Jaina sat in Chandice's lap as Evalynn leaned into Roric. The four sat on comfortable couches on a balcony overlooking a magical lake that sparkled with light. Gisley fluttered along, dancing for joy as she claimed the lake as her magical well. She sang in beautiful notes, her magical voice carrying across the forest. She twisted and twirled, throwing off great arcs of silvery glitter. Where ever it fell, it caused magical changes, making colors more vivid and shadows more dark. Dragonflies in a myriad of colors joined her for the dance, buzzing about Gisley as they added to the magic.
"I never believed I would ever see something so beautiful," Jaina said as Chandice rested a chin on her shoulder. "This world is so full of beauty and wonder."
"I could watch that beautiful rear dance all day," Chandice agreed.
"I can think of something I would like to do to that rear," Evalynn added, causing the others to laugh. They sat and watched for over an hour as Gisley made her lake a magical haven full of wonder. When it was over, Evalynn suggested they head north and look for the perfect spot to grow a giant tree. This would become the foundation for Chandice's magic shop and would start their only non sexy service.
"So you only plan to offer magic items?" Jaina teased.
"What are you suggesting?" Chandice replied as if shocked. "That I offer extra services for a small fee?"
"You could always build that stable and offer to let them breed Gisley," Evalynn suggested.
"Hey," Gisley said with a sad face. "I want to be free to hide and surprise people or reward those skilled enough to find me."
"Oh, you precious little thing," Chandice laughed. "I wouldn't tie you up in a stable to be bred by any person on the road. That's what Jaina is for."
"Ha," Jaina laughed as they rounded a bend. "I don't mind playing in the stables once in a while."
"I would like to catch Alexandria and tie her in the stables," Evalynn grumbled. "She could use a good breaking like a wild horse."
"I wouldn't mind seeing that," Roric agreed.
"You two are terrible," Jaina said as she smiled. "You would feel horrible if you forced her to do that against her will. We all know you want your girls to love being slaves, and it would torment you if you accidentally harmed one of us."
"I make an exception for Alexandria," Roric insisted.
"So would I," Gisley agreed.
"Oh, stop it," Jaina sighed. "That would sour our good nature, and you all know it."
"Hmm, I wonder if you could get her to want it?" Chandice said as a wonderful bridge of wood and stone came into view. It crossed a shallow stream of clear water that bubbled over smooth pebbles and stones. Above it was the thick boughs of a linjun tree, its nearly pink leaves creating pockets of deep shade.
Jaina asked her what she meant by getting Alexandria to want it, and Chandice shrugged. She explained that every woman had fantasies, and if you could offer her the right one, she would find it hard to resist. If you could get her to take the bait, she might just come to enjoy their company.
"So find out what turns her on and then drown her in it?" Jaina asked.
"I was just saying that maybe you could win her over by offering her something she can't resist," Chandice said.
"I wonder what that woman finds arousing?" Roric asked as they crossed the bridge and passed a metal lamp post glowing with magical blue light. The conversation was interrupted when they passed under a snow blossom, and Gisley ran out to dance under the constant rain of white petals that fell from flowers.
"How long does that tree keep flowering?" Jaina asked as they walked through the rain.
"Forever," Evalynn said with a shrug. "I honestly don't know that it ever stops."
"Isn't the ground going to be covered in ten feet of flower petals?" Chandice asked.
"No, the tree has a network of roots spread out directly under its leaves," Evalynn explained. "The flowers bloom to capture the sunlight, and when they are full, they fall to the ground. The magical roots cause the petals to break down quickly and turn into energy, feeding the tree. The buildup should never get thicker than just enough to turn the ground white."
"That's a funny way to feed," Chandice remarked. "But it makes a beautiful tree."
"There is a purple variety with a dark blue trunk," Evalynn said. "I plan to hide one deep in the forest where players won't find it."
"Why hide it?" Roric asked as he put an arm around her waist.
"Its petals are magical," Evalynn replied as she smiled and leaned into her master. "You can use them to brew shadow potions, make royal purple die, and they can be ground up and turned into an ink that makes powerful magical scrolls and enchantments."
"Wait, is that an ingredient in midnight black?" Chandice asked.
"I don't know the exact product," Evalynn admitted. "The tree description only gives you the barest of details."
"I bet it is," Chandice said excitedly. "That means I can enchant items with powers from the darkness and shadow schools when I am high enough."
"Wood from the tree is used for magical items as well," Evalynn said.
"Oh, I bet it makes amazing wands, arrows, and staves," Chandice agreed. "I will have to do some research into what it can be used for."
"Wow, our home is really shaping up," Jaina said. "It does feel like we were all meant to be together."
"I think we were," Gisley agreed and took Jaina's hand. "I needed you to save me and help me embrace what I was. Evalynn needed you to rescue her from her loneliness and Chandice from her stagnation. We were all waiting for you to come get us so we could be happy together."
"Hey, I wasn't stagnant," Chandice argued. "I happen to enjoy being a barmaid."
"Bah, you weren't leveling, and you know it," Gisley countered. "At least I was getting some XP from dreams."
"Yeah, you had the whole town convinced you were the highest level player in it by far," Chandice agreed.
"She was, wasn't she?" Roric asked.
"I think so," Evalynn said. "She is certainly higher than me."
"It's hard to think of Gisley as scary," Jaina mused. "She's so wonderful and sweet you just want to eat her up."
"Aww," thank you," Gisley replied as she blushed, turning her already purple cheeks darker.
They laughed and walked on, talking the whole way as they passed through a forest of vivid colors and deep shadows. Eventually, the road came to a fork, and there was an odd clearing to the left side. Evalynn said this place was left empty so she could grow the massive tree that would house the shop. They waited on the road as Evalynn produced a golden acorn from thin air and then planted it in the middle of the open area. She stepped back and opened her interface, selecting a few options as the ground began to shake.
"Wow!" Gisley said as a tree began to reach skyward, growing half her height in a second and continuing at the same rate. Before they could blink, it was as tall as any tree in the forest, and then a few seconds later, it was much taller. It continued to grow, getting thicker and taller as the ground around it twisted and broke from the pressure of massive roots. The tree's dark green leaves created an area of shadow over the forest as it spread those massive branches wide. When it was done, it towered over the rest of the trees, creating a canopy so thick they couldn't see anything but the lowest branches. The trunk was as big around a modest house, and the roots were thick enough to be roads.