Book 5. Chapter 29: Adornment

Book 5. Chapter 29: Adornment

Jake was working on his various projects within his lab. He was working on a less conditional mana fontone that would have a more open design, allowing even hisimmense wife to use it.

There were various limitations for items that could be brought in the Raid. He would have to be mindful of how many items they could bring, and what types. It appeared Ophelias semi-sentient shield, Bloodberris semi-alive shapeshifting weapon, and Fhesiahs magical torch were of a special type that allowed for only one per person.

That same slot was taken up by Jakes Mana Font, and potentially his shield once he finished it. Thankfully, Tandas weapon wasnt considered the same as Bloodberris, despite being capable of transforming. He may need her to carry it for him so that he could use his slot for his shield.

Jake and the girls armor had to be re-enchanted. He was able to use a special game-like item to remove the previous ones, and easily enchant them again. Removing all the nordic runes from them, it should no longer be possible for them to be inhibited like they were before.

He now had what he thought was a potent mixture of runes in the Highlands language, and demonic runes, in a layered approach. Each girl now had auril beast leather bodysuits underneath their armor.

Jake went to take out his chest piece to have another quick look at it, and he frowned. Where is it?

Fhesiahs voice echoed in his mind, [Aw, we hoped you wouldnt check until it was completely ready. I suppose now is as good a time as any. Just give Ophelia a few minutes and meet us in the living room? Meet us in your Tribal Elder outfit.]

Jakes eyebrows rose in surprise. What was she doing to his armor?

He cleaned up his workspace and got dressed, and came to the living room as she bid him. Wearing the tribal elder outfit, he now had his leather bracers and odd headdress, along with the red vest and shorts he had worn to a few of the parties and other events.

The girls were waiting for him, all wearing the same tribal attire and beaming smilesas usual, Tandas tail was practically buzzing behind her.

Whats all this?

It was Tanda that responded, We hadnt had much time until now, but we finally had some time to get organized. We made your adornments!

Organized?

Fhesiah smiled. Of course, we wanted to coordinate! Ive seen plenty of adornments in Cascadia, and they often follow a sort of theme. Clans focused on woodworking might make wooden badges, while hunters might just show off trophies from their prey from each of their mates.

Ophelia added, Then the avian beastkin often use feathers from their mates and other trinkets, and weve all seen the idols. We wanted to make some for at home, and for in battle. So we have two sets.

She took out his chest piece, and he saw that around the odd orb that was held in the center, there were spots for five circular objects to fit in place now. She placed it next to him on the couch.

Fhesiah came over, and presented hers first. It seemed to be a leather badge, that reminded him of a little chibi caricature of herthat is, a sort of deformed miniature of herself, meant to look cute more than anything else.

The image looked like she was somehow both a dragoness and a kitsune at the same time, wearing her robes, with her hips cocked to the side. She was holding a heart-shaped flame in one hand and a potion in the other, her big golden eyes having a teasing look.

He supposed this was depicting his passionate sage in some way. This is great, I love it.

Tanda gripped his beast-hide bracer, then used her auril to form slots for the badges with a wink. Then, Fhesiah placed her coin-like badge inside.

Fhesiah then placed the coin inside Jakes chest piece. It depicted a kitsune animal with dragon wings and horns, and a flame in the center beneath its head, along with depictions of the sun and moon.

Fhesiah gave him a loving hug and a kiss, before stepping to the side. Ophelia presented her chibi next, slotting it inside his bracer. It was a cute version of her, holding a shield and what looked like a smithing hammer.

She had a determined look, that on the caricature looked especially cute. This easily depicted his loyal guardian.

This is cute, just like you, Lia.

The coin was a winged shield, that had a bolt of lightning and flames surrounding it. She blushed as she placed it inside the chest piece, then she too gave him a loving hug which wrapped him in her softness and warmth, before kissing him and stepping aside.

Bloodberri presented their caricature next. It was them, wearing both a crown and

Is that an ankh baseball bat?

Berri nodded. Mmmhmm! Its pretty cool. I had to include that saint thingy somehow.

There were depictions of beasts on her snake tail, which was coiled up underneath and next to her. Andan egg on top of her coil. This one was a little all over the place, but depicting a radiant saint and devoted monarch in a chibi seemed challenging.

They slotted it in his bracer, as Blood floated the coins into the chest piece as well.

The coins featured a black and a white snake, one wearing a crown and the other an ankh-bat. Jake enjoyed Bloodberris loving embrace, and a quick kiss, before allowing Tanda to show hers.

Her adornment was again a chibi caricature of her, this one dancing with her crescent moon spear. Plants grew around her, with Harmony Peaks in the background. She slotted it to his bracer, then added the coin to the chest piece. It had a wolf with raven wings, and there was a spear in front of it. The symbol for auril was present; the triskele with a heart.

There. Now you really look like a proper Chieftain!

Jake raised his brow. I didnt before?

She blushed. T-Theres no such thing as a Chief without mates! 4, or 5 is low for oneat least for a Chief as young as you. Still, the world is changing, and I know you arent beastkin. Im happy you are taking part in my peoples customs!

Fhesiah and the rest of the girls smiled at Tanda, and Jake chuckled. Im happy to meet you halfway. Thanks, girls. Ill wear my adornments proudly.

They all hugged and kissed him again, each taking their turns hugging both Jake but also each other. Fhesiah interrupted the silence. Well, its about time for us to get moving. Harmony Peaks is having a minor festival.

What for?

Tanda beamed. Were welcoming the Elysians! Most of them had arrived in battle, and many hadnt even gotten to see their final destination yet, the growing World Tree. The Ravenwolf Tribe wanted to have a bit of a party to both celebrate the many victories in the war, and to welcome the Elysians to their new homes. Their resurrection timers have all completed.

