*Sienna's POV*
Lucretia and I bathed after I'd butchered the animals she'd fed on. Then we chatted idly. After our talk had gone on for around an hour, Plight came down. I stood, looking at him.
His skin was as tanned as my father's now, a healthy sun-loved tone. Another change, his previously lean frame was now nicely muscled, like a well-toned athlete. I forgot what I'd been about to say completely as I looked him over. I noticed his clothes were over tight again.
"How are you feeling?" Lucretia asked, looking at him with a slight frown.
This kind of snapped me out of the staring state I'd been in, "I'll need to let out your clothes again. Maybe we should just get you new clothes." I commented.
"I am feeling rather strong, actually. Which is concerning. New clothes may be beneficial. These are very tight now." Plight answered. "What did he do this time?"
"Sooo... Lucretia may have taunted him inadvertently." Sienna said, "It was actually a little funny."
"What.. what did you say... or do?" Plight asked Lucretia.
"He called me weak. So I pointed out that we came from him. It's like a pot calling a kettle black, you know?" Lucretia said.
He smiled and laughed lightly. "Oh, he must have been infuriated."
"Yes. Sienna had put up a second Leodmund's hut, or I'd have been in real trouble, I think. He tried to dispell it, but I counterspelled him." Lucretia said.
"If I ever hit that stage again... You should probably run." Plight stated.
"Probably. He said that at least my blood is strong. Or at least, I think he did." Lucretia said in a nervous tone.
"When was that?" I asked her, tilting my head.
"While I was feeding on an animal." Lucretia answered.
"How in the world would he have access to your mind?" Plight asked.
"I was drained by you, him, and due to that, I lost control and bit you." Lucretia answered. "I am sorry for biting you, the draining was too quick to be rational about it. If it wasn't you, it would have been her."
"I am fine with you filling yourself on me in such a state. I just hope there is no unintended side effects." Plight said.
"What does happen when vampires feed on each other?" I asked.
"I am not familiar on the subject." Plight said.
Lecretia shifted uncomfortably and said, "Well, his body ingested all of my blood, even if it was for just a moment. So any resistances I have are his. A long with any ability. If I had any he did not already possess. The act of sharing blood between vampires is incredibly intimate. This was not the case, however, so there isn't any euphoria. Vampires do not share blood willingly."
"Unfortunately, I do not know what abilities you may have gotten from him." Plight said.
Lucretia shrugged, "It is fine. It is probably why he jerked me away so quickly. It had been his own fault to begin with."
"If anything, he is certainly not one to share." Plight said.
"Maybe she heard him because of what she did take? What does not having weak blood mean?" I asked.
"If memory serves, it means she has.. what my family called purity of blood. Closest to that of the ancestor's." Plight said.
"Does that mean she would have been locked away like you were? Or is it different?" I asked.
"If the family were still around, then yes. She would have ended up in a box right next to me." Plight said.
Lucretia shuddered.
"I'm sorry.." I said. I'd let out an outfit for him from two other of his outfits while we'd talked. "If you feel up to it, I will resummon Bellam. I think we'll stick to the air from now on."
"I think air travel would be a safer choice. Though, I don't think any of us would have expected that." Plight agreed, nodding.
"I did not. I had not smelt anything." Lucretia said, frowning.
"Here, Love, go change while I summon Bellam." I said, handing him the outfit.
"Thank you," He said, blushing, "Love." He accepted the outfit and went upstairs to change.
Lucretia and I stepped outside, and I used my ocarina to summon Bellam as a pegasus. I calmed him down, explaining what had happened. He recommended I leave Baas out from now on, to scout ahead. I agreed, and summoned Baas as a hummingbird, so he'd be faster and not as easily noticed.
While I was explaining to Baas about what had happened, and why I summoned him to look like that, Plight came out. Baas commented that Plight had 'upgraded'. I smiled at the joke.
"Brother... I should tell you about the passive charm...." Lucretia said suddenly.
"I'm sorry, the what?" Plight asked.
"The stronger the vampire, the more likely they have a passive charm to them. It's allure makes people more inviting towards us and makes them more willing to consent to being fed on. With those who are so inclined to, we can even make them our lover easily, with them nearly throwing themselves at us. I have this passive ability. You likely will, too." Lucretia explained.
"But I don't have it currently... correct?" Plight asked.
"After this, if you didn't, you do." Lucretia said.
