"Is it something you need me to look away for? I've gotten very good at that." Gregor said.
I looked at the three men. Stressed in the moment, tears free fell down my face. I had to stamp down my impulses, but the tears wouldn't be stopped with such efforts. Stupid freaking timing of this crap. Bibs and Tilton had certainly taught me that it was natural and nothing to be embarassed about, but in reality, I was very much embarassed by it.
"Ah, she is having her monthlies. I remember these times. Sorry to embarrass you, Dear, but it's best to explain the situation. Are you needing something laundered? I have a wonderful bucket for that." Bibs said.
I nodded. My face turning red, and the stupid tears still falling. "Yeah."
"Right-o." Bib's said, fishing a bucket out of his bag. "Here you go, just drop the clothes in the bucket and shake it."
I went over and accepted the bucket, then took it to the back area to be out of sight, following the directions given. It didn't even take long, and managed to not leave a stain. Once the task was done, I returned the bucket, thanking Bibs, and went to Gregor.
I cuddled up to him, burying my face against him feeling miserable and being bloated. My injured arm was tucked between us, and I placed my left hand on his shoulder. I thanked him, too. He had been trying to be really understanding in the face of my distress.
He rested his arms lightly around me. "Sorry, I don't know what to do for you. I haven't dealt with this before."
"You can't do anything. It's just a natural process." I recited. "I'm just embarrassed. I hate this time."
"Come, come. I will whip you up something to lesson the symptoms." Bibs said.
"That's possible?" I asked, obeying him.
"Yes, it is. Just give me a bit and I'll have it ready." Bibs said, getting to work on something.
I was surprised. Mostly my symptoms were mood instability, occasional cramps, and bloating. But my breasts would also be really tender and prone to being sore. Not to mention the smell. I hated the freaking smell. Bibs and Tilton always said they didn't smell anything, but I did. Blood and sweetness. Yuck.
Bibs handed me some tea looking stuff and said, "Here you are. Drink up, I'm sure you'll feel better."
The brew was bitter but I drank it without complaint. The only instant effect I could notice was that I felt calmer. "Thank you.." I said.
"Not at all. I prepared that for you long ago." Bibs said.
Thanks to Bibs' brew, I was able to eat breakfast. Once we'd all had breakfast Bibs and Kershka headed out again. The only reason we weren't was because of my lingering injury to my arm. It throbbed considerably.
"I don't know what I want to do today." I told Gregor.
"Well, we could just take a stroll around. How bout that?" He asked.
"That'll be fine. I'm sorry for being weird about the monthly..." I said.
"It's.. alright. I don't fully understand much about these monthlies, but I do know it makes a few things uncontrollable." Gregor said.
"... D'you want me to tell you about it?" I asked.
"No, I think I'm alright. I do wish I knew more about it to help you, but I think you can just tell me if you need something." He said.
"... My reaction earlier was because it gushed a little when I was getting up." I told him, red faced. "I wasn't expecting it so soon."
"That sounds truly.. unpleasant." Gregor said.
I nodded and said, "Yeah, I was too embarassed to properly explain.."
"Yes, well, Bibs decided to take it upon himself to do so." Gregor said.
I nodded. "He and Tilton have seen my meltdowns over it before. It gets where I can't make myself speak and all I can do is cry. The first time was actually kinda funny, cause I thought I was dyin' and all they heard was screamin'."
"I'm sure they found that greatly amusing and not terrifying at all." Gregor said.
"Not in the moment, and not to Tilton." I agreed. "But I didn't know about monthlies at all, and they only vaguely did. Had to go see a healer woman to have it all explained and be sure that was the problem."
"I'm sure that was fun for them. I could see Tilton ask for great details on it so he could be prepared." Gregor said.
"Maybe, but when I was brought in crying the woman kicked them both out to play with the men folk, she'd said." I grinned.
"Ah, so he didn't get any of the information I'm sure he would have wanted." Gregor said.
"They've told me a thousand times that it's normal and natural and shouldn't be embarrassing. But, you see, they don't experience it." I complained.
"I don't believe I will tell you how to feel about your condition." He said.
