The camp was quiet in the late afternoon, the soft hum of daily life fading as goblins worked and moved around. Lance sat near his tent on a shaped log, holding a sizable dagger, polishing the small blade that Kaeli had made for him. He appeared rather engrossed in his thoughts rather than the act of sharpening the blade.
Lia who noticed him approached with her usual calm demeanor, carrying a somewhat crude wooden jug of water. She handed it to him, settling beside him on the log.
"You've been deep in thought all day," Lia observed, her sharp yellow eyes studying him.
Lance sighed, setting the blade down. "Just trying to sort some things out." He said, thinking back on some recent events that had happened following his interaction with Rynne. Somehow, everything occurred in succession, in a chain of motion.
Though none had been as intense as the interaction with Rynne, they were the most he had experienced with Mira, Kaeli and Zarra.
Listening, Lia became more curious. "Things?" Lia tilted her head slightly as she asked.
"Yeah," Lance said, running a hand through his hair. He paused for a moment, looking to go through a moment of inner dialogue to determine if he should tell Lia. After a brief silence, he decided to. "This… dynamic with everyone. Rynne, Mira, Kaeli, Zarra… and you. It's… complicated." He said, his eyes focused on the blade in his hand, though not directly on it.
Lia's eyes widened briefly as she heard what he had said, smiling faintly, her expression amused but kind. 'What have they been up to?' She thought to herself, understanding exactly what Lance was talking about. It seemed like she had been left behind on something very important.
"It might be complicated for you, perhaps. For us, it's quite natural." She said, smiling warmly, looking down on her hands and the half drunk water in it as she stirred it slightly.
Lance's expression scrunched up, turning to look at her a bit, "natural? How so?"
Lia's smile widened, and she shifted to face him fully. "Lance, have you considered how we goblins view relationships?"
"I can't say I've had time to dive into it," Lance admitted, his tone uncertain. Perhaps, he had never gone that deep into it in his thoughts and instead just imposed his own understanding to it.
"Let me enlighten you then," Lia said, her voice carrying a note of humor. "In goblin culture, having one partner isn't the norm or even a preference. Our tribes value community and connection above exclusivity. More than anything, having multiple partners is encouraged, especially for the more powerful."
Lance blinked, her words sinking in. "You're saying it's, normal?"
"Very much so," Lia replied. "Especially for our chiefs. Strength, both in character and physically, is admired. More than not, as the chief, you're expected to build bonds that strengthen the tribe as a whole… you're more than expected to have at least three wives."
"I see," Lance said, leaning back a bit. Everything seemed to sink in as he listened, coming into the realization.
Lia chuckled softly. "It explains a lot, doesn't it? The way Rynne challenges you, how Mira nurtures you, Kaeli's constant need to impress, Zarra's teasing… even my own efforts to… guide and support you… you see? It's our way of showing interest. We see no conflict in sharing those feelings… it just seems as though at times, you don't acknowledge it." She said.
Lance felt rather stupid as he listened to her. He was always under the impression maintaining this "good-guy" self, and above all, not read everything as women around him showing interest, rather he would see it as them being nice. Even though he had only had little experience with girls in the past, none was good, after all, he was never the "interesting" guy out of the bunch. This was a big shift for him, and getting confirmation of their feelings in these recent days and even being told it was alright for all of them to be in a relationship with him at the same time was more than soothing and elevating to say the least.
Lance's cheeks flushed as he processed it. "In my world… relationships don't work that way. It's usually one person with another. That's it, at least, that's what is generally accepted."
Lia raised an eyebrow. "And how does that work?"
"Well, it's… complicated," Lance admitted. "People get jealous. Or possessive. It's not always great."
"Jealousy happens here too," Lia said, a small smile on her face. "But it's different. We see it as a challenge to grow, to improve ourselves so we can stand out without tearing others down. That's how it is most of the time." She said.
"That's… surprisingly healthy," Lance muttered.
Lia laughed. "It's practical. Why waste time clinging to old notions or denying ourselves happiness. If bonds can be made, we embrace them."
"You are right," he said. "Understanding your culture does help. It puts things into perspective. I like you all after all, and I was getting a bit torn up having to choose." Lance said, chuckling dryly.
Lia smiled faintly. "That's… good to know." She said faintly, her cheeks flushing a little.
As they sat together in a rather mellow mood, sharing the silence, Lia broke it as she spoke, "you've brought something special to this tribe, Lance. You've given us hope, and more. Having you here with is… that's all that we ask for." She said.
Her words carried a weight that made Lance's chest tighten, a flutter of emotions swelling up within him, bringing him a surprising clear sense of purpose in that moment. He turned to her, his gaze searching hers as their eyes feasted on one another. Lia leaned in, her lips soft and warm against his. The kiss was slow, contained, and purposeful. As their tongues explored further into the other's, Lance pulled her closer, bringing their bodies into touch as the kiss deepened, their tongues displaying the seductive pleasure of two amateurs exploring something new.
When they broke apart, Lia's golden eyes held a quiet intensity as she caught her breath, both of them breathing in soft laboured manner.
'Ahh… this feeling… I want more~" Lia thought to herself, her face becoming more flustered as they stared into each other's eyes. Slowly, they drew closer for another kiss, their bodies coming even closer.