Chapter 209: Reconnection

A couple of days later, Ann flopped into the tent. Kat was handling cleaning up the area and final perimeter checks before turning in, and Rosalyn was doing the same. Bren and Lucia had already retired with no sounds since they’d slipped away. It was dark. Her eyes didn’t care, though. She saw the tent clearly thanks to her eyes.

Moving more by ingrained habit than intent, Ann set about getting bedrolls set up for the night. It was menial work, but it got her hands working. Hands that distracted her mind from its current track of self-loathing. Kat’s roll went to the right, Ann’s in the middle, Rosalyn’s on the left. Side by side. Getting a singular one that would fit all three of them had been suggested, but the task of carrying such a bulky thing had forced them to discard the thought.

Pillows were set out. Kat’s was beaten to near flatness. Most of the time, she just slept on her curled arm, letting her muscles serve as a pillow. Ann’s was new. She’d picked one up in Korvas and was very grateful for the softness after long days of hiking. Rosalyn’s was simple. It was a bit threadbare and had a couple of holes in it from her horns, but she swore it was the most comfortable thing next to sleeping on Kat or Ann.

That was it. Ann put their packs by their heads, organised their gear, and she was alone with her thoughts. Again. Thoughts that wouldn’t stop calling her a murderer. Thoughts that kept bringing the warm feeling of her hands soaked with blood into her mind. Thoughts that…

“Hey, I’m done. All clear and I’m pooped.” Rosalyn pulled aside the tent flap and gave Ann a concerned look. “Again?”

“Yeah. Sorry.”

“No need for you to be sorry about it. Just worried about you with you taking it all so hard.” Rosalyn set down her belt and dismissed her staff. Undoing her shoes, she walked over and sat opposite Ann. “Don’t need you sinking into a funk. Well, it’s fine if you do, but it’d be sad for Kat and me, so we’d like you to be better, but you also went through a lot, so we understand that you’re out of it, and I’m sorry that this all happened.”

“Making it sound like I wasn’t in a spot where we were about to get murdered, were being threatened with rape, and barely got out of there.”

“No, we were, just… well… I saw it, back there when Bren and Lucia were waking up. You were hiding.”

“I was sitting with you two.”

“Not like that,” Rosalyn chided, giving Ann’s knee a swat. “You were putting on a face. You were acting normal, so they wouldn’t also freak out. Yeah, that’s good that you care about your friends and are trying to help, but it also confuses me a bit. Like, if you’re acting happy about something so big, what else are you acting on, and do you do it to me? If so, where do I find out that you’re faking something I thought was real and…”

“Rosalyn,” Ann said firmly, cutting off the train of thought as her girlfriend’s breath turned panicked. “Hey. I’m sorry, alright. I didn’t mean to hide that from you. I just wanted to try being normal a little. I can’t try to be normal and not force it a little right now. I also don’t want to be a melancholy wreck for too long and make everyone else depressed. That’d suck. I don’t want to suck. Can I tell you something stupid? It might help explain how I’m feeling here.”

“Um… sure?”

“Oh, come here,” Ann pulled the Druid into a hug, laying them both down. “So, back when I was a kid five thousand years ago, we had these things called comics. They were picture books that told stories of all sorts of things, including these heroes with magical powers or things that made them special. I loved them. The art was part of why I got into drawing in the first place.

Kat pushed her way inside. Noticing the atmosphere, she quietly shucked her gear and piled in.

“So these heroes were awesome. They had crazy powers like flying, not being able to get hurt by bullets, or a spider one that was really strong. One thing a lot of these heroes had in common was that because they were so powerful, they understood how easily they could kill someone. Some of them went on to do just that. They stained their hands in the name of justice. Others, though, had the strength to choose not to be killers. They would fight, then defeat their enemies. Sure, they might break their bones or knock them out, but they’d make sure they were alive.”

“How’d they stop ‘em from comin’ back?” Kat asked, wrapping a protective arm over Ann.

