Vengeance or Reconciliation? (Termite)

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

This post has been created with the cooperation of Tassadar. And that's also why it's so friggin big. So many words for a mere five minutes...

She wants me to give in... That devilish look in her eye, picturing the warrior in nothing more than a few ribbons and a bow, the use of runic stones that could bring a woman to orgasm at nothing more than a word, Alex was sure her dear cousin Kimi was expecting her to simply lie back and give in. The slow and steady pulses running through her clit nearly made her want to. Having just climaxed no more than a couple seconds earlier had the warrior dragon panting as she recovered, but where she thought she would be too exhausted or sensitive to even continue the small sparks coursing through her simply had her arousal growing once more. It felt like her own body was betraying her, urging her to simply bask in all the attention and accept this wonderful gift of never-ending release.

I am not someone's toy. That single thought was the only thing keeping her from simply collapsing right then and there, but one should never underestimate the pride of a dragon. It was able to lift her up from the bed, even if her tail twitched as a small spasm of pleasure nearly threw her concentration for a loop, and as she worked her legs under her rump she gave her cousin a critical stare. Gods be good, she is gorgeous... Even after mentally kicking herself for being distracted Alex still couldn't deny her own thoughts, so instead she tried to decide just how she would meet this challenge.

Nothing came to mind.

This is what you get for being so passive! She had no experience bringing pleasure to a man past opening her legs and welcoming him into her depths, whether it be finger or tongue or something else. And that last time had been with Aes! She didn't even realized she was being impaled until it happened, and after that all she could think about was the solid length plowing through her folds, her inner flesh clutching to it as if it never wanted to let Aes go, the feel of those slick walls running across her length-

The moment Alex realized she had a little more experience than she thought her head came down and stopped mere inches from Kimi's cock. For a few more moments she simply studied the thing, her own judgement showing that it truly was just another cock that should work just like the one she had known. And that was when she gave it a lick. It was a test, really, a taste to see if she could truly go through with whatever crazy plan her more devious side was hatching, but eventually her confidence kicked in and forced her to drag her tongue from hilt to tip.

Even if Alex was just getting started Kimi whispered something into the air that soon left the green dragon gasping. Whatever command she had given was making those stones pulse that much harder. You don't have much time. But even if her breath was coming out in warm puffs that blew right over Kimi's dick Alex was still determined to prove herself. Her tongue returned, its length sliding up and down Kimi's length a couple more times before she started giving more focused action to the crown that sat at its tip. She almost swore she could feel it twitching as she traced a path all along its edge-

For a few precious seconds all Alex could see was white as her eyes nearly rolled up to the back of her head, but as she finally came down and managed to regain her focus she could only think of one thing. That word... Kimi had whispered it once more, and Alex had been left cumming where she sat with her mouth a mere breath from the golden dragon's prick. It took a monumental effort to force her lips to part just a little wider so they could slip them around the phallus bobbing right before her eyes, but even then she could still feel her sex burning in release. It wasn't even a particularly powerful climax, but with the way her body was reacting anything stronger would leave her doing nothing more than curling into a ball as she twitched in ecstasy.

But she wasn't done yet. She still had some self control, and with the head of Kimi's dick in her mouth Alex let her tongue slide around it once more. As she did her eyes drifted up her cousin's body, and with every little pass she waited for a reaction. A gasp, a sigh, a quiet little moan, she needed something to tell her she was doing the right thing. But she couldn't afford to wait forever, and after one more exploratory brush her lips began to seal around Kimi's length, and once they were a light suction began to pull Kimi deeper. But Alex didn't let that get very far, and before even an inch could be swallowed her head pulled back. Her lips were soon caught on the bell that shaped the head of Kimi's cock, and little by little they slowly slid toward the tip until it looked like Alex was going to let that thing pop out.

But it never did, and Alex soon swallowed the end once more. And for a good few seconds this is what she did. Her lips caressed Kimi up to her tip, and after a good couple of passes they started to move further and further down her length. Soon enough Alex could be seen bobbing her head up and down, the pace matching that of a gentle lover, but even then her cheeks could be seen puckering. Even if she wasn't moving quickly she was applying some force, and she knew Kimi had to be enjoying it because the woman was starting to let out her own little gasps and moans-

A muffled scream broke through the air, and after a bit Alex realized it was her own. That word! For another few seconds she completely blanked, but once she calmed down she realized she was starting to hate that word. It kept throwing her off her pace every time she was forced to cum, and it felt like it was taking longer for her to recover with that constant buzzing going off on her-

A groan of pain that was anything but rolled through her throat as a stronger pulse started ripping through her, one that felt like someone was actually putting effort into getting Alex aroused instead of merely keeping her excited. And it was working. Even with her body having just cum she could feel herself climbing toward yet another peak. "Cheater..." This was quickly becoming a bit too much. With all this pleasure being forced through her it was a wonder the warrior could even move. It was a miracle she even managed to free her mouth and whisper her little accusation at her cousin. But she had to get that out. It felt like the odds were stacked against her. Constant ripples of ecstasy flowing through her, each becoming stronger than the last, the ability to be brought to orgasm at a simple word, her own body losing its ability to focus as more of its strength was stolen at every little pulse, somehow she knew Kimi was determined to make Alex into her little pet.

No... I am not hers! That thought sparked some defiance, and with her fingers curling into fists Alex managed to recapture Kimi's length and start sucking on it once more. Every shock of pleasure that ran down her spine was thrust back at the woman in the form of a moan that was fed directly into her cock. Every spasm that her pussy made was thrust back as a quick flick of the tongue before Alex dove down and devoured as much of that rod as her throat would allow. If her gold cousin was determined to distract Alex as much as possible then Alex was going to turn that into her own weapon and force the bitch to cum.

But...

But so much time had passed already. And her body already felt so exhausted. And it wasn't just the physical sensations she was having to deal with. Every blast that tore through her also tore through her rationale. Her mind was going blank at every powerful pulse, and it was taking longer and longer to regain her thoughts. And those were starting to turn more and more towards her time with Aes. It was almost like she was feeling it again. The slow build up. Her flesh quivering as something filled it completely. Her mind being rocked with the pleasure of near release, her body unable to do anything more than writhe in exquisite agony and desperately cling to the body in her arms, her pussy fluttering as quickly as her heart as the knot in her stomach started to bend in odd circles until it could take no more and finally broke...

