“To the safe-zone! Get the hell to the safe-zone!” Wren yelled at Jampa and Lilly as he came rushing into view.

The sizable pond of black goo didn't seem to be moving fast but with every receding and lapping, it would gain another half foot on Troy And Wren as they were booking near breathless. It was only about five yards away as the group reached the edge of the safe-zone. Upon realizing that Sable slid right off the transport, pushed by an invisible force, Wren turned around and sent his full void power at the advancing line.

In the small pause of advancement after a bathtub chunk disappeared, Wren sent Sable to his middle void and stepped over the line. What greeted him was an immediate warning from the safe-zone that they would have 30 seconds to vacate the safe-zone before they were ejected for 'using guerrilla tactics involving save-zone resources.' Apparently this was only acceptable in invasion scenarios.

Wren started taking tub chunks out of it as fast as he could while he had Jampa start roasting it. When there was less than ten seconds to spare he had everyone run to the other side of the safe-zone, getting ejected the last few feet abruptly. Wren got the sense that if he had been much further in he would have been hurled, possibly lethally. In the brief respite, he had the three put distance between themselves and him as he started walking around the edge of the safe-zone to reach the pond of goo which was being stalled attempting to approach its target in a direct manner.

Time after time, Wren was nearly and even partially engulfed in either the goo or Jampa's silver fire but he firmly insisted on being blasted if he got covered, preferring minor burns over corrosive wounds. By the time Wren had led the pond of goo on a goose chase for enough time to make a lap and a half around the quarter-mile safe-zone, he was in critical condition before he had managed to consume enough LE and tipped his SE over a critical juncture, unlocking imbue. Dashing inside the safe-zone he received a 10 second warning which was just enough time to summon his eldritch creature, ugly little ball of changing crazy it was, and Spectral Transport. Using his summon as a shield he glided past the goo and placed void imbue on 'ugly ball' then turned it loose. Every now and then he'd scoop another wad of goo up with void as his creature occasionally became overwhelmed. Other than that, he was focusing on healing back up with Jampa hitting it from the sides now and again as his power charged up enough for another flare.

Wren had used up the last of his AE and was starting to get over usage sick when the greatly reduced slime did a last moment jump attempt to engulf him. The summon creature had been dismissed moments before as Wren inched dangerously close to the point where he would have been EE crippled to keep it out any longer. With no more cards to draw on, Wren waited to die.

A rippling wave of purifying force hit the creature, knocking it back just long enough for another lick of silver flame to wash over it. The last bit of quivering mass was finished off by Wren who looked over his shoulder to see the fading overlay of a snake slithering around seven points of light, made even more mysterious under the dark skies and heavy rain.

“Guess that makes Troy the last minute MVP,” Wren said relieved and irritated in equal parts.

Troy looked at Wren apologetically and said, “It took me awhile to figure out how to channel purifying ritual through my manifestation. It's not as if I can sing or dance when I'm running for my life and out of breath.”

Wren replied, “Sorry, I didn't mean to accuse you of anything. Thanks for saving my ass, man. You too, Jampa.”

Jampa looked up from where he was crouched, holding his knees and nodded as Troy said with a smirk, “Couldn't let anything happen to your ass. It's your best feature.”

SYSTEM notice: Any additional attempts to use safe-zone resources for flanking and guerrilla tactics at SZ 11 will result in a ban from future SZ 11 visits. This is at the owner's request.

Yeah, well. The owner of SZ 11 can kiss my barely tanned ass!... Why aren't we getting AP for that? Oh, yeah. Damn, this SYSTEM thing is sensitive.

Wren brought Sable out from his middle void and cleared the black dots off the man.

“Okay, Sable. Black tide is kaput aside from the two dots I'm leaving on myself to draw in stragglers. I believe that's a pretty damn good show of faith that when I say something can be done, it can be done! I just gotta rest up a bit before I go to work on showing you some more proof. You think you can go ahead and swear off your House since they've wrote you off for dead anyway?... Think of it like this. If I can't pull through on my promise, you can always dart off later and claim you were spying on me to report all the juicy things you've learned,” Wren said.