“Most of the time, they didn’t. The villain would come back, cause more problems, and the hero would stop them again. Point is, though, that they could do that because they were so strong. Usually, in these stories, it was when the hero broke their rule that their downfall began. Many different writers told these stories, so this could happen a lot just to play with the hypothetical. I dunno. I just thought I could be like that in the back of my head. Like, I could fight monsters and evil shit day in, day out, but people? I don’t think I wanted to kill them. I still don’t. I had to.” Ann felt her throat tightening. Her words were strained as she tried not to cry again. “I guess my stupid brain just wanted to be strong enough that I could beat up the bad guys and send them packing without killing. It was a fantasy, I know that now. Having to fight and kill for your own life, for your loved ones? I don’t think that is as damaging as I built it up to be. Not to your character, at least.”

“Just so long as ye don’t become some maniac goin’ around an’ killin’ people.” Kat’s arm squeezed her gently. It was getting rough and a little red. More scales were coming in. “Bad joke. Sorry.”

“Eh, kinda,” Ann shrugged. “Don’t want to make a habit of it. Still, I’m going to figure it out. I’ve crossed the Rubicon. Ugh, I’m being depressing.”

“Yeah, kinda.” Rosalyn leaned in and kissed her on the forehead. It was a tender act that lasted just long enough. “You’re our girl, though. We helped Kat through a bad spot, our turn to help you through one of yours. Heck, might be my turn next. Who knows? Gotta be there for each other to lean on. Even Bren and Lucia can help. Just don’t hide it from us when you’re feeling it, ok? Can’t help you none if you don’t share.”

Ann snuggled into Rosalyn’s chest. It was warm, soft, safe. Her girlfriends pressed in on both sides, creating an envelope of love. This, of course, was what got her crying. It was a gentle weeping, nothing like her fit the other day.

It didn’t take long to calm herself. Every day was a little easier. The worst night had been the time she’d had to get herself off before her Libido maxed out. Kat had helped significantly, making the experience as comfortable as possible, hadn’t even asked for reciprocation.

For now, she was happy to lie there, getting loved on by the two beautiful women. Her life was tough, but it could be worse. She could be alone.

Pack sticks together.

Yeah.

Gently, she drifted off.

The next day started with Kat waking Ann up. It was becoming normal for the princess to get up first, now. She still tossed and turned in her sleep, but having either Ann or Rosalyn in her arms seemed to help somewhat.

“Sleep alright?” Ann groaned, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

“Eh, you?”

“Eh. Dreams again?”

“Aye.”

“Shit.”

“Couldn’t say it better.”

“Want to go spar for a little? Wake up?”

“Aye. Could do with a warmup.”

The two dressed and walked out into the crisp winter morning. It had snowed, laying a soft blanket of white over the land and tents. None of their companions would hear them, but they still moved away out of respect.

“Skills?”

“Nae. Just fists,” Kat said, stretching. “Need tae get feelin’ intae me bones. Ye’re warm, but it’s still feckin’ cold.”

Ann settled into her stance while Kat did the same.

Neither of them signalled the start, but both knew when to move.

Ann’s paws kicked up snow as she flew forward.

Kat caught the punch on her forearm and returned it in kind.

They settled into a familiar dance. Ann would do her best to crack Kat’s guard while Kat did her best to hit Ann as much as she could. Speed and durability in a duel were not the most exciting matchup, but neither minded the practice.

A quick series of taps from Ann’s fists peppered Kat’s arms before the other woman swung at an opening. Dancing back, Ann avoided it, then spun into another series.

Kat endured the onslaught of gentle strikes before catching Ann’s arm and heaving her over her shoulder.

Ann laughed as she landed softly in the snow.

Kat was already on top of her, trying to pin her.

Ann used her flexibility to wiggle out of the grip and get back up.

“Gods ye’re gettin’ slippery,” Kat laughed.

“Get some claws, and you might be able to hold me.”

“Don’t blame me when I do. Gonna scratch the hell outta ye.”

“Kinky.”

“C’mere.”