But that wasn't just a memory, and another cry of passion escaped her lips letting Kimi do the same. For a moment Alex noticed and nearly reached out, but her body convulsed once more in pleasure and reduced her to the quivering ball of flesh she feared she would become.

She couldn't move. She couldn't think. She couldn't even breathe properly, her gasping interrupted by bursts of white that threatened to tear her mind in two. The only bit of the dragon that still had some sense was left regretting her loss. She had some time left. Maybe. She couldn't tell, not with her hips shaking as aftershocks tore through her and soon gave way to that incessant buzz that had her speeding toward another orgasm. But there was nothing she could do. Her body surrendered, every sense lost to the inescapable pleasure she was forced to suffer. And in less than five minutes. How much of a wanton slut am I? I didn't even cum that quickly with Aes... That thought immediately led her sex-addled mind right back to her coupling with the demon. She wasn't even sure how much time had passed between the moment Aescila entered and the moment they both merged, and past that only the gods could guess at how long it took for them both to release as one. Such a glorious thing... Two souls sharing each other. Sharing their pleasure, the harmony of sex ending in a crescendo that left Alex feeling her own walls clenching around Aes while the part of herself within Aes couldn't hope to contain itself when those inner walls started pulsing and sucked the seed right from her...

"Kimiiii..." Alex tried to rise and only managed to twitch, but even so that twitching managed to thrust her ass into the air slightly while her tail suddenly rose to the side. "In... Inside me... NOW." There was little question to what Alex wanted, and the moment her cousin obliged she would let out a near howl as something finally moved to fill that void. Kimi would find Alex pouring her excitement down her legs and onto the bed, and when the gold dragon entered she would feel Alex's flesh gripping at her length like a vice. But even then it still quivered, and before she could even think of bucking into Alex's burning sex the warrior's tail curled around and wrapped around the mage's waist. Kimi could still pull back and hilt herself, and if she chose to Alex was obviously more than willing to accept it, but there would be no escape from what came next. "Say it..." Her pussy was already fluttering once more, simply having something fill it nearly pushing it over the edge. "Say it!" But Alex wasn't going to wait to cum on her own. She had Kimi within her, and she practically challenged her cousin to speak that damned word that would leave her climaxing around the member buried within her sex. And as a slave to its own pleasure her body would dutifully react. Kimi would find her tightening even further, an almost vice-like grip holding her in place before those soft inner walls started to rhythmically pulse all across her length. Her body was going to milk that cock like it was designed to do, even if her womb was already preoccupied, and feeling that kind of pressure would surely have Kimi spilling herself the moment it hit.

"Again!" But if it didn't Alex wouldn't give in. She had no clue whether she had any time remaining or not. A part of her didn't really care. Her ability to control herself was effectively dead at the moment, and she couldn't take any active part in meeting the challenge. But Kimi said she didn't have to be active. She just needed to make the woman cum, so even if she was left as nothing more than a bloated bag of release then she would use that as her weapon. "A...Again!" And she wouldn't stop. Not until she felt something warm filling her insides and spilling out to mingle with her own juices that were soaking the bed. Then it could finally end, and Alex could fall to her side twitching as her body finally collapsed and gave in to sheer sexual exhaustion the likes of which she had never known.

But until then... "Again~!"

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Kimi let out an excited whimper and smirked at Alexandra at the first touch of her tongue against the half dragon's member, the organ twitching slightly as she completed the brief taste test of her teacher's cock. She uttered the words that increased the power of the pulsing stones breathlessly as if barely able to contain herself. The first full drag of her tongue from base to tip managed to draw a moan from her cousin, as well as another twitch of her member. The harder she worked the other dragon's cock with her mouth the louder Kimi seemed to get, and when her mouth came off of Kimi's cock once more to whisper her accusation there was a bead of precum on the tip of her rod. When she took the thing back into her mouth after recovering, the salty-sweet taste penetrated the haze of pleasure enough to ignite a further spark of arousal in her body, only spurring Alex's desire that Kimi cum along with her.

When Alexandra could take no more and collapsed, pulling her mouth off of Kimi's member in the process, her cousin let out a disappointed moan and shivered slightly. "Giving up so soon?" she said, but then Alex twitched weakly and demanded that she enter her, however, she let out a delighted moan and stepped up to comply. Grabbing Alex by the hips, she aimed her hardened member at her folds and slipped all the way into her depths with a single thrust. She let out a low moan just as loud as Alexandra's, but when she tried to pull back to begin pounding into her sex she found herself held in by Alex's tail. She gave a light whine the quickly turned into the dread word, a surge of pleasure shooting up the green dragon's spine as she was forced to orgasm once more. Her spasming sex wrapped around Kimi's length caused her to moan aloud, but she didn't cum.

Alex didn't have to utter her demand again in order to draw out the orgasm word from Kimi, nor did her cousin attempt to pull out again. Alexandra was forced to cum again and again, time slipping from her thoughts as pleasure rolled over her body. It was impossible to determine how long they were enwrapped like that or how many times Alexandra was forced to orgasm by the magical stones and the iron hard member buried to the hilt into her spasming sex, but Kimi's hunger made use of Alex's essence throughout the entirety of it, draining her spirit in little bites and chunks every time Alex came. Finally, after the most powerful climax she'd had as yet and one that threatened to force Alexandra to black out completely, some part of her shattered mind heard Kimizyrex moan a little bit louder than she had before, an event that signaled a natural orgasm of her own.

The first torrent of hot cream that spurted against her cervix felt like heaven to Alexandra's tortured insides, finally sating the burning desire she'd held since Kimi had delivered her challenge. Stream after stream of sperm was milked out of the cock buried inside of her, eagerly pouring out of her cock and filling every inch of her sex. Even Aescila hadn't been able to fill her like Kimi did, and Alex was sure that had she not already been pregnant Kimi would probably have sired a child of her own within her. Rivulets of white cream dribbled down Alex's legs as Kimi's sperm was forced out to make room for more of the same. Finally, after what felt like another eternity, Kimi collapsed against Alexandra's back and began panting heavily into her ear. Alexandra was still impaled on her cock, their mixed release still being pushed out of her body by her occasional spasms which were still being pulled out of her by the pulsating stones.

