“Sounds good,” Alburet agreed. “See you guys at the guild hall, then.” He turned to Tiny and Bob, dismissing them with his usual goodbyes.
“See you at home,” Karen grinned and vanished, followed by Fluff.
Alburet turned to Stacia, “Are you ready?” She nodded and they used their own Homestones.
Karen stood at the door to the house, frowning at it with her hands on her hips, “I don’t have a key.”
Alburet laughed, “An oversight. We’ll get it fixed.”
“Damn right you will,” Karen said as he unlocked the door and held it open for them.
“After you, ladies,” Alburet motioned and Karen, Fluff and Stacia went in. Alburet followed them in, shutting the door behind him. “Karen, if you and Fluff want, you can hit the showers first.”
“We could just all go at once,” Karen said glancing over her shoulder at him, “save time that way.”
Fluff went pink, “Ummm…”
Karen looked at Fluff then let out a wistful sigh, “Or not. We’ll be out in a bit.”
“I’ll get a meal together for us,” Stacia said, as she moved into the kitchen.
Alburet was sitting in his normal spot when Fluff came out wearing a modest sundress, followed by Karen just barely wearing a decidedly not modest mini-dress. Alburet stood up, bowing to them both. “You both look lovely, and I think the contrasting styles suit you each very well.” Stacia turned off the burner on the stove and she and Alburet went to get their own showers. “We shouldn’t be long.”
“The soup be ready, feel free to sup while we shower,” Stacia told them as she went past, “just in case we be longer then he thinks.” She winked at Karen as they passed each other.
Alburet shook his head at Karen’s laughter, following Stacia into the master bedroom. “Not right now, dear Kitten. We can see about that once the raffle is done and you’ve helped Fluff.”
“Ya nay be lettin’ me have me fun,” Stacia mock pouted at him. “Mayhap I need to call in Karen for reinforcements,” she added as he finished undressing them both.
Alburet paused, “Kitten, I’m thinking over what happened this morning, but please don’t push. Not right now.”
She glided up to him and embraced him gently, “As ya wish, me master. I know what ya heart yearns for, though. I can feel ya excitement when ya look at her, I can smell ya pheromones spike when ya catch her eyeing ya back. Ya hold back due to ya father’s words, and there be no need to here. Ya tell me ya can nay leave Alpha World, tha’ this be where ya will spend the rest of ya life. Ya father himself told ya to find ya own path. I will do me best to abide as ya come to terms with it, but do nay hold back ya own wishes. Ya and me will both be happier iffin ya do nay.”
He held her as she spoke, resting his chin on her head where it was pressed into his chest. He had grown an inch or two during the transformation, making it possible to hold her like this. “I’m working on it, Kitten. I truly am, but you’re asking me to set aside a fundamental part of the way I was raised and the words of the man I admired most. Even with the truth of his letter revealed to me, as well as the memory, it’s still hard.”
“Aye,” she pulled back just enough to look up at him. “Tonight, after I help Fluff, I be thinkin’ I can help ya reclaim some memories ya have lost. A few from ya childhood, mayhap?”
“That seems like an okay place to start,” he told her softly, still somewhat afraid of what he might eventually see as his memories were reclaimed. “We need to get showered so we can make it to the raffle.”
“Aye,” Stacia said as she let him go. “I will give ya a quick wash, then. I promise to mostly behave.”
Laughing, Alburet took a seat on the stool she guided him to, “At least you’re being honest, Kitten.”
While she washed him, Alburet’s mind drifted back to sharing the shower with her and Karen. He remembered how happy they’d been, which made him wonder why he was denying them all the same happiness now. He was pulled from his reverie by a soft kiss, “Ya be done, master.”
He returned the favor for her, washing her quickly, with only a moment of play when he pinched her hard tips. “My hands slipped,” he chuckled at her soft moan.
“I be payin’ ya back for tha’ later,” she pouted as he finished rinsing her.
“Kitten…” He trailed off and shook his head, “Later, sorry, not good timing.”
“Ya be wonderin’ about how me kind be able to help ya and Fluff?”
He met her gaze and nodded once, “Yes, but maybe we can talk about it tonight.”
“I can tell ya now,” she said simply as she took the towel and dried him. “All we know is tha’ the Dark Lord gave us this gift. We do nay know why, and he has never said. Mayhap ya can ask him iffin ya get to speak with him again.”
Snorting, Alburet shook his head, “Fair enough.”
They went back out to the main room dressed in simple clothing. Fluff was curled up on a sofa with Karen, who was gently rubbing her ears. “You didn’t drag him to the floor for some fun?” Karen asked Stacia.
“Nay, he promised me more iffin I be strong enough to wait for later,” Stacia said as she dished out soup for Alburet and herself.
Alburet didn’t contradict her as he dug into the soup, acting as if he was ignoring the byplay. The soup was a simple chicken and noodle soup with hints of garlic. He finished his soup without replying to any of the banter the women were trading. He carried his empty bowl to the kitchen and washed it, along with Stacia’s bowl when she handed it to him. He turned around to find Karen, Fluff and Stacia all waiting by the door for him. “First time in my life three women were all waiting on me.”