Heading through the portal, Jake was shocked when they arrived outside the HQ. The entire location had already been vastly transformed.

Originally, a vast plaza with just a few saplings and open space sat just outside the portal area. It was now filled with much larger trees lining the outside. Plants and vines grew everywhere, and naiads played and sang in a massive fountain.

Tanda laughed. They have padding! Both on the spear, but also a net below to catch them. Its fun to watch! The roosts allow for you to attack from many angles rapidly, using our auril enhanced legs to launch ourselves from the roosts in quick bursts.

Ophelia smiled. That does sound like fun! I bet you were really outstanding at it.

Tanda shook her head. Nope! I was terrible. I only beat those that were not at the same level.

Ophelia asked, Whys that? I thought you are quite the warrior compared to your peers.

Tanda twisted her body, showing her wagging tail. Because of this! Those tail feathers help a lot for altering your flight in subtle ways.

Jake noted, I bet your flaps, or cape would help with that, though. You know, I bet Fhesiah could change your tail for you to a ravens if you really wanted.

Tanda gasped, and held her tail protectively and gave Jake a hurt look. W-What? No!

Ophelia laughed, as she rubbed Tandas back. Youre always complaining about it, but now you fight to protect it? You know, Jake was just trying to help.

Tanda giggled, as she rejoined Jake and Ophelia on their walk. Youre right, I guess it justshocked me. Iam fond of it. I did want to get it under control, but its always been part of me. Plus, I can tell Jake thinks its cute.

He chuckled. It is, and you are. The hearth bond conveys our feelings, so we can feel things like your honest feelings, but theres something endearing about your body being honest too.

Ophelia looked thoughtful. I also dont have those tail feathers, but my wings are half magic. They have special control over my flight, almost like Fhesiah has.

Tanda smirked. Yeah, but maybe you could still use some tail feathers! Fhesiah told me youd like to shoot them out of your

Ophelia blushed. J-Just when did she tell you about that? Dont you tease me too!

Tanda laughed, as she hugged Ophelia tightly. We only do it because youre so cute!

Jake smiled at the two girls. Shes right. Well, if you end up with tail feathers, I wont mind. Youll still be the same amazing woman that I love.

Ophelias blush was still prominent, as she touched her two index fingers together. It appeared she was still worried about something. W-What about, if I end up with a beak? Will you still love me?

Jakes eyes grew wide at the implications, but he answered confidently. Till the end of time. But he wrapped his arm around her shoulders, and looked her in her blue eyes. This was like if a girl asked you if she was fine with her putting on extra weight or something, but a million times stranger.

B-but, I uhh Definitely wouldnt mind if you used Fhesiahs help toput you back the way you are more comfortable with.

Ophelia and Tanda both laughed at their joke, Jake now realizing that it was a bit of a setup.

Tandas tail was wagging furiously. We got em! Jake is cute too. He looked as if he saw a ghost.

That was funny. Jake, I promise if I somehow evolve to have a beak or something super weird like my body all covered in feathers, to let Fhesiah put me back to normal. I know how much you like my face as it is! Ophelia smiled, and kissed Jake on the cheek.

Yup! And I know you wont like me having too much fur, or the mouth of a wolf. I definitely want my mate to desire me, so Ill make that same promise.

Jake did remember the play, and the heavy beast blood people were a bit of a stretch for his ability to be attracted to them. It was reassuring that Fhesiah would handle any significant changes.

Ill return that promise to you, though I think Hestia is definitely going to watch out for us. If I end up with any weird things, Ill have Fhesiah take care of them.

Ophelia rolled her eyes. I dont know, I think shes all too excited about you maybe getting some tentacles. She might throw a bit of a tantrum if you just got rid of them. I think shell at the very least want you to give them a test drive first.

Tanda frowned in confusion. Why? Why would she want Jake to have tentacles?

Ophelia whispered in Tandas wolf ear, causing her eyes to bulge comically before her face was filled with a cute blush. She covered her face with her paws. I-If theyre my matesand he liked it, maybe?

They spent some time watching the roost jousting, the two girls clapping and cheering at each battle. He could see Ophelia would enjoy participating in the sport, likely needing to avoid using her Technique to have a real challenge.

Tanda hugged Ophelia with her tail wagging. Youd be really great at this! Id like to see you jousting on Valora.

Valora would like that too. Maybe some day Seamus can set up that kind of thing, Ophelia said, thinking of all the events she would like to participate in there.

Lets get something to eat? Well check on Valora and Bree.

The three continued their date, enjoying their time together. Bree and Valora were being all but worshiped and pampered by the spriggons and beastkin alike, as they listened to their songs.

Fhesiah got juicy gossip from Aisling and Nadessa, while Blood and Berri met with the many children, and the numerous spriggons that seemed to worship them. Despite looking like children, the dryads had little interest in playing with children outside of their own.

They spent much of their time riding in the boughs of their treant husbands, meeting the many beastkin and joining them in song and dance. The satyrs and fauns seemed to get along with the beastkin especially, at least looking the part. Despite lacking an auril heart, the beastkin people were welcoming of them.

Still, many of them joined in the singing and dancing, the Elysians mixing among the beastkin. Valtor and his people were there, along with many of the Warrior Brotherhood.

Morwen and Bedwyr were heading to the frozen tundras up north, to scout out their future home and see if there were many nethril warriors to meet.

Most likely, another HQ would go there before the next major conflict on Highlands.

What a great party. You girls ready to head back? Jake looked over at his lovers fondly, having enjoyed their little date.

Ophelia nodded with a bit of a blush. Im ready. Well become stronger together, and have a bit of fun.

Thats the spirit, Lia! Lets take care of our mate, together.

They headed back to their Refuge, ready to enjoy and level up for the rest of their evening.