Kat barged forward with her arms wide, Another grapple.

Ann made to jump over her head, paws leaping forward and carrying her into the air.

A massive hand caught her leg.

“Oh fuuu!” Ann was thrown back into the snow.

“Not this time!”

“Remmi did that to me, too,” Ann whined as she tried to stop Kat from pinning her again. “Gotta figure out how to not have that happen.”

“Don’t jump?”

“I guess. Through you wasn’t really an option, though,” Ann grunted as she freed her elbow from a lock.

“Aye, ye could. Hit before they’re ready,” Kat said, letting go of Ann’s arm and moving into a headlock. “Ye’re fast enough tae get in, stun, get out.”

“Argh, fuck, yield!” Ann groaned as her vision swam.

Kat released her. Both sat there for a moment in silence.

“Was worried ye’d be scared o’ doin’ this again. Missed it these past couple days.”

Ann looked up at the early morning sky. The sun peeked over the horizon just enough to turn the clouds into a field of fire. “Nah. This is us. Has been since the first day, right?”

“Can I ask ye somethin’ else?” Kat’s voice was hesitant. Nervous.

“Uh, sure?”

“Why’d ye stop doin’ that thing wit’ me?”

“What thing?”

Kat blushed, looking down at her knees and fidgeting. “The thing where ye were callin’ me things. Callin’ me a slut an’ all tha’. Pokin’ at me royal status durin’ sex.”

Ann’s heart dropped for a moment. It took a minute for her to figure out the right words. “Well, it’s mostly the Dragon. After that night with Rosalyn in the woods, and you freaking out, I… well, I didn’t want to add to the weight. Some of those things can be pretty awful for someone to hear, even in a sexual context. I just… I didn’t want to make you feel like less than you are.”

Kat sat there, her good eye staring at Ann. “Hm. Guess tha’ makes sense. Not gonna lie, was kinda doin’ the opposite. Was worried ye were pullin’ back a li’l. Then all the shite wit’ the attack, an’ I didn’t know if ye were just not up tae it, or didn’t like that part o’ me.”

“Absolutely not,” Ann said firmly. “You want me to call you a filthy royal whore while we’re fucking, I will. I just don’t want you to take any of it the wrong way. Yeah, no, I know,” Ann held up a hand, stopping a comment from the princess. “I love you, and I thought I was helping. Sorry.”

“Then ye’ll get back tae it?” Kat almost looked bashful!

Ann crawled toward her in the snow. Her tail swished seductively above her in time with her hips. Hands gently pushed Kat on her back as Ann mounted the warrior’s hips. Leaning down, she brought her lips to the woman’s pointed ear. “I’ll fuck my dirty draconic slut whenever she wants, wherever she wants. Maybe wherever I want.”

Ann felt Kat shiver under her. “I’d love that.”

“Hmmm?” Ann teased as she nibbled on an ear. “Love me to take you to a dirty alley and pound you into a wall? Maybe a town square, and have you try to hide what you’re doing?”

Kat whined beneath Ann’s touch. Her hips arched up into Ann’s. Need was painted all over her face.

“That’s my good princess. And remember, turnabout’s fair play.” With that, she dismounted and scampered away.

“Oi, you feckin’ TEASE!” Kat roared in laughter, getting up to chase Ann.

They ran and ran until they were both tired and giggling their heads off.

“Holy shit, I didn’t know I needed that,” Ann laughed.

“Aye. Was feckin great!”

“Just like, Gods, was that only a couple months ago?”

“Seems like forever.”

“And we’re just getting started.”

“Gonna miss this when summer rolls around.”

“Well, then we can just wrestle in the dirt. I think you’d still be sexy, all dirty and sweaty.”

“Ye’d find me sexy no matter what,” Kat giggled, tossing some snow Ann’s way.

“I mean, duh. Just hope you find me sexy as I keep changing.”

“Ye seem tae be able tae keep yer base as much as ye like. I’m good wit’ that,” Kat shrugged.

