Ch111: In the Grotto Garden with Beryl & Adeline

Soft sunshine filters in through the skylights high above, streaming in as gentle beams whose golden rays diffuse into a warm glow.

The tanned tomboy loosely wraps an arm around her Draconic lover’s waist, tilting her head to the side and quite comfortably resting a cheek against Krvavy’s chest. “She looks so cute in those lil’ dresses o’ ‘ers, doesn’t she~...?” A faintly teasing tone underlines those idly whispered words, Beryl’s bright blue-green gaze twinkling with joy as she closely watches the girl in question.

“Yeah...” The barbarian softly sighs back, giving the lithe and lovely shoulders of her sweet berry a light squeeze.

Just a few paces ahead stands Adeline, her little hands awkwardly gripping the dark-blue fabric of her dress as she takes in her surroundings. The bottom-heavy blonde shifts her weight from one bunny paw foot to the other, her rather round face full of awe as her attention darts from one thing to another, as if overwhelmed by what she is seeing.

Which, while adorable, is a bit odd.

Because, in all honesty... there really isn’t all that much to look at down here. The ‘garden’ is really just a few plots of dirt with some plants growing in them. Nothing too special. But the tiny Halfling seems impressed all the same. Maybe she is just in awe of the fact that everything seems to be growing quite well despite being underground? Or maybe she can just see the love and care Beryl has put into these plants?

With a degree of reluctance, the Wood Elf woman peels away from Krvavy’s side “It is so nice ta ‘ave someone else ‘ere who appreciates our garden~...!” Her voice is gentle and friendly, full of an affectionate excitement. Yet still the suddenness of how she spoke up seems to be enough on its own to startle Adeline.

The bunny-mouse girl all but jumps in place, spinning around on the spot and staring with wide eyes as the tall tomboy kneels down in front of her. An embarrassed blush colours the tiny blonde’s already rather rosy cheeks. She slowly exhales, shoulders slumping in relief.

“Ah’m sure it isn’t much compared ta wha’ ya’re used ta,” Beryl’s dexterous fingers dance across Adeline’s trembling shoulders, travelling down past the elbows of that adorably small girl. “But in time we’ll make this inta a paradise~! Would ya...” The tomboy sounds almost timid as she gently grabs onto the Halfling’s much smaller hands. “Would ya like ta ‘elp me do tha’? Ta ‘elp me grow this garden inta somethin’ more?”

Adeline’s big hazel eyes blink and blink and blink again, staring down in shock to where a pair of nimble thumbs are idly brushing over the tufts of dark-blonde hair that sprout from the backs of her hands. “I-I-I-I-I...!” The stammering girl’s face burns a bright red, her nearly flat chest rapidly rising and falling as her mind freezes up from that simple but earnest question.

“Aww~!” Without a second thought, Beryl pulls the Halfling into a tight hug. “It’s alright sweetie~!” She warmly coos, nuzzling into the top of Adeline’s head as she reassuringly rubs that girl’s back. “Ya don’t need need ta answer right away~! We ‘ave all the time in the world~!”

A lighthearted smile plays across Krvavy’s lips as she watches all of that with amusement. Adeline’s reactions are really just adorable, her mind visibly short circuiting as the Wood Elf’s pert breasts get squished against her round and rosy face.

“Maybe you should give her some space~?” The barbarian playfully suggests, placing a hand on Beryl’s shoulder and giving it a loving squeeze.

“Ach, Ah suppose ya’re right...” The tomboyish Elf clicks her tongue quite unhappily as she releases her grip on the flustered girl, who immediately stumbles back a step. “Oh...!” Her blue-green eyes go wide as she sees the almost catatonic state Adeline is in. “Ah’m sorry sweetie! Tha’ was a bit too much, wasn’t it?”

The bunny-mouse girl doesn’t respond, simply shivering and shuddering as she stares off into nothing, looking completely and thoroughly dazed. “Eeep!” She squeaks in shock as Beryl gently grabs her shoulders and gives her a little shake, her big hazel eyes blinking a few more times before slowly focusing onto the utterly naked Elf in front of her.

“Ya alright?”

Adeline audibly gulps as she nervously nods her head.

“Guess Ah should wear some clothes while down ‘ere in the garden...” Beryl idly muses, a frown playing at her lips as she weighs her own comfort – and her desire to be eye candy for Krvavy – against the comfort of this adorable girl. “Tha’d make this less awkward fer ya, aye?”

Adeline frantically nods her head, causing her dark blonde hair to bounce around wildly along with her floppy bunny ears.

