Spirits of the Earth

This was either the brightest idea she'd ever had, or the dumbest.

Either way, it was already proving lucrative. Her coin purse was already heavier after lightening the purses of several unwary people. These festivals were fantastic for this sort of activity! So many inebriated people, so many distracted people, and so many merchants that were easy to fluster during the chaos. Her quick change scam had already earned her some shiny new coins, and with all of it combined? She'd be able to afford a nice meal for the next few days and maybe even that silk sarong she'd been eying for the last month. Maybe it wasn't practical, but a girl had to treat herself now and then, too.

And then, in a moment of brilliance (or insanity), she'd had a flash of inspiration. An idea that could go either awesomely, or awfully, and perhaps be more sustainable?

Maybe she should enter her name in this whole marriage drawing deal?

It seemed a good idea. The crowd currently gathering looked relatively well off, and she had a chance of marrying someone with money. It was only for a year and a day, anyway. A year and a day of a roof over her head, someone else's food and money, and goddess, if things got weird, she could always just bow out before the year and a day. Who said she would honor the arrangement if it didn't suit her? She could be gone in a flash before anyone ever realized she'd run away.

And maybe, juuuust maybe, if things went really well, she could steal an inheritance.

And so she though, well, hell with it. May as well give it a go! So she'd entered her name, waited to see who the lucky sod was, perked up in interest as her name and another was drawn, and--

Poof!

...There he was.

Right there.

Blinking into existence right before her eyes.

"Gah!" Song yelped, jumping back a step when some guy was just--bam!--there. She bumped the table behind her, and the matchmaker let out a sound of protest and caught a candle before it could topple over. What the...how had...? Song stared up at him--up, because he was tall--and blinked several times to clear her vision, as though it might have been a trick of the light. She had seen magic before, plenty of times, but she had never seen magic that did...that.

"Oh...I'm sorry. I didn't expect..." She shook her head, pressing a hand to her chest as she recovered, and let out a breath. "Well, that. That's a neat trick you did there. Whatever it was."

A pause, and she squinted up at him, and as she did she couldn't help but notice all the other details about him--namely that he was well-dressed and wearing--

...holy shit, were those gemstones?

Huge gemstones!

Instantly, her interest spiked, and she leaned in closer and looked up at him through thick lashes. "How did you do that?"

        Rit teleported away from Hakon and up onto the stage. He didn't hide his blatant use of magic, since it wasn't elemental magic. Thanati weren't very concerned with non-elemental magic. As long as he didn't disturb the natural order, "the balance" as they called it. The irony was not lost on him, the guardian of the cosmic balance. The pretty little thing he was married to now was startled a bit by his sudden appearance, but he could feel her quickly recover and take him in. What a calculating gaze. She was assessing him. He didn't need his infinite godlike powers to see she was sizing him up.
        "Well Song, my wife," he said with a sweet smile, "such a lovely name you have, and you're so beautiful too," his flattery could not sound more genuine. Who was conning who now? "They call it magic my dear." That's when his smile became a smirk, sarcasm apparent. "It's so lovely to meet you, Song. You may call me Rit. It's much easier." His genuine smile returned as he took her hand and brushed the back of her fingers with his lips like a Serenian noble. "I hope I can be a worthy husband."

...Uh. What was his name again? He remembered hers. His had been something really long and strange sounding.

Oh! Rit! Thank Inima he provided it for her! She'd been so distracted by his obvious wealth that his name had flown right out of her head.

She grinned at his flattery, ducked her head, and batted her eyelashes as he kissed her hand, feigning shy modesty. Oh, a worthy husband, indeed. She wondered if any of the gems encrusted in his sword were loose enough to pry off when he wasn't looking. "It's lovely to meet you, too," she said, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. She released her hold and trailed her hand along his arms, fingertips ghosting along his skin. "I hope I don't disappoint you. As for you..."

She flicked her gaze up and down, this time blatantly sizing him up. "You're off to a fantastic start."

         "I finish strong too, I assure you." Rit enjoyed this dance. Con men and women were always a good source of fun for him. You can't con someone that can read your mind, your emotions, even all of your possible futures. "Would you like to get something to eat with me? Perhaps we could use my standing reservation at The Red Lotus?"

...The Red Lotus?

The closest she could ever get to eating at that place was by digging scraps from the rubbish heaps outside it! And this guy had a standing reservation?!

She had hit the jackpot. How much could she milk out of him before he expected her to fulfill any marital duties?

Not that he was bad looking, not by any means. Though that did beg the question of why such an obvious catch had to enter into the ceremony to get a wife in the first place.

"Uh, yes?" she blurted, eyes large--and genuinely so. She didn't have to fake her awe as she clutched his arm in excitement. "The Red Lotus? Oh, Inima, really? Can we? Please?"

        "Of course," Rit replied, "I did offer after all." He put his hand to Songs, gave her a smile, and asked "ready?" A moment later the world around them changed. They were no longer on stage, but in a tiny plush alcove off the kitchen to the Red Lotus. Rit gave Song a moment to acclimate to the sudden change and then helped her to her seat. He sat across from her and after the slightest smile he rang a little bell by his place setting. Immediately a servant stepped through the curtain that cut them off from the restaurant. In that moment, all the noise of the nearby bustle came in, but as the curtain fell back into place, only a faint music could be heard around them.
        "Hello Master Rit, what can the Red Lotus serve you this evening?"
        "Anything the lady likes Romi."

Once again, Song was left gaping when in a blink, they were no longer in the heart of the festival but in a private alcove. She blinked several times and loosened her hold on Rit's hand when she realized she was trying to crush it, and knew she must be gawking like an idiot as she looked around and tried to make sense of what had just happened.

More magic, obviously, she thought before she could open her mouth and ask him another stupid question, and save herself the equally obviously stupid answer. Magic, duh! She let out a breath, momentarily disoriented by the change, and slid into the seat Rit ushered her into.

Holy shit. She had never believed all that bogus crap about this being a lucky day, but boy had she been wrong. Inima forgive her, she was wrong, Inima was right! She would never doubt again!

...Unless somehow she was the one being conned here? But that wouldn't even make sense.

She snapped a look up at Romi, jostled back to reality. "Er. I'll take whatever he gets!" she said, suddenly acutely aware that...yeah, she genuinely had no idea what to order, or what anything either was. Her diet was largely simple: rice. More rice. Even more rice. Veggies. Fruit. Fish when she was lucky. "I'm afraid this is my first time here. But I trust my husband's judgment! What do you get here, hon?"

        "Saffron Rice, chapati, black beans, steamed vegetables, and today's fish special. Two bottles of rice wine, one that's young, and one that's aged," Romi said without a moments hesitation. Rit smiled at the girls precision. She would do well when she finally took over her mother's restaurant.
        "That all sounds perfect Romi," Rit said in praise. The girl colored, though you could barely tell through her dark complexion, and her expression didn't even flicker. "I'd also like your fathers specialty," Romi's eyebrow quirked at that. "And please have your mother come see me when she has a spare moment."

...All that food?  For just one meal? And what was the difference between young and aged wine? She had no flippin' idea. Wine was wine in her world, cheap and lackluster.

And what on earth was the father's specialty?

Looking curiously at Rit, she leaned into him and nudged him lightly. "What's that?" she asked. It was all kind of...overwhelming. Surreal. Half of those didn't even sound like real foods!

        As Romi stepped out to relay the order, Rit explained.
        "You know the Red Lotus is famous for the rolls of rice with fish and other fillings neatly wrapped in seaweed paper," Rit began. "Thanatos has not always had sushi, though similar things have been done. It's now fairly common, as is the use of nori, but the specialty sushi the Red Lotus makes is what has made it so successful." Romi stepped back in with a glass pot of pre-meal tea, that she poured into little glass tea cups. The teapot had runes that glowed on its surface, and runes etched into the teacups began to glow as the tea filled them. She set the teapot on the table before stepping back out. Rit then continued his explanation.
        "The Ameeryan's home has a lovely garden in which they grow many exotic vegetables and some fruits as well," Rit paused to sip his tea. "When Romi's grandfather, Telayomii, was young, he was swept into an adventure by an otherworldly spirit. In his travels, he saw many strange and foreign lands, and he ate of their food. One such food was a fruit called avocado. The locals were more than willing to give Yomii an avocado to bring home, and when he did, he planted it in his yard. There, today, there are now four such trees. They are the only ones in Thanatos, and their care is kept up by hired hand. The trees are bountiful, but for whatever reason, nobody can seem to get them to grow anywhere on the islands except in the Ameeryan's yard. Romi's father has found many delicious applications for the fruit, but there is one that uses so much in a single dish that it is a bit more expensive."
        As if summoned by the end of the explanation, a beautiful, and very voluptuous woman, stepped in bearing a plate. The woman's garb was part saris, part kimono, and all gorgeous. The loose silks showed flesh in all the right places, but left much to the imagination. Romi could be seen waiting outside with a cart filled with more food. The plate in hand, that the woman was putting on the table, had what appeared to be a very long roll of sushi styled to look like a caterpillar. The plate was decorated with sauce drawn into a branch and leaves that the caterpillar sat upon.
        "Rit", the woman exclaimed as she set the large plate on the table. He could barely stand fast enough to be pulled into the woman's embrace. "When will you let me set you up with a beautiful woman? A man like you needs a wife to keep him warm at night."
        "Well Winma," Rit said with a pleasant smile, "I have brought my wife here for our first meal as newlyweds. I'd like to introduce you to Song." Winma turned to look at Song, gave her an appraising eye, and then her face split into a wide grin.
        "Welcome daughter, to the Red Lotus. You will always be as family here, like Rit is family!" She pulled Song out of her seat into a hug, practically drowning the poor thing in her ample bosom. "The family you choose is always the best family to have!"

Oh my Inima this was the best day ever!

She was going to actually get to try some fruit that probably cost more than what she stole in a year!

A fancy dinner, and after that, maybe she could bribe him into buying his dear wife something pretty and hopefully sparkly. But for now, she was just going to bask in the luck shining down on her. She'd never been a particularly spiritual person--she believed, but was far from devout--but maybe she would have to burn some incense for the old goddess.

Sipping her tea and delighting at the flavor, she smiled at Rit's babbling and nodded where it was appropriate. She was less interested in the story and more excited about the food; she hadn't eaten very well the past few days. Though when the first dish came out, she couldn't help but wrinkle her nose before she could catch herself, her brow scrunching up in concern.

That...that looked like a bug...with green mushy stuff--wah!

Before her mind could follow that line of thought much farther, she suddenly found herself gathered up in the older woman's arms, her face squished into her bosom. She turned her head, gasping for air, and awkwardly hugged the lady and patted at her back in a way she hoped came across as affectionate more than a flaily attempt at escape.

"Th-thank you! That's very--mmph! Very kind!" And she pulled back, as gently and politely as she could, and laid her hands on Winma's arms, her own elbows locked to hold the woman at arm's length. She flashed a brilliant smile. "Luck truly shined on us today.  Couldn't have prayed for a better husband. Have you known each other long?"

She supposed it would be wise to know something about the guy she'd just married. See if there was any dirt, or significant details at least. These sorts always did like to overshare.

        "Rit is a dear young man," Winma said, "His Grandfather knew my father-in-law. They traveled together, brought sushi and avocado to Thanatos together." Winma beamed at Rit. She really cared for him. That much was clear. "When he came to give us the news that his father had died, we were very sad, as our families have been quite close over that past sixty years. He continues to do his father, and grandfathers work for the restaurant. It's wonderful to have him as our business partner, and part of our family. If he weren't so much older than her, I would have tried to have him marry Romi, but she's only fourteen." Winma reached out and tussled Rit's hair. "Well I'll let Romi serve you and I'll return before you pop out of here."
        Winma slipped out as her daughter pushed a cart in with bowls and plates. There was no fanfare as Romi set the table with food, and she gave only a single word to them as she departed. "Enjoy."
        Rit reached out and picked up a piece of the caterpillar roll and put the whole thing directly into his mouth. The look of delight on his face was enough to make anyone believe the food was delicious, which it was.
        "Please, eat your fill. We can always order more if this is not enough."

...no wonder this guy was so rich. His grandfather had helped bring over avocados and helped run a fancy restaurant. Which meant this guy probably had gold-lined pockets and one hell of an inheritance. Why, she bet basically anything in his home could fetch a fortune! She could probably steal cups from a tea set and be comfortable! With the way he was casually throwing away his money on stuff he'd be shitting out later...

She had it MADE.

