Aurelia Rising

"Most of a relationship is conversation, so find someone you enjoy talking to"

- Wise Person

Of all the many pros and cons of having their own wagon made, finding a place to keep the damn thing was the most headache inducing. Once they had found a job and were back out on the road, the added storage and amenities would be heavenly. But for now, while they were still in the confines of the city, it meant they had to forgo the comforts of any inn or tavern in favour of the large traveler's yard.

Aurelia had hauled the damn thing into a wide dirt square, alongside many other wagons and karts. Merchants from lands near and far trusted the walls and watchful eyes of the city guards to ensure none of their valuable stock was taken from under their noses while they visited the capital. There were others too, of course. The three of them were far from the only adventurers who kept a wagon at the yard. Though, that they were actually spending the night here was odd.

Most merchants, traders, and adventurers trusted the yard's own security to ensure nothing as stolen in the night. Private guards employed by the yard would occasionally pass by the neat rows of vehicles. Ensuring nothing was amiss. Of course, the wealthier sort still had attendants looking over their master's goods personally, though usually just one to alert the nearby guards should anything untoward occur.

Aurelia, Thessa and Junia looked over everything they had stocked in their wagon's hold so far. Their weapons and armour, obviously. Though once their new orders were delivered, their older stuff would be relegated to being spares. They had blankets, hides, and their large military tent all folded up. Ready for cold, rain, and snow. In a separate section they had stocked dried fruit, grains, and salted meats as well as various herbs and seasonings. Thessa was quite excited to begin trying recipes rather than just her shepherds stew and the soldier's porridge. Of course, there were a hundred other little odds and ends which went into the proper provisioning of their little adventuring company. Everything from whetstones to extra pegs for their tent to a spare pare of sandals. The experience of being away for far longer than they had intended last time had given Aurelia new insight into their provisioning. With their current loan, she had spared no expense with the thinking that it was better to have something and not need it, rather than the reverse.

"Can you think of anything else?" Aurelia directed her question to both Thessa and Junia.

"I mean, aside from the horses I don't think so" Junia replied "But we're getting those tomorrow anyway."

The three of them would be going to the Petronii estate to buy the last, and arguably most important, ingredient to their ambitions. She had strained to push the large kart over the bumps and ruts of Rome's cobbled streets, and it had been empty at the time. Aurelia rubbed her hands at the memory, struggling not to pick at the splinter she had gotten from handling the wooden sides. Junia had offered to attach the many leather straps and clips which would eventually connect to the horses, but Aurelia had flatly refused. Wearing a low cut dress was one thing, being leashed and made to pull a kart in public view was quite another.

Plus, if Aurelia was being honest. Junia probably just wanted to use the driving whip on her. If only in play.

It was probably past time to meet Junia's family anyway. They had lived and risked their lives together. Not to mention that they now shared a bed. Aurelia wasn't sure how tomorrow would go, but from what Junia had told her she had high hopes. Junia's father had been accepting enough to allow one of his daughters to take up arms, and without supervision too. And so Aurelia had to hope that he'd be willing to accept an unusual arrangement. Especially if it was lucrative for him at home.

"It all looks good to me." Said Thessa, running a hand along the wooden sides of the wagon. "I'm just amazed there's still room inside for us, even after all the things we put into it."

"Uhhhh..." Aurelia mumbled.

"Oh, shut it you!" Junia chided "It's still larger than that small tent you and Thessa used that we'd all pile into every night."

The statement was true enough. Even filled with supplies, there was still enough open space in the wagon for them to lay down. Though, they would have to be pretty cuddly. Unfortunately, they weren't allowed to camp in the yard. Otherwise they would be trying out their new large tent for the first time.

Aurelia hopped up into the back of the wagon, beginning to unfold the heavy canvas which would cover the top in case of rain during the night. As an added benefit, it would also keep the noise down...

Once the top was in place and secure, Aurelia leaned over the back with an extended arm offered to the women waiting below.

"Up you come!"

"Is it talk time?" Junia asked before she was brought up by the large Seraphim. Letting out a little whee! as she was pulled into the air and down into the bed of the wagon.

"It's talk time." Aurelia confirmed, before bringing Thessa up next.

They settled down, lying on the thick furs and blankets which cushioned them from the harder wood of the wagon bed. Aurelia was in the middle with Thessa and Junia on either side, the pair curled into the nooks between her chest and arms. She ruffled her wings, encircling them both in a warm blanket of feathers. Aurelia was reminded of a hen brooding over eggs, and chuckled slightly at the thought.

On the subject of eggs, her egg was by their feet. Wrapped tight in furs and positioned to keep warm. No matter how convenient and right it felt to carry it with it her way all the time. Relentless teasing from the girls had forced her to release it from her wet embrace.

At least for now.

An awkward silence filled the space now that they had relaxed. The sounds of their soft exhales audible over the low din of the city surrounding them. Aurelia stared upwards at the beige canvas above them, mentally putting her thoughts in order as she thought of the words to say. Her hands seemed to have minds of their own as they reached to gently stroke the heads and hair of her lovers. Prompting a sigh from Junia and causing Thessa to nuzzle deeper into her.

"So... I like what we have going on." Aurelia began "I think I genuinely love you both, even though we haven't been together all that long. I know what we have is unconventional, that it isn't really acceptable to others, that in all likelyhood it's actually illegal."

