Homestead Survival

<06 September 2024, MIRROR DEEP RETREAT, ????>
[Theo and Julia]
Theo and Julia took a moment to relax and enjoy the ice cream that Ashtarn had made for them.

"God, I forgot how good ice cream was," Julia muttered through a mouthful of it.

"Me too," Theo said. They ate in silence for a few more moments. "So now what? I don't feel particularly clean after that strange water."

Julia nodded, "I think we take a normal bath, and then head back. No matter how nice this is, we need to keep on working. Also, make sure that everyone gets to come in here and bathe. We should work something out with Laurel."

"We can worry about that after the fact, for now it's bath time," Theo said.

"Would you require attendants?" Alisaria asked, seeming to spring up from nothing.

"Oh, no, I don't think that will be needed. Where do we bathe?" Julia asked.

"As mentioned, the pond outside is actually a bath. Do you have any requests for the contents of the bath? Water, oil, scented wax? We are able to fill it with almost any liquid." Alisaria said.

"No, I think that water will be fine," Theo said, "I am going to ask that once everything is situated, you all just let us deal with our own bathing."

"I can do that, though we will not be more than a word away if you should need us." Alisaria said and saw the nods of acceptance from Theo and Julia, "Very well, I will inform the others, and lay out robes and towels next to the pond."

She vanished again. Theo and Julia talked for a few more minutes, then headed out to the pond where Alisaria waited. She turned to leave, but Theo stopped her. "Can the light be changed?"

"What do you mean, Theo?" Alisaria asked.

"Can you make it look like a moonlit night?" Theo clarified.

"Ah, yes, of course," Alisaria said, snapping her fingers, and suddenly the light was fading and becoming soft moonlight with stars flickering in the black of night. "Will that be all for both of you?"

"Yes, thank you, Alisaria," Julia said with a smile at the woman who left immediately.

They both stripped and slid into the slightly steaming pond. Julia let out a long sigh. "I was never a bath person, but now, with these big luxurious bathing areas available. I don't know how I didn't enjoy them before. "

"I agree," Theo said, feeling the stress of hard work leaving his body.

They scrubbed, scraped, and cleaned their bodies, and when they were clean, they simply floated in the hot water, looking up at the night sky.

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"Hey, Theo," Julia said quietly.

"Yes?" Theo asked in an equally quiet voice.

"So we made a deal with the System." Julia started.

"I mean, I think we have made a couple, but yes, in general, we have made a deal with the System." Theo said, "What are you referencing?"

"Well, we agreed to have a child," Julia said.

"We did, and I have to say that I have always envisioned several children in my future," Theo said, suddenly paying close attention to what Julia was saying.

"I think you mentioned that before, and I am not opposed to this. I think..." Julia hesitated.

She stood up so that she was on her tiptoes to look at Theo. Theo let his legs fall so that he was standing and listening to what she had to say. Julia took a deep breath. "I think that I am starting to really love you, Theo."

Theo nodded. "Okay, I feel like there is a 'but' in that statement."

Julia laughed, "There is... But I am not quite sure yet. I know it's a little late to back out..."

Julia started to ramble, and Theo reached over and grabbed her shoulders, pulling her close for a long, deep kiss that took her breath away. Theo smiled at the flushed cheeks that Julia was sporting, "Julia, I love you. We are in a crazy situation, but I can say that I do love you. It's quick, I know. And if we were not living the life we are now, I might say that there was some strange trauma bonding going on. But I love you."

He kissed her again, surprised when she reached up to tangle her fingers into his unruly head of hair, pulling him in to prolong the kiss. When they finally broke off for air, they were both panting and looking at each other hungrily. Julia nodded more to herself than anything. She pulled him close and kissed him again. "I am glad that you can say that so readily. It definitely makes me feel better, but I need a little more time."

He grabbed her hips with his hands and pulled her close, their lips and tongues communicating in place of their voices. They pulled back. Julia looked up at him, and both of their breaths were catching. "I may not be able to say the L-word in full honesty quite yet... But we might as well start trying to keep our promises."

Theo pushed her back. "Are you sure? I know..."

Julia cut him off by pulling him in for a kiss and wrapping her legs around his waist.

Theo and Julia climbed out of the pool, content and satiated. They dried off with one of the provided towels and then slipped into the robes. Theo looked around, trying to figure out where he could get some drinking water. Alisaria appeared. "You wanted something, Theo?"

"Yes, please, I think that we would both appreciate some water to drink, and a snack if possible," Theo said.

"Of course, if you would make your way to the sitting area where you ate your ice cream, I will happily make sure that those are brought to you."

Theo and Julia moved to pick up their belongings, but another dragon in human form appeared, beating them to the punch by picking up all of their belongings and bowing, waiting for them to walk past. They did, and he followed after them.

They ended up spending another hour resting before finally getting dressed again. Alisaria appeared again, "Are you prepared to leave?"

"Yes, Alisaria," Theo said, as he slipped on his left boot and was fully dressed again. "I know that you said that Laurel was covering the bill, but I just want to make sure that we don't need to pay for anything."

"No. Of course not." Alisaria said. "All of your rather minimal expenses have been taken care of."

"Okay." Theo said, "Well then, thank you to you and to the others who helped you. If you would please show us the way out."

Alisaria nodded and began leading them out the door. After several minutes, they found themselves in the lobby.

Alisaria bowed low, "Lord and Lady Sorrin, it has been a pleasure, thank you for attending."

With that, she was gone. Theo and Julia looked around and found that not even Laurel was there, so they walked to the exit crystal and left.