She wondered how long she could stand the arrangement. She'd just have to see what annoying habits he had and how quickly, or often, he expected her to put out. But she supposed she could stand a lot for some sweet, sweet benefits.

Still flying high and feeling rather giddy from her luck, she gave the caterpillar roll one last skeptical look before she shrugged and mimicked him, picking up a piece. It still looked like bug guts to her, and kind of squicky to be eating something that looked so close to an insect, but with a deep breath she popped it in her mouth.

It was a bit too big of a bite, so she covered her mouth and tried to chew, her cheeks puffed out. At first, she braced herself,  ready to spit it back out into her hand--but then she blinked in surprise as the flavors hit her tongue in an explosion, and her posture relaxed.

Oh...that WAS good.

Swallowing down the bite, she wiped her fingers off on a cloth napkin and looked up at Rit in surprise. "That's bloody delicious," she said, and picked up another piece. "I'll admit it looked kind of scary at first, but..."

She took another bite and sighed. "This is what I've been missing out on? Inima bless your grandfather!"

        Being an all powerful divine being, it was obviously not Rit's grandfather that had gone on adventures with Telayomii, but Rit himself, wearing a different face, and using a different name. He had taken Yomii on adventures to the distant continents across the oceans that had yet to make real contact with Le'raana or the surrounding islands. They were journey's of exploration and calm adventure. Yomii wasn't built for combat. When they'd returned home, Rit, Yomii, and Winma's father opened the Red Lotus together. When Yomii's son married Winma, two thirds of the restaurant were owned by the Ameeryan family, with Rit owning the other third. Being in two places at once was not a problem for Rit, and so he played both the parts of father and son. His role as one third owner of the restaurant was to find new ingredients. For him, of course, that was easy. He could magic anything he wanted into existence, and so he would return from time to time to deliver on his promise to bring new fruits, vegetables, and other edible plants.
        "Yes," Rit said to Song, "Inima bless him. His amazing adventures lead me to a life of freedom and wealth. I very much enjoy the fruits of his labor, that I passionately continue." He then focused on the food in front of him. There was no use in letting it get cold.

Song nodded at his words, her mouth stuffed with another bite of...caterpillar. There was a ton of food. She wasn't sure what kind of a pig he thought she was, but she certainly knew he wouldn't have to order more for her, because there wasn't enough room in her belly to eat as much as she wanted to eat. Which was basically everything this place had to offer.

"Thank you, by the way," she said when she finally came up for air and started to slow down her feasting. "For a wonderful time. I'll admit, I just threw my name in for the fun of it, to take a chance, be adventurous, and...well...escape my parents. I had faith that my husband would be a decent man, but I had no idea Inima would grant me someone so handsome and kind."

She smiled up at him, a little sadly, and reached a hand out to stroke his arm. "I'm just a little ashamed that I don't have so much to offer you. I'm afraid I only have the clothes on my back. Leaving in a rush will do that."

        Rit left the comments about her basically needing to flee in a hurry untouched. He wasn't going to bite the bait of his con artist wife. No, he'd let Song's words pass, and instead focus on other things. "Well you don't need anything," he told her. "I always have enough, and even excess." Rit put another piece of the caterpillar roll in his mouth, and after swallowing it down began to work on his fish, rice, beans, and vegetables in earnest. He stirred them all up together and shoveled them into his mouth with the chapati.
        "After we've finished eating, I wanted to do some shopping around the festival. Perhaps I could get you something."

He may not have taken the sob story bait, but he had taken the bait she truly cared about. Which was the offer to buy her something.

Song perked up at that, her eyes brightening. He had enough, and excess, and he was offering to buy her something! Yes! Score!

"Oh, I'd love that!" she said, and took a sip of tea. "Perhaps something to commemorate our marriage?"

Like jewellery! Lots of jewellery that she could sell off later!

        There was little conversation as Song and Rit finished their meal. What little was spoken was mostly about the food and the tea, and the various ingredients Rit had brought throughout the years. The fish was local, and the freshness was apparent in the quality of the texture and flavor. The beans were of a black variety that were now fairly common, but that were originally brought to the islands by Rit in his previous persona. Rit didn't tell Song that he had also brought this tea recipe as well. That had been long ago, when the Thanati had first fled to the islands.
        When the meal was complete, Rit led Song out through the restaurant. The simple yet opulent decor was gorgeous. Minimalist design with platinum filigree and onyx inlays. Tables set with fine gold banded ebony chopsticks and red silk napkins on white silk tablecloths. They had the fanciest, most plush pillows to sit on. And in the center of every table an obsidian glass bowl with a red lotus floating in it. The wealth brought by the unique and amazing food served at the Red Lotus, had gone far in making the restaurant the most beautiful on the islands.
        The restaurant was packed full, and the lobby was overflowing with patrons waiting for their turn to be served. Rit nodded or waved at a few of the guests. All of the staff greeted him, and he gave them all smiles in turn. Once Rit and Song had exited, Rit turned to his wife.
        "Do you have the energy to walk the festival? There are many shops I'd like to visit."

Enough energy to walk the festival?

Well, it's what she would have been doing anyway, only this time she could walk it with fresh eyes. Normally, she would have spent the day scamming people, pick-pocketing, the usual. She would spend the day working, as it were. But now she could spend it in leisure and actually see what the festival had to offer beyond a few good targets.

Reaching down boldly, Song entwined her fingers with Rit's and squeezed his hand. "Trust me, husband, I've got stamina," she said with a wink his way. "I doubt you could tire me this way. Besides, walking aids digestion, and there's still so much to see." And hopefully buy! It would be a good idea to start reeling in the goods now, build a good stash that she could live off of after she eventually left him.

She smiled up at him. "Where to first, hon?"

        Rit lead the way, guiding Song by the hand she had slipped in his. The stalls and open air shops closest to the restaurants didn't serve any food. They were smart to not try to compete at all. Instead they sold toys and puppets and flowers, and so much more. There were games of chance and games of skill, and even those that measured strength or speed. Rit led Song to the games. He stopped at each game in turn, playing and winning the best prize. No matter the feat required or the amount of rigging the stall runners had done, Rit won it all. It's not fair when competing against a god like being.
        Each time, Rit would hand the winnings to Song. They ranged from crystal jewelry and silk flowers, to toys and even live fish, reptiles, and amphibians in little glass boxes. What Song didn't see, was Rit tipped each stall an amount of coin that would more than pay for each of the prizes. Eventually Song was laden with as many prizes as she could carry, and Rit had to get her sacks to put things in. With all the game stalls won, it was time to visit the ones with goods worth looking at.

Rit was unnaturally good at games.

How did he know all the tricks?

Song knew a few of the tricks, knew how hard it was for the layman to win; in fact, it was only a few years since she had run one such game stall, having run with a crowd of travelers, people who lived on the fringes of society but who weren't Untouchables. They had taught her their scam, and for a while she'd enjoyed it. But it wasn't the most lucrative job. It was seasonal, and thus unreliable, but it had paid for some things on the side while she'd kept up her own con schemes. She even recognized some of the people who were still in the business, who flashed her surprised looks when they saw her arm in arm with a man, but she just held a finger to her lips and shook her head.

No, she hadn't turned over a new leaf. She had just found a new game to play.

Nevertheless, she was thoroughly surprised at either this man's luck or skill, she couldn't tell which, but perhaps he had cheated? He did have magic of some sort...or was he just smart enough to figure out the game? Either way, soon enough she was carrying piles of stuff, a new crystal pendant around her neck, some gaudy rings, a silk flower tucked behind her ear, and...fish and frogs and even some sort of strange lizard in little containers perforated with holes so they got air. Those were the most curious of her prizes. She wasn't really an...animal person.

The fish, at least, was pretty she supposed, a brilliant mix of emerald and blue and red. She didn't know what she was supposed to do with any of them, though.

Oh well!

Smiling up at Rit as she balanced her winnings, she nudged him playfully. "Bring many girls here?" she asked, voice teasing. "Because it seems you've had a lot of practice."

        "You don't need practice when you can just choose to win," Rit said, and flashed Song a conspiratorial grin. "And no, I don't bring all the girls here. Just the ones I'm here with now." Which from Songs point of view was just her, but from Rit's it was also three other women, and a young man. All had their purpose in the balance, all had reason to be nurtured by a Rit.
        "I think it's time we bought something a bit more worthy of your interest. Wouldn't you agree?" Rit began to take the parcels, and prizes, that Song balanced in her arms, and slipped them into his pack. Since this was one of his custom extra-dimensional bags, everything fit without it changing size.

Wow, someone was cocky. He was a man after her own heart--if she were at all interested in the man and not just what he had to offer. When he finally professed that it was time to move onto more interesting things, it took all of her willpower not to exclaim, "about time!" The games were fun and all, and watching him show off was amusing (he had these tricks DOWN) but it wasn't where her interests lay and she was ready to see just how much money he had.

But she tried not to show that shrewd interest, tried instead to keep her face curious and awed, her eyebrows rising with surprise when he packed her prizes away into a bag that had no end--and that, at least, wasn't feigned. Sure, the man had materialized out of nowhere, but these sorts of casual magical acts weren't quite so common here as they might be elsewhere!

"Oh! How did you do that?" she gasped, putting a little extra wonder in her voice. Men did like to explain things, especially to pretty girls, and her aim was to disarm him and keep him disarmed. "You know a lot of magic, don't you? I've never seen anything like that! I didn't realize it was so big."

And she smiled up at him, flashing him an innocent look. "Anyway, what did you have in mind, my husband?"

        Rit shared a smile with Song. Her honest delight pleased him, but he knew that most of her reactions were feigned or exaggerated. "What do I have in mind?" He parroted her question with a sly grin. "We could browse the stalls here if you like. Or we could move to the shopping district on the other side of the festival, where the merchants have their best wares out on display for the event."

"Oh, we can go over there? That's okay?" Song asked, peering up at Rit from under her lashes. "I mean, if it's not too much...I've never had the money to even dream of going over there. But only if you don't mind! I don't want to be any trouble."

Couldn't act TOO eager, after all! She had to at least pretend to be modest.

        Song couldn't be more transparent. Rit could of course read her mind, but he didn't need to. He knew all the signs, the tells, and she was layering them. She was good, very subtle. He was practically a god. The wool couldn't be pulled over his eyes, but this was part of his long con, and so he responded just like Song would hope for.
        "Of course it's okay my dear," Rit said with a sweet smile. He placed his hand on her shoulder, his grin widening. "You're my wife now. I'm going to take very good care of you." Rit then slid his hand around he shoulders and guided her toward the more expensive merchants. "I'm sure we'll both take very good care of each other," he said, lowering his hand and giving Song a gentle pat on her bottom.

Song jumped at the pat on her bottom, but then made sure to blush prettily and cover her mouth behind a giggle. She hadn't fully decided on what kind of woman she wanted to be for him, but it looked like she kept leaning toward the flirtatious yet "hard to get" sort, so she figured she should commit. It often worked with the rich sorts--get them to buy affection and all that, keep them interested and guessing, but give just enough so that they didn't get frustrated and fed up. Though Rit was significantly less stingy than some of the other sorts she had swindled.

"Very good, indeed," she said, and captured his hand in her own. Giving it a squeeze, she smiled up at him and winked. "I'm sure you have much to teach me."

        The walk through the festival was not long for them. There were many people milling about, running here and there, playing games, shopping, dancing, drinking, making merry in all manner of ways. As they walked, they were not jostled though. They did not have to weave through the mass of bodies. Rit used a very subtle magical suggestion that caused people to part for him and create a perfect path. It opened just ahead of them, and then the people poured back into the open space as they passed by. What could have taken hours, instead took minutes. When they reached the shops, Rit finally let go of Song's hand and turned to her with another fool's grin.
        "Which shop would you like to go to first?"

That was...odd...the way the crowd parted so perfectly, like opening a book. There had never been a time she'd been able to walk the streets without having to squeeze past so many bodies, not during the festival. Maybe it was because people saw a rich man and didn't want to impede him? Maybe. But even that was unlikely; wealthy merchants rubbed elbows with urchins all the time.

Huh...

Whatever. She wasn't going to complain about all this extra breathing room!

At his question, she smiled up at him. "How about a trinket to symbolize our new union?" she said. "A necklace or ring or bracelet--a matching set for both of us to wear. What do you think?"

Because if she suggested a matching set, it sounded more romantic and selfless, right? And it meant she could pocket both later rather than only one.

