When I started getting tipsy, I became sleepy fast. Many people were either passed out drunk, or close to there. It was shocking to see how many people hit on Alexander. Sylvia didn't react to it at all, nor did she react when men flirted with her. Since I was becoming sleepy, I stopped drinking and snuggled up to Gregor.
"Alright. Let's take you home and to bed. You seem to be passing out on your feet." Gregor said.
"Okies. We can go home. Have you had a good time?" I asked.
"I've had a wonderful time, and I'm sure everyone else has. Even Tilton, even if he won't admit it." Gregor said.
"The pie was the best." I said, as we walked towards the Guild Hall.
"That was definitely one of the best desserts I've had in my life." Gregor agreed.
"Heehee, now you know why it's my favorite pie." I grinned. "I guess I just get tired when I drink. Isn't that silly?"
"It's alright." He said, clearly amused, "let's just get you to bed."
After we got to the guild building and went upstairs, I washed my face to get the makeup off in the bathroom. To my amazement, it didn't bother me very much. I headed to his room after drying my face. I undid the corset, there was no way I was wearing this dress to bed and wrinkling it entirely. After I got the corset off, I put it in my bag, out of habit, and started taking off my dress to hang it up.
He coughed, uncomfortably, and said, "Did you want me to leave the room?"
"Mm? No?" I looked at him. "We've been together for around six months.."
"True. And I've yet to see you naked.. so I thought it was a concern of yours." Gregor replied.
I blushed a bit and asked, "Well.. are you uncomfortable?"
"I'm in our room staring at a beautiful woman. I am perfectly fine." Gregor replied.
I smiled and laughed a little. "I don't want it to get wrinkled if I sleep in it. Corsets are also restricting."
"Isn't that what they are made for?" Gregor asked.
"To make the waist look skinnier in turn, makes the hips look wider.. Did it work?" I asked, smoothing my hands down my side, resting them on my hips. "I don't know why that's desirable."
"I am not myself. But it was working. In a couple of ways." Gregor said.
I blushed, smiled and said, "Glad you liked it."
I turned back and finished undoing the back of the dress. Why were the buttons on the back? Once I'd gotten the one at waist level unbuttoned, the dress slid down, catching at my elbows. I stepped out of it and lifted it, putting it on a hanger. I noticed there seemed to be more in there than usual.
I hadn't worn a breast band with the dress, so I was only in my underwear now. Turning to him, I asked, "Did you get more hangers?"
"..Yes.. I-I did get more hangers." Gregor said, looking completely mystified.
I smiled at him, then approached the bed, where I'd left my bag. "Are you tired?"
"I really should be, but currently I have an um.. very awake." Gregor answered.
My smile turned confused. The sentence made no sense. "D'you wanna talk, then?" I crouched, pulling my night shirt from the bag and putting it on.
He cleared his throat again and said, "I'm sorry, just trying to calm myself down so we can go to bed."
I gave him a hug, and kissed his face. "To cal, ohh." I realized the problem. He was aroused.
"Eh, yes. Trying to get myself under control." He said.
"Because of my breasts?" I asked.
"Yes. And you're lovely figure." He said.
Impulsively, I gave him a kiss. He returned the kiss enthusiastically.
"That.. does not help my self control. If you keep that up, I don't know what I'll be able to do." Gregor warned.
I got anxious about that. I laid down on his bed, then I frowned and sat up, the pins in my hair had pricked me. "Ouch." I said, as I started trying to removed them.
He started helping me remove the pins, then he brushed my freed hair away from my neck and kissed me there. I shivered and my breath hitched, feeling his warm breath and the light scrape of his beard there.
"Sorry." He said, "Couldn't control myself."
"Mmn, that's ok." I replied, kissing him.
He pulled me into his lap, kissing me in return. I sighed softly, wrapping my arms and legs around him, enjoying his warmth and affection. He sighed deeply, leaning back his head. "I have done nothing but make my problem worse."
