“I’d really like to get back,” Bob said as he landed next to Alburet. “We were just about to eat.”
“Sorry, Bob,” Alburet apologized.
“It happens, my wives know that—besides, I’m always ready to bail you out again.”
“I can always count on you to never let me forget my first few days in Alpha World,” Alburet chuckled. “Go home, guys, we’ll see you tomorrow.”
Both minions vanished in puffs of smoke. Turning, he found the women waiting for him by the door. “You didn’t have to wait.”
“Aye, but we did. Ya need to go straight to the bath. Karen be along shortly to help ya,” Stacia said as she opened the door. “Ya can nay be allowed to ruin Marysue’s surprise.”
Raising a single eyebrow, Alburet walked past her into the house. “Still with the secrets?”
“Until they get here,” Karen said as she took his arm and began to drag him off, “now come on. I’m a dirty girl and need to get all nice and clean.”
Laughing, Alburet let her pull him along, “It will never be boring with you.”
“Right?” Karen laughed.
As they finished their shower with minimal shenanigans, Fluff and Stacia entered. “They should be here in a moment,” Fluff said. “The outfits are laid out.”
“I’ll handle him, you two just hurry up,” Karen said as she led Alburet from the room.
On the bed was the clothing they had worn to dinner with the King. “Why the fancy clothes?” Alburet asked as he began dressing.
“Marysue asked,” Karen said simply as she shimmied into her dress. “It has to do with her request.”
Shaking his head, Alburet was pulling on his boots when the other two came out of the bathroom. “That was fast.”
“Aye, we do nay want to keep them waitin’,” Stacia said as she picked up her dress.
A knock on the door got Alburet moving to answer it. “I’ll let them in, you all take your time.”
“Wine be on the table along with some cheese,” Stacia said as she began to dress. “We be along in a moment.”
“Two minutes,” Karen said, helping Fluff into her dress.
“I got it,” Alburet said leaving them to finish.
Opening the front door, he found Gerald and Marysue dressed in the clothes they wore to see the King as well. “Glad I didn’t overdress,” Alburet grinned.
“I was a little perplexed when she asked me to put on the suit to come over,” Gerald shrugged. “It’s what she wanted though, and I see that I don’t have to worry about being the only one dressed up.”
Marysue came in, wearing the same beautiful dress she’d worn before. “Where are the others?”
“Finishing up,” Alburet said, leading them over to the loveseat. “I’ll get some drinks. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
The three women came from the bedroom as Alburet was handing out wine to Gerald and Marysue. “Sorry for the delay,” Stacia said, “we hope ya did nay have to wait long.”
“We just got here,” Gerald said, standing up as the women came into the room. “Now, will someone please tell me what this is all about?”
“I will,” Marysue said. “The fine dress is because I asked Fluff to draw a group portrait of us all. She assures me she can add herself in after the rest of us are done. I want to be able to hang it in our home once we get one here in the city. I always wanted a photo with friends, and you all are my best friends outside of Gerald.”
“Ah,” Gerald said with a relieved sigh. “I’d been trying to figure out why the surprise, and couldn’t come up with anything. You could have just told me about this.”
“Secondly,” Marysue said, licking her lips as she looked away, “Stacia agreed to help me with something else.”
Gerald’s relief vanished like water in the desert, “With what?”
When Marysue faltered trying to find the right words, Stacia stepped in. “To help ya both really see each other. It be very similar to how the memory walks work, but it lays bare the emotions behind a moment as well.”
Eyes going wide, Gerald began to shake his head. “No, that—”
Marysue touched his arm, making him trail off and look at her. “Francis, please. I want to show you what I’ve never been able to put into words. She can do it; she’s done it before, to help Fluff.”
“But…” he trailed off again. Bowing his head with eyes closed, he let out a ragged breath. “I can never deny you what you set your sights on. If you’re sure this is what you want.”
“Thank you,” Marysue said, her lips trembling as she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss. “This is what I want.”
“The drawing be first,” Stacia said, motioning Alburet and Karen towards the sofa, which Alburet just realized had been moved to be side by side with the love seat. “Master, ya take the far right, then Kitten to fill in for Fluff, then Karen, then me. Marysue and Gerald be sittin’ on the loveseat.”
Kitten appeared with a smile as Al Copied Stacia. “A moment,” Kitten said as her form blurred. Her wings vanished and her body shifted to be more in line with Fluff’s, minus the fur. “There, tha’ will help,” Kitten said as she grinned at Alburet.
Taking Kitten’s hand, he took his spot on the sofa, his arm draped comfortably across her shoulder. Everyone else took their spots, Karen holding Kitten’s hand like she would if Fluff were sitting there. Fluff set up an easel and got her supplies ready. Once they were comfortable, she began.