        A jeweler wasn't a bad place to start, so Rit lead Song to the nicest one. A bell tinkling as they entered would alert anyone in the back or upper floor of the shop that they had entered. The owner, a wiry fellow with receding platinum hair and a wisp of a mustache, was at the counter serving a young couple. He looked up as Rit and Song entered, and a smile crossed his face.
        "Subhasini," he called to the back, "please come show this couple a few more pieces. My wife will be right with you." He patted the young mans shoulder as he stepped away, and an attractive, if a bit pudgy woman came from behind the curtain. She smiled when she saw Rit, and waved to him daintily, before stepping up to help the couple.
        "Rit my friend! It's always wonderful to see you. Here for a visit, or are you selling more raw stones?" The man put his hand out for Rit to grasp, and they shook heartily before coming in to embrace as brothers might after a long time apart.
        "I've actually come to make a purchase," Rit said gesturing to his new wife. "Hemchandra, meet my wife. Song, this is my good friend Hem."

"It's wonderful to meet you, Hem," Song said with a quick bow to hide her face, for she recognized Hem instantly as someone she had tried to swindle in the past, to pass off cut glass for gems. (Not her brightest idea.) It had been unsuccessful; he could tell a fake on sight. And that had been a year ago. But it never hurt to be overly cautious herself, and not give him a chance to study her face for long. Hopefully he wouldn't recognize her; he did deal with tons of customers, and likely his share of scammers, so that was a lot of faces to see day in and out!

Yeesh, she should have been paying more attention to where they were going!

She rose back up and tucked her arm in Rit's, pressing in close to him and raising on her toes to kiss his cheek. "We were just married," she gushed. "Inima truly blessed me today."

        Hemchandra did not recognize Song, not in the slightest. She was just another insignificant face before now. Coming in beside Rit, as his wife no less, would secure her place in his memory forever. There was no way he'd ever forget her. She was quickly becoming famous to those that knew Rit, and he was only just getting started.
        "It's a pleasure to meat you Song. Many of us have been trying to set Rit up with daughters and nieces. It's good that Inima has finally blessed him with a wife." His bow was respectful, and once he'd straightened he turned his attention back to Rit. "What is it that you had in mind?"
        "I believe I had you set aside a pair of lovers cuffs for me," Rit said with a smile.
        "I know just the ones you mean. I'll fetch them." Hem turned and sped into the back of his shop. He wasn't gone long before returning with a small lacquered box. He set it on the counter and turned it toward Rit and Song. He opened it without hesitation and inside were two ear cuffs. They were both styled in the form of serpentine dragons. The clearly feminine cuff was crafted of the most exquisite opals. Their milky rainbow hews swirling in the light of the shops lanterns. Small gems were used for details; rubies, emeralds, sapphires, amethysts, yellow topaz, even diamonds, glittered as claws, scales, eyes, and teeth. It was perfect. The matching cuff had less detail, more utilitarian, and the opals used were of a black variety.
        "So my wife, what do you think of it?"

What did she think?

Well, if she'd had less self control, she'd be drooling.

Song certainly didn't have to feign her awe as she took in the jewellery before her. Opals? Of all the gems he could have chosen, opals? It was an eerie coincidence, considering opals were her favorites--light or dark, though she knew the darker ones were more valuable. Her eyes slid to the masculine cuff, noting the black opal that would sell for...Inima, who even knew how much? If she could bear to sell them in the first place.

They were unspeakably gorgeous. And clearly priceless.

And...opals!

It was uncanny.

When she could find her voice again to speak, she looked up at Rit in amazement. "Are you a fortuneteller, too?" she asked--and half meant the question seriously! "They're beautiful, I--I can't even form the words. And opals. How...?" She laughed and shook her head. "They're my favorite, and I'm not just saying that to please you. But I never dreamed I'd ever get this close to one. How long ago did you plan these pieces? Had you planned all along to be wed this day?"

      "I commissioned them six months ago," Rit told his new wife. "It was then that I decided to take part in the next festival and get myself a wife. Inima spoke to me, and told me she would bring me a beautiful, and cunning wife, that would be worthy to marry even a god. So I should be honored that she be wed to me." Rit's gaze never broke from Songs beautiful blue eyes as he spoke. He reached up to her ear and removed the jewelry she had there, placing it into her hand. Then he reached passed her to the dragon. He lifted it to her, slid the post through her lobe and affixed the upper part of the adornment around the helix of her ear. It was a perfect fit. It would have fit no other ear as well as it fit Songs. The jeweler held up a small mirror for Song to see, as Rit held back her strawberry blond hair.
        "Does it please you my wife?"

It was a perfect fit.

Too perfect.

And for a moment, Song was genuinely speechless as she stared into the mirror, a strange feeling curling in her gut. Inima...spoke to him? And told him all this? Had...had Inima told him to commission this specific earpiece? Of a dragon made of opals? Had Inima actually spoken to him? This was too specific to be a coincidence, right? And there were fortunetellers out there who could give amazingly accurate readings and predictions.

Maybe...maybe this was actually foretold?

Song's pulse raced for a new reason as she studied her reflection and she swallowed hard, her hands suddenly clammy. No. Naw. It...it had to just be some crazy coincidence. And besides, if it had truly been predicted, all that had been predicted was that he'd marry her. And he had! There was no way he could know anything beyond that, right?

"It does," she said, and lightly touched the piece. "Immensely. More than words could express." And then, regaining her composure, she put a bright smile on her face and turned to beam up at him before pulling him into a tight hug.

"I love it! Thank you!"

        "Thank you Hem. The craftsmanship is beyond compare," Rit shook the jewelers hand again. He pulled out a pouch, heavy with coin, and handed it to his friend. "The agreed upon price, plus a bit extra for taking my wife's breath away." Rit placed his own cuff on his ear, and after his exchanging more pleasantries departed from the jewelry store. His fingers lazily caressed Songs neck as he lead her down a few doors to a very high end tailor.
        "Perhaps you'd like a new wardrobe wife? I think Mumneahilli has styles you'd enjoy." As they entered, Rit was once again greeted with familiarity.

A new wardrobe sounded fantastic! It was always easier to escape with things she could wear on her person rather than carry, so hopefully she could talk herself into some expensive silks. Bonus points if there were any gems sewn into the fabric.

She shivered at his idle caress, and was sure to lean into it more. "Well, I suppose any wife of yours ought to look the part, hm?" Song said with what she hoped was a humble smile. "So long as we're not spending your fortune all in one day! I would hate to be an inconvenience like that!"

        Mumneahilli and her three apprentices fawned over Rit and were happy to see him. They were all shocked that he'd finally married, and one of the apprentices seemed a little disappointed perhaps even jealous. Rit was a popular man.
        Shortly after introductions, the women went to work. They measured Song, and brought many colored fabrics to compare to her complexion. They asked her questions about her preferences in fit and color. They chatted amongst themselves about styles, seasons, utility, and form. In the end they decided on four outfits for Rit's new wife.
        One would be of the finest silk they had, woven with tiny gems and in very vibrant colors. It would be the envy of any who saw it. A second outfit made from the finest wool, would be soft, and also warm, for those colder days and evenings. Another outfit made from fine bamboo fibers woven and dyed using new techniques, would serve a more utilitarian purpose. Durable and flexible, it would be both cooling and insulating while remaining nearly as soft as silk. The final outfit would be of fine cotton. Breathable and cool, as vibrant as any silks, the fabric was not nearly as durable or flexible as the bamboo, but it was woven with the most intricate art of any of the clothes.
        "The order should be ready in a few days," Mumneahilli said. "We have other orders to fulfill, but we'll expedite this for our favorite customer." Rit thanked the women and handed over another pouch of coins, before leading Song back outside.
        "Where to next my wife?"

A few days? Good to know. It gave her a clear idea of her timeline, though who knows? Maybe she'd stick around longer than she thought. If he kept pampering her, she'd just keep accumulating wealth until she grew bored and restless and needed a change. She had always been the wandering sort, hating to be tied down to any one place or person.

But this? This was pretty damned nice.

And gem encrusted robes! It was like they knew her.

"Where to next?" Song gave a little stretch, arms over her head, and yawned. "I'm a bit tuckered, truth be told. I didn't realize all that eating and getting measured and all that would be so tiring. Fun, but tiring! And we of course don't have to do everything in one day. We have our whole lives ahead of us!"

She smiled up at him, and slid her hand in his, interlocking their fingers. "How about you show me your place? No, our place," she asked.

So she could start casing it early.

        His place. Rit didn't really have a place. Song was about to discover that. "I'd be happy to show you my island." Sure, he had an island of his own, but there were no structures on it. "My grandfather worked very hard to earn the right to claim an island of his own. It's not large, but it is mine."
        Rit opened a portal right in front of them. Through it there was the beautiful view of part of Rit's island. In the distance, the lights of Suna and the festival, could be seen. "Shall we go my wife?" As they stepped through they arrived on a well built dock. There was a large schooner, and room enough for at least two more ships. A small path led away from the dock, into the lush flora of the island. Walking along it for only a few feet made it quickly apparent that there were no structures nearby. There were possibly none on the island at all.

It as going to be a while before she got used to all this magic, of traveling by portal. It was wonderfully convenient, but until she met Rit, she'd never known anyone who could do this.  Apparently magic was more common in other places, so portal travel was probably nothing unusual elsewhere?

She hesitated only a moment before she stepped through the opening with Rit and into a lush island paradise.

His own private island! His pockets must go even deeper than she knew if his family could afford an entire private island! Was that boat his, too? Song was too enraptured and excited at first to notice how empty the island was, her thoughts racing. An island home did complicate matters some; she would have to make a very good escape plan when she finally did rob him and run, because she certainly couldn't swim back to Suna carrying a bunch of goods! She'd be caught easily, or be weighted down enough to drown. No, she would have to get a boat of her own...somehow...hm. This was an interesting problem...

She'd have to give it a lot of thought.

"It's so beautiful here," she said at last, tearing herself from her thoughts and staring out over the water at the city they left behind. "So quiet--and the view! Inima certainly blessed your family."

But it was, indeed, a small island. Small enough that she could see quite far, and as she began to really examine her new surroundings, she began to notice how...sparse it was. Aside from the natural vegetation, there...

Wasn't...much...?

She blinked. Where was it he lived again? Surely she should be able to see his home. A rich man like him had to have an impressive abode! "Where is it you live again?"

        "I live here on the island," Rit said, leading Song further inland. Though the island was small, it was larger than most pieces of land owned on any of the other islands. If the soil was fertile, it could potentially be the site of a large plantation. With it's quick and sharp elevation change from coast to inland, it was likely protected from large scale flooding. Other than storms that blew in from the ocean, it was an ideal location for anything at all. Yet there was nothing here. Not a single structure on the entirety of the island.
        A short trip inland from the sloping beach that lead to the dock, Rit lead Song to a small campsite. The circular clearing was covered in the softest grass. A fire pit sat in the middle, lined and rimmed with bricks. Suspended above the pit on a rod, was a black sphere, made of a dark metal, with a grated door. Beside the pit was a plush orange cushion, and a low table made of a deep red wood.
        "Feel free to use my cushion there," Rit said. "Would you like anything? Perhaps some tea?" He reached into his bag while moving toward the fire pit. "I can make you just about anything you like. Or we could walk around the island. It really is beautiful this time of night."

...was he quite serious?

Song followed alongside Rit with building horror as it slowly dawned on her that there were no homes here. No buildings. Just vegetation and plants and insects and birds, and...oh no. Was that a campsite? He was leading her to a campsite. Don't tell her he lived off the land, camping.

Song paled. She was, if nothing else, a city girl through and through. A city girl who enjoyed all the comforts and conveniences of city life, like beds and shelter and freedom from dirt and insects and food served on a proper table. This couldn't be right. This had to be a joke. He was rich! She was that with her own eyes! Why, then, didn't he have a home filled with possessions?

Wide-eyed and speechless, Song took a slow seat on the cushion after examining it for debris. Then she just stared at Rit.

"Tea would be...lovely." Where did he stash his money? His goods? Was this really where he slept? Did he expect her to sleep outside? Like animals?

"It truly is lovely here. Such a wonderful site for nature-watching! I bet your abode is just as lovely!"

        "The entire island is my abode," Rit said, smiling as he prepared some tea for Song. He made the motions of using his oven to heat water and steep tea, but he was really just using magic. This was not the time to be waiting for water to boil. "There are no structures on the island," he continued, as he poured hot jasmine tea into a porcelain mug. The mug was glazed in a bright scarlet and on the side of it was an intricate painting of a white tiger. The tail of the tiger came off of the mug to form the handle. He brought it to her holding it out for her to take.
        "Careful, it's hot."

The island was his abode.

There were no structures.

