Perversions of the Flesh

Any possible awkward lectures in the morning were avoided by some seriously thorough tongue baths. It was pretty late by the time the trio got to sleep, but the fun had done the trick. Ann was relaxed and slipped into sleep easily.

She spent the night teasing Waheela about her pulling on the old wolf’s presence. Waheela, of course, got to have the last laugh as she ambushed Ann multiple times during their hunting practice. Ann was getting better. Sensing Waheela was starting to tip her off when the creature got close. Still, when she was trying to track a dozen other things, this new sense was hard to focus on. Not only that, but she’d barely been able to use it in the waking world. Waheela told her it was harder because her soul was being used, and being within it made things much simpler, but it still frustrated her.

Then there were some nightmares. Flashes of the people she’d killed. Fear of Orenous disowning her for standing up to the Goddess, and a million other insecurities bubbling up in her subconscious.

The morning broke like any other day. Ann and Kat shared their waking in each other’s arms, the silent understanding that neither of them was getting great sleep. Kat never really wanted to talk about it, which was fine since Ann knew what it was about.

Her dreams were specific and repetitive. Always about her dad, or her losing her eye, or one of a dozen other things Dearc plagued her with. The malign dragon had been far less vocal, but was making up for it in other ways. Random feelings of dread, anxiety, and other negative things.

Once Rosalyn stirred, they broke their embrace, dragging the Druid into the middle of the pile and smothering her in love. The weird wound Ann had left on her neck had scabbed over, and Bren would fix the rest, but Ann was careful not to poke at it.

It took a bit for them to roll out of bed and get dressed. Bren had complained about it before, but it seemed like he was getting used to it. He was waiting for them outside with Lucia wrapped in his arms as they sat there.

“Have a good night?” he asked casually, turning to see the girls.

“Damn good night,” Kat sighed.

“It was really fulfilling,” Ann winked at the man.

Bren made to say something, but snapped his lips shut.

Ann saw an opportunity for teasing presented like a fine dessert on a silver platter. “Aw, don’t be like that. You give Lucia a fulfilling night, too?”

“That is between us,” Bren huffed.

“I’m sure it was. Lots of stuff between you two, huh?”

“I… What… You!” Bren sputtered.

“Bet she loved the stuff between you, too. Have you used the bond yet? Mind control was never really my kink, but people were really into it in my day.”

Even Lucia was blushing at this point. “No,” she said in a very quiet voice.

Ann could practically taste the tension. This was way too much fun. “Well, food for thought. So, get any hints at your changes, Bren?”

Bren didn’t respond for a minute. Ann waited patiently with a smug Kat and giggling Rosalyn as the gears in his brain worked. “You are the worst! No! I have not had any signs, thank you!”

“Have.”

Bren’s head whipped around to face Lucia. “What?”

“Have!” she repeated. “Felt last night. Small right now. Top of head.”

“Ears!” Ann howled as Bren’s hands dug through his dirty blonde hair. “Oh no, that’s gonna bring up the cat person ear question.”

“What’s that?” Rosalyn asked.

“Will he have one set or both? Two human ears plus the cat ears, or just the cat ears?” Ann explained. “I’ve had so many arguments online about this. It should just be one pair. Both is just weird.”

“I hope it is just the one pair,” Bren grumbled, poking at two spots on his head. “I agree that both would look unnatural.”

“Aye, but we’re doin’ whatever the feck this is, an’ it’s kinda Warpin’, so we might get both?” Kat posited, walking over to take a look at Bren’s head.

“Miss Ann!” a small voice yelled from down the street.

Abigail clanked her way over to them as fast as she could manage, her little dress billowing as her rebar leg made her gait uneven. She was all smiles, and her giant eye glittered with excitement as she ran over. Ann could imagine the other eye taken by the metal spike glittering just the same. “It’s my birthday! I’m thirteen!”

Any conversation about Bren was dropped in the face of the birthday girl.

“That you are!” Ann laughed, grabbing Abigail and swinging her around. She had to put a ton of strength into the motion, but it was absolutely worth it for the giggles. Kat took her next and had an easier time hefting the extremely heavy little girl. “So, what’s it feel like?”