Her cousin took some time to recover, but when she did she gently lifted herself up slightly, allowing her cock to slip free of Alexandra's pussy and making way for a flood of semen that formed a puddle on the bed beneath them. She gently stroked Alexandra's hair for a moment before moving down to kiss her neck softly, almost adoringly, but the cock didn't vanish and continued to rub up against Alex's upraised backside. "You took longer than five minutes~!" she suddenly whispered into Alex's ear, and then her hand glided back down to lift the green dragoness's finely shaped rear higher up into the air. "I haven't cum like that in.... I don't even know how long!" she said loudly and exuberantly, but then giggled lightly as she began rubbing the tip of her rod over the other half dragon's exposed sex and ass.

"Are you ready for your punishment, Alexandra?" she said, but gave Alex only a few seconds to respond before Kimi pressed her still fully erect member against Alex's untouched anus, which her goo covered cock easily slipped into. Her tail was too weak to prevent Kimi's movement this time, and the other dragoness began pumping deeply into her ass with deep powerful strokes. Though perhaps unfamiliar to her, at this point Alexandra was too lust drunk to feel anything but more pleasure from the penetration, aided and abetted by the magical stones still attached to her clitoris and nipples. "I might have to pull these out for our fun with Aes tomorrow! I bet you'll cum your little brains out if both of us have at you at once," Kimi said excitedly as she began to thrust rapidly into Alexandra's anus, stretching it to its limits as she slowly began to increase the pace of her motions.

Kimi pulled Alexandra's tail upwards and then raised a leg to half stand on the bed, her leg sitting alongside Alexandra's body and allowing her to thrust more deeply into her anus. Letting out a low moan, Kimi began to buck more rapidly into her upraised bottom, and then raised the hand not holding her hand and brought it down onto Alex's upraised backside. She said the word at the same time, forcing another orgasm from Alexandra's exhausted body and sucking up another portion of her rapidly dwindling soul. The sensation of being fed upon was no less euphoric than it had been before, and that combined with everything else happening to her was pushing Alexandra toward another powerful climax of her own.

More and more of her essence was simply sucked away from her being until there seemed to be nothing left save for her core, the center of her that made up her identity. Kimi's hungry tendrils ignored those tiny shreds in favor of wrapping slowly around that core, their grasp becoming tighter and tighter as her climax came closer and closer. Even though she could easily breached the last of Alexandra's defenses with a word, she didn't. Instead, she pounded relentlessly into Alex with blinding fervor and speed, claiming Alexandra completely as she was now helpless to resist. The only thing keeping her conscious seemed to be the pleasure, as Alexandra had lost the ability to even move after the last of her spiritual energies had been sucked out of her by the draconic succubus pounding into her from behind.

Another swat came down onto her backside, and then Kimi tightly gripped Alexandra's backside as she could feel her climax rising, only a few more thrusts enough to finally push her over the edge. When she did, the euphoric feeling of her soul being fed upon was amplified a thousand fold as tendrils of Kimi's spirit slipped into her core, tasting of her true essence for the first time. Alexandra came like she never had before, and just before blackness took her completely she felt another wave of semen firing deep into her ass as Kimi came as well.

~~~~~~~~~​

Alex came back to the world of the living with a severe headache and slight pangs in her belly. She was in Kimi's bed, which was still filthy with their earlier efforts, but her cousin was nowhere to be found. She'd been left lying on her side, curled around her now fully developed child, and had been covered in enough blankets to ward off the cold.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

The moment Kimi finally exploded Alex let out a deep groan of satisfaction. Her body was rejoicing as it felt Kimi's heat filling her to the brim, every spasm at her core attempting to bring that release deeper still even with her worm already occupied. Even with her mind splintering through this constant sexual assault there was still enough of herself to wonder why feeling Kimi explode within her was so damned fulfilling.

But the worst was finally past her, and as Kimi finally finished and collapsed against her back Alex welcomed the pressure knowing that it meant she would finally be allowed to catch her breath. It wasn't an easy thing to do, not with those stones still buzzing diligently, but after that last string of orgasms it only left her pleasantly tingling in post-climax.

Eventually Kimi started to rouse, and as she lifted herself the golden dragon's cock finally slipped free. With the plug finally missing Alex shivered as she felt her cousin's release oozing out of her quite thoroughly exhausted sex, but the hand that started gently stroking her head brought enough of a calm to suppress any further twitching even while those stones kept her body on alert and Kimi's presence could be felt rubbing against her rear. A moment later she felt her cousin kiss her on the neck, and all she could do was turn her head slightly to catch what was said.

No... That was all she could think as a frustrated groan rumbled in her throat. It was all she could think as she found her ass raising into the air, and it was still echoing through her mind as Kimi complemented her on making the succudragon cum so wonderfully. It was all she wanted to scream when Kimi asked if she was ready, and as she started to feel a slight pressure against her rear her mind started repeating it until her resistance finally broke-

Oh fuck... Alex was surprised to find herself moaning as Kimi hilted herself within the green dragon's bowels. The sensation was odd. She'd never willingly accepted anything through her rear, her anal ring straining at the invasion was proof enough, but as Kimi started stroking her length in and out all she could feel was the pleasant hum of the stones still pulsing across her nipples and clit. No, that was wrong. There was something else, a new sensation she had never known starting to roll down her spine with each thrust that Kimi made, but instead of any pain or discomfort she would have expected it seemed to warp into another blast of pleasure that ran through her soul. It was forcing her to gasp once more, her body succumbing to the attention it had no hope of struggling against at that point, and as Kimi lifted the warrior's tail before slapping her cheek with an open hand all Alex could do was simply grunt out another moan of ecstasy before her body went back to simply gasping and nothing more.

But there was something else that started to nag at the dragon, and though she had felt it this entire time her spirit started wailing in the back of her mind. Something else was happening within her soul beyond the simple joy of feeling her essence shatter before it was pulled from her body. Kimi was pressing deeper, pushing past whatever defenses Alex could muster, fingers reaching through the tattered remains of the dragon's reserves until they brushed against the very essence that was Alex's core. It sent a shiver through her, an almost orgasmic shock that left her body teetering on the edge of climax yet refusing to finally push her over the edge. Another touch left her spirit shivering once more, and Alex found her body rushing toward a climax that hovered just beyond her reach.

Another swat landed on the dragon's rear, but as Kimi turned into into a a grip before starting to relentlessly pound Alex's quivering ass the woman was far more focused on the torture within. Her entire soul was crying, her very essence shivering as Kimi's tendrils stroked her spirit, and she felt herself collapsing even as those tendrils seemed to wound tighter and tighter. There was no telling how much more of this she could take, but an answer came when Kimi was finally done ensnaring her meal. One tendril wormed its way into her core, the tip piercing the shell that defined her as if it were simply another cock come to claim its prize, and that was it. Alex came, body and soul, and her identity simply shattered as a climax unlike anything she had ever known tore her into countless pieces. But before those pieces could even hope to join together Kimi reached out to steal them. Alex felt herself dissolving as if her true self were being licked to climax and every drop of her release was a little more of the being that defined what she was. Every lick caused her to lose a little more of herself, and all she could do was spread her metaphysical legs and welcome each stroke even while everything she was started to descend into darkness. All she could manage was a cream of pure passion as she came once again, and before she was completely lost she felt a heat filling her rear before she completely collapsed into the void that was waiting for her.