The words echoed hollowly in Song's head as she took the mug by the handle and stared at the design. It was beautiful, a mug she could have picked out herself--and that was what made it unsettling. It was exactly to her tastes. Exactly. She could smell jasmine on the steam--her favorite tea. Her favorite colors. Her favorite animal. Even the clothes and earring had been to her liking. How...?

Was this...was this a set-up? Did someone slip him a tip? But...how? []Why[/i]? And who? Suna was a huge city, and she kept to herself, and certainly didn't give out personal information flippantly.

Maybe it was all just coincidence and she was being paranoid?

"No structures," she repeated, and blew on the tea. "So, ah...where do you...live?"

        "To be honest," Rit said, "I travel quite a lot. I have no use for permanent structures." He poured another mug of tea for himself. A white tea with hints of pears, he sweetened it with pear blossom honey. Rit's mug was the black of empty space with stars glittering across it like diamonds. As he sat across from Song, he brought the mug to his mouth for a sip, revealing the bottom of the mug, and the swirling purple nebula that was actually moving.
        "If you wish to travel with me for the year, we will have a wonderful time, and you will experience amazing things," Rit told Song. "You can remain here for the year if you prefer of course. I will visit as often as I can. Since I use magic to travel, it's not very difficult for me to come back quickly."

...So in other words he lives a nomadic lifestyle. Okay. So did she. She always kept moving. That wasn't the horrifying part.

Where was all his stuff?! Who ever heard of a rich guy with a pauper's belongings! Rich guys were supposed to have roots, permanent homes where they could store and display all their expensive stuff! It was beginning to dawn on Song that her entire, simple plan of "marry guy, con guy, run away with guy's money" was swiftly unraveling, and that she might end up actually having to stick around him for...way longer than anticipated. That she might have to actually travel with him. Because there was no way she was staying alone on some stupid, deserted island.

She could do a long con. But this was ridiculous! And dangerous!

...And might be well worth it, wealthy as he was.

Song, who had been staring at Rit and his fancy, starry mug, finally blinked. "I'll confess I'm a local girl. I've never done much traveling..." she said, and scooted closer to him. She bit her lip, eyes downcast as she pretended to fidget with her mug, before she peered up at him through her lashes. "Will you keep me safe on the road?"

        "Of course I'll keep you safe Song," Rit said putting a strong arm around her shoulders and gently drawing her in closer. "There is nothing on this world that could harm you if I'm there to keep you safe." Rit's finger lazily grazed along Song's neckline and up to her ear, caressing her. He put a little bit of magic in his touch, to heighten the sensation of pleasure she felt. Effortlessly, Rit caused a chilly breeze to drift across Song, while increasing his own body temperature just a few degrees. She'd be drawn in to his warmth, and discover he smelled like a fresh ocean breeze.
        "I could tell that you were expecting a home, here on my island." Rit's caressing of Songs neck moved into the edge of her hairline. "If you like I could conjure up a house. I'd not want to leave my new wife disappointed or unsatisfied."

A chill shot down her spine clear to her toes when Rit caressed her neck, the sensation almost electric--but soon she was shivering for a new reason when a chill breeze made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. It was getting later, and the breeze coming off the ocean was cooler out here on this lone island, but it felt colder than usual. Maybe it was a warning of a distant storm moving toward them? Without even realizing it, she pressed in closer to Rit, his body heat inviting, and idly reached up to place a hand over his.

Warm skin. So much warmer than her hands, which were chilled.

She shivered again as his caress traveled up, to her ear, to her hairline, and she tilted her head into his touch like a cat. Hm...well, he wasn't bad looking. No, that was wrong--he was attractive, and even if she weren't out to use him, she would have found herself checking him out if she passed him on the street. Maybe even go out of her way to talk to him. Maybe she could let herself enjoy the other perks a little. It had been a while since anyone had touched her like that.

She just wasn't sure how far she could go.

"A house? You...you could conjure a house?" That snapped her from her thoughts. She looked up at him, eyes wide. "A whole house? Just like that?" Was he joking?

        Rit smirked at Song's shock. He could also feel the underlying excitement at the prospect of a house mixed in as well. He set down his mug and extended his hand toward his Haversack. The bag flew to him, and he reached inside and grabbed several little objects. Rit sorted through them in consideration. He chose a few and dropped the rest back in the bag. When he said strange garbled words the small blocky shapes flew away from the two of them off into the surrounding darkness. Then suddenly there were sounds of scraping against dirt and the shapes could be seen getting larger.
        They were buildings. The largest one appeared to be a home. It had two levels, was raised a few feet on stilts, and had an exterior design common in Thanatos. There was also a bath house, a small store house, and another little structure. Rit separated himself from Song and stood, slipping his bag in his back. He then took her by hand, and helped her to her feet. "Come," he said with a smile, "I will show you around."

Stunned, Song let Rit pull her to her feet. What had just...had he just...? And how? She knew he was a mage, and a powerful one, but to just magic up a house? From tiny little blocks? That was something that only happened in Serenian fairy tales.

Who was this guy?

"Oh...oh, yes, please," she said, hardly hearing her own words as her mind raced.

        Rit lead Song toward the house, his fingers laced through hers. "That's a store house," he pointed at the small building that was raised higher than the rest. "It contains a supply of food and other goods that it's critical to keep dry. That's my treasure hold," he pointed to the smallest building. "I keep personal treasures there. Some are extremely valuable, but most are simply sentimental." His extended finger pointed to the bath house, "that's the bath house." They we're close enough to it to hear what sounded like a waterfall inside, and as they approached the house, a raised and covered platform extended to connect to the bath house.
        The short steps up to the front of the house were a shining lacquered wood, and made not a creak as they ascended. Rit slid the front door open, leading Song inside. While the construction of the building in its entirety was Thanati in design, right down to paper doors and woven mats covering the floors, the furnishings were anything but. The colors and designs were again Thanati in style but the plush couches and pillows were Serenian and Essyrni. A large standing clock of Connlaothian engineering, but made from Thanati wood and carved with Thanati design, stood ticking away the time. A religious altar to some unknown Goddess was decorated in swirls of pinks, and blues, and purples.
        Rit led Song through many rooms. A study, a sitting room, a meeting room, a dining room, each as extravagant as the one before. The kitchen was filled with foreign contraptions she'd never seen before, made of bright metals that were surely precious. One made fire with the turn of a knob, another was cold inside, and another had whirling blades inside a glass chamber. Had he not called it the kitchen, Song may have thought it a torture chamber for all the knives and tongs and wicked objects. There was a small library of books and scrolls, with many plush spots to rest and read. It was a thoroughly lavish home. Finally Rit brought Song to the bedroom.
        Beautifully carved furniture covered in Thanati religious depictions decorated the room. A bureau, a dresser, a large chest, a folding screen, lanterns, plush chairs, and right in the middle, a huge canopy bed. Rugs and cushions covered so much of the room, making just about any spot you chose to sit or lay soft and comfortable. There was the faintest scent of spring time in the air. The smell of new growth and blooming flowers.
        "This is where you will sleep," Rit said to Song, his electric touch running up her arm to her neck. "When you're comfortable, I will be happy to join you." The smile he gave her then was so sweet and genuine it was impossible to assume anything more than wholesome intentions, but Rit was much better at the long con than Song.

Treasure hold. Noted. Song committed it to memory. She would have to explore it when Rit wasn't present--just to scope it out, not to steal. That would come when she'd grown tired of the arrangement and needed her freedom again, but for now...this was going nicely.

Especially since he could apparently conjure houses from nothing? Fully furnished and filled with foreign amenities? No, she didn't anticipate she'd get bored for some time now, unless this all turned out to be a facade and he was truly a jerk or just plain annoying. Right now, she was intrigued--and wondered what his limits were. Where did his magic end? The only mages she'd ever known were fortunetellers and flesh sculptors and mediums. This magic didn't seem elemental or forbidden. It was just...

Something she didn't even know the name of.

Awestruck, she kicked her shoes off at the door and let him guide her through the home and its many rooms. She hadn't had much interaction with foreigners, definitely not enough to know which items were Connlaothian versus Essyrni, but they all drew her fascination. And the kitchen...

...Well, he called it a kitchen, but she couldn't make sense of what half the contraptions did. Except that they all looked some degree of lethal. She paused to squint into the glass container with the blades. That...looked dangerous...

Moving on.

The library was beautiful and comfortable, but the books and scrolls were useless for someone who could only read signs and write her name. The bedroom, on the other hand--Inima. It took every ounce of restraint not to throw herself onto the bed and roll around on it right then and there. Most of her nights were spent holed up somewhere cheap and questionably clean, with lumpy mattresses that killed her back. She couldn't remember the last time she had gotten a decent night's sleep, and from the way her feet sank into the carpets, she was sure even the floor would be more comfortable than what she was used to.

And a canopy!

Was this what it felt like to be royalty?

She jolted at Rit's touch, shivering as the chills spread through her, and looked up at him with a smile. "Well, I think I'd definitely like to use the bath house first," she said, and leaned more into his caress. "Wash the festival off me. This place is beautiful. How did you...? I can't even wrap my head around how you made this. You're...a very powerful mage."

        Rit didn't hesitate to lead Song away from the bedroom toward the bath house. "You've actually not seen me perform much magic. Just the teleportation. The rest were magic items I used, including the buildings." Upon exiting the house, it was readily apparent how much warmer it was inside. The chill air bit into Song driving her close to Rit again. He was still warm and his fingers danced lightning across her skin, filling her with subtle pleasure. The covered path helped block some of the wind but that did little for the outside temperature.
        Stepping into the bath house they were immediately enveloped in warmth again, the chill quickly chased away. Through the steamy air that didn't quite reach them, the vast bath house could be seen to be significantly larger on the inside than it was on the outside. A pocket dimension made for bathing was not an original idea, but it was always a good one. Multiple large pools at different levels with waterfalls and fountains. Stone benches were everywhere and basins for individual use were interspersed along the walls. The entryway they stood in, magically protected from the moisture in the air was dry and warm. There were stacks of clean towels and cubbies for bathers to store there things.
        "The place is large enough that you can avoid me if you like," Rit said. He stepped into one of several curtained areas, taking a towel in with him. In less time than should have been reasonable, he emerged with the towel wrapped around his waist and bag in hand. The perfect specimen of a Thanati male, skin tanned by the sun, corded muscles lined with scars from numerous battles, Rit stood almost as if posing for a moment. Then he moved to put the bag in one of the cubbies and spoke as he turned to head to the water.
        "Are you going to stand there all night gaping, or are you going to take the best bath you've ever had."

"Oh! Oh, ah, no. No, of course not," Song said, Rit's words snapping her out of her silent gawking. She had been doing a lot of that today, hadn't she? She wasn't normally one to gape like a fool, but today had been full of surprises she had no frame of reference for. Even the bathhouse was elaborate and impressive! More pools than a person could ever have a use for! Fountains! Waterfalls!

And then there was Rit, who shed his many clothes far quicker than should be possible, and was now clad in only a towel.

Face heating from more than just the steam, Song cleared her throat and grabbed a towel. Oh no. He was even more attractive without his clothes, even with those scars--and though her eyes lingered on the lines of his body, it was his scars that drew her curiosity. How had he gotten those? Was he a Warrior?

"Be right back!" she said as she slipped behind the curtain to change, her heart beating just a bit faster.

He had scars. Then maybe...he wouldn't care about hers? She stripped from her clothes, putting them away into a cubby, and reached behind herself to feel at the raised marks on her back, frowning thoughtfully. She really should have had a flesh sculptor remove them for her years ago, but that was costly, and she'd needed to spend that money on other things. It had been cheaper and more meaningful just to slowly cover them up with ink, in the constellations that had made an ugly thing beautiful rather than erasing that from her being. And after so many years, they were so much a part of her that she often forgot they were there--until she got naked with someone else and they felt where her skin was raised and rough.

It wasn't so much that she was self-conscious of the scars themselves as she was of the questions that followed. Or worse, the disgust.

She frowned, hesitating. Well. They were married. It was generally expected that a fertility festival would be consummated, and she wasn't opposed to that--he was totally her type. It was just always better when both she and her partner were too tipsy to care about flaws and insecurities, and even though she didn't plan on staying with Rit long term, it didn't mean rejection and disgust still wouldn't sting.

She wrapped the towel around herself, covering her breasts and much of her back, and stepped around the curtain. "So, what's the best spot?" she said as she made to follow him. "I don't plan on avoiding you, unless you'd rather be alone. But that sounds awfully lonely."

