The Chimera Summoner – ch 47 (part 2/3) – sleepover

Ravale could not stop giggling as Hera, Jennie, and Lucy launched into a tag team tirade of counter arguments and insults at squishy ranged dps thinking they were the most important.

Violette purred loudly, with her eyes closed, her back vibrating happily against my knees.

Nyke held out Nightwish to me.

I extracted myself from my girls, chuckling as Violette instantly stole my spot and hauled Serenity’s legs back over both her shoulders like a backpack, and placed her hands firmly in her hair.

Serenity began petting her, looking rather pleased.

I hefted Nightwish.

Nyke had added a rough black fabric, tightly bound around the hilt. It was super grippy now, and made my hand feel pleasantly dry. Admiring the quality of the fabric, I figured it must be expensive. But gosh was it nice!

I shifted my hands and found that not only was it more comfortable, it felt like I didn't have to grip as hard to keep control of the blade. It was still pretty heavy for me. But now, I could imagine getting it under control.

Wow, that's amazing…!” I said, holding the hilt up to my face to examine the perfect overlapping loops of tough fabric, precisely even. Staring right at it, I couldn't figure out how the pattern had been wrapped and tightened, even though I had watched a lot of the process. “Thank you so much! That is like a million times better!”

Nyke nodded and sat back down, pulling Hera into her lap. I noticed she lifted her without apparent effort. Hera also noticed, given the way she gasped and then cuddled in approvingly.

“It will last as long as it lasts.” Nyke said noncommittally. “When your hand slips, it needs to be replaced. If you end up liking it, I can show you how to maintain it yourself.”

“Wow. I mean. Thank you. That seems like a lot of trouble are you sure? Or can I repay you somehow.” I asked. I hadn't had the impression that Nyke liked me that much. In fact … kind of the opposite.

Nyke shook her head. “It's fine.”

Mmmmm.

I dismissed my sword, and the wrapping disappeared along with it.

I'd have to be on the lookout for something nice or helpful to do for her.

Challenge accepted! What does Nyke like…?

“Levels?” Ravale prompted again.

The commotion Violette had stirred up (and then completely removed herself from) settled reluctantly at the gentle Healer’s words.

The fox girl was currently napping, enjoying a head rub from a bemused Serenity, who seemed to have just accepted her new job. I felt a hint of jealousy at her ability to fall asleep at a moment's notice, seemingly no matter what was happening around her.

“Right.” I said. “So it's four points to grab a Skill from Serenity. Which seems extra valuable now that I can cast Skills through Nightwish.”

“You can WHAT?” Jennie demanded, incredulously.

“Yeah!” I answered. “It like… focuses them! And makes them more…?”

I tried to explain. It changed the effects. But it also profoundly altered how they FELT. Skills were intuitive. It was nearly their only universal quality. But Nightwish had made them feel different. Now that I had a chance to really consider it, the effect was bizarre. I hadn’t ever heard of anything quite like it. It was almost like the effect of a Catalyst, but temporary. Optional.

“Warlike.” Lorna said.

Her tone sobered me right up. That is exactly what it was.

“You cast Skills THROUGH it and it changes them?!” Jennie repeated, staring up at the ceiling like it might have answers if she intimidated it hard enough.

“Yeah.” I said, looking for a seat and settling on the floor at Lucy’s feet. She opened her legs and scooted forward until I was comfortably nestled between her thighs. She began running her fingers reverently through my new hair, which was unbelievably soothing. “So it's that, then I have five more Skill points. Could all go into the final upgrade of [Familiar Bond]. But that's expensive now. Or it could go into [paramore’s Mending]. Still NO idea how that upgrade path will look. Multi target? Passive healing?”

“Make the target cum so hard they pass out?” Lucy suggested.

“I thought it would be like… give another girl a cock!” Hera said excitedly.

We all looked at her.

“Wouldn't that be SWEET?! LIKE TEMPORARILY COCK! So much more fun than a strap on!” She continued, completely unashamed.

“Oh my!” Ravale said, looking faint.

“Shush.” Nyke commanded.

This time Hera shut up, and put her hands in her lap obediently.

“Good girl.” Nyke said.

Hera chomped on her shoulder.

“Mostly good girl.” Nyke rolled her eyes.

“Well that settles it, right?” I asked.

“Yep!” Lucy agreed, squeezing me in the pillowy prison of her legs.

Wow. Lock me away, and throw away the–

“You’ve got to do the Bond thing.” Jennie interjected. “Obviously it's the most important part of your Class. I thought your whole motto was powering up as soon as possible. I would've thought that the last few days would have only intensified those priorities.”

I groaned.

“But my sexy Skilllllll.” I whined.

Jennie looked between my Familiars with an expression that suggested I was the dumbest person alive.

Mmm Familiar Bond was a pretty sexy Skill too. Fair enough.

“Yeahhhhhhh, you're right, they're pretty hot.” I admitted, following her gaze proudly.

“Which of them would you wait to meet so you could upgrade your healing Skill?” Jennie asked.

Well. That sure put the nail in hard.

“Okokokok!” I waved my hands in surrender. “You win!”

Jennie settled back, looking at Ravale with a world weary expression. “It's honestly like I'm her handler, more than her teammate, at this point. Left to her own devices? Almost helpless. Lorna’s got her on way too long of a leash.”

“Typically, I prefer to be the one leashed.” Lorna remarked.

We all whipped around to face her.

“Ha! I KNEW it!” Hera punched the air.

“We’re out of snaaacks!” Ravale announced, rushing out of the room, cheeks ablaze.

We were, in fact, not out of snacks. But no one would object to more. Wayfinders could EAT, and Leveling so much had left me ravenous.

I frowned though. “We should be more considerate of her.”

Hera waved it off. “She likes it, secretly. It makes her feel all naughty and dangerous to have friends who are sooooo crazy. As if leashes are crazy.”

She snorted.

“Are they not??” Asked Jennie.

“I still think we should tone it down.” I muttered.

Lucy petted me affectionately. “You're so sexy when you get all considerate and protective.”

“Agreed.” Serenity chimed in.

“That's exactly where you could leave it, when Rav is around. Remember, she is holding our lives in her hands. We should keep her happy.” I said.

“And when she's not around? Like this?” Lucy asked. “I could say that your protective side makes me feel so safe, and proud, that I get soaking wet for you just thinking about it?”

“And that it makes me want to provide you with equal protection and consideration?” Serenity added.

“And that it is exactly that which makes me think I would feel safe letting you collar and leash me?” Asked Lorna, amusement sparkling in her eyes as they ganged up on me.

“Everyone, chill.” Violette announced. “Ravale is making some kind of dinner.”

The sounds of meal prep became audible in the kitchen.

Violette hopped up and padded off to go help.

Which made me extremely proud.

I made to follow, but Lucy pulled me firmly back down, going herself instead. “We all have our strengths. That's what a party is for.” She said, pecking my cheek on the way out.

“Are you saying I'm bad in the kitchen?!” I asked.

“I'm sure you would fuck us marvelously in the kitchen.” Lucy said, consolingly. “Cooking…?” she gave me a fondly doubtful look, before she dashed away with a giggle.

I crossed my arms in a huff.