# empty scene for placeholders
label blank_scene_rp:
    return

# \events\rastedel_battle.rpy
label rastedel_battle_2_rp:

    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = False

    "Has Alexia been influenced by Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaInfluenced = True
        "No":
            pass

    #courtyard bg
    scene black with fade
    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Almost every fighting body in the castle was organized in the courtyard. Mercenaries and orcs alike swapped tips, tested their weapons’ readiness, and congregated together."
    "At the center of the display, a square of orcs stood together, following the commands of a general. They struck out, fell backward, and acted all in unison."

    os "Shields. Shields."
    wo "Hup!"

    "The troop raised their shields in unison."

    os "Strike!"

    "The front rank went down to one knee and slashed forward with their cleavers. The rank behind them jabbed forward with a motley collection of swords and axes. Standardized equipment was impossible to maintain."

    os "Arrows. Arrows."

    "The front row jumped back to their feet. Just in time for the entire unit to raise shields upwards. There was few gaps of any real size between them."

    hide orc soldier with dissolve
    hide wild orc with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan watched the scene with something approaching awe. He’d fought in the field with orcs many times. Only, always on the opposite side. These were hardly the most sophisticated infantry tactics, but they were still strides ahead of the unorganized fighting he’d seen before."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Try not to soil yourself."
    an "They’re disciplined now, but the moment the killing starts, every last one of them will break ranks. Still, they should be able to hold together for the initial charge. That’s all we really need from them."

    "Rowan turned to face the demon. With a battle scheduled for the following day, he thought he’d see Andras feasting and fucking. But, he was surprisingly engaged in the preparation."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Do you still plan on standing at their head?"
    ro "I’m going to be on the neighbouring hill, observing. It would be safer if you were with me directing the battle from a safe distance."

    "Andras spat to the side."

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "If you think for a moment that you can convince me not to be in thick of it, I’ve got some news for you."
    ro "But, you know how battles can go. Even the victors lose people. And the moment you step on the battlefield, with your red skin and all, you will be the biggest target."
    ro "You could well die out there."

    "Andras didn’t respond for a moment. It was almost like the idea of death had never crossed his mind."

    an "I could. So what?"

    "Rowan blinked. How could he get this message across to Andras? The prospect of making him understand seemed impossible."

    ro "Very well. It is not my place to make that kind of choice."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Good. I didn’t have to remind you."

    if alexiaAndrasInfluence:
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

        an "Besides, if we were in each other’s places, I’d rather that you die. Quickly too. If you were really so smart, you’d be begging me to stay on the front lines."

        "Rowan pondered to himself what exactly Andras meant by that…"
        "...Probably just that if Andras died it would be easier for he and Alexia to escape."

        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    ro "Can we move somewhere else?"

    "Rowan glanced around the area, meeting the gaze for a flickering moment of a crusty Rosarian sellsword."

    ro "I want to discuss the specifics of our battle strategy. Best not to talk about it out in the open with ears all around us."

    "Andras rolled his eyes."

    an "You’re starting to sound like my sister. Clearly, we’ve made a terrible mistake with you. Follow me, I know where to go."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan looked around Jezera’s empty room. It felt rather stuffy. She hadn’t been here in days, so it felt oddly desolate. Still, why had Andras taken him here?"

    ro "Why-"
    an "Quiet. Jezera gave her assent for me to use the room while she is off on her fucking adventure."
    ro "Of course."

    "Rowan sighed."

    ro "I wanted to review the information that we collected in the reports."
    ro "The enemy army has encamped itself in the Astarte basin, about two days ride from Raeve Keep. We have estimates of their numbers here."

    "He handed a roll of parchment to Andras."

    ro "It has been confirmed that they’ve split up the army into four forces, each has fanned out to retake key garrisons and harass known orc encampments."
    ro "That means that their army is divided up. Enough that if we fought a single force, we’d have the local advantage. But, with enough time and preparation, they’d be able to link up mid-battle."
    ro "Or worse. Catch us from behind while fighting one force and pin us in the middle."
    ro "If we truly want to win, the battle is going to come down to how effective Jezera has been on her mission. If she is successful, then we can ensure the battle is on our terms. "
    ro "But, I haven’t had an opportunity to sit down with her since she last reported in. Do you have any idea if she’s been successful in her operation?"
    ro "I’m genuinely worried by her lack of contact."

    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "Andras flashed a grin and walked over to Jezera’s cupboard. But, otherwise, he didn’t even respond to the question."

    ro "Master?"
    an "Do you think I didn’t hear you? Shut up and wait."

    "Andras pulled out a crystal ball from the cupboard. Rowan had seen Jezera with it before. From what he recalled, it was some kind of spying tool."
    "The demon set it down on the table."

    an "Say what you will about her, but sister is a clever little creature. She set her scrying crystal to her own signature before she left, and told me to keep track of her that way. Far easier than needing regular reports from her."

    "He tapped the crystal once. After a few seconds, it came to life. At first it showed merely swirling light. But, that gave way in moments to a clear image. Two humans, one male and one female, in the midst of a sexual tryst."

    menu:
        "Watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezBattleSex_rp

        "Look away.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

            "Rowan ducked his head away immediately. He didn’t really want to look at it. Besides, it was not hard to guess what was happening."

            ro "Is that Jezera?"

            "Andras nodded."

            an  "It’s her and the enemy’s main commander right now. She’s worked her way in enough that she’s influencing him directly."
            an "You thought she failed, didn’t you, little hero?"

            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            "Rowan shook his head."

            ro "Not at all. I knew she’d accomplish something. I’ve seen how good she is at manipulation first hand."
            ro " I just didn’t expect her to do so quite this well."

            "Andras shook his head and got a dark glint in his eye. It worried Rowan slightly. With Andras, one was always on the precipice of violence."

            an "You’re a strange one, hero."
            an "After all this time, you still underestimate her. You underestimate me too."

            "Andras turned off the crystal ball screen with another tap. The image in it swirled away into a mist, leaving nothing but a reflective surface in its wake."

            jump postBattleSex_rp

    label jezBattleSex_rp:
        #jez excursion cg1
        scene black with fade

        "The crystal ball showed an older gentleman was on his back, being ridden by a naked blonde. Her hands roamed over her body in jerky motions as she ground herself down on him."
        "The image was so vivid. It was like he was really in the room able to see it. It took him a startled second to realize he could even hear it too. The ball emitted the faint sound of panting and groaning. Was the crystal ball really that effective a spying tool?"
        "After a moment studying what the ball displayed, Rowan was able to figure out who one of the participants was. He’d seen that blonde before…"

        scene cg5 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "The blonde woman, with vaguely Prothean features, who’d visited him the day of the attack on Arthdale."
        "Jezera. She’d done it."

        #jez excursion cg1
        scene cg249 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg249
        show andras displeased behind cg249
        pause 3

        "Her body bounced up and down, and moved with vigorous intensity. But, it was clear that the effect was one sided. The man was twisting his face and groaning. He was totally enraptured by the pleasure. Lost in it."
        "But, Jezera? She was just smiling. In total control of her reactions. In total control of the man."

        ro "She was this successful?"

        "The plan had called for her to work her way into the camp and try to get close to one of the commanders. But, this was clearly the head commander’s tent. In under a week, she’d gotten herself in this much of a power position…"

        an "You underestimate her, Rowan. You underestimate us. On the field of battle, no human can stand in my way. In her web of spiders, no human can best her."
        an "Of course she was successful."

        "Rowan turned back to the lewd display in the crystal ball. Jezera was still playing the man like an instrument. If she slowed down, he’d groan one way. If she sped up, he would groan another way. Almost like she was putting on a show for them."
        "Did she know that they were watching her?"
        "She was moving her body so skillfully now. Rowan could almost feel the friction of her movement."
        "The general could handle no more. He went rigid and jerked uncontrollably. Rowan even saw his eyes roll up. When he was done, he went stiff and sunk down further to the ground."

        #jez excursion cg2
        scene cg438 with fade
        pause 3

        "Jezera leaned down, cock still buried between her legs. Even as the general was limply gasping for air, Jezera led her body cover over him. Her lips pressed themselves to his ear."
        "Rowan could not hear the whispers that streamed from her mouth. But, he could see the soft nibbling kisses that she left between sentences. He could also hear the responses that occasionally he let slip."

        show cg437 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Whatever it was she wanted, he sounded more than happy to give it to her."
        "She gyrated slightly. Her breasts rubbed against his chest. A bit of his seed leaked from her cunt, and she even continued to softly roll her hips, as if still fucking his softening cock. The entire scene was strange in both its intimacy and its menace."
        "The point had been gotten across. Andras chose this as the moment to bring down the feed from the crystal ball. Rowan’s eyes lingered on the empty reflection until he realized what had happened."

        scene bg18 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    label postBattleSex_rp:

        an "I believe that’s the end of our business for today. Now, are you ready to leave me be so I can get ready for tomorrow?"
        an "I’ve got a show to put on."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan sighed. There was still all sorts of uncertainties. But, they would know where the enemy was and fight them on their own terms. Still, tomorrow was the day it rested on. No plan survives first contact with the enemy."

        ro "Good night, Andras. Good luck."

        "As Rowan walked out of the room, a voice whispered in his head that he might be seeing Andras for the last time."
        "It made him feel elated, if not somewhat concerned."

    return

# \events\raeve_keep.rpy
label fuckHelayna_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affectsd dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Rowan finally turned his gaze back to Helayna. "
    "Her hands were now on his legs, grabbing fistfuls of his pants. The panting only grew more urgent, making her sweat-glistening breasts rise and fall with each expansion. Well below them, Rowan could see a hint of her pussy’s lips, uncomfortably swollen and slippery in lust."

    hel "Rowan… please… Rowan, Rowan, Rowanrowanrowan…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Helayna… are… you sure this is what you want?"
        hel "Rowanrowanrowan yessssss, please, please…"
        "She wasn’t going to get any more articulate than that, it seemed. Still, Rowan hesitated."
        je "Look how desperately she wants you.  What kind of a man wouldn't give her what she needs?"
        "The demon stepped behind him again, hugging herself to his back. One of her hands drifted down to grasp at the stiffness pressing against the crotch of his pants."
        je "And look how much {i}you{/i} want her, hero."
        "Rowan said nothing as the demon undid his belt and shoved it down with his pants, exposing his cock before Helayna’s mesmerised eyes."
        je "Don’t keep her waiting, hm?"
        "She pushed him forward."

    else:
        "Rowan couldn’t take the sight of his student in such immense need."
        "Not when it was so easy for him to give her what she desired. Even though it was wrong…"
        ro "… Alright, Helayna. I’ll give you want."
        hel "Yessss, Rowanrowanrowan, pleaseeeee"
        "In spite of his fury at Jezera, there was no denying the stiffness that had already seized hold of his cock. After one last second of hesitation, he unbuckled his belt and shoved down his pants."
        "Helayna was mesmerised by his cock from her first glimpse of it."
        "Behind him, Jezera hummed pleasantly."

    "Rowan reached down to Helayna and took her hands. As his skin came into contact with hers, he learned firsthand just how hot she had grown. Seeing the sweat was one thing, but it was as if her lust had ignited a fire just beneath her skin."
    "She fell into wordless moaning the moment Rowan touched her, as if just having fingers interlaced might have given her what she was dying to get. Rowan knew better– and he knew it wouldn’t do a damn thing for his hard-on. "
    "Helayna went willingly as he guided her, first off the stone cobbles underfoot and to the keep’s grass, and then to to turn and drop herself to all fours."

    # CG of Helayna laying on the ground and presenting herself.
    scene cg310 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg310
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg310
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg310
    pause 3


    "From there, base instincts kicked in quickly for the lust-afflicted knight. As if they were familiar movements, things she had done countless times in the past, she spread her knees wide and put her cheek to the grass."
    "No. As if she had done the same for Rowan countless times in the past, in the privacy of her own room and imagination."
    "One of Helayna’s hands grabbed at her supple ass and pried it wide, while the other reached beneath herself and between her thighs to part her sodden sex for Rowan. The pink passage just beyond her womanly lips twitched visibly."

    hel "Mmmnn… nnmm… haaa…"

    "The rest of the world seemed to grow dim for Rowan; in that moment, the only color was Helayna. Her red hair, her fair skin and her wanton gash demanded him."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Jezera, the orcs and the captive knights were watching, but he blocked them out."

    else:
        "Jezera, the orcs and the captive knights were watching… and for Helayna’s sake, Rowan wanted them to see. He wanted to make it clear that she was his."

    scene cg59 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg59
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg59
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg59
    pause 2

    "Rowan lowered himself above Helayna’s wiggling hips, not bothering to remove any other piece of clothing. His hands pressed down on her back to keep her back pressed down and steady as he guided himself into her folds."
    "Pushing inside, he found her cunt’s walls to be even hotter than her skin, flooded with slick arousal. She was infernally tight, but was also so wet that it didn’t matter. His thick cock slid in easily."
    "At first, she gasped with shock at the penetration and shuddered, as if experiencing momentary discomfort. The taut muscles lining her back tensed further beneath Rowan’s hands, then relaxed in time with her sigh of incredible relief."

    hel "Mmnnahhh… ahhh… Rowan… Rowan, Rowan…!"

    je "Listen to how much she wants you.  All this time she's wanted you, but her duties and her honour required that she never act on it.  My magic has liberated her from those chains."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan didn’t look away from Helayna. It was easy to ignore Jezera when Helayna had seized both his cock and attention so fully."

    else:
        "Rowan glanced over at Jezera. The blue-skinned demon was leaning against a pillar, grinning with dark glee as she watched him."

    "Even before Rowan could push any deeper, Helayna’s wanton hole began to react to his presence, squeezing and rippling as if to suck him deeper. Her moment of apparent relief had only lasted a second before she started to tense-shudder-relax, tense-shudder-relax."

    ro "D-damn…"

    "Rowan watched Helayna’s face closely as he started to move his hips. From the consistent faint mewls that interrupted her moans, he was certain it was her first time and kept his pace slow, cock deep."
    "It now felt almost as if she had locked him in, and that he wouldn’t have been able to pull back his cock than an inch or two if he tried."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Jezera’s hand alighted on his shoulder. Rowan spared her fingers no more than a glance."
        je "My hero, she asked you to fuck her.  This slow, romantic stuff isn't fucking.  Go hard, go fast!"
        "… He couldn’t help himself."

    else:
        "Rowan quickly realised the slow pace wasn’t what he wanted. It wasn’t what she wanted. Her glazed-over eyes fixated on him, deranged with pleasure yet hungry for more."
        "Though her moaning mouth couldn’t form the words she wanted to speak, that stare said it all: harder. Harder. Give it to me harder."

    "He did so, roughly pushing into Helayna and roughly groping her body. Helayna reacted strongly from the first of the more vigorous thrusts, screaming out. The rhythm of her shudders broke as her muscles seized up, and her pussy spasmed around him. Helayna’s eyes rolled back."
    "It might not have been her first orgasm, but it would redefine them for her. As Helayna seemed to lose her mind all over again on his cock, Rowan was driven to go even harder on her. Whatever restraint that his fingers might have had previously fled out."
    "He stopped fucking her like he cared. Her first time, and he was fucking her like a wild beast. Helayna wasn’t a delicate flower. She was a trained knight. She could take Rowan at his most savage."
    "The blissful screams and wails that came out of Helayna only grew sharper, all the more delighted no matter how she strained."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "It felt wrong, doing this so crassly, but not in any way that could lead to Rowan stopping before he finished– not when she clearly wanted him to keep pushing himself."

    else:
        "Rowan became lost in the glory of it."

    "It seemed to go on for eternity. In truth, the frantic pace, combined with Helayna’s repeated climaxes, led to Rowan cumming quicker than ever before. After only a few minutes, he gave a final, hilting thrust and filled his former student’s cunt with his seed."

    scene cg59 with sshake
    show cg59 with sshake
    show cg60 with flash
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg60
    pause 2

    "Panting for breath, Rowan looked down at Helayna, dazed. Her eyelids flickered as she began to grow limp on the grass, the remnants of her long trail of orgasms leading to tiny shivers throughout her body."
    "As if finally realising what he'd just done, the hero pulled back and staggered away.  A trail of his cum followed him, some of it dripping out of his deflating member but also a great deal from the pussy he'd just fucked raw."
    "Now, at least, she was calm. Placated and no longer in danger."

    scene cg61 with dissolve
    show jezera happy behind cg61
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg61
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg61
    pause 2

    "Rowan only got a step away from Helayna before she seemed to come back to consciousness with a lurid groan. An intense shudder wracked her body."

    hel "Ahhh, haaa… haaa… Rowan… more Rowan… more Rowan in me, haaa, haaa–"

    #new CG?

    "As he halted, Helayna rolled over from her knees to drop on her back upon the grass. As many of her muscles fought any attempt to control them, the now-sullied knight endeavoured to spread and raise her quivering legs. Her arms lifted too, reaching for Rowan and offering a lewd embrace."

    #Rowan gains corruption
    #$ avatar.corruption += 5

    hel "Love– love me more, mmmhhh, ahhh, haaa, Rowan–"

    "But he didn’t have more in him. Not after the day he had. She had taken almost everything he had left to give, and while he didn’t regret it, he doubted he could manage it again."
    "Rowan swallowed, trying to decide how to tell Helayna that. Now that it seemed that he was done with the knight, several orc soldiers began to inch closer, wanting a piece of the action."
    "He knew what to say to them, at least, snapping the words out."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Stay away, all of you. This woman is mine. She’s under my protection."

    else:
        ro "Stay back. This woman has given herself to me– she’s my property. And I will gut you for looking at her."

    "Helayna punctuated Rowan’s claim on her with a wanton wail, her body beginning to convulse. Rowan glanced back at her, astonished by what seemed to be happening– she was cumming? He hadn’t even touched her."
    "One of the orcs spied a chance to get Rowan out of the way permanently there, stepping forward."
    "At that moment, Jezera clapped her hands and stepped forward. Even the orcs that seemed ready to throw down for a shot at Helayna backed down."

    je "You’ll have to find other girls in the castle, boys. Go on, get."

    "The greenskins scattered, and Jezera turned to Rowan."

    je "As for you, my dashing hero…"

    scene bg16 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "She stepped past him to Helayna, who was still riding out her impossible orgasm, hands alternatively grasping at herself and tearing at the grass beneath her defiled body. A foot away from the fallen knight, she snapped her fingers."
    "Helayna went still with no fanfare beyond a faint sigh, and Rowan’s heart lurched up from his chest to his throat. He quickly stepped towards her, ready to drop and check her pulse."

    ro "What the hell did you do to her?!"

    "Jezera stopped him with a hand pressed against his still-bare pelvis."

    je "I’ve put her to sleep. As enlightening as it would be to see what you would have done next? We just conquered a keep. You can do as you see fit once we’ve returned to the castle. She’ll be waiting for you in your quarters."

    return

# \events\raeve_keep.rpy
label orcsHelayna_rp:

    "Almost as quickly as both Helayna’s ass and pussy were claimed, a female orc laid claim to her face. She pressed her lustful green cunt down on the captain’s mouth, stifling Helayna’s cries of pleasure as she acclimated to the penetrations."
    "It wasn't just the males that were interested in Helayna.  A female orc soldier laid claim to her face, pressing her green sex down onto the captain's mouth and silencing her cries of unhinged pleasure before they could truly begin."
    "Two final orcs joined the others, one male and one female. Each one had to grab Helayna’s one of her hands and get them started on their respective sex. She quickly took to jacking off the male’s cock, but her fingering was crude and haphazard."
    "Rowan felt a strange sense of morbid fascination as he watched events unfold. It helped Rowan that what little he could see of Helayna’s face was quickly lost in ecstasy. Her wild writhing could only be the product of immediate, repeating orgasms."
    "The two orcs who had been taking her lower holes had settled into a brutal rhythm of sorts, since they found it difficult to move while both of them were inside Helayna at the same time, they alternated between penetrating and pulling out for the other to enter."
    "The two who were currently receiving a handjob and a fingerjob were casually talking to some of the observers about Helayna's skills."
    "The fact that they were decidedly lacking did not impact any orc’s interest in taking a turn. Those next in line were curious about the best place to be and were already figuring out a pecking order."
    "Bestial cries of pleasure flew over all of it, not from the woman being communally fucked. Those were muffled, kept below even a whimper. The orcish woman who was using her face as a sex toy came first amongst the greenskins, screaming out lustfully before stumbling off."

    show cg55 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Between the many bodies, Rowan was able to catch sight of Helayna among them, just in time to observe the orc receiving her hand spew seed across her. Her eyes had rolled back."
    "All her face said was pure ecstasy and need, a tongue out searching for the lost pussy that she'd been licking a moment before."
    "This time a male took her face, forcefully trying to jam his massive member down her throat. He failed, tried again, and finally returned to the onlookers to wait for a chance at the other end instead. He got his chance soon afterwards, at the same time as another woman took over Helayna's face."
    "Rowan continued to stare until Jezera placed her hand on his shoulder and turned him away."

    scene bg15 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace sad at midleft with dissolve

    je "This will probably go on for hours, so we'd best finish up our business with the duke now.  Don't worry, you can come back–"
    ro "… Just stop there. Let’s go."

    "The demoness laughed and led Rowan deeper into the keep, leaving the sounds of Helayna and the orc soldiers behind them."

    return

# \events\raeve_keep.rpy
label knightsHelayna_rp:

    #Hel on knees CG
    scene cg119 with fade
    show rosarian knight neutral behind cg119
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg119
    show jezera happy behind cg119

    "Not all of the knights were uncomfortable with what they were doing. One in particular seemed eager for the opportunity to make use of his former captain’s body. For all her slattern joy at the cocks around her, Helayna seemed overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin."
    "That one eager knight got her started."

    rkn "Been thinking about this for as long as she’s led us. Should’ve been my post, but nooo, of course the Duke’s green niece gets it–"

    "He grabbed the back of Helayna’s head with one hand, the other wielding his prick. Helayna flinched the first time he slapped himself against her face, but the second time her mouth gasped open and chased after it. He quickly plugged Helayna’s mouth with himself."
    "If Raeve Keep’s sole female knight heard his insult, she did not care. Without a shred of dignity left in her, Helayna gave her mouth over to the knight’s cock. Though her tongue was clearly moving, he seemed to be doing most of the work with shallow thrusts."
    "The others around each got their own piece of Helayna, as they could. Two grabbed Helayna’s hands and squeezed her fingers shut around their cocks, guiding her wrists through her first stroke. Another quickly pushed in, his pre-dripping cock leaving a damp stain on Helayna’s cheek."
    "Rowan began to move away, wanting to look anywhere but at the woman still watching him hopefully. Jezera drew him in another direction, however, and used her other hand to cup his jaw and keep his face turned towards the show. "

    je "Mm-mm, hero. I said {i}we’d{/i} bear witness."

    "Helayna closed her eyes, almost seeming content and calmed in the impromptu blowbang’s beginning moments. Her body swayed in time with the most eager knight’s thrusts."
    "When she shifted her position, it wasn’t to get more comfortable on the grass but to get her foot beneath herself, hips moving haphazardly in a poor attempt to grind against the heel of her foot."
    "There was no way that it would get her the pleasure she wanted. Rowan grimaced."
    "After a couple of minutes, the knight in Helayna’s mouth discarded the pretence of going slow or taking his time. He began to hammer Helayna with callous thrusts, startling her when he took her throat. Clearly lacking any experience, it was a struggle for the dame."
    "And yet as Rowan and Jezera watched on, Helayna made no attempt to spare her throat. As the eager knight became almost violent in his face-fucking, she started to spasm."
    "At first Rowan feared she was choking and tried to worm free of Jezera to help her, but she held him steady until it became clear that Helayna was cumming, the creamy proof marking the grass beneath her."
    "After the eager knight poured himself into Helayna, another grabbed at her hair. A stray spray of seed laced over her face as the next knight to take her mouth twisted her to face him, plunging straight in."
    "Those receiving pleasure from Helayna’s hands followed in short order, coating their former captain’s feminine features and bosom in white glaze. As it carried on, the knights tried to give Helayna a chance to catch her breath, but she practically launched herself at the next cock in front of her, lapping at it with lustful delirium."


    scene cg119 with sshake
    scene cg119 with sshake
    scene cg120 with flash

    "Before long she’d satisfied the desires of over a dozen of her former underlings. Rowan could only imagine how much cum she’d swallowed at this point, and just as many knights had chosen to cum on her instead, her face and tits plastered with jizz."

    scene bg15 with fade
    show jezera happy behind bg15
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg15

    je "This will probably go on for hours, so we'd best finish up our business with the duke now.  Don't worry, you can come back–"
    ro "… Just stop there. Let’s go."

    "The demoness laughed and led Rowan deeper into the keep, leaving the sounds of Helayna and the orc soldiers behind them."

    return

# \events\raeve_keep.rpy
label confrontDuke_rp:

    scene bg17 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "They passed through the hall and up the stairs. Eventually, the duke was located inside his bedroom, having barricaded the door. It took Rowan three tackles to knock the elaborate, but not terribly formidable, door open."

    #CG of Raeve cowering before Jezera.
    scene black with fade
    show jezera neutral behind black
    show doran shocked behind black

    "Inside, a terrified duke Raeve waited cowering in one of the corners, whimpering slightly."

    je "Pathetic wretch. Is this all the pride you can muster? Such a change from when the two of us first spoke."

    "She glowered angrily over the terrified man. He tried to back up, found there was nowhere to go, then tried to straighten his back and put on a strong face."

    dor "D-demon, s-stay back! I'm a duke of Rosaria, the baron will make you p-pay for this!"

    "It was a very poor showing. Jezera slapped him across the face and he crumpled to the ground once again."

    dor "Please don't hurt me!"

    je "Hmph. You don't deserve to rule over anything. Let's see how well you can perform at other tasks."

    #CG of Raeve holding Jezera's foot.
    scene black with fade
    show jezera neutral behind black
    show doran shocked behind black

    "She lifted up a foot, slipping it out of her shoe and pressing it against the side of the duke's face."

    je "Kiss it."

    "After a moment's hesitation, the duke took her blue foot in both hands and kissed the top of it."

    je "Good."

    "A swirl of energy started to surround Jezera."

    je "Keep going. We'll have to see about fixing that attitude of yours, maybe something else too? It isn't like there's anything worth saving in that useless head."

    "Reave looked at her foot for a moment in confusion, then started kissing the tops of each of her toes. At the same time, the demon woman placed one of her hands on his head and the energies from her surrounded him."

    je "What is your name?"
    dor "Doran?"
    je "No silly man, you don't have a name."

    "He blinked several times, opened his mouth to speak, then stopped."

    dor "Why don't I have a name? I thought I was a noble."
    je "You are a slave. Slaves don't deserve names."
    dor "But, I'm not a slave."
    je "Really? What kind of a man does what you're doing right now?"

    "The duke looked down at the foot still in his hands, hesitated, then kissed it again."

    je "That's right. Now, time to move up my leg."

    "He laid kiss after kiss up the blue skinned leg. His motions seemed somewhat jerky or robotic, this wasn't something he'd done before. However, this wasn't the reason that Jezera suddenly put her hand on his face."

    je "No, stop. You're not touching my pussy with that awful beard. We're shaving that off right now. Where is your razor?"

    "After pulling her leg free, she sent the man scurrying off to the side of the room where a desk and mirror rested. He extracted a set of scissors, shaving razor, and cream and showed them to Jezera."

    je "Give me that."

    scene cg388 with fade
    pause 3

    "She took the scissors from Raeve and roughly started cutting his mustache off. There was no protesting or complaining, just dull eyed observation as the man's facial hair fell away."
    "After the top had been trimmed short, Jezera moved on to his beard and had that off in short order as well."

    show cg389 with dissolve
    pause 3
    show jezera happy behind cg389
    show doran beardless neutral behind cg389

    #CG of Raeve's beard trimmed short and patchy.

    "Only now did the man react. He raised up a hand and patted the patchy short bristles while looking at himself in the mirror. The demon payed no mind, focused on slathering cream over what remained."
    "There was some satisfaction that Rowan felt, seeing this man brought down like this, but it also seemed wrong at the same time. He couldn't decide if he was enjoying this or not."

    je "Cut it off."

    "She stuffed the razor into Raeve's hand. He raised it up slowly to his ear, then stopped. A long moment passed before the demon seemed to run out of patience and put her hand on his head to work her magic again."

    je "I said, cut it off."

    "Raeve did so.  He shaved off the last vestiges of his mustache and beard one stroke at a time. At first he would hesitate before starting each cut, but by the end he seemed almost eager to become clean shaven."
    "Now finished, he set his razor down on the desk and whipped off the rest of the cream with a towel. The shorn duke received a ruffle of his hair as a reward."

    je "Now that's such an improvement! I always hated facial hair. Why don't we pick up where we left off?"

    show cg517 with dissolve
    pause 3
    show jezera happy behind cg517
    show doran beardless neutral behind cg517

    "She pulled him out of the chair and forced him back onto the ground. After putting both hands on his head, Jezera stopped and seemed to change her mind. After releasing her grip, she instead presented her foot once again."

    je "Kiss your mistress' foot again."

    "He did so."

    je "Say your mistress' name, say Jezera."
    dor "Jezera."
    je "Good boy. Who do you love?"
    dor "Jezera."
    je "That's right. Do you want to make her happy?"

    "He nodded vigorously."

    je "So eager! Then let's see how well you lick pussy."

    scene cg265 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg265
    show doran beardless neutral behind cg265
    pause 3

    "There was no kissing up her leg this time, instead Jezera pushed her foot past the duke and pulled his face forward into her womanhood."
    "Rowan could no longer see what was going on, but he could hear the slurping sound of Raeve licking and sucking on his mistress. He could also hear the sounds of pleasure that resulted."
    "Suddenly Jezera turned her head and locked eyes with Rowan. There was a moment of surprised and then she smiled at him."

    je "Worried that maybe he'll be better than you?"
    "She chuckled between soft moans of pleasure."
    je "Or maybe you're wondering if you'll have a chance at face fucking him after I've finished breaking him in?"

    "The demoness turned her attention back to her prize and laughed again."

    je "That might be fun to watch. Actually maybe I should get you two to kiss one another for my enjoyment? Oh! What if I made this toy fall in love with you! Wouldn't that be fun?"

    "She shuddered and cried out in orgasm, but also made sure that Raeve didn't stop working at her. Then turned to Rowan again and noted his obvious discomfort."

    je "Oh my hero, if this bothers you so much, why are you still watching me? Obviously I don't need your help anymore and I haven't exactly been forcing you to stick around until I give you leave."

    "She smiles widely."

    je " The only reason you could possibly still be here is if you're enjoying watching me play with my pet."

    "Realizing that he'd only be taunted further if he remained, Rowan decided to take his leave. He turned away from his mistress and the former duke of Yael Fork and headed back into the main keep."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_7.rpy
label AfterArgument_rp:

    scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "(I can’t believe Rowan would do this to me. It is one thing to be unfaithful, but to bring this woman into our bed?)"

    "The redhead had only recently managed to stop herself from crying, despite the argument with her husband happening hours ago. She now found herself back on the verge of tears."

    al "(I know he was only trying to protect her, but could he really not see how that would hurt me?)"

    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    "Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. Who could it be? Had Rowan come to apologize for the events earlier? Probably, but she wasn’t ready to see him, she was still too raw, and already felt as if she were about to start bawling again."

    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    show andras happy behind bg7

    an "Hello? Alexia? It is Andras, I just wanted to check that you are okay."

    menu:
        "Don’t answer the door.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The demon must have taken the hint because he left without any further prodding. Alexia was glad, as she didn’t know if she could deal with him and whatever nonsense he was up to in her current state."
            "Still trying not to cry she lay on the bed, closed her eyes, and tried not to think about anything."
            return

        "Answer the door. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            "She opened the door just enough to converse, but not enough for it to seem inviting. The demon stood there, waiting, with a smile on his face."
            al "What do you want Andras? I’m not in the mood."
            an "So I hear, I just wanted to drop by and make sure you were okay, as I said."
            al "I’m {i}sure{/i} you did."
            an "And what is that supposed to mean?"
            al "If you cared about my well being, you wouldn’t have kidnapped me in the first place."
            an "Did we lock you up in the dungeons? Have you been harmed in any way?"
            al "No, but-"
            an "Have you been forced to do anything against your will?"
            al "I suppose not…"
            an "I take time out of my busy schedule to come and check on you, because I’ve heard you were upset, and this is what I get?"
            al "I’m sorry, I’ve just had a rough day."
            an "It is perfectly fine, there’s no need to apologize. Anybody would be upset in your position, and if lashing out at me makes you feel better, I don’t mind."
            al "No, I shouldn’t be taking it out on you. You aren’t the one who has done anything, so it isn’t fair to you."
            an "Would you like to talk about it?"
            menu:
                "Yes. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump argumentSexScene_rp

                "No.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "Thanks for the offer, but it is has been a long day, and I just need to rest."
                    an "Okay, I won’t push you. If you ever want to talk about it, let me know. I’ll let you rest."
                    al "Thank you Andras, and sorry again."
                    an "Think nothing of it."
                    "The demon left, and Alexia lay on the bed, closed her eyes, and tried not to think about anything."
                    return

    label argumentSexScene_rp:

        al "It is very kind of you to offer. I think it might help, please, come in."

        scene black with fade
        scene bg7 with fade
        show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        an "… and then the maid fell backward, and the chamberpot went flying, hitting Jezera. I thought she was going to skin the poor woman alive, but she just screamed and ran off."

        "A loud giggle escaped from the mouth of the redhead."

        al "I can’t really imagine Jezera as a girl, I suppose you don’t really think of demons being children."

        an "Probably for the best, she was worse than she is now!"

        "Alexia giggled again, before stopping herself."

        al "Now, that is not a very nice thing to say about your sister."

        "The demon pulled a purposely exaggerated face to feign exasperation, before a smile returned to his face."

        an "I’m sure she’d be happy to know she has such a staunch defender."
        an "Anyway, it has gotten quite late and this bottle is empty, I should let you get your beauty sleep."

        "The demon stood, empty bottle in hand."

        an "I hope I was able to cheer you up a little, or at the very least take your mind off your troubles for a little while"

        scene cg20 with fade
        show andras happy behind cg20
        show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg20
        pause 3

        "She stood now, to thank him."

        al "Thank you Andras, it did help. Sometimes you just need a laugh, I think."

        an "If you ask me though, I think your husband is a fool."

        scene cg21 with fade
        show andras happy behind cg21
        show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg21
        pause 3

        "She didn’t know if it was the alcohol, the fact he was being so nice to her, or even subconscious anger at Rowan for his actions earlier, but now face to face with the demon she leaned in."
        "First their lips met, and then she opened her mouth to allow his tongue to make it’s forceful entry."

        scene cg553 with fade
        show andras happy behind cg553
        pause 3

        "Andras sat down on the bed, and pulled the much smaller woman down onto his lap with ease. The movement was strong and forceful, completely different from how her husband treated her; almost as if he were moving an object and not a person."
        "Now, facing him, she resumed french kissing him. His mouth was hot and still tasted of wine, and their tongues pressed together, snaking side to side as saliva co-mingled."
        "It was almost as if she were lost in a haze, until she felt that the demon’s substantial member had awoken and was pressing against her."

        an "Turn around."

        #Alexia on Andras lap, reverse cowgirl (crotch to crotch), Andras gropes her breasts
        scene black with fade
        show andras happy behind black
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black

        "The redhead did what he said without reply, and now sat with her back against his chest. He reached down with one clawed hand and roughly groped her breast, causing her to let out a soft moan."
        "Happy with the reaction, he ran his hand over her erect nipple, teasing her by lightly grazing it."

        al "No fair…"

        "As a response to the lack of stimulation, Alexia began to grind on the demon’s lap, her sodden cunt rubbing against his hard cock through her soaked panties."

        #neck kiss variant
        scene black with fade
        show andras happy behind black

        "Andras leaned in and began to softly kiss her neck, while continuing to grope her breasts."
        "As he pinched her nipple, she let out a sharp cry, and increased her grinding to almost a bucking, trying to get off from the friction between their loins."

        an "Take off your panties."

        scene cg115 with fade
        show andras happy behind cg115
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg115

        "Again she complied with his order without a reply, she was desperate to get off now, and damn the consequences! She quickly whipped her underwear off, and the demon slid one of his hands down to her wet snatch."
        "Without waiting on ceremony, he inserted two fat fingers into her and began to slowly frig her."
        "Due to his abnormal size, it was like being fucked by an average size cock, and she let out a long moan as the slippery fingers slid in and out between her lips."

        al "uhhhhh…"

        "Andras grinned, and began to speed up, causing her moans to grow louder and longer."
        "He slipped in a third finger, stretching her cunt, to which she gave a squeal of approval, and began to make come hither movements, stimulating her g-spot."
        "Before long, she couldn’t take anymore."

        al "Nnnnnn!! Oh gods, I’m going to cum!"

        scene cg115 with sshake
        scene cg115 with sshake
        scene cg116 with flash
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg116

        "Deftly he quickly removed the fingers, and began to rub her clit. The stimulation was almost too much for Alexia, she felt as if she were going to go crazy."
        "It didn’t take long for her to climax, and as she did she let out a scream, and squirted. A stream of clear liquid arced through the air, as she slumped back against the demon’s muscular chest, exhausted."

        al "Wow, that’s never happened before…"

        scene black with fade
        "Suddenly tired, she closed her eyes. Sometime afterwards, she felt strong arms pick her up and lie her on the bed. She felt the wet brush of lips against hers, before she drifted off to sleep."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_palace.rpy
label amerainescene1_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "True":
            $ rowanCorrupt = True
        "False":
            $ rowanCorrupt = False

    scene bg35 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show ameraine naked happy behind bg35

    "Rowan walked into the west hall. True to the masked woman’s word, the guard had stood assign and let him past. But, all that he found inside was total darkness."
    "He could make out the basic shape of the room. A series of interwoven rooms with their own frames all connected by a single main room. But inside it seemed to be empty. Devoid of light."

    ro "Hello?"

    "He walked further in. There was not a sound. Not even a trace of movement. Was she even here? Did she mean for him to wait for her?"

    ro "Are you there?"

    "He took another step in."
    "Then a flash on his periphery. Something moved. A long graceful leg was all he saw the outline of and then darkness."
    "Someone was definitely in here."
    "Rowan kept a hand on the hilt of his sword, just in case it was anyone besides the woman. Or perhaps if it was the woman and she’d set a trap for him."
    "He focused on his hearing. There would be little to see in here, but his ears were still sharp."
    "Which is why it was so odd when he felt a hand brush against the back of his neck, without hearing so much as a foot step."
    "Rowan spun around, but again there was no one there."

    ro "I can leave, you know. I can grab a lamp from outside. Bring yourself close so I can see you."

    "He spun around again. Another sound behind him. This one was further away. It was light, almost like a single drop of water landing on the ground. Eerie. Unnatural."

    amer "Why don’t you come over to me."

    "The noblewoman’s voice. It almost sounded like a purr. Rowan relaxed slightly. It wasn’t an ambush. But, how was she doing that?"
    "Her voice seemed like it was coming from the section the opposite way from how he came in. Rowan began to cautiously step in that direction. His sword still never left its sword hilt."
    "He walked through the doorway of the room. And what he saw amazed him."
    "The room itself was mostly pure darkness. There was only one source of light, and that was a small glass skylight on the ceiling. It left a small circle of moonlight that was the sole illuminated part of the room."

    #cg1
    scene cg937 with fade
    pause 1
    show cg938 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg939 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg940 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg940
    show ameraine naked happy behind cg940
    pause 2

    "And sitting in the middle of it was the masked woman. Naked."

    amer "Rowan…"

    "Rowan recoiled in shock. What was her intention here?"

    amer "I said I’ve heard a great deal about you. Do you think I would not have heard of your exploits? Your conquests?"

    "Rowan allowed himself to peak at the woman. Her skin, so porcelain as to almost be white. As to almost be the moon itself. It was impossible. It was stunning."
    "His eyes swept over her lithe form. How did she develop such a slight build. There was a sensual grace to her thin frame."

    amer "I want my own taste, Rowan."
    amer "Come to me, and I will tell you what you want to know."

    menu:
        "Go to her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ amerFirstSex = True
            "Rowan took a step forward. This was a situation that had grown increasingly common to Rowan’s life. Everyone was fucking someone, or seducing someone. That the woman asking him to fuck her was willing alone was a positive. Willing and radiant."
            ro "You are no succubus? I can trust you?"
            "She smiled wide under her own mask."
            amer "Not a succubus. This is not a trap. If I wanted to hurt you, I’d do it another way."
            "Rowan took another step closer to her, throwing off his shirt and lowering his pants."
            if rowanCorrupt:
                "This was all strictly a matter of necessity. This woman was far and away the most informed in all of Rastedel. This was all politics. The strange ephemeral beauty didn’t hurt either."
            else:
                "Rowan could have said that he was doing this just for the sake of the mission. He could have said it was to get in close with a valuable contact. But, that was a lie and he knew it."
                "He wanted to fuck this strange shimmering beauty. He wanted his cock inside of her."
            "Rowan sunk down to his knees, now naked and cock erect. The two sat on the ground, mere inches from one another. His breath was heavy. Now he too was illuminated by the moonlight. Though his skin didn’t shine in it like her."
            amer "Wonderful. Simply wonderful."
            #cg2
            scene cg295 with fade
            pause 3
            show ameraine naked happy behind cg295
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg295
            "The pale lady lifted herself up and lowered herself on top of him. She wasn’t heavy. But all the same, she was easily capable of pressing her pussy down on to him. She rolled her head back and let out a pleased gasp as she was filled."
            #scene cg296 with fade
            #pause 3
            "Rowan wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her steady. She seemed to have the same idea, because she dug her long nails into his shoulder. He winced from the pain, but the sensation was lost amidst the pleasure."
            #scene cg297 with fade
            #show ameraine naked happy behind cg297
            #pause 3
            "Rowan rolled his hips upwards into her. She leaned her face down to his ear."
            amer "We’re all alone here. Fuck me like I’m the only one else in the world."
            show ameraineloop1 with dissolve
            "So he did."
            "The silence of the room was pierced by the slap of body on body and the moans that came with it. Breathless eager noises."
            show ameraineloop2 with dissolve
            "His hands clenched her body, gripping it like a vice. Her nails dug into him. A little bit of blood dripped down his shoulder, but he didn’t even notice. There were other sensations overcoming it."
            "The softness of her body, the tightness of her insides, and the friction of it as it moved."
            amer "Yes. Dark one, yes. Fuck yes."
            "Her words were lost on him. She could have said whatever and it wouldn’t have elicited more than a gasp. He spoke one language and it was the language of the flesh."
            "The moonlight now sparkled on the sweat that dripped down his back. It was beautiful and ephemeral. Almost like the moonlit motion of their forms against the darkness."
            ro "I can’t hold it...I can’t…"
            show cg300 with flash
            show cg300 with sshake
            show cg300 with sshake
            pause 2
            "Rowan burst. A shot of pleasure went through him like a spike of energy, and he leaned back. Hot cum went inside of her. As his dick plopped out, it was leaking from her pussy."
            scene bg35 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            show ameraine naked happy at midright with dissolve
            "The woman rolled backwards, giving Rowan some space to recover. For example, now was the first time he’d noticed what her severe nails had done to his shoulder."
            ro "That might need bandaging..."
            "She gave a breathless laugh."
            amer "Surely the worst wound you’ve received in the field."
            "Rowan looked down to the side. As the high faded he was starting to remember why he’d come here in the first place."
            "Rowan placed a hand on his forehead."
            ro "Who are you? How do you know what I’ve been doing? How do you know about the twins?"
            "She stretched out and twisted her back. It was a strange motion. Almost like a cat uncurling itself after waking from a nap."
            amer "Well, you have fulfilled your end of our little arrangement..."
            jump amerPostSex_rp

        "Refuse, but demand answers.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ amerFirstSex = False
            "Rowan shook his head. There was something mistifying about her form, even in the moonlight. But, he was not here to fuck this woman. He was here to get answers. She was clearly playing a game with him."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show ameraine naked neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "I’m not going to fuck you. I don’t trust you."
            amer "That would be awfully disappointing."
            "Her face strained underneath the mask. She even parted her legs slightly. It wouldn’t matter though. Rowan had already made up his mind."
            amer "Perhaps, I should speak to my friend Marianne about my disappointments. They might fascinate her. One sexually active woman to another."
            "Rowan sat down. He was already tired of this."
            ro "I don’t believe you. If you told the High Arbitron everything you knew about the hero of Rosaria, the entire realm would be turned upside down. You might do that. But, I don’t believe for a second, that you’d base that choice on whether or not I fuck you."
            #ameraine bemused
            amer "I suppose I wouldn’t do that now, would I?"
            "She turned her back to him. Now all he could see was the outline of her straight jet black hair and the gentle curve of her back. Even that was somewhat...stirring."
            amer "I must admit, I do not know if that answer makes me less interested in you…"
            amer "...Or more."
            "Rowan waited. He didn’t have much to say in response to that."
            amer "Very well. You followed me for answers. I don’t recall telling you that you’d need to fuck me for them."

    label amerPostSex_rp:

        amer "My name is Ameraine. It would be Lady Ameraine to a commoner, though."
        amer "Though, I suppose you’re not truly a commoner anymore."

        "Rowan sighed. It was a name he’d never heard of. But, that was too be expected. Rowan didn’t know most of the nobility off the top of his head. Especially not those from outside his own home duchy."

        ro "It is good to meet you then, Lady Ameraine. "

        amer "As for how I know who you are…"

        "The woman paused to chew over her words."

        amer "I suppose you were ordered by Jezera to come and find a potential “ally”, is that correct?"

        "Rowan nodded softly, even if he didn’t expect her to see him when he was outside of the small cone of light created by the moon."

        ro "She did."
        amer "Well, I am the ally. Me and Jezera have had something of a correspondence for some time now. Before you came, I asked to meet you. I also mentioned it was important to me for you to be seen coming into the city. Thus your mission."

        "She chuckled. Apparently to her this revelation was great fun."

        amer "I asked her not to tell you, of course. If you’d known you were coming at my behest, then I wouldn’t have got to see your investigation in progress. Besides, you were far more useful to me blundering around blind then had you actually known."

        "Rowan chewed over her words. Much of it made sense. Furthermore, if she was lying, he’d only have to ask his Mistress. Still, he couldn’t say he had a full view of the situation. After all, his arrival had seemingly benefitted Werden most. But, she said she was aligned with the Coppers."

        ro "Why though? What did you hope to gain with my arrival?"

        amer "Why does anyone on our side of this little conflict do anything? It was for the chaos. Because you came, there is more pressure for everyone to act. I like pressure."

        "Rowan nodded. That too made some sense. Though, the  danger of such a play was apparent to him. Making the enemy more proactive was rarely sound strategy."

        amer "I believe, that should satisfy the terms of our arrangement. And the terms of your mission."
        amer "Please give my regards to Jezera. Take that to mean whatever you wish."

        "Ameraine rose to her feet. Her hair swayed softly. Rowan rose, attempting to stop her departure. He still had questions. About the capital. About her. About whatever plan the two women were hatching. But, then Ameraine walked out of the area illuminated by the skylight."

        hide ameraine with dissolve

        "When Rowan went to chase after her, he found it strangely difficult. She didn’t make much noise as she walked. He ran to the spot where he thought she’d be, and felt nothing."
        "Ameraine was gone."
        "Outside of the hall, he heard the shuffling of feet and the chatter of a crowd moving. It seemed that the ball had come to an end. There was no point staying in this room. Rowan straightened out his outfit and headed out to join the moving crowd."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_debrief.rpy
label rastedel_debrief_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show jezera happy behind bg14

    "Rowan approached Jezera’s door. She would expect a report on how his trip to Rastedel had gone, and Rowan had learned by now that such things were best handled sooner than later."
    "He knocked on the door."

    je "Come in~!"

    "Rowan opened the door, and had to pause because of what he found. Jezera had company with another woman, it seemed."

    menu:
        "Watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ bovineBondageWatch = True
            #cg1 - var 1
            scene cg288 with fade
            show jezera naked happy behind cg288
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg288
            pause 3
            "Jezera was naked on her bed, and with her was a young woman. Rowan could have mistaken her for human, if not for her larger the normal mammaries, horns, and animalistic legs. It was a half-minotaur girl."
            "The demoness had the girl tied up, with her wrists behind her back, a harness made from rope pressing into her body, and even a taunt segment running between her legs. Other ropes emerged from the harness, linking to the bed, and leaving her hovering inches off it."
            "This was all having quite the effect on her. The half-minotaur's face was flushed red with arousal. Her eyes were sealed shut and her mouth was twisted by a series of moans that seemed to follow along so close after the previous one as to blend together into one long twisted sound."
            "Jezera, for her part, was entertaining herself by brushing two finger over the top of the crotch rope, pressing it even harder against her bound subject’s clit. Her free hand glided over the knots that held the entire piece together."
            jump bovineBondage_rp

        "Avert his gaze.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ bovineBondageWatch = False
            scene bg18 with fade
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan saw just enough to notice that the girl whom Jezera was toying with was not human. She looked mostly humanoid, but her large breasts, the horns jutting out from her hair, and her strange cow-like legs told him that she must be a half-minotaur."
            "Jezera had her in some sort of elaborate bondage. Clearly she was having a bit of fun."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    label bovineBondage_rp:

        je "Yes, my hero?"

        "Rowan leaned against the door frame with his arms crossed."

        ro "My apologies. I didn’t mean to interrupt your fun."

        "Rowan smirked to himself."

        "Jezera didn’t seemed perturbed at all. If anything, the movement of her hands along her captive’s body seemed to increase."

        if bovineBondageWatch == True:
            "The girl moaned out and tried to squirm in her bonds. The stimulation effect was clearly getting to her. But, the rope held steady."
            #cg1 - var 2
            scene cg289 with fade
            "Her captor seemed to have no time or energy for that though. She brought her hand back, and gave the girl a quick slap to her crotch. "
            "The girl let out a high pitched yelp, and shrunk back into her restraints. Still, she was now wiggling even more than she had been a moment before."
            "Jezera brushed her hand against the bed sheets, wiping the juices off. She didn’t much change her expression during the act. Rowan knew she wasn’t the sadist her brother was."
            #cg1 - var 1
            scene cg288 with fade
            show jezera naked happy behind cg288
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg288
            pause 2

        else:
            pass

        je "Not at all. You’re not interrupting much."
        je "I visited the slave markets on a recent trip back home. The half breeds they sell there are not particularly pricey, but I took a liking to this one. She claimed she didn’t like girls when I asked her. Is that still true, dear?"

        halfm "No Mistress! I like girls! I like girls!"

        "Jezera smirked wickedly."

        je "So, as you can see, I’ve been showing her the ropes. It is my duty to make sure she understands what is expected of her here. "

        "Rowan shook his head. The longer he stayed here, the more predictable Jezera’s antics had become."

        ro "I returned from my mission to Rastedel, Mistress. As you commanded, Doran Raeve has been slotted back into noble politics, and I observed the court and its workings."

        "Jezera nodded softly, and reverted her attention back to the girl."

        if bovineBondageWatch == True:
            #cg1 - var 3
            scene cg290 with fade
            show jezera naked happy behind cg290
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg290
            pause 3
            "Jezera took two fingers, digging them around the rope. There was a wet sound as they entered the girl’s body."
            halfm "Ah!"
            "Her breath grew more and more intense. Her chest, with its massive heavy bosom, heaved up and down as much as the restraints would allow. Her inexperienced body, already overstimulated, was no match for Jezera’s very skilled fingers."
            halfm "Ah! Ah! Ah!"
            "Jezera snickered softly."
            je "Shush dear. Your betters are speaking."
            "The girl slammed her lips shut as best as she could, but pathetic aroused noises kept on slipping from them."

        else:
            pass

        je "I do not believe that was all I asked you to do, Rowan. What about allies?"

        "Rowan looked at the squirming halfbreed and then back at Jezera."

        ro "Is there a way you could prevent her from hearing? She is new after all."

        "Jezera sighed."

        je "So mistrustful. Do you really believe my servants are so easily compromised?"
        je "But, if it will make you feel better, then I suppose something can be done about it."

        "All she did though was snap her fingers. There was not even any kind of physical change. Yet, he did smell something. It faintly smelled of sulfur."

        je "One of the benefits of this being my room is all of the spells weaved in. For now, all that my new acquisition will hear will be white noise."
        je "Isn’t that right dear?"

        "The Half-Minotaur didn’t respond. It could have just been from the mind numbing pleasure she was being subjected to, but it really did seem like she hadn’t even heard."

        je "Now, you were saying?"
        ro "My contact was Ameraine, correct? That is who you intended me to meet up with?"

        if bovineBondageWatch == True:
            "Jezera’s fingers still worked the poor girl's pussy. The change from whimpering to full on gasping for air showed just how close the girl was to cumming. The constant massage of the rope against so much of her skin combined with Jezera’s ministrations were relentless."

        else:
            pass

        je "So you did manage to meet with her. Good. I can only hope you have not somehow wrecked our alliance."
        ro "No. We spoke briefly. It seemed she was pleased with the effects of my presence."
        je "Excellent. Then with that-"
        halfm "Mistress! I can’t hold it back any longer! Mistress, I’m going to-"

        if bovineBondageWatch == True:
            "The girl shook violently. The ropes around the bed rattled and shook with her. At one point, he was even worried that one of the knots, a rather loose looking one whose weakness was no doubt caused by Jezera’s laziness, might slip."
            #cg1 - var 4
            scene cg291 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg292 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg293 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg294 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show jezera naked happy behind cg294
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg294
            "When it finally ended, the girl laid back limp in her bonds. The rise and fall of her chest showed she was still alive. But, all energy had been drained from her body. She was entirely exhausted."
            "Jezera withdrew her hand and ran her tongue over it to collect the taste of the girl’s juices."
            scene bg18 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

        else:
            "It seemed that the Half-Minotaur girl had reached her limit. In that moment, she came on Jeera’s hand. Afterwards, Jezera had to stop talking for almost a minute to clean up. Meanwhile, the girl had gone limp with exhaustion."

        je "Now then, with that distraction out of the way. I was going to say that you have completed your mission admirably."
        je "I’m not finished with Rastedel. It must fall if we are to succeed."
        je "How do you feel about that, Hero?"

        menu:
            "Remain silent.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "..."
                je "What? Don’t have much to say?"
                "She giggled softly to herself."
                je "I suppose that matters little. It’s not like you have much of a choice in the matter."

            "Detached acceptance.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro " If that is your command."
                "Jezera rolled her eyes."
                je "How obedient of you."

            "Agree heartily.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "..."
                ro "Being back there had an effect on me."
                ro "It reminded me of all of things I expected to get after the war."
                "Jezera sighed."
                je "And all of the ways they disappointed you?"
                ro "If I must be the one to do it. To bring an end to that entire little world. I think I could do that."
                "Jezera smirked softly."
                je "That’s the spirit."

        je "One last thing."
        ro "Yes?"
        je "What is Ameraine like?"
        ro "What?"
        je "I’ve never actually met her in person before. I know her only from correspondence and reputation. She was acquainted with my father, and I reforged that old contact. But, we have yet to actually meet."

        "Rowan stroked his chin. It was strange that Jezera would seemingly trust a figure like Ameraine in a position of great influence, especially if the two had never even met."

        ro "She’s clever and playful. She likes to put on games and show off her wit…"

        "Rowan had to consider the question. Certainly Ameraine had many similarities with Jezera. But, there was something different about them too. A sense he got from Ameraine, even when he didn’t know her intentions in a particular moment."

        ro "She’s very deliberate though. I can’t explain it exactly. But, I get a sense from her like she plans each of her moves ten steps ahead."

        "Jezera yawned to herself. Rowan knew her well enough to know that she was trying to hide her annoyance."

        je "Sounds like my kind of woman then."
        je "You may go."
        je "Just remember that I expect you to complete your assigned task of bringing in another race as an ally. We need an army. Every day we don’t have one, you are gambling with your life, my hero."

        "Rowan nodded softly, and left the room. Better to leave Jezera with her exhausted plaything. Better, as well, to leave Rowan with his thoughts."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_lodge.rpy
label delaneLodgeSex_rp:

    "Did Rowan have sex with Eleanor in the cave? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "True":
            $ eleanorCaveSex = True
        "False":
            $ eleanorCaveSex = False

    "Rowan approached the front gate of the Grand Camellia Lodge cautiously. The tall stone structure stood in the Southwest of town, not far from the palace. It was a popular hangout spot for nobles. A place where many of the important decisions of the realm were made."
    "A place he’d normally never be welcome."
    "He approached the outside, where a pair of men-at-arms whose surcoats displayed noble sigils manned the doors."

    show rosarian knight neutral behind bg33

    rkn "Got a permit of entry? Got a sigil ring?"

    "Rowan frowned softly. That might be a problem. He didn’t have either."

    show eleanor dress neutral behind bg33

    ele "No. But, he’s a guest."

    hide eleanor
    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan turned around to see Lady Delane standing behind him, arms folded behind her back elegantly. There was something immediately different about her."
    "In an orcish cage, everything from her poise to her aura was off. But, here she was a natural fit with the nobles strolling around the gardens."

    ele "I am Lady Eleanor of House Delane. This is my signet ring."

    "She flashed a ring that Rowan had never seen on her fingers before."

    ele "Rowan Blackwell is my honoured guest. He has my pass of entry, and will be my responsibility."

    rkn "...Rowan Blackwell…"
    rkn "Yes Ma’am. Welcome back."

    "The guards rushed to the sides of the gate, raising their pikes to allow Rowan and Delane through."

    #show lodge bg
    scene bg36 with fade

    "Rowan and Delane walked briskly together through the lodge. Rowan had to pause every so often though to marvel at the interior. Magnificent pelts hung on the walls. Much of the furniture as well was made from all manner of deer and fox skin."
    "It was as though the entire building was a testament to the history of luxury that the members experienced."
    "The place was not too populated at this hour. But, every so often, someone would look up as they moved. No one paid too much mind though. His proximity to Lady Delane made him appear like just another guest."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve

    ele "I had little to worry about with my family. They all made it out just in time. Much of the house staff is gone, of course. "

    show eleanor dress concerned at midright with dissolve

    ele "Some of them I’d known my entire life."

    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve

    ele "But, my parents and siblings all made it to the capital without too much incident. Indeed, I was the only one who was in real trouble."

    "She gave him a soft smile."

    ele "One cannot always expect swashbuckling heroes to rescue them from a sentence of death or worse. I got lucky, I suppose."

    ro "With all due respect, my lady."

    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "If you could call yourself lucky, I don’t believe we would have first encountered one another in a secret Orcish prison cell."

    "Delane chuckled at that. He knew from experience that the best way to keep her engaged was to stimulate her brain. She liked a verbal sparring partner."

    ele "Now that I’m no longer concerned with the threat of a truly undesirable marriage, among other things, one does have to wonder…"
    ele "What was the hero of Karst doing exactly at the centre of one of the largest orc tribal confederations, exactly?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan laughed softly. Better to treat it as just a joke for the moment. He didn’t much think that she’d be too appreciative if his answer was to ally them to demon lords."

    show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Delane paused suddenly right outside one of the doors in a long passage."

    ele "This is a private room. My family has a long standing reservation on it. We will not be disturbed or overhead in here."

    "Once they were inside, Delane sealed the door behind them. Rowan gave a sigh of relief."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True:
        "This had been the first time they had been alone together since their escape. The first time they’d been able to enjoy each other’s company since their...encounter in the cave."

    ele "While our chat outside was riveting, there is another reason I called you here."

    show eleanor dress concerned at midright with dissolve

    ele "Please be so kind as to excuse me for a moment. I’ll be in the side room."

    hide eleanor with moveoutright

    "Delane slipped hastily through another door at the side, leaving Rowan alone to explore the room."
    "It was like anywhere else in the lodge no doubt. It was filled with tokens from the history of house Delane, some going back centuries. A medal awarded to Sir Duncan Delane by the Baron two hundred years before held the place of honour."
    "But, there was only so much exploring he could do before Delane returned."

    show eleanor naked aroused at midright with moveinright
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "She was standing in the doorway of the side room, naked as the day she was born."

    ele "One must reward those who do them a kindness. It is only the polite thing to do."

    "She had hungry eyes as she slinked towards Rowan. Her shapely hips rolled with each delicate step. The distance between them was closing fast."

    ele "A life debt requires quite the reward. I may never be done doing so."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True:
        ele "You did seem to so enjoy your first taste of it, after all."

    menu:
        "A hero’s reward. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump DelaneLodgeSexScene_rp

        "Turn her down gently.":
            $ delaneReject = True
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan averted his gaze from her body quickly. As he looked at her naked body, a single thought had struck him like a hammer. Alexia."
            ro "My lady. I beg your forgiveness. I do. But, I can’t accept this. I’m a married man."
            "No matter what else had happened since he’d first gone to Bloodmeen, that fact remained true."
            if eleanorCaveSex == True:
                "Delane shrunk in rejection. Her arms wrapped themselves over her bare chest. But, she still looked at Rowan with a powerful expression. Only now it showed skepticism."
                ele "Interesting. Were you mysteriously less married back in that dark cave? Or perhaps you are a newlywed?"
                "Rowan shook his head. How did he know that was how she was going to reply."
                ro "My Lady. That was a mistake. It was a stressful moment. I never should have indulged in that way. It was wrong of me. To her. And to you."
                ele "Hrmmph."
                "Having accepted his rejection less than gracefully, Delane slinked back into the side room to get dressed once more. She wasn’t about to remain naked."
            else:
                ele "I suppose this is what a lady gets for daring to hope. "
                "Rowan wanted to rise to his feet to comfort her but decided in this context it wasn’t appropriate."
                ele "Alas, you will simply have to continue to bear my efforts, even if I am willing to chalk today up as a defeat."
                ele "I will have you know that the last man I took to bed was married as well. It did not take me one try, I will assure you of that."
                ele "You underestimate me, good sir."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan exhaled. It seemed that she had taken the rejection in stride. That was well. In a city of vipers, he needed Delane’s help."
                "Having accepted his rejection gracefully, Delane slinked back into the side room to get dressed once more. She wasn’t about to remain naked."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve
            jump delaneLodgePostSex_rp


    label DelaneLodgeSexScene_rp:

        $ delaneLodgeSex = True

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan watched her body in motion. She was so close now, almost pressing her naked skin against his chest. He stirred softly."

        ro "It would be my honor to receive whatever favour you desire to give me."

        ele "Hrmmm…"

        "Their lips met. Both of their eyes closed. For a long lingering moment, he enjoyed the feeling. She was so soft. Young, beautiful, and blessed with an air of nobility that radiated from her."
        "She broke the kiss, moving close enough to his ear that he could feel her warm breath."

        ele "One choice. Whatever you want to do with me. Here and now."
        ele "Whatever you want…"

        "Rowan blinked twice. Anything he wanted. Anything he wanted. It was hard to think with their proximity. He was already riding on instinct."

        ro "Have you ever been taken from the rear?"

        "Delane’s eyes fluttered softly."

        ele "...Never."

        ro "...And you said that you would do whatever?"

        ele "…"
        ele "There should be some olive oil in the dresser."

        scene cg519 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg519
        show rowan naked aroused behind cg519
        pause 3

        "Moments later, Rowan’s clothes were discarded on the floor, and he was sitting naked on the large couch. Delane had taken a position on her knees right in front of him. Her eyes were drawn, like a moth to flame, by his erect manhood."
        "She stared at it with raw lust."

        ele "...Incredible."

        "She reached down to the jar at her feet, and wet her hands with olive oil. Rowan found out that the contents were rather cold. He could feel it when her fingers brushed over his cock. It brought a shiver up his spine."

        ro "Mmh.."

        "Delane giggled. She brushed her hand up and down his shaft carefully, rubbing hard to make sure that it was well coated with oil. Among other reasons."

        ele "Someone is sensitive, huh? This is what you asked for. It’s rare to expect the one to balk at such an encounter to be the man."

        ro "Keep going."

        ele "If you insist."

        "Her hands traveled up and down his length, making sure to cover every inch of his length with the oil. A droplet dripped down his balls."

        ro "You can stop now."

        ele "Another moment. You’re not the one who will experience a half done job the most."

        ro "And I would know what a poor job is better than you would. You’re fine, My Lady. Really."

        "Delane blushed softly."

        ele "So you say."

        scene cg520 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg520
        show rowan naked aroused behind cg520
        pause 3

        "Rowan stood up slowly. It made room for his companion to get up on the furniture, positioning herself backwards towards him with her rear raised high up in the air and one hand clutching the top of the couch."
        "The other hand shot between her legs. She was already working her clit."

        ro "You couldn’t wait?"

        ele "Do you really believe for a moment that I don’t want to cum from this as well?"

        scene cg521 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg521
        show rowan naked aroused behind cg521
        pause 3

        "Rowan responded by plunging his well lubed cock towards her sphincter. It spread slowly as he worked himself inside of her."

        ele "Ah!"

        "Rowan grunted out too. Her rear was tight. Getting his cock even another inch in took work. But, it also meant that the sensation of her inner walls pressing on him was more intoxicating. There was something oddly beautiful about using a hole for the first time. It was like taking it for himself."
        "One hand dug into her hips, holding her in place. The other found a convenient handle in her long dark hair. That way she’d be steady as she took the full force of his thrusts. His breath grew heavier."
        "The sounds emitted in the process were rather loud. Rowan hoped that the room blocked sound well. After all, between the moaning, the grunting, and the sound of Delane’s fingers hungrily working her clit, there was much to overhear."

        ele "This is….ah...this is...different."

        show delsexanimation1 with fade

        "Rowan slammed himself into her with all of his strength."

        ele "Ah!"

        ro "Bad different?"

        ele "Fuck no. More. Harder. Fuck."

        ro "If you insist…"

        "He took the lock of her hair that he had in hand and twisted it, Using it as a grip to slam even harder. It made the friction, already more intense from the less lubricated hole he was using, all the more overpowering."
        "The effect this was all having on his partner was hard to overstate. Delane was groaning, moving, squeaking. Her finger against her clit moved with frantic abandon. This was her first time being fucked this way, and she certainly seemed to enjoy it."

        ele "Oh fuck. Oh fuck."

        "Her back went straight suddenly and a long groan slipped out of her lips. A moment later, her hand fell away from between her legs. She was spasming in abject pleasure."

        ele "I...Oh…"

        "Rowan kept up his movement. After all, just because she’d already cum didn’t mean that she wasn’t enjoying it. Besides, he was too far gone by that point. Lost in the movement of hips, the rolling of sweat, and the overwhelming tightness of her virgin passage."
        "If anything he sped up the pace. No holding back for her inexperience any longer. He wanted to cum inside of her rear."

        ele "Ah. Fuck. Ah."

        show cg526 with sshake
        show cg526 with sshake
        show cg527 with flash
        pause 2

        "It did not take long for the effect to bloom. Fast moving thrusts, Delane’s tight rear, and his own lust worked in tandem. After some minutes that felt like hours, Rowan felt the little twinge of his cock that warned him what was about to happen."
        "Then he let loose a load of his cum. Bliss ate his senses. He slumped over on top of her. They were both panting hard. The rise and fall of their chests almost seemed to work in tandem with one another."

        #lodge bg
        scene bg36 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show eleanor naked aroused at midright with dissolve

        ele "Well, my sister did tell me that it hurts."

        "She groaned and chuckled."

        ele "I fear you’ve left me bow legged for the foreseeable future. Such rudeness."

        ro "You did say I could have whatever rewards I wanted."
        ele "Which is proof you have no idea what you’re doing. Because, if you did, you’d know that I have no idea what I myself am doing."

        "They both laughed and settled down on the couch, closer to how it was intended to be used. His arms were wrapped tight around her naked form. As they relaxed, a question came to his mind."

        ro "If your goal was to fuck me. Why go to a building full of gossips?"
        ele "Do you propose I try to bring you to my parent’s residence instead?"
        ele "I have a cover story for your visit. You did save my life after all. Better to leave it as rumours then risk something worse."
        ro "You are the expert."
        ele "I am. Which is why you should ignore my most recent statement about not knowing what I am doing, and listen to me intently."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Some time later, they had cleaned up and gotten dressed again. As enjoyable as spending the rest of the evening naked in each other’s embrace might have been, there was a limit to how long the two could stay in the same room together with watching eyes around."

    label delaneLodgePostSex_rp:

        ele "How long do you intend to stay in the capital for this time?"

        "Rowan shook his head."

        ro "Not long. Too much trouble awaits me in the field still. The situation, especially with the northern orcish tribes is still quite grim."

        show eleanor dress concerned at midright with dissolve

        ele "Oh."
        ele "I had heard as much. The lives of many who have sworn loyalty to my family are at stake. I suppose I cannot fault you for your diligence."
        ele "Still, you could remain in the capital if you like. No one would be shocked to see you hired as a noblewoman’s bodyguard."

        if delaneReject == True:
            ele "You could even bring your wife if you so chose."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "It wasn’t like the idea wasn’t tempting. Say adieu to everything he struggled with and simply live out in Rastedel as a well paid retainer. But, the concept was absurd. Even more so considering all of the aspects of his situation she was not aware of."

        ro "Would that I could, my lady. But, there are people who need. There is no escape for me."
        ele "Very well."
        ele "..."
        ele "But, the next time you are here, we will speak further. We still have much to discuss. Much indeed. You have no choice in the matter. It’s a noble decree."

        "Rowan chuckled to himself. It was an absurd proposition, especially since he wasn’t even her vassal."

        ro "Yes, Ma'am."

        hide eleanor with dissolve

        "Rowan left the lodge shortly afterwards. True to what Delane had suggested, there was an odd glance at him, but not the kind of attention one would expect if people had been able to hear what they were up to."
        "Rowan thought of the conversation they had. Soon, he would be back here. There was no way that Jezera was finished with this place. Would he be capable of tricking Delane into aiding him? Would he be capable of convincing himself to trick her?"
        "The answer he suspected, to both questions, was yes."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_battle.rpy
label rastedel_battle_3_rp:

    "Battle choice for Rastedel (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Pride":
            $ battleChoice = "pride"
        "Thrill":
            $ battleChoice = "thrill"
        "Resolve":
            $ battleChoice = "resolve"

    "Who controls Delane? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Tarish":
            $ delane_status = "tarish"
        "Ulcro":
            $ delane_status = "ulcro"
        "Batri":
            $ delane_status = "batri"

    "How corrupted is Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Low":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0
        "Medium":
            $ rowanCorruption = 39
        "High":
            $ rowanCorruption = 61

    scene bg27 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    if battleChoice == "pride" or battleChoice == "thrill":
        "Jezera raised her goblet high into the air. The hundred or so commanders and important leaders crowded around the room followed in suit. Rowan followed along... If only to not seem out of place."

    else:
      "Jezera raised her goblet high into the air. The hundred or so commanders and important leaders crowded around the room followed in suit. Rowan followed along."

    je "And this one is to our heroic field commanders, who risked the swords of the despots for the sake of a better world."
    cro "Go with Pride. Go with Power."

    "The entire room took a drink from their cups."

    je "And this one is to the guides and spies, who risked life and limb to ensure that our glorious armies were not left blind on the battlefield."
    cro "Go with Pride. Go with Power."

    "Rowan slumped slightly in his chair. This had been going on for the better part of twenty minutes now. If he enjoyed this kind of pageantry, he wouldn’t have been so accepting of being forced out of Rastedel in the first place."

    if battleChoice == "pride":
        "After a few seconds of hesitation, Rowan finally lifted his goblet high like the rest. For better or for worse, though mostly for worse, it was only through the power of Jezera and Andras that victory had even been possible."
        "Rowan supposed this was just how they took pride in it."

    elif battleChoice == "resolve":
        "Here the entire castle was, drinking and having a merry time. Did no one care about the bodies clogging the rivers of Rosaria? Did no one have anything to say about the slaughter of the prisoners?"

    if battleChoice == "thrill":
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan had to stop himself from scoffing. Andras led the charge. Stupidly, he might have added. Jezera’s magic was useful. But, at the end of the day, the entire plan would have been a disaster without him."
        "He saw the weakness of the Rosarian formation. He understood the tactical value of divided armies. It was his victory. Yet, Andras and Jezera were on the podium being lauded, and he was relegated to the gallery."

        if rowanCorruption < 30:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan shook his head. What was he even saying? The battle...its consequences...it had all been so horrible. How could credit for such horrors be a thing to desire?"
            "No wonder he was struggling not to glare at his Master and Mistress. What kind of creature desired credit for such a thing?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    hide jezera with dissolve

    "It was only this side of the ledger that was feasting."
    "Those captured Rosarian soldiers that had actually been brought in were being kept in the dungeons while assignments were made for them. Though, there were only grunts there. No one knew where the captured commanders had been sent."
    "To escape his malaise, Rowan’s eyes searched the room."
    "To his side, Alexia sat awkwardly. She’d dressed up for the occasion. No doubt she understood what had transpired to cause this feast. The news was all over the castle. But, she hadn’t told him what she thought of it."

    #if helayna_escaped == False:
        #if helPath == "bedslave":
    show helayna collar neutral at midright with dissolve

    "If anything, throughout dinner, her attention was focused on the person sitting on the other side of the table. Jezera had chosen to seat Helayna on the other side of the table. The two had spent much of dinner shooting each other dirty looks."
    "Had Jezera not bothered to consider the problems with seating them close to one another? Or had she done this on purpose?"
    hide helayna with dissolve

    #elif alexiaRelationship == True:
        #"Clearly, she sensed that Rowan was tense. Off and on over the past two hours, she’d been putting her hand on his shoulder for soft rubbing. He replied every time with a small smile. Even still, she was his anchor."

    #else:
        #"If anything, her presence was just another source of stress from him. She’d spent much of the evening leaning across the table to talk to one of the men who’d been at that battle. That was when she wasn’t drinking deeply or staring off into space."
        #"It was so hard to see her thoughts behind her eyes."

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "Andras sat in the place of honor, right next to his sister. But, while she was composed and proper, he was downing as much alcohol into his body as Rowan had ever seen a man drink. She was a queen and he was a warlord."

    an " ...Don’t actually need a weapon to kill a..."

    "Just what did it take to leave a demon blasted? Rowan had spent the better part of the evening finding out. Andras had started out with rousing drinking contests and had reached the point where he was half slumped on the table murmuring."

    hide andras with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "Cla-Min had perched herself in the corner of the room. Rowan wasn’t exactly sure what she was doing, but people from the table kept on coming to her and putting coins in her hand. Better not to worry about it too much."

    hide clamin with dissolve

    #if goblin quest completed (TODO)

    #if orciad_state == 2:
    show skordred neutral at skorright with dissolve
    show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Skorded had risen to the dais, and had started talking to Tarish. As the highest ranking orc in the room, she was given prime placement right next to the twins. Skorded was discussing a familiar topic."

    sk "I see nah reason dat there needs ta be any heirachy among Kharos’ faithful after the victory. The Orcs will..."
    "Tarish didn’t seem like she could care less, but was tactfully nodding along to whatever he said. It was incredible how he could hold a conversation with so little input from the other person."

    #if tarishBetrayed == True:
    "For a second, Rowan thought that she had shot a devious grin his way, but he couldn’t be sure. Tarish always seemed to be up to something."

    if delane_status == "tarish":
        "For a second, Rowan thought he saw Tarish wink at him from the podium. But, in the chaos of the party he couldn’t be sure."

    hide tarish with dissolve
    hide skordred with dissolve

    if delane_status == "ulcro":
        show ulcro neutral at skorright
        show eleanor dress happy at midright
        "Between Tarish and Jezera were the smiling pair of Ulcro and Delane. Ulcro hadn’t taken part in the fighting, but was soaking in the praise and glory nonetheless. His warriors had been the backbone of the fighting after all."
        "He paid little mind to his woman, who was whispering back and forth with Jezera about something. Delane had stopped to speak with him briefly near the beginning of the feast, but had spent the rest of the time politicking about. It was a role she was a natural in."
        hide ulcro with dissolve
        hide eleanor with dissolve

    if delane_status == "batri":
        "Batri had parked himself between Tarish and the Twins, in a position where he could oversee the rest of the feast. Despite his insistence, he’d been persuaded to stay back from the fighting. But, the critical role of his men meant he still got much of the glory."
        "He spoke in grunts with the progressively more and more sloppy Andras. A pale human woman was positioned underneath their segment of the table, and had spent the past few hours eagerly worshipping his cock."
        "It was a woman who Rowan knew quite well by this point."
        hide batri with dissolve

    "But, eventually even just watching grew frustrating. It was like there just wasn’t enough air in the room. The more people there the more of it was sucked away. Rowan rose from his seat."

    ro "Excuse me for a moment."
    al "Is something wrong?"

    #if alexiaRelationship == True 30:
    "She looked at him sympathetically."

    ro "It’s nothing. Truly. Please, continue to enjoy the meal. It’s not often we get a chance to have a party around here. It must be a nice change of pace."

    "Alexia mumbled off her reply in a voice quiet enough to avoid being overheard."

    al "A shame it couldn’t be on better circumstances…"

    "Rowan made for the door, keeping quiet so no one remarked on his departure. He wasn’t on the dais. Few would probably notice his disappearance."

    # if helayna_escaped == False:
        # if helPath == "bedslave":
    #show helayna collar neutral at midright with dissolve
        #else:
            #show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve
    "Of course, Helayna noticed. But, as she too started to rise from her seat, Rowan gestured for her not to follow. She was always so dutiful. She gave a soldier’s nod and kept in place."
    hide helayna with dissolve

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan looked out a window from a nearby spire. The sound of shouting and the light of fires wafted up from the courtyard. While the commanders feasted inside, the common troops were throwing a party on the courtyard."
    "When you’re a common frontline soldier, surviving is always worth celebrating. Rowan had been to parties like the one below before...if only with a slightly different mix of species. During the Eoleoan campaign, he and Lorelyn had celebrated the battle of..."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    os "Hummie."

    "Rowan looked to the side. He was standing next to one of the orc commanders who’d been at the commander’s feast."

    os "Da battle. Came from yo head, yes?"

    "Rowan shook his head."

    ro "I was in the room. It was Andras’ idea mostly."
    os "But, ya helped, ya?"
    ro "I suppose I did. Yes."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "The orc gave him a spartan nod of the head. By the standards of orc, it was high praise."

    os "Nevah fought many hummies before an made it out wit as many of mah boys still talkin’. Some ‘o my boys lived ‘cause a ya. "
    os "You sumtin special."

    hide orc with moveoutright

    "Without a further word, the Orc Commander kept on walking. He left Rowan in a state of silent shock. How could he even begin to process that?"

    if battleChoice == "resolve":
        "…Was saving the lives of orcish raiders a good thing?"

    if battleChoice == "pride":
        "How long had it been since he’d heard something as simple as the praise of fellow soldiers for a job well done?"

    "He was still standing there when someone else arrived to speak with him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Alas, even my most faithful servant finds my own parties boring. What’s a woman to do about it?"
    je "Mind joining me for a walk, my little hero?"

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. What was she doing out here? Wasn’t she entertaining dignitaries and basking in praise?"

    ro "Do I have a choice in the matter?"
    je "What a silly question."

    "So, Rowan went walking with Jezera. It was clearly apparent she was leading him somewhere. This was no random walk."

    ro "Is Andras going to join us?"
    je "Alas no, he’s too busy trying to figure out the limits of our own expanded alcohol tolerance. Results so far suggest he may have found it."
    je "But, he’s already heard the entire rant I’m about to give you and agreed with it. You can consider all of this as coming from as well."
    ro "Entire rant?"

    "Jezera giggled to herself."

    je "My word, you didn’t think I’d excuse myself from my own victory celebration without a good reason, did you? You know how I do enjoy my little parties."

    "Rowan sighed. Of course, she was up to something. Though, at the very least it meant that there wouldn’t be consequences for skipping out on her special self-congratulatory celebration."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "This is the path to the dungeons, isn’t it?"
    je "I would have hoped you’d be astute enough to notice that by now, yes."
    ro "Should I be concerned?"
    je "Not a fan after your last visit? I can hardly blame you."
    je "But, no. The news is positive today. Some plans have decided to at last bear some fruit."

    "The two stopped at the door to the dungeon. But, rather than push open the door, Jezera walked to a segment of wall right next to the door and pushed on an innocuous looking stone. Before Rowan’s very eyes, a segment of wall re-arranged itself to form a doorway."

    je "After you."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "The first thing Rowan noticed when he entered the dungeon was a sound. A disgusting, thrashing and squelching that was quite unlike what he’d ever heard before. That was new. That was very new. Moving flesh."
    "Rowan walked through mysterious passways and over stone steps. And yet, Rowan could not focus on the questions of this place. How long had it been here? Had every moment he’d spent in the dungeons, prisoner or otherwise, been observable from here?"
    "But, those questions were drowned out by the otherworldly sounds seeping through the walls. Just what were they keeping down here?"

    je "This should be far enough."

    "They arrived at a round opening in the hallway. A pair of metal double doors stood at the front of the opening. And from behind it, a low constant rumbling. The sounds not only found their source, but was joined with the stench of fluids."

    ro "What is this place?"

    je "A little spot where we like to engage in my projects from time to time. Don’t worry too much about it."

    "Rowan found it hard to accept that direction."

    je "The important thing is...we finally have some new intelligence. The accursed silence is over. Just in time too. Dreadfully suspenseful wait."

    "Rowan didn’t much think that “silence” was the right word to describe the current situation. Not with the slithering sounds of movement coming from just the other side of the door."
    "Jezera produced a letter from somewhere that Rowan didn’t see, and that frankly confused him. Rowan grasped it from her hands."
    "“Well, the baker’s wife thought she could sneak a few loaves out in the middle of the night, but that didn’t do so well for her. The business is starting to look shaky.”"
    "“I’d hate to ask a favor from such a dear friend, but with the situation as bad as it is, maybe you’d be willing to part with one of your laborers for a little while. Perhaps that strapping one I’ve talked to you about. Please, you must help. The business is at stake!”"
    "Rowan returned the letter to Jezera."

    #deception score is high enough (to do)
        #"Rowan put a hand to his chin. Jezera wouldn’t show him this if it wasn't important. This clearly had to be in code. But, what was it code for?"
        #"Something was in chaos. Baker’s wife. And a call for…"
        #ro "This is from Ameraine, isn’t it? She wants me to return to Rastedel. The first part is a bit trickier. But, something big is going on there."
        #"Jezera gave a shallow clap. The sound of it was drained out by the rattling of the doors. Rowan thought he heard a voice cry out."
        #je "Not bad, but you still have a long way to go, little hero."

    #else

    "Rowan put a hand to his chin. What on earth was this? Jezera wouldn’t show him something of the sort if it wasn’t important. It was probably code for something. But, Rowan couldn’t tell for what."
    "Rowan shook his head."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Really now? Not even a guess. I’m going to have to give you more serious instruction at some point."

    "Behind them, the door rattled slightly. Rowan thought he heard a voice cry out."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "It’s from Ameraine. It’s a call for you to return to the capital."

    #rejoin

    je "What it seems that our mutual friend is saying is that the time is ripe. The baker’s wife here is our dear devout friend Marianne. She tried to pull a fast one, and it’s turned the capital into open chaos."
    je "So she is clearly insinuating that you must return swiftly to strike while the iron is still hot."

    ro "We didn’t hear anything from her before the battle. Not a word about the army. Why should we trust her now?"

    questi "Ahhhhhh!"

    "That one was definitely a human voice. Female too from the sounds of it. Just what was happening back there?"

    je "Well, strictly speaking, I don’t really trust anyone. But, I’m not especially suspicious of the letter."
    je "There’s a key line in there. Marianne tried to pull the wool over people’s eyes it seems. She’s saying that as far as most of the capital is concerned, the fact that there was an army out in the field at all was news."
    je "Granted, normally I wouldn’t be so quick to believe her. Only…"
    je "..This time I have corroborating evidence."

    ro "Corroborating evidence?"

    "Jezera chuckled to herself."

    je "Back up a bit, would you darling."

    "Rowan retreated to back of the room."

    je "Remember how I said that I just came down here because this was a safe place to talk?"
    je "I lied."

    "She snapped her fingers. At once the metal doors flew open."

    #Show a very blurry version of The Other Feast CG 1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace shock behind black
    show jezera happy behind black

    "Rowan only got a glance behind the doors for a second. There was a set of bars. Behind that, a swirling grey-green mass. The swirling, living thing behind the door wasn’t alone either. Vague skin toned bodies were intermingled, throbbing and writhing against it."
    "He only caught the blurry outlines before pulling his head to the side, but it was clear what was happening. There were people in there and something was fucking them."

    ro "Wha…"
    ro "What is that thing?"

    "Jezera giggled."

    je "Turn your head immediately? How are you still such an innocent, Rowan. "
    je "It’s called a Wulump. It isn’t surprising if you’ve never heard of it. It’s a rare and exotic creature that we were lucky to get possession of."
    je "After testing it on some volunteers, we learned that it has many valuable properties when it comes to interrogation."
    je "I assure you that you’d enjoy our selection of test subjects."

    "Rowan blinked softly. Did that mean that the human shaped things that he’d seen had been…"

    menu:
        "Look at the wulump. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ wulumpLook = True
            #show other feast Cg1
            scene cg336 with fade
            show rowan necklace shock behind cg336
            show jezera happy behind cg336
            pause 3
            "Rowan slowly turned back towards the doors. Now he could see the contours of the...the creature as it moved about. Long slithering tendrils sloped along the walls like coils of serpents. It must have been very large. If the thing had a body, he could not see it."
            "And in these disgusting limbs? People. Naked humans writhing and gasping. Rowan’s eyes were drawn to a woman, no doubt a knight if she was being interrogated, who had been forced to the ground by the weight of the creature’s body."
            "She was not being left alone. The Wulump was filling her with appendages. Penetrated in the mouth. Penetrated in both holes below. If he had not known it to bebiologically impossible, he might have assumed that it ran straight through her. Spitroasted. Turned into its sleeve."
            "The creature writhed, and the knight writhed with it. Every deliberate pump rolled her body along with, leaving her as little more than a rag doll. Her body moved when it wanted her to move. It danced when it wanted her to dance."
            "By now, the movement has turned dull. Slow, constant, pounding in an out. Pump. Pump. Pump. Yet, her half-limp body still shuddered without fail."
            "She was like a husk. Her eyes were open, but their contents were empty. She emitted a series of loud moans and groans, stifled by the huge mass in her mouth. Black sludge dripped out of every hole."
            "...There were nearly fifteen people in that room. All were in exactly the same state she was."

        "Keep averting gaze.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ wulumpLook = False
            scene bg8 with fade
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera continued on, entire unphased by the sight in front of her."

    je "The commanders who we caught from the little excursion. Well, the commanders who managed to make it through my brother’s lack of thirst for enemy intelligence."
    je "We’ve been peeling them out, one by one, long enough to get some answers from them. The Wulump has some...amusing properties. Exposure makes it rather hard to lie, for example."

    "An overpowering stench drifted out from the room. Cum and sweat, both smells he recognized. But, the Wulump reeked with a stench like rotting eggs and sulfur. Its scent drifted down the chamber like crashing waves."

    if rowanCorruption < 60:
        ro "Will those people be okay?"
        "Jezera sighed."
        je "Yes yes. In a little while. There won’t be too much lasting effect. In all likelihood, once we’re done with them, they’ll wake up with little memory this even happened. Ready to start their new lives working for less incompetent masters."
        je "Quite a handy effect, I may add. Especially if you don’t want little bugs going about talking about what they experienced."

    ro "I...See…"

    if wulumpLook == False:
        "Rowan wondered idly if he’d recognized any of the people in front of him emitting these disgusting inhuman sounds. He didn’t want to check and see."

    else:
        show cg337 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg338 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg339 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg339 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg340 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "The woman he’d been looking at before shuddered violently. A guttural sound made it from her lips, despite the fleshy appendage filling her mouth."
        "Fluid dripped down her leg, onto the hard stone floor. It was frothing mixture of her own clear juices, and the black viscera that stained everywhere the Wulump subjected itself too."
        "A groaning pathetic orgasm. No doubt far from the first she’d experienced in the past week."

        je "So large, so fast. It must be because we fed it so many."

        "The slimy tendrils slid out of the woman’s body, though the binding arms kept her in place. For a moment, Rowan thought it was giving her a break. But, then they plunged back in with a sharp speed. They had just been repositioning."
        "Through it all, the woman’s expression barely changed. The orgasm. The penetration. They barely produced a twitch."
        "There were others throughout the room. Grinding and moaning. Being penetrated and used. Some male, some female. All had the same lifeless manner to them. It used them."

    "Jezera suddenly snapped her fingers again. The metal doors slammed back shut, leaving the poor hapless commanders alone again with their jailor. The only sounds that emerged were the odd slithers and moans."

    if wulumpLook == True:
        "Rowan turned his attention back to Jezera. The image of what he’d seen still lingered with him."
        scene bg8 with fade
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "So, what did you find out?"

    je "Oh, you’ll love it."
    je "These fine folks here having so much fun? These are commanders of the Rastedel Royal Guard."

    "Rowan blinked twice. That couldn’t be right..."

    ro "We fought the Royal Guard?"

    je "Thus the white cloaks. Yes."
    je "What we’ve learned is that our dear High Arbitron didn’t have a large army that she could put into the field. The Rosarian army is too scattered. But, she has such fine friends, like Jacques and Duke Werden asking so many hard questions."
    je "It seems that she sent out a contingent of the Royal Guard and the City Guard. Our newly talkative friends mentioned that they even moved out in the middle of the night while the city slept."

    ro "That means…the reason that Ameraine never contacted us is because she didn’t know they’d even left."

    "Jezera formed a dark smirk that stretched from ear to ear. It gave him a chill."

    je "Silly boy. You’re missing the most important part."
    je "This means that right now, at this very second, there is no army in Rastedel."

    "Rowan’s jaw fell slightly. She was right. For the entirety of the last war, the Royal Guard had manned the capital itself to deter an attack."
    "There would be no quick way to bring the scattered army back together. All those troops were tied down by the need to defend important outposts and keep the lines of communication and supply flowing."
    "A new army could be put into the field, but it would take time and energy to bring up to fighting speed. Prothea could bring an army perhaps, but the holy capital was too far from Rastedel for quick travel."
    "Perhaps the Dukes could raise their own banners to defend the city. But, clearly doing so would…"

    je "You’re just standing there. What say you?"

    ro "I think...I think you’re right. The next move would naturally be to strike now."

    je "Exactly. So starting tomorrow you have new orders. No more time for gathering troops. No more time for attacking dinky forts in the middle of nowhere. You will return to Rastedel and link up with Lady Ameraine."
    je "...And together, you will do everything in your power to make sure that when the army gets there, they find the city gates open and the palace in flames."
    je "You have ten weeks. Am I clear?"

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rastedel had never fallen to a demon lord before. Even in the last war, the demons had been held at bay. Would the city fall because of….him? The prospect was frighteningly real for the first time. His heart beat fast."

    elif rowanCorruption < 60:
        "Bringing down Rastedel. Once the very idea might have been unthinkable. But, much had changed. The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed. Perhaps such a thing might even bring about positive changes."
        "So long as Andras could be kept from his natural impulses, that is."

    elif rowanCorruption > 59:
        #rowan evil
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rastedel. The den of vipers itself. For so long it had seemed a beacon of stability. No demon had ever taken the city before. Yet, now it stood defenseless."
        "..And just as defenseless was everyone inside. The flower of Rosarian nobility. Of Rosarian tyranny. Ready to be plucked..."

    #
    # Replay Mod: There's no CG from here but it's part of the scene.
    #             Leaving it out for now as it adds too much length to the scene with no CG.
    #
    #menu:
    #    "Accept the mission.":
    #        # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #        if rowanCorruption < 61:
    #            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #            "Rowan sighed darkly. The more he considered it, the less good he felt an act of defiance would do. She’d still subvert Rastedel, only without him to keep her in check."
    #            ro "You’re a monster, you know that. One day I will kill you."
    #            je "Obviously. Should I take that as a sign of your acceptance?"
    #            "Rowan scowled but nodded. There was nothing more to be done. He didn’t really have a choice."

    #        else:
    #            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #            "Rowan sighed. There was just no winning with Jezera. The entire situation smelled of a disaster, but if his life depended on acting on the twins’ behalf then there was nothing else to be done."
    #            ro "I suppose you’re right. I don’t have much of a choice, do I?"
    #            je "Now you see reason. Shall we get on with it?"
    #            "Rowan nodded somberly."

    #    "Refuse the mission.":
    #        # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #        if rowanCorruption < 31:
    #            "Rowan shook his head slowly. What the order entailed was deadly clear. But, it stood at odds with every impulse in his body."
    #            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #            ro "There are a hundred thousand people in Rastedel. I’ve helped you thus far, but you cannot truly mean for me to commit such a crime."
    #            ro "What kind of man would I be if I did this?"
    #            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
    #            "Jezera’s eyebrows narrowed. Her gaze contained all manner of malice."
    #            je "I truly mean exactly that. You will aid my brother and I in the taking of the city."
    #            je "You are our slave, Rowan."

    #        elif rowanCorruption > 60:
    #            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    #            "Rowan laughed to himself."
    #            ro "I harbor no love for the Rosarian Nobles. But, we cannot pretend I did not witness what I did. To conquer a city is a serious thing."
    #            "Rowan poked at his fingernails."
    #            ro "What if I said no?"
    #            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
    #            je "After all this time. Everything you have done until now. You still have sentiment for these cockroaches? You would still refuse?"
    #            ro "Perhaps…"
    #            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
    #            "Jezera’s eyebrows narrowed. Her gaze contained all manner of malice."
    #            je "Then perhaps I should remind you that for all the freedom to explore my brother and I grant you, you are still a slave."

    #        else:
    #            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    #            "Rowan balled his hand into a fist."
    #            ro "You seriously expect me to do such a thing after what I just witnessed? The Rosarian nobles are monsters, but there are still thousands who live in that city. "
    #            ro "There are still lines I wouldn’t cross. Even after my part in...all that has already transpired…"
    #            show jezera displeased  at midright with dissolve
    #            "Jezera’s eyebrows narrowed. Her gaze contained all manner of malice."
    #            je "I seriously expect this of you, yes. Your role is the option Andras and I have agreed upon. If not you, then I can give the city assignment to someone more willing."
    #            je "Because, let’s not mince words, Rowan..."

    #        je "You do not have a choice. If you will not bring Rastedel to me, I will simply dispose of you and your little wife and then find an agent who will do what you cannot."
    #        je "Perhaps one with the proper amount of compassion for the humans inside."
    #        je "Do you understand the consequences of continued disobedience?"

    #        "Jezera took a step back and stretched out her fingers. It brought Rowan back to where he was. He was alone, in the dark, with the demoness."

    #        menu:
    #            "Ready for a fight.":
    #                # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #                "Rowan put a hand to the hilt of his sword. Already the first pumps of adrenaline were shooting through his veins. He’d just defied her on an issue of grave importance."
    #                je "I’ve already given you more chances then I’d give anyone else. Should I take your silence to be a final refusal?"
    #                "Rowan nodded slowly."
    #                ro "Surely there is some other way that I can serve you? You know this is asking too much of me."
    #                ro "You’re more clever than this. Surely we can work out a deal."
    #                "Jezera stroked one of her long fingernails down her cheek."
    #                je "It is not as though you wouldn’t still be useful in some capacity…"
    #                "Rowan felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. He was walking on brittle sticks, but perhaps he could talk his way out of this."
    #                je "...But, if you won’t serve, you’d be much more useful as an example of the effects of defiance."
    #                "Rowan lunged, he had one chance. Jezera seemed genuinely surprised by the speed of the strike, and only narrowly dodged out of the way."
    #                "But, that one strike would be his only chance at surprised. As he adjusted to swing again, Jezera aimed her hands at him."
    #                "Rowan ducked narrowly out of the way of the lightning tendrils shooting from her hands."
    #                "Only, once he’d dodged that attack, another followed. He could only blink as two giant serpents were conjured from the air. He had mere seconds to react before they were lunging at him with hissing tongues."
    #                "Rowan rolled and struck back with his ferocity. One serpent went down. Then the next. But, as he turned back from the slain foes, Jezera’s hands were pointed at him again. She was at a safe distance now. There would be no escape."
    #                je "Stupid."
    #                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    #                "Rowan groaned as tendrils of pure energy struck him square in the chest. He had presumed that would be his end. Splattered like the dark elf whom she’d so ruthlessly dispatched."
    #                "Instead, he felt the tendrils wrapped tight around him. His sword fell from his hands and he soon could no longer feel the ground against his feet."
    #                je "Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid."
    #                je "Oh, we’ll find a new role for you. But first, we’re going to have to clear out that stupid little head of yours."
    #                "His body began to move, totally the captive of the tendrils. It was hovering closer and closer to the iron gate."
    #                ro "...No."
    #                "Jezera just smiled. The iron door opened with the same stillness as before. Once more came the putrid stench and the sight of fleshy appendages pounding into pliant human flesh."
    #                scene black with fade
    #                "Jezera flung Rowan into the room. He could do little but reach out in horror as the door closed behind him."
    #                "He was locked in with the creature. Soon the tentacles were moving towards him as well…"

    #                scene cg588 with fade
    #                pause 3

    #                "Hell. That’s what the man who once called himself Rowan would have called this place."
    #                "Hell. A never ending torrent of ecstasies, agonies and aphrodisiac-inspired dependency on this writhing, roiling creature known as the wulump."
    #                "...Not that Rowan knew what a ‘wulump’ was, anymore. He struggled to recall his own {i}name{/i}, half the time. Such needless terms and waggled words were a waste of useful breath."
    #                "Rowan kissed the fat tentacle filling his mouth with the ardour of one incapable of communicating just how much he was in love with it. He adored the feeling of it sliding wetly across his lips like nothing else in this world."
    #                "The Master - {i}his{/i} Master - was a being of boundless generosity, gifting him with its sickly-sweet juices and filling every, clenching orifice with its ever-expanding love."
    #                "Rowan had never known what pleasure was before he was unceremoniously cast into this place. He {i}thought{/i} he had known: the ambitions of life, of love, and power and duty and conquest had all seemed so important to him once."
    #                "No longer. They were flimsy shadows hiding the dawn. Pathetic fog brushed away by the merest hint of a breeze."
    #                "His Master was that breeze."
    #                "His hands reached out in grimy pit he found himself in, finding purchase on the thickening tendrils of his Master’s tentacles."
    #                "There were more - {i}far{/i}, far more - than he could ever possibly pleasure at once. That was what he loved about it the most: the wulump was never satisfied, always ready to give him more."
    #                "As if to underscore that fact, a newer, fatter tentacle blushed against his gaping ass, slipping into his inner recesses with little more than a moan and a slimy {i}pop{/i}, joining its fellows in its eternal and systematic mission of demolishing his ass."
    #                "Rowan cooed at the full sensation inside his guts, giggling madly between the length that filled lips as he tasted the sweet nectar of his love in every part of him."
    #                "Even his ears, his nose, his {i}eyelids{/i} were openings to ravish. Little tendrils tickled at the insides of his brain, moving, twisting, turning to an interminable best that the wulump set, and Rowan eagerly followed."
    #                "What should have been pain was pleasure, what ought to have been horrifying was orgasmic. Rowan let out a muffled pig’s squeal as his eternally-erect prick pulsed and thickened and spurted."
    #                "The wulump was generous. No sooner had he came than he felt his testicles churning once more with lust."
    #                "Perhaps it was the creature’s magic that made him this way. Or maybe it was it’s delicious juices that kept him filled to the brim. Rowan didn’t know, all he knew was that he wanted more. Always more. {i}Forever{/i} more."
    #                "His skin was slick with sweat and cum and wulump fluids. He bucked his hips and thrashed against the thick, grey mass that had once been a tiny creature."
    #                "Beneath the mass of serpentine coils to his left, there arose a shuddering groan. His wife was in there somewhere, as lost in the throes of rapturous torment as he was."
    #                "To his momentary shame (when he could find time to feel it), Rowan would do everything he could to remember her name. But a fog lingered over his mind. All he could remember was the color of her hair."
    #                "Red… her name was Red, wasn’t it?"
    #                "They were finally, truly reunited: Rowan and Red. No longer man and wife, but rather fellow travelers on their Master’s endless cycle of fornication and euphoria."
    #                "Red had struggled at first, just as he had. Rowan remembered finding that strangely touching. But such meager efforts faded in the passionate embrace of their mutual lover."
    #                "Whatever struggles or differences they’d had in the past (if, indeed, any had existed) were wiped away. They were one, together for eternity."

    #                scene cg589 with fade
    #                pause 3

    #                "As if reading Rowan’s desires, the wulump produced her."
    #                "Red’s rigid, trembling form arose up from the coiling muck like a slick Phoenix being birthed. Her eyes rolled in her head as the tentacle that had lodged as deep as her duodenum retreated like a slithering snake out of her throat."
    #                "Red let out an orgasmic gasp, her body propped up by tentacles as they lifted her bodily over to the section of the creature where Rowan was located."
    #                "Rowan felt similar tentacles wrap around his wrists, his arms, his legs, drawing him upwards in a lewd marionette. All the while, the tentacles lodged in Red’s twat and Rowan’s ass kept pistoning in and out, in and out."
    #                "Upon catching sight of Rowan, Red let out a wordless gurgle of joy. She could no more recall his name than he could hers, but they recognized each other all the same."
    #                "He smiled like a newlywed at his first bedding as she was lowered down beneath him, spun about on all fours so as to more easily engender their imminent mating."
    #                "The Master - kind as always - removed itself from their orifices just long enough to help align Rowan’s twitching cock into her feminine folds. The clench of the tentacles around their limbs helped to simulate a coitus neither was strong enough to induce on their own any longer."
    #                "Rowan bit his lip as he watched himself slide home inside of Red. They let out matching cries of delight, cut off simultaneously by the choking wetness of the wulump stuffing itself down their throats."
    #                "It thrashed them together in a rough approximation of their old lovemaking. But rougher, harder, like smacking two dolls together. Rowan loved every second of it."
    #                "He moaned between the length sliding down his throat, which the wulump took as the desperate request that it was. Within seconds, both Rowan’s and Red’s asses were filled once more with juicy, slick lengths."
    #                "They both cried out, united in a way they couldn’t have possibly imagined when they first began his long journey together."
    #                "The old Rowan might have fought, he might have screamed or cried or raged at his confinement."
    #                "Come to think of it, Red (that was her name, right?) might have, too. But they were no longer those people anymore, they had grown so far beyond that."
    #                "Rowan felt his testicles clench as he unloaded a truly massive load into Red’s pussy. She screamed out encouragement, flailing her hips back against him in an attempt to get him deeper."
    #                "Hell… that’s what he would have called this, once. His Master had shown him otherwise."
    #                "Rowan wasn't a hero anymore. He wasn't even a {i}man{/i}, really. He was just a lump of flesh, a thing to be used until he could not be used anymore."
    #                "And he wouldn't have it any other way."

    #            "Accept the task.":
    #                # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #                if rowanCorruption < 61:
    #                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #                    "Rowan sighed darkly. The more he considered it, the less good he felt an act of defiance would do. She’d still subvert Rastedel, only without him to keep her in check."
    #                    ro "You’re a monster, you know that. One day I will kill you."
    #                    je "Obviously. Should I take that as a sign of your acceptance?"
    #                    "Rowan scowled but nodded. There was nothing more to be done. He didn’t really have a choice."

    #                else:
    #                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #                    "Rowan sighed. There was just no winning with Jezera. The entire situation smelled of a disaster, but if his life depended on acting on the twins’ behalf then there was nothing else to be done."
    #                    ro "I suppose you’re right. I don’t have much of a choice, do I?"
    #                    je "Now you see reason. Shall we get on with it?"
    #                    "Rowan nodded somberly."

    #"Rowan bent down on one knee."

    #ro "Your will shall be done. The city will fall. "

    #"Jezera ushered him back to his feet. He felt her soft hand pat him on the back. They were comrades in arms after all."

    #je "Such confident words. I look forward to seeing them realized."
    #je "Now then. Shall we return to the feast? There is much to celebrate today."

    #if rowanCorruption < 60:
    #    "Rowan followed along beside her, but didn’t have much to say on the matter. He had a city to bring to its knees. Dark deeds to perform. There was much more thinking to do then there was partying."

    #else:
    #    "Rowan followed beside her."
    #    ro "Yes. Much to celebrate indeed."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_abbey.rpy
label verdoinAbbeyCapture_rp:

    "Did Rowan betray Tarish? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ tarishBetrayed = True
        "No":
            $ tarishBetrayed = False

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = True
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = False

    scene bg38 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan brought his horse to a halt near the beginning of the winding path up to Verdoin Abbey. He was alone. He’d done a check-in with the troops he’d been sent to rendezvous with. The plan was actually to storm the fortress the following day."
    "Which is why he had to skulk around in the night."

    questi "Finally, finally. Ya make lil ol me do all da work and den finally show ya face dis late in da da’k."

    "Rowan dismounted and looked to the person who’d come to greet him."

    #tarish annoyed
    show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Good evening, Lady Tarish. I trust that the mission has gone well so far?"

    "Tarish had her arms crossed, but her expression was hard to make out with what little light was available to him."

    tar "Yes ‘n no"
    tar "When dealin’ wit hostile chiefs is a gamble no matta what. Some ‘o ‘em want heads. Some want golds. Some don’t want none of what you sellin."

    if tarishBetrayed:
        #tarish angry
        "Tarish took a step closer to him. Now her expression was easier to make out. Cold disdain."
        tar "Maybe, I shoulda let ya come up wit out no talkin. See how long before ya guts be boiled. Hehe."
        "Rowan sighed. The fact that hadn’t happened meant that she was just messing with him. They might not like each other, but shared utility made for unusual compromises."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro  "What about the chief of the tribe here? What does he want?"

    "The orcs who’d taken the abbey were not from those pledged to the twins, but that had not been the end of discussion. Naturally, Tarish was the diplomat best suited to speak to them. She’d been sent as soon as Rowan had gotten word back to the castle."
    "Together, they walked up the winding road to the abbey. It stood, clearly visible, above the wide dirt road that acted as one of the main arteries of Rosarian trade."

    tar "Lotto things. Me for starts. Been tryin to get on me good side. No luck for ‘im do. I been tryin to talk him inta a deal, but only managed ta get part of da way. Dis is a good spot here, no orc gonna give dat up without sumtin good."
    tar  "Do we really need ta move him all dat bad?"

    if tarishBetrayed:
        tar "Ya just want da glory of handin dis place over. Don’t think I don’t know, hummie. Don’t think I don’t."
        "Rowan shook his head. Tarish could believe what she wanted to."

    elif rowanCorrupt:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "..."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        ro "Yes. This position is very valuable to us too. I need it."

    "They stopped outside the door of the abbey. On the rampart, he saw a big grey orc holding a bow twice as large as any he’d seen a human use. The strength to wield it must have been intense."
    "With archers like that and a good high ground, they could control vast tracts of land. Many men would die trying to dislodge them."

    tar "I done all my part now. Talked ‘is damn ear off. Ya think it easy to getta damn hummie in da door?"
    tar "Even did da dirty work bringing da gift up."
    ro "Gift?"

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. He hadn’t mentioned anything to Jezera about a gift. That sounded like an improvisation on the part of the twins."

    #tarish smirk
    tar "A real tasty snack. No warchief gonna say nah to it. "
    tar "Captives. Pretty little things for da raiders."
    tar "If ya got da stomach for it, we can stop before meetin da chief for a look see."

    "Rowan scratched his chin. If this was an important part of the diplomacy effort, then it would probably be wise to see what had been given."

    ro "Lead the way, my lady."

    "Tarish formed a slight smirk that exposed one of her small tusks."

    tar "Wanted a peak, eh hummie? Well okay den. After me."

    #abbey BG
    scene bg47 with fade

    "The building was an old construction. It had just been a nunnery in the early days of Rosaria. Isolated from the capital or major cities, they’d built their own extensive defensive works. In time those had come to dominate the building’s role."
    "But, buried into the mountain, the original monastic cells remained. Though they had been refurbished with locks and restraints to act as more of a dungeon."
    "Rowan studied the walls as he went deeper and deeper into the abbey’s underbelly. Moans were rising up from the staircase. They grew more overpowering, along with the scent of sex the further down he and Tarish went."

    #cg1
    scene cg476 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg476
    show tarish neutral behind cg476
    pause 3

    "The building was an old construction. It had just been a nunnery in the early days of Rosaria. Isolated from the capital or major cities, they’d built their own extensive defensive works. In time those had come to dominate the building’s role."
    "But, buried into the mountain, the original monastic cells remained. Though they had been refurbished with locks and restraints to act as more of a dungeon."
    "Rowan studied the walls as he went deeper and deeper into the abbey’s underbelly. Moans were rising up from the staircase. They grew more overpowering, along with the scent of sex the further down he and Tarish went."

    if rowanCorrupt:
        "Rowan found it hard to watch the scene in front of him. These had once been the daughters and wives of western Rosaria. Once they may have practiced dancing for festivals or had romances with the local boys."
        ro "..."

    else:
        "Rowan honestly didn’t pay the proceedings much mind. This was hardly the first orcish gangbang he’d seen by this point. It probably would not be the last."

    ro "Hmmm."
    ro "The sound is different from back at your camp. The captives your people held weren’t this willing?"

    "Rowan craned his neck around."
    "The closer he looked, the more it was apparent that none of these women seemed to be dreading the degrading treatment they were getting. Even held by iron leashes, they still moaned and moved like willing participants."

    tar "Ya, is why it we gave ‘em some ‘o yours. Orc men be stupid. The just fuck and fuck. So da hummie captives get all worn out real fastlike."
    tar "But, ya have dem sex demons up at the keep. Makes ‘em nice and randy. Andras said he picked ‘em because they all liked it with the orc troops."
    tar "Here, let me show ya."

    #cg2
    scene cg529 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg529
    show tarish neutral behind cg529
    pause 3

    "She strode up to one of the slaves who wasn’t in use, a petite blond, and gripped her by the chin so she’d be forced to look up. She was a ragged thing with cum caked on her chest and the edges of her lips."
    "Rowan walked forward to join them. His eyes met with slavegirl."

    tar "You’re a good girl, ain’t ya? Wanna tell da hummie here what your favorite hole is?"

    "The girl has no hesitation."

    slave "Anal. Butt. Please. It’s my favorite. I love it."

    "Now Rowan noticed that there was also traces of cum on the back of her leg. If that was her favorite hole, certainly it was getting plenty of attention."

    tar "What ya think of orc cock? Ya like it?"

    "The slave girl nodded fast."

    slave "Please. More."
    tar "Ya sound like a real slut, ya know dat?"

    "The slave girl nodded again."

    slave "A total slut. Please. I want more. My pussy hasn’t been fucked yet today. I wanna cummm."

    "Tarish paused for a second, trying to form the words to what she wanted to ask next. Rowan could tell she was enjoying this. Her face dripped with sadism."

    tar "Ya mouth been fucked recently?"

    "The girl nodded fast."

    tar "Wanna give us a good look? Say ahh."

    scene cg530 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg530
    show tarish neutral behind cg530
    pause 3

    "It was no lie. There was still pools of creamy white liquid in her mouth. She opened her mouth as wide as possible to give as good a look at the frothy liquid as possible."
    "Tarish smirked."

    tar "Your boys know how to pick ‘em."

    "She drew her hand back from the slave girl, sending her sputtering to the ground. But, she barely even seemed to register the abuse."

    tar "Needa see anymore?"
    ro "I believe you’ve made your point. We should visit the chief."

    "Rowan looked over his shoulder as they started to go back up the staircase. The slave girl was already back to waving her rear to a pair of orcs who’d just descended the staircase from the other side."
    "She seemed happy. Perhaps."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_lodge.rpy
label delaneMeeting2_rp:

    "Did Rowan have sex with Eleanor in the cave? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "True":
            $ eleanorCaveSex = True
        "False":
            $ eleanorCaveSex = False

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan quietly asked around the lodge if Lady Delane had been around recently. It would not be good for him to seem too eager. But, the fact they knew each other, at least, was common enough knowledge. So it could not be that much of a mistake."

    nobwom "Lady Eleanor?"
    nobwom "You know, I don’t think she’s here at the moment. Eleanor can be rather elusive at times. Never know where she is. Haha."

    "Rowan was left to walk away dejected. Delane was the one he was here to see. There was something important that he had to tell her."

    scene bg33 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan left the lodge, hoping to return to the northside to make something of the day. Even if he couldn’t find Lady Delane, he still had too much work for idleness."
    "But, it became apparent rather swiftly that something was off. At first, it was merely a lingering unease. Rowan’s sense of danger going off."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Someone was following him. It took him a few streets to work it out. But, there was a short figure shrouded by a cloak who was keeping a few paces behind him. Rowan narrowed his eyebrows. Whoever this was, they were not subtle enough."
    "Rowan turned into an alley. The stalker followed him."
    "Then, Rowan pounced."

    stalk "Wait. Ah. Stop. Stop."

    "Rowan narrowed his eyebrows and pinned them towards the wall with a single hand. He didn’t want to hurt anyone. If he didn’t have to."

    ro "Why are you following me?"

    stalk "You can be quite the fool sometimes. We cannot be seen together too often. You know that Even your asking around has consequences, you know. "
    stalk "Now, would you be so kind as to remove your oafish hand?"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan drew his hand back. The figure lowered her hood just enough for him to see the waterfalling black hair beneath."

    show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve

    ele "Really now. You’re certainly more adept then you were in the past, but you must be more careful."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sighed. He hadn’t recognized her before because of the heavy cloth cloak she wore over her clothes. Indeed, even up close, he couldn’t tell what she was wearing underneath. The hood had also been large enough to obscure her features."

    #if rastAlly == "werden":
    ro "We’ve met in public before, My Lady. Are such dramatics really necessary?"
    "She rolled her eyes."
    ele "It’s not the presence or absence of meetings. It’s the frequency of it. I’ve already been asked about how close we are on a few occasions. The theatrics in your plea to the Duke did not help."

    ro "..."
    ro "Truly, it’s good to see you, My Lady."

    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve

    "Lady Eleanor smirked and gave a tiny curtsey."

    ele "Likewise!"
    ele "Now then, shall we? Best not to talk here. If someone were to walk past, it could be an issue. If the optics of a meeting at the lodge are bad, surely you can imagine the optics of being seen cavorting secretly in a dirty alley."
    ele "I had planned to follow you to wherever it is you’ve been staying."

    "Rowan chuckled to himself."

    ro "Are you sure? It’s not so much the type of place that many high born ladies, such as yourself, tend to visit."

    "Delane groaned and made a gesture with her hands urging him onwards. The sleeves of her cloak were so long that the ends still hung down even with her arms fully outstretched."

    ele "Have you forgotten where we met already? I assure you, I can handle whatever filthy tavern you select, provided there aren’t any orcs around."

    "Rowan could not argue with that logic."
    "Rowan and his companion made their way steadily north towards the inn that Ameraine had selected for him. Lady Delane stayed far enough back to not obviously connect the two together, but not so far that Rowan couldn’t reach her if needed."

    scene bg40 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "At last, they made their way back where Rowan was staying. Delane went straight to the window and looked out at the city’s backroads stretching towards the river."

    ele "A nice place, I suppose."

    ro "That’s a lie,"

    ele "It is. But, do you expect me to call it a filthy hovel? I assume being out of the way is what you sought after. A bit of mystery, perhaps."

    "Rowan nodded softly."

    ro "I rather like my privacy, you know. I was in the army. I slept on dirt for years. "

    "He turned away to undo the straps of his sword belt. He wouldn’t need it if he was just alone with Elanor. But, when he turned back to her, he found that Delane had already worked her way out of her cloak."

    #cg 1
    scene cg767 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind cg767
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg767
    pause 3

    ro "..."

    "Delane stood in front of the window, clad in brilliant blue silk. It hugged her curves and danced nearly to the floor. The outfit was so see-through that her body was on full display behind its billowing material."
    "The mere hint of it behind the veil made it all the more attractive. Much like how a single drop makes you want a drink more for the single taste."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True:
        "Rowan stirred."

    scene cg768 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind cg768
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg768
    pause 3

    "He took a step closer."

    ele "The view here is so fascinating. The only sights I normally receive here are the mansions of the others in the South-West Districts. This is so chaotic and dirty."
    ele "But, not unpleasant either. Fascinating, like from a storybook about paupers or nobles in disguise. Today, I’m the disguised noble."

    "She turned back to him with the slightest of smiles. Then she noticed how Rowan was looking at her. Her smile wasn’t so slight after that."

    ele "You like it?"

    "She did a little curtsey."

    ro "You’re stunning…"

    scene cg769 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind cg769
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg769
    pause 3

    "Lady Delane blushed softly."

    ele "...Thank you…"
    ele "I wanted something special...for when I saw you…"

    "She wrapped her arms around her chest, hugging her sides. The city stretched out behind her in the window."

    if eleanorCaveSex == False:
        ele "This isn’t the first time I’ve tried to bring you to bed. I decided...I decided that if I wanted you, I needed to put in efforts of a greater caliber. "
        ele "Anything less would not do."
        ele "So...will you do me the honor, Rowan? "
        "She moved her hands behind her back. A posture that conveniently left her breasts pushed forward. A natural spot for Rowan’s eyes to fall on."
        ele "Rowan Blackwell. Will you fuck me?"

    else:
        ele "I understand what is expected of me. That I am to find a noble husband and to work with him. That the good of our family depends on it. I am not the first born, after all."
        ele "You are a commoner...and yet, you saved me. You challenge me."
        ele " I want you again. I think about it often. As stated before, you were the motivation for this particular purchase."
        "She did a little twirl in place, showing off the luxurious style of the dress...and beneath her own luscious curves. She was eager for him. He could see it from her body language. He could even smell it in the air."
        ele "I don’t know what day it won’t be possible for us to meet anymore. You are a busy man. A married man. "
        #if rowan had a date with juliet: #to do
            #"She looked to the side. Her face flushed with something. Not arousal. Something else."
            # ele " ...you are the crush of, my lady. The one who I owe loyalty towards. The very liaison is a small treason."
        ele "Someday, I will not be able to meet with you."
        ele "But, not today. Stay with me today. Let’s spend the entire day in bed together."
        "She reached out a hand to brush his face. "

    menu:
        "Take Delane to bed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ delaneSex2Refuse = False
            jump delaneSex2_rp

        "Refuse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ delaneSex2Refuse = True
            jump delaneSex2Refuse_rp

    label delaneSex2_rp:

    scene cg770 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind cg770
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg770
    pause 3

    "Rowan took a step forward and kissed her. A passionate possessive kiss. Eleanor’s eyes fluttered closed, and she eagerly opened her lips for him to explore. She was as active and as eager a participant as he was."
    "When the kiss broke, she let out the smallest of gasps. Her eyes burned into him."

    ro "Ladies first."

    scene bg40 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind bg40
    show rowan necklace happy behind bg40

    "Rowan swept her up into his arms and deposited her on the bed. She squealed lightly and kicked her feet, but Rowan didn’t give her playful struggle any mind. She looked up at him expectantly from the mattress. He hovered above her. So little distance between them."
    "Her face asked a silent question over and over. When are you going to do it? When are you going to fuck me?"
    "But, Rowan froze in place for a moment. There was something important he was supposed to do. Something he needed to tell her..."

    ele "Rowan? Is there something amiss?"

    "Rowan put on a smile to reassure her. "

    ro "Nothing at all."

    scene cg771 with fade
    pause 3

    "Rowan put his hands on her body, and his cock inside of her. Delane let out the softest of gasps. Then she grasped on to him. Their bodies were connected in more ways than one now. They gasped at the same time. Connected."

    scene roxdel_lodge2 with fade
    show eleanor dress aroused behind roxdel_lodge2
    show rowan necklace happy behind roxdel_lodge2
    pause 3

    "Sunlight streamed into the room. It illuminated their bodies in movement. The city overlooked them."
    "Rowan’s hands roamed the soft silky fabric of Delane’s dress. It was beauty over beauty. He tracked the way she squirmed when he thrust his cock. He’d speed up or slow down to acquaint himself with the different reactions."
    "The small movements. The way her mouth would open to gasp. The little whimpers from her lips. It made him groan too."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True:
        "Once they’d fucked one another, sweaty and exhausted, in a damp cave. This was different. The woman he was with now was so fine. All his life he’d been told the nobles were above him. She was a being of grace and perfection. Flawless."
        "And he got to fuck her…"

    ele "Rowan…"

    "She groaned out and grabbed back at him. He responded with a loud grunt and by pistoning his hips as hard as he could. He rolled and thrusted with every well of strength he had."

    ele "Rowan...Rowan…."

    "Her cries grew higher pitched. A symphony for his ears. Just for him. It drove him to fuck her harder. It was single minded desire. He wanted her. This sweet, perfect woman whose body met his. He wanted her."

    ele "Rowan...ahhh. Fuck. Rowan. Fuck."

    "He set the pace. The sight of her in all of her perfection drove him to greater extremes. He’d pull her hair, and her lips would form a perfect O. He’d drive his cock as deep inside of her as he could, and her body would act as the perfect foil. Pleasurable resistance."

    scene roxdel_lodge2_2 with fade
    show eleanor dress aroused behind roxdel_lodge2_2
    show rowan necklace happy behind roxdel_lodge2_2
    pause 3

    "And as it went on. As they both moved steadily closer and closer and closer to that building pressure. Rowan smiled. It was not on purpose. A natural response to the situation. But, he smiled nonetheless."

    ele "Rowan. I...I...Rowan...Inside me. Please...Rowan…"

    "Her body twisted and shuddered. She threw herself at him in a desperate desire to eke out every last undiscovered sensation. She was so wanton. So needy. There was something bottled up that was being let out."
    "It took on an unbroken rhythm. The moment broke down to its smallest components."
    "He moved and she moved. He moved and she moved. Over and over. Sublime. Like the rush of water over a waterfall. He moved and she moved."
    "He asked and she answered."

    "Flawless. Moaning and thrusting. Flawless. Squealing and slapping and moving. Flawless. The dirtiness of sweat and flesh and cum. The clean of a freshly tailored dress. Flawless."
    "Moving and moving and moving. Faster and faster and faster."
    "He smiled. Even as he approached the peak, he smiled. She had reached her heated edge. He was hurtling down the waterfall. He just needed to...let go."

    #cg 2 var 2
    show cg785 with sshake
    show cg785 with sshake
    pause 1
    show cg786 with flash
    pause 3

    "Rowan came inside of Delane. Her body spasmed the entire time. Their forms were connected, and so too their orgasms."
    "His hands gripped the pristine dress with everything they had. He heard a ripping sound, but his brain was too far bathed in white to process it. Everything was in white."

    scene cg770 with fade
    show eleanor dress happy behind cg770
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg770
    pause 3

    "They groaned in unison. All strength had been sapped from Rowan’s body. He lowered himself, as slowly as he could, down on top of her. Their lips were mere inches from each other."
    "Every time she exhaled, he felt the warmth of her breath against his cheek."
    "She was soft and delicate, intertwined in his arms. It was a moment of indeterminate length. As long and as short as it needed to be."

    ele " Rowan…"

    "Her eyelashes fluttered. His chest expanded and contracted. He too needed air. The exertion had left him winded. It didn’t normally do that."

    ele "Rowan…"
    ro "Yes…"
    ele "...You ripped my damn dress."

    "Rowan looked down. There was a noticeable tear running through it. Before it had been so totally smooth and perfect. He let out a grunt. That was, in a strange way, kind of sad. He’d never again be able to see it like he had before. Even repaired, the stitches would remain."

    ro "Sorry."
    ele "Impudent bastard."

    "She brought her lips to his for a kiss."
    "They remained together for a time. Just enough to get their breath back. Rowan held her in his arms. Their position shifted slowly until they sat side by side."

    scene bg40 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft  with dissolve
    show eleanor dress happy at midright with dissolve

    label delaneSex2Refuse_rp:

    "Rowan watched passively, drinking in her form. It was all such a provocation. A perfect enticement. From her flowing hair all the way down."
    "That was why Rowan had to refuse."

    if eleanorCaveSex == False:
        ro "My Lady. This is not the first time you’ve attempted to seduce me. I’m afraid you will find little success on this occasion as well."
        "She crossed her arms."
        ele "Really now, have I become so unattractive that I cannot even tempt you?"
        ro "I wouldn’t say that…"
        "She huffed slightly...then without warning, her hands went to the hem of the dress and pulled it up. Rowan could only gawk as the woman in front of him now."
        show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve
        "From there, she slowly walked over to the bed, grabbing Rowan’s hands and leading him to a seated position at her side. So close he could smell her perfume. Beneath that, her feminine musk."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ele "You’ve made me give up pretenses to subtlety. I pride myself in my ability to seduce without resorting to such extreme measures. But, you are a defiant man."
        "Rowan closed his eyes. Not, to avoid looking at her, but instead to draw the strength to say what needed to be said."

    else:
        ro "My Lady, I cannot do it. Not today."
        "She raised an eyebrow."
        ele "Really?"
        ele "I know you find me attractive, Rowan. And I even came all dolled up for you. Surely, I can persuade you to change your mind. Somehow."
        "Without warning, her hands went to the hem of the dress and pulled it up. Rowan could only gawk as the woman in front of him now."
        show eleanor dress neutral at midright with dissolve
        "From there, she slowly walked over to the bed, grabbing Rowan’s hands and leading him to a seated position at her side. So close he could smell her perfume. Beneath that, her feminine musk."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ele "Do you wish for me to go to my knees and beg? Some men enjoy that."
        "Rowan had to force his eyes away. He couldn’t let himself indulge."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_lodge.rpy
label clubbingSeal_rp:
    # Replay mod: Not in the replay mod for now as it has no CGs yet
    #             but it may do later.

    "Is your Rastedel ally Jacques? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rastAlly = "jacques"
        "No":
            $ rastAlly = "werden"

    "How corrupted is Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Low":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0
        "Medium":
            $ rowanCorruption = 32
        "High":
            $ rowanCorruption = 61

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "This time, when Rowan was let into the Lodge by the guards, he was looking for someone. Juliet. But, he didn’t have to ask many people before realizing that she wasn’t there. Many of the more devout nobles were gone. Today was the weekly services at the Grand Codifice."

    scene bg33 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Within the hour, he’d crossed back to the north side of the river. A large crowd had gathered in front of the temple, waiting for the doors to open."

    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Along the edges, near the market stalls, Rowan found Juliet. She was talking with an apple merchant. Rowan waited for her to finish. When she turned from him, newly purchased apple in hand, Rowan saw a handkerchief fall from her basket."

    if rowanCorruption > 30:
        "A perfect opportunity to strike."

    else:
        "Rowan sighed inwardly. He would not enjoy this."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You must be more careful with your things, My Lady. I won’t always be there to pick them up."

    show juliet shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Juliet turned around to see him, handkerchief extended. She half-jumped."

    juli "R-rowan! What are you doing here?"

    if rastAlly == "werden":
        ro "Well, I still owe you stories, don’t I? I made you a promise. It would be wrong of me to ignore a debt."
        ro "I heard you were going to services so I went to pay you a visit."
        show juliet happy at midright with dissolve
        "She clapped her hands together. Her whole posture changed, as though someone had run a current of energy through her."
        juli "You wanted to go with me?"
        show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    else:
        ro "I was actually just on my way to services. The sermon of the High Arbitron isn’t a thing most peasant folk get to hear very often. A perk of my present situation."
        ro "Were you as well?"
        show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Juliet kicked her feet. Her eyes had lowered the moment she saw him, but every few seconds she’d peek up at him. Her arms were crossed over her chest."
        juli "Indeed."
        juli "..."
        "Rowan stepped closer. She was fighting herself about something."
        ro "Is something amiss?"
        juli "Father warned me I shouldn’t speak with you."
        "Rowan nodded. Of course. He’d noticed how she’d been looking at him in the past. Surely he realized the danger in his daughter’s crush."
        "It took Rowan a few seconds to construct a plan. He was not experienced in this kind of subversion. But, when he spoke again, it was with purpose."
        ro "As well he should. You don’t know me. Do you?"
        "She nodded slowly, now eyes firmly meeting his."
        ro "It’s only right that you take precautions with strangers. Even heroes of the realm. He’s showing wisdom."
        ro "Not that your father needs instruction on not trusting people. He’s quite skilled already on that front."
        "Juliet looked behind her. Then back to him. She was searching for something. A reason to agree."
        juli "You’re not really a stranger though. Are you? "
        if rowanCorruption < 31:
            "Rowan cringed inwardly."
        juli "My brothers and father served alongside you in the war. And my departed uncle as well. You’re a friend of the family."
        "Rowan shrugged. He still needed to present himself as the voice of wisdom. He couldn’t be too eager to accept her rationalization."
        ro "Still, we haven’t spoken much personally. If you’d like we can sit together during services. Perhaps change that."
        "Juliet slowly uncrossed her arms."

    juli "We would have to be quiet though. Services are no right place for story time. We could disrupt the other worshipers."

    "She nodded sagely."

    ro "Of course."
    ro "And I doubt Marianne would much enjoy being interrupted."

    "In the distance, Rowan saw the door of the Grand Codifice opening. The crowd was starting to funnel in."
    "Juliet put a finger in his face and wagged it."

    juli "Her Beatitude, the High Arbitron. Father is the same way. I remind him to say the full title all the time, but he never does."

    show juliet happy at midright with dissolve

    "She sighed to herself. Then she knelt down into a proper curtsy."

    juli "Very well. It would be a great honor to attend services side by side with the savior of the realm."

    scene bg37 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show juliet neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The pews of the Grand Codifice rang out with the whispered prayers of the people of Rastedel. Some prayed for safety. Some for strength. Some for a stealthy getaway. At the head of the congregation, framed by floating pillars of water, was the High Arbitron."

    show marianne neutral at midright with dissolve

    mari "She is the shield of our heart and protector of our minds. Let her guide us to wisdom, clarity of vision, and purity. We are travelers and she is the way."

    cong "She is the shield of our heart and protector of our minds. Let her guide us to wisdom, clarity of vision, and purity. We are travelers and she is the way..."

    "Rowan leaned over to Juliet in the seat next to his and whispered something in her ears. They sat near the front, close enough to see the High Arbitron up close."
    "Juliet giggled softly to herself but managed to go quiet and return to a proper worshipful posture."

    juli "Shhh."

    "Rowan felt a few cold looks. It had wound up loud enough for a few nearby people to hear. Marianne glanced vaguely in their direction but had to move on to the next prayer mere moment after."
    "The services dragged on."

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show juliet happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Soon, Juliet had given up even pretending to focus on praying. She and Rowan were whispering incessantly to each other throughout the service. An older noblewoman shushed at them periodically throughout the service, but Rowan and Juliet just kept on talking."

    scene bg33 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show juliet happy at midright with dissolve

    "Later, when the services were done, Juliet tugged on his sleeve."

    juli "I know of a garden by the side of the Codifice. Her Beatitude’s personal. They have such lovely irises there. We can speak there, Rowan. "
    juli "That is, if you wish to."

    "Rowan gave a soft bow."

    ro "It would be my most sincere honour."

    "Juliet led him past a winding path through a gate up to the roof of one of the Codifice’s side buildings. Atop it, Rowan was struck by the sight of a vast rooftop garden. Soil taken from the countryside was watered by the flowing currents runnings from the Codifice itself."
    "As he stared, Juliet looped her arm in his. With a little nudge, she got him walking."
    "They strolled through the garden, over green grass as fresh on the hillsides outside the city. Together they looked like a painting or an illustration in a story book. They spoke on a wide range of topics together. Juliet would ask a question and Rowan would build an answer."

    ro "Some stories say Orcs unskilled fighters or brutes. In truth, they can be quite clever and practiced. They are an entire culture devoted to war. The average Orcish soldier has more combat experience and training then even most knights."

    juli "Then how are our brave soldiers able to defeat them in battle?"

    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Juliet tilted her head."

    ro "Strategy and Logistics."
    ro "Good commanders and discipline maximize fighting effectiveness. We rarely go into battle with worse armors, arms, or provisions then them. And we almost always face them with greater numbers."
    ro "Steel, terrain, food. The secret of war is that battles are rarely truly won on the battlefield itself. The bravery of individuals rarely changes wars."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I was the exception, I suppose..."

    "The conversation moved on to other topics. The topic was mostly war stories. Though, Juliet did chime in with a small bit about a book she read. A story about a knight returning from war who snuck in through the window of his lady love, so as to avoid her parents."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show juliet happy at midright with dissolve

    "Together, they arrived at a river stream. The main bulk of the water flowing from the codifice. A quaint little rope bridge had been built on top of it. It must have been quite old because it seemed rickety. Rowan went first and extended his hand to Juliet."

    ro "Take my hand, my lady. "

    "Without a second’s hesitation, she grabbed it."
    "On the other side of the river, she looked around as though she spotted something."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    juli "Perhaps we should continue going a bit further, sir. I feel watched..."

    "Rowan nodded. He felt watched too. Together they made off, moving faster until they arrived together at a small clearing. Here it would be hard for someone to sneak up on them."

    juli "There had been a question I wondered above all. Something closer to my heart."

    ro "Your uncle?"

    "Rowan hadn’t had to guess. No doubt she had spoken too few others who had been there the day of the battle of Karst. The same battle that had preceded the siege where he had earned his fame."
    "She nodded softly and took a polite seat on a stone. Rowan had the center of the clearing...and her undivided attention."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Well, I didn’t know him that well. Back when he died, I was no one. No random soldier, especially from another lord’s levy, gets face to face time with the army’s commander."
    ro "I’d been called up only weeks before. In Prothea, the Holy Lord Zerias had changed sides and pledged fealty to Karnas. You were young back then, right? Do you remember what happened?"

    juli "Mother took me and Edmond east. Father and my brothers were already in Prothea, but Uncle David wanted to go to Karst."

    "Rowan sighed. He still remembered the day of his mustering. Alexia watching him march off in formation with the other men of Arthdale. It had been the start of his long war."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "The entire mission was doomed."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Zerias was going south, so they only thought they needed to put together an army strong enough to face a human duke."
    ro "But, Karnas put a second, secret, army into his hands. Orcs armed with well-forged arms, led by lesser demons, and fully provisioned."
    ro "I was part of Raeve’s force, on the wing, during the battle. Your uncle, the former Duke Werden, in the front. Zerias met us on the road up to Karst."

    show juliet happy at midright with dissolve

    juli "Did you see what happened to him?"

    "Rowan held up his hand. Juliet was leaning forward. Overeager."

    ro "We’re getting there. Hold."
    ro "Your uncle and his men were the point of the spear. Thick in the fighting. On the far right flank, we mostly held against their counter attacks."
    ro "I saw his standard holding high. It was even still making headway down the road."

    juli "So what happened?"

    "She bit her nails."

    ro "The second army. More than a thousand orcs in steel armor charged out of nowhere and struck the other flank. Suddenly, everyone further back was running. But, the orcs were behind the vanguard. Behind your uncle."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "They were all trapped. Lambs for the slaughter."

    #juliet sad
    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    juli "Uncle David..."

    ro "He tried to break out. Aim for a segment of the line where the enemy were weakest. But, no one made it out of the trap."

    juli "I’d heard from my older brother that he and cousin Gilbert had been surrounded together and left many dead at their feet before being brought down. The rest, I hadn’t been told."

    ro "Perhaps. All I saw was their stand go down. I was one of the closest men to the tragedy, but making out what happened was nearly impossible. None of them made it out alive, and I’ve never heard of an orc survivor of the war who can claim to have seen his final moments. "

    "Rowan decided perhaps it would be best to leave a key detail out of the story."
    "He might not have known how the former Duke of Werden died. But, every man who’d been besieged in Karst after the battle had clear memory of what had been done to his head."

    show juliet shocked at midright with dissolve

    juli "You were closest? Goddess Fend…how did you make it back?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It wasn’t easy. We had to run on foot. My unit were among the last back to Karst."

    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Juliet put her hand to her mouth."

    juli "I cannot imagine how someone could be so brave as to stay and fight in that situation. I’d be terrified."

    "Rowan nodded stoically. Here too the story was more complicated. It was simply his unit got stuck in a blocking position. But, the story worked better this way."

    ro "It had to be done, my lady. All there was to it. It had to be done."

    juli "Truly…"

    #juliet concerned

    "Storytime, however, was to be interrupted. Before they could continue, they heard voices in the distance. People coming. Had that been the presence they had felt earlier?"
    "He turned back to Juliet. In moments her expression had shifted radically. She had pleading eyes."

    ro "You don’t want to be seen alone with a man in public, my lady? "

    "She nodded softly."
    "Rowan had to think fast. There wasn’t a good way out from here that didn’t involve first approaching the voices."
    "No, they had to hide."

    show juliet shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Without saying anything, he grabbed Juliet by the shoulder, and jumped into the bushes. Her squeak of surprise was muffled by Rowan’s hand."

    #juliet concerned

    "Still, she made no effort to wriggle free from his grasp. At first, she was stiff. The addition of nearby voices. A group of young men and ladies speaking in proper tones. Juliet may well have known some of them."

    #juliet aroused
    show juliet neutral at midright with dissolve

    "But, once she’d gotten used to their place of hiding, her posture shifted. She leaned in more to his embrace. Rowan felt her supple bosom press into his chest. Her head buried into his chest."
    "It was only once the voices had passed, so far as to make being in sight range impossible, that Rowan and Juliet emerged from the bushes together."

    ro "Apologies for that. It was unseemly."

    "Juliet couldn’t meet his eyes. Her cheeks were burning."

    juli "No. Thank you. You were quite quick thinking. It’s just I..."

    ro "I assume that you’re not much used to close contact with the male sort. Or even with male company in general. One can only imagine life growing up under someone as strict as your father."

    #juliet neutral

    "To his surprise, Juliet shook her head emphatically. Had he said something wrong?"

    juli "Father was never strict with me."

    ro "I had not meant to insult him. Merely to say that…"

    "Her voice grew bolder then he had yet heard from her."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    juli "He can be protective at times. He’s made it quite clear that my interactions with the opposite sex are to be viewed skeptically. But, father has always been understanding and supportive."
    juli "He’s never scolded me or said a word in anger. If he doesn’t like something I’m doing, he tells me he’s worried. It’s mother whose always been the strict one. "
    juli "In truth, He- Can you keep a secret?"

    "She glanced to the side."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I should hope so by now."

    juli "Father would actually sometimes help me sneak out of lessons. We’d go riding together in the countryside. Especially in the years after the war ended."
    juli "He’s always been the kindest of the kind."

    "Rowan simply stared at her, dumbfounded. Did she have some entirely different father he didn’t know about?"

    ro "The kindest of the kind. Indeed."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show juliet happy at midright with dissolve

    "After, they departed from the clearing. Best not to linger too much longer. A short time later, they were at the gate leading from the garden."

    ro "I’ll leave first. You can stay in the garden for a time longer. That should throw off any watching eyes."

    #juliet aroused

    "He leaned over and brushed her cheek ever so softly with his finger tips. Only a touch. It would leave her eager for more. Juliet giggled at the touch."

    ro "Don’t miss me, Juliet. I’ll see you soon."

    "Rowan left the garden, and the Codifice complex, with a bright smile on his face. He was certain that Juliet had watched him go with forlorn eyes. His plans had come to fruition."

    hide juliet with dissolve

    if rowanCorruption > 30:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "That had all been almost too easy. Had he not known of Juliet’s crush, he might have thought this was a trap. Playing with the feelings of others had become strangely easy."
        if rowanCorruption > 60:
            "He liked it."

    else:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "The entire time, Rowan had half-wanted to shout at her to stay away from him."

    "Rowan only had to walk a little bit longer until the person who had been stalking them started walking at his side."

    show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve

    amer "I don’t think anyone else was paying attention to you. You’re in the clear."
    ro "Did you actually go into the Codifice with us?"

    "Ameraine was smirking quietly. He had not asked her to join them. But, figuring out who’d been watching them had been all too easy. It was good that Rowan had nothing to hide."

    amer "The entire time, Rowan. She was laughing and leaning close to you the entire time. You could have told her to roll over like a cur and she’d have done it."

    if rastAlly == "jacques":
        amer "So, when are you going to seal the deal? Her information is too valuable for you to dawdle."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan gave her a hard look."
        ro "I understand my mission. There will be no failures or delays."
        hide rowan with moveoutleft
        "Rowan sped on, leaving her standing in the street alone. After doing what he had to today, he didn’t much want to speak to her."
        if rowanCorruption < 60:
            "Ameraine sighed to herself. Rowan was rapidly retreating into the distance from her."
            amer "So touchy. All he’s doing is stomping on an innocent kitten. You’d think he’d be used to that by now. Tsk tsk."

    else:
        amer "One has to wonder what you’re doing with the poor girl. Oh, she’s pretty. And she wants you in her bed. But, why take the time on it?"
        amer "Is it her looks? Or something else?"
        if rowanCorruption < 60:
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            "Rowan kept on walking, not even looking at her. It was a question he didn’t much want to answer."
        else:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan glared at her darkly."
            ro "You know why I’m doing this, Ameraine."
            "Ameraine smiled wide and dark."
            amer "There is still fun in asking."
            amer "The point is moot. Be careful and be smart. I’m not about to begrudge a man a spot of petty vengeance, but every step you take makes the plan more complicated. I will not have my designs ruined."
            "Rowan didn’t look at her. This was not a line of question he took kindly too. His vengeance was his business."
            ro "They won’t be."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            "Rowan sped up, so he didn’t have to continue speaking to her."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_lodge_2.rpy
label bedroom_window_rp:

    "Who is your Rastedel ally? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Jacques":
            $ rastAlly = "jacques"
        # Replay mod: Crevette choice can completely block a scene with no extra dialogue if you
        #             don't also pick high corruption so we'll leave it out as an option. You can
        #             still get the dialogue by choosing Jacques without hard-blocking a scene.
        #"Crevette":
            #$ rastAlly = "crevette"
        "Werden":
            $ rastAlly = "werden"

    "How corrupted is Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "High":
            $ rowanCorruption = 61
        "Medium":
            $ rowanCorruption = 32
        "Low":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    scene black with fade
    show juliet neutral behind black

    "In her bed, Juliet was stirring. There was a tapping at her window. Something small was striking against it."

    juli "Mmm…"

    "She groaned and rose. Nothing was there from her first glance. She approached the window slowly and pushed it open. Her left hand was at her eyes, wiping the sleep dust from them."
    "That was when Rowan climbed high enough to come into view."

    #cg1
    scene black with fade
    show juliet neutral behind black
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    ro "Good evening, Juliet."

    show juliet shocked behind black

    #if agility is low - TOD
        #Rowan took a moment to catch his breath. It had been an easy climb, but even so, that kind of acrobatics were clearly not his specialty.

    "She fell back in surprise with both hands over her mouth. He hadn’t been able to make it out before, but she was dressed in a silky white night dress that showed much of her form. If anything, it reminded him of the one Alexia liked to wear."
    "Rowan rose to a sitting position on top of the windowsill."
    "He kept his posture unobtrusive. There was a fine line of decorum in a situation like this. The acceptability depended entirely on how much Juliet wanted him to be there."

    ro "I’m sorry to have startled you. If my presence is unwelcome, I can-"

    show juliet neutral behind black

    juli "W-wait!"

    #cg1 - var 2
    scene cg596 with fade
    show juliet neutral behind cg596
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg596
    pause 3

    "Juliet brushed herself off and rose to her feet. She walked towards him. Slow. Cautious. It was less about him as about making a sound."

    juli "I don’t mind. Just... don't be loud. This is my brother's house. He cannot know there is another person in the room."

    "Rowan nodded softly. Of course, Rowan knew to come when she was here. At other times she stayed at her father’s smaller quarters in the city or even the lodge. Both had heavily armed guards. A much riskier approach."

    juli "Why visit me, though? Why at this hour? "

    ro "What do you mean? I wanted to see you."

    "Juliet’s cheeks flushed. She turned her head from him, in a bashful girlish way."
    "Ameraine had confirmed that she heard rumors of a secret passageway in and out of the lodge. One that people associated with Werden and his children. Sometimes they’d leave and no one would see their departure."
    "Meanwhile, Juliet loved her stories. The entire purpose of sneaking in through the window like a thief in the night. To her, it would be more like the knight and his ladylove."

    juli "...I wanted to see you again too…"

    if rowanCorruption > 60:
        "Exactly."

    "Rowan reached down and plucked up her chin. He used it to guide her head higher."

    ro "Look here. In my eyes."

    #cg1 - var 3
    scene black with fade
    show juliet neutral behind black
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    "Rowan kissed her on the lips. It was a lingering meeting of lips on lips. He didn’t indulge in too much tongue. It was meant to simulate a loving kiss. Juliet, of course, was very bad at it. Her mouth didn’t open enough. Rowan wouldn’t have been surprised if this were her first kiss."

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        "It was charming. Mostly."
    else:
        "Rowan didn’t think much of the kiss. He’d been with people who actually knew what they were doing."

    "On the other hand, Juliet was having the time of her life. Her eyes were sealed shut, and she rose from his lips every few seconds for heavy breaths. When their lips met again, her body shuddered."

    if rastAlly != "werden":
        #cg1 - var 2
        scene cg596 with fade
        show juliet neutral behind cg596
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg596
        pause 3
        "Then, in a sudden rush, the kiss broke. Juliet pushed herself backwards. Her eyes flew open. Something was wrong."
        juli "Wait. I-"
        juli "I really shouldn't be doing this. It would be wrong. Disrespectful. Impious."
        "Rowan remained in place. His muscles tensed, but he couldn’t show it. He had to keep his voice soft and his posture open."
        ro "My Lady?"
        juli "Wait. Just wait."
        "She sucked in air. She still could not go more than a second without shooting him glances. It was a confusing mix of expressions So much so that Rowan didn’t quite grasp what feelings she was trying to convey."
        juli "I cannot do this, Rowan. I cannot. What would people say? What if people knew? In stories, the noblewoman elopes with a commoner. But, they're stories. They don't have families. Fathers. Honour to consider."
        juli "In the storybooks, it's not complicated."
        "Rowan nodded slowly. This was a delicate situation. He had to pick his words carefully. She took a step closer."
        ro "It doesn't have to be more complicated than you make it. It's just you and me. Here. In this room."
        #cg1 - var 3
        scene black with fade
        show juliet neutral behind black
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black
        "Rowan leaned down and placed a little peck on her lips. Juliet certainly didn’t refuse the kiss."
        #cg1 - var 2
        scene cg596 with fade
        show juliet neutral behind cg596
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg596
        pause 3
        #Conditional in sentence based on deception skill. - TODO
            #ro "No one will know. We won't do anything outwardly to show our (Love/...Love). We're safe from all eyes. Every vulture who might see otherwise. "
        ro "We can have our storybook. You can have your storybook. Exactly like you’ve always wanted."
        "Juliet went very quiet. Her eyes closed softly."
        juli "Right here. In this room. Our storybook."
        juli "If we do this...promise me you'll stay with me when the fighting is done."
        juli "I've heard you are married. I know it's wrong. But, when you've defeated the demons again, you will set your peasant wife aside and come be with me. By then, your own lordship is surely guaranteed."
        if society_type == "feudalism":
            "Rowan thought about the way politics had developed back at Bloodmeen."
            ro "My lordship would be guaranteed by then...yes…"
        juli "So promise me. Promise me that I would be your woman, and you would be my man."
        "Rowan looked down into her eyes. They shone with a fierce determination right now, but they were still so soft and round."
        "She would not have made a bad wife. She was pretty and intelligent and came from good stock. Most of all, she loved him."
        "Or at least she loved a story of him."
        menu:
            "Make the promise. (Scene)" if rastAlly != "crevette" or (rastAlly == "crevette" and rowanCorruption > 60):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan looked deep into her shining eyes."
                ro "I promise you. You’re the woman for me. It doesn’t matter who I’m with until the end of the war. It doesn’t matter who I married."
                ro "When the fighting is done, I will return to Rastedel and make you my wife."
                if rowanCorruption < 31:
                    "Rowan thought about Alexia. She was waiting for him back at the castle."
                    "But, Alexia’s safety depended on his ability to get results for the twins. That, in turn, meant he needed Juliet’s absolute trust."
                    "Lying burned. But, he had to do it. For her."
                    "Even if she never truly appreciated him for it."
                elif rowanCorruption > 60:
                    "Such an easy lie. How would she even have survived in life with so little sense? If Rowan had not come along surely someone else would have played with her heart."
                else:
                    "Lying this way was...distasteful, of course. But, there was no getting around it. Rowan needed a way to take out Werden surgically during the fighting. This was the only way it could be done."
                "Juliet took in his words with a near blank expression. Like she couldn’t even process them fully."
                #if deception is high - TODO
                    #"When he finished, Juliet’s smile instantly stretched wide. The moment she’d processed his words, her expression had instantly dropped all worries, all concern."
                #else:
                "For a lingering moment after he finished, there remained touches of doubt. A furrowed eyebrow. Pursed lips."
                "Her expression only softened a little bit after he was done. A lingering trace of doubt remained. But, just a trace."
                #rejoin
                "I shall gladly be your lady tonight, my hero."
                jump julietPreSex_rp


            "Don't make the promise." if rastAlly != "jacques":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "..."
                "Rowan’s expression darkened."
                ro "I can’t do that, Juliet. I’m not going to leave my wife when the war is over. You and I have only just met."
                juli "I-"
                "Rowan shook his head again before she could speak. Juliet’s entire posture deflated before his eyes."
                ro "We can have this moment here and now. But, it won’t last forever. I can’t promise anything more than that."
                #cg1
                scene black with fade
                show juliet neutral behind black
                show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                "Juliet turned away from him and walked towards her bed. Rowan could only see the back of her head. Yet, her thoughts were painfully clear to him."
                juli "I see."
                juli "Thank you for your honesty. I...I appreciate that."
                juli "..."
                "Rowan heard a small sniffle. The sound of someone trying to hold together that which is coming apart. His face sank."
                juli "Please leave."
                "The next time Juliet would look back, Rowan would not be there. He would already be making his way down the wall and far away. He left Juliet to construct her own story of what had happened."
                "As he made his way down, he heard a sound from her room that could only be sobbing."
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                return

    else:
        #cg1 - var 2
        scene cg596 with fade
        show juliet neutral behind cg596
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg596
        pause 3
        "Juliet slowly broke the kiss. But, only so far as needed to speak. Her body remained pressed close to him."
        juli "I don’t know how father will feel about this…"
        "Rowan smiled softly to reassure her."
        ro "Do you think I came through the window in the dead of night if I planned to tell your father?"
        ro "Still, he and I are allies. You saw us standing together at the parade. Before this is done, I’m likely to be a lord. You understand that."
        ro "To tell the truth, I’ve come to see him as something of a father figure here over the last few weeks."
        ro "Do you really believe he’d find me the most unsuitable of liaisons?"
        "Juliet went silent. There was not much to this. Sure, the two cavorting around would be a scandal if discovered. But, as far as Juliet and her father were both aware, Rowan planned to remain in the capital as an ally for months or even years to come."
        ro "To me, the real question is simply. Is this what you want? This liaison is entirely your choice, my lady."
        "She nodded slowly, hiding her face. Rowan could have sworn he saw a sparkle from her cheek."
        juli "…I’ve heard it whispered by some that you are secretly a divine. I don’t know."
        juli "But this, right here, is…is the thing I’ve wanted most since I first saw you."
        jump julietPreSex_rp


    label julietPreSex_rp:

    #cg1
    scene black with fade
    show juliet neutral behind black
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    "Juliet marched back from the window, away from Rowan, once more. Her arms hugged right around her waist. Rowan leaned forward, eyes trained entirely on her. Yet, he did not rise from his perch. He wanted to give her a little bit of room."

    ro "Lady Juliet?"

    juli "A moment."

    "Juliet reached an old and quite ornate dresser and fumbled her way inside. From it, she drew a large candelabra. Rowan silently watched as she lit it and set it in place on the dresser. Afterm she rushed to another part of the room and pulled out another source of light."
    "The entire time she was nearly vibrating with energy. Her lips softly hummed a sweet little bird’s song. He was surprised her small frame could contain all of her excitement."
    "Soon, several candles burned around the room, giving the place a warm glow. She giggled to herself softly. "

    show juliet happy behind black

    juli "Well, um…this is my first time. I want it to be perfect."

    if rastAlly == "jacques":
        "Rowan kicked his feet. Did he really have to go all the way? Perhaps there was a way that did not involve going that far."
        menu:
            "Take her to bed. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump julietSex_rp

            "Get cold feet.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show juliet neutral behind black
                ro "Wait!"
                "Juliet tilted her head to the side. She held an unlit candelabra in hand."
                ro "You misunderstood me, My Lady."
                ro "I had not meant to take things quite as far as that."
                "Juliet’s face turned scarlet."
                juli "Oh."
                ro "What I had intended instead, at least for tonight, was to simply lay with you. To kiss you. To feel your heartbeat close to mine."
                "Rowan struggled to find the right words to say. He had to figure out how not to sound disinterested. He could not tell her how little he actually wanted to fuck her."
                "Juliet looked down at her feet. Was she disappointed? Relieved? Rowan could not say with anything approaching certainty."
                ro "It is meant as a promise, my lady. For what is to come when the fighting is done."
                "That solidified it. She nodded stoically. The lady waiting for her lover to return from the war. That was a role she understood."
                "So it was that Rowan took Juliet to bed. The two curled close under the covers, lips firmly locked together. It was difficult to tell how long it was that they kissed, but certainly the time was in hours rather than minutes."
                "By the time it was done, Juliet stared at him with totally captured eyes. She’d do what he wanted."
                jump julietSexEnd_rp

    else:
        pass

    label julietSex_rp:
    show juliet neutral behind black

    $ julietSex = True

    "With the room properly lit, she next went for a stick of incense. As it burned, the room quickly started to fill with a smoky aroma. Even the scent had to be perfect."
    "Rowan continued to wait. This was her mental preparations for a momentous event. Any effort to rush her would be stupid."

    if rowanCorruption < 61:
        "Not to mention cruel."

    "Now, illuminated by candle light, she turned back to him. Her eyes trailed the floor. Moments later, her nightgown would as well. With shaky hands, she went to her shoulders and worked the silk fabric off. It silently fluttered to the ground, leaving her body totally exposed to him."

    juli "I’m ready."

    "Rowan’s eyes trailed her near unearthly pale body. He found a single freckle near her crotch. Something he was sure no man save a relative had ever seen before."
    "She stood in an uneven stance, gripping her forearms. This was her first time being seen, totally and completely seen, by a lover."

    juli "What should I do, Rowan? "

    #cg2
    scene cg597 with fade
    show juliet neutral behind cg597
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg597

    "Rowan advanced into Juliet’s room. Her body shivered to the vibrations of his steps. So soft. So supply Not a hard muscle to be felt. It was so easy to guide her to the bed and mold her into position. He laid her back with her hands gripping the bedframe and her legs properly spread."
    "Juliet grunted and whimpered at the feel of his touch. But, she followed along with the lead of his hands."

    juli "Like this?"

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        ro "Mhm. That’s right. (You’re doing well)"

    "Rowan ran a hand down from her collar bone over her belly slowly. He trailed his fingers between her breasts, all the way down her belly. Again, she shivered under his touch. The feel of his hand highlighted for her present state. Exposed."

    juli "Are you g-going to-"

    ro "Not yet. You’re not ready yet. You’re almost certainly way too dry for that."
    ro "You’ve touched yourself before, right?"

    juli "Well-"

    "To illustrate the point, Rowan’s hand finally made its way between her legs. It took half a second of exploration to find her clit hidden beneath her folds. Rowan nodded knowingly. Not wet enough. He’d need to do something about that."
    "For her part, Juliet reacted as he had planned. Her eyes fluttered and her lips formed an open gasp."

    #juliet aroused

    juli "Ah…"

    "Rowan had to be careful. Too much stimulation would overwhelm her. So, he set about working her up as needed. Brushing her clit in a steady rhythm. Touching over and over. Each time, Juliet would wiggle or let out gasps. The feedback to tell him it was working."
    "Rowan controlled the pace. He brought the flow of tension higher and higher. All it took was steadily working at her clit. She might not have experience, but her body was responding."

    ro "You’re enjoying yourself, aren’t you?"

    juli "Mff."

    "She buried her face in her hands. But, her ability to hide her growing arousal was fading. Now the wetness of her sex and the spasms and shaking of her body told Rowan how effective his touch was."
    "He buried a hand into his pants to work his cock stiff. Not so difficult with the visual encouragement he was getting."

    if rowanCorruption < 61:
        "Eventually, he shifted from rubbing her clit to pumping fingers inside of her. First, a single finger, but then up to two. It wasn’t as effective a teasing method, but it would give her body a bit more experience with penetration."
        "For all of his goals in this room, actually causing pain was not one of them. She should enjoy herself too."

    "The dynamic of the situation could not be more clear. Rowan knew how to please a woman from intimate experience. Even without directly topping, he was the one guiding her."

    juli "R...Rowan…"

    "She was getting closer. The movement of his fingers  were having the intended effect. Her breath was growing shallow and fast. Cheeks bright red, eyes out of focus. The unmistakable signs of a body in the throes of need."

    juli "I’m feeling really...uh...hot..yeah…"

    ro "You want the real thing now, huh?"

    "She nodded weakly."

    juli "Please...yes..."
    juli "Just...gentle. Okay?"

    "Rowan pulled his hand back slowly and put it to his nose. Her scent hung on his finger tips. Her body wiggled eagerly beneath him."

    ro "Okay. Gentle. I can do that."

    "Rowan worked his cock out of his pants. Juliet glanced out towards it with a mixed expression. Wide eyes and hungry parted lips."

    ro "Gentle."

    #cg3
    scene cg598 with fade
    #juliet aroused
    show juliet neutral behind cg598
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg598
    pause 3

    "That was how he entered her. No rough movement. Just slow and gentle. He couldn’t have gone fast or rough if he tried. Her hole was just too tight. Rowan had to work harder and harder the deeper he penetrated."
    "Juliet whimpered and groaned with each inch that he sunk into her. Not all of those groans were pleasure."
    "Rowan looked down and saw red on his cock. Just a small bit, but enough to tell him what had happened. He’d taken her virginity."

    ro "My Lady...Juliet...Do you wish for me to keep going?"

    "She bit her lip and nodded. She was beyond words now."
    "Rowan tested it slowly. Rocking his hips back and forth in a light pattern. The tightness of her pussy was more than enough to stimulate him, even with that small motion. Her insides clung to him, developing the experience of being shaped from his cock."
    "There was something erotic to it all. Rowan didn’t truly want her. But, the animal part of his mind swelled with pride at the sight of the small amount of blood on his cock."
    "Juliet let loose an increasingly loud torrent of noises. The whimpers started to slow as the pain from her cherry being popped started to parse down. Every new sound was more similar to a moan."
    "Rowan groaned. His pace picked up slightly. But his moves were still small and soft thrusts. He was not so much railing her as rubbing her insides with his cock. The tight squeezing drove him closer and closer to orgasm by the second. Every texture of her body was his to feel."

    juli "Today is...Today is safe…"

    "The fact that she was even able to speak at all was to her credit. Even now, she was only growing more overwhelmed by sensation. Her head buried even further into his shoulder. It was her tether to the ground."
    "The smell of the room stank of sex. Not even the incense could clear it out. All of her perfect preparation couldn’t match the smell of real sex."
    "He pulled out slightly. The mixture of her juices, his precum, and the blood left his cock coated in a glistening layer of fluid. He breathed in once. And then he entered her again. Now her pussy was more ready. No longer was he just rubbing. He was going to fuck her like he meant it."
    "From there, the pleasure only built. So too did her movements. The muffled whimpers from her lips grew harder to control. All of it was building towards a fever pitch. A climax."
    "Rowan bucked hard. Already he could feel the vibrations running through his shaft. He was almost there."

    #cg3 var 2
    scene black with fade
    #juliet aroused
    show juliet neutral behind black
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    ro "There. Fuck. There. Mm."

    "Rowan groaned out. That was all he could take. There was a small sputter and then he let loose. Juliet’s pussy overflowed with white hot semen."
    "He leaned back, panting. Juliet curled up closer to him, still whimpering. No doubt, as his movements slowed and his cock began to soften, the pleasure began to fade. The pain would still linger."

    juli "I…"

    show juliet happy behind black

    juli "I didn’t hate that."

    "She sighed weakly."

    juli "I could get used to that…"
    juli "Was I good? Did I please you?"

    "Rowan strokes her hair softly. Her face was still buried in his shoulder. For once, he could tell the full truth."

    ro "You did, Juliet. You did."

    label julietSexEnd_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade

    if rowanCorruption < 61:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan arrived back at his room and sealed the door behind him. After the visit, he’d needed to return home quickly. Going to her room had always been risky. What would have been required had he actually been caught by her father?"

    if julietSex == True:
        "After they slept together, Rowan had stayed for hours to cuddle her and listen to her feelings. If she regretted it, she certainly hadn’t shown anything of the sort while Rowan had been there."

    "She’d been sad to see him leave so soon, of course. He’d promised her they’d meet up again in a few weeks. There were big events happening in the city and he’d see her again when things were more stable."
    "Of course, when things actually would be more stable, either he’d be dead or the city would be under new management. But, she believed him all the same."

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        "Juliet was a sweet girl. Well bred. Intelligent and curious. Rowan could not blame her for this. More hardened and world weary people had been hoodwinked by his ruse. What chance had a sheltered and romantic young woman had?"
        "Rowan was not quite sure who to blame for any of this."

    elif rowanCorruption > 60:
        "Simply too easy. Juliet had practically been dropping her undergarments for him from the moment of meeting. Was it really so wrong of him to oblige her by shoving his cock in? She did want this, after all."
        "And besides, it let him get what he really wanted. Werden had taken so much from him. So it would only be justice if Rowan got to take something of his."

    else:
        "Rowan sighed. That had been easy. It constantly amazed him the way people would let him into their halls of power and homes."
        "He was not so incredible a liar as to fool everyone. Indeed, when he was unrecognized, his schemes were much harder to pull off."
        "It actually made him angry. How dare she make it so easy for him? How could she be so stupid as to not try to figure out if the real Rowan matched his reputation? It was her own fault, really."

    if rastAlly == "jacques":
        $ julietKey = True
        "Rowan pulled out a balled up handkerchief from his belt. A token of her favour was what she had called it. Like all the lords and ladies give to each other. In truth, it mattered much less than what it was wrapping around."
        "Rowan had asked her if she knew of a secret way into the Lodge. A way to see her without the guards knowing he was there. As a member of the Werden family, she was more likely to have such a means than anyone."
        "The handkerchief he held was wrapped around a key. A key to a tunnel leading into the lodge. With it, he could get in or out without running into the normal guards."
        "Juliet had given him a way in. A way to meet her Father."
        "Rowan closed his fingers around the key."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_slums.rpy
label slumsEvent4_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    $ knowHandsign = True

    "The Slums of Rastedel were impenetrable, a literal wall of humanity that barred passage into its hidden places. Like an insular Goblin tribe, it was impossible to ingratiate oneself into the greater community without being labeled an outsider."
    "Rowan needed to find Maud. But Maud clearly didn’t want to be found. You couldn’t beg, borrow, or steal such information. It could only be bought."
    "Who better to try his luck with then, than those who sold their bodies to feed themselves?"
    "Rowan returned once more to the Red Light district, to the rows and rows of open windows. To the catcalls and bare chests of hungry women, and more than a few men."
    "Most of the whorehouses in the slums were shantytowns masquerading as houses of pleasure. They projected an image that was as feigned as their occupants’ cheap perfume."
    "Beneath the colorful paint and the red-tinged lamplight, desperation and poverty lurked. But not everywhere."
    "He stopped in front of a particular brothel that looked different from the others. It was sturdy, a three story building built relatively recently. Tall balconies looked out onto the street, supporting the floors above them with wood-carved pillars of curving, feminine contours."
    "The place was clean, orderly without excess.  Half a dozen women reached out to him on the balconies above, blowing kisses and fluttering wisp-thin neglige like a banner upon the breeze."
    "If Maud’s officers visited any brothel around here, it would be this one. Rowan pulled his cloak tighter about himself and entered the front door."
    "He came to a warm-lit entryway and approached the Madame of the Bordello."

    scene bg50 with fade
    show rowan hood neutral at center with moveinleft

    madame "Welcome to the {i}Sheath and Dagger{/i}, stranger. Take off your cloak, and tarry awhile."

    ro "Thank you Miss, but I’d rather retain my anonymity for the moment."

    madame "As you wish, sir. But you will have to remove it when you enter the private rooms."
    madame "There are no secrets beneath the bedsheets. If you expect my girls to bare everything to you, the least you could do is deign show them your face."
    madame "How can I help you?"

    ro " I was hoping to talk to you for a moment."

    madame "I’m flattered, love. But I’m not for sale."

    ro "That’s… not what I meant. I was hoping to ask you some questions."

    madame "We don’t trade in information here, sir. We sell cunt. And at a premium. If you have business with one of my girls, you may while away the hours with them as you please."

    "Well, that was a futile effort. Rowan nodded at the Madame as his gaze swept the room, eying the score of half-clad women lounging on couches or standing at the windows."
    "He spotted a particularly comely girl, bright-eyed and cheerful looking. Her hair was short, raven black and knotted into thin braids to add an element of exoticness to her appearance."
    "She had a certain, hopeful look in her eyes that told Rowan she hadn’t worked here for long.  And when Rowan looked her way, her cheeks reddened and she glanced away."
    "The girl played the part of blushing maiden well... perhaps a bit {i}too{/i} well."
    "She would do. Rowan gestured towards her."

    ro "How much for her?"

    madame "Shari? Twenty gold for a shagging. Forty for extra services."

    "Rowan pulled the coins from his purse, noting the deliberate look the Madame gave him as he counted out the forty pieces."

    madame "-And leave your weapons in the foyer. They will be well looked after."

    show rowan hood angry at center with dissolve

    "Rowan grunted and removed his sword belt. The Madame took his weapon with the wary eyes of a woman too-used to feints and trickery. She swept her hand out to the imperial staircase leading to the upper floors."

    madame "Room Fifteen, Second floor. Shari will join you shortly."

    show rowan hood neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan ascended the stairs, passing by giggling couples and half-drunk patrons. He stepped into the red-lit room and closed the door behind him, letting out a soft sigh. Foregoing the bed, he walked over to the lone window, staring out at the thoroughfare."
    "He heard the door softly open behind him. Rowan glanced back in time to see the bright-eyed girl from before give him a tremulous smile and shuffle into the room. She folded her arms behind her back in a submissive, ladylike fashion."

    ro "You must be Shari."

    shari "Yessir."
    shari "If it please you sir, could you take off your hood? Madame says I can’t be alone with you ‘afore I see your face."

    "Rowan furrowed his eyebrows. The Madame was far too savvy for his taste, but he supposed that was to be expected."

    if rowanCorruption > 50:
        "He gave the whore a once-over again. A fragile girl like her… If worse came to worst, it wouldn’t be hard to intimidate her into silence."

    else:
        "He gave the woman a once-over again. A delicate girl like her… Even if she did recognize him, surely he’d be able to leverage his reputation to ensure her silence."

    ro "Very well."

    "Rowan pulled back his hood. A flicker of surprise swept across Shari’s face."

    shari "Who… "
    shari "Y-you’re Rowan Blackwell!"
    shari "I saws you at the parade, you was riding a white horse at the front."

    "The eagerness in her voice made Rowan unintentionally smile. It was amusing to hear her drop out of her faux-noble accent. Beneath all the pretensions she was still just a slum girl."

    show rowan hood happy at center with dissolve

    ro "Would you please close the door, Shari?"

    shari "Y-yeah o’ course."
    shari "I mean... yes of course, sir."

    "Shari hurriedly shut the door behind her, her eyes fixed to Rowan’s features as if to memorize them for later. Rowan undid his cloak and tossed it aside onto the bed. She turned to face him, her cheeks glowing a genuine cherry red."

    shari "How do you want me, Lord Rowan?"

    show rowan hood neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "On the bed, preferably. And it’s just Rowan."

    "Shari slinked to the bed and sat down on the opposite edge with her back facing him. She pulled off one of the black straps of her frilly dress, exposing a pale shoulder."

    shari "Shall I be your blushing maid for the evening, Rowan?"

    ro "Not just yet."
    ro "First, I’d like to know about some of your other clients."

    "The look on Shari’s face told him he’d caught her off guard."

    show rowan hood happy at center with dissolve

    ro "Call it voyeuristic curiosity."

    shari "Oh my."
    shari "I never would have thought the Hero of Karst was such a…"
    shari "Pervert."

    "She breathed out the last word with the whisper of a lover aroused by a secret revealed."

    shari "Well, earlier today I-"

    show rowan hood neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "I was hoping to hear about someone specific, actually."

    "Shari’s eyebrow rose. She cocked a leg over one knee, displaying her ankles to him. She kept her back to Rowan, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye."

    shari "Who?"

    ro "Dangerous people."
    shari "There’s lots of dangerous folk in the slums, Rowan."
    ro "...Have you ever slept with gang members?"

    "Shari laughed, covering her lips demurely with her hand."

    shari "Does a dog have fleas?"
    ro "One of Maud’s Boys?"

    "Shari’s eyebrow danced a dangerous jig atop her head."

    shari "Maybe. I’ve had lots of ‘boys,’ Rowan."
    shari "Something tells me I haven’t had a man like {i}you{/i} yet, though."

    "Rowan circled the bed, leaning in to go face to face with Shari. He noticed her shrink back, her face going beet red as he planted his palms on either side of her on the bed."

    ro "Tell me what you know about Maud’s Boys."

    "The whore fluttered her eyelids. She seemed to be reveling in the moment. Her voice came out like a quiet exhale."

    shari "Make me."

    if rowanCorruption > 50:
        "Rowan suppressed a sigh. Of all the women in this whorehouse, why did he have to pick the one that {i}enjoyed{/i} being ravished? Rowan didn't know whether he should praise or curse his luck."
        "Sharli licked her lips, then parted her lips invitingly. If she was that earnest, then he supposed there was no downside in playing along…"

    else:
        "Rowan’s lips formed a thin line. Solansia save him, of all the whores in this place, he {i}had{/i} just had to pick the depraved one?"
        "Sharli licked her lips, then parted her lips invitingly. If the little bitch was this eager, then it wouldn’t be hard to make her squeal..."

    ro "Close your eyes. Don’t open them till I tell you to."

    shari "Mmmm, are you going to-"

    "Rowan put a finger to her cherry-red lips. Shari’s shoulders tensed at his touch. Her eyes widened, but she did not shy away."

    ro "Try again."
    ro "Close your eyes."

    "She closed them, her long eyelashes fluttering shut. She let out a heavy exhale as she settled onto the bed. Her spine was rigid, her body tense. He was exciting to her."
    "The mystique of his heroism was once again paying dividends. Rowan gently stroked her lips with his thumb, feeling the rush of heat as she quivered at his touch."

    ro "Keep them closed, Shari."

    shari "Yes, sir."

    scene cg567 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg567
    pause 3

    "Rowan stood up, leaving a void in her personal space. Her brow furrowed at his disappearance. Ignoring her, he circled the bed in a slow, circuitous manner."
    "His footsteps made loud thuds upon the wooden floor as he came to a halt on the opposite side. Rowan sat down, the threadbare bed creaked under their shared weight."
    "He took hold of the upper layer of sheeting and pulled. A loud rip echoed in the room, causing Shari to jump in place. To her credit, she didn’t open her eyes."
    "Rowan took the long strand of ripped fabric and approached Shari from behind her. He draped it across her eyes, weaving it around her head before tying it into a tight bow in the back."

    ro "Tonight you are mine."

    "Shari hesitated. Rowan ran a finger along the curve of her cheek. His warm breath glided across the back of her neck. A thrilling shiver coursed over her."

    ro "Say it."

    shari "Tonight, I’m yours."

    "Rowan marveled at the goosebumps that formed on her neck when he spoke. He took her by the shoulders, peeling off her loose-fitting clothes piece by piece and leaving her naked. She sighed in his grasp."
    "Rowan stood up and circled the bed once more, watching as Shari tensed at his approaching footsteps. He stepped into her space again, asserting it as his own."
    "Shari sat with her hands folded over her lap, concealing her womanhood like a maiden at her first bedding. Her face was clenched, waiting with bated breath to see what Rowan would do."

    ro "When you’re with me here, tonight, I want you to think about all those dangerous men you’ve slept with."

    scene cg568 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg568
    pause 3

    "Rowan moved without warning, clambering up onto the bed so that his knee was in her crotch and her thigh between his legs. She gasped in surprise, but he put his hands upon her shoulders, steadying her."

    ro "Because {i}none{/i} of the men you’ve met are half as dangerous as me."

    "Rowan saw a full-body blush trail across her pale skin as she processed the statement. He smiled, reaching out to idly fondle one of her perky breasts."
    "He began to grind his knee against her exposed pussy, watching as she squirmed in place. Her legs spread wider to allow him access to her nethers."

    ro "Don’t move."

    "She listened to his command, letting out a soft moan as he loomed over her."

    ro "When I ask a question, you’re going to answer."

    shari "{i}Mmmh.{/i}"

    "There was a note of strain in her voice. A last, lingering bit of willful resistance. Rowan would snuff it out. He leaned into her, digging his knee hard against her clit. Shari’s back hunched forward as she let out a soft cry."

    ro "You’re going to answer. Or I’m going to stop doing this to you."

    "He pulled back from the brink, smirking at the trail of feminine goo that coated his knee. Shari whimpered. The whore had a submissive streak. Yet even still, she resisted the natural inclination to give in."
    "Rowan had to be relentless on this point. He put his palm upon her chest, his fingers trailing across her neck with the barest hint of sexual threat."

    ro "You’re going to answer. Or I’m going to stop."

    "She nodded. Rowan could not see her eyes through the blindfold, but he could see the bob of her throat as she swallowed. Her inner thighs were trembling."
    "Satisfied that the message had gotten across, Rowan placed his knee against her crotch once more. The friction was enough to force the helpless whore to rub herself raw against his unyielding body."

    ro "Let’s start easy. A simple question, one I already know the answer to."
    ro "Do you want me?"

    shari "More than anything…"

    "He dug a little deeper, allowing her to feel the weight of him hovering over her. He ran his fingers through her hair, as if he were about to pull her head down into his lap."

    ro "Good girl. Keep going."
    ro "Have you slept with one of Maud’s Boys?"

    "Shari bit her lip and gave a little nod. She squirmed again, but Rowan punished her by pulling away. She let out a little gasp and went stock still. She was getting better at complying."

    ro "Name him."

    shari "W-we’s not supposed to kiss n’ tell. Madam said-"

    "Rowan pulled his knee away again. Shari let out a whine like a bitch in heat, a small trickle of femcum streaming impotently from her cunt."
    "She was so engrossed by the edging that she dropped into her natural slum-slang once more."

    ro "Is the Madame here in this room? Is she asking you these questions?"

    "Shari blushed and lowered her head. She shook her black locks of hair back and forth, unable to meet Rowan’s eyes, even through a blindfold."

    ro "No. I am."
    ro "So name him."

    shari "H-he’s… his name’s Kesser."

    if knowHandsign == True:
        "...Kesser. That was the name of the man who he’d seen guarding the entrance to one of Maud’s warehouses. Shari wasn’t lying."
        ro "Good girl."
        "He tightened his knee, allowing her to grind her crotch back and forth against him. Shari let out an appreciative cry of pleasure."

    ro "Who is he? What does he do?"

    shari "I-I dunno! He just waltzed into the brothel a few days ago… {i}mmmh{/i}! A-and told the Madame he was one o’ Maud’s Boys. "
    shari "She let ‘im have the pick o’ the litter! {i}Ahn{/i}!"

    ro "And you were the prize, hm?"

    "Despite her struggle to remain calm, Shari adopted a fierce expression beneath the blindfold."

    shari "I am sir... Why else would {i}you{/i} ‘ave picked me?"

    "Spunky girl, this one. Fortunately Rowan knew how to tease the spunk right out of her."

    ro "Good. Another easy one:"
    ro "How wet are you right now?"

    shari "N-not much, sir."

    "She was wrong; purposefully so. Rowan let out a huff of air, pulling his leg away again. She shivered in place, her pussy twitching and clenching at the sudden denial."

    shari "{i}Mmh{/i}, No!"

    ro "Try again."

    shari "{i}Please{/i}, Rowan-"

    "Rowan made as if to step away from the be entirely. Shari let out a tortured cry of frustration and excitement."

    ro "{i}Try. Again.{/i}"

    shari "I-I’m wet! I’m wet! I’m soakin’ my own linens wif it, sir!"
    shari "Please Rowan, I {i}need{/i} to cum!"

    "He had her right where she needed to be. Rowan’s knee returned to its rightful place between her legs, edging her towards the precipice of orgasm once more."

    ro "Soon enough, whore. First I need answers."
    ro "What’s Maud’s racket in the Brothels? What are her Boys doing here?"

    shari "T-they’s here to get their jollies, tha’s all!"

    "Rowan slapped her lightly across the cheek. Shari let out a gasp at the unexpected contact."

    ro "Stop lying, or you’ll earn a second one."

    shari "No! They is! Maud doesn’t handle the whorehouses! Honest!"
    shari "Us whores are Madame Montiel’s turf! She’s who runs things!"

    "The name was familiar to him. Amaraine mentioned Montiel was also part of the Northside Bannermen. But if that was the case, then he was chasing the wrong dog."

    ro "And Maud?"

    "Shari’s mouth snapped shut. Despite her desperate need to answer his questions, and even more desperate need to cum, she seemed hesitant to speak of her."

    shari "The… the other girls say she’s an angel. Says if’n you find yourself in a bad way, she can… she’ll help you. She’ll help {i}anyone{/i}."

    ro "Even you?"

    "Shari nodded, lifting her chin as her lower lip quivered. Rowan couldn’t see her eyes, but he saw her brow clenching in desperation."

    shari "Even me. Even a whore like me. Please sir, I feel like I’m half-bout to piss myself."

    "Rowan nodded, reaching down to finish her off with his nimble fingers. Her honesty had at least earned an orgasm. Shari let out a pleasured scream as his fingertips dove into her sodden twat."

    shari "I’m gonna… I’m gonna…"
    shari "{i}Aaaahn!{/i}"

    "Rowan brought her to the precipice. He frigged her drooling entrance at a frenetic pace, watching with delight as the whore trembled, stiffened, then went rigid."
    "He lifted her hood with his thumb, rubbing across her clitoris like he was scrubbing a plate."

    shari "Oh {i}Rowan{/i}!"

    "She came, fountaining a sizable squirt of femcum from her nethers as her thighs clenched and her body seized up. Shari let out an open-throated cry of feminine elation, her hands leaping to her face to rip the blindfold off of her."
    "Rowan watched in satisfaction as she made eye contact with him at the moment of orgasm. Her eyes crossed, her lips opened into an O of pleasure, and her whole body trembled from the seismic convulsions he made inside of her."
    "She fell back against the bed, putting a hand to her forehead as she wiped the sweat from her brow. She basked for a moment in the warmth of post-orgasmic bliss."

    shari "{i}Aah{/i}, I feel like Marianne after a visit to the royal fuckin’ chambers, I do."
    shari "You sure now how to shag a hag, sir."

    ro "Please, call me Rowan."

    "Shari lifted her hand off of her face and fixed him with a heavy, sexual stare."

    shari "Make me cum like that again mister, and I’ll call you whatever you like."

    "Rowan chuckled, standing up off the bed and brushing himself off. He saw Shari sit up in confusion."

    shari "Wait, where are you goin’? Didn’t you want to…?"

    #rowan hood smirk

    ro "I think I’ve had my fun for the evening."

    "Rowan moved to leave. Shari practically leapt out of bed in a rush to delay him."

    shari "B-but tonight I’m {i}yours{/i}, you said so!"
    shari "Can’t we just-"
    shari "I-I mean, you {i}paid{/i} the coin for a shagging... don’t you want your money’s worth?"

    "Pleased that he had played the pretty thing to perfection, Rowan reached out and took her by the chin. Her breath caught in her throat. He planted a shallow kiss on her lips."

    ro "I got my money’s worth tonight, Shari."

    "The whore went bright red again. A girl this callow had no business being a prostitute. He swept a thumb across her cheek and gifted her with a smile."

    ro "You go downstairs after I leave, and you tell your Madame that I had a wonderful time with you. I had such a good time, in fact, that I paid you extra."

    "Rowan pushed a few extra coins into her hand. Shari broke out into a wide smile."

    ro "Remember what you told me tonight? Good girls don’t kiss and tell. Not a peep about what went on between these bedsheets, you hear?"
    ro "Who knows? Maybe I’ll return to finish the job."

    shari "I..."
    shari "I’d like that, M’lord."

    #rowan hood happy

    ro "Till we meet again, M’lady."

    "Rowan grinned, feigning for a moment as if to kiss her before standing up, pulling up his hood and leaving the room for good."

    return

# \events\rastedel_battle_begin.rpy
label rastedel_battle_begin_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ rowAlRelationship = 0
        "Bad":
            $ rowAlRelationship = 100

    "Who is your Orc ally? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Tarish":
            $ orciad_ally = "tarish"
        "Ulcro":
            $ orciad_ally = "ulcro"
        "Batri":
            $ orciad_ally = "batri"
        "None":
            $ orciad_ally = "none"

    $ alexiaWulump = True
    $ goal3_completed = True
    $ palaceStage = 2
    $ orciad_state = 2

    scene bg9 with fade

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan was woken up by the light streaming through his bedroom windows. The Rakshan Wastes were not known for their bright mornings. It was a small fortune, because a moment later the door opened."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with moveinright

    al "Rowan? You’re still in bed?"

    "Rowan squirmed under the covers and groaned."

    ro "It was a long week. A long year. Let me sleep in this one time."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "I can only imagine. That’s no excuse for waking past noon though."

    "She walked towards the bed and pulled back the covers. He crossed his arms over his chest instinctively at the hiss of cold. Not even the days sleeping on the floors of Karst prepared him for the horror of losing a blanket."

    if rowAlRelationship < 50:
        "For a moment, the tension of the past few months seemed to dissipate. Or at least not rear its ugly head."

        if alexiaWulump == True:
            "Still, her soft smile didn’t touch her eyes. It never seemed to touch her eyes much anymore."

    ro "Noon? Really? I hadn’t thought myself capable...."

    al "Yes, really. Now up with you."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan grumbled to himself the entire time he worked on his clothing. Alexia sat on the bed watching him, as she had first done many years ago."

    if rowAlRelationship < 50:
        "Something felt off about it…"

    elif rowAlRelationship > 50:
        "For all about them that had changed, the way she looked at him hadn’t."

    else:
        pass

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "Whatever adventure it was this week must have been quite rough if it left you incapable of even rising at a normal time."
    al "Still Rosaria?"

    "Rowan nodded."

    ro "It’s been the focus of our operations."
    al "How long has it been since I was back home? Bloodmeen has been my cage for so long now. I must have forgotten so much already. Is it still unchanged?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan kept working his outfit’s buckle, but didn’t answer. Could he tell her about the famine or the problems he’d seen? In fact, had he even told her about the elder’s death?"

    ro "It’s much the same as it always is. Green and lush. Not a gaudy statue of a demon lord in sight."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "I miss the smell of it. The flowers, the trees. I never realized how beautiful it was until I actually left home…"

    #if all_actors['alexia'].flags['jezera_influence'] > 4:
    al "Perhaps Mistress Jezera will allow me a brief visit."

    #elif all_actors['alexia'].flags['andras_influence'] > 4:
        #al "Perhaps Master Andras will allow me a brief visit."

    #else:
        #al "Perhaps we will be free of this place someday soon."

    "Rowan sighed. Even if she did return, the home that she knew wouldn’t be there anymore. The Arthdale she’d known had been destroyed."

    #todo : if reconstruction quest is done:
        #"Even after it’s restoration, it will never be the same. No town is the same without the people who once lived there."

    ro "I-"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Suddenly the door swung open, and a frantic looking maid burst in."

    maid "Lord Rowan. You must come quickly."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "What is happening?"

    maid "The Master and Mistress are in a rage. The staff is terrified. You must come quickly. Please, follow me."

    "Rowan and Alexia exchanged a concerned glance. Was he the cause of this?"
    "Without a second word, he followed the maid out the door, leaving Alexia with her arms wrapped around her sides. This was their life."

    if goal3_completed == False:
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "After Rowan left, Alexia remained in bed, going over the possible reasons that Rowan might have been called down. She almost missed the knock on the door…"

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan walked hesitantly into the throne room, and found one of the tapestries lying on the ground in tatters. "

    ro "Is something amiss, my masters?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
    show andras angry at edgeright with dissolve

    "Jezera stormed over to him in a huff, and threw a piece of parchment to the floor at his feet."

    je "Read this. Now."

    "He picked up the document and began to read aloud."

    ro "Report from the Hydrangea. A large force of Rosarian soldiers has been reported moving down the South road from Rastedel."
    ro "Estimated numbers are well over two thousand. Fully armored knights and men-at-arms included in the retinue. Based on their route, the objective is likely Raeve Keep. However, a force of this size can threaten any position in the duchy."

    if palaceStage == 2:
        ro "Several surcoats spotted among the forces. Majority are wearing plain white or gold. Unit origins unknown."

    else:
        ro "Several surcoats spotted among the forces. Majority are wearing plain white or gold. However, a force in purple was seen at their head. Unit origins unknown."

    "Rowan put down the letter. It was far and away the largest force that had ever been put in the field against them. More too than any army they could call on short notice."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...I see…"

    "Andras was sitting stone faced on the throne. In contrast to his normal temperament, he was eerily silent. It seemed the tapestry had borne the brunt of his rage. Jezera, meanwhile, was not half as calm."

    je "I heard nothing about this. Nothing from the capital at all. What good are spies who don’t tell you anything? How could that bitch have missed this?"

    "She swatted at a half full wine glass, making it crash to the ground. The maid, still in the door frame, winced."

    if palaceStage != 2:
        "Rowan softly wondered to himself who “that bitch” was?"

    else:
        ro "Our friend in the capital didn’t say a word about this?"
        je "Not a word. We got this from an Incubus who happened to be near their path."

    an "We are outnumbered. We are out armed. They are coming for us. You are our tactician. I don’t give a rat’s ass about her whisperers. Why didn’t you have a plan for this situation?"

    "His glare pierced Rowan. At once he understood the kind of danger he was in. How he answered here might put his head on the line."

    if goal3_completed == True:
        ro "I-"
        je "Oh be quiet, brother. We need our most able tactician with a pulse in this moment."
        "Andras growled, but slunk back into his throne."
        an "Able tactician."
        "He spat to the side."

    else:
        an "So this is what it all comes to. All your sneaking and strategies. And we’re left sitting here with our dicks in our hands."

    an "Clever tactics are nice. But, this will all end with me and my fiercest fighters charging through as many enemy knights as we can take. If we are outnumbered, it will only make it more glorious."

    "Jezera rolled her eyes."

    je "You’re not going out in the field to die fighting five hundred humans all at once. If need be, we will simply evacuate from the Rosarian plains. It will cost us greatly. "

    if goal3_completed == True:
        je "Our new alliances were hard won. Losing our presence in Rosaria is not a thing to consider lightly."

    je "And, of course, when they’ve taken back the area, we can little hide our direct involvement much longer. Our lovely friends in Prothea will not be pleased to learn of our existence. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan went back to studying the letter. Just how did they get an army so fast?"

    if palaceStage == 2:
        ro "Had High Arbitron Marianne accepted either Jacques or Duke Werden’s proposal for aid?"

    "Maybe the answer had something to do with the colours of the troops that had been spotted..."

    #TO DO - should check if goal 3 is completed, palaceStage !=2, or troop / funds requirement is not met
    #if goal3_completed == False or palaceStage != 2:
        #jump battleFail_rp


    #TO DO: If goblins recruited

    #TODO: If goblins and orcs recruited

    if orciad_state == 2:
        jump orcBattlePath_rp


    label orcBattlePath_rp:

    if orciad_ally == "batri":
        ro "Have you already spoken to Batri? Do we know that our Orcish allies will join us in the field?"

    elif orciad_ally == "ulcro":
        ro "Have you already spoken to Ulcro? Do we know that our Orcish allies will join us in the field?"

    else:
        ro "Have you already spoken to Tarish? Do we know that our Orcish allies will join us in the field?"

    "The unspoken problem was that the allied tribal confederation was not actually directly in the path of the Rosarian army. They might flake."
    "Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him. Someone had been waiting in silence nearby and had chosen now to emerge."

    show tarish neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    tar "Quit ya worrien, humie. Ya really think a buncha us tough orc-folk gonna run from a few pink men just caus dey hiding unda metal?"
    tar "If da time ta fight is now, you best kno we gonna be der."

    "Tarish crossed her arms over her chest."
    "Jezera rolled her eyes and gestured to the new arrival in the throne room."

    je "I believe you and Tarish have already met."

    if orciad_ally == "ulcro" or orciad_ally == "batri":

        je "After the events that took place in the tribe, the new chief sent her here to Bloodmeen as a personal representative and ambassador. She’s been authorized to speak for them under certain parameters as well."
        je "This is recent of course, but don’t be surprised to see her around the castle from now on."

        "Tarish strode over to Rowan."

        tar "Ya Mistress speaks rite. Dis a real fancy place. Neva thought I’d get used ta livin in a stone castle like ya hummies do."
        tar "Ya lucky, hummie. I got me a nice job now. If I came outta da whole mess wit nuttin to show for it, ya’d have ta watch ya back."

    elif orciad_ally == "tarish":

        tar "Aye aye. We be well known ta one anotha. Ain’t no alliance wit out him buttin in."

        if tarishSex == True:
            "The unspoken element was just how well they knew each other. Inside and out. Not that Rowan suspected for a second that Jezera didn’t have some idea."

        ro "Indeed. But, why is she here? Doesn’t she have an entire tribe to rule?"

        an "Are you that much of an idiot? She’s ‘in charge’ of the tribe. But, do you really think she could hold the place without us?"

        tar "What ya masta be tellin ya is dat is betta for me to keep around heres and pop in every otha day by portal. Keepin up ta date here is more important then bein down der."
        tar "So day means you gonna be seeing more ‘o lil ‘ol me in da future, hummie."

        "She gave him a small wink."

    else:
        "The prospect of another meeting with Tarish, especially after all the damage caused by their previous encounter, made the prospect of a reunion less than ideal. So too did the disdainful expression on her face."

        ro "Indeed. But, why is she here? Doesn’t she have an entire tribe to rule?"

        an "Are you that much of an idiot? She’s ‘in charge’ of the tribe. But, do you really think she could hold the place without us? We’re the ones making sure that some idiot doesn’t put a sword in her gut."

        tar "Aye. For da moment gotta stay outa da way of dose who might nah be so friendly. Nah the worst place to be. I always wanted ta visit one ya big ass humie castles."
        tar "..."
        tar "I’m sha ya gonna enjoy havin me around."

        "Rowan kept his blank composure. Better to not address the unspoken threat there."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Let’s get us back to the matter at hand, shall we? No time for greetings and kisses."
    je "So long as we have assurances that we actually have an army to use. Then the question becomes how to use that army to actually win."
    je "Even with every grown soldier that the tribe has, along with our own forces, we still don’t have enough to go toe to toe with them."
    je "At least, so my dear brother tells me."

    "Andras scowled."

    an "You’ve been mostly silent, Rowan. We didn’t bring your ass here for the weather. Do you have an idea how to get out of this situation or not."

    ro "I’ve been going over it."

    "Rowan’s eyes scanned over the letter again. He had never been a high level commander, but he did have experience in this situation. Facing down an enemy with larger numbers than yours."

    ro "If I had to think about it, I would say that our strongest advantage is that we actually hold the territory. It’s not truly home ground, in that the nearby population won’t be friendly."
    ro "But, we control the keep itself. We also have allies in the woods and on the mountains. They’re coming to us and that makes us stronger."

    je "What does that matter? Numbers are numbers?"

    "To Rowan’s surprise the person who chimed in was none other than Andras."

    an "Quit your whining, woman. On the battlefield, the right terrain is worth double your troops. Sometimes more."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Fine. Sure. Continue, Rowan."

    ro "We have another advantage too. Unless they have a traitor in our ranks, then they don’t know the numbers we hold. In fact, Doran Raeve gave a low estimate of the number of orcs who attacked."

    tar "As far as da hummies know, my boys be up north. No way dey see us all coming."

    ro "That means, we can secure at least one victory. When trying to pacify hostile enemy territory, and are not afraid of a pitched battle, you normally want to spread out."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras smirked wickedly. He already saw what Rowan was getting at. For all his flaws, Andras was a fighter."

    an "An ambush. Wait for them to divide up their forces, and then make the smaller force our bitches."

    ro "I wouldn’t have used that phrasing, but basically. When I fought in the last war, we’d use tactics like that all the time. Wait for stragglers to break off, looking to plunder or just take a breather. Then strike before they can rejoin the rest of the army."
    ro "Only now we have hundreds of warriors. Not tens like I had before. We could fight an entire battle that way."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Then tension in the room seemed to dissipate some. Now that someone had given the beginnings of a concrete plan, the air of panic seemed to have settled into something more productive."
    "Jezera paced back to the throne, while Tarish pulled up to Rowan’s side."

    tar "A clever plan, humie. Real sneaky like. But, ya don know orc fighin’ like I do."
    tar "Ya can do dat a few times. But, da hummies are smart like. They gon figga out what ya up about an stop ya. Always happens."

    "Rowan sighed."

    ro "She’s right. We can use harassment tactics and ambush smaller units a few times. But, once they realize that someone is out there hunting down their detachments, their strategy will change."

    "Rowan didn’t mention the fact that was on his mind. How well this worked depended entirely on who the commander was. If it was someone dumb, they could lead him by the nose."
    "But, if the man he worried was in command was leading the charge...his tricks would fall flat…"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan silently cursed the note. For all of the value it had, it still didn’t tell him which troops exactly would be in the fighting line. The mystery of the army that shouldn’t exist underlined the entire situation."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If that’s the case, we should prepare for a long campaign. Trying to hold the keep is a nice thought, but we should expect they’ll take it back relatively quick. "
    ro "I see brutal back and forth fighting for awhile. Still, we might have a chance if we take out enough enemies in the first strike."

    "Now it was Jezera who seemed deep in thought. Did she have an idea?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Ooh, intriguing. This I can work with."
    je "If we can defeat more of the enemy army before they figure out what we’re up to, then we stand a better chance? What determines that?"

    ro "How fast we move, and the number of enemy detachments. More detachments mean we’d have better numbers. But, it also means we’d need to move around a lot more and probably get to less of them."

    je "Oh dear hero. You underestimate us still. It’s honestly kind of charming."
    je "We can move as fast as we want."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan’s mouth hung open in shock. Of course. Of course. It was so obvious. Why had he not thought of it before? He wasn’t commanding an army of humans or even an army of orcs."
    "This was a demon army."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    tar "Whacha mean by dat, Jezera?"

    ro "I know what we need to do."
    ro "Listen…"

    "Rowan spent the next half hour explaining a strategy that had been churning in his mind over the conversation. Ten minutes in, he had the servants bring in a map of the duchy to help decide on the specific locations that they’d need to utilize."
    "Andras and Tarish followed along, in Tarish’s case doling out suggestions and in Andras’ pausing to occasionally thump his chest. Jezera strained to pay attention, even beginning to zone out until Rowan explained what her role in the plan would have to be."
    "By the time he was done, everyone around the map looked satisfied."

    ro "...The number of troops we’d have in our custody would be high. I’m sure a number of them were forced levies or otherwise willing to switch sides in return for compensation and protection for their families."
    ro "The rest we could keep around as a potential labour force."

    "Andras had an instrutible expression and Rowan went over this part. But, otherwise didn’t go out of his way to comment."
    "Finally, Rowan reached the end of the plan. When he finished explaining, he went down to one knee and waited for the twin’s judgement. Ultimately, this was the plan with the highest chance of success."

    #if serveChoice == 2:
    "It was the very best shot he had at keeping Alexia alive another day. And himself to boot."

    #elif serveChoice == 4:
        #"Not only would it keep himself alive another day, but it would give those selfish monsters in Rastedel who’d been ignoring the famine a bit of well earned retribution."

    #else:
        #pass

    #if avatar.corruption < 31:
        #"The fact that it would involve more prisoners taken then casualties dolled out was also an additional bonus."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Hrmm. I like it. I like it."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Of course you like it. You just like any plan that happens to feature you killing people."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan turned to Tarish."

    ro "What do you think? Your soldiers are the backbone of our army."

    tar "Aye. Ain’t no word of complaint outta me, humie. Is a good plan. Lotta Orc gonna survive from it. Maybe bring back some pretty gold along da way."

    "Rowan let out a sigh of relief. It was a good plan. It would probably work."
    "That was important. If he hadn’t been able to come up with any kind of plan on the fly, it would likely have been the end of him right here. The life he led in Bloodmeen was always on a razor’s edge."

    an "It’s settled then. We will launch the plan that Rowan suggested in one week’s time. We will not retreat from Rosaria. We will stand and fight."

    je "Inspiringly put. Now then, I best make preparations as soon as possible. I need to depart on the morrow."

    "Jezera slunk towards Rowan, brushing her side against him as she passed."

    je "Make good use of this week, hero. We need as much gold and men as we can muster for this operation."

    ro "I understand."

    "He felt a sudden jolt. A slap on the rear."

    je "That’s what I like to hear. See you at the celebrations."

    hide jezera with dissolve

    tar "I best be movin too. Gotta let da boys hear dat ders a fight happenin. Gotta get ‘em all riled up. You best not be tryna pull summtin, hummie."

    hide tarish with dissolve

    "Now alone with Andras, Rowan turned to leave."

    an "Hold."

    "Rowan turned around."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "This will be the greatest test of your devotion to date. Your plan was good. But, that doesn’t mean I trust you. You understand that if you betray me in any way, I will feed Alexia your guts, don’t you."

    "Rowan coughed."

    ro "I do."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras’ expression softened suddenly. He was smiling now."

    an "But, that works the other way around too. I’m not going to put you on the field. Sister reminds me, constantly, that your anonymity is valuable. But, my victory here will be your victory too."
    an "You’re a fighter. Haven’t you ever wondered about the thrills of conquest?"

    "Those words would linger with Rowan long after the conversation was done. The thrills of conquest. He’d never truly fought a war of conquest to date. Even the events at Raeve Keep were mostly a skirmish in the scheme of things."
    "Would it feel any different from the righteous battles that he experienced in the past?"
    "Perhaps, if everything went according to plan, he’d discover in a week."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_inn.rpy
label fall_of_crevette_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    $ patriciaCorrupted = True

    scene bg40 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #ameraine annoyed
    show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan sat on his bed, arms crossed, and counted the seconds as they fled. Lady Patricia was going to be here soon. This was to be the centerpiece of the plan. The moment Patricia was brought aboard."
    "Rowan wasn’t alone in the room. Ameraine stalked back and forth like a cat."

    amer "When will she be here? Having my time wasted is not a thing I accept idly."

    ro "Soon. Chancellor Patricia received the time and location. But, you needed to be here beforehand. We need to discuss how the meeting will go."

    "Ameraine brushed some of her long dark hair over her shoulder."

    amer "We’re simply going to tempt her, right? Or is there another element that I am missing?"

    "Rowan nodded slowly. He’d been told to wait for the right moment by Jezera. But, that moment was now."
    "He reached into a satchel by the bedside and pulled out the box that Jezera had gifted him with. Ameraine slid over and snatched it from his hand. It rattled softly when shaken. There was jewelry inside."

    ro "From Mistress Jezera."

    show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve

    "Without a hint of sentiment, she tore the package open. A jeweled silver choker was revealed inside. In the center, and outlined along the different edges, were glittering sapphires."
    "Rowan marveled at the sheer beauty of the thing, but Ameraine seemed more inclined to study it, almost as though she’d opened a page in a book."

    amer "Interesting."

    ro "You recognize it?"

    "She pointed to the side of the choker. Only now did Rowan realize that there was writing on it. Though, there would be no point trying to read it. The script was in some forbidden language."

    show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve

    amer "The runes on the edges. Yes. I don’t know the spells off the top of my head. I am not much of an enchanter, I am afraid. But, easy enough to read. This is a fairly powerful charm."
    amer "The runes here mean...well it’s hard to put into common tongue, but something like desire or “Soul Want”."

    "She pointed to the runes on the other side."

    amer "These ones are normal linking terms."
    amer "And this one...hm…"

    "Rowan waited in silence as Ameraine deciphered the script. This was not his element."

    amer "It’s a binding amulet. Simple soul linking. "
    amer "Feed in a desire, bind the desire to a pact. Then the subject is left mentally linking the two together in their mind."
    amer "A perfect subordinate. Perhaps a bit of a single minded obsessive though. But, that’s the problem with thought magic. Minds are meant to work as discrete wholes."

    "Rowan grabbed the charm from her hand. It was so small. Small enough to roll about in his palm even. His other hand went to amulet around his neck."

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "But, there was only so long he could even stand to hold such a thing. The charm went tumbling from his hand to the wooden floor. "
        ro "There’s evil in that thing."
        show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve
        "Ameraine chuckled to herself."
        amer "Of course, there is. Did you think we were going to corrupt her with children’s toys and flowers? A little bit of sex to get her warmed up, couldn’t hurt, but this will help with the heavy lifting."
        ro "..."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "There isn’t another way?"
        "Ameraine shrugged nonchalantly."
        amer "She gave it to you, didn’t she? I doubt she’d much take to the idea of it not being used. Besides, it makes both of our jobs much simpler."
        "Of course, it couldn’t remain on the floor forever. Rowan scooped it up. As he did, his eye was caught on the large sapphire in the center. When it sparkled, he could have sworn there was movement. Something was inside of it. Or was it just his imagination?"
        "Ameraine was looking at him expectantly."
        show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve
        amer "She never intended for you to be the one to use it, did she?"
        "Was it so easy to tell?"
        ro "I’m supposed to give it to you."
        "She held out her hand."
        amer "That makes it easier. I will handle the hard work. You’ll just help me get her into the right mindset. "
        show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve
        amer "That much you are capable of, yes?"
        "Rowan placed the charm into her hands. Even that relieved him a bit. Now that he knew what it was, even holding it was stressful."
        ro "I’ve done worse before, I suppose..."

    else:
        ro "So, how would that play out in practice?"
        "Ameraine raised a skeptical eyebrow to him."
        amer "Jezera didn’t tell you?"
        "Rowan kept his face empty. Jezera had told him to give the amulet to her and let her handle it. It wasn’t as though he would break that command. But, something felt off about the idea of just telling her now. Like it would hand her power over the situation."
        ro "She told me that you’d be able to explain its function to me. Jezera is not one for sitting around giving instructions."
        #if low / medium deception TO DO
        "She didn’t seem pleased by that explanation. But, Rowan had the benefit of a closer relationship with the demoness. Still, it left him feeling the need to break the silence."
        #high deception TO DO
            #"It was a good thing Rowan had become such an accomplished liar of late. Ameraine raised an eyebrow skeptically, but hardly seemed to dwell on it."
        "I don’t know. You said it would be simple to operate, right?"
        amer "Well, simple enough."
        "She approached him and pressed one of her long nails to the charm."
        amer "I presume you must get her to put it on voluntarily. The effect requires the subject’s mental participation. Overwhelm her but keep her following along with you. But, once you have her, there’s a magic word trigger."
        "She scooped it up from his hand took a closer look at the runes."
        amer "One moment."
        "It only took a few minutes of study for the mysterious woman to arrive at an answer."
        amer "Aran-Uch-Ah."
        amer "That’s the word. Say it and the effect will come to life. At that point, all that is required is to ask her Soul Want and then to make her an offer for it."
        "Rowan nodded slowly and retook the amulet from her hand. This magic nonsense was beyond him. Yet, he could not fault its efficiency."
        amer "The soul binder should be able to use that information to produce a “deal” so to speak. "
        ro "Aran-Uch-Ah."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "For just a moment, as he said the words, there was a flicker. It was almost as though there were something inside of the large sapphire at the center. A shiver ran up his spine."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Ameraine stood by, waiting to hear the next detail. Rowan’s glance drifted back and forth between her and the charm."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "He’d put so much work into personally corrupting Patrica. It was a perverse thing to even think, but wasn’t this like a wolf handing off his kill to a more senior wolf who’d simply stood at the sidelines?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "But, Jezera had told him to give Ameraine the charm. To let her operate it using her superior knowledge of magic. It was certainly a safer choice. Both in terms of the success of the plan…"
        "...and safer if Jezera were to decide to dig deeper into this day’s events..."

    menu:
        "Give Ameraine the charm. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ameraineCharm = True
            $ rowanCharm = False
            "Rowan sighed. There really wasn’t a point in being difficult with so much on the line. Ameraine gave him a quizzical look as Rowan placed the charm into her hand."
            amer "A prudent measure. I wouldn’t dream of trying to pull the wool over her eyes. But, you may stay in the room nonetheless."
            "She flashed a sharp smile."
            #ameraine smirk
            show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve
            amer "Besides, she’ll be much easier to bring to bed with you there to guide her into the proper place."
            amer "You just need to follow my lead."
            "Rowan sat passively on the bed as Ameraine ran him through the plan. It was bold and forward. Not quite what he’d do in this situation. But, he’d spent enough time with Ameraine to trust her sense when it came to intrigue."


        "Keep the charm. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "His fingers closed around the charm."
            ro "Very well. I’ll ask you to leave a little before I use it on her. You’ll need to fill me in any other details of its operation before she arrives."
            show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Ameraine raised an eyebrow. The woman was an expert at intrigue. It’d take more than that to fool her."
            amer "I’m not to stay for the ritual?"
            #easy deception check - TODO
            ro "I’m not sure my Mistress wants to hand you that kind of power yet. She told me to corrupt Patricia myself. She might be quite displeased."
            ro "Besides, Patricia trusts me, but she doesn’t trust you. You said the process requires the consent of the subject to work properly."
            "Rowan kept his face expressionless. Unlike Ameraine, he had a direct line to Jezera, and Rowan intended to fully exploit that."
            "After a few moments of consideration, Ameraine’s posture slouched. Rowan thought he saw something from the look in her eyes. Disdain perhaps?"
            amer "Fine. Stupid, but fine. Patricia is not of great interest to me either way. Take her. Leave her. Whatever. If you insist on completing the ritual yourself, then be my guest."
            amer "But, you understand that if you screw up, we have to kill her, right? Word cannot spread of Rowan Blackwell trying to corrupt court officials with black magic."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "He faked a laugh."
            ro "I’ll kill her myself if it comes to that."
            $ ameraineCharm = False
            $ rowanCharm = True

    scene black with fade
    pause 1
    scene bg40 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The sun was now starting to set. Rowan could see it through his window. He was roused by a knocking at the door."

    show patricia happy behind bg40

    patr "So this is where you’ve been staying, huh? You should have told me you needed a room to stay in. My brother has a nice villa by the riverside in the Noble District that I’ve been using."

    "Rowan opened the door slightly to let his guest in."

    hide patricia
    show patricia happy at midright with moveinright

    patr "Now, then. Before we get started with the meeting. I think it’s time that you...made good...on some of those promises you gave me the last time we…"

    show ameraine happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    amer "Promises, Rowan? Sounds scandalous."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Patricia’s eyes shot Ameraine. The pale woman was laying on Rowan’s bed on her side. She looked like a lazy cat."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    patr "Excuse me, who are you? What are you-"
    patr "Wait, I’ve seen you before. You’re part of Lord Mineur’s circle, aren’t you? Who invited you here?"

    "Rowan sighed and took a step back. Patricia’s eyes fiercely met Ameraine’s."

    ro "Lady Crevette. Meet Lady Ameraine."
    ro "Lady Ameraine. Meet Lady Crevette."
    ro "Lady Ameraine has been my ally since I first returned to the Capital. She’s an incredibly valuable information broker."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Ameraine rose gracefully to a standing position, only to then bow forward respectfully. Lady Patricia took a few seconds to consider how to reply before offering a perfunctory curtsy. But, for a passing moment, Rowan thought he saw Patricia shoot him a nervous glance."

    amer "I’ve heard so much about you, My Lady."

    patr "I see."

    "Patricia turned back to Rowan. He’d spent the entire greeting watching, as though he were introducing a dog to a cat for the first time."

    patr "I must admit, I’m curious. Why is she here exactly?"

    ro "I decided that she’d be valuable for any plans we might come up with for strategy during the coup. She has inside knowledge that few others can match."

    show patricia shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Patricia’s eyes went wide as she processed the words coming from his mouth."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    patr "She knows about the coup!? Did you tell her?"

    "Before he could reply, Ameraine interjected."

    amer "The reverse, I’m afraid. He went snooping around your little lodge at my suggestion based on the whispers I was hearing. I may well have known about it before you did."
    amer "Worry not though. My lips have been sealed shut when spending time with my bald-headed friend. I prefer backing a winner."

    "A hush fell. Would Patricia buy that explanation so easily? Ameraine had said it with certainty, but Patricia easily could break into a panic. This was the first real test."

    patr "..."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    patr "Fine. She can stay."

    "Rowan exhaled."

    amer "Do you drink, My Lady? I brought some fine red."

    show ameraine neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Nobody really needed to answer the question. Now with a cup in her hands, Patricia settled at the little table and the others followed her. Ameraine and Patricia traded hesitant pleasantries. It was enough to help Patricia’s tone start to thaw."
    "Then the topic of the meeting came to the fore. The coup. The following hour was spent going back and forth over the minutiae of the plan. The placement of troops, the chance of success. Most of all, where Duke Werden would be for the operation."
    "Yet, Rowan couldn’t help but notice Patricia’s posture. Straight back. Formal. She even kept her drinking within moderation. Her guard was still up, even as her familiarity with their strange third wheel grew."

    show ameraine happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show patricia shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Not that Ameraine seemed to make it easy for Patricia to warm up. She kept on making jokes that Rowan recognized instantly as flirting. For her part, Patricia seemed to have little idea what to do with it. Every time Ameraine would reference sex, it left Patricia visibly flabbergasted."
    "Once she even found an occasion to give Patricia a slap on the ass. Rowan had been as shocked as Patricia. Yet, also surprised that the noblewoman had not protested louder."
    "Rowan didn’t quite understand what Ameraine was doing. Was she testing Patricia?"

    show ameraine neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    "After a time, it was Ameraine who addressed the spectral presence in the room. What topic of what would come after."

    amer "In the case of a power struggle, I would place a good-sized bet that you’d be able to bring Jacques or his successor on your side. Compared to other nobles, you have much more business acumen from years in administration."
    amer "Rowan, meanwhile, is still beloved among the professional class. They respect competence and someone who can rise above his station."
    amer "Even outside the noble quarter, you’d be their choice of leader, My Lady."

    "Rowan jumped in. If there were any hope of persuading Patrica, he’d have to be involved."

    ro "Combined with the support I can draw on from the northside, that would represent a sizeable coalition. Larger than any other potential leader of the purples could draw on."

    "Patricia’s eyes studied the merchant quarter on the map at the table."

    patr "You’re not totally wrong. But, the Coppers wouldn’t just align with me for nothing. You strike me as the type who knows how to whisper in someone’s ear. But, you can’t possibly be so good as to bring them around for free."

    show ameraine happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    amer "You’d be surprised, My Dear. You haven’t heard me try to whisper to you."

    #patricia embarassed

    "Patricia rolled her eyes and looked exasperated. She’d been so effective and rebuffing Rowan’s advances for awhile, yet against Ameraine’s wiles she seemed lost. Naturally, Ameraine looked pleased with herself."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    patr "You must tell me the truth. I’d have to give them something, wouldn’t I?"

    show ameraine neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    amer "A portion of the council seats that used to go to the priests, probably. An end to the quota system and limits on the internal movement of goods. Offer that and they’re yours."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    "That only earned an angry scoff from Patricia."

    patr "Pah. Those damn spice merchants and profiteers. Every last one of them thinks they can run the state economy more than I can."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    patr "Hrmmm."

    "Patricia leaned back in the chair. As the moments dragged on, that turned to furrowed eyebrows and the relaxation her posture had developed went away."

    patr "What does it matter?"
    patr "You talk as though we will wake up tomorrow and Werden will no longer command the faction. I apologize, My Lady, but that just isn’t how it works."

    "She rose from her chair and walked back slightly. She hung between the table and the door. Yet, her eyes hung on Rowan and Ameraine still."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    patr "The truth remains. You cannot hide it. Would this hypothetical plan of yours require that Duke Werden be taken off the board somehow?"

    "Rowan just shrugged his shoulders and drank a bit from his own glass of wine."

    ro "Honestly? Probably."

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan closed his eyes and breathed inwardly. There was a role he needed to play here."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "While he is in action he’d be impossible to replace and would never accept the control of another. But, during the chaos of the coup, he can be removed from play. We know when there will be an opportunity. "

    #and low deception - TO DO
    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        "His voice cracked slightly as he said it. Rowan had to struggle to keep his speech straight else he seem out of his depth."

    ro "Once he’s gone, who can challenge you for leadership? His sons lack his obvious fire and authority. None of the other dukes would be able to put together a coalition fast enough."
    ro "But, we could have the city guard, the merchants, the normal people, and at least a portion of the nobles aligned behind us before anyone else even realizes what is happening."

    show patricia shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Patricia froze where she was standing and looked at him with new eyes."

    patr "Rowan. You’re openly talking about assassinating Duke Werden. I may not like him, but he’s a duke."

    "Ameraine raised an eyebrow."

    amer "You’re also talking about overthrowing the right hand of the Baron appointed by the Goddess herself. Surely everything is on the table."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    patr "No one is considering killing her."

    amer "My lady, do you truly believe you will take over the capital and overthrow the existing order without having to kill people?"
    amer "I had not believed you to be such an innocent thing."

    "Patricia crossed her arms. "

    patr "How dare you!?"
    patr "This..it’s different. We’re at war and that bitch is losing it. It has to be done."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan rose to his feet and walked over to Patricia. She didn’t recoil at his approach. A good sign. Neither did she object when he placed a hand on her shoulder."

    ro "My Lady. I’m not sure Werden being in charge would fix the problem of the war either. "
    ro "He is a hard man. Perhaps too hard to really win in a war of this sort. The demons will simply melt back and refuse to do battle with him. Would his men really follow such a strict disciplinarian for long enough to do the hard work of rooting them out?"

    show patricia sad at midright with dissolve

    "She sighed and looked away."

    patr "I don’t want to kill him. I don’t."

    "Rowan didn’t give her the comfort of not meeting his eyes. He tilted her chin so they would remain face to face."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If we kill him, you can be in charge. The council is yours. The country is yours. You can make the hard choices needed to defeat them."

    patr "But, murdering a duke? How could I do such a thing…?"

    show ameraine happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    "That was when Ameraine broke the moment. After a loud yawn, she interjected into the moment."

    amer "Stab him. Poison Him. The same way you murder anyone else, I would say."

    show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve

    "Patricia shot her a dark glare."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        patr "You know exactly what I meant."
        #ameriane angry
        show ameraine neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Ameraine’s face hardened in a way Rowan hadn’t seen it harden before."
        amer "And you do not appear to know what I meant. I bore of this."
        "Ameraine too left her seat, but rather than joining them, she perched herself atop the table and crossed her legs."
        show patricia shocked at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan and Patricia both took a step back."
        amer "Lady Crevette. Why are you even here?"
        "The accusation left Patricia sputtering."
        patr "Because Rowan-"
        amer "I do not have endless tolerance for games. You are here because you want something. Were you content with your life as it had previously existed, you would not be in a room with Rowan and I discussing such hypotheticals."
        patr "..."
        "Rowan closed the distance back to the table. This hadn’t been in the plan. He didn’t know what Ameraine was doing, but it seemed to be messing up everything. How long could she treat Patricia this way without sending the noblewoman running?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        if rowanCorruption > 60:
            "Although, it was amusing. He’d give her that much."
        ro "Lady Ameraine, I don’t think that you need to be so direct."
        amer "I think you need to be more direct."
        amer "I enjoy skulking around the point as much as the next woman. But, the truth is in front of us and we may as well put it on the table. "
        "She trained her gaze on Patricia. A direct challenge."
        amer "You are here because there are things you want, Patricia. Things that Rowan and I can give you."
        show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve
        "Patrica’s hands shook and balled into fists. Now she too marched forward. Even standing up, she still was half a head shorter than the other woman."
        patr "I am a lady. The daughter of the Gordon Crevette. Just because you are some friend of Rowan’s does not mean that-"
        show ameraine happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Ameraine giggled playfully, cutting off Patricia’s protestations."
        amer "I will make this more simple still."
        "Without warning, Ameraine dug her hand into Rowan’s shirt and dragged him headfirst into a kiss. Rowan nearly jumped, his fight or flight instincts coming into focus. Ameraine moved her hand so fast, even Rowan’s strong reflexes were left struggling."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "But, once he realized what was happening, he let himself melt into the kiss."
        #patricia aroused
        show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve
        patr "Wait. Hey-"
        "Rowan blinked softly as the kiss broke. Patricia’s face had gone fire red at the sight."
        amer "Did that make you mad, Patricia?"
        show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve
        patr "Yes. Yes, it did."
        "Patricia answered through her teeth, barely able to able to break a grimace."
        amer "Why?"
        patr "Because I-I.."
        amer "Because you have been waiting to kiss him the entire time?"
        "There was a pause. Patricia seemed to try on different replies, like dresses, at a store, before arriving at the one she knew she had to pick all along."
        patr "...Yes. Yes because I’ve been waiting to do that the entire time."
        amer "Rowan, would you object if Patricia kissed you?"
        "Rowan looked back and forth between them. Ameraine’s switch in plans was started to make more sense to him. Had all of that teasing earlier just been feeling her out?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Not especially, no."
        amer "So there you have it. Just kiss him."
        #patricia aroused
        "Patricia looked to Rowan and then back to Ameraine, never deciding on whom her eyes should rest. She brought a thumb to her lips and bit it softly."
        patr "Here? In front of you? Weren’t we-"
        amer "This is the Lady Crevette with years of sexual experience? Blushing like a maiden at as chaste suggestion as a kiss?"
        patr "..."
        "That seemed to settle it. Stiffly, as though doing so were a way of giving spite to Ameraine, Patricia marched right up to Rowan. There was a lingering moment with their lips mere inches from each other."
        "Then, Patricia leaned up and planted a long delicate kiss on Rowan’s lips. Rowan placed his hands on her sides. It only broke when Patricia turned to Ameraine with a triumphant expression."
        patr "There. Happy?"
        amer "Progress, but not there yet."
        patr "Excuse me?"
        show ameraine naked neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Without warning, Ameriane’s hands went to dress. Patricia and Rowan gawked as she threw the dress off. Neither of them seemed to notice Patricia slip out of his grasp."
        "Ameraine retook her former position, now stripped down to nothing but black lace underwear and a pair of heels so long and thin that they could probably pierce skin."
        patr "I had not expected..."
        amer "Yes, of course. You had not expected me to undress here and now at the table. There are rules of decorum, after all."
        "She yawned. Ameraine had a strange comfort in her nudity. Not the flaunting Rowan was used to expecting from Jezera, but a humble nonchalance."
        amer "But, I wanted to lose my clothes. So I did."
        "Somehow, that answer didn’t seem to satisfy Patricia. She stood frozen like an animal newly caught in a trap."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan was left to reflect on this. He was used to more...sexual tactics by now. But, Ameraine had never mentioned using one. After all, as far as they both knew, Patricia was not interested in women."
        "Was Patricia interested in women?"
        amer "Easy right? I’m going to show you something else."
        "Ameraine pushed further. She raised one of her heels and pressed it hard against Patricia’s chest. The supple flesh of the other woman’s breast was indented by the force of the heel."
        "Yet, Patricia still didn’t run away. She only seeded space to Ameraine, taking a step back. Her face had gone totally white."
        amer "You didn’t just come here to get a kiss from Rowan, did you?"
        patr "We just met one another and you’re just-"
        "Her weak protestations were cut off by a loud tsk."
        amer "No more games. You came to be fucked."
        patr "I-"
        #cg 1 - var 2
        scene cg1109 with fade
        show ameraine naked neutral behind cg1109
        show patricia neutral behind cg1109
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1109
        "Ameraine slowly lifted herself from the table. Her foot angled downward. The effect was simple. There were only two ways Patricia could go, further away or down. She went down."
        if rowanCorruption < 31:
            "In the span of seconds, she had Patricia lying on the ground, pinned by her heel. Rowan watched in shock."
        elif rowanCorruption > 60:
            "In the span of seconds, she had Patricia lying on the ground, pinned by her heel. Rowan watched in approval."
        else:
            "In the span of seconds, she had Patricia lying on the ground, pinned by her heel. Rowan watched in awe."
        "Patricia winced. The heel was really digging into her breast. The squirming woman on the ground seemed so distant from the sarcastic but proper woman Rowan had come to know."
        "She’d made herself vulnerable for Rowan. And Ameraine was using every inch of that vulnerability."
        patr "Wait. Wait. Please wait. I wasn’t…"
        amer "What do you want?"
        "Patricia whimpered. Ameraine was applying more pressure."
        patr "..."
        patr "I want...I want him to fuck me."
        amer "Indeed. What else."
        "Her shock and confusion had given way to desperate panic. She wriggled helplessly, looking back and forth between the towering forms of Rowan and Ameraine."
        if rowanCorruption > 30:
            "A smirk slowly drifted on his face. Perhaps this could be fun for him as well."
        "It was time to jump in. If Ameraine was to be the pressing heel, Rowan needed to be the open hand."
        ro "Tell us, Patricia. You need to be open about what you want."
        ro "Then we can give you everything that you’re looking for."
        patr "E-everything?"
        amer "Everything."
        "Patricia forced her eyes closed. Her cheeks were flushed. No doubt the humiliation was beginning to mount."
        patr "I want...I want more."
        amer "Of this?"
        patr "Y-yes."
        "Ameraine lifted her heel up, then cruelly brought it back down in the same spot. Patricia cried out so loud that Rowan was worried others in the inn might hear."
        amer "What else?"
        patr "I want more...s-sexually."
        amer "When was the last time you truly felt pleasure?"
        "The dark woman finally let her heel of Patricia’s breast...only to glide it ever so slowly downward, brushing the tip of the heel over Patricia’s chest. Patricia’s eyelashes fluttered, and her right hand went to the side of her neck."
        patr "So long…"
        "She let out a loud groan as the heel reached between her legs."
        amer "Good. And we can provide you with that pleasure. But, only because you were open about what you wanted."
        "Ameraine turned back to Rowan."
        amer "Rowan, do you have any objections to fucking Patricia?"
        show rowan necklace happy behind black
        if rowanCorruption < 31:
            "Rowan faked a smile."
        else:
            "Rowan let out a laugh."
        ro "None whatsoever."
        "He needed no cue. His hand went to the bottom of his shirt and pulled it effortlessly over his head. Next, he moved to his belt."
        "Patricia’s attention was taken, finally, from the woman above her, to watch the show. Ameraine may have her down on the floor, but it was Rowan where her eyes settled."
        "As if in answer, Ameraine pulled her heel back. Patricia let out a groan in answer to its sudden absence."
        amer "What are you waiting for? Weren’t you the one who said you wanted more?"
        scene bg40 with fade
        show ameraine naked neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace aroused naked at midleft with dissolve
        #patricia aroused
        show patricia happy at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan could practically sense the heat rising from Patricia. A decade of sexual repression all coming out at once. Yet, she still hesitated. She just laid back, even without Ameraine’s foot keeping her down."
        "Rowan jumped in."
        ro "It’s okay. Really. This is just how Lady Ameraine plays."
        patr "I-I see. Quite aggressive."
        "Patricia laughed to herself."
        amer "I prefer the term interesting."
        #patricia naked
        "Rowan knelt down and helped Patricia with her clothes. Soon her garments graced the floor. Her eyes fell lower towards newly disrobed parts of Rowan. She bit her thumb, glance firmly placed on his cock."
        amer "It truly has been a while, hasn’t it?"
        "Patricia huffed, but otherwise didn’t reply. Instead, she pushed softly on Rowan’s muscular chest. An unmistakable message. Rowan laid back."
        amer "There we go. A little initiative."
        patr "Just because I’m rusty doesn’t make me a virgin."
        amer "Prove it."
        #cg 2
        scene cg583 with fade
        #patricia naked
        show patricia happy behind cg583
        show rowan necklace aroused naked behind cg583
        pause 3
        "Patricia moved above Rowan into a kneeling position. Her sex positioned itself mere inches from Rowan’s cock. The proximity alone was enough to make him stiffen. He could feel the heat and wetness even over the inches that still remained apart."
        ro "It’s okay, Patricia. Really."
        "Now, the movement began. Patricia brushed the lips of her pussy against the underside of Rowan’s manhood and began to grind. Nothing fast or frantic. Just the slow rubbing, the slow pressure, of body against body."
        "For Rowan, the sensation was most powerful on the sensitive underside of his cock. He could feel her lower lips and how wet they were. He could even feel the little stubbles of shaven hair from atop her pussy."
        "Patricia groaned out. Apparently, Rowan was not the only one who this felt good for."
        "Rowan rolled his hips. Despite the weight, he was still strong enough to set the rhythm. Patricia moved hers as well, matching his timing."
        "The two were not even yet fucking, and already the sensations began to mount in intensity. Their bodily reactions raised in visibility and in volume."
        "But, Ameraine did not seem quite as much a fan of this. She had retreated to her chair and watched with one hand supporting her chin. She was about to interject when Rowan shot her a look."
        "Her strategy of provocation had worked better than anticipated. But, what Patricia needed right now was time to get worked up."
        "Ameraine would not have to wait too long, however. Soon, Patricia was writhing and grinding. Rowan could feel how far she’d advanced by how lubricated the grinding was making his shaft."
        patr "I’m...I’m ready."
        #cg 2 - var 2
        #scene black with fade
        #patricia naked
        #show patricia happy behind black
        #show rowan necklace aroused naked behind black
        #show ameraine naked happy behind black
        "There was no challenge as Patricia lowered herself again, this time on to his cock. She was so wet that Rowan fit right in. The only challenge was the tightness. It was a pussy that had not been filled like this in a long time."
        "The effect was immediate though. With her sudden feeling of being filled and Rowan feeling cock pushed back upon by tightness, they both let out a low groan at the same time."
        "Patricia worked her hips up and down eagerly. There was some stiffness to her movement. But, she still had the muscle memory for what she had to do."
        "The force of Rowan’s upward thrusting proved strong enough to make her generous breasts flip. The sound of their bouncing joined the chorus of moans that grew from her lips."
        "Rowan grit his teeth. From this position, she controlled much of the pace, but he still threw his energy at working himself up. His chest rose and fell to mirror her body."
        patr "More..."
        "Ameraine watched the affair with dispassionate interest."
        "The movement of hips and bodies built and built. Patricia moaned out for the world to hear. Who cared if there was a pub right below. She had years of pent up energy to work out."
        patr "...More...More...More…"
        "Rowan found himself surprised by her energy. She pressed down on him harder and took him deeper with each new moment. The deeper he went, the more intense the rings of sensation."
        "Rowan’s eyes closed for a second and a groan slipped out. When they opened, the situation had changed."
        amer "Room for one more?"
        #cg 2 - var 3
        scene cg584 with fade
        #patricia naked
        show patricia happy behind cg584
        show rowan necklace aroused naked behind cg584
        show ameraine naked happy behind cg584
        pause 3
        "Ameraine had taken up position kneeling behind Patricia. Her slender fingers roamed the naked woman’s body."
        "Patricia could only wordlessly nod in agreement. But, Ameraine did manage a sound from the other woman a moment later. Patricia squeaked at the top of her lungs when Ameraine’s fingers pinched down on Patricia’s nipples."
        "Now Rowan and Ameraine worked her from two angles. Rowan held her down by the hips and pounded her with every ounce of stamina. Ameraine brought her lips Patricia’s ears and whispered dark and erotic words."
        "The more Ameraine whispered, the more Ameraine toyed with her nipples, the more lost in the pleasure Patricia seemed."
        patr "More. More. More. M-more…"
        "Still, the more turned on Patricia got, the more erratic her movements became. From her position, she applied constant pleasure. Rowan was barely able to focus himself. Everything was swimming."
        "In a way, he became almost a prop in the proceedings. Patricia danced to Ameraine’s whispers."
        amer "You can’t resist dear. Let all your needs out."
        "The room suddenly filled with a long low groan. Even as out of it as he was, Rowan could tell what was happening. The spasming that replaced the thrusting. The juices running down the side of his cock. She was cumming."
        patr "I..fuck. I can’t control...Fuck."
        patr "...More…"
        "Ameraine’s nipples dug harder into Patricia’s nipples, earning a loud squeal. Still shaking, she hadn’t stopped moving her hips. She hadn’t stopped fucking him. The pleasure had reached so high he couldn’t speak."
        amer "No more barriers. No more lies."
        amer "Feeling what you want. Doing what you want. Taking what you want."
        amer "More..."
        patr "...More."
        "The pounding was nearing a pitch. Rowan’s groaning joined Patricia’s frantic sounds. At this pace, he wasn’t sure how much longer he could hold on."
        amer "Rising and rising..."
        patr "Y-yes…"
        "Rowan pumped wildly. His hands dug into Patricia’s hips. A sheen of sweat was forming on his chest."
        "Patricia’s body answered just as wildly. She pumped and bounced. Her body rolled into Ameraine’s."
        amer "One more...Almost there...."
        patr "M-m-more…"
        "Rowan saw white. A barrier was breaking. He couldn’t hold it anymore. He couldn’t hold it anymore."
        amer "And...cum."
        "And then it hit."
        "Patricia came first. This orgasm came even stronger than the one before. She screamed out and slumped forward, hands on Rowan’s chest. The force of it was so strong that it pushed away Ameraine’s hands."
        #cg 2 - var 4
        scene black with fade
        #patricia naked
        show patricia happy behind black
        show rowan necklace aroused naked behind black
        show ameraine naked happy behind black
        "But, Rowan came too hardly a second later. He held to her body for dear life as his cum spurted out. The tension lifted, and with it came a moment of bliss."
        ro "Fuck."
        "He started to soften slowly. The space of it gave room for hot white cum to drip from between her legs."
        "Rowan and Patricia panted in unison. Sweat covered their bodies. In that moment, their drifting eyes crossed paths."
        "Ameraine had already risen back to her feet, in the meantime."
        amer "Oh dear. We’re still not done. I hope you saved some energy. Because now it’s time for you to do something that will please me."
        patr "...Huh?"
        "Patricia’s eyelashes fluttered. Ameraine retreated to the table and returned holding an object familiar to Rowan. The silver and sapphire choker."
        amer "But, first. Would you be a dear and put this on for me?"
        "She placed the amulet into Patricia’s still shaking hand. Rowan himself was struggling to focus, and he knew why Ameraine was doing this. He could only guess at Patricia’s confusion."
        "Yet, the strange gem seemed to transfix the woman."
        patr "I...It’s so pretty…"
        "Eyes still fluttered, she brought the charm to her neck and did the clasp. Rowan almost thought he saw the central sapphire glitter."
        "Ameraine gave a pleased nod."
        amer "Good. Now let’s keep the fun going. I know you’re really going to love this next part."

    else:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "What was this woman doing? Rowan’s eyes narrowed. Ameraine had agreed to let him sway her. She was going to ruin everything."
        ro "That’s not something you just {i}say{/i}."
        amer "And yet, I did."
        "Rowan quietly balled his hand into a fist. A gesture he made sure the pale woman would note."
        ro "Would you mind excusing us for a time, My Lady?"
        ro "Your contribution has been most valuable, but I think Lady Crevette and I need some time together to discuss the plan. "
        show ameraine neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Ameraine let out a small huff, thin arms crossing over her frame."
        amer "I wouldn’t dare intrude, of course. Fine. I have my own business to attend to. We’ll be seeing each other a good deal in the future, I suspect."
        "The two exchanged a terse goodbye. Patricia didn’t interject, but her eyes trailed Ameraine, all the way to the door."
        hide ameraine with moveoutleft
        "The noblewoman waited a few seconds after the door slammed before speaking."
        show patricia happy at midright with dissolve
        patr "Where did you even find that woman?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan shrugged."
        ro "She was useful when I was setting up back in the capital. At times, she still is."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "But, not quite so useful as she thinks she is. Not by a long shot. When dealing with her for an extended timeframe, it’s easy to grow weary."
        patr "Hmph."
        "The Lady went for the bottle of wine. A loud {i}pop{/i} reverberated off the room’s thick walls."
        patr "It’s good that she brought wine. I’d have grown even wearier of her, otherwise."
        "Soon, there were glasses of wine in front of both of their places. But, just as fast, the liquid disappeared into their lips. When it was done, Patricia went to Rowan’s bed to sit. She tested it playfully. No doubt she was used to more ostentatious arrangements."
        patr "Still. Is it true? We’d have to remove Werden ourselves?"
        "Feeling a bit more light headed, Rowan followed her to the bed. His fingers reached out to the strap of her dress and toyed with it."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "It’s not like I’m happy about it either."
        ro "But, you’ve always known that the man is likely to create problems. He’s too inflexible. Some peasant would ask for bread and he’d hang them. His rule would end in disaster."
        patr "-And would ours truly go much better?"
        "Rowan retreated back to the table and poured another pair of wine glasses for them."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I could tell you about it if you like."
        "Patricia nodded and took the offered glass from his hand."
        ro "An able administrator sitting at the helm, ensuring that the coffers are full, and the wheels of government keep turning. No debate, no whining sycophants to tell you no. {i}You{/i} get the last word. A thriving economy, a well run capital."
        ro "-And happy peasants too. They’d know they have a man in court who speaks for them."
        ro "No new demon war, either. I saw the Astarte first hand. I know the mistakes the commanders made. Were I in command, we’d never have lost."
        patr "Oh? Did the farm boy grow an ego all of a sudden?"
        "She took a greedy sip from her drink. Rowan’s eyebrow scrunched."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        #if deception is low - TO DO
            #ro "..."
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            "She was just teasing him, but it was hard not to react with anger. How could anyone be so stupid as to think those preening Rosarian generals were a match for him?"
            "In fact, if the point of comparison was Astarte, he already had already proved it beyond a doubt..."
        ro "It’s the truth, Patricia. If we were in charge, Rosaria would be better run, better defended, and far more prosperous."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "The two unthanked saviors of the realm. Its unrewarded savior and marginalized steward. Think what we could do."
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            #show patricia aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan punctuated his words with a long drawn out kiss. An indication that the time for careful consideration was over."
        else:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan had to pause for a moment to collect himself. Patricia was slumped back in her chair, chewing over his words."
            "The impulse to act had come to him. This was the perfect moment to make his move, while she was thinking of the two of them together."
            "Yet, something held Rowan back. A vague sense of a line being crossed. It became almost a physical thing. Like to cross it would take real physical exertion."
            "But, Rowan had long ago settled on his course of action. Such waning scruples did not hold for long."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            #show patricia aroused at midright with dissolve
            "So, right as the lady moved to answer him, Rowan bent low and kissed her."
        "Her lips tasted still of the wine. Rowan was sure his did as well."
        "The noblewoman let out a moan of assent and opened her mouth to give Rowan full access. Soon, their hands were exploring each other’s bodies as eagerly as their tongues were."
        "Rowan pushed her backwards on the bed. She let out a little giggle, but otherwise responded by stretching out on the bed. Miraculously, she held tight to her wine. She didn’t spill a drop."
        #show patricia naked at midright with dissolve
        "Of course, her clothes would have to go. Her giggle turned to a groan as Rowan pulled away her dress."
        patr "You had yet to see me naked."
        ro "A mistake."
        "A single of her short fingers went to his chest and teasingly traced a circle."
        patr "...One that must be answered by punishment?"
        #rowan naked smirk
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            "Rowan flashed a shadowed smirk. A fun idea was coming to him. One he never would have imagined in the past."
            "Who said you couldn’t mix business and pleasure?"
        else:
            "Rowan had to take a second to collect his thoughts. This seduction game often felt like entering a duel with another person’s sword. The balance was all wrong."
            "But, slowly the genesis of an idea came to him."
        ro "Stand up straight for me, Patricia."
        "There was a hint of hesitation. Some searching for a motive behind Rowan’s eyes. But, the curious noblewoman eventually worked her way off the bed. She took up a pose with her hips cocked and her arms crossed over her chest."
        #patricia naked happy
        patr "Like this?"
        "Rowan leaned back, adopting the mannerisms of a self assured patrician. Or at least, as close to it as he could approximate."
        ro "“Like this, M’lord?” Try it like that."
        "Patricia gave a small roll of her eyes."
        patr "Like this, My Lord?"
        ro "Hrm. No, not quite."
        ro "You’ve seen servants your whole life. You can’t truly say you don’t know what it looks like when they stand at attention."
        ro "Back straight, hands to the side, looking straight ahead."
        patr "It is not as though I’ve been taking notes, Rowan."
        "Next, she tried to adopt the pose Rowan described. Certainly, her back straightened out. With the curves of her frame, it had the effect of prominently displaying her large and exposed breasts."
        patr "Do I have it now?"
        ro "Uh uh uh. You’re forgetting something."
        "She rolled her eyes again. But, from the way her lips twisted to a wicked little grin, Rowan suspected she was starting to enjoy this."
        "She called out in a sing-song voice. Almost an approximation of the dainty tone a female servant was often expected to take."
        patr "Do I have it correctly {i}now{/i}, M’lord?"
        "He openly scrolled his gaze up and down her body. To emphasize the point, he even made a show of tilting his head, as though he were an appraiser at the market."
        ro "Better."
        ro "Now then, be a good girl and bring me some wine. A certain greedy guest has been drinking up most of it."
        "Without a word of complaint, she grabbed up both of their goblets and sashayed back to the table. The way she swayed her rear as she walked had unmistakeable connotations."
        "He watched in silence as she poured his goblet full. But, when she tried to top off hers, Rowan interjected."
        ro "What are you doing? Do servants normally drink with the lords when commanded to bring wine?"
        "She blinked twice, as if trying to process words that didn’t make sense. Then came an answer, paired with a sigh of relief."
        patr "Of course not, M’lord."
        ro "If you ask nicely, I might be generous enough to share."
        #cg1
        scene cg700 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg700
        #patricia naked happy
        show patricia happy behind cg700
        pause 3
        "She returned, posture a little straighter this time, and held out the goblet to him. But, now it was her turn to surprise him. She sank down to her knees, head lowered, and held up the goblet."
        patr "Would M’lord please be so kind as to spare a humble servant some wine?"
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            ro "Heh."
        else:
            ro "..."
        ro "Just a sip."
        #cg1 - var 2
        scene cg701 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg701
        #patricia naked happy
        show patricia happy behind cg701
        pause 3
        "Rowan tipped his goblet forward to her, hand still firmly on the base. It was not for her to hold. She brought her head low to the edge of the cup, and sipped from it."
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            "Naturally, this was too good an opportunity to pass up. A cruel smile framed his face as he suddenly tilted the goblet, sending a surprising amount of wine forward."
            "She coughed from the surprise, red wine trailing down her lips over her bare breasts."
        "But before she could get too greedy, Rowan took it back. Patricia was forced to watch as her lowborn companion drained the only cup of wine."
        scene bg40 with fade
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy at midright with dissolve
        "When he finished, he rose to his feet. Even when she wasn’t on her knees, he towered over her. To emphasize the disparity, he gracefully gripped her chin and tilted it upwards with the slightest touch of force."
        ro "The hair is wrong. Too neat. Servants don’t get their hair dressed up fancy like."
        "His hand rifled through her neatly styled hair and undid the delicate bonds hold it together. Long hair tumbled down her hair in an undignified display."
        ro "Hrmm. I should have prepared a serving girls uniform for you, shouldn’t I?"
        ro "Something to show you off."
        ro "It’s not too late though. I can grab a peasant’s rags from downstairs and send you into town to fetch more proper attire."
        #patricia naked shocked
        show patricia shocked at midright with dissolve
        "That final implication earned a shocked gasp and outraged expression. She reached out and gave him a light smack."
        patr "Rowan! I would be seen! Even as a game, that’s over the line!"
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan laughed to himself. But, inside he was a brooding stormcloud. She’d just shown some defiance. If he didn’t act fast, she might break the scene he was setting."
        "What would Andras do here? For all his faults, that man knew how to project confidence. The answer was obvious, the demon would likely use sudden aggression as a chance to regain control over the situation."
        "That’s what Rowan did. Keeping a silly grin on his face to ensure it came across as playful, he reached down to her exposed bosom and twisted her nipple."
        ro "That’s My Lord to you, still. You gotta remember it."
        #patricia naked aroused
        patr " Mmf."
        "Patricia let out a low sound, halfway between a squeak and a moan. She peered up, over the tangles of her released hair, meeting Rowan’s eyes with an unforeseen intensity."
        patr "How else should I serve you, M’lord?"
        "Her voice came sultry and low. Naturally, to pair with it, came a subtle movement of her tongue against her lips."
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan released her nipple and marched back to the table and his chair. Freed from his hand, she let out a drawn out pant."
        ro "Pour me some more wine...then service me while I eat."
        patr "Service?"
        "Casually, he reached down to his breeches and undid the front."
        ro "Service."
        #cg2
        scene cg702 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg703 with dissolve
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg703
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy behind cg703
        pause 2
        "Soon, Rowan was leaning back at the table, taking his time to enjoy the fine wine. Patricia was also engaged in a tasting of a different sort."
        "He had her naked, under the table, with one hand and her lips wrapped around his cock. Her tongue slowly danced up and down the sensitive underside. It was the work of an experienced woman, albeit one whose technique had some rust. "
        "She took it slow, drawing out the sensation. Rowan tried his best not to let the sensation eke out a sound from him, although here and there he couldn’t stop himself from grunting."
        "After some time, he used her sweeping undone hair as a handle, and tilted it just enough so that she’d look him straight in the eyes. A perfect vantage point to see her face contort around his manhood."
        ro "Wipe it totally spotless now. What good is a servant who can’t clean?"
        "As much as her posture would allow, she gave an eager nod. But, when she went back to work, the lesson of his prior action had been learned. She kept her eyes up, trained on him. Even as her head started to pump faster, she never broke eye contact."
        patr "Totally clean, M’lord. Every inch…"
        #cg2 - var 2
        show cg704 with dissolve
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg704
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy behind cg704
        pause 3
        "She broke from the task, but didn’t avert her glance. A mess of her saliva remained as a trail for her lips to his stiff cock."
        patr "Please...more…"
        "In some ways, this was an act of rebellion. He hadn’t told her to stop, after all. Yet, he couldn’t deny it. He wanted more too."
        ro "Such a haughty servant, asking for such things."
        #cg3
        scene cg705 with fade
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg705
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy behind cg705
        pause 3
        "With a hand in her hair, he pulled her roughly back to her feet. But, she would not remain there for long. Next, he slammed her down, although careful not to truly harm her, against the surface of the table."
        "Patricia’s mouth widened into a long gasp the entire time. Force to the table, she clutched at it with her nails. Almost certainly, the wood was already scratched."
        patr "Ah. You’re right. So haughty. Fuck. Need to be...taught a lesson."
        patr "...Been so long..."
        "His eyes trailed her body. The wiggle of her hips was unmistakable."
        "His own hand trailed back to his cock, fingertips running over the saliva coated length of it. Certainly, if nothing else, he was quite lubricated."
        "It made it much easier when he began to work himself into her ass, tip first."
        patr "There!? But, I haven’t in so-"
        #cg3 - var 2
        scene cg706 with fade
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg706
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy behind cg706
        pause 3
        "He silenced her with another rough tug of her hair."
        ro "Who said you could complain? "
        ro "Servants do whatever…"
        ro "I…"
        ro "Want."
        "The only answer she could give was a moan. As it finished, she pressed her face down against the table and repositioned to better fit his length."
        show cg706 with sshake
        show patsex1 with fade
        "His cock descended into her slowly. It was as though each segment of his length was its own little struggle. Each time, her asshole would inevitably lose, ceding more and more room to him. The shivering of her body grew and grew."
        "Then, fully submerged, into her, Rowan began to move. He didn’t give her long to adapt before picking up the pace. After all, she was supposed to be the one serving him here, wasn’t she?"
        patr "Fuck. I haven’t felt...Fuck...Solansia above…"
        "Her body slammed forward and back against the table, large breasts being shoved around uncontrollably. The harder he fucked her, the higher the pitch of her voice went."
        ro "Thank...Your...Lord…."
        patr "Th-thank you...M’l-"
        "She threw her head back and howled out a long grown. There was something really reactive to her. Most women were not so animated during sex…"
        "..Though, most of the time it wasn’t their ass being fucked either."
        patr "M’lord…"
        "Rowan grunted. She was tight. So tight that even moving was difficult. But, that just added to the enjoyment. The more her body made him work, the more pleasure he eke’d from her."
        patr "M’lord…"
        "The noblewoman seemed to melt beneath him. Her legs grew so shaky that it was only the table keeping her up. Her face twisted to the side, and Rowan was greeted with wide open eyes, a gasping open mouth, and a face redder than he’d ever seen her with."
        patr "M-M’lord!"
        "Awareness of the situation fluttered in and out. At times, he was so concentrated on the tense growing pleasure that he lost track of what he was doing. That a high noblewoman of the realm was knowingly letting him fuck her ass, roles reversed."
        "When awareness of it returned, it came with a rush. He spontaneously gave her untidy hair another hard tug, just because he could."
        patr "M’LORD!"
        ro "What are you, slut?"
        patr "S-servant. Servant. Ahh."
        show patsex2 with fade
        pause 3
        "He sped up once more. Throwing his hips into it with his considerable strength. In answer, the cries from her lips only grew more desperate. It was as though she were an instrument to be played."
        patr "Fuck fuck. M’LORD! M’LORD! So fast...I can’t...I can’t…"
        #cg3 - var 3
        show cg714 with sshake
        show cg714 with sshake
        show cg715 with flash
        pause 2
        "One final push. He used his largest reserve of energy to speed up still further, pounding with the single minded goal of finishing himself off."
        "It was not not a difficult task. There was but a mere moment before a long grunt fled his lips...and hot white seed fled his manhood."
        "Staggering back, a little bit of cum dripped from Patricia’s rear. The woman was slumped over the table, eyes flicking lightly."
        scene bg40 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy at midright with dissolve
        patr "With all that...all that screaming, the people downstairs must think there is actually a lord here."
        "Rowan laughed to himself. His arms clutched at the wall to aid him in the act of catching his breath."
        ro "Perhaps there is. There is a lady, after all."
        "Patricia blinked twice, as if he said something strange. Then her eyes lit up with comprehension."
        patr "Oh yeah!"
        "But, as that reminder came back to Lady Crevette, something different came back to Rowan. His true task."
        "Still staggering, he withdrew back to his satchel and pulled from it an object. A jeweled silver choker lined with glittering blue sapphires."
        patr "You know, as much fun as that was. Said...activity...is not known for bringing ladies their own orgasm."
        ro "You wound me. We’re not exactly done yet."
        "He returned to her, eyes still examining the strange wonder of the choker. Would it really do what Ameraine had said?"
        ro "But, before I continue, would you be so kind as to tilt up your neck?"
        patr "Hm?"
        "He gave her his best confident smirk."
        ro "Your “Lord” has a gift for you."
        scene black with fade
        #patricia naked aroused
        show patricia happy behind black
        patr "It’s lovely..."


    #cg 3
    scene cg585 with fade
    #patricia naked
    show patricia happy behind cg585
    show rowan necklace aroused naked behind cg585
    show ameraine naked happy behind cg585
    pause 3

    "It was dark out now. The games had only progressed. Patricia’s form took up the center of the room. Rowan had bound her with rope that kept her wrists and feet. It forced her into an awkward, bent forward position."
    "The short woman squirmed helplessly in her bonds. Her mouth was frozen open in a gasp."

    patr "It’s really been a long time since I tried something of this sort…"

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "Ameraine giggled playfully. Rowan watched from a nearby chair."
        amer "You’re not new to being tied up?"
        patr "A suitor of mine was quite good at it."
        amer "What a challenge. Still, I think what I have planned next might be a little bit different from anything you may have tried before."
        amer "Aran-Uch-Ah."

    else:
        patr "...I don’t think the last guy was quite so good at this. You really know how to tie a knot."
        "She squirmed weakly in her bonds. Though, Rowan had made extra sure there was no chance of escape."
        patr "What do you have planned for me now...M’lord?"
        "He put a hand to his chin."
        ro "I think...I think something a little different."
        ro "Aran-Uch-Ah."

    show black with blueflash

    "The moment she said it, there was no doubt that the magic had been effective. The room flashed with brilliant blue light. Rowan had to shield his eyes to prevent himself from being blinded."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        ro "You didn’t tell me this would happen."
        amer "Had I known, I would have told you."
        patr "I feel...strange..."

    else:
        "Rowan grit his teeth. Accursed Ameraine. Had she given him prior warning of this effect, it would have saved his eyes a great deal of strain."
        patr "I feel...strange..."

    #CG 3 - var 2
    scene black with fade
    #patricia naked
    show patricia happy behind black
    show rowan necklace aroused naked behind black
    show ameraine naked happy behind black

    "The room dimmed once more to the point where Rowan could see again. Patricia was still in place. But, the charm was emitting bright blue light. But, it wasn’t just the object that was affected. The same strange light now shone from Patricia’s eyes."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "Rowan and Ameraine exchanged glances. The process appeared to have worked."

    else:
        "Rowan nodded slowly to himself. Whatever the process of the amulet was, it appeared to have been effective."

    ro "Patricia. You said you wanted to be true to your desires right? That’s what you want."

    patr "Yes…..Yes."

    "Rowan narrowed his eyebrows. It was supposed to be as simple as finding this “soul wan”t of hers and employing it."

    ro "Why did you come here tonight?"

    patr "To fuck you."

    "She answered in a strange monotone. Present, yet without thought or crafting to her answers."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "Ameraine motioned Rowan forward. The indication was clear."

    else:
        "This was all uncertain ground, of course. But, considering her answer, some extra stimulation might help along the process. "

    #CG 3 - var 3
    scene black with fade
    #patricia naked
    show patricia happy behind black
    show rowan necklace aroused naked behind black
    show ameraine naked happy behind black

    "He stepped behind her and ran his hands up and down her side. One of his fingers brushed over her nipples. Clearly, the charm didn’t block arousal. She let out an involuntary moan at the touch."

    if rowanCharm == True:
        "Along the way, he noticed a small bruise formed near her nipple. No doubt the consequence of a bit of manhandling he’d given her body earlier."

    ro "Why else?"

    patr "Because...because I was curious about what you told me before. A coup within a coup. I wanted to know more."

    ro "Why did you want to know more?"

    "He planted delicate butterfly kisses all along her neck. She tilted to the side to allow him greater access."

    patr "Because I want it all. I want what I am owed."

    ro "What are you owed?"

    "His right hand trailed all the way down, making for the place between her legs. Still quite wet, of course. She was freshly fucked Not even her inner walls offered much resistance."

    patr "Power. Respect."

    "He took two fingers to pump into her, just as his cock had done earlier. Patricia’s unthinking words were punctuated with intermittent groans and gasps."

    patr "I am the smartest. "

    "Her leg spasmed. As unreactive as her words were, her body was pliant in his hands."

    patr "I am the hardest working."

    "His fingers beckoned her forward. A gasp escaped her lips. Then the flood. She let out a soft cry and shook in his hands."
    "She sunk into her bonds for only a few seconds. Then her lips started to move again, as though she had not just cum."

    patr "I d-deserve to rule and be treated as a ruler. I want more."
    patr "I want to be seen as beautiful. I want to be seen as someone to pay heed to."
    patr "I want what I am owed."

    "Rowan brought his lips to her ear. His hand continued to work her sex. Her body seemed to twitch and shiver with each pump of his fingers."

    ro "But, Marianne and the current order will not give you what you are owed?"

    patr "They won’t. No."

    ro "And Werden won’t give you what you are owed either, will he? Oh, he’ll give you some of it, but if you ask for the rest he won’t listen."

    patr "..."

    "Rowan waited. This was a key moment. If she admitted this, then her want could perhaps be directed."

    patr "Yes. He won’t give me what I’m owed."
    patr "I..."