“I’m a big girl now! Not an adult, though. Still, I gotta be bigger, right? Betcha I grew an inch!” Abigail laughed as Kat tossed her around.

“I dunno. Kat, put her down and let’s see.”

After Kat released the girl, Abigail stood tall and proud, her one floppy ear wiggling with excitement.

Ann knelt down and made a show of looking her over. She hadn’t really gotten taller overnight, but Ann wasn’t going to ruin the excitement. Nodding sagely, she put her hand on the little girl’s head. “Yup! Just about an inch.”

“Woo!” Abigail whooped, spinning on her rebar leg. “Know I’m not gonna be tall, but I’m gonna be taller! Eeeee! Alruna was scared the metal would make me short, but I’ll show her! I’ll be the tallest Inlon ever!”

“You sure will be!” Rosalyn giggled. “Gotta eat up and make sure you’re good and strong so you can lift your big body, too!”

“Yup! I’ve got a lot more to carry around than other people,” Abigail snickered. “Gonna try to be strong enough to pick up Miss Alruna! No, no, Eldest! Gonna be that strong!”

Lucia chuckled. “Big goal. Maybe smaller.”

“Nope!” Abigail beamed. “Gonna lift the big dragon!”

“You will have to let us know when you can,” Bren laughed, tousling the girl’s hair. “I would enjoy that very much.”

“So, what are you doing today?” Ann asked.

“Well, I’ve done some of my chores, so I’ve got free time. Alruna’s been busy with something, so’s Fur and Bark and Eyes and Tarnu. Cook’s even left her spot. It’s weird.”

“Wonder what that could be about,” Ann said with a knowing smile. “Well, we’re not missing. Why don’t we go down to the water and play?”

“That’d be awesome! Can I piggyback, Miss Kat?” Abigail asked, reaching her arms up.

Kat was powerless to resist such an adorable request. She hauled Abigail up and skipped the back, but set her on her broad shoulders. Ann saw a little strain in her girlfriend’s face, but not enough to really bother the princess.

Abigail chattered their ears off as they made their way to the water. She was going on and on about people in town and what they’d been up to. It was surprising how much happened even in such a small community, and Abigail seemed to know it all. When asked how, she just said that she was real good at hiding.

Once they reached the water, a game of tag broke out. Abigail was “it” first, and the rest scattered, letting her chase them. Everyone played fair when it was Abigail being it, but when the others got tagged, the gloves came off a bit.

One time, when Abigail excitedly slapped Ann’s tail, she took off sprinting after Kat. Kat booked it, trying to get away, but Ann was getting better at using her paws thanks to Waheela’s nightly hunts. She was now definitively faster than the warrior even without her Burst of Speed skill. Kat shouted in dismay as Ann clapped her back, then made a hairpin turn to dart off in the other direction.

Abigail giggled madly as she watched the older people play, but never got upset when they toned it down for her. Ann wondered if kids now just knew that the adults could be crazy and that their slowing down was just making it fun for everyone. In her day, that’d be seen as patronising. Here, that didn’t seem to be the case.

Kat was tagged by Abigail, who tripped and tumbled from the effort, but came up laughing her ear off.

Kat turned and bolted towards Rosalyn. With a shout of surprise, she was stopped by a growth of roots grabbing hold of her arms and legs. Rosalyn stuck her tongue out as she ran, shouting taunts back at the princess.

When Kat tried to take advantage of Bren’s far less athletic build, she found herself harried by a maze of barriers appearing just in front of her whenever she tried. Bren, like Rosalyn, immediately began taunting the warrior.

Ann stood next to Lucia, both laughing as the princess really tried to get at either of the casters. It wasn’t often that Ann felt a connection to the huntress. Really, out of all of them, Lucia was still just not someone she vibed with all the time. It made moments like this all the sweeter, though.

“She’s a good kid,” Ann sighed, watching the chaos.

The reticent Thrundol nodded. “Is. Cute.”

“Ever thought of having one? Not trying to be a bother,” Ann added quickly when she got a glare. “Just in general.”

Lucia huffed, going back to watching the rest. “Yes. Expected. Not sure if want. Parents pushy. Find good man. Settle down. Am young! Still hunting! Orenous gag them. So frustrating. Like be good parent.” Lucia scoffed.

