Gemwright Ch 14

[Day 21 | Day 2 at Topaz Island]

I wake up. It's still really hot, but the humidity has gone down. As my mind works on getting started, I try to remember what's on the agenda for today. I need to check in with Wed. That one guy might still want to spar. I can scatter my birds all over the island and meet with other tribes. I need to help build a house. Hmm, I should set the flags back up. It's just a matter of planting them again into the ground. And of course, the high point of the day will be combining with my Hanamaya. Whatever plan she has for this evening, I'm excited for it. I feel myself start to stiffen, and pull back my hip so as not to wake her.

She wakes up anyway. She mumbles in the most adorable way. With her back still turned to me, she asks ¬would you like to explain why your pointlessly large thing is poking me)¬

¬when I thought about what you said yesterday it became this way on its own)¬

¬come here you)¬

[Intimacy scene]

She turns around, reaches down and grabs me, slides my length between her thighs so I'm sticking out near her butt, and tilts her head up to kiss me. Her soft thighs envelope my length, teasing me with the knowledge that I won't be partaking of her sex until later today.

¬that you will)¬ she kisses my lips ¬I can't wait to make love with you this afternoon either)¬ her tongue gently caresses my lips ¬ah I've gotta stop or I'll end up making love now)¬ she pulls back-

.. I want to kiss her. Now. ¬

give me your tongue Hanamaya

)¬ I pull her back to me and open my mouth, licking her lips this time. They're parted just slightly, so I intrude into my lover's mouth. With one hand on her back, I slide the other one to lightly hold and rub the back of her head.

¬wait# no# tonight# we)¬ Her eyes are slightly unfocused, but I feel desire through the link. I lick the back of her teeth, and stroke her back and head. I feel ... 'a bonfire start to kindle' from her, and her hug becomes tighter, and her tongue ah, yes, she's here. This bliss when she wraps around my tongue with her own.. I love you Hanamaya.

It's a struggle not to thrust my penis against her thighs. I'm feeling aroused by her, while we 'meet the flower', but I want to save myself for tonight. I give it all I've got to make Hana happy here. Her eyes... How long has it been since I've appreciated them? Her arms, thin and supple, but perhaps I can feel the smallest bit of tone from the exercise? Her small body feels just as wonderful as it always does in my arms. Her saliva pooling in my mouth is almost sweet, her erotic tongue pleasuring me... That did it, yes, cum for me. ¬you're mine Hanamaya)¬

Her body twitches as she arches her back in my arms. Her beautiful eyes look into mine, but her expression betrays her pleasure, scrunched shamefully like that.

¬y-you just wanted to see me cum# to see it in my face# the moment I lose control)¬

¬it's wildly beautiful# just like you)¬

We take a moment to continue enjoying each other before she pulls back again. I don't deny her this time.

Hana, "You brute... Now I'm going to want it

all day

." Her expression is more controlled now, but she's drooling just a little bit.

Me, "You're in good company, then. Look forward to it with me." I get up and start my day.

Let's see.. Was there anything else I wanted to do today before my love distracted me? Hmm.. No, just the gold work.

I suppose I should check in on Sentral. I feel a bit bad neglecting it. ¬Sentral# how are you)¬

¬nominal)¬ comes the reply

¬I took your flags down# would you like me to put them back up now£)¬

¬no)¬

¬is there enough motion to satisfy you)¬

¬yes)¬ it gives me a vague impression of the village. I take control and look at its Zone. It covers the entire village and slightly beyond.

¬good# contact me if you have any other wishes# or if you want me to put the flags up)¬

¬yes)¬

I drop the connection. That's one thing off the list then.

I put on pants, and request a scroll. "Hey, Hana! Any requests from Port? I'm about to contact Wed."

"Order chicken! A ton of it! Um... Fifty pounds? Also more cold crystals."

Me, "Sounds good, I'll ask him to get it."

She shouts something short at me I don't quite catch, then I move the scroll to Sentral's hand. I step back and have it open the gate. I note that Hana is walking towards the village, guess when you're cooking for 150 or so you gotta start early.

..Whoa. That's odd. It's not too strong, but I feel like I'm falling towards the scroll. I reach out for Wed's mind.