        Somehow, probably by the use of his teleportation magic, Rit had already reached the top of the highest waterfall. He stood there, towel set aside, in all his nudity. He bent and flexed touching his toes before springing out into the open air. He sailed through the air, until he parted the water with hardly a splash. When he should have hit the bottom of the shallow bath far below, a portal opened and he appeared from another, zipping along the bottom of the water. He breached the surface at the bottom of the steps in front of Song. As he ascended the steps, water cascading down his nude body, he reached through a hole in the air to grab his towel, and wrapped it back around his waist. Not before Song got a good look at his manhood.
        Rit reaches out and took Songs free hand, leading her along the outside of the baths. "I think you'll like the center bath waterfall," he told her. "The water is hottest there but the waterfall is the coldest, and the water has the subtle scent of plum blossoms." Rit let go of Song and cast his towel aside again as he stepped down into the hot water, his muscular glutes on display as he descended. He waded toward the chilly waterfall, the cloud of steam created by the difference in temperature partially obscuring him from view.

...Oh. She had been talking to air.

Because Rit wasn't there.

Instead he was up, diving fully naked off a waterfall in a move that at first drew Song's awe and quickly her fear because that pool looked shallow!

She slapped a hand over her mouth, certain for a second that he was going to smash his head against the bottom (well, guess if that happened she'd be down a husband and get to raid his belongings a year early...) but instead of smashing he went through a...door...? that she hadn't seen. In moments he appeared from another bath, unharmed--and glistening as he climbed from the bath and gave her a full, good look at the entire package.

Literally.

It was kind of a shame when he covered himself again, but she'd seen enough to decide that consummating the marriage might not be a chore after all.

Lead to the waterfall, Song could immediately smell the fresh scent of plum blossoms, and she took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. Strange, how he seemed to know her so well after only meeting her today--but she supposed most women would like this, so maybe he was just a good guesser. She watched him as he once again discarded his towel, not following at first but simply studying, before, after a moment's hesitation, she shrugged and tossed her own towel aside to join him.

Not like much could be seen once they were immersed in the steam. And if was disgusted, she supposed it would just be her cue to leave earlier.

Stepping into the warm water, shivering as her body adjusted to the temperature change, she sank deeper into it as she waded after him. "How did you do that? The trick you did while diving? The pool doesn't look deep enough for that. Are there tunnels?"

        "Teleportation," Rit said from behind Song. He'd done it again, moving effortlessly through space, appearing some place he shouldn't be. He gently slid his hands around Songs abdomen, pulling her back toward him. "It's also how I undressed so quickly. I teleported out of my clothes. Getting dressed takes much longer." Then he released her and was gone again. He stepped out from the steam in front of her, hand extended, and as Song accepted it he led her to the waterfall. The water coming down was as cold as ice, while the water they waded through approached uncomfortable heat. Where they splashed and swirled together they created interesting sensations on the skin. Shivers of pleasure at the contrast were visibly apparent on Rit's skin, goosebumps rising.
        Through the frozen waterfall Rit led Song, drawing her into an inclosed space of twilight lighting and tinkling music. There he turned and faced her, drawing the nude woman in close. Their bodies were close, but not touching. His hands traced swirls along her back, following the constellations rather than the scars, like he'd studied her back in great detail. His fingers electric on her skin, he smiled sweetly.
        "You're a beautiful woman Song. You deserve happiness. I can give it to you. Along with anything else in the world you desire." Rit kissed her then, gentle and tenderly, the same electricity in his lips as they pressed into hers.

Song jumped when his voice came from behind and not in front, and then his hands were on her, tingling delightfully as he guided her back--and then was gone, appearing again in front of her. Teleportation, huh? Of course she knew he could do that--he had teleported them both over a great distance from the festival to eat! But it was still kind of jarring to see such a blatant demonstration! She wasn't sure she would ever get used to his magic, and still felt like she might be dreaming.

Or hallucinating.

Guided further to the waterfall, where the water mixed and the temperatures combined, Song let out a sharp gasp when the cold water cascaded onto her and had to fight hard not to squeal. It was cold--but the rest of her was in the warm water, keeping it from being outright unpleasant. She shivered with Rit, letting him draw her to the other side, into a space that didn't seem real. Pale light, tinkling sounds, Rit's hands on her, so gently tracing along her back. She jolted and tensed at first, a knot of unease in her throat--he would feel the scars, he would know--but she had traced her own scars enough to know their patterns by heart, enough to realize moment's later that that wasn't the path his fingers were following. His fingers were tracing the paths of stars. Her tattoos?

...He had hardly seen them, though. Not enough to trace them without sight.

Her breath caught, torn somewhere between trying to puzzle it out and enjoying the physical sensation, his fingers like little pleasant jolts sending chills down to her toes. He had to have felt the scars, but if he did, he showed no sign of caring. She looked up at him, and some of the tension eased at his smile.

He hadn't pulled back. He hadn't questioned. There was no pity there.

It really was a shame their interests conflicted. He didn't seem like a bad guy.

But there was no shame in enjoying this for now, right?

He kissed her, and she melted into it, enjoyed the contact and the praise. The praise was rare; there usually wasn't much talking in her encounters, and she usually liked it that way. Moaning softly against his lips, she boldly closed the distance between them, looping her arms around his neck, pressing her breasts against his skin, and curling her hands into his hair. She tasted him, tongue flicking against his lips, letting him know she wanted more.

"I want this," she said simply, her indecision erased as she trailed her hands down his back and over his ass. She kissed him again, then pulled back to look curiously up at him, head tilted.
"What was your reason?" she breathed. "For entering your name? Everyone has one. I know mine. But what was yours?"

        Rit didn't answer, instead he kissed Song again, more passionately. His tongue slid into her mouth gliding across hers. His full erection pressed into her abdomen. It had been impressive before, and now was a size that would push her to her limits. A hand found it's way down to her ass. He squeezed gently, and with the buoyancy the water provided, lifted Song off her feet. Rit deftly wrapped her legs around his waist, his erection now pressed against her sex, his pulse felt through the hard member. He broke his lips from hers as he carried her over to a shallow divot off the side of the pool that he could lay her in. Hot water only rose a few inches in it, enough to keep her bathed in its heat but not enough to interfere with sex.
        After laying her down, Rit put his mouth to Song's sex, sucking and licking at her clit and the lips of her pussy. He was going to enjoy the sweet taste of her for a while before filling her with his cock. After she was spent, he'd tell her that he entered his name just to marry her.

The question was quickly forgotten as Rit's lips enveloped hers, and as his tongue tasted and explored, and as his cock pressed against her, she was content to let it drop. Later, then. She could learn more about him later, but for now...

...Wait, holy shit, how big was he?

She had caught a glimpse before, but he hadn't been hard then, and even then he had been large, so she'd had some idea of what to expect (and anticipate). But as he squeezed her ass and lifted her, drawing a gasp from her lips as her drew her legs around his waist, her eyes widened as she felt him slide against her sex, throbbing and trapped flush between them. He broke the kiss and she used it as an excuse to glance between them--and she sucked in a sharp breath at the sight, brief as it was.

Sweet Inima.

It was definitely beyond what she'd taken before, and the realization made her blood burn hotter. Hopefully he knew how to use it, too.

He laid her down in a shallow pool, and Song started to lift up onto her elbows to watch him--but he had already honed in on his goal. His mouth was on her before she realized his intention, and Song arched sharply in surprise and pleasure, letting out a soft whimper, and grabbed at his hair with one hand. Oh goddess! Well, he certainly knew how to use his tongue! So many people just wanted to get straight to business. She squirmed as he sucked and licked, struggling not to clamp her thighs against his head, biting her free hand to keep quiet--she was used to having to keep quiet--and rolling her hips up against him for more.

...Okay. Maybe a year wouldn't be so bad.

        Rit could hear Song bite into her own hand, and he reached up to stop her. His mouth broke away from her pussy long enough for him to look up at her and say, “nobody will hear you scream.” The words weren’t nearly as ominous as they could have been as her mouth was freed of her hand and his mouth found its way back to her pussy.
        Rit did know what he was doing, and he did it all for Songs pleasure. There would be time later to enjoy the taste of her, time to sate himself on her. For now he wanted only to further sink his hooks into her. So he licked and sucked in all the ways she liked best, listening to her thoughts silently urging him to be harder or faster or move up or to the left. It was the most perfect oral sex she had ever received. In very little time she was at her climax, and Rit continued on. His tongue did not stop, his fingers came to join, and he worked them to Song’s further delight. Again and again and again she came, wracking her body with spasms of pleasure. Moans and whimpers and whispered pleas that he stop escaped Song’s lips but still he continued, filling her with more pleasure than she’d ever experienced.
        When soon Song’s body was about to give out, Rit did stop. He kissed the smooth skin above her pussy, and continued up, kissing her softly as he moved all the way up to bring his mouth back to hers. He paused at her breasts gently kneading and sucking them before moving on. When his mouth was at hers, Rit kissed Song slow and soft, pulling her lips gently into his mouth to be nibbled. While he kissed her mouth he used his knees to spread her legs wide and pressed the tip of his massive cock against the opening of her dripping cunt.
        Rit reached down to grab his dick and slowly rubbed it up and down on Song’s wet slit. He slowly began to work its thick girth into her, less than an inch at a time. He was slow and gentle, and though she was dripping wet, and relaxed and ready for him, she would need to adjust to the sheer size of him. At last his cock was in her to the hilt, and he swiveled his hips, grinding his pelvis against her clit. His dick barely fit, and it pressed firmly against her vaginal wall as he rotated his hips, keeping it fully sheathed inside her.
        “Feel free to bite and claw and scream as loud as you like,” Rit said as he gently began his thrusting. “I’m going to fuck you better than you’ve ever been fucked.”

It was like he had the tongue of a god.

It was like he knew exactly how to please her, exactly how she liked it. Each flick of his tongue, each suck and nibble, each stroke of his fingers was the perfect speed, angle, and pressure, and she found herself cresting the edge quicker than she'd ever known was possible, so suddenly it caught her off guard. There was usually a period of trial and error and learning with a new partner, but Rit? Somehow, it was like he anticipated it her every need.

Her whimpers soon grew to moans and then cries when he pushed her over that first time, so suddenly, so intensely, she hardly knew what was happening. Her back arched, her head thrown back, her every muscle tight and shuddering as she squirmed beneath him as though to escape even while craving more. And he didn't stop. She expected that he would. Usually that was just a warm-up, and now he'd fuck her--but instead he kept going.

And going.

Song knew she could come more than once. She just didn't know how many times, and it seemed Rit was keen on testing those limits.

Another release crashed over her on the tail end of the first, stealing her breath away, and that one was still going when another seized her. And another. Song grabbed at his hair, bucked her hips, begged him to stop. It was too intense, she couldn't breathe, it felt so good it almost hurt, she couldn't take anymore--but still he worked her, her moans turning to desperate sobs and pleas, her body putty beneath him.  It was too much, too much, and Inima she wanted more, wanted it to stop, wanted--

He stopped suddenly, leaving her panting breathlessly, limp and bonelessly weak. She was still trembling and sensitive, still flooded with warmth and pleasure and aching need, and when he kissed up her body she let out a shivering gasp as each little touch made goosebumps rise on her brown skin. He sucked her breasts and she arched, hands grabbing loosely onto his shoulders, heart skipping a beat in anticipation when his mouth finally covered hers and his knees forced hers open.

She felt him press against her, and she sucked in a breath, let out a little whimper of need when he began to stroke rub along her. She rocked her hips, trying to grind back against him, trying to encourage him, the teasing slide of him awakening fresh desire and curiosity--

And then he began to push inside.

She let out a soft cry and dug her nails into his back, buried her face against his shoulder. She was ready for him, but he was larger than she was used to, and there was a brief burning sting as he stretched her--but it was fleeting. He wasn't a brute; he didn't try to just jam it in, and she definitely appreciated that as her body adapted and adjusted, but she was small and he was...well...huge. She clutched him tightly, panting hot puffs of air against his skin, and shifted her hips as he rotated his own, gasping at the sheer size of him, at how she felt stretched to her limit.

Dear Inima. Was this...even going to work? She whimpered, his pelvis grinding against her clit, and her hips bucked up against him, her nails digging in deeper. There was a brief flash of uncertainty, a brief sense of mistakes were made, but then Rit began to move gently--and spoke words that sent a rush of heat straight to her groin.

She shuddered, clenching around him, and nipped at the side of his neck. "I'm not a screamer," she whispered. "Prove me wrong."