He was so sweet. "The only part that'll effect others is the mood swings, and the crying." I said.
"Is Bibs' tea doing anything for you?" He said.
I poked my belly and said, "Yeah. I could probably wear my pants now, and I feel calm." I touched my chest. "And no breast pain."
"Breast pain? That sounds truly miserable for you." He said.
"Well, it's like.. they become so sensitive during that time that fabric irritates them and if they get touched or I brush them against something it hurts." I explained.
"Extreme over sensitivity.. I will continue to refrain." Gregor said.
"Refrain?" I asked.
"From touching you inappropriately." Gregor said.
I blushed. "I don't care if you do when I'm not bleeding."
"Ah. Well, now you tell me." He said.
"You didn't ask." I pointed out.
"True, true. I didn't ask." He said. "But to be fair, I didn't think it'd go well if I just asked you outright if I could touch you inappropriately. I don't feel it's a very common question people ask."
"As far as I know people just do it." I shrugged. "It's not like I have any experience as far as relationships or intimacy goes."
"It is something we will just have to figure out as we go." Gregor said.
"I look weird in a dress, don't I?" I asked.
"It's more of just a different side of you." He said.
"That sounds like 'doesn't suit you'." I said.
"You look quite nice in a dress." He replied.
I hid a smile and said, "It's ok to say it's not good."
"And what would make you think I think it's not good?" Gregor asked.
"You said it's a different side of me." I said.
"Yes. And yet, still very much you. And as I hope you know, I find you to very much be beautiful." Gregor replied.
I gave him a hug. "You're so fun to pick at."
"Oh, am I? I'll have to make it less fun." He said.
"You won't. Acause you're sweet." I replied.
"Only when I want to be. Which I feel is very often with you." He commented.
"I've enjoyed getting to know you. It's been very fun." I told him.
"You make it sound like you're done getting to know me." Gregor said.
"Nope. I'm like a bad habit. I never quit and keep popping up where it's inconvenient to be." I grinned.
"Well, you know where it's inconvenient for you to be right now?" He asked.
"Tell me." I said.
"In my lap. It would be entirely inconvenient for you to be over here cuddling." He said.
I grinned cheekily, "Ohh. Well, I suppose I should not do that, so you won't be inconvenienced."
He groaned and mumbled, "Oh, you little..." He shrugged. "Fine. No cuddles, then."
I went to him and sat in his lap, cuddling up to him. When I reached up to wrap my arms around him, I cringed. My right arm aching from the effort. I dropped the right one immediately. "Forgot bout that."
"Are you alright?" He asked.
"Yeah. Probably. Should we check on that?" I asked.
"That would probably be a good idea to take a look. Would hate for it to be infected and us not know about it." Gregor agreed.
With this as the intention, I undid the collar and the wrist of the dress, then reached back with my left arm to undo the back. Once I'd accomplished that, I carefully withdrew my right arm from the sleeve.
How it had specifically happened, was while I was facing two attackers, a third had slammed a maul into my right shoulder/ arm from behind. The sharper parts had pierced my skin, aling with how the force had broken the skin, though it hadn't broken bone.
I left undoing the wrapping he'd done to Gregor. It was a simple and quick one to stop bleeding and hopefully prevent infection. He undid the wrapping carefully, inspecting the wound.
It took a good moment before he said, "Well, it is healing nicely, but it might be another day at least before you can move it freely."
"You know, if I hadn't partially dodged that, I'd have been seriously hurt." I said.
"Yes, I imagine you would have been." He said.
"Woulda been better if I'd seen it coming." I said.
"Eh, everything is usually better when you can see it coming at your face." He said.
"Yeah.. I didn't see you asking to be in a relationship, either." I commented. "Maybe I'm blind."
He held up a couple fingers, "What do you see?"
"Mm. A muscley man trying to earn a kiss." I said, squinting my eyes.
"See? You're not as blind as you thought." He said.
I laughed and kissed him. "I'm seriously fond of you."
"Good. For I am seriously fond of you as well." Gregor said. "Glad you're not a monk, could have put me back on the Path."