I blinked, taking in Plight's expression. "I am an elf. We are resistant to charm. You feel no differently to me from before, Plight. You are just muscly and tan." I inform him.
With him reassured, we climbed onto Bellam's back. Lucretia has to shrink herself to a child's size again, which allowed me to hold her in front of me. She cuddled me and seemed happy to be there.
I noticed she seemed to be avoiding being very close to Plight. Probably because of the bite incident. With as scarred from bites as she was, she may be a little nervous of him.
Flying, we reached Dueling Rivers quickly. Just after breakfast, in fact. We got Plight new clothes, then they turned in the quest and we headed for Hearthstone Town, Flying again. Once bitten, twice as shy, they say. Lucretia returned to her normal form once we reached town again.
Mother and Father were here. We merely had to follow the sound of music being played to find them. They were playing a delightful song together, while children played nearby.
Amazingly, Lucretia cast a spell that caused watery figures to rise from the pool and begin dancing about to the tune they played. The children loved this. While Plight and I listened and watched the show, I received a letter from Sarial.
[Dear Sienna,
I am sorry to trouble you more, especially since I have asked so much of my friends. Tonight there will be a meeting held, Mills and I aren't there to let them in, but if you will talk to Jaden.
He is a large tiger Tabaxi. He is a part of a secret organization that are looking to be useful to town. I have heard he'd been there helping out. Talk to them and join the meeting. I'll use the device so Mills and I can join.
I hope I am not asking too much of you and Plight. How are things there? How are the expansions going? Both to the town and to the office space. I hope everything is going smoothly. I hope to see you soon.
Have you made any progress with Plight? He's been oblivious to your charms that I had seen. The poor fellow. I'll be so glad to welcome you to my family as soon as Plight notices you.
Sarial Hearthry.]
I showed Plight the letter, noticing he'd received one as well. It was similar to mine, except his told him I am very interested in him as a woman is towards a man. And that we'd be an adorable long lived couple with cute eventual little babies.
I laughed over her pointing out to Plight that I'd gotten feelings for him. I also realized that if I hadn't been aggressive Plight wouldn't have noticed my feelings. Then I realized how blessed I was that he'd chosen to return my affections in equal manner. Smiling up at him with love and adoration filling my heart, I asked him for a kiss. Which he happily obliged.
When we looked to Lucretia's watery show again, she'd changed the dancing figures to playing animals that kept tempo with the music. Even Mother and Father seemed to quite enjoy the show themselves, while they continued playing.
After watching for a moment more, Plight and I went to find Jaden. We started this venture by asking Alexion. He'd not paid attention for any tigers. But suggested we talk to Dean. So we went to find Dean, however, I spotted the large tiger man on the way, so we just went up to him.
"Hello, you're Jaden, yes?" I asked, approaching him from the side.
He hesitated a moment, then nodded. "Yes. I am Jaden."
"I'm Sienna and this is Plight. Plight is Sarial's co-founder to Hearthstone Town. It's lovely to meet you, Jaden. Sarial has asked us to attend the meeting with you and yours tonight, and to let you into her office for the meeting tonight." I explained.
He appeared to think this over for a moment. "She's done a lot here in an incredibly short time." He said.
"Yes. She's an amazingly driven person. Mills is with her currently." I replied.
He nodded to himself, "Alright. Yes, I can bring you to the meeting tonight so that you may let us in."
"Sarial and Mills will attend via a communication device." I told him.
"That will be nice." Jaden said, appearing to be thinking on something.
"We'll see you later, then, so we don't take up too much of your time." I say.
With that, Alexion had approached us, collecting Plight for repairing more broken people. And I set up near my mother and Father, working on making and sewing the plush toys I had planned to make for the kids.
Keeping the toys as simple teddy bears, I cut out the parts for a couple of hours. Mother joined me, helping me cut the shapes. By lunch, we had thirty bears cut out. Then we began stitching them. In between the eight hours between lunch and dinner we got sixteen fully stitched and stuffed.
The kids were great about the toys, too. They let them go to the smallest of the kids first. Those kids thoroughly enjoyed the new toys. For some, it may have been the first they'd ever held. Lucretia had approached to watch Mother and I work on the toys. I'd offered to teach her how to make them, but she adamantly shook her head. She apparently had tried sewing for years. She only ever managed to prick herself and make a mess of it. She could crochet and knit, however.