Ann shrugged. “Eh, dunno about that. You’re plenty nice, and really watchful. I’ve seen you keeping an eye on Bren. He never gets to slip away when you’re around. Also, he chose to try a relationship with you. Can’t really see him doing that with someone who’d be a shit person.”

Lucia was quiet for a long moment. “Still forced him. Still bothers him. Was inelegant.”

“You got that word from him, didn’t you?” Ann teased. “Bren does seem like someone who’d hold a grudge, and has he told you he’s still holding it over you?”

“No.”

“Then let it go. It’s only gonna stress you out more.”

Lucia groaned. “Not only that. Parents want perfection. Is problem. Know. Still in me. Worry not enough for kids. Only ok. Not enough. Need better. Don’t deserve.”

Ann stood there for a minute, working out how she wanted to say this. “Lucia, you gotta know that nothing’s perfect. No one, no thing.”

“Know!” Lucia grunted angrily. “Told is problem! Leave alone.”

“Alright, alright, sorry!” Ann apologised, holding her hands up in retreat. “Just wanting to help.”

Lucia’s shoulders slumped as she looked at the ground. “Know. Sorry lashed. Touchy. You nosy. Not good together.”

“Nah, we’re not, but I’d like to figure out how to be.”

“Leave alone?”

“Nope. Kat’s already tried that, and it’s not gotten rid of me yet. Just tell me when I’m probing into something you don’t want to talk about, and I’ll stop. Promise.”

Kat, panting, had finally broken through Bren’s barriers, tagging the man as he ran. Now he was chasing Abigail, letting the giggling child keep ahead of him.

“Can work.”

“I’m not going to stop teasing you, though.”

Lucia rolled her eyes. “Of course.”

“Sorry I’m such a bother. I kept to myself a lot when I was in my own time. Getting this whole second chance, well, I’m trying to enjoy it as much as possible.”

Lucia scoffed.

“Well, yeah, that way too, but just people in general as well. I want to be outgoing and weird and fun like I wasn’t before. My whole quest and who I’m with isn’t letting me fall back into those habits, so I keep moving on.”

“Stagnation bad. Is death. Have right idea.”

“Aw, thanks,” Ann grinned, flashing her sharp teeth.

“Still annoying.”

“Aw, you’re a bump on a log,” Ann groaned. They both looked at each other, and after a heartbeat shared a chuckle.

“Looks like Abigail’s got Rosalyn. I’m gonna get in there and see if she can catch me.”

“Same. Go left.”

They split up as Rosalyn tried her best to catch them. Ann eventually took pity on her Lambchop.

A while later, everyone was all run out and very happy. Ann could have gone on for a while longer, but she was by far the best runner of the group. Lupine legs had advantages.

“Alright, I think it’s about time. Abigail, you hungry?” Ann asked, leaning over the still smiling girl as she lay on the stone floor.

“Yeah! Starving! You run really good, Miss Ann!”

Ann helped the teenager stand, brushing off her dress. “Thanks! I’ve been practising while I dream.”

Abigail screwed her face up, scrunching her green nose. “That makes no sense.”

“Sure doesn’t,” Ann laughed. “Come on. I think Alruna and Cook should be done with lunch.”

Abigail squinted at her, suspicion plain on her face. Ann saw the moment everything clicked into place. “Oh! Yeah! Let’s go!”

Ann let Abigail drag her along, headed towards the cooking area. It was awkward, with the child barely being three feet tall, and Ann well over six, but they managed. Soon, they rounded the last tent and found the setup.

Cook’s pot was still there, but the rest of the area had been rearranged. Some of the tents people used as homes had been moved and rebuilt, with only the ceiling covered. Crystals were tied on strings, dangling all over the place in a festive light that reminded Ann of a long time ago. Benches were moved around to fit under the tents, and a big table had been set up that looked suspiciously like a few benches that’d been taken apart for the purpose.

On said table was the feast. During their topside expeditions, the patrol parties had not just been clearing out Warped. They’d spent a good amount of time hunting as well. They had deer, some weird wild boar that had rocks growing out of it, and a dozen squirrels. Cook had outdone herself this time. With Alruna’s help, they’d turned the boar into sausages, ground up the squirrels into patties, and had steaks of deer for the rest. Potato patties had been pan-fried in butter, and some of the seasoning they’d brought back from Godrin’s Cliff, and it all smelled incredible.