"That serious, huh?" I asked.
"Indeed. That serious." He said. His voice was soft and gentle.
I blushed in response. "Golly. How can I doubt you if you say it like that?"
"Hopefully you can't. That's the whole point." He replied.
"My lover is a confident and brilliant man. How lucky I've gotten." I smiled.
"Maybe luck does have something to do with it. There were quite a few events that got you to here." Gregor said.
"Yep. I guess I'm really weird acause no matter what's happened, I haven't changed my perspectives at all." I said.
"That's some resilience." He said.
I kissed his face and said, "I was never a very affectionate person. But you're really easy to be close to."
"I think that's known as being charming." He said.
I snuggled up to him again, managing to fall asleep. Thankfully, I woke soon enough to change my lady cloth. It would have been mortifying to not. We went for a walk around the surrounding area, and hunted some game for dinner. Gregor's help was absolutely necessary for the hunt.
I still couldn't work my bow, but my aim with my left hand was exquisite, thanks to Tilton's insistence on my learning. It was a relaxing day. Even found some herbs to aid the severe bruising and reduce the pain and swelling of my arm.
Gregor prepared the herbs for me, and was applying them when Bibs and Kershka returned. I was half asleep, though.when I woke enough to be engaged in conversation, we went over what all they did today. What they'd learned. We were getting close to ending this organization.
It was excellent news. Kershka made dinner for us all and soon we went to bed, after I'd tended the necessary again. The next morning, I was cramping. But I could power through that. And did so. With the bloating under control, I dressed in my usual attire.
Today we were heading out again. My arm was still painful, but I could push past it, too. We got our assignment and headed out after breakfast. We used a type of vehicle to reach the location now. Just so it wouldn't take too long.
We went through the same process, scout camp, kill enemies, release slaves, scour the camp for information, and return. This one had a map of the island with the location of a transport ship and the location of their bosses base.
In the interest of being thorough, we were going to finish the camps tomorrow. After dinner when it got dark, we heard that creature again. It'd wailed from a far distance, but then I'd heard it's desperate attempt to get to us on the other side of the vegetation.
I realized what the cause would be... my blood. Purely panicked, I'd ran to the back of the area while Kershka and Gregor were ready to fight the thing. At the last possible moment, Bibs' trap went off and it was gone. Sent to hell.
Gregor immediately came to me, holding and comforting me. We were both glad that that problem seemed to be done with. Bibs and Kershka checked on us, too. When I finally calmed, we went to bed.
Nightmares plagued me that night. Of the creature and of my death. I woke in the morning feeling quite ill. Still, I tried to be useful. Instead, during the meal I fell back to sleep..
Feeling better the next morning, I got up early and bathed, cleaning my clothing, since I'd bled through after sleeping for a day. The good news was that I wasn't in pain today. Which was even better news, because we cleaned up camp and were heading to that island for the final bit.
It wasn't very climactic. We took two days to get there via ship. The people there never expected us to reach them, and once Bibs deployed his antimagic items they were done. We took everything from the island base. And freed the slaves. With this, according to all the documents we found, the organization was dead.
We rested there for the night and returned home in the morning through teleporting. The good news was that I didn't have to worry about money for a while. Or a lifetime if I didn't bother with magic items. I spent the day catching up with Krista and visiting Tilton.
After joining the guild, I resumed living with Bibs, though I slept over at the guild with Gregor once a week. I often visited him in between missions, and it was true that he could work around me while I sat in his lap. He was quite diligent with his work.
As far as our relationship was going, we were very close to one another. Our kissing sessions had turned very intense and often led to more intimate touching on both our parts, however, we'd yet to have sex. It was my fault.
For whatever reason, I got scared whenever we got close to it. Poor Gregor never complained about it. He also didn't try and coax me past my fear, or guilt me. Instead, he'd do his best to calm himself and we'd cuddle and sleep.
Before I'd noticed it, I'd been alive again for six whole months. The little Isarial was a fascinating child, full of strange things. I'd visit his mansion as well, having befriended the adults there, and the children enjoyed playing with me.