When Plight had came over to us, Lucretia asked him to take her to Dueling Rivers briefly. He agreed to easily enough. She'd said she was scared to go alone. They came back two hours later. She'd gotten yarn and the necessary needles and hooks to crocheting and knitting, Plight told me while we all had dinner with the people. Plight and Lucretia had hunted while they were out, too.
Dinner was great. We brought my family into the family area after. Sarial and Mills called us on the device, and we chatted a bit. I laughingly told Sarial that she needn't worry about her oblivious brother. We'd become a proper couple. She beamed brightly at the news and we informed her about my dad being back the being that had stayed in her bag had been my dad.
She cheered that and said she'd tell her mom. Her mom misses him dearly, after all. We started telling her about how things were progressing in the town. How Plight was helping Alexion fix peoples disabilities, though only the ones who wanted it done. We also told her about Lucretia.
She listened intently to what we had to say bout our time with Lucretia, our discovery of them being related, and how we were going to take her to Ymir's Town. She was thrilled for Plight without even batting an eye of concern about her. She asked for what reason she was being taken to Ymir's Town. So we told her about her engagement to Phintias, the librarian there.
During this conversation, Alexion had begun to frown. Father spoke up about Phintias, saying he knows him that he's a good fellow but a bit quirky. Sarial had went still when Father had spoken, then she commented that rumors about Alexander were not exaggerations, and that he should know, speaking makes their image appear for them, like if Mills spoke, we'd see him. Prompted to do so, Mills did speak. He said it was good to hear about the town. He'd appeared for us, just as Sarial had said he would.
It was good to know, and she explained she wasn't scolding us, just letting us know. She also smiled and said it was great to meet Alexander, even if just through the communication device.
Father said, "It's lovely to meet you, Sarial. I suspect I will begin hearing from your mom soon."
"Oh, definitely, tomorrow." Sarial responded, grinning.
"Lucretia is a vampire, then?" Alexion asked, "Does that mean Phintias is, too?"
"Yes. Phintias is a vampire." Alexander said, "He doesn't particularly hide it, but he doesn't go around announcing it, either. You could probably tell by his attire, though."
"Just a moment, I feel I've been left out of some key information. Who all is a vampire, here?" Mills asked, confused.
Sarial said in an unbothered and offhand tone, "It wasn't particularly pertinent to me. Vampire, human, elf, feline, or something in between, I don't see a difference. People are people. But, since you already are aware now, Plight, Lucretia and Phintias are vampires. Though, I have not met the other two."
"Uhh. It's fine... It's just a bit surprising, I suppose." Mills replied.
Sarial exhaled in relief and said, "You don't care?"
"Not particularly, no. It's alright. As you said, people are people. And Plight has shown to be one of the finest I've met." Mills replied.
"Oh good," Sarial said, in an almost joking tone, "I thought I'd have to hurt you."
"Well, I'm glad you don't have to. It's a rather terrifying thought." Mills said.
"Sorry, I have to stick to my morals. Plight's a great person, and I love and respect him. I can't turn my back on him. If you'd taken issue with him, I'd have had to try and correct you." Sarial explained, guiltily.
"Corre.. correct me? Ok. Well, I am glad once again that I do not take after my family." Mills said, jokingly terrified.
"Ah, about the office space and your home behind it...." I said hesitantly. Acting anxious.
Sarial's face was apprehensive, "Did something happen? Is it impossible to expand? It's fine if it is. I'll just need to adjust plans."
"You are a very positive person. As it is, it's finished, entirely. Furnished, too." I replied.
Sarial's face went blank. Then she blinked. "It's complete?"
"Yes. Dryad, the spirit of nature, particularly wood, and his friends made all kinds of furniture for us all. The rest of my spirit friends expanded the space for us, all the rooms are done and furnished. I did change your plans a bit. I added a kitchen and dining space to the plans." I told her, "Sarial, you are going to love your room and the nursery."
"I can't wait to see it. Since it's all furnished, feel free to invite Jaden and them into the family room, only. Typically, I would rather only my people be permitted past the office. My people's families as well. " Sarial stated.
"Your spirit friends sound quite helpful." Mills said, "I'm sure it looks amazing. Is this a show of faith for them? To let them into your private area?"
"In a way, yes. If I treat them like my own people, perhaps they will become my own." Sarial said. "It is a better alternative than potentially needing to dispose of them. Especially, after you spoke well of them."