“Not as I recall,” Karen smirked, “you got Stacia, Stacia’s Copy and me all at once as I recall. The three of us all waited on you to…”
“Okay,” Alburet coughed, shaking his head. “I stand corrected.”
“Aye, ya stood tall and proud, iffin me memory serves right,” Stacia added.
“You two together are a dangerous combination,” Alburet replied as he opened the door for them.
“Yes, and you liked it that way,” Karen said, taking Fluff’s arm as they left the house.
He watched them go, his lips tightening slightly as her words stirred up his inner turmoil. Stacia leaned in and took his arm, speaking softly, “Let it go for now, Asthore. We need to be happy for the raffle and the question to come about the keep.”
Nodding, sighed as he shut the door behind them, “Okay. You’re right, Kitten.”
The guild hall was packed. Side boards lined the walls, piled high with food and drink. Kim and Vanessa stood by the back door, talking with various people. Once Alburet, Karen, Fluff, and Stacia had entered, Gerald cleared his throat loudly and called for silence from near the desk. As the noise ebbed, he raised a hand to get everyone to focus on him.
“Fellow Alpha Company members, welcome to our first raffle. We’re considering doing this again if you all enjoy the night,” he paused as people applauded the idea. As the applause died down he went on, “Our guild leader, Alburet, is here. Alburet, if you want to take over the presentation?”
Alburet followed Karen and Fluff to the desk, and the guild officers arranged themselves to either side of him. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. I’m sure you’re all aware of the announcement about housing and guild buildings earlier today.” He had to pause as people started talking excitedly. He called for silence again after a minute so he could continue. “You all know that there are keeps out in the Dead Lands waiting to be claimed. I have a plan to give us the opportunity to take one, if you’re with me in this endeavor.”
Chatter sprang up again all over the room. Calling for quiet once more, Alburet continued, “A show of hands then, people who do not wish to put our lives on the line out in the Dead Lands for the chance at a keep.” He waited a moment, but no one raised their hands. “Right. All those in favor of making the attempt, raise them up.” Everyone raised their hands,
including the Alpha World natives who’d been invited into the guild. “Okay. I’ll speak to some of my contacts and see if they can get us to one of the keeps. Be warned though, we will not be using others once we go inside. If we want a keep, we will clear it on our own. Only Alpha Company will assault the keep. Are you with me?”
A cheer rose up, echoing in the room and rattling the walls. He held up his hands, eventually climbing onto the desk so he could get them all to quiet down. “All right. Pay attention to the guild announcements over the next few days. The quests for the zones and dungeons are officially paused until we have accomplished this new goal.” He tapped his UI and froze the quests, having looked at it earlier. “Tonight, though we’re here to give you all a chance at more gear, collected by your officers and myself. Tickets have been sold and we’ll start the drawing in just a moment. Keep in mind that we will do this again, and you are all free to donate items. Speak to Kim about doing so. In the coming months, some of you will drop from long term testing and others will come in. You will always have a home here in Alpha Company, and anything you give over will help newer members of Alpha Company get a leg up.”
Gerald set a spinning drum on the desk and gave it a spin, “Here’s the drawing drum, Alburet.”
“Okay, folks let’s see who gets what. When your number is called bring me your ticket to verify. Then Kim or Vanessa will take you into the back so you can grab your choice.” The crowd began to cheer again as he reached for the first number.
After the raffle was over, people hung around drinking and eating and talking excitedly about the coming adventure. Vanessa took off to get some sleep since she needed to be back early, but Kim was still there when Rolland rolled in with a quizzical expression. Alburet waved to him as Rolland went over to speak with his wife.
Taking a moment during the party he found Chris and Deidre off to one side. “Deidre, sorry we missed your celebration dinner the other night.”
“Aye we missed ya,” Deidre replied. “We heard ya had prior obligations though. It happens at times, It nay be like we told anyone ahead of time we had been goin’ out huntin’ like tha’. Besides ya accepted us both into the guild, tha’ be a wonderful gift to make up for it.”
“We do thank you for accepting us,” Chris added. “We noted that you have few Alpha Worlders currently in the guild. Which means we have been able to join early and the quest to go into the Dead Lands is pretty big, if you can get everything set up.”
“That is the plan,” Alburet chuckled. “Enjoy the rest of the party, and sorry again. Now where did Stacia get off to so I ca corral her for bed?”
“She be over there talkin’ to Rolland,” Deidre pointed her out.
“Thanks,” Alburet gave them a parting smile as he went over to Stacia.
“Hope you guys can enjoy the rest of the party, but I’m taking the wife to bed now,” Alburet gently interrupted the group.
“Aye, it be near time for me to help Fluff,” Stacia said as she took his arm. With the the two couples said their goodbyes.
