After the agreement your relationship with Kara more or less stabilizes. Though you two are not as active together, her libido also seems to cool a bit in general, while on the ship at least. There is no shortage of men, but you begin to suspect that she had been going overboard ever since you made it known what you wanted out of her. For any other man, her efforts would have worked after the first attempt but your stubbornness brought you to the point where things are, by your estimation, looking up. All you need to do is pursue one of the girls in your party seriously. There is no rush so you decide to wait and mull over your options, promising Kara to decide by the time the ship docks on the other side of the strait. It will only be another day from the point that the deal was made.

Thinking about it, the only real choice is Heilan. Though Kara did not specify, Vura would undoubtedly ferment ill will. There are no points gained for pulling one over on the person you hold the agreement with, since she could simply decide on a whim that the terms are changed if she deems you in violation. You are fairly sure that Vura is not interested in you, at the very least. You have the tiniest suspicion of her inclinations but are not ready to make assumptions. You do not particularly care, either way. Luire is male. Without being sure of his interests, it would still be in poor taste to start making moves on him when taking his history into account. Besides, he seems nice enough that you would not want to lead him on, since you are definitely not interested in males; no matter how feminine they may be. That just leaves Heilan. She is not of the same type as Kara, but she is close. She is a beastwoman of a similar age to you. In terms of experience, you may even have her beat so you could have a shot at being the senior in a relationship for once. She is not without her charms, either. Heilan does not let on a lot about herself and seems rather basic, but she is also fairly driven which is attractive to you. Though you do not get her, she does have interests and is receptive to listening to instructions and following orders. As a party member she is perfect. As a temporary girl for the purpose of the deal? You can not be sure until you try.

When the ship moors you all quickly disembark. Kara is pleased to touch ground. The boat was, in essence, one big dead zone for her magic. Nothing alive in any direction. Vura did not mind the proximity to both Heilan and Kara, but also seemed to not mind sailing in general. Luire was comfortable and mostly kept to himself in the cabin he shared with Heilan and Vura and a few other women that had been using the ships services. You eye Heilan, rushing off the boat after Kara. She did not seem comfortable on the ship, but would always stick close to your master. She always found some reason or another to strike up a conversation. Now was no exception. You stayed a few feet away and pretended to watch cargo unload.

“So... This is your homeland?” Heilan asks.

“Uhh.” Kara does not want to answer that question. You assume it is for various reasons. Her entire reason for forming this party with you is based on a lie, essentially. Giving more info than necessary will just bring trouble.

“I think my ancestors migrated down from here. Maybe we're related?”

“Unlikely.”

“You aren't used to the cities, right? Because you live out here?”

Kara shrugs and says evenly. “More or less, yeah.”

“That's really cool. I've always wanted to connect with my roots.”

You turn to look a bit more closely. Kara is obviously sizing up Heilan after that statement. She adopts a subtle look of doubt that is imperceptible to the wolf girl.

“Uh huh?”

“My family's roots go way back in this area, I think. My grandma always told me stories that she was told by her grandma. You know how it is.”

“I guess.”

“But yeah, on that topic I had a question.”

“If you're asking for permission to ask a question now, what do I get for all the previous times you haven't?”

Heilan giggles. “That's funny, sorry. You're right. I shouldn't need to ask since we're kinda like kin, right?” She looks down nervously. Her cheeks are flushed faintly. Since she is not looking, she does not notice Kara rolling her eyes.

“Anyway. You mentioned Calpin's Bite but I think that's the name for it from back before it was taken by the Empire.” Kara blinks.

“It's called Vagar's Reach. I thought it was weird that you called it Calpin's Bite. That's pretty old language.” Kara gives you a look while motioning her head towards the curious girl. You take it as your cue.

“Where'd you learn-”

“Hey, Heilan?” You step in to cut off her next question. She does not seem annoyed, but does look a bit less interested in you and more interested in what is going on with Kara. Luckily the subject of her attention is on your side and swiftly takes your interruption as a way to exit the conversation.

“I need to go make some purchases. Talk later.” Kara utters in a short tone, not leaving any room to respond before she turns and starts jogging away somewhat comically.

Heilan tilts her head to one side at that sight, then looks at you. “Hi. What's going on?”

The true value of your skill begins to shine in this moment, when you identify how unsatisfied she is. You guess it is because she did not get to finish talking to Kara on the topic she had brought up. You take the initiative and the faint risk and decide to try to fill in the void that Kara left.

