Shakaurduraug's Story

"Oh-ho-ho-oh~ That's divine...." Demor growled happily as the massage began. If the Draconian man could purr, he'd be doing it now. The tentacles were certainly something new compared to other massages he'd had in the past, but they didn't detract from his relaxation and pleasure while they and the ladies worked away at his muscles. They'd find a particularly harsh bit of tenseness in his shoulders and back, mainly from supporting that tail of his, and from years of work for his previous Guild. He would object to having his tail touched, and the long appendage would lightly smack away any prying hands to dissuade them, and to reinforce his point. The girls were understanding, and he didn't have to do much but relax and enjoy himself while he ate and had his muscles worked on.

Once the Massage had passed, and they were done, Demor lay limp on the table for a moment, sighing softly before rolling himself up onto his butt so he could stand, not bothering to cover up with his towel, merely tossing it onto his shoulder as he reached over, and chowed down on the last bit of food he had left, licking his lips with a satisfied grunt, patting his rippling abs heartily as he then stretched, a few of his now relaxed joints popping very loudly, allowing him to grunt out in pleasure once more as his body further relaxed.

Next on his agenda were the girls, and the water. Smiling, he strolled on over to them, pausing at the edge of what could be assumed to be their social space, waiting for Iviri to join him, casting him a side-long glance and a nod towards the women to get him to follow.

His nostrils flared and he turned his head towards the hostilities raising, and he raised his eyebrows and hands in a dismissive, calming motion. "Hey now, Ladies! Ladies... please... let's not be hostile! This is a bath house! We're to relax! Unwind! Not get riled up over someone deciding to wear something or not, though if you want my opinion I prefer you without clothes...." he smirked as he managed to slide himself into the water between the group of females and the aschen woman, his tail gliding along the surface of the water before submersing itself. His body naturally shuddered as the water passed his hips, and he took in a deep breath, closing his eyes slightly.

"Besides... we wouldn't want to fight in front of Iviri, would we?" he smiled, opening an eye towards the group of females who had previously been fawning over the boy, a sly smirk on his face. "Although.... truth be told, Anger does not fit any of your fair faces... no I'd rather see you all smiling and laughing."

Well, Demor was a forward man, that's for sure. Not afraid to speak his mind despite being surrounded by members of the opposite sex, wearing very little or no clothing to speak of, and while they all were not in perhaps the best moods. It was a part of his charm, he figured, and he turned, choosing to face the Aschen woman as he did his one-eighty, and continued to stand there, hoping things would calm down before they got out of hand. Better to face the bigger threat in this situation.

"So... what's say we just... relax?" he opened both eyes now. And despite the smile stretching his lips, his eyes were stern, and held a predatory strength to them. He wasn't one to try and cross, even if he was merely trying to relax for now.

Once it was finally over, Iviri could not help but be in a mood of absolute pleasure. Once it was done, he felt more relaxed then he ever felt before, literally. He had no memories of being more relaxed then he did right now, so much so that as Demor got up, he ended up following him immediately. He had already finished the food he had anyways, although....anyone who had been paying attention might have noticed he ate more food then he should be able to physically fit inside his body.

However, the moment that there seemed to be conflict, Iviri suddenly focused in on it and...

"Uwah?"

He suddenly felt a smack on his behind that snapped him out of focus for a moment, while the culprit Jaune passed by him. Unlike Iviri who always seemed embarrassed and shy even in this place, Jaune seemed to have no issue, at least in a bathhouse, to rush in naked in the middle of a bunch of girls, having left his towel behind.

"Now now. No reason to get tense is there?" he asked, the boy having a smile on his face. He then looked back towards Iviri. "By the way, I think you forgot your towel back there".

Iviri immediately turned red with embarrassment and covered himself, not realizing it. That said, suddenly a burst of wind seemed to toss it over to him. The culprit being Jaune, who now had a yellow fox that appeared by his side out of nowhere also.