"Well, if you want followers, showing strength and kindness is a way to do it." Mills said. "Above all, loyalty to your people."
"Hm. What is your opinion on my cute little town, Alexander?" Sarial asked. "I'm sure you've been told of the ideas behind it."
"I think it's a wonderful town with a beautiful idea behind it. I have met some truly interesting people down here." Alexander said, "And I think you'll truly appreciate what they've done with the place."
"In all honestly, my expectations have already been vastly exceeded. Sienna is a great like-minded treasure, and Alexion is a stalwart protective individual that I haven't been able to get to know well." Sarial said. "If I can convince them to stay, I will gain invaluable allies."
"I have responsibilities back home." Alexion said, "But I am sure Sienna is staying."
"I would prefer to stay with Plight. I do not have any responsibilities." I said cheerfully.
"I would prefer that as well. And I like helping Sarial out, so I suppose we are staying." Plight decided.
Sarial smiled and said, "Well, hell. I'm incredibly blessed. It's about time for the meeting, someone let them in, will you?"
Plight went and let them into the office, then into the family room. The group looked around, the dwarves stunned, the gnome amazed, and the humans mutely curious. Jaden was absolutely grinning, utterly pleased.
"Yes, very nice." The human woman said, "Let's begin the meeting."
"Very well, I'm very pleased to welcome you all into my Family Room, though, I apologize for not being there personally, Mills is here with me. I've managed to entangle myself in the downfall of the Denoirs." Sarial greeted them, "As such, I will be in the Capital until after the trial at the least."
The human man said, "The downfall of the Denoirs would be a great boon for our goals. I would like to be the first to say that what you have constructed here is very promising. If the Denoirs are truly removed from the picture, then it would be good to find out whoever the King will turn this land over to."
"If you'll allow me to speculate, Ivan, I believe the King will pass the land to the noble house most damaged by the Denoirs as of this time." Sarial said, "Which would be the Desquins. Those people Plight, Sienna, Alexion and I killed were murderous thugs paid by the Denoirs and set up in East Haven. The problem is, I am not sure who the Desquins will pass it to. This is, of course, assuming that things will go strictly by the laws of the High Courts." She smirked as though amused by a thought, "I know all the nobility well, as long as it doesn't fall to Elmire, I can reason with the owner. Elsewise, I will fight using the legal loopholes I can exploit as a courtier, and an adventurer."
Jaden said, "I can help persuade the nobility. Money tends to work well with them."
"That's cheaper then using up favors." Sarial agreed. "I much prefer to keep Zeronis owing me."
Jaden chuckled and said, "A lawyer owes you a favor? That's a story I'd like to hear."
"Yes, yes," Ivan said, "I am sure it's a riveting tale, but we are here for a reason."
"Then do speak." Sarial said, "I can tell Jaden anything he'd like to hear when I return."
"You have your town started. When do you plan on implementing your ideals?" He asked.
"I'm going to assume you don't mean the insult you gave just now. Ideals are unobtainable. My IDEAS are coming to fruition." Sarial says, her face blank, "Dean is laying out the ground work already. As long as it continues smoothly, implementation is right around the corner."
The Elderly dwarf spoke now, "Yes, yes, well politics are well handled. What me and my people want to know is, how deep do you want us to go? There us already that hole that extends down. Do we want to make this place into a city? I know you surface dwellers aren't big on deep cities but if we find a cavern bug enough it can feel like the surface."
"And there's a lot of ores in here." I pointed out, remembering it.
"I was entertaining expanding. Displaced people are easy to move around as it is." Sarial said.
"Whereas your statement is true, it doesn't quite answer the question." The elder said.
"Right, Elder Alberich, I apologize. I've no current plans available for expanding with that tunnel, but yes, I did intend for it to be done eventually. If you and yours wish to get on with it sooner rather than later, I will not argue it being done. I only ask that the magic circle not be disturbed. I intend it to become an easy port to link us to the Capital and Ymir's Town." Sarial said.
"Easily done. You'll be amazed what can be done without touching... whatever that is. Obviously our efforts here in the cave will not diminish." Elder Alberich said.
"I trust that it wouldn't." Sarial replied. "Out of curiosity what ores did you find?"
"I didn't pay much attention to it. I know several was iron, but there were also different ores." I replied.
Sarial nodded and said, "Alright. Mills, do you have any suggestions regarding anything?"