Sable replied, “... You could have left me to die. You've shared secrets that would best be left that way and you make me promises that strike at the core of me. I've given my house it's death tithe. It cannot be blamed on me, that I still live or that their Black Tide has failed. I agree to serve you then.

“Even if you cannot fulfill your promise, I am no longer young and far from the blind man they made me to be. I do not yet fully believe you but I do believe you are a man worth dying for or with, at least the best I have to choose from. If I return I would only be killed anyway,” Sable ended in a coughing chuckle.

After waiting around for a half hour with no more black slimes showing up, filled with Lilly's lecturing on how stupid he was, Wren consumed the last two dots.

Notice of Reward: 1000 AP and +1 reputation with Tethyr Guardian Alliance sub-group

Guess it hadn't gotten up to enough mischief to attract more attention yet.

Wren thought hard about it for a minute before he filed a report about an unknown gloaming fae by the name of Aaron being behind the incident. He figured that it might be handy in the future to have a scapegoat. What he didn't expect was that a breathless young woman would step from the obelisk and hand him a ball with Tethyr Guardian Alliance stamp on it.

The unknown woman said, “If ever you encounter Aaron, strike him with this and say 'apprehend.' If you are successful and still alive, bring him to the nearest obelisk and turn him in. We will not issue you another if you fail to succeed in this one attempt but he has evaded capture for a long time and SYSTEM observations are unhelpful in locating him. Due to an agreement with Usuway Umberdown and her late husband, we aren't allowed to maintain a presence in or even interact with Under City inhabitants. You can imagine our frustration. He is a world level criminal and no matter how hard we have tried, we can't get it pushed higher. No bounty hunter group will go out of their way to pursue a Tier VI existence that only possesses a world level bounty.”

“Well, imagine his surprise and our death if he's observing this safe-zone right now,” Wren said.

The unknown woman said, “Oh, right! Of course. I'll be on my way then,” before going back to the obelisk and disappearing.

Sable said, “Aren't I an Under City inhabitant?”

Wren replied, “I think you are considered my allowed native cohort. That kinda muddles the legalities some, I'm sure... Alright everybody, buy what you want, the traveling's on me.”

Lilly and Troy's eyes lit up like kids at Christmas as they quickly started pawing at screens only they could see. It made it a lot easier to slip in a request for them to relinquish their shares of LE and EE recovery over to him. When Wren found out that purifying flames cost Jampa LE to use, making Jampa the only other person in the group to have an LE tank, he insisted that Jampa use the recovery for himself.

After resting and soaking recovery for a half-hour, Wren bought himself another set of ever-clean caster-wear for 250, 200 worth of useful items and Sable a Tier III rogue starter kit for 500, he led everyone over to the Under City obelisk and dropped 50 AP to finish off his spending. He was taken off guard by a trap mechanism within the ley line that would have killed them the same way that lieutenant guy had died but a quick use of void power shredded the small curse before it knocked them into solid bedrock.

Moments later they were standing in the nostalgic Riverside Pavillion. It felt like an eternity to Wren since the last time he had stood here. Taking it for uninhabited, Wren began walking to the water's edge as a spear tip rested against the side of his neck from a blind spot caused by the corner of the pavilion.

A whispered voice said, “Don't move or speak. I've summoned my father and as long as you cooperate no one will be harmed if you mean none.”

Wren said contritely, “Sorry, Jaden. I didn't mean to startle anyone. There's just not any easy ways to get here that don't bring me under the nose of Grimshadow.”

Jaden's confidence took a small dip, along with his spear tip as he said, “Do I know you?”

Wren said, “Not yet but you will. I... I hope to be friends.”