“Hmm... My dearest love?” The Wood Elf turns to look up at the barbarian. “Would ya mind fetchin’ my shorts and a top fer me?”

“Yeah, no problem.” Krvavy easily replies as her lips curl into a slightly playful smile. “Just don’t overwhelm the poor girl while I’m gone.”

“Ah’ll try not ta~.” Beryl gently laughs, glancing at the still-flustered Halfling beside her.

“T-trees?!”

“Aye, ambitious isn’t it?” The Wood Elf mirthfully replies. “Ah... will ‘ave ta... ta figure out a few things before tha’ will be realistically possible, but... Hah... It’d be a beautiful sight, wouldn’t it?”

“It sure will be.” Krvavy says with a smile, speaking loudly so that her voice carries across the distance between her and those two very different girls. But, as she should have expected, her sudden reappearance ends up startling Adeline. “Sorry, I... didn’t mean to scare you. I even put a bit more on so that you wouldn’t be so uncomfortable.” She idly gestures at her covered body, towards the loincloth wrapped around her hips and the pelt stretched across her pale breasts. “Felt a bit odd making Beryl get dressed when I’m still naked, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt, so...”

The bunny-mouse girl just closes her eyes and breathes out, holding a shaky hand over her rapidly beating heart.

“My dearest love, Ah ‘alf expected ya ta just toss tha’ stuff down~.” Beryl playfully comments, easily catching the skimpy pieces of leather clothing that the barbarian just threw at her.

“That would have been quicker...” Krvavy pretends to consider it. “But then I wouldn’t have been able to watch you get dressed~.”

“And wha’ a shame tha’d’ve been~! Ah wouldn’t want ta deprive ya o’ such a sight~!” The tanned tomboy of an Elf laughs, swiftly turning around and bending at the waist, shamelessly putting her perfect ass and toned thighs on full display as she steps into her tiny leather shorts. The remnants of what used to be her pants glides across her smooth caramel coloured skin, slowing down a bit as they reach the swell of her sculpted rear.

Hot air hisses past the carnivorous teeth biting down on Krvavy’s bottom lip, eager eyes closely watching her Elf wiggle and shimmy, lithe hips swaying side to side as those delightfully tiny shorts are pulled into place. The barest hint of Beryl’s butt spills past that skimpy bit of leather which, by design, is unable to contain those firm cheeks.

“Oh?” Beryl tilts her head as she looks at the other piece of clothing that Krvavy brought down for her, before glancing over at the Drakling with amusement written across her face. “This doesn’t look like it’ll cover much~.”

“Well, we don’t exactly have many options when it comes to clothing.” Krvavy shrugs her shoulders as innocently as she can. Her lecherous smile spoils that act. “So it was either this, some boring fabric bindings, or your bark armour. And I figured you’d be most comfortable in this.”

“Aye, Ah’m sure my comfort was yer biggest concern~.” The tomboyish Elf knowingly smiles, eyes gleaming with a mischievous joy. “Ah’d appreciate some ‘elp puttin’ this on~. Not sure if Ah could do it myself~!”

“No need to be so coy.” The Drakling softly shakes her head, taking a step towards her tanned lover. “You’re the one that made this thing. Thea said as much.”

“Ach, o’ course Ah made it. Who else would ‘ave?” Beryl clicks her tongue as she hands the skimpy leather top back over to the barbarian. “Ah was ‘opin’ ta properly show it off ta ya later, but... this’ll do.”

“Oh, did I ruin your surprise~?” Krvavy playfully asks as the Elf turns around, the wiry muscles in Beryl’s back tensing and rippling beneath her caramel skin as she lifts her arms up.

“Aye, ya completely spoiled it~.” The tomboyish Wood Elf replies in an equally joking tone.

“Well, maybe you should have hidden this better and not just left it out in the open~?” Krvavy’s hand trails up Beryl’s side, causing the Elf to shiver slightly.

“Ah didn’t expect ya ta know wha’ it was just by lookin’ at it~! It’s just a strip o’ leather wit’ some cords at each end~!” The Elf exaggeratedly exclaims, before sighing rather lewdly as that simple and skimpy top is held up over her pert tits, squishing her pointy nipples flat.

“You left it on top of your shorts. It was obvious what it was~.” Krvavy smiles and pulls that leather strap tight around Beryl’s torso, tying the cords together just over that tomboy’s spine. Her brows knit together just a bit. “That isn’t too tight, is it?”