"Anyways, there is a no fighting rule here. This is a place to relax and converse with people, a gathering place not just to bathe, but relax, have fun, and catch up with people. To be honest, its really fun to have a dodgeball game inbetween baths..."

Someone might question if dodgeball could be called relaxing, but that was besides the point. It served as a good icebreaker.

"But needless to say, although personally I do think its odd to wear something in this sort of place, but is this really something to cause any tension or fights over? By the way, if you cause too much of a disturbance, they will throw you out for disturbing the other guests, with your belongings of course, but not the time to change into them".

On that note, Jaune and also Liam decided to come over. Liam just gave a nod towards Jaune, indicating he was happy about his good work.

Whew. Thankfully Jaune noticed first and acted so quickly, otherwise who knows what might have happened.

Indeed, none of Jaune's actions were by accident. He had rushed over so fast, he had even forgotten his towel that Liam had to carry over. However, it was because he rushed to stop an incident before it started. Not between the women, but the tension...and state of mind...that suddenly appeared in Iviri.

Iviri possessed a Spirit Guardian, and Jaune possessed something called an Armor Spirit. Because of that, Jaune had immediately noticed from spiritual waves that because there were powerful forces "fighting" in front of him, a switch was almost flipped, and jumped in before Iviri even had the notion of doing something. Although, Jaune had no idea what Iviri had to experience to panic from conflict like that, though granted between people that seemed very dangerous.

"Pl...please do...I don't really like conflict like this..." Iviri said meekly, still embarrassed about earlier as he entered the water with Demor. Meanwhile, Liam addressed the group in a calming voice, his behavior and body language making it clear he is an experienced leader.

"I must agree with Demor though, people as beautiful as you all should not make such faces, at least not here. After all, heritage or geneology does not make anyone superior, only their efforts, hard work, and spirit can determine that, regardless on if they are Aschen, Terran, or from here. Everyone has equal potential and rights, so let us just accept this, settle down, and relax".

With that, and hoping this matter was settled, he joined everyone in the baths.

Notably, although Jaune and Liam let out a sigh of relief as they entered the water, while Iviri did enjoy it he seemed to handle temperature change better then them, indicating some level of resistance.

Okora just waved Amelia off dismissively, a smug smile crossing her face.

Oh no. Whatever shall I do? The big, bad, "pure" Aschen thinks she's scary! Look, lady, you can't even hold a candle to me, so cool it before you become the problem.

Okora then lifted a hand out of the water, a green sphere already resting underneath it. Turning her hand over, she let the sphere roll off her open palm and onto the water, a small ripple effect flowing away from its position as it floated on the water before Okora.

Sesame inhaled deeply, the force of her inhale pulling the sphere of energy toward her location, causing the sphere to float into her hands. As she cupped the sphere, she pressed her palms together, smothering the sphere into dissolving.

She's posturing, Okora. I can't sense any power coming from her that's worth a look.

I see,

Okora responded,

Great! So she's trying to threaten us without being able to back it up? Well, whatever floats her boat.

The half machine woman switched the pair of arms that was being used to hold the towel up as she motioned with the now free pair as she gave her take.

She is an Aschen. They're quite proud of themselves, and are very widespread. I've been watching them closely, and I'm impressed by what I observe of their society as far as their hardiness goes. They do seem to be in a decline though. It is quite worrisome at times.

They fight others too often. They even fight each other. Ever the foe of prosperity, strife never ceases to bring ruin to all.

Shakaurduraug spoke with a cryptic tone, prompting Nyst to reply once again.

So they feel everything is a big injustice toward themselves? I mean, there are few other justified reasons to fight others.

They're just pompous. I've worked for a few Aschen, as an anonymous contractor. They're ridiculously paranoid. It's almost as if they feel some inquisition is out to get each and every one of them at all times.

With a mocking tone and a faux serious look, Okora continued.

After all, "Nobody expects the Xeno Inquisition!"