Everyone was gathered. Well, almost everyone. Eldest of All was still in his mansion, but would join them shortly. A giant stone dragon moving would have given away that something was up.

Ann beamed as Abigail gaped at the setup. Her foot and stump started stomping with excitement as she looked at Ann, then the food, then Ann, then the food again. “For me?”

“Happy Birthday,” Ann said as Abigail tore her hand away and ran off into Alruna’s arms.

Ann followed at a distance. She wasn’t Abigail’s family. These people were. She wanted this to be all about them and had been happy to be the distraction while everyone got things ready. Bren and Rosalyn joined her as she stopped short.

“This was a good thing we have done,” the scholar said, a warm smile on his face.

Rosalyn giggled as Abigail made her rounds, thanking everyone very politely, but also freaking out with how excited she was. “She’s so adorable! Ugh, makes my heart ache!”

Ann put her arms around their shoulders and hugged them closer. “Yeah. Absolutely agreed.”

“Miss Ann! Come get food!” Abigail yelled. She was already holding a bowl with potatoes and sausages.

Lunch went great. The mood of everyone was nothing but jovial. Eldest of All joined them not long after they’d all gotten their food and had begun teaching some of them songs he’d heard over the years for celebrating birthdays. He and Ann sang the classic to Abigail as the cake was brought out.

It wasn’t anything special, like Rosalyn had said, but it was fluffy and looked delicious. Abigail made little squeals of joy as she ate her share.

After most had finished their cake, Alruna stood and strode to the centre of the plaza. The woman wasn’t the tallest, but she commanded attention along with the nearly deafening clap she made.

“Thank you all for celebrating Abigail’s thirteenth birthday!”

The crowd of mutated people most would call monsters, cheered!

“Now that the cake has been cut and eaten, it is time for gifts. Abigail, would you care to join me?”

Abigail gasped and clanked her way over to stand by Alruna.

“From me, I have prepared something for your hair,” Alruna said. She pulled out a metal flask with a glass window through which a viscous green liquid could be seen. “I know it has been bothersome how frizzy and itchy it can get. This will help both. When you wash, put it in your hair and leave it there. It will help.”

Abigail took the glass flask, careful not to let her metal hand scratch it. “Thanks! I’m gonna use it tomorrow!”

“Don’t overuse it. I will try to prepare it regularly.”

“I won’t!”

“Next will be Annita,” Alruna announced, beckoning Ann forward.

Ann felt the butterflies in her stomach go into overdrive. She knew this was going to be a hit. Didn’t stop her nervousness one bit.

“I got you something you asked for the first day I got here,” Ann said, kneeling down to Abigail’s height. “Here.” She took the doll from the pouch she’d been carrying it in, and handed it to Abigail.

The little girl’s already beaming face couldn’t get any more excited, but she gently put down the flask, then grabbed the doll. “It’s so pretty! I love her dress! And her hat!”

“Got it made out of tough materials, so your hand won’t mess anything up,” Ann explained. “If you do need repairs, there’s a lady in town who made her. I’m sure she’d be happy to fix her up.”

“Thank you, Miss Ann!” Abigail cried, leaping forward and wrapping her arms around Ann’s neck, still holding the Doll.

Ann returned the hug and desperately tried to maintain her balance as the heavy girl threatened to drag her to the ground.

A few others had gifts. Eyes had made a little string decoration for her room. Fur had carved a little replica of Abigail. A few others Ann didn’t know had other odds and ends that Abigail accepted gleefully.

Eventually, things calmed down, and people started putting their homes back together. Abigail, exhausted from playing and the excitement of the party, was carried off by Alruna for a nap. She was a teenager, sure, but that was a lot.

“Well, that went feckin’ amazin’,” Kat laughed as she helped get benches back in order.

“Sure did! Nice seeing a happy occasion like this,” Eyes agreed, moving two benches at once with her long limbs. “Gonna be remembering this one for a long while.”

Ann smiled to herself as she helped clean up the food mess. This had been fun.