~~~~~~~~~~​

Some undetermined time later Alex noticed a pain sounding in her head, and it made her grumble as a fierce headache started laying claim to any thoughts that dared to form. Those thoughts protested such rude treatment, and with a little war sounding in her skull the dragon found that no amount of wishful thinking would allow her to go back to sleep. Or maybe it was the sudden pang in her stomach that forced her to remain awake. An arm curled down to offer what little comfort it could, and that was when she learned just how much her child had grown. She almost looked ready to...

Her head shot up despite how much it hurt, and after taking a quick survey she found herself buried under a number of blankets while laying in a still damp puddle that suddenly reminded her of the events when she was last conscious. Kimi was nowhere to be found, but another pang stopped that search in its tracks. "Not yet, little one..." Alex tried to soothe to her unborn child, "Momma needs to find a cleaner spot." As comfortable as the bed was she had no desire to give birth in someone else's bed let alone the mess that remained, and once she was up she also started to look for something to clean herself with. If she was about to give birth she wanted to get to the Infirmary, and being caked in her cousin's release was not a way to go about walking through town. "A little help!" Hopefully that same cousin was somewhere near.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Kimi poked her head into the room upon hearing Alexandra's voice, her cousin having clearly enjoyed a bath while Alex had been asleep judging by her wet hair and how clean she looked. "Alex! You're awake! How are you feeling?" she said quickly, entering the room and allowing light to shine in. The other dragoness was fully clothed once more, the mage-light coming in with her and revealing that the robe that Alex had worn here had been neatly folded on her cousin's dressed. "You were out for a pretty long while! It's almost morning."

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Weak... Pained... Filthy, disgusting, tainted... All thoughts that weren't ever said but lingered just under the surface, but with her headache still bothering her Alex hid them under a wave of pain. And that was thanks to Kimi, as well. The green dragon really had no right to complain, she failed to meet the challenge her cousin had set before her, and the payment for that failure was no more than she would have expected, but did Kimi have to dive so deep? Alex still felt like pieces of herself were fractured and still struggling to pull themselves together. "..." But even if she was holding back her tongue she still had to say something. "I need a bath..." It was something...

The pregnant warrior started shifting herself to the side of the bed, not an easy task now that her child had grown, and once she somehow managed that she pulled herself to her feet and felt another wave of pain crash against her skull. "Dammit..." Gotta add bloated to the list... Despite all that she forced herself to gain her balance, and once upright she stretched a bit to relax the small ache left in her muscles. "Is the water clean enough?" Maybe if she could relax and soak for a bit that would help things get better.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Seeing that Alexandra was having some trouble, Kimi moved to help her up to a sitting position on the edge of the bed, and then up to her feet. She wasn't pushy about it, standing aside if Alex insisted on getting up under her own power, but her cousin wore a look of concern all the same. "Uhhh... The fey said that it was alright," Kimi began hesitantly, "the lake water I mean, but I don't know if you want to go all that way like this. It's... A bit late for me to draw you a bath, but I can if you really want me to. I... Guess I should probably do that then, shouldn't I? I'll make you something to eat while you wait."

After she had finished speaking, Kimi walked Alex to the kitchen, helping her precisely as much as the green scaled dragoness allowed her to, and then seated her in a chair. It only took her a minute to make Alex a plate of sandwiches, her cousin moving faster than she'd imagined was possible in the preparation of food. Placing the plate and a glass of milk in front of her, Kimi then said, "I'll go and get your bath ready, wait here." She departed and went into a different room, leaving Alex to eat in peace as she started pumping water up from the communal well into a tub in an adjoining room. She returned a few minutes later and said, "It's ready. It's not warm, but I figure it's a bit late to start a fire for that."

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Alex didn't once try to push Kimi away when she offered to help, but when she finally rose to her feet she felt like she could walk under her own power. Had she not she definitely would have used her cousin as a crutch, and considering Alex's size that was probably a good thing for the smaller dragon.

For a moment Alex wasn't quite sure what to make of Kimi's comment, but when she pieced it together she realized that the bath had already been dumped and drained. That meant she'd have to wander over to the lake to get clean, and with that headache still bothering her it forced the green dragon to grimace. But Kimi came to the rescue once again, her reasoning eventually convincing herself to go and prepare Alex a bath even when it was still rather early. "Please. Something simple will do, I just need to clean myself off."

With breakfast offered as well the warrior did not object, and after watching her cousin prepare some sandwiches Alex worked her way into a chair to enjoy her morning meal. And surprisingly enough it felt like exactly what she needed, the hunger she didn't know she had forcing her to devour everything nearly as fast as Kimi prepared it while the milk helped to soothe her aching head.

At the mention of the bath being ready Alex pulled herself up and stood on far more steady feet than she had a couple minutes earlier. "No need to worry, I just want to get myself cleaned up before the day starts." And that was exactly what she did, her time spent bathing reduced to a few short minutes as the rather cold water helped push her along. She briefly considered trying to warm it by calling on her flame, but using her spirit while it was still trying to recover didn't exactly sound like the best idea at the moment. Instead she simply sat down for a couple of seconds to collect herself, her mind focusing on the faint trace of her dragon fire without willing it to the surface. I'll probably need to do this more often so I don't end up burning myself from the inside out.