¬you're alive still# good# how are things over there)¬

¬still absurdly hot but enjoyable nonetheless# Hanamaya says the people are beautiful inside and I'm inclined to agree)¬

¬easy marks then# don't treat them too poorly# as for the heat we got a few dozen cold crystals# we've left them on the floor)¬ ah, they are there too. I lift the wooden crate. ¬anything else for now£)¬

¬Hanamaya wants an order of 50 pounds of chicken meat# as for your gold work I think it will be done tonight or tomorrow night)¬

¬I take it they don't have chickens on the island then# I'll see about the order# also we managed to find more gems but I think this will be the last big haul# we've dried up the easy sources# we will keep an eye out around town for more imports)¬ there is a second crate with rough gems and a few cut ones. I lift that over as well.

¬understood# thanks for the hard work# I'm enjoying life and searching for the source of the Topaz# they have me building a house today# not really sure how they're made but they'll be teaching me)¬

¬I'd say it's a waste of your talents but I know that's not why you're doing it# that's all from our side)¬

¬nothing further from me# talk to you tomorrow Wed)¬

He says his farewell. I cut the Gate, and stow the scroll back inside Sentral.

Sentral notifies me of a bunch of people on their way over; mostly kids, one adult. I wait for them to arrive. Leading the way is the little girl from yesterday, and Bor'la is tending them. She's holding one of the smaller children. The children are generally smiling.

I connect to her. ¬good morning Grey# these children wanted to play with your birds# a certain troublemaker told every child who would listen how fun it was# and now they're all riled up)¬

I laugh, and order all birds brought to the outside. I bring out the crabs too, maybe they'll like it. ¬they're welcome to play for as long as they like)¬

She turns to the kids ¬he says you're welcome to play# I say you're welcome to play until it's time to do your work)¬ the reaction is cheers.

I connect to them in bulk and say, "Line up, I'll give you two birds. Run two laps around the clearing, and hand your birds to me."

I dispense birds to kids, one to each arm, and patch their vision in before sending some grinning brat off to run. I can only do 11 kids at a time, so I offer crabs to those in line. Their viewpoint is a little smaller, but they still seem to enjoy it just as much. Mostly though they throw the crabs up in the air before catching them. I guess they enjoy the rotating viewpoint. The birds don't get thrown for whatever reason. They drop the crabs as often as not, but they don't get damaged, so I don't care.

Bor'la walks over to me after all the golems have been dispensed. Some of the kids are waiting in line too, including the helper from yesterday.

I start us off. ¬the children seem to like you# do you often tend to them)¬

She smiles. ¬not always# but it is a task I welcome# children need a firm hand and a loving face# it is my joy to watch the tribe's children slowly grow into adults and know that I helped them along)¬

¬how motherly# I respect that)¬

¬and what of you£ you're generous to share with them like this# you would make a good tribesman# I would be surprised if the chief does not ask you soon)¬

¬I will decline if he does# at least for now# I have a very high opinion of you and the Coral Trees# but I have not met the other tribes yet# and I wish to see the world before I settle down)¬

¬we have only known this place# Rin and Hana speak of the outside sometimes# but are reserved about it)¬

Yeah, but I've kinda gotta be.. ¬it is a sometimes cruel and unkind place# but it has its good points too)¬

¬some will wish to follow you when you leave)¬

¬perhaps)¬ I pause, considering. ¬I will likely allow it if they can make themselves useful# but that is a high bar to hurdle# and I will try to discourage them)¬

She doesn't say anything back right away. Some of the enbirded children make their way back to me, all grins. I take their birds, disconnect them from the child they had been riding, and reconnect them to a different kid. While I'm repeating this, Sentral alerts me to another adult walking this way. Oddly, he has two weapons, compared to Bor'la's one.

I resume my conversation with Bor'la. ¬tell me# are you familiar with the concept of cold£)¬ I order a water crystal from storage from Sentral while Bor'la shakes her head. When it arrives, I send her an image of holding out her hand. She does, and I pour the cold water over it. She flinches back, pain written on her face. ¬was it that bad£ forgive me# there are parts of the year on the other side where the air is this cold# we wear heavy clothing to survive# anyone who travels with me would have to accept this)¬

¬that's horrible= what insanity do you speak of£ for the very air to try to kill you£ how do you endure£)¬

I order out one of my new, unworn winter shirts. ¬thick heavy clothing# worn over almost the entire body# it keeps the cold out and the heat in# this is the world I come from)¬

She takes the garment, and looks at it like it's an alien thing. She shakes her head.

¬I admit I was curious to see the outside world before# now I am less certain)¬ she hands back the clothing. I levitate it back to the cart, along with the water crystal.