I visited Isarial's city, too. The training facility and courses were lovely and challenging. I occasionally saw him, Alex's kids, and a few others running the courses on an easier setting. They saw it as a wonderful game. Honestly, it kind of was. I enjoyed it, too.
Isarial had actually designed it, which was utterly amazing. Then again, I'd learned about him. He was essentially a time traveler. He was after better lives for his friends and family, and somehow, I was a part of his friends group.
I'd met Jack by now, the real one. Isarial had had him a home built in a little safe area to the West, just below the swamp. He also out a permanent glyph there for him so he could access the North where all his friends were. He came and went as he pleased.
I'd visited his house a few times, it was amazingly designed. The boy had true talent, everyone agreed. In fact, he'd told Bibs and Tilton that Asmodeus held my soul, and that's how I ended up being retrieved and revived. There had been a choice to release me and let me be reborn as someone else, or to revive me. Impatient, my friends had simply revived me.
It was October now, the time for pumpkins. The previous time for pumpkins. I'd gone to the farms today and picked up several pumpkins. I was now heading to see Kaz the baker. It was pretty busy, the recipe Isarial had given him sold like crazy. Especially with the Fey family living nearby.
Once the shop had cleared out, I smiled at Kaz brightly. "Hello, Kaz. See that you're busy today, but I have a question for you."
He pulled a trey out of the oven, "What can I do for you?"
"You wouldn't happen to know traditional Dwarven desserts from the mountains, would you?" I asked.
"A few, yes, why? This isn't something I've made for anyone but us for quite a while." Kaz said.
"I am willing and able to fetch any ingredient, and pay any price, you may need to make pumpkin pie with the nut and cream topping." I said, taking out a beautiful pumpkin. "And for the record, I love the candied nuts. They're the best, you know?"
"Hoh. This old.. this old Dwarf has some work to do." He said. He listed some rarer ingredients, "If you can bring me those, I can make you the finest pumpkin pie with all the fixings."
"You're a beautiful soul. Papa Griorgre would be proud." I grinned. I took out more pumpkins, "I brought enough pumpkins for a proper October Feast. Just because you're all in Dueling Rivers now doesn't mean we can't celebrate October. Just you wait and see, I'll have your ingredients soon."
"Alright, just a quick question, whose Papa Griorgre?" Kaz asked.
"His family was one that founded Moon's Rise, where the Father Tree grew. I apologize that I don't know his surname." I said.
"That's fine. I'm sure there's record of him somewhere." Kaz said.
"He was disgraced almost four hundred years ago, because he left for the surface when his wife passed." I told Kaz. "But he was a strong man, sure of foot and stout of heart. May the stone remember him eternally." It was a high compliment in Dwarven society. One I meant with my whole heart.
"It is sad to hear he was disgraced for such a thing, considering most of us ended up here anyway." Kaz said.
"He's how I came to respect the Dwarven culture so much, and know the candies. He used to travel to poor villages and pass out candies." I smiled. "Goodness, I'm reminiscing too much."
"No, it's good to tell these stories. He said. Sometimes people need to be reminded that just because they were banished doesn't mean they were gone." Kaz said.
"Think we could get a Feast going tomorrow?" I asked him. "I intend to get a couple of boars to have roasted, and some fat turkeys, or geese if I can find 'em."
"I could probably get some people for that." Kaz said.
"It was once tradition, back when there were seasons. I think it would boost the Dwarves morale, you know?" I grinned.
"Well, we could certainly use it." Kaz agreed.
"Right. I'll be back. And don't worry about Tilton, he'll not say a peep even if we all get loud." I ensured him. Then I headed out to fetch the ingredients.
I was popular in the town, as I always helped anyone, regardless of reward. I also stepped in to police adventurers, which may have caused a headache or two with Gregor, but he didn't complain about it. He saw it as good for the reputation of the guild.
After I found the ginger really easily. For nutmeg and cloves I had to got to East Haven where there was an exotic goods vendor. They were expensive, as you couldn't find them just anywhere. But I didn't care. This was gonna be brilliant.