“You mentioned Calpin's Bite and Vagar's Reach? That's pretty interesting. I didn't know. Could you tell me a bit more about that?”

Heilan's eyes light up, telling you that your guess was correct. “Absolutely.”

“Let's grab a seat. Pretty sure Kara's going to go get us set up. We just need to wait.” The town that you docked in is a shady place with buildings of stone and dark wood. You see sloped roofs and signs of winter preparations going on. Luckily you are still a month or so off, which should be enough time. You can see that these people do not rest or take chances when it comes to the cold, however. In the shops all around, many are selling furs or winter clothes. The people themselves are bundled with one extra layer and you can kind of feel in the air why that is a good idea. You make a note to splurge for some winter clothes and equipment for the party while you find a spot to sit down. You do not have to walk far to find a small bench overlooking the foggy bay that the harbor sits in.

“Calpin's Bite.” You repeat to kick off the conversation again as you both sit down.

“Calpin was a famous beastfolk commander back when most of my kind were allied under the demon banner.” She explains, lowering her voice as she speaks of the last part.

“Must be hard to talk about. I doubt many of your kind would want people to remember that. I only found out because of Kara.”

“That's true. It's a sore point, especially since it wasn't too far off historically.” She shrugs.

“But it's a part of our history...” She seems to speak cautiously to you, since you are a human. You can tell by assessing her that she is holding back.

“What do you think?”

You smile. “I think it's a shame that you're made to be ashamed of your history.” You consider the content of what she said and adds.

“You know... Human history is full of kingdoms and people that broke off, forged new alliances and fought. Why should your people be treated any differently for doing the same?”

Heilan's lips part. She stares at you with a surprised look. “That's...” You can tell even without reading her that she is touched.

“That's so true. I hadn't thought of it like that.”

“Just don't make that argument to anyone else. I'm pretty well-read.” You wink.

Heilan blushes. “I can tell. No one I've every talked to, even my own family has been able to put it like that. Makes me think.”

Something does strike you, however. “So... Someone allied under the demon banner would probably still call it Calpin's Bite? The same way someone that's with the empire would call a place the same name they use, even after it's taken?”

Heilan nods. “Probably. But I'd say that it could also just mean someone's really old or doesn't have the new info. It was called Calpin's Bite during the time of my Grandparents Grandparents. That's not too far off. Even some beastfolk that aren't allied under the demon banner might still think it's called that because that's all they know. That's what I assumed it was with Kara, since she's not from the Empire, right?” She looks to you curiously. You wonder just how much to let on, but decide that you can offer something.

“She's from a tribe, not a nation, so yeah.”

Heilan becomes excited. “A tribe! That's so cool!”

“You think so?”

“Of course.”

“You've got a pretty big interest in all things related to beastfolk, huh?”

“I kinda do wear it on my sleeve, yeah.” Heilan giggles.

“My family goes way back in this area. I found a group that was coming up here so I could maybe find out some stuff that stories haven't told me.”

You get the idea that Kara, without the wolf girl knowing, is a literal wealth of stories that she has not been told. It would be a bad idea to let her know. Heilan leans in close.

“I've never met a human that's shown an interest. Do you also like Beastfolk? You'd have to right?”

You blush. “S-sorry?” You assume she is talking about Kara.

“You formed a party to take one home. There's some connection there, right?”

“Oh... Yes. I am interested.” You think back to what Kara said about being a hero to everyone.

“I think that... I would like to try and help more people than just those within the Empire.”

“That's awesome.” Heilan responds fairly positively, but she is definitely going to be biased. You guess that she is likely the only other person in the group other than Kara that would easily go along with that statement, and you only make it knowing all of the things she has opened up to you about already.

You feel how easy it has been to make a connection with Heilan. She is receptive to everything you've said so far. The girl is still sitting next to you, leaning in close. She is hanging on your words, practically. You consider whether it would be a good idea to make a move now, or not. This is where your lack of experience with other girls begins to have a detrimental effect. You are not sure what making a move would do for the progress you've made so far. The risk versus reward is pretty great for that choice. On the other hand, playing it safe both plays into your lack of desire to make it with other women, and also kicks the ball down the road. It allows you to make slower, steadier progress that you believe should have good results if you just keep at it. Regardless, she is here. The chance to make a move or play it safe is now.