“My dearest love, tha’ is perfect~. Any looser and it’d slip off~!” Beryl lovingly coos as she turns back around. The strip of leather that serves as her second piece of clothing just barely covers her areola, showing off the faintest mounds where her nipples are hidden away while visibly digging into the firm flesh of her petite breasts. “Well, do ya like it~?” She teasingly asks, rolling her shoulders and stretching her arms high above her head. The toned expanse of her tummy tenses and trembles as her new top remains firmly in place.

“Yes, it’s amazing~.” Krvavy breathlessly answers after a good few seconds of silence. “Though... I do wonder how it’d look if you put it on the other way, with those laced cords tied together at the front... It would be such a beautiful sight, that’s for sure~!”

“Ooh~! Maybe Ah’ll try tha’ next time~! But fer now Ah think it’d be better ta wear it a bit more modestly~!”

Krvavy smiles wryly as she looks Beryl up and down. “That isn’t exactly modest, now is it?”

“Nope~! But it covers wha’ needs ta be covered~!” The Wood Elf smirks back. “So, Adeline, is this better now?”

“Eeei!” The tiny blonde quietly squeaks in surprise as the attention of both Beryl and the barbarian suddenly shifts towards her.

“Oh. Sorry I... kind of forgot you were here...” The Drakling awkwardly rubs the back of her neck as she looks over, and down, at the rather flushed girl.

“Aye, she’s a quiet one~.” Beryl’s eyes twinkle mischievously as she smiles towards Adeline. “We were just talkin’ about my plans fer our garden, but Ah was curious about wha’ sort o’ insights she’d ‘ave. Halflin’s are known fer bein’ good farmers, after all.”

Adeline’s big hazel eyes blink as she gazes up at Beryl, looking a bit overwhelmed and clearly unsure of what to say.

“Any advice fer our garden?” The Elf gently asks. “Ah’m growin’ it very much in line wit’ wha’ Ah know from ‘ow my people grow our food. But yer people farm in a way very different ta mine, wit’ large fields and pastures. We obviously can’t ‘ave big fields down ‘ere, but ya might know somethin’ tha’ Ah don’t tha’ could ‘elp.”

“U-uh...” The bunny-mouse girl nervously mumbles, little fingers fumbling with her floppy bunny ears. “O-our... fields... a-a-are div-divided... bylinesof-oftreesandhawthornhedges! A-a-a-a-and! W-wecyclewhatthefieldsgrow! F-fromtargetcrops...! Tostaplecrops...! Andcovercrops...!”

Adeline jumps as the Elf’s hand gently pats the top of her head. “Ah ‘ave a spell tha’ll ensure the soil ‘as all the nutrients it needs ta grow ‘ealthy plants, so Ah’m not sure if we’ll need ta practice crop rotation. Not tha’ everythin’ needs its own specific place... But, either way, our garden isn’t really big enough ta divide inta parts, nor does it need any windbreaks. Still, tha’ is good advice fer if we ‘ad a farm wit’ sprawlin’ fields.”

The tiny blonde makes a faint but drawn out squeaking noise, sounding almost like a balloon being slowly deflated.

“Aww, it’s alright sweetie~.” Beryl softly ruffles the girl’s dark-blonde hair. “Is there anythin’ else ya –”

“T-totems!” Adeline nervously blurts out, her face flushing heavily as she realizes that she cut the Elf off. “Th-the t-t-totems...! We...! We b-build them...! In a-and around the fi-fi-f-fields...! Th-th-they... theyprotectthecropsfrompestsandsickness! A-and...! Andhelpstostrengthenthestalksaswell! Th-theyhelptokeepwindandrainfromdestroyingentirefieldsofcrop!”

“Ah...” The tanned Wood Elf clearly isn’t sure how to respond to that spewed mess of words, likely not fully understanding what the Halfling has even said. “Well... Can ya build these totems yerself?”

Adeline shudders as she tries to catch her breath. “N-no...” She squeaks, shrinking into herself while shakily gasping for air.

“Shame, but there’s no need ta feel bad about tha’. This little garden is goin’ ta be teemin’ wit’ my own magic, so Ah’m not sure ‘ow useful yer peoples’ totems would be down ‘ere.” Beryl shrugs her shoulders and ruffles the tiny blonde’s hair again. “So don’t stress yerself out about it.”

The bunny-mouse girl just makes a sighed squeaking sound while grabbing at her floppy bunny ears, slowly bringing them up to hide her face.

“You know, I’m not sure us wearing clothes has done much to make her feel more comfortable.” Krvavy idly comments.

“Ta be fair, we aren’t wearin’ much. It honestly feels a little odd, bein’ less dressed than ya fer once~.” The tomboyish Elf jokingly comments. “Khalia’s top fits ya pretty well.”