I went to the South next, via Hearthstone's portal that Isarial had set up, which is how I reached East Haven, and bought spicy peppers. An old favorite to couple with sweet peppers in Dwarven cuisine. Then I returned to Kaz's shop. It'd taken four hours for me to get all this ready.
"Phew." I said, as I entered. "Got it and some spicy peppers." I was lucky, acause no customers were in at the moment.
"Excellent. That was very quick." Kaz said.
"Woulda been quicker if ai coulda gotten it from the Father Tree market. But I figured it probably doesn't grow anything around there anymore."
"Hard to be sure. No one has been there in quite a while." Kaz said.
"When did you all come out?" I asked.
"Around two hundred-forty years ago." Kaz said.
"Goodness. Was you born here then?" I asked.
"Yes, I was born here in Dueling Rivers." Kaz said.
"Wow, how fortunate that you were taught the recipes, then. I'm really glad." I said. I handed over the ingredients he'd asked for, then I showed him the spicy peppers, "So who should I give this to?"
"Well, you can hand them to me, or you can hand them to my brother." He said.
"Balnur, right?" I asked. "Is he gonna do the roasting and dishes?"
"He's gonna do some bits. He's not much of a cook, but he is gonna do some things." Kaz nodded.
"Alright. I'll go speak with Tilton, and I'll leave the peppers to you. I'll get some strong liquor imported. Can't have a proper Roast for the October Feast without strong booze." I grinned.
"Can't have any celebration without stong booze. Especially if it's gonna be a Dwarven celebration!" Kaz agreed.
I saw the shine in Kaz's eyes and smiled. Laughing, I headed out to head to Tilton's house. I knocked and waited patiently. It didn't take him long to answer the door.
"Hello Ashtar. What can I do for you?" He asked.
"I would like to do an October Feast." I said.
"Why would you want to bring that mess of a celebration here. Did the Dwarves put you up to this?" He asked.
"Nope. I'm making Kaz make pumpkin pie. I'll clean it up, I swear. But you know, there doesn't seem to be festivals or celebrations on the continent anymore, and it used to make so much money for places that held them, plus it breaths life into people and makes it seem like life isn't too hard." I said. "So what I am saying is, the October Feast would be really good for Dueling Rivers financially, as well as morally."
"So you're hosting it. You're cleaning it up. And it makes the town money? Alright. I have no reason to refuse it. Just try to keep it as civil as possible." Tilton said.
"Yay!" I hugged him tightly and briefly, "Thanks so much, Tilton!"
Disgruntled, he waved me off, "Yes, yes. Go on. I have a reputation to uphold."
I nodded and said, "I'll make sure you get some pie!" I then dashed off, heading East to recruit Alex, if possible. I knocked on the mansion door that they lived in and a servant let me in, telling me where to find Alex and his family. I went to them and said, "Hello, lovely Briars and Lockhearts."
The kids greeted me, as did Sylvia. "Well hello, Ashtar. And what might you be up to today?"
I grinned and said, "Organizing a Dwarven Celebration in Dueling Rivers for tomorrow, with Tilton's grace. I was wondering if you'd be interested in playing some old songs for an October Feast?"
"What's an October Feast?" Alex asked.
"Think of it as a loud Fey party." Sylvia said. "It's to celebrate Fall and the bountiful harvest. As well as another reason to drink much alcohol."
"Ooh, you know of it, Sylvia?" I asked.
"I attended one long ago. The Tree in the mountain titan was a gift from one of my sort ages ago." She said. "It helps the titan to sleep."
My face went blank. "I... I've been inside a titan?"
"If you've been in the mountain nearby, yes." Sylvia replied.
"Oh." I said. Recovering from the shock after a moment.
"We're invited, aren't we?" Sylvia asked.
"Oh, of course. Pie and roast for everyone." I grinned.
"It sounds like a lovely time, what do you think, Love?" Sylvia turned the question to Alex.
"Any reason to celebrate sounds like a wonderful place for me to be." Alex said.
"So you'll all attend and maybe play if you want?" I asked.
"Oh, I'm sure I'll play." Alex said.
