Love, Hares and Regrets (Bonus Chapter 1/2)

"Aaaah this is it... THIS is what it's all about.." I exclaimed proudly while submerged up to my neck in hot, soapy waters. The sensation of my muscles relaxing, the reduced weight due to buoyancy and the aromas from my bath salts and soap were beyond pleasurable, especially after spending days sleeping on cold, jagged stone. I scrubbed my body clean with a washing cloth revealing every little bruise, wound and scar that was hiding under the dirt and grime. It would seem my Minor Regeneration could help me heal faster but didn't magically remove scarred tissue. Maybe there was a "Greater" Regeneration out there that did? Not that I minded.. Scars did look cool to me after all. It showed my progress and achievements. I yawned loudly and stretched producing an audible *crack* sound from my back. It didn't matter that I didn't need sleep now that I was back in my domain, tonight I had vowed to sleep like a corpse and let my mind and body recover from all the stress and exertion.

My hand ran over my long flaccid penis and I couldn't help but feel a little off. Was it swollen? No.. Bigger. It definitely felt a little bigger and actually my entire body seemed bigger. Since I didn't have any measure of comparison, down in the ancient city I hadn't realized it. But standing next to my familiar allies and friends I had noticed that I had grown a bit after my evolution. It seems my penis was no exception to that growth and I wondered how big it would be when erect. My changes didn't stop there however. During my evolution, when my Avatar's body was as pliable as when I had first created it, I had the opportunity to make some voluntary changes as well. I decided to take the leap and give my Avatar female genitalia in addition to my already existing ones. It wasn't a sexual thing really.. The decision I think came more out of a strange awakening I experienced after watching my two Vorsàni play around and spending a few precious moments with them. The idea of one day giving actual birth to children of my own excited me in a way I had never even considered before, being born a male and all..

As an Arsàni Hermaphrodite I would have been able to reproduce in the male fashion AND give birth albeit magically by essence absorption. But I was a Dungeon Core.. I didn't need to fit into this world's mold. "Be whatever you want to be.." I repeated Trishda's word's as I lifted my plump set of testicles in order to feel my vagina with my hand for the first time. Tingles shot throughout me as my fingers traced its soft lips. The slit was hidden under my low hanging scrotum and I had designed my penis to be the clitoris as to not have a second organ that mirrored my own. The alien sensation soon subsided as I got more familiar with how it felt. Not desiring to experience female virginity I had my vagina created with the hymen already broken. Although giving my virginity to someone sounded appealing, I had no wish to bleed on a bed until I got used to having sex. Also, taking advantage of my Dungeon Core status I was able to make some superhuman tweeks as well. Undying fertile eggs meant no period for this gal. Although it was an important part of womanhood as well, I was an Avatar of a Dungeon Core and didn't want to give myself a handicap. Having to stop a raid while leaking blood and having gut wrenching cramps sounded quite dangerous. And lastly, since my body was an Avatar I could choose whether or not I would become pregnant, so no unexpected pregnancies would hinder my plans.

I slipped two fingers inside my warm interior. The feeling was so warm and moist, much different from anal and the pleasurable sensation travelled much more easily through me. I removed my hand and allowed my swollen balls to hide my vagina again. I was a traditional Hermaphrodite now and the feeling was unreal.. I felt as if I made another step towards discovering myself. Maybe.. maybe when everything was over I would decide on one sex and become that? Or was it possible that I truly wanted to feel like both sexes? I shook my head, casting away the headache of that thought. I came to this world to shake things up, have fun and live my life to the fullest. I would worry about these things when I had nothing better to do.

I stood up inside my hot spring and watched as its cleansing Jellies filtered out all the soap and salts, leaving behind only clear and warm water. My new Cleaning Jellies were a new 0 rated monster and I was sure they would become a hit for all the new living quarters I was planning on building. I patted away some of the water still clinging to my skin and drained it from my long hair as well. It had become all tangled again.. Seriously, taking care of all this hair was something I had not expected to be the bane of my everyday routine. "Oh.. um.. hi Lady Minõa.." said a shy voice from the entrance to my Altar Room. "Hey Sumiré! Come on in.. Why are you.." I paused as I finally noticed the woman's red face and her eyes running across my naked body. Son of a bitch! This was the second time I had flashed the poor girl! I grabbed my robe and covered myself quickly with an embarrassed expression.

"I am so sorry Sumiré! I didn't see you standing there!"

"It's ok my Lady! I should be the one apologizing for disturbing you! I came in without announcing myself.."

Come to think of it.. She had snuck in hadn't she? Wait.. Was she actually trying to peek on me bathing or was that just an unfortunate coincidence? I banished the thought of Sumiré crushing on me.. I had been stung too many times in my past life and didn't want to give myself hope. "Can I help you?" I said trying and failing to sound more magnanimous. The girl thankfully wore her beautiful smile and broke the tension. "I was just hoping to spend some time with you.." she answered without even blinking and I felt my stomach sink like a hit battleship. Why was it that I could fight monsters, have sex with giant scorpion-spiders and yet girls still frightened me even in this world? "Of course you can.." I said after a gulp. I tried to nervously secure my hair in a pony tail and kept messing it up. The girl walked next to me, helped me out of the steaming pool before saying "Can I do your hair? I mean if you'll let me..". "Sure.." I answered and allowed the girl to lead me to my bed. She had me sit and she sat behind me, taking out a comb I had seen her use on herself before.

Sumiré combed my hair gently, like a soft caress to the back of my head. Her motions were fluid and trained as if she had done this hundreds of times. Even when the comb would get stuck on a knot, the girl would expertly stop before pulling on my hair in a painful manner, readjust her grip and somehow brush out the knot. "You're very good at this.." I said, eyes half closed from relaxation. The girl let out a short chuckle. "I was the only girl in my father's harem. The women protected me from the men's lust and I in turn learned how to take care of them. I brushed their hair, stitched their clothes, washed, mended, nursed.. It wasn't ideal but they gave me a sense of home and family, you know?". I didn't know.. I grew up in a loving environment despite the unfortunate turns my life took in my final years. I felt so bad for Sumiré and yet somehow the young woman always found a reason to smile and hope for the better. It was rather inspiring actually.

The girl finished braiding my hair in a long braid that reached my lower back. I could finally turn to face her and what greeted me was her smiling face and her gorgeous dark eyes. "You look so beautiful Lady Minõa.." she said and it was like someone punched me in the gut. What was it with this girl that made me feel so.. exposed? I looked down embarrassed and the girl took my hands into hers.