“So would you kindly explain to me, my dearest brother, why in the abyss you interfered with my attack?” The raven-haired woman asked the blonde sitting across the small table from her as he took inventory of their losses.

He gave a huff of annoyance, most of it directed at her but some of it at himself, as he replied bluntly, “You could have injured the target.”

Her glare intensified as she responded through clenched teeth, “That was the goal, or did you forget that in your stupor?” He glanced up at her in surprise and she said sharply, “I saw how you were fixated on him. Was his sound really that upsetting to you? Is that why you didn’t want to hurt him? Cause his noise might become a screech?”

“No, I-” he began but she cut him off in her anger.

“Then why?!” She burst out, slamming her hands on the table and standing abruptly, “Why would you let the best smelling thing in my entire life escape from my grasp?!” A slight whine entered her voice as she raged, “Are you so jealous of my gift that you would deny me my destiny just to appease those overbearing self-righteous zealots at the Enclave?!”

He slammed his own hands on the table, his anger also getting the better of him as he yelled back at her, “His magic sang to me, Nyx!” She froze at that and stared at him blankly, shocked at his outrage as he continued yelling, “The most beautiful sounds in my own entire life… Out of all the ones I had ever heard before… They came from him.” He seemed to calm down as the words flowed from him, and he added as though admitting to a new weakness of his, “I didn’t want you to hurt him… because I didn’t want his music to stop…” He sat back down dejectedly and put his elbows on the table, resting his head in his hands.

Nyx just stared at her twin who seemed to be struggling with some inner torture at his confession. After a few breaths of mental processing she sat back down and gently took his hands in hers, causing him to make eye contact as she smiled warmly at him, and whispered excitedly, “Lux, don't you see? This is wonderful.”

He gave her an incredulous look as though she had truly lost her mind, “Did you not hear what I said? I let my own desires cloud my judgement and put everyone in danger. Someone died because of my selfishness!”

She waved a hand in the air briefly as if shooing that topic away, and clutching his hands once more, pulling herself closer towards him, “No, my sweet idiot brother, you were protecting our destiny! Think about it, what are the chances that the one person who smells so divine to me would sound just as sweet to you?!” He looked hesitantly at her but was unable to come up with any kind of rebuttal and she pressed adamantly, “He was meant for us.”

He absorbed her words and rolled them around in his mind for a bit. He grasped at the memories of the clear notes and a small bubble of desire rose within him, it was a completely new feeling to him and he wondered if this was what led to the delirious euphoria that Nyx experienced. That burning hunger is what broke through any resolve or sense of duty he had clung to before he had encountered the new music. He looked up into Nyx’s bright face smiling at him and capitulated with a simple nod of his head.

She gave a giddy squeal and half jumped over the small table to hug her twin, “You will not regret this decision, Lux. We are going to have so much fun with our new toy!”

Saelak awoke to find himself bundled in blankets and staring up at the sown leather of their large tent. Both his vision and memory were a bit fuzzy and he slowly sat up trying to recall everything while feeling around for his glasses. He found them next to the bundle of blankets that had been serving as a pillow and put them on before swiftly raising a hand to his chest as the memories of getting shot caught up to him and he was surprised to touch nothing but smooth skin.

“He was real careful ta not leave scars.” Saelak jumped at Donoma’s voice and realized she was sitting wrapped up in blankets by the tent’s entrance.

He let out a breath seeing her and asked, “What happened?”

She recounted the brief events for him that he had missed while bleeding to death, “He’s now layin’ in da other tent as a block o’ ice, probably fer the rest o’ da day,” she said, finishing her tale.

He grimaced at the new information but said a bit sourly, “That’s probably for the best. He can’t do anything reckless while he’s frozen.”

She frowned at him, “Are ya angry?”

He grit his teeth and clenched the blankets in his laps with his fists, “Of course, I’m angry. It was the night he got banished from our home all over again. And just like back then I was useless to protect him.”