    "Before she could continue, another orgasm wrapped through her. It made her head roll back and her knees shake. Only the ropes were keeping her on her feet."

    patr "Ah..."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "Ameraine rushed forward and tilted her head up by her chin. She wanted a turn. Rowan’s ally met the possessed woman, eye to eye."
        amer "But, what if there was someone who could give you what you were owed? Everything you want."
        patr "There is…?"
        "A low groan rolled from her lips. Rowan had set to work once more. Patricia was drowning in pleasure."
        patr "You?"
        "Ameraine smirked."
        amer "No. There are ways we can help you. And will."
        amer "But, a higher power exists. One who wants to see you get everything that you are owed."
        "She brushed the tips of her nails down the side of Patricia’s cheek. Their tips were sharp enough to leave a small cut in their wake."
        amer "With such powerful allies, there is no doubt that you will get what you want. You will have it all and more."
        patr "All and more…"
        "Rowan pulled his hand back and shifted to clit rubbing. Soft flicks that elicited a gasp every time. Her body radiated with heat."
        patr "Who…"
        amer "The Demon Twins. Andras and Jezera."
        patr "Demon twins…"
        "Suddenly, Patricia struggled in her bonds. Rowan pulled his hand back briefly, giving her room to move."
        patr "But...enemy...evil…"
        patr "You...you work for demons. This entire time. You…"
        "Ameraine shushed Patrica with a finger atop her lips."
        amer "Of course, we work for demons, my dear. They give us what we are owed. It’s good to work for people who give you what you are owed, right?"
        patr "..."
        "The struggling stopped. Now that she was back under control, Rowan went back to work teasing her exhausted pussy."
        amer "Do the human lords give you what you are owed? Marianne? Werden?"
        patr "N-no."
        "Even in her dreamlike state, her voice came out shaky. It was like a core pillar of her identity being challenged."
        amer "And you want what you are owed, don’t you? It’s what you want most?"
        patr "Y-yes."
        amer "So why serve them?"
        patr "I…"
        "She groaned loudly and thrust her rear backwards towards Rowan. Once more her words and her body fell totally out of sync."
        patr "Demons are evil."
        amer "Is it evil to want what you are owed?"
        patr "No."
        amer "Are not people who lie and don’t give out fair due evil?"
        patr "Yes."
        amer "So if the human leaders are evil, why is it evil to serve the demons? They give you what you are owed?"
        patr "I don’t know."
        "Rowan felt her movements grow faster once more. Another orgasm was rising. It must have been her tenth in the past few hours alone. It showed in her body. Her skin glistened with sweat, and her legs were so weak that without the rope it looked like she’d fall over."
        amer "This can be very easy, Patricia. Very easy. Agree to the deal. You serve Andras and Jezera...and you get what you are owed."
        "She squirmed slightly once more. Nothing like the way she’d tried to escape her bonds when talking of demons first came up. But, even in this state, there was still a part of her trying to escape the direction everyone saw it heading."
        "Rowan used this chance to jump in once more."

    else:
        "Rowan tilted her head back, so he could work in a trial of kissing and nibbling along the sensitive side of her neck."
        ro "Are you owed pleasure?"
        patr "Yesss."
        ro "So there is someone out there who gives you what you’re owed, right?"
        "She remained silent, except soft moans and whimpers. His words had gone through, but in her spacey state, she didn’t seem to have even fully processed them."
        ro "Not only that. Someone who helps you and stands by your side. Someone who gives you good advice."
        ro "Someone who sees you as beautiful."
        "He glided a hand between her legs. He made sure that she could feel the electric tingle of his fingertips brushing over her clit."
        ro "Smart."
        "More and more. Each new way he teased her was bolder than the last."
        ro "Capable."
        patr "Y-yes…"
        "Her voice cracked. Whether the successive pressure of having her body worked or his words, the facade of resistance was crumbling."
        ro "Who?"
        patr "You."
        ro "So there is one person in the world who sees how valuable you really are, and wishes to give you what you’re owed. Someone whose word is the truth."
        "He breathed his words like whispers into her ear. It was a strange act. The kind of silly thing he’d seen Jezera attempt on more than one occasion. Yet, he could see why she favored it. It was shockingly effective."
        patr "Yessss."
        ro "So if I promised you more...If I promised you everything you were owed could come from my hand, then you would trust me?"
        patr "Everything?"
        "Rowan knew what he was going to say. He had not fully considered it. Yet, now that he found himself here, in this moment, there was no need to make a choice at all."
        "He knew who he should transfer her loyalty to..."
        ro "Everything. But, you need to make a promise. You need to swear to serve me. To obey me. To act as I tell you."
        patr "...obey…?"
        "Rowan flashed a dark smirk. Not the twins. Him. A servant of his own, disguised as one of theirs."
        ro "That’s right. Swear to serve me, and you will have everything you’re owed."
        patr "...Everything...How?"
        "The sound rang with the soft wet sound of fingers pumping in and out of a woman. The more intense the moment got, the more intense his ministrations."
        "There was no use holding back anymore. If she wasn’t far enough along now, she never would be ready to be told the truth."
        ro "It’s simple. I’ve made a deal with the demons for control of the city. When all is done, I will ensure that you are made the new governor."
        patr "D-demons!? "
        "She started blinking and lightly squirming in the bonds. As if trying to rebel against his words. Yet, it wasn’t an especially strong escape either."
        patr "...Enemy...Evil…"
        ro "But, am I your enemy?"
        "A pause, and when her answer came it was already noticeably less sure."
        patr "...No…"
        ro "Yes. There are demon twins. You must pretend to serve them. But it is just a farce."
        ro "But, I am not a demon, nor do I trust them. You would serve me. I would ensure you always got what you are owed. And you can trust me, right?"
        "Her answer came this time in a whimper, tinged as much with lust as anything else."
        patr " ..Trust...Rowan..."

    ro "It’s easy, Patricia. I’ve made the deal. They give me everything I want."
    ro "You just have to say yes."

    "To punctuate his words, he gave her clit a series of faster flicks. In her state of intense arousal, more than enough to bring her over."
    "There were no more juices when she came this time. Only a series of shivers that ran the entire length of her spine and a soundless cry. When it settled she swayed in place. Her sense of balance was gone. Only Rowan was holding her up."

    patr "I...Demons..."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        amer "One more I think."
        "Rowan didn’t argue."

    else:
        ro "Demons who think you serve them. But, you don’t truly. You serve me. I give you what you are owed. I give you what you’ve always wanted."
        patr "...Rowan…demons…"
        "Her protestations grew more subdued by the moment. Rowan was winning and he knew it."
        ro "Do the lords of Rosara give you what you are owed? What are you longing for?"
        patr "No. No."
        ro "Only I do. Right?"
        "She nodded slowly."
        ro "You can trust me. It’s so easy. Simply swear to serve me. Demons don’t matter. The nobles don’t matter. Only what you are owed. And who can give you what you are owed."
        patr "...Rowan…"

    "His fingers kept at their current pace of attack. In the after-glow of orgasm, it was easy to get her worked up again. Soon, Rowan had extracted another from her."
    "Her head hung limply. Her lungs sucked in air, chest rising and falling in large movements."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        amer "Will you serve Andras and Jezera? In return, everything you are owed will be yours."
        patr "..."
        "Rowan readied his fingers. He’d make her cum however times it took."
        patr "Everything?"
        amer "Everything."
        amer "You simply have to say yes."
        patr "..."
        "She took in a breath. Her head still hung low."
        patr "Yes."
        amer "Yes, you’ll serve Andras and Jezera?"
        patr "Yes."
        "Rowan drew his hand back. Without thinking he took a step back. All the energy seemed to leave him. After all this work, they’d done it. They’d brought her over to their side."
        if rowanCorruption < 31:
            "It left a knot in his stomach."
        elif rowanCorruption > 60:
            "Rowan smiled openly. It had been hard work, but well worth it. He’d never corrupted someone this way before."
        else:
            "Was it wrong that he wanted to celebrate?"
        amer "Whatever it is they tell you to do?"
        patr "Anything. Just...more…"
        "Ameraine pulled back and sat down at the table. She crossed both her arms and her legs. She looked happy, of course, but her reaction was not quite as extreme as Rowan’s."
        amer "Swear it. Here and now."
        patr "I swear it. I will...serve Jezera and Andras...if they give me what I am owed."
        amer "Then it’s a deal."
        scene black with blueflash
        "Ameraine snapped. Once more the room filled with blue light. Rowan didn’t have time to prepare and caught a full burst in his eyes. Everything was bright blue."
        "When vision returned to him, Ameraine was back on her feet. But, Patricia wasn’t. Ameraine had cut the rope, and now the smaller woman’s form lay crumpled on the ground."
        "The blue light was gone now. The sun had long since set and the room had gone dark."
        scene bg40 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral naked at midleft with dissolve
        show ameraine naked happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        #show patricia naked neutral
        show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve
        ro "It’s done?"
        amer "Ask her."

    else:
        patr "Serve...Rowan…"
        patr "Rowan...give...owed…"
        "He rolled her head backwards. Her lips came to rest inches from hers. So, between his whispered words, he slipped kiss after kiss on to her hungry lips."
        ro "Then you agree? You will serve me? You will let me give you what you are owed?"
        patr "...Yes…"
        "He planted another long kiss. It left her panting for more."
        ro "You swear?"
        patr "I swear...to serve...you…"
        ro "No matter what? Even if you must pretend to serve the demons? Even if you must do anything that I ask you?"
        "A long shiver ran up her spine, focused at the points of contact between their bodies. Something had changed between them, and it was clear just from the contact of forms."
        patr "..Anything...Demons...Anything…"
        "He closed his eyes."
        if rowanCorruption > 59:
            "Conquest. Sweet conquest. This was a feeling he could get used to…"
        else:
            "He’d done it. He’d corrupted a woman to him through dark magic."
            "It was all for the greater good, yet Rowan had trouble keeping personal emotions from it. Was it shame he was feeling? The thrill of victory? Or the wickedness of a taboo falling down? If you’d asked him, he wouldn’t be able to answer."
        ro "Then it’s a deal."
        "Rowan snapped his fingers...and once more the room flashed in a bright, all encompassing blue."
        show black with blueflash
        "He staggered backwards, blinded by the brilliant light. His new servant was left to free hang from her bonds."
        "She was still there even as his vision returned to him. Panting and staring off blankly. Albeit, now with the glow no longer emitting eerily from her eyes. He drew a dagger and gently eased her from her bonds."



    "Rowan looked down. Patricia may have been barely able to stay up, but her eyes were open and aware. Rowan knelt down and placed a hand on her shoulder."

    ro "Do you understand what just happened?"

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        patr "I just swore...to serve the demons…"

    else:
        "Patricia slowly rose...only, not to her feet. She paused on her knees, hands spread out in a posture of reverence and head hanging low. She was bowing to him."
        patr "I serve you, Rowan. With all my heart and my soul. I made a deal…"
        "She looked down to her hands, blinking."
        patr "And you are...in league with demons...who I must pretend serve...?"
        "It was a strange sight, watching someone rationalize the irrational. Rowan half expected her to panic or lose her cool, yet Patricia remained mostly calm. Almost as if they’d come to an agreement of a more normal variety."

    patr "Were you planning that all along, Rowan…?"

    "Rowan nodded softly."

    ro "I am sorry that deception was required. It wouldn’t have worked if you hadn’t trusted me. Most are not willing to serve demons."

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "With Rowan’s help, Patricia slowly worked her way back up to her feet. Her arms and legs were still shaking from the aftershocks of so many orgasms. Her eyes trailed a lazy arc between Rowan and Ameraine."

    else:
        "With Rowan’s help, Patricia slowly worked her way back up to her feet. Her arms and legs were still shaking from the aftershocks of so many orgasms."

    patr "So, we’re killing the Duke and handing the city over to the demons. Do we have a plan…?"

    if ameraineCharm == True:
        "Rowan and Ameraine exchanged a look. Patricia had said it so casually."
        "Patricia and Ameraine remained in Rowan’s room until well into the night. Most of it was spent bringing Patricia up to dates on the specifics of the plan. Though, not without breaks for other activities."
        # $ rowanCorruption += 10
    else:
        ro "Indeed we do. And you’re going to be the central star."
        "He tilted up her chin, so she could look him in the eyes. An easy sigh escaped her."
        ro "And when it’s all over, everything you’ve ever dreamed will be in your hands. You will be the ruler of all of Rastedel."
        # $ rowanCorruption += 15

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_slums.rpy
label maud_event3_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    $ alainEvent1Seen = True
    $ rastAlly = "werden"

    scene bg33 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show casimir neutral at midright with dissolve

    "For once, things proceeded exactly as planned. With the help of Ameraine and a “mysterious benefactor”, as she called her friend - likely for no other reason than to annoy him with needless secrecy - Rowan put together a simple plan for Maud."
    "A chance meeting, during the baron’s morning stroll in Marianne’s garden at the codifice rooftop. The very same Juliette showed him not long ago. The baron was known to visit it at the break of dawn, before most guests arrive."

    #casimir happy

    casi "It’s not often that I have company during these walks, Rowan. It’s a pleasant surprise."

    "Nobody questioned Rowan’s desire to accompany the most powerful man in Rosaria. Even the handful of guards discreetly lingering in the background barely paid attention to him, yawning whenever they thought he wasn’t looking."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I imagine they understand his majesty needs some time to himself to contemplate. Or perhaps they find gardens a poor place for politicking?"
    casi "A shame. I always believed flowers soothe even the most violent of tempers. It is a good place to seek compromise."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He stopped by a short tree with indigo flowers Rowan couldn’t recognize. Not far away, a young pair came out of a side alley, hands held. Seeing them, the man scoffed, and quickly turned his lover around."

    if rowanCorruption > 50:
        #casimir neutral
        casi "I do not believe flowers would be of much help with what is to come."
        ro "No, I suppose not."
        "A soft sigh escaped the Baron’s lips. Rowan discreetly led them down a different path, so they wouldn’t stumble upon the pair."

    else:
        ro "Perhaps if we gathered all the discontent nobles here, we might be able to ease the tensions a little."
        casi "Maybe so, maybe so."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Or perhaps all we would accomplish is trample over her Beatitude’s flowers."
        "A soft smile graced the man’s lips. Rowan discreetly led them down a different path, so they wouldn’t stumble upon the pair."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Where the hell was Maud? She said she would meet them here, and that she would arrange for a disguise herself."
    "Knowing her, Rowan imagined she’d handle it with the same efficiency she handled everything else, but quietly hoped it would not involve any bone breaking."

    casi "Do tell Rowan, how are the preparations coming along?"
    ro "They’re going well, your majesty. I was handling some internal matters recently, in the northern side of the city. Wouldn’t want to be blindsided by them once the orcs arrive."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    casi "Ah, have you by any chance met Captain Alarie? Charming young man. Marianne introduced me to him a while ago. She thought he showed much promise."

    if alainEvent1Seen == True:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I had. He… Leaves quite the impression. I almost went blind from the smile."
        casi "Indeed. She said the guard would need that light. That we all would, one day."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I do not believe so. Perhaps I wasn’t introduced by name?"
        casi "Hmm… Perhaps. He leaves quite the impression though. I think you’d recall if you had met him.  "

    "Rowan kept a polite smile, but now he was searching for the slums leader anxiously. He shouldn’t have allowed the conversation to go that way, but the Baron’s usual absentmindedness lowered his guard."

    ro "So what convinced Marianne to build this garden? "

    #casimir happy

    casi "Ah. A good question. Best directed at her, I think."
    casi "I know to Protheans, Rastedel can be, hm, crude."
    casi "But she never saw it that way."
    casi "She used to travel a lot, when she first came here. Around the countryside. "
    casi "She’d gather wilting or sickened flowers, and bring them here. So they could bloom again. "
    casi "Planted many herself. Later, I helped with some."

    "The baron knelt beside a patch of soft blue hyacinths, currently attended to by a gardener."

    casi "These have always been my favourite. I see you’ve been taking good care of them."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    maud "Of course, your majesty."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    #casimir happy
    show casimir neutral at center with moveinright
    show maud neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "Rowan felt his heart skip a beat, as Maud lowered her head before the Baron. With her armor and sword gone, and a wide hat to seemingly shield her eyes from the sun, she looked no different than dozens of faceless workers attending the place."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Even the violent ambience was gone, the absence of it so striking, Rowan wondered how he could ever think the woman dangerous."

    maud "I don’t like them myself. I see them too often. "
    casi "Hm? Then are there some that strike your fancy, young miss?"
    maud "… In a way. "

    "She took a few steps into the garden, stepping lightly as to not thread on anything delicate. Rowan watched as she knelt by a bed of dozens spectacular, funnel-shaped flowers, each a different colour."

    casi "Ah, that’s… Hm, the name escapes me."

    #if rowan has wildnerness survival 1 - TO DO
    ro "The Gladiolus, your majesty. Also known as the Sword Lily."

    #else:
        #maud "Sword Lilies. "

    casi "Ah, yes, exactly! Marianne fancies them herself."
    maud "… I see."
    maud "They’re the first flowers I ever took care of."
    maud "A young girl gave them to me. She said they fit me."

    "Her hand went to the back of her head, and she touched her green-dyed hair, lost in thought."

    maud "We planted many. Couldn’t make mine grow."
    maud "But I tried to take care of hers, after she was gone."

    "The Baron offered a few compassionate words Rowan didn’t listen to, as he eyed the faraway guards. He hoped whatever it was Maud wished to accomplish here, she would be quick about it."

    show maud neutral at midright with moveinright
    show casimir shocked at center with dissolve

    "A quiet snap caught his attention. Maud picked up a single, red flower, and turned it in her fingers. Then, breaking all protocol, she placed it behind the baron’s sash. "

    show maud neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
    show casimir neutral at center with dissolve

    maud "… I was ten when I came to Rastedel."
    maud "The thing I remember most about that day… Was how bright the dresses were."

    #maud happy

    maud "They looked so light. So beautiful."

    #maud neutral

    maud "I couldn’t help but envy them. And I thought…"
    maud "“Surely the Baron would be the most majestic of them all?”"

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Her lip twitched, its corner rising to form a grotesque smile for a split second. Rowan noticed her fingers digging into her own arms, something the Baron remained oblivious to.  "

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    maud "I didn’t see his Lordship until much later."
    maud "Until the day you came back from the war."

    show casimir sad at center with dissolve

    maud "Do you remember that day, your majesty? Do you remember the parade?"
    casi " …Yes, of course."

    "The Baron furrowed his eyebrows, obviously trying to recall the event. With little success."

    casi "Weren’t you a part of it too, Rowan? "
    ro " Indeed I was. We were marching south with Duke Werden and his knights, and a handful of Prothean priests. I’m afraid I can’t recall the names."

    "But he did recall the Baron wasn’t part of the campaign. He joined them on their way back, priests in tow, and led the procession as they entered the city."

    ro "People swarmed to the streets, cheering as we went past. I could barely hear my own thoughts."

    #baron happy
    show casimir neutral at center with dissolve

    casi "There were red petals in the air, no? "
    ro "I think some of the people threw them from the windows."
    maud "Yes. They gave them away at the main square."

    "Casimir played with the gifted flower, his gaze as distant as ever. He didn’t notice the burning intensity that hid in Maud’s dark eyes, nor the tension in her voice."

    maud "I was watching it from the rooftops. Me and Roderick."
    casi "Someone dear to you?"
    maud "…Yes. In a way."
    maud "We waited all day to see you."
    maud "I still remember the golden laurels shining in the sun. The flowing red cape, and the rose etched into the gold-adorned armour."
    maud "I even remember the white horse, so meticulously groomed to look its best."
    maud "And I remember you, your Majesty."
    maud "And I remember thinking…"

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show casimir sad at center with dissolve

    maud "“Solansia help me, I’ve never seen a man more defeated.” "

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Casimir’s fingers froze, and the red flower with them. Any other noble would be outraged, but the Baron seemed to struggle not to turn his head away in shame."

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    maud "You looked so tired. Hunched over your horse. You’d rise to wave at the crowd, but could never do so for longer than a few moments."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    maud "And as you were about to pass me by, I remember thinking, for the first time in years-"
    maud "“Maybe it will all turn out okay.” "

    #maud happy

    "A bright, hopeful smile went past her face, so quickly Rowan wasn’t sure if his eyes didn’t deceive him."

    #maud neutral

    maud "“Maybe now we’ll have someone who understands how it feels to lose everything.”"
    maud "“Maybe now we’ll have someone to look after us.”"
    maud "“Maybe now someone will care.”"
    maud "“Maybe now….”"
    maud "Maybe now..."
    maud "..."
    maud "What happened, your majesty?"

    #maud angry

    "She always hid it so well, but now the bitterness in her tone ran so deep, Rowan could only imagine the full depth of it. Even the Baron felt it. He no longer dared to look at the girl, his gaze fixed on the bright flowers around them. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The hero wondered how many were planted for the fallen prince. Too many. Far too many."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The silence dragged on, but Maud would not be denied. Her eyes were still fixed on the Baron, and her question hung in the air stubbornly, demanding to be answered."

    #maud shocked

    casi "… Surely it hasn’t been all that bad, has it?"

    #maud neutral

    casi "There was… Hmm… Lady Crevette had this… Public works project, I think? A few years back. She was really proud of it, I believe."
    casi "And I did approve more funding to the Selestine Sisters, did I not?"

    #if rowan dis simone event - TO DO
    #"The Baron turned to Rowan for confirmation."
    #ro "Simone did mention something of the kind."
    #casi "Ah, good, good. "

    #else
    "The Baron turned to Rowan for confirmation, but the hero shrugged. How could he know? "

    casi "And... Hmm… I can’t recall. But there had to be something."

    #maud angry

    casi "Maybe I should talk with Marianne about-"

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show casimir shocked at center with dissolve

    maud "Marianne doesn’t wield the scepter!"

    show casimir sad at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Casimir recoiled from the hostile hiss. He looked to the guards, and Rowan seized Maud by the arm before the situation could spiral out of control.  "

    maud "You’re the Baron! It’s your job-"

    ro "Enough!"
    ro "I apologize your Majesty. I’ll escort this troubled young woman out and make sure her foot never graces her Beatitude’s garden ever again. Please, try to enjoy your walk."

    "Too stunned to answer, the baron gave a short nod as Rowan dragged Maud out."

    hide rowan with moveoutright
    hide maud with moveoutright
    show casimir sad at center with moveinleft

    "She did not struggle, but she did keep looking back, her eyes shooting daggers at Lord of the realm."

    scene black with fade
    "..."

    scene bg33 with fade
    #maud angry
    show maud neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What the hell were you thinking!"

    #maud angry
    show maud neutral at edgeright with moveoutleft

    "Maud wrenched her arm away as soon as they walked out into the main square. She hissed again, and began pushing through the crowd, shoving people away with surprising force."

    maud "Getting answers."

    ro "And you got them. Satisfied now?"

    maud "Yes. No. Fuck, I don’t know. "

    "She snarled, making a random merchant jump out of her way. Rowan followed a few steps behind, to make sure she wouldn’t do anything stupid before she could fulfill her end of the deal."

    maud "I need to think. I -"

    #maud neutral

    "She stopped suddenly, then turned right sharply."

    "Moving quickly enough to almost force Rowan into a jog, Maud stormed through the northern main road, the same one that led through the slums. But before they could enter her home turf, she took a quick turn to one of the back alleys."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    maud "He looks no better than eight years ago."

    "Her eyes studied the wall on her left, before quickly jumping on crates to her right."

    maud "How?"

    hide maud with moveoutleft

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

    "She didn’t expect an answer, and Rowan could give her none that wouldn’t be met with an angry bark. With another jump, she grabbed the edge of the roof, and pulled herself up to it."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Grumbling at the unexpected exercise, Rowan followed, using his climbing expertise where agility failed him."
    "… The building was not tall, but it was just high enough to allow for an unobstructed view of their city. The surrounding buildings all blended together, their roofs creating a mismatched, brown carpet."
    "Behind them, the Basilica stood, as grand as ever. In front of them, he could see the northern mountains looming in the distance, behind the tall walls that looked so feeble in comparison."

    #maud angry
    show maud neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve

    "In the bright afternoon light, and under the crystal blue sky, the view might have been seen as delightful. But it did nothing to soothe Maud’s anger. The short woman had her back to him now, her gaze focused north."
    "Focused on the northern gate, and the long, straight track leading out of it."

    maud "… The petals. The cheers. The column of knights."
    maud "It was just as you said. I can still see them. "
    maud "They made me want to puke."

    #maud angry
    show maud neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "She took a step back, and started to experimentally tap the wooden tiles that made the slightly steep rooftop. One of them jumped loose suddenly, as if it wasn’t fixed at all."

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan watched her remove a few more, and kneel beside the unexpected compartment, taking something out of it. It took him a few long moments, before his eyes recognized the wooden construction. He swallowed heavily."

    #maud neutral

    "Ten years ago, it would have been top-grade military equipment. But years of rain turned what once was a heavy crossbow into a rotten mess, almost falling apart in Maud’s arms."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "Not just watching the procession, then?"

    "Maud didn’t answer. Her fingers ran across the ruined weapon with a tenderness he didn’t suspect she was capable of. All of her anger seemed to vanish into thin air, and when she spoke again, her voice was heavy with long-held anguish."

    maud "I lost my brother in the war. Under the walls of Karst."
    maud "Nothing you’re responsible for. He died in the first battle, I was told."
    maud "For months, I hoped that maybe he was still inside the keep. But news came about Werden breaking the siege and I -"
    maud "I didn’t hope for anything afterwards."

    "A tale shared by hundreds, if not thousands. Names changed, but the story stayed the same."

    #OR guilt is high - TODO
    if rowanCorruption < 50:
        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
        ro "I’m sorry, I-"
        maud "Don’t."
        "She didn’t let him say the words, but for once, her tone had no edge in it."
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    else:
        "By now, Rowan had grown numb to them."

    maud "I met Roderick some time later."

    "She played with the broken bowstring for a moment, reminiscing."

    maud "Roderick lost people too. But he… He had a vision. A dream."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve

    maud "A dream of the palace running red with blood. A dream of Rastedel in flames."

    show maud neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "She brought the crossbow to her eyes, and pointed it at the streets. The low steep obscured them both, allowing for an easy shot, especially at a lone man atop a massive horse."

    ro "Sounds more like a nightmare."

    maud "It wasn’t to us."
    maud "... So stupid. There was never more than thirty of us. But we wanted blood. And we would have it."
    maud "It was supposed to be our grand day. I was Roderick’s right hand. I was given the honor of starting it all."

    #maud sad

    ro "But you changed your mind at the last moment. When you saw Casimir."

    maud "Yes. There had been enough suffering."
    maud "Causing pain is no way to honour the dead."

    "She brought the crossbow down, and stared at the slums with a faraway gaze. When she spoke up again, it was in a nearly inaudible whisper."

    maud "Not everyone agreed."

    "She didn’t elaborate, but she didn’t need to. Rowan could see into the uncovered compartment. An old rusty sword was tucked away inside, next to a simple leather quiver, its lid open wide."
    "He counted nineteen bolts inside. "

    ro "We all make sacrifices to protect what’s important to us."

    "She didn’t answer, still staring at the slums solemnly. Reminiscing, no doubt. About the people lost. About the people she failed to protect. About -"

    #maud happy
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve

    maud "… Hah."

    "About something incredibly entertaining, apparently. "

    ro "What’s so funny?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    maud "The sign over there. Over that Inn. See it?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinright

    "She pointed with the tip of the crossbow, and Rowan had to strain his eyes to make out the image on it. A crude drawing of an angry, mustached man was painted over what once had to be a very intricate depiction of a nubile elf girl."

    maud "“The raving prick.” Used to be “Enchanting Nymph.”"
    maud "The owner takes in orphans as helpers. Feeds them. Clothes them. Instructs them how to cook, clean and take care of a horse."
    maud "Complains a lot, and always throws them out after a year, saying they’re worthless."

    ro "After teaching them everything they needed to know."

    maud "Yes."
    maud "Some angry kids did this to him two years ago."
    maud "Never shuts up about it."
    maud "Yet he still takes in new ones."

    "A soft smile danced on her lips as she held the crossbow close to her heart. It seemed far too heavy for her to carry. For anyone, really."

    #maud neutral

    maud "… I don’t regret it. It was not wasted time."

    show maud neutral at midright with moveinright
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "She turned around, looking at the alley behind them. She clutched the crossbow for a little longer, then tossed it off the roof, so casually Rowan couldn’t believe this was a weapon that almost killed the Baron of Rosaria."

    maud "And there is no use looking to the past."
    maud "It wasn’t perfect. These last few years. But it was better than death. Better than orcs."
    maud "... But I can’t keep waiting for someone else to make it better."

    if rowanCorruption < 60:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "He smiled, and waited for Maud to finish talking herself into a decision she has already made. He feared her violent tendencies could be a problem, but perhaps he misjudged her."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "And yet it still caught him off guard when her hand cupped his cheek gently."

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Finally. He could feel the woman had long ago made her decision, and now only needed to talk herself into it. Even if he was not unsympathetic to her plight, there were bigger things going on than-"
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Her hand cupped his cheek gently, completely catching him off guard. "

    maud "Not when we have you."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    maud "I know the past months have not been easy for you."
    maud "I heard of Arthdale. The fact you’re here, doing this for us…"

    #maud happy

    maud "Thank you, Rowan. For everything."

    if rowanCorruption < 60:
        "Her concern sounded so sincere, and her voice so warm, it almost cut his heart into pieces. So this was what Kesser, Calhoun, and everyone else saw in her. The caring older sister, always there to protect them. "

    else:
        "He didn’t do this for them. But she really believed he did. And her concern sounded so genuine, her voice was so warm, it almost made him sorry for using her."
        "So this was what Kesser, Calhoun, and everyone else saw in her. The caring older sister, always there to protect them."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    #maud shocked

    ro "Can’t allow something as minor as heart-shattering personal tragedy stop us from doing what’s right, can we?"

    #maud happy

    "His poor attempt at humor made her flash him a short, tired smile."

    maud "Yes. No looking back. No more."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #maud neutral

    maud "So after the coup, what awaits us?"

    menu:
        #add below average guilt to second conditional - TO DO
        "A better world. By his and the twins design.":# if serveChoice == 4 or rowanCorruption > 50 and avatar.guilt < 50:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ promisedMaudBetterWorld = True
            "He touched her hand as she looked into his eyes. He didn’t know what she saw in his, but he recognized that look. Hope. Long gone, now invited again."
            "It was not misplaced. Despite the twisted road they both walked, it would not be all for naught."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "We bring down Marianne. Lock her away, somewhere far away and secure. Then we deal with the Baron, make sure he won’t oppose anything we do. And once all opposition is dealt with, you’ll start to see... Changes. Real changes."
            if rastAlly != "jacques":
                maud "I hope Werden is willing to compromise-"
            else:
                maud "Jacques seems like the type-"
            #maud shocked
            ro "No. He won’t be making the calls."
            #maud happy
            ro "I will."
            ro "There’s far more at play here than you can imagine. But believe me when I say I did not sacrifice almost everything I ever believed in just to change one noble for another."
            ro "We’re going to make things right Maud."
            "It would be a lie to say the look of shock on her usually indifferent face was not a little satisfying. But the way it slowly turned to a slight grin was almost magical."
            maud "Ah, is that so."
            maud "Then consider me in."
            #maud aroused/embarassed
            "Her hand lingered on his cheek for far longer than it should. Realizing that, she tried to pull it away-"
            jump maudSexChoice_rp

        "Another chance at making things right.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He touched her hand as she looked into his eyes. He didn’t know what she saw in his, but he recognized that look. Hope. Long gone, now invited again."
            "Perhaps it was not misplaced? Despite all the lies, despite the growing weight on his soul as he came to terms with what was about to come, perhaps it would all turn out for the better."
            ro "We bring down Marianne. Lock her away, somewhere far away and secure. Then we deal with the Baron, make sure he won’t oppose anything we do. And once all opposition is dealt with… We’ll fix things."
            ro "Deal with the Orcs. Deal with Protheans interfering. Start to recognize the people who actually deserve it."
            #maud happy
            ro "We won’t sit on the sidelines as others weave our fate for us."
            "That’s right. He could’ve chosen to rot in his cell for all eternity. Whatever the circumstances now, he chose to be here. And even though Maud’s role was to ensure his Rastedel “allies” couldn’t claim a total victory, she and her people didn’t have to be expendable."
            "This was a chance for her too. And she saw it too, a slow grin creeping on her face."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            maud "Consider me in, then."
            #maud aroused/embarassed
            "Still smiling, she let her hand linger for a moment, far longer than it should. Realizing that, she tried to pull it away-"
            jump maudSexChoice_rp

        "Pain and Misery.":# if avatar.guilt > 50:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ maudFaith += 2
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
            $ promisedMaudPainMisery = True
            "He touched her hand as she looked into his eyes. He didn’t know what she saw in his, but he recognized that look. Hope. One he invited it. Nurtured with every well-timed word and honeyed lie."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            #maud shocked
            ro "… Don’t look at me like that."
            "And now he couldn’t stand it. Maud’s role was to make sure his allies were weakened enough to surrender to the twins. She was nothing more than an unwitting tool of chaos and destruction."
            "Though perhaps this was better than being a witting one."
            #maud neutral
            ro "I can’t promise you a happy ending. Even if everything goes according to plan, we’ll deal with one problem, and probably invite a hundred more."
            ro "It’s always like that. Always."
            #maud happy
            "Her surprise was clear, but short-lived. And he hated the understanding expression that replaced it even more."
            maud "I know."
            maud "Good thing neither of us is going to quit."
            maud "..."
            maud "..."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            #maud neutral
            maud "I’m not very good at this."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "She frowned at herself, dissatisfied with her inept attempt at lifting his spirit, and Rowan almost burst out laughing."
            ro "No, no, concise and to the point. It was perfect, Maud."
            "Here he was, agonizing over his unwilling servitude, and the hardships that still laid ahead. And before him was a woman who for eight years had covered Solansia’s ass, making sure the desperate and destitute wouldn’t shower Marianne with stones."
            "How weak was his own resolve, for it to start breaking a mere year in?"
            #maud happy
            ro "You’re right. We can’t leave a job half-finished."
            ro "I’m glad to have you on my side, Maud."
            #maud aroused/embarassed
            "Still flashed him that quick, dazzling smile he knew she only shared with her inner circle. Her hand lingered on his cheek, far longer than it should. Realizing that, she tried to pull it away-"
            jump maudSexChoice_rp

    label maudSexChoice_rp:

    menu:
        "Hold it. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump maudSex_rp

        "Let it go.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            maud "We should go. There’s much to be done. "
            scene black with fade
            "… … ..."
            jump maudEvent3Ending_rp

    label maudSex_rp:

    $ maudSex = True

    "He didn’t let her pull away, and instead wrapped her hand with his own, holding it close to her chest. Something the female warrior obviously didn’t expect, as she almost stumbled on her feet."

    #maud happy

    "But only for a moment. The corners of her lips twitched upwards, and she steadied herself, leaning against his chest as her other hand touched his body, fingers running against his muscles with appreciation."

    maud "It isn’t often that I’m the one who gets moved on."

    ro "A terrible loss. Your abashed smile is kind of cute."

    maud "… Is that so?"

    show bg33 with sshake
    hide rowan with dissolve
    hide maud with dissolve

    "His entire world was turned upside down as she pushed him unexpectedly, hooking his leg to make him lose all balance. He hit the roof hard, causing a ruckus that couldn’t have gone unnoticed."

    #cg1 - blurred
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #maud happy
    show maud neutral behind black

    "Any words of protest he might have had were silenced as she jumped on top of him, sealing his lips in a passionate kiss. She grabbed him by the wrists - not strong enough to lock him in place, but enough to send a clear message: “don’t struggle”."
    "Still surprised, he let her enjoy his lips for several long moments, and felt her hips rubbing against his crotch. Despite her aggressive approach - or maybe thanks to it - he knew she felt him growing hard."
    "When she finally broke their kiss, there was a victorious smirk on her face, one tempered by playful sparks in her usually distant eyes."

    maud "Yours is too."

    ro "Maud, is this really-"

    maud "Yes."

    "She let go of his hands, and removed her vest in one swift movement. He was greeted with a pair of modest breast, bound by a binder. Her body was lithe and full of scars, but she didn’t seem bothered by them."
    "And as he focused on the hungry look in her eyes, he found out neither was he."

    maud "Life’s short. You find happiness when and where you can."

    ro "How unexpectedly indulgent."

    "She flashed him another happy smile, and her hands went under his shirt. She rolled it up, feasting her eyes on the view before her."

    maud "Blame yourself."
    maud "I don’t meet many men like you."

    if promisedMaudPainMisery == True:
        ro "Brooding, troubled heroes?"
    else:
        ro "Legendary heroes, inspiring and valiant?"

    "A short snort was her response, as she unceremoniously rid him of all his upper garments."

    show rowan necklace naked behind black

    maud "Clean. Handsome."

    "She wiggled her hips, feeling his length with her inner thighs. Judging by the approving purr she gave him, they weren’t the only things she appreciated about him."

    ro "How insulting, to have my many valours reduced so. "

    "He placed his hands on her hips, as Maud’s hands went to her binder. Behind her, he could see the Basilica standing silently, basked in the afternoon light. A silent witness to their little illicit adventure. Marianne would get an aneurysm, if she knew."

    maud "You’ll live."

    "But all thoughts of the High Arbitron went out of his mind as Maud undid her bra, her small, perky breasts looking charmingly feminine on this otherwise boyish woman. Her nipples pointed out excitedly, in testimony to her growing lust."

    maud "Don’t just stare."

    "She jumped him again, locking lips. Rowan answered with equal enthusiasm, moving his hands upwards, taking his time feeling Maud’s lithe body - despite the woman’s murmurs of disapproval."

    ro "Just because I let you be on top doesn’t mean you can bark orders at me."

    "His defiance was met with an indigent huff, and Rowan couldn’t help but laugh as he grabbed her tits, his thumbs flicking her erect nipples, hoping to appease the woman."

    maud "Ahh, better."

    ro "Next time just ask nicely."

    "A quiet “hmph” was his response, as she kissed him again, her nimble tongue forcing his mouth open."
    "With a year of service for the twins under his belt, he met no small number of women who were quick to fuck and eager to indulge. But Maud didn’t feel like them. Her passion ran just as deep, but it wasn’t driven by lust alone."
    "He could feel her desire for intimacy in every kiss, whenever her fingers traveled across his body. He felt her want to touch him, appreciate him."
    "And beneath it, the slight unease. The unspoken, unacknowledged fear, that in any moment, in a blink of an eye, all of this might be taken away from her."
    "Perhaps in the past, it was."
    "He let her rub against body with abandon, as much as she wanted, until his own desires took the better of him, and he reached for her back, his hands greedily grabbing her slender ass, still criminally covered by a pair of dark pants."
    "She got the message, and pulled back, her face flushed with desire."
    "Her pants landed by his head, as she stripped with agility even the finest courtesan would envy."
    "Her pretty pink pussy glistened in the sun, and he feasted his eyes on it. It was decorated with a short bush slightly bigger than he preferred, but that was soon obscured by his cock jumping free."

    ro "Not a fan of the razor, I see. "

    maud "How demanding."
    maud "I might reconsider. If you perform. "

    "She raised her hips, placing the tip of his cock against her wet cunt. She took a moment to run her fingers his full length, and purred as she felt its size and hardness. He could get used to that sound."

    maud "Shouldn’t be difficult for you."

    "He rushed to grab her hips, only for her to intercept his hands, flashing him a triumphant smile. He knew she wanted to appreciate the sight a bit longer. Admire his chiseled chest, his handsome face."
    "So he took the moment to admire her too. He let his eyes take in that athletic body, that now buzzed with aggressive sexuality. She always seemed like she was holding back, all that energy gnawing at her, waiting to find an outlet."
    "And she finally had one."

    scene cg679 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg679
    #maud naked happy
    show maud neutral behind cg679
    pause 3

    "In a last act of restraint, Maud lowered herself on his dick without hurry, inhaling sharply as his cock spread her tight, moist walls. She took him inch by inch, savoring his length."
    "Until the very last moment, when just as she was about to sit down, Rowan thrust his hips upwards, filling her all the way to the base of his cock."

    maud "___ !"

    ro "Nn-ngh! Not even a peep?"

    "She answered him with a dark chuckle, a playful spark dancing in her eyes as she rolled her hips, getting herself used to his considerable girth. Her walls squeezed at him greedily, refusing to let go of their new conquest."

    maud "If you want a contest… "
    maud "Let’s make it one."

    scene cg680 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg680
    #maud naked happy
    show maud neutral behind cg680
    pause 3

    "She pushed herself upwards, and impaled herself on his cock without a moment of hesitation, lust and pride driving her actions. Rowan hissed, if only to stop himself from moaning."

    maud "Whoever cums first, loses."

    "There was nothing on the line - nothing to gain, except the satisfaction of showing this cocky girl that Rowan Blackwell was more than a pretty face with a slightly embellished hero story."
    "And seeing her temporarily drop that cocky grin to moan in ecstasy, he realized he wanted nothing more than to make her scream her lungs out, their public location be damned. He tried to grab her thighs again, but she refused to let go of his arms."
    "Instead, she held her breath as she continued to rock her hips in a steady rhythm, sweating from the effort. But that just made the obscene, squelching sound her pussy made whenever his dick slid right into her all the more apparent."

    ro "You make such lewd sounds M-Maud. What would everyone think if they saw you like this? "

    maud "They’d be gla~aaaa~ad I’m enjoying myself ~~"

    "She redoubled her efforts, picking up tempo, her lithe body rising and falling as she let desire guide her movements. Her modest breast jumped with every thrust, the dazzling sight made even more enchanting by the crystal sky behind them."
    "Whatever he might have to say about her outwards appearance, the passion she rode him with would make any woman beautiful."

    maud "Ha…-Aaa!"

    "Sensing a moment of weakness, he thrust his cock upwards, turning her lovely sigh into a cry of pleasure."

    maud "Ha- how dirty!"

    "He allowed her no respite, driving his cock into her with abandon, forcing the smaller woman to jump on his cock in accordance with his tempo, not hers. Despite any protests, her wide smile beamed with joy."

    ro "You want chivalry, you should try fucking a knight!"

    maud "And what would be - ah!- The fun in that? "

    "Her pussy clamped around his cock greedily, testimony to her words. Gods, she was tight, and she-"

    scene cg681 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg681
    #maud naked happy
    show maud neutral behind cg681
    pause 3

    maud "You can cum in me."

    "The words caught him off guard, and the tables turned again, as Maud grabbed his hands and intertwined their fingers together in a romantic gesture that in no way fitted the fervent rocking of her hips."

    ro "A- -ah! - a safe day, then?"

    maud "I don’t know."

    "Her lips curled into a wild smile, and he remembered how he thought her mad when he first saw her. And maybe she really was."

    maud "I don’t keep track."
    maud "But it’s a new beginning, no?"
    maud "Good time to start thinking about the future."
    maud "Maybe I’ll start a family."

    "She didn’t stop for a moment, and it was increasingly harder to keep himself from painting her insides white. Something he knew she could see and feel."

    maud "You wouldn’t make a bad father Rowan."
    maud "What do you say?"

    "She leaned in to steal a deceptively tender kiss off his lips, and kept his gaze as she pulled away, the deep blush on her face making him doubt what was a trick, and what a shy admission of affection."

    maud "Do you want to cum in me, Rowan?"

    menu:
        "Do it!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg682 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg682
            #maud naked happy
            show maud neutral behind cg682
            pause 3
            "The needy undertone in her voice, the delightful warmth of her snatch, and the vision of making this boyish fighter swell with his children all proved too much."
            "He thrust his hips up again, fulfilling her desire. She threw her head backwards, enjoying as he ejaculated right into her, his cock crammed as deep as he could."
            maud "Aaaaa-a! Aaa-aaaa… "
            "He expected to see a triumphant smile blossom with every cry of ecstasy, but instead, he was greeted by a shy, almost loving expression."
            maud "Aaaaaaah..."
            "One that did not fade, not for as long as he held her gaze."
            "One he did not want to fade."
            scene black with fade
            "... ... ..."
            $ maudCreampie = True
            jump maudEvent3Ending_rp

        "Pull out.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg682 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg682
            #maud naked happy
            show maud neutral behind cg682
            pause 3
            if rowanCorruption >= 50:
                "He clenched his jaw, refusing to play along. As if he’d let another woman bear his children before Alexia!"
            else:
                "He clenched his jaw, refusing to play along. As if he’d let any other woman tell him what to do!"
            ro "I think you’d -ah! - Look better with a pearl necklace, than a swollen stomach!"
            "If Maud was disappointed by his words, all ill feelings were quickly washed away by the energetic thrust of his hips, that robbed Maud of all desire to toy with him any longer. Finally, she let herself surrendered to his cock."
            maud "Ha! So ~~~ So~~  Stubborn! "
            "Her complaints lost all weight to them, as she arched her back in ecstasy. Making true of his promise, Rowan pulled out, at the edge himself, and a moment later sprayed his cum across her body."
            maud "Aaaah!~~ Aaaah… Ah…."
            maud "Damn it. You got some in my hair."
            "She brought her hand to her face, and tries to brush the sticky bangs away - only to have them stick at an odd angle. It looked so ridiculous, he couldn’t hold back his laugh."
            maud "Hmph."
            "She repaid him back right away, leaning in to steal another kiss. Feeling generous, he let her do just that, holding her close as they enjoyed the last embers of their passion."
            scene black with fade
            "... ... ..."
            jump maudEvent3Ending_rp

    label maudEvent3Ending_rp:

    scene bg33 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show maud neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Maud landed by his side, making the jump with grace that even now continued to surprise him."


    if maudSex == True:
        ro "Going as far as to tempt me with coming inside, just to win… You don’t hold anything back, do you? "
        maud "Hm? No. I suppose not. "
        if maudCreampie == True:
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            maud "I did come halfway. So it was my loss in the end."
            ro "Then all that talk-"
            #maud happy
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "She tilted her head, trying to keep a straight face, but could not keep the spark of amusement from her eyes."
            "… He wondered if it was a risky day after all. Somehow, he had a feeling she wouldn’t answer him, even if he pushed for it."
            #maud neutral
        if maudCreampie == False:
             maud "Wanted to make you come at least once before I did again."
             maud "You’re a tough nut to crack."
             "Rowan arched his eyebrow as she threw him a resigned sigh. “Again”? She really was stone-faced, at least when she needed to be."
        maud "… Alright. That’s enough entertainment."
        maud "I will make my preparations."

    maud "Pass any orders through Calhoun. I’ll have to see to some matters personally."

    ro "How much time do you need?"

    maud "Eight hours."

    ro "… I was thinking in terms of days."

    maud "I work fast."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    #maud embarrassed/aroused

    "She was already halfway to the exit as she said that. But just before leaving, she turned around. A hint of longing entered her eyes- "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    #maud neutral

    "And it disappeared in an instant as Maud steeled herself against what was to come. But by now he knew what that usually distant expression held underneath."
    "All that love and passion, desire for a life she never got to live, sacrificed so others could get a chance at it, no matter how slim. "

    maud "… Stay alive, Rowan."

    ro "You too, Maud. You too. "

    scene black with fade

    "He could only hope, that once all his deceptions come to light, she’ll understand his sacrifices were no different from hers."

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_lodge2.rpy
label guess_whos_coming_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorruption = 0

    scene bg33 with fade
    show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was not yet mid-day as Rowan crossed the central boulevard. Since retaking the abbey, some life had returned. A few more vendors returning to their normal spaces. More food and crafts being sold. But, it still lacked its usual energy."
    "Rowan didn’t stop to stare. He had a date."

    show mystery neutral at midright with dissolve

    "As he passed one stall, a head turned."

    myst "The Noble District today..."

    #if lower perception (TO DO)
        #"Rowan kept on walking, oblivious to the fact he was being tracked. After all, he was hooded and the place was near empty."

    #else (TO DO)
    "The man turned and started to follow Rowan. He walked with a cat-like grace. But, at the first turn, even he was left blinking. Rowan was nowhere to be seen."

    myst "Where exactly are you going."

    "The man turned around...and Rowan was right behind him."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    #show mystery shocked

    ro "You’ve been following me a good deal, haven’t you?"

    "The man took a step back and blinked. Rowan looked around. They were right in front of the bridge now. Unfortunately, still on a well lit and populated pedestrian street. Certainly, he couldn’t draw his sword."

    myst "Excuse me. I don’t believe we know each other."

    ro "Yes we do. You helped me get into the Grand Camelia Lodge. I checked your name after, but none of the guards knew it."

    "Rowan took a step forward. The man took a step back. The fading sun cast their shadows together on the ground."

    myst "Ah. I do recall that."

    ro "No one knew who you were either. You just used your signet ring to get the guards to open up for you."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan crossed his arms over his chest. The man must have been nearly a foot smaller than him. Certainly no match in a fight."

    ro "Who are you?"

    #mystery neutral

    myst "An excellent question."

    "He hooked his hands together behind his back and leaned forward a few times. A strange thought ritual."

    myst "I suppose you could call me Sir Alek. Though, I never actually got the knighthood. Yes, that is my name."

    "Valuable, perhaps. But, not an answer to the question."

    ro "Sir Aleksi. Hrmm. And who do you work for?"

    #mystery happy

    $ mystery_name = "Aleksi"

    myst "Myself, mostly."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "That was enough of that. Rowan rushed forward, grabbing him by the collar of his fine shirt and lifting him up to his toes."

    myst "Uh uh. I’m sure you’d love to throw me in one of those alleys and just have your way with me."
    myst "But, we’re in a public place. "

    "Sir Aleksi gestured around. Already a man and woman had stopped to stare. That wasn’t good. The cloak would not save him from identification with greater scrutiny."

    myst "Even the great Rowan can’t go around attacking random citizens in the middle of crowded areas."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan scroled and released him. Sir Aleksi managed to land gracefully back on the heels of his feet."

    ro "You know what I really want to know. Why are you following me? What are your intentions?"

    "Sir Aleksi chuckled softly to himself."

    #mystery neutral

    myst "If you must know. I’m on your side. I am praying for your successful fortune. No one wants to see the {i}humans{/i} get what they deserve more than I."
    myst "Besides, do you have a more serious grievance with me then simply that I helped you deal with an obstacle? I had not known lending a hand to be a grave offense."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    "Rowan sighed slowly."

    ro "I suppose not. But, I do not take well to being followed. If you really do want to help me, you should stop skulking and tell me what you want so we can make a deal."

    #mystery happy

    myst "If ever I need your aid, I will be sure to approach you for it directly. You’ve proven a favor from your hand to be a most valuable commodity."

    "Aleksi bent his hands back and forth in exaggerated movements as he spoke."

    myst "In the meantime, however. Don’t you have...places...to be? People to meet? Unless you’d prefer to stay around and keep little old me company."

    "Rowan scowled to himself. He was smart enough to know when someone was trying to play him."

    ro "Next time I see you, I will not be quite so busy. I will force you to spill everything."

    #mystery neutral

    myst "To be sure."

    show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan turned on his heels and began the trek down the bridge to the Noble’s Quarter. Even with his eyes facing away, he still tracked the movements of Sir Aleksi to ensure that he didn’t continue to follow.
    "

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Sir Aleksi remained in place until Rowan was out of sight. Once the coast was clear, he made a dramatic show of burying his face in his hands."

    myst "Tsk tsk. So many questions."
    myst "I suppose that is why he was useful enough to make a pawn in the first place. The cost of doing business."


    #rejoin

    scene bg36 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan walked into the hall of the Crevette manor. It belonged to Lady Patricia’s brother, of course, but for all practical purposes, it was her home."
    "Servants were rushing in and out of a room to the side. Their trays were laden with food and decorations."

    ro "I apologize for my lateness."

    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    "A figure walked out from the room. Lady Patricia had her hair done up a bit neater today, and he could tell she put more effort into her appearance than usual."

    patr "Rowan. Come in. Come in. We were just getting the last touches ready."

    "Inside the room was a long table covered in a delicate tablecloth and all manner of food. A roast ham sat at the center. But, other dishes of meat, soups and salads, fruits and breads, sat waiting for them. A single servant stood with his head lowered."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Patricia moved to sit, but Rowan was still jaw agape. All this food in the middle of a famine?"

    patr "Oh come now, Rowan. This isn’t your first dinner with a noble. Is there really a need for all the gawking? You must have expected this."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Expect it maybe. Never used to it."

    "Feasts like this had hardly been uncommon from Jezera and Andras. But, expecting restraint from either of them was a beginner's mistake."

    patr "Well, based on how you dress to functions, I have no choice but to accept your answer. No one can draw the peasant out of you, can they?"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Don’t be too critical, My Lady. Appearances are everything. I’m a dirt general, so I have to dress like one."
    ro "If I started bursting through doors in silks, I wouldn’t really be “the Rowan” anymore."

    if rowanCorruption < 61:
        "In truth, it was mostly a matter of comfort. But, he’d been advised since back after the war to put his choice in terms that the high born would understand."

    "Rowan settled down for the meal, and soon had appetizers on his plate. One of the servants came around and helped stuff a napkin over his vest. "

    if rowanCorruption < 31:
        "Rowan silently told himself that he’d make sure the leftovers, at least, made their way up to the northside slums."

    "Considering his dining companion, it was no surprise when Patricia raised her glass in a toast. Rowan toasted her back."

    patr "To our friendship. With your reputation and my standing, we’ll accomplish what neither could have managed alone."

    ro "To our friendship."

    "He leaned the cup back. The wine was sweet and tasted good. But, Rowan truthfully didn’t have much ability to distinguish between wines. He only drank so much as to be polite. He had to remain sober today."

    ro "Has the situation changed on the council since my recent intervention?"

    "She nodded eagerly, but before answering took another large gulp from her goblet."

    patr "Oh, the world hasn't turned upside down. But, my {i}esteemed{/i} colleagues have been respecting my proposals much more now that they know you're working with me."

    patr "You browbeat that stuffed shirt knight so badly, he's hardly said a word to me since."

    "They both gave a laugh."

    patr "Only Marianne has still been getting in my way. It's really quite the change."
    patr "I might even call the feeling intoxicating."

    "Rowan took a bite from a strange cabbage roll in front of him. It was stuffed with some kind of bean that he didn’t recognize. But, he forced his smile to freeze, if only to be polite."

    ro "Are you sure that’s not the wine."

    "Patricia rolled her eyes."

    patr "Don’t be a lightweight. I’ve barely started drinking."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She bit down into her food greedily. Rowan waited for her to settle it down before he took the opportunity. Tonight, he needed to take their alliance further."

    #if low diplomacy (TO DO)
        #"Ameraine had even been coaching him in preparation. He was more of a fighter than a talker, after all."

    ro "I only see one problem with the situation…"

    patr "Hrm?"

    "He let a beat pass."

    ro "What happens when Werden wins?"

    "Patricia looked at him as though he were gibbering nonsense. She didn’t even stop taking bites of ham from her plate."

    patr "What do you mean? When Werden wins I shall be done with that self-important princess Marianne forever and I can run the council as I see fit."

    "Rowan made a show of continuing to wolf down his food. Best not to break the spell of casual conversation just yet."

    #if low diplomacy (TO DO)
        #"Though in the process, he swallowed a piece of pork so fast he had to beat his chest to prevent hiccups from setting in."

    ro "Yes yes, but Werden will be taking her place at the table’s head. "
    ro "Marianne’s priests will likely be replaced with Werden’s favorites. All of the advisors who’d been denied council seats in the past because of association with him."

    "That got her attention. She poured more wine into her goblet slowly, not taking her eyes from him."

    patr "That’s nonsense. I worked out more favourable terms then that when I first negotiated my way into the faction. The administration of the state is my purview."
    patr "Do you take me to be a fool?"

    "Rowan shook his head hard."

    ro "No. Of course not."

    "He lowered his face so as to duck under her gaze. Still, he could feel it intensifying on him."

    ro "Only, based on experience, I can tell you my name will be worthless again the moment the capital has a sizeable standing army again. You’re going to have fewer allies."
    ro "...And the question stands. Does Werden treat you like an ally that he needs for your abilities? Or like someone he gives power to because he wanted a power player on the present council?"

    "She kept her eyes him, only taking breaks to work at her goblet. But, he could have sworn he saw her shift slightly in her seat."

    patr "Werden is honourable. He probably never kissed anyone until he married. If he promised me the council, he’s going to follow through. He is not one to renege simply because of a power shift."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan leaned back in his chair."

    #if low diplomacy (TO DO)
        #"Ameraine had predicted this line of conversation as well."

    ro "Ah, but is he especially generous?"
    ro "He’ll give you exactly what he specified, but not one shred more. Not even his continued friendship."
    ro "Did he promise you control of the government itself...or just control of the council?"

    "She grimaced softly. That had been enough to break her stare."

    patr "I don’t much like this conversation topic, Rowan."

    #if higher deception (TO DO)
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan bowed his head softly. To press too hard and too fast would be a grave mistake."

    ro "Of course, My Lady. Apologies for overstepping."

    "She sighed and gave a wave of her hand."

    patr "It’s fine."

    #else (TODO)
        #ro "I am simply saying that-"
        #show patricia annoyed at midright with dissolve
        #"She held out her hand. Her eyebrows narrowed slightly."
        #patr "Enough."
        #show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        #"That got the message across. Rowan went silent. He had already pushed further than he should have."
        #ro "My apologies."
        #show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve
        #patr "No no. You’re alright, Rowan..."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    "The topic on the dinner table moved past Rowan’s true aims. Rowan let himself get caught up in the flow of the conversation. Patricia, of course, was a skilled host and regaled him with all sorts of stories from years past."
    "Rowan interjected here and there but largely focused on making sure the food on his plate was not put to waste."

    patr "...In truth, I probably should have married him. But, he wanted me to stop working and simply be the lady of his castle."

    ro "I take it that isn’t your style."

    "She let out a tiny burp after a swig of wine. They both chuckled at it lightly."

    patr "Wasn’t then. Probably still isn’t now. If anything, I’d rather be the one with my husband managing the house. If I didn’t love my brother, I’d resent him for getting our holdings."
    patr "Of course, I told the man no. Flat out."

    "She sighed softly and looked to the side. The servant had long since left them alone together."

    show patricia sad at midright with dissolve

    patr "Gave up the best sex I will ever have for this stupid job."

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow."

    ro "The best sex? Really?"

    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    patr "Oh yes. He was a beast. When he got the hunger for it, he’d just go on and take me right there on the spot. Didn’t matter if it was in the bedroom or the common room."
    patr "Once, the villagers by the family keep were holding a celebration for my family mere inches away, and we were making love in a hut inches away."

    "She smirked darkly."

    patr "Thin walls too."

    "Rowan cracked his knuckles and leaned back in his chair. Opportunity always had a certain smell to it."

    ro "Must have been a pretty good lover then. Though, I’m not sure about “best sex you’ll ever have”. There may still be opportunities to come."

    "She rolled her eyes."

    patr "More flirting? I’m ten years older than you are, Rowan. Well past my prime in the looks department too."
    patr "Besides, aren’t you married?"

    "When had that ever stopped him?"

    ro "Would I be the first married man you slept with?"

    "She shot him an accusatory glance. Yet, Rowan couldn’t help but notice that she hadn’t quite denied it."

    patr "Besides the point. Why bother?"

    "She leaned forward, flashing Rowan a teasing hint of cleavage."

    patr "Is it a political game? Trying to seal our alliance with a bit of the ‘ol diplomacy in the sheets?"

    "Rowan kept his composure and took a slight sip from his wine."

    ro "You’re intelligent and ambitious. What’s not to want?"
    ro "You underestimate yourself. You’re still quite a catch. If you truly wanted a husband, it would be no real difficulty for you to find one."

    "She answered back with a far larger gulp from her goblet. If she kept going at this rate, there was a chance she might not even remember the night."

    ro "If you’re not interested, I can always stop. I’m more than happy with the working relationship we’ve already established."

    patr "I didn’t tell you to do that."

    "The two stared at each other from across the table. It was almost a contest to see who’d break first. A contest he won."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "More time passed before they returned to a topic of substance. By then, a significant dent had been made in the piles of food. Thankfully, Patricia had eased off the wine ever so slightly. She’d reached the limit of what she could drink before impairment set in."

    patr "About you spoke about earlier…"

    ro "Werden’s willingness to cede power?"

    "She nodded slowly."

    patr "What do you propose that I do about it? If I find myself without a power base after the coup is over, how would I even go about avoiding being sent back to my home keep?"

    "Rowan sighed."

    ro "I don’t know. I’m not sure if there's anything at all you could do to reverse course if you found yourself in that situation."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    patr "Then why bring it up?"

    ro "So you don’t find yourself in that situation."

    "Patricia slowly inched her goblet away. Rowan took in a deep breath. He had to put his words together just right."

    patr "Make your damn pitch already. "

    ro "Well, you won’t have power once things settle. But, after the coup starts, there will be a brief window of chaos when anything can happen. If you move fast, you can secure yourself a power base and a stronger position by the time the carrion crows arrive."
    ro "Werden might not need you once Marianne is safely in chains. But, would you actually need him?"

    "When Rowan was done, he expected serious consideration. Instead, he got a laugh."

    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    patr "A coup within a coup. You’re crazy."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "He shrugged his shoulders. If she was treating it with a veneer of comedy, why stop her? It might make the topic easier to broach."

    ro "You asked how you would go about dealing with the problem. I'm not actually suggesting you do it."

    patr "Uh-huh."

    ro "All of this fighting, here and in the countryside, could actually benefit you."

    "Her finger lazily pointed across the long table towards him."

    patr "Benefit me...and you too, I assume?"

    ro "Possibly. If you were crazy enough to do something like that, you might need a partner to rely on."

    "It would be best to pretend he did have a more selfish motive. She’d be looking for one anyway, and minor personal gain was an easier pitch then slavery to demon lords."

    patr "I wouldn't be in this mess if I didn't have to rely on other people."

    ro "Even friends?"

    patr "The only reason we're discussing this treasonous hypothetical is because of your earlier reminder that trust without leverage is nonsense."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sighed. Already he could see the blush from her cheeks start to fade. She was starting to sharpen up once more."

    ro "Well, I could never take over for Werden myself. I'm a commoner. It doesn’t matter if I was ennobled. To the lords, I would always be a commoner."
    ro "No one would ever put me in charge of anything. That just won’t happen for me."

    "He picked up his goblet and sloshed it around. The wine swirled and danced."

    ro "You're a well-respected administrator. And the sister to a lord of the west. You're not Werden, but the nobility would still bite their tongue and listen to you."

    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Now it was her turn to recoil slightly. He could see her brain working in real time."

    patr "So what you are saying, even if the Duke just happened to retire one day, you'd never be able to take any power at all without my help?"

    ro "That is the essence of it."

    patr "It's an interesting idea."
    patr "As a fantasy."

    "She looked slightly off to the side, as though not truly speaking to him."

    patr "Still, I should be thinking about what to do if that bastard tries to double-cross me though. It’s prudent advice."

    ro "Mhm. He does have a way of doing that, doesn't he? I would know."

    patr "So I've heard."

    scene black with fade

    "This time it was Rowan who drank from his goblet, and Patricia who only took a cursory sip. Her eyes were still vacant. Shadowboxing the conversation they’d just had instead of paying attention to the present."
    "They’d both sobered more still by the time dessert was brought out. The servants wheeled out a large, multi-layered cake. To join it were several dishes of fruit."
    "The servants departed once more once places were finally found for the new additions on the table. Rowan and Patricia both stared. There had already been so much food that much of it would go to waste. The prospect of more just baffled him."
    "Patricia, at least this time, seemed to agree."

    scene bg36 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show patricia neutral at midright with dissolve

    patr "Hrmm. Perhaps I should have instructed them not to prepare so much. I had hoped you’d be a bigger eater."

    ro "Perhaps, dessert can be skipped?"

    "Rowan stood from his chair and started to move around towards the front of the table. Much progress had been made tonight. After another few meetings, he was sure that-"

    patr "Wait!"

    "Rowan froze in place. Patricia rose slowly from her chair and glided closer to him. He was honestly surprised she was able to walk perfectly straight again."

    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    patr "Considering all that smooth talk earlier, I’m surprised you haven’t asked for a goodnight kiss."

    "She now stood only a few inches away from him. So close that he could smell the faint trace of wine still on her lips."
    "He knew the way she was looking at him. He’d seen that face on Alexia before."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I did not know it was an option on the table."

    patr "Why of course? I don’t recall saying it was..."

    "She brought her thumb to her lips and bit it softly."
    "The intention of her words couldn’t be clearer. Rowan could, of course, decide to indulge here. Or simply leaving her wanting and let her come back another night."
    "One of the two options offered more...immediate upsides."

    menu:
        "Give her what she’s been missing. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump patriciaSex1_rp

        "Hold chaste...at least for tonight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Yet, try as Rowan might, he couldn’t bring himself to take the next step. Maybe it really would be smarter simply to keep her strung out and eager for more."
            ro "Well, if you haven't said it's on the table, then clearly my choice not to ask was the right one."
            "She rolled her eyes but didn’t back away."
            patr "Clearly."
            "So, Rowan took the chance to lean down. His lips went to her ear. His voice came out heavy but quiet."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "But the next time we meet..."
            ro "Well...next time anything can happen."
            "Patricia brought her thumb to her lip and softly bit it."
            patr "Is that a promise?"
            ro "It is."
            "Her eyebrow kept perched in challenge."
            patr "I’ve heard my share of promises from pretty boys. I will be very disappointed if you do not follow through."
            ro "I want nothing less than to see you disappointed, My Lady?."
            "Rowan lifted back to a standing position. He didn’t speak immediately. It was best to let Patricia stew on what he said until it was etched in."
            ro "Shall we call it a night?"
            "She looped his arm in his and together they made their way from the table. Rowan remembered the food a little bit too late to ask for the leftovers to be sent north. For some reason, that was the thing he felt most guilty about."
            return

    label patriciaSex1_rp:

    "Rowan looked down at the table. It was still covered in food, many of the dishes merely tried, but mostly uneaten. It was a reminder of all of the food being wasted."
    "With so much to eat, why not indulge a little bit?"

    ro "You know, now that I have a closer look at it, perhaps I will have that dessert after all. "

    patr "What-"

    #cg1
    scene cg799 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg799
    show patricia happy behind cg799
    pause 3

    "Patricia didn’t even have time to react to Rowan’s declaration before his hand was on her stomach. In a few moments, he pushed her hard enough to send her on the table."
    "A fish and bread-based dish plummeted to the floor. Rowan’s near-empty goblet of wine fell over, staining both the white table cloth and Patricia’s dress."
    "If Patricia was mad about it, then it didn’t register on her face immediately. She froze up, still processing what he was doing. Then, a dark smile formed on her lips."
    "Her hands went down to the hem of her dress and hiked it all the way up. Beneath were a pair of lacy blue panties. His pride was stoked by the small dark spot that had formed at the front."

    ro "You invited a commoner and wanted to waste food?"

    "Rowan moved to join her. He raised himself up by a knee so he could hang above the table. Patricia’s fingernails dug into the table cloth, ripping it slightly."

    ro "You had to know I wouldn't like that, Patricia."

    patr "What should we do about it, then?"

    "She batted her eyelashes to him."
    "Rowan scooped down a dish from one of the dessert trays. It was an apple dipped in a strange red sauce with the consistency of honey."

    ro "Feast."

    #cg1 - var 2
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy behind black

    "He brought the apple down so that it was hanging mere inches from her face. The message was clear. With closed eyes, she took a bite."
    "She groaned out through the material, as though she were gagged."
    "Rowan leaned down to join her. His teeth dug into the other side of the apple. The taste of it was sweet. Sickeningly sweet. His lips stained red with juices."
    "They let out their bite at the same time. The apple rolled away, leaving both of their faces a red mess. "

    ro "Delicious. "

    "His clean hand slipped between her legs. The soft lace gave way, and soon his fingers were softly working at her clit. Both of her lips were stained with juices now."

    patr "More. More than that."

    "At that cue, he pushed inward. Not merely content to rub, his fingers worked their way into her folds. He pushed them in and out. In and out."

    patr "Ah. Yes. Mfph. Yes."

    "Her eyes fluttered harder. The dishes continued to clatter, as she clutched the tablecloth hard enough to pull the creases out."
    "All the while, the pumping of Rowan’s fingers picked up in pace. They slammed into her folds as hard as any cock."
    "Yet, even as he did this, Rowan’s eyes kept on roving. There needed to be something more."
    "He found it in the nearby cake. Whoever had made it had no doubt spent hours getting all of the icing and cream just right. Rowan roughly dragged it over with his honey-covered hand."
    "The force of movement almost knocked the cake over then and there."

    #cg1 - var 3
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy behind black

    "Then, using two fingers he roughly scooped up icing from the cake. Patricia’s eyes fluttered open to them dangling above her lips."
    "She opened her mouth."
    "Rowan dipped his fingers down into her mouth. A groan escaped her lips. In moments, his fingers were pumping in and out of her lips at only a slightly slower pace then the fingers working her pussy."
    "Rowan couldn’t help feeling affected by the sight of her, wiggling and moaning in his hands. It was like he was fucking her from both ends at once."
    "Only when he could feel all of the icing gone did he pull his fingers back from her mouth. A trail of sugary saliva drifted off."

    patr "More..m…"

    "If the lady insisted. Rowan scooped up more of the icing from the cake and resumed the process of pounding her from both sides. Her tongue swirled around his fingers, searching for as much of the cream as she could take."
    "As that hand withdrew, his efforts to work her pussy only sped up. Soon the room rang with the sounds of lubricated contact."

    patr "M-more. I want more."

    "Soon a rhythm had been found. Her mouth invaded by icing. Her sex invaded by his fingers. Every time she finished lapping up the food, Rowan plunged his hand in to collect the next batch."

    patr "More."

    "This time, when he pushed the icing in, she opened her mouth so wide that his thumb accidentally went in. She suckled on that too, icing or no icing. Her hips rolled with his hands."
    "It was to the point where she was more humping his fingers then being masturbated."
    "In the frantic movement, One of her arms shot out and smacked against the cake. It went tumbling over the side on to the floor below."

    patr "Don’t just...just use your fingers. More. More. M...more."

    "Rowan backed up slightly. Both of his hands withdrew to his side. She was right. He needed to take this a step further still."

    ro "Hmmm."

    #cg2
    scene cg798 with fade
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy behind cg798
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg798
    pause 3

    "Rowan eased himself from the table. Worked up to the point where her body was electrified, Patricia groaned and squirmed in his absence. More dishes of food clattered on the floor."
    "The napkin he had been given earlier was still hanging beneath his chin. Rowan pulled it out and used it to wipe his mouth clean of the red honey sauce. Then, he slowly went down to his knees and placed his face between the noblewoman’s legs."
    "Patricia’s hips bucked eagerly. The closer he got to them, the more they surged forward. They were seeking him."

    #cg2 - var 2
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy behind black

    "Of course, it would be rude to keep a noblewoman waiting when it was time for dessert. So, Rowan plunged his face into her cunt and started to eat away."
    "A gasp rang out from atop the table, and another dish clattered to his side. All the while, his tongue plunged deeper into her folds."

    patr "Rowan. Fuck. Rowan. More. More."

    "Rowan’s tongue was a demon. It slithered in places no man had tasted in a long time. It made her feel sensations that Patricia would have ached for ages."
    "Rowan was no stranger to this task. He darted it back and forth from her clit to her folds. Never so long as to be numbing. Always finding a new avenue of attack."
    "Patricia’s body shook under him. Her voice came out cracked and broken."

    patr "Rowan. Fuck. More. More. Ah."

    "That was only proof he should pick up the pace. The process went on and on, each step Patricia’s movements only grew more frantic. Her voice only came out in higher pitches. With all the buildup, a reckoning was about to cum."
    "Rowan first noticed it as an increase in the liquid at his mouth. Enough of the copper taste of pussy to overcome whatever flavors remained from dinner. But, it was just a prelude to spasms from the woman above him so intense it could only be an orgasm."
    "Rowan rose to his feet slowly. He was feeling a bit on edge himself, from all the play. But, not so much so that he couldn’t keep his pants on."
    "Patricia, meanwhile, was laying limp on the table. The only breathing that escaped her lips were rasping pants. Without Rowan there to hold up her weight, she even began to slip. He even had to help her down."

    #cg2 - var 3
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy behind black

    "Yet, even as he helped Patricia away from the table, he couldn’t help making one last sweeping glance at it."
    "The tablecloth was in tatters. The cake and many of the dishes, including the remains of the pork, were splattered on the floor. Knocked over wine spilled slowly from some of the sides."
    "It was like the ruins of a town after a dragon attack."
    "He settled Patricia softly near the wall and went back to grab a strawberry from a fruit dish that had survived. The sweet taste masked the remnants of Patricia’s personal flavor."

    patr "Well...I haven’t done anything like that in...a long time."

    "She groaned and worked herself up to her feet."

    ro "I merely hope you found it to your tastes."

    "The pun earned him a dirty look from her. But, also the hint of a smile."

    patr "...Indeed."

    scene bg36 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show patricia aroused
    show patricia happy at midright with dissolve

    "She brushed a segment of cake that still stuck to her dress off. The entire outfit was such a hopeless mess that the prospects of washing it clean seemed dim."

    patr "Next time, I’m not going to be satisfied with merely fingers and tongues. I hope you understand what you’re getting into."

    "Rowan had to suppress a chuckle. How much of the past year of his life had been driven by getting into things he didn’t understand?"

    ro "I promise you, my lady. The next time we meet up, I will show you delights you have not experienced in a long time. Perhaps not ever."

    "She scoffed, but Rowan didn’t sense half as much skepticism as the last time he’d been boasting to her."

    patr "Promises promises. They can be such pointless things, can’t they?"

    "Rowan looked back at the mess they’d made once more. There wasn’t much in the way of leftovers now."

    ro "I wonder what the servants will think…"

    #patricia happy

    "She just laughed."

    patr "Oh, they’re all my brother’s bannermen. Any noble worth their salt only brings the most discreet of house staff."
    patr "Now then. Shall we?"

    "With a smile, Rowan locked arms with her. This was still just the beginning."

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label the_challenge_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Enough time had passed since her arrival to the castle that Alexia had grown used to the dreary monotony of everyday life. Even the yawning emptiness of the castle’s long, grandiose hallways no longer seemed so eerie to her."
    "As she began to daydream whether if, with enough time, a person might get used to anything, she noticed a large, hulking shadow fall upon her."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "EEK! "

    "Before Alexia stood her former tormentor, the brutish Drokk, but he looked very different from the last time she had seen him."
    "Both of his arms were in slings: the aftermath of Andras’s brutal retaliation. His cocky, threatening demeanour had been replaced with what Alexia took to be fidgety nervousness."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Uhh…."

    drok "Ummm… Mistress Alexia..?"

    "The words came out awkward, almost sheepish. Alexia didn’t know whether to laugh or cry."

    al "Yes…?"

    "The orc stood silent for a moment as if trying to form the necessary thought."

    drok "‘Iz mightiness Lord Andras ‘az requested your, uh... Prez-ence? "

    "Andras had sent him? To some, it would seem cruel. But knowing Andras as she did, this appearance of a radically changed, almost broken, orc was likely a performance, one he no doubt found amusing."
    "Drokk suddenly remembered what he had been instructed to day. He straightened up, as if suddenly awakening from a dream. Alexia flinched."

    drok "‘E also wanted me to tellz yous dat he ‘az cleared all your duties for the day, so you dun need worries about... dat. "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I see…"
    al "I am to attend him in the throne room?"

    drok "Uhh… No muh-lady, ‘e ‘iz in ‘iz chambers waitin’."

    "Now that Alexia had received the message from the orc, she thought it best to take her leave as soon as possible. She had no desire to spend any more time than necessary in his company, even in his new pacified state."

    al "Very well. If that is all? I shall report to him immediately."

    drok "Wait…."

    "She tensed up, but the giant orc merely bowed his head in an attempt to appear subservient. It bordered on the farcical."

    al "Wait?"

    drok "Drokk also wanted to… uh… apologize…"

    "Alexia‘s jaw dropped. Even in this more timid state, she would {i}never{/i} have expected an apology. Andras had broken more than just his arms, he had broken his spirit."

    drok "Never shoulda put my ‘andz on you, Lady Alexia. Drokk sorry, will never ‘appen again. "

    "Alexia stood silent for a moment, still a little in shock, pondering the best way to respond to the obviously forced apology she had just been offered. "

    menu:
        "Just accept his apology and leave.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was no point in causing any more trouble. It was best just to put this whole thing behind her. Plus: Andras was waiting for her. She didn’t want to be too late."
            al "Very well, Drokk. I accept your apology."
            drok "You do’s?"
            al "From now on just… leave me be."
            "The palpable look of relief on his face was so comical, she had to stifle a laugh."
            al "Now, if you’ll excuse me, Lord Andras is waiting for me."
            drok "Yeah, uhhh… Thank yous muh-lady."
            "He bowed again and headed off in the direction of the barracks, leaving her alone in hallway, rather bemused at the whole affair."
            "Just what had Andras said to him…?"

        "Reject his apology and storm off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Did Drokk really think that this pathetic attempt at an apology was enough? He had threatened her, held her down, almost {i}violated{/i} her."
            "And what, a few false words spoken out of fear were supposed to make that right?"
            show alexia 2 angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "Apology. Not. Accepted."
            drok "Wot?"
            "The orc looked terrified."
            drok "Please, Lady Alexia. Y-yous has to {i}forgives{/i} Drokk… Or- or else-"
            "Drokk’s piteous wailing only incensed her more."
            al "You didn’t seem very apologetic when you were holding me down, when you were about to- to…!"
            al "No. Or else {i}nothing{/i}. Andras is waiting for me, and I shall not keep him any longer."
            hide alexia with moveoutright
            "True to her word, Alexia stormed off in the direction of Andras’ chambers. Whatever punishment Drokk would receive for her refusal to accept his apology was righteous and well earned."

        "Admonish him for his weakness.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia looked at the orc. The last time she had seen him, he had been strong, powerful, and proud - just the sort of orc the Twins needed to conquer the Six Realms."
            "This pale imitation of him that was now standing in front of her was just pitiful."
            al "So, is this what mighty orcs do? Beg for forgiveness like little peasant girls?"
            "Drokk was stumped by her response. He stood there, silent as an oak, his fat mouth gabbling at nothing as if he were chewing her words."
            al "What? Nothing to say for yourself? You were not so quiet last time we met."
            drok "But Lord Andras sed…"
            al "Do you think Lord Andras wants his orcs to be simpering cowards, craving approval from humans?"
            "The orc floundered, clearly confused by this line of conversation. Of all the things he expected Alexia might say, he had never expected this."
            al "Or do you think he needs strong powerful orcs who {i}take{/i} what they want and don’t apologize for it?"
            al "Do you think you will win Rosaria or the rest of the Six Realms acting like a pathetic weakling?"
            "Finally grasping her meaning, the cocky grin returned to Drokk’s face. Now all she needed was to dangle one more little thread to hammer her point home."
            al "And who knows how Lord Andras will choose to reward his most useful servants…"
            "Drokk grinned, and slowly raised one of his injured arms, banging it against his chest as best he could."
            drok "DROKK STRONGEST ORC THERE IS!"
            al "You tell that to Lord Andras the next time you see him."
            al "And - more importantly - {i}prove it{/i}."
            hide alexia with moveoutright
            "She walked off in the direction of Andras chambers leaving Drokk standing there a completely new man… well, new orc."
            # $ drokkEncouraged = True

    scene bg41 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind bg41

    al "Lord Andras?"

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    an "Ah, Alexia. Just on time, please come in. "

    hide alexia
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "My Lord, you summoned me?"
    an "No need to be so formal, I just wanted to see you. Please, sit."

    "She looked around the room in its typically messy state, and chose the chair next to the bookcase. She settled in with a nervous flutter in her stomach as she did so."

    an "You’ve been at the castle a while now…"
    al "True, my Lo-"

    "She stopped herself. His knowing gaze was upon her."

    al "...Andras."

    an "I know more than anyone how boring this pile of stones can get."

    "She looked at all the half-finished art projects that littered the room, proof of the demon’s restless energy."

    al "I have to admit: it does get a little boring around here at times. With Rowan being gone so much..."

    "Andras nodded."

    an "To be a young woman like you: stuck in a half-empty castle, hundreds of miles from home, with not much to do… it can’t be much fun."
    al "I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss home…"
    an "What exactly do you miss?"

    al "I miss village life. It is nothing like it is here in the castle: everybody knows everybody, and they treat each other like family."
    al "I miss nature. It is always so dark and cold up here in Bloodmeen. I miss cool streams in spring, cornfields in summer, watching the trees turn in the fall…"
    al "But… most of all, I miss the festivals. Everyone would gather to have a big party, and there would be food, and drink, and dancing - I loved to dance…"
    an "I bet you’re good at it."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "The woman smiled sadly at his compliment."

    al "People seemed to think so."
    al "For me though, it was never so much about being good or bad at it, I just loved dancing."
    an "Well, I cannot offer you a village festival, but that doesn’t mean I come empty handed."
    an "The reason I asked for you to come was to offer you a break from the monotony."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    an "And... maybe a little fun as well."

    "Alexia blushed, and seeing it, the demon smirked in response."

    al "Oh, Andras…."
    an "Not that kind of fun."
    an "Well, not yet."

    "He held up the box he had been fiddling with earlier in their conversation."

    an "I was thinking more along the lines of a friendly challenge."

    "Alexia looked closely at the box, it was jet black, and covered in strange markings she did not recognize. "

    an "I have a little something in here, something I got from my sister."
    al "What is it?"
    an "Where would the fun be if I told you?"

    scene cg821 with fade
    show andras smirk behind cg821
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg821
    pause 3

    "He laughed in that boisterous chuckle of his, and then handed it over to her."

    an "Let’s just say it will make things interesting."

    "Alexia peered at the odd artifact. it seemed to open just like a normal box."

    al "And the challenge?"
    an "It is simple really: open the box, and then leave."
    an "If you can last the next 24 hours without returning to this room, you win."

    "She studied his grinning visage with curiosity. What was he up to?"

    al "That’s all?"
    an "Yeah."
    al "What do I win if I succeed?"
    an " Anything you want."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Anything?!"
    an"{i}Anything.{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "You are certainly confident that I will lose."
    an "Very."
    al "...what happens if I do? "
    an "You have to do what I want. But don’t worry, I {i}promise{/i} you will enjoy it."

    "She let out a little giggle."

    al "Oh, really? And what if I choose to lose, then?"
    an "It doesn’t matter, I win either way."

    "Alexia’s face flushed red with embarrassment."

    al "So how does this work?"
    an "All you have to do is open the box, and it will take care of the rest."
    al "Hmmm..."

    menu:
        "Open the box. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeSex_rp

        "Don't open the box.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            "She looked at the box. Who knows what this thing could do to her, or what the demon had planned?"
            " It could change who, or even {i}what{/i} she was, teleport her somewhere else, even cause her serious pain."
            "The Twins dabbled in dangerous magics, and she didn’t trust Andras solely on the basis of the previous encounter."
            "...At least, not completely."
            al "No offence, but I think I will pass."
            "She placed the box down carefully on the nearest surface, and rose to her feet."
            an "Very well."
            an "I wouldn’t be a very good host if I forced you to play, and this was supposed to be fun after all."
            an "I do hope you will visit me again sometime, though. There’s lots of other ways to have fun, and I’m sure we can find something you would enjoy. "
            al "Of course, my Lord."
            an "There you are with that “my Lord,” again."
            "She gave him a little wink."
            al "A force of habit."
            an "Do something that you find enjoyable. That was the point of clearing your schedule, after all."
            al "I will, thank you. "
            scene black with fade
            "Alexia bid the demon good day and then left him to his own devices, unsure exactly what it was that she had just turned down out of caution."
            "She wondered what might have happened, had she let her curiosity get the best of her, but at least now she had the rest of the day to herself."
            "She could use a long bath."
            return

    label challengeSex_rp:

    "{i}Why not{/i}? The redhead thought to herself. Andras was not wrong about how boring it could get in the castle, she could use a distraction."
    "After their last encounter (which she had thoroughly enjoyed), she was pretty certain that he wouldn’t do anything that would hurt her. What harm would it be to have a little fun, after all?"

    scene cg822 with flash
    show andras smirk behind cg822
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg822
    pause 3

    "She peeled open the box’s lid and was suddenly blinded by an overwhelming flash of light. Almost instantly, she felt... strange. Everything was hazy. It was hard to grasp for words."

    al "What’s… happening to me…?"

    an "Contained in that box was an old Qa’sharl Succubi spell that Jezera acquired a few years back."

    al "Q’asharl... Succubus."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg821
    "She felt so very…"
    "{i}Warm{/i}."

    an "Yeah, take a look at your stomach."

    "Alexia did as she was instructed, bending her head down to see the strange symbol that had appeared on her midriff, close to her belly button. It seemed to pulse with an otherworldly impermanence."

    al "What is that?"

    an "Just proof that the spell is working. Don’t worry, it won’t harm you in any way."
    an "It was created to make feeding more fulfilling, which required keeping the meal alive. "

    "Alexia unconsciously slid a hand down her body and inside her dress."

    al "It feels funny…"

    an "It will, it’s a lust spell with a twist: it keeps the subject in a constant state of arousal."
    an "It’s a bit similar to the ring my sister used for her little experiment with Raeve’s niece, without allowing them to climax. The result is that they can feed uninterrupted."
    an "Well, until the victim dies, of course."

    "Realization slowly dawned on Alexia’s face, as she stood there absently diddling herself."

    al " I can’t... come?"

    an "Nope. Want to give up now?"

    al "Uhh…. never."

    an "That’s the spirit. Now remember: all you have to do is last till tomorrow, and win."

    al "Piece of… cake…."

    "Andras laughed, and gestured towards the door."

    an "You’d better get going, the clock doesn’t start until you leave."

    al "No… fair…."

    "The demon flashed her a grin."

    an "Who has ever said anything about me being fair?"

    scene black with fade

    "Alexia hurried through the winding corridors of castle Bloodmeen as fast as she could. The last thing she wanted was for anybody to see her in her current state. Luckily, she found them as empty as they had been earlier, on her way to see Andras."
    "Before long, she soon found herself standing before the door to one of the castle's many unoccupied guest rooms."

    scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    al "Gods, I feel so hot. I need to get this dress off."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

    "First, she kicked off her shoes, and then slipped the dress to the floor with very little care for its wellbeing. It was soon followed by her underwear."
    "Hardly any time at all had passed since the spell had taken effect, and she already felt overwhelmed with lust."

    #cg1
    scene cg823 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg823
    pause 3

    "She lay on the bed, her hand finding its way down her body to her throbbing cunt. It was sopping wet, and produced a loud squelch as she slid a finger inside."
    "All she had to do was last until tomorrow, she could do that, right? She began to finger herself slowly, making a come hither motion to stroke her g-spot. Arousal raged throughout the whole of her body."

    al "Unnn…."

    scene cg824 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg824
    pause 3

    "It wasn’t enough. She slid another finger inside, and then a third, increasing in speed and bucking against her hand as she did, trying to ride out the sensation as best as she could to sate the urge within."
    "Lord Andras had said she could have anything. She just had to hold out. Anything she wanted.. Wealth… Power… Even her freedom. She could be back in Rosaria, walking in the fields…"
    "He slid her free hand down to her engorged clit and began to stroke it, continuing to frig herself hard. and fast."

    scene cg825 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg825
    pause 3

    al "Ohhhh fuuuuuck…."

    "She could sense herself approaching orgasm now. Immense pleasure swelled within her, and she could feel it rising to a crescendo. Soon the unbearable feeling of lust would be gone, all she had to do was bring herself to climax…"

    scene cg826 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg826
    pause 3

    al "Yessssss!!"

    "Alexia felt the final approach of a shuddering orgasm when suddenly it started to fall away as if she had stopped pleasuring herself, taking her right to the edge before robbing her of her prize. "

    al "NO!"

    scene cg824 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg824
    pause 3

    "She had to get it back, had to cum before the lust from the spell drove her crazy. She fucked herself harder and faster."
    "Harder and faster."
    "Harder and faster…"

    scene black with fade

    "Hours passed. It felt like an eternity."

    #CG1 - var 1
    scene cg827 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg827
    pause 3

    "No matter what Alexia did, she could not cum. Her cunt was raw from being frigged, and her clit was so sensitive that it hurt to touch. Her nipples ached from being twisted and tugged. She felt like she was going to lose her mind."

    al "Fuuuuuuuck….."

    "She needed to cum. Maybe she should just go crawling back to Andras and admit defeat. She felt a swell of resistance force its way through her hazy mind - no, the prize was too great, she had to endure."

    $ alexiaSpellResist = 0

    label alexiaChallengeMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "Don’t give up." if alexiaSpellResist == 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia refused to give in. The promise of anything was just too much of a reward for her to throw away. She continued to fuck herself as hard as she could, but each time she approached orgasm, she felt it slip away again and again."
            $ alexiaSpellResist += 1
            jump alexiaChallengeMenu_rp

        "Don’t give up." if alexiaSpellResist > 0 and alexiaSpellResist < 5:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Again Alexia tried to resist, working as hard as she could to bring herself to orgasm, but nothing that she did offered her any respite from the lust that wrecked her body. If this continued, she was going to lose her mind."
            $ alexiaSpellResist += 1
            jump alexiaChallengeMenu_rp

        "Give up and go to Andras." if alexiaSpellResist > 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeGiveUp_rp

        "Give up and go to Andras." if alexiaSpellResist > 1:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeGiveUp_rp

        "Give up and go to Andras." if alexiaSpellResist > 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeGiveUp_rp

        "Give up and go to Andras." if alexiaSpellResist > 3:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeGiveUp_rp

        "Give up and go to Andras." if alexiaSpellResist > 4:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump challengeGiveUp_rp

    label challengeGiveUp_rp:

    "It was no good. No matter what she did to her body, she could not cum. The magic was just too strong, and if this continued, who knows what it could do to her."
    "A reward of anything would be completely useless to a lust addled simpleton, which is probably what she would end up if this continued to go on much longer."
    "Resigned to losing the challenge, she got off the bed, and slid on her dress, not bothering with underwear. She just hoped no one would see her on the way to Andras’ room."

    scene bg41 with fade
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    an "Well, I have to hand it to you. You lasted much longer than I thought you would."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with moveinleft

    "He must have heard her out in the corridor, because the demon said it just as she was about the enter the room. He just stood there with that smug look on his face, the bastard had beat her and she knew it."

    al "You win…."
    an "I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that."

    "Clearly, he was going to make her work for it."

    al "I said you win, now just let me cum, you bastard."

    "He laughed at her comeback."

    an "Soon, but first you have to take your forfeit."
    al "My forfeit?"
    an "Well, you did lose after all. Only fair you keep up your side of the agreement. Here."

    "He rummaged around under the bed for a moment before producing a fashionable looking rectangular box."

    an "Put this on."

    "She took it from him and looked inside. It was black lingerie, the smallest she had ever seen."

    al "You want me to wear {i}this{/i}?"
    an "Uhhuh."
    al "But it barely covers {i}anything{/i}!"

    "He grinned at her like a child."

    an "That’s the point."
    al "And if I do, you will release this damned spell?"
    an "Demon’s honour."

    "She sighed as she slid her dress to the floor."

    al "Demon’s honour, indeed. Gods, this is so embarrassing."

    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras watched intently as she struggled with putting on his gift. The straps barely covered her nipples, the crotch left nothing to the imagination, and the thong was so tiny it was completely devoured by her round, pert ass."

    al "There. Are you happy now?"

    an "Very."

    scene cg828 with fade
    pause 1
    show cg829 with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg829
    show andras smirk behind cg829
    pause 3


    "He moved to stand behind her, sliding one hand beneath one of the straps to caress her nipple, while sliding his other hand down to probe her sodden cunt."

    al "Unnn… You gonna let me come now…?"
    an "A deal is a deal."
    al "Ohhh….."

    "The arousal was reaching a fever pitch within her once again, as she thrust her hips against him, forcing his fingers deep inside her."

    #CG2
    scene cg830 with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg830
    show andras smirk behind cg830

    "Without saying a word, he placed his hand behind her neck and pushed her down so she was bent over the bed. With his other hand, he spread her legs wide, and started to rub the head of his hard red cock against her drenched womanhood."

    al "Unfff…. Don’t tease me, asshole..."
    al "Just give me that huge, fat fucking cock..."
    an "You mean this?"

    "He continued to rub it against her pussy, sliding the shaft up against her lips, refusing her the pleasure of taking it inside while she moaned uncontrollably."

    al "I neeeeeeed it!"

    "She moved her hips against him, trying to force it inside, but he was far too skilful for that to work."

    al "This isn’t… fair… mmm…"
    al "You p-p-p-promised!"

    "A hard wave of pre-orgasm pleasure hit, only to recede away again as it had so many times before during this day."

    al "Just {i}take{/i} me!"

    "The demon chuckled, as he continued to rub his cock against her."

    an "So demanding!"
    an "Well, since you are insisting so strongly…"

    scene challenge_first_anim with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind challenge_first_anim
    show andras smirk behind challenge_first_anim
    pause 3

    "He finally slid her cock inside her, as she let out a loud, long moan of pleasure. He began to fuck her, with slow deliberate strokes."

    al "Not like that... harder!"

    "She tried to increase the tempo by pushing back with her hips, but the demon merely adjusted his own stroke to keep his own pace. She let out a whine."

    al "N-n-no fair…."
    an "You are going to have to ask a lot nicer than that."

    "He continued to tease her, the strokes being long and deep enough to drive her wild, but far too slow to reach any sort of climax."

    al "Please… Lord Andras…."
    an "Master."
    al "Yessss…. Master…"

    "She had earned a small reward. He sped up a little, causing her to cry out in ecstasy."

    al "Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaseee…."

    "He placed both his hands on her hips, and continued to pound away, the smack of flesh hitting flesh ringing through the room every time he made contact with her ass. The sensation of her earlier masturbation was nothing compared to this."

    an " I suppose that counts as nicely…"

    scene challenge_second_anim with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind challenge_second_anim
    show andras smirk behind challenge_second_anim
    pause 3

    "With that, he began to fuck her hard and fast, pistoning his hips back and forth, each stroke penetrating her roughly. It was almost too much for her, and she let out of scream."

    al "Gonna…. lose… my… miiiii…."

    "Without breaking his stride, the demon reached to place a hand on her midsection, and with a flash the strange symbol that had been there earlier appeared, and then faded away."
    "Alexia was hit with waves of unsatisfied orgasms, again and again. Everything went white. She forgot who and where she was. All there was was the pleasure that radiated throughout her body again and again and again."

    al "Fuck! Fuck! Fuuuuuuuuuuck!!!"

    scene cg847 with flash
    pause 1
    show cg848 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She barely felt it when the demon buried his cock up to the hilt inside her, shuddering as he shot string after string of hot white spunk deep within."
    "The redhead collapsed on the bed, and looked up at him."

    scene bg41 with fade
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "I can’t feel my legs."
    al "Hells, I can’t feel anything."

    "She sighed contently as she spread her body out."

    al "That was crazy. I’ve never felt anything like that, I honestly thought I was going to go mad."

    an "You had fun though? That was the aim, after all."

    "She laughed."

    al "Yes. It was intense, but, Gods did it feel good."

    "The demon gave her that cocky smirk, it sent a shiver of pleasure down her spine."

    an "We aim to please."

    "She took him in. The sweat as it dripped onto his impressive, taut muscles. His huge cock still engorged and dribbling cum. Even after what had just happened, her pussy ached in anticipation. She spread her legs wide in open invitation."

    al "Now, you and that magnificent dick get on this bed, you still owe me a few orgasms."

    scene black with fade

    "She woke sometime before dawn, exhausted from a night of passionate fucking. She slipped from the bed, and slid her dress over her sweaty body, before retrieving the outfit that had been a gift from her master from where it had been thrown on the floor at some point."
    "The demon watched her ass, smiling, as she left, carefully closing the door behind her as she went. She'd be burdened by guilt, no doubt, but she would return. He rolled over and closed his eyes, to go back to sleep. She was his now, and he knew it. "

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption.rpy
label wholeNewWorld_rp:

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia slowly reached down and grabbed her hand. Jezera’s smile widened."

    je "Close your mouth!"
    al "What?"
    je "I said, close your mouth!"

    show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Suddenly, Jezera leapt forward. Startled and totally overwhelmed by Jezera’s superhuman strength, Alexia was dragged along with her. The two women, captor and captive, landed with a splash in the middle of the lake and then sank under the water."
    "If someone had been watching above the surface, they would have swiftly become very alarmed. After all, Jezera and Alexia never came up."

    scene black with fade

    "Alexia slammed her eyes shut as her body hit the water. She had expected to feel water all around her. And for a moment, she did. But, in mere seconds she mostly felt air, save for a small puddle that she easily could have stood up in."
    "Alexia opened her eyes."

    scene caveanimation with fade
    show jezera happy behind caveanimation
    show alexia necklace naked shocked behind caveanimation

    "She was sitting in some kind of cavern. Above her head, the water formed a flat surface, as though it were on the ground. It still rippled from the impact of the two bodies crashing through. But, just as wonderous was what was all around her."
    "It seemed that she was now in a small crystalline cavern. Everywhere she looked, blue sparkling lights sparkled out of the cracks. Light reflected around the room, illuminating gems all around. A swirling cacophony of lights."

    al "...So pretty…"

    "It was impossible. A rush of colour and sensation that she couldn’t have even imagined. Swirling all around her. Gems peeked out of every crack and crevice. Like a sea of stars."

    je "In truth, I don’t know how it formed. It must have been here for hundreds of years. It might even predate the castle itself."
    je "It’s a little secret that only I know. Well, now only you and I."
    je "It was always hidden here under the surface. Appearances can be deceiving, my dear."

    "Alexia nodded along softly to Jezera’s words. She was captivated by the light. Who could have thought these dark lands held a wonder like this…"

    al "May I...may I have a second. Just to take it all in."

    je "Of course, as much time as you need. This is my gift. To you."

    "Sometime later, Jezera leaned down and extended her hand to Alexia once more."

    je "If you’re not too set on being a prisoner, there is more I could show you. So much more. All your life squirreled away in a dinky hut. Let me show you something incredible."

    "Alexia’s eyes trailed around the interior of the lake. The lights, the ethereal beauty of it all. It was so incredible. Something she’d remember for her entire life."
    "This time there was no hesitation when she gripped Jezera’s hand."
    "Jezera gave Alexia a reassuring smile, and then turned to the wall of the cavern. Her hand glowed an unearthly purple, and a swirl of sound and mist appeared. A portal. Alexia and Jezera went through it together."

    scene bg10 with fade

    show alexia necklace naked sad at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Can you take me home?"

    je "Back to the castle? Already? The sun is only just coming up."

    "Alexia shook her head. Her bangs cast a shadow over her eyes."

    al "No. Home."

    "Jezera opened another portal, and the two walked through it together. Hand in hand."

    scene bg38 with fade
    show jezera disguised smirk at midright with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    pause 0.5
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera and Alexia stepped out in a vast countryside. They stood on top of green grass, wet from the morning dew. As they appeared, a green dress appeared on Alexia’s body. An illusion in case locals walked by."

    "Her eyes swept the horizon. So much green. So much life. It was exactly how she remembered it."

    al "..."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "..."

    "She sank to her knees. All the strength left her body."
    "In the distance, the darkened night sky started to twist into a glowing yellow. The sun was rising. It was morning."

    al "..."

    show jezera disguised neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up. Jezera was looking at her with a face that she’d never shown before. Almost like...almost like sympathy."

    je "Do you want to stay here a bit longer? We can watch the sunrise here."

    "Alexia looked around. This place seemed vaguely familiar. Not somewhere she’d been often. But, definitely somewhere she’d been before."

    al "Can we go back to Arthdale?"

    #if not rebuilt
    je "We can. But, you know it’s still a ruin, yes? You might not find it such a pretty sight."

    #if rebuilt TODO
    #je "We can. But, you understand it’s a changed place? In some ways, that might be worse then if it was gone entirely."

    "Alexia shook her head softly."

    al "I know. I know. I just...I want to be there to see the sunrise."

    je "..."
    je "Okay. Let’s go."

    "The two made it much of the way to Arthdale. Alexia’s pace grew slower and more unsteady the longer that they went on. Eventually, Alexia herself asked to stop. She’d changed her mind. She didn’t want to go any further."
    "They watched the sun rise there on that Rosarian road, mere miles from the place Alexia once called home."

    scene black with fade
    show jezera disguised smirk behind black

    "About two hours later, Jezera was leading Alexia down the intricately planned streets of Qerazel. Alexia marveled at the variety of colours they made buildings in. Red, blue, purple, green, gold, white, orange…"

    je "If you don’t mind, this stop will be more for my personal enjoyment."

    "Jezera led Alexia into domed building whose perfumed smell even radiated out into the street. Inside was a labyrinth of silk and smoke."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera disguised smirk at midright with dissolve

    al "This is a…?"

    je "A den of sin? Home of depravity? A jolly good time?"
    je "It’s a brothel, yes. {i}The Empress of the Waters{/i}. This place is an old favourite of mine, from my own experimental days."

    #if 'castle.buildings["brothel"].lvl >= 1':
    je "You should recognize the design. It’s as much a second home to Shaya as it is to me. One could even say more so. Naturally, we took it as the template when designing our own services."
    je "Still. There is nothing quite like the original."

    "The area where they were standing was fairly empty, but in the distance Alexia could hear muffled voices. Moans and gasps mostly. This must not have been the normal entrance. She did say she was...intimately familiar with this place, after all."

    mada "Two?"

    je "Two should be sufficient, yes. Unless my companion wants a little taste for herself."

    "Jezera was speaking to an elder woman with a thick accent, no doubt the madam. Alexia’s cheeks flushed. Were they talking about her?"

    al "No no, I’m just going to...just going to watch."

    je "Just two then."

    "Alexia and Jezera were ushered from there to a side room. A maze of silk that swirled around in a circle leading to a large circular bed. Tables and chairs were positioned around along with copious goblets and fruit."

    show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "When they were alone, Jezera snapped her fingers. In a whisk, the illusion of a dress vanished from Alexia’s shoulders. More than that, Jezera’s pale faced disguise, and clothing, disappeared at the same time."

    je "No need for such deceptions here. They know me here. Nor are they particularly judgemental about nudity."

    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    #if 'castle.buildings["brothel"].lvl >= 1':
    "Alexia gripped her forearm. It was said that the prostitutes of the empire knew secret sexual arts. Having seen Shaya first hand, it was almost certainly true. Just what did those arts entail? What did it feel like…"

    #else:
        #"Alexia gripped her forearm. It was said that the prostitutes of the empire knew secret sexual arts. Just what did those arts entail? What did it feel like…"

    al "Do I have to watch?"

    je "I’m not forcing you to do anything. If you want to leave here right now, you only have to say the word. It’s not about whether I want you to watch."
    je "But, it’s not about what your father or whoever indoctrinated your mind back in Rosaria wants you to do either. They’re the reason you’re afraid to be seen dancing."
    je "It’s about whether you want to watch."

    "Alexia wondered what she wanted. That was the question of the hour, wasn’t it? The fact alone that she’d accepted Jezera’s proposal was proof of that. Her own desires had never been less clear to her then they were now."
    "What did she want? Did she want to watch her captor in the arms of trained prostitutes? Bodies rubbing together. Touching. Kissing. Doing things to each other she could only imagine."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia walked over to one of the tables and filled the goblet with red wine. She poured down half of it in a single gulp. Some even spilled down her chin, leaving a crimson stain. It left her head pleasantly fuzzy."

    #if 'castle.buildings["tavern"].lvl >= 1':
    "She knew the taste. Indarah had a few bottles of this, though they only tended to come out on special occasions."

    "Did she want to watch Jezera fuck these women? Would watching that turn her on?"
    "Yeah. It would."

    al "...We can leave if I’m not feeling too good?"

    je "Any time you want. You have only to say the word."

    "Alexia padded over to one of the chairs, and lowered herself into it. She didn’t have the courage to say anything more. Besides, from the look that Jezera was giving her, it didn’t seem like she needed to say what she wanted. Jezera knew."
    "Two women pushed their way through the veil curtains. Alexia started. Neither could have been a day older than twenty two. One was blonde and busty, the other dark haired and spritely. They must have been from different regions, but both had skin darkened by the eastern sun."
    "They were adorned with bands all over. Around their ankles, around their necks, around their forearms and wrists. Bells jutted out from the bands, so when they’d give little wiggles, Alexia could see it as much as hear it."
    "They didn’t wear any coverings though. Everything was on display."
    "Alexia’s mouth watered slightly. They were fantasies on legs. Like visitors from a dream. Did Jezera really think her the equal of creatures as precious as these?"

    blwho "You are The Lady With The Horns?"

    je "You’ve heard of me? Excellent."

    "The beautiful women approached from either side, kneeling on to the bed, with Jezera between them. Alexia studied the way they moved. The sashay of their nubile bodies back and forth, back and forth. Swinging their bodies like pendulums. It was almost hypnotic."
    "Alexia reached again for her goblet."

    je "My pretty companion will not be taking part, she’s simply the audience."

    brwho "A pity. She hungers with her eyes."

    "Alexia leaned backward. Was she really staring so much?"
    "Jezera pointed to the blonde."

    je "Do you know your way with your hands, my dear?"

    blwho "I was taught to play the harp, the fiddle, and the flute. But, it is the body I can play best. Would you like me to prove it to you."

    je "Excessive, but I admire the bravado. Let’s put those words to the test, pretty one. Come close to me, so I can explore your form. And you mine."

    "She turned to the other woman."

    je "Don’t think I don’t have plans for you as well, darling. Bring a pitcher of wine. The body of a beautiful woman can stir up quite a thirst. I want you by my other side, quenching it for me."

    "She nodded and rushed to obey."

    je "One last thing."
    je "Tell me your names. If you’re good I need to know who to ask for next time."

    blwho "They call me Katya. My beloved is Era. We will do everything in our meager power to make ourselves...memorable for you."

    je "Get on with it then, Katya."

    "Jezera turned back to Alexia one last time and gave her a wink. Then it was time for the show to begin."

    #cg1
    scene cg444 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg444
    pause 3

    "Katya pressed herself to Jezera’s right side, intertwining her arms around her. Era joined them, kneeling on the bed with her warm body close to Jezera’s left and a jug of wine in her hands."
    "The demoness was far from inactive though. Soon her arms were looped around both of the women, her body moving and shimmying. She moved with a seductress’ finesse. Trailing a nail down Era’s side and massaging the small of Katya’s back."
    "Neither of the whores were unresponsive by any means. Jezera’s touch eeked out soft purrs and coos from them, like eager kittens. The sound of it rung in Alexia’s ears."
    "But soon it got hard to keep track of individual movements in the swirl of hands and bodies. The girls ground and rubbed themselves against Jezera and Jezera squirmed and rubbed right back. The friction of moving skin was so close that Alexia could almost feel it."
    "There was a hypnotic sway to the way Era and Katya moved their bodies. Back and forth, back and forth. It captured Alexia’s eyes. Alongside the alcohol, it was making her head fuzzy. It was like she was watching a spinning spiral."
    "She watched spellbound as Katya’s lips came close to Jezera’s. Lingering just lingering. Alexia could almost imagine the feeling of the other woman’s breath. The electricity running between them acting like a magnetic pull..."
    "..and the soft delicate kisses when their lips finally met. The kind of kisses that would take a normal woman’s breath away."
    "At the same time, their hands set to work on each other’s forms. Jezera’s fingers had crept lower and were exploring the perfection of Katya’s rear. Tracing her curves. With Era, they moved to the front and explored other, more sensitive, places."
    "And Katya’s hands? Well, two of her fingers had already sunk themselves effortlessly into Jezera’s wet folds. "
    "Alexia downed more of her wine. Maybe if she drank more, she’d stop squirming so much. Or at the very least, go so fuzzy as to not be quite so embarrassed about it."

    je "Mmm."
    je "You’ve been trained well. You know, ah, the right spots."

    blwho "Whatever it takes to please you, Mistress…"

    "Jezera groaned softly and rolled her head back. Her eyes met with Era. A nonverbal command. The brunette swiftly replied by bringing her pitcher over the lustful proceedings and tipping it over. Golden wine rained over the squirming bodies like a waterfall."
    "Some of it went into Jezera’s throat, and she drank from it eagerly. The woman liked her wine. But, much of it missed and rolled down her soft skin. It got in the space between her and Katya, lubricating them and staining them with liquid gold."
    "It even ran all the way down, over Katya’s nimble fingers. It dripped down from Her Mistresses’ pussy on to the bed. The sight of it captured Alexia. She couldn't look away. Sparkling golden wine mixing with Jezera’s juices."
    "Alexia couldn’t help but let out a little whimper. Her head rolled back and her body danced in the musty air. Through it all, a single desire overtook her clouded mind."
    "She wanted to run her tongue along Jezera’s wine covered lower lips. She wanted a taste..."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Back at the castle, two forms stumbled out of a portal. Alexia and Jezera were giggling and leaning against one another, walking with a back and forth sway. The sun had only just risen. Most of the castle was still asleep."
    "Once more, as they appeared, so too did clothing covering their bodies."

    je "Don’t...don’t worry. We can go back to...back to my room. If that gadfly husband of yours asks, just say that you woke up early to do some work. Or something."
    al "Will people see us?"
    je "Silly girl. The only other people wandering about the castle right about now are the maids. And they all know who their queen is."
    al "O...oh…"

    "She nodded sagely, following along with the other woman. She was still holding Jezera’s hand."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "A little while later, the two were sitting on Jezera’s bed in her vast and luxurious bedroom. It was a room that Alexia had spent more time in already then she ever would have imagined."
    "The effect of the alcohol was wearing off, and it only left Alexia more confused. She wanted to kiss Jezera. She wanted to touch her. Feel her skin against her own. It wasn’t the booze doing it. The more sober she got, the more her loins cried out."

    je "Is something wrong? You seem out of it."
    al "I’m just thinking about everything that happened tonight. "
    al "It’s been...ugh my head"
    je "And I thought I was the one drinking a little bit too much of the wine."

    "Jezera put a hand on Alexia’s and even that small contact felt so good."

    je "You certainly gave me the impression that you were having an enjoyable time. You must not have seen very many displays like that before."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Well I was a country girl..."
    je "If I’d sent you home the moment that I’d gotten ahold of your beloved husband, would you have ever seen anything like what I showed you today? Would the absence of Rowan have prompted you to travel more?"

    "Alexia couldn’t meet Jezera’s eyes. "

    al "Probably not…"
    je "Then consider this my gift to you. I may have had to bring you back to one cage, but I helped unlatch another."
    al "Yeah…"
    je "Of all of the new places that I showed you, was there any that piqued your interest most?"

    menu:
        "The Night Market.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "Probably the Night Market. It had all those people and things. I didn’t know so much of the world could all convene in a single place like that."
            al "It felt like I was visiting everywhere at once."
            je "It seems you might just have been a city girl this entire time. How’d a flower like you wind up trapped in the countryside?"
            al "Hrmm..."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "The Frozen Tundra.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "I guess I’d actually say that little Hamlet we went to in the Tundra. It’s weird. They live so far from everyone else, that their culture is just unique. It’s amazing to think there are so many unique little enclaves everywhere."
            je "You want to travel then? Explore new places? Find these little pockets and what makes them special."
            "Alexia paused. Did she want that? She didn’t know what she wanted. She was so confused…"
            al "Maybe. I guess I just know that I really liked going there."
            al "Maybe...hmmm…."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "The Cliffs of Mithras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "Perhaps that old city."
            je "Mithras."
            al "Yeah. Mithras. I guess it’s just silly to think about. My village could only have been a few hundred years old at most. In the grand scheme of things, everything in my life seems smaller. Almost less important."
            je "Is that a bad thing?"
            "Alexia tilted her head. She hadn’t considered that."
            al "I don’t know. I guess it just makes all the things I’m anxious about seem almost smaller by comparison."
            al "I..."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "The Hidden Library, Tharafin.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "I always liked to read. You know that. But, for me, it’s always been scattered books here and there. When I learned even about the library here I was stunned."
            al "So it has to be the elven library. Tharafin. I’ll never get the sight of so many books out of my mind. It’s really incredible. I never realized the world was so vast before."
            je "There’s so much you haven’t explored, little dove. Isn’t it proof of that?"
            al "..."
            al "I..."
            al "Hmm..."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "The Empress of the Waters":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            al "...uh…"
            je "Yes, little dove?"
            "Alexia already knew the answer, but admitting it out loud would be impossible. Still, Jezera was looking right at her, and try as she might she couldn’t fumble together another answer."
            "She had to tell her."
            al "I think I liked…"
            "Her voice went very quiet."
            al "...I liked the Empress of the Waters the most…"
            "Jezera’s grin went wide, like a cat who’d cornered a bird. But, she otherwise left Alexia to stew in her own admission."
            "Had she really just said that out loud?"

    "Alexia went quiet for a long time. It was just them on the bed. Jezera and Alexia. The only distraction from her thoughts was the odd glance at the other woman’s body. She really was so beautiful…"

    #in her eyes cg1
    scene black with fade

    "..Beautiful…"

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    je "Are you alright, dear?"
    je "You looked distracted for a second?"

    "Alexia looked down. She couldn’t meet Jezera’s eyes. There was too much. She just wanted her head to stop swirling."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "I…"
    al "Well..."
    al "You see..."
    al "..."

    "She felt a delicate hand on her shoulder. Jezera was trying to comfort her."

    je "Breathe in. Breathe out. It makes the entire speaking thing a bit easier, I find."

    "Alexia nodded. She inhaled sharply. Then exhaled. Simple breathing. It was the only thing that could steady her."

    al "I...I’ve been very confused lately…"
    al "By a lot of things…"
    al "There was this dream, it had a tree in it…"

    "Jezera raised an eyebrow."

    je "A dream with a tree?"

    al "It’s not important. It’s just…"
    al "There’s so much I don’t understand about the world. There’s so much I don’t understand about myself. I used to think I did. But, then I was taken here, and everything is different."
    al "So maybe...so maybe...maybe you’re right. Maybe I was a prisoner. Maybe there is more to life that I don’t understand."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Maybe I have desires I don’t understand…"

    "Jezera leaned closer. The distance between them was so small now. Close enough that Alexia could feel the other woman’s breath. It reminded her that the clothes she wore weren’t real."

    je "What kind of desires?"
    je "It’s alright, little one. You can tell me?"

    al "I…"

    "Her face burned. Her sex burned. What was wrong with her. What was she saying? She wasn’t being coerced into this. She was admitting this out in the open to a monster."

    al "I…"

    "She shouldn’t say it. She shouldn’t say it. She shouldn’t say it."

    al "I…"

    "But, if she said it, would Jezera….would Jezera touch her?"

    al "I’ve been thinking about….thinking about…."
    al "Girls."

    #jez smirk

    "Jezera smirked."

    al "I’ve been thinking about girls. But, not just girls. Men too. Other men."
    al "Like the way you fucked that man at the Night Market. Not a moment’s hesitation. "
    al "I know it’s wrong. I’m a married woman. The wife of the fucking hero. But...I don’t know. I just have all these needs, and it’s been driving me crazy."
    al "That’s why I went out there to the lake in the morning. I wanted to dance. I wanted to dance naked. Hell, what I really wanted was to do it in the castle courtyard, but that would be wrong. So I went to the lake…"

    "Why was she saying all of this to Jezera? Was it the alcohol?"
    "No...or at least not entirely…"

    al "I feel like...I feel like...I feel like I’m going crazy. Like I can’t go home again."

    "Alexia laid back on the bed spreading her arms and legs out. The pillow was so soft that her head sank into it. It was light and comfortable. It felt good."

    al "I don’t know what I want anymore…"

    "She felt a shadow overhead. Jezera had moved forward and was kneeling over her, looking."

    scene jezsmirk with fade
    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy behind jezsmirk
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind jezsmirk

    je "Maybe. Maybe not. But, deep in that little head of yours, I think you do know what you want. What you desire. What you ache for here and now. It’s just hard to get out, because of all of the shackles in the way."

    "She brushed a hand down the side of Alexia’s cheek."

    je "You know what you want."
    je "You want to tell me what you desire in this moment…"

    $ uhmCount = 0

    label jezCorFuckMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "Her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezCorSexScene_rp

        "Uhm...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if uhmCount == 0:
                al "Uhm...I really…"
                al "I really don’t know."
                je "Yes you do….yes you do….Just dig deeper…dig deeper."
                $ uhmCount = 1
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 1:
                al " But...but...I don’t understand what I want."
                je "Oh, little one. You don’t have to understand it to want it. Don’t think so much. Just feel it. Let it flow through you."
                $ uhmCount = 2
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 2:
                al "I don’t know…"
                je "Yes you do. You’re thinking too much. Just relax. Let it slip out."
                $ uhmCount = 3
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 3:
                al "It’s embarrassing…"
                je "It’s just us girls here. Hehe. I promise I won’t tell a soul. You can trust me."
                $ uhmCount = 4
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 4:
                al "It’s wrong. I shouldn’t feel this way. I shouldn't want it."
                je "That’s your jailors talking. Your parents. Your village elders. Rowan. Everyone who told you how to live your life."
                $ uhmCount = 5
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 5:
                al "..."
                je "Breathe. Just breathe."
                $ uhmCount = 6
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 6:
                al "..."
                al "I..."
                je "These feelings you have are real. They’re the truth. They won’t go away. You can’t escape them. You can’t fight them. They’re going to come out eventually."
                $ uhmCount = 7
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            elif uhmCount == 7:
                al "No...Please…Don’t make me say it..."
                je "This is who you are. You can fight it. You can embrace it. But, embracing it allows for so much fun."
                $ uhmCount = 8
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

            else:
                al "..."
                je "You can’t fight it any longer, can you?"
                jump jezCorFuckMenu_rp

    label jezCorSexScene_rp:

    al "I want... I want…"

    "She couldn’t fight it anymore. Maybe...maybe it would be better just to admit it…"

    al "I want you...I want to kiss you. I want to touch you. Please…"

    "Jezera leaned down, brushed her lips against Alexia’s ear."

    je "You want me to fuck you."

    al "Y..yes…"

    je "Well, why didn’t you say so earlier?"

    "Jezera snapped. As she did, both her dress and Alexia’s faded away into mist. Jezera was on top of her. Body pressed against body. So tantalizingly close. So good..."

    je "Alexia, my girl. I’m going to make you feel things that you’ve never felt before."
    je "Close your eyes. Trust me."

    "Alexia closed her eyes."

    scene black with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind black

    "It was clear immediately that something was happening. Though what it was, she couldn’t exactly say. It was like the sheets underneath didn’t feel as present anymore. That is until she couldn’t feel them at all."
    "But, what was around her? It almost seemed like...nothing."

    je "Good girl. Good girl. Just keep your eyes closed. Everything is alright."

    "Alexia kept her eyes closed, but that didn’t stop her mind from hazily wondering what was happening to her. It felt so strange."

    je "Almost ready. Just a moment more…"

    "She felt something soft brush along her breast and it made her shiver. It felt like skin. It felt like her."

    je "There."
    je "You’ve been such a good girl already. It’s time to open your eyes for me, little one."

    "Alexia’s eyes fluttered open."

    #In Her Hands CG 2 Variant 1
    scene cg390 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg390
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg390
    pause 3

    "Alexia was floating in the middle of the air."
    "A green glow surrounded her, and her body was twisting and turning several meters above the bed. No matter what she did, she couldn’t control her momentum. It felt so strange and surreal. Like being in a dream."

    al "Wha…"

    "But, she wasn’t alone. Jezera was floating right above her, facing downward. Their bodies were so close to one another, occasionally brushing together. Every point of contact sent another jolt through Alexia’s system."
    "Without even the floor to ground her, the only thing she felt in that moment was Jezera. The other woman’s body was her entire world."
    "That effect only grew as Jezera’s hand joined in the action. Her violet fingers explored Alexia’s skin. Her breasts. The nape of her neck. Her mound. Everywhere Jezera touched would consume Alexia’s attention."

    al "Ah…"

    "She was lost in it. Drifting away."

    je "You need to do your part too, little one."
    je "You need to touch me. You need to please me."

    "Alexia’s eyes fluttered more. Jezera was so beautiful. Every inch of her was perfect. Was touching her really okay?"

    al "I don’t know how to please...a woman…"

    je "Yes, you do."

    "Her hand brushed over Alexia’s lower lips. It made her head roll back and drew a load breathy moan from her lips. She was so wet now. Jezera would be able to feel how wet she was. How much of a slut she was…"

    je "You know how to pleasure a woman. You’ve been doing it your whole life."
    je "Men are different beasts. You need to guess with them. But, you’ve always known what a woman likes."
    je "Touch me."

    "Jezera’s other hand strayed up to Alexia’s nipple, toying with it softly between her fingers. It stiffened at her touch. But, once it was nice and firm, Jezera suddenly gave it a hard pinch."

    al "Ah!"

    "Her back arched. A long groan sunk out of her. But, despite the pain, it felt good. It was like she was already addicted to her. Alexia’s mind was floating away."

    je "Touch me."

    #In Her Hands CG 2 Variant 2
    show cg391 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Alexia obeyed. Her hand timidly sought out Jezera’s sex. It was slippery and wet. She almost imagined it was still soaked with wine. Her folds were so smooth. Absolutely perfect. Yet...familiar."

    je "Yessss..."

    "Alexia knew how to find a clit. She knew how to touch it. She knew how it good it felt. Her fingers found Jezera’s clit and just did what came naturally to her. The other woman certainly seemed to like it. She gave Alexia’s aching nipple a pinch of appreciation."

    al "Ah…"

    je "See...you do know how to do it..."

    "Now they were fully locked together, hands exploring each other’s bodies. Alexia marveled at every inch of her. The curve of her breasts, the flatness of her stomach. The occasional shudder of her spine. She was almost more beautiful to touch than to look at. "
    "Jezera similarly showed no reservations. Every inch of Alexia was hers to explore. Alexia’s body was entirely naked to her. Every secret place open to discover. Jezera knew all the right ways to touch her to elicit a reaction. She was being played like an instrument. "

    je "Good girl...Good girl…"

    "They floated along, far above the ground. Alexia wasn’t afraid. Her head was floating along with her body. Twisting and dancing in the air. Her world was Jezera’s body. Jezera’s pleasure."
    "She wanted to make Jezera cum. She wanted to hear the sound Jezera would make when she went over the edge. Every soothing word from Jezera’s tongue made her want to please her more. She wanted to be a good girl."

    je "See? You’ve always known how...Being with a woman is so easy….Natural. You know all the right...ah...buttons to press."
    je "It’s so good…"
    je "You want more…"

    show cg392 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Alexia’s fingers went faster. She did want more. Jezera’s pussy was so soft and wet. She just wanted to stroke it and touch it. Be near it. It captured her."
    "She could feel the heat grow and grow from it. Jezera’s breathy moans growing louder and louder. Alexia was doing it. She was pleasing her. The other woman gave her rear and breasts soft appreciative pinches. It made Alexia groan and squirm with her own building lust."

    je "Good girl. Girl girl. Just a little bit more...Just a little bit more...."

    "Alexia felt Jezera’s hand force a grip into her hanging hair, digging into it. She was using Alexia’s entire body as a handle."

    show cg393 with flash
    pause 3

    je "Ah…"
    je "Ah."
    je "Ah!!!"

    "Jezera’s body shook with powerful force. Every motion and vibration went into Alexia. It was the only place for the force of it too. Jezera’s nails dug harder and harder into her hair. It hurt, but she didn’t care. She did it! She was a good girl!"
    "The demoness kept on twisting and spasming, grinding her body against Alexia. It was almost too much for the human girl to bare. This was a dream. This was a dream. Writhing and grinding together in the air without a care for time or the world."

    je "...See? Wasn’t that easy?"

    "Alexia could barely process the words. Her pussy was throbbing. Her body was alight."

    al "Uh...uh huh…"

    "Jezera brought her lips inches from Alexia’s. Her breath was heavy as she recollected herself."

    je "I see. You want attention now, don’t you girl?"

    al "...Please…"

    "Jezera planted a peck on Alexia’s lips and then drew backward slightly. For the first time, Alexia was left without her touch. She wiggled and groaned with desperation. "

    je "You’re unskilled with a woman. But, you know your own body...and you have a lot of spirit. A lot of need. You’ll have many chances to learn."
    je "I’m going to teach you so many things."
    je "But, first..."

    "Jezera spread her hands and a faint glow emerged from them. Alexia’s clouded mind didn’t need to wonder what magic she was performing for long. Alexia’s arms felt like they were wrapped in something hot."
    "The pulsing waves of energy were moving them. It wasn’t forceful or brutal. But, all the same, they positioned her arms crossed behind her back. Bound and exposed. Floating helplessly in the air…"
    "...Moaning and squirming like a desperate slut."

    je "It’s time for a little reciprocation, my dear. Spread those legs of yours."

    #In Her Hands CG 3 Variant 1
    scene cg408 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg408
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg408
    pause 3

    "Alexia could barely form a coherent response. But, she did spread her legs as ordered. Like a good girl. Jezera floated gently back, positioning her head inches from Alexia’s crotch. Her pussy ached with anticipation."

    je "Squirming for me. Gasping for me. So helpless. I can do whatever I want with you now. You’re like a puppet on my strings."
    je "And you love it."

    al "...Yes...Please…"

    "She bucked her hips and whined. She needed it so bad. Why wouldn’t Jezera just taste her already? "

    je "Delicious. You want me to give it a taste."
    al "..Please...Please please please…"
    je "Uh uh uh. You need to say “Please, Mistress.”"

    "The words and their connotations barely even processed to Alexia. She was simply in a state of total need."

    al "Please...Please, Mistress...Please taste me…"
    je "Good girl. Now for your reward."

    show cg409 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Alexia gasped. She felt her lower lips part and a soft tongue work its way into her folds. Her entire back arched. Her arms struggled in their restraints. It took mere seconds and she was already so sensitive. A tongue always did that to her."
    "But, this was no ordinate tongue. Jezera seemed to have complete mastery over the female anatomy. Being eaten by Rowan had never felt anything like this. The flick flick flick of her tongue against Alexia’s clit and the light sucking were totally new."
    "She melted into the air. Now she truly was floating like a cloud."

    al "Ahhh…ah..."

    show cg410 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Her hips started tingling and spasming uncontrollably. Without a surface to rest on, the vibration kept running all the way up and down her spine. Her entire body was shuddering. Every inch of her was being toyed with. "
    "Jezera set the pace. She shifted rhythm sporadically as if to signal that she could. Alexia was nothing but reactions by then. Jezera sped up, and her body sped up. Jezera slowed down and her body slowed down. Time vanished, and for that moment she and Jezera were one."
    "In this state, her arousal found new and higher peaks. Waves and waves crashing down on her, washing away everything. She was going to go over. She was going to…"

    #In Her Hands CG 3 Variant 2
    scene cg411 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg411
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg411
    pause 3

    al "I...fuck..I...So good...it feels so good….Rowan...fuck..."

    "Alexia melted into the air. Every last remaining ounce of strength let her body through her pussy. She hung limp and exhausted. A puppet on a string. Raw mindless pleasure shooting down every nerve ending."
    "But, Jezera was not done."

    al "Wha…"

    "Her tongue kept on attacking Alexia and attacking her. Alexia’s voice called out in desperate moan after desperate moan. Her brain couldn’t even fully process what was happening."
    "But, her body could. It spasmed and danced to Jezera’s will all the more so. Before long, the pressure was welling up again. Rising higher and higher like an inescapable wall of tension."

    al " I’m going to...I’m goi-"
    al "Ah."

    "It kept going, and going, and going. Orgasm after orgasm. Alexia had long since stopped participating, but her body just couldn’t stop. Each one dulled her further and further. Eventually, she wasn’t even there anymore."
    "Totally lost in the feeling..."

    scene white with fade

    "…"
    "..."
    "What was this? What was she feeling?"
    "It was like floating away. On a river. Everything disappeared but she was still here. Maybe she should have been worried, but how could she?"
    "It was incredible…"
    "Alexia never wanted to stop feeling like this. She could get lost in this forever…"
    "..."

    scene bg18 with fade

    "Alexia breathed in and breathed out. She breathed in and breathed out. Thinking was too much. Moving was too much. She just needed to breathe. She was back to where she had been, laying on Jezera’s bed. When had the levitation spell ended?"

    #Close up of Jezera (Amused/naked)
    scene jeznakedsmirk with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind jeznakedsmirk
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind jeznakedsmirk

    "Jezera was kneeling right next to her, with a supremely satisfied expression. She was lapping at her hand like a cat. There were juices on it."

    je "If you don’t get up soon, I’m going to get worried that I broke you."
    al "Mmmmm."
    je "Well, that’s a relief."
    al "How long…"
    je "Last I checked it had been two hours. But that was some time ago. It’s almost mid-day already. I had Rowan sent to do troop inspections all day, so he won’t notice your absence. I’m sure he’ll enjoy that."

    "Alexia groaned slightly and ran her hands over her body. That had been...that had been something else."

    je "I also sent a maid to the lake to pick up your clothes. She’ll be back shortly, I believe."
    al "Mmm..thank you."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera gave Alexia a little bit of space to stretch. Already, Alexia’s mind was coming back to her. And with it came racing thoughts."
    "That had been….that had been different. It felt like a page had been turned. The only way to go was forward."

    al "So what happens now?"

    "Jezera raised an eyebrow."

    je "What happens now?"
    je "What happens now is that you get dressed and return to your room. I have the maids bring you breakfast. You spend the day relaxing after having been through so much last night."
    je "You’re still a prisoner here, of course. But, one who feels a little less trapped, I like to believe. But, we’ll see about further excursions out of the castle grounds."

    "Alexia nodded slowly. She really would like to continue leaving the castle. It was like moving when you hadn’t stretched for a while."

    al "And...us?"
    je "Well my dear, where would you like things to stand between us?"

    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia averted her eyes."

    al "I love Rowan. I won’t leave him."
    je "I know you do, my love. Your little romance is so achingly sweet. It gives me cavities."
    je "I am not a jealous lover. If you want to share my bed with some more regularity, I don’t mind you coming home to your husband afterwards. You certainly would not be the first woman I’ve had such a relationship with. "

    "Alexia listened to it all but still felt so much unease. It sounded so appealing. More of the same adventures. But, it also felt like betrayal."

    al "But, Rowan…"

    #jez smirk
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera leaned forwards. Her breasts draped over Alexia, and lips brushed against her ears. It was all so hypnotic."

    je "You have certain needs that Rowan just can’t fulfill. A taste for pussy for example…"

    #jez happy

    je "That means, without a little help, sticking with Rowan will just leave you feeling...unsatisfied. You can imagine it, can’t you? That same boring vanilla sex with the same man day after day."
    je "You’d grow to resent him. Now that you’ve seen outside the bars, living in the prison can’t be comfortable."
    je "You don’t want to think of him that way. And I don’t want you thinking of him that way either. Think about it. I benefit from you two having a strong relationship. It makes you a more valuable hostage for me."
    je "So here’s what you should do. "

    #jez smirk

    je "Spend your time with him. Be the good wife. The obedient wife. When he comes back from his missions, ask him how his day went. Fuck his brains out. Whatever you two do."
    je "But, when the boy is away, well you don’t have a lot to do anyway. The girls might as well play. Release all of that…"

    "Jezera let out a small groan."

    je "...Tension."
    je "Discover some new and exciting things. And then, when your dear husband returns, he’ll find his loyal wife waiting for him, not feeling trapped by him anymore. Perhaps with some...exciting...new skills that she can use for his pleasure as well."
    je "Everyone benefits."
    je "Rowan gets the benefit of a wife who won’t feel conflicted about her desire to please him, and her desire to be a…"

    "Her voice went an octave deeper."

    je "Little slut."
    je "You get to explore all of these strange new feelings and sensations with a...practiced...lover."
    je "And I get a beautiful woman to engage in some wholesome depravity with."
    je "Appealing? No."

    "That also sounded so good. Too good to be true...right? A way to get this feeling again without hurting Rowan?"

    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "But, what if Rowan finds out?"

    #jez happy

    "Jezera giggled."

    je "Alexia darling. I own this castle. I own him."
    je "I know every secret passage. The entirety of the household staff lives to serve me. If I don’t want him to know about it. He won’t know about it."
    je "You can save your marriage with my help, and he will be none the wiser."

    al "..."

    "What would make someone trust someone they knew they should not trust? Why would a person listen to arguments that they knew were being made in bad faith?"
    "Perhaps, they wanted them to be true."

    al "I suppose, so long as it’s in secret, that I wouldn’t mind doing something like this again."

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "But you have to promise me. Rowan comes first."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera leaned up. Alexia almost groaned from the feeling of Jezera’s breasts withdrawing from her skin. She was still so addicted to her touch."

    je "If I must. If I must."
    je "I promise you. Your relationship with your husband will always be paramount."

    "Alexia settled down. So long as that was there, it would be okay…"

    al "Alright then. I think...I think I can live with that."

    "Jezera brushed Alexia’s cheek softly, as though she were stroking a cat. It felt oddly soothing."

    #jez smirk

    je "Excellent. Then I will explain to you the mechanics of our new...understanding."
    je "In your normal affairs you may remain in your normal state. Serve Rowan as his wife. Do whatever job he wants. I may be...handsy...from time to time. But, assume I have no special claim to you, unless you’re serving as part of my household staff at that particular moment."
    je "But, every so often I will send down a maid with a box. And in this box, I will put this."

    "Jezera opened her palm."
    "Then, there was a flash of purple light. Alexia covered her eyes weakly. When it subsided, she was holding something. She pressed it into Alexia’s hands."
    "It was a collar. A fancy black lace choker made with intricate stitches. And in the front a metal ring hanging in an O shape."

    je "When you receive this, it means that for the evening, you are my slave. My plaything. It means that I expect you to meet me inside my room with you wearing it."
    je "And then the rest of the evening?"

    "Alexia felt fingers brush along her sex, drawing an involuntary shudder from her. The lace collar slipper from her fingers on to the bed."

    je "Discovery."
    je "Intimacy."
    je "Ecstasy."

    al "...Ecstasy."

    "Her eyelashes fluttered."

    je "Do we have an understanding, my love?"

    "Alexia nodded slowly. She felt like she handed over part of her soul. But, that only made it all the more thrilling."

    #jez happy

    je "Thank you, Alexia. For trusting me tonight. And for trusting me in the future. You really are more incredible than you know."

    "Alexia gave her a weak smile, and reached for the choker again. It was so soft and smooth. Maybe she would look good in it…"
    "Perhaps she really had wanted this all along…"

    scene black with fade

    "After a bit of relaxation and sobering up, Jezera had Alexia’s dress brought to the room. The two awkwardly hugged before Alexia departed. But, that was alright to Jezera since the human woman no doubt was quite confused and exhausted after such a long morning."
    "Alexia would fall asleep the moment she reached her own bed, of course. It had been a long day."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "This left Jezera, hovering alone in the room. The scent of her visitor and their activities together still hung in the air. A reminder of her most recent conquest."
    "The moment Alexia walked through the door, Jezera’s smile faded. She walked slowly over to a game board on a side table that had been set up long before. The pieces were already arranged in a complex formation. It was well into the match."
    "There was no opponent, no rival in sight. But, Jezera still studied the board as though she were facing against a skilled foe. After quite some time staring impassionately, Jezera reached out and moved one piece."

    je "Satisfactory."

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption.rpy
label alexiaJezVisits_rp:

    "What is Alexia's day job? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Maid":
            $ alexiaJob = "maid"
        "Breeding Pit Worker":
            $ alexiaJob = "breeding"
        "Research Assistant":
            $ alexiaJob = "research_assistant"
        "Barmaid":
            $ alexiaJob = "barmaid"

    $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True

    "Has Alexia visited Jezera before?"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene 2 and 3)":
            $ jezCorVisits = 1
            $ jezCorFaceSittingSeen = True
        "No (Scene 1)":
            $ jezCorVisits = 0

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        scene bg9 with fade

    else:
        scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was roused from her book by a knock at the door. It was the middle of the night, long after she expected any guests."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        "Perhaps Rowan was coming back? He’d been out all day on various assignments."

    "Alexia padded to the door and opened it. On the other side was a dark skinned maid, with her head lowered and a pair of boxes, one larger and one smaller, in her hands."

    maid "I was instructed to give you these by Mistress."

    al "Hmm."

    "Alexia relieved the packages from the maid’s hand and closed the door behind her. If Mistress Jezera wanted her to have these then that must mean..."
    "She opened the small box. It held Jezera’s black choker. The one that meant she was Jezera’s slave for the evening…"

    if jezCorVisits > 0:
        show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        #in her hands CG
        scene black with fade
        "At once, Alexia was reminded of the last time she had seen it. Ever since that morning, the thoughts of it had left her so easily excited..."
        "...just like now."
        if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
            scene bg9 with fade
        else:
            scene bg7 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia carefully opened the second box. The collar she recognized, but what else did Mistress Jezera have planned for her?"
        "Inside was a lacey black nightie and set of panties. Dark, sexy, and stylish like nothing she’d ever worn before. The fire grew. Without even thinking, her clothes were already piling up at her feet."
        show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
        "When fully dressed, she did a little twirl in front of the mirror. The outfit clung to her curves and demonstrated that her looks had not faded with time."
        "She struck a few more poses, sexy and luscious, and watched the way the ring on her collar bounced ever so slightly as she moved. She spoke in a raspy whisper."
        al "I’m such a slut..."
        $ jezCorFaceSittingSeen = False

    jump jezCorVisitFaceSitting_rp

    label jezCorVisitManager_rp:

    menu:
        "Dancing. (Scene 2)" if jezCorDancingSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezCorVisitDancing_rp

        "Infiltration. (Scene 3)" if jezInfiltrationSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezCorVisitInfiltration_rp

    label jezCorVisitFaceSitting_rp:

    if jezCorFaceSittingSeen == True:
        jump jezCorVisitManager_rp
    else:
        pass

    $ jezCorVisitScene = "facesitting"
    $ jezCorFaceSittingSeen = True
    $ jezCorVisits += 1

    scene bg18 with fade
    show alexia slave concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "This was not the first time that Alexia had been alone in Jezera’s room. But, the place always had an intimidating air to it. It was filled with objects with powers she probably could not even imagine. But, today was especially intimidating…"
    "After all, today there was a noticeable addition to Jezera’s bed. Two sets of stern leather cuffs with animal fur on the inside and metal rings attached. Chains hung off the sides as if to make their intended use even more obvious."
    "Alexia decided against going to look at them. Better to wait patiently for Jezera in the middle of the room. She debated whether or not to kneel in wait, but had no idea how Jezera would even react to that. This wait was torture in of itself..."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "There you are."

    "The demoness strode casually into the room. For a moment, Alexia had expected an apology for being kept waiting. But, that was probably not how their new dynamic worked."
    "...she was the one who wanted this."

    if jezCorVisits == 1:
        je "I was hoping you’d look good in that. I picked out a style that I knew you were inclined towards. Only, I added a few touches to help make sure it gave the proper impression."

    else:
        je "I do so enjoy seeing you dressed like that. I should have started improving your wardrobe a long time ago."

    al "Thank you…"

    "She couldn’t help but avert her gaze and clutch her arm. Her face turned towards the bed."

    al "Are-are those for me, Mistress Jezera?"

    #jez smirk

    je "Impatient are we? That’s a question that will just have to wait, darling. There is a much more pressing one."

    "Jezera closed the distance between them until she was standing intimidatingly close to Alexia. The effect was immediate. Her beauty, her scent, even the odd brush of her clothes overtook her. Alexia shrank."

    je "Have you missed me since our last little...encounter?"

    show alexia slave aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "I have, Mistress…"

    je "Don’t you think that you should give me a little kiss then? A token of your affections?"

    "Alexia closed her eyes and leaned forward with puckered lips. She did not have to wait long before she felt another pair match hers, and take her breath away. It was impossible to know how long they were standing there, tongue against tongue."

    if jezCorVisits == 1:
        "This…"
        "Alexia could get used to this."

    elif jezCorVisits > 2:
        "Alexia’s heart fluttered. She knew it was wrong, but a woman could get addicted to kisses like these."

    else:
        pass

    "If there was any proof of the difference between taking a woman as a lover and a man, it was what followed. Jezera and Alexia made their way to the bed and curled up next to one another. Alexia’s body rolled and twisted to Jezera’s soft molestations."
    "It was talking. Just talking. Jezera asked her about how her days were going. Her job. The people she worked with."

    if jezCorVisits == 1:
        "Since when did Jezera have such a soft side? Had she always been hiding this?"

    if alexiaJob == 'maid':
        al "I suppose I don’t have to tell you that much about my work. After all, you probably hear about everything I do..."
        je "Oh, you act as though every member of the maid staff is my secret informant."
        "Alexia didn’t know if Jezera was denying it or bragging about it."
        if maryKissLiked == True:
            "Alexia considered talking about her interactions with Mary, but decided she didn’t want to give Jezera more ammunition."

    elif alexiaJob == 'breeding':
        al "The breeding pits are always lively. Though, I can never tell if Draith likes me very much. I guess that’s just how he is with women…"
        "Jezera, for her part, seemed very interested about the kinds of creatures being bred there. Alexia answered to the best of her ability, but, in truth, she understood so little of what Draith was up to."

    elif alexiaJob == 'research_assistant':
        al "It is always fascinating to work among so many books, just this week I found an old tome about…"
        "Jezera, for her part, seemed very interested in Cliohna and her activities. In truth, Alexia didn’t know much about the cold librarian’s work, but at one point she said something that made Jezera stop to process it. So clearly she’d said something right."

    elif alexiaJob == 'barmaid':
        al "I like the people who come in to visit. I’ve never been exposed to so many different ways to live and so many points of view."
        "Jezera seemed to pick up on Alexia’s curiosity about Qerazel and happily regaled her about interesting details about life out east."

    else:
        al "I’m not much of a smith. Greyhide normally has me doing mostly administrative work."
        #if alexiaLiurialFriendly == True:
            #al "I guess that makes me his version of Liural, almost…"
        "Jezera, for her part, smirked as she asked about Greyhide. The woman was bemused by the old bull, despite her protestations that her interest was entirely for the sake of operations success."

    "Eventually, the topic turned to Rowan. But, what even was there to say about him? That he was out seemingly fucking the entire continent? That every morning she saw him, she felt like there was a slightly different man behind that face?"

    al "I really don’t know about Rowan. I don’t. He risked everything to come to Bloodmeen and save me. But, months and months later and here we still are."
    je "Am I so bad a host?"
    al "It’s not that...It’s just…"

    "Alexia kept her rhetoric about Rowan light. Frustrated but not detached. It was all reminding her how strange and {i}wrong{/i} it felt to be in this room, touching this woman. But, every time she went too far down that path, Jezera seemed to draw her back with a knowing remark."
    "For better or for worse, it felt Jezera tried  to understand her feelings. Alexia had to admit that wasn’t an unpleasant feeling. It turned her mind back to matters at hand..."

    al "...You called me here for a reason beyond just conversation though, right Mistress?"
    je "What’s this? Eager to find out? I thought you were enjoying talking. Clearly, I am not the conversationalist I thought I was."

    "Alexia blushed and looked away. Jezera was teasing her."

    show jezera naked happy at midright with flash

    "Jezera rose from Alexia’s side. She took a position kneeling over Alexia on the bed. In just a snap, the red dress vanished from her body."
    "Alexia’s eyes drank in her nudity. Alexia was left having to choose between drawing back and gawking. She alternated between the two inconsistently. Had she really once believed that she had no special interest in other women?"

    je "Today, my little dove, I’m going to teach you about the joys of an activity that has been called facesitting."
    al "Facesitting?"
    je "Indeed."
    je "Don’t confuse it for using someone’s face for a chair. Though that could be fun. In actuality, it is a form of oral sex. Just not a form of oral sex that you’ve much experimented in with me."
    je "In your prior experiences, cunnilingus has been like this."

    "To demonstrate, she shifted posture until her face was low. Now mere inches from Alexia’s crotch. Alexia’s breath quickened. The feeling of breath between her legs did nothing to cool her excitement."

    je "One girl on her back, or perhaps in the air, and the other showing her...appreciation. But, that’s a more mutual kind of cunnilingus. Equals."

    "Jezera raised back up. Alexia groaned at the withdrawal of heat. Now Jezera was over her stomach, pinning her down by her weight. It kept Alexia where Jezera wanted her."

    je "Face sitting. I will lower my beautiful pussy onto that little mouth of yours. So your entire world will be my sweet sex. No escape. In a position like that, you’ll have no choice but to work your tongue for dear life. Lick or be smothered."
    je "This is not sex between equals, my sweet girl. It is the way that a slut worships her queen."
    al "...Worships her Queen…?"

    "Alexia looked to the straps, then back towards her mistress. The idea didn’t seem real to her. She was going to sit on Alexia’s face?"
    "She was suddenly jolted back to reality. An electric touch to the front of her panties. How could she even try to focus on anything else?"

    je "You want to try it, don’t you? Your body is telling me all the truth I need to hear. Don’t be afraid to listen to it too."

    "Alexia nodded without thinking."
    "Alexia offered no resistance as Jezera took hold of her wrists. Only a groan from the withdrawal of the hand from between her legs. Her eyelashes fluttered. Before she’d even realized what happened, the cuffs secured her tight. Her arms spread open and restrained."
    "Her breath grew ragged. Jezera had shifted positions to get the ankle cuffs in place as well. They wrenched her legs apart and kept her body open to exploration. She couldn’t close her legs. Jezera could do anything she wanted to her."
    "Her heart was a drum."

    #a most excellent seat cg1 var 1
    scene black with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind black
    show alexia slave aroused behind black

    "Now, Jezera took her position kneeling right above Alexia’s face. Alexia almost gasped. Jezera’s pussy was mere inches from her face. She could feel its heat. She could smell its musk. She could almost taste it, even."
    "Without thinking her head leaned upwards as much as her bondage would allow. But Jezera’s raised position made that impossible."

    je "Here we are."

    "All Alexia could do was stare at it. It was like she was falling into a trance."

    je "Mmmm. You like it, don’t you? You think it’s pretty?"
    al "Y-yes."
    je "You want to smell it, don’t you?"
    al "Y..yes."
    je "You want to taste it."
    al "Mhmh!"

    "Why didn’t Jezera just start already? Alexia was squirming in her bonds, going mad. She couldn’t even see anything else. Mindless desperation was setting in."

    je "Well if you want me to smother your face with my beautiful pussy, you’re just going to have to beg me for it. Your answers have been entirely insufficient."

    "A sharp pain shot out through Alexia’s body. Her hardened nipples were being pinched through her outfit by sharp fingernails. She groaned out. It hurt...but not in a bad way..."

    je "You must have heard me, pretty toy. I said beg."

    al "I...fuck...uh…"
    al "P-please Mistress let me lick your pussy…"
    al "...Please…"

    "Another shot of pain and adrenaline. Another pinch to her nipples. Alexia’s gasp was muffled by the other woman’s crotch."

    je "I told you, didn’t I? This isn’t just eating a woman out. You’re going to worship the pussy of a queen. Beg properly. Beg to serve."

    "She couldn’t even think anymore. She had to say whatever it took. She just wanted to taste it..."

    al "Puh-please Mistress! Please!"
    al "Ride my face! Use my mouth!"

    "Something liquid rolled down her cheek. Was she crying? Or was it something else?"

    al "Let me...uh...worship you, Mistress! Let me treat you like a Queen!"
    al "Please, Mistress, Please! I need it!"

    "She finished with a pathetic whine. She didn’t care what she had to say. She just wanted the teasing to end."
    "There was a moment of silence. Alexia couldn’t see her mistresses’ face. Was she smiling or frowning?"

    je "Better."
    je "Since I’m such a kind queen, I suppose I’ll indulge my slut…"

    #a most excellent seat cg1 var 2
    scene cg415 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg415
    show alexia slave aroused behind cg415
    pause 3

    "Jezera lowered herself slowly. First, until Alexia’s mouth made contact. But, then further and further until the pressure of her entire body was pressing down on Alexia’s face. Her world went into darkness."
    "Alexia gasped for air. But, all she got was more musk. The scent of it was overpowering. It robbed her of whatever sense she had left."
    "The redhead let out her tongue, and soon it was working at the slit above her. In her state of complete helplessness, it was the only thing possible. Lick and lick and lick."

    je "Mmm. Good girl. That wasn’t so hard, was it? There’s only one way for this to end. You have to keep on going. All the way."

    "Alexia let out a sigh, muffled by Jezera’s body."
    "Alexia put her entire being into her tongue. It was hard to think. It was hard to even breathe. Her pussy was throbbing, but there was little she could do about it."
    "The only thing she could do was work Jezera’s pussy. Nothing else mattered. Nothing else pierced the veil. Caught in the scent, and the emotion, and the thrill of it. There was one thing, one action, one desire."
    "Her efforts certainly seemed to be having an effect. After a few minutes, she felt the wetness above her grinding and sliding, covering her entire face with the thick moisture. Jezera was grinding on her as though she were a pillow."

    je "Such a good girl. Such a good slave. Worshiping me. Worshipping your queen."

    #a most excellent seat cg1 var 3
    scene black with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind black
    show alexia slave aroused behind black

    "Suddenly, Alexia’s mind was brought back through the haze by a sudden burst of pain. Her nipples being roughly pinched. She moaned out against the dominant woman’s body and squirmed in her restraints. But, there was no escaping the pain."
    "She fell back into the fugue and went back to work on the folds above her. Her pussy was soaked from it all. The pain, the desperation. The sense of how overpowered her current situation left her. She couldn’t suppress the odd breathless gasp."

    je "Ah. Almost...almost…"

    "The body above her twisted and squirmed at the sensation. There was an odd pride in the idea that she was doing a good job."

    if jezCorVisits > 2:
        "A pride that had grown increasingly common in recent weeks. The intoxication of service."

    je "Ah..."

    "There was a burst of movement and energy. Jezera was shivering. Then a sudden rush of taste and sensation. Her face was being absolutely covered with liquid. She could taste it. It clung to her taste buds, and no matter what she did she couldn’t get the taste out of her mouth."

    je "You're not done. You're not done. Keep on going. Keep on…"

    "Another burst of movement. Another set of spasms. Jezera was eeking out every bit of pleasure she could take from Alexia."

    je "Ah. That's it. That's what I want, you little slut. Keep going. Keep going."

    "Another spasm. This time, it left her almost slumped over on top of Alexia. The movement paused. The brief break in action reminded Alexia how badly her lungs ached. She gasped for air."
    "The weight slowly lifted up. Jezera was rising from her face. At the first touch of oxygen, untainted by the other woman’s musk, Alexia panted for air."

    je "Well now? Aren't you going to thank me for letting you worship me?"

    "Alexia gasped and cough. She tried to form a word but found her tongue almost too exhausted to speak. The reason why required the input of no genius."

    al "...Thank you...for riding my face... Mistress…"

    "Alexia groaned. Jezera’s face was twisted in some kind of facial expression but it was almost impossible to see."

    je "I see that your panties have gone all damp. Aww…"
    je "Does the little lesbian slave girl want to touch herself just because she had her face ridden?"

    "Jezera’s taunting reminded Alexia of her own arousal. Her pussy was throbbing from neglect. It cried out for its own attention."
    "Alexia gasped more and nodded with as much energy as she could still give her head."

    #a most excellent seat cg1 var 2
    scene cg609 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg609
    show alexia slave aroused behind cg609

    "Jezera freed her from the cuffs and took a position reclining on a cushion. Alexia stumbled, groaning and panting, into a kneeling position in front of her. Even sitting up was a challenge."

    je "Alright, but..."
    je "With all the attention that my pussy got, it’s only fair you show appreciation to my feet as well. You will kiss them as you finger yourself for me."

    "Alexia nodded her assent. Her mind had checked out some time ago, and only her lust drove her now."

    if jezCorVisits > 2:
        "Besides, it wasn’t like she had the will to disobey Mistress Jezera anyway."

    "Soon, Alexia had her lips planted to Jezera’s feet in further worship, while her fingers timidly worked at her clit. Jezera’s juices got the soles of the demoness’ foot damp. But, Jezera didn’t seem to care."
    "For all she was doing, she couldn’t even taste the foot. All her tastebuds could process was the lingering sensation of pussy."
    "Alexia let out a high pitch squeak. Having her face ridden must have really turned her on because within a minute she was already riding a powerful high."

    je "So eager, So eager. I must have really done a number on you, girl."

    "Alexia was far too gone even to process the taunting. She just wanted to cum. She couldn’t even really process the symbolism of licking and kissing another woman’s feet."
    "She was almost there. She was so close. She had been so turned on when she started to touch, but now she was bordering on desperate. On a summit waiting for the drop."

    al "I...I…"
    je "It's alright, my love. You don't have to think. Just cum. Cum for me."

    "And just like, that she fell. Her body shivered and she felt an orgasm rip through her. It ran from her pussy up her spine."

    al "Fuck fuck fuck. Rowan. Fuck. Fuck. Ah."

    "Alexia collapsed into an exhausted heap on the bed, twitching and groaning. It felt so good…So good…"

    scene black with fade

    "..Maybe it would be okay to rest a bit..."

    jump jezCorVisitAftercare_rp

    label jezCorVisitDancing_rp:

    $ jezCorVisitScene = "dancing"
    $ jezCorDancingSeen = True
    $ jezCorVisits += 1

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia gave Jezera’s door a soft knock. It was though she were afraid that any louder would announce to the whole castle what she was doing. But, that was enough to draw the demoness’ attention."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "You're here, darling. And here I was worrying you'd keep me waiting."
    al "...I wouldn't do that."

    "Her Mistress swung the door open, and moved to the back wall."

    je "Delightful. Grab a cloak from the rack. My plan for today is a lesson. One that cannot be done here."

    "Then, with a gesture of her hand, the surface of the wall gave way to a new passage that had not been there previously. Alexia stared in shock."

    je "Come along. Come along."

    scene bg58 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "They descended together into the bowels of the castle. The passage was too dark to see, but Jezera had her by the hand and acted as a guide. She just had to trust Jezera to take them where they needed to go."

    al "Where does this lead though?"
    je "The brothel."

    #alexia slave shocked

    "She nearly jumped."

    al "The brothel!?"

    "The brothel was public. People might see them there! And that was to say nothing of the sorts of {i}activity{/i} that a trip to the brothel might imply."

    je "You needn't be so alarmed, sweet one. It's too a secret room. One I had made for my...personal indulgences. You needn't worry about squawking tongues."

    "That served to soothe her, at least somewhat. It did nothing to assuage any worries of the activity itself."
    "When they at last arrived, Jezera did indeed lead them to a back room. But, on the far edge was a curtain leading to a conjoined. Alexia peaked in to see what was waiting for her behind the threshold."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Wait, there's a man in there!"
    je "Mikael. One of my agents in the east."

    #alexia slave angry

    "She stormed back to Jezera. To avoid being overheard, she kept her voice down to a forceful hush."

    al "I wasn't asking who he was! What's he doing here?"
    je "Well, the lesson wouldn't be very effective without an audience, darling."
    al "..."

    "Jezera took a beautiful golden chair that dominated the center of the room and took it for a seat. Alexia remained standing before her, like a supplicant to a queen."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "I suppose I've kept our activity of the night a secret for long enough."
    je "I brought you here to seduce him."

    #if garInfo == 0:
        #al "Excuse me?"
        #"Jezera batted at the air as if that is where her anger hovered."
        #je "Take a moment and listen to me, little one. You said that you’d trust me, did you not?"
        #"Alexia crossed her arms over her chest."
        #al "I suppose."

    #else:
    al "..."
    je "Don't act so surprised, dove. It's not as though it's the first time you've done such a thing for me."
    je "In our agreement, I promised to help your relationship with that hard-working husband of yours."
    je "If I know one thing about men, and I certainly know more then that, it is that they're fickle creatures."
    je "Short attention spans. Wandering eyes. "

    #if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna == True:
    je "You know exactly what I speak of, Alexia."
        #if hel and alexia havent reconciled - TODO
    "Alexia had a flash of an exposed young woman, younger than her, being carried into Rowan’s bed."

    al "Mistress, you must get to the point. What's going on with that man?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "You need to learn the art of... arousing interest. Drawing eyes. The soft sigh and the subtle touch. Do it right and you can make men your slaves."

    "She crossed her legs dramatically. A gesture that captured Alexia’s eyes for a split second. Then, she beckoned Alexia closer to her."

    je "Now, you are not without your charms."

    "The back of a purple hand brushed over Alexia’s side slowly and sensually. Alexia’s eyes fluttered slightly."

    je "But, you need refinement."
    je "I selected this particular task with care. You may not have much experience as a seductress. But, the art of moving your body is one you are already well acquainted with."
    je "Men do so love dancers."

    "Alexia glanced back to the other room and the outline of the man behind the curtain."

    al "The kind of dances the women do in...this sort of establishment…"
    al "I never learned how to do those. For me, dancing was always more…"

    "Her tongue felt around, looking for a word. But, when she couldn’t find one she liked, she went with the best option she had."

    al "Proper."

    "Jezera scoffed to herself."

    je "And yet, men got aroused watching you at times. They stared a little too much to only be focused on the movements. A very frequent occurrence, I’d imagine. Can you tell me I’m wrong?"
    al "..."
    je "And when they did look at you, you {i}liked{/i} it."

    "She reclined back in the chair with the smug satisfaction of a conqueror. There was little Alexia could do to dissuade her of the notion. Jezera had an annoying way of being right about the most embarrassing things."

    je "The difference between one dance and another. It's not so large. Not so large at all. I’m about to teach you some things."

    "For the next ten minutes, Jezera gave Alexia instructions and tips on how to make her dancing more provocative. Alexia listened without argument, trying more so to take in what the other woman was saying."
    "Yet, even when Jezera finished her tips, Alexia only felt marginally more equipped to go into that back room."

    je "Mikael is trustworthy, as much as such a thing can be said of any. He's quite behold to me. You needn’t have to worry about a loose tongue."

    "Jezera giggled to herself darkly."

    je "Still, I procured this for you. Like the girls here wear. It will help you be... someone else...for a short time."

    "In her hands, Jezera held a black veil. It was of the sort that dancers of Qerazel favored. In truth, Alexia had always wondered what such a thing felt like but had never taken the further step of trying one on."
    menu:
        "Accept... for now. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ mikaelDance = True
            pass

        "Refuse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia slowly started to shake her head. She’d agreed to spend intimate time with Jezera. That was one thing. But, doing sexual performances for another man?"
            "Alexia placed the veil back in Jezera’s hands."
            al "I can’t do this, Mistress. If it was just you and me tonight…"
            "Jezera slumped down in her chair but actually accepted the veil."
            je "Tsk. Pushing you too hard and fast, am I?"
            je "And here I was claiming I could teach you about how to make others want something. You put the lie to me sometimes, girl."
            al "I’m sorry to have offended you."
            "Jezera rose from her chair and took Alexia by the hand."
            je "Off we go then. Poor Mikael won’t get his dance, but I’ll send down Shaya herself later to make sure he doesn’t miss it."
            je "Come along, love. I’ll think of another activity for our night!"
            return

    "When put to her face the silky smooth texture felt oddly comforting. Like a layer of protection. Jezera was right. Draped in it, she could almost be another person…"

    al "Wish me luck…"

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She sauntered off towards the other room, trying to sway her hips. The black lace of Jezera’s nightie would certainly prove a seductive enough outfit for such an occasion."
    "Yet, he didn’t even register her arrival. It was as though he were staring off into space. Alexia waited with her arms crossed over her chest."
    "Then, with a jump, he noticed that he wasn’t alone any longer. "

    mik "Oh. Oh. You’re here! You’re Jezera’s girl, yes?"
    al "...I am."
    mik "Ah, good. Good. I was just having a little nap while I was waiting. But now...now the show can begin."

    "Alexia smiled to herself beneath the veil. He seemed...woozy. But, personable."

    al "Of course, M’lord."

    "Alexia breathed in. She just had to dance for him. She could do that. She could do that."

    scene cg732 with fade
    show alexia slave happy behind cg732
    pause 3

    "She started up the familiar steps. The twirls and sways of her body. She figured the scant outfit would help make it more enticing. But, she added a few obvious gestures pushing out her chest and rear wherever appropriate."
    "Every so often, she would lose track of what she was doing. Breaking from routine was hard."
    "But, she found strength in a memory. Dancing naked by the lakeshore. The thought of a pair of female eyes watching her. She didn’t know if she could dance for this man. But she could dance for her."
    "She could be sexy for her."
    "When the dance came to an end, she gave a long sweeping bow, just like she was used to doing back at the village."
    "But, her audience did anything but clap. His eyes were half shut and he was slumped back into his chair. He was as zoned out as he had been when she first entered. It even took him a moment to acknowledge the dance had ended."

    mik "Ah, yes yes. That was the warm-up performance, right? Very good. Very good."

    al "Of course, M’lord. The warmup performance."

    "She performed a smile."

    al "One moment, if you’ll excuse me."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia slave concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "She ducked back behind the curtain to the other room, trying to keep a straight face. Trying not to let the tears form."
    "Jezera was not alone. She had a succubus kneeling before her, giving her a foot massage. The lesser demon stared lovingly at the mistress of the castle’s feet. Alexia found herself feeling slightly envious."

    al "I can’t do this."

    je "Of course you can, darling."

    #if garInfo == 4:
    je "You’ve followed such commands before, after all. Shy Mr. Garforth was such a morsel too..."
    "She sighed."
    al "No. I mean. I do not know how to do this. I learned to dance for my village. For festivals. Not to make a man..."
    je "I will admit that the dance was a bit...chaste. But, you have a body men salivate over, and you know how to move it. Surely a bit of abstraction isn’t beyond reason."

    "Alexia continued to shake her head forcefully, undeterred."

    al "I can’t do this."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera sighed to herself but did not seem especially perturbed."

    je "If you insist."
    je "I had prepared for this eventuality."

    "Jezera kicked her feet forward, cruelly pushing the succubus to the ground. But, she only reacted with a soft sigh."

    "Jezera rushed off briefly, but returned a moment later, holding a set of leather bands. Alexia looked at them curiously. All were small and easy to fit on her body. They also had strange runic markings on them."
    "Mistresses’ magic, no doubt."

    je "If you wish, I can teach you the moves as you dance. Work them into your muscle memory. "
    je "These bands, combined with a very short ritual, allow me to control the limbs of a willing wearer. For a short time, of course. A party trick I rarely get a chance to take out, but very useful for when I do."
    je "I can show you how to dance to arouse a man. And you will be able to experience it first hand."
    je "But, of course, we needn’t continue with it if it is too much for you to ask."

    "Jezera held her hand out to Alexia."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Will you trust me, dove?"

    menu:
        "Trust her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
            pass

        "Don't trust her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia looked from the bands and down at her hand. Being controlled that way sounded too far for her. She was willing to obey Jezera, but to give up control of her own body…"
            "Alexia went down to her knees in a gesture of subservience."
            al "Mistress. I can’t do this."
            je "Come now, girl. You’re capable of more than-"
            al "Please. Not this. Not today. Please."
            "Jezera blinked twice, the smile briefly fading from her face. But, then it came back still warmer than before."
            je "Sweet girl, if you say you cannot do it, then what kind of Mistress would I be if I forced you?"
            je "Rise for me. Rise."
            "Jezera turned down to the succubus, still swooning by her feet."
            je "Girl, go entertain our guest. Take her form. Give him a good time."
            je "But, if you drain a single drop of his vitality, I will ensure you meet a most unfavorable end."
            je "Do we understand each other?"
            "The succubus nodded, with a slight smirk."
            "Alexia stared, wide eyed, as the succubus took on an approximation of her form after a minute of study. The appearance was imperfect. But, from some distance, it would suffice. Especially with the veil to conceal the facial divergences."
            "Then, her look-alike strut back behind the curtain. She was giggling and waving her rear. Alexia couldn’t help but note to herself that this...fascimile...would likely do a better job with him then she could…"
            je "Now, then, let’s come along. The night is still young, and even if it won’t be for dancing there are still some ways to put that ass to {i}use{/i}."
            "With a lowered head, Alexia followed her Mistress back up the stairs that led to Jezera’s room. But, as much as she enjoyed herself that night, she went back after with the nagging feeling that she had been a failure."
            return

    "Alexia closed her eyes. She trusted Jezera. Jezera could order her to do most things and she would obey by this point. What difference would direct bodily control make?"

    al "What do I need to do?"

    "At Jezera’s direction, Alexia dutifully slipped the bands on her wrists and ankles. Then, she runs through a strange otherworldly chant Jezera explained to her. Supposedly it was simply to signal trust and confirmation to the ritual."
    "Then Jezera joined in the chant, voices harmonizing. But, there was something different about the words. Even listening to them made Alexia’s head static. These were words of power."
    "At first, they were incomprehensible, but the longer they went, the more Alexia understood them."

    je "The strings of Aldrua call out to you from the wandering dark. They lead the secret path to a place where sky meets earth."
    je "Where is the path? Say the name."

    al "Jezera…"

    "The moment she said the word, something was different. Her wrists felt strangely weighted down. Like there were chains leading from the bands. But, the chains didn’t seem to go anywhere."
    "She raised her, but the process was sluggish."
    "But, that didn’t prepare her when her arm went down to her side. Alexia nearly gasped. She hadn’t done that. Yet, she’d still felt her arm move."
    "She looked to Jezera, and her Mistress had a wide grin."
    "Now, Alexia’s body sprung into movement. But, none of it was directed by her will. Alexia’s hands trailed sensually down her sides before landing on her hips. From there, she tilted her hips from side to side. Finally, she blew Jezera a sensually kiss and gave a wink."
    "Alexia could barely make sense of it. It was her own body moving. But, the touch had the electricity of another’s hand. Sensual."

    al "It feels...strange."
    je "Not so strange that you wish to back out, yes?"
    al "Correct..."
    je "There is a certain thrill to new experiences, my dear. But, I don’t need to tell you that, do I?"

    "Jezera settled back in her impromptu throne and crossed her legs. The succubus took that as cue to crawl back over and resume the act of worshipping Jezera’s legs."

    je "Ready to resume your dance? I’m sure sleepy Mikael is waiting for you. Don’t worry your little head how you’ll do. I’ll be with you the entire time."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve

    "This time, when Alexia returned to the room with Mikael, she walked with swaggering hips. The motion almost made her gasp."

    mik "It’s a good thing I’m a patient man. You made me wait for a long time."

    al "..."
    al "I’m very sorry, Mister. I need to make it up to you."

    "Alexia went to the center of the room and began a dance. But, this was no dance she’d ever learned. It mostly involved the twirling and gyration of different parts of her torso. Her hips, her ass, her breasts. All of it was emphasized."
    "As she swayed her body back and forth, her hands reached up to grasp her breasts as if to present them to her audience."
    "The entire time, Alexia was little more then a puppet. If she tried, she could fight it, but it was far easy to go on autopilot. To become an observer from an unusual vantage point. "
    "She also tried to memorize every motion. She was here to learn a lesson, after all. It was easy to grasp when her own body was doing the dance. The way it would be easier to repeat an act you’ve done in the past."
    "She almost didn’t notice as she closed the distance. Now, her body was provocative twisting and moving mere inches from his face."
    "She caught a glimpse of his eyes, wide and alert. Sleepy Mikael had woken up. The unrestrained male hunger was etched on his face."
    "Alexia’s heart skipped a beat. Jezera really was right. Dancing like this..dancing so lewdly...really did entrance men."
    "Her hands reached up to the straps of her dress without Alexia even realizing it. She had to suppress a look of surprise as they slid away...before pulling them back up. The teasing guessing game was as effective as it was on Mikael."

    al "Whoops. I’m not in control of myself."

    "She spoke in a shaky voice. It was hard to seem in control of the room, when she as much a subject as he was."
    "She took another step closer. His knees nearly touched her. Her body gyrated and her ass waved, so close he could reach out and grab her."

    al "Do you like what you see, Mister? Am I doing good?"

    mik "You are. You’re beautiful."

    "Jezera made her hands return to the straps. This time the thin fabric fell to the floor. Her cheeks burned. The lustful man eagerly drank in the sight of her exposed body. Her breasts...her ass...the place between her legs."
    "All the while, her body continued onward. She felt herself slide up atop his lap, straddling him. The hardness beneath his trousers pressed against her exposed thigh."
    "Her mind flailed. What should she say? What should she do? If Rowan knew about this."
    "His hand reached out, trying to grasp her side."

    mik "Can I touch you?"

    "Alexia found herself expecting Jezera to control her response somehow. It was easier when Jezera decided."
    "But, with a sigh of relief, Alexia realized that Jezera wasn’t interceding. For this split second, she had control."

    menu:
        "Agree. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ mikBJ = True
            scene cg733 with fade
            show alexia slave happy behind cg733
            pause 3
            al "How about you let me do all of the touching?"
            "Alexia spoke in a purr. This situation, the feeling of being watched. All of it was putting a fire to her."
            "Jezera was in control again, and she made her puppet sink down to her knees between his legs. Her fingers brushed against his thighs."
            "Alexia sighed silently. The control was back. She could lean back and enjoy the ride."
            "Her hands eagerly worked the man’s cock free from his trousers. It sprung up, large and hard, into the open air. Alexia couldn’t help mentally comparing it to Rowan’s."
            "Then, her head went low. She offered no resistance, even as Jezera made her lips open and wrap around his cock."
            "Here, too, Alexia passively enjoyed the ride. She felt every sensation. She tasted the trademark salty male flavor. She felt the shaft hitting the back of her throat. But, it was as though it was a thing happening to her."
            "Her body was setting the pace, but to Alexia, it was like being face fucked."
            "At one point, she tried to pull her head back slightly for more air. But, soon found she couldn’t. She was left to gasp and rasp, but there was no way she could escape it."
            "...And yet, the entire time she was growing more and more wet…."

        "Don't agree.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ mikBJ = False
            al "Nope. You can look. But, you can’t touch, mister."
            "The dance continued on into the night. Mikael tried to reach out and grab her several times, but each time Alexia was allowed by Jezera to refuse. There was a line Alexia wouldn’t cross and it was here…"

    scene bg18 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia laid back in Jezera’s grand bed, taking in what had just happened. The demoness had used her enhanced strength to carry Alexia back up after the dance."

    if mikBJ == True:
        "Jezera pulled a handkerchief from a side cabinet and tossed it to Alexia."
        je "If you’d like to clean up your mouth a bit before we continue, little one."

    "Alexia blinked a few times."

    al "That was…"
    al "That was something."
    al "Did I just do that?"

    je "Arguably. Depending on what you consider doing yourself to be."

    "She eyed the bands. After the dance, she had not bothered to take the bands off, even if Jezera stopped actively controlling her body."

    al "Dancing that way was strange. I remember every move. I could even probably repeat them right now if I tried. But, it wasn’t me."

    "Then another image flashed to her mind. The way that Mikael had stared at her. She was used to being ogled. But, she’d never got a reaction quite like that from her dancing. Even when dancing for Rowan in the past."

    al "Is that really how men like it when you dance?"

    je "It drives them mad with lust."

    "Jezera settled in next to her and softly brushed her hair."

    je "A proper dance heightens everything men enjoy. It reinforces our natural beauty and draws the eye. It teases them and makes them long for more."
    je "You remember the moment where I had you feint removing the dress? To inspire desire, but leave them on the edge of the seat. It’s a powerful emotion."

    "Alexia blushed slightly. It wasn’t just Mikael who’d been filled by anticipation by that. She had been as much a spectator as he had been."

    al "Still…"
    al "I wonder if that’s what men were always looking for whenever I danced…"

    "Jezera giggled softly to herself. Then she rose to the center of the room and took a prominent position. The plot worked. Alexia trained her eyes on her. "

    je "So existential, my dear. But, let’s turn the question around. By now we’ve established you have a certain {i}appreciation{/i} for the bodies of other women."
    je "Have you ever found yourself staring at any of your fellow dancers before? When you had, was it entirely chaste appreciation?"

    "Alexia didn’t have an answer for her. She’d never thought about it, of course. But, what was the motive all those times she’d looked back at the other dancers?"
    "Jezera leaned in closer. She smelled blood."

    je "You’ve been a good girl tonight. I want to give you a reward. A dance of your own so you can see it from the other perspective."

    al "Please…"

    je "Just one thing."
    je "Keep the bands on."

    "Alexia shivered."

    al "Yes, Mistress…"

    scene cg734 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg734
    show alexia slave happy behind cg734
    pause 3

    "In a single fluid motion, Jezera let her dress slip to the floor. Clad in nothing but her heels, she strutted up closer to Alexia before suddenly and provocatively bending low. Her hair whipped out. But, then in an equally fluid motion, she rose back up. Beneath her hair, Alexia saw her grin."
    "The housewife was transfixed. Every element of her performance was practiced and smooth. And her body was...her body was having an effect on Alexia."
    "Jezera put a hand to Alexia’s chin and forced a meeting of their eyes. Alexia was breathless."

    je "Am I beautiful, pet?"

    al "So beautiful."

    je "Good."

    "Jezera turned back and retook a position in the center of the room. Her ass swayed invitingly behind her."
    "That was when Alexia noticed that her own body was moving. Her right hand was ever so slowly gliding between her legs, fingertips brushing over her skin. She stifled a moan. Her stomach was butterflies. "
    "She had no control over her hand. She couldn’t stop it. But, even if she could, there was little question if she would have actually done so. "
    "Then, her fingers made contact with her clit. For some reason, it felt immeasurably better than masturbation ever had."

    al "Oh."

    "She could not help that her own hand was stroking herself to the exact rhythm of Jezera’s swaying and dancing. As if to reinforce the effect of each move."

    al "Oh."

    "The style she struck was different from how she masturbated when she had control. But, Alexia had to admit that Jezera’s method was more effective. She was getting very wet."

    al "O-oh."

    je "Distracted by something, little one? I don’t want you to miss my dance. It would be so rude~."

    al "O-of course not, Mistress."

    "The more Jezera danced, the more she took power over Alexia’s body. Now the squirming girl couldn’t look away if she tried. Her free hand went to her nipple and gave it a sudden pinch. Not so hard as to hurt. Just to make her jump."

    al "Ah!"

    "Now her hands continued the assault on her body. Stroking her clit and pinching her nipples. Her body was left jumping and squirming. Dancing in it’s own way."
    "She was a puppet. Jezera was making her a puppet. Alexia tried to moan out, but even that was beyond her control."
    "Jezera closed the gap once more. So close that her heavenly scent filled Alexia’s nostrils. It was intoxicating. And that was even before she pressed Alexia’s face to her bosom."

    al "Mistress...Mistress I can’t stand it. I can’t take it."

    je "Oh, so you want to stop?"

    scene cg735 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg736 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg736
    show alexia slave happy behind cg736
    pause 3


    "At once, Alexia’s hands stopped their motion and fell limply to her sides. This time, Jezera let her moan out. They had been inches from taking her over the edge…"
    "She tried to move her own hands, but they were outside her control. She even tried to grind against the bed, but her hips wouldn’t move."
    "Jezera resumed her dance. Now, Alexia was a breathless spectator. Her cunt ached for attention and seeing Jezera’s beautiful body gyrating only caused her need to heat up to an aching inferno."

    al "Please Mistress. Please…"

    je "You have to be specific for what you’re asking for, sweet one."

    al "Please Mistress...I want to touch my...no."
    al "...Please, {i}make{/i} me touch myself…"
    al "Please...goddess above, please."

    "Jezera smirked to herself. A victorious conqueror."

    scene cg739 with fade
    show alexia slave happy behind cg739
    pause 3

    "Then, Alexia’s hand shot to her sex. A long low moan in thanks escaped her lips as Jezera penetrated her with her own fingers."
    "Her hand fucked her hard and fast, sinking three whole fingers in."
    "In that moment, she imagined herself as an actual puppet. Stiff joints and wooden features. And at every limb strings. Jezera would pluck and toy with each string, and Alexia would dance for her and dance for her."

    al "Almost...almost…"

    scene cg740 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg740
    show alexia slave happy behind cg740
    pause 3

    "Her hand stopped once more. This time Jezera left Alexia hump the air, body searching for the missing fingers."

    al "Mistress...Mistress...why…"

    je "You can’t hide it from me, you little tart. You whine, but when I make you stop you like that too. Not having any control whatsoever."

    "Alexia answered in a wide-eyed moan. Words came to her throat, but it was hard to form them."

    scene cg737 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg738 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg738
    show alexia slave happy behind cg738
    pause 3

    je "Admit it."

    al "Y-yes."
    al "I like it when...I like being controlled…"
    al "Please...please make cum."

    "Finally, Jezera placed her lips to Alexia in a long slow kiss. Alexia’s eyes fluttered."

    scene cg739 with fade
    pause 2

    "Then, with their tongues entwined, Jezera made Alexia’s hands come back to her pussy one final time. This time there was no more artifice. No more teasing. In a matter of seconds, Alexia was brought to a white, mind-melting orgasm."

    show cg741 with sshake
    show cg741 with sshake
    pause 2
    show cg742 with flash
    pause 3

    "Neither the kiss nor the touching let up. Jezera dominated her tongue for what felt like days while using her hands to eek out orgasm after orgasm from her shivering body."
    "At some point, Jezera removed all the bands from her body. Now it was nothing but her own skilled hands doing this to her."
    "Each time she exploded, it left Alexia more and more blank. She felt like she was slipping away…"

    jump jezCorVisitAftercare_rp

    label jezCorVisitInfiltration_rp:

    $ jezCorVisitScene = "infiltration"
    $ jezCorFaceInfiltrationSeen = True
    $ jezCorVisits += 1

    scene bg18 with fade
    show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia’s hands fidgeted as she worked the knob on Jezera’s door. What “lesson” would Jezera have for her today? Something pleasurable hopefully. She almost expected her Mistress to be waiting for her with whips and chains in hand."
    "Instead, she found Jezera sitting at her table, with a large painted map spread out over its surface."

    al "I hadn't known there was a form of lovemaking that involved sheets of parchment."

    "She covered her mouth with her hand while she giggled. Jezera rolled her eyes, but beneath them was a smile."

    je "If you tease too much, I might have to actually find a sexual purpose for such a thing."
    je "But, alas that’s an idea for another day. Today's visit will be of a more practical variety. At least for the moment."
    je "You're already making great strides when it comes to seduction. Now it's time for you to learn about infiltration."

    al "Infiltration?"

    "Jezera leaned back in her chair and directed a sweeping gesture at the map in front of her. Alexia took the seat opposite her."

    je "There's a great many things of value to learn from places you're not supposed to be. Knowing the right man or woman to flirt with can get you into the room…"
    je "...But knowing the art of infiltration can take you from there to the places you shouldn’t be."

    al "You mean like being a spy?"

    "She shook her head softly. The image it brought to her mind was of an assassin scaling walls with daggers in hand."

    show alexia slave neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "No..No. That’s absurd. I don't understand why I'd need to know about such a thing? I mean, you told me to visit you so I could learn more about how to be pleasing to Rowan…"

    je "I said I’d teach you to be pleasing. But, I also promised to make you more useful, didn’t I?"
    je "My sweet innocent little bird. You're a captive in a castle filled with secrets and you don't want to learn how to get places you don't belong? How many places in Bloodmeen do you think I’m keeping from you?"

    "Alexa scoffed."

    al "Why would you…"

    je "Help you learn to be more sly when you're my prisoner? Maybe I'm curious what you do with it. Maybe, I'm not as much of an enemy to you as you might think."

    "Jezera leaned forward, bringing together her fingers in a pyramid in front of her face."

    je "...And maybe, just maybe, I don’t want you to be my prisoner at all."

    "Alexia had no choice but to stare at her Mistress cynically. She might have warmed to the woman, but there was still no doubt in her mind that Jezera was her captor. Alexia’s eyebrows narrowed. Didn’t Jezera know if she wanted, she could release Alexia in an instant?"
    "But, just as fast her brow softened. No doubt Jezera was simply insinuating that they could be friends if she so wished. Still, the question of motives was not the only misgiving that weighed on Alexia."

    al "Hrmm."

    "Alexia looked off to the side. She remembered those days in years past where she’d been home alone waiting for Rowan’s return. From her letters, he was saying that he’d done incredible things. Things Alexia could never imagine doing."
    "It had been her lot in life to sit and await his arrival. It was how it always was."

    al "I don't know if I'm cut out for something like this though. Being more pleasing to a man is one thing. But, learning the arts of spycraft? I’m sure you’re a great teacher, Mistress. But, you’d be better off teaching a-"

    "Jezera put a finger to her lips to silence her."

    je "Shhhh. Not a word more. You’ve put yourself down too much. I have an eye for talent, girl. And I know for a fact that you're more capable than you would imagine. "
    je "Trust me. Mistress knows best."

    al "..."
    al "Fine. I can try."

    "Alexia settled back into her seat. She was no more enthused than she had been minutes prior but thought it best to at least humour her Mistress. No doubt Jezera would see that this was a step outside her range and pull back soon enough."
    "From there, Jezera broke into the lecture that she had been dying to start. Alexia did her best to pay attention...and not show her disappointment that Jezera had decided against playing with her."
    "Among her first topics were the simple mechanics of exploring unfamiliar spaces. She demonstrated by pointing to different spots on the map, a reproduction of a base she has infiltrated once."

    je "One of the follies of humans, the many many many follies, is complacency. You always want for nothing to be unusual so much. It makes things so much easier."
    je "You see, one mistake will be ignored. A guard or a passerby will wish it away. You will be a gust of wind or a figment of his imagination."
    je "It’s the second mistake that gets you caught. That’s when it becomes much harder for them to wish your presence away."

    "From there, Jezera moved to consideration of what to do once Alexia had managed to get into the back rooms or secret locations."

    je "A fool might search the obvious places. I do not train fools. When on the hunt for objects of interest, you must have a little switcheroo in mindset. You’re the one who is doing the hiding. Where do you hide it?"

    "By the point Jezera reached discussion of what to do if caught, Alexia felt like her eyes were going to glaze over. The number of rules and axioms were almost too vast to deal with."

    je "Of course, sometimes it's hard to get out just with honeyed words. Were it possible, I could talk my way out of the dungeons of Prothea itself. Have no doubt of that."

    al "...Sure."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Still, this is yet another area where the superior sex reigns. Guards can be persuaded or bribed to look the other way, and it is here a woman can use her advantages."

    "Alexia stared dumbly ahead for a moment before the implication of Jezera’s words came to her."

    al "Advantages? You most surely don't mean using your body?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "I {i}most surely{/i} do. You hire a guard hoping they’ll think with their eyes. But, more often they think with their crotch. Someone smarter or more capable would have a more prestigious job."

    "Jezera sighed and gave the map beneath her a wistful glance. As if some memory were etched on its surface."

    je "I cannot tell you how many seemingly fatal situations I've escaped with a pouting lip and a bit of cleavage. {i}Oh, mister guardsman, thank goodness you’re here. I just happened to get lost and I was so scared...{/i}"
    je "Of course, sometimes you need to go a bit beyond that. But, that’s where the other training I’m giving you will be most useful, one must suppose."

    "Alexia simply shook her head back and forth, as if the action could stop Jezera’s words from entering her ears."

    al "You can’t be serious. You’re saying if I actually tried being a spy, that I’d need me to...to fuck my way out if I got caught?"

    je "Well, if it came to that…"

    "Alexia put her hands on the table."

    al "Impossible. Just...no. I could never do something like that. Impossible."
    al "All of it is simply so...so beyond me. Surely there are other people to train in these...these tactics. Smarter people. More capable."
    al "This is just...it’s not me."

    "In truth, Alexia had expected Jezera to burst into yet another round of assurances. More assuaging to calm her down. But, Jezera didn’t do that."
    "She merely sat quietly, turning Alexia’s words over in her head. Then, Jezera smiled."

    je "I had an inkling you’d say such a thing. Blame it on our growing familiarity. Thankfully, your Mistress was well prepared."

    "Jezera rose from her seat and began the process that Alexia recognized by now as the formation of a portal."

    je "It won’t take us far. Just to another portion of the castle."

    "Jezera extended a hand to Alexia."

    je "Do you trust me?"

    "This was a question that had been answered firmly already. Alexia took Jezera’s hand and walked with her through the portal."

    scene bg14 with fade

    "On the other side, she found a design not much different from the area she had left. She’d expected to be taken to some strange secret chamber, but it was just a normal Bloodmeen corridor."

    show alexia slave neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "She went to a window and found the main bulk of the castle rising proud."

    al "This is one of the outer spires, isn’t it?"

    je "An unused one. There’s just so much of this damned castle, we haven’t occupied the whole structure. So a few locations have gone a bit..neglected."
    je "Thus, it’s the perfect training yard."

    "Alexia turned back to Jezera."

    al "You still haven’t told me what it’s even a training yard {i}for{/i}."

    je "Of course, of course."
    je "The best place to start, though, would be having you get undressed. You can leave the choker on though. I like that on you."

    "Alexia glanced to the side. The hallway was empty, but changing in public still felt..exposing."

    al "Here?"

    je "There’s a supply closet behind you. It will have to suffice."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft
    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    "Alexia sighed and slipped into the confined space. Jezera followed, of course. Though, if there was one pair of eyes she didn’t mind watching her undress they were Jezera’s. Well, hers and Rowans. The dark fabric of her nightie fell to the floor. "
    "Without thinking, her arms went to her chest, softly covering her exposed body. Jezera gave a nod of approval."

    show jezera happy behind bg14

    je "As ravishing as ever, my dear. Now then, I planted a case with some items of interest in the room earlier today. It should be right behind you. Please, be a dear and put on the items inside of it."

    "Obediently, she turned to follow Jezera’s instruction. The first item she found was a set of black high heels. The sort some nobles wore."

    je "To help you be aware of your own movement, of course."

    "She worked her feet into the shoes and tested them. It was as if someone had put platforms beneath her feet. It took a few seconds of experimentation before she could even stand steadily."
    "Next, Alexia went back to the box to collect the other items. Her face paled when she brought out the contents."
    "One item was a lace black thong. All on its own it would have been far more indecent than any undergarments she might otherwise wear. But, they were made stranger for a pair of open circles with latches on the bottom string. "
    "The purpose of the openings was made clear by the other items. A pair of white stone pillars shaped with one smooth end. They were made all the more slippery by a layer of oil-like substance over the surface."
    "The bottom of the two pillars was complete with strange symbols that looked similar to Jezera’s magic runes."

    je "Those go inside, love. A little something to make the task more...enjoyable."

    "Alexia blushed fiercely."

    show alexia slave aroused behind bg14

    al "I was wondering when tonight’s visit would become more perverse..."

    je "Tut tut, Alexia. Don’t dawdle."

    "The complexity of the design made Alexia struggle to bring it all together. Then, with a deep breath, she lined the two phalli to her pussy and rear. Her eyes fluttered softly as she sank them in."

    al "Oh!"

    je "They have a few slightly unusual functions, but I don’t want to spoil the fun. Of course, you might feel an impulse to take them out early during the coming session."
    je "So, I am going to have to make you give me a promise. No matter what, you’ll leave them in."

    "Alexia could only pay attention to what she was saying with great struggle. It was far easier to focus on the sudden sense of fullness from having both of her holes stuffed at the same time."

    al "But, you still haven’t even...er...even told me what I’m doing."

    je "And I will. Though, after the promise, of course."

    "Alexia steadied herself against the wall. It was quite like Jezera to play games with her this way. But, it was also becoming quite like Alexia to acquiesce to what Jezera had planned..."

    al "Yes, Mistress. I...I promise I won’t take them out, no matter what happens."

    "Jezera grinned wide and brushed the back of her hand against Alexia’s cheek. It burned all the more from the touch."

    je "Delightful. Simply delightful."

    "But, just as quickly as the touch had come, Jezera drew her hand away."

    je "What will transpire now is a game of my own creation. One with the express intent of teaching you the principles I discussed before."
    je "This tower has many rooms, but only three are unlocked. In one of those rooms, I have planted a delightful hand-carved figure in my own image. Very expensive, I assure you."
    je "To win the game, you must navigate the area, and find the hidden treasure wherever I have decided to place it."

    show alexia slave neutral behind bg14

    "Alexia stared dumbly."

    al "You want me to...to prance about the place without a shred of clothing?"

    je "The nudity is to simply instill the right frame of mind. The sense of paranoia and vulnerability that an infiltrator feels. As I said before, there is no real risk of exposure. This tower is entirely unused and unoccupied."

    "To emphasize the point, Jezera leaned down and stole away Alexia’s discarded clothes."

    al "..."

    je "It is just for the duration of the game. When you have found the figure, simply return to the base of the tower and I will be ready to sweep you up and bring you back to my quarters."
    je "Entirely unseen, of course."

    "Alexia shifted in place. She suddenly felt much more naked than she had even a moment before. Those damned insertions certainly weren’t helping."

    al "But, where will it be? How am I expected to find it?"

    "Jezera patted her shoulder and offered a reassuring smile. With her, any contact seemed to feel good."

    je "I have left open an armoury, a bedroom, and a book-keeping library. The figure has been hidden in one of those rooms. "
    je "As for which of the three...well, where do you think someone should hide something important?"
    je "I think that should suffice, however. As adorable as you look, pouting like that, this isn’t a test of whether you have the skill to beg for a better result out of me."

    "Without further warning, Jezera pulled back."

    je "Ta ta, Dove. Try to remember my lessons."

    "Alexia was so startled, that Jezera’s departure didn’t process until her Mistress had already left the closet. She followed into the hallway, near tripping in the tall high heels."

    hide alexia
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Wait! No!"

    "But, by the time she looked around, Jezera was already gone. Vanished. Alexia was left to frantically look back and forth across the empty, torch-lit hallway."

    al "...Come back…"

    "Just then, she felt a breeze crawl down the hallway. Instinctively, she moved to cover herself with her hands. It drew her back to reality…"
    "...She was alone here. And naked."

    al "Crud."

    "She was left to wrestle with her misgivings. Had her Mistress simply just abandoned her naked in the middle of the tower? What would happen if someone chanced along?"
    "Jezera claimed that the spire was uninhabited. But, just how much was Alexia being forced to rest on that claim?"

    scene cg971 with fade
    pause 3

    "Eventually, deep breaths steadier her resolve once again. The simplest way to return to the castle, and her clothes, would be to complete Jezera’s little game."
    "So, it was with great weariness that Alexia started down the hallway, hopefully towards the first of the rooms. But, even moving about proved a task in of itself."
    "First, she had to master even walking in such extreme heels. There were numerous points she nearly tripped over her feet. But, with some steadying from the walls she managed to avoid any nasty falls."
    "Next, she had to manage the phalli that were held by the thong. They proved a much more dramatic distraction when she moved. But, at rest she was able to calm herself down."
    "In practice, Alexia was starting and stopping on her trek through the halls. The heels forced her to exaggerate her walk, but doing so just teased her with the insertions until she couldn’t continue."
    "It was torture. Jezera had outdone herself this time."
    "It was thus with great exertion that she finally found a door that had been left open. A peek inside revealed a prim and proper guest bedroom."

    if alexiaJob == 'maid':
        "It was in the standardized design that was common throughout the castle. In her daytime work, she’d cleaned ones like it hundreds of times."

    show bg7 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Confound these things…"

    "She reached a hand down and softly touched the base of the invader in her snatch."

    al "Would she even know if I took it out?"

    "Her eyes settled on the bed sheets at the same time. It wouldn’t be difficult to fashion them into a makeshift dress for herself. Jezera wouldn’t like that, but…"

    al "..."

    "Her hand slipped back down to the ground. Her gaze ducked back under the bed. She had a task to complete. Mistress Jezera had worked so hard to set it up for her."
    "Still, her search of the room proved fruitless. If the object of her search was hidden here, it wasn’t in a place she could find it. That meant it was time to consider the next room. A small map posted to the door made that easier."

    al "Armoury? Or Record Room?"

    "The goal was to find where someone would put their secrets, right? The armoury sounded like a better bet."

    show bg14 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Once more, she started down the hallway. But, now with a growing confidence. She was getting better at walking in the heels. This was going to be much easier now that-"
    "Alexia’s eyes wide went wide. She heard a sound. Footsteps."

    questi "Well that’s what I told them. You want me to do extra shifts, I want extra tokens to use at the brothel. Maybe even some time at the slave pits doing…"

    "Two shadows marched together in tandem on the wall. Alexia felt her heart beat so fast, it was as if it were trying to escape her chest. Jezera had said no one was here. Jezera had said no one would see her like this."
    "...See her like this…"

    al "Jezera said..."

    hide alexia with dissolve

    "Alexia’s body moved on its own. She threw herself behind one of the pillars, clutching the stone exterior for dear life. Every nerve ending in her body was crying out to her in panic."
    "What if she was seen? What if she was found?"

    questi "What was that? Did you hear something over there?"

    "Alexia threw her mouth over her hands in a panic. No, it wasn’t her whisper they’d heard. It must have been her footsteps. Jezera had made her wear these damned heels."

    questi "Humie worries for nuthin’. Come on."

    "Alexia remained frozen in place. Her chest rose and fell at a frantic pace. They seemed to have given up on her. But, she had to make sure. She couldn’t let out so much as a sound."
    "But if her body was still, her mind was racing. How had this happened? Had Jezera just made a mistake? What if Rowan somehow found out about this?"
    "She slammed her eyes shut. If there was one thing she wanted to do, it was cry. But, if she did that, she’d make too much noise. What had Jezera said? That they’d just wish her away?"
    "So, she remained still and in place until she was sure beyond doubt that the guards were gone. Only then did she continue to her destination."
    "But, now she moved with new caution. Every so often she heard sounds down the corridors. There were other people here. More guards. She was trapped. Exposed."
    "There was only one thing to do. Keep going. Find the figure and have Jezera spirit her out of here."

    scene bg11 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "The next destination on her path was the armoury. But, her search here proved fruitless. She turned over racks of weapons and opened chests, but there was nothing that looked like Jezera. Nothing that even looked like it had been touched in decades."

    al "Come on. Come on. Come on."

    "That only left one location in her search. The record room."

    scene black with fade

    "She leaned against the wall to catch her breathing. Once more, she toyed with the urge to just throw in the towel. Jezera would be forgiving when she learned the tower actually was being guarded, right?"
    "Alexia shook her head softly. Even if she didn’t want it to be the case, she knew the truth. Oh, Jezera would smile and be sympathetic if Alexia failed. But, beneath that encouragement would be that dreaded hint of disappointment. Alexia couldn’t fail her."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Once more she started down the hallway, taking careful measure to control the pace of her steps."
    "But, suddenly there was a soft sound, almost like a click. Then, what had already been a difficult task for Alexia became harder."
    "She’d grown used to the two phalli invading her lower holes. They still left her feeling full and worked up, but she’d learned how to advance without making their presence more unbearable. But, now they came alive."

    al "Wha-"

    "Yet, now they started to shake and vibrate inside of her. She had to bring both hands to her mouth to stifle the loud moan that almost slipped out. Her body throbbed with waves of pressure attacking her nethers."
    "She had to stop herself from sinking to her knees. Her legs were turning to mush beneath her. The assault of sensation was almost so intense that it made it hard to question what was happening? Had Jezera enchanted the phalli? Why was this happening now?"
    "It was with some great effort that she managed to start down the hallway once more. One hand gripped the wall to steady her, and the other remained perched over her mouth to block the onslaught of squeaks and moans that tried to bubble out."
    "Her path forward was filled with more challenges. On several other occasions, she heard shadows on the wall or the sound of footsteps. Each time, Alexia was forced to duck into hiding and pray that she could maintain her silence."
    "Her hips bucked softly at the air. The stimulation was driving her body crazy, even if it remained so low as to just keep her heavily teased. She felt her thong soak. Her inner thighs were growing damp."
    "Naturally, she let out a sigh of relief when she arrived at the open door to the record room."

    al "Al...almost…"

    scene cg972 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg972
    pause 3

    "But, there was no relief waiting for her inside. Her search simply found dusty collections of books. Perhaps it was the lust getting to her. Or her own panic. But, she couldn’t find it anywhere she looked."
    "She slowly sank to her knees, broken."

    al "It couldn’t...unf...it couldn’t be in any of the other rooms. I’d have to…"

    "She threw her head into her hands and sobbed quietly. A sound only broken up by weak moans. Even her despair didn’t grant her escape from the teasing phalli."
    "This was it. This was the final defeat. She’d have to return to Jezera in failure."
    "Unless…"
    "She steadied herself with her hands. Enough to try to think through the cloud of lust that was fogging over her mind. Jezera had said so many things during the lesson earlier. She formed an image of her mistress in her mind’s eye."

    show jezera neutral behind cg972

    je "{i}A fool might search the obvious places. I do not train fools. When on the hunt for objects of interest, you must have a little switcheroo in mindset. You’re the one who is doing the hiding. Where do you hide it?{/i}"

    al "..."
    al "Hrmm."

    "She looked around the room. If she were hiding something important, where would she hide it? Surely, it would be in here. People would expect important things in a bedroom or armoury."
    "Her eyes went to the book shelves. There was a section on one of the bottom rows for records of taxes paid from centuries past. Out of the way and boring."
    "Alexia crawled on her hands and knees to that segment. Its books soon littered the ground as she threw them out, one by one. Soon, all of the tax books were scattered over the floor."
    "...revealing a wooden figurine in the shame of a buxom woman hidden behind them."

    al "Yes!!"

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "She started back down the hallway, squeezing hard on the figure. Her nails nearly dug into the soft wooden exterior."
    "This time, her trek was more bearable than it had been before. Yes, the insertions still left her body throbbing with desperation. Yes, the sounds of guards patrolling the hallway still stopped her every few corridors."
    "But, now she was almost there. She just needed to reach the base of the tower. Then Jezera would take her away from this stressful place. Then, her Mistress would ease the endless need between her legs."
    "Just a little bit more..."

    questi "Hey you!? Whassa pretty lil hummie gurl doin’ out here?"

    "She turned sharply on her heels and found herself face to face with a female orc. She was tall and imposing with clear muscles and the armor of a soldier or mercenary. Her hair was shaped into a tall and imposing mohawk. One of the guards perhaps."

    al "I...I…"

    "All of the anxiety of the past hour hit her at once. The sense of exposure. Of being on display. The fear of failure. The fear of Rowan finding out. All were realized in the eyes of the woman who’d found her."

    show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    "Alexia took a step backwards, body shaking."

    al "No...you’re not supposed to...no…"

    femorc "Dis ain’t no place for nakie humie girls. No place at all. Youz a pretty one too. Must be one’a da girls from da slave pits, no?"

    "The orcess took a step closer, one hand on her hips. Her glance was predatory. She made no compunctions about ogling Alexia’s naked form. The more she looked, the more Alexia’s cheeks burned."
    "Could she run? Not in these heels, that was for certain. She couldn’t fight. Maybe she could pull rank. Point out her husband was an important man. But, that might just get back to him sooner."
    "Yet, as her mind worked, her body was frozen stiff."

    femorc "Out wit it, girlie."

    "The guard crossed her arms over her chest and snorted."
    "Just as Alexia was about to move to her next denial, the phalli inside her chose this inopportune moment to spring to life. A wave of vibrations hit her strong enough to send her down to her knees, her lips opened into a pant."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Not now...No…"

    "The figure of Jezera tumbled out of her open grip to the floor."
    "That brought an evil smile to the guard’s face. There was no way she hadn’t seen the insertions. While she didn’t seem the brightest, even she must have realized the cause of Alexia’s bodily reactions."

    femorc "Whateva ya doin’ out here, It’s naughty ain’t it? I gotsa admit doe. Ya do look real prutty on ya knees dat way."

    "Alexia sealed her eyes shut, forcing herself to regain focus. The guard was...was saying she was attractive, right? Perhaps there was a way forward."
    "But, did she really have the will to see it through? To debase herself so low?"

    menu:
        "Seduce the guard. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ femorcSeduced = True
            "Alexia bit down on her lip and looked up at the imposing guardswoman with large wet eyes."
            al "Wait!"
            "Alexia drew her posture up into a more formal kneel. The sort Mistress Jezera liked. Of course, this had the secondary benefit of making her breasts more prominent. She drew her arms close to shove them up even further."
            al " I’m supposed to be here. I..I promise. But, if you want I can provide some...er...something to help you forget I was here.”"
            "The smile on the Orcess’ face grew from ear to ear. Her tusks curved."
            femorc "What kinda sumtin, you talkin’?"
            scene cg973 with fade
            pause 3
            "The taste was oddly familiar. Of course, Alexia was not such an expert on the flavor of other women that she could really make such a judgement. But, there was something soothing in that recognition."
            "Perhaps the juices of an Orcess was not much different from that of a human?"
            "Alexia was positioned with her head between the guardswoman’s legs, lapping steadily at her clit. She was practiced enough from her time with Mistress that she could do a passable job. Certainly the soft sighs of the woman above her suggested it was working."
            "To steady herself, she gripped the heels on her shoes. At least now they had some practical purpose. The other woman had one hand on the wall to steady herself."
            femorc "Ya musta been a slave. Musta. Ain’t no new pussy sucker got dis kinda skill."
            "Alexia moaned out into the green snatch in front of her and then went right back to work. Even as degrading and stressful as the situation was, there was still something about the words that had an effect on her. They were shameful. They were hot."
            "The sensations from the phalli didn’t help keep her calm. Her hips squirmed and bucked against them, as if they were attached to a man she was riding. The tempo of her tongue almost sped or slowed to the rhythm of the vibration."
            "A flow of female cum poured over her lips, dribbling down her chin and all the way down to her breasts. If any got low enough down, it might mix with the steady drip of her own wetness down the side of her leg."
            femorc "Dat's right take it. Take it. Ya little slut. Use dat fuckin’ mouth o’ urs."
            "Suddenly she grabbed Alexia’s head and jammed it harder into her crotch. Alexia gasped for air, but found no relief. So instead she threw herself deeper into the task, head twisting and shoving inward to help with the efforts to lap it all."
            "Her head grew fuzzy and white. That always seemed to happen now when she was overwhelmed by another woman’s scent."
            femorc "Take it like ya love it."
            "The other woman’s hips slammed into Alexia’s face. Her juices were everywhere. Alexia could only moan weakly into the orcess’ mons."
            femorc "Take it like...you're a little harlot who underestimated her own abilities. Who put herself down when she didn’t deserve it."
            "Alexia's eyes shot open. Did she hear that right?"
            femorc "Take it like a woman coming to realize her Mistress was right the entire time and she should have believed her."
            "Alexia put her hands to the Guardswoman’s thighs, and used the leverage to wrest herself free of the woman’s grasp."
            scene cg974 with fade
            pause 3
            "She looked up to see a face smirking down on her...and then the face shifted into the appearance of another person entirely..."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve


        "Stand her ground.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ femorcSeduced = False
            show alexia necklace naked at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "No."
            "Alexia shook her head. There was no way she could do it. Even with all of the...the tension from what had happened already. Whether it was a sense of dignity or whether it was Rowan, she couldn’t take that final plunge."
            "With some effort, she steadied herself to her feet and looked the Orcess in the eyes."
            al "I am an...an honored guest of Lady Jezera. What you have...oh...what you have s-seen here is nothing. If you don’t...oooh...want Jezera to be angry at you, you will f-f-forget you ever saw this."
            "The Orcess tilted her head to the side."
            femorc "Ya don’t look like a guest o’ da mistress."
            al "Looks can..can be deceiving. Do you want to bet your, er, life on it?"
            "A moment of silence passed. The only sound was the faint movement of the insertions inside her body...making it all the more difficult to maintain her composure. But, she couldn’t let herself show further weakness."
            femorc "Hrmm."
            "Suddenly, the guardswoman started to clap."
            femorc "I thought you’d attempt to be more seductive, but invoking the lady of the castle wasn’t a bad idea."
            femorc "There’d be no way for her to check, of course. But, were it so easy to escape with vague references to a higher authority, it would work more often, no?"
            femorc "Still, you deserve points for the effort! Not bad."
            show alexia necklace naked shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Alexia blinked twice."
            al "Wha-"
            "Before she could get out another word, the image in front of her began to shift. In moments the smiling woman in front of her was no longer an orc…"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Mistress Jezera!"

    "Alexia looked around the hallway frantically. But, the purple skinned body in front of her didn’t vanish. She was really there."

    al "How...Why…."

    if femorcSeduced == True:
        "She brought one hand to her aching jaw and worked it slowly. With some effort she managed to work her way back up to her feet. An effort the heels didn’t make easier."

    "Jezera smiled reassuringly and took Alexia’s hand to help her keep her footing."

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft  with dissolve

    je "Come now darling, did you actually think I'd leave you naked and terrified in a towerful of guards? That I'd so recklessly risk knowledge of our secret activities getting out?"
    je "Tsk tsk. I really hoped you’d think better of me than that by now."

    "She turned to the wall in front of her. She gave a wave of her hand, coated in blue magical tendrils. A shadow appeared on the wall, moving as if a person were there. Jezera repeated the gesture and the shadow vanished."

    je "All illusions. The guards outside the bedroom. The ones on the stairs outside the armoury. The spire is truly uninhabited."
    je "The insertions and their various activities were also me, of course. I made a little...game of trying to figure out the exact most devious time to turn them on."

    "To emphasize her point, she snapped her fingers and the phalli came to a dead halt."

    je "As for this latest exertion, well...I wanted to see how far you’d go."

    "Alexia opened her mouth to speak but words didn’t come out. It took time for her brain to process what was being said. A task made monumentally easier by the reduction in stimulation."

    al "I...I can't believe it. It’s…"
    al "I was shaking. I was just shaking, the whole time. I thought I would be discovered like this. I didn't know what to do."

    je "I know, darling. I know."

    al "All I could do was go on instinct. I haven’t been so terrified in a long time. My heart was beating so fast it was as if it was going to burst from my chest."

    "Jezera shifted from foot to foot not truly showing a reaction to what Alexia said. When she finished, Jezera cupped Alexia’s chin delicately with the tips of her fingers."

    je "And yet..."
    je "Look down by your feet. Do you see something?"

    "Jezera guided Alexia’s glance down to the spot on the floor where the figure had slipped out of Alexia’s hand."

    je "Proof that despite all your protestations that you accepted the wisdom of my lessons. "
    je "A lesser woman would have buckled beneath the pressure of being alone in a dangerous space. But, you kept composure, remembered my lessons, and completed the task."
    je "You've shown yourself a natural at infiltration...and shown yourself in need of a reward."

    "She directed Alexia’s face back to meet hers. Alexia had more she wanted to get out. Questions. Accusations. A thousand mixed emotions."
    "And yet, she said something else."

    al "A reward? What..what kind of reward?"

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft  with dissolve

    "Jezera snapped and the phalli roared back to life at full force. Alexia’s legs toppled beneath her and she fell to the floor, moaning and thrashing. The vibrations were so strong that they pounded deep at her core."

    je "The sort of reward I give a girl who's done a {i}very{/i} good job."
    je "Try to hold yourself together though, darling. This is just the start…"

    scene cg975 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg975
    show jezera naked happy behind cg975
    pause 3

    al "Ha...Ha...Ha…"

    "Alexia’s breath came out in a ragged pant at the exact same tempo as the Strap-On Cock thrusting inside her."
    "Jezera had positioned her on all fours on her bed. In her words, she wanted to “take her the way Rowan would”. But, in this case, that certainly didn’t mean gentle. "
    "The glass phallus was greater in girth than any human man could be. Jezera seemed to relish the sound it made when she worked it all the way inside Alexia’s body. Compared to it, the size of the insertions from before had been nothing."

    al "Ha...ah…."

    "A strange awareness had overtaken her. Jezera’s nails digging into her hips. The sweat running down her brow. The sploshing sound each time the Strap-On savaged her. All of it was so much more vivid and alive."
    "She bit down on the bed sheets, to try to take control of herself. But, her body was running on pure sensation now."
    "But, her mouth opened once more in another cry as yet another peak took her. A violent shake ran up and down her spine. Her thighs grew still damper."
    "How many times had it been? Jezera had made her cum so many times now. Each one robbed a little more strength from her arms. Each one had made it slightly harder to speak. She was being consumed by it. And she wanted to be consumed all the more."
    "Jezera was at her ear whispering things. Alexia couldn’t even make out what she was saying anymore. At the start, she’d called Alexia a slut. An addict to her strap-on. All of it was so true."
    "Even if she couldn’t hear these new words, she knew they were true too. The desperate way she pumped her hips back against Jezera’s phallic idol was all the proof she needed."
    "Her Mistress drew a hand to the top of her back, and slowly ran her nails down the length of it. Alexia cried out. The talons drew their way down slowly and methodically. The pain of it was impossible to tell apart from the pleasure of the fake-cock inside her. "
    "They became one in her mind."
    "As quickly as the previous one had come, another orgasm came bubbling under the surface. Everything Jezera did raised the pressure. Every pump of her Mistresses hips pushed her closer to that edge."

    al "...wh..ait…"
    al "...wait…"

    "Suddenly, it all came to a halt. She whimpered involuntarily. Her hips were still rolling, as if outside her command."

    je "I haven’t totally broken you yet, I hope?"

    "Jezera giggled. Alexia peered over her shoulder with droopy eyes. Jezera’s body was sweaty with exertion and her cheeks were red with desire. But, otherwise she maintained her normal composure."

    al "I...you face…"

    je "Huh?"

    al "I...wanna...look into your..e-eyes…"

    "Jezera smiled softly."

    je "Of course, Dove. Whatever you desire."

    scene cg976 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg976
    show jezera naked happy behind cg976
    pause 3

    "Her Mistress skillfully eased her into a position atop her lap. Alexia sighed as she sank back down on the fake cock. Her sex was so abused and the strap-on so lubricated that it posed no challenge."
    "The natural impulse of her exhausted body was to make her eyes flutter. But, Alexia threw the last of her strength into keeping them open. To look Jezera in the eyes."

    al "You never...never left? T-the entire time? You never left?"

    je "The entire time. Every moment. I was there shadowing you and making sure you weren’t pushed further than you could handle."

    "Alexia felt strong soft hands wrapped around her back. Feminine finger tips felt along the painful ridges of the new claw marks. Her other hand went to Alexia’s shoulder and pushed downward."
    "This time, her eyes slammed shut. Jezera’s insertion was so deep inside of her now. That last little bit of strength had faded. Jezera pushed her to move and her body followed along."
    "The most perfect pair of lips went to her ear."

    je "Cum."

    "And Alexia did. Then, she lost her sense of place and the world...."

    jump jezCorVisitAftercare_rp

    label jezCorVisitAftercare_rp:

    #aftercareCG
    scene cg610 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg610
    show alexia slave happy behind cg610

    "She opened her eyes, to find that the situation had changed. She was now curled up and pressed to Jezera’s body. Soft feminine arms wrapped around her. She was being held in the way she’d imagined Rowan would hold her during the years of his absence."
    "Alexia whimpered softly and pressed herself into the warm touch."

    je "Shhh. Shhh…You did good today, you were a good girl."

    al "Mmm..."

    if jezCorVisits == 1:
        "Her back arched softly. She wasn't sure if she should recoil or not. Her mind was racing. Was this really okay? Being in this position? Being called a good girl by this woman…"
        "...a good girl..."

    if jezCorVisits == 2:
        "Her back arched. She was still hesitant but didn’t recoil. Her mind was racing. As her mind returned to her, so did her uneasiness. But, it was hard to deny that there was a certain magic to hearing it."
        "...Hearing she was a good girl..."

    else:
        "Her back arched. After a stressful training session there was nothing better than Jezera’s encouraging reminders. What had once been a source of some misgiving had almost entirely faded, save for a lingering sense of wrongness."
        "...She was growing to like being a good girl.."


    "Alexia’s eyes drifted closed once more. Best, not to think about it. Best not to think at all."

    if jezCorVisitScene == "facesitting":
        "Yet, even without trying to think about it, her mind went backwards. To the darkness. To the smell and taste overwhelming her senses. The desperation…"
        je "You’re starting to squirm again. Are you sure you can even handle another round?"
        je "It would be a shame if I broke you."
        "Alexia shuddered slightly. She wasn’t sure if that was teasing, a threat, or something in between."
        al "N-n no. I’m content. Even a bit w-worn out."
        je "If you insist, my dear. We will go at a pace that you can handle."
        "Alexia let herself smile this time."

    if jezCorVisitScene == "dancing":
        "She subtly ran her hands over her wrists, now free from the bands. It had been strange, being so completely controlled. Not unpleasant, but definitely strange. Not something she would choose to do often, of course…"
        je "Thinking about it?"
        al "Yeah."
        "She smiled softly to herself. While she’d remember everything she learned about dancing tonight. That memory would be the most vivid."

    if jezCorVisitScene == "infiltration":
        "Her hand danced to her abdomen. Everything beneath her waist was sore. Her ankles were almost more sore than her hips. Almost."
        je "Starting to think about the test?"
        al "Yeah…"
        al "At first I was doing it just because I had to. But, at some point I think I wanted to find it. If I did then I’d prove the hopes you’ve placed on me are well deserved."
        "Jezera reached to the side table and held the figure of herself aloft."
        je "Oh, I know I’m right. Even if you’d failed, I would have simply resolved to come up with an even more ingenious test to prove it."
        "Alexia shivered softly and squirmed into Jezera’s arms."
        al "I shudder to think of what kind of more elaborate event you would have come up with them."
        je "Shudder with fear? Or with something else?"
        "Alexia didn’t answer that."

    "Alexia sighed. She felt like she was floating on a cloud. It made everything so fuzzy."
    "She felt a pair of lips meet her own. Jezera’s mouth seeking hers to use. Alexia didn’t mind. She eagerly joined in, letting her mouth open wider to give the demoness more room to explore."
    "How long did she spend kissing her? Time lost its meaning and her world shrunk to the single point of lips locked with lips. All she felt was the disappointment welling up from below as Jezera retreated backwards."

    je "Well now, it seems we’ve had our fun. But, a promise is a promise. It’s time to return you to your husband, safe and sound."
    je "If not a little...enlightened."

    "Alexia blushed. Rowan..."

    if jezCorVisits == 1:
        al "This is all still so new to me…"
        al "I don’t even know what to say…"
        "Jezera replaced the kiss with a finger, pressing it to Alexia’s lips to silence her."
        je "You don’t have to say anything at all, love. This was more about feeling then speaking, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. You will process all of this more in time."
        je "Perhaps even ask for more."
        "Jezera giggled. Alexia still didn’t know what to say. But, perhaps she wasn’t supposed to know?"

    if jezCorVisits == 2:
        al "I still don’t even know what to say. All of this is so new still."
        "Jezera replaced the kiss with a finger, pressing it to Alexia’s lips to silence her."
        je "Put it into a word, love. An idea can be difficult, ephemeral things. Slipping through your fingers."
        je "One word."
        "Alexia searched herself. What could capture the strange excitement? The gnawing tension? The pleasure?"
        al "Thrill."
        "Jezera gave her a reassuring smile."
        je "A good word, Pet. What is life without thrills?"

    else:
        al "If only I could stay. Surely, Rowan can wait for another few hours yet?"
        "Jezera replaced the kiss with a finger, pressing it to Alexia’s lips to silence her."
        je "Growing addicted to the pleasure, love? Be careful. The problem with addicts is that they tend to make poor choices?"
        al "True probably. Which is why I keep coming back here, at this point."
        je "Poor choices?"
        "The demoness laughed."
        je "I don’t know about that, Dove. Does coming for our little visits really seem like such a poor choice to you?"
        "Alexia went silent for a moment. Then she smiled softly."
        al "So what do you have planned for next time, Mistress?"
        "They both giggled."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused with dissolve

    "Alexia dressed as normal before leaving. The choker was left on Jezera’s nightstand. The demoness even gave her a smack on the ass as she left. Alexia wasn’t able to suppress a moan at that."
    "She had to return to her room now. It would not due for her to spend the night in Jezera’s room. People might notice. But, as she left, part of her was left imagining...what would happen if she did?"

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label alexia_med_corruption_rp:

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good (Rowan is not corrupt)":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 1
            $ rowanCorrupt = False
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
        "Good (Rowan is corrupt)":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 2
            $ rowanCorrupt = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
        "Bad":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 0
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True

    "Is Alexia corrupted? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes, by Jezera":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = "jezera"
        "Yes, by Andras":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = "andras"
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = "none"


    $ midCorHappened = True
    show smoke transition
    pause 6
    show bg31 behind smoke with dissolve
    pause 1
    hide smoke transition

    scene bg31
    show alexia intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia hummed to herself as she carried a pair of wooden buckets up the rolling hillside. A light breeze ruffled the tall grass to either side of the dirt trail. The faint sound of activity rose from the village below."
    "This was not the first time she’d made the trek this week. Not even the first time today. She was heading to the secret little garden of flowers that she’d been working on at the summit. Her plants were so hard to please. They always sang for more water."
    "It had everything. Petunias, Roses, Irises. In a sea of green hillside, it was a colorful landmark. A monument to the fact that Alexia lived here."
    "The first sign that something was off, was the absence of a frequent companion. The cat that had a home in a nearby tree wasn’t there at this afternoon. Despite herself, she was almost disappointed. He was a constant, almost always in his little perch."

    show alexia intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "But, when she reached the hilltop, where her garden was waiting, her jaw fell. She even dropped the buckets to the ground."
    "In the mere hours since she’d last been there, something horrible had happened. Something impossible. A large sapling was bursting out of the ground in the middle of the plot for the daisies. "
    "The wood of the invader was a repulsive black."
    "But, the effect it had extended to the entire garden. Long obsidian tendrils poked out of the dirt in all of the other plots. The sapling’s roots. Wherever it went, it brought death and chaos. Flowers that had hours before been fine were wilting."

    "She sunk to her knees."

    al "How could this have possibly happened?"
    al "I was here just hours ago. This is monstrous. This is impossible. I worked so hard to make this place perfect. "
    al "This was my private place."

    "Her eyes narrowed in on the sapling. Her heart swelled with emotion. It was disgusting. It was vile. It had destroyed the garden that she’d cared so much about. She should bring an axe and chop it down. She should destroy it."
    "She rose, and approached the sapling cautiously. It was almost as tall as she was, yet it was still thin and weak. Perhaps she could simply snap it in half with her bare hands. Let the broken black husk of the invader serve as the tombstone to this place that she loved."
    "It looked so smooth. Unnatural yet oddly appealing. In a strange way it was almost…"
    "Almost...beautiful…."
    "The tree shook slightly. It rattled the same way old bones do."
    "Then, in the center of the trunk, an eye opened. It’s wide iris looked directly at Alexia. It surveyed its new home. Alexia put her hands over her mouth. The eye looked at her with judgement. She felt undressed."
    "The eye swiveled around taking in the sights of the garden. Then it refocused on her."
    "Alexia felt her feet glued to the ground. Did she want to scream at it? Did she want to run from it? Did she want to understand how it had come to be."

    questi "You’re confused."

    "Alexia felt her mouth open, without understanding why."

    al "I’m afraid."

    questi "You’re confused. Why are you confused?"

    "Alexia’s mouth spoke again."

    al "Because you’re strange. You’re wrong. This is wrong. You don’t belong here?"

    questi "I don’t belong here? Are you sure?"

    al "…"
    al "No."

    questi "Come here. Will you still feel I don’t belong here if you come to know me?"

    "Alexia couldn’t argue with that logic. Yet, there were still voices in her head screaming. What had happened to her garden? How can such a black vile thing be trusted."

    show alexia intro aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She approached the tree and put a hand on its perfect trunk. At once she felt a fire, spread through her body from the point of contact. It settled between her legs."

    al "Ah."

    questi "Now do you know me? Now are you confused?"

    al "I-"

    scene black with fade

    "Alexia blinked."
    "Alexia saw a blue storm rage overhead above a land where the trees grew from up to down. The broken incoherent landscape was as overwhelming and consuming as the storm over head. Yet, it too was almost beautiful."
    "Alexia blinked."
    "She was standing in front of a doorway. Inside all she could see was a winding traverse of paths. The structure was old. Writing carved into it had long since been erased. "
    "But, the area around the doorway was all wrong. The sand was pure crimson, and the sky was illuminated by dancing colors. Alexia had not been too many places, but she knew that this was not anywhere she’d ever even heard of."
    "Alexia blinked."
    "She was naked and kneeling on some strange platform. She gazed forward, and a familiar face gazed back at her. Rowan. The man she loved. The man she’d centered her entire life around. "
    "She wanted to open her mouth and tell him about the flower garden. About that beautiful horrible sapling. But, she couldn’t speak."

    if rowanAlexiaRelationship == 2:
        "Instead, she was forced to watch on in silent horror as the face in front of her distorted and twisted in on itself. Bones and cartilage twisted and contorted unnaturally. When it finally finished, she was staring at an entirely new, entirely different face."
        "The question was just if it was still Rowan’s face at all?"

    elif rowanAlexiaRelationship == 1:
        "Instead, she was forced to stare straight ahead as something happened to her. At first it was a little bit painful. It was only through him she knew something was happening. His mouth gaped in shock...in disgust at the changes that were happening. He was disgusted by her."
        "There was a creaking sound. Her entire face was shifting. Changing. Would she even recognize herself when she was done? Would he?"

    else:
        "She stared at Rowan’s face for a long time. The longer she looked the more angry she got. How could he just look at her like that? How could he expect her to keep on staring at him forever? Didn’t he know that she was her own person? That she didn’t owe him anything?"
        "Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck him. Fuck him. She spat in Rowan’s face."

    "That was when the silence was broken. A single statement that pierced the veil."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    ro "Why?"

    "Alexia didn’t know. She blinked."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        scene bg9 with fade
        show alexia white concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia felt cold. She blinked twice more, but the world around her didn’t fade away anymore. She was in bed with Rowan. The cold was the breeze through the slightly opened window."
        "Alexia rose from bed and shut the window. There was sand in her eyes."
        "Just what had that dream been?"
        "She looked back at Rowan. Her arm stretched and unstretched."
        "The garden, the tree, that strange cacophony of images? She’d never had a dream like that before. Hell, she’d never even kept a garden when she lived in Arthdale."
        "She had wanted to, though."
        "Rowan was on his side snoring loudly. It had been years since the peaceful post-war days. But, he still looked the same. Or at least mostly the same."
        if rowanCorrupt == True:
            "But, looks could be deceiving..."
        else:
            "After all, when it came down to it, she was the one who’d changed most..."
        al "...Rowan, I…"
        "She shook her head. What was there to even say to him?"
        show alexia white neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Maybe she shouldn’t have shut the window. Alexia decided that perhaps she needed some air. Some real air."
        "Alexia walked over to the closet. She needed to get dressed."

    else:
        scene bg7 with fade
        show alexia white concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia felt uncomfortable. She was sweating. She blinked twice and looked around. She was back in her guest room. All the blankets on her must have trapped the heat."
        "Just what had that dream been?"
        "She stretched her arms and let out a big yawn. Her eyes scanned the room. It felt like there should be something else here."
        "The garden, the tree, that strange cacophony of images? She’d never had a dream like that before. Hell, she’d ever even kept a garden when she lived in Arthdale."
        "She had wanted too, though."
        "Alexia wrapped herself in her arms. Even that element of touch felt good. "
        al "I shouldn’t have wine before bed."
        "She rose from bed and walked automatically to her closet. The room had a malaise hanging over it. It was too stuffy and too quiet. It made Alexia want to get a bit of air. Use a walk to get that dream out of her system."

    scene cg262 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg262

    "The wind swept softly over the black Bloodmeen sky this morning. Alexia could feel it clearly from atop one of the unused castle spires that pierce the clouds. From this vantage point she could see the peaks of mountains miles away. The snow on their peaks was so beautiful."
    "Alexia brushed her hand along the stone railings. This was not the first time that she’d come up here. She liked to take private walks to clear her head. It was all in the castle, so her captors didn’t mind."
    "She looked over the railings and found a seemingly endless drop. From her readings, she’d learned that being thrown from the spires had once been a common execution method here. So it was strange that she found this a place of peace."
    "Alexia breathed in the air. It was rather thin here. It was easy to get light headed. Perhaps that was the point?"

    al "Sometimes, I feel like you don’t live out here, Solansia. That this is a place you can’t reach."

    "She spoke out towards the rising sun."

    al "Mother taught me that you were always watching over us. That you cared for your children above all else. "
    al "But, if you do, why did this all happen?"
    al "So, I have to believe it’s something about the place. That you want to help, but you can’t. Otherwise, mother was wrong."
    al "..."
    al "The more I think about it, the more it feels that mother was wrong about a lot of things…"

    "The back of her hand brushed against her bosom. Even that felt good."
    "She turned the corner of the spire, and found herself staring at something she hadn’t expected to see. Something that shook her bones."
    "Many of the spires had little gardens at the top. Because this was Bloodmeen, and thus designed by demons, they often had demonic roses or thickets of spiky plants designed less to lighten the place up and more to terrify. They clung to life on the moisture of passing clouds."
    "But, this garden had something she’d never seen before."
    "There was a tall strong hardwood tree bursting out of the ground, with its uppermost branches entwining with gargoyles on the spire. It was a tree that had grown together with the building. It was an astonishing sight, unlike anything she’d seen before…"
    "...and the wood of the tree was absolutely pitch black. All color drained from Alexia’s face."
    "It wasn’t the same tree exactly. It looked more real, more natural, than the gangly creature of last night. It was also old and strong, unlike the strange ephemeral sapling. The lack of a giant eye was also a fairly notable distinction."
    "However, the wood was the same unsettling black. More to the point, it certainly had a dark aura to it. As Alexia stood in its presence, she felt it like a gravity pool urging that she come closer."

    menu:
        "Flee from the tree.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ midCorFlee = True
            "Alexia took a step backwards. Then another. In moments, she broke into an open run away from the nightmare come to life. How had that got there? Had it always been there?"
            "She ducked back inside the building. Suddenly she didn’t seem to mind the stuffiness quite as much. Her mind was racing. Her heart was racing."
            "What had she just seen? And why had she...why has she wanted to approach it, just like she had in the dream?"
            if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
                scene bg9 with fade
            else:
                scene bg7 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "She curled up in the corner, with her arms wrapped around her legs. Tears had started rolling down her face."
            "There was something strange going on. Something horrifying. That couldn’t have been an ordinary tree. It must have been somehow magic. After all, surely someone like Jezera or Clionha had the power to warp the dreams of their subject."
            "Alexia balled her hands into a fist."
            "But, did they have the power to make someone like those dreams?"
            if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
                show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve
                ro "Alexia, are you okay? What’s wrong?"
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                al "It’s nothing really. You don’t have to worry about it at all. I’m just still getting used to this place. Even after all this time, it’s still so strange, you know?"
                al "...That’s all."
                al "That’s all."
            scene black with fade
            "Alexia has now reached medium corruption. Her reaction to different events and scenes will change as a result. At this rate, Alexia’s corruption will only grow and grow…"
            return

        "Approach the tree. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ midCorFlee = False
            "Alexia’s eyes glazed over slightly. What would be so wrong with taking a closer look? It wasn’t every day one saw the figment of a dream come to life. Maybe, it would just be a strange coincidence"
            "Her hips swayed ever so slightly as she stepped towards it. The dream had already started to blur, but that fire she’d felt hadn’t."
            "Her hand touched the exterior of the tree. Hard. Strong. Smooth. The smoothness was the most unnatural element. It should have felt more coarse and bumpy. But, what she didn’t feel was that same fire shoot up her body."
            "She stroked the tree softly. Perhaps it had all been her mind playing tricks on her. Perhaps she’d seen this tree before, and the reason there was a black tree in her dream was because her brain was playing tricks on her. Certainly this tree didn’t have a large eye in the middle of it."
            "Alexia sighed and slumped down against the tree. It was a good spot to lay against. Despite the tree’s hardness, it almost felt like laying down in freshly cleaned sheets."
            "She wasn’t even cold anymore. Her conscious mind didn’t even process it, but the closer she was to the tree the less she felt the high altitude wind and the chill it sent through her body."
            "She closed her eyes…and at once images went through her head."
            scene black with fade
            if alexiaCorrupt == "andras":
                "The strong embrace of a hand on the back of her neck. The knowledge she was about to...taken…and that there was nothing she could do about it. The feeling of a massive cock filling her body…"
                "...slamming into her with a strength not held back by sentiment or concern. The man wanted to user her body, and didn’t care what she thought on the matter…"
                "...Not that she disliked it..."
            elif alexiaCorrupt == "jezera":
                "The scent of female anatomy mere inches from her face. The feeling of her arms and legs tied down. No escape to be found anywhere. That intoxicating scent coming closer and closer..."
                "...Then smothering her. Making it impossible to breathe. Only one thing to do…"
                "...Open her mouth and put her tongue to work."
            else:
                "Hands were running up and down her body. It could have been two. It could have been a hundred. But, everywhere they touched, like ripples in a pond, electricity moved out in every direction. A thrilling, erotic lightning…"
                "...It was everywhere now. In her legs, in her arms, in her bosom. Her body squirmed outside of her control…"
                "...Everything was lost to the pleasure. Everything was the pleasure…"
            "When she opened her eyes, she found her own hands moving. They were rubbing her breasts, and her legs. Alexia gasped out. How had her body gotten so sensitive, so eager, in such a short amount of time?"
            "In a rush, she threw off her dress. She didn’t need it. The tree would be her warmth."
            #cg1
            scene cg301 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg301
            pause 3
            "Now, without anything to get in her way, her hands went back to work. A long feminine groan slipped past her lips at the exact moment that two of her fingers sank into her cunt. Her other hand was busy pawing at her nipples, tweaking and rubbing them."
            "It had taken some time, but she could feel it now. Her body was alight. There was fire running through her veins. Fire between her legs. She felt like she bursting with constrained heat. She liked how that felt."
            al "Ah..."
            "Normally she liked to put more effort into rubbing her clit, but her fingers sank deep into her sex. It felt good to have something inside of her. She liked how it felt too."
            "That one thought prevailed over the others. She liked this. She liked the frantic movement of her fingers into her body. She liked the lewd display she was putting on. She liked the thought of someone coming up here and seeing what a slut she was."
            "That’s right. What a total slut."
            al "Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I’m a slut. I’m a total slut. Ah."
            "The sound it made would be unmistakable. The watery sound of a pussy in use. So too would the smell. There was something deeply erotic about the knowledge that this place would smell like her lewdness if anyone passed."
            "Alexia worked her finger faster and faster. Building up to it. There was no restraint or consideration. Just a powerful desire to bring herself to orgasm. To bathe in the way that it felt."
            al "A slut. A slut. Ah. Such a slut. Such a fucking slut. Ah."
            "She was so close now. The heat was rising up. It was consuming her. It was mere moments from pouring out her body. Her fingers put everything they could into…"
            "Plop. There was an odd sound next to her. Alexia slowed down, though did not stop touching entirely, to see what it had been."
            #cg2
            scene cg302 with fade
            pause 3
            "One of the strange fruit growing high up in the tree had fallen right next to her. She used the hand that had been at her breast to pick it up and examine it."
            "Had it been...a gift for her? There would only be one way to find out…"
            "A voice in the back of her head pleaded for her to stop. Didn’t she understand what would happen to her if she indulged herself too much? Didn’t she see what was happening to her?"
            "Alexia didn’t listen to that voice. Instead she bit into the bizarre fruit."
            #cg3
            scene cg304 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg304
            pause 3
            "The moment she tasted it’s sweet nectar, her head went fuzzy. It tasted like it had been dipped in honey. She took another bite. Orange juices dribbled down her chin, down her breasts, over her stomach…"
            "Her body was stained by its juices. The taste of it made her head buzz. It was so hard to think. She just wanted more."
            "The fingers between her legs slowly pumped away. They kept her riding the edge of a coming orgasm. So close she could feel it, but still building and building the longer she kept this high."
            al "I….Oh…"
            "She couldn’t help herself. She couldn’t stop biting into the sweet tasting fruit. She couldn’t stop fucking herself at just the right pace to keep her moaning and squirming."
            "With all the liquids running over her body, she was making herself dirty. The sticky filth of the fruit’s juices stained her skin, and pooled together underneath her with her own wetness. The strange mixture watered the dark tree."
            "Alexia’s mind had long since faded off. It was lost in the overpowering high that both the fruit and the eroticism of the moment offered her. Instead it was like her body was acting on its own. Like a marionette. "
            "Her empty moaning called out into the distance. It was like a cry to the heavens. How could she even care if she was being too loud? If everyone in the entire castle could hear what a fucking slut she was, that would make it all the sweeter."
            "Her nether region spasmed. Her cunt ached for pleasure. The fire in her body ached for release. The high in her mind ached for complete bliss. The entirety of Alexia’s being cried out to go over the edge."
            "And it was obliged."
            questi "Cum."
            #cg4
            scene cg303 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg303
            pause 3
            al "Ah! Ah! Ah!"
            "Alexia gasped and squirmed and spasmed. Her body was in the midst of pure release. The fire that had swept her insides exploded out with all of her energy. It was an eye rolling, mind melting orgasm."
            "In the process, her spasming cunt let loose a torrent of her own juices. It watered the base of the dark tree."
            "When the ghost of the orgasm had passed, it left the limp form of Rowan’s wife, curled up against the trunk. Her eyes fluttered weakly, and her mouth hung awkwardly. Her form was devoid of all strength, all energy."
            "As the fog over her head cleared, a single thought pierced through. If that what was the pleasure of living in a place like Bloodmeen, then why would anyone ever leave?"
            "But, that thought was followed by a second, less accepting one. A curiosity. Why had she done that? Didn’t she know that she shouldn’t have approached the tree? After all, it was surely magic. It had to be trying to do something to her."
            "...Something…"
            questi "Is this where you heard that noise from?"
            "Alexia blinked awake. There were voices in the distance, figures talking. With that realization, came the second realization that she was naked and covered in filth."
            questi "Do you think it’s some kind of infiltration?"
            questi "Idiot. Since when can humans fly?"
            "Alexia scrambled to her discarded dress, and threw it on as quickly as she could. That had been a fun...diversion, but it would be better if no one found her. Especially not like that."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
            "Later on, that same day, another odd occurrence happened. Alexia was walking down the hallway when she ran into Jezera. Her Mistress looked her up and down, as the woman always seemed to do, and kept going."
            "But, as she passed, she let loose a sly little comment."
            je "Someone is looking sunny today. Did something fun happen that I had the misfortune to miss?"
            "Alexia didn’t respond to the demoness. But, when she reflected on the encounter, she realized that Jezera had been right."
            "She really had been smiling."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
            scene black with fade
            "Alexia has now reached medium corruption. Her reaction to different events and scenes will change as a result. At this rate, Alexia’s corruption will only grow and grow…"
            return

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption3.rpy
label alexia_high_corruption_rp:

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good (Rowan is not corrupt)":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 1
            $ rowanCorrupt = False
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
        "Good (Rowan is corrupt)":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 2
            $ rowanCorrupt = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
        "Bad":
            $ rowanAlexiaRelationship = 0
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True

    "Is Alexia corrupted? (affects character design and a slight CG variation)"
    menu:
        "Yes, by Jezera":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes, by Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False
        "No":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    $ midCorFlee = False

    scene bg31 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia felt dirt on the underside of her feet. She looked down and found herself standing in the middle of a countryside road. Overhead, the sun was shining bright."
    "She squinted."

    al "This isn’t right? Wasn’t I in...Bloodm…"

    "She looked down on her dress and found a smear covering the front side. She hissed softly and brushed at it with her hands. But, no matter what she tried, it remained dirty."
    "She’d have to wash it in the stream later."
    "Her eyes settled on the road ahead of her. She knew this path. It led the way to Arthdale. In fact, she could see the faint outline of the old village in the distance. A soft sigh escaped her lips."
    "That was the direction that called out to her. Home. She hadn’t been there in so long. She settled down the road with…"

    menu:
        "Bubbly excitement.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "...Hesitant steps.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "But, upon arrival in Arthdale, not all was well. She sank down to her knees with both hands going up to cover her mouth."

    al "No… No! "

    scene bg5 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "The village was a smoldering ruin. Broken and burnt buildings had replaced the vibrant rustic street corners where she had lived almost her entire life."
    "It was the twins doing. Because of them, Arthdale was reduced to rubble. Her birthplace, and the town that held so many pleasant memories to her."
    "If only she could recall just one?"

    al "But...my home…my home!"

    "She blinked twice and rose to her feet. She went running, searching for the place she wanted to see most. That beautiful little cottage where Rowan had made a life for her."

    if rowanAlexiaRelationship == 2:
        "But, that too had been destroyed. The building still stood, but it was now blackened by fire and soot so dark it was near unrecognizable."

    elif rowanAlexiaRelationship == 0:
        "But, that too had been destroyed. All that remained of it was the foundations."

    else:
        pass

    "She scowled and her hands shook. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair how much had been taken from her. She wanted to scream. She wanted to hurt someone in response. She clenched her fists."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "…This isn’t the end, right? Right?"

    "She let her fingers uncurl. The day Arthdale burned, she feared all was lost. Powerless, she lingered in her cell, dreaming of her hero, dreaming of turning back the clock. Never realizing that just maybe, she wasn’t so powerless after all."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "… I can fix this. I- I can fix this!"

    "She outstretched her arms towards the destroyed village. Her lungs swelled with a deep breath. Her eyes fluttered."
    "...And then her hands began to glow."
    "At once, the discarded ruins around her began to rise into the air. At her command, they reformed into buildings once again. Not a shred of the devastation remained."

    #bloodmeen courtyard
    scene black with fade

    "But, as quickly as the relief came, so did a new dawning dread. The former houses of her friends and neighbors were not turning into village dwellings. Instead, they were growing and growing, made from stone rather than wood."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "She turned around and found herself in the midst of a grand rising fortress of towers and spires. Even the very ground beneath her turned to cobblestone. Her heart sank."

    al "No!"

    scene bg5 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She waved her hands frantically in front of her. And, when she opened her eyes again, the towers and stones were nowhere to be seen. She was back amidst the ruins and devastation that had once been Arthdale. "

    al "Ha..."

    "A hollow laugh escaped her lips. Was this really any better? This graveyard of memories?"

    al "…I should try something else. Maybe… "

    "She waved her hands once more. Her eyes sealed shut in anticipation."

    scene black with fade

    "But, when she opened them again, she still wasn’t treated to the sight of a restored Arthdale. Instead, her eyes were assaulted by a flood of images quite unlike anything she experienced before."
    "The sky above her was a swirl of red and blue, warring and turning into each other like a war amongst the clouds. The buildings around her were even more disturbing. Their surfaces twisted and bent into ugly shapes, like the branches of a dying tree."
    "She took a step back. Her jaw stood agape."
    "The structures themselves seemed to dance...perhaps even to laugh. Human faces emerged from their surfaces briefly to laugh at her. She looked down at her feet and found the floor itself coming in and out of reality."
    "All of it was twisted. All of it was hostile. Pure chaos."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve


    al "...No..."

    "She waved her hand. But, the nightmares around her didn’t cease. They kept growing, shifting, advancing."
    "She held both hands up again and her voice rose to a defiant shout."

    al "NOOOO!!!!!!!!"

    scene white with flash

    "And the world in front of her was enveloped in a brilliant flash of light."

    #bloodmeen courtyard
    scene black with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "She sank down to her knees. That last intervention had taken her away from that strange shifting place. But, she was back amongst the towering stone buildings of the pseudo village from before. It’s austere exterior was made only bearable by the contrast with the madness before."
    "However, there was something very different this time. She saw people on the periphery of her vision. Alexia started towards them. Finally, someone was here. She wouldn’t be alone."
    "But, no one seemed to notice, or even respond to Alexia’s approach. All of the people she saw were crowded around a vast statue in the central square of the village. "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Giving up on trying to get their attention, she pushed her past the crowd, and looked up at the landmark. "

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "The stone depicted two people - one man and one woman. The man had great muscles and a masculine vigour that made the woman seem all the more feminine in contrast. He stood while she knelt. This too heightened the contrast. It made her look small. Submissive."
        "But, between them were a set of iron bars. The woman’s stone hands clung to them. Yet, the man was reaching out through the spaces in between. And in his fingers there was a box."
        scene cg821 with fade
        pause 2
        "A familiar box…"
        #bloodmeen courtyard
        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        "There was a knot in Alexia’s stomach. She looked down and realized her own form had changed."
        #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "She was wearing the lewd undergarments that Andras so liked to see her wear. And printed on her abdomen was a familiar sign. Her hand softly traced the place where the tattoo appeared."
        "Then did that mean this statute was…?"
        $ event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] = 'Andras'

    elif alexiaJezObedient:
        "The stone depicted a lithe woman cradling a dagger in her hands. Her pose was bent forward in a ready stance, as if prepared to run or fight."
        "But, it wasn’t a human woman. Not exactly. Her mouth had seams, the way a doll might. And hints of lines rose from her wrists and ankles. The sort a puppet would wear."
        "And more unusual was where she was standing. She was perched atop a giant, detailed hand. The long fingernails on each digit looked almost more like talons. Surrounding her."
        scene cg390 with fade
        pause 2
        "It made her feel odd. Like she was floating..."
        #bloodmeen courtyard
        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia took a step back. There was a knot in her stomach. In the process, she nearly tripped over her own two feet. Something was different."
        show alexia slave neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "She looked down to discover a new outfit clothing her. A familiar one. A sheer nightgown in black paired with a pair of sultry high heels."
        "Without thinking a hand went to her neck. She sighed softly at the touch of the choker around her throat."
        "Then, did that mean this statute was…?"
        $ event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] = 'Jezera'

    elif rowanAlexiaRelationship == 2:
        "The statue depicted two thrones back to back. Mirrored in perfect symmetry as if on a playing card."
        "In one throne there was a man whose head buckled beneath a great crown. His hands were wrapped around the hilt of an imposing great sword as large as he was."
        "In the other, there was a crowned female form. She sat with legs crossed. Her hand was outstretched in a beckoning expression."
        "A king and a queen."
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "She took a step back. But, the action sent a chill deep down her spine. She looked down and found her dress entirely absent. In fact, all she still wore was a pair of dark heels."
        "That statue..."
        $ event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] = 'Naked'

    else:
        "The Statute depicted a lone solitary figure, surrounded by enemies. The shapes and faces could not be made out. But, the aggressive leering poses of the other figures made the sight of the one at the center seem all the more vulnerable."
        "It was one against the world."
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "She took a step back. But, the action sent a chill deep down her spine. She looked down and found her dress entirely absent. In fact, all she still wore was a pair of dark heels."
        "That statute...."
        $ event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] = 'Naked'

    "Swallowing hard, she pulled herself away from the statue and the silent crowd. Each vision, more twisted than the one before. Each filled with ashes, ruins, lone towers and stone, cold structures."

    if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
        #show alexia slut necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
        show alexia slave concerned at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "…Is this what I’m meant for?"

    "Something shining caught her attention. Eager for a change of scenery, she approached it, her step still slightly wobbly as her feet acclimated to the new heels. What she found was a small shard of mirror, left spewn among the chaos."

    if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
        #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
        show alexia slave neutral at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "In it, she was treated to a reflection of herself in all her immodest glory. Her mouth parted softly. The woman staring back at her was clearly herself. Yet, from her outfit to her demeanor something dramatic had changed. Was this really her? She looked like such a...such a slut."
    "For some reason, that brought a smile to her lips. And she looked at her grinning expression, she saw something strange. Something… Dripping down the side of her chin."

    if midCorFlee:
        "She touched it, and found the orange substance sticking to her fingers. She scooped it up, and as she brought it under her nose, her senses were instantly assaulted by a strange, sweet fragrance."
        "She didn’t know why, but it felt familiar to her, in some way she didn’t understand. It called to her - more so than anything else in this place."
        "Her fingers moved on their own, but as they neared her lips, it was her own choice to open her mouth, and give them a careful lick."
        if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
            show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
            show alexia slave aroused at midleft with dissolve
        else:
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Instantly, her head went fuzzy, and she started lapping at the orange juice, plunging the fingers into her mouth, sucking the juice greedily. She closed her eyes. Gods, it made her feel so alive!"
        "… When she opened them again, she was no longer in Arthdale. "
        #plains night
        scene bg31 with fade
        if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
            show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
            show alexia slave aroused at midleft with dissolve
        else:
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "She now stood amidst a familiar grove, overrun by black roots. The dead and decaying remains of the plants that had lived here before were twisted into its branches."
        "All of it led to the centerpiece. A black tree. A tree she ran away from before, terrified to the core. She wasn’t afraid now. To the contrary - she felt at peace here, in this black garden."
        "She took a look around, then tilted her head as she focused on the tree again. It took a strange form now - that of a great black wood throne, standing sovereign over the entire grove."

    else:
        "She touched it, and found the orange substance sticking to her fingers. She scooped it up, and as she brought it under her nose, her senses were instantly assaulted by a familiar, sweet fragrance."
        if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
            show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
            show alexia slave aroused at midleft with dissolve
        else:
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        al "Aaaah… It’s been so long... "
        "Without thinking, she plunged her fingers into her mouth, sucking the delicious nectar of the dark fruit she so vividly recalled. No, ashes and ruins would not be her destiny."
        "She closed her eyes, still sucking her fingers, focusing on the ambrosia that still lingered between them. There was no doubt where she would be when she opened them again."
        #plains night
        scene bg31 with fade
        if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
            show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
            show alexia slave aroused at midleft with dissolve
        else:
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "When the light returned, she was in the midst of a familiar grove. But, unlike how she’d ever seen it before. It was beyond overrun by black roots. The dead and decaying remains of the plants that had lived here before were twisted into its branches."
        "All of it led to the centerpiece. A black tree. Only, it wasn’t shaped how she had expected. Instead, it took the form of a great black wood throne, standing sovereign over the entire grove."

    "Alexia slowly walked forward and placed her hands on the sides of the chair-throne - only to pull them away abruptly, as she felt something run through the tree. Hesitating for only a moment, she lowered her hands again. "
    "{i}*Thud. Thud*{/i}. A weak, rhythmic pounding. Like a pulse, steady and comforting. It felt so… Alive. Her fingers ran over the hard, throbbing wood - and she giggled like a teenage girl as the dirty image entered her mind."

    #alexia smirk
    if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
        #show alexia slut necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
        show alexia slave happy at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "I didn’t think myself one for thrones..."

    "She sat down upon the throne, and crossed her legs to get comfortable. It should be uncomfortable - but the living wood shifted under her weight, and fitted her form perfectly."

    al "Aren’t you just perfect. "

    "She ran her hands over the throne’s arm. She could feel it shift and coil, the very roots of it expanding even now. Devouring everything, so the tree could grow, and bear fruits."

    if midCorFlee:
        "Her curiosity grew, too strong to fight. As if sensing her budding hunger, a branch lowered itself before her eyes, bearing a ripping fruit. She plucked it with a lazy smile, salivating from her mouth - and greedily bit into it."
        al "Mmmm-mmmm!"
        "It was sweet - so sweet! She devoured it in an instant, leaving only the core behind. Giggling to herself, she threw it in the air, then caught it again. It tasted so good… Perhaps she could plant it in Arthdale..?"

    else:
        "With a smile, she wished to taste it again. And a branch lowered itself before her eyes, bearing a ripping fruit. She plucked it with a lazy smile, salivating from her mouth - and greedily bit into it."
        al "Mmmm-mmmm!"
        "It was even better now, even sweeter. She devoured it in an instant, leaving only the core behind. She threw it in the air, then caught it again. Perhaps she could plant it in Arthdale...?"

    "She found her pleasant musing interrupted, as she felt a presence. Someone had crossed the threshold into the garden. {i}Her{/i} garden."


    #alexia angry
    if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
        #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
        show alexia slave neutral at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but this is my domain. Mine! And I was enjoying a pleasant night too."
    al "I warn you...Begone, Stranger."

    #Show black outline of Rowan in combat stance.

    "But, even as she bid them leave, the newcomer grew closer. From the shadows, she saw the makings of a familiar outfit. A leather tunic with belts and a sword hilt."

    questi "Wait, I’m here to-"

    al "I said leave!"
    al "Now!"

    "Still, the invader did not turn back. Instead they drew their sword and walked into the light."

    questi "Alexia Blackwell. I've come to bring you home!"

    "There was a moment of silence as she came to recognize the face she saw. Freckled rosarian skin. Red hair. Soft eyes."

    #Add a second Alexia (Angry) on the left side of the screen. The Naked or NTR Outfit Alexia is on the right side. For denotation purpose I will write them as “Pure Alexia” and “Corrupt Alexia”.

    "It was her. Yet, she was wearing the clothes of Rowan. Alexia shifted slightly upon her throne and narrowed her focus."

    #alexia evil
    if event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Andras':
        #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    elif event_tmp['AlexiaOutfit'] == 'Jezera':
        show alexia slave neutral at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "...Or, not a stranger at all!"

    "Alexia burst into laughter, as this strange reflection of her approached, sword raised. She moved with the daring confidence that Alexia was so used to seeing in the way her husband moved. So ridiculous!"

    oal "I don’t understand what’s so funny. This place is disgusting. This castle corrupts everything it touches."
    oal "You are no exception. Look at you."

    "She pointed her sword at Alexia’s midriff, signaling to her lewdly revealing appearance. Still on her throne, pushed her chest out with a smile."

    oal "You're twisted. Dressed in a way father and mother would never approve of. You were supposed to be the dutiful wife waiting at home for Rowan. What has become of you?"

    #Corrupt Alexia to Amused.

    al "Oh, {i}puh{/i}-lease!"

    if rowanAlexiaRelationship == 2:
        al "Don't prattle off that bullshit. Rowan likes me this way. You should hear what he says when we're alone together."

    elif alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
        al "Rowan? That bore? Yeah, that is what {i}he{/i} would expect of me."

    else:
        al "Waiting for Rowan? I've spent the best years of my life waiting for him and waiting for him some more."

    "The other Alexia, the pretentious nit, drew closer and closer, sword ever pointed towards the throne. Yet, the other dark Alexia did not react with so much of a flinch."

    oal "I'm going to bring you back where you belong. Arthdale. Your home. I'll take you by force if I have to."

    #Corrupt Alexia to evil.

    al "Ha! A ghost came to drag me off to a ruin!"

    "She sneered and recrossed her legs."

    al "You’re a fool, Alexia. This is my garden. My world. You can’t force me to do anything here."

    #plains night
    show bg31 with sshake

    "With a wave of her hands, her garden sprouted to life. Black vines emerged from the periphery and flung themselves through the air like cobras. The mockery of Alexia before her drew Rowan’s blade and slashed apart the first two that made contact."
    "But, this Psuedo-Alexia was no Rowan. She only held off the first few assailants before a pair of black vines caught her wrists."
    "A moment later, she’d been forced to the ground by the force of the bindings. Rowan’s sword fell into the grass."

    oal "Hrngh."

    "Through it all, the enthroned Alexia’s smile twisted and grew. One who saw it might have noticed a similarity to the sort of expression Jezera was so fond of making."
    "In a dramatic display, she rose to her feet. Between her heels and her captive’s bound position, she towered over the Other Alexia."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
        al "Oh, don't like it? That's how it feels to be trapped. Trapped in a village. Trapped in a castle. Trapped in a marriage."

    else:
        al "Oh, don't like it? That's how it feels to be trapped. Trapped in a village. Trapped in a castle."

    "The bound form of her duplicate made a dramatic lunge for her blade. But, the bindings around her arm were tight and only growing together as more vines wrapped themselves in the tangle."

    oal "..."
    oal "You may think you’ve won. But, this won’t stop me, Alexia. I will bring you home. You can’t stop me."

    "She spat to the side."

    #Corrupt Alexia to Angry

    al "Is that what you think? That Arthdale is my home?"

    "She bent down, jabbing a finger towards her retained victim."

    menu:
        "Arthdale isn’t my home anymore.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Once."
            al "In Arthdale, I was taught to be restrained and chaste. But, in Bloodmeen I've learned how much fun I can have if I let loose."
            al "In Arthdale, I was taught to be content. But, in Bloodmeen I've learned how much of the world I can explore."
            al "In Arthdale I learned to be godly. But, in Bloodmeen I've learned that power and pleasure are what matters."
            al "Arthdale was my home once. And I was that woman once. But she's dead now. You're dead."

        "Arthdale was never my home.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Maybe this always was me. I was always too smart for those fools back home. I always read more, thought more, than those common village idiots."
            if rowanAlexiaRelationship <> 0:
                al "It's no wonder the boy I grabbed was the only one with any potential to escape. I knew Rowan was my ticket to freedom."
            else:
                al "It's no wonder the boy I grabbed was the only one with any potential to escape. A flawed man, but my best option in a bad situation."
            al "They taught me to tell myself that I was a good girl."
            al "But, that good girl she was a lie forced on me. You were always a lie."

    #Pure alexia concerned

    "Her doppelganger thrashed and struggled in her bonds. Yet, the more she struggled, the more restrictive the dark bindings grew. There would be no escape. Tears fled down the poor girl’s cheeks."

    oal "No. No."
    oal "Remember all the things you had been dreaming of from the future. All your plans, Alexia. Remember your little garden patch. Starting a family with Rowan. Growing old together."
    oal "Remember what you wanted."

    "Alexia swiped at the air, as if to dismiss the foolish girl’s words from the space itself."

    #//Corrupt Alexia to Evil

    al "Boring dreams for a boring woman. For a little girl too scared to leave her little box. Do you know what secret dreams I harbour?"

    menu:
        "A master." if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cg829 with fade
            pause 2
            al "The feeling of a strong red hand around my neck. And the knowledge that any moment he can use it as a grip to fuck me. Why would I want something else?”"
            hide cg829 with dissolve

        "A mistress." if alexiaJezObedient:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cg390 with fade
            pause 2
            al "The thrill of exploring the world and toying with the idiot men and women who don’t see that I’m playing them. Then the sound of {i}her voice{/i} calling me a good girl."
            hide cg390 with dissolve

        "A place by Rowan’s side." if rowanAlexiaRelationship <> 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Being by Rowan’s side as he crushes the fools who held us down, laughing as we put them in the same chains they kept us in for years. The twins. The church. The lords. Everyone."

        "Command of Rowan’s ear." if rowanAlexiaRelationship <> 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Shaping the world the way I want. With my lips by Rowan’s ear driving him the direction I want, turning him into the ultimate weapon to plunge into the hearts of those who kept me down."

        "Freedom.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "The ability to do what I want, when I want. The ability to go anywhere and see things that I could have only read about in a book before. "
            al "No more being held back by where I’m from, or who I’m married to, or what old men and women say is right or wrong. Total Freedom."

        "Pleasure.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "The feeling of sensations and pleasures that I could not have imagined possible. Pleasures that existed only in my most secret shameful dreams. But which grow more frequent and more enthralling by the day."
            al "I want pleasure no village-bound dullard could ever experience."

        "Control.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Power. The power to shape my destiny and the destiny of those who kept me trapped. Hearing the sound of my voice and having someone follow it. Even now it still eludes me."
            al "But, I have seen it in action with my own eyes. And I want it."

    al "How can your small minded wants compare to that? How can you not see how much sweeter that is?"

    "A seemingly endless number of vines emerged, each taking hold of the other Alexia, one after another. They tore at her facade of Rowan’s clothing until it was all ripped away."
    "In its place, she was clothed in the humble clothes of a peasant wife. Rowan’s sword disappeared from the grass. Her head hung low and weak."
    "Alexia regarded her prize with relish. It would be amusing to toy with herself. Though, it might be best to simply end this farce."

    #/Pure Alexia to scared

    oal "Please. Let me go. I can...I can..."

    al "You’re not taking me away from this, Alexia. I’m staying right here. And you? Well, you’re going to…"

    menu:
        "Destroy her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ highCorDestroy = True
            $ highCorFuck = False
            al "...Go away. Forever."
            "With a huff, Alexia turned and strode back towards her black wood throne. Behind her, the swirl of vines lifted the Fake Alexia into the air. She could hear the sounds of helpless futile struggling."
            oal "Please. You don’t have to do this. It’s not too late to come back, Alexia. You still have a choice."
            al "And I’m making it. Die."
            #hide pure alexia
            "She gave a serene wave of her hands. In contrast, the vines broke into violent action. They tug and tore at their bound captive. Alexia watched transfixed through the screaming and gore."
            "At the moment of death, the bloody husk of the other Alexia vanished. The now vacant vines that had bound her fell limp to the floor of the grove."
            #//Corrupt Alexia to concerned
            "Then, Alexia looked down at her hands. How had they gotten covered in blood? She’d have to wash them in the stream later..."
            al "Hrmm."
            "She frowned. Then the grove slipped away."