Jaden replied, “W-well, we shall see after father has spoken wi-,”

A familiar and shiver inducing, deep voice interrupted with, “Are you the one that the young woman who felt like family spoke of? Wren, is it?”

Wren looked at his feet, not ready to meet Glaucous's eyes as he said, “Yes.”

Glaucous continued, “She promised me you hold many answers and to ensure that Ephyra was occupied on this day. I will humor her and speak with you in priva-”

Glaucous suddenly spun from Wren to approach Jampa and said, “You bear the power of my sister-in-law and a strong resemblance of my brother... What trickery is this?”

Jampa met Glaucous' eyes serenely as he said, “It is not. I am, if all accounts are to be believed, Usuway's son. Beyond that I know no more of what you speak.”

Glaucous gazed at Jampa conflicted for a time before finally saying, “Jaden, see to our guest's comfort. I will speak with Wren for a time before returning.”

The crisply given order knocked Jaden out of his own conflicted staring at Wren as he moved to obey.

“I carry an inheritance of power for Jaden and Eldest Rohn. Since we may be engaged in important conversations for some time, I'd like to discharge those duties before then if possible,” Wren said, worried that if this was to be the only day of peace without Ephyra's potential spying, he'd like it to get done with as much time for adjustment as possible.

Glaucous narrowed his eyes at Wren before he said, “You presume much but I will humor this. Know your death will not be swift or merciful if your actions cause harm to my son or besmirch my duty.”

Rohn's potential death only counts as besmirching your duty? Judging by Jaden's sudden joyful face, I get the impression that may be the most fatherly statement you have ever made involving him.

A sudden wash of water later and a confused Rohn stood before them, predictably in a state of nakedness. Wren had almost forgotten how much this culture valued 'natural attire' in down-time. He was also reminded of how seriously in awe these people were of Glaucous as Rohn quickly knelt down and requested to know how he could be of service to the Guardian.

“Rise. This visitor comes bearing gifts of power for you and my son. You will receive it first,” Glaucous said blandly.

Wow. Read that loud and clear... Suspicious dude just showed up with 'gifts.' I'm going to use you as a guinea pig and if it all looks good then I'll let him have a crack at my son.

Wren could almost read the plea to mean no harm as Rohn looked at Wren shakily for a half-second before responding clearly, “It is Suncave's honor to serve you, Guardian.”

Wren walked over to Rohn. As he reached inside himself to draw forth the inheritance he held, Wren noticed that the powers had become a bit intermingled. Fortunately they weren't stuck together, Wren had a feeling that suddenly declaring that only one of them could receive it wouldn't carry well.

Wren drew forth the filigree 6 that now contained a bit of silver in its eye and placed it over Rohn's heart. As it sunk in, black flames tinged with silver outline burst out of Rohn's body. It didn't look pleasant but the man bore it with resilience and bravery as black tracery etched itself into Rohn's skin. Wren thought that if his body suddenly burst into flame he'd at least scream whether it hurt or not.

Glaucous examined Rohn for a moment before he asked, “How do you feel?”

Rohn responded eagerly, “I feel amazing. I feel strengthened and renewed!” He stopped to look at Wren in wonder and curiosity before he continued, “I'd like to invite this young man to join me at his nearest available time to show my gratitude for this gift.”

Glaucous said, “If there is aught left of time... or him, when I have finished, I see no harm in it.”

Though he seemed reluctant to depart, Rohn had little choice as Glaucous dismissed him with a spout of water.

“You have witnessed, son. It is your choice.” Glaucous continued blandly.

“If I may ask, Wren. Does this inheritance have anything to do with the markings on myself? They seem familiar to what appeared on brother Rohn's body.” Jaden asked.

Wren nodded and said, “Very much so. It is possible for you to awaken this power on your own with growth, unlike Rohn, who never would have without the assistance of this inheritance. I suppose you could consider it a catalyst to rouse and enhance what is already partially awakened within you.”

