Temate took Toni's arm in his as they wandered the brightly lit main streets toward the Are estate. Holding her steady as she blushed madly at all the looks being tossed their way. One girl on the side of the street tugged at her mothers arm and pointed, asking a question that made Toni press herself closer to Temate.

  "God, e-"

  "Divines." Temate corrected.

  "Divines, right. Everyone looking at us is so..." Toni made a noise hovering between a whimper and a huff.

  "Oh, trust me, that's the biggest reason we're taking the main roads. I wanna show off my little-" Temate leaned in to whisper into Toni's ear. "-Cucky Puppy."

  "AHHH DOOOOON'T-" Toni hissed, but the grin and rapid blush which filled her face gave her away.

  Temate grinned and put a hand on her head, petting her as they continued to walk and talk. Though the sun had already set the streets were well lit by orange, bright, warmly colored lights. They looked almost as if someone had dragged a yellow star to the ground and stuck it atop a towering pylon of gleaming red-orange brass.

  "In truth it was just for safety, and because this pce is beautiful at night." Temate said, smiling and waving at a young boy pointing towards him.

  "Yeah, it's amazing how it feels so simir to home-" Toni commented as she stared up at the towering structures of stone, each three or more stories tall. "-Yet so different."

  Temate examined the city as they walked too. It was still a wonderful sight to him. Each structure was unique, yet seemed to flow with it's neighbors. Carved from dark stone quarried within the mountain itself. Adorned with brass, bronze, iron, and all manner of metals also mined from the mountain.

  Beautiful stained gss windows were nearly ubiquitous in this city as well. Every building, every storefront especially, had a beautiful stained gss decorative window. If not, then their normal, thick crystalline windows had some sort of stained gss edging or topping to it. And it was important to note that it wasn't gss.

  "Honestly, I half expected all this stained gss to only be present with the wealthy, I wasn't even sure we'd see gss outside of the manors walls." Toni murmured as she examined a rge structure before them.

  The towering structure looked like a tiered, mini castle of intercing dark and abaster stones. A massive, yawning arch filled with fluttering cloth set firmly in the center of the lowest level lit by flickering lights from within. Even now in the early evening hymn's could be heard from within. Two towering stained gss windows fnked the entrance, one of a humanoid figuring bearing a massive shield, the other depicted a robed individual bearing an ornate urn.

  "Trade city, big one too from what I've been told." Temate said as they continued passed the rge religious structure. "Furthest west city on the continent and right at the gate of one of the only traversable rivers. Half the poputed world supposedly lives on continents further west of here."

  "When'd you learn that?" Toni asked as they ascended the sloping soft white stone roadbed toward the manor.

  "I'm always asking Master Hware about the city and it's people and this world during our training sessions." Temate replied.

  "Oh yeah, how's that goin?" Toni questioned.

  "Depends, half the time it's Hware, then half the time it's Kezzik but..." Temate tilted his head to look at Toni as they approached the front door of the manor. "I got ambushed at night by rather skilled fighters, probably on par with Laurel each of them, and made it out unscathed. Sound like progress to you?"

  Toni beamed up at him and stood on her toes to kiss him. "Mmm, sounds like less stress for me that's for sure."

  "Pretty." A soft, whistling voice came to them.

  "ROSE! Are you okay? Are they treating you right? How's my baby doin?" Toni practically screeched when she saw the grinning face of Rose.

  Rose stood nearly four feet tall now, their long thorned viny body settling into roots in the courtyard garden of the Are manor grounds. Long twisted vines formed to lift them out of the ground to meet Toni halfway as she started rushing toward them. Rose's face was formed from innumerable red petals and soft lic buds. They smiled as they wrapped green, spiny arms around Toni's waist and she held them close petting their head.

  "Hahaha, weren't you just here a few hours ago?" A booming voice sounded from further up the roadway.

  "Mua! The pce looks fantastic Sir." Temate said, saluting the tall minotaur as he slowly plodded to them.

  "Thank you, and you two look marvelous as well, thank you for arriving early." Mua rumbled and took a slight bow. "What do you think of my... what was it you called it Ms Toni? My 'fit'?" Mua rumbled.

  As he finished the question Mua grabbed the edge of his deep, indigo shoulder cloak with one thick brown furred arm. Golden bangles and arm bands hovered off his skin as he did a quick spin causing his short lighter purple tunic to flutter up revealing everything from the waist down. The only reason it didn't go higher was the tight, spotted fur belt around his waist. As he settled the golden choker inset with a brilliant blood red ruby fshed slightly.

  Temate felt a sudden, small surge of arousal and ughed a little as Toni whimpered in response to the same. Mua grinned and adjusted a ring on his finger and Temate felt the surge fade.

  "Wh-what was that." Toni asked.

  "Just a tool to help ease the evening, come Lord Are would like to meet you before the festivities begin." Mua gestured for them to follow as he plodded up the side of the road.