        Rit could prove Song wrong with ease. He pulled out to the very tip of his massive cock and then slammed it in with an audible slap. Not hard enough to injure her, but hard enough to elicit an immediate yelp. Just a little taste of the screaming she was going to do for him. He returned to his gentle strokes, working on loosening Song up before he got too vigorous. Easy strokes of his big dick, deep into her tight little cunt, all the cum from her multiple orgasms helping it slide in and out with ease.
        Rit relished each stroke and the tremors they sent through Song. She was experienced with men, but he was more powerful than the gods. He was going to do things to her she had never dreamed of. At first his thrusts were long and gentle, but as Songs body adjusted to the size of him, he quickened his pace, and shortened his strokes. Eventually Rit’s thrusts were rapid fire, his pelvis slapping against Song’s with an audible slap, the water in the pool around them sloshing violently.
        Even as she moaned and gasped for breath Rit drowned Song in kisses, muffling her sounds and making it even more difficult to breathe. He wanted her filled with pleasure but also off balance. If she knew what was coming, and could anticipate it, she wouldn’t be as thrilled. That didn’t mean he wasn’t reading her mind and giving her exactly what she wanted when she had that oh yes, right there thought. That’s how he got the next two orgasms from her, slicking his cock with her cum even more.
        After those two, Rit gently lifted the limp woman into his arms. He lifted her up and down on his cock as he waded through the water, kissing her in a deep, sensuous way. He slowly approached the waterfall, and when he was close enough they could feel the spray, Rit increased the rate of their fucking. The air there was cooler and easier to breathe, pushing away the light headed feelings that had surely been pushing in at Song’s consciousness. Song’s buoyancy while Rit carried her in the water made it difficult to get very vigorous with the thrusts, but his huge member was still able to hit her in amazing places.
        Once he’d worked her to yet another orgasm, Rit carried Song out of the water to a spot with upholstered furniture. The upholstery was of some material that the water ran right off of, and the benches and chairs were all secured to the ground. Rit set Song down in the area, gave her a wonderfully deep kiss, and then told her, “get on your knees.”

Rit wasted no time in proving her very, very wrong.

Scream she did, yelping sharply at that first hard thrust and sinking her nails into Rit's back in reflex. It was pleasure and pain combined, and for a moment Song feared he might keep that pace straight out of the gates. Which, while she liked a hard fuck, she didn't think she was quite ready for that yet! But then he was gentle--point proven--and she relaxed again, eased her grip on him and let out a shuddering breath. It was a taste of things to come, and she looked forward to that, but she appreciated his slower pace as her body adjusted to the sheer size of him. She clung to him, biting back gasps and quiet whimpers as he worked her, slow and steady, and she was passive and still at first until the initial discomfort began to fade.

When she no longer felt like he would split her in half, she began to move, rolling her hips up against him, testing the limits, moaning at the way even small angle adjustments sent spikes of pleasure through her. But just when she started to get a good rhythm, Rit changed pace and her gasps sharpened and turned to a surprised yelp, and then a cry, her body tensing and hands clawing at his back when he began to pound her, gentleness gone. But she was ready for it then, craving it, though nothing could have prepared her for the intensity of being filled so completely.

Scream she did.

She bit his shoulder, raked her nailed up his spine and left behind red welts and a little less skin. It was too much, too intense, but Inima, she didn't want him to stop, not ever. She writhed and bucked beneath him, head thrown back with ragged cries and screams, her breath coming too short, her heart beating too fast--and then Rit's mouth was on hers, swallowing her screams, stealing her air, and her head swam dizzily.

But it was that excitement, that unexpected move, that pushed her over.

Song arched sharply, crying out against his lips as her body seized and shuddered, but he didn't stop like she expected he might. Most men she'd been with didn't last this long; the more gentlemenly ones got her off first and were quick to follow. But before she knew it, still trembling from her release, another one followed as he angled his cock just right and she scratched and bit him, gasping and sobbing against his mouth, body and mind both screaming that it was too much, too intense, even as she begged for more with the rocking of her hips.

But then he stopped and lifted her, and she slumped against him as he lifted her on his cock. Spirits, how did he still have the energy? She felt light-headed, her vision starting to swim, and it was all she could do to wrap her arms around his shoulders, her legs around his waist, and let him do as he pleased as she moaned against his neck. For a moment, despite the cool water easing her dizziness, she thought she must have blacked out as the pleasure burst and stole her breath, for the next thing she knew she was whimpering against him as her body trembled, her sex clenching around him.

She was still shaking when he set her down, and he didn't have to tell her to kneel, because her legs buckled and did it for her. She stared up at him, dazed, chest heaving with panted breaths. How...how had he still not come? She wasn't complaining. Not at all. But...

She wasn't sure she could handle more.

Even though she craved it.

And she had a feeling she knew what he wanted from her now.

Lips still tingling from his kiss, body hypersensitive from her climaxes, she raised up on her knees a little more and took his cock in hand. She didn't hesitate as she slipped the tip into her mouth, arousal making her hungry for it. She wasn't about to cry uncle, not after issuing such a bold challenge to him--even if she had already lost.

        Rit took slid his fingers into Song's hair and gently but firmly pulled her head back away his cock. He smiled at his new toy, and knew she was growing more submissive. The more he was in control of her orgasms, the more she would do anything he wanted. Rit took Song's hand in his, and with his other still wrapped in her hair, urged her to stand.
        "That's not what I meant," Rit said. He moved his hands to Song's shoulders, turning her around so she could see the padded bench they stood beside. "There will be time for you to swallow my cock later. Get on that bench on your hands and knees, and put that pussy in the air. I'm gonna fuck you like an animal." He punctuated the statement with a slap to Song's firm young ass. He'd need to fuck that later too. He had a feeling she was gonna love it.

Song let out a small yelp when Rit pulled her up by her hair and her hand, and she nearly toppled as he turned her, still unsteady on her feet. She swayed in place, still off balance, a thrill going through her at how easily he manhandled her. She was used to rough, and rather enjoyed it. That's how those encounters usually went when she had too much to drink and found herself in a dark room, half-dressed and fucking against a wall. But there was a difference between rough and dominant, and as it turned out, Rit could be both.

She shivered at his demand, but hesitated. Hands and knees. Erk. That wasn't usually something she enjoyed--not because it didn't feel amazing, but because of her scars. The tattoos hid them well, but the illusion dissolved up close, and that was about as close as you could get. But he had to have felt them when he'd traced her tattoos, and...

Stop it, Song. Does he look like he'd care?

Or maybe the better question was did she care right now, with her sex still aching and legs still quivering?

His slap jolted her out of her thoughts and into action, breath hissing, and she climbed onto the bench and dropped to all fours. She arched her back to lift her ass, legs spread, thighs slick from more than just water. She was more than ready for him, and she watched him from over her shoulder as she reached between her legs with one hand, spreading her lips with her fingers. "Please?"

        Rit smirked at Song's eagerness then took the half step forward needed to press his cock against her pussy. He rubbed the tip up and down, rewetting the head of his member with her cum. He slowly slid it in until it had disappeared completely into her, then gripping her ass in both hands began the gentle process of letting Song adjust to this new position. It wouldn't take nearly the time it had before. He'd already filled her with his cock, and she'd been warmed up, but in this position he could get deeper, and she'd need time to adjust to that.
        Song's ass was even more lovely at this new angle, and Rit squeezed and massaged it as he fucked her. He put a hand around his cock, gathering some of Song's cum. As Rit continued fucking her harder and faster, he used his thumb, slick with her cum, to massage her asshole. He slapped her ass with his other hand when he wasn't using it to squeeze her cheeks, his pace steadily increasing. His thrusts were coming faster and faster now, with enough force that he needed both hands gripping her cheeks, pulling her back to audibly slap against him.
        "Tell me if it's too much for you to handle."

He didn't keep her waiting long. Song sucked in a breath when she felt Rit slide against her, trembling in anticipation, and when he finally sank in she let out a soft whimper. Inima, he felt even larger in this position, stretching and filling her until she swore she could feel him in her belly. Slowly he began to rock, and Song gripped the edge of the bench tightly as she adjusted, gasping as he stroked her from all new angles.

Soon his pace increased, and Song yelped and squeezed the bench harder just to stay upright when her limbs wanted to turn to water, and soon those yelps turned to cries and sobs of pleasure, his thrusts skirting the edge of pain--not because he was too rough, but because she wasn't used to his size. But it was too good for her to care, and she didn't mind a little pain with her pleasure--especially not when it was this mind-blowing.  Harder and faster he went, rocking her body with the force of it, sharper yelps leaving her with each slap of his hand, but it only made her hotter, only made her squeeze tighter around him.

And then when he began to massage her with his thumb...

A thrill went through her, a hot blush spreading over her body, her hips jerking in surprise as arousal mixed with shame. But far from kill the mood, it only enhanced it, and soon she was screaming hoarsely when he gripped and squeezed her to pull her into his thrusts, impossibly powerful now, hard enough that it hurt, and her shaking arms soon gave out so that she fell forward onto her elbows. Back arched, ass still raised, she sobbed her pleasure as another climax caught her off guard and bowled her over, her whole body shuddering and tensing as she clawed at the seat helplessly.

"R-Rit!" she cried, breath hitching, hardly able to speak. It was too good, too intense. Inima! How was he still going?! He was going to literally fuck her raw at this rate. But right then she didn't care.

        Rit fucked Song hard and fast until she arrived at another bone shaking climax. This time, as her body was wracked with pleasure, Rit allowed himself to cum as well. He thrust deep into her as he filled her with his seed. There was so much that it leaked out around his thick member. When both of their orgasms were complete Rit, still erect and still filling Song's little pussy, grabbed her firmly by the hair and pulled her back toward himself. He wrapped a strong arm around Song, her tits resting on it like a shelf, holding her up as he thrust into her much more slowly. Rit moved his hand from Song's hair to her throat, and bit the back of her neck. The hand supporting her gripped and fondled her tits as he bit and sucked leaving teeth marks and hickies.
        Rit gently lifted Song up off of the bench, and off of his cock, and turned her to kneel on the floor in front of him. His seed spilled out across her thighs, and the floor. He bent and kissed her sweetly as he laced his fingers through her hair, then gently but firmly pulled her head back so she was forced to look into his eyes.
        "Now I want you to clean that cock and balls really well. If you can take the whole thing into your throat, I'll give you a beautiful necklace to match that dragon on your ear."

Song was too caught up in the pleasure of the moment for it to click that her new husband had climaxed inside her--nor was she in any state to worry about it. He was still hard, and still thrusting inside her, so she didn't even notice he had come at all. She gasped as he grabbed her hair and pulled her back, and soon her was holding her to him as he continued to fuck her, if more gently and less frenzied, a thrill going through her as he gripped her throat and bit her neck. She cried out, grabbing at his arm--not to pull it off, but to hold on--and shuddered as he bit and sucked and marked her, and played with her breasts.

It was too much, too intense. She was starting to feel sore, but also starting to feel another climax building, the angle just right as he filled her in ways she'd never experienced--

And then he pulled her off of him and, dazed, she found herself on the floor, breathless and kneeling in front of him. His come was dripping from her, and slicking her inner thighs, but she still hadn't put the pieces together. Not when she was riding the high of pleasure, not when he was still rock hard before her.

She stared up at him, flushing darkly when he pulled her hair so she could look at him--and despite herself, she flashed him a mischievous smile.

"A real one?" she asked, and darted her tongue out to flick the tip of his cock. "Or a more...pearly one?"

        Rit enjoyed the word play, and quirked a devious grin. "If you can avoid getting any pearls on those perfect tits of yours, I'll give you a string of opals that will make the gods jealous."

"Opals? Truly?" Song said, perking up. Well then. Challenge accepted. Not only were opals her favorite, but they were expensive, especially the fiery ones. And if it was a gift, then it wasn't really stealing when she left with them. Plausible deniability!

"You spoil me, husband."

Sitting up on her knees, she took his cock in both hands and pressed a kiss to the tip, teasing it with the swirl of her tongue. She dipped down and dragged her tongue up along him, from base to tip, getting a feel for what she'd be working with, tasting herself on him. He was larger than anyone she'd been with, in girth as well as length, so it would be challenging. Challenging, but certainly nothing she couldn't handle, and she was definitely up to the task.

Finally, she slipped him into her mouth and dropped a hand down to cup his balls, massaging him as she bobbed on him, first just teasing the head. She pulled back until only her lips were touching him, then slipped back down, again and again, slicking him up well, moaning softly in enjoyment; the messier the better, after all, and she did enjoy messy. Her other hand worked the rest of his shaft, pumping him to the rhythm of her mouth--and then, just when she'd begun to fall into a pattern, she slipped him in deeper. She was no novice to this, and could take a cock in her throat without choking, but Rit? He fit her mouth snugly, and there and there was still much of him remaining when she had to come back up for air.