Because I learned my lesson. Don't fuck with people's fate unless it's reaaaally important.

“It seems only beneficial but why do you do this? Why do you give such gifts?” Jaden asked warily.

Why the stiff back, man? I don't remember you acting this cold before but then again you were smitten with Lilly at the time and well, that don't look like it's gonna happen this time around.

Wren met Jaden's intense eyes and answered sincerely, “I carry the debt and sentiments of many lives within me, Jaden. I only hope to carry those blessings I can and stave off what harms and ills I may to those who own that debt and my sentiment.”

Jaden's skin marbled in a sudden chill, then answered, “Some things are unavoidable,” as he nodded in acceptance, allowing Wren to repeat the process Rohn had just undergone.

Glaucous didn't even wait for Jaden to finish before snatching Wren up, briefly pausing due to a static shock passing between them. He looked at Wren confusedly for a moment before taking them both into his realm. The next three days were hell.

In the first half day, Wren nearly died many times from Glaucous' rage and denial. Another full day passed with Glaucous in a fog of confusion and frustration as Wren tried but failed over and over again to help Glaucous fill in the blanks. This period were filled with violent outbursts that left Wren in agony, moments of contrition and sorrow that left Wren trying awkwardly to console the emotionally unstable demigod and politely fending off amorous intentions that Wren doubted he would survive if he gave in to. The last day was the most worrisome to Wren as Glaucous fell into a state of catatonia. Seeing the big man before him sit, unresponsive hour after hour like that, unnerved Wren far worse than the rage and destructive desire combined.

When Glaucous finally came to, he was a ghost of himself for a time. Ignoring Wren's presence, he paced and mumbled to himself as the blue color of his skin darkened into a swarthy velvet. Wren could see the pieces of a complex puzzle resolve themselves for Glaucous. Aaron and Ephyra, words spoken to him by his grandfather and grandmother and many other things that Wren had no reference to spilled past Glaucous' muttering lips. Wren, exhausted from the physical and emotional burden of the past three days, passed out.

As Wren awoke, he found himself enfolded and nearly lost within the embrace of Glaucous. Despite their nakedness there wasn't a shred of sexual tension, just the feeling of two weary souls finding some peace in nearness. As Wren stirred, Glaucous kissed the top of Wren's head and released him. Vague memories of being half awakened to be fed a thick and viscous liquid from a large, warm yet pliant bottle had Wren looking at Glaucous a little strangely. Wren remembered from other times, however, there was no better elixir for quick recovery than Glaucous' 'life water.'

Instead of getting up, Wren turned around and nestled his head into Glaucous' chest as he spoke softly, “Before this moment passes and we have to face all of this again, I have a personal question I'd like to ask. Were you in love with your brother?”

Glaucous' body tensed as he replied warily, “No other man could claim to love his brother more than I.”

Wren's arm tightened around Glaucous as he said, “I have no doubts of that truth... Glaucous, just this once, allow yourself to grieve his passing with someone who understands and doesn't judge. Love doesn't always follow the courses that others might accept. That doesn't invalidate it or make it a thing worthy of contempt. Grieve him properly so you can move on. He would want that for you.”

Why else would a free spirit like you shackle himself for nearly 800 years to a group of people who's very ideals differ so far from your own. Why else would a being allow themselves to be plagued and parasitized horrendously and swallow it down. Brotherly love might account but I believed there had to be more to it than that... This poor guy has carried his forbidden torch for so long and no one realized or maybe cared if they did.

Glaucous' embrace tightened to painful proportions but Wren didn't say a word as the big man silently cried, an occasional shudder wracking his frame. As he stroked Glaucous' back, adding the barest wisp of LE, he felt his manifestation boosted intuition offer him a solution to the big man's grief and to removing the generational curse Glaucous once again carried. So that it was fair, Wren allowed his consciousness to rest as his intuition took control.