        "Fuck her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ highCorDestroy = False
            $ highCorFuck = True
            "Her smile touched her eyes."
            al "...Come to understand the kind of feelings that would make me feel this way."
            oal "Wha-"
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                scene cg1033 with fade
                show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1033
            elif alexiaJezObedient:
                scene cg1034 with fade
                show alexia slave neutral behind cg1034
            else:
                scene cg1035 with fade
                show alexia necklace naked behind cg1035
            pause 3
            "Without warning, the lips of the two identical women met. The dark Alexia, the queen of the garden, was in the lead pushing forward. Restrained and helpless, her doppelganger couldn’t resist."
            "The kiss broke, leaving the village girl wide eyed and frantic."
            oal "...what are you doing…?"
            "Alexia twisted her lips into a naughty grin."
            al "You and I are the same woman. You understand how I feel, perfectly. And I understand how you feel perfectly. What words and actions might have an effect on you."
            al "I’m going to use you, Alexia. And I know you’re going to like it. Because if I was in your place I would love every moment."
            "The vines lifted the woman slightly into the air. So many held her that there was little chance of escape."
            "She brushed the tips of her finger tips beneath her captive’s long skirt, only making contact with the lowest part of her thigh. The other Alexia wriggled, but the trap allowed her no escape or ability to fight back."
            al "Relax. We’re both going to enjoy this."
            oal "Goddess fend."
            al "There is no goddess here. The only one here is me."
            "Alexia let her hand slowly trail up her captive’s leg. She marveled at the familiarity of the skin she touched. It was perfectly identical to when she touched her own body."
            "Something about that fact was so...so wrong. If mother was still alive, she would have disapproved. That made it all the more exciting."
            "The other Alexia whimpered out in desperation. Was it from real fear? Or frustration from the touch? Alexia knew she so loved and hated being teased."
            al "Shh. It’s no use. I know you like the slow buildup. Those teasing seconds when you just want the feeling to {i}come{/i} already."
            al "Just enjoy it. In fact, I’ll help with that."
            "Alexia rejoined the kiss, giving her other self no respite from the sensual assault. Her hand grew bolder in its touches, snaking all the way up to the drab cloth panties that were all that stood between Alexia and the other woman’s forbidden place. "
            "Her captive whimpered into Alexia’s lips but could not find the strength to break free. When Alexia allowed the kiss to finally break again, it was a more demure pseudo-Alexia that hung in the vines."
            oal "I don’t...I...Why are you doing this to me?"
            "Alexia sighed and brushed the other Alexia’s slit through the thin fabric. Her fingers lingered so long that she could even feel the material beneath her grow damper."
            al "Why would I ever abstain? Do you know what a rare gift it is to have an identical duplicate in your hands, wet and available?"
            al "He. Isn’t it so taboo? Isn’t it so decadent? Isn’t it so indulgent?"
            #cg2
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                scene cg1036 with fade
                show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1036
            elif alexiaJezObedient:
                scene cg1037 with fade
                show alexia slave neutral behind cg1037
            else:
                scene cg1038 with fade
                show alexia necklace naked behind cg1038
            pause 3
            "With a sudden movement, her free hand went to the other Alexia’s chest and tore at the weak dress. She was now free to lean down and suckle hungrily suckle on them."
            "Ah. Is this what Rowan had felt when he’d engaged in husbandly behaviour with her back then? Is this what she had tasted like? "
            oal "Ah!"
            "A vine crept up her captive’s leg in a slow winding circle. It allowed her to pull her hand away without fear. The vine settled between the Pseudo-Alexia’s legs, and rubbed back and forth against places that Alexia knew would drive her mad."
            "In answer, another vine started working up Alexia’s own leg, making for a similar location. But, she had no fear of the appendage. She knew all it would bring would be pleasure. And having it toying with her pussy would feel so good."
            oal "I...Godess...No…"
            "The other Alexia’s head rolled back. She tried to suppress a long low moan, but she was rapidly losing control."
            oal "This isn’t right. We’re the same person. This isn’t…"
            oal "Oh Godess…"
            "Her body shuddered and so did her counterpart. The proximity made every motion, every vibration move back and forth freely between them. Two bodies as one. She felt the way the other Alexia’s hips rolled to the rhythm of the vine."
            "She felt herself growing more wet and eager in turn. The prodding touch of the vine was fueling her inner fires. She wanted to push it further. She wanted to engage in darker depravities to herself. She wanted to fuck Alexia’s brains out."
            al "I know how good it feels, you {i}slut{/i}. You want more. You want to feel new sensations. Who cares why you came here?"
            al "{i}You love feeling like this. You love fucking yourself. You can’t help it.{/i}"
            "She pulled back from the shivering embrace. There had been enough beating about the bush."
            "At once the vines went to work on both Alexias. All clothing was torn away. Now there were two women who the naked eye could not tell the difference between. One was bound in strict vines. And the other had something forming about her waist."
            scene bg31 with fade
            #corrupt alexia evil / pure aroused
            show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            oal "Wha-"
            al "It’s never quite as good without something inside, right?"
            "The vines formed themselves into a harness around her waist and legs. And in the center of it, a large, black vein-covered plant matter extrusion in an unmistakably lewd design. A coat of dripping fluid secreted from its surface."
            "Alexia sighed softly as a second component grew inward, spreading her folds and pushing throbbing stiff pleasure inside. A second vine dildo so she could mirror all the pleasure her other self would feel."
            #pure alexia shocked
            "Her captive looked up at the mast hanging by her face with dread. But, the more she stared, the more her breath seemed to catch in her throat. Finally, she hung her head low. Defeated."
            #cg3
            scene cg1039 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked behind cg1039
            pause 3
            al "Mmm. Don’t worry, Alexia. I’ve been on your side of this before. You’re going to {i}enjoy{/i} this part."
            al "I almost envy you. What I’d give to experience all of this again-!"
            "Alexia roughly forced her other self to the ground. In the ever so feminine pose, face to the ground and ass to the air. The vines opened a split in her knees, exposing her flower to what was to come."
            "She sighed softly. Then, her massive vine phallus descended into the other Alexia. The sensation was met by her own intrusion being pushed deep. Her lips parted involuntarily. And then it began."
            "Alexia rolled her hips forward and thrusted the intrusion deep in. Her movements were clumsy but spirited. As deliciously taboo as this pose was, she was rather more used to being on the receptive side."
            "Still, the plunging sensation felt so good that her movements took on a life of their own. There was something about her counterpart’s reactions that sweetened it. The strange thrill of seeing her pleasure mirrored in her bound submission. "
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "Is that what it looked like when she was used? All those nights she’d spent in Andras’ bed, subjected to His whims? When she was fucked and fucked until everything became white pleasure?"
                "{i}It was so sexy{/i}."
            elif alexiaJezObedient:
                "Is that what it looked like when she was used? All those nights she’d spent in Jezera’s bed, subjected toHer  whims? When she was fucked and fucked until everything became white pleasure?"
                "{i}It was so sexy{/i}."
            else:
                pass
            al "Mmm. Take...it. Take it...you fucking slut…"
            al "You disgusting whore…!"
            "While she’d at first remained silent and stiff, there was no denying the inevitable. Her doppelganger’s body started to shake. Slowly at first, but then faster and more dramatically. Her hips even rocked back into the invading vine-cock. {i}Just like a proper slut{/i}."
            al "What would...oh...what would mother think of...of you now?"
            if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
                al "What would Rowan?"
            if rowanAlexiaRelationship == 2 > 60:
                "She saw a shadow watching at the edge of her peripheral vision. One in a familiar leather tunic adorned with belts. The figure watched with a dark voyeuristic smile."
                "Alexia softly purred. She really was coming to love having an audience. He’d see a woman who looked so much like her being used as a toy. She had to make sure he liked what he saw."
            "Her hips moved ever faster, driven on by the pleasure that left her screaming and shuddering. Her lips parted. Every thrust was answered by a soft gasp. At some point, she wasn’t sure where each sound was coming from."
            "Her voice and the voice of her partner were oh so similar, after all."
            "There was something hypnotizing about watching the other Alexia’s rear move. The appearance of the huge mast and subsequent way it vanished into her."
            "Her eyes trained on a single freckle, right on her trail bone. There was something erotic, in a twisted way, about watching it move out and back. Out and back. It was funny. She didn’t remember having a freckle there."
            oal "You’re...depraved...You’re a monster...you’re a...ah...disgrace…"
            al "You...heh...sound like you’re having...mmm...trouble...are you on the...e-edge?"
            oal "N-no…"
            "Such a lie. There was no way she could hide a secret from Alexia.  It was time to put it to a lie."
            "Alexia threw herself into the task of stealing an orgasm from her other self. She humped wildly and in wanton desperation at the phallus inside of her, knowing that the act would simply pound more pleasure into the woman beneath her."
            "She felt the tension rise, and her thighs slicken. She reveled in the innate knowledge that her other self was feeling the exact same tension. The exact same slickness."
            "And so, with a relentless cry, she let loose all the excitement and all the sick thrill of the preceding events. Her body shook against the black insertion in an exquisite orgasm. And beneath her, the other Alexia cried out and fell into her own peak."
            "As it faded, Alexia heard herself murmur softly."
            oal "No...you can still….you still have a…"
            oal "...Have a choice…"
            al "I do. And I’ve made it."
            al "Now sit up, slut. We’re not done yet. I know your every weakness. And tonight, I’m going to indulge in all of them."
            scene bg31 with fade
            # pure aroused
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "And so, Alexia started up the next session, barely giving her other self the time to breathe. She remembered all of the exciting erotic encounters she’d had since coming to castle Bloodmeen, and she was going to recreate all of them."
            "Her hips moved and moved until they couldn’t anymore. She made a point of tasting and exploring every part of Alexia’s body. Every nook and cranny so familiar."
            "And when it was done, there were two identical naked women lying on the floor of the garden in a pool of their own bodily fluids. An observer would not have been able to tell them apart. "
            al "Tell me...what do you want?"
            oal "..."
            al "You...you have to tell me…"
            al "Do you want to return to...to...whatever that old stupid place was?"
            al "Or do you want more?"
            oal "..."
            oal "I want more."
            #hide pure alexia
            show alexia necklace naked at center with moveinleft
            "And with those words, her body degraded into a flash of light. All the detail of her form vanished into the brightness, and when it faded there was only one woman in the grove. Alexia."
            al "Ha… I knew you would. "
            "She rolled on her back, a content sigh on her lips."
            al "… I want more too. "
            "She took one last look at the black tree that loomed at the edge of her vision-"
            "Then the grove slipped away."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        scene bg9 with fade
    else:
        scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia white concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia’s eyes shot wide open."

    al "Ugh…"

    "She slowly crawled into a ball and looked around."
    "It had been a dream. The road. The village. The statue. That...confrontation. All of it. Her head ached and pulsed. But, it had been so vivid..."
    "The world around her was her familiar room in Bloodmeen. From the darkness at the windows, it was clearly still night time. Whatever that strange dream had been, it hadn’t taken the entire night."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        "She turned to the side and saw Rowan’s sleeping form next to her. Her heart briefly fluttered. He was here. He was back. In the dream, he hadn’t been there…"
        "But, her face slowly twisted back to a frown."

    "She silently pushed her way out of bed, and headed for the room’s window. She opened it wide, letting the cool air inside. "

    #show Bloodmeen grand CG
    scene black with fade

    "As so many times before, she was greeted by the sight of the vast Rakshan wastes. Tall, rugged mountains marred the horizon, and she could see the outline of trees at the bottom of the castle."
    "On her first night, that sight made her weep. But with each day, it grew on her. Now, the castle and its tall towers were like a second home. A home that held so many {i}memories{/i}..."
    "She scratched the wooden frame of the window. No, she didn’t mind the view so much. Not anymore. It was better than the one from her cottage in Arthdale. Far better."
    "And yet… Right now, for some reason, it didn’t feel like it was enough. The castle was so full of {i}emotions{/i}, and {i}experiences{/i}, and {i}delights{/i} beyond her wildest dreams. By comparison, the view from her windows was almost bland."
    "Yet, the longer she stared the more a particular longing grew. There was a place in the castle she had visited once before. And the dream made her wish to return. "

    scene bg14 with dissolve
    show alexia white neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Entering the hallway, her uncovered feet were silent against the stone floor. If anyone was still awake at this hour, they might catch her dressed in only her nightwear."
    "It was an embarrassing thought. Though, not quite as embarrassing as it had been once. A lot had changed in the intervening months."
    "She moved quickly, working her way up winding staircases and through darkened halls. There was little light to guide her on her way. But, she did not need the help. It was as if she knew the path by heart."
    "Besides, she’d been here before."

    scene bg57 with fade

    "Finally, she walked through the threshold and was greeted by a freezing wind. She’d forced herself all the way to the roofs of the spires. All around her, ancient stone ramparts were all that might stop a person from falling so far their body would be unrecognizable."
    "But, Alexia was dauntless. She marched onward, paying little heed to the height or the cold. In truth, she could barely even feel it. She knew there was a guard post nearby too, but paid it little heed."
    "She was going to a small garden. One where she would find…"
    "...A black tree."

    #show alexia white shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia white neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She drew close, as if in a trance. The magnificent black trunk rose high into the air. Its thick branches curled up amidst the shutters of the spire roof. It was as if the tree was blending into the castle."
    "Alexia sank down to her knees in awe and stared up upon it. She marveled at the way it towered over her and the entire castle. And she strained to hear the whistle of the winds through its branches and the story it told."

    al "I should start a garden…"

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label powerless_rp:

    "Does Rowan share a room with Helayna? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
        "No":
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = False

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ rowAlRel = 100
        "Bad":
            $ rowAlRel = 0

    if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
        scene bg9 with fade
        "The morning sun was streaming through the window when Alexia awoke from her slumber, roused from her sleep by the noise in the room. It was her husband, Rowan, who was already up from their bed, and fully dressed."
        show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        al "You are up early this morning, my love."
        "Rowan had been facing the desk. He stopped what he was doing, and turned to smile at her."
        ro "Another busy day out in the field, no rest for the wicked I’m afraid."
        if rowAlRel < 25:
            "So her husband was leaving her. All alone. Again. Was it just her impression, or has been avoiding her lately? What excuse did he have for her this time?"
        else:
            "She smiled back, but felt a small twinge in her heart. She couldn’t help but feel he was working himself too hard, and all on her account as well. He may be the most capable man she ever knew, at some point though it would be all too much for even him."
            al "Alright my love, you just be careful though, okay?"

    else:
        scene bg13 with fade
        "She sat up and wiped the sleep of her eyes.  There was only one person who would enter her room without knocking. "
        show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        if rowAlRel > 25:
            al "Is that you, my love? "
        else:
            al "Is that you, Rowan?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "He graced with a soft smile. He stopped by her desk, and she could see a folded up note on it, no doubt just left by him"
        if rowAlRel < 25:
            if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                "She felt her temper rise on the spot. So this was their marriage now? Not only did he want to replace her with that noble slut, but now they were to communicate through notes?!"
            else:
                "She felt her temper rise on the spot. So this was their marriage now? Separate bedrooms, and communicating through notes? "
        ro "Good morning my love. Sorry for waking you up."
        if rowAlRel < 25:
            if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna == False:
                show alexia necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                al "Wasn’t the entire point of separate bedrooms avoiding precisely this very scenario? With you coming in and out at odd hours?"
                ro "Hey, it was working out splendidly... Up to this very moment. "
                al "I suppose so. So what’s the matter? Did something happen?"
            else:
                "He answered his smile with her own, warm one. Always looking out after her comfort..."
                al "Don’t worry about it. But why the sudden intrusion? Did something happen? "
                ro "Everything is fine. Another busy day out in the field, no rest for the wicked I’m afraid."

    ro "I was just leaving you a note. The twins want me to survey troop movements out in the field, but Andras has asked me to deliver orders to his orcs."

    "He indicated towards the desk where she could see he had placed some sort of document, presumably Andras’ orders."

    ro "Unfortunately, the orcs are about as well organized as their master. I went by the barracks earlier, but there was no one around to give the orders too."
    ro "Probably all still in their bunks from yet another late night of heavy drinking. "

    "Alexia nodded, she’d often seen orcs stumbling down the corridors late at night, and even sometimes in the morning. Her husband had always told her discipline was the most important attribute of a soldier, and they seemed to have zero."

    al "Have you tried whipping them? "

    #if avatar.corruption > 60:
    ro "Yes, and digging latrines, AND actual decimation. But every time I make some progress Andras just finds new, creative ways of undoing it."
    #else:
       # ro "Doesn’t really help. I’ve been testing more creative solutions, but… No successes thus far. "

    ro "But I won’t bore you with the details. Would you mind dropping this off by the barracks later in the day, when you have a moment?"

    al "Of course darling, it is no problem."

    if rowAlRel < 25:
        "She quietly wondered if he actually admired all the things she did to make his life in the castle easier and more comfortable… "
        "Probably not. Men always were like this. Just took everything you did for them for granted…  "

    ro "Thank you. It should take you but a minute. Andras said to give them to an orc called Drokk, big fellow. If you can’t see him, just ask one of the other orcs to point you in the right direction. "

    al "Okay, I’ll drop it off later in the morning."

    ro "That’s fine. If anybody gives you any trouble, you let me know okay?"
    ro "Now you get some more rest, I didn’t mean to wake you up."

    scene black with fade

    "After the pleasantries of parting for yet another day, Alexia lay her head back down on the cool pillow, and was starting to drift away just as she heard the door quietly click shut…"

    scene bg14 with fade

    "Alexia didn’t have much to do today, so when she woke up, she got ready and made her way through the castle hallways to visit the barracks and drop off the orders."

    scene bg11 with fade

    "By the time she got to the barracks, it was mid-morning. The place, however, was still mostly empty. It seemed even by this time, the orcs were still either too tired, too hungover, or too lazy to report for duty."
    "In fact, there was only one group of orcs currently in the room, all hunched around a table at the far end. Three male orcs, and one female. One of the males was exceptionally large, even for an orc."
    "If she was in luck, this would be Drokk, and she could hand the orders over and get out before any more orcs turned up."
    "The orcs were making a lot of noise, and as she approached the table, it died down to an almost eerie silence. The big orc glared at her."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at midright with dissolve

    drok "What da fuk you want humi?"

    "Alexia was taken aback by his aggressive tone. Even after all this time in castle Bloodmeen, the casual vulgarity of the orcs and their lack of basic decency still caught her off guard, even if only from time to time nowadays."

    show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    os "Ha, looks like dis one scared of yous, Drokk."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if rowAlRel < 25:
        "For the second time this day, she felt her temper spike. She started the day in a foul mood, and like hell was she going to let a bunch of orcs ruin it further."
    else:
        "Alexia steeled herself, trying to control her rising temper. She wasn’t going to let a bunch of stinking orcs disrespect her! Prisoner or not, she was the wife of their direct commanding officer, and they should know better than this!"

    al "My husband, Rowan, asked me to deliver these new orders to you. They are to be followed to the letter."

    "Drokk snatched the orders from her hands and glanced at them."

    $ drokkname = "Drokk"

    drok "You waits der, pink slut."

    "The other orcs fell about laughing at their boss’ insult, as if it had any shred of originality in it. At this point, she didn’t know what angered her more, the disrespect, or the lack of creativity."

    menu:
        "Leave.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She knew better than to say anything nasty back as a response, that would only escalate the situation, and orcs lacked common sense. Starting an argument with one could soon turn dangerous, she’d seen them fighting when drunk around the castle enough times to know that."
            al "No. I have delivered your orders like I was asked, and now my job is done. I have other duties in the castle that are more important than standing here being insulted by you and your orc friends for the rest of the day."
            drok "Look. Pathetic humi so eager to scurry back to her master like good little pet."
            "Laughter roared from the table once again, but Alexia had heard enough. She turned on her heels and headed toward the barracks door."
            "More insults, lewder than the ones she had already been subjected to, rang out from behind her, but she ignored them. It was clear they were trying to get a rise from her, and she would not give them the satisfaction of causing one."
            "Reaching the door, she exited into the hallway, leaving the barracks, and any thoughts of the orcs that currently resides in it, behind her as she went about the rest of her day."
            return

        "Insult him back. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump drokkscene_rp

    label drokkscene_rp:

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m surprised you have enough of a brain to discern more than the basic three colors. "
    al "But worry not, I understand. I’ll politely wait for you to finish flexing your muscles to your friends, so that you can crawl to me later and beg me to read the orders for you, you illiterate shriveled cucumber. "

    "The orcs around the table whooped with more laughter, one Drokk did not participate in this time. He simply glared at Alexia, face twisted in anger."

    femorc "I like dis one, she got spunk."
    drok "She gon’ get spunk, if she don’t shut her stoopid whore mouth."
    al "If anyone should watch their mouth, it is you, orc. I’m the wife of your commander, and if he heard the way you are speaking to me-"
    drok "Hahaha, and pink slut puni human would do wat? She think tiny pinkskin can hurt mighty Drokk?"
    femorc "Puni humi too busy running twinses errands to do anyfin’ anyway. Don’t even have time to deliver orders, bwahaha! "
    os "Guess that makes you the twinses bitch’s bitch!"
    drok "Not even pink slut! Slut’s slut!"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "More laughter. How dare they- How dare they-! "

    al "Oh, I’m sure my husband wouldn’t be too busy to order the whole lot of your executed. I’m thinking…"

    menu:
        "Decapitation.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +1)
            pass

        "Burning on a stake.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +2)
            pass

        "Sawing in half.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            pass

        "Skinning, then boiling alive.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +4)
            pass

    al "… Would be nothing more but another errand for him. "

    "She wasn’t sure why she said that. This wasn’t like her. But seeing their shocked, horrified faces made it worth it."
    "Drokk brought his massive first down on the table, the slam shaking his comrades out of their shock. If looks could kill…"

    drok "Pinkslut {b}dares{/b} to threaten Drokk?!"

    "All her life, she was taught to deescalate rather than escalate.Turn the other cheek."
    "… And she was starting to have enough of it. After everything that had been said, Alexia wasn’t about to back down, no matter how scary the orc might look in the moment."

    al "It wasn’t a threat."

    "The other orcs sat watching the twist that the scene had taken, uncharacteristically silent, waiting to see what their boss would do. Meanwhile Drokk was also silent, clearly contemplating whether the woman could actually have him executed."

    "Moments passed, and Alexia started to feel a unfamiliar glow raise in her chest. Giddy with happiness, she felt a triumphant smile creep onto her face.That will teach them! Stupid orcs, always acting rude and thinking they’re better than everyone-"

    drok "No."

    "The word cut through the air like an executioner's axe. Drokk gave her a small, almost pitying smile."

    drok "No. Is nice bluff, slut, but Drokk mighty champion of Andras. Master Andras never let puni humi execute great warrior like Drokk."

    "He chuckled and leaned back, spreading his arms, as if asking her “What now?”. The orcs around them felt the tide turn, mocking smiles and crude remarks quickly resurfacing. "

    femorc "Everyone know pink humi Andras bitch. Won’t touch Drokk without master letting him."

    os "Pink slut talk big, that’s all. Should use 'er mouth for suckin' cock instead."

    "Her laughter burned her ears. They were right, if Drokk really was Andras favourite, the red demon would never let Rowan touch it."
    "…"
    "But Andras had other favourites as well."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I suppose you are right. Andras does respect strength and he does need warriors…"

    "The smug look didn’t budge from his face, but the orc began to wonder why the human was smiling when he was the one who was right."

    al "But “our” Master Andras also has other, more important needs… "

    "His smile started to melt, while hers grew. Her mouth moved faster than her mind would register, and yet she kept talking. Nothing mattered anymore, except seeing that bastard brought down a notch."

    al "I’m sure you’ve all noticed the way he looks at me. The way his eyes roam over me, over my tits… Over my ass."

    "She leaned forward over the table, and hiked her skirt, giving the orcs a good view of both. One was smart enough to look away. "

    al "Oooh, you did, didn’t you? You’ve seen how he hungers for me, how he desires his servant’s wife."
    al "That’s all you all just sit here, like a bunch of eunuchs. None of you will touch me. All you can do is fantasizes about the things you would like to do to me…"

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 60:
    al "Force me to my knees to make me worship your cock. Stretch out my holes with your fat, green dicks. Fill me with all your hot, thick seed until it oozes from my red, well used cunt and loose asshole."
    al "Humans are just cocksleeves for your pleasure, and to bear your children after all, aren’t they? I’m sure you’ve all had your impotent revenge fantasies of turning the wife of the “pathetic humi” who orders you around into your personal cumdumpster."
    "She laughed out loud, not noticing how her voice carried across the silent room."

    al "And perhaps you even heard some rumours about me. That maybe, just maybe... I’m not all that… Unapproachable. "

    "The other orcs watched, still silenced by the events that had unfolded before their eyes. She watched, with growing satisfaction, the lust in some, and impotent rage in others."

    al "What do you think would happen then, if I were to tell him about the things you have said to me?"
    al "Do you think he would appreciate a lowy, pathetic orcs like YOU thinking he was entitled to the very thing HE himself coveted so much?"

    drok "..."
    drok "You try too hard humi. Maybe Andras be mad about what Drokk say, but Drokk only insult you. Andras no kill good warrior over dis. Plus you just humi, would be bad for morale."

    al "Do you listen to yourself, Drokk? Andras kills an orc if the bath he drew is too lukewarm for his tastes."
    al "… But you are right, I suppose. If you are as valuable as you claim… Then he might not *kill you* for simply insulting me… Beat you up a little, but not kill you. "
    al "Now, if I were to do this…  "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia made an anguished expression, and started to wipe imaginary tears off her face."

    al "“Master Andras, Master Andras! … I- I went to the barracks… There was this o-orc… I think his name wa-as Dro-kk…. And he… He…”"
    al "“He said I-I was to get n-naked and spread my l-legs… I told him I’d never touch a filthy orc like him. So he-”"
    al "“He threw against the table, and- Oh Master Andras! He took his dick out and-!”"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m sure you can imagine the rest."
    al "Do you think he would punish you  then? Do you think there’s a chance he’d be my protector and saviour?"

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 60:
    al "Imagine the things I could do to entice him. I’d ask him to cleanse my violated pussy with his massive cock, keep pumping me full of cum till he washes out the pathetic load left by you."

    "Seeing Drokk tremble with rage was the sweetest thing she had experienced in all her captivity in Bloodmeen. Ah, if she could just save this moment for all eternity! "

    al "So, orc, do you still feel like playing stubborn, or would you rather change your tone? Apologize maybe? "

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 60:
    al "If you want my advice, I’d start with getting on your knees, and licking the soles of my boots. "

    drok "GAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

    show bg11 with sshake

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia screamed, surprised as the massive orc reached across the table, grabbed her by the throat and lifted her into the air."

    drok "You thinks yous can threaten Drokk, dumb slut. You puni humis have your words, but Drokk has strength, strength win every time."
    drok "How you tell lies about Drokk if yous can’t talk eh? Not so clever now."

    "The orc lifted her off the ground with seemingly no effort at all. And even though his grasp was not that tight, his hand was so large that she was already struggling to breathe."
    "… All it would take for him to crush her windpipe was to tighten his grip a little. He could snap her spine in half, neither Rowan, nor Andras would arrive in time to save her life. "

    femorc "Drokk, don’t yous think this is going too-"

    drok "Shut it, Laz!"

    "She clawed at his hand, hoping to break his grip, but it was no use. She saw the crazed looked in his eyes, and knew none of his comrades would risk their lives trying to save her."

    drok "You think you important, pink slut? You not only slut in castle. You think you important than Drokk?"

    #cg1
    scene cg453 with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind cg453

    "He threw her against the table, hard. She let out a voiceless scream, his hand not letting go off her throat for even a moment."

    drok "You tell Andras Drokk fucked you? Then Drokk may as well fuck you. "

    "She continued to squirm, continued to resist but it was no use. Stupid. Stupid, stupid! She brought this on herself. She could’ve walked away at any moment. But no - she had to prove she was better. She had to see him humbled. She had to see him crushed beneath her heel."
    "And now she would pay the price for her own ego trip."

    drok "Bet yous ain’t never seen no cock like dis on a human."

    #cg1 - var 1
    scene cg454 with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind cg454
    pause 3

    "He used his free hand to pull his cock loose from under his kilt, and Alexia’s eyes widen in shock when she saw it spring free. It was proportionate to his size, and even half-erect, it was much larger than she would have expected an orc’s dick to be."
    "When the orc saw her reaction, he let out a laugh."

    drok "Puni humi husband can’t compare to dis, eh? Drokk show you why orcs are most powerful race. "

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption < 60:
    #    "She thrashed around even harder now, but it was still no use. She didn’t want that thing anywhere near her, it looked like it was going to split her in half."

    #else:
    "She thrashed around even harder now, but it was still no use. The orc’s cock continued to taunt her, a glorious slab of meat, ready to penetrate her. Against herself, she felt a hint of curious. How would it feel? To be brutally fucked by a cock like this? "
    "Brutally fucked against her will, stretched to the limits…"

    "With a grunt he ripped away her panties, tearing them from her body, and leaving her pussy exposed for everyone to see."

    drok "Hope yous nice and wet slut, dis gon’ be a tight fit."

    #cg1 - var 2
    scene cg455 with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind cg455
    pause 3

    #if alexia_knows_magic:
        #"Alexia struggled desperately. If only he didn’t hold her by the throat, she could smash a water bolt straight into his face. But no matter how hard she tried, no sound would leave her mouth."
    #else:
    "Alexia struggled desperately, still trying to get away from the orc. But what could she do? She was no fighter, no mage. She was a stupid, peasant girl from small village that no longers existed…"


    "It was hopeless. She closed her eyes, so she would not see everyone’s face as they watch him take her."

    scene cg456 with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind cg456
    pause 2

    "First there was warmth. Then the press of flesh upon flesh."

    show cg457 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She could feel the fat head of his gargantuan cock press against the entrance of her womanhood but go no further. He was taunting her now, taunting her now, rubbing against the outside without forcing his way in. Just as she took her sweet time mocking him earlier, he would take him time torturing her now."

    show cg458 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Suddenly, the feeling was gone. She clenched her teeth, waiting for it to hammer into her."

    femorc "That’s enuff Drokk, ‘less yous want to lose it."
    drok "What the fuck you thinks you’s doing Laz?"

    scene bg11 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at midright
    #show female orc at edgeright

    "When she opened her eyes, Alexia was in for another surprise. While Drokk had been distracted in his attempt to assault her, the female orc had snuck up behind him. She was now holding a large knife to his rapidly deflating dick."

    drok "What the fuck you thinks you’s doing Laz?"
    femorc "Stopping you from getting us all killed. You do this, Andras’ll execute yous, and then us for not stopping you. "
    femorc "Yous may be a big fooker, but I’ll take your anger over the demon’s any day, you daft cunt."

    "Drokk glared at her with the same sort of anger he had looked at Alexia before. For a moment, she felt like he was about to tear her head off."

    femorc "Just fookin’ try it. If yous are that keen to end up a cockless wonder, I don’t mind giving you a hand, that’s if you don’t bleed out first anyway."

    "He bared his teeth at female orc, growling. She answered by pressing her knife harder. This stalemate lasted for what felt like eternity, before Drokk finally removed his hand from Alexia’s throat, and let her go with an angry grunt."

    drok "Fine. Dumb humi slut learned her lesson anyway. "

    "Alexia scrambled from the table to her feet, gasping for air, trying to stop the tears from rolling down her face. Leaning on the wall, she somehow managed to raise to her feet."

    femorc "I suggest yous better be leavin’ now, miss. And when yous tell whoever yous gonna tell about this, don’t forget it was Laz that put a stop to it, alright?"

    "She didn’t have to be told twice. Unable to get a sound out of her abused throat, she gave the orcess a stunted nod, and hurried out of the barracks."
    "And as she was running away, she heard Drokk’s distant words, spoken to his female companion. "

    drok "Tis’ not going to end like tis, Laz. I guarantees it."

    "Oh, in that, he was right. It wouldn’t. Alexia would personally see that it doesn’t."
    "No matter the price."

    if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
        scene bg9 with fade

    else:
        scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia ran back to her room, and slammed the door shut behind her. She locked the door, but that wasn’t enough, so she took a chair from the nearby desk and wedged it under the handle. Not that it would stop a giant orc from smashing the door open if he wanted."
    "The small illusion of safety that it afforded her was better than nothing, though."
    "She was still trembling, half out of fear, and half out of anger. The nerve of that bastard Drokk. Placing her hand on her throat, she gently felt where the monster had grabbed her and hoisted her into the air."
    "The memory flooded back into her mind; the ease at which he suspended her by her throat, her difficulty breathing, her need to cry out, to scream, but having no voice to do so."
    "And then… what followed. He pinned her down, and no matter how hard she struggled, tried to get out from under his grasp, it was no use. And the orc wasn’t even trying, he was just that much stronger than her."
    "She didn’t even want to think about what happened after that. If it wasn’t for that female orc…"
    "Drokk nearly raped her. Hell, he could have killed her... "
    "His hand was around her throat, all it took was one squeeze, and with the size of the thing, he wouldn’t even have had to squeeze hard."
    "She wanted to cry, but no, she would not give the beast that. It was one thing that she could keep from him, a small triumph in the face of his superior strength. She would not be broken, not by someone like him."
    "Alexia realized then that she had become too accustomed to this place. She had been here so long that she had grown comfortable, had forgotten that she was not home, but instead living in a nest of vipers."
    "The servants of the twins looked down on her, they saw her as an enemy. They talked about her behind her back, saying terrible things, and wanted to do even more terrible things to her. What had just happened was irrefutable proof of that."
    "Now she had to worry about what Drokk might do. He knew that she would report his actions to somebody, and that it would be very bad for him if she did."
    "He’d shown his true colours, it wasn’t much of a push to imagine he’d go further. Or if not him, some other orc sent in his place. She’d have to watch her back now, not that she trusted orcs in the first place."
    "If being kept as a captive at Castle Bloodmeen wasn’t already bad enough, now she’d have to live in very real fear for her life."

    al "No."

    "That was too far. Hadn’t she already endured enough? Being held against her will as an insurance policy against her husband was an indignity she could barely stand, but to suffer Drokk’s treatment as well?"
    "No, she refused to allow a lowly orc like him to render her powerless."

    scene bg6 with fade

    "Full of rage and unwilling to let the indignity she had endured stand, Alexia marched straight to the throne room. It was only when she passed through the chamber’s large doors that she remembered that Rowan wasn’t in the castle."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Hello? Is there anyone here?"

    "She waited for a moment in silence. Nothing."
    "The demonic throne loomed large before her, its tentacular appendages spread outward, as if poised to grasp. It was monstrous in appearance, gaudy, surely the design of a ruler with very little subtlety. As a metaphor for power, it was too much."
    "Power it did award though, that she could not deny. Karnas had sat here as his forces razed half the six realms. Whoever sat here could make laws, command armies, and enforce their will. "
    "The throne may be symbolic, but a symbol could have as much power as any concrete thing, sometimes more. "
    "She wondered when all was said and done, and they got everything they wanted, if the twins would be able to share it. How long would it be before they disagreed on something important? Until the rift grew into open hostility?"
    "Would the castle’s forces war against each other? Would Jezera poison her brother or use some other underhand tactic to kill him off, or would her brother simply rip her to pieces with his bare hands?"
    "Hopefully it wouldn’t come to that, she still had faith that Rowan would find some way to stop their conquest of the Six Realms, just as he had stopped the last demon who had sat on this throne. But..."
    "She took one tentative step toward the throne, and then another, almost unconsciously. It wouldn’t hurt right? Just to see what it would feel like. It would only be for a moment, and no one would ever know. "
    "Plus she had seen Rowan up there before when acting on the twin’s behalf, so it wasn’t like another human hadn’t already sat on it."
    "She placed a hand on the throne’s stone arm, it was cool beneath her touch. She ran it down, tracing the length as she felt the lines expertly etched into it by a master stone shaper’s tools. "
    "Yes, to sit there for a minute or so wouldn’t hurt anyone."
    "Just as she was about to sit, a familiar figure emerged from the small room that Rowan had turned into an office on the other side of the cavernous chamber."

    show liurial neutral at midright with moveinright

    liur "Hello, Mistress Alexia."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "AHH!"

    "Alexia almost jumped out of her skin when she heard the voice of the intruder. She hurried down the stairs, almost tripping as she went. When she got to the bottom, she turned to the elvish woman, her face flushed with the scarlet tone of embarrassment."

    al "Oh, Liurial, I didn’t see you there. I was just, errrr…"

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    #if alexiaLiurialFriendly:
    "Liurial gave her a knowing smile, it was hardly the most compromising situation she had seen the redhead in."

    #else:
        #"Liurial gave her a knowing smile, before giving her the small courtesy of pretending that she had not seen anything."

    liur "Is there something that I can aid you with, my Lady?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Ummm… I know Rowan is out in the field doing something for the twins at the moment, but do you have any idea when he might be back?"

    show liurial neutral at midright with moveinright

    "The elf seemed to contemplate what the other woman had said for a moment, before responding."

    liur "Well, that is a bit of a tricky question."
    liur "He was only supposed to be gone for the rest of the day, but it seems the situation is worse than the twins had initially thought."
    liur "He could be gone for days, perhaps even for the rest of the week."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She felt her heart fall. To be alone in the castle for a week, who knows what Drokk or his orcs might do to her before he returns."

    al "Oh, I see…"

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    "Liurial had spent enough time around humans to know when something was wrong. She offered the redhead a warm smile."

    liur "Is there anything I can do for you? I would be happy to help."

    "Alexia shifted nervously in place, unsure what to do with the fact there was very little chance of seeing her husband soon."

    al "No, there’s not much you can do. But thanks…"

    "Sensing this was something of a larger problem, Liurial tried a different tact."

    liur "I see. I do know that Mistress Jezera is in her room, perhaps she might be able to do something for you?"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia gave her a soft smile, in appreciation for the fact she was obviously trying hard to be of some service."

    al "She might be able to help, thanks."

    liur "Anytime. Now I have to get back to this paperwork, it would organize itself. If you think of anything I can do, don’t hesitate to let me know."
    liur "And if I see your husband, I will let him know you are looking for him."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    "The two exchanged pleasantries before Alexia headed off to the second floor in search of Jezera."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Come in."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Mistress Jezera."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Ah, Alexia. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

    "Alexia shuffled uncomfortably in place, how best to broach the subject of what had happened? Jezera was a woman, which meant she should be outraged at Drokk’s actions, but she was also a demon, which made her reaction unpredictable."

    je "Out with it child, I haven’t got all day. I have a delightful encounter with one of the maids planned for later."

    al "Well..."

    "The redhead decided to just come out with it. At the very least, the twins needed her alive to blackmail Rowan, so no matter how Jezera felt about the situation, she had a large incentive to ensure that Alexia was not harmed. "

    al "Because Rowan was busy he asked me to deliver a letter to the orcs in the barracks from Andras, containing new orders. "

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "At the mention of orcs and orders, the demoness’ eyes glazed over, she wasn’t off to the best start."

    al "I was to give them to a large orc champion called Drokk."

    je "I know that one. Stupid by even orc standards, which is saying something."

    "Alexia had come this far, all that was left now was to finish the story."

    al "Well, I found him in the barracks, and he was very rude to me. Some of the things he said-"

    "Jezera interjected, nonchalantly."

    je "Par for the course with orcs I’m afraid. Hardly worth informing me though, you have been here a while Alexia, you should know good manners are beyond them. "

    "The other woman nodded, trying not to let her emotions get the better of her."

    al "And if that was all that happened, Mistress, I would not be here. "
    al "I decided I wouldn’t let him talk to me, and I said a few things back…"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera smirked."

    je "That’s my girl."

    "The hard part now."

    al " But that only made him madder, until… until…"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera frowned as the human tried her hardest to get it out."

    al "He grabbed me by the- the throat-"

    "The demonesses’ eyes flashed wide at what she had just heard."

    je "He did WHAT?!"

    al "And then he pinned me on the table. I tried to get away but he was too strong, and he- he-"

    "Rage pulses through Jezera now, the air around her crackled as if filled with electricity."

    je "Did he rape you, my sweet child?"

    "Alexia looked down at the floor, as if her mistresses’ intensity was too much to bear."

    al "No, he tried, but there was a female orc- I think he said her name was Laz? She stopped him before he…"

    "The tension in the air around Jezera seemed to dissipate, as her rage morphed to displeasure."

    je "Are you hurt?"

    al "Not really, I suppose my neck is a little sore…"
    al "It’s just… He knows I will tell Rowan, and perhaps suspects I’d even tell you… I’m worried about what he might do…"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera smiled at her warmly. It was odd to see a smile on her face that wasn’t caused by childish amusement, or some other dark delight. It was strangely human."

    je "Do not worry your pretty head about that, Alexia. I will ensure that Drokk never so much as looks at you again, never mind talks to you."
    je "You are our guest, and as long as you remain so, you will have my protection. Insubordination on that point shall not be tolerated."

    "Alexia stood in silence for a moment, lost in thought. To be told she would be safe was a relief, but was that all?"

    al "Umm… Will he not… be punished?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera sighed loudly, Alexia wasn’t sure why, but her question had clearly frustrated the demon."

    je "Would that I could, darling Alexia. If it were up to me, I’d cut the bastard’s balls off, and feed them to him. "

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "The orcs, however, are my brother’s purview. He's the one who they trust and fear."
    je "I fear I'd be a poor agent of your desire for vengeance. Perhaps you should consider getting his help? I will assist you in showing how serious the matter is if needed of course."

    al "Oh."

    "Alexia’s hopes were crushed. Jezera couldn’t punish Drokk for the terrible things that he had to her, and if it meant risking her brother’s wrath, she couldn’t ask Rowan to either. It was either ask Andras, or let him get away with it."

    je "I will ensure that you come to no further harm. I would suggest you find someway to become stronger though, the world can be a very dangerous place."

    "She nodded."

    al "Thank you, Mistress."

    je "Now, will that be all? I have business to prepare for."

    al "Oh. Yes, sorry."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    "Alexia gave her a courteous bow, and exited the room, leaving Jezera standing alone."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Silly girl, as if I have the time to deal with every horny orc in this damned place. But I am going to have a very stern talk with them about laying their hands on {b}my{/b} property... "

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia stood in the hallway outside Jezera’s room, overwhelmed by disappointment. She had come here thinking that Jezera would understand and help, but instead she had told her there was nothing she could do and sent Alexia on her way."
    "She only had two options now, neither of which she found particularly palpable."
    "She could try to forget about what had happened; she was at the least safe now, so she would not have to deal with any sort of reprisal, but that meant letting Drokk get away with what he had done to her."
    "She would have to put up with the looks, and the whispers behind her back whenever she came across an orc, a frequent occurrence these days."
    "The other option was to do what Jezera had suggested and ask her brother for help. She could probably convince Andras to help her, but when he was involved there was always a price, she had learned that much from her time in Castle Bloodmeen."
    "Also, the punishment that he would inflict on Drokk would no doubt be at least brutal, if not fatal, and, as angry and humiliated as she was, she still was not sure if she could stomach that."

    menu:
        "Let it go.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "No. As horrible as the experience had been, and no matter how terrifying and humiliated she felt, she could not go to Andras and ask this of him. The price would be too steep, and the outcome too violent."
            "She hated the fact that Drokk would get away with it, but this was life at Castle Bloomeen. It would be naive of her to expect justice in a place like this, with masters like these, and she couldn’t risk making Rowan’s life harder."
            "She’d have to endure all the leering looks, and snide comments, but that was nothing compared to what Rowan had to endure on a daily basis. She would just have to accept for now, at least, she was too powerless to do anything about it."
            "With a heavy heart, she headed down the hallway toward the stairs to go about the rest of her day. Hopefully, she’d be able to push the memory of what had happened to her from her mind and not think about it too much."
            "But now, who was being naive? "

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label askAndrasHelp_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "When Alexia finally found the room, she stood at the door with some trepidation. After all, she had never been here before, and for all she knew, Andras might not even be here."
    "But she had come this far. She knocked three times loudly, before announcing herself."

    al "Andras, are you there? It’s Alexia..."

    "A response came from the other side of the door."

    show andras happy behind bg14

    an "Oh Alexia, please, come in."

    scene bg41 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Sorry to bother you bu-"

    "Alexia was stopped dead in her tracks by what she saw when she entered the room."

    scene thotintro with fade
    pause 3

    "The most beautiful woman she had ever seen."

    "Plump lips, and luxurious long black hair that fell down onto a very ample bosom accentuated by an hourglass figure with curves to die for."
    "The woman was wearing an outfit that could barely be described as clothing, and had been adorned in gold, most shockingly with golden hoops that hung from her nipples."
    "The redhead had never seen this woman in the castle before, of this she was sure. She would never have forgotten such a striking beauty. Just who was this woman?"
    "Alexia’s fascination had made her oblivious to everything around her. She’d been so taken by the woman, she hadn’t even noticed what was going on in the room. The sight turned her pale skin crimson as she burned with embarrassment."

    #cg1
    scene thotsexanimation1 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind thotsexanimation1
    show andras smirk behind thotsexanimation1

    "Andras was sat on the edge of the bed, propping himself up with one of his large hands as he leaned back slightly. The woman who had captured her imagination so thoroughly was sat on his lap, legs spread slightly, with the demon’s cock inside her."
    "Bracing herself with both her hands on the edge of the bed, she was slowly moving her body up and down with a steady rhythm with a smile on her face as she did so. "
    "Alexia looked away from the scene and stammered:"

    al "Oh. I.. I.. Uh… Will come back-"

    an "That won’t be necessary, we are almost done here."

    "The redhead didn’t reply. She wanted to leave, but she could hardly disobey Andras, especially when her sole reason for coming here was to ask for his head. She simply nodded."
    "Responding to the demon’s words, the other woman began to speed up, moaning and she rode him on the bed. Again and again she lifted herself and allowed herself to fall, accompanied by the squeaking of the bed."
    "Alexia tried to look away, but unless she turned around, the woman was always somewhere at the edge of her vision, and she couldn’t ignore the  moaning, growing louder and louder as the woman rose Andras to climax."
    "Again and again the demon’s huge red cock appearing and disappeared inside of the gorgeous woman’s tanned cunt, as she did all of the work. Andras was sat there, doing none of the work, just allowing himself to be serviced who seemed far more than willing."
    "Alexia felt incredibly awkward, she couldn’t leave - not just because Andras had told her not to - but because she needed his help, and so she didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize that."
    "Worst though, she could feel herself growing aroused. The creaking, moaning, and the slapping of flesh against flesh was one thing, but despite her best attempts to avoid looking, she was being forced to watch."
    "The woman’s large breasts, adorned with gold rings swayed as she rode him, her face contorted from the bliss of pleasing her lord. Her pierced cunt engulfing the large red cock of Andras over and over as she raced towards orgasm."

    an "That’s it… Almost…."

    scene thotsexanimation2 with fade
    show andras smirk behind thotsexanimation2

    "The woman sped up now, determined to milk the demon of his seed. Beneath her loud moans, Alexia could hear the heavy breaths of Andras as he tried to control himself. He was failing."
    "With one last thrust and a very loud, low moan, she pushed herself down onto him, taking him to the hilt. It pushed Andras over the edge, and he shuddered and his spunked his load deep inside the slave."

    show cg492 with sshake
    show cg492 with sshake
    show cg493 with flash
    pause 3

    "It was too much for poor Alexia as well, mumbling an apology she fled from the room with great haste."
    "The demon just laughed."

    an "Some people are no fun."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    al "I’m sorry, I didn’t know… I didn’t mean to disturb you… I…."

    an " It is fine. I take it you need something? It must be important, since this is the first time you have ever come to my room."

    al "Oh, uh.. Yes…"

    "Alexia thought about what to say next. Andras wasn’t exactly the nicest person in the world to put it lightly, and he might be as unsympathetic as Jezera had been, or worse, take Drokk’s side."
    "She had no other options though."

    al "Well, you gave Rowan a task…"
    an "Delivering my orders, yes, I remember."
    al "But he had to leave early, so he asked me to do it…"
    an "Forcing his wife to do his work for him, is this the sort of person my sister wants for her castellan? I don’t know."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "His attempt at a joke, she smiled back at him, weakly."

    al "It was no trouble, I don’t mind. I try to help around the castle as much as I can..."
    an "So I have seen."
    al "Yes, well, when I got to the barracks, there was this orc… Drokk."

    "Something lit up in his eyes when she said the name."

    an "Ah, Drokk."
    al "He was there with some other orcs, and I tried to give him the orders, but- but-"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She felt like she was about to cry, again. Andras put a hand on her shoulder gently."

    an "It’s okay, just tell me what happened. "
    al "He started saying horrible things to me, and when I tried to talk back, he grabbed me by the throat and..."

    "Having to describe it again brought it all back and she broke down crying. It was the last thing she wanted to do in front of Andras, but it was all too much for her."

    an "It’s okay Alexia, you don’t have to say anymore. "
    an "You just take a minute for yourself, and when you are ready, we’ll go."

    "Alexia wiped her eyes, trying to control herself."

    al "Go... Go where?"

    "He just smiled at her."

    an "To make sure that Drokk, nor any other orc, ever lays a hand on you again. "

    scene bg11 with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind bg11

    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    "By the time that Andras arrived, the barracks was a lot more lively than it had been earlier. More of the castle’s soldiers had dragged themselves from their pits, and were not sitting around drinking, laughing and gambling."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    "None of them even batted an eyelid when the demon walked in, Alexia timidly in tow. Drokk was still sat at the same table with his lackeys, but the female orc who had intervened earlier had departed in the meantime."
    "All eyes turned toward him when they noticed that human woman when he approached Drokk’s table though, and the volume of ambiance in the room became a lot quieter. Drokk hadn’t noticed the demon arrive, and was laughing as he slammed his tankard down on the table."

    drok "And den Drokk said, since yous had such a big mouth, Drokk didn’t think yous have trouble taking alla his cock!"

    "Another hearty laugh, accept no one else was laughing. It was then he noticed the figure that was standing aside him."

    drok "Masta Andras, nice to see yous in da barracks."

    "Then he saw the other figure who had hung back, keeping her distance from his table, which noticeably soured his mood."

    drok "What da fuck is she doing back here?"

    an "*She* is with me, do you have a problem with that?"

    "Drokk scoffed and took another swig of his ale."

    drok "No problem, Drokk just surprised she’d come back here afta shit she pulled, that’s all."

    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    "The demon smiled; it was a dark smile, unsettling and betraying nothing of what was really going on in his head."

    an "Yes, she told me all about everything that happened earlier. "

    "The orc smiled back in a similar fashion, two could play at this game it seemed."

    drok "Did she now?"

    an "She did, and she was in quite a state. What happened was very upsetting for her. "

    "The demon’s face remained a mask, unchanging, while a frown formed on the huge orc’s face."

    drok "She should be upset, cunt’s lucky to still be alive afta da way she talked to Drokk."

    an "Did you hurt her?"

    drok "Only put my hands on her a bit, not Drokk’s fault humis are all so weak."

    an "She says you did a lot more than just “put your hands on her a bit”."

    "He glanced at Alexia, who looked very uncomfortable at being put on the spot. The best she could do was nod meekly."

    drok "Yeh, well. So what if I did? Stupid humi slut insult Drokk."

    "All the orcs in the room were watching in nearly complete silence, Andras tilted his head slightly, as if studying something."

    an "Watch your tongue Drokk, you forget yourself."

    "If Andras intended to cool the orc down, orc cow him into submission with his tone, it clearly had the opposite effect. Having to defend himself was only making the massive orc visibly more agitated."

    drok "Why should Drokk watch tongue? What humi slut gots to do with yous anyways?"

    an "Were you not told that she and her husband were both under the protection of both my sister and myself?"

    "The demon gestured to the rest of the room, in almost a showmanship-like fashion."

    an "Were you not all told that?"

    "Grumbles of approval from the crowd, but Drokk remained unconvinced."

    drok "So what?"
    drok "Drokk not going to kill humi, Drokk was just gonna have sum fun."

    "The orc looked at Alexia with the same hate in his eyes as he had shown earlier."

    drok "Plus humi bitch was askin’ for it."
    drok "Dumb slut insult Drokk in front of da other orcs, Drokk can’t stand for dat."

    "Andras seemed completely unfazed by Drokk’s rising temper, if anything he looked bored."

    an "So, you ignored my order because Alexia hurt your feelings?"

    "A snigger rose up from the other tables scattered around the barracks. If orcs could turn red, Drokk probably would have in this moment. Alexia clutched her dress tightly."

    drok "Feelings no hurt, puny humis words can’t hurt Drokk. Is about respect. "

    "The demon smirked, catching on to that last word."

    an "Respect, yes, that is the word exactly."

    "He looked around the room and all the other orcs, making sure that they knew what he was about to say was as much for their benefit as Drokk’s."

    an "I’d like you think you all respect me, I’ve surely earned it."
    an "Nevermind the fact I put a roof over all of your heads, and give you all the opportunity to share in the spoils of our conquest."

    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    "He looked at Drokk now, the smile dissolving from his face."

    an "But do you think it shows respect, Drokk, when you blatantly ignore my commands?"

    "Drokk was beginning to look uncomfortable now."

    drok "Drokk respect masta, but Drokk a great leada, need other orcs  to respect him."
    drok "Drokk strongest ‘der is. Orcs won’t respect him if he let any humi talk to him the way dat one did before. "

    an "So, it is more important that the other orcs respect you than it is for you to show respect to me, is that way you are saying?"

    "Confusion crossed the face of the massive orc. The demon was deliberately twisting his words, but he wasn’t intelligent enough to realize it."

    drok "No, dat not what Drokk mean."

    an "Then, what exactly does Drokk mean?"

    "Silence. Drokk was clearly thinking long and hard about what he was going to say next."

    drok "Drokk didn’t mean no disrespect to masta, he just got mad. If he disrespected masta it was not on purpose, and he is sorry. "

    show andras happy at midleft with dissolve

    an "There, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?"
    an "Except I am not the person you should be apologizing to."

    "Realizing what the demon wanted him to do, Drokk grimaced. He’d probably prefer swallowing glass over apologizing to a human, and a woman, no less."

    drok "Drokk sorry, humi-"

    an "Alexia."

    drok "..."
    drok "Alexia."

    "The demon turned to face the woman."

    an "So what do you think Alexia, has Drokk learned his lesson?"

    menu:
        "Yes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ drokkPunish = "Yes"
            "The human spoke for the first time since she had entered the room."
            al "Yes, he apologized and he won’t do it again, that is enough."
            al "It doesn’t need to go any further."
            an "That is certainly very forgiving of you Alexia. "
            show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
            "There it was, that smirk."
            an "But I’m afraid I don’t share your opinion."

        "No.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ drokkPunish = "No"
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +2)
            "The human spoke for the first time since she had entered the room."
            al "No, the bastard nearly raped me. If the other orc- hadn’t- hadn’t..."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
            "She looked like she was on the verge of tears, but it quickly morphed to fury."
            al "He needs to be punished properly, he needs to suffer like he made me suffer!"
            an "Well, you know what they say about an eye for an eye…"
            show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
            "There it was, that smirk."
            an "But I’ve always been partial to capital punishment myself."

    scene cg494 with fade
    show andras smirk behind cg494
    show wild orc neutral behind cg494
    pause 3

    "Fast as lightning, Andras spun around, grabbing Drokk by his throat and lifting him into the air as if he were light as a feather. The huge orc let out a choked hiss of surprise."

    an "Drokk. Drokk. Drokk."
    an "As much as I’d love to let it slide, you are an excellent warrior after all, I’m afraid I’m going to have to make an example of you."

    "Drokk’s eyes bulged with surprise, as he tried to say something. Anything."

    an "I don’t give you soldiers orders as suggestions, and if I start letting people off when they disobey them, people might start to get the wrong idea, and then there’ll be no discipline at all, will there?"

    if drokkPunish == "Yes":
        show cg495 with dissolve
        pause 3

    else:
        scene cg496 with dissolve
        pause 3

    if drokkPunish == "Yes":
        "Alexia wanted to say something, to stop him, but she knew there was no point."

    else:
        "Alexia smiled as she watched the orc squirm, excited to see him get what he deserved."

    "The air was punctuated with the sickening crack of bone as Andras used his free arm to wrench the huge arm’s arm in an unnatural way.  Alexia could see white bone tear though green skin, she almost fainted."

    if drokkPunish == "Yes":
        scene cg497 with redflash
        pause 3

    else:
        scene cg498 with redflash
        pause 3

    drok "UKK!!!"

    an "Maybe-"

    scene black with redflash

    "The crack again, as the demon broke his other arm in the same fashion, followed by an orcish roar of pain."

    if drokkPunish == "Yes":
        scene cg499 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg499
        show wild orc neutral behind cg499
        pause 3

    else:
        scene cg500 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg500
        show wild orc neutral behind cg500
        pause 3

    an " -after seeing this, all of you will understand what it means to disobey me."

    "Satisfied, he dropped the orc to the floor with the same level of regard one has when disposing of trash."

    scene bg11 with fade
    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    an "I should kill you Drokk, I should tear your heart from your chest and be done with it."

    show andras happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras smiled, it was almost magnanimous."


    an "But you are good warrior after all, and I can’t exactly spare any of those at the moment. I’m sure you’ll think better before disobeying me again, won’t you?"

    "A grunt of acknowledge and a nod were all that the orc could muster. Andras turned his attention to the rest of the crowd."

    an "I trust the rest of you have learned the same lesson?"

    "More grunts and nods. Alexia felt pretty certain that no other orc would mess with her after seeing this, and despite the brutal scene she had just witnessed, she felt much better."

    an "Good. Now someone get Drokk to the mender before he pisses himself. Come Alexia, we are done here."

    al "Oh, uh.. Yes."

    hide andras with moveoutright
    hide alexia with moveoutright

    "The demon left, promptly followed by the human woman. If the orcs had anything to say to or about her, this time they would wait until she was far out of earshot."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    an "I doubt any orc will harass you after that little scene, but if any of them try anything, come straight to me. You know where my room is."

    "Alexia was lost in thought, still trying to process what had just happened. What Andras did to Drokk was brutal, and she abhorred violence, but she’d be lying to herself if she didn’t admit that it had been exciting."
    "What he did to Drokk- what he did for her, sent a thrill down her spine. She needed someone to stand up for her, and Rowan wasn’t here yet again. If it wasn’t for the demon, she didn’t know what would have happened…"

    an "Alexia? Are you alright?"

    "Brought out of her thoughts by Andras’s voice, a wave of embarrassment hit her as she realized she had been stood there daydreaming."

    al "Oh! Uh.."

    show alexia 2 happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m okay. I don’t think they’ll bother me again after that display, they’ll be too scared to."
    al "I have to thank you. Rowan wasn’t here, and Jezera refused to do anything. I don’t know what Drokk would have done if you hadn’t intervened…"

    an "There’s no need to thank me."

    al "But-"

    "He cut her off with a friendly wave of his hand."

    an "Really. The orcs have been acting very unruly as of late, even worse than they normally behaviour. Castle fever I suppose. We can’t have that."
    an "By taking Drokk down a peg it will remind them who is the boss around here. I was hoping your husband would take care of it, but he’s been too busy I suppose."

    "Yes, even too busy to protect her."

    al "Still."

    an "Drokk disobeyed an order, now the others won’t. It is as simple as that."
    an "Plus I seem to recall telling you that no one in this castle would lay a hand on you unless you wanted them to, including me."

    "He was right. He may have been a manipulative bastard on a number of occasions, but he had never laid a hand on her without her permission, not like Drokk."

    an "So think nothing of it, I was just doing my duty as the ruler of Bloodmeen."

    "His refusal to take any credit for saving her was beginning to frustrate Alexia, she decided to try something a bit more forward."

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 60:
    "Placing one hand on his crotch, she said:"

    #else:
        #"Placing one hand on his chest, she said:"

    al "Surely there must be some way that I can thank you."
    an "Well, when you put it that way…"

    "He leaned in for the kiss, and she accepted it. Tongues snaked, brushing against each other, until, eventually, it was the demon who pulled away."

    al "Mmm…."
    an "Meet me tonight in the throne room, after everyone else has gone to bed."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "He didn’t wait for a reply, disappearing down the corridor. Alexia felt a mix of emotions all at once; excitement, shame, arousal, betrayal."
    "Could she really do this?"
    "Yes, she could. After all, Andras had saved her from the orcs, not her husband, and he deserved a proper thank you for that. Rowan wouldn’t be back for days yet, and he needn’t ever have to know."
    "She hated to admit it, but the thought of sneaking around excited her, and the power that the demon had displayed when he punished Drokk had been like nothing she had ever seen before."
    "She would meet him later to show her appreciation, it was the least she could do after what Andras had done for her. Plus it wouldn’t hurt her or Rowan if Andras was to think protecting them was to his benefit. He’d kept his word about her after all."

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label AnThroneNTR_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade

    "It had gone midnight by the time that Alexia snuck down to the throne room. She had lived here long enough to know her way around the place, and made her way there taking the long, winding corridors that she knew were likely to not be used at this time of night."
    "When she pushed open the large doors at the front of the cavernous chamber, she found it dimly lit, only the braziers on the walls giving out a soft glow."

    show alexia white neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Hello? Andras?"

    "His voice echoed softly from the far side of the room."

    show andras happy behind bg6

    an "I’m here, I was beginning to think that you weren’t going to come."

    hide andras
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "She could see him now as her eyes began to adjust to the darkness of the room, he sat on the throne, waiting for her. She began to walk towards him."

    al "Sorry, I had to wait until the castle quietened down. Jezera’s maids work until late, and there’s always a few drunken orcs milling around close to the barracks."
    an "True, true. We wouldn’t want anyone to see you now, would we?"

    show alexia white happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She blushed with shame. She would have been hard pressed and anyone stumbled upon her to explain where she was headed late at night, wearing nothing but her nightie."
    "He saw her grow flushed and crimson and laughed, the eyes of a demon were much better suited for the darkness than those of a human. "

    an "I’m just teasing you, I’m sure you would have thought of something. "
    al "I don’t think I would have been able to if I had been put on the spot, I could hardly have told them the truth."

    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    an "And what would the truth be?"

    "He said, with a smirk."

    al "You know what it is."
    an "Do I?"
    al "Yes."
    an "I’m not sure I do, you’ll have to remind me."

    "He was playing with her, so she decided to play a little game of her own."
    "She stopped at the foot of the dias, looking up at him, and bowed her head."

    al "I came to thank you Lord Andras."
    an "Oh, for what?"
    al "For protecting me from Drokk and all the other orcs, I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t intervened."
    al "You are so strong, and powerful…"
    an " I am, aren’t I?"
    al "Yes, when you held up Drokk like he was nothing, and you- you-"

    "He grinned, clearly enjoying the redhead’s performance. "

    an "Go on."
    al "When you punished him… When you broke his arms, it was like you were saying it was because he touched me with them, and if anyone else touched me…"
    an "Perhaps, I was."
    al "Ohhh…."

    "Alexia theatrically feigned a shudder, she was enjoying this almost as much as she was. "

    an "I was rather heroic, wasn’t I?"
    al "Very heroic, my Lord. Like some hero out of legend, Ser Alarec, or Ser Ferrano, defending the honour of a lady."
    an "Yes, yes, rescuer of maidens, defender of damsels in distress, that definitely sounds like me."

    "She let out a giggle. "

    an "What, don’t you think so?"

    "She tried to stifle her laughter as best as she could."

    al "Of course not. You are very virtuous, my Lord."
    an "Good, good."
    an "I think I should be rewarded for it."
    al "You should, my Lord."
    al "How do you think you should be rewarded?"

    an "Come here."

    "She sashayed up the stairs slowly as he stood from the throne, exuding power."

    al "And what, pray tell, would you like me to do?"
    an "Kneel."

    #cg1
    scene cg501 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg501
    show alexia white happy behind cg501

    "She did as she was told, and it felt good to do so. Whatever anyone might say about him, Andras certainly had the authority needed to be a demon lord. An aura of command almost, a surety in what he said that made you feel compelled to follow orders."

    show cg502 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg503 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Using his free hand, he freed his cock from beneath its cover. She gazed at it, hungrily."

    show cg504 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "His fat cock was in her face now, she breathed it in, the musky smell of masculinity. Looking up, his frame was so muscular and powerful, he towered above her like a giant. "

    #if greyhideMet == True:
    "Only Greyhide was larger, but even then, Alexia knew that the minotaur was no match for Andras in pure strength."

    "He’d crushed Drokk like a gnat, and while the woman liked to think of herself as more enlightened, she couldn’t help but find it hot."

    show cg505 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She didn’t need to be told what to do anymore. Taking the dick in one hand, she began to stroke it, while kissing the head."
    "Thank. You. Lord. Andras - she said, punctuating each word with a kiss on the shiny crimson head of his cock. The demon said nothing, simply enjoying the sight of the woman below him, working his dick."

    "She began to tongue and suck it, slavering it with her saliva as her hand worked away, tugging and twisting. She wanted to tease him first, just like he had teased her earlier."
    "She kissed, licked, and sucked the head, but everytime it seemed she was about to begin the blowjob proper, she slowed down, or moved away, denying him the pleasure. "

    an "Want to play it like that, do you?"

    al "I have no idea what you mean."

    "She said sarcastically, as she lazily licked his shaft."
    "The demon had had enough of being frustrated, and he was going to show her exactly what he meant."

    scene powerlessthronesexanimation1 with fade
    show alexia white happy behind powerlessthronesexanimation1

    "She shuddered as he grabbed her by the back of the head and started to direct her movements. She moved back and forth, taking his cock as deep as she could, before receding, only to impale her mouth on it again. "
    "Andras was forceful, enough to make her feel controlled in an arousing way, but not enough to make her feel like she had no control. Each time he made her gag on his cock, he held her just the right amount of time, so she never felt like she would choke. "
    "Before long her head was bobbing back and forth at a steady rhythm, the sound of flesh and wetness echoing through the chamber."
    "She slid her right hand down to her sodden pussy and began to stroke her clit, as she continued to pleasure him. Why shouldn’t she get off as well? Her cunt throbbed with need, wishing it was as full as her mouth."
    "She slid one finger in, then a second and a third, up to the knuckle. Andras saw what she was doing and laughed, as he continued to pump away, fucking her face, as she frigged herself chasing her own climax."
    "A few minutes later, they were both approaching the edge. Alexia came first, cumming hard as she frantically fingered her cunt with Andras’s cock buried in her throat."

    al " Fuuuuuuuck……"

    scene cg512 with sshake
    show black with sshake
    show cg513 with flash
    show cg513 with sshake
    show cg514 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Andras grunted and released her head. As he pulled back, he sprayed her face with her load, glazing her in warm jizz."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show alexia white happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    al "Fuck, I’m a mess."
    an "I guess I wasn’t so virtuous after all."

    "She grinned at him, her face thick with his cum."

    al "I’m not complaining."
    al "I suppose if you are going to keep protecting me, then I will have to keep thanking you?"

    an "Hmmm, I suppose you will."
    al "I think I can live with that."

    "The shame and the guilt would come later, but for now, she was still basking in the post-orgasm glow. "

    al "I’d better go and clean myself up, it wouldn’t do for anyone to discover me with a face full of your cum."

    "He laughed:"

    an "No, I suppose it wouldn’t. "
    an "Go, I’ll send for you when it is time for you to “thank me” again."
    al "Yes, my Lord."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    "She emphasised the word “Lord” with a wink, made an overexaggerated curtsy and left, leaving the demon alone. He sank back into the throne."
    "That idiot Drokk had almost ruined it by taking it too far, but it had still gone as planned. Sending Rowan away, having the orc accost her, that little scene with his favourite slave - it had all worked out like he thought it would."
    "And now it was time to plan his second gambit."

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label the_two_slaves_rp:

    #if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        #scene bg9 with fade
    #else:
    scene bg7 with fade

    "Alexia had finished her duties for the day and was ready to retire to her chambers, when a hard knock punctuated the silence of the room."
    "She opened it to find her former tormenter, Drokk, standing there, looking as apologetic as the last time she had seen him, his arms still wrapped in bandages from the thrashing that Andras had given him."
    "Recalling that pleasurable memory sent a shiver up her spine. She almost lost herself to idle daydream as Drokk politely handed her what he had been sent to deliver: a single piece of parchment, rolled up and wrapped with an unassuming ribbon. "
    "She was certain who the letter was from, and she couldn’t wait to open it. If she could have physically pushed Drokk out of the room, she might have, but alas, she could only make it painfully clear that he should leave. {i}Now{/i}."
    "For his part, Drokk seemed quite relieved that he had been dismissed so quickly. As soon as he was gone, Alexia hastily tugged the loops of the ribbon, eager to read what the demon had written to her."
    "She held it close to the candle at her end table to read it, the flickering orange glow adding an illicit thrill to the reading."
    "Her first impression was that the calligraphy was quite beautiful. She didn’t know whether Andras could read or write, being a demon, so it was a shock to see such good penmanship."

    "{i}My sweet Alexia,{/i}"
    "{i}Once again I desire the pleasure of the company. Come to my chambers straight away, and wear the outfit I gave you. Please try not to be late, I would hate to have to punish you.{/i}"
    "{i}Your Master{/i}"

    "She shuddered as she read the last part; when she arrived at the castle as the twins’ captor she never {i}dreamed{/i} she’d ever get aroused at being owned by the demon, but here she was."
    "Perhaps being punished by Andras would not be so bad… unless of course, it was in the matter she had punished Drokk. But there was no time to think about that now."
    "Not wanting to be late, she hurriedly changed out of her clothes, slipping into the tiny piece of material he considered an ‘outfit.’"

    #show alexia slut necklace happy at center with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    "It wasn’t an outfit at all, it was a statement of ownership. And she {i}loved{/i} it."

    al "Now, let’s find out what Lord Andras wants of me this evening. "

    scene bg14 with fade

    "She made her way through the winding corridors of Castle Bloodmeen in the director of Andras’ chambers cautiously, making sure not to be seen. The racy outfit was one thing, but who knows what tales might make it back to her husband."
    "She felt a pang of guilt as she momentarily fretted about that possible outcome, but not one so strong that it would make her put aside her desire for pleasure."
    "At one point she had to cower in a maid’s closet as two drunken orcs passed by, on the way to the barracks, bragging about their latest conquests on the previous raid. Their lurid descriptions of rough, self-gratifying sex only made her pussy wetter."
    "She eventually found herself standing before the door to Andras’s chambers, luckily without being seen."

    show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She knocked on the door, and then announced herself."

    al "Hello, Lord Andras?"

    show andras happy behind bg14

    an "Ah, Alexia, just in time. Come in, come in."

    scene bg41 with fade

    "She opened the door to a sight not too dissimilar to one that she had seen once before. Andras was on the bed, and the beautiful, tanned woman sat on his lap. This time however, they were not in the midst of sex."

    #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve
    show zahira neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    an "We were just talking about you, your ears must have been burning."

    "He looked down and saw the wet stain on the front of her bottoms."

    an "...Or another part of you."

    #show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She blushed. Now she was doubly grateful that she had made it to his room without being seen."

    #show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "You were?"
    an "Yes. This is my slave, Zahira. Oh, the pair of you have already met, haven’t you?"

    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "The bastard. He knew they had. He gave her that grin, oozing with self-assurance and smug satisfaction. Once upon a time, it had annoyed her, now it just made her hot."

    al "Yes, we did meet once before. Although, we were not properly introduced."

    "The woman spoke for the first time, her voice flat, her face unchanging."

    zah "A pleasure to meet you, mistress Alexia."

    "Andras casually groped her ample bosom as he lightly chastised her for her formality."

    an "Now, now, none of that Zahira. She’s a slave too just like you."
    an "Aren’t you, Alexia?"

    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia’s face burned with shame but it was too late to object. In a way, she didn’t want to."

    al "Yes, master Andras."

    "The presence of the other woman stung a little, but it made sense. A powerful man like her master needed, nay, {i}deserved{/i} more than one woman. That was part of what drew her to him. She would have to do her best to make sure that she was the one he desired the most."

    #show alexia slut necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia smiled sweetly at Zahira."

    al "The pleasure is all mine."

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    an "Speaking of pleasure, that was what we were discussing."
    al "Oh?"
    an "You have been doing so well, my little slut, that I thought you deserved a reward."
    al "A reward for me, master? It is really not necessary."
    al "Serving you is a reward in itself, and I would not want you to trouble yourself on my account."

    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "He gave her that knowing, leering look."

    an "Oh, {i}I{/i} won’t be troubling myself. Zahira is the one who will be giving you the reward."

    #show alexia slut necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "She’s an expert in all the sexual arts, something I can attest to personally."

    "Alexia really wasn’t sure what to think about all of this. The woman was a stranger, and she could get nothing from her body language or face as to how she felt about all this."

    #show alexia slut necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "It’s fine master, really, I am happy just to serve."
    an "Who is the master here, me or you?"

    "Resigned to her fate, she smiled at him. There was no getting out of this, not without risking upsetting him anyway, which was the last thing she wanted to do."

    al "You are, my lord."
    an "Exactly, now lie on that bed and enjoy yourself."

    "Alexia did as instructed, lying back on the bed and parting her legs to allow access. Without a word, Zahira knelt on the floor before the bed, positioning herself between them."

    al "Is this okay?"
    an "Just relax, let Zahira work her magic."

    #cg 1
    scene cg1003 with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1003
    show andras smirk behind cg1003
    show zahira neutral behind cg1003
    pause 3

    "With a nod from Andras, the dark-haired woman went to work. She gently began to massage Alexia’s pussy through the thin piece of material that covered it, lightly stroking her clit while taking the occasional shallow plunge with one finger between the folds of her pussy."
    "Alexia began to breathe harder, she could feel herself getting wetter with each tender touch, each soft stroke."
    "Zahira was taking her time to ease into it, slowly raising her arousal, a task that was usually completely alien to men, who were mostly obsessed with {i}themselves{/i} when it came to penetration."
    "Her skilled touch left Alexia wanting though; being in her master’s presence had piqued her desire, and his gaze upon her as his favourite slave stroked her cunt only made her feel hotter and hotter."

    al "Unnn…"

    "She let out a low moan as she began to push against Zahira’s hand, craving more stimulation."

    scene cg1004 with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1004
    show andras smirk behind cg1004
    show zahira neutral behind cg1004
    pause 3


    "Without so much as a word or a change to her almost empty expression, Zahira obliged, sliding the tiny front of her outfit aside to give full access to Alexia’s pussy. She began to rub her clit, adding a bit more pressure."

    al "Yessssss…."

    "Alexia was clearly responsive to this, so the tanned woman continued. Every now and then she would give her clit a sharp pinch, eliciting louder moans from Alexia."
    "Andras smirked as he watched, his enjoyment at the show that the two women were putting on for him visible by the bulge in his groin."

    an "Doesn’t my Alexia’s pussy look delicious, slave?"

    al "Huhhhh...?"

    "Zahira answered while still paying full attention to the redhead’s pleasure."

    zah "Yes, master."

    "He didn’t have to say anything else, as she knew exactly what it was that he was ordering her to do. Leaning forward, she began to lightly lap on Alexia’s twat. Alternating between shallow licks between her lips, and stimulating her clit."

    al "Ohhhhh…."


    #cg 1 - var 1 (andras hands)
    scene cg1005 with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1005
    pause 3

    "Now impatient of being left out, Andras decided to get in on the fun. He slid his hands over Alexia’s midsection until her arrived at her ample breasts, freeing them from the feeble tyranny of the barely-concealing fabric."
    "Far less tender than his talented servant (not that she had any complaints) he began to roughly grope them, taking firm, hard grabs, and pinching and twisting her nipples."
    "While the demon was taking care of upstairs, Zahira began to eat her pussy proper. Burying her face into her cunt, she forced her tongue between the folds of her labia, taking slow, long licks, tasting all of her."

    al " Fuuuuuuuckkk…."

    scene cg1006 with fade
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1006
    show andras smirk behind cg1006
    show zahira neutral behind cg1006
    pause 3

    "Pleasure continued to rise inside Alexia, like a gentle wave crashing over her. Alexia had had a lot of good sex in her life, some with her husband, and some with her present company, but {i}Zahira{/i} knew how to touch her in ways she had never been touched before."
    "Each kiss, each lick, each suck was perfectly timed to keep her cresting on the wave of arousal, leaving her in an almost dreamlike state as the warm buzz radiated through her body."
    "Switching to her clit, Zahira lightly sucked on it as she slid two fingers into Alexia’s now drenched hole, and began to make gentle come hither motions, lightly grazing her G-spot each time the fingers came toward her tanned palm."
    "Alexia began to press back, moving with her, while Zahira sped up, bringing her closer and closer orgasm."

    al "That’s it… There….."
    al "Yesssss…."

    "Andras leaned in close to her body, sucking and biting on her nipples. Zahira continued to frig her, harder and faster, bringing her toward a climax. It was only a matter of time now, the only question was how hard she would come."
    "Alexia lost herself in a daze. She bucked her hips, riding the wave, moaning incoherently as Zahira worked her magic. She felt like she had when Andras had placed the spell on her last time, close to losing her mind."

    #cg 1 - var 2 (squirt)
    show cg1006 with sshake
    show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg1006
    pause 1

    "It was almost more than she could take, but luckily, she did not need to take it anymore. She let out a loud scream as she came hard. Multiple orgasms wracked through her body, and she squirted directly on the perfectly positioned face of Zahira."
    "As she started to drift back to earth, she saw Zahira wiping Alexia’s feminine love from her face, and realised what had happened, turning a deep red from the shame and embarrassment."

    scene bg41 with fade
    #show alexia slut necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused at center with dissolve
    show zahira neutral at midright with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    al "Oh Gods, Zahira! I am so sorry."
    zah "No need to apologize, my Lady."

    "Andras chuckled, sitting up beside her, lightly stroking her arm. In her post-orgasm bliss, even that slight sensation gave her goosebumps of pleasure."

    an "No harm, no foul. And anyway, Zahira is used to getting things shot on her face."

    show zahira happy at midright with dissolve

    "The slave smiled at this, and Alexia realised that it was the first time since she had entered the room that she had done so. "

    al "Ugh… I’m so embarrassed."

    "She covered her face with her hands. It was all hot and sweaty, which only made her feel more shame."

    an "Now, now, little Alexia. No need to be so modest around us. Especially after what just happened. "

    show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I suppose so…"

    "She sat up too fast, still a little woozy from orgasm, and almost fell back down again."

    #show alexia slut necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I don’t think I can feel my feet."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras smiled, leering down at his favoured slave."

    an "She has that effect on people."

    "Impossibly beautiful and excellent in bed. Zahira was the ideal partner. Alexia was starting to wonder why Andras was interested in {i}her{/i} at all. She’d have to step her game up if she wanted to keep his attention, Andras’ unspoken lesson was obvious."

    an "I would ask if you enjoyed that… but I think the results speak for themselves."
    al "I did, but…."
    an "But?"
    al "You didn’t get any pleasure, my Lord."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "He grinned at the obviousness of her ploy."

    an "Hmmm, that’s true."

    "She looked over at Zahira, who now stood like a statue at his side, awaiting further instruction."

    al "Perhaps the pair of us could pleasure you…?"

    "Andras stood, a knowing look on his face."

    an "So my two slaves want to serve their master, do they?"

    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She felt her sodden pussy twinge as he said that."

    al "Yes…"
    zah "Always, my Lord."

    "He grinned like the cat who had got the cream."

    an "Far be it from me to deprive them of that, then."

    "With one quick movement, he whipped his belt off, his kilt dropping to the floor. He unveiled his large dick, already fully erect. "

    an "Both of you - kneel."

    "Zahira did as instructed, kneeling before Andras on one side, leaving room for Alexia who got up off the bed and did the same."

    al "It’s amazing…"
    an "Oh?"
    al "Master’s dick… It’s so long and thick."

    "He smirked, clearly enjoying the attention. Alexia was almost salivating at the sight of it."

    al "And it feels so good inside me…"
    an "Such a good slut, perhaps I’ll put it inside you again soon."

    "She practically gushed."

    al "Ohhhh… Yesssss…."
    an "And you, my whore?"
    zah "No man could ever compare to you, my Lord."
    an "Good answer. Well go ahead then, indulge yourselves."

    #cg2
    scene cg941 with fade
    show andras smirk behind cg941
    pause 3

    "No further encouragement was needed. Zahira began to lick one side of his cock, while Alexia planted soft kisses on the other, inhaling the musky aroma."
    "Zahira went to work on the head, sucking and licking it with reverent delight. Alexia took shaft duty, tonguing and licking it hungrily. Andras placed a hand on the back of their heads, softly, enjoying their avid ministrations. "
    "Alexia moved up to the head alongside Zahira, kissing it, sharing the occasional kiss with the brunette. She didn’t seem to mind it as much this time, not while their master Andras basked in the joy of having both beautiful women servicing him."
    "Zahira licked way down to the base, and began to suck on his balls. Alexia not wanting to be outdone, took the head of his cock in her mouth and began to give him a blowjob, her head bobbing up and down."

    an "That’s it, slaves. Submit to me."

    "Following his encouragement, Alexia began to move a little faster, while Zahira continued sucking. After a while, the redhead removed the cock from her mouth, and grabbed the shaft swirling her tongue around the head hungrily."
    "Not wanting to monopolize his manhood, she gently tilted the cock towards Zahira. It was, however small, an indication of offering, which the other woman gladly accepted. She wasted no time taking her master’s cock deep into her throat, before beginning to move back and forth in a rapid fashion."

    an "Why don’t you take care of the back, Alexia?"

    "The back? Then it dawned on her, and she blushed red with shame. She had never done that before, but the sheer taboo of it was…"

    menu:
        "Arousing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ alexiaDegeneracy += 1
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            #cg3
            scene cg942 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg942
            show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg942
            pause 3
            "She couldn’t deny him."
            "She didn’t want to deny him."
            "While Zahira continued to suck his dick vigorously, she moved to the back, pulled his cheeks apart, and tentatively began to lick his asshole. First they were slow and shallow licks, as she was unsure as to what to expect."
            "On the other side, Andras now had both of his hands on Zahira’s head and firmly took control. He thrust forward with ever greater intensity, occasionally holding his cock deep in her throat for seconds at a time."
            "Zahira never gagged once. She was a true expert of her craft, taking all of her master’s length with ease."
            "Meanwhile, Alexia was getting braver with her own task, burying her tongue in his ass every time that he pistoned back in her direction. The manly grunts of pleasure that she elicited from him were a sign that she was on the right track."
            "Part of her couldn’t believe what she was doing, but the rest was immensely turned on by the sheer filthiness of the act."
            an "Do you like the taste of my ass, slut?"
            "She answered, tongue still lapping away at his hole."
            al "Mmmmm hmmmm…."
            "He laughed, pleased with her answer."
            an "Very good job. We’ll make a depraved whore of you yet, my little pet."
            "Weeks ago she would have been offended, but now she responded by hungrily driving her tongue as deep into his asshole as she could."
            "A depraved slut… she liked the sound of that."
            an "That’s good, now come back around the front for your reward, slave."

        "Unpleasant to Consider.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #cg4
            scene cg943 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg943
            show alexia slut necklace aroused behind cg943
            pause 3
            "She worried over it for a few moments, wondering if it might be a step far. Zahira noticed her hesitation, and took it upon herself to circle to the back of the demon to take care of the job herself."
            "Alexia wondered if this would reflect badly on her. She was a little stung that she had been outdone by the other woman, but there was nothing that she could do about that now. All she could do was concentrate on the task at hand."
            "Once again she took the huge red cock in her mouth and began to blow him, moving back and forth, bobbing her head up and down on his cock again and again."
            "Andras let out a grunt of satisfaction, placing his hand on the back of her head, once again enjoying the attention of two attractive women."
            "Alexia had an idea, one that might help undo the shame of failing her previous task. She spoke, with her mouth still half full with her master’s cock."
            al "Fuhck muh mouth, mastuhh."
            "Andras smirked and grabbed her hard by the back of her head, using it to control her movement as he thrust his own hips, building up speed."
            "He was using her mouth like a cunt now, and Alexia was doing everything she could not to gag. Breathing through her nose helped, but she couldn’t keep from choking a little when he went into the deepest part of her throat, causing her eyes to water."
            "Worried he might think it was too much for her, and consequently stop, she gave him a muffled affirmation."
            al "Uhhfff.. Keep goh-ing."
            "He did, pistoning back and forth as Zahira worked away behind them, out of Alexia’s sight. With one final thrust, he forced his dick deep into Alexia’s throat and held it there for a few seconds."
            "She coughed, finding it hard to breathe, but looked up at him with lust, making watery-eyed eye contact, to show him that she knew this was her place, and she loved it."
            "Andras pulled free, allowing her to breathe fully again."
            an "Very good job. We’ll make a depraved whore of you, yet, my little pet."
            "Weeks ago she would have been offended, but now the praise only made her pussy gush a little as she looked forward to future throat fuckings, and so much more."
            an "And you too, Zahira. Come back around the front so I can reward you both."

    #cg2
    scene cg941 with fade
    pause 3

    "When they were both reunited, on their knees in front of him again, the pair of slaves resumed their earlier activities, licking and tonguing Andras’s manhood in tandem. After their previous efforts, it wasn’t long before the demon’s cock began to twitch and throb as he approached climax."

    #cg2 - var 1 (cum)
    scene cg944 with fade
    show andras smirk behind cg944
    pause 3

    "He came hard. First shooting ropey lengths of jism over Zahira’s face, before repositioning his dick to make sure Alexia got her fair share as well. When he was done, both women were covered in cum, and it was dripping down their faces."

    an "Now kiss."

    #cg5
    scene cg945 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg946 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He placed his hands gently to bring them together. Their tongues met, and Alexia could taste both Zahira’s saliva, and her master’s seed. She happily kissed the favoured slave, lost in a daze."
    "After a few minutes, they broke, and the redhead swallowed like a good girl."

    scene bg41 with fade
    show andras smirk at center with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show zahira neutral at midright with dissolve

    an "Now leave, both of you. I have important things to do, and you have served your purpose."
    zah "Yes, master."
    al "Yes, master."
    an "Don’t worry though, I have plans for you the pair of you. I will send for you again soon."
    an "Go, you two are almost as bad as X’zaratl’s damned succubi."

    "He chuckled as the pair said their goodbyes and saw themselves out."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft
    hide zahira with moveoutleft

    scene black with fade

    "Zahira did not even do much as glance in Alexia’s direction headed off towards a different part of the castle. To where? Alexia had not even the faintest clue."
    "As she walked back towards her own room, once again being cautious so as not to be seen, bearing Andras’ still-dripping load on her face, Alexia mused that she had no idea what the demon had planned for her next."
    "She knew one thing though, she couldn’t wait until he sent for her again so she could find out."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_9.rpy
label the_demonic_tome_rp:

    $ NTR = True
    scene bg9 with fade

    #if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with moveinright

    #else:
        #show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        #show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Rowan…"
    ro "Yes, my love?"

    "The hero noticed the nervousness in his wife’s tone. Her arms were wrapped around a large bound book that he had never seen before."

    ro "What’s that you have there?"
    al "It’s a book I found in the library."
    ro "Oh?"
    al "Truth is, I’ve had it for a few weeks, but I’ve been hiding it…"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You didn’t need to hide it darling."
    al "I know, I just didn’t know what to do with it."

    "She held the book out and opened it, to show her husband the strange language and illustrated chaos within."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "I think it might contain some information that could help us, but I’ve not been able to make any sense of it. I even tried to find other books in the library that might be helpful, but had no luck."
    ro "What do you think it is?"
    al "Some sort of history of demons, perhaps? Whatever it is, it might be something we could use against the twins."

    if NTR == True:

        menu:
            "Suggest she ask Andras for help. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Perhaps Andras would help you, you did say he was quite pleasant with you when you here as their hostage."
                al "I guess, he did suggest the book in the first place when I was in the library. I don’t trust him though."
                ro "I don’t trust him either, but I don’t think he’d hurt you."
                al "I agree, the twins still want to use me as leverage against you."
                al "I guess it is settled then."
                ro "Okay, but just be careful."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "The woman gave her husband a kiss, and a smile."
                al " Don’t worry, if I feel things are starting to take a turn for the worse, I’ll just leave. You just go about your day as normal so the demons won’t suspect anything."
                ro "Okay, I’ll see you later. Love you."
                al "Love you too, husband."
                $ alexia_and_her_demon_book = 2
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                jump andrasHelp_rp


            "Suggest she ask Jezera for help. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "You could try asking Jezera for help. While she may be our captor, she seems a lot more reasonable than her brother."
                ro "If she thinks helping you might view her and her cause in a more favourable light, she might be willing to tell you about the book."
                al "I guess, she seems nicer, but it feels a little… I guess, cold? Calculated? I think there’s someone else hiding under that facade. I don’t trust her."
                ro "I don’t trust her either, but I don’t think she’d hurt you."
                al "I agree, the twins still want to use me as leverage against you."
                al "I guess it is settled then."
                ro "Okay, but just be careful."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "The woman gave her husband a kiss, and a smile."
                al " Don’t worry, if I feel things are starting to take a turn for the worse, I’ll just leave. You just go about your day as normal so the demons won’t suspect anything."
                ro "Okay, I’ll see you later. Love you."
                al "Love you too, husband."
                $ alexia_and_her_demon_book = 3
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                jump jezeraHelp_rp


            "Tell her it is too risky.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I appreciate your wanting to help, my love, I really do, but it is too risky."
                al "I could be careful."
                ro "I know you could, but we don’t know what we are dealing with. They already kidnapped you, we have no idea what else they have planned."
                al "Andras was the one who originally suggested the book to me in library."
                ro "That alone is suspicious, this whole thing could be a trap. We just don’t know."
                al "I suppose you are right…"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "The man took her by the hand, and smiled at her."
                ro "I’m sure there’ll be plenty of ways for you to help in the future darling, but we can’t take any dangerous chances. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you."
                al "I understand. I just hate being stuck here while you are out there, doing nothing. I feel so useless."
                ro "Alexia..."
                al "You’d better go, I’ll return this book to the library, and then we can forget all about it."
                ro "Okay, I’ll see you later. Love you."
                al "Love you too, husband."
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                return

    else:

                ro "I appreciate your wanting to help, my love, I really do, but it is too risky."
                al "I could be careful."
                ro "I know you could, but we don’t know what we are dealing with. They already kidnapped you, we have no idea what else they have planned."
                al "Andras was the one who originally suggested the book to me in library."
                ro "That alone is suspicious, this whole thing could be a trap. We just don’t know."
                al "I suppose you are right…"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "The man took her by the hand, and smiled at her."
                ro "I’m sure there’ll be plenty of ways for you to help in the future darling, but we can’t take any dangerous chances. I don’t know what I’d do if anything happened to you."
                al "I understand. I just hate being stuck here while you are out there, doing nothing. I feel so useless."
                ro "Alexia..."
                al "You’d better go, I’ll return this book to the library, and then we can forget all about it."
                ro "Okay, I’ll see you later. Love you."
                al "Love you too, husband."
                $ alexia_and_her_demon_book = 1
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                return

    label andrasHelp_rp:

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    al "Come in."

    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    an "Hello Alexia. I believe that you were trying to find me?"
    al "Yes..."
    al "I looked around but I had no luck. I suppose one of your orcs told you?"
    an "You guessed right. Sometimes I have to leave the castle on business too, your husband isn’t the only person around here that has thing he needs to do."
    al "I wasn’t trying to say-"
    an " Don’t worry your pretty face, I wasn’t suggesting that you meant anything by it. Just know that both my sister and I are working just as hard as Rowan towards our goals."
    al "(Now might be a good time to try and get some information)"
    al "What sort of business, if you don’t mind me asking?"
    an "Not at all. I often have to go out to Rosaria to check on our orc soldiers, they are a very undisciplined bunch unfortunately, and have to be shown a firm hand."
    al "I see, I never really thought about the orcs outside of the castle, I must admit."
    an "And why would you? Things like these aren’t really the concern of sweet girls like yourself. I also try to keep an eye on the enemy forces, to see if there’s any unusual activity."
    al "Like?"
    an "Reinforcing certain locations, mustering, patrols that might serve problematic; that sort of thing."
    al "And your sister?"
    an "She has different concerns. Her agents are scattered across the six realms, and it makes more sense for her to visit them than for them to travel here. In disguise, of course."
    al "Of course."
    an "And then there’s her most important concern."
    al "(This could be good…)"

    "The demon pointed at the outfit that the redheaded woman was wearing."

    an "Shopping! Where do you think all these dresses come from?"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Despite the disappointment of not learning anything useful as she expected, Alexia couldn’t help but giggle at the thought of the demoness shopping."

    al "I just assumed she made them herself."
    an "My sister? Sew? It’ll be a bright day in the Outer Dark before that ever happens."

    "The demon let out a chuckle of his own."

    an "The castle coffers would be a lot better off for it as well, trust me. Don’t tell her I told you though, she likes people to think she made them."
    al "I won’t."
    an "Anyway, I’m sure of all this talk of what my sister and I get up to when working is boring you."
    al "Not at all. I’ve been cooped up here for so long now, it is nice to hear about what is going on in the outside world."
    an "I apologize, this has all been unfair for you, and I didn’t mean to be insensitive."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "It is fine. Having free reign in the castle is one thing, but it is hard not to forget that I am still your prisoner. How long for, I have no idea."
    al "Perhaps even forever."
    an "It won’t come to that, I’m certain. Once your husband does what he agreed to do, you will be free to stay or go as you please."
    al "I guess…"
    an "Here’s an idea, how about I take you out somewhere? My sister couldn’t object, such a beautiful thing shouldn’t be kept in a gilded cage. Would you like that?"

    menu:
        "I’d like that very much.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "I’d like that very much. I’d feel a lot better after some fresh air I think."
            an "Then it shall be arranged. But I forget myself, there was a reason you wanted to see my today?"
            #record that Alexia has agreed to go outside the castle with Andras
            # TODO:

        "It’s fine, really.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "It is fine, really. Truth be told, I’ve gotten used to it."
            an "If you change your mind, let me know. It would be no imposition. But I forget myself, there was a reason you wanted to see my today?"

    al "Oh, yes!"

    "Alexia rummaged around under the bed for a few moments, and then pulled out the demonic tome from underneath."

    al "It is about this book..."
    an "Oh, still have that do you?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Yes, but to be honest, I haven’t really been able to make much sense of it."
    an "I’m not surprised, it is written in a regional dialect of a very old language so obscure few would ever bother to translate."
    al "I looked in the library for anything that’d help, but had no luck finding any other books that might be useful."
    al "I was hoping maybe you would be willing to help?"

    an "Oh, you were? And what, pray tell, would be in it for me?"
    al "What do you mean?"
    an "Well, I already helped you once didn’t I? You were never have found the book, had I not been in the library."
    al "True…"

    "The demon pawed at the dormant beast hidden beneath his kilt."

    an "You’re such a beautiful woman Alexia, I can’t help the effect you have on me. If you help take care of my needs, I’ll translate whatever you want in the book."

    menu:
        "Agree to his demand to get the information. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump NTRScene3_rp

        "Scold him and storm out.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "I should have know you’d try something like this. Despite all your niceties, your true self is always lurking underneath."
            al "Here!"
            "The woman threw the book at him, it bounced off his muscular frame with a dull thump."
            al "You can keep your book and whatever the hells it has to say inside of it, I am a married woman!"
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "Before he had a chance to respond,  the woman stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her."
            return

    label NTRScene3_rp:

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Okay then, let’s get this over with, but I won’t let you touch me."
    an "That’s fine, sweet Alexia, I just need you to touch me."

    "He sat down on the bed and gave his kilt a downward tug, causing his now semi-erect cock to pop free from below the waistband."

    an "Come over here, it won’t bite."

    #cg1 - jerking
    scene cg85 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg85
    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg85
    pause 3

    "Without saying a word, Alexia sat down next to him and tentatively placed her hand on the demon’s dick."

    an "You’ll have to get a firmer grip on it than that, don’t you do this with your husband?"
    al "Rowan isn’t a pervert like you, demon."

    "As annoyed as she was at Andras, she just wanted it to be over, so she gripped it tighter as he demanded."

    an "That’s more like it, now start to move it up and down."

    "The woman did as she was told, starting slowly, before settling into a steady rhythm. Clearly enjoying himself, the demon lay back as she worked."

    an "You have another hand, you know."
    al "Meaning?"
    an "A good woman never neglects the balls."

    "Alexia reluctantly cupped his red balls as she worked the shaft with her other hand."

    an "Ahhhh… That’s more like it…"

    "For a few minutes the demon lay back, enjoyed the sensation as Alexia jerked his big dick while fondling his balls. Then, a wicked smile crossed his face."

    show andras smirk behind black

    an "Oh Alexia..."
    al "What?"
    an "As lovely as this is, it is going to take a bit more than this to get me off."
    al "I told you, I won’t let you touch me."
    an "Who said anything about me touching you, but maybe if you used your soft breasts..."
    al "My breasts?"
    an "You want to know what is in the book, right?"

    al "Fine!"

    #cg2 - titjob
    scene cg86 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg86
    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg86
    pause 3

    "Alexia pulled the straps of her dress down, freeing her breasts for below. Kneeling at the foot of the bed before Andras, she positioned her chest so she could place his cock between her tits."
    "Pushing them together, she began to move up and down."

    an "That’s it, but it needs a little more lubrication. Spit on it."
    al "Eww, that’s disgusting."
    an "You can always leave, but then you’ll find out nothing..."

    al "..."

    #cg2 - titjob (spit variant)
    scene cg87 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg87
    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg87
    pause 3

    "Not wanting the shameful situation to be for naught, she did as the demon asked, spitting on his cock as it sat between her perky breasts. A line of drool dribbled from her lips down onto the fat head of the cock below."

    an "Perfect, now put some effort into it and make me cum!"

    "Wanting it all to be over, Alexia started to move her chest up and down quite vigourously."
    "Now well lubed, the cock slid back and forth between her tits with ease, especially when the demon started to move with her, pistoning his hips back and forth. It wasn’t long before he was close to climax."

    an "Ohhh... Fuck..."

    #cg2 - titjob (cum variant)
    scene cg87 with sshake
    scene cg87 with sshake
    scene cg88 with flash
    show andras happy behind cg88
    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg88
    pause 3

    "With one final thrust upwards of his hips, Andras exploded, sending goosy spurts of cum upwards."
    "A look of surprise was on Alexia’s face as jizz splattered it, some even landing inside her half open mouth. A moment passed before the expression shifted to rage."

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    al "You got it all over me, you idiot!"
    an "What can I say? You were doing such a good job, I couldn’t contain myself."
    al "Ughhh... I need to go clean this off before Rowan gets back. You better keep your word, demon!"
    an "Never fear sweet Alexia, I’ll send some notes to your room later which will tell you everything you need to know."
    al "You better."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    return

    label jezeraHelp_rp:

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve
    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    je "Please enter Alexia, the door is now unlocked."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "The red haired woman entered into a very lavishly decorated room filled with soft cushions and elaborate tapestries."
    "It was a lady's room, albeit one that enjoyed sexual imagery. Its owner sat in one of two armchairs nearby a small tea table in one of the corners."

    al "Hello Jezera. I came to ask you about this book…"

    show jezera happy at midleft

    "She held it out before her, so the demoness could see it. Jezera flashed her a grin."

    je "I was wondering when you would come to see me about that."
    al "You weren't expecting anyone else than?"
    je "No, just us, but I'm sure that Rowan told you that when I concentrate I can tell where you and he are thanks to those amulets."

    "Alexia took the other seat at the table somewhat nervously. She watched her host dipping tea leaves into a silver teapot decorated somewhat explicitly with fornicating demons for several moments."

    al "So, is it your magic that's on these then?"

    "She fingered the blue stone dangling from her neck."

    je "The magic, cutting, and metalworking. I actually apprenticed as a jeweler for a short time, since I always had a fondness for such trinkets as a child. Those skills have lent themselves well to my enchanting."

    "The demoness ended her dipping and expertly poured out two cups of tea."

    je "Warping dimensions and imbuing artifacts with new properties are my natural talents. Well, that and the shapeshifting I demonstrated to you before, though my brother has some talent in that as well."

    "She picked up one of the cups along with its saucer and passed it to Alexia."

    je "Between the two of us, teleporting and enchanting are my skills alone."

    "Then Jezera brought the cup to her lips and took a deep sip. Trying not to be rude, Alexia also took a sip from the cup as well."
    "A shiver ran down her body as the liquid touched her tongue; not because it was cold, the tea was quite a pleasant warmth, but because of the things it seemed to make her feel."
    "Alexia tried to push those feelings away for now, and instead concentrated on being a good conversation partner."

    al "I can't really say that I've got any special talents like that myself. I never imagined myself as being anything but Rowan's wife when growing up."
    al "I honed my skills at homemaking during the war and thought of the times I'd spent with Rowan in happier days."

    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera placed her cup back on the saucer and tapped a finger on the brim with a slight look of annoyance in her eyes."

    je "Surely you had some ambition beyond being a simple peasant wife?"

    "The demoness's mismatched eyes locked with Alexia's, seeming to search deep within her."

    # Blurry CG of Alexia dancing?  Variation for her being in Jezera's bedroom with Jezera watching?

    scene cg726 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg727 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg728 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg729 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg730 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg731 with fade
    pause 2
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg731
    show jezera displeased behind cg731

    "A faint memory stirred, then grew and grew. Alexia was spinning while people clapped and cheered around her. A teenage Rowan watched her with a look of amazement in his eyes."

    al "Actually, I do remember dancing during a spring festival just before the start of the war. It felt so natural, but no one stopped talking about how amazing it was until Karnas appeared."

    "The red haired woman felt herself blush and she looked down, breaking Jezera's gaze."

    al "That night was the first time that Rowan and I... we...."

    "Alexia trailed off, thoughts of the first night with Rowan now making her feel very aroused and making it difficult to concentrate when combined with the strange effect the tea was having on her."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve

    je "Hmmhmm, I knew that you were destined for something greater."
    je "A dancer whose movements, body, and face would have drawn spectators from all over the six realms. Please, show me."

    "Without thinking about it, Alexia stood up and started spinning in the middle of the demonesses room. It was exhilarating to dance again."

    if NTR == False:
        "No, this was wrong. She felt funny, and she’d promised Rowan she would leave if things started to go badly, even if it meant learning nothing about the book."
        "Her movements slowed, then stopped. She shook her head, clearing the fog that had stopped her from thinking."
        "Jezera nodded when Alexia looked at her with clear eyes, seemingly satisfied. She stood up and smiled to the human woman."
        je "Thank you for joining me today Alexia, I enjoyed our time together and hope that we will have another chance in the future."
        al "Yes, thank you for the tea. I should get back to Rowan now."
        return

    else:


        menu:
            "Forget about the book and leave before it goes any further.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "No, this was wrong. She felt funny, and she’d promised Rowan she would leave if things started to go badly, even if it meant learning nothing about the book."
                "Her movements slowed, then stopped. She shook her head, clearing the fog that had stopped her from thinking."
                "Jezera nodded when Alexia looked at her with clear eyes, seemingly satisfied. She stood up and smiled to the human woman."
                je "Thank you for joining me today Alexia, I enjoyed our time together and hope that we will have another chance in the future."
                al "Yes, thank you for the tea. I should get back to Rowan now."

            "Stay in the hope of learning about the book. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Thoughts of Rowan seemed to melt away, replaced with images of crowds of people watching her. Then of the upper echelons of nobility. Finally, an image of dancing before a great queen filled Alexia's mind."
                "Without really knowing what had happened, Alexia discovered that she was naked and sitting on a delicate leg while a pair of warm breasts pushed into her back."
                "Soft lips kissed her neck while two fingers pushed the folds of her womanhood apart."
                scene cg106 with fade
                show jezera happy behind cg106
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg106
                pause 3
                al "Oh my."
                "Those fingers pushed into her, penetrating her gently and teasing her passage and clit without seeming to violate her."
                "Alexia was being toyed and played with, not fucked. It was so surreal to have sex like this, completely unlike being with a man."
                "She moaned and seemed to settle deeply into Jezera's grip. The demoness giggled, then squeezed her plaything possessively for a moment before resuming her teasing again."
                "A hand ran up and down Alexia's skin while another curled inside her passage. A soft pinch occurred on her clit, then slow circles were being drawn around her again."
                "Words were whispered in her ear, promising sweet release and joy."
                al "Ahh...."
                "Alexia looked forward and saw a hand presented to her, covered in fluids. Her fluids."
                je "You're so fun to play with, lovely Alexia. Please come with me, let's relax on my bed."
                "Still in a daze, Alexia allowed herself to be led across the room and layed down on the bed. To her slight surprise, Jezera opted to lay down on top of her with her pussy lips on top of her face in a sixty nine position."
                scene cg50 with fade
                pause 2
                "The flame haired woman felt a tongue pressed into her passage and then found herself willingly opening her mouth to accept the womanhood above her face as it pushed down onto her."
                "She drank deeply of the fluids that dripped down her throat while also trying to tease more forth. Her efforts were nothing compared to that of the blue skinned demonesses' work."
                "That expert tongue both filled her and didn't, making her lower half feel warm and soft."
                "Once more, she didn't feel violated, only satisfied. Jezera seemed to be able to perform in a way that men couldn't. Alexia wanted to just surrender herself and feel more joy."
                "In turn, she wanted to give everything she could to try and make her partner feel half the pleasure she did."
                "..."
                scene bg18 with fade
                show jezera naked happy at midleft with dissolve
                show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
                je "Thank you for joining me today Alexia. I enjoyed our time together and feel like I gained a great deal from the experience."
                je "I hope you found it just as fulfilling."
                al "Ah, ha. I... I should get back to Rowan. Thank you for the... tea."
                je "You are welcome, my sweet girl. I’ll send some notes to your room later that will help with the book, for when you can think straight again."

    return

# \events\ruler_events.rpy
label andras_is_stressed_rp:

    $ andrasIntroSex = False
    $ jezeraIntroSex = False
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ NTR = False
    $ skillCheck = "fail"
    
    "Has Rowan has sex with either of the Twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - with Andras":
            $ andrasIntroSex = True
            $ rowanGaySex = 10
        "Yes - with Jezera":
            $ jezeraIntroSex = True
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Pass skill checks? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "Partially":
            $ skillCheck = "partial"
        "No":
            pass
    
    # Andras is stressed
    # No requirements, high priority after 10 weeks (or 5 if you already had sex with Andras).  Should be before major NPCs are unlocked and can be placed in the dungeon.

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras displeased at midright with moveinright

    "The sound of breaking rubble and crashing stone was an unpleasant greeting as Rowan stepped into the throne room. The demon brother prowled across the throne's dais like a caged animal, the fist-sized craters in the wall a clear indicator of his mood."
    "Rowan attempted to make himself discreet as he approached his office, but Andras's gaze swiveled to him as a predator spots his prey."

    an "Servant, drop what you're doing and service me."

    "The hero looked at the stack of paperwork in his arms."

    ro "I'm sort of busy at the moment."

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "I'll decide when you're busy. Get your ass over here–I need something to take my mind off of those idiots downstairs."

    ro "The Orcs? What's wrong with them?"

    an "What's wrong? {i}Have you been down there?!{/i}"
    an "They can't hit shit, refuse to accept discipline, and I can't make examples of them!"

    "Andras jabbed an accusatory finger at the hero."

    an "This is your fault! Why did I ever let you convince me not to cull the weak?!"

    "Rowan bit back his annoyance and put his paperwork down.."

    ro "Without the Orcs–even the weak ones–you have no troops. You will never amass an army if you're killing them off for every slight."

    "The demon shifted, his face somehow redder as his fury built, but there was no argument to be had; Rowan was right, and the demon knew it."

    an "ENOUGH!"

    show bg6 with sshake
    show bg6 with flash

    "Andras roared and reared his fist into another wall. Rowan winced as the stone cracked under the impact, yet another expense the hero would be expected to take care of."

    an  "There are better uses for your mouth than talk."

    if andrasIntroSex == True:
        an "You know how to suck dick, get over here."
        ro "What makes you think I'll say yes this time?"
        an "I don't expect you to say anything! I expect you to just swallow my cock, you fucking slut!"
    elif jezeraIntroSex == True:
        an "Forget about my sister, this time you're taking care of {i}my{/i} needs."

    if rowanGaySex == 0:
        "It took Rowan a moment to register the demon's meaning."
        ro "You want me to {i}blow{/i} you?"
        an "Do I need to spell it out? Get on your fucking knees, this dick won't suck itself!"


    menu:
        "Tell him you're too busy.":
            #$ renpy.fix_rollback()
            #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
            "Rowan felt his patience thinning. The demons demanded so much of him on such a limited basis already; was he supposed to drop everything he was doing to cater to their fickle whims as well?"
            ro "I don't have time to help you with that. You and your sister barely give me enough time to take care of the finances and planning around this castle as it is."
            an "You're moving your mouth a lot for someone who should be getting on his knees."
            "Frustrated, Rowan jabbed his finger towards the pile of paperwork."
            ro "Do you see this? All of these sheets? {i}This{/i} is what needs to be completed before I leave tomorrow."
            ro "Instead, you're begging for my attention–"
            an "I beg for nothing, servant!"
            ro "--taking {i}more{/i} time away from the actual work that needs accomplished in this place."
            ro "If I catered to your every whim, nothing would get done. I simply do not have the time, and no amount of arguing is going to change that logic."
            "Perhaps the hero went too far. He realized this only in hindsight as the demon's muscles shifted, the tension in his posture coiled like a viper ready to lash out."
            if NTR:
                "After a painfully long moment–and incessant glaring from the demon–Andras turned toward the hall."
                an "Fine. I'll give your wife a visit, then. I'm sure she'll be much more accommodating."
                "The demon's smirk irked Rowan. The hero clenched his fists at his sides. The mental image of Alexia writhing in pleasure underneath Andras tore him apart inside."
                menu:
                    "Suck him off. (Scene)":
                        #$ renpy.fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        #$ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                        #$ rowanGaySex += 1
                        "Rowan didn't know if the demon's comment was just a way to get a rise out of the hero or if he truly meant to take out his sexual frustration on Alexia, but Rowan wasn't about to let his wife pay for his irritation with Andras."
                        ro "Wait."
                        "The demon paused, his expression full of dark glee as he turned to face the hero."
                        ro "Make it quick. There's still a lot to get done before tonight."
                        "Rowan settled on his knees before the demon, his face level with the thin loincloth barely concealing Andras's cock."
                        an "That'll entirely depend on you."
                        an "Get started, servant. I will not wait all day."
                        jump andrasSuckOff_rp

                    "Fight with him instead.":
                        #$ renpy.fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        "Rowan didn't know if the demon's comment was just a way to get a rise out of the hero or if he truly meant to take out his sexual frustration on Alexia, but Rowan wasn't about to let his wife pay for his irritation with Andras."
                        "If Andras were to go down to the barracks, he’d no doubt kill half a dozen orcs, and that was half a dozen orcs he could not afford to lose."
                        ro "Wait."
                        "The demon paused, his expression full of dark glee as he turned to face the hero."
                        "Rowan unsheathed the sword at his side and pointed it at the monster across the room."
                        ro "You'll have to get through me first."
                        "Andras laughed, the sound loud and boisterous as it echoed through the empty hall."
                        an "It is about time you showed some backbone, human. Looks like I’ll get to take my frustrations out on you after all."
                        jump andrasSparEnding_rp

                    "Let him go.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
                        "Rowan turned away, shame eating him away inside as he returned to the paperwork at his desk."
                        "Whether he liked it or not, he and his wife were at the demons' mercy. He could only push them so far without one of them biting back."
                        "Andras's arrogant laughter echoed back at him from the hall as the demon left. Rowan could only hope that Andras's threat was no more than a joke made at his expense."
                        "Otherwise…"
                        "Rowan tried not to think too hard about it."
                        #go to NTR events
                        # TODO: maybe turn call into running subevents
                        #call ntr_event2 from _call_ntr_event2
                        return

            else:
                "After a painfully long moment–and incessant glaring from the demon–Andras turned towards the barracks."
                an "Fine; if you will not relieve my stress, I'll make sure those useless orcs suffer for their incompetence."

                menu:
                    "Fight with him instead.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        "Rowan felt sick imagining the amount of carnage Andras would no doubt release upon his descent to the barracks. They were already so short on soldiers; they couldn't afford to lose any more."
                        "With a sigh, Rowan pulled his sword from his scabbard and pointed it at the demon."
                        ro "That won't be necessary. I'll give you enough of a fight here."
                        "The demon paused, his expression full of dark glee as he turned to face the hero."
                        "Rowan expected anger at yet another bout of disobedience, but instead, Andras laughed, the sound loud and boisterous as it echoed through the empty hall."
                        an "It is about time you showed some backbone, human. Looks like I’ll get to take my frustrations out on you after all."
                        jump andrasSparEnding_rp

                    "Let him go.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
                        "Rowan had half a mind to put a stop to the demon's tantrum, but if this was the only way to relieve Andras of his stress without involving the hero, then so be it."
                        "He shuddered after the demon left, imagining the carnage he would leave in his wake. When the demon was this angry, Rowan didn't know what to expect."
                        "His decision made, Rowan returned to the stack of paperwork on his desk."
                        "While he felt bad for the poor orcs about to encounter Andras's wrath, he couldn't give in to every one of Andras's whims–especially when this would delay the demon's budding army. Andras was only hurting himself in the long run."
                        #$ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops -= 5
                        return

        "Offer to Spar with him instead.":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            "With Andras's current mood, Rowan wondered if the demon would force his cock down the hero's throat if he rejected him. He didn't seem inclined to hear any sort of rejection."
            "But perhaps there was another way."
            ro "I have a better idea."
            "Rowan unsheathed his sword from the scabbard at his side before Andras could argue. The demon eyed the sharp blade, a new interest taking hold."
            ro "Exercise is a fitting alternative, wouldn't you say? Perhaps what you need is a good spar."
            ro "What do you say?"
            "The hero tried to play it off casually, but beneath his tunic he was sweating bullets. Andras was unhinged, that much was obvious, and so Rowan wasn't sure what to expect from the demon."
            "A wicked grin spread across Andras's face."
            an "Very well, human. I will not be blamed if you are maimed beyond recognition."
            jump andrasSparEnding_rp

        "Service Andras as he requests. (Scene)":
            #$ renpy.fix_rollback()
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            #$ rowanAndrasSex =+ 1
            #$ rowanGaySex += 1
            "With Andras's temperament, it would be easier to just do as the demon requested."
            "He never knew what to do when the demon was furious like this. Andras had yet to deliver physical harm to Rowan, but that lingering what if? hung in the back of his head like a guillotine fixed to fall."
            "This would certainly take time away from his work–time that was already limited to begin with–but Rowan felt he had little choice in the matter. Defy Andras and face his wrath, or give him what he desired and move on?"
            "The answer seemed obvious."
            "Rowan settled on his knees in front of the demon's groin. Andras jutted his hips forward in expectation."
            
            label andrasSuckOff_rp:
                #$ rowanAndrasSex =+ 1
                #$ rowanGaySex += 1
                #CG of clothed Rowan kneeling in front of Andras, the demon is flaccid
                scene cg215 with fade
                pause 3
                "Moving Andras's loincloth to the side, a flaccid red cock hung before him. Perhaps the hero underestimated the demon's stress–and the amount of work ahead of him."
                if rowanGaySex == False:
                    "Rowan didn't know where to begin, but it couldn't be that hard, right? It wasn't as if the hero hadn't handled his own dick before."
                    "Doing what felt most natural, Rowan licked the demon's red shaft, his lips brushing against its length and the tip with uncertainty."
                    "Rowan tried to picture what Alexia had done for him so many times before and decided to apply his knowledge to the demon, placing Andras's tip in his mouth while his tongue rubbed against its opening."
                    "That elicited a grunt from the demon. Both men relaxed as Andras's cock stiffened in Rowan's mouth."
                else:
                    "Movements came naturally to Rowan as he bent forward and licked the demon's red shaft, his tongue paying special attention to the tip."
                    "Andras grunted his approval, his cock stiffening as Rowan took him slowly into his mouth."
                scene cg216 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind cg216
                show andras displeased behind cg216
                show skordred neutral behind cg216
                pause 3
                "As the demon's cock expanded, Rowan struggled to keep his mouth wrapped around the tip until it slipped out entirely. Not wanting to upset Andras further, Rowan licked and stroked the demon's shaft, working hard to keep it erect."
                "Andras rolled his hips slightly toward the steward, pressing harder against his ministrations when Rowan did well and pulling back when he didn't. Rowan quickly learned what movements Andras enjoyed, where to swirl his tongue, how hard he liked to be touched–through these subtle thrusts."
                "Suddenly, Andras grabbed a fist-full of Rowan's hair and dragged his face to the demon's balls. Picking up on his intent, Rowan sucked at the sac, his hand moving in a steady rhythm along his master's erection."
                "Someone cleared their throat behind him."
                "Rowan hadn't even heard footsteps to let him know someone else had entered, but as he tried to turn around and look, Andras pushed him back against his groin."
                scene cg123 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind cg123
                show andras displeased behind cg123
                show skordred neutral behind cg123
                an "speak."
                sk "Er… Is now a bad time, master?"
                "Rowan recognized the dark dwarf's hesitant voice behind him, along with several other whispers. It appeared they had gathered an audience–and Andras did not seem to mind in the slightest."
                an "No, no, please give your report or whatever it is that you came to say. I've got plenty of time."
                "Heat burned at his ears as Rowan continued to fondle and suck Andras while Skordred gave his report. There would be no doubt as to who was pleasing the demon prince in that moment, and to be seen in such a position by so many of the castle staff…"
                "Rowan tried to push the thought to the back of his mind as Skordred went on about repairs necessary to the castle. They were mostly caused by Andras–which came as no surprise to Rowan–but the demon did not seem to care in the slightest."
                "After a few more reports were discussed by other castle staff members, Rowan was relieved to hear his audience leave."
                "It had become difficult to consistently pleasure Andras with so many eyes on him. Each move felt more performative than purposeful, and his goal was to actually help the demon relax, wasn't it?"
                an "Stand and disrobe slut, that's enough foreplay."
                scene cg51 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind cg51
                show andras smirk behind cg51
                pause 2
                if rowanGaySex == False:
                    "Rowan's asshole puckered at the thought of Andras's cock driving into him. Was that his intention? There was no way it would fit, would it?"
                else:
                    "Rowan's asshole puckered at the thought of Andras's cock driving into him. To have something that {i}big{/i} forcing him open…"
                "Upon disrobing, Andras did not ask him to turn around. Instead, he pressed his red erection against Rowan's cock and wrapped a massive hand around them both."
                if rowanGaySex == False:
                    "Rowan didn't expect the wave of pleasure that coursed through him as Andras bucked and frotted their cocks together."
                    "He didn't know what to think of this–of having his cock rubbing intimately against another man–but there was no denying that the movement felt satisfying."
                else:
                    "A familiar wave of pleasure coursed through the hero as Andras bucked and frotted their cocks together."
                an "How does it feel to have a real man show you just how inferior you are? Or maybe you just like having a real cock touch your tiny thing for just a few seconds?"
                "Andras laughed darkly, the menacing sound sending a thrill through the hero as he found his own hips jerking toward the demon for further stimulation."
                "Grinding against Andras's cock, Rowan grunted as his own cum spurted between them, coating the demon's hand."
                "Andras made no move to stop–if anything, he bucked harder, using the steward's cum as a lubricant."
                if NTR:
                    an "Ha! You really are a little slut, just like your wife."
                else:
                    an  "What a good slut you are, giving your master some lube to work with!"
                "Rowan winced as Andras continued to grind against him. His pleasure ebbing, Rowan found his cock growing sore with the friction between them."
                show cg51 with sshake
                show cg51 with sshake
                show cg52 with flash
                show andras smirk behind cg52
                pause 2
                "Thankfully, it did not take too long for the demon to cum, his seed spurting out between them in a messy hot geyser."
                an "Heh. Much better, servant."
                "Andras released him and Rowan stumbled back, his stomach and thighs coated with his master's cum."
                an "Continue your work. I'll find you again if I need you."
                ro "...Right."
                "Andras exited the throne room without another word, leaving Rowan to clean up the mess in his wake."
            return

    label andrasSparEnding_rp:

        "Without warning, the demon came at Rowan like a creature from the very depths of the hells."

        #if avatar.skill_roll("combat", 13, 9, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
        if skillCheck == "success":
            "The hero barely raised his sword in time to catch the demon's blow. Rowan stumbled back, the impact reverberating through his bones as he positioned himself to block the next one, the metal of his sword scraping against the demon's claws."
            "Andras was fast, inhumanly so, but Rowan had fought his kind before. He parried each of the demon's attacks, barely able to keep up with the speed of them."
            "Rowan might be skilled, but Andras was a demon. It was not a fair fight from the beginning."
            "Rowan winced as a claw sliced his cheek, but just as quickly swung his sword against Andras's side."
            "It grazed the demon. Barely. Rowan wouldn't have even noticed if not for the quick glare Andras gave his waist before settling his fury on the hero."
            "Andras attacked, claws spread wide. Rowan swung his sword again."
            "The fight continued, and Rowan could see the tide turning; soon it was Andras that was forced to block the hero's blows, obviously struggling to keep up against the onslaught of the trained soldier's combat."
            "Andras grew tired of this quickly."
            "With Rowan's next swing, the demon grabbed the blade with his hand, ignoring the sharp pain it must have caused as his palm sliced open. Rowan froze in shock, giving the demon just enough of an opening to backhand him across the room."
            "Rowan skidded across the stone floor, his breath knocked out of him. Andras approached overhead, his palm dripping with blood."
            an "Not bad human, perhaps my sister was right and you will make for a strong champion after all."
            "WIthout further word, Andras left the room, seemingly satisfied for the time being."
            #$ avatar.add_exp(100)
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            #end scene
            return

        #elif avatar.skill_roll("combat", 13, 9, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "partial":
        elif skillCheck == "partial":
            "The hero missed his opening for the demon's first attack and barely managed to dodge out of the way before he was cut in two. One of Andras's claws sliced his cheek open in the process; a surface cut, but also a warning."
            "Perhaps this fight had been a bad idea."
            "Rowan struggled to hold up his own against the demon, each near-miss of Andras's claws spelling out life or death as he parried with his sword."
            "Bruises and surface cuts came to litter his face, neck, and arms as Rowan focused on protecting himself from Andras's onslaught. Each one carried a bitter reminder of how close he had come to his own demise, and how much harder he had to fight to stay alive."
            "Even with these grim thoughts flooding his mind, Rowan managed to defend himself from every strike Andras threw at him. That alone had to count for something."
            "Now if only he could just find an opening and take the demon out–"
            "Grabbing the hero’s sword with his claw, Andras struck him square in the chest with his other hand’s open palm, sending the hero sprawling backwards onto his behind."
            "Rowan groaned as his open wounds stung from the impact. Andras smirked down at him, seemingly pleased by their fight."
            an "Not bad human, perhaps my sister was right and you will make for a strong champion after all."
            "The demon left without another word, content to leave his steward behind to sort out his own medical care."
            ##$ avatar.take_damage (["blunt",], "heavy_damage")
            #$ avatar.add_exp(100)
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            #$ andrasFightingWeaknesses += 1
            return

        else:
        #fail
            "Frozen like prey, it took Rowan everything he could to shake off the initial shock of the demon's speed and bring his sword up as a shield, barely avoiding the dangerous slice of Andras's claws to his chest."
            "This was a bad idea."
            "Regret coursed through the hero's body as Andras whipped around again, moving faster than lightning as he dived for each of the hero's weak spots."
            "It was too late to call off the fight now, so Rowan did everything he could to parry Andras's attacks before they could rip into his organs."
            "That was not enough to stop them from tearing deep into his flesh, though. Rowan felt each succinct wound Andras left on his skin, his claws no doubt leaving their mark exactly as the demon intended."
            "Blood seeped through the hero's tunic as he struggled to keep up. Rowan could feel his movements staggering, a sluggishness taking over as he fought–and failed–to parry Andras's next few attacks."
            "It wasn't until blood had pooled on the floor underneath Rowan that the demon paused. Andras took in the damage with a wide smirk, his sharp teeth flashing under the room's candlelight."
            an "I suppose I had better stop before I kill you. You were right though, this did help relieve me of some of my frustration."
            an "Now go get yourself patched up before you bleed to death, I’d never hear the end of it from my sister otherwise."
            "The hero did not need to be told twice. Limping away from the scene, Andras's echoing laughter haunted Rowan as he sought medical care."
            #$ avatar.take_damage (["piercing",], "deathblow")
            #$ avatar.add_exp(100)
            #end scene
            return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_3.rpy
label goblin_family_dinner_rp:
    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "There, done."

    "The hero let out a long sigh of relief. He was finished his duties for the day and would have the evening off before he had to go out again on his weekly scouting mission."
    "He might still do some last minute decisions for construction or purchases, but the stuff that actually took up his time was done."

    show clamin happy at midright with moveinright

    cla "Rowan! How nice to see you're finished in time for a little dinner I've been putting together for you."
    ro "No, you've been hiding behind that pillar for almost an hour waiting for me to finish."
    cla "Oh don't be silly, why would I ever do that?"
    ro "You also tried to catch me for breakfast and then lunch. You've been trying all day to get me to come to this family dinner."
    cla "How? I thought..."
    cla "Well, if you hadn't seen through a trick like that, I suppose you wouldn't be much of a hero for my people, would you?"
    cla "Still, I do hope that you'll grace us with your sly presence. I really did put a lot of work into this, just for you."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan rose from his work table, looking somewhat exasperated but also smiling."

    ro "Alright, let's go meet your family."

    "The goblin matriarch bounded up to him excitedly and grabbed his hand. She tried to drag him back to her caravan, but the difference in size and weight meant that in the end she was forced to just lead."

    scene bg19 with fade

    "Even before they got in, the smell of roasted meat and potatoes was quite strong and many voices could be heard chattering away excitedly. In spite of the circumstances, the man felt his stomach growl in anticipation."
    "As Rowan was ushered inside the wagon, he found he had to stoop slightly to avoid banging his head on the ceiling. Made sense, goblins didn't need as much headspace as humans. What was more surprising was the number of them crowded around the table."

    scene cg613 with fade
    show clamin neutral behind cg613
    pause 3

    cla "Everyone, may I present to you the great hero Rowan! And to you Rowan, we are all so happy to welcome you this evening to meet and let you sample true goblin hospitality!"

    "She swept her arm wide around the table as the gathered crowded in and jostled against one another. Almost everyone was as excited as Cla-Min herself had been the first day she'd met Rowan. The excitement was plain on her face too, plus what looked like a triumphant smirk."
    "There were a dozen of them, of various ages. Excited whispering broke out among them while the hero was led to a cushion on the floor, the rest of them were sitting on small chairs, but the table was too low for a human to sit on one of those comfortably."

    scene cg614 with fade
    show clamin neutral behind cg614
    pause 3

    cla "Take a seat here, right next to me and my dear twin brother, Cla-Bow."

    "She indicated the goblin with an easy going air and a rather simple shirt. As Rowan sat down, he noticed a glint in the goblin's eye, just before it turned into an altogether different kind of smile."

    cla "Don't underestimate him, he's really good at looking like he isn't any trouble, but he definitely is!"

    scene cg615 with fade
    show clamin neutral behind cg615
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg615
    pause 3

    cla "Back there is my pa, Cla-Sty. He led us all for many years before me, but he isn't as quick as he once was so he passed the reins on to me."
    gob "But don't think for a moment I can't still match wits with my beautiful eldest girl."

    "The old goblin chuckled mirthfully and nodded in appreciation to his daughter."

    cla "Then we have my younger brother Cla-Sel.  He's actually a single born child, if you believe it. Great with the animals, both driving them and cooking them."

    "In response he raised up a leg of meat, liberally dribbling some kind of gravy."

    gob "Don't take sis's word, try it for yourself, we've got lots for everyone!"
    ro "Yes, it looks good. I take it you cooked a lot today then?"

    "His grin faltered slightly and signs of fatigue crept in, but he kept the smile on his face."

    cla "Next we have my younger sisters Cla-Sel and Cla-Tre. Inseparable, good at chestwork and needles. Need someone to work on your clothes? They're your girls."

    "The two pink haired girls in matching dresses didn't say anything, but one ran a bit of food around her lips, while the other pulled open her blouse even further than it already was and waved her hand as if she were hot."

    ro "Hmm hmm."

    scene cg616 with fade
    show clamin neutral behind cg616
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg616
    pause 3

    cla "But as wonderful as my siblings are, the best bundles of joy here are my kids! Those two rambunctious rascals are Cla-Sty and Cla-Tod..."
    gob "Pleased to meet the hero! We got out our best brew for the occasion!"
    gob "Hey watch it Tod!"

    "The two boys had been drinking when Rowan'd come in, and while they'd stopped just for a moment to look at the new arrival, but they were pretty tipsy already and quickly got distracted. However it was the girl next to them that caught Rowan's eye."

    cla ".. and of course we have my darling daughter Cla-Min."
    ro "So your daughter has the same name as you?"
    cla "Well yes.  It's a really common name, there's three of us at the table! Sty was named after my father and Tod for his. If you have trouble keeping them apart, just call her Min and we'll know who you're talking to."

    "The moment that Rowan locked eyes with Min again, she stretched her arms out on the table to emphasize her chest, then poked her tongue into her cheek with a sultry look in her eyes. It seemed like all the women here wanted him!"

    cla "She's very gifted with her mouth, so I've been teaching her everything I know."

    scene cg617 with fade
    show clamin neutral behind cg617
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg617
    pause 3

    "Next were two notably smaller goblins, wearing robes far too big for them."

    cla "Those two there are my youngest twins; Cla-Kes and Cla-Lij."

    "She faltered slightly. Cla-Lij had taken advantage of how distracted everyone was and helped himself to the feast, while his brother made fun of him with a pair of fingers behind his head. These two made Rowan chuckle. Here were boys being boys, no different from humans."

    cla "Ehem. Lij? Cla-Lij!"
    gob "Oh uh? Hi there...."

    "Realizing he'd been caught, he put the leg back down with a guilty look to his mother, then whipped a trickle of sauce on the sleeve of his shirt. A white sleeve. Cla-Min winced slightly, but moved on to the last two at the table."

    cla "Here we have Ver-Tod, adopted fully into our family and the father of many of my children."

    "Ver-Tod waved his hands above his head in a salute of sorts. The goblin's armor marked him as a warrior if Rowan's eyes didn't mistake him and he returned the gesture from one fighter to another."

    cla "Lastly is Ver-Min, Ver-Tod's sister, and she'll be joining us as a guest this evening."

    "Like the other women, the third Min at this table had a smoldering look in her eyes and she had climbed halfway onto the table to show off her cleavage to Rowan. Unlike the others though, Cla-Min gave a frown to her sister-in-law who shrugged in response."
    "These two looked fairly different from the rest of the goblins, different skin tones and face shapes."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan swept his eyes across everyone at the table again, taking in the dozen new smiling faces. Faces filled with adoration at their sneaky sly hero of deception and trickery."

    ro "It's good to meet you all."

    cla "Welcome again Rowan!"

    "Everyone at the table exploded into conversation all at once, drowning almost everything out. Some of the siblings were talking to one another, others were trying to address Rowan. The matriarch clapped her hands together to silence everyone."

    cla "Hold on, quiet! Boys, please bring out the rest of the food. Let's show our guest a good time!"

    "Her four sons plus her younger brother quickly jumped up and rushed out of the room. They returned shortly afterwards with steaming pots and placed them on the table, more than doubling the amount of food being served!"

    scene cg311 with fade
    show clamin happy behind cg311
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg311
    pause 3

    "The meal served was roasted meat, potatoes and nuts. For the most part game and forage, but some of it obviously would have been traded for. Goblins could eat most things, but they really liked meat with bite sized bones and anything that had a good crunch to it."
    "They were also fond of fresh blood, which was also served (probably from the same animals that supplied the meat), though Rowan passed on that."
    "At first Rowan was the only one that anyone wanted to hear about. The family here wanted to hear all about their hero's goblin-like traits, famous tricks and feats of dexterity for the most part. It was interesting to learn which parts of his tales were the most famous from their perspective."
    "He just wished that they didn't get annoyed at him everytime he mentioned anything that sounded heroic or honorable. This audience didn't like to hear that their ideal trickster had a goody two-shoes human scum side to him."
    "Eventually the group shifted to small talk and several smaller conversations sprang up around the table."
    "For the most part they discussed either the food or their latest trading operations. Before being pulled into one such talk himself, Rowan noted that these caravaners had been putting their access Jezera's portals to good use."
    "Min was the only one at the table that didn't seem to have anything to say, always looking down shyly and only raising her head to steal glances at Rowan when she thought he wasn't looking at her."
    "That girl almost certainly had a crush on him, the hero was fairly certain, but then he got distracted by her mother."

    cla "So what do you think of my little family?"
    ro "They're a lively bunch. I haven't seen too many goblin families before, but this does feel like a home. For all your talk of schemes and tricks, you all trust and love one another."

    "The matriarch puffed up with an air of pride about her."

    cla "Yes, family is a wonderful thing. It's one thing that we caravaners have learned about from the other races. I wouldn't trade any of my children or relatives here for anyone."

    "She took Rowan's right hand, making him glance down in surprise. When he looked back up, he saw that she was giving him a very meaningful look."

    cla "There's a place for you here too, if you'll join us. We goblins don't practise monogamy you see and are quite willing to invite anyone worthy into our ranks."

    # to be added when we have cla-bow sprite
    #"Rowan looked around, trying to find something to turn the conversation away from that direction. He found Cla-Bow on his other side who was watching them with interest."
    #ro "What about you, Cla-Bow, have you got any children or another goblin family that you're away from tonight?"
    #Cla-Bow: Nah, never been one for girls myself, last I checked you need those to make kids.  Handsome men like yourself have always been my thing.
    # Now he took the man's left hand while flashing a big toothy grin!  Trapped between the two, with both hands held, one final shock was given as someone started to undo Rowan's pants!

    "Cla-Bow, the goblin on his left, also made his interest in Rowan quite obvious, taking his hand. Trapped between the two, with both hands held, one final shock was given as someone started to undo Rowan's pants!"
    "His gaze shot downwards and discovered the shy goblin girl, Min, was currently working at his pants with a look of reverence and her tongue hanging out. Was she about to... wait, had this entire dinner been a setup for this?"

    menu:
        "Receive a blowjob from Min. (Scene)":
            jump .mins_blowjob_rp

        "Stop the girl.":
            "He shook his hands free from the two goblins on either side of him and pushed the young woman between his legs away from him."
            "This actually shocked the girl, and she intentionally made eye contact with Rowan for the first time this evening with a pleading look. Before he had a chance to say or do anything more, her mother placed her hands on his arm again and spoke softly into his ear."
            cla "Please accept our hospitality. My family is very eager to make you feel welcome in every way we can, especially my darling Min."
            "Rowan looked to meet the shy goblin's gaze once more, however she was looking at his pants again, lips slightly parted and pushing against his grip. Evidently she really did want him."
            menu:
                "Give in and let Min blow you. (Scene)":
                    jump .mins_blowjob_rp

                "No means no.":
                    "There was a final shake of his head, at which point Cla-Min relented and shooed her daughter away. The younger Min was obviously disappointed, but did as she was told."
                    "The so-called goblin hero turned to apologize for rejecting this advance, but hesitated when he saw that Cla-Min was smiling conspiratorially at him."
                    cla "Don't worry, next time I'll get you into my family for sure!"
                    "With that, she returned to her meal and acted like nothing had happened."
                    jump .meal_ending_rp

    label .mins_blowjob_rp:

    scene cg94 with fade
    show clamin happy behind cg94
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg94
    pause 3

    "No resistance was given as the goblin girl undid his trousers and pulled them apart, allowing the man's cock to flop free. Rowan glanced around hurriedly to see if anyone was looking at him, though no one was paying any attention anymore except for Cla-Min and Cla-Bow."

    "Evidently these two were in on it, what with all the holding his arms back so he didn't interfere with Min, who was now eagerly licking his semi-erect member."
    "He started when she poked a finger underneath him and invaded his rear, though he couldn't do anything about it between not wanting to alert the table and being somewhat tied up."

    cla "I must say Rowan, that there would be no human more worthy to join my family than you."
    ro "Sorry, what was that?"

    "He sharply inhaled as the younger Min opened wide and stuffed her face with his manhood, taking it up to the hilt with a single motion."

    cla "Everyone here would be eager to have you join us anytime, in any way! Well, at least there'd always be someone who's willing to take you in whatever way you want."

    "It was difficult to concentrate on what the matriarch was saying, being distracted two ways from trying to focus on both what was going on between Rowan's legs and what the girl's mother was saying."

    ro "Well, that's a very nice offer of yours."

    "Min began to bob her head up and down while also curling her finger that was embedded in him, trying to find something...."

    cla "Of course! If you need someone on top of you, I'm your girl. If you're after some male company, Cla-Bow here has you covered. Min, when she decides to show her face again..."

    "Cla-Min winked to Rowan."

    cla "...I'm sure she'll eat up anything you need to get out of you."

    "Rowan tried to shift in his seat, and was rewarded with a whining sound from under the table as the girl blowing him tried to keep him planted exactly where he was."
    "He looked down, and was surprised to find that Cla-Min actually had a foot on her daughter's head, directing her movements!"

    cla "We're a talented bunch, with a great matriarch and teacher. So just think of how much more we'll be with you in our numbers? Maybe our children can be even greater with such an amazing hero in their ancestry."

    scene cg94 with sshake
    scene cg94 with sshake
    scene cg95 with flash
    show clamin happy behind cg95
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg95
    pause 3

    "A sudden jolt of pleasure flooded through Rowan's body as Min found what she was evidently looking for in his ass, which then sent him into the throws of orgasm. As he did so, Min's head dropped down to the hilt again and he came directly into her throat."
    "She seemed to hum contentedly as he sputtered in her, the vibration adding something that the man had never felt before. This girl was quite good at giving blowjobs."
    "Her skill was such that she never coughed or gasped when she finally pulled back off of him and retreated back to her side of the table."

    # Rowan at the dinner table CG again.
    scene black with fade
    show clamin happy behind black
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    cla "What do you think Rowan, will you join the Cla family? I'll make certain that you never regret it."
    ro "I- wait, no I have a family. Alexia is-"
    cla "She can join too! It's not a problem at all, just so long as she doesn't hog you all to herself."

    "Rowan only frowned and pulled back, trying to collect himself again. However the goblin didn't seem to be taken aback at all, instead smiling conspiratorially."

    cla "It's fine if you need a little time before you make the jump. It is a big life choice after all. Just remember that your goblin family is here, waiting for you."

    "The conversation seemed to just end there, leaving Rowan feeling somewhat overwhelmed. This was, without a doubt, the strangest way of securing a mate he'd ever encountered."

    # Jump to meal ending

    label .meal_ending_rp:

    "The rest of the evening was blessedly uneventful. While this was by no means a standard meal by human standards, Rowan had dined at the tables of many different races and was reasonably comfortable with unusual hosts or guests."
    "Eventually he excused himself, and left the wagon to a chorus of happy goodbyes and questions of when he'd be joining them again."
    "He took with him a bowl of deep fried potato wedges, intending to share some of the crispy things with Alexia. The thing he was most happy to leave behind was the annoying grinding sound from goblins gnawing on bones."
    "Just thinking about it made him shudder. That was one thing that would be haunting his nightmares from now on."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_3.rpy
label xzaratl_s_advances_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan kept tapping his foot, trying to gather his thoughts after his recent encounter with the new cubi mistress."
    "Not wanting to interrupt him, Alexia stared out of the window, watching the newly settled demons explore the castle’s outer walls."
    "… She squinted her eyes, unsure if they were playing tricks on her."

    al "Rowan, one of the succubi is jumping up and down, waving at me. "

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with dissolve

    al "And I think she’s shouting my name?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "Four arms? Asymmetrical horns? "
    al "I think so."
    ro "That would be X’zaratl. It’s her coven that joined us recently."
    al "I believe I’ve seen her before, watching me from afar. Never introduced herself, though."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with dissolve

    al "… She’s {b}still{/b} waving at me."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve

    al "She’s quite lively, isn’t she?"
    ro "That’s one way to put it."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    al "… And now she’s walking to the front gates. I think she’s planning to visit us."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Rowan sighed, and pinched the bridge of his nose. Alexia walked up to him, and placed a hand on his shoulder."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "Should I be worried Rowan? Are we in danger?"

    #if RowanXzaratlDominantStart == True:
    ro "I don’t know. Maybe? I tried to set some boundaries when we first met. She broke through them like a battering ram."
    al "Not the type to take “no” for an answer?"
    ro "Exactly. She acts friendly, but… I don’t know."

    #else:
        #ro "I don’t think so? She seemed… Amicable, when I first met her. At the same time, she doesn’t strike me like the type that takes “no” for an answer."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "So how do we handle her?"
    ro "That’s what I’m trying to figure out."

    "He never encountered a demon like that. Never one that seemed so…. Honest."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "If it was a trick, it was the best gods damn act he had ever witnessed. And it {i}had{/i} to be a trick. It would be unreal for it {i}not{/i} to be a trick. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Then why didn’t it feel like one?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "… I don’t want to antagonize her. But I don’t know what her motives are, and what she’s truly capable of. I won’t pretend I’m not at a disadvantage here - avoiding her would be the safest choice."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "You never were one to pick the “safest” route."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "He grabbed her hand, and smiled sadly. “Calculated risk” - that’s how he liked to think of his strategies. But not every risk was worth taking."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "She’s interested in you too. I don’t want to put you in danger."
    ro "… More so than you already are. "

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "A soft knock interrupted them. Alexia glanced at the door, then smiled at him."

    al "Occupational hazard. Wife to a hero of the six realms, and all."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "Whatever you decide, I’ll do my best to support you."

    #if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient or all_actors["alexia"].relation < 30:
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    "… She didn’t sound honest. Not in full. Like she was reciting the words from memory, hoping that giving them form will somehow make them true."
    "He pretended not to notice. For the tenth time today, he wondered if the bond X’zaratl spoke of still existed."
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Thank you, Alexia."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    "He stood up, and headed for the door-"

    menu:
        "Invite X’zaratl in. Play her game - whatever it is. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Put on your best smile, then. And keep in mind X’zaratl gets a little... Intense."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            ro "Also, she might have a dick."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft
            show xzaratl happy at edgeleft with moveinleft
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl! What a pleasant surprise. Have you met my wife, Alexia?"
            "Met with Rowan’s welcoming smile, the demoness took several moments to register what just happened. She stood in the middle of the wide open door, frozen in place."
            "Alexia waved at her."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with moveoutright
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveinleft
            xz "Only a thousand times in my dreams."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            xz "Oh Alexia, how wonderful to finally meet you! You are just as I imagined!"
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            xz "Fiery red locks, so full of spirit! Green eyes, wise and compassionate! And a body-"
            xz "Ah, I shouldn’t say. I bet Rowan praises it often enough."
            #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "He could do it more."
            al "That’s- ah, t-thank you."
            "Already, X’zaratl was holding her hands, grinning from ear to ear. Alexia threw Rowan a short glance. “Intense” was an understatement."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "I’m also glad to have finally met you. It isn’t often that I see a friendly face here."
            show xzaratl neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "I know! Oh, Fair Alexia- I know.."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "Stuck in a cage, pawn in a game played by cruel gods and their heartless servants, helplessly watching as the wheel of history threatens to crush you in its cogs-"
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "And yet you remain strong. Like the swordmaiden of Astolde - Unbent and unbroken!"
            #xzaratl eye flash gold
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            xz "You are as resolute as you are lovely, Alexia, and I love you for it."
            "Rowan felt a sting in his heart, and he saw Alexia blink away the tears, struggling to keep up her smile. Everything X’zaratl said, always sounded like it came straight from the heart."
            "It {b}had{/b} to be a trick. Why didn’t it feel like one?"
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            al "That’s very kind of you to say."
            xz "It’s nothing, fair Alexia. I know the walls of Castle Bloodmeen can be cold and suffocating. This place has not seen much love - and very rarely one as strong as yours."
            xz "Yet you mustn't despair, fair Alexia - and you too, gallant Rowan. You must remember what you are fighting for."
            jump letHerIn_rp

        "Keep X’zaratl at a distance. You can’t trust her. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Stay back, and put on your best poker face. X’zaratl gets a little intense."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            ro "Also, she might have a dick."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveinright
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl. Good day to you. What can I do for you?"
            "He opened the door for her, but barred her entry, standing at the entrance. That didn’t seem to bother the demoness at all, as she bestowed him with the most radiant of smiles."
            show xzaratl happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
            "Then, discreetly, leaned to the side, trying to peek inside. Rowan took a step to his left, blocking her view."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveinleft
            xz "Gallant Rowan! It’s been too long."
            xz "I apologize for the sudden intrusion, but I thought that maybe, just maybe- you could introduce me to your wife?"
            "He drummed on the door frame. Already, she was stalking her. He could deny her, but there was no guarantee she would leave her alone when he was away."
            "Better now, when he was present. With a sigh, he moved aside, and urged Alexia to come forward."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with moveinright
            ro "X’zaratl, my wife, Alexia. Alexia, X’zaratl, mistress of the castle cubi."
            al "Good afternoon."
            "As he asked, Alexia kept herself composed - cold, even."
            show xzaratl aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "… And again, that didn’t seem to bother X’zaratl at all. The demoness’ face flushed red, and she visibly struggled not to rush in and embrace her. Her eyes sparkled, as she admired the woman before her."
            xz "Oh Alexia. You are just as I imagined!"
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "Fiery red locks, so full of spirit! Green eyes, wise and compassionate! And a body-"
            xz "Ah, I shouldn’t say. I bet Rowan praises it often enough."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            al "That’s very nice, but I hardly compare with some of the succubi from your coven."
            xz "To the contrary. Fair Alexia, you outclass each and every single one of them."
            show xzaratl neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "My sisters do not capture hearts of mortal heroes as you do. None would ever have the strength to endure the same hardships as you do almost every single day."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "Stuck in a cage, pawn in a game played by cruel gods and their heartless servants, helplessly watching as the wheel of history threatens to crush you in its cogs-"
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            xz "And yet you remain strong! And yet here you stand, proud and regal! Like the swordmaiden of Astolde - Unbent and unbroken!"
            #xz eyes flash gold
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "You are as resolute as you are lovely, Alexia, and I love you for it."
            "Alexia felt a sting in her heart, and had to blink away the tears. So that’s what Rowan meant by “Intense”. Everything X’zaratl just said, sounded like it came straight from the heart."
            "Words she didn’t know she needed to hear. How could this be a trick?"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "She felt Rowan’s hand around her shoulder. She blinked again, and smiled at him."
            al "I’m fine. I’m fine."
            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl, please watch your words."
            al "I’m fine, really. That was… Nice. If somewhat unexpected."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            xz "Perhaps I spoke out of place - and for that, I apologize. I am still a stranger to you both."
            xz "But it doesn’t have to be that way. Gallant Rowan, fair Alexia - I know the walls of Castle Bloodmeen can be cold and suffocating. Sometimes it might seem that only despair dwells in them."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            xz "That is not the case, and you are proof of it. Your love for each other is a  beacon of joy, and that shines brightly even here. To think this accursed place could house such a couple-"
            "The demoness bit her lips, and peered into their room again. When she spoke again, her tone was almost pleading."
            xz "Gallant Rowan, fair Alexia, would you- would you allow me to see your love nest? Just this once."
            ro "I assure you it doesn’t compare to the Dark Sanctum."
            xz " I can say no ill of the Master Builder’s skills."
            show xzaratl neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "But the Sanctum he made us is just rooms and walls, as any other in this castle. Cold stone, sculpted to perfection by a lonely hand. It’s no home. They have no warmth in them."
            #xz yellow eye flash
            xz "But you - you take your warmth with you, wherever you go. Even here, at the end of the world, I have no doubt you’ve managed to keep the hearth burning, creating a home in the most unlikely of places."
            xz "Just this once. Please?"
            "… Rowan tapped the door frame. He felt both of their eyes on him. Alexia didn’t say a word, but he felt she wouldn’t mind talking with X’zaratl some more."
            show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
            "And he himself couldn’t think of a reason to deny the request. Which was odd - he could swear he had one before. But X’zaratl really seemed mostly harmless, so…"
            menu:
                "Invite X’zaratl in. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                    ro "Well… Fine."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "X’zaratl’s eye sparkled again, and she giggled like a teenage girl."
                    show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
                    xz "Oh, thank you Rowan! And I mean it. I really do."
                    xz "I know you must be on your guard. But I mean both of you no harm. Not everything is a fight."
                    xz "And when it is - you must remember what you are fighting for."
                    jump letHerIn_rp

                "Stick to the plan. There was no such thing as {i}mostly{/i} harmless. ":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "His lips drew a thin line. Something nagged at him - he just couldn’t say what it was. It felt like a light tugging at the back of his head."
                    "He honed his instinct through years of warfare. He knew when to follow it."
                    show xzaratl concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "With all due respect… I would like to spend some time with my wife. Alone."
                    show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
                    xz "Of course! I would never dream to impose. I just hope it’s not because of… Ah, this- "
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    "Her hand brushed against her crotch. Rowan smiled, and very actively didn’t look down."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I feel like that’s a conversation for a whole other day."
                    xz "Of course, of course. If you’re busy, just let me reiterate…"
                    #xz yellow eye flash
                    xz "Alexia, what you share with Rowan… The bond of love between you, hardened through everything that happened, made stronger - I admire it. I think it’s special. Unique."
                    xz "I will do what I can to see it grow. If any of you ever need my help, I will do my best to grant it."
                    al "That’s very generous of you, X’zaratl. Thank you."
                    xz "It’s nothing, really. Now… Do enjoy yourself!"
                    hide xzaratl with moveoutleft
                    hide alexia with moveoutright
                    hide rowan with moveoutright
                    scene bg9 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "Rowan locked the door, taking a moment to gather his wits. Something… He couldn’t say what, but something - something felt {i}off{/i}."
                    al "That was…"
                    ro "Yeah."
                    jump xzaratlAdvancesEarlyEnding_rp

    label letHerIn_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


    "Caressing both of their cheeks, X’zaratl strolled to the center of the room. Her step light, she turned around, soaking the place in, like a kid in a toy shop."

    al "And what is it we’re fighting for, in your eyes? "

    "She turned to them again, eye sparkling, gracing them both with a wide smile. Somewhat, the room felt brighter with her in it. As if it wasn’t complete without her before."

    xz "For each other. And for your happy ending, of course."
    xz "All of your struggles - every fight, every parting, every humiliation - finally rewarded. Finally gone. So that you can enjoy yourself in full."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "We had one already."
    al "It didn’t stick."
    xz "Because your journey was not yet over. "

    #xz yellow eye flash

    show alexia 2 aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Your love can still grow. There is still much for you to discover. You need only to open yourself to it."
    xz "I will help you, if you let me."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    al "X’zaratl, what are you-"

    "They stared, dumbfounded, as the demoness started to undo her clothes -"

    menu:
        "See where things go. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump xzaratlSex1_rp

        "Stop it right now.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl, that’s… Please, cover yourself."
            "The demoness froze, then did as requested, swiftly and without a word of protest. Rowan blinked - he was certain she {i}would{/i} protest."
            xz "Ah, I apologize! I tried to rush things. Being here, with you…."
            show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "It got me in the mood."
            "They tried to ignore her very obvious erection. It was a titanic task Rowan could compare only to repealing the first assault on karst."
            show alexia 2 neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveoutleft
            xz "I will not overstay my welcome. Thank you for letting me see this place. You’re both very generous."
            al "It was nothing, really."
            xz "Not to me. And, gallant Rowan -  what I said before still stands."
            #xz yellow eye flash
            xz "What the two of you share... The bond of love between you, hardened through everything that happened, made stronger - I admire it. I think it’s special. Unique."
            xz "I will do what I can to see it grow. If any of you ever need my help, I will do my best to grant it."
            ro "We’ll keep it in mind."
            xz "That’s all I ask for. Take care!"
            hide xzaratl with moveoutleft
            "They watched her go, suddenly finding themselves amidst an uncomfortable silence. Rowan furrowed his brow. That was…"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "A little anticlimactic, wouldn’t you say?"
            ro "I suppose."
            al "Not how I imagine my first duel with a demon would go."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "I don’t think X’zaratl makes for a good example."
            al "That’s good, no?"
            "She smiled at him. Should they really be joking about this? If he hadn’t asked X’zaratl to leave, then…"
            jump xzaratlAdvancesEarlyEnding_rp


    label xzaratlSex1_rp:

    scene cg35 with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind cg35
    pause 3

    "Perhaps that was the moment where either of them should have said something. Some praise, or maybe a protest. But all thoughts left them at the sight of the succubus’ perfect body."

    xz "I know we just met. I know you have reasons to distrust me. And I know this might be a bit sudden. But I-"

    scene cg36 with fade
    show xzaratl naked behind cg36
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg36
    pause 3

    "X’zaratl brushed her hand against her crotch, a soft moan escaping her lips. The thin material that hid her crotch slipped aside, revealing a rapidly hardening male cock, and underneath it, a glistening female slit."

    xz "I want you. Both of you. And I want to make you happy. I {b}can{/b} make you happy. I can show you things you never dreamed of. I can give you an ending you never dreamed of, a future bright and full of happiness like no other."

    "Rowan swallowed heavily. He looked to his wife, but she was too transfixed on X’zaratl’s cock to say a thing."

    ro "X’zaratl, I don’t think this the right time to talk of the future."

    xz "It’s still far away. I know. But I can give you a taste of things to come. Show you what your love can become."
    xz "You need only to let me."
    xz "Alexia."

    scene cg37 with fade
    show xzaratl naked behind cg37
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg37
    pause 3

    "She finally tore herself gaze away. X’zaratl simply smiled, and started to remove her corset. Rowan felt an odd sensation around him - like a breeze. He realized his own clothes were slowly being discarded, as if taken by invisible hands."

    xz "You know how hard your husband fights for you. Do you not wish to reward him for his efforts? "

    "She nodded dumbly. X’zaratl ran a finger across her shaft, playing with the swollen tip of it."

    xz "A man can reach new heights of pleasure, if he… Ah, {i}opens{/i} himself. Literally. To experience what you feel, while he thrusts inside of you - will be a delight like no other."

    "Something brushed against his ass, and Rowan shuddered - only to find himself on the receiving end of X’zaratl’s attention again."

    xz "Rowan. Every week, you must leave the castle. Do you not wish to reward your wife with twice the affection when you come back?"
    xz "I would never dream to defile her most sacred spot. Her pussy is for you, and you alone."
    xz "But let me take her back. Let me take her bottom. Let her experience what is to be loved twice as intensely."

    "He felt hot - and Alexia looked downright dazed. Already stripped to her panties, she was panting with desire as the Succubus invisible hands played with her body."

    xz "You both deserve to be happy. You both deserve to find pleasure in each other's arms. And you will. Today, and next week, and the week after. I will always be there for you."
    xz "But right now, you need only to ask one another - with everything that happened recently..."
    xz "Who deserves to be rewarded for their struggles more?"

    menu:
        "Rowan should be rewarded - Rowan in the middle. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump xzaratlSex1Rowan_rp

        "Alexia should be rewarded - Alexia in the middle. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump xzaratlSex1Alexia_rp


    label xzaratlSex1Rowan_rp:

    "He felt the gentle touch of Alexia’s fingers, as she grabbed him by the hand. Blushing furiously, she looked up to him, slightly abashed."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg37

    al "You do… Do quite a lot. Maybe... You’d like to know how it feels? "

    "He gasped as invisible fingers prodded his entrance, carrying with themselves promises of things to come. Both women looked at him expectedly - and he found himself nodding without thinking."

    xz "A man after my own heart. Come."

    #cgblurred
    scene cg64 with fade
    show xzaratl naked behind cg64
    pause 3

    "She crooked a finger at him - and a sudden force lifted him into the air, and floated to the sorceress as she laid down onto their bed."

    xz "Now… Please relax, Rowan."

    "She drew him closer, placing one hand on his back, then slid a finger up his ass, wet with magical lubrication. He drew a sharp breath, as three more hands all wrapped themselves around his body and pulled him down."

    xz "And know bliss."

    #show unblurred

    "In one smooth motion, the demoness impaled Rowan with her cock. He shuddered as a violent wave of pleasure went through his body."
    "And not just physical. Her cock radiated pleasing warmth that seeped into him - the slight fog of lust that covered his thoughts suddenly gave way to burning desire, and his cock hardened in an instant."
    "Meanwhile, Alexia admired it from afar, watching it sway in the air as X’zaratl shook her hips from side to side. Seeing her expression, the demoness giggled and bottomed out, causing a rather unmanly gasp escape Rowan’s lips."

    xz "It feels good, doesn’t it? And it will feel even better soon. "

    "She hugged him close, pressing her breasts into his back. She kissed his shoulder, then his neck - but when he turned to look into her sparkling eye, she turned his head away - back at his entranced wife."

    xz "Come, fair Alexia. Reward your husband for his struggles."

    "Again, the cubi mistress crooked a finger, this time at her - and it was like a leash being tugged. Alexia stumbled forward, and heaving from desire, climbed her husband. Then- "

    scene cg65 with fade
    show xzaratl naked behind cg65
    pause 3

    "Another magical tug, and she felt her body turn around. She rested her back against Rowan’s chest, and looked into his eyes."
    "No words were exchanged - without thinking they found themselves locked in a passionate kiss, their whole world reduced to each other and the demonic mistress guiding them."
    "X’zaratl ran her hand through their hair, letting them enjoy the moment. Then, pushed her hips - causing the tip of Rowan’s cock to prod Alexia’s entrance. They both shuddered, knowing what was about to come- "
    "She thrust her cock violently, causing both to jump up as Rowan’s cock drove into his wife's pussy. The demoness showed them not rest, quickly picking up the pace, making them bounce off her cock with seemingly no difficulty."
    "Alexia didn’t seem to mind. She sought his lips hungrily, surrendering to X’zaratl’s tempo."
    "And Rowan discovered he didn’t care too, thrusting into Alexia in sync with X’zaratl’s movements. It felt good - the cock in his ass felt good, and Alexia’s warm, tight pussy made the whole experience mind-blowing."
    "He was only partially aware of X’zaratl whispering into both of their ears, telling them how amazing they were, how much she loved them, and how wonderful it was to be with them."

    xz "And your ass is divine Rowan. Alexia must try it too. "

    "His wife giggled, drunk with desire, but the innocent laughter soon turned to moans of ecstasy. She was coming - both from his cock, and from X’zaratl’s hands, who never ceased to roam their bodies, pleasing and arousing both of her lovers equally."
    "And he felt it too - felt it in every kiss, every sensuous touch, and every brutal thrust. The otherworldly, sexual skills of succubus. She wanted them to come at the same time - and he could do nothing but give himself to her completely."

    show cg65 with sshake
    show cg65 with sshake
    show cg66 with flash
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg66
    show xzaratl naked behind cg66
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg66

    ro "Ouhaa!"

    "He felt a rush of hotness suddenly fill him almost to the brink, and with a loud cry of pleasure his own orgasm crashed over him. Rope after rope of his cum sprayed into his wife's passage, which in turn caused her to clamp down on him, screaming in delight."
    "It didn’t stop X’zaratl from thrusting, her face twisted in pleasure as well, as she kept pushing her hips, milking him with her cock, making his orgasm drag into infinity."
    "It was only when he finally felt all strength leave him, and he collapsed atop of her, exhausted, that she stopped. His wife soon followed suit, her arms no longer holding any strength to support her."
    "And as they laid there, panting, basking in the afterglow, they again felt X’zaratl’s gentle, guiding hand."

    xz "Alexia, look at him."

    "She turned her head to him. He smiled weakly, feeling his cock grow soft in her."

    xz "No woman alive holds a candle to you. I cannot imagine a woman who could make her husband as happy as you do. You truly are his most precious treasure."
    al "Ha… Don’t talk like that, it’s a little… It’s a little embarrassing."
    ro "No more than, ah… Taking it in the back, dear."

    scene black with fade

    "He kissed her affectionately, and they stayed like that until darkness finally took them."

    jump xzaratlSharedSexEnding_rp

    label xzaratlSex1Alexia_rp:

    "Alexia felt Rowan ran his fingers through her hair, his face marred with concern - even as he struggled not to look at Alexia’s now bared breasts."

    ro "… Do I leave you wanting, Alexia? When I come back… Is it not enough?"

    show alexia necklace naked behind cg37

    #if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient or all_actors["alexia"].relation < 30:
        #al "… Sometimes."
        #al "Sometimes… I feel like I want… More."

    #elif avatar.corruption < 31 and all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 30:
    al "… Sometimes."
    al "Sometimes… I feel like I want… More."

    #else:
        #if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == True:
            #al "… You know the answer, my husband."
            #"She didn’t say her name. She didn’t mention the woman who now stayed in this room, who Rowan had to send away just to spend some time with his wife again."
            #"Twice the affection. For all the times when his own was divided."
        #else:
            #al "Never, my love."

    ro "Then… Do you want to try it? "

    "Her eyes went to Rowan’s crotch, his pants doing nothing to hide a hardness that threatened to rip them open. Then she turned her gaze to X’zaratl cock, which swayed enticingly before them."

    al "… I do."

    "He let his hands wander down, to her back, then further. He groped her bottom, wondering if he should feel jealous for having to share it with anyone."
    "Somehow, he didn’t. Almost without thinking, he nodded at the demoness, giving his consent."

    xz "You are a man like no other, Rowan Blackwell. Your wife is blessed to have you."

    "She crooked a finger at them - a sudden force lifted Alexia into the air, and floated to the sorceress, as she laid down onto their bed."

    xz "Now… Please relax, Alexia."

    "The demoness drew her close, placing one hand on her back. She then slid a finger up her ass, wet with magical lubrication. Alexia drew a sharp breath, as three more hands all wrapped themselves around his body and pulled her down."

    xz "And ready yourself for bliss."

    scene cg38 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg38
    show xzaratl naked behind cg38
    pause 3

    "In one smooth motion, the demoness impaled Alexia with her cock. She shuddered as a violent wave of pleasure went through her body."
    "And not just physical. X’zaratl’s cock radiated pleasing warmth that seeped into her - the slight fog of lust that covered her thoughts suddenly gave way to burning desire, and she grew to realize how awfully empty her pussy was. "

    al "A-ah~... Rowan…"

    "Her magic stripped him to, and he watched, his cock rock hard, as X’zaratl spread his wife’s lower folds open."

    xz "Speak your mind, Alexia. Tell him what you desire. Tell him how you feel every week when he returns to the castle."

    "The demonic mistress pushed her hips forward, forcing more of her cock in, but that only served to accent what she was missing. Alexia licked her lips, and locking eyes with Rowan, let her emotions pour out-"

    al "I want- I want your cock Rowan. Every day- every time I see you back at the castle - I fantasize how you’ll take me today."

    "Her empty snatch quivered before his very eyes. He wanted nothing else but to thrust into it - but something in X’zaratl’s eye stopped him."

    al "How you’ll fill me- How you’ll come inside of me! Rowan!"
    al "Rowan, love, fuck me already!"

    "A short nod, and a smile - and he felt like a dog released from his leash. Free again, Rowan rushed forward, climbing his wife and pushing his own cock into her womanly passage."

    scene cg39 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg39
    show xzaratl naked behind cg39
    pause 3

    al "Ahamama..."

    "She whimpered, her eyes rolling back in shock from the sensory overload."
    "Rowan could feel the hardness of X'zaratl's shaft against his, separated only by a few soft walls. Sweet moans filled his ears, as he thrust again, and watched his wife giggle in delight."

    xz "Relax, fair Alexia. Relax, and let the bliss take you."

    "X’zaratl’s guiding whispers could be heard even through his wife’s lustful cries. The demoness arms wrapped themselves around him, and as she started thrusting, urged him to mimic her movements."
    "And as he saw Alexia’s supple tits jiggle with every thrust, and felt another hand guide his head down, he allowed X’zaratl to set the tempo, thrusting in unison with the demons, so he could focus on the wonders before him."
    "He started licking and sucking on Alexia’s nipples, and In response, the red head's moans soon almost grew into screams."
    "These were quickly muffled by fingers pressed into her mouth by X'zaratl, which Alexia sucked and licked almost instinctively.  It was about the only thing she was doing at this point, the rest of her having gone limp from the incredible pleasure of the threesome."
    "This went on for a long while - far longer, than he imagined. X’zaratl controlled the pace with grace and skill that befitted a sex demon."
    "And whenever he stopped showering his Alexia’s body with kisses and caresses, he found himself looking into the demoness sparkling eye."

    xz "I can feel your love for her with every thrust, gallant Rowan. You truly are a man like no other, and Alexia was blessed to be chosen by you."

    show cg39 with sshake
    show cg39 with sshake
    show cg40 with flash
    pause 3
    show xzaratl naked behind cg40

    "Finally, after what had to be several orgasms by his wife, Rowan could take it no more, and found himself unleashing his seed into her passage. As if on command, X’zaratl came too, filling Alexia twice over."
    "… And none of that seemed to have much of an effect on Alexia, who continued to give out muffled moans around X'zaratl's fingers, as her passage continued to quiver and clench around her husband's cock."

    xz "Fill her in, Rowan. She deserves it."

    "In spite of the increased sensitivity of having just come, Rowan was surprised to find that his hips wouldn't stop moving - they didn’t want to stop moving."
    "He kept thrusting, cumming into his wife - and only after the last drop was out, exhaustion seized him, would he collapse on top of her."

    scene black with fade

    "Her lips sought his, and soon after, darkness took him."

    jump xzaratlSharedSexEnding_rp

    label xzaratlSharedSexEnding_rp:

    scene cg31 with fade
    pause 3
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg31
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg31

    "They woke in each other’s arms some hours later, tucked into their bed, cleaned, and embraced. He kissed his wife on the head, and she stirred in his arms."

    al "That was… Wow."

    ro "Yeah."

    al " … Remind me - why were we reluctant to meet her?"

    #if RowanXzaratlDominantStart == True:
    "That made him stop. This wasn’t how this was supposed to end - they were supposed to keep things professional, and before either of them noticed, they were halfway through a threesome."

    #else:
        #"That made him stop. This wasn’t how this was supposed to end - they were supposed to have a friendly conversation, not start a mindblowing threesome."

    al "You seem worried."
    ro "Did you feel… Controlled, in any way?"
    al "… No? I don’t think so. Maybe a little lightheaded, but not “controlled”. You?"

    #if cliohnaHJ == True:
    "He shook his head. He knew magic like that - and it never managed to hold him, not for long. Even a mage like Cliohna had no success."
    #else:
        #"He shook his head. He knew magic like that - and it never managed to hold him, not for long."

    ro "And yet… Don’t you feel like we shouldn’t be… This open about welcoming X’zaratl into our bedroom?"
    al "… Maybe not. Or maybe we’re just this starved for someone who doesn’t seem to have an agenda?"
    ro "… Maybe. There’s still much we don’t know about her."
    ro "Let’s keep an eye out, and our guard up, alright? Just in case. So that every encounter with X’zaratl doesn’t end like this."
    al "Oh no, that would be horrible."

    "He heard her giggle, and grunted in mock annoyance."

    scene black with fade

    "… It really would be “horrible”..."

    label xzaratlAdvancesEarlyEnding_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "Did you feel… Controlled? In any way?"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with dissolve

    al "… No? I don’t think so? Maybe a little dazed, now that you mention it."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    al "Rowan, do you think she’s doing something to us?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I don’t know. If she is, it’s unlike anything I ever experienced. I never met a mage that managed to take hold of me - at least not for long."
    al "If she {i}is{/i} doing something, how do we defend ourselves? How do we fight back?"

    "His hand went to the amulet at his neck. He turned it in his fingers, furrowing his eyebrows."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "We don’t. We avoid her when we can. We don’t talk to her unless we feel like we need to. She seems inclined to play nice, so we don’t escalate unless the situation calls for it."
    ro "I can’t keep chasing every demon with a possibly nefarious plan. I’d never sleep if I tried. "

    "The blue crystal sparkled in the afternoon light. He had to take calculated risks. Maybe indulging X’zaratal was worth the information and influence. Or maybe not."

    al "You’re sleep deprived as it is, Rowan. Try to look after yourself, will you?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "He heard the worried undertones in her voice. Alexia stood in front of him, suddenly looking awfully lonely. She could use a companion - and protector too, for when he was away."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "… I will. I promise."

    scene black with fade

    "And even though X’zaratl would no doubt love to play the role, neither of them knew what strings were attached."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_4.rpy
label cliohna_s_hero_studies_rp:

    scene bg12 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "You wanted to see me, Cliohna?"
    cl "Yes, you are quite a remarkable individual. I find it hard to believe that you haven't accomplished all that you did without some magical assistance."
    ro "I've been tested for-"
    cl "I know. I wish to check for myself, quite thoroughly."
    cl "To that end, I require your seed, freshly extracted. Preferably by my hand, but if you are not willing to let me touch you I will accept the result of self pleasure."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Wait, are you asking me for my cum?"

    "The woman nodded."

    ro "And you're going to give me a handjob to get it?"

    "She nodded again."

    ro "And there's no hidden cost to this or anything like that?"

    #cliohna smile
    cl "Nothing that will last. I may get some pleasure for myself once you're finished, but you need not fear my influence lasting past the hour."

    show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    cl "At least so long as you do not attempt to leave this room without providing me with your seed to test for magical potential. Just so we're clear, the only choice you have to make is how I will get what I desire."
    ro "(She’s not someone used to rejection… But as long as I stay sharp, she won’t be able to do as she pleases.)"

    menu:
        "Agree to the handjob. (Scene)":
            $ cliohnaHJ = True
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump .cliohnaHJ_rp

        "Masturbate to get the cum she wants.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I'll just get your seed behind that bookcase, is that fine?"
            "The woman sighs, clearly somewhat disappointed but only motions towards a flask on a nearby table."
            cl "That will do. If you would be so kind, please put it in there."
            "The hero nodded and took the flask."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            scene black with fade
            show bg12 with fade
            show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "A couple minutes later he returned and handed the flask to Cliohna. She looked at its contents for a moment, then nodded and waved a hand dismissively to Rowan."
            cl "You may leave now."
            "Knowing it was best not to push or comment on things any further, he simply left while wondering if anything would come of this."
            return

    label .cliohnaHJ_rp:

    ro "Do whatever you want, I'll bear through it."

    "The witch actually smiled at this! She seemed almost pleasantly surprised at his choice."

    cl "Wonderful. Kindly extract your male sex from your garments, I will get to work at once."

    scene cg186 with fade
    show cliohna neutral behind cg186
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg186
    pause 3

    "The witch wasted no time in grabbing ahold of his shaft the instant he'd taken it out, her long smooth digits soon getting him to full hardness."
    "The telltale tingle of magic sent a small jolt through Rowan's body and he could feel himself relaxing immediately afterwards."
    "Instincts honed from years of practise took over, pushing against Cliohna's influence over the man's mind. Instead of growing more pliant as she stroked his shaft, Rowan's posture stiffened and he grew more alert under her touch."

    cl "Hmm, you're surprisingly resilient to magical influence. I wonder what will happen if I bring things up to a higher level?"

    "Suddenly it felt like a mountain was pushing him down. For a moment the man was able to hold out, but the sensation of soft cool fingers gliding over his cock with increasing speed soon knocked a hole in his defences and swept him under the wave of magic."
    "It was against the undirected assault on an army trying to break its morale or an enemy spellcaster trying to confuse or frighten that the veteran soldier had learned to resist, not the focused efforts of an undistracted sorceror of Cliohna's caliber."

    # $ cliohnaResistance = 0
    # $ cliohnaSubmission = 0

    menu:
        "Fight back with all your might!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ cliohnaResistance += 1
            "But it was not like he ever got the chance to practice that stuff. All of his knowledge, he gained in the heat of battle, finding the will and the means to resist when death looked him in the eyes."
            "What was a handjob in comparison?"
            cl "Ah?"
            "Cliohna’s eyebrow rose in an expression of delighted surprise, as she felt Rowan's fingers lightly wrap around her wrists. He tried for an iron grip, but with her mental assault still unrelenting, it was the best he could manage. "
            cl "How... Ah. Biting your tongue, Rowan? I see you are no stranger to the classics."
            "He struggled to offer a clever response, but the pressure didn’t weaken one bit, threatening to break his mind in half the moment he let his self-control lapse."
            "And her fingers, making their way up and down his shaft, sending pleasant, numbing shocks up his body, weren’t helping."
            cl "Fascinating. The stronger I push you, the harder your walls become."
            ro "Among… Other… Things…? "
            cl "And you are somehow able to retain enough wit, as low level as it is, to hold a conversation! You’re quite the specimen!"
            cl "Makes me wonder how much further I can take this."
            ro "For science?"
            "His mouth twitched. At least that's what he thought happened. All that teeth grinding made his face hurt. Was he still smiling? He might have. It was impossible to be certain of anything at the moment."
            "But despite that, he had just enough fight in him to narrow his eyes, and issue the sorceress a silent challenge."
            "“Try me.”"
            "In response, Cliohna flashed him a quick smile, and the pressure on his mind finally started to subside."
            cl "Quite stubborn, aren’t you? I do not know if I should envy or pity your wife."
            "She poked his shaft playfully, the resumed the dance of her fingers. Her touch grew less mechanical, taking on a caring, almost sensual vibe."
            cl "Usually I would not mind playing with you some more, turning this defiant look into one of pure adoration…"
            cl "But your sudden resistance has only inflamed my desire to uncover whatever secrets your cum might hold. I propose a truce."
            cl "Stop fighting back and share your cum with me, and in return, maybe later on, if you're strong enough, I’ll give you a shot at turning the tables on me?"
            ro "Maybe? That’s all I get?"
            cl "Aren’t you the hero of men, Rowan Blackwell? Isn’t a sliver of a chance all you need to succeed?"
            "Part of him wanted to sneer at her proposal, discard it without a second thought, deny her the damn satisfaction."
            "But he still felt this small, continuous pressure in the back of his mind. A gentle reminder that while Cliohna allowed him the peace of mind for now, she could resume her assault at any moment."
            ro "… Maybe it is."
            cl "Paramount decision making Rowan! I can see why both Jezera and the royalty of Rosaria chose to put their fate in your hands."
            "He gritted his teeth. Her caresses increasing in intensity, her fingers still only gently brushing against his skins, but her magic-"
            ro "A-ah!"
            "Her magic kept sending small, pleasant shocks up his shaft. He wanted to resist her further, but he had to concede he was at his limit."
            "With a wave of her free hand, a small flask sitting on the nearby table floated over to them, and Cliohna got it ready to receive his seed."
            scene cg186 with sshake
            show cg186 with sshake
            show cg187 with flash
            "He reached his peak and leaned backwards, as ropes of cum sprayed out into the waiting flask. The sorceress flashed him a satisfied grin, not at all dismayed by his earlier resistance."
            scene bg12 with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            #cliohna smile
            show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            ro "How about you start with a taste test?"
            cl "Now now Rowan, this was all in the name of science. Please do not ascribe to it any sexual undertones. "
            cl "You can leave now, I shall contact you once I have the results ready."
            ro "... Right. Glad to be of assistance. "

        "Cliohna proves too powerful to resist.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ cliohnaSubmission += 1
            "Rowan felt dazed. He couldn't help but relax under the witch's grip and enjoy the sensation of her stroking his shaft. Up and down, smooth and enjoyable. A groan of pleasure escaped his lips."
            cl "Even with my full weight behind it you managed to hold back for an instant. There can be no question that there is something special about you, hero of men."
            "She continued to muse out loud above him, but Rowan hardly paid any attention. No commands had been given, so he simply waited and enjoyed her ministrations on him. Stroke by stroke, fingers continuing to bring him closer and closer."
            "With a wave of her free hand, a small flask sitting on the nearby table floated over to Cliohna, which she pressed against the head of Rowan's cock in preperation to collect his seed. At the same time, a new sensation spread through him. Some other magic?"
            cl "Now cum for me, Rowan. If you would be so kind."
            scene cg186 with sshake
            show cg186 with sshake
            show cg187 with flash
            #cliohna smile
            show cliohna neutral behind cg187
            pause 3
            "An order had been received, the man would obey. Instantly he reached his peak and leaned backwards slightly as ropes of cum sprayed out into the waiting flask. He spurted a couple more times, then once again resumed his relaxed pose, waiting for another command."
            cl "Very good. Seems to be about a normal orgasm for a human man, though that was as expected."
            scene black with fade
            show cliohna neutral behind black
            "The witch replaced the flask on the table in some sort of apparatus, then pulled Rowan in front of her at the table. She pushed down on his head, directing him to kneel on the ground, leaving his head at the height of her groin."
            "There was a soft click as the band of strange material covering Cliohna's womanly parts fell to the side. Whether by the act of stroking him or controlling him, it seemed that the witch had grown aroused as moisture glistened on her parted folds."
            cl "Use your tongue to pleasure me while I work on your seed."
            "Rowan hesitated for an instant, the desire to do as he was told clashing with a part of his mind that was struggling to regain control."
            cl "Now."
            scene cg80 with fade
            show cliohna neutral behind cg80
            pause 3
            "A blast of magic against his mind forced the man back into compliance and he opened his mouth to lick the lips of Cliohna's labia."
            cl "Ghmm, you're just full of surprises. Perhaps you'll be able to give me one more?"
            "As he'd been instructed, Rowan licked and licked. He traced up and down the sides of her sex, then plunged into its depths. Drinking deeply of her fluids and coaxing more of them forth with each motion."
            "Rowan continued to eat the woman out, but with each passing moment he felt his faculties grow more and more under his own control again."
            "Cliohna was both powerful and skilled, but she made the mistake of underestimating him. Indulging herself in his caress, her focus wavered, and her spell loss some of its intensity. If he could keep it up… "
            cl "Ooooh, yes Rowan, yes! Just like that!"
            "The normally calm and disdainful witch was now breathing heavily, shuddering occasionally as his tongue brought her closer and closer to orgasm."
            cl "Deeper, deeper!"
            "A final tremor rushed through her body and the witch let out a soft moan. Cliohna's passage rippled and squeezed in time with her peak, and the spell around his mind shattered."
            cl "Good, stop.  You may- oh?"
            scene bg12 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            "Rowan emerged from under the table as well, straightening up and looking at the woman he'd just eaten out.  The two studied one another for a moment before Cliohna broke the silence."
            cl "You've thrown off my control, haven't you?"
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Arms spread wide and a shrug of the shoulders was the hero's response."
            cl "Interesting. We shall see if that's an indication of hidden talent. You may leave now."
            "Knowing it was best not to push or comment on things any further, he simply left while wondering if anything would come of this."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_4.rpy
label champion_statue_sculpting_rp:

    scene bg20 with fade
    show skordred neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "What is it, Skordred? Calling me in here is very unusual for you."

    "The dwarf continued to work on something at one of the benches, pointedly ignoring the new arrival. Even though he'd been invited, Rowan realized that there wasn't going to be any courtesies extended to him."
    "After a moment's wait, the master builder stood up and faced the hero."

    sk "You may be one of the sinners who killed the world's proper ruler, but ya are nah a champion of chaos in service to the lords of Bloodmeen."

    "Rowan decided not to say anything, preferring not to discuss this topic himself."

    sk "For those occupying such a post, I grant the honor of carving their likeness into stone to join the castle's silent guard."
    ro "That's fine, you don't need to trouble yourself about making any statues of me."
    sk "This act brings great satisfaction to me, it is one of my few joys beyond my duties. I would not have called ya here had I not concluded that I genuinely wished to do it. Even with ya as the subject."
    ro "Ah, well, I suppose it would be a bit rude to turn you down. What did you need from me then?"
    sk "I require detailed measurements of yar body as well as to record the likeness of yar features. My sculpture shall be as close as possible to yar true appearance."
    ro "Alright. Do you want to do that right now?"
    sk "Aye. Strip naked and get yar prick erect."
    ro "... Wait, what?"
    sk "I said, strip! An if ya canna get hard on your own, I'll help you."

    menu:
        "Strip naked for Skordred. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump .skorStrip_rp

        "Don't strip":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Is this really necessary for your sculpture?"
            sk "Ah course, yar cock is of the utmost importance to preserve in stone.  Ifin ya cannot let me study yar form naked, then ay can ferget the whole thing."
            menu:
                "Strip for Skordred. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump .skorStrip_rp
                "Refuse again.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "The answer is no then."
                    sk "Then get out of my workshop until yar duties require it."
                    return

    label .skorStrip_rp:

    #CG of Rowan awkwardly stripping with Skordred nearby holding a tape measure.
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind black
    show skordred neutral behind black

    "While Rowan began to remove his garments, the dwarf gathered several supplies. These included a workbook, a tape measure, and a sketchpad."

    ro "So, you've been doing this for awhile now as a hobby?"
    sk "Of a sort."

    "The dwarf placed his things on a nearby table, then unrolled the measuring tape."

    sk "Hold out yar arms."

    "Somewhat reluctantly, the human held his arms out from his body. This revealed his member to the dwarf, though it seemed that Skordred wasn't interested in that yet."
    "Instead he measured various parts of Rowan's body, such as the length of his arms, legs, and torso, or the circumference of his waist, chest, and shoulders. There were also some more awkward places than others, such a large number of measurements of his ass."
    "Having the grey skinned man so close to his nude form was rather disconcerting for the hero. Even still clothed, there was a very strong sensation of heat coming off of the dwarf, his body no doubt tended to stay at a higher temperature than humans did."
    "Those hot rough hands crawling over his body was unsettling, making the situation more intimidating than the smaller man would normally seem. Especially considering the difficulty Skordred sometimes had in reaching what he was meaning to measure."
    "All the physical information about the subject, Rowan, was recorded in the notebook. All save those needed of his sex."

    scene cg267 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg267
    show skordred neutral behind cg267
    pause 3

    sk "Still not hard I see."
    ro "Yeah, I was thinking that- eh?!"

    "The dwarf surpised Rowan by starting to move even closer to his crotch."

    menu:
        "Allow him to continue. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanGaySex += 1
            jump skordredBJ_rp

        "Stop the dwarf.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Uncomfortable with what he was doing, Rowan made it very clear that he wanted Skordred to back off."
            sk "Fine, get hard by yerself then, but hurry it up."
            "Rowan sheepishly stoked his cock until it stood erect, and the sculptor made all the necessary notes and measurements, before sending a perplexed Rowan on his way."
            return

    label skordredBJ_rp:

    scene cg268 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg268
    show skordred neutral behind cg268
    pause 3

    "Without bothering to wait for Rowan to finish, the dwarf opened his mouth wide and promptly put it around the man's shaft!"

    ro "What are you doing?"

    "Skodred didn't answer, he just started blowing his subject. Right away Rowan noted the strange sensation of the dwarf's beard pressed against his crotch, then at the rising pleasure from the somewhat blunt methods employed on his shaft."
    "There was no finesse, just a practical attempt to get him hard as fast as possible. Starting with several fast tongue licks on an engulfed shaft, switching into a rapid head bob as soon as there was enough firmness to allow it."
    "After about half a minute, the dwarf popped back off of Rowan and considered his length. Apparently unsatisfied, he once again dropped his head back down and bobbed again several times. Skodred even took it on himself to deepthroat him, twice."

    #CG variation with Rowan's cock erect and a line of spit going from it to Skordred's mouth
    scene cg269 with fade
    show skordred neutral behind cg269
    pause 3

    "The taller man groaned in pleasure, then in confusion as the shorter one pulled all the way off again."

    sk "Good. Ya have a respectable size for a champion of chaos."

    #first CG again, with Rowan erect variation.
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind black
    show skordred neutral behind black

    "He once again extracted his tape measure, then took detailed dimensions of both Rowan's cock and his balls, cupping those orbs in his hot hands for what felt like slightly too long during the process."

    sk "Naw I need a pose. Try putting one leg up on that stool and mime pointing your sword forward in challenge."

    "Feeling a bit put off from having been brought to the edge, but not pushed over, Rowan tried doing as he was instructed."

    sk "Nah, nah, bring your arm higher!"
    ro "But that position would leave me open to a surprise attack."
    sk "Doesn matter, the important part is the power of the pose. Try putting both feet on the ground with your sword arm down... hey! You're getting soft!"

    #CG of Skordred over Rowan's cock again.
    scene cg268 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg268
    show skordred neutral behind cg268
    pause 3

    "The dwarf rushed forward and dropped his head back down on Rowan's shaft, bringing him back to the edge again."

    #CG of cock with spit coming off.
    scene cg269 with fade
    show skordred neutral behind cg269
    pause 3

    sk "Try thinking of our masters, maybe that will keep you hard long enough to finish this."

    #Transition to same image.
    scene cg269 with fade
    pause 3

    "Sometime later, and after several more edging blowjobs, Skordred finally settled on a pose he liked. Rowan felt both relieved and incredibly frustrated as the constant edging had made his balls start to feel rather sore."

    #CG of Skordred over Rowan's cock again.
    scene cg268 with fade
    pause 3

    "The dwarf seemed to sense something like this, so he dropped his head again and deep throated his subject again, burying his thick nose into the bush above the shaft as well as his beard onto the man's balls."
    "Finally, the peak of orgasm coming and Rowan was fairly sure he wasn't going to be forced to endure without any longer. Skordred's mouth and throat, hot and wet, rippled around him as thick grey fingers once again cupped and fondled his nuts."
    "The man grunted, felt his insides clench, then poured his seed down the dark dwarf's throat in a well needed release. The last hour's work had not made this experience more pleasurable than normal, in fact it did the opposite, but it was incredibly relieving to finally cum."

    #CG of Skordred off of Rowan's soft cock with some cum in his beard.
    scene cg268 with sshake
    scene cg268 with sshake
    scene cg270 with flash
    pause 3

    "When the last of Rowan's spurts ended, the dwarf let the man's softening shaft slip free of his maw. He looked at that member for several moments silently and face unreadable. Rowan did notice at least one drop of his cum running over the dark one's beard."

    #CG of Skordred sketching Rowan's face.  Both are sitting on stools, Rowan is still naked, his face is flush and he's sweating.
    scene cg312 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg312
    show skordred neutral behind cg312
    pause 3

    "Abruptly Skordred straightened and grabbed the sketchpad. He directed Rowan to take a seat, then took the other one."

    sk "The last thing I need is a sketch of yar face with the proper expression."
    ro "Ah, what would that be?"
    sk "The one ya were doing for the pose!"
    ro "Oh, right. Do you mind if I get dressed for this?"
    sk "I won be long, stay where y'are."
    ro "Hmm, fine."

    scene bg20 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show skordred neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    sk "That'll be all. Ya may leave."
    ro "Right, I guess I'll check in when you finish."
    sk "That may take some time, I still need to get the right stone to carve after all. However your part is now done."
    ro "I see. Farewell Skordred."

    "The dwarf declined to say goodbye."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "(Well that just happened.  Who'd have thought that before even giving the courtesy of a hello or goodbye, he'd give me a blowjob?)"

    return

# \events\ruler_events_5.rpy
label jezera_s_alliance_making_skills_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s day off from the field came to a screeching halt at the interruption of the one woman who had the least compunction of anyone against disturbing you."

    je "There you are, my hero. I need to ask a favor of you, I'm going to be meeting with a woman of some status shortly and I'd like to present you as my sex toy to demonstrate my power."
    je "But, it would be simply criminal of me to go without an accessory. A prestigious prize to demonstrate my power."
    je "{i}You.{/i}"

    "Rowan wiped the sleep from his eyes, as if doing so might make her vanish from the air like a mirage."

    ro "Jezera. It isn't like you to ask first. Is there a catch?"
    je "Only if you mind wearing a collar and filling your mouth with pussy while two lovely ladies discuss politics."
    je "..."
    ro "..."
    je "Oh, and I might lend you out to her too. You know how that sort of thing goes, by now. "

    "She giggled to herself."

    je "I called it a favour, because we’re going to need a bit of...acting on your part. Your value as a trophy is somewhat diminished if I can’t sell you as an {i}obedient{/i} trophy. So, much as it pains me to require assent, I will need your cooperation."


    menu:
        "Pretend to be Jezera's sex slave. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "..."
            "Rowan threw his hands up in defeat."
            ro "Fine."
            je "Most excellent."
            je "You must be on your best behaviour. I have worked long and hard to bring this moment to fruition. This is, perhaps, my finest masterstroke yet. One more impactful even then you!"
            "Her hand reached down and gave Rowan a playful slap on the ass. He jumped defensively, resisting the urge to draw his sword."
            je "Come, let's get you dressed up {i}properly{/i} and then we'll be on our way."
            scene bg10 with fade
            #rowan prisoner garb
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            "In addition to a collar, the demoness also had the hero change out of his clothes into something quite similar to the prisoner garb he'd been forced to wear a few months prior."
            "The ensemble clashed severely with the elaborate sapphire necklace, but Jezera made no move to remove it."
            $ delfQueenSex = True
            jump delfqueenmeeting_rp

        "Politely Refuse her “Dignified” Request.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan kept his place, stone faced."
            ro "Jezera. I’m your castle’s stewart. I’m not going to just agree to that."
            "Jezera chuckled to herself and flashed Rowan a dark grin. A lesser man might shrink from that look."
            je "Surely, that isn’t a hint of defiance I hear from you? What’s so bad about being forced to parade around in chains?"
            je "Am I going to have to persuade you?"
            "She leaned forward, wiping the space between them away. So close there were mere inches between their chests. His pulse sped up."
            "But, he responded by taking a step back to regain space. Then, he crossed his arms over his chest defiantly."
            ro "Will this entire meeting of yours collapse if I don’t arrive in chains?"
            je "Well, I suppose not…"
            ro "I told you, I want no part in what you just described. I just returned from a week in the field doing your bidding. Is this really so important as to create a conflict?"
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            "She rolled her eyes and drew back. She reminded him of a cat whose favorite toy had been drawn away."
            je "Tsk. You’re as much of a bore as I feared."
            je "Very well. In my generosity, I will allow you to come merely as a prisoner, as opposed to a chained sex slave. The fun parts can be forgone, but you’re still valuable as a trophy. "
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...I’m not arguing out of that part, am I?"
            je "This is an important meeting. Today, a plan many months in the making comes to fruition. A powerful new subject in our camp. I will not let your petulance sabotage it now."
            je "This will not be a difficult trip. Just stay with me and be quiet. "
            scene bg10 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            $ delfQueenSex = False
            jump delfqueenmeeting_rp

    label delfqueenmeeting_rp:

    scene bg3 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "After that, the two left through the portal to a forested area nearby mountains that Rowan wasn't familiar with. He recognized the scenery, at once, from the war. This was the forests of Ealoaen, home of the elves."

    #cave bg
    scene cave1 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera led him to a nearby rock formation and opened up a hidden path down into a cave. She obviously knew where she was going, as she picked her way through a very specific path from tunnel to tunnel, ever downwards."
    "Occasionally she'd use magical ribbons of energy to carry herself and Rowan down sheer cliffs or over difficult terrain. That particular spell seemed to be Jezera's magic of choice as she was very good at manipulating the energies and she always used it when she could."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        "Eventually they reached caverns that had been worked by intelligent hands. Here was where the show would begin, so a lease was taken up and a hood placed over the hero's head."
        scene black with fade
        show jezera happy behind black
        "Rowan would have to trust his mistress to lead him through the caves. Even without his eyes covered the man would have had a hard time making his way through here as the demoness no longer bothered to use lights and there was no other sources the man could make out."
        "Voices whispered about them and the soft pattering of feet other than their own was audible, but Rowan had no idea who they belonged to."
        "Eventually, they arrived at an underground building of some kind. The unseen guides lead them inside while Jezera conversed with another woman in a language that Rowan Didn’t understand. Likely dark elvish."
        "The purpose of the meeting was growing clearer to him by the moment."
        "Inside Rowan finally could see something again. Glinting lights would occasionally wink at him through the lines in the fabric covering his head. They were taken to a chamber deep inside the structure before someone spoke again."

    else:
        "Eventually they reached caverns that had been worked by intelligent hands. Figures moved around them with little light, but he could see shadows playing over great structures and the occasional glint of crystal in the darkness."
        "They whispered and stepped softly, meer pattering accompanied their footfalls. That meant they were probably elves. Rowan smiled in spite of himself, it explained why Jezera was treating this meeting as such an important affair."
        "Rowan watched them with careful eyes, his hand always resting on the pommel of his sword. However no one challenged them or approached the two walking down the center of the artificial cavern."
        "Eventually they arrived at a particularly grand building, where Jezera briefly conversed with a woman in dark elvish. He couldn't understand what they were saying, but it confirmed Rowan's suspicions."
        "The inside was much better lit by glowing crystals, it's passages made up of stone and yet more crystals of different colours and cuts wrought in dazzling architecture and artistry. They were led to a deep chamber inside the building before anyone spoke again."
        scene cg466 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg466
        pause 3
        "Inside was a regal dark elf woman dressed in an expensive silk gown that clung tightly to her body and accentuated her lithe womanly features."
        "It appeared to be a private sitting room, with the dark elf seated in a chair at a small two person table against the wall."

    wom "Well now Jezera, let's see the great hero my attendant tells me you've brought."

    "She spoke in the common tongue, either because it was Rowan's or Jezera's native language. Regardless of the reason, it meant that the man could understand it."

    je "Of course."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        "Now Jezera roughly dragged Rowan forward and pushed him to his knees before pulling the hood up off his head."

    je "May I present, the great hero of Karst and one of Deanara’s band to defeat Karnas, Rowan Blackwell."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        scene cg466 with flash
        show jezera happy behind cg466
        pause 3
        "Thanks to the light given off by some nearby crystals, Rowan could clearly see the regal dark elf woman that he'd been presented to. She was a lithe woman, dressed in an expensive silk gown that clung tightly to her body and accentuated her womanly features."
        "They were inside what appeared to be a private sitting room, with the dark elf seated in a chair at a small two person table against the wall."

    else:
        je "Now an agent of Bloodmeen!"
        "Rowan stepped forward at Jezera's proclamation in full gear, hand on his sword and nodded to the two women. He leveled his gaze at the dark elf, wondering how this would go now."

    "She stood up, revealing herself to be nearly a head taller than Rowan, and took a step forward to get a closer look at the man. A wicked smile graced her lips and the hero felt a flash of recognition that mirrored the expression on the woman's face."
    "He knew this woman, but why?"

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        jump delfPlayingSexSlave_rp

    else:
        jump delfPlayingPrisoner_rp

    label delfPlayingSexSlave_rp:

    wom "Hahaha! It is him! Well now Jezera, it seems I owe you an apology. Let's see how well he licks."

    je "I'd be happy to."

    "The two women sat down together at the table and Jezera pulled on Rowan's leash until he crawled up to her legs. While he wrapped his arms around her and lifted the fabric of her dress out of the way he continued to wonder where he'd seen this dark elf before."

    scene cg67 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg67
    pause 2

    "He could feel the gaze of the lady from behind as he started his work on his mistress. First he kissed the insides of her legs and gently drew his fingers over the crevice of her skin where leg met hips. Then brushed his tongue over labia, nibbling slightly when he touched the other side."

    wom "He's quite the romantic, isn't he?"

    je "Yes, did you know that after the war he went back to his home village and married his peasant sweetheart?"

    wom "Huh, no kidding? I admit, married men are among my favorites to make my own."

    "Rowan extended his tongue and ran it up the inside of the lower lips, then flicked it ever so slightly over Jezera's clit, causing her to twitch once. She inhaled sharply as his tongue plunged deep into her passage several times in succession."

    wom "It would sound like you're having a good time. Would you mind giving me a chance to enjoy him afterwards? The thought of having a hero of men between my legs is... appealing."

    "A hand was placed on the back of Rowan's head as he continued to toy and tease. Then it pushed him against Jezera's sex as her thighs tightened up around his head. Taking the hint, he switched to a much more direct method of eating and licking as fast as he could."

    "The effect was almost immediate. Gasps and moans of pleasure now emanated in response to his ministrations. Jezera exalted in this act and was soon leaking out her fluids all over Rowan's face in orgasm."

    je "Hah, hah, I would say that he's probably good for a second round, aren't you pet?"

    "She ran her fingers through his hair and smirked down at the man still between her legs."

    je "You just love pussy, don't you? Go get more!"

    scene cg231 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg231
    pause 3

    "Jezera relaxed her legs and directed Rowan towards the dark elf. He shuffled on the ground the short distance to the other woman, keeping his head down to avoid drawing too much attention."

    "The unfamiliar lady uncrossed her legs and rolled up her gown to reveal an elven vagina. Her folds were thinner than Jezera's, fitting right in with her lithe frame. It was also already very wet, evidence of just how much the previous display had turned her on."

    #CG of dark elf queen with Rowan eating her out.

    wom "Like what you see? Good, drink up slave!"

    "She lifted up her legs and wrapped them around Rowan's head, forcing him in without any setup or foreplay. Obediently, he started licking, hard."

    wom "Oh yes. More, more."

    "While the man redoubled his efforts, he felt a long finger brush over his face. Suddenly there was a sharp pain as the woman opened a small cut on his cheek which made him cry out."

    wom "Uh, uh, uh, keep eating or it will get worse."

    "He did so, licking and plunging and drinking from the dark elf. At the same time, she caught a few drops of his blood on a finger and brought it up to her lips. Rowan could just barely see her licking the finger sensually before she let out one long gasp that signalled her orgasm."
    "Shortly after coming down from her high, the dark elf woman casually released the man from her grip and pushed him to the side so she could sit at the table properly again."

    wom "That will do. Shall we talk business, Jezera?"

    je "Yes, let's."

    "The two of them pointedly ignored Rowan as he crawled away until the leash was taught and then sat down cross legged to watch their conversation. Well, he mostly listened since he didn't want to take the chance of making eye contact with the woman."

    scene cg466 with flash
    show jezera happy behind cg466

    jump delfQueenEnding_rp

    label delfPlayingPrisoner_rp:

    wom "It is him. Fully armed and unchained, no less. I didn’t expect you to be quite so trusting."

    je "I considered bringing him in chains to show his obedience. But, that just seemed too...pedestrian. What better show of where his loyalties lay now then to show him, sword in hand. "

    "The unfamiliar woman crossed her arms with an appraising look on her face."

    wom "My trainers would be able to make short work of this one I assure you. A month or two in confinement, some torture, and he'll do anything you want to make it stop."

    "Rowan let a smile play across his face."

    je "A hero has more spirit than you give him credit for."

    wom "He certainly thinks so. Letting a man walk so freely among us does not reflect well on you."

    je "This is the last time he will. Nevertheless, you wanted proof of my abilities, here he is."

    "After a moment more contemplation the elf let out a sigh and turned her attention back to Jezera."

    wom "Very well, I admit you were correct. Shall we talk business, Jezera?"

    je "Yes, let's."

    "The two of them took chairs at the table and pointedly ignored Rowan. That was fine, it gave him a chance to listen in on the conversation while he leaned against the wall."

    label delfQueenEnding_rp:

    "They discussed an alliance between the woman and Bloodmeen castle, which Jezera seemed to claim to be the sole ruler of. Made sense, dark elf society was a matriarchy and wasn't exactly known for respecting men at all."
    "The talk went on and on, covering various subjects. However a point of contention often was exactly what kind of relationship this would be. Jezera clearly wanted to be in charge, while the dark elf wanted something more equal."
    "Jezera repeatedly offered different regions and fiefdoms, but the elven woman would respond that she should get more or all the lands she conquered. This did not sit well with the demon. In fact, the longer the conversation went on, the more visibly irritated she became."
    "The conversation then moved on to personal matters. Rowan found himself distracted for a moment in old memories, trying to conjure up why the elf seemed so familiar. Had he seen her in the war? The reminiscence was cut off when Jezera abruptly lost her composure."

    je "Being a vassal of the new rising of Bloodmeen and a lord of one of our provinces should be an honor for you! I've already given you generous gifts and proven I can capture a hero right under the church's nose, why won't you serve me?!"

    "The dark elf woman laughed and shook her head at the sudden outburst."

    wom "You don't really know anything about diplomacy, do you child? If I recall, you started this whole negotiation claiming we were equals. Now you want both my help and my submission? That's not how this works."

    "Still smiling, she leaned forwards in her chair."

    wom "I have eyes in many places. I know who I’m dealing with. I'm have the armies, and you desperately need them. If this alliance is to happen, you need to offer me something far better. And try to compose yourself."

    "Jezera did not reply, but straightened in her chair and folded her trembling hands in front of her."

    wom "Better. Now listen to me, child. I will join you, but as an equal not a subject. The price for helping you take the world will be half of it. Fair, is it not? We both get something we want, that's diplomacy."

    je "You are not the equal of a demon, worm."

    wom "Now you have it twisted. You should feel honored I’d even consider recognizing a little girl with delusions of grandeur as someone worth coming to an arrangement with."
    wom "Know your place."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        "The demoness suddenly stood up and tossed the lead of Rowan's leash aside."

    else:
        "The demoness suddenly stood up, knocking over her chair with a dull clatter."

    "Ribbons of magic blazed to life around her. They lashed at the ground and threw the crystal furniture against the walls of the room."

    wom "Sit down, you're not impressing anyone by -urk!"

    scene cg459 with fade
    show jezera neutral behind cg459
    pause 3

    "One of Jezera's cords of magic snapped around the dark elf woman's neck, cutting off her words and causing her to struggle for breath!"

    show cg460 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Genuine fear was plain on the elven woman's face for the first time. She tried to signal something as her body was lifted up into the air by her neck."

    show cg461 with dissolve
    pause 2

    je "The dark elf struggled at the demonic magic binding her while Jezera continued to watch her cooly."

    show cg462 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "As moments passed, more and more tethers latched on until the combined force tore all the way through, beheading the dark elf."

    show cg463 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "This sudden reaction from Jezera had caught Rowan completely off guard and he didn't even have time to think about how he should respond in the scant few seconds between when his mistress launched her attack and when the body fell to the floor."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        show cg464 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Unarmed, Rowan could do nothing but watch in the scant few seconds that passed from when Jezera first lost her patience until the body fell to the floor. He tried to think of something he could say or do, but none of it would have mattered. He could only watch on in shock."
        "It was only when the woman's head fell past that Rowan finally regained his wits.  Instinctively he did a quick scan of the area for potential threats before he caught Jezera's eye looking at him."

    else:
        "Rowan drew his sword and readied himself for combat in the scant few seconds that passed from when Jezera lost her patience until the body fell to the floor. However, no enemies ran into the room and there was nothing he could have done to stop Jezera's wrath."
        show cg464 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Rowan's attention was brought back to the grizzly execution as the woman's head fell past him. In that instant Jezera and his eyes met."

    play sound "music/SFX/BodyfallDirt.ogg"
    scene cg465 with fade
    show jezera neutral behind cg465
    pause 3

    "Those eyes held murder."

    je "We're leaving."

    "She didn't bother waiting for a response before teleporting the two of them back to the castle."

    scene bg10 with flash
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #jezera angry
    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "GRRRAGH!"

    show bg10 with sshake

    "Instantly after they arrived Jezera let loose an uncharacteristic shriek!"
    "Then took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching her fist, and finally lowered her arm."

    je "Grr, I'm going to have a bath. You're dismissed Rowan."

    if delfQueenSex == True:
        "She started to walk away, then turned back and offered a smile to the man who was still sitting on the ground."
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        je "At least I can count on you, {i}my hero{/i}."

    hide jezera with moveoutright

    "This whole episode worried Rowan greatly, as it was the first time he'd learned something of Jezera's activities away from the castle. If this was how she conducted all her negotiations, there could be dire consequences."
    "Plus he still wasn't sure who the woman had been. It was clear that she had been someone of great power within the dark elf hierarchy, a general perhaps? He didn't know and it wasn't worth the risk of asking Jezera right now."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_5.rpy
label pure_morning_with_alexia_rp:

    scene cg30 with fade

    "Rowan awoke to the feeling of his wife laying on him.  Since she still seemed to be asleep, he decided to just enjoy her soft warm skin against his rather than waking her up."

    show alexia necklace naked behind cg30

    al "Good morning darling."

    scene cg31 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg31
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg31

    ro "Heh, it isn't often that you wake up before me. What gave it away?"

    "Alexia slipped her hand under the sheets and brushed it over her husband's cock, which had grown hard next to her leg."

    ro "Should I apologize for thinking you're beautiful?"

    "They both grinned."

    al "Never."

    menu:
        "Time to get up.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The two of them shared a long kiss, then the hero climbed out of bed to start another day in glorious service to the twins."
            return

        "Flip over onto Alexia and make love to her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump .alexiaPureMorning_rp

    label .alexiaPureMorning_rp:

    #CG of Rowan kissing Alexia while laying on top of her.
    scene cg202 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg202
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg202
    pause 3

    "He rolled over, putting himself on top of Alexia and kissing her deeply. She welcomed him into her mouth and wrapped her arms around his head to keep him against her for several moments longer than Rowan had originally intended."
    "When he was finally able to break the kiss, he had to take several deep breaths to recover."

    ro "I knew you liked kisses, but I wasn't aware you liked to kiss my breath away."
    al "If you're allowed to have surprises, so am I."

    "As payback, Rowan shuffled a little ways down so that he could run his tongue around Alexia's nipple, as well as give it a playful nibble."
    "This brought a sharp gasp to her lips, just as the man had hoped."

    al "Ah! What's that for?"
    ro "Just trying to steal your breath away."
    al "I'm not sure you quite managed that, think you can try again?"

    scene cg83 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg83
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg83
    pause 3

    "Instead of accepting that invitation, Rowan shifted once more to abruptly push himself inside Alexia's passage. She let out another gasp of surprise that quickly turned into a moan of pleasure."

    ro "Nah, let's keep the train of surprises going."
    al "Oh darling, you brute!"

    "Her moans of pleasure between her words signaled that she was far from upset at this penetration. The feeling of her walls rippling around Rowan's cock, slick with the fluids of her arousal, added further evidence to that conclusion."
    "Rowan began to slowly rock his hips forwards and back, his arms firmly planted on the bed on either side of Alexia's head for balance. His wife was content to let him take her, since he'd gotten lots of practise at learning the perfect pace to take their lovemaking."
    "Gradually he increased his thrusts, timing them with Alexia's gasps and appreciative moans. Finally his own lusts caused him to lose control and he abandoned himself to them.  Sensing the change in her husband, the woman could only smile and whisper to herself."

    al "Yes, Rowan please, please fill me!"

    show cg83 with sshake
    show cg83 with sshake
    scene cg84 with flash
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg84
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg84
    pause 3

    "Rowan came, spurting deep into Alexia's hot passage and triggering her own orgasm in response. Still spurting more of his cum inside her, the man collapsed on top of his wife, weakened by the now finished sex."
    "The woman wrapped her arms around her husband and kissed his neck while continuing to relish the feeling of him filling her. It was in these moments together without an audience that she was her happiest."
    "After catching his breath and rolling off of Alexia, Rowan spoke again."

    ro "Well, was your breath taken away?"
    al "I don't know, you'd better try again to make sure."

    "Both grinned at each other once more."

    ro "How about tomorrow or next week?"
    al "I'll see if I can fit you into my schedule."
    ro "If you can't find the space, I'll be sure to work my way in anyway."
    al "Ha. Darling, I think that's enough innuendoes for one morning."

    "The two of them shared a long kiss.  Then, still smiling, the hero climbed out of bed to start another day in glorious service to the twins."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_5.rpy
label andras_chanllenge_rp:

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show andras happy behind black

    "Near to the muffled roar and hubbub of the castle's arena, Rowan ran into Andras."
    "The male demon was leaning against a wall with an air of casualness, but it was obvious that he had been waiting specifically for the human to happen along, most notably by the malicious grin that spread across his face when he saw him coming."

    an "Rowan! Has the Lord Commander come to review the arena?"
    ro "Not specifically."
    an "Let's put in a visit, shall we? There's a big fight on now, and it will do the troops good to see us both taking it in."

    "Rowan knew it would be pointless to argue. He nodded and allowed the demon to steer him towards the small coliseum."

    scene bg29 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "Inside the thronged arena, soldiers quickly made space so that Andras and Rowan had prime seats, halfway up a terrace near the centre. On the sand below, two helmeted orc gladiators clashed furiously with sword and shield."
    "The mob roared and oohed each time a blow found its mark; around him, Rowan saw tokens exchanging hands, beer being swilled and other would-be competitors readying themselves."

    an "You can see why this is popular, eh Rowan? Even a milquetoast human such as yourself can appreciate the rush and glory of one-on-one combat!"

    "Several orcs nearby sniggered, throwing sidelong gazes at Rowan. His skin crawled as Andras raised his voice."

    an "But not to worry. You're safely ensconced up here - as my little pet. You wouldn't last five seconds in the ring, and nobody would expect you to. Your talents run elsewhere, after all..."

    "With a vindictive quirk of the lip, the demon leant back and slid his hand meaningfully down his abdomen, tracing the outline of his hardening cock."
    "The crowd of orcs surrounding them guffawed, turning delighted eyes back to Rowan for the response."

    menu:
        "Rise to the challenge.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "You're pathetic. I could best any one of these orcs in combat, and you know it."
            an "Prove it!"
            "Down below, the fight came to an end - the bigger orc smashed his opponent's blade out of his hand, and the latter quickly yielded, knee on sand. The crowd roared their approval, getting even more raucous when Andras himself strode out and thrust the winner's hand to the sky."
            scene black with fade
            show andras smirk behind black
            an "And now, my dogs of war, my blood-drunk sons and daughters: a special treat. Our very own commander, Lord Rowan himself, will now step into the arena to take on your champion!"
            "By the time Rowan had stripped down to the waist, taken up helmet, blunted sword and shield and was striding into the arena, the murmuring around the terraces had built into a full-throated roar of excitement."
            scene bg28 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "He could feel it vibrating through the sand as he took up stance opposite his opponent; all of the orcs, predictably, were bellowing the name of their champion. The big, sweat-streaked orc gave him a big, unfriendly grin."
            show wild orc neutral at midright with dissolve
            wo "I can't believe you agreed to this, hoo-man. I will crush you, and once I do, I will be Warlord!"
            "The clang and shriek of steel punctuated the crowd's throbbing roar, Rowan and the orc circling backwards and forwards across the muddled sand, blocking, feinting and parrying furiously."
            "The big brute fought ferociously, with what seemed like limitless endurance, but Rowan was by far the more skilful and level-headed swordsman."
            "He allowed the orc to waste his huge haymakers on thin air whilst stinging him again and again with telling drives of his blade, until the orc's chest was heaving and creaking with exhaustion."
            wo "Stand... still!"
            ro "If you insist."
            "He stopped circling suddenly and stepped in, smashing his opponent with the blunt edge of his sword hard enough to send a bloody tusk flying. The orc collapsed to the deck, weapon falling out of his hand."
            "The crowd fell quiet, watching dumbstruck as Andras strode back out, grasped Rowan's wrist, and thrust it to the side."
            show andras happy behind bg28
            an "Your victor, your commander - Lord Rowan!"
            "A hushed murmur shuffled around the terraces, before growing slowly into a clamor. After a few seconds, all present were bellowing two syllables."
            cro "Ro-wan! Ro-wan! RO-WAN!"
            scene bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            an "Well fought, champion. I must admit that I didn't think you would be brave enough to pick up the gauntlet."
            ro "You just hoped to humiliate me, then?"
            an "One way or another: our troops were entertained. This way though, you demonstrated their leader's strength and steel. You grabbed the situation and made it your own! I liked that."
            "He gave Rowan a lingering eye before swaggering off with a smirk, completely unabashed. The demon was right about one thing, though; Rowan heard chatter echo throughout the fortress about his famous victory in the arena for many days to come."
            return

        "Try and provoke him back into fighting in the arena instead.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro " Seems to me that the being that spends most of his time bragging about how mighty his race is should be the one to prove his mettle in the ring."
            ro "But nobody expects that of you, Andras. Your talents run towards bragging about the size of your dick and hanging around the castle doing precisely nothing."
            "The orcs surrounding them ooh'ed, the human and demon's verbal jousting tickling their limited minds in ways the battles could not. Andras's face darkened."
            an "You dare question MY prowess? I'll show you how a true warrior fights, worm!"
            "Down below, the fight came to an end - the bigger orc smashed his opponent's blade out of his hand, and the latter quickly yielded, knee on sand."
            scene bg28 with fade
            show andras displeased behind bg28
            show rowan necklace neutral behind bg28
            "The crowd roared their approval, getting even more raucous when Andras himself strode out and held the winner's hand up to the air."
            an "And now, my dogs of war, my blood-drunk sons and daughters: a special treat. Your leader, red knight Andras the Immolator, shall battle your champion!"
            an "No magic, sword vs sword - honorable combat, so you may be reminded why you would follow him unto hell's gates themselves!"
            "The murmuring around the terraces had built into a full-throated roar of excitement by the time he had finished, the crowd lapping up the bold demon's words."
            "Rowan could feel it vibrating through the stone as he watched Andras took up stance opposite the burly orc champion, foregoing armor but taking up the blunt sword and shield the previous contestant had used."
            "The orc surprised Rowan by lasting longer than he expected. He weathered several of Andras's blows and then got a good one in himself, slashing the demon across his chest and forcing him back with a startled bark."
            "After that though, the devil-may-care smirk dropped off Andras's face and he came at his opponent like a berserk hummingbird."
            "The lumbering orc was struck with vicious precision again and again, barely even able to bring his shield up before he was attacked from yet another angle."
            "When at last the big brute collapsed to the sand, holding his hand up for mercy, Andras smashed him across the face, knocking out a tusk and laying him out cold."
            "He turned to the terraces and raised his arms, chest heaving, drinking in the cheers that rained down."
            cro "AND-RAS! AND-RAS! AND-RAS!"
            an "What do you think about that, worm?"
            ro "Oh, you certainly showed me about how honorable combat should be fought, demon. Particularly the bit where you hit your opponent after he surrendered."
            "Andras sneered at Rowan, but drunk upon his own victory and the jostling knot of backslapping orcs around him, he went no further with it."
            "In retrospect, Rowan realised as he listened in on the conversation of his guards in the days to come, the incident at the arena had worked out well."
            "The garrison had been reminded not only of their demon leader's ruthlessness and battle prowess, but their human leader's slyness and way with words."
            "Their expectations had been met; their world view affirmed."
            return

        "Don't take the bait.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Whatever."
            "Andras tried needling Rowan a couple more times, but both he and the orcs around them grew bored when Rowan refused to respond, and their attention drifted back to the battle."
            "The incident was completely forgotten by the following day."

        "Respond submissively. (Scene)":
            ro "You are right, sir. I am your pet."
            an "Hell-damned right."
            "He reached out and pulled Rowan into his brawny side, flagrantly groping the human's flank and chest."
            "Rowan felt himself grow hot underneath the contemptuous eyes of the surrounding soldiers; where the burn of humiliation ended and the helpless lust he felt underneath Andras's rough touch."
            "The decadence of demons and the spinelessness of humans affirmed, the orcs lost interest and turn their attention back to the battle."
            "Andras though grew more and more bold with his gropes and caresses, his lust to dominate utterly interchangeable from that he felt watching blood spill and blade clash below."
            scene cg129 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg130
            show andras smirk behind cg130
            pause 2
            "His livid gaze fixed on a particularly fierce and savage wrestling match, he snatched Rowan's hardening penis and began to jerk it hard, making the human gasp to the helpless arousal pulsing up his spine and tightening his balls."
            "Andras suddenly stood up and pushed Rowan out of his seat."
            an "The chambers below. Now."
            scene cg62 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg62
            pause 2
            "The sound of the crowd and clang of sword against shield was muffled in the sandy cell where Rowan got on his knees, coiled his hand around the base and spread his lips over the musky head of Andras's thick erection."
            "Drunk on violence and Rowan's willing submission, Andras had no interest in formalities; he grabbed the human by the hair and roughly pumped his cock past his lips, utterly unheeding to the splutters and gulps this precipitated."
            an "Ungh... tighten up and suck it up, whore! I know you can, it's what you're good for... that's it!"
            "Rowan hollowed his cheeks around the exacting thrust of his master's bulging erection, earning himself a groan of approval and a tightening of the grip on his hair."
            "Andras worked his muscular hips, filling Rowan's mouth with hard, delicious meat again and again, practically using him as a masturbation toy to reach a delicious high."
            show cg62 with sshake
            show cg62 with sshake
            scene cg63 with flash
            show andras smirk behind cg63
            pause 2
            "Rowan's cheeks swelled with hot demon cum as Andras found release with an ecstatic gasp. He swallowed it down only to receive another mouthful, and another, and another."
            "At last Andras released his cruel grasp and withdrew his wilting member, drool and thick seed trailing after it. He even went as far as to stroke Rowan along the line of his jaw."
            an "A prime seat at the entertainment, crowned by fifteen luscious minutes with my pet cock-polisher. Ah, this is the life I was born to lead!"
            "Did Rowan think of the tyrannical demon as 'master' during all of that? He shuffled the thought away as hurriedly as he got back to his feet and strode away from the arena. He could not deny the tiny shiver of pleasure it gave him, though."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_5.rpy
label xzaratl_guilt_solution_rp:

    "Are Rowan and Alexia under X'zaratl's Influence? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = True
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = True
        "No":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = False
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = False

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ RoAlRel = True
        "Bad":
            $ RoAlRel = False

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral behind bg14

    xz "Oh, Rowan..."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
        "The succubi's teasing, lilting voice echoed down the corridor, each syllable seeming to trail off into a disarming, intimate whisper. It brought back memories of their past encounters and he smiled, weakly, at the sight of her. "
        hide xzaratl
        show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
        hide rowan
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        ro "X'zaratl. What do you want?"

    else:
        "The succubi's teasing, lilting voice echoed down the corridor, each syllable seeming to trail off into a disarming, intimate whisper."
        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
        "Rowan tensed. What new tricks was the creature going to try out on him this time? He was in no mood for them."
        hide xzaratl
        show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
        hide rowan
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveoutleft
        ro "X'zaratl. What do you want?"

    xz "To make you happy. You and your delightful wife. Didn't I make you happy last time? Wasn't it so good for you, once you abandoned your frigidity and etiquette and allowed me to open up a few new vistas of ecstasy to you?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "This is not a good moment. "

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "I know. I see it all too well. Dark clouds gather around you -  your face is marred with worry, and I can see the dark bags under your eyes. Something troubles you, gallant Rowan."

    menu:
        "A hundred sins. Prelude to a thousand more.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "His hollow laugh echoed across the castle hall. Was it that obvious?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I’m on a quest to conquer the very homeland I once saved from near-certain destruction. The things I’ve done- "
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "He stopped. Where was he supposed to begin? Should he start from the smallest atrocity and work his way up, or the other way around?"
            "Or maybe it would be better to start with Briarbridge, and recount them chronologically? Maybe he should get Liurial to compile a list, perhaps do it alphabetically-"
            "A warm hand grabbed his own, he found himself looking into X’zaratl sympathetic eye."
            xz "I know. You don’t have to tell me. There are times when words fail."

        "Your guilty conscience is none of her business.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I don’t want to talk about it. And you shouldn’t pry."
            "She reached for his hand, and he pushed it away, throwing her an angry glare. Her inquisitive eye met his."
            "It was the same look Alexia always gave him, when she felt something was wrong. Concern barely concealed."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "He was the first to look away."
            xz "You don’t have to tell me. That’s alright. There are times when words fail. I understand regardless."

    xz "I see you every time you return from your excursions in Solansia. I know what the twins expect of you. And I know it doesn’t always align with what is right."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "It must be hard for you."
    ro "If it were easy, anyone could do it. Now excuse me, there’s still work to be done."

    "He didn’t have time for self-pity. Difficult compromises were just that - difficult. But they had to be done."

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveoutright
    hide xzaratl
    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    ro "X’zaratl."
    xz "Hear me out. Please. It pains me to see you like this."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "She placed a hand on his chest, her voice begging him to stay. How could he say no?"
        jump xzaratlIdea_rp

    else:
        "She placed a hand on his chest, her voice begging him to stay. As always, she sounded genuine - but it had to be a trick. Everything in this damn castle was."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "But if it wasn’t… Maybe there was no harm in just listening."
        menu:
            "Hear her out. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump xzaratlIdea_rp

            "Leave.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I said I don’t have time. Don’t bother me with this again."
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                "He pushed past her, leaving the troubled succubus behind. Even if he could trust her, there were no words that would help. And no time to waste on them."
                return

    label xzaratlIdea_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinright
    show xzaratl happy at midright with moveinright

    "Her lips curled into a small smile as she saw him nod his head. They were alone in the castle corridor, but she still chose to lead him aside. "

    xz "You are a just man, Rowan. And a just man cannot stand to see evil go unpunished, even if it is done by his own hands."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Unless Solansia finally decides to smite me as I stand, I’m afraid it will. "
    xz "Not necessarily."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "X’zaratl reached under her robes, and Rowan saw her take out a thin, black rope, two meters long."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Rowan, I can see you are near your breaking point. And I know your mind and body will not rest until you rid yourself of this guilt."

    "She ran her hands over it, and it changed shape, thinning at one end, and thickening at the other.  "

    xz "In that regard, you remind me of Albin the Penitent. Torn between duty and compassion, {i}his{/i} restless soul sought relief in the suffering of the flesh."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "His mouth grew dry as he saw the item take shape. A black whip now laid in X’zaratl’s hand.  "

    xz "Gallant Rowan, if your heart cries justice for the black deeds done by your own hand… If it’s punishment you seek…"
    xz "It can be arranged."

    "Her voice lowered to a gentle whisper. Was she really planning to-"

    menu:
        "Agree. You want her to whip you. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ xzaratlWhip = True
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl shocked at midright with dissolve
            ro "… If it’s you X’zaratl… I wouldn’t mind."
            if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 3:
                "He wanted to keep her at arm’s length, but at that very moment, the prospect of relief eclipsed all else."
                "Meanwhile, X’zaratl’s lone eye widened in surprise, and for a moment, she didn’t know where to place it, blushing red."
            else:
                "X’zaratl’s lone eye widened in surprise, and for a moment, she didn’t know where to place it, blushing red."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            xz "Rowan, ah, that’s… Mmm…. Aha, ha… I mean."
            ro "X’zaratl?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
            xz "Rowan, I’m flattered but… I cannot agree."
            xz "Ah, not because I don’t want to! Gods, to the contrary - you are dear to me, and I would love nothing more than for you to accept such absolution from my own hands."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "But it is too soon for us. Not when your heart is so heavy with sin. If it is to work, it must be done by the one who is closest to you. By the one who knows you most."

        "Out of question.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ xzaratlWhip = False
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "If you think I’ll let you whip me, you are out of your damn mind."
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
            xz "No, I do not. You are dear to me Rowan, and I will grant you whatever help I can, whenever I can. But I know I am not the right person for this. Not when your heart is so heavy with sin."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "If you are to accept such absolution, it must be done by the one who is closest to you. By the one who knows you most."

    ro "…. Alexia."
    xz "Yes. Rowan, the task ahead of you is a thousand times more difficult than slaying the Demon Lord. But just as before - you are not alone. "

    #xzaratl eye flash gold
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Have faith in the woman you chose to be your wife. Let her stand by your side. Let her help you carry this burden in your heart! Trust in her!"

    #xzaratl concerned
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    xz "I beg you. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met. But do not try to shoulder all of this by yourself. Please.  "

    "She touched his arm, rubbing it gently, and he felt himself at loss of words. When he answered her, all he could manage was an embarrassed whisper."

    ro "I’m supposed to save her. Not the other way around."
    xz "You can save each other, gallant Rowan, there is no shame in that. Let her help you relieve this pain. Let her be the kind hand that delivers just punishment."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "She has never-"

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz "I will be by her side, Rowan. I will help her through this, I promise."
    xz "Please, Rowan. It will bring you closer."

    label xzaratlIdeaMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "It should be X’zaratl. You want it to be her. (Pick first)" if xzaratlWhip == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
            $ xzaratlWhip = False
            ro "X’zaratl, the things I’ve done… Alexia doesn’t know half of it. And I don’t want to burden her with that knowledge."
            xz "You are already burdened by it. And a heavy load like this ought to be carried by two."
            show xzaratl shocked at midright with dissolve
            ro "Then why shouldn’t it be you? "
            if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 3:
                "It felt wrong, to ask her, of all people. But he strayed from the light so much already, that maybe such a desperate choice was exactly what was needed."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Isn’t it demons who are supposed to deliver punishment to the wicked?"
            xz "I believe that’s, ah, more of a children’s tale- "
            show cg1547 with dissolve
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1547
            show xzaratl aroused behind cg1547
            "He pushed on, pressing her against the wall. The demoness blushed like a courted virgin, fiddling with the whip in her hands."
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1547
            ro "Yet I have a suspicion you are no stranger to the whip. You must be more experienced with it than Alexia. And I feel like… You understand better the things I must do - and the consequences of them."
            xz "Rowan, I-"
            ro "You were right, I do need this. But I’d be more comfortable if it was you, X’zaratl."
            ro "Please."
            "This time, it was her who was at a loss for words. Her lips quivered, so close to his own-"
            menu:
                "Kiss her. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                    show cg1548 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Their cherry color drew him in, and he could no longer stop himself - he pulled her in, his lips seeking hers in a ravenous, needy kiss."
                    xz "Mmm-! Mmmm-mmmm…."
                    "She wriggled in his arms, her own flailing as she tried to gather her wits. And a moment later - she returned the kiss with twice the passion, her tongue invading his mouth, exploring it without restraint."
                    xz "Mmm-!"
                    "She shuddered, and Rowan felt a familiar, musky scent hit his nostrils. He pulled away -"

                    "And saw the stain at front of her loincloth, saw droplets of white dripping to the floor, from between her legs."
                    "The demoness giggled nervously, and ran her hands over her dress, trying to restore it to some degree of modesty. To no avail."

                    xz "Oh Rowan~~ I apologise, just the thought~~~ Yes, Kharos take me, {b}yes{/b}, always. Whatever you ask of me I will do. I will make you experience things you never dreamt of."
                    "She leaned in to kiss his cheek - it felt like a promise being made."

                "Let her answer.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1547
                    "-and turned into a wide smile. X’zaratl giggled nervously, then leaned in to kiss his cheek. It felt like a promise being made."
                    xz "Oh Rowan~~ Yes, of course. Whatever you ask of me, I will do. I will make you experience things you never dreamt of."

            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1547
            show xzaratl neutral behind cg1547
            xz "But gallant Rowan, that will take time to set up. And… It would make me feel guilty, if I did not grant Alexia the privilege first."
            xz "So please - let us propose the idea to her today. You need this, Rowan."
            $ xzaratlWhippingPromise = True
            jump xzaratlIdeaMenu_rp

        "Let her propose the idea to Alexia. (Pick second)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
            ro "Maybe it’s worth trying… But only if she’s comfortable with the idea."
            "X’zaratl caressed his cheek gently, as if to soothe his worries. The whip disappeared from view, and she took his hand as they headed for his room."
            xz "Do not worry, gallant Rowan. It’s for the good of both of you."
            scene black with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind black
            xz "I’m sure she will see it too."

        "Refuse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if xzaratlWhippingPromise == True:
                # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                ro "I meant what I said. I want it to be you."
                show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
                "The demoness bit her lip, blushing even further."
                xz "Ah, if you persued Alexia with the same tenacity~~"
                xz "Very well, if that is what you desire. Stay strong, my gallant hero. I’ll start making the right preparations for later."
                scene black with fade
                "She kissed him yet again, and hid the whip. He returned to his duties - and for once, he thought not of the thing’s he’s done, but of the days to come."
                return
            else:
                ro "I’m not going to bring Alexia into this. She’s been held here for far too long, and I know she does her best to stay strong despite it all. The method aside, I cannot ask her to deal with my problems as well."
                xz "That is very noble of you Rowan. Yet I fear you will take too much on your shoulders, and break under the weight of it all."
                ro "If Karst didn’t break me, then neither will this."
                scene black with fade
                "She didn’t look convinced, but he was under no obligation to explain himself. He told her to hide the whip, then returned to his duties."
                return

    scene bg9 with fade
    show xzaratl happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve

    $ alexiaWhipRowan = True

    if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence > 2:
        "Alexia looked up from the book she held in her fingers, and watched Rowan and X’zaratl as they entered the room."
        al "X’zaratl, good to see you. Is something the matter, Rowan?"
        ro "Yes, in a way. And X’zaratl offered to help. Please, hear her out."
        #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve

    else:
        "Alexa froze, fingers tense on the book in her hands when Rowan and X'zaratl entered her room."
        #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve
        ro "Relax, dear. She is here on my invitation."
        al "I- I don't understand. I thought you said… "
        ro "I know. But please, hear her out."

    show xzaratl happy at edgeright with moveoutright

    "He turned his back to her, and began to remove his armour. Still not understanding, she didn’t realize when X’zaratl manoeuvred herself behind her, her gentle hands holding her shoulders as she leaned in to whisper in her ear."

    show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "Sweet Alexia, you’ve seen it too, have you now? The dark clouds hanging over your husband’s head. The things he must do - they are not always noble deeds."

    show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve

    "The succubus took the book out of her hands, still whispering about her husband - telling her of his sins, and the guilt that plagued his heart. Much of it, she already knew - she was not blind - but what {i}could{/i} she do, when he kept to himself more often than not?"

    xz "… If he is to find peace again… - He must be punished."

    #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Something was placed in her hand. She looked down."

    xz "And it must be done by your hand, and no other."

    #show alexia white aroused at midright with dissolve

    "She saw the black whip in her hands - and the whole world lost focus."
    "She was aware, just barely, of the things happening around her. Of her husband, stripping. Of X’zaratl, whispering and touching her. But it all seemed to come to her as if from behind a thick fog."
    "It was all so sudden, but the way X’zaratl painted it - a chance to bring relief to her husband, to draw closer to him -"

    show bg9 with sshake
    #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve

    "Her hand moved - and the whip struck the air with a loud crackle. She drew a sharp breath, once more realizing where she was. The room came into focus again, and she saw both sets of eyes looking at her expectantly."

    show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "It’s - it’s magical, isn’t it?"
    xz "Yes, just a little. So it does no true harm even when passion overtakes the user."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She wondered how true that was. She looked to her husband - now standing before her naked. He looked so vulnerable - not just for the lack of clothes."

    al "… Is this really what you want?  "

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It is."

    "And he sounded so sincere - his voice was almost pleading! She stroked the whip in her hands - and found another pair placed over hers. She looked to the demoness, who smiled at her reassuringly."

    xz "I’ll be by your side at all times. I promise."

    if RoAlRel == False:
        $ whipAlexiaMood = "angry"

    else:
        $ whipAlexiaMood = "skilled"

    menu:
        "Let X’zaratl guide you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            #show alexia white aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "(Cessair, have mercy on me.)"
            "She had no choice but to trust in him, and in the demoness. She gripped the whip tightly, and raised her chin, trying to appear commanding."
            al "Kneel, my husband."
            scene cg117 with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind cg117
            pause 2
            "Rowan did as ordered, looking almost relieved. Already he felt a certain lightness - surrendering his body, readying himself for a punishment he so clearly required..."
            xz "An excellent start, sweet Alexia. Now, raise your hand"
            "The succubus grabbed her left hand, intertwining their fingers, as the right one helped her lift the whip. Alexia swallowed heavily, unsure of her own feelings. But there was no turning back."
            scene cg118 with sshake
            pause 3
            #aroused
            show alexia white neutral behind cg118
            show xzaratl happy behind cg118
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg118
            "The whip cracked, evoking a quiet yelp from her husband. She gasped as well, as she felt the force of her blow - it traveled up her arm, making her own body shudder."
            xz "Ask him what he wants. And know his answer is true."
            "She watched the bright red mark on his ass, and licked her parched lips. The demoness fingers roamed her body, teasing her through her clothes, slipping under them at every moment. With her attention focused on Rowan alone, she almost didn’t notice them."
            al "Rowan. Tell me again. What do you want me to do?"
            ro "… Please, punish me for my sins. Whip me, my love."
            show cg117 with sshake
            "Her hand struck a second time before she even realized what she was doing. It felt like a spell was cast on her - the whip no longer felt alien in her hands, and the sight of Rowan on his knees no longer evoked any sympathy."

        "X’zaratl was right - Rowan deserved punishment. Also for the things he’s done to you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show alexia white angry at midright with dissolve
            al "… If that is what you need of me."
            "She was surprised at how cold her voice was. She shouldn’t be - her husband {b}did{/b} have a lot of atoning to do - to her as well. She’d grant him the penance he so desperately desired."
            al "Kneel."
            scene cg117 with fade
            pause 2
            "Rowan did as ordered, looking almost relieved. Already he felt a certain lightness - surrendering his body, readying himself for a punishment he so clearly required..."
            scene cg118 with sshake
            pause 3
            #angry
            show alexia white neutral behind cg118
            show xzaratl happy behind cg118
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg118
            "The whip cracked without any warning, evoking a quiet yelp from him. Alexia smiled as she felt the force of her blow - it traveled up her arm, making her own body shudder."
            "She thought he felt X’zaratl tense from surprise - but only for a moment."
            xz "Well done, Alexia. Now ask him what he wants. And know his answer is true."
            "She watched the bright red mark on his ass, and licked her parched lips. The demoness fingers roamed her body again, teasing her through her clothes, slipping under them at every moment. She paid them no mind, focused entirely on Rowan."
            al "Tell me again, husband. What do you want me to do?"
            ro "… Please, punish me for my sins. Whip me, my-"
            show cg117 with sshake
            "Her hand struck again before he could finish, adding another red mark alongside the first."
            "It felt like a spell was cast on her - the whip no longer felt alien in her hands, and the sight of Rowan on his knees no longer evoked even the slightest sympathy. If anything, her love now looked like a juicy target for all that anger boiling inside of her."

        "You don’t need X’zaratl… But you can’t ask her to leave now.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if whipAlexiaMood == "skilled":
                show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                "The demoness was far too close for her liking. She didn’t need her - she knew how to handle a whip. But she couldn’t ask her to leave, not when Rowan invited her. "
            else:
                show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                "The demoness was far too close for her liking. She didn’t need her - the whip didn’t scare her, even if she didn’t know how to use it. But she couldn’t ask her to leave, not when Rowan invited her."
            show alexia white happy at midright with dissolve
            "She vowed not to let X’zaratl distract her, and focused on the task at hand. She gripped the whip tightly, and raised her chin, a shadow of a smile dancing on her lips."
            jump whipDontNeed_rp

        "You don’t need X’zaratl… But her body feels nice next to yours...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            #show alexia white aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Her attention should be on Rowan alone, but she couldn’t ignore the demoness’ presence around her - it was like a warm blanket over her shoulders, soft and comforting."
            if whipAlexiaMood == "skilled":
                "Oh, she didn’t need her here, she knew how to handle a whip. But why should she deny herself the company - especially when such an ungrateful task was thrust upon her?"
            else:
                "Oh, she didn’t need her here - she was not afraid of a whip, even if she didn’t know how to use one. But why should she deny herself the company - especially when such an ungrateful task was thrust upon her?"
            "She gripped the whip tightly, and raised her chin, feeling a smile creep onto her lips."
            label whipDontNeed_rp:
            al "Kneel, my husband."
            scene cg117 with fade
            #aroused
            show alexia white neutral behind cg117
            pause 2
            "Rowan did as ordered, looking almost relieved. Already he felt a certain lightness - surrendering his body, readying himself for a punishment he so clearly required."
            al "Since you want this so much… Ready yourself."
            scene cg118 with sshake
            pause 3
            #aroused
            show alexia white neutral behind cg118
            show xzaratl happy behind cg118
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg118
            "The whip soared through the air and hit her husband with a loud crack, evoking a quiet yelp from him. She felt the force of her blow - it traveled up her arm, making her own body shudder. Her grin widened."
            xz "Well done, Alexia. Now ask him what he wants. And know his answer is true."
            al "Oh, I know."
            "She watched the bright red mark on his ass, and licked her parched lips. The demoness fingers roamed her body again, teasing her through her clothes, slipping under them at every moment. She paid them no mind, focused entirely on Rowan."
            al "Rowan, dearest, tell me again. What do you want me to do?"
            ro "… Please, punish me for my sins. Whip me, my love."
            show cg117 with sshake
            if whipAlexiaMood == "skilled":
                "Her hand struck again, adding another red mark alongside the first. The whip felt so natural in her hands now - like she wielded it all her life."
            else:
                "Her hand struck again, adding another red mark alongside the first. Already, the whip felt so familiar in her hand, as if she wielded it all her life."

        "Throw that thing aside. This was no solution. (End scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence -= 1
            #shocked
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            show xzaratl concerned at center with moveinright
            #angry
            show alexia white neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            "She pushed the demoness away, shoving the whip back in her hands."
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "I have no idea how you managed to talk my husband into - whatever this is supposed to be, but that’s not how we do things."
            xz "Alexia, he needs-"
            al "With all due respect, X’zaratl, I think I know better what my husband needs."
            "She glared at the impertinent demon - and X’zaratl looked away. Rowan did too, though she did not understand why."
            al "You should leave."
            xz "Of course. I apologise."
            if xzaratlWhippingPromise == True:
                ro "I warned you."
                xz "She just needs more time, Rowan."
                hide xzaratl with moveoutright
                show alexia white concerned at midright with moveinright
                "He didn’t seem convinced. Rowan reached for his clothes, and started dressing again. And even though Alexia tried to have him explain what this was all about, her husband wouldn’t budge."
            else:
                hide xzaratl with moveoutright
                show alexia white concerned at midright with moveinright
                "X’zaratl left the room, casting the two of them a longing look. Her husband sighed, and started dressing again."
                al "Rowan… What’s going on? For you to want to try something-"
                ro "I don’t want to talk about it."
            scene black with fade
            "In the end, he left the room feeling even worse than before."
            return

    xz "You’re doing great, Alexia. Your husband knows he’s done wrong. So many sinful deeds… Their weight so great, he can no longer even stand before you. "
    xz "Do you know what that makes him?"

    al "… A bad boy. "

    "She drew a sharp breath, and smiled wickedly. She delivered yet another powerful strike with her whip, and evoked yet another beautiful yelp."

    xz "Yes, a wicked, bad boy.  That is why he is on his knees before you - to receive just punishment for his failings, from the one person he can trust to only spare the lash once he has been truly forgiven. "

    "She struck a fourth time, and again Rowan couldn’t stop himself from letting out a shameful cry. He didn’t try to stop them. For so long, he tried so hard to be strong. He couldn’t anymore."

    #if avatar.corruption < 31:
        #"Every misdeed, every sin, like a black spot on his soul. He tried to ignore them. Tried to power on through determination alone. It worked, really did. For a time."
        #"But now every strike brought back memories, forcing him to relive every bad decision he’s made since accepting Jezera’s offer."

    #else:
    "Every misdeed, every sin, like a black spot on his soul. For each, there was a reason - a justification, of sorts. Some good, some less so. Excuses, all of them. He could no longer lie to himself."
    "Now every strike brought back memories, forcing him to relive every bad decision, and accept them for the atrocities that they were."

    "His body ached, his wounds hurt, and he could almost feel Alexia’s gaze on his skin. He felt himself tremble - and not just from the pain. Just as X’zaratl said, there was liberation, in accepting punishment. A sweet release from sin."
    "And he felt himself grow hard from it."

    ro "Ah!"

    "The whip struck for the fifth time, and this time his cry wasn’t driven by pain alone. The excoriating sensation of atonement consumed all. Panting with desire, he hung his head low, and waited for the whip to strike yet again."
    "… Alexia watched her husband tremble, wondering if all that blood rushing to her head made her hear things. Did he just…? "

    xz "Do not blame him, sweet Alexia. The whip purifies all, and as his heart grows lighter, the needs of the flesh make themselves known again. "

    "She didn’t do this for his enjoyment! And yet…"

    xz "It’s thanks to you that he can feel pleasure again. It’s thanks to you that he can be happy again. It is all because he knows he can place his body and soul in your hands."
    xz "He might be a hero. He might be a saviour. But when it’s just the three of us… He could also be someone else entirely."

    "X’zaratl’s fingers stroked her still, then slowly made their way up. One was placed on her back - and pushed her ever so gently, urging her to take a step forward. "

    xz "Take a closer look, Alexia. See for yourself."
    xz "Witness the result of your efforts."

    menu:
        "Stay where you are - you aren’t doing this for your enjoyment either.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She clenched her teeth, trying to fight back the burning desire that threatened to overtake her. Even if Rowan enjoyed it a little too much… Even if she did too- she should remember what this was all about."
            "She didn’t move. Sensing her hesitation, X’zaratl nodded slowly, then brought her lips to Alexia’s neck, kissing her gently."
            xz "I understand… This is a very delicate moment for both of you. Take your time, sweet Alexia."
            "The warmth of her lips felt amazing, tempting her to sink into the demoness arms. But she made her decision."
            "Steeling herself, Alexia raised her hand again."

        "Witness his submission. (Scene)":
            scene cg1549 with fade
            pause 3
            $ whipAlexiaFantasy = True
            # $ alexiaWhippingEnjoyment = True
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            "… It was only a moment, but it seared itself in her mind."
            "Standing there, whip in hand, clothes in disarray, her body burning with desire, and her husband kneeling before her. A perfect moment, captured in time."
            "In that very moment, nothing else mattered. Not the castle, not the amulet at her neck, and not even the damned war to conquer the six realms. It was just her, her husband, and X’zaratl’s whip in her hand."
            "… And X’zaratl herself. The succubus was still behind her, waiting, slowly stroking her own cock. If she wanted to, could ask - she could order! -  and the demoness would slip it between her legs without any hesitation."
            "Or she could have her fall to her knees and make her eat her out. Or she could ask Rowan to do it. Or ask him to fuck her. Or her to fuck him. Either or both, one after another - or even at the same time."
            "Whatever she wanted, would be granted to her. As long as she held the whip…"
            "She stroked it, smiling. Sensing her excitement, X’zaratl hugged her again."
            scene cg117 with fade
            #aroused
            show alexia white neutral behind cg117
            show xzaratl happy behind cg117
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg117
            pause 2
            xz "So much still awaits you. All you need to do is trust yourself, and trust in your husband."
            "Alexia grinned. She couldn’t agree more."
            "With a flair, she raised her hand again-"

    "...For Rowan, the wait for the sixth strike was agonizing, but when it finally came, it brought more ecstasy than pain."

    ro "A-ah! "

    "His aching cock begged for attention, but he feared reaching for it, feared even asking for permission to attend to it."

    xz "Ah, Rowan… I think he’s at his limit."

    if whipAlexiaFantasy == True and whipAlexiaMood == "angry":
        al "Mmm…. I suppose...  Though I think I’d like to whip him some more~~~"
        xz "Later, lovely Alexia. For now… Let him taste release."

    elif whipAlexiaMood == "angry":
        al "Is he though…I wonder…"
        xz "I believe so. We can repeat it again later, if you want to, lovely Alexia. For now… Let him taste release."

    else:
        if whipAlexiaFantasy == True:
            al "Mmmm… I suppose…"
            xz "I think he earned his release… Hasn’t he?"
            al "Ah…. Since he’s been so obedient…"
        else:
            al "… Yes, agreed."

    "Rowan couldn’t see it, but a surge of purple magic traveled down X’zaratl’s arm, seeping into the whip. Alexia raised her arm again, and flung it for the seventh time-"

    scene white with flash
    pause 1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
    show xzaratl happy behind black

    "His body exploded with pain and pleasure, and the cry died on his lips as his cock was overtaken with ecstasy, painting the floor white. All thoughts of his past misdeeds left his mind - all thoughts did, leaving only this amazing sensation that didn’t seem to end. "

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence == True and RoAlRel == True:
        "He knelt there for what seemed like eternity. At some point, a pair of hands helped him stand - and then enveloped him as he found himself embraced by the two most important women in his life."

    else:
        "He knelt there for what seemed like eternity. At some point, a pair of hands helped him stand - and then enveloped him as he found himself embraced by both his wife and X’zaratl."

    xz "It is done."

    scene cg313 with fade
    show alexia necklace happy behind cg313
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg313
    show xzaratl happy behind cg313
    pause 3

    "He let a sigh of relief, and leaned on them both. He felt weak, and he would be moving tenderly for a while - but the absolution of his guilt by way of the masochistic ritual more than made up for it."
    "Seeing his tired expression, Alexia’s lips made a thin line, and she ran her hands across the burning ridges that ran right down his back and ass."
    "Was it really her who had put them there? It seemed impossible... but her heart leapt as the memory of the {i}thrill{/i}, the release... "

    if whipAlexiaFantasy == True:
        al "Ah… Incredible… "
        xz "It is. Thank you wife for this, Rowan. Thank your wife for punishing you."

    else:
        "She buried her head into Rowan's chest to escape dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's of those exciting thoughts."
        xz "Rowan. Thank your wife for punishing you."

    ro "Th-thank you, Alexia."

    "She smiled. It felt inescapably warm and wonderful to be hugged by his whipper, the rightful end to this painful yet incredibly gratifying experience."
    "And for the longest of time, neither of them pulled away. "

    return

# \events\ntr_events.rpy
label ntr_event2_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show alexia necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    al "Hello Ro-"

    show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh, it’s you."
    an "Expecting someone else, were you?"
    al "My husband, obviously."

    "The demon smirked at the matter of fact tone of her reply. Her frosty demeanor would make this a challenge, and that was just the way he liked his conquests. He was going to enjoy this."

    an "I’m afraid you husband is busy with his duties, and since they take precedence, he won’t be free until much later tonight."
    al "Oh…"
    an "In fact, he was so busy that he could not even help me with my frustrations. With all the things I have to oversee as ruler, it gets very {i}hard{/i} at times..."
    an "...and since you seem to have a lot more free time than your husband, I was thinking maybe you could help me with a little relief."

    #if alexia has not had sex with andras
    #if not andras_alexia_sex:
        #al "If you think I’m going to touch you, demon, you are sadly mistaken. I’m a married woman."

    #if alexia had sex with andras with Rowan's permission
    #else:
    al "If you think I’m ever going to touch you again, demon, you are sadly mistaken. I’m a married woman."

    # TODO: detect Rowan's permission/knowlenge
    #if Alexia had sex with Andras without Rowan’s knowledge

    #~ al "If you think I’m ever going to touch you again after you tricked me, demon, you are sadly mistaken. I’m a married woman."

    #remerge

    an "Oh really? When I get all pent up, I can get very violent. I am a demon after all, as you were so quick to point out."
    an "It’d be a shame if I had to take this frustration out on your poor hardworking husband, who knows what might happen? Sometimes I don’t know my own strength…"

    "The demon clenched his large clawed hand, almost in the manner of a pantomime villain, clearly enjoying the power that his vague threat held over the woman."

    al "You wouldn’t!"
    an "-I mean, you humans are just so fragile after all. My sister would be mad, but there’s five other heroes who could do this job I suppose..."

    "Would he really kill Rowan? Alexia did not know, but she couldn’t take the risk. Andras had shown before how hard it found it to resist his impulses, and how little self control he had when he indulged them."
    "With everything that her husband have given up to save her, she could do this to protect him."

    al "Fine, I’ll do it, but you have to promise not to hurt him."
    an "Okay, I promise. Are you happy now?"
    al "And I’m still not touching you!"
    an "I suppose I can make that concession as well, but you’ll have to do something else instead."

    scene cg42 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg42
    pause 2

    "Before she could protest any further, Andras let the cloth that covered his lower half drop to the floor and sat on the bed. His red cock, resting against his leg, was already larger in it’s current flaccid state than most human males."

    #if Alexia had sex with Andras
    #if andras_alexia_sex:
    "Seeing it now, the woman could hardly believe that something so large had managed to fit in her asshole."

    #else
    #else:
        #"Alexia could hardly believe the size of the thing. It would be a struggle for most women to accommodate it, that was for sure."

    #remerge

    an "Well, if I’m going to have to take care of this myself, you are at least going to have to provide some entertainment."

    scene cg43 with dissolve
    show andras happy behind cg43
    pause 2

    "The demon was hardly subtle in his intentions. Alexia had known men who had looked at her the way he was now looking at her, and she knew exactly what he wanted."
    "That had been many years ago though, and while she did her best to pose, not wanting to anger him, she felt self conscious under his gaze, which made the whole thing awkward."

    an "You are going to have to try harder than that, woman. How about you give me a little twirl?"

    "Nodding meekly, Alexia turned, first slowly, and then did a little pirouette. Her body began to remember, muscle memory from all the hours spent practicing when she was younger."
    "She started to move her hips from side to side, keeping in time with a rhythm only she could hear. Turning away from Andras, she continued to gyrate, giving him a good view of her ass as she danced."
    "She could feel herself start to burn with shame, but she had to do this, it was the only way she knew that she could keep Rowan safe."

    scene cg44 with dissolve
    show andras happy behind cg44
    pause 2

    "When she turned back to face him, she saw that her dancing was having the effect he had wanted. His cock had grown thicker and longer in arousal, so much so that even the demon’s very large hand, currently stroking it, didn’t cover it completely."

    an "Very good, my little dancer. Look at the effect you are having on me."

    "He slowly slid his hand up and down his thick dick for effect, while she watched."

    an "I think you should show me a little {i}more{/i}."

    scene cg45 with dissolve
    show andras happy behind cg45
    pause 2

    "Alexia knew what the bastard wanted, and she also knew that there was no point arguing with him. Pulling the top her of white nightgown down, she freed her perky tits from beneath for the demon’s viewing pleasure."

    an "That’s more like it. Please, continue your wonderful dancing."

    "She resumed dancing, with the added complication of trying to manage her swaying breasts. As she moved from Andras’ enjoyment, without support they bounced around with every movement that she made."
    "Her viewer didn’t seem to mind those, as he leered at them as he continued to stroke his hard cock."

    an "Excellent, now it is time to lose the whole thing."

    "When he saw her hesitate, he quickly added:"

    an "You wouldn’t want me to leave here unsatisfied, would you?"

    scene cg46 with dissolve
    show andras happy behind cg46
    pause 2

    "Without a word she slipped the straps from her shoulder, allowing the nightie to drop to the floor, fully revealing her sex."
    "She was burning with shame now as she continued grinding for the demon, whose gaze was firmly locked on her cunt as she moved her hips in perfect four four time."

    an "You are such a great dancer, Alexia. I wonder what other talents you have been hiding."

    "She turned from him without giving him the dignity of a response, giving him a great view of her now bare round ass. Andras continued to beat his dick, admiring the view, until he felt it was time to step it up a notch."

    scene cg47 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg47
    show andras happy behind cg47
    pause 2

    an "That’s enough dancing. Now come over here."
    al "I told you, I’m not going to touch you."

    "The demon laughed."

    an "Who said anything about {i}you{/i} touching {i}me{/i}."
    al "The same goes for me touching you. If you think I’m going to do that, you can just forget it."
    an "Well, it wouldn’t be gentlemanly of me to force you, I suppose. How about we come to a compromise?"
    al "What sort of a compromise?"
    an "Well, since I’m touching myself, how about you do the same? You have done that before, haven’t you?"
    al "Of course not, I’m a married woman, not one of your demon sluts."
    an "Really? I guess that explains why you are so uptight. It’d be shame if I left here now, after you’ve gotten me even more pent up...."

    "Once again the demon made his not so subtle threat, and once again the woman caved."

    al "Fine, but I’m only touching my breasts."
    an "I suppose that is acceptable."

    scene cg48 with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg48
    show andras happy behind cg48
    pause 2

    "Alexia placed her hands on her chest and began to fondle her tits as Andras looked on, and continued to stroke his cock."
    "Despite the discomfort of the situation, the sensation of her palms lightly grazing the top of her nipples was starting to make her feel a little aroused."

    an "That’s it, now give them a good squeeze."

    "The redhead did as she was told, and found herself having to stifle a moan. Andras noticed, and grinned."

    an "And now the nipples."

    scene cg49 with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg49
    show andras happy behind cg49
    pause 2

    "Again, Alexia did as she was told, squeezing both of her nipples, but this time she could not suppress the sound of arousal, a quiet low moan escaping from between her lips."

    an "Enjoying that are you?"
    al "Of course not, idiot. They are very sensitive, and you are forcing me to do it."
    an "If you say so. Now bend over the bed and give me a nice view, your little show has gotten me close."

    scene cg56 with fade
    pause 2

    "Wanting it to be over, Alexia bent over the bed in front of her tormentor who had risen to stand behind her. Now with her legs apart, he had an enticing view of her sex from the rear."
    "The demon smiled when he saw her pussy was glistening in the sunlight, proving that her lower set of lips were the most honest of the pair."
    "Satisfied that this had gone far enough for now, Andras worked his cock to completion until he came a thick load that flew through the air, splattering Alexia’s ass and lower back."

    scene cg56 with sshake
    scene cg56 with sshake
    scene cg56 with flash
    show cg57 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg58 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg58
    show andras happy behind cg58

    "The woman recoiled in surprise as she felt the warm, gooey substance land on her skin."

    al "You… You… Brute!"
    an "What can I say? You are just so beautiful I couldn’t help myself."
    al "Ugh. You got what you wanted demon, now go. And don’t forget your promise."

    "Andras wiped his cock clean on the bedsheet, and recovered his outfit from the floor before covering himself up."

    an "I won’t, you have my word. Until next time sweet Alexia."

    "With that he flashes her and wink and exited the room, leaving  the poor woman to clean herself up, and figure out what, if anything, she was going to tell her husband."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_6.rpy
label jezera_and_shaya_personal_time_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = True
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = False
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Hello, Shaya?"

    "Alexia glanced around the brothel's entrance, looking for the operator and trying to ignore the sounds of the other residents engaged in other activities. A male slave with a particularly well-sculpted chest made this rather difficult."

    #al blush
    al "Oh, uh, no! I’m looking for Shaya."

    "She stepped carefully through the strangely well-maintained building. The scent of the place left the strongest impact. Strong spices and incense almost entirely covered the stink of bodily fluids. The keyword being 'almost'."
    "After stepping around the back of the counter, she knocked on the door to the office.  This unintentionally pushed it open. But, Alexia didn’t see anyone inside."

    #al confused
    al "Is there anyone in here?"

    "The woman glanced over her shoulder to see if anyone was watching her, then slipped into the room while closing the door behind her."

    #al serious
    "The room was dominated by a small private stage with several couches surrounding it. There were two other areas divided by screens: a sleeping area and a dressing area. They were also deserted. A separate locked door went off to the side. Perhaps where she did office work?"
    "Shaya's quarters had a similar level of excessive decoration and finery that the rest of the brothel had, but a much more imperial feel. This looked like a place where kings and lords were personally attended."
    "Alexia brushed some hair over her ear. Did Shaya design even her personal quarters for the act of entertainment? "
    "She sighed and sat down on the bed. She’d come to learn more about the place and its role in the Bloodmeen ecosystem. Was there someone else at the brothel she could ask instead?"

    if alexiaCorrupt == False:
        "She blushed slightly. Shaya had a reputation as Jezera’s confidant, so talking to her was one thing. On the other hand, asking an actual whore…?"