We seldom ended up in a position like this one. I could easily end the situation.. but I wasn't afraid at this moment. Instead, I placed my hands along his jaw and gave him another kiss. Arguably, he'd been far more patient with me, and much more strict with his self control than I properly considered.
He looked me in my eyes, "Ashtar, I have a lot of control.. but it is slipping."
I could see the barely restrained desire within him, in his breathing and the way his eyes looked. As much instinctual as it was a primal urge. He wanted me, with a fierce need. It was a terrifying to me. This what what led me to stopping the activity every time thus far.
A primal fear of facing a beast on the verge of rampage, that was the best way to describe the moment. He was warning me off of continuing, probably seeking to not be stopped in the same way as it had been every other time we'd gotten this close.
He noticed the acknowledgement in my own eyes. He allowed me to pull partly away, the thing he didn't expect, was my next action being to pull my night shirt off. I still had that fear in my heart, but I stamped it down. With my cheeks fiercely red, I said, "It's ok."
His arms closed around me, and his lips met my own in a possessive manner. Laying me back, he caressed my bare skin, pausing to toy with my breasts. He seemed to have regained his control a bit. I kissed him back, my own hands undoing his belt, and moving to pull his shirt off.
He helped, with a growl, tossing it to the side. I ran my hands across his stomach, then chest, rubbing his neck and jaws as he slowly kissed down my neck to tease my breasts with his lips and tongue. I squirmed and moaned at the unfamiliar sensation. Gasping when he sucked on my nipple.
One of his hands trailed down my side to my thigh that was still wrapped around his waist. I squeezed my legs around him, still wiggling beneath him. With a playful nip to my breast, he rubbed himself against my core, making me moan from the intense heat there.
My moans continued as he teased our bodies, until he kissed me again. I kissed him in return and held onto his shoulders, my core beginning to throb and nearly ache. Stopping the kisses, I complained as I squirmed, "Gregor, that.."
Slipping his hand into my dampened underwear, he stroked my core before sliding a finger inside. I cried out, my back arching and my body throbbed as I climaxed for the first time. He began to stroke the inside, while I writhed, panted and moaned at the sensation.
He barely had the patience to remove his own pants and undergarment at this point, and if not for my assistance, he'd have surely torn my own underwear in his rush to join us. He pressed himself inside, a burst of pain in spite of the pleasure, it was so solid and foreign.
I'd flinched and cried out at it, a different sound, making him pause, he nearly withdrew. My nails dug into his shoulder, as I begged him not to move. He bit his lip, putting in an effort to stay still. Breathing harshly, he lowered his head onto my shoulder, lifting me slightly to wrap his arms around me.
The initial pain began to dull as his breaths teased me. He was struggling in this moment. Especially as he felt my body beginning to relax into him again, I turned his face to look at me, smiled and nodded at him before kissing him.
Returning that kiss his hips began rocking slowly, carefully, before long we were both lost in the passion between us again. His hands soon moved to grip my hips as he pounded deeply inside. It felt like all I could do was hold onto his broad shoulders.
His breaths carried their own grunts of pleasure. His hips began to move quicker as I felt him more deeply, filling my core entirely. With mutual cries, something hot poured into my center. He kissed me hotly, then, growling deeply. Returning the kiss, I thought, if I'd been tired before, I was exhausted now.
"Are you alright?" He asked once he'd withdrew from me and recovered enough to do so.
I blinked at him and said, "Scratched you.."
"I'm fine." He breathed. "But that doesn't answer my question."
"Are you gonna hold me tonight?" I asked.
"I could not imagine doing anything else." He replied.
Turning bright red at a sensation I noticed between my legs, I said, "Something's coming out..."
"Ah. Um. I'll get a towel." He said.
"Is that normal?" I asked.
"I'm not sure..?" He replied before getting up and fetching a towel.