The girls all giggled again at Amelia after Okora's mocking comment, however, they stopped when Demor, Jaune, Liam and Iviri, all entered the water with their own monologues, to which the girls listened quietly. It seemed none of them were taking the Aschen lady seriously, and likely weren't going to take Demor seriously either until his poor attempt at throwing compliments opened him up to potential mockery. Thankfully, Jaune's commentary spared Demor for now.

Okora focused her attention on Iviri from where she sat. Narrowing her eyes, she took a mental note as a small smirk crossed her face. She turned her attention back to Jaune's riveting commentary as the other girls had done. Once the conversation was finished, the girls went back to their idle small talk, though they kept sharp for any moves the men tried.

Amelia kept staring at Okora, she didn’t even register the boys attempts, or Demor’s attempts to diffuse the situation. The insults kept flying.

She couldn’t back up her threats? Amelia’s lips pulled in tightly as they pursed in tense anger, then after a few moments of staring at the Saiyan before her, she called out.

“Sergeant Talyn!”

She called the name out without breaking her gaze from the group before her. “Transmit the following orders to my Command Carrier...”

Amelia’s voice was firm, cold, while her red faced gaze was unflinching. Another individual quickly stepped into the bath from one of the massage tables, electing to get a shoulder rub while Admiral Montrose was in the bath, a shoulder rub that ended all too abruptly.

The man was in full Aschen urban pattern camouflage, but was unarmed, save for his radio communicator, and a few ancillary devices worn on his belt.

“Yes, Admiral?” He said with a crisp salute, bringing his fist across his chest. Then he reached into his pocket to produce a pad and paper.

Amelia was still seething with rage, they were mocking her, they were mocking the Empire, and this was unacceptable by the Admiral’s standards.

“Have them send for my shuttle, I’ll decide what to do with this brazen act of aggression against an officer of the Empire once I reach my Command Carrier.”

For the briefest moment, Amelia considered ordering the Command Carrier to combat readiness, engaging the local defense forces, and striking against the planet from orbit.

A thought she quickly dismissed; there was no way Command would allow her to carry out such an attack... A fact that she knew, and found quite disappointing.

The corner of her lips turned upwards into a slight smirk. “Have Colonel Decurion bring the Pride of Langara to condition two, until I arrive.” Amelia demanded, and the poor unfortunate sergeant saluted once more. “Ad Victoriam, Admiral!” Before swallowing visibly, a flash of fear crossed his eyes, before he turned to leave, his boots hitting the floor as he made his way out of the bath house.


Amelia brought her attention to the girls, and the boys, she huffed, her chest rising, puffing outwards before she growled to herself. “You will all pay for your insolence.” She muttered, covering her chest with her slender arms, folding them in front of her. She would never leave her Command Carrier again for some alien world, the baths were cleaner, the water was hotter, and there were no insults, only a clear chain that binds, and dutiful suboardinates, rather than insulting patrons.

She committed each of their faces to memory, for a lengthy report to be submitted to her superiors regarding the hostile culture on this world.

She backed away towards the edge of the bath, and lowered herself more into the water, there she would sit until the sergeant returned, to inform her the shuttle had arrived.

Demor's glance moved to Jaune as the boy managed to upstage him, he did nothing about it. He knew how to win over a crowd, it seemed, and their combined little speeches seemed to mostly lighten the mood enough for catastrophe to be averted. Tail twitching, he watched the situation continue to unfold, the air around him beginning to buzz ever so gently with some Draconian Electricity. Not enough to manifest or zap anyone, but perhaps enough to be sensed by anyone with some magical affinity or similar. As the Aschen woman covered herself and turned to leave, or at least, wait for her shuttle, the edge of his lips tugged downwards slightly - despite her nasty attitude, he found the Aschen woman attractive, and would have liked to see more of her. But it seemed fate would not allow.

Sighing as the situation diffused, Demor made his way to a bench within the baths, and sat down, putting his towel over his face as he leaned back and tilted his head back, leaving his mouth exposed to breathe for a moment before replacing it around his neck and shoulders, propping his arms on the back rest, allowing him to relax in full while in the water. Draconian eyes once more centered on the group of females. Sensing that his earlier compliment backfired and would have only gotten him more trouble than it's worth, he decided on small talk for now - to see if flirtation would naturally come to him.