  Toni gave Rose a tearful goodbye as Rose settled back into the soil and they followed after. They moved through the rge, open garden space toward the three story manor at the end of the roadway. Glimmering lights hovered about the open courtyard in a variety of energetic colors, while out in the garden other lights drifted slowly.

  Blue lights cast a hedged eating area in soft, cool lights. Gleaming white lit the flowerbeds to emphasize the color of each beautiful, exotic looking flower. And all along the road sat the orange pylons of warm light, serving as a curtain to keep the night at bay and contain the courtyards colors.

  "As always Ms. Toni, they will be safe and well cared for here, Lord Are has already spoken at them with length." Hua comforted Toni.

  "Yeah I know I just... I don't like being away from them. Thank you for looking after them by the way." Toni said with a smile.

  "Of course, if we'd known you'd be bringing a companion like that we would have prepared a space more appropriate, it only follows that it is our responsibility for failing in that matter." Mua huffed and straightened his back.

  "Heh, you're a good guy Mua." Toni said hugging his arm for a second before coming back to Temate.

  "Hmmm, indeed thank you for saying so Ms. Toni, I do try." Mua replied ducking his head.

  Toni giggled softly as Temate redirected the conversation to save the poor man.

  "So how is that tool supposed to 'help' if it arouses people?" Temate prodded.

  "Ah, yes well it is a custom of our house. It is both a popur event, and popur topic of gossip." Mua grunted and held the door open for a rushing mousey girl carrying a bundle of fabrics.

  "Thank you Sir!" She squeaked.

  "Of course Ma'am." Mua bowed as the girl ducked out toward a distant section of the garden. "Everytime our estates head returns from a long trip we host a feast, but it is not just one of food and drink. It is a feast for all the senses." Mua continued his expnation.

  "What does that mean?" Toni asked cautiously.

  "Music, food, drink, incense and most notably." Mua opened a door deep into the polished white tile floored hallway. The sudden sounds of pleasured moans and grunts filled the air. "Sex."

  Both Temate and Toni looked into the chamber and flushed to varying degrees at the sounds which filled the air. Temate gnced off to see some of the staff rushing about with food, colorful cloth and bottles, and all manner of supplies. Not a single one seemed to react to the sudden outburst of noise.

  "Well? Enter please, if the Lord's activities are heard too long there's a good chance some of our staff will go off and hide and we're very busy." Mua huffed as he grinned at the two of them.

  Temate grabbed Toni more firmly and they stepped into the chamber. Mua closed the door behind them, not even bothering to announce their presence. Temate took Toni and set her at a soft cushiony couch set across a rge open window.

  "Wait here, I'll go get our hosts attention, try not to get off to the sounds." He teased her.

  "H-hey! That's... Fair actually." Toni said as she tightened her legs together. If she could have Temate believed she would have blushed, but she was already so red there wouldn't be a noticeable change.

  Temate pnted a hand on her head and spoke. "Stop listening."

  Toni whined and then pressed her hands to her ears. "T-that worked?" She muttered as Temate began to walk away.

  Temate stepped through what appeared to be a small sitting area and pressed his way into the next chamber. Temate blinked and covered his eyes as his eyes adjusted to the bright light in the space. When they did he thanked the stars he had as much experience in kink as he did or he wouldn't be able to process what he was seeing.

  Hanging in the air, bound in the most intricate shibari bondage he'd ever seen but the surprising part was the bindings themselves. Accentuating the fuzzy white body of a woman with dangling, bck featherlike antennae, were ropes of white light. Standing behind the woman, making her shake and scream with each thrust, as he held the ropes like leashes, was a man.

  A human man. In fact, other then being completely nude, he bore a striking resembnce to the woman they'd encountered at the Woven Wool. Bright soft silver-white hair hang loosely down to his neck, glowing eyes akin to molten silver tched onto Temate's. The man was small to Temate, but that wasn't a surprise, and svelte, lithe and clearly enjoying himself as he grinned to Temate.

  "Ah! You're here!" The man said between grunts. "Care to join me, her mouth is making so much noise it could always use some plugging."

  At the suggestion the fuzzy, white, woman fluttered fuzzy moth like wings and moaned loudly. Her eyes tched to Temate's crotch as she opened her mouth and let her tongue hang lewdly from her mouth.

  "Ah, maybe some other time, unfortunately I already prevented Toni from hearing what's going on here and I know she'd rather hear if I were to use another toy." Temate said as calmly as he could. "Could you finish up so we can speak where she can actually listen?"

  The man ughed loudly. "Of course I'll be finished soon!" The man grunted as he focused on his task at hand. Temate didn't bother leaving, he simple watched the woman's mind melt as the two finished their fun. He noted the way the man treated her when they finished. Taking a moment to speak softly with her and reassure her, promising to return soon.

  "Ahhhh, I much prefer to take care of my staff when we're done, so we must make this quick." The man flicked a wrist and white light wrapped around him in a loose, sleeveless tunic. "Well, let's go see your partner then!"

