We walk back to the camp at the end of the day. It's starting to get dark. I hold hands with my wife on the way back, and complete her ring.
I notice Hana's door is closed. I wonder if she's asleep? I won't bother her.
The rest of the group drops from the connection and leaves for their own carts. Bor'wa goes with Rin to her home, I guess since Hana is napping. I step towards my home, but Vai'yun pulls me to hers.
That's fine. "Vai'yun, how was your first day in The World Beyond?"
My wife gives me a wide smile. "Nothing could prepare me for all of it. It was
overwhelming
! So many new smells! The sheer number of people! Those 'performers' on the street. And the lighthouse! Such a tall building, as I have never seen before, built by human hands, and you weren't even very impressed with it! I know it seems silly to you, but knowing I can have a different meal every day if I want.. It's odd in a way I can't describe. And so many boats! I want to see them tomorrow!"
Hah. "Well then, let's go look at them tomorrow."
We step inside of her cart, and she.. picks up her choker from the table. Huh, I hadn't noticed it was missing, since she's wearing a shirt now. But it's not like it covered her whole neck, so I feel a bit ashamed that I didn't notice sooner.
As she puts it back on, she turns and looks at me. "I'm not tired yet, and I want to observe your 'night.' What will you do?"
Pay attention, Grey. "I'd been thinking about continuing work on the hot water cart. Say, may I ask why you took off your necklace?" I use her term for it.
She nods. "First, I ask you to put a peg coming out of the wall here." She presses a finger against the wall near the door, then lifts it away at roughly 45 degree angle. I place my hand on the wall and create a rounded peg as requested.
She begins taking off her bracelets, and hanging them on the peg. "Wed said that if anybody recognizes the collar is both gemstone and hardbark, it would cause problems. That this sort of thing has caused problems for you in the past, and you had to run for your lives from an army of thousands of warriors." She smiles at me. "You might have won, he said. But you would have been racked with guilt over the killing of so many. And so you fled..."
I feel a feeling of pride come from her. Then she shakes her head. "And so, I do not wear this symbol of our entwinement where others can see it. If I place you in a position where you have to kill somebody due to my prideful insistence on wearing this, I would bring shame upon my tribes, current and prior, when they learned of it. So, when I leave your 'encampment', I will leave it behind."
She has taken off her tribal accessories while talking, wearing only her choker. I have conflicted feelings about that, but after this afternoon, I understand.
She smiles. "When I return to the island, I will do so in my regalia. For now though, it seems pointless to wear them. Now. You were going to work on the cart, yes?"
Hmm.. Did I bring enough Topaz? I poke my head in Sentral's box, and turn on the light. Most of my gems are fused into Sentral directly, but purposeless gems and Topaz are left loose.
The Topaz area has.. a
lot
of rough stacked up. I don't remember there being so much. I smile, I guess it brought along one last batch from that underwater cliff.
I pick up a particularly large hunk, and start shucking the rock from the gem as I walk over to the water cart.
My wife asks, "Is it complete enough to use? I don't mind that it's largely exposed, of course."
I guess it is... "I can fill it with water, and heat it for you. That part is done. I eventually want the bathing area to be wood covered."
She looks curious, but nods. I imagine she's wondering if she can use hardbark for the project. I put my hands on the surface, and take control of the golem. I have it move mana into the water crystals, and open this gate here... The heat crystals are activated as well, beginning the process.
I guess Rin heard us, as she comes out. "Grey, let me help with that!" and jogs over. I smile. Right, she can heat the water. I stop the heat crystals, as Rin walks in through the back. She makes an expression like she's concentrating, then holds her hands out. Water begins flowing in a small stream from her palms. Vai'yun crouches down, and jumps into the mostly finished cart. She walks up to Rin and praises her. I want to jump in as well, but... Right, no strength ring. I have Sentral send me the materials for it, and wrap my finger in a hack job black band before simply walking in the back.
Rin, "Grey, join us, the water is warm!"
Vai'yun laughs. "It is tepid, but it is not cold." I peek inside, and see they've both shed their clothing. I likewise strip down. Their clothes are on the floor already, so I collect them with telekinesis and put them on the shelf on the women's side. I'll have to put up towels... not that it matters. We're all friends here.
Rin is filling the bathing area, and both are lounging on the seat running around the edge of the pool. I join them. The water is already up to my knee, and is already hot. Excellent.
I'm already touching the golem, so I simply close my eyes and resume messing with it while they chat. Soon the water comes up over my waist, then my stomach. How pleasant.
"Can I come in too?" a voice that sounds like Bor'wa's sounds. I guess it's not a problem... But I take off my Zone ring anyway.
Me, "Come on in. No running!" I hear several pairs of feet. It seems that all of the islanders are here to try the hot tub. That's fine, I made it to be enjoyed.
I note that it's a bit gloomy. I should have thought of this earlier, but it slipped my mind. I take some Diamond off Sentral, and attach it here and there to the partially complete roof. I slowly activate them, and the area becomes more well lit over the course of a few minutes.
Rin, "I've been meaning to ask. Is there any chance of windows for the carts? Diamond windows would be interesting, but standard glass is also fine. Probably not for this cart, but for our homes."
Me, "I can do that. Diamond certainly could be done, I have enough to spare. Remind me later, I'll put them in for you."
The water at last reaches up to my neck. We're all sitting, or so I assume; I have my eyes closed at the moment. Being immersed in water this hot is wonderful...
I take a few minutes to relax. There are various conversations going on around me. I sit back up, I can't just be a wallflower. The conversations are mostly about plans for tomorrow. Everyone is going to be working hard to learn the local language. After that, I plan to take Vai'yun to the docks.
Rin, "Since I've got an early morning, I'm going to bed. Goodnight, Grey." She leans over, brushes me with a kiss, and walks out.
I turn the heat crystals back on to keep the water warm, now that Rin is gone. I deal with the mostly finished piping, to keep from flooding the room.
Everyone seems to nod and take Rin's departure as a queue to leave. Everyone except Vai'yun. As the last people leave, she leans against me, and slides her arm behind my back, pressing her hand on my hip.
Vai'yun, "How unexpected. It's just us now."
[Intimacy scene]
Me, "I can't say I'm unhappy about that."
She deepens our connection, and says, "You kept me waiting a 'week' before you laid with me.
I want it again
..."
Vai'yun half sits on my lap, and half lays against me, aided by the water. "But first, I want to give you the chance to indulge in my body, that you find so arousing."
My rational brain stutters to a halt, and my desire takes over. I've wanted to do this since the moment I saw her, to just play with her stunning figure. I place both my hands on her stomach, and move them up. I encounter her massive chest, so soft and smooth, and my hands move over the underside. I lift up her tits as I move my hand, and soon feel a slight change in texture.. These must be her areolae. My hand continues on for a surprisingly long time before my fingers brush over the slits of her inverted nipples. I complete the motion over the top of her breast. Per..fection... her body..
I repeat the movement as she presses her back against my chest a little harder. Her arms go up, going back around her head, but allowing me easier access to her bountiful front...
I grope the underside, feeling her flesh bend at my touch, squish up, away from my hands.
I push up on her breasts, relishing the feel as they bounce up, and fall back to my hands.
I place my palms over her nipples, and squeeze her breasts, moving them in small circles...