Gerald sat there a little stiffly, knowing that most art took time. When Fluff asked him to relax, Marysue nudged him and he did as she requested. He was surprised when the others took sips of wine and chatted amiably during the drawing, but at Marysue’s urging he did the same.
An hour later, Fluff stepped back with a wide smile on her face. “Marysue, please come look.” Looking at Karen, who began to rise, Fluff shook her head. “Marysue first, Karen.”
Going over to look, Marysue nodded. “Thank you, Fluff. Can you do this as a painting now?”
“It will take a few days for me to do it as a painting, but I can replicate this perfectly,” Fluff said.
“Gerald come look—you too, Karen,” Marysue said, stepping aside.
Everyone went to look. Gerald was shocked at how quickly the drawing had been done, especially at the level of skill that was on display. Everyone nodded and congratulated Fluff on her drawing.
“Can you do this kind of work outside of Alpha World?” Gerald asked.
“Yes,” Fluff said, a small spike of uncertainty pulsing in her gut.
“We’ll need to talk when we’re pulled out after six months, then,” Gerald said as his eyes went back to the drawing. “I really want you to do one of Mary.”
“Oh, then I can get one of you, too,” Marysue said with a smile of her own.
“Tha’ be for later, now we be goin’ to do ya other request,” Stacia said, taking Marysue’s hand and holding the other out to Gerald. “Iffin ya will come with me to the spare room.”
Taking her hand with a bit of trepidation, Gerald let her lead them to the spare bedroom. As they left the main room, Alburet found himself being pushed onto the sofa by Karen. “Hey, what the hell?” Alburet said.
“Time for some cuddles,” Karen grinned as she sat down next to him. “Come on Fluff, cuddle time.”
Smile blossoming, Fluff joined them on the sofa and claimed Alburet’s lap, her back against Karen, who wrapped her in her arms. “I like cuddles.”
An hour later Stacia returned to them, joining the pile on the sofa for a few minutes before they all went off to bed. They all got comfortable, then Karen asked the question the other three wanted to know, “What did Marysue want to show Gerald?”
“The sorrow she felt when she turned him down all the years ago, as well as the joy when they finally agreed to move forward,” Stacia said as she snuggled closer to Alburet. “Gerald asked to return the moment by showin’ his joy when they agreed, as well. I think they mayhap be a bit more
connected when they wake.”
“About time,” Karen murmured as she tightened her arm over Fluff’s stomach.
“We be goin’ back out tomorrow to level. We be goin’ faster than I had thought we would be able to. First though, we need our rest. Fluff, will ya help me with breakfast?”
“Yes.”
“Thank ya. Now sleep,” Stacia said and sang them to sleep.
~ * ~ * ~
“Breakfast be cookin’, ya need to wake, me wonderful husband.”
Stacia’s voice woke Alburet from a dreamless slumber. “I’m awake,” he mumbled.
“Get ya armor on and join us for breakfast, we still have guests,” Stacia said before she left the room.
Rubbing his eyes, Alburet got out of bed, dressed and went into the hall. He pulled up short as Gerald exited the guest room. “Morning, Gerald, how you feeling today?”
Gerald glanced at Alburet with a curious expression. “She’s done that kind of thing with you before, right?”
“Yeah, for all of us,” Alburet replied.
“It feels odd to know the intent and emotion behind a memory that I can vividly recall. Not just my own, but also from Marysue’s point of view,” Gerald paused for a moment, before giving his head a small shake. “I’m not sure if it’s all real,” his gaze went down the hall, “but if it’s real, then the potential uses for that ability are many and varied, and would make a lot of money for the company that could market it.”
“It’s all tied to this world, though,” Alburet said with a certainty he couldn’t explain.
“That would limit things, but it could still work,” Gerald mused as his eyes grew distant. “I wonder how well it would work to help people with Alzheimer’s?”
“I’m sure you’ll find out once the six months are up,” Alburet chuckled.
Blinking as his eyes focused again, Gerald nodded. “I probably will. I wonder if Mindblown even knows of all the implications? Maybe I can offer my services to get Mary a spot in Delta World.”
“Not sure when that will happen for people,” Alburet pointed out.
“Even if it’s a year or more down the road, she will want it, which means I will make it happen,” the certainty in Gerald’s voice brooked no argument.
“Gerald, is Marysue up?” Fluff called from the kitchen, hearing their voices in the hall.
“She’ll be out in a moment,” Gerald called back, giving Alburet a parting nod before walking down the short hall.
Alburet watched Gerald, knowing the depth of his resolve to make sure that Marysue got what she wanted. He had the same depth of resolve to stay with his three loves. Taking a single step, he paused once more as the door beside him opened and Marysue stepped out. “Marysue, I hope your night was good.”
Smile blooming, Marysue nodded, then her smile vanished. “I hurt him badly all those years ago, but he’s forgiven me.” Smile returning, she continued, “I think I can convince him to move forward. I know his uncertainty now, and can work around it to get what I want.”