Wren came to and like before, he saw the ghostly fading of angelic ribbons and profane barbed chains. When Glaucous opened his eyes he latched on to Wren, kissing and caressing him which Wren offered in turn. There was no potency to be raised in the wake of the spiritual and emotional healing, however, and Wren informed Glaucous that whatever he experienced during that time was for him alone. Wren neither wanted nor needed to know.

When Glaucous and Wren returned to Riverside Pavillion a sight greeted them that neither expected. There were ribbons and streamers. Tables were laid out with faint preservation enchantments laid upon them to keep the banquet fresh. Moments later Wren's friends and the upper echelon of Suncave were there. Ephyra was positioned on her pearlescent rock, dressed in diaphanous finery as Troy caught Wren's eyes for a moment to give a warning look. Jaden looked happy and forlorn in equal measure. Everyone else was varying degrees of cheerful and confused. Rohn was holding an affectionate, vastly recovered and beautiful looking Imani in his arms which made Wren do a double take that quickly dipped into him feeling sorry for himself.

So there's a huge misunderstanding but I'm supposed to let it slide and the 'ripples' fuck me out of having Imani by my side again by sticking her to Rohn!. It's more of an irritation than anything else as I hardly know the lady but still, I can't help but feel the sting. If Usuway is to be believed this woman was meant for me, my perfect compliment or some such. Is everyone I love or am supposed to love going to be taken away?

Ephyra chimed, “Three passionate nights and days yet none the worse for wear. I am surprised to see that you have shaken off your grandfather's mantle in favor of a deeper and richer heritage but I am happy for you god-grandson. You have truly chosen a gem among the mortal dross to take as consort this time. I-” she paused in shock for a moment before continuing in awe and bursting into graceful tears, “You have managed to remove the generational curse. I-if only your grandfather had found a way. We had tried so many, done so... I feel like all the sacrifices have found some meaning. How much of this is your doing, young man? You may not know me but I would like to reward you generously for your efforts.”

Glaucous was looking at Wren signifying his desire for Wren to take the lead in this. Apparently, it was one thing to pretend like everything was as it seemed to be but quite another to interact directly with Ephyra. Wren was starting to have a sinking feeling that if he dug just a little deeper into all of this, he may find that he had previously condemned a woman who was just as much a victim, in turn, as those who had been affected by her.

Despite the inherent danger, Wren didn't feel like playing out a farce that would have who knows how many twisting consequences.

Wren said evenly, “I will only ask this once, a question I did not know to ask and may have done a great wrong because of it. Honesty may be a saving grace. What is your relationship with the gloaming fae Aaron?”

Ephyra's countenance transformed from joyous to cold in an instant as she dashed towards Wren. If Glaucous had not moved to intercept her Wren had no doubts he would have been a dead man.

This supreme distraction gave Troy the moment he had been waiting for as he levelly intoned, “I call upon your true name, *****, to not use any power lest you be given permission by me for a day and night, to speak only truth for a day and night and to relinquish your stolen divinity when demanded by me to whom I demand it within a day and night. I so strengthen these commands by forgetting your true name as sacrifice.”

Ephyra stopped in her tracks to look at Troy as if he were some kind of monster as she said, “I knew that Aaron would cast me aside once he had acquired his goals, hoped on it. I thought I had more time before that day came.”

Wren spoke up, “If you stop trying to inch your way towards Troy, I will promise you what mercy can be granted, even if that is a swift and painless death. This is your chance to unburden yourself. Use it.”

The crowd was stunned into silence by the turn of events. Suncave band warriors were about to rush towards Troy before Glaucous warned them still with a glance.

“Where do you wish for me to begin?” Ephyra said with a defeated look but a quick warning from Wren kept all parties wary of her.

“A person is entitled to their secrets. Glaucous will want to know of your involvement and the reasons behind his grandmother and grandfather's death. I am only interested in your involvement with Aaron and what you know of his plans... Troy, grant her the ability to secure this area from prying eyes,” Wren said grimly.