He brought back a towel after a moment and helped me clean up. There was blood and a white substance. I also noticed my hips were a bit sore. I was a bit too sleepy to worry about the stuff at the moment.
"Mm. Gregor." I mumbled. "Hold me."
He chuckled before picking me up, and pulling back the cover to get into bed. He tucked me against his body, and I quickly fell asleep. This was how I woke in the morning.
I stretched, noticing soreness in my lower back and hips. "Morning."
"Good morning." He greeted.
I wasn't really sure what to say to him this morning. We'd had sex last night, and I was naked still. So was he. I felt my face turning red. "Looks like the scratches are gone already."
"I'm a quick healer. Are you alright?" He asked.
"I'm sore." I admitted.
"I know several fantastic massages. These hands aren't only for punching." He said.
"You just want an excuse to touch my body." I joked.
"That is certainly a plus." He agreed.
"You're allowed to." I said. "I've gotta clean things up outside."
"I wasn't joking. I really can massage soreness out of you before you have to go tidy things up." Gregor said.
I hesitated, "If you want to. Maybe I'll sleep longer."
"Alright, then." Gregor said, turning me over and beginning to massage my hips and lower back.
It felt quite nice. His hands were always warm, his knowledge of pressure points were really handy at the moment. It was simply a matter of muscles protesting their sudden and different use. I was between sleepy and becoming aroused once more.
I did end up falling to sleep with his masterful hands tending to their task of easing the pain. When I woke back up, he'd left me a glass of juice and some fresh bread for breakfast. I'd told him once that it was my favorite.
After I ate, I pulled on my night shirt to go bathe in Gregor's bathroom, thankful to no longer be sore. My only annoyance as I scrubbed my body was that my hair was all a tangle. I took the time to sort it out, wash and braid it, before dressing and taking the dishes to the kitchen.
I headed out to start clean up, only to find there was no clean up to be had. Some of the flowers remained here and there, but they weren't a problem to leave alone. Nor was there any hay strewn about. I went around checking on people.
Besides hangovers, everyone was raving about how much fun they'd had. So I hadn't much to do about anything this morning. With that being the case, I went to Kaz's bakery to check on him. This is when I recieved a packaged up pumpkin pie, as thanks in a way, but also just because.
He'd saved it special, just for me. I graciously thanked him, and he thanked me in kind. He'd enjoyed the feast and was able to woo the woman he liked. Plus, he'd meant it when he'd said he'd make a pie with all the toppings for me. I was more than thrilled with it.
I returned to the guild house, storing the pie in Gregor's room, then spent most of the day chatting with Krista and keeping other adventurers in check. I was most known for this. If they stepped out of line too far I'd get onto them. Few of them actually connected my robbing them with their actions.
The ones that didn't learn didn't get their things back. The ones that did apologize for acting out got their stuff back. A few tried to take revenge on me outside of town.. it never worked. Plus, it's not like I held onto the things I stole from them. Often it went to the victims of their jerkiness.
I knew exactly what game I was playing, and knew the possible results. It wasn't because of Kershka, Gregor or Tilton that I did this. I did it because the adventurers needed coraling in many cases. Besides, complaining about being robbed as an adventurer was humiliating.
After a lazy day, Gregor and I had dinner together at the Tavern and went to bed. This soon became a comfortable pattern, and just like he'd wanted. A relationship where we can both do our own thing. I went adventuring while he worked, or stayed around town, helping with small things.
It had significantly boosted the guild's reputation, especially as several adventurers also picked up on my friendliness. There were still hot heads coming out, and jerks within, but for the most part people realized that the townsfolk would seek you out and reward you for helping them if you treated them well.
I ended up with a guy that would head out with me, when I selected quests. I was choosey with which ones I took, only staying nearby so I could have dinner with Gregor. This guy's name was Cassius. He was a quiet and young fighter, a little younger than myself.