I call over the crab kids, and cycle the crabs to others. I feel like the population of children per capita is unusually high, but, I guess it's because they don't expect all of them to reach adulthood. I'll do what I can while I'm here.

The dual wielding fellow arrives. It's the challenger! Looks like he brought two staves, neither of which are spears. They look well made.

I connect to him. ¬Grey# the chief has given me permission to face you# my name is De'dan# I would spar with you# face me in your gemstone golem)¬

What. ¬you sure about that£ I'm pretty strong inside that thing)¬ maybe... They're actually way, way stronger than they've displayed so far? I've seen them demonstrate incredible strength.

He gives me an angry look. ¬we shall see)¬

Well, okay bud. ¬then I accept# may I have a few minutes£ I wish to set the birds around the clearing so the children can watch us from an exciting perspective)¬

He clearly wasn't expecting that response. He gives me a curious look, then nods.

I disconnect from De'dan. ¬do you want to watch with the kids£)¬

¬I do# please keep this fair# De'dan will not seriously hurt you if he is stronger# if you are stronger then do the same)¬

¬of course# I bear him no ill will# please gather the children in the treeline)¬

She shouts, and the children run off to the side. I reach out and disconnect all golems from their vision. The crabs go inert, and I move them to the pot, but the birds I fly out to trees around the clearing. I bulk connect to them, and patch their vision into birds one at a time. While I do this, I summon Sentral from its box. With the kids all connected, I go through a quick set of warm up stretches, and drop my connections.

All warmed up, I step into Sentral and connect to De'dan. ¬almost ready for ya# this is to knockout or surrender right£)¬

¬that is correct# I'll show them your strength of arm is pitiful# and then she# no that doesn't matter)¬

Guess he is mad about something. Or jealous? Well, not my problem. I seal myself in. I check my range of motion.. good.

He throws me one of the staves. I catch it. ¬we will exchange a combat greeting# once you take a stance I will assault you)¬

¬got it)¬

De'dan holds his staff to the side, thumps his arm across his chest, and shouts something. Ah, that's what he means.

I feel playful. I chuck my staff into the air, put my fist into my palm in front of my chest, give a small bow, then put my hand back into the air. I cheat with Zone and telekinesis so the staff falls perfectly into my hand. The children seem to love it. Smiling, I hold out my staff. ¬ready when you are)¬

De'dan launches himself forward. He swipes diagonally and... I step back. It was trivial to dodge that. Hmm.. I dodge another attack, then another. I try parrying, blocking, it's all easy. I can't miss a movement with Zone, and the agility means that I can react to it with ease.

I take a gentle swipe at his legs, which he deflects, and goes for a graceful counterattack. I easily hop the swing for my feet.

This keeps up for a dozen exchanges. His stamina is impressive. I should take him out soon, or I'm going to get exhausted. Or...

¬my golem is too powerful# but your technique is impressive# if you can land a hit on me then I will declare you the victor)¬

Fury is visible on his face after I say that. ¬you dare=-)¬ I rocket behind him and trip him on the way. With a cat's own grace, he's on his feet in less than a second. I shake my legs while he rounds on me. Moving this fast is hard on me. I block a strike without bothering to look at it, then sway out him reversing the strike around my staff. That was a clever move.

The next strike is a feint... I completely fall for it, but my speed means I'm able to recover in time. He tries to sweep me with his leg and snaps the staff up to my torso as a followup. I hop the first, and block the second. He backs up, considers, then charges at me. He makes the low attack obvious, so it's got to be a feint. I can learn! He pulls out something I don't expect though. He throws the fucking staff at me. What the fuck?! I clumsily parry it away, but he's still coming?? I try to twist, bend, but I'm way too late, his fist hits my chest, blowing me back a solid two feet. Oof, even through the gem work I felt that.

He looks at me warily. ¬I guess I won)¬

...damn. I open a connection with the audience. ¬I said he would be the winner should he land a blow on my speedy self# he shocked me with his skill and guile to sneak a blow in despite my advantage# let it be known De'dan was the winner of this match)¬

For the first time since I've seen him, he smiles. The intense look from before is gone. ¬you're honorable after all# unskilled and arrogant# but you're alright)¬

He holds my gaze a bit longer, then jogs over to his staff and picks it up. ¬fight me again# hold nothing back# you could have overwhelmed me at any time)¬

I nod, and hop back 10 feet. We make our greetings. He takes a stance. I do too... Then toss my quarterstaff behind me. I rush forward, and sweep him again, same as before. While he's falling, I squeeze his wrist, disarming him. I pluck his staff out of the air, and place it against his neck, gently. He hits the ground hard, looks ruefully at the staff, then says ¬I surrender)¬

I remove the staff and offer him a hand up. He takes it. It's a secret that I almost lose my footing; even at 16 or something he's heavier than I am.