Sylvia said, "As will I. I believe I will help keep the mood from souring and fights from breaking out."
"That would be a huge help." I agreed.
"Mm. A big performance without a bar fight. That sounds like fun." Alex said.
Sylvia laughed lightly, like music. "Then, is it reliant on the Dwarves for alcohol?"
"No, I was gonna import some. It's gonna be tomorrow." I told them.
"Short notice. But I think I may be able to help you with a contact of mine. I will let you know in the morning. I'll handle the acquisition of alcohol. You spread word of the celebration." Sylvia said firmly.
"Are you sure? I'm fine bearing the responsibility.." I said.
"I am sure. Don't worry, and invite towns people from everywhere. You hope to start up celebrations again, don't you?" She asked.
"Yes. I thought people needed a reason to have fun again." I nodded.
"Then we shall help you in your goals." Sylvia smiled.
"Alright. If this is gonna be so legendary, I should catch Ol' Gorthok for roasting." I said.
"I hope this can be a yearly thing." Sylvia said.
"If we do a good enough job, I don't see why it wouldn't be." Alex said.
"DECORATIONS!!" Sienna shouted suddenly, "Can we do it, Please?!"
"I don't see why not." I said.
"Yeeesss." She said. She was super excited.
Alexion rolled his eyes, "Do you even know how to decorate for a celebration like this?"
"Undine and Dryad will help us do it." Sienna said.
"Then you are saying that Nathan and I are helping you?" Alexion asked.
"Uh-huh." Sienna nodded.
"I have never decorated for a celebration, but I can try." Nathan said.
"Traitor." Alexion said. "Fine."
Nathan looked at Alexion. "You should know by now there is no stopping this. Might as well get on board."
Alexion groaned. "Can try, still."
"You cave quick, though." Sienna said.
"Amilissë, they are tag teaming me." Alexion complained.
Sylvia and Alex laughed. "Yes, Alexion, they are. As you helped her and Isarial to do to Nathan previously."
"I promise this is in no way revenge." Nathan said.
He groaned and said, "Let's look at some books on human and Dwarven celebrations."
And that's precisely what the kids hurried to do. Thanking Alex and Sylvia, I headed out to do as I was asked. Using the portal made it easy to get to the other towns and cities. I mentioned it to a few people, and they showed interest. Now predicting it to be a lot bigger, I fetched some more ingredients and headed back to Kaz's.
I handed them over and asked l, "Should I ask the Dwarven Union for help for the preperations? It is primarily for the Dwarves, but for Sylvia's help getting alcohol and her husband to play, she said I must tell other towns about it with invites. So the goal is to make it a yearly thing again. Tilton said it was fine since I'll clean up after it and it'll bring in money for the town."
"If it's gonna be a celebration of that size, I say we should get them involved." Kaz agreed, accepting the additional ingredients.
I nodded. "I'll head and see them, then. Is there someone I should talk to in particular?"
"Hmm.. Just talk to a few people and word will spread, trust me, that's the best way to spread it around and get it to the people in charge." Kaz said.
I nodded and said, "Alrighty. Where shall I bring the game animals to?"
"Ah, leave those with Balnur. He will handle it." Kaz said.
I nodded and headed out. I went to the Dwarven Union and chatted with a few people about hosting a October Feast tomorrow. How Kaz is making pies and Balnur is cooking the roasts, but may need help with all the food. I told them about the spicy peppers and the booze and music, too.
Just like with the towns, the Dwarves got excited. Especially when I said Tilton allowed it. With them talking amongst each other about it, I went to Gregor's office. By this point, I didn't usually wait for an answer. I just knocked and headed in.
"Guess what." I said to him.
"I'm terrible at guessing. Is it something to do with dragons?" Gregor asked.
"No. I've got permission from Tilton to host an October Feast. It's gonna be held tomorrow. Balnur and Kaz are helping with the cooking along with the Dwarven Union, Alex is the music and Sylvia is getting alcohol and making sure fights don't erupt. I'm about to go hunting." I explained.
"Oh wow, that sounds like a hell of a time. What got you into planning this?" He asked.