She rolled her eyes, “Ya did take a nearly fatal shot ta da chest in his place, if ya don’t remember right. Pretty sure that counts as protectin’.” Her voice was thick with satire and he lost a bit of the tenseness in his muscles and grip, realizing that she was right. “Honestly, I think you are da one that saved all o’ us back there. If ya hadn’t taken that attack, Aster would probably still be back there fighting a whole raid by himself. Your bravery helped us escape.”

He blushing slightly at her praise and said quietly, “Thanks… That- well… That means a lot to me.” She gave him a reassuring nod, moving slightly to wrap the blankets a bit tighter around her. He noticed the movement and said, “Why don’t you come over by me, away from the snow?”

It was her turn to blush slightly, and half said to herself, “Heh, I’m not sure that’s such a good idea…”

He gave her a rare laugh and her blush intensified, “It’s not like I’m going to bite. I promise I won’t even argue with you.”

She hesitated but couldn’t come up with an acceptable argument and nodded before slowly shuffling her way next to him. He surprised her by opening up his arms in her direction as an obvious offer of sharing warmth. She mentally reminded herself that he was just being nice and that he was in love with Aster before giving in to his embrace and stealing his body heat. She didn’t fare well in the cold, having hailed from the Summerlands where it was always warm, and she gave a small moan of relief as Saelak’s temperature increased her own.

He laughed again at the sound she made and she playfully complained, “It’s no fair, how come ya aren’t bothered by this weather?”

His laughter subsided as he answered with a shrug, “The cold never really bothered me.” She couldn’t stop herself from snuggling closer into his side trying to claim the heat that was wasted on someone like him. He squirmed slightly, “Hey, no tickling,” he warned before continuing, “Ice is my strongest Blessing. I have 100% affinity in it,” he said with a hint of pride.

She smiled, tilting her face up to look into his, “Like me Light. Though I think right now I wish it had been Fire,” she said with another shiver.

Saelak chuckled a bit more and lifted the arm she laid on to rub her outward facing shoulder to try and help her warm up quicker. She sighed softly and relaxed a bit more against him. They had never been this close before and Donoma’s stomach was doing all sorts of awkward flips that she silently prayed Saelak couldn’t feel.

They lay there in comfortable silence, resting for quite a while, the winter wind dancing outside their tent in intermittent bursts. Saelak turned onto his side, resting his head on his arm as he faced towards her and spoke softly, a bit of uncertainty in his voice, “Hey, can I ask you a personal question?”

She rolled onto her side as well to mirror him and looked up to meet his gaze before saying, “You can ask me anythin’, Saelak. We’re friends, right?”

He gave a half-hearted laugh, “Heh, friends, huh?” She nodded and he continued, “Well, if you were… in love…” he struggled a bit to get the word out but pressed on, “And they were your friend… how-” he swallowed again trying to keep his anxiety at bay, “How would you tell them?”

She stared at him for a moment before carefully moving closer to him and pressing her lips against his. His eyes widened in shock at the unexpected move and he briefly wondered if this was how Aster had felt the night they all got drunk. Then he became keenly aware of their half-naked bodies pressed against each other in the small tent as a rush of heat flooded him.

He was slightly relieved as she broke their kiss and was feeling extremely confused by his body’s unexpected reaction to her. He had half-expected to be repelled by her touch, he loved Aster after all and he knew that his body yearned for him.

He continued staring at her and before he could say anything she swallowed her own nerves and whispered heavily, “Well, I would probably kiss them, just like you did before.” She took a steadying breath, “But that doesn’t really tell ‘em anythin’ does it?” She paused for a moment, looking down, “I guess I would take them by the hand,” she slowly lifted her free hand and entwined it in his own, lifting them up into his view, “Then I would have to look them in the eyes,” she whispered as she glanced up towards his face again, her gold eyes locking with his blue ones, “Then I would just have to say: ‘I love you, Saelak’.”