With her bath finished and her strength returning Alex pulled herself free and stood naked and dripping and shivering slightly. She considered using a towel to dry herself, but after a few moments a thought crossed her mind. I can't learn to control it if I don't actually use it... Her eyes closed as she continued to drip, and to a casual observer it looked like she was doing nothing at all. But after a few seconds of absolutely nothing the shivering started to stop. Following that a few faint traces of steam started to rise. The water clinging to her form was starting to boil away, and once a few more seconds had passed she looked dry and refreshed.

"Kimi." Once she was now dressed and ready to move Alex sought her cousin. "When I woke up my stomach was giving my grief, so I'm heading to the Infirmary to make sure everything's all right." A pause was taken for her to inspect her engorged belly. "She looks like she's ready to come out any second. Would you come with me?" While there wasn't much to show what the woman was thinking Alex was definitely wanting to talk with Kimi for some reason.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Kimi adopted a concerned look and glanced at Alexandra's engorged belly as she spoke of the pangs she'd received, and her cousin didn't hesitate long before replying, "I'd be happy to see you over, just let me go and get your clothes." After Alex was dressed, Kimi helped her out of her home and led her along to the infirmary. In the predawn hours of the morning, the hidden village was lit only by the light cast by the stars and the moon as it fell over the mountains, and it was as still and silent as a thing surrendered onto death. But even so, the signs of healing were present even in the darkness. Buildings burned and broken were being restored, and as they drew near to the infirmary the light blue glow of magical lights joined the illumination cast by the night sky and guided the two half dragons forward.

Inside of the infirmary, most of the wounded were at rest. The only one awake at the moment was an alraune in a skimpy nurse's outfit, the very last of the plant kin left in the Hidden Village after the attack as far as Alex knew. The alraune, useless to the invaders both for breeding and feeding, had simply been killed. The plant woman took one glance at Alexandra and smiled, "Come along this way miss, I'll get you a private room and have a look." Alex and Kimi were led to a doorway leading into an examination room, where the alraune turned and said, "She can come in with you if you want, or she can wait out here. The choice is yours!" Kimi smiled slightly and awaited Alexandra's answer before opening the door and going in first.

Regardless of whether or not Kimi had been allowed to come in with her, the alraune turned toward Alex once she was in the examination room and gestured toward a high table as she said, "If you could lie down on that... You don't need to take off your clothes. Not that I'd mind the view of course~! Do you know what it was that impregnated you? It'd make figuring out our response to it a lot easier." She clearly seemed to think that Alex had been impregnated by one of the invaders, which was likely not an uncommon problem by any means and a mistake that would be easy enough for Alex to correct.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

For a few moments Alex considered opening her floodgates and letting her anger and indignation rail against her cousin for going too far last night, but the look of concern on Kimi's face soothed those emotions. By the time the gold dragon returned with the dress Alex was feeling calm and composed. It didn't take much to get dressed, even with her belly having grown in the past few hours, and once that was done the pair set off.

The trip itself was quiet, Alex taking her time to watch her step as well as take in the look of her ruined but reviving home, but little by little those darker emotions were starting to stir. She tried to will them down, she knew her cousin would do nothing to cause any permanent harm, but a part of her still felt betrayed. It was something she couldn't reason past, not even when she realized she had put herself in that situation freely, and by the time they were near the Infirmary Alex figured she might as well address it. "Kimi." Her hand took hold of Kimi's upper arm to get her to freeze where they were, and though she had no idea who was up and about she didn't think it would really matter who happened to overhear this. "Last night was... Well, it was the most intense night I'd ever had. I thought I was going to dissolve into complete and utter bliss." She took a few seconds to collect her thoughts before continuing. "I don't think we should go that far again." If Kimi were to raise some kind of objection Alex would quickly motion to stop her. "I'm not saying I'm not grateful for your help or that I won't appreciate any more lessons you may have, I just don't want you to dive that deep again. When you found my center it was the most thrilling thing I'd ever felt. But after that it felt like I was simply fading into nothing. It was unsettling, and I still don't feel quite whole. I'd just like you to show some restraint, all right?"

When some kind of answer was given Alex silently accepted it, and after that she started forward to finally enter the small hospital. She was greeted by the resting of those who'd taken more conventional injuries during the fighting over the last couple of days and the appearance of the final alraune that called the Village home. It was a rather somber thing to think that the invaders would simply massacre that which they couldn't use, and a flash of contempt nearly made Alex rebel against her decision to give the dark slime asylum before she calmed and followed the nurse into a private room in the back.

At the question concerning Kimi the pregnant woman wordlessly nodded for her cousin to join them, and soon enough she was asked to mount a high table and lay herself down. The comment on the plant woman's enjoyment was largely ignored, but the question that followed gave Alex some pause. Apparently a number of women were suffering from alien impregnation, and the plant was assuming the dragon was one of them. That was far from the truth, and Alex figured the best way to clear this misunderstanding was to answer truthfully. "An angel." She let that answer linger for a bit, and if the nurse showed any sign of confusion she would continue. "I'm here for a check-up. I woke up a few minutes ago and felt a few pangs. I just want to make sure she's all right."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Kimi pauses mid step and listens to Alexandra's words regarding their time together, her face somewhat blank at first but turning to a smirk as Alex praised her skills, before finally becoming somewhat ashamed towards the end. "I suppose I did get a bit... Carried away. I swear I didn't do you any permanent harm though, and I definitely could have. I'll try to be more careful in future lessons! I promise!"

When they entered the examination room together, Kimi closed the door behind them and sat down in a chair in the corner as she offered Alexandra a reassuring smile. The alraune was incredibly surprised when Alex told her that an angel was the father of her child, but she recovered quickly. Smiling broadly, the plant woman said, "That's wonderful news! About the father I mean, not the pain. I'll just do a quick check up to make sure that everything's alright."