She looked down at them both. They were looking up into her eyes, accepting, waiting for her to continue. She swallowed a sudden lump in her throat.

"I'd understand if either one or both of you wanted to leave. Things are getting pretty heavy now. We nearly died, I've taken a lot of debt on for us with no concrete guarantee that we'll be able to make due. When I was talking to Brann... he made it seem like it might have been a really bad idea. And I don't want to take you both down with a sinking ship. I love you both, I want you both... but I think we need to figure ourselves out before we go further."

Having said her piece, Aurelia let out a long breath. A weight she hadn't realized she'd been carrying lifted off her shoulders.

Junia was the first to speak up.

"You know we signed up for this too, right? I might have been terrified sometimes... alright a lot of the time with all those orks and... nastiness. But some of the best moments of my life were right there too. Those slow mornings, long walks talking to you both. Even the guys were cool. I don't know if a lot of adventurers around here would have been so ok with us tagging along."

She drummed her fingers on Aurelia's ribs for a moment before continuing.

"And... the sex is incredible, I'll just say it. I don't know what you did to get blessed by Venus, but it's sure as fuck working. We might not be able to be married officially here in Rome, but unofficial arrangements are super common, especially among the Patricians. Aurelia, you must be bird-brained if you think I'm leaving you now. And Thessa, you're sweet as a pie... Just don't make that one stew again."

The Tauren groaned, her face being pressed into the side of Aurelia's boob made the sound muffled, but Aurelia and Junia both laughed all the same at the Thessa's embarrassment.

"It was... filling at least" Chuckled Aurelia.

"Aurelia, I love the time we've spent together. And I think I'm willing to see things through." Junia said, leaving a trail of soft kisses on Aurelia's skin. "And so long as it's people like Thessa... I don't even mind this little harem your starting to build."

Aurelia choked in her throat. She'd been unsure how to broach that particular subject.

It seemed like Junia was satisfied she had said her piece, and she uttered no more words. Aurelia smiled widely. Heart full and hopeful. Then she turned to regard Thessa, stroking the crown of her head and playing with a strand of her hair wrapped around one of her large fingers. She rubbed a thumb on the small horns nestled in Thessa's rich brown hair. More nubs than anything else, but if Aurelia wasn't mistaken, they looked slightly larger than she last remembered.

Seeming to realize it was her turn to speak, the Tauren raised her head from where it had been buried and looked up into Aurelia's eyes.

"I uh... like you." Thessa said awkwardly "I think you're a good person, and that Junia is too. I like being with you, and spending time with you, and..." Her face began to redden, but her words came with more confidence "sleeping with you. Uh. I still don't know a lot of the laws around here, but I don't think it should matter what some guy wearing a toga in a big building says. I want to be with you... I want to be your..."

She paused, and said the next words very quietly.

"I want to be your mate"

Thessa burned internally at the admission. She squeezed her hands tight, and scrunched her eyes shut. There it was, out in the open now. She couldn't take her words back. Aurelia knew now. The concept of marriage like here wasn't really prevalent in her tribe. Once a couple got together, and especially after sharing a bed or having children, that was it. They were a pair. She had been relieved that none of the others had commented on her spending so much time with Aurelia. She couldn't imagine what she would have done if she'd been confronted on it.

Aurelia, the big, lovable, beautiful Aurelia. Looked down at her with love and acceptance in her eyes, but there was something else there too. Hungrier, needier. The hand stroking her hair cupped the back of her head, urging their lips to come meet. And so she went, gladly.

Their lips seared together, before she opened and let Aurelia in. Their tongues bathed in each other's presence, and Thessa let herself sink into the embrace. When Aurelia asked, she gave. When she demanded, she offered eagerly. Their breaths mingled, becoming one. Eventually, she had to pull back. Gasping for breath, lungs heaving.

"I love you." Aurelia said to her in a low voice which did things to her. Their eyes never leaving each others. "But are you okay with sharing with Junia, or eventually more? Are you along for the ride, no matter how many bumps or snags we hit along the way?"

In response, she dove back into her mate's embrace. Needing to taste her, to feel her against her skin. Her hands found Aurelia's breasts, her tongue dueled with Aurelia's larger counterpart. The hand which held her head stilled at the start, as if not sure how to react. But it quickly regained it's vigor, pressing and holding Thessa's face to Aurelia's. Unwilling to part with her woman.

Then, Thessa finally noticed the wet gurgles and slurps coming from behind her.

With a weak moan, she broke off from Aurelia's full lips and turned her head to look down at the source of the noise. Junia's face was pressed firmly into Aurelia's pelvis, nose buried in the larger woman's golden curls. Aurelia's other hand, the counterpart to the one gently stroking her hair or guiding her lips, instead gripped Junia's brunette hair tightly. Forcing the woman's head up and down Aurelia's towering member.

Thessa watched as Aurelia slowly worked Junia's head from the base all the way to the head. Each inch of shaft uncovered slick and shiny. With a hurk! Junia was forced back down the shaft, wet sounds spreading from the way her lips were stretched around the monstrous member. The violence shocked Thessa, and she almost cried aloud in outrage. But then she noticed the way Junia's eyes fluttered in their sockets, rolling back in her head.

The woman was exactly where she wanted to be.