He felt his breath hitch at her words and his mind raced trying to figure out how this had happened and how he should respond. Donoma smiled softly at his obvious deer-in-lantern-light look and squeezed his hand as she added, “Finally, I would reassure him that no matter how he felt towards me, we would still be friends and I don’t need a response right away. That I was just glad that he knew and I wouldn’t have ta regret hidin’ my feelin’s anymore.”

He opened his mouth to speak but she covered it with her hand, “Just think about it?” He paused regarding her in all seriousness and nodded his understanding, “Good. Now, I’m gonna get some more sleep. There’s food in the bag by the entrance if you want some.” She then rolled over, turning her back to him, and wrapped the blankets tightly around her as if to serve as a barrier between them.

Saelak made his way to the packs and almost yelped as the tent flap suddenly opened and a dwarf with a fiery red beard peeked in and said in loud mirth, "Looks like we got a couple of cozy elves over here! Grab the icicle and these two. I think the Hand will be extremely interested in this lot."

Aster opened his mental eyes slowly. He felt extremely lethargic, like all his energy had been sapped from him. When his eyes finally focused, he found himself looking up into the young Fritjof’s smiling face. He couldn’t help but return the smile as he said sleepily, “Well, hello there, little one.”

“Hello. I’m glad you’re awake. Are you feeling better now?” the androgynous voice asked as they sat back on the couch while Aster sat himself up.

“Very much so, thank you.” He rubbed his eyes trying to clear his mind a bit more. He glanced over at the genderless kid and began asking, “So, Fritjof… how should I addre-”

“They. Neither.” The kitsune responded instantly to his thoughts and Aster raised an eyebrow, “Seems silly, why should I put limits on me?”

Aster smiled and explained, “Some people take pride in their identity. They draw strength from their connection to a gender or label.”

“That’s fine,” they replied sincerely, “I just don’t really see the point in picking one.”

“And that’s perfectly fine too,” Aster responded kindly then looked around the room. The Soul Space hadn’t changed much this time with the new addition, just the additional door and what looked like a children's playground just beyond the training area. “Wait, where is everyone?” he asked when he didn’t see anyone in the common areas.

“They’re all hiding in their rooms. I think they are… scared?” they tilted their head, the long ears flopping over slightly, as though that didn’t seem like quite the right word.

Aster realized the red haze was gone now and, since no one had taken over his body to summon Fritjof and attempt to speed up the acclimation, a day must have passed already which meant the moon cycle was over. “I guess I should go and apologize to them.”

“You already did that,” the kitsune said simply before adding, “I think they need… hugs?”

Aster stared at the child for a moment before understanding dawned on him and he stood and ruffled the youngster’s hair into even more of a mess, “Guess I better go comfort them then.”

Before he left the area he looked back over his shoulder at the kitsune and asked, “Hey, Fritjof? Did you already know I wouldn’t leave Saelak before you agreed to bond?”

The child smiled brightly and replied lightly, “Of course. I just wanted to make sure you knew that.” Aster smiled and nodded.

He decided to just go down the line of doors. He knocked on the first one that said 'Hitsuki' in a curly script with a little bunny inside a red flame emblazoned under the name. “Hitsuki? Are you alright?”

The door swung open in an instant and he felt the young girl clutch him around the waist in a frantic hug, “Aster! You like, totally scared us all to death!”

He patted her head gently as he said regretfully, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to.”

She rubbed her face into his shirt as she softly punched him, “Never again! You promised yesterday, right?”

“Yes. That I did mean and will make sure happens. Now, if you’re okay, why don’t you go meet your new sibling? I think you two will get along,” he said as he gave her head one last pat and gestured for her to go sit in the living space.

She nodded and almost skipped over to the new addition and began chattering happily. Aster smiled at the pair then moved on down the line. He hesitated in front of Kanati’s door but took a centering breath and knocked. No response came and Aster sighed, “Kanati, I just want you to know I’m better now so if you feel like talking… I’m here for you.” Silence met his words but he wasn’t going to push the man again and he walked to the next door giving it a knock. “Imbra?”