"Try to add some options for leisure. The town is located underground. So it may be easier for people to get a little dreary." Mills said.
"If I know Dean well, I'd say he's got some things going with the dwarves to have fun with already." Sarial said, "It just becomes an issue of when it'll be completed."
"It's not really dark anywhere in here, but if you're concerned about darkness, I can ask Wisp or Lumina to alter the state of the cavern's ceiling to create sunshine in the town." I offered.
"Yes, that would be a wonderful idea." Mills said, "If that is something you can have reflect the actual sun's movements, I believe people will enjoy it."
"Not a problem, it will probably just take plenty of mana." I reply. "My friends are happy to help if I ask."
The gnome looked at me, "Having spirits help in this way is truly remarkable, and I'd love to meet them." She said.
"I can call them," I tell her, "They enjoy attention and sweets."
She patted herself and said, "I don't have anything."
I laughed a little, and summoned Undine, asking her to call the rest. She did so, and I shared the cookies with them. "Just be careful if you decide to call them, if they do not like you..." I left it at that.
Gnome looked at Elder Alberich with great curiosity. Undine sat in my lap, watching everyone. Dryad was looking at Father with a miffed expression. Salamander went to Mother and cuddled her, sharing his cookie with her.
Dryad said, "Sienna, Sienna, that human is mean, don't let him play tricks." He was pointing at Father.
"He was mean." Undine nodded, unconcerned. "Sienna won't let him be. Eat your cookie or I will take it. Is this some mortal meeting? I want to play, include me. What is going on? Is it interesting?"
Ivan said, "This meeting has devolved. I'll be sending you a letter shortly, Sarial. If you'll excuse me." Without waiting, he got up to leave.
"I'll look forward to the letter. Be sure to not offend the fey present in your leaving. Hearthstone Town cannot afford such a thing." Sarial said. "Especially as there may be an Archfey present."
Mother gave me an amused look. Ivan turned towards mother, bowed slightly, "I do hope none of my actions have offended you. If any have, please do lay the blame at my feet."
"It's fine. We have all been equally rude, by not making introductions. I also believe several of us were not invited to be present for your meeting. The Town being built here is vastly entertaining. I hope for it to flourish under such interesting guidance." Mother said. "I am Sylvia Briar of the Summer Seeley Court."
"I am Ivan, no one of import, I'm afraid. But even one such as I have things I must attend to. So, I must be on my way. I do hope you continue to find this little town to your liking." Ivan said politely.
Mother inclined her head and said, "Go safely, Ivan of no import."
Ivan flinched a little and went on, back through the office and out. I gave my mother a curious look. Undine started laughing finding the situation unbearably hilarious. Then Dryad stole the rest of her cookie. She immediately stopped laughing with a murderous gaze.
"Please don't fight. I had a question for you all." I said, trying to distract from the pending battle.
"What question?" Gnome asked, curious, but also rooting for a fight.
"Can the sun shine through for our town?" I asked.
Gnome frowned and shook his head, "No way."
Undine whirled on him, "Yes way. Water reflects light and there's lotsa water nearby. And a wonderful spring below."
Gnome argued, "It's stone and dirt in there. Can't do it."
"Wisp and Undine can make it happen." Dryad said. "Undine can make a type of screen on the ceiling and Wisp can make Lumina link the sun cycle to the watery screen. Duh."
"Yeah, it can be done that way, or as a sort of mirror." Salamander said. "Stone-brained Gnome."
"Well, fine. But it wouldn't be permanent." Gnome huffed.
"It can be. Would just have to settle the matter with the right beings." Undine said, matter of factly.
The gnome looked utterly enchanted by the spirits. The human woman asked, "How are they able to mold and create sunlight here?"
"Undine will make a type of screen, or mirror out of water and Wisp and Lumina will let the water refract the sun and sky from out there to in the cavern." I explained.
"Well, that does sound truly handy." the human woman said.
"I am Breena," The gnome said.
The other's introduced themselves, too, after Jaden's prompt. Jaden the Tabaxi, Alberich, Ohgren and Ebrek dwarves, and Laura the human. We all introduced ourselves in kind. The dwarves and human headed out after that. Breena and Jaden stuck around and we all had a pleasant chat.
Once they left, Amilessë and Ada went to bed. Plight and I went to our room, too. For cuddles and research. Our cuddles devolved into passionate bliss in the night.