Bonding
Edrick sat in his armchair, reading through the manual that Elder Gang had given him after their little spar, he had read through it a few times already, but the old man proved that he wasn't a sham as his explanations and recommendations proved excellent, though, it was naught but a compilation of mundane breathing technique, most people knew that by breathing in certain manners, you could perform certain activities better, Anoteros had already known this before, but it was still the first time he could get the point of view of someone that knew the subject so well.
He read through the parts of interest whilst Linmin was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen, meanwhile, Fanqia was seating on the couch nearby, weaving baskets from pliable branches, she was proving to be rather good at most craftsmanship disciplines she took upon, as long as it wasn't too physically demanding like blacksmithing, she could seemingly perform well in anything, which may be why she seemed insistent on making as many things as possible herself.
The residence was already well-decorated by objects of her conception, although, this time, Edrick knew that she had something else in mind, Fanqia, much unsatisfied at her shortcomings in wielding a weapon, was instead planning on putting her gardening skills to another use and learn how to perform some alchemy amongst other special crafts she was studying upon.
But since they didn't already own many plants and such, she was planning on gathering some herself, hence the baskets.
As for his third wife, Hui was sitting stiffly on the other end of the couch, back to her shy and mousy self like last night had been a dream, she didn't know where to put herself or what to do.
So she just sat there, silent.
Until breakfast was ready, and as usual, it was a rather copious meal, the sort that made the bespectacled girl gulped as it had to be rather costly to eat like this everyday, Hui had feared at least a little bit of animosity or something from Edrick's other wives, but there was nothing of the sort, which weirded her out, Linmin and Fanqia seemed too nice with her.
When the meal ended, Edrick spoke up :
"Why don't you three get to know one another? I'll be in the backyard" he said, rising up from his seat and disappearing out of view.
"Hui, right? We'll show you around the residence" Fanqia grabbed her by the hand and pulled her along, Linmin just smiled and nodded.
Not one of them was like the other, which was surprising as it implied that Anoteros's taste were rather broad, Fanqia was plump, good with her hands and had that country girl charm that made her seem very approachable.
Linmin on the other hand, was very, very flat on the front, not so much on the back though, Hui had no idea still that he was a foppoof and not a woman, but he had that calm and cold look, being very dependable and skilled in all that related to the household, as well as having some skill with the sword as he always seemed to be carrying one.
He didn't seem quite as approachable as Fanqia, but was very elegant and actually very nice, thought Hui, not quite realising that this sort of amiability wasn't to be extended to those outside the residence.
Hui herself was far from being as abundant as Fanqia in terms of physique, she was more average in that regard, neither deprived of the bits men enjoyed in women, but far from being in possession of noticeably large attributes.
Bashful and more comfortable when surrounded by silence and books, it sometimes looked like she was trying to hide behind her glasses when lowering her head to avoid meeting someone's gaze.
And the three dressed very different from one another as well, in fact, it seemed like the only thing they had in common was their affection for Edrick, which was good enough for Fanqia and Linmin to consider Hui a friend already, anyone their husband deemed worthy, simply was worthy, there was no other way.
"You already know the bedroom, this is where we all sleep at night… By the way, How was it last night?" asked Fanqia.
"It was… Magical, I never felt so good" Hui replied earnestly, it had truly been one hell of an experience, but she felt like burying her face in her hands remembering it, she had gotten too bold after Edrick put the crest on her, having really been too thirsty for more.
"Of course, Lord Edrick's attention is as precious as it is enjoyable, we are lucky that he is willing to spend some time taking care of us nearly everyday" Linmin smiled, he might have been worried about a third wife before since it would require Edrick to split his attention and energy, but now that he had begun cultivating, just three wives to take care of would be a piece of cake for him.
"Where is your crest? Mine is beneath my navel and Linmin's is on his upper back"
"His?"
"Ah yes, I am a foppoof"
"Oh… I never would have guessed, I guess Lord Lucien truly has wide-reaching preferences..."
Hui readjusted her glasses, still not seeing how the second wife was in any way not a woman.
"...Huh… My crest is on my neck" she pulled down the collar of her robes to show it, Hui would like to proudly show it off since it was in a visible spot, but knew that most wouldn't interpret a crest being put on one's skin as a sign of love and affection.
Thankfully, her robes and work clothes as a librarian covered up most of her neck anyways, she wouldn't have to make up an excuse as to its source or anything.
"Oh, very pretty!" Hui felt embarrassed by the compliments.
But soon enough, they left the bedroom to tour the rest of the residence.
"And here, is the place of interest, as you saw already, Lord Anoteros is very kind with us and gave us our own rooms to do our hobbies or do whatever, and so-" the door opened, giving sight into a rather big room filled with books, scrolls and the likes, the smell of old paper permeating the place, a nice little desk and with for only light source, a small oil lamp that had clearly been made very recently.
The place looked rather gloomy and dark, which was exactly how Hui liked it, working in the dark with only a small lightsource, while surrounded by books everywhere to the point of claustrophobia.
"I love it!"