"So of you all... which girl is the strongest would you say? If I had to take my guess...." his eyes searched the group before he lifted an arm and pointed at Etaass. "....You... you, my multi-armed beauty, are probably the strongest, based on what I'm sensing right now...." he finished. There was a hard stare to his Draconian eyes - he knew what he was talking about, granted of course that his senses were telling him correctly. He had no way of knowing if the others were suppressing any power or not, but from what he sensed, the woman who was partly machine was the strongest. Magic Wise.

Demor lowered his arm back to its position, leaning forward slightly. "Come now, tell me! Am I right or wrong! Just... don't be too harsh?" he winked with his request, seeing who his charm would work on.

His eyes returned to Iviri, and he motioned to the boy with his tail. "Iviri, bud! Come on join us. Don't hide all day or the massage will wear off!" he smirked. He then nodded in greeting to Liam and Jaune, and returned his attention to the girls.

Jaune and Liam left their towels on the side as they moved closer, while Iviri who had already entered the water ended up moving closer and sitting next to Demor. He looked over at all the others, and was a bit nervous as Demor put him under the spotlight again. It seemed that he got nervous and shy under the spotlight, enough that you should probably never ask him to be the star role in a play.

"I mean...I think that in terms of strength, she seems to be the strongest to me..." Iviri said, looking towards Okora. He was not sure about magic, he could not sense it as well as Demor, but he could understand auras, atmospheres, and such. And of them, he felt that Okora was the strongest.

However, it was Jaune who stood up and shook his head.

"No no, the strongest" he said, looking at the five women. "It is definently you".

Jaune looked right at Shaka when he said that, sure of his answer. Well...Jaune was not actually known for thinking, but he had great instincts. And also, he seemed really happy...he probably liked this sort of thing.

"What else...oh, I know!"

Jaune suddenly grabbed Iviri's hand, and pulled him up to his feet while they were still in the water. It seemed Iviri's embarrassment just would not stop. He wrapped his arm around Iviri's neck and pulled him in till they were hip to hip.

Liam, who was just shaking his head, decided to ask Demor and the girls something before Jaune started whatever he was about to.

"So, are any of you here because you are on your way to participate in or watch the Grand Magi Games? Also, sorry about Jaune...he can get rather excited easily, and he really lacks any form of modesty or common sense it seems".

Liam got that in, while Jaune approached them.

"Alright! Which of us do you think is bigger? Me or him?" Jaune said innocently and energetically. "Oh, and who do you think has a bigger butt?"

"Wha...what does that have to do with anything?!"

"Isn't it obvious? Its less painful to fall on with more cushion. Oh yeah, who do you think has more spirit power, me or him?"

"Do we have to be standing for this?!"

"Come on, its cool right? Besides, at places like this, of course we should all compare! Comparing and competing is one of life's greatest activities! So while naked in a bathhouse, of course we should also compare and show off our bodies the gods gave us!"

Liam just shook his head and shrugged.

"Sorry, he likes this sort of playful competitiveness. That said, I have not given my answer yet, have I?"

He said that as he looked around, noticing all of them...and then, while skillfully hiding who he was truly observing, noticed something about Nyst...

"...well, I suppose you are all quite strong in your own ways".

Liam, with the most experience and perception out of all of them, said something like that.

"Oh, I just realized something! I am so sorry, I was really rude!"

And then, Jaune broke the air like that.

"We have been talking all this time, but I never introduced myself! My name is Jaune Al'asfar, eleven years old! And this is my partner, Kimaru!"

Suddenly, a yellow fox seemed to hop onto his head.

"Heyo! My name is Kimaru!"

However, for those with magical and supernatural perceptions, they would notice strong supernatural energy radiating off of Jaune and Kimaru, as well as some sort of link between them.

"Well, I suppose that is true. My name is Liam Jones, the leader of the Adventurer's Guild".

