammy’s thirst for vengeance more than any of them realize.

“When I eventually get to their Sects, do they realize that I’m likely going to have to kill people they know? People they’ve grown up with, trained with, ate their meals together with? What happens if one of their masters or a beloved teacher comes to stop me with the intent to kill? What will they think of me when I kill those people?

“And what about everyone at the Academy? It’s not that I’m completely oblivious to the possibility of women falling for me. It’s just that I can’t see why they would want to be with me beyond the initial draw of their curiosity. Or wanting to recruit someone for their business, family, clan, or whatever.

“Or is everyone on this damn planet so naïve that just a few acts of kindness win them over? And what do they expect from me after that? Do they think that I’m just doing those things because I’m trying to woo them or get into their skirts?

“Yeah, your friends are gorgeous. Before coming to this world, I’d never have imagined even being in the same room as nation-shaking beauties like them. My parents seem to think that they’re more than a little bit interested in getting to know me biblically, so what am I supposed to do about that?

“I’m ecstatic that we’re together; it’s like a dream come true. But am I supposed to respond to all of their feelings by going along with them? I’ll admit, I was one of those guys who fantasized about having a harem full of beautiful, adoring women in the past. It’s even crossed my mind since I learned that polygamy is more common than monogamy here.

“But getting to know someone well enough to form that kind of relationship with nearly scares me to death. Even with Bai Lian and Mo Yu, who I’ve spent a lot of time around, scare me. I don’t want to fail and lose their friendship. I don’t want them to be disappointed in me.

“The study group? I’d like to think that we’ve become friends over the past two months. I’m certainly happy that they’ve joined your team and that you’re all getting along so well. But what’ll happen if I respond to Daleira’s flirting? Or Gabrielle’s obvious infatuation with me?

“Would that break up the group? Would that make things incredibly awkward for everyone? Let alone you? I know that you’ve mentioned that you don’t care if other women attach themselves to me, but I didn’t fail to notice how you reacted when Emily was so obviously and aggressively flirting with me,” he said, finally turning his head so he could look her in the eye.

Avi couldn’t help but blush then, as she finally realized that she’d been well and truly jealous. She’d also been angry with Joram for having gone along with it, and especially for what happened during the spar.

She realized then that she hadn’t been only angry at Joram for having exposed and embarrass a young woman in front of such a large audience like that, but because he’d been sparring with a beauty like Emily and had not only seen her in her fully glory, but had also embraced her while they’d both been naked.

Her chin dropped, lowing her gaze. She’d had such confidence in herself when telling Joram that she didn’t mind if she wasn’t his only wife, but had it just been naïve bravado? Would she really be OK with not just Bai Lian and Mo Yu, but also more women?

If his scenario of the study group was used, would she be all right with any of her five friends getting close to Joram like that? Would any of them be OK with that? Would it truly destroy their budding friendships?

But. Did it matter?

She would be with Joram no matter what. She was very firm in her love for him and knew that she would always feel that way. Bai Lian and Mo Yu, though. She liked them well enough. They were two genuine and studious young women who’d decided to be with Joram no matter what. Even if that meant that they’d never have a romantic relationship with him.

No, if a woman wanted Joram, she would go with her original decision. She would have to first get to know her, uncover any hidden motives she might have. Effectively, she’d be the one to filter out those who weren’t genuine or compatible. She’d be the one to protect Joram from anyone who wouldn’t be able to understand him, and thus hurt him.

“Yes,” she finally said, raising her head again to meet Joram’s eyes. “I am sure that was jealousy. I’m not proud of that, especially after what I’d said. If a woman truly wants to be with you, and is willing to share you with others, then I’ll stick by what I said. But if they’re anything but genuine, I’ll chase them away.

“I want you to be happy. I want us to be happy. Anyone else who wants in on that will have to also accept me and anyone else who’s willing to share in that happiness,” she said as she reached up and cupped his face in her hands. “Just don’t be an idiot about it, and I’m sure things will work out.”