The alraune cast a spell of some sort and examined Alexandra's belly for a few moments, giving thoughtful hrms every few seconds as her expression gradually shifted from a smile to a frown. After a while, she brightened again and looked back up at Alex as she exclaimed, "Everything seems to be alright! Just growth pangs, not uncommon for supernatural children at all, particularly for first time mothers. You are a first time mother, right?" She eyes Alex for a moment awaiting an answer before she goes on to say, "I guess it doesn't really matter. I think it'd be best if you stayed here until you gave birth, it should be another day or so, but you can go home if you really want to. The baby's fine, and you seem to be in really good shape yourself."

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Hearing the alraune slightly stumble through her answer put a small grin on Alex's face, but it quickly vanished as the plant woman's smile slowly changed from a smile to a frown. The news that everything was fine was met with some relief, and the dragon gave the simple answer to her being a first-time mother, but the request to have her stay for the rest of the pregnancy brought back some of her anxiety. And since she was a newly-expectant mother her worries started drawing up their own conclusions. Something isn't right... People don't frown during a simple exam if everything is fine.

Scenarios started playing through her head, every physical thing she did over the past couple of days playing itself through and worrying her as if she put her child through too much strain. Cramming her stomach into her armor. Running through a minefield of slimes and explosion just to throw herself at the lone Elder. Suffering that damned hunter's sneak attack. Pushing herself in the main struggle that broke the bulk of the invaders' forces. Calling her own dragon fire and feeling it burn through her body. Oh god, that had to be it. I burned her...

No no no! Stop that! If she was hurt then she wouldn't be growing! The one voice of reason helped beat back some of the doubt, but doubt was such a persistent thing. "I'll stay near, maybe walk around a bit, but is there a reason you think I should stay close?" Hopefully she kept her frazzled nerves out of her voice.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

The alraune nodded at first to Alexandra's desire to remain mobile but remain nearby, at first apparently missing the hidden signs of her distress, but she shot Alex a reassuring smile and said quite firmly, "Oh yes you can walk around if you like. You needn't have the baby here either if you don't want to, it's just a suggestion. Your child is fine! She's growing nicely and your body is adapting well to the pregnancy. If my frown worried you it was because I was concentrating on the spell, not because of anything that I found wrong with her. If you'd like me to bring in someone else so that you can be sure, I can try to rouse someone, but you'd have to wait here a minute. Would you like a second opinion?" The alraune remained bright and cheerful, making no indications that she might feel insulted if Alexandra said yes to getting another healer's opinion on the health of her child.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

"No no, I'll be fine. Just the new-mom jitters." Alex never would have guessed that those were actually real. And she definitely didn't want to bother other people with her anxiety, so instead of making herself look anymore foolish she took a few deep breaths to calm herself before climbing off the table. "Thank you for your time."

And just like that Alex finished her trip to the Infirmary. With that done she looked around and realized she had a very early start to the day. But even so there was no telling how much would remain. Her child may choose to be born in a few hours or wait for who knows how long. Might as well start planning. "Kimi, you said Aes liked dancing. What exactly did you mean by that?" There was dancing, and there there was 'dancing'. Alex really needed to know which one they were talking about so she could figure out when and where to spring her surprise. Her house was out of the question, it was little more than rubble. The inn would work, but that also left them vulnerable to an audience. Kimi's house provided more privacy, but things could get a little cramped. And Aes...

Wait, where was Aes staying? Alex starting craning her head as she searched for either her lover or the former demon's home. Maybe she was as lucky as Kimi and still had her own bed. And she was probably sleeping alone... "Kimi, I'm gonna go find Aes and spend a few hours with her. I kind of left abruptly when she said she needed to leave, and now I'm feeling a little guilty for simply walking away on her. I'll come back later so we can finish discussing our plans, and if the baby decides she's had enough of my stomach I'll send word." Alex would stay to finish their conversation and answer any questions her cousin may have, but once that was done she left to find her angel. Even while she was walking down to the lake since it was the last spot she was seen Alex still kept a metaphorical ear to the ground. The last time she went looking for Aes she felt something guiding her. Maybe the same would happen here.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

"No problem! Come back in if you have any questions or concerns~" the alraune replied brightly as she rose in order to lead Alex out of the examination room. Holding the door open, the plant woman finally said, "Have a good morning!" With that she and Kimi left the infirmary, and the fey proved to be early risers as well as many of them were out and about. The two half dragons were either ignored or acknowledged politely by those around them, but were mostly left to their business. The sun was only just coming up when they stepped outside, and it was easy enough to find someplace without anyone in hearing distance if that was what Alex wanted in order to ask her question of her cousin.

"Well...." Kimi started slowly while adopting a mild blush, the pause after her first word perhaps somewhat longer than it needed to be. "She likes regular dancing. You know, with a partner and music and all, but..... The kind of dancing that I was referring to was, uhhh... A little more.... Risque. She used to be a courtesan to a lesser Lord in Hell, and she went with him to a much more powerful lord's hall once, and.... Well, I'll let her tell the story in detail, but I guess she really liked the dancers there, so she took up that sort of dancing as a hobby. I did a dance like that for her once, and she seemed to really like it!" She blinked idly for a few moments, carefully not meeting Alexandra's gaze if she were trying to catch it at all. "I can definitely teach you how to do that! Without getting you all tired out too.... Well, you would get tired, maybe, but... You know what I mean!"

All in all, Kimi seemed fairly relieved when Alexandra announced that she was going to find Aescila and spend some time with her, though she made efforts not to show it. Giving Alex a tight but careful hug, she replied once they had pulled apart, "My door is always open! I'll probably be laying around at home most of today anyway, so if you want some company or some more lessons, just let me know! And remember to send someone for me when it's time for my niece to come out if I don't see you until then!"

After parting with Kimi, Alexandra felt no helpful tug immediately as she set out to find Aescila, and the first place that she looked, the ex-demon's former home, was a bust. It was, if anything, in even worse shape than her house had been. She was where Alexandra had last left her, seated on the edge of the lake next to which their village sat, her wings folded around her body and her hands resting on her knees, just barely peaking out from beneath the layer of black feathers. Whether she was asleep or not was difficult to tell, but when Alex looked at her face, she found the angel's eyes to be closed.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

A risque dance... A couple moments were taken to search through her own memories, and that only confirmed that Alex wasn't quite sure what Kimi meant by that. "You'll have to show me. Later." Unless I can unlock Aescila's memories. That would probably help her understand what exactly she could do to give her angel the night of her life, but with her nerves all a jumble from her pregnancy and her preparations that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.