    "But, then came the sudden sound of the door opening behind her. With it a pair of female voices. Without thinking, Alexia rushed towards the sliding screen in the corner."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral behind bg24

    je "...always short something, so revisions are common."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    hide jezera

    "Trying to make as little sound as possible, Alexia crept to one of the cracks between the screen separating the dressing area from the rest of the room and peeked out at the two women who were entering into the room."

    show jezera happy at midright with moveinright
    show shaya neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    je "Hrmmm. I don’t recall all of these decorations. I thought I had it exact, but you messed it all up!"

    sha "Hush, {i}Jezer’aca{/i}. The original back room was dull. In my version, it will be dressed for the role in the play assigned to it."

    "The half-demoness took a seat on one of the couches, directing Shaya to take the spot next to her, as if she were the one who the room belonged to. But, the brothel madam dutifully took the requested position. "

    je "Since we’re in private, regarding what we discussed…"
    sha "It’s done, Mistress."
    je "And he’s placed the item in her chambers? My marvelous little plan will not work unless it’s exactly where I directed it to be."
    sha "...I have been gone too long then. Once, you’d have trusted my word alone. If you plan to start doubting me now…"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Psh. Don’t start with me, girl. Save the crocodile tears for your boy toys."

    sha "Just because a thing may not work, does not make it not worth doing, Mistress. On a cold night, the game is its own reward."

    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show shaya happy at edgeright with dissolve

    je "The game is its own reward? Simply absurd. Madam Amoria taught you to talk like that? Does that poetic nonsense actually work?"
    sha "...S-sometimes…"
    je "You think too highly of old tutors. If she were half so good as you think, she’d have conquered the empire with her snatch by now."
    sha "Y-yet you were the one who...mmmf...paid for it, Mistress."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera sighed and let go of Shaya. The freed woman gasped and ran a hand along her chest. Alexia sat transfixed. Another person might have been unnerved by Jezera’s aggressive casual sexuality, but Shaya barely seemed perturbed."

    sha "It is a strange thing, however, being lectured on brevity and simplicity by a woman with your history in schemes."
    je "What are you implying, girl?"
    sha "There is no need to imply anything, Mistress. Half your plots amount to hot air and an orifice stuffed with unpleasant fluids."

    "Jezera scoffed."

    je "Only the odd little trifle. My true aims have miraculous success rates. Now that you’re here, you’ll see the full weight of my skill again."
    sha "So you say."

    "Shaya bowed her head. Yet, something didn’t feel especially servile about it. Jezera paced close to Shaya. Close enough to bring their height difference to stark contrast."

    je "And not another word about Amoria. Try to remember darling, teachers have their uses. But, there’s only one person in this world you truly need to listen to."
    sha "I’ve never forgotten. Never ever."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "A faint smile crept onto Jezera’s face."

    je "Let’s get that veil off, shall we. There’s no purpose hiding your face from me. My perfect prize."

    sha "Of course…"

    "Jezera reached up and tore the veil away. Alexia’s breath caught in her throat at the sight revealed."
    "She’d always presumed Shaya would be beautiful beneath the veil. But, the vision beneath was eerie in it’s perfection. Not a blemish. Not a feature too large. Even Jezera’s face almost looked plain by comparison."
    "If her entire job was seduction, surely keeping such a thing hidden would be a perplexing misstep..."
    "Jezera’s fingernails traced over Shaya’s skin softly, with the carefulness that one holds a precious heirloom."

    je "My {i}Shay’aca{/i}…"

    sha "Mistress..."

    je "My perfect girl...I should have brought you sooner…"
    je "The only one I can rely on..."

    sha "Always…."

    scene cg188 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg188
    pause 3

    "Jezera took the lead. She took a step forward and drew Shaya’s face to hers. The olive skinned woman exhaled sharply, but dutifully lifted lips. Their bodies intertwined."
    "Soft moans emerged from the meeting. This was no chaste affair. Shaya has taken on the passive role, but the surging of her head and subtle gyration of her body made clear she was no disinterested partner. It had the desperation of lovers, long separated."
    "Alexia sighed softly. She’d never seen Jezera act intimate with anyone before. Without thinking, her hand brushed against her thigh. From her hidden vantage point, she was forced to watch these two women."
    "The effect it was having on her was..."

    menu:
        "“...Really arousing.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ alexiaTouching = True
            "...Really arousing. For a moment, Alexia forgot where she was and got lost in the sights, sounds, and smells of these beautiful women in the midst of passion."
            "She bit down on her lips. Her fingers had slipped inside her panties. The urge to touch herself had been too strong. Now she was timidly playing with her clit."
            "Shaya didn't respond right away, instead she laid down across Jezera's lap and slid the two straps on her lover's top, revealing two pert blue breasts."

        "“...Not too much to stand.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ alexiaTouching = False
            "Not too much to stand. Regardless of what Jezera and her lover were doing, Alexia didn’t lose sight of two critical facts. First, that she was not supposed to be here. Second, what Jezera would do if she caught Alexia eavesdropping."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show shaya happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "After a small eternity, the kiss broke. Shaya was left half dazed for a moment. The sound she emitted was something akin to a purr. Naturally, Jezera smirked at that."

    #jez smirk

    je "{i}The game is it’s own reward, huh{/i}? Those were your words?"
    je "Well, sweet sister, let’s put that to the test. Let’s pretend I was one of those silly boys coming to call on you."

    "Jezera walked over to the large sofa by the wall with her hands on her hips. When she sat down, she made a dramatic show of crossing her legs and spreading her arms out along the back of the furniture."

    je "{i}Seduce me.{/i}"

    "The kiss must have had quite the effect on Shaya, as she was left on wobbly legs. Alexia had never seen the woman so unsteady. After a few seconds of deliberation, Shaya went down on both knees. Her normally piercing ochre eyes fell to the carpet."

    show shaya neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    sha "Mff...but it’s you. You know well why I’d find that a troubling task…"

    je "Tsk. And here I was expecting more interesting things from you after all of that word poetry. My {i}Shay’aca{/i}, you know what I think of those with mouths to talk and no legs to walk."
    je "Here, I’ll make it easier for you."

    #jez happy

    "Jezera cleared her voice. When she spoke again, it was in the squeaky voice of another woman entirely. None of her usual dulcet tones. She even took on a backwoods Rosarian accent."

    je "H-hello, I’m Torinthia. I heard from my husband about this place...he said I could come here for a...good time. You are Shaya, right?"

    #jez smirk

    "Just as fast as it changed, Jezera’s voice came back. Slithering and powering."

    je "{i}Seduce me, pet.{/i}"

    #jez happy

    "There was a moment of hesitation. Alexia could see the thoughts scrolling over Shaya’s face. Someone who spends most of her hours veiled is often not practiced hiding her feelings from her expressions."

    show shaya happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "But, slowly, Shaya began to rise to her feet. The change was obvious at once. The cock in her hips. The subtle smile that had formed."

    sha "Torinthia, you said? That’s a lovely name. "
    sha "And you needn’t worry for a moment, sweet one. You’re in the best of hands with me. Pleasures one could never even explain to their husband can be had here."

    "She swished her way over to the couch, swaying with every step. Jezera scrunched up her shoulders and adopted a strangely diminutive pose. An un-Jezera-like pose."
    "Meanwhile, Shaya went back to the cabinet to select some kind of tool or implement. Alexia watched with rapt interest."

    if alexiaTouching == True:
        "Alexia’s finger idly circled her own outer lips. With the intensity simmered, so had her wanton explorations. But, her digit remained in place, keeping her body teased in case Jezera and Shaya’s game warmed up."

    else:
        "For all her curiosity, Alexia was still clear headed enough to notice this was an opportunity. Shaya and Jezera had both moved away from the door. They were also both distracted. If there was a moment to escape, it was now."

    menu:
        "Escape.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia sealed her eyes shut. It would be risky. But, would it be riskier than staying and spying on a woman with a reputation for her treatment of enemy spies?"
            "She moved fast and cat-like, crawling to the door. It was not easy to ignore the impulse to look back. But, if she hesitated for a moment between the screen and the door, then it would be little different from simply presenting herself to them."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with moveinright
            "There was no sound of disturbance as the door opened, and no sign of being followed as she slipped from the room."
            "On her way back to Rowan’s room, her breath caught in her mouth. What exactly had she just seen?"
            if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                "Still, other elements of the encounter still stuck with her. In particular, elements of the earlier conversation with Shaya. To her ears, most of it sounded like simple interpersonal gossip."
                "But, sometimes gossip could be of use. Perhaps it might be valuable to Rowan to hear about some of these details?"
                "Though, it might also be wrong of her to violate Jezera’s boundaries by sharing what was surely a personal encounter…"
                menu:
                    "Tell Rowan.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        "Alexia narrowed her eyebrows. There was no question about it. When she returned to Rowan this evening, it would be with new details about Jezera and Shaya’s relationship."
                        "She planned to tell him about how Jezera had been the one to arrange for Shaya’s training as a courtesan. She also would give him a sketch of their intimate close relationship."
                        "Hopefully….hopefully it would be of use."

                    "Keep Jezera’s Secrets":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Alexia shook her head. There was no way she could tell Rowan, or even tell anyone about what she’d just seen. It would be...wrong…."
            return

        "Stay and Watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shook her head softly. They were distracted now, but were they truly so lost in their little game that they would not notice the door creaking open?"
            "Better to stay and watch...at least a little while longer…."

    "Alexia’s patient wait was rewarded when Shaya returned from the closet. She had to cover her mouth to prevent from making an audible gasp. Shaya was standing wearing an unusual golden harness over her pelvis...a harness meant to hold up a gleaming shaft, where a man’s would be."
    "A golden strap-on."

    sha "Now then, my dear. Shall we begin?"

    je "Oh! My word!"

    scene cg68 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg68
    show shaya happy behind cg68
    pause 2

    "Shaya wasted no time and climbed on top of Jezera, sliding into her ass in one smooth motion."

    "Shaya pressed down softly on Jezera’s back. Her form arched beneath her hand, stretching her ass further out. Jezera’s bare sex brushed ever so softly against the dildo."
    "But, Shaya didn’t put it in Jezera’s sex. Instead, the rod slid into her ass."

    sha "Hush now, pretty one. Let me take care of you.~"

    "Jezera let out a long high pitched moan in the woman’s voice. Her his bucked slightly, pushing the mass into her rear. Shaya held her steady, working inch after inch of the apparatus in. The further in, the more Jezera’s body yielded."

    je "M-my husband never…"

    sha "Then it is good I am not your husband."

    if alexiaTouching == True:
        "Alexia’s fingers sunk deep inside her own pussy. Whatever restraint she had regained in the break in passions was erased in an instant."

    "Shaya rolled her hips artfully. Not the hard eager pounding of a man, but the controlled movement of a woman working her art. The golden shaft was visible in the light for a mere moment before plunging softly back inside the other woman."

    sha "And I shall not tell him if you don’t. It can be my sweet gift to you. A memory for when you’re in bed with him…"
    je "Mfff….harder…"
    sha "As you wish."

    "Shaya’s nails dug into Jezera’s hips. It was a presage of a change in her pace. There was still the intense rhythm and gyration of Shaya’s carefully controlled hips. But, now it was at a faster pace. Alexia could barely keep up with it."
    "Jezera’s eyes widened. There was a delay of a few seconds, as if her body was still processing the new sensation. Then, the high pitched girlish moaning returned. Only louder and more frantic. "
    "Alexia faintly wondered if it could be heard outside. Surely not. The room must have had thick walls. A brothel madam would not want to be overheard, either in plotting whispers or passionate whispers."

    if alexiaTouching == True:
        "In truth, such thoughts had become near impossible for Alexia to maintain. She was totally overcome by the act of voyeurism. Her fingers cravenly attempting to eke pleasure from her clit had taken on the same rhythm as the pounding of the fake cock inside Jezera."
        "In a strange way, she had become just another participant in the scene."

    "Shaya’s lips parted softly and a pant escaped. She was the one in control of the pace. She wasn’t even the one being penetrated. But, the unmistakable signals of lust dominated her features."
    "Jezera may have been on bottom, but she was no mere passive receptor here. Her body pumped forward and back to the rhythm set by Shaya. The effect was quite intense. Her ass hitting Shaya’s body made constant slaps ring out through the room."
    "She was moving her body hard. And it was forcing the artificial penis deep into her."

    je "Ah. Ah. Ah."

    "Their entire bodies seemed to participate. Jezera’s head rolled upwards. Her fingers dug into the upholstery. The energy seemed to be spreading everywhere. Shaya was not immune. Her chest shook and her breath had taken on a desperate airless pant."
    "At some point, Jezera seemed to have set the pace. Where once Shaya’s practiced gyration had been pounding into Jezera’s body, now it seemed that the demonesses’ wanton backwards thrusting were stronger. "
    "It was as though her body were challenging the fake cock to go deeper and deeper inside of her every time. To make it hit places that Alexia could not imagine meeting sensation."

    if alexiaTouching == True:
        "Alexia thrust out her hips, rolling them forward and back from her kneeling position. It was too much for her. If this continued, she might actually moan out loud..."

    je "Y-you’re enjoying, ah...you’re enjoying this too, right?"
    sha "Yes."
    je "Mfff. I can’t stand it anymore. I’m going to…"
    sha "Y-yes…"
    je "I’m going to…"
    je "..."
    je "Hehehe."

    "Alexia saw the moment Jezera flashed an evil grin. But, everything that happened afterwards was a whirlwind of motion."

    scene cg124 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg124
    show shaya happy behind cg124
    pause 3

    "Jezera had not only pushed the strap-on from her body, but dragged Shaya into her lap. The full grown woman was like a doll to be manhandled."

    sha "Mistress, I-"

    "Shaya tried to regain her bearings and speak. But, Jezera shoved a breast to her lips silencing her. Alexia was left gasping to herself. In mere moments, Shaya had gone from the top to little more than an infant."
    "As if to emphasize it, Shaya timidly opened her mouth and took in Jezera’s nipple. She was suckling it softly."

    je "Shhh. No more words from you now."

    "Now back in control, Jezera fingers danced their way up Shaya’s thigh. At some point, Shaya’s strap on had been discarded, but it must have been in the midst of Jezera taking back control."
    "Now, there was nothing in the way of Jezera’s fingers as they danced along the exterior of Shaya’s sex."

    je "Mmm. That’s a good girl. Not a bad start."

    sha "Mfff."

    "Shaya’s body jerked and squirmed in Jezera’s hands. Little brushes against her clit would have her jerking and hard suckling at Jezera’s teat."

    je "Still, not quite enough discipline. By the end, you’d already melted back into a submissive little fucktoy, sweet {i}Shay’aca{/i}."
    je "Clearly, you need some more...instruction."

    "Gagged as she was, Shaya could merely moan into Jezera’s nipple. Her knees spread slightly, pushing her sex against Jezera’s hand. Any surviving discipline was gone."

    je "But, worry not. You’re back with Mistress. {i}We have all the time in the world. I’ll make sure you’re perfect for me{/i}."

    "With that, her fingers slid inside of Shaya’s body…"

    scene bg24 with fade
    if alexiaTouching == True:
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "...An action that was served as Alexia’s final straw. Watching Jezera fuck Shaya with her fingers was too much for the already over-stimulated voyeur."
        "Alexia had to bite down hard on her finger so her orgasmic cry wouldn’t be too loud. Her hips jerked slightly, and beneath her a very small puddle had started to form."

    else:
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Still, even as entranced as Alexia had gotten in her viewing experience, she was not so far gone as to not realize what this moment meant. If Shaya and Jezera had been distracted before, they simply had to be near absent now."

    if alexiaTouching == True:
        "Still shaking, Alexia crawled her way slowly to the door. There was no reaction from the two moaning women as she slipped from the room."

    else:
        "Alexia crawled her way slowly to the door. There was no reaction from the two moaning women as she slipped from the room."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with moveinright

    "Her breath came hard as she stomped down the hall. The memory of the illicit passions she’d watched replayed over and over in her head."

    if alexiaCorrupt == False:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        "What kind of person would stay and watch something like that?"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    if alexiaJezObedient == False:
        "Still, other elements of the encounter still stuck with her. In particular, elements of the earlier conversation with Shaya. To her ears, most of it sounded like simple interpersonal gossip."
        "But, sometimes gossip could be of use. Perhaps it might be valuable to Rowan to hear about some of these details? He would not have to hear about the entire encounter, but some of this information could be useful to him."
        "Though, it might also be wrong of her to violate Jezera’s boundaries by sharing what was surely a personal and intimate encounter…"
        menu:
            "Tell Rowan.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Alexia narrowed her eyebrows. There was no question about it. When she returned to Rowan this evening, it would be with new details about Jezera and Shaya’s relationship."
                "She planned to tell him about how Jezera had been the one to arrange for Shaya’s training as a courtesan. She also would give him a sketch of their intimate close relationship. Albeit, there was no need to go into specifics."
                "Hopefully….hopefully it would be of use."

            "Keep Jezera’s Secrets.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                "Alexia shook her head. There was no way she could tell Rowan, or even tell anyone about what she’d just seen. It would be...wrong…."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_6.rpy
label drider_gets_loose_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with moveinright
    show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    #dra worried
    dra "Rowan! Rowan! One of our driders broke away from training and escaped into the tunnels! Now she's on a raping spree and moving towards the outer tunnels!"

    ro "What? How did this happen?"

    #dra sad
    dra "It's my fault, this particular monster was much wilder than most and didn't respond to training well. I mean, she loved having sex as much as any other drider, but she wouldn't obey anyone for it. I should have been more careful with Black Ness."

    "The hero strode forward and clapped a hand onto the monster breeder's shoulder."

    ro "Everyone makes mistakes and it's too late to change anything about that now."

    #dra neutral
    dra "Yes sir. Ness will probably escape into the forests soon and we'll never be able to catch her then. What should we do?"

    menu:
        "Risk your own body as bait for a trap to recapture the female drider. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump driderSexScene_rp

        "Send in a squad of orcs to attack and capture it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Soldier, go gather a squad of orcs and bring them to the outer tunnels. Myself and Draith will go ahead and plan our attack."
            os "Yes boss!"
            scene black with fade
            "The fighting was fierce and cost the lives of several of the orc soldiers, but the escaped drider was back in the pits by the end of the day and Draith started working on devising a new way to train it."
            "The triumph ended up being quite the story among the soldiers and they frequently discussed it among their friends. While this blunder had cost the lives of several of their fellows, the orcs as a whole felt better afterwards."
            return

        "Let it escape.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Let it go, it isn't worth it at this point. Pull everyone out of the drider's path so we can avoid anymore damage."
            os "Wah!? Yous a coward!"
            ro "I gave you an order soldier, carry it out."
            hide orc soldier with moveoutright
            scene black with fade
            "The drider fled through the underground passages until it had stumbled its way out of the castle and into the forests surrounding Bloodmeen."
            "There was no major damage or casualties after its escape, but many of the soldiers were upset afterwards that such a beast had apparently gotten the better of them."
            return

    label driderSexScene_rp:

    ro "You said that this drider is still very interested in sex, right?"
    dra "Yeah, she's left quite a few dazed orcs in her wake."

    "Rowan nodded and turned to the orc soldier that had accompanied the dark elf."

    ro "Soldier, go gather a squad of orcs and bring them to the outer tunnels. Myself and Draith will go ahead and set a trap for the drider, then you will capture it."

    #dra worried

    os "Yes boss!"

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    dra "Wait, what do you have in mind?"

    #tunnels bg
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral behind black

    ro "Alright beasty, where are you? Hello? Ness?"

    "He called out into the tunnels for the drider, trying to draw it into his trap. Surrounding the hero was a squadron of orcs with nets, handling rods, and a very worried dark elf breeder, all nestled into cracks and crevices or behind rocks."
    "Rowan was quite pleased with how well he'd hidden everyone, after selecting this spot for the ambush due to how many good hiding places there were. Orcs didn't like sitting still like this, but their discipline held."

    ro "Here, drider drider drider!"

    dra " Rowan! That's not how you call out to a beast as noble as a drider!"

    hide draith
    #draith annoyed
    show draith neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "The hero turned to the dark elf who'd poked his head out from behind a boulder with a look of annoyance."

    ro "I'm afraid that handling monsters properly was never something I needed to learn before now, how would you suggest I proceed?"

    dra "First off, stop covering your cock, make sure it's on full display! Then, make a chittering sound like this: Chita chita chit!"

    "Suddenly something slapped the back of Rowan's head and he tried to wheel around to face what had attacked him. Unfortunately, this act caused him to become wrapped up in the sticky webbing that had been lobbed onto him."

    ro "Oh no."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace naked behind black

    ro "Wahhhhhh!"

    show draith neutral at center with moveinleft
    show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    dra "Rowan!"

    scene black with fade

    "The female drider caught Rowan in mid-flight and fled down the tunnels away from the ambush. He could hear Draith and the orcs calling after them and then launching into pursuit, but his captor soon outpaced them."
    "With his upper body completely immobilized by the webbing, he couldn't do anything to get away from its grip, leaving him helpless in its arms as it sought out a refuge of some kind."
    "Finally the drider slipped into a tiny side passage and dropped Rowan to the ground.  It darted about the hallway for a moment, then pounced onto his mostly nude body, grinding its softer underbody over his cock."

    scene cg121 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg121

    "Like all driders, this creature appeared to be a giant spider, but with the torso, arms, and head of a pale skinned human instead of a spider head."
    "The upper body wasn't entirely human, mandibles tipped with poison sprouted at the base of their jaw and the point where carapace gave way to skin."
    "The lower body was mostly a black exoskeleton with hairs coming off of the legs and abdomen. At the back of said abdomen, which was almost as wide as Rowan was tall, was the drider's spinnerette which the creature had used to make the thread it had captured him with."
    "Since he didn't seem the be going anywhere right now, the hero took a moment to study it's (her?) more human features. She looked to have been in her mid to late twenties, with a very fit muscled body."
    "Her breasts were about average in size and there was a distinct hint of hips just before the body ended."
    "Then there were the eyes, eight pools of black scattered around her head that occasionally peeked out around her soft silky white hair. At least the two main ones where eyes should be were possible to focus on to avoid being unnerved. Then Rowan retracted that thought."
    "His attention was brought down to the creature's monstrous body, at the place where it was rubbing his groin. The stimulation had started to make his member grow hard, and now he could see that there was a sort of flap or slit there."

    ro "(Her sex?)"

    "Sure enough, once the creature realized that he was getting hard, those flaps split open and thick drops of goo started plopping out of it. Rowan only had a moment to look at the thing before the drider lowered itself down to engulf his member inside."

    scene cg122 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg122

    "The man groaned as he was engulfed by her, sliding into a passage that was a mix of flesh and silk that clamped down onto his shaft."
    "Once he was fully inside, the drider closed its eyes and made a soft chittering sound which he interpreted as a sigh of pleasure based on her body language."
    "She didn't stop moving when he was completely inside her, immediately going into a steady rhythm of rising and falling on her legs. At the same time, she pressed her human arms down on his chest and leaned back with a look of contented arousal on her face."

    ro "(Woah, for a vicious monster she's surprisingly cute like this.)"

    "Another groan escaped the man's lips as the drider pressed herself down on him particularly hard in time with her sharply inhaling."

    ro "(Did she just cum?  Already?)"

    "If the drider had orgasmed, she showed no signs of being done and hardly even slowed her stride. Though now Rowan could feel his own peak approaching, given how strong and insistent her stimulation was, this wasn't surprising."
    "Just as he let himself go and sent ropes of jiz into the monster's inhuman vagina, Rowan realized that he could hear the sounds of people nearby. Sensing his chance, he grabbed onto the drider's hands since they were within his reach and called out to his companions."

    scene black with fade
    show draith neutral behind black

    "The drider realized almost immediately that it was in trouble, but was unable to disentangle itself from Rowan before the orcs got into the side passage and threw their nets over her."
    "In desperation, she bit into Rowan with her lower mandibles and gave him a dose of poison to make him let go. However, she didn't get far and was subdued shortly afterwards."

    dra "Sir? Rowan? Are you alright?!"

    "Thankfully for Rowan the poison wasn't too bad and he hadn't gotten a big dose of it. Unfortunately he would still feel its effects for some time, along with the memory of mating with a monster."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_7.rpy
label clamin_bribing_proposition_rp:

    $ goblin_family_dinner_mins_blowjob = True
    $ useFavour = "Jezera" # set a default
    
    "Does Rowan use his favour to convince Jezera or Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "He convinces Jezera":
            $ useFavour = "Jezera"
        "He convinces Andras":
            $ useFavour = "Andras"

    #Cla-Min bribing a proposition (benediction, sex)
    #Requires that Cla-Min's family dinner have happened at least 3 weeks prior and will require mission three to have started once the game timer has been extended.  Event can possibly be a trigger point for Cla-Min's stock to be updated.

    #$ cla_tit_job = True

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "... and that's it for this weeks main orders."

    cla "Excellent, then we can move onto more important matters!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Cla-Min, what is this about?"

    "The goblin woman didn't answer, instead she busied herself with extracting a package from some nearby boxes, obviously intentionally taking the time to show off her backside to Rowan at the same time."
    "As she came back around, her brother made his appearance and did an exaggerated stretch as he leaned against the nearby wagon. Rowan raised an eyebrow, realizing right away that this was a planned display."

    #if Rowan was sucked off by Cla-Min's daughter
    if goblin_family_dinner_mins_blowjob:
        "No doubt they were going to be making an attempt to earn his favor again, same as her family dinner.  Rowan felt himself become semi-hard at the thought of that night, to his discomfort."
    #If Rowan refused the goblin blowjob
    else:
        "Rowan rolled his eyes at this.  The Cla caravan was persistent, he'd give them that much.  Though he had to admit he was curious what they had planned for him this time, especially what that package was."

    #rejoin
    ro "Well, are you expecting me to ask what's in the package?"

    cla "A little gift, of sorts."

    ro "There's a catch then, isn't there?"

    cla " Oh, I would hardly call this a catch. This item here is very powerful and rare, and I could never part with it for free to someone who wasn't a part of my family or I knew cared about them greatly."

    "She unwrapped the package, revealing a glimmering sword of exquisite make and quality. It wasn't intended to be showy or beautiful, this was a weapon of function."
    "Rowan could tell from a glance that it wasn't made of iron and might even have some magic in it."

    ro "Couldn't I just buy that from you? I'm certainly interested, if that's not a brand made by the priest's of Balast, it is an extremely convincing forgery."

    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    cla "You could, I would certainly part with it for a fair price."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "However, wouldn't you rather an alternative? Why don't we have a nice personal discussion in my wagon, just let me take a seat on you until you fill me up with your cunning and sneaky spunk?"
    cla "My brother could also discuss the details, if you'd rather have a man take you on for the time being. We'll worry about transferring the essence to a more compatible member of my family afterwards."

    ro "It sounds like you're trying to pay for my body, am I a whore then?"

    "The two goblins burst out laughing."

    cla "No! No! Haven't you ever heard of a dowry, hero Rowan? It's traditional to give a gift when one departs their clan to join yours as a lover."
    cla "Since you aren't really leaving a clan, I think it's appropriate that you receive the gift."
    cla "We would be family then, after all?"

    #If society chosen was feudal and Rowan has an unspent favor with Jezera or Andras.
    #if society_type == 'feudalism' and (all_actors['jezera'].favors >= 1 or all_actors['andras'].favors >= 1):
        #cla "I suppose that since you've got the ears of our masters, if you could instead get them to grant a title to my brother here, that would convince me that you have my family's best interests at heart."

    menu:
        "Have sex with Cla-Min (Scene 1)":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            jump claminSwordSex_rp

        "Have sex with Cla-Min's brother, Cla-Bow. (Scene 2)":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ rowanGaySex += 1
            jump brotherSwordSex_rp

        #if feudal and you have the neccesary favour
        "Convince Jezera to grant a title to Cla-Bow." if useFavour == "Jezera": # if society_type == 'feudalism' and all_actors['jezera'].favors >= 1:
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            #lose 1 favour with Jezera
            #$ event_tmp['using favor'] = 'Jezera'
            #$ change_favor('jezera', -1)
            jump clabowTitleGranting_rp

        #if feudal and you have the neccesary favour
        "Convince Andras to grant a title to Cla-Bow." if useFavour == "Andras":# if society_type == 'feudalism' and all_actors['andras'].favors >= 1:
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            #lose 1 favour with Andras
            #$ event_tmp['using favor'] = 'Andras'
            #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
            jump clabowTitleGranting_rp

        #TODO - make sword available in shop for 250g
        "Refuse":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I think I'm good. Thank you for showing off your new stock, I'll definitely be considering a purchase soon."
            show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
            #sword now for sale
            return

    ################################################################################

    label claminSwordSex_rp:

        "Cla-Min was bouncing again and Rowan was having a hard time keeping his eyes off of her."

        cla "Come on, you hot, wonderful, sneak, let's have a nice one-on-one."

        scene black with fade

        "A few minutes later inside Cla-Min's wagon..."

        #CG1
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind black
        show clamin happy behind black

        ro "Well, someone is prepared."

        cla "I'm always prepared for you."

        "She was sitting on Rowan's lap, with both of them inside her caravan on a set of cushions arrayed in a corner. Her other family members weren't around and several incense sticks had been lit on a table nearby."

        ro "Do you normally have discussions with people while you're sitting on them?"

        cla "Normally? No. Preferably? Yes."

        scene cg127 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg127
        #clamin naked
        show clamin happy behind cg127
        pause 3

        "The goblin woman put a hand behind her and lifted the band of her top up and over her head, letting her breasts spill forth now that there was nothing to support them. Rowan's breath caught for a moment as he watched them bounce, then he took a deep breath."

        cla "Now that's the reaction I was hoping for."

        "There was a knowing smile on her face, the short-stack had taken note of the fact that she tended to distract the hero when she moved around."
        "Now he was giving her his undivided attention and Min loved it. She grabbed one of his hands and brought it onto her breast."

        scene cg128 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg128
        #clamin naked
        show clamin happy behind cg128
        pause 3

        cla "Come on, get a nice feel for them. Make sure I've got the goods for your kids."

        "With that encouragement, Rowan felt a little dirty as he got a firm grip of her flesh and ample endowments. He suspected that was part of the point."

        ro "Can goblins and humans have kids with one another?"

        "As he asked, the green woman on top of him busied herself with freeing his cock from his pants. Once his hardening member had been exposed, she looked up at him again, still smiling."

        cla "Dunno, but I plan to find something else if the normal way doesn't work."

        "One of her legs came up, a bare foot sliding across Rowan's chest, then she brought it back down on the other side so she could slip off her yellow silk pants."

        ro "You sure you don't need me to help out, even a little bit?"

        "Rowan could feel something hot and wet brushing over his leg as Cla-Min once again moved to be astride him."

        cla "As the clan matriarch, I always make sure I'm the one on top at the end of all discussions."

        scene cg69 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg69
        show clamin happy behind cg69
        pause 3

        "The goblin pushed her partner back as she rose up, then set herself down onto Rowan's stiff cock. This elicited a sharp gasp as her heat engulfed him."

        ro "I see. Didn't take you for someone who'd be that fond of other races."

        "She just smirked."

        cla "As a secret just for you, I'm not. My pussy has felt non-goblin tongues, but yours is the first outsider's cock. Hmm...."

        "She started rising and falling, while squeezing down tightly on her prize."

        cla "...but I don't think of you as an outsider. You were born to the wrong family, you're a true goblin at heart."

        ro "Gha, whoa. You're real tight."

        "As it turned out, goblin women had some really strong muscles downstairs. Cla-Min might not be able to get her arms around Rowan for a bone crushing hug, but she was doing her best to do the same on his shaft."

        cla "Don't want you trying to get away, hunny."

        "Now the goblin started fucking in earnest, quickly pushing her small body up with her bare feet on the pillows, then letting herself fall back down at full speed."
        "Rowan found his eyes drawn once again to her chest and watched those large breasts bounce and spin with her motion."


        "Encouraged, he grabbed hold with both hands, using them to feel up those enthralling breasts once again. His lover approved."
        "Finally, one more groan of pleasure escaped from Rowan's lips and he bucked against Min's hips, carrying her up into the air for a moment as he let out his seed into her womb. Just as she'd wanted him to."

        ro "Hah, hah, you kinda make it hard to hold back."

        cla "That was holding back? Goblin guys usually cum in half that time!"

        ro "Hmm, normally I think guys would get annoyed for being compared to past lovers, but maybe I should take that as a compliment?"

        cla "I think we'll be spending lots of time together, especially if this doesn't take. Who knows, maybe I'll want you to be my favored mate from now on? At the very least, I'm happy to welcome you to the Cla clan with a special gift."

        "She slid off of him and happily trotted over to the wagon door."

        cla "Come on hero.  I've got a gift for you."

        #$ avatar.equipment = equipment_data["exquisite_sword"]

    return

    ################################################################################

    label brotherSwordSex_rp:

        "Rowan had been periodically stealing glances at Cla-Bow this whole time, there was some part of him found the goblin man attractive. His gaze had obviously been noted, as Bow stepped forward and ran a hand up and down Rowan's leg."

        bow "Come on hero, we both know what you want. You big, beautiful hunk."

        #CG1, Cla-Bow posing.
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind black

        "A couple of minutes later, Cla-Min had excused herself and the two men had made themselves comfortable on a set of cushions that had been prepared for them inside the wagon."

        bow "My sister had prepared some exotic items for this. I hope you don't mind if I dispense with most of them, not my style you see."

        ro "Cla-Min does seem a bit overbearing."

        bow "Yeah, let's forget about her for now. She isn't the one you just invited inside for some intimate negotiations about your future in our family. Speaking of which, I want to dispense with dancing around the subject too."

        "He smirked and dropped his pants, revealing his semi-erect cock and tight sack."

        bow "Let's fuck."

        ro "Well you certainly get right to the..."

        scene cg89 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg89
        pause 3

        "As the hero spoke, the goblin popped open a bottle of some kind of ointment and got down on his hands and presented his ass up in the air towards Rowan."

        ro "... point. Wow. Are you sure that's how you want to do this?"

        "The short man twisted his head around to make eye contact while also starting to work the ointment into his anus, revealing his teeth in a wide grin at the same time."

        bow "Hey, I figured that there aren't many guys in the castle who'd be willing to let you pack in their shit. So that's where I come in, or should I say, fill out?"

        "He turned back away as Rowan undid his trousers and let his cock slip free, which had straining against its confines for the last minute or so. He'd finished lubbing up now but kept one of his hands back there to hold a cheek open."

        bow "Besides, I like being with big studs like yourself. I don't get many chances, but when I do, ohhhh yessss...!"

        scene cg90 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg90
        pause 3

        "He'd slid in easy enough, that ointment worked well, but just how tightly his partner was squeezing down on him was tough to bear."

        bow "Come on big guy, pound me."

        "The egging on drove Rowan to do just that and he started thrusting in and out hard. Evidently Bow wanted this, so there was no reason to hold back and be soft. This was a romp, a chance to cut loose and just have fun."
        "It was exhilarating to fuck a man's ass like this. He might be half Rowan's size, but Bow was a grown adult and his sounds made it clear he was loving every second of this. Evidently he was also adept at pleasing cocks, given how that ring was squeezing and teasing Rowan's shaft."
        "In and out, push and pull. This tight muscular backside was a joy to have all to himself. The hero let himself go, giving into the rut and enjoying it as best he could."

        bow "Dump everything inside me! Come on, you'll have plenty leftover, give me this load."

        #CG2 variation 2, Rowan cumming.
        scene cg90 with sshake
        scene cg90 with sshake
        scene cg91 with flash
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg91
        pause 3

        "With one last growl, Rowan did so. He pushed himself up to the hilt on the goblin and unloaded several sprays of his seed deep inside Bow's asshole. Then he stepped back somewhat unsteadily."
        "As the hero's head plopped out with a small strand of semen following it, Cla-Bow reached back and pressed a hand over his ass. He reorientated himself, while trying to hold everything in."

        bow "Man, that felt really good. If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to keep this souvenir for myself. I'll give you a blowjob in a few minutes, after you've had a chance to recover and I've had a chance to clean you off."

        ro "Yeah, I think I can manage."

        "Once again the goblin man grinned at him."

        bow "Then I'll be sure to get sister to give you the promised gift. Maybe you'd like to go again after that? I'm not satisfied yet."

        ro "You haven't gotten off yet?"

        bow "No, I came three times while you were fucking me. Really, I just want to do it again!"

        "Rowan shook his head in dismay."

        ro "You're insatiable!"

        #$ avatar.equipment = equipment_data["exquisite_sword"]

    return

    ################################################################################

    label clabowTitleGranting_rp:

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I think I could probably pull some strings on your behalf. What sort of a title where you thinking of? If I remember right, Cla-Bow doesn't have any children, does he?"

        cla "Oh no, he just likes guys more than girls. That doesn't mean he doesn't have any kids that a nice title might not be passed on to. Anyway, I was thinking that..."

        scene bg6 with fade

        #if using Jezera favour
        if useFavour == 'Jezera':
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

            ro "... so I thought that would be an appropriate reward for his help."

            show jezera happy at midright

            je "Such a simple thing it is to give a title, just say it and it is. I rather like this system that Solensia has come up with, but she does seem far too stringent with who is honored."
            je "I'll perform the ceremony this evening at supper, please make certain that Cla-Bow is in attendance."

            "Rowan bowed to his mistress."

            ro "Of course."

            je "Will there be anything else?"

            ro "Let me see, domestic fees, new hirings, rewards, no we've covered everything."

            je "Excellent, I believe I will take a bath. Should you need me I will be in my chambers."

            hide jezera with dissolve

        #if using favour with Andras
        elif useFavour == 'Andras':
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

            ro "... so I thought that would be an appropriate reward for his help."

            an "These goblins are quite the strange sort to be so easily satisfied with words. It's by no means how I would have rewarded him, but if you say so I will agree to it. Inform me when it is time to grant the title and I will do so."

            "Rowan bowed to his master."

            ro "Of course."

            an "Is that everything, servant?"

            ro "Hmm, troop upkeep, recruitment, rewards, yes I believe we've covered all official business."

            an "Good, excuse me."

            hide andras with dissolve

        #rejoin
        show clamin happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

        cla "I would say that went rather well. I'll tell my brother the good news, and you'll have a shiny new sword right after the ceremony finishes."
        #End event, gain Cla-Min's item with no strings attached.
        #$ give_item('balasts_brand')

    return

# \events\room_events_6.rpy
label claBowSex_rp:

    # $ claBowsexAvailable = False
    
    $ brurDistracted = False
    
    "Did Rowan successfully distract Brur? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ brurDistracted = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    if brurDistracted == False:
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        ro "Cla-Bow, how are you holding up?"
        bow "All my limbs are still intact, my head has suffered no trauma beyond a whack over the head from pa… I rate the whole plan A-, would put my life in Mini’s hands again. "
        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
        "Rowan chuckled, glad the goblin was recovering well. His heart really skipped a beat when he saw Cla-Bow fall down during their encounter with Brur. This really could’ve ended badly. "
        bow "Though that much my dear sister could’ve told you by herself. And since you’ve decided to check on me by yourself… "
        bow "I sense a hidden motive! "
        "The goblin gave him a mischievous grin. The young man had a certain roguish charm to him - something he shared with his twin sister. "

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
        ro "Cla-Bow, you’re in a good mood."
        bow "How can I not be? I just won the easiest bet of my life. And you’ve contributed to it. "
        "The goblin grinned, then tossed him a small sack of coins."
        # $ change_personal_gold(50)
        bow "Your cut."
        ro "I dread to ask, but what was the bet? "
        bow "Five adventures in a row without a life-threatening injury! Oh Ver-Min, when will you learn… Still no faith in your brother-in-law!"
        "The goblin sighed, shaking his head in disappointment. Rowan chuckled, and pocketed the gold.  "
        bow "But you can’t be here just to check on me… I sense a hidden motive! "

    bow "Since Min is not around… Could it be you were hoping for some alone time with yours truly?"
    bow "Just so you know - I’d be all for it. "

    "The goblin threw him a flirtatious smile. And he thought Cla-Min was direct… "

    menu:
        "You wouldn’t mind some one on one with Cla-Bow.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass
            
        "You actually were just checking on him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Sorry to disappoint you Cla-Bow, but there is no hidden motive. Just checking how my favourite group of goblins is holding up."
            bow "Ah… "
            scene black with fade
            bow "Next time, then!"
            return


    "Rowan looked the goblin over - there was some part of him that found the goblin man attractive. His gaze had obviously been noted, as Bow stepped forward and ran a hand up and down Rowan's leg."

    bow "Come on hero, we both know what you want. You big, beautiful hunk."

    "A couple of minutes later, the two men had made themselves comfortable on a set of cushions that had been prepared for this precise purpose inside the waggon." 
    "Cla-Bow wasted no time, dropping his pants, revealing his semi-erect cock and tight sack."


    bow "Let's fuck."

    ro "Well you certainly get right to the..."

    scene cg89 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg89
    pause 3

    "As the hero spoke, the goblin popped open a bottle of some kind of ointment and got down on his hands and presented his ass up in the air towards Rowan."

    ro "... point. Wow. Are you sure that's how you want to do this?"

    "The short man twisted his head around to make eye contact while also starting to work the ointment into his anus, revealing his teeth in a wide grin at the same time."

    bow "Hey, I figured that there aren't many guys in the castle who'd be willing to let you pack in their shit. So that's where I come in, or should I say, fill out?"

    "He turned back away as Rowan undid his trousers and let his cock slip free, which had straining against its confines for the last minute or so. He'd finished lubbing up now but kept one of his hands back there to hold a cheek open."

    bow "Besides, I like being with big studs like yourself. I don't get many chances, but when I do, ohhhh yessss...!"

    scene cg90 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg90
    pause 3

    "He'd slid in easy enough, that ointment worked well, but just how tightly his partner was squeezing down on him was tough to bear."

    bow "Come on big guy, pound me."

    "The egging on drove Rowan to do just that and he started thrusting in and out hard. Evidently Bow wanted this, so there was no reason to hold back and be soft. This was a romp, a chance to cut loose and just have fun."
    "It was exhilarating to fuck a man's ass like this. He might be half Rowan's size, but Bow was a grown adult and his sounds made it clear he was loving every second of this. Evidently he was also adept at pleasing cocks, given how that ring was squeezing and teasing Rowan's shaft."
    "In and out, push and pull. This tight muscular backside was a joy to have all to himself. The hero let himself go, giving into the rut and enjoying it as best he could."

    bow "Dump everything inside me!  Give me your load!"

    #CG2 variation 2, Rowan cumming.
    scene cg90 with sshake
    scene cg90 with sshake
    scene cg91 with flash
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg91
    pause 3

    "With one last growl, Rowan did so. He pushed himself up to the hilt on the goblin and unloaded several sprays of his seed deep inside Bow's asshole. Then he stepped back somewhat unsteadily."
    "As the hero's head plopped out with a small strand of semen following it, Cla-Bow reached back and pressed a hand over his ass. He reorientated himself, while trying to hold everything in."

    bow "Man, that felt really good.  If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to give you a blowjob in a few minutes, after you've had a chance to recover and I've had a chance to clean you off."

    ro "Yeah, I think I can manage."

    "Once again the goblin man grinned at him."

    bow "Maybe you'd like to go again after that? I'm not satisfied yet."

    ro "You haven't gotten off yet?"

    bow "No, I came three times while you were fucking me. Really, I just want to do it again!"

    "Rowan shook his head in dismay."

    ro "You're insatiable!"

    return

# \events\ruler_events_7.rpy
label greyhide_s_table_manners_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera had a look on her face that could only mean trouble. It was the kind of sinister smirk she wore when she was thinking of something devious."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Jezera, are you even paying attention?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Of course I am."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You just seem… distracted."
    je "My apologies if the mundane matters my castellan brings before me causes the mind to wander."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "We don’t have to deal with this right now if you’re not in the mood."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Come now, hero: no need to sport such a sour frown. Have you anything interesting to report?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Nothing else really springs to mind."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "What of our new Forgemaster?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...Greyhide?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Oh, is that his name? How quaint."
    je "Rumour has it you two were seen getting drunk together on the castle walls."
    ro "I assure you my Lady, it was only for an evening. I had already finished the tasks for the day and-"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    je "Now now, Rowan. I don’t begrudge you your fun. By all means: indulge yourself!"
    je "As a matter of fact, I’m delighted you’ve taken an interest in making new friends in the castle. It means you’re finally putting down roots."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If you say so."
    je "He’s a big fellow, isn’t he?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Most Minotaurs are."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "There you go again with that sour frown of yours."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Tell you what: to prove my magnanimity I grant you the evening to yourself. Spend it as you will!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I..."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Thank you, my Lady."
    je "There’s just one condition: you and your lovely wife should spend it with your new friend."

    "Rowan’s hackles rose. Her rapidfire shifts in topic were giving him mental whiplash."

    ro "Why?"
    je "Why else? Because it amuses me."
    je "Of all the people you could have struck up a friendship with, you chose a bull man who forges weapons of war."
    je "The very idea of it is humorous to me! I’m interested in seeing where this all leads."

    "Jezera leaned back in her throne, waving Rowan off in curt dismissal."

    je "If I have any further need of you, I will call."
    je "That will be all for today, Rowan."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "An evening with Greyhide?"
    ro "That’s what Jezera said."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Well, that doesn’t sound so bad. He’s a pleasant enough person. I wouldn’t mind getting to know him a bit better."
    al "Oh! Rowan, what if we all had dinner together? Just the three of us."
    al "We could ask the cooks to prepare a vegetarian meal for him, make an evening of it!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Are you sure about this?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "It’s been too long since we had a real night together, Rowan."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "...From what little he’s told me, it sounds like Greyhide has led a difficult life."
    ro "Yeah. That he has."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Then maybe he’s due for a fun evening as well. Does he even have any other friends at the castle?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "None that I’m aware of."
    al "Then we can be his first."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You know what? Sure, let’s do it. I’ll make the arrangements."
    al "It should be a fun night!"

    scene cg105 with fade
    pause 3

    "...Things weren’t going quite as Alexia had expected."
    "It had begun amiably enough: happy introductions and pleasant greetings were exchanged, as the bull - fresh from the forge - wiped the soot from his apron and took her hand in his massive mitt in greeting."
    "But no sooner had Greyhide taken his seat at the table, than things took a turn. He began to eat."
    "Though... “eating” was a kind way to put it. He {i}gorged{/i} himself, grabbing large chunks directly out of the salad bowls around him and stuffing them into his mouth."
    "He didn’t even bother with a plate or utensils, shoveling handfuls of lettuce and carrots and other vegetables wholesale into his yawning gullet. He didn’t eat fast, but he was efficient."
    "Alexia was appalled. She’d never thought of herself as a stickler when it came to food etiquette - goodness knows Rowan himself could be a handful at times - but this was another thing entirely."
    "So caught up was Alexia in the disgusting display, that she didn’t even notice Rowan politely ask her to pass him the water until he was all but yelling in her ear."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg105

    ro "Alexia? "

    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg105

    al "..."

    show rowan necklace angry behind cg105

    ro "{i}Alexia?{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg105

    al "{i}Ah{/i}! What? What?"

    "At this point, Greyhide also noticed that the red haired woman was staring at him. He swallowed the latest mouthful, then spoke."

    show greyhide neutral behind cg105

    gh "Is there something troubling you?"
    al "No, of course not! I just, uh-"

    "Across the table, on the other side of Greyhide’s bulky form, Rowan was smirking. He knew {i}exactly{/i} what was bothering her! Desperate to avoid the awkward topic, Alexia changed the subject."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg105

    al "Um… how is the meal?"
    gh "Quite good, a very hearty feast! I am touched that you remember my diet."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg105

    ro "Well, it wouldn’t look good on us as hosts to serve you raw steak, now would it?"

    "Alexia shot a subtle death glare in the direction of her husband. Rowan simply laughed."
    "Far from being insulted by the jab, Greyhide chuckled."

    gh "Please do not do that. The whelp would never let me hear the end of it."
    al "The whelp?"
    gh "Ah, I apologize. Sometimes I forget whose castle this is."
    gh "You know him as Andras. "

    "Alexia shared a look with her husband. Greyhide had just called their demon master a {i}whelp{/i}. The bull’s deadpan delivery elicited shocked laughter from the both of them."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg105

    al "W-why do you {i}call{/i} him that?"
    gh "It was the only name I could think of at the time."
    ro "And your first instinct was “whelp?”"
    gh "Heh. It was."
    gh "We met years ago, after he showed up one day at my old forge. He wanted to know how I made my weapons."
    gh "He was as brash then as he is now, only smaller. Like a little dog."

    "Rowan grinned from ear to ear. Alexia had to cover her mouth with a napkin to hide her uncontrollable giggles."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg105

    al "Why do you still call him that?"
    gh "Why not?"

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg105

    ro "Well, for one thing: you work for him."
    gh "I’ve known him for too long to think of him as anything else. He is still a whelp."
    al "Is {i}everyone{/i} at the castle “little” to you?"
    gh "For the most part."
    al "Just don’t start calling me whelp and we’ll be fine."
    gh "You are smaller than most, little one."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg105

    ro "I think we found a new nickname!"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg105

    al "{i}Hey!{/i}"

    "Laughter circled the table like a welcome guest. Greyhide returned to loudly munching on his meal, a broad smile on his lips. The tension in the room had been utterly broken."
    "The jovial atmosphere was ended soon after, however. Rowan’s features sharpened. His hand went instinctively to the amulet around his neck. His brow furrowed."

    show rowan necklace angry behind cg105

    ro "Really? Now? But you said-"

    "Rowan trailed off into silence as Alexia and Greyhide shared a look."

    ro "You were the one who gave me the night off. Are you {i}certain{/i} this can’t wait until tomorrow?"

    "A longer silence. Alexia’s mood fell as she looked upon Rowan’s deepening frown. They’d all been having such fun together!"

    ro "Very well. I’ll be there immediately."

    "As Rowan rose from his seat, his two companions made to rise as well. Rowan waved them back into their chairs."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg105

    al "Is something wrong?"

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg105

    ro "A minor matter, but it cannot wait."
    gh "Is it the whelp?"

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg105

    ro "Heh, no. Jezera."
    al "Will it take long?"

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg105

    ro "Hopefully not, but it’s hard to say. I might be a few hours."
    al "Oh..."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg105

    ro "Hey, don’t end the evening on {i}my{/i} account. If all goes well, I’ll be back before the meal is finished."
    al "Okay… hurry back."
    gh "Be well, Rowan."
    ro "Take care of my wife while I’m gone, will you?"
    gh "Of course. You have my word."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "An awkward silence filled the room. Despite the earlier jovial atmosphere, Alexia found herself uncertain of what to say."
    "It was only after a long moment of staring at her food that she noticed Greyhide had stopped eating and was looking at her."

    gh "You are quiet. Have I said something wrong?"
    al "No Greyhide. Sorry, I’m being rude."
    gh "Silence is not rudeness. It is just silence."
    gh "...Do I frighten you?"

    menu:
        "Yes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia bit her lip and nodded."
            al "Well, a little. "
            al "I'm sorry, I know it's silly but-"
            "The bull raised a hand to stop her."
            gh "I know what I am. You do not need to excuse yourself."
            gh "In normal circumstances, you would have good reason to be afraid."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "This castle is about as far from ‘normal’ as you can get."
            gh "I know."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "It’s also not fair to you, Greyhide. You are… a kind man."
            gh "Heh."

        "No.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shook her head."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "It’s not that, Greyhide. It’s just… awkward."
            gh "What is?"
            al "Finding something to talk about with you. I’m no blacksmith, and I know next to nothing about your people."
            gh "Why do we need to talk about something?"
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Because… that’s what friends do?"
            gh "Are we only friends because we talk?"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Hehe, of course not!"
            gh "Your kindness is enough."

    "The minotaur stood up, circling the long table.  He took two flasks of something from his belt and held one out to Alexia."

    gh "Here. For your nerves."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "What is this?"
    gh "Firegrout draft, one of the few things I enjoyed from my old home."
    gh "It is potent, so take only a few sips."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Aah, o-okay. "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Thank you."

    "Alexia accepted the drink after only a moment's hesitation. They clinked their flasks together and drank as one. Greyhide downed it in one gulp, while Alexia took a paltry sip."

    al "..."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "Wow, that's not bad!"
    gh "Smooth, is it not?"
    al "It’s so spicy. It almost tastes like cinnamon."
    gh "It comes from a rare herb native to my homeland. It is hard to get the ingredients from so far away."
    gh "This batch seems a bit stronger than usual."

    "Alexia felt a pleasing warmth spread through her tummy as her cheeks flushed. It really was strong! She took another measured sip."

    al "Thank you for sharing it with me."
    gh "I am glad you enjoy it."
    gh "Would you like to hear about the Dragon's Tail?"
    al "Your homeland?"
    gh "Yes."
    al "I’d love to!"

    "Alexia giggled - perhaps a little too eagerly - as she took another dainty sip. The firegrout settled in her stomach with a welcoming heat."

    scene black with fade
    pause 1
    scene bg27 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "...What time was it?"
    "Alexia didn’t know. She was having trouble concentrating. The conversation had been so enthralling that she hadn’t even noticed the minutes ticking by."
    "She couldn’t remember when she’d gotten so close to the hulking Minotaur, who sat spread eagle next to her. His legs were so wide she practically sat between his lap in her own chair. "
    "Greyhide tipped another flask back and downed its contents. It was his third one of the night. They were both struggling to hold a coherent conversation."

    gh "Your... husband gave me Rosarian wine…"
    al "Hehe, when?"
    gh "When…"
    gh "When? When last we spoke."

    "The Minotaurs cheeks were flushed, his mouth opened and closed in slow, deliberate fashion. He talked in a plodding tone, even moreso than usual. Alexia found it funny."

    gh "I… wished to find and share the drink... my people make. With him."

    "Alexia giggled with a girlish intonation, clutching the half-empty flask to her chest like a treasured heirloom."

    al "Noooo! Don’t do that! It’s mine!"
    gh "Too... late now."
    al "That’s right. It’s {i}our{/i} little secret."
    gh "Heh…"

    "Alexia was blushing. Gods, she was {i}burning{/i} up. Frilly pink clouds had drifted over the higher functions of her mind."
    "Everything about this evening was perfect, as far as she was concerned. Greyhide evidently felt the same way, judging from his blissful smile and slumped demeanor."

    al "I’m glad we met you."
    gh "Glad… I met you too."

    "She looked at him for a long moment, impressed at his powerful physique and strong features. How had she never noticed them before?"
    "She poked his massive knee, and he lifted his head to look at her."

    menu:
        "What do you like most about me, Greyhide?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide put a finger to his snout, tapping it gently against his nostril as he contemplated. To Alexia he looked like a cow trying to be philosophical."
            gh "{i}Hrmm…{/i}"
            al "{i}Pft-{/i}"
            al "Hahaha!"
            gh "What is so funny?"
            al "Your face."
            gh "What is… wrong with my face?"
            al "Nothing! You just make funny faces."
            gh "My face… is… my face…"
            al "Well, {i}obviously{/i}!"
            "A long silence passed between them. Then, the dam broke, and they erupted into gales of drunken laughter."

        "You know what I like most about you, Greyhide?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "What do you... like most about me?"
            al "You’re big."
            gh "And you are... small."
            al "{i}Hey!{/i}"
            gh "Heh… am I wrong?"
            al "N-no, but-"
            gh "You are... soft. Delicate."
            gh "I would be... afraid you would break... if I touched you."
            "Alexia puffed out her cheeks in mock-annoyance."
            al "I’m not {i}that{/i} fragile!"
            "Greyhide leaned towards her. Her face went beet red. With a gentle push he nearly tipped her over in her chair."
            al "{i}Hey!{/i}"
            gh "Heh… see?"

    "The Minotaur quieted down, his lips curling into a gentle smile."

    gh "You are… nice to be around, Alexia."
    al "You’re nice to be around too, Greyhide."
    al "Hehe, I never thought I’d say that about a Minotaur."
    gh "Nor I a… human."

    "A strange, simmering warmth was working its way through her body, settling snugly in her groin. She took another idle sip from the flask to settle the butterflies in her stomach."
    "Her eyes began to wander. Thoughts she’d never considered before danced dangerously in her head. She couldn’t quite think straight."

    gh "What are... you looking at?"
    al "You."
    al "What are {i}you{/i} looking at?"
    gh "Nothing…"

    "Despite his best efforts to hide it, Greyhide was sporting something beneath his paltry loincloth."
    "An obscene question popped into Alexia’s head: how big was he down there?"
    "No matter how much she tried to beat down the thought, there it was. For whatever strange reason, the pink clouds in her head wouldn’t let her look away."

    menu:
        "Ask the question. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She couldn’t help herself, her inhibitions had been cast to the wind. There was a fire in her belly and a burning question in her mind."
            al "Greyhide…"
            gh "Yes?"
            al "Can I see it?"
            gh "See what?"
            al "I think you know."
            "Greyhide’s eyes widened. He tried to sit up straighter in his seat, but his movements were sluggish. Impeded."
            gh "W-what?"
            "Alexia giggled, her hand reaching over and patting his leg, just on the inside of the thigh."
            al "I want to see your-"
            "The bull jerked back, his legs closing as he let out a loud, masculine snort."
            gh " I..."
            al "Come on… I’ve been wondering about this for a {i}while{/i}."
            al "Does it look like a human’s? Is it bigger?"
            gh "I wouldn’t… know."
            "Greyhide swallowed heavily. He was panting. His eyes lidded as he spread his legs again. Despite his feeble protests, he was just as turned on as Alexia."
            "The world moved in slow motion. His large hand reached down and adjusted the loincloth, revealing the turgid member hiding beneath."
            "The moment she saw it, Alexia’s blush deepened."
            al "Oh!"
            al "...That's some big balls."
            "Her innocent statement of fact broke the tension, and the two began to laugh."
            gh "What are… we doing?"
            al "Haha, I don’t know!"
            "Still, the horny fog in her head refused to recede. A burning need filled her nethers as she looked at him, this masculine creature of virile potential."
            "She wondered what it felt like. How warm it was. Her head was spinning."
            "She..."
            menu:
                "Touch it. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Before she even knew what she was doing, her hand reached out and touched it. Greyhide stiffened, in more ways than one."
                    gh "You…"
                    gh "You are so soft…"
                    gh "So… beautiful…"
                    "A queer spell had taken hold of them both. Alexia, in a daze, gently stroked his thick cock."
                    "She looked up at the Minotaur, a moment of wordless understanding passing between them."
                    scene cg76 with fade
                    pause 3
                    show greyhide neutral behind cg76
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg76
                    "Without hesitation, Greyhide unhitched his breast plate and lifted the entire affair off of his body. Then he plopped down on the table."
                    "Alexia got her first proper look at his very sizable, fuzzy sack. It was, as she first observed, {i}big{/i}."
                    al "Wow..."
                    "Without thinking, she stepped forward and took hold of him again.  Her fingers ran down the fleshy tube of his sheath and then cupped the furred balls underneath."
                    "His fur tickled her fingers. It felt funny to her."
                    al "Hehe!"
                    "The beast reached out, his trembling fingers brushing across her bangs. He seemed to be struggling to hold himself back."
                    gh "Red… like fire…"
                    al "You like my hair?"
                    gh "Yes."
                    "She giggled. Her fingers reached out and tickled the furry underside of his sack."
                    al "I like your hair, too."
                    "She was dizzy, horny beyond compare. The Minotaur’s lidded eyes bespoke his own arousal. Alexia’s voice lowered to a throaty whisper."
                    al "You smell… {i}nice{/i}."
                    gh "You… too."
                    gh "Your touch is… very nice."
                    al "I don’t- I don’t think you’d fit."
                    scene cg77 with fade
                    pause 3
                    show greyhide neutral behind cg77
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg77
                    "Greyhide reached over and lifted the woman onto his lap. Alexia made no effort to stop him."
                    gh "That is fine. I am happy as long as you are touching me."
                    "Alexia started playing with his erection, a dazed smile on her face. The two were in an almost trancelike communion."
                    "The bull started pulling her dress away; he tugged off her top, exposing her breasts."
                    gh "So small, so... delicate."
                    "He dragged one of his thick digits across her breast, the long nail pressing gently against her nipple. Hard, coarse skin met Alexia's much softer skin, sending a shiver up her spine."
                    gh "...No milk?"
                    al "No. I haven’t had any kids with Rowan yet."
                    "At the sound of her husbands name, Alexia felt a twinge of something strange in the back of her mind. She felt like she should be worried about something."
                    gh "Only… time humans do?"
                    al "Yeah."
                    gh "Heh… Minotaur women… all the time."
                    scene cg78 with fade
                    pause 3
                    show greyhide neutral behind cg78
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg78
                    "Frustrated at his inability to disrobe her, the Minotaur started pulling the dress open by force. He all but yanked her shirt open, tearing off one of the buttons in the process."
                    gh "Oh, I… sorry…"
                    al "Don't worry. I can fix it later.  Right now, I want…"
                    "Alexia wrapped both arms around his shaft. She started bobbing up and down, delighting in the lurid feel of her womanhood sliding over the ridge where fur gave way to flesh."
                    al "{i}You.{/i}"
                    "Before she knew it, she found herself licking the head of his cock.  His pre-cum tasted so good, like the pleasant aftertaste of the firegrout."
                    "Greyhide moved slowly beneath her, thrusting upwards in slow, powerful movements. She rode him, lifting and lowering like a horse in full gallop."
                    "By the end of it they were both panting, gasping for air as they met each other’s smouldering gaze. Greyhide’s deep voice drifted off into nonsense."
                    gh "Oh sweet soft lady… you, you are so good to me.  I think, I think…"
                    "He growled in his deep, rumbling voice, and then he came."
                    show cg78 with sshake
                    show cg78 with sshake
                    scene cg79 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show greyhide neutral behind cg79
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg79
                    "A huge geyser of hot, misty fluid blasted Alexia in the face. She was so caught up in the blissful sensation that she nearly wasn’t ready for the second wave, nor the third."
                    "The storm caught her by complete surprise but, after a few moments of complete confusion, Alexia just started giggling incessantly."
                    "She was soaked, both in his and in her juices. She took an idle swipe of his cum from her cheek and brought it to her mouth. It tasted salty."
                    gh "Oh Alexia… Alexia…"
                    "Still giggling, Alexia tried to wipe her face clean with her hands, then accepted the tablecloth from Greyhide."
                    al "Oh, you really know how to make a lady feel like a woman."
                    gh "You… what did we…?"
                    al "Gosh, I’m practically soaked now! You came a lot."
                    "Greyhide’s eyes snapped open, his jaw dropping as he seemed to regain some semblance of his senses."
                    "He sat up in a rush, his hands trembling as he gently took Alexia by the hips and set her down onto the ground."
                    gh "I… we…"
                    gh "What’s come over me?"
                    "How strange. That thought had crossed Alexia’s mind as well."
                    "Come to think of it… what were they doing?"
                    "Alexia blinked, her eyes going wide as the real implications of their actions pierced through the pleasant fog that had settled over her mind."
                    "She looked down at herself, naked and covered in the Minotaur’s juices. A wave of confusion and fear struck."
                    "What… what were they {i}doing{/i}?!"
                    scene bg27 with fade
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright
                    "The two recent lovers both rushed to clean themselves up and re-dress. Neither seemed ready to look the other in the eyes."
                    "Greyhide’s breathing was ragged, his movements sloppy and uncoordinated. Alexia was little better: half stumbling as she struggled to pull up her knickers."
                    al "I… I have to go."
                    gh "M-me… too."
                    scene black with fade
                    "After a perfunctory goodbye, the two drunken friends all but fled from the scene of their recent debauchery."
                    "Alexia would lie awake that night, restless and drunk, wondering to herself what had just happened."
                    "The worst part about it was, for all her worries, it had been a really lovely experience..."
                    return

                "Tease him for flashing her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "She started to laugh."
                    al "Oh {i}goddess{/i}, you’re naked!"
                    "A look of muddled confusion crossed Greyhide’s face, followed by growing shock."
                    gh "Oh.."
                    gh "...{i}Oh{/i}!"
                    "Alexia couldn’t stop laughing. Things had taken a ludicrous turn. How had they even gotten to this point?"
                    "The beast, profoundly embarrassed, moved to cover himself. Alexia couldn’t bring herself to look away."
                    al "Hehe! I see the carpet matches the drapes."
                    gh "I… what?"
                    gh "I am… what am I doing?"
                    al "Having a bit too much to drink, I think."
                    "Greyhide stood up in a rush, his hands fumbling as he tried to cover his shame. His cheeks were burning, his large eyes darting this way and that in an unfocused blur."
                    gh "I-I-"
                    gh "I... must go. Excuse me. Please…"
                    scene black with fade
                    "He nearly overturned the table in his haste to stand up. Alexia tried to reach out to stop him, but the hulking bull was deceptively fast."
                    "Alexia watched with a sort of dazed confusion as the Minotaur all but fled from her presence."
                    "...Why did he leave? Was it something she’d said? They were having such a fun time together!"
                    "Dejected, she waited as long as she could for Rowan to return. He ended up finding her several hours later, face down on the table. He carried her back to bed."
                    return

        "Get ahold of yourself, woman!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shook her head back and forth, shoving the strange, unusual thought from her mind. Goddess fend, she’d been fantasizing about a {i}Minotaur{/i}, of all things!"
            "She did her best to steer the conversation towards more mundane matters, but her body simply refused to ignore the presence of this virile beast nearby. She squirmed in discomfort at this artificial feeling."
            "It didn’t help that Greyhide was staring at her. His eyes were lidded low, is jaw dropping ever so slightly, exposing his thick tongue."
            al "Uh… Greyhide?"
            gh "What… is it?"
            al "You’re uh- staring at me."
            gh "I am?"
            "A look of muddled confusion crossed Greyhide’s face, followed by a look of shock. His face contorted in horror."
            gh "...{i}No{/i}!"
            "The Minotaur stood up in a rush. His cheeks were burning, his large eyes darting this way and that in an unfocused blur."
            gh "I-I-"
            gh " I... must go. Excuse me. Please…"
            "He nearly overturned the table in his haste to stand up. Alexia tried to reach out to stop him, to ask what was the matter, but the hulking bull was deceptively fast."
            al "Wait, what-"
            scene black with fade
            "But he was already gone. Greyhide all but fled from her presence, driven from the room by her mere existence. Alexia, still drunk, didn’t quite understand why."
            "Though later, if she was being honest with herself, she had a sneaking hunch as to the reason."
            "Dejected at the dreary end to the night’s fun, she waited as long as she could for Rowan to return. He ended up finding her several hours later, face down on the table. He carried her back to bed."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_7.rpy
label delf_dipping_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade

    "Whilst doing his regular rounds about the castle, Rowan heard raised voices from the breeding pits. He didn't have to draw too close to recognise the female party: Jezera, in full, strident form."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midleft with dissolve

    je "...not good enough. We give you shelter and succour, more than a male dark elf deserves, and you repay us with laziness and insubordination! Where are my legions of wargs, worm?"
    je "Where are the vast kennels of driders that you promised us?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan entered the main chamber to find Draith stood on the viewing dais, wringing his hands, staring at a floor he clearly wished would swallow him up. Jezera had one hand on her hip, the other waving disgustedly at the mostly empty pits."

    dra "S-sorry, Mistress. I... I did say it was going to take time..."

    je "If I had a piece of gold for every time I heard that, I could have bought the six realms by now! You will work your snivelling little ass off every hour of every day from now on, or by my own father I shall march you back to the Undersisters myself!"
    ro "That's enough. What is to be gained from yelling at him like that?"
    je "Huh? Oh, it's you. Well, of course {i}you{/i} would encourage such weakness. Go ahead Rowan, coddle the sissy. Ultimately it will be you who will be paying for his failures!"

    hide jezera with moveoutright

    "Jezera strode out of the room, leaving Rowan alone with the lithe, dusky male."

    dra "Th- thank you. I hate it so much when she shouts at me. It makes me remember how - how it was in Cerandil. Th- the cold... the morning shriek and the bite of the whip..."
    ro "Are you taken back to that whenever anybody gives you orders?"
    dra "Oh no! When you do it, it feels good. Your voice is so kind and- and warm. And strong. Like the person it comes from."

    "The dark elf had drawn closer to Rowan as he talked, as if the human was indeed a source of warmth in this dank underchamber. His hairless, delicate face shone with naked adoration."

    menu:
        "Fuck him. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Had Rowan ever felt attracted to males before the demons installed him here? He couldn't recall any occasion when he'd looked at another man's body and felt heat draw inexorably into his crotch like it did now, certainly not when he had been in Rosaria's service."
            "But the dark elf was so lithe, so delicate in appearance, so sultrily exotic in dress and shade, that to compare him to a fighting human male such as himself seemed ridiculous."
            "And when Rowan looked into Draith's eyes and saw the naked hero worship and arousal that shone there, the temptation became far too much."
            "He stepped forward and drew the little guy into his arms commandingly. Draith gave a short gasp, giddy joy flickering in his tone as Rowan nakedly enjoyed the supple feel of the elf's flesh, plaining his hand down his slim back."
            ro "You belong to me, beastmaster. Not the Undersisters; not the demons. Me, and me alone. So pay no attention to them. Understand?"
            dra "I - yes, sir. Absolutely."
            "Draith exhaled, moulded his frame into Rowan's as the human's touch roamed down further, squeezing his delightfully pert ass."
            dra "I- I'm very good with all sorts of beasts, master. Perhaps there's one in particular you'd like to show me?"
            "Rowan laughed at this, making purple bloom over Draith's china-bone cheeks. Still, he stepped away from the dark elf and stepped out of his clothes, ripping away his breeches to allow his thick, hot erection to loll outwards, never taking his eyes off the subby, smaller male."
            dra "Yes... I think I might have something for a big, powerful monster like that."
            "He turned, deliberately flaring his narrow hips in order to swing his cute apple-shaped backside over to a bottle-cluttered shelf above his desk. He withdrew a vial filled with clear fluid, removed the stopper and pooled the unguent onto his hands, rubbing it into his palms."
            "Heart beating, Rowan sat himself down on a bench and opened his thighs. Draith smiled at him shyly as he slowly descended onto his knees in front of the human."
            "Rowan sighed, and then groaned with pleasure as the dark elf wrapped his fingers around the human's cock, slithering his slender grip up and down his shaft, working the warm, coating oil into it until it was hard as oak and sang with pleasure."
            "Draith smiled and laughed, eyes darting up to Rowan's face and then batting submissively away again every time he drew a gratified sound out of the human; the act of giving pleasure seemed to give him genuine pleasure as well."
            "Lust throbbed through Rowan, enflaming his senses as the dark elf slid the long, nimble fingers of one hand in deeper, jerking his cock assiduously whilst cupping his balls, polishing every inch of Rowan's sex in warm, slick oil."
            scene cg556 with fade
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg556
            pause 3
            "Feral lust gripping him now, Rowan rose up and grabbed the smaller male, turning him around and bending him over the bench, drawing a surprised squeal out of the submissive."
            "He pulled Draith's tight-fitting breeches down and admired his pert, naked ass for a long moment, slapping his urgently erect, oil-soaked cock between its crack as he did. Draith looked at him over his shoulder, color high in his cheeks."
            dra "Please go slow first, sir... then hard."
            "Rowan drew his hips back, allowing his erection to slither downwards meaningfully, lining himself up with Draith's cute little rose, enjoying the twitch and expectant inhalation it brought out of the dark elf."
            "Then he pushed forward, slowly penetrating it, gloving his cock-head in wonderful, clinging warmth, carefully working him loose with slow movements of his hips."
            "Draith gasped and clutched at the wood beneath him, a chorus of cute little grunts and huffs... but he never bade Rowan to stop."
            "Soon the human found himself easily sliding his length deep into the elf's tight tunnel."
            "Draith's own cock, as slender and cute as its owner, jerked in response to Rowan's efforts, wagging like a puppy's tail as the human pushed himself home into the boy-slut's tight, oiled warmth again and again."
            "Genuine excitement and slight giddiness energised Rowan; he was a complete novice to this, but his roughness seemed only to excite the dark elf, moaning at him to keep going, pulling Rowan’s hand to his flat chest and small, erect nipples."
            scene cg72 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Animal lust overcame Rowan, and he suddenly grabbed Draith around the hips, hoisted him into the air and then firmly sat him down on his cock, thrusting into the dark elf’s opened asshole from below."
            scene cg73 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg73 with sshake
            show cg73 with sshake
            show cg74 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg74 with sshake
            show cg74 with sshake
            show cg75 with flash
            pause 2
            show draith happy behind cg75
            "Draith cried out with joy, slim arm thrown around Rowan's neck, his own dick gleefully erect, his tone of ecstasy climbing down to a coo of deepest satisfaction when the bigger human came with spectacular force, fluming a guttering fountain of cum deep into his gaping hole."
            "The dark elf's fingers curled up his shoulder, his silky hair tickling Rowan's jaw, nuzzling him happily."
            dra "I hope you will come by often, sir. A big, energetic beast like that needs a lot of care... and there's nobody better trained to give it than me."
            "With his impulsive ardour bitten, Rowan's thoughts now sank back to Alexia, somewhere in this very keep and blissfully unaware that her husband had just cheated with another man."
            "Still, he did not betray his feelings of guilt and uneasiness to Draith, who stroked his arm trustingly as the human dressed and departed."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            je "Oh, Rowan..."
            "That taunting, teasing voice froze Rowan in the corridor cold. He slowly turned to face the female demon, leaning against the wall outside the dungeon he'd just exited."
            ro "What are you doing? Were you listening in?"
            je "Of course! I didn't set that succulent little twink to all but fall into your arms just to miss you fucking him senseless. Mmm... I must say Rowan, beneath that dour exterior of yours, you are quite the surprise."
            je "So passionate and impetuous and energetic. You need to let that side of you come out more often."
            ro "...you were cruel to Draith just so I would be nice to him."
            je "Of course! I wouldn't be nasty to that slutty piece of violet sweet for no reason. Who do you take me for, my brother? But I couldn't have done it if you didn't already have the lust for it."
            je "Two handsome boys rutting each other for my entertainment... it was even better than I was anticipating."
            "She slid her claws along the insides of her thighs, sighing with contentment."
            je "I will remember this, Rowan. Those who entertain me are richly rewarded... in all sorts of ways."
            hide jezera with moveoutright
            "She left with a malicious titter. Waves of conflicting emotion washed through Rowan. The guilt he'd felt for cheating on Alexia was all the more gnawing for the knowledge that Jezera had deliberately set him up to it."
            "On the other hand... the sex had been undeniably good, and it had  certainly comforted that sensitive little beastmaster of his. And perhaps this favour he had inadvertently earned off Jezera could be turned to good purpose?"
            return

        "Give him a manly hug.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan strode across and gripped the slight dark elf firmly in his arms, clapping him on the back a couple of times. He hoped with each strong slap he made crystal clear that brotherly, lordly affection was what was being expressed here."
            ro "You are my subject. Not the Undersisters; not the demons. Pay no attention to them - I know you have the potential to be a great beast-master, given enough space and time. I shall see to it that you have both."
            "Draith hugged him back tightly. Rowan presumed the message had gotten through - at least for now - because this time the supple little guy made no attempts to unsubtly hump him."
            show draith happy at midleft with dissolve
            dra "Thank you, sir. As long as you're - you're around... my hands won't shake. I'll do my best to fill these pits with creatures loyal to your name... and your name only."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            "Draith smiled at him shyly as Rowan released him and strode out of the Breeding Pits."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            je "Hell and beyond Rowan, are you always this boring?"
            "That taunting, teasing voice froze Rowan in the corridor cold. He slowly turned to face the female demon, leaning against the wall outside the dungeon he'd just left."
            ro "What are you doing? Were you listening in?"
            je "Of course! I'd set that succulent little twink to all but fall into your arms... I was sat here waiting to lap up you two getting hot and heavy with each other... and what to do you do? Spurn the opportunity!"
            je "When are you ever going to loosen up some, you sexless grump?"
            ro "...you were cruel to Draith just so I would be nice to him."
            je "Yes! I wouldn't be nasty to that slutty piece of violet sweet for no reason. Who do you take me for, my brother? Pshh, but it was all for naught, thanks to you. I'll have to find some other form of entertainment."
            je "I wonder what your wife is up to?"
            ro "Stay away from her!"
            hide jezera with moveoutright
            "The female demon tittered, a sly, lingering look her only response as she slinked off."
            "Rowan was left feeling conflicted - he felt glad that he'd extended kindness to his dark elf servant and foiled Jezera's perversions, but inadvertently getting into the demon’s bad books did not bode well."
            return

        "Tell him to stand up for himself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Draith, I'm not always going to be around to stop others picking on you. You're not a slave to the Undersisters anymore, but nobody in this castle suffers the weak. Frankly, you're going to have to grow a harder skin if you're going to be one of my taskmasters."
            ro " Tell Jezera, and Andras for that matter, to get gone if they talk to you like that. If they have a problem, they can take it to me."
            "Draith looked thoroughly miserable, and Rowan didn't like the way he shrank away and wrung his hands in the exact same way he had when the demon had been bad-mouthing him."
            "Still, once Rowan had finished, the dark elf set his delicate jaw and made an effort to look his commander in the eye."
            dra "I understand, s-sir. I'll do my best to let them know they can't- can't talk to me that way."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            "Rowan gave him a firm nod, and strode out of the Breeding Pits."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            je "Hell and beyond Rowan, are you always this boring?"
            "That taunting, teasing voice froze Rowan in the corridor cold. He slowly turned to face the female demon, leaning against the wall outside the dungeon he'd just left."
            ro "What are you doing? Were you listening in?"
            je "Of course! I'd set that succulent little twink to all but fall into your arms... I was sat here waiting to lap up you two getting hot and heavy with each other... and what to do you do? Spurn the opportunity!"
            je "When are you ever going to loosen up some, you sexless grump?"
            ro "...you were cruel to Draith just so I would be nice to him."
            je "You weren't nice to him at all! Being nice to that slutty piece of violet sweet would have been to give him the good, hard ass-fucking he was practically begging for. And you've managed to disappoint us both, because now I'm going to have to find some other form of entertainment."
            je "I wonder what your wife is up to?"
            ro "Stay away from her!"
            hide jezera with moveoutright
            "The female demon tittered, a sly, lingering look her only response as she slinked off."
            "Rowan scowled. Somehow, an honest attempt to get one of his servants to stand on his own two feet and gone very badly indeed."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_7.rpy
label helayna_has_been_claimed_rp:

    $ helaynaRelationship = 0
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJezeraSex = 0
    $ alexiaAndrasSex = 0
    $ helaynaTitle = "teacher"

    "Does Rowan have feelings for Helayna? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ helaynaRelationship = 1
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Alexia had sex with Andras or Jezera? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaJezeraSex = 1
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 1
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg14 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Rowan! What is going on? I just saw a naked woman get carried into your room!"

    show rowan necklace sad at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It was Helayna."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

    al "Helayna? {i}That{/i} Helayna?"
    ro "Yes, my student. Jezera did something to her. Corrupted her. Jezera twisted the situation so the only way that I could protect her was… claiming her for myself. It was that, or allow her to be taken by orcs."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "So it isn't what it looks like? She isn't some sex slave for you."

    "Rowan found himself frozen up, unable to find the words to answer his wife."

    al "That's a relief, I was so worried that-"
    ro "Alexia."

    "Finally he was able to speak again. The way he said her name silenced Alexia immediately, and she clasped her fingers tightly around her amulet."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "To claim her, I had to do it… physically. That’s what Jezera did. She’s made Helayna completely crazed by lust."
        ro "I had to have sex with her."

    else:
        ro "To claim her, I had to fuck her. Jezera has made her completely crazed by lust. She’s insatiable."

    "There was no question that this was going to drive a wedge between the two of them, only what form it would take. That all came down to why he'd claimed Helayna for himself."

    menu:
        "Part of Rowan loved Helayna.":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            $ helaynaConfession = True
            ro "She looked like she was in such pain..."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                ro "In the moment, I had to make sure that it was me that she gave her first time to, not some orc or brute that could have hurt her or even killed her."
            else:
                ro "In the moment, I had to make sure that it was me that fucked her, not some orc or brute who would make it miserable for her."
            ro "I care about her. I had to protect her."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia did not seem convinced."
            "A loud, wanton cry suddenly came up from inside Rowan's room."
            show helayna naked aroused behind bg14
            hel "Rowan! Ahh, haaa, haaaa, Rowan! Where are you?"
            #alexia cry
            al "And now you're going to do it again, aren't you? You have to, or it would have been for nothing."
            if alexiaJezeraSex > 0 or alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
                "Alexia wrapped her arms around her chest while tears streamed down her cheeks."
                al "When I think about all that has transpired since our ordeal began…"
                "She cut herself off."
                al "I should understand. I should be able to forgive. You were with someone you cared about and you couldn’t control yourself. And yet.."
                al "You’re my anchor and you were sleeping with another woman. Loving another woman. Where’s my anchor now?"
            else:
                "Alexia reached out a placed a hand on his cheek. Tears had started to fall down hers."
                al "My Rowan. My sweet Rowan. What is this place doing to you?"
            #Alexia's relationship with Rowan falls.
            #$ change_relation('alexia', -20)

        "Rowan had to protect Helayna.":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                ro "… I’m sorry, Alexia. But after what I did… I had to help someone. I had to save someone. My success is the only reason the twins let me spare Helayna from what could have happened, and they made it into a trap."
            else:
                ro "After what I did… I had to help someone. I had to save someone. My success is the only reason the twins let me take Helayna, and if I hadn’t, she would be lost to me forever."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia chuckled softly and sadly."
            al "You’re such a hero. You always have been. More than that, you care about this girl, don’t you? You had to save her, right?"
            ro "Exactly."
            al "But, did you want to fuck with her?"
            ro "What?"
            "A loud, wanton cry suddenly came up from inside Rowan's room."
            show helayna naked aroused behind bg14
            hel "Rowan! Ahh, haaa, haaaa, Rowan! Where are you?"
            "Alexia flinched, but pushed on."
            al "When Jezera told you to fuck her, did you enjoy yourself? Did you want to do it?"
            ro "I had to save her…"
            al "You did. But, sometimes that means you grin and bear it. Something, you tell yourself that you had to, and you really liked it. Did you want fuck her?"
            menu:
                "Yes.":
                    #$ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan straightened up his back and looked Alexia in the eyes. The moment she asked the question, he knew the answer. Still, saying it out loud was going to hurt."
                    ro "I think...I think I did... I had to, but you might be right. I might have liked it."
                "No.":
                    #$ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan felt caught in a vice. The moment she asked the question, in a moment he instantly understood there was a true answer and one he had to give."
                    ro "No of course. She was my student. I felt like I was violating her."
                    "Alexia studied his eyes closely."
                    al "I don’t believe you."
            if alexiaJezeraSex > 0 or alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
                "Alexia shivered softly and wrapped her arms around her chest."
                al "Look at me, getting worked up over this. I understand the temptations of this place…"
                al "But, you’re my hope. You’re my lodestar. Look what they’re twisting you into."
            else:
                al "Goddess. What are these fiends doing to you? Every day a little piece of you diminishes."
                #Alexia's relationship with Rowan severely falls, Rowan's guilt is reduced slightly.
                #$ change_relation('alexia', -10)
                #$ avatar.remove_guilt(2)

        "Rowan couldn’t stop himself.":
            #$ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                ro "I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't have done it, but when Helayna started to lose herself, it was me that she turned to. She wanted it to be me that took her… "
                ro "I'm ashamed to admit it, but I wanted to take her. Jezera knew I wouldn’t be able to resist."
            else:
                ro "I didn't want to do it, but… she’s so beautiful, Alexia, and she was like a beast in heat. She went straight to me and all but begged for me to fuck her."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "Oh Rowan, what have those monster doing to you?"
            if alexiaJezeraSex > 0 or alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
                "She turned her head to the side, refusing to meet him eye to eye. Then in a soft voice she added a whisper."
                al "What are they doing to us?"
            else:
                pass
            "A loud, wanton cry suddenly came up from inside Rowan's room."
            show helayna naked aroused behind bg14
            hel "Rowan! Ahh, haaa, haaaa, Rowan! Where are you?"
            #alexia cry
            al "My love, darling, please. Please don't give into the darkness. Keep your soul, keep your heart.  Please stay my Rowan."
            #Alexia's relationship with Rowan falls slightly, Rowan's corruption increases.
            #$ change_relation('alexia', -3)
            #$ avatar.corruption += 5

    "Another loud cry of frustration filled the air from Rowan's chamber."

    ro "Alexia, I need to go to her.  If I don't, she'll probably go find someone or something else to try and deal with her lusts..."

    #If Alexia was sleeping in Rowan's room, she tells him that she's moved out.
    if not alexiaSeparateRoom:
        al "… Fine. But I won’t be sharing your bed for as long as she’s here, Rowan. I don’t want to see Helayna. I don’t want the reminders of our broken vows, even if you were only protecting her."
        #Alexia is set to be sleeping separate.
        $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True

    #rejoin
    al "Go, deal with Helayna. I need some time to myself right now."
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True

    #Helayna Sex
    scene bg9 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan entered into his room to find the severely distressed redhead sprawled on his bed, furiously and inelegantly attacking her clit with frantic fingers."

    ro "Helayna?"

    "When she heard her name from his lips, Helayna shot up with a gasp of elation, her unfocused eyes swinging around the room wildly to find him. Though he made no effort to hide himself, she took several seconds to recognize him."

    hel "Rowan! Rowan, Rowan… yessss… ahhhh… Rowan…!"

    "Though Helayna sat up, she didn’t stay upright, twisting on a hip to switch from sitting on her ass to being on her hands and knees. Her knees spread easily across the silk as she pushed her hips back, her puffy cunt drooling incessant arousal down on the blankets."
    "Just the way Rowan had claimed her."

    hel "Rowan, ahhh, haaa, mhhhn, Rowanrowanrowan…"

    ro "It hurts to see you like this, you aren't yourself."

    "True as those words were, Rowan found himself growing aroused by the display. "

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Jezera wasn’t there to egg him on again, but there was no denying that he wanted to do it. He only hoped that he wouldn't be corrupted to his core by that part of him."

    else:
        "Helayna didn’t just want him. She needed him. In all their years together, Rowan had never seen Alexia like… {i}this{/i}. Deep down, he wanted to take advantage of it while it lasted; he could only hope it wouldn’t be permanent."

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "The hero shed his clothing and stepped towards Helayna. Her hips swayed impatiently, her toned ass nevertheless showcasing a tempting ripple of flesh."

    hel "Yesyessssyessss, ahhh, mmahhaan, Rowan…!"

    ro "You might not understand me now, but know that I do this to protect you from yourself."

    #CG1, Rowan fucking Helayna
    scene cg112 with fade
    pause 3
    "As he said that, he climbed up onto the bed. A moment later, he was in position to start fucking her. He hesitated for a moment, letting his hand run over Helayna's smooth skin, tracing faint scars earned in both training and real combat. His hands followed the curvature of her hips."
    "This wasn't for Helayna, it was for him. The fallen noblewoman only wanted him to fuck her, hard and fast. That's why, after that moment ended, he took her as she wanted–"
    "No, he took her as she {i}needed{/i} him to. A loud cry of pleasure erupted from Helayna as Rowan filled her for the second time. Unlike their first time, her first time, Helayna didn’t even last a second. Once Rowan was inside her cunt, it began to spasm around him uncontrollably in rapturous pleasure."
    "He didn’t make the mistake of trying to pace himself for her comfort or acclimation. There was no need. Instead, Rowan bucked at her like a man possessed. Loud wet plaps sounded throughout the room as his shaft pierced her over and over again, matched only in debauchery by Helayna’s moaning and squealing."
    "Unlike Helayna, Rowan lasted this second time– and knowing the worst thing that he could do was slow down or stop, he gave the redhead everything he could. Even when Helayna’s eyes had rolled back in her head and her fingers were tearing the stitches of his blankets, he kept fucking her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "For her sake. It was what she wanted."

    else:
        "He owned her. It was what she wanted."

    #CG1 variation - cum
    scene cg112 with sshake
    scene cg112 with sshake
    scene cg113 with flash
    pause 3

    "The pressure to perform kept Rowan going for quite a while longer than he was used to, but he was still only human. Even when Helayna’s upper body had sagged, however, her hips stayed up: often twitching and seeming a moment from buckling, but they still stayed up as her pussy leaked his seed."
    "Ready for more."
    "So when Rowan’s cock inevitably found its second wind…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "He got back to doing his duty, as Helayna’s hero and mentor."

    else:
        "He got back to using her."

    #CG1 variation - super cum
    scene cg113 with sshake
    scene cg113 with sshake
    scene cg114 with flash
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg114
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg114

    "Alexia had complained of aching bones after rough sex before and while Rowan believed her, he thought she must have been overstating it. By the time Helayna’s hips sank with a final shudder along her spine, however, Rowan had a new appreciation for those claims."
    "His hips hurt. His pelvis and thighs hurt from where they had kept slapping into Helayna’s sweat-wetted flesh. Even his balls hurt, unused to cumming three times in a single hour. Despite how wet Helayna had been, his cock almost felt chafed."
    "But it had been well worth it. With a weary groan, Rowan sank down atop Helayna’s backside, his cock slipping out of her. Her moaning bled off into heavy breathing, and she finally seemed to fully relax beneath him."
    "Rowan murmured to her, but the words were for his own sake. Thus far, Helayna had seemed mindless for anything but sex."

    ro "I wish there was more I could do for you. Will you even be able to last a day while I’m away, though…? Can I really just leave you here–"

    hel "… mmm. As long as I know you’ll come back to me, Rowan… my Rowan…"

    "Something of her seemed to have resurfaced! Rowan sighed with relief. Helayna’s voice was faint and fluttery in its intimacy."

    ro "Oh, Helayna… I’m so sorry… I’ll be here whenever I can, I promise."

    "One of the broken knight’s hands lifted weakly and reached backwards, her palm sliding alongside his side. The bitterness he had heard in her voice the last time Rowan heard her speaking full sentences? That was gone."

    hel "Don’t… don’t be sorry, Rowan, teacher… master… you gave me something I’ve wanted for a long time. And… and now that I’m here with you, we’ll make the most of it. Promise me that. Please."

    ro "… I promise."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_9.rpy
label dinner_is_served_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
    $ andras_alexia_sex = False
    $ helaynaTitle = "teacher"

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Alexia had sex with Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Light NTR dialogue)":
            $ andras_alexia_sex = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg9 with fade

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show orc soldier neutral at midright with moveinright
        os "Oi, ‘uman. Masters request your presence in ballroom for dinner when seventh bell rings."
        os "Don’t be late, or else."
        hide orc sodier with moveoutright
        ro "Dinner? I wonder what those two are up to now."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright
        os "Oi, ‘uman. Masters request your presence in ballroom for dinner when seventh bell rings. Both of yous."
        os "Don’t be late, or else."
        hide orc sodier with moveoutright
        ro "Well, he was about as charming as usual. What do you suppose this is all about?"
        al "It is strange, we’ve been here for months now, and there’s never been any sort of dinner. And in the ballroom as well?"
        ro "They were pleased when I managed to take the keep from the Duke, maybe they want to celebrate that victory together."
        al "That was weeks ago though. I don’t know, I just don’t trust them."
        ro "Neither do I darling, we will just have to be careful."
        ro "Anyway, I had better head out, I still have work to do before dinner. Try not to worry, okay?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        al "Okay. Be careful, my love."
        ro "I always am."
        hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene bg27 with fade

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        ro "Alexia? They made you come here as well?"
        al "Yes, an orc showed up in my room this morning and informed me that attendance was mandatory."
        ro "I don’t think there’s an orc alive who knows the words attendance or mandatory."
        al "Well, those weren’t the exact words he used, my love."
        ro  "What do you suppose this is all about?"
        al "It is strange, we’ve been here for months now, and there’s never been any sort of dinner. And in the ballroom as well?"
        ro "They were pleased when I managed to take the keep from the Duke, maybe they want to celebrate that victory together."
        al "That was weeks ago though. I don’t know, I just don’t trust them."
        ro "Neither do I. Shhh, here they are now."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "I don’t see them."
        ro "We are a little early I suppose."
        al "Oh, here they are now."

    show andras happy at edgeright with moveinright
    show jezera happy at midright with moveinright

    "The twins entered from the doorway at the opposite side of the room, and walked over to the long table at the other end. It was far too big for just the four of them, but this sort of over the top opulence was what Rowan had come to expect from the demons."
    "At the top of the table, near to where Jezera and Andras now stood, four places had been set, and the surrounding part of the table had been furnished with fresh flowers and more extravagant ornaments."

    an "Ah there you two are you are. Well, don’t stand there all day gawping, come and join us."

    je "Yes, please do. We won’t bite."

    "The demon flashed a cheeky grin the pair had seen many times before."

    je "Unless you ask us to, that is."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "The hero and his wife did as they were told, joining the demons at the far end of the table. Andras and Jezera took the two places that had been set at the head, the usual seat of power being divided into two equal ones."
    "Rowan had been positioned to their right, and Alexia to their left, separating the two. Alexia, who would have much rather have been seated by her husband’s side, could only look across the width of the table at him."

    je "Now, that’s much better isn’t it? I hope you two are hungry, the chefs have been busy in the kitchens all day."
    an "I could eat a horse."
    je "You probably {i}have{/i} eaten a horse."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    "The demon, unhappy at the joke made by his sister at his expense, threw a snarl in her direction, to which she responded by rolling her eyes."

    je "Oh behave brother, we have company."

    "Turning away from him, she addressed the others at the table."

    je "Anyway, we just wanted to do something to show you that we appreciate the hard work you both have been doing. As I told you initially, there is no need for us to be enemies."

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve
    an "Indeed. As long as you do as you are told, and perform your tasks well, you will be rewarded."
    an "Even I admit I was a little impressed with the way you captured Raeve Keep."
    je "I may find the whole thing barbaric, but I suppose I cannot argue with result. It was a job well done."
    je "The way you infiltrated the keep was masterful, you are clearly a man after my own heart, my hero."
    an "My sister’s cowardly methods may disgust me, but you captured the keep, and I must admit, that was the important thing."
    je "Oh, where are my manners? Your glasses are empty, would you like something to drink?"
    al "Yes, please. If it isn’t too much trouble."
    ro "And I am a little thirsty myself to tell the truth."
    je "Trouble? What sort of a hostess would I be if it were any trouble. No. Slave? Bring our guests some wine before they die of thirst."
    "Rowan’s jaw dropped when he saw the slave to whom Jezera referred to; it was his former student, Helayna– the closest victim of his most recent treachery, in service to the twins. He hadn’t seen her since the day that the keep had fallen."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "The twins had kept Rowan busy after the conquest. Her sudden appearance drove home a sharp reminder that she had been in the castle for weeks now– and, without realising it, he had been avoiding thinking of her. Their paths had not crossed."
        "Had they kept her from him, until now?"
        "Jezera had said she would be free to roam the castle. Evidently, her ‘freedom’ did not mirror what he and Alexia were being afforded by their captors."

    else:
        "The twins had kept Rowan busy after the conquest. Her sudden appearance made Rowan shift uncomfortably in his seat, reminded of the fate he had chosen to resign her to– she, who had so much faith in him before he plunged a dagger in her back."
        "She had been in the castle for weeks now, and Rowan had not encountered her. Jezera had said she would be free to roam the castle. Likely, they had deliberately kept her away from him."

    "He broke his gaze to glance across the table at his wife, who was giving him a worried look. “Helayna”, he mouthed, and her mouth crinkled into a furtive frown."

    ro "Helayna.. I thought…"
    hel "Hello [helaynaTitle]…"

    "The woman did her best to smile, despite the awkwardness of the situation."

    "It only made the awkwardness worse. Before she donned the ring, Hel’s last words to him were full of hatred and self-loathing and utter despair. There was none of that now, nor any of the tears that were in her eyes back then. She seemed distracted, eyes hazy as they met Rowan’s."
    "Other than the thick gold bands around her wrists that seemed more detached manacle than bracelets, they had not clothed her. Helayna’s cheeks were flushed, her breathing overly deep."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan could not keep his gaze from taking note of her aroused cunt, her tight nipples and how her breasts swayed with each of her exaggerated breaths. Although Helayna was articulate today, sex was clearly on her mind."
        "When Alexia cleared her throat and he realised she was glaring at him, he glanced away."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Much to his shame, Rowan could not keep his gaze from taking note of her aroused cunt, her tight nipples and how her breasts swayed with each of her exaggerated breaths. When he realised he was gawking, he forced his eyes back to Helayna’s face."

    else:
        pass

    je "Are you going to stand there all day yapping, or are you going to do your job?"
    hel "Oh! Please forgive me, mistress."

    menu:
        "Object.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "That’s enough!"
            je "Hmm?"
            ro "You might find this display amusing, but I'll have no part in it. Come on Alexia, we are leaving."
            je " How rude."
            "The pair left the twins, the rest of their meals, and this whole charade behind. As they exited the room, a cacophony of moans and other sex noises, and laughter could be heard in the distance."
            return

        "Say nothing. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass


    "Remembering her place, the servant made her way over to the table and filled Rowan and Alexia’s goblet as ordered."
    "Once done, she looked over at Jezera, who indicated for her to fill the demons’ as well. As she leaned over to fill Jezera’s, the demoness gave her firm derriere a hard spank."

    hel "Unnn…"

    "The woman shuddered, and let out a soft moan. Her tormentor grinned in approval."

    je "I think I’m going to have to discipline you some more, you are hardly giving our dinner guests a good impression with service like that."
    hel "Yes, mistress…"

    #cg of Jezera fingering Helayna’s cunt
    scene cg359 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg359
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg359
    show jezera happy behind cg359
    show andras happy behind cg359
    pause 3

    "The demoness slid her hand down from the former knight’s ass, and placed it instead between her legs. Helayna inhaled sharply as one finger, and then another, penetrated her tight pink pussy."

    je "If you cannot provide a good service, I suppose you can at least provide some entertainment."
    hel "Yesssss…"

    "Any embarrassment or shame she may have felt about the situation melted away as quick as the expression on her face, and she gave in to her baser instincts, amplified by the ring."
    "Jezera continued to frig her sodden cunt, as Helayna moved against her fingers, her moans increasing in intensity."
    "Alexia turned away, unable to watch the debasement of the poor girl by their captors, while Rowan looked on, his horror tinged with arousal."
    "The other demon chuckled at the display."

    an "Not bad, sister. Perhaps we should have this slut provide the entertainment at every meal."

    "Helayna either didn’t hear Andras’ crude comment, or didn’t care as she bucked against Jezera’s hand, her rapid breathing signalling her approach to orgasm."

    show cg360 with dissolve
    pause 0.1
    show cg361 with sshake
    pause 0.1
    show cg362 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Before she could get there, however, the demoness pulled her hand away, and Helayna whined unhappily, hips squirming."

    je "No, slave. After today’s poor performance, you don’t deserve to cum."

    "Between pants, the woman managed to plead."

    hel "B-but mistress, it’s been… o-over an hour since I, I…"

    "Helayna glanced at the others around the table, skittish and wide-eyed. Her look was one of half crushing disappointment and half animalistic lust, as if expecting one of them to speak up in favour of her cumming."
    "Just an {i}hour{/i} without cumming did this to her?"

    je "Get to the kitchens. The food must almost be ready by now."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show andras happy behind bg27
    show jezera happy behind bg27
    show helayna naked aroused behind bg27

    "Helayna exited the room, leaving Rowan and Alexia alone with the demons. Though Andras said very little, the smug arrogance of his smirk spoke volumes. Jezera made small talk about her various interests and the day-to-day life of the castle, like there had been no significance to Helayna’s coming and going."
    "After fifteen very awkward minutes, Helayna returned. She was doing her best to balance the tray of food, but her hips were continuing their prior squirming, still feeling the effects of Jezera’s fingers. The juices from her sodden cunt ran down her leg, as amplified as her lust itself."
    "With effort, she carried the tray over to the table and placed it in the middle. Lifting the cloche, she revealed a cooked bird, large enough to feed all four of them."

    an "Shall I carve it, sister?"
    je "If you want, but use a knife, and not your claws, at least."

    "Ignoring her insult, the demon carved four large portions for each of the four sat at the table. The two humans ate cautiously as Jezera picked at her food, and Andras tore into it as one would expect of a demon."

    hel "Will that be all, masters?"
    an "Not so fast, slut. I have other {i}appetites{/i} that have yet to be sated."

    "Andras scraped back his chair and pushed aside his loincloth, revealing his thick, ready red cock, just waiting for some hole or another to embrace it. Helayna ogled it hungrily, her next words spoken through a breathy panting."

    hel "Would you like me to… take care of that, my lord?"

    menu:
        "Object.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry behind black
            ro "That's enough!"
            je "Hmmm?"
            ro "You might find this display amusing, but I'll have no part in it. Come on Alexia, we are leaving."
            je "How rude."
            "The pair left the twins, the rest of their meals, and this whole charade behind. As they exited the room, a cacaphony of moans and other sex noises, and laughter could be heard in the distance."
            return

        "Say nothing. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump dinnerSex_rp

    an "Obviously. Get over here."

    label dinnerSex_rp:

    scene cg102 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg102
    show jezera happy behind cg102
    show andras happy behind cg102
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg102
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg102
    pause 3

    "Helayna hurried to obey, but not as expediently as Andras desired. When she was within arm’s reach, he grabbed her and made use of his brutish strength to pluck her from the ground like she weighed nothing. She gasped with surprise once, and then once again as he slammed her down on top of his lap."
    "Thankfully, she was still sopping wet from Jezera’s fingers, and Andras’ hand-eye coordination ensured her cunt was aimed right where it needed to be. Helayna’s second gasp built into a lurid wail as Andras forced his fat cock deep inside her."

    hel "Unnnnnnnn!!!"

    "Helayna didn’t seem to mind the roughness. She began to ride without further instruction. Her pert tits bounced up and down as she bounced atop the demon’s lap, core and thighs flexing as she took it to the edge of her cunt and then pushed herself back down. Just like that, her entire world seemed to become Andras’ cock."

    je "So, Rowan, with all the work that Skordred has been doing around the place, is it start to look like the Bloodmeen that you remember?"
    ro "Errr…Well, yes. Back when your father-"
    hel "Fuck me! Fuck me! Fuck me!"
    ro "-inhabited it, it was a lot more impressive. Obviously the war and the years-"
    hel "So biiiiiiiiiig!"
    ro "-have taken their toll, but it is starting to get there."
    hel "...fucking deep, unnnnnn!"
    je "And Alexia, I hope you don’t find your quarters too drab. There aren’t that many rooms in the castle suitable for we ladies I’m afraid."
    al "Oh no, it is uh…"

    #if alexia had sex with andras in the intro
    if andras_alexia_sex:
        scene cg103 with fade
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg103
        show jezera happy behind cg103
        show andras happy behind cg103
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg103
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg103
        pause 3
        "Alexia glanced over at Helayna and Andras, her face red and deeply troubled, perhaps in shock. For a moment, lips parted, she just stared at where Helayna and Andras’ bodies were joined."
        "Then she cleared her throat, her voice diminished. Her full answer to Jezera was almost drowned out by the wet, loud slap accompanying each of Helayna’s descents."

    #else
    else:
        "Alexia grimaced, glancing at Helayna and Andras out of the corner of her eye. She took a moment to comport herself before replying to Jezera."
    
    #rejoin

    al "-perfectly fine. I don’t really need a lot of space, and to be fair, it is nearly as big as our entire house."
    je "Excellent, if you have any issues, just let me know."

    "As they continued their small talk, Andras’ dessert finally began to reach its climax."

    an "Ready for my load, whore?"
    hel "Yessss! Give it to me!"

    if andras_alexia_sex:
        show cg103 with sshake
        show cg103 with sshake
        scene cg104 with flash
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg104
        show jezera happy behind cg104
        show andras happy behind cg104
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg104
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg104
        pause 3

    else:
        show cg102 with sshake
        show cg102 with sshake
        scene cg104 with flash
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg104
        show jezera happy behind cg104
        show andras happy behind cg104
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg104
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg104
        pause 3

    "The demon laughed as he came deep within her. The woman screamed in orgasm, and then collapsed against his chest, savouring the warm, gooey sensation now within her womb."

    an "That’ll be all, you can go now, slave."

    "When she stood, her legs were so weak that she almost collapsed onto the hard stone floor. She steadied herself using the table, as cum dripped from her pumped-full snatch."

    an "Aren’t you forgetting something?"

    hel "Uhhh… thank you master…"

    "She left without even looking at Rowan, unable to face him after the shame of what had just occurred. This didn’t help assuage any of the guilt he was feeling from yet another good person being dragged into the orbit of the twins because of him."
    "The rest of the dinner continued with a mixture of forced small talk and awkward lulls into silence. Helayna was not seen again, as another serving girl brought out the other courses."
    "As soon as it was possible for them to do so without it being perceived as rudeness, the human pair made their excuses to leave, both perturbed by the evening’s events."

    # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)

    return

# \events\ruler_events_9.rpy
label alexia_become_like_xzaratl_rp:

    "Are Rowan and Alexia influenced by X'zaratl? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 10
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
        "No":
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 0
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 0

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Hm?"

    show xzaratl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    pause 1
    hide xzaratl with dissolve

    show xzaratl neutral behind bg14

    xz "Alexia, oh fair Alexia?"

    hide xzaratl

    if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence < 1:
        show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
        "She tried not to sigh. There she was again. Well, there was no use in running away…"
        al "X’zaratl. Can I help you?"
        "Yes! If you would be so kind. There’s a- ah, a question I wanted to ask. One that has been on my mind ever since I’ve first laid my eyes on you."

    else:
        show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        al "X’zaratl. You know you don’t have to sneak around anymore, right?"
        xz "Ah, I know - but I don’t want to be a bother to either of you."
        xz "Yet there is a question I must ask, that has been on my mind ever since I’ve first laid my eyes on you. "

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Sweet Alexia, have you ever wondered, what it would be like to be someone like me?"

    $ sexDemonResponse = False
    $ monsterResponse = False

    menu:
        "“A sex demon? Maybe a little.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ sexDemonResponse = True
            show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "I mean, a body like that, with skill and stamina… Um, X’zaratl?"
            "She had never seen the demoness so red at the face. Blushing like a maiden, X’zaratl fanned herself with all four of her hands, giggling nervously."
            xz "Ahaha, ha, I apologize. It’s just - a {i}sex{/i} demon? That’s - that’s very nice to hear, Alexia. Thank you!"
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Is that not what you are?"
            xz "Technically speaking yes, but coming from you - it just sounds so much {i}better{/i}. And if that is the case… "
            xz "Then answer me this as well."

        "“A sex demon? No. Never.” ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
            "She turned her nose up, defiantly - only to realize her words must have had the opposite effect, for the demoness turned red at the face. Blushing like a maiden, X’zaratl fanned herself with all four of her hands, giggling nervously."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "Ahaha, ha, I apologize. It’s just - a “{i}sex{/i} demon”? That’s - that’s very nice to hear, Alexia. Thank you!"
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            al "Is that not what you are?"
            xz "Technically speaking yes, but coming from you - it just sounds so much {i}better{/i}. And if that is the case… "
            xz "Then answer me this as well."

        "A monster? Maybe a little.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ monsterResponse = True
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
            "A long silence followed her answer. Alexia’s lips made a thin line, and she ended up being the first to break it."
            al "Would have been nice to have some influence over the events. Magic, a coven of followers…"
            al "Maybe I envy it. Just a little."
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            "X’zaratl seized her hand tenderly, and offered her an encouraging smile."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            xz "Everything I have, I am willing to share with you and Rowan. And if this is how you feel, then perhaps you can answer me this as well."

        "“A monster? Hardly.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
            "A long silence followed after her answer. Alexia’s lips made a thin line, and she pretended not to notice how hurt the demoness looked. "
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            xz "Ah, no- that’s not what I meant. What I wanted to ask is…"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be of two kinds?  A woman who knows what it's like to be a man as well?"
    xz "Dear Alexia, would you like to try having a cock for a day?"

    "With a flourish, the demoness brought from under her robes a bizarre crystal idol - a translucent cock, almost eight inches long."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia could see purple lines run within it, like veins. She could swear they pulsated with corrupt power, looking almost alive."

    al "X’zaratl, this doesn’t look safe.  "
    xz " It is little more than a toy, of my own creation. To make it last longer, feel better!"

    #xz yellow eye flash
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Your wellbeing is always at the forefront of my mind, fair Alexia. I would never offer you anything that could harm you."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "As always, she heard no falsehood in X’zaratl’s voice, saw no ill intent in her eye, found not a hint of deception in her smile. Alexia looked to the crystal phallus before her. She couldn’t help herself - it seemed to draw her gaze in."
    "Its shape evoked visions of all sorts of debauched acts, with herself in the center of them all. Visions she found-"

    menu:
        '"Intriguing." (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump AlexiaFutaIntrigued_rp

        '"Unpleasant."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence > 1 or sexDemonResponse or monsterResponse:
                al "X’zaratl, do not take it the wrong way, but I am very much content with just being… Well, me."
                xz "As you should be! But this is not something- "
                al "X’zaratl - no. I am not interested."
                xz "Are you sure? Not even an inkling of interest?"
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "She shook her head, then grabbed X’zaratl by the wrist, and pushed the vile thing away."
                al "Not even an inkling."
                xz "I see. Thank you for being honest, dear Alexia."
                hide xzaratl with moveoutright
                "The succubus gave her a radiant smile, and as quickly as she'd appeared, vanished."
            else:
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                al "Harmful or not, I have no interest in - I can’t even bring myself to say it."
                al "And for the love of Solansia, stop shoving such a vulgar thing right in my face!"
                show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
                xz "That's such a shame. Not even an inkling of interest?"
                al "Do not make me repeat myself."
                hide xzaratl with moveoutright
                xz "Then, as quickly as she'd appeared, the succubus vanished."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia let out a sigh of relief, glad to be done with that."
            # $ futaCockDenied = True
            return

    label AlexiaFutaIntrigued_rp:

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "I mean, if it feels as good as Rowan makes it look- "

    show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
    hide alexia
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "She got halfway through her response when she saw X’zaratl’s eye lit up. In a blink of an eye, the demoness was already besides her, brazenly fondling the red-haired woman."

    xz "“As good?” Oh Alexia, it can be twice, thrice “as good”!"

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "It took the succubi no trouble to hike her skirt up and the cock idol brushed against her belly as X’zaratl made her way down. It looked cold - but it felt warm, oddly pleasant to the touch."

    al "X’zaratl, not here-!"

    "A single finger was placed on her lips, and X’zaratl hushed her quietly, her skilled hands rubbing her clit. She placed the crystal cock just above it - and Alexia shuddered as she started to feel a bizarre sense of warmth radiate across her crotch."

    xz "Shhh... Please, fair Alexia, trust me in this. Sometimes, a leap of faith is the best way forward."

    "A loud moan escaped Alexia's lips as she felt that strange, erotic rush grow-"

    scene black with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind black
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black

    xz "So just relax, and enjoy yourself~~"

    al "A-aaah!"

    xz "And don’t worry - I’ll get Rowan for you…"

    "..."

    scene bg23 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    ro "X'zaratl? You wanted to see me?"

    show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft

    "As always, the sanctum was of feminine moans. He was rather surprised to see that the head of the sanctum wasn't at the entrance to meet him."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 3:
        "Always wary of an ambush, Rowan made his way across the chamber to X'zaratl's personal room and drew the curtain aside."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "In the end, he shrugged his shoulders, then made his way across the chamber to X'zaratl's personal room and drew the curtain aside."

    scene cg99 with fade
    pause 3

    "It wasn't X'zaratl that Rowan saw inside, nor one of the castle's cubi.  It was his wife, naked, and masturbating a rather sizable cock with her hand!"

    show rowan necklace shock behind cg99

    ro "Alexia? What happened to you?"

    "Oblivious to his arrival, the red haired woman continued to rapidly pump her new meat, up and down, while gasping in pleasure at the same time."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 5:
        "Try as he might, it was impossible not to look - his wife working her shaft caught his attention, then mesmerized him."

    else:
        "There was something in the air - a familiar, warm feeling, that wrapped him head to toes. He watched, breathless, as his wife worked her shaft, mesmerised by the sight. "


    "That soft flesh, emerging from above her womanhood and proudly proclaiming her arousal. The way the flesh pulled onto and off of her glans, that it looked to be just a touch bigger than his. Was it twitching?"

    show cg99 with sshake
    show cg99 with sshake
    scene cg100 with flash
    pause 3

    "Alexia grunted with apparent effort, bucked her hips, and let loose a big thick stream of cum in an arc from her shaft. It made quite the puddle."
    "Such a shocking display managed to shake Rowan out of his reverie, giving him some lucidity again. First item of note for him was to reaffirm that his wife did indeed have a cock. Second, was that his own strained against his pants and already had formed a wet spot around the tip."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg100

    al "Ha, ha… Ahaha, “twice, thrice”- doesn’t- it doesn’t come close to it! "

    "Her voice shook him from his stupor - and for Alexia, with climax came clarity - or at least a semblance of it. She locked eyes with him, though hers were still clouded with arousal. "

    al "Oh Rowan, I had no idea how wonderful it was to be a man! What do you think of my new sword?"

    "A coy look crossed her face and she stood up to greet him. Her hand brushed against her cock, in a familiar gesture he’d recognized everywhere."

    al "Darling - I know it’s sudden, but - would you give a little, ah- a little kiss?"
    al "Please. I want to know how it feels for you, when I take it myself~~ "

    menu:
        "Well… She did say “please”…  (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanFutaSuck = True
            #CG of Rowan giving Alexia a blowjob with her hands on the back of his head.
            scene cg101 with fade
            pause 3
            "Rowan knelt down in front of Alexia and placed a kiss on the purple head."
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg101
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg101
            ro "Sounds only fair, no?"
            "She giggled, spreading her legs as he knelt down in front of her. Her laughter had a nice ring to it - it was so beautiful. Everything about her was beautiful - even the cock before his eyes."
            "Seized by arousal and newfound appreciation for his wonderful wife, he placed a long kiss on the purple head, then another - and listened to her reaction."
            al "A-ah, yes! Keep- keep going!"
            ro "Like this?"
            "Rowan started to run his tongue around the glans, then ran it all the way down her length. She melted under his ministrations, putting her hands on his head in a desperate attempt to stay on her feet."
            ro "Hhhgmmm!"
            "In spite of being on the verge of toppling over, the woman started pistoning her hips forwards and backwards, fucking her husband's face at a rapid pace while he continued working on her."
            al "That feels so good..."
            ro "Hmmph!"
            "This reversal of roles excited the man and he enthusiastically tried to suck down this alien cock in his mouth as well as he could, slurping and licking it on each pass in and out."
            al "Oh, darling, take it! Take all of me!"
            "Roughly she plunged her length down his throat! Rowan tried to gag, but couldn't do anything but feel the rush of liquid pass through Alexia's cock and be deposited straight into his stomach."
            al "Yes! Yes. My husband...."
            "She held him there, choking on her for a moment after her orgasm had stopped, then her legs gave out and the resulting tumble popped her free."
            scene bg23 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Finally able to breath again, Rowan gasped and coughed in desperation for several seconds before he noticed the succubus who was standing nearby, a close observer, and no doubt architect, of the recent event."
            #Note blowjob happened for later in scene.  Increase X'zaratl scene count by 1.  Rowan and Alexia gain some corruption.  Rowan's influence over Alexia increases.
            $ event_tmp['blowjob'] = True

        "Out of the question.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ event_tmp['blowjob'] = False
            scene bg23 with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
            ro "Put that thing away Alexia."
            "She moaned pathetically, still rubbing herself. He fought the impulse to comfort her as he scanned the room for the responsible party."
            "And of course, there she was, watching from behind a pillar. She gave him a small wave upon being discovered."

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "X'zaratl?  This is your doing, isn't it?  You did this to Alexia?  "

    xz "With her permission."

    if event_tmp['blowjob'] == True:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Is this temporary?"
        xz "I apologize, but yes."
        ro "An odd thing to apologize for."
        xz "How can I not? You see how much she’s enjoying it."

    else:
        ro "Is this temporary? Tell me this is temporary."
        xz "It is. Though I do not believe your wife minds it that much."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "He narrowed his eyes at her. It didn’t escape his attention how Alexia had yet to join the conversation - she was too busy stroking her new cock."

    ro "She seems a little out of it."
    xz "Would you not be? If you found yourself with a female slit, or a second cock?"
    xz "To try something new - to experience something new! - can be a little overwhelming. Which is why it’s so important to have your loved ones by your side as you do."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "And why it’s so important to have them support you."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 2:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "X’zaratl reached for his face - he pushed her hands away, glaring."
        ro "X’zaratl, I want you to weigh your next words {i}very{/i} carefully. "

    elif RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
        "Two gentle hands were placed on his cheeks, and X’zaratl guided him to look at her."

    else:
        "X’zaratl reached for his face - he gently pushed her hands away."
        ro "I think I know where this is going. State your case. And make it quick."

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "Gallant Rowan, your wife wanted this."

    #xz yellow eye flash

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "I am not here to sow discord between you. I am here to help you. I am here to make your life better - to give you a taste of what it could be!"
    xz "This is my gift for you, one I will happily grant whenever you ask for. This will make your bond grow stronger, gallant Rowan. And it will feel {i}good{/i}."

    "As if on command, Alexia came again, moaning in bliss. The atmosphere was getting to him too, and he felt his own cock straining in his pants."

    if RowanXZaratlAnalTraining > 0:
        xz "Did it not feel good, to feel my cock up your ass Rowan? Do you not wonder, how Alexia’s might feel?"

    else:
        xz "Are you not a little curious, how it will feel, to have Alexia’s cock up your ass? To have her love you in ways you never thought possible?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Give it a try, Rowan. I promise you, you’ll enjoy it."


    menu:
        "Agree. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump alexiaFuta2_rp

        "Refuse, but respect Alexia’s desire to explore this part of herself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl, that's… More than I’m comfortable with."
            show alexia necklace naked at edgeright with dissolve
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "But if that’s what Alexia wants - or at least wants to try, then I’m not going to stop her from… Enjoying herself?"
            "It sounded silly, but between the expecting look from both of them, and the heavy, warm aura in the room, he was finding it difficult to find the right words."
            xz "Are you sure Rowan? The things Alexia could do… "
            al "Ah, X’zaratl, that’s- that’s fine."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            "His wife let out a quiet moan, and the cock in her hands started retreating back into her flesh. A moment later, it was completely gone."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            al "It was… Fun. While it lasted."
            hide rowan
            hide xzaratl
            hide alexia
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl shocked at midright with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve
            "She swayed on her feet. Alarmed, both Rowan and X’zaratl rushed to her sides, steading her."
            al "Sorry, I’m a little… Drained?"
            #if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
                #ro "You should rest, dear. Let’s go back."
            #else:
            "You should rest, dear. Let’s get you back to your room."
            scene black with fade
            "She gave him a weak nod, a look of satisfaction on her face, and a clear hope in her eyes to repeat the experience later."

        "Put an end to this whole debacle." if event_tmp['blowjob'] == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl, enough! I don’t know how you managed to get Alexia to agree to this, but this isn’t who she is! Stop forcing your sick fantasies on us!"
            al "Alexia, snap out of this at once!"
            xz "Gallant Rowan, you-"
            scene bg23 with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            #xz mad
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
            "A quiet yelp interrupted her. The succubus had turned and noticed that the cock that Alexia had been given was retreating back into her flesh! A moment later, it was completely gone."
            xz "Fair Alexia, why are you rejecting me now of all times? Did it not feel good?"
            "His wife gave her no answer, only looked away, as if ashamed. "
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You see? This game of yours is over!"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            xz "This was no game, Rowan. And I see no victors here."
            "The demoness threw him a mournful look - and Alexia had yet to look him in the eyes. He tried not to grit his teeth - he wanted to save his wife from being corrupted by dark magic, and suddenly {i}he{/i} was the bad guy?"
            "Barely able to contain his anger, he quickly grabbed one of the blankets scattered about, and draped it over his wife."
            ro "Darling, let's go."
            scene black with fade
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind black
            al "… Yes, dear."
            return

    label alexiaFuta2_rp:

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at edgeright with dissolve

    "Alexia’s feverish gaze never left him, her hands still wrapped around the massive cock in her hands. Was that how he looked, when he asked her to take it in the back for the first time?"
    "Would it feel as good for her as it did for him?"
    "He swallowed heavily, as X’zaratl’s hands wrapped themselves around him. She started to undress him, and once he was naked - lowered him to his knees, his ass presented to his wife."

    #CG of futa Alexia on Rowan doggie style.
    scene cg936 with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind cg936
    pause 3

    "The obvious invitation made her let out a little squeal of excitement and Alexia lept forward to accept."

    xz "Oh, gallant Rowan! You two are just so adorable together!"

    "In her lust addled state, the woman made no attempt to prepare her husband or lubricate him. Instead she forced herself inside, with only her cum to help her girlcock's passage. Immediately she wrapped her arms around Rowan's chest and hugged him tightly."
    "The rough penetration elicited a grunt of shock and pleasure mixed together from Rowan as his insides were forced apart to accommodate the new intruder inside him."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg936
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg936

    al "Darling, you're really tight. It feels so good to be inside you."

    ro "My love... wow."

    "After savouring the sensations for a moment, Alexia began bucking against her husband in earnest. Her movements were awkward and unfamiliar, but very enthusiastic."

    "And rough - far too rough. But as he gritted his teeth, he found a gentle hand caressing his cheek, and looked up to see X’zaratl standing over them, a benevolent smile on her face."

    xz "Relax, gallant Rowan. Alexia doesn’t want to hurt you. It will start feeling good soon. I promise."

    "Her soothing voice was like a balm over his skin, and amidst Alexia’s feverish thrusts, already he was starting to feel a budding pleasure radiate across his body. He suppressed a moan, feeling his cock harden."
    "… He wasn’t the only one. Before his very eyes, X’zaratl’s own cock tented against her robe, eager to be used. It’s musky scent assaulted his senses - he needed only to lean in-"

    menu:
        "Kiss it. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
            "He placed a single kiss on the wet spot of X’zaratl robes, and the demoness shuddered in delight."
            xz "Ah, gallant Rowan! Since you are offering…"
            "She removed her garments, and Rowan was graced with the sight of her hard cock. X’zaratl lovingly cupped his head with her upper arms, while the lower ones lined her sex up with him."
            scene cg147 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg147
            show xzaratl happy behind cg147
            show alexia necklace naked behind cg147
            pause 3
            "She thrusted her hips, and now there were two dick equipped women using Rowan to sate their lusts, one in front and one in the back."
            "The warm hazy pleasure from before grew, though he no longer could voice his approval for it.  "
            xz "Feel her love for you Rowan. understand why she loves your manhood by accepting hers."
            ro "Hmmgh."
            "The succubus's upper hands continued to caress his hair and face, as he bobbed his head on her cock, admiring its warmth. Though it wasn't her treatment that was affecting him the most, that was his wife's."
            al "O-oh Rowan, I- I think I'm about to cum!"
            al "Please, let me fill you, let me show you how wonderful it is when you fill me!"
            "Feeling her desperately clinging to his body, there was nothing he could do about it - not that he wanted to, her hard cock pistoning into his ass relentlessly. He moaned quietly, and felt X’zaratl caress his cheek again.  "
            xz "Embrace it. Enjoy this gift, from me, to you both."
            "Those gasps of pleasure that Alexia had been letting out were quickly growing shorter and of a higher pitch.  There was no doubt that her orgasm was approaching - as was X’zaratl’s."
            "Urged on by his gagged moans and his willing body, both of their orgasms arrived simultaneously."
            show cg147 with sshake
            show cg147 with sshake
            scene cg149 with flash
            pause 3
            "At the same time as he tasted the salty goo in his mouth from X'zaratl, the sensation of hot fluid filled his ass."
            "Surprisingly, while the succubus gave him about a mouthful of her seed, his wife's gift seemed to go on and on, filling him more and more. Soon he felt rather bloated."
            "X’zaratl pushed her hips, just a little, making him swallow her gift. It was only then that she pulled away, allowing him some degree of freedom again.  "

        "One cock is more than enough.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He turned his head away. X’zaratl didn’t seem insulted one bit, her caring hand running through his hair as she knelt in front of him."
            xz "Lean against me, gallant Rowan. Don’t make Alexia hold back."
            "He wrapped his hands around her, resting his head on her shoulders. Her pleasant smell enveloped him, sweet, and slightly dizzy."
            ro "A-ah!"
            "Every thrust pushed him into the succubus. He felt her soft breasts pressed against him, so different to the hard cock in his ass. He felt her gentle hands, so different to Alexia’s desperately clinging fingers."
            "The warm hazy pleasure from before grew, and he could only moan in response to it. Feverish lust, and a lover’s kind embrace. One belonged to his wife, the other to a demon of desire. How odd it was to feel them switched around."
            xz "Feel her love for you Rowan. Understand why she loves your manhood by accepting hers."
            "She kissed his neck tenderly, her lips leaving a searing imprint on his skin. He shuddered - though it wasn't her treatment that was affecting him the most."
            al "O-oh Rowan, I- I think I'm about to cum!"
            al "Please, let me fill you, let me show you how wonderful it is when you fill me!"
            "Alexia’s cock kept pistoning into his ass relentlessly, eager for release. He moaned quietly, and felt X’zaratl caress his cheek again."
            xz "Embrace it. Enjoy this gift, from me, to you both."
            "Those gasps of pleasure that Alexia had been letting out were quickly growing shorter and of a higher pitch."
            show cg936 with sshake
            show cg936 with sshake
            show cg936 with flash
            pause 2
            "Within moments, her orgasm arrived - filling him with hot fluid. Shuddering in X’zaratl’s arms, he whimpered in shameful ecstasy, as his wife kept thrusting her cock, filling him more and more."
            xz "Excellent job, gallant Rowan. Well done."
            "X’zaratl laid a tender kiss on his forehead, and pulled away, instantly making him long for her warm embrace."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind black
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

    "But Alexia made no move to pull out of him - in fact, she had once again lost herself to the pleasure and hung onto him tightly for some semblance of stability.  She kept her arms wrapped around his chest and cock deeply entrenched."

    ro "Um, Alexia? Are you going to let go?"
    al "Mmmmmm, just five more minutes, okay, dear? "

    "She kept rubbing her breasts on his back while cooing contentedly. He sighed, and relaxed - trying not to blush at the sigh of the small, white puddle underneath him. His own creation."
    "X’zaratl left them to rest, and it wasn't until around half an hour later, when Alexia's cock retreated back to the place it had come from, that Alexia released her husband from her grip."

    al "We’ve got to repeat that someday."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_9.rpy
label repeat_sex_with_acclimated_helayna_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "When Rowan entered his room, he discovered that Helayna was waiting for him on the windowsill, a come hither look on her face."

    ro "My Helayna, if I wasn't mistaken, I would say you're trying to seduce me."
    hel "Why, I'd never do such a thing. I am a knight after all. However, if someone had certain duties to fulfill, I might be inclined to seek an appropriate setting."

    "After taking a seat next to her, Rowan replied to her comment."

    ro "And what duties might those be?"

    #Helayna giving blowjob CG.
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    show helayna naked aroused behind black

    "Instead of answering his question, his mistress deftly removed her dress and pulled open her lover's pants. Then she dove down and engulfed his growing length into her mouth."

    ro "Wow. Where did you learn to give head like that?"

    "Given the current obstruction, there was no way that Helayna could meaningfully answer him. That didn't stop her from doing it anyway, taking full advantage of the act to add to her blowjob."

    ro "Hahah, you really have a way with words."

    "With an audible plop, she removed his now very stiff length from her maw and grinned at Rowan."

    hel "Thanks. Think you could maybe help me fill up my lower lips? They're feeling so achingly, painfully, empty."

    #CG of Rowan fucking Helayna missionary.
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    show helayna naked aroused behind black

    "As she said that, she jumped up and flipped over onto the bed.  With two fingers, the pink haired woman pushed her slit open and presented herself to the hero. All too eager to comply with her invitation, Rowan pounced on the woman and pushed himself inside her in one smooth motion."

    hel "Hmmm, thanks lover. It feels so good to soothe my burning loins with your sword."

    "In-spite of her recovered faculties, Helayna still wanted to be fucked hard and fast, so Rowan did exactly that. Her lusts remained, they just didn't consume her anymore."

    ro "What can I say? You've got a great sheath."

    "That passage was slick with arousal, as it always was. That wasn't to say that it's owner was the same every time Rowan took her, she always had a few new moves and liked to play with the way she squeezed down on him to surprise him along the way."

    hel "Tell all the girls you take that. I wanna hear about lots of other conquests."

    "This was a newfound kink that had caught Rowan off-guard. He wasn't sure if it was the band who'd caused it, like Helayna's strange oral skills, or if it was something she'd always had beforehand."

    ro "Sounds like you're being a bit of a bad influence on me."

    "She laughed, since their confession of love, Helayna had fully embraced the lusts that had been forced upon her. Along with that, and her love of Rowan, she'd started to get a rather dirty mind and liked to encourage Rowan in rather naughty things."

    hel "Hrmm, can't be a bad influence if it makes you feel good, can it? I think you taught me that one."

    "Both stopped the conversation as their peaks approached. This was the point where Rowan's strength finally gave out and Helayna lent hers to help him."
    "Wrapping her legs about his hips, she pulled him tightly against her and made certain he was as deep as possible as he filled her up with his white seed. Shortly afterwards, the man fell forwards onto his lover, who embraced him gratefully for helping her fulfill her needs."
    "The two simply lay there for several minutes. Helayna had no intention of letting her love slip from inside her for some time and Rowan was content to remain and recover from the sex that inevitably robbed him of breath."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_11.rpy
label jezera_is_stressed_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy behind bg6

    je "-Rowan, be a darling and come up to my room, I need some help unwinding."
    ro "What exactly do you have in mind?"
    je "Oh, just a massage from handsome company."
    ro "... and?"
    je "Well, maybe I'll tease you a bit too. You'd rather have a playful mistress than a grumpy one, wouldn't you?"

    menu:
        "Tell her you're too busy.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Now really isn't a good time. You only give me a day to do all this work, you'll probably be a lot grumpier if I don't get it done."
            "There was no answer for a painfully long moment."
            show jezera neutral behind bg6
            je "Fiiiine. I'd have thought you'd have jumped at the chance to touch a lady's fine skin, but you just take care of those duties of yours then. I'll find someone else."
            "Rowan let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding, then waited for several more moments before returning to his work."
            "Jezera wasn't as overtly frightening as her brother was, but that just meant she could be intimidating in other ways. Who could say when she felt offended?"
            return

        "Go up to Jezera's room. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump rowanJezMassage_rp

    label rowanJezMassage_rp:

    ro "Alright, on my way."
    je "Excellent."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    je "Enter."

    "Rowan stopped, his hand raised about to knock on the door."
    "Of course, since Jezera was expecting him, she'd been watching his position. It made sense that she knew he was there."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Entering into the finely decorated room, he found Jezera was laying down on her bed, propped up on one arm and running the other up and down her body enticingly."

    je "I'm so glad you weren't too busy to come by and help me out."

    "She let out long groan, then exaggeratedly stretched out."

    je "Today was a damn frustrating one, so I just need a chance to unwind.  Come over here and give me a well deserved massage."

    #massage CG
    scene cg370 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg370
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg370
    pause 3

    "Knowing better than to keep his mistress waiting, Rowan immediately stepped next to the bed where she'd rolled onto her chest and placed his hands onto her back."

    show cg371 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Right away he noticed that her flesh was unusually soft and felt more pliable than normal human flesh. Yet there were no creases and no wrinkles, just perfect violet skin."

    je "Hmm? Come, my hero, put some force into it. I am not so delicate that I'll snap in two if you don't restrain yourself."

    "Deciding to test that limit, if just for a moment, Rowan put the whole of his upper body weight down on his hands. Then dragged them down between her shoulder blades. A long reassuring sigh was his response."

    show cg372 with dissolve
    pause 3

    je "Oh, yes. That's much better."

    show cg373 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Demon, the man reminded himself, trying to put the same weight behind his touch as he continued the massage. This was difficult going and wore him down rather quickly. So he tried moving onto her arms instead."
    "Abruptly Jezera rolled over onto her back, locking eyes with Rowan."

    je "Nah, could you give my chest a massage instead? They're just so tender and perky right now."

    "He hesitated, unsure what of make of this. Was it a proposition? Did she want to see how he'd interpret this?"

    scene cg214 with flash
    show jezera naked happy behind cg214
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg214
    pause 3

    je "Too slow, too slow."

    "Or maybe she was just looking for an excuse to move onto something else. In an instant, Rowan had found himself completely tied up in magical bindings of blue light."

    ro " I-"

    "One of the tendrils wrapped around his face, cutting off his voice."

    je "Shh. Now it's time for me to have some fun."

    "Rowan was pulled forward up onto the bed and deftly freed of his garments as Jezera leaned back onto her arms and reached out with her toes to caress the man's cock."

    scene cg872 with fade
    pause 3
    show jezera naked happy behind cg872
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg872

    je "How does that feel? Hah, I love seeing you squirm around like that."

    "Her teasing was ever so light, just barely touching him. Try as he might, there was no way that Rowan could either pull free, or get her to touch him more fully as he grew harder and harder.  The hero was fully in his captor's power."
    "Now the demon's second foot came up and curled around the glans while the other continued to brush up and down Rowan's length. Still, she kept taking it slow. Such a pace was agonizing, Rowan couldn't help but let out a bit of a whimper."

    je "Aww, is something wrong? You look like you're enjoying this."

    "It did feel good to have those small, taloned toes touch him, tease him, toy with him. He wanted more. That was probably what Jezera wanted him to feel, but Rowan couldn't tell if it was his own desires or those which had been foisted on him."

    je "I bet you'd like this too."

    "Finally seeming to be done with the prelude, the demoness repositioned her feet so that one was on either side of Rowan's cock, toes up and pointed to his belly, and let him slide up through the gap between them."
    "Rowan gave a satisfied grunt, now that the teasing seemed to be at an end.  Even still, Jezera took it slow.  Her violet souls went up and down a gentle steady pace."

    je "Looks like you do, but what's with that face? Wanna cum? I bet you do."

    "Her movements remained steady however, as she locked eyes with her servant."

    je "In a moment, I'm going to take off your gag. I only want to hear three words from you, my hero, okay?"

    "A grunt was the only answer Rowan could give."

    je "Good, now say, 'Yes, mistress Jezera.' Do you want to cum?"

    "The tendral came away."

    menu:
        "Do as she wants. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg214
            ro "Yes mistress Jezera."
            "Then his mouth was blocked again."
            je "Good boy.  Now, about your reward..."
            "At long last the pace increased, quickly driving Rowan towards his peak."
            show cg873 with sshake
            show cg873 with sshake
            show cg874 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg875 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show jezera naked happy behind cg875
            "Only a few moments later he felt his insides clench and let loose his seed over the soft flesh of Jezera's feet. She didn't let up her stroking until a moment after he'd finished, just before it started to hurt."
            je "I see you really like every part of your mistress, from top to bottom. There's still so much fun we will have together."
            "After wriggling her toes for a moment and working the white goo he'd covered them with in, she pressed the big one into his chest and drew a circle. A trail of cooling liquid was left in the wake."
            scene bg18 with fade
            show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            "The tendrils of power retreated, releasing Rowan and allowing him to gather up his clothes."
            je "Well, I am thoroughly relaxed and satisfied now. Thank you, my hero, you are dismissed."

        "Deny her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg214
            ro "I'm not saying it."
            "Then his mouth was blocked again."
            #denial cg
            scene cg875 with fade
            show jezera naked happy behind cg875
            je "I guess then you don't want to cum. Well, I'm fine either way."
            "Her teasing didn't let up, if anything it adopted a pace that was intended to bring Rowan to the edge again and again, but then relax just before he hit his peak. It seemed that Jezera took great pleasure in this, constantly taunting him each time she did so."
            "Denying Rowan seemed like it was actually getting her off, as the demoness started to touch and run her fingers over her womanhood as the torture continued and brought herself to orgasm on at least two occasions."
            scene bg18 with fade
            show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            "As she promised, the man never came. He simply was set down about an hour after he'd been summoned."
            je "Well, I am thoroughly relaxed and satisfied now. That is the important thing. Gather up your things Rowan, you are dismissed."
            "Rubbing a bit of feeling back into his limbs, Rowan scooped up his clothes and started towards the door."
            je "Oh, just so you know, today is going to be an inspection day. I hope you focus extra hard on your work and don't get caught up in any further pleasure seeking. You will have a very cross mistress if I catch you trying to get off today."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_11.rpy
label greyhide_shares_his_people_s_liquor_rp:

    $ rowanGreyhideLiquorSex = False

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan was worried about Greyhide."
    "It was a strange thought, to worry about the well being of a Minotaur. Rowan couldn’t have imagined it prior to his servitude to the Twins."
    "But the man had become a good friend since his arrival in Bloodmeen. One of the few Rowan truly trusted. So it was concerning when he realized the bull seemed to be avoiding him."
    "He found Greyhide hard at work at his forge, hammering away at a piece of molten metal."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "Good evening my friend, how have things been going for you down here these last few weeks?"

    "The bull, startled, whipping around to face him with the molten metal still in his grasp. Rowan had to take a judicious step backward to avoid a grisly burn."

    gh "Rowan!"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Goddess fend{/i}, watch where you’re pointing that thing!"
    gh "Sorry, sorry!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "The bullish blacksmith, flustered, turned and dunked the heated hunk of metal into a water barrel. It was the clumsiest Rowan had ever seen him with his work."

    ro "Is everything okay?"
    gh "Yes!"
    gh "Yes, you just... startled me."
    ro "Are you sure? I come back later, if you’d rather be al-"

    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "No. Now is fine."

    "The Minotaur brushed himself down and fixed an awkward smile onto his face."

    gh "I am glad you came to visit."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Really? I’m starting to kind of regret the choice, myself."
    ro "I almost got to learn what a mouthful of molten iron tastes like."
    gh "Please, forgive me. I did not mean to-"
    ro "It was a joke, Greyhide. No harm done."
    ro "So… how are things?"
    gh "Well enough."
    gh "I... hope that the whelp has not been driving you too hard on the surface."
    ro "Heh. I'm managing."
    ro "But what about you? I’ve heard you’ve hardly left the forge lately."
    gh "You need not worry about me. It is… comfortable down here."
    ro "-Says the man who almost just gored me with a bit of hot metal."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You should try to get out more. Staying cooped up in this forge all the time can’t be good for you."
    ro "Alexia really enjoyed the evening you spent together."
    gh "..."
    ro "Maybe a little too much, huh? Seems she got almost as drunk as I did the first time."
    ro "I’m glad you two had fun though. I’m sorry I missed the festivities."
    gh "I..."
    gh "Thank you. For your kindness. I do not deserve it."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan smiled, putting a reassuring hand on the Minotaur’s shoulder."

    ro "You’re too modest, my friend."
    ro "What say we have another drinking night, eh? Just the two of us."

    "A conflicted look came to the Minotaur’s face."

    gh "I would… like that."
    ro "Are you certain? If you’re not feeling up to it tonight-"
    gh "No. I am sorry, I am being impolite."
    gh "Of course, friend Rowan. Let us drink."
    gh "Perhaps that is what I need to clear my head."

    "Greyhide set aside his hammer, motioning for Rowan to take a seat on a nearby workbench. He then moved to retrieve something from within the drawer of his oversized desk."

    ro "So what’s got you so preoccupied?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I’ve never seen you so absentminded."
    gh "..."
    gh "It is a difficult thing to talk about."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I promise I’m a good listener."

    "The bull let out a rumbling chuckle."

    gh "I know you are... Maybe that is the problem."
    gh "I am not used to this. Telling others about myself."

    "The Minotaur extracted two flasks from the drawer and handed one of them to Rowan. Then he sat down next to him on the bench."

    ro "What’s this?"
    gh "Firegrout draft."
    gh "You shared with me your people's drink, so I wanted to share mine."
    ro "Cheers."

    "They clicked their flasks together and raised it to each other’s health. Greyhide popped the stopper out with his teeth and downed the contents of the flask in a quick gulp. Rowan took a deep swallow of his, and came up spluttering."

    ro "{i}Gah{/i}, that’s strong!"
    gh "Ah! I am sorry, I forgot to tell you to only sip at it. It was made with my people’s livers in mind."

    "Rowan swallowed the hefty lump of alcohol with a bit of difficulty, his eyes tearing up at the spicy burn it left in the back of his throat. His cheeks flushed with the heat of the drink."

    ro "I can tell!"

    "Rowan took a more measured sip this time, smiling at the rich texture of the drink. It settled with a comforting warmth in the pit of his stomach."

    ro "It's quite good. You said this is your people’s drink?"
    gh "Yes. It is hard to come by, outside of the Dragon’s Tail."
    ro "I’m honored you’d share it with me, then."

    "Greyhide smiled, finally seeming to relax a little."
    "He leaned over and pulled a second flask from the drawer without leaving his seat, his massive shoulder blades flexing as he did so. Rowan found his eyes begin to idly wander."

    gh "The honour is mine. You are a kind man, too kind for my sake."
    ro "Of all the people I’ve drank with in this castle, you are by far the best company."
    gh "Heh. A short list, to be sure."

    "Greyhide finished off his second flask, and Rowan took another, larger swig from his own. The stuff was absolutely {i}delicious{/i}."

    ro "I can see why you’d miss having Firegrout,  Why is it so hard to come by?"
    gh "One of the key ingredients is redheart moss, a rare plant native to my homeland.  It grows nowhere else, and even there it is difficult to find."
    gh "I had to ask Jezera herself to help me acquire some. I am very glad you like it."
    ro "Jezera got this for you?"
    ro "That’s… unexpected."
    gh "I will be honest, I did not think she would agree to send someone to retrieve it. It was a pleasant surprise when she did."

    "Rowan didn’t like the thought of Jezera going out of her way to help an underling acquire something so mundane as an ingredient for alcohol. Mainly because he couldn’t fathom what she stood to gain from it."
    "Wheels within wheels, that one. Rowan took another thoughtful sip of his drink."

    ro "So what’s bothering you, friend? I’ve never seen you this unsettled."

    "The bull nursed his flask, letting out a dissatisfied rumble from deep within his throat."

    gh "I am… struggling."
    ro "With what?"
    gh "With myself."
    gh "With what I am."
    gh "...I have lived much of my life at the mercy of my instincts, Rowan. My kin are simple, ruled by our urges."
    gh " If we are hungry, we eat. If we want something, we take it. And if…"

    "He trailed off. A worried frown settled on his bestial features. He stared at the ground."

    gh "I do not much like this part of me. I have done what I could to hold it back."
    ro "Is that why you spend so much time down here alone?"
    gh "The forge is simple. I know my tasks, and completing them gives me joy."
    gh "I do not have to worry if what I do or what I say harms others. I can just… work."
    ro "You’re living half a life, Greyhide. You need more than just work to keep you going, you need purpose."

    "The bull let out a low grunt, reaching out to take another flask from the drawer. Rowan’s cheeks flushed. Was it getting hotter in here?"

    gh "I would not know what purpose is. I have not felt it in many years. Work is enough. Work is simple."
    ro "You’re not a simple man, Greyhide."
    gh "Heh. I am not a man at all, Rowan."
    ro "Whether you want them or not, those feelings are still your own. Ignoring them only makes it worse."

    "Rowan couldn’t fathom why Greyhide’s expression grew so solemn after he said that. The Minotaur popped open the cork of the flask and downed the contents in one gulp."

    gh "Perhaps it is best if I did just that."
    ro "Hey, none of that doom and gloom, we’re supposed to be having fun, remember?"
    ro "Life’s not just about dwelling on the low moments, it's about enjoying the good ones."
    ro "When I shared that Rosarian wine with you, I did it because I wanted you to enjoy yourself, to cut loose and have fun. Isn’t this what you wanted for me with the Firegrout?"
    ro "Sometimes, it's okay to cut loose."

    "Greyhide stared at the bottle for several seconds, then looked Rowan in the eyes again."

    gh "I will… think on what you have said."

    "Rowan gave a gentle smile, patting his friend reassuringly on the back."

    ro "Let’s just enjoy the moment, huh?"
    ro "How about another drink?"

    scene black with fade
    pause 2

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "The Firegrout hit Rowan harder and faster than he would have ever expected."
    "The last time he drank with Greyhide, he’d had a few bottles of wine over the course of several hours. Here, he finished most of the flask in half an hour, and already he felt woozy."
    "A strange feeling engulfed him, like fluffy pink cobwebs enshrouding his higher thought functions."

    ro "Youuu know what? This ish shome great stuff."
    gh "So you… keep saying."

    "Greyhide, for all his faux-indignance, was deep in his cups as well. He’d finished off a fourth flask while Rowan wasn't looking, and was already working on a fifth."

    ro "Aw, come on, {i}really{/i}?"
    ro "Why the-"
    ro "W-why the- "
    ro "uh..."
    ro "Wh-{i}why{/i} the rush, Greyh-uh… guy?"
    ro "We got {i}aaaaaall{/i} night to enjoy ourshelves, eh? No need to get {i}schuper{/i} drunk!"
    gh "I would… rather… forget."
    ro "{i}Pffff{/i} why?"
    gh "I would… rather not say..."
    ro "Ah, come on, itsh me! "

    "Rowan poked him in the chest, chuckling at how uncomfortable Greyhide seemed with his gentle prodding."

    ro "Row-han! Yer ol’ friend! Hero of Rosharia! Loyal {i}ssshhh{/i}-ervant of the Twins!"

    "Rowan elbowed Greyhide in the arm, laughing at how he jolted in place next to him on the bench. He really was a big softie at heart."
    "Greyhide huffed and rubbed at his eyes, taking care to try to hide it from Rowan."

    ro "Aw, come on man. Don’t cry! Itsh just a bit of fun!"
    gh "It is not… that."

    #if alexia_greyhide_sex == True:
    gh "It is just… I… your wife…"
    ro "Alexshia? Yeah, she’s a schweetie, huh?"
    ro "I’m glad you two hit it off."
    gh "..."
    ro "You deserve to be ha- {i}huh{/i}… h-happy, Greyhide!"
    gh "Not like… this..."

    #else:
        #gh "It is just… your wife… I almost…"
        #ro "Wuh? Alexshia?"
        #ro "She say somethin’ about you?"
        #gh "No… nothing like... that."
        #gh "It is… my fault."
        #ro "Ahh, you’re just too hard on yourshelf."

    "The Minotaur put his head in his hands."

    gh "I do not know… what to do..."

    "Rowan put a hand to Greyhide’s shoulder and gently patted it."

    ro "Hey, hey, wotsh all this about?"
    gh "I am… a beast… I cannot stop... myself."

    "A beast?! Now Greyhide was making Rowan mad. Mustering the kind of courage that could only come from profound inebriation, Rowan shook him hard and forced Greyhide to look him in the eye."

    ro "Hey! {i}Hey{/i}! You don’t shay that kind of schtuff, huh?"
    ro "You aren’t a beast and that’s the end of it! You’re a good man."
    gh "You are… too kind."
    gh " I do not… deserve this… kindness."
    ro "Thatsh just the liquor talking. And he’s an asshole! He made me drink him too!"

    "Rowan knew a thing or two about drinking. He’d never felt {i}quite{/i} like this during his other, infrequent bouts. In fact, he’d never been quite so warm. Quite so uncomfortable."

    gh "You do not… understand. I…"
    gh "I am trying… so hard... to hold back."

    "At this, Rowan drew close, putting a hand atop his larger mitt. He wasn’t about to let Greyhide wallow in self pity. Not with those big, brown eyes of his."
    "...Wait, where did that come from? Rowan’s cheeks burned in embarrassment."

    ro "You aren’t a beasht, Greyhide."

    menu:
        "You’re a man. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan wasn’t thinking straight. His hand moved on its own, cupping the side of Greyhide’s snout and tilting it to face him."
            "He saw the uncertainty, the fear in the old bull’s eyes. He wanted to do something about it."
            ro "...You’re a man."
            "His lips pressed against the tip of Greyhide’s snout, the leathery texture a fascinating contrast to any mouth he’d ever kissed before."
            "He pulled away, his eyes lidded low as he fixed his friend with a drunken smile."
            gh "Rowan..."
            ro "Hah, I- oof, think I might have had too much to drink."
            "The Minotaur froze, his body caught in limbo as Rowan pulled his heavy frame closer."
            gh "I… you are… so fragile…"
            gh "Wait, I… apologize. I think your… body is beautiful."
            ro "So is yoursh."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan’s cheeks were burning. There was a fire in his gut, spreading outwards to the rest of his body, enflaming his senses and numbing his mind. It didn't help that he was feeling pretty hot under the collar as well."
            ro "*Hic*"
            ro "Wow, that stuff goes through you fast."
            gh "I have… never felt that before…"
            gh "That was… a kiss?"
            ro "Yeah."
            gh "I enjoyed that."
            ro "Me too."
            "Greyhide shifted uncomfortably in his seat, stealing glances at Rowan and adjusting his garment about his waist."
            gh "I have... hesitated to act on this. I don’t… want to… "
            "The beast let out a low grunt, almost a growl in the back of his throat."
            gh "I cannot... lose control again."
            gh "But… I desire you… friend Rowan."
            ro "The feelingsh mutual."
            gh "May I… have another?"
            ro "A kiss?"
            "Greyhide swallowed, unable to bring himself to say yes. He gave a curt nod, his horns swaying as he bobbed his head. It was everything he could do to not to throw himself at Rowan in that moment."
            "Rowan smiled, leaning in and planting another kiss upon the Minotaur’s lips. His heavy breath sighed out as if a great weight had fallen from his shoulders."
            ro "Oh, haha. That wash a good one."
            gh "I want to... see you. Feel you… Taste... you."
            "How had things escalated so quickly? Rowan struggled to make sense of it in his head. It was hard to focus. All he could comprehend was his breathless attraction to this gentle giant."
            ro "*hic*  With how big that bulge is, I doubt you're getting inshide me."
            gh "I… do not mind."
            ro "Show me what you've got."
            scene cg443 with fade
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg443
            show greyhide neutral behind cg443
            "Hardly had those words left Rowan's mouth, than Greyhide was pulling his breastplate vest up and over his body."
            "Instantly the man's eyes were drawn to the enormous throbbing member that now stood at full height."
            ro "Woah. That’sh big. Even bigger than I thought it'd be."
            gh "Let me… see yours."
            "Rowan didn’t give much thought to what he was doing. It was easier to just go along with what was happening."
            "Rowan quickly peeled his clothing off and held his arms out theatrically. He was hard. Painfully so. The situation seemed odd somehow, but the hero paid it no mind."
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg443
            gh "Beautiful."
            ro "Thaanksh! I’m quite proud of it!"
            "Greyhide’s eyes were locked to his. There was something distinctly bestial in his gaze. He was breathing heavily, his thick chest lifting and lowering as he let out a low rumble in his chest."
            ro "Uhh… Greyhide?"
            ro "Eh?"
            scene cg108 with fade
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg108
            show greyhide neutral behind cg108
            "The horny Minotaur reached out and took him by the shoulders, lifting Rowan up completely off the ground. He carried the drunken hero like he was a rag doll across the room, clambering up onto his desk."
            "He laid down on the table spinning the man around and laying him out across his well muscled chest."
            ro "Woah! Ha ha ha!"
            "That giant manhood filled his vision, a throbbing pillar of masculinity. He could see the sizable heft of his fuzzy balls beneath."
            "There was a tickling sensation, the feeling of hot breath against Rowan’s nethers. He craned his neck back to see Greyhide examining his ass and exposed nethers."
            "Well, ‘when in Rosaria,’ as the saying goes…"
            "Rowan reached out to stroke his friend's member. In response, something warm and wet started playing over the skin around his groin, paying particular attention to his scrotum."
            "Greyhide’s tongue was hot, and wet, and… and {i}long{/i}! Gods, it was enormous. Almost as big as the cock in front of him. Rowan was sure he’d have little trouble wrapping that thing around Rowan's cock. The idea was imminently appealing."
            menu:
                "Encourage Greyhide to go for your ass.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "As it turned out, the Minotaur didn’t need any convincing. Before Rowan could even say anything, Greyhide’s tongue had traced a path up and over his asshole."
                    "The sudden, wet feeling of against his rear caused Rowan to inhale sharply in response."
                    "Greyhide was not fazed when Rowan clenched up. His large hands started massaging the man's toned asscheeks with his thumbs. Little by little, Rowan relaxed until he finally allowed his long bovine tongue to invade his backdoor."
                    "Rowan, not about to be outdone, took to his new task with gusto. He kissed the head of the Minotaur’s bestial cock, marveling at it’s strange contours."
                    "Greyhide’s tongue was hot, wet and insistent. It curled across his buttcheek as he lathered Rowan’s rump in his saliva, marking him as his. The sudden stimulation drove Rowan wild, making it impossible for him to focus."
                    "Rowan licked the shaft, jerking the beast as his leathery skin bunched and bulged between his fingers. His head swam with erotic need."
                    "Greyhide’s proving tongue slid inside him, wriggling about as it sought Rowan’s deeper spaces. He was left gasping at the sensation, all but clinging to Greyhide’s cock as he did everything he could to bring him to a quick finish."
                    "Then, almost as suddenly as it had started, the two reached their climax. Greyhide seemed to sense that Rowan was at his peak, lifting him up over his head as he brought the man to an anal induced climax."
                    show cg108 with sshake
                    show cg108 with sshake
                    show cg109 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "This was enough to push Greyhide over the edge. He grunted, letting out a pleasured groan as he jerked his hips upward. Rowan kissed the base of his cock, watching in awe as it pumped a truly massive load into the air."
                    "It fountained upwards, costing Greyhide’s own chest with the fruit of his sticky love."
                    "Greyhide's arms gave out, and Rowan fell forwards onto the warm stains of white, marveling at the virile sensation of being surrounded by bull cum."
                    "The two simply lay there for several moments, panting with exhaustion at the unexpected surge of passion the two men had shared. A wave of dizziness overcame Rowan and he put a hand to his forehead."

                "Have Greyhide get a taste of your cock.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Y-you know you want to taste it."
                    "Greyhide didn’t answer, he merely grunted."
                    "A moment later, Rowan felt the slick slide of his fat, wet tongue engulf his dick.  This elicited an approving moan of pleasure from the human."
                    "It was a transcendental feeling; the warmth of the Minotaur’s mouth sent shivers down his spine. He basked in the pleasure of their entanglement for a few blissful seconds."
                    "However, Rowan wasn't the only one in need of stimulation. Never one to shirk his duty, Rowan began jerking and teasing the massive meat that was in front of him."
                    "It was huge, hard going, and arduous work… but Greyhide’s warm tongue made it all worth it."
                    "Caught up in the moment, Rowan began to worship it with his mouth, alternating between licking and nibbling on the tip."
                    "Greyhide's impressive length was surprisingly convenient for their current position, as he was able to easily sixty-nine with someone so much shorter than him."
                    "When some doors closed, others opened: he might not fit in Rowan’s ass, but he sure could have fun with his mouth!"
                    "As if reading his mind, the Minotaur jerked Rowan backwards. Rowan gasped as his cock dropped straight down into Greyhide's maw!"
                    "The shock of the sudden suction and engulfment pushed him over the edge and he let loose a few spurts of seed down the randy beast’s throat."
                    show cg108 with sshake
                    show cg108 with sshake
                    show cg109 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Apparently this was enough to push the Minotaur over as well. Greyhide grunted, letting out an impressive howl as he jerked his hips upward, the skin of his cock bunching between Rowan’s fingers."
                    "He humped and pumped and came, spurting an impressive coating of semen all over his own chest."
                    "Then Greyhide's arms gave out, and Rowan fell forwards onto the warm stains of white."
                    "The two simply lay there for several moments, panting in sudden exhaustion as a wave of dizziness swept over him."

            scene bg22 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            gh "That was… {i}hrrrh{/i}..."
            ro "*hic*"
            ro "Intenshe?"
            gh "Y-yes…"
            "Greyhide shook his head back and forth, dazed in the aftermath. He looked around the forge, his breath shortening as he took in the scope of the room."
            gh "We… I…"
            gh "Oh gods… what did we do?"
            "Weird. The fog around Rowan’s mind hadn’t really let him properly consider what was happening in the moment. But now, once the post orgasmic bliss began to recede…"
            ro "W-whuh? Wha- whashappenin?"
            "He…"
            "Did he just have sex with Greyhide?"
            "Rowan blinked repeatedly. His mind was made of sludge. He got up off the bull’s chest with a drunken stagger."
            #if alexia_greyhide_sex == True:
            gh "No…"
            gh "{i}No{/i}! Not… again!"
            ro "Greyhide?"
            #else:
                #gh "What have I…"
                #gh "What did... we…?"
            "The bull let out a gasp and leapt to his feet. Rowan was startled at the speed with which he could move."
            "Naked, Greyhide rushed over to his anvil, yanking the towel he had hanging off the edge and hurriedly wiping himself down."
            gh "I am… sorry. I… you must go."
            ro "Hey, watsh wrong?"
            "The surreal reaction caused Rowan to glance down at himself. Naked, his back coated with the remainder’s of the Minotaur’s hot load. Something was off about all this, but he couldn’t quite figure it out."
            gh "Please, friend Rowan… I… I did not intend… for this."
            "The Minotaur circled around Rowan’s back, gently wiping him down before collecting the heap of Rowan’s discarded outfit and pushing it into his arms."
            ro "Itsh okay, Greyhide. Jusht take a second and-"
            gh "I-I need to… get back… to work!"
            scene black with fade
            "Startled, Rowan was all but shooed out of the room. Greyhide gave him just enough time to pull on his trousers before the door slammed shut behind him."
            "Rowan, drunk and disheveled, was left to stumble to his room. Thankfully, it was late enough that no one saw his impromptu (and wholly unexpected) walk of shame."
            $ rowanGreyhideLiquorSex = True
            jump peopleLiquorEnding_rp

        "You are my friend.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan did his best in his drunken state to flash Greyhide a winning smile."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You are my friend. And I won’t schtand for all this beasht crap."
            ro "Friends gotta- {i}oof{/i}, schtick together, huh?"
            ro "Thats why it’s called ‘friendssssship.’ Cause we sssss-chtick together."
            "Greyhide leaned in towards Rowan, his eyes lidding. It took him several seconds for him to realize just how uncomfortably close he had gotten. He shook himself, his lips twisting into a fearful frown."
            ro "...You okay, friend?"
            gh "I… I cannot do… this."
            #if alexia_greyhide_sex == True:
            gh "Not… again."
            ro "What are you talking about? You’re sho serious!"
            ro "Ha ha, come on: another drink, see if we can’t beat our record, eh?"
            "But something had changed in the bull’s demeanor. Perhaps it was just Rowan imagining things, but he seemed almost… frightened of him?"
            "Greyhide rose to his feet, tossing the half-full flask of Firegrout across the room with uncharacteristically careless force."
            ro "Woah! What is-"
            gh "You… you must leave… friend Rowan."
            gh "Please… I cannot-"
            "The Minotaur half-stumbled towards his anvil, picking up his hammer as if to return to forging."
            gh "You must go. Still… so much to do."
            ro "But itsh so late-"
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            gh "{i}Go!{/i}"
            "His desperate shout startled Rowan from his stupor. He rose, sensing that the bull was saying it more for Rowan’s sake than for his own."
            ro "O-okay, I’ll… shee you later, Greyhide."
            scene black with fade
            "Greyhide did not respond, staring down at the hammer in his hand as he steadied himself on the anvil. It was clear he was in no condition to continue working, but Rowan could sense the mood had changed."
            "Rowan left, abandoning the forlorn blacksmith to his lonely vigil. He retraced his steps, drunkenly stumbling back to his bed. He was too addled to consider the matter properly in the moment, but he resolved to think more on what had happened in the morning."

    label peopleLiquorEnding_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan intro necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The next morning, Rowan awoke with a splitting headache, and the profound revelation that something had gone wrong the night before."

    ro "Ugh, that wasn’t… any normal drink."

    "He’d been drunk before, but never with that kind of sensation. It was like all his inhibitions had drifted away, he had been left bare, open to any impulse that might strike his fancy."

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == True:
        "…such as sleeping with a Minotaur."

    "The pink clouds in his mind might have cleared, but he was far from back to normal. Looking at his hands, he could see that they still tremored. How could a single flask of spirits cause such trouble?"
    "Memories of the night before spilled into his head. Greyhide had been desperate for him to leave. He had been just as caught off guard as Rowan by what had happened."
    "Something was {i}very{/i} wrong with that drink. As soon as his duties gave him the chance, Rowan would get to the bottom of this."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_16.rpy
label after_drinking_greyhides_alchol_rp:

    $ alexia_greyhide_sex = False
    $ rowanGreyhideLiquorSex = False

    "Has Alexia had sex with Greyhide? ('Yes' allows a scene)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexia_greyhide_sex = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Rowan had sex with Greyhide? ('Yes' allows a scene)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanGreyhideLiquorSex = True
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump GreyhideThreesomeSex_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass


    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia could tell something was wrong the moment the maid laid eyes on her."
    "She hadn't given a thought to her as they passed each other in the hallway. She was just another servant, one of many in this castle. But something was different this time… she seemed to be in a great hurry."
    "The maid stopped short just as they caught eyes. There was a flash of recognition, and a nervous smile spread across her face."

    maid "Ah! There you are. Are you Alexia Blackwell?"
    al "Um… yes?"
    maid "Lady Jezera requests your immediate presence. She told me to give this to you."

    "The maid held out a small envelope, sealed in pink wax with a gaudy stamp. Alexia warily took it from her."

    al "Did she say why?"
    maid "No m’lady, only that you were to go see her at once."

    "Freed from her duty, maid scurried off, undoubtedly relieved to have fulfilled her task. Alexia stared at the envelope for a long moment, then broke the seal."

    al "..."
    al "{i}To my dearest Alexia, I hope this letter receives you well.{/i}"
    al "{i}A recent rumor has come to my attention involving you, regarding an incident of the most scandalous nature.{/i}"
    al "{i}I am loath to repeat the slander in polite company. Needless to say, I am left aghast at the stain upon your honor and integrity that this rumour brings.{/i}"
    al "{i}As such I, as your mistress, feel obligated to intervene on your behalf. You are hereby bidden to come to my quarters at the earliest opportunity, that we might discuss this matter together, and plan a response accordingly.{/i}"
    al "{i}With Love, Jezera.{/i}"
    al "...What?!"

    "Alexia could not {i}fathom{/i} what Jezera was referring to. Did she somehow think she’d implicated herself in treachery?  Had Rowan committed some slight against the Twins without her knowing, and she was now implicated?"
    "Either way, she could not afford to ignore the summons. Against her better judgement, she rushed to Jezera’s private chambers."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan was knee deep in the minutiae of governing a castle, when there was a knock at the door. Rowan lifted his eyes to see his elven aide slide through the entryway with an apologetic smile on her face."

    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "What is it, Liurial?"
    liur "Lord Jezera told me to bring you this."

    "She held out in her hand a small envelope, sealed in pink wax with Jezera’s personal stamp. Rowan rose from his seat and took the thing from her grasp."

    ro "...Why didn’t she just call me instead?"
    liur "I couldn’t even begin to imagine, Rowan."

    "The Hero of Rosaria suppressed a frown as he slit open the envelope and read the small note’s contents. His brow lowered."

    ro "...I’ve been summoned to her chambers."
    liur "For what purpose?"
    ro "Ostensibly for tea."
    liur "She needed a note for that?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No. Something’s wrong."
    ro "See to my affairs while I’m out, I shouldn’t be long."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The moment he stepped through the door, Rowan knew something was afoot."

    show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    je "Ah! There you are! I was wondering when you’d show up."
    al "R-Rowan!"

    "Rowan’s eyes went from the Demon, to his wife, to the assorted tea set sitting between them on the small end table around which they sat. His expression hardened."

    ro "What is the meaning of this?"

    show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    je "Sit down, hero. We have something to discuss."

    "Alexia’s eyes were wide with shock. She had not been expecting his appearance, nor he hers. Rowan’s mind raced with the implications as he warily took a seat next to his wife."

    show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Jezera, for her part, eyed the two from behind her teacup as she took a deep sip. Her expression was grave, her lips narrow."

    je "Drink. Some tea will calm your nerves."
    ro "I’m not thirsty."

    show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    je "And I say you are. {i}Drink{/i}."

    "Rowan sighed, taking the veiled threat for what it was. He and Alexia both reluctantly raised them to their lips. Rowan took a swift gulp from his cup, while Alexia worriedly sipped a few times at her own."

    ro "..."
    al "..."
    show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    je "So..."

    show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
        je "Have you anything to say for yourself, Rowan?"
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan felt Alexia’s gaze immediately snap to him from the corner of his eye. He hid his measured frown behind a second gulp of tea."
        ro "...Not particularly."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Ah there you go again, playing the stoic. But we both know better, hm?"
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
        je "Have you anything to say for yourself, Alexia?"
        "Alexia’s face went chalk white. Her eyes darted to Rowan, a look of dismay spreading across her face as a pleading look entered her eyes. He could not tell if she looked guilty or merely baffled."
        al "I-I-"
        al "I don’t know what you’re talking about, my Lady."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Don’t worry, I’m sure it will come to you eventually."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    elif rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex:
        je "Have you anything to say for yourselves?"
        "Rowan and Alexia shared a look. Both of their expressions were blank with incomprehension."
        "Whatever treason she thought they were conspiring about behind her back, it was not one they had vocalized aloud to one another."
        ro "No."
        al "No, my Lady."
        "In the midst of Jezera’s menacing stare, Rowan could have sworn he saw a triumphant twinkle enter her eye."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Indeed? Nothing at all? How curious."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        
    else:
        je "You two have grown remarkably troubling to me, as of late."
        "Rowan did not dare to look away from Jezera’s icy stare, but he managed to catch a glimpse of his wife’s worried expression out of the corner of his eye."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "...What do you mean, my Lady?"
        je "If you knew the answer to that question, dear hero, you wouldn’t need to ask it in the first place."
        al "My Lady, I assure you, whatever you think Rowan and I have done, we-"
        #jez angry
        je "Your innocence in the matter is irrelevant. If anything, it’s even more damning."

    ro "What's this about, Jezera?"

    "Jezera’s eyes were guarded, her expression inscrutable. She seemed to be struggling to avoid showing her true emotions."
            
    show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve       

    je "All will be made clear momentarily. We are still waiting on the final member of the conspiracy to arrive."

    "{i}Conspiracy{/i}. A chill went up Rowan’s spine at the word. He glanced down at the table, and saw a third teacup, waiting for its owner. He shared a brief glance with his wife."
    "There was a heavy knock at the door. A gruff voice spoke through it."

    questi "Hello? You summoned me?"

    show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    je "Ah, right on time. Please, come in!"

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
        "The door swung open, and in a flash Rowan was struck with complete, terrifying clarity as to Jezera’s true purpose."
        show greyhide neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        gh "..."
        "The bull’s eyes went wide as they met Rowan’s own. He glanced around, seeing the rest of them sitting around the table. The Minotaur hesitated."
        je "Well? Don’t keep us waiting! Have a seat."
        
        
    elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
        "Rowan turned, his brow raising in surprise as someone wholly unexpected stepped through the door."
        show greyhide neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        al "G-"
        al "{i}Greyhide!{/i}"
        "Rowan glanced in his wife’s direction, perturbed by her horrified tone."
        gh "..."
        "The bull’s eyes went wide as they met Alexia’s. His gaze turned to Rowan, and his head lowered in defeat."
        je "Well? Don’t keep us waiting! Have a seat."
        
    elif rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex:
        "The door swung open, and in a flash Rowan was struck with complete, terrifying clarity as to Jezera’s true purpose."
        show greyhide neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        al "G-"
        al "{i}Greyhide!{/i}"
        "The bull’s eyes went wide as they took in the scope of the room. His eyes darted back and forth between Rowan, Alexia and Jezera. The Minotaur hesitated."
        gh "..."
        je "Well? Don’t keep us waiting! Have a seat."
        
    else:
        "Rowan turned, his brow raising in surprise as someone wholly unexpected stepped through the door."
        show greyhide neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        "Greyhide? {i}That{/i} was who Jezera suspected of conspiring against her? Rowan settled back a little easier in his chair, breathing a sigh of relief. They were in no immediate danger."
        "The bull’s lips twisted into an uncertain frown as he took in the room. The Minotaur hesitated, his eyes shifting back and forth in confusion." 
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve  
        je "You certainly took your time. Have a seat."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "The Minotaur did as he was bid, shuffling over to a spot on the couch next to Alexia and plopping himself down with a loud thud against the cushions."

    je "Avail yourself of my tea while you are here. It’s a brew I’m sure you’ll recognize, I had it delivered specially from the Dragon's Tail."

    "The Minotaur pointedly avoided looking at either of his companions as he took the tiny teacup and knocked it back like it was a shot. Jezera’s knowing smile widened."

    je "So… you’re all here."
    je "I’m sure you’re wondering as to what purpose I would invite you to such an intimate audience."

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve 
        ro "Enough. If you’re going to say it, say it."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Why Rowan, whatever do you mean?"
        
    if alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        al "M-my lady, if you would permit me to speak-"
        je "In a moment dear, there’s something I need to say first."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    gh "Have... I done something wrong?"

    "Rowan had never heard Greyhide’s voice sound so weak and wavering before. Jezera’s eyes drifted to him."

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex or alexia_greyhide_sex:
        je "Not at all! In fact, I think congratulations are in order."
        je "My little experiment went far better than I ever expected it to."
        if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "What are you talking about?"
        if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex:
            show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve  
            ro "You of all people should know better than to ask that question, Rowan."
        else:
            show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            je "Ah, poor hero. The only one in this room who is still in the dark is you."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "You see, after I heard about you and Greyhide’s little drunken escapade up on the castle wall, a niggling little thought entered my mind."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "What if…"
        if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex:
            ro "Jezera, {i}stop.{/i}"
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "There was more to it than mere friendship?"
        if alexia_greyhide_sex:
            "Alexia’s face went pale. Her eyes widened as she seemed to realize what was happening."
        else:
            al "What are you talking about?"
        je "Greyhide, you’ve hardly said a word since you’ve arrived!"
        gh "..."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Have you nothing to say for yourself?"
        gh "..."
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I do hope you enjoyed the latest shipment of redheart moss, it was quite the inconvenience for me to acquire."
        "The bull’s eyes went wide."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Alas, I must admit to providing you with subpar materials for your latest batch. It seems something extra was added to the brew."
        je "...How did that Firegrout taste, by the by? I hear it’s quite delicious."
        gh "You..."
        gh "You did this."
        gh "{i}You{/i} made me-"
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I did nothing but provide you the means with which to release your inhibitions. What you chose to do after that was entirely your doing."
        "She allowed herself at last to reveal the triumphant grin she’d been hiding this whole time. A dark, malicious smile that spread across her lips."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "And goodness, did you not disappoint!"
        if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            "Utter horror gripped Rowan as he realized the true extent of Jezera’s perfidy."
            al "W-what are you-"
            al "Rowan, what does she mean?"
            "Shocked into silence, he could do little but stare back at her. Her eyes widened as the implication became clear."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            al "No… {i}you didn’t{/i}."
            je "Imagine my shock, dear Alexia, when I walked in on the two in the midst of a passionate carnal embrace, right there in the forge!"
            je "Amazing what a little nudge in the right direction can do to a man."
        elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan turned to stare in horror at his wife, her terrified look confirming the truth of Jezera’s words."
            al "Rowan, I-I can explain-"
            je "No need to explain! I’m sure he’s already picturing it {i}vividly{/i} in his head."
            je "You, drunk at the dinner table, legs spread apart as a Minotaur tongue slides across your-"
        else:
            je "Dear me, what a delightful disaster this has developed into."
            je "I expected an amusing distraction, but never in my wildest dreams did I think you’d {i}both{/i} partake in such debauchery!"
            "The world stopped. Rowan turned his stunned gaze towards Alexia, who returned it in turn. The bottom dropped out of his stomach."
            je "Ha ha ha! I wonder which of your mouths Greyhide found more pleasing against his-"
        show bg18 with sshake
        "Greyhide slammed his clenched fists against the table so hard it nearly upended, bending the wood from the force of the blow. The chinaware rattled in place."
        gh "Enough."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        "The bull rose in a rush from his seat, nearly flipping the table over as he did so. A storm cloud brewed across his brow."
        gh "{i}Enough{/i}! I have felt only shame since it happened. Lost sleep. Lost my wits."
        gh "My pride is nothing. I gave it up long ago."
        gh "But you drugged us. {i}You{/i} made me harm my friends."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I made you do nothing. I merely peeled away your veneer."
        je "Under all that gruff posturing, you really are just a horny beast, aren’t you?"
        "Greyhide was shaking with rage. His large eyes blazed, glaring down at the demon with wordless fury."
        gh "You..."
        gh "They would... have never…"
        gh "{i}I{/i} am to blame. Not… them!"
        "Jezera watched the bull's anger play out before her with a blank expression. She cooly sipped at her tea before gently setting the cup down onto the table."
        je "You think I brought you three to my chambers to humiliate you? Quite the contrary."
        je "I {i}live{/i} for dalliances such as these! What a story, what an unlikely union!"
        je "I did not summon you to gloat, I brought you here to settle things."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        ro "How?"
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        ro "How could you {i}possibly{/i} settle things after what you’ve done to us?"
        je "..."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Did you enjoy your tea, Rowan?"
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan stopped dead. His head tilted down in horror towards the half-empty teacup. The Demon’s mocking laughter echoed dully in his ears." 
        "He hadn’t even realized in all the commotion, but his cheeks were flushed. His body was burning up. He glanced over to Alexia, and saw that she was visibly squirming on the couch."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Firegrout is such a hardy drink. It’s difficult to get the right mixture. I’d wondered if I had diluted it too much."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Tea is much easier. I made sure to give you each a triple dose this time, just to be sure."
        je "Assuming I timed it right, the effects should be making themselves known any moment now."
        je "You want to settle your differences? Here’s your chance. Let’s see what your true feelings are on the matter."
        gh "{i}No!{/i}"
        "His teeth clenched, his toned body curled tight like a spring. He looked ready to throw himself at Jezera, but instead he let out a frustrated bellow."
        "Without waiting for a response, Greyhide fled the room, nearly trampling them over in his haste to escape."
        hide greyhide with moveoutleft
        if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Greyhide, {i}wait{/i}!"
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            "But he was gone. Rowan cast a worried glance towards Alexia, whose eyes were glazed over, her cheeks flushed."
            "The drug was already starting to affect them. Rowan felt the fluffy pink clouds descend upon his mind."
        elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "Greyhide! Wait, c-come back!"
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "But he was gone. Alexia’s hand clenched against Rowan’s arm as she shook him from the strange stupor that had overtaken him. It was… hard to think."
            al "Rowan, we can’t let him leave!"
            "Rowan’s brow furrowed. Why not? Greyhide had been in an awful hurry, and he felt quite warm and comfortable where he was."
            "He shook the cobwebs from his mind, refocusing on the issue at hand."
        else:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            ro "Greyhide!"
            al "Greyhide!"
            "Their voices were as one. Despite the difficulty with which it had become to think clearly, they were united in their concern for him."
            al "We… we have to go after him, Rowan!"
            "The words struggled out of her lips as though she were fighting against them. Her face was flushed, her eyes fluttering."
            "It was little better for Rowan. The fluffy pink clouds had descended once more over the upper limits of his mind. It was getting hard to think clearly."
        menu:
            "Follow Greyhide back to his forge. (Scenes)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
                    "No. Rowan knew Greyhide too well now to let him be alone in a moment like this."
                    "He couldn’t let that… handsome, beautiful Minotaur slip free from his-"
                    "Rowan shook his head back and forth, his body burning with unnatural heat."
                    ro "We- have to go after him!"
                    "Alexia, already in the throes of the drink, merely nodded, her eyes trailing across Rowan’s form with undisguised interest."
                elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
                    "Such a mess. If Rowan was in his right mind, he might have considered the implications of everything that had happened. As it was, he was getting distracted by all the happy cleavage that surrounded him."
                    al "Rowan… please… I {i}need{/i} to see him!"
                    "He looked at Alexia, marveling at how beautiful she looked in the light of Jezera’s room. A dopey smile crossed his face as he nodded his assent."
                    ro "Sure."
                else:
                    "It was all too much to process. Had Rowan been in his right mind, he may have recognized the ploy for what it was. As it was, however, the very thought that he and his wife had {i}both{/i} had Greyhide merely excited him."
                    ro "We have to go see him. {i}Now{/i}."
                    al "Y-you’re right."
                je "Well, what are you waiting for? After him, you lovebirds!"
                "Rowan turned back to face the smirking demon one last time, doing his best to formulate an angry scowl. It ended up looking more like a lecherous leer. Her tits were {i}amazing{/i}."
                ro "We… will speak of this… later."
                "Jezera giggled, hiding her smile behind her hand. Her eyes danced dangerous circles as they looked from wife to husband."
                je "Have fun you two!"
                jump GreyhideThreesomeSex_rp
                
            "Wait till the drug wears off":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan gritted his teeth and clenched his jaw. He… they couldn’t. Not right now. As tantalizing as the prospect was, this was the wrong moment. If they went to see Greyhide now, Rowan wasn’t sure they’d be able to-"
                ro "N-no."
                ro "{i}No{/i}. We can’t do this."
                "Rowan turned to face the blissful expression of his wife. He shook her hard by the shoulder, his fingers tremoring with some unknown energy that turned his whole body into a sensitive organ."
                ro "Alexia we have to-"
                ro "We need to go."
                "Jezera’s lips puffed out in a pout as Rowan pulled his dazed wife to her feet, all but dragging her out of the room as the two fled the scene. Jezera let them go, letting out an annoyed tsk."
                "Rowan was rock hard, {i}painfully{/i} so, but he knew that now wasn’t the time for that kind of… lovely feeling."
                scene bg14 with fade
                if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
                    "He couldn’t trust the two of them alone in a room together. Not right now. They needed to regain their senses, and Alexia was practically drooling. If they tried to sleep this off together, Rowan very much doubted he’d get any rest tonight."
                    "Summoning up the absolute limits of his strength, he led her safely to their room. When he opened the door Alexia simply walked over to the bed and began masturbating."
                    "Against his own better judgement, Rowan left her there, shutting the door behind him and rushing to find a quiet, private room of his own to spend the night."
                    scene bg7 with fade
                else:
                    "He led her in a direct path to her room, stopping only to pull her hand away from her crotch as she dazedly began to touch herself. She smelled {i}wonderful{/i}."
                    "Rowan was terrified of what might happen between them in the hall if he stopped his forward momentum."
                    "He just barely managed to get her to her room, opening the door and all but shoving her through it before closing it behind. Rowan heard the telltale feminine gasp of a woman in pleasure, and immediately spun about on his heels, half-sprinting for his own room."
                    scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "The moment he reached it, he slammed the door shut behind himself. He would need privacy for what came next."
                ro "D-{i}damn{/i} you, Jezera."
                "Even as he said her name, lurid fantasies arose in his head. He was furiously masturbating before his back even hit the mattress."
                scene black with fade
                pause 2
                jump peopleLiquorAftermath_rp

    else:
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "You could say that. Frankly, I’m disappointed in you."
        "The old bull shrank into himself. His dejected expression roused Rowan’s anger."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "If you’re here to accuse us of something, do it and be done with it. Because none of us have any idea what you’re getting at."
        je "Alas, if only you did."
        je "It would seem my little seeds have borne no fruit. I thought Minotaurs were supposed to be hormonal."
        gh "E-excuse me?"
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Oh, never you mind, you sweet little prude."
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I can’t imagine what kind of willpower it must have taken, to resist the temptation to screw these two’s horny brains out when you had the chance."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        al "{i}What?{/i}"
        ro "What the {i}fuck{/i} are you talking about?"
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Ah, well the cats out of the bag in any case, might as well salvage what fun I can from the situation."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "You see Rowan, after I heard about you and Greyhide’s little drunken escapade up on the castle wall, a niggling little thought entered my mind."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "What if…"
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "There was more to it than mere friendship?"
        al "What are you talking about?"
        je "Ask your dear Minotaur friend that question, ‘little’ Alexia. You may not have noticed it, but you came within a hair’s breadth of being spitted upon this bull’s horn at dinner!"
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Unfortunately, it seems he’s more resilient than I’d expected. He didn’t even try to make a move on Rowan when they were alone in his forge!"
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "You must {i}really{/i} like these two, huh Greyhide?"
        gh "..."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Have you nothing to say for yourself?"
        gh "..."
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I do hope you enjoyed the latest shipment of redheart moss, it was quite the inconvenience for me to acquire."
        "The bull’s eyes went wide."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Alas, I must admit to providing you with subpar materials for your latest batch. It seems something extra was added to the brew."
        je "...How did that Firegrout taste, by the by? I hear it’s quite delicious."
        gh "You…"
        gh "You did this."
        gh "{i}You{/i} made me… almost-"
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I did nothing but provide you the means with which to release your inhibitions. What you chose to do after that was entirely your doing." 
        "She allowed herself at last to reveal the triumphant grin she’d been hiding this whole time. A dark, malicious smile that spread across her lips."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "And rejoice! You passed the test!"
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Though, I’ll admit: from my personal perspective you failed. I was hoping to see what would become of you three. All I got was a headache from watching you. A waste of my time."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        ro "How dare you do this to us."
        #jez angry
        je "How dare I? Watch your tongue, hero. You may live a privileged life here, at my discretion. But never forget that you are {i}mine{/i}, to do with as I will."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "All of you are. Be grateful I am not my brother, he might have found more… {i}direct{/i} methods of coercing the three of you."
        show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        je "As for me, the novelty has passed. I even planned to drug your tea this evening, to see what you would do-"
        gh "{i}No!{/i}"
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        #jez shock
        "Silent up until this point, the bull let loose a roar that shook the room.He looked ready to throw himself at Jezera, but instead he let out a frustrated bellow."
        "Without waiting for a response, Greyhide fled the room, nearly trampling them all over in his haste to escape."
        hide greyhide with moveoutleft
        "A long silence followed, as the couple and their Demon captor were both left speechless by the Minotaur’s unexpected flight."
        je "Well… that was unexpected."
        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve
        je "I guess there’s a bit more beast in him than he cares to admit, hm?"
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "This isn’t over, Jezera."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        al "You can’t just treat him like this!"
        show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve
        je "Oh, I {i}do{/i} believe it’s over."
        je "You may feel however you wish about the situation at hand, but you will not scold me in my own chambers just because you got your knickers in a twist."
        je "If I were you, I’d look to Greyhide - not me - for answers."
        je "This will be the last time we speak of this affair. It is done, I’ve had my fun. Now you’re both just starting to bore me."
        "She shot the angry pair one last glare, to which they both responded with silence. Then Jezera turned and waved them off an indignant huff."
        je "Away with you now."
        "As Rowan and Alexia filed out of the room, they could just hear the Demon mutter under her breath."
        #jez angry
        je "Ungrateful gits."
        jump GreyhideThreesomeEndScene_rp

    label GreyhideThreesomeSex_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade

    "Together, the two lust-addled lovers beat a hasty path to Greyhide’s chambers, all but sprinting to reach him."
    "Jezera had not been idle in her claims of drugging them. By the time they threw open the door to the Forge,  Rowan was trembling from how painfully erect he was. Alexia was having trouble walking straight."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    "They burst into the room, and stopped dead at the shocking sight."

    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "{i}Rrrh, mmmmph!{/i}"

    "Greyhide, utterly nude, furiously masturbating with the desperation of a drowning man. His face was clenched, his eyes glazed with rutting need."
    "His head snapped around, and the three stood in sudden silence. Their eyes locked to one another, words escaped them all. "
    "Whatever they’d been about to say, whatever heartfelt conversation regarding what had happened between them might have been intended, it dropped away in an instant."
    "They were like animals. They just needed to {i}fuck{/i}."

    $ greyhideRowanTurnSeen = False
    $ greyhideAlexiaTurnSeen = False

    menu:
        "Rowan catches eyes with Greyhide. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide’s piercing stare fixed Rowan in place. His tongue stuck to his throat when he heard the Minotaur let out a keening roar."
            "The beast leapt over his tall workbench, rushing over to Rowan with the speed of a charging bull."
            "Rowan only had time to gasp before Greyhide had him in his arms, carrying him, helpless to the place he intended to ravage him on."
            jump greyhideRowanTurn_rp
            
        "Alexia feels the Minotaur’s gaze turn to her. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "A grumbling roar erupted from Greyhide’s maw. He pivoted sharply on his hooves, bending forward like an predator stalking prey." 
            "With a speed that shocked Rowan to his core, Greyhide leapt clean over his workbench, scooping up Alexia in his hands." 
            "Neither made any attempt to stop him as he carried her, growling, to his bed."
            jump greyhideAlexiaTurn_rp

    label greyhideRowanTurn_rp:

    $ greyhideRowanTurnSeen = True

    scene cg154 with fade
    pause 3

    "Greyhide threw Rowan onto the bed, his large hands gripping tight to the fabric of his pants and tearing them free, exposing his ass."  
    "There was no tenderness in his movements, no calm deliberation or slow easing into a passionate encounter. This was rough, this was physical."
    "The Minotaur wasted no time, gripping Rowan's hips with a possessive clench as he rubbed his bullcock over his ass." 
    "He did not wait, he did not ask for permission, nor even speak in an intelligible manner. He simply let loose a growl, draped himself atop the smaller man, and began to thrust."
    "Grunts and rubblings of animal pleasure rang out as the beast used Rowan to satisfy his lusts."  
    "Every thrust was an implied penetration, every time he drew his hips back brought on the exhilarating fear that maybe he'd be impaled, spitted upon the massive member of this bull who had so charmed him. "
    "A part of Rowan anticipated it, practically {i}begged{/i} for it; however that moment never came. The bulls hips simply smacked hard against his flank in an arrhythmic staccato."
    "Greyhide was brutish in his movements, every thrust slamming Rowan forward against the bed as he bit the pillow and cried out at the sheer, masculine fury on display."
    "There was no buildup, simply the relentless thrusting onto his ass, sawing back and forth and back and forth, again and again."
    "The pace was ruthless, the humping never changed.  Rowan spared a glance to the side and saw his wife watching, a glazed look on her smiling face while she touched herself."

    show cg154 with sshake
    show cg154 with sshake
    scene cg155 with flash
    pause 2

    "Greyhide grunted, his throat expanding to let loose a crowning bellow as a blast of warm fluid sprayed over Rowan's back and head. It filled the room with the musty smell of Minotaur cum."
    "However, this was no reprieve. The beast was not content with just a taste of their hot, animalistic sex. He wanted {i}more{/i}."

    if greyhideAlexiaTurnSeen == True:
        jump GreyhideThreesomeBoth_rp

        
    else:
        menu:
            "Greyhide shows no interest in Alexia. (Scene 3)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The bull turned, his gaze trailing over the masturbating Alexia. But he simply let out a dissatisfied snort and turned once more to Rowan."
                "He had not softened, was not finished in the slightest; barely had Rowan recovered from the first act than the second began in earnest."
                "Alexia, so caught up in the moment, eventually regained a portion of her wits and fled the scene, leaving the two rutting animals to continue for hours yet."
                jump GreyhideThreesomeAftermathSex_rp
                
            "Greyhide turns to her next.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Greyhide turned, his lustful eye still glowing white hot with desire. He pointed at her, his voice deep and sonorous as he commanded."
                show greyhide neutral behind cg155
                gh "Come."
                "One word was all it took. Hesitant footsteps and trembling shoulders accompanied Alexia all the way to Greyhide’s side." 
                "Rowan rolled off the bed, his mind a fog as he stumbled to his feet. He struggled to pull his pants up, but did little other than soak the back of them in Minotaur cum. He paused at the doorway, confused why he had tried to leave in the first place."
                "Greyhide picked Alexia up, his hands closing tight around her narrow waist."
                jump greyhideAlexiaTurn_rp

    label greyhideAlexiaTurn_rp:

    $ greyhideAlexiaTurnSeen = True

    scene cg156 with fade
    pause 3

    "The bull tossed her like a doll onto the bed, hiking up her skirt with his fingers as he put his snout up to her ass and took a deep sniff." 
    "Then he put a finger into her undergarments and tore them open to expose her womanhood.  However, that was merely to catch her womanly scent, to fill his lungs with her pheromones."
    "His fat, erect cock planted itself between the crack of her ass, his hands clenching tight as he spanked her once, hard. The collision caused her entire body to shake from the impact, and she let out a pleasured cry."
    "He growled as he roughly fucked Alexia's buttocks, pumping his great length through her firm cheeks and pressing her down against the bed.  Every time he pulled back, he perched himself at the precipice of her clenching pussy, threatening her with the possibility of penetration. "
    "It didn't happen. Apparently her body was enough. The bull was not gentle, riding her hard and letting her know just what kind of power he had in his hips." 
    "He pistoned once, twice, three times against her ass in the space of seconds, each time shoving her face into the bed from weight of the impact." 
    "Alexia gasped in pleasure, her body shivering from the manly stimulation of the not-quite penetration. She laughed and cried out excitedly as the treatment went on."

    show cg156 with sshake
    show cg156 with sshake
    scene cg157 with flash
    pause 2

    "Through the haze of his own drug-addled mind, Rowan realized he was touching himself.  An idle thought that he should stop flitting through his brain, but that disappeared under a haze of lust soon afterwards as the bull roared and came, spraying a wave of spunk that splashed over his wife’s back."
    "Alexia collapsed flat onto the bed, breathless and shaking. However, Greyhide wasn’t finished. The beast was erect, a raging boner still coated in Minotaur juices. He wasn’t ready to stop."

    if greyhideRowanTurnSeen == True:
        jump GreyhideThreesomeBoth_rp

    else:
        menu:
            "Greyhide shows no interest in Rowan.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The bull turned, his gaze trailing over the masturbating Rowan. But he simply let out a dissatisfied snort and turned once more to Alexia."
                "He had not softened, was not finished in the slightest; barely had Alexia recovered from the first act than the second began in earnest."
                "Rowan, so caught up in the moment, eventually regained a portion of his wits and left the scene, lest he fall prey to the same mindless rut that had overtaken them both."
                jump GreyhideThreesomeAftermathSex_rp

            "Greyhide turns to him next. (Scene 3)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Greyhide turned, his gaze matching with Rowan and causing his breath to catch in his throat. It was an animalistic response, the knee-jerk reaction of prey realizing it had been spotted."
                "Greyhide grunted, his open mouth expelling great gouts of air as he stared heatedly at Rowan."
                show greyhide neutral behind cg157
                gh "You next."
                "His deep, sonorous voice commanding him destroyed all remaining restraint on Rowan’s part. He walked over to him, erect and hazy as Greyhide took him by his shoulders for his appointed turn."
                "Alexia rolled off the bed, fumbling with her cum-soaked clothing. She made to drunkenly leave, but paused at the doorway."
                "Her eyes were still glazed, her breathing ragged. Instead of leaving, she waited at the doorway, clearly not yet satisfied." 
                "Greyhide picked Rowan up, hefting him in large hands like he was nothing."
                jump greyhideRowanTurn_rp

    label GreyhideThreesomeBoth_rp:

    scene cg164 with fade
    pause 3

    "Greyhide was panting with effort. He had unleashed himself upon both of them, his virility nearly unquenchable. But even a drugged Minotaur had limits."
    "He collapsed back onto the bed, his eyes dull and unfocused. Great streams of sweat poured down his brow.  Yet his turgid cock remained erect, veins pumping angrily, as if to scold him for slowing down."
    "The couple joined him on the bed, the recent rutting - as hard as it was - had not been nearly enough for them, either."
    "Rowan reached out to put a hand on that shaft, only to find Alexia's moving to do the same."  
    "Together they laced their fingers together around the Minotaur’s shaft, stroking him as one in mutual lust." 
    "The bull allowed this to occur, grunting and snorting every so often when they hit a particularly sensitive spot. Soon, the couple had settled onto Greyhide’s lap in mutual masturbatory glee."
    "A groan of appreciation escaped from Greyhide's lips, closer to a sound of pain than of pleasure.  He {i}needed{/i} their help, it wasn’t enough to simply slake his thirst upon them. Their very touch had turned into an addiction. The bull moaned and gasped as the humans set to work on him."
    "He didn't have the energy to do anything anymore.  Whatever accursed concoction had been in that teapot, it had been strong enough to knock a Minotaur on his back."
    "Rowan and Alexia were no better. Dreamily, the couple met eyes from across the bull’s dick, and grinned at one another. First Alexia leaned forward, then Rowan. They met together in the middle with a passionate kiss."
    "Had they been of sound mind, the sheer insanity of what was occurring might have given them pause. Bonding over a minotaur cock was - after all - hardly something a normal human couple would do."
    "But none of that mattered anymore. All that mattered was the beautiful thing they were worshipping together."
    "Greyhide lifted his head and roared a final, triumphant time. His massive rod twitched, bloated, and erupted in a geyser of ejaculate. Giddy from the drugs, Rowan and Alexia merely giggled at the sight of each other getting coated in his juices."

    label GreyhideThreesomeAftermathSex_rp:

    scene black with fade

    "...Time passed in an interminable haze. Rowan had no idea when it ended, but when he awoke he was stricken with a splitting headache."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve

    "It was late morning of the next day. Alexia lay next to him, groggy and half conscious."
                
    if alexiaSeparateRoom:
        "She had evidently failed to reach her own room in their drugged stupor, and instead had fallen asleep in his own bed."
        
    ro "Alexia…"

    show rowan necklace naked angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "{i}Alexia!{/i}"

    show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Aah{/i}! W-what I’m awake, I’m…"

    "She trailed off. The couple stared into one another’s eyes, having finally escaped the muddling effects of Jezera’s tea."

    if greyhideRowanTurnSeen == True and greyhideAlexiaTurnSeen == False:
        show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Her face filled with color, an indignant glare setting in as she scowled."
        al "{i}Rowan...{/i}"
        ro "Alexia, wait. Before you say a word-"
        al "Y-you fucked a {i}Minotaur{/i}, Rowan!"
        ro "We were tricked! Goddess Fend, you felt the strength of that drug, same as I."
        ro "Can you honestly say that had Greyhide chosen to, you’d have said no to him in that room?"
        "Alexia began to protest, but quieted down, a grim look coming across her expression. She lifted her chin and stared hard at her husband."
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al "...Look me in the eyes Rowan, and tell me you feel nothing for him."
        "Rowan opened his mouth, then closed it again. Whatever could be said for his actions and the reasons he took them, he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her."
        "Alexia let out a tired sigh and stared at the floor."
        al "This… should hurt more than it does."
        show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve
        ro "I swear to you Alexia, were it not for Jezera’s drug I would have never acted upon-"
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        al "Enough. Please. We have other problems at hand."
        
    elif greyhideRowanTurnSeen == False and greyhideAlexiaTurnSeen == True:
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Her face filled with color. The sight of her husband, sober and fully aware, caused her to lift her covers over her lips to hide the terrified frown she was wearing."
        al "R-Rowan I- I’m so-"
        ro "..."
        ro "Greyhide, huh?"
        al "Rowan that drug, i-it… it made me-"
        ro "This is a lot to take in. Let’s leave it be, for now. I need time to process everything that just happened."
        "Alexia looked ready to burst into tears. Rowan let out a weary sigh. There would definitely come a time to confront her about the situation, but there was more at play here than just their relationship."
        ro "We need to find Greyhide. We need to confront Jezera."
        
    else:
        "This new state of confusion was little better than the haze they’d escaped from. For a long moment, the two simply stared at one another."
        al "Did we?"
        "Rowan nodded, swallowing the thick lump in his throat as he and his wife shared in their mutual bafflement."
        "They’d both fucked a Minotaur. {i}Together{/i}. Should they feel angry? Betrayed? Excited? What even was the line in this relationship, anymore?"
        "And behind it all, there was the niggling knowledge that things would never quite be the same. For them, or their (friend? lover?) Greyhide."
        ro "We need to find Greyhide. We need to talk about what happened."
        
    show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Goddess only knows what he thinks of all this. And {i}Jezera{/i}..."

    "Rowan practically spat fire as he said her name. Alexia’s brow hardened."

    ro "She’s taken it too far this time."

    al "We have to be careful, Rowan. She is still the Lady of this castle."

    ro "Let’s find Greyhide first, then we can see about Jezera."
        
    jump GreyhideThreesomeEndScene_rp


    label peopleLiquorAftermath_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "The next morning, two profoundly weary and miserable humans commiserated together in Rowan’s room. The drug had been deeply affecting, causing a chain reaction of lust that Rowan was profoundly grateful had not further complicated the situation with Greyhide. "
    "Rowan had ended up spending most of the night fantasizing about every possible scenario under the sun. Given Alexia’s tired and bedraggled expression, evidently so had she."
    "But… now everything was out in the open."

    if rowanGreyhideLiquorSex and alexia_greyhide_sex == False:
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        al "Y-you fucked a {i}Minotaur{/i}, Rowan!"
        ro "Alexia, we were tricked. Goddess Fend, you felt the strength of that drug, last night!"
        ro "Can you honestly say that had someone come upon you in the hall, you’d have said no to them?"
        "Alexia began to protest, but quieted down, a grim look coming across her expression. She lifted her chin and stared hard at her husband."
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        al "...Look me in the eyes Rowan, and tell me you feel nothing for Greyhide."
        "Rowan opened his mouth, then closed it again. Whatever could be said for his actions and the reasons he took them, he couldn’t bring himself to lie to her."
        "Alexia let out a tired sigh and stared at the floor."
        al "This… should hurt more than it does."
        ro "I swear to you Alexia, were it not for Jezera’s drug I would have never acted upon-"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        al "Enough. Please. We have other problems at hand."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        
    elif alexia_greyhide_sex and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
        ro "So… you slept with Greyhide, huh?"
        al "R-Rowan I- I’m so-"
        ro "..."
        al "Rowan that drug, i-it… it made me-"
        "He couldn’t even begin to process everything that had happened. He couldn’t lay the {i}full{/i} blame of what had happened on his wife’s shoulders, either. Had he encountered damn near anyone last night in his room, he’d have been tempted to-"
        ro "...This is a lot to take in. Let’s leave it be, for now."
        "Alexia looked ready to burst into tears. Rowan let out a weary sigh. There would definitely come a time to confront her about the situation, but there was more at play here than just their relationship."
        ro "We need to find Greyhide. We need to confront Jezera."

    else:
        "This new state of confusion was little better than the horny haze they’d just escaped from. For a long time, the two simply stared at one another."
        al "Did we…?"
        "Rowan nodded, swallowing the thick lump in his throat as he and his wife shared in their mutual bafflement."
        "They’d both fucked a Minotaur. Should they feel angry? Betrayed? Excited? What even was the line in their relationship, anymore?"
        "And behind it all, there was the niggling knowledge that things would never quite be the same. For them, or their (friend? lover?) Greyhide."
        ro "We need to find Greyhide. We need to talk about what happened."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        
    ro "Goddess only knows what he thinks of all this. And {i}Jezera{/i}..."

    "Rowan practically spat fire as he said her name. Alexia’s brow hardened."

    ro "She’s taken it too far this time."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    al "We have to be careful, Rowan. She is still the Lady of this castle."

    ro "Let’s find Greyhide first, then we can see about Jezera."

    label GreyhideThreesomeEndScene_rp:

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "...He’s not here."

    ro "Where could he have gone?"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "I… I think I have an idea."

    if alexia_greyhide_sex == False and rowanGreyhideLiquorSex == False:
        ro "Then let’s go."
        al "Wait, Rowan. I…"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "I think I should go see him alone first."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Why? He’s my friend too."
        al "Yes, but you’re also the man he respects the most in this castle."
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Can you imagine how he must feel about facing you right now?"
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "He’s probably going to have trouble facing {i}either{/i} of us."
        al "Call it women’s intuition, but I think he’s more afraid of seeing you than me."
        al "Maybe I can talk to him."
        "Rowan let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance at the sheer mess that Jezera had made. Was {i}nothing{/i} simple? Greyhide had been a good friend, possibly one of the only ones they had in this castle."
        ro "Fine. I… guess I’ll get back to work. Let me know if he-"
        al "I will, Rowan."
        jump greyhideBirds_rp
        
    else:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Find him then, and bring him to Jezera’s chambers at once."
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "What about you?"
        ro "I’m going to talk to her myself."
        al "Rowan-"
        ro "{i}Go{/i}. If you’re quick you can both meet me there."
        scene black with fade
        "Rowan would brook no arguments. His enraged expression gave even his wife pause. After a moment's hesitation, she did as she was bidden, making for the front of the castle as Rowan turned towards Jezera’s chambers."
        scene bg18 with fade
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinleft
        ro "{i}Jezera!{/i}"
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        je "Ah, my hero returns. How was your evening?"
        ro "What the hell are you trying to prove?"
        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
        je "Hardly the thanks I was expecting from you."
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        je "You should be thanking me, I helped your friendship blossom into something so much greater!"
        ro "At the cost of my marriage?!"
        je "Hmm, you know, I don’t recall either of you complaining in the moment."
        ro "Because you {i}drugged{/i} us!"
        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
        je "I released you and your trio from your prior preconceptions. Evidently, you three are more open to the idea than you thought."
        ro "If we want to tumble with someone, that's our business."
        #jez angry
        je "Dear me, and here I thought we understood each other."
        je "You are my servants, you will do as I please, and you certainly will not mouth off to me."
        je "You may feel however you wish about the situation at hand, but you will not scold me in my own chambers just because you got your knickers in a twist."
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        je "If I were you, I’d look to Greyhide - not me - for answers."
        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
        je "This will be the last time we speak of this affair. It is done, I’ve had my fun. Now you’re just starting to bore me."
        "She shot a seething Rowan one last glare, to which he responded with silence.  Then Jezera turned and waved him off an indignant huff."
        je "Away with you now."
        "As Rowan stomped out of the room, he could just hear the Demon mutter under her breath."
        #jez angry
        je "Ungrateful gits."
        jump greyhideBirds_rp
        
    label greyhideBirds_rp:

    scene bg3 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Alexia found him where she knew he’d have fled to. The one place in the forest where the Minotaur could have gone."
    "Clearing the branches, she came upon the clearing where they had first met."
    "There Greyhide sat, slumped forward on a dead log with his head in his hands. He had been there for hours, dew collected in his fur and dripped silently off the tips of his horns."
    "Despite everything that had happened, despite the anger burning in Alexia’s breast, she could not bring herself to be mad at the gentle giant. He was, after all, as much a victim as they had been."

    al "...Greyhide?"

    "He lifted his head, his heavy lidded eyes matching with Alexia’s. He let out a low whine, his voice cracking as he purposefully turned his head away from her."

    gh "Please… let me be."
    al "But-"
    gh "I will… trouble you... no more."
    gh "Let me be. It is… for the best."

    "His voice was so slow he almost sounded drunk. He wore the body language of a defeated man heavy around his shoulders."

    gh "I… I am sorry."
    gh "Please… go."
    al "Rowan and I wanted you to-"
    gh "Go."

    "He turned his head to the rising sun peeking its head through the foliage, pretending for all the world like Alexia wasn’t there. "
    "After a long moment, she turned away, leaving the melancholic Minotaur alone in the clearing. The chirping of birds was the only sound that could be heard for miles around."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_36.rpy
label discovery_of_catacombs_rp:

    "Is Alexia influenced by someone? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaInfluence = "jezera"
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaInfluence = "andras"
        "No (extra scene)":
            $ alexiaInfluence = "none"

    "Are Rowan and Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (extra scene)":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ week = 100
    $ alexia_knows_magic = True
    $ alexiaWulump = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Another day, another tedious shift working in the castle. Alexia had grown increasingly weary of the backbreaking work."
    "All things considered though, she supposed it could be worse."

    if alexiaWulump == True:
        "After all, there were far worse things lurking in the depths of the castle. And the Twins were not above throwing those who displeased them in the darkness to join them."
        "She shivered."

    "Alexia headed to work, traversing the now-familiar hallways of the castle with ease. Despite the dreadful reputation of the place, the decor could at times be surprisingly homey."
    "Take for example the hall she was in now. It was decorated with sumptuous red carpeting, warm colorful tapestries on the walls, even a full suit of ceremonial armour standing sentinel against the wall."
    "Despite everything Alexia found herself smiling. Perhaps her circumstances were difficult, but at least she could take pleasure in the little things in-"

    statue "{i}Wuuuuuh!{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of air whooshing by her. She turned to see what looked like the armoured statue {i}groaning{/i} at her."

    al "{i}Aaah!{/i} What in the flaming Planes of Chaos is that?!"

    "She froze like a hare who’d caught sight of a wolf in the brush. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. She stared wide-eyed at the motionless statue for a long moment, but nothing happened."

    al "Um, hello?"

    "There was no answer. As far as she could tell the suit of armour was just that: a hollow suit of armour. She took a tentative step forward."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Solansia preserve me, if this is another one of Andras’ tricks..."

    "She reached out a tentative hand and brushed her finger across the statue’s metal chest plate. Nothing happened."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "...Am I dreaming? I definitely heard something."

    questi "{i}Wuuuuuh!{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Aaah!{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "...Wait, that’s not the statue. It’s coming from {i}behind{/i} the statue!"

    "Alexia craned her head to look around the statue, but found nothing lurking behind it but the wall. She blinked in confusion."

    "Now determined to discover the source of the strange sound, Alexia felt around the edges of the wall. She stopped when her fingers ran across a strange divot near where the stone gave way to wood paneling."

    al "Wait…"

    "Her fingers found the edge line and moved upwards. She could feel the heavy flow of air drifting across her fingertips."
    "Moving farther up, she was shocked to discover the strange divot went all the way around like the frame of a doorway."

    al "This is a fake wall!"

    "Now curious to the point of adventurous, Alexia put her shoulder against the false wall and pushed. It gave way with little difficulty. Pivoting on an axis to swing open silently."
    "The fake wall opened into a narrow tunnel. It was dark and dimly lit, but she could just make out light in the distance."
    "Alexia looked around the deserted hallway with furtive worry, feeling very much like a toddler caught with her hand in the pastry basket. She probably wasn’t supposed to go in there… wherever ‘there’ led to."

    scene bg58 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "But curiosity got the better of her. With many a backwards glance she walked into the tunnel, her shoes echoing with every step."
    "The tunnel led quickly to more tunnels… and more tunnels after that. It got to the point that Alexia made sure to double back every so often to remember where she’d been."
    "She was moving through the innards of Bloodmeen castle, that much was clear. The muffled sounds of voices on the other sides of the walls, as well as thumping footsteps from passers-by told her so."
    "Many of the passages were blocked by large rocks and assorted barricades, lit with strange tunes and markings that Alexia couldn’t make heads or tails of."

    if alexia_knows_magic == True:
        "She peered closer, examining the magic glyphs the way Cliohna had taught her."
        "None of the simple runes Sorceress had shown her in her studies looked anything like the complex geomantic web that covered these stones."
        "Whoever had placed them was a powerful magician, the magic contained therein equally so."
        "Bloodmeen had been home to many such sorcerers over the centuries. Best to steer clear of things she didn’t understand."

    "The tunnels led in all directions, honeycombing the length and breadth of Bloodmeen. The sound of activity was all around her, and Alexia became more and more convinced that they could lead {i}anywhere{/i}."
    "Something told her that she could even reach the Twin’s chambers... if she was determined enough to find them."
    "Doors, ladders and false panels were everywhere, streaming in faded light through the cracks. Despite the dimness, it was always light enough to see. Magic was at work here, that much was clear."
    "Some of the larger tunnels sloped downwards. Following her instincts, Alexia took one of these routes far into the inner depths. She descended so deep that the walls began to grow moist, the air heavy."
    "At one point the floor leveled out, turning temporarily from stone into a long, metal grating."
    "Some strange smell wasted up from the bottomless pit, a foul stench that smelled like a disturbing amalgamation of rotten eggs and sulfur."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia heard strange slithering sounds arising from beneath her. Her heart crept up into her throat."

    if alexiaWulump != True:
        "Something about the musky smell made Alexia shiver. Whatever the thing lurking beneath her feet was, she probably didn’t want to lay eyes on it."

    else:
        "A chill ran down her spine. This smell, noxious and oppressive, was the same one she’d smelled while confined in the dungeons with that monstrous creature, the Wallump. Sulfur, mixed with rotten eggs. She suppressed a gag."
        "There was no mistaking it. She was near the Dungeons."

    "It had been hours since she’d started her unexpected sojourn into the hidden tunnels, and it was getting harder and harder to retrace her steps. Having pushed her luck as far as she dared, Alexia decided to retreat."
    "The discovery was monumental in scope. These tunnels were frightening, claustrophobic and strange."
    "...And might prove to be extremely useful, should someone have need of them."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan was just polishing off the last letter of the day in his office when his wife - of all people - burst into the room."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with moveinleft

    al "Rowan, you must come with me, immediately!"

    ro "Why, what’s happened? Is everything all right?"

    al "Quickly!"

    "And just like that his dearest wife left the room in a rush. Rowan scratched his head for a moment before letting out a sigh. He put away his paper and quill and moved to follow her."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "{i}Now{/i} will you tell me what all the fuss is about?"

    al "Hold on, we’re almost there."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan’s brow tightened. It wasn’t like his wife to pull him away from work like this."
        "Had something happened to her? Was there some new threat? The last thing either of them needed was more trouble."

    else:
        "Rowan let out a condescending sigh. Alexia had an unfortunate habit of finding new - and increasingly {i}stupid{/i} - ways of getting herself into dangerous situations. It tried his patience."
        "Perhaps it was just a side effect of spending the whole day pouring over monotonous military details in his office, but Rowan found it hard to take her trivial affairs seriously."
        "Instead of focusing on her words, he idly watched the sway of her hips as she walked."

    "Alexia brought him before an innocuous looking suit of armour standing in an empty hall. She gestured at it, as if expecting him to respond."

    ro "...It’s a suit of armour."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    al "Can’t you hear it?"

    ro "Hear what?"

    "Alexia let out a melodramatic sigh and approached the statue. Reaching past it, she shoved at the wall with her shoulder. "

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "To his astonishment, wall gave way, revealing a crack in the wall that led into darkness."

    ro "What… what {i}is{/i} that?"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "It's a whole network of tunnels!"

    if week < 60:
        ro "{i}Inside{/i} the castle?!"
        "Alexia grinned at him like a child showing off a secret hiding place."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "I’m uh… not sure. I spent the whole day in there, but I didn’t reach the end."
        al "There’s dozens of tunnels down there, maybe even hundreds. I’m pretty sure they run all the way down the mountain."
        ro "But… how is this possible? The Twins have never mentioned anything about this!"
        if alexiaInfluence == "andras":
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "I don’t know, m-maybe Master Andras forgot to mention it?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Andras wouldn’t just “forget” about a detail like this."
            "The Twin was many things, but subtle wasn’t one of them. Given his brute force approach to most problems, it was unlikely that he knew about this. Rowan had a hard time conceiving of the red giant skulking about in the tunnels."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        elif alexiaInfluence == "jezera":
            al "Hmm, it {i}would{/i} be very much like Mistress Jezera to withhold this kind of information from you."
            al "Perhaps she didn’t think it “relevant” to your job as her general?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "A fair point..."
            "Jezera might well be aware of this unexpected network. If so, Rowan wouldn’t be surprised if she’d already utilized it to her own, uncertain ends."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "Well…"
            al "Maybe they don’t have to know?"
            "Rowan had to blink a few times to process what she was saying."
            ro "I… suppose they don’t, do they?"
            "The couple shared a long look, mutual understanding underscoring the treasonous thought."

    else:
        "Rowan stopped short. Had Alexia managed to stumble upon the tunnels that Jezera had shown him? His mind swirled with the possibilities of having a reliable entrance to the extensive labyrinth."
        "He decided to play dumb."
        ro "A tunnel?"
        al "More than just ‘a’ tunnel, Rowan. {i}Lots{/i} of them, running through the whole castle!"
        "She definitely had stumbled onto Jezera’s network. Rowan suppressed a satisfied smile."
        ro "How deep does it go?"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        al "I’m uh… not sure. I spent the whole day in there, but I didn’t reach the end."
        al "There’s dozens of tunnels down there, maybe even hundreds. I’m pretty sure they run all the way down the mountain."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "It seems we’ve stumbled upon a mystery."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Can you show me what you found?"

    "Alexia nodded, slipping into the tunnel’s confines like a practiced cave spelunker. Rowan smirked and moved to follow."

    scene bg58 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Side by side, husband and wife traversed the narrow corridors and dim light of the hidden tunnel network. True to her word, Alexia led him through a dizzying series of switchbacks and forks between tunnels."
    "It was a marvel she could find her way at all. Even an experienced tracker like Rowan struggled to keep straight all the directions they could go. It became rapidly apparent that she had not been speaking in hyperbole: the tunnels ran through every nook and cranny of the Castle."
    "Hidden gaps in the ceiling revealed peeping holes in bedrooms for prying eyes to spy upon. Several of the hallways were blocked up by hard to move decorations. Rowan tested a few, finding himself suddenly in different parts of the castle entirely."
    "The sound of voices through the walls followed them everywhere, the rough thud of footsteps above their heads followed by trailing dust indicating how close they were to the Castle’s denizens."
    "This was more than a token discovery, this could change everything… albeit not immediately."

    ro "Kharos take me, if only we’d known about this sooner..."
    al "The entrances are well hidden. Not to mention many of the halls are blocked off. Who knows how many openings like this there are?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan’s mind raced with the possibilities this glut of information afforded him. Assuming he could keep the Twins in the dark about this particular ‘discovery,’ he had a near-limitless access to the secrets of Bloodmeen."
        "Alexia had given him a gift that Rowan had been starved of since coming to Bloodmeen: information he could use to his advantage."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "She made to continue downwards into the farther depths, but Rowan caught her wrist."
        ro "I’ve seen enough for one day."
        ro "But… thank you. You did a great job in finding this for me."
        "Alexia’s eyes filled with pride. Rowan leaned forward and planted a chaste kiss on her lips. She smiled shyly at him."
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        al "I’m happy to help you in whatever small way I can, beloved."
        ro "This was more than a ‘small’ help, darling."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I don’t want to get high hopes just yet. Maybe the Twins know about this place, and simply never told us about it."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "But this has the potential to change things in a big way, if we play our cards right."
        ro "Come on, we have spent enough time down here today. The last thing we want is for people to start asking questions about where we’ve been."
        "Together, hand in hand, Rowan and Alexia picked their way back to the original entrance, armed with new knowledge about Castle Bloodmeen."
        # $ catacombsKnowledge = True
        #award conquest / rebellion points TO DO
        return

    else:
        "Rowan’s calculating mind took in this new detail like a spider spinning its web. Knowledge was more valuable than gold, and his beloved wife had just inadvertently stumbled onto a dragon’s hoard."
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "She made to continue downwards into the farther depths, but Rowan caught her wrist."
        ro "I’ve seen enough for one day."
        if alexiaInfluence <> "none":
            jump catacombsEnd_rp
        else:
            menu:
                "Grope her. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump catacombsSex_rp
                "Send her on her way.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump catacombsEnd_rp

    label catacombsEnd_rp:

    ro "You did an excellent job finding this for me."
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    al "Of course, Rowan. I just hope it helps."
    "{i}More than you know{/i}. He thought to himself."
    ro "It has. Thank you for bringing my attention to this."
    ro "Come on, we have spent enough time down here today. The last thing we want is for people to start asking questions about where we’ve been."
    "Together, Rowan and Alexia picked their way back to the original entrance, armed with new knowledge about Castle Bloodmeen."
    return

    label catacombsSex_rp:

    scene cg577 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg577
    pause 3

    "Rowan stepped into her personal space. Alexia tensed, sensing immediately her mate’s sudden shift in demeanor. He moved as if to hug her, but his hands went down to knead at her ass instead."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia’s gave a nervous smile, watching the predatory look build in his eyes. Rowan grinned."
        "She was so delicate, this little guileless dove. It was amusing to watch her squirm, to see her try to maintain her dignity in the face of his amorous attention. His probing fingers sank into the fabric of her pants, and she gasped."
        "She wasn’t fooling anyone."

    else:
        "Alexia’s eyebrow raised, a sly smile growing on her lips as she reasoned out her husband's intentions."
        "She bit her lip, her hands running down his chest as she let out a low moan."
        al "Something on your mind, Rowan?"

    ro "Turn around, darling. I want to reward you for your efforts."

    "Alexia did as she was bid, heeding her submissive instincts. Her shoulders narrowed as she huddled into herself."
    "Rowan settled his hands upon her, clenching them in a possessive manner. He often forgot how much smaller than him she was, how frail and dainty her frame."
    "His fingers were mere inches from her slender neck. It was a delicate game, holding so close that it almost felt like he was choker her...yet not quite moving his fingertips that last bit forward. There was eroticism in that gap. She was in his power, and he could do whatever he wanted with her."
    "It was a morbid thought, but not one considered with any serious malice or intent. She was his beloved wife, his {i}mate{/i}. If there was anything he was willing to sacrifice for to protect, it would be her."
    "Still… the thought of holding such power over her, of physical dominance and giving in to the illogical, bestial urge was strangely captivating."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Innocent little Alexia tilted her head back, her uncertain eyes meeting his own as he stared back at her with avaricious lust."
        "He ran his fingers down her slender back, and she quivered, bending forward ever so slightly in quiet acceptance of her place beneath him."
        "Perhaps it was her pliant meekness that pleased Rowan the most: the low-key subservience to his every whim, hidden beneath a pretense of purity and wifely duty. It made for an oddly stimulating juxtaposition: the blushing maid who played the willing whore."
        "...or perhaps it was the opposite. The time had come to test the theory."

    else:
        "Alexia craned her neck back, leaning flush against Rowan’s body. She winked at him, grinding her ass against his crotch as her hands dropped limp to her sides to let him do as he willed with her."
        "She must have read his movements, the little minx. For when she pulled against him, she bared her throat like a defeated beast of the forest offering submission. Rowan’s fingers trailed gently across her neck, and she let out a soft sigh."
        "{i}The whore knows what I intend to do{/i}. Rowan thought. The mood in the room became all the more electrified from the realization."
        "She had grown in their time in the castle, that much was certain. Like a sinful flower she has bloomed into this new, wondrous creature: always ready to push the boundaries, to take chances."
        "She had become his willing plaything."

    "A wicked idea built in Rowan’s head. Alexia was his most loyal companion, the one person in his life who trusted him without question, who would follow him to the deepest pit of the six hells."
    "Maybe he could push that boundary, see how deep the Well really was."
    "He ran his hand down her side, taking hold of her hip. His other hand seized her by the scruff of the neck, and she let out a surprised yelp."

    scene cg578 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg578
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg578
    pause 3

    ro "Bend over. Up against the wall."

    "Alexia let out a shuddering breath, her body moving without question as her dominant partner asserted his superiority."
    "She planted her hands on the wall, bending forward so her ass was out."
    "She was wearing that frilly green dress again. That wouldn’t do. If they were to submit to their most primal urges, {i}nothing{/i} should separate them."
    "Rowan planted a hard {i}spank{/i} upon her ass, reaching down and without preemption pulling her dress up, exposing her panties."
    "Alexia shivered, but remained still. Something wordless had passed between them, and she was frozen by his commanding physicality."
    "Rowan made short work of her underwear, ripping the dress up off her head and tossing it aside. Alexia cast her gaze back at him, her eyes lidded and her breath short. She was already wet, the randy slut."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "A loud {i}thump{/i} above them caused the couple to jump in place. Alexia cast a worried glance back at Rowan."
        al "W-we shouldn’t do this here. We could get caught!"
        "Her fear was palpable, but so was her excitement. She truly didn’t want them to be discovered… but what was the harm in toying with her?"
        "Rowan’s lips curled into a dark smile. He stepped into her personal space, spreading her asscheek with one hand and dipping two fingers deep into her pussy in one stroke."
        ro "Good. Let them listen."

    else:
        "The distant sound of voices echoing down from above them gave Alexia pause."
        "She turned her head back to look at him, her eyes aflame. She lifted a finger to her lips, breathing out a silent {i}Shh{/i}."
        "Rowan knew a whore’s lie when he saw one. Her “fear” was just a minstrel’s show. She {i}wanted{/i} them to be discovered; the sheer taboo of it excited her."
        "A shame. Rowan was tempted to indulge her, but he still had practical use for this place."
        ro "Let’s play a game: see if you can hold your tongue, beloved."
        "He jammed twin fingers into her cunt, wriggling about her insides like a puppeteer’s manipulations."

    "Rowan didn’t wait for her surprised gasp to finish. He began thrusting his fingers in and out of her, curling the digits like a spider’s crawling toes against her insides."
    "Alexia cried out, muffling her mouth with a hand as the sound of footsteps echoed above their head. Indistinct voices could be heard, echoing beneath the floorboards."

    al "{i}Mmph!{/i}"

    "The lewd sounds emanating from her cunt were sweeter than a harpischord’s tune to Rowan’s ears. He bent down, gripping a fistful of her hair as he continued his merciless fingering."
    "Rowan leaned his lips to her ear, whispering as her warm insides clenched and jelled against him."

    ro "I know just what you need, slut."

    "Alexia gasped and shook her head, keeping her mouth covered."

    ro "If you can say my name without squealing “darling,” I’ll make sure you don’t make a peep while I’m fucking your brains out."

    al "{i}Nngh!{/i}"

    "Oh! She clenched up at that. The innocent little village girl routine was more of a front than he’d thought. He clenched his fingers in her silky hair."

    ro "{i}Say{/i} it. Say my name without screaming it, and maybe I’ll let you look me in the eyes when I “thank” you for finding this place."

    "He let go of her hair, reaching around to pull her hand from her lips. She let out a low, feminine whine as his fingers pushed and pulled and twisted within her."

    al "R-{i}rowan{/i}!"

    scene cg579 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg579
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg579
    pause 3

    "Rowan smiled. She was ready."
    "Without a word he hooked his arms under her waist, lifting her bodily and spinning her around, plopping her down face to face with him."
    "Her eyes were like jade dragonfire, she huddled into Rowan’s chest, her body warm to the touch, shivering with feminine excitement."
    "Rowan reached his hand up, caressing her throat with his fingers before gently tilting her chin to look up at him."

    ro "Are you ready to accept my gratitude?"

    "Breathless, she nodded. It was all the invitation he needed."

    "Like the snapping string of a bow pulled beyond its apex, Rowan let loose. He shoved Alexia backwards, pinning her to the wall with his weight."
    "She let out a surprised gasp, but he did not grant her time to recover. He lifted her up into the air, forcing her to straddled his waist as he threw one of her legs over his shoulder, spreading her thighs apart while keeping her at eye level."
    "His free hand darted out, encircling her throat in a light grip. Her breath caught short, but he did not tighten his grasp, nor close the windpipe completely."
    "They held there for half a breath, the two staring deep into one another’s eyes."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia’s blush deepened. She relaxed into his grip, her wide, green gaze holding firm to his."
        "She trusted him; the innocent little dove really did trust him. Rowan smirked."
        "Whatever else could be said for his beloved, Alexia was brave. Many would have shied away from the intensity of the moment, but she faced it with dignified grace."

    else:
        "Alexia’s eyes filled with list. She shot back a teasing smirk, bending a coquettish eyebrow upwards."
        "{i}Is that all?{/i} She mouthed, insolence and amusement flowing across her face in equal measures."
        "Rowan chuckled. Here he was, worried that she would be afraid, and the randy wench was begging for more!"
        "She was a witch's bubbling cauldron in his grasp: threatening to boil over at any moment with uncontrollable lust."

    "Best not to keep her waiting."
    "He removed his hand from her throat for a brief spell, only long enough to fish his painfully hard cock from his pants and align it to the dripping, twitching sheath that eagerly awaited it."
    "Alexia squirmed in place, but that was mere halfhearted foreplay."

    show catasex with fade
    pause 3
    #rowan smirk
    show rowan necklace happy behind catasex
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind catasex

    "When his cockhead pressed into her she took in a shuddering inhale and went slack against his chest, letting Rowan hold her up against the wall as he began to roughly thrust into her."
    "He held her there, helpless to his not-so-tender ministrations as he rolled his hips into Alexia’s deepest valley. Her pussy twitched and clenched, sucking him in with an almost desperate alacrity."
    "Alexia trembled, the wet {i}slap{/i} of their hips connecting adding further instability to her already precarious balance. If Rowan hadn’t been holding her firmly in place with his own weight, she’d have toppled over."
    "She let him take her, ceding total control to him like it was a blessed weight off her shoulders. Rowan thrust as deep and as hard as he could, and she accepted it, squeezing her eyes shut as she grimaced in painful pleasure."
    "Rowan’s hand went around her neck, applying gentle pressure to the sides. She gasped as breathing became a sudden, shuddering trial."
    "His palm acted as a barrier to her sensitive region: avoiding harming her windpipe while pinching off easy airflow."
    "He used her jawline as a grip, tilting her head sideways to add to the feeling of helplessness to the proceedings. She looked at him askew, her eyes going wide as dinner plates."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Her faux-farmgirl routine wasn’t fooling anyone. When Rowan thrust inside again he felt a noticeable tightening in her womanly hole. The little lamb wasn’t innocent enough to avoid getting off to his rough treatment."
        "He rewarded her by releasing his grip pulling back his hand and dealing a soft {i}whap{/i} to her cheek."
        "The stinging blow knocked her from her sexual stupor, and Alexia recovered enough of herself to manage a halfhearted blush of embarrassment."
        "She didn’t tell him to stop, though. She simply moaned and clung tighter to him."

    else:
        "Alexia couldn’t even manage to affect a proper look of shame for her abject humiliation. Rather: her eyes dilated, her muscles clenched, and a wet, squirting spurt of something splattered down Rowan’s thighs."
        "The lewd bitch. She’d cum just from the tightness of his grip."
        "Such overenthusiastic eagerness merited a proper punishment. Rowan let go of her throat. Alexia began to moan out a complaint, but was cut off by the loud {i}smack{/i} of his hand across her cheek."
        "She let out a pleasured squeal, the sudden, explosive action catching her completely off guard. When her lustful eyes opened, they practically begged him to give her another."

    "Her moans were getting too loud. Fun or no, Rowan had a future use for these tunnels, one that transcended the petty pleasures he was experiencing in the moment."
    "As fun as it was to indulge in his wife’s lurid cries of pleasure, he needed her quiet. His hand closed lovingly around her throat once more, muffling her whorish exhales."
    "Alexia’s pulse quickened, he could feel it in his fingertips. As his grip tightened she grew ever more excited, her eyelids fluttering as he alternated between deep, pounding strokes and short, shallow thrusts."
    "She let out choked moans of pleasure, her body tensing every time he paused at the precipice of his downstroke. Rowan smiled, deciding to toy with her one last time."

    scene cg579 with dissolve
    #rowan smirk
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg579
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg579
    pause 3

    "His thrusts slowed, dwindling down to nothing. Alexia opened her eyes, her face flushing with confusion as he loosened his grip on her neck. She took in a deep breath of air."

    al "W-why did you-"

    ro "How hard do you want me to fuck you?"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Her face, already red, went positively crimson. She took the momentary pause in their rough lovemaking to catch her breath."
        al "I..."
        "Alexia bit her lip and glanced away. Rowan chuckled: the little dove couldn’t even admit how much she was enjoying herself!"
        "No matter. He had his answer."

    else:
        "Alexia’s gaze was trained to his with unblinking intensity. They stared into one another’s eyes, mutual understanding passing between them in the intimacy."
        al "{i}Harder.{/i}"
        "Her voice was raspy, empty of breath. Rowan smiled, running the back of his fingers across her cheek."
        "He slapped Alexia again, just hard enough to startle her. She let out a surprised gasp that swiftly transitioned into an erotic moan."

    scene catasex2 with fade
    #rowan smirk
    show rowan necklace happy behind catasex2
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind catasex2
    pause 2

    "Rowan began to thrust. Harder this time, heedless of their slower pace before. He covered Alexia’s mouth with his hand, fucking her with wild abandon."
    "Her screams of pleasure could be heard through the gaps of his fingers. Rowan did his best to silence her, but it was a loser’s game."
    "He choked her again, thrusting his hips as his wife’s smothered cries drifted up through the narrow channel that his grip allowed."
    "She was his. Now and forever."
    "At last the vice like grip of her drooling love tunnel proved too much for him. Letting out a low, animalistic growl, Rowan jerked forward sandwiching Alexia tight between the wall and him."
    "He pulled her tight to him, shoving his cock into her deepest place as he thickened and came inside her."

    show cg655 with sshake
    show cg655 with sshake
    show cg656 with flash
    pause 2

    al "{i}Aaahn!{/i}"

    "She didn’t even bother to cover up her cry of pleasure this time. Her body shuddered as her eyes squeezed tight, wet squirts of feminine liquid jettisoning from her abused twat as Rowan finished in her."
    "Luckily for the both of them, the sounds coming from above had long since faded to silence."
    "Rowan humped her to completion, stepping back once he was finished and letting her entrapped leg off his shoulder. It slid hopelessly to the ground. "
    "Her legs gave out on her, and Rowan found himself having to hold up his insatiate wife as she gasped and trembled out a colossal orgasm."
    "Rowan smiled leaning in so his lips were at her ear, his quiet whisper echoing in the cavernous tunnel."

    ro "Thank you."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        scene bg58 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia threw her arms around him, clinging tight to his form as she settled her head on his shoulder. He felt the soft touch of her hands begin to rub his back in slow circles."
        "Rowan smiled at his wife’s guileless affection. For all her pretensions of purity, she really {i}was{/i} devoted to him body and soul."
        "Her persistent naïveté was an annoying liability. But Rowan could not deny the simple pleasure to be had in being with someone who was unwaveringly loyal to him. Such uncomplicated relationships were a rarity in Bloodmeen."
        "He put a hand to her cheek, rubbing with his thumb the red spot he’d made when he slapped her."
        ro "We should leave, beloved. We have tarried too long already."
        "Alexia nodded, a tremulous smile building on her features. She closed her eyes and plumped her lips for a kiss."
        "Rowan humored her, leaning in to kiss her as they traded tongues."
        "She still insisted on playing the blushing maid. Rowan would have to work that particular kink out of her, yet."

    else:
        scene bg58 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia shot back a whore’s practiced smile. Her brows arched, her lips parting to flash him just the barest hint of teeth."
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
        al "That’s all you’ve got?"
        ro "For now. "
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia puffed out her cheeks in feigned annoyance. She was looking for more rough play, and was hoping he would punish her for her insolence."
        "But they had spent too much time down here already. Rowan instead released his grip and stepped back, observing with wry amusement her debauched, naked state. Cum and feminine juices ran down her legs."
        "She looked like a whore. {i}His{/i} whore."
        "Rowan put a hand to Alexia’s cheek, his fingers trailing downward to grab her by the throat once more. Alexia let out a pleasured gasp."
        ro "If you really want more, you’ll have to earn it."
        ro "You’ve received a reward worthy of your service to me. Anything more, and I'd be spoiling you."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Collect your clothes, beloved. You can walk back to our room naked."
        "An enthusiastic grin grew across his wife’s face. The sheer taboo of it excited her."
        "Rowan chuckled to himself: she was far too easy to toy with."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_36.rpy
label francois_the_orc_chef_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "...Are you even listening to me, Rowan?"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of Jezera’s voice. He’d been working for so long that he’d started daydreaming."
    "He’d been thinking of Arthdale, of those precious years spent between the war and this new, hellish existence. Happy memories spent with Alexia in Arthdale spun with a whimsical flourish through his mind as he lost track of the relentless tedium of his labours."

    ro "Y-yes!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Sorry, I got distracted."
    ro "Please, continue… you were saying something about this month’s goblin supply shipments?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Oh, nevermind. I suppose it is getting late. We can talk about this tomorrow."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "It seems even a Divine Hero needs a rest from time to time, hm?"

    "Jezera’s eyes went up and down his body with an appraiser's glint."

    je "I suppose you’ve earned a break. You’ve been at it for so {i}long{/i}, haven’t you, Rowan?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan pointedly ignored the caustic smile that built upon his captor’s lips. A beat passed. Then, her posture lowered to a shrug."

    je "Very well. Another time, perhaps."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    "Rowan bowed to the Lady of Bloodmeen and made to leave, his footsteps echoing on the throne room floor. He stopped short when he heard Jezera’s voice call out to him."

    je "Oh, Rowan! I almost forgot: I have a surprise for you."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan didn’t like surprises, least of all {i}Jezera’s{/i} kind of surprises. He tensed in place, his hand palming the pommel of his sword. An old comfort."

    ro "...What is it?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Oh don’t be so sour, Rowan! You look like you swallowed a lemon."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "You should be excited. It’s not often I reward someone for a job well done."
    je "I read the latest reports."

    "That was a surprise."

    je "We’re making more from our pre-existing revenue streams, and our new revenue streams are all doing well. This past year, you’ve essentially transformed the castle’s finances. A job well done."
    je "I thought it was only appropriate that I reward a loyal servant for his good service."

    "The demoness put a contemplative finger to her chin, her eyes alight with mischief."

    je "I’ve set aside a small stipend for you, to do with as you will."
    je "You might not want to ask about where we got it though. It might not sit well with your… delicate sensibilities."

    "Rowan took her up on that advice."

    scene bg27 with fade

    "A few days later, Rowan stood at the head of a long table in one of the sumptuous dining halls in the castle, wrestling with the butterflies in his stomach. He paced back and forth upon the polished tile, his footsteps echoing in the empty room."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Where in the Planes of Chaos is he?"

    "He couldn’t afford to waste any more time on the surprise; Alexia would be here any minute."
    "Rowan had heard that a traveling chef was crossing the wastes as part of a caravan that had stopped nearby. It had cost him an arm and a leg, but he’d persuaded the chef to make a detour using most of Jezera's stipend."
    "The mystery chef was known only by his first name moniker: “Francois.”"
    "Rowan himself had only communicated with the man via letter. But, he had the famous chef-cum-sommelier come to the castle for an exclusive meal. A treat to his loyal and loving wife."
    "...but the chef was late."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "As if on cue a large, a gregarious fellow swept into the room. It took several seconds of staring for Rowan to process the fact that the large man in the white apron and tall toque hat was an Orc."

    fran "‘Allo!"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    fran "It is I, {i}Francois{/i}! Ze gourmet of yo’ dreams! "
    fran "And yo’ wifey’s dreams too, eh? Ah ha ha ha ha!"

    "Rowan’s squinted so tightly he looked like his eyes were closed."

    ro "{i}Y-you’re{/i} Francois?!"

    fran "But o’ course! Can thou not see a masta’ o’ his craft when thou see’s one?"

    "The Orc flourished like a preening magician after a stunning performance, grinning at Rowan with a face full of fangs."
    "Had this all just been some horrible prank on Jezera’s part? Rowan spun his head about in anxious pivots, searching the room for some sign of trickery."

    ro "Uh… I-I guess not?"

    fran "Then don’ worry ya noggin’ and get to nommin’! My meals are to {i}die{/i} for, thou shalt see for yo’ self!"

    "His accent was a curious blend of an Orc’s brutish linguism, mixed with a peasant’s idea of blueblood speak. Rowan was taken aback by his seeming ‘fluency’ with the peculiar dialect."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Look, can you just… will the food be ready on time?"

    fran "Not ta’ worry young masta’, thou art in good hands! Just sit thouself down and I’ll be back in a fort-minute!"

    "The nonsensical Orc boomed with laughter and sped off towards the kitchens. He was gone before Rowan realized what the supposed ‘chef’ had just said to him. He’d just arrived, but he said the food would be done in… a ‘fort-minute?’"
    "A fort-minute? Like a fortnight, but in minutes?"
    "{i}...The food would be ready in fourteen minutes?!{/i}"

    scene bg27 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "After a few more minutes of anxious worry, Alexia appeared."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Seeing her again, even after such a brief time apart brought a childlike grin to Rowan’s face."

    ro "Alexia…"

    "She’d dressed in her green outfit, her hair done up just as he’d remembered it during their days together in Arthdale. She smiled at him in that wonderful way of hers, standing in the entryway with her arms behind her like some shy maiden at a festival."

    al "Hello, darling."

    "Her eyes trailed past him, to the long dining table festooned with intricate table settings, red silk napkins and garish silver cutlery."
    "The sumptuous table settings had once belonged to a Rosarian noble whose estates had been… ‘confiscated’ by the Twins. It was far more than the two of them would need, but Rowan had paid to impress. Her green eyes lit up."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Is all this for me?"

    "Rowan couldn’t contain a cocky smile."

    ro "For us."

    al "Oh Rowan, you shouldn’t have!"

    "He extended his hand to her. Alexia took it, flashing him a toothy smile as he led her like a Lady of the Court to her seat at the head of the table. She giggled at his exaggerated formality."
    "Rowan pulled closer to her, putting her hand on his shoulder and draping his arm around her waist. She reciprocated, leaning in so that they were face to face with each other."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve

    al "...What’s the occasion, my darling?"

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Can’t a man do something nice for his beloved from time to time?"

    "He kissed her. Their lips met and for a long moment they forgot the world around them. At last Alexia pulled away, smirking."

    al "Mmmm, I wouldn’t mind it if you made a habit out of this."

    ro "Make it worth my while, and I just might."

    "He decided it would be best not to mention the moral costs of a dinner like tonight."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Tease!"

    "Alexia eagerly took her seat at the head, with Rowan pulling the chair back for her before taking his place to her direct left."

    al "So, what’s on the menu for this evening?"

    ro "Ah… well, to be honest it's kind of a mystery to me as well."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind black

    al "Hm?"

    ro "I hired a special chef from outside the Castle for us to enjoy. But he’s... uh-"

    #cg1 - Meal
    scene cg618 with fade
    pause 3

    "As if on cue, the ridiculous Orcish chef flounced into the room, bearing two massive platters on the palms of his oversized green hands."

    scene cg619 with fade
    pause 3

    fran "Ha ha! Dis dinner is {i}served{/i}!"

    scene cg618 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg618
    show rowan necklace shock behind cg618
    pause 1.5

    al "O-{i}oh{/i}! It's an Orc."

    fran "‘Course I’s an Orc, blind lady! Does I look like a wee-skinny Elf to thou?"
    fran "Dis ‘Orc’ is Francois! The greatest Chef in all Solanse!"

    "Alexia turned to Rowan with a blank look of confusion. Rowan shrugged."

    fran "Worry not pretty lady, thou art in the {i}best{/i} o’ hands!"

    "He pirouetted in place once he reached the two and placed the platters before them. Rowan was astonished at the heat radiating off of the plate… how had the Orc managed to prepare a full meal so quickly?"
    "The reason became obvious when he lifted the covers and revealed the hideous looking slop beneath. It looked like a heap of indecipherable gelatinous mush, caked in the color of boiled-spinach green."

    fran "‘Tis an old Orcish specialty. Darkwood Goulash. Yo’ taste buds will thank me! {i}Ha ha{/i}!"

    "Interspersed between the vaguely-meat textured broth were hints of yellow and orange… carrots and corn? Rowan desperately hoped that that was the case. The food looked more venomous than scrumptious."

    fran "Dig in! Da’ second course is on its way!"

    "The Orc swept his large hand across the tops of their food like a ship’s sail to clear the steam, then bowed and retreated."
    "Rowan and Alexia exchanged a look, their shared worry at the dreadful looking meal causing matching awkward smiles to spread across their faces."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg618

    ro "-Like I was trying to say."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg618

    ro "I hired a chef, but he’s…"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg618

    al "Not what you expected?"

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg618

    ro "Is it that obvious?"

    "The couple laughed. Horrifying food aside, it was good to share an intimate moment like this together. They’d had too few of these simple pleasures since coming to Castle Bloodmeen."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg618

    "Alexia - ever the brave one - took the first, hesitant bite. She spun her fork into the yielding food, surprised at how it stuck like gelatin to the teeth of the utensil. She brought it up to her lips and took a delicate nibble."

    al "..."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg618

    al "...Rowan, you have to try this!"

    "Rowan quirked an eyebrow. Was it really that good, or was his dearly-beloved wife leading him on as punishment for his culinary sin?"
    "He had little choice in the matter. He {i}had{/i} been the one to hire Francois, after all. Steeling himself, Rowan took a bite of the noxious-looking food. "
    "Scintillating flavor burst across his stunned taste buds like wildfire. The food was earthy, but savory, full of spices and sauces whose origin were as ambiguous as the chef who made the dish."
    "Alexia had a second bite in her mouth before Rowan could finish chewing his first. She let out an appreciative gasp of pleasure."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg618
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg618

    al "{i}Mmh{/i}, it’s so good!"

    ro "Kharos take me, it really is."

    "Alexia’s fork shot out in front of Rowan’s face. She waggled it back and forth as she chewed."

    al "{i}Mmmph mmph{/i} no cursing at the dinner table!"

    "The playful twinkle in her eye made Rowan smile. He took her fork-hand by the wrist and nabbed the food still hanging off of it with his mouth."

    al "Hey!"

    "She wrenched her wrist away, but the damage was done. Rowan savored his victory with a long, deliberate swallow."

    ro "Mmm… delicious."

    al "You’re lucky you married such a forgiving wife, Rowan. A noble lady wouldn’t stand for such scandal."

    ro "A shame then that you weren’t born a noble, darling. I guess you’ll just have to suffer me instead. "

    "They laughed. Alexia’s took another savory bite as she fluttered her eyelashes at him. Her warm smile alone made Francois’ cooking worth every copper."
    "An hour passed as Francois brought meal after bafflingly-tasty meal to them. Each one more hideous looking than the last, yet they were all delectable in an exotic sort of way. By the end both of them were stuffed."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    fran "Was mah food not the *mwah* tastiest?"

    "Francois mimed kissing his fingers then threw it out into the air in an energetic rush."

    al "It was amazing!"

    ro "Thank you, Francois. You did an excellent job."

    fran "Ha ha! O’ course I did! I am {i}Francois{/i}, after all! Ze quality is in ze name!"
    fran "And thou two! Such a loving couple! Such a fine pair!"
    fran "They say mah meals are more filling than a feast, and more {i}potent{/i} than a love potion. Perhaps it shall grant you two stamina in ze sack as well, eh?"

    "Rowan cleared his throat awkwardly, and Alexia blushed beet red. This only seemed to amuse the eccentric chef."

    fran "{i}Ah{/i} ha ha ha ha!"
    fran "I shall take mah leave of thou lovebirds. A thousand blessings to your tastebuds, and tell all you know that your finest meal came on ze day you met {i}Francois{/i}!"

    "Francois bid them farewell with a theatrical flourish and swept from the room, leaving the two to marvel in the aftermath of such a colorful character."

    al "This was wonderful, Rowan."

    ro "I am glad I could provide, darling."

    menu:
        "Invite her to bed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump francoisSex_rp

        "Escort her back to the room.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan had enjoyed himself this evening, but all good things must come to an end. Alexia was yawning, and it was obvious she would last much longer."
            ro "Shall I escort you to your room, Milady?"
            "Alexia giggled and extended her hand."
            al "Thank you, darling."
            scene bg14 with fade
            "They walked hand in hand through the castle halls, chatting about nothing and just enjoying one another’s presence."
            "There was joy in their voices, but in many ways it was forced. Removed from the warm atmosphere and laughing Orc chef, a silent pall fell upon them both."
            "For all the fun they’d had, for all the happiness they’d shared, they were still prisoners in this place. Even the meal itself had been paid with the blood of others."
            "Alexia fell silent as they neared the bedroom."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "Rowan…"
            ro "Yes?"
            al "Do you ever get the feeling that you’re living in a dream?"
            al "All that food, all that fun…"
            al "We’re living in a gilded cage."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan didn’t know how to respond to that. Nor to the searching look Alexia gave him when she looked at him with sad eyes."
            "He sighed, wrapping his arm around her as they came to the door of the bedroom."
            ro "We can only do what we can, beloved."
            "She rested her head against his shoulder. They stood there, comforting each other as husband and wife for a long moment."
            al "...I know, Rowan. I just wish we could do better."
            return

    label francoisSex_rp:

    "Channeling his inner romantic, Rowan shot bedroom eyes at his beloved wife."

    ro "You look beautiful this evening, beloved."

    al "Why thank you, darling."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "You know… I don’t believe Francois prepared dessert to go with the meal."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve

    ro "Oh? Did you have something particular in mind?"

    "Alexia took Rowan’s hand and squeezed it, pulling him out of his chair. The corniness of the line was almost a game unto itself."

    al "I might have a few ideas."

    ro "Then lead on, my darling."

    "Giggling, the two retired for the evening to their shared bedroom."

    #CG 2 sex scene
    scene cg670 with fade
    pause 1
    show cg671 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg671
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg671
    pause 3

    "No sooner had they closed the door to the bedroom than Alexia had Rowan up against the wall. She kissed him, pressing close as she clung to his chest with his hands. Rowan encircled her with his arms, holding his beloved wife tight as if desperate to let her slip through his fingers."
    "At last they pulled away from each other, their lungs empty of breath and their eyes smouldering."

    al "Tonight was wonderful."

    "Her earnest tone and honest expression belied the heavy blush on her cheeks. She smiled."

    al "You really are good to me, Rowan."

    #if alexiaThreesomeStormout or raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
    al "At least, as good as anyone can be in this terrible place."

    #else:
        #al "I know it isn’t easy to be either."

    "He chuckled, running his hands down her hips before groping at her ass."

    ro "I have a lot of incentive to be."

    "Alexia let out a low, sexual coo. She peeled his jacket off, then his shirt, her hands spreading across his bare chest as if kneading clay. Her slender fingers tugged at the buckle of his trousers."

    al "Let me be good to you."

    "She led him by his belt to the bed, backing up with sultry steps until she was butting up against it. With a wink she undid the straps of her shirt, exposing her pale breasts."
    "Rowan helped her with her skirt, peeling them down off her hips with his thumbs, till she was naked."
    "It was marvelous how she could still excite him. Nearly a decade spent together had not dampened their romance in the slightest. He was hard beneath his trousers, and her searching fingers found purchase against his length."

    al "I want to try something…"

    "Rowan smirked at her embarrassed tone and heavy blush."

    al "Lie back on the bed."

    "He did as he was bid, reclining on the bed as she peeled his leggings off of him. She crawled up between his legs, pausing to plant a long kiss upon the head of his penis before continuing forward. Soon they were face to face again."

    ro "My, wasn’t that ambitious?"

    "She laughed and lightly slapped his cheek."

    al "Shut up! You’re just making it harder to go through with."

    "They kissed again. Alexia pulled close, her nipples rubbing in pleasant circles on his chest. She moaned as he ran his fingers through her hair."
    "Smiling down at him, Alexia pulled away. For a second Rowan was confused, but then the nature of her maneuvering became obvious."
    "She pivoted in place atop him, spinning around so her ample ass was in his face. He felt rather than saw her fingers take hold of his dick, and then a wet, warm sensation as her lips touched down on his cockhead."

    #CG 3 sex scene
    scene cg620 with fade
    pause 3

    "She leaned her hips back, and suddenly all Rowan could see was her wet slit staring back at him."

    scene francois69 with fade
    pause 3

    "He took the gift that was offered to him, leaning up with his face to roughly make out with his wife’s pussy. He groaned into her crotch when he felt her head bob on his cock."
    "The pair began a rough back and forth, licking and sucking one another in a friendly competition to see who could make the other cum fist."
    "Alexia gasped when Rowan’s tongue tickled her clit. She got back at him by cupping his balls, her hands moving with expert ministrations across the skin of his cock that wasn’t buried in her mouth."
    "Rowan riposted, using his fingers to spread her pussy lips wide as he sucked her nectar directly from the source. Alexia let out a muffled cry as Rowan’s fingers dived deep into her dripping delta."
    "Not to be outdone, Alexia got daring. Using his hips for leverage, she thrust her head down, deepthroating him in a single move that nearly stole the breath from his lungs."
    "Her throat was a vice, wet and warm, with the wriggling from her tongue lathering his dick in saliva. He dove nose-first into her cunt, swirling his tongue around as he heard Alexia squirm and gasp and drip onto his face."
    "They both stopped their oral attack at almost the same moment. Breathless, Alexia sat up off his face and glanced over her shoulder at him. There was a moment of mutual understanding, and then she crawled forward."

    #CG 4 sex scene
    scene cg630 with fade
    pause 3

    "Randy, horny, driven wild by their partner’s expert attention, Rowan and Alexia moved almost as one on the bed. Alexia positioned herself above Rowan’s dick at the same time he aligned it to her wet pussy."
    "She sank down on him, and just like that they were fucking."

    scene francoissex with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind francoissex
    pause 3

    "She moved with a particular feminine sway, bouncing atop his cock as she balanced herself with her hands and feet."
    "Rowan loved the little details: the feminine curl of her spine, her long red hair draping down her back like fire. Alexia moved slowly, but with energetic zeal atop him. "
    "The soft, wet {i}slaps{/i} of their genitalia coming together added a lovely staccato to the tight, warm sensation of her clamping down on his prick."

    al "Mmmh, {i}Rowan{/i}."

    "The way she said his name made him smile, made him drift for a brief moment back to happier days spent as youthful puppy-lovers under the elms of Arthdale. How far astray life had taken them from that simple place. But despite everything, at least {i}they{/i} had stayed the same."
    "He took his wife’s naked body by the hips, pulling her deeper into his thrust. She gasped, tilting her head back to look at him with heavy-lidded eyes."
    "Rowan planted a rough {i}spank{/i} on her plump behind, causing Alexia to tense and let out a yelp of surprise. Her pussy tightened around him, nearly driving Rowan to orgasm."
    "She cast a heated glance back in Rowan’s direction. Far from being provoked by his cheeky strike, she let out a heated moan. Kharos take him, he loved this woman."

    scene francoissex2 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind francoissex2
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind francoissex2
    pause 1.5

    "They picked up the pace, Alexia bouncing atop him with a hefty weight as Rowan took her by the hips and drove her downwards. Their romantic lovemaking turned into a hot, wet fuck. "
    "Rowan began to take deep inhales from his nose as the rising tide of his pleasure built to a thundering crescendo. Alexia, his beloved, let out a cry and bottomed out on him, rolling her ass atop his waist as an orgasm shuddered up her spine."

    show cg638 with sshake
    show cg638 with sshake
    show cg639 with flash
    pause 2


    "He grunted and thrust and came, his balls clenching as he unloaded himself inside of her. All their love, all their affection and mutual attraction culminated in this final, exemplary sensation."
    "He kissed the back of her shoulder as he came, leaning up and wrapping his arms around her stomach as they clung to each other on the bed. Alexia’s breath came out in great gouts as he held her tight, a subtle promise of protection in his enshrouding embrace."

    al "Oh Rowan."

    "Her quiet whisper of his name made him smile. He let out a pleasured breath as the last of his cum shot into her."

    ro "I hope you enjoyed the meal, my darling."

    "She looked back at him over her shoulder, taking his cheek in hand and pushing her lips against his own. Alexia planted a soft peck on his lips, then went in for a longer one."
    "For a brief moment, they forgot the world around them: the twins, the castle, the accursed necklaces around their necks."
    "After several seconds of intimate contact, the two came up for air breathless once more. The woman of Rowan’s dreams smiled at him in the sexual afterglow of their lovemaking. Alexia stroked his cheek."

    al "More than you know, beloved."
    al "I love you, Rowan Blackwell."

    ro "I love you too, Alexia Blackwell."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_37.rpy
label succubi_murder_mystery_rp:

    $ skipped_scene = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skipped_scene = True
            jump succubi_murder_mystery_skip_rp
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Rowan stood solemn like one of the innumerable blackstone gargoyles squatting within the blue-tinted pleasurescape of the Dark Sanctum."
    "Upon his face he bore a grim expression. A solemn acknowledgement of the two prostrate bodies lying frozen in mid-coitus in front of him."

    ro "So, I take it this is the emergency?"

    #xzaratl concerned
    xz "Yes..."

    "Rowan had to suppress a shiver. The amount of blood splattered on the ground prognosticated a particularly gruesome end for the star-crossed pair. The bed was soaked in it, its frilly pillows and silken covers coated in a thick red stain."
    "It was hard to look at them. The two naked bodies lay like piled matchsticks atop one another. They had died in a terrible way. Rowan hardened his brow."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Who were they?"
    xz "The Succubus was named Ishta. "

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "She was my second, my enforcer in the Sanctum. Inferior only to myself in both power and prestige. "

    "X'zaratl stepped forward, staring down at the body with a thoughtful look. She placed one of her four hands upon the bed, lifting it up to stare at the lifeblood clinging to her fingertips."

    xz "I depended upon her to keep the others in line, when the Twin’s duties took me elsewhere."
    xz "As for the mortal… I have no idea. Maybe one of her pets. My siblings keep so many these days, I don’t bother to keep track of them all."

    "The slave’s lifeless body was draped atop his mistress, his position indicating intense copulation in the immediate moments leading up to his demise."
    "He was a distinctive fellow: bald, tan, with piercing green eyes and a handsome -if rugged and wind blown - face."
    "Rowan reached out and took the limp hand of the Succubus lying face-up upon the bed."
    "Her eyes were lidless, staring up towards the ceiling, gazing into eternity. A small line of blood trailed from one corner of her full lips, marring her otherwise beautiful features."
    "Given the character of the blood stains on the bed, the worst injuries were far lower on her body. They were mercifully covered up by the dead corpse of her lover splayed out atop her."
    "She was dead cold. Rowan let go of her hand, and it dropped with boneless weight back onto the bed."

    ro "I’ve seen {i}harpies{/i} use more subtle evisceration methods. This was no act of mortal men. "

    #xzaratl concerned

    xz "An act of ‘mortal’ men, no. But {i}men{/i} are not the only ones capable of such cruelty."

    "Her worried frown spoke volumes."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So you’re saying it was a crime of passion, then. Some kind of rage killing."

    "X'zaratl nodded solemnly."

    xz "Lesser Succubi in a brood sometimes suffer from these kinds of internal squabbles."