His hands came up to cover hers, a tender expression softening his eyes through the cowl.

“Avi? Have you met me?” He asked softly, a smile growing on his face. “Of course I’m and idiot. My emotional intelligence is at the level of a rock in the field blocking the plough. But I know that I’ll get through this because you’re with me,” he said, then leaned forward and tenderly kissed her on the forehead.

His arms dropped to drape over her, engulfing her in his vast embrace, his head going over her left shoulder so that their hearts could be closer together.

Yeah, he’s got a long way to go… but he’s learning, she thought as a smile crept onto her face.

“Yeah, you’re a bit dense when it comes to romance, but I’ll help you through it,” she said as she enjoyed his warmth. “But you still need to play your sets tonight,” she said as she held him a bit tighter, anticipating his desire to flee.

Sure enough, he tried to pull away again. It must have just been reflexive with no real intent to actually flee, because she was able to hold onto him.

“That said,” she leaned back a bit to once again look him in the eye. “You’ll have to get changed, I don’t want to have to start beating the fangirls back with a bat yet,” she finished with a flirty grin that made him blush.

“Yeah, I’ll get on that,” he said, looking off to the side.

* * * * *

Joram couldn’t believe how light he felt after sharing all that with Avi. Some of it he’d shared with people over the years, but there were more parts that he’d never spoken out loud to anyone. It was… freeing to let it out. He was by no means better, nor had it fixed all his problems. But it was a start. It felt as though he’d been carrying a backpack full of lead this whole time and now it had finally been dropped.

Which made his current situation worse.

He’d just finished up his last set when Alicia had announced last call. He had intended to grab something to drink at the bar, probably a fruit juice blend, when he’d been cut off.

“So~~~,” Emily said from her seemingly normal distance of too close. “That was an amazing fight yesterday. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had so much fun,” she said as she practically rubbed up against him.

“Ah, I’m glad that I didn’t disappoint,” he said, trying to edge to the side as Renna watched.

Even though her ears weren’t anime-level long, they were still almost an inch longer than a human’s ears with a point that tapered elegantly. That said, her ears were actually vibrating as he watched them. He didn’t know what that meant, as he hadn’t spent any time around elves yet. But if the popular tropes had any base in reality, then she was definitely experiencing an intense emotion of some sort.

“Ah~~~, about that,” she said, now actually pressing up against him in her skin-tight outfit. “That’s the first time I’ve experienced such a thing, and I think that you’ll have to take responsibility for me neow~,” she said as her eyes went misty and her pupils dilated, giving her that sad and begging kitten look. Though, it was ruined slightly by the slight curve of her lips.

“I don’t think that it would be good to create any misunderstanding here,” he said, once again trying to slip away from her surprisingly soft body.

“There’s no misunderstanding,” she said as her arms snaked around his waist, hugging him tightly. “You’ll have to play with me whenever I want neow~,” she said, practically purring. “In my tribe, when a man and a woman embrace like we did, they’re considered to be life-long mates.”

Joram’s heart nearly stopped then.

No, no. From what I got from [Read Thoughts] yesterday, this should just be more crazy flirting. She uses her sex appeal as masterfully as a Sword Saint uses their blade. She’s just trying to throw me off balance.

“Ah, well, where I come from, people understand training accidents; even those as disastrous as ours. Not only that, but any potential spouse must first be approved of by one’s family. Usually the Matriarch. So: not life-long mates,” he said, impressed with how well he was spouting so much bullshit.

“Ah~~, that’s problematic,” she said, still glued to him and staring up at him with her neck craned. “You see, I’m a princess, and my tribe, my kingdom, takes this sort of thing very seriously~~~,” she said, a glint forming in her eyes.

‘Seriously, Joram? Already?’ Alicia sent when she noticed his predicament.

‘What kind of apology did you send her?!’ He demanded in a panic.