Troy carefully intoned a command that left little room for deception and Ephyra complied, gratefully even, before she said, “Glaucous, as you know, your grandfather and I were fugitives from Earth. I was trying to save him from the generational curse that disallowed him to procreate without weakening and eventually killing his lovers. At that time, he only allowed himself to see me as a friend. I was only a Tier IV existence when we became friends...”

Ephyra went on through great lengths about her and Glaucous' grandfather's sorted past and family matters that had no bearing on Wren so he tuned it out until it came to how Glaucous' grandfather died. He had pined to death for the harm he had done his wife to make their daughter and could finally bear it no more once their grandchildren had been born, relinquishing the divinity that he had built up to Ephyra so that she might watch over and protect them. Then Ephyra launched into the part that Wren had wanted to know.

In her grief, she wanted another chance to rekindle her love's legacy and find a cure to the curse. To do so, she made a few unsavory but forgivable deals with a few darker demigods that resided on this world to access information on curses and entities that might have the answers and power she needed to accomplish her goals. It was her success in finding such an entity that led to everything going pear shaped.

Aaron convinced Ephyra to spawn three batches of children with him to observe some details and gauge how much the divine legacy could influence her children. After these observations, Aaron determined that it would require direct blood relation to accomplish Ephyra's goal. Ephyra introduced Aaron to Glaucous' mother. In the beginning, Ephyra was still to be the vessel, only some of Glaucous' mother's blood was to be used, along with a bit of her power but Aaron worked a separate deal out with Glaucous' mother directly. Using his power he could ensure Glaucous' mother three children. One would be the legacy that Ephyra sought. One would be her own and one would be his. He knew little of love and made no efforts to hide it but he did make promises to guide and give opportunities to their children.

In such a way was a loveless union struck. One that bore the three promised children. Thus began a convoluted tale of betrayal that concluded when Aaron sought to use the invasion as an opportunity to divest this world of resources without being discovered and all he had done here was merely one of many preparations he had made to accomplish that goal. In the end he was tripped up by Usuway and was forced to flee but not before blackmailing Ephyra, using her children as hostages to begin preparing for the next chance.

The Black Tide was meant to be a distraction. The god killer curses were meant to be more leverage but Ephyra wholeheartedly believed that Aaron could care less what the consequences were here. Grimshadow was chosen because his legacy was the strongest there, no more nor less. As for Ephyra's plans for Jaden, they were only half formed but upon seeing that Glaucous appeared to have been hidden too well underneath his grandfather's mantle and had stagnated in growth, Ephyra had become content with indulging Glaucous and allowing him to live as he wished. All in all it came down to Ephyra trying to find a balance between keeping Aaron satisfied, caring for her daughters and finding meaning for her own life in spoiling her god-grandson and attempting to ensure the continuance of her beloved's legacy.

In Wren's mind she was still a terrible person but she was far from the monster he had originally thought she was, man eating aside. Certainly not a person who deserved oblivion, death maybe depending on who was asked. Ephyra even suggested herself to grant her divinity to Glaucous. She wanted him to have it. She wanted him to become the man her beloved had once hoped to be. A creature of water she may be but a creature of life she was not and the power had suppressed her own growth this whole time.

After she divested her power to Glaucous, Wren surprised everyone by exercising his power and a bit of borrowed life spirit from Glaucous, to begin her body and spirit's recovery. During which, Wren wrung an oath from her that as long as they did what they could to save her daughters, she could not betray them to Aaron and would do what she could to help them fight Aaron if it came down to it. Finally she was to subordinate herself fully to Glaucous and have no more traffic with her schemes, though she could offer advise freely as long as she was clear on the motivations behind them.