    "The Demoness’ shrug was nonchalant, as if capital murder was just acceptable collateral in the pitiless realm of Kharos."
    "...A chill ran down Rowan’s spine as he considered the true implications of the thought. X'zaratl did not seem particularly broken up at her former second’s grisly demise, so much as annoyed at the inconvenience of the event itself. "
    "He stood up and brushed himself off, glancing around the room in search of anything odd or out of place."

    xz "You see now why I wanted your help in this."

    "Rowan’s brow tightened. He felt his hand drift towards the reassuring weight of his sword pommel."

    ro "No. {i}Why{/i} have you brought me into all this?"
    ro "If what you say is true, then this is a personal matter, one that should be solved amongst the Succubi. "
    ro "Why come to me, and not the Twins?"

    "X'zaratl’s easy smile fell away. For the first time since Rowan had met her, she looked… troubled. Her four arms curled around herself in a protective cocoon."

    xz "I am trying to avoid bringing our masters into this matter. As it might reflect poorly on my perceived ability to keep my kin in line."
    xz "My little siblings no doubt all intend to lie through their teeth. Given the circumstances, I do not blame them for doing so. "

    #xzaratl angry

    xz "But this is unacceptable. It is one thing for a minion to carry out a personal grudge, it is quite another to do so to the {i}detriment{/i} of her mistress’ influence."
    xz "Justice must be done."

    ro "To whom? You sound like you already know who is to blame."

    #xzaratl happy

    xz " That is precisely what I’m hoping you’ll help me discover, Rowan. I figure that a mortal’s perspective might shed light upon this mystery in a way that a Demon’s mind might not."

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "My brood are now detained in their rooms, denied their harems until the investigation is finished."
    xz "Would you do me a kindness, and join me in their interrogation?"

    menu:
        "Agree to help. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan sighed. Of all the odious tasks he had been expected to deal with in Bloodmeen, conducting a murder investigation with a Demon certainly wasn’t one of them."
            ro "Where should we begin?"
            xz "With those who stand the most to gain from Ishta’s death."
            xz "I enforce a strict but informal hierarchy in the brood. I am on top, of course. {i}Always{/i}."
            "X'zaratl’s unsubtle sexual purr was so blatant that Rowan couldn’t help but grow a bemused smile."
            xz "-But beneath me, power comes to those ambitious or deceitful enough to claim it."
            xz "Ishta has been my second for some time now. Few would dare challenge her position openly. But there are those in the brood who hold deep grudges against her."
            #xzaratl angry
            xz "We must suss out the truth. Come, there isn’t much time. Ishta’s body already grows cold."
            jump xzaratlInterrogation1_rp

        "I don’t have time for this.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "X’Zaratl, I am trying to run a war effort. Your brood’s internecine conflicts do not interest me."
            "X’Zaratl’s expression fell as Rowan took a last look at the dead bodies. Demon squabbles were a messy and pointless affair."
            ro "Deal with this problem how you see fit. This is why the Twins brought you in to lead the Dark Sanctum in the first place."
            ro "And next time: don’t bother coming to me about something as trivial as this."
            "Rowan swept from the room in a smooth movement, hustling from the area as if to escape the accusing eyes of the dead slave looking at him."
            return

    label xzaratlInterrogation1_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "The two came to the first of the sealed chambers that were the Succubi’s personal quarters. This one was directly next door to Ishta’s abode."
    "It was a large, circular room encircled by mystical curtains. He walked up to them and gave a tug, but nothing happened. So far as Rowan could tell, there was no means of piercing through the seemingly thick fabric."

    ro "So who is first?"

    xz "This is Ahrima, one of my first recruits to the Dark Sanctum. She’s an irritable creature, aggressive and ill-tempered."
    xz "...And also a prime suspect in Ishta’s murder."

    ro "What makes her your first choice?"

    xz "Location and motive. The two {i}hated{/i} each other."
    xz "With most broods, alliances and rivalries can shift with the breeze as each competes for position and privilege."
    xz "But despite that fact, the two have never worked together. That should speak to the level of enmity we’re dealing with here."
    xz "Expect an icy greeting, she’s been stewing in her room for a while, now."

    "X'zaratl pulled aside the silken curtains, their enfolding curves bending aside to reveal the sumptuous bedroom of a Succubus."

    hide xzaratl with dissolve
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Ahrima stood in the corner of the room with her back to Rowan."

    ro "{i}Ahem{/i}."

    "At the sound of Rowan’s voice, Ahrima turned, her slitted eyes spreading wide as she took in the sight of the male in front of her. The Succubus’ gaze swept across his form before settling on his face."
    "Her eyes darted down to look at Rowan’s sword before meeting his gaze once more. A cold smile spread across her lips."

    ahrima "My my, so Lady X'zaratl sees fit to slake my thirst?"
    ahrima "You’ll make a scrumptious morsel, little mortal."

    ro "You’re Ahrima, yes?"

    "Her catspaw smile was wide and curling. She slunk over towards the bed, bending forward to display her feminine curves to him."

    ahrima "‘Mistress’ will do."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I’m here to investigate Ishta’s murder on behalf of the Twins."

    ahrima "Oh an ‘agent’ of the Twins, is it?"

    "The Succubus moved closer, her bare footsteps across the carpet silent on the approach. Her eyes were fixed to him as she moved to step into his personal space."
    "Rowan drew the first inch of his sword free from its scabbard, flashing the Succubus a warning look."

    ro "Don’t trifle with me, whore. I’m no more pleased to be here than you are."

    "Far from being intimidated, the Demon let out an annoyed huff. She plopped her bare bottom onto the bed and folded her arms together."

    ahrima "Figures she sends a prude to waste my time. "
    ahrima "What do you want from me then, mortal?"

    ro "Answers."

    ahrima "Then you stuffed your cock up the wrong hole, honey. I don’t know who killed the bitch."

    $ ahrima1aSeen = False
    $ ahrima2aSeen = False
    $ ahrima3aSeen = False

    $ niseiSlaveClue = False
    $ ryleaLoverClue = False

    label ahrimaQuestions_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "Where were you when the murder occurred?":# if ahrima1aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The demon seemed amused at this particular line of questioning. She rolled over onto her back on the bed, stretching out to display her full, feminine curves to him."
            ahrima "Looking for ways to undermine dearest Ishta, of course. Seems like whoever snuffed her out took a far more… {i}direct{/i} route."
            "Her grin was predatory, her eyes lidding low as if to invite Rowan to celebrate the demon’s grisly demise by joining her on the bed."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I’ll ask again: {i}where were you{/i}?"
            ahrima " I have no alibi, honey. I won’t pretend to peddle false stories to you."
            ahrima "I was in my room, in fact. Trying to listen in on that skank misusing a perfectly good cockslave."
            "The demon shrugged, gesturing with a hand towards the outside."
            ahrima " I got distracted, and was busy fucking the brains out of some of my concubines when X'zaratl burst in and confined us to our rooms."
            ro "Did you see anything suspicious? Did you see anyone enter or leave the area?"
            ahrima "here were several cocks in my face at the time. I saw dick."
            ro "Do you have {i}any{/i} other witnesses who might have seen you in the minutes before the body was discovered?"
            "Ahrima giggled at the mere notion."
            ahrima "None save my own concubines. But, you should know how trustworthy a Succubus’ pet can be!"
            ahrima "So willful, so free spirited! And they’d {i}never{/i} lie for the sake of their mistress, would they?"
            ro "I think I get the point."
            ahrima "Then you know why I don’t bother to give you empty excuses. I was alone, for all intents and purposes."
            ro "How inconvenient for you."
            ahrima "Life is often a series of inconveniences, no?"
            ahrima "Like, how {i}inconvenient{/i} it is for all involved, that X'zaratl managed to pull an outsider into the brood’s private matter."
            ahrima "It’s almost like she has her own motives for doing so, no?"
            $ ahrima1aSeen = True
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "Do you have any idea who could have done this?":# if ahrima2aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ahrima "Anyone but me."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "That’s hardly helpful."
            ahrima "I’m not in the habit of kissing and telling, honey."
            ahrima "Even if I did know who did it, I wouldn’t tell you."
            ro "Why?"
            ahrima "Because to us, there’s nothing worse than a tattletale."
            ro "Mock me again whore, and I’ll tell X'zaratl that {i}you're{/i} the one to blame for all this."
            "The demon let out an impatient sigh. Ahrima muttered something under her breath that sounded suspiciously like {i}‘mortals.’{/i}"
            ahrima "You don’t get it. This is a matter of trust. If I knew, and I told you, and got {i}caught{/i}…"
            ahrima "Well, lets just say it’s not a happy outcome. My sisters would hate a tattler {i}far{/i} more than whoever killed our dear, departed Ishta."
            ahrima "Telling truths about our kin to strangers is a much worse sin than killing one another."
            $ ahrima2aSeen = True
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "Do you know anything about the human victim?":# if ahrima3aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ahrima "How should I know? A slave is a slave."
            ahrima "I rarely bother to keep track of the filthy mongrels and scabby sluts my brothers and sisters lay with in their off-hours. Could you describe him?"
            ro "He was tall. Bald, green eyed and tan-skin."
            "Ahrima sighed, perching her leg up onto her knee in bored invitation. She idly tapped the air with her toe, heedless of her exposed genitalia."
            ahrima "Figures you’d leave out his most telling trait."
            "The demon chewed on Rowan’s words for a moment."
            ahrima "Hm… bald, you said?"
            "The more she considered the thought, the more she seemed to deduce something from it. Her furrowed brow lifted as surprise turned to mirth. A malicious gleam came to her eye."
            ahrima "Wait, was it {i}Nisei’s{/i} little favorite?"
            "Ahrima let out a self-satisfied chuckle, leaning back and spreading her legs wide as she idly touched herself."
            ahrima "This little shakeup in the brood hierarchy just got a whole lot juicier."
            ro "Who?"
            ahrima "Nisei captured him in battle, a little while ago. She hasn’t stopped flapping her jism-suckers about him ever since."
            ahrima "She brought him out to play with me once or twice before, when we were on better terms. "
            ahrima "Good, reliable workhorse in the sack. A shame the old stud is gone, I’d have liked to have gotten a ride or two in."
            ahrima "But my, what a way to go, huh? I’m certain Nisei’s just devastated."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Ahrima’s mocking laughter made even the stoic and profoundly jaded Rowan feel awkward and uncomfortable."
            $ niseiSlaveClue = True
            $ ahrima3aSeen = True
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "What can you tell me about Ishta?":# if ahrima1aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ahrima "How much bile can you stomach at once?"
            ahrima "She was a cheat, a liar, a hypocrite, and - worst of all - an uninspired lover. And I’m glad she’s dead."
            ro "Could she have had any enemies, aside from you?"
            "Ahrima laughed aloud. It was a curious union of attractive, feminine resonance and grating, lilting cackling."
            ahrima "Of {i}course{/i} she did! We’re demons, not a Solansian nunnery."
            ro "How did she treat the other Succubi?"
            "Ahrima smiled, but her eyes were filled with murder."
            ahrima "Does the term ‘imperious’ mean anything to you, mortal?"
            ahrima "The {i}instant{/i} she became X'zaratl’s new second, she lorded it over all the others. Me especially."
            ahrima "It was insufferable. I’m not surprised someone finally saw fit to finish her off."
            ahrima "The only real shock in all this is that {i}I{/i} didn’t do it."
            ro "Your words would seem to imply the exact opposite."
            "Ahrima’s distant shrug showed how little she seemed to care about that fact."
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "What can you tell me about the other Succubi?":# if ahrima2aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Ahrima sighed, rolling onto her stomach as she counted them out on her fingers."
            ahrima "Well, there’s Ishta, whom I’m sure you’ve already met."
            "A dark smile grew on the Succubus’ in response to her own, morbid joke. It sent a shiver down Rowan’s spine."
            ahrima "Then there’s Rylea, the cute hunk. Our brood’s only Incubus, at the moment."
            ahrima "Bit of an overpolite sap, but clever enough. He was Ishta’s favorite boy toy while she was Queen of the roost. The two were ‘inseparable.’"
            "The Demon rolled her eyes, reaching up with one clenched fist to mime jerking off an invisible cock."
            ahrima "I wouldn’t doubt he’s in his doldrums right now, thinking about how he’s lost his cozy spot at the top."
            ahrima "-Then there’s Nisei."
            ahrima "{i}She’s{/i} a curious type: tends to bend in the wind to whatever breeze is blowing."
            ro "What do you mean?"
            ahrima "Ishta wasn’t always X'zaratl’s second. There used to be an Incubus in charge, and Nisei was his favorite lover."
            ahrima "Then Ishta subjugated him, and kicked him out of the harem, leaving Nisei swaying in the breeze."
            ahrima "We’ve allied a few times in the past. She’s a fun lay, if a bit too soft for my tastes. The woman can barely keep her wits together when there’s something convenient to sob about."
            ahrima "Between you and me: I see right through her crocodile tears. Just be ready for some waterworks when you go talk to her, huh?"
            "Ahrima sat up on the bed and hummed to herself, her head tilting."
            ahrima "And then, of course, there’s Deandra."
            ahrima "Our ‘little sister.’ Such a dear. If you value your testicles, don’t take your eyes off of her for a second. She wields lies like Andras wields that big, red rod of his."
            ro "They all sound like quite the charmers."
            "She blew a kiss in Rowan’s direction."
            ahrima "Careful whence you tread, mortal. We demons play {i}rough{/i}."
            $ ryleaLoverClue = True
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "What was Ishta doing in the arms of another Succubus’ pet?":# if ahrima3aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ahrima "Fucking, if I had to guess."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "The Succubus let out a sultry laugh at the sight of Rowan’s unhappy frown."
            ahrima "Oh, lighten up mortal! What did you {i}think{/i} they were doing? Playing at marriage?"
            ro "I’m looking for a possible motive, Succubus."
            ahrima "Well, speaking from experience, Nisei’s pretty tight-cunted with her harem. I’m surprised she was willing to lend out her favorite stud."
            ahrima "Especially given how notorious Ishta was for… "
            ahrima "‘Breaking toys.’"
            "The Succubus, lounged back against the bed, lazily displaying her body for Rowan’s perusal. She winked at him as her hands trailed lower."
            ahrima "Ishta must have offered her something {i}juicy{/i}. Maybe they were looking to form a potential alliance?"
            ahrima "Oh well. Doesn’t matter either way, anymore. Nisei’s back at the bottom of the food chain now, with nothing to show for it."
            jump ahrimaQuestions_rp

        "End interrogation. (Scene)":# if niseiSlaveClue == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump ahrimaInvestigationEnd_rp

    label ahrimaInvestigationEnd_rp:

    ro "...I think I have everything I need from you."

    "Ahrima pouted, rolling over onto her stomach and letting her lower lip quiver in a liar’s pantomime of a jilted lover."

    ahrima "Are you certain you have {i}everything{/i}, mortal? There isn’t {i}anything{/i} else I can offer?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No. Goodbye."

    hide succubus 2 with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Rowan stepped through the mystical curtains and came face to face with a waiting X’Zaratl."

    xz "...Did you learn anything?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Yes. For one thing, the dead slave didn’t belong to the victim. He was the pet of a Succubus named “Nisei.”"

    xz "Nisei?"
    xz "Hm… it appears this killing is more complicated than I first thought."

    ro "We must speak with her immediately."

    #xzaratl happy
    xz "My thoughts exactly, Rowan."

    label xzaratlInterrogation2_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "What can you tell me about Nisei?"

    xz "Nisei is one of my more stable servants. She enjoys the politics, but is not as comfortable with the occasional outbreak of violence as the others often are."
    xz "She’s... {i}Pach’na{/i}, what is the word?"
    xz "She is {i}“Achranis.”{/i} One who prefers a comfortable bottom to a precarious top."

    ro "A submissive?"

    "X'zaratl giggled, covering her mouth with one of her upper hands to hide her impolite smile."

    xz "Forgive me, I know you didn’t intend it as such, but that was a funny joke."
    xz "Perhaps you’re looking at it from the wrong perspective. {i}None{/i} of us are ultimately true submissives."
    xz "-It’s just that some of us are willing to subjugate ourselves for the sake of expediency."
    xz "I know that she and Ishta had grown close the last few weeks… but such power plays are to be expected."

    ro "Do you think she could have done it?"

    xz "{i}Anyone{/i} in the Sanctum could have done it. But Nisei was more personally involved with Ishta than most."
    xz "Don’t be afraid to call her out on her falsity. For all her emotional tendencies, Nisei is a calculating creature."

    "X'zaratl pulled aside the silken curtains, their enfolding curves bending aside to reveal the sumptuous bedroom of a Succubus."

    hide xzaratl with dissolve
    show succubus 3 neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Nisei didn’t wait for the curtains to close behind Rowan before she rushed forward, tears in her eyes as she fell at his feet."

    nisei "Do you know what’s happened? Who was it? Please, {i}you{/i} have to tell me!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Uh…"

    nisei "X'zaratl sent you, didn’t she? Does she know who's to blame? What of my sweet Simon?"

    "Her eyes were wide, her expression pleading. But behind the tears and worried tone, Rowan saw a hunger in the creature’s eyes. Nisei was restless, and for more reasons than just the murder."
    "Nisei prostrated herself before him, pleading to his beneficence like a sinner to a judging god. Her long tail curled behind her in frenetic outbursts."

    nisei "I beg you mortal: give me news of what has happened!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Ishta was found dead in bed with a slave. Both of them murdered. I’m here to figure out what happened."

    "At this statement, Nisei’s expression collapsed. She fell to the floor, only just catching herself with her hands as she began to sob."

    nisei "Oh, my poor, sweet Simon!"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Her ragged wailing shocked Rowan. He had never seen a demon express such grief before. Most of it was for show, almost certainly, but lurking behind the facade was a pale shadow of regret."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "At last, after a minute or two of mewling melancholy, the demon seemed to come to her wits. She sat up, wiping at her eyes as she ignored the very un-sexy way she looked in that moment."

    nisei "...Simon was my favorite, you know? A real ‘go-getter.’ Never had to be told what to do in the bedroom, always knew how to please."

    ro "Simon was the slave who was found alongside Ishta?"

    nisei "Nisei nodded, tears flooding into her eyes once more. She let out a low, feminine whine, hanging her head in her hands. She was a wet mess on the floor."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I need to ask you some questions Nisei."

    "Nisei, without looking up, nodded in assent."

    $ nisei1aSeen = False
    $ nisei2aSeen = False
    $ nisei3aSeen = False

    $ simonOddVictim = False
    $ ryleaDeandraAffairClue = False
    $ ryleaIsthasFavouriteClue = False

    label niseiQuestions_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "Do you have any idea who could have done this?":# if nisei1aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            nisei "No… everyone {i}loved{/i} Simon! He was such a wonderful slave."
            nisei "I practically had to seal him away in his quarters every night. Someone in the brood might’ve snatched him away when I wasn’t looking!"
            nisei "Murdering Ishta is one thing. But… killing a slave? A handsome, virile, {i}beautiful{/i} slave?"
            nisei "Is nothing sacred, anymore?"
            ro "Why would you think that he was the target, and not Ishta? Simon may have simply been in the wrong place at the wrong time."
            "Nisei’s eyes took a hard look. Her brow twisted downward in black hatred."
            nisei "Because those two-faced whores {i}knew{/i} who he was, and who he belonged to. It’s no accident he’s dead too. "
            nisei "They wouldn’t harm Simon just to get to Ishta. Not unless {i}I{/i} was the ultimate target."
            nisei "I mean, sure she had her enemies. But who doesn’t?"
            nisei "Oh my poor, sweet Simon. He must have been so scared!"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "What enemies?"
            nisei "I mean… everyone knows how bad she’s been mistreating Ahrima recently. The two nearly came to blows at least three times in the last month."
            ro "Who else?"
            "Nisei’s lips pinched in worry. She gave Rowan a doleful look, her eyes wide and - ostensibly - innocent."
            nisei "I… I don’t want to say. We’re not supposed to talk to outsiders about brood business."
            ro "I’m here to solve your ‘brood business.’"
            "Nisei chewed on her lower lip but said nothing. Rowan let out a tired sigh."
            $ simonOddVictim = True
            $ nisei1aSeen = True
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "Where were you when the murder occurred?":# if nisei2aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            nisei "Well, the first part of the day I was helping X'zaratl with some…"
            nisei "Personal business."
            "Her horny smile said everything that needed to be said on the matter."
            nisei "After that, I was given some light relief duty with a few of the mercenaries."
            nisei "Nothing special: a half dozen blowjobs, an anal quickie or two. Normal stuff, to keep the officers happy."
            nisei "And after {i}that{/i}, well…"
            nisei "A girl has to keep {i}some{/i} secrets, doesn’t she?"
            "Rowan did not like the menacing glint of her smile."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "No, we really don’t. I don’t have time to waste on word games, where were you?"
            nisei "Nothing much. I got into a little scrap I got into with one of my sisters, Deandra."
            nisei "She and I were old allies once, when we were once newcomers to the brood. The older members wanted nothing to do with us."
            nisei "After the last shakeup, when Ishta took power, Deandra suddenly decided I wasn’t good enough. "
            nisei "The slut started sleeping with that winging little pissant Rylea behind Ishta’s back, and left me to fend for myself."
            nisei "She’s been a thorn in my side ever since."
            ro "What was this ‘little scrap’ between you two about?"
            "Nisei’s eyes narrowed. Her tail twisted and contorted behind her like a whip."
            nisei "Ask {i}Rylea{/i} If you’re so eager to learn. I’m sure he’ll tell you."
            $ ryleaDeandraAffairClue = True
            $ nisei2aSeen = True
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "So you admit that the dead slave belonged to you?":# if nisei3aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            nisei "Of {i}course{/i} I do! Who wouldn’t want to brag about possessing the finest breeder in the whole brood?"
            nisei "Simon was an absolute stud! A {i}beast{/i} in the sheets, but as tame as a lamb."
            nisei "He was a real sweetheart, too: I barely even had to train him after I claimed him."
            nisei "Most former soldiers try to fight it, not wanting to accept their new role. We usually have to put them in their place. But {i}Simon{/i}…"
            "Nisei’s smile became dreamy, as if she were reminiscing on some distant, romantic evening the two had shared, long ago."
            nisei "Kharos claim him, he was like a whiff of manly sweat after a daylong abstinence binge."
            nisei "He cheered me up if I was ever feeling down. I could always count on him to curl my toes."
            nisei "I just can’t believe he’s gone."
            $ nisei3aSeen = True
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "What are your thoughts on the other Succubi?":# if nisei1aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            nisei "They’re fucking {i}dead{/i} is what they are!"
            "The sudden hatred that rose in her eyes bespoke Nisei’s apocalyptic sincerity. Her fists clenched as she bared her long fangs."
            nisei "One of those walking corpses killed my poor Simon. That insult won’t go unpunished."
            nisei "I swear, when I figure out whoever’s responsible for this, I’ll rip their guts out and burn their intestines on a-"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan let out a frustrated sigh. It was like he was talking to a delusional, horny wall."
            ro "All right, all right, I get it. Answer the question."
            nisei "Well… Ahrima is the first one that comes to mind. Her and Ishta got along about as well as an amputee at a foot fetish orgy."
            nisei "Then there’s Rylea, catty little moocher that he is. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was responsible for all this."
            ro "Why?"
            nisei "Jealousy. He knew I was moving in on his turf as Ishta’s new number two. He’s been her favorite bottom bitch ever since she took the crown."
            nisei "Then again… he {i}did{/i} love Simon to pieces."
            nisei "I often had to get violent to separate the two, back when we were working together."
            nisei "Hehe… {i}especially{/i} when I told him to shove Simon’s head into the pillow and piledrive is ass deep into the-"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Kharos take me, {i}I get it{/i}."
            "Nisei giggled at Rowan’s squeamishness."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "What about the last one?"
            "She paused in her revelry, her head tilting as a strange look came to her features. Nisei’s teasing smile faded, her expression blackening with hatred. She let out a low snarl."
            nisei "...You mean Deandra."
            nisei "That fat-winged, tiny assed, gag-reflex inducing, {i}pathetic{/i} excuse for a strumpet!"
            nisei "She could have done it with a smile on her face, oh yes. She’s a lying, thieving, {i}bitch{/i}."
            ro "So you think Deandra’s responsible."
            nisei "She’d definitely do it if she thought she could get away with it."
            nisei "But... she wouldn’t have dared to move against me, not with how isolated she’s been the last few weeks."
            nisei "The weak little tart wouldn’t have been stupid enough to try. She’d know I’d find out."
            "{i}Or so you think{/i}. Was the thought that rolled through Rowan’s mind."
            $ ryleaIsthasFavouriteClue = True
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "What can you tell me about Ishta?":# if nisei2aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            nisei "She was a dear friend, and a powerful demon."
            ro "I never took Succubi to be particularly interested in ‘friendship.’"
            nisei "Is it {i}really{/i} so hard to believe that we actually liked one another?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Yes. Impossible, in fact."
            "Nisei tried to let out a huff of indignance, but it was at best a half-hearted attempt. She took one look at Rowan’s empty look and frowned. After a moment’s charade, she dropped the whole act."
            nisei "Everyone’s a means to something, mortal."
            nisei "So what if I’m not in pieces over her {i}oh{/i} so tragic death? Are my own abject circumstances alone not enough to prove my innocence to you?"
            nisei "The worst has already happened: I’ve lost my leverage, {i}and{/i} my favorite pet is dead!"
            ro "What will you do now that she is dead?"
            nisei "Oh, I’m sure I’ll find some way to carry on."
            nisei "I’m used to shake ups like this; all the old rules are out the door at this point, anyway."
            ro "Old rules?"
            nisei "Back in Karnas’ time, a little killing like this wouldn’t even be noticed by a broodmother like X'zaratl."
            nisei "It was just another power play. Any leader worth her harem was ready to kill to keep her spot at any time."
            nisei "Now, with the Twins calling the shots, things are a lot more boring and predictable. A lot of the older Sanctum members chafe under the new rules."
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "What was your ‘sweet Simon’ doing in Ishta’s room?":# if nisei3aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Nisei’s shoulders sagged."
            nisei "I…"
            nisei "I loaned him to her."
            ro "Why?"
            "Nisei made a great show of throwing herself at Rowan's feet."
            nisei "Oh {i}mortal{/i}, must you make me name my shame?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan flattened his lips and nodded. Nisei let out an annoyed exhale and picked herself up off the ground."
            nisei "Oh fine, have it your way!"
            nisei "It was a deal, all right? Ishta and I had gotten pretty close recently, and it was starting to look like she wanted to join forces."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Against your fellow brood?"
            "Nisei’s fragile smile was that of a guilty child who had just learned where the sweets were hidden."
            nisei "Some of them. If it came to that."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "This still doesn’t explain Simon’s presence in her room."
            nisei "He was a gift. A loan. A sign of trust, if you will."
            nisei "The Sanctum is a dangerous place. One must make sacrifices to find a proper niche to cling to. My poor Simon was that sacrifice."
            nisei "...M-more than I ever expected him to be!"
            "Nisei covered her face with her hand and intonated a sob. Rowan let out a sigh. His toe tapped impatiently against the ground."
            jump niseiQuestions_rp

        "End interrogation. (Scene)":# if ryleaDeandraAffairClue == True and ryleaIsthasFavouriteClue == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump niseiInvestigationEnd_rp

    label niseiInvestigationEnd_rp:

    ro "Well Nisei, your testimony was certainly…"
    ro "Compelling."
    ro "But I think I’ve heard enough."

    "As if by magic Nisei’s tears returned as Rowan turned away. Her voice took on the righteous anger of a grieving widower."

    nisei "Wait! Mortal, you {i}must{/i} tell me who is to blame once you find the culprit, you simply {i}mus{/i}-"

    hide succubus 3 with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "The curtains mercifully closed behind the begging Succubus before she could finish her entreaty."

    xz "What news?"

    ro "The dead slave did indeed belong to Nisei, though she admitted to it outright."
    ro "She said a number of other interesting things as well."

    if simonOddVictim == True:
        ro "For one thing, she seems baffled as to why the killer would have harmed her slave in the first place."
        xz "It is… rare for a Demon to involve others’ slaves in our internal conflicts. It’s considered a grave insult, a profound disrespect of another’s property."

    ro "It would seem Ishta had a number of entanglements in the brood. It seems like no one really liked her, given that even her supposed ‘ally’ seemed unmoved by her death."
    ro "Nisei also said that an Incubus called “Rylea” was Ishta’s secret concubine. She claimed she’d brought Simon in to try to woo Ishta away from him."

    xz "Then we have our next suspect."

    label xzaratlInterrogation3_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "...So who is Rylea?"

    xz "Rylea is the coven’s only Incubus. He was one of Bloodmeen’s first recruits, one of the older demons of the brood, from Karnas’ time."

    #xzaratl concerned

    xz "He is a capricious creature, quick to anger and often petulant. His fellow demons don’t respect him, but he is a survivor through and through."
    xz "You must be wary of flattery. Rylea is more than happy to debase himself to those more powerful than him."
    xz "If he was indeed Ishta’s pet, then he had a vested interest in remaining in her good graces… but such alliances amongst our kind are always built upon rotten logs."
    xz "A stray word, a callous insult… over the centuries, many a great alliance of broods have broken down over the petty politics of pillow talk."

    ro "Do you think he is a credible suspect?"

    xz "Why wouldn’t he be?"

    ro "Innocence? Proof he didn’t do it?"

    "X'zaratl returned a blank stare, as if befuddled by the question. She gave him a kindly, If somewhat patronizing smile."

    xz "This is the Dark Sanctum, Rowan. ‘Innocence’ has no meaning here."
    xz "You must understand this when it comes to my kind: there is no such thing as a neutral party."
    xz "{i}All{/i} of us bear some form of guilt in this murder. The crux is finding out who bears the most."

    "With that concerning implication left ringing in his ears, X'zaratl pulled aside the silken curtains. Rowan stepped inside, glancing over his shoulder for one last look at her smiling face."

    hide xzaratl with dissolve

    "He turned his gaze back towards the room just in time to see an Incubus stroking himself furiously on the bed, letting out a horny moan as he did so."

    show incubus 1 neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    rylea "{i}Gh!{/i}"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Damn it!"

    "He had not been expecting to suddenly face such a lurid sight. The Incubus rose to his feet with an apologetic smile. Noticeably, he did not put his erect penis away. It pointed back at Rowan as if in dread accusation."

    rylea "Sorry about that. Been stuck in here a while."
    rylea "Who are {i}you{/i}, cutie? I wasn’t expecting anyone else other than X’Zaratl to show up."
    rylea "Is it too much to hope that you’re here to entertain me?"

    ro "I am Rowan Blackwell. I’ve been sent here to investigate the murder of X'zaratl’s second."

    "Rylea’s eyes went wide."

    rylea "...Wait, what?"
    rylea "Ishta’s dead?"
    rylea "No… oh by Kharos, {i}no{/i}!"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Rylea rushed forward and grabbed Rowan by the shoulders. It happened so quickly that Rowan didn’t even have time to go for his sword."

    rylea "What happened? Who did this? Mortal, you must tell me immediately!"

    "Rage and fear warred across the Incubus’ features as he shook Rowan back and forth."

    rylea "{i}I{/i} was Ishta’s favorite! Do you {i}know{/i} what this means for me?"
    rylea "Those fucking whores there will tear me limb from limb!"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan took in a deep breath, struggling to contain the rage that rose in his chest."

    ro "Let. Go. Of me."
    ro "{i}Now.{/i}"

    "Rylea paused, his anger subsiding as he saw the danger lurking in Rowan’s eyes. He let out a deep sigh, then stepped back. He had gone flaccid in the interim."

    rylea "{i}Damn{/i} it. How did she die?"

    ro "Shut up. I’m asking the questions. Touch me like that again, and you’ll lose your head. Both of them."

    "At this Rylea’s brow quirked. He let out an effeminate giggle, swaying his narrow hips from side to side."

    rylea "Talk dirty to me like that again, mortal, and maybe I’ll suck a different head, instead."

    $ deandraPrankClue = False
    $ ryleaDeandraAffair2Clue = False

    label ryleaQuestions_rp:

    menu:
        "What can you tell me about Ishta?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            rylea "What is there to say? She was my lover for the last few months, and a damn good one at that."
            rylea "Far more importantly: she was my protection against the rest of the brood."
            rylea "Things have gotten a little tense around here lately, if you haven’t noticed. But I never would have thought someone would snap and go crazy like {i}this{/i}."
            ro "What makes you think someone ‘snapped?’"
            "Rylea‘s brow furrowed. His hands clenched as he seemed to struggle with the new reality he’d found himself in."
            rylea "No one with an ounce of sense or ambition would have gone through with killing Ishta. Not now."
            rylea "X'zaratl likes to keep a quiet brood. She’s trying to impress our new masters. And a killing like this, where there’s seemingly no purpose… well, it makes her look weak."
            rylea "This also puts me in a most depressing predicament. As I’ve just run out of allies."
            ro "Then tell me who did it, and you can be short one rival."
            "Rylea’s predatory pupils widened. A malicious smile came to his face as he contemplated Rowan’s words."
            rylea "My, but aren’t {i}you{/i} a succulent little soldier?"
            rylea "It’s an amusing - and {i}tempting{/i} - offer, but I’m going to have to decline."
            rylea "I don’t know who did it. But even if I did, the blowback isn't worth it. I need to find new allies, not alienate whoever’s left."
            jump ryleaQuestions_rp

        "Do you know about a slave of Nisei’s called Simon?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            rylea "No. I rarely trifle in the brood’s pet-swapping antics. I find it nauseating."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You’re lying."
            ro "Nisei told me you knew him personally. She said you liked him so much she often had to separate the two of you."
            "Rylea laughed in a high, lilting tone. He lifted his hand to cover his smile."
            rylea " Is {i}that{/i} what she told you? "
            rylea "Let me be frank, mortal: Nisei is a lying narcissist with a desperate need to feel {i}important{/i}."
            rylea "I wouldn’t know who her favorite harem slave was if he flew in here riding a fire-breathing dragon sporting a ten-foot penis. A warm hole is a warm hole."
            ro "Then you’ll be surprised to learn that Simon is dead. He was found in the arms of Ishta."
            rylea "...The killer murdered a slave too?"
            "Rowan had expected some kind of emotional response, but Rylea seemed merely curious. He shrugged."
            rylea "I’ll admit, that’s quite strange. No one kills a slave, not unless they’ve grown too unruly. And even then, only if its their own. Slaves are supposed to be off limits."
            rylea "But this only proves my point: what possible reason would I have to slaughter both my meal-ticket, and my ‘favorite’ slave at once?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            jump ryleaQuestions_rp

        "Where were you when the murder occurred?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            rylea "Enduring yet another one of Deandra’s childish pranks."
            rylea "Admittedly, it was a good one. But it was hardly worth my time."
            ro "What prank? Where was this?"
            rylea "It was in Nisei’s room. Deandra and I snuck in this morning during one of Nisei’s cooldown sessions."
            rylea "She has a predictable routine where she calls in a random slave and rides them till they pass out. But this time, Deandra posed as the slave."
            rylea "They got halfway through the fuck-session before Nisei realized that the person railing her ass was Deandra, not her chosen stud."
            rylea "Then Deandra played a charming little game of ‘hold on for dear life,’ using Nisei’s hair as a rope, while Nisei tried to buck her off like a bronco."
            ro "What were you doing there?"
            rylea "Watching, of course! Deandra usually likes to have an audience when she pulls these kinds of things."
            rylea "X'zaratl came barging in not long after, maybe ten minutes or so after that. I scuttled back to my chambers, with no one the wiser to my whereabouts."
            ro "Can anyone corroborate your story?"
            "Rylea shook his head, his tail twisting behind him as he fantasized about the moment."
            rylea "Maybe Deandra, if she’s inclined to tell the truth today. Nisei had no idea I was there, and would never admit it if she did."
            $ deandraPrankClue = True
            jump ryleaQuestions_rp

        "Do you have any idea who could have done this?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            rylea "Ahrima. No question about it."
            ro "Really? You’re that certain? Everyone else has been a lot more…"
            rylea "Speculative?"
            rylea "That doesn’t surprise me. The others are exploiting the change, jostling for the top spot. They have a reason to accuse anyone and everyone else, hoping to eliminate a future rival."
            rylea "I, on the other hand, harbor no such delusions. {i}Whoever{/i} wins, I will have to either impress them, or submit to them."
            rylea "Nisei - the scheming slut - was trying to snatch my place as Ishta’s bottom out from under me. The last thing she’d want to do is purposefully undercut herself in that endeavor."
            rylea "Deandra is a cute prankster, but {i}hardly{/i} a master of intrigue. To pull off a killing like this, she’d have to be very confident that she wouldn’t get caught. And she has no real reason to try."
            rylea "{i}Ahrima{/i} on the other hand, had both motive and means. Her room’s right next to Ishta’s. At the very least, she’d have heard everything."
            rylea "She hated Ishta more than anyone else. Our options for allies in the brood often boiled down to either one or the other."
            rylea "Now that her rival’s out of the picture, Ahrima has the most to gain."
            ro "I noticed you left {i}yourself{/i} out of your calculations."
            "Rylea smiled with a mouth full of fangs."
            rylea "Yes. And why wouldn’t I? Am I supposed to {i}suggest{/i} to you that I’m guilty?"
            jump ryleaQuestions_rp

        "What’s going on between you and Deandra?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            rylea "What do you mean?"
            ro "You say that you’re Ishta’s favorite, yet {i}Nisei{/i} says you were carrying on a secret affair with Deandra at the same time behind her back, as well."
            "Rylea let out a soft sigh. He pinched the bridge of his nose, as if annoyed by the inquiry."
            rylea "Have you ever heard of the term “business before pleasure,” Rowan?"
            rylea "Ishta was a relationship of convenience. She knew it, and I knew it."
            rylea "The second someone else caught her eye - someone like {i}Nisei{/i} - my days as her bottom were numbered. It’s a miracle it lasted as long as it did."
            rylea "I’ve tried hopping onto Ahrima’s bandwagon in the past. Let me tell you: it's a quick path to a sore ass and an empty harem."
            rylea "But if Ishta ever got bored of me, I needed insurance."
            ro "And Deandra is that ‘insurance.’"
            "Rylea shrugged, running his hands up and down across his skin as if he were possessed of excessive sensitivity."
            rylea "Better to have a clever underdog as backup than nothing at all. Nisei’s current situation in the brood is living proof of that fact."
            ro "So you admit that she was your secret lover?"
            rylea "Sure. Just ask Deandra, she’ll tell you the tru-"
            "Rylea started to laugh, covering his mouth with his hand as he did so."
            rylea "Dear me, I very nearly finished the sentence without smiling!"
            $ ryleaDeandraAffair2Clue = True
            jump ryleaQuestions_rp

        "End interrogation. (Scene)":# if ryleaDeandraAffair2Clue == True and deandraPrankClue == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump ryleaInvestigationEnd_rp

    label ryleaInvestigationEnd_rp:

    ro "...Fine. That’s all the questions I’ve got for now."

    rylea "You realize X’Zaratl’s using you, yes?"
    rylea "You think she couldn’t solve this herself? I’d bet half my harem that she already knows who the culprit is."

    "Rowan set his jaw, saying nothing as he stalked out of the demon’s room and threw aside the curtains."

    hide incubus 1 with dissolve
    #xzaratl happy
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    xz "How did it go, Rowan?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "The same as the others. Nothing but lies, insinuations, and hearsay."

    "Rowan let out a sigh and collected himself. Today had been an especially trying day."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...It seems Rylea was playing Ishta and Deandra against each other. He was secretly seeing Deandra while acting as Ishta’s ally."

    xz "-And all the while, Nisei was doing her best to pull Istha out of his orbit."

    ro "Yet no one at all seems interested in allying with Ahrima. Meaning everyone we’ve spoken to so far has at least some reason to want to implicate the others."

    xz "There’s only one brood member left, Rowan."

    "Rowan gave a grim nod."

    ro "Lead the way. Let us be done with this."

    label xzaratlInterrogation4_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "Who is this last demon?"

    xz "Deandra is the youngest member of the brood. She is new, but has integrated herself quite well into the schemes of the others."
    xz "She is a social climber, and will do anything to get to the top. But her relative weakness makes her an unappealing ally for most of her kin."
    xz "With time, she could grow into a shrewd and calculating Succubi. But so far, she has remained ambitious, but isolated."

    ro "Ambitious and isolated enough to murder your second?"

    xz "Hmm… possibly. If there was something to gain from it."
    xz "I cannot fathom what that could be, though. She is nowhere near ready to take Ishta’s place in the pecking order."

    ro "Maybe she’s just crossing one more name off the list."

    "X'zaratl smiled, putting a thoughtful hand to her chin."

    xz "I like the way you think, Rowan. And in a way, I hope that it is so. It would mean that Deandra had shown remarkable initiative to defeat a more powerful rival."

    #xzaratl angry

    xz "But she had best hope that you’re wrong."
    xz "Brood politics is one thing. Callous murder for nobody’s benefit is another matter entirely."

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "Careful with your words when you’re around her, she likes to play mind games."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "-As opposed to the rest of them."

    hide xzaratl with dissolve

    "No sooner had the curtains parted than Rowan was face to face with Deandra’s smiling face."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Gah!"

    show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve

    deandra "Greetings, Rowan."
    deandra "I was wondering when you’d get here."

    "Her smile was welcoming, her body language placid and sedated. Deandra had her arms folded behind her, offering no resistance to him whatsoever."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "How do you know my name?"

    deandra "Unlike my brothers and sisters, I make a point of learning the who’s and what’s of Bloodmeen."

    if society_type == "feudalism":
        deandra "Sir Rowan Blackwell. Hero of Karst, Steward of the Twins."

    else:
        deandra "Rowan Blackwell. Hero of Karst, Steward of the Twins."

    deandra "So X'zaratl’s pulled you into our little web of intrigue, hm?"
    deandra "I suppose it’s to be expected. You have become her favorite little project."

    "Deandra smiled, stepping aside and gesturing for him to enter."

    deandra "Please, come in. I’m sure you have questions about Ishta’s murder."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "How do you know about the murder?"

    deandra "Come now, Rowan. You think my brothers and sisters weren’t aware of what had happened, before you ever even talked to them?"
    deandra "They all may be practiced liars, but none of them would be stupid enough to be caught in the lurch when X'zaratl locks us down like this."

    "Rowan gave the smiling demon a careful once over. She was friendly, open, downright {i}happy{/i} to engage with him. That fact alone made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end."
    "He fingered the pommel of his blade and stepped inside. Deandra walked over to the bed and sat down. She patted a spot right next to her."

    deandra "Come, sit! I don’t bite… unless you want me to."

    "Her teasing smirk made Rowan’s jaw clench. He remained standing where he was. Deandra did not seem at all put off at the rejection."

    deandra "So, what did you wish to know?"

    $ deandra1aSeen = False
    $ deandra2aSeen = False
    $ deandra3aSeen = False

    $ deandraSawSimonClue = False
    $ secretTunnelsClue = False

    label deandraQuestions_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "Do you have any idea who could have done this?":# if deandra1aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra "Everyone has their reasons. Some more justified than others."
            "Her smile might have seemed innocent, were her eyes not so obstinately insolent."
            deandra "Well there’s Ahrima, of course. The two got along so poorly, I’m shocked it hadn’t already ended in a blood-duel ages ago."
            deandra "Nisei might have done it. She and Istha have past grievances, due to Ishta kicking her lover out of the brood."
            deandra "Although, if she did do it, she would have struggled to overcome her own, glaring flaws to do so."
            ro "Such as?"
            deandra "Cowardice, for one. No self-respecting demon {i}willingly{/i} subjugates themselves for the sake of a ‘cosy’ position as someone else’s bottom bitch."
            deandra "Hmm… Rylea’s probably innocent. As petty as he can be, he’d have {i}had{/i} to know the consequences of offing his own meal-ticket."
            ro "What about you? What reason would you have to kill Ishta?"
            "Deandra let out a sultry coo. She stretched, making sure Rowan got a good look at her slender curves as she did so."
            deandra "Oh, that’s easy. She is X'zaratl’s second. She’s holding my rightful spot."
            ro "So you admit that you had a motive."
            "Deandra giggled."
            deandra "Yes. But I promise you: I’d have done it a lot {i}better{/i}."
            $ deandra1aSeen = True
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "What do you actually know about the killing?":# if deandra2aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Deandra let out a sumptuous giggle, hiding her mouth with her hand. Her eyelashes fluttered in seductive offering."
            deandra "I know that Ishta is dead, torn apart at the hands of a demon’s claws."
            deandra "I also know that she wasn’t the only victim. She was caught with the body of a dead slave in her arms. Nisei’s little pet, If the rumors are true."
            deandra "Simon? Simeon? His name escapes me."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "The other demons all claimed some form of ignorance about the crime."
            deandra "I am not ‘other demons.’ I have no reason to lie to you."
            ro "Other than to prove your innocence."
            "Her curling smile did nothing to reassure Rowan."
            $ deandra2aSeen = True
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "Where were you when the murder occurred?":# if deandra3aSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra "I was busy making a fool of Nisei in her quarters."
            "There was a pitiless humor in the sharp curve of Deandra’s lips, like a lioness greedily licking her chops after a meal."
            deandra "The absent-minded slut forgot to check and see if her slave was actually her slave, and not just a transformed copy."
            deandra "When she failed to figure it out, I strutted in and stuck my dick up her ass."
            "Deandra giggled at the memory, her hands drifting lower on her body at the reminiscence."
            deandra "She didn’t squirm strongly enough to throw me off in time. So now there’s a thick load of my cum sloshing about in her guts."
            ro "Was this done in revenge for something?"
            "Deandra’s eyebrow quirked. She seemed amused by the question."
            deandra "Now, now, Rowan. Must {i}everything{/i} be about petty revenge? I saw an opportunity to humiliate a potential rival, and I took it."
            $ deandra3aSeen = True
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "Rylea says that you have been carrying on an affair behind Ishta’s back.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra "It’s a bit rich to say ‘behind her back’ when Ishta knew damn well we were fucking."
            ro "So you deny being his secret lover?"
            deandra "Insomuch as I am no one’s ‘lover’ besides my own."
            deandra "Rylea and I have collaborated a lot recently. But I have {i}never{/i} been foolish enough to make a true alliance with him. Or anyone else, for that matter."
            ro "Why?"
            deandra "Because I don’t work well with other demons. The brood’s a bloody business, and when you play this deadly game with partners, you often end up like Istha."
            ro "So you dislike killing?"
            "Deandra covered her lips with her hand to hide her smile."
            deandra "I dislike politics of all kinds. A smart Succubus knows her only real friend is herself. Everyone else is just… "
            deandra "An accessory."
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "What can you tell me about Ishta?":# if deandra1aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra "She was a shallow pretender, and a weak second. X'zaratl could have done better with {i}literally{/i} anyone in the brood, even that seething bag of spite Ahrima."
            deandra "She was a pretentious, inattentive tyrant. The worst kind. It’s a mystery of Kharos’ imagination how she lasted as long as she did."
            deandra "Honestly, her murder sounds a lot more like something she would have pulled off, if she were gunning for the top spot."
            ro "What do you mean?"
            deandra "Senseless, messy slaughter. No grace, no subtlety. Just brute force driven by raw emotion."
            deandra "A part of me almost wonders if she’s still, in fact alive. And that this is all just some odd ruse to suss out possible traitors."
            ro "Do you have any proof to back up this claim?"
            "Deandra laughed, covering her mouth to hide the smile."
            deandra "No. But then again: neither do you."
            deandra "If you really wish to find out, poke her corpse and see if she protests."
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "How do you know about Simon being in the room with Ishta?":# if deandra2aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra " It wasn’t exactly a secret of Solansia that Nisei was on the hunt for a new ally."
            deandra "She just recently got out of a bad alliance with Ahrima, and needed someone with substance to protect her from people like… well, {i}me{/i}."
            "Deandra flashed Rowan her fangs as her tail curled excitedly in circles behind her."
            deandra "Nisei knew I was courting Rylea, so to avoid becoming isolated she went for the only remaining option."
            deandra "Simon’s a bit of a debutante in the brood. Nisei likes to parade him about sometimes. She talks to him like he’s some beloved child."
            deandra "Loaning off her favorite pet was a good way of showing trust and fidelity to Ishta’s rule."
            deandra "It’s all rather revolting, if you ask me. Food is food."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I didn’t ask ‘why did she do it?'"
            ro "I asked: {i}how do you know{/i}?"
            "Deandra - to her credit - did not bother to look chastened by his words. She merely smiled at him."
            deandra "Because I saw him enter the room with her. Nisei dropped him off before going to her own room. I was disguised as one of her other slaves. I saw it all."
            $ deandraSawSimonClue = True
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "Were you alone with Nisei?":# if deandra3aSeen == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            deandra "No. Rylea was there too, lurking about in the tunnels so she wouldn’t know he was there."
            deandra "He likes to jerk off to other people’s power plays sometimes. Bit of a voyeur fetish."
            ro "Tunnels? What tunnels?"
            "Deandra’s eyes glowed with dark amusement."
            deandra "Goodness. No one told you, did they?"
            deandra "The Sanctum is {i}riddled{/i} with hidden passages and secret backways. It’s how we get around without drawing each other’s notice."
            deandra "Aside from a few dead ends leading to X'zaratl’s room, you can get practically anywhere if you know where you’re going."
            "Deandra stood up off the bed and gestured towards the curtains at the back wall. Rowan followed her warily as the demon pulled aside the curtains to reveal a small, cramped corridor to step into."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Why has no one mentioned this before?"
            "Deandra giggled."
            deandra "You never asked! And we demons don’t like to share."
            $ secretTunnelsClue = True
            jump deandraQuestions_rp

        "End interrogation. (Scene)":# if deandraSawSimonClue == True and secretTunnelsClue == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump deandraInvestigationEnd_rp

    label deandraInvestigationEnd_rp:

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...I think I’m done asking questions."

    deandra "Oh, I think you’ve got one more in you."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Unless you’re volunteering guilt, we have nothing more to say to each other, demon."

    "Rowan pivoted on his heel and made for the door. He paused at the curtains at the sultry sound of Deandra chuckling."

    deandra "Such an odd thing, Simon’s death. Don’t you think?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What?"

    deandra " What a strange aberration he is in all this. A perfectly good cockslave, with all the hallmarks of a beloved stud. Tame as a lamb, and so easy to manipulate."

    "Rowan turned in a slow circle to face her."

    deandra "Why would anyone kill him? What do they have to gain by killing a slave who bore no loyalty to Ishta?"

    ro "...To denigrate Ishta’s memory? To ruin her reputation?"

    "Deandra let out a snort, waving the thought away as if it were nothing."

    deandra "Ishta’s dead. Her reputation is irrelevant. While it may elicit an extra chuckle or two, it serves no real purpose."
    deandra "You must know Rowan: there is nothing that we demons do that isn’t in our best interests."
    deandra "So ask yourself: why would someone kill a slave?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "A long silence followed, as the oddly contagious thought rolled through Rowan’s head. The bottom went out of his stomach as his eyes flicked over to the curtains leading to the tunnels. Deandra continued on as if he’d heard nothing."

    deandra "You know it’s funny, this reminds me of what Nisei said while I was railing her ass today. She-"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No… "

    "Deandra tilted her head in a mock-quizzical fashion."

    deandra "Hm? Did you say something Rowan?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Open the way to the tunnels. {i}Now{/i}."

    "Deandra practically skipped to the curtains, turning them aside as Rowan stepped through. He hustled down the dank corridor, following his hunch into the dark depths."

    #catacombs BG
    scene black with fade

    "Deandra’s room soon disappeared from view. Rowan soon came to a switchback that led to a long corridor that ran parallel to the Dark Sanctum’s main chambers."
    "Acting on his suspicions, he used his natural tracking senses to trace the rough distance of Ishta’s room in his head, then made in that direction."
    "Moving through the tunnels, he began to hear a strange sound emanating from the depths. It was almost like… whimpering."
    "At last Rowan came to the place he figured to be Ishta’s room. The whimpering grew louder as his footsteps approached, then abruptly fell silent."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...Hello?"

    "A frightened squeak was the response. Rowan turned the corner, and came face to face with a dead man."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Simon?!{/i}"

    simon "{i}Aaah{/i}! P-please, don’t hurt me!"

    "It took Rowan a moment to recover from his shock to comprehend what he was looking at. Rowan put his hand upon the shivering, naked shoulder of the very-much-alive slave."
    "The terrified man was covered in cuts and bruises, most of them made by a Succubus’ claws running down his back and chest."
    "He was shaking like a leaf, curled up into the fetal position against the wall next to a set of sealed curtains that led presumably into Ishta’s room."

    ro "Simon, what are you doing here?"

    simon "It- it wasn’t me! Tell Mistress Nisei it wasn’t me! He’d said he’d tell her {i}I{/i} was to blame if I didn’t stay put!"
    simon "Please, tell Mistress I’ve been good! I’ve been good, I swear! It wasn’t me!"

    "Rowan felt a wave of wretched pity subsume him. He bent down to comfort the crying, blubbering man. But as he did so, a sudden, overwhelming question arose in his mind."
    "{i}If this is Simon… then whose body is lying in Ishta’s arms?{/i}"

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan swept aside the curtains leading from Simon’s hiding place and stepped into Ishta’s room. His hand clenched in a white-knuckled grip upon his sword."
    "The two bodies were right where he’d left them: motionless… but not lifeless."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "The charade is over. I found the real Simon."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Whoever{/i} you are, you had best stand up and explain yourself."

    "At first, nothing happened. Then, as if by magic, the dead body of Simon began to shrink. It contorted and shifted as a waxy figure came into view."
    "He stood up and stretched, letting out an annoyed huff of air as he turned to face Rowan. His true features came to the fore."

    show incubus 1 neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Rylea."

    rylea "And just who the hell are you supposed to be?"

    ro "The man who’s going to turn you over to X’Zaratl for wasting my time."

    "At that Rylea’s eyes went wide. He fell to his knees, clasping his hands together in desperate supplication."

    rylea "W-wait, you cannot tell her! You {i}must{/i} not!"
    rylea "I-I know I fucked up, okay? Rules are rules and… but I got so {i}mad{/i} at her-"
    rylea "She- she deserved it, you know? That bitch deserved {i}it{/i}! "
    rylea "She was going to run out on me - on {i}me{/i}, for that idiotic tart Nisei?"

    "Rylea crawled on his belly, simpering on hand and knee as he scrabbled at Rowan’s boots."

    rylea "I-I had to do it! She was gonna leave me out in the lurch {i}again{/i}! I walked in on her fucking Simon. Sweet, {i}innocent{/i} Simon-"
    rylea "S-she was hurting him, you know? I had to protect him!"

    "The lies and justifications came out so fast that Rowan didn’t have time to process them. He took a deliberate step back out of the wailing demon’s grasp."

    ro "You had best explain yourself immediately, or I’m calling X’Zaratl."

    "At this the demon calmed. He let out a frustrated sigh and picked himself up off the ground."

    rylea "What a waste. All those hours lying on top of that dumb slut’s corpse, and for what?"

    ro "Why did you kill Ishta?"

    rylea "Why do you think? She was two-timing me behind my back! "
    rylea "I walked in on her playing rough with a slave she {i}knew{/i} I liked. She could have killed Simon!"
    rylea "I just… I saw red. I didn’t even realize what was happening till it was all over."

    ro "-So instead of killing him, you stashed Simon away to keep for yourself."

    rylea "The poor boy’s been brainwashed by Nisei, he would have told her everything!"
    rylea "Besides, Nisei doesn’t deserve a sweetheart like Simon. Just look at how she treats him! "

    ro "If you’ve been lying here this whole time, then who was the “Rylea” I just talked to a few minutes ago in your room?"

    "Rowan saw the lie build in Rylea’s eyes before he ever parted his lips."

    ro "Stop. Don’t even bother."
    ro "If even a fraction of what your brood has told me is true, then I have ample reason to suspect who your accomplice is."

    "{i}The very demon who put me on this path to begin with{/i}. Rowan thought darkly, thinking back to Deandra’s insinuations."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You have a lot to answer for, X’Zaratl wants to speak to you."

    rylea "Wait, human! Please, you must reconsider."
    rylea "There must be {i}something{/i} I can offer you, in exchange for my freedom."

    ro "I’m here to name names, demon. The only way you’re getting off the hook now is if I point the finger at someone else."

    "The evil glint of Rylea’s smile sent a chill down Rowan’s spine."

    rylea "Exactly my thought as well! What if I were to offer you my… {i}personal{/i} services?"

    "The demon put himself on display, spreading his arms apart in sensual invitation."

    rylea "We form a binding contract. You tell X’Zaratl that someone else was to blame. And in exchange, you mark me as yours. From here on in, I work for {i}you{/i} first before anyone else."

    "Rylea’s pleading smile showed how desperate he was. This was his final gambit."
    "Rowan considered the idea. It was tempting to have an ally in the Dark Sanctum wholly devoted to Rowan. What’s more, he was pent up from the frustrating chase he’d just undergone. It might be nice to blow off steam with a shapeshifting demon. "
    "While finding the killer had been his task, the brood had lied to him repeatedly over the course of the investigation. He had no true loyalty to any of the ostensibly ‘innocent’ demons."

    jump succubi_murder_mystery_skip_rp
    label succubi_murder_mystery_skip_rp:
    
    if skipped_scene:
        scene bg23 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show incubus 1 neutral at midright with dissolve

    menu:
        "Accept Rylea's offer. (Scene - Gay)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "...Fine. I will keep your secret."
            ro "But you must swear personal loyalty to me. You will be my eyes and ears from now on inside the Dark Sanctum."
            rylea "You will not regret this, Rowan."
            "Rowan reached out and struck Rylea with the back of his hand."
            ro "Silence. You have wasted enough of my time. And now I’m left with a mess to clean up, and an underling to mislead."
            ro "X’Zaratl might be willing to tolerate a petulant child as a minion, but {i}I{/i} will not. "
            "Rylea, his cheek burning a bright cherry red, lowered his head in contrition."
            rylea "Yes… master."
            ro "We don’t have much time. We’ll take the tunnels back to your room. You can hide Simon in your harem till this all blows over."
            "At this Rylea perked up, a wide smile spreading across his face."
            rylea "{i}Yes{/i}, master!"
            scene black with fade
            pause 1
            scene bg23 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            show incubus 1 neutral at midright with dissolve
            rylea "Are you ready to make the pact, master?"
            rylea "The loyalty ritual requires you to… {i}consecrate{/i} me."
            "Rylea let out an unsubtle giggle. Rowan sighed. They didn’t have much time, X’Zaratl still thought he was interrogating Deandra."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Then down on your knees, whore."
            #cg1
            scene cg665 with fade
            show incubus 1 neutral behind cg665
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg665
            pause 3
            rylea "Mmm, such a delicious looking cock."
            "Rylea, corrupted slut that he was, was already on his knees and peeling off Rowan’s pants by the time Rowan had issued the command."
            "The sultry demon took Rowan’s hardening length in hand and planted a delicate kiss upon the head."
            "A wave of sensitivity passed over Rowan’s shoulders as Rylea took an experimental lick. Whatever else could be said about the canny killer, he knew how to please."
            "Rylea took him in his mouth, suckling upon his cockhead as if savoring a delicious meal. The demons eyes fluttered shut as he let out a happy moan."
            "Rowan’s dick made a pop sound as Rylea pulled it to the corner of his cheek, then allowed it to slip free from his lips. He let out an appreciative gasp as he jerked him from the base."
            rylea "Mmmm, master’s cock."
            scene cg666 with fade
            show incubus 1 neutral behind cg666
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg666
            pause 3
            ro "No talking. If I wanted lip, I’d have sold you out to X’Zaratl."
            "Rylea, far from being deterred, let out a low giggle. He kissed Rowan’s shaft and jerked him more strenuously."
            "Rowan began to tire of the foreplay. He put his hand to the back of Rylea’s head, taking great fistfuls of his silky white hair in hand."
            "With a clench and a pull he forced Rylea down onto his dick. The demons eyes widened, and he mimed choking for a moment. But the ease with which he managed to deepthroat Rowan was telling."
            ro "That’s a proper look for you: choking on my cock like the degenerate, lying slut you are. No wonder Ishta chose Nisei over you."
            "Rylea - caught as he was with a mouthful of Rowan - merely moaned and gagged, his tongue swirling in eccentric circles as he lathered Rowan’s rod with glistening spittle."
            "Rowan reached down and casually slapped the sinful demon, reddening his cheek even as they suctioned tighter than a vice against his shaft."
            "Rowan picked up the pace, thrusting his hips against Rylea’s face so that his midriff bumped against the demon’s wrinkled nose. The sound of wet slapping filled the room."
            ro "Are you satisfied now, you fucking whore? You got everything you ever wanted."
            ro "Ishta’s dead, Simon is yours…"
            ro "And now you’ve got a {i}new{/i} master with a big, fat dick to suck. Things couldn’t have gone better for you, huh?"
            "Rylea shivered in place, his own erection poking pitifully upwards from his obedient kneeling position. He did not answer Rowan’s jeering, he merely tightened his lips and sucked harder."
            "Rowan put both his hands to the back of Rylea’s head, shoving him down to the base. The demon obliged his intrusion, opening his throat so Rowan could jam the whole of his cock down Rylea’s throat."
            "They met eyes: the triumphant human and his submissive demon. Rylea smiled at him through the corners of his mouth, his lips working the shaft even as Rowan felt the wet, slick slide of his tongue against his balls."
            ro "There you go, just keep groveling. Keep sucking that dick, and let your master do all the thinking for you."
            "Rylea fluttered his eyes. He {i}hummed{/i} with Rowan in his mouth, a curious vibration that brought Rowan to the very edge of orgasm."
            "Rowan stopped him with another light slap, pulling free from Rylea’s lips in a single smooth motion. The demon let out a mewling whine, but was silenced with a look."
            ro "Get on the bed, I’m not done with you."
            "Rylea giggled and did as he was told, crawling on all fours as he wiggled his bottom in the air. He slid out of his clothing like a snake shedding its skin, leaving his winking ass exposed to Rowan’s viewing pleasure."
            "Rowan approached, planting a harsh {i}smack{/i} against Rylea’s pert bottom. The demon squealed and lifted his hips, his long tail thrashing about in excitement."
            "Rowan didn’t bother with lube, he didn’t need to. Rylea was already ready and waiting for him. He pressed his dick against the demon’s yielding ass, and pushed."
            #cg2
            scene cg667 with fade
            show incubus 1 neutral behind cg667
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg667
            pause 3
            rylea "{i}Mmm{/i} yeah, that's the stuff!"
            "Rowan’s cock slid into Rylea’s ass like it belonged there. The demon bit the pillow and suppressed a cry of pleasure. It slid deep into his rectum as Rowan put his weight behind the thrust, shoving Rylea into the mattress."
            "Rowan leaned his weight atop him, straddling Rylea’s ass as he angled himself for proper penetration. Rylea’s erect cock bounced from the momentum of his thrusts, spinning about in helpless, swirling circles as it drooled precum from the tip."
            rylea "{i}Mmm! Mm{/i}, yeah baby, just like that."
            "Such insolence. Rowan would not stand for it. It was bad enough he was covering up a murder for the impulsive creature, now he was dealing with a chatty slave."
            "Rowan spanked him. Hard. He planted the flat of his palm against Rylea’s pale skin at the same time as he thrust, sending the unexpecting demon into a conniption fit of shivers at the action. X’Zaratl had not been lying: he really did like to be dominated."
            ro "I told you to shut up."
            "Rylea giggled and pushed his rump back into Rowan’s hips, eager to bring their relentless mating session to its explosive conclusion."
            "Rowan laid himself atop the demon, shoving his head into the bed and pinning him in place. This was no romantic interaction, no slow buildup or casual mating. This was hate sex, of the most pitiless and callous kind."
            "Rowan laid into Rylea’s ass with all the vigor and strength that he would normally reserve for a foe on a battlefield. He slammed his hips against him again and again, ruthlessly railing his hole the way a barbarian would devour a flank of raw meat."
            "He took him by his throat, his hand clenching to give the illusion of choking. He wanted to dominate Rylea, to put him in his place and never let him live down the humiliation of his circumstances."
            "For Rylea, Rowan was salvation and safety. For Rowan, Rylea was merely a useful means to pleasure and influence. The tables had turned, Rowan had finally begun to play the Game of Demons."
            show cg668 with fade
            pause 3
            "His teeth clenched as he felt the building rise of something deep within him. His cock thickened in Rylea’s ass as he felt his cumvein bulge with all that pent up frustration, anger and spite. It was a tremendous relief of the body as he grunted and spurted and came."
            show cg668 with sshake
            show cg668 with sshake
            show cg669 with flash
            pause 3
            "Rylea, for his part, merely moaned and trembled beneath Rowan’s domineering presence. He yielded entirely to him, relaxing in his arms as Rowan planted his seed deep within him."
            "They held together for a minute for more, each reveling in the sensation of hot cum pouring into Rylea’s ass."
            ro "I’ve ‘concecrated’ you now, whore. The deal is struck."
            "Rowan pulled free, watching with dark glee the white fluid pouring from Rylea’s boneless and insatiate body. He had himself cum in the interim, his weak dribble soaking the bedsheets as he basked in the afterglow of the fuck."
            "Rowan pulled his pants up and made for the curtains without a second glance over his shoulder."
            ro "Remember this day well. I own you, now. You report to {i}me{/i}."
            "The only response Rowan got was a mumbled affirmative. He smirked to himself as he redid his sword belt and left the room."
            # $ avatar.corruption += 5
            # $ ryleaRowanSlave = True
            jump murderMysteryEnd_rp

        "Accept Rylea’s offer, but demand he change gender. (Scene - Straight)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "...Fine. I will keep your secret."
            ro "But you must swear personal loyalty to me. You will be my eyes and ears from now on inside the Dark Sanctum."
            rylea "You will not regret this, Rowan."
            "Rowan reached out and struck Rylea with the back of his hand."
            ro "Silence. You have wasted enough of my time. And now I’m left with a mess to clean up, and an underling to mislead."
            ro "X’Zaratl might be willing to tolerate a petulant child as a minion, but {i}I{/i} will not. "
            "Rylea, his cheek burning a bright cherry red, lowered his head in contrition."
            rylea "Yes… master."
            ro "-And before we continue, change your form. If I’m going to treat you like a slut, I’d rather fuck a Succubus."
            "A gleam of masochistic glee entered Rylea’s eyes. He smiled, his face and form shifting even as he let out a sultry - and decidedly feminine - giggle."
            hide incubus 1 with dissolve
            show succubus 6 neutral at midright with dissolve
            femrylea "Mmm, {i}gracious{/i} what am I getting myself into?"
            "The now-Succubus Rylea exposed her thicker curves to him, plumping out her ass and quirking an eyebrow as her breasts grew to whorish proportions. Rowan’s eyes widened as he watched her rapid transformation."
            femrylea "First you subjugate me, {i}then{/i} you force me to take on a more pleasing form for your own, cruel amusement?"
            "Rylea chewed on her lip, letting out a sultry moan as she reached down to finger her new, dripping cunt."
            femrylea "Master, where have you been all my life?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "We don’t have much time. We’ll take the tunnels back to your room. You can hide Simon in your harem till this all blows over."
            "At this Rylea perked up, a wide smile spreading across her face."
            femrylea "Yes, master!"
            scene bg23 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show succubus 6 neutral at midright with dissolve
            femrylea "So are you ready to make the pact, master?"
            femrylea "The loyalty ritual requires you to… {i}consecrate{/i} me."
            "Rylea let out an unsubtle giggle. Rowan sighed. They didn’t have much time, X’Zaratl thought he was still interrogating Deandra."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Then down on your knees, whore."
            #cg1
            scene cg787 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg787
            show succubus 6 neutral behind cg787
            pause 3
            "Rowan sat down and spread his legs, inviting her to nuzzle against him like the desperate supplicant she was. He cast a dismissive glare down on her."
            ro "Hurry up, before I change my mind and throw you to X’Zaratl’s mercy."
            "Rylea perked up, rushing forward on her hands and knees to worship at his manly altar."
            femrylea "No! Oh Master, you mustn’t! She won’t punish me {i}nearly{/i} as well as you can!"
            "Rylea, corrupted slut that she was, was already on her knees and peeling off Rowan’s pants. Rowan grunted in annoyance at her exaggerated obsequiousness."
            "The sultry demon took Rowan’s hardening length in hand and planted a delicate kiss upon the head. A wave of sensitivity passed over Rowan’s shoulders as Rylea took an experimental lick."
            "Whatever else could be said about the canny shapeshifter, she knew how to please."
            "Rylea leaned her face into his lap, placing herself submissively at his feet took him in his mouth, suckling upon his cockhead as if savoring a delicious meal. The demon's eyes fluttered shut as she let out a happy moan."
            "Rowan’s dick made a {i}pop{/i} sound as Rylea pulled it to the corner of her cheek, then allowed it to slip free from his lips. She let out an appreciative gasp as she jerked him from the base."
            femrylea "Mmmm, master’s cock."
            ro "No talking. If I wanted lip, I’d have sold you out to X’Zaratl."
            "Rylea, far from being deterred, let out a low giggle. She kissed Rowan’s shaft and jerked him more strenuously."
            "Rowan began to tire of the foreplay. He put his hands to either side of Rylea’s face, clutching her for a moment like one would a treasured lover."
            "That all changed when he pulled her down with measured force onto his cock, taking great fistfuls of her silky white hair in hand."
            "With a clench and a pull she forced Rylea down onto his dick. The demon's eyes widened, and she mimed choking for a moment. But the ease with which she managed to deepthroat Rowan was particularly telling."
            ro "That’s a proper look for you: choking on my cock like the degenerate, lying slut you are. No wonder Ishta chose Nisei over you."
            "Rylea - caught as she was with a mouthful of Rowan - merely moaned and gagged, her tongue swirling in eccentric circles as she lathered Rowan’s rod with glistening spittle."
            "Rowan used her head like it was his plaything, controlling the tempo of the blowjob by lifting and lowering her at his leisure, often at a speed just beyond that which was comfortable."
            "His brow turned downward as he let out a low expulsion of breath; the whore was a pleasing way to blow off steam, if nothing else. Rylea, sensing his increasingly aggressive movements, mimed choking when he pulled her down to the base."
            femrylea "{i}Huk{/i}!"
            "Rowan did not let up, holding her with ruthless aggression against his crotch. To her credit, Rylea merely moaned and suckled, tonguing his balls with her wet and suctioning mouth."
            ro "Are you satisfied now, you fucking whore? You got everything you ever wanted."
            ro "Ishta’s dead, Simon is yours…"
            ro "And now you’ve got a {i}new{/i} master with a big, fat dick to suck. Things couldn’t have gone better for you, huh?"
            "Rylea shivered in place, her hands drifting southwards to fondle her dripping nethers from her obedient kneeling position. She did not answer Rowan’s jeering, she merely tightened her lips and sucked harder."
            ro "There you go, just keep groveling. Keep sucking that dick, and let your new master do all the thinking for you."
            "Rylea fluttered his eyes. She {i}hummed{/i} with Rowan in his mouth, a curious vibration that brought Rowan to the very edge of orgasm."
            "Rowan stopped her, shoving her off his cock in a single, ruthless movement. Rylea came up coughing, wiping at her drool-caked face as she fought to catch her breath."
            ro "Stand up, I’m not done with you."
            "Rylea giggled and did as she was told, rising to her feet before bending at the hip to expose her soaking genitalia. She put her hands to her thighs as she wiggled her ass in the air."
            "Rowan approached, planting a harsh smack against Rylea’s pert bottom. The demon squealed and lifted her hips, her long tail thrashing about in excitement."
            "Rylea was already wet and waiting for him. He pressed his dick against the demon’s yielding cunt, and pushed."
            #cg2
            scene cg788 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg788
            show succubus 6 neutral behind cg788
            pause 3
            femrylea "{i}Mmm{/i} yeah, that's the stuff!"
            "Rowan’s cock slid into Rylea’s tight pussy like it belonged there. The demon suppressed a cry of pleasure as he hit her deepest place. His dick slid deep into her as Rowan put his weight behind the thrust, shoving Rylea forward, nearly catching her off balance."
            "Rowan leaned his weight atop her, grabbing her by her wide hips as he angled himself for proper penetration. Rylea’s legs shivered from orgasmic pleasure at the immediate, relentless pounding Rowan delivered to her clenching cunny."
            femrylea "{i}Mmm{/i}! Mm, yeah baby, just like that."
            "Such insolence. Rowan would not stand for it. It was bad enough he was covering up a murder for the impulsive creature, now he was dealing with a chatty slave."
            "Rowan spanked her. Hard. He planted the flat of his palm against Rylea’s pale skin at the same moment as his deepest thrust, sending the unsuspecting demon into a conniption fit of shivers at the action. X’Zaratl had not been lying: she really did like to be dominated."
            ro "I told you to shut up."
            "Rylea giggled and leaned back on her heels, pushing her rump against Rowan’s hips. She was just as eager as he was to bring their relentless mating session to its explosive conclusion."
            "Rowan grabbed her by the wrists and pulled her flush against his back, humping her in rapid thrusts into her deepest core. She tilted her head back to look at him, her eyes ablaze with erotic pleasure."
            "This was no romantic interaction, no slow buildup or casual mating. This was hate sex, of the most pitiless and callous kind."
            "Rowan laid into Rylea with all the vigor and strength that he would normally reserve for a foe on a battlefield. He slammed his hips against her again and again, ruthlessly railing her the way a barbarian would devour a flank of raw meat."
            "He took her by her throat, his hand clenching to give the illusion of choking. He wanted to dominate Rylea, to put her in her place and never let her live down the humiliation of her circumstances."
            "For Rylea, Rowan was salvation and safety. For Rowan, Rylea was merely a useful means to pleasure and influence. The tables had turned, Rowan had finally begun to play the game of demons."
            "His teeth clenched as he felt the building rise of something deep within him. His cock thickened in Rylea’s cunt as he felt his cumvein bulge with all that pent up frustration, anger and spite. It was a tremendous relief of the body as he grunted and spurted and came."
            "Rylea, for her part, merely moaned and trembled beneath Rowan’s domineering presence. She yielded entirely to him, relaxing in his arms as Rowan planted his seed deep within her. They held together for a minute for more, each reveling in the sensation of hot cum pouring into Rylea’s pussy."
            ro "I’ve ‘concecrated’ you now, whore. The deal is struck."
            "Rowan pulled free, watching with dark glee the white fluid dripping from Rylea’s boneless and insatiate body. He shoved her to the bed, and she toppled onto the bed without protest, twitching in place as she endured an explosive orgasm."
            "Rowan pulled his pants up and made for the curtains without a second glance over his shoulder."
            ro "Remember this day well, whore. I own you now. You report to {i}me{/i}."
            "The only response Rowan got was a mumbled affirmative. He smirked to himself as he redid his sword belt and left the room."
            # $ avatar.corruption += 5
            # $ ryleaRowanSlave = True
            jump murderMysteryEnd_rp

        "Turn Rylea in to X’Zaratl":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan’s expression hardened. He drew his sword in a swift, smooth movement, pointing the tip of it directly in Rylea’s crestfallen face."
            ro "You’re coming with me, worm."
            rylea "Please don’t do this, I beg you!"
            ro "Shut up and follow me. If you try to run, X’Zaratl will be the {i}least{/i} of your problems."
            "The demon cowered before his blade, raising his hands in defeat as he made for the door. Rowan shoved him through, calling out in a loud voice so that all in the Dark Sanctum might hear of what had happened."
            ro " I found him, X’Zaratl! I found the killer!"
            jump murderMysteryEndTurnIn_rp


    label murderMysteryEndTurnIn_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #xzaratl happy
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    xz "You have done a great thing for me this day, Rowan."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "And yet, it feels like I’ve wasted my time."

    "X’Zaratl smiled, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder as another swept smoothly about his waist. She pulled him tight in a side-hug, allowing him to feel the feminine curve of her hips against him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Don’t think of it like that. Thanks to you, peace - or what passes for it - has returned to the Dark Sanctum. "
    xz "I may have lost my second, but I have retained the confidence of my brood, and kept the crisis to a minimum."

    "She leaned in, her eyes lidding low as she planted a chaste peck on his cheek. He rubbed at the spot where the lipstick stuck."

    xz "Thank you. I won’t forget this."
    ro "What is to become of Rylea?"

    #xzaratl angry

    xz "Luckily for Rylea, he is too valuable an agent to simply dispose of."

    #xzaratl happy

    xz "But that doesn’t mean he won’t face harsh punishment."
    xz "Aside from specific tasks I give him myself, he will not be allowed to leave his room or see his harem."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}That's{/i} it?!"

    "X’Zaratl smirked."

    xz "Have you ever seen what happens to a Demon who has been denied sexual partners or pleasure for {i}months{/i}?"
    xz "Trust me, by the time I finally forgive Rylea of this slight, he will be {i}begging{/i} for the sweet release of death."

    "Rowan suppressed an expression of disgust. Demon ‘justice’ was often more cruel and arbitrary than a simple execution. Rylea would certainly survive the ordeal, but he would be none too happy by the end of it."

    xz "At least that settles things for now."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "{i}Not quite{/i}. Rowan thought. There was still the matter of Rylea’s accomplice."
    "While Rylea had ultimately been to blame for the killing, it was obvious that Deandra had helped him try to cover it up… at least, at first. He could still out her, if he so chose to. X’Zaratl would certainly believe him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Then again, demons did hate tattlers. if Rowan wanted to, he could simply drop the matter and not tell Deandra’s mistress about her double-dealings. She {i}had{/i} helped him solve the murder, after all… in her own, duplicitous way."

    menu:
        "“Tattle” on Deandra":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Things aren’t quite as settled as you think. Rylea had help."
            ro "Deandra posed as Rylea when I went to interrogate him in his room. She tried to cover up the murder."
            #xzaratl neutral
            xz "Did she?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Yes. After trying to mislead me, she revealed the tunnels that eventually led me to Simon."
            ro "What confused me, however, is why she fed me the information needed to out Rylea in the first place. Supposedly, they were allies."
            "X’Zaratl let out a humored giggle, one she quickly tried to cover with her hand. Rowan shot her a quizzical look."
            #xzaratl happy
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            xz "You must know by now that my siblings’ definition of ‘ally’ is not quite the same as a Solansian’s."
            xz "This is a pleasant surprise. I wouldn’t have expected Deandra to show such calculation and forethought. At least, not for a few years yet."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You’re not… mad at her?"
            xz "Why would I be? She acted {i}exactly{/i} as one should in such circumstances."
            xz "She took advantage of a major shakeup in the brood’s power dynamic, betrayed a weak ally at a key moment for personal gain, and ensured she now sits at or near the top of the pecking order."
            #xzaratl neutral
            xz "-And she did it all while manipulating her superior, ensuring you came to your own conclusions while also pointing you in the right direction."
            xz "She outed Rylea, but avoided the stigma of being called a ‘tattler.’ She diverted blame while accomplishing her goals all at once."
            #xzaratl happy
            xz "If anything, she’s to be {i}commended{/i}. That is the exact kind of intuition and ambition that I’m looking for in a recruit."
            ro "But… she covered up Ishta’s murder!"
            xz "Did she? Rylea would disagree."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "So, she deserves no punishment?"
            xz "Deandra is not to blame for Ishta’s death. That fault lies squarely on Rylea’s shoulders. She only did what was right, and took advantage of the situation."
            xz "If anything, this puts her on the shortlist for when I choose my new second in the brood. Such raw talent should be harnessed."
            menu:
                "Not good enough. She needs to be punished.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "No. Unacceptable."
                    ro "Your underling wasted my time on a wild goose chase, all the while playing me for a fool."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I don’t deal with false-talkers, and I don’t trust minions who are ready to lie to my face to avoid responsibility."
                    #xzaratl concerned
                    xz "She is only doing what is expected of her, Rowan."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "She is {i}expected{/i} to be loyal to those above her. I don’t care about the petty politics of your brood, I care that my time is being wasted."
                    ro "Under no circumstances is she to be rewarded for this. I want you to make an example of her."
                    xz " I suppose I could assign her to exclusive Orc relief duty for a few months. Not quite a slap on the hand, but-"
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Do whatever you deem necessary to get the point across. But a word of advice?"
                    "Next time, leave me out of your brood politics."
                    return
                "I suppose you’re right.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "It was hard to argue that Deandra had played him for a fiddle. As frustrating as it was to be used in that manner, she {i}had{/i} shown herself to be a capable demon. Rowan could harness that."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Very well, but if you could pass along a message to her for me?"
                    #xzaratl neutral
                    xz "Of course."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Tell her: “Rowan Blackwell doesn’t give second chances to liars.”"
                    #xzaratl happy
                    "X’Zaratl’s eyes shined with mirth. She smiled and nodded."
                    xz "I’ll be sure to relay that information to her."
                    xz "The Dark Sanctum is, as always, at your disposal Rowan."
                    return

        "Drop the matter.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "...Yes."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "That settles things."
            "X’Zaratl smiled back at him, genuine warmth in her features as she swept her arm out to encompass the whole of the building."
            xz "The Dark Sanctum is, as always, at your disposal Rowan."
            return

    label murderMysteryEnd_rp:

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    xz "Ah! Rowan, there you are."

    #xzaratl concerned

    xz "Deandra said you’d disappeared into the tunnels, and I thought-"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I’m fine, I was just investigating a lead."

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "Did you find anything conclusive?"

    ro "Not exactly."

    #xzaratl concerned

    xz "This is not good, Rowan. While you were gone I took the time to look in Ishta’s room for more clues that might help the investigation. The slave’s body is gone."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Gone?"

    xz "Gone. Missing. Someone has taken it."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    xz "This has gotten out of hand. I {i}cannot{/i} report Ishta’s murder to the Twins without having the culprit well in hand. "
    xz "If you can't prove who did it, a scapegoat will have to suffice."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You’re okay with throwing one of your servants to the wolves?"

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "If it means ending this threat to my rule, yes."
    xz "The killer may still be at large, but I can at least send a message to the rest of the brood that these kinds of inter-demon squabbles won't be tolerated."

    #xzaratl happy

    xz "Besides, I won't be choosing blindly."
    xz "You have spoken to my kin, who do {i}you{/i} think murdered Ishta?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "Ahrima did it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Ahrima is the obvious culprit."
            ro "She had plenty of motive, and had the strength to follow through on the threat."
            ro "What’s more, she’s the only demon in the brood whose alibi didn’t have another demon present to corroborate."
            #xzaratl neutral
            xz "She {i}has{/i} chafed for a long time beneath Ishta’s shadow. It makes sense - given the injuries - that she just finally lost her patience."
            xz "Very well."

        "Nisei did it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I think Nisei did it."
            "X’Zaratl tilted her head in confusion. She seemed surprised by the accusation."
            #xzaratl neutral
            xz "Really? Why?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Before Ishta was your second, there was an Incubus in the brood, yes?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Nisei was once his pet. When Ishta took over, she kicked him out of the brood and left Nisei alone with no allies."
            ro "My guess is, she harbored a grudge, and waited for a perfect moment to pay Ishta back in kind. Simon wasn’t a gift, he was a ruse."
            xz "If that is the case, then I shudder to think what she’s done with his missing body."

        "Deandra did it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...Deandra did it."
            ro "She admitted that she saw Ishta as a wrongful pretender to the title of your second."
            ro "Given her proclivities towards shapeshifting and backstabbing, and the lack of struggle on Ishta’s part, she likely caught her unawares and had to kill her quickly."
            xz "An ambitious power move, if true."
            #xzaratl angry
            xz "But also a grave miscalculation, I do not reward senseless slaughter."
            #xzaratl neutral

    xz "Very well. Then your part in this drama is done, Rowan."
    xz "I assign our little scapegoat to the mines for now as a punitive punishment. A few weeks of mindless, menial labor should get the message across well enough."

    ro "...For a murder?"

    "X’zaratl smiled."

    xz "Since I cant ascertain as to the actual guilt of the accused, yes. If nothing else, it tells everyone to knock off the infighting, or there will be consequences."

    #xzaratl concerned

    xz "An inelegant and imperfect solution, but it is the best I can come up with."

    #xzaratl neutral

    xz "Thank you, Rowan. I know how frustrating this all must have been for you."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "{i}Less than you might think{/i}. Rowan thought to himself, remembering the feel of Rylea’s velvety lips around his cock."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Of course, X’Zaratl. But in the future: try to be more discerning with your recruits."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_38.rpy
label conors_fate_rp:

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ AlRowRel = 100
        "Bad":
            $ AlRowRel = 0

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sat alone at his desk, his head buried in his hands. He had spared himself this brief moment of weakness, a quiet admission of the unbearable weight of responsibility that lay upon his shoulders."
    "The moment he’d returned from a grueling week of travels, he was confronted with a swarm of paperwork and emergency missives. Liurial was gone, off attending to some minutiae elsewhere, and he was left alone to handle the mess."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "It was an endless ordeal. And it never got easier. The lists and lists of names - of villages burned and the loot taken at their expense - only deepened his guilt."
    "The fall of Raeve keep had been a boon to the Twin’s cause… and ruination to those stuck under their bootheels. Rowan let out an angry sigh. The challenge of serving as the Twins’ unwilling lackey had finally, for a brief moment, overwhelmed him."
    "What was he even {i}doing{/i} here, anymore?"

    #courtyard bg
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The light was dying in the western sky when he finally escaped from the carefully collated piles of human misery that littered his desk."
    "Rowan walked with a slump-shouldered gait, his eyes to the ground and his mind in some low place in his chest. The sun was a fading disc of orange and red that hung like a drooping eyelid over the ugly wrinkles of the world."
    "A trickling stream of newly-arrived slaves were flowing in from the front gate, driven forward by a phalanx of Orcish guards. They shouted and shoved when one fell out of line, yanking them up by the scruff of the neck when they failed to rise from the ground quick enough."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Hey, servant. Come here."

    "Rowan’s eyes snapped up. Andras. Not the person he was hoping to see today. The Demon was standing next to the castle’s main gate, leaning against the wall as if bored with the ongoing spectacle. Rowan did his best to hide the angry scowl that threatened to break out across his face."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What is it... ‘Master?’"

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "Drop that insolent tone, whelp. I just gave you an order."

    "Rowan noticed that a small group of them had been separated from the rest, cowering behind the looming bulk of Andras. They were manacled together in a chain-gang, six of them on their knees, as if awaiting execution."
    "...Maybe they were. Rowan heaved a sigh and sidled up next to him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What do you wish of me?"

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "This prisoner claims to know you. Is he lying?"

    "Andras gestured in the direction of the hollow-eyed spectre kneeling at the front of the chain gang. When he lifted his head, Rowan’s blood ran cold."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...Conor?"

    conor "{i}Rowan?! {/i}"
    conor "Solansia, preserve me, I-I thought you were dead!"

    "Rowan felt the bottom go out of his stomach. It was another survivor of Arthdale. Rowan recognized that curly mop of brown hair and wiry frame from anywhere."
    "It was Conor, the Baker. Rowan had grown up just down the street from the young man. They’d known each other for years. Gods above, what was he doing here?"

    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    an "And here I thought I’d get to cut out a liar’s waggling tongue. Shame."

    "Andras laughed aloud. Judging from the paralyzing fear that filled Conor’s eyes, he was already well acquainted with the Demon’s cruel particularities. "

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What is he doing in chains?"

    an "What do you think the rest of the prisoners are wearing, fool?"

    "Rowan bit back an angry retort. He had to stay in control. For the sake of salvaging whatever could be salvaged from the situation, he needed to keep a level head. His hand was white-knuckled upon the pommel of his blade as he turned to face Conor."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...How did you get here, Conor?"

    conor "I… I managed to flee the carnage just as the Orcs attacked. M-my wife, she… she-"

    "Tears built up in the exhausted man’s eyes. Rowan could do little but look on in pity. The prisoner took a moment to compose himself. His shirt was scruffed and bloody. He looked like he had taken a beating before capture."

    conor "I fled to a nearby village, where some distant relatives were staying. I’d been scraping together whatever I could, making ends meet ever since."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "And now, Rowan had brought doom upon this poor man’s head for a second time. Guilt wormed its way into the center of his chest like a burning needle through his heart."

    conor "…We thought you were dead, Rowan. Everyone assumed you’d been killed in the initial attack. So when he said you were here I-I-"

    an "He got mouthy. He said that if the one of the Six Heroes were here, I’d have a sword shoved in my belly."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Brave, but stupid. Very stupid."

    "Andras strode up to the man, taking him by the back of the head. He lifted him by the roots of his hair so that he and Rowan were forced to look at each other."

    an "So, Rowan, fancy your chances?"

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "{i}Do you see a sword in my belly, slave?{/i}"

    "Andras’ inhumanly strong fingers clenched against the back of the man’s head. Conor screamed."

    menu:
        "Demand he be set free.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "..Let him go."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            an "What did you just say to me?"
            ro "I said let him go! What is he to you? The last raid brought you dozens of slaves."
            conor "R-rowan?"
            "Andras’ expression darkened. He shoved Conor forward, toppling him to the ground. He smashed face-first into the dirt. The Demon put his boot upon the back of the man’s head, trapping him in place."
            an "What is he to me?"
            "It took only the tiniest bit of pressure as he leaned into him with his leg, but Conor’s tortured cry of pain sent shivers down Rowan’s spine."
            an "Less than nothing. But it looks like he means something to {i}you{/i}."

        "Reason with Andras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan could do little but tremble in place, enraged beyond words. If he intervened now, Conor was a dead man. The only hope he had was to talk Andras down."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Master, we have only just begun our conquest of Rosaria. Until we complete that task, the slaves I’ve acquired for you remain a valuable commodity."
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            #if society_type == "feudalism":
            an "Heh. Not so valuable as to excuse your Lord getting insulted."
            #else:
                #an "Perhaps the slave should have thought about that before he insulted me."
            ro "That may be the case, but we can’t afford to make an example of every slave with a loose tongue."
            "Andras’ smile was cruel and pitiless. He strengthened his grip on the poor man’s head, eliciting an even louder cry of pain than the one before."

    "Rowan’s eye was drawn to a sudden flash of green above Andras’ head. He looked up to see a forlorn figure standing upon the parapets, overlooking the proceedings."

    ro "Alexia…"

    "She saw them. She’d seen everything. Her eyes were glued to the back of Conor’s head. The two made brief eye contact, and Rowan saw the glimmer of dread reflected back at him."
    "Swallowing down the shame that built in his chest, he redirected his attention once more to the threat in front of him. He couldn’t get distracted, not if he wanted to spare Conor from a terrible fate."

    ro "Gods above, he’s learned his lesson! Conor, if you could, would you take back your words?"

    conor "Y-yes! Kharos take me, yes!"

    "Rowan looked to Andras and affected a careless shrug. It took everything in his power not to draw his sword and prove Conor’s harmless threat true."

    ro "You have proved your point. He won’t make the same mistake again."

    "There was something frightening in Andras’ eyes as they turned to regard Rowan. It reminded him of that terrible day when he’d been forced to decide the old Elder’s fate."

    an "So it seems."

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    an "Fine. I’ll leave it up to you what we do with him."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras threw his hand in a careless gesture towards the five men chained together. They cringed when he indicated him, huddling into a nondescript pile in an attempt to avoid being singled out."

    an "This lot were headed to the lower reaches of the castle for menial work, but it looks like there’s been a change of plans."
    an "Letting a slave insult me is something that cannot go unpunished. Someone {i}else{/i} might try something a bit bolder next time."
    an "So {i}one{/i} of them is going to be headed to the mines instead: either your slave friend, or his companions."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The mines were a death sentence, especially for the battered and broken bodies kneeling before him. They wouldn’t last a month in those conditions. Rowan cast a short glance up towards the spot on the wall where Alexia was standing. Her hands were over her mouth."
    "Rowan made his face an empty mask. If he were to show the slightest bit of the emotion raging inside his chest, Andras would know that he had won."
    "Condemning a person he’d known since childhood to a merciless fate for the crime of spitting out a careless, toothless insult… or condemning five innocent men for a harmless action they hadn’t even committed."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..Just how long do you plan to keep doing this to me?"

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "Until you learn your place."
    an "Decide."

    menu:
        "Send Conor to work the mines.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ conorJob = "mines"
            "Rowan tried to get the words out, but they choked in his throat. He took a moment to compose himself, letting out a weary sigh."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Send Conor to the mines. He’s the one who…"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "‘Offended’ you."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            an "Boring. I was hoping you’d surprise me for once."
            "Andras stepped back, releasing the slave from his prone position. Conor lifted his head to stare imploringly into his old friend’s eyes."
            conor "Rowan… {i}please{/i}…"
            "From an outsider’s perspective, Rowan was expressionless. But internally, his heart felt like it was about to burst from his chest."
            conor "Gods, don’t let them do this to me!"
            "Instead of responding to his emotional entreaty, Rowan gestured to a few Orc guards standing watch nearby. They seized Conor by his arms and lifted him bodily off the ground, all but dragging him to his grim fate."
            conor " No! Please! I didn’t know! {i}I didn’t know!{/i}"
            "Rowan stared at the wretched form of Arthdale’s baker as he receded into the distance, unable to tear his gaze away from the horror of what he’d just done."
            an "Send the rest of them to their original work detail. Let them know the mercy of my leniency."
            "{i}Mercy is a word you are incapable of comprehending{/i}. Spoke a dark, hateful voice in the back of Rowan’s mind. He no longer knew if the thought was directed at Andras, or himself."

        "Send Conor to work in the kitchens.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ conorJob = "kitchens"
            "He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t bring himself to doom a man he’d known for so long to such an awful fate. It took everything he had to look the five men in the eyes, he owed them that much at least."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Conor is a- "
            ro "H-he’s a talented baker. He’d be more useful to you serving in the castle kitchens."
            "A malicious grin spread across Andras’ face as he sneered at Rowan. The merciless creature seemed to revel in the way it made him squirm. Andras  gestured once again towards the five men huddled together in chains."
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "And what should we do with the others, then?"
            ro "You know what we should do."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            an "I want to hear you say it."
            ro "...Send them to the mines."
            "The five damned souls let out piteous moans of anguish. Andras, delighted, made a sharp gesture with his hand. The Orc guards who had been standing by rushed forward, seizing the men and hustling them to their feet."
            "They were herded - backs bent and heads bowed - towards their new destination: the black pit where they would spend the rest of their miserable days in toil and suffering. Some cursed Rowan, others begged for mercy. One, the oldest, merely wept."
            "Andras released his grip on Conor and laughed."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            an "He can work the kitchens, if he can keep his mouth shut."
            an "Thank your ‘Hero’ for your life, slave. He may not have run a sword through me, but he at least managed to spare you."
            "Conor babbled out a hushed {i}thank you{/i} as he was led away to the kitchens. Rowan couldn’t even look him in the eye."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "That’s enough fun for the day, I think."
    an "I have a banquet with Jezera, any more trouble from your ‘old friend’ will be on your head, servant."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Understood, Lord Andras."

    an "Good. I’d hate to have to repeat myself."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "Content that he had gotten his pointless lesson across, the Demon turned and left. Six lives destroyed, all in the space of a few minutes, and yet he had somehow grown bored with the travesty."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stared at Andras’ retreating back as the Demon stomped away, off to commit some new barbarity or vulgarity. He felt his hand drift once more to the sword at his side, his fingers clenching against the pommel."

    ro "...I’m going to kill you one day. And when I do, I’ll make sure to split your belly open first."

    "The words were spoken with a whisper, but they had the strength of iron behind them. Rowan looked up at the empty spot on the wall where Alexia had been standing. He sighed."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I guess I should go talk to her."

    scene cg743 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg743
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg743
    pause 3

    "Night was coming. The final rays of light were fading away to nothing in the coming gloom. There, sitting alone with her back to him, Alexia sat upon a crenellation of the wall."
    "Her body was silhouetted by the setting sun, hunched forward as she stared out across the empty wastes beyond the castle."

    ro "Alexia? What are you doing up here?"

    "She didn’t respond. Rowan let out a sigh and walked over to her. She didn’t so much as glance in his direction as he sat down on the crenellation next to her. Her face was expressionless, her eyes dull."

    scene cg744 with fade
    pause 3

    if AlRowRel >= 60:
        "Rowan reached out and took her hand. His fingers threaded through her slender grasp and squeezed. Alexia looked at him, her glimmering green eyes holding to his for a long moment. He flashed a sympathetic smile."


    elif AlRowRel <= 30:
        "In the past, in a life now far removed from the one they now lived, Rowan would have wrapped his arm around his beloved wife and asked her what was wrong. Now, the tender words of worry dribbled out his mouth as a mechanical afterthought."

    else:
        "In normal circumstances, Rowan would have rushed to comfort her. But there was a distance between them now, a hesitation in their interactions that made such attempts at empathy feel almost… hollow."


    scene bg57 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Something on your mind, love?"

    al "...Don’t do that. Don’t pretend like I didn’t see what just happened."

    "Rowan’s shoulders slumped. He swallowed down the painful lump in his throat and nodded."

    ro "I’m sorry. Andras put me on the spot. I… I didn’t have a choice."

    "The look of condemnation in her eyes said otherwise, but to her credit she didn’t offer any real retort. She turned her gaze once more to the setting sun."

    al "...Conor was my dad’s apprentice once, you know? He took over the bakery after he died. I knew him since we were children."

    ro "I… I know."

    al "He was always such a loudmouth, but he had a good heart. We used to sneak spare bread loaves from the ovens and sit together in the alley behind the bakery at lunchtime. "
    al "Sometimes… birds would come, and we’d feed them together. Crows mostly, though sometimes we’d see the odd wood thrush, or even a robin. "
    al "Once, a nightingale landed on top of his head, chittering away at him in its beautiful little voice. It was the boldest bird I’d ever seen."
    al "I laughed so hard when Conor started shouting and capering about, waving his arms about like a loon to get it off his head."
    al "He was {i}scared{/i} of it. Can you believe it? Such a little thing, and all it was doing was sitting on his head."
    al "But still… he was..."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia’s eyes filled with tears."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "...Alexia?"
        al "I-I can’t..."
        al "I can’t {i}do{/i} this anymore, Rowan!"
        "She buried her face in her hands, her shoulders shuddering as she sobbed. Overcome with emotion, she vented her sorrow towards the uncaring horizon."
        al "These people… this {i}place{/i}… it just never stops!"
        al "Every day it gets worse. Every day it feels like we’re just spiraling down deeper and deeper into a pit we can’t escape."
        al "I… j-just can’t take it a-any m-{i}muh{/i}-"
        "Alexia’s voice broke as tears streamed in tortured lines down her face. Her expression collapsed, revealing a frightened woman in its wake."
        if AlRowRel >= 60:
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Hey. Come here."
            show cg745 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg745
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg745
            pause 3
            "She shivered as Rowan’s arms went around her shoulders and pulled her to his breast."
            "Despite her painful hesitation, once she leaned into him Alexia’s body melded against his like a lifeline. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as she wept."
            al "What are we doing here, Rowan? What did we ever do to deserve this?"
            show rowan necklace concerned behind cg745
            al "All these people suffering... all our friends in Arthdale…"
            al "We lost everything, the life we built together… for {i}this{/i}?"
            "Rowan’s jaw clenched as he pulled her close and let her vent. He said nothing. What answer could he even give at this point?"
            al "I try so hard to stay strong… I-I really do!"
            al "I know how difficult it is for you. I kn-know how painful it must be... to look into the eyes of those {i}monsters{/i} every day and do their bidding."
            al "But I just can’t… I can’t keep pretending like…"
            al "L-like everything’s still okay!"
            ro "Alexia…"
            al "You’re the only real thing in this world that I have left, Rowan. You’re the {i}only{/i} person who- w-who remembers what it was like, before-"
            "Rowan felt something wet and warm fill the corners of his eyes. His throat constricted. He couldn’t afford to show weakness, neither of them could. But it was just so hard to hold it all in."
            ro "We’ll get it back. We’ll save them all. I swear to you, beloved: we will return there one day."
            "Alexia didn’t answer him. She simply cried. She knew Rowan too well to not recognize the bittersweet sound of an empty promise."
            "They stayed like that for several minutes, Alexia huddled against his chest as he held her close. Rowan gently stroked her hair, whispering quiet nothings into her ear."
            "At last, the storm subsided. Alexia let out a pained chuckle, wiping at her eyes as she tried to hide the misery that painted a sombre brush across her face."
            scene bg57 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "I-I’m sorry, my love. I just…"
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "I don’t know what to do, anymore."
            ro "Neither do I."
            ro "If there was any way, I would have saved Conor. Set him free to let him find a life far away from this place."
            ro "But… I can’t risk it, not while you’re stuck in this mess with me."
            ro "Andras will be watching him now, to be sure he doesn’t suddenly ‘disappear’ from his job. The same goes for the other prisoners, I’d expect."
            ro "The Twins don’t trust me, and every little rebellion against their will only hardens their hearts against us. I’m sorry my love, but you’re my primary concern."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Maybe, in the end, there’s nothing we {i}can{/i} do."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "But I’m here for you. By all the Gods and all the Realms, I won’t let them hurt you Alexia."
            al "They’ve already hurt me, Rowan. They’ve hurt us both."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "But least I’ve got you, as terrible as this place is. I..."
            al " I don’t know what I’d do without you by my side, Rowan Blackwell. I’d go mad, or-"
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Become a spinster?"
            "Alexia returned a blank stare. Rowan’s face grew a knowing smirk. Then, at last, the aura of melancholy broke, and she choked out a laugh."
            al "Y-you {i}beast{/i} of a man!"
            "Alexia slapped his shoulder pad in sharp rebuke, her arms going about his shoulders as she clung tight to him."
            al "Don’t even joke about something like that!"
            ro "What? I think you’d look comely in black."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            al "One more morbid word out of you, and I’ll shove you off this wall myself!"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan laughed, and Alexia laughed along with him. It was good to see her smile again."
            jump conorLowCorEnd_rp

        #to do
        #elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:


        else:
            al "What kind of life is this? What kind of people are we becoming?"
            al "All those innocent victims... everyone who died in Arthdale…"
            al "We gave up our lives, everything we’ve ever known… for {i}this{/i}?"
            "Rowan’s fists clenched against the crenellated rock. He stared out at the bloody sunset, searching for the unanswerable solution to her question in the fading purples of the evening."
            show cg745 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg745
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg745
            pause 3
            "Rowan felt her arms go around his side, pulling tight against him as she searched for some semblance of warmth in the madness."
            "After a moment’s hesitation, Rowan put his arm around her, leaning his head against her shoulder."
            al "I try so hard to stay strong. I… I really do."
            al "I… I know what the Twins tell you to do. I know the cruelty they ask you to commit in their name."
            al "But… you don’t do it, do you? You wouldn’t just enslave people the same way they’ve enslaved us?"
            "Rowan very nearly managed to feed her a pleasing lie. But her searching gaze made his heart ache. He sighed and looked away."
            ro "...I do what I can to mitigate their worst impulses. I can only do so much."
            "She looked down at the ground, her tears staining his lap."
            al "W-why does it feel like everything we touch just turns to ashes in our hands?"
            ro "Alexia…"
            "She didn’t answer him. After a time she pulled away from the uncomfortable embrace, wiping at the corners of her eyes. Rowan could do little but watch in sympathy."
            al "...I don’t know what to do anymore."
            ro "Neither do I."
            al "It feels like we’re living in a nightmare. And I don’t know how to wake up."
            ro "Maybe we don’t. Maybe there’s nothing we {i}can{/i} do."
            ro "If there was, I would have saved Conor, set him free to find a life far away from this place."
            ro "But… I can’t risk it, not while you’re stuck here in this mess."
            ro "The Twins don’t trust me, and every little rebellion against their will only hardens their hearts against us."
            "Rowan took her hand in his. He mustered the most convincing smile he could manage."
            scene bg57 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            ro "But I’m here for you, Alexia. I swear: I won’t let them hurt you."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "I… wish I could believe you, Rowan."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "But we both know that’s a promise you can’t keep."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "She wiped at the tears that ran down her face, granting him a soft smile. It was so rare to see her smile these days."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "Solansia forgive me, when did things get so complicated?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Things were always this complicated, love. This is just the first time we’ve had to see it up close and personal."
            al "It shouldn’t have to be. We shouldn’t have to compromise who we are for the ‘privilege’ of living in this gilded cage."
            "Rowan had no real answer to that. Neither of them did. Fate had put them into this position, and it was largely fate that would decide how they’d escape it… if they’d escape it."
            jump conorLowCorEnd_rp


    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        #cg5
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        "A terrifying shadow crossed her face. Her beautiful features twisted with sudden fury, her teeth gritting in anger."
        al "He didn’t deserve this!"
        "She rounded on him, her eyes ablaze, tears streaming down her face."
        al "H-how could you let this happen? Conor was our {i}friend{/i}!"
        ro "What was I supposed to do, Alexia? "
        al "Set him free! Tell Andras to let him go!"
        ro "Andras would have killed them all if I did that. You know how he is, I didn’t have a choice."
        al "Then stop him! Stand up to him! {i}I don’t know{/i}!"
        ro "Alexia…"
        al "Maybe we deserve this, maybe it was always our fate to end up here, but Conor did nothing wrong!"
        ro "There was nothing I could do."
        al "{i}Stop saying there was nothing you could do{/i}!"
        "Alexia shoved him. Hard. Rowan toppled off the crenellation, nearly plunging to his death in the process."
        "He only just managed to throw his weight backwards, landing hard on the stone of the parapet with a loud thud."
        al "Be a man for {i}once{/i} in your damned life!"
        if AlRowRel > 30:
            "Her cruel words broke the spell of madness that had seized her. Alexia froze, her face going rigid with shock."
            "They stared at one another, mutual expressions of dismay etched across their faces. A dreadful silence stilled the air."
            al "I..."
            al "Rowan, oh Gods, I- I’m so sor-"
            "Her mouth gaped as she tried to babble out an apology. Her choked voice faded away into feeble nothingness."
            "Rowan picked himself off the ground and brushed himself off, dazed at her harsh words and the sudden shock of violence. They stared at one another in bewilderment, their silhouettes dark shadows amidst the setting sun’s rays."
            ro " ...Why?"
            "It was an innocent question, a childlike inquiry, filled with hurt and confusion. Alexia opened her mouth to speak, but words escaped her."
            al " I… I don’t know what came over me, I-"
            ro "What’s happening to you, Alexia? "
            "She shuffled up to him, trembling hands reaching out to touch his tensed shoulders."
            al "R-rowan, {i}please{/i}, I didn’t mean to-"

            menu:
                "Pull away from her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan stumbled backwards out of her grasp, tripping over himself to get away from the thing that had so wounded him. Alexia froze for a second time, horrified at his abrupt withdrawal."
                    "His heart twinged with pain as he saw the despondent look that crossed her features in the aftermath. But he could not go to her, not after what she’d just done."
                    al "Rowan I-I’m-"
                    "Rowan’s hands grew clammy as an emotion that he couldn’t describe - an ugly mixture of impotent rage and utter despair - rose up within his gullet to choke the words from his throat."
                    "He didn’t say a word to her. He couldn’t, lest the floodgates open and the tears come spilling out like so much useless rainwater on the ground. He just turned and walked away."
                    "A muffled sob behind him told him all he needed to know. He’d hurt her, just like she’d hurt them. They were even now, he supposed. Not that it did much good for either of them in the end."
                    "So much for the ‘Hero of the Six Realms.’ Rowan couldn’t even manage to save his own wife. He angrily wiped the tears from his face as he all but fled from the castle wall."
                    #$ change_relation('alexia', -15)
                    return

                "Hug her. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "How did things get so difficult?"
                    "Rowan let Alexia step forward into his chest, wrapping his arms around her as she threw herself against him."
                    al "I-I’m so {i}sorry{/i}! Please, forgive me beloved!"
                    "Rowan didn’t know what to say, he just held her while she cried. It was like he was moving underwater. His mind was a detached spectator as his body moved on automation."
                    "Hug her. Hold her. Stroke her hair. Whisper in her ear meaningless reassurances that things will be all right. This is what it takes to calm her down, to bring her to a normal level."
                    "{i}This is what empathy looks like{/i}. A cold, distant voice in his head reassured him. {i}This is what a relationship should be{/i}."
                    "{i}Nothing made sense to him anymore{/i}."
                    al "I didn’t mean to do it, I swear! I don’t know what came over me!"
                    ro "It’s okay, Alexia. It’s all going to be okay."
                    "All he could offer at this point were flavorless platitudes."
                    al "Please, Rowan. I… I can’t do this without you."
                    ro "I know."
                    al "I {i}need{/i} you."
                    ro "I know."
                    al "Let me- let me make it up to you… please?"
                    "She leaned forward hesitantly to kiss him, her searching eyes begging for his permission."

                    menu:
                        "Kiss her. (Scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "In the end, he couldn’t resist her. He never could. Only Alexia could hurt him so and still bring him crawling back."
                            "She was his panacea - or, alternatively: his poison. The lines between them were so blurred and toxic that he didn’t know what she meant to him anymore."
                            "Rowan nodded, and she kissed him, their lips connecting with something approaching desperation."
                            jump conorSexScene_rp

                        "Not like this.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan pulled away, and Alexia’s tears flowed anew. He put a finger to her lips and gently {i}shushed{/i} her."
                            ro "It’s okay, it’s okay. I’m just… not in the mood."
                            al "I-I understand."
                            ro "You don’t have to apologize."
                            al "I don’t deserve you."
                            "{i}No one deserves anything{/i}. Rowan thought as he hugged her close and let her bitter tears stain his shirt."
                            return

                "Confront her. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Why would you do that to me, Alexia? Why would you even say those things?"
                    al "I didn’t mean it, Rowan. I-I just- I wasn’t thinking, I was mad."
                    ro "At me?"
                    al "N-no! About… about Conor..."
                    ro "You told me to ‘act like a man.’"
                    "Alexia's eyes widened. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. After a pathetic attempt to excuse herself, she lapsed into a miserable silence."
                    ro "What do you want me to do, Alexia?"
                    ro "The Twins have us trapped here, chained to their will by the necklaces around our necks."
                    ro "It would be one thing if I was the only one stuck in this hell… but I have {i}you{/i} to think about as well."
                    ro "I want nothing more than to protect these people, but you’ve seen what the Twins are capable of."
                    ro "If I push too hard, arouse too much suspicion, we both die. And I can’t let that happen. Call it selfishness: but you’re my primary concern."
                    "Alexia huddled into herself. She looked like she was on the verge of tears."
                    ro "You’ve changed, Alexia. And I don’t think it's for the better."
                    ro "Bloodmeen Castle’s corruption warps everything it touches. At first I thought we were immune to it."
                    ro "...I guess I was wrong."
                    al "Rowan, I-"
                    ro "Don’t say anything. There’s nothing to say. It is what it is."
                    ro "I guess we’ll just have to live with the consequences."
                    al "Please Rowan, can you ever forgive me?"
                    "Rowan stared into her teary eyes, guilt chipping away at his heart."
                    ro "…I can only try, Alexia."
                    "Her expression broke, her lip quivering as she threw her arms around him. Rowan reluctantly held her close, his heart hammering in his chest."
                    al "I love you, I love you, I love you! I swear that I do! I’m {i}so sorry{/i}!"
                    "She leaned forward hesitantly to kiss him, her searching eyes all but begging for his permission."

                    menu:
                        "Kiss her. (Scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan kissed her. What else could he do? For all she had done to him, she was still his wife."
                            "No one else could make him feel this way: this destructive blend of affection and suffering rolled into one."
                            "She was his panacea - or, alternatively: his poison. The lines between them were so blurred and toxic that he didn’t know which was which anymore."
                            jump conorSexScene_rp

                        "Not like this.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan pulled away, and Alexia’s tears flowed anew. He tilted her chin up to look at him."
                            ro "Not like this, Alexia. Not right now, not after what just happened."
                            al "I-I understand Rowan."
                            ro "Then you know why I’m saying no."
                            ro "Please just… let me take some time to process this? I need to think about things."
                            al "I don’t deserve you."
                            "Rowan winced. For all her faults, Alexia still knew how to tug at his heartstrings. He pulled her into a chaste hug."
                            ro "It’s going to be alright."
                            al "No… it won’t be. Not after what I’ve done."
                            "Rowan tried to spit out a denial, but the words got blocked in his throat."
                            return

        else:
            "Rowan froze in place. His eyes went wide as he stared into the seething pit of anger that was the woman he thought he’d loved."
            "There was no apology in her eyes, no sign that she even recognized the gravity of what she’d just done. She leapt off of her seat and rushed forward, looming over him like a raging thundercloud."
            "He saw the look in her eyes. She… she {i}hated{/i} him at that moment. The stinging realization was like a splash of icy seawater to a gaping wound. Rowan was left speechless."
            al "Look at you. You don’t even have the good sense to be angry at me."
            #if alexiaJezObedient == True:
            al "What happened, Rowan? Does Jezera keep your balls in a little box somewhere?"
            #if alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
                #al "What happened, Rowan? Did Andras break you in nice and hard?"
            al "You keep pretending like the world abides by your ridiculous moral code. Yet here you are: dancing like a puppet to the Twin’s strings!"
            al "Do you think you’re {i}better{/i} than me? Is that it?"
            al "Look around you, Rowan. Look at everything you’ve done. Do you think your ‘integrity’ or your ‘morals’ have saved anyone?"
            al "Raeve Keep has burned. Arthdale is {i}gone{/i}. Solansia only knows what you’ve got in store for us next!"
            al "You disgust me. For all your purity, for all your ‘principles,’ you’re just a weak-kneed coward."
            "Rowan stared at this merciless creature, unable to discern her human features. Who was this woman? What had she done with Alexia?"
            "But… the longer Rowan looked, the more despondent he became. In a way, it would have been easier had she been simply telling the truth."
            "For all her bold words, Rowan could see the tears in her eyes."
            al "{i}Well{/i}? Aren’t you going to say anything? All we ever seem to do anymore is argue, so I guess it’s your turn."
            al "So come on! Say it! Get mad at me!"
            al "{i}Do something{/i}!"

            menu:
                "Are you quite finished?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan picked himself up off the ground and dusted himself off. He stared with cold impassivity into his wife’s angry eyes."
                    ro "...Are you done?"
                    "His empty tone only seemed to make her angrier. She slapped him. Hard. Rowan accepted it, turning his face to one side to lessen the stinging impact."
                    al "Gods {i}damn{/i} you!"
                    "Rowan allowed a humorless smile to spread across his cheeks."
                    ro "They already have. You’re just the insult to the injury, at this point."
                    al "You don’t care about me at all, do you?"
                    ro "I care, Alexia. More than you can possibly know. It’s why I let you do this to me. You’re the only one who ever could."
                    ro "You’re the only one who ever will."
                    al "I don’t give a damn about your hollow pity, Rowan."
                    "Rowan shrugged, a perfunctory rise and fall of his shoulders."
                    ro "You don’t have to. It’s not my pity that’s keeping you alive."
                    "Alexia’s glare could have melted stone. It was a good thing then that Rowan had long since hardened his heart to her."
                    "He turned away without saying a word. It was just as well, she didn’t really have anything left to say, anyway."
                    "So much for good intentions."
                    #$ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                    return

                "Walk away":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan didn’t say a word as he stood up. He just looked at her. He searched for some sign of the woman he once knew, but could find nothing."
                    "He turned away in a slow circle, moving with deliberate steps in the direction of the stairs. It had been a long day, and he was exhausted."
                    al "Where are you going? Get {i}back{/i} here and yell at me!"
                    "Rowan didn’t turn around, didn’t address her tortured voice. To acknowledge her now would be to give her the power she sought over him."
                    al "{i}Rowan!{/i}"
                    "Desperation colored her voice, the sort of hopeless panic a drowning man might have when lost at sea. Rowan could not be her rope to cling to, not this time. She had finally crossed a line."
                    al "You bastard, you were {i}everything{/i} to me!"
                    "Rowan stopped. He didn’t turn around, but she had - admittedly - managed to unnerve him."
                    ro "...No."
                    "Empty words. Like all the rest. How many platitudes had slithered past their mouths these last few months? Rowan was so tired of the lies."
                    "He walked the final distance to the stairs in silence, dogged by the increasingly hysterical ranting of his wife at his back."
                    #$ change_relation('alexia', -15)
                    return

                "Throw her words back in her face":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "You’ve got a lot of nerve treating me this way, you know that?"
                    ro "You call me a coward, but when you went missing, {i}I{/i} was the only one who cared enough to look for you."
                    ro "I {i}came back{/i} for you. I willingly fell into the Twin’s trap for you! I could have just abandoned you. The Elder himself told me to leave you to your fate!"
                    ro "But I couldn’t do it, because the thought of you dying alone in this miserable place turned my stomach."
                    ro "Every day, I blacken my soul for your sake. I’ve betrayed my oaths, killed my friends, stomped everything I ever believed in into the dirt."
                    ro "And this is the gratitude I get?!"
                    al "Oh, don’t get so high and mighty with me, Rowan Blackwell!"
                    al "You think I don’t see the way you strut around the castle like a peacock preening his feathers?"
                    al "For all your ‘selfless sacrifice,’ you sure love to put on airs. Deep down, you always wanted power."
                    al " I saw how sullen you got when you returned from the Capital after the War. You {i}hated{/i} that you had to run back to your poor, little nobody wife in a podunk town in the middle of nowhere."
                    ro "Is that what you think this is about? You think I give a damn about the trappings of authority?"
                    ro "Just who the hell do you think I am, you heartless bitch?"
                    al "{i}Fuck you{/i}, Rowan!"
                    ro "I would, but I have standards."
                    "Rowan caught her wrist long before the intended slap could land. Alexia struggled with him for a moment, shoving at him and punching his chest."
                    al "L-let {i}go{/i} of me!"
                    ro "With pleasure."
                    "Rowan let go of her wrist and stepped back, taking care to avoid a second strike. Alexia’s eyes were narrow pinpricks of hatred that glared at him in the dying light."
                    ro "I don’t know where we went wrong-"
                    al "When I married you!"
                    ro "...But I’m not going to stop being who I am. Love me, hate me, {i}damn{/i} me for all I care. I came back for you. I {i}protected{/i} you."
                    "Alexia spat at his feet."
                    al "I don’t need your ‘protection.’"
                    ro "Maybe you don’t. But I do know this: I’m the best chance you’ve got of leaving this castle with even a shred of your soul intact."
                    ro "Think on that Alexia, the next time you try to push me off a castle wall."
                    "Rowan half expected her to rush him when he turned away, but instead he was greeted with silence."
                    "He paused at the top of the stairs to look back at her. She was standing alone, facing the sunset with a grim expression."
                    "Rowan let out an exhausted sigh, and descended into the Bowels of Bloodmeen once more."
                    #$ change_relation('alexia', -15)
                    return

    else:
        "Alexia trailed off. She turned away from him, staring out at the vast expanse of emptiness that were the Rakshan wastes. Her expression was… desolate."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Alexia?"
        al "Hm?"
        ro "Are you okay?"
        if AlRowRel >= 60:
            "She turned to look at him, the evening sunlight gleaming in her emerald eyes. The wind blew a gentle breeze across her soft features."
            "Alexia shook her head, shifting her gaze towards the tall mountains in the distance once again."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "No."
            al "I’m not okay."
            al "I don’t think I’ve been okay for a long time, Rowan. Not since Arthdale burned."
            ro "That wasn’t our fault, Alexia."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            if alexiaJezObedient == True:
                al "Wasn’t it? Lady Jezera played us like a lyre. We fell right into her trap."
            else:
                al "Wasn’t it? We were fools to trust that girl."
            ro "How could we have possibly known who she was at the time?"
            "Her gaze sharpened. She turned to glare at him, a righteous anger filling her eyes. For a brief moment, it looked like Alexia wanted to hit him."
            "Then, just as quickly, the hatred dissipated. Alexia let out a tired sigh, unable to meet his sympathetic gaze."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "I’m losing myself, Rowan."
            al "I can feel it. Something’s changed."
            al "Maybe it’s this castle, maybe it's the shock of what happened at Arthdale."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            al "Or maybe I’ve {i}always{/i} been this way, and I was just too blind to see it."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "But with every day that passes, I feel less and less like the girl you once knew."

            menu:
                "That’s not true.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan took her hand in his. Alexia turned to meet his earnest expression."
                    ro "You’re still the woman I fell in love with, Alexia."
                    al "I don’t think I am. I don’t know {i}who{/i} I am, anymore."
                    ro "{i}I{/i} know who you are. And that’s all that matters."
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    al "Hehe. You… really are a silly man sometimes, Rowan."

                "Why do you think you feel this way?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Alexia’s smile trembled, as if she were but inches away from tears. She took a deep inhale and let out a sigh."
                    al "I don’t know."
                    al "Or, I guess I do. But I don’t know how I can explain it to you in a way you’d understand. I just... can’t resist it."
                    al "Before, I would have been horrified about what happened to Conor. Now though, I just feel empty."
                    ro "It’s a coping mechanism, Alexia."
                    ro "Sometimes, the worst experiences take a bit of willful delusion on our part to survive. It’s easier on our hearts to just duck our heads down and cover our ears."

                "What’s happening to you?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "I don’t know… I don’t know if I even understand it myself."
                    al "I know how I should react, how I {i}would{/i} have reacted had I been exposed to these things back in Arthdale/"
                    al "But now, when I find myself confronted with what’s going on around here I just…"
                    "She trailed off, nibbling on her lip in worry."
                    al "M-maybe I’m just overthinking things, huh?"
                    "Her nervous laughter and unconvincing smile belied the strained tone in her voice."

            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "I wish I could be as strong as you. I admire you for that, truly I do. But..."
            "She opened her mouth to say something more, but then seemed to think better of it. She looked away from him. A pained expression crossed her face."
            ro "But... what?"
            al "Nothing. I’m talking nonsense, now."
            al " I… I’m sorry, Rowan."
            ro "Sorry for what?"
            al "For bringing you to this place. For making you suffer like this."
            al "Conor deserved better. {i}You{/i} deserve better."
            ro "Alexia..."
            al "You shouldn’t have tried to rescue me. You should have just left me to rot. The world would’ve been a better place if you’d just forgotten about me."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "W-what-"
            "An anger Rowan couldn't describe bubbled up inside his chest at her words. All of the repressed feelings and burning resentments he’d been storing up since Arthdale rose like bile from his throat."
            ro "What are you {i}talking{/i} about?! Stop saying things like that!"
            "He seized the shocked Alexia by the shoulders, shaking her from her mournful stupor. His eyes were ablaze, his hands were trembling with an indescribable fury that he could no longer keep in check."
            ro "Why do you think I’m here right now? Why do you think this gods-forsaken necklace is wrapped around my neck?"
            ro "Do you think I like helping them? Do you think I {i}enjoy{/i} serving them?!"
            ro "I did this all for you! I am damning myself for {i}you{/i}, Alexia!"
            al "R-rowan-"
            ro "Don’t you dare give up on me now, not after everything we’ve gone through. We’re going to get through this. {i}Together{/i}."
            "She didn’t know how to respond. Tears filled her eyes. Alexia embraced him, and Rowan did the same. They clung to one another like survivors in a storm."
            "Nearly an hour passed. The sun sank beneath the horizon, filling the world with effervescent gloom. Alexia sat next to him, staring into the distance with that long-eyed look again."
            "They hadn’t said anything to each other in all that time. Something was weighing on her thoughts. At last, she turned to look at him."
            al "...Rowan."
            al "You don’t know how much you mean to me."
            "He felt her arms go around him, her body sidling close as he kept his gaze trained towards the blue mountains in the distance."
            al "I… I want to be with you. Tonight. In your bed. As husband and wife."

            menu:
                "Kiss her. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "How could he ever say no to her? As the sun sank into darkness Rowan captured her lips with a kiss."
                    "So much had changed about them and their relationship, yet this singular experience was the same as it had been on their wedding day."
                    "She pulled close, holding him tight as if frightened that he would leave. But Rowan wouldn’t do that, he couldn’t. Perhaps he was doomed, perhaps they both were."
                    "But for Alexia’s sake, he was willing to risk the void."
                    jump conorSexScene_rp

                "Back off.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan was more tired than he thought. The mental exhaustion of the day and the week preceding it had taken so much from him. The last thing on his mind was sex."
                    ro "I’m sorry Alexia, there’s just… a lot on my mind right now."
                    "Alexia’s crestfallen face almost made him reconsider, but her gaze hardened as she nodded earnestly at him."
                    al "I understand. It was… a selfish thought of mine."
                    al "I’ve been having more and more of those, of late."
                    al "Would it… is it okay if I was selfish in a different way then?"
                    al "Could we just... stay here for a little longer like this?"
                    "Rowan smiled, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. She got close to him and snuggled against his chest. He kissed the top of her head."
                    ro "Of course my love."
                    "They sat there together, staring at the ever-changing orbit of stars. Time ceased to have any meaning as the world seemed to go by in an ever changing cycle."
                    #$ change_relation('alexia', 5)
                    return
        else:
            "She didn’t even bother to look at him. Alexia closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh."
            al "...Yes. I’m fine. I’m just tired."
            ro "It’s been a long day for both of us, I think."
            al "So it has."
            "An awkward silence fell. It was painful to see just how disconnected they’d become from one another."
            "There were a hundred things he wished he could tell her, to confide in her, but the words wouldn’t come. Rowan no longer knew how to cross that unbridgeable gulf."
            ro "I’m doing the best that I can, Alexia."
            "Alexia snorted. Her empty eyes turned to look at him in the growing dark."
            al "In the end, what does it really matter? You play out your little act, and the Twins do what they will regardless."
            ro "I can’t control their impulses. The best that I can do for now is to try to diminish the scale of their atrocities."
            al "Hm."
            al "And how is that going for you?"
            "Rowan had to bite his tongue not snap back with an angry retort. Alexia’s expression softened. She looked away."
            al "I wish I could be as strong as you are, Rowan. I admire you for keeping up with the fantasy, no matter how often reality stares you in the face."
            al "It was… nice while it lasted, our life in Arthdale."
            al "What a pleasant dream it was too: the nobody girl from a nowhere place, falling in love with the hero of the Six Realms."
            al "...None of it ever really meant anything, did it?"

            menu:
                "I still love you, Alexia.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Alexia giggled. She seemed more amused than impressed by his earnest proclamation."
                    al "You always knew how to make me smile, Rowan."
                    al "I don’t know how much you really believe what you’re saying to me... but I appreciate the thought."
                    ro "What will it take to convince you?"
                    al "I don’t know. I’m even sure that I {i}know{/i} what I want, anymore."
                    al "You don’t need to try so hard, Rowan"

                "It meant something to me.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "She let out a frustrated sigh. Her eyes opened, and she looked at him with something approaching pity."
                    al "I’d like to think it meant something to me, as well."
                    al "But words are empty comforts now. Maybe we could have had a happy life together, had we stayed in Arthdale."
                    al "-Or maybe it was always going to end up this way, and the Twins’ intervention just sped up the process."
                    ro "I had nothing but good intentions when I first married you, Alexia."
                    "She smiled at him, but the warmth did not enter her eyes."
                    al "Maybe. But ‘good intentions’ aren’t the same thing as love."
                    ro "I do love you."
                    al "And I want to believe you."

                "Say nothing.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan didn’t know how to respond. He didn’t even know what it was he was feeling. There was a numbness to his thoughts, as if his whole world were just shades of intermittent grey."
                    "Alexia turned away from him again, staring with a wistful expression towards the sunset."
                    al "...Perhaps it’s easier this way. Better to live with the painful truth than a fanciful illusion."
                    al " It’s not like anything will change either way."

            "Alexia hopped off the crenellation, landing smoothly on the cold stone of the castle wall. She turned away towards the stairs, walking with calm steps towards the staircase."
            "She turned back to look at Rowan. The wind blew a gentle gust across her face, ruffling her hair. She smiled at him, that gentle curve of the lips she had once reserved only for him."
            "Here though, it almost felt like a mournful goodbye."
            al "Thanks for being here, Rowan. For what it’s worth: you were always a great listener."
            hide alexia with moveoutright
            "Rowan watched her descend the steps to the ground like a man witnessing an execution. He stayed there on the wall, staring at the horizon till night fell and the world around was covered in darkness."
            "It matched his bleak outlook for the future."
            return


    label conorLowCorEnd_rp:

    "After the tears had dried, the couple sat together and watched the sunset. More than an hour passed as they waited in silence, the brooding purples giving way to the wintry passage of the stars across the darkening sky."
    "Rowan felt Alexia’s fingers interlace with his own, and she rested her head on his shoulder."

    al "Rowan."
    al "I... don’t want to be alone tonight."

    menu:
        "Kiss her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Gently, Rowan tilted her head to face him. Her emerald eyes glimmered back at him in the starlight. Tears still glistened in the corners."
            "He leaned down and captured his lips with her own. She sighed into his mouth, melding against his body with a sense of utter peace and contentment."
            ro "...You don’t have to be."
            jump conorSexScene_rp

        "Let’s watch the stars a little while longer.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She giggled, tilting her head skyward and rubbing at her eyes."
            al "Not the worst way to get shut down, I suppose."
            ro "It’s not that, Alexia. It’s just- "
            ro "Sometimes… being near you is enough."
            "She giggled again."
            al "You silly romantic."
            "For all her teasing, she didn’t seem to mind. Alexia cuddled up against him and stared at the horizon, the warmth of her body bringing a small glow to his chest."
            "They sat there together, hand in hand, husband and wife, watching the stars go by into infinity. It would be hours yet before they went inside."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
            return


    label conorSexScene_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan took her by the hand. She smiled at him and squeezed it. He led her down the long walk to his bedroom, heedless of anyone who passed. He only had eyes for her."
        "Alexia never wavered, never faltered or hesitated. She trusted him completely. Rowan could not put into words what that faithful love meant to him. It was the only thing that kept him going."
        "At last they reached their destination. Alexia entered first, her footsteps light and breezy as she swept into his bedroom. Rowan closed the door behind him and turned to face her."
        "There she was, the picture of feminine beauty, standing before him. Her eyes beckoned him onwards, a subtle promise of forbidden pleasures."
        "She smiled at him, a shy, delicate thing. It never failed to amaze Rowan just how strong she was. Despite everything, she was still the gentle, loving woman she’d been back in Arthdale. Not even the Twins could steal her innocence."
        "Rowan embraced her, their lips forming a connection that went beyond mere physical attraction. Her lips brushed his, softly, delicately, like butterfly wings, just long enough that he could inhale her breath, feel the warmth of her skin."
        "They peeled the clothing off of one another, mere trappings that concealed their true selves. There were to be no secrets between them. Soon they were naked, standing together like ghostly spirits beneath the light of the stars coming from the window."
        "She was enchanting: pale white skin topped with a shock of fiery red hair, with warm green eyes that glimmered in the dark. She drove him wild."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan took her by the hand. She looked up at him, her uncertain expression filled with pain and regret. Rowan could not look her directly in the eye as he led her down the long walk to his bedroom."
        "But Alexia’s footsteps were slow and hesitant to follow. It was as if she did not seem to trust herself. It hurt Rowan to see how much their trust had been damaged - even if it was only temporary."
        "...Rowan could only hope that it was temporary."
        "He led the way, his body tense, his footsteps stilted and mechanical. Alexia followed behind him, quiet and forlorn. When they at last reached their destination, Rowan let her walk inside herself, then shut the door behind them."
        "Rowan turned to face her, staring at her features like an artist appraising a work of his he had not seen in years. There she was, the picture of feminine beauty, the woman he loved. Alexia."
        "Why couldn’t he recognize her?"
        "Her eyes might have been hesitant, but her body was not. She walked into his arms, planting them firmly around her waist as she leaned hard into his face."
        "Her lips mashed against his, as if trying to flatten and destroy his mouth. Her mouth opened, tongue pushing past his clenched teeth to the moist space within."
        "She worked her mouth against his, their tongues battling back and forth like wrestlers, each trying to pin the other. Rowan didn’t know how their little, loving game had warped so suddenly into a vicious competition."
        "They peeled off their clothing in a rush, discarding it in a useless heap on the floor. She was enchanting: pale white skin topped with a shock of fiery red hair. She drove him wild, she was a hellion who all but threw herself at him. "
        "Her body moved with a sensual bend all its own, accentuating her curves. She had an almost preternatural ability to arouse him, a fact driven home as she reached down to roughly grope his hardening erection."

    else:
        "Rowan took her by the hand. She smiled at him and squeezed it. He led her down the long walk to his bedroom, heedless of anyone who passed. He only had eyes for her."
        "But Alexia’s footsteps were slow and hesitant to follow. It was as if she did not seem to trust herself. It hurt Rowan to see how much her own self-image had been damaged. It was as if she didn’t even trust herself anymore."
        "When they at last reached their destination, Rowan led the way into the room. Alexia followed behind, her fingers interlocked tight with his own as if to cling to his strength. The door closed behind them and Rowan turned to face her."
        "There she was, standing before him. The picture of feminine beauty. It was a shame that her eyes were uncertain pools of distress, unable to look him directly in the eye."
        "There was a depth to her features that she have never worn before. He couldn’t tell if she wanted to kiss him, or break down into tears… maybe it was both?"
        "Alexia did her best to smile. But it was strained, her body language was that of helpless indecision. It was as if she didn’t really believe she deserved to be in his presence."
        "Rowan’s heart ached. How could he explain to her how much she mattered to him? The Hero of Rosaria would give up the whole world - the Gods, the afterlife and everything else - just to see her true smile again."
        "He kissed her like she wanted to be kissed, soft and moist and hot and fierce. The heat rose in her cheeks as her tongue touched his own, quick and electric and delicious."
        "They intertwined in passionate revery, seeking to chase down that elusive feeling that had first brought them together.He had to show her. He had to show her how much she meant to him."
        "They peeled off their clothing, discarding it in a heap on the floor. She was enchanting: pale white skin topped with a shock of fiery red hair. She drove him wild."

    #cg1
    scene cg746 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg746
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg746
    pause 3

    "Breathless, she took his face in hand, staring deep into his eyes with an expression of heated arousal."

    al "Here Rowan, let me…"

    "Her fingers clenched against his chest, a silent entreaty for him to comply. She pushed him, a gentle nudge to get him moving. Rowan backpedaled to the foot of the bed. His ankles caught the mattress, and he sat down."

    "Alexia knelt in the space between his legs, settling into place with her knees together, like a nun at her prayers. Rowan watched the curve of her spine as she leaned towards, her face hovering near his groin."
    "She took his stiffening cock in hand, stroking it in long, slow motions. She watched his reaction as her head bent down and she took him in her mouth."

    ro "A-alexia…"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia paused in her sensual movements, her eyes flicking up to look at him with the head of his cock between her lips. There was an innocent expression on her face, she almost seemed to be asking him: {i}“is it okay?”{/i}"
        "Rowan felt a swelling in his heart… one to match the swelling of his groin. Gods, he loved this woman. Even in her most awkward moments, she was adorable."
        "He ran his fingers through her hair and nodded, letting out a soft moan of encouragement. Alexia, emboldened, bent herself to the task, kissing and licking his cock before taking it once more in her mouth."
        "She moved slowly, lifting and lowering her head in gentle strokes, her eyes fixed to Rowan’s face. Her lips quirked up into a smile when she saw him stare back, and a fresh wave of arousal shot up the back of his spine."
        "She was perfect. There was a wordless symmetry between them, a pure-hearted comprehension of their partner’s needs that even something so simple as this became a heated encounter."
        "Alexia stroked him slowly, bobbing her head up and down, up and down in careful movements. Rowan felt goose bumps roll up his thighs as her fingernails dragged a gentle line across his sensitive skin."
        "Her lips puckered, and she sucked down as far as she could, roughly halfway down his length. It was more than enough, his breath caught in his throat as he felt that warm, wet place settle around it with pleasing tension."
        "In a rush he felt his stomach tighten. Rowan let out a tortured grunt of pleasure and put his hands on her shoulders, his fingers clenching as he did everything in his power to hold back from orgasm."
        "She was too much, he couldn’t hold back against her."
        "He pulled her off of him, breathless, his heart hammering in his chest. Alexia stared back at him, wordless, her eyes smouldering with the kind of aching need peculiar to one in the throes of passionate love."
        "She wanted him. She wanted her mate. And Rowan wanted her, more than anything."
        ro "Alexia… get on the bed."
        "Alexia smiled. She nodded, rising up to crawl onto the bed next to him. She was already wet, but she took the time to hug him close, planting a gentle kiss on his lips."
        al "I love you, Rowan."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "She did not hesitate. In the space of a breath she was already bumping her nose against the base of his groin. Rowan let in a startled gasp as his wife began an immediate, intense deepthroat session."
        "There was no subtlety in her actions, no blushing vacillation or chaste misgivings. She took to sucking him off with the ardour of a specialty whore plying her trade. In seconds she was bobbing up and down, asserting his crotch as her own personal living space."
        "Her hands interlaced around his waist, pulling her still closer, still deeper into the oral embrace. Rowan couldn’t even see her face anymore, only the back of her head and the flash of red hair as she bobbed up and down in a merciless, pounding rhythm."
        "Rowan marveled at the sight of his wife’s face buried in his groin. She was so confident, so sure of her movements, a femme fatale with no qualms or concerns about pleasing her man to the fullest."
        "How much had changed since those blushing days in the aftermath of their wedding, when she had seemed almost bashful at the sight of his nakedness. Rowan had once joked that she was the most bashful woman in all of the Six Realms."
        "...But {i}now{/i} look at her. How much time and the events of their lives had changed them. It was almost startling how confident she’d become."
        "As if sensing his surprise, Alexia lifted her head, allowing her lips to drag upwards in a single, long, languid motion. His dick pulled free from her lips like a sword emerging from its sheath, the tip catching at the end as she suckled on the cockhead for a moment before letting it pop noisily from her lips."
        "Alexia cast a naughty eye in his direction, her eyes aflame with the heat of the moment. In a rush he felt his stomach tighten."
        "It was everything Rowan could do to plant his hands upon her shoulders to keep her at bay. If he let her continue, he’d blow his load straight down her throat without so much as a hint of foreplay on her end."
        "He pulled her off of him, breathless, his heart hammering in his chest. Alexia stared back at him, wordless, her eyes smouldering with horny need. She wanted him to {i}fuck{/i} her. And Rowan would give it to her."
        ro "Alexia… get on the bed."
        "She giggled at his assertiveness, hiding her lustful with a coquettish turn of the hand."
        al "Why, whatever for, husband of mine?"
        "She stood up in front of him, tilting her hips so Rowan could see the full effect of her efforts to him. She was practically drooling down there. With a smirk and an unsubtle purr she clambered into bed next to him."

    else:
        "She let out a tiny {i}hum{/i}, acknowledging his response with quiet passion. Determined, she pushed forward, her mouth engulfing his cockhead as her tongue worked in small circles against its underside."
        "There was little Rowan could do but settle in and endure it. Rowan leaned back on his hands, watching in silence as Alexia lifted and lowered her head on his dick. Her ardent efforts earned her a moan, and Rowan closed his eyes."
        ro "Gods, you’re amazing Alexia."
        "She {i}hummed{/i} again, this time causing sensual vibrations to run down the length of his engorged cock. Rowan groaned, putting his hand on the back of her head to guide her deeper."
        "She obliged him, going far deeper than before to take as much of his length down her throat as she could. There was a determined look in her eye, an erotic intensity that simmered just under the surface. It almost felt like she was holding herself back."
        "Her mouth pulled free of him with a pop, letting out a short gasp of air. Alexia leaned forward, planting her chin on his groin, lifting his cock vertically so as to run parallel to her face. She slapped it against her cheek, a dangerous little smile growing across her face."
        "Rowan chuckled, his voice deepening with sexual arousal. She began to stroke him, the glistening lubricant she’d left behind aiding in her endeavour as Alexia took him once more in her mouth."
        "She was perfect. There was a wordless splendor in the way she moved, the way she looked at him. Alexia inflamed his senses in a way that no one else could, she… {i}completed{/i} him."
        "All romantic notions fled from Rowan’s head when she shoved herself down as far as she could on his cock, taking almost the whole of him in her mouth. He felt his breath steal away from him as he found himself lodged in that wonderful, warm place in the pit of her throat."
        "In a rush he felt his stomach tighten. Rowan let out a tortured grunt of pleasure and put his hands on her shoulders, his fingers clenching as he did everything in his power to hold back from orgasm."
        "She was too much, he couldn’t hold back against her."
        "He pulled her off of him, breathless, his heart hammering in his chest. Alexia stared back at him, wordless, her eyes smouldering with the kind of aching need peculiar to one in the throes of intense passion."
        "She wanted him. And Rowan wanted her, more than anything."
        ro "Alexia… get on the bed."
        "Her lips spread wide into a deep, sexual smile. She nodded, rising up to crawl onto the bed next to him. She was already sopping wet down there. Her voice was soft and submissive as she spoke."
        al "As you wish, Rowan."

    ro "Alexia…"

    "His fevered whisper in her ear was heated, full of longing. She was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. It was almost painful to look at her."
    "He kissed her neck, his hands molesting her body with almost manic ardour. He caressed her breasts, his fingers finding lodging around the firm buds of her nipples."
    "He leaned down and kissed one of them. Alexia let out a sharp gasp, her fingers curling though his hair as she held his head hard against her."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "Take me, Rowan…"
        "Her voice was silent, barely a whisper. He was all but compelled to grant her deepest desire."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Alexia licked her lips like a greedy glutton appraising a meal. She yanked his mouth against his, exploring his mouth with the taste of him still on her tongue."
        "He pulled away gasping, empty of breath. She let out a hellcat’s growl."
        al "Make me {i}scream{/i}, you fucking beast."

    else:
        al "Fuck me, Rowan…"
        "Her voice was randy, her tone seductive. She had progressed beyond mere ‘affection’ into outright horniness."

    scene cg747 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg747
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg747
    pause 3

    "Rowan moved to climb on top of her, but she put a hand against his bare, sweaty chest."

    al "No… allow me."

    "He fell back against the covers, watching with a dry tongue as this figure of feminine beauty clambered on top of him, straddling him with her waist and ample ass."
    "Her hand went inexorably to his wettened cock, angling it upward like a stabbing spear. She rolled her hips against him several times, allowing him to feel the maddening promise of her wet interior."
    "Then, she lifted her hips. Alexia pointed his dick in a perfect angle. He was aligned. There was nothing left to do but inhale and gird himself for the imminent plunge."

    scene cg749 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg749
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg749
    pause 3

    "She lowered herself down. Rowan felt the tight, clinging warmth of her pussy clamping down on him. And just like that, they were making love."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan’s hands found her hips as Alexia moved in slow, rolling motions above him. They took it slow, reveling in the simple joy of one another’s company."
        "Alexia let out a deep sigh, as if the act of sex itself were removing months of care and worry from her body."
        "...Perhaps it was. She seemed lighter now than she’d been just hours earlier. There was a simple grace to her movements, a carefree pleasure as she bounced atop Rowan."
        al "Oh Gods, Rowan you feel so {i}good{/i}…"
        "They picked up the pace, the gentle lovemaking proceeding into a faster, more intense fuck. Alexia gasped in tune to his thrusts, and Rowan let out grunts of pleasure."
        scene roxal_batt_sex2 with fade
        pause 3
        "Overcome with emotion, Rowan sat up, wrapping his arms around his beloved wife and holding her close. She giggled and reciprocated the gesture, leaning into a deep kiss."
        "She was his everything. He lived for these moments. Rowan thrust hard against Alexia’s flank, the delightful jiggle of her bottom slapping against his hips only spurring him on more."
        show cg764 with sshake
        show cg764 with sshake
        pause 1
        show cg765 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg766 with fade
        pause 3
        "She began to let out short, sharp yelps of pleasure, their bodies kicking into overdrive as they neared their mutual climax."
        "Rowan groaned as he reached his limit, clinging tightly to her as his wife let loose a cry of joy and came."
        "Her pussy clenched, causing Rowan to erupt. He let out heavy exhales from his nose as his cock thickened, pulsed, and came."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Though, that was a charitable term. In reality, Alexia made little pretense of  romantic trivialities. There was no time for it: for she had fucking to do."
        "Her hips smacked hard against Rowan’s own in a rough staccato as she made a mess atop him. The loud schlick of her wet hole devouring his cock in an up-down, up-down motion became a near blur."
        "She was insatiable, humping atop him with the practiced ease of one well suited to the sexual arts. She was a whore in all but name, battering Rowan back against the bed as she held fast to his shoulders."
        al "Ah! Ah! Ah! {i}Aaaah{/i}!"
        "Her loud cries of pleasure were ecstatic and unrestrained. Alexia allowed her facial expression to blossom into that of pure bliss, her eyes lidding as she bit her lip."
        al "{i}Mmmm{/i}, yeah, come on Rowan. {i}Fuck me{/i}!"
        "Rowan did his best to keep up, but in truth he was just along for the ride. Alexia was beyond anything he was used to. She was hornier than a Goblin in heat, more depraved than a Demon with a love fetish."
        "He had never seen her like this before. She was beyond anything that his mind could coherently compare to. They weren’t having just sex, they were {i}mating{/i} like animals, and she was the conquering lioness."
        scene roxal_batt_sex2 with fade
        pause 3
        "Alexia fell atop him, her fingernails scratching long lines down his back as she clung fast. Rowan let out a snarl of half-pain, half-pleasure as he felt her scorching fingernails dig furrows into his skin."
        "Alexia, heedless, redoubled her efforts against him. Her ass slapped hard down against his groin, rolling in hard circles, working him in and around her deepest places. She seemed intent upon introducing him to every nook and cranny of her packed pussy."
        "Rowan groaned, overwhelmed by her unrelenting assault. Rowan had been expecting tender lovemaking, but instead had found conditions more akin to a battlefield. Every inch - {i}quite literally{/i} - was being fought over."
        "He bucked and thrusted as best as he could, but Alexia was on another level entirely, all but pounding him into the bed as she worked a heated lather against his overworked groin."
        "She gasped and cried and came more times than he could count, arriving at a state somewhere between ecstasy and tranquility. For Rowan, it was everything he could do to hold fast to her hips and cling for dear life."
        show cg764 with sshake
        show cg764 with sshake
        pause 1
        show cg765 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg766 with fade
        pause 3
        "Finally, the penultimate moment arrived. Alexia’s spine trembled, her body going rigid as her claws dug hard into his shoulderblades."
        "She screamed his name in a single, incoherent cry of joy in the same moment his cock thickened and came."
        "Rowan erupted, his balls draining in a massive orgasm that made him lightheaded from the sheer force of it."
        "He gasped and panted, pulsing jets of cum into her love tunnel with every inhale. His heart was in his throat, his head was in the clouds and his cock was balls-deep within her."

    else:
        "Or… “fucking,” as the case may be. Alexia wasted little time in preemption. Her hips began a heavy tempo that drove Rowan back into the bedsheets."
        "Content that she had Rowan right where she wanted him, she planted her palms down upon his pectorals and adjusted her weight, allowing an ideal penetration for a minimum of effort."
        "With everything in place, she began to move, bouncing up and down in sudden, sharp gales that only receded once her breathing shortened."
        "She fucked him hard against the mattress, planting her hips down onto his and rolling back and forth, allowing him to feel every inch of her interior before rising once more to expose his wet cock to the glistening air."
        "She repeated this process over and over, changing the speed and vigor of her strokes to ensure that he never grew too comfortable with the sex."
        "She’d gotten damn good at this, that much was for certain. Compared to their quiet, romantic evenings on lazy summer afternoons in Arthdale this was a whirlwind."
        "Alexia took Rowan’s hands and guided them to her ample ass, gasping in pleasure when he kneaded her cheeks and planted a light spank on her rump."
        al "{i}Harder{/i}."
        scene roxal_batt_sex2 with fade
        pause 3
        "Her hands then guided him towards her clit as she picked up the pace. Rowan shot her a surprised look, but Alexia merely quirked a naughty eyebrow."
        "Rowan rubbed her there, his thumb working the clit as she now rode him like a stallion."
        "She laughed and cried out, her body tensing every so often with tiny little orgasms that made her shiver with dirty pleasure."
        "Rowan bit his lip and moaned, unable to contain the rush of sensation radiating from his cock at the hands of his wife’s unsubtle attentions."
        "He began to thrust back at her, his hips working like a pivot point against her own as they pulled back, then met in the middle. Over and over and over until-"
        show cg764 with sshake
        show cg764 with sshake
        pause 1
        show cg765 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg766 with fade
        pause 3
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg766
        al "Oh! Ah! {i}O-ooooooh{/i}!"
        "Her pleasured cry became a banshee’s scream as Alexia went rigid. Her pussy clamped down tight on Rowan’s dick as it milked him of his very essence."
        "Rowan tried to resist as long as he could, but it was a lost cause. With a roar of masculine conquest he thrust into her deepest place, planting his seed deep within her as his cock pulsed and spurted inside her. "

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan fell back against the bed, unable to catch his breath. His eyes danced circles in his head, and his body thrummed with the masculine sensation of completion."
    "He felt a wave of relief pass over his body. He looked into Alexia’s eyes and, still inside her, planted a gentle kiss onto her lips."

    ro "Solansia preserved me, that was… wonderful."

    "Alexia let out a chuckle, her finger tracing small circles on his chest. She looked almost shy in the aftermath, as if the intensity of the sex had forced all her assertiveness out of her."

    al "I’m… glad you enjoyed it."

    "She rolled off of him, settling happily against his side as Rowan put the back of his arm against his forehead. He still couldn’t quite process what had just happened."
    "Rowan turned to look at her, noticing with a twinge in his chest that despite her happy words, her facial expression was once more troubled."

    ro "Alexia did you… not enjoy it?"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "Of course I did, love. That’s not the problem. It’s…"
        ro "Conor."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        al "N-no! Of course not! You were... great."
        al "I’ve just got a lot on my mind."
        ro "Thinking about Conor?"
        if conorJob == "kitchens":
            "Alexia’s expression hardened. Rowan saw the distant look in her eyes, reflected in the dim starlight flowing into the room."
            al "He’s working in the castle now, it's very likely that we’ll bump into each other at some point."
            al "I don’t know if I have the courage to face him, Rowan. To look him in the eyes and-"
        else:
            "Alexia’s face fell. There was a pain in her expression, one she could not dispel with a simple night of passion."
            al "He’s… I’m never going to see him again."
            al "Of course, maybe I {i}never{/i} was. But… knowing what’s happened to him..."

    else:
        "Alexia let out a soft sigh. But when she turned to him, she was smiling. She ran her fingers gently across Rowan’s cheek."
        al "You were wonderful, love. It’s... not you."
        ro "You were thinking about Conor."

    ro "We can only take things one day at a time, Alexia."

    "Rowan would have given anything in that moment to find a way to heal the hurt in Alexia’s eyes when he said that. She rolled to face him, huddling up against his warmth as she wrapped her arms around him and settled her head in his chest."

    al "Why does every day seem to get worse, Rowan?"

    "Rowan didn’t have an answer for her. He could only pull her close and hope that she felt a modicum of comfort from his presence."
    "The Hero of Rosaria might not have been able to save his village, or his kingdom, or his friends and loved ones."
    "...But at least he could try to keep this delicate thing in his arms safe. For a little while. Just for a little while, at least."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_39.rpy
label rowan_frustration_venting_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
                $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
                $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
                $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "No":
                $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
                $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
                $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Again, the twins demanded his attention with some minor problem that anyone with a working brain could prevent from happening in the first place."
    "Again, he was forced to spend an hour explaining the most basic concepts to a man who could break him in half should the mood strike him."
    "{i}Again{/i}, he was forced to endure the countless teasing of a woman who, no matter her charms, would gladly exchange his amulet for a collar. As if it wasn’t one already."

    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    #if serveChoice == 4:
        #"Again, and again, and again, stuck in a constant loop of having to put out countless fires, never finding time to actually do some good for a change."

    #else:
    "Again, and again, and again, stuck in a constant loop of endlessly appeasing and lying through his teeth, constantly searching for a moment of distraction to sneak away and plan their escape."
    "Too often, with little to no success."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "His patience ran thin a long time ago. But he kept going regardless."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "Someone’s in a bad mood today."

    "He almost didn’t notice her. His wife was standing in front of the castle window, watching the rain outside. Did she have nothing better to do?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft

    ro "I’m fine. Just focusing on what needs to be done."

    al "Will you have time for dinner today? "

    "He wouldn’t."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "It wasn’t right, but he couldn’t help it. He kept promising himself to find time for her, but there was no shortage of important matters to attend to. Too often, Alexia simply wasn’t a priority."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Not that she was ever grateful if he did find the time after all."

    ro "I don’t know. I don’t think so. Andras has been threatening to decimate the orcs again."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "He always does that."

    ro "Yeah."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft

    "He walked past her, trying his best to keep his expression neutral. Next week. Next week for sure-"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    al "… Feels like there’s always a crisis whenever I want something."

    "He stopped. He turned his head just enough to look at her from the corner of his eyes."
    "And he saw the accusing look in her eyes."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    ro "I can’t plan for sudden mass executions, Alexia."

    al "It’s unlike you not to. They’re not exactly that rare of an occurrence."

    ro "Mystical foresight would be of great use to me. Alas, I do not possess it."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Don’t try to turn this into a joke!"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I could even use it to avoid this conversation."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Unbelievable. And all I wanted was one afternoon together. Was it really that much to ask for?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    al "Castle Bloodmeen wouldn’t collapse overnight, not that it would be much of a loss if it did."
    al "Or are you that busy with-"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Alexia, I don’t have the time to fucking babysit you today. Whatever it is you’re dealing with at the moment, handle it yourself."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al "W-what?"
        "There it was - the fucking wounded gazelle gambit, complete with a breaking voice and teary eyes."
        "Always there. First, she has the fucking {i}audacity{/i} to look at him with such contempt, and now she pulls this shit again."
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        ro "… Who exactly are you hoping to fool with that?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        ro "Can’t be Andras, he murders people for breakfast, and if he was any more like his father, it probably wouldn’t be a euphemism."
        ro " Can’t be Jezera, saw one maid try to pull that shit on her, and it didn’t end well."
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        ro "Which leaves me. So let me be perfectly clear about it - {b}stop{/b}. Just. Fucking. Stop."
        al "… Rowan? I- I’m your wife! How-"
        al "… How can you even talk to me like that?"
        "And now demanding explanations, and probably apologies along the way. Always the same."
        ro "I have to play diplomat seven days a week from dawn till dusk, so you will have to forgive me for wanting to be frank for ten seconds."
        ro "You have one job - don’t get in my way while I take care of everything here. Is that clear?"
        al "Rowan? I don’t-"
        ro "Fucking hell."
        "More complaints. He couldn’t stand it. He didn’t have time to listen to it. He didn’t {i}want{/i} to listen to it. Not anymore."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "He turned around, and left right there, feeling the rage swell inside of him."
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        al "Rowan?"
        al "Rowan!"
        scene black with fade
        "... He didn’t look back."
        jump ventingDungeonsFirstTime_rp

    elif alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "... Huh."
        "She scoffed - scoffed at him! The uppity bitch-"
        if alexiaJezObedient:
            al "If you’re trying to emulate our captors, you should at least try to keep your voice down. Jezera never has to raise it."
        else:
            al "If you’re trying to be intimidating, you’re not doing a very good job at it."
            al " Then again, you never had."
        ro "Listen here-"
        al "You’ve made your point Rowan. I wish you a good day."
        hide alexia with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        "She turned away - actually turned her back on him!"
        "He couldn’t believe it."
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        " … Well, good. He had no intention of being in her company either."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "He walked away too - and did not look back."
        jump ventingDungeonsFirstTime_rp

    else:
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "… What? What the hell is your problem today?"
        "First, she had the nerve to look at him with such contempt, and now she was trying to blame {i}him{/i}? The god damn audacity of that woman!"
        ro "Here’s my problem-"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "No. You know what? No."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al " I’m not one of your servants. I don’t have to stand here and listen to you give me shit."
        al "You’ve made your point. I wish you a good day."
        hide alexia with moveoutleft
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        "She turned away - actually turned her back on him!"
        "He couldn’t believe it."
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        " … Well, good. He had no intention of being in her company either."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "He walked away too - and did not look back."
        jump ventingDungeonsFirstTime_rp

    label ventingDungeonsFirstTime_rp:

    $ bootlegRepeatAvailable = True
    $ bootlegSexCount = 0

    scene black with fade

    "For once, he understood how Andras felt. If someone dared to stop him right now, he wouldn’t guarantee they would leave unharmed."
    "But that would do nothing to extinguish his anger. What he needed… What he {i}wanted{/i}…"

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinleft
    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "The key."

    "One of the dungeon guards offered it without question. There was only one key that this particular orc held, that Rowan could ask for. One key, to one specific cell."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    "Without stopping, Rowan ventured further into the dungeon. Past his own cell, past the cells that kept Rosarian prisoners. These were used more often, but the Bloodmeen dungeons were massive, and held many rooms."
    "And deep down, laid the cells of those who were meant to be forgotten. Rowan headed for one of those, and turned the lock open."

    show bg8 with flash

    boot "Bwuh?! M-mastah?!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The orcess inside sprung to her feet, making her obscene tits wobble. Specimen 03. Nasim’s ill-thought project to please Andras."
    "The orcess who was meant to be Alexia."

    ro " Is that how you greet the seneschal of Castle Bloodmeen?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Confusion set into her eyes. He narrowed his."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Instantly, she was on her knees, pressing her forehead to the ground. Rowan saw her fat tits squished against the floor, once again reminding him Nasim really held nothing back when it came to his experiments."
    "… And the wizard must have visited the orcess since their last meeting, he realized. A carpet now laid in the middle of the room, and a vanity table was placed against one of the walls, with a large mirror next to it. Guilty conscience much?"

    ro "Nasim has brought you gifts. I take it you’re grateful? "

    boot "A-ah, yes, Mastah! Vewy grateful!"

    ro "You can look at me when you speak."

    "She looked up - and Rowan found himself staring into Alexia’s confused face. Same beautiful features, same green eyes, same red hair. He paid no attention to the tusks, the flat nose, the green hue of her skin, or anything else."

    ro "You’re grateful I came to visit, are you not? "

    boot "Y-yes! Very much!"

    "Her eyes lit up, and she gave him the most, beautiful, radiant smile. He held his breath, as his hand went to her face, and his fingers slowly traced her puffed lips."

    ro "And you liked it when I fucked your tits, haven’t you, “Alexia”?"

    "The crimson blush was his answer. She raised her hands to her breasts, only to lower them immediately as she remembered this wasn’t the time to start masturbating, and somehow stammered out a response."

    $ BootlegName = "“Alexia”"

    boot "Y-y-yyes, mastah… I- I- play with them ah lot, b-but… I-it felt...  ‘eally g-good when ya t-touched them."

    ro "Do you want me to fuck them again, Alexia?"

    boot "Y-yes mastah!"

    ro "… It’s Rowan."

    boot "Y-yes, mastah ‘owan!"

    "He opened his mouth to correct her. He hesitated. And the orcess opened her own mouth in return, her thick, pillowy lips forming an inviting “O” even despite the tusks."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Swallowing, he pushed his finger forward. The orcess closed her lips, and started to slowly suck it, her green eyes looking at him expectedly."
    "He could stare into these dull, trusting eyes for all eternity. But he only had a few hours, and then it would be back to his responsibilities, as seneschal of Castle Bloodmeen, and as the hero who traversed the continent to save his wife."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "To save a wife who now only ever looked at him in contempt."

    "Suppressing a snarl, he pulled his finger out and seized the woman by the hair, pulling them roughly. The orcess gave a surprised yelp, but didn’t resist one bit."
    "If anything, she started breathing heavily, her eyes breaking his gaze for a moment, wandering to his crotch. Wandering to his hard, erect cock, so clearly visible through his pants."

    "And eyeing it hungrily."

    jump ventingMenu_rp

    label ventingRepeatVisit_rp:

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "No one disturbed him as he headed for the dungeons. He opened the door to the same cell as before, and was once again greeted by a surprised yelp and a pair of mountainous tits swaying before his very eyes."

    boot "Mastah ‘owan!"

    "The orcess fell to her knees immediately, already growing flushed as she looked at his cock."

    if bootlegSexCount == 0:
        "He held his breath as he walked up to her, brushing his hand against her red hair. The orcess smiled, and waited for his order."

    elif bootlegSexCount == 1:
        "He walked up to her, and ran his fingers through her red hair. The orcess smiled, looking at him with those dull, needy eyes, waiting to be used again."

    else:
        #ro smirk
        "He walked up to her, and lovingly ran his fingers through her hair - then yank her head back. The orcess half moaned, half yelped, and looked up to him with that hopeful, {i}hungry{/i} look in her eyes."

    jump ventingMenu_rp

    label ventingMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "You want to look her in the eyes as she takes your cock. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan seized her by the arm, and shoved her violently onto the bed."
            #ro smirk
            "It creaked dangerously under the weight of her heavy body. Rowan feasted his eyes on her absurd curves, again admiring her massive tits and fat ass. He smiled as he noticed her pussy glistening in the torchlight."
            ro "You look like a slut."
            boot "Uh-huh!"
            #ro angry
            ro "That wasn’t a compliment!"
            show bg8 with sshake
            "He struck her ass, leaving a red imprint of his hand, and arousing a lustful moan from the obscene orcess. Already she was panting with need, waiting to see his cock, waiting to feel it inside her."
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            "And he would give her just that. He undid his pants, freeing his painfully erect cock. He wouldn’t deny it the comfort of her wet pussy for long."
            scene black with fade
            "… Maybe a little."
            #cg1
            scene cg876 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg876
            pause 3
            "Her eyes widened at the sight of it, and her mouth went slack, almost salivating at the thought of tasting it. Without an order being given, she spread her legs for him, urging him to plunge in."
            "He chuckled, and ran the tip over her puffy vulva, eliciting a needy moan."
            boot "A-aah! Mastah ‘owan!"
            "Music to his ears. Lightly, he pushed his hips, rubbing the full length of his cock against her pussy, and watched her expression melt."
            boot "M-mastah ‘owan! Ph-phleease!"
            ro "“Please” what?"
            boot "Phlee-ease put it in!"
            ro "Is that how a slut begs?"
            "He reached out and twisted her nipple, and the orcess cried out, not holding back one bit."
            boot "PUT IT IN! MASTAH, PHLEASE PUT- PUT YOUS COCK IN! I WANT COCK! I WANT YOUS COCK MASTAH ‘OWAN! MASTAA-AAAAAH!"
            "Her desperate pleadings turned to ecstasy as he thrusted into her with one, brutal motion."
            boot "A-AAAH! AAAAH! MASTAH!"
            "She wasn’t tight - of course a slut like her wouldn’t be tight - but she was wonderfully wet, to the point where his cock made obscene squelching noises every time he pushed into her."
            "He wasn’t sure what he enjoyed more - that, or her lustful moans. He only knew he wanted more - of both."
            "He pulled out, and thrust again, pushing his cock to the very base, making his balls slap against her fat ass. Then again, and again, hammering into her pussy without restraint nor consideration."
            boot "HARDER! HAA-AAA-AARDER!"
            "And all she did was beg for more."
            scene cg878 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg878
            pause 3
            "Grunting, he did just that, thrusting his hips with such force that the whole bed creaked dangerously. His hands went to her tits, and he kneaded them roughly. Ah, how soft they were!"
            boot "AAAAAH! AAAAAH!!! MASTAH!!!"
            "And how sensitive! He held on to her, as he kept plowing into her. There was no rhythm to his movements, and he couldn’t care less for it. All that mattered was putting that dumb slut in her place."
            boot "AA-AAAH!! MASTAH ‘OWAN!! HARDER!! HARDER!!"
            "All that mattered was making her scream his name out from the bottom of her lungs while she took his cock."
            boot "MASTAH ‘OWAN!! FE-EELS SHO GOOOOOD! YOUS C-COCK IS SHO GOOD!!! AAAH!"
            "All that mattered was making those green eyes look at him with worship."
            boot "I LO-OOOO-OVE YOUS COCK MASTAH ‘OO-OOO-OWAN!!!"
            "As they did years ago."
            boot "AA-AAAH!! MASTAH ‘OWAN!! MASTAH ‘OWA-AAAA-AANN!!"
            "He was too soft on her before."
            menu:
                "Put the bitch in her place. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene cg877 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg877
                    pause 3
                    boot "AA-A?!"
                    "Her screams came to an abrupt end as his hand tightened around her throat. Still thrusting his cock relentlessly, he watched as ecstasy slowly faded from her eyes and lips."
                    "He watched it be replaced by fear."
                    boot "..."
                    "{i}And subservience.{/i}"
                    "Grinning from ear to ear, he loosened his grip just enough to let her breath again. She gasped - and only barely stopped herself from moaning again."
                    "Chuckling, he twisted her nipple again, and saw her wriggle in agonizing ecstasy. That was the expression he wanted to see. That was the expression that suited *her.*"
                    "He redoubled his efforts, driven by desires he didn’t want to name, but couldn’t deny anymore."
                    "Did she come at some point? He wasn’t sure, and he didn’t care. When he felt his own urge rise, he rammed his cock all the way inside, cumming again and again, grunting as he did."
                    show cg877 with sshake
                    show cg877 with sshake
                    show cg880 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Painting her insides white."

                "Be lenient. This time.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "He felt the rage well inside of him, but how could he punish the lips that cried such sweet things right now? Even if later they would turn into a sneer… He could be compassionate. Unlike her."
                    boot "OOO-OOOH?!"
                    ro "Enjoy your reward, slut."
                    "He started to knead her tits more enthusiastically, even going as far as to slow his thrust a little to give them proper attention. They were a work of art - perverted art, but still."
                    boot "OOO-OOH- AAAAAAH!!!"
                    ro "… Did you just come?"
                    ro "Ha! You filthy {i}slut{/i}!"
                    "He twisted her nipples again, provoking yet another moan full of agonizing ecstasy. Laughing, he resumed his thrusts, and didn’t slow again until he felt himself approaching the edge."
                    ro "Take it! Take my cock you filthy whore! Nngh-!"
                    "Thrusting his cock all the way inside, he came, again and again."
                    show cg879 with sshake
                    show cg879 with sshake
                    show cg880 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Painting her insides white."

            scene bg8 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve
            "Finally, he pulled himself off her. Panting, he looked down to admire the results of his effort."
            "The gasping mess of a woman, cum spilling out of her pussy, without the strength to pull her heavy body up from the bed."
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            show bg8 with sshake
            "He slapped her thigh, eliciting another yelp, and garnering her attention again."
            ro "What do you say?"
            boot "A-ah… A-ah… Thank you… Mastah ‘owan…"
            "… And she capped it with that shy, {i}expecting{/i} smile. “Come again”, it said."
            ro "Clean yourself up."
            if bootlegSexCount == 0:
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "Say nothing of this to Nasim. Understood?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                boot "Y-yes mastah ‘owan."
            "Unable to stop his smile, he chuckled again, and left her cell, locking the door behind."
            $ bootlegSexCount += 1
            if bootlegSexCount == 1:
                jump ventingRealization_rp
            else:
                return

        "Leave.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if bootlegSexCount == 0:
                show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                "Very slowly, he pulled away from her. It should’ve been easy, but wasn’t so. He couldn’t hear his own thoughts through the deafening sound of his blood rushing."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "… That’s enough."
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "He left without looking back, leaving the puzzled orcess behind. If he stayed any longer, he could’ve done something he shouldn’t have."
                scene black with fade
                "Something there would be no turning back from."
            else:
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "He pulled away from her. Just seeing that devoted, adoring expressions of hers made him feel better."
                ro "… Keep it up."
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "He left without a word of explanation, leaving the puzzled orcess behind. She wouldn’t understand. He wasn’t certain he did."
                scene black with fade
                "Nor if he wanted to."
            return

    label ventingRealization_rp:

    scene black with fade

    "The smile would not leave his face, but it kept losing all meaning with every step he took."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    "Heaving, he leaned against the dungeon walls, trying not to collapse as the realization of what he had just done started to set it."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Swallowing, he forced himself forward. Step by step. Towards the exit. Past the cells dedicated to his very people. Past his own."
    "He peered past the bars, half expecting to find the shriveled, decaying body of Rowan Blackwell inside."
    "There was none."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "… Of course there wasn’t."

    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "Only a fool would let himself die there."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "...  Straightening himself, he headed for the guarding orc. He handed him the keys - then grabbed him by the armor and pulled close."

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "You saw nothing. You tell anyone anything, I’ll snap your neck. If Nasim threatens you with anything, tell him I’ll snap his fucking neck too if he keeps sniffing around. Understood?"

    os "Yes, masta Rowan."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Good."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "He released the man, and headed into the castle, ready to resume his duties."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label jezeraNTRDetox_rp:

    "Is Alexia obedient to Jezera? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    "Is Rowan under X’zaratl's influence? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
        "No":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 0

    "Did Rowan promise to look into fertility treatments? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ promisedFertilityTreatment = True
        "No":
            $ promisedFertilityTreatment = False

    $ virilityTreatmentSex = True
    $ alexiaFuta = True
    $ alexiaPotionStolen = True

    scene bg23 with fade
    show xzaratl happy at center with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    # $ alexiaXzaratlDomTraining = True

    al "X’zaratl~~~"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    al "Oh! Jezera, I- "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Is it such a surprise to see me visiting my fellow cubi servants? "
    al "No, of course not- "
    xz "But it might be surprising to find all of us still clothed. "
    xz "I think dear Ulmira still hasn’t found her panties after your last visit, Mistress. "

    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    je "I did do a number on her, didn’t I? "

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The cubi mistress flashed Alexia a quick smile. Jezera was always on edge whenever X’zaratl and her inner circle was involved - but the cubi mistress seemed to know how to appease her - if only for a moment."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at center with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    je "Oh well, since you’re already here… Alexia, how about you help us with a matter most pressing. Tell me:"

    show jezera happy at center with moveinright
    show xzaratl neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    je "Red, or black?"

    "Reaching into a nearby chest, Jezera brought out a pair of outfits, and held it for Alexia to see. "

    al "Are these… Bondage uniforms? "

    "There was no mistaking the shiny material and leather straps. Far too skimpy to be anything but fetish outfits, the high heeled boots and tight corset gave them a rather aggressive feel. Alexia wouldn’t be surprised to see a dominatrix in one."

    je "Oh, no, no. They’re maid uniforms, for some of X’zaratl’s succubi who agreed to serve me, and will from now on work as the castle’s senior maids. "
    je "I thought they deserved suitable outfits, to commemorate their new promotion."
    al "They appear to be missing frills. And aprons? "
    je "It's a work in progress. But they do have a duster!"
    xz "That would be a whip, Mistress."
    je "It’s for dirty people, not furniture. "

    #al smirk
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl happy at edgeright with dissolve

    je "And I’ll make sure your succubi will make plenty of use of it, X’zaratl. "
    xz "I’m sure they’ll enjoy it a great deal, Mistress. They always had a thing for frilly dresses and bondage."

    show jezera neutral at center with dissolve

    je "And a hint of sensibility I don’t usually see in your coven. Don’t worry - they’ll spread their wings wide under {i}my{/i} tutelage."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "X’zaratl bowed her head in deference. Alexia narrowed her eyes. Shouldn’t she be at least a little angry at Jezera stealing her subordinates from under her? "

    if alexiaJezObedient == False:
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Then she noticed the small smile X’zaratl was giving her. Perhaps this wasn’t as big of a victory as Jezera thought it was? "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Regardless, it didn’t seem like she was going to oppose the idea, and that alone made the castle mistress happy."

    show jezera happy at center with dissolve

    "Then Jezera raised the two outfits again, looking at Alexia expectedly, and she remembered her earlier question- "

    "She noticed X’zaratl pointing to the red one, and instantly followed along."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Maybe… The red one?"
    al "I think X’zaratl’s cubi would appreciate wearing your colours. "

    #jez smirk

    je "Quite the idea. I like it. I like it {i}very{/i} much."

    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft

    "Pleased with herself, Jezera tossed the black one away, leaving it hanging over the open chest. She headed for the exit - but as she was about to leave, turned around to face them."

    je "You know, I think I’ll order them in bulk. There was this one cubi… Sarases? I think she’ll like the heels."
    xz "I’ll make sure she is not otherwise preoccupied. I hope the two of you will have a pleasant time, Mistress."
    je "Oh, we will. Ta ta! "

    hide jezera with moveoutleft
    show xzaratl happy at midright with moveinright

    "Instantly, she had the other girl in a tight hug, kissing both of her cheeks. Alexia blushed slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, reciprocated."

    xz "Alexia, how wonderful for you to visit! Can I help you in any way?"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "I- Shouldn’t you be concerned about… Whatever it is Jezera is scheming? "
    xz "Hmm… Should I now?"

    "X’zaratl kept her smile wide, but seeing Alexia’s worried expression, it slowly faded away - to a small, enigmatic smirk. "

    xz "Sweet Alexia, for bringing the three of us together - you, me and Rowan - I owe Jezzy a debt I cannot repay. If she wishes to recruit some members of my coven for her own goals, and they agree to it, I will not stop either."
    xz "Many of these girls have served me faithfully for years, but I understand they have ambitions that cannot be realized whilst staying by my side. I knew one day they would want to leave."
    al "Yes, but… For Jezera, of all people?"
    xz "If that is their choice, I cannot stop them."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    xz "… But if they change their mind and wish to return at a later date, I will welcome them with a smile and open arms."

    "Alexia blinked, then did it again, as she felt tears gather in her eyes. It was such an honest, almost maternal understanding. She didn’t expect to find it anywhere in Castle Bloodmeen."

    xz "-And a full month in chastity belts."
    al "I think they wouldn’t have it any other way."
    al "Your cubi are lucky to have you, X’zaratl."
    xz "Oh, Alexia, you’re making me blush. It’s no big deal."

    #xzaratl eye flash

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "I always offer love and unconditional support to those who are dear to me."

    "Alexia nodded her head, feeling slightly lightheaded the sweet fragrance that always followed the cubi suddenly grew far more noticeable. They were {i}really{/i} lucky to have her… "

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    xz "But enough about me. You came here for a reason, did you not?"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Ah! Well, it’s, um…"

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Ha… A little embarrassing really. "
    al "I thought we could… Maybe… Discuss what happened back then…"
    al "With the…  Whip? "

    "The words barely made their way through Alexia’s lips. Truth be told, she’s done some… Slightly outrageous things in the last few months."
    "But almost getting off to whipping her husband, after he came to her looking for penance,  might be the one that took the cake."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "X’zaratl…?"

    "She expected the demoness to say something, but the cubi mistress simply stared at her with an enigmatic smile. Hearing her confused voice, she took a step forward, and grabbed her by the hands."

    xz "Yes, sweet Alexia?"
    al "Aren’t you going to say anything?"
    xz "Only after you tell me one more thing."
    xz "You’re here because you want to feel that way again, yes? "

    "She blushed, at a loss of words. To be confronted so directly!"

    show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "And the demoness wasn’t finished. She took another step forward, her thumbs gently massaging the back of her hands, and kept talking, her soothing voice as always helping Alexia relax."

    xz "Recall that sensation, sweet Alexia. Remember how you felt back then."
    xz "Remember how your whip struck Rowan’s body."

    #show greyed out whip CG

    "{i}Remember how his pained gasps turned to moans of pleasure, how his body trembled with pleasure… Remember how hard his cock grew with every strike, all from the sweet torture you delivered unto him...{/i}"

    #show greyed out whip indulgence

    "{i}Remember the blazing desire in your veins… The rush of blood… Remember the sensation of power and control that took your body by storm… {/i}"

    #return to room
    #xzaratl happy center
    #al aroused midleft

    xz "And tell me - do you want to feel that way again?"

    menu:
        "Yes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    "There was only one answer. Almost entranced, she found herself nodding along, breathing heavily as all the memories rushed into her mind again. It all felt so good… "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "But Rowan… "

    "She couldn’t find the courage to finish. The fact she enjoyed herself this much…"

    show xzaratl happy at midright with moveoutright

    al "… I feel horrible… Taking advantage of his request, and letting myself indulge in such desires. "
    al "I cannot phantom asking him for something like that again."
    al "Besides, I’m not sure he would be interested. He was always the one taking the initiative in our relationship. Hero of men, and all."
    xz "It’s difficult to say no to a man of such renown."
    al "It’s the way he carries himself, you know? Like he always has the best solution to every problem, and everybody else could as well be running around with pants on their heads."
    xz "All of that is true. But Alexia, my sweetest - you underestimate yourself."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    xz "You are the sun that parts Rowan’s darkness, his hope, his happiness, his reason to go on."
    xz "He trusts you - and allows himself to be vulnerable around you in ways he could never be around another. "
    al "You say so, but… "

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I know Rowan. He will never relinquish control. Not in full."
    xz "Perhaps not now. Perhaps not in the way you want him. But a journey starts with a singular step. Even if Rowan never stops being a hero - even if he never stops struggling and fighting  - there are still things you can try."

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz "In the quiet of your bedroom, in the dark of the night… When nobody is watching. Who says you shouldn’t take on slightly different roles, than the ones they all know you by?"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "You make it sound so easy…"

    "She looked down, to the chest left by Jezera. She reached to pick up the black uniform - to once examine this bizarre, fetishistic costume."
    "Its material felt slick and cold to the touch. Even if she wore something like this…"

    al "… As if all it would take is to dress up, and ask him to kneel."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Unexpectedly, X’zaratl placed her hands over hers, and made her put the uniform down, shaking her head."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "The cloth would not convince him. What I believe Rowan needs… Is most of all, to hear you say what you want of him."
    xz "If you want to take control... If you want Rowan to submit. If you want him to kneel, you must ask him to do so. Voice your desires Alexia. Have your heart reach his. Is that not what love is all about?"

    #else
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    al "Do you think this will work?"
    xz "It will. If you dread that you might be taking advantage of him… Then all you need to do is make the experience unforgettable for him as well."
    xz "I have something that will help. "

    "From between her robes, X’zaratl took something out - a small trinket. A ring, Alexia realized.  Dark-red and oddly shaped, with delicate, engraved runes. It shimmered in the flickering light of the sanctum’s torches."
    "It looked too large to fit over her finger - then she realized that wasn’t where it was intended to go."

    if virilityTreatmentSex:
        "Has she seen it before…?"

    xz "Surprise him tonight. Ask him to strip before you. See him grow hard just from the sight of you, and the orders you give him."
    xz "Then, slip it over his cock."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "X’zaratl took her hand, and ran her fingertip over the ring’s surface. She felt a rush of energy through her body  - and saw the runes sizzle with small, white flames that quickly died out. "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    xz "It will increase his sensitivity threefold, and place his manhood in your complete control. He will experience ecstasy like no other - and find no release until you allow it."

    al "Threefold... Do you want me to drive him insane with pleasure?"

    xz "We only have one night before Rowan must depart again. If we had a full week, then maybe..."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She couldn’t say if X’zaratl was joking or not. The demoness now laid the ring in Alexia’s open palm - holding the back of her hand, as if helping Alexia bear the weight of it. "

    show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "And using it as an excuse to wrap the remaining three hands around her body, hugging her close as she whispered in her ear."

    xz "Do you not want to try it, Alexia? "

    ##if Alexia Indulged during the X’zaratl Guilt solution. AND NOT Jezera NTR
    xz "You know how good it felt, making him submit with a whip. Do you not want to do the same with your hands and words alone?"

    if virilityTreatmentSex:
        al "The ring… "
        xz "Rowan wore it before, once, as its master. Back then… Were you not pleased with the results, when he impregnated your pussy, time and time again?"
        "She drew a sharp breath. So {i}that’s{/i} where she saw it!"
        if alexiaFuta:
            xz "And if you want, we can have you wear it later as well…"

    "X’zaratl kept whispering in her ear, stroking her body as the dizzying fragrance that always followed her made it difficult to focus on words alone."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "It was such a small thing. Could it really hold so much power over a man?"
    "… Did she want to know?"
    "And did she want to use it on Rowan?"

    menu:
        "Dominate Rowan with the ring’s help. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 2
            "She closed her fingers around the dark ring, taking in the sensation of its warmth seeping into her skin. Was just touching it having an effect on her as well…?"
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "… How do we do it, X’zaratl?"
            xz "There is still some time till Rowan is done with his duties. We’ll present him with a nice little surprise once the sun sets."
            scene black with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind black
            xz "But if you do not mind, I do have some pointers to offer…"
            jump detoxWithRowan_rp

        "Refuse - you don’t want to take advantage of Rowan’s vulnerable state." if alexiaJezObedient == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #xzaratl concerned
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with moveoutright
            "With a heavy heart, she gave the ring away."
            al "I’m grateful for the offer, but… "
            al "It still feels like taking advantage of that one moment of weakness he allowed himself in my company."
            al "I can’t. I’m sorry, X’zaratl. "
            show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
            "The demoness hugged her close, planting a loving kiss on her forehead."
            show xzaratl happy at midright with moveoutright
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            xz "Why apologize? For loving a man so much you’re willing to sacrifice your own desires for his sake?"
            xz "And people always praise Rowan’s nobility… If only they knew what a golden heart his wife has."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "She seized her by the chin, and made her look up. The noise of the sanctum seemed to have faded into the background, so only X’zaratl’s eye and voice remained. "
            xz "Can you promise me that if I find a way that lets you indulge such fantasies without feeling like you’re taking advantage of Rowan…  You will consider doing so?"
            "How many times has she found herself in this spot, X’zaratl holding her in her arms, teasing new pleasure for Rowan and her to enjoy? Even if this one crossed the line…If there was a way to do it safely…"
            al "Yes… Of course…"
            xz "That is all I ask of you.  For you to be willing to experience new heights of pleasure with him... "
            scene black with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind black
            xz "And me."
            return

    label detoxWithRowan_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Stifling a yawn, Rowan headed back to his room. His work never seemed to end - but there was no helping it."

    show rowan at edgeright with moveoutright

    "Finally reaching the end of the corridor, he opened the door gently-"

    scene bg9 with fade
    show xzaratl happy at edgeright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia white neutral at center with dissolve

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 5:
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        "… And closed it behind him."
        ro "Continue. "
        "Once, he would be shocked to be greeted with such a display. But he learned to give the demoness the benefit of the doubt, so he waited to hear what she had to say."
        "But it wasn’t X’zaratl who spoke up."
        show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "So I have your attention. Good. "

    else:
        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        ro "I hope there is a good explanation for this, X’zaratl."
        show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Would you not have me speak for myself, husband?"
        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        "He glanced at his wife - then glared again, twice as hard, at X’zaratl. Now he knew the succubus was scheming something - and has already managed to convince his wife to participate in it."
        al "Not everything is a ploy, Rowan. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "We’ll do something different today. Something you’ll agree to, without knowing the full details of."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "And may I know why? "
    al "Because it’s something that I want."
    ro "That’s all the explanation you’re going to give me?"

    show alexia white concerned at center with dissolve

    "She shifted her weight from one leg to another. He could see her whole body was tense. Before, he considered the possibility that maybe she was under the effect of some sort of spell - some compulsion that made her say the words."
    "But he has seen this expression before. Whenever his wife had to breach a subject she knew he wouldn’t approve of - but still felt the need to do so."

    al "Because… I want this. Because it’s important to me. And because you’re the only man I want to do it with."
    ro "I appreciate it, but… You’re still dancing around the subject."

    show alexia white neutral at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "… This is going to be a painful experience for me, is it not? "
    xz "Perhaps a little - and perhaps a little scary too. Maybe improper, in the eyes of some."
    xz "But all of it will be done for the sake of love."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    xz "All Alexia needs from you, Rowan, is for you to be gallant a little while longer. The rewards for doing so… Might be greater than you can imagine. "

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 5:
        show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "X’zaratl’s one eye was almost glowing from excitement. She stayed behind, appearing strangely subdued. But her pleasant smile and soft words brought a strange sense of comfort. With her here, things could not go wrong."

    else:
        show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "X’zaratl’s one eye was almost glowing from excitement. She stayed behind, appearing strangely subdued. But her pleasant smile and soft words brought a strange sense of comfort. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Rowan, what I’m about to do… I think you will enjoy it very, very much."

    "Alexia’s low, serious tone sent shivers down his spine, and not necessarily unpleasant ones. It wasn’t often that she was this determined. If she was pouring all her heart and soul into this…."
    "Just what awaited him?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Alexia, sweetheart…"

    al "We’ve talked enough, dear."
    al "Now - strip."

    menu:
        "Obey. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)
            # $ alexiaDomCockringSex = True
            jump detoxXzaratlSex_rp

        "Refuse - you’re not going to let yourself be ordered around by your wife.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #xzaratl concerned
            show xzaratl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            "He didn’t move one inch. And every second that went past, made it clear he had no intention of doing so."
            #xzaratl branch
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -3)
            show alexia white concerned at center with dissolve
            "Slowly, his wife lost her confidence, fidgeting a little in her spot."
            al "Ah… Hm…"
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "I’m sorry. I know this was important for you, but-"
            al "I know, I know. Just… "
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Maybe I should’ve worn the outfit after all? And use the whip, maybe…"
            show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan coughed, blushing ever so slightly. So that was what this was all about."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "A one-time thing, I’m afraid. One I am grateful for, but- "
            al "I really was hoping it wouldn’t be one, you know- "
            al "I mean, you were really into it-"
            ro "I know. I know. Look, it’s- it’s a little complicated."
            al "Oh yes, definitely- "
            al "…But still- Really hoping we would repeat it. Not with the whip- at least it wasn’t planned-"
            ro "Y-yeah, I did notice the absence of it."
            al "Unless you requested it?"
            ro "Maybe, but, really- It was a one-time thing I’m afraid."
            ro "… … … Sorry."
            "… … … An uncomfortable silence befell them. X’zaratl coughed in the background, looking slightly embarrassed herself."
            menu:
                "No hard feelings. Invite X’zaratl over for tea.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Well then, now that we have that cleared."
                    show xzaratl happy at edgeright with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "Tea, X’zaratl?"
                    show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveinright
                    "Alexia buried her hands in her face, burning with embarrassment. X’zaratl hugged her close, cooing reassuringly."
                    xz "Don’t worry… We’ll try to soften him up to the idea. Let’s try again in a year."
                    "Alexia nodded her head. Maybe a year from now she won’t recall this humiliation."
                    scene black with fade
                    show xzaratl happy behind black
                    xz "And yes, that would be lovely, Rowan."
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                    return

                "Ask X’zaratl to leave. This was awkward enough.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #xzaratl neutral
                    ro "X’zaratl, if you would be so kind…"
                    xz "Of course. I’m going."
                    show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveinright
                    "Alexia buried her hands in her face, burning with embarrassment. X’zaratl hugged her one last time, before leaving."
                    xz "Don’t worry… We’ll try to soften him up to the idea. Let’s try again in a year."
                    hide xzaratl with moveoutleft
                    "Alexia nodded her head, and watched her leave."
                    scene black with fade
                    "Maybe a year from now she will no longer recall this humiliation…."
                    return

    label detoxXzaratlSex_rp:

    show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The moment of hesitation seemed to stretch into infinity. Finally, slowly, as if his hands were made of lead, he reached for his pants and unbuckled his sword."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with moveinleft
    show alexia white happy at midright with moveoutright

    "Pieces of his armour followed. He made his way to the desk, and placed them at their usual place. Behind him, he could hear excited whispers. He glanced behind."
    "Pressing her body against Alexia, X’zaratl had all four of her hands around his wife. Both giggled at something the demoness had said, and Alexia turned her attention to him again."

    #al smirk

    "Gone was the hint of nervousness. Her lips parted in a wicked smile. With his permission, she could truly enjoy herself."

    show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "He was down to his pants by then."

    al "So hesitant at first… Now would you look at the sight."

    "He knew what she was referring to - the prominent outline of his cock, clearly visible through his underwear. Blushing, he tried to keep what little remained of his dignity."

    ro "When you’re that forward about your desires-"
    al "It makes you hard after all, doesn’t it, dear? This domineering side of me~~~"
    al "X’zaratl, I think my husband might be a bit of a pervert. "
    xz "Do not be hard on him, sweet Alexia. What man could stay apathetic, when the love of his life teases such exquisite sexual torture to him?"
    al " I haven’t teased anything yet. But I have every intention of doing so."

    show alexia white happy at center with moveinright

    "She approached him, and trailed her finger over the outline of his cock, still hidden by his underwear. He grabbed the edge of the desk, taking a sharp breath."

    al "Remove your underwear, husband."

    "He did as ordered - his cock sprung forth, straight into Alexia’s fingers. She brushed it lazily, admiring its hardness - then grabbed it firmly. He stifled a moan, and Alexia chuckled at his reaction."

    al "I wasn’t sure if you’d agree. You keep surprising me, Rowan. "

    menu:
        "It sounded like a pleasant idea… ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I mean, what man doesn’t enjoy his lover being active in the bedroom…?"
            "His halfhearted attempt at hiding his own excitement earned him a delighted laugh from his wife, who turned to X’zaratl with a wide smile."
            #NTR OFF
            al "Looks like you were right after all. Thank you."
            "X’zaratl lowered her head again, this time in appreciation. With twinkles in her eyes, Alexia pressed her lips into his, locking them in a long, passionate kiss."
            al "Do not worry, my love. You’ll get your wish."

        "You don’t mind - and you’re more than willing to do it for her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’d slay Kharos himself for you. How could I deny you something so simple?"
            #alexia white shocked
            ro "Not that it’s particularly unpleasant thus far…"
            #NTR OFF
            #alexia white happy
            "She laughed, and her mask of dominance cracked for a moment, revealing a warm, loving smile. Her lips touched his again, in a short, chaste kiss."
            al "It’s not meant to be unpleasant. Not entirely."
            #al smirk
            al "You’ll see soon enough. "

    show alexia white neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "X’zaratl - prepare him."

    hide xzaratl
    show xzaratl happy at midright with moveinright
    show alexia white neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    xz "As you command."

    "He saw the succubus reach into her clothes, taking out a long, black rope."

    if alexiaWhipRowan:
        "Instantly, he recognized the enchanted whip from before. This time, when the cubi mistress ran her hands through it, the enchanted material started to grow thinner, and even longer. More suited for restraints."

    else:
        "The cubi mistress ran her hands through, and he saw it grow thinner, and longer. More suited for restraints."

    xz "Do not worry, gallant Rowan."

    scene black with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind black

    xz "I have… Ample experience."

    "..."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show alexia white happy at center with dissolve

    "Alexia played with the ring in her hand, as X’zaratl tied her husband to their bed. A black blindfold was placed over his eyes - and at Alexia’s own initiative, he was gagged with her own panties."
    "She felt giddy. It was… Easy. Almost too easy. Is that all it took? A little push?"
    "Had this castle made them all slaves to their lust?"

    hide alexia
    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia white happy at center with dissolve

    xz "He is ready for you, Mistress."
    al "No more “ sweet Alexia”?"
    xz "It didn’t seem proper, given the circumstances. Do you mind? "
    al "Ha! No… Not really. But a title like that… Must be earned, doesn’t it, dear husband?"

    hide xzaratl with moveoutright
    hide alexia with moveoutright

    #cg1 - blurred
    scene black with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind black
    show alexia white happy behind black

    "Without hurry, she took her place by Rowan’s side. She trailed her hand up his leg, making him shiver as every inch took her closer to the part of his body that demanded her attention most."
    "Standing proud, with a flared tip, his cock twitched like crazy. She wondered if the ring was even needed."
    "X’zaratl must have thought so too, because before she took her own place by his side, she placed a red handkerchief in his right hand, and leaned over to run her fingers through his hair."

    xz "Release this if the sensation proves too much."
    al "Ha… How considerate of you."
    xz "This is all for his sake as well as yours, after all."

    #cg1
    scene cg987 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg988 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg989 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show xzaratl happy behind cg987
    show alexia white happy behind cg987
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg987

    "With that, she joined her by Rowan’s other side, lowering her head demurely, as if awaiting orders. Everything was in its place. Everything was as it should be."
    "And she would take her time enjoying herself."
    "Alexia leaned over to blow at the tip of Rowan’s cock, then ran her fingers up it - from the base, to the top. Then again - from the flared, twitching tip, to the base, teasing the spot between his cock and his balls."
    "Then again - this time, wrapping her fingers around it. Rowan moaned, his words muffled by her panties."

    al "Still so hard ~~~ I guess getting tied up by X’zaratl was more of a turn-on than not?"

    "Another muffled response, and the demoness by her side blushed at being praised. Grinning, she kept stroking his cock. A drop of precum formed at the top, and she wondered…"

    menu:
        "Tease him, then use his precum as lubricant.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "What a pleasant sight… Don’t mind if I make use of it, dear~~"
            "She scooped that lonely drop, and spread it across the taunt skin of his cock. She massaged the base of his cock gently, toyed with his balls - put to use every trick known to her."
            "More precum formed at the head. She scooped it again, admiring how it stretched between her fingers."

        "Have X’zaratl spit on his cock, then keep stroking.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "X’zaratl… I wouldn’t want to be rough with his cock for {i}no{/i} reason... Would you mind giving me some lubrication here?"
            xz "As you wish, mistress."
            "The demoness leaned over his cock, and opened her mouth wide to extend her tongue. Alexia watched, wide-eyed, as saliva dripped from the tip of it, in obscenely copious amounts, coating both her hand and Rowan’s cock."
            al "Literally salivating at the sight of my husband’s cock, X’zaratl? And in such a lewd way, no less…"
            al "Not that I disapprove."
            "The corner of X’zaratl’s mouth twitched, as the demoness tried to smile while keeping her tongue extended. Alexia chuckled to herself, and decided to put that effort to good use."

    "Running her hand up and down Rowan’s cock, it didn’t take long for it to become slippery and wet, glistening in the evening light.  She wondered how much more could her husband take - and judging by his pained groans, not much."

    xz "I think it’s time, Mistress."
    al "Oh, I agree ~~"

    "Rowan couldn’t see, couldn’t even suspect what his wife had in store. He felt Alexia’s soft hand being taken away-"
    "Suddenly, something cold snapped around the base of his cock."

    ro "Mmmh?!"

    "Said coldness swiftly gave way to unnatural warmth that filled his manhood, and he shivered as he suddenly felt his cock grow unexpectedly sensitive."
    "His body became numb - every other sensation paled to the sudden pleasure that overtook his cock. He felt everything- every light breeze of air-"
    "Delicate fingers wrapped around his cock again."
    "He bucked his hips again, pushing into that soft, wonderful embrace. Ecstasy mounted in his balls, and he found himself chasing the ever-mounting release, moaning and drooling as he was just about to come-"
    "… And not being able to do so."

    ro "Mmm-mmmh?!"

    "Someone touched his face, and the blindfold was taken off his eyes. For the first time, he could see the source of his torment-"

    if virilityTreatmentSex:
        "The black-red ring from before, once more wrapped around the base of his pulsating dick."

    else:
        "A black-red ring, wrapped tightly around the base of his pulsating cock."

    "But he could stare for only a moment, as Alexia ran her hand up and down his phallus, and he found his eyes rolling up, overtaken by pleasure. The sensation was incredible - both painful and intoxicating - and it didn’t seem to abate one bit."

    al "Ha... He might actually go crazy, X’zaratl."
    xz "Not yet. Not from your hand alone, mistress."
    al "Almost sounds like a challenge."

    "Alexia grinned, still stroking Rowan’s cock, savouring how even the slightest of her touch made him trash in ecstasy."
    "And most of all, enjoying how his fingers desperately clutched the handkerchief. “More, more, more!”, the simple act screamed at her."

    al "Since you want it so badly.."

    #cg2
    scene cg990 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg991 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg992 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show xzaratl happy behind cg992
    show alexia white happy behind cg992
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg992

    "She pushed herself up, climbing atop of him. Her outer lips brushed the tip of his cock - and she gasped at the pleasant tingle that spread across her body. Surprised, she traced a finger across her lower slits. It was dripping wet."

    al "… Wonderful. "
    xz "I concur, Mistress."

    "She almost forgot about the cubi mistress. With a knowing smile and flushed cheeks, X’zaratl took her place by the bed’s side, watching the situation unfold with glee."
    "Alexia could see the demoness’ own cock peek from under the dark dress, waiting to be touched, and saw traces of her pussy juices trailing down X’zaratl’s inner thighs."
    "… And like an obedient little servant, X’zaratl kept all four of her hands placed behind her back, even though she was struggling to keep them from reaching for her privates."

    al "… Is there something you want to say, X’zaratl? Something you, maybe, want to ask permission for?  "

    "Alexia tilted her head, trying to sound casual, disinterested at the cubi’s lustful moans. But just that one moment of attention seemed to be more than enough for X’zaratl. The demoness beamed at her, delighted to no end."

    xz "I would never dare to impose mistress ~~~ But if you would be so kind…. Can I stroke my cock, as you ride your husbands? Can I finger my cunt, as his manhood parts yours?"

    menu:
        "You have a better idea - have Rowan attend to her with his mouth.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            al "And leave you out of the fun? No… I don’t think so."
            "She lowered her hips, and her outer lips once more brushed against the tip of her husband’s cock. He shuddered in response. He couldn’t refuse her now. She could ask anything of him."
            al "Rowan, dear…"
            menu:
                "Rowan agrees to suck X’zaratl’s cock.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ xzaratlCockSucking = True
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                    al "… I know how hard it is for you to just lay down and take it. You’re a man of action. That’s one of the things I love about you."
                    al "So how about you show X’zaratl’s {i}cock{/i} some action for a change?"
                    "He was nodding his head before he even realized it. His cock kept pulsating, begging for release. His balls felt like they were about to explode - he’d do anything to cum!"
                    al "There you go, X’zaratl. Enjoy yourself."
                    xz "A-ah~~ Mistress Alexia~~!"
                    #cg2 - var 1
                    scene black with fade
                    show xzaratl happy behind black
                    show alexia white happy behind black
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
                    "The cubi giggled with delight, and in a moment, Rowan’s vision was dominated by X’zaratl smiling visage. The demoness straddled his head, one hand grabbing him by the hair - another pulling at Alexia’s panties still stuck in his mouth."
                    ro "G-ah! A-aaaa-mmm!"
                    "He didn’t get to call out Alexia’s name as X’zaratl’s cock was pushed into his mouth. Driven by desire, he started sucking without a thought, rolling his tongue around the tip, lust guiding his actions."
                    xz "H-ha, Gallant Rowan! So enthusiastic! You’ll make me cum in no time!"
                    al "A-a, I’d advise against that."
                    jump detoxRidingHisCock_rp

                "Rowan agrees to lick X’zaratl’s pussy.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ xzaratlPussyLicking = True
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                    al "… I know how hard it is for you to just lay down and take it. You’re a man of action. That’s one of the things I love about you."
                    al "So how about you show X’zaratl’s {i}pussy{/i} some action for a change?"
                    "He was nodding his head before he even realized it. His cock kept pulsating, begging for release. His balls felt like they were about to explode - he’d do anything to cum!"
                    al "There you go, X’zaratl. Enjoy yourself."
                    xz "A-ah~~ Mistress Alexia~~!"
                    #cg2 - var 2
                    scene black with fade
                    show xzaratl happy behind black
                    show alexia white happy behind black
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
                    "The cubi giggled with delight, and in a moment, Rowan’s vision was dominated by X’zaratl’s cock. The demoness straddled his head, one hand grabbing him by the hair - another pulling at Alexia’s panties still stuck in his mouth."
                    ro "G-ah! A-aaaa-mmm!"
                    "He didn’t get to call out Alexia’s name as X’zaratl’s wet slit was pushed into his mouth. Driven by desire, he started lapping at it without thought, parting them with tongue, drilling into it, lust guiding his actions. "
                    xz "H-ha, Gallant Rowan! So enthusiastic! You’ll make me cum in no time!"
                    al "A-a, I’d advise against that."
                    jump detoxRidingHisCock_rp

        "Permission granted - if she asks properly.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ detoxXzaratlSolo = True
            al "What a naughty succubus you are… It makes me suspect this is what you’ve been after all along."
            xz "Not at all, mistress Alexia~~ "
            al "Hm… Maybe if you ask properly…"
            #cg2 - var 3
            scene black with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind black
            show alexia white happy behind black
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
            "X’zaratl’s knees hit the ground before she even finished talking, and the lust drunk succubus looked up to her, pleading as all four of her hands gripped the bedsheets."
            xz "Please, let me touch myself! Please let me pleasure myself as I watch you dominate your husband, Mistress Alexia!"
            "Alexia laughed in delight. How natural it felt, to have succubi begging at her feet!"
            al "If you really can’t help it ~~~ Then fine, permission granted."
            xz "Thank you, mistress~~~! "
            al "Don’t thank me yet-"
            jump detoxRidingHisCock_rp

    label detoxRidingHisCock_rp:

    al "If you climax before him, you have to leave. And I’m never inviting you here again."

    "Alexia rocked her hips slowly, rubbing her outer pussylips against Rowan’s erection. X’zaratl surprised, fearful moan was a most wonderful reaction, and she felt herself grin wickedly."

    al "You’re a succubus, after all. What demon are you, if you aren’t able to control your own lust?"

    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
        xz "A-aaah, a very happy one, Mistress!"

    else:
        xz "A-aaah, ah- a- a very ha-aaa-aappy one, mistress!"

    "She turned to look at her, and despite everything, X’zaratl looked almost proud at her. She wondered if she shouldn’t have picked a harsher command after all…"
    "Rowan pushed his hips out, and the enlarged tip of his erect cock almost parted her outer lips."

    al "A-ah! So impatient… Maybe I should torture you some more…"
    al "Ah well~~~ This will be your punishment and reward in one. "

    "Her own desires making themselves known, she waited no longer. She pushed her hips down, enveloping Rowan’s cock with her womanly lips-"
    "And to Rowan himself, it was as if the gates of heaven had parted. Pleasure radiated through his whole body, making him let out a muffled moan."

    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
        xz "A-ah… His expression, mistress… He’s loving it so much~~~"

    else:
        xz "H-ha, your tongue is going crazy, R-rowan!"

    "Gasping softly, Alexia took her time rolling her hips, taking his cock deep inside of her. She let herself enjoy the moment, for once seeing no reason to hurry."
    "For once, she felt no sense of urgency. With Rowan’s cock in her complete control, she could take her time enjoying herself in full."
    "Quickening and slowing her pace as she desired, unconcerned with anything and anyone else, she commenced her husband’s wonderful torture…"

    al "Haaaa… Haaa… Ha-ah?!"

    "Once more, desire overtook her, and another orgasm rocked her body. Like a wave, it started rising, and rising, until it swallowed her whole."

    al "Haaaa… Haaa..."

    "Smiling contently, she opened her eyes, and took a moment to again appreciate the lovely sight that accompanied her through the evening."

    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
        "X’zaratl still had her hand wrapped around her cock, pumping slowly as precum leaked to the floor, almost forming a small puddle by now."

    elif xzaratlPussyLicking:
        "X’zaratl rolled her hips gently,  enjoying her husband’s attention, her hands fondling her own body. Alexia leaned to the side - and saw no splash of cum on the wall in front of them."
        "She was abiding by her orders. Good, good…"

    else:
        "X’zaratl rolled her hips gently, thrusting her cock into Rowan’s mouth, her hands fondling her own body. Alexia couldn’t know if she didn’t sneakily cum down her husband's throat… But she had a suspicion the demoness wouldn’t dare to risk it.  "

    "As for Rowan himself…"
    "His cock never softened, and as promised by X’zartl, found no release. Her hand reached for his balls, and she held them tenderly. They felt heavy to the touch, aching for release."

    if alexiaFuta:
        "She knew how incredible a cock could feel… If what Rowan was going through was even greater than that… It must have been as X’zaratl promised - hell and heaven combined."

    else:
        "She could only imagine what he was going through… But if what X’zaratl told her was true, it must have been like hell and heaven combined.  "

    "And it was. The last few hours felt like an eternity to the man."
    "His original reason for agreeing to this has been long gone, washed away by the neverending desire to finally find release. A hundred times, he was tempted to drop the handkerchief in his hand."
    "And every time, he stopped himself, thinking, wondering- how good will it feel, if he just endures a {i}little while longer{/i}."
    "In the end, his patience would be rewarded - it had to be!"

    al "What a wonderful picture this is Rowan… If keeping you on edge till the morning sun would let me immortalize it, I could do just that. "

    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
        "He trashed in protest, making X’zaratl pull away in surprise. Alexia laughed, and gently squeezed his balls to calm him. "

    else:
        "He trashed in protest, making X’zaratl squeal in surprise. Alexia laughed, and gently squeezed his balls to calm him."

    al "Just kidding, dear. You’ve been such a good boy, I would be a very cruel mistress to deny you know."
    al "I know how much you want to cum - how much that aching balls yearn for release, how much your erect cock wishes to shower me in cum - inside and out."
    al "But first…"

    menu:
        "Tell him he can climax only if he agrees to impregnate you." if alexiaPotionStolen and promisedFertilityTreatment == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
            al "I want you to ask yourself… Where would you rather come- into the cold, evening air, or… "
            "-She rolled her hips, and pushed them down, taking his cock all the way inside of her-"
            al "Into my hot, wet pussy?"
            al "Do you not want to paint its walls white?"
            al "Do you not want to fill your wife with your cum, not caring about the consequences?"
            al "Do you not want to give me a baby?"
            "The unexpected words temporarily pulled him out of the lust-filled haze. For this topic to return, right here, right now-!"
            al "Don’t worry about a thing, dear. You just have to hold that handkerchief, while I count down to one, and make you know pleasure like you never imagined."
            al "It’s that easy… Just relax and listen… "
            al "Five…"
            "-She picked up the pace, suddenly filled with newfound vigour-"
            al "Four..."
            "-Her pussy making lewd sploshing sounds, each time she thrust her hips down-"
            al "Three..."
            "-The sounds of X’zaratl exciting gasps reaching his ears-"
            al "Two..."
            menu:
                "Drop the handkerchief.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "… Rowan kept his eyes closed, as Alexia suddenly stopped her thrusting motions. Even the pleasant sensation in his cock couldn’t stop the impending sense of doom."
                    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
                        "Alexia was still processing the unexpected betrayal, when X’zaratl climbed the bed, and suddenly pressed his lips against hers, locking them in a passionate kiss."
                    else:
                        "Alexia was still processing the unexpected betrayal, when X’zaratl suddenly leaned back and reached for her, pulling her in and locking their lips in a passionate kiss."
                    xz "Do not be angered, Alexia. You will conceive. You will bear a dozen of Rowan’s children. This is but the first attempt of many."
                    xz "Do not let a temporary setback ruin all you’ve accomplished tonight."
                    "Her head felt dizzy, and all that outrage seemed to evaporate in an instant. Suddenly, she could no longer remember what was it that angered her so, and she simply dazed in agreement."
                    al "Ha… You’re right, X’zaratl… "
                    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
                        "The demoness sunk back to the floor, once more enveloping her cock with her hands- "
                    else:
                        "The demoness pulled away, once more giving herself to Rowan’s loving tongue -"
                    "Making Rowan wonder if his wife really was so easy to appease. But that thought quickly vanished, when Alexia resumed her thrusts once again."
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence -= 2
                    jump detoxCummingOutside_rp

                "Hold it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "One."
                    jump detoxCummingInside_rp


        "Give X’zaratl the privilege." if detoxXzaratlSolo == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 2
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            al "X’zaratl… Since you’ve been so helpful… "
            al "I’ll let you decide when the two of you can cum ~~"
            xz "A-ah! Mistress! You’re too kind!"
            "Alexia chuckled, gently rocking her hips. Maybe she was… But this was all thanks to X’zaratl. She deserved a little reward for it…"
            "She expected the demoness to jump at the chance of finally finding release. But the demoness waited still, enjoying Rowan’s tongue, and cupping his face lovingly as they rushed towards climax."
            xz "Gallant Rowan… Wonderful Rowan… "
            "She whispered tenderly, her hands guiding him to look up into her eye. It seemed to shine in the dark of the room, drawing him in."
            xz "As we both reach ecstasy… I want you to know-"
            xz "I love you. I want you to be happy. I will do everything to make you know joy."
            xz "Find true bliss in this moment."
            xz "Let us cum, Mistress."
            "Alexia grinned, and released the spell holding him."
            if promisedFertilityTreatment == False:
                jump detoxCummingOutside_rp
            else:
                jump detoxCummingInside_rp

        "He has to promise to try even more perverted stuff with her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ avatar.corruption += 10
            al "I want to know… This doesn’t end here…"
            "She kept rocking her hips, suddenly finding in herself a new source of vigour. That’s right… This was just the first night of many… She needed to give him a proper send-off… "
            al "We have so little time together… I want to use it to the fullest! We don’t know what will happen tomorrow, so…"
            al "Let’s do more~~ Messed up stuff like this, my love~~!!"
            "Drunk on ecstasy, she kept running her finger over the hard ring around Rowan’s cock. She knew it could do so much more than keep him on edge… But X’zaratl made her promise not to take it too far~~"
            "Well, a little more {i}pleasure{/i} wouldn’t hurt~~"
            ro "Mmmm~~!!!!!!!! "
            "Violent ecstasy shook Rowan’s body, making him arch his back. This wasn’t- this shouldn’t be- How could his cock feel even better?!"
            al "We’ll try even more perverted stuff together, alright?"
            if detoxXzaratlSolo:
                "He wanted to scream he’ll do anything, but with her panties still in his mouth-"
            elif xzaratlPussyLicking:
                "He wanted to scream he’ll do anything, but with X’zaratl’s cunt pressing against mouth-"
            else:
                "He wanted to scream he’ll do anything, but with X’zaratl’s cock still in his mouth-"
            al "Ah… Right…"
            al "Oh well~~~ I’ll just have to hope I made enough of an impression, love."
            "And with that, she released the spell holding him."
            if promisedFertilityTreatment == False or abandondedPregnancyAspirations:
                jump detoxCummingOutside_rp
            else:
                jump detoxCummingInside_rp

        "Thank him for everything - he earned his release. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)
            al "I want you to know… That I love you."
            "Gently, she resumed rocking her hips."
            #no NTR
            al "For you to agree… To such a selfish desire of mine… I love you so goddamn much!"
            al "I just hope… This has been a pleasant distraction… For you as well…"
            "And with that, she released the spell holding him."
            if promisedFertilityTreatment == False or abandondedPregnancyAspirations:
                jump detoxCummingOutside_rp
            else:
                jump detoxCummingInside_rp

    label detoxCummingInside_rp:

    "The white runes around the ring flared up and fizzled out, and suddenly, he was free again."
    "Alexia pushed herself down, and he exploded inside of her, pouring immeasurable amounts of cum inside of her. Alexia gasped as she felt it spill out of her, barely able to handle the sheer volume of it."
    "It was incredible - all too incredible. Rowan felt his eyes roll up, and he could swear he could see stars. All that pressure - all that tension - suddenly leaving him."
    "Drained, and exhausted, he felt himself deflate-"

    jump detoxConclusion_rp

    label detoxCummingOutside_rp:

    "The white runes around the ring flared up and fizzled out, and suddenly, he was free again."
    "Alexia pulled herself off him, and he exploded all over her, showering her body and dress in milky white cum. The sensation was so incredibly intense, his eyes rolled up, and he could swear he could see stars."
    "All that pressure - all that tension - suddenly leaving him. Drained, and exhausted, he felt himself deflate-"

    jump detoxConclusion_rp

    label detoxConclusion_rp:

    if detoxXzaratlSolo:
        "Besides him, X’zaratl was finally free to reach her own orgasm. Jerking her cock frantically, she came on the floor, moaning without any sense of shame or reservation."
        "He smiled, just a little. Good. She deserved it too. "
        scene black with fade
        "It was the final thing that crossed his mind, as darkness took him."

    elif xzaratlPussyLicking:
        "Only to be greeted by a spray of X’zaratl’s pussy juices, and the overbearing stench of cum, as she too climaxed, staining the wall in front of her."
        "He almost chuckled, giving her one last lick, as he thought how the hell were they going to explain that to the maids. "
        scene black with fade
        "… And with that, darkness took him."

    else:
        "Only to be rewarded with a cumshot of his own, as X’zaratl came inside his mouth, making him choke on her cum. With the last vestiges of his strength, he sucked it all down, wondering when would this madness end."
        scene black with fade
        ".. The answer proved to be “now,” as right after, exhaustion claimed his body, and darkness took him. "

    #rowan eyes closed, alexia eyes open var - TODO
    scene cg31 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg31
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg31
    show xzaratl happy behind cg31
    pause 3

    "…. Once everything was over, Alexia found herself laying by her husband’s side, running her fingers through his hair, watching him sleep. She couldn’t remember when was the last time he looked so peaceful - she doubted the end of the world could wake him up right now."
    "Behind her, X’zaratl was cleaning up the room. The demoness didn’t say a word - didn’t want to disrupt her peace of mind."

    al "… Do you think he’ll ever let this be a regular thing? "
    xz "Perhaps. Who knows what the future holds? "
    xz "I never thought I’d set my foot in castle Bloodmeen. And yet here I am - helping the two most wonderful people in the world find happiness."
    al "Fate can be a twisted thing."
    xz "Indeed."
    al "..."
    al "I wouldn’t mind… If it was a regular thing."

    "She heard the soft rustling of X’zaratls robes. The demoness grabbed her by the cheek, and gently turned her to look at her. "

    xz "Sweet Alexia, you and Rowan are one of a kind. Like gems that shine different colours in sunlight and in the moonlight. Beautiful, unique - ever surprising."
    xz "Gallant Rowan is a hero at heart. A part of him will always seek to take the initiative."
    xz "But perhaps… From time to time… Another could come to light."

    "The gentle hands stroked her face. Despite the role she played today… It didn’t feel bad to be cared for like this…"

    xz "And as long as you let me stay by your side. I will do everything to help you discover all those beautiful shades of yourself."

    "Her red lips looked so inviting… "

    menu:
        "Kiss her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            "She pulled X’zaratl in, kissing her with passion. The cubi was surprised for only a moment, and quickly moved to reciprocate, hungrily tasting Alexia’s lips. "
            xz "I’ll take that as a “yes.”"
            al "Y-yeah..."
            "The demoness offered Alexia one last kiss on the forehead, then left her to rest. "

        "Nod your head.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Y-yeah..."
            "She gave her a shy nod. The demoness offered Alexia one last kiss on the forehead, then left her to rest. "

    scene black with fade

    "...Leaving Alexia alone with memories of Rowan’s cock inside of her, and X’zaratl's sweet fragrance still filling the room."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_14.rpy
label liurial_wants_a_protector_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    
    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"
            jump liurial_wants_a_protector_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    # $ can_summon_Liurial = True

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan was working on the endless pile of paperwork at his desk. From the corner of his eye, he saw a shadow at the far end of the room. Surely not someone he knew. She was far off, but her silhouette was unfamiliar."
    "At first, he pretended not to notice her. She was likely a castle resident here to see him about a problem. A common occurrence. Indeed, nearly an hour after her arrival, she gathered up the courage to speak to him."

    show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

    "Up close, Rowan had a better make of her. The long pointed ears, pale skin, and golden hair marked her as an elf."
    "He squinted. Rowan knew the elves better than most humans. But, they were a reclusive lot. Rarely seen in human lands, much less the dread castle. Perhaps she was one of Clionha’s apprentices? He’d seen one or two elves among them."
    "She stopped in front of the desk and studied the paper at his desk for a moment."

    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    liur "You made an error. That word is spelled “there” with the letters re. Not “their” with the letters ir."

    "Rowan glanced down at the document."

    ro "So I have. Thank you for catching that, m’lady."
    ro "I was starting to expect you would never approach me."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        ro "Is there something I can do to help you?"

    else:
        ro "Are you ready to speak now?"
        "She nodded softly."

    show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

    liur "Unless I’m mistaken….you’re Rowan Blackwell, are you not? They say you were a hero in the war?"
    ro "You’re not mistaken. I am Rowan."

    "She gave him a short bow with the stiffness of a fresh cadet. Rowan made note of the skittish way she moved her body."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "It’s alright. No need to be nervous. I’m here to help."

    liur "…Okay..."

    "She sighed inwardly."

    liur "I came to you because something has happened. And I was hoping that you could become my protector."

    ro "Protector?"

    "She nodded shyly."

    liur "An arrangement where you’d, um, ensure that no one who wants to hurt me gets a hold of me. And in return, maybe…"
    liur " ...Maybe I could do whatever you want. No questions asked. {i}Whatever you want{/i}."

    show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
        "Was she implying what he thought? Certainly, she was pretty, albeit in the petite way common among elves. Though, perhaps his mind was running ahead of him…"

    else:
        ro "I... I see."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "It’s a pretty drastic thing to ask of someone you’ve never even spoken to before."

    "The girl blushed and darted her eyes to the side. She couldn’t hold his gaze."

    liur "I’m sorry. It’s stupid. I…"

    "Rowan put a hand up to silence her, before she could continue down that self-deprecating track."

    ro "I said it was drastic. Not stupid. If you’re so desperate for a protector, then there’s something, or someone, that you want protection {i}from{/i}."

    "She nodded her head slowly."

    ro "Who?"

    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    liur "My man. Or at least, my {i}former{/i} man."
    liur "He’s the leader of our band. {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i}."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "A bit of a mouthful, don’t you think?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "An elven band at Castle Bloodmeen? They weren’t on any of the active duty rosters. Then again, he didn’t know everyone who had ended up here. The castle was a melting pot of society’s undesirables."
    "A visit to Jezera was in order."

    liur "I was his...well...on paper a subordinate. But, in truth, his concubine. He’s always been quick to anger. But, of late, Torlene has taken a turn for the worse. More angry. More violent."

    show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

    "To demonstrate, she raised her wrist and delicately removed the band. It revealed a nasty bruise etched into her skin. Next, she went to her collar and unclasped it. It showed the lasting outline of hands holding tight enough to dangerously deprive her of air."

    ro "I see."

    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    liur "He was never like this before. Being in Bloodmeen has brought out the worst in him."
    liur "It became more than I could rationalize away. So a few nights ago, I packed up my things and snuck into the main castle. Soon, Torlene will find me and come for me. He thinks me his."
    liur "So, if it means being kept safe from him, I’d do anything. It is not as though being in a man’s service is such an onerous thing, if the man treats me right. And they say you’re a hero. A good man…"

    "Rowan leaned back in his chair. This Torlene figure might be a problem. The head of an elven fighting band would be a skilled warrior. Making an enemy of him could be risky."
    "Still…"

    show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

    liur "Um...if it’s any incentive, I was the bursar for the Company. I hope you don’t mind me saying, I’m very good at it too. Good enough that they brought me along, even if I’m not a fighter."
    liur "You have an important position here, right? You’re the steward? Does that mean that you have paperwork to do?"

    "Rowan chuckled darkly."

    ro "Too much paperwork."

    "She brightened up for the first time and gave a faint smile. He almost detected a hint of pride from her."

    liur "Well, I could help with that! I mean, if you became my protector, I could!"

    "Fascinating. He’d been meaning to ask Jezera for a secretary. But, the fact that anyone she assigned would be a spy gave Rowan pause."
    "The longer he thought about it, the more attractive Liurial’s request became. His attention focused most strongly on... "

    menu:
        "Her sad plight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ liurialChoice = "sad plight"
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Rowan sighed and leaned back into his chair. With Bloodmeen, there was always the risk there was some ruse or game being played. Despite himself, he believed this woman."
                "And Rowan knew that if what she said was true, that he could not just leave her to be harmed or manhandled by a jilted ex-lover. Not if he had a choice in the manner."
            else:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Of course, part of him was skeptical. He was gaming out all the ways this could be a trap or a scheme. Certainly Jezera could have made this girl and her sob story up."
                "Despite himself, he believed her."
                "The notion of running off to play the hero and rescue her almost seemed quaint now. Yet, despite everything that he’d done since coming here, he still couldn’t just leave a defenseless woman to her fate. Not if he could help it."
                ro "(I’m not the man you think I am…)"
                liur "I apologize. Did you say something? "
                ro "No. No."
                "He smiled weakly."
            ro "Tell me this. If you go back to him, would he accept you with open arms? Or do you believe there would be reprisals?"
            show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
            liur "You’ve seen some of the bruises he gave me from before. And, I've heard he’s very unhappy that I’m gone."
            liur "..."

        "Her valuable skillset.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ liurialChoice = "valuable skillset"
            "Rowan’s eyes glanced at his desk and the boxes in the corner for paperwork. During the war, the best part of his skillset had been field logistics. Practical organization, making decisions, and seeing the big picture."
            "So much of his time was now consumed with the paperwork and formalities of record keeping. Something he’d always left to subordinates."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "If he helped her, not only would he be doing a good deed. He would also be bringing an assistant into the fold who was loyal to him and not to the twins. Certainly worth the effort."
            else:
                "So to help her would solve the problem of too much busywork, while also ensuring her loyalty at the same time. His effort to save her would pay back...with interest."
            ro "There was an elven bureaucrat with the army during the campaign through the Rakshan wastes. He certainly saved me a lot of time and effort."
            ro "I hope I do not overgeneralize when I say there is a reputation your people have for the arts of organizational and operational management."
            liur "The Protheans have long relied on our expertise for the governance of the realms. To that end, there’s a school in our capital. Any of our people with such aptitudes, go there."
            ro "A school you studied at?"
            liur "For a time, yes."

        "Her offer of allegiance.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ liurialChoice = "allegiance offer"
            "Rowan stretched his fingers, and regarded them with curiosity. In truth, how many people were there in Castle Bloodmeen who he could count on as being fully trustworthy?"
            "If he was to survive in this dark and twisted place he would need allies whose loyalty he could count on. People who he could trust to act on his behalf."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "The normal way someone would go about gaining allies in Bloodmeen often left him squeamish. But, enhancing his own power base while also helping a woman in need? That, he could work with."
            ro "And if I help you with this, you swear to follow whatever my instructions and act on my behalf?"
            "She brought a trembling hand to the base of her outfit."
            liur "Would you like me to...er...give you a taste of my obedience?"
            "Rowan waved softly to dissuade her from the idea."
            ro "No. No. I mean, would I be able to trust you to act as my agent, on my behalf?"
            show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve
            liur "If you were my protector, your fortune would be my fortune. You would have my absolute loyalty. I swear it."
            #if avatar.deception > 0:
            "So long as she didn’t find another protector, that is. He’d have to keep a watch on her to make sure there wasn’t someone else vying for her allegiance."
            ro "That’s what I wanted to hear."

        "Her alluring figure.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"
            show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Yet, even as Rowan tried to center his thoughts on the ethics and practicalities of taking the deal, something else battled for his attention."
            "From her position so close to his desk, he had a clear view of Liurial. Her long golden hair ran down her shoulders. Her slender and sensual form. All of it, barely covered by the translucent silk that left her nearly naked to a close observer."
            "There was a paradox to it. The girl seemed to shrink under his gaze. But, even by elven standards, she was dressed in such a provocative way. He’d picked up on the subtle ways her stance emphasized her body."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan blushed softly. He knew it was wrong for him to think about. This woman was asking him for his help and all he could think about was...was...using her. Yet, her phrasing before hadn’t done much to discourage the notion."
            ro "You said that you’d do anything for my help, right?"
            show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
            liur "Anything within reason, Rowan. I’d be yours to command."
            "She leaned over his desk slightly, letting her pert but meager bosom hang over it. Rowan’s eyes were drawn to them like fish to bait."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Definitely not much to discourage the notion. "
            ro "You mean, provided I don’t hurt you, right?"
            show liurial aroused at midleft with dissolve
            liur "Well, it depends on the circumstances in which you’d want to hurt me. But, er, yes."
            "He raised his eyebrows."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "You’re a curious little thing, you know that?"
            show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
            liur "Um, do you mean that in a good way?"
            ro "I suppose so."

    "Rowan rose from his chair and circled to the front of his desk, so he could meet the elven girl at eye level. His expression conveyed stern resolution."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "I will help you, Liurial. We have an agreement."

    "Her face brightened into a wide relieved smile. He only caught a momentary glance at it before she hid it in the ornate silk of her arms. "

    liur "I...I…"

    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    liur "Thank you."

    ro "I will call on your former man. It may take me a few hours, though. Do you have somewhere safe to stay in the meantime?"

    liur "I believe so. "

    ro "Good. We’ll meet again when you’re safe."

    "Rowan hastily made for the hallway back to his room. This was a situation that demanded he have his sword on him."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan averted his eyes when he entered Jazera's room. She was lounging on a sofa in the nude."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "After his initial surprise, he couldn’t help to sneak another peek."

    ro "I hope I haven’t interrupted something."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        #show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
        je "Oh you can stop averting your eyes, you silly prude."
        #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Just my bath. So get on with it. "
    ro "What do you know about a band of elven mercenaries in the castle? {i}The Band of the Fifteen Divine Winds or Something Something?{/i}"

    "Her posture straightened out the moment he said the word “elven”. Beneath her eyes, he could almost see the motions of gears springing to life."

    je "Liurial must have been to see you, huh?"
    ro "You know her?"
    je "Blonde elf waif? She asked me for protection. Naturally, I was interested. But, I might have come on a little...stronger than I intended. Skittish girl, that one. "

    #if avatar.diplomacy > 0:
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    "He couldn’t help cracking a small smirk."
    ro "Seems like a rookie mistake for a “master manipulator”"
    #show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
    je "Oh hush. I misjudged her comfort level. Such problems cannot always be avoided."
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "I’m still planning a second approach. Once she realizes I’m her best option, she’ll come right around back to me. "

    "Rowan leaned back in his seat. The fact he hadn't been her first choice either meant she hadn't known about him, she was hiding something, or she was truly desperate."

    je "Liurial’s spoken with you now, I assume?"
    ro "Do you intend to stop me from helping her?"

    "She put a finger to her lips."

    je "I haven’t decided yet. With a little training, she would be a delicious addition to my collection..."

    if liurialChoice == "sad plight":
        "That was no good. If he wanted to save this girl, then handing her Jezera certainly would not be a victory."

    elif liurialChoice == "allegiance offer":
        "That was no good. If he was to secure Liurial’s safety and allegiance, Rowan would have to persuade her to back down."

    else:
        "That was no good. If he was to secure Liurial’s safety and assistance, Rowan would have to persuade her to back down."

    menu:
        "Persuade her firmly.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan crossed his arms over his chest."
            ro "I’m not going to let you take her. I’ve already promised to protect her and I intend to follow through."
            #jez naked smirk
            je "How bold, Hero. You’re aware I could kill you and your wife with the snap of my fingers?"
            ro "I understand what happens if I cross you on a matter you truly care about. But, this girl is not all that important to you. Is she?"
            #jez naked neutral
            je "No importance at all, really."
            "That small chink in her armor emboldened him to continue this path."
            ro "Well, she chose me to protect her and I accepted. You might not be very invested, but I am."
            "Jezera stretched her legs. In the process giving Rowan a voyeuristic glance at her naked form in all of its allure."
            je "Tell the truth. It’s not some hangup about promises, is it? Why are you really doing this?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Persuade her diplomatically.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan adopted an open, accommodating pose."
            ro "I’m going to have to insist that you leave this one to me. She’s promised to be my secretary if I help her."
            ro "Consider, what would you do with her if you became her protector. Turn her into a toy?"
            #show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
            "Jezera giggled to herself darkly."
            je "That’s one way to phrase it."
            ro "Let me take her off your hands. To you she’s nothing, but to me, she’s very valuable. It also means I’ll handle this jilted ex-lover of hers. A double win for you."
            je "A win and a loss. That girl would make an excellent cunt licker. You’d ask me to forgo my own pleasure for your nonsense."
            #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
            "She let out an exaggerated sigh and gazed at him intently."
            je "Clearly, if you’re going through the trouble of haggling with me in this way, you’re serious about this."
            je "So why? What has my pet hero so worked up?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Well..."

    menu:
        "Open up.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if liurialChoice == "sad plight":
                ro "I’ve been in this castle long enough to know it has a way of eating people up. This girl, Liurial, is in trouble."
                ro "If I can do something about it, I won’t hesitate."
                "He knew not to expect any sympathy from Jezera. She broke into a cruel and open laugh the moment he finished."
                je "Another heroic crusade? Oh, you’re too much. "
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    je "And here I was coming to think you were starting to break your addiction to such frivolities."
            elif liurialChoice == "valuable skillset":
                ro "Do you know how difficult it is to find good help? I have the responsibilities of ten men. If I don’t have a competent assistant in the immediate future, the quality of my work is going to start to suffer."
                je "I’ve offered before…"
                "Rowan shook his head firmly."
                ro "It has to be someone who works directly for me. Furthermore, this girl tells me she’s an experienced and trained bureaucrat. Can you offer me someone of equal credentials? "
                ro "I need Liurial."
            elif liurialChoice == "allegiance offer":
                ro "Do you know how difficult it is to find good help? I have the responsibilities of ten men. If I don’t have a competent assistant in the immediate future, the quality of my work is going to start to suffer."
                je "I’ve offered before…"
                "Rowan shook his head firmly."
                ro "It has to be someone who works directly for me. Furthermore, this girl tells me she’s an experienced and trained bureaucrat. Can you offer me someone of equal credentials? "
                ro "I need Liurial."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    #pass
                #else:
                je "A fascinatingly practical answer. Yet, one that’s not the whole story, is it?"
                ro "I genuinely do not know what you mean, Mistress."
                je "Mmhm"
            else:
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan ran a hand through his hair. Saying this bit out loud felt like a violation of good taste. But, to go anywhere, he needed to convince Jezera."
                ro "Look. She seems intelligent and competent. But, she’s also…"
                show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                "Jezera’s eyes gleamed. His body language had been more revealing than intended."
                je "Pretty?"
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "..."
                    ro "Yes, that."
                else:
                    ro "That and more. She’s a very valuable catch. I would be stupid to just let another predator take her from me."
                "She giggled cruelly to herself."
                je "And you expected me to believe your motives were any different from mine? Your contradictions are delicious, Rowan."

        "Refuse to answer.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "..I’d have to be pretty dumb to answer that, wouldn’t I? Any answer I give you, you’d just try to use it against me somehow?"
            je "Hehe. Well, at least you’ve learned something from living here."

    "Jezera rose from her seat extending a hand to Rowan."

    #jez naked displeased

    je "Fine, Rowan. You win. You insist on having a first try at this girl? Have at it. "
    je "But, I know her type. The moment she realizes that you're a spineless nothing, she’ll get wandering eyes. I’ll have her soon enough."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #jez naked neutral

    "Rowan rolled his eyes. He took her hand and the two walked together towards the door."

    ro "Now then, that band of elves?"

    je "Yes yes. If you really must. They’re exiles. Banished from Ealoaen. They came to join us after a residency with the drow."
    je "We haven’t come to an agreement of service yet. Their leader is a bit of a stubborn ass. But, I’ve let them stay in a guardhouse in the outlying walls. That’s where you need to look."

    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan rubbed his hands together for warmth as he followed the winding paths atop the walls. The elves’ guardhouse could be seen in the distance. The location was secluded and at a high elevation. Just the sort of place Rowan knew elves to prefer."
    "But, what could an elf do that would get them banished? Such a punishment must be rare. Their crimes must have been serious…"

    questi "Halt!"

    "He was stopped by the arrival of an elven warrior. And a strange one at that. He was taller than Rowan by half a head, and as muscular as an orc. Rowan had never seen an elf like him before."
    "He was in the long flowing robes of elven fighters, girded by iron defensive pieces. He held a long pole-arm, but it ended in a twisted blade unlike human halberds. "

    questi "Human, whatever you’re looking for, you’ve far overshot. This is our territory. "

    ro "I’m aware. I’m here looking for-"

    "The large elf’s eyes suddenly shot wide."

    questi "Wait! Are you, perchance, Rowan Blackwell?"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...Yes."

    "The elf bent into a deep bow of respect. "

    questi "Goddess fend. You must accompany me to Honoured Torlene at once. He’s expected you to visit him."

    ro "Has he? Uh..."

    "Rowan tilted his head. He followed his large companion deeper into the guard house. From the shadows, he saw the shapes of watching elven fighters."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Your name, Sir?"
    gala "Galabrieth, Rowan. I’m the deputy commander."
    ro "I can see why. You’re built like an ox. You could probably crush a skull with your bare hands."

    gala "Sadly. An unfortunate curse which I still strive to overcome."

    "The large elf led him to a terrace that jutted out from the side of the guardhouse. It revealed a small courtyard. There he found Torlene. "

    #show torlene at midright

    "The commander was in front of a wooden training dummy, with multiple gashes in its surface from overuse. He spun around, striking with blade, elbow, and knee. "
    "To the untrained eye, it might have looked like a dance. But, Rowan knew it to be the practice of elven sacred fighting arts."
    "He was shorter by a head than Rowan. His long dark ponytail hung behind him in ornate braids. It danced behind him to match his swift, deliberate movements."
    "What made Rowan marvel was his short sword. Rather than a straight edge, it was jagged, with its side a series of cresting waves. The traditional weapon of an Honoured Sword, martial elites of the elves."
    "Torlene broke his stance and turned to Rowan. He picked up a cloth from a nearby chair and wiped down his face."

    ro "I know that fighting style, don’t I?"
    ro "There was an elven commander at the Storming of Deadman’s Pass. An Honoured Sword. He held the southern approach during the battle from the drow relief force."

    torl "You speak of Honoured Finnigold. An astute observation. Every soldier you see here served beneath his banner for many years."

    ro "Well that would explain why your deputy knew me on sight. I don’t suppose Finnigold is among you, is he?"

    #torl sad

    torl "...Not anymore. "

    "The expression on the elven commander’s face suggested it would not be prudent to continue on that topic of discussion."

    #torl neutral

    torl "You have been expected, Rowan Blackwell. As an acquaintance and fellow veteran of the wars, you are the natural envoy. And I have been piqued by the idea of treating with a human of your stature. "

    "He folded his arms behind his back in a dignified, strict posture. "

    torl " Your presence means the demon woman wishes to continue our contract negotiations. Correct?"

    "Rowan’s attention kept on being drawn to the unusual sword. Torlene had it sheathed, but could draw it at any time."

    ro "No, actually. I’m here about a different matter entirely."
    ro "Liurial. "

    #torl angry

    "Torlene’s eyes flickered. First with surprise, then with narrowing eyebrows. Before, he’d seemed stoic, but just one name was enough to turn him to a storm of emotionality."

    torl "You’ve found her? Good. That bitch thought she could escape me. I had started to worry she had succeeded. "
    torl "Do you have her with you?"

    ro "I don’t intend to bring her here."

    torl "..."
    torl "Explain"

    "Rowan rested his hand on the hilt of his own sword."

    ro "I’ve seen how you treated that girl. She came to me with bruises and scars. So, I’m here to tell you that you need to leave her alone. She’s under my protection."

    torl "Under your protection?"

    "Rowan noticed that the larger elf had taken a step backwards from them. He must have been able to feel the heat ratcheting up. "

    ro "I hope I don’t need to explain what I mean by that. I don’t want to hurt you or your men. But, if I hear you have-"

    torl "You’re the one."

    "He jabbed a finger at Rowan."

    torl "Of course. There was no way that pretty little fool could have come up with the idea to run away herself. She hasn't had a thought of her own in years. "
    torl "I suspected there was a puppet master. And I’ve found him."

    ro "You’re talking horse shit. Today was the first time I’ve ever met her. She was the one who came to me."

    "Torlene’s sword was back in his hands. The movement was so fast,it would not have registered to less trained eyes. Torlene’s fingers stretched with precise dexterity around the grip, readying his hold on the weapon."

    torl "I name you a liar and a thief. The girl is mine. To let you put your hooks into her would be a stain on my honour."
    torl "Galabraith. Kill this human. Let us see how much “protection” my girl’s betrayal has bought her."

    #Rowan to Battle Stance.

    "The large elf glanced in shock at his commander. But, Torlene’s face didn’t budge. There would be no choice for Galabraith. Meanwhile, Rowan had his sword drawn and readied."
    "Galabraith mouthed an apology to Rowan before he charged. "
    "Galabraith’s first strike didn’t land. Nor did his second. Rowan easily ducked both swipes. The elf lunged forward, but Rowan was still a step ahead."
    "Had he attempted the simpler motions of a human fighter, he might have benefited from his strength and reach. But, the fluid complexity of the elven fighting arts were clumsy as done by his body. "
    "Rowan used an opening in his stance to enter his guard. He attempted a backstep, but it was already too late. Rowan struck him in the belly with his blunt pommel. A non-lethal blow."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Galabraith stumbled back winded and clutching at his stomach. It had hardly been a fair fight at all. Rowan grinned."

    torl "Useless oaf. "

    #Rowan to Battle Stance.

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "The Commander shoved Galabraith out of the way, sending him careening to the ground. Rowan’s grin faded. Then, Torlene leveled his wicked curved blade towards Rowan."

    else:
        "The Commander shoved Galabraith out of the way, sending him careening to the ground. Then, Torlene leveled his wicked curved blade towards Rowan."

    ro "Come on. I hope you’re not as disappointing as your boy here."

    #story CG

    "The blademaster ran forward and jumped into a spinning strike. Rowan placed his blade where he expected Torlene’s strike to land."
    "Their swords clinked off each other. But, the motion of the elf’s arm continued, and his elbow twisted into Rowan’s face. The human was forced to stumble back, lip bleeding."
    "An unusual way of fighting. Torlene’s elbows and knees were weapons of the calibre of fists and feet. "

    ro "Fast bugger, aren’t you?"

    torl "Overwhelmed, I see."
    torl "You face the Nine Star {i}Greshuj{/i} Arts of Finnigold and of the {i}Band of the Fourteen Divine{/i}-"

    "A short jab forced the elf to hop back a couple paces, silencing him momentarily."

    ro "You guys really need to find a shorter name, you know that? "

    menu:
        "Taunt him further.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "It’s no wonder she ran out on you. You’re standing here having a tantrum like a child. You probably want her just so you have someone to clean the mess in your trousers."
                "Rowan smirked."
                torl " I will make a corpse of you. When I have recovered her, she will have to clean up {i}that{/i} mess. As punishment for your disrespectful tongue."
            else:
                ro "Honestly, you’re a disappointment. I was getting ready to fight a {i}real{/i} Honoured Sword. If you’re as unsatisfying in the bedroom as you are on the battlefield, then I know why Liurial left your ass."
                "Rowan smirked."
                torl "{i}How dare you, human{/i}!? I will bleed you like the pig you are."

        "Just fight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    "The next assault came like a lightning bolt. He tapped his blade against Rowan’s repeatedly, challenging Rowan’s guard."
    "Thankfully, Rowan had the footwork to answer him. He drew back slowly, just enough to keep his balance. Yet, Torlene didn’t let up. Was Rowan’s retreat his goal? He noticed himself being driven back towards the railing."

    torl "Die, scum."

    "When Rowan’s back hit the railing, Torlene launched himself into a fast jabbing motion."

    #if avatar.skill_roll("combat", 7, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    "Rowan’s instincts were alive. This had to be a feint. Rowan sidestepped the initial strike, but was already waiting for the followup. It came when Torlene swung his weapon around into a side slash. With no room to back up, Rowan could only block it with his sword."
    "But, Rowan’s arm had more force than the slight elf could muster. The clash of steel knocked Torlene’s sword aside. It opened his guard long enough for Rowan to sneak in a sucker punch."
    torl "Hurk!"
    "Rowan’s foe was forced to stumble back a few steps. "

    #else:
        #"Rowan’s hand moved before his mind. He used his sword to push the approaching blade out of the way."
        #"But, the blow was a feint. All Rowan had done was give Torlene’s sword momentum as it swung around into a slash. With little room to back up, Rowan was forced to take part of the strike clean across his chest. It left a shallow gash and a tear in Rowan’s shirt"
        #ro "Fuck..."
        # $ avatar.take_damage (["piercing",], "light_damage")

    "The fight ended before a follow up blow could land. Galabraith rushed between the two combatants, hands outstretched."

    gala "Wait!"

    "Torlene and his deputy rapidly traded words in Elvish. It had seemed, at first, that Torlene would simply shove his deputy out of the way again. Instead, his tone of voice grew sharper and sharper."

    #remove story cg
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Finally, in a fit of rage, Torlene stormed away. Whatever Galabraith had said had ended the encounter."

    gala "Perhaps it would be best to come with me, Rowan. Before he changes his mind."

    #hide torlene

    "The large elf hurriedly escorted Rowan past the watching elven mercenaries, away from the band’s commander. They waited until they were out of earshot of the others before speaking."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Are you alright? I’m sorry for hitting you so hard."

    gala "You are the one who deserves the apology."
    gala "Torlene is normally a diligent and even-tempered leader. But, when it comes to personal matters…"
    gala "Before she was Torlene’s woman, she was Honoured Finnigold’s. Let us just say that Finnigold’s death is not a wound that Torlene has recovered from. And it has consequences for anyone he associates with his former commander."
    gala "But, I reminded him what killing you would mean for our entire expedition up here. We’ve suffered and invested too much already to lose it all by killing the demons’ steward.  I think he’ll stay away from Liurial. At least for a time."

    "Rowan sheathed his sword."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I see why Liurial left."

    "Galabraith’s face lowered slightly. The mention of her carried with it a shade of guilt. "

    ro "Tell me about her."

    gala "Liuriel? She’s a smart girl. Can accomplish whatever her mind points to. Provided there’s someone there to do the pointing."
    gala "Honoured Finnigold began to bring her to our camp in Ealoaen. She was some sort of follower of his. Evidently, she was so taken with him, she followed along when we were forced to depart. She had a certain aptitude for numbers and records, so she became the paymaster."
    gala "When he passed, Torlene took over his tent. Liurial seemed to just...drift towards him."
    gala "..."
    gala "Look, she’s a good kid. Don’t treat her like Torlene did and you’ll never doubt her loyalty."

    ro "I met someone who thought she’d get the wandering eye."

    gala "That person didn’t know her very well. Keep this from Torlene, but Liurial should have abandoned him sooner. "
    gala "Just, promise you’ll take care of her, alright? It would ease my mind."

    "Rowan simply gave him a soft nod."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    "It was nightfall by the time Rowan was back in the castle. Liurial was by his side, arms filled with scrolls. She walked in a fast paced shuffle to make up for the difference in stride."

    ro "It was after I was locked in the dungeon for months on end that Jezera and Andras pulled me out so that…"

    liur "Being forced to work here under those circumstances must have been horrible!"

    "Rowan shrugged."

    menu:
        "It is what it is.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Definitely, and I haven’t forgiven the twins for it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    liur "Ah. I hope you don’t mind, but I took the liberty to review the basic documents you had on hand, as well as to send up a desk from storage for myself."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Eager, aren’t you?"

    "He chuckled softly."

    liur "Well, while I was waiting for Jezera to accept a contract with us- I mean, with Torlene, there wasn’t much to do. I’m eager to get back to work, Sir."
    ro "You say that now. But, when you see what an effort it takes to run this castle, and just how bad orcs are documenting anything...well you might have a change of heart."
    liur "I look forward to the challenge!"
    ro "Well if you’ve already set up your desk, I’ll take you to your new room."

    jump liurial_wants_a_protector_skip_rp
    
    label liurial_wants_a_protector_skip_rp:

        scene bg7 with fade

        "Rowan led her to the bedroom he’d requisitioned. Together, they took what meager possessions she brought with her and unpacked them."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        "When the job was done, she suddenly stopped and walked into the center of the room. Then, she turned back to Rowan, lowering her head slightly."

        liur "Rowan...you’re my protector now...and I did promise to do anything you want…"

        "Rowan tilted his head. Once she was alone with him she was like a totally different woman. More demure and shy. "

        liur "I suppose you’re going to want to put that to the test now, aren’t you?"

        scene cg363 with fade
        show liurial aroused behind cg363
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg363
        pause 3

        "She reached to the opening of her skimpy silken elven outfit, and pulled back the left side, ever so slightly. In the process, it bared her pert nipple to him."

        liur " I meant what I said, Sir. I’ll do whatever you want. "
        liur "You can...u-use me."

        "She glanced up at him from the side of her eyes. Her lashes bat softly, bidding him closer."

        $ LiurAdvancesUndeclined = True

        label liurFirstMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Respond enthusiastically. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ liurEnthusiastic = True
                "Rowan didn’t look away from Liurial’s exposed form. Instead, he drank in that little bit of extra skin that crossed the line from decent to indecent. The implications were as loud as a scream."
                "Bit by bit, he began to smile."
                if liurialChoice == "alluring figure":
                    "After all, this was what had been in his mind when he’d accepted her deal before…"
                elif liurialChoice == "allegiance offer":
                    "This girl really was eager to please…"
                ro "You’re beautiful."
                liur "Really?"
                "She gave him a coy smile. Even from across the room he could sense her breathing growing more shallow."
                ro "You are. If this is my payment for saving you, then I consider myself well rewarded."
                liur "Oh…"
                liur "So you’ll keep me?"
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "Why would you think otherwise?"
                else:
                    ro "Well now. You still have more to show me before I make that judgement, don’t you?"
                "Rowan stepped closer. From his new vantage point, he had a detailed view of her exposed body. Her skin really was flawless."
                "For her part, the girl almost melted from his attention. Her thighs squirmed and her face ducked behind her bangs."
                liur "Perhaps, you’d like to see more then? "
                ro "Perhaps. I would."
                show cg364 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "In answer, she silently brought her hands to the other side of her dress and pulled away all that stood between her right nipple and open air. The moment it came free, a sigh slipped from her lips."
                "Rowan appraised her as he stepped closer. His teeth flashed from behind his smile."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "You understand that I’m not demanding this of you, right? If you wish to just be my secretary, without anything more intimate, that’s okay."
                    "His voice was lowered, letting his hungry edge out. A brief break in the spell that the fun and games were setting on the room."
                    "Liurial bit her lip, but shook her head slowly."
                    liur "No...this is proper. I gave myself to you, sir. That means all of me. If I’ve been a good girl for you, then consider me content."
                    "In an act of uncharacteristic initiative for her, she leaned closer to him. So close he could hear her breathy whisper."
                    liur "And perhaps...perhaps if you were to make use of my body...you would not be the only one to find pleasure in it…."
                else:
                    "Rowan finally stepped right in front of her. His hands hungrily went for her chest, brushing against her nipples. He found them as stiff as steel."
                    ro "These are mine now, aren’t they?"
                    liur "Mff. You’re teasing me."
                    "The whine she let out with her reply served as a delicious reward. He laughed darkly, even as his hands returned to her side."
                "Suddenly, she pulled back again. Her hands went to her breasts, covering them from view. It was the slightest refuge in modesty. However, when she looked back at him, there was a need in her eyes. As if she were daring him to go further."
                liur "In the storybooks, when the hero saves the maiden the reward she gives him is a single kiss. "
                ro "Too bad you’re not a maiden anymore."
                "Rowan cupped her chin up and looked into her eyes. They sparkled back into him."
                liur "Eep."
                show cg140 with fade
                pause 3
                "Whatever “protestations” she was prepared to make were cut off by a firm kiss on the lips from Rowan. In moments, she sank into it. Her eyes fell closed and her body pressed into his."
                jump liurialFirstSex_rp

            "Remain silent, but don’t decline. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ liurEnthusiastic = False
                "That newly exposed bit of skin called to Rowan like a light to a moth. He could not help but stare."
                "Rowan opened his mouth, but no words came out. The action alone left him feeling suddenly parched. Liurial observed in submissive silence, prepared to continue on command. But, it never came. Rowan simply could not muster the words."
                liur "S-sir? Am I displeasing?"
                ro "No..it’s not that…"
                liur "Oh..."
                "Her cheeks became flushed. To hide it, she ducked her face down. The action alone was enough to make his heart race."
                "What should he do here? He wanted to remind her that he was married. That she didn’t have to do anything lewd to please him. But, the words escaped him as soon as they formed."
                "Liurial was hanging on every twitch of his lips. He had to say something..."
                ro "It’s true. I promise. You really are beautiful, Liurial… Very beautiful."
                "Her eyes lit up, and she looked at Rowan with a new brightness. A new sense of understanding. Suddenly, she took a step forward, closing the distance between them."
                liur "Sir, you don’t have to worry on my behalf. If that’s what this is...I mean."
                liur "I swear it to you. If using me would make you happy, then it would make me happy too. I like to please."
                show cg364 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Her hands went back to her chest and freed her other breast from her dress. There were two parts of Rowan’s mind battling each other. The winning part refused to look away."
                liur "I’m y-yours to do with what you will."
                ro "Liurial…"
                "Rowan’s heart kept beating faster with every moment. Her lips were drawing towards him slowly. Had he wanted to, he could have pulled away at any moment. Yet, Rowan was as paralyzed as a statue."
                show cg140 with fade
                pause 3
                "He was not going to stop her. Even as her lips softly met, he didn’t stop her. His approval was revealed by the soft parting of his mouth. Not all desires need be said aloud."
                "She had uncovered more than his approval. She had uncovered his desire. Without thinking, he began to wrap his arms around her. Just because he had not initiated, did not mean he was about to be a passive participant."
                liur "Mmm."
                jump liurialFirstSex_rp


            "Reject her advances." if LiurAdvancesUndeclined == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ liurEnthusiastic = False
                "Rowan retreated back a step."
                if liurialChoice == "alluring figure":
                    "He knew he wanted her. It had even touched his reasoning for helping her. Yet now, quite literally staring at his reward, came the stirrings of guilt. Could he really make this woman’s sexual service his reward?"
                    menu:
                        "Yes. (Scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ LiurAdvancesUndeclined = False
                            jump liurFirstMenu_rp
                        "No.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            pass
                scene bg7 with fade
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
                ro "Liurial, please. I understand that this is what you expect from past experience, but it’s not needed. You can keep your clothes on."
                show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve
                liur "Hrmmm?"
                "She tilted her head."
                ro "I’m saying that you don’t have to fuck me. Help me with my labours, be my friend, and stay loyal. That’s all I ask of you."
                show liurial sad at midright with dissolve
                liur "..."
                "She glanced down at her naked bosom. Her posture started to slouch."
                liur "I...oh..I’m sorry. Is there...something displeasing about me, sir?"
                "Rowan shook his head. He walked close enough to show her comfort without leaving the distance of modesty. From there, he placed a hand on her shoulder."
                if rowanCorrupt <31:
                    ro "Of course. You’re a radiant woman. But, not in these circumstances. Besides, I’m a married man, Liurial. Breaking my vows would be..."
                else:
                    "Of course. Any man would want to fuck you. But, not in these circumstances. Besides, I’m a married man, Liurial. Breaking my vows would be..."
                menu:
                    "Impossible.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ liurImpossible = True
                        pass

                    "Not a step I wish to take today.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ liurImpossible = False
                        pass
                liur "Oh."
                "She shied back from his grasp. Her delicate hands went to her chest and worked her clothing back to modesty. Rowan made a point of keeping his glance at eye level."
                show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
                liur "Just so you know, sir…"
                "She made a face reminiscent of the one from before, with batting lashes and a tinge of mischief. "
                liur "I don’t {i}mind{/i} performing those kinds of services for my protector. You really needn’t worry on my behalf. "
                liur "So, perhaps if you start to find yourself desiring such a thing in the future…"
                "Rowan sighed."
                if liurImpossible == False:
                    ro "Then yes, I’ll let you know."
                ro "I wouldn’t worry too much about that, right now. You’re about to find out just how much work managing an entire castle can be…"
                # "{i}Liurial is now Rowan’s Secretary{/i}"
                $ elfSex = False
                return

        label liurialFirstSex_rp:

        "Rowan and Liurial stayed there for a time, lips locked together. His hands raced up and down her side, feeling out the entire length of her body. What she lacked in curves, she made up with in slender softness. Like a girl made of porcelain."
        "The kiss kept on breaking in soft ways. She couldn’t suppress the little sighs and moans that came with the pleasure of his touch. It was as if the moment she was in his hands, whatever semblance of self control she had was gone. "

        liur "More. Ah. Please."

        "Rowan silenced her again with his tongue. The effect of it pushed her squirming to new heights. Her thighs nearly vibrated against his leg. In such an aroused state, she was only able to carry the kiss for a few more seconds before gasping for air again."

        liur "Rowan, you can do anything you want with me. Please. I want…"
        liur "I want...mfffmfff…"

        "Her sentence trailed off into an incoherent stream of whines and moans. It became further incomprehensible when she hid her face in Rowan’s chest."

        scene bg7 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        ro "You want me to fuck you?"

        "He felt her head nod up and down. "

        ro "On the bed?"

        "Another nod."

        ro "Okay, lay back."

        "His touch lingered for a moment, but soon she was making her way to the bed. He waited as she adopted a pose with her side on the mattress and her legs kicked open. The dampness of her panties was disguised only by their black color."
        "His response was slow and delicate. His fingers softly brushed the fabric to the side. In the process, their tips made the slightest contact with her sex. "
        "All he did was brush across it, ever so slightly. But, Liurial reacted with the moaning of a woman who was being subjected to a full fingering."

        liur "Mfm. You’re teasing me, sir. Please…"

        "If the lady insisted. Rowan drew his hands back to his belt buckle and loosened it off. Then, he pulled his pants down to his knees."
        "Liurial was captivated by the sight of his mast, the moment it was exposed to the air in all of its glory. She let out a feminine whine."

        liur "Humans are so large-"

        scene cg134 with fade
        show liurial aroused behind cg134
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg134
        pause 3

        "There was something endearing at her shock at his girth. But, he wasn’t going to give her the time to prepare herself with this new information. He roughly took her leg and forced it back to her chest. Then, he slammed himself hard into her."

        liur "Oh. Oh!"

        "As he started to move, Rowan found his every bit of force matched by the inherent tightness of her body. To move at all he had to grit and force himself deeper."
        "Thankfully, the reactions of his partner provided that extra bit of energy to meet that task. It seemed like the slightest move was met with a whimper from Liurial. Soon she was letting out a symphony of mewling need."

        liur "You’re inside me and it feels...oh…"

        ro "Someone is, urgh, enjoying herself."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan felt the sweat dripping down his face, and his tunic sticking to his chest. Breaking in a girl could be a lot of work."
        else:
            "Rowan felt the sweat dripping down his face, and his tunic sticking to his chest. Breaking in a slut could be a lot of work."

        liur "Oh! Oh! Goddess above! Oh!"
        liur "I’m being…"

        "Her head rolled back into his bed, sprawling waves of golden hair in every direction. Her dainty hands gripped the sheets for dear life. But, the force of his hips crashing into her rocked her so hard with each thrust as to nearly make her lose her grip."

        liur "...Used...and it feels, oh, so…"
        liur "mffmhfmh!"

