Chapter 67: Lessons in Heat
Raenly tumbles out of the tree first, limbs flailing as he hits the dirt with a winded oof. Mysa follows immediately after, landing directly on top of him with a squawk.
The two groan in a heap of tangled limbs and leaves, Raenly’s contraption bag somehow bouncing to the side with a thunk.
Mysa rolls off her brother, flopping onto her back, arms spread wide, eyes glassy with exhaustion. "Why is the universe so cruel to me?" she wails. "Pip has blessed hundreds, hundreds of women. Why not me?"
Raenly, brushing twigs from his tangled hair, hops to his feet with surprising enthusiasm. "Don’t give up," he says, voice firmer than it had been in days. "We’ll get our chance. You’ll see."
Mysa blinks at him. "Who are you and what have you done with my cowardly brother?"
He adjusts the pouch Bilorial had given him, its crimson glow glinting with unsettling glee. "I’ve been... inspired. Enlightened. And possibly mildly possessed by the spirit of infernal science. We will succeed."
Mysa’s brow furrows. "That sounds ominous and hot. I’m conflicted."
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Back at the Barn...
The late afternoon sun casts golden beams through the repaired roof of the pleasure barn, where the team’s work carries on with professionalism and efficiency. Pip stands at the ready, glowing faintly with anticipation. Penelo, clipboard in hand, stands beside Vuvi, scribbling down booking details and rationing the line into manageable time slots.
Ka’Lula peeks from behind a bush nearby, her horns twitching. "P-Penelo...?" she yells as softly as she can.