Wren cleared up the misunderstanding behind Glaucous' and his relationship. He grudgingly gave his best regards to Rohn and Imani, who insisted on meeting him in private when he had the opportunity. He finished off by rededicating the feast to a joint celebration of Jampa finding kin after explaining his lineage to the Matron, and love in all its complicated expressions, giving a sympathetic look towards Glaucous and Ephyra.

“Ephyra may I borrow your ear for a moment,” Wren said.

She replied, “If my convalescent company does not bore you, then yes.”

Wren took a chair opposite Ephyra's reclining form and began, “How much time do we have before Aaron is going to check in again?”

Ephyra's lips pursed before she said, “About two months. He wished to see how much the Black Tide had grown and direct it to his first target.”

Wren let out a deep breath and said, “Good. We have plenty of time to address other concerns and catch our breath and bearings. First off, I want to use you as a figurehead to make an apology to another who was much like you. I had every reason to assume the worst of them. I had every right to enact my plan as I did but it doesn't sit well with me, doing things that way. That person could have well become a powerful and useful ally. Sometimes vengeance gives nothing but hollow catharsis. Besides, if I can't forgive them how can I ever begin to forgive myself. We all have the potential to become monsters to save what we love.”

Ephyra nodded lightly and said, “All truth. A mature disposition for one so young. You must have endured much to reach here.”

Wren acknowledged her remark with a grunt before he continued, “I won't force the issue but would you consider taking Troy under your tutelage?”

Ephyra bit her lip and pondered for a moment before she replied, “There is some inherent risk in taking a man as a pupil but it seems his foundation is solid and it would be a pleasure to teach one who has talents similar to my own. Were I to do so, I would need to take care of an instinctual urge first. It has been some time since I have produced a clutch and-”

Wren cut her off to say, “I have a solution to that. Originally I bought it for another purpose but it will serve well and allow me to exercise my alchemy skills a little.”

Wren produced a silver needle and after receiving Ephyra's permission he drew a drop of her blood and collected it into an opaque vial. Hand mixing it a few times, he infused it with a generous wisp of LE and a faint trace of SE before sucking the contents up with a sharp tipped pipette. He grabbed a sin-eater egg from his void space, giving it a complex look for a second, and injected the concoction inside. He finished off with a round of condensing using EE and kept the contents stable with a bit more LE. When done, he placed five objects the size and shape of a malted milk ball into a soapstone jar which he fancifully customized with a lounging mermaid lid.

Wren explained, “The contents will remain usable for up to six years because of the egg. It's essentially a nutritional supplement that will mimic the act of successful procreation for you, redirecting the resources of your body to healing and restoration instead. For you, it kills two birds with one stone. Now I can't say how long each dose will keep your instinct satisfied for but the redirection of resources your body uses to form your clutch should last around six months per dose.”

Ephyra looked at the jar dubiously as she said, “Once I have successfully formed a clutch I can go a decade or so before I have to be wary around men again.”

Wren said cheerily, “If that's the case, aside from maybe saving one back for emergencies, I'd say take one if you ever feel the need to take the edge off or to de-stress. The only problem I can find recorded is that having the three effects of urge satisfaction, female specific recovery aid and contraceptive in one pill, is the inconvenience of the other two if you only want one of those effects. The main active ingredients are incubus semen and abyssal coyote spinal fluid so, some might find that a bit off putting. I suppose the egg could be considered a gesture of good will and something to help get you back on your feet faster, so chow down the first four as fast or slow as you like. I don't really mind taking one in front of you but all it's really going to do for me, at the moment, is put a little spirit in the tank and maybe mess the motility of my sperm up a little for a few days... Oh, I said chow down but I wouldn't recommend chewing them because I don't know what it tastes like.”

Ephyra gave a ghost of a smile as she said, “Perhaps we could compare notes one day, I have some insights into the alchemical arts myself, though admittedly most are poisons but one shouldn't turn their nose up at the opportunity to round their knowledge.”

Wren stood up and offered a small, genuine smile of his own as he said, “You know, that doesn't sound bad at all.”