        "Rowan felt his breaths turn to pants. It was all having a rising effect on him. Her tight pussy. The way her face contorted with unrestrained lust. The way she vocally responded to every movement. It drove him into ever more intense efforts to push deeper into her. "

        if liurEnthusiastic == True:
            "His lips twisted into a sadistic grin. All of it was making him want to tease her more. Taunt her more. The elf wanted to be bullied."
            "His mouth parted and words came out, almost without thinking."
            menu:
                "You’re mine!":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "You’re..you’re mine now!"
                    liur "Yes!"
                    "Her eyes fluttered uncontrollably."
                    ro "All mine!"
                    liur "Goddess, yes. Your’s. I’m your...your slut. And it feels so good. You’re molding my insides to the shape of your cock!"
                    "To emphasise the point, her inner walls squeezed against him with whatever energy she had left to use."
                    ro "My...slut. Mine."
                    liur "Yes, yours. Your slut."

                "You like that, huh?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "You like that, huh? You like, ugh. Human cock?"
                    liur "I’ve never..oh..been with a human...before…"
                    liur "Mfghg."
                    "Her hips suddenly bucked in wild abandon. There was little force behind it of course, but Rowan got something back from the pure enthusiasm. "
                    liur "I love it...oh! I love it! I need more!"

        "His pace was growing and growing. Driven now more by that primal need to reach the peak. Rowan could feel himself reaching that moment, with near inevitability."
        "Beneath him, Liurial broke into wild shivers and the start and stop moans of a woman who had reached her own peak. The elf spastically shook beneath him, a victim of being filled by something she struggled to handle."
        "Through it all Rowan kept on slamming down into her. He was so close now. Almost there."

        liur "You’re going to...break me...Ah…"

        scene cg134 with sshake
        scene cg134 with sshake
        scene cg135 with flash
        show liurial aroused behind cg135
        pause 3

        "That sentence broke through his final resistance. With nary a word of warning, Rowan cock pulsed, and a stream of how white cum went flooding inside her. Liurial cried out eagerly, her inner walls pumping him for more of his seed."
        "A panting Rowan staggered backwards, grabbing a chair to steady himself."
        "When it was all over, Liurial was left, laying back on the bed. Her clothes and skin were stained with cum. Her hat had been left on the bed, and her hair was a disheveled mess. Her soaked lower lips pulsed. Rowan almost could have sworn they were slightly stretched out after."

        liur " I’m yours now… Mmmm…"

        scene bg7 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        "After the two took a second to catch her breath, Liurial rushed off to the restroom to freshen up. When she returned, she found Rowan in bed. Soon, she joined him."

        liur "Sir...did I do good? Was I a good girl?"

        ro "You are."

        show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

        "The elf let out a happy sigh."

        ro "Enjoy the moment. Work starts in earnest tomorrow. And if you thought this was a fucking, just wait until you see how much paperwork you’re going to have to do."

        liur " But, sir? I thought we established I’m quite fond of being fucked…"

        "Well, he hadn’t expected that. He turned his head to see a sheepish grin on her face. But, as soon as he looked, she buried it in her pillow."

        $ elfSex = True

        "{i}Liurial is now Rowan’s Secretary{/i}"
        
    return

# \events\ruler_events_41.rpy
label greyhide_finale_poly_rp:

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump greyhide_finale_poly_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    scene bg9 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    "It took a week of simmering tension to come to a boil, but the argument - when it finally came - was explosive."

    al "No, we {i}need{/i} to talk about this, Rowan."

    ro "Why? What is there even left to say?"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "A lot. A whole novel’s worth. Stop trying to sweep this under the rug."

    menu:
        "I’m not trying to ‘sweep’ anything under the rug.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Then why won’t you talk to me?"
            ro "Because it’s difficult! What the hell am I supposed to say?"
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "‘Dearest wife: I hope you enjoyed Greyhide’s company half as much as I did while we were lust-drunk!’"
            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            ro "Where do we even go from here? What could we say or do to make things right with each other? Or with him?"
            "Alexia - seeming to sense the growing distance between herself and her husband - reached out and took his hand."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "What do you want from me, Alexia?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "{i}I don’t know{/i}! Something to make sense of this? "
            al "We fucked a {i}Minotaur{/i}, Rowan. {i}Both of us{/i}."
            ro "You don’t need to remind me."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "There’s no sense to be made of the matter. We were drugged, we weren’t thinking clearly…"
            "Alexia shook her head, resolute in her worry."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "I’d rather we forget this ever happened":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Well too bad: our… our {i}friend{/i} is locked up in his forge, and we’re at each other’s throats."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "We need to figure this out. Pretending it didn’t happen won’t solve anything."
            "Rowan struggled to look Alexia in the eye as she stared at him."

        "Don’t try to act guiltless with me, you whore.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia’s mouth gaped. Her stunned silence soon gave way to raging indignation."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "{i}Excuse me{/i}?!"
            al "How dare you even say those words, you bastard! You had sex with him too!"
            ro "Oh yeah? And who jumped into his bed first?"
            al "This isn’t a damned footrace! We were {i}both{/i} drugged! If I’m at fault, then so are-"
            "Alexia trailed off. She took in a deep breath, then let it out in a heavy exhale."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Rowan, I haven’t slept well in almost a week. I’ve been having nightmares. Every morning, I wake up sick to my stomach."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Solansia preserve me, but I can’t take it anymore."

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s fists clenched at his sides."

    menu:
        "...You care about him":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "{i}And you don’t{/i}?"
            show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan’s breath caught in his throat. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it. His chest hurt."
            "It… might have been easier for all of them if it had just been about sex."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            ro "I don’t know."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "I can’t take it anymore either.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "...I haven’t slept in days. I think it’s a side-effect of the drug Jezera put in the tea."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Damn the drugs, what are we supposed to do about {i}him{/i}?"

        "We’ve got to suffer through it":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "The worst is almost over, the drug’s toxin will be out of our system soon."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "I don’t give a damn about the drug, Rowan. We need closure. "
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Greyhide’s locked himself in the forge and won’t come out for anyone."

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "Then… I guess we have to go talk to him."

    "Rowan heaved a heavy sigh, pinching the corners of his brow. He shook his head back and forth in frustration."

    ro "Gods, when did things get so damned complicated?"

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The couple said nothing to each other as their twin footsteps echoed through the castle corridors."
    "The fiery anger of their confrontation had spent itself, and they had lapsed back into that same, uncomfortable politeness that had dogged their interactions for almost a week."

    ro "Has he left his room at all?"

    al "Not that I’m aware of. He said he wanted to be left alone."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Another long silence. It was unbearable. Rowan glanced over at his wife, whose gaze was set in front of her. She walked with a notable stiffness in her step, as if she was just barely holding back tears."

    menu:
        "He reached out and took her hand.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "His grip was firm as it took hold of her. Alexia was momentarily startled, and cast a short glance in his direction."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan returned a smile. Alexia’s lips curved involuntarily upwards, and she glanced away from him. A gentle blush filled her cheeks."
            "With some hesitation, her fingers interlaced with his. The two walked hand in hand down the hall to the forge."
            "A quiet gesture, but an important one. A little bit of warmth had just reentered their relationship."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 3)

        "He focused on what he was going to say to Greyhide":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was no time to worry about the stormcloud hovering over her thoughts, not when he had his own to contend with. Rowan had too much to think about already."
            "The two walked in grim silence to Greyhide’s door, like two warriors approaching the sounds of battle."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Wait, why is there an Orc at the door?"

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "...Something’s wrong."
    ro "You there! What’s the meaning of this? Why is the forge locked?"

    al "Where’s Greyhide?"

    os "Boss had ‘em tossed in a cell. I’s guardin’ the weapons while ‘e is gone."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "{i}What{/i}?!"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "On what grounds?"
    os "Boss’ orders. He sez the Forgemaster won’t work. Won’t talk about it neither. "
    os "So Forgemaster gits tossed in a cell till he talks."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "B-but he didn’t do anything wrong!"
    os "Bring it up wit’ the boss then."

    "Rowan gritted his teeth. He stepped up to the orc and yanked him forward by the cuff of his armour."

    ro "{i}Where did they take him?{/i}"

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinleft
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan and Alexia brushed past the gaoler as if he wasn’t even there, commanding him to open up Greyhide’s cell."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    os "Jus… knock if ya need me to open up again, eh?"

    hide orc soldier with dissolve

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The door slammed shut behind them. They were engulfed in shadows. A hulking figure sat hunched in the far corner."

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "...Greyhide, it’s us."

    ro "We came as soon as we heard what had happened."

    al "Are you okay?"

    "His eyes never lifted, his flat gaze stared dully into his lap.The Minotaur breathed in, his thick chest filling with air, then exhaled heavily through his nose. The couple shared a look."

    menu:
        "We’re going to get you out of here.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I know that this looks bad, but we can make things right."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Whatever they think you’ve done, I’m sure I can get you off the hook."
            "Alexia nodded along with her husband."
            al "I can vouch for you too, I’ll say you were held up with work orders."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "We’re here to help. However we can."

        "You shouldn’t have defied the Twins.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "You know how volatile they can be. Especially when they don’t get what they want."
            "Alexia cast a worried glance in her husband’s direction. Her fingers reached up to toy with the sapphire necklace around her neck."
            al "He’s right, Greyhide."
            al "I… {i}we{/i} don’t want to see you stuck in the same situation as us."

        "We were hoping to talk about what happened.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Alexia cast a sharp look in Rowan’s direction, but he continued."
            ro "I know you’re probably not in the mood to discuss something like that, given the circumstances, but I’m pretty sure its the reason why we’re all here."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...Maybe talking about it might help resolve things."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "We’re worried about you. You’ve never been like this before."

        "We missed you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Alexia shot a worried glance in Rowan’s direction. She swallowed and nodded."
            al "It’s true. We’ve both been worried sick about you."
            al "Now… with all this…"
            ro "We want you to know that we’re here for you."

    "The silence that followed was deafening. Neither knew what to say. The manacles around Greyhide’s wrists were self-evidently superfluous: he had no intent of resisting his fate."

    ro "Look, a lot has happened in the last week. And believe me: I’ve got plenty to say."

    gh "..."
    ro "But right now, the important thing is getting you out of this cell."
    gh "..."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Goddess fend Greyhide, {i}talk to us{/i}! We’re your friends!"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The bull flinched at her words. He lifted his head, just slightly. Only slightly."

    gh "Please… dear friends, you do not need... to bother with me."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You didn’t do anything wrong, Greyhide."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide shook his head firmly back and forth."

    gh "Did to myself. Did… to you."
    gh "No reason. No control. Just... did it."
    gh "I am sorry. I am so sorry."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "We don’t blame you for what happened."
    gh "It is my shame to bear."
    gh "Tired... of trying so hard."
    al "You don’t really mean that."
    gh "..."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "Rowan hugged him, while Alexia took his hand.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The bull trembled as his two companions approached. Alexia's tiny fingers interlaced with his. She stroked his thick digits with a tender touch."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan got down on one knee and embraced him. His arms settling with a comforting warmth around his body. His warm fur tickled as he held him close."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Don’t give up on us, Greyhide."
            "Rowan cupped Greyhide’s cheek with his hand, tilting it to face him. The Minotaur grimaced, but did not push either of them away."

        "Alexia embraced him, while Rowan put a hand on his shoulder.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The bull trembled as his two companions approached. Rowan stood at his side, staring down at him with a gentle smile as he patted his shoulder."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia, overcome with emotion, was far bolder. She threw her arms around him, burying her face in his chest as she held him close."
            al "You’re not alone, Greyhide."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "She traced the line of his lips with her finger, smiling softly at him. The Minotaur grimaced, but did not push either of them away."

        "Both husband and wife embraced him":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The bull trembled as his two companions approached. The couple got down on their knees, each taking a side of Greyhide. They hugged him, arms intertwining like vines across a tree trunk."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan held him close, his fingers clenching tight as if to never let go. Alexia leaned flush against his form, resting her head against his shoulder. His warm fur tickled them both."
            ro "We’re here for you, Greyhide."
            al "We would never leave you alone like this."
            "The Minotaur took in a stuttering inhale, but did not push either of them away."

        "Alexia took his hand, while Rowan put his hand on shoulder":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The bull trembled as his two companions approached. Rowan stood at his side, staring down at him with a gentle smile as he patted his shoulder. Alexia took Greyhide’s hand in hers, her fingers softly  stroking across his thick digits."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You’re our friend, Greyhide. And nothing can change that."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "You never have to hide from us."

    "Greyhide shuddered at their collective touch. At last he lifted his eyes to look at them, his gaze meeting theirs for the first time since they’d arrived."

    gh "I-"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The {i}snap{/i} of the lock unlatching startled the three of them back to reality. The door opened wide, slamming against the outside wall from the force of the swing. "

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    al "L-Lord Andras!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia stood up in a rush, scooting backwards till her back was against the cell wall. Rowan stood his ground, staring Andras down as he walked slowly into the room."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The demon planted his hands upon his hips, his eyes shifting back and forth between Rowan, Alexia and Greyhide for a short moment before he let out a snort of amusement."

    an "Well, well, everybody’s here! Kharos’ sweaty ballsack, but my sister wasn’t lying."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "The demon’s lips split wide into a smug, toothy grin."

    an "Oh a {i}thousand{/i} pardons, am I interrupting the wedding ceremony?"
    an "I’m not sure what kind of bride price you two expect to receive. Usually the dowry {i}is{/i} the cow!"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Lord Andras, you need to release Forgemaster Greyhide immediately."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "...I ‘need’ to, mortal?"
    al "H-he’s done nothing wrong."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Is that so? So why have you two snuck into his cell like a pair of horny catspaws?"

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Oh, pipe down will you? You’ve played the part of the whinging martyr for long enough. "

    "Andras studied Greyhide for a long moment, his lips twisting with contempt at his downturned expression."

    an "You’d better have a good explanation for yourself, you old fool."

    gh "..."

    an "I’ve spent the better part of a week listening to sob stories from my men at the training yard. How all their broken equipment is being left to rust at the foot of your door."
    an "At first I chalked it up to you being preoccupied with work, but then I learned that your forge hasn’t been lit in {i}days{/i}."
    gh "..."

    show andras angry at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Stop staring at the floor like a drooling imbecile and {i}answer me{/i}."
    gh "I… have no excuse."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Well that's too bad, old man. I’d at least be willing to listen if you had one."
    an "You are the castle Forgemaster. We are at war. My men need weapons, and you are expected to provide them. "
    an "There is no excuse for failure, none whatsoever."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "That's not fair, Andras."
    al "M-my Lord, Greyhide has always done his best to-"

    show andras angry at edgeright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Shut up. Your lecherous antics are the reason he’s down here in the first place. If you want to make it worse for him, keep talking."

    "Andras turned to glare at Greyhide’s downcast expression."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Your bed partners are quite the handful. Shame they chose a lamb to lay with."
    gh "..."
    an "Consider this imprisonment a warning. The only one you’ll ever get from me."
    an "If you won't do your duties, then perhaps the display I make of your entrails will deter these two from romancing your successor."
    gh "That would… probably be for the best."

    show andras angry at edgeright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras was just starting to turn away when his head snapped around. His expression twisted into something unrecognizable. Inhuman."
    "Greyhide refused to meet his eyes, keeping his gaze trained to the floor. His subservience only seemed to make him madder."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an " I see... so that’s how it is, then."

    show bg8 with flash
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    gh "{i}Hurk!{/i}"

    "Red energy surrounded Greyhide. A circle of profane magic grew above his head as Andras cast his torturous spell. The stoic Minotaur fell to one knee, his body shuddering from the sudden onrush of pain."

    an "So be it. Seeing as you no longer serve a purpose as a Forgemaster, I suppose I’ll have to find a new use for you."
    ro "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"
    al "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "After a few seconds Andras released his concentration, allowing the spell to dissipate. The Minotaur let out a gasp of air."

    an "Do you remember the promise I once made to you, old man?"
    an "You don’t have to fight… so long as you make my weapons of war."

    "Andras’ fists clenched and the magic returned, stronger than before. It engulfed Greyhide in blinding agony."
    "The bull let out a roar of pain, falling onto his hands and knees. His manacles jingled as he shuddered from the force of the magic assault."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Andras{/i}, stop!"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Don’t hurt him!"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Another pulse, this time for nearly five full seconds. Greyhide let out a roar of pain, writhing on the ground in agony as the red circle of energy roiled and contorted about him."

    gh "{i}HRRRRRAAAGH!{/i}"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia covered her mouth in horror. Rowan stepped forward, his hand almost unconsciously going to his sword."

    ro "{i}ANDRAS{/i}!"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al " Stop! {i}Please{/i}, just stop!"

    "Andras unclenched his hands, and the magic dissipated. Greyhide collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily."

    an "Look at him: this miserable wretch won’t even struggle to save his own skin."
    an "He’s a lamed bull, useless to me. Jezera’s little prank revealed just how brittle he is."

    al "I beg you, my Lord. He is just under a lot of stress-"

    "Andras ignored her, nodding to the guards outside."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Bring him out to the courtyard, it’s high time I put him out of his misery."

    "Rowan stepped forward, squaring his chest. Andras shot him a cold glare."

    an "...You have something to say, Rowan?"

    ro "Just give him a chance, Lord Andras."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    an "What do you think I’m doing? The fool won’t work, so instead he’s going to fight."

    ro "Fight who, exactly?"

    "Andras’ calico grin widened."

    #courtyard BG
    scene black with fade
    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "The castle courtyard was cleared of traffic, the gates of Bloodmeen were temporarily sealed. A small crowd of Orcs had gathered to watch, but Andras ordered them away."
    "This was a private matter."
    "Andras stood across the long gap from Greyhide, a sword grasped in his fist. Greyhide held a similar weapon in his grasp, though it looked more like he was clutching a toothpick."
    "Alexia and Rowan stood to the side, forbidden on pain of death to interfere. Andras had been very clear: Greyhide would fight, or he would die. Any attempt to rectify the situation risked making things much, much worse for them all."
    "Greyhide shifted back and forth on his hooves, clearly uneasy.  Andras - for his part - looked utterly content, perhaps even a little excited."

    an "Are you ready, cow?"
    gh "This is… unnecessary."

    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    an "It is very necessary."
    gh "Please my Lord. You don’t have to… I’ll make the blades, I swear it. Just do not… make me-"

    "Andras did not answer. He took a few experimental swipes with his sword, fixed the bull with a savage look, then charged."

    #story CG

    "The demon crossed the distance between them with frightening speed, his feet pounding across the stone as he lifted his weapon high over his head."
    "The bull clumsily lifted his sword up, almost too late to meet the strike. The weapons rang as the edges met. Greyhide backpedaled, driven back by the force of Andras’ attack."
    "The blades bent from the sheer pressure of the two behemoths clutching them. For a moment Andras indulged in the struggle, then shoved forward, causing Greyhide to lose balance."
    "They pulled apart, and Andras advanced on him once more, his weapon at his side and his bare chest exposed. Greyhide did not even pretend to take a swing."

    an "You fight like a coward."
    gh "I will not… hurt you."
    an "Hurting me’s the only way you leave this courtyard alive, old man."

    "Andras thrust lazily at his face, and Greyhide stumbled backwards, giving room as he tried to avoid the blade. Andras did not let up. He attacked again, cutting long X’s back and forth in the direction of Greyhide’s face."
    "The couple watched anxiously from the sidelines. Rowan felt the cold grip of his sheathed sword clenched tight in his hand. Alexia clutched at his other arm, hiding partially behind him as if to shield herself from the violence."

    show rowan necklace angry behind black

    ro "...What’s he doing?"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind black

    al "W-who?"
    ro "Andras. He’s toying with him."

    "Andras continued to advance upon him, and Greyhide continuously retreated, holding his weapon up to feebly bat away the swings Andras sent in his direction. The demon was getting visibly irritated."

    #behind cg
    show andras angry at midleft with dissolve

    an "{i}Come on{/i}! Hit me! Take a fucking swing!"
    gh "..."

    #behind cg
    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    an "Is this the fabled might of the Minotaurs? Are all your kind so damned pathetic? "
    gh "No. Just… me."

    #behind cg
    show andras angry at midleft with dissolve

    an "You spineless worm."

    "Andras’ attacks grew wilder. He put his weight into the swings, hacking at Greyhide’s defenses with blow after unsubtle blow. Each time, Greyhide only just managed to lift his blade in time to block them, but he was struggling to keep up."

    #behind cg
    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    an "Was this what it was like for Rowan and Alexia, huh? Timid, feeble, flaccid flailings?"

    #behind cg
    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    an "When you led them to the bed, blushing and squirming with your cock half-limp, did {i}they{/i} have to put in all the effort? Did you ever even ‘rise’ to the occasion? "
    gh "{i}Hrmh{/i}."

    "Andras’ words were too pointed, {i}too{/i} goading. His mocking laughter came with an almost theatrical flair."
    "Greyhide was panting, his breath coming in and out in great gouts. Andras, utterly unconcerned, took a brief moment to turn his back on the beast and address the two bystanders."

    an "Tell me you two: what was it that finally won you over? His winning smile, his delightful conversation? Perhaps his {i}dashing{/i} complexion?"

    "Andras spun around on his heel, swinging hard at Greyhide’s face. The bull lifted his blade, but it turned and spun out of his hands, clattering to the ground. The tip of Andras’ blade swept across his snout, making a shallow incision just below his left nostril."

    gh "{i}Urgh{/i}!"

    show rowan necklace shock behind black
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind black

    ro "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"
    al "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "Blood trickled down from his nose where he’d been nicked. Greyhide held a hand up to it, breathing heavily. Andras shook his head at him like a stern schoolteacher lecturing a misguided pupil."

    #behind cg
    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    an "No. None of that, I think. Just a broken shell of a beast who got lucky with the help of a drug."
    an "You're no Forgemaster, and you're {i}certainly{/i} no man. "

    "Greyhide was shaking. His eyes clenched shut as he struggled to contain himself. A dark, malicious grin grew on Andras’ face."

    an "Death would be preferable to having a mate like you."

    show black with sshake

    gh "{i}RAAAAAAAAAAAAH!{/i}"

    "The roar of an enraged beast pierced the air. Whatever further taunt Andras had been about to say was drowned out entirely. Greyhide lowered his head and charged the Demon."

    scene cg963 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Greyhide cranked his arm back and smashed his fist into the Demon’s face. The blow connected against Andras’ jaw with the weight of a warhammer. The demon staggered, his head snapping to one side."
    "Greyhide did not give him space. He yanked the sword from his hands and snapped it in one, titanic strain with his clenched fists. He cast aside the broken pieces, rushing forward. His fist connected with his chin a second time, causing Andras to take a step back to steady himself. "

    hide andras with dissolve

    scene cg964 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Greyhide tackled Andras to the ground, nearly goring him in the process with his horns as he headbutted the demon as hard as he could. The couple heard the loud crack of the demon’s head as it hit the stone floor with earth-shaking force."

    scene cg970 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg970
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg970
    pause 3

    "Andras raised his hands to ward him off, but the raging Minotaur would not be dissuaded. Greyhide rained blows down on Andras, his fists rising and falling in a reckless repetition, all subtlety and restraint gone from his face."

    al "G-Greyhide!"

    "He either didn't hear her, or he didn’t listen. His brutal assault continued unabated."

    show rowan necklace angry behind black

    ro "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "It was only after several seconds of frenzied aggression that Greyhide slowed his assault, turning his head sharply to glare at the two of them. For a brief moment, they could not see the man beneath the beast."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind black

    ro "You’ve done... enough."

    "He met their gazes. The longer he looked at them, the more his anger drained away, and he became himself again."
    "Greyhide glanced away, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand as he picked himself up off the ground. Rowan and Alexia hurried over."
    "He looked drained now, having spent himself in the frenzy. The bull stood up off Andras, his legs shaking with the effort."
    "Beneath him, Andras wasn’t moving."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind black

    al "Is he…?"

    #courtyard BG
    scene black with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at midright with dissolve
    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    an "{i}HA{/i}!"

    "As if waiting for his cue, the demon sprang up."

    an "Yes! Now {i}that’s{/i} more like it! Haha!"

    "He spat a wad of blood onto the ground next to him, rubbing blithely at his chin."

    an "Good swing, old man!"

    "Greyhide looked horrified. He stepped forward, extending his hands out towards the man he had been so enthusiastically beating upon mere moments before."

    gh "I… I am so-"

    show andras angry at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Don’t you {i}dare{/i} try to apologize to me, fool."

    "The demon, still chuckling, picked himself up off the ground. He was black and blue, his face a tattered mess of cuts and bruises."
    "Greyhide had {i}literally{/i} dented his face. But already his hellish constitution was regenerating itself, the wounds fading from his visage even as he spoke."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Who would have thought a silly little comment like {i}that{/i} would have been what it took to finally wake you up?"
    an "You always were slow on the uptake."

    "He reached out and took hold of Greyhide’s shoulder. Andras patted him on the back as if he were encouraging a trusted friend."

    an "I’m glad we finally understand each other."
    gh "I..."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Shut up. Listen closely to me now, because this is the first and last time I will ever say this."
    an "I have no use for weaklings, still less for those who {i}pretend{/i}. You are who you are. Embrace it."

    "Andras cast a teasing smirk in the couple’s direction. He winked at them."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    an "You owe me work, starting now. I expect to see twice the normal output by the end of next week, or your head’s back on the chopping block."
    gh "Y-yes, Lord Andras…"

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "No more excuses, no more distractions. You bring me my weapons, or you face the consequences."
    an "Do I make myself clear?"
    gh "Yes, Lord Andras."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Good, then get back to work. You owe me a new sword."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "The couple stared at Andras’ retreating form as he left the courtyard. Greyhide, exhausted, sank to the ground. They rushed over to him."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Greyhide!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Are you all right?"

    gh "Hmh… I should not have done that."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "His deadpan delivery elicited startled laughter from the both of them. Soon, Greyhide joined in, a deep chuckle that rumbled in his chest. Rowan put a hand to his shoulder."

    ro "I think it’s high time the three of us had a talk."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. For the danger I put you both in."
    gh "I would... understand if you hate me."

    ro "Why would we be mad at you? It was the Twins who caused this. We wouldn’t even be in this mess if Jezera hadn’t intervened."

    gh "The Twins do what they will. We are at their mercy. But I have no excuse."
    gh "I have... grown close to you. To both of you. But I have betrayed that trust, come between mates."
    gh "In my tribe, such an affront would warrant a fight to the death."

    "Greyhide got down on one knee in front of them, bowing his head."

    gh "I am sorry. I will not fight you if either of you choose to take vengeance."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Oh for goodness sake, Greyhide. Get up."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "She’s right. I’d rather not have to look down on you while we talk."

    al "That drug… we were {i}all{/i} affected. You don’t have any special reason to apologize to us."

    ro "Hard to heap hate on you in particular when we gave in just as readily."

    gh "The drugs were… not the only cause."
    gh "I have... feelings for you. For both of you. The feelings one has for a mate."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Hm…"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "I-I gathered as much."

    gh "I have never felt this before about… two at once. Much less with {i}humans{/i}."
    gh "But this changes nothing. I know what I have done. And I refuse to come between you. "

    "Greyhide stared meaningfully at each of them in turn."

    gh "If it is a problem... then I will accept the pain of losing you. My feelings mean less to me than our friendship. "

    "The couple exchanged a look. Alexia’s expression was conflicted, there was a question in her eyes."

    al "What… what do you think, Rowan?"

    menu:
        "I don’t know, I care about him. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia let out a sigh of relief."
            al "As do I."
            al "B-but that doesn’t mean I don’t love you!"
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Nor I you."
            gh "My friends, I am confused."
            gh "You two are mates, but… you desire me as well?"
            ro "...I guess we do."
            gh "What does this mean?"
            "Rowan shared another look with his wife, and she picked up on his intent. The two stepped forward and embraced the surprised Minotaur in a tripartite hug."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "I’m not sure. I guess we’ll just have to figure it out."
            al "The three of us. Together."
            "Greyhide took in a stuttering breath, then let out a low, pained exhale. His large arms encircled them both, crushing them tight against him."
            gh "Thank you, dear friends. For reminding me who I am. Even when I forgot."
            "The Minotaur’s voice grew haggard."
            gh "You… you two are the reason I yet live."
            gh "There are no words… for what you mean to me."
            al "How about… ‘love?’"
            ro "That sounds about right. Come here, you sappy fool."
            "Rowan leaned up and kissed his cheek. Not to be outdone, Alexia did the same on the other side. The bull blushed."
            gh "I… would like to be with you two tonight."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Seconded."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            ro "No complaints here."

        "Let’s just forget this ever happened":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide let out a sigh of relief."
            gh "I would… like that. I would like that very much."
            al "I… I-I think I would too."
            ro "Like you said, Greyhide: our friendship means more than some drug. The best thing we can try to do from here is to move on from what happened."
            gh "It will never happen again, I swear it."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "You don’t even need to say it, Greyhide."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "She’s right, we trust you."
            "The couple, now reconciled, hugged each other. Greyhide beamed, folding his thick arms together as he let out a grunt of approval."
            gh "You two. You are beautiful together."
            gh "You do me a great honour with your kindness. I will not forget this."
            al "You are a good man, Greyhide. That is a hard thing to come by, these days."
            "The bull blushed and bashfully glanced away."
            gh "I will try… to live up to your expectation."
            gh "...Friends?"
            "Alexia and Rowan shared a mutual look. They smiled at one another."
            ro "Friends."
            al "Friends."
            # $ greyhideRelationship = 'platonic'
            return

    jump greyhide_finale_poly_skip_rp

    label greyhide_finale_poly_skip_rp:

    # $ greyhideRelationship = 'poly'

    menu:
        "Rowan takes charge. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump greyhideFinalePolyRowanSex_rp

        "Alexia takes charge. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump greyhideFinalePolyAlexiaSex_rp

        "Greyhide takes charge. (Scene 3)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump greyhideFinalePolyGreyhideSex_rp


    label greyhideFinalePolyRowanSex_rp:

    al "Why don’t we… take this somewhere more comfortable?"
    ro "Yes, lets."

    "The couple seemed to be of one mind on the matter. Each took a hand of the burly Minotaur and led him, laughing to his bedside."

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan couldn’t help but feel Greyhide’s gaze trail across him as he stripped, shedding first his armor, then his clothing in rapid succession."

    ro "...See something you like?"
    gh "There is much to see. You are very handsome, Rowan."

    "The hero of Rosaria smirked as Greyhide pulled his loincloth free, exposing his hard erection to the air. It twitched in response to Rowan’s growing smile."

    ro "...You aren’t so bad yourself there, friend."

    show alexia necklace naked angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "You boys sure now how to make a girl feel like the third wheel."
    ro "Relax, beloved. You’ve still got the best breasts among us."

    "Greyhide flexed his pecs, grinning as the two stared in unabashed arousal at his thick, muscled build."

    gh "Speak for yourself."
    ro "Mmm, on second thought, he’s got a point."

    show alexia necklace naked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "He’s definitely got you beat when it comes to physique."

    "Rowan flexed his arm, marveling for a moment at its strength and consistency as he showed himself off."

    ro "‘Speak for yourself.’"

    "Alexia giggled, and Greyhide chuckled as well. For all their playful ribbing, they really {i}were{/i} all attracted to one another. Their blushing faces and soft, sexual smiles put paid to that."
    "Rowan in particular had a deep hunger in his eye. His gaze kept flicking back and forth between his wife's crotch and Greyhide’s erection. He reached out, brazenly taking both in hand, leading them towards the bed."

    ro "I’ve got an idea."

    al "Dangerous."

    ro "I promise, I think you’ll like it. Both of you."

    #cg1
    scene cg1012 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1012
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1012
    show greyhide neutral behind cg1012
    pause 3

    "Rowan arranged them in a rough triangle around each other, each with the other’s genitals facing one another. Unsurprisingly, Alexia had quickly chosen her spot, with Greyhide and his notoriously long tongue at her crotch."

    ro "Spoilsport."
    al "You’re just jealous I got there quicker."

    "Settling herself into place, she nuzzled Rowan’s crotch, planting a gentle kiss on his erection. She let out a low, sexual coo as Greyhide began his own work, his tongue slithering forth and trailing along her pussy lips with pleasing slowness."

    al "Besides, now I get to reward you for the plan."

    "Rowan had the more… ‘gargantuan’’ task ahead of him. Greyhide’s thick erection and heavy, hanging balls took up more than just his face. If he were to have any hope of pleasuring the horny bull, he’d have to work for it."
    "He took to the process with adroit eagerness, leaning down to kiss one of the Minotaur’s heavy, hanging balls before sliding his tongue across the skin. Greyhide seemed pleased with the attention, as he soon spread his legs further."
    "He grunted as he felt Alexia’s succulent lips encircle the head of his cock, taking it in her mouth as her hand jerked his shaft. She in turn moaned when Greyhide laid his flat tongue across the length of her pussy and began to lick it like he was sampling a sweet."
    "Greyhide let out a soft groan when Rowan kissed the base of his shaft, using a hand to massage his tip as his thumb ran across the flat top. He was sensitive, overly so, given how easily the precum built at the top."
    "The bull, properly encouraged, slid his tongue deep into Alexia’s folds. He pushed so far forward that his snout met her groin, and it looked for all the world like he was making out with her pussy."
    "Alexia trembled in place, letting out a gasp that briefly cut off the oral contact she had with Rowan’s twitching cock. She soon righted herself, returning to the horny task of stimulating him yet further with hands and lips and swirling tongue."
    "She lathered his cock with her love, giving it a glistening sheen as she took him in her mouth and down her throat, bobbing up and down as her mouth made short work of his most sensitive areas."
    "Her legs spread wide, her hand reaching down to fondle his balls as Greyhide’s efforts grew more spirited."
    "Rowan was not idle. He took the Minotaur’s cock in both hands and began to jerk him vigorously, using his mouth to plant little kisses on every sensitive spot he could find."
    "He even managed to lean up and angle his head around to pleasure the bull’s cockhead with his searching tongue."
    "There was little talking; there was little {i}need{/i} for it. They were expressing their mutual love for one another in a much more direct way."
    "The slight gagging sound of his wife was the first indication that she came. Her back arched, her body went taut, and she let out a muffled cry with her husband’s cock between her lips."
    "Rowan was himself fit to bursting. He drew his hips back, breathlessly indicating Alexia do the same. She laid back, letting out an exhausted sigh."

    gh "Are you all right, little one?"
    al "Y-yeah, I just...  need a minute."
    ro "I can’t wait that long."

    "Rowan reached out, pulling Greyhide towards him. The bull did not seem to understand what he was doing at first, hesitantly planting his hooves on either side of the horny hero as he was guided to do. His furry ass hovered over Rowan’s erection."

    gh "Rowan… what are you-"
    ro "I’m gonna fuck you, Greyhide."
    gh "O-oh!"
    gh "Oh, of course."
    ro "You’re uh… gonna be a bit tight."
    gh "{i}Hrmh…{/i}"

    "The bull, almost as an afterthought, reached over and wiped his hand across the still-cumming Alexia’s groin. Undeterred, he spread the slick substance along the slim crevice of his ass. Now properly lubricated, he sank down on Rowan’s waist."

    #cg2
    scene cg1013 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1013
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1013
    show greyhide neutral behind cg1013
    pause 3

    ro "Oh, {i}fuck{/i}-"

    "Greyhide leaned back, resting his arms on either side of Rowan as he draped himself against his chest. Rowan’s cock slid with painful slowness into the bull’s furry rump, tighter than anything he’d felt before."
    "The Minotaur let out a low grunt but continued his downward thrust. Alexia lazed upon the bed and watched, her eyes alight with interest. She moaned as she watched them, her two males in the midst of tender fucking."
    "Rather than saying anything, she got up off the bed, circling around to face them. Rowan was unable to contain himself any longer, and thrust upwards. Greyhide inhaled sharply, his arms trembling as he held himself aloft."
    "He was tight. {i}Unbelievably{/i} tight. His ass constricted around Rowan’s cock with a vice like grip, yielding only with severe reticence to his intrusion."
    "Greyhide didn’t seem to be in pain though; if anything he was even more aroused. His massive dick strained the air, rock hard as it jutted upwards."
    "Alexia found her place, bending forward at the hips to plant her mouth upon his swaying tip. Greyhide let out a soft gasp at her unexpected appearance. Smiling, she took him in hand and jerked at his manhood, still wet from the saliva of her husband."

    gh "{i}Unnnh{/i}-"

    "The bull bounced upon Rowan’s lap, his heavy weight always teasingly coming to rest against his hips before drawing upwards again. Just a little extra weight and he could crush Rowan’s pelvis, but he was remarkably restrained."
    "Rowan’s hands found purchase on his large hips, guiding him up and down, up and down in long strokes as Alexia gave Greyhide a spirited blowjob. Rowan was, for all intents and purposes, trapped beneath the bull’s weight… and loving every minute of it."
    "Alexia’s hands were a blur as they jerked him hard, sliding up and down the full length of his manhood while she passionately made out with his cock tip. After a long stretch of oral loving, she kissed the tip and pulled back."

    al "{i}Mwah{/i}!"

    al "Goddess fend, I never thought I’d get to see you two like this."

    "Her hands trailed across his chest, running through his fur and caressing his face. He turned to look at her and she took the opportunity to lean up and kiss his snout."

    gh "{i}Rrrh{/i}- L-little one..."

    al "Shhh… keep going, I want to see how it ends."

    "She stroked his cheek a moment, then bent down once more to suckle at his cock. Her hands strayed downwards, cupping one of his hanging orbs, running her fingernails across them and only adding to his sensitivity."
    "Rowan couldn’t hold it any longer. He felt the bull’s weight above him with a relentless, bouncing beat. Each time he sank deep into Greyhide’s ass, he felt his cock twitch and swell, building to a budding orgasm."

    #cg2 - cum var
    show cg1014 with sshake
    pause 2
    scene cg1015 with flash
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1015
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1015
    show greyhide neutral behind cg1015
    pause 3

    "Rowan thrust and humped and erupted within the Minotaur’s ass. He felt building pillar of pleasure as Greyhide thrust downwards and held, keeping him deep within. They grinded against one another, his load firing forth in unhindered spurts deep within him."

    ro "{i}Hnnngh{/i}!"

    "Then greyhide came. His breath pumped heavily in his chest as his body tensed up. His balls clenched and his arms strained. Alexia felt him through her fingers, his mammoth cock bulging as it swelled, rose, then burst like a dam."
    "He thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times in her hands, then erupted, spurting forth a monstrous stream of seed that sprayed into the air and splattered across Alexia’s face and chest, as well as his own."
    "That was only the first titanic burst, however. Soon a second stream of Greyhide’s cum shot upwards, coating his groin and chest. He was a mess, made doubly so by the anal stimulation."

    "Alexia - herself so aroused that she’d been fingering herself - came last, a final feminine elucidation of their lust as she reveled in the scent and smell of masculine ejaculate all around."
    "Rowan collapsed upon the bed, followed soon after by an equally-spent Greyhide. He remained inside the bull, chuckling at the feel of his slim tail tickling his stomach."
    "Alexia crawled into Greyhide’s arms, allowing the three of them to spoon together on the oversized bed."

    gh "That was…"
    gh "I have never felt like that before."

    "Rowan let out a breathless chuckle, putting a hand to his forehead to wipe away the sweat he found there."

    ro "You and me both."
    al "That was… {i}amazing{/i} to watch."
    ro "I can’t feel my legs."
    al "You two make a cute couple."
    ro "-And you don’t?"
    gh "You are plenty ‘cute,’ little one."
    al "Maybe, but that was something else."

    "They laid together for a moment, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with one another. Rowan wrapped his arms around Greyhide, who cradled Alexia in his arms in turn."
    "They lay like that, panting and gasping in tune to one another for some time after that. They were exhausted, drained in body and spirit from all that had happened that day."
    "But… they were together. They had all admitted their feelings, and they were resolved to one other. That alone had made the whole ordeal worth it."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

    "After they’d cleaned up, the couple dozed on Greyhide’s bed. The bull - careful not to wake either of them - pulled his woolen blanket over them both and let them rest."
    "He walked, a little unsteadily to his work stool, and sat down. Staring at Rowan and Alexia in the warm light of the forge, a soft smile graced his lips."

    gh "Sleep well… my loves."

    return

    label greyhideFinalePolyAlexiaSex_rp:

    al "Why don’t we… take this somewhere more comfortable?"

    ro "Yes, lets."

    "The couple seemed to be of one mind on the matter. Each took a hand of the burly Minotaur and led him, laughing to his bedside."

    ro "So Greyhide, since everything’s out in the open now, I’ve got a question."
    ro "What’s your favorite part of my wife?"

    al "R-{i}Rowan{/i}!"

    "Alexia went beet red, her eyes flicking from Rowan to Greyhide with flustered indignance."

    gh "Her kindness."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Aww."

    ro "Kiss ass."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Keep that up - {i}beloved{/i}, and you’ll never get another chance to kiss it."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Dearest wife, your beauty outshines the world."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Better."

    gh "-Oh! You meant physically."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    gh "I prefer her teats."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "..."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "O-one word out of you Rowan Blackwell, and I {i}swear{/i}-"
    ro "Say Greyhide."
    gh "Yes, Rowan?"
    ro "I get the feeling my wife wants to be in control this evening."
    gh "I think you are right. "
    ro "Shall we indulge her?"

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "That’s it! On the bed, both of you!"

    "Flashing a cocky grin at his wife, Rowan tore off his clothing and strutted over to the bedside. Greyhide apologetically complied as well, shuffling over and taking a seat next to him once he’d removed his loincloth."

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia pulled off her clothing with halting annoyance, doing her best to act annoyed when she was clearly embarrassed beyond belief. She did her best to keep up the tough girl act."

    show alexia necklace naked angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Lie back. Rowan, flip around to the other side."
    ro "Yes, dear."
    al "And no more back talk!"
    ro "I wouldn’t {i}dream{/i} of it."

    "Chuckling, Rowan flipped himself around so that his cock was roughly level with Greyhide’s head, and he in reverse. Their matching erections pointed up like an arch."

    #cg1
    scene cg993 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg993
    show alexia necklace naked angry behind cg993
    show greyhide neutral behind cg993
    pause 3

    "After a moment’s hesitation, Alexia clambered up onto Greyhide’s lap. She could not conceal the full body blush that covered her skin as she straddled him, setting her crotch purposefully on top of his manhood. "

    ro "…Is this your punishment, beloved? Did I go too far?"
    al "Bad husbands have to wait their turn. You can touch yourself in the meantime."
    ro "Now that’s just cruel."

    "Alexia rolled her eyes at Rowan’s teasing smile. She leaned over, taking hold of his erect cock. He let out a low grunt, his breath shortening as she began to jerk him in short bursts."

    al "...Satisfied?"
    ro "No, but now I’m willing to wait my turn."
    gh "You may take your turn first if you really wish it, friend Rowan."
    ro "And risk {i}her{/i} wrath? No thank you. Just enjoy the ride."

    "Her husband was an arse. Alexia was convinced of that. However, she was also {i}agonizingly{/i} wet, and Greyhide’s thick cock settled beneath her like a magnet to her womanhood."
    "Ignoring the amused glint in Rowan’s eye, she began to shift her hips back and forth atop the bull. The teasing repartee soon gave way to tender humping, her glistening lips sliding up and down, up and down the length of the bull’s erection."
    "{i}However{/i} mad he made her, Rowan was still her husband. She might still have been reveling in the novelty of Greyhide’s massive dick, but she was nonetheless attracted to her first love’s as well. "
    "However begrudgingly, she continued to jerk him off, sticking her tongue out at him as payback for his childish antics. Rowan rewarded her by leaning back, displaying the toned athleticism of his form in stark contrast to Greyhide’s thick, muscled body."
    "She reveled in the sensation of control, of straddling two males who were equally infatuated with her. The sensation was empowering… and {i}deeply{/i} arousing. Her hands were clenched around cock, her hips and ass were sliding across it, her own womanhood was tantalizingly close to penetration."
    "Greyhide groaned, his hips shifting forward even as Alexia drew back, adding a pleasing friction to her slow slide across his cock."
    "His hand reached up, kneading the flesh of her ass, urging her ever onwards into longer and deeper strokes across the top of him. His heavy grip was so comforting, his thick digits digging deep into her flesh with the most gentle application of pressure."
    "Their simulated coitus was slow, passionate. As Alexia looked down at her husband she saw the beginnings of a blush to creep across his face. He was staring at her, watching her move up and down, riding the bull as she jerked him off. His eyes lidded."

    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black

    ro "You’re beautiful, beloved."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

    al "{i}Mmmh{/i}! D-don’t forget it."

    "Her fingers curled around his cock, threading down low as she bent her back forward to briefly fondle his balls. Rowan’s back arched, his body tensing from the unexpected contact."
    "As she did so she slid farther back, her hips connecting hard against Greyhide’s stomach. The bull was equally enthralled, his hands sliding up to gently grab her hips and aid in her humping motion."
    "The sensation was electricity, pure pleasure. A teasing thread of implied penetration came at the apex of each hump, as the tip of Greyhide’s cock brushed in brief contact with the clenching hole that slid across it, kissed briefly, then drew forward once more."

    gh "So… soft. Little one, you- {i}hrnh{/i}!"

    "Alexia rolled her hips, her hand moving even faster as it jerked Rowan off with harried speed. She needed him. She needed both of them. The men she’d fallen for, the couple now forged into three."
    "Her humping sped up, building to a crowning crescendo that culminated in her body tensing up, her back arching as she let out a cry of elation. She came, shuddering, trembling atop Greyhide’s grip. It was almost  too much for her."
    "Rowan sat up off the bed, pulling Alexia into his arms as she suffered through the torturous elation elicited by her body’s natural reaction to the men around her. He held her close, her breasts squishing tight to his chest as she cotinued doing what she was doing."

    ro "Get over here, spread those legs."

    "Breathless, rendered helpless by her own desperate need to fuck, she could do little but comply."

    #cg2
    scene cg994 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg994
    show greyhide neutral behind cg994
    pause 3

    "Rowan turned himself around on the bed, facing Greyhide. He pulled Alexia into his lap, angling himself against her insides even as her face fell into Greyhide’s lap."
    "Her lips met the bull’s half-wettened cock at the same moment Rowan’s dick slid smoothly into her quivering quim. A loud {i}squelch{/i} announced the commencement of the second round of their collective lovemaking."

    al "{i}Mmmh{/i}-"

    "She felt the blissful penetration, her legs spreading wide as Rowan humped into her. He slid deep within her with a perfect, pleasing conncetion, their lovemaking only enhanced by the addition of a third party to the mix."
    "That third party was {i}thoroughly{/i} enjoying himself, at Alexia’s mercy. Her hands encircled his thick, bulging cock, her fingers gripping tight to his manhood as she jerked him up and down in long, sure strokes."
    "Encouraged by the gentle {i}moos{/i} and soft grunts of her husband at her flank, Alexia leaned in and kissed Greyhide’s cock. She could taste herself on his hardness, a lingering tang of feminine lust that had splattered itself across him in the throes of her earlier ecstasy."
    "Rowan’s thrusts were slow, deep, methodical. He knew how to pleasure his wife, knew her most intimate responses to the back and forth of their romantic connection. Every time he moved in her, she felt her nerves light up little electric tingles within her tummy."
    "Whatever cheeky conflict they had engaged in prior to the onset of their desperate mating was forgotten, lost in the passion with which one another met in the middle."
    "Her hips pressed tight against his, wiggling back and forth even as he thrust hard against her, using her outstretched leg as leverage."
    "Greyhide put a heavy hand upon Alexia’s head, gently urging her onwards as her kisses and licks grew ever bolder. She fondled his balls, kissed the tip of his dick, gripped him by the base and jerked him in fast, furious strokes."
    "Each action elicited still further grunts from the gentle giant, which only further encouraged her. She suckled at the tip of his cock, rolling her tongue across his slit and delighting in the salty taste of what came out."

    gh "{i}Hrrnh{/i}- L-little one-"

    "She refused to relent, jerking him off with both hands as she licked and kissed and nibbled at his towering meat. Rowan’s thrusts grew shorter as his breath hissed out through gritted teeth."
    "Alexia was no better. Her body was aflame, her every nerve ending {i}screamed{/i} for release. It was like a deep pressure was building in her chest, an echo rebounding back and forth louder and louder until it could no longer be contained within her."
    "Her pussy clenched, her body going rigid as she let out a light squeal of joy. She was no longer in control. Maybe she’d {i}never{/i} been in control. The two males that surrounded her with their warmth were both on the verge of cumming, yet she was the first to let loose."

    al "{i}Aa-aaaaaahhhn{/i}!"

    "Her shameful screech brought a fierce blush to her face, but neither of her lovers seemed to mind. If anything, it only encouraged their rapidly-arriving orgasms."

    gh "{i}Hrmmh{/i}!"

    #cg2 - cum var
    show cg994 with sshake
    show cg994 with sshake
    scene cg995 with flash
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg995
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg995
    show greyhide neutral behind cg995

    "Greyhide - to Alexia’s shock - came first. His breath pumped heavily in his chest as his body tensed up. She felt him through her fingers, his mammoth cock bulging with heat and bull sperm as it swelled, rose, then burst like a dam."
    "He thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times in her hands, then erupted, spurting forth a monstrous stream of seed that sprayed into the air and splattered across Alexia’s face and chest. Rowan was not far behind."

    ro "{i}Aaaah, fuck{/i}-"

    "He thrust and humped and erupted within her, his cock swelling, twitching, then pulsing inside her shuddering womanhood."
    "She felt the warm rush of his seed shoot deep within her, even as his humping continued unabated, ensuring his seed was planted as deeply as could be within his loving wife."
    "That was only the first titanic burst, however. Soon a second stream of Greyhide’s cum shot upwards, coating both him and Alexia in his lust. Rowan pulled out of Alexia, allowing his second load to shoot across her groin and legs, coating her in masculine cum."
    "Alexia collapsed upon the bed, followed soon after by her equally-spent husband. Greyhide, his knees trembling, laid back on the bedside next to them, breathless by the ordeal."

    al "L-let that- be a… {i}lesson{/i} to you!"

    "Alexia’s gasping retort sounded weak and halfhearted, even in her own ear. Rowan bent down kissed her nose, mussing her hair with his hand."

    ro "Beloved, I’ve learned nothing."
    al "Ugh. You’re hopeless."
    ro "That was..."

    show rowan necklace naked behind cg995

    ro "Intense?"
    gh "Words do not describe it."
    gh "It was wonderful."

    "The couple laid together for a moment, enjoying the simple pleasure of being with one another. Eventually, a shaky beckon from Alexia compelled Greyhide to join them, who scooped them up in his arms as the three cuddled together on the bed."
    "They lay like that, panting and gasping in tune to one another for some time after that. They were exhausted, drained in body and spirit from all that had happened that day."
    "But… they were together. They had all admitted their feelings, and they were resolved to one other. That alone had made the whole ordeal worth it."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

    "After they’d cleaned up, the couple dozed on Greyhide’s bed. The bull - careful not to wake either of them - pulled his woolen blanket over them both and let them rest."
    "He walked, a little unsteadily to his work stool, and sat down. Staring at Rowan and Alexia in the warm light of the forge, a soft smile graced his lips."

    gh "Sleep well… my loves."

    return


    label greyhideFinalePolyGreyhideSex_rp:

    al "Why don’t we… take this somewhere more comfortable?"
    ro "Yes, lets."

    "The couple seemed to be of one mind on the matter. Each took a hand of the burly Minotaur and led him, laughing to his bedside."
    "Together the couple divested him of his loincloth, peeling off his clothing even as his hands idly trailed across them both, groping and squeezing with a gentle touch."

    gh "You two are so… soft."
    ro "Funny, cause you’re pretty hard."

    "Alexia giggled, lightly slapping her husband's shoulder in playful rebuke."

    al "{i}Rowan{/i}!"
    ro "Am I wrong?"
    al "Hehe… I guess not."
    al "Goodness, you’re big."
    ro "Now I’m getting jealous."
    al "Oh {i}stop{/i}. You’re big too."

    "A teasing gleam entered Alexia’s eyes as she stripped out of her clothes."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "...For your size."

    "Rowan faked a pained wince as he followed suit."

    show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Ouch. My pride."
    gh "You have a very pretty cock, Rowan."
    ro "See? {i}He{/i} likes it!"
    al "Greyhide’s just trying to get on your good side."
    gh "What is wrong with that?"
    ro "Traitors, the both of you."

    "Their teasing banter soon gave way to pleasured marveling at one another’s nakedness. Here they were, the three of them: together."

    al "Where should we start, husband of mine?"
    ro "I’ve got a few ideas."
    al "Mmm, I bet you do. Why don’t you show me where {i}you two{/i} got started?"
    ro "About the same place you did, I expect."

    "Chuckling, the couple surrounded the bull. Greyhide, for his part, was rendered speechless by their seductive approach. They pushed him back onto the bed."

    #cg1
    scene cg996 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg996
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg996
    show greyhide neutral behind cg996
    pause 3

    "Alexia clambered up next to him, nuzzling his crotch with her nose as she planted a dainty kiss upon his heavy shaft."
    "Rowan chose a spot between Greyhide’s knees, spreading the bull’s legs apart before reaching out to palm his hefty balls."

    gh "{i}Hmmh{/i}!"
    gh "You… y-you do not need to focus on me. I want to make you feel good as well."
    al "Hush now, tonight’s for you."
    ro "That can come later."

    "Together, husband and wife set to the supremely satisfying task of pleasuring the old Minotaur. Their mouths met his skin simultaneously, coming at it from vastly different angles."
    "Alexia attacked the problem from the top, lifting her head to plant a wet kiss upon his flat tip. She leaned into his lap, settling into his groin like she was reclining on a couch."
    "Rowan, meanwhile, focused on his lower nethers, licking along the seam of his testicles before leaning close to passionately kiss the vein at the base of his shaft."
    "Greyhide moaned, settling his hand on the top of Rowan’s head while the other gently trailed down the length of Alexia’s bare back."
    "Feeling adventurous, Rowan leaned in and planted a suckling kiss on one of Greyhide’s bulging testicles. He rolled his tongue across the virile orb, reveling in the salty taste of his sweat on his tongue."
    "Not to be outdone by her husband, Alexia began to worship of his bulging bullcock. She licked up and down his length in long drags of her tongue, coating his dick in a layer of saliva."
    "The Minotaur was rendered helpless by the couple’s equally ardent oral. No sooner had one finished in one spot than the other had moved elsewhere to pleasure the thoroughly overwhelmed bull."
    "At one point, their lips met in the middle, tongues intertwining as lips slid across Greyhide’s cock as easily as they did one another’s mouths. The two traded a long, passionate kiss, before returning to their appointed task with gusto."

    al "{i}Mwah{/i}!"
    al "G-goddess, I never knew this could be so…"
    ro "Erotic?"
    al "Fun!"

    "She wasn’t wrong. If Greyhide wasn’t as large as he was, they might have struggled to share. As it stood, there was plenty of cock to go around for the both of them."
    "Alexia opened her mouth as wide as it could go and did her best to swallow Greyhide’s cock. She wasn’t quite able to get it down her throat, but the spirited effort was more than enough to get Greyhide squirming."
    "Rowan cupped the bull’s balls in both hands, massaging them back and forth as he licked along his length, ensuring not one inch of his throbbing manhood was lacking in attention."
    "Greyhide panted through his nose, his eyes fluttering through sheer sensory overload. The bull let out a heavy snort, then sat up in a rush."

    gh "On the bed. Both of you."

    "The couple shared a shocked look, but quickly complied. Greyhide’s voice had taken on a peculiar, dominant tone. One that would brook no defiance."
    "Alexia, already on the bed, positioned herself on her hands and knees, raising her rump high in the air in preparation for imminent pounding. Greyhide’s open palm {i}spanked{/i} her hard across her asscheek, and she let out a breathless yelp."
    "Rowan took a little too long in getting into position. Greyhide seized him by his narrow hips and hefted him onto the bed, stacking him atop Alexia in a pile of human lust."

    #cg2
    scene cg997 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg997
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg997
    show greyhide neutral behind cg997

    "Greyhide did not even wait for the two to be properly situated before he thrust his painfully hard erection between them. The wet cock slid between their bodies with a pleasing, slippery salience."

    ro "O-oh fuck-"

    "Greyhide’s hips connected heavily against their collective rumps, shoving both humans down onto the bed and nearly toppling them hard on top of one another. His thrust was hard and heavy, a vigorous expression of his masculine might."
    "Alexia’s spine tingled with the hot, almost burning feel of Minotaur’s cock sliding down her lower back. Rowan shivered as he felt the bull’s length drag across his undercarriage, briefly brushing across the length of his cock before drawing back behind him once more."
    "But this was only the beginning. Greyhide let out a deep grunt, and thrust again, effortlessly propelling the couple forward together, simulating to both simultaneously the sheer, rutting strength of their shared bed partner."

    al "{i}Aaah{/i}!"

    "Alexia’s back curled in surprise as something heavy slapped against it. It took her a moment to realize it was Greyhide’s furry nutsack, his latest thrust propelling it hard enough against her to give her the briefest feeling of sexual contact against her soaking womanhood."
    "Rowan struggled to remain static, trapped in place with Alexia beneath him and Greyhide at his flank. The bull did not say anything as he thrust against them, utterly confident in his ability to please both lovers at the same time. Judging from how hard Rowan was… he was succeeding."

    gh "...Rowan."

    "Greyhide’s deep voice rumbled in his chest, sending shivers down the couple’s spines from the vibration. He put a heavy hand upon Rowan’s back, drawing his fingers low, to feel his lower spine and grope his supple ass."

    gh "Put it in her."
    gh "I want to see you with her."

    "The bull drew back his hips, giving room for Rowan to reorient himself at Alexia’s flank. Alexia moaned, using the brief interlude to run a hand across Rowan’s side and slide a pair of naughty fingers deep into her clenching twat."
    "He planted himself on top of her like a dog ready to mount. He slid in effortlessly, his cock reaching deep inside as it belonged. Alexia’s moan turned into a gasp of pleasure, her body shuddering with the contact."
    "For whatever reason, knowing Greyhide was there, waiting behind them made the sex that much more intense. Within moments Rowan was rutting against her, humping with short, sure thrusts into the depths of her womanhood."

    ro "Aaah, A-alexia!"

    al "Rowan! Oh Goddess, {i}Rowan{/i}!"

    "Their voices were on the edge of hearing, quiet whispers to one another like they had in the old days, when their love first blossomed. The bull let out an appreciative grunt, reaching out to caress first Rowan’s hips, then Alexia’s bottom. His lips spread wide into a horny grin."

    gh "Beautiful."

    "The Minotaur took hold of Rowan’s hips and thrust against them, adding his own weight to the frantic lovemaking. Alexia let out a squeal of joy as Rowan inadvertently reached into her deepest spot. Her knees began to tremble."
    "Greyhide’s length ran down the line of Rowan’s asscrack, sliding effortlessly along his back as the bull indulged in a series of short, hard thrusts. Rowan and Alexia were helpless in his grasp, pinned in place and propelled forward by his weight."
    "The bull drew back, and Rowan drew back, and Alexia took in a shuddering breath. Then, Greyhide slammed his hips forward, shoving Rowan deep inside Alexia, who cried out in breathless pleasure. And on and on the process repeated itself."
    "They were one. It was a strange, exhilarating, almost {i}alien{/i} sensation: three lovers, in perfect sync, having sex with one another in the truest meaning of the wording. Equally attracted to each other, each uniquely drawn to the others."

    al "{i}Hah… hah… hah…{/i}"
    al "I can’t- I-I can’t- I can’t {i}breathe{/i}!"
    gh "Calm yourself, little one. We are here."
    ro "{i}Aaah{/i}-"

    "Rowan, responding to Greyhide’s words, wrapped his arms around Alexia, whose gasping breath was on the very verge of orgasm. She settled back against him, leaning flush with his body even as Greyhide continued to thrust."

    al "I-I love you!"
    ro "I love you too."
    gh "{i}Hrmh{/i}. I love you both."

    "Their tawdry exchange was so embarrassing that they all began to laugh, briefly breaking the tempo, before Greyhide righted them back on course, his certain thrusts bringing them back to the passion of the moment. "
    "Alexia came first, setting off a chain reaction that soon spread to her bedpartners. Her trembling orgasm was so intense her eyes rolled for a moment as her jaw slackened. Rowan felt the tightness constrict like a vice, and then he was off."

    #cg2 - cum var
    show cg997 with sshake
    show cg997 with sshake
    scene cg998 with flash
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg998
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg998
    show greyhide neutral behind cg998

    ro "{i}Aaaah, fuck-{/i}"

    "He erupted within her, his cock swelling, twitching, then pulsing inside her shuddering womanhood. Even as he came Greyhide kept thrusting forward, ensuring Rowan’s seed was planted as deeply as it could be within his loving wife."
    "Greyhide came last, his breath pumping heavily in his chest as if he were rising to a gallop. He thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times, then erupted, spurting forth a monstrous stream of seed that lifted into the air and splattered across Rowan’s back."
    "That was only the first titanic burst, however. Soon a second stream shot past Rowan’s shoulder, nearly nicking his cheek as some of it got in Alexia’s hair. Greyhide pulled back, holding himself in his hand as he shot the next load across Rowan and Alexia’s flank and back."
    "Alexia collapsed upon the bed, followed soon after by her equally-spent husband. Greyhide, his knees trembling, slowly lowered himself onto the bed next to them, left breathless by the ordeal."
    "The couple, still coated in (or even still actively leaking) sexual juices, fell into one another’s arms. A shaky beckon from Rowan compelled Greyhide to join them, who scooped them up in his arms as the three cuddled together on the bed."
    "They lay like that, panting and gasping in tune to one another for some time after that. They were exhausted, drained in body and spirit from all that had happened that day."
    "But… they were together. They had all admitted their feelings, and they were resolved to one other. That alone had made the whole ordeal worth it."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

    "After they’d cleaned up, the couple dozed on Greyhide’s bed. The bull - careful not to wake either of them - pulled his woolen blanket over them both and let them rest."
    "He walked, a little unsteadily to his work stool, and sat down. Staring at Rowan and Alexia in the warm light of the forge, a soft smile graced his lips."

    gh "Sleep well… my loves."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_41.rpy
label greyhide_finale_alexia_rp:

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump ghAlexiaFinaleSex_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Alexia in her own room?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False

    "Is Alexia obedient to Jezera or Andras?"
    menu:
        "Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
        "Andras":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "Neither":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        scene bg54 with flash
        show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve
        al "{i}Ah{/i}!"
        "Alexia sat up in a rush, her heart racing as her body thrummed with frantic energy."
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al "Hah… hah..."
        "It took her several seconds to reorient herself once again to the bedroom’s midnight interior. The heavy shadows set her animal mind aflame with the threat of danger."
        "...Another dream. Another nightmare. How many did that make now? Three that evening?"
        "It had been like this for days."
        "Rowan had warned her about the side-effects of the drug Jezera had inflicted on them. Of insomnia and lucid dreams."
        "Their bodies were simply working the toxin out of their systems. But knowing that didn’t change the fact that she was utterly miserable."
        "Every night now she awoke with a confusing bundle of emotions. Guilt and anger and worry and… and…"
        "Her hand reached up to touch her chest, feeling the heavy pumping of her heart. It refused to abate. She didn’t know quite what to call this final feeling, precisely. A queer admixture of fear and longing."
        show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "{i}Damn{/i} it, Greyhide!"
        "She threw off the covers and got out of bed, her mind whirling in dangerous directions."
        "Things just couldn’t go on like this."

    else:
        scene bg7 with flash
        show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve
        al "{i}Ah{/i}!"
        "Alexia sat up in a rush, her heart racing as her body thrummed with frantic energy."
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al "Hah… hah..."
        "It took her several seconds to reorient herself once again to the bedroom’s midnight interior. The heavy shadows set her animal mind aflame with the threat of danger."
        "...Another dream. Another nightmare. How many did that make now? Three that evening?"
        "It had been like this for days."
        "Rowan had warned her about the side-effects of the drug Jezera had inflicted on them. Of insomnia and lucid dreams."
        "Their bodies were simply working the toxin out of their systems. But knowing that didn’t change the fact that she was utterly miserable."
        "Every night now she awoke with a confusing bundle of emotions. Guilt and anger and worry and… and…"
        "Her hand reached up to touch her chest, feeling the heavy pumping of her heart. It refused to abate. She didn’t know quite what to call this final feeling, precisely. A queer admixture of fear and longing."
        show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "{i}Damn{/i} it, Greyhide!"
        "She threw off the covers and got out of bed, her mind spiraling in dangerous directions."
        "Things just couldn’t go on like this."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "She swept down the castle halls with a harried stride, every footstep bringing her closer to her destination. She ignored completely the curious looks she got from the castle staff, all but sprinting to the forge."

    hide alexia with moveoutright

    show bg22 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with moveinleft

    al "Greyhide! {i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "He had been silent for almost a week now, refusing to leave his room for any reason and barring all visitors."
    "This time, she would not take no for an answer. She pounded her fist against the sealed door."

    al "{i}Greyhide{/i}! I know you’re in there!"
    al "...Just let me in! We need to talk!"

    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with moveinright
    show greyhide neutral at midright with moveinright
    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "The door unlatched and slammed open. Alexia jumped back in surprise as a pair of guards marched from the room, a slump-shouldered Greyhide in tow."
    "He was in chains, his hands manacled together and his head bowed. He hobbled forward at the urging of the Orcs, who tugged on his chains to make him go faster."

    al "{i}H-hey{/i}!"
    al "Stop! What’s going on? What are you doing to him?!"

    "Greyhide did not even lift his head at the sound of her voice. His body language that of a beaten dog. He quietly shuffled past as the guards shoved him out of the room."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutleft
    hide greyhide with moveoutleft

    al "What’s the meaning of this? Where are you taking Greyhide? "
    wo "Boss’ orders. Forgemaster won’t work."
    al "What are you talking about?"
    wo "I mean what I says. He won’t work. So Boss tries to talk to ‘em. But Forgemaster won’t say nothin’."
    wo "So Forgemaster gits tossed in a cell."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "{i}What{/i}?!"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "B-but he didn’t do anything wrong!"
    wo "Bring it up wit’ the boss then."
    al "..."

    hide wild orc with moveoutleft

    scene bg8 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    os "Oi, whatchu doin’ here lady? No visitors."

    "Alexia felt a tremor at the base of her spine. She took in a deep breath and spoke in a clear, authorial tone."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Mistress Jezera sent me to speak with the prisoner."

    "The Orc hesitated, his beady eyes glancing from the cell door to the lone woman as if weighing the truth of her alibi. She did her best to maintain a stern expression."

    os "Dis way."

    "At last the Orc relented. He took out his keys and turned the lock, swinging open the heavy oak door to Greyhide’s cell."

    os "Jus… knock if ya need me to open up again, eh?"

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "An eerie silence fell as the door slammed shut behind her. She stared, lips quivering, at the sorry sight of the Minotaur sitting in front of her."

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "...Hey."

    "His eyes did not lift, his flat gaze stared dully into his lap.The Minotaur breathed in, his thick chest filling with air, then exhaled heavily through his nose. Alexia felt her chest tighten."

    al "I..."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She trailed off. She couldn’t find the words to say to him. The silence was deafening."

    menu:
        "I heard you’d stopped working… what were you thinking?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "You know what the Twins are capable of, what kind of risk you’re taking by defying them."
            gh "..."
            al "This isn’t like you."
            gh "..."
            al "Why wont you say anything to me?"
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Are you okay? They haven’t hurt you, have they?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "I swear, the moment Rowan returns, we’ll get you out of here."
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "This is… it’s all just a big misunderstanding. I promise."
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Why wont you say anything to me?"

        "It's not too late, you can still make things right with the Twins.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "..."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                al "Lady Jezera played a terrible prank on you, but that doesn’t mean she won’t listen to reason."
                gh "..."
                al "L-let me talk to her, I’m sure I could get her to… to…"
                gh "..."
            elif alexiaAndrasObedient:
                al "Lord Andras can be- {i}strict{/i} at times, but he’s not heartless."
                gh "..."
                al "If he knew his favorite forgemaster was locked down here, surely he’d-"
                gh "..."
            else:
                al "I know how hard it is to deal with them, Greyhide."
                al "But this isn’t the way, is it?"
                gh "..."
                al "You… you want to see sunlight again, yeah? And the birds?"
                gh "..."
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "I've missed you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "I’ve thought about you a lot."
            gh "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "T-they can’t do this to you. You didn’t do anything wrong."
            gh "..."
            al "Why wont you say anything to me?"

    "The bull flinched at her words. He lifted his head, just slightly. Only slightly."

    gh "No need… to protect me, little one."
    al "Why are you doing this, Greyhide?"
    gh "Tired… tired of hurting others."
    gh "Tired of trying... so hard."
    al "You don’t mean that."
    gh "..."

    menu:
        "I care about you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "No. Not real. It is… not real."
            "Righteous anger rose up in Alexia’s chest."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "You didn’t hurt me, Greyhide. You didn’t cause any of this!"
            al "I {i}chose{/i} to be with you."
            gh "Just... drug."
            "Alexia felt tears build up in the corners of her eyes. She took a purposeful step towards him, her hands balling into fists."
            #alexia crying
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "{i}It would be so much easier if it was just the stupid drug!{/i}"
            al "Don’t you get it? I don’t regret what happened between us, I don’t regret any of it!"
            "She bent down, reaching out to caress his cheek. His lips pulled back in a pained grimace, he turned his face away."
            "She reached out anyway, fingers brushing across the fur of his snout. He flinched, but did not push her away."
            #alexia concerned
            al "Please... don’t give up on me like this."

        "It was just a fling.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "To you."
            "Greyhide shook his head back and forth."
            gh "What of Rowan?"
            #if all_actors["alexia"].relation < 30:
                #show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "My husband would know a thing or two about infidelity."
            #else:
                #al "Rowan isn’t here, Greyhide. I am. "
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "You don’t need to beat yourself up over a bit of harmless fun."
            "The bull’s head drooped. The conversation only seemed to be making him more miserable."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Uncertain how to proceed, Alexia gently patted his shoulder."
            al "Look, this wasn’t anything serious. And it never has to happen again."
            al "You can’t destroy yourself over something you didn’t have any control over."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "...For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the time we spent together."

        "The drug made us do it":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "No."
            gh "No excuse."
            al "It’s not an excuse, Greyhide. It’s the truth. That same feeling overtook me."
            al "I don’t blame you for what’s happened."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "You’re my friend. I trust you. The fact that you feel this guilt at all just proves your good intentions."
            "Greyhide set his jaw and stared at the floor. She saw tears build in the corners of his eyes."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Hey, come on: it’s me."
            "Alexia got down on one knee, placing her hand on top of his own with a reassuring smile."
            al "You don’t have to hide it."

    "Greyhide’s shoulders trembled, his body shuddered at her touch. He turned to look at her, his large eyes meeting hers for the first time."

    gh "I-"

    "The {i}snap{/i} of the lock unlatching behind Alexia brought them both screeching back to reality. The cell door opened wide, slamming against the outside wall from the force of the swing. "

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "L-Lord Andras!"

    "Alexia stood up in a rush, scooting backwards till her back was against the cell wall. She made space between herself and Greyhide, giving way as Andras stalked into the room."
    "The demon planted his hands upon his hips, his eyes shifting back and forth between Alexia and Greyhide for a short moment before he let out a huff of amusement."

    an "I see you outwitted that dunce at the door."

    "Far from being angry at her intrusion, the demon’s lips split wide into a smug, toothy grin. "

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Why am I not surprised to see you here?"

    gh "Don’t…  blame her. I… I made her come-"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Oh, pipe down will you? You’ve played the part of the dreary martyr for long enough."

    "Andras studied Greyhide for a long moment, his lips twisting with contempt at his downturned expression."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    if society_type == 'feudal':
        an "Is this any way to greet your Emperor?"

    else:
        an "Is this any way to greet your master?"

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Stand up and look me in the eyes, like a real man would."

    "Greyhide pulled himself painfully to his feet, rising up in the cramped cell till his horns were brushing against the ceiling. He had to hunch to fit inside, dipping his head low in deference."

    if society_type == 'feudal':
        gh "Emperor Andras."

    else:
        gh "Master Andras."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You’d better have a good explanation for yourself, you old fool."
    gh "..."
    an "I’ve spent the better part of a week at the muster yard listening to sob stories from my men. How all their broken equipment is being left to rust. One idiotic complaint after another."
    an "At first I just chalked it up to you being preoccupied with work. But then I learned that your forge hasn’t been lit in {i}days{/i}."
    gh "..."

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Stop staring at the floor like a drooling imbecile and {i}answer me{/i}."
    gh "I… have no excuse."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Well that's too bad, old man. I’d at least be willing to hear it if you had one."
    an "You are the castle Forgemaster, and we are at war. My men need weapons, and you are expected to provide them."
    an "There is no excuse for failure. None whatsoever."
    an "You have served me well thus far, and I’d hate to lose a tool as useful as you to such a frivolous matter."

    "Andras cast a sidelong glance in Alexia’s direction, smirking at her discomfort."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "What you do and who you do it with in your spare time is no concern of mine… up to and until it affects {i}me{/i}."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Consider this imprisonment your one and only warning. If I can’t count on you to do your duties, then I will find someone who can."

    gh "That would… probably be for the best."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras was just starting to turn away when his head snapped around."

    an "...Excuse me?"
    gh "It would be... best. If you… found a better Forgemaster."

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Alexia had never seen a look like the one that crossed Andras’ face in that brief moment. His expression twisted into something inhuman. Unrecognizable."
    "Greyhide refused to meet his eyes, keeping his gaze trained to the floor. That only seemed to make the demon madder."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "I see... so that’s how it is, then."

    show bg8 with flash

    gh "{i}Hurk!{/i}"

    "Red energy surrounded Greyhide. A circle of profane magic grew above his head as Andras cast his torturous spell. The stoic minotaur fell to one knee, his body shuddering from the sudden onrush of pain."

    an "So be it. Seeing as you no longer serve a purpose, I suppose there’s no use in keeping you around."

    al "{i}Greyhide!{/i}"

    "Andras released his concentration, allowing the spell to dissipate. The minotaur let out a gasp of air. Without missing a beat Andras’ fists clenched and the magic returned, stronger than before. It engulfed Greyhide in blinding agony."
    "The bull let out a roar of pain, falling onto his hands and knees. His manacles jingled as he shuddered from the force of the magic assault."

    al "Stop! Stop it!"
    al "Please, don’t hurt him!"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Andras didn’t answer. He merely clenched his brow and redoubled his efforts."
    "Another pulse, this time for nearly five full seconds. Greyhide let out a bellow of pain. He writhed on the ground in agony as the red circle of energy roiled and contorted about him."

    gh "{i}HRRRRRAAAGH!{/i}"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Stop! Stop it! You’re killing him!{/i}"

    "Andras unclenched his hands, and the magic dissipated. Greyhide collapsed onto the ground and lay still. His body twitched, his muscles spasming as he whimpered. The only indication he yet lived was the uneven rise and fall of his breath."
    "Andras turned with slow deliberateness to face Alexia, his face a dark stormcloud."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You and your cow lover have a lot to answer for."
    an "I demand that he work, he does nothing for over a week. I ask for answers, and he feeds me useless platitudes."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "He’ll keep working, I know he will!"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Why bother? He’s a lamed bull, useless to me now. Jezera’s little prank revealed just how brittle he is."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "The miserable wretch won’t even struggle to save his own skin. "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Please my Lord, he is just under a lot of stress-"

    "Andras ignored her, nodding to the guard outside."

    an "Bring him out to the courtyard and put him out of his misery."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}No!{/i}"

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Against her own instincts Alexia took a strong step towards the demon. Amused at her audacity, Andras’ lips twisted into a grin."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    an "...Come again?"

    al "H-he’ll make you your weapons, I know he will. Please my Lord: give him another chance."

    an "Why should I?"

    "Alexia swallowed, bowing her head and staring at her toes. She had nothing to offer, and she knew it."

    menu:
        "I’ll do whatever it takes to help him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            an "How touching. You must really care about this moldy slice of beef."
            al "H-he’s my friend."
            an "That’s not how my dear sister tells it."
            "She did not dare to lift her gaze in that moment to meet his mocking smile. She heard him let out a self-satisfied laugh."

        "I’ll do... {i}anything{/i} you ask of me, Lord Andras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Andras smirked. He stepped forward and took her chin in hand, lifting it up to look at him."
            an "Anything, hm?"
            an "Careful, dear. I might just make you forget why you came here in the first place."
            "He let the tension simmer in the air for a long moment before letting go of her and stepping back. He let out a self-satisfied laugh."

        "You at least owe him an opportunity to prove himself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            an "I owe him nothing. He owes {i}me{/i} weapons."
            "Alexia lifted her chin and stared defiantly back at him."
            al "You’ll never get them from him if he’s dead."
            "Andras stared her down, his lips flattening. He let out a self-satisfied laugh."

    an "...Very well. I’ll let him off the hook. On {i}one condition{/i}."
    an "You have been his apprentice for some time, have you not?"

    "A thrill of alarm ran up her spine."

    al "I have... helped him in the forge on occasion."

    an "And has your illustrious master taught you anything about the art of smithing?"

    al "A… a bit, I suppose."

    an "Good. Then I’ll make you a deal."

    "He held up a lone finger, wagging it back and forth."

    an "One. One sword, made from his forge, using his tools, using his methods. That’s all I ask in return for his freedom. You can do that for me, can’t you?"
    an "If you can make me just one sword, I’ll forgive his insolence."

    "She didn’t know what cruel game Andras was playing. There was a crafty grin on his face. His eyes were alight with malice."
    "Alexia looked down at Greyhide, at his shuddering form as he struggled to pick himself up off the ground. The tremble at the base of her spine abated."
    "She clenched her fists, set her jaw and looked Andras straight in the eye. She nodded."

    al "One sword."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The forge was heated, the tools laid out. She had prepared everything as Greyhide had instructed."
    "Alexia stood at the anvil, staring blankly at the heavy hunk of iron in her hand. There was a pit in her stomach deep enough to swallow a mountain whole."

    an "Are you watching closely, Greyhide?"

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with moveinright

    "Greyhide stood in anxious silence, his hands manacled together as he shifted back and forth on his hooves. His eyes were wide, his face clenched. He shared a long, frightened look with Alexia."

    gh "You don’t have to… I’ll make the blades, I swear it. Just don’t-"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Shut up and let her get started."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "This is for {i}your{/i} benefit, after all."

    "Nothing for it now. She was committed. Alexia took in a deep breath, steeled herself, and placed the hunk of iron into the forge."

    #story CG 1

    "At the outset the quixotic nature of her endeavor became abundantly clear to everyone."
    "Alexia had never forged so much as a kitchen knife before, much less a sword. All she had to go by was observation and her own will to see this cruel farce through."
    "Everywhere the threat of severe injury lurked, acting as a constant stress upon her mind.  The forge was blisteringly hot, such that Alexia had to squint to even look inside."

    an "Ha! You see that? She took the iron out too early."

    gh "..."

    "Alexia, her cheeks cherry-red from both the heat and the taunting, placed the vaguely orange-red metal back into the forge’s flames. She waited this time till the metal was yellow-white, then pulled it free."

    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Ah!{/i}"

    "Her grip on the metal was a bit too uneven with the tongs as she moved it to the anvil, and the heated hunk of iron slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. She had to almost leap out of the way to avoid catching it on her foot."

    gh "{i}Hnnh{/i}!"

    "Greyhide twitched. He stepped forward to help her, but Andras held an arm out to keep him back. "

    an "Is this all that you’ve been teaching her, old man? Shameful. It's a wonder anything ever gets done in here."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    gh "Let me help her."

    an "No. You chose to do nothing, so nothing is what you’ll do. Blame your apathy for bringing us here."

    gh "..."

    "Greyhide’s eyes were wide like dinner plates. When Alexia met his gaze, he shook his head back and forth, as if urging her to stop."
    "Andras grinned and gestured for her to continue. Alexia set her jaw, and moved to retrieve the fallen metal from the floor."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was so damned heavy and cumbersome. After heating it up again, she set the crooked hunk upon the center of the anvil. She kept a death grip on the hammer, struggling to lift the weight of even one of Greyhide’s smaller tools."
    "She tried to replicate the smooth form of the forge’s true master, lifting and lowering her hammer in the slow, methodical fashion she’d seen Greyhide do countless times before."
    "It was clumsy and inefficient. She struck the heated metal off-center, and sometimes missed it entirely. Sparks flew upwards in a haphazard stream."

    an "A fine blade for a cripple! With how many kinks she’s added to it, you’re more likely to kill a man with a tablespoon."
    an "I suppose she’d know a thing or two about ‘kinks’ though, hm?"

    gh "{i}Hrrmh{/i}…"

    an "Look: she’s not even scraping off the scale! Now that’s how you get a pitted sword."
    an "What {i}were{/i} the two of you doing down in the forge all this time? Fucking?"

    "Andras’ words were too pointed, {i}too{/i} goading. His mocking laughter came with an almost theatrical flair."
    "Alexia spared a glance in his direction, realizing his gaze wasn't even focused on her efforts, but on the seething Minotaur standing rigid at his side."

    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "A sudden surge of sparks fountained up at her face, and Alexia jerked back reflexively to avoid them. Her grip loosened, and the hammer clattered out of her hands."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    an "Enough."
    an "This charade has gone on for too long. It's evident she couldn’t forge slag, much less a half-decent sword."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "It was funny at first, but now it’s just gotten pathetic. It seems your teaching methods are as flaccid as your excuses, old man."

    gh "...Hrmh."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You’ve failed to show her anything of substance, aside from your cock. You're no warrior, and you're certainly no teacher."
    an "Are you really this worthless? Is there nothing you can give this woman?"

    "Greyhide was shaking. Alexia had never seen his face in such a state with furrowed brow and grimacing expression. A dark, malicious grin grew on Andras’ face."

    an "Death would be preferable to having a mate like you."

    show bg22 with sshake

    gh "{i}RAAAAAAAAAAAAH!{/i}"

    "The roar of an enraged beast pierced the soot-filled air. Whatever further taunt Andras had been about to say was drowned out entirely. The furious bull flexed, clenching his hands as he strained against his manacles."
    "{i}Snap{/i}. The chain links broke apart like brittle sticks. Freed from his bonds, Greyhide lowered his head and charged the Demon."

    #story CG 2

    scene cg955 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Andras did not even have time to raise his hands before the bull reached him. Greyhide cranked his arm back and smashed his fist into the Demon’s face."
    "The blow connected against Andras’ jaw with the weight of a warhammer. Andras staggered, his head snapping to one side."
    "Greyhide did not give him space to recover, his fist connecting with his chin a second time and causing Andras to take a step back to steady himself."

    scene cg956 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Greyhide tackled Andras to the ground, nearly goring him in the process with his horns. Planting himself atop him, he headbutted the demon as hard as he could into the ground."

    hide andras with dissolve

    "Alexia heard the loud {i}crack{/i} of Andras’ head as it hit the stone floor with earth-shaking force. She watched, flabbergasted as Greyhide assaulted the demon with the full might of his rage."

    scene cg957 with fade
    show alexia forge shocked behind cg957
    pause 3

    "Andras raised his hands to ward him off, but the raging Minotaur would not be dissuaded. Greyhide rained blows down on Andras, his fists rising and falling in a reckless repetition, all restraint disappeared from his face."

    al "Greyhide!"

    "He either didn't hear her, or didn’t listen. His brutal assault continued unabated. There was a crazed look in his eye. A look of madness."

    #behind CG
    show alexia forge angry behind cg957

    al "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "It was only after several seconds of frenzied aggression that Greyhide slowed his assault, turning his head sharply to glare at Alexia. For a brief moment, she could not see the man beneath the beast."

    #behind CG
    show alexia forge concerned behind cg957

    "He met her eyes. The longer they looked at each other, the more his anger drained away, and he became himself again. Greyhide looked away from her, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand."
    "He looked drained now, having spent himself in the frenzy. The bull stood up off Andras, his legs shaking with the effort. Beneath him, Andras wasn’t moving."
    "There was a long silence. All that could be heard in the room was the crackling of the coals."

    al "W-what have you-"
    al "Is he…?"

    scene bg22 with fade
    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    an "{i}HA!{/i}"

    "As if waiting for his cue, the demon sprang up."

    an "Haha, yes! Now {i}that’s{/i} more like it!"

    "Andras spat a wad of blood onto the ground next to him, rubbing blithely at his chin."

    an "Good swing, old man!"

    show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide, for his part, looked horrified. He stepped forward, extending his hands out towards the man he had been so hatefully beating upon mere moments before."

    gh "I… Lord Andras, I am so-"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Don’t you {i}dare{/i} try to apologize to me, fool."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The demon, still chuckling, picked himself up off the ground. Dark bruises and cuts checkerboarded his skin; Greyhide had {i}literally{/i} dented his face."
    "Andras paid the injuries no mind. Already his hellish constitution was regenerating itself, the wounds fading even as he spoke."

    an "Who would have thought a silly little comment like {i}that{/i} would have been what it took to finally wake you up? "
    an "You always were slow on the uptake, beast."

    "He reached out and took hold of Greyhide’s shoulder. Andras patted him on the back as if he were encouraging a trusted friend."

    an "I’m glad we finally understand each other."

    gh "I..."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Shut up. Listen closely now, because this is the first and last time I will ever say this."
    an "I have no use for weaklings, still less for those who {i}pretend{/i}. You are who you are. Embrace it."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras cast a teasing smirk in Alexia’s direction. He winked at her."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You owe me work, starting now. I expect to see twice the normal output by the end of next week, or your head’s back on the chopping block."

    gh "Y-yes, Lord Andras…"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "No more excuses, no more distractions. You bring me my weapons, or you face the consequences."
    an "Do I make myself clear?"

    gh "Yes, Lord Andras."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Good. Find something to cut the Forgemaster’s manacles, and then get to work."

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Alexia stared at Andras’ retreating form as he strode from the forge, whistling to himself."
    "Her attention was drawn sharply back to the exhausted blacksmith as he sank to the floor. Alexia rushed over to him."

    al "Are you okay?"

    gh "Hmh… I should not have done that."

    "Alexia choked out a laugh through her tears. She embraced him."

    al " We should... talk. The three of us."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "So… that’s the situation."

    ro "He wanted {i}you{/i} to forge the sword?"

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Andras always did have a sick sense of ‘justice.’"

    gh "I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. For the danger I put you both in. "
    gh "I would... understand if you hate me."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "I don’t hate you, Greyhide. The Twins have been meddling with us since the day we met."
    ro "First Jezera, and now Andras… I don’t quite know what to make of it all."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "There’s nothing to make of it. Andras used me to hurt Greyhide."

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "I’m - uh… not sure that’s the whole story."

    gh "The Twins do what they will. We are at their mercy. But I have no excuse."
    gh "I have... grown close to you. To both of you. But I have betrayed that trust, come between mates."
    gh "In my tribe, such an affront would warrant a fight to the death."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Y-you don’t have to go {i}that{/i} far, Greyhide."

    gh "My apologies, little one. But that is not your decision to make."

    "Greyhide got down on one knee in front of Rowan, bowing his head to him."

    gh "I am sorry, my friend. I have trampled upon your dignity."
    gh "I will not fight you if you choose to take vengeance."

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Stand up, Greyhide. I’d rather not have to look down on you while we talk."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "I’ve felt the effects of Jezera’s drug firsthand. While I can’t say I was exactly thrilled to learn what you two have been up to, I can’t really blame you, given the circumstances."

    "Greyhide glanced in Alexia’s direction. He let out a grunt of discomfort."

    gh "I have a further confession to make."
    gh "The drugs were… not the only cause."
    gh "I have... feelings for Alexia. The feelings one has for a mate."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Ah, I - uh… I see."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Greyhide..."

    gh "This changes nothing. I know what I have done, and I refuse to come between you."

    "Greyhide turned and stared meaningfully into Alexia’s eyes."

    gh "If it is a problem... then I will accept the pain of losing you. My feelings mean less to me than our friendship. "

    "Alexia felt Rowan’s gaze turn to her. She couldn’t look him in the eye. Her throat grew thick."

    ro "So… what do you think?"

    al "I-I love you, Rowan. We are husband and wife and that will never-"

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Stop. You know that’s not what I’m asking."

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "What do you think about Greyhide’s confession?"

    menu:
        "I… feel something for him, too. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan stared at them both thoughtfully for a moment, then shrugged."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "It’s not like I didn’t already know."
            al "Rowan, I-"
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "You have my blessing."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
            al "Huh?"
            ro "I can’t say I get what’s going on between you two, or even what I’m supposed to {i}feel{/i} about it exactly, but…"
            ro "I know what it feels like to be willing to sacrifice everything for someone you love."
            ro "If this is what you two truly want, then I suppose I’m okay with it."
            "Alexia’s heart leapt at the sight of Rowan’s reassuring smile."
            al "Are we-?"
            ro "We’re okay, Alexia."
            ro "...We’ll just have to see what this means, for {i}all{/i} of us, moving forward."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "For now, let’s take this one day at a time."
            gh "Th-thank you, friend Rowan."
            "Rowan extended his hand to Greyhide. The Minotaur stared at it for a long moment before taking it. Alexia felt her heart flutter with joy as the two friends shook hands."
            ro "Well, I hate to cut this reunion short, but I still have some paperwork to finish… something about a backlog of iron?"
            "Rowan nudged Greyhide’s elbow, smirking. The embarrassed bull rubbed sheepishly at the back of his neck."
            ro "What say we continue this conversation at dinner tonight, huh? Just the three of us."
            gh "I would like that."
            al "As would I."
            ro "Perfect, see you two then."
            "Rowan gave his wife a knowing wink as he made himself scarce. And just like that, the two lovers were left alone with one another."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            jump ghAlexiaFinaleSex_rp

        "Let’s just forget this ever happened.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide let out a sigh of relief."
            gh "I would… like that. Very much so."
            ro "Barring some kind of trial by combat, I suppose your apology will have to do."
            gh "I-I will submit to whatever judgement you-"
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "Goddess fend Greyhide, I’m {i}joking{/i}."
            ro "I forgive you. Both of you. The best thing we can try to do from here is to move on, as friends."
            gh "You do me a great honour, Rowan. I will not forget this."
            "Greyhide rose to his feet and extended a hand out to Rowan. He smiled and took it."
            gh "And you, little one. You are… okay with still seeing me around the castle?"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia smiled and nodded."
            al "Of course, Greyhide. I trust you."
            "The bull blushed and glanced away, rendered bashful by her shy admittance."
            gh "I will try… to live up to that expectation."
            gh "...Friends?"
            "Alexia and Rowan shared a look. They smiled at one another."
            ro "Friends."
            al "Friends."
            # $ greyhideRelationship = 'platonic'
            return

    label ghAlexiaFinaleSex_rp:

    # Replay mod: Load the background and characters for the skip
    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with moveinright

    gh "Thank you, Alexia. For reminding me who I am. Even when I forgot."

    "The Minotaur’s voice grew haggard as he looked away from her."

    gh "You… you are the reason I yet live."
    gh "There are no words… for what you mean to me. "

    menu:
        "Tears in her eyes, Alexia leapt into Greyhide’s arms.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Overcome with emotion, Alexia’s footsteps quickened to a run."
            "Greyhide let out a startled grunt as she threw herself against him. She wrapped her arms around his thick frame and buried her face into his chest."
            al "Gods, I thought I was going to lose you!"
            "His big arms wrapped tight around her. She heard his deep, comforting voice whisper in her ear."
            gh "I am here, little one."
            "He was, thank all the stars in the sky. Gryhide held her off the ground so effortlessly, it was like she was floating. He engulfed her in his warmth."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "D-don’t you {i}ever{/i} scare me like that again!"
            "Greyhide chuckled, a deep rumble in his chest that vibrated pleasingly through her body. She felt his arms pull her closer."
            gh "For you, I promise."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "“Seems like you’re stuck with me, huh?” She said with a smile.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide’s chuckle rumbled deep in his chest."
            gh "Believe me little one, it is the exact opposite."
            gh "Though, judging from the quality of your work today, you have much left to learn."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia, caught off guard by his teasing tone, began to laugh."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "You ungrateful {i}brute{/i}!"
            "The bull grinned at her, flashing her a rare glimpse of his flat teeth."
            gh "Heh."

        "Seeing his vulnerable look, Alexia opened her arms for a hug.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Hey, come here."
            "The Minotaur hesitated, but eventually shuffled over into her arms. His fur felt warm in her grasp, soft and downy like a soothing blanket."
            gh "I am… unworthy of someone as lovely as you."
            al "Hush. No more of that."
            "He trembled, but her grip was firm, and he eventually settled into her arms."
            gh "I ought to be the one who comforts."
            al "Why? Because I’m small?"
            gh "...Yes."
            "Alexia chuckled, running her hands up and down his back."
            al "Well, tough luck. You’re big, and you could use a hug."

        "Taking his hand, she said “I will always be there for you, Greyhide.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "The bull’s eyes widened. He opened his mouth to say something, but the words would not come. He let out a nervous grunt."
            gh "Hrmh…"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "I mean it."
            gh "I know. I am just... unused to hearing such things."
            "The bull squeezed her hand. It was warm and gentle."
            gh "I… will always be there for you, too."
            "Alexia smiled at Greyhide, and the Minotaur smiled back. A quiet lull fell between them, like the day they'd first met in the woods."

    menu:
        "Lead him to the bed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Part ways… for now.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "I could use a bath."
            "Greyhide chuckled. He rested his large hand on the top of her head, ruffling her hair."
            gh "Go, little one. There has been enough excitement for one day, I think."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "More than enough to last a lifetime."
            "The bull smiled at her, and she smiled back. The two newfound lovers spent a long moment staring at one another, before Alexia blushed and looked away."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            al "I-I should go."
            gh "Be well, Alexia."
            "Alexia paused at the door, casting one last look at the tired blacksmith."
            al "…You too, Greyhide."
            # $ greyhideRelationship = 'alexia'
            return

    "Alexia turned her gaze towards his oversized bed. She nodded towards it, then shot Greyhide a searching look."
    "Greyhide smiled and said nothing. He hefted her tiny frame, cradled her in his arms, and carried her over to it."
    "Greyhide set her gently on the mattress, cautious, as if he thought she was a porcelain doll and was afraid to break her. Alexia giggled at his excessive display."
    "She ran her fingers across his chest, marveling at the feel of his taut muscles beneath the fur. His large hands roamed across her, gently undoing her clothing as she struggled to remove his loincloth."

    #cg1
    scene cg958 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg959 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg960 with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral behind cg960
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg960
    pause 3

    "He was already hard. No amount of leather coverage could conceal that. No sooner had he exposed her breasts to the open air than a sizeable bulge had lifted the paltry fabric like a pillar upwards."
    "Curious, she took an experimental squeeze, and the bull let out a low grunt of pleasure."

    gh "No fair."

    al "Hehe, I wasn’t trying to be."

    gh "{i}Hrmh{/i}… troublesome woman."

    "She laughed at his bashful reticence. She was feeling rather nervous herself, all things considered. Her hands tremored as she at last managed to remove his loincloth, exposing his erect cock."
    "She reached out and touched it, wrapping her fingers tight around its length. She marveled for a moment at its heat, at the pleasant manner in which it throbbed to the beat of the beast’s heart."
    "{i}Her{/i} beast. She smiled to herself, leaning forward to plant a kiss on the tip."

    gh "Mmh… Alexia."

    "His hand went to the back of her head, gently guiding her forward. She let him, lathering the head of his cock with love as she went. Her fingers clenched tight, and she began to stroke."
    "It was slow… sensual, methodical; like Greyhide himself. She took her time, moving up and down his length with her tongue, savoring the taste of his skin. "
    "Every kiss and lick and stroke was carefully timed, perfectly placed to elicit the precise reaction she wanted from him. She covered his cock in her saliva, marking him as hers."
    "The Minotaur’s thick fingers ran through her hair, curling through her red locks with tender affection. Alexia smiled, suckling on his cockhead as she stared up into his eyes."
    "She took him in both hands and leaned forward, planting trailing kisses across the top of his cock as she jerked him. He urged her onwards, his breath issuing forth in sharp retort to her illicit touch."
    "Her touch trailed lower, tickling across the underside of his furry nutsack as she worshipped his masculinity."
    "Alexia’s thighs shifted back and forth, struck with an itch that refused to be scratched. She was wet, {i}desperately{/i} so; her body yearned at the emptiness."

    al "Greyhide…"
    al "I want you inside me."

    "The bull paused, his snout crinkling with concern."

    gh "But… it will not fit."

    "Alexia let out a breathy giggle, her attention refocusing on the dick that so captivated her. Her cheeks burned with her own audaciousness."

    al "Still. I want to try."

    "Greyhide stared at her, his lips curling upwards into a deep smile. There was a hunger in his eyes, the same hunger with which he’d first looked at her at that first, fateful dinner together."
    "The two shared a smouldering look. Alexia’s heartbeat quickened as she felt his turgid cock twitch between her fingers. She sat up, exposing her narrow shoulders and frail form to his large, domineering frame."

    al "...Well? What are you waiting for?"

    "The bull took the playful bait. He let out a snort, rising up over her and planting his hands on either side of her shoulders, overwhelming her with his presence. The bed creaked from his weight."

    #cg2
    scene cg961 with fade
    show greyhide neutral behind cg961
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg961
    pause 3

    gh "Are you certain?"

    "The question was genuine, but it was spoken with the kind of sovereign eroticism that commanded - nay, {i}demanded{/i} - her attention. It was a choice, but the hot breath on her neck ensured that it was no real choice at all."
    "Wordless, she nodded, biting her lip and spreading her legs as he angled himself against her. She shivered as his long length dragged across her stomach, leaving a trail of glistening precum on her skin."
    "His weight was such that he could crush her just from laying down, yet he held himself at bay. All that strength, yet he did not use it. He held himself in check."
    "Sometimes Alexia wondered if she was {i}crazy{/i} to find a Minotaur attractive, to find pleasure in the perversion of such bestial countenance."
    "But not now, not in this moment. At this moment, everything made sense."
    "His massive, flat cockhead pressed against her entrance. She was lubricated, practically drooling down there. Alexia wanted him, she wanted him so {i}bad{/i}. The bull grunted, and leaned his hips into her."
    "Oh… {i}oh{/i}, how slow it was. How delightfully it pushed against her labia, how slowly her lips yielded to the girth now stuffing her insides. He was barely past the tip, but already her hands were filled with bedsheet, clenching tight for dear life."

    al "Aaa-{i}aaah{/i}!"

    "He did not say a thing, her stallion. He merely shifted his hips back, then pushed in again. Deeper this time. The friction of his thick dick sliding into her sent Alexia into conniption fits."
    "It was loud. The wet {i}squelch{/i} of her hungry pussy as she greedily tried to devour his length filled the air with every thrust. He’d barely cleared the head inside before she was twisting and gasping beneath him."
    "People would think her mad. Hell, her own husband must think she was crazy! But when the bull bucked his hips forward, gave her the tantalizing taste of what a {i}real{/i} ride might feel like, such worries disappeared before sheer, aching pleasure."
    "The size… the size was the whole point! {i}Gods{/i} what a rush, what heart-pounding euphoria. It made her whole body blush, it made a song out of her breathless cries as he shifted back and forth, {i}back and forth{/i} again inside her."
    "The bull was as entranced as she, his leathery face scrunching up into a mess of worried wrinkles. His breath came out in heavy bursts, open mouthed and haggard. It was everything he could do to hold himself back."
    "He had wriggled over a quarter of his length inside her, but it was clear he wanted more. Every impulse in his mind had to be {i}screaming{/i} at him to take the plunge, to bury himself into her deepest folds and claim her as his mate."
    "But… he didn’t. Her stallion held his will. He thrust and pushed and withdrew in precise (if trembling) movements. It only reinforced the faith she had in him, and the joyous feeling of their now-consummated union."
    "She trusted him completely, and he rewarded her with toe-curling pleasure."

    al "Aaah! {i}G-Greyhide{/i}!"

    "Greyhide did not answer, he did not dare. Every iota of his concentration was bent upon holding himself back, from denying himself that most “base” of illicit pleasures. All it would take, was one, strong thrust..."
    "She felt the thrumming of his heartbeat through the end of his wettened cock, it hammered with a weight so heavy she felt like he was already cumming inside her. Alexia’s eyes fluttered as she struggled to maintain some semblance of her composure."
    "He thrust again, inches sinking deeper. It was like the whole world was entering her. Alexia opened her mouth to gasp, but the next thrust stole the very breath from her lungs."

    al "{i}Aa-AAAH! Hnnnnngh{/i}!"

    "Liquid electricity tickled up her spine. Her muscles clenched, her back lifting clear off the mattress in a feminine curl. A full-body orgasm swept over her helpless form like thunder rolling over the mountains. "
    "For a brief moment, all she was was white. Her feminine juices squirted out, splashing both the bedsheets and the bull’s groin, nearly a foot away from the clenching culprit’s creaming pussy."

    gh "{i}Hrrmph{/i}!"

    "He growled so deeply that she felt the exhalation through his cock. It thickened inside her, and his hips paused in their movement. Alexia gasped, her eyes fluttering as her chest lifted and lowered in frantic pace."

    al "O-oh G-G-{i}Gods{/i}…!"

    "She covered her face in shame, her cheeks burning red with the sheer taboo of the delightful sensation. She was spitted on the end of him, mere putty in his hands."
    "A large hand gently peeled away her own, exposing her face to him. Greyhide looked into her eyes, cupping her cheek - and the entire side of her face besides - with the palm of his hand."

    gh "Are you… all right, little one?"

    "She gaped at him. He… he really thought she was in {i}pain{/i}! Despite her crowning embarrassment, Alexia choked out a shaky laugh."

    al "H-hurry up, you dummy. I’m {i}way ahead{/i} of you!"

    "The bull smiled and obliged, thrusting into her with sudden force. Her cheeky bravado dissipated in an instant, replaced by a wordless, feminine whine. The wet {i}schlick{/i} of her pussy was the loudest sound of all."
    "Desperate for support, she wrapped her hands around his thick forearm, and leaned her head against his hand. She squeezed her eyes shut as he rode her to completion."
    "Finally, after who-knows-how many orgasms were squelched out of her stretched womanhood, Alexia felt Greyhide’s breathing shorten."
    "His breath grew shallow as his hips began to piston in and out of her. The thrusts grew shorter, but deeper, adding an element of intensity to their final race to the finish."
    "Who knew how much she’d taken of him… clearly not enough, as she had yet to feel his hips against her own. The only point of contact between them was the swelling cock in her nethers."
    "But, judging from Greyhide’s sharp inhale, that was {i}more{/i} than enough."

    gh "Mmrrh, {i}Alexia{/i}!"

    "He snorted, grunted and came. The cumvein bulged within her, and she felt the first line of liquid hot love burst forth in a torrent within."

    #cg2 - cum
    show cg961 with sshake
    show cg961 with sshake
    scene cg962 with flash
    show greyhide neutral behind cg962
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg962
    pause 3

    "A fountain of something hot and creamy spurted inside of her. Alexia gasped, feeling the weight of his seed in a real, tangible manner inside her belly."
    "The bull seemed to recognize the lack of space for his seed, as he immediately began to pull out. Such efforts proved too little, too late, as even before he could pull free spurts of pearlescent cum squeezed past the length of his shaft and squirted out onto the bedsheets."
    "Alexia came hard, her body twitching as the breath stole from her lungs. At last the bull pulled free, dragging his shaft forward across her body as it fired its copious load upon her belly, her breasts and groin."
    "A few particularly energetic ejaculations even managed to reach her face and lips. She coughed and spluttered as she felt the sudden taste of something salty on her tongue."
    "The two lay like that, panting and gasping in tune to one another until the cumming stopped, and then for some time after that. Both were exhausted, drained in body and spirit from all that had happened that day."
    "But… they were together. They had both admitted their feelings, and they had resolved themselves to each other. That alone had made the whole ordeal worth it."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

    "After they’d cleaned up, Alexia dozed on Greyhide’s bed. The bull pulled his woolen blanket over her and let her rest."
    "He walked, a little unsteadily to his work stool, and sat down. Staring at her in the warm light of the forge, a soft smile graced his lips."

    gh "Sleep well, little one."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_41.rpy
label greyhide_finale_rowan_rp:

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump ghRowanFinaleSex_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    scene bg54 with fade

    "Rowan couldn’t sleep. He hadn’t gotten any real sleep in days."
    "The usefulness of his idle thoughts had evaporated hours ago, yet his mind remained abuzz with needless worry."
    "A few stolen hours here and there, a smattering of delirious submersions into unconsciousness, followed by sudden, rushing wakefulness."
    "He wondered if Greyhide was suffering from such aftereffects."
    "Rowan grunted in discomfort at the thought of the Minotaur, turning over on his side and squeezing his eyes shut."
    "Everything was a distraction: distant sounds became a resounding chorus; the pale moonlight drew his wavering eye as it peeked through the window of his room."
    "A signal horn blared from the wall, echoing with maddening volume through his bedroom window. Wordless chatter rose up from far below, voices and grunting, noise without end."
    "And on and on it went."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    #if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
    "Alexia was asleep at his side, her brow clenched in quiet - if not entirely restful - slumber. Rowan could not help but feel envious of how she managed to find any at all."
    "She’d complained of bad dreams of late, but that was better than his predicament."
    "Jezera’s drug had affected them both differently, and insomnia was his ‘gift.’ The toxin slowly working its way out of his system had stolen both his rest and his peace of mind."

    "Rowan grunted and turned over, his mind turning like a rusty crank as he ruminated on all that had happened in the last week. Gods only knew what Greyhide thought of all this."

    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "To hell with it, not like I’m getting any sleep anyway."

    "Rowan threw off the covers and went to find his clothes. He couldn’t stand the silence any longer."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The tired hero hustled down the castle corridors, barely sparing a glance for those he passed. It was late, almost no one was about. He made straight for Greyhide’s forge."
    "{i}A secret meeting. An illicit dalliance{/i}. Rowan shook his head angrily at the taunting voices in his head. His heart hammered heavy in his chest."

    ro "I just need to know that he’s all right."

    "The flimsy excuse fell flat in the empty corridor."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Greyhide! Are you in there?"

    "They hadn’t spoken in nearly a week. Rumors from the castle staff were he was refusing to leave his room for any reason, barring all visitors."
    "Rowan sighed, leaning his head against the door when he got no response. He took a moment to collect himself, then pounded harder on the heavy door with his fist."

    ro "...Come on, Greyhide. It’s me. "

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with moveinright
    show greyhide sad at midright with moveinright
    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "Rowan stepped back from the swinging door in time to see a pair of guards march from the room. To his shock, a chained Greyhide followed in their wake."
    "His hands were manacled together, his head bowed low. He hobbled forward at the urging of the Orcs, who tugged on his chains to make him go faster."

    ro "What in the planes of chaos are you {i}doing{/i}?"

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Unhand the Forgemaster at once! That is a direct order."

    "The two Orcs paused in their march, exchanging uneasy looks. The lead piped up, scratching awkwardly at his cheek."

    os "Uh… can’t, boss. Lord Andras’ ordered dis hisself."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}What{/i}?"

    "Greyhide did not even lift his head at the sound of Rowan’s voice. His shoulders were slumped, his body language that of a beaten dog. He quietly shuffled past as the guards prodded him out of the room."

    hide orc solder with moveoutleft
    hide greyhide with moveoutleft

    ro "Why in the world would Andras arrest his own blacksmith?"

    wo "He sez the Forgemaster won’t work. Won’t talk about it neither. "
    wo "So Forgemaster gits tossed in a cell till he talks."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The Orc shrank back from Rowan’s enraged expression."

    wo "B-boss also sez you ain’t s’posed to-"

    "Rowan spun on his heel and made straight for the dungeon. If he was quick, he could arrive before Greyhide got there."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sat brooding in the darkness of the cell. He’d managed to sneak past the guards and slip in undetected. Now it was all he could do to not pace the room."
    "The sound of a lock unlatching caught his ear. He pressed his back tight against the wall towards the far corner of the cell, shrouded in darkness."

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve

    os "In ‘dere, hurry up."

    gh "..."

    "The bull made no effort to resist, shuffling into the room and allowing the Orc to push him through."
    "The gaoler did not bother to undo his manacles before he slammed the door shut behind him. Greyhide let out a heavy sigh."

    hide orc solider with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "You’re not getting out of a talk with me {i}that{/i} easily."

    "The bull jerked back, his eyes going wide as they swiveled the room. Rowan stepped out from the shadows."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Relax. It's just me."

    gh "..."

    "Greyhide, realizing who it was, visibly deflated."

    gh "Rowan."

    "His looked away, a conflicted expression rising on his face."

    gh "You should... not have come here."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Why? Afraid I might spring you?"

    gh "Do not joke about such things."
    gh "You... need to leave. You are in grave danger."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So what else is new?"

    gh "If... someone finds you here…"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Then I’ll tell them to take it up with the Twins."

    "The bull let out a frustrated snort. He sat down on the floor, leaning his back against the wall."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    gh "That is what I fear."
    gh "You do too much. You always do too much for me."

    menu:
        "Says you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "Yes. Says me. I am nothing. A blacksmith... a beast."
            gh "I do not deserve your help."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Yes, you do. But even if you didn’t, what does it matter?"
            ro "I’m here because I want to be."

        "I do it because I care.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "You should not say such things. It will only hurt us both."
            ro "I’m only telling the truth."
            gh "{i}Hmh{/i}. Just… leave me here."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Not a chance in hell. "

        "Would you rather I did nothing?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "Yes."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You know I’d never leave you behind like this."
            gh "You do not know... the effect you have on people."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            gh "I was… content. I was at peace with- "
            gh "..."
            gh "You are wasting your time on me. There are… others more deserving."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Maybe. That’s for me to decide."

        "You're my friend, of course I want to help.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "Friends do not do what I have done."
            gh "I have ruined everything."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "The fact that I’m here proves you wrong."
            gh "The fact that you are here... only makes things worse."

    "Greyhide sighed, a rough exhalation filled with emotion. He lowered his head and stared at the ground."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What’s going on, Greyhide?"

    gh "..."

    "Rowan moved to take a seat at his side, but the bull jerked in place. He shook his head firmly back and forth. The strain in his voice bordered on panic."

    gh "{i}Please… {/i}"
    gh "Please, do not make this... harder for me."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Threatening me with a good time now, are we?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide did not so much as chuckle. The solemn look on his face caused Rowan to relent. He leaned back against the wall facing the Minotaur."

    ro "...I think I can hazard a guess as to what’s happened."

    gh "{i}Hrmph{/i}. Do not say it."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Andras finally figured out you’ve stopped working the forge, hasn’t he?"

    gh "I have not stopped. I just…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    gh "I have failed him."

    menu:
        "Good. The more the Twins fail, the better.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "You cannot say such things."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "This, coming from the man bound in chains."
            gh "I have nothing left to lose. You... have far too much."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "If you’re so worried about the Twins’ opinion, then why stop working?"

        "He’ll forgive you if you get back to work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "I am not so certain."
            ro "Andras only cares about results. This could easily just be a hiccup, a stumble in production."
            ro "Accidents happen. I can vouch for you."
            gh "This was no ‘accident.’ He... knows that."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "If that’s the case, then why did you stop working?"

        "It’s not Andras who I’m worried about.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "..."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Greyhide come on, {i}talk to me{/i}. I’m your friend."
            gh "That is a mistake. A friend like me will only ever hurt you."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "That’s a patently untrue statement."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            gh "..."
            ro "...Why have you stopped working?"

    gh "You know why."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Indulge my curiosity, then."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    gh "I have... shamed you. Hurt your wife. Betrayed your trust."

    ro "You say it like {i}I{/i} had no say in the matter."

    gh "Not real. Just the drug. Just… instinct."

    menu:
        "Bullshit. What we have is special.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "Rowan-"
            "Rowan shook his head back and forth."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "No. Stop it. You don’t get to let yourself off the hook like that."
            ro "Nothing would have happened if there was nothing there in the first place."
            "Rowan rose to his feet and approached the Minotaur. Greyhide’s shoulders trembled. Rowan bent down, cupping the bull’s cheeks in his hands."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Stop killing yourself over this. Over {i}us{/i}."
            "The gentle stroke of Rowan's finger on his face made the Minotaur grimace. He lifted his large eyes to look at Rowan, his gaze meeting his for the first time."

        "So what if it was? Didn’t we enjoy ourselves?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "At the cost of your mate. At the cost of... harming you."
            ro "Do I look like I’m in pain right now, Greyhide?"
            gh "..."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Not everything has to be as complicated as you make it out to be."
            ro "We had our fun, and I don’t regret it for a second."
            ro "Whatever happens between me and Alexia, that’s for us to work out. You aren’t to blame for {i}my{/i} choices."
            "He lifted his eyes to look at Rowan, his gaze meeting his for the first time."

        "That's exactly why you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            gh "If I do not do it... then who will?"
            ro "Greyhide, {i}we were drugged{/i}. We didn’t even know what was going on."
            gh "No... excuse. I lost control."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "As did I. But if I have to live with that guilt, then so do you."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Besides… the castle would get awfully lonesome without you around."
            "Rowan reached out and put a hand on the Minotaur’s back. Greyhide lifted his eyes to look at Rowan, his gaze meeting his for the first time since he’d entered the cell."

    gh "I-"

    "The {i}snap{/i} of the lock unlatching behind Rowan yanked them both back to reality. The cell door opened wide, slamming against the outside wall from the force of the swing."
    "Rowan stood in a rush, pivoting on his heel to face his demonic opponent. He’d been expecting him to arrive sooner or later."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show andras displeased at edgeleft with moveinleft

    ro "Lord Andras."

    "Andras said nothing for a moment, his eyes shifting back and forth between Rowan and Greyhide. He clutched what looked like a half-melted hunk of metal in his hand."

    an "I was wondering if I’d find you skulking about."
    an "So, my sister wasn’t lying. How bothersome. And now I’m left to clean up her mess."

    gh "Do not…  blame Rowan. I-I made him come here-"

    an "Oh, pipe down will you? You’ve played the part of the sobbing martyr for long enough."
    an "You’d better have a good explanation for yourself, you old fool."

    gh "..."

    an "You are the castle Forgemaster, and we are at war. My men need weapons, and you are expected to provide them."

    "Ignoring Rowan completely, Andras hauled Greyhide to his feet, thrusting the blade beneath his nose for him to inspect."

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Does {i}this{/i} look like a week's worth of work to you?"

    gh "..."

    an "Stop staring at the floor like a drooling imbecile and answer me."

    gh "I… have no excuse."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Well that's too bad, old man. I’d at least be willing to hear it if you had one."

    "Andras tossed the malformed blade at Greyhide’s hooves. It clanged with sharp retort against the stone floor."

    an "There is no excuse for failure, none whatsoever."
    an "I heard about my sister’s antics. I never would have thought something so inconsequential could have brought you to such a pathetic state."
    an "You have served me well thus far, and I’d hate to lose a tool as useful as you to such a frivolous matter."

    "Andras cast a sidelong glance in Rowan’s direction, smirking at his grim expression discomfort."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "What you do and who you do it with in your spare time is no concern of mine… up to and until it affects {i}me{/i}."
    an "Consider this imprisonment your one and only warning: if you can’t fulfill your duties in this castle, then I will find someone who can."

    gh "That would… probably be for the best."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Andras was just starting to turn away when his head snapped around. "

    an "...What did you just say?"

    "Greyhide refused to meet his eyes, keeping his gaze trained to the floor. His subservience only seemed to make him madder."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "I see... so that’s how it is, then."

    #story cg
    show bg8 with flash
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    gh "{i}Hurk{/i}!"

    "Red energy surrounded Greyhide. A circle of profane magic grew above his head as Andras cast his torturous spell. The stoic Minotaur fell to one knee, his body shuddering."

    an "So be it. Seeing as you no longer serve a purpose, I suppose there’s no use in keeping you around."

    ro "{i}Greyhide{/i}!"

    "After a few seconds Andras released his concentration, allowing the spell to dissipate. The Minotaur let out a gasp of air."
    "Without missing a beat Andras’ fists clenched and the magic returned, engulfing Greyhide in blinding agony once more."
    "The bull let out a cry of pain, falling onto his hands and knees. His manacles jingled as he trembled from the force of the magic assault."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Stop! You’ve proved your point!"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Andras did not answer. He merely clenched his brow and redoubled his efforts."

    show bg8 with flash
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Another pulse, this time for nearly five full seconds. Greyhide let out a roar of pain, writhing on the ground in agony as the red circle of energy roiled and contorted about him."

    gh "{i}HRRRRRAAAGH{/i}!"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stepped forward, his hand going to his sword."

    ro "{i}ANDRAS!{/i}"

    "Andras unclenched his hands, and the magic dissipated for good. Greyhide collapsed onto the ground, and lay still."
    "His body twitched, his muscles spasming as he whimpered in pain. The only indication he yet lived was the uneven rise and fall of his breath."
    "Andras turned with slow deliberateness to face Rowan, his face a dark stormcloud."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "A weakling. He’s a spineless weakling."
    an "I tell him to work, he does nothing for over a week. I demand he give me answers, and instead he wallows in his own self pity."
    an "I have given him every chance to redeem himself, but even {i}my{/i} patience has its limits."

    "Rowan steeled himself. Despite his fear for Greyhide’s safety, he knew he couldn’t afford to show it. Not now."
    "There was only one angle he could play here.  Andras needed a different outlet, a distraction that could placate the demon’s childish need to put something in its place."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "My Lord… if I may?"

    "Surprised by Rowan’s deferential tone, Andras glanced in the direction where his servant was pointing. The demon’s brow rose in surprise. He let out an annoyed grunt."

    an "Take it. It’s practically scrap metal."

    "Rowan picked his way past Greyhide’s prostrate body, making a point not to glance in his direction, lest the demon continue his torture. He picked up the discarded blade that was the sum total of the blacksmith’s efforts that week."
    "He turned it about in the dim light, as if inspecting its contours. It was hardly a blade at all: more like a jagged hunk of flint a barbarian might wield."
    "Rowan ran his finger across the uneven edge to test its sharpness. His palms clenched around the ‘hilt’ to feel its uneven grip."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "A fine weapon. I can see why it took so long to forge."

    "Andras stared at Rowan for a long moment, then burst into mocking laughter."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Really, Rowan? {i}That’s{/i} your excuse?"

    "But Rowan had already embraced the performance. He took a few practice swings with the unbalanced blade."

    ro "If only he could make work of this quality every week. We’d never lose a battle."

    an "{i}Hah{/i}! You absolute fool."
    an "Fine. You’re so ready to defend him? Then put that slab of metal to use."
    an "Since this is partially your fault anyways, I’ll make you a deal."

    "Rowan didn’t know what game Andras was playing. There was a suspiciously crafty grin on his face."

    an "If you can prove you can really use that “mighty blade” of yours to kill something of consequence, I’ll give this fool another chance."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...And if I fail?"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You’ll be dead. And I’ll be in need of a new steward to go along with my new blacksmith."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan looked down at Greyhide, at his shuddering form as he struggled to pick himself up off the ground. The Hero of Rosaria clenched his fists, set his jaw and looked Andras straight in the eye."

    ro "Very well. I accept."

    #courtyard BG
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The castle courtyard was cleared of traffic, the gates of Bloodmeen temporarily sealed. A small crowd of Orcs had gathered to watch, but Andras ordered them away."
    "This was a private wager. One intended only for the contestants’ eyes."
    "Across from Rowan stood a large, stone pot. Six feet in height and sealed shut with a heavy lid. It had taken a half dozen Orcs to lug the thing up from the depths of wherever Andras had been hiding it."

    an "Are you watching closely, Greyhide?"

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with moveinright

    "Greyhide stood in anxious silence, his hands manacled together as he shifted back and forth on his hooves. His half-forged sword was clenched tight in Rowan’s hands."

    gh "You don’t have to… I’ll make the blades, I swear it. Just don’t-"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Shut up and let's get started."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "This is for {i}your{/i} benefit, after all."

    ro "So what am I supposed to be facing anyway? An oversized flower pot?"

    an "A Mandragorgon."

    "Andras waved his hands, magic spilling freely from his fingertips and pouring into the pot. There was a rumbling, and then something terrible burst out, slithering from the pot lid like a snake from a rodent burrow."

    #story CG

    "It was hideous, vaguely plantlike yet unnervingly alien in shape. It’s long, centipede-like carapace stretched a dozen feet in height like the trunk of an overthin tree."
    "From its main stem sprouted many waving tentacles of varying thickness and length. Sickly brown in color, like the bark of a diseased tree."
    "Dozens of long, sticky filaments tipped with a dewy substance jutted forth from the tentacles like innumerable fingers on a hand."
    "Perched at the very top of its pungent-odored body was a wide, lipless maw, like that of a flytrap. Long, needle-thin teeth sprouted from its mouth, wiggling back and forth nervously in the air."
    "It had no eyes, but Rowan could feel it {i}looking{/i} at him all the same."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What in Kharos’ flaming hellscape is {i}that{/i}?"

    an "I already told you, fool. A Mandragorgon, from the far elven jungles."
    an "They usually only feast on the giant insects that buzz around the rotting treetops… but thanks to my help, this one will make an exception. Just for you."
    an "Best of luck, hero."

    "The thing wiggled and wobbled back and forth in place, it’s stringy tentacles reaching out towards the hero with disturbing intent. It seemed to… {i}sense{/i} him."
    "Greyhide’s eyes went wide. He shared a long, frightened look with Rowan. The Hero of Rosaria set his jaw, clenched tight the blade in his hand, and charged the creature."
    "He was immediately beset by its writhing limbs. The Mandragorgon’s tentacles were slow, sluggish and sedated, but far too numerous to simply avoid."
    "He dodged the first few, but soon found himself surrounded as it responded like a trap slowly collapsing in on itself."
    "One swing of the warped blade in his hand told him he’d be lucky if it didn’t break off in his grasp, Rowan hacked at one of the tentacle branches that got too close, but recoiled when the blade failed to cut through."

    an "Is this the best steel you can make, old man? Shameful. It's a wonder you ever bothered to pick up a hammer."

    gh "..."

    "The tentacles were coiling in around Rowan. Each sticky filament that found errant purchase on his clothing clung fast and would not let go."
    "He had no hope of freeing himself from the creature’s clutches, to try to fight it one branch at a time was a slow death by inches. He had to take a chance and strike at the body."

    gh "Please stop this. You have... made your point."

    an "No. You still don’t understand."

    "Desperate now to reach the central stalk, Rowan pressed forward. It was getting harder and harder to move. Every step was like climbing up a steep slope, the tendrils were surprisingly strong, sticky and immobile once locked to him."
    "Seeing an opening, he slashed with all his might against the rubbery brown carapace. The blade barely broke the outer layer, slicing only a half inch deep before lodging itself into the trunk."
    "Rowan tugged and strained against the hilt, but could not pull it free. His feet left the ground as he felt the slow drag of the tentacles pulling him upwards. Greyhide’s fists clenched as he strained against his manacles."

    gh "Enough. {i}Enough{/i}! It is my blade that failed, not him."
    gh "Punish me. I have done wrong… but let him go."

    an "No."
    an "This is what happens when you let braver men fight your battles for you."

    "Andras’ words were too pointed, {i}too{/i} goading. His mocking laughter came with an almost theatrical flair. But Rowan couldn’t focus on that, right now. He had to free himself."
    "He kicked and struggled, but the sticky filaments would not let go. He tried to reach for his dagger, but his arms had been rendered immobile."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Damn it!"

    "The plant was pulling him up its length, coiling ever tighter around him with its myriad appendages. If he didn’t free himself soon, he’d be lifted to the top of the tree… up towards its hideous mouth."

    gh "{i}Let me help him.{/i}"

    an "No."

    gh "{i}Hrrmh…{/i}"

    an "What’s wrong? Having second thoughts? Then {i}do{/i} something about it, old man."

    gh "..."

    an "You’re not going to lift a finger. Admit it: you’re too much of a coward."
    an "You’d rather just sit back and watch. You're no Forgemaster, and you're {i}certainly{/i} no man. "

    "Greyhide was shaking. A dark, malicious grin grew on Andras’ face."

    an "Death would be preferable to having a mate like you."

    #courtyard BG
    show black with sshake

    gh "{i}RAAAAAAAAAAAAH!{/i}"

    "Whatever further taunt Andras had been about to fling was drowned out entirely. The furious bull flexed, clenching his hands as he strained against his manacles."
    "{i}Snap{/i}. The chain links broke apart like brittle sticks. Freed from his bonds, Greyhide lowered his head and charged the Demon."

    scene cg963 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Greyhide cranked his arm back and smashed his fist into the Demon’s face. The blow connected against Andras’ jaw with the weight of a warhammer. The demon staggered, his head snapping to one side."
    "Greyhide did not give him space, his fist connecting with his chin a second time and causing Andras to take a step back to steady himself."

    hide andras with dissolve

    scene cg964 with sshake
    pause 3

    "Greyhide tackled Andras to the ground, nearly goring him in the process with his horns as he headbutted the demon as hard as he could into the ground. Rowan heard the loud {i}crack{/i} of the demon’s head as it hit the stone floor with earth-shaking force."

    scene cg965 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg965
    pause 3

    "Andras raised his hands to ward him off, but the raging Minotaur would not be dissuaded. Greyhide rained blows down on Andras, his fists rising and falling in a reckless repetition, all subtlety and restraint gone from his face."

    ro "Greyhide!"

    "He either didn't hear him, or he didn’t listen. His brutal assault continued unabated."

    ro "{i}Greyhide!{/i}"

    "It was only after several seconds of frenzied aggression that Greyhide slowed his assault, turning his head sharply to glare at Rowan. For a brief moment, he could not see the man beneath the beast."

    ro "...A little help?"

    "The crazed look in his eye faded for a moment, then narrowed upon the Mandragorgon. Greyhide let out a snort, then charged it."
    "His efforts to free Rowan turned out to be unnecessary. Whatever fell power Andras had been feeding it dribbled away. All of a sudden, the Mandragorgon went limp."
    "By the time Greyhide’s horns connected with its trunk, the filaments were already coming undone. The thing shuddered, then released him."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "{i}Gah{/i}! Shit!"

    "Greyhide managed to catch him as he fell. The bull set him down gently on the ground, fussing over him like a worried wife."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    gh "Are you... all right?"

    ro "Sticky. But… yes."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Thanks for the rescue."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan cast a worried glance in the direction of the demon lord lying flat on his back. He wasn’t moving."

    ro "...Gods, you really hit him."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "{i}HA!{/i}"

    "As if waiting for his cue, the demon sprang up."

    an "Yes! Now {i}that’s{/i} more like it! Haha!"

    "He spat a wad of blood onto the ground next to him, rubbing blithely at his chin."

    an "Good swing, old man!"

    "Greyhide looked horrified. He set Rowan gently down then rushed over to the demon lord."

    gh "I… Lord Andras, I am so-"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Don’t you {i}dare{/i} try to apologize to me, fool."

    "The demon, still chuckling, picked himself up off the ground. He was black and blue, his face a tattered mess of cuts and bruises."
    "Greyhide had {i}literally{/i} dented his face. But already his hellish constitution was regenerating itself, the wounds fading even as he spoke."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Who would have thought a silly little comment like {i}that{/i} would have been what it took to finally wake you up? "
    an "You always were slow on the uptake."

    "He reached out and took hold of Greyhide’s shoulder."

    an "I’m glad we finally understand each other."

    gh "I..."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Shut up. Listen closely to me now, because this is the first and last time I will ever say this."
    an "I have no use for weaklings, still less for those who {i}pretend{/i}. You are who you are. Embrace it."

    "Andras cast a teasing smirk in Rowan’s direction. He winked at him."

    show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "You owe me work, starting now. I expect to see twice the output by the end of next week, or your head’s going back on the chopping block."

    gh "Y-yes, Lord Andras…"

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "No more excuses, no more distractions. You work, or you die. Do I make myself clear?"

    gh "Yes, Lord Andras."

    show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Good. Steward, find something to cut the Forgemaster’s manacles and get back to work."

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Rowan stared at Andras’ retreating form as he left the courtyard. Greyhide, exhausted, sank to the ground. Rowan glanced back over his shoulder at the placid, swaying form of the Mandragorgon."

    ro "I guess it was harmless, after all."

    gh "Hmh… I should not have done that."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What are you talking about? Seeing you beat Andras into the ground damn near made this all worth it."

    gh "Heh."

    "Greyhide let out a chuckle, a quiet rumble in his chest. Rowan smiled at the pleasant sound. He put his hand on the bull’s shoulder."

    ro "I think it’s high time the three of us had a talk."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "So… that’s what’s happened."

    al "Gods, what a mess."

    gh "I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. For the danger I’ve put you in. "
    gh "You are my friends, and my actions have hurt you both."
    gh "I… would understand if you hate me."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Don’t be ridiculous, Greyhide. You weren’t the one who drugged us."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You also didn’t sic a mutant plant on me for the fun of it."

    gh "The Twins do what they will. We are at their mercy. But I have no excuse."
    gh "I have... grown close to you. To both of you. But I have betrayed that trust, come between mates."
    gh "In my tribe, such an affront would warrant a fight to the death."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I don’t think we need to get {i}that{/i} crazy."

    gh "My apologies, Rowan. But I am not referring to you."

    "Greyhide got down on one knee in front of Alexia, bowing his head to her."

    gh "I am sorry, little one. I never intended any of this."
    gh "I will not fight you if you choose to take vengeance."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Oh for goodness sake, Greyhide. Get up."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "W-while I will admit, I was not happy to learn what’s gone on between you two, this wasn’t malicious, or planned. "
    al "You two were out of your minds on Jezera’s drug. Having felt the effects of it myself, I can’t exactly blame you for giving in."

    "Greyhide glanced in Rowan’s direction. He let out a grunt of discomfort."

    gh "I have a further confession to make."
    gh "What you say may be true. But the drugs were not the only cause."
    gh "I have... feelings for Rowan. The feelings one has for a mate."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Greyhide..."

    gh "This changes nothing. I know what I have done. And I refuse to come between you. "

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide turned and stared meaningfully into Rowan’s eyes."

    gh "If it is a problem... then I will accept the pain of losing you. My feelings mean less to me than our friendship."

    "Rowan felt Alexia’s gaze upon him. A nervous blush rose upon his cheeks."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?"

    ro "Alexia, you’re my wife. You know that I love you-"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "None of that. Tell me the truth, Rowan."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "What do {i}you{/i} want?"

    menu:
        "I don’t know, I care about him. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia let out a long-suffering sigh."
            al "Then I guess I have my answer."
            ro "Alexia…"
            al "It’s okay, Rowan."
            al "I can’t say I fully understand this, or even what I’m supposed to {i}feel{/i} about it, but…"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "I will just have to make the effort to understand."
            gh "What do you mean?"
            al "It’s clear my husband cares about you, Greyhide. And for that matter, I care about you too."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Though, maybe a little less {i}enthusiastically{/i} than he does."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "If this is what you two truly want, then I suppose I’m okay with it."
            ro "Are we-?"
            al "We’ll get through this, Rowan."
            al "What all this means for us… we’ll just have to see. Just take it one day at a time."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You are still my wife."
            al "Of course. The real trick here is figuring out what {i}you two{/i} are."
            gh "I swear, I will never come between you and your husband, little one."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "I know, Greyhide."
            al "I’m... glad you’re the man my husband chose."
            "Alexia opened her arms, beckoning him for a hug. The Minotaur hesitated, then stepped into her grasp. A smile flitted across Rowan’s face as he watched the two friends embrace."
            al "I think maybe…  you two could use some time to talk."
            al "Maybe tonight we could all have dinner together? Just the three of us?"
            ro "I’d love to."
            gh "As would I."
            al "Good. Then… I guess this is goodbye, for now."
            hide alexia with moveoutright
            "Alexia shot her husband a soft smile as she passed. And just like that, the two lovers were left alone with each other."
            jump ghRowanFinaleSex_rp

        "Let’s just forget this ever happened.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Greyhide let out a sigh of relief."
            gh "I would… like that. I would like that very much."
            al "I think I would too."
            al "I don’t know what else to say. I guess... I forgive you?"
            gh "You do me a great honour, Alexia. I will not forget this."
            "Greyhide rose to his feet and extended a hand out to Alexia. After looking at it for a long moment, she took it."
            gh "And you, Rowan. You are… okay with still seeing me around the castle?"
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan reached out and patted the gentle Minotaur on the shoulder."
            ro "You don’t even have to ask that question, my friend."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Really, I wish you’d stop apologizing."
            al "Whatever else you think you are, Greyhide: you’re a good man."
            gh "I will try… to live up to that expectation."
            gh "Friends?"
            "Rowan and Alexia shared a mutual look. They smiled at one another."
            ro "Friends."
            al "Friends."
            # $ greyhideRelationship = 'platonic'
            return

    label ghRowanFinaleSex_rp:

    # Replay mod: Load the background and characters for the skip
    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "Thank you, Rowan. For reminding me who I am. Even when I forgot."

    "The Minotaur’s voice grew haggard as he looked away from him."

    gh "You… you are the reason I yet live. "
    gh "There are no words… for what you mean to me."

    menu:
        "Sensing Greyhide’s melancholy, he cracked a bad joke.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "...No words for it?"
            ro "What about ‘sex,’ ‘dick,’ or ‘balls?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...Maybe ‘orgasm?’ Nah, too formal."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "The tension broke. Greyhide let out a low, rumbling chuckle as he wiped at the corners of his eyes."
            gh "Heh."
            gh "At least you know how to make me smile."
            ro "It’s just a shame we’re both terrible at wordplay."
            gh "I would not say that. Your choices were not far off from the mark."
            "The bull put his arms around him, engulfing him in his body heat."
            gh "I… I am not as well versed in these matters as you are. But you ignite that curiosity in me."
            gh "...I have not felt such desire in a very long time."

        "“You are the world to me.” Rowan whispered.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The shy Minotaur stared at him, his lower lip trembling."
            gh "You… I do not deserve y-"
            "Rowan kissed him, silencing any further self-deprecation. Greyhide sighed and leaned into it, his eyes sliding closed. They stayed like that for a small eternity."
            ro "I’m glad you’re here."
            "Greyhide stroked the side of Rowan’s face with his thick finger. It was soft. Comforting."
            gh "I would not be anywhere else."
            gh "You… are something special, Rowan."
            gh "No matter what others say. You are the most... remarkable thing in this castle."
            gh "Maybe anywhere."
            "Rowan smiled. He leaned in to kiss him again. The bull accepted it, his heavy breath tickling Rowan’s nose with warmth."

        "Rowan’s composure broke, and he threw his arms around him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Don’t you {i}ever{/i} do something stupid like that again, you suicidal bastard."
            "Rowan buried his face in the bull’s chest, feeling the heat of his fur on his face. Greyhide, taken aback, simply stood there for a moment. His hands awkwardly encircled Rowan."
            gh "I did not mean to worry you."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Well you did."
            "The bull let out a sigh, holding the small human close. Rowan’s breathing - for a brief moment - grew uneven and shaky."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You know what Andras is capable of. You could have been killed."
            gh "{i}You{/i} could have been killed, too."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I can handle myself. You are-"
            gh "Bigger than you."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "-And also too kind hearted by half."
            gh "Heh. I could say the same of you."
            "Rowan blinked away something wet from his eyes. He let out a soft laugh."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Well… I guess we’re perfect for each other, then."
            "Their brief quarrel resolved, the two lovers clung to each other for a time, enjoying the feel of one another’s presence."

        "He playfully nudged the Minotaur’s shoulder. “Hey, no tears.”":
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            gh "That is a tall order to ask of me, Rowan."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "It all worked out in the end, didn’t it?"
            gh "Only thanks to you. "
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "The bruises on Andras’ face would beg to differ."
            gh "-As would the Mandragorgon, I suppose."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Hey, I had him right where I wanted him!"
            gh "Heh. Of course you did."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Now you’re gonna make {i}me{/i} cry. My pride as a man is at stake here!"
            "Greyhide chuckled."
            gh "If you say so."

    menu:
        "Lead him to the bed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Part ways… for now.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I could use a bath."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...Maybe several. That Mandragorgon stank to high heavens."
            "Greyhide chuckled. He pulled Rowan into a tight hug and held him there for a long moment."
            gh "There has been enough excitement for one day, I think."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You say that, but at this point I wouldn’t be surprised if Daenara herself showed up riding a dragon."
            "The bull smiled, and he smiled back. The two newfound lovers spent a long moment staring at one another, before Rowan let out a soft sigh."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I don’t want to leave."
            gh "Go. We will see each other again soon."
            "Rowan paused at the door, casting one last look at the tired blacksmith."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "...See you soon, Greyhide."
            # $ greyhideRelationship = 'rowan'
            return

    "Rowan glanced in the direction of Greyhide’s oversized bed. The two shared a look. A soft smile broke out on Rowan’s face."

    ro "...Just like old times, huh?"

    gh "Except this time, I am not drunk."

    ro "Would you rather be?"

    "Greyhide shook his head, planting his hands on Rowan’s shoulders. He was so much bigger, a veritable giant towering over him. The bull leaned in and whispered in his ear."

    gh "No. I would prefer to remember this. Every moment."

    "He hefted Rowan up and into his arms, carrying him over to the bed."

    #cg1
    scene cg966 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg966
    show greyhide neutral behind cg966
    pause 3

    "Rowan fell back onto the covers, his cheeks turning beet red as the Minotaur towered over him. Almost unconsciously, his eyes drifted down towards the bulging strain in his loincloth."

    ro "You planning on showing me your friend?"

    gh "No."

    "Greyhide put his hand’s on Rowan’s hips, his large fingers pulling down his pants and exposing his own erection. It was only once the bull advanced upon him on the bed that he realized what he was doing."

    gh "Not this time. Not yet."

    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black

    ro "O-oh."

    "Greyhide leaned forward, nudging the hero’s erection with his snout. He took in a long, deep sniff, sending warm goosebumps up Rowan’s stomach from the heavy exhale across his skin."

    gh "You are handsome. A wonder."

    "Greyhide puckered his lips and kissed it, his eyes sliding shut as he began to nudge his cock back and forth with his mouth. The stimulation was thrilling and exotic, a peculiar yet erotic sensation that sent Rowan’s heart pumping in his chest."
    "He kissed the tip, his lips easily engulfing the whole head in the motion. Rowan leaned his head back and moaned as he felt the warm, wet passage form an unintentional suction on his cockhead."

    ro "Aaah, {i}damn{/i}."

    "Greyhide chuckled, a deep rumble that resonated inside his mouth, down Rowan’s shaft and vibrated down to his testicles. The bull was unwittingly giving him an astonishing - if supremely unconventional - blowjob."
    "After what felt like an age of agonized teasing, the bull finally engulfed Rowan’s erection with his mouth. In one smooth movement, he had the whole of him in his maw."
    "The feeling was unlike anything he had ever experienced. In the space of one, smooth movement the bull had effortlessly throated the whole of Rowan’s cock. It was engulfed in the bull’s mouth, surrounded by his eager sucking."
    "The bull’s long, thick, tongue ran down the length of his shaft, even curling fast around his balls. Rowan gripped the bedsheets for dear life, his face clenching as Greyhide eagerly massaged his privates from every conceivable angle."

    ro "Ooof- {i}fuck{/i} you’re so good."

    "There was a {i}pop{/i}, and suddenly, Rowan’s twitching cock was exposed to the open air. Compared to the warm, wet home it had found mere moments ago, the breeze felt downright chilly. His dick was covered in Greyhide’s saliva."

    gh "I like your taste."

    ro "I-I can {i}tell{/i}!"

    gh "Heh. Your blush is sweet, I enjoy seeing you like this."

    ro "Don’t stop, Greyhide."

    "The horny Minotaur nodded, leaning forward to lick up the full length of Rowan’s shaft. He groaned in pleasure as the bull returned to his sucking, leaning down to nuzzle his testicles before lathering him once more in bullish love."
    "Rowan’s fingers curled through his mane, running across the stiffness of his horns, through the downy fur of his mane. He could do little but hold on as the bull redoubled his efforts."
    "His fingers clenched tight against the back of Greyhide’s head as the bull caught him in his oral vice once more, milking his cock in short, swift compressions. The pull was so intense, it was as if he was balls deep in another orifice entirely. Someplace… tighter."
    "Greyhide sucked and licked, leaning forward to kiss the base of Rowan’s groin even as his tongue slathered him in a viper’s coil tight around his manhood. The sensation was too much, Rowan practically had to {i}shove{/i} him off his nethers."

    ro "W-wait! {i}Wait{/i}!"

    "He got up, knees shaking, and spun around turning his flank to the randy Minotaur. Greyhide’s eyes trailed across the bare expanse of Rowan’s shapely ass, his eyes filled with animalistic lust."

    ro "I want you to feel good too."

    gh "You are… too good to me."

    ro "Shut up and climb on."

    #cg2
    scene cg967 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg967
    show greyhide neutral behind cg967
    pause 3

    "Greyhide obliged, stripping off his loincloth as Rowan shot him a heated stare. He clambered up onto the bed, draping himself over the smaller human with a pleasing, masculine weight on his back."

    gh "{i}Mmh.{/i}"

    "The bull angled his hips and positioned himself behind Rowan, adopting a dominant angle. Rowan shivered when he felt the bull’s furry groin press against his rear."
    "Greyhide’s painfully erect cock jutted forth beneath him, stretching out farther than his own hardness did. Rowan might have been envious… but in reality, the tingly feeling in his stomach was that of breathless excitement."
    "His thighs were already lubricated by Greyhide’s oral, all it took was for him to press them together, and in an instant he had his cock sandwiched between them. There was a warm, pulsing feeling between his legs, warmer even than the bull’s body atop him."
    "Rowan reveled in the ticklish feel of Greyhide’s mammoth length as trailed across the underside of his balls. He began to thrust, rutting his hips against Rowan’s in a slow, sedated back and forth."
    "Rowan rocked back and forth, reveling in the teasing pace. His own cock twitched and thickened at the stimulation, the illicit feeling of Greyhide’s heartbeat thumping between his legs as he thrust past the airtight split of his well-lubed thighs."
    "Greyhide’s thick biceps wrapped around his lover, crushing him tight against his chest.  He felt the trailing heat of his breath at his neck, at his ear. It was heavy, almost strained."

    gh "{i}Rowan…{/i}"

    "His name, spoken with a kind of hopeless longing, made Rowan’s heart hammer even harder in his chest. It seemed to take everything Greyhide had to hold himself back, but hold himself back he did."
    "Rowan trusted him in a way he had rarely felt with another. All this size, all this might… and yet he was as comfortable as could be, safe in his firm grip and slow thrusts. This wasn’t a beast taking base pleasure from a disposable partner… this was two lovers reveling in one another’s company."
    "As if to underscore that point, Greyhide hand trailed down, running across and gently squeezing Rowan’s hip before reaching below it. He pinched Rowan’s prick between his thumb and forefinger, and - with a gentleness that belied his strength - began to jerk him off."
    "Rowan moaned, caught between the potent sensation of Greyhide’s bulging bullcock sliding wetly between his thighs and the swift, anxious up-and-down of his surprisingly deft fingers on his member. "

    gh "You’re so… soft."
    gh "You make me want more of you."

    ro "Then take it."

    gh "Heh. Another time, maybe. Tonight is for you."

    "Rowan’s knees trembled, his body struggling to stay upright under the twin assault of pleasing sensations."
    "Each time Greyhide drew back his hips, he watched in lurid fascination as the flat tip drew back beyond sight… then {i}thrust{/i} forward in full glory as the sheath bunched between his legs. It was heavenly."
    "The bull grunted, his breath growing shallower as he quickened his jerking motion. His grip was soft but insistent: he {i}wanted{/i} Rowan to cum first. Ever the competitor, Rowan tightened his thighs and sucked in his gut, determined not to lose."

    ro "You’re gonna cum first."

    gh "{i}Hrmph{/i}. Cocky."

    "The tone suddenly shifted: no longer was this a tender lovemaking. Greyhide thrust hard against Rowan’s flank, resting his groin squarely against his ass as the hero struggled to keep his thighs clenched."
    "The Minotaur’s fingers became a blur, jerking Rowan’s precum-soaked dick in swift, sure movements. It was everything he could do to hold himself back from cumming: the lure was too intense."
    "Out of options, Rowan resorted to a dirty trick. Taking care to steady himself, he reached up with one hand and took a firm grip of Greyhide’s dick. He circled his fingers around the tip and began jerking him in kind."
    "Their heavy breathing became a chorus of mannish grunts, punctuated by the occasional moan or groan that led to still further attempts to make the other cum."
    "By the end of their impromptu competition, Greyhide was breathing through his nose, and Rowan had to grit his teeth to bear the burning pleasure rolling through his painfully erect cock."

    gh "{i}Hnnnnh! R-Rowan!{/i}"

    #cg2 - cum var
    show cg968 with sshake
    show cg968 with sshake
    scene cg969 with flash
    pause 3

    "In the end, Rowan won. He felt the building eruption {i}long{/i} before he saw it: a throbbing swell of Greyhide’s meat between his legs that presaged his budding orgasm."
    "The cock grew, bloated, then burst forth like a dam, white streams of pearlescent cow-cum spurting forth in virile streams across the bedsheets beneath him. All the while, Greyhide kept thrusting against him."
    "The bull’s monstrous ejaculation was indiscriminate in its target: hitting Rowan’s chest and stomach on the upthrust and splattering his knees on the pullback. Rowan’s groin was soaked in his sloppy lust."
    "Seeing the potency of his lover, smelling the metallic, salty scent of his sperm, sent Rowan into an orgasm of his own."
    "Greyhide’s insistent fingers proved too much for him, and he felt a tinge in his testicles. The tingling feeling traveled up, up and {i}outward{/i}, his body trembling from the force of the release."
    "While nowhere near as dramatic as Greyhide’s orgasm, he nonetheless added his own color to the now-thoroughly painted bedsheets."
    "He bit his lip, for a moment overwhelmed by the rush of feelings, of elation and joy and release. In the space of a few moments, all the heartache and tension of the day melted away, and the two were left alone in their bliss."
    "Panting, the two collapsed into one another’s arms. They lay together like that, nestled in their collective love upon the bed, soaked in one another’s juices. Both were exhausted, drained in body and spirit from all that had happened that day."
    "But… they were together. They had both admitted their feelings, and they had resolved themselves to each other. That alone had made the whole ordeal worth it."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

    "After they’d cleaned up, Rowan dozed awhile on Greyhide’s bed. The bull pulled his woolen blanket over her and let him rest."
    "He walked, a little unsteadily to his work stool, and sat down. Staring at him in the warm light of the forge, a soft smile graced his lips."

    gh "Sleep well, Rowan."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_18.rpy
label helaynas_day_off_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100

    "Are Rowan and Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:   
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
        "Neither":
            pass
    
    "How is Rowan and Alexia marriage? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            pass
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0

    #Helayna's Day Off
    #Triggers on week 35 as a Ruler Event provided they accepted Helayna’s love confession (Helayna didn't escape)
    #$ halaynas_day_off = True
    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked happy behind bg9
    
    "The sounds emerging from Rowan’s room the night before had surely annoyed those nearby."
    "But then, anyone within earshot of his door had to be used to Helayna’s presence by now– even with her kept out of sight, she was not a quiet roommate. Only one thing was louder than her exclamations of blissful joy at being fucked by Rowan, and that was her lamentations during his frequent absences."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Her volume always made him self-conscious; her happiness made it worth it."
        "That, and the soft warmth of her body melted away all worldly concerns once she got going."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Once, Rowan would have been self-conscious over the volume. Now, he took dark pride in the lustful extremes. They were proof of her love for him, and his ability to properly reward her."

    else:
        "Her volume often made him self-conscious; the way he felt inside her cunt or mouth made him forget those concerns quickly."
        "Knowing how happy he made her– how happy she made him in Bloodmeen’s harrowing halls –was an added bonus."

    "Last night had been particularly loud as they celebrated their deepened connection, over and over again."
    "In the morning, Rowan’s eyes flickered open to the rise of the sun. He noticed an immediate emptiness next to him, the outline of a body marked by a depression in the mattress– and damp bed sheets besides, soaked through with their sweat, her juices and his drained cum."
    "Groaning, he lifted his head. Though hazy from sleep, he could make out Helayna’s shape, already up and about."

    ro "Helayna."

    hel "My love, I had not realized you were were awake."

    hide helayna
    #hel naked concerned
    show helayna naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan blinked away the sleep in his eyes. Helayna was looking at him with a tentative, loving smile. Yet, he couldn’t help but notice that she was standing near the closet, fiddling with the straps of her old breast plate."
    "He would never forget the last time he had seen her wear it, or how she ripped out of it. He had made a point of storing the armour and having Greyhide repair the shredded straps and broken buckles, but had not seriously expected to see Helayna wear it again."

    ro "What are you doing?"

    "He started to push away the tangled bedsheets that only partially covered him."

    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    hel "… Nothing that needs to concern you, though…"

    "The disgraced knight did not struggle to hold eye contact. The moment that the sheets cleared over Rowan’s morning wood, they snapped on to his early glory. Her next breath caught in her throat, and her hold on her breastplate grew tenuous."

    hel "I see… something that concerns me…"

    "Then her fingers lost hold of the breastplate. She started walking back towards him, an unconscious yet sensuous sway to her hips– a grace regained. A full swing from side-to-side, unlike her usual scramble towards him."
    "Rowan started to cover himself up again, which put a pause to Helayna’s procession, her eyes leaping back up to meet his own. Her lips pursed with thin dissatisfaction."

    ro "That can wait, I think. What were you doing?"

    "She averted her eyes. That she managed to even do so once her mind had drifted to sex was a major step up from where she had been even weeks before."
    "It was not a real show of patience, however; her thighs tucked tight, attempting to be subtle in their squeeze."

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    #hel naked concerned
    show helayna naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "You don’t have to be a knight anymore, you realise? Raeve Keep is fallen, and around here, I can protect you. And…"
        "He hesitated to say what they both already knew, not wanting to hurt her."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "Helayna… you’re not a knight anymore. You’re mine. You don’t need to train. You don’t need to fight. You just have to be here, safe and ready for me whenever I return."

    else:
        ro "You’re not a knight anymore, Helayna. Raeve Keep has fallen, and you can never go back to the way things were. You don’t need to try and force it."

    show helayna naked sad at midright with dissolve

    hel "…"

    "The lust didn’t fade from Helayna’s eyes, but there was a decided shift in their cast. A focus, an anger."

    hel "Rowan, what do you think you’re doing here?"

    "Rowan paused before answering, his brows knitting."

    ro "You know why. They took Alexia, and–"

    #hel naked angry
    show helayna naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    hel "–And now you share your bed with me, instead. But I’m not a stand-in for the life you lost. I’m your slut, and gladly so, because I love you. Don’t try and make that into me being your stay at home housewife. "
    hel "There’s more to life than your cock. My life can’t just be… this…"

    "She swallowed visibly, eyes skirting downward again. This time, there was a struggle to hold herself back, and it was a struggle she won."

    ro "Helayna–"

    hel "–If I work at it, I can be myself again. I can be a knight again. Your knight. I can protect you. I can help you get the revenge you deserve"

    "Her hands balled into fists at her sides, quickly white-knuckled and shaking."

    hel "May I live long enough to see that purple bitch on her knees before you, and that red bastard humbled."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Helayna!"
    ro "Don’t talk about that. Not here. The walls have ears."

    #hel naked concerned

    hel "… Tell me again, why you support them."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "The demon’s war will continue even if I leave. They’re surprisingly adept. With a decent person at helm, someone is looking out for the good folk. Without me, can you imagine what they would have done to them by now? How horrible this war would be?"
        ro "You’re too young to remember how awful war can be."

    elif rowanCorrupt <= 60:
        ro "I still ask myself that question constantly. My actions make the demons more powerful, yet the enemies they fight are no innocents either. If I comply, people suffer. If I don’t comply, people suffer."
        ro "I don’t fight for Andras and Jezera’s sake...but at this moment, I have no brighter path worth risking my life to seek."

    else:
        ro "Well why shouldn’t I? So the Baron can lord around in his castle still? So the same old cycle can continue forever? I don’t know. The Twins are probably wrong. Who knows? I’m sorry about all the deaths in the war, but I’m not tearing down anything worth keeping."

    #rejoin
    #if rowan's influence over alexia is still high
    if roAlRel > 50:
        ro "Besides, they still have Alexia. She’s still my wife. You are my love Helayna. You needn’t doubt that for a moment. But, I cannot leave Alexia to them."

    #rejoin

    "She resumed her approach."

    hel "Even after my mind returned, it took me a while to regain the will for… {i}this{/i}. My family has fallen. I have no legacy or peasantry to defend. What would be the point of picking up my axe again?"
    hel "But I was being foolish. There is always hope. I have a cause."

    #hel naked neutral

    "Helayna took another step closer, and without warning she knelt at the foot of the bed, her head bowed over his lap, hands resting on his feet."

    hel "My love… you have the power to make the world a better place. It’s so obvious to me now. You are the most important player in this entire conflict. My eyes are open, and I see things so clearly, now that I’m {b}awake{/b}."
    hel "Only you have the power, position and {i}influence{/i} to bring the demons into line. Whether you guide them… or bend them to your will…"
    hel "You can use them to shape what comes after. To cow the corrupt into penitence. You could abolish the nobility. Bring justice to all. Ensure only the righteous end up in positions of power."

    "Her hands slid up his ankles and calves, stopping shy of his knees, her voice becoming a vehement whisper."

    hel "You could show them {i}all{/i} mercy… you could fix them… or you could put them to the sword."
    hel "… Whatever you choose, I know it will be the right thing to do. I know it will work out."
    hel "So allow me this, my love. Let me become your knight. Let me fight by your side. Let me swear more service to you than what is carnal."

    "The hands grasping his legs clenched tight, desperate."

    ro "Helayna…"

    "Rowan placed a hand on her shoulder, and another on her head, stroking along her hair."
    "How long had she felt this way? How had he not noticed?"

    ro "I can’t tell you how much you help me already just by remaining safe here."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "You give me so much comfort and peace."

    elif rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "You help me forget the worst and remember the best."

    else:
        ro "Fucking you… the way you {i}need{/i} me… I can’t live without you. I can’t risk you, Helayna. I can’t."
        "She made a faint noise beneath him, a whimper."

    hel "I don’t want safety. I want to be useful, and you can have me anywhere you want me, irrespective of these walls."

    "Rowan sighed and glanced at the ceiling."
    "There was no denying that Helayna was a great fighter, or at least that she once was. Her name was known throughout the realms not for being his student, but for her victories in tournaments; jousting, melees, duels."
    "With her at the head of his army…"
    "It would be the most dangerous spot for her to be. Here, kept in his room? Bloodmeen was as deadly as a tornado, but {i}here{/i}, with {i}him{/i}, was its eye."
    "Safe."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He looked back down at Helayna, and began to pull his hand away."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "He almost stopped, wanting to ease the hurt she would feel from his next words, but there was just always so much to do in Bloodmeen."

    ro "We can discuss later. If I don’t get to work now, I won’t have time for you later."

    "Helayna’s head drooped over his lap, and she drew in a longer breath."

    show helayna naked sad at midright with dissolve

    hel "I understand. You have much on your mind, and I already ask… no, I {i}need{/i} so much of you. Just… please. Think it over, my love. For me… for everyone."

    "Rowan put his hand along her jaw and tilted her head up, making her meet his eye. Unshed tears had left her blue eyes watery. For all his fear for her–"
    "He would have to see how much she had lost, and how much she had regained of herself. If she could function in the ring, or if putting the armour on would just be for the sake of ripping it off again."
    "Helayna tilted her head slightly into his hand, her breath deepening with a touch as simple as a stroke along her cheekbone. Her eyes closed, lips parted slightly."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rather than say the words out loud, Rowan urged her higher and bent his head to give his goodbye in the form of a kiss."
        "It was a point in Helayna’s favour that she avoided the temptation to make the kiss more than what it was; a point in his, too, that he resisted her willingness."

    else:
        "The compromised hero stared at her lips for a moment longer than he should have."
        "Petal-pink, soft, welcoming, with the faintest hint of a quiver to her lower lip. He knew all too well that it was not emotion alone that gave her pout its quibble. His thumb led itself to those lips, tracing their shape."
        "They spread reactively, just enough to permit its tip without resistance. In went his thumb, quickly met and welcomed by her affectionate tongue. She invited him deeper tentatively, and when he went, she began suckling and licking."
        "Rowan grimaced. He really did need to get going, but…"
        "She was right there. Knelt before him. Nude. Needful. Head right over his lap. Less than a foot away from his cock, which had not softened for her proximity."
        "He knew he shouldn’t encourage her bad behaviour by indulging it, but with how good it would feel, was it really bad? And he owed her {i}something{/i} for shooting her down on the spot like he had… didn’t he?"

    menu:
        "Let her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ dayOffBJ = True
            "… It wasn’t like it was going to take her long to do what she needed to do. And at the end of the day– or start, as it so happened to be?"
            "Rowan wanted to get his cock sucked. Without a word, he used his empty hand to draw aside the sheets that were doing such a poor job of covering his hardness."
            "Helayna did not open her eyes, but there was a change in the cast of her lustful expression once she heard the fabric shifting. A deeper whimper marked the moment the scent of his bared cock hit her nostrils."
            scene cg2038 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg2038
            show helayna naked aroused behind cg2038
            pause 3
            "He gently slid his thumb from her mouth and settled his hand on the back of her head, a little push guiding her parted lips down to where they wanted to go."
            "Breathy, dark with lust but too full of tender endearment to be depraved, Helayna laughed happily. His cock soon muffled that laugh as her lewd tongue ran laps around its head, by now well-attuned to what he liked most."
            ro "Just… this, Helayna, this is all we’re doing for now… don’t take it slow…"
            hel "Mmm… hmmmm… mmmmmm…"
            "Rowan gave his lover her head, literally. His hand simply held on for the ride as her brisk worship began in earnest. Shallow bobs had him pushing just inside the tightness of her throat."
            "When the pattern broke, it was always for the sake of her kissing him in lurid fashion, lips locked halfway around his engorged crown while her tongue teased over his leaking slit."
            "Her hands stayed right where they had previously, holding on to his legs. But if he was going to get off– if he was doing this for her sake, she deserved a little something too."
            show cg2039 with dissolve
            pause 3
            ro "Finger yourself. Cum with me, Helayna."
            "Coming with him was exactly what she wanted to do, albeit not in this fashion. Helayna did not quibble. Her left hand jaunted off his leg and down her body quickly."
            "Though it was just out of Rowan’s sight courtesy of Helayna’s breasts and posture, he could hear inarguable proof of her obedience– {i}schlick, schlick, schlickschlick{/i}–"
            "Goddess, but how wet could one woman become?"
            show cg2040 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "She never slowed, head tilting, allowing his cock to probe her cheeks and rub along the roof of her mouth. Despite her former station, horniness and adoration suited Helayna’s statuesque face well."
            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "What an amazing slut you’ve become–"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "You’re so beautiful like this, Helayna–"
            "Simple praise hit her body harder than the softest and most sensuous of touches to her clitoris. Helayna whined and hummed around his cock, and the reverberations were finally too much for him to endure."
            show cg2041 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "He pulled her head back and grasped himself on impulse, furiously jerking himself to a shouting finish. Her blue eyes stared up at his face passionately, carnal devotion foremost in her heart and mind."
            "The first rope of his cum lined her face cheek to brow, and it was just the first of many. Her eyes closed quickly to protect themselves from the oncoming storm of sperm, but her mouth opened wide and her tongue stuck out to get what it could."
            show cg2042 with sshake
            show cg2042 with sshake
            show cg2043 with flash
            pause 2
            "From that mouth came a squealing exhalation, her body shuddering from nothing but his words and taste and her own fingers. Through sheer will, she managed to keep herself on her knees and in position for his marking load."
            "Further matching him, Helayna’s body only began to sink from knees to splayed thighs when he wound down. Rowan sighed heavily and slumped, pushing his slut’s head back down to allow her the bliss of tidying up their mess."
            "A few minutes later, Rowan threw aside the soiled handkerchief used to tidy up the other half of their mess and got dressed."
            "Before he could leave, though, Helayna crawled over to her fallen breastplate and looked over at him."

        "Get going.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ dayOffBJ = False
            "The compromised hero stared at her lips for a moment longer than he should have. It was just so {i}tempting{/i}."
            "Setting aside that Helayna had sucked his cock dozens of times in the weeks they had finally been together– what harm was there in just one little blowjob?"
            "Not much, he knew, but he also knew it would be hard to stop if they got going. Her mouth was better saved for an end-of-day reward."
            "Or perhaps he’d find her at lunch time."
            "Or some time before that."
            "Rather than say the words out loud, Rowan urged her higher and bent his head to give his goodbye in the form of a kiss."
            "It was a point in Helayna’s favour that she avoided the temptation to make the kiss more than what it was; a point in his, too, that he resisted her willingness."
            "A few minutes later, he had gotten dressed and was on his way out the door. Before he could cross it, though, Helayna cleared her throat and drew his eye over to her and the fallen breastplate."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan pursed his lips, but helped her into her armour prior to leaving. He had his concerns about allowing her to finally roam the castle. If her lust surged and got the better of her though, the armour would slow things down long enough for him to hear of it and rush to her."
    "All of it was still on his mind as he attended his daily tasks. Helayna did not mention it again when their paths crossed. His worries over her explorations were for naught, at least– she seemed composed enough."
    "At least until their eyes met. He could see the question there, buried beneath her simmering need to fuck him. But she was right when she said he had much on his mind; it wasn’t a question he could focus on, not while he was doing troop reviews."
    "It would be a long day for her."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "… If not for the layers of steel across her body, the sight of Rowan’s firm buttocks would have had their usual effect on Helayna as she watched him go. With her nightmares came lasting clarity, and with that clarity came certain realisations."
    "Her teacher had a nice ass. She had always thought he was handsome, but with a certain girlish naivete, pining after a man she knew she could never have. Her mindless lust had turned her into an addict for his cock and affections, but actual clarity?"
    "… Helayna could see so much else about him that was attractive. Not just his ass, but the thick tightness of his forearms. The way the cut of the tunic beneath his armour showed off the definition of his chest–"
    "Oh, how she wanted him. She wanted him in the morning. She wanted him at night. She wanted him during that conversation."

    if dayOffBJ:
        "And she wanted him after he gave her a heaping facial. Once would never be enough for her."

    "Helayna sighed. She felt better for having told Rowan most of what was on his mind, but what she hadn’t mentioned lingered heavy on her heart."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show helayna neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Helayna began the morning much the same as she had the previous few days; Rowan wasn’t aware that she had been armoring up and going out for the last week, now. Bloodmeen’s serving staff was much more willing to interact with her once they saw she had regained her civility."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Unfortunately, Alexia had chosen to take the same hallway that morning. The redhead stopped in her tracks when she saw her husband’s lover, guarded and uncomfortable."

    al "… Oh. Helayna."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "At the sight of her, Helayna turned crimson and looked away."

    show helayna aroused at midleft with dissolve

    hel "Alexia."

    "The two had not had a proper conversation in…"
    "…"
    "Well. They hadn’t had a proper conversation ever. Not just since Helayna’s arrival– ever. Things had always been awkward and tense between the two of them, even at the Blackwoods’ dinner table."
    "Rightly so. All the while, Helayna had harboured fantasies of what her relationship with Rowan would be if Alexia were to divorce him or pass away. The life the two of them could have had if Alexia never existed."
    "The disgraced knight was always aware of how hungry her pussy was, but she felt a distinct tingling despite the awkwardness of their mutual silence. She was soaking straight through her undergarments."


    #cg 3
    scene black with dissolve
    show helayna aroused behind black

    "With the upswell came a flash of something– vivid, intense. She saw the three of them back in their little home in Arthdale, but not as Helayna was back then. She was as she was now, a woman who realised what a little fool she had been."
    "They were in the dining space. They were supposed to be having dinner, but their Rowan was just so insatiable. He had the two of them stacked upon the table, one atop the other, vulnerable pussies pushed back towards him."
    "Both wives kissed and groped at each other while Rowan stepped up, cock hard and ready–"

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
    show helayna aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Helayna forced herself back into focus with a sharp bite on the inside of her cheek and a grimace. Now was not the time."
    "They tried continuing on their way in silence, but after a few turns, it was apparent they were headed in the same general direction, and neither was willing to break away first."
    "Alexia broke the silence in a soft voice."

    al "I see you came from my husband’s room."

    "Alexia’s own room was well out of earshot of Helayna’s shrieking orgasms, but she knew that was where Helayna stayed."

    hel "…"

    al "How did he seem to you this morning?"

    "Helayna gave her a guarded look, finding Alexia’s expression almost inscrutable– too calm."

    hel "…"

    show helayna neutral at midleft with dissolve

    hel "I don’t know. He’s stressed. It’s rare for him to speak his mind plainly, with the war and all of its intricacies and implications. When we’re together, he just wants to forget it all."

    #low rowan alexia influence
    if roAlRel > 50:
        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "The jilted wife’s expression cracked, and unhappy misery laced her words."
            al "Is that so? You’ve taken my husband, and yet you don’t even truly have him."
            al "I hope you’re happy, Helayna."
        elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
            "The jilted wife’s expression cracked, and an ugly venom left her mouth one word at the time."
            al "You fucking bitch. You’ve ruined my marriage and wrecked my man, and yet– you don’t even make him happy, do you?"
            al "He should have let the orcs have you."
        else:
            "The jilted wife’s expression cracked, and aggrieved disdain tainted her voice."
            al "Is that so? You’ve stolen my Rowan, and yet you’re little more than meat to him."
            al "I’d tell you to be happy with him, but all the castle knows how much you {i}enjoy{/i} yourself."
    else:
        "Alexia stopped, and so did Helayna."
        al " For a moment…"
        "The redhead looked Helayna in the eye, tense."
        al "For a moment, hearing that made me happy. But only for a moment."
        al "I don’t hate you, Helayna. I used to. Right up until this moment, from the day you first came to us. My husband suffers the weight of the world on his shoulders."
        al "Had he not taken you in… I’ve heard what would have become of you. Now you’re better, and I cannot say for certain what dangers he protects you from."
        al "… I don’t intend to cede him to you. Not for a moment. If you can give him some comfort… I won’t begrudge you for that."
        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            al "But don’t think you’ll ever replace me in his heart. For as many years as you’re younger, we’ve been together. Our bond is stronger than you could ever know."
        elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
            al "But don’t think you can satisfy or comfort him as well as I can. Fucking you is an {i}obligation{/i}, and no matter how much of a horny little slut you become? You’ll never know his body as well as I do."
        else:
            al "But don’t think you’ll ever take my place in his life. He’s fond of you, but he won’t ever love you the way he loves me. No matter how it feels while you’re making ‘love’."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

        al "I don’t hate you, Helayna. Not truly. My husband suffers the weight of the world on his shoulders. Had he not taken you in, I don’t know what would have happened to you. Now you’re better, and I cannot say for certain what dangers he protects you from."

        "She let out a long sigh."

        al "I don’t intend to cede you Rowan. Not, for a moment. But, if you can lighten his load while he’s in your company, even if for a moment, I cannot hate you."

    "Before Helayna could react beyond an open mouth and hurt silence, Alexia turned on her heel and glided away, somehow making her soft steps look like stomping. She marched down a separate hallway, leaving Helayna to contemplate the ethics of her choices–"
    "No, Rowan’s choices. Helayna had few in her current circumstances."

    if dayOffBJ:
        "That aching, thoughtful reprieve lasted only seconds, for Alexia shouted back to her once she was out of sight."
        al "You have something in your hair."

    #courtyard
    scene black with fade
    show helayna neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if dayOffBJ:
        "Helayna arrived on the practice field not long afterward, shameless in licking that {i}something{/i} off one of her exposed fingers."

    else:
        "Helayna arrived on the practice field not long afterward."

    "She started with her stances before moving on to working with a wooden dummy. The only other residents on the field were a few of the brighter orcs, and an androgynous man in leather armour whose gender or species eluded Helayna."
    "All the instincts, all the muscle memory– they were still there, beneath the lust always simmering near the surface of her mind. It was all second nature to her, even after months; she had lost some muscle from inactivity, but the very frequent exercise she received kept her toned."
    "And limber. Very limber."
    "The real problem was that lust. Helayna’s need for Rowan dominated her thoughts, but in his absence, she was not immune to attraction towards other men."
    "A few days earlier, she’d been sparring with an orc– an ugly, crude bastard who leered and made passes at her. In fairness to him, that was like every other orc, male or female, smart or dumb."
    "Before, she would have bested him with ease."
    "But she’d found herself easily and repeatedly distracted by how his dark green skin sheened with sweat. How bulging his biceps were, how thick his thighs. It led to her faltering when striking with what would have been an instantly fatal blow with live steel, and that led to her being knocked down."
    "The orc wasn’t blind. He had seen where her mind went, and after his win, he was ready to give it to her– not take it, but give it to her."
    "If she hadn’t recouped her willpower, she might have spread her legs or opened her mouth to give it to him. The only man that Helayna was willing to give herself to was her lover, however, even if another man turned her on."
    "A pair of crushed balls ensured that the orc, and all of his friends, knew better."

    show helayna aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Even now, even after that, she could feel it. As she tried to focus on precise spots on the dummy meant to reflect gaps in armour, her glance kept on being stolen by the leather-clad human. Their ass was fantastic, and the uncertainty to their gender and equipment didn’t dampen the flames of her desire."

    show helayna neutral at midleft with dissolve

    hel "Focus, damn it."

    "She redoubled her work. Neck. Under arms. Strike parallel. Bring the blade down from that angle so it wouldn’t be deflected by the armour."

    "Crotch."
    "Ass."
    "Ass."
    "Ass."
    "…"

    show helayna aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Her thoughts grew progressively cloudier."

    if dayOffBJ:
        "Just one gush on her part and a nut on Rowan’s part had not quelled her libido."

    else:
        "Given an hour or two of fooling around, maybe it wouldn’t have been an issue, but…"

    "Eventually, still standing in the middle of the training field, she lost herself in that fog."

    #throne room cg
    scene cg171 with fade
    pause 3

    "In her fantasy, Helayna was fucking herself. She rubbed her clit and fingered herself with lustful fervour, the wet slips and slaps echoing throughout Raeve Keep’s vast throne room. Matching her was the gasping, gagging groans of a woman choking on a man’s cock."
    "Rowan’s cock."

    scene cg172 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg172
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg172
    show jezera naked behind cg172
    pause 3

    "He was sitting where he should have sat long ago, upon her uncle’s old throne. She sat on the arm of the throne; Rowan had not gained the Keep through their marriage, but through conquest."
    "Sexual conquest."

    hel "Oh, Rowan, fuck her harder– put that fucking tree of a dick you’ve got right down into her belly–"

    "The purple-skinned woman in chains was gasping desperately, trying to pull her head up from the manhood blocking her airway. It was to no avail; the all-powerful warlord Rowan Blackwood easily kept her down, her thick silver hair little more than his grip."

    ro  "You’re not done yet, Jezera. And you may as well stop pretending you need to breathe. You’re not the first demon to taste this cock."

    "Jezera might not have needed to breathe, but it still kept her from talking; her lips continued to be forced tight to Rowan’s pelvis as he stretched out her throat."

    "There was no escape for her now, and Jezera surely knew it– hers was a willing surrender once she realised her rightful place as a member of Rowan’s extensive harem, under the command of the woman who never left his side."

    hel "Tell her to cum, Rowan. Tell her what a bitch she is. Tell her…"

    ro "Cum. Cum, you haughty bitch."

    "Helayna shrieked and quivered. The words were not directed to her, but how could she resist the sight and sound of her love using their former captor so brazenly? How could she ignore the power of his voice?"
    "His raw sexuality was such that Jezera was no different, slobbering and gagging desperately as her body convulsed wildly, blatantly shoving her tits against his sturdy legs for more stimulation. "
    "Every other woman in the throne room fell under the same spell, powerful orgasms sending even the most puritan and cold-hearted of them to the floor in writhing ecstasy."
    "Andras, dangling in a too-small cage from the ceiling, sobbed in petulant jealousy over Rowan’s power and virility. Even he had succumbed to Rowan’s power."
    "Rowan. Rowan. Rowan. The most powerful women in all of the Seven Realms, gathered here to serve and admire Rowan– one day, he would replace Solnasia herself."
    "Helayna came hardest of all, but remained right where she belonged: right beside her man."
    "It was too much–"

    scene cg172 with sshake
    scene cg172 with sshake
    show cg173 with flash
    pause 3

    "It was all too..."

    #courtyard
    scene black with fade
    show helayna aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "....good to be true. She was not sitting beside Rowan. She was sitting on the floor of the training ring, thighs splayed, one hand groping at the chausses of her plate armour. Another was trying to tug at her breastplate’s straps."
    "Mortified, Helayna looked around. The only one who seemed to have even noticed was the androgynous man. He flashed her a smirk, and she sighed, flushed. Even if she wanted to train…"
    "With a defeated sigh she went back to the weapon shed to put back her training sword."
    "Or at least that was her intent. She paused at the empty weapon rack. No one else could look into the shed. She was all alone. Her fingers ran over the sword’s hilt. It was very stiff. Very hard."
    "But, no. It would probably never work for the idea that was rapidly clouding over her brain. Too rigid. She’d hurt herself, and then might not be able to fuck her beloved for weeks. Something softer and more yielding."
    "Helayna’s eyes were drawn to a battleaxe along the wall, not much smaller than the one she used to favour in combat."
    "When she put her finger to the handle the flexibility of the wood was apparent. It needed it to not snap under the weight of the head. And the surface was polished and wax sealed. No risk of splinters where they were unwanted."

    if dayOffBJ:
        "She still had the soiled handkerchief on her; she wrapped it around the bottom of the weapon, stained with her lover’s dried spunk."

    #axe cg
    scene cg306 with fade
    show helayna aroused behind cg306
    pause 3

    "She took the axe from the wall and positioned it with the head on the ground. That way the weight of the head could be used as an anchor point."
    "After some fumbling, her chausses hit the floor, and her undergarments followed. Her boots and socks joined them, leaving her bottomless."
    "Foreplay? Helayna was always sopping wet. She smeared a bit of her juices on the handle to lube it up, and there was plenty more where it came from– where the battleaxe’s handle would be going."
    "Helayna gasped softly as the wooden shaft slid into her body. It was long and hard."
    "Longer and harder than Rowan? Yes, objectively. To her pussy, it was just a paltry stand-in. It lacked his warmth. His texture. His love. His cum."

    if dayOffBJ:
        "The handkerchief helped, though."

    "With the way it filled her, it became so simple and easy to just let herself rock and up down, taking more and more of it into her each time she thrusted down."

    hel "Mmmm… Rowan, yes…"

    "Of course, such a thing was not what she truly wanted. Helayna wanted him. She wanted him.  Every waking moment she wanted Rowan’s cock inside of her. Whenever she fucked herself with anything...this...her fingers...she couldn’t help but imagine it as being his."
    "It was like every day she was here, her body became more fitted to his unique shape."
    "She pushed her body down faster. Farther."
    "The rhythm picked up a greater, more desperate, urgency with each movement of her body. This was not the awkward, giggling clit flicking of a virgin, but the hip shaking self-fucking of a complete slut. "
    "She wanted it. She wanted him."

    hel "...Rowan…"

    "Thinking of him made the tide rise higher."
    "At any moment, anyone could walk in. The person still in the yard, or a giant orc, or one of their captors… Rowan himself…"
    "Her sexuality was wired to him, but as she was now, there was still something sexy about the risk, even being caught in the act helpless. With eight inches of wooden haft inside her, she couldn’t fight."
    "Thinking of that made the tide rise higher and higher."
    "Her hips rolled faster, twisting subtly. The axe’s handle bent and flexed with her, pliant to her needs, even if it could not meet them fully."
    "The tide was now a tsunami on the horizon, no longer a rising ebb. It built up inside her, ready to wash over all things and carry her out to the waiting sea of ecstasy."
    "Each moment she let herself be lost in the sensation, the tsunami was closer– so close, ready to crash into land and drown out all thought and feeling–"
    "Helayna gasped softly, and then she came. Her fingers flew to her mouth to cover the scream she couldn’t hold back; it flew right past her spread fingers as they clawed at her cheeks. She didn’t even think of trying to spare the floor its due mess."
    "Her squirting, gushing cunt spurted and sputtered out its fluids around the wooden invader."
    "Helayna sat on the floor of the armoury, panting, her pussy’s powerful pulsing slowly pushing the wooden haft out only to hug it back in. The glow of her orgasm was thick, along with the scent of what she had done– but it wasn’t fully satisfying. Not without Rowan."
    "It didn’t block out reality’s dark gloom."

    hel "I can’t do it. I can’t… do it… no matter how hard I try…"

    "… And yet, she could have sworn someone was whispering in her ear."

    questi "We can. We will. We must. It is what he needs of us."

    "Just her imagination. It sounded like her own voice, with what she now lacked: confidence."
    "The cool shiver that ran down her spine and the goosebumps that raced across her shoulders were just that: shivers."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_13_p2.rpy
label rowanPunishment_rp:

    $ RoAlRel = 0
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia influenced? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - by Jezera":
            $ alexiaInfluence = "jezera"
        "Yes - by Andras":
            $ alexiaInfluence = "andras"

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good (extra scene)":
            $ RoAlRel = 100
        "Bad (NTR dialogue)":
            pass

    ro "What if I punished her?"
    an "What..if…"

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera perked up in her chair. For a moment, she even seemed to forget her glare at him."

    ro "She’s my wife. The castle security was my responsibility. All things considered, I should be the one to administer the punishment."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras narrowed his eyes. It was like the bolts in his brain were coming together on the subject."

    an "You don’t have the stones, boy."
    ro "I do. I’ll personally deliver twenty five lashes to her with an instrument of your choosing."

    "Jezera was frantic with energy. She leaned over to her brother’s ear and began whispering something in a hushed tone. Andras just remained stone-faced."

    an "How do we know that you won’t try to wuss out? Just pretend to hurt her?"
    ro "Because I can do it in the public courtyard. You’ll be able to watch for yourself."
    je "Oh, I hardly think that will be-"

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    an "I like it! Having you be the one to hurt her yourself after ratting her out? The betrayal of it all? That’s an opportunity I can’t miss out."
    an "But, if I get a whiff you’re going soft, then she’s going to go through a hell of a lot worse than a few lashes."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "You’re insatiable, brother."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Very well. Bring your wife to the courtyard in four hours time. There will be a punishment scaffold waiting."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "With the work of the day concluded, Andras went off about his business. Meanwhile, Jezera stopped in front of Rowan."

    je "Pain isn’t really my modus operandi. In truth, I find it rather distasteful. Thankfully, there is a way to go all out with the lashing, but not hurt your wife."

    "Jezera reached into her bag and pulled out a small glass vial filled with a bubbly purple mixture. She placed it in Rowan’s hand with a wink."

    je "If you apply this on to her skin before the whipping, she should have a much more pleasurable experience while still appearing to Andras like you’re truly hurting her."

    "With that, Jezera turned and stalked off, leaving Rowan wondering if he could ever trust a strange vial put into his hand by that woman."

    hide jezera with moveoutright

    scene black with fade
    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace sad at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    al "Rowan! You’re back! What happened?"

    ro "…"
    ro "They threatened the staff with reprisals unless I told them who did it. I didn’t want to do it, but Andras would have killed the maids just to prove the point."

    #if Alexia has at least 5 Andras influence and is higher than Jez influence
    if alexiaInfluence == "andras":
        al "Are you sure Andras wasn’t just trying to scare you? He’s kinder than he acts."

    #else if Alexia has at least 5 Jezera influence and is higher than Andras influence
    elif alexiaInfluence == "jezera":
        al "Maybe he might have done that, but surely Lady Jezera would have stayed his hand…"

    #rejoin

    ro "I had no choice. I had to tell them that you did it."

    show alexia 2 necklace look away at midright with dissolve

    if RoAlRel < 20:

        "Alexia looked off to the side in silent reflection. She wouldn’t meet her husband’s eyes."

        al "You really told them what I did. Huh. The old Rowan never would have done something like that. So what’s going to happen to me?"
        ro "..."
        ro "Four hours from now I’m to take you to the courtyard and whip you in front of them. It was my suggestion. Andras was trying to decide on a punishment and I offered it as a solution."
        al "I see…"

        "Alexia went silent. She chewed her lips, as though there was something she wanted to say but couldn’t find the right words for."

    #If Rowan Alexia Influence is above 5
    else:

        al "I...I suppose you had no choice. If he was threatening the staff, I don’t know what I would do in that situation either."

        "She looked off to the side, struggling to meet his eyes."

        al "So what will happen to me then?"
        ro "Andras started talking punishments. I couldn’t let him do the things he planned to do. I couldn’t. So I intervened and suggested I punish you instead."
        ro "I am to take you down to the courtyard and whip you in front of them."
        al "Oh."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        "She sighed deeply, but still found the courage to meet his concerned look."

        al "I suppose I don’t really have a choice do I? I just have to…"
        al "…"
        al "Can you hold me? I’m scared."

        "There was barely a need to ask. Her husband stepped forward and took her into his arms. She felt soft, even vulnerable, in his arms. This was going to be a hard thing to do."

    #rejoin
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "In the silence of the room, Rowan finally had the ability to contemplate what he was going to tell her the plan was."
    "He had a few options. The simplest, and most harmful to her, would be to simply go ahead with the lashings. The second option was to try to fake a more severe punishment. That would be better for her...if he could pull it off."
    "The final option was to try to use whatever the potion Jezera had given him was. It might indeed ease her suffering. Jezera liked power but didn’t hunger for pain. But, could he really trust her not to have anything planned?"

    $ event_tmp['rowan_can_punish'] = True
    $ event_tmp['fake_punishment'] = False
    $ event_tmp['jezera_potion'] = False

    menu rowanPunishment_menu1_rp:
        "Punish her for lying." if event_tmp['rowan_can_punish']:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump alexiaPunishOption_rp

        "Fake Her Punishment.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’m not going to let anything bad happen to you, though. I’m the one holding the whip. I’ll go easy on you."
            al "The twins won’t be happy about that."
            ro "No, they won’t be. I don’t know what Jezera will do if she thinks I’m holding back, but Andras would definitely be very angry. We’re going to need to put on a convincing show."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "But, what if they find out? Then-"
            "Rowan put a finger on her lips, and looked her in the eyes. In truth, the prospect terrified him too, but he couldn’t show her that."
            ro "They. Won’t. Find. Out."
            ro "You’re going to need to listen to me very carefully. This is what we need to do…"
            $ event_tmp['fake_punishment'] = True
            jump punishmentCourtyardFake_rp

        "Use Jezera’s Potion.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ whipJezPotion = True
            "Rowan reached into his pocket and held out the vial. Of course, it was always a risk trusting Jezera with anything. But, she actively didn’t want to see Alexia hurt either."
            "Still, the prospect of some kind of side effect loomed large."
            "Rowan sighed to himself. There really was no better option."
            ro "There’s one other thing. Before I left, Jezera gave me this."
            "He held up the potion."
            ro "From the way she said it, it’s supposed to be some kind of way of dulling the pain. But, the way she talked about it also made it seem like it increased sensitivity in other ways."
            ro "She always has some plan going. I don’t trust her, but this might be the only option we have for fooling Andras."
            #If Jezera Alexia influence is above
            if alexiaInfluence == "jezera":
                al "If Mistress Jezera wants me to use it, then I should. I doubt she’d really let me get hurt."
                "Rowan almost winced at that. The half-demoness had really sunken her talons into Alexia."
            #else
            else:
                al " I don’t trust her either. But, unless you know of any other tonics that can stop the pain in the next few hours, it might be our best bet."
            #rejoin
            ro "I should get ready then. An hour before the whipping is supposed to begin, I’ll apply it to your skin. In the meantime, just take care of yourself. Bathe, relax, anything that might dull the impact."
            "Rowan gave his wife a quick but powerful hug. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. Not even himself."
            $ event_tmp['jezera_potion'] = True
            jump punishmentCourtyardPotion_rp

    label alexiaPunishOption_rp:

    #should require rowan to have lost some alexia influence, but not too much to make it very hard to get - maybe amount lost from blaming alexia plus a few points lost for another event?
    if RoAlRel < 45:

        ro "(What else is there to do? I have to go through with the punishment. It’s not worth risking anything else.)"
        "For some reason, Rowan didn’t even feel the need to mention the potion."
        "Of late the two had been drifting apart so far. How else could his own wife had done this without telling him?"

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        "The idea of adding one more to the list of ways that the two had taken power over his wife was sickening. It made him feel impotent. She was his wife. His, damnit!"

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve

        al "So that’s it then? My safety wasn’t worth starting a fight with them?"
        ro "I came to this castle to save you? Didn’t I? I went through all of that. And you keep lying to me. Doing things like...like...freeing Helayna behind my back."
        al "I freed Helayna because you wouldn’t. You’re too weak. Too weak to defy the twins. Too weak to help anyone."

        "Rowan balled his hand into a fist. He almost slammed the bed in anger. His own anger freaked him out. When had he ever got this mad about anything?"

        al "Oh yeah, because you’re to doing so much defiance nowadays, huh?"

        #If Jezera has the most Alexia influence
        if alexiaInfluence == "jezera":
            ro "Don’t think for a second I haven’t seen the way that you jump to do whatever it is Jezera tells you to do."

        #If Andras has the most Alexia influence
        else:
            ro "Don’t think for a second I haven’t seen the way you make eyes at Andras whenever you’re in the same room with him."

        #rejoin
        ro "Maybe I am weak. Maybe. We’ll see in the courtyard in a few hours."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        "He stormed out of the room, pausing to silently lean against the door, once he was out of sight of Alexia. He was going to punish Alexia for her lack of devotion to him. That should have made him feel powerful, right?"
        "But, it didn’t…"

        jump punishmentCourtyard_rp

    else:
    #else
        "For the briefest of moments, Rowan actually considered going through with the punishment as intended without even using Jezera’s potion. But, the thought of Alexia’s brutal screams ended any such notion."
        "He simply didn’t have the heart to do it."
        #Player is taken back to the previous menu, but with “Punish Her” option now unavailable.
        $ event_tmp['rowan_can_punish'] = False
        jump rowanPunishment_menu1_rp

    label punishmentCourtyard_rp:

    # Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 1
    scene cg471 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg471
    show alexia necklace naked angry behind cg471
    pause 3

    "Rowan approached the scaffold. Jezera and Andras were already waiting on a hastily constructed set of bleachers placed to the side. Some of the other residents around camp had all come to look at the cause of the commotion."
    "It wasn’t hard to see why. Alexia was stripped naked and strapped into an X-cross on the stage. Rowan walked soberly to the stage and picked up a bullwhip prepared for him."
    "Rowan was no expert with the lash, but with all his combat training it only took a few practice swings to get a handle on the punishment device."
    "Andras had a hand over his face, but watched intently. No doubt to cover his smirk. Jezera was slumped sideways in her seat with her arms crossed."

    ro "Look, I’m sorry about earlier. I just-"

    al "Just do it already, asshole."

    "Rowan stuttered. Why was she angry at him? She’d been the one to free Helayna? Didn’t she know that she was responsible for all of this?"

    ro "Fine."
    ro "You will count out loud after each lash. We clear?"
    al "...yes."

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 2
    show cg472 with sshake
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg472
    show alexia necklace naked angry behind cg472
    pause 3

    "Rowan breathed in and then swung forward, landing a shockingly hard blow on her back. The air crackled, and Alexia grunted."

    al "One."

    "He pulled back and brought another blow crashing against her shoulder blades. His time he could see the effect on her. She practically squirmed, trying to dodge a blow that there was no way to escape from."

    al "Two."

    "Now he was starting to get into it. Every time the lash struck, he got a strange sense of euphoria. The whip became an extension of his hand. Alexia, on the other hand, was definitely not getting into it."

    show alexia necklace naked sad behind black

    al "Three...uh...Four…"

    "Tears formed in her eyes. She chanced a glance backwards with betrayal."
    "More whip strikes soon followed. He placed his anger at her in them, his frustration with his situation, and with her distance. They added fuel to his arm."

    al "Five. Ahhh. Ahhh. Six. Seven."

    "Andras was leaning forward in his seat now. His eyes shone brightly. This contrasted Jezera, who was starting to turn away each time she saw the whir of leather in motion."
    "Alexia’s body was really starting to show the signs of the pain now. Deep red welts were etched into her back, marking each lash. She was shivering. Whimpering. It was a pathetic sight."

    #if rowan corruption is lower than 20
    if rowanCorrupt < 20:
        "Andras was leaning forward in his seat now. His eyes shone brightly. This contrasted Jezera, who was starting to turn away each time she saw the whir of leather in motion."
        "Alexia’s body was really starting to show the signs of the pain now. Deep red welts were etched into her back, marking each lash. She was shivering. Whimpering. It was a pathetic sight."

    #rejoin

    #Show Alexia Whipping CG Variant 3
    scene cg473 with fade
    pause .5
    show cg474 with sshake
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg474
    show alexia necklace naked sad behind cg474
    show andras displeased behind cg474
    show jezera displeased behind cg474
    pause 3

    "The numbers rose higher and higher. It was easy to get lost in the rhythm of the whip. It was easy to forget that each time he struck, Alexia’s back must have been shooting with pain."

    al "Fourteen. Fifteen. Ahh. Sixteen."

    "Rowan’s mind searched for excuses for his actions. She was a bad wife. She was a traitor. She was the reason why he was in this situation. Yet, he could not arrive at the word that he really meant. Unfaithful."

    al "Please. Just...just stop. For a second. I can’t…"
    ro "You’re not at twenty five yet."
    al "Please...Rowan…"

    #if rowan corruption is lower than 49
    if rowanCorrupt < 49:
        "That got his attention. Seeing her squirming and crying was too much. How could he keep doing this? He was a hero. He came to rescue her. His arm lowered."

        an "You made a promise, Rowan. You have to see it through."

        "Rowan sighed. Andras was cracking his knuckles. This was his punishment as much as Alexia’s now. There would be no escape. Alexia pleaded at him with her eyes, but to no avail. Rowan whipped her once more."

    #else
    else:
        "Rowan stopped for a second, looking at the pathetic whimpering form of his wife. Is this why he’d gone through all of this? To save her of all people? He seethes quietly."

        ro "No. You’ll rest when I’m done."

        "Alexia turned her eyes from him. Then he lashed out with the whip again, making her arch in her back in pain."

    #rejoin

    al "Ahhh. Seventeen. Seventeen."

    "Strike."

    al "Eighteen."

    "Strike."

    al "Nineteen."

    "By the final few, even Rowan’s stamina was starting to yield. There was only so much pain he could cause before this little revenge became hollow. Certainly he hadn’t done any lasting damage. But, the pain was starting to get to him too."

    al "Please, twenty five. I’m done now. Please. It’s over right? Twenty five?"

    "Rowan sighed, lowering the whip. He almost dropped to his knees. Every moment, more and more of his euphoria was replaced with shame."

    je "Someone get a towel on her and take her to the cellar."

    "Rowan watched in silence. He would just need to go down and see her soon. If she just listened to him, then it would all be back to normal soon."

    #rowan loses influence over alexia
    # $ helAlexiaWhip = True

    jump NTRaftercare_rp

    label punishmentCourtyardFake_rp:

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 1
    scene cg471 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg471
    show alexia necklace naked angry behind cg471
    pause 3

    "Rowan approached the scaffold. Jezera and Andras already were waiting on a hastily constructed set of bleachers placed to the side. Some of the other residents around camp had all come to look at the cause of the commotion."
    "It wasn’t hard to see why. Alexia was stripped naked and strapped into an X-cross on the stage. Rowan walked soberly to the stage and picked up a bullwhip prepared for him."
    "He walked over, slightly brushing his hand over her rear. She leaned back to look into his eyes. It was the agreed upon signal that all way set for the plan."
    "Rowan was no expert with the lash, but with all his combat training it only took a few practice swings to get a handle on the punishment device. He wasn’t totally certain how much force he could take out of the blow while still making it look read. He just hoped it would be enough."
    "Andras had a hand over his face, but watched intently. No doubt to cover his smirk. Jezera was slumped sideways in her seat with her arms crossed."
    "Rowan whispered to her in a hushed tone."

    ro " Remember. It has to look real."
    al "I’ll do my best."

    "He took a step back and raised his voice loud so that the rapidly swelling audience could hear him."

    ro "You will count out loud after each lash. We clear?"
    al "...yes."

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 2
    show cg472 with sshake
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg472
    show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg472
    pause 3

    "Rowan breathed in and then swung forward, landing a shocking hard blow on her back. At the last moment, he took some of the force from the blow, so it would only mostly look hard. Alexia grunted still."

    al "One."

    "He pulled back and brought another blow seemingly crashing against her shoulder blades. She made a point of trying to squirm in reaction to blow. Though, certainly some of her reaction was real pain."

    al "Two."

    "Every so often, he’d check back at the demons. Were they buying it? The longer it went on, the more paranoid he started to get."

    show alexia necklace naked sad behind black

    al "Three...uh...Four…"

    "Tears formed in her eyes. She wasn’t bad at this."
    "More whip strikes soon followed. He tried to lesson the impact of each blow, but in truth, some still landed with something resembling strength. Certainly the welts on her back that were developing, while shallow, were proof she wasn’t escaping without any pain."

    al "Five. Ahhh. Ahhh. Six. Seven."

    "Andras was leaning forward in his seat now. His eyes shone brightly. Watching them. This contrasted Jezera, who was starting to turn away each time she saw the whir of leather in motion. She, at least, certainly seemed to buy it."
    "Alexia’s body was really starting to show the signs of the pain now. Red welts were sewn into her back, marking each lash. She was whimpering. It was so real that it seemed impossible that she was faking it."

    #Alexia Whipping CG Variant 3
    scene cg473 with fade
    pause .5
    show cg474 with sshake
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg474
    show alexia necklace naked sad behind cg474
    show jezera displeased behind cg474
    pause 3

    "The numbers rose higher and higher. It was easy to get lost in the rhythm of the whip. A few times, her groan of pain seemed to tell he’d gotten too lost in it."

    al "Fourteen. Fifteen. Ahh. Sixteen."

    "Alexia was shivering now. Squirming even when the whip wasn’t lashing out at her back. Now, she launched into her boldest play yet...If it was still a play that is..."

    al "Please. Just...just stop. For a second. I can’t…"
    ro "You’re not at twenty five yet."
    al "Please...Rowan…"

    "Rowan sighed. That one felt real. A part of his heart panged. But, he knew he needed to keep up his stern demeanor. Much worse things would happen to her if he faltered now."

    ro "No. You’re done when you’re done."

    "He brought the whip back behind his back and struck once more. Andras’ eyes twinkled."

    al "Ahhh. Seventeen. Seventeen."

    "Strike."

    al "Eighteen."

    "Strike."

    al "Nineteen."

    "By the final few, even Rowan’s stamina was starting to yield. It was not easy giving this kind of treatment to a loved one. But, it was actually harder to make the blows land without hurting her."
    "Even as his skill rose, his exhaustion made each blow a little bit more wild. A bit more likely to make her go up on her tiptoes and cry out."

    al "Please, twenty five. I’m done now. Please. It’s over right? Twenty five?"

    "Rowan sighed, lowering the whip. He almost dropped to his knees. It was done. Now the question was the results. Would they buy it?"
    "He looked back towards the twins."

    $ event_tmp['punishment_deception_passed'] = False

    #deception check DC12
    # if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    #pass
    "Andras was leaning back in his chair with a satisfying grin. He even seemed to notice Rowan looking at him, and gave a nod of approval. Surely a sign that the ruse had worked?"
    #mark as passed
    $ event_tmp['punishment_deception_passed'] = True

    #fail
    #else:
        #"Andras was looking on stone faced. Every few seconds he or Jezera would turn to one another and whisper something. Rowan almost shivered. Surely that wasn’t a good sign."
        #mark as failed

    #rejoin

    je "Someone get a towel on her and take her to the cellar."

    "Rowan leaned over and gave Alexia’s hand a squeeze before she was taken off. He just hoped that he’d managed to dilute the blows enough that her aftercare would go smoothly."

    #Rowan gains some influence with Alexia, however not enough to overcome the loss for selling her out in the first place.
    # $ change_relation('alexia', 7)

    #if rowan influnce on alexia is highest
    if RoAlRel == 100:
        jump alexiaAftercare_rp

    #else
    else:
        jump NTRaftercare_rp

    label punishmentCourtyardPotion_rp:

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 1
    scene cg471 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg471
    show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg471
    pause 3

    "Rowan approached the scaffold. Jezera and Andras are already waiting on a hastily constructed set of bleachers placed to the side. Some of the other residents around camp had all come to look at the cause of the commotion."
    "It wasn’t hard to see why. Alexia was stripped naked and strapped into an X-cross on the stage. She shivered lightly in the morning. Rowan walked soberly to the stage and picked up a bullwhip prepared for him."
    "Rowan was no expert with the lash, but with all his combat training it only took a few practice swings to get a handle on the punishment device."
    "Andras had a mouth over his face, but watched intently. No doubt to cover his smirk. Jezera was slumped sideways in her seat with her arms crossed. Though, her eyes were fixed very intently on the proceedings."

    ro "How does it feel? Are you alright?"
    al "I don’t know. So far it’s just a faint tingling."

    "Rowan nodded. Jezera had said that the experience she would feel would be pleasurable. But, what had she meant by that? Surely there was some kind of double entendre to her words."
    "He turned back slightly and raised his voice so that the audience, especially its two more important members, could hear."

    ro "You will count out loud after each lash. We clear?"
    al "...yes."

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 2
    show cg472 with sshake
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg472
    show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg472
    pause 3

    "Rowan breathed in and then swung forward, landing a shockingly hard blow on her back. The air crackled, and Alexia gasped in shock. In moments, she was wiggling in her bonds."

    al "O-one."

    "Rowan paused briefly. That sure didn’t sound like pain. It sounded more like their alone time. He glanced back at Jezera who flashed a tiny grin."
    "Still, he had to continue. He pulled back and brought another blow crashing against her shoulder blades. She practically squirmed, as much trying to dodge the blow and lean into it."

    al "Two..."

    "That time he could almost feel her excitement. Every time the lash struck, he got a strange sense of euphoria. It was certainly hurting her still, but he was getting mixed signals. Pain and pleasure coming out at once. It was kind...enjoyable..."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

    al "Three...oh...Four…"

    "She was gasping now with every blow. She chanced a glance backwards with needful eyes."
    "More whip strikes soon followed. He placed his lust into it. He placed his strange, sexual even, high into every blow. It guided his arm, and made much of the rest of the world, even the twins, fade away."

    al "Five. ugh. Six. Seven."

    "Jezera was leaning forward just as heavily as Andras was now. She flashed her teeth in a deep grin."
    "Alexia’s body was really starting to show the signs of the lash, even if her actual reactions were mostly lustful. Deep red welts were etched into her back, marking each lash. She was shivering...Whimpering…"
    "..Wet."

    #if rowan's corruption is less than 20
    if rowanCorrupt < 20:
        "It was a strange thing, watching his wife grow so aroused from something that was supposed to hurt her. When she looked back at him, her eyes were pleading for more delicious pain."
        "He knew that the cause was Jezera’s potion. It must have been mixing up her sensations. It must have been. But, the question that Rowan had to ask himself was why he was enjoying giving her that pain? Why did he love the way she shivered and shook with each crack of the whip?"
        "Rowan swallowed. He shouldn’t think about that."

    #if rowan's corruption is 20-49
    elif rowanCorrupt < 49:
        "There was no mistaking what the potion had done. Jezera had made her a masochist, at least for the moment. Every time he cracked the whip across her back, He could see the mix of signals in her eyes. Pain turning to pleasure. Pleasure turning to pain. It was oddly…"
        "It was oddly enticing. Rowan paused if only for a brief moment. His fingers traced her back, and the welts on it lightly. She shivered under his touch. He hadn’t known he had the capacity to be such a sadist. But, this was a rather unusual situation…"

    #else
    else:
        "The squeals of pleasure and pain were unmistakable."
        "Jezera’s potion had turned Alexia into a painslut, eagerly drinking in the power of each blow. Her body wiggled back afterwards each time, eager for more and more of that sweet feeling. It was obvious from every last whimper and groan."
        "Rowan didn’t mind of course. This was all still new to him, but he found he actually liked her reactions. He liked the mix of pleasure and pain in her every cry. There was a slight wicked thrill in the idea that he might be a sadist himself."
        "Clearly this had been Jezera’s plot all along. But, was that such a bad thing?"

    #rejoin

    #Alexia Whipping CG1 Variant 4 (aroused)
    scene cg473 with fade
    pause .5
    show cg474 with sshake
    pause .5
    show cg475 with flash
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg475
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg475
    show andras displeased behind cg475
    show jezera happy behind cg475
    pause 3

    "The numbers rose higher and higher. It was easy to get lost in the rhythm of the whip. It was easy to get lost in her little gasps and moans. It was easy to get lost way she seemed to dance in place each time the lash struck. The flow of the moment."

    al "Fourteen. Fifteen. Oh. Sixteen."

    "Rowan’s eyes were drawn to the trail of wetness going down her thigh. It wasn’t hard to see the way she was sticking her ass out towards him either. It was almost like she was asking him to fuck her right here on stage. Just how powerful was the potion?"

    al "I. oh. I can’t...I can’t think right now. Maybe. Ha. Maybe give me a second?"
    ro "You’re not at twenty five yet."
    al "Please...Rowan…"

    #if corruption is less than 50
    if rowanCorrupt < 50:
        "Rowan paused for a moment, running his hands down the curve of her back. He could feel the many throbbing welts. He suspected she’d be a little less keen on those once the potion wore off. She wiggled softly underneath his hand."
        "His hand drifted lower. Of course, her lower lips were soaked. He toyed with them lightly for a moment. Alexia, of course, could do little in her blissed out state besides moan."

        an "You’re here to whip her, not fuck her. Get on with it."
        je "You have no sense of fun, brother."

        "Rowan took a step back. Even that one moment of rest seemed to have restored a little bit of her vigor. She even nodded back to him slightly. No need to be told twice. He struck her with the whip once more."

    #else
    else:
        "Rowan stopped for a moment, looking down at her shivering form. She was pleading for a brief respite. Yet, he knew that Andras was still watching him to ensure he didn’t falter. Besides...he didn’t want to stop."
        "With barely any hesitation, he brought the whip back and struck out in another lashing blow. It was enough to make her scream."

    #rejoin
    al "Ohhh fuck. Seventeen! Seventeen!"

    "Strike."

    al "Eighteen!"

    "Strike."

    al "Nineteen!"

    "By the final few, even Rowan’s stamina was starting to yield. Even driven by a newfound sense of sadism, there was only so long an untrained whip master could keep going at full."
    "Yet, her body was still only growing hotter and hotter. She was practically screaming now with each blow. Was it possible to make her cum from pain alone?"

    al "Twenty five. I’m at twenty five now, right? Fuck."

    "Rowan sighed, lowering the whip. Part of him wanted to continue. But, he knew that the game had already gone far enough. Alexia was shivering in her bonds."
    "Andras and Jezera, of course, were whispering to each other. There was no way he wouldn’t notice how much she’d enjoyed that. But, no doubt Jezera would talk him out of too harsh a reaction."

    je "Someone get a towel on her and take her to the cellar."

    "Rowan watched sympathetically. She’d need close care. She may have enjoyed herself, but the toll it had taken on her body was clear to see. Besides, after such an intense experience, she probably had needs she wanted to fulfill. And perhaps, so did he."

    #if rowan influnce on alexia is highest
    if RoAlRel == 100:
        jump alexiaAftercare_rp

    #else
    else:
        jump NTRaftercare_rp

    label NTRaftercare_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan walked quietly through the corridors underneath the castle. The room they’d taken Alexia to recover was this way. After a lashing of that sort, she’d need time to recover."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Rowan’s mind was still tossing and turning over what had transpired, how to even discuss the events in the courtyard, before he was stopped by the surprise appearance of an orc guard outside her room."

    os "Stop. Said no puny human Rowan come this way."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Who said that?"

    os "Human female with fire hair. Said no Rowan."

    "Rowan’s eyebrows narrowed. Alexia had told him not to see her right now. In her moment of need she didn’t want to see him?"

    ro "Fine."

    "Rowan stormed away fuming. He wondered how she didn’t understand that the entire reason he’d went through all of that was for her sake. So they wouldn’t be the ones to punish her."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    scene black with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

    al "Oh. That feels….that feels good."

    "Alexia gasped softly. Hands softly roamed her body. They were applying lotion, but they were also engaged in...other tasks..."
    "Her mouth let out soft gasps every few seconds. It let her escape from the throbbing pain that consumed her back."

    #If Jezera Influence is higher then Andras Influence
    if alexiaInfluence == "jezera":
        show jezera happy behind black

        je "That’s right, girl. Just relax into my hand. It feels good doesn’t it? Nothing to cure a bit of back of back pain a woman’s touch…"

        "The soft feminine hand exploring her folds dug deeper and deeper. The sensation of it drove the thoughts out of her head. Thoughts of her punishment. Thoughts of Rowan..."

        al "Oh lords. Yes...Mistress..."

        #Alexia gains some Jezera influence.
        # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', 3)

    #If Andras Influence is higher then Jezera Influence
    else:
        show andras smirk behind black

        an "Oh stop pretending you don’t like where my hand is. You can’t hide from me how badly you want it. Admit it."

        "The powerful masculine hand exploring her folds dug deeper and deeper. The sensation of it drove the thoughts out of her head. Thoughts of her punishment. Thoughts of Rowan..."

        al "Oh fuck. Fuck. More. Please. More... "

    return

    label alexiaAftercare_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan walked quietly through the corridors underneath the castle. The room they’d taken Alexia to recover was this way. After that kind of session, she’d need time to recover."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Rowan’s mind was still tossing and turning over what had transpired, how to even discuss the events in the courtyard, before he was stopped by the surprise appearance of an orc guard outside her room."

    ro "Alexia is in there?"

    "The orc nodded. And stepped aside."

    scene bg11 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "Alexia? Alexia?"

    show alexia necklace naked sad at midright with moveinright

    "Alexia was laying naked on her back, tears running down her cheeks. Even with all the steps he’d taken to prevent her from being harmed, there were still dark welts on her back where the lash had struck."

    ro "Hey there. Move over a little bit, please. Let me sit with you."

    "Alexia groaned and nodded. She made a bit of space for her husband to sit with her. There was a bowl next to the table with some kind of cream. It was probably to help with marks."
    "Rowan put some of the cream on his hand and started rubbing it into Alexia’s back. She sighed weakly. Everywhere that showed signs of the lash’s bite was throbbing with heat."

    ro "How did it feel? Are you alright?"

    #if fake punishment was selected
    if event_tmp['fake_punishment']:
        "Alexia leaned into his touch, but otherwise remained silent for a time. She was struggling to find the will to speak."

        al "Well it hurt. Badly."

        #alexia necklace naked happy

        al "But, it could have hurt a lot more."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "She smiled at him and he smiled back. For a moment, it seemed like all of the unpleasantness of earlier was gone and they were back to just being who they always had been with one another."

        al "Think we fooled them?"

        ro "I hope so. At least, Andras didn’t seem to know back in the courtyard. And I don’t know if Jezera would care even if I did fake it."
        ro "Still, We’ll find out soon enough. So long as we don’t hear anything from them, we can assume the answer is they bought it."

        "Alexia pressed herself closer to him. She was shivering lightly. It was strange. Her back was all heat, but she seemed like she was freezing. All he could do was press the blanket closer to her and massage more soothing cream on her back."

    #If Use Jezera’s Potion was Selected
    elif event_tmp['jezera_potion']:
        "Alexia leaned into his touch, but was struggling to find the will to speak. Every so often, she let out a soft gasp. A likely remnant of the potion’s fading effects."

        al "It was so weird. It still hurt. It hurt badly. But, I didn’t quite realize that pain could feel so good."

        show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve

        al "By the end of it I was so worked up I could have…"
        al "Well, I was pretty worked up is what I’m saying."
        al "How about you? Did you...did you like it?"

        "Rowan paused to collect his thoughts. He thought back to how he felt in the courtyard. He remembered the rising heat as each blow sang out."

        #if rowan corruption is less than 50
        if rowanCorrupt < 50:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

            ro "It was really strange, but I think I did. You were getting so worked up by it, how could I not?"

            "Still tired, all his wife could muster was a soft smile."

        #else
        else:
        #rowan smirk
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

            ro "With the way you were moaning like a slut back there, how could I not?"

            "Maybe when I want to work you up some other time, I’ll take you back down there."
            "Alexia blushed softly, but otherwise didn’t muster a reply beyond a soft whimper."

        #rejoin (from corruption split)
        "She leaned in closer to his touch. From this vantage point he could see the remaining glisten on her thighs. Just how much of the reaction the potion had brought out had been there before without either of them know? Rowan didn’t want to think about that."

    #rejoin (from fake punishment / potion split)

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "The two remained with bodies pressed against each other for a time. It wasn’t long before Alexia’s shivering had gone down to almost nothing, and the strength was starting to come back to her."

    al "If you want, you can use your hands…on me."
    al "My back is too sore for anything more intensive. But, if it’s just hands, I’d like that."

    #If Use Jezera’s Potion was Selected
    if event_tmp['jezera_potion']:

        al "I played with myself before you came in. After how worked up I got, I couldn’t help myself. But, it wasn’t enough."

    #rejoin
    ro "I think after all we’ve been through today, I don’t think I could do more than use my hands myself."

    scene cg569 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg569
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg569
    pause 3

    "Rowan slid a hand to her thigh. He rubbed her skin softly, feeling its texture. His wife responded by parting her legs slightly. It was a welcome to go further."
    "So, Rowan slid a single finger inside her lower lips slowly."

    al "Oh."

    #if the player previously selected Fake Her Punishment
    if event_tmp['fake_punishment']:
        "Her sex was already damp, at least slightly, from the closeness and having him rub her back. But, with his finger steadily teasing her more and more, it wasn’t long at all before Alexia’s pussy started to get wetter and wetter."
        "Soon, she was positively drenched. Juices were beginning to collect on his hand and her thighs. All clear signs she was ready for more."

    #else
    else:
        "From the moment he entered her, it was clear that Alexia hadn’t lied about having already touched herself. Her pussy was already drenched. He found no trouble at all working his finger inside of her, no trouble exploring her sensitive passage."
        "He’d only been subjecting her to his touch between her legs for mere moments and her body was already begging him for more."

    #rejoin
    "Rowan kept a slow steady pace with his fingers. Nothing too fast or brutal, with her body in the state it was in. Still, he did take the time to slide a second finger in. His every motion was intended for the purpose of causing a feeling to rise inside of her."
    "To make a need rise in her like a tide."
    "There’s a strange gentle quality to it. It’s not a furious act of lovemaking, or a warm up to a more intense fucking. It’s just a husband and wife in a bed together with his hands softly bringing her body pleasure."
    "In the glow of the moment it’s almost easy to forget the events that brought them here."

    al "Oh. That feels...that feels...oh."

    "The longer he continued pumping his fingers inside of her, the harder it got for her to remain still. She squirmed, arching her back and curling her toes. Every so often she tried to mouth a word, but was too tired to even form the words."
    "When Alexia finally came against her hands, she did it without a scream. She just bucked her hips and let out a broken gasp. A soft orgasm for a soft moment."
    "In the afterglow of it, her eyes were fluttering. She was barely even able to get a word out."

    al "I know...I know you did what you had to do. Telling them, I mean. I forgive you, Rowan."

    "That was all she said before she went to sleep. Rowan curled up next to her, but even though he too was tired, he just couldn’t sleep. Not with all of the thoughts racing through his head."

    #Rowan gains a little Alexia influence, combined with faking the punishment this should not be enough to overcome the loss for selling her out in the first place.
    # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)

    #If Fake Her Punishment was selected, and the roll was a success, half of the guilt gained for selling Alexia out is lost.
    #if event_tmp['fake_punishment'] and event_tmp['punishment_deception_passed']:
        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
    #End Scene (If Fake Her Punishment was selected, and the deception roll was a failure, jump to andrasFailure below instead)
    if event_tmp['fake_punishment'] and not event_tmp['punishment_deception_passed']:
        jump andrasFailure_rp
    else:
        return

    label andrasFailure_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "You wished to see me?"
    an "Yes, I did."

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    "His face radiated menace. Clearly, this was not going to be a fun conversation."

    an "That was a good show out there, but do you actually think I don’t know what a woman in pain really sounds like?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…"
    an "I’m not mad. If anything, it showed me that I was right. I couldn’t trust you to be a man and hurt her. "
    an "Have no worries. She’s not going to be harmed too much for this. But, she will have to go through the original intended punishment. I’ll give her back, no worse for wear, in about a month or so."

    "Rowan clenched his face, but otherwise remained silent."

    an "Nothing to say? That’s the spirit, servant. Learn to act a bit better next time. You might even fool me."

    return

# \events\alexia dungeon.rpy
label alexia_locked_in_the_dungeon_rp:

    scene black with fade

    "After her role in Helayna’s escape had been revealed, two burly orc soldiers took her away, and left her in one of the castle’s dank, dark cells. A few days had passed, and, aside from the meals that appeared routinely like clockwork, she had seen no sign of any other living person."
    "If there were anybody else down here in the dungeons with her, she had not heard them, and no one had replied to her cried out. No, she was alone, truly alone. Even her own husband had betrayed her."
    "She had done the right thing, she knew that. Even in her current position, she had no doubt. It was bad enough that she had been entrapped by the demons and forced to be a hostage, she was not about to let it happen to another poor woman. Helayna did not deserve that."
    "But, doubt aside, she was filled with a lot of other emotions. First, anger at her husband for revealing her part in the escape. She thought he would understand, hells, the man she married would have freed the poor girl himself."
    "Then sadness at the realization that his time at the castle was changing Rowan and not for the better. Was this the man he was now? Who would allow the twins to use their dark magic to control Helayna? To betray all her ideals as a knight?"
    "Lastly, despair. There was no way for her to get out of this jail cell, she knew that, otherwise Rowan would have managed it. She had no idea how long her captors intended to keep her down here. For all she knew they might leave her to rot, all alone in the dark."
    "Time passed. She had no idea of knowing how long, as it seemed to stretch and cortort due to the solitary nature of her imprisonment. Eventually, the door opened…"

    scene bg8 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "In the doorway stood one of her captors, smiling. In his large hands, he held a small, ornate wooden box, etched with strange symbols she did not recognize. Some sort of runes, perhaps?"

    show andras happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    al "What the hells do you want?"

    an "That’s no way to speak to a visitor is it? Especially one who has come all the way down here to make sure you were alright."
    an "I would have come sooner, but I have been very busy, I’m sure you can understand."
    al "Alright? You locked me in a dungeon and left me to rot!"
    an "Oh, don’t be so dramatic. What did you expect us to do? You did defy us after all, and we can’t look weak in front of everybody. We are demons, after all."
    al "Well, I don’t regret it, so if you think I am going to admit some sort of wrongdoing, you’ll be waiting a long time. It wasn’t right what you two were doing to that poor girl."
    al "So go ahead, do your worst, but if I had the choice I would do it again. Nothing you can do to me will change that."
    an "I’m not going to harm you, you silly girl. As I have told you before, I will never lay a hand on you without your permission."
    al "You’ll be waiting a long time for that, as well, as in, never."
    an "We shall see. In the meantime, I just wanted to make sure you are not too uncomfortable. It is unfortunate, but I am afraid you’ll have to spend some time down here, to make it look like you are being properly punished for your disloyalty."
    al "How long?"
    an "A month should suffice, then you can return to your normal life."
    al "A month..."
    an "Oh come now, it is not that long. Our father would have executed you for far less, so you are getting off quite lightly. I’ll visit again, of course."
    an "We can’t really allow you to have any other visitors though, this is supposed to be a punishment, after all."
    al "…"

    "The demon smiled, and tapped the wooden box he held in his hand."

    an "Don’t be so down, I’m sure the time will fly by, and I have brought you a little present. Something to keep you occupied until you can go free."
    al "And what exactly do you have in that box?"
    an "Just something from my sister’s collection, I guess you could call it a pet. I just thought you could use something to keep you company, so you don’t feel so alone."

    "He placed his hand on the box and the markings began to glow."

    show bg8 with flash

    an "That takes care of the pesky seal."

    "With magic no longer sealing it, he simply slid open the wooden panel on the front to reveal what had been trapped inside."

    scene cg158 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg158
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg158
    pause 3

    "Within the box was a round creature, the size of a small ball. It had neither skin nor fur, but seemed to Alexia to be more the consistency of putty."
    "She had no idea what the thing could be, but the tiny eyes and mouth were adorable, and when it saw her, it suddenly became very excited."

    al "What is it?"
    an "It is called a wulump. Don’t worry, it is harmless, the box was just to keep it safe. They have a tendency to grow rather large unless they are contained, which can lead to them becoming almost insatiable."

    "He placed the box on the floor, and the creature happily moved in the direction of the redhead. It had no legs to speak of, so it just sort of slithered, like a snake. When it had almost reached her feet, she kneeled and picked it up and cradled it in the palms of her hands."

    al "Well, whatever it is, it is certainly very cute."

    "She used her thumb to pet the wulump, and it made a strange, alien noise of contentment. It was certainly enjoying the attention it was getting."

    al "Poor thing, how long have you been cooped up in that box, all alone?"

    "I know the feeling, she thought to herself, in that way, there was a shared kinship between the two, as different as they were."

    an "You might want to be a little careful, or--"
    an "Ah."

    "The woman was surprised as a small tendril shot from the top of the creature, and headed straight for her nostril."

    an "I suppose I should have mentioned earlier, wulumps feed on sexual energy. Their tendrils secrete a chemical that induces feels of lust and euphoria in their victims."

    "She could feel it worm its way up through her nose, inside her, and the tendril now in her skull, and whatever it was doing to her brain was starting to make her feel weird. Hazy, but not in an unpleasant way."

    an "Do not worry, you are perfectly safe. It won’t harm you, it will just use you to feed on, and there’s no long term effects, so no need to worry about that."
    al "Mmmm…"

    scene cg159 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg159
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg159
    pause 3

    "She held the creature up, so it was close to her face. Another appendage formed, no tendril this one, thicker, more like a tentacle. It moved in the direction of her mouth. She opened wide to allow entry."

    an "Most of them were killed, of course, due to the nuisance they became. The more they feed, the larger they become, and in the past, it wasn’t uncommon for them to enslave entire villages if left unchecked."

    "The demon continued to talk, but Alexia was past the point of listening. She was lazily tonguing the end of the tentacle, and gently sucking on the head that had formed on the end. All she was interested in at that moment was pleasuring the creature."

    an "There probably aren’t too many of them left now, mostly hiding in caves I would think. My sister managed to find this one though, and has been very careful in containing it."

    "Andras saw what she was doing, and let out a low chuckle."

    an "I see you aren’t really interested. Oh well, I suppose I should leave you two to get acquainted as you’ll be spending a lot of time together. The effects will wear off by the way, well, until it needs to feed again anyway."

    scene cg160 with fade
    pause 3

    "If the woman noticed that he was leaving, she did not make it apparent, she just continued doing what she had been doing since the wulump had messed with her head."
    "She was lightly stroking the tentacle now with one of her hands, as she sucked on it as best she could. The creature had slid it inside her mouth, and now was now moving it back and forth at a slow, steady pace."
    "Just the taste of the tentacle against her tongue sent shivers down the woman’s spine, she wanted nothing more than to love and please the small creature that it belonged to. She encouraged it to go deeper, craving the feeling down her throat."
    "The creature obliged, sliding further into the mouth until the redhead was deepthroating its faux member. Alexia let out of muffled cry of pleasure as an orgasmic wave shot through her body."
    "Trying not to gag, she took the tentacle as deep as she could, and held it a few seconds, before resuming moving, giving a deep, sloppy blowjob. Lost in the euphoria of the moment, she slid her hand from the tentacle slowly down her stomach to play with her clit."
    "The wulump began to move faster now, pistoning in and out of her mouth. Alexia did her best to please the creature, running her tongue against the tentacle as she took it deep in her mouth again and again."
    "She began to finger her cunt, first one and then a second, greedily thrusting in and out while curling upward to stroke her g-spot. Wave after wave of orgasm coursed through her body as she continued to touch herself while deepthroating the tentacle."

    show cg160 with sshake
    show cg160 with sshake
    scene cg161 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg162 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Just as she thought she was going to lose her mind from pleasure, the tentacle began to spew a black, viscous fluid from its tip. She hungrily swallowed all she could, but some escaped her mouth, dripping down onto her breasts."
    "Spent, the creature withdrew from her, absorbing the phallic appendage back into its body. Feeling exhausted herself, Alexia woozily lay on the straw covering the floor, placing the wulump on her chest. It seemed slightly larger than when it had been in the box."

    scene black with fade
    "A warm feeling of contentment overtook the woman as she drifted into sleep..."

    return

# \events\alexia dungeon.rpy
label alexia_dungeon_second_week_rp:

    scene black with fade

    "A week had passed, but Alexia would not have known it had anyone been there to ask her. She had spent the time lost in a haze, with the wulump using her body as sustenance whenever it saw fit to do so."
    "In that time it had grown, and no longer resembled a small ball; now it was more the size of a small domestic animal."
    "She’d given up wearing clothes, it saved her having to take them off when the wulump wanted to feed, and despite the dampness, the dungeons were quite warm. "
    "The only other person who could have seen her naked body was the orc guard who brought food three times a day, but her brain was too fogged by the beast’s pheromones for her to even notice, never mind feel actual shame."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midright with moveinright
    show andras displeased at edgeright with moveinright

    an "Well, here we are sister, as you asked."
    je "A deal is a deal after all."

    "Jezera, as inquiring as ever had consented to allow Andras to use the wulump on the proviso she could study the results."
    "In the wild they grew too large, too fast, but in the dungeons of Castle Bloodmeen, with only one person for the beast to feed on, it would be more like a controlled experiment."
    "It also had the bonus effect of saving the poor girl from one of her brother’s more outlandish punishments, as she had feared he might go overboard, and the female demon still favoured the carrot over the stick."

    je "It has grown since you last saw it?"

    an "Yes, it was smaller when I took it from the box."

    je "Interesting. Even with only one person to feed on, it has expanded by three hundred, perhaps even four hundred percent."
    "She looked at the woman, who was still sat on the floor. She hadn’t even bothered to cover up her naked body, which was unlike Alexia."
    "Like most human women, she had so much shame; a pity, the demoness mused as she had such a nice body. Perhaps when she had time, she could help her see the error of her current viewpoint."
    "At this point in time she had other things to attend to though, so it would have to wait. It seemed as if the redhead had hardly even noticed that anybody else was there."

    je "Alexia, darling?"

    "The girl turned to look at her, breaking from her daydream for a moment."

    al "Huhh?"
    je "Interesting! Her pupils are dilated and she still seems under the effects of the wulump’s pheromones, despite the fact it is dormant."
    je "This would suggest that prolonged exposure causes it to have a longer effect, and explains why the women never seemed to escape whenever I encountered these things in the wild."
    an "If you say so, sister."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    "The male demon was clearly bored, and it showed. This annoyed his sister, who was busy wondering why he had even bothered to come, when the wulump began to stir from its slumber."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Look sis, someone is hungry."
    je "You aren’t the only one who has noticed."

    "Alexia had turned away from Jezera now to face the beast. She opened her legs almost instinctively, inviting it to feed on her once against."

    je "It is almost as if it forms some kind of psychic bond with the women it feeds on."
    an "Trust you to be focused on that sort of thing when the good part is about to start."
    je "We can’t all be uneducated, muscle-brained louts like you, dear brother, or we would never get anywhere."

    #CG 1 - The Wulump fucks Alexia
    scene cg165 with fade
    pause 3

    "The twins continued to bicker, but Alexia paid no attention to any of it. She was far more interested in what was about to happen to her."
    "The wulump was awake now, and was clearly only interested in one thing itself. From its body, a tentacle began to emerge. As it had grown larger, so too had its tentacles become more substantial, and the thickness sent a shudder down the spine of the waiting woman’s back."
    "It slithered towards her slowly, and it felt like an eternity before it made contact with the lower part of her leg. When it touched her, pleasure shot through her whole body, causing her to emit a low loud moan."
    "She couldn’t wait for the beast to be inside her. To feel it fuck her. To have it explode inside her. As it worked its way up her leg towards her sex, she began to play her her cunt, already sopping wet with anticipation."
    "The twins looked on, both with different intentions. Jezera was cold, interested to see how her little experiment would play out, while Andras grinned like a naughty schoolboy, waiting for the show to begin."

    scene cg167 with fade
    pause 3

    "When the tentacle finally reached Alexia’s soaked hole, the monster did not wait for an invitation, forcing itself inside, causing the woman to shriek with pure unadulterated bliss."
    "The creature was hungry and the woman was its prey; there was no confusion as to who was the master here."
    "The tentacle was thick, much thicker than a human phallus, and most women would have had trouble taking it. But, as the beast had grown, with each “feeding” it had stretched her cunt a little more, almost as if it were shaping her as it did."
    "What would she be forced to take if it were to become fully grown?"
    "She was moving against it now, moaning lewdly as the tentacle rhythmically penetrated her pussy. If she had been oblivious to the demonic visitors before, she was completely unaware of their presence now."
    "She only cared about feeding her beloved wulump, and the pleasure the act gave her."

    scene cg166 with fade
    pause 3

    "Suddenly, the creature withdrew from her, with the tentacle rising up toward her face. The woman smiled and began to tongue the head, as if french kissing a lover. The beast’s pheromones had mixed with her juices, sending waves of pleasure throughout her body."
    "Jezera found the sight very interesting. She had assumed that the wulump merely fed on the women, but it seemed to be able to create a bond of affection with them too. She even smiled a little at the sight of the redhead lovingly kissing the monster’s appendage."

    scene cg168 with fade
    pause 3

    "After a few minutes of foreplay, the tentacle found its way back down to her pussy, and started right where it had left off. It was moving fast and hard now, as Alexia shrieked in pleasure, bucking against it."
    "She wrapped both her hands, wet from her own juices, around the tentacle to increase the friction as it moved back and forth, bringing her closer to climax with each pump."
    "She’d clearly orgasmed multiple times, and Jezera wondered if eventually these women lose their minds because of all the pleasure. She couldn’t let it go that far with Alexia, but she could always find other subjects."
    "The display was coming to its natural conclusion now. Alexia was moving harder and faster, chasing the final, highest peak, while the tentacle worked like a piston. She felt incredibly full by its thickness, and felt like she was going to go insane."

    scene cg169 with sshake
    scene cg169 with sshake
    scene cg170 with flash
    pause 3

    "She let out a savage cry as the beast exploded inside her, the black viscous fluid it excreted dripping from her overstuffed cunt as it withdrew from her. She flopped down onto the straw beneath her completely spent."
    "The wulump, now sated, once again drew back into itself. Dormant for now, but it would not be long before it was ready for its next meal."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    je "All in all, a very interesting experience."
    an "I’ll say."
    je "I’ll allow it to continue for now, but I will be checking in from time to time. I don’t want it to get too large, nor anything to happen to the girl we cannot undo."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    "The male demon grunted. He didn’t enjoy being told what to do by Jezera, but he had his plans, and for now at least, she wouldn’t stand in the way of them."

    je "And get someone to clean her up, we aren’t savages you know."

    return

# \events\alexia dungeon.rpy
label alexia_dungeon_week_3_rp:

    scene bg8 with fade

    "Another week passed."
    "Another week of Alexia being left to satisfy the hunger of the ever growing wulump, and it was always hungry."
    "It continued to feed, ravaging every hole on her body with its thick, black tentacles. With each feeding it grew larger, stronger, but that only increased its appetite."
    "Meanwhile, the human woman was in a near constant state of bliss. She had both been covered in, and ingested, a great deal of the slick aphrodisiac the creature secreted, and now her alien lover was all that she thought of."
    "The world outside, the castle, her husband, the horrible situation they were trapped in, all these things were like hazy recollections from a past life that belonged to someone else."
    "In her mind now, there was only the wulump, and her desire to please and protect it."
    "The wulump had grown large now, sated by sex. If the thing continued to increase in size substantially, the small cell would be unable to contain it."
    "Any person who had seen it when it was scarcely larger than a ball, only three weeks ago, would have no trouble understanding how these things were able to become such a problem."
    "Jezera had been visiting every now and then to keep an eye on her experiment, and had been content with the results. Assuming they could find a safe way to control the creature, the wulump might be a useful solution to some future problem."
    "Her brother had also made infrequent trips down to the cells, but his reasons were far less academic. The redhead’s transformation, thanks to the monster’s pheromones, from haughty housewife to tentacle slut amused him, and made for an enjoyable show."
    "The woman had hardly noticed their presence though, and certainly didn’t care about it. Her eyes had been then, as they were now, on her beloved wulump. It had been dormant, but now it began to stir, much to her delight."
    "It was feeding time again, and despite still feeling tired from the many times it had fed on her over the past week, she was eager to ensure the beast did not go hungry."

    scene cg175 with fade
    pause 3

    "Even if she had not been such a willing “meal”, it would have made little difference. The creature was hungry, and wasted no time in wrapping its tentacles around her limbs, lifting her into the air."
    "She let out a short moan as a shiver of anticipation shot down her spine when the wulump pulled her legs as wide as they would go, to give itself access to both her waiting holes."
    "Her cunt was already soaking wet, an almost pavlovian response to the beast’s awakening, the need inside her like a hole that craved to be filled, both in a literal and metaphorical sense."
    "A loud cry cut through the silence of the dungeons as the first tentacle penetrated her, her pussy now well used to its thickness. She moved against it as much as she could, despite being suspended, doing her best to grind her hips down on it."
    "Each thrust and recoil of the black phallus-like appendage sent waves of impossible pleasure through her as she bucked against it."

    scene cg176 with fade
    pause 3

    "Smaller tentacles formed now, grasping other parts of her body, as she moved in the air. Two thinner ones wrapped around each of her pert breasts, squeezing them, while rubbing the tips over her sensitive nipples."
    "Combined with the rhythmic pounding going on below, it was enough to bring Alexia to the peak of her first orgasm, and she screamed as she came all over the beast’s wide tentacle."

    scene cg177 with fade
    pause 3

    "Once was not going to be another for either of them though. As if it were wanting to quiet the woman down, the wulump sent one of its thick tentacles in the direction of her mouth, and Alexia was more than willing to oblige."
    "As the creature continued to fuck her sodden cunt, she hungrily tongued the head of the new dick-like tentacle."
    "At this point, the taste of the wulump was almost an addiction, and it wasn’t long before the tentacle was deep in her throat, with the human doing her best to take it as far inside her as she could."
    "Back and forth her head jerked, as she did her best to almost swallow the thing. A “glug, glug, glug” of gagging rang out through the room, as spit drooled from the edges of her mouth."
    "Every now and then she would pull her head back and allow the tentacle to flop out, if only to stop herself from suffocating, and she would spit on the tentacle, before tonguing, and kissing it lovingly."
    "Eventually, back into her mouth it would go, and the “glug, glug, glug” would resume."
    "The more she deepthroated the wulump’s tentacle, the more of its slick, aphrodisiac it secreted. Before long, she found herself having to swallow the black liquid; the euphoria of the act bringing her to a second, muffled climax."
    "She sagged now, tired and content after two mind-shattering orgasms."

    scene cg178 with fade
    pause 3

    "The creature was not done however, and held in place as she was, she couldn’t have done anything if she wanted to. A fat tentacle pressed against the only orifice that was currently not full, her asshole, forcing its way inside."
    "Both the tentacles moved inside her now, rubbing the walls of her cunt and anus, the pleasure threatening to make her lose her mind. The tentacle further north resumed his invasion of her throat, all three violating her holes in unison."
    "It was all too much for the poor girl, who found herself orgasming again and again as the beast continued its assault on her body. At this point she’d probably be unable to remember her own name."
    "Eventually, the creature was finally sated, and it relented, “cumming” by secreting copious of amounts of its oily black liquid into all three of Alexia’s orifices."

    scene cg179 with sshake
    scene cg179 with sshake
    scene cg180 with flash
    pause 3

    "The sensation of such a large amount filling her was enough to make her pass out, pleasure spasming throughout her body as the wulump placed her gently back on the floor."
    "Sometime later, she opened her eyes to see it, dormant inside their shared cell, and her pussy began to quiver."

    scene black with fade

    "Soon it would be awake again."

    return

# \events\alexia dungeon.rpy
label alexia_dungeon_week_4_rp:

    "The orcs came, unannounced, in the middle of week. Brandishing their swords, and torches, they clashed with the wulump."
    "It had grown too large, that much was clear, and if it continued to feed, it would be big enough to force its way out of the cell into the castle proper, in search of new prey to sate its ever increasing hunger."
    "As large, and fearsome as the creature had become, the orcs were able to subdue it without much collateral damage. In her research, Jezera had learned how adventurers had managed to deal with wulumps in the past - the monster was afraid of fire."
    "Using their torches, the orcs were able to coral the beast into the deepest, darkest part of the castle dungeon, where no poor soul was currently dwelling, and seal the door behind them."
    "Alone, with no access to anybody to feed on, it would only be a matter of weeks before the wulump was starved back to its original, much cuter, size."
    "Alexia had not taken the assault on her inhuman lover very well - she had wailed while scratching, and clawing at the orcs, trying to defend it from its attackers."
    "Unfortunately for her, the orcs were big, and strong, while she was less than a hundred and fifteen pounds soaking wet, so her attempts to defend the wulump were rather futile. At first the orcs found her actions humorous, but eventually they knocked the poor woman out, to save themselves the annoyance. "
    "When the woman woke up, the orcs were gone, and so was her beloved wulump."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Mmmm..."

    show jezera happy at midright with moveinright
    show andras happy at edgeright with moveinright

    "Alexia had been in the cell for a few days, before the twins came down to visit her. She would be returning to her normal life in the castle later in the week, and Jezera wanted to check her over one last time for research. As usual, her brother had tagged along for far less intellectual pursuits."
    "The demoness came over to the part of the cell where the woman was currently laying, and took her by the hand."

    je "Hello, my dear."

    "Alexia looked at her for the first time, as if she recognized her, but it was only a sort of half awareness, similar to the haze she had been in earlier."

    al "Oh."
    al "Um, hi Jezera..."

    je "Hello yourself. And how are we feeling today?"

    al "Okay, I guess?"
    je "I’m glad to hear. Now, just let me take a look at you."

    "Jezera gently placed her hand on the other woman’s chin, and looked closely at her face. Alexia’s pupils were still dilated, and her eyes were almost glazed over."

    je "If you could just stand for me, please?"

    "Alexia rose without question, and the demoness did a full rotation, thoroughly inspecting her body. When she was finished, she thanked her subject, and returned to her brother by the door."

    an "So?"
    je "As I predicted, she is perfectly fine."
    an "Doesn’t look that way to me."
    je "If you’d studied the after effects of a wulump attack like I have, dear brother, you would know that while its pheromones have a lingering effects, they only a few days after the subject is separated from the monster."
    je "In the short term, she is perhaps more susceptible to suggestion, and has an increased libido."
    je " Long term, she’ll probably have a slightly higher libido as a result, but the pheromone acts as a sort of amnesiac, perhaps some sort of evolutionary turn to try and prevent retaliation from any victims who escape."
    je "There will be no long term trauma. Well, probably not. The last few weeks in the dungeon will just be a hazey blur that she struggles to recall. By the time she is returned to her husband, the effects will have worn off completely, and she will be no worse for the experience."

    "The male demon grinned."

    an "That completes your research, sister. Now it is time for my part of the bargain."

    "She sighed, if he was anything, her brother was utterly predictable."

    je "Very well."
    je "But, remember that she must be returned to the help in, let’s say “decent” condition. I’d rather not risk our productive friendship with the hero over your short sighted little pleasures. Do you plan on doing the paperwork yourself?"

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "You’re no fun."
    je "I beg to differ. Still, those are my terms. Take them or leave them."
    an "Fine Fine. I’ll make sure she doesn’t have anything worse than a few bruises."
    je "Now, that wasn’t too hard now, was it? Try to behave yourself."

    hide jezera with moveoutright

    "The demoness turned on her heel and left, leaving Andras to his dark fun."

    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    an "Hello, my sweet Alexia."
    al "Oh, yes. Hello Andras…"

    "He leaned in and kissed her. She offered no resistance, kissing him back as their tongues met together in her mouth."

    al "Mmmm…"
    an "Be a good girl and kneel."

    scene cg206 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg206
    pause 3

    "Just as she had done when Jezera asked her to stand, she kneeled before the demon without question. As he towered over her, he freed his semi-erect cock, so it was directly before her."
    "Still affected by the wulump’s pheromones, yet starved of its company for days, the lust had been building inside of her, and masturbation, despite being frequent, had done nothing to quell it. She started at the large dick now in front of her, with an almost ravenous hunger."

    show cg207 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Without waiting to be told, she began to tongue the head of the demon’s member hard. He chuckled, amused that the usually resistant woman was so plient for a change. It wasn’t enough, she began to suck on the cock taking it into her mouth."

    show cg208 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She bobbed her head back, at first taking the now fully engorged cock in the mouth in shallow movements, but it was still not enough. As she had with the wulump, she wanted to taste more and more, until she was hungrily deepthroating the cock."

    scene cg209 with fade
    show andras happy behind cg209
    pause 3

    "Andras could get used to this. He put his hand on the back of her head, and started to buck his hips, fucking her face."

    an "That’s a good little whore, show me how much you love my cock."

    "The redhead continued to accommodate him as best she could, taking his large dick deep in her mouth. He pulled out and then slammed in all the way down her throat, holding her in place for a couple of seconds,  so she was forced to gag."

    show cg210 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg211 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He pulled out satisfied with her skills, the creature had trained her well. If almost choking on his cock had had any effect on Alexia, it was not visible. She immediately began licking and kissing the dick again, as soon as it was out of her mouth."

    #cg2
    scene black with fade
    show andras happy behind black
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

    "He wanted to see what else she could do, so he instructed her to lie down on the floor, which she once again did without question, spreading her legs to show what it was that she wanted."
    "He grabbed her legs and lifted them up, so that they were up in the air, with only the back of her head, and her shoulders flat against the floor. Holding her in this position, he slid two fingers into her sodden cunt, causing her to elicit a loud moan."

    an "Do you like that, slut?"

    "She moaned again even louder. He continued to piston his fingers in and out of her pussy, curling them to stroke her g-spot."

    an "Do you want it inside you?"
    al "Ohhhh…...Yessss….."

    "He slid another finger in, sliding in and out between her lips faster."

    an "I can’t hear you. Louder, slut."
    al "Yesss! Please, Yes!"

    "She screamed her reply, and as she did, a torrent of squirt shot from her cunt, soaking her chest and face. She was completely out of it now, which caused the demon smirk."

    scene cg190 with fade
    pause 3

    "It was his turn to have some fun now. He positioned himself to slide his dick into her from above, piledriver style. A moan emerged from the sodden mess below him."

    show cg191 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He started slow, more moans from below. The woman was completely out of it now, in bliss from the pheromone enhanced sexual stimulation."

    show cg192 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He began to pound away harder and harder, until he was banging against her like a jackhammer. The moans grew louder, and louder, until Alexia was practically screaming, as she orgasmed again, and again, as he pounded away at her cunt."

    show cg193 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "The sight of Alexia below him, covered in her own juices, and constantly orgasming, was too much for even a demon, and it wasn’t long before Andras felt himself growing close to climax."

    show cg193 with sshake
    show cg193 with sshake
    show cg194 with flash
    pause 3

    "With a few last hard pumps, he buried his dick in her cunt and shot his load deep inside with a grunt. The warmth brought the redhead to another climax, and a shudder shot down her spine and throughout her body."
    "He pulled out and let her legs fall. She lay on the floor in an unintelligible state, his seed oozing out of her reddened, well used cunny."
    "Andras smiled to himself when he looked down at what he had done to the woman. She wouldn’t remember it, that was true, but there would be plenty of other opportunities, he was sure."
    "He would let her recuperate now, but he had plans for when she returned to the castle proper."

    return

# \events\room_events_2.rpy (deleted scene?)
label helSubTest_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "The moment Rowan returned to his room, Helayna was already in his arms. She rushed him at the door, and brought her hands to his face, locking her lips. Rowan was normally good at forestalling an ambush, but he was no match for this."
    "It was a sweet moment. Rowan kissed back. His arms explored her back. Her hands explored his uncombed hair."
    "Yet, even now little trickles of doubt were dripping into his mind. He felt flashes of his conversation with Jezera. The one where she’d urged him to user Helayna’s devotion to break her, twist her, into whatever form he had in mind for her."

    scene black with fade
    show jezera happy at center with dissolve

    je "Don’t do it for my sake. Or even yours. Do it for hers!"
    je "She doesn’t have the focus to be the knight she was before. She’s desperate to be useful to you. The only way you can make her happy is making her your slave."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Perhaps the wisest move would be to test this little theory. It didn’t have to involve anything so dramatic as what Jezera was talking about. But, there were ways of testing these submissive tendencies that the witch seemed to have noticed..."
    "Rowan broke the kisses, though didn’t break his lover’s embrace. Helayna’s eyes fluttered."

    ro "That was a lovely greeting."

    "Helayana leaned in with her head tilted to the side, trying to restore the kiss. Her words were husky and hot."

    hel "That wasn’t meant as the entire greeting, my love. Shall we make our way over to the bed?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No."
    ro "Wait, actually. Yes. I have an idea."

    "Helayna tilted her head in confusion. Her braid slid over her shoulder. It drew his eyes down to her supple, eager, body."

    ro "I will join you in the bed, uh, at my leisure. In the meantime, I want you to go over and lay back in the bed, stretching out."
    ro "..."
    ro "Am I understood?"

    "Helayna blinked twice in confusion, but formed a naughty grin. With a sultry slink to her movements, she pulled free from his grasp softly, and started to sway over to the bed. The way she swayed drew the eye to her heart shaped rear. She was trying to tease him."

    hel "And if I did that, would it be pleasing to you?"

    "Rowan crossed his arms over his chest, trying to maintain his composure, even if the obvious tent in his trousers gave away the fact that he was enjoying the view."

    ro "It would please. But, you’re going to have to be faster then that."

    "He adopted his drill instructor voice."

    ro "Chop chop."

    hel "If you insist…"

    "Helayna laid back on the bed, sprawling out and wiggling in the sheets. Her back arched, and toes curled. From this vantage point, it was easy to see her wetness. Her constant desperation for him gave credence to Jezera’s words. She was desperate for him."
    "Still, it was only after he had her sprawled out on the bed that he realized that he didn’t really have a plan for her once she got there."

    ro "Actually, I want you to change positions. Go a little bit off the bed, and kneel with your legs together. Blowjob position."

    "Helayana raised an eyebrow at his sudden change of command, but none of that did anything to cancel out her excitement at the phrase “Blowjob position”."

    hel "Well, if you insist…"

    "She slipped off the bed adopting the post he mentioned, and opening her mouth wide. She must have expected him to just up and shove his cock down her throat. Not that the idea didn’t sound enticing…"

    ro "If you want my cock, you’re going to have to show it."

    hel "Show it?"

    ro "Ask for it. Show me how much you want my cock with your words."

    #show CG1 Variant 1
    scene cg318 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg318
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg318
    pause 3

    "Again, she was surprised by the request, but didn’t seem at all displeased. She brought her hands up into a little prayer gesture, and looked at him with big puppy dog eyes."

    hel "Okay."
    hel "My love, would you please please please be so kind as to ram your cock down my fucking throat?"

    ro "Good."
    ro "But, not good enough."
    ro "Stick your tongue out and pant for me."

    "There was not a moment’s hesitation. Helayna brought out her tongue and started panting, making needy little soft breaths with each pant. Without being prompted, she even tilted her hands down at the wrist to adopt more of a doglike posture."
    "That was when Rowan, without another word, quickley undid his breachers. Helayna only had a few seconds of warning before his hard cock was being pushed into her open throat."

    #show CG1 Variant 2
    scene cg319 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg319
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg319
    pause 3

    hel "Oof."

    "The blowjob that followed was far from his normal fare. Even when he might be rougher or more dominant, he was never like this. He grabbed her by the braid in the back and wrapped his hand in it, making her cry out suddenly in shock."
    "But, that was nothing compared to the hard brutal way he thrusted his hips. He was almost using her face as a pussy, slamming his cock in and out with little for her to do but take it and try to bob her head along with the rhythm of his movements as much as his hand in her braid would allow."
    "In short, it was proper face fucking."
    "Helayna gagged loudly and made all sorts of sounds, but if she wasn’t enjoying herself then it wasn’t apparent. After all, within a few seconds of his girth shoving down her lips, her fingers were already in her snatch playing with herself. "
    "People who aren’t enjoying themselves rarely masturbate while they suck your cock, he thought."
    "Rowan grunted loudly, slamming his hips forward again and again. He’d never taken Helayna this way before. In truth, even when he’d fuck Alexia's throat it had always felt more marital than this. This felt more like...more like he was using her as a sex object."
    "And an effective sex object at that. He wasn’t sure if it was the novelty of the situation, Helayna’s rapidly developing oral skills, or perhaps just a need for release, but he was approaching the edge awfully fast. With firm control over her mouth there was little drawing it out either."
    "He slammed and slammed at her throat again and again, only growing faster from his closeness. It wasn’t long at all, mere minutes in fact, until he felt a familiar jolt in his cock before an explosion of white creamy cum shot into her mouth."
    "Helayna looked ready to start swallowing, like had become her norm of late, before he interjected."

    ro "Don’t you dare swallow a single drop until I tell you to! I mean it!"

    #show CG1 Variant 3
    scene cg320 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg320
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg320
    pause 3

    "Rowan pulled his cock out, leaving a trail of white cum running from the tip of his cock to her lips for one serene second. To demonstrate her obedience to his order, she even opened her mouth, demonstrating the way that her tongue was happily playing with the pool of cum."
    "Rowan took a step back groaning, just watching her happily gurgling his cum.That was far more exhausting than he had quite planned. Still, he had a wicked idea, and if he had a bit of energy left it would make for a fun end of the evening."
    "Without a word, he stumbled over to her closet and started rifling through her clothes. Helayna looked on confused, but kept playing with the semen pooled in her mouth. However, a glint of understanding flashed when Rowan returned holding a pair of her pristine white panties."

    ro "My love, would you hold still for a moment."

    "Rowan took the panties, and dipped them into her wide open mouth, soaking them in the creamy mix of his fluids and her saliva that had been mixing between her lips."
    "Helayna played her part too, gingerly sucking on the cloth and helping to get as much of his cum on the garment as possible."
    "When he pulled it out, the panties were positively soaked with cum. Good thing they were already white in the first place..."

    ro "You may swallow now. When you do…"

    "He extended the panties to her."

    ro "I want you to put these on."
    ro "Then, I want you to climb on the bed and fuck yourself through the panties until you cum."

    "Helayna gingerly sucked down the last of the cum that still lingered inside of her mouth. She shot him a wicked grin even as she took the panties from his hand and started to work them up her waist."

    hel "Whatever you say, my love."

    #show CG2
    scene cg350 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg350
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg350
    pause 3

    "Rowan let himself smile slightly, as he watched her crawl on to the bed. At first, he was having a bit of trouble, but he was really starting to get the hang of this. The effect especially hit when he saw her bring her fingers to her crotch and press her fingers against her slit."
    "There was a squishing noise as she touched, that was louder and more noticeable then the normal wet sounds of a woman masturbating. He could almost imagine the stray drops of cum entering her pussy with each movement of her fingers."
    "Indeed, it was almost as if she were masturbating using his cum itself."
    "Her face took on an eager, wanton, expression. She gasped and moaned out loud, splaying her legs in every which direction. As was often the case with Helayna, there was no hiding what was going on in this room."

    hel "Oh Rowan. Fuck. Oh Rowan."

    "With her prior efforts to aid her, there was little effort needed here. Soon she was writhing and bucking against the bed. Her orgasm was imminent."
    "Surely the eroticism of the situation was partially at fault as well. The fact that she wasn’t just fucking herself, but doing so with panties cum soaked with her lover’s juices. Now to mention the possible effect of Rowan’s presence standing over her. Stoic. In command."
    "It was a break from their normal passionate but oddly sweet love making. And it was making her moan out in need like an animal."
    "Her fingers sped up, going faster and faster. It was almost hard to keep track of the speed of their movement. He could see her getting closer. He could smell her getting closer. The musk of her need was overwhelming."
    "So close...and…"

    hel "Oh fuck. Rowan. Fuck fuck. Rowan."

    show cg351 with dissolve
    pause 0.1
    show cg352 with sshake
    pause 0.1
    show cg352 with sshake
    pause 0.1
    show cg353 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She bucked and jerked her hips. It was hard to make out, but it almost looked for a moment like he saw her squirt. If so, those panties were probably ruined by now. Her back arched wildly, spasming in ecstasy. Rowan smiled softly."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "An hour later, Rowan was still holding Helayna in his arms, as the two cuddled close. The room still smelled of their earlier fun. The fact that Helayna, being who she is, had insisted on wearing the panties for a little while longer didn’t exactly make the smell less potent."

    hel "That was really intense. Perhaps, a tad too intense for me. Yet, I cannot say I had a terrible time."
    ro "You certainly didn’t look like you were having a terrible time, my love."
    hel "You may be right. Still, give me a bit of warning next time you decide to...experiment that way, would you darling?"
    ro "Says the woman who sought to ambush me at the doorway, as though I were an intruder."
    hel "True, true."
    hel "..."
    hel "I was pleasing to you, right my love? Just now?"
    ro "You were pleasing. I promise you. You were."

    "Helayna smiled and curled up softly into his arms. Rowan pressed her close. Despite his best efforts, he wasn’t sure how successful a test that had been. She sure seemed like she enjoyed herself, regardless of how unsure she was after the fact."
    "Still, did that mean she had a “slavish” streak hidden in her? The last thing she asked still rung out in his mind."
    "Was she pleasing?"

    if halaynas_day_off_c1 == True:
        # $ halaynas_day_off = False
        # $ helPathChoice = True
        return

    else:
        menu:
            "Test her martial prowess. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ halaynas_day_off_c1 = True
                jump helMarTest_rp

    label helMarTest_rp:

    #courtyard
    scene black with fade
    show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan watched Helayna in the training yard, hidden from view. If she knew he was watching her performance, she’d try to show off her abilities. This way he could see how far the redevelopment of her skills was going."
    "And what he saw did not impress him."
    "Sloppy form, weakened upper arm strength from months without training. There was also something off with her footwork. How had the ring effected her that it had such an effect on her muscle memory? But, the real problem was her focus. She kept on letting herself get distracted."
    "She just wasn’t the fighter she had been before her capture. Rowan could see errors and deficiencies of focus in her every movement. He sighed to himself."
    "How would he even be able to tell her the fact that she couldn’t join him? That she’d be little more survivable then a common soldier?"
    "While he was contemplating this fact, a familiar face walked by."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with moveinleft

    an "Rowan? What are you sulking about for?"

    "Andras strode over to him holding a large, and definitely not blunt, battle axe. Rowan could tell because there was literal blood caked on the edge."

    ro "Shhh. I’m watching over Helayna. Why are you-"
    an "Being cooped up in this pile of rocks can be boring when I don’t have anyone to kill. Was hoping to go down to the training field, maybe find a tough challenger among the sellswords."
    an "As for you…"

    "He turned back towards the center of the training field, where Helayna was still working out her aggression on a practice dummy."

    an "Helayna Raeve, back in the field. Should I be quaking in my boots? I’m looking for a challenger to face me today. What say you? One on one? Your sword versus my axe?"

    "Rowan pushed his hood down, trying to cover his face. Helayna turned back."

    hel "Andras."
    hel "You’re going to have to forgive me, but I-"

    "Her eyes suddenly went wide. She nearly even dropped her training sword."

    hel "Rowan!? What are you doing here, my love?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna shocked at midright with dissolve

    an "What indeed. It’s not killing, but I ain’t bored either. Go tell her what you’ve been up to, lover boy."

    "Rowan lowered his hood and sighed, walking over to Helayna and taking her hands in his."

    ro "I came to watch you practice. I wanted to see how you were doing before I decided if we should spar or not."
    hel "So? What did you think?"
    ro "I don’t know. I suppose I’m willing to try it…"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    hel "Oh. Alright. If you feel I’m ready…"

    #cg - combat
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show helayna neutral behind black
    show andras smirk behind black

    "Rowan and Helayna took opposite sides of the makeshift combat ring. Andras stood in attendance, as well as a few orcs and sell swords who were on hand. Helayna was down here every day, but she never sparred with anyone."
    "He flexed his training sword and prepared. In the past this might have been a very good fight. As good as he could get from a human opponent anyway. How would she do now?"
    "To his surprise, she wasn’t bad at first. For all of the lack of focus, and reduced speed and power, she still had the instincts and training of a fighter. A hard bash from her shield taught him not to hold back too much. She was fighting to win."

    an "Ha. Perhaps we should have made the girl our commander instead."

    "But, once he’d remembered not to let his confidence get the best of him that was that. He waited for an opening to appear in her guard, the result of a lack of focus, and launched a quick and decisive kick that knocked her to the ground."

    hel "Oof."
    ro "Are you alright, my love?"

    "Rowan reached down to her help her back to my feet. The moment she touched his hand, her cheeks flushed red."

    show helayna aroused behind black

    hel "I was sloppy. My fault. Go again?"

    "They went another few rounds with one another in the ring, but she’d peaked in her first match. With every subsequent moment fighting him, every moment in the presence of his body, her focus seemed to wane more and more."
    "After awhile, the onlookers got bored. The sell swords wandered off and Andras went off to, in his words, literally eat a horse. An actual horse. He did not provide a reason why when pressed for details."
    "The longer he spent in the ring with her, the clearer the problem was. It wasn’t that she wasn’t a fine fighter anymore. It was her attention span. A good fighter is capable of incredible focus, and Helayna simply wasn’t anymore. She was distracted far too easily. Especially by him."

    hel "One...More...Round…."

    "She was panting loudly now, and probably not just from exhaustion. All the tell tale signs of arousal were there. The obvious effect it was having on her was even making him feel it somewhat too."
    "She threw herself at him, one last time. What had just half an hour earlier been a moderately disciplined charge was now little more than a bum rush. He sidestepped and tripped her, pointing the blunt training sword down to her sprawled out form."

