You waylay Amanda as everyone splits up, the two of you coming to a stop just inside the jail.

“So what was all that about?”

Amanda sighs, and looks at you with a smile. “You really are clueless aren't you? I guess some things stay the same no matter the species.” She waves off your confused expression, and opens the fur covered door to her 'room'. The bed has been completed, rough wood seemingly woven together into a rustic frame lined with yet more fur. She sits on it, and you join her in the room, sitting across from her. She takes a moment to collect herself and continues, her voice taking on the subtle quality of confidence that she gains when delivering a lecture.

“That kobold girl, Sapphire. I assume that you two are close?” seeing you nod, she continues. “And we both saw how Mercy has some... shall we say control issues? That was them trying to figure out the pecking order of this little harem you have going on here. You have to understand, when you left and then came back with two new girls, you basically outnumbered her with outsiders. Left her little choice but to accept or leave.”

Here, you interject. “Not outnumbered.”

“Oh? Is there another you haven't introduced us to yet?”

“Feathers. The goblin leader. They've fought and shed blood together in much the same way as you and Mercy.”

“Well then, that's a surprise... but I suppose... Anyway, you still pretty much brought two separate groups into the same area without giving either one any notice. Poor show, by the way.” She affixes you with a glare for a moment, before softening. You have the grace to feel at least a little chagrined as she continues.

“That goblin girl has her hands full riding herd on the goblins. She has little time for power struggles among others. I'm... well-” a blush starts to rise on her cheeks again and you cut in with a grin.

“Unsuitable for leadership roles?”

“Yes. Quite. So, the two of them were sizing each other up. Seeing who was more independent, more useful, more likely to stab the other in the middle of the night.”

“They could tell all that by staring at each other?”

Amanda sniffs haughtily, nose in the air. “We women are able to communicate in far more subtle ways than you uncouth men could imagine.” She giggles. “Well, no. But it still happened. Mostly, because when you stepped forwards, Mercy looked to see what you were doing. And so Sapphire won.”

“So... what? Sapphire is in charge now?”

This time, Amanda laughs outright. “Oh gods no Red. No, now they just know to look out for getting shanked in the night.”

You're starting to get genuinely worried two of your... subordinates slash lovers will be plotting murder, and are considering going to find them, when Amanda speaks again.

“Speaking of night shanks...”

*CENSORED*

“You OK there Amanda?”

A groan is your only response. Well, at least she won't re spawn a million miles away this time. You pull away and look her over.

*CENSORED*

A raised eyebrow sends the two male goblins who had been outside running. A cough brings them back to take the still blissed out ex-cheifteness with them. You shake your head. Apparently horniness is catching. You can't really blame them, you suppose. The lair is, on the whole, a pretty safe place. Better than a pile of mud in the forest. Eventually, there's another groan from the ex-adventurer, followed by another wet cough. You let the furs fall back into place.

“That...” she gasps out, “Was totally unfair. Thank you, master.”

You grin at her. “I am a fair and just lord, who treats my subjects with equality and honour.” you reply, imperiously. She laughs at that.

“I hope you don't treat all of them that way. I might get jealous and let Pet out more.”

It's your turn to laugh. “Let her out as much or little as you want. We're all monsters here. No one will judge you for doing what you want.” She looks thoughtful for a second, before you speak again. “If you don't mind me asking... You weren't wearing make-up earlier, were you? By the pool?”

The familiar Amanda-Blush is back. She shakes her head, and explains, “It was a gift from the gods that my Spirit tributed for. She was going to use it to surprise David before that... well. You were there. It applies make-up and, just in general cleans me up whenever I engage in, um. This,” she gestures vaguely around the room, encompassing the ruffled, sweat stained furs; the air that, despite your efforts still smells strongly; her own messy face where, sure enough, the make-up was beginning to fade away; and your own body. You do a quick check and are somewhat impressed to see a red ring around the base of your cock, also fading. She continues, her point made. “I only found it this morning. A few things I had access to when I had a spirit were locked off when she left. Some of them, like the cosmetics menu, came back this morning for whatever reason. So I thought it would surprise you. I was not expecting anything like, uh, what happened through. I'm just glad you got to see the results of your handiwork in the end.” She pauses, and looks down. “Did you like it?”

“I really did.”

She smiles at you, and goes to stand, correcting her clothing as she goes. She lets out a gasp of surprise as her leggings fall to the floor in pieces.

“Red, you have got to stop destroying and or stealing my clothes.” she gives you a rueful smile. “I really don't have all that many to start with and there's not exactly any shops around here.”

You give her a smile of your own and nod. It's a small price to pay, after all. And maybe you can fix that for her at some point. It would make a nice gift. You realise that you don't really know all that much about the redhead, and open your mouth to attempt to remedy that when Amanda lets out a massive yawn.

“Oh, excuse me. That took a lot out of me. I need a nap”

you nod and begin to leave, but stop when she asks “Red, master, would you... could you stay with me? Till I fall asleep?”

You pause, for a second, and then nod at her. “Of course I can. Shift over.”

You clamber into the bed and she curls up against your chest. You're forcefully reminded of a similar scene with a particular kobold. It takes Amanda but a few minutes to fall asleep, but you end up staying here, with her under your wing and your head against hers, for over an hour before you finally pull yourself away. There's always work to be done.

Note from the Arkus developers: In worlds where you don't just re-spawn, please don't block your partner's airways for long periods without both consent and training.

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