I didn't mind him following me, he mostly kept to himself, occasionally asking questions. I treated him both differently than any other person. I answered his curiosities as they came about. He gained knowledge of some herbs from me. I was just glad he wasn't trying anything. I'd become unfriendly real fast.
Either way, it allowed me to take on more dangerous quests. I started treating him like a companion after a few weeks. He never spoke his opinion on any of the quests we went on. Around December, Bibs' birthday month, I learned it was Isarial's birthday, soon too. I also met his mother, who was over protective.
So I was after buying some treats, I went to look for a birthday gift the boy might enjoy. This was when I came across Cassius being hassled by a few stronger adventurers. They were accusing him of riding my coattails and roughing him up. After beating on him some, they demanded he speak.
When Cassius did, he said, "How could I not want to stay near such a warm person?"
This answer didn't pleased them. Even as it surprised me, I'd allow it no further. I kicked the back of one of their legs out and slammed my dagger hilt into the next ones face. This quickly turned into a pretty serious scrap, until the town guards had fetched help. They couldn't break up a fight between adventurers, bringing Gregor.
Which was reasonable. Several townsfolk were watching the fight with weary guards watching, trying to make sure it didn't spill to the crowd. This was the scene Gregor walked up to. My braids undone, my bow and dagger tossed aside, I'd not wanted to seriously harm the adventurers, and I'd thrown their weapons far from the fight, which was exactly what drew the guards' attention.
I was a little battered, the men were worse, with Cassius having recieved most of it. As soon as Gregor stopped the bigger of the men, Cassius put his hands up and stepped back against the wall. I ducked another punch flung my way, and didn't need to worry about anything else, so took a step back to retrieve my dagger and bow.
Gregor looked at me, then. "And how did this come about?"
I shrugged and said, "I decided to attack them from behind because they were being assholes."
"Being assholes how? Hard to assign a punishment if I don't know what happened." Gregor said.
"They were hitting Cassius because he's been going on quests with me." I replied.
One of them tried to protest the words, but shame faced, Cassius said, "It's not like she is lying. I didn't realize she was nearby till she clobbered the one, and kicked the other."
Gregor looked at him. "So you're the Cassius I've been hearing about. Sorry we haven't met yet. But if Ashtar is willing to defend you, I'll assume you didn't start it. So this leads me to believe this is entirely on you lots, again. I warned you the last time, if I had to come fetch you for something, then you were going to be retrained. And retrain you, I shall. You will both be losing a rank, and going through my personal training course." He started dragging the big one towards the Guild, "And maybe we'll try yoga this time."
The smaller of the adventuring thugs said, "She started it."
I started checking Cassius' injuries. The younger man was uncomfortable with the attention.
"Then you're lucky she threw her weapon away." Gregor responded to the guy.
This was true, as a rogue I had the advantage on dealing a quick burst of damage to them due to the sneak aspect. I looked at Cassius and said, "Well, nothing's broken, but I'd recommend resting. Remember the herbs for bruising and such?" He nodded. "Good, lad." I patted him, then turned towards the guards, and grinned, which split my lip. "Sorry bout that."
"Haah, its alright. Someone had to teach those guys a lesson." A guard replied.
I nodded and gave apologies to the townspeople for the fight, they didn't really mind. Cassius handed me my broken hair tie, not saying anything, before heading to the Inn. I figured his pride was wounded. I wasn't sure, but I figured he'd be ok later.
Someone handed me my treats that I hadn't realized I'd dropped, and so I headed to the guild hall. I'd go upstairs and clean up and treat my wounds. I greeted Krista on the way upstairs, and once in mine and Gregor's room, began examining my bruises. With the kit he'd given me, I tended the wounds after making a bruise cream.
Later, I went back downstairs to chat with Krista. I asked her what kind of gift do you give an adult like four year old, so we got into a long conversation about that. By the time a decision was reached, it was close to dinnertime. Of course, we did get interrupted a few times by Clara, and by adventurers turning in quests.