    #cg1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show helayna aroused behind black

    "There was something erotic about the way she looked there, sprawled on the ground. Her back arched softly and her breath came out laboured."
    "But, more than that he could see it in her eyes. The way she was looking at him, having just defeated her in combat. Standing over her with a sword drawn."
    "Right now, she wanted him. Badly. He could feel it. And he knew that at this moment, standing over her right here, he wanted her too."
    "Part of him wanted to open his breeches right then and there. Force down her own leginings and have her way with her right then and there on the open ground for all to see. With few around them besides orcs and corrupt wastrels it wouldn’t even be that out of place…"

    hel "..."
    ro "..."
    hel "We should probably go back to the weapons shed."
    ro "Yeah, put away our, um, training weapons."

    "Rowan helped her to her feet, and the two hurriedly rushed off the field. Nearby was a small shack where the training yard weapons were kept. Rowan didn’t know just how intimately acquainted Helayna was with the weapons there."

    #cg2
    scene cg309 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg309
    show helayna aroused behind cg309
    pause 3

    "The moment they were inside, away from prying eyes, all bets were off. His hands went to her armor, unstrapping each little bit he could find. Hers went to his hair, ruffling it and gripping it tightly."
    "Rowan pressed her backwards into the wall. If she had a complaint, it was drowned out by her own moan and then totally silenced by their lips pressing together."

    hel "Fuck. Harder. Harder."

    "In the heat of the moment, it took a few tries to even work down their breeches. Helayna left hot breathy kisses all along his neck as his hands worked. It was a frantic, disorganized swirl of limbs and bodies, all moving in tandem."
    "Helayna gasped softly at the sensation of her lover’s cock pushing its way into her folds. Rowan grunted and thrust forward, accidentally pumping her body against the wall of the shack, making a loud bang."
    "The question of if anyone else might hear the sounds of their lovemaking was lost in the sweltering heat of the moment."

    hel "Just like...Just like that. Solania. Just like that…"

    "They didn’t remain pressed against the wall for too long. As the pounding and rolling of hips continued, they gradually made the way to the ground, rolling together in the throes of their list. Gasping, moaning, grunting, groaning, exhaling."
    "He just kept on thrusting faster and faster. Harder and harder. She thrusted back faster and faster. Harder and harder. All the energy not already used up on the training field went into the the curves of each other’s bodies."

    ro "I….I..."

    "For the moment, he forgot about Alexia. Forgot about the war. Forgot about Helayna’s martial deficiencies. All were drowned out by just how good her tightness felt squeezing down on his cock."

    hel "More. Please. More. My love...I…"

    "She rolled her head backwards and let out a long groan."

    hel "I’m going to...I’m going to…."
    ro "..."

    "It happened at the same time, at least roughly. They both felt that flash of pleasure at the top of the peak. The final burst of desperate sexual energy. Helayna clutched him with her arms and hers legs at the same time. Rowan went still, spasming."

    #courtyard
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna aroused at midright with dissolve

    "After cleaning up the small mess that they’d made, Rowan and Helayna quietly plodded out of the shack. To their relief, no one seemed to pay them any special mind. If anyone had heard their passionate lovemaking, then it went uncomented upon."
    "Along the way back, at one point Helayna turned to Rowan looking serious. Almost dour even."

    hel "Back in the training yard, I know I didn’t do that well. Still, I’m going to be as good as I was before, just you wait and see. It will just take a bit of elbow grease."

    "In truth, Rowan suspected that wasn’t the issue. A warrior needed focus. Even an unskilled brute like Andras had that. So long as she wasn’t able to put her absolute focus on battle, she would never be as good as she once was."
    "That was why Rowan didn’t have the heart to answer her."

    #if halaynas_day_off_c2 == True:
        #$ halaynas_day_off = False
        #$ helPathChoice = True
        #return

    #else:
        #menu:
            #"Test her submission.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ halaynas_day_off_c2 = True
                # jump helSubTest_rp

    return

# \events\ruler_events_19.rpy
label back_for_seconds_rp:

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False

    "Is Alexia under Jezera's influence? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaInfluence = True
            $ alexia_and_her_demon_book = True
            $ alexia_has_sex_with_jezera_during_demon_book = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaInfluence = False
            $ alexia_and_her_demon_book = False
            $ alexia_has_sex_with_jezera_during_demon_book = False

    $ NTR = True

    #if alexia is in rowan's room
    if alexiaSeparateRoom:
        scene bg7 with fade
    else:
        scene bg9 with fade

    #rejoin
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was rummaging through her closet, searching for the day’s outfit, when she was surprised by the sudden appearance of a maid in the doorway. When had she even gotten in? The maid was a meek girl with braided red hair and freckles."
    "Alexia threw her hands over her body, covering her nakedness."

    show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve

    maid "Mistress Jezera would like you to join her in the parlor for a lunchtime tea shortly."

    "The girl didn’t even look at her creamy nudity before turning and starting down the hallway. She left the housewife to close the door after her. "

    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia, shivered slightly. The prospect of a teatime chat with Jezera could be...dangerous."

    #if visiting Jezera was chosen during the Demon Tome event
    if alexia_and_her_demon_book == 3:
        "Alexia still remembered the last time she’d sat with Jezera for tea. Or at least she remembered part of it. Hazy visions of her body dancing and swaying in the air under Jezera’s hungry watchful eyes."
        if alexia_has_sex_with_jezera_during_demon_book:
            "Then what came afterwards. Soft feminine fingers exploring her. A tongue against her slit. Her tongue against another slit. Things she should never have enjoyed."
        else:
            "It had been providence that she’d had the willpower to leave before anything...untoward happened. Still, the thought of what the demoness might have done to her still lingered in the back of her mind."
            "And Jezera wanted her company once again..."

    #rejoin (from demon tome if/else)
    "Alexia sighed, rifling quickly through the closet to find something to cover herself with. Then she rushed down the hall, seeking to catch up to the redheaded maid."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I have a message that I want you to bring back to Lady Jezera."

    menu:
        "Make an excuse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Please tell the lady that I deeply apologize, but I will not be able to attend today. I have urgent business that I need to focus on, and I beg her leave to allow me to complete my needed tasks, for the good of the war effort."
            "Jezera wasn’t going to be happy about this, but so long as it was sugar coated properly, Alexia hoped that she wouldn’t earn the woman’s wrath."
            maid "Ar...are you certain about this? The mistress will not be pleased."
            "The look in the girl’s eyes told Alexia that this displeasure was very likely to affect the girl personally. Still, she had to remain resolute. "
            al "I am certain. It really cannot work today with the current schedule. Please give her my fondest regards."
            "The maid nodded and left to deliver the message. Clearly it must have worked, since Alexia heard nothing more of the manner for the rest of the day. No angry rants, no further insistence on her attendance, not even a passive aggressive reply."
            "Still there was a moment where she was almost certain she heard Jezera fuming from her room as she passed by. Alexia felt a strange stirring of pride at that."
            #Alexia loses 2 Jezera influence
            # $ change_relation('jezera', -2)
            return

        "Accept the command. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Please tell her that I humbly accept her invitation and will be along in a timely manner."
            "The maid smiled softly. She looked almost relieved."
            maid "Of course, madam Alexia. I will tell the mistress to expect you. She will be most pleased to hear of your attendance. I believe she was looking forward to it."
            "The maid returned to Jezera’s room, leaving Alexia to wonder if she’d made the right choice."
            #if rowan's influence on Alexia is 10 more than Jezera's
            if alexiaInfluence == True:
                "She brought a hand to the amulet around her neck softly."
                al "This would be much easier if you were here today, Rowan. I never know what to do around those two…"
            else:
                "She tried to think about her husband and her vows to him, but the longer she thought about her upcoming visit, the harder it was to stop from blushing."
            #rejoin
            jump secondsTea_rp

    label secondsTea_rp:

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft

    "Alexia walked into Jezera’s room and found the blue woman sitting on a small wooden chair at a low table. Jezera happily waved to her as soon as she arrived, as if the two were a pair of friends having a casual sit in."
    "She also noted that the red haired maid from earlier was still hovering around, still maintaining her eyes to the ground. Only now she had a unmistakeable soft pinkish hew to her cheeks."
    "Then Alexia noticed an issue."

    al "Is there nowhere for me to sit, my lady?"

    "There wasn’t another chair in the entire room. Well, a large one near the back, but it was obviously unsuited for this kind of lunchtime nicety."

    je "Nowhere to...Oh. Oh, of course. How silly. I must have forgotten to bring up something as simple as another chair in all my excitement."

    #if rowan's influence on Alexia is 10 more than Jezera's
    if alexiaInfluence == True:
        "Alexia furrowed her brow softly. This had to be some sort of trick or power play. She didn’t trust it for the moment. Still, there was little to be done in the situation."
        "She had a sneaking suspicion that if she tried to insist on a chair be brought, that Jezera would wave her concern off."
    else:
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia instantly turned a shade pinker. She had no illusions that this was actually an accident. It was no doubt meant to force Alexia to sit at the other woman’s feet. The mental image was...effecting."
    #rejoin
    je "We must have somewhere for our poor darling guest to sit. It would be so rude otherwise."
    je "I’ve got it!"
    je "Would you be a dear and get some of the cushions from the armoire? The red velvet ones. If I lack a chair for the poor girl, the least I can do is provide somewhere comfortable for her to recline."

    maid "Of course, Mistress."

    "Alexia eyed the cushions wearily, but had little choice but to kneel down on them. Trying her best to maintain enough height to come close to matching her host at the table."

    #CG 1 Variation 1
    scene cg1022 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg1022
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg1022
    pause 3

    "In this position, if she stopped forcing herself up towards the table for a second, then she’d be practically kneeling at Jezera’s feet."
    "The maid, Amelia, soon came around with tea. Of course, it tasted delicious. A fine black that must have come from the twins’ private stores directly."
    "Alexia sipped the drink down and laughed along at the conversation. She couldn’t show her discomfort with the situation."
    "Alexia would occasionally catch a glimpse of Jezera putting a hand on Amelia’s thigh, or otherwise catching a glance at the girl’s behind whenever her skirt would ride up from some action. However, she just couldn’t connect the dots of their relationship."
    "Eventually the conversation turned, of all things, to stories from their hometowns."

    je "So, there was this old woman in my hometown who I’d talk to sometimes. She was quite wealthy, so it quite literally paid to be in her favour. And she had this majestic story."
    je "See, she was born a commoner."

    "Alexia felt the weight of Jezera’s gaze on her."

    je "She eventually married this merchant. From an entire family of merchants. They ran all sorts of trade ships running to and from Travelers Rest. Nice enough man, I was told. She said they were happy together."
    je "Then he died. Pirates, I think? Perhaps minotaurs. It was some time, and you humans are all so fragile."
    je "Anyway, she was to be left with his entire fortune. It was riches to last many a mortal lifetime. Only there was a problem. His older brother was also a merchant, and he laid claim to the fortune as well."

    "Alexia almost unconsciously lowered back into her cushion, temporarily distracted from Jezera’s power plays by the story."

    je "She couldn’t fight him for influence with his own family as the judge. She couldn’t run away with the money, since so much of it was tied to property and that paper nonsense you humans use."
    je "So she...actually, no. Let’s play a little game first. Fun, no? What would you do in that situation? How would you protect your newly acquired wealth?"

    "Alexia paused. What would she do in that situation? Alexia had never dealt with matters of inheritance and intrigue before she’d come to Bloodmeen. She was a housewife, damnit."

    al "May I think about that for a moment, m’lady?"

    je "Why of course. I want to see the little gears in your mind turn."

    "Jezera leaned back into her seat, taking a sip of tea and letting out a sigh."

    je "Though, perhaps you’d be kind enough to help me something. These boots are just murder on my feet. Heels are a curse I have to bear too often."
    je "Would you be a good girl and take them off for me?"

    "Alexia blushed softly, briefly broken from her line of thought."
    "The optics of such a request were...less than benign. She glanced backwards to where Amelia stoically stood. Still, she had no grounds to refuse. And it was an innocuous request."

    al "Oh. Um, of course."

    #CG 1 Variation 2
    #scene black with fade
    #show jezera happy behind black
    #show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black

    "Jezera crossed her legs, placing her right leg close to Alexia. For the first time, Alexia noticed that her head was nearly level with the other woman’s raised foot. It was humbling."
    "Wordlessly, she took the foot and undid the laces, letting the boot fall to the ground at her side."
    "Jezera re-crossed her legs, giving Alexia the other boot to remove. Alexia’s fingers trembled as she undid the laces and removed the boot. For the briefest second, her hands touched the sole of Jezera’s foot. It was hard not to dwell on..."

    je "So did you arrive at an answer to what you would do about the inheritance."

    "She snapped to get Alexia’s attention. Alexia looked up, almost gasping. How had she gotten so distracted?"

    al "I believe so."

    "She breathed in and rose slightly to face Jezera on a more even level. "

    al "I think I would fight for what was mine. I’m not Rowan, and I’m not much of a soldier. But, if I had money, I could pay for someone who was. Force them to back down."
    je "Not a bad answer, I suppose. Certainly more ambitious than I’d expect from a human girl with less...potential. But it has a problem. "
    je "You’d only have your own money to hire sellswords with. He could go to your same sellswords and offer then whatever you were paying them plus extra."
    je "That’s the problem with sell swords. You can never trust them. Liars, cheats, and backstabbers, the lot of them. Though, they can be useful in the right circumstance."
    al "Then what did the woman do?"
    je "Simple. She married the brother."
    al "She...married him?"
    je "Exactly. She was still young and pretty. He didn’t have a wife. So the minute he put in his claim, she offered to make it easy by tying the knot."
    je "Of course, she poisoned him a year later. She couldn’t just take his earlier disrespect lying down, so to speak. However, once he was gone, she had the wisdom to secure both brothers fortunes before anyone else could lay a claim."
    je "Once you expand the possibilities, you’d be astonished what power a woman of intelligence and beauty can amass."
    je "My foot still aches. Be a dear and massage it for me, won’t you darling?"

    "Alexia felt the urge to protest rise, but it was silenced by a leering glance from Jezera. She was in control here. Alexia mumbled softly to herself, but grabbed the foot that was offered it, and softly rubbed all over it."
    "It was strangely soft. Feminine. She noted to herself just how little it felt like her husband’s foot."

    je "Still, your idea, the mercenaries, had potential. Perhaps he might have been able to pay higher then you, but there is always a counterplay to that move."
    al "A counter?"
    je "Of course! Just, fuck the mercenary captain. Then it doesn’t matter how much more he offers. So long as one of his subordinates doesn’t off him. Haha."

    "Alexia gasped. The idea was so lewd. Still, it brought back memories of the way she might perk up her breasts when making a request from one of the local men in town, and of course of all the eyes on her when she’d dance by the firelight."
    "Once more, conversation with Jezera had distracted her. Without focusing on keeping control of herself, she’d been getting steadily more absorbed with rubbing the other woman’s foot. Her fingers and thumbs lavished attention into her skin."
    "There was a brief pause in the conversation. Alexia’s eyes slipped lower to the bare foot in front of her. Her lips parted slightly. A passing thought ran through her head. A vague curiosity that she’d never thought herself capable of."
    "What did Jezera’s foot taste like?"

    je "You’re staring, darling."

    "Alexia started to gasp out some kind reply, but Jezera simple leaned down, covering her mouth with a single finger."

    je "You almost look like you want to give them a kiss. There’s no shame in that. You’re not the first girl whose wanted that. Why don’t you give my foot a small peck. Try it."
    je "Maybe. Just maybe. You’ll like it."

    "Alexia still couldn’t muster the words to speak. Jezera was right. Alexia knew it. She did want to try it. She did want to lean down and kiss her foot."
    "Rowan’s words rang in her temples. She shouldn’t trust the twins. They were always up to something. What would he say if she knew she was so much as considering this?"

    #if alexia had sex with Jezera in the Demon Tome update
    if alexia_has_sex_with_jezera_during_demon_book:
        "Dark images clouded her mind once more. The night she’d taken tea with Jezera. The time she’d tasted the other woman’s pussy. Kneeling here, in this moment, she could almost taste it again on the tip of her tongue."
    else:
        pass

    #rejoin
    menu:
        "Get out of there.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene bg18 with fade
            show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "I…"
            je "That’s right. There’s nothing wrong with you wanting to…"
            al "I...I have to go."
            "Without warning Alexia rose to her feet. Her cheeks were burning bright bright red. Jezera tried to calm her down. Told her everything was alright. None of it had any effect. Alexia stormed to the door, now nearly bursting with tears."
            "She slammed the door shut behind her as she left. In the process, she left a slightly shocked Jezera sighing in her chair."
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            je "And I was so close this time too…"
            je "I suppose this is my punishment for getting overconfident. Isn’t that right Amelia?"
            ame "Yes, mistress. Anything you say, mistress."
            je "Exactly. Now then, join me girl. I have some frustrations to relieve…"
            #if alexia is not in rowan's room
            if alexiaSeparateRoom:
                scene bg7 with fade
            else:
                scene bg9 with fade
            #rejoin
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia jumped on her bed, nearly sobbing. It wasn’t anything that she’d actually done. It wasn’t the temptress’ words. It was the fact that for one brief moment there, she’d considered going along with what Jezera said."
            "In that moment, just turning off her mind for one brief second and doing what the other woman said had seemed so easy."
            "If she didn’t watch herself around Jezera, next time would she have done what Jezera wanted? What would Rowan say if he found out? Alexia definitely didn’t want to think about that bit."
            return

        "Give in. (Scene)" if NTR == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump secondsSex_rp

    label secondsSex_rp:

    # $ alexiaSecondsSex = True
    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)

    scene cg1803 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg1803
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg1803
    pause 2
    show cg1804 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1805 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Alexia leaned down, barely even able to construct a coherent thought. There was something almost sweet smelling about Jezera’s blue skin. Was it because of her demonic powers? "
    "Then she gave Jezera’s foot a soft peck. It was tepid. But, without even being prompted further, it was followed by another. And another. Just like that, Alexia was lost in a cloudy haze, kneeling beneath Jezera and kissing her feet."
    "She told herself earlier that she’d be stronger then this. And yet, here she was. Her cheeks burned with shame, but she didn’t stop kissing."
    "Jezera leaned back in her chair and turned her attention to her tea. It was almost as if Alexia was too beneath her notice to hold a conversation like this."
    "Once more, the dynamic continued until what had first been unthinkable had again become routine. Her soft pecks turned to fuller deeper kisses. It was like the smaller, weaker, kisses wouldn’t satisfy her anymore."
    "But, it didn’t stop there either."

    je "Aww, did you just lick my foot? I didn’t even tell you to do that, girl."

    "Alexia noticed what had happened. Jezera was right. Without even thinking about it, she’d just run her tongue not just over the dominant woman’s foot, but even part of the way up her leg."
    "She lowered her eyes. She felt weak. Pathetic. Why was she doing this?"

    je "I didn’t tell you to stop now, did I? Keep going?"

    "And just like that, she was back at it. Only this time there was nothing tepid or even restrained about it. Now framed as an order, there was a net for Alexia to fall back on."
    "She wasn’t furiously tounging this other woman’s leg because she wanted to. Because she was too weak to resist. She didn’t have a choice. It was so easy to just give in and obey when given that lifeline."
    "Her tongue worked hard, lapping at Jezera’s heels like a dog. Her nose was assaulted by a scent coming from between Jezera’s legs."
    "Among the few thoughts that pierced the vale was another step of curiosity. What would it taste like if she raised her head ever so slightly."
    "She barely paid attention to the fact that she had an audience. That Amelia, the maid, was watching her from her corner silently. If she’d bothered to pay attention, she might even notice the girl’s breath starting to grow shallower."
    "Jezera though? It seemed like Jezera was paying less attention than anyone. She moved her feet around with seemingly no regard for where it would be comfortable for Alexia."
    "It forced her to crane her neck up and down to follow along Jezera’s foot."
    "There was something strange about the woman’s indifference. It made her heart beat faster. It made Alexia want to lick and lick until Jezera noticed her. It made her want to lick until she was worth being noticed."
    "It must have been more then ten minutes before Alexia worked up the heart to do what she really wanted. What her body was aching for."
    "She ran her tongue along Jezera’s foot, only instead of stopping below her knee, she kept on going, this time rising closer to Jezera’s inner thigh."
    "She was running entirely on instinct now."
    "Only, Jezera didn’t let her. Alexia was stopped, within mere inches of the other woman’s sex, by Jezera’s hand on her head. She almost whined."

    je "Uh uh uh. I didn’t say you could go that far now, did I?"

    "Alexia flushed crimson. She tried to mumble out some kind of apology, but she was far too mortified to even speak."

    je "Though...I think I have an idea."

    "Jezera leaned back in her chair. She was flashing an evil smirk. Like a predator who her prey right where she wanted it."
    "If Alexia could even think properly, she’d be forced to admit there was something intoxicating about being viewed under those eyes."

    je "I want you too...hrm...let’s see. I want you to take off your dress, and then kneel straight up with your legs spread and your hands behind your head."

    "She snapped her fingers."

    "Alexia gasped softly, a moment of sanity returning. Was she really doing this? Had she really almost done that? Maybe, she should just go now?"

    scene cg203 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg203
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg203
    pause 3

    "As she thought all that, her hands were shakily undoing her dress, letting it fall off her body and exposing her undergarments to the temptress. Jezera smiled, especially when she caught sight of the dark patch on the front of Alexia’s panties."
    "Alexia straightened her back, adopting the posture Jezera had specified. Hands on the back of her head, kneeling, but with her knees spread apart. Raised from the ground. It was humiliating, like a display position. That meant it was arousing too."
    "And that was before, Jezera raised her leg, placing it between Alexia’s spread thighs. Her foot just hovered there. Inches from Alexia’s crotch. It was as though it was bathing in the warmth of it. Alexia whimpered softly."

    je "Oh, you’re adorable. You’re practically shivering. Isn’t it cute, Amelia?"

    "The maid didn’t respond. She merely kept her eyes on the ground, blushing dark red."

    je "I bet your body is just...aching...for me to raise my foot just a bit. Only a little bit. To let you rub that dripping pussy all over it. You can’t hide it from me."

    "She couldn't. Her body was practically squirming with need. Squirming with helplessness."

    je "Beg for me for it. Maybe if you ask me nicely, I’ll let you grind that greedy little cunt of yours all over my foot."

    menu:
        "Debase herself":
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was no hesitation left in Alexia. All of her caution, all of her shame, all of her dignity had dripped out between her legs. When her voice raised, it was hoarse with desperation."
            al "Please. I. Please, I need it. Please let me rub myself against you…"
            "Jezera grinned wide, flashing her teeth. But, she simply raised her finger, ticking it back and forth in a disappointed gesture."
            je "One more time. It’s “Mistress Jezera”."
            "Alexia squealed pathetically, but otherwise offered no further resistance."
            al "Please please please, Mistress Jezera. Please let me rub myself against you..."

        "Try to fight it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia still had a lingering sense of hesitation. A feeling that this wasn’t right. She was still whimpering and squirming. She didn’t even change her posture. Yet, part of her was still fighting."
            al "I. Please. I’m not going...I can’t…"
            "Jezera leaned down, looking her dead in the eyes. Naked, submissive, helpless. It was so hard for Alexia to match her gaze for even a second."
            je "I think you can. I think you will."
            al "Please...no….I…."
            je "Or, perhaps I should tease you more and more and more, until you break. Until your little cunny can’t stand it anymore. You can’t resist me."
            "She smirked softly."
            je "You’re going to beg, Alexia. The question is, are you going to do this the easy way, or the hard way?"
            "Alexia gasped, but otherwise didn’t respond. She knew what Jezera said was the truth. She couldn’t resist her. Not now. Not like this."
            al "Please. I. Please, I need it. Please let me rub myself against you…"
            "Jezera grinned wide, flashing her teeth. But, she simply raised her finger, ticking it back and forth in a disappointed gesture."
            je "One more time. It’s “Mistress Jezera”."
            "Alexia squealed pathetically, but otherwise offered no further resistance."
            al "Please please please, Mistress Jezera. Please let me rub myself against you..."

    je "Well there we go. Wasn’t that easy?"

    scene cg204 with fade
    pause 3

    "Before Alexia could respond, Jezera pushed her foot up ever so slightly. Now it was digging into her pussy, making it ever so easy for Alexia to grind into it. To rub into it. To throw her pussy against as though she were an animal in heat trying to get off."
    "Alexia gasped loudly at the sensation. Jezera’s foot was so soft. She’d never even considered doing something like this before. Fucking another person’s foot. Another woman’s foot. It was so shameful. So degrading. But, why did it feel so good."
    "Jezera didn’t even work. She didn’t move her foot. It was as though any further effort on her part was beneath her. She regarded Alexia, in all her open sluttyness, with something between amusement and disgust. A potent emotional hammer."
    "Alexia ground and ground until she was lost in the motion. Her hips pumped and thrusted, trying to eek out every last drop of stimulation it could get from contact with the other woman."
    "The bottom of her panties were brushed to the side by the motion, just so she could a little more stimulation. Drops of wetness, Alexia’s juices, dripped down the side of Jezera’s foot, pooling at her heel. They made a tiny dripping sound when they hit the cushion."

    scene cg205 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Time seemed to lose meaning. The passing from moment to moment was defined first and foremost by the rise of pressure between her legs. Like a tide rolling in and receding, but coming in higher each time. The tide rose and rose with each mewl from her lips and each desperate buck of her hips."
    "It seemed to go on forever. Part of Alexia wanted it to go on forever."
    "Of course, it ended how these things so often do. There was a flash of pleasure and then a plateau of powerful waves coursing throughout her body. Alexia squealed loudly into the air as she came just from riding Jezera’s stationary foot."
    "Jezera smiled."
    "Exhausted, she fell to the ground, nearly curling up at the foot of Jezera’s chair. She whimpered softly. That had been draining. Physically yes, but emotionally more than anything."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with moveinleft

    "Which is why it felt so strange when her hair was parted by the brush of a hand through it. Was Jezera...petting her? And if so, why did it feel good? Why did it make her feel, if anything, somewhat comforted."
    "Alexia groaned softly. This was wrong. Everything was wrong. She was a married woman. Rowan’s wife. What was she doing, cooing at the feet of this woman half naked like some pet?"

    je "Adorable. Simply the cutest. I knew you had that in you. "

    #if alexia and jezera had sex during the demon tome event
    if alexia_has_sex_with_jezera_during_demon_book:
        je "Of course, there was that earlier, incident. But, I think it’s oh so much more an interesting experience when you’re not half a zombie. "
    else:
        pass

    #rejoin
    je "I think that works wonders as a start to the afternoon, but I was intending for more amusements then that."

    "She scritched Alexia’s scalp softly."

    je "If you want, you can stay. You did so seem to want to taste me earlier, after all…"

    "Alexia, slowly backed away, still crawling on the ground. Jezera’s hand reached out slightly as the girl pulled from her grasp."
    "She gasped loudly, trying to catch her breath. Trying to catch her thoughts. She’d just...she’d just...Alexia’s cheeks burned."

    al "No...I, uh...I can’t, uh…"

    je "Sure you can. Can you really tell me that it wouldn’t be oh so much fun? Just spending the day as my little playtoy? If you hate the idea so much, then what was that a moment ago?"

    "Alexia backed to the door slowly. Jezera, perhaps, could have easily stopped her. Yet, the demoness held back. She almost seemed satisfied with the day’s progress."

    al "Please. I. Uh…."

    "Without even managing the illusion of polite niceties, Alexia burst through the door of the room, forcing herself back into her dress as she ran down the hallway. She was trying to get anywhere, anywhere at all, if it meant being out of that room."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    "The smile never left Jezera’s face for a moment."

    je "A pity. She’s going to miss the best part. Ah well. There is always next time after all."

    "She beckoned to Amelia."

    je "Over here, doll. I think I have a few urges to relieve."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_23.rpy
label alexia_and_the_rude_workers_rp:

    $ alexiaWulump = True
    $ greyhideMet = True
    $ helAlexiaWhip = True
    $ jezNTR = True
    $ NTR = True
    $ alexiaWhippedRowan = True
    $ rowanBlameAlexia = True
    $ rowan_greyhide_sex = False
    $ alexia_greyhide_sex = False
    $ alexiaHarrassed = 0
    $ helayna_escape_method = False
    $ alexiaThreesomeStormout = False
    $ jezeraIntroSex = False
    $ andrasIntroSex = False
    $ alexiaOffer = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJezeraSex = 10
    $ serveChoice = 2
    $ recruitDaz = False
    $ whipJezPotion = True
    $ alexiaUnfaithful = True

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1: Jezera and Alexia":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            jump omarWhippingAftermath_rp
        "Yes - Scene 2: Rowan and Alexia #1":
            $ kinkylead = "rowan"
            $ alexiaUnfaithful = True
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
            $ rowanTwoWorkers = "harsh"
            jump rowanKinkyFollowupSex_rp
        "Yes - Scene 3: Rowan and Alexia #2":
            $ kinkylead = "alexia"
            $ helayna_escape_method = "no escape"
            $ alexiaThreesomeStormout = True
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ rowanTwoWorkers = "harsh"
            $ roAlRel = 0
            jump rowanKinkyFollowupSex_rp
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alexia influenced? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
            $ alexiaHarrassed = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaJezeraSex = 10
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Both":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaJezeraSex = 10
        "No":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
            $ alexiaWulump = False
            $ alexiaUnfaithful = False

    "Has Rowan had sex with Jezera or Alexia? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ jezeraIntroSex = True
            $ alexiaOffer = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ andrasIntroSex = True
            $ alexiaOffer = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ roAlRel = 100
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = False
            $ alexiaWhippedRowan = False
            $ helAlexiaWhip = False
            $ rowanBlameAlexia = False
            $ alexiaThreesomeStormout = True
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ helayna_escape_method = "no escape"
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = True

    "Has Rowan or Alexia had sex with Greyhide? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Rowan":
            $ rowan_greyhide_sex = True
        "Yes - Alexia":
            $ alexia_greyhide_sex = True
            $ alexiaUnfaithful = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "In just a few more hours, the sun would set, and Rowan would return to Castle Bloodmeen once again."

    if alexiaWulump == True or helAlexiaWhip == True:
        "She used to eagerly await his arrival. Used to count every hour, yearning - yearning so much! - to see his face, hear his voice."
        "But now… After everything that happened after Lady Helayna’s escape…"

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        if alexiaWulump == True:
            "After he allowed Andras to turn her into a tentacle fuck toy..."

        else:
            "After he mercilessly whipped her in front of everyone…"

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "… Was this still the same man she married all these years ago? This kind, courageous man, who did everything in his power to make things right?"

        al "(Oh Rowan…)"

        "… She didn’t know what would become of them."
        "She didn’t know if their marriage will hold in these turbulent times. If it can somehow endure this growing divide between them."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 4 or alexiaJezInfluence > 4:
            "And worse of all…"
            "She didn’t know if she even wanted it to endure..."
        else:
            pass

    else:
        "For over half a year now, she’s been counting every day, every hour, every minute sometimes, looking forward to the moment when Rowan would step through the portal, and return to castle Bloodmeen."
        "… And return to her, if only briefly. With everything the twins expected of him, the two of them could rarely scrape more than a few hours together."
        "To see her marriage reduced to this…"

        if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "With her husband sharing his room with a woman other than her."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "How could she not despair?"
            al "(Oh Rowan…)"

        else:
            "How could she not despair?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She sighed to herself, and tried – as always, failing to – to banish the dark thoughts that plagued her."

    #if all_actors['alexia'].job_state.job == None:
        #"She really wished Rowan would let her work, as she requested earlier. All that free time on her hands did nothing to put her mind at ease."
        #"With nothing better to do, she usually ended up browsing the various books at the library, or - just as she was doing right now - wandering the castle, with no goal or destination in mind."

    #else:
    "At least now she had something to occupy herself with. But with her job done for the week, and with no plans until Rowan got to the castle, she took the time to wander through its halls, without a particular destination in mind."

    "A dangerous past-time, mayhap given how one never knew what the many, destroyed rooms and tunnels of Castle Bloodmeen hid from the world."

    #tunnels
    scene black with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    larry "-like big, round pillows!"
    omar "Man, if I could just stick my dick-"

    "It was from one of the said ruined tunnels, that Alexia heard a pair of unfamiliar voices."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Odd. Could these belong to Skordred’s workers, taking a break? Judging from the faint, but unmistakably drunken, laughter, it seemed unlikely."
    "Skordred wasn’t one to let his workers drink on the job, but she hadn’t seen him for the last few days… Maybe he was taking care of something away from the castle?"

    hide alexia with moveoutright

    "Curiosity got the better of her, and she ended up heading into the ruined tunnels, following the lively discussion that took place."

    scene black with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black

    "Discussion that, as she learned, revolved around Cla-Min’s rather… Rich attributes."

    al "(Goodness gracious…)"

    #tunnels
    scene black with fade

    larry "And that blonde stripper chick. Man, I’d tap that sweet ass so hard."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    omar "What, the sorceress?"
    larry "Fuck no, that bitch is ice cold. The elf, Omar, the elf!"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "She eventually stumbled upon the two workers, who remained oblivious to her presence. They appeared to be relatively young. One was light skinned, with short, blond hair, likely from Rosaria."
    "The other was dark skinned and spoke with a thick Qerazel accent. He was currently drinking from a bottle half full, and Alexia could bet the clear liquid was not water."

    $ omarName = "Omar"
    $ larryName = "Larry"

    omar "They’re both elves Larry! And you don’t stand a chance with either. Everybody knows misses “high and mighty pointy ears” don’t mingle with us, flat eared mortals."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    larry "Then you’re out of luck sir, but I, I’d like to remind you, am part elf."
    omar "For the last time, your grandfather was not an elf!"
    larry "He was! How else will you explain my magical abilities!"
    larry "With the help of a simple potion, I can enter a deep, meditative trance, for 12 hours straight! Just like an elf!"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    omar "For the last time Larry, {i}vodka{/i} is {i}not{/i} a magical potion!"
    larry "It’s a base for all alchemical potions, so yes it is!"

    "Shaking her head in disapproval, Alexia took the opportunity to step forth, revealing herself to the two workers."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

    al "Excuse me, but… What are you two doing?"

    "In an instant, the jovial, lighthearted atmosphere disappeared without a trace. The two men turned their attention to her, an unpleasant look in their eyes."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    larry "And what does it look like we’re doing, you airhead?"
    larry "We’re taking a well-earned break."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    al "I can see that. But I don’t think you’re allowed to drink during breaks."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve

    omar "Then you shouldn’t be doing much thinking, slut, because you’re not very good at it."
    larry "Rude."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve

    omar "Yeah, she is."
    al "What did you just-"

    "The Rosarian man cut her off, unconcerned with her protests."

    larry "Hey, is she one of Mistress Jezera's maids? I don’t think I saw her earlier."
    omar "I don’t know man. But in this fucking castle, the women are either maids, whores or slaves."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve

    omar "Hey slut, which one is it?! Do you eat pussy, suck dick, or suck dick for money?"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve

    larry "Does that really narrow it down?"
    omar "I dunno."

    "Fuming with anger, Alexia took a deep breath, and narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at the two men."
    "This wasn’t the first time she’s been dealing with impolite drunks, but these two were slowly moving to the top her of “most infuriating assholes” list."

    al "... You must be new around here."
    larry "Hey, she has spunk."
    omar "She’d be better guzzling on spunk."
    larry "Preach, man."
    al "Unbelievable."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    al "I simply must ask. Are you two even aware what castle are you in?"

    "Omar simply sneered at her, but Larry was kind enough to offer a response, after rolling his eyes very ostentatiously."

    larry "Castle Bloodmeen, obviously."
    al "And do you happen to be aware who exactly is ruling this castle?"
    larry "Ah, I see what you’re getting at!"
    larry "Granted, Mistress Jezera and Master Andras are plenty scary, but…"

    "He tossed the almost empty bottle to his friend."

    omar "Everybody knows it’s this Rowan guy who’s running things."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve

    larry "And everybody also knows he’s a massive pussy, so we can do whatever the fuck we want! Isn’t that great?"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve

    omar  "I heard he’s letting Andras fuck his wife."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        larry "Do you think they’re using his bed while he’s away?"
        omar "Obviously."

    else:
        larry "Obviously! Why else would she sleep in her own room?"

    if alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
        "Alexia turned red in embarrassment, humiliated beyond imagination. Did the staff really gossip about her and Andras?"

    else:
        "Alexia turned red in anger. To think the staff would spread such filthy, slanderous allegations!"

    "Larry turned to her with a shit-eating grin on his face, still unaware of who he was talking to."

    larry "So as long as Skordred ain’t around, we can laze around all day, and Rowan will get all the blame anyway. Best fucking job we ever had."
    omar "By far."
    larry "Yeah, yeah."
    larry "Hey Omar, do you think Master Andras shares his wife around?"
    omar "Rowan’s? Probably. I don’t think I’d use her, though."
    larry "Yeah, I bet that bitch is all loose by now."

    if greyhideMet == True:

        larry "Who else do you think she fucks?"
        omar "The minotaur?"
        larry "No way, have you seen a minotaur’s dick? That thing would split her apart."
        omar "Shit, that bad?"
        omar "Hold on- How would I know how big a minotaur dick is?"
        omar "How would YOU know how big it is?!"
        larry "I m-mean, it’s just common knowledge-!"
        omar "How is this- Oh Solansia’s tits, the cheese festival!"

    else:
        pass

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "The conversation continued, but Alexia couldn’t follow it anymore. Their voices were drowned out by all the blood currently rushing to her head."

    if helAlexiaWhip:
        "Never before, in her entire life – barring the time Rowan punished her on the castle courtyard – had she been so humiliated. Straight to her face even!"

    elif raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
        "Never before – barring her husband fucking Helayna – Had she been so humiliated. Straight to her face even!"

    else:
        "Never before had she been so humiliated. Straight to her face even!"

    "She couldn’t get herself together. She didn’t know if she should break into tears, scream in frustration, or just slap both of them, preferably with a steel gauntlet."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve
    pause 1
    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    "So instead, she defaulted to her usual behavior – letting somebody else deal with the issue."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve

    "Skordred wasn’t around, and these two were slacking off. Drinking on the job, even! Somebody had to do something!"
    "It had nothing to do with them being insulting, rude assholes!"
    "No, she was just keeping the castle running! That’s right!"
    "Now…"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    #if alexiaWulump == True or helAlexiaWhip == True:
        #jump informJezeraNow_rp

    #else:
    "While she had no doubt Rowan would simply love to hear all about this, he would not return to Castle Bloodmeen in several more hours. Perhaps…"
    menu:
        "Inform Jezera now. (Scene 1 Route)" if jezNTR == True:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump informJezeraNow_rp

        "Tell Rowan everything in the evening. (Scene 2 and 3 Route)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump tellRowanEvening_rp

    label informJezeraNow_rp:

        "… She did see Mistress Jezera earlier today, so she was certainly somewhere in the castle."
        "And she would not take kindly to Skordred's workers drinking on the job. She was certain she would resolve the matter…"

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve

        "To her satisfaction."

        hide alexia with moveoutright
        scene black with fade

        "………"
        "……"
        "…"

        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
        # $ alexiaJezInfluence += 3
        # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
        jump rudeJezeraBranch_rp

    label tellRowanEvening_rp:

        al "(Hmph, better not involve Jezera unless I have to.)"

        "Besides, she was certain Rowan would just love to know what the staff was saying about the two of them. This would be a nice opportunity to instill some discipline in these people."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve

        "But she just couldn’t wait…"

        hide alexia with moveoutright
        scene black with fade

        "......…"
        "...…"
        "…"

        # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
        jump rudeRowanBranch_rp


    label rudeJezeraBranch_rp:

        scene bg14 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera happy behind bg14

        je "Ah, there you are."

        hide jezera
        show jezera happy at midright with moveinright

        al "Mistress Jezera?"
        je "I was looking for you. I wanted to thank you for your very… Detailed report on everything you were witness to earlier this day."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "After the events at the tunnel, she ended up finding Mistress Jezera quite quickly. Blind with rage, for better or for worse, she ended up telling the demoness everything, not holding her tongue at all."
        "Which she was slowly starting to regret. Now that her anger subsided, she was starting to realize what fate did she'd bring to the two young men."
        "Yes, they were rude and foolish, but so were many their age, before life wizened them up. Today’s event would no doubt lead to a valuable lesson they would carry for life… If Jezera did not see fit to end that life early."

        scene bg18 with fade
        #jez angry
        show jezera displeased at center with dissolve

        "And judging from the dark look the demoness wore the last time Alexia saw her…"

        scene bg14 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        al "Yes… About that..."

        show jezera happy at center with moveinright

        "But the demoness would not let her finish."

        je "A-a-a! Don’t say anything, just follow me for now."

        hide jezera with moveoutleft

        "… She didn’t like where this was going, but she couldn’t oppose Jezera."

        hide alexia with moveoutleft

        "Meekly, she followed after her, in the direction of the castle dungeons."

        scene bg8 with fade
        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        je "You know me Alexia. I like to run a tight ship. I like it when the Castle works like a dwarven clock."

        show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

        je "It isn’t often somebody fails me. At least not as glaringly as these two did today."

        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        je "But I’m almost thankful for it."

        show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "You see, normally I’d be all for settling for my usual routine-"

        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        je "I’ll spare you the details -"

        show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

        je "But when you told me about all the things they said about you..."

        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        je "I thought that perhaps a lesson would be prudent."
        je "The first one was properly apologetic. The other…"

        show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "Not so."

        show jezera neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

        "They finally reached the cell Jezera was leading them to. The castle mistress put a finger to her mouth, then pointed to the inside of it."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        "In the half-dark of the dungeon cell, Alexia saw the man she recalled was called Omar. Blindfolded and chained to the wall, he was stripped from the waist up – but Alexia saw no marks from torture on his skin."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "It was surprising, to say the least. The last person she saw leave the Bloodmeen dungeons was her husband, and despite the twin’s quite tame treatment of him, his body was still plenty bruised. Omar didn’t have as much as a cut on him yet."

        show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

        "Alexia turned her eyes to the demoness, confused, but mindful of the earlier order to stay silent. Jezera flashed her another predatory grin, then took the dungeon keyring out. Soon all would be clear."

        je "Ooooooh Ooooomaaaaar!"

        "The demoness ostentatiously jiggled the cell keys, causing the man to perk up in an instant."

        omar "M-mistress Jezera, is that y-you?!"

        "Despite the lack of visible scars, Alexia noticed the man lost all of his earlier nonchalance. His voice was raspy, and he kept jerking his head, yanking the chains that held his wrists."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Alexia guessed it did not require physical torture to break a man."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        omar "Did- Did you find that red-haired bitch? D-did she confess?"

        je "I did. And she did."

        "Again, Jezera signaled for her to be silent, but Alexia was too shocked to speak up anyway. Did he really…?"

        je "You were right. About everything."

        "The demoness opened the cell door, and approached the man. Gently, she placed her hand on his face, and caressed it soothingly."

        je "Just as you said, she was lying about you and Larry drinking."

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

        je "She confessed she was jealous you spurned her advances, and that she made the whole thing up to spite you."

        "Surprised shock passed through the man’s face, but he quickly switched it to a smug expression of victory. He tried to be suave, but neither of the women missed him slipping in his act."
        "Jezera was clearly having the time of her life, but Alexia…"
        "Felt her blood boil again."

        omar "O-of course!"
        omar "Dumb bitch thought she could get away with it!"
        omar "But nothing escapes your eyes, Mistress Jezera!"
        je " Hmmmm, it’s true, I do think myself quite perceptive."

        "A devious smirk crept on Jezera’s lips, and she turned her head around. She answered him, but Alexia knew it was her she was addressing."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        je "But now I’m at a loss…"
        je "What should I do with this dishonest little rat?"

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        omar "You should throw her to the orcs!"

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

        omar "Have them rape the dumb bitch. That will teach her a lesson!"
        omar "A-and cut her tongue out, so she doesn’t tell any more lies!"
        je "Ooooooh, should I also cut her hands and feet? Turn her limbs into cute little stumps?"
        omar "Y-yes!"
        omar "Reduce her to a crippled cumbucket for the orcs!"
        omar "Lying- Spreading lies about your l-loyal servants! I can’t – You can’t let people show such disrespect to you, Mistress Jezera!"
        je "My, my. How considerate of you. You really are something."
        je "I am so glad Alexia allowed me to meet you."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Jezera chuckled to herself, and snapped her fingers. A gag appeared in the man’s mouth, straight out of thin air."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        je "And while I could listen to this all day, I think it’s time to move this thing along."

        "She took his blindfold off. Confused by the sudden appearance of the gag, his eyes ended up darting across the room, trying to figure out what the hell was going on."
        "They found Alexia quickly."
        "Never before has she seen a man so quickly transition from hopeful elevation, to absolute, crushing despair and terror. A strange sense of euphoria took over her, as the man who so casually belittled and insulted her, now froze in dread at the sight of her."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        "It might have been wrong, but she couldn’t help but smile a little, as she saw him start to flail in his bondage, screaming into the gag. Normally, she would find the sight disconcerting, but now…"

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with moveoutright

        je "Oh, Alexia, my sweet, pure Alexia."

        "The demoness moved behind her, wrapping a single hand around her, in a friendly gesture."

        je "I noticed your expression earlier, before we came here."

        "She leaned in, whispering in Alexia’s ear."

        je "You felt sorry for them, didn’t you? For what you thought I would do to them."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with moveoutleft

        "The demoness pushed her gently into the cell. Eyes still fixated on the trashing man, as if spellbound, Alexia did not resist."

        hide jezera with moveoutleft

        show jezera happy behind bg8

        je "But you should know by now…"

        hide jezera

        show jezera happy at center with moveinleft
        show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft

        je "Some people do not deserve your compassion."

        "Alexia felt something being placed in her hand. A handle of sort."

        je "They deserve…"

        "She looked down -"

        je "Something else."

        "And saw a whip."

        menu:
            "... (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The whip felt cold, but as it touched her fingers, a warm feeling spread up her hand. It carried with it promises of things to come, of delights yet unknown to her."
                "Of pleasures far darker, far more violent anything she ever tried."
                "She saw it unfurl, watched, with unhealthy fascination, as it reached the ground. Her breath grew heavy, her heart beat faster."
                "No, it already beating faster earlier – it was now hammering in her chest. She just didn’t notice, with all the deafening sound of blood rushing through her head."
                je "He called you a slut."
                "Jezera’s grabbed her shoulders gently, and leaned in to whisper in her ear. Her soft breath somehow pierced through Alexia’s growing bloodlust, tickling her skin."
                je "He lied about everything, and would see you crippled, maimed and raped day and night, just so he could escape punishment."
                show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                je "And he’s not even sorry about it. Not yet."
                je "{b}Make him{/b}."
                "Her words spread like fire through her body. All her anger, all her fury, rose to the top, swallowing her whole. Until now, had it all laid just beneath the surface, or did Jezera do something to awaken it?"
                "She didn’t know, and now… She no longer cared."
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "Her hand shot forward, and the whip struck the man’s chest. A muffled scream escaped his lips, and his body arched in agony."
                if helAlexiaWhip:
                    "She knew how he felt, but she felt no sympathy for him. This worm deserved none of it."
                elif alexiaWhippedRowan:
                    "So different was his reaction to Rowan’s. But what she did back then was out of love, and this… Carried with itself a different feeling."
                else:
                    "Did it really hurt so much? She hoped so. He deserved everything that was coming for him."
                "Her hand moved again, making the whip slash the air and strike Omar’s flesh, drawing blood. The unmistakable scent of iron reached her nose, and a strange thrill came over her. More. She had to punish him more!"

                $ tempRound = 0
                $ tempBlame = 0
                $ tempWhip = 0
                $ tempRest = 0

                if rowanBlameAlexia:
                    $ tempBlame += 1

                else:
                    pass

                show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp


            "Throw it away, quickly.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The whip felt cold, but as it touched her fingers, a warm feeling spread up her hand. It carried with it promises of things to come, of delights yet unknown to her."
                "Of pleasures far darker, far more violent anything she ever tried."
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                #jez angry
                show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
                "Struck with panic, she threw the thing away from her as far as she could."
                al "What- What was this- What were you-"
                show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
                je "Oh, I was just thinking-"
                #jez angry
                show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
                al "No, this-"
                al "This isn’t-"
                al "I have to go."
                hide alexia with moveoutleft
                "Her entire body shaking, Alexia threw herself at the cell door. She felt Jezera’s glare on her back, watching her go."
                "Whatever plans the demoness had for her and Omar, she wanted no part in them."
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                # $ alexiaJezInfluence -= 3
                return


    label alexiaWhipMenu_rp:

        $ tempRound = tempWhip + tempRest

        if tempWhip == 1:
            "Omar squirmed in his bondage, desperately trying to avoid the incoming blows."
            "To no avail."

        elif tempWhip == 2:
            "Muffled screams left his mouth, as the gag prevented Omar from crying out. No matter."
            "His panicked eyes told her everything she needed to know."

        elif tempWhip == 3:
            "The man shook his head desperately, hoping to dissuade her from striking again. But why should she hold back?"
            "He deserved everything coming his way, no matter the reason for it."

        elif tempWhip == 4:
            "Strike after strike, new marks decorated his body, a tapestry of blood her bruiser."
            "More, she wanted to see it grow more!"

        elif tempWhip == 5:
            "His muffled screams grew weaker, his desperate moves slower."
            "Good, he was easier to hit this way."

        elif tempWhip == 6:
            "Tears ran down Omar’s face, but Alexia paid no attention to them."

        elif tempWhip == 7:
            "The man no longer screamed, no longer dodged. His head hanged low, as strength escaped his body."

        elif tempWhip > 7:
            "Hanging by the chains on his wrists, the man could only twitch in agony as her whip kept striking his body."

        else:
            pass


        menu:
            "Punish him for lying.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Lying… Bastard!"
                "Her entire body tingled as she felt the whip find its target, two new marks appearing over his chest."
                "He could’ve avoided this. He could’ve come clean. Maybe then Jezera would show him mercy."
                "But he chose to lie…"
                "And now Alexia would show him none."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for endangering her husband and herself.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Selfish… Bum!"
                "With every hateful, venom dripping word, the whip would strike his body. Alexia watched with growing smile as the marks increased in numbers."
                "He could’ve just done his job. But no, he’d rather she and Rowan suffered for his laziness!"
                "And now he was paying the price."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for calling her a slut.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "Her whip whizzed through the air, striking true. Omar left another muffled scream. It was almost a shame she couldn’t hear him cry out."
                "“Slut”. “Whore”. “Bitch”. Such vile words. She had better for him."
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Pig! … Dickless… Ape!"
                "And each carried with itself another strike of her whip."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for Cla-Min trying to steal her husband away from her." if tempBlame < 1:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                "Cla-Min’s cocky grin flashed before her eyes."
                "“Don't get fussed up if I make a move on your husband, darling.”"
                "The nerve on this woman!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Stupid... Goblin... Slut!"
                "How she wished it was her chained to the wall!"
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for Greyhide taking advantage of her." if alexia_greyhide_sex:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                "Despite his table manners, she thought he was nice. She really did."
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Drugged… Grout… My… Ass!"
                "She screamed in frustration, striking the man in front of her without mercy."
                "Nobody in this castle could be trusted. She learned that the hard way."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for her husband letting Greyhide fuck him." if (rowan_greyhide_sex > 0 and roAlRel < 50) or (rowan_greyhide_sex > 0 and tempBlame > 1):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                "Drugged firegrout! Magic charms!"
                "Just how bloody difficult could it be to stay away from minotaur dick?!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Cheating… Bastard!"
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for Greyhide taking advantage of her husband" if (rowan_greyhide_sex > 0 and roAlRel > 50) or (rowan_greyhide_sex > 0 and tempBlame > 1):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                "Drugging her husband… And taking advantage of him! Unbelievable!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Dumb… Cow!"
                "She wished it was Greyhide chained to the wall. But Omar would take the strikes meant for him."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for her own husband selling her out to the twins." if rowanBlameAlexia:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                if helAlexiaWhip:
                    "“I Forgive you.”"
                    "What bullshit!"
                    "Tears in her eyes, she wailed on the man. Her own husband - Her own husband! - whipped her, because she decided to save the woman who thought the life of him."
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Hate… You… Hate... You!"
                else:
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Fucking… Coward!"
                    "Rowan, the hero of Karst, the man who killed the living embodiment of Chaos."
                    "Somehow couldn’t find the balls to protect his own wife from the people who owed all their success to him."
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Spineless… Piece of… Shit!"
                    "Tears in her eyes, she wailed on the man, barely seeing where the strikes landed."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for Andras constantly harassing her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Stupid... Demon!"
                "She struck with all her might, drawing blood and another scream. Weak. Weak."
                "She must hit him stronger. Far stronger!"
                "If it was Andras, he wouldn’t be hurt by something like this!"
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for Jezera constantly harassing her on the job." if alexiaHarrassed > 1:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                "Always touching her… Always groping her-!"
                "Did the demoness have no notion of personal space?!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Hands… Off… Me!"
                "She struck the man, almost feeling Jezera’s perfume still near her."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for her husband fucking Helayna." if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                "“Under so much stress”. “I know how you feel”. “I forgive you”."
                "What a joke!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Bastard!"
                "How many more women will her husband fuck to “save” from the twins?!"
                if helayna_escape_method == "rowan" or helayna_escape_method == "no escape":
                    $ tempBlame += 1
                    "And why did saving them meant keeping them in his bedroom?"
                    "He was concerned enough to fuck her, but not concerned enough to help her escape!"
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Stupid… Hypocrite!"
                else:
                    "And how come they are saved before she is?!"
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Should’ve... Been... Me!"

                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for her husband fucking his secretary." if alexiaThreesomeStormout:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "She struck at the man with abandon. He and Larry weren’t the only people who liked Liuriel’s “sweet ass”."
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Stealing… My… Husband!"
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him for her husband servicing the twins the moment he joined them." if (jezeraIntroSex == True and admitIntroSex == True)  or (andrasIntroSex == True and admitIntroSex == True):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Day… One! Day… One!"
                "On day one."
                "… That’s how quickly Rowan tossed their wedding vows aside. The moment he agreed to serve the twins, he no longer saw fit to remain faithful."
                "They wanted to test his loyalty to them…"
                "But what about his loyalty to her?"
                if alexiaOffer:
                    $ tempWhip += 1
                    $ tempBlame += 1
                    "What about her loyalty to him?"
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    "Sold… Me… Away!"
                    if jezeraIntroSex:
                        "“Hey honey, I fucked a girl, but it’s okay, you can fuck her brother in return”?!"
                    else:
                        "Hey honey, I fucked a guy, but it’s okay, you can fuck him too”?!"
                    show bg8 with smallshake
                    show bg8 with redflash
                    al "Spineless… Asshole!"
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him because she feels powerless.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "How... Does it… Feel…!"
                "Strike after strike, she mangled his half-naked body. Finally, someone who understood how she felt."
                "How it felt to be powerless, worthless, at the mercy of people who couldn’t care less about you. One bad move from her husband, and she ends just as he did – chained to the wall, with no hope in sight."
                "But not this time. This time she held the whip."
                "And she didn’t want to let go of it."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Punish him, because her husband barely pays attention to her anymore." if roAlRel < 50:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 1
                $ tempBlame += 1
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Why… Why?!"
                "Did she really want so much from him? For him to spend some time with her, to take her side every once in a while, to put her, and her only, first, at least from time to time?"
                "Was it too much for her to want her husband to show he still loved her?!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Just… A little…"
                "… She whispered to herself, as her vision went blurry."
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Rest her hand for a moment." if tempRound > 2 and tempRest < 3:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if tempRest == 0:
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                    al "Ah… Ah..."
                    "She felt dizzy. She lowered the whip, and steadied herself. She could barely see anything, with red mist over her eyes."
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "And yet… And yet!"
                    show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve
                    "This wasn’t nearly enough punishment!"
                else:
                    al "Nnngh!"
                    "She grabbed her head in pain. Her entire body ached from exhaustion, and her hand grew heavy as lead."
                    "Despite that… She still felt like she needed to continue."
                $ tempRest += 1
                jump alexiaWhipMenu_rp

            "Let go off the whip." if tempRest == 2 and tempBlame < 5 and tempWhip < 7:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                "The whole room swayed from one side to the other. Or was she the one swaying? She wasn’t certain. Somehow, it was… Difficult to discern what was and what wasn’t."
                "What she knew was real, was the bloodied body in front of her."
                "And the fact she was the one responsible for the man’s state."
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
                al "No…."
                al "No!"
                "She tried to throw the whip away, but as the adrenaline left her body, she barely had the strength to unclench her fingers. The whip fell to the dungeon floor, like a harmless toy it wasn’t."
                show jezera displeased at edgeleft with moveinleft
                "She turned around, suddenly aware the demoness never left the room."
                al "You..."
                je "It was..."
                je "Shh..."
                show jezera displeased at center with moveinleft
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with moveoutright
                "Jezera tried to take hold of her, but the woman stumbled back."
                jump whipRunningAway_rp

            "Punish him, because it feels good. (Scene 1 Route)" if tempWhip > 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempWhip += 3
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "How long had she been hitting him? She lost count. And she didn’t care."
                "The thrill was simply too much. The piercing snap of the whip, the muffled screams, the sight of his blood-!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Ha… Ha… Ha- Ha!"
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "Her voice broke midway through her half-deranged laugh. It wasn’t like her. She knew it. But at the moment she didn’t care."
                "She just wanted someone to hurt just as she hurt."
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
                al "Ha… Ha?"
                "But as a numbing feeling set of her arm, and as the sweat started to get into her eyes, she noticed the man was no longer moving."
                "Did… Did she just…?"
                show jezera happy behind bg8
                je "Relax… He’s fine."
                hide jezera
                show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
                "The demoness embraced her from behind, hugging her gently. Affectionately. Reaching for her chin, she forced Alexia to look away from them man, and into her eyes."
                je "You didn’t do anything wrong."
                je "There’s no reason for you to feel guilty."
                je "About anything."
                "Weakly, Alexia untangled herself from her."
                al "No… This isn’t..."
                jump omarWhippingAftermath_rp

            "Punish him, because her marriage is a fucking joke. (Scene 1 Route)" if tempBlame > 2:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tempBlame += 2
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                al "Take… That… Take… That!"
                "How long has she been hitting him? She lost count. But it wasn’t enough. It could have been a thousand strikes, and it still wouldn’t be enough."
                show bg8 with smallshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "She needed him. It was his fault she was here. All of this was his fault."
                "And he abandoned her."
                al "Why… Why…"
                "She couldn’t feel her arm anymore. And the man before her wasn’t moving either."
                "And he wasn’t Rowan."
                "But how she wished he was..."
                "She felt the tears running down her face. She didn’t have the strength to wipe them."
                show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
                je "There, there…"
                "The demoness hands cupped her cheeks gently, her thumbs wiping the tears away. Alexia forgot about her. Forgot she was here."
                je "Didn’t it feel good?"
                je "To finally let go?"
                "Alexia looked at her with unseeing eyes."
                al "Not..."
                jump omarWhippingAftermath_rp

    label omarWhippingAftermath_rp:

        # Replay mod: Load characters and background if we skipped here
        show bg8
        show jezera happy at midleft
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve

        al "This isn’t… Me…"
        al "You did something…"
        je "Shh…"

        "Jezera placed a finger on her mouth. Her other hand started to caress her cheek soothingly. For the first in what felt like forever, Alexia saw no smugness, no mockery in her eyes."
        "Only compassion."

        je "No, it isn’t you. And it doesn’t have to be you."
        je "But the “you” you are now…"
        je "Doesn’t have to be you either."

        "The demoness offered her a kind smile. A smile Alexia didn’t think she was capable of."

        je "You don’t have to be the quiet, servile girl who just… Takes everything thrown at her and always shows the other cheek."
        je "Let go of that. Unchain yourself from everything that holds you back."
        je "Let me help you free yourself from all that pain in your heart."
        je "Let me help you embrace your desires."

        "Her hand reached behind Alexia’s head, and the demoness slowly drew her in."

        menu:
            "Let her kiss you. (Scene 1)" if NTR == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump omarWhipSex_rp

            "Push her away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show jezera displeased at center with moveinleft
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeright with moveoutright
                jump whipRunningAway_rp


    label whipRunningAway_rp:

        $ tempWhip -= 2
        $ whipCor = tempWhip * 3
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', + whipCor)
        # $ blameRelation = tempBlame * 5
        # $ change_relation('alexia', - blameRelation)

        al "No… No!"
        al "… Isn’t… Me…"
        je "Alexia…"

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with moveoutleft

        "She didn’t listen to what she had to say. Panicking, she rushed past her. Almost delirious, she stumbled into the cell bars, before almost falling through the cell open doors."

        hide alexia with moveoutleft

        "She ran out of the dungeon, leaving the demoness behind."

        scene bg14 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with moveinleft

        "And she was going mad as well."

        if roAlRel < 40:
            "Rowan was supposed to be her anchor. Without him, she was drifting without direction."
            "And all around her, dangerous waters loomed."
            al "(Someone… Anyone…)"
            al "(Save me.)"

        else:
            "Rowan was the last thing that held her sanity together. If he ever falls of the deep end…"
            "She feared what will become of her."
        return

    label omarWhipSex_rp:

        # $ whipCor = tempWhip * 3
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', + whipCor)
        # $ blameRelation = tempBlame * 5
        # $ change_relation('alexia', - blameRelation)
        # $ alexiaJezInfluence += 3

        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft

        "She allowed Jezera to find her lips, the down sharing a kiss that started chaste, but grew more passionate by the moment, spreading warmth all across her body. She didn’t even realize how cold she felt until now."
        "Maybe Jezera was right. Maybe there was more to her. Maybe there were parts of her that just waited to be unleashed upon the world. Parts she could come to accept, and even enjoy."
        "Alexia didn’t know. She didn’t want to think anymore. She just wanted to forget about everything, even if only for a moment."

        if alexiaJezeraSex > 0:
            "Even it meant, again, giving herself to the woman responsible for her predicament."
        else:
            "Even it meant giving herself to the woman responsible for her predicament."

        scene cg259 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg259
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg259
        pause 3

        "She felt the demoness hand reach underneath her skirt. She didn’t protest. Let her do whatever she wanted. Maybe it really would be easier this way..."

        al "A-ah!"

        "Jezera chuckled to herself, Alexia’s sweet moans being true music to her ears."
        "So much potential in this simple peasant girl..."
        "Jezera would mold her according to her own desires. She just needed to break all these silly preconceptions of “morality” Alexia so desperately still clung to."

        #if get_actor_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence') < get_actor_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence'):
            #"And this was an important step to make that ambition of hers a reality. Alexia was spending too much time with her brother. She couldn’t let that brute taint such a beautiful gem."

        #else:
        "She would destroy all that helped Alexia stay afloat, and when the woman finds herself drowning… She’ll be there to pull her out of the water, and into her arms."

        scene cg260 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg260
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg260
        pause 3

        "Jezera’s hand finally reached its target, her fingers worming her way inside Alexia’s panties."
        "And she loved what she found."

        al "M-mistress Jezera…"
        je "Shh…"

        "The demoness pushed her forward, gently forcing her back to the cold, stone wall of the dungeon. Alexia saw Omar in the corner of her eye, and had to turn her head away."

        je "Just close your eyes, Alexia."
        je "Close your eyes, and focus on my voice."

        "She did as the castle Mistress commanded, resting her head on the hard surface behind her."

        al "A-Ah!"

        "A single finger found it’s way inside her, exploring her wet, overflowing lips. Did she really get so wet from something so wro-"

        je "Shh…"
        je "You’re thinking about stupid things again, I can see it. Stop. Stop thinking about all that causes you pain."
        je "Focus on this."
        al "Ah!"

        "Another finger was thrust inside of her, this time much more forcefully. Alexia stifled a moan, unable to fight off the growing heat in her nether regions."

        je "There. Isn’t this better?"

        "Alexia felt the demoness press her body against her own, her soft breasts squashing hers. The smell of her perfume banished the scent of blood, overpowering Alexia’s senses. She welcomed it, like never before."

        je "Isn’t it better to let yourself be carried away by this feeling?"

        "Her world was reduced to Mistress Jezera’s sweet perfume, her warm body, her seductive words, and her forceful fingers. Once, she would find it oppressing. But now… Somehow, it was just the opposite of it."

        al "Ah! Nn-ah!"

        scene cg261 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg261
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg261
        pause 3

        "Her back arched, as her body sought to give Jezera easier access to her needy hole. Jezera welcomed the invitation, sneaking another finger inside."

        al "Hah…. A-a-ah!"
        je "Alexia, my sweet Alexia."

        "The demoness lips brushed gently against the skin of her neck, of her cheek, teasing her."

        je "You are still holding back."
        je "Let go. Forget about everything, and focus on what you’re feeling."

        "Her fingers plunged deeper."

        al "AH! HAA- AH!"
        al "Aaaah! Nn-Aa-Aaaah!"
        je "Louder."

        "Jezera blew gently into her ear, as her hand mercilessly abused her lower region, pushing in and out of her pussy."

        al "Aaaaaah!"
        je "Louder!"
        al "AAAH! A-AH! NNNH-AAAAH! AAAAH! … AAAH!!"

        "She couldn’t hold it in. She knew she was being shameless, screaming at top of her lungs as Jezera played with her body without as much a sliver of resistance from herself."
        "But she just couldn’t resist the temptation. She couldn’t resist the sweet oblivion that came with following Jezera’s lead."
        "“Don’t think. Focus on the pleasure.”"

        al "AAAAH! A-A-AAAAH! … HAAAH-NN-AAAH!"
        je "Good girl."
        je "Just focus on my fingers. Focus on my voice."
        je "And scream your lungs out."

        "Throwing her head back, she did just that. Each moan, each scream, a declaration of her submission. Each and every single one, rewarded by the demoness."
        "With every moan, Jezera would bestow onto her a new pleasure. Her lips caressed her skin, licking and kissing, conquering. Her free hand explored her bosom, pinching and kissing, claiming."
        "For a single moment, in the darkest dungeons of Castle Bloodmeen, the concept of right and wrong stopped existing. There was only pleasure."
        "And the mistress in control of it."

        al "A-AAH! Ooooh-Nn! Aaah!"

        "..."

        al "Aaaah! M-more! Aaah!"

        "..."

        al "P-please! M-mistess Je-zera!"

        "... ... ..."

        "Alexia lost track of time, endlessly coming on Jezera’s fingers. She had long since stop paying attention to the things the demoness kept whispering to her ear. Seductive little promises, of things to come."
        "As long as she put her trust in Mistress Jezera."

        je "Alexia."
        je "Open your eyes."

        al "Mmm..."

        "Groggily, she gazed upon her mistress."
        "Mere inches away from her face, she saw Jezera’s victorious smirk. Her eyes shone in the dark, betraying just how greatly the demoness relished in Alexia’s submission."
        "Reason started to return to her, as strength started to leave her body."
        "Was this a mistake? Letting Jezera do whatever she wanted with her… Was this really a good idea?"

        je "Now…"

        "Jezera’s hand entered Alexia’s vision. The same one she used to finger-fuck her for the last… Several hours?"
        "It was soaking wet with her juices, glistening lightly in the half-dark of the cell."

        je "Open up."

        $ alexiaUnfaithful = True
        $ alexiaJezeraSex += 1

        menu:
            "Obey.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Maybe it was the exhaustion. Maybe it was the lingering pleasure between her legs."
                "Or maybe part of her wanted to do everything Jezera ordered, without thinking too hard about it. Or anything."
                "She opened her mouth, and leaned in lick her juices of the demoness fingers, slowly cleaning every single one with her tongue, much to Jezera’s delight."
                je "Good girl."
                je "Just keep doing as I say, and trust me…"
                je "I will open before you a world you never knew…"
                "… If Jezera had more to add, she didn’t register it. The whipping, the finger-fucking, all of that proved too much to her."
                "Her body gave way, and midway through the fourth finger, she found herself slipping into a deep slumber."
                "She felt Jezera catch her, the demoness low chuckle following her into sleep…"
                "..."
                if recruitDaz:
                    jump whipDazEpilogue_rp
                else:
                    return

            "Turn your head away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "An inkling of fear crept into her heart, as she slowly came to recall everything the demoness forced to go through this day."
                "Just how much control did she allow the demoness to have over her? Not just over her body, but also over her thoughts, her emotions?"
                "... Too much. She sought to escape the filthy fingers, turning her head away, despite knowing Jezera would not be happy with it."
                "But the demoness didn’t mind her meek resistance in the very least."
                je "Oh, Alexia…"
                je "Isn’t it a bit too late to play squeamish?"
                "Alexia shuddered as Jezera touched her cheek, trailing a heart made of her own juices across her skin."
                je "Did I do wrong by you today?"
                je "Alexia…"
                je "Don’t fight me."
                "She leaned in, with the tip of her tongue licked the wet spot she just made."
                je "Trust in me."
                je "And I’ll show you a world you never knew…"
                "All of this – the pressure, the whipping, the finger-fucking, proved to be much for her."
                "She found herself slipping away, into the embrace of darkness, and into Jezera’s arms."
                "… …"
                "The demoness' low chuckle following her into sleep..."
                "..."
                if recruitDaz:
                    jump whipDazEpilogue_rp
                else:
                    return

    label whipDazEpilogue_rp:

        "… …"
        "… … ..."

        scene bg8 with fade
        show jezera happy at edgeright with moveinleft

        je "Hm hm hm…"
        je "There you go!"

        show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft

        je "I must say, it’s been a true pleasure working with you."

        show dazzanath neutral at midright with moveinright

        daz "Mmmm, I assure you the pleasure was all mine."
        daz "It was quite the show, after all."

        je "Oh, you flatterer. I Know - I’m the best."
        je "But I will say, It’s so nice to finally meet someone who genuinely appreciates my schemes."

        show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

        je "My brother is always like-"
        je "“Ooh, Jezera, this is waaay too complex!”"
        je "“Wouldn’t it be easier to just torch everything to the ground?”"

        daz "Mmmm, he is simple like that..."
        daz "I don’t think he wholly understands true art takes both time and effort."
        daz "You can’t just rush a proper corruption."

        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        je "Exactly! Finally someone who gets it!"
        je "I appreciate you volunteering for this. I hope Alexia didn’t overdo it too much."

        daz "Oh, she did not hold back. But as they say…"
        daz "A true artist must be willing to make sacrifices in the name of his craft."

        je "Oh, where did Rowan find you, you wonderful gem of a man~."

        daz "In a makeshift dungeon."
        daz "Chained to a wall."

        je "Ha!"
        je "..."
        je "Say, want to go for round two?"

        daz "It would be my honor, Mistress Jezera."

        je "Good boy."

        scene black with fade
        pause 1
        return


    label rudeRowanBranch_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        omar "-really sorry! It’s just, the alcohol, and the-"

        larry "Yeah, it’s the alcohol, we really didn’t want to call your wife a slu-"

        omar "Solansia Tits shut the fuck up you’re going to get us both killed!"

        ro "Oh no, don’t blame him, you’re both doing an equally excellent job at getting yourself in trouble."

        "His harsh voice put and end to the discussion, cutting the two men off midway through their inept apology. Rowan knew what they did, and would not listen to this bull-crap."
        "Alexia basically ambushed him the moment he stepped through the portal. Still fuming with rage, she described everything that transpired earlier this evening, sometimes in greater detail than was required."
        "Suffice to say, her husband was none too pleased by the news."

        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            "She saw his expression darken with ever insult she recalled, about both him and her. His jaw tightened, and a cold look entered his eyes."
            "Not a very common sight, as far as Alexia was concerned. She rarely saw her husband get mad, and even when he did, he never was so… Hateful."
            "Yet ever since the two of them found themselves in the twins thrall, she’s been noticing this expression increasingly more often."
            scene bg6 with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            "She wasn’t certain what to think of all of this."

        else:
            "And judging by how she saw him scowl, his eyebrows furrowed in displeasure, he found the whole debacle both ridiculous and distasteful."

        ro "Gag them. I’ve heard enough."

        "The men tried to protest, but did not resist, as the two orcs who earlier dragged them into the throne hall brought out cloths and violently shoved them in their mouths."
        "Alexia saw her husband rise his eyes to the ceiling and shake his head ever so slightly."

        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "There was no reason to literally choke them- tying the cloths behind the back of their head worked just as well."
            "Regardless, he said nothing of it."

        else:
            ro "Just tie the cloths behind the heads next time. Goddess..."
            "He offhandedly reprimanded the orcs, then signaled for them to step back."

        show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft

        ro "So let me get this straight."

        if rowanCorrupt > 79 or roAlRel < 50:
            ro "You showed blatant contempt for myself, despite knowing I’m quite literally the boss of your boss."
            ro "Several times you disrespected my wife, calling her a slut, and a whore."

        else:
            ro "Several times you disrespected my wife, calling her unspeakable things."
            ro "You showed blatant contempt for myself, despite knowing I’m quite literally the boss of your boss."

        if serveChoice == 4:
            ro "You ignored your duties, potentially delaying our subjugation of Rosaria."

        else:
            ro "You ignored your duties, knowing fully well what consequences there might be to both me and my wife."

        if alexiaAndrasSex > 0:

            if alexiaOffer:
                pass

            else:
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "You spread slanderous lies about my wife sleeping behind my back."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "Absolutely abominable!"

        else:
            "You spread slanderous lies about my wife sleeping behind my back."

        ro "And you were still drinking when my orcs found you!"
        ro "I understand castle Bloodmeen isn’t exactly stormed by highly qualified help, but is this really who I have to work with now?"
        ro "You?!"

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "I should have you executed for this."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "But I won’t."


        if rowanCorrupt > 69 or (rowanCorrupt > 59 and roAlRel > 59) or (rowanCorrupt > 49 and serveChoice == 2):
            jump rudeRowanBranch_rpCor_rp

        else:
            jump rudeRowanBranch_rpPure_rp

    label rudeRowanBranch_rpCor_rp:

        $ rowanTwoWorkers = 'harsh'

        "A wave of relief washed over the workers, but Alexia knew a false hope spot when she saw one."

        #if all_actors['andras'].relation < 30:
            #ro "I’m not Andras for fucks sake."

        #else:
            #pass

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        ro "No, instead, I sentence you to mine duty."

        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

        ro "For life."

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        ro "I hope you two took a good look at the sun this morning, because you are not going to see it again."

        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

        ro "Ever again."
        omar "..."
        larry "..."

        "For a moment, everyone gathered just stared at one another silently."

        omar "Mmm! MMMM! Mmmm!"

        "Omar threw himself forward, only to be violently thrown to the ground by the orc guarding him. Larry was smart enough not to try anything like that – if or too shocked to move."
        "Alexia swallowed heavily as she watched the unfolding scene. This seemed… Harsher than she expected."
        "Was this really an appropriate punishment?"

        menu:
            "Yes. They deserve this. (Scene 2 and 3 Route)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +10)
                # $ omarLarryOutcome = "mines"
                "Alexia steeled her heart, and quelled any remaining embers of sympathy she had for the men. They should’ve been more polite."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                "It fact, it felt nice, to see Rowan defend her honor so decisively. He usually opted for more reserved solutions, rather than this, perhaps somewhat crude, but very direct display of his power and authority."
                "Maybe something good will come out of this whole “slaves to the demons” situation after all."
                ro "Take them away."
                "The two workers, bound and gagged, stood no chance against the orcs. Their fates were sealed."
                "The orcs dragged them outside, their muffled screams slowly dying out in the halls of the castle."
                al "Thank you, Rowan."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "You’re welcome."
                jump rowanKinkyFollowup_rp

            "No. Rowan is being needlessly cruel.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "Rowan…"
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                al "Don’t you think this is a little…"
                al "Excessive?"
                ro "Excessive?"
                "She caught a glimpse of his face. His anger did not die out – in fact, she wondered whether or not it was directed at her now."
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                ro "Really, Alexia?"
                ro "They called you a whore."
                ro "A slut."
                ro "Insulted both you and me, and placed us both in danger."
                ro "Do you really think I should be lenient with them?"

                menu:
                    "Yes.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
                        "Steeling herself, Alexia looked up to her husband a took a step forward. It wasn’t often she stood against him."
                        "But she couldn’t let him continue on this path."
                        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                        ro "Yes."
                        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        al "I was… Angry with what they said before. Furious, even."
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        al "But this…"
                        al "This is going too far."
                        al "Please, Rowan."
                        al "I forgive them. Can’t you just… Tell them to brush the barrack cobblestones for the next two months? Or something like that?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        al "Wouldn’t that be punishment enough?"
                        if rowanCorrupt > 79 or roAlRel < 30:
                            ro "..."
                            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "No."
                            al "Rowan, I-"
                            al "No, Alexia, this isn’t up to debate."
                            ro "Their actions threaten both of us. And I cannot overlook such brazen show of disrespect."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                            ro "I’m doing this for us."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                            ro "So be quiet for one minute and let me do my job here."
                            "She watched, stunned, as he turned his back on her, and address the orcs."
                            ro "You have your orders. Take them away."
                            omar "Mmm! Mmm!"
                            "Again, Omar tried to break free, only to be punched in the face by the guard restraining him, rendered unconscious on the spot. Alexia could only watch in horror as the orcs dragged them away."
                            al "..."
                            al "..."
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            al "You’re just like them."
                            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                            al "You’re just like the twins."
                            ro "I am nothing like them!"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                            ro "Look, listen to me for a moment-"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                            al "Don’t touch me."
                            "She stumbled backward, grasping the wall to stop herself from falling."
                            "She had to go."
                            hide alexia with moveoutleft
                            "She had to get away from all of this."
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "Alexia!"
                            scene black with fade
                            show rowan necklace angry behind black
                            ro "You get back here right now!"
                            ro "Alexia!"
                            # "... ... ..."
                            # "... ..."
                            # "..."
                            # $ omarLarryOutcome = "mines"
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -25)
                            # $ alexia_away_weeks = 1
                            # $ alexia_cant_work_weeks = 1
                            # $ all_actors['alexia'].job_state.job = None
                            jump rudeApology_rp


                        else:
                            ro "..."
                            "Her husband sighed wearily."
                            ro "Alexia… It’s not that simple."
                            ro "I can’t have the staff sabotaging me."
                            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                            ro "This job is difficult with the twins being… The twins."
                            ro "I don’t need this… Circus show rocking the boat."
                            al " I know Rowan, I know."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                            "She grabbed his face gently, a kind smile on her face."
                            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            al "But this isn’t like you."
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            al "Don’t let this place turn you into somebody I no longer recognize."
                            ro "..."
                            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                            "Without another word, he grabbed her by the hands and pushed her away."
                            "His cold gaze turned to the workers once more."
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                            show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with moveoutright
                            ro "Three months of cleaning the barracks, and if I ever see any of you two idiots again, you’ll end as Cliohna’s experiments. Have I made myself perfectly fucking clear here?"
                            larry "Mmm!"
                            omar "Mmmm!"
                            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                            ro "Good. Take them away."
                            "..."
                            al "… Do you want to talk about this?"
                            ro "..."
                            ro "Let’s see what’s for dinner."
                            hide rowan with moveoutright
                            "He left without another world. His wife, after a moment of hesitation, hurrying after him."
                            # $ omarLarryOutcome = "barracks"
                            # $ rowanCorrupt -= 10
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                            return

                    "Perhaps not...":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
                        al "..."
                        al "Well, maybe not, but…"
                        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                        ro "Good."
                        "He didn’t wait for her to finish. The matter was resolved."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        ro "Take them away."
                        "The two workers, bound and gagged, stood no chance against the orcs. The Bloodmeen guards dragged out of the chamber, with Omar’s muffled screams slowly dying out in the halls of the castle."
                        "Alexia pretended she didn’t hear it. It was easier that way."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                        ro "Alexia, look."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "I understand things haven’t been… Easy for you."
                        ro "But that is exactly why I need you strong."
                        "He held her close, kissing her softly on the forehead."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                            "She nodded solemnly. She understood why Rowan needed to be harsh, but still…"
                            "It left a bitter aftertaste in her mouth."
                            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        else:
                            "She said nothing. Her husband waited for her to respond, before sighing and letting go."
                        ro "Alright, let’s grab something to eat. I’m starving."
                        al "… Of course."
                        return


    label rudeRowanBranch_rpPure_rp:

        $ rowanTwoWorkers = 'kind'

        ro "Stupidity is not a crime, as much as I’d want it to be."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "One month of cleaning the orc barracks. And I’m being lenient here."
        ro "Consider yourself lucky, that Alexia came with this to me, and not Jezera or Andras. None of them would be anywhere near as understanding here."
        ro "So clean up your act before the twins catch wind of your antics. Have I made myself clear?"

        larry "Mmm!"
        omar "Mmmm!"

        ro "Good."

        "The two workers nodded their head, not believing their own luck. Any noble, after having their wife insulted as Rowan had, would have their heads on a plate."
        "Few people had Rowan’s compassion, and it was that very kind heart that made Alexia marry him."
        "… Still, a part of her now wondered if he wasn’t being too kind. Oh, she understood they were just two incredibly stupid assholes. Not exactly grounds for execution."
        "But after the things they said about her…"

        menu:
            "Rowan is being too kind.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                "… They really didn’t deserve any mercy."
                al "… Is that it?"
                ro "Excuse me?"
                al "Is that all they get?"
                al "One month of cleaning duty?"
                al "For calling your wife a whore, a slut, and an airhead?"
                if roAlRel > 50:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                    "She didn’t hide the disappointment in her voice, and she saw that every word was like a dagger to Rowan’s chest."
                    "Good. He should find this painful. Just as she did."
                else:
                    "She didn’t hide the disappointment in her voice, but Rowan’s face remained impassive."
                    "… Did he really care so little for it?"
                ro "Then what would you have me do?"
                ro "Toss them into the blackest abyss, just for being rude to my wife?"
                al "..."

                menu:
                    "Yes, that’s precisely what he should do!":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
                        al "Yes! Exactly that!"
                        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                        al "Or do you not care what they all say about me when you’re gone?"
                        al "Is being locked in this castle not enough for me? Do you also want me to listen to people mocking me and belittling me on every corner?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                        al "Is it too much, to ask that you protect my dignity and good name, as a husband should?"
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        "This must have hit a spot, as she saw his features hardened. Perhaps it wasn’t exactly fair of her here, but after being married for so long, one learned what buttons to push."
                        "Rowan turned his eyes to the two workers who now squirmed in their bondage as the two orcs held them, shaking their heads as the begged Rowan to ignore his wife’s counsel."
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia turned her gaze at them as well, casting them a venomous look. They shriveled under it, much to her satisfaction."
                        if rowanCorrupt > 20 or roAlRel < 50:
                            ro "..."
                            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                            ro "No."
                            ro "No, this is not right. I’m not going to kill them or do something equally as bad, just because they insulted you."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                            ro "Alexia, I understand you feel-"
                            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                            al "Oh, spare me. I don’t want to listen to his."
                            ro "Alexia-"
                            al "I should’ve known you wouldn’t have the guts to stand up for me."
                            if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
                                al "Andras wouldn’t think twice about this."
                            elif alexiaJezInfluence > 2:
                                al "I should’ve asked Jezera to deal with them. She wouldn’t think twice about this."
                            else:
                                al "Spineless wimp."
                            ro "Alexia!"
                            hide alexia moveoutleft
                            "She couldn’t stand his presence anymore. She couldn’t believe she married this cowardly pile of self-righteous delusions."
                            scene black with fade
                            "She stormed off, without looking back even once."
                            # $ omarLarryOutcome = "barracks"
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -10)
                            jump rudeApology_rp

                        else:
                            ro "..."
                            show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                            ro "You’re right."
                            "Her husband sighed to himself, a tortured look crossing his face."
                            al "(Oh sweet Rowan… Always trying to do the right thing.)"
                            "This time, it meant listening to her."
                            "Still, she was not unsympathetic to his plight. She walked up to him and hugged him gently, hoping it would ease his burden just a little bit."
                            ro "Mining duty. Throw them into the deepest tunnels you find. I don’t want to see them in the castle ever again."
                            omar "Mmm! MMMM! Mmmm!"
                            "Omar threw himself forward, only to be violently thrown to the ground by the orc guarding him. Larry was smart enough not to try anything like that – if or too shocked to move."
                            "To have their fortune overturned so suddenly…"
                            "Alexia saw the regret on their face as the orcs dragged them away. Good. This should make people think twice before insulting her again."
                            al "Thank you, Rowan. I know it wasn’t easy."
                            al "But I feel better knowing I can rely on you."
                            ro "..."
                            ro "Let’s see what’s for dinner."
                            hide alexia with moveoutleft
                            hide rowan with moveoutleft
                            "He turned away without another word. Alexia followed, a soft smile on her lips as she went."
                            # $ omarLarryOutcome = "mines"
                            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                            return


                    "Maybe not.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                        # $ omarLarryOutcome = "barracks"
                        "Alexia scowled softly. This whole debacle was leaving a bad taste in her mouth."
                        al "I guess not…"
                        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                        ro "I understand this isn’t easy for you."
                        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                        ro "Believe me, I heard my share of insults when they made me general. From people who definitely should know better than to disrespect their superior officer."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                        ro "But If I had every soldier decapitated just for being stupid or narrow-minded, I’d be killing a lot of people who could still do good…"
                        ro "… With proper guidance."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        "He signaled for the two orcs, and the castle guards pulled the men upwards."
                        ro "I hope this will be a lesson for you. I expect you to be at your best behavior from now on."
                        larry "Mmm!"
                        omar "Mmm-mm!"
                        ro " … I’ll assume that was “Yes” and “Yes sir!” subsequently."
                        ro "Take them away."
                        "The orcs dragged them out, while Alexia rubbed her arms, not sure where to look."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                        ro "Alexia…"
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
                        ro "How are you holding up? Are you okay?"
                        al "I’m fine."
                        "Such an obvious lie. Rowan saw right through it and moved in to hug her close to his chest. The warmth of his body, and the beating of his heart, brought a strange sense of calmness to her."
                        "This place was getting to her. Turning her into someone she didn’t recognize anymore. She was glad she still had Rowan with her. He was her anchor. Her lighthouse guiding her to the shore in these dark waters."
                        "She feared what could happen if someone ever snuffed that fire out."
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
                        return


            "Rowan is right. (Scene 2 and 3 Route)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "..."
                "… Guess she shouldn’t let her emotions get the better of her. Everybody deserved a second chance, even these two."
                ro "Alright, take them away."
                # $ omarLarryOutcome = "barracks"
                jump rowanKinkyFollowup_rp


    label rowanKinkyFollowup_rp:

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft

        ro "Well, that was a wonderful way to start the weekend."
        ro "Do we have another crisis for me to look over?"
        ro "Are Cla-Min and Skordred arguing about societal ideas again?"
        ro "Or maybe Andras killed a bunch of orcs and now cannot comprehend why morale is low?"
        ro "Because I swear by the Goddess, there’s something new every week. Maybe I should just start holding two audiences at once!"

        "A forced attempt to lighten up the mood, albeit a successful one. They had so little time for one another, neither really wished to discuss the matter any further."
        "But she did feel a little bad about forcing Rowan to deal with it…"

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        al " I’m sorry for adding to your problems, but I didn’t want to go to Jezera with it…"

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        ro "It’s fine, Alexia. The matter is resolved, no point dwelling on it."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Hmmm… Although…"

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        "He placed his hands on her hips, and hugged her close. A devious smile danced on his lips as his hands slowly roamed over her curves, making their way to her backside."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        ro "Maybe I am a little mad about all of this."
        ro "Most wives great their husbands with a warm meal on their return."
        ro "And what do I get?"
        ro "Two drunk clowns?"

        "She giggled to herself. Right, guess this wasn’t how her husband imagined their weekly reunion would start like."
        "Well, if that’s the case…"

        menu:
            "Take the lead - “Compensate” him for all the hard work. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ kinkylead = "alexia"
                "Her hand playfully danced down his chest, as she looked him deep in the eyes. It did not escape her how he was undressing her with them, his desire for her growing more apparent by the second, as her fingers ventured further and further down."
                al " I’m terrible sorry Rowan. I must be a pretty horrible wife, since I also appear to have forgotten to set up the stove."
                al "But I think I can get you something warm for the evening..."
                "She grabbed him by the groin, feeling his rock-hard erection, thoroughly enjoying the soft grunt it got out of her husband."
                "His office was just behind the corner. It would serve well for what she had planned…"
                jump rowanKinkyFollowupSex_rp


            "Tease him a bit, and see where it goes. (Scene 3)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ kinkylead = "rowan"
                al "Guess I’m a pretty bad wife."
                al "Thinking about punishing me?"
                if whipJezPotion:
                    al "Should I bring the whip?"
                    ro "Not this time."
                else:
                    pass
                "He grabbed her backside possessively and forced her hips into his groin, making Alexia feel the result of their week-long separation."
                al "Oh!"
                if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna or alexiaThreesomeStormout:
                    "It was incredibly satisfying, knowing that despite the many women that showed interest in Rowan, some of them much younger than her, she still had this sort of an effect on her husband."
                else:
                    "It was nice knowing, that despite the many years of their marriage, she could still have this sort of effect on her husband."
                al "I guess it’s not a meal you’re hungry for."
                ro "You guessed right. Now get moving."
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                "He slapped her on the ass, and pushed her in the direction of his office…"
                jump rowanKinkyFollowupSex_rp

            "Enough emotions for today. Grab dinner together and call it a day.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She put her hand on his chest and playfully pushed herself away."
                al "Let’s see about that warm meal first, shall we?"
                al "Then we can think about other things."
                ro "Tease."
                "She flashed him a coy smile and grabbed him by the hand, leading him to the castle kitchen."
                "They’d play another day."
                return


    label rowanKinkyFollowupSex_rp:

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind black
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black

        if kinkylead == "rowan":
            al "Mmm-!"
            ro "Open wide!"
            #cg 1
            scene cg286 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg286
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg286
            pause 3
            "His patience has long since expired. The moment they reached his office, he dragged her in front of his chair, and forced her to her knees. A few hectic movements later, his cock was free for Alexia to admire-"
            "Only for Rowan to grab her by the head and instantly jam it down her throat."
            al "! ! !"
            al "(S-so forceful!)"
            if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                "He paid no attention to her grunts of discomfort, and yanked her by the hair to make her adjust her position. She scrambled to follow his directions, knowing he expected her to keep up."
            else:
                "Seeing her discomfort, Rowan lessened his grip a little, as to not to hurt her. But there would be no denying his pent-up lust."
                "He gave her a short moment to adjust her position, which Alexia gratefully welcomed. But only a moment."
            al "MMM!!"
            "He pulled her head deep onto his cock, all the way in. A familiar warmth filled her mouth, one she was used to – but perhaps not to taking it so forcefully. He must have really missed her…"
            al "(Aah… Rowan..)"
            "His musky odor assaulted her nose. He didn’t even get to wash, so great was his desire."
            "Somehow, it served to only turn her on. From the moment he stepped through the portal, all he must’ve been thinking about was finding and making love- no, fucking his wife. He didn’t care for everything else."
            if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna or alexiaThreesomeStormout:
                "Not even for other women. She was the one he wanted most. His loving, obedient wife."
            else:
                pass
            al "(A-ah…)"
            "She obediently ran her tongue across his length, as much as she could – it was far too deep for her to appreciate it properly, or, for that record – breathe properly."
            "Obviously, that would not be enough to please her husband, and she soon felt his hold of her lessen."
            "She understood what he wanted of her. She pulled back a little, sucking on the tip of his tool, before willingly taking him all the way in again."
            ro "Very good Alexia… Keep doing that."
            "If he wanted her to face-fuck herself on his dick… Who she was to refuse?"
            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                "A predatory smile danced upon his lips, his eyes devouring her form, making a pleasant tingle run down her spine. These eyes too, she’s been seeing more often recently."
                "Hungry eyes, filled with primal, animalistic desire."
                "She didn’t mind. At least not now, when she was sucking his cock with such abandon."
            else:
                "A confident, cocky smile danced upon his lips, as he appreciated her kneeling form. He always was enjoying himself a little too much when she agreed to humor him like that."
                "Oh, but she didn’t mind. Did not mind at all."
            al "Mmm-mmm… Mmm… Mm!"
            "She increased her effort, sucking him greedily, her mouth making increasingly more obscene noises. Her muffled moans and lewd slurping filled the room, and she heard husband chuckle at it."
            ro "Good heavens Alexia."
            if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                ro "For someone who got so prissy about some two guys calling her a slut..."
                ro "You’re acting pretty slutty right now."
            else:
                ro "I’m starting to think I was being too hard on Larry and Omar."
                ro "You’re acting quite.... Liberal today."
                al "(Slutty. You wanted to say slutty.)"
            "Her cheeks turned crimson in embarrassment, and she felt her shame only added to Rowan’s arousal."
            menu:
                "Maybe she is a bit of a slut…" if alexiaUnfaithful:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "… Maybe he was onto something. She hasn’t been exactly acting like the very picture of a Rosarian wife in recent months, but surely Rowan couldn’t complain about the results, right?"
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)

                "Only for him.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Surely there was nothing wrong with servicing her husband with a little more enthusiasm than the church of Solansia advocated for, right?"
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)

                "It’s not like that…" if alexiaCorrupt < 50:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "(I just…)"
                    "She tried to think of an excuse, but it was hard to defend her dignity with a cock in her mouth."
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)

            "She wouldn’t be allowed to consider the matter further, as her apparent embarrassment was exactly what pushed her husband over the breaking point."
            show cg286 with sshake
            show cg286 with sshake
            show cg286 with flash
            if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                "His hand, until now content to caress her hair, now grabbed her by the back of the head and forced her to take his cock all the way in, allowing Rowan to deposit his seed directly into her stomach."
                "She had nothing to say on the matter. She gagged lightly, as she felt his thick cum pour down her throat."
            else:
                "His hand, until now content to caress her hair, now gripped it again, forcing Alexia in place as her husband came in her mouth."
                "Obediently, she drank all of it, enjoying the tart taste of her beloved."
            ro "Nnn- aah!"
            ro "Damn… You have no idea how much I wanted to see you like this."
            "He freed her mouth, causing her to gasp loudly. Oh, she had a pretty good idea…"
            al "(… Hah…)"
            "Guess in the end, one of the got their warm meal after all..."
            return

        else:
            al "Mmmm…"
            ro "Mmm- A-Alexia!"
            "In a rare display of initiative, she pushed her husband into his office, throwing him into his chair with surprising forcefulness."
            "It’s been only a week, but damn, she missed him."
            al "Just relax, my beloved…"
            "She pressed into him, locking their lips in a long, passionate kiss, born of prolonged separation."
            "She wanted him, and she wanted him to know that."
            al "Aah..."
            al "I’ll show you I take my wifely duties very seriously."
            "She didn’t rush into things. Not at first. Standing over him, she made a show of kneeling down, running her hands under his shirt, feeling his chiseled chest."
            "Her eyes never left his, and she watched, with sweet satisfaction, as his breathing grew heavy, his arousal more apparent by the second."
            "He allowed himself to be subjected to this sweet torture, waiting for Alexia to finally reach the thing that needed her touch most."
            if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                "It always fascinated her, how he could be so… Domineering in day to day matters, but once she got him in bed, he was often willing to give up control with but token resistance."
                "She never really explored that part of him before, at least not in depth…"
                "But she didn’t mind it."
            else:
                "He was always so considerate of others. So understanding. Took lead because he had to, not because he wanted to."
                "So this one time, Alexia was more than happy to take the burden of leading off his shoulders."
            "Slowly – agonizingly slowly – she got to her knees, the coy smile never leaving her lips."
            al "Have you been thinking about me during your journeys? About me kneeling before you like that…"
            "Her fingers deftly undid his buckle, and the swollen tip of his manhood proudly poked through his pants."
            al "About me putting your cock between my lips…"
            "She blew at it gently, and placed a chaste kiss at the very tip of it. Then another, further down."
            al "About me sucking you dry?"
            "And another, and another. The musky, familiar scent of his cock filled her nostrils, making her smile."
            ro "A-ah!"
            "She chuckled to herself, seeing his growing frustration. Was she being inconsiderate? Teasing him so, after everything he had to go through today, because of her?"
            "Maybe a little. But she was going to make up for all of it."
            #cg 2
            scene cg999 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg999
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg999
            pause 3
            "She ran her tongue along his shaft, from the base, to the swollen tip. Then again, along the side of it."
            "And again, along the other."
            if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                ro "Nn-! Alexia…"
                "He growled at her, his hands clenching. Scary, scary… Yet still, he let her do as she pleased."
            else:
                ro "A-Alexia…"
                "He moaned her name out. Ah, how she loved when he did that!"
            "She felt her loins stir, and for a moment, she felt tempted to sneak a hand down to her crotch. But she resisted the temptation."
            "All of this… It wasn’t about her. It was about her showing him how much she appreciated all he kept doing for both of them."
            if roAlRel < 50:
                "Even if they weren’t always on the same page."
            else:
                pass
            "A droplet of precum formed at the tip of his cock. She pressed her cheek against it, smearing it over her face, well aware of the effect it will have on him."
            al "Won’t you say it suits me?"
            ro "It def –ngh!- initely does."
            "She flashed him a cheeky grin. Exactly what she was hoping for."
            "Finally, she decided to put an end to his suffering. She opened wide, giving Rowan a good look at her face -"
            "Then dived straight into his cock, taking it all the way in."
            al "Mmm!"
            ro " Aah!"
            "She was going to milk him dry..."
            if helayna_escape_method == 'no escape' and alexiaThreesomeStormout:
                "Once she’s done with him, there’s no way he’ll have any strength left for either of the two floozies that kept trying to seduce him away from her."
            elif alexiaThreesomeStormout:
                "Once she’s done with him, there’s no way he’ll even want to look at that skinny elf floozy of his."
            elif helayna_escape_method == 'no escape':
                "Once she’s done with him, there’s no way he’ll have any strength left for Helayna. Guess she’ll have to find another way to satiate her lusts."
                "Poor her."
            else:
                pass
            ro "D-amn Alexia, that’s- Ah!"
            "She silenced him by wrapping her fingers around his balls, massaging them with care as she rocked her head on his cock, her tongue working his shaft diligently."
            "Up and down, up and down, his cock hitting the back of her throat. Up and down, up and down."
            al "(Let your wife take care of all that pent-up lust, my beloved…)"
            ro "NN- Ahh! Aaah! Aaa!"
            "His moans filled the office, joined by the obscene, slurping noises she was starting to make."
            "If someone entered the room now, what would they think? With her sucking her husband’s cock, right after he got back to the castle?"
            "Ha… Despite her earlier anger today…"
            "Maybe there was something to Omar and Larry’s words after all."
            menu:
                "Nothing wrong with enjoying herself a little." if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "So what if in recent months she started to behave a bit more… Slutty."
                    "There was nothing wrong with that."
                    "Still didn’t change the fact they should’ve watched their words."
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)

                "This was just for her husband. Nothing more.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Though really, her taking care of her husband was hardly “immoral”."
                    "She was just doing her wifely duties. That’s all."
            "But she didn’t have the time to ponder the matter further. At last, her ministrations were rewarded, and she felt Rowan’s cock twitch."
            al "! !"
            ro "AH!"
            "She felt his hot cum fill her mouth, and she intensified her sucking, drinking his seed greedily. Her fingers never stopped massaging his balls, pushing more and more of him into her mouth."
            "Milk. Him. Dry."
            al "Ah! Ha…"
            "Finally, she released his cock, and immediately, went on to clean it up of any remaining cum, looking him in the eyes as she did."
            "Out of the two, she might have been the one who ended with a warm treat in her stomach…"
            "But she didn’t think he would complain."
            return

    label rudeApology_rp:

        scene black with fade

        "... ... ..."
        "... ..."
        "..."

        scene bg14 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "(Solansia’s tits…)"

        "Rowan mulled a curse in his mouth. For the entire weekend, his wife has been avoiding him. She wouldn’t even let him say goodbye as he headed for the portal."

        if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
            "Just what he needed – his wife causing him troubles. As if the job wasn’t already difficult…"
        else:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "He was growing concerned with all the mental strain she’s been under. He understood life in castle Bloodmeen wasn’t easy, but for her to react so violently to his opposition…."

        "He wasn’t certain what to think about all of this."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with moveinright
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "But he would have to make up his mind soon."

        al "Rowan."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Alexia."

        al "I..."
        al "I wanted to apologize."
        al "For what happened two days ago."
        al "In the heat of the moment, I said some hurtful things I didn’t mean."

        if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
            al "Rowan, you always took the high road, and it was painful for me to see you act so… In my eyes, callously."
            al "But I understand you have to make some compromises to survive, for us both."
            al "And I shouldn’t have been so hard on you for it."

        else:
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
            al "Rowan, you always took the high road, and it was one of the many things that made me fall in love with you."
            al "But being here… I…"
            al "I guess I started to forget what it meant to be considerate of other people failings."
            al "And I… Lashed out when I shouldn’t have."

        al "So… I just wanted to say I’m sorry."
        al "And that I love you."

        ro "..."

        menu:
            "“I love you too, and I’m sorry as well.”":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                label alBluffCheck_rp:
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)
                    ro "I should’ve been more understanding of your anger. You’re trapped with these people the entire week…"
                    ro "When your only crime is being the wife of a hero."
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I’m sorry, for everything."
                    if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                        ro "I’ve been making difficult choices my entire life. I’ve grown…"
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Desensitized, I guess."
                        ro "I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I’m sorry."
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        al "It’s okay. I forgive you."
                        ro "Thank you."
                        ro "I’m sorry, for everything."
                    else:
                        pass
                    "He hugged her close, giving her a quick kiss."
                    ro "And I love you. Stay safe."
                    al "You be careful as well, my beloved."
                    return


            "“I understand, but you need to be better than this.”":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                ro "I understand, but…"
                ro "Alexia, I can’t have you causing me trouble, alright?"
                if rowanTwoWorkers == 'kind':
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I understand you had your reasons to be mad at these two guys, but you can’t… Lash out like that."
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                else:
                    ro "I understand you’re not… Properly accustomed to the realities of this place, but you need to accept the fact we’re not in Rosaria anymore."
                    ro "I can’t be lenient on these people, and neither can you."
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                ro "Will you try to keep your emotions under control?"
                if rowanTwoWorkers == 'kind':
                    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                else:
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "This wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but he didn’t have the time to sugarcoat things."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                al "… Yes, I will."
                "He could only hope she actually meant it."
                ro "Alright. I have to go now."
                ro "Let’s just… Pretend this never happened."
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                al "Stay safe, my beloved."
                return

            "You don’t have time for this. Just pretend and tell her what she wants to hear." if roAlRel < 50:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. NOW she’s remorseful..."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "He didn’t have time for this."
                if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
                    "Helayna was never giving him so much trouble, and his wife wondered why he preferred her company."
                else:
                    pass
                "He’ll just say what she wanted to hear, and be done with the topic."
                #if check_skill(8, 'bluff')[0]:
                    #jump alBluffCheck_rp
                #else:
                # $ change_relation('alexia', -10)
                ro "I should’ve been more understanding of your anger. You’re trapped with these people the entire week…"
                ro "When your only crime is being the wife of a hero."
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "I’m sorry, for everything."
                if rowanTwoWorkers == 'harsh':
                    ro "I’ve been making difficult choices my entire life. I’ve grown…"
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "Desensitized, I guess."
                    ro "I shouldn’t have shouted at you. I’m sorry."
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    al "It’s okay. I forgive you."
                    ro "Thank you."
                    ro "I’m sorry, for everything."
                else:
                    pass
                "He hugged her close, giving her a quick kiss."
                "She didn’t return it."
                ro "And I love you. Stay safe."
                al "..."
                al "You be careful as well, my beloved."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_23.rpy
label a_visit_to_Cliohna_rp:

    $ unwantedResults = False
    $ cliohnaResistance = 1
    $ cliohnaSubmission = 1
    $ serveChoice = 2
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True

    scene bg12 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show cliohna neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    # $ clioVisit = True

    "Late at night, Rowan entered the library, finding Cliohna awake and deep in her studies. Some of the students were still sorting the books, but would no doubt soon retire to their rooms."

    #cliohna happy

    cl "Ah Rowan, how nice of you to join me."

    "She welcomed him with a wry smile, tilting his head a little as she noticed the consternation on his face. "

    #cliohna neutral

    cl "Something on your mind? "
    ro "A late night meeting, between the two of us alone? One would almost think you were trying to seduce me."
    cl "Is this what you were hoping this is about?"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "And if I was?"

    #if rowan is still will alexia (TODO)
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    cl "Then you’d be both thoroughly disappointed to learn otherwise, and infinitely relieved to hear I’d keep that information to myself when in the company of your wife."
    ro "I wasn’t aware you pull double duty as the keeper of the forbidden knowledge."
    #cliohna happy
    cl "A librarian knows much, and keeps much to herself. "
    #cliohna neutral
    cl "But no, romance was not on my mind, though some physical fun is not entirely off the table."

    #else (broke up)
    #cl "Then you’d be thoroughly disappointed to learn otherwise. Romance was not on my mind, though some physical fun is not entirely off the table."

    #cliohna happy
    "She rose up, a light smile still dancing on her lips. Somehow, that made her appear so much more dangerous than usual."

    if unwantedResults == True:
        cl "As you know, I was none too happy about the results of your semen analysis. Yet after contemplating on the matter for an extended period of time, I came to a conclusion that it was not all wasted effort."

    else:
        cl "I am still in the process of analyzing your semen, but there is one thing that has been on my mind since I took the sample."

    if cliohnaResistance == 1:
         cl "You have shown commendable resilience against my mental spells, much greater than someone with no formal training should ever be capable of."

    if cliohnaSubmission == 1:
        cl "Despite falling under my spell, you’ve somehow managed to retain just enough self-control to break out of it within a matter of minutes."

    cl "You possess remarkable talent Rowan, and I wish to run some experiments to discover the full extent of it."

    ro "And why would I agree to that?"

    cl "Two reasons."

    show cliohna at cliohnaright with moveinright

    "She took a step towards him, her deep cleavage swaying tantalizingly before his eyes. She leaned in, placing her hand on his chest, and lowered her voice to that of a conspiratorial whisper."

    if cliohnaResistance == 1:
        cl "If you prove a… Worthy test subject, as you did before, I would not mind rewarding you for your efforts later on, as was promised. It’s not often that I meet exceptional specimens, and unlike some people in the castle I understand the value of them."

    if cliohnaSubmission == 1:
        cl "First of all, I believe you will find the whole experience... Extremely exhilarating."

    cl "And if that’s not enough… "

    "Her smile did not drop, but the temperature in the room did. "

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    cl "Given how valuable you’re proving to be in undermining Solansia’s oppressive regime, I am quite pleased Jezera has managed to convince you to join us, especially since at first you did not strike me as someone who could be softened with confinement and physical torture."
    cl "An overly suspicious woman might even suspect foul play to be at hand. But I chose to believe your devotion to Castle Bloodmeen is honest, and as long as you are amicable to my requests, I see no reason to think otherwise. "
    cl "But should that change, I will not hesitate to… Enforce your loyalty."

    "Her fingers probed the amulet at his neck. A purple lightning jumped off her finger and onto the chain that held it, shocking Rowan slightly."

    #cliohna annoyed
    cl "Hmph, a crude solution, from a child who thinks herself an empress in the making. "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    cl "But I assure you Rowan, I am much, much more creative than that. "

    menu:
        "Agree to her terms. Your will is stronger than her spells. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "A carrot and a stick? I expected something more sophisticated of you, Cliohna."
            cl "If it works, then why change it?"
            "That slight grin of hers made him want to punch her, but he saw what she was capable of at the abbey. If he had to play by her terms for now, then so be it, but she would not stay on top for long."
            ro "Alright. What do I have to do?"
            jump cliohnaHypnosis_rp

        "Submit to her terms. Maybe it won’t be that bad… (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Alright, alright… You don’t have to resort to threats. What do I have to do? "
            jump cliohnaHypnosis_rp

        "No way. Call her bluff.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cliohna angry at cliohnaright with dissolve
            "He seized her by the wrist. Lighting crossed behind her eyes, and Rowan knew she was moments away from frying him on the spot."
            ro "You will do no such thing Cliohna. You said so yourself, you don’t know how strong my defenses are."
            ro "But I have a pretty good idea about them, and I assure you - I will have no trouble making myself go insane, as long as it prevents you from dominating me."
            if serveChoice == 2:
                "He already allowed his spirit to falter once. Never again."
            show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            ro "I wonder what you’ll tell Jezera, when her most valuable ally ends up a drooling mess on the library floor."
            "Her eyebrows narrowed, forming a small dimple between her eyes that Rowan would normally find adorable, if the woman wasn’t threatening to mind rape him."
            cl "You’re trying to call with a pair on twos."
            ro "A pair of twos can still beat a high ace, if the conditions are right."
            "He could almost hear the crackle of her magic. All pretense of cordiality disappeared, and the tension continued to mount."
            "...In the end, she was the first to back down."
            show cliohna neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            cl "You’re turning that bullheaded stubbornness of yours against the wrong person, but have it your way. There is no shortage of projects I must attend to. I can do without this for now."
            cl "But I expect you to be less obstinate in our future endeavours."
            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "He met her cold gaze with an equally cold smile. Stupid bitch. He’d show her her place if she wasn’t so god damn valuable."
            else:
                "He met her cold gaze with an impassive look. It made his stomach turn to act nice after such blatant threats, but the last thing he needed was another enemy in the castle."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "As long as you handle our research, it is my understanding the twins are more than willing to bankroll whatever private projects you pursue in your spare time."
            cl "Then we have an understanding."
            cl "Leave now. I have no further use of you today."
            # $ change_relation('cliohna', -5)
            return

    label cliohnaHypnosis_rp:

        cl "Not much. Just sit on this table."

        hide rowan with dissolve

        cl "Right here, yes. Get yourself comfortable and-"

        scene hypno1 with pinkflash
        #cliohna happy
        show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
        show rowan necklace neutral behind hypno1
        pause 2

        cl "{b}*Look into my eyes.*{/b}"

        "The floor, the table, the room - everything suddenly just… Rolled from under him, washed away by a sudden, overwhelming wave of psychic energy. It crashed into him, sending his thoughts into disarray, breaking his defenses with laughable ease."
        "Only one thing remained - {b}*Cliohna*{/b}. A shining beacon of stability in a confusing, chaotic world that surrounded him. Her visage, her voice - it called to him, {b}*dominating*{/b} his attention."

        cl "{b}*Do you like it Rowan? I did some research, to make sure you would not fight me off again.* {/b}"
        cl "{b}*Nod your head if you do.*{/b}"
        cl "{b}*You know you do.* {/b}"

        menu:
            "Nod your head.":
                pass

        ro "(No!)"

        show hypno2 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cliohna neutral behind hypno2

        "Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to look away, and the room came back to focus again. He would not be defeated so easily!"

        cl "{b}*Ah, there it is. That little bastion of resistance.*{/b}"

        show hypno 1 with dissolve
        pause 2
        #cliohna happy
        show cliohna neutral behind hypno1

        "Something touched his face, spreading calm, peaceful acceptance, forcing- {b}*willing*{/b} him to look at the sorceress again."

        cl "{b}*Don’t worry your little head about it Rowan. We’ll deal with it soon enough.*{/b}"

        show hypno1 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*You’ll help me with it. You’ll help me bring you under.*{/b}"

        show hypno1 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*All you have to do is trust me.*{/b}"

        show hypno1 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*Trust me. And focus on my voice.* {/b}"

        show hypno1 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*Trust me. And focus on my lips.*{/b}"

        show hypno1 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*Trust me. And focus on my eyes.*{/b}"

        $ eventSubmission = 0
        $ eventResistance = 0

        $ alexiaFocus = True
        $ questFocus = True
        $ sacrificeFocus = True
        $ lipsFocus = True
        $ voiceFocus = True
        $ eyesFocus = True

    label cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp:

        scene black with fade

        if eventSubmission == 3:
            menu:
                "Fall deeper. (Scene)":
                   # $ released_fix_rollback()
                   jump fallDeeper_rp

                "Fall deeper. (Scene)":
                   # $ released_fix_rollback()
                   jump fallDeeper_rp

                "Fall deeper. (Scene)":
                   # $ released_fix_rollback()
                   jump fallDeeper_rp

        else:
            pass

        menu:
            "Shake her off." if eventResistance == 3:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump shakeHerOff_rp

            "Focus on Alexia." if alexiaFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventResistance += 1
                scene black with fade
                "He couldn’t get the words out, but this- this witch, was just a power-tripping impostor. He had a wife. He had somebody he loved, truly loved!"
                #If Alexia and Rowan are no longer together. (TODO)
                    #"… Even if they were no longer together."
                    #rejoin
                show hypnobw with dissolve
                pause 2
                "He focused on that feeling, recalled how it felt to hold Alexia in his arms-"
                show cliohna neutral at center with dissolve
                cl "Using the power of love against me? Isn’t that a bit cliche, Rowan?"
                cl "{b}*Forget about her Rowan.* {/b}"
                show hypnobw with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*She is nobody.*{/b}"
                scene hypno1 with pinkflash
                pause 1
                #cliohna happy
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
                cl "{b}*I am all you need right now*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Focus on me Rowan.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*I am all you want to think about.* {/b}"
                show hypno 1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Stop thinking about everything else, and fall deeper for me.*{/b}"
                $ alexiaFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if alexiaFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

            "Focus on your quest." if questFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventResistance += 1
                scene hypno4 with fade
                pause 2
                show rowan necklace neutral behind hypno4
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno4
                ro "I…"
                "His voice cracked, but his spirit remained strong. He was Rowan Blackwell, hero of- "
                cl "Oh, please. "
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                #clihna happy
                cl "{b}*Why struggle Rowan?*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*This is no siege of Karst. There is no demon lord to slay.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Don’t think about the future. Think about now.*{/b}"
                show hypno 1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Think about me.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*I am the only thing that matters.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let go of your concerns. Let yourself slip away.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Relax.*{/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Sink deeper.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*You know you want to*.{/b}"
                $ questFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if questFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

            "Focus on all you sacrificed." if sacrificeFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventResistance += 1
                scene black with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                ro "My… "
                show bg4 with dissolve
                "His village. Arthdale. The old man. Everything- "
                show cliohna neutral at center with dissolve
                cl "Yes, yes. Very tragic."
                #cliohna happy
                cl "But wouldn’t you rather {b}*forget*{/b}?"
                scene hypno1 with pinkflash
                pause 1
                #cliohna happy
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
                cl "{b}*Forget about all these painful memories.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let yourself relax. A moment of respite.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*You earned it.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*You earned this.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Being here with me, letting all your worries slip away…*{/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*You deserve it. Embrace it.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Give yourself a moment of peace.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Rest. And fall deeper.* {/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Fall deeper for me Rowan.*{/b}"
                $ sacrificeFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if sacrificeFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

            "Focus on her lips." if lipsFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventSubmission += 1
                scene hypno1 with dissolve
                pause 1
                #cliohna happy
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
                show rowan necklace neutral behind hypno1
                "Full, coral lips… Moving slowly as the enchanting words slip past them…"
                "He could watch them, and watch them… Following their slow, sensual dance…"
                cl "You like them don’t you?"
                ro "Y-yes… "
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Then think about how they would feel on your skin.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Imagine them slowly kissing your body.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Imagine their warmth.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Imagine their taste.* {/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Feel their kiss slowly bringing you under.* {/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Under my spell, deeper and deeper.*{/b}"
                $ lipsFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if lipsFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

            "Focus on her voice." if voiceFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventSubmission += 1
                scene hypno1 with dissolve
                pause 1
                #cliohna happy
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
                "Like a melody. Soft. Calming. Her words washed everything, leaving a behind a nice, pink haze. A fluffy cloud, he could just… Sink into…"
                cl "Good, good... "
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Sink deeper. Let my words surround you.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let them engulf you.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let them fill every fibre of your being.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let them caress you softly as your sink deeper, and deeper and into my trance.*{/b}"
                $ voiceFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if voiceFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

            "Focus on her eyes." if eyesFocus == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ eventSubmission += 1
                scene hypno1 with dissolve
                pause 1
                #cliohna happy
                show cliohna neutral behind hypno1
                "Old and wise… Like a deep pool… Drawing him deep… Deep under the surface…"
                cl "That’s right… {b}*Focus on me.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Only on me.* {/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Lose yourself in my eyes.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let the world fade away, as you look into them.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Let them overwhelm you.*{/b}"
                show hypno1 with pinkflash
                cl "{b}*Let them claim you.* {/b}"
                cl "{b}*Fall into them, and sink deeper.*{/b}"
                cl "{b}*Deeper into my spell.*{/b}"
                $ eyesFocus = False
                jump cliohnaHynosisMenu_rp

            "Fall Deeper. (Scene)" if eyesFocus == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump fallDeeper_rp

    label shakeHerOff_rp:

        # $ cliohnaResistance += 1
        # $ cliohnaShookOff = True

        "Honeyed words. Tantalizing lips. Mesmerizing eyes."

        scene hypno1 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show rowan necklace neutral behind hypno1
        #cliohna happy
        show cliohna neutral behind hypno1

        "Underhanded tricks, all of it. Parlour magic. Performed by the most powerful sorceress he ever met, but still - just tricks. "

        ro "You… "

        "A pained groan escaped his lips as he struggled past the thick veil of Cliohna’s enchantments. He would not submit. He refused to submit!"
        "He refused to be defeated here!"

        ro "Get out…"
        cl "Still struggling? {b}*Oh Ro-*{/b}"

        show hypno1 with sshake

        ro "SHUT UP!"

        "He tried to push her away. His hand trembled, refusing to move. He felt it hang on to something - the edge of the table? "

        cl "Extraordinary. But ultimately- "
        ro "Shutupshutupshutupshutup-"

        "Don’t listen. Don’t look. Don’t let her talk. Don’t let her control anything, not even the conversation. "

        cl "Isn’t it a bit too early for the madness mantra?"

        "Break it. Break the spell. Break the paralysis. Do something. Anything!"

        menu:
            "Hit her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show hypno1 with redflash

                menu:
                    "Hit her.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show hypno1 with redflash

                        menu:
                            "Hit her.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                show hypno1 with redflash

        scene bg12 with fade

        #show cliohna surprised
        show cliohna neutral at center with dissolve

        "He swung his fist- "

        show bg12 with sshake

        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright

        "The sorceress stepped aside, making him stumble forward. His knees gave way, and he collapsed to the floor."

        #cliohna happy

        cl "Astounding!"
        cl "So it’s not just specific emotional anchors, but something much less tangible. The spirit itself? Some will to power? Perhaps the history of hardship helps fortify the mind?"
        cl "That last one is almost guaranteed in your case, but how come you strive under the pressure, when others break… "

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        "Still dazed, he managed to get up. Cliohna was already at her table, scribbling notes like crazy."

        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

        "She made him go through hell, and didn’t even bother to acknowledge it. A bitter taste filled his mouth, and Rowan realized he bit his tongue falling. He wiped the blood off his lips, and turned his hateful gaze towards the sorceress."

        ro "If that’s everything, I’ll be going now. "
        cl "Hm? Oh yes, yes, that will be all."
        cl "I’ll send for you once I refine my method. In the meantime, do get some rest. I’d hate to succeed due to something so basic as sleep deprivation. "
        ro "Your concern warms my heart. "

        "She didn’t even notice the growl in his voice. But no matter. He’ll play along… "

        scene black with fade

        "For now."

        return

    label fallDeeper_rp:

        # $ cliohnaSubmission += 1
        # $ cliohnaDeeper = True

        scene hypno5 with dissolve
        #cliohna happy
        show cliohna neutral behind hypno5
        show rowan necklace neutral behind hypno5
        pause 1

        "Her voice continued to sing to him. Her lips, her eyes, they called to him. Everything else melted away, leaving only {b}*Cliohna*{/b}."

        cl "{b}*That’s right Rowan… Fall deep, deep into the comforting darkness.* {/b}"

        "Something trailed down his chest, sending fiery warmth across his body. Something inside of him panicked at how easily it spread, dreaded how quickly it burst forth, how it threatened to consume him."
        "He should be fighting it. He should be screaming and kicking, forcing this foreign influence away. He should be. He should be. He should be- "

        cl "You still struggle! Despite all the work I put into this, I don’t think it could hold you for longer than a few minutes! Absolutely astounding!  "

        "The searing fire reached his stomach, and continued to trail down. He knew where it was going. He wanted it to reach there - but he also feared what would happen if it did."
        "He feared losing himself in that fire, losing himself in the touch of the woman before him. "

        cl "But I will not hold this against you… Even if your submission is temporary at best, I still consider the experiment a resounding success. "
        cl "And I have you to thank… You did well, listening and watching..."
        cl "So let me reward you for your efforts, hero. "

        "A breeze of cool air, as his cock sprung free. Then - fire again. Encompassing lust, rocking him to the core."

        ro "A-ah! "
        cl "Sh-sh… "

        "A soft kiss silenced his moan. Soft mounds pressed against his chest, fueling the fire that threatened to engulf him."

        cl "Here… For being such a good test subject… "

        scene cg789 with fade
        show cliohna neutral behind cg789
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg789
        pause 3

        "Something wet touched the tip of his shaft, spreading soothing calm across his sensitive skin. The feeling spread further down his cock, drawing him in, deeper into Cliohna. Deeper into her eyes, deeper into her body. "

        cl "Relax now… "
        ro "A-ah…"

        "Her visage started to bob gently before his eyes, and with it, the warm, tight embrace around his cock started to move up and down his shaft as well."
        "Another moan escaped his lips, drowning out the quiet, screeching voice in the back of his skull. “Stop it!”? Why should he? How could he?"

        cl "No need to worry… Just enjoy the ride… I’ll let come out of this soon enough… "

        "Her melodic voice calmed the unease in his mind, while her moist pussy quenched the fire of his loins. He felt her grab him by the hands, felt her put them on her hips. They raised and fell rhythmically, bringing unimaginable pleasure."

        cl "I want you to remember how good it felt…"
        cl "How good it was to lower your defenses and let me take control…"
        cl "And maybe next time… Don’t struggle so much? "

        "Her breath tickled his ear, and she followed with a trail of slow, sensual kisses. On his cheek. On his eyes. On his nose. On his lips."
        "All while her pussy continued to squeeze him, a nice, wet cave of wonder his cock never wished to leave."

        cl "Remember how good my pussy felt… Engrave it in your memory… "
        cl "And now… Cum for me. "
        cl "Cum for me."

        show cg789 with pinkflash

        cl "{b}*Cum for me.*{/b}"

        "What little resistance he still managed to hold on to, evaporated like a drop of water in the middle of a desert. He threw his head back, and spurted straight into her, blessing her with his seed."
        "Cliohna let out a delighted chuckle. She wouldn’t forget the expression on Rowan’s face for a long time… Such dazed contentment, such puppy-like obedience."

        cl "Mmmm… Excellent. "
        cl "You did well Rowan. You can rest now. "
        cl "{b}*Rest. Rest, and dream of this moment.*{/b}"

        scene hypnodarkbg with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cliohnadarkbg

        "Exhaustion took his limbs, his world growing darker. Finally, he could surrender to these sweet dreams of submission- "

        ro "(No! Get a hold of yourself, damn it!)"

        "Something stirred inside of him. A still smoldering ember of defiance."
        "He couldn’t… He couldn’t let it end like this!"
        "He needed to do something, anything!"

        scene bg12 with fade

        "Through what could only be described as titanic effort, he pushed himself past the veil of exhaustion and magical lethargy, fought off the enchanted malaise. Grunting from the effort, he somehow managed to roll over, away from Cliohna."

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        "His arms could as well be made of lead, and his knees of cotton, but he somehow managed to push himself off the table. He got back on his feet, wobbly as they were."

        cl "Oh?"

        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        "He saw the sorceress watching him from the sidelines, furiously noting something down in her notebook. He tried to snarl, but settled for an annoyed whizz."

        cl "Extraordinary. Absolutely extraordinary!  And here I thought the mental exertion would be too much for you to stay awake. "

        if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
            ro "I have a… Wife… Waiting for me."
            if NTR:
                cl "Wouldn’t want someone else taking your place, I take it."
            else:
                cl "And she’s been waiting for you all week. I’ll admit, it wouldn’t be nice to leave her alone."

        elif rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
            ro "Helayna… Is waiting for me. "
            cl "Quite considerate of you. I was surprised I didn’t see her in your mind."

        else:
            ro "I prefer… My own bed… To cold wood."
            cl "Ah, don’t we all! "

        "He gritted his teeth. He failed. Failed to lock her out. Yet the worst part was, that somehow…"
        "Somehow it didn’t bother him as much as it should. There was this nice, warm feeling all over his body, a sleepy satisfaction, of sorts."

        ro "… You got what you wanted, I take it? "
        cl "Hm? Oh, yes! In fact, I found the whole experience very illuminating. I shall study the results, then adjust my approach for our next session."
        ro "… “Next session”? "

        "Her lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. He hated how he now couldn’t take his eyes off them."

        cl "Why of course! Further testing is necessary to verify everything I learned today!"
        cl "But you don’t mind, do you Rowan? "
        cl "No, of course you don’t. "
        cl "You’ll come back to me. "
        ro "I-"

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        cl "{b}You’ll come back to me.*{/b}"

        menu:
            "Nod your head.":
                pass

        cl "Excellent."
        cl "You can go now. Rest well, Rowan Blackwell."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_23.rpy
label rowan_picnic_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    "Another expense report. Wonderful. How many had Rowan signed already today? Enough to make his fingers cramp."
    "He let out a tired sigh and tried to ignore the radiant sunlight filtering in from the baby-blue sky outside. A rare cloudless day in Bloodmeen."
    "It took Rowan everything he had to focus on his work and not stare wistfully out the window."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "…It took him several minutes more to spot the cheeky little imp peeking at him from behind the door."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "…Alexia?"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft

    al "I was wondering when you’d notice me."

    "Her hands were behind her back, hiding something from view. Rowan raised an eyebrow."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Is something wrong?"
    al "Why does something have to be wrong? Can’t a wife just want to visit her beloved husband?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "Oh no. Flattery. The surest sign I’m about to be roped into some mischief."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’ve had enough ‘mischief’ to last me a lifetime. I’ve got something better in mind."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Well? I’m all ears."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "His wife beamed as she produced a wicker basket from behind her back. she held it out to him as if she were gifting a king his rightful crown."

    al "A picnic! Just you and me."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan hesitated for a half second too long, his gaze turning downwards to stare at the grim future the paperwork had in store for him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "…I’m a bit busy."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "When are you {i}not{/i}? Come on, the work can wait a little while."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "But I really need to-"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "The crestfallen look on his wife’s face gave him pause. Rowan’s quill hovered over the latest expense report, daring him to sign it. He knew the pile of papers beneath it would only grow larger in his absence."
    "He put the quill down and stood up from his chair."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "…You know what? That sounds like a wonderful idea."
    al "Yay! Come on, I already scouted out a spot for us."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "{i}You{/i} scouted out a spot?"

    "Alexia planted a hand upon her hip, a sure sign of mock-annoyance. Rowan felt the terrifying thrill of a husband coming very near the point of no return."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "And just what is {i}that{/i} supposed to mean?"

    "Rowan opened his mouth to say something, then upon seeing the dangerous look in her eye, thought better of it."
    "…For about a split second."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "You’re terrible at forestry. I nearly had to hunt you down the last time you went out foraging for berries."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She stuck her tongue out at him."

    al "Just cause you know how to track an elk for thirty leagues doesn’t mean {i}I{/i} can’t pick out a beautiful spot for a romantic picnic."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "…We’ll be lost forever."

    "She rolled her eyes at him and walked out the door."

    al "{i}Come on{/i}, you sourpuss. You could use the sunshine."

    show bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al " It's been so long since we’ve had an outing like this. Just the two of us."
    ro "It’s been a while, hasn't it? I’ve grown a few more grey hairs in the interim."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Oh hush, you’re as handsome as ever."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "My first and greatest trait."

    "She lightly shoved his shoulder, laughing at his bravado."

    al "Yes, yes, and when the bards sing songs about you, they’ll call you “Rowan the Maid.”"
    ro "-Alongside his faithful squire: Alex the Red!"

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    al "{i}Alex{/i}? So I’m a man, now?"
    ro "Come now darling, you know how the bawdy bards songs go. I can hardly make the maidens swoon if I’m already spoken for."
    al "{i}Uh huh.{/i}"

    "Rowan grinned at her pointed stare."

    ro "It’s only for the sake of all patrons involved! More pleasing to a woman’s ear."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Ah, a woman’s ear. A shame then you can’t keep a tune."
    ro "Shall I {i}regale{/i} you with my singing voice, my dear?"

    "At that Alexia giggled."

    al "Don’t punish the woodland creatures, love."

    "There was a warm breeze in the air, the sound of laughter in the trees. Were Rowan not such an experienced woodsman, he could almost imagine the two of them were once again treading through the forests of his homeland."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The thought made him momentarily melancholy. But when Alexia turned back to face him and flashed him that brilliant smile, he remembered that everything he’d done thus far had been worth it."
    "If for no other reason, that she still had cause to smile."

    al "…You’re staring again."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Oh! My apologies."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I was just getting lost in your eyes."

    "Alexia snorted, hefting the picnic basket closer to her like she was trying to make him jealous."

    al "Oh I know {i}that{/i} look all too well, but in those cases it’s not my eyes you’re looking at."

    ro "You’re so beautiful, Alexia…"

    "She tilted her head back and laughed."

    al "You fink! You can’t even lie to my face properly!"
    ro "Whatever do you mean, my beloved?"
    al "You were brooding again. I saw it on your face."
    ro "My handsome face."

    "Rowan leaned down and planted a kiss on her cheek. Alexia let him, smiling all the while."

    al "Yes, your handsome, {i}brooding{/i} face. As much as I love your smile, you hoard it more jealously than a dragon with its gold."
    ro "That’s just a myth."
    al "Which: your smile, or the gold?"

    "He flashed her a cocky grin."

    ro "The gold, of course."
    al "Oh, so now he’s a dragon expert, too?"
    ro "Of course! I defeated hundreds of them single-handedly during the war."
    al "Oh? Did you {i}brood{/i} them all to death?"

    "The pair laughed as they weaved their way through the sickly woods, following the trail that Alexia had blazed to their unassuming destination."
    "They stopped at last in a clearing surrounded by trees. Sunlight fell in a curtain down upon them, rays of light peeking through the branches."
    "Alexia marched over to a particularly shady spot and plopped down beneath its boughs."
    "Rowan glanced about the small clearing. There was some soft grass underfoot, with wildflowers blooming between the blades."

    ro "Okay, I’ll admit it: your sense of direction is getting better."

    "Alexia snorted as she opened the picnic basket, revealing a large blanket covering the food."

    al "Goddess, a compliment! Will wonders never cease."
    ro "Now if I can just teach you some swordplay…"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "Last time you tried, I nearly impaled you."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Technically{/i}, you had the right idea."

    al "-And the wrong posture, the wrong footwork, weak arms…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Everyone’s got to start somewhere. "
    al "I’m a better bookworm than a duelist. I’ll leave the swashbuckling to {i}you{/i}, darling."
    ro "And here I thought you liked my scars."
    al "Not enough to add my own to the tally."
    ro "Shall I help you with the spread?"
    al "How about you make sure no one is going to peek on us instead?"
    ro "So paranoid."

    "Alexia raised an eyebrow, her hand instinctively going to the necklace around her neck."

    al "Really? In {i}this{/i} place?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…Good point."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Go ‘scout the perimeter,’ my handsome, hunter husband. I can handle the dreaded blanket."

    "Rowan bowed in a grand, magnanimous flourish."

    if society_type != "might":
        ro "Of course, my lady."
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia blanched at the term."
        al "{i}Ugh{/i}! Don’t remind me. The thought of being called “Lady Blackwell” twists my stomach into knots."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Oh? What about… “my Queen?”"
        "She stared at him for a long moment."
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        al "…And now those knots have turned into boulders."

    else:
        ro "I'll see what I can do, my beautiful, charming wife."
        al "My, what sweet words fly through those lips of yours. I’m tempted to believe almost half of them."
        ro "Can’t hear you! Scouting the perimeter!"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "A smiling Rowan slipped back into the woods while Alexia busied herself with preparing lunch, laying down a blanket and extracting their food and drink from the basket."
    "A few minutes of halfhearted ‘scouting’ later, Rowan emerged once more from the treeline."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "No Demons in the trees?"
    ro "Nor banshees in the bushes, nor ogres in the underbrush."

    "Alexia wrinkled her nose, pulling out a fresh muffin from the basket."

    al "You know, considering where we’re picnicking, I’m not entirely certain if I shouldn’t take you seriously."

    "She patted the ground next to her, beckoning Rowan to sit. He did so, settling down next to her. He planted a soft kiss upon her lips."

    ro "Thank you, I needed this."

    al "We both did. We’ve had precious little time to spend together as it is."

    "They spent the next few minutes in silence, simply enjoying the scenery together. Alexia handed Rowan the muffin, then fished around for some cheese to nibble on herself."
    "Rowan took in a deep breath of fresh air, savoring the feeling of it filling his chest before exhaling. He caught his wife staring intently at him out of the corner of his eye."

    ro "See something you like?"
    al "…It never ceases to amaze me how much more ‘at home’ you look out here, in the wild."
    ro "We’re a half hour’s walk from Bloodmeen. I’d hardly call this “wilderness.”"
    al "You’re talking to someone who would far prefer to {i}read{/i} about crossing a raging river, rather than doing it herself."
    ro "Afraid to get your feet wet?"

    "Alexia rolled her eyes."

    al "You know, I recall a time during our courtship when you were actually {i}interested{/i} in the books I read."
    ro "It was the only way I could think of to pry your pretty nose out of them."
    al "-By sticking yours where it didn’t belong?"

    "Rowan grinned at her, taking a roguish bite out of the muffin."

    ro "You fell for it, didn’t you?"
    al "Hook, line, and sinker. Goddess above, if I’d only known then what a benighted rake you would become."
    ro "Speaking of rakery… is there wine in that basket, to go along with the cheese?"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia flashed a conspiratorial smile. Her slender fingers fished out a humble bottle of Rosarian peasant wine. Rowan clapped his hands together in delight."

    ro "You beautiful thing! Darling, I love you."
    al "Flattery will get you {i}everywhere{/i}, my love."

    "Alexia popped the cork, then offered first drink to Rowan, sloshing the bottle around as if they were naughty teenagers and she was daring him to partake."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What, no glasses?"

    "Her grin grew cocky; her emerald green eyes flashed suggestively."

    al "You know, sometimes you forget I’m still a village girl at heart."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan considered the thought for a moment, then let out a chuckle. He accepted the bottle from her, their fingers lingering for a moment too long on one another’s before he took a drink, then passed it back."
    "They took turns taking swigs from the bottle, laughing at one another’s attempts to outdo the other in exaggerated bumpkinry. Rowan tipped the bottle up till it wept red down his face, while Alexia took great gulps of it, puffing her cheeks out like a squirrel trying to store more for the winter."

    ro "Goddess, what is this cheese? It’s {i}delicious{/i}! "
    al "Some strange tundra cheese. I’ve no idea what animal it comes from."
    ro "Best if we didn’t ask. Pass me another muffin, will you?"
    al "Sure! You know, I baked these this morning."
    ro "I was wondering why they tasted particularly delicious."
    al "Oh {i}stop{/i}, you two-faced charmer! You never would have known had I not told you."

    "Rowan put on his most solemn expression."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I would {i}never{/i} forget my wife’s cooking."
    al "-Spoken like a husband who no longer has to eat it every day."

    "Together they looked out on the meadow for several seconds before Alexia broke the silence."

    al "…I used to make these muffins with mother and father at the bakery. Do you remember?"
    al "I made them so often that when I married you, I vowed {i}never{/i} to have to do it again.  I remembered the other day how much you loved it when I’d bring you one during training, so I thought I should make them again."
    ro "You are too kind to me, my love."

    "Alexia chuckled, putting her hand atop Rowan’s."

    al "Hush darling. This was as much a treat for you as it was for me."
    al "A happy reminiscence... of better times with good people. A little taste of home."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "…Sometimes it feels like {i}all{/i} we have are memories."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "We make new ones. Like the one we’re making now."
    ro "Happiness is where you find it."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia giggled, lifting the bottle as if to toast him."

    al "Then to happy memories. And to new ones to be made, wherever we can steal them."

    "She drank, then passed the bottle to him. Rowan took a deep gulp then set it down, snuggling up to his wife."
    "Rowan closed his eyes and leaned against Alexia while the warm sun shone down on him through a gap in the trees."
    "His mind swam with those happy memories - or perhaps it was just the wine. When he opened his eyes, he caught her looking at him, a soft smile on her face."

    menu:
        "Kiss her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump picnicSex_rp


        "Just enjoy Alexia’s company.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Come on, we’re only halfway through the bottle."
            al "You realize we still have to walk back, right?"
            ro "Exactly! Less weight to carry. Now hand me another one of those muffins, I’m starving."
            "Alexia laughed, a bright and happy thing. It warmed Rowan’s heart to see her do so. They had so little to laugh about these days, a simple afternoon like this was more than worth it."
            "It was brief, this spell of innocence. Soon enough, reality would inexorably draw them back to that bleak castle and its even bleaker residents."
            "But for now they were together, and for now that was enough."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)
            return


    label picnicSex_rp:

        "He leaned in, and she let him, green eyes glowing with a titillating, feminine invitation. Her lips curved upwards even as he planted the first kiss on her lips."
        "Then a second. Then a third. Then the numbering stopped mattering all that much."
        "She tasted like wine and smelled of simpler times. He licked her lips and traded tongues, reveling in the soft sensation."
        "Alexia’s back was against the ground before Rowan really knew what they were doing. His hands were peeling up her dress even as hers ran up his back."

        al "Goddess, you taste good."
        ro "I’d bet you taste even better."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

        "A look of confusion crossed her face. Rowan’s eyes darted downwards, then back up at her eyes. He wiggled his eyebrows. Her cheeks went cherry pink."

        al "{i}Rowan{/i}!"
        ro "You went to all this trouble and saved me from work. The {i}least{/i} I can do is reciprocate."

        "Alexia opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. Despite her best attempts to look scandalized, he could see the shy eagerness in her eyes. She gave a nod of compliance."

        ro "Come on then: hands and knees."
        al "W-what if someone sees us?"
        ro "I scouted, remember? Only way someone will notice is if they hear us. And if they hear us…"
        ro "Well, I did my job well, then."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        al "You {i}shameless{/i} lech!"

        "Laughing, Alexia rolled over onto her hands and knees, sticking her butt out for his hungry perusal."

        scene cg1464 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1464
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg1464

        "Naked from the waist down, Alexia twisted and fidgeted on the blanket. Rowan was treated to a delightful view of her soaking nethers."
        "Alexia cast a worried glance over her shoulder to confirm with him this was what he wanted. Her cheeks reddened further when she saw the pleased look on Rowan’s face."

        ro "Now {i}that{/i} is a picnic spread."
        al "Goddess preserve me, you’re like a dog with a bone."
        ro "You have no idea, love."

        "Alexia giggled, a low sexual coo. She flashed him a dangerous smile."

        al "Oh, don’t I?"

        "She reached back behind her and spread her asscheeks wide, giving him an uninhibited view of her every nook and cranny. Rowan’s jaw nearly dropped to the floor."
        "He hadn’t even asked her to; she just did it for him as a matter of course."
        "{i}Goddess bless{/i} horny village girls."

        ro "You’re gonna like this, I think."
        al "I already like it, otherwise I’d still be munching on a muffin."
        ro "Why don’t I eat out your muff instead?"
        al " Don’t be crass-{i}aah{/i}!"

        scene cg1462 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1463 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1462
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg1462

        "Rowan took the brief opportunity during their banter to place himself beneath her, surreptitiously scooting under so his face was level with her glistening pussy. A few licks was all it took to leave her breathless."

        al "H-how did you even get down there?"
        ro "I’m a master tracker, remember? I scented you out and hunted it to its source."
        al "Oh ha {i}h- nngh{/i}!"

        "Rowan silenced her complaints with a kiss to her cunny, his tongue slithering out and sliding about the gently parted lips of her womanhood. Alexia shuddered above him."
        "Rowan leaned up and made out with her pussy, his chin bobbing up and down as he licked and kissed and slurped his tongue across her sensitive places."
        "Alexia’s breathing grew short and haggard, her shoulders trembling in the effort to hold herself up."
        "Rowan could feel her clenching thighs against his cheeks, rolling like some unseen tide crashing upon the beach then receding, all at the whim of his tongue and her twitching hole."
        "She gasped when he mouthed her clit, running his lips across it before gently suckling on it for a moment."

        ro "Is this a satisfactory “thank you,” dear?"
        al "D-don’t talk with your mouth full!"

        show cg1464 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1465 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Rowan laughed and went back to kissing her lower lips. It was his favorite part of the meal after all: delicious, {i}delightfully{/i} indecent dessert."
        "Alexia’s pussy was a hot, wet mess when Rowan emerged from beneath her legs a few minutes later."
        "Her eyes flared with what in any other situation Rowan would take for righteous fury. Her mouth was open, panting as she pointed at his chest."

        al "Clothes off. {i}Now{/i}."

        "His face still dripped with the juices of her honeypot as he grinned at her."

        ro "As m’ilady commands."

        "Rowan discarded his clothing in a rush. Alexia peeled off the remainder of her outfit and tossed it onto the grass."
        "The two hungrily eyed each other as they undressed, like two fighters sizing up a deadly opponent. The moment their clothes were discarded, they threw themselves at one another."

        #sex cg
        scene cg271 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg271
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg271
        pause 3

        "Rowan pinned her to the ground as Alexia threw her legs about his waist, pulling him close. He missed his first thrust, the length for him dragging across her slick pussy."
        "Alexia let out a grunt of discontentment, followed by a groan of joy as the second thrust slid home. Rowan pulled his hips back, aligned his head with her entrance, and thrust deep into her."

        al "O-o-oh {i}Ruh-r- Rowan, f-fuuuck!{/i}”"

        "Alexia’s voice shuddered as hard as her body did, her eyes fluttering for a moment at the sudden, intense stimulation. She’d never admit it - not in this competitive atmosphere - but he’d just made her cum."

        ro "…Need a moment?"
        al "I-if you slow down, I swear I will pinch you!"

        scene cg272 with dissolve
        pause 1
        scene cg271 with dissolve
        pause 1
        scene cg272 with dissolve
        pause 1
        scene cg273 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg273
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg273
        pause 2

        "It was all the encouragement Rowan needed. He rocked his hips against her, feeling the full of him sliding deep inside."
        "Wet {i}slaps{/i} began to echo through the clearing as the couple engaged in that animalistic detente. Alexia - for all her winging about the possibility of being discovered - did not hold back her cries."
        "He rutted against her with all the strength he could muster, grunting as the weight of his hips slapped hard against her ass and lifted her upwards."

        al "Aah! {i}Ah! Ahhhng{/i}!"

        "Alexia reached up to fondle her breast, her eyes flashing dangerously at Rowan, even as they glazed over into guiltless pleasure at his relentless mating."

        scene cg274 with dissolve
        pause 1
        scene cg275 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg275
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg275
        pause 2

        al "Y-you… you’ve gotten really good at this, you know?"
        ro "Picnics?"

        "Despite the heady atmosphere, the wanton sounds of sex echoing in the air, Alexia began to giggle."

        ro "…What are {i}you{/i} laughing at?"
        al "O-oh - {i}mmmh{/i}, n-nothing. You j-just reminded me of- {i}haaaah{/i} - something."

        "Rowan’s hip thrusts slowed. The two began a more intimate grind against each other, Rowan looking into her shining eyes."

        ro "Go on…"
        al "Hehe! No, it’s really n-nothing. Continue, my love."
        ro "Hhnh. See, now I’m curious."

        show cg272 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Their pace slowed still further. Rowans hips moved gently against Alexia’s groin as she paused a moment to think."

        al "It’s just… remember our first time? At the lake?"
        ro "Oh Goddess, we were so awkward."
        al "I came home that night with dirt on my dress and grass stains on my knees."

        "Her giggling only grew, increasing to full blown laughing."

        ro "Haha, {i}what{/i}?"
        al "You almost {i}missed{/i}!"
        ro "What?"
        al "You had me against the tree, sticking my butt out even though I had {i}no idea{/i} what I was doing. You, fumbling with your little friend; I thought you were so damned handsome."

        "Her giggles were turning infectious. To avoid getting distracted Rowan resumed his pumping."

        al " I never told you at the time, but-"
        al "Oh Goddess, your ‘sword’ nearly found the wrong sheath!"
        ro "Hahaha, {i}stop{/i}! You’re making me mess up."

        "Her laughing turned in a low, sexual moan, her eyes fluttering as she gently stroked his arm."

        al "Go on, then. Fuck me like you mean it, dear."

        scene cg274 with dissolve
        pause 1
        scene cg275 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg275
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg275
        pause 2

        "How could he say no to an offer like that. Rowan let out a grunt of pleasure as his pace picked up. Alexia let out a gasp of appreciation beneath him."
        "From this position, it took little effort for Rowan’s cock to disappear deep into her depths. He hilted himself within her again and again, stirring his hips around so she could feel every inch of him."

        al "{i}Aaah! Mmmmm{/i}- Rowan!"

        "She eagerly accepted him, thrusting in time to get the most of him inside her that she could. Her feminine cries only emboldened him, and soon they were thrusting with reckless abandon at each other."
        "Rowan watched as Alexia's facial expression fluctuated with the tempo, contorting into ever lewder expressions as he unleashed his primal urge to {i}mate{/i} with the woman he loved."
        "Sweat poured down his bare back as he gritted his teeth and hilted within her for a final time. Alexia’s moans rose in pitch till she was all but {i}screaming{/i} out his name, damn anyone who might hear."

        al "R-Rowan! I’m gonna- I’m gonna I’m gonna-"

        scene cg276 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg276
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg276
        pause 3

        "She came, twitching beneath him as her pussy tightened like a vice around his shaft. Rowan struggled mightily to resist the urge to cum, but it was a fool’s errand."
        "He felt her legs draw him in deeper, deeper, so deep he could not escape. His eyes closed as he let out a masculine howl of pleasure, his body locking up as his cock thickened, twitched, then erupted within her."
        "He felt the successive waves of pleasure throbbing out his manhood like a second heartbeat, the clench of Alexia’s womanhood was so tight he almost felt like he was stuck."
        "Beautifully, {i}amazingly{/i} stuck."

        scene cg277 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg277
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg277
        pause 3

        al "{i}Hah… hah…{/i} oh Rowan."
        al "I think you nearly knocked the wind out of me."
        ro "Would that I had; we could have napped naked together in the sun."
        al "Goddess forbid! Have you {i}seen{/i} my skin in the summertime? I’d turn red like a lobster!"
        ro "Just as well, I suppose. I think we might have stained the blanket."
        al "Don’t be gross, love."

        "Rowan chuckled, running a hand across her cheek."

        ro "Me? {i}You’re{/i}the one screaming bloody murder for all the woodland creatures to hear."
        al "Such wonderful pillow talk you have, even while still inside me."
        ro "…Is that an offer to go again?"

        scene cg276 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg276
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg276
        pause 3

        al "Haha! Goddess preserve me, what am I ever going to do with you?"
        ro "Kiss me. Then help me finish this wine."

        "She laughed again, running her hands through his hair."

        al "I can do that."

        scene black with fade

        "They laughed, and then they kissed. And then they set about doing just that: swapping the wine bottle back and forth as they basked in the post-coital bliss of a wonderful, sunny afternoon."
        "It was brief, this spell of innocence. Soon enough, reality would inexorably draw them back to that bleak castle and its even bleaker residents."
        "But for now they were together, and for now that was enough."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_25.rpy
label more_futa_fun_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "How is Alexia and Rowan's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ roAlRel = 100
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
            $ alexiaOffer = False
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
            $ alexiaOffer = True

    $ rowanFutaSuck = False
    $ rowanFutaAnal = False
    $ alexia_ice_shard = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "..."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with moveinright
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with moveinright

    al " (Solansia’s grace…)"

    "Alexia forced down a curse. What was up with these people? Was stalking her some sort of castle approved past time? A way to wind down after another daylong orgy? Or was she some sort of bizarre attraction to them, like an animal in a cage?"
    "It was already bad enough that X’zaratl kept harassing her and her husband all the time, but did her succubi now also wanted in on the fun?"
    "It was not unlikely, though the scantily clad succubus had yet to approach her. For the last several minutes, she kept following her without a word, eyes glued to her backside. "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia shot her a short glance, knowing the demon wasn’t paying attention to anything above Alexia’s waistline. Long silver hair, outrageous bosom, curved horns… She seemed familiar…"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "(Ah!)"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She saw her before! She was one of the succubi present when X’zaratl was showing her the “joys” of having a phallus. An event Alexia was still somewhat conflicted about..."

    menu:
        "See what the succubus wants from her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump futa2sex_rp

        "She’d rather not have her nether regions messed with again. Better to avoid her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "X’zaratl didn’t shy from using charms to get her way, and Alexia doubted her succubi were any different in that regard. Better to be safe than sorry."
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "Exploiting the castle’s twisting corridor, Alexia turned left suddenly, then bolted forward, quickly losing the succubus."
            show succubus 2 neutral at center with moveinleft
            succ2 "! ! !"
            succ2 "Aw, damn it! I got distracted by her ass!"
            scene black with fade
            show succubus 2 neutral behind black
            succ2 "Stupid, sexy rosarian redheads…"
            return

    label futa2sex_rp:

        "No point delaying the confrontation…"

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        al "Can I help you?"

        "She turned around, causing the demon to stop suddenly. Her gaze continued to linger on Alexia’s crotch for a moment, only to move up after several long seconds-"

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Only to stop on her breasts."

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        succ2 "Hello~!"
        succ2 "Yes, you can! Thank you for asking!"
        succ2 "Sorry, I wanted to say something earlier, but I ended up staring at your ass."
        succ2 "My bad~!"

        "Alexia narrowed her eyes at the perpetually smiling succubus, who had yet to find her face. She recalled Rowan saying most of them weren’t exactly the sharpest tools in the shed, but she was starting to feel it was something of an understatement."

        succ2 "I mean, like, you are killing it in that skirt! It really brings out your legs~~~"
        succ2 "And your tits are also really nice!"

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "… Thank you?"
            al "(I guess?)"
            succ2 "You’re welcome~!"

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "She narrowed her eyes at the succubus. And to think the church always painted the demons as soul-sucking, terrifying abominations… "
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "(… But she has a point on the skirt. Maybe it is a bit too short…)"

        show succubus 2 neutral at center with moveinleft
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "Is that all? Can I go now?"

        succ2 "Oh no, no! I wanted to talk to you about something important!"

        "The succubus perked up, finally looking Alexia in the eyes. The simple motion made her outrageously large breasts jiggle, her one-piece doing nothing to support them."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Knowing the demon wouldn’t mind, this time it was Alexia who took the opportunity to ogle the demon a little bit. She took a quick peek at her open cleavage, admiring her breasts."
            menu:
                "Massive tits sure look nice…":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 2)
                    pass


                "… Isn’t this a little bit too much?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    pass

        else:
            "Alexia looked away in disgust. Were there really men who liked these sort of obscene udders?"

        succ2 "It’s about Mistress X’zaratl~~~"
        succ2 "You know she was suuuper excited about you and Master Rowan, right? "

        if roAlRel < 50 or alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
            succ2 "But recently, with you two acting all cold and distant with one another, she’s been feeling a bit down."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
            if roAlRel > 50:
                "Alexia blinked, surprised. Just because they’ve been sleeping in separate bedrooms didn’t mean things were bad between her and Rowan?"
            succ2 "So I was thinking – hey, maybe I should help you out a little? Get you in the mood? You can’t just keep your husband out of the marital bed!"
            succ2 "It attracts hungry succubi."
            succ2 "Like me!"

        else:
            succ2 "I mean, not just her, we all did!"
            succ2 "The two of you are just so fun to have around! I just wish X’zaratl wasn’t so possessive of Rowan, so I could take him for a spin myself~ "

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Keep your hands off my husband, understood?"

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "You keep your hands away from my husband!"

        succ2 "Ooooh, never heard this line before! Haha!"

        al "..."

        succ2 "I’m joking, I’m joking! Sorry~!"
        succ2 "But for real, I’m not interested in your husband. At least not at the moment."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

        succ2 "I’m here for you~!"

        if roAlRel > 50 or alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
            succ2 "You and Rowan are the best pairing in this whole castle! We just love watching you two experiment!"
            succ2 "But there is still so much more to explore~."
            if rowanFutaAnal == True:
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                succ2 "And you know Rowan is aaaaaaaall up for it."
            succ2 "So here, let me help you~."

        else:
            succ2 "You have to start paying more attention to your husband! How else will X’zaratl get her daily dose of threesomes?"
            succ2 "So here, let me help you~."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        show succubus 2 neutral at midleft with moveoutleft

        show bg14 with sshake

        "Without any warning the succubus jumped forward, pressing her lips against Alexia’s. She pushed Alexia’s body back, turning her to the side and pressing the woman against the wall."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Mmm-mm?"
            "Her lips were soft, and for some reason tasted like cherry~"
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "(Wait, what am I doing?!)"

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Mmmm!"

        "She tried to push the demon away, but even though the woman was holding her with just one hand, Alexia couldn’t budge the succubus at all."
        "She grabbed her arm, gathering her strength-"

        succ2 "Don’t move~!"

        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Before she could react, Alexia felt the demon touch her between the legs, and suddenly experienced an overwhelming burst of heat and arousal."

        al "A-ah?!"

        "She recognized this feeling. She recognized this unforgivable rush of passion, of energy, -"
        "- Virility."
        "She looked down and watched, eyes agape, as a large, throbbing cock grew between legs, right under the succubus’ dancing fingers. It looked as if the woman was literally coaxing it straight out of her body, her mesmerizing fingers drawing Alexia’s newborn manhood into the succubus’ delicate hand."

        if roAlRel > 50 or alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
            if rowanFutaSuck == True or rowanFutaAnal == True:
                succ2 "You two had so much fun with it last time… So here~"
                succ2 "Enjoy!"

            else:
                succ2 "I’m sure in time, you’ll be able to convince your hubby to play with your cock a little."
                succ2 "You just need the right… Incentives to keep trying~"

        else:
            succ2 "To know how to please your husband’s cock, you have to spend some time with one yourself!"
            succ2 "So here, enjoy~~~"

        "They still stood in the middle of the castle hallway, and the Succubus did not appear to intent on taking their little encounter anywhere private."
        "She had yet to touch her again, her hand still hovering near her nether regions, but the demon’s hot breath tickled Alexia’s ear, her heavy perfume was starting to make her feel dizzy…"

        menu:
            "Push her away!":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "(D-damn it! Like hell am I going to let you do as you please!)"
                "Driven by desperation, she tried to punch to the demon in the face- "
                show succubus 2 neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                succ2 "Oooh, you got spunk girl!"
                al "S-stay away from me!"
                succ2 "Oh! Haha, yeah, sure!"
                succ2 "I mean, duh! X’zaratl would have my head if she knew I was playing with her favorite pet without her."
                succ2 "And not in the fun “have my head between her legs” kind of-"
                al "S-shut up you dumb a-airhead!"

            "...":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                "She inhaled sharply, suddenly uncertain."
                "Was she really going to let her touch her here? Just… Allow her to assault her in the middle of the corridor, then wank her off?"
                "A long time ago, this would have been inconceivable, but now… With everything that was happening in the castle… And with this foreign body between her legs, throbbing with need, a part of her wondered…"
                "Did she really care if somebody found them?"
                succ2 "So eager already…"
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                show succubus 2 neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                succ2 "Sorry! I really want to keep going, but Mistress X’zaratl would have my head if she caught me messing with you without inviting her to the party."
                al "Wha-?"
                succ2 "And not in the fun “have my head between her legs” kind of way."
                succ2 "At least I think not? I don’t think that’s really her style…"
                succ2 "Maybe she’d brainwash me into complete obedience? She’s always so cheery, I honestly don’t know what she does when she gets mad… "
                "The demon continued to babble on, but Alexia barely registered her anymore."

        "How did she end up like this already? Attacked in the middle of the castle, now with dick between her legs, clearly visible to everyone who came across?"

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Why did this keep happening to her?"

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "But she couldn’t just stand here like that. She needed to hide. She needed to get back to her room."

        hide alexia with moveoutleft

        "She bolted to the side, leaving the succubus behind her."

        scene black with fade
        show succubus 2 neutral behind black

        succ2 "No need to say thank you~! Just doing God’s work!"

        "… … …"
        "… …"
        "…"

        if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
            scene bg7 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft
            show bg7 with sshake
            "She slammed the door behind her."
            "Somehow, some way, she was able to get back to her room without anyone noticing her."

        else:
            scene bg9 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft
            show bg9 with sshake
            "She slammed the door behind her."
            "Somehow, some way, she was able to get back to Rowan’s room without anyone noticing her."
            "Her husband wasn’t around, probably preoccupied with whatever ridiculous task the twins recently burdened him with."

        al "(Solansia save me… When will this insanity end?)"

        "With a tired sigh, she rested her back against the wooden door. How does she always end up in these situations?"
        "None of the castle occupants, not even Andras, bothered here this much when she was first brought here. All of this only started to happen when Rowan also found himself enslaved by the twins."
        "Was the knowledge he was somewhere in the castle, helpless to protect her, making this sweeter to them?"

        al "(Goodness gracious…)"

        if roAlRel < 25:
            "None of this would be happening if her husband didn’t swear himself to the twins."
            "Or if she never married him."
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
            "The thought entered her mind like a treacherous snake, and Alexia regretted it instantly, feeling disgusted with herself."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Things weren’t perfect between them, but she couldn’t think like that. None of this was Rowan’s fault. She can’t blame him for it. She can’t."
            "She can't."

        al "..."

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Her cock twitched."

        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

        al "Nn~!"

        "For a moment she almost managed to forget about it - about the phallus between her legs - but the sudden pulse of desire brought her back to reality."

        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

        "What was she supposed to do with it? She could feel it throb gently. She could hear its cries for attention, sense its demand to be plunged into something."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "But she would not see Rowan for some time, probably not until the evening."

        if rowanFutaSuck == False or rowanFutaAnal == False:
            "And once she does, she doubted he would be willing to do something about it."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        "She breathed heavily, and rested her head. At least she could control herself, unlike what happened last time. If there was anything she could thank the succubus for, it was that she didn’t put her in a masturbatory frenzy like X’zaratl did-"
        "Her cock twitched again."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "O-oh!"

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Nn- stop doing that!"

        "Not that she wasn’t close to it anyway. She felt like… Some sort of horny teenager…"

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "She knew spells like that were temporary, but despite that, she would likely be forced to endure her new cock for several hours… "

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "(If that’s the case… Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to inspect it a little?)"
            "For all the perversions she was witness to – or part of – in castle Bloodmeen, the futanari transformation was still one of the more bizarre ones. Tried as she might, she couldn’t deny a part of her was curious about it."
            "She was curious how it worked, how it felt, what it could do…"

        else:
            al "(Why did I let X’zaratl cast that spell on me back then... And why did I talk to that succubus…)"
            "She cursed her own curiosity, and her own recklessness. Again, she found herself in a difficult position because of them. This… Thing between her legs, no matter how pleasant it might be to use, was not natural."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            "And yet… Despite knowing that, she could not deny a part of her was still curious about it. And if she really was stuck with it…"
            "Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to at least inspect it?"
            "…"

        "She felt her cock twitch again."

        $ futaLust = 0
        $ futaEventTempted = False

        $ futaInspect = False
        $ futaInspectTip = False
        $ futaLick = False
        $ fingerCheck = False
        $ futaBaseCheck = False
        $ futaStroke = False
        $ futaIgnore = False

        $ inspectAvailable = True
        $ checkAvailable = True
        $ tipAvailable = True
        $ fingersAvailable = True
        $ futaLickAvailable = True
        $ strokeAvailable = True
        $ keepStrokeAvailable = True

    label futaMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Inspect it. (Scene)" if inspectAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                #cg1
                scene cg284 with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg284
                pause 3
                "With a glint of unhealthy fascination in them, her eyes turned to the futanari phallus between her legs."
                "It grew out from beneath her skirt, long and erect. It was noticeably bigger than even her husband’s, making it unnaturally long."
                "Did succubi have no sense of realistic proportions? Would it be even possible for them to fit it in without the use of magic?"
                if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                    "… Would she be able to, if she tried? "
                else:
                    "Wouldn’t it hurt like hell? Or were they this elastic?"
                "… But regardless, it was a cursed tool of cursed magic. Something impure. Wrong."
                "And yet, it also seemed to fit so well between her legs. Like it belonged there…"
                $ futaLust += 1
                $ futaInspect = True
                $ inspectAvailable = False
                jump futaMenu_rp


            "Check the base of it." if futaInspect == True and checkAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                al "(… How does it work?)"
                "Eyes still transfixed on the phallus, Alexia found herself moving her skirt back, her left hand reaching for the base of her new cock."
                "Her fingers brushed gently against the bottom of it, feeling it out. A pleasant tingle ran up her spine, one she tried to ignore. Hard and ready, it begged her to touch it further. To find some warm hole for it to fill."
                "Instead, her finger traveled further down."
                if futaLick == True:
                    "She knew her futanari cock could produce cum – the lingering taste on her lips was proof enough. But where did it come from?"
                else:
                    "She knew her futanari cock could produce cum – X’zaratl gave her a very graphic presentation on that. But where did it come from?"
                "How did it work…?"
                if alexia_ice_shard and alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    "… She should investigate further. She couldn’t rid herself of it, so why not use the opportunity to learn something new? There was still much she did not understand about magic."
                    "Why discard the chance to expand her knowledge…?"
                    $ futaEventTempted = True
                $ futaLust += 1
                $ futaBaseCheck = True
                $ checkAvailable = False
                jump futaMenu_rp


            "Inspect the tip. (Scene)" if futaInspect == True and tipAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                "Her eyes ventured to the enlarged, red tip. Hesitatingly, she reached out to it, gently touching it with her right hand."
                "She hissed sharply. So sensitive! She never knew… Or maybe it was just the magic of the demons that made it that way."
                scene cg285 with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg285
                pause 3
                "She felt her fingers touch something wet and sticky. A few droplets of precum formed on the tip of her cock, which were now smeared across her hand."
                "… She wondered how it smelled. Would it be just like normal cum, or…"
                $ futaLust += 1
                $ futaInspectTip = True
                $ tipAvailable = False
                jump futaMenu_rp

            "Check her fingers." if futaInspectTip == True and fingersAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                "There was no harm in checking, right?"
                "Still unsure of herself, she jerked her hand up, bringing it up to her face. She rubbed her fingers together, smearing the white substance between them."
                "Thick and sticky. Just like her cock, unnaturally so. Everything about this futanari cock of hers was just so… Overdone."
                "It was too large, the skin was too sensitive, the consistency of its cum reminded her of syrup, and the musky, heavy stench of it made her feel dizzy. And the taste of it…"
                if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                    $ futaLust += 1
                    $ fingersAvailable = False
                    jump futaFingerLick_rp
                else:
                    "… How did it taste?"
                    $ futaLust += 1
                    $ fingersAvailable = False
                    $ fingerCheck = True
                    jump futaMenu_rp

            "Lick your fingers." if fingerCheck == True and futaLickAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                label futaFingerLick_rp:
                    if futaEventTempted == True:
                        $ futaEventTempted = False
                    if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                        "Without thinking, she plunged her fingers between her lips."
                    else:
                        "Slowly, she opened her mouth, and put her fingers between her lips. A tiny part of her kept screaming this wasn’t right, but with every moment, it was growing less audible."
                    al "(Salty…)"
                    "As if in a trance, she licked her fingers clean, savoring the rich taste of her own precum."
                    if rowanFutaSuck == True:
                        "So this was what Rowan tasted…"
                    else:
                        "And to think Rowan didn’t want to taste it himself…"
                    "It tasted amazing. She tasted amazing. Everything the demons made, was always so much more… Intense than its normal counterpart."
                    "It made it so easy to drown in it…"
                    "She forced herself to take her fingers out, and absentmindedly placed them around the head of her cock again. She knew she shouldn’t, but she really wanted to explore more…"
                    $ futaLust += 1
                    $ futaLickAvailable = False
                jump futaMenu_rp

            "Stroke it." if futaBaseCheck == True and futaInspectTip == True and strokeAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                "She moved her left hand up, along her cock, over the full length of it."
                al "A-ah!"
                "She couldn’t suppress the obscene moan. It was just her own hand, yet it felt so good to wrap it around her shaft, to stroke her throbbing manhood…"
                al "Aa-ah…"
                if rowanFutaAnal == True:
                    scene black with fade
                    "And yet it paled in comparison to her husband’s ass, to the tightness of it."
                    show cg147 with fade
                    "The picture of him – bent in front of her, taking her futa cock up his ass, X’zaratl fucking his face-"
                    "She couldn’t get it out of her mind. She couldn’t rid herself of the memory of her husband squeezing down on her cock~"
                    scene black with fade
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
                    al "Nn-"
                    #cg1
                    scene cg285 with fade
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg285
                    "A-aah! Ro-wan!"
                    $ futaEventTempted = True
                else:
                    "But this wasn’t enough. She wanted to experiment more with it..."
                "She wanted… She wanted something to plunge into…"
                al "..."
                "She slowed down her moments. She really… Shouldn’t be indulging herself so much…"
                $ futaStroke = True
                $ strokeAvailable = False
                $ futaLust += 1
                jump futaMenu_rp

            "Keep stroking it! (Scene)" if futaStroke == True and keepStrokeAvailable == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene cg2050 with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg2050
                pause 3
                if futaEventTempted == True:
                    $ futaEventTempted = False
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    "She couldn’t help it. She couldn’t take her hands off it, nor could tear her eyes away. The more she explored her new dick, the less it felt like something foreign, and more like something that was a part of her."
                    "A part of her that craved to be caressed, touched, sucked, used. And why should she not indulge it?"
                else:
                    "It was dark magic. It was not natural. And despite that – despite that-"
                    "She couldn’t deny the urge rising within her any longer. She needed to satisfy this gnawing need, and she no longer cared whether it was right or wrong."
                    al "(Solansia forgive me…)"
                "She started to furiously move her hands up and down her shaft, stifling a moan as she felt a spike of pleasure spread across her body."
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    "Her hips bucked forward, looking for something to plunge into. She couldn’t help it. This cock – this amazing cock – just made her feel so damn aroused~"
                else:
                    "Her hips bucked forward, looking for something to plunge into. She couldn’t help it. This cock – this damned cock – just made her feel so damn aroused~"
                al "Nnn~~ aah, aaah! Aaah!"
                "But all she had was her small hands. Her small, feminine hands on her own massive, throbbing cock~"
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    al "S-so good~"
                else:
                    al "A-ah, why is it s-so good…"
                "She couldn’t control herself anymore, but she didn’t care. Driven my primal lust she kept fucking her palm-"
                if rowanFutaSuck or rowanFutaAnal:
                    "If only Rowan were here!"
                al "AAAAH!"
                "It hit her suddenly – an unexpected spike of ecstasy –"
                "And with it, a stream of hot, white cum shot out, flying across the room, right on the room carpet. But she didn’t even notice it. She threw her head back, arched her back, and focused on this sweet, divine feeling."
                al "Aaa-aaah-aaah-aaaAAaaaH!"
                "It didn’t seem to end. A stream of constant convulsions, fueled by unnatural lust, draining her cock. Draining her. Draining her to fuel itself. More, and more, and more…"
                scene black with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
                "… … …"
                "… …"
                "..."
                al "A-amazing…"
                if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
                    scene bg7 with fade
                else:
                    scene bg9 with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                "Part ashamed, part fascinated, Alexia looked upon the several lines of white fluid that now decorated the floor. There was so much of it… It was almost unreal."
                "And yet, somehow, despite feeling tired, she didn’t feel satisfied. The dick in her hands still throbbed, demanding further attention from her. Already, she was ready to go again."
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    "She wanted to go again… "
                else:
                    "And a part of her - a part she desperately tried to deny existed - urged her to submit to this perverse pleasure. To go again, and again, and again, forget herself in the bliss of her cock..."
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
                jump futaEndingChoice_rp

            "Try to ignore it." if futaEventTempted == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    al "..."
                    if futaInspectTip == True or futaBaseCheck == True:
                        al "(I still want to feel it some more…)"
                    elif futaInspect == True:
                        al "(Just touching it a little won’t hurt…)"
                    else:
                        al "(Nothing wrong with looking it over..)"
                    $ futaEventTempted = True
                    $ futaIgnore = True
                    jump futaMenu_rp
                else:
                    "She took a deep breath, and tried to think about something else than the thing between her legs. It was connected to her, yes. But it wasn’t hers. This was a curse, not a blessing."
                    "She just had to occupy herself with something, and it will go away in a few hours…"
                    $ futaIgnore = True
                    jump futaMenu_rp

            "Try to distract yourself." if futaIgnore == True and futaEventTempted == False and futaLust < 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
                    scene bg7 with fade
                else:
                    scene bg9 with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                if futaInspectTip == False and futaBaseCheck == False:
                    "Her mind set, she tore her hands away from the futanari phallus. With a determined expression, she headed for the shelf where she kept her cleaning supplies. She couldn’t wander the castle, so at least she’ll clean the place up."
                else:
                    "Her mind set, she pushed herself away from the door, and headed for the shelf where she kept her cleaning supplies. She couldn’t wander the castle, so at least she’ll clean the place up."
                "Time and time again, it seemed like everyone around her conspired to make her do something she didn’t want to, force her to become someone she wasn’t."
                "And even though deep down, she couldn’t deny her fascination with this thing between her legs, she refused to let her lust control her. She had to be strong."
                scene black with fade
                "For herself, and for Rowan."
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
                return

    label futaEndingChoice_rp:

        menu:
            "Go again.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve
                    "If it felt so good, then why should she deny herself?"
                    "With a growing smile, she started to move her hands again…"
                else:
                    "Even though it felt wrong – it was wrong – lust triumphed over reasons. With a feverish expression, she started to move her hands again…"
                scene black with fade
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
                al "Aaaah! Aaaah~!"
                "It didn’t take her long to come, spraying the floor white again..."
                menu:
                    "Go again.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        al "Aaaah! Nnn-Aaaah!"
                        menu:
                            "Go again.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                al "Aaa-a-a-aah!"
                                menu:
                                    "Go again.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        al "Aaah~! Amazing, why does it feel so-"
                                        al "Go-oood!"
                                        menu:
                                            "And again.":
                                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                                "… … …"
                                                "… …"
                                                "…"
                                                jump futaEpilogue_rp


            "Once is enough. Restrain yourself.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    "With a remorseful sigh, she let go of her new toy. It was a fun thing, and with every session with it, she was gaining new appreciation for it."
                    "But she wasn’t a succubus! She couldn’t spend her entire day playing with it!"
                else:
                    "With a tired sigh, she took her hands off her new “present”. She didn’t want to, but she did."
                    "It was a dangerous thing. It wasn’t natural – she knew that. But every time she indulged herself with it, she felt her revulsion weaken. She couldn’t let it control her. She couldn’t let it turn her into something like X’zaratl was..."
                "She adjusted her skirt – not that it did her any good, given what was between her legs – and assessed the damage her little “session” had done to the room."
                "Some of her cum landed on the stone floor, but most of it ended on the rug in the center of the room.  She eyed it dubiously."
                al "(I don’t think I’ll be able to wash that off…)"
                "With her cock still hurting and demanding attention, cleaning the room would be a headache, but she had no choice."
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30 and (rowanFutaSuck == True or rowanFutaAnal == True):
                    al "(Rowan will be mad I played without him… Better to be rid of the evidence.) "
                else:
                    al "(I don’t think I want Rowan to know I’ve been playing with myself…)"
                "In the end, the spell ended before Rowan visited her later that day, and her husband was none the wiser of what transpired."
                return

    label futaEpilogue_rp:

        scene bg14 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Solansia save me, what difference does this make if the banner has spikes at the top of it or all around it…"

        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

        if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
            ro "Alexia, sorry I’m-"
            scene bg9 with fade
            show alexia necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with moveinleft

        else:
            ro"Alexia, are you here?"
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia necklace neutral behind bg14
            al "J-j-just a moment!"
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "Her voice was strained, panicked. Without thinking twice, he barged into her room."
            scene bg7 with fade
            show alexia necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with moveinleft

        "He found his wife on the floor, scrubbing the stone surface in her nightwear. She looked as surprised with him as he was with her."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "Ah, dear, I apologize for startling you."
            al "One of X’zaratl succubi blessed me with a cock again, and I ended up playing with it the whole evening."
            al "I don’t think the staff will be able to wash the rug clean… I went a bit overboard there, ha ha."
            "She laughed in an embarrassed manner."
            "The whole room reeked of cum."
            if rowanFutaSuck or rowanFutaAnal:
                ro "Uh-huh."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "You should’ve sent someone for me.  Looks like I missed all the fun."
                al "I apologize. I at first I didn’t want anyone to see me with it, at later I got a little overwhelmed by it."
                al "Next time, dear?"
                ro "Next time."
                return
            else:
                if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "You know I don’t want that thing anywhere near me."
                    al "Oh, I know. It was mostly for practice."
                    "Alexia smiled suggestively, and made a stroking motion with her hand."
                    ro "Mhm."
                    scene black with fade
                    "He rolled his eyes. Guess he could forgive her this one time…"
                    return
                else:
                    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I- I see."
                    "His wife still smiled at him, puzzled by his reaction."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "What was this place doing to her?"
                    "(Solansia… If you still care for us, then please, look after my wife…)"
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace concerned behind black
                    ro "… Here, let me help you with it."
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                    return

        else:
            show alexia necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "R-Rowan! I… I…"
            al "I-it’s not what it looks like!"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "The whole room reeked of semen."
            if rowanCorrupt > 70 and alexiaOffer == False:
                ro "What is the meaning of this Alexia. Were you fucking someone behind my back? "
                ro "Was it Andras?"
                ro "Tell me!!!"
                al "No, no! I’d never!"
            al "T-there was this succubus and she, um, she used the futanari spell on me, just like X’zaratl did a while ago-"
            al "And I, I- I couldn’t keep my hands off myself."
            "Her face was red with shame, and her eyes watered. She looked like she was on the verge of breaking down... "
            if rowanCorrupt > 70:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "… I see."
                "Clean up then. And get some scented candles for this place."
                scene black with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                ro "This entire room reeks."
                return
            else:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "… I see."
                if rowanFutaSuck or rowanFutaAnal:
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "You should’ve sent someone for me.  Looks like I missed all the fun."
                    "A huge wave of relief washed over Alexia, and she relaxed visibly."
                    show alexia necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    al "I’m sorry. I was just so overwhelmed by this feeling… I knew I shouldn’t have, but it was hard to control myself! "
                    ro "I understand. Let’s play together next time?"
                    scene black with fade
                    show alexia necklace happy behind black
                    al "I’d love to."
                else:
                    "A long silence followed. Neither knew what to say to the other."
                    "Alexia knew her husband didn’t approve of her cock. And Rowan knew she knew he didn’t approve. And yet somehow, she ended up with one again, and clearly could not resist its allure."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "(Alexia… What is this place doing to you?)"
                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                    "Trying not to show his growing unease, he forced a pleasant smile on his face, and knelt beside her."
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace happy behind black
                    show alexia necklace concerned behind black
                    ro "Here… let me help you clean up."
                    al "… Thank you."
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)

    return

# \events\ruler_events_27.rpy
label claMin_brings_in_boy_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ serveChoice = 1

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "Rowan, dear. I have with me someone who was quite insistent on meeting you."

    "The thrifty goblin had an unfamiliar young man with her. A tall, lanky man, barely past the age of adulthood, if Rowan had to guess. With short, curly hair, a face marred with zits, and a strained, nervous expression."
    "His dirty clothes betrayed peasant origins, though the glint in his eyes, the way he studied his surrounding, and the respectful pose he took immediately upon standing before the throne, all hinted at some degree of wit."

    ro "Is that so? And why is that?"
    cla "He has great aspirations! And I think he might be of use to you."
    ro "I take it you didn’t just trip over him?"
    cla "No, but he is the one who found me rather than the other way around! Approached me during my visit to one of the Rosaria villages you struck a deal with."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    cla "He threatened to have me hanged if I don’t do exactly as he says, the little charmer!"
    young "T-that’s… A bit of an exaggeration, Miss Cla-Min."
    cla "Is it? Is it really?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The peasant boy grew increasingly nervous, while the goblin mistress chuckled to herself, clearly having the time of her life. Rowan tapped the throne impatiently, urging them to move on with this."

    cla "Come on, tell him the full story!"

    "She urged the boy on, not bothering to acknowledge Rowan’s not so subtle signals. The aspiring youth, on the hand, was much more attentive. He had the courtesy to at least lower his head apologetically, before following Cla-Min’s orders."

    young "I do not believe you recall me, my Lord, but as Miss Cla-Min said, I am from one of the villages you visited a while ago. I… Help the village elder, mostly by tending to administrative matters."
    young "And it fell to me to oversee the matters concerning our weekly deliveries to your caravan. I often handled the negotiations, and as such spent much time near the goblin carts."
    young "Over time, I started noticing… Oddities. Peculiar patterns. Caravans from the south had products often found in the north, and the other way around."
    young "Other had fruits that should have perished in the journey, yet remained fresh. And if a local carpenter or herbalist found themselves in need of an obscure product, the caravan in the following week often just so happened to carry it."
    young "It became clear to me something was up. At first I suspected they were going through Blackholt Forest, and-"
    ro "I think I get the gist of it. So what did you do once you figured out our Caravans weren’t what they seemed to be?"
    young "Well, I…"
    young "I approached miss Cla-Min and expressed my desire to be part of her venture."
    young "… I might have offhandedly mentioned I’ll report them to the baron if they don’t do as I say, who would indubitably have them hanged for tax evasion."

    #if rastFirstVisit == False:
    ro "You never met the guy, have you?"
    young "Sir?"
    ro "No matter."

    "Rowan tapped his throne, lost in thought. Cla-Min was one of the more sneaky of the twin’s supporters. She spent many months operating the castle supply lines, and people had yet to catch whiff of the true purpose of her caravans, and the way they remained profitable."
    "The fact the aspiring boy figured it out, at least partially, was promising. The planning and execution of his get rich scheme… Left much to desire, but at least it did manage to get Cla-Min interested…"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So the guy tries to blackmail his way into your business, and your first instinct is to introduce him to your employer?"
    cla "Of course! You know I just adore smart people with ambition."
    cla "He was wasting away in the countryside! Rather than let a good protégé go to waste, I had a little talk with him, gauged the extent of his commitment, and then thought I’ll introduce you to him!"
    cla "So what do you think?"

    "Rowan turned his attention to the young man again. Despite finding himself a thousand miles away from home, at the mercy of people who were literally bound to demons, he seemed to be handling himself remarkably well."
    "But it wouldn’t be enough. A quick mind was a blessing, but it didn’t guarantee being useful or successful. Especially not in Castle Bloodmeen."

    ro "So besides having a sharp eye and poorly disguised suicidal tendencies, what skills do you bring to the table?"
    young "I can write and read sir. I know arithmetic, I am familiar with many medicinal herbs, and understand the basics of magical theory."
    ro "That’s quite a lot for a peasant. Have you studied in one of the local abbeys?"
    young "Yes, for two years. I lied about my lineage to get there. They kicked me out once they learned of it."
    ro "So you’re telling me you lied about your credentials to get your last job?"
    young "When you put it that way, my lord…"

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "Can’t say I blame you. Rosarian caste practices are awfully outdated."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show clamin sad at midright with dissolve
        ro "You will find that we don’t employ them here."
        young "I am grateful to hear that, my lord."
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
    elif society_type == "feudalism":
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Good grief… People always trying to do whatever they can to rise above their station."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        cla "Complained the son of a hunter to a goblin outcast turned Lady."
        ro "… I suppose."
    else:
        "Rowan drummed his fingers on the throne’s arm. Only people born into the church of Solansia could climb its ranks. Hardly a fair practice, but it did promote unity among the clergy…"
        "He cast aside thoughts of Rosarian social system. There would be time to consider it later."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He threw the ambitious boy another appraising look. Truth be told, the castle was horribly understaffed on every possible front. The twins had a knack for acquiring exceptional individuals, but there was only so much one person could do."
    "Almost everywhere, he needed secretaries, assistants, attendants and simple help. The fact Cla-Min vouched for him was probably enough of a recommendation… Though he could ask for a more… Personal proof of loyalty."

    if rowanCorrupt < 50:
        "If he even wanted him here. Ambitious or not, the boy looked barely past eighteen... He had no idea what he was getting himself into. Maybe he could still send him away, if Cla-Min didn’t tell him too much about their operation…"

    $ aspirantKeep = False
    $ aspirantSucked = False

    label aspirantMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Send him to help Cliohna with research.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('cliohna', 5)
                #increase research (TODO)
                ro "I accept your service. You will work in the castle library, under Cliohna. Find her, tell her I sent you."
                young "As you command, my lord."
                ro "Your fate is now in her hands."
                jump claminComplaining_rp

            "Send him to Skodred.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('skordred', 5)
                #increase income (TODO)
                ro "I accept your service. You will work with the head builder, a dwarf by the name of Skordred. Find him, tell him I sent you."
                young "As you command, my lord."
                ro "Your fate is now in his hands."
                jump claminComplaining_rp

            "Let Cla-Min keep him.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "It seems to me you already have a good rappport with Cla-Min."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Surely you would have use of him?"
                cla "Having human intermediaries is useful in some cities. But are you sure you don’t want to place him with someone else?"
                #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                ro "So that I would feel indebted to you?"
                ro "No, I think I’ll be alright."
                cla "Am I this transparent, love?"
                ro "Less than some. Don’t worry about it."
                    #$ change_relation('cla_min', 5)
                #else:
                    #ro "Your business is the backbone of this operation. Is it really that surprising I’m committing resources to it?"
                    #cla "Of course not. It’s good to be appreciated."
                    #cla "But you know what it is that I really want…"
                    #"She flashed him a cheeky smile, and placed her hand on her belly. That woman did not give up…"

                "He turned his attention to the young man, who bowed in gratitude. Perhaps it was an outcome he was hoping for?"
                ro "Work hard and remember where your loyalties lie. Understood?"
                young "Of course, my lord."
                #$ change_relation('cla_min', 5)
                #increase weekly income (TODO)
                return

            "Demand he first proves his loyalty. By servicing you. Sexually. (Scene)" if aspirantSucked == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                ro "Tell me, young man, how far are you willing to go? What are you willing to do, to prove your loyalty, and usefulness, to us?"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan reclined on his throne, spreading his legs casually, and waited for the man’s response. He rarely got to play lord like that. There was always some problem that needed to be solved… No time to enjoy the perks of the job."
                "The young man eyed Cla-Min from the corner of his eyes. The goblin mistress smiled and nodded, urging him to proceed."
                ro "Already hesitating? That’s-"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                young "I’ll do it!"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                young "I mean- I’ll do it. Whatever it is you demand of me, my Lord. I’ll do it. My heart and soul belongs to Castle Bloodmeen, to the twins, and to you."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Of the former I am certain. The latter I know is only a matter of time. But neither of them I require at the moment."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Come closer."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with moveinleft
                hide clamin with dissolve
                "He did as he was told, hiding his nervousness. Rowan mentally commended him for it. Enthusiasm was preferable, but when faced with a lack of it, quiet obedience was the next best thing."
                young "Then what it is that you require of me, my Lord?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "What do you think? You showed such extraordinary investigative skills with our caravans. Put them to use here."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "The boy’s head jerked almost unnoticeably, betraying his intention to again look to Cla-Min for guidance. He stopped himself though, knowing doing so would fail whatever test Rowan was putting him up to."
                "Instead, his eyes turned to the man on the throne. The smiling master of the castle, lazily leaning away on his throne, his legs open…"
                "Rowan could almost hear him swallowing heavily."
                young "I am willing to serve with all my heart, my mind, my soul… And my body."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                "The hero nodded solemnly, acknowledging the seriousness of the pledge, but showing no indication the man guessed correctly. The man would have to decide himself if he wished to continue this course of action, knowing one bad move could spell the end of his ambitions…"
                if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                    "It was intoxicating, freely using his influence like that. If only he didn’t have to answer to the twins…"
                else:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                    "It was dangerously thrilling, using his power like that, realizing and ending dreams on a whim. Maybe that’s why the twins allowed him so much freedom in the matters of the state. So he would learn to enjoy the power he held over people…"
                    ro "(Better not think about it now…)"
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "Well then?"
                "He watched as the boy’s expression grew stern, more determined. He came to a decision."
                "And that decision was, to walk up the throne’s steps and kneel before Rowan, placing his hands on the hero’s knees."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "Rowan barely stifled a chuckle. He was being so serious about it! Hardly surprising, given the situation… And in part, he admired the commitment. Focused, persistent. He understood what Cla-Min saw in him."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                "And speaking of the goblins mistress… She was still in the hall, watching as her protégé started to unbuckle her boss. A devious smirk danced on her lips, that quickly turned to her usual shining smile the moment she noticed she attracted Rowan’s attention once more."
                menu:
                    "Let her watch.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ aspirantClaPresent = True
                        # $ change_relation('cla_min', 3)
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                        ro "Developing a bit of a voyeuristic streak, are we?"
                        cla "Oh, “voyeuristic” already. Is it so wrong of me to look after my investments?"
                        ro "And you’re referring to which one of us here?"
                        "The goblin flashed her teeth in a coy smile, refusing to answer."
                        hide clamin with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace happy at center with moveinleft
                        ro "(What a hopeless woman…)"
                        jump aspirantSexScene_rp

                    "Tell her to wait outside.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ aspirantClaPresent = False
                        ro "Developing a bit of a voyeuristic streak, are we?"
                        cla "Oh, “voyeuristic” already. Is it so wrong of me to look after my investments?"
                        ro " In this case? Yes. A bit of privacy would be welcomed."
                        cla "Your wish is my command, love."
                        hide clamin with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace happy at center with moveinleft
                        "She flashed him a coy smile, then hurried out of the chamber."
                        jump aspirantSexScene_rp

            "Cla-Min be damned, this guy is suspicious. Enslave him." if aspirantKeep == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I take it you vetted him extensively?"
                #if castle.buildings['tavern'].lvl >= 1 or castle.buildings['pit'].lvl >= 1:
                ro "I wish Andras shared your thoroughness."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "Regardless, I would rather his hobby of picking random people to serve as castle staff did not become a common practice we all indulge in."
                #else:
                    #show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    #show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                    #ro "And yet I can’t help but feel distressed by the fact he’s even here. Since when do we practice picking up strays like some damned orphanage?"
                cla "Rowan? Love? What are you saying?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                if aspirantSucked == True:
                    ro "I’m saying that for all his intellectual assets and mediocre cock sucking skills, this boy cannot be trusted. And I have no intention of letting him walk out of castle Bloodmeen freely."
                else:
                    ro "I’m saying that for all his intellectual assets, this boy cannot be trusted. And I have no intention of letting him walk out of castle Bloodmeen freely."
                ro "Guards!"
                show clamin neutral at center with moveinleft
                show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                "Orcs poured into the chamber. At Rowan’s orders, they grabbed the man, quickly gagging him. Rowan saw his expression turn from shock to despair. Foolish boy. He never should’ve come to Castle Bloodmeen."
                cla "Rowan this is-"
                "He raised his finger, and the goblin merchant instantly fell silent. He stood up from his throne, and approached her with a somber expression on his face, while the orcs dragged the aspirant out of the hall."
                hide orc soldier with moveoutright
                show clamin neutral at midright with moveoutright
                ro "Cla-Min this entire operation relies on us maintaining secrecy. One bad ally, one untrustworthy recruit, and this entire thing falls apart, and both of us end up dead."
                if serveChoice == 1 or serveChoice == 3:
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan behind black
                    ro "(Which would be a small price to pay for seeing the twins fall… But I need to get Alexia to safety first.)"
                    scene bg6 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "So you will forgive me if I do not wish to compromise our security just because you found yourself a pet capable of a few tricks."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "… Of course. I’m sorry. I should’ve consulted with you first."
                ro "Yes, you should’ve."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "And I ask you to refrain from trying to stack the castle staff with people indebted to yourself."
                ro "It’s a dangerous game you’re playing here."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "Ah, love, it’s so sweet of you to worry about me."
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                cla "I shall take your advice to heart."
                #$ change_relation('cla_min', 5)
                #else:
                    #show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    #ro "I appreciate the initiative, but next time, inform me first?"
                    #cla "Of course, love."
                    #show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "You can go now."
                hide clamin with moveoutleft
                "The Goblin bowed before him, then quickly took her leave, clearly in no mood to pester Rowan further. He was left pondering whether or not he was being too paranoid about the whole ordeal…"
                # $ change_relation('cla_min', -5)
                # $ change_prisoners(1)
                # $ change_favor('jezera', 1)
                return

            "This place will eat him alive. Send him away, for his own good." if rowanCorrupt < 50 and aspirantSucked == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Boy, come here for a moment."
                hide clamin with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "He urged the boy to step forward, all the way onto the steps of the throne. Once he was right in front of him, Rowan leaned in, and lowered his voice so Cla-Min wouldn’t hear them."
                ro "How much have you been told about this castle? About me? About the twins?"
                young "Not that much sir. I understand the castle belonged to the previous demon lord? And that the current occupants are his descendants?"
                ro "And what about me?"
                "The boy hesitated, eyeing Rowan dubiously. Finally, he lowered his head, and answered:"
                young "Miss Cla-Min told me you’re the Great Trickster, and that you responsible for the twins’ success. She added that if I want to get anywhere here, I have to my best not to anger the twins, but it’s you I should seek to please. "
                ro "Lovely."
                ro " (He doesn’t seem to recognize me… He’s too young for that. This makes things easier)."
                ro "Listen… Whatever Cla-Min told you about this place, she was sugarcoating things, okay? This castle will eat you alive. And not in the fun, sexy way."
                ro "You value your life? Forget your ambitions, and run away. Run away as fast as you can. Forget this place, forget me, forget Cla-Min, and just run. Return to your village, and live a happy, long live, away from all of this."
                ro "You understand?"
                "The boy hesitated, uncertain. Rowan could see his trip to the castle didn’t go as he thought it would."
                ro "(Welcome to the club kid.)"
                "Finally, he gave a reluctant nod, understanding that without Rowan’s backing, he was a small fish in a sea full of sharks.  Rowan signaled him to walk away, then turned to Cla-Min. The thrifty goblin kept watching them, silent, but attentive."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                show clamin neutral at midright with moveinright
                ro "Cla-Min, I want you to escort this young man to the village you first found him in. He will be of more use to us as a spy, than servant."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 3, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    #pass
                #else:
                    #show clamin sad at midright with dissolve
                    #cla "..."
                    #$ change_relation('cla_min', -5)
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "Of course. I’ll handle everything."
                ro "Good. Dismissed."
                hide clamin with moveoutright
                "He only hoped Jezera wouldn’t catch wind of this…"
                #$ change_favor('jezera', -1)
                #$ rowanCorrupt -= 5
                return


    label claminComplaining_rp:

        cla "Aw, I was hoping you’d let me keep him."

        #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
        ro "No, you weren’t. You wanted me to assign him somewhere, hoping I would feel indebted to you."
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        cla "Am I this transparent?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Less than some. Don’t worry, you’re not losing your edge."
        # $ change_relation('cla_min', 5)

        #else:
            #ro "If he’s really as smart as you’re selling him here, then I’ll need him elsewhere. We’re more or less shorthanded on all fronts, all the time."
            #cla "I understand. Perhaps the next one then?"
            #ro "Perhaps."

        ro "The matter is settled then. Good luck…"

        scene black with fade

        "Huh, he never asked for his name."

        return

    label aspirantSexScene_rp:

        "Paying no attention to his discussion with Cla-Min, the boy finally undid Rowan’s trousers, and was met with his half-erect cock. He recoiled a little, as if surprised by the size."

        ro "Have you done anything like that before?"

        young "No… My lord."

        ro "Then I hope you learn quickly."

        #blurred cg1
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind black

        "Magnanimously, Rowan ran his fingers through the boy’s curls, lightly pushing him towards his cock while the young man awkwardly wrapped his fingers around his phallus."
        "He stroked it gently, his gaze focused on the tip, with resolve that continued to bring a smile to Rowan’s face. So nice to see people willing to give it their all…"
        "Again, he pushed his head forward, reminding him not to waste too much time on the foreplay. The large tip of his dick brushed against the young man’s cheek, leaving a small, white stain on his skin."

        if rowanCorrupt > 50:
            ro "Come on, show your new master what you’re capable of."

        else:
            ro "Come on, show your new lord what you’re capable of."

        #cg1
        scene cg330 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg330
        show clamin happy behind cg330
        pause 3

        "The boy nodded, and his mouth parted, welcoming Rowan’s cock."

        young "Mmm-mmm!"

        "Rowan was free to marvel at the embarrassed expression that graced the boy’s face. He really must have been new to this… Maybe even his cock was the first he ever tasted."
        "It would seem so, as he did not seem to be capable of taking him any further in, gagging when he first tried. Instead, he focused all his attention on the tip of his cock, his wet tongue dutifully circling around the sensitive head."

        ro "Hmm…"

        "He had to admit the boy was trying his best here, but his inexperience was… Vexing. He needed more training. Guidance."
        "Or breaking in."

        menu:
            "A disappointing performance. Use his head to get yourself off.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                ro "Admirable attempt, but…"
                ro "You should’ve come more prepared. In a castle full of sex demons, this is hardly enough."
                young "Mm-mmm?"
                ro "No, no, no need to worry, just… Open wide. And mind your teeth."
                scene cg331 with fade
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg331
                show clamin happy behind cg331
                pause 3
                "With only this scant words of warning, he gripped the boy firmly, and shoved his head all the way to the base of his dick. The poor sod gurgled something in protest, but Rowan paid no mind to it."
                if aspirantClaPresent == True:
                    cla "Don’t struggle! Relax your head, let it slide all the way in!"
                    ro "Couldn’t explain it better."
                "He continued to thrust his head up and down his cock, using the man as a simple relief toy for his lust. It didn’t take long for the boy to accept his place. Accept his role."
                "He relaxed his posture, adjusting his pose so that Rowan’s cock could reach deeper – deeper, all the way to the back of his throat-"
                young "Ghrl!"
                ro "Hmph, we’ll have to rid you of that gag reflex."
                "- despite Rowan doing nothing to make the harsh facefucking in any way bearable. He wanted to test him. See how well suited he was for the role he would no doubt take in castle Bloodmeen if he lacks the spine to stand up for himself."
                "That of a bottom bitch."
                "And he was pleased to see the boy learned quickly, and soon bobbed his head rapidly on Rowan’s dick, no longer requiring the hero force him in any way. His expression grew less tense, his cheeks red, and his eyes even rolled back a little."

            "Offer some advice.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Admirable attempt, but…"
                ro "You should’ve come more prepared. In a castle full of sex demons, this is hardly enough."
                young "Mm-mmm?"
                "He ran fingers through his hair gently, looking him in the eyes as the man gently sucked his tip."
                ro "You have to learn how to take a cock all the way in. All the way to the base."
                ro "If you can’t do it now… Guess I’ll have to forgive that, but you better start practicing."
                "The man continued his ministrations for a moment, eyes focused on Rowan. His mind, if Rowan had to guess, racing."
                scene cg331 with fade
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg331
                show clamin happy behind cg331
                pause 3
                "Finally, he opened his mouth wider, and again tried to take more of Rowan in. Tried to force him deeper, past his tongue, which still continued to lick dutifully, lubricating Rowan’s cock, coating it with saliva."
                "Saliva that now lewdly dripped down his chin, creating quite the pretty picture."
                young "MM-mm! Ack!!"
                if aspirantClaPresent == True:
                    cla "You have to relax your throat! Don’t struggle, and just let it slide in!"
                    young "Mmm-mmm…"
                    "The hero saw the goblin flash him a knowing smile from the sidelines, and Rowan raised his hands in defeat."
                    ro "I concede, he is a fast learner…"
                    cla "Told you!"
                else:
                    ro "Relax your throat. Stop struggling so much."
                    young "Mmmmm… Mmm."
                    "It took him a while, but several attempts later, Rowan’s cock finally pierced all the way to down his throat. "
                    ro "Well done… Keep going."
                "Growing more comfortable with Rowan’s dick by the minute, the young man increased his speed, increased the tempo."
                "As if relishing in his newfound deepthroating talent, he now freely pistoned his face on Rowan’s dick, taking him all the way in, up and down, just as Rowan wanted him to."
                "He was almost fucking himself on Rowan’s cock, so great was his enthusiasm... His eyes even start to roll back a little!"

        ro "So you enjoy being at the bottom after all. "

        young "Mm, mmm…"

        "Rowan stroked his hair affectionately, pleased with this development. Heart, soul and body indeed… He didn’t know about mind yet, but a willing body often preceded a pliant mind."
        "This continued for several minutes, and soon enough, Rowan felt himself nearing the end, felt the pressure rising."
        "He grabbed the boy’s head more firmly, and again, pulled him all the way to the base of his dick, the tip of his cock buried deep inside his throat, as he started to climax."

        ro "Ah!"

        young "Mmm!"

        show cg332 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg333 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg334 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg334 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg335 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Load after load, deposited directly into his stomach. Thick, warm cum, courtesy of the master of Castle Bloodmeen."

        young "MMm! Mmm… Mmm- ah! Aaah… Ahhh…"

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "What do you say?"

        young "T-thank you… My lord…"

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        "Well done. Now clean yourself up."

        if aspirantClaPresent == False:
            ro "Cla-Min! You can come back now."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

        cla "Happy with his performance?"

        menu:
            "Yes. Cla-Min did well bringing him to the castle.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Yes, and you did well bringing him here. He’s certainly going to adapt to Castle Bloodmeen well."
                cla "He already got the most important lesson down!"
                cla "So where are you going to assign him?"
                # $ change_relation('cla_min', 3)
                $ aspirantKeep = True

            "You still have some doubts about him.":
               # $ released_fix_rollback()
               show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
               show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
               ro "… It was acceptable."
               "He let the matter in the air, drawing a concerned looks from both Cla-Min and her hopeful protégé."

        $ aspirantSucked = True

        #jump aspirantMenu_rp

    return

# \events\ruler_events_26.rpy
label bathing_andras_rp:

    "What is Alexia's day job? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Maid":
            $ alexiaJob = "maid"
        "Breeding Pit Worker":
            $ alexiaJob = "breeding"
        "Research Assistant":
            $ alexiaJob = "research_assistant"
        "Barmaid":
            $ alexiaJob = "barmaid"

    "Is Alexia under Andras' influence? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ society_type = "feudalism"

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy behind bg14

    al "(How troublesome…)"

    if alexiaJob == 'maid':
        "Her shift was already over, but before she could head back to her room, one of the head maids caught her, and asked for a small favor."
        "Jezera suddenly decided she wants an impromptu party on the morrow, they needed more maids working the kitchen. Alexia would take the early shift in the morning, but before that, she had to call back some of the maids currently cleaning the arena. "

    elif alexiaJob == 'research_assistant':
        "Her shift was already over, but before she could head back to her room, one of Cliohna’s apprentices asked her to go to the arena to remind a colleague of theirs that as much as they all loved sweaty, muscular, half-naked orcs-"
        "-a turn of phrase Alexia found oddly specific, especially coming from a scrawny bespectacled teenager-"
        "-somebody had to transcript the “Ancient Theurgs and why they failed”, before the old tome turns to dust and that it fell to him, as he was the one who drew the short stick last week."

    elif alexiaJob == 'barmaid':
        "Her shift was already over, but as a messenger from the castle informed Indarah, the arena was all out of wine, and something had to be done about it."
        "Usually, it would be up to Cla-Min to provide the necessary supplies, with the industrious goblin apparently being busy elsewhere, it fell to the tavern mistress to share some of their stock, and for Alexia to make the delivery."

    elif alexiaJob == 'breeding':
        "Her shift was already over, but Draith wanted her to make a short trip to the Arena before she could retire for the evening."
        "He wanted her to ask its master if the Arena could accommodate a particularly nasty creature he read about a few days ago, which apparently was capable of easily traversing even oil covered walls."
        "The overseer’s response was, quote: “We’ll need more spikes”, unquote."
        "If Rowan was around, he’d probably lambast them for trying to solve all their logistic problems with spikes. Alexia, on the other hand, chose to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t approve of the place anyway."

    else:
        "Her shift was already over, but before she could head home, Greyhide politely asked her to do one last thing for him that day – deliver some swords to the castle gladiators, and tell tomorrow what their opinion on them was."
        "Apparently, they didn’t have enough spikes."
        al "(Go figure…)"

    "Her task now finished, she was free to rest for the evening."
    "But as she went out of the arena inner chambers, and passed the stairs that led to the audience lodge, she heard sounds of battle, and with it, a very familiar voice."

    an "Hahaha, is that all you got, you sissies?! Hit me with all you got!!!"

    "Looked like Andras was having fun…"

    menu:
        "Check what’s going on. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Avoid him like the plague that he is.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "Alexia paid no attention to the demon, and continued on her way, Andras' shouting accompanying her for some distance."
            scene black with fade
            show andras smirk behind black
            an "Come on, keep trying! You have to draw blood on me…"
            return

    "Checking on the twins’ activities was one of the primary ways she could be of assistance to Rowan. After a brief consideration, she headed up the stairs, to see what the red demon was up to."

    hide alexia with moveoutleft

    scene bg28 with fade
    show andras happy at center with dissolve
    show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Come on, keep trying! You have yet to draw blood on me, chief Razzak!"

    "Surrounded by orcs on all side, Andras spread his arms open, inviting them to attack him."
    "Alexia wasn’t exactly familiar with the forces that made the twin’s army, but the blue tattoos on their backs – some odd bird creature, of sorts? -  were unknown to her, and the poor quality of their equipment hinted they were fresh recruits."

    an "Or should I call you chief “Chickensquawk”?"

    show andras angry at center with dissolve

    if society_type == "feudalism":
        an "I think the name will be quite fitting, once I feed you your own testicles for thinking you can demand that I-"
        an "EMPEROR OF CASTLE BLOODMEEN AND THE RIGHTFUL HEIR TO THE DEMON LORD KARNAS!"
        an "-should prove myself to YOU. "

    else:
        an "I think the name will be quite fitting, once I feed you your own testicles for thinking you can demand that I should prove myself to YOU."

    show andras happy at center with dissolve

    "The orcs growled in fury, though even at a distance, Alexia could see their confidence crumble. At least one orc was checking the blade of his axe in disbelief, shaking it angrily. Was it not able to harm the half-demon?"

    wo "You no demon boss. Who you fatha was means nuthin’"

    "The chief tried to keep the morale of his men up, but what little he gained with that speech, Andras erased in an instant. He let out a roaring laugh, that carried across the arena."

    an "Oh, you poor fool. Who my father was means everything."
    an "For example, it allows me to do… THIS!"

    show bg28 with sshake
    show bg28 with redflash
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind bg28

    al "! ! !"

    show bg28 with redflash

    "She barely saw him move. One moment he was standing at the center of the arena. Another, he was right in front of the orc warchief, his hand buried deep into the orc’s chest."

    an "I’m glad to know your heart beats for our cause."

    "With a single motion, he tore his hand out-"

    show bg28 with redflash

    "Holding the orc’s heart in it."

    an "And that you are willing to give up so much for us."

    "Nobody dared to move. For a brief moment, the orc chieftain stared at his still beating heart, until reality caught up to him."
    "He fell to the ground, dead."

    hide wild orc with redflash

    an "WHO DO YOU SERVE!"

    orcs "ANDRAS! ANDRAS! ANDRAS! ANDRAS! ANDRAS!"

    "Alexia watched as Andras raised the chieftain’s heart high, proof of his profess. The dozen orcs that made the now fallen tribe already forgot about their old leader, and now chanted the demon’s name in fervor."

    al "(How quickly they accepted him…)"
    al "! ! !"

    show bg28 with redflash

    "Unexpectedly, Andras crushed the heart in his hand, showering himself and the surrounding orcs in blood. Alexia felt a wave of nausea take her, while the orcs – only screamed louder in ecstasy…"

    scene bg29 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve

    al "(Disgusting…) "

    show andras smirk behind bg29

    an "Have you enjoyed the show, Alexia?"

    hide andras
    show andras happy at edgeright with moveinright
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "She saw his hands gripping the edge in front of her. Easily seizing the arena wall, Andras pulled himself up in front of her."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft

    "He smelled of blood. She could see it – just barely – on the ferocious red of his skin."

    an "So?"
    al "It was a bit… Graphic?"
    an "Hah! Women and their delicate sensibilities…"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    "He took a step forward. Instinctively she backed away from him, and immediately she realized it was something she should never have done."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    an "Really, Alexia? A little bit of blood and gore and you’re already fainting? No… That won’t do."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Fainting? I feel fine, it’s just-"
    an "No, no, you obviously aren’t. And you have my apologies for that!"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    "He spread his arms wide again, presenting himself in all his bloodied glory to the woman."

    show andras smirk at center with moveinright

    an "You’re our esteemed guest! I should present myself properly."

    show andras smirk at midleft with moveinright

    an "After all, I wouldn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable in my company."
    an "Come, help me make myself presentable to everyone."

    "He pointed with his head to the side, the devious smirk never leaving his lips. Racking her brain, Alexia tried to unravel the meaning behind his words."
    "Finally, she realized he was pointing in the direction of the castle baths. Had to make himself presentable…"

    $ bath_refuse = 0

    menu:
        "Follow him into the baths. His request is innocent enough. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
            al "… If you need my help cleaning yourself, then I suppose I can be of assistance."
            an "Of course."
            scene black with fade
            show andras happy behind black
            an "You know I would never ask you to do anything you wouldn’t want to…"
            jump bathTime_rp

        "He’s scheming something. Try to make up an excuse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ bath_refuse += 1
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Lord Andras, I remain at your disposal, but it is getting late, and I-"
            show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve
            an "Alexia."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
            an "I’m in a good mood."
            show andras angry at midleft with dissolve
            an "You do not want to ruin it."
            menu:
                "Reluctantly agree. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                    show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
                    al "… I guess I can spare an hour."
                    an "Excellent."
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
                    show andras happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    an "Now follow me! And smile, we just gained a new tribe of orcs!"
                    scene black with fade
                    show andras happy behind black
                    an "Aren’t you happy to be a part of all of this?"
                    jump bathTime_rp

                "Refuse.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                    show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
                    al "… No, I do not."
                    show andras angry at midleft with dissolve
                    al "But neither do I want to neglect my castle responsibilities, and tomorrow I have a long day ahead of me."
                    al "I’m afraid I will have to ask to be exempt from bath duty, so I can focus on what Rowan, my husband and your faithful servant, asked me to do."
                    "The joyous atmosphere that filled the arena a minute ago was now nowhere to be found. She watched, sweating, as Andras performed his usual emotional journey at being denied."
                    "First, utter disbelief. Then, furious anger. And finally – cold hatred."
                    an "Very well, continue on then."
                    an "But you would be wise to reevaluate your priorities in the future."
                    an "Or else I’ll find a way to remind you of them myself."
                    "The unsubtle threat was left unspoken, but despite the rising panic, she held firm."
                    if alexiaOffer == True:
                        "Perhaps it was foolish of her to make a stand here, after her husband openly said they will have to do some unsavory things to survive, but she couldn’t just let Andras do whatever he wanted with her."
                        "She had to take a stand somewhere."
                    else:
                        "She couldn’t allow Andras to do as he pleased with her. She had to take a stand somewhere. Anywhere."
                    al "I will keep that in mind, Lord Andras. And now, if you excuse me, I bid you farewell."
                    hide alexia with moveoutleft
                    "Feeling his eyes drilling a hole in her skull, she bowed before her tormentor and quickly left the lodge."
                    $ andrasPunishmentCounter += 2
                    return

    label bathTime_rp:

        #baths BG
        scene black with fade

        "The castle baths ran underneath the castle, fueled by underground hot waters. From what Alexia learned from the castle gossip, they were built by some early Demon Lord, to accommodate for his taste in nymphs and mermaids."
        "The baths themselves had one single, massive pool in the middle of it, usually used by the servants, and a series of smaller chambers, with smaller baths in them, often referred to as “fuck rooms”, for obvious reasons."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at center with dissolve

        an "You there! Prepare a chamber for us, and get the water ready."

        "Two servants quickly hurried to get one of those ready. The fact that for all his earlier monologuing about Alexia helping him bathe, it was not her he sent to do this, was already raising red flags."

        al "The main hall would be quicker."

        an "I’m in no hurry."

        al "Are you sure you don’t want to use your usual servants?"

        show andras displeased at center with dissolve

        an "And where would be fun in that?"

        show andras happy at center with dissolve

        if alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            an "You should understand by now, that trying new things can be… Exhilarating."

        else:
            an "It’s good to try something new every once in a while."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "{b}Someone{/b} new."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        hide andras with moveoutright
        hide alexia with moveoutright

        "Luckily for her, the servants didn’t want to be a target of Andras’ wrath either and they quickly completed their preparations. The red demon went in first, then urged her to follow."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve

        "Their room was fairly simple one. A large bathtub was built into the floor on the center of it. It was slightly elevated, with two sets of stone circles surrounding it, doubling as short stairs."
        "A nearby shelf held all the required soaps, sponges and herbs, everything anybody might need for a pleasant bathing experience. Nearby walls were decorated with faded frescos of various sea creatures, some in very obscene poses."
        "Never one to be abashed by Alexia’s company – or anyone’s as far as she was concerned - Andras wasted no time discarding his loincloth."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "She found herself quickly stealing a glance at what was between his legs. Even when not erect, his massive cock intimidated her with its length. To think she found a man even larger than her husband-"
            "Her thoughts started going in a weird direction. She lambasted herself for such lack of self-control and looked away."
            al "(Damn it Alexia… Get your head out of the gutter.)"
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        else:
            "She turned her head away. As always, Andras had no sense of propriety."

        "From the corner of her eye, she saw him crack his neck, then slowly flex his impressive muscles. An obvious show, no doubt for her to feast her eyes."

        hide andras with moveoutright

        "She said nothing of it, and after a moment, much to her relief, she noticed him lowering himself into the bath."

        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            "Quickly, she grabbed the prepared bucket of hot water, as well as one of the sponges, and hurried to her captor."

        else:
            "His back was now turned to her, open and defenseless. She looked over the nearby shelves foolishly hoping to find a dagger, or perhaps something sharp, a spike maybe…"
            "She knew she would not dare to raise a hand against him, and yet she could not stop herself from indulging in this little act of mental rebellion. A part of her still longed for an opportunity to bite back against her tormentors, no matter the consequences."
            "But the shelves hid nothing of any use. No weapon, nor metal tool. Stifling a frustrated sigh, she grabbed the prepared bucket of hot water, as well as one of the sponges, and hurried to the red demon."

        hide alexia with moveoutright

        #blurred bath BG
        scene black with fade

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5 or alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Slowly, she started washing his body of all the blood, dirt and sweat."
            "The servants from earlier filled the bath with relaxing herbs, and thanks to them, the chamber was now filled with a pleasant, calming scent. The thick walls separated them both from the usual insanity of castle Bloodmeen, drowning out the shouts of orcs and screams of prisoners."
            "Despite herself, she found herself relaxing a little, slowly moving her hand across his body. The sponge in her fingers slowly traversed across his skin, cleaning his tattooed, powerful torso."
            "Her eyes fell to the odd markings that covered his whole upper body. What did they mean…?"
            if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5 and alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                "She trailed a single finger across the dark lines, unable to contain her fascination with them. She marveled at the intricate, seemingly chaotic lines."
                "… And she marveled at the rock-hard muscles she felt beneath her fingers, though that she dared not to admit, even to herself."
            else:
                "But she dared not to touch his skin, nor to ask about them."

        else:
            "Slowly, she washed his body of all the blood, dirt and sweat, being extra careful to do it as mechanically as possible."
            "Between the heavy, pleasant air in the room, and the silence that accompanied them, it would be easy to relax, to drop her guard. But she could not forget who she had before her eyes. What this man was responsible for."

        #bath BG
        scene black with fade
        show andras happy behind black

        an "This would be a lot easier if you entered the bath with me."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5 or alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
            al "A-ah…"
            al " I… I don’t think that’s how baths work, Lord Andras."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
            al "I don’t think that’s how baths work, Lord Andras."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black

        if bath_refuse > 0:
            "He showed his teeth in a predatory smile, this time more amused than angered by her defiance."

        else:
            "He showed his teeth in a predatory smile, amused by her defiance. "

        an "Then at least take off your dress. It’ll get dirty otherwise."

        al "I need to have it washed anyway. It’s been a long day."

        an "Ah yes, you’ve been busy with work. I understand. I understand all too well!"

        "He raised his voice, magnanimously “forgiving” her."
        "…He was being far too understanding now. It wasn’t like him not to pressure her.  "

        an "Conquering the world is hard work. All the pillaging, and murdering…"

        "-His fingers briefly brushed against her cheek-"

        an "-And raping…"

        if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
            al "(Disgusting…)"

        an "Occupies me and my orcs heavily. But I am lucky today."
        an "I feared I would have to take a break, wait for our forces to replenish. Lost some of my orcs a week ago, and it takes time to attract new ones."
        an "But thanks to Warchief Chickensquawk, I will be able to return to the field tomorrow! Isn’t it wonderful, my dear Alexia?"

        "His pleasant demeanor was rising all the red flags. He was up to something…"

        al "I thought Rowan was handling our forces?"

        an "Most of them, yes. But do you think all I do is languish in my chambers, surrounded by women?"

        #if castle.villages > 1 or castle.buildings['dungeon'].prisoners > 4:
        an "Your husband is doing a commendable job ensuring we have a steady supply of slaves, but as it happens I found a most scenic little village last week, ripe and ready for harvest."

        #else:
            #"Since your husband doesn’t have the balls to raid human settlements, it falls to me to pick up the slack. And as it happens, I found a most scenic little village last week, ripe and ready for harvest."

        an "And just cannot wait to sack it-"

        show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind black

        al "! ! !"

        an "-Enslave everybody there, then burn it to the ground!"

        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind black

        al "…"

        scene bg4 with fade

        "…"
        "… …"
        "… … …"

        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind black

        al "… What would it take?"


        #baths CG
        scene black with fade
        show andras happy behind black
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black

        an "Oh? Excuse me? You must speak louder woman."

        "Her hand still traveled across his body, across his bloodied torso. The water took a soft, red tint to it."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence < 5:
            "As always, Andras tainted everything he touched."

        al "What would it take for you to assign these orcs to Rowan?"
        al "He’s your general, is he not? I believe he could use the fresh recruits."

        an "That much is true…"

        "She watched him stroke his cheek, as if in deep thought. Pretending to hesitate… As if they both didn’t know what all of this was coming to…"

        an "But if I did give away these orcs, what would I be doing the entire week? "

        "He leaned in, gently cupping her chin."

        an "You?"

        al "I..."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            "Unwanted images of their past liaisons assaulted her imagination, and she it took every ounce of her self-control not to turn crimson from embarrassment. If that was what it would take…"

        elif alexiaAndrasInfluence > 3:
            "Unwanted images assaulted her imagination. All the time, he kept pressuring her into breaking her marital vows…"
            "Was she to break them here?"

        "But unexpectedly, he waved his hand dismissively and shook his head."

        an "No, no… that would be unreasonable. You do have your own duties after all."
        an " But now that you mention it… Maybe I should consult with Rowan first… He might indeed have more use of them… Assuming he is as “thorough” in his duties as you are…"

        "He spread his legs open, drawing her attention to the familiar phallic shape that lurked beneath the surface"

        an "If I knew both of you are willing to go beyond of what is expected… Then perhaps I wouldn’t mind trusting him with today’s tribe."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
            "She turned her gaze away, fighting a grimace. A seed of doubt blossomed in her heart at the thought of what he was asking her to do."
            "But could she afford to be squeamish? When lives were at risks?"

        menu:
            "Give him the full service. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump bathsFullService_rp

            "Refuse. She will not debase herself before him – people of Rosaria be damned." if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She eyed Andras’ disgusting dick with repulsion. The events of Arthdale still haunted her, but-"
                "… But to hell with this! Washing her captor was humiliating enough, she didn’t have to go out of her way to-"
                "To do what, exactly? Look for excuses to cheat on her husband? It wasn’t her responsibility to look after the people of Rosaria. Neither was it her husband’s. If the lords did their job properly, none of this would be happening."
                "Her responsibility was to stay loyal to Rowan. No more, no less."
                jump bathsRefuse_rp

            "Refuse. She will not bend to his will." if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She swallowed heavily. There was no guarantee Andras would really grant Rowan these orcs. Or that he wouldn’t resume raiding the week afterwards."
                "Regardless of what happened in Arthdale… She shouldn’t be treating her fidelity like something to be traded away. Even for the lives of others."
                jump bathsRefuse_rp


    label bathsFullService_rp:

        "She didn’t say a word, but behavior signaled her submission. She repositioned herself a bit, laid down, so her hand would be able to reach further – further down, under the water, and between his legs…"
        "And it was all Andras needed to see."

        an "Ah… Aren’t you the perfect companion? Setting such a sterling example for your husband!"

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al "Please… Don’t talk about Rowan anymore…"
            "Her hand traveled south, and with every inch, his grin grew wider. She tried her best to hide her embarrassment, but failed to do so."

        else:
            "Her hand traveled south, and with every inch, his grin grew wider. This was what she despised most about him – the pleasure he took from bending her to his will. What a despicable man…"
            al "(I am doing this for the people of Rosaria… And only for them.)"

        an "You know we could’ve skipped all of that, right? If you joined me in the bath from the start… I would’ve agreed to your request without thinking twice!"

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al "..."

        else:
            al "(Keep dreaming you bastard…)"

        "Finally, her hand reached his nether regions. Slowly, hesitantly, the sponge in her fingers brushed against his erect tool…"

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al " (So big…)"

        else:
            al "(Remember why you’re doing it…)"


        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind black

        al "! ! !"

        "Andras pushed himself up suddenly, and sat at the edge of the bath. His erect phallus, previously under the water, now stood proudly right in front of her eyes."

        #handjob CG
        scene cg307 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg307
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg307
        pause 3

        an "To make it easier for you."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al "O-of course…"

        else:
            "She bit back a snarky remark. Bastard…"

        an "And ditch the sponge."

        "She took a careful glance at his face, trying to judge how much of a request it was. She saw his eyes narrow. An order, then."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "She did as he told, and faced the cock in front of her, her hand on his thighs. She tried not to marvel at its size, but failed horribly."
            "To think Andras always concealed this monster with only a skimpy loincloth… How did it not show constantly…"
            "… Maybe it did?"
            "Maybe if she started paying attention, she’d be seeing it more often. See its shape press against the material, catch a glimpse of its enlarged head peeking from behind the cloth…"

        else:
            "She did as he told, and faced the cock in front of her, her hand on his thighs. She tried not to think about how much bigger it was than her husband’s. Some women would welcome having a man like Andras shower them with such attention."
            "Foolish women, that is."

        an "Come on slut, hurry up."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al "Y-yes… I apologize…"

        else:
            al "..."

        "She wrapped her fingers around his shaft. It was still wet. Slippery. Her hand slid down with ease, then moved up, the entire length. Again, and again."

        an "That’s right… Clean it real thorough…"

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            al "A-ah… Yes…"
            "Aiming to please, she didn’t hurry things along. She wanted him satisfied, since only then would he look favorably at her request. This hard, erect phallus in her hand was the key to so many things…"
            "She had to get used to it. She started working in the castle to take some weight off Rowan’s shoulders. But this… This way she could also be of use to him…"
            "By stroking Andras’ cock… By working her hand along it, she was also helping her husband. This also… Was something she did for Rowan…"

        else:
            al "(Think about the people of Rosaria Alexia… Be strong.)"
            "She tried to be mechanical. Tried not to act overly sexual. It was difficult, when one had a dick in their hand…"
            "She knew she needed him satisfied. She needed him happy, so that he would look favorably at her request. But she couldn’t force herself to put her heart into it. This was wrong. All of this was wrong."
            "Stroking Andras’ cock… Feeling its warm, hard flesh… It didn’t feel right."
            "And she hoped it would always stay this way."

        an "Don’t forget the tip."

        "She gently pulled back the foreskin…"

        an "And use your tongue, slut."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            "Without thinking, she caught herself opening her mouth, leaning in to fulfill Andras’ demands…"
            scene black with fade
            show andras displeased behind black
            "She turned her head away quickly."
            "This was going too far. Lives were on the line, but readily following his orders like that… "
            an "Hmm… Fine, I’ll give you a pass this one time…"
            "She felt him touch her cheek. He forced her to turn her head again, to again face the cock in front of her."
            an "But look at my dick as you clean it. Marvel at it."
            "She was doing this for Rowan. For the people of Rosaria. It would be unwise to antagonize him further… So she did as ordered."
            #bath handjob cg
            scene cg307 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg307
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg307
            pause 1
            "Again, Andras massive phallus taunted her, its erect form dominating her field of view. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Andras face, as always in situations such as these – smiling triumphantly..."

        else:
            al "Stop calling me-ack!"
            scene black with fade
            show andras angry at center with dissolve
            "He seized her by the face, his grip – iron. He forced her to look up into his eyes, to see the anger kindling in them."
            an "I will call you whatever I want, and if you don’t want to use your tongue, then I would advise you to at the very least watch it."
            an "Remember what’s on the line here. And that it was you who wanted it."
            scene black with fade
            "Her heart skipped a beat. Always – always, the very moment she forgets her place, Andras was there to remind her of it. He would always find some way to make her to his bidding…"
            "… At least as long as he was cruel, she didn’t have to worry she would ever grow accustomed to servicing him… She hoped."
            #blurred bg
            scene black with fade
            show andras displeased behind black
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black
            al "… I apologize, Lord Andras."
            an "Hmph. Let it be the last time, slut."
            #bath handjob cg
            scene cg307 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg307
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg307
            pause 1
            "He released her, and again, she found herself staring at his massive phallus, its erect form dominating her view."
            al "(Let’s just get this over with…)"

        "For the next several minutes, her hand caressed his cock, guided by his commands."

        an "Touch it more firmly. Worship it."

        al "Yes, Lord Andras."

        "His cock was warm, throbbing. Eager for more than just her fingers. Quickly, she saw white droplets at the tip of it, a familiar scent reaching her nostrils."

        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            "And with it, a familiar warmth started spreading from between her legs."
            al "(Why does he make me feel like this…?)"
            "When did her feelings start being so bungled up? When did she stop feeling only pure revulsion for this man?"
            "She couldn’t tell. All she knew, was that no matter what these feelings were, she had to bury them deep inside, lest one day she starts acting on them…"

        else:
            "She fought back her revulsion. As time went by, she started feeling… Numb. She stopped thinking about what she was doing. About what her hand was doing."
            "Frankly, it could’ve been anybody’s hand. Anybody could be stroking Andras’ right now dick. Her hand doing it… It didn’t mean anything. None of this meant anything…"
            al "(I’m doing this for Rowan… I’m doing this for Rowan… And for the people of Rosaria…)"

        an "And don’t forget about what’s under."

        al "Yes, Lord Andras."

        "Her hand reached down, closing around his balls. Feeling their weight. Their warmth."

        an "You’re going to clean their insides as well. Understood, slut?"

        al "… Yes, Lord Andras."

        an "Good, then keep going. And don’t you dare to move your face away."

        al "Yes, Lord Andras."

        "She saw it coming. She felt his balls churn, saw his cock stiffen, saw him thrust his hips. She hurried her hand, and soon-"

        an "Nn-Aaah!"

        show cg307 with sshake
        show cg307 with sshake
        scene cg308 with flash
        pause 3

        "A stream of white hit her face, his thick cum spraying her. Her eyes, her mouth, her hair – all of it, covered in his seed."

        an "Now that’s a pretty picture~"

        "Shameful. How horribly shameful all of this was… Covered in white, sticky cum, of a man other than her husband…"

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Guess that’s just how things would be from now on…"

        else:
            al "(I’m sorry Rowan…)"

        "She felt his fingers on her skin - caressing her face, spreading the cum across her cheeks, across her lips.  She looked up, and again, saw this mocking grin of his, these laughing eyes…"

        an "Ah… How sloppy of me… I got my hand dirty."

        "He held his fingers in front of her, now dripping with semen. Her heart sunk, as she heard the words:"

        an "Clean them. Thoroughly."
        an "And use your tongue, slut."

        menu:
            "Do it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She was this close… No point in playing rebellious now…"
                al "Mm-m! Mmm…"
                "Averting her gaze – she didn’t want to see his expression as she debased herself further – she lolled out her tongue, and obediently started sucking, licking the sperm off his fingers."
                "She was painfully aware her own face was still coated in his seed. She felt its warmth, felt it slowly trickle down her chin, while her tongue prevented the same from happening to the cum on her tormentor’s fingers."
                "With the tip of her tongue, she scooped up every drop. Every salty, white drop…"
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    al "(Doesn’t taste… That bad…)"
                else:
                    al "(Disgusting…)"
                "Finally, when his hand was clean, and her mouth fully, she made a loud, gulping sounds, knowing it would please him."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    "She didn’t want to do that either, but she went so far already…"
                an "Good… Good…"

            "Try to refuse.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                al "(…)"
                "She already allowed herself to be debased so much… Maybe it was idiotic of her to rebel now, potentially undoing all of her work, but she had to try."
                "Rather than lean in, she slowly reached for the cloth, and started to bring it closer to his fingers."
                "She could see it in his eyes, on his face – the metaphorical coin flip. What will it be this time? Outrage, or amusement?"
                an "Ha ha ha… Still trying to be modest? With all that cum on your face? Oh, you dumb, deluded slut…"
                "She breathed a sigh of relief, and started cleaning his fingers. Safe…"
                al "You’re clean… Are you not?"
                an "The same can’t be said about you…"
                an "I told you to strip, did I not?"
                al "..."

        "His hand reached for her hair, and firmly pushed her down – making her face reflect on the surface of the water."

        #baths BG
        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve

        "Making her look at her cum stained, embarrassed expression…"

        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

        an "Exemplary service Alexia.  I’ll inform Rowan he will be receiving additional orcs this week."
        an "I hope you’re proud of yourself, haha!"

        hide andras with moveoutright

        "His laughter was the last thing she heard from him."
        "She only hoped it was all worth it…"
        # $ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops += 10
        # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 3)
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
        # $ andrasBathHandjob = True
        return

    label bathsRefuse_rp:

        al "… I think this part you can handle yourself."
        an "Are you certain? The village-"
        al "I’m certain."

        "She cut him off midway, voice cold. In an instant, her disobedience was answered with a furious scowl. Andras lifted himself out of the bath abruptly, splashing her with the bloodstained water."

        #baths CG
        scene black with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

        an "Have it your fucking way then."
        an "I will take great pleasure raping every single woman living in that fucking village."
        an "I hope you’ll be sleeping comfortably today knowing this."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        al "…"

        show andras angry at midright with dissolve

        an "What are you standing here for? We’re fucking finished. Get out you dumb slut."

        "She bowed deeply, and hastily left the chamber.  "

        hide alexia with moveoutleft
        show andras angry at center with moveinright

        an "What a fucking waste of time…"

    return

# \events\ruler_events_28.rpy
label andras_humiliated_rowan_rp:

    "Why is Rowan serving the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Biding his time":
            $ serveChoice = 1
        "Avoid being a prisoner":
            $ serveChoice = 2
        "For Alexia":
            $ serveChoice = 3
        "Jezera was convincing":
            $ serveChoice = 4

    $ goal2_completed = True
    $ escapeBlameSelf = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "Andras, you wanted to see me?"
    an "Rowan! Finally. Yes, I did send for you."

    "As per the twin's request, Rowan met the red demon near the front door of the dungeons – a place the hero wasn’t particularly fond of. But as always, his personal sentiment hardly mattered when the twins were concerned."

    show andras smirk at midleft with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Come, let me show you something."

    hide andras with moveoutright
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    "He grabbed him under his arm, and almost dragged him into the dungeon."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at center with dissolve

    "Upon seeing the small cells around them, Rowan was forced to fight down a feeling of unease. Not long ago, he was certain his story would come to an end in one of them. And now…"

    an "Behold, the fruits of your labour!"

    "Now the cells were full of people just like him. Full of common folk of Rosaria, who Rowan captured at the behest of the demons he now served."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    an "Isn’t this a beautiful sight?"

    if serveChoice != 4:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "(Fucking bastard… He just has to gloat, doesn’t he…)"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan put on his best poker face, and with an air of absolute indifference, told Andras what he wanted to hear."

    ro "I am glad you find my work acceptable, Lord Andras."
    ro "Do you require my assistance with something, or did you merely desire my company as you inspect the stocks?"
    an "Always so serious, Rowan. Lighten up a little! Come, let’s talk to these poor sods."

    "Andras flashed him a wide grin. Always the sadist… Rowan suppressed a sigh, and followed along as the demon approached the cells."

    show andras happy at edgeright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveoutright

    "Inside, the poor people of Rosaria scurried away from the metal bars, instinctively realizing Andras was not someone to be messed with. Or did the demon already made himself known to some of the people here? Not unlikely."
    "A few of them watched them approach – the few who were either too stupid or too proud to hide and avoid attracting attention. Most focused on Andras, but one… One laid his eyes on the man behind the demon, his eyes widening in recognition."

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    pris "… Rowan?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    pris "Rowan Blackwell is that you?"

    "Rowan did not answer. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Andras adopt his usual shit-eating grin."

    pris "Oh bless the heavens our prayers have been answered! Please, Rowan, you must help us! You have to do something!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    pris "They’re beating us! And-and I d-don’t know what that one blonde elf wants to do, but she’s been coming down here, talking about “running experiments”!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    pris "Please! You have to do something!"
    pris "… Rowan?"

    "Rowan turned his head away. The people here – they found themselves in this position because he ordered their villages raided and ransacked. There really wasn’t anything he could do for them now."

    #if avatar.corruption < 50:
        #"He felt his chest tighten. How far has he fallen… Enslaving people on behalf of the children of Karnas. So much for the proud hero of Rosaria…"
    #else:
    "He thought he would feel worse about being responsible for ruining their lives, but somehow, all he did was feel… Emptiness."
    "People lost their lives and end up in shackles all the time. What was the guarantee the people here wouldn’t fall pretty to a bunch of marauding orcs later on? Why should he feel guilty about his action…?"

    opris "… He’s not going to do anything."

    "Another voice followed, bringing Rowan out of his thoughts. This time, it came from a curled up, beaten man, hiding away in the depths of a nearby cell. He was young. Strong. No doubt, he fought the orcs when they fell upon the village. It was a miracle he was not killed."

    opris "He’s with them. We were played from the start."

    pris "What? No! That’s-"

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    pris "That can’t be true!"
    pris "Tell us it’s not true! Rowan!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "The silence stretched, and the man’s face slowly twisted into absolute despair as realization set in. Nobody dared to speak another word."
    "Except for Andras, who broke into a healthy, loud laugh."

    show andras smirk at midright with moveinright

    an "AHAHAHAHA! That’s right, you were betrayed! Betrayed by the man you thought your savior!"

    show andras smirk at center with moveinright
    show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveoutright

    "The demon shoved Rowan from behind, right at the cell doors. Rowan threw him a hostile look, but Andras paid no attention to it."

    an "Look at him! The hero of Rosaria. Now my bitch!"
    an "Enslaving and murdering people as I order him!"
    an "Isn’t this wonderful?!"


    menu:
        "Say nothing. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump allowAndrasHumiliation_rp

        "Don't let him push you around like this." if serveChoice != 4:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump resistAndrasHumiliation_rp

        "Unacceptable! You’re their ally, not some lowly servant." if serveChoice == 4:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump resistAndrasHumiliation_rp


    label resistAndrasHumiliation_rp:

        "Still gloating, Andras walked up to him, and it looked like he was about to put his arm around him."

        show andras displeased at center with dissolve

        "Rowan seized him by the wrist, stopping him in his tracks."

        show andras angry at center with dissolve

        ro 'I think that’s quite enough, "Lord" Andras. I am not some lowly servant you can push around.'
        ro "I offered you my help, and I think these people are proof enough of my commitment. It’s high time you start showing me some damn respect."

        #ToDo - also add "or rastedel completion"
        if goal2_completed == True and escapeBlameSelf == False:
            show andras displeased at center with dissolve
            "Andras stared him down for a short moment, before, surprisingly, taking his hand back and laughing heartily."
            show andras happy at center with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
            an "Haha, lighten up Rowan! It’s just some harmless fun. Thought I’ll scare the prisoners a bit, so they don’t try anything stupid like running away or plotting a revolt!"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "I dread to ask for the details of your master plan here."
            show andras displeased at center with dissolve
            "Andras waved his hand dismissively."
            an "Well, the mood is spoiled anyway, so I won’t be going with it anyway."
            ro "… Then can I go? I have a castle to manage."
            an "Bah! Yes, yes, you can go. I’ll think of something else…"
            an "Maybe..."
            show andras smirk at center with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "His voice started to regain it’s usual sadistic glee, and instantly raised all the red flags in Rowan’s mind."
            menu:
                "Intervene before he finishes his thought.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I’ll look over the patrol routes and make sure there are no weak spots the prisoners can exploit."
                    show andras displeased at center with dissolve
                    an "Haven’t they been perfected already?"
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "The words carried a hostile note to it, and Rowan saw his animosity already turning away from the prisoners and back at him. He thought fast, and miraculously managed to come up with something on the spot."
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "They are, but we can have some fun with them if we want to."
                    ro "Randomize them so no pattern emerges. Created false weak points to trap people in."
                    ro "It will be a good exercise for the orcs as well. It will teach them some discipline."
                    ro "No doubt they’ll bitch about it, but I invite them to do it to my face."
                    show andras happy at center with dissolve
                    an "Ha! That would be a sight!"
                    "His mood again improved by the sudden development, Andras took him by the shoulder and both of them left the dungeon to discuss Rowan’s ideas."
                    "The prisoners would be spared the worst of the twins wrath… For now."
                    # $ avatar.corruption -= 5
                    # $ change_morale(-5)
                    return

                "Don't try and stop him.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    hide rowan with moveoutleft
                    "He shook his head a little, and headed for the exit while Andras was still lost in thought."
                    scene black with fade
                    "The man was irredeemable… There was no point wasting time with him any further."
                    # $ avatar.corruption += 5
                    # $ change_prisoners(-3)
                    return

        else:
            show bg8 with sshake
            show bg8 with redflash
            hide rowan with dissolve
            show andras angry at center with dissolve
            "Rowan's whole world exploded in pain, as Andras delivered a furious blow."
            "It was like taking a hammer to the face and it came with similar result. Rowan kept all his teeth, but his whole world went dark for a moment, and the next thing he registered was the cold stone floor he was laying on."
            "The thing he registered after that, was Andras looming over him, glaring angrily."
            an "Respect, Rowan? You want respect?"
            if escapeBlameSelf == True:
                an "After they shit you pulled with that noble slut? Oh I don’t think so."
                an "You have a lot of work ahead of you if you want to make up for that. Capturing potato farmers will not be enough. Not nearly enough."
            else:
                an "Do you think capturing potato farmers is enough to earn you respect?"
            an "The world is ours to take, and I will not hesitate to drown it in blood if that’s what it will take to have it kneel. Until you show yourself willing to do the same you will not be our equal."
            an "Have I made myself clear?"
            "It took Rowan every ounce of self-control not to reach for his sword. Not yet. The gap between them was still too big."
            show rowan necklace neutral behind bg8
            ro "… Yes."
            an "“Yes” what?"
            ro "Yes, Lord Andras."
            an "… Good."
            "The demon glared for a moment, then took one last look at the prisoners around him."
            show andras displeased at center with dissolve
            an "Hrm, now the mood is gone. Can’t believe I have to keep wasting my time disciplining you."
            hide andras with moveoutleft
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "He left in a huff, leaving Rowan alone with the prisoner. Wearily, the hero got up, the slaves watching in silence."
            if serveChoice != 4:
                "Perhaps this small display of resistance will help them endure…"
            else:
                "The things he was forced to endure so that one day their kids could have a brighter future…"
            return

    label allowAndrasHumiliation_rp:

        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        if serveChoice == 4:
            "Rowan lowered his head in defeat. He and the twins might be allies but the pecking order was clear. One side had shock collars around their necks, the other – the magical commands that activate them."
        else:
            "Rowan lowered his head in defeat. Stay low, keep quiet – that was all he could do for the time being."

        show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with moveoutright
        show andras smirk at midright with moveoutright

        ro "?!"

        "Without as much as a word of warning, the demon pushed him right at the cell doors, making him hit the steel bars – hard. Andras’ hand grabbed him by the neck, holding him in place."

        an "My bitch to use and abuse."
        an "So do not blame him for your predicament. He has no other choice!"

        "He tried to struggle, but Andras only gripped him tighter. Goddess, that man strong!"

        an "I can use him however I want! Hahaha! He will do everything I demand!"
        an "Come on Rowan, say it!"
        an "Tell them you’re my little bitch!"
        an "Apologize for being a stupid weakling who couldn’t protect his own wife from abduction, and now raids and enslaves the very people who worship him as a hero!"

        menu:
            "Do it. It’s easier this way. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump andrasHumilateSex_rp

            "Elbow him in the stomach.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #if avatar.skill_roll("combat", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                "Elbowing Andras felt like punching a stone wall, but despite the sudden pain in his arm, he heard a soft grunt, and the grip around his neck lessened."
                #else:
                    # "Elbowing Andras felt like punching a stone wall, and had similar results. Rowan felt his arm explode in pain, and he was certain he injured it in the process. But despite that, he heard a soft grunt, and the grip around his neck lessened."
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["blunt",], "light_damage")
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                show andras angry at midright with moveinright
                "Seizing the opportunity, he pushed Andras off him and quickly put some distance between them. He put his hand on the sword and waited for Andras to make a move."
                "… The moment dragged on. Andras cracked his neck, his eyes burning a hole in Rowan’s skull. Finally, he spoke up, in a low, deadly tone."
                an "Really, Rowan?"
                an "Growing a spine suddenly? Do you think that a stupid display like this will somehow inspire these men? Bring them hope?"
                an "A quick reminder then."
                show andras angry at center with moveinright
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "Andras turned his head to the prisoners. Rowan saw his gaze fall on a small girl. She scuttled back."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Andras, don’t-"
                "He didn’t even manage to get the warning out. Without any theatrics, Andras simply raised his fist, and brought it down."
                show bg8 with sshake
                show bg8 with redflash
                "A red pentagram came crashing down on the girl. Blood splattered everywhere, and screams filled the dungeon. Not the girl’s – Rowan saw her skull crushed almost instantly. A swift, brutal death."
                show bg8 with redflash
                show andras displeased at center with dissolve
                an "So fragile. I continue to be amazed you were able to withstand it Rowan."
                show andras displeased at midright with moveoutright
                an "Now, as much as I’d love to break most of the bones in your body, I know Jezera wouldn’t stop bitching if I harmed her prized toy without good reason."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                show andras happy at midright with dissolve
                an "So instead, I’ll let you pick three people here for me to make an example of."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
                an "Do take your time, if you want, but have them prepared by your departure at the end of the week."
                hide andras with moveoutleft
                "Rowan could almost hear himself grind his teeth, but he didn’t say anything as Andras passed him by. This was not the time. This was not the place."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveoutright
                "With heavy heart – and burning anger- he picked the three most sickly looking people, and quickly departed the dungeons, leaving the screams and lamentations of the prisoners behind."
                # $ change_prisoners(-4)
                return

    label andrasHumilateSex_rp:

        $ rowanGaySex += 1

        if serveChoice == 4:
            "He already sold his soul out to them. There was no turning back. He couldn’t turn back or doubt, or else the mounting guilt will catch up to him and crush him into powder."
            "Perhaps putting all the blame on Andras will bring him some peace of mind, even if only a little…"

        if serveChoice == 2:
            "One bad word, one wrong move, and he’ll find himself in that cell again, left to either rot or go insane from the isolation. His insides twisted at the mere thought. He couldn’t let that happen. No matter what."

        if serveChoice == 1:
            "His position was still precarious. He had to play it safe… Even it meant publicly humiliating himself in front of everybody."

        else:
            "His wife’s life was o the line. As long as he kept doing whatever the twins demand of him, they’ll leave her alone."
            "Humiliation was a small price to pay for her safety."

        ro "I’m sorry everyone. It’s true."
        ro "I’m a weak, pathetic bitch who can’t protect anyone. Not myself... Not my wife… Not the people that depended on me…"
        ro "I… I let myself be captured, and now I have to do whatever they tell me."
        ro "I’m sorry. I really am."

        an "Good. Good!"

        "Andras hand traveled south and groped his ass. The humiliation would not stop there. And the former people of Rosaria would all bear witness to it. He could almost see the light of hope die in their eyes."

        an "Don’t stop there! Tell them everything Rowan! All your sins! Show them what a sissy bitch you are!"

        "Andras tore the pants off his body, and pushed Rowan against the cell with force. Held firm by his iron embrace, the “hero” moaned weakly."

        ro "I- I…"

        an "Out with it!"

        ro "I had the orcs raid your villages. Capture you- your families- Aah!"

        "Something was forced into his ass. A wet finger, soon followed by another – and another. He cried out from the sudden pain, but his voice was drowned out by Andras’ bellowing laughter."

        an "That’s right, show them what you are! A toy to the demons!"
        an "Keep talking, Rowan!"

        "His fingers started to piston in and out of his ass, making him whimper. He could barely get the words out."

        ro "I- pillaged abbeys, enslaving priests. I l-let Cliohna turn them into mindless puppets-"

        if goal2_completed == True:
            ro "I delivered Raeve Keep right into their – ah! - hands. I handed them Helayna, who thought the world of me..."
            an "And what a fine slut she proved to be!"

        ro "Ah!"

        "Andras pulled his fingers out suddenly. Rowan felt the demon change his position, his hands now placed on Rowan’s hips. A feeling of dread raised within him, as realization dawned."

        ro "Andras, dont-!"

        #cg1
        scene cg314 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg314
        show andras smirk behind cg314
        pause 3

        "His cries of protests were cut short as he felt something long and hard pushed straight up his ass!"

        ro "Aaaah!"

        "He felt Andras’ cock pushed in deep, all while he was still pressed against the cell bars. All while the people of Rosaria still watched, frozen with horror. Fear. Despair. Disgust. All mixed together into a disgusting cocktail he never thought he’d taste."
        "He looked away. He couldn’t bear it. This was too much-"

        an "Don’t close your eyes! Look at them! Look at the people you swore to protect!"
        an "Look at them!!!"
        ro "Aaah!"

        "Andras grabbed his hair and violently yanked it back. He held him in that position, pointing his face at the people of the other side of the bars."
        "… Tentatively, Rowan opened his eyes."
        "He would not forget this image anytime soon."

        an "Ha ha ha ha! Amazing! Your ass is great Rowan!"
        an "I should be fucking it more often, don’t you think?"

        "He grumbled something in response. He cried again as Andras slapped his back."

        an "Answer me when I talk to you!"
        ro "Y-yes! You should fuck it more often!"

        "He tried to ignore the paralyzing pain, tried to ignore this massive dick inside of him. But what he couldn’t ignore, was how despite the brutality of his fucking, Andras was hitting this one spot up his ass-"

        ro "Aaah!"

        "He just couldn’t help it. Violent pleasure mixed in with pain and humiliation. His dick strained against his pants, painfully erect."
        "They noticed. Goddess, he saw them notice. The sympathy disappeared from eyes one by one, as they realized what was going on. As they realized that Rowan Blackwell, the Hero of Rosaria, was enjoying getting fucked in the ass by a demon."

        an "Ha ha! Aren’t their faces amazing? Look at the girl in front! She looks like she’s about to cry!"
        ro "I’m so-orry, I have no cho-oo-ice, aah!"

        "She didn’t believe him. They didn’t believe him. And he didn’t believe himself either. He could’ve done a hundred things differently to avoid this situation. He choose to do none of them."
        "Because some part of him wanted Andras to demean him like this. Some sick part of him he didn’t quite understand, wanted all of this to happen."

        ro "A-andras, ple-ease!"
        an "What’s that? Begging for mercy?"
        an "As if that ever worked, haha!"

        "… Not that his desires mattered to the red demon. Andras took what he wanted. He always did. And right now, he wanted Rowan squirming beneath his dick, and Rowan’s only choice here was whether he would let his voice out, or if he tried to preserve the last shreds of his dignity."

        menu:
            "Start moaning. No point pretending anymore.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ avatar.corruption += 5
                ro "Aaaa-ah! Aaaah! A-aH!"
                "There was no point pretending anymore. None at all. He let his voice raise high, above the sounds of fucking, above even Andras’ laughter."
                an "Hahaha! That’s a nice voice you have there!"
                #if alexiaAndrasSex > 0:
                an "You bring your wife to shame with it!"
                an "Come on, bitch! Higher!"
                ro "AAAAH!"
                "He screamed as loud as he could, as Andras suddenly rammed his dick all the way in, as deep as possible."

            "Just take it in silence.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He didn’t have it in him to resist anymore, but the least he could do, was not give in completely."
                "He whimpered pathetically as Andras kept pounding his asshole, but despite his continuous gloating, he refused to raise his voice."
                an "Why so silent now Rowan? Where’s your usual fire? Hahaha!"
                "He wasn’t certain why – it didn’t in any way diminish his humiliation. But somehow, knowing he still could usher at least this tiny bit of resistance… It made the whole experience more bearable."
                "And yet, despite his earlier conviction, he couldn’t help but cry out as Andras suddenly rammed his dick all the way in, as deep as he could."

        an "Nn-aaaah! Take it!"
        an "Take my cum Rowan!"

        "He braced himself, trying to relax his backside as Andras kept pushing in, pumping him full of semen. He couldn’t say what was warmer – the seed up his asshole, or his ears when he heard the prisoners start whispering between themselves..."

        an "Hahaha! How do you like it Rowan? Enjoying yourself?"

        "A sudden feeling of emptiness brought him back to reality. Andras pulled out, his cum slowly seeping out of Rowan’s stretched anus. Absentmindedly, he gave a small nod, if only out of fear of what would happen if he tried to be defiant now."

        scene bg8 with fade
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve

        "That must have pleased the demon, because a moment later, Andras gave him a few almost affectionate pats on the head. Somehow this was the most humiliating part thus far."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        an "Well done Rowan! Well done! I think they’re all sufficiently cowed right now!"

        ro "You… You did this just to… Intimidate them?"

        an "What? Ahaha, no, of course not!"
        an "I did it because I thought fucking you in the ass in front of them would be fucking great! And Karnas' balls were you tight!"
        an "But if I can kill two birds with one stone, then why shouldn’t I?"

        "If not the context of the situation, Rowan might have burst out laughing at the mind numbing-simplicity of the male twin. But now… All he managed was one last tired look at the whispering prisoners."
        "None of them would dream of escaping now… Of that he was certain."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_28.rpy
label jezera_slave_reward_rp:

    $ serveChoice = 3
    $ escapeBlameSelf = True
    $ delane_status = "free"
    $ ntr_dialogue = False
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
    $ jezeraIntroSex = True
    
    "Do you want to show the NTR dialogue?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ ntr_dialogue = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "As a peasant turned general, Rowan always wondered – how did the nobles do that? "
    "How were they able to just… Toss the life of their soldiers away, without any apparent forethought, or visible guilt after the fact, once their stupidity inadvertently kills thousands of people?"
    "But as he was now staring at the small stack of files he ordered compiled after his last sacking of the Rosarian villages, he was starting to understand. He reached out for the one on the top, and read:"
    "“Prisoner number R034. Name: Annette. Age: 17. Occupation: Daughter of a carpenter. Measurements: 78/65/88. Noticeable traits: Pretty face. Child bearing hips.”"
    "And so on, and so on..."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Numbers. Dry descriptions, without a face attached to them. And their final fate would be now be decided by him, with a few strokes of a pencil. The cruel banality of evil."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "With a resigned sigh, he moved to the bottom of the page."
    "“Recommended assignment: ______________ “"

    menu:
        "Kitchen help.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #To Do - Lower castle maintenance cost a little 
            # $ avatar.corruption -= 5
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
            "An easy job, or as least as easy as anybody could receive in Castle Bloodmeen."
            
        "Manual labour.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #To do - Lower castle maintenance cost moderately.
            "She had to learn something from her father. Skordred would have use of her."
            
        "Orc relief toy.":
           # $ released_fix_rollback() 
           # $ change_morale(10)
           # $ avatar.corruption += 5
           "A pretty face was hard to come by, after all…"
            
        "Monster breeding.":# if castle.buildings["pit"].lvl >= 1:
            # $ released_fix_rollback() 
            #TO DO - some bonus to pens
            # $ avatar.corruption += 5
            "With hips like that, it shouldn’t be too painful for her to serve in the pens… Probably."
            
    "He signed the file, then put it away and reached for the next one."

    je "Working hard, I see."

    show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright

    ro "Funny how the bards always omit the paperwork that comes with both saving and conquering the world."

    show jezera happy at center with moveinleft

    je "Never trust a man whose craft primarily revolves around telling pretty, made-up stories-"
    ro "Indeed."
    je "-which is why I am happy to know you proved not to be one of such men."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinright
    show jezera happy at midright with moveoutright

    "Trailing her finger up his arm, Jezera walked past him. A moment later, he felt her arms close around him. Her breath gently tickled his cheek, making his stiffen. "

    je "As I expected, you are proving to be an invaluable asset Rowan. I have not been blind to the work you’re doing in Rosaria."
    ro "I’m only doing what is expected of me."
    je "Oh, don’t be so modest. And insincere."