But Alex couldn't help but notice that Kimi wasn't quite acting herself. She was being more cautious. Guarded. That could be explained simply because Alex was really showing her pregnancy now, but there was more than that. Kimi was acting anxious whenever Alex started talking with her, and the blushing was completely out of character. Alex felt like it was her own presence that was making her cousin so nervous, and she's been acting this way ever since the day started. That meant something happened last night. But all that happened last night was some sex. Some really hot sex, especially when that command was screamed over and over again, and even more so when Alex felt Kimi diving into her core and start lapping at her iden...

The pregnant dragon froze at that moment. Kimi did dive into her very being, and Aes had said that when feeding a demon could take the surface memories and emotions from their partner. That much had to be true of all beings capable of consuming a soul, and since Kimi had delved so deeply that meant she may have seen more than what simply lay at the surface. That meant she would have seen the entire truth of what happened between Aes and Alex, and from there it wouldn't be too far to see... "I'll, uh... I'll see you in a few hours...!" Now it was Alex's time to act a bit nervous. Kimi may have seen much as she rummaged through Alex's spirit, and though she could not be certain the warrior had this rather foreboding notion that her cousin had seen the one day that drove her forward. If that was true she would be mortified. Alex was not someone who liked having her secrets exposed let alone one of her brethren, and the thought of a fellow dragoness knowing the truth of her honor had her panicking slightly to herself.

So with her nerves slightly on edge Alex left her cousin to find the one being who could help her truly relax. And upon finding that being's home Alex's mood started to drop. Her own home was a complete and utter mess, but Aescila's was totally devastated. There had to be nothing left Aes could claim as her own. It was somewhat depressing looking at the wasteland that was her lover's house, so Alex left and found her angel right where she had left her. At least there was some consistency there, and as she approached Alex found Aes sitting with her eyes closed. Was the former demon actually sleeping out in the open like this? It was a rather interesting possibility, and Alex decided to put that to the test. She moved as quietly as she could, the only sounds coming from the slight rustling of the sands as well as the fabric of her dress, and once she was close enough she stood directly behind the raven-winged woman. She waited for a few seconds, the time taken to see if Aes truly was napping out in the open, and if she was then Alex would choose to take a seat beside her love and shift as closely as possible without waking the beauty. If she was awake she would give a short greeting before kneeling down behind the woman and immediately rubbing her shoulders. If Aes had been out here all night then she was probably rather tense from sitting out in the cold. A massage should fix that, and Alex was going to help her lover relax without saying a single word.

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

Aescila, whether she hadn't been asleep or had been awakened by Alexandra's near-silent approach across the sands, spoke during the pause in which the dragoness stood over her; "Hello Alex~" The demon-turned angel sounded pleased by her presence, and gave a soft sigh as the dragoness knelt behind her and started massaging her shoulders. Despite her seemingly awkward pose, Aescila's muscles were perhaps surprisingly almost completely relaxed, but Alexandra could feel her pushing slightly against her touch as if encouraging it anyway, and the slight rhythmic hum that came in time with her attentions told Alex that her efforts were being appreciated. "Kimi wasn't too rough on you, I hope? She can get a little carried away sometimes!" she said conversationally, and there wasn't a trace of jealousy or scorn in the woman's voice.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Though she obviously didn't need it Alex never once stopped to reconsider giving her love a massage. It wasn't something she was doing because the angel needed it, she just wanted to do it to make the woman feel better. When Alex last left in her rush Aes was looking somewhat scared and dejected, and she wanted to make up for it. Besides, a massage was one of Alex's most favorite things in the world. She would never refuse one, and for her to offer one was a sign to show how much she cared.

But the mention of Kimi was completely unexpected, and it caused Alex to freeze for a moment or two while her head turned and offered a rather guilty looking blush. "'Little' isn't the proper word..." Aes knew about their night together, which meant that either Alex wasn't as clean as she thought she was, the both of them were louder than they thought they were, Kimi confessed, or Aes had somehow been spying on them. Neither of those options were all that pleasant, but that last one somewhat scared her. Alex fully intended on giving Aes a night she wouldn't forget, and she wanted it to be a surprise. If the angel suddenly knew what was going to happen then Alex was going to feel a bit cheated. "So, uh... How'd you figure that out?"

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

"I... Don't know how I know," Aescila replied earnestly, and Alexandra could feel a great deal of frustration implicit in her tone. She turned her head and looked over her shoulder, gazing into Alexandra's eyes. There was a moment's hesitation, her lover's tension palpable to Alexandra, and then Aescila looked as if she were about to cry, and a few tears even began to slide down her cheeks. "Alex..... There's just... So much that I don't understand! I thought that accepting her, Dina... I thought that it would make things easier! But..."

Aescila looked away from Alexandra's eyes and paused for a moment to find the right words, her unhappiness plain and evident for Alex to see, but then turned back up to meet her gaze and went on; "I thought that I would be able to stay here, with you! It's what I want! There's nothing I've ever wanted more! This... You're the first, the only person who I've ever loved! The idea of being separated from you is like... I feel like it's poisoning me! But.... I can't get these... These urges out of my head, and I keep just... Just thinking things, but I know that they're true! I don't know how or why, it must be something to do with angels or something, but it's... These urges are worse than any that I ever had as a demon, even when I was starving I never felt so... So out of control!

"It's like I can't even control my own actions, like my desires mean nothing to some... Some force that's a part of me, but somehow separate... And stronger than I am!" Aescila paused once again, and this time a soft, familiar voice spoke out from a short ways away from them; "Now you know what it is to be one of us, Aescila." Abariel stood in the water, the waves of the lake lapping lightly at her ankles. She was clad in the same white robes that Alexandra had seen her in at the meeting with the fey before the battle for the Hidden Village and in their own personal meeting afterwards, but had abandoned her sandals in favor of going barefoot in the cool water. "I am truly sorry to intrude upon your privacy, Alexandra and Aescila," she said earnestly, "But like Aescila, I felt a pull here, and came when it was most appropriate."

