Old Grudges, New Friends

After such a wild night together, Althea woke up to the gentle rays of the sun in her skin while experiencing the bliss of being wrapped around the Gorgon's coils, tangled affectionately between Yazmin's arms and tail.

Although the heartwarming euphoria in her chest was enough for Althea to wish that they could cuddle all morning, there's still one issue that she needed to address.

Althea's ass is sore.

"Yaz, wake up, there's something I need to do."

A bit groggy but still managing to form a weak morning smile, Yazmin questioned as she shifted a bit, "What is it, my love? Isn't it still too early to head to the guild, can't we cuddle a bit more?"

Memorizing Althea's routine by heart, Yazmin knew that she had a bit of leeway in her schedule to train. The Gorgon wasn't planning on claiming it all, just a few moments to spare so she could enjoy the joy of cuddling with her new lover.

Althea frowned. They did have rough sex night before, one where she let the Gorgon deep inside both of her holes, yet she was embarrassed to come clean with the issue at hand.

"I need to take a healing potion, my ass hurts."

The absurdness of hearing a prim woman like her lover utter those words caused the Gorgon to giggle, immediately uncoiling herself from Althea.

"Ahahaha! I see, how horrible! What monster inflicted such suffering upon you?" Yazmin teased.

Althea blushed, "You did, you moron! And don't laugh or I'm never going to let you have anal again!"

It was a threat enough to make Yazmin fold. For Yazmin, the saying 'Two is better than one' was simply a throwaway phrase, it wasn't until last night that she fully appreciated its wisdom.

"Now there's no need for threats like that." The Gorgon giggled some more at Althea's flustered tone before she planted her fangs softly on Althea's bare shoulder like a mock bite, never penetrating flesh, a playful kiss of some sort. "Go and tend to your behind while I go and prepare breakfast for us, my love."

Just as she promised, it did not take long for Althea to procure a simple yet made with affection breakfast. Fried fish cutlets with bread on the side and a cup of coffee.

After breakfast, the two trained before heading to the Guild. They were a tad bit late but fortunately, there was no incident this time around. There is, however, another commotion as other guild members rushed to the guild's arena. Hand in hand, Althea and Yazmin checked out what to ruckus was about.

~~~~

"Well, what do we have here? You two walking in here while holding hands must mean what I think it means."

Amidst the gathering crowd, Yulia smirked as she noticed the couple who just approached their ragtag group.

With a smile, Althea confirmed, "It is what you think it is, we're together now. Aren't we?"

Althea glanced to her side to question her new lover, only to find her gaze elsewhere. It was directed to the Amazon wearing plain civilian clothing of black blouse and white pants, carrying a baby in her arms.

How the Gorgon's eyes remained lock on her lover and daughter did not sit well with Ellamir.

"Continue staring and I'm going to poke your eyes out."

Ellamir's rudeness immediately got a rise from the mother of her child.

"Ellamir, stop it!"

Yes, Antani was indeed wary of the Gorgon but she was raised by her mother never to generalize an entire race by a mistake committed by one of their own. Even if that mistake led to her early grave, since Yulia vouched for this Yazmin and even forewarned her about the Gorgon being a regular in the Guild, she was willing to wipe the slate clean with this Gorgon that once demanded her head.

Before introducing herself, Antani handed Ellani to Gloria who accepted the baby with glee.

To Antani, giving the Gorgon chance meant a display of kindness and possibly a chance for friendship if fate deigns it. To Ellamir, it was pure stupidity, that's why she ought to let this Gorgon know what's going to happen if she ever harmed Antani.

"I'm warning you, you overgrown snake! If you as much as touch a single strand of Antani's hair, or even Ellani's, you're going to end up like that...hhhmmm!"

Ellamir immediately found herself gagged, Antani just had to before Ellamir's unfiltered tongue caused more trouble.

"Love, please shut the fuck up and let me introduce myself, will you?"

Once Ellamir stopped struggling, Antani let go. Seeing how Antani's mind was made up, Ellamir simply 'hmphed' and crossed her arms while flickering her head away, but still watching the exchange from the corner of her eye.

Smiling, Antani extended her right hand to the Gorgon, "My name is Antani. It's a pleasure to meet you, Yazmin."

It was hard for Antani to peer at Yazmin's expression through her mask. Until Antani saw Yazmin's eyes dart towards the baby in Gloria's lap.

That could be Yazmin's future with Althea.

As a fellow Gorgon, she lamented Zisha's fate, she truly did. But she wasn't even friends with the woman in the first place, it was her pride that drove her to seek vengeance.

A pride that she would swallow as long as it would prevent any complications that might separate her from Yazmin's lover holding her hand.

Yazmin lets go of Althea's hand to accept Antani's.

"Yazmin, a proud Gorgon from warija. The pleasure is mine. Oh, and you can tell your lover to take it easy, you're not on my list anymore."

Yulia laughed, "See, I told you this Gorgon is cool!" Following her statement by an elbow to Ellamir's side.

"Tsk, whatever!"

His mace and short shield ready, Stefano waltzed into the middle of them. The result of his training was now apparent with his build, his toned upper body was evident even if his light armor hid his muscles.

"That's great and all, but would you mind telling me more about the opponent you set up with me this time, Yulia? Please, don't tell you matched me with someone like Voz."

Yulia wrapped her hands around her squire's shoulder, "Relax, why don't you? I've paired you with someone with a bit more pleasant personality this time around."

The thought of getting matched with someone normal for his gold rank up promotion slowly started to get Stefano's excitement to rise. Stefano banged his mace in his shield. Stefano was ready.

"Alright, so who's going to be my opponent!?" All smile, Stefano asked.

"That would be me." A jovial but deep voice answered.

A Goliath made his way through the crowd and presented himself in front of the group. Stefano's smile faded, it would seem like all the smile in Stefano's face transferred to this giant's grinning facade.

Stefano's mouth almost detached from his jaws as he stared at the 8 foot tall musclebound Goliath smiling down on him.

Stefano was not ready at all.

"The name's Argon, see you on the arena, friend! Let's make the match fun!"

After the brief self introduction, Agron winked at Stefano before heading to the stage. As a show of good faith, he even revealed in advance his weapon of choice, brass knuckles, tailored for his gargantuan fists.

Never mind the fact that the Goliath winked at him, Stefano immediately went on a hysterical rant at the audacity of his 'mentor' to match him with someone

Stefano immediately removed Yulia's arm around him, pointing his mace at her face.

"Yulia, are you fucking insane!? By Mithra, you're going to get me killed!"

"Hey, relax. You've been through much worse, I mean you've faced werewolves before, unlike them, Agron won't tear your throat out."

"Have you seen how big his fists are, he can flatten my head if I get with one of those!"

Yulia sighed, her aloofness vanished, and its place was the serious demeanor of a Paladin encouraging her squire, "Trust me, you can take him on. I wasn't training your for nothing. Now go on that Arena and show that Goliath who's boss."

Looking like he was still ready to unleash more tirade, Stefano chose instead to stop and do as Yulia suggests, having some faith in his abilities.

As Stefano passed Gloria, he overheard the mermaid playing with the baby by wriggling her nose against Ellani's own, the baby giggled.

"Are you ready to see uncle Stefano get his ass beaten into a pulp, Ellani?"

"Gee, thanks a lot, Gloria."

Before Stefano got far, she heard Gloria call out, so he turned around to see an encouraging smile from the mermaid.

"Stefano, I know you can do it."

Returning the smile in earnest, Stefano nodded as he proceeded towards his fight.