The door opened and Imbratisa looked straight into his eyes. They were the same height and she showed her resolve as she crossed her arms and leaned against the door frame. “Master better?” Aster flushed in embarrassment as he looked away and nodded. “Good. Master learn?” he nodded once more, slower this time. “Good. Master stronger?”

He met her eyes once more and said, “I’m trying to be. I meant what I said. I’m done running from my fears.”

She gave him a smile and squeezed his shoulder in camaraderie, “Good. Trying to be strong is strong itself.” She then made her way past him and headed towards the kitchen, he had no doubt that mugs would be involved.

As he approached Rosabella’s door it swung open and the woman in the red dress stepped gracefully into view looking like an angry tiger instead of the usual sleek panther. He saw it coming but was too shocked to dodge as she slapped him saying, “Do not ever do that to us again!” He was about to reflexively apologize once more but she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him into a kiss. He was so flummoxed by her whirlwind of different passions that he didn’t dare pull away. As she pushed him back she said, “That I was owed for you not listening to me earlier.” Then she moved past him, slapping his butt on her way as additional punishment, and went to go help Imbratisa.

He was just staring after the woman when Drake’s voice next to him startled him out of his stupor, “I agree. She is one mighty feline, that one.” Aster stared at him next, not sure if he could handle another joint attack by the two that seemed to always have the upper hand. Drake gave that pleasant laugh that Aster was becoming increasingly fond of as he said, “Don’t worry, I’m not planning to smack you like she did. I know how rough the moon cycle can be, remember? If anything I’m the most sympathetic here. Sorry about trying to take a bite out of your snowball by the way, looks like your cycle does affect us too.” Then he looked back towards where Rosabella and Imbratisa were gathering drinks for everyone and asked him casually, “You think she’d smack me if I called her ‘Bella’?”

Aster smiled at him and answered with a chuckle, “As long as you don’t try to be her Edward, I don’t think she’d really mind.”

The vampire’s fang showed as he grinned mischievously, “No worries, I’m not the over-protective kind,” he wrapped an arm around Aster’s shoulders, “Plus, I would have just made it a three-way with the smokin’ hot wolf,” he waggled his eyebrows suggestively as he said, “That is, if you feel like inviting me along when you take her up on that open door offer.”

Aster gave him a playful punch that they both laughed at. Then Drake surprised him a bit as he rested his forehead against Aster’s and said in all seriousness, “I’m with you, my master. You need me for anything and I’ll be there, bonded through blood and soul.” He released Aster then and said casually, “Now, go and make the snowball melt. No more regrets of what isn’t said!” and he left to join the others.

Aster smiled as he watched his Soul Bonds getting along happily. He decided to check his notifications real quick before joining them.

You triggered the ability: Soul Bond!

Congratulations!

Soul Bond Acquired: Fritjof the Ice Kitsune

Fritjof shared their Blessing of Ice from the Soldier.

Your body will now undergo Acclimation to Ice.

You are frozen.

You are unconscious.

Alois died.

You gained 5111 experience.

Crimson Destiny gained 2555 experience.

Alert! You have been captured by the Royal Rangers of Rudná Ríša.

You are no longer frozen.

Acclimation to Ice complete!

You gained an Elemental Affinity!

Your Ice Affinity reached 10%.

Skill Acquired: Magic (Ice) (Beginner 3, 9%)

Let the frost bite, let the snow fall, let the hail storm, let the cold call.

Your Intelligence increased by 1.

Skill Acquired: Resistance (Ice) (Beginner 1, 90%)

Let winter’s embrace protect you from it’s deadly sting.

Your Constitution increased by 1.

New Ability is unlocked.

New Spells are unlocked.

New Technique is unlocked.

Your Wisdom increased by 1.

Your Karma increased by 1.

You gained 1440 experience.

Crimson Destiny gained 720 experience.

You leveled up!

You gained 5 Attribute Points to distribute!

There were a couple extra messages in there which Aster hadn’t been expecting that made him groan internally, ‘Oh, resh.’