The Leader of the Adventurer's Guild. It was said that only an adventurer of incredible skill and power could hold that position, one that showed incredible strength but also the ability to lead and manage. And it was once rumored that Liam himself fought against an entire monster army and won, though he always insists the story was over-exaggerated.

"My-my name is...Iviri! Pleasure to meet you all! J-Jaune, can we please sit back down now?!" he said, covering himself this whole time with a red face. Jaune seemed to listen this time, also because he wanted to enjoy the water, but he ended up floating a bit closer to the women.

"So...we all said our opinions, but what do you girls think? Seems unfair to not let the people in question voice their own opinions, after all!"

As Amelia did her thing, and then backed off, Okora laughed.

I'm sure I'll pay all right! You want cash?

Okora raised her right fist out of the water.

Or do you want credit?

Okora then raised her left fist out of the water. Bringing them together, she went back to relaxing.

The other girls giggled lightly, but then Demor asked his question.

A bold assessment. You're right in some ways. I am the strongest here, but my status means you can't compare me to the others.

Noticing his wink somehow, despite the fact that she never visibly opened her eyes, Etaass crossed two of her arms while two held the towel around her, and the other two motioned with slight disapproval.

I will also add, if you want something, I can only offer it to my most devoted followers. You'll need to convert first, my apologies.

Etaass gave a gentle smile to the Drachni.

As Iviri looked toward Okora, she winked at him.

Good kid! Smart assessment! Keep it up and I might show you some of it once we finish up here. Come find me later if you want a demonstration! Maybe I can beat up a bully or two of yours? You seem quite shy, like someone who was picked on.

As for Jaune's assessment, Shakaurduraug looked at him with a narrowed glare, but said nothing as the young boy paraded himself and Iviri in jubilee. Missing Liam's question, she instead stood up, covering herself with her arms as she huffed and entered a black/purple portal that spawned before her. She entered it, disappearing from sight.

Amid Jaune being foolish, Nyst felt a gaze. Instinctively, she covered her chest and turned her back to the others. Standing to leave herself, she responded.

My name is Nyst... That's all you need to know right now. I'm sorry.

She seemed a bit upset as she took her leave as well, grabbing her towel as she left the water, wrapping it around herself. Wringing out her braids, she went back to the changing rooms.

That left Sesame, Okora, and Etaass. As Jaune and Iviri introduced themselves, Okora and Sesame looked on before Liam spoke. When he did, Sesame and Okora both glanced at each other. With Etaass speaking to Demor, the two took their chance.

Nice to meet you, Jaune and Iviri! Tee hee hee! My name is Sesame! Oh, and my opinion is that my friend is stronger in a fight, but...

Sesame moved over to Liam's side at this point, settling in beside him.

I'm the stronger one socially! Tee hee hee! Hee hee hee!

Seeing Sesame move made Okora give a dangerous smirk as she proceeded to follow Sesame.

Jaune, Iviri... My name is Okora. Remember it!

She then settled in on the other side of Liam from Sesame.

I wouldn't listen to her. She's too carefree and reckless!

The two ladies seemed to both be putting on the pressure somehow. From Liam's perspective, Sesame did seem slightly more curvy than Okora did, but both were relatively close to each other, and both were flanking him.

Demor tilted his head at the Goddess woman, and tapped his chin, shrugging after a moment. "A Tempting offer, gorgeous... I'll take it into consideration~ In the mean time... would you excuse me?" he blew her a cute kiss before pushing off and swimming over to the Aschen woman, Montrose, using his tail to propel him similar to a crocodile uses its tail. Once he reaches the Admiral, he stops and rights himself, practically kneeling in front of her, his head above the water as he tilted his head, those Piercing eyes looking her up and down.

"So... Admiral, eh~?" he commented, looking her up and down subtly. Despite her inherent xenophobia and distaste of magic, Demor found the Aschen woman attractive.... Might as well try his luck. "You are very pretty for an Admiral... not that I've met many in my life... are all Aschen women as good looking as you, or are you an exception?" might as well try out some cheesy pick up lines. See how well, or poorly, they are received.