Stacia tapped Karen and Fluff, who were off in a corner, and retreated to the house. As they entered, feeling a little more worn than normal, Stacia touched Fluff’s arm gently. “Ya still wish for them to see?”
Fluff glanced at Alburet and Karen then nodded, her voice subdued, “Yes. They should know.”
Stacia looked at the other two, “Give me and her five minutes, then join us.”
As Stacia and Fluff left, Alburet leaned against a sofa. “Well, everyone seems to be on board with your crazy idea, Karen,” Alburet commented.
Karen grinned, “It will be a blast. Aren’t you worried about the Alpha Worlders going with us, though?”
He nodded, “Yes, but I will not deny them. Would you want someone to hold you back just because you might die a final death?”
She paused as she considered it, “That is a good point.”
“What do you think this means? With Fluff, that is?” Alburet asked after a moment of silence.
Karen looked at him, “She mentioned something about her family during the meet-up at Mindblown. I don’t think her family life was good when she was young. Not that I can talk much on that topic.”
Alburet looked at Karen and reached out to touch her arm, “We all have dark things we would rather not share.”
Karen gave his hand a squeeze before she stood up from where she’d been leaning, “It’s time.”
Alburet presented his arm to her, “Might I escort you to the room?”
Karen’s face lightened up a little at his words, “Not the way I’d hoped, but I’ll take what I can get for now.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Entering the guest room, Alburet saw Fluff laying on her bed with the covers pulled back. The part that made him slow was the fact she was in just her undergarments. Karen smirked as she slipped past him and went to Stacia’s side on the far side of the bed.
“What do we do?” Karen asked as she looked down at Fluff with a smile.
Fluff was sleeping it seemed, her eyes were closed and her breathing was even and slow. “Ya just touch me back, an’ when I go into her mind ya will come with.” Stacia looked over at Alburet, “Come now, Asthore, she knew ya would be seein’ her like this.”
Alburet nodded, studiously ignoring the soft fur that covered Fluffball’s stomach and thighs as he went around to Stacia’s side. Laying his hand on her shoulder, he gazed down at the sleeping beauty on the bed. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Do nay panic over what ya see. Ya can nay interact with anythin’, ya will be like a ghost, only able to watch. Fluff will be with us watching the memory. Offer her words of comfort and tell her what ya will. Do nay speak harshly of her father though, she still be workin’ though her conflicted emotions about him.” Stacia glanced at both of them before she nodded and began to hum a haunting tune that seemed to draw their minds in.
Alburet blinked as he found himself in a small room. Sitting at a desk was a pale skinned beauty. Her black hair was long and draped down her back as she was bent over the desk working on something. She glanced once at the door, her clear, light blue eyes looking like gemstones.
“That is Fluff,” Karen whispered to him from one side.
He looked over, and was able to see the ghostly outline of Karen beside him. “She’s like a doll.”
Karen nodded, “Exactly what I thought. She only grew up, she hasn’t changed.”
Shaking his head, Alburet watched as the teen sat back and stretched. He stepped forward to see what she had been working on. A green haired elf was tied to a tree with vines, naked and spread eagle as a massive orc stood before her. His mouth dropped open at the erotic nature of the drawing.
“Julia! You useless little bitch, why isn’t dinner ready!?” The irate voice cut through the walls.
Julia started. She jumped up from her desk and fled the room, very nearly running. They followed her to the living room. She was kneeling before a man, taking his shoes off. “Sorry, Poppa. I was working on the art you wanted. I think I’m improving.”
His hand lashed out, striking Julia on the head, “Shut it, you worthless little tramp. I didn’t ask for excuses. Go get me a beer and get dinner ready, like it should be already. I’ll judge the art later.”
“Yes, Poppa,” Julia said as she jumped to her feet and hurried into the kitchen.
Alburet frowned as he watched the man’s head turn to follow her. The look on the man’s face sent a spike of hatred through Alburet. Julia came back out with an open bottle, setting it next to her father before she retreated again.
After a minute, the man grabbed his beer and wandered to Julia’s room. The group tried to follow him but they were met with an invisible wall.
“She was nay there, so I can nay show it, or extrapolate wha’ may have been, as he did nay make enough noise,” Stacia told them as they retreated back to the living room.
The man came back holding a sheet of paper, which he set down on the end tabl
e beside his chair. He turned on the TV and settled back with his beer in hand. Alburet frowned at the paper as he studied it. “That isn’t the original.”
Time in the scene froze as the others came over to look at the paper. It was clearly a printed copy of the art Julia had just drawn. “He must have scanned it and printed this one,” Karen said.
“But why?” Alburet asked without expecting an answer.
“Watch,” Fluff’s voice said softly.
A few minutes later Julia came out to the living room carrying two plates. A thick steak covered one plate, while the other held veggies and a handful of nuts. She set the steak before her father and took the plate of veggies over to the corner of the room, where she began to eat them slowly, as if savoring them.
The man looked at the steak and nodded once, until he cut into it. “Useless bitch, you over cooked my steak again.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 33