But she was hardly deterred.

Again and again she took him, alternating between teasing the glans and stroking him with her hands, and sliding him in deep, going just a little deeper every time, warming herself up, adjusting. Until, finally, that last inch vanished, and she raised her eyes to him as though for approval.

        Rit watched his wife with great enjoyment. He listened to her thoughts, and was pleased by those as well. Song was enjoying herself. It seemed she loved sucking cock. She enjoyed being in a subservient role that simultaneously was a position of power. She loved performing and getting a good response. She was determined to be the best, but she also just loved the taste and feeling of a cock in her mouth. Rit was really going to love keeping her to play with for a very long time.
        As Song warmed up, and slowly expanded on working his cock and balls, Rit stroked her hair lovingly. He let his body feel the pleasure of her work, let the tingling chills and waves of pleasure run through him. He let his body show the proper response, shivers and goose bumps, involuntary muscle spasms and pulses in his cock. He let out small sounds of pleasure, watching Song slide her beautiful mouth up and down his cock. When she got the whole thing in her mouth and throat she looked up at him, and he smiled. He knew she could do it, he had no doubt that she'd perform her best for him.
        "I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful plaything as my wife," Rit said as he looked into Songs eyes. "Now just keep that up and drain my seed pods down that lovely throat. Don't waste a drop if you want those opals."

Oh, she did want those opals, and judging by his positive reaction so far, Song was confident she had Rit right in the palm of her hand.

Which...well ...she did, with her hand still cupping and massaging his balls.

With a soft, muffled sound of acknowledgment, she truly went to work, no longer playing and exploring but rather pleasuring him with purpose. She began to truly work him, taking him deep again and again, her pace quicker than before. When that became too much, she used her hand, sliding it up and down his cock as she bobbed on him, pulling out nearly all the way before taking him in again. She watched him as she worked, gauging his response, his breathing, every little twitch and jerk that told her she was doing something right.

Hopefully he would be a gentleman and warn her before he came.

        Rit was happy to let Song go to work. After the fucking he'd just delivered, it was a surprise that his wife could see straight, let alone suck his dick with such vigor. He was glad he hadn't underestimated her love of opals. It was clear to Rit that Song was not a novice, her tongue and lips pleasuring him perfectly, her hands complimenting her work. Small changes in her technique let him know she was aware of his responses, and adjusting to make improvements. He was definitely going to enjoy his time with her. Each time Song took him into her throat, her lips hiding the entirety of his shaft, a shiver ran through him. She was quite talented.
        It didn't take long for the pressure to build. Rit was getting close to climax. He'd just filled her with his seed, so his next orgasm wouldn't produce quite as much volume. That didn't make its intensity for him any less. "I'm almost there," Rit told Song. "Don't stop now, I'm gonna cum baby. I'm gonna. O- oh yeah. Here it comes." He clutched at his hair as he climaxed, saying, "there it is." Shivers wracked his body as his orgasm burst forth.

As soon as he warned her, Song was ready. She took him in deep until he hit the back of her throat, hand still massaging his balls, and let him come down her throat. She worked him until his spasms subsided, and then she pulled back with a smug smile, swallowing it down and wiping her lips on the back of her hand. With a quick dart forward, she licked the last pearl of cum from the tip of his cock, and then sat back on her heels and peered up at him through her lashes.

"Was that to my husband's liking?"

        It was indeed to Rit's liking. He gave Song a smug smile. He had been confident she'd be able to do it, all he needed was the right motivator. Wealth was her weakness. He'd so easily gotten what he wanted from her, and things were only just beginning. There were so many things he had planned for his enjoyment. He was going to play with her for a long time.
        Rit reached down to help his wife up from her knees. "You've earned your prize my dear," he said with a smile. "I think we should take a break to eat though. We've been exercising quite a bit." Song's legs seemed to still be quite gelatinous so Rit scooped her up in his arms. He kissed her deeply, his tongue sliding across hers, while he walked back to the water. Rit dropped down into the bath and carried Song over to a bar set in the far side of the bath. He sat with his wife in his lap, kissing the side and back of her neck, his still erect cock pressing up in the crack of her ass. Moments later trays were carried in by translucent blue silhouettes known as magic servants. On the trays were all of Song's most favorite foods and much more.
        "After we eat and rest a bit, I'm going to continue fucking you," Rit said, nipping gently at Song's ear. "There's one more place I need to put my cock and fill you up." Rit flexed his cock to punctuate his meaning, the tip perfectly pressed against Song's puckered rose bud. He whispered breathily into her ear, "I think you'll enjoy a deep fuck in that ass of yours." He then reached for a piece of battered fish, dipped it in a tangy sauce and popped it in his mouth.

Scooped into his arms, with the promise of more fun to come (and opals!), Song kissed him back hungrily, her arms looped around Rit's neck. It was good that he carried her, because her legs were indeed too shaky to cooperate, and she was a little sore. The break was much appreciated!

How on earth was he still hard, though?

She could feel him pressing against her as they sat, and a shiver shot down her spine. No one she had ever been with had that much stamina; the men she'd been with generally needed a break in between rounds before they could go again, if they were down to go again at all. But had Rit deflated at all the entire time?

She shivered again, his lips on her neck, his hard cock wedged against her, sending tingles clear to her toes that made her squirm. He didn't seem the least bit winded, while she felt like she had just run a marathon, and the realization both excited and...intimidated her. It seemed her husband was the insatiable sort, and now she just worried about keeping up with him.

...And about, er, fertility. She would have to take extra precautions, in secret, of course. Birth control was taboo, and so their sex had been, and would be, unprotected. It was expected she could have a child from this. She didn't think he had come inside her yet? She'd swallowed his load, after all, and she hadn't realized that, indeed, he had climaxed before that.

"Thank you," she said, leaning back against him. "I didn't want you to stop, but my body has other ideas--oh!"

She startled, her heart leaping into her throat, when the food came out, carried by silhouettes. At first she only saw the shapes and motion and thought that, oh jeez, they weren't alone. But then they came closer and she saw that they were featureless.

Magic.

All of them bearing trays laden with food, some of which she had only dreamed of trying--or been able to sneak.

But before she could really take it all in, Rit spoke into her ear, and the nip and his words sent heat pooling between her legs. Her eyes widened, and she let out a soft gasp as he pressed against her ass, her face going red.

"I...oh...uh..." She hunched her shoulders, shame and excitement warring with each other. "I'm...not sure what you mean."

Of course she knew what he meant. And she had done it before, plenty. Her first few times having sex had been that way, to get around the risks of pregnancy, and she found she enjoyed it. But she didn't think she was supposed to admit that, and she was pretty sure it went against Inima's teachings. Not that she thought Inima had any business sticking her nose in her sex life, but she was just paranoid enough to believe in Her, too.

        "The way you responded to just having my thumb massage it," Rit replied, "I can tell you'll really like my cock deep in your ass." His tongue brushed the back of Song's ear. "If it's your first time having it that way, I'll be extra gentle. Once you're used to the size of me in your ass, you'll have very intense orgasms that way." Rit reached for a piece of grilled fish next, dipping it in a different sauce. "You should eat my dear." He popped a piece of raw fish in his mouth next. "I don't think my seed will sustain you for the amount of sex you're going to have tonight." His hand idly reached up to fondle her breasts as his other hand moved food into his mouth. "I've only given you two doses. After I fill your ass with a third, I'll let you choose how I split you in two the time after that."

"It's not my first time," Song admitted slowly, with another shiver as his tongue brushed her ear. "I've, er, done it before. I just...well, some find it shameful to talk about, so I was just making sure." She cleared her throat, fighting down a blush. "In any case, you should probably be gentle anyway. You're...not small. It takes some getting used to."

She scooped up a rice roll stuffed with vegetables and fish and dipped it in a brown, salty sauce. But she paused in eating it, distracted by his words—and his hand as it idly played with her breasts. It made it difficult to focus, at first because it just felt wonderful—and then because his words made her freeze.

Wait. Two? "Two doses"?

She chanced a look over her shoulder at him. "Oh. I...didn't know you came twice." Inside her? Had he come inside her? Shit. She stuffed the roll into her mouth. "You have impressive stamina."

        Rit gave Song a wink. "You have no idea my dear. Your immense beauty inspires me. I could fuck you for eternity, filling you to bursting with my seed without growing tired." The hand idly fondling Song's breasts slid down her abdomen in a slow caress. With his other he picked up a piece of barely seared fish, covered in a sweet plum sauce. "Take a bite of this." Rit held it in front of Song's mouth, the sauce dripping into the water to instantly be cleaned away by magic. "It's from a large land locked sea in a country far to the east. It takes many months to sail to that land and weeks beyond to reach the sea. The fish must be salted and dried or kept fresh with magic, otherwise it will not make the journey here."

A pleasant shiver went through Song as Rit's hand caressed lower, belly sucking in in response. Oh, she wouldn't mind at all if his hand continued that path; she hoped it would.

Of course, she also appreciated the chance to eat; they had already burned a lot of energy, and no doubt they would burn some more. Goddess, she still couldn't believe how lucky she had gotten--even though she would definitely have to be careful with this one. Good thing she had the appropriate herbal concoction in her possession--though at the rate they were going, she would burn through it fast.

Opening her mouth, she took a bite of the fish, and her eyes fluttered shut in pleasure. That was divine...she was so used to cheap, stolen meals and scraps. Goddess, she was going to get so fat if she wasn't careful...

"Oh...that's good," she said, swallowing it down. "Have you ever been there? The place this fish comes from?"

        Of course Rit had been there. He'd been everywhere. He couldn't tell her though that he was currently the only character to have ever been to that far away place. Or that in truth the place had only come to exist as his creator typed in the words. That was not something he could easily explain. Breaking the fourth wall this much was already pushing the limits on the rules but Rit did do it somewhat frequently.
        "The trip was made long before many on Thanatos alive now were born," Rit said. "The fish is now found in two places. That faraway sea, and a magic pond inside one of my magic buildings." Rit was reading Song's mind of course, so he knew she wanted his hand to drift lower. He waited for her to finish the food in her mouth, and then slid his fingers down to touch her pleasure bead. His other hand took the remainder of the rice ball from her hand, and set in in front. Rit bit Song's neck and sucked fiercely as he worked her clit, pushing her quickly toward another climax.

Song had been about to ask if it was his grandfather who made the journey--he seemed such an adventurous sort, from Rit's past stories--but she didn't get a chance to open her mouth. She gasped as his hand slid lower, fingers knowing exactly where she wanted to be touched, and she barely noticed when he took her rice ball from her and put it safely aside. Indeed, all other thoughts vanished as soon as he bit her neck and stroked her clit, his touch like magic, knowing exactly how to work her as though he had known her body far longer than just a day. Knowing exactly how she liked to be handled.

It wasn't long at all before she was crying out breathlessly and shuddering anew, head thrown back against his shoulder and hips rolling against his hand. "I-I thought we were supposed to be eating," she panted.

        Rit bit down hard, pushing it right to the edge of Song's enjoyment. As he continued to work her clit he also played with her breasts, making sure to give each nipple plenty of attention. Pushing her quickly to an orgasm was easy now that she was so sensitive. He didn't even need magical assistance to so thoroughly send her wailing. When the orgasm had passed, Rit finally answered Song's question.
        "We are eating," Rit said, as he picked up a lobster tail and took a large bite of the buttered meat. "You should make sure to get your fill, you're gonna need the energy."

Shivering and panting, the last thing on Song's mind at that moment was eating, and she wasn't sure how he could be so nonchalant. She slumped back against his chest, her skin still tingling where he'd touched her and neck stinging where he'd bitten her—not in a bad way, as she enjoyed the roughness, in a way that told her she'd certainly been marked. Well. With his libido, he was probably right that she'd need the energy, lest he fuck her until she passed out.

No complaints there, though, really.

"Well then," she said when she could breathe again, flashing him a wry, over the shoulder smile. "You're going to have to actually give me time to eat, my husband."