It didn't take long for Gregor to approach me, since I was in the building with Krista. We had dinner together, and went back home. He'd behaved as he always did the entire time, but clearly, this was when he decided to address the incident.
"Alright. I wouldn't be much of a guild leader if I didn't scold everyone involved. Obviously you were in the right. You were defending your friend. They were being complete assholes." Gregor said. "But obviously you can't just beat the shit out of people in the open."
"Well, technically, I wasn't beating the shit out of anyone, they'd have won that scuffle. Believe me, I won't be facing them directly again if they choose to do the same again. And it wasn't in the open, it was behind a building out of sight until I disarmed them. I didn't want to chance weapons being used." I explained. "But I am well aware that I was also in the wrong there for how I handled it."
"Well, as long as you understand. That's all I was after. I'm obviously not going to lower your rank for defending someone. That would just be silly." Gregor said.
"You can. And you can instate a fine." I replied. "I'm sorry to say so, but it wouldn't impact me either way. It would only enforce to others that their poor actions will not be tolerated."
"Yes, but I want to encourage people to defend others. Fining you for doing so would be counter productive." Gregor said.
"Possibly... Cassius apparently follows me because I am a warm person. That was probably the most defiant I've seen the boy." I told him.
"How does he do on your adventures?" He asked.
"He does well. Perhaps a little impulsive, but he listens well and asks questions when he's unsure. It's helpful, because I can take more difficult quests with his help, but he seldom offers an opinion." I said.
"Hm. He may feel his opinions aren't informed enough to voice." Gregor said.
"I guess. He doesn't talk much at all. I think what he said to you is the longest sentence I've heard." I replied.
"Hm. May just be a shy boy." He said.
"I guess I'm glad I wasn't annoying him, acause you know how I can get to jabbering. Then again, I guess it would be logical to just not follow me if I was. He practically turns to stone when Sienna talks to him." I laughed.
"I suppose he is a shy boy indeed then. Maybe I shouldn't speak with him. Might intimidate the poor boy." Gregor said.
I gave Gregor a hug. "I suppose those two are jealous for whatever reason. It's not like I take on any prestigious quests. He's also tough for a new adventurer."
"I would imagine most people would be jealous of him for getting to walk around with you." Gregor said.
"They could simply do so. I've never been antisocial unless the person is trying to get in my pants." I said.
"Has someone tried?" Gregor asked.
"Randal wanted to. Don't remember? He pitched a fit and got carried away by Kershka. Haven't seen or heard of him since." I said.
"Ah, right. I have a tendency to forget the particularly stupid ones." Gregor replied.
"That's ok. You're my important one." I grinned.
He smiled and kissed me. "And you are mine. So other than that, how was your day?"
"Oh, I talked to Krista a whole lot about what to get Isarial for his birthday. It's in seven days. Met his birth mother, too. I'm pretty sure she wanted to break me." I giggled, "I think it's the first time I've seen him acting like a clingy small child."
"I didn't know that boy knew how to do that." Gregor commented.
"Her name was Adelaide and she's super tall." I told him.
"For some reason I never expected his birth mother to be alive." Gregor said.
I said, "I hadn't thought about it, but I agree."
I didn't spare that much thought, though. My body was sore from being pummeled, not that I had the right to complain. It was my decision to fight them. I was a little worried he'd get accused of favoritism, just because it was a blatant fact that I lived with him. Who hadn't seen us eating dinner and breakfast together? Or seen us being affectionate?
I pulled off my shirt and pants to put in my night shirt. "How was your day?"
"Well, I've begun the process of trying to lay claim to that keep to expand the guild. It's going to be a lengthy process." Gregor said.
"Oh? Why is that?" I asked.
"Well, they don't want the guild to own the territory apparently. But they have no actual reason to give." He replied.
"Hmm. Well, what about talking Isarial into ownership and donation?" I asked with a cheeky grin.
"We could try that rout. I doubt they'd be able to say as much if it was a Hearthry laying claim to it." Gregor noted.