“Speaking of changing. How’re the shoulder scales? The face ones seem like they’re all in.”

Kat touched her face, tracing the scales surrounding her eyes and the patterns up her forehead. They almost formed a glittering blue eyeliner that accentuated her eyes. The patterns on her forehead almost formed a tiara, but in separate lines, each arcing outward until they met at the centre, forming a large diamond patch. The scarred portion of her face had no scales, sadly, but it didn’t detract from the beauty of the rest.

“Still feels feckin’ surreal. Dragon scales on me face.”

“You look hot as hell. Very fierce.”

Kat bared her teeth playfully at Ann. “Shoulders are almost all the way in. Sheddin’ the skin is a bitch, but I think the swamp actually helped a bit. Humidity helpin’ moisturise, yeah?”

“Hear lizards like it for moulting, so that makes sense.”

“So there’s that, an’ me back is makin’ steady progress. Between me shoulder blades now. Next time we camp, we really need tae go at eachother. Get reacquainted.”

“Oh, you’ll love what I’ve got in store for you.”

“Stop teasin’ ye scamp. Anyway, me arms seem tae be next, then me legs. Wonderin’ how much o’ me arse is gonna be scales.”

“Hopefully not too much. Kinda like it. One of the two squishy bits you’ve got.”

“Love ye too. Still, could happen. Who knows? We sure don’t. So what was this about somethin’ in store fer me?”

“Not just you. Rosalyn’s gonna get a kick out of it too.”

“Ye gonna keep dodgin’ the question?”

“You gonna make me stop?” Ann teased, grinning mischievously.

Kat lunged and almost got Ann’s ankles before she yanked them back and bolted.

Panting and worn out, they got back to camp to find Rosalyn tending the fire while Bren prepared breakfast.

“Have a good morning, you two?” Bren asked without looking up.

“Had a good talk,” Kat said, taking a seat next to him.

“You have a good night? You and Lucia keep turning in earlier and earlier,” Ann teased, sidling up to Rosalyn and giving her a hand. “Where is our blushing beauty?”

“Still asleep.”

“Bren! Ye dog!” Kat elbowed him.

“Not from that! We were talkinga bout our Warped and how our Bond might affect things!”

“Sure, just talking about being soul mates. Tied together on the most fundamental level since you first met, and getting deeper and deeper into each other and the strange creatures living within you until neither of you knows where one ends and the other begins. Scholar and Hunter together,” Rosalyn sighed. “So romantic.”

Bren sputtered for a minute, and Ann decided to take some mercy on him.

“How’s the bond going, by the way?”

“Strengthening, actually. We can now speak with eachother through it. It is a very different sensation.”

“Really? Like full words? She talk more’n she does out loud?” Kat asked.

“No, unfortunately. It seems her penchant for efficiency extends to mental communication. At least I get emotions to supplement her sparse words.” Bren took the kettle from the side of the fire and poured the four cups of tea.

Ann grabbed her bottomless cup of coffee and rejoined the circle. “I mean, opposites attract, right? You’re not full on rambles like Lamchop here, but you’re verbose. Still surprised she can speak normally. Thought it was some sort of disability.”

“It does come off like that, does it not? Well, we still knew she was far more intelligent than she lets on. Back to more important matters, though, how are you feeling, Annita?”

“Better. I think I’ve mostly come to terms with what I did. Still don’t like it, but I’m able to accept it. Needed a tumble with Kat in the snow to get me back to normal, apparently.”

“You left me out?” Rosalyn gasped, smacking Ann.

“Not like that. We were sparring, then I teased her, and she chased me.”

“Better be all you did,” the druid pouted.

“Ye won’t be complainin’ after tonight. Trust me.”

“Forgiven,” Rosalyn giggled.

Lucia poked her head out of the tent, nose twitching. “Tea?”

“And breakfast. Come on, sleepyhead,” Ann said, patting the spot next to her.

After a relaxing breakfast, they broke camp and headed out. Three days away from their destination, by Bren’s calculations. They were getting close.