He collects the other quarterstaff, and says ¬this didn't go the way I expected it to# but thank you for sparing with me# I'll see you around)¬

Gotta give him credit, he looks like a badass walking away like that, one staff over his right shoulder, the other held in his left hand. We'll ignore that there's no sunset for him to walk into here. Oh well.

I exit Sentral. Sensing their chance, the kids all run over and congratulate me. Guess I forgot to close the connections. ¬you were so fast= amazing)¬ is what it mostly boils down to. Bor'la shouts something, and I recognize the resulting sound "awww..." One by one, they come up to me and shout "Thank you!" before going to the treeline to wait. As the last one heads over, Bor'la steps up to me and wraps her large, muscular arms around me in a hug. Her huge breasts press against me. ¬thank you for entertaining the children# they really appreciate it# and so do I)¬

¬you're very welcome# I'm glad everyone is happy)¬

She pulls back, and with a big smile, waves at me before turning around and walking back to the village. ¬time for work children# and Grey# the house building will start soon so don't wait too long)¬

She walks off. I drop my connections again.

FUCK Bor'la is hot. I want to taste her so badly. She isn't particularly young, and she doesn't even have the most impressive breasts in the village. But she's so womanly. I get the feeling she takes the lead during sex. I get the feeling her man, her

mate

drowns in pleasure when she pins him down and forces him to cum inside her...

Damnit, I'm way too horny today. I

really

want to fuck Hanamaya later. I can't believe I volunteered to build a damn house.

Alright. Big breath. This is nobody's fault. Bad horny. Grandmas and puppy dogs. Let's go get a house built. I wonder if I should change my rings though... Let's go with strength, CON, and telekinesis. I pocket my spell power ring.

A quick jaunt through a parasitic vine jungle later, I'm at the village. I ask somebody where the new house is. She's a woman of 19 or so.

¬did you really beat De'dan in a spar£)¬

She completely ignored my question. Okay... ¬yes I did# he asked that I use my golem to enhance my combat potential# without it I likely would have lost# De'dan is a truly skilled combatant)¬

She gives me a complicated expression. And looks me up and down. It's just a little uncomfortable. ¬the house£)¬ I prompt.

She nods, and points me in a certain direction. I nod back, and depart with a ¬thank you)¬ I disconnect. I wonder if today is going to be weird..

I notice on my way in that the huge pot in the middle of the village has a fire under it again. The pot is a bit larger than the one I repaired. Someone is stirring it with what appears to be a rather large wooden spoon? A nearby table has dozens of bowls and spoons. I see someone bringing a bunch of cut vegetables over to it, then pouring them all in. Hope it's got some meat too. Nearby is a ladle. I suppose that's lunch and supper for today and tomorrow.

I walk a ways, and see a few people already at work breaking ground. The base apparently will be some sort of treated wood surrounded by rocks. There's thin-ish wooden sticks in the ground nearby, with people working to create more from cut trees.

One of the men notices me and jogs up. I connect to him. ¬Grey# were glad you're here# we've informed everyone that this is your first construction# we would like you to handle the building materials with the younger folks# look over from time to time to see how it is done# this is an essential skill for a tribesman so we will ensure you learn well)¬

Seems they want to keep me. I.. will think on it. For now, I'm in charge of cutting thin planks. A lot of them. Luckily, Few'ree and 'ja are there to show me the ropes.

¬the floor is made out of something called hardbark# we trade another tribe for it# it's the most important part to get right because it's the hardest part to replace# you're on the wall wood)¬ he used a certain term for it, ¬which are easy to make and made out of normal wood# and if you get it wrong we can easily take it out and put in another)¬

Interesting. I look at a few of the previous ones. Seems simple enough. Long, thin, with a few notches carved out at specific points, I assume to interlock with others. I take a completed one and the hand saw. I note the Few brothers are cutting some oddly shaped pieces, while I'm with the younger crowd doing the walling. I consider being offended, but they're probably starting me off with the easy stuff so I can work my way up and learn every part of the house. It's sensible. Well, let's integrate myself.