For a brief moment, Alburet could see the Dorn blood in her, the sheer certainty that the world would be what and how she wished. “It would take a man of iron will to deny you, and while I do think Gerald does have that strength, he would never think of denying you.”
Marysue blinked and her normal demeanor returned. “I know. I have to make up to him for all the years I tried to deny the truth of what we both wanted.”
“I think you already are,” Alburet told her, then bowed and motioned her down the hall. “Ladies first.”
“Thank you,” Marysue said as she started walking.
Alburet watched her go with pursed lips. The brief moment he had seen her speak with absolute conviction made him wonder which Marysue was the real one; the bubbly, happy person who he’d come to know over the last few months, or the one who seemed to demand the world bend to her will? Pushing it from his mind, he followed after her. He had his own issues to worry about, and his own quest to finish so he could keep all of the love he had found.
Alburet
Half-blood Infernal Summoner
Level 68
Strength: 277 (272)
Agility: 277 (272)
Constitution: 226 (196)
Intelligence: 196 (166)
Wisdom: 872 (577)
Charisma: 307 (272)
Health: 5,660
Mana: 12,120
Spells:
Demon Skin- Rank 7
Demonic Retribution- Rank 7
Summon Improved Imp
Fire Blast- Rank 7
Sap Strength- Rank 6
Demonic Haze- Rank 6
Summon Improved Destroyer
Demonic Vitality- Rank 6
Fire Burst- Rank 6
Summon Improved Succubus
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Big Boom)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Demonic Shell)
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Comforting Touch)
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Essence Drain)
Still Caster
Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Burning Cleanse)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Savage Roar)
Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Bash)
Racial Abilities:
Cast spells without verbal components
Physical damage reduction 25%
Magical damage reduction 10%
Influence emotions
Fire resistance 50%
Reputation gains at half value
Chapter Twenty-three
Breakfast was bacon and pancakes made by Fluff and Stacia. Marysue ate hers with a big smile, thanking both of them repeatedly. Gerald gave both of them compliments while digging into his food as well.
When the meal came to an end, Gerald looked at Karen. “Are you up for coming over to the Guild hall for a quick kill or five?”
“I don’t like it, but, yeah, I’ll be over in a moment,” Karen said.
“The others are probably waiting on me,” Gerald said as he got to his feet and took Marysue’s arm. “Don’t be too long, please.”
Alburet walked them out. “What zone are we going to hit up today?”
“We can tear through the old zone dungeons we missed,” Gerald said, “but we might want to wait on that until we hit the grind levels.”
“Which is a very good idea,” Alburet said. “Guess we’ll hit the normal zones. Let’s go to Glacial Lake. If we do what we did with the last zone, we might level again.”
“Langistors again,” Marysue sighed, “if we have to.”
“We’re going to basically hit every zone on the way to level 80,” Alburet said. “Then we’ll go back and hit all the dungeons we missed, and lower our levels so we get a good chunk of XP from them.”
“I understand, I just don’t care for the Langistors. I think I’d rather face spiders again.”
“We’ll probably see some again soon,” Alburet told her. “We’ll catch up after your plan is in motion,” he told Gerald. “Karen should be over in a moment.”
“We’ll see you at the Portal Guild,” Gerald said, leading Marysue away.
Shutting the door, he turned to see the three women coming from the hallway, fully kitted out in their armor. “Going to be waiting on me again, I see,” Alburet said, his lips curling up at the edges. “I might have to turn in my man card if this keeps up.”
Karen blew a raspberry at him, “Thbbpthbpt.” She gave Fluff a deep kiss, then Stacia. “I’ll be back in a few, have to go get killed a few times.” Looking back at Alburet, she raised an eyebrow. “Still here? Did me saying goodbye to our wives distract you?”
“It always will,” Alburet said as he crossed the room. Grabbing her, he dipped her and gave her a long, passionate kiss before setting her back on her feet. “I had to get my kiss before you left. See you in
a bit, Mynx.”
Grinning, Karen swatted his ass. “Try not to keep me waiting.” Sauntering out of the house, she looked back and gave them all a wink.
“Ya do be keepin’ us waitin’, master,” Stacia said as she put her arms around Fluff. “Iffin ya do nay hurry, I mayhap get bored and start playin’ with Fluff.” Her hands gently caressed Fluff’s arms.
“That would make us pretty late,” Alburet said as he went to grab his gear. “Hold out as best you can, Fluff, I’ll send the cavalry.”
“Okay,” Fluff said, though a giggle followed the word. “I don’t know if I can stop her though, she can be as single-minded as Karen.”
“I be more single-minded,” Stacia purred enticingly as Alburet darted into the bedroom.
The Path to Peace Page 20