"What do you mean?" Aescila demanded after waving off her apology, "Can you get rid of... Of these urges?" Abariel gazed at her sadly and shook her head, "No. Unfortunately, I cannot. I admit myself surprised that you have them, however, for it means that you have done something else that has never been done before, Aescila. It seems that the two of you have a knack for bringing about unique things together! You are the first being other than a pure angel to possess what we call Insight. Anthriel, the only other being with angelic blood who is not a full angel, has never shown any hints of possessing Insight of her own, at least not as far was we know, and so it was assumed that you - and your daughter - would not possess it either. I do not know if you could lose the gift, as one normally loses their Insight when they fall, but as you are already technically fallen I don't think that that method will work. Regardless, we can still only guess at whether or not your child will possess Insight, but you seem to have inherited Dina's in full, if what you say is accurate."

Aescila scowled slightly at that, and Abariel hastily added; "Which I have no doubt is true!" Aescila's scowl became a frown, and she glanced at Alexandra searchingly, clearly wondering if this meant anything to her. After a moment of silence, Abariel supplied an explanation; "I knew Dina for over a thousand years, and as far as I have seen up until this point, no other angel who hadn't yet risen to the ranks of an archangel possessed Insight as powerful as hers was. Though she couldn't control her gift any better than the rest of us, she was able to perceive things that no others could, and conjure the truth from thin air when she needed it. When she first came into her power, the gifts were nearly impossible to manage, almost painful to her at times, as they are to you now. She felt pulled in all directions at once, urged by her Insight to right wrongs being committed at the same time, and even some that hadn't even been done when she felt her directives!

"It took her almost a century, but eventually she found a way not to control her gifts, but to guide them so that she could live with them. If you search her memories, you might be able to find out how she did it and do the same!" Aescila looked suddenly hopeful, "So.... I might be able to stay here? To be with Alex without having to go off and do who knows what?" Abariel frowned sadly and said, "I do not know, and would counsel you not to get your hopes up for an immediate solution. Alexandra might be able to help you in this as she received portions of Dina's spirit during your transformation, but I don't know if Dina ever found a way to resist her urges. She was never close to anyone, not in the way that you two are at least, and I always wondered why that was...." Abariel trailed off sadly, and this time she made no effort to hide her regrets, allowing Alexandra and Aescila to see them plainly in her expression and her body language.

 

[Termite]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

She could feel it. It was a sense beyond anything that a mortal could describe, and before Aes even had the chance to turn and show her tears Alex was already wrapping her arms around the angel's shoulders and pulled her close. It was a bit of an odd gesture, the wings on Aescila's back proving to be just as cumbersome as Alex's pregnant belly, but she didn't care. She knew her love needed some comfort, and that was what she was going to give.

And that was how Abariel found them. The sudden appearance of the pure angel was a bit of a surprise, Alex hadn't even seen or heard her approach, but there she was simply wading ankle deep within the clear waters of the lake. And she'd been waiting. It appeared she had the same calling that Aescila now possessed, and she'd been waiting for the proper moment to make her presence known.

For a while the two angels had their own conversation, one that Alex felt was a little beyond her understanding, so she simply listened and tried to gain the understanding she felt she was lacking. And slowly but surely bits and pieces started to fall into place. Apparently this Insight was a legacy from Dina, an ability that all angels possessed but was far more advanced within Abariel's longtime friend. And it was a beast, far more than even Dina herself could hope to control. This was a power that let her see the truths of the world, and within those truths lay the wrongs that any sentient creature could lay upon another. And they demanded to be set right. But with so many people living within the world it must have felt like a million voices vying for attention, and with so many voices bearing down upon one tiny soul it was no wonder Aes felt like she was being dragged in a hundred different directions at once. She quite literally had the weight of the world on her shoulders.

But Abariel did say Dina felt just as cursed as Aes. Dina must have sought some way to control those voices, and Abariel revealed that she had. It took nearly a century for her to gain it, and even then she only managed to find a way to give those voices direction, but she was still able to gain some form of peace. That method had to lie within Dina's memory, and that was all Alex needed to know. She started shutting out the world, the angel before her and the angel within her arms starting to fade as the dragon delved into her own soul where she knew Dina's legacy still lived. She urged those fractured memories to reveal themselves, to find the method the angel had used to gain herself some measure of freedom from the world's endless troubles, and for a moment she felt something answer. But a sudden kick from within her stomach brought her attention back to the present, and with it the anxiety from Aescila's suffering came back in full. "Sorry... I'm having trouble recalling much of what I gained from our time together. It seems I'm a little too easily distracted."

For a couple of seconds Alex questioned what exactly she could do to help ease her lover's pains. Part of Dina's spirit lay hidden within the warrior, and at the moment there was no way to properly bring it to light. At least not on her own. Did that mean someone else could find it? Maybe Aes could coax Dina to reveal herself if Aes and Alex chose to rejoin their souls. But how would that affect the child? Even if they didn't share the same spirit Alex would need to let her own simply relax and reach out. What if she accidentally reached out and touched her unborn baby? It just felt too risky, at least for the moment, but then Aes would need to wait to find the answer she needed. So maybe Aes could simply dive in and take it? Alex had first hand knowledge that another soul could invade her identity and take what it wanted-

"I think we need to have a talk with Kimi. She did go 'a little overboard' last night. Maybe she caught a glimpse of what we need."

 

[Tassadar]

Re: All Out War (Termite)

Spoiler

Alex: HP = 70, PP = 55, EP = 75, Status = Pregnant

"Kimi?" Aescila said in surprise, "Do you think it's possible that she might have learned something after feeding on Alex?" She had directed the question at Abariel, and the pure angel hesitated for a moment before nodding and saying; "I cannot be sure. It's possible, but not all with the curse gain the same effects from feeding. Not even all demons are the same. I doubt that it would be harmful to you to seek what she might have gleaned from feeding upon your soul, but I would caution that you not be optimistic."

Aescila turned to Alex and smiled, "Shall we go and see her?" If Alex agreed, she would rise to her feet smoothly, helping Alex do the same, but before they could start away Abariel said; "Alex... Could I speak to you for a moment? Privately?" The angel's voice had been somewhat sheepish, and if she turned her gaze upon the tall woman Alex would find her brushing slightly as if she were embarrassed about something.