As everyone talked in the hot spring Astrid took the barrel of wine closer to the others. Wanting to see just how much everyone changed when they were drunk. Knowing if people got to hot Nadia could easily alter the temperature. After moving it she went back to Akando to tease him some more. Sven filled up a few clay cups as he passed them around. Kimi never drank before, but this was her first gathering with friends. So she just followed the flow of everyone else. Nadia called out to Helga before she got comfortable.
"Can we talk for a minute?" Nadia asked.
Helga patted the ground.
"I want to have a child with Sven. How do you feel about it?" Nadia asked.
Helga looked at Nadia with irritation. Was this a taunt? After remembering she was a nymph she calmed down. Lust was definitely in their nature. She was also expecting people to be approaching Sven for just this purpose. With word of his close tie to Gaia began to spread among the town. Even though she was open to sharing their bed with others having a child was different.
"I never heard of a nymph to ask before acting." Helga retorted.
"Oh, I tried to go at him already. When I did he told me you matter the most to him, and he held no one's opinion higher. So I'm here for your approval of course." Nadia stated as she reached her hand out to touch her hand.
Helga was about to pull her hand away, but it immediately began to go numb.
"Most people can't bear skin contact with me for more than a few seconds, even with my artifact on. When I first met Sven we walked together in the village while linking arms. I even intentionally let my power flare-up, and he still held on as if it was nothing. For me, it's not possible to have a child with anyone, but Sven. I've spent over a century looking for someone compatible. In a few years, I will no longer be able to bear children. So I ask again. Are you okay with this?" Nadia requested with a serious look in her eyes.
"If you can show that your capable of defending this place when the battle begins you can. I won't have any useless women around Sven." Helga declared.
"Deal," Nadia agreed immediately with a smile.
Nadia happy from the news finally joined the others in the water. Sitting next to Kimi as she got herself some wine.
"I saw the wolves today. When I was heading off to hunt earlier he followed me. I took one of the corpses back for the mother to eat. Don't worry though I left it far enough away that predators wouldn't find their den." Sven said to Kimi as he took another drink.
"They like you a lot, and I'm not too surprised. I'm so so glad you came to visit here." Kimi said as she scooted in closer to him.
"You know when we first met I thought you hated me. No matter what I said you had no response. It made the process of these tattoos a little awkward honestly. Yet here you are drinking and talking like it's normal. Just because someone new comes into town. Makes no sense to me." Nova slammed her drink as she approached Sven.
"I think we need to cut back a little," Sven said with a slight smile.
"I'm gonna keep drinking till it's gone!" Nova yelled.
"Me too!" Kimi yelled as she poured some more.
"So what's so special about you anyway? Just what am I missing here?" Nova asked as she looked him up, and down.
"Since you're too scared to man up I guess I'll go have some fun with Mika instead." Astrid taunted as she walked back to the others.
She grew tired of convincing someone so thick-headed. When Akando heard this and saw how close she was getting to Mika he was irritated. Then Astrid whispered something to Mika as she giggled, and blushed. That was the final push he needed to join. Nadia occasionally adjusted the temperature of the water to make sure no one passed out from excessive drinking. Alexias and Torvi seemed to be getting along well together. Nova started to motion Astrid to come her way.
"So tell me why him huh?" Nova said while refilling her cup.
"So many reasons," Astrid said as she sat on Sven's lap.
"Like what? I need to know. You know how hard I tried to get you to come here. No matter what you wouldn't leave that filthy town." Nova said as she sat next to Sven.
"Well he's powerful for one, he shares a similar bloodlust for battle as I, his blood is the best, and he's well endowed," Astrid said as she reached down guiding Nova's hand.
Nova thought she was guiding the hand to her body. Quickly realizing this wasn't her intention upon feeling, and pulling her hand back. Sven immediately jumped from the unexpected event and grabbed Astrid on the ass roughly. Nova looked down at the water before averting her gaze. Kimi saw this and snuck a few glances of her own. It was hard to see under the cover of the trees. Kimi's curiosity began to grow, as he was too far away to see earlier. Astrid saw the two looking and had a lewd grin on her face.
"He lets you feed on him?" Nova quickly changing the subject.
"Well of course why wouldn't I have my fill?" Astrid responded as she turned around facing Sven to bite his neck.
"I thought you used animal blood like the rest of us," Nova said as she watched her feed closely.
"Why is this the first I'm hearing of the animal blood." Sven immediately said while grabbing her ass firmly.
"You caught me. Do I need to stop?" Astrid asked as she licked the blood from her lips.
"With all the things you help me with it's fine. Not like it hurts, or bothers me anyway." Sven replied.
"Why not try some? He says it doesn't bother him. You know you're curious too. It's not forbidden here is it?"Astrid asked while looking at Kimi.
"Of course not. So long as the person is giving it willingly." Kimi replied
Sven still felt bad for hurting Nova in the past so he reached his arm out. He quickly noticed the embarrassed look on her face. She was indeed curious how it tasted, and have been for some time. The lamia who live peacefully in Sanctuary drink on their partner only. Nova is a proud, and stern individual. So she had problems finding a suitable partner that fit her high standards. It was why she was so obsessive over Astrid. She was both strong, and beautiful.
Astrid knew the lamia tradition, and it was clear on her face that she was curious about nonanimal blood. Astrid knew the unique taste of his blood would increase the chances of adding her to their harem. Nova saw the happy look on her face, and didnt wanna disappoint her. Slowly fangs extended from her mouth as she bit into his wrist. The second she tasted his blood power surged into her body along with a feeling of ecstasy. It was this moment she knew why Astrid clung to him so much. She wiped her mouth and tried to act unsatisfied.
"It was okay," Nova said while avoiding eye contact.
"What did she do to make you giggle like that?" Akando asked with an embarrassed expression.
"She told me to act like we were flirting, and you would come running in. We've known each other for a long time now. So flirting with other women is how I get your attention." Mika teased while moving closer to him.
Akando's face was extremely red when he heard this. He fell for Astrid's trick perfectly. When he looked over to Astrid she had a smirk on her face. He wasn't mad though cause things were finally improving for him.
Astrid got off Sven's lap and sat next to Nova. Planning to slowly work Nova into the group so she needed to start planting the seeds now. She knew it would take some time, but loved the challenge. Nadia saw this and slid over to force them closer. Kimi looked up into Sven's eyes with an adorable look on her face. She wanted to stand out to him and tried to be bold. Reaching over as she began to feel him up. Then slowly started stroking him.
'Don't let them notice.' Kimi said with telepathy.
'This doesn't seem like your usual behavior. You've had a lot to drink.'
'It's hard to say how I feel. I just wanna show you I can make you feel good too. I may lack experience, but ill try my best.'
To him Helga was the woman he loved, but how can he feel nothing. When she is already a precious comrade who placed her life on the line to save him. Then wandered exhausted through a forest to help him in a dark moment. She was a beautiful woman, and Helga already agreed. He never thought things would be like this today. He needed to think more about how exactly to handle these life changes and new emotions. He wondered how It would be possible to show his affection for more one than one woman properly. Sven wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close.
'You don't have to do such things to get my attention. I'm okay with spending time with you like this.'
Kimi smiled taking her hand off as she relaxed in his arms. Everyone continued to bond, and talk under the moonlight. They knew trouble was ahead, but it was moments like these that reminded them what they were fighting for. It was two hours from sunrise, and everyone began leaving to rest a little before their duties resumed.