Poisoned Rationality

-Nyx-

I woke up early on my birthday, like I usually did. Yawning, I sat up and stretched.

“Happy birthday,” Ria murmured sleepily.

Happy birthday, I said.

The two of us got up and got dressed before leaving our room.

“Happy birthday, sweetie!” Mom said, pulling me into a hug as soon as she saw me. I smiled and leaned into it.

“Thanks, Mom.” She pulled me into the living room, where Dad was sitting. He hugged me as well, and then Mom made me sit down before rushing into the kitchen.

After a couple seconds, she walked back in, holding a small cake on a plate.

My parents sang happy birthday to me before Mom set the cake down in front of me and smiled.

“Happy birthday, Nyx,” She said. I blew out the candle and smiled back.

Over the course of the morning, I ate my cake, which was delicious, and opened the present from my parents, which was a loot pouch enchanted to hold more than it had the size for, and then lounged around as I waited for my friends to arrive.

After around ten minutes, Ariana came over, wearing a beautiful light-blue shirt and bright pink skirt, smiling.

“Happy birthday!” She exclaimed. I blushed slightly and let her inside.

“She’s very pretty today,” Ria teased, and I could feel her grinning.

Shush, you, I retorted.

“Here’s your present!” Ariana said, holding out a small box. I took it and thanked her before walking to the living room. Ariana said hi to my parents before sitting down with me on the couch. “Open it!”

“I was going to wait until Nat gets here,” I told her. “So I can open both of your presents at the same time.”

“That’s fine,” She grinned. “Oh, by the way. Did you get a new skill yesterday? I got two after the goblin quest.”

“I did, yes,” I said. “It’s something I’m going to bring up with the group tomorrow, though. It involves Stella, kind of.”

“Oh,” Ariana frowned. “Okay. Will you tell them about the void stuff, too?” She asked.

“I think so,” I answered. “If we commit to being a party, yeah.” After a moment, I asked, “What are your new skills?”

“They’re called [Venom Fang] and [Venom Claw],” Ariana replied. “They let me put any venom I have catalogued on my teeth or my claws for up to a minute. I can also end it early, and it only has a 10-second cooldown. Oh, and no MP cost.”

“Those seem strong,” I said.

“They can be, yeah,” Ariana agreed. “Only when I’m disarmed, though. I need to be up close to use my claws or teeth, and my knives are sharper anyway.”

I hummed, and the two of us sat in silence for a little while. After a couple of minutes, Ariana spoke up.

“Nyx, do you know what Split of Heart means?” She asked.

“No, what is it?” I said.

“Split of Heart is when there are two people in one body,” Ariana explained. “My grandmother was Split of Heart, and, um, I think you might be too.”

Oh. Did she know about me and Ria?

“I think she knows,” My headmate piped up. “And I think you should tell her about us. You like her, don’t you?”

I blushed and looked down.

“Yeah, I am,” I said softly. “I didn’t know that’s what it’s called.” Ariana pulled me into a hug.

“It’s okay,” She whispered. “It’s natural. It happens to all sorts of people. My grandma was Split of Heart.”

I hummed and leaned against Ariana.

“Do you two have different names?” She asked.

“Don’t forget to tell her that I’m Fated Ones with Stella, so you’re open,” Ria told me.

I nodded in reply to Ariana. “I’m Nyx, and she’s Ria. And, um, Ria’s the one who’s Fated Ones with Stella. She wanted me to tell you that.”

My friend grinned and hugged me again. “That leaves you open, doesn’t it?” She asked, and I blushed bright red. I looked up to meet her eyes, and she smiled.

“Do you…” I began, trailing off.

“I would like to date you,” Ariana said. “Is that okay?” I nodded rapidly, and she smiled. “Cool. Can I kiss you?” I blushed further red and nodded again.

Ariana leaned forward and lightly kissed me. I melted against her, my poor gay heart failing me.

After that, we spent several more minutes cuddling on the couch. At one point, Mom poked her head in the room, and I waved at her, blushing. She smiled fondly and left. I guessed she had probably overheard my conversation with Ariana, given her nonchalance upon seeing us cuddled on the couch.

Some time later, there was a knock on the door. I got up and opened it to find Nat.

“Happy birthday!” She said. “How are you?”

“Good,” I told her. “Come on in.”

I led her inside, and she sat down on one of the chairs in the living room. I sat back down next to Ariana, cuddling against her side.

Nat raised an eyebrow at us, and I blushed. Ariana quickly explained the basics of the situation to her before patting my head. “We’re trying out dating,” She finished.

“Cool,” Nat said. “Is that why you have two tails, then?”

“It might be,” I hummed. “I’m not sure.” I glanced at my tails and flicked them back and forth. “I don’t think it would be the only reason a wendigo would be twintailed, but maybe.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Ariana said. “Twintailed wendigo are pretty rare, right?” I nodded.

After a couple more minutes of chatting, Nat asked, “Want to open your presents?”

I grinned and sat up straight, looking over the two presents from my friends. Which one did I want to open first?

“Pick the left one,” Ria told me.

I did so, grabbing the pink-wrapped box tied with a bow. It was small and didn’t weigh much.

After unwrapping and opening it, I found a small pink silver ring with a star in the middle, connected to a silver strip of fabric.

Enchanted Rose-Silver Choker

Rank: [C]

Increases the speed of venom regeneration by 35%

“I got it enchanted a few weeks ago,” Ariana said, smiling at me. I leaned against her, hugging her with one hand.

“I love it,” I told her. “Thank you.” She helped me open the clasp and put the choker on before I moved on to Nat’s present.

The box was simple and tied with a red string. I pulled a loop, untying it, and pulled off the lid. Inside was a small blue-grey fox plushie, with little buttons for eyes and a big fluffy tail.

“It’s supposed to resemble Estelle,” Nat said, blushing slightly. “I know she’s a kitsune, but I could only manage one tail.”

<It’s adorable!> Stella exclaimed, and I could hear her smile. <Tell her I love it.>

“Stella says she loves it,” I told Nat, who smiled.

I hugged the plushie to my chest and cuddled against Ariana, smiling. Nat came over and sat next to us, and Ariana pulled her into a hug as well.

We sat there for a while.

It was nice.