Demor slithered his way to sitting next to, but within a comfortable distance from, the Aschen woman, seeing just where her boundaries were slowly, and trying to get under them, and much more. He shifted so he faced her, tail laid out across his lap and on the bench between them, curled up so he could maintain a comfortable talking distance between them, and yet still be just within arms reach if he wanted to gently brush against her skin. He didn't do so yet, but the option was there.

Suddenly his tone dropped, became more gentle, inquisitive. "So tell me, Admiral.... why do the Aschen teach such... harsh things about people who are not like them? Enlighten me." he leaned forward to emphasize his interest, and to prove his concern was genuine. Operation: Try and bang an Aschen lady! was a go.

Amelia didn't say much as she sank even lower into the water. Her eyes seemed to tell everything that she needed to say as she kept glaring at Okora.

Amelia was glaring so hard, she didn't seem to notice Demor sliding up to her.

"I'm considered average by Aschen standards, I don't see why you would see me as any sort of attractive, I mean... look at you.." The Admiral rudely quipped back, before returning to her glare.

"Do you know these women? I want to put a price on their heads so large, they won't be able to enter a civilized system." Montrose said coldly, while brushing some red curls out of her face.

This thing was prodding her with questions, and of course being cooped up in the CIC of a command carrier, and a Reverence II before that for as long as Montrose could remember, she couldn't tell flirting from curiosity, to an interrogation.

She opted to play his game though, and the other girls seemed to express interest, thus the woman began to formulate a plan.

"Because we are the true destined rulers of this galaxy, it's in our genetics, our technology, our military; we are superior, our bloodlines are pure, untainted by the alien hoards of this galaxy." She replied. "Things like magic, and alien species are a perversion of the natural order, a perversion of Big Brother's vision for our galaxy."

As the conversations, and the baths, went in all sorts of strange, weird, and for some, highly opinionated, Liam continued to soak and enjoy the water, that he didn't even notice when Okora and Sesame moved over and flanked him.

"Well now, what to do what to do...I have two beautiful ladies on either side now, disagreeing with each other. Both of them strong, and determined. Quite the situation..."

Saying that in a particular voice, Jaune and Iviri turned to face the trio.

"Hey, how come everyone is over there. I want to join to...ehk?!"

Jaune tried to go and swim over there, but his leg was grabbed and pulled back by Iviri, who was better at reading the room then Jaune.

"Shhh! Dont interrupt! They are having adult time".

"Oh. You mean they are going to...mmhmhmhm?!"

And then, while explaining it to Jaune, Iviri was forced to then cover his mouth before he said something that was too blunt.

For the record, while bathhouses like this were normal on Origin, obviously while flirting was okay you could not go to the next step, after kissing, in public.

Saved from having their moment interrupted, Liam decided to continue.

"I don't really think I am qualified to determine who is stronger at what in such detail, but I will say you both clearly are quite strong and powerful in your own ways. Each of you have your own merits".

Meanwhile, Iviri looked over at Demor, getting a bit nervous. If they wanted to make good time, they would probably need to head out soon, but he didn't want to interrupt Demor either. And as they had now been in the water for quite some time now, some people had started to prune a little...with the exception of Iviri of course, whose skin seemed perfect. If anything, the bathing had only made him seem even more stunning, despite only appearing as a child.

Of course, that was due to artificial enhancements and his Adaptability power. Jaune, thanks to the physical enhancements of being bonded to an Armor Spirit, also had incredible appearances....but inversely, despite not having either of those, Liam was also incredible in appearance after having bathed in the waters and washing off.

"We should totally compare our skins as well with Liam and Demor and....mhhmhmm?"

Iviri once again covered Jaune's mouth, and with a shy and embarrassed face, got out of the water while pulling Jaune with him.

"Excuse us! We are going to wash each other's backs now! Don't mind us!"

...it should be noted that Iviri has very high potential and skill as a wing man.