  Temate walked out, hands csped behind his back and smiled to Toni who beamed back at him. "Listen." Temate commanded and Toni jumped.

  "I-I still can't believe that works." Toni said and stood up. She stepped with one hand out towards the man. "Toni T-"

  In a rapid, yet disturbingly smooth motion the man had taken her hand and bent to kiss it. "Descriptions of your beauty do you disjustice madame Terror. I am Brigid Are, Lord of the Are estate and creator of the St-Are lights at your service."

  "O-oh." Toni said awkwardly. "Th-that's okay I haven't uh... Daddy?" She squeaked.

  "I'd appreciate if you didn't get so comfortable with my property. Regardless of your generosity." Temate said, putting a hand on Brigid's shoulder firmly. Brigid blinked and looked between the two for a moment. Quickly he stepped back and held out both arms with a wide grin.

  "Apologies! I heard you two were fairly open, it seems I've misunderstood the retionship a bit!" Brigid said apologetically then, in yet another smooth motion, took Temate's hand instead. This too he bent over and kissed gently. "Indeed master Temate I hope you can forgive my transgression, and if you need me to apologize in another way I would be more than happy for such a delicious giant of a man!"

  "I'll consider it, now you wanted to see us Lord Are?" Temate replied coldly. Brigid was really not his type.

  "Ah, yes. I had an offer for you. Sit." Brigid gestured and a strand of light pulled two chairs over to a rger desk near the back of the room.

  Temate and Toni took a seat as Brigid, face quickly turning serious, opened the top drawer and pulled out a soft white folder. He opened it and shuffled through the papers briefly as his eyes scanned them.

  "Put simply the cities been a bit understaffed as of te, non-violent crimes have been on the rise because some people won't keep the Network in check." Brigids face darkened, almost literally, as his eyes fshed yellow for a second. "But that aside it means my Lights, and other irregurs serving Nobility, are being hired much more often. The Avons, ah that's our cities primary non-militia based guards, have plenty of cash to spend on this kind of thing."

  Brigid handed the folder to Temate who took it out and looked at the top file. "A dossier?" He remarked.

  "A dossier for what?" Toni asked.

  Temate handed her the papers as Brigid began to expin himself. "We've had some disappearances in Undertown-" Temate opened his mouth to ask but Brigid held a hand up. "-Homeside, or South Occiden if you haven't heard that term either, has two levels. This upper level for surface dwellers, and Undertown for deep dwellers." Brigid kicked themself up from their rexed posture against the desk and walked over to the window.

  "That's why it's built up so high. The reasons why are complicated and long-winded but the point is I'd like to hire you to look into the disappearances." Brigid finished.

  "Why us?" Toni asked. "I mean, if it's meant for your Lights wh- Wait..." Toni's eye's widened.

  Brigid turned to look at them with a grin and slipped closer. "Yes. I'd like you to join my Lights. This is the least risky job avaible right now so consider it a test."

  "Why?" Temate grumbled. "You know nothing of us."

  "Oooooh, I wouldn't say that." Brigid spun on one foot and walked over to the center of the chamber. "Humans from another realm, Divine potential, survived a lich attack, held off a lich for nearly an hour by uniting disparate goblin tribes and leading them." Brigid spun once more as he reached the center. "That all sounds puuhhh retty impressive to me."

  "Fair enough." Temate grunted and looked to Toni who frowned slightly.

  "You want us to be soldiers? For you? Without knowing any of the other options? Why should we choose you?" She said with a gre.

  "Because sweetheart. I'm your best option. Ask around at the orgy tonight, I'm known for three things." He slipped up and booped Toni's nose. "Sex, Lights and strays. I'm unique and away from home, there are next to none of my kind left-"

  "Your kind?" Temate cut in.

  "Solux." Brigid slipped back and held out his arms.

  His body began to glow and his form dissolved into a bright white silhouette burning into the world and their eyes. A flood of Power filled the room, causing even Temate to shiver while Toni grabbed him.

  "Being of Light incarnated by Power." Brigid's voice rang in their head and warmed their bodies. His light faded and the young man stood before them again. "My kind are few and far between, and I personally like to look after those who are... lost like I was." He turned to look toward the room where the woman still hung. "To uplift them that they can make a home for themselves wherever they go." He turned back to them and beamed his pearly white teeth.

  "That's... very nice of you." Toni muttered from behind Temate.

  "And too good to be true." Temate gred.

  "Of course I like collecting unique toys and friends too." Brigid said, finger to his chin. "And then there's the pieces."

  "Pieces? How many." Toni perked up.

  "100 now, 500 upon retrieval of good intel, which is detailed in the 'dossier' folder I gave you. 1000 if you remove the source of the problem altogether." Brigid as he moved toward the door to the other chamber. "No need to answer tonight, and you can take the contract without joining my lights if you wish it needs to be dealt with regardless. Get back to me tomorrow, I've got a little pet to take care of." Brigid looked over his shoulder and waved one hand. "Ta!"

  Force2reckon