        Rit could definitely let Song eat. He enjoyed watching her eat things that made her excited. New and delicious food could open up so much for a person. There was no food in existence that he hadn't eaten, and he enjoyed them all. When he'd visited Libra Station, he'd tried some foods that were truly alien to earth. The orcs would probably love them. He conjured up a delicious coffee milkshake for himself. It was made with real espresso, blended into a rich vanilla bean ice cream with crushed gingerbread cookies mixed in. It was topped with a white chocolate whipped cream and a butterscotch drizzle. The glass looked like the kind you'd get from an authentic soda shop, but the straw was something you'd more likely find provided for boba. After taking the first drink, and it was a big slurp, he offered it to Song by saying, "Suck this."

It was going to be a while before she got used to that, she just knew it. Rit's ability to just...magic things into existence was not something she was used to. Such magic was rare in Thanatos--and blasphemous, in fact--but Song had done so much blaspheming in her life, she couldn't find it in herself to be appalled. Instead, all she felt was awe, and a sense of disappointment that such things were so widely rejected. She understood the reason, of course...

...But as Rit offered her a taste of whatever fancy deliciousness he'd just conjured, she couldn't help but wonder why Inima would forbid this. Wouldn't She want Her children happy? Especially over something so innocent?

She peered curiously at the glass and the strange, hollow stick poking out of it. It was like nothing she'd seen before--but she could smell the sugar and spices. Rit told her to suck, and she snorted back a laugh (all things considered, it wasn't her fault her mind went there!) and tipped the straw toward her.

"What is it?" she asked, sniffing it curiously, before she took that first, cautious sip.

Oh.

It was like an orgasm in her mouth, flavors she couldn't even begin to describe exploding on her tongue. Her eyes went wide, the cold a little intense on her teeth, but she hardly cared in the moment as she took another large gulp. "Oh my goddess, Rit, what IS this--augh!"

The pain struck without warning like a knife between the eyes, and she doubled over with a groan, clutching at her forehead, as her brain exploded in icy agony.

Rit couldn't help but let out a little laugh at Song's expense. With less than a thought he healed her of her pain. "Sweet Song," He said tipping her chin up to get a look in her eyes, "that is what happens when you eat or drink something very cold too fast. In some places they call it Brain Freeze. Have some more, but slower this time." Rit offered the straw to his wife again.

The pain vanished as quickly as it had come, and Song peered into Rit's eyes as he explained. "Brain freeze, hm? Oof, well, that was definitely unpleasant. But...worth it."

Cautiously this time, she took a sip from the straw--slowly. This time, she let the flavors roll on her tongue as she held it in her mouth to savor it, and this time there was no agony-explosion when she swallowed. "Goddess...I've never tasted anything this good. How did you come about it? What is it?"

        "I'm sure you've heard of the sweet frozen treats of the north. Then in Essyrn they have their delicious coffee beverage. This is a combination of the two with sweet ginger cookies crumbled in it. The topping is whipped and sweetened cream mixed with cocoa butter and vanilla on top, and the last bit is butterscotch, which is butter cooked with vanilla and sugar." Rit reached for a roasted fish skewer, and pulled the salty sweet meat from the wood with his teeth. He set aside the empty stake and reached next for habanero pepper stuffed with tuna and backed in cheese.
        "Careful of these," Rit told his wife. "They are very spicy, and can burn both on the way in as on the way out."

"Ooh, I like spicy!" Song said, picking up one of the stuffed peppers. Be careful, he said. It's spicy, he said. As if she was a beginner here! "I think I can handle it. The spicier the better, I say!"

She took a bite, thinking nothing of it, for though it was bigger, the pepper was the same color as the ones she grew up on. Fatal error.

The heat was like nothing she had experienced. Little did she know it was a pepper that wasn't even native to Thanatos.

"Shit!" she choked out, and spit the pepper out into her hand as she gasped and fanned her tongue and then, desperately, grabbed her dessert-drink and started to chug--though it didn't seem to help at all! "Hot! That's hot! That's not a pepper! What is that?!"

        "Well it's not as hot as the bhut jolokia, but I doubt you eat those often without cooking them into your food." Rit leaned in and kissed Song, slipping his tongue into her mouth. The capsaicin from the habanero vanished as he pulled away, taking it's unpleasant burn with it. "I think this was definitely a lesson in trust. I'll never steer you wrong. Perhaps try one of those peppers." He pointed to a plate of jalapeños stuffed with goat cheese. "I think you'll find those more to your liking." He took one for himself as well, then moved on to several slices of tomato dipped in balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with salt and pepper. He let Song, eat at her own pace, as he too reached for various things to put in his mouth. His magic servants brought out many delicacies, and when they were finished eating the food, was taken away.       
        "I think we should just enjoy lying in the water while all that settles, and then we work on pleasing that beautiful ass of yours."

From the way they were feasting, Song knew that if he ate like this regularly, she was going to have to be careful or she'd grow fat. But for now, she indulged, finding the jalapeño more tolerable--less spicy than she liked, sure, but the flavors were delicious and vastly preferable to melting off her tongue.

With a happy sigh, Song stretched like a contented cat and slipped off Rit's lap and into the water, taking him up on his suggestion. "Yeah, wouldn't want to get a leg cramp and drown," she teased, before she turned onto her back to float, arms and legs splayed. "Goddess. That was amazing. This whole day has been amazing..."

         "It's been a pretty good day for me too, though I think each day after this is going to be better than the previous one." Rit lazily drifted over to Song and with a wave a soft buoyant mat drifted up in the water and he laid on it. It held him up enough that he could float on his stomach and keep his face above the water. Even as he leaned on it to bring his face above Song and place a kiss on her lips, it kept him afloat. "The power and wealth to have every one of your needs met allows for a life filled with adventure, unique experiences, and all the enjoyment a person can get. The tough part is finding fulfillment. For some it's love. For others children. Yet others seek to find duty or greater purpose, and others still find it in charity." He drifted away from Song as another flotation device drifted over. "What would you do with unlimited wealth and power?"

"Unlimited wealth and power, hm?" Song mused as she climbed atop the flotation device, arms folded over it and head resting on them. She let herself drift where the water carried her, sighing in contentment.

"Good question! The usual, I'd imagine. Have an amazing home, all the food I can eat, all the fancy clothes I could wear, never have to worry about wanting or needing anything...travel a lot, too. See the world! See everything I can possibly see before I die! Try everything at least once! Oh, and since it's unlimited wealth and power, mm...make sure no one's starving on the streets, that everyone has a home, and that child-abusing bastards get the shit whipped outta them to see how they like it."

She paused, realizing what she had said, and cleared her throat. "Oh, and, er...world peace?"

        "It's nice to know my new wife has some altruism in her," Rit floated over and placed a sympathetic hand on Song's shoulder. "It saddens me to learn that your father was cruel to you." He gave her a gentle smile. "I promise our children, when you're ready for them, will have a loving family and happy home." He drifted by on his flotation mat and placed a sharp slap on Song's bare ass. "For now, I think I'll focus on your pleasure and happiness."

That sounded nice and all, except there would definitely be no happy family and absolutely no children. She valued her independence far more. A shame, really. Rit was kind; it would have been easier to con an asshole. But that was just how things had to be. She was who she was, and Rit could do better, she was sure of it. He would be fine, and he would hardly hurt for money.

The slap on her rear drew her from her thoughts with a yelp, and she flashed Rit a wry smile. "You're off to a good start," she said. "That did make me pretty happy!"

        "Next I'm gonna fill that gorgeous ass up," Rit said as he slapped Song on the ass again. He abandoned his mat to wade into the water close to Song. He grabbed her legs and lifted her slightly, her mat responding to keep her head above the water as he bent low to bury his face in her ass. Rit's tongue swirled around her puckered ass and then found Song's pussy for a quick few licks. He released her then, her mat jostling slightly but keeping her mostly above the water. "I hope you're almost ready," he told her. "I don't know how much longer my cock can wait."

Song let out a soft squeak when Rit dove between her cheeks and gave her the attention she craved, clutching tightly to the mat to keep from falling off of it. Well! She had been content just to relax, but that little bit of teasing pleasure was enough to make her squirm with need, and he stopped all too soon. She looked over her shoulder with a huff, an almost accusatory expression in her eyes.

"Hope I'm ready? I've been ready," she said, and then paused. Hm. Slight amendment.

"Or...I will be ready, if you promise to be gentle."

She was no stranger to that kind of play. It was the first sort of experience she had ever had, back when she still cared about Inima enough to want to preserve her chastity--back when she was dumb enough to believe the men who convinced her she would still be a virgin so long as her maidenhead was intact, so everything else was on the table. But even though she had done it plenty, that didn't mean she wasn't intimidated by his size. It would be easy to hurt her if he wasn't careful.

        Inside the enclosed space they lounged in, the water was the perfect temperature, the air swirling with cool mist. The waterfall they had crossed through to enter this area had been ice cold, the water of the pool nearly scalding. The scent of plum in the air wasn't just a magical scent but also magical in that it helped with other things. Digestion was one of those, though not the most important. Most important was probably the healing properties. They were present in the water as well. Old wounds, old scars even, would slowly melt away. That was definitely something Rit would be sure to mention later, though it would take many weeks for Song's scars to completely disappear. Right now his focus was on pleasing her body.
        Rit gently guided Song's floatation device toward the steps that led up out of the pool they were in. With ease he scooped her up into his arms once more and walked a little further from the water than they had ventured before. There was a long lounge chair with plush upholstery that was firmly mounted to the ground. Rit gently laid his wife on the chair and while kissing her deeply and passionately, slid his cock back into her pussy again. He went slow and gentle getting only a few strokes in before a magic servant approached with a jar on a tray. Rit reached into the open jar, and positioning himself so that the task was more easily completed while he fucked Song, slicked her asshole with the red jelly. Red seaweed jelly was a common lubricant. Synthetic lube wouldn't be invented for a while. Rit could easily magic some into existence, but he didn't want to have to explain it away. So instead he used what appeared to be red seaweed jelly when it actually was a much better lube than what would be seen on Earth for thousands of years.
        Rit eased Song into another orgasm, and kept it going with his fingers as he pulled his cock out of her and slicked it with more of the red lubricant. While the orgasm was still going Rit gently slid the tip of his dick into Song. He slid a little at a time as he kept her orgasms going, pulling himself out and slicking more lube onto his cock before going in further and further. He kept his eyes on Song's face. He made a show of watching her face while reading her mind to know exactly how she liked to be pleased. Once he'd slowly worked his cock all the way in to the hilt, Rit changed his clit rubbing pace to one that just kept the body sensitive without pushing Song over the top.
        "It feels so good to be inside you like this," Rit said with quite apparent pleasure on his face. "Once I pump you full of my seed, I'd like to see what kind of magic you can work with that body of yours. You can bounce up and down on my cock while I watch."

Song was near delirious, floating somewhere between exhaustion and bliss. She was no stranger to this and knew what to expect, knew how to relax, but she barely had to do any work of her own with him keeping her right there on the edge after so many releases had turned her limbs to jelly. She expected some level of discomfort, as that always seemed inevitable at first, but he read her body like an expert, intuiting what she needed before she could voice it, much less think it.

Soon she was crying out, biting down on a knuckle to stifle them a bit, and in that moment she would have agreed to anything he asked of her--

If she could speak, that is. Right then, the best she could manage was a breathless nod as he fucked her, keeping her so close to the edge--but not yet letting her get there.

        Rit could have pushed her over the edge with his clitoral ministrations, but what he wanted was for Song to teeter on the edge until his cock in her ass was what made her fall from the precipice into shiver pleasure filled spasms of orgasm. He angled himself just right to hit that cluster of nerves that would give her the most pleasure. He kept his rubbing of her clit just at the right pace and pressure to enhance the experiencing without stealing the show. He kept it up until he knew she was going to burst, and as she did he sped up his thrusts, pushing his cock fully inside her, and increased the pressure on her clit to really make her cry out as he too reached another orgasm, filling her up with his warmth.
        He gently slid his slightly deflated cock from her ass while his tongue slid into her mouth sharing the depth of his pleasure with a kiss. Rit lifted Song from her place, her body limp other than an occasional twitch, and carried her back into the water. He set her back on a flotation device, it perfectly balanced to keep her head and chest above water, and he danced his magically cold fingers across her skin, giving her a little chill in the warm air.

Song went boneless as Rit carried her back to the water and laid her down, flopping limply upon the device because she couldn't have moved even if she wanted to. She was still trembling, and those little trembles turned to soft hitches of breath and goosebumps-raising shivers as Rit's fingers caressed over her sensitive skin. His hands were cold, which was odd considering the heat--or maybe not, considering he was a mage.

She was just unused to such blatant displays of magic.

"I think," she said at last when she had the strength again to speak, though her eyes were still closed, "I'm gonna need a moment. You kinda killed me...but in a good way."