‘Oh, just a couple of coupons for Dawn Star and Starfall,’ she sent back, dismissing that. ‘I guess you’ll need to do a bit of cultural research to see if what she’s saying is true.’

“So, ah, which kingdom do you hail from?” Joram asked, not sure where to rest his hands.

His arms had gone up to avoid having them pinned to his sides when she’d suddenly hugged him. But now he felt more than a little ridiculous with his elbows up and Renna staring at him with that weird look in her eyes. Not to mention the growing number of stares fixing on them.

“The Eternal Snow Kingdom,” she said, now actually purring, causing her breasts to vibrate against his torso in an excruciatingly distracting way.

“I’ll have to look it up,” he said, fighting his treacherous body. “In the mean time, I think Dawn Star is closing soon, so I should get going,” he said as he reached down, intending to pry her arms from him.

“Oh, that’s true,” Renna spoke up for the first time. “Then, I suppose we’ll need an escort home,” she said with a smile that could win the hearts of millions.

Joram didn’t buy it for a second. Not only was Emily a ridiculously dangerous martial artist, but Renna herself was a Peak 4th Tier Mage and a 5th Tier Mentalist. Anyone intent on causing that pair trouble was intent on flirting with death.

Then he had a thought.

He quickly counted the number of people giving him a death glare and found a good twenty-three people.

“Oh, that shouldn’t be a problem,” he said with his third-best smile, causing the pair to relax and look gratified.

More importantly, Emily loosened her grasp on him, allowing his to slip out of her arms.

“Fellas!” He called out, catching them by surprise. “These young women need an escort home! Would any of you be willing to help these young maidens in their hour of need?” He asked, instantly dissipating their hostility, turning it instead to youthful eagerness.

The shocked looks that Emily and Renna gave him were priceless as the small mob of young men gathered the two of them up and hurried them out of the bar/lounge/thingy. He waved at them before they were hurried out of sight, silently applauding his ingenuity.

‘Well played,’ Alicia sent, clearly amused. “But we both know that she’ll be back. So, study hard!’

‘What happened to your unwavering support?’ He asked, feeling more than a little betrayed.

‘I do support you,’ she sent, still amused. ‘It’s just that I don’t need to step in until she tries to get into your pants.’

‘Damn.’

* * * * *

Renna exchanged looks with Emily as they closed the door on their “escort”.

“Well played, Joram,” she said as her eyes narrowed.

Emily still looked shocked and a little more than a little bit outraged, her tail swishing back and forth energetically.

“Yes, he won tonight. But there’s also tomorrow, and every day after that,” Emily said with determination.

“Ah, but I think that there’ll be competition to claim that gallant young man,” Renna said teasingly.

“What?”

“Didn’t you see who else was there?”

“… No?”

“Well, I suppose that his study group being there shouldn’t come as a surprise,” she said dismissively. “But more than a few of the “Goddesses” were in attendance. I’m reasonably sure that most of them were ones who were interviewed by Joram and Alicia yesterday.”

“Are you implying that they’re also after Joram?” Emily asked, her eyes narrowing at the thought of competition.

“Even I, my dear Emily, am more than a little tempted by that young man,” she once again teased.

Emily’s jaw dropped as her eyes nearly popped out in shock.

“You’re over a hundred! That’s practically robbing the cradle!” Emily exclaimed as she grabbed her shoulders and began shaking her.

“One: it’s rude to mention a young woman’s age,” she said, removing Emily’s hands and holding them in her own. “Two: for us elves, I’m barely considered old enough to leave home. Developmentally, I’m younger than you,” she said sternly, getting another shocked stare in return.

“Does that mean that you’re still growing?” Emily finally asked, her gaze going to Renna’s chest, causing her to blush.

“I’ll have you know that I’m considered well endowed amongst my people,” she replied indignantly as she folded her arms across her chest defensively.

“Uh-huh.”