“Complementing your own work now~?” The barbarian playfully returns.

Beryl playfully rolls her eyes before turning her attention back to Adeline. “Sweetie, ‘ow about we move this conversation over... there! Tha’ way we can sit and relax, and we won’t be loomin’ over ya so much.”

The bunny-mouse girl peeks past her ears, staring up at the tanned Elf’s gentle smile. After a few seconds she nervously nods her head.

Beryl’s smile widens as she presses her hand against the tiny blonde’s upper back, drawing a surprised squeak from the girl as she begins to push Adeline forwards, leading her through the garden.

Adeline stumbles as they pass by one of the plots, dropping her ears and clutching at her dress as the Elf’s gentle hands keep her from falling over. Her face flushes in embarrassment as the tanned tomboy tenderly squeezes her shoulders for a brief bit of reassurance.

“Eeeeeei...” The tiny blonde breathily squeaks as she is seated atop a fallen log covered in thick, soft moss.

“Sorry, my dearest love, there isn’t much room left fer ya.” Beryl apologizes as she sits down beside Adeline, wrapping an arm around the girl’s slim shoulders. “Is sittin’ on the ground alright wit’ ya? Ya’d be closer ta eye level tha’ way~.”

Krvavy simply gives a thumbs up as she lowers herself to the ground, crossing her legs and straightening out her loincloth as she does so.

“It’s nice ta finally ‘ave someone else who can ‘elp me wit’ our garden.” Beryl happily sighs, causing Adeline’s attention to snap towards her. “Ach, don’t get me wrong, my dearest love ‘ere ‘as been a great ‘elp, but mostly wit’ clearin’ the land and tillin’ the dirt. She just doesn’t ‘ave a passion for gardenin’, and there are many more important things fer ‘er ta do than toil away down ‘ere pullin’ weeds. Not tha’ there are many weeds down ‘ere, mind ya, but... ya know wha’ Ah mean.”

The bunny-mouse girl blinks her big hazel eyes a few times, staring up at the scantily clad Elf with a nervous expression. It is obvious that she has absolutely no idea what to say.

“Yer a farmhand, aye? Wha’ is tha’ like?” The Wood Elf wonders, clearly trying to get the girl to open up a bit.

“Uh... I-I-I...!” Adeline immediately begins to stutter, a brief look of panic crossing her face before she forcibly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “I-I feed the an-animals each m-m-morn-morning. G-goats first, th-then the chickens a-a-and d-ducks. I-I-I-I-I collect the e-eggs while they’re dis-distracted, th-then milk the g-goats w-when they’re d-d-d-done eating. Th-th-then I-I let them out into th-their pens, w-wash myself, and go help m-m...mom w-with breakfast.”

“Oh?” Beryl tilts her head inquisitively. “Yer family raised animals? Ah thought they made beer?”

A brief look of confusion flashes across the tiny blonde’s face. “Y-yes? Th-the animals w-w-w-were for u-us. We grew o-oats a-a-an-and hops f-for the st-st-stout. I-I-I-I-I j-j-just helped m-more w-with the an-animals th-than in the fi-fields o-o-or hop y-yard.”

“Do all of your, uh, neighbours raise animals as well?” Krvavy speaks up, causing Adeline to jump in surprise, as the Halfling seems to have forgotten that the barbarian was there.

Adeline shakily breathes out and quickly nods her head, choosing to answer the barbarian that way rather than respond with her stuttered words. Her shoulders slump slightly and she closes her big hazel eyes once more, starting to look rather drained from all of the talking she has done.

“Do ya need a break?” The ever attentive Elf asks. “We are makin’ ya talk quite a bit.”

“Y-yes p-p-ple-please...” The bunny-mouse girl tiredly sighs, pulling her knees up as she shrinks into herself.

“Alright... Would ya like ta ‘ear about my ‘omeland then? Ah don’t mind talkin’ about tha’, and maybe ya can return the favour when Ah’m done?” Beryl gently suggests, smiling nicely at the Halfling sitting beside her. “If not, Ah suppose ya could show us wha’ ya think the best spot ta plant some potatoes would be.”

Adeline opens and closes her mouth with a little bit of panic, as Beryl didn’t exactly ask a yes or no question.

“Would ya like me ta talk about where Ah’m from?” The tanned Wood Elf woman clarifies, a look of amusement dancing across her face.

The bunny-mouse girl quickly nods her head, letting her lips curl upwards into a timid, and thankful, smile.