I kissed his face and said, "He's a nice baby."
"I haven't had too many interactions with him, so I'll have to take your word for it." Gregor said.
We were settled into bed, in each other's arms. It's how we were used to sleeping. In the morning, we were having breakfast downstairs when a messenger arrived with an urgent message for Gregor.
He accepted it, looking it over. After a moment he said, "Hoh, well, that's gonna be annoying to deal with."
"What's the matter?" I asked.
"Well, apparently the guild in the Capital is shutting down and I need to go get paperwork to transfer guild licenses here." Gregor said.
"That sounds really weird." I commented.
"Could be retribution for trying to take the keep." He said.
"Hm. I wouldn't know. But I reckon that's more reason to talk to Isarial and his family about it." I pointed out.
"Yeah, I can stop by their place while I'm out there. Take out several birds with one big rock." Gregor decided.
"Gonna use Hearthstone to get there?" I asked.
"Oh, that'll speed up the process some." Gregor said.
I nodded and smiled at him. "A trip from the office isn't bad every now and again."
"It has been a while since I've been to the Capital. I wonder how the Crimson Hoof is doing." Gregor pondered.
I wasn't aware of what that was, so I shrugged while we finished our breakfast. "How long d'you think it'll take?"
"Hopefully a day at most since I'll be teleporting there and back." Gregor said.
I nodded and said, "Alright." I supposed I could go with him, but since it was official business it'd be inappropriate to do so. "I'll stick closer to town."
"I suppose I'll head out around noon. The sooner I get this done the sooner I get back." Gregor said.
"Anything I can help you with?" I asked.
"I should be alright. Hopefully nothing burns down with me gone for a day." He said.
I smiled. He headed upstairs for the now and I went to bother Kershka. I was determined to not be clingy. Gregor sought me out and gave me a kiss before heading East for the next town just before noon. I finished my chat with Kershka and did a few things around town to help out. I had dinner with Bibs and Kershka, though I returned to our room for bed.
I couldn't sleep much tonight. The bed was too big and empty. I skipped breakfast this morning and instead exercised with the training equipment. I spent much of the day bothering them before heading to Tilton's to chat with him. I was expecting Gregor to probably come home today.
However, by dinner time, he was still not back. That was fine. I had dinner by myself and goofed off until bed time. I was significantly tired, but once in bed I couldn't sleep. I was cold and too free. The bed still too large. I took the pillows and tucked them around myself and was able to sleep a little then. But I kept waking up. And not to find him.
The next day I decided official business or not be damned. I was going to head to the Capital and find him. I missed him a lot. I bathed and fetched some bread to eat and headed towards Hearthstone. An odd soft tinking sound could be heard as I crossed the second bridge to Hearthstone.
Initially, I was determined to ignore it. I even took several steps away from the bridge towards Hearthstone. But I stopped. With a high amount of anxiety rushing over me, I turned and waded into the water looking for the tinking. I had to hold onto the bridges edge, since I couldn't swim, but there in the water, tapping against a rusted nail was Gregor's helmet.
I grabbed it, and pulled myself back through the water towards shore. Gregor never took this helmet off. Cold with fear and worry more than the water's icy chill, I fumbled for the Sending Stone, when Alex's kids screeched my name, running towards me. They were not coming from their homes direction.
They explained about how they'd been hunting and their father had disappeared. Sienna showed me a pendant that was beautiful, but not glowing. It should be glowing if her daddy was in the Mundane, she told me. That was it's purpose. Biting my lip, trying to fight my emotions.
I focused on comforting them, and telling them I'd get to the bottom of this. I took the kids home to their mom, trying to be all smiles. After a brief conversation about Alex and Gregor disappearing, and when they had, I practically ran to Bibs' house with the helmet clutched to my chest.
"Kershka, is Bibs in?" I blurted the moment I saw the man sitting and whitling on the bench before Bibs' house as usual.