    "Her hands traveled further south, grasping at his chest possessively."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    je "I know it hasn’t been easy for you, going after your countrymen like that. They used to look up to you. Tell high tales of your exploits. And now you’ve…"

    "A heavy pause followed. “enslaved” was such a dirty word… "

    je "Now you’ve granted them a new purpose in life! A better purpose, a better role!"
    je "No longer will they be worked to death by for nobles who care little for their well being!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "Seriously, Jezera?"
    je "Oh, I know their current situation is not that much better, but trust me, it is only a temporary arrangement. Once our position is secured, my sweet hero, we’ll discuss how we’ll keep treating them."

    if serveChoice == 4:
        "He sighed again, and threw the paper on his desk. They endeavored to bring down a cruel society that cared not for the people it was supposed to protect, and they started with widespread raiding and kidnapping."

    else:
        "He sighed again, and threw the paper on his desk. Did she honestly believe they were creating a better society this way? Impossible. She had to be at least somewhat self-aware."
        "But it’s not like he could point that out. Besides, as long as he breathed, their little project was doomed to fail anyway."

    ro "A temporary arrangement… For the greater good."
    je "Exactly! I’m glad you understand."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Or at least, that you try to understand. I know how it is Rowan… The mind knows one thing, while the heart…"

    "Her slender palm traveled to the left side of his chest, and she put him in what almost could be a reassuring embrace, if the person giving it was not a ruthless tyrant."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "… The heart has its own set of truths and refuses to bend to our desires."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "So let’s deal with that treacherous heart of yours shall we? Right here… Right now."
    je "Drop the act, and stop trying to play strong. Allow yourself a moment of respite."
    je "Relax, and trust your Mistress. If there’s anything she can do to alleviate that heavy feeling in your heart… You need only to ask."

    menu:
        "Ask for better treatment for Rosarian slaves.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Lady Jezera, I am not the one who requires a moment of respite. These people are."
            "He pointed out to the pile of papers on his desk. Prisoner number R034… Annette. He couldn’t give back her freedom. But at least he could make her life somewhat bearable."
            ro "I understand the primary appeal of slave labour is precisely that we do not have to concern ourselves with silly little things like “wages” or “decent living conditions”, and that our position is still precarious, but…"
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
            ro "But I feel like they’ll always be some excuse to put that matter off."
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            ro "I joined you precisely to improve the situation of Rosarian peasantry. If we have to force them slave for us, then so be it, but at the very least we can treat them decently while we’re at it!"
            "He didn’t see her face, but he could bet his wedding ring Jezera’s eyes were rolling so hard they threatened to pop out. The tired sighed that followed as she took her hands away only confirmed his suspicions."
            show jezera displeased at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            je "I suppose. What in particular would you see us do?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            ro "For starters, can Andras PLEASE stop murdering people for no reason?"
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            je "Very well. What next? Should I ask the sun to rise in the west? Turn the moon green?"
            if True:#castle.buildings['sanctum'].lvl >= 1:
                je "Have X’zaratl take on vows of chastity?"
            ro "A simple “no” would suffice."
            je "You really should know better by now, my hero."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
            ro "Then we’ll start with warm three times a day, meals and 7 hours of sleep. That’s more than we were getting in the army."
            je "Sounds like a waste of resources to me, but you did capture them. It’s only fair for you to take responsibility."
            je "I trust you will take care of the paperwork?"
            ro "Of course."
            je "Then I will take my leave."
            ro "You have my thanks, Lady Jezera."
            show jezera displeased at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            je "I know, I’m amazing. But Rowan..."
            show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            je "Do think about yourself every once in a while, will you? This self-sacrificial nature of yours is awfully uninteresting."
            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            ro "… I’ll keep that in mind."
            # $ avatar.corruption -= 5
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
            #to do - raise castle maintainance
            return
            
        "Return the sweet talk, to get into her good graces. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            ro "There is no need for you to go out of your way to reward me, Lady Jezera. Despite the difficulties, to see our dream slowly come to fruition is a reward in itself."
            ro "Though I will concede your company is much appreciated. It makes the paperwork almost bearable."
            "Her delighted laugh ringed in his ears, while her hands continued to travel across his chest, checking his every muscle. Like a princess who just got back her favorite doll, and wished to inspect every nook and cranny."
            je "“Almost bearable”? Oh Rowan, you have the best compliments."
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            je "But you shouldn’t just shower me with gifts and praises like that, my hero. They might make me grow indulgent."
            je "They might make me start hungering for more of your attention."
            je "Awaken something in me… "
            show rowan necklace shock at midright with moveoutright
            show jezera happy at center with moveinright
            "In a single swoop, she was in front of him – sitting on his lap, her face close to his. Her purple eyes shone brightly, just as her smile did. Her fangs have a predatory edge to what Rowan believed was supposed to be a playful expression."
            je "Oh Rowan..."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            if escapeBlameSelf == True or delane_status == "free":
                je "You do err at times, but I am happy to see you put in the effort."
                je "Really happy…"
            else:
                je "Always putting out when it matters… You really are my most precious possession."
            "She kissed him suddenly, forcefully, biting him on the lip. Driven by instinct, his hands reached for her hips-"
            show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
            "Jezera slapped them away with lightning speed, her joyful laugh once more filling the room."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            je "No touching! You had your chance to ask your mistress for a reward, but instead, you chose to pour more honey into her ears."
            je "And now... I think I will be using your mouth some more today."
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            "Her dressed disappeared from view as Jezera casually took it off and tossed it to the side. Two perfect orbs greeted Rowan’s eyes, with small, pointed nipples that begged for attention."
            if ntr_dialogue == True:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "A soft voice in the back of his head asked him: “What would Alexia think if she saw you now?” He tried to quiet it. And failed."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            je "Lick em."
            "-a quick, harsh command-"
            je "You know you want to."
            "-followed by a sweet whisper, right into Rowan’s ear."
            menu:
                "Do it. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump jezLick_rp
            
                "Hesitate. You shouldn’t be doing this to Alexia.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                    je "Well?"
                    "He turned his head away, ashamed. He shouldn’t have let her get this close…"
                    ro "… It’s not right."
                    je "What do you mean it’s not right! Is it-"
                    je "Is it because of Alexia? Suddenly remembering you’re a married man?"
                    show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                    je "Oh, Rowan, Rowan, Rowan…"
                    "She ran her fingers through his hair, in what was almost an affectionate gesture."
                    je "You’re such a sweet lover…"
                    show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                    show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
                    je "I suppose I can’t blame you for trying to be faithful. I wouldn’t want my most valuable servant to develop a habit of betraying the women he loves."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    je "And now that I think of it..."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "She folded her arms beneath her breast, and pushed her orbs upwards."
                    je "I do have two of these. I guess it’s only prudent you and Alexia share them."
                    je "Maybe not today, but at some point. Look forward to it, my sweet hero."
                    hide jezera with moveoutleft
                    show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
                    "And just like that, she was out of the room."        
                    "Her dress still on his desk."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "(I just hope the staff won’t start talking about her leaving my study like this…)"
                    # $ jezeraDress = True
                    return
                    
                "Politely, but firmly, ask her to stop distracting you and let you work.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinright
                    show jezera displeased at midright with moveoutright
                    ro "Jezera…"
                    "He seized her hands, finally putting an end to her groping. Did that woman have no concept of personal space?"
                    ro "I appreciate the attention, but need I remind you I’m a married man?"
                    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
                    je "I do seem to vaguely recall that fact."
                    ro "You should, since as it happens the woman I am married to - love of my life, remember? - is being kept prisoner by you and your brother."
                    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                    ro "So unless I proved myself enough for you to finally remove these bloody amulets, and maybe allow my wife some freedom of movement outside the castle, I’d rather just focus on my work."
                    "He heard a pouting “hmph!”, behind him, and the demoness took her hands away."
                    show jezera happy at center with moveinright
                    show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveoutright
                    "When she appeared before him again, it was as if the pleasant smile never left her face."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    je "You tell it as they were only a bother to you. What about the communication they provide!"
                    ro "Useful for me, not so for my wife."
                    if ntr_dialogue == True:
                        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                        show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                        ro "I do not know if you can send images through them, but if yes, I can only imagine Andras primarily usage for it is to send my wife the outline of his junk."
                        je "It does sound like something he would do."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    else:
                        show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                    ro "So how about it?"
                    je "..."
                    je "I shall keep that in mind, but we still have a long road ahead of us. You have to be patient my sweet hero."
                    ro "Of course."
                    "She continued to observe his reactions, and he held his gaze firm. For a short moment, it seemed like Jezera was starting to feel uncomfortable under it."
                    "Perhaps she was starting to realize that a man who had no trouble enslaving the very people he swore to protect, and who cared not for her feminine charms, would not be so easy to control."
                    show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                    "But the moment passed, and soon enough her posture once more projected confidence and power. The Lady of the castle… An act, nothing more."
                    je "Do not worry Rowan. Serve us well, and you will be rewarded. With you by our side, we can reshape the world as we desire."
                    show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    je "Don’t overwork yourself, and remember – my doors are always open for you."
                    hide jezera with moveoutleft
                    ro "… Of course."
                    # $ castle.treasury += 20
                    return
                    
                "Enough teasing! Throw her against the desk and fuck her. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    "He placed his hands over hers, and looked up to give her his most benevolent smile."
                    ro "You’re right, there is something my Mistress can do for me."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                    "He rose up suddenly, pulling her to him. The surprised demoness offered almost no resistance, and Rowan threw her at the table, his earlier paperwork sent flying."
                    ro "My “mistress” can stop being such a tease, and start putting out."
                    "For a moment – just a short moment – he saw the cold fury enter her eyes. But it was gone just as quickly as it appeared, hidden behind her usual, cocky smile."
                    show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                    je "Oooh, someone’s feeling domineering today. "
                    je "Whatever will I do! How can I stop this violent man?"
                    "She spread her legs invitingly, her voice taking a dramatic undertone as she pressed the back of her hand against her forehead, like a damsel in distress."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                    je "Oh woe is me! I guess I have no choice but to allow him ravage me! Allow him to plow me like a common street whore!"
                    if alexiaAndrasInfluence >= 5:
                        je "I can only lay down, and take it like his slut of a wife takes my brother’s cock!"
                    "He grit his teeth in fury. That damn slut-!"
                    show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                    "But she wasn’t resisting at all, and it made him hesitate. It was almost as if she was inviting him to make some stupid move... "
                    menu:
                        "Fuck her right here, right now. (Scene 2)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ jezDenialSex = True
                            jump jezDenialSexScene_rp
                            
                        "Don’t play into her hand.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                            ro "No… You will “allow” me nothing."
                            if alexiaAndrasInfluence >= 5:
                                ro "And you will refrain from further comments about my wife."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                            ro "I think I’ve proven myself enough, and it’s high time you start treating me like an equal."
                            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                            je "Like an equal, you say? Oh, my sweet hero, you know I like you…"
                            if escapeBlameSelf == True or delane_status == "free":
                                je "But your record is far from spotless."
                            else:
                                je "But our work has only begun."
                            show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with moveoutright
                            show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
                            "With a snap of her fingers, magical tethers shot out from all around them, binding Rowan and forcing him away from the demoness. Jezera closed her legs, got up, and ostentatiously removed an invisible speck of dust from her shoulder."
                            show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                            je "But I do hear you my hero. And truth be told… You know I wouldn’t mind getting a bit more… Intimate with you."
                            je "But first, let’s focus on solidifying our hold on Rosaria, shall we? Once it falls... Then we can talk."
                            show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
                            ro "You mean once I take it for you."
                            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
                            je "Once you help us take it. With our soldiers. Our spies. And our magic."
                            je "My sweet hero, I’ll pretend this little outburst of yours never happened, but be a dear and don’t forget your place, would you? I’d hate to have to discipline you."
                            if NTR == True:
                                je "Especially since, as always, Andras would insist I let him punish Alexia in your stead, which I find awfully… Primitive."
                            "She circled her finger, and Rowan growled as he felt himself being forced down into his chair. The magical strings went under his arm and wrapped both his chest and the back of the chair."
                            show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                            show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveinright
                            "Then they circled around his desk, and with a screeching sound, pulled him to it."
                            je "Now as much as I’d enjoy toying with you further, I do believe you have work to do."
                            je "Don’t let me occupy you any further. Ta ta!"
                            hide jezera with moveoutleft
                            "She left him alone with his papers, his wounded pride, and cold, boiling anger in his heart." 
                            "He would get her… In due time."
                            return           
        
        
    label jezLick_rp:
        # $ PostRaidingJezeraHandjob = True

        #cg 1 blurred
        scene cg421 with fade
        show jezera naked happy behind cg421
        pause 3

        "Hungrily, he started sucking on her breasts, starting from the left, and agonizing Jezera forbade him from reaching for the other."
        "His efforts were rewarded with a soft, joyous chuckle, so common whenever Jezera was pleased with him."

        je "That’s right… Worship your mistress nipples. Suck ‘em. Lick ‘em. You can even use your teeth, if you want to."

        "He did just that, evoking a moan of delight from the demoness. Her voice ringed in his ears – a beautiful melody she magnanimously bestowed upon him."

        je "Yesss… That’s right Rowan… You’re doing a wonderful job. Now the other."

        "He followed her lead, feeling her warmth, basking in her perfume. Damn it, why did she not allow him to touch her!"

        je "Such a good servant you are… And so selfless too…"

        "Her body curved erotically as she clung to him, her sweet whispers never ceasing."

        je "A bit too selfless even…"

        "Rowan gasped in surprise as her hand suddenly grabbed his crotch. His dick was already painfully erect, there was no way Jezera did not feel it earlier."

        je "A heart can be a difficult guide, Rowan. I think you would be much happier if you listened to this little guy more often."

        #cg 1
        scene cg422 with fade
        show jezera naked happy behind cg422
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg422
        pause 3

        "She continued to fondle him through his pants, making him moan in desire. Her fingers started to undo his buckle deftly, and soon enough, his cock sprung forth, growing from beneath her touch."

        je "See how hard you are? "

        "Jezera poked it with a smile on her face, making Rowan inhale sharply."

        je "See how much you desire me? How much you want me? "
        je "And yet you did not ask me to take care of it."
        je "Was it because you hoped I would service you of my own accord, hmmm? Or do you still lie to yourself, that it is not something you desire?"
        je "Be honest with yourself for once Rowan. Tell me this is what you wanted. Tell me this is what you hoped would happen the moment I walked through that door."

        menu:
            "Admit that you did.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I did. Goddess, I did. You drive me crazy Jezera."
                je "I know. And I plan to keep doing it."
                
            "Avert your gaze, say nothing.":
               # $ released_fix_rollback()
               je "Too ashamed to say it? Oh, Rowan… If I didn’t have you kissing my tits, I might’ve gotten mad here"
               je "But this one time… I’ll give you a pass."

        show cg423 with dissolve
        pause 1.5
        show cg424 with dissolve
        pause 1.5

        "Her mouth found his, locking their lips in a passionate kiss while her fingers gripped his cock. She started to gyrate her hips, moving her body up and down, with her fingers still locked around his phallus."
        "The tip of his cock kept brushing against her lower lips, against the skin of her stomach, teasing him, but never allowing him to come even close to experience the warmth of her pussy lips."

        ro "Jezera-"

        je "Shh… Not today, my sweet hero…"

        if jezeraIntroSex == True:
            je "You’re doing well… But if you want me to let you in again, you’ll have to do better than a few villages."
            
        else:
            "You’re doing well… But if you want me to let you in, you’ll have to do better than a few villages."


        "There would be no negotiating with her in this regard, not that Rowan had it in him to try and push the issue. He focused his attention on her breasts, on her lips, kissing and licking to please the woman that – at the moment – was literally holding him by the balls."
        "And as long as he was playing nice… It really didn’t sound that bad…"
        "Locked in her embrace, the two of them continued their caresses. And even though Jezera kept teasing him about wanting to “use him” for her own pleasure, she did not shy from showering him with affection."
        "More than once, she had him stop his ministrations, just so she could focus on playing with his cock. Tease his tip gently, or fondle the base enthusiastically."
        "But her eyes never left his own, and she would not allow him to look away either. She wanted to see him come. Wanted to see him climax beneath her fingers."
        "And it didn’t take long for that to happen." 

        show cg424 with sshake
        show cg424 with sshake
        show cg425 with flash
        pause 3

        ro "Nn-aaah!"

        "She laughed happily as she saw his face twist in ecstasy. She jerked his cock away from her body, so the seed would not land on her - and obviously ended on him. But he couldn’t even be mad at this."

        show cg426 with dissolve
        pause 1.5

        je "Enjoyed yourself?"

        ro "Y-yes, Mistress."

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
        show jezera naked happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Satisfied with his answer, she gave him one last kiss and climbed off him. As she grabbed her dress, she stopped for a moment to appreciate her handiwork."

        #jez naked sad

        je "Ah… I almost feel bad about wasting it like that."

        #jez naked smirk

        je "Perhaps next time I’ll bring a slave for you to finish in."

        ro "I feel like there’s like a simpler solution here…"

        show jezera naked at edgeleft with moveoutleft

        "She flashed him a cheeky smile headed for the exit, not bothering put the dress on. Her ass swayed before his eyes, and he almost missed her parting words."

        je "Maybe there is… Keep up the good work my sweet hero, and maybe I’ll consider it..."

        # $ avatar.corruption += 5
        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
        return

    label jezDenialSexScene_rp:

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

        "If this was a trap, it was a damn enticing one. A sweet smile, parted legs, and an overall aura of submission that could not be natural. Mocking remarks aside, everything about Jezera screamed “Take me”."

        "“Take me. Ravish me. Claim me. Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me!”"

        show jezera happy at center with dissolve
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

        "It was too much to bear."

        "Without another thought, he unbuckled his pants, making his erect cock spring forth. Jezera made a loud “Ooooooooooh!”, and ran her finger along the side of it."

        je "So big! It will split me apart!"
        ro "Enough with the chatter, Jezera. Open wide."

        #cg2
        scene cg427 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg427
        show rowan necklace angry behind cg427
        pause 3

        "She prepared another mocking remark, only to have it cut off midway as Rowan mercilessly thrust into her!"

        je "Ah, so rough! Rowan, I never suspected you had it in you!"

        "“That’s what you get for teasing me all the time”, he thought, but he did not grace her with a response. Instead, he started to move hips with vigor, pushing into her without any consideration for her demoness."
        "Finally, he got to enjoy that tight pussy of hers. All he had to do was cut through all that teasing bullshit of hers and get straight to the point, straight to the fucking."

        je "Yes! Fuck me! Fuck me harder! Harder!"

        show cg428 with dissolve
        pause 1.5
        show cg429 with dissolve
        pause 1.5

        "Her jeering moans chafed his ears, even though he did his best to ignore them. He redoubled his efforts to silence the demoness, but all that got him was further laughter."
        "Perhaps later, he would regret his hasty decision. But he couldn’t care less about “later” now. In this moment, all that mattered was painting Jezera’s whorish hole white with his seed."

        je "That’s right, fuck me, my stud! Please your mistress!"
        ro "This is not your circus Jezera, it’s- ngh?"

        show cg429 with redflash

        "Something was wrong. He felt the pressure rising in his crotch, but only for it to- to hit a wall of sorts."
        "He looked down. A blue ribbon was tied around the base of his penis."

        ro "You-!"

        #cg2 - variant 1
        scene cg430 with fade
        show jezera happy behind cg430
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg430
        pause 3

        "Her legs tightened around his hips and pushed him further into her tight hole, making him lose his train of thought as another moan escaped his lips. His cock pulsated with pleasure, but Jezera's spell denied him his much needed release."

        je "What’s wrong Rowan? Cat got your tongue?"
        ro "Stop-"

        "He tried to pull out, only for further tethers to jump out of Jezera’s fingers, tightening around his body, around his neck."

        je "Oh, I’ll stop when I want to stop. You, on the other hand, should do anything but that."
        je "Keep thrusting Rowan. Make your mistress cum."

        "His anger rose, only to be met, and defeated by, the combined efforts of the numbing pressure in his balls and the dangerous tightening of the thread around his neck. She wouldn’t hurt him… Probably not."
        "But he needed release, and Jezera’s wet pussy still squeezed around his cock. His body told him to keep fucking, even if his mind knew it would be of no use."
        "In the end, his mind failed to provide a way out, so instinct took over. He started to once again push into the demoness, thrusting enthusiastically, without the earlier roughness, but with twice the need."

        je "Ooooh~, that’s better!"
        je "It’s so nice to have a reminder of why I keep you around."
        ro "-it’s – AAH!"

        "The tether around his dick tightened, causing him to shout out in pain. Jezera’s cold stare dispelled all doubts that it might have been unintentional."

        je "I think you’ve said enough today, my sweet hero. So how about you keep quiet for a moment here, and listen to what your Mistress has to say."

        "Her foot kicked from behind, ordering him to resume thrusting. He complied, partially of fear, but mostly out of vain hope she’ll finally let him find relief."

        je "I do not mind that rebellious streak of yours, I really don’t. I did not spend months orchestrating your capture just to gain a spineless puppet incapable of acting on her own."

        "Thrust. Thrust. Thrust. Damn it, how much longer!"

        je "But do not – oooh, yes, that’s the spot, keep that tempo! - But do not forget your place. Do not – ah! - forget who you serve."
        je "If you want my pussy this badly-"

        "Jezera pulled the tether around his neck, causing him to almost fall forward. Knowing better than to oppose her now, he quickly recovered and resumed his movements. "

        je "Then I wouldn’t mind letting you have it every once in a while… But on MY terms."
        je "Do you – ah! - understand?"
        ro "Y-yes, mistress Jezera!"

        "Her pussy tightened, and Jezera’s smile grew wider."

        je "Again!"
        ro "Y-yes, Mistress Jezera, whatever you say!"
        je "Again!"
        ro "On your terms only-!"
        je "Again!"
        ro "I’ll do whatever you say, just please-"

        show cg430 with sshake
        show cg430 with sshake
        show cg431 with flash
        pause 3

        "Her body arched and her mouth closed around his, locking them both in a tight embrace as the demoness finally climaxed beneath him."
        "He was hoping she would undo the spell, but no- he could still feel the tether around his cock, he could still feel the agonizing pressure that came with it."

        je "Mmmmm… Well done, my sweet hero. Well done."

        scene bg6 with fade
        show jezera happy at center with dissolve
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        "She pushed him off her, just as suddenly as he threw her earlier, in what now felt like an eternity before. He allowed himself to fall to his knees, too exhausted to cling to his pride."
        "His erect cock swayed in front of his eyes."

        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        je "Now… You know I am not a cruel woman. I see my string was perhaps… A bit too intense for you. I will remove it, and let you cum."
        je "And all you have to do is say “I’m sorry for everything Mistress Jezera. Please let me cum”."

        menu:
            "Say it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
                "Halfway through the last words, the string came undone, and slid up his cock. He felt himself explode, waves of ecstasy taking over, as he started cumming all over the place. Some of it got into the carpet. Some at the desk."
                show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                "Jezera took a step to the side to avoid getting hit by it, and chose to merely watch the spectacle."
                if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == True:
                    je "Ahhh, what a mess. Want me to send Helayna to clean it up? I think she wouldn’t mind getting a mouthful of your seed."
                else:
                    je "Ahhh, what a mess. Want me to send Alexia down to clean it up?"
                ro "I… No, please do not."
                je "She straightened her dress, then bent over to pick up all the stray papers the two of them threw off. She arranged them neatly on his table."
                je "Now, we had our fun, but don’t forget to do your job! Work hard!"
                je "Ta ta, my sweet hero!"
                
            "Don’t. Keep a shred of your dignity, if nothing else.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He didn’t dare to look up at the demoness. He knew she would not take kindly to his resistance."
                je "Oh? Nothing?"
                je "Have you grown fond of my strings, by any chance?"
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "He saw the blue ribbon break. Half of it returned to her fingers, the rest – further tightened itself around his dick, causing him to gasp in pain."
                je "Then you can keep it! For the remainder of the evening, at the very least."
                "A sheet of paper was put in front of his face. It read “Prisoner number R017. Name: Jack. Occupation: ...”"
                je "But do get these sorted out will you? Or else we’ll start talking… Consequences."
                "He took the sheet of her hands, trying not to look her in the face. He couldn’t stand the gloating."
                je "Ah, this was fun. But enough of that. Enjoy your evening Rowan! Ta ta, my sweet hero!"
                
        ro "..."
        ro "Fuck..."

        # $ rowanJezSex += 1

    return

# \events\ruler_events_31.rpy
label a_time_to_relax_rp:

    "In Rowan injured? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanWounds = 10
        "No":
            $ rowanWounds = 0

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Again, another day in the castle. Again, filled with work. Even though it was the one day both she and Rowan were around, there was so much to do neither of them had much time for the other. Even she had only just gotten out of her work clothes."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She was doing her part. Always doing her part. She didn’t have to, no. But unlike her, her husband had no choice, and she wasn’t going to let him carry that burden alone."

    scene bg9 with fade

    "That, however, did not mean that they wouldn't find some time for one another come the evenings."

    show rowan intro necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "As she stepped inside the room she found Rowan checking over his equipment, laid out on the desk in preparation for the next week's exploration. Freshly cleaned and polished."

    show rowan intro necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Alexia?"

    #if avatar.corruption < 51:
        #"All of her exhaustion, all of the despair she always hid in her heart, lifted the moment she saw his expression brighten up. The gentle warmth in his eyes was like a beacon in the darkness, guiding her to safety. It would all turn out alright. She was sure of it. "

    #else:
    "All of her exhaustion, all of the despair she always hid in her heart, lifted the moment she saw his expression brighten up. The gentle warmth in his eyes, nowadays so rare, never failed to reappear when she was around. It would all turn out alright. She was sure of it."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve

    "They were both tired, sore, and stressed. If Alexia listened to her body, she’d threw herself on the bed right here, and sleep till the sun sets past the horizon twice over."
    "But what the body wanted, wasn’t what the heart needed."

    #cg1
    scene black with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black

    "First came the kiss. A needy, hasty kiss. It carried with itself all the longing, all the pain of absence, all the desperate desire. Meticulously hidden. Always meticulously hidden from the twins, as to not give them any more power over them. "
    "But right now, alone at last, they were finally free to show it. Finally free to embrace it. There wasn’t much time, but they didn’t need it. Everything the other needed to know, was said with that one kiss. "

    if rowanWounds > 0:
        "She unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers trailing across his chest. She noticed a new wound. What was the story behind this one? She didn’t know. And she wouldn’t ask."
        "She did inquire about them, in the past, after the war. Trailed her fingers across his body just as she did now, gawking at the battle scars."
        "Awed, she begged him to tell the story behind them. Some he shared. But more often than not, he fell silent, got this... Faraway look in his eyes, and awkwardly change the subject. She didn’t know why. Not back then. "
        "Such a stupid girl she was. Some things were best left forgotten."

    else:
        "She unbuttoned his shirt, her fingers trailing across his chest, trailing across old battle scars. She smiled a little, happy to see no new ones this time."
        "She knew the tale behind some that still decorated his body. Right after the war, she would gawk at them in awe, and begged him to tell the story they held. Some he shared."
        "But more often than not, he fell silent, got this... Faraway look in his eyes, and awkwardly change the subject. She didn’t know why. Not back then. "
        "Such a stupid girl she was. Some things were best left forgotten."

    "His hands rested on her sides, and she raised her arms obediently. He took her dress off, and kissed her again, hugging her close."
    "She felt his heart beating against her chest, and knew he felt hers as well."
    "She didn’t know long they stayed like that. She didn’t want it to end. And she knew neither did he."
    "When his grip finally lessened, she pushed him away lightly, pushed him on the desk he was working at. Something fell down, with a metallic clang."
    "She didn’t check what it was. Her eyes never left his, even as she worked to unbuckle his pants. She saw the shadow behind them. All the things he had to do… She rarely asked about them. When he was ready, he’d open up on his own. That’s how it usually was."
    "All she could do… Was remind him he was still the man she married. He was still the man she loved."

    al "A-ah…  "

    #cg2
    scene cg400 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg400
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg400
    pause 3

    "She mounted him without haste, his hard cock sending a pleasant tingle through her pussy as it parted her inner walls. A few kisses, and he was this hard already? If she was a teenage girl, she’d giggle at such reaction."
    "But now, being his wife… Ah, well, she still felt like giggling a little, but it would be undignified for a woman her age. But it was nice knowing she never stopped being the sexiest woman he ever met."
    "That she too never stopped being the person he fell in love with."

    ro "Alexia…"
    al "Shh..."

    show cg432 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The position she pushed him into… It wasn’t very comfortable for her, but she didn’t care. Standing on her toes, she wrapped her arms around his neck, kissed the corner of his mouth, and started to slowly roll her hips."
    "They didn’t have much time for one another, but she was in no hurry. She wasn't here to satiate her lust. All she wanted… Was to spend some time with her beloved. And maybe, just maybe, ease his burden a little bit."

    ro "Aah… Aah…"

    "And if the breathless moans were anything to go by… She succeeded."
    "She kissed him again. She ran her finger through his hair. She showered him with all those little caresses she knew he loved so much, and he responded in kind. She didn’t need to moan like a whore, or loudly proclaim what a stud he was. He knew how she felt. And so did she."

    show cg433 with dissolve
    pause 2

    al "Aaah….Aaaah! Rowan! "

    "Well… Maybe some shameless moaning. "

    if alexiaUnfaithful == True:
        "She might not have always been the perfect wife to him, she knew that… But that was what love was all about. You make mistakes, you argue, you fight. But then you come to each other. Always come back for each other."

    show cg434 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "His cock was a perfect fit. Always had been. Filling her fully as she lowered herself, throbbing with it… Impatient to fill her with its seed."

    #if (week % 4 == 0):
    "She was ovulating today… Maybe this time, it will finally take root…"

    #else:
        #"Maybe this time, it will finally take root… "

    #cum variant
    show cg434 with sshake
    show cg434 with sshake
    show cg435 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg436 with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black
    show rowan necklace naked behind black
    pause 3

    ro "A-ah, Alexia!"

    "His fingers dug into her, pulling her into him, impaling her as his body stiffened. She gasped when his hot cum poured into her, spilling out of her pussy."
    "This time, she did giggle."

    ro "Thank you... "
    al "What are you thanking me for… Here I am, shamelessly exploiting you, and I’m getting thanked for that?"
    ro "I don’t feel particularly exploited."
    al "Hmph. I must be growing soft with age."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at midright with dissolve

    "She kissed him one last time and climbed off him, adjusting her panties to hold his little “gift” inside of her. Maybe this time…"

    al "Come on… Let’s have a bath. I don’t even want to know how I smell."
    ro "Like a basket of roses."
    al "Sure, let’s go with that."

    "They bickered some more, enjoying each others company before darkness would take them both. Even if all they had were simple days like that… "

    scene black with fade

    "Maybe it would be enough."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_32.rpy
label handle_with_care_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ liurialSex = False
    $ NTR = True

    "Is Alexia or Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ liurialSex = True
        "Yes - Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Both":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    $ week = 100

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The longer Rowan looked at the document, the more tired he got. Scouting reports on the movement of Knights near the border of The Tundra and Rosaria were important. But, it was getting late and his ability to focus had been dulled from hours of grinding work already."

    if week > 24:
        "Liurial had left for the night an hour before. Rowan hadn’t minded since she was actually on top of her work for the month. She was probably the only one. "

    questi "Rowan?"

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan looked up. His wife was standing in the doorway closest to the administrative desks."

    al "I was waiting up for you, but you never came back to bed."

    "Rowan shook his head. Didn’t she understand how important his work was? This woman could be so needy sometimes."

    ro "There was still work that needed to be done over here. I’m basically the only one holding this castle up."

    "Alexia averted her gaze so as not to meet him eye to eye."
    "Moments like this were no longer a rarity. Rowan loved his wife. He really did. But, the longer he stayed here, the less he felt he understood her. The less he felt she understood him."

    al "If you wanted, maybe I could help?"

    "Rowan waved her away."

    ro "I’m alright on secretarial work. What I’m working on is picking out between-"

    "Now it was Alexia’s turn to dismiss him. She strutted closer, swaying her hips side to side."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "That’s not what I’m talking about."

    "She sat down on his desk, legs hanging to the side and cleavage hanging down near his face. He could smell the scent from her. The musky combination of perfume and desire."

    al "It’s alright. You can keep working. I just want to do something to ease your tension...Give you a bit of relaxation."

    "Rowan tilted his head."
    "There was something quaint about the effort. Innocent flirtation between husband and wife. It wasn’t the kind of sexuality that Bloodmeen was historically known for."

    menu:
        "Let her approach. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump handleCareSex_rp

        "Send her off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shook his head. A noble effort on his wife’s part, but not what he was looking for tonight."
            ro "Not tonight. Lives depend on me doing this work. If I screw up it can cost us entire fighting forces. I can’t distract myself. No matter how enticing the distraction."
            if rowanCorrupt > 60 and alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "He didn’t mention his feelings towards her or the seduction effort in general. Maybe it was just too tame…"
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "...Oh."
            "Alexia recoiled backwards, until she was sitting straight up. Her eyes returned downcast, where they couldn’t meet Rowan’s. It made them feel further apart than they actually were…"
            #if NTR == True:
                #$ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            return

    label handleCareSex_rp:

        "Rowan looked up and down at his expectant wife. She was watching at him closely now. Her eyes took on a doe-like softness. Seeking approval and validation."
        "Rowan put his document down. She was making all this effort. What would be the harm in a bit of indulgence? It wasn’t like Rowan didn’t feel pent up."

        ro "Alright, I think there is a desk work position for you available."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I’m still going to be focusing on my work though. You’re just here to give me a little bit of stress relief, alright?"

        "Alexia nodded along with him."

        ro "One more thing…"

        "He reached down into a nearby cabinet and grabbed a small piece of string."

        ro "You should put your hair up. It will make it easier."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "Alexia blinked twice. It took her a second to process his meaning. "

        "His wife made a show of swaying her body and batting her eyelashes at him as she worked her hair into a ponytail. Rowan watched with a soft smile."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "She was fumbling a little bit, but it was cute."

        else:
            "Rowan knew enough by now to gauge a partner’s skill. Alexia’s movements were smooth and catlike, but he was able to catch the odd slip up here and there. Not bad, but yet..."

        al "There we are. Shall I get started?"

        #cg1
        scene cg445 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg445
        pause 3

        "Alexia slipped under the desk. Shortly, Rowan's pants had been worked down to the floor, and his wife’s lips were wrapped around his manhood. He let out a soft groan in response to the sensation but otherwise went back to the document."
        "He did still have work to do."

        show cg446 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Alexia bobbed her head along softly. Back and forth in a steady rhythm. The sounds of slurping emanated out to the rest of the room. If someone walked in, it would be hard to miss what was happening."
        "But, Rowan continued to focus on his work. He jotted down notes. He looked over the latest production reports coming from the occupied territory."

        if liurialSex == True:
            "Spending his work days in the castle with a certain elf had improved his ability to focus on work in a great many circumstances."

        show cg447 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "But, there was only so much buildup that he could feel before it drew his attention. Alexia was bobbing her head in a steady rhythmic pattern. Up and down. It made her ponytail flip around in chaos."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 31:
            "She even put her tongue into the work. It was positioned low in her mouth right where it would run right along the sensitive underside of his cock. She definitely hadn’t known that technique back in Arthdale."

        "It all felt good. Only...not quite good enough."

        show cg448 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "It didn’t take him long to notice that he wanted more. This was fun, but it was drawn out. Almost boring."

        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "Besides, wouldn’t it be a bit more fun to hear her choke a bit?"

        "Rowan gripped her ponytail at the base and held it loosely as she bobbed her head up and down. This wasn’t unusual by any stretch of the imagination. But, that was just the first step."

        ro "I think it’s time to pick up the pace."

        #cg1 var 2
        scene cg449 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg449
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg449
        pause 3

        "Alexia only had a second to react before Rowan added force to grip. He forced her head down and then back up with his hand. Her hair became a handle to control her head. She gasped in surprise, but the sound was muffled by his cock."
        "Now Rowan was completely in control of the pace. Her mouth was just like any other hole, and he felt her teeth brush softly against himself every time he forced her cock deeper into her throat."
        "Alexia sputtered, gasped and squirmed. This was not a way that they commonly played. It was harder, more forceful. She could breathe during a blowjob reasonably well, but throat fucking wasn’t something they did together very often."
        "Yet, she didn’t try to stop him nor even protest too strongly. She was going along with it."
        "Rowan closed his eyes and just let himself enjoy the sensation. Alexia wriggled underneath him, but obediently acted as a good fuck hole."

        show cg450 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Each stroke he tried to push deeper, harder. Her mouth was warm and wet. He sought pleasure in its depths."

        al "Mmm! Mmm!"

        "Alexia whined but still continued not to resist his hand. A passive doll moving as directed. The odd cough here and there joined the loud wet slapping sounds of penetration."

        al "Mmmmmm!"

        ro "Just relax. I’m almost…"
        ro "Almost…"

        "He tensed his back. He was right there. The early waves of pleasure already touched him, beckoning onward. But, it was still frustratingly far away. Rowan groaned out, but his orgasm didn’t arrive any faster."
        "That is why Rowan sped up his hand. He forced Alexia’s head up and down at a dizzying pace. It resembled the rapid hand movements from when he’d stroke his own cock. "

        show cg450 with dissolve
        pause 1

        al "Mmmm! Mmmm!"
        ro "There…"

        #cg1 var 3
        show cg451 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Rowan’s eyes fluttered and a stream of hot white cum shot down his wife’s throat. With a final groan, he let go off his grip on Alexia’s hair."
        "She fell to her hands and knees sputtering and groaning. Rowan barely noticed as he let himself get lost in the post-orgasmic bliss."
        "He let himself glide that way for a few seconds. But, he returned to normal all too fast. His eyes opened."

        show cg451 with sshake
        show cg451 with sshake
        scene cg452 with flash
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg452
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg452

        "Alexia was still sputtering on the ground. Her face had become an absolute mess. Tears strolled down her cheeks. Spit and cum drooled from her coughing lips. Her nose even leaked a little bit of snot. "
        "There was even some cum in her hair. She’d pulled back a bit as he came."
        
        show cg1809 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1810 with dissolve
        pause 2
        
        "She was a mess."

        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            "Without thinking, Rowan grabbed a small handkerchief that he kept around and passed it down to her."
            al "Th..Thank you."

        "Rowan backed his chair out, to let her free. But, it still took her a minute of sputtering and recovering to return to basic functionality."

        al "That was...intense…"

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan chuckled softly to himself."

        ro "You’re kind of cute like that. "
        al "If you...say so..."

        "Alexia sighed. She was keeping her eyes low. She was avoiding his gaze all the more now. But, there was a lot of hesitation in the way she moved and spoke. Her brain was still processing what happened. Either that or she needed more air."

        al "..."
        al "I didn’t hate it…"

        "Rowan tilted his head slightly."

        al "If you want to do it like that again...I wouldn’t hate it…"

        "There was another silence that fell on the room. Rowan looked to the work on the desk. There was still much to do, but he had made good progress today."

        scene black with fade

        "Rowan led her first to some water and then back to his room. He couldn’t get over the contrast of her crying face to her innocent expression earlier. Rowan couldn’t help but feel like she learned something tonight..."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_33.rpy
label another_visit_to_Cliohna_rp:

    "Is Rowan resistant to Cliohna? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ cliohnaResistance = 2
        "A bit":
            $ cliohnaResistance = 1
        "No":
            $ cliohnaResistance = 0

    "Is Rowan submissive to Cliohna? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ cliohnaSubmission = 2
        "A bit":
            $ cliohnaSubmission = 1
        "No":
            $ cliohnaSubmission = 0

    scene bg12 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show cliohna happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "You called for me again Cliohna. Is there something you need?"
    cl "Why, your unquestionable and continuous support in refining my hypnosis technique! I have just devised a new stratagem that I am one hundred percent confident will let me break your mental barriers, and I could think of no reasons to delay testing it."

    if cliohnaResistance == 2:
        show cliohna angry at cliohnaright with dissolve
        cl "You’ve proven to be a remarkably difficult specimen to break, Rowan. At first, I thought your - arguably reluctant, but still - agreeableness to the whole idea stemmed from some well-hidden submissive tendencies, but now I’m beginning to suspect that is not the case."
        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        ro "Shall we just casually brush aside the matter of your earlier blackmail?"
        show cliohna angry at cliohnaright with dissolve
        cl "Oh, please, were you some young, incredibly attractive yet for whatever reason self-conscious and timid woman, I would accept that you could be, perhaps, pressured into sexual acts seemingly against your will. But you..."
        show cliohna angry at center with moveinright
        "A tiny frown entered her face. She walked up to him and trailed her fingers against his chest. Then, against his shoulders and back, as she circled around him, studying him, as if he was some fascinating animal to her.  "
        show cliohna angry at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        cl "You are a resourceful man Rowan, and you can be very creative when you so desire. For you to approve of my request, yet continue to resist me and my magic at every possible step, can mean only one thing."
        show cliohna angry at center with moveinleft
        cl "You did it to toy with me. And you have been enjoying doing so. "
        ro "Said the pot to the kettle."
        show cliohna happy at cliohnaright with moveoutright
        "The corner of her lips raised slightly, and she took a step back from him."
        cl "I will not deny your words. I did say I enjoy a challenge, did I not?"
        cl "And yes, I will confess, this has been a very intellectually stimulating experience. Your mental defenses far exceed what I would expect from any man, and I enjoyed devising ways to break them. "
        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        cl "But in the end, this is just one of the many projects I have devoted myself to. To commit time devising intricate ensnarement knowing anything less than a magical equivalent of a sledgehammer will fail to bring satisfactory result… Would not be research, but personal indulgence.  "
        "We’ve had our fun Rowan, but I will break you today. Because in the end… "
        hide rowan with dissolve
        show cliohna naked happy  at center with dissolve
        "Her thumbs went under the straps of her dress, and with one swift motion she unhooked the top. And just as her breasts came to view, Rowan felt another wave of magic hit him between the eyes."
        cl "You are only human."

    elif cliohnaResistance == 1 and cliohnaSubmission == 1:
        cl "I will admit, I am a bit… Excited by what the result might bring."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "… Is this some sort of odd praise?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        cl "In a way. I simply never know what my sessions with you will bring. You have proved both capable of mounting considerable resistance against my magic, and willing to let it bring you under."
        ro "“Willing” is a bit of a stretch. "
        cl "If you’re perfectly able to resist my magic, yet conspicuously fail to do so, what other explanation is there?"
        cl "I’m starting to suspect you’re toying with me Rowan. You enjoy what I’m doing to you, but you’re putting in just the right amount of struggle so I feel like I’m earning your submission, rather than have it granted to me on a silver plate. "
        ro "That’s a bold hypothesis from just two sessions."
        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        cl "It is, hence why it is a mere suspicion on my part, rather than a straight accusation. Psychology is hardly my forte, and I will not feign expertise where I possess none."
        cl "But regardless, I do want to once more express my gratitude for your participation in this small project of mine. And with some regret I must inform you it will come to an end today."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        cl "Within the next few hours, I will annihilate your resistance, regardless of its full extent."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "You weren't kidding about being confident."
        show cliohna happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
        "She flashed him a small, charming smile. Her excitement would be adorable, where the matter not concern mentally breaking him."
        cl "Of course not. You forget who you’re talking with. You have commendable mental barriers Rowan, but in the end… "
        hide rowan with dissolve
        show cliohna naked happy at center with dissolve
        "Her thumbs went under the straps of her dress, and with one swift motion she unhooked the top. And just as her breasts came to view, Rowan felt another wave of magic hit him between the eyes."
        cl "You’re only human. A very charming human, but still… Just human."

    else:
        cl "Are you excited, Rowan? Do you wish me to explain what method will I employ this time, or would you rather I keep it a surprise?"
        ro "… I think you’re overestimating my enthusiasm for this."
        "Twice, she forced his hypnosis over him. And the best he could do was shake her off near the end, barely avoiding total humiliation."
        "His only source of respite was that it did appear Cliohna was sticking to her end of the deal, and not doing anything suspicious to him while her spells were in effect."
        "… At least nothing he was aware of."
        cl "If I am mistaken in my assessment of your enjoyment, then you have my sincerest apology Rowan. I had only your reactions to go by, and they were, as it appears, misleading straightforward. "
        show cliohna happy at center with moveinright
        "A small, smug smile graced her lips, and she approached him. Her hand gently stroked his chest. Then - his shoulder, and his back, as she circled around him, her sparkling eyes watching him with amusement."
        show cliohna happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        cl "Personally, I have found the whole process positively exciting. Keeping you hypnotized had been quite the challenge, and you should feel proud for the resistance you have put."
        cl "You are a remarkable man, Rowan. With a strong mind, and a strong will. Even if the end result was ultimately to my satisfaction, you have made me fight for every inch."
        cl "I have enjoyed doing so. I enjoyed it a lot. "
        "Her breath tickled his skin, and Rowan looked away, uncertain of his own feelings on the matter. Cliohna meanwhile took the chance to slip her hand lower - to where his feelings were much less conflicted."
        ro "A-ah! "
        show cliohna happy at center with moveinleft
        cl "I understand for you our little experiment is not one dimensional."
        cl "To expose your mind to foreign influence must be both exciting or terrifying, and I understand the… Circumstances that surround your presence in castle Bloodmeen might leave you hesitant to acknowledge your true feeling on the matter."
        ro "Which is why you needn’t worry."
        hide rowan with dissolve
        show cliohna naked happy at center with dissolve
        "She took a step back, the smile never leaving her face. Her thumbs went under the straps of her dress, and with one swift motion she unhooked the top. And just as her breasts came to view, Rowan felt another wave of magic hit him between the eyes."
        cl "I will break your mental defenses today, completely and utterly. And after today, I believe you will realize {b}this is what you want{/b}."

    scene hypnodarkbg with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind hypnodarkbg

    "The world around him twisted, becoming hazy and unfocused, like a painting left outside on the rain. His thoughts grew heavy, and once again he struggled to keep himself together while an assault of new ones threatened to overwhelm him."

    show cliohna naked happy at center with dissolve

    "{b}Look at them. Admire them. Witness them.{/b}"
    "{b}Do not struggle. You want this.{/b}"

    $ hypnoevent2lust = 0

    menu:
        "{b}Look.{/b}":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            "This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        #"{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            #"This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        #"{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            #"This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        #"{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            #"This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        #"{b}Look.{/b}" if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            #"This time, he didn’t even get the chance to resist. His eyes went to her chest on their own, bringing him one step closer to submission from the very start."

        "Don't look!" if cliohnaResistance == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "(D-damn it!) "
            "He tried to resist with all his might - turn his head, close his eye, do something! But the spell was so powerful, his eyes sought her chest despite all of his efforts."

    "Round, perfect orbs, sway enticingly as she made her way to him. The room itself might have been melting away, but Cliohna’s bosom seemed to gain prominence in his eyes, dominating his view."
    "And even though he could barely recognize his surroundings anymore - hell, even the sorceress itself grew hazy - he still noticed Cliohna wear that small, triumphant smile of hers."

    cl "You might think using my breasts to entice you is too crude of a strategy, but I believe otherwise. One must always be willing to use all at their disposal for the sake of progress, even if a tool or method might seem inelegant."
    cl "And being overly elaborate when a simple solution works best is a sure tell of a conceited amateur. "
    cl "Not that you are particularly opposed to my choice of approach, are you? "

    "Plentiful, full breasts. Not too big as to be obscene, but rather pert and pleasing. He still could not turn his eyes away - he could not even blink, so captivated he was but the combined power of her chest and her spells."

    cl "Come Rowan, tell me what you think. {b}Tell me how much you appreciate them.{/b}"

    menu:
        "They’re wonderful. Perfect.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            ro "A-ah..."
            "Despite his desire to sing her praises, a lustful moan was all that escaped his lips. The initial hit of Cliohna’s magic left him dazed and disoriented, and he still struggled to get himself together. Something the sorceress found rather amusing."
            cl "You’re drooling Rowan. I’ll take it as a compliment. "

        "You’ve seen bigger.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Nngh…"
            "The annoyed groan was all that left his lips.  The initial hit of Cliohna’s magic left him dazed and disoriented, and despite his budding anger, he still couldn’t focus his thoughts."
            cl "Not satisfied? Don’t worry, once you’ll have a closer look, I’m certain they’ll be all you can think about."

        "Only a complete slut parades around with her tits out all the time." if cliohnaResistance == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Nngh…"
            "The annoyed groan was all that left his lips.  The initial hit of Cliohna’s magic left him dazed and disoriented, and despite his budding anger, he still couldn’t focus his thoughts."
            cl "Not satisfied? Don’t worry, once you’ll have a closer look, I’m certain they’ll be all you can think about."

    show hypnodarkbg with pinkflash

    "{b}Don’t think. Watch. You want to watch. You love to watch.{/b}"

    #close up of Cliohna naked image later on, with the camera centered on her breasts.

    "With every step of hers they grew bigger, and when the sorceress leaned in, her long hair tickling his face, her breasts dominated his view entirely. They were so close now, they almost pulled him in."

    show hypnodarkbg with pinkflash

    "{b}Worship. Admire. Focus on the breasts in front of you, and ignore all else.{/b}"

    if cliohnaResistance == 2:
        "He wanted to sink his fingers into them, fondle them roughly and violently. It was cruel torture, to hang such perfection right in front of him, and refuse him the right to sully it."

    else:
        "He wanted to kiss them, wanted to tease those small nipples with his tongue, till they stood erect, wet from his caresses. They were made for worship, and his heart cried from being unable to provide it. "

    show hypnodarkbg with pinkflash

    "{b}Nothing matters, but the perfect orbs before your eyes.{/b}"

    cl "I know you want to feel them. And probably do a lot more than that."

    if cliohnaResistance == 2:
        cl "You are in luck that the twins lack both knowledge and mental capacity to ever master this magic. Had they experienced your resistance like I did, they would no doubt seek to punish you for it."
        cl "But I am not a vengeful woman. All of your past misdeeds will be forgiven. I will let your mouth explore all that now taunts your eyes. "
        cl "All you have to do is not struggle anymore. {b}Just focus on my tits and let me in.{/b}"

    else:
        cl "And I will allow you. Whatever desire you hold, I will fulfill. "
        cl "This will be your reward for being such an obedient test subject for me. And all you have to do {b}is focus on my breasts, and let me in.{/b}"

    menu:
        "{b}Let her in.{/b}":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hypnoevent2lust += 1
            if cliohnaResistance == 2:
                "Once. JUST once! Just this once, he wanted to know how it feels. How her magic can feel when it wasn’t resisted at every step. How this- combination of comfort and lust mixed together, creating ecstasy no other woman could provide."
                "… And once this treacherous thought entered his mind, he knew this time he wouldn’t be able to fight back."
            else:
                "He knew what her magic could to him, and the memories of their past encounters made it hard enough to resist already. But with her whispering sweet temptations of even greater rewards lying ahead, he could no longer mount even a token resistance."
            "Images of her soft, milky white tits poured into his mind, the floodgates of his resistance open. He could feel his head resting against them. He could feel her pert nipples pressed into his chest, and his back."
            "He could feel their weight in his hands, and their taste in his mouth."
            ro "Aaa-aaa-aah… "
            "And he could feel their heavy weight on his mind, crushing his thoughts. Or what little remained of them."
            ro "Aaah! "
            if cliohnaResistance == 2:
                cl "There. Was is it so hard to do?"
            else:
                cl "Oh Rowan, you always play a reluctant maiden, only to give in in the end. I would lie if I said I do not fantasise of this moment."
            cl "And now that you are sufficiently subdued… We’ll take it one step further."

        "You’ve given Cliohna too much control already. Try to resist." if cliohnaSubmission == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Soft, milky white tits. He almost felt his head resting against them - no, his mind resting against them. Sinking into them."
            "Every time he submitted to Cliohna, the sorceress had rewarded him generously. And it was tempting, so Goddess damn tempting, to just let her do as she wanted."
            #if avatar.corruption > 49:
            "But she had an agenda. Everybody had an agenda here. As enticing as her words and spells are, he could not trust her."
            #else:
                #"But he was a hero. He had a responsibility he had to uphold. To give it away for momentary pleasure... Would be betraying all he stood for."
            "And so, with supreme effort, he started to turn his head away… Only to again realize he could not move it even an inch."
            cl "All that time together, and you still feel the need to resist. Oh Rowan…"
            cl "But as I promised, after today this will not be an issue anymore. Today, you will watch me break that stubborn streak of yours."
            cl "{b}And once I do, you will realize there never was any reason to refuse me.{/b}"

        "You can’t lose this fight. Resist the temptation." if cliohnaSubmission == 1 and cliohnaResistance == 1:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Soft, milky white tits. He almost felt his head resting against them - no, his mind resting against them. Sinking into them."
            "But if the sorceress thought this- this- titnosis would be enough to bring him under, then she was more deluded than even the twins. He was Rowan Blackwell, and he would not break here!"
            cl "Ah, I can feel your mental barriers reinforce! And here I thought this pleasant show might convince you to for once spare us this spirited resisted of yours. But you just do not give up, do you?"
            "She shook her chest a little, making her breasts jiggle. Despite his furious refusal to fall for her charms, the sight made his head spin."
            cl "Come now, enough of this. {b}Praise them Rowan. I command you.{/b}"
            menu:
                "Alexia’s are bigger.":# if all_actors["alexia"].relation > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Ah yes. The bond between husband and wife. Many men take strength from it. I wonder how much of yours relies on Alexia and her wellbeing?"
                "Helayna’s are firmer.":# if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Is that so? I have neither the time nor the desire to keep track of all the sex slaves you and the twins keep around in the castle."
                "If you want a titjob, you can always ask Cla-Min for one.":# if cla_tit_job:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "You can, but you must be quite naive to think the bill for it will be any less than what you’d pay to experience mine."
                "It takes more than a pair of tits to enthrall you.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Oh, I know. I understand that very well. Yet I was hoping to get at least a partial concession out of you."
                "Arzyl’s are much better.":# if arzylMet:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "I suppose they are quite the sight, if one tries hard to ignore they are very much powered with dark magic."
                "They can’t be better than the ones on that orcess Nasim made.":# if bootlegAlexiaFucked:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Ah, men and their bizarre desire for artificially enhanced, dolled up sex slaves… "
                    cl "To think you’d mention hers of all the possible examples… It’s almost as if you’re trying to upset me."
                cl "Unfortunately for you, in the end your stubborn resistance will hardly matter. As I said, I will break you today."

        "You’re Rowan Blackwell! You fought Karnas himself, and your will is unbreakable!" if cliohnaResistance == 2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Soft, milky white tits. He almost felt his head resting against them - no, his mind resting against them. Sinking into them."
            "But if the sorceress thought this- this- titnosis would be enough to bring him under, then she was more deluded than even the twins. He was Rowan Blackwell, and he would not break here!"
            cl "Ah, I can feel your mental barriers reinforce! And here I thought this pleasant show might convince you to for once spare us this spirited resisted of yours. But you just do not give up, do you?"
            "She shook her chest a little, making her breasts jiggle. Despite his furious refusal to fall for her charms, the sight made his head spin."
            cl "Come now, enough of this. {b}Praise them Rowan. I command you.{/b}"
            menu:
                "Alexia’s are bigger.":# if all_actors["alexia"].relation > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Ah yes. The bond between husband and wife. Many men take strength from it. I wonder how much of yours relies on Alexia and her wellbeing?"
                "Helayna’s are firmer.":# if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Is that so? I have neither the time nor the desire to keep track of all the sex slaves you and the twins keep around in the castle."
                "If you want a titjob, you can always ask Cla-Min for one.":# if cla_tit_job:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "You can, but you must be quite naive to think the bill for it will be any less than what you’d pay to experience mine."
                "It takes more than a pair of tits to enthrall you.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Oh, I know. I understand that very well. Yet I was hoping to get at least a partial concession out of you."
                "Arzyl’s are much better.":# if arzylMet:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "I suppose they are quite the sight, if one tries hard to ignore they are very much powered with dark magic."
                "They can’t be better than the ones on that orcess Nasim made.":# if bootlegAlexiaFucked:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    cl "Ah, men and their bizarre desire for artificially enhanced, dolled up sex slaves… "
                    cl "To think you’d mention hers of all the possible examples… It’s almost as if you’re trying to upset me."
                cl "Unfortunately for you, in the end your stubborn resistance will hardly matter. As I said, I will break you today."

    "Her fingertips found his face, and feeling her soft hands on him after what felt like an eternity of teasing almost made him come on the spot. But strangely, there was no tenderness in her touch."
    "Her movements were not to entice him but seemed like she was… Trailing signs over the side of his head."

    cl "I will confess to something. The nude breasts were nothing more than a…Distraction. A pretty thing to soften you up."
    cl "The real magic happens now. "

    "Her hands reached behind and a quiet crackle broke the heavy silence in the room. Something violet flashed just outside his field of vision."

    if cliohnaResistance == 2:
        ro "Cliohna-!"

    else:
        ro "Cliohna…?"

    "Arcane words he couldn’t understand left her lips. A tingling sensation spread through his head, that quickly turned to migraine, and then-"

    show hypnodarkbg with sshake
    show hypnodarkbg with pinkflash
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    "Then his head split open."
    "… … ..."

    show cliohna naked happy behind black

    cl "I should have realized this sooner."

    "… …"

    cl "You are not unlike me – your past gives you strength."

    "...."

    questi "But take that away… And what remains?"

    "..."
    "… ..."
    "… … ..."

    ro "Nnnngh… "

    "He couldn’t quite put it into words, but he felt like someone just ran over him with a battalion of war chariots. Though once he formed that particular thought in his mind, he realized it would be a nice way of putting it."
    "A battalion of war chariots. Twice over, at least. His head was killing him, his entire body was heavy and sore, and he was… Lying... Somewhere… "
    "Naked?"
    "He opened his eyes and found a pair of warm, grey ones looking back at him."

    $ cliohna_name = "Blonde Woman"

    cl "Good morning Rowan. I see you’re awake. "

    show black with pinkflash

    #cg1
    scene cg483 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg483
    show cliohna naked happy behind cg483

    "An unfamiliar room, like a study of sorts. He didn’t recognize it, but he felt no reason to panic. Not with {b}her{/b} here. And even though he didn’t know her, just the sight of her filled him with a warm, nice feeling. He knew he could {b}trust her{/b}."
    "That must have been why it didn’t bother him that he was naked. Or that she was naked as well, holding his head on her thighs, gently stroking his hair and trailing her fingers across his chest. "
    "He could not stop a content sigh from leaving his lips, nor will to. Somehow, this felt like… Heaven. If he could, he would happily close his eyes and drift off to sleep again, but he tried to he found his refusing to follow his orders."
    "Instead, they focused themselves on the, beautiful blonde woman -  especially on the {b}perfect{/b} hills on her chest."

    cl "Enjoying the view?"
    ro "I- ugh-"
    cl "Worry not, I’m just teasing. Feel free to {b}stare{/b} if you want. You’ve suffered some heavy injuries so it’s important you {b}lay back and rest{/b}, while I nurse you back to health."

    "A wave of drowsiness washed over him, robbing him of all power and will to do anything but admire her body. She called him Rowan, so it had to be his name. But what was hers?"

    ro "Who- ah!"

    "Her delicate fingers brushed against his shaft, spreading fire across his loins."

    cl "Shh… It’s fine. {b}Do not worry about a thing{/b}, Rowan. {b}Do not think. Rest.{/b}"

    "All the energy that just left his body now seemed to return gathering in one place only. His cock stood painfully erect, throbbing with need."

    ro "Aa-ah!"

    "Another lustful moan escaped him again when his “nurse” started to move her fingers down it, stroking it without hurry. They felt so good~~~"

    show cg483 with pinkflash

    cl "{b}You must rest. You’ve been fighting for so long Rowan…{/b}"

    show cg483 with pinkflash

    cl "{b}You must rest your body, and you must rest your mind.{/b}"

    "A weird, tingling feeling spread over his head, but it was drowned out by the quickly mounting pleasure in his dick. Somehow, he had a feeling that something was going on, something he didn’t quite understand. The overwhelming need in his loins made it difficult to focus, but if he could just figure it out… "

    menu:

        "His cock...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            menu:
                "Remembered her pussy.":# if cliohnaDeeper:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Yes… He had the {b}privilege{/b} of exploring her pussy before. And now… She was gracing him with her attention once more, almost inviting him to bask in it."
                    jump cliohna2submitting_rp

                "Remembered her hand. ":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "This wasn’t the first time her slender fingers graced his cock. He remembered all too well they {b}ecstasy{/b} that would follow… "
                    jump cliohna2submitting_rp

                "Needed to know how her pussy felt." if cliohnaResistance == 2:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The pleasant warmth of her thighs reminded him of what lied nearby, and his cock twitched at the thought. He knew, somehow, that for a long time now, conquering her was his goal. A goal he- "
                    jump cliohna2resisting_rp

        "Her voice…":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            menu:
                "Was so soothing.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Calm… {b}Controlling{/b}. He knew that voice. It wasn’t the first time it had been whispering sweet, pleasant nothingness to him. And hearing them again… Brought comfort. {b}Made him relax.{/b}"
                    jump cliohna2submitting_rp

                "Wasn’t always so nice." if cliohnaResistance > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Calm… Controlling. But somehow, he knew that if things stopped going her way, it would turn cold and hostile in an instant. Could he really-"
                    jump cliohna2resisting_rp

        "He... ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            menu:
                "Remembered fighting her." if cliohnaResistance > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "They weren’t always on such cordial terms, were they? In fact, he could almost recall a situation not unlike this one, where he-"
                    jump cliohna2resisting_rp

                "Remembered the taste of her pussy. " if cliohnaSubmission > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "He could almost see himself kneeling before her. Not unlike being in her arms, doing so felt so {b}right{/b}..."
                    jump cliohna2submitting_rp


    label cliohna2submitting_rp:
        $ hypnoevent2lust += 2

        scene cliohnaHJ with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cliohnaHJ
        show cliohna naked happy behind cliohnaHJ

        ro "A-aaaah…."

        cl "Shhh, there’s not need to say anything. Rest now."
        cl "{b}Rest and focus on the pleasure. Sink into it. Let it spread through your body, and through your mind.{/b}"

        "Her hand continued to dance across his shaft, stroking him in lazy, languid motions. It felt as if his cock was being enveloped by something warm and soft, something delightfully pleasant."
        "The only imaginable thing more pleasurable than this could’ve been her womanhood. His thoughts and worries continued melt away, as the woman’s words and caresses filled his body and mind."

        cl "Good… Good… You’re doing well. {b}Just lay back and enjoy, Rowan. Trust in me. I know how to make you feel good.{/b} "

        jump cliohna2lusteval_rp

    label cliohna2resisting_rp:

        ro "A-ah?!"

        "His thoughts vanished into thin air as she squeezed his dick a little more forcefully. Her fingers never stopped dancing across his shaft, and the lazy, languid motions felt as his dick was being enveloped by something warm and soft - distractingly so. "

        cl "{b}Relax Rowan.{/b}"
        cl "{b}You are tired and weakened. You must rest after your struggle. Do not think. Let me take care of you.{/b}"
        cl "{b}You can trust in me.{/b}"

        jump cliohna2lusteval_rp

    label cliohna2lusteval_rp:

        "He felt his head being propped up, and the woman leaned over him. Her {b}perfect{/b} breasts hanged near, close to his face, taunting, enticing him with their presence."

        cl "{b}Kiss them.{/b}"

        if hypnoevent2lust > 3:
            "Without thinking, he raised up to obey, worshipping her tits with his lips. He was rewarded with a delightful coo from his caretaker, and her fingers caressed his tip in return, causing another rush of ecstasy."
            cl "Oh Rowan… You’re coming along nicely…"

        elif hypnoevent2lust > 1:
            "She pressed her chest against him, and his body reacted before he could think. He kissed and worshipped her breasts, much to his caretaker’s delight."
            "She rewarded him with a light coo, and her fingers caressed the tip of his cock in return, causing another rush of ecstasy to ravish his body."
            cl "Ah… Almost there… Just one more push..."

        else:
            "She pressed her chest against him, and his body reacted before he could think. He wanted them. He wanted them to be his, and his alone And now his wish would be fulfilled."
            "He sunk his teeth into her nipple, biting it gently, not strong enough to hurt her, but with enough force to make her squeal in surprise."
            cl "You-! "
            "He could see her grimace, but she hid her displeasure as soon as it appeared. The benevolent smile returned, but it didn’t feel nearly as genuine as before."
            cl "Rowan… I told you already. {b}There’s no need to fight. Just do as I say.{/b}"

        "Her hands never stopped caressing him, running through his hair, and up and down his shaft, bringing conflicting sensations with them: Violent lust and calming mist."
        "He didn’t understand how, and why the two combined. In fact, he felt he understood less of the situation the longer it went on."

        if hypnoevent2lust > 1:
            "He wanted to please her, but despite that, his uneasiness grew, as if some part of him thought the whole situation in some way improper."

        else:
            "With every moment, his unease grew. Something was not quite right here. "

        ro "A-ah!"

        "Again, she squeezed his cock. But this time, even the surge of pleasure could not drown out the rising feeling of wrongness. His “caretaker” noticed his discomfort, her eyebrows making a concerned arch, even though her eyes started to sparkle with barely contained excitement."

        cl "There- what did I tell you Rowan? {b}There’s no need to fight me. I want you to feel good.{/b}"

        scene clihj3 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind clihj3
        show cliohna naked happy behind clihj3

        "Her hand picked up the pace, and he found himself quickly approaching an explosive end. But right before it, the woman stopped her movements, and instead held the base of his dick, denying him satisfaction. "

        ro "Wh-what?! Why-"
        cl "{b}But I need your help Rowan. I need you to help me help you feel good.{/b}"

        "She held him like this for a long while, until his urge subsided a little. Then - she resumed again, swiftly bringing him near the limit again -  Only to, AGAIN, stop a moment later. "

        ro "P-please! Stop-"
        cl "{b}I want you to feel good, but whenever I try, there is always something that distracts you. I will remove that distraction. But to do that, I need your help.{/b}"

        "Suddenly, she took her hand away. Rowan almost wept as he felt his cock denied the warmness of her hand."

        cl "{b}I need you to do something for me while I work to help you feel good.{/b}"
        cl "{b}I need you to grab that cock, and start stroking it. I need you to stop thinking, and focus on stroking your cock. Can you do that for me Rowan? Will you stroke your cock for me?{/b}"
        ro "A-ah?! What-?"

        "Her hands continued to travel across his body, but never below his waist. The throbbing feeling would not calm down, threatening to overwhelm him."

        cl "{b}Do it Rowan. Stroke your cock for me.{/b}"
        cl "{b}Don’t think about anything, and focus on stroking your cock.{/b}"
        cl "{b}You want this. Trust me. I will help you feel good.{/b}"
        cl "{b}Ignore everything else, and focus on your cock.{/b}"

        menu:
            "Yes! Anything to feel good!" if hypnoevent2lust > 1:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump cliohna2jerk_rp

            "Enough with the damn teasing! Just take her already!" if hypnoevent2lust < 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump cliohna2take_rp

    label cliohna2jerk_rp:

        "Don’t think. Focus on your cock. Stroke.” Sweet words that swirled in his head, ensnaring his thoughts. Some part of him, ever louder, screamed he should not listen to them, that they were not his."
        "But to deny them would mean denying *Her*, and would mean forfeiting the release he craved so much. And at the moment, even death itself felt like a better alternative to either."

        ro "Aaaa-aaaah… "

        show cliohnaHJSelf with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cliohnaHJSelf
        show cliohna naked happy behind cliohnaHJSelf

        "He let a long, breathless moan, as his fingers wrapped around his cock. *Stroke*, something said in his mind. *Stroke*, it kept repeating."
        "He wanted to cum, wanted his release. But the quiet *stroke*, *stroke* in his thoughts had a strange power to it. It had a rhythm to it. A tempo. A steady, slow tempo."
        "Without thinking, his hand started to mirror it, slowly running over his cock as the voice dictated."
        "*Stroke.*"
        "*Stroke.*"
        "*Stroke.*"

        cl "{b}Stroke, stroke…{/b} Very well done, Rowan. "

        "Another incoherent moan was all he could afford. {b}*Stroke. Stroke*{/b}, said the voice, suddenly faster now. His cock was already on fire, so maybe this time he will be graced with release!"

        if cliohnaResistance == 2:
            cl "Finally… Now, let’s see how long I can keep you under. "

        else:
            cl "Excellent… Let’s see how long I can keep you under this time. "

        "He didn’t even pay attention to what the woman was saying. The voice pushed him on, more urgently now, the loud {b}*Stroke! Stroke! Stroke!*{/b} drowning out all other thoughts. Masturbating furiously, he felt-"
        "{b}*STOP!{/b}"

        scene clihj8 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind clihj8
        show cliohna naked happy behind clihj8

        ro "A-ah?!"

        "Just as he was about to peak, the voice told him to stop, and he obeyed without thinking. The tip of his cock glistened with pre, and he felt it dribble down his shaft, onto his hands."

        ro "P-please- "
        cl "Call me Mistress, Rowan."
        ro "Please, mistress! "

        $ cliohna_name = "Mistress"

        cl "Better. But {b}not yet{/b}. "

        show clihj8 with pinkflash

        "Her hand stroked his head, shining with a pink glow he did not recognize, nor cared for anymore. His thoughts started at the base of his cock, and ended at the tip of it. "

        cl "I want you to stay like this. {b}Keep yourself at the edge Rowan.{/b}"
        cl "You were a formidable opponent, but I don’t think even you will have the strength to resist my powers in this state. "

        "What was she talking about? He barely registered her words. He was waiting for one command, and one command only."

        cl "Now… {b}Start stroking. Slowly{/b}."

        ro "Y-yes, Mistress..."

        show cliohnaHJSelf with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cliohnaHJSelf
        show cliohna naked happy behind cliohnaHJSelf

        "… … ..."
        "… ..."
        "..."
        "Stroking. Edging. Stroking. Edging. He lost track of time. How long has the sorceress kept him like this?"
        "At some point, his memories returned to him. But by then, he couldn’t care less for the circumstances that surrounded them. All that mattered was right now - all that mattered was this unending pleasure."

        $ cliohna_name = "Mistress Cliohna"

        cl "Quite impressive Rowan, It’s been… Ah, an hour already? VERY impressive! As I predicted, your self-control can be a double edged sword."

        if cliohnaSubmission > 0:
            cl "Both your body and mind will remember this pleasure, as they remembered the past ones. This… Unexplained tenacity of yours… Will not survive. Of this I am certain. "

        else:
            cl "Both your body and your mind will remember this pleasure. You’ve been quite stubborn up till now, but I wonder what will happen to that strange tenacity of yours once this all over."
            cl "Personally, I think we will both say goodbye to it, don’t you agree?"

        ro "Aaa-aa-ah?"

        cl "Ha, talking to myself, aren’t I?"

        "He heard her chuckle, a quiet, delightful sound. His heart beat faster knowing he was able to please her, even though he did not know how. "

        cl "I think I’ve conditioned you well enough. Time to see the end results."

        "She held him by the cheeks, gently forcing him to look at her. For a short moment, he forgot about his lust, and lost himself in her wonderous eyes."

        cl "{b}Cum{/b}."

        scene cg484 with sshake
        pause 0.5
        show cg485 with flash
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg485
        pause 2

        "It happened in an instant. He arched his back and exploded, showering the bed, himself, and even his mistress in white, sticky cum. All the time moaning incoherently."

        ro "Aaaah! Aaaah! Mistress!"

        scene white with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind white

        "It seemed to go forever. His thoughts and surrounding painted in white, till nothing remained."
        "And once it was over…"
        "… … …"

        ro "..."

        scene bg12 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show cliohna naked happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

        cl "So? How do you feel?"

        ro "… Drained."

        "His desire satiated, the reality of the situation finally crushed upon him. For her to keep him like this… "

        if society_type == "feudalism":
            $ cliohna_name = 'Primate Cliohna'

        else:
            $ cliohna_name = 'Cliohna'


        if cliohnaResistance == 2:
            show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "(What an utter humiliation.)"
            "He felt disgusted with himself. He had no doubt the sorceress would now lord this event over him till the end of the world."
            "He tried to stand up - only to feel her magic again, trapping his mind, and holding his limbs. It felt heavier than before, more difficult to shake off, no doubt because of his exhaustion."
            "Something the sorceress also noticed, and was quite smug about."
            cl "Not so easy to resist me now, is it? "
            "The glee in her voice was downright infuriating. He couldn’t believe he let her dominate him like this…"
            "But this would be her only victory over him."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Grunting, he forced himself past the exhaustion, forced his body to move despite the slugginess, and his mind to focus despite the drowsiness. He managed to get himself to a sitting position, when her spell hit him again."
            show bg12 with pinkflash
            "{b}Do not move. Do not resist. Obey.{/b}"
            show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Nngh- what are you- "
            cl "Starting phase two, what else? Of course, for that I need you to {b}Stay.{/b}"
            cl "{b}Stay, Rowan. Your mistress commands it.{/b}"
            "With his lust sated, her commands were no longer like a siren’s song. They now sounded cold and harsh, demanding rather than guiding."
            ro "I - ngh! - thought the goal was to test me at my best?!"
            cl "Yes, initially. But seeing how being obstinate and difficult has become your only goal during our time together, I’ve decided to adjust the terms of our arrangement."
            cl "You obviously still have some fighting spirit in you. While I have no doubt I could continue devising new, creative ways to break it, as I said earlier this evening, doing so would be mostly for personal indulgence."
            cl "So I’ll simply break you today, while you are vulnerable, and be done with it. Now, I said {b}Stay still!{/b}"
            show bg12 with sshake
            hide rowan with dissolve
            show cliohna naked happy at center with dissolve
            "Another wave. Gritting his teeth, he somehow managed to stumble off the bed. Cliohna has completely lost it."
            "The paper-thin excuse of “research” no longer applied, turning this into a battle of dominance, with his mind on the line. A fight that would be borderline impossible to win, even if he was at his full strength."
            show rowan necklace naked angry behind bg12
            ro "Fucking-"
            "He tried to get up, and failed. Cliohna merely watched his futile efforts, the small smile as always not leaving her face."
            ro "… Knew you were no different than the twins. "
            #cliohna naked neutral
            cl "Factually incorrect. I understand you’re upset-"
            ro "“Upset”! You’re about to lock me up in a cage and torture me till I do what you want, just like Andras did!"
            cl "I’m not going to lock you up Rowan. As if I’d resort to such barbaric methods. "
            #cliohna naked annoyed
            ro "Oh so it’s a matter of poise now! Beating me up everyday too inelegant for you? Should I send you some orcs don’t dirty your delicate hands with my blood?"
            cl "I’m not going to beat you, Rowan- "
            ro "Right, you’ll use the “Magic equivalent of a sledgehammer”!"
            #cliohna naked ashamed
            cl "Well, yes-"
            ro "At least Andras has the decency to openly admit he’s a right bastard!"
            #cliohna naked shocked
            ro "I take it back! You’re not like the twins! You’re worse! "
            #cliohna naked angry
            "A bolt of lightning struck him straight in the chest, sending him crashing into a nearby table. Now he’s done it. But if he’s going to go down, he’s not going to do so with his head up."
            cl "Just who do think you are to pass judgment on me?!"
            "Such arrogance. But if that was the case, then maybe… "
            #cliohna naked angry
            show cliohna naked happy at cliohnaright with moveoutright
            hide rowan
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "A failed experiment, right? One you’d rather erase, than be reminded of your own shortcomings."
            ro "So much for your pride as sorceress."
            cl "You-! "
            cl "You!!!"
            #cliohna naked neutral
            cl "..."
            "He waited, ready to start a mad dash for the door the moment he feels her prepare another attack. But the sorceress just stood there, glaring at him with intensity."
            #cliohna naked annoyed
            cl "..."
            #cliohna naked neutral
            cl "… Perhaps I allowed my emotions to get the better of me today."
            ro "“Perhaps”?!"
            "She ignored his remark, and turned around. She grabbed a towel from a nearby table and tossed it to him, then pointed to the side, where his clothes were."
            cl "I shall reevaluate the results of today’s experiments, and inform you of my final judgment at a later date."
            cl "Please make yourself presentable before leaving my chambers Rowan.  Your continued support for this endeavour remains much appreciated."
            "He narrowed his eyes at her. He could see her shake with boiling, impotent rage. But to struck him down here would mean to admit everything he just said was true."
            ro "Right… "
            ro "Do not forget about your weekly research Cliohna."
            cl "Of course. I’m a professional."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            hide cliohna with moveoutright
            "This was the last time Cliohna tried to mess with him. But before he could enact consequences for her actions, he needed to sort himself out."
            scene black with fade
            "But he would have her pay. And soon."
            #$ cliohnaSubmission += 1
            #$ hypnosis2SubEnding = True
            #$ rowanCliohnaFurious = True
            return

        else:
            ro "( … )"
            "He didn’t know what to think. On one hand, it was… Intense. On the other…"
            "On the other hand there were many, many reasons why this should have never happened. But somehow none of them prevented it."
            show bg12 with pinkflash
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "He stifled a sigh, and tried to stand up- only to feel her magic again, ensnaring his mind and making his limbs grow heavy. An all too familiar feeling by now. And while her spell was no stronger than before, the exhaustion made it difficult to fight through."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            cl "Still some lingering resistance, hm? Then I suppose we could try one of the plans I’ve discarded earlier. Still ingenious, but not as… Sophisticated as what you just enjoyed."
            show bg12 with pinkflash
            cl "What do you say, Rowan? {b}You’ll stay, won’t you?{/b}"
            ro "Nngh…"
            "Goddess, more? There was no way he could manage it… It was not even a matter of desire at this point, but health.He feared any more of this and he wouldn’t be able to leave the bed once the next week rolls in."
            #cliohna naked shocked
            ro "Cliohna-aaaah, if you wouldn’t mind… I think we should end it here. I’m beaten, and wasn’t the point of this testing me at my strongest?"
            #cliohna concerned
            "The sorceress hesitated, suddenly abashed by his soft worded rejection. A moment later, her spell lost strength, and soon fizzled out entirely. "
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            #cliohna happy
            ro "… Thank you."
            "He struggled to his feet. Cliohna offered a helping hand, without him even asking."
            cl "Don’t mention it. And I apologize. I got... Overenthusiastic. You’re right of course, you need the time to rest."
            show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You haven’t been holding back."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            cl "Only because I know you can take it. Hold on a moment- "
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show cliohna naked happy at center with moveinright
            "She brought a towel, but rather than hand it over, started to wipe his body herself. And despite what has just happened, when her hand ventured near his crotch, he found his cock twitch, ready to harden again."
            "Something Cliohna did not comment on, though she did flash him a coy smile once she noticed."
            show cliohna naked happy at cliohnaright with moveoutright
            cl "Here, you can go now. Your clothes are over there. Once I have analyzed today’s session, I’ll call you over to discuss the results."
            ro "Take your time."
            cl "Don’t worry, I’ll let you rest this week."
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            show cliohna naked happy at center with moveinright
            cl "Oh, and Rowan."
            #show distorted library and large cliohna
            cl "{b}You loved this, didn’t you?{/b}"
            menu:
                "Yes, Mistress.":
                    pass

                "Yes." if cliohnaResistance > 0:
                    pass

            scene black with fade
            show cliohna naked happy behind black
            cl "Good boy."
            #$ cliohnaSubmission += 1
            #$ hypnosis2SubEnding = True
            #$ rowanCliohnaHappy = True
            return


    label cliohna2take_rp:

        "“Do as I say. Don’t think. Trust me.” These words ringed in his ears, almost deafening him. They had to be infused with something, some sort of magic, as no matter how hard he tried he could not throw them out of his head."
        "But with every passing moment, they grew less compelling, and more grating. He could not deny his rising lust - but he had no intention of settling for his hand when he had such a beautiful woman next to him."

        #cg1 with shake
        show cg483 with sshake
        show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg483
        show cliohna naked happy behind cg483

        cl "{b}Come now Rowan, reach for{/b} -ah?! "

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace naked neutral behind black
        show cliohna naked happy behind black

        #if society_type == "feudalism":
            #$ cliohna_name = 'Primate Cliohna'

        #else:
            #$ cliohna_name = 'Cliohna'

        "Her voice cut off as he grabbed her by the hand and pulled violently. Within seconds, she was beneath him, wide-eyed, pinned to the bed by the wrists. His cock pressed against her slit, making his intentions clear to his supposed “caretaker”."

        ro "You’re nursing me back to health, right? Then I think you should be doing a lot more than… Whatever it is you’ve been doing!"

        "His thoughts were still scrambled, but he knew one thing - whoever this woman was, she was not supposed to order him around. Her rightful place was under him, moaning as his cock-"

        cl "You-!"

        scene bg12 with fade
        show bg12 with sshake

        "A bolt of pure energy struck him right in the chest, sending him back several meters. He smashed against the nearby table, the impact bringing immeasurable pain."
        "But also clarity of mind. "

        #cliohna naked angry
        show cliohna naked happy at center with dissolve

        cl "You-! You-! "

        if cliohnaResistance > 0:
            cl "You’re cheating!"
            #cliohna naked angry
            show cliohna naked happy at cliohnaright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "So much for being a good sport. Rowan groaned from the exertion, but somehow managed to get himself back to his feet. He grabbed a broken table leg, and aimed it at the sorceress."
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            if cliohnaResistance == 2:
                ro "… Best out of seven?"
            else:
                ro "... Best out of five?"
            show bg12 with sshake
            show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Another lightning bolt shattered his impromptu weapon into a thousand splinters, with several of them embedding themselves in his skin. He hissed in pain, but immediately started to look for something more solid to use."
            cl "Do not quib, Blackwell! This- this should not be possible!"
            cl "I have placed you under some of the strongest mental spells known to man!  I have derived you of your heroic background! I have used every trick in the book to make you lose yourself to lust!"
            cl "AND YET YOU STILL DEFY ME?!"
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Lighting danced between her fingers, creating an arc that extended in front of her. He really did it this time. One wrong move, and he was a dead man."
            show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Was that not what you wanted me to do? To resist you with all your might so you could learn how to break defenses like mine?"
            cl "Yes! And instead, you’ve been obstinate and difficult on every step!"
            ro "This was the only way for you to do your best."
            cl "Do not try to philosophy yourself out of this Rowan. I did not want some mystic journey to self-perfection. I wanted results!"
            cl "And I will get them, even if I’ll have to break you to do so."
            "She lost it. Completely lost it. This was no longer about research, but about her keeping her pride."
            ro "So what, you’ll lock me in a cage and beat me up till I agree to do your bidding?"
            cl " It worked for the twins, did it not?"
            ro "So in the end you’re no different than them."
            #cliohna naked shocked
            cl " ... !"
            #cliohna naked annoyed
            "That made her stop, the lighting in her hands crackling and fading away."
            cl "Do not dare to compare them to me! I am nothing like them!"
            ro "You are certainly acting like them now."
            cl "You-! "
            cl "Just who do think you are to pass judgment on me?!"
            ro "Someone who beat you in a battle of wills, and who you’d rather murder than have him live to tell the tale."
            #cliohna naked angry
            ro "So much for your pride as sorceress."
            cl "You-! You!!!"
            cl "… "
            #cliohna naked annoyed
            cl "… "
            cl "… Fine! "
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            cl "Go. Get out of my sight. I shall reevaluate the results of today’s experiments, and inform you of my final judgment at a later date."
            "He narrowed his eyes at her, and she responded with the same. He could see the lighting in her eyes, the boiling, impotent rage. She would find no release for it. Not today."
            ro "With pleasure. "
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            hide cliohna with moveoutright
            "This was the last time Cliohna tried to mess with him. Next time they meet, he will make sure she pays for her arrogance."
            $ cliohnaResistance += 1
            $ Hypnosis2DomEnding = True
            $ rowanCliohnaFurious = True
            return

        else:
            "He groaned from the exertion, but somehow managed to get himself back to his feet. Almost feeling the sorceresses anger, he grabbed a broken table leg, and aimed it at her, in a pathetic attempt at defense."
            #cliohna naked sad
            "But Cliohna did not advance at him. The lighting in her hand crackled menacingly, but she simply stared at him. And he’d swear he saw in her eyes… Genuine regret?"
            #cliohna naked neutral
            cl "… There. Are you happy now? "
            #cliohna naked neutral
            show cliohna happy at cliohnaright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            cl "You proved to yourself you are perfectly capable of throwing me off. Are you happy with yourself, Rowan?"
            ro "..."
            menu:
                "Apologize.":
                    ro " … Not really. I’m sorry, I- I wasn’t comfortable with this."
                    cl "Then I suppose I should commend you on placing healthy barriers."

                "You don’t know what to say.":
                    ro "I… I don’t know. I just… Followed my instinct."
                    cl "… Well, that was one of the points of the exercise. I suppose I cannot be mad for it not going in my favour."

                "She was going too far. ":
                    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "… Temporary amnesia, Cliohna? Really?"
                    cl "I was pushing your boundaries, yes. But that’s what this was all about, was it not?"

            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            #cliohna naked neutral
            show cliohna happy at center with moveinright
            "A tired sigh escaped Cliohna’s lips. She went to the side, then soon returned with his clothes in hand, and a healing poultice."
            cl "Well, not every experiment can be a resounding success. Here, use this to treat the wound on your chest."
            cl "I apologize for reacting so… Violently. But I did not expect you to try and turn the situation around. "
            #cliohna naked happy
            cl "Have you missed my pussy so much, that you would accept no substitute to it?"
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            ro "… Maybe?"
            "She chuckled, shaking her head in disbelief. "
            cl "Regardless, you have my thanks for taking the  time to indulge me. I will summon you later to discuss the results of all we achieved thus far."
            scene black with fade
            show cliohna naked happy behind black
            cl "And maybe this time… Have some casual fun for a change."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_34.rpy
label spanks_for_the_memories_rp:

    $ helAlexiaWhip = True
    $ week = 100
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Something was getting in the way of the normal paperwork routine. It was subtle, but ever since he’d joined her in their little corner of the throne room, Liurial hadn’t stopped giving him side glances. It was as though she were giving him one every few minutes."
    "Rowan took a deep breath and set the ledger down."

    ro "Is there something you wish to say to me?"

    "Liurial paused as if she’d been caught sneaking food from the pantry. But, to her credit, she didn’t try to ignore the question. She slowly rose to her feet and took a position standing straight in front of his desk."

    liur "There is. Yes."

    "Rowan leaned back in his chair, keeping his eyes trained on her."

    liur "You told me that I shouldn’t have any orgasms without your express permission…"
    ro "Yes."
    liur "Last night, I was…"

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. It was not hard to see where this was heading."

    ro "You broke the order?"

    liur "..."

    "She blushed softly and looked to the side, no longer capable of meeting his eyes."

    liur "I did."

    "Rowan didn’t speak. His mind was whirring at lightning speeds. But, it left the nervous elf standing, still at attention, growing increasingly more unsteady the longer he went without reacting."

    liur "The entire time we were working, it made me feel so guilty because you told me not to. I could not refrain from telling you much longer. I wanted to tell you when you first arrived, but it was too difficult."

    "Rowan sighed. He’d told her not to cum without his assent. The entire purpose was to maintain control over her. No matter what, he couldn’t simply let her go without some kind of correction."
    "The question was...how?"

    menu:
        "Chastize her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Clearly, if there was one thing that she needed here, it was a bit of discipline. Rowan had been through army life. It would not be hard to channel."
            "Rowan rose from his chair, standing tall enough over Liurial that she would be forced to look up if she wanted to meet his eye. Not that she would meet his eye."
            ro "Did I give you permission to cum?"
            liur "No..."
            ro "And you understand the nature of our dynamic, right? If I tell you not to do something, you obey. It doesn’t matter how much you want to cum."
            liur "But…"
            "Rowan glared and put his hands on the table."
            ro "This will not happen again. Do you understand me?"
            "Liurial nodded softly."
            ro "You have been disobedient. I am not happy about that. Not at all."
            ro "And do you want me disappointed or pleased?"
            liur "Pleased…"
            "Her eyes were now firmly pointed at her feet. When you dress down someone this way, they tend to take on the demeanor of a punished child."
            ro "So, will this happen again?"
            "She shook her head."
            ro "Good. Get back to work."
            liur "Yes, my lord."
            "Rowan’s words had served their purpose. Liurial did hurried work throughout the day, running through even more of the work than normal. Rowan had to stop himself from smiling as he saw her stack of finished papers grow."
            "Every so often, she’d send Rowan a little glance. No longer one of guilt, but a search for approval. Rowan wasn’t going to give her any such thing today, not when she was still being punished."
            "But, if she was still uncertain in the future, Rowan wasn’t going to hold it out. She normally tried her best, and that was what mattered."
            return

        "Spank her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump liurialSpank_rp

    label liurialSpank_rp:

        if week < 60:
            "Rowan froze. Clearly, he was meant to discipline her. Perhaps that was even what she wanted. Liurial was looking at him expectantly. He’d already been commanding with her. That was just the role to be played..."

        "Rowan slowly rose from his chair and walked around the desk. He was now standing within arm’s reach of her. Liurial’s eyes rose enough to see what he was doing."

        liur "My lord?"

        #cg var 1
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black
        show liurial aroused behind black

        "Then, Rowan pounced. His hand twisted into her long blond hair, and he used his superior strength and size to force her down against the wooden table. The sound of her surprised shriek was overcome by the bang of her body against the wooden surface."
        "In all of the chaos, that strange elven hat she wore fell to the ground."

        ro "You have been a disobedient girl. Disobedient girls get punished, Liurial. You have to know that by now."

        "Liurial gasped and squirmed under the force of his body. Yet, she wasn’t trying to break free."

        liur "Y-yes. They do…"

        if week < 60:
            "Rowan breathed inwards, collecting the energy needed to do this right."

        else:
            "Rowan’s eyebrows remained furrowed. Living here for so long made a man accustomed to the concept of sexual discipline."

        ro "Are you ready?"

        "Liurial let out a loud gulp. She tried to give an energetic nod too, but Rowan’s grip on her hair made it rather difficult. Still, her assent had been signaled."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "That assent was important. The difference between him and the monsters..."

        #cg var 2
        scene cg557 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg557
        show liurial aroused behind cg557

        "Rowan drew his hand back slowly. The time it took would only add to the effect. Like the uncertainty of slow movement in battle. Waiting and waiting for the strike."
        "Then his hand rushed forward, striking the left side of Liurial’s ass. The force of it ran through her entire body, leaving her still shaking and squirming moments later."

        liur "Ahhh!"

        "A bright red hand was left on her rear. The first step towards the kind of bruises that would make it hurt for her to sit down."
        "Before Liurial could steady herself, Rowan brought his hand down for a second and third time. A long involuntary groan slipped from her lips and she responded to each strike by wriggling beneath him."
        "Her involuntary process was flight like a small animal. But, the look on her face revealed all of her thoughts."
        "Liurial was whimpering and gasping. Desperate sounds were being drawn from her lips with every strike. Another expression of mind numbing arousal and pain."
        "The spankings continued, one after another. Rowan was always alternating position, always ensuring that a different spot felt the stinging pain. Liurial’s cheeks slowly drifted into a dark shade of red. Both her ass and her face."
        "There was no escape from her. He had a duelist’s hands. Too strong to wrench free from his grasp. Too precise and skilled not to feel what he wanted her to feel. Stinging pain."
        "A strike produces a gasp. A slap a long moan. She was his instrument."

        if helAlexiaWhip == True:
            "Rowan wasn’t totally able to enjoy the moment. There was a memory in the way. His own wife naked. Rowan lashing at her with a whip while the demons watched."
            "Liurial’s moans and groans were much lighter and more obviously interspaced with arousal. But, the memory lingered...the one thing getting in the way..."

        "Liurial was left gasping by this point. Barely even able to string together coherent sentences. "

        liur "I’ll be a good girl….Please...It was wrong of me to cum without permission. I...I won’t disobey again. Please…"

        "Rowan relented for a moment, hand still hanging in the air ready to strike out again."

        ro "You swear?"
        liur "Yes, please….I swear it. I swear. I won’t cum without your permission...Please…."

        "Rowan’s hand still hung in the air. It really did seem as though she had learned her lesson. A quick glance at her backside revealed the extent of the punishment. She was already starting to bruise. It also revealed something else..."

        ro "You’re wet."

        "Her panties were easily exposed from this position. The dark, damp patch on them couldn’t be hidden from view. Her body was practically crying out in need."
        "Liurial whimpered."

        #cg var 3
        scene cg662 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan brushed his fingers along her lower lips through the soaking fabric of her panties. There was no mistaking it. Liurial’s body shivered at the touch, or at the very least from the residual pain from the spanking."
        "Perhaps he could discipline her better with a bit of pleasure to go along with the pain."
        "He brushed her panties to the side. Then two of his fingers worked their way into her pussy and started pumping."
        "She immediately was moaning and rocking her body. Fucking his fingers as eagerly as though it were his cock. But, with his hand in her hair, he still controlled her body."
        "She moved as much as he would allow."
        "Liurial’s eyes looked glazed over, as though she were spaced out in entirety. She was moaning and moving and responding to each thrust. But, the stimulation had passed the point her brain could keep up. "

        scene cg663 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg663
        show liurial aroused behind cg663
        pause 3

        ro "I understand. I understand."
        ro "You liked the spanking, didn’t you? You were crying and pleading, but you were enjoying yourself the entire time."

        "Liurial responded only with gasping moans that were themselves half stifled by the desk."
        "Rowan toyed with her cunt as relentlessly as he’d spanked her before. A constant steady source of sensation that she could not escape from. Liurial was a toy in his hands."
        "Through gasping breaths, she forced out words or at least sounds that resembled words close enough to be understood."

        liur "If you...if you keep this up, going to…going to..."

        menu:
            "Let her cum.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Ask me nicely, Liurial. After all, you have to ask, don’t you?"
                "He suddenly pulled his fingers out. Leaving Liurial panting, squirming, even dripping all over the desk."
                liur "Ah. Ah. Please. Please let me cum."
                ro "Much better. You can cum."
                show cg664 with flash
                pause 3
                "He plunged his fingers back inside of her, eliciting a loud cry. It only took seconds after that. He pumped his fingers inside of her with so much power that she was bucking and cumming in seconds."
                scene bg6 with fade
                #rowan smirk
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
                liur "Ah..."
                liur "Thank you…"
                "Liurial’s eyes drifted open and shut slowly. Rowan withdrew his hand and slowly made his way to the other side of the table. But, his hand never left her entirely. The back of his hand stayed at her cheek, acting as an anchor for her."
                ro "So you’ll ask next time, won’t you?"
                "A groan rose from her lips. That meant yes."
                "Rowan let her stay like that, even as he went back to his seat. He picked documents from his stack and worked to read them."
                "Still, he kept the back of his hand pressed to Liurial’s cheek. Every so often she’d nuzzle into it and let out a happy sound."
                "Rowan waited until she seemed more functional and present before withdrawing the hand."
                ro "Okay. You had your fun. Now it’s time to get back to work."
                "Liurial groaned, but by now she was back to basic mental functions."
                liur "Yes, my lord."
                "She practically skipped back to her desk, first pausing to retrieve her hat and her panties. Rowan glanced, with great admiration, at his handiwork. A series of black and blue bruises on her rear that would remind her of the importance of obedience."
                "Not that she seemed to broken up about it. Whenever Rowan looked over her direction, she had a big goofy grin on her face as she worked."
                "It made Rowan smile too."

            "She doesn't deserve to cum.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan didn’t even need to consider it. The moment she started to talk of orgasm, his hand flew back."
                scene bg6 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
                liur "..."
                liur "...huh?"
                "Rowan waited, hand still in her hair, for her mental process to return to the level that she could process what he was saying."
                ro "Do think that I’d just let you cum when I’m punishing you for cumming without permission?"
                "A moment of silence. Then an answer in a sad little voice."
                liur "...No."
                ro "So, in a moment, you’re going to go back to work. You’re definitely not going to touch again today. Especially not if you don’t want to see what a worse punishment would look like."
                "Liurial pouted, but there was little she could do when confronted with such a fitting punishment. Still, Rowan let her curl up on the desk, still squirming and letting out the odd whimper for the next half hour."
                "He was punishing her, but being cold wasn't his intent."
                "Still, there was work that needed to be done. When Liurial finally seemed to be back in something normally resembling her state of mind, he sent her back to her desk."
                "Rowan took a special joy in the odd gasps from her mouth or the way that she constantly shifted positions. It was though she had an itch that she could not scratch."
                "But, whenever she looked to him, Rowan couldn’t help but see a soft smile beneath her pout. It made him want to smile too."

    return

# \events\room_events_3.rpy
label shaya_Show_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg24 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if shayaShowFirst == False:
        jump shayaShowDance_rp

    else:
        pass

    "Rowan arrived at the brothel to find a small crowd waiting in the lobby."
    "Much of the audience consisted of orcs who stood around with impatient expressions. But, a few human mercenaries could be found strewn about waiting. One must have been a commander because he has a large ornate cape hanging down his back."
    "He didn’t have to wait long before the brothel’s attendant came to call. She was a pretty girl, with a shapely body and short, styled brown hair."
    "Upon getting a good look at her dress, his eyes widened slightly. It was sheer and made from a fabric so translucent that she nearly looked naked."

    lia "Welcome, valued customer. My name is Lia, and I’m here to serve you. You’ve come just in time for the Madam’s show, yes?"
    ro "I have. Are you one of the performers?"
    lia "Of course not. I’m just the attendant."

    menu:
        "Be polite.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Oh, I hadn’t meant to presume."
            lia "You needn’t worry, Sir. I work here by choice. I wish I was allowed to perform like she does."
            $ liaAttitude = "polite"

        "Flirt.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan took a step closer and examined her more firmly."
            ro "Perhaps they’re making a mistake by not putting you on the stage then. You’re wasted on receptionist duty."
            "He almost began to reach out and touch her, before she took a step backwards to add space between them."
            lia "You may look, but not touch. I’m not one of the girls for sale."
            ro "Of course."
            "But, before he could fear that he overstepped, she smirked softly."
            lia "But, you’re right. I am wasted on receptionist duty."
            "She let out a wistful sigh."
            lia "No girl gets near the stage if the madam doesn’t think her ready."
            $ liaAttitude = "flirt"

    "She coughed and held out her hand."

    lia "A fascinating discussion, but if you wish to watch the show today, I will have to insist on Payment."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. Payment?"

    ro "I was invited here personally by Shaya."
    lia "Rowan? Ah, I was told to expect you. No fee."

    if liaAttitude == "polite":
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan nodded, but went to the pocket of his belt anyway. There he produced a shining coin and placed it into the girl’s hand."
        ro "Of course. Here’s something for your trouble."
        "The girl’s face lit up at once."
        lia "Ooh. Thank you, Sir. You didn’t have to."
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            #ro smirk
            "She was right, of course. He didn’t have to. But, in a place like this making a good impression could pay dividends down the road."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Incense burned at strategic locations around the room, ensuring the lobby was covered in a soft haze. Perhaps to cover the smell?"
    "One direction seemed to head down a hallway willed with silk sheets and bead covered gateways. That was almost certainly the path to the private rooms."
    "Another pathway seemed to go back from behind the desk. He strained to see what was back there, but was limited somewhat by his vantage point."
    "Perhaps with a distraction he could see for himself what was back there?"

    menu:
        "Just go to the show.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shook his head. Trying to sneak away in the middle of a brothel filled with spies seemed a little out of his depth. The best thing to do would be to just go to the show."
            "So he waited until Lia began to usher the audience into the area with the stage."
            "As she led him in, the girl turned back to him."
            if liaAttitude == "polite":
                lia "Right this way, Sir Rowan. I’ll make extra sure you get a good seat."
            else:
                "Right this way, Sir Rowan."
            jump shayaShowDance_rp

        "Create a distraction.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan slid over to where the mercenary captain with the long cape was sitting. The man didn’t even notice when Rowan placed it’s fabric over one of the softly burning sticks of incense. Then, it was just a matter of waiting."
            lia "Sir! Your Cape!"
            "A few minutes later, the man turned to find a small flame sprouting from his back. The cape had started to burn. Critically, it got the attendant’s attention fixated enough on him that she rushed over. Now was his chance."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("stealth", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            "Rowan made extra sure not to make any noise as he snuck past the desk and slid the door open. Without any eyes on him, he made it into the back hallway."
            "He crept along silently, searching for signs of movement. On one side, he found the entrance to what seemed like a changing room with numerous tall mirrors and locked chests."
            "Near the back of the hall was a room protected by imposing and ornate locks. The vault for profits, perhaps. But, who knew what else could be back there?"
            "The final room was a combination of living quarters and an office that must have belonged to Shaya. He double checked to ensure he wouldn’t be discovered here, but it seemed like the brothel keeper had already departed for the stage area. "
            "The room was as fancy as any in the brothel. It was filled with furniture, including numerous recliners, a low table, and a work desk. The bed in the far corner was large enough for numerous people."
            "He also took a brief note of the alcove on the back wall that included a small stage. For private performances, perhaps?"
            "To start, he made his way over to the desk. If there were any valuable tidbits of information, they’d be here."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "But, his search rapidly proved fruitless. Most of what the desk contained were records of various stripes, mostly associated with the brothel itself. It seemed that any actual secret intelligence was kept somewhere more secure. Perhaps that room in the back?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "What he did find that piqued his interest was a ledger she kept of her own personal clients. Not a large book, for the most part. It seemed a prostitute of her standing dealt with a few clients of high standing, rather than a large quantity of lesser clients."
            "What did stand out to him, however, was the dates in the book. All of them were recent, from the past 2 years."
            "Why only so many clients recently? She was old enough that she could have plausibly started years before that. Had she simply not had a significant clientele before that point?"
            $ shayaClue15 = True
            $ shayaClueScore += 1
            "Rowan looked around the room. Perhaps he could find something else of note?"
            menu:
                "Search her bed.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan stopped at her bed and searched around to the best of his ability. He had to be careful, so as to not disturb the state of the sheets."
                    "He noted, with slight amusement, that she hadn’t made her bed. He hadn’t thought her to have much of a lazy side before."
                    "Searching beneath the mattress and the sheets offered nothing. It seemed that she didn’t put much stock into “under her bed” as a hiding place. He did find a pair of crimson silk panties, however. From how crumpled they were, it seemed they’d been worn recently."
                    menu:
                        "Sniff it":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                            "Rowan smirked and placed the panties to his nose to get a whiff. Once he’d had his fun, he snuck them into the same exact spot he’d left them."
                            # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                        "Put it back.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan shook his head and placed them back in the exact spot he’d found them."

                    "With a sigh, he made sure the bed was in the exact same state he’d left it."

                "Search her changing corner.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan went to the ornate wood carved changing screen and looked behind it."
                    "To no surprise, it was a mostly sparse segment of the room, with a few cabinets on a side table. Prominently there was a small chest with jewelry in it. Bangles, golden beads, even a few piercings. Though, from its small size, it was unlikely it was her main jewelry chest."
                    "Another small chest next to the table held a few quick outfits. Mostly a few pieces of lingerie, likely in case a client wanted her to wear them."
                    "There was a small tray with a few types of makeup in place. Some of it was black eyeshadow, of the sort that he’d heard was popular in Qerazel. But, that tray was fairly sparse."
                    #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5,  should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. When he’d stopped by the general changing area, he’d seen large makeup trays along with any of the open chests. Looking sexy was such a vital part of their job, after all. There was almost none here by comparison."
                    "Did she have more makeup somewhere else? Then again, makeup didn’t require taking up space as jewelry or outfits might. Why would the most important courtesan have less than any of the others?"
                    "Thinking about that made him notice something else. The absence of mirrors was curious. There was a small hand mirror for makeup on the table. But, no other reflection. He’d expected mirrors on the other side of the changing screen, but there was nothing."
                    "The changing area for her girls had such large mirrors. Why weren’t there any here?"
                    "Rowan stroked his chin. Perhaps she rarely felt she needed a mirror? Or makeup too for that matter. Was she so confident in her own beauty?"
                    "Well, considering the way she looked, why shouldn’t she be confident?"
                    $ shayaClue16 = True
                    $ shayaClueScore += 1

                    #else:
                        #"Rowan sighed. Nothing else here either. It seemed this entire risky excursion might prove a pointless risk."

            "Shaking his head, Rowan ensured that everything was in the exact place he’d found it before his search."
            "His little scouting mission complete, Rowan crept back towards the lobby. With some luck, the show would not have begun by now. Too bad his search had been for nothing..."
            jump shayaShowDance_rp

            #else:
                #"Rowan had put a hand on the door handle before the effort ended in failure. In opening the door, there was a loud creak."
                #lia "What was that?"
                #"She only failed to catch Rowan because he ducked under the desk before she could turn her head. He swore under his breath. But, that likely represented the end of his espionage efforts. Lia was looking right at the door now."
                #"He was forced to sneak back into the crowd of waiting men. At the very least, he’d still get a chance to see Shaya’s show…"
                #jump shayaShowDance_rp

    label shayaShowDance_rp:

        #shaya dance CG
        scene cg219 with fade
        pause 3

        "A cheer roared out amongst the crowd. Shaya lowered herself into a squat behind the onyx cock and rubbed her crotch from base to head, in a rhythmic motion, steadying herself with her right hand."

        show cg220 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "It was a dance, and the cock was her partner. She shifted position, dancing around it. At one point leaning over so the entire audience could stare down her top while rubbing her behind against the fake cock’s surface."

        show cg221 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "This posture, positioned as if she was being taken from behind, was the one she settled into. What followed was the most provocative display of all. She rolled her hips up and down and even let out a long low moan."

        show cg222 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "At first it was slow, She rolled her head in a circle and faked a long moan. But, as she went the dance became more frantic, almost leaping in place."
        "She concluded the dance by jumping, a simulation of an orgasmic spasm, and spinning in a circle to wrap her arms around the prop. When she came to a stop, it was with her arms wrapped around her onyx co-performer and body pressed to it like a lover."

        show cg223 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg224 with dissolve
        pause 3

        scene bg24 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

        "When the music came to a halt, a cheer went through the crowd. How could they not love a performance like that? Roman himself could attest to its effectiveness."

        if shayaShowFirst == True:
            "This Shaya he’d never seen before, this vixen on stage, let out an appreciative purr. She basked in the attention of the crowd. "

        else:
            pass

        "But, Rowan didn’t bother to approach the stage or try to talk to her. Shaya was working. As soon as the performance was done, men were calling out from the seats asking to be first in line. Shaya walked into the crowd and threw herself into the arms of a hungry looking mercenary."
        "Rowan stood up and made for the exit. But, even as he did, he looked back at Shaya in the moment before she disappeared into the silks of the back rooms. She was eyeing him as well. Once more he could only suppose she was smiling."

        if shayaShowFirst == True:
            $ shayaShowFirst = False
            scene bg9 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "That night, before anything else, Rowan sat down in the chair by his desk. The segment of parchment he’d drawn up the day he met Shaya was in his hands."
            "{i}Who is Shaya?{/i}"
            "Rowan frowned and started to write."
            "{i}Shaya is…{/i}"
            "But he could go no further. He hadn’t really answered that question, had he?"
            if shayaClue15 == True:
                "He put down some notes on what he discovered from his excursion back in her chambers. A few details from the notes that he found in her desk, for example."
                "The one detail that stood out to him the most was the absence of client records until relatively recently."
                "Perhaps those records were hidden somewhere else? Maybe her training had taken more years than he’d anticipated? Or maybe she just hadn’t had any high calibre clients until the recent past?"
                "But, surely a courtesan of her beauty and training must have had some high profile clients even when she was still new?"
                "On his parchment, he jotted down a question."
                "{i}Where are her original clients' records?{/i}"
                if shayaClue16 == True:
                    "He almost folded the parchment back up before he remembered another detail particularly worthy of note. It had almost slipped his mind, amidst other thoughts."
                    "{i}Why doesn’t Shaya keep much makeup or any large mirrors?{/i}"
                    "At the time, it had seemed odd. After having seen her performance, and the near perfection of her beauty, it felt damn near impossible."
                "When he finished, he slid the parchment back into its particular hiding spot and slumped down in his chair. Somehow, he felt no closer to understanding who Jezera’s mysterious friend was. Perhaps he’d get another chance to learn more in the future?"
                "Certainly, there were less exciting ways to spend an afternoon than learning about the glamorous brothel keeper by exploring her perfumed halls..."
            else:
                "Rowan let his hand with the quill fall to his side. He really hadn’t discovered much about her today, had he?"
                "His main observation had been…."
                scene cg219 with fade
                pause 2
                scene cg220 with dissolve
                pause 2
                scene cg221 with dissolve
                pause 2
                scene cg222 with dissolve
                pause 2
                scene cg223 with dissolve
                pause 1
                scene cg224 with dissolve
                pause 3
                scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan frowned and brought his quill back to the parchment."
                "{i}Shaya is…radiant.{/i}"
                "Then, he tucked the parchment back in its book and retreated to bed. He had a lot of important things on his mind that he needed to...work out."

        else:
            pass

    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label succumbing_to_shaya_rp:

    $ shayaClue1 = True
    $ shayaClue2 = True
    $ shayaClue3 = True
    $ shayaClue4 = True
    $ shayaClue5 = True
    $ shayaClue6 = True
    $ shayaClue7 = True
    $ shayaClue8 = True
    $ shayaClue9 = True
    $ shayaClue10 = True
    $ shayaClue11 = True
    $ shayaClue12 = True
    $ shayaClue13 = True
    $ shayaClue14 = True
    $ shayaClue15 = True
    $ shayaClue16 = True
    $ shayaClue17 = True
    $ shayaClueScore = 0
    $ aboutTransSeen = True
    $ nasimAvailable = True
    $ nasimChamberLevel = 10

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Skip to Scene 1, 2, and 3.":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            jump shayaSuccumbingSkip_rp
        "Skip to Scene 4 and 5.":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            jump shayaEvidenceMenuSkip_rp

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg12 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "There was always a strange calm in the library. The rest of the castle could often be a storm of trouble, but it seemed like nothing could truly break its silent serenity. Perhaps that peculiar quality helped to explain how it survived all the sacks of the castle."
    "Thus, when something did disturb the normal energy of the library, he was able to tell immediately. It was a scent. Beautiful and calming, like a field fresh of flowers. Rowan returned a book to the shelf and followed where his nose took him."
    "The place it led was the front desk, where someone he had become well acquainted with was signing out an armful of books."

    show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

    "He only got a chance to watch her for a few fleeting moments before she noticed his presence."

    sha "It appears I have a voyeur. You don’t have to gawk, Rowan."

    menu:
        "Respond confidently.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You’re not complaining about a little staring, are you?"
            sha "Noting, not complaining. One gets used to being seen."

        "Respond in surprise.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            "He blinked twice. When dealing with Shaya, he frequently had to mentally ready himself lest he be tripped up in her flirtations. But, seeing her in an unexpected place left him flat footed."
            ro "Uh… hmmm..."
            sha "Tongue-tied? A form of flattery, to a woman of my profession. And here I had come to believe that you had found a way to keep your wits about me."

    "Beneath her veil, a hint of a smile could almost be divined. The longer Rowan spent with her, the more second nature reading her veiled expressions became."

    sha "It is good fortune that we happened to cross each other's paths today. You've been in my thoughts, Rowan."
    ro "Have I?"

    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    sha "I had an inkling of perhaps… inviting you back for another special session. This time, no party. Just you and me."
    sha "If I wasn't too disappointed in our prior engagements, that is. "

    show bg12 with smallshake
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Before he could respond to what she said, there was an interruption. A loud clattering noise like books toppling from the shelf. His ears perked up."
    "Was someone else here?"

    ro "Hrmm."
    sha "Ah, I appear to have lost your interest…"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No… no. Of course not."
    sha "Then it is settled. You simply must come back down soon. I've been preparing a surprise for you! Something that will make our session from the party look meek by comparison. Something you won’t ever forget."
    sha "Can you be there tomorrow?"
    ro "Tomorrow. So soon?"
    sha "What can I say? You have caught me at the height of my anticipation. If one is putting in great effort to ensure every detail is perfect, is it so wrong to be eager?"

    menu:
        "A polite response.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ shayaResponse = "polite"
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "Rowan gave her a warm smile."
            else:
                #ro smirk
                "Rowan gave her a low smirk."
            ro "Well if you’re so excited by it, then who am I to disappoint you? I’ll be down to see you tomorrow."

        "An eager response.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ shayaResponse = "eager"
            ro "More impressive than that dance at the party?"
            sha "Far more."
            "He chuckled softly."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "Well I suppose I can’t complain about that. You do like your promises."
                ro "You can count on my presence."
            else:
                #ro smirk
                ro "I’ll hold you to that, Shaya. That sky dance was something else entirely. You must have something good cooked up."
                ro "Tomorrow, you said?"
                "Shaya nodded softly."
                sha "You can most certainly expect me."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "The brothel madam drew closer and placed her lips to his cheek. The soft sensation was blunted only by the layer of fabric perpetually in the way."

    sha "Truly then, it was my fortune that we ran into each other."
    sha "I will see you tomorrow, Sir Rowan. But, even that short a wait will leave me in anxious anticipation. Please don’t be late."

    "With a final, soft smile she departed, cradling a pair of books under her arm. Rowan sighed. As she left, the smell of flowers from her perfume drew fainter and fainter. As if a fading memory of her presence in this section of the castle."

    hide shaya with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    #and NasimGrandDisplay = False - TODO
    if nasimAvailable == True:
        "But, once he was sure she was gone, his eyebrows narrowed. He turned to march towards the segment of the library where he’d heard the clattering of books."
        show nasim angry at midright with dissolve
        "And there, he found the source of the noise. Sprawled out on the ground, with a small pile of books that had fallen from the shelf...was Nasim."
        ro "It’s unlike you to hide like this, Nasim."
        "With a shaky start, Nasim worked his way back on two legs. The man tensed for a moment, then took off his hood, and regarded Rowan with a carefully crafted, indifferent look."
        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
        nas "To the contrary, Lord Blackwell. I’ve long since learned intellectual prowess is in low supply in Castle Bloodmeen, and every random passerby seems to have a list of lifelong issues only you can fix."
        nas "It’s simply better to keep your distance, more often than not."
        ro "Ah yes, because you of all people would find it difficult to tell them to sod off."
        nas "And in the eyes of some people that would make me the asshole, as if bothering others with personal problems was a virtue we should all share."
        "Insults and misdirections. Nasim’s chatter was amusing at the best of days, and infuriating at any other. Normally he would be inclined to indulge it. But right now… What attracted his attention was the topic Nasim seemed desperate to avoid."
        ro "You were trying to hide from Shaya in particular, weren’t you? Why? Aren’t you both from Qerazel? I’d think you’d get along better with your countrymen than that?"
        nas "You assume we’re from the same place because we have the same skin color? How offensive… Not to mention, naive to think national identities mean much here in Bloodmeen."
        ro "You’re stalling, Nasim."
        "Nasim’s lips formed a thin line, and his eyes darted to the exit. It made his blood boil. Why was the man always so damn difficult to deal with?"
        $ shayaNasResponse = ""

        menu:
            "Appeal to his best interest.":# if nasimAttitude > -1:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaNasResponse = "best interest"
                ro "Be honest with me. Why the hesitation?"
                nas "Is it really that difficult to believe I simply wish to avoid even the risk of antagonizing an avowed spy Mistress?"
                ro "Perhaps not. But whatever you say stays between us. I have nothing to gain by selling you out."
                nas "… And I have much to lose by antagonizing {i}you{/i}."
                ro "I didn’t want to say it out loud. But yes. Exactly that."
                nas "Charming. Very well, I will indulge you. But you’ll be disappointed to learn I know little."
                jump shayaQuestioningNasim_rp

            "Pressure him into compliance.":# if nasimAttitude < 0:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaNasResponse = "pressure"
                ro "Are you afraid of her, Nasim? "
                nas "I lived long enough to understand the risks of antagonizing an avowed spy Mistress. A wise man knows when to stick to the shadows."
                ro "Well put. But there are no shadows for you to hide now."
                "He grabbed Nasim by the edge of his robe and shoved him into the bookshelf. A single rune flared up - but Nasim made a swift motion with his hand, and it went out as quickly as it appeared."
                ro "Wise choice. Now listen well - you want to stay out of Shaya’s sight? Fine. But you don’t have that luxury with me. I can make your life very difficult, Nasim."
                ro "So start talking."
                "… For a moment, only the quiet wobbling of the shoved books could be heard. Rowan had to commend the wizard on keeping his cool - that icy glare would make even Cliohna jealous."
                nas "… Fine. But you’ll be disappointed to learn I know little of her."
                jump shayaQuestioningNasim_rp

            "Forget about it. More time to focus on Tomorrow.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "You know what? Fine. Have it your way."
                "Almost throwing his hands in the air, he left the wizard alone. There were a million things that needed his attention - and he needed to get them out of his way so he could focus on Shaya properly."
                if shayaClueScore < 7:
                    "He would hate for someone to interrupt them in the middle of his surprise… "
                else:
                    "His investigation would finally bear fruit - and he needn’t bother with other men for it."
                hide nasim with moveoutright
                jump shayaPostNasim_rp

            "… There were enough men vying for Shaya’s attention.":# if lirioConfront:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Briefly, he wondered - what exactly was he trying to accomplish by adding {i}yet another man{/i} to Shaya’s seemingly never ending circle of clients and suitors?"
                "Was what little information Nasim could offer worth sharing everything he had learned about the woman."
                "His thoughts briefly returned to Lirio, and that fat bastard putting his hands on Shaya. If he had to handle Nasim as well on their next orgy-"
                ro "… You know what? Fine. Keep your secrets."
                "He let the man go - before he talked himself into punching him in the face. Just because."
                hide nasim with moveoutright
                jump shayaPostNasim_rp

        label shayaQuestioningNasim_rp:
            nas "I have heard she’s apparently skilled enough to handle demons on a daily basis. I have heard she has a reputation for placing eyes and ears where they don’t belong. But, most importantly, that she’s been personally handpicked by Mistress Jezera."
            nas "The latter is reason enough to avoid her. I try not to step on the Mistress’ toes - as should you. "
            "Rowan leaned back against the bookshelf and crossed his arms over his chest."
            "Perhaps, then, there was something else he wasn’t saying. He might have been a person she would have recognized? Though, knowing Nasim, almost certainly not someone close. Still, that was all guesswork..."
            ro "Is she as popular as I suspect? "
            nas "You ask the wrong man. My duties seldom lead me to the castle brothel. Nor had I frequented them before I came here. If it were otherwise, I’d be in a very different profession."
            ro "Hrm… Suppose then I’m not asking you for first hand experience. Just what you’d suspect with a background from Qerazel."
            nas "I still never said I was from Qerazel."
            ro "Less bullshit."
            nas "…Fine."
            nas "If I am being forced to speculate, I would be surprised if she were not popular. Women in such professions often get to high places. I have seen it first hand. Mistress Shaya is the embodiment of sensual perfection."
            nas "And in Qerazel everything {i}must{/i} be perfect. Beauty is power. A woman’s status is proportional to her obsession with fashion and frivolities. And men by the aesthetic excellence of their companions. For most, appearances are the only thing that matters."
            ro "Still...sounds like an environment where Shaya’s looks would prove a valuable asset."
            $ shayaClue13 = True
            $ shayaClueScore += 1
            nas "If one was able to back such looks with skills and guile… They would no doubt thrive. But I cannot assess either on Mistress Shaya’s part."
            if shayaResponse == "eager":
                nas "You, however, seem to have firsthand experience? Sky dancing perhaps…?"
                "Rowan tried not to blush. If embarrassing him was Nasim’s subtle form of revenge for being involved in all of this, he succeeded."
            nas "That’s all I have to offer, Lord Blackwell. If you desire more in depth knowledge about the social and cultural workings of the empire, there are better sources of it than myself."
            ro "Hm… I suppose."
            if shayaClue12 == False:
                "Nasim brushed his hands over his robes and straightened a few of the books that fell to the floor."
                nas "Now then, if you’ll excuse me. I have important business to attend to. Business you're nosing about has given an unsightly delay too."
                "Rowan moved to the side and let him pass. There was little else he wanted with the wizard. And much on his mind to otherwise distract him…"
                hide nasim with moveoutright
            else:
                "But, before he let Nasim out of the conversation, something else came to the surface. A topic that had been rattling around at the back of Rowan’s mind since the night of the party at the brothel."
                ro "Actually, there’s something else I’m wondering. Totally unrelated to Shaya."
                nas "Unrelated to her? Very well."
                ro "Your chamber. Suppose I had a scar that I disliked. Could it be used to, say, remove that scar?"
                if nasimChamberLevel > 0:
                    "Nasim rolled his eyes, as if a toddler had asked him a simple math question."
                    nas "There is little it cannot do. Chaos magic has no concept of boundaries or limitations. It can change a man into a thing he would entirely not recognize."
                    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                        ro "Everytime we discuss this topic I’m reminded just how questionable your research is."
                        nas "Yes, yes, fire and brimstone await me. "
                    nas "So the answer is affirmative."
                    nas "That said, scars tend to present something of a unique problem. I believe I spoke at length of how Solansia’s mandate ensures ontological inertia. The more a thing or a person identifies with its own shape, the harder it will be to modify it in a lasting manner."
                    nas "In that regard, a scar might seem like a simple, small thing. But… "
                    nas "You understand it best, I imagine. A scar is not just a simple injury of the flesh. It’s a symbol of your struggles. History engraved into your very body. It’s part of you more so than even your arm or your leg."
                    nas "For transformation magic, it’s physical size wouldn’t matter nearly as much as the emotional weight it carries. The greater it is, the harder it would be to remove."
                    nas "In most cases, only the most powerful of magical means could permanently remove even a simple scar."
                    ro "How hard would it be?"
                    nas "If I had to, once more, speculate? The scars you received in the war would be near impossible to be rid of. For it, only the chamber and the magics buried within would suffice."
                    nas "So unless your desire to remove the scar is of the highest order, I would suggest a simpler and less drastic solution. Perhaps some type of illusion charm to mask it. Though, it might not conceal it up close."
                    $ shayaClue14 = True
                    $ shayaClueScore += 1
                    "Rowan went silent, considering his words. If that were the case, Shaya could not have simply gone to Jezera and had her scar removed…"
                    nas "Do you require help drawing up such a charm?"
                    ro "No, no. I was just curious."
                    nas "Then, can you be curious somewhere else? I believe I have answered your question to a satisfactory extent."
                    hide nasim with moveoutright
                else:
                    nas "A fascinating question. One I would be more willing to indulge, if the matter wasn’t still buried beneath our feet."
                    if shayaNasResponse == "best interest":
                        "Rowan’s mouth made a thin line, and he avoided Nasim’s glare. He should consider himself lucky that the man even bothered to indulge his earlier questions."
                    else:
                        "Rowan’s mouth made a thin line, and he briefly considered taking his threats one step further."
                        "But this was not worth making an enemy of the man… He would have to be content with what he learned up till now."
                    ro "I see."
                    nas "Now then, I believe you have nothing further to waste my time with. I have duties I must attend to."
                    hide nasim with moveoutright

    else:
        pass

    label shayaPostNasim_rp:

        scene bg14 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "In the hallway, Rowan’s thoughts were still on his encounter with Shaya’s proposed session for tomorrow."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        je "Feeling pensive, Hero? Surely I haven’t made you do anything too awful."
        je "...Today."

        "He glanced to the side and found the demoness was walking beside him. Her arms were stretched out, and every few seconds she let out an easy-going yawn."

        ro "It’s nothing."
        je "I see. Well, if you are otherwise free, then you simply must join me. I was going down to the brothel for another tea session for Shaya. Surely you must be eager for another session with her."

        "He smiled politely."

        ro "No need to see her so soon.  I just ran into her in the library. We have a visit together planned for tomorrow."

        "Jezera raised an eyebrow."

        je "In the library? Did she say what she was there for?"
        ro "Actually, I don’t think she did."

        "Rowan tilted his head."

        if shayaClue7:
            "What books had she been there for, anyway? He hadn’t gotten a good look at them before she’d walked out. Had he been so distracted?"
            "But, perhaps she hadn’t come for books at all? It had struck him as quite the coincidence that she’d come at the same time as him - and with a proposal for the following day she was eager to tell him, no less."

        je "Fascinating. I’m sure I can extract the rationale from her over tea. "

        "Jezera affected a careless shrug."

        je "A shame you won’t be joining us, but such is life, hero."

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Once Rowan arrived in his room, he went right to his desk and pulled out a book. There, hidden in the pages, was his roll of parchment with the question written at the top. {i}Who is Shaya?{/i}"
        "In the time since he’d first written that question, he could have considered the question answered."
        "She was skilled, dutiful, polite, and gentle. She was eager to please her clients, but loyal to her “best friend.” He’d heard her sing, seen her dance, and even gotten fleeting chances to speak to her about her life."
        "Yet, he dwelled on that segment of parchment, the more it felt like he hadn’t come closer to answering that question at all. She hid much."

        # if shayaClueScore < 7:
        # Replay mod: Custom menu to counter the shayaClueScore block.
        menu:
            "Shaya was still a mystery. (Scene 1, 2, and 3)":
                "The longer he stared at the document, the heavier it felt in his hands. In stark contrast, the more clearly he noticed just how little he’d written in it. So much of the parchment remained blank."
                "He put a hand to his chin and studied it closer."
                "Had he really spent so little of his time with Shaya delving into her past? He searched his memory for instances where he’d dug for more information, but he found so few instances. It seemed impossible. And yet..."
                "There had been all those times he’d come just to see her dance. Or to spend time in conversation with her. Or else simply to fuck her."
                if shayaClue15 == False:
                    "His eyes scanned the segment of the page where he’d written his observation after the first time he’d seen her dance."
                    "{i}Shaya is… radiant.{/i}"
                if shayaClue1 == False and shayaClue5 == False and shayaClue6 == False:
                    "On one stretch of the page, there was a crude drawing in the shape of a nude woman. The barely remembered result of a mind blowing night? Rowan smirked at its vulgar curves."
                "The strength from his hands died. The parchment tumbled limply to the floor. He let out a final sigh."
                "The truth was staring him in the face. There was no denying it now."
                show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "He’d stopped going down to the brothel to investigate Shaya a long time ago. He’d been lying to himself to justify it. The reason he went now was... to be with her. To be inside her. Or even just to be in the same {i}vicinity{/i} as her."
                if rowanCorrupt > 31:
                    "Even thinking about her sent his heart into uncomfortable fluttering. The faint remnant of the smell of flowers still hung in his nostrils. It was like an addiction. He knew it was wrong… but it was too late now."
                elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                    #ro smirk
                    "He wanted her. He wanted to fuck her. He wanted to be around her. He wanted to make her his and only his. He wanted to {i}despoil{/i} her."
                    "He wanted her desperately."
                else:
                    "His cock always seemed to stiffen at the thought of her. How many times had he dreamed of her? The effect she had on him was intoxicating. He swore under his breath at how low he’d fallen."
                "And so, that night, when Rowan went to sleep, it was Shaya that was in his thoughts. In his dreams."
                "But the parchment he’d used to investigate her lay in a crumpled heap among his discarded trash..."
                jump shayaSuccumbing_rp

        #else:
            "Shaya's secrets begin to unravel. (Scene 4 and 5)":
                "It was this sense of absence, of something missing, that drove him closer and closer to the roll of parchment in front of him. Long segments of notes and text packed the page."
                "He was so close. If the thought had a physical shape, he could almost touch it. Just what was he missing?"
                scene black with fade
                "Rowan spent that night reviewing his notes and reflecting on them. Making connections between the questions, and tracking the paths they made."
                "Rowan had once heard that the truth was a type of story. To find it, first one must find little threads of detail and fact. Only afterwards, do you bind it all together. And if done well, the story it tells will resemble the real world."
                "It was many hours later when he had finally finished the story. Amidst the details of his notes, he had pieced together some hint to the secrets Shaya was hiding."
                scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan’s quill went to the space directly beneath his initial question, and there he wrote an answer."
                "{i}Who is Shaya?{/i}"
                "{i}Whoever Jezera wants her to be.{/i}"
                "He leaned back in his seat, running a hand through his hair. There were still doubts in Rowan’s mind, but he believed he had a theory about Shaya and her secrets."
                "It would explain where she came from, her relationship with Jezera, and the strange air of mystery to her. Not only that, but it offered a chance to get a leg up on Jezera for once. Knowledge was power, after all."
                "But, it also meant there was little else to be gained from his pleasant...or occasionally rather more than pleasant...visits down to the brothel."
                "The best course of action now would be to take what he knew to Shaya and confront her with it directly."
                "Even if she denied it, one of two situations would occur. Either, she’d be put in a state of disadvantage where he could trip her up in lies. Or else she might genuinely disprove it, but in so doing leave him with even more information. Valuable reactions either way."
                scene black with fade
                show shaya neutral at center with dissolve
                "The only problem was, he did not know how Shaya would take to him for the encounter. Would she be impressed by his deductive skills? Upset at his efforts to pry into her life?"
                "If he wasn’t careful, in the process of confirming the information, he could reshape the budding dynamic between the two. And Rowan wasn’t sure if it would be in a way that would bring them closer.."
                "One of the two would have to be more important. The truth and the advantageous knowing it would bring...or his ability to indulge himself in Shaya’s company?"
                sha "Rowan..."
                label shayaFinaleMenu_rp:
                    menu:
                        'Confront Shaya with the "Truth". (Scene 4 and 5)':
                            "Are you sure?"
                            menu:
                                "Yes.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    jump shayaConfront_rp

                                "No.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    jump shayaFinaleMenu_rp

                        'Forget about it and follow what Shaya wants. (Scene 1, 2, and 3)':
                            "Are you sure?"
                            menu:
                                "Yes.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    jump shayaFollow_rp

                                "No.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    jump shayaFinaleMenu_rp

    label shayaFollow_rp:

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan closed his eyes. He could burst into the brothel tomorrow and confront Shaya with his suspicions. Perhaps she would still allow him to return to the brothel, perhaps she’d laugh at his absurd notions… and he’d believe her."
        "His hand tightened around the fragile sheet. It felt like it weighed its mass in steel."
        "Or perhaps there was another path…"

        show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "...He could just bury what he knew. Let Shaya go ahead with whatever exciting plans she had for tomorrow. Perhaps even wait for another moment to confront her with what he believed."
        "That way, he could continue to see her. He wouldn’t have to risk ruining a good thing, simply because of his suspicions…"

        jump shayaSuccumbing_rp

    label shayaConfront_rp:

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan shook his head. The entire notion was insane. He couldn’t just forget what he knew. And since when was he too much of a coward to confront a tense situation head on?"
        "This had been the entire reason he’d been going to the brothel so often, after all, if he’d finally gotten a piece of information that he could use regarding her relationship with Jezera, then it would have all been for naught."
        "And if there was a risk that it would make Shaya upset…"

        menu:
            "It was a regrettable necessity.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "...It would just have to be worth it. Sometimes it was very easy to forget his mission in the moment when spending time with Shaya."
                "But, pleasure and good company alone would not deter him from his real goals. It was a risk worth taking."
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

            "It didn’t concern him":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "...That didn’t matter much, did it? She might be fun to talk to, fun to fuck even...but that didn’t change what he was trying to do. It was a risk he’d take without a second thought."

        if shayaClue7:
            "Still, there was one other issue that bothered Rowan."
            "It wasn’t just Shaya’s identity that had bedevilled him, but also her intentions."
            "Why did she spend so much time and energy lavishing him with attention? Why had Jezera rewarded him with unlimited access to Shaya in the first place? It was as if she didn’t care if Rowan investigated her own spymaster."
            "It was this suspicion that drove Rowan to continue to pour over his notes, long after he should have settled in for sleep."
            scene bg6 with fade
            "The search eventually led him to his work desk and the cabinet he normally used to store important papers."
            "Papers like Shaya’s invitation to the party at the brothel, as well as the original document he’d been given by the cloaked man were soon scattered about it."
            "Tomorrow, he was going to come with real evidence..."
        else:
            "Rowan sighed and snuck the parchment back in its hiding place. He was going to need some sleep for tomorrow..."

        jump shayaUnveiling_rp

    label shayaSuccumbing_rp:

        scene bg24 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan arrived in the morning at the entryway to the brothel. He stopped at its precipice, letting out a heavy sigh. Then he pushed his way into the building."
        "The entryway was empty on this particular occasion. There was no attendant at the desk. Yet, Rowan did not have to wait long. The madam herself emerged from behind a curtain of beads."

        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

        sha "Finally, {i}ashallan{/i}, I have been in a state of dread. I had worried you would not come."

        "Rowan laughed nervously and ran a hand through the back of his hair. "

        ro "I don’t think you had to worry about that. How could I resist?"

        "She sashayed close and took his right hand into both of hers. She pulled him along lightly, but with purpose. It amazed him how soft her grip was. Surely such an acrobatic woman would have more arm strength."

        ro "Lia isn’t at the desk today?"
        sha "There was no need. I waited for you myself."

        "She led him, hand in hand, through the familiar back corridor of the brothel. He had anticipated she would turn into her personal room. Instead, she led him all the way back to the door at the end of the hallway."
        "The door which was secured with a pair of large, imposing locks."

        sha "This is a special room, for sessions of a unique nature. Not just anyone is allowed down here."
        ro "I had wondered…"

        "She pulled forth a large key ring and pulled out a key as large as her hand. With a shuddering clank, the huge lock fell to the floor. Then she started on the second."
        "The moment gave Rowan the briefest chance to reflect. Whatever it was she was planning must have been more special than he could have antici-"
        "Shaya gave him a firm nudge to bring his focus back. Then she retreated to the side of the open doorway. It opened to a darkened staircase that descended deeper into the castle."

        sha "After you, Rowan."

        "Rowan took a deep breath. He’d just have to go along with this. Knowing Shaya, whatever she had planned would blow his mind."
        "He stepped into the darkened stairwell."

        "The room Shaya took him to could have been mistaken for many in the brothel. It was designed with the same mix of silks and ornate finery. Because it was so deep underground, it was lit mostly by a series of lamps shaped like flowers that bloomed from the wall."
        "Three details defined the room. The first was the large pile of cushions in the place of any kind of couch or bed. The second was the large water basin that lined one of the side walls."
        "But, most spectacularly, an enormous golden thurible hung like a chandelier from the ceiling, bound by jewel encrusted chains."
        "From small holes along the sides, Rowan could vaguely make out a bundle of herbs in the center. But, he could not determine what type, despite his wilderness knowledge."
        "Rowan had seen similar devices for the burning of incense among the rituals of the Imperials when he’d been on campaign with them, but never one so massive."

        sha "Very good. If you would please be so kind, would you lay back on the cushions for me? I must prepare everything perfectly for you."

        "He was slow to comply with her gentle request. Part of him was curious what she meant by preparing."
        "In this case, it meant opening the hatch of the great thurible and dropping the smallest of flames inside. A small puff of smoke streamed out the sides. It would take time for it to settle down to the air close to the floor."
        "From there, she went to the basin and filled a bucket with a silver handle filled with strange pink hewed water. By then, Rowan had finally reclined where she’d directed."
        "Next, she drew a chalice from a cabinet next to the walls and poured a mixture of drinks into it. Rowan turned his head to see, but from his seated vantage point, strained to see detail."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        #shaya naked with veil

        "The Brothel Madam shot her head back over her shoulder and gave him a playful wink. Then, her hands pulled her silken top up over her chest. She made a play of a short little dance. But, there was little delay before her remaining clothes lay discarded."

        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Rowan watched, near salivating. If there was one thing Shaya knew, it was how to be appropriately captivating. Why hadn’t there been anyone like {i}her{/i} back in Arthdale?"
        else:
            "Rowan ducked his head away. His cheeks felt like they were on fire. Goddess fend, what was this woman doing to him…."

        menu:
            "Ask about the room.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan groaned and shook his head. As much as he wanted to just get lost in the movement of Shaya’s curves, there were still questions that pressed on him."
                ro "What is this place exactly? You didn’t tell me when we were coming down. It looks almost like a lounge…"
                "Shaya half crawled back to him, holding the chalice of liquid in one hand. "
                sha "A ritual chamber. Designed by myself for the sake of a special kind of sensual ceremony. It is said that it was passed down from the ancient Rakhsan’s themselves. But, few know it’s practice."
                "She giggled ever so softly."
                sha "I am one of those few."
                sha "Its intent is comfort of an unparalleled nature. A place where a man can slow his thoughts and utterly escape the tribulations of the waking world. A poet might call it a sanctuary."
                ro "Slow my thoughts? You don’t know how much I have to deal with on a daily basis. I’d be pretty surprised if you could actually do that."
                sha "I must strive to exceed expectations, then."
                "His eyes briefly scanned back to the thurible overhead. More smoke slowly drifted low from it. From its center, the burning incense gave the entire apparatus an eerie glow."
                "Shaya took a kneeling position in front of him, like a servant bowing before a king. With her head lowered, she raised the chalice to him with both hands. Rowan eyed it skeptically."


            "Stare in naked lust":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Taking the chalice in hand, Shaya softly crawled the length of the room back to him. Rowan watched every ripple of her muscles. Every jiggle of her well proportioned curves. It was enough to make a man dumb."
                ro "..."
                "When she arrived at the cushions, she lowered her head into the nape of his neck and planted a single gentle kiss. Rowan groaned as she withdrew."
                sha "It warms my heart to see you getting into the spirit of things so fast. And I have not yet even {i}started{/i}."
                "His eyes briefly scanned back to the thurible overhead. More smoke slowly drifted low from it. From its center, the burning incense gave the entire apparatus an eerie glow."
                "Shaya took a kneeling position in front of him, like a servant bowing before a king. With her head lowered, she raised the chalice to him with both hands. /Rowan eyed it with burgeoning curiosity."

        sha "For you, Rowan."

        menu:
            "Take the chalice. (Scene 1, 2, and 3)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "Question it":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I don’t normally like to drink something whose origin I don’t know. Is it wine?"
                "Shaya kept her head bowed low in subservience."
                sha "Not wine, no. It is an elixir of ancient origin. It is vital to the process."
                "Rowan shifted slightly amidst the cushions."
                ro "Are you planning to drink any?"
                sha "I would not dishonour you, that way. I am but the hostess. The {i}Heirophtantessa{/i}. It is not for me to partake."
                menu:
                    "Just go along with it.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        pass

                    "Waver further.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan frowned. He could already sense her disappointment, and it left him on edge. But, so did the knot in his stomach when he looked at its reflective surface."
                        ro "You didn’t tell me about any of this. The room. The chalice. I don’t even know what’s in it. How can I just drink it?"
                        sha "It is a vital part of the ceremony. All of this, even the mystery, is simply to aid in your pleasure. You have my humble word."
                        ro "..."
                        sha "Please."
                        sha "I would never harm you. Don’t you trust me?"
                        "Rowan sighed. The truth was, for all of his confusion, he did trust her. She could’ve poisoned him a dozen times by now. So if she promised him that this was all for his pleasure..."
                        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        jump shayaSuccumbingSkip_rp

        label shayaSuccumbingSkip_rp:

            # Replay mod: load the bg/chars
            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

            "Rowan reached out and pulled the chalice from his hands. After inspecting it for a moment, he drained the entire contents in a single gulp. It had a strange bitter taste. Upon his finishing, Shaya dutifully collected it from his grasp."

            ro "What now?"

            "Shaya crawled away from him, but only so far as to reach the bucket of pink water that she had drawn from the basin at the side."

            sha "Undress, please. For the bathing. Fresh spring water treated with herbs and citrus. What is relaxation without a massage?"

            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "We could just skip this bullshit and get right to the real fun."
                "The darkness of her room made her expression even harder to read through the veil than normal. But, he had to imagine her smiling."
                sha "Rest assured. We will progress to such delights. But, this is one case where the wait will be worthwhile."
                ro "If you insist. "

            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

            "Under her watching ochre eyes, Rowan pulled his belts away and worked off his clothing. He noted with some amusement just how little different he felt so far. Whatever was in that chalice, it must not have packed much of a punch."
            "Finally, he lay back in the cushions naked. Or at least, naked save for the amulet around his neck."
            "He lay back on his hands and glanced once again to the soft glow of the thurible over head. By now, more of the smoke was starting to pool in the lower part of the room. It had an oddly pungent scent for incense. Almost like being in a forest."
            "As he pondered it, Shaya crawled back to him. In one hand she carried the ornate bucket of rosewater. In the other a soft towel."

            sha "Now, it’s time for the relaxation to begin. Do not worry about what part you must play, Rowan. I will happily guide you."

            "Rowan tensed up as she drew closer. Then the moment the wet towel made contact with the skin of his arm, he let out an involuntary sigh. He hadn’t expected it to be so warm..."

            sha "It feels good, yes? There is something you can do for me, sweet Rowan. When you feel the warm touch, I wish for you to simply try to breathe. As deep as you can. Can you try for me, Rowan?"
            ro "I suppose."

            "Shaya purred gently."

            sha "Thank you."
            sha "But you must remember. Large breaths. Feel the touch of your skin. Then take in air. Hold it, hold it, hold it. Until you are at the crescendo. Then let it all out."
            sha "Very simple, yes?"

            ro "Yeah."

            scene cg1110 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1110
            show shaya neutral behind cg1110
            pause 3

            "Then she moved the towel to his chest and started there. Her movements carried a precise amount of force. Firm enough he could really feel the cloth digging in. But, smooth and gentle as though handling something delicate."
            "Rowan opened his mouth. It would feel good to do what she said. He let the air swim into his lungs. Then, when he was ready, he exhaled. His chest rose and fell, even as she washed it."

            sha "Very good. Most uncomplicated. Just letting the air in...and letting the air out. Is it not simple and pleasing?"
            sha "You needn’t worry about holding yourself up. Let Shaya take care of you. All you must do is breathe. Air comes in. Air goes out."

            "For the briefest of moments, her elbow brushed against his manhood. Only the slightest teasing of contacts. It made a long low groan escape his lips."

            ro "Mpph."

            scene cg1111 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1111
            show shaya neutral behind cg1111
            pause 3

            "He blinked twice and sank ever so slightly into the cushions. The air around him was getting saturated with incense now. He could almost see particular whisps dancing about him."

            sha "It sounds like you found my touch pleasing. Very good. I want to be pleasing to you Rowan. And the best way to do so is to help you relax. To help you to breathe."
            sha "In fact...tell me your favorite bird?"

            ro "My favorite bird?"

            "He groaned. For some reason, when he tried to think about it, it took a second longer than he’d expected. All of this relaxation and care really had been slowing his thoughts. So, he went with the first one that came to mind."

            ro "A blackbird, I suppose."
            sha "Perfect. It’s exactly like a blackbird. With every new breath in. It is like a blackbird taking flight. With every breath out, it is like a bird floating through the air."

            "His chest rose and fell."

            sha "Doesn’t that sound so peaceful, Rowan? Just floating through the air. You can almost picture it, can’t you?"
            ro "Mhm."
            sha "Perhaps as you breathe, you might find yourself feeling more and more like that blackbird. Every time air comes in, soaring higher. Every time air comes out, gliding more serenely. The more you breathe, the more you feel it."
            ro "Mhm."

            "His eyes fluttered slightly. He really could imagine it. The shape of the feathers, the way it moved over a background of clouds. Almost like he was a teenager again bird watching on a hunt."
            "She’d moved across his pectorals and down his arms, tenderly making sure that there was no spot she missed. With her right hand, she worked the tension from his muscles. With her left, she caressed his skin with the rosewater."
            "He groaned slightly and his head rolled. Only now did he realize how much the room had changed. Smoke had been pouring out from the thurible for so long that it now hung in a deep cloud over the room. Even as close to him as she was, Shaya was slightly obscured."

            ro "The air is kind of...smokey…"

            "Her hands dipped lower, and briefly the cloth touched close to his crotch. All there was between her dexterous hands and his most sensitive of places was a thin line of wet fabric."

            sha "All to help you relax, sweet Rowan. You needn’t trouble yourself about such things. I promise it will help you feel good. And you trust me, don’t you Rowan?"

            ro "I suppose."

            sha "Just focus on the blackbird. Breathing in. Flying through the air. Breathing out. Soaring free through the air. It’s so hard to feel tension when you’re in the air."
            sha "And so easy to feel...pleasure..."

            "Finally, her hands slipped low. Her left hand brushed down and used the towel along the length of his inner thigh. But, her right hand? It ever so gently, ever so carefully, wrapped around his manhood. He grunted softly."
            "He lazily stared at the way her fingers manipulated themselves around him. But, he found focus somewhat difficult. Maybe it was because he was so relaxed, but his vision seemed to rock rhythmically, as if he were on a ship. Nothing stayed still."

            ro "It feels…"
            sha "Does it feel good, Rowan?"
            ro "Yeah…"
            sha "Perhaps the reason my caress against your body feels so good is how perfectly relaxed you are beginning to feel. How relaxed every breath makes you feel."
            sha "Breathing deeply. A blackbird in flight. And each breath melting into {i}pleasure{/i}."
            ro "Mmmhmm."

            "Her fingers dragged along the surface of his foreskin. The gentlest of half-strokes. As if the more conversative her movements, the more he felt every change."

            sha "More and more. Is it not such an easy thing to just breathe? To feel the air coming out of your lungs. To feel the air coming in?"
            sha "Is it not so easy to soar higher and higher with each repetition? To let it turn each breath into ecstasy."
            sha "Breathing in. Floating high. So relaxed."

            "He opened his mouth to take in air when she reminded him to do so. Each breath grew deeper, as if searching for the limit of how deep his breath could get. The smokey air filled his lungs."

            scene cg1112 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1113 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1113
            show shaya neutral behind cg1113
            pause 2

            "With one eye, he peered towards Shaya, through the mist her hand was slowly rising and falling as it worked the length of his shaft. The cloth had been discarded at the side, and her left hand was slowly working its way back up his thigh."
            "But, he could only look for a few seconds before it overwhelmed him. His head was swimming, and he couldn’t keep a straight glance."

            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.15
            show cg1115
            pause 0.15
            show cg1116
            pause 0.15
            show cg1117
            pause 0.15
            show cg1118
            pause 0.15
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 1

            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1114
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind cg1114

            "His head rolled up slightly, aiming right towards the thurible above. It was funny. He hadn’t realized how colorful its glow had been. It took on a reddish tint...then greenish...then more yellow…"

            ro "My head feels funny…"
            ro "Uh..."
            sha "But, there’s nothing wrong with that, is there? It is simply the feeling of relaxation overtaking you. Like a blackbird in flight. "
            sha "Doesn’t it feel so good?"

            "The sound of skin against skin rang in his ears. Shaya’s skillful hands had made an instrument of his cock, and every stroke...every careful touch...was its own elation. The sensation made him float."

            sha "And as you breathe in. As you feel so good. It would be natural for you to start to think of a person. A person who is making you feel good?"
            sha "A person you desire {i}utterly{/i} at this moment?"

            "The words were punctuated by a slight speed up of her movements. But in his overstimulated state, the sensation alone was enough to make him roll his head back and sputter out a groan."

            sha "It would be kind of you to say who this person is, blackbird. The one making you feel so good?"

            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.10
            show cg1115
            pause 0.10
            show cg1116
            pause 0.10
            show cg1117
            pause 0.10
            show cg1118
            pause 0.10
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.10
            show cg1115
            pause 0.10
            show cg1116
            pause 0.10
            show cg1117
            pause 0.10
            show cg1118
            pause 0.15
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 1

            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1114
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind cg1114

            "He opened his eyes again. But the world around him had only grown more strange. Shapes seemed to bleed their edges over. One moment Shaya’s veil was red. The next it was a shade of purple."
            "But, through the distortion, he was still able to train his eyes straight on her. Straight on Shaya."

            ro "Yes..."

            "He breathed deeply."

            sha "I’m the one making you feel {i}so{/i} good?"
            ro "Uh..."
            sha "If that’s the case, I wouldn’t doubt it if you thought of me often. A blackbird flying to my door. I might even be a person who frequently makes you feel that way."
            ro "Mmm."

            "He let his eyes slip close again and rolled his head back. The distortions were just too much. Nothing was straight or simple. All that remained consistent was the pleasure. The constant sparking waves coming from his crotch. He melted into her touch."
            "{i}So good.{/i}"

            sha "Perhaps even being in my presence makes you feel calm. Relaxed. Excited. {i}Hungry{/i}. Like a blackbird settling soft and safe into my hands."
            sha "You needn’t feel shame from such things. They’re our personal secret. I don’t mind you feeling good. Your pleasure intoxicates me. It makes me feel…"

            "She brought her lips close to his ear and let out a coarse moan. It punctuated her own desire."

            sha "Mmmm."
            sha "So calm. Feeling so so good. A blackbird in flight. A blackbird coming home to me."

            "His pleasure was held in her hands. With both hands, she set a steady beat of touches. One cascading into the next. His hips danced to this sweet music."

            sha "Mmm. You can barely stand it, can you? I must be making you feel..."
            sha "..So...Much...Pleasure..."

            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.07
            show cg1115
            pause 0.07
            show cg1116
            pause 0.07
            show cg1117
            pause 0.07
            show cg1118
            pause 0.07
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.07
            show cg1115
            pause 0.07
            show cg1116
            pause 0.07
            show cg1117
            pause 0.07
            show cg1118
            pause 0.07
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 0.07
            show cg1115
            pause 0.07
            show cg1116
            pause 0.07
            show cg1117
            pause 0.07
            show cg1118
            pause 0.15
            scene cg1114 with dissolve
            pause 1

            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1114
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind cg1114

            "He let himself stare up to the ceiling, his mouth hanging open in rolling guttural sounds. Everywhere there was smoke. So much that he could barely even see the thurible anymore. Amidst it all, he thought he saw a woman’s face. But, whose face was it? "
            "But, now it danced in so many colours. As though there were a rainbow of hues assaulting the edges of his vision. All of it spinning around and around in a circle. A cacophony of sights and sensory explosions."

            ro "Mmmm…"

            sha "I could scarcely imagine how it must feel. A blackbird whose only wish is to settle deep into my arms. Wanting so badly..."
            sha "To {i}pine{/i} for me so badly. {i}Ache{/i} for me so badly. Yearn for me so badly. Perhaps even to taste me."

            "His hips bucked wildly in desperation. The moment she’d said it, he felt something soft and wet running along the sensitive underside of his shaft. But, when he looked down, her face was still full veiled. Or at least it seemed that way amidst the visual distortions overwhelming him."
            "Whatever had happened, he wanted to feel it again."

            ro "Fuck…"

            sha "There are words that must be said aloud. You know how I am making you feel, sweet Rowan. It’s okay to say it."

            ro "Ugh...good…"

            show seccumbloop1

            "It was all so much. So much colour. So much smoke. So much spinning. And the pleasure...How could a man think like this? How could a man do anything but surrender to the total and overwhelming pleasure? To descend into a spasming doll in her hands."

            sha "Mmm. If I’m making you feel so good, you must want me. Want me so badly…"
            ro "Yes...want…"
            sha "You must feel more comfortable, more at ease, when I’m near. I would understand so completely if being with me put me at ease…"
            ro "At ease…"

            "His words were punctured by hyperventilating pants. For a moment, he glanced down and it almost seemed as if she had three hands on his cock, all stroking and teasing him."

            sha "And if being with someone so beautiful...who you wanted so badly...who made you feel so good...made you feel safe."
            ro "Mmm…"
            sha "Almost as if it would be so easy to just trust me. To let me do anything to you. Always safe...Always with Shaya…"

            "Her words struck like thunderbolts. So seductive and powerful, he could not process them."

            sha "Beautiful Shaya...Desirable Shaya...Trusted Shaya…"
            sha "...The woman you’d do {i}anything{/i} for..."
            ro "What…"

            "His eyes strained slightly. Everything was still in an unnatural haze. But, something about the way she’d said that had put a crack in the effect."
            "Was she a woman he’d do anything for? What did she mean by that?"
            "Now too, came flooding with it a flicker of emotion. Didn’t it seem odd that everything had become so distorted and colorful? This...this wasn’t normal?"

            ro "What are you…"
            ro "What are you...doing to me?"
            sha "Wha-."

            "For a moment, he thought he saw her without the veil...and with a frown on her face. But, he blinked again and her emotions were cloaked again."

            sha "You don’t have to worry about anything, Rowan. So relaxed. Feeling so good. Like a blackbird flying to me…"

            "He groaned and shifted uncomfortably in the cushions. Something was wrong...something felt wrong..."

            ro "Ugh…"
            ro "My head...you’re in my head…"
            sha "..."

            "Suddenly her hands sped up their motion. With her effortless skill and total control over his cock, she soon had it straining and pulsing. Perhaps seconds from release. At once the words from his mouth collapsed into a series of unintelligible groans."

            sha "And it would be so natural for you to want that, right? For me to be in your head. Making you feel good. Making you feel calm. Safe in my bosom."

            show white with flash
            pause 1
            show seccumbhjloop1 with dissolve

            "Suddenly, her hands withdrew. Rowan couldn’t see it amidst the visual distortions, but he felt the sudden and overpowering absence. He whined and bucked his hips, but to no avail. An orgasm that had been seconds away had collapsed."

            hide seccumbhjloop1
            hide white
            show seccumbhjloop2 with dissolve

            "But, before he could start to move again, her fingers had refound their place and resumed their commanding strokes."

            ro "W-wait…"
            ro "No..doing something…"

            "He panted and groaned. The spiral was coming back. It was surrounding him. Everything was spinning. But, he didn’t know if he wanted it to be spinning this way. His world was a confusion that he could not put into words."

            sha "Interesting."
            sha "But, whatever I’m doing is making you feel {i}so much{/i} pleasure, isn’t it? So much pleasure you can’t even stand it."

            show white with flash
            pause 1
            show seccumbhjloop1 with dissolve

            "Her words were punctured by another withdrawal of her hands. Yet again, Rowan had been seconds from orgasm. And yet again he had been cruelly denied. His eyes shot open, taking in more and more of the swirling technicolour smoke."
            "His gaze was drawn into Shaya, and he couldn’t look away. Her body captured him. Even amidst the visual chaos, she was the sole anchor."

            ro "Uhh…"
            sha "Shh. You know you can’t deny it. The more you try, the more and more good you might even start to feel. Until you’re totally lost in the pleasure. Until you want me to give you more…"
            sha "..Until you’re my little blackbird. Totally relaxed. Totally overwhelmed by pleasure. Totally in need of me. Totally trusting me..."
            ro "Uhh.."

            "His eyes began to flutter again. The last clear thing he saw was Shaya. Everything from her curves to the way her hair shined was perfect..."

            ro "Feels good…"
            ro "Yes…"

            "And so, all of the chaos seemed to sink back away. Everything was still a swirl of colors and smoke. But that was okay. Shaya was here for him. And he trusted her…"
            "As if to reward him, he felt the touch of her hand again. Like a frozen land taking in the first spring sun. Her touch was soft and tender. None of the frantic pace of the prior moments. "

            sha " And it feels so easy to trust me, doesn’t it?"
            ro "Ye..s…"
            sha "And you know that the more you trust me, the more good you will feel."
            ro "Mmm..."
            sha "Very good. Very good. My Rowan. Let me show you just how much pleasure I can make you feel…"

            scene white with flash
            pause 1
            show seccumbrideloop1 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind seccumbrideloop1
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind seccumbrideloop1

            "The pillows made the sound of greater weight being placed on them. Shaya was crawling forward. Momentarily, Rowan too was the subject of greater weight. Unless his eyes were playing tricks on him, Shaya must have been crawling on top of him."
            "Her nails pressed down on his chest, digging into his skin. Sweat poured down his neck."

            ro "Mmm..."
            sha "You know what’s about to happen, don’t you? You can’t hide your need from me. You want to say yes."
            ro "Ye.yes…"

            "His obedience was rewarded with another flood of pleasure. Shaya took her sweet time lowering herself atop his painfully erect mast. She pushed down and down until his entire cock was buried in her folds. Until her sex was squeezing him from all angles."
            "He cried out and bucked his hips in mindless desire. Shaya, meanwhile, answered with a purr of delight."

            sha "Ah. That is what you’ve been waiting for, isn’t it? You needed to feel yourself inside me. Mmm. All you wanted..."

            "Her hips rolled, but with a teasingly slow pace. It was as if she were making a game of drawing out his need further and further, beyond what he could take."
            "Beneath her, Rowan was a sputtering mess. He couldn’t even see her straight. The face behind the veil kept shifting. But always the eyes remained the same. A piercing ochre. They shined at him through the cloud of smoke."

            sha "Mmm. Isn’t it so easy to give in to the pleasure? To simply float along like a good little black bird. To feel good with me. To feel safe with me. In your safe little bird cage. So eager for more…"

            ro "Uhhhh…."

            "He strained, pushing his hips upwards in a desperate pathetic attempt to bring himself to climax. But, sensing his attempt, her movements ground to a complete halt. She even used her body weight to press him down. He was left groaning and panting, but unable to tip himself over."

            ro "mu..uhhh."

            sha "Soft and Calm. Like a blackbird in flight. Letting me guide you. Letting me control you. Letting me take you to a place where you can be truly happy."
            sha "As you listen to my words, you might find yourself floating away to a safe place. A place you’d only go with someone you completely {i}trusted{/i}."
            sha "Picture it…"

            "When said the words, as if on command, the gears of Rowan’s mind turned into action. He blinked. And when his eyes opened again..it almost like he wasn’t in a smoky room."

            scene bg60 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind bg60
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind bg60

            "He was on a rolling grassy hillside. A forest of pine trees dotted the horizon. Just like in Arthdale."
            "And with him, in this safe space, was Shaya...making him feel good..."

            ro "Uhhhh…."
            sha "Shh. You don’t need to speak, sweet bird."

            "She held a finger to his lip."

            sha "You might even find that if you try to speak, it would just make you soar even higher into a state of mindless, safe relaxation. Mindless, safe pleasure."
            ro "..."

            "Rowan settled back into the cushions. He couldn’t speak. He couldn’t think. He could barely even move. The sights and sounds of Arthdale grew clearer with each passing moment. As though he were fading off into its open sky."
            "Now that Rowan was fully pacified, Shaya began to ride him anew. Now, even as totally consumed by his need as he was, he did not even attempt to control the pace. She ground down into his straining cock, and his body spasmed beneath her."

            sha "So good. Mmm."
            sha "All you have to do is {i}trust{/i} me. All you have to do is let go. I will do all the work for you."
            sha "You know that all I want is for you to feel good. Ahh!"

            "His lips half formed a smile. He tried to speak, but no words came out. That didn’t bother him. He trusted Shaya. She’d make him feel good."

            sha "Floating away and floating away. A happy little blackbird Just for me. Mmm."
            sha "Breathing deeply."
            sha "Every breath, ah, more relaxing."
            sha "The more relaxed, the more pleasure. Mmm."

            "Even this state was only held by a tether. Shaya gyrating and moaning atop him barely phased him. The Rosarian sun aligned behind her, covering her in golden light."

            sha "So much pleasure."
            sha "And the more pleasure I make you feel...ah...the more hopelessly eagerly...enthralled by me…"
            sha "The more you trust me. The more you {i}need{/i} me."

            "The sensation was all that held him down. The stoked fire of his need was his only physical sensation. Shaya was his tether to the ground. And that tether was mere moments from..."

            ro "..."

            "From..."

            sha "Coming together. All at once. About to...to…"
            sha "Ahhh!"

            "Shaya let out a high pitched scream. In that same moment, the entire world seemed to tighten around Rowan. By now, he was nothing but a subject to the sensation. His straining body could not resist."

            ro "...!"

            show bg61 with dissolve
            pause 2

            "And suddenly, everything was spinning. Colours were everywhere. He was flying through the sky. His breath turned to hyper ventilated panting. And then, through it all he heard a word."

            show bg62 with dissolve
            pause 0.5
            scene white with flash
            show cg1149 with sshake
            pause 0.18
            show cg1150 with dissolve
            pause 0.18
            show cg1151 with dissolve
            pause 0.18
            show cg1152 with dissolve
            pause 0.18
            show cg1153 with dissolve
            pause 0.18
            show cg1154 with dissolve
            pause 0.18
            show shaya neutral behind cg1154

            sha "{i}Blank.{/i}"

            "…"
            "…"

            #shayas eyes
            scene cg953 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg953
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral behind cg953
            pause 3

            "In the center of the sky, a single eye opened. It was tall and its gaze swept over everything. Rowan was inexorably drawn into its shimmering pupil. An ochre eye."
            "Then, another ochre eye opened to its right. An equal appeared to its left. Eyes opened everywhere. They formed a kaleidoscope around him from every angle."
            "They saw everything. Nothing could be hidden. "

            sha "It seems we might be much closer from now on. My black bird. My {i}Row’aca{/i}. "
            sha "But, you don’t have to worry about that. You don’t have to worry about anything with me anymore, {i}Row’aca{/i}. You’re going to find it {i}very easy{/i} to trust me from now on."

            "His ears rang with a noise almost like a giggle."

            sha "And to think you were so close to making an escape. In truth, you’ve almost impressed me. No man has ever awoken once I started. You’re truly amazing."
            sha "But, it’s no matter. I’m not going to give you another chance to fly free. In fact..."
            sha "You might find the little cocktail of drugs that you just experienced a little...addicting. You needn’t worry much on that account. Your {i}Shay’aca{/i} will always be ready with another dose, when you crave more. "
            sha "And you can always trust me to give you more."

            "The eyes drilled into him from all sides. For some reason, there was a voice telling him he should be worried. But, it just made him angry. Why should he listen to this liar?"

            sha "Mmm."
            sha "Don’t you think we should put this new trust between us to the test, {i}Row’aca{/i}?"
            sha "Oh! I have it. "
            sha "I know about that fascinating parchment you’ve been keeping about me. You don’t have to worry about offending one such as myself, {i}Row’aca{/i}. I know you meant it as flattery."
            sha "But, you can show me how much you trust me by telling me {i}everything{/i} you believe you uncovered in your espionage."

            "Rowan’s mouth opened. He was struck, in the moment, with one overwhelming desire. He needed to tell her everything. Maybe if he did, she’d be happy with him.."

            if shayaClueScore < 7:
                ro "I know….I know nothing…"
                sha "Nothing? Truly?"
                "Her voice sounded almost disappointed. Rowan’s heart sank."
                ro "I’m sorry, Shaya. I...I tried to learn more. But, you were too beautiful. I always just...uh...I lost myself around you…"
                sha "Oh, Row’aca. Flattery will get you {i}everything{/i}."
                sha "But, this is all the better. In Rosaria, do they not say that “ignorance is bliss”?"

            else:
                ro "I believe I know that...that you were made?"
                sha "Made?"
                "He strained slightly under the field of eyes, all looking at him expectantly. It was hard to access his memories. He recalled vaguely sitting at his desk for hours the prior night. But, it all seemed so far in the past..."
                ro "The reason you hide your face...Jezera did something to you with her magic….changed you…"
                ro "That’s why...you wear...veil..."
                ro "Wasn’t sure if true...wanted to find out…"
                sha "..."
                "Rowan waited in eager silence. Was that the information that Shaya had wanted to know? Would she be happy with him if he said that? Or did he need to say more?"
                sha "You wished to know? Well, the simplest way to know would just be to ask? After all, you trust my answer, don’t you?"
                ro "Trust…"
                ro "Of course."
                sha "Well, speaking as someone who would know. It’s quite a silly idea, isn’t it? Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to tell another person you believed something so strange?"
                ro "Yes."
                sha "In fact, it might even be better if you forget you ever had such a silly little notion. Don’t you agree?"
                ro "Forget…"
                sha "Good. Such nonsense doesn’t deserve space in your thoughts. Not when there are much more...{i}pleasurable{/i} things you could be thinking about."

            "Rowan smiled to himself. If that’s what Shaya thought, then it was probably a good point. He trusted her, after all."
            "She started speaking more words, but the longer she droned on, the more comprehension seemed to flee Rowan. In truth, he just liked hearing the sound of her voice."
            "It really was relaxing…"
            "..."

            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

            "Rowan awoke with a start. His eyes scanned around the surroundings frantically. For the briefest of moments, he’d believed something crazy. That he was back in Rosaria...his village."
            "He shook his head. Memory was returning to him in pieces. He was in the brothel. He’d come to see Shaya for her surprise. And she had...she had...what had she done exactly?"
            "He looked down at the sheets. The location was familiar. The soft and comfortable bed in Shaya’s private room. He turned to the side and spotted another figure lying in bed next to him. It was Shaya, naked save for her veil."
            "He smiled. Shaya was beautiful when she slept. Even looking at her was making a quiet calm set over him."

            sha "Mmmm. My {i}Row’aca{/i}. You’re awake."
            ro "Yeah. The divines alone know how long I was out for. I should probably make my way upstairs soon, lest my absence be missed."

            "Shaya smiled at him softly through her veil."

            sha "That’s alright. I’m certain that you’ll be back for another visit with me."

            #shayas eyes
            scene cg953 with fade
            #shaya naked veil
            show shaya happy behind cg953
            pause 3

            sha "Very soon…"

            # "{i}Shaya’s Story Will Continue in Act 2 of Seeds of Chaos.{/i}"

            $ shayaSuccumb = True
            $ shayaTruth = False
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
            return

    label shayaUnveiling_rp:

        scene bg24 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan arrived in the morning at the entryway to the brothel. He stopped at the precipice, letting out a heavy sigh. Then he pushed his way into the building."
        "The entryway was empty on this particular occasion. There was no attendant at the desk. Yet, Rowan did not have to wait long. The madam herself emerged from behind a curtain of beads."

        show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

        sha "Finally, {i}ashallan{/i}, I have been in a state of dread. I had worried you would not come."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan laughed nervously and ran a hand through the back of his hair."

        ro "I don’t think you had to worry about that. You’ve been on my mind."
        sha "There was no need. I waited for you myself."

        "Yet, Shaya had not pulled him far before Rowan dug in heels and stopped. After an eager but failed tug, she turned back with questioning eyes."
        "She sashayed close and took his right hand into both of hers. She pulled him along lightly, but with purpose. It amazed him how soft her grip was. Surely such an acrobatic woman would have more arm strength."

        ro "No Lia today at the desk?"
        sha "Rowan?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Shaya. There is something I need to discuss with you. It’s of great importance."

        "She smiled softly at him from behind the veil and attempted again, in vain, to playfully nudge him onward. Rowan didn’t budge."

        sha "Surely whatever the concern, it is not so pressing as to come before today’s session. I confess that all the time spent in preparation has left me rather...eager."
        sha "You wouldn’t desire to deny a working girl her meager pleasures, Rowan. Would you?"

        "He shook his head."

        ro "Would your back room be a private place for us to talk?"

        "Shaya drew her arms back and crossed them behind her back. For the first time since he met her, he saw a moment of pensive hesitation. Such a break from her smooth demeanor."

        #shaya angry
        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

        sha "One supposes…"

        "Rowan marched with Shaya to her back room. It was to the brothel keeper’s credit that she wasn’t openly pouting. Though, for once, Rowan could sense the frustration from her. "

        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            "It almost made him feel bad about interrupting whatever she had planned. Almost."

        "Upon arrival, she made straight for a small table of refreshments in the corner."

        sha "May I get you anything? Fruit? Wine?"
        ro "No, thank you."
        sha "Then I hope you won’t think less of me for a minor indulgence."

        "She returned with a plate of almonds from the east, and sprawled out over one of the fine couches that flanked her low table. Rowan had to hand it to her. She had a talent for picking the most sexually provocative poses to relax in."
        "He took a seat across the table from her and began his line of thought."

        ro "Shaya, I’ve been fascinated by you. "

        show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

        sha "I’ve been known to have that effect on people. I pray you don’t hold it against me."

        ro "No see: I mean as a puzzle, of sorts."
        ro "I don’t normally meet someone and instantly start rushing to investigate them. But, you’re not some normal person. A woman of your background and your predilection for being mysterious was likely to arouse my fascination."
        ro "There’s so much you’re holding back at any one moment. Talking to you can become a guessing game. What is the real motive behind your words? How much of the bullshit that spews out of your mouth do you really mean?"

        "She lazily snuck an almond beneath her veil."

        sha "It’s only proper for me to make myself interesting, don’t you-"
        ro "There it is. More bullshit."

        "That got her attention. He felt a slight satisfaction at the sight of her eyebrow raised."

        #shaya angry
        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

        sha "Careful now, Rowan. I aim to be accommodating in all things, but I prefer to leave the harsher tones for play time. A woman could grow upset."
        ro "Alright."

        "He sighed and reclined back in his seat."

        ro "I’ll get to the point. I think I’ve figured you out. Or at least, I have most of the pieces for it."
        sha "Handsomest of heroes, surely you’d find what I have for you more pleasurable than these kinds of word games? A bit of intrigue {i}can{/i} spice the mood, but with what I have prepared-"

        "Rowan held up his hand to silence her."

        ro "Just let me finish."

        sha "..."

        "Slowly, Shaya’s eyes relit with their normal fire. In this atmosphere, her response came as half a purr and half a taunt."

        sha "I do live to serve. What’s a small indulgence to whet the appetite? We will have {i}so much{/i} time together afterwards to make up for it."
        sha "So then, Rowan: what revelation have you come to that’s so {i}pressing{/i}?"

        if shayaClue7:
            ro "Two things."
            "He held up a corresponding number of fingers."
            ro "First, the veil you wear. Whenever we’ve met up in the past, it stuck out to me. Why do you refuse to take it off, even in bed together?"

        else:
            ro "The veil you wear. Whenever we’ve met up in the past, it stuck out to me. Why do you refuse to take it off, even in bed together?"

        ro "I think… I think I’ve figured it out."

        "Rowan made out the upturn of her lips into a smirk beneath her veil."

        sha "Oh? You wouldn’t be the first man to hazard a guess."
        ro "None of the men you’ve been with would have been able to put it together.  Let’s call it an advantage of my unique position."

        "He straightened up in his seat and settled his gaze on her. He wanted to have a better view for her reaction."

        scene black with fade
        #jez smirk
        show jezera happy at center with dissolve

        ro "You wear it because of Jezera."

        scene bg24 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "At some point, back in Qerazel, Jezera did something to your face. And whatever she did must have had a profound impact on you."
        ro "One of my vaguer notions is that she might have even {i}made{/i} you somehow. With Jezera, you never know for sure."

        "Shaya’s reaction didn’t disappoint. Her eyebrow arched upwards and didn’t return to normal."

        if shayaClue7:
            ro "The second thing I determined is this. I don’t think you’re telling me the real reason you’ve been having me visit. It’s {i}certainly{/i} not because you like me, specifically."
            ro "I think Jezera ordered you to get close to me. She wanted you to seduce me. To what end, I’m not entirely sure."
            ro "But, what I do know for sure, is that almost all of our meetings have been set up in advance for purposes besides the stated ones. You’ve been manipulating me."
            "In a dainty gesture, she brought her knuckle to the front of her veil and giggled into it."
            sha "I’m not sure which of your theories is more fanciful, Rowan! "

        else:
            "In a dainty gesture, she brought her knuckle to the front of her veil and giggled into it."
            sha "And what would give a man of your deductive reasoning such a fanciful idea?"

        #sha neutral

        sha "Come now. {i}Jezera made me{/i}? Were she my mother, she’d have to be a little older. No?"

        "Rowan let her statement hang in the air between them. He eased back into his chair. Her reaction was expected thus far. Nothing that would shake his confidence in his conclusion."

        ro "Would you like to hear my reasoning? "

        "A lull descended over the conversation. Nonplused by his lack of reaction, Shaya reached out and grabbed another almond. Then, rather than eat it. She tossed it back on the plate and rose to her feet."

        sha "This may require wine. Continue, then."

        #shaya angry

        if shayaClue7:
            sha "Start with your mistrust of my intentions, if you would. I’m eager to hear what schemes this imagined version of myself is engaged in. She sounds like a fascinating character."
            "As she spoke, she poured herself a drink from a pitcher into an ornate goblet."
            sha "Though, in one sense, you are not far off from the truth. You were given our sessions as a reward for your service. "
            sha "I was ordered to please you. Surely you’re not mistaking the relationship between whore and client for something more sinister?"
            sha "But, that doesn’t make our rendezvous insincere. There was no obligation for me to seek out your company, after all."
            "Rowan shook his head forcefully in response. "
            ro "I've mistaken nothing. What you’ve described to me is but a cover."
            ro "All of these sessions have been about making me into a returning customer."
            ro "After all, seduction is your expertise. Your work is getting yourself or your agents close to valuable targets. Then to use that proximity to gather information and manipulate their behaviour."
            ro "I’m the steward of the castle. A valuable asset to Jezera, but one who must be controlled. It makes sense that she’d want to keep close tabs on me. Perhaps to get more leverage."
            "Rowan reached across the table and took one of Shaya’s discarded almonds, popping it into his mouth. He winced slightly; he’d never had an almond before. He’d expected it to be sweeter."
            ro "In fact, it’s fascinating you’d bring up that reward of service. I wasn’t truly the one who discovered the plot. A cloaked stranger came to visit me in the middle of the night and handed me the information that led to Jezera gifting me these sessions."
            "He studied her face to see if it would break with surprise, but her attention remained steady. Did that mean that she already knew? Or merely that she was disciplined?"
            ro "But, you knew that fact already, didn’t you?"
            ro "At the time, I’d thought they’d come to me because Jezera wouldn’t trust them. At the time, I’d asked myself “who would want Jezera to know about the plot, but not to inform her themselves?”"
            ro "But that was the wrong question. Because the person who gave me that information...was you."
            ro "Last night, I cross checked that letter of information with the invitation you’d given me to your party. You told me that the invitation was written in your own hand."
            ro "It was the same hand that wrote both. There were some slight variations to throw off an eyeball analysis, but many of the letters had uncannily similar shapes."
            ro "I think {i}you{/i} were the one who visited me that night."
            ro "And I think the reason you did it was because Jezera wanted an excuse to send me to you for further sessions, but needed a cover so I wouldn’t know the true reason."
            "Shaya tilted her head and took a sip from her wine."
            sha "A fascinating story. Misdirection. Seduction. {i}Betrayal{/i}. Should I be upset that you think me so treacherous, or flattered that you believe me so skilled?"
            ro "Is that a denial?"
            sha "But of course."
            sha "In your charming little tale, you gave no reason to suggest {i}Jezer’aca{/i} was behind it. What should I make of this slander?"
            "Rowan chuckled."
            ro "Well that brings us back to my other accusation, doesn’t it?"

        ro "I will admit, I’ve been noting down some of what you told me about your life in Qerazel. Some of my other observations as well."
        ro "Here is what I pieced together from it."

        "By now, Shaya had returned to her repose on the couch. With her free hand, she used an eastern paper fan to cool herself.  Her ochre eyes were trained intensely on her companion."

        $ shayaMenuCount = 0
        $ shayaJezeraTrust = False
        $ shayaJezeraTraining = False
        $ shayaVeilStrange = False
        $ shayaBodyPerfection = False
        $ shayaAppearanceChange = False
        $ shayaDebut = False

    label shayaEvidenceMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Jezera’s trust in her." if shayaJezeraTrust == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaJezeraTrust = True
                ro "Jezera seems to trust you, and that’s very unusual in and of itself. She barely trusts her own {i}brother{/i}. This was what first drew my interest in you."
                if shayaClue2:
                    ro "On the first day we met, She went so far as to tell me that you’re the one person she considers trustworthy beyond doubt. An incredibly strong statement of support."
                    "She waved her free hand dismissively."
                    sha "Surely the cause of your mistrust isn’t that a woman is close to her childhood friend?"
                    ro "Jezera doesn’t trust anyone. Certainly not her other childhood friends. So... why does she trust you?"
                if shayaClue4:
                    ro "Though, the way you continue to portray your relation with her… that’s not quite true, is it? It’d be more apt to call you lovers in private."
                    ro "Or perhaps… a Mistress and her Slave."
                    ro "She has her talons in you pretty deep, doesn’t she?"
                    "Her eyebrows narrowed slightly."
                    sha "A bold thing for a man to make claims about what goes on in private between two people whom he has not seen alone together. One must wonder the {i}source{/i} of such a claim."
                    ro "One must."
                ro "You’ve certainly gone pretty far out of your way for her sake. Done things no ordinary person would do for her. Probably some that common standards would call evil."
                ro "Is it so strange for me to think that she’d have tested your loyalty somehow? And that the result of the test was a solidification of her trust in you?"
                ro "But, that’s just the context."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "Jezera’s role in her training." if shayaJezeraTraining == False and shayaClue3 == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaJezeraTraining = True
                ro "There’s the matter of your training as a courtesan. If I did my due diligence correctly, you were trained at the {i}Empress of Waters{/i} brothel in Qerazel."
                if shayaClue1:
                    ro "The very building we’re sitting in is a testament to your training. Jezera designed it as an {i}identical{/i} replica of the original building."
                "Shaya took another, careful sip from her drink."
                sha "A fact that I have done nothing to hide."
                ro "Indeed, but I also know how you ended up there. Jezera, who’d been your friend at the time, had arranged it."
                ro "She convinced you to start, she got the assent of the madame. She even paid out of pocket for your training."
                if shayaClue5:
                    ro "Though, you didn’t much like your training, did you? You don’t show much hesitation now, but there was a period where you were half being forced into it, weren’t you?"
                    sha "Where did you get that silly notion?"
                    ro "The way you talked about your apprenticeship; when we were discussing that training song you used. It sounded quite traumatic. "
                    sha "You assume much."
                    ro "Maybe, but if the methods that were employed on you are half as serious as those you use here... it must have been a trying experience."
                sha "This is all a fascinating stroll through my past. But to what end?"
                ro "Not much. Simply… there was a period of your life when Jezera was {i}very{/i} invested in shaping you for her own aims."
                if shayaClue5:
                    ro "...And you weren’t always entirely a willing participant."
                ro "It’s almost enough to make me wonder if you were the one who wanted to be a courtesan in the first place."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "The strangeness of the veil." if shayaVeilStrange == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaVeilStrange = True
                ro "Of course, there is the veil. It’s quite a fascinating touch. It gives you an air of mystique; makes you hard to read. I can see why you like it, as an accessory."
                ro "But, you don’t take it off, even in a situation that would warrant it. You’re pretty dedicated to not showing your face."
                ro "I’m sure most men think you’re hiding something under there. Some kind of scar or imperfection? Perhaps you’re hiding features that might be recognized in some way."
                if shayaClue4:
                    ro "But, that certainly isn’t true. I happen to know someone who caught a glimpse of you without the veil. And they told me that you’re just as beautiful with the veil gone."
                    ro "If that’s the case, why would you still keep your appearance hidden? A beautiful face would actually help you draw in customers."
                    "Perhaps unconsciously, her palm went to her cheek. The delicate tips of her fingers pressed gently against the soft material of the veil. "
                    sha "{i}If{/i} that’s the case, either I’ve been more lax than I’ve intended. Or perhaps this spy of yours is a liar or was prone to exaggeration? Do you truly believe they would tell you the truth?"
                    "Rowan’s eyes narrowed on her."
                    ro "With my life."
                    ro "Still, I find it fascinating that Jezera is the only one you would purposefully show your face to. "
                    "Shaya responded with a very atypical dismissive snort."
                    sha "Some ‘mystery.’ I love {i}Jezera’aca{/i} as a sister."
                    ro "Most people don’t sleep with their sisters."
                if shayaClue11:
                    ro "I, of course, wondered if it was just a custom among whores in the Empire. Or perhaps in the particular brothel where you were trained."
                    ro "But, no one I spoke to knew anything about such a tradition in Qerazel. Your refusal to show your face is as strange to them as it is to me."
                    "She sighed."
                    sha "I could have told you that myself, my friend. Still, what does any of this prove?"
                ro "I think that the veil is there to hide a particular discomfort. It’s not a general or traditional object."
                ro "You’re hiding something. Something you don’t feel totally comfortable with. And you’re hiding it from {i}everyone{/i}."
                if shayaClue16:
                    ro "In fact, you’re so uncomfortable, you might even dislike mirrors because of what they show."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "Her bodily perfection." if shayaBodyPerfection == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaBodyPerfection = True
                ro "There’s another matter that drew my thinking in this direction."
                ro "At the party, you told Magistors Lirio about a boating accident that left you with a scar on your back. Afterwards, I asked you about the truth of the story. You claimed you hadn’t made it up."
                "She squinted him with lidded eyes."
                sha "Did I? I barely recall."
                ro "You did. But the scar isn’t there, is it Shaya? That night, I looked for it."
                ro "So either you were lying to me at the time, or it had once been there, but is now gone somehow."
                sha "Surely then, by your logic, I must have been lying."
                ro "And yet… it’s more than that."
                ro "You don’t have a single scar, do you? For that matter, not even freckles or birthmarks."
                ro "Your body lacks imperfections. Anything you might have picked up from day to day living. No pox marks, nothing from childhood."
                if shayaClue16:
                    ro "No wonder you’re so confident you can prepare for performances with only a slight hint of makeup. There’s nothing to cover."
                sha "Surely this delightful investigation wasn’t just an excuse to compliment my appearance? Although, it is appreciated."
                ro "It’s not natural. Some things, you can hide with makeup and good care. But, it’s almost as if your body is only a few years old."
                "That earned Rowan another laugh from his hostess."
                sha "Your most outlandish accusation yet."
                ro "Not so outlandish when speaking to the closest confidant to one of the most powerful mages I know."
                if shayaClue10:
                    ro "A woman who has herself admitted to being used as Jezera’s magic guinea pig in her youth."
                if shayaClue12:
                    ro "And whatever the cause, it can’t have been a simple spell either."
                    ro "I’m no expert on magic nonsense myself, but I know enough to realize that the kind of power you’d need to make a change like that would be a complex and dangerous force to dabble with."
                    ro "It must have been a very intense and invasive process."
                ro "It’d be pretty stupid of me not to draw the straight line from that towards the veil you wear, don’t you think?"
                sha "..."
                "For once, she didn’t have an immediate retort. Rowan caught on to the hesitation immediately."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "A change in appearance" if shayaAppearanceChange == False and (shayaClue8 or shayaClue9):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaAppearanceChange = True
                ro "But, why would Jezera have changed to your appearance? It seems drastic, but the motive is obvious."
                ro "And some things I’ve picked up suggest you had a major makeover at some point."
                if shayaClue13:
                    ro "Qerazel is very concerned with matters of that sort, no? I’ve heard that the nobility there prize beauty above all else. Someone who wanted to advance there has good reason to pay close attention to their looks."
                if shayaClue8:
                    ro "Consider what you told me about your family. I remember what you said about your family, that they would not even recognize you if they saw you. You meant it {i}literally{/i}, didn’t you?"
                    sha "Must you nitpick every word I spoke to you prior?"
                    ro "What can I say? You’ve done a good job getting my attention."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "Her debut." if shayaDebut == False and (shayaClue9 or shayaClue17):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ shayaMenuCount += 1
                $ shayaDebut = True
                ro "There’s another incident that’s drawn my interest. At several points, I heard talk of your debut as a courtesan. I think that event was important."
                sha "My debut? What do you know of that?"
                if shayaClue9:
                    ro "You told me about it yourself, remember? During my visit over tea time."
                    "She retreated from him slightly and reached for her goblet for another drink."
                    sha "Ah. I had forgotten."
                else:
                    ro "Just what I heard from gossip during the party. You really should have known better than to just let me wander around talking to your customers."
                    sha "Evidently."
                sha "So?"
                ro "Just that, if the other conclusions I’ve drawn are true, then there’s a connection. Whenever this change to you happened, it probably happened just beforehand."
                ro "Your debut is an important event for your marketability as a courtesan in Qerazel. One where appearance matters most."
                if shayaClue9:
                    ro "Jezera was involved in the process. You said so yourself. She must have been very invested in making sure it went well."
                if shayaClue17:
                    ro "But, there’s something about the event itself that was very unusual."
                    ro "Most debuts normally happen for a courtesan with years of training and reputation already developed. But, you had your start with nothing. As if you just… {i}appeared{/i} out of nowhere."
                    if shayaClue15:
                        ro "Your records certainly bear that out. How many clients did you have more than three years ago? I saw almost none."
                        sha "Ah, so you’ve snooped through my client records as well? A bold admission. A more spiteful woman might find that upsetting."
                        ro "You’re a spymistress aren’t you? Isn’t subterfuge part of the job?"
                        "Shaya rolled her eyes."
                sha "This proves even less than your other wild conjectures."
                jump shayaEvidenceMenu_rp

            "That's all. (Scene 4 and 5)" if shayaMenuCount > 3:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        jump shayaEvidenceMenuSkip_rp

        label shayaEvidenceMenuSkip_rp:

            # Replay mod: load the bg/chars
            show bg24 with fade
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

            "Shaya had let him go on, with only the occasional retort in between. But, now it was time for him to get to the point."

            ro "My picture of the specifics is incomplete. But, this is what I {i}do{/i} know."
            ro "You’re loyal to Jezera. {i}Very loyal{/i}, to the point you’d do anything for her. Jezera, being Jezera, saw this as an opportunity. Why let the blind loyalty of a subordinate go to waste?"
            ro "So she did something to you. And when it was done, you were the ideal agent. Beautiful, seductive, manipulative."

            if shayaClue12:
                ro "Whatever she did to you, or made you do, it left your body different from how it had been before. Changed."

            if (shayaClue8 or shayaClue9) and shayaClue12 == False:
                ro "And when it was done, you were someone else"

            ro "And whatever this change was, it is connected to why you never remove your veil. "

            "When Rowan finished his pronouncement he studied the reaction of his counterpart. Shaya merely watched Rowan in silence. The silent pause filled the entire room, leaving the two to simply look into each other’s eyes."
            "So much of Shaya’s thoughts were always hidden behind the veil. Like a wall erected between her and others."
            "Then, Shaya began to speak. Her words came out with the odd pause, punctuated by her soft speaking tone. It was even softer than usual. Guarded perhaps?"

            sha "-And you believe this tale is truly more plausible than the simple truth that I am a private woman when it comes to intimacy with clients?"
            ro "Look around you, Shaya. In this castle, the strange is the mundane."

            "She placed her goblet of wine down on the table and straightened up to a proper sitting position. For the first time, their pose mirrored each other."

            sha "What if I told you that your mind has wandered in the wrong direction entirely? That perhaps there is a true reason I wear the veil."
            sha "...And the reason is that I’m someone {i}quite rightfully{/i} in fear of being recognized."
            sha "What if, one day, sweet {i}Jezer’aca{/i} approached a girl whom she had no business befriending? Someone {i}important{/i}. And from that day onward, that girl devoted herself in service to her new blood sister. "
            sha "But, every day since then she must hide her identity, lest word of who she was get to the wrong people. Perhaps even her family."

            "Rowan studied her closely. The notion would be plausible, in theory, yet something didn’t sit right about it."

            ro "I’d wonder, then, why this girl doesn’t take her veil off when she’s alone with me. If it’s a matter of security, then there would be no issue at all. After all, this woman and I would both be on the same side."
            sha "..."
            sha "Perhaps this woman might wonder if we {i}truly{/i} are on the same side."

            "Another silence overcame the room. Shaya stared at Rowan. Rowan stared at Shaya. "
            "Was what she had said true? It wouldn’t be out of character for Jezera to bring along a noble girl or some other girl of high standing. And such a rationale might explain all the secrecy about her…"

            if shayaClue12:
                "Rowan frowned. No, that couldn’t be the case. After all, it didn’t address the matter of the scar… or lack thereof. What was the nature of her near-supernatural beauty? Simply being someone important wouldn’t explain that."

            "But, as Rowan considered the matter, Shaya suddenly rose to her feet and gave him a curt bow. Compared to her normal, flowing body language, it was almost rude."

            sha "Please be so kind as to excuse me for a moment, Rowan. I had expected our session to be well under way by now, so this conversation is testing slightly."
            sha "Once I freshen up, I will gladly return to continue to reassure you."
            ro "Of cours-"

            hide shaya with moveoutright

            "But, Rowan didn’t even have time to finish his reply before the woman was making for the door. Before he could fully process it, Rowan was left alone."

            ro "Interesting."

            "Two things struck Rowan immediately."
            "The first was that her sudden departure meant he had evidently struck a nerve. If she felt compelled to leave so abruptly, then what he’d said to her wasn’t so absurd after all."
            "The second was that she needed time to compose herself. That would not do."
            "Rowan stood up out of his seat and started down the hallway after her. As it turned out, finding where she’d gone didn’t prove especially difficult."

            show bg24 with sshake

            "{b}SMASH{/b}"
            "Rowan stopped at the entrance to the back dressing room. That was where the sound had come from."

            #shaya angry
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

            "Shaya stood alone, surrounded by shards of glass. One of the tall mirrors that lined the walls of the dressing room lay half-shattered on the floor. She stood there, trembling at attention, arms at her sides as her chest rose and fell."

            ro "Shaya..."

            "Shaya turned to face him. There was something totally different about her eyes. Their usual serene calm had turned into an intense storm. They bore into him with something approaching hatred."

            sha "Get out."
            ro "I-"

            sha "Do you not understand this is a dressing room, Rowan? Isn’t there any type of privacy you know how to respect?"

            "Rowan took a step backwards. Where had this come from? He’d seen brief flickers of emotion back during the conversation, but this was another matter entirely."
            "Shaya went to an open chest, pulled out a handcarved string instrument, and flung it at him. It went sailing in a sharp arc through the air. Rowan easily ducked out of the way. The instrument shattered against another of the mirrors and clattered to the floor, leaving a crack behind it."

            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

            ro "Shaya. Stop. This isn’t like you."
            sha "Is it, Rowan? {i}Is it{/i}?"

            "He took a step closer. She hunched her back and raised her arms to defend himself. But, he didn’t draw any closer. The question of whether Shaya could fight was a mystery that he had not yet properly answered."

            ro "Shaya. {i}Stop{/i}."
            sha "I-I said-"
            ro "Stop now."

            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                ro "Look, I understand you’re upset. I probably would be too in this situation. But, you’re not going to suddenly disprove my theories by breaking your changing room. So how about we just talk about this? You and me."

            else:
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Do you really think you’re going to make me forget everything I learned by throwing a childish tantrum? Frankly, I’m disappointed in you. Stop and think for a second."

            sha "..."

            "From the corner of her eye, she looked into a segment of the destroyed mirror. Its jagged edges there was a reflection of her, showing her at her most erratic. Her breath rose and fell."

            sha "Fine."

            "She settled backwards against the mirror. But, her pose was unlike any he’d seen her adopt. Arms crossed over her bosom and one leg over the other. It screamed defiance. She had closed herself off."

            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            ro "I have to admit, you caught me by surprise there. That outburst was totally unlike you. I thought you were a calm person."
            sha "You have a great deal of thoughts about me. Not all are true. I am - normally - a {i}controlled{/i} person. But I have never been a calm person."
            sha "..."

            "She brought two fingers to a wide crack in the mirror and traced it along its course. Her eyes followed the polished nails as they slid down along the edges."

            sha "Not everything you suggested before was correct…"
            ro "Hmmmm?"

            show shaya neutral at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

            if shayaClue7:
                sha "Mistress Jezera didn’t order me to seduce you. I’ve reported your actions to her, as always, but I refrained from mentioning my full role."
                show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "What-"
                "She turned her head from him, so that their eyes couldn’t meet."
                sha "I decided to bring you to my bed of my own initiative. You stood out as particularly important from the moment of my arrival. So I immediately set to work on a plan to expand my influence with you."
                sha "When I visited you that night in secret, Mistress was unaware of my actions. The evidence had come to me from some of my girls who provide me with regular intelligence reports."
                sha "Afterwards, I had gone to Mistress and pretended to have been unaware of what you’d done. When she asked for my suggestion for a reward, I was the one to propose unrestricted access to my services."
                "She turned her face back to him. Her eyes blazed with a fire he’d never seen from her. Pride. Surety. All things she’d seemed to lack in the past."
                sha "You presume to understand our relationship, but you are as ignorant as a child."
                sha "Mistress doesn’t need to order me to seduce you. If it will make her happy, I will do it of my own will. Without a second thought."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan took a step back. The bluntness of her words had an impact all on their own. For all of the time and effort he’d put into considering Shaya as a puzzle, had he ever truly seen her as a force onto herself?"
                sha "Now. You want to know about my face, yes? I will tell you about my face."

            sha "To start with, you should know that what I’ve told you in the past is true. I merely decided there were certain details that were not for you. I really was born to middle-class merchants. I really was in a group of girls of a similar background. And Jezera really did join us."

            "She glanced wistfully into the mirror, as if searching for something that wasn’t really there."

            sha "There was Ismena, the fashionable one. There was Aysun, the pretty one. There was Makbule, the one who always knew the right thing to say to boys."
            sha "And then there was me."
            sha "To my face they said I was the clever one. But, I always knew the truth. I was the ugly one. Or at least, ugly by their standards."

            "Rowan tilted his head slightly."

            ro "That drastic?"
            sha "Your little theory would not make much sense had I already been beautiful, no?"
            sha "Our dynamic changed when Mistress joined. To us, it was like living in the dark and seeing the sun for the first time. We all loved her. We all worshipped her. Within weeks of joining, there was no dispute that she was our leader."

            "Her voice took on a tone he’d never heard from her when she spoke about Jezera. It was loving and reverent. It reminded him most of the way that the high priests spoke of Solansia herself."

            sha "But, the others could not see her radiance the way I could. They were always competing. Always seeking their own advantage. And as much as they wished to serve Mistress Jezera, they also wished to use her."
            sha "Over time they began to drift away. They had ambitions of their own. Mistress remains in contact with Ismena and Makbule. They remain her agents. But, they have their own lives."
            sha "But not me. I told Mistress that I would always serve her. That I would be whoever she wanted me to be. {i}Whatever{/i} she wanted me to be."

            ro "So she wanted you to be a whore. But, it didn't turn out well, did it?"

            "She sighed."

            sha "We were young. We didn’t understand what a truly merciless environment elite brothels are."
            sha "I failed her. I could grasp the lessons. But everything was limited by my appearance."
            sha "There are things one can learn to give themselves an advantage. How to dress, how to wear makeup, how to do your hair. But, one cannot make the highest quality art without the highest quality materials."
            sha "So, Jezera showed me a way to change that."

            "Shaya paused to catch her words. She turned from the mirror back to Rowan."

            sha "The following is a secret of the highest order. Not merely the truth of the matter, but also that we are aware of it. Were you not already Jezera’s agent, even telling you this would be unthinkable."

            "He ran a hand through his hair. A promise to Shaya to keep a secret carried with it more potential dangers than he’d have liked. But, at the moment, there wasn’t a good alternative."

            ro "I understand."

            "Rowan gave her a reassuring nod."

            sha "Perhaps you have heard that the High Lords of Qerazel are renowned for their bodily perfection? "
            sha "They would have their subjects believe that it is their superior blood. That they are a higher race, and that this radiance descends through their generations. Perhaps they even imply that Solansia herself had blessed them with her special favour."
            sha "Lies. What they hoard for themselves and keep closely secret is magic."

            #transformation cg
            scene cg1001 with fade
            show shaya neutral behind cg1001
            pause 3

            sha "Beneath Qerazel is a vast reservoir in a secret underground labyrinth. It’s so large it could be called a small lake. I am unsure of the origin, but it must have existed since Rakshan times. And from the waters there is a great white mist that wafts across the chambers."
            sha "On the walls there were...it is hard to describe. Jezera called them magic runes. But, they were golden and they lined the exterior like a vast ring."
            sha "Those who descend into it are changed. There is a picture of themselves in their head, and they emerge to match it. "

            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
            show shaya neutral at center with dissolve

            #IF Seen: NasimGranDisplay. (nasim finale, not yet written)
            #ro "I think I know where this is going…"
            #"Rowan shifted uncomfortably in place, cold sweat running down his neck. Nasim played with fire and got burned for it. If the cursed chamber beneath the castle and the one Solansian Elites were using were in any way, shape or form similar… "
            #"Solansia protect them all. He banished the sight of Nasim’s transformed body from his mind, and focused on Shaya again, hoping her answer would prove him wrong. But knowing that likely wouldn’t be the case. "

            #else
            "Rowan shifted uncomfortably in place. Learning that Jezera was dabbling in dangerous chaos magic would hardly have shifted his worldview. But, the idea that it was the Solansian Elites doing it..."

            if aboutTransSeen:
                ro "Wait- “A picture of themselves in their head”..."
                ro "How much do you know about Nasim and his project?"
                sha "Enough to understand the intent behind your question. Your thought has been the same as mine. I’ve ensured he’s under proper surveillance to determine if there are indeed similarities."
                sha "But in terms of the magical arts, my only knowledge is what Jezera has taught me. I am afraid that his work is simply beyond me."
                #if castle.buildings["nasim_chamber"].lvl > 0:
                "A lake extolling mist surrounded in golden runes…The similarities to Nasim’s chamber were limited, but the principle sounded almost the same."
                "But the castle’s resident dark wizard was clear on the chamber’s ties to Kharos’ and his chaos magic. Just what on earth was the Qerazel nobility doing?!"
                #else:
                    #"More questions… Perhaps once they excavate the chamber in the castle’s lower levels, they’ll understand more. This all couldn’t be a coincidence. "
            elif aboutTransSeen == False and nasimChamberLevel > 0:
                "A chamber capable of changing the human body… Why did it sound so unnervingly similar to what Nasim had him uncover in the castle’s lower levels? "
            ro "Continue please..."

            #transformation cg
            scene cg1002 with fade
            show shaya neutral behind cg1002 # Replay mod: bug-fix, original was cg10012 which messed the scene up
            pause 3

            sha "It’s unlikely I shall forget that night. We slipped past the guards of the external entrance and through the tunnels. How Mistress learned of this entrance, or even the labyrinth itself, I cannot speak to."
            sha "I remember being told how I should picture myself. Jezera had meticulously composed for me the perfect form. One whom men would lose every coin they had to spend time with. With her guidance in mind, I descended into the waters."
            sha "And when I emerged…"

            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

            "Shaya brought a hand to her forehead and slowly dragged it down the length of her body, all the way to her feet. It was a mockery of a display gesture a hostess might engage in. Her voice raised to a sing-song tone."

            sha "Am I to your liking, M’Lord?"
            sha "Hehe."
            sha "An interesting thing about the transformation: I had not fully considered what my speaking voice would be in this shape. "
            sha "But, in my mind, I pictured myself as the perfect courtesan. It is as if the water itself knew what I would consider the voice of the perfect seductress to sound like."
            sha "The process was more comprehensive than I could have imagined."

            ro "Seems like I’d pieced together most of the story."

            "Rowan exhaled sharply. He’d come in reasonably confident about his interpretations. But, to have them vindicated, for the most part, was still a relief."

            ro "That new body must have been quite a change for you? Did you resent Jezera for making you go through with it?"

            #shaya angry
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

            "She shot him a dark glare. Her voice immediately went back lower."

            sha "Never. And I never shall."
            sha "A human body is but flesh and blood. I serve a higher purpose than such things. In this form, I have access to power and influence beyond what I could have {i}dreamed{/i} of in my youth."
            sha "Yet, even that pales in comparison to knowing the service I can render her. Who would complain about being made perfect?"

            "Rowan went silent now. That he had extracted so much already was a gift. But, perhaps one worth looking at critically. While her words rang true, there was still room for misdirection. Shaya seemed to be off her balance. But, she was still a practiced manipulator."

            ro "You’re feeling a lot more talkative all of a sudden. What am I to make of that?"

            "She crossed her arms over her chest."

            sha "Do not confuse my being upset with turning stupid. You saw what you saw, and learned what you learned. "
            sha "I could continue to lie and you would continue to not believe it. Or I could confess and confide. A risky choice, in some ways, but one with great potential upside."
            sha "Is it not the common strategy of you military men to cut your losses in a dire situation?"

            ro "And what losses would those be?"

            sha "A position of friendship to one of the most important men in the castle. One that took months of work to foster."

            if shayaClue7:
                ro "If you can be said to be friends with someone who was your mark."
                sha "And yet, in a sense, {i}I{/i} was your mark too. Were that not the case, we would be having a very different conversation right now, Rowan."

            "She shrugged."

            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

            sha "For what’s it worth, I’ve found myself forced to focus on far less appealing targets. You’re not a boring man, Rowan. Nor are you an ugly one. I was not suffering."

            "She shot him a weak smile. Even in a situation such as this, her instinct remained to flirt. But she didn't have much of her confident aura. Indeed, for once, she seemed quite frail."
            "A hush fell over the dressing room. Shaya's silence seemed driven by vulnerability. Rowan's by indecision."

            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "He was trying to learn about her, and through her learn about Jezera. But it wasn't like he wanted to hurt her."

            else:
                "Rowan knew an opportunity when he saw one. And Shaya's present state definitely fit that bill. The question was how to capitalize on it."

            #CGs will start here
            scene cg1060 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1060
            show shaya happy behind cg1060
            pause 3

            "But, Shaya quickly drew her attention away from Rowan. It was the mirror that gained her interest. The mirror she stared into when she looked at herself, what did she see?"
            "Rowan slowly approached Shaya from behind. Without saying a word, he wrapped one arm around her slender waist. The other he brushed against the side of her cheek. The courtesan sighed and leaned into the touch."

            ro "There’s still one thing about your story that doesn't track for me. One part I don't think was true."
            sha "Are you saying you don't believe me?"
            ro "No, no. It's just when you said that you didn't mind the change."
            ro "Yet, if you’re so comfortable with your new form. Why the veil? Your face was made to be perfectly appealing to men, wasn’t it?"

            "Her eyes flickered between Rowan's reflection and her own."

            sha "It was. My new face is...quite beautiful…"
            sha "When Jezera constructed how I would look afterwards, she had many ideas for what I could do with it to be more desirable."

            "She murmured softly and placed a delicate hand on Rowan's arm. "

            sha "But, the end result is...well, I admit that it’s the single aspect I struggle with the most…"
            ro "What do you dislike about it?"
            sha "Dislike is the wrong word. It’s just…"

            "She tilted her head softly away from him. It was the smallest of gaps that could be formed amidst such close contact."

            sha "Mmr. You really are a demanding man. Haven’t you already made me speak of too many topics I had intended to remain silent about?"

            "Rowan laughed for a moment. Then he got an evil glint in his eye."

            ro "Oh I definitely have a demanding side. In fact..."
            ro "But, if that’s your answer, you’re going to have to show it to me."

            "She blinked."

            ro "I want to see your face without the veil. If you've spoken so much about what's beneath. Now I have to see it for myself. "
            sha "My face without the veil…"

            "For a moment, she paused. Within the narrow confines of his grasp, she swayed back and forth. Her hair brushed against his neck. Finally, she answered him in a quiet voice."

            sha "If it will please you."

            scene cg1061 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1061
            show shaya happy behind cg1061
            pause 3

            "Her hand went up to her face. With the quick undoing of two clasps, the thin piece of fabric went drifting to the ground."

            ro "..."
            ro "You’re beautiful."

            "There was little doubt about it. Shaya’s face in the mirror was striking, with its inhumanly perfect proportions, pleasing olive complexion, and soft, slightly parted lips. In a way, it was almost too beautiful."
            "Rowan’s hand slid along her cheek, for the first time touching it without any intermediaries. She sighed and leaned into the touch. Yet, her eyes darted away from her own reflection."

            sha "...So you say…"

            "Slowly, her eyes worked their way back up until she could see herself. She leaned in ever so slightly, staring deeply into the face on the other side. Rowan felt a shiver go down her spine."

            sha "You asked why I do not like it."
            ro "I did."
            sha "It is not that it is ugly. Or that I disagree with my mistress on its merits."
            sha "It is simply that it is not me."
            sha "Even years later, when I look into a mirror, the woman I see looking back at me is a stranger."

            "Rowan brushed his thumb over her lips. They parted slightly to accommodate his touch. "

            ro "And yet, it’s your own face."

            "She sighed once more. Her head began to lean away again, but this time Rowan held her in place. This way, she wouldn’t be able to escape her own reflection."

            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "Look at it."

            else:
                ro "You shouldn’t look away, Shaya."

            "The moment continued to linger. He felt her lean back into his arms. A motion he responded to by gripping her tighter. Of course, in the process, he felt her backside rubbing very close to his trousers."

            sha "I thought you might like to know. You are the first man I've ever willingly allowed to see my face. The second person, in general, after {i}Jezer’aca{/i}."
            sha "In a way, it’s almost like being naked."
            sha "Though, considering I disrobe around clients so frequently, this is more naked than if I had actually lost my clothes."

            "She shivered softly, her cheek brushing up and down against his firm hand."

            ro "Would you forgive me if I told you that I don’t mind you being naked {i}in either{/i} way, with me."

            "Suddenly, he felt a thud against his ribs. She’d elbowed him, albeit not especially hard."

            sha "Men are all alike."

            "Though, Rowan had little doubt how she meant it. Had she really been so perturbed by his joke, she wouldn’t still have been pressing herself so close to his body."
            "Rowan felt her breath starting to grow hotter. In fact, he could even see the spot of mirror directly closest to her mouth fog up slightly. So, he decided to make the next move."
            "With the hand on her cheek, Rowan forced her face towards his. Her eyes and his met. From this vantage point, he could even see the little way she bit her lip. Funny, had she always done that when she was turned on?"
            "It made him want to just lean down and kiss her. So he did."

            sha "Mmm…"

            "But, the moment the kiss broke, he forced Shaya’s head back forwards. She softly yielded to his touch, letting him guide her body. As expected, when faced with the mirror again, her eyes trained back on her face."
            "It left his other hand free to roam her body. He broke his grip on her waist to brush over her belly, her outer thigh, wherever he wished to feel. Shaya responded merely by leaning in wherever he touched."
            "All of this was starting to make his own breath come out harder."

            sha "Rowan…"

            "He broke contact with all but his hand holding her head in place. With the rest, he worked himself free of his belt and trousers. His cock rapidly stiffening from the sensation of pressing to her soft skin."
            "Finally, Shaya took matters into her own hands. She worked herself free of her bra, followed in turn by the provocative skirt she wore. But, rather than stop there, she also went to her head piece and the multitudes of armbands she was never seen without."
            "It seemed that this time, she was serious about being truly naked."

            ro "Are you ready?"

            "Shaya turned around within his grasp, wrapping her arms around his neck. Their faces pressed so close that their noses touched. His lips were so close to hears they could feel each breath, each pant, from the other’s lips."

            scene cg1063 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1063
            show shaya happy behind cg1063
            pause 3

            "Then, she jumped into his arms. Her agile legs wrapped themselves around his waist. Rowan stepped forward, pushing her into the mirror behind them."
            "Then, Rowan positioned his cock to her entrance. He found it warm and ready for him. There was no challenge slipping it into her. A long sigh slipped out. That too was something new. He’d never properly seen her moan before."
            "This time there was little artifice of technique. No elaborate dances or acrobatics. It was merely a man face to face with a woman. A man pressing a woman to a mirror and fucking her senseless."
            "At first, the roll of her hips and his forward thrusts were sloppy and sporadic. But the longer he fucked Shaya, the closer their timing got. It was not long before they were in sync. He would drive into her, and she would respond with a moment in turn."
            "Their lips pressed together. Rowan invaded her mouth with his tongue just as frantically as his cock invaded her body. The shaking from their frantic liaison was strong enough that it invertebrates down her tongue, into his."
            "Without warning, he spun around, driving into the mirror on the opposite side. There was a brief thud as her back hit the wall. But, moments later they were back in the process of furious movement. In the process, they’d overturned another chest and a small stool."
            "One hand dug into his hair. The other clawed at his upper back. Rowan winced through the pain, barely even processing it. What was one more sensation amidst the others?"
            "She pushed off from the wall, and they fell backwards to the floor. For a moment, Shaya was even on top. She took the opportunity to shift postures, rising to a riding position."
            "But, the effort was premature. Rowan immediately shifted his weight, rolling her onto her back. From this position, he was able to press down, slamming the length of his cock as deep as he could. A moment later, her mouth contorted into a wide moan."
            "For a moment, he caught sight of the second mirror. There too was a slight crack from the impact. Although, it was far less dramatic than the damage she’d wrought during her earlier rage. Another changing stool lay overturned from their rolling about on the ground. "
            "It wasn’t as if the brothel’s madam was about to complain. She was too busy taking his cock. Her hips rolled frantically, and her body seemed to arch and dance beneath him."
            "But, that small respite to look around left him with an idea."
            "He suddenly pulled himself free from her. Cock strained against the open air, suddenly no longer receiving the constant stimulation. But, that would only be a temporary state of affairs."
            "He grabbed Shaya, still sighing and moaning, from the floor and leg her back towards the wall. At first hesitant, his hand in her hair acted like a lead to draw her forward. She slowly began to crawl after him. "

            sha "Wait. The mirror."

            "Rowan aligned her in front of the mirror. Her face was so close that it nearly touched the surface. Every detail of it would stare back at her the entire time. She tried to squirm out of place, but his hands held her by the hips."

            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                "The image was only broken up by a single crack running across the shattered panel. It split Rowan and Shaya’s forms in two."
                ro "Don’t look away. Not for a second."

            else:
                ro "I want you to look. For my sake."

            scene cg1062 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1062
            show shaya happy behind cg1062
            pause 3

            "Slowly, and with little relish, she brought her face back to level. Her bangs hid one, but the other glanced shyly at her own form. All the while, Rowan settled behind her. He was still more than hard enough to resettle his cock between her legs."
            "He let her wait in anticipation for a moment. Her own need was exemplified by the sensation of her juices dripping on him. A bodily plea for him to continue."
            "So, Rowan slammed his cock back into Shaya. He held her hips in a strong grip, ensuring that her poor cunt would take every ounce of force."
            "Her eyes widened in shock. That was followed by an uncontrolled moan breaking coming from her lips. They both saw every detail of her reaction clearly in the mirror. From her desperate glance to the swell of redness on her normally olive cheeks."

            if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "Don’t look away."
                "His voice came out in a growl."

            else:
                ro "Keep looking. I want you to keep looking."

            "Suddenly, he felt her grow even tighter. Her body clamping down on his mast, as if trying to squeeze out everything inside. Her eyes lost focus, as if they were off in the middle distance."
            "To further punctuate the point, he even felt warm liquid...her juices, running down the leg. She’d just cum, but she was still going."
            "Still, the reaction of her body had its effect on Rowan. If before, his cock was straining, now it felt on the precipice of explosion. He dug his hand into her hips and used her body for every ounce of pleasure he could."
            "All the while, growing closer...and closer...until…"

            ro "Shaya…"

            "By just a hair, he managed to pull out in time. Instead, a spurt of sticky cum shot into the air. Some of it landed on her back. The rest, however, left a huge stain on the mirror."
            "Now, finally satisfied, they both settled down on the floor. Shaya’s hand left a smudge where she’d placed it."

            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            #shaya naked happy with no veil
            # show shaya happy at midleft with dissolve
            # Replay mod: bug-fix, shaya was midleft instead of midright
            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

            "And what a result their encounter had left in its wake. As Rowan and Shaya snuggled closer together on the floor, they were left in a swirl of broken mirrors, destroyed stools, overturned personal effects chests, cum puddles, and mirror stains."
            "This point was further driven home once they had calmed enough to take back in their surroundings. Still panting, Shaya raised her hand to show Rowan the results of their session."

            #shaya naked neutral
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

            sha "Tsch. In the future, I really must be more careful."

            "There was a nasty cut on the back of her palm, running much of its length. Instinctively, Rowan leaned down and kissed it."

            ro "Perhaps it will leave a scar?"

            "Just, then, Rowan heard approaching footsteps."

            #shaya naked with veil

            "Shaya scrambled over to her pile of discarded clothes. But, rather than make herself modest, she simply threw her veil back on."
            "A moment later, the door opened and two of Shaya’s courtesans entered. But, they stopped in their tracks when they saw the utter devastation that remained of the changing room."

            sha "Ahh, girls right on time. My guest and I were right about to vacate the room. Though, we may have made a slight mess. So, please be so kind as to go to the supply closet and retrieve a broom…"
            sha "...And a mop…"
            sha "And some bandages…"

            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

            "Once Rowan and his host were done recovering their wits and re-adorning their clothes, Shaya moved to escort him back to the entrance of the brothel."

            sha "Will you still be returning to visit? I fear you might have fewer mysteries to uncover in future trips."

            ro "I still have the reward, don’t I? Free visits to the brothel in reward for my valuable contribution to the castle?"

            "She bowed deeply."

            sha "Then it appears I will be at your service for a long time to come…"

            "But, mid-bow shot a teasing glance upwards."

            ro "...{i}Row’aca{/i}."

            "Upon arriving at the exit, Rowan hesitated for a moment and turned around. Shaya had already begun to saunter back to her room. She had a comb in hand and was working the tangled strands of her hair."

            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            ro "One last thing. It’s something I noticed back in the changing room."

            "She turned her head over her shoulder."

            sha "Yes?"
            ro "I think your discomfort with your new face gives you a lot of pain. But, what I really think hurts you is this."
            ro "I think the fact that you’re uncomfortable with it at all, hurts even worse. Because if you were really as perfect a slave for Jezera as you wish you were, you wouldn’t be so negatively impacted by the choice she made for you. And I suspect you {i}really{/i} don’t like thinking about that."

            hide rowan with moveoutleft

            "Shaya raised her eyebrow. But, by the time she could formulate a response, though, Rowan was already gone."

            # "{i}Shaya’s Story Will Continue in Act 2 of Seeds of Chaos{/i}."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_39.rpy
label jezera_rowan_stressed_rp:

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ roAlRel = 100
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    #liurial concerned
    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    liur "Are you sure you’re okay?"
    ro "I’m {i}fine{/i}."
    liur "We can just file the reports later if you need time to-"

    "Rowan let out an angry sigh, pinching his brow together in frustration. He had to keep a level head. After all, it wasn’t her fault."

    ro "There’s no time, Liurial! Greyhide’s shipments have been backed up for days. Andras is about to lose his mind cause his men aren’t getting refitted."
    ro " I’ve got Cla-Min breathing down my neck about her new caravan routes, and now {i}Cliohna{/i} of all people is asking for a procurement of..."

    "Rowan double checked the small, prim writing scrawled out on the requisition form."

    ro "‘Ostenfish slime?’"

    liur "I- uh… believe that’s a fish native to the Dragon’s Tail? I could be mistaken."
    ro "It doesn’t matter. If I don’t get this paperwork done by tomorrow, we’ll be delayed for a week or more."
    liur "It’s not the end of the world, I can take care of it for you."
    ro "No. I need to do this."
    liur "Rowan, you’ve been at it nonstop since I got here. When was the last time you took some actual time for yourself?"

    "Rowan didn’t know, but he wasn’t about to admit it."

    ro "I’m fine, leave me be."

    show jezera neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    je "No. You really aren’t."

    "Rowan only realized that his mistress was in the room when he looked up from his desk. Liurial had frozen stiff, a worried expression coming to her face as she did her best to fade into the background. Liurial had ample reason to hide from the demoness."

    ro "Mistress Jezera! I... didn’t see you come in."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "You seemed so preoccupied, I didn’t want to interrupt. Especially with your hard won girl-toy present. "
    ro "I’m sorry, I didn’t even realize-"
    je "It’s perfectly fine, my hero. I can hardly fault you for your diligence."

    show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "What's all this about a shipment?"
    ro "Nothing you need concern yourself with, my lady, I’ve got it taken care of."

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "..."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Liurial,  how {i}delightful{/i} to see you again. Does Rowan speak true?"
    liur "M-my lady?"

    show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "You seemed to be of the opinion that he was overwhelmed with work. Is this so?"
    liur "Rowan is... a perfectly able administrator, my lady. I have complete confidence in his ability to-"

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "That’s not what I asked."
    liur "Um…"

    "Liurial’s worried frown bespoke her hesitation. The relationship between the two was already strained enough from her prior rejection. She was on thin ice with Jezera."

    liur "He is… "
    liur "He could use a break, my Lady."

    je "Are you capable of completing these tasks on his behalf, odious as they might be?"

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    liur "I would be more than happy to complete whatever is necessary to ensure he has a break."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Good! Then I leave them in your capable hands."
    liur "Yes, my lady."
    ro "But-"
    je "Come along Rowan, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera led him in a direct beeline to her private chambers, pausing only long enough to exchange a few muttered words with a passing maid."
    "She repeatedly shot eyes in Rowan’s direction, teasing glances that made him only worried him more. It worsened once they were left alone in her room."

    ro "What is this about? "

    "Jezera’s eyebrow quirked with amusement. She let out a giggle."

    je "What do you think this is about?"
    ro "Have I done something to displease you?"
    je "Why, Rowan! I’m insulted!"
    je "I invite you into my private chambers, and the only thing you can think of is that I’m here to {i}chastise{/i} you?"

    "Smiling, the half demon gestured towards the modest dinner table on the other side of her room from her bed. Wary, Rowan took a seat."
    "Far from giving him a tongue lashing, the sultry creature settled into the seat across from him, crossing her leg over her knee in a coquettish posture as she leaned back into her chair."

    je "You seem pent up."
    ro "I’m fine."
    je "Come now, hero. It’s me: there’s no need to play games."
    ro "It seems like that’s all we ever do."

    "The Demon’s smile widened. She leaned forward, giving him a glimpse of her ample cleavage as she boldly uncrossed her legs and recrossed them again."

    je "Really? That’s all there is between us?"
    ro "I don’t know what you want."
    je "A romantic dinner."

    "Rowan stared at her a moment, his brain trying and failing to connect the dots."

    ro "...Excuse me?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Her faithful servant seemed so distracted lately, the lady began to despair. She was so lonely... wasn’t she worthy of his attention anymore?"

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The Demon leaned forward again, her eyelids dropping as her lips gently pursed."

    je "The fear of his apathy ate at her… didn’t he care for {i}her{/i} feelings? Couldn’t he see how desperate she was to spend time with him, even if was only under pretense?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "Stop it."

    "Jezera settled back into her seat with a triumphant grin, her eyes dancing dangerously in their sockets."

    je "And here I took you for a romantic."
    ro "I thought you were done playing games with me."
    je "There are a few left to play, I’ll admit… but isn’t the chase better than the catch, anyway?"
    ro "I wouldn’t know."
    je "Oh, I think you would."

    "Jezera clapped her hands, and the doors to her bedroom were opened. Four maids carrying stacked trays emerged."
    "Their attire was skimpy, their movements quick and precise as they laid out a sumptuous meal for the two of them. Rowan watched with unease as they set out a complex arrangement of silverware in front of him."

    if roAlRel >= 30:
        ro "I… I need to get back to my wife."
        je "Don’t be silly, Rowan. I let you off work early precisely to avoid inconveniencing you. There will be time enough for her later, I’m sure."
        je "For now, you’re all mine."

    else:
        ro "I… I really should finish that work."
        je "Liurial has it well in hand, my faithful servant."
        je "Your dedication to our cause is admirable, but you really need to learn the value of relaxation."

    "Rowan settled into an uncomfortable repose. He was overenergized, his thoughts darting off in different directions at all that he had left to do, all that he had left undone."

    show mary neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    mary "{i}Oh!{/i}"

    "One particular maid jumped in place as Jezera casually groped her bum. Her face went red as she continued to lay out the pork roast, but there was a tugging smile on her lips."

    je "So tell me Rowan: how have you been?"
    je "All these months of toil, of working so hard for my brother and I… such efforts would wear down any man."
    je "Even you."

    menu:
        "Admit you are stressed.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan sighed, putting his hand over his eyes as the maids removed the covers of the platters to reveal the numerous courses."
            ro "I’m… it has been a trial."
            je "I know. I can see it in your eyes."
            ro "There’s so much to do, so many hurdles to overcome. And it never ceases."
            je "Yet you tackle each one with such {i}tenacity{/i}."
            ro "I don’t know about that."
            je "You are a diligent steward, Rowan. Too diligent, sometimes. You need to learn when to relax."
            "Rowan huffed, gesturing around at the ostentatious room, the sumptuous arrangement of food and the blushing maids who Jezera kept groping."
            ro "And… this is relaxing to you?"
            "Jezera smirked, her eyes alight with mischief."
            je "It isn’t to you?"
            ro "Evidently, not in the same way."
            je "You just haven’t been properly introduced to the method. Here, allow me..."

        "Play it off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I am fine, lady Jezera. You just caught me at a bad moment."
            je "You don’t have to pretend for my sake. Your ego can stand the shock, I’m sure."
            ro "I’m not pretending."
            je "Then, sweet hero, you’re deluded."
            je "You’re wound so tightly I’m afraid you’re going to snap like a bedspring."
            je "This meal is for {i}your{/i} sake. So stop putting up such a brace face and embrace it. You’ll feel better afterwards, I promise."

    "Jezera clapped her hands again, and the maids froze at attention. They filed into a line in front of her, for Jezera’s viewing pleasure."
    "After a long moment of deliberation, she pointed at one of them."

    je "You."
    mary "Yes, my lady?"
    je "You’ll do. Come here, I have need of entertainment for the meal."

    "Giggling, the maid sidled over into Jezera’s lap. The Demon wasted little time in getting to know the ins and outs of her maids’ curvy features. Her hand disappeared down her skirt."

    je "Feel free time take your pick, Rowan. It is, after all, {i}our{/i} evening. You deserve some stress relief."

    menu:
        "Pick a maid for ‘stress relief’. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan let out a dissatisfied grunt. He wasn’t {i}happy{/i} this was happening, but perhaps it was for the best after all."
            "He perused the faces of the remaining three maids, settling on one whose innocent face and long, blonde curls were particularly pleasing to him. With some reluctance he gestured to her."
            ro "You."
            "She tittered and approached him, her long legs pronounced within the thigh-high black stockings she wore. As she came close Rowan saw the floral detail in the filigree."
            "She plopped down in his lap, adding an eager wiggle from her bottom as she did so."
            #CG1
            scene cg806 with fade
            show jezera happy behind cg806
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg806
            show mary neutral behind cg806
            pause 3
            je "See? Was that so hard?"
            je "Then again… I suppose that is the point for you men, isn’t it?"
            "Chuckling at her own joke, the Demon gestured with an enthusiastic flourish towards the food."
            je "Eat! Enjoy yourself, you have my permission."
            je "Sample the food, sample the maids, sample whatever you desire. It makes no difference to me where you find your pleasures, only that you find them."
            "The curvaceous maid with the curly locks of hair smiled at him. She picked up a morsel from the table and popped it into his mouth. Rowan smirked as he chewed, tasting the expensive pork on his tongue."
            "The maid squirmed in Rowan’s lap, making a great show of struggling to find a comfortable spot on her makeshift chair. Rowan felt himself harden as she made contact with his groin. She cooed and repeated the process."
            "He settled into his seat, leaning back as the maid began to softly grind against him. {i}Perhaps this isn’t so bad after all{/i}, he thought as he plucked another morsel of meat and slipped it into his mouth."
            "Jezera was openly groping the other maid’s breast, her nimble fingers peeling back her constricting top and exposing her pretty pink nipple. She toyed with it between her fingers as the maid squirmed and groaned."
            ro "Quite the romantic dinner."
            je "It is, isn't it? I couldn’t have picked a better person to share it with."
            "It was hard to take her seriously when her hands were all over the other maid. Her fingers worked furiously at something beneath her skirt, and her other hand roamed with greedy aplomb across the bare skin of her breasts."
            "Rowan got into the act as well. His hands slid beneath the too-short fabric of the blonde maid’s skirt. He was shocked to feel warm, yielding flesh between his fingers. The tramp wasn’t even wearing undergarments!"
            "She gasped in his grasp as he slid a few fingers into her sodden box. She shook her head back and forth, sending her blonde curls spinning about in pleasing circles."
            je "My hero and I are weary. Feed us, servants."
            "The two maids not in the midst of being molested moved to comply, but Rowan held up a hand."
            ro "No. You two."
            "The two blushing maids sitting in Rowan and Jezera’s lap shared a sultry look. With trembling fingers and muted gasps they did as they were told, picking grapes and feeding them into the mouths of their aggressors."
            "Jezera bent her head down and planted a love bite on her maid’s neck. She shivered and gasped, going stiff from the firm contact."
            "A subtle wink from Jezera spurred on Rowan to repeat the action with his own. Taking the initiative, he took her chin firmly in hand and tilted her face downward. Their lips met, and they shared a short, passionate kiss."
            je "Enough distractions. We have yet to finish our meals, after all."
            "At first Rowan thought he had gone too far, but the naughty look in Jezera’s eyes reassured him that this was merely the first step."
            scene cg807 with fade
            pause 1
            show cg808 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg809 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show jezera happy behind cg809
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg809
            show mary neutral behind cg809
            "The Demon worked her fingers around beneath the helpless maid’s skirt for a few moments more, then slid her off her lap."
            "Her hand went to the top of the maid’s head, and she quickly got the message. With Jezera’s help, she bent down beneath the table, her head disappearing suspiciously close to Jezera’s lap."
            "Rowan got a last, casual grip on the blonde maid’s behind, pinching it before letting her slide ever so slowly off his lap. She giggled and spun around, clambering down on hand and knee till she was kneeling at the altar of his manhood."
            je "{i}Mmmh{/i}, now where were we?"
            "Rowan grimaced in repressed pleasure as he felt the maid’s fingers encircle his manhood through his trousers and began to stroke."
            ro "Something about releasing stress?"
            "Jezera smirked, her blush deepening as the wet sounds of slurping rose up from beneath her."
            je "Sorry, I can't say I’m very well versed in releasing something I rarely feel."
            "The blonde maid’s talented fingers peeled away Rowan’s pants, exposing his rock hard member to her viewing pleasure. He felt the wet warmth of her lips compress around his cockhead as he took a brief sip of wine."
            ro "I’ve some experience in the subject."
            je "Then tell me: is a night like this- {i}mmmmh{/i}! S-sufficient to release some of that… {i}tension{/i}?"
            "Rowan wasn’t imagining things. Jezera was shooting bedroom eyes at him while getting eaten out. The scene would have once been ludicrous to him before coming to Bloodmeen. Now, it just quickened his heartbeat."
            "The blonde maid was already well on her way to cramming every inch of his dick down her throat. He glanced briefly under the table to see her legs were spread, a small puddle of wetness beneath her as she greedily gobbled him up."
            "It is… effective, for sure."
            "Jezera grinned as the two remaining maids stood stock still at her side. From the way they shifted back and forth on their heels, they evidently were enjoying the view. Jezera reached out and groped one of them as her other hand went under the table."
            je "Good help is so hard to find, these days. I’m glad I can at least count on {i}someone{/i} in this castle."
            show cg810 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show jezera happy behind cg810
            "Rowan picked a small crabapple that sat upon a platter, biting into the juicy flesh of it as the blonde maid reached the base of his cock. His hand filtered through her hair, fingers clenching tight against the back of her head."
            "He held her there for several seconds, reveling in the control he had over her. Maybe there really was something to Jezera’s method, after all. He was certainly starting to feel better about things."
            je "It’s moments like these that we struggle for, hero. The times when we can- {i}hmm{/i} - lie back, and enjoy the fruits of our labours."
            scene cg811 with fade
            pause 3
            show jezera happy behind cg811
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg811
            "The blonde maid’s head bobbed back and forth, back and forth against his crotch as she cupped his balls in her hand. Her movements were precise, her rhythm impeccable. It did not take long for Rowan to feel a rough stirring in his groin."
            "Jezera smiled at him, her lips curling into a seductive smirk. The way her eyes were fluttering, she looked close too."
            je "Cum. I know you’re holding back."
            ro "I’m not holding back."
            je "-Says every man ever. No need to be modest, Rowan. It’s not {i}our{/i} romantic evening… yet."
            show cg812 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg813 with sshake
            show cg813 with sshake
            show cg814 with flash
            pause 1
            show cg815 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show mary neutral behind cg815
            "The fantasy of Jezera being where the maid was in that moment was enough to push Rowan over the edge. He gripped her by her blonde, curly hair and held her fast to his stomach."
            "Mental images of fucking the entrancing Demon in every despicable, degenerate way possible ran through his head as he thickened and came."
            "White ropes of masculine virility let loose within the maid’s mouth. She grunted and gagged, but Rowan held her firm."
            "Jezera’s eyes rolled upward, her back arching as she grabbed onto the back of her chair for support. The Demon and her hero watched with smouldering arousal as their significant other came at the table."
            je "{i}Mmmh{/i}! Goodness, that was a great one."
            "She poked her head under the table and patted the maid’s head."
            je "Well done. You can come out from under there now."
            mary "At once, my lady!"
            "The grinning maid flounced out from under the table like a cat that had gotten its cream. Beaming, she took her place alongside the other two maids, her face still splattered with Jezera’s juices."
            je "How was it, Rowan?"
            "Rowan leaned back and looked under the table. The blonde maid met his eyes with a submissive smile, his cock between her suctioning lips still."
            "She pulled free, stroking him one more time before clambering out from under the table as well. She took her place next to her fellow maids, her face a hot mess of dripping cum."
            je "…I suppose the question answers itself, doesn’t it?"

        "Politely decline.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan sat up stiffly in his chair, his back as rigid as a washboard."
            ro "I promise you, my lady, I’m fine."
            ro "It’s not that I don’t appreciate the gesture, I’m just… not in the mood."
            "Jezera’s eyes held to his for a long moment, then she shrugged."
            je "Suit yourself. You can’t claim I never tried."
            je "I trust you’ll at {i}least{/i} accompany me for the remainder of the meal?"
            ro "I’d be happy to."
            je "Good! I could use some lively conversation while I enjoy my meal."
            "Jezera’s roaming hands across the maid’s blushing body made it somewhat unclear what she precisely meant by ‘meal.’"

    return

# \events\ruler_events_38.rpy
label rowans_dominance_display_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ xzaratl_s_advances_rowan_sex = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "… Mute Qerazel acrobats? And Andras did what?"
    al "Kept practicing with the troupe. Even did the whole act with himself as the main lead."
    ro "I’m having difficulty imagining Andras doing hoops."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Honestly? It had an odd charm to it. Sort of like watching a bull do ballet."

    "Rowan groaned, and Alexia chuckled at his pained expression. "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Casual strolls, full of talking nonsense. One of the few, small pleasures they could still enjoy in castle Bloodmeen."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "At least when they weren’t interrupted."

    al "Dear… Am I seeing things, or are we being followed?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    al "Again?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show succubus 2 neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan followed his wife’s gaze as she glanced behind them. Three horned heads peered from behind a corner - soon four, as another angry one pushed her compatriot down, gawking at Alexia with a hateful expression."

    ro "We are, and we have been for a while now. They’re not exactly subtle about it."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    if xzaratl_s_advances_rowan_sex:
        al "Given what happened last time… Should I be concerned?"

    else:
        al "Should I be concerned?"

    hide succubus 2 with moveoutright

    "The angry succubus vanished from view as someone pulled her back by the horns, something that was instantly followed by a string of obscenities and high pitched screeching."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright

    ro "No, I don’t think so. I’ve seen them before, and judging by their behaviour, they’re all low-rank succubi. They wouldn’t dare hurt you."
    ro "And I believe it’s me they’re after. "

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia arched an eyebrow at him. He turned away and coughed awkwardly."
        ro "Two of them already tried to seduce me. It was rather obscene."
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
        al "Do I even want to know?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I’ll spare you the details."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        ro "They’ve climbed my desk and spread their cunts like a pair of cats in heat. One dripped and drooled so hard she almost-- "
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        al "Rowan!"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        al "You can spare me the details."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia arched an eyebrow at him. He rolled his eyes, then explained."
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        ro "They tried to get me to fuck them, in a rather vulgar manner. The castle maid was afraid she wouldn’t get the stain out of the desk afterward. "
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia’s lips opened for a moment, then closed, the silent question forever unvoiced. She didn’t want to know."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Again, Rowan glanced behind him. He watched as one of the succubi opened her mouth and pretended to stroke an invisible cock in front of her face."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "He gently pulled Alexia to one of the corridors that lead back to the room. The mood was ruined anyway."

    ro "It’s one option. "

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "You don’t sound pleased with it."
    ro "I’m not. But the alternative would be, as Skordred explained to me: “To arrange a decadent display of virility and sexual prowess the castle has not seen since the reign of Gerdruth the Towering!”"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

    ro "Who, apparently, once killed a knight by ejaculating at him hard enough. Knocked the head straight off his shoulders."

    "Alexia skipped a step, and Rowan was ready to steady her. Behind them, another argument blew up, this time about the exact length of Rowan’s manhood."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "I…  I would never guess this is what ruling Castle Bloodmeen is like."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "It’s usually not. But succubi like them… I don’t want to generalize, but I don’t think they comprehend much beyond sexual promiscuity and domination. "
        hide alexia with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
        "Reaching the room, he opened the door for his wife, and ushered her inside. For a moment, he watched the quartet of hungry succubi with disdain. Like hell he’ll give them what they want."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "They’re demons, of the lowest sort. All they care for is riding the biggest cock in the room, with themselves on the top. And the latter is optional."
        hide alexia with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
        "Reaching the room, he opened the door for his wife, and ushered her inside. He stayed to watch the quartet of hungry succubi with annoyance."
        "Part of him wanted to just screw their brains out and be done with the problem. But the question of fidelity aside, he didn’t want to establish a precedence of indulging every common slut that pestered him long enough."

    else:
        ro "They’re demons. The only thing they care for is sex and being on top. And the former is usually what they’re forced to settle on."
        hide alexia with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
        "Reaching the room, he opened the door for his wife, and ushered her inside. For a moment, he watched the quartet of hungry succubi bicker."
        "Back in the war, his men told stories of lone soldiers being ravished by groups like this one, and they always blurred the boundary between cautionary tales and personal fantasies."
        "Having seen some of what Castle Bloodmeen had to offer… He didn’t see the appeal anymore."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind bg14

    al "Do you think there might be a... A less “Bloodmeen” way of doing it? "

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    "He couldn’t help but smile at the concern in her voice. A lesser man might think it stemmed from some deeply rooted fear for their marriage. But he knew she simply wanted to help. Always thinking of both of them."
    "Compared to her… The succubi truly were lowly creatures. If he could only make them see- "

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "His mouth ran dry, as the thought wormed itself inside of his mind. He {b}could{/b} make them see."
        "… Skodred said he’d need to give them a display of sexual prowess. He never said the cubi had to be targets of it."
        "He looked inside the room. They never tried anything like that, but… His wife might not be necessarily opposed to the idea… "

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
        "He couldn’t stop a smirk. Oh, he could - he could make them see. What hollow, basic bitches they were compared to his wife. He’d show them in great detail. He didn’t need any dumb public display for that."
        "A private show would be enough. He would simply have to leave the door ajar…"
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "His mouth ran dry, as the thought wormed itself inside of his mind."
        "He {i}could{/i} make them see… He could make them stay, and {i}watch{/i}. Make them realize how they stood no chance against Alexia. Make them realize now things would be done {i}his{/i} way."
        "Good reasons, both of them. But despite that, he struggled to focus on them, as he fought back the intoxicating thrill that came with the idea."
        "He and Alexia never discussed something like that, but they’ve been in the castle for a while now. One would have to be blind not to see all the wanton debauchery on display, so maybe she wouldn’t mind trying it…"

    menu:
        "Close the door, and have a quiet, non eventful evening with Alexia.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He shook his head, clearing his mind. The castle was getting to him. Fucking his way out of a problem was something the twins would both do, and want him to do. He had to be better."
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            ro "Don’t worry about it, dear. I’ll think of something."
            hide rowan with moveoutright
            "He closed the door behind, and retired for the evening, trying to pay no attention to the scratching sound at his doors."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
            return

        "Leave the door open, and embrace Alexia. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ dominanceBJ = True
            scene bg9 with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "He saw her confused expression as he pushed the door further, and noticed it grow as he seized her hand and turned her around, pulling her to the bed."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with moveinright
            show alexia 2 shocked at midright with moveoutright
            al "Rowan- "
            show alexia 2 aroused at midright with dissolve
            "He silenced her with a passionate kiss. She shared it, for a moment, then tried to glance at the door. He cupped her cheek, gently, but firmly."
            ro "You know… There might indeed be a less “Bloodmeen” way to do it."
            "He wrapped his arm around her waist, and pressed her hips close to his body."
            "She felt his cock press against her, and drew a sharp breath. That was a sound he would never grow tired of."
            al "You can’t be serious."
            "His lips brushed against her neck. He kissed her ear, and revealed his intentions with a sensual whisper."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                ro "They want me to show them what a stud I am, and I want to show them you’re the only one I care about. What better way is there than with a little demonstration?"
            else:
                ro "They want me fuck them, and I want to show how you’re the only one who’ll be taking my cock. What better way is there than to give them a small demonstration?"
            "She tried to pull herself away, but he held her close, and it wasn’t as if she was putting any real spirit into it."
            al "That’s- "
            ro "Unconventional, I know. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be fun."
            al "That’s beside the point!"
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
            "- until she slapped his hand away, and shot him a disapproving look."
            al "Tomorrow, you’ll leave for Rosaria."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "And I will stay, as I always do. And I’ll be forced to deal with people snickering behind my back at every corner."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "A valid concern. Still…"
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                "He looked up, and locked eyes with the succubi. They all shied away, as if expecting to be thrown out."
            else:
                "He barely stopped himself from rolling his eyes. With X’zaratl around, an amputee orgy was yesterday's news before it even ended. Alexia was spending too much time cooped up in her room."
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                "But being a loving husband, he kept that thought to himself. He looked up, and locked eyes with the succubi. They all shied away, as if expecting to be thrown out."
            ro "You won’t say a word, will you? I know you all want to take her spot. But if I hear a word of this when I come back… "
            "He let his hand brush against the handle of his sword."
            ro "I won’t be looking for the guilty party. You’ll all take collective punishment."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            "He watched, with great satisfaction, as they all nodded their heads fervently. He kissed Alexia again, whispering she needed to worry about rumours."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            "She wasn’t convinced, not in full. But she didn’t try to pull away anymore, and he could swear the redness of her cheeks didn’t come just from embarrassment anymore."
            al "… This isn’t some long held male fantasy you never told me about, is it?"
            "He let go of the sword, and ran his hand up her back. He felt her shiver in his arms, full of nervous anticipation."
            ro "To shun a quartet of sex demons and make them watch as I make gentle love to my wife? "
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 angry at midright with dissolve
            ro "I would like to exercise my right to remain silent."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            al "Unbelievable."
            "She brushed her hair away, agitated. He moved his hand to untie her dress, and finally pull her to the bed, only for her to grasp it, this time firmly."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            al "I’m not going to let a bunch of demons ogle my naked body, Rowan."
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia 2 aroused at midright with dissolve
            "She hesitated for a moment, then rested her hands on his chest, and kissed him, deeply. She let herself be lost in the moment, her hands roaming his body, fingers dancing across his sculpted muscles."
            "Starting from the top, she slowly made her way down."
            al "But if it is going to help you… I guess we could try something."
            "And halfway, she began to lower herself too."
            al "I hope you appreciate everything I’m doing for you here, dear."
            ro "As if you weren’t enjoying it, at least a little."
            "He brushed a stray hair away from her eyes, and smiled down on her. A defiant pout was her only response."
            "He didn’t hurry her. There was no need. He ran his fingers through her hair, caressing her affectionately. Her hand brushed against the tip of his cock-"
            show succubus 1 behind bg9
            succubus1 "Aaaaaaah, what is she doing? I want to see, I want to see!"
            "Alexia’s ears turned red, but she pretended she didn’t hear the succubus. She knelt on the floor, and with a swift move of her hand, released his cock. It sprung forth, towering over her."
            succubus2 "My, my, it looks like I guessed right. Such pleasant size and shape… And what alluring smell! A perfect male specimen indeed."
            al "… I hope you don’t expect me to sing you such praises."
            ro "No… But I wouldn’t stop you either."
            "He traced a finger across her cheek, and settled it on her lower lip. He gently pushed it in, forcing her mouth open."
            ro "You know what to do."
            "His wife took a deep breath. They’ve done this so many times, but now, with the succubi watching… Even if she couldn’t see them, she heard them talk, heard them giggle, and comment. It made her heart beat faster."
            #CG1
            scene cg800 with fade
            pause 1
            show cg801 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg802 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg803 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg804 with dissolve
            pause 1
            show cg805 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show succubus 1 behind cg805
            show succubus 2 behind cg805
            show succubus 3 behind cg805
            show succubus 4 behind cg805
            show succubus 5 behind cg805
            show succubus 6 behind cg805
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg805
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg805
            "Not wishing to prolong this confusing torture, she ran her tongue up his shaft, from the base to the very tip. She rolled it over the head, making him take a sharp breath - and then took it all in."
            "The familiar wetness of her mouth felt fantastic, and the thrill of having her usual blowjob witness elevated this usually mundane experience to new heights. He moaned quietly, as Alexia started to bob her head in an unsteady rhythm."
            "She felt it too - the eyes of the succubi watching her every move. Every lick of her tongue, every kiss of her lips - now had a feeling of nervous urgency to it."
            rudesuccubus "Ha! Rushing to the finish already! What is this, amateur hour?!"
            "Alexia almost slid off his cock at the humiliating remark, and it was only his guiding hand that kept her in place. He threw the succubus a murderous glare, and the damn bitch smirked at him."
            $ rowanAggression = 0
            menu:
                "Praise Alexia’s eagerness.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAggression += 1
                    ro "And how can I blame her? She waits for me all week, having only her fingers and memories for comfort… "
                    ro "I, for one, love it when she takes my cock so greedily."
                    "He never stopped his loving stroking, but as he ran his fingers across her hair, he did pull her head in, just a little."
                    ro "When she sucks it, licks it, with such affection."
                    "Slowly, Alexia resumed her nervous blowjob, bobbing her head gently, her tongue caressing him with devotion. She looked up to him, through half-lidded eyes."
                    ro "You’re such a great cocksucker Alexia. These demon sluts wish they had even a quarter of your skills. The way you tease it with the tip of your tongue. Ah!"
                    "He moaned, and he heard the frame of his doorway crack. Gritting her teeth in frustration, the impertinent succubus held on so tight, ran her fingernails through it. Rude."

                "Ignore the succubus. What do demons know of love?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "You will not speak again. Or else you might find yourself without a tongue. "
                    "He never stopped his loving stroking. Having made his point, he looked down, and simply smiled as Alexia gathered herself again."
                    ro "Focus on me, Alexia. Pay them no heed."
                    "She closed her eyes, and rolled the tip of her tongue over his head. He took a sharp breath, not holding in the needy moan, as Alexia resumed to bob her head gently, worshipping his cock with utmost attention."

            succubus1 "Aaaaaaw, it’s no fair!"
            "Another succubus complained. Eyes transfixed at the back of Alexia’s head, this one had her tongue rolled out, drooling to the floor like some sort of cockhungry animal."
            salivatingsuccubus "Aaaah, I’m so jealous, I’m so jealous! It smells so goooooood! And it looked so tasty!"
            salivatingsuccubus "Why is she having such a nice cock all to herself! I want it too! I want to taste it, lick it, worship it, suck it dry! I want to ram it down my throat! I want to gag on it!"
            salivatingsuccubus "You should use me instead! You should use my throat instead!  Fuck my throat!  Use it as your personal cocksleeve, fill my stomach with your cum! Do it! Do it! {i}Do it{/i}!"
            menu:
                "Shove your cock down *Alexia’s* throat.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAggression += 1
                    ro "You mean like… {b}This{/b}?"
                    "He grabbed Alexia’s head and shoved his cock all the way in, making it hit the back of her throat. He heard her gag, but after a moment of surprise, she relaxed her throat, and let him set the tempo."
                    "The whine that followed was music to his ears. The salivating succubus thrashed and complained, how it should be her instead, how much better her throat feels, how she loves-"
                    if rowanAggression > 0:
                        succubus2 "Please be quiet, dear. Running your mouth like that won’t make master Rowan plug it with his cock."
                    else:
                        rudesuccubus "Shut your fucking mouth. It’s not getting any cock either way."
                    "Rowan chuckled as he saw her obey. For a moment, the lone sound any of them heard was the obscene, gagging sound his wife made."
                    "Having made his point, he let Alexia go. She gasped for air, her unfocused eyes shining with unshed tears."
                    al "Haaa… Haaaa…"
                    "She looked up. Seeing him grin, she swallowed heavily, and opened her lips again, enveloping his cock lovingly."

                "How Obscene. Your wife is not some hole to use.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "He said nothing of the Succubus remark. He kept his hand possessively on Alexia’s head, and let her continue to worship his cock at her own pace. For a moment, she slid off his cock."
                    al "Haaaaa… It really… Does taste good."
                    "The Succubus whined in protest. Rowan chuckled, and Alexia resumed her caress without another word."

            succubus2 "My, my… Who would have thought."
            succubus2 "So nice. So willing. So {i}servile{/i}."
            "Again one of the succubi spoke up. This one had a laugh that grated his ears, and a condescending smile Jezera would be jealous of. Tall and proud, there was no mistaking the alpha of the group."
            haughtysuccubus "You want obedient toys, Rowan, we can be them too."
            "Her lips parted in a wicked smile. She reached behind her, and Rowan heard something snap."
            "She pulled out a skimpy, red thong, and held it high for him to see. Thoroughly soaking with her juices, it made a wet splash as it hit the floor."
            haughtysuccubus "See how happy you make us, master Rowan? Why avoid us? We could be your perfect little cocksluts."
            haughtysuccubus "We would obey your every order. Fulfill every perversion. Realise {b}every{/b} fantasy."
            haughtysuccubus "And we’d {b}love{/b} every minute of it. I bet *she* isn’t even masturbating."
            menu:
                "She is.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAggression += 1
                    "Alexia’s tongue stopped it’s feverish dance, and she looked up, the expression in her eyes unreadable, even to him."
                    ro "This is just foreplay after all. I know she has her hand snuck under her dress."
                    ro "I know she’s tracing her fingers across her sodden pussy, waiting to take my cock."
                    ro "Pushing against the thin material, imagining how I’ll throw her on the bed and thrust in her!"
                    al "Mmmmff!"
                    "The muted cry of pleasure was one of the sweetest sounds Rowan ever heard. She followed every one of his orders, her hand disappearing from his view."
                    "Smiling, he pushed his hips forward, urging Alexia to resume her work. They were putting on a show, after all."

                "She doesn’t have to. You’ll repay the favour later.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "I think she’s enjoying herself plenty. I’ll be sure to inspect it."
                    ro "Throw her to the bed, spread her legs, and see with my very eyes, up close, just how much my wife is happy to see me."
                    ro "Maybe even repay the favour. How does that sound, Alexia?"
                    "Alexia slid off his cock for a split moment, and gave the tip a quick kiss, the corners of her lips turned up in an embarrassed smile."
                    salivatingsuccubus " Eeeeeh?! That’s no fair! Orcs never do that to us!"
                    haughtysuccubus "They’re not supposed to!"

            "Alexia picked up the pace, her slurping sounds dominating the room. He was getting close now. He looked to the Succubi with a cocky grin - and found himself inspecting the one who had yet to speak up."
            ro "Nothing to say? Don’t hold yourself back. Your friends are plenty talkative."
            "With a long fringe that almost covered her eyes, the succubus had to brush her hair aside to look him in the eyes. They were vibrant green, and they studied him with innocent curiosity."
            "Her fingers traced her lower lip, slowly, almost nervously. There was the same hungry look on her face he saw in the other succubi, but it was nowhere near as obscene as in the rest."
            quietsuccubus "Are her lips soft?"
            quietsuccubus "I want to know. Please."
            "Her question threw him off - and just right then, he felt himself being pushed over the edge."
            if rowanAggression > 1:
                "Driven by lust, he pushed his hips forward, forcing his cock down Alexia’s throat, given her no choice but to swallow."
            else:
                "He clenched his jaw, fighting back the natural instinct to push his cock down her throat. There was no need - Alexia sealed her lips around his crown, and slowly sucked him dry."
            salivatingsuccubus "No fair no fair no fair no fair!!! It should be meeeeeeeeeeeee!"
            haughtysuccubus "Hmph."
            scene black with fade
            "He let out a satisfied sigh, releasing Alexia from his grip. When he looked up, the quiet succubus was no longer there."
            scene bg9 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeright with dissolve
            al "Alright, show’s over. And remember what I said - not a word."
            "He shut the door straight in their faces, much to the cubi chagrin. He turned around, and watched as Alexia rose up to meet him, dusting her dress."
            if rowanAggression > 1:
                al "That was… More intense than I imagined."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "She brushed aside her disheveled hair, and wiped the saliva off her chin. Minor things, to make herself look presentable."
                "All of which failed to hide the excited blush on her cheeks, and the slight outline of her nipples, poing through her dress."
                "Laughing, he wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her on the forehead. Holding her close, he could now feel how hard her heart was hammering."
                ro "Sorry, I got a bit caught up in the moment."
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                al "Oh, believe me, I noticed."
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeright with dissolve
                "She narrowed her eyes at him. He grinned."
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                show bg9 with sshake
                "Then he found himself being jokingly pushed to the bed. Alexia towered over him, not even hiding her excitement anymore."
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeright with dissolve
                al "Oh, you will. You most definitely will."
                scene black with fade
                "The evening was only starting, after all…"

            else:
                al "That was… I don’t think that was what they were expecting to see."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "She brushed aside her slightly disheveled hair, and wiped the saliva off her chin. Minor things, to make herself look presentable."
                "All of which failed to hide the excited blush on her cheeks, and the slight outline of her nipples, poking through her dress."
                "He wrapped his arms around her, and kissed her on the forehead. Holding her close, he could now feel how hard her heart was hammering."
                ro "I have no intention of playing by their rules all the time."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
                al "Mhm. But now I’m starting to think the whole idea was just an excuse to show me off to some of the castle staff."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "She narrowed her eyes at him. He grinned."
                ro "… Maybe a little?"
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show bg9 with sshake
                "Suddenly he found himself being jokingly pushed to the bed. Alexia towered over him, a mischievous smirk dancing on her lips."
                al "Then I believe apologies are in order, dear."
                hide alexia with moveoutright
                show alexia 2 necklace happy behind bg9
                al "We’ll start with repaying the favour."
                scene black with fade
                "The evening was only starting, after all."

    return

# \events\map_plains_4.rpy
label impure_visions_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg31 with fade

    "Through what felt like endless plains and open fields, Rowan came across a dirt road that wound past an abandoned church and stretched onward into the distance, disappearing through the trees."
    "It was not the road that caught Rowan's eye, however, but the modestly dressed nun walking along it."
    "The nun held herself in a dignified manner, her nose turned up in distaste as she passed the church. She looked insulted by its clear abandonment, as though she too were forgotten in this empty field."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    sisgw "Well met traveler. May I have your name."

    ro "To you as well, sister. I am Rowan."

    "She smiled, her footsteps slowing to a stop in front of him. Rowan halted as well, giving the woman a modest smile in return."
    "Now that she was close enough, he could see just how young this nun was: barely past her youth but no less a woman, all of her feminine shame hidden behind thick layers of black robes."
    "Rowan saw her eyes light up with recognition."

    sisgw "You are not {i}the Rowan{/i}, are you?"

    ro "Oh...I’m afraid I am."

    "The nun bowed, and Rowan recognized the look of admiration in her eyes."

    sisgw "It is an honour to meet you, Hero. The people cannot thank you enough for your service."

    ro "The pleasure is all mine, but please, just leave it as Rowan. And whom do I have the pleasure of meeting out here?"

    "The nun held herself upright, ever the prim and proper lady."

    $ gwenName = "Sister Gwen"

    sisgw "Sister Gwendoline Mathy at your service, sir… Rowan."

    "She smiled a little to herself as she spoke his name."

    sisgw "But everyone calls me Sister Gwen for short."
    ro "Sister Gwen it shall be then. Ah, since I have you here, could you tell me where the next town is? I have to replenish some of my supplies."

    "Sister Gwen gestured further down the road, opposite the way she came."

    sisgw "The nearest town is just a little ways down this path here. Would you allow me to accompany you?"

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan shot her body an occasional glance as he walked. A shame it was hidden by those dowdy religious robes. Nuns were no fun."

    "Sister Gwen held herself a little taller and walked alongside Rowan toward the next town. As sunset settled over the horizon, Rowan wondered what a nun as young and unarmed as Sister Gwen was doing out here alone."

    ro "So, if you don't mind me asking, what are you doing out here? It's dangerous to be crossing between towns at night."
    sisgw "It's not technically night yet though, is it, Rowan?"
    sisgw "I am here on behalf of the Torsend Abbey. There have been rumors, you see, of… well, rather strange occurrences happening in Rosaria, so I've been asked to look into them."
    ro "Strange occurrences?"

    "He already had a pretty good idea as to what Gwen was referring to-- the changes he had been participating in were not exactly meant to be kept a secret-- but knowing how quickly word travelled left him feeling unsettled. "
    "His involvement with Bloodmeen was only growing, and there was only so much time before everyone knew what became of their dear Hero."
    "Sister Gwen appeared reluctant to relay the information, but Rowan could sense the trust in her eyes as she looked over the great Hero of Karst, and decided he was worthy of such tales."

    sisgw "Oh, absurd things: demons, incubi, orcs, what have you. All ridiculous nonsense, if you ask me, but the faith will not hesitate to ease the minds of the people here."
    ro "Ridiculous, you say?"
    sisgw "Of course. The only people that can claim to see an incubus or succubus are people of impure thoughts. A true sighting would be a rare thing indeed. Only a truly impure woman would imagine such a creature visiting her in the night."

    "Sister Gwen shook her head in disgust, {i}tsk{/i}'ing quietly to herself."

    sisgw "What these people need is to pray for forgiveness and cast out the impurity in their hearts. Nothing more."

    "Sister Gwen seemed so certain and confident in her speech that, if Rowan hadn't seen the dangers himself firsthand, he may have been inclined to believe her."

    menu:
        "Tell her to take the threat seriously.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
            # $ rowanCorrupt -= 5
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "It was bad enough that Sister Gwen felt she could wander between towns alone, but to not even take the threats her own abbess gave her seriously… It worried him more than Rowan cared to admit."
            else:
                "Surely this maiden was heading to a disaster. To disbelieve even the warnings of her own abbess."
                "Perhaps it would be karma to see her taken and exposed to the true dangers that lurked out there. But, some small part of Rowan could not let that happen."
            "Not wanting to drive her away from his warning, Rowan decided to be careful with how he approached the topic."
            "He needed to warn her, but if he even gave the slightest hint away of his own allegiance with Andras and Jezera, Sister Gwen would never take him seriously. In fact, she may even condemn him entirely…"
            ro "You know, Sister Gwen, I've faced many beasts since my time in the war. The demon lord may be dead, but those that followed him are not."
            sisgw "Is that so?"
            "Sister Gwen did not seem to believe him. She spoke as though entertaining a child's story. Did she really see no threat here? He had to make her understand somehow."
            ro "I worry for the villages here, Sister Gwen. I pray they do not get taken in by the creatures wandering these woods."
            "Her laughter was not something Rowan had expected."
            sisgw "You mean to pull my leg. Just because you are a hero does not mean I will fall for these gags. We all know such problems were taken care of long ago."
            sisgw "Karnas is dead. There won’t be another demon war for a lifetime."
            "She dismissed his warning with a wave of her slim hand. Rowan could not help but realize just how small Sister Gwen was: naively brave and new to the world."
            "She had likely spent much of her life up until this point in a convent, sheltered from the travesties that unravelled throughout Rosaria."
            ro "I am not joking, sister."
            "Sister Gwen raised an eyebrow, but after seeing the grave look on his face, he noticed how her body stiffened and she seemed to actually take a glance at her surroundings, searching between the trees and across the plains for one of the horrendous beasts her church spoke of."
            sisgw "You believe in these rumors then, Rowan?"
            ro "I believe that times are changing, sister, and there are more things that stalk the land than just wild animals."
            "Sister Gwen drew silent, and the sun dipped lower over the horizon, stretching the shadows of the nearby forest across the fields like clawed hands. There was a chill in the air, a foreboding that could not be ignored."
            sisgw "Could you say you have seen this firsthand, Rowan? The demonic activity?"
            "Her gaze was searching, and he knew she was putting her trust in him as a hero to tell the truth. While she kept her expression indifferent, Rowan noticed how her hands were clenched tightly in front of her and that she stepped a little quicker down the road."
            ro "...Yes. I have."
            "The nun's lips pressed together in a tight line. She did not want to believe in it, but hearing it come from a man who had fought these very creatures firsthand, it was hard to ignore."
            ro "You should be careful, Sister Gwen. These monsters are nothing to take lightly, and if you do, they will have you in their trap before you realize it."
            "The weight of the amulet suddenly felt very heavy around Rowan's neck, but he tried not to draw attention to it. Sister Gwen's face paled and she nodded, her body moving a little closer to Rowan as they continued their journey to town."
            sisgw "...I see."
            "Although she did not make any such promises, Rowan felt that he had gotten through to her, and that was enough."
            "They reached the outskirts of a local village shortly after, and Rowan bid the nun farewell. There wasn't much in his power he could do, but every little warning counted."
            return

        "Teach her a kinky lesson. (Scene)" if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
            # $ change_favor('jezera', 1)
            jump gwenSex_rp

    label gwenSex_rp:

        "The nun's air of haughtiness and superiority rubbed Rowan the wrong way. He had seen firsthand what these monsters could do, and somehow this woman thought she was above it all; immune to the effects of every other village around her."
        "A little further down the road, an idea popped into his mind, and Rowan knew precisely how to make Sister Gwen take the threat seriously."

        ro "It's getting dark; we should set up camp for the night."

        "Sister Gwen raised a brow and glanced back down the road."

        sisgw "We are not that far off from the village. Surely we can reach it if we pick up the pace."

        ro "I would rather not risk the journey. It should be nightfall by the time we arrive, and the road will be difficult to see in the dark. I would rather not risk getting lost."

        sisgw "No doubt, you’re the expert. Very well. Allow us to rest for the night; I'm sure the demons can wait another night."

        "She smirked at her own joke and helped Rowan set up camp, handling the meal prep while Rowan fetched wood and established a fire."
        "When he was a little ways off from their campsite, one arm full of sticks and broken logs, Rowan spoke into his amulet."

        ro "Jezera?"

        show jezera neutral behind bg31

        je "Yes? Is there a problem?"

        "Although usually somewhat patient with him, Rowan briefly wondered if he had interrupted something. From the small moans he heard in the background, he was certain the answer was yes."

        ro "I need you to send me an incubus. Tell him to go along with what I say."
        je "An incubus? Really, Rowan, if you needed sex, I'm sure you could--"
        ro "It's not for me, Jezera. Can you send him or not?"
        je "Very well. It should take him a few hours to get to you from the portal. I'm curious about what you plan to do to him, though, so I'll have him relay everything when he returns."

        "He didn't really care what Jezera did with the incubus afterwards, as long as he followed Rowan's lead."
        "After a few hours, the sun dipped low over the horizon, basking the fields in twilight, and the fire was raging high. Rowan dumped the rest of the sticks and logs into the center while Sister Gwen served up some sandwiches she made in his absence."

        ro "So, what made you decide to go into the convent, sister?"
        sisgw "Oh, following the Goddess's words were always my calling. When I was a child, I-- A-Aaaahhh!!"

        show incubus 2 neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        "Sister Gwen let out a shriek as an incubus appeared beside the fire in a grand display of fog and smoke, as though he were stepping out of thin air. Rowan was careful not to look at the incubus, keeping his gaze focused on Sister Gwen."

        ro "What is it, sister? Are you alright?"

        "Rowan glanced back at the smirking incubus, then further across the plains around him, pretending to see nothing."

        ro "What is it?"

        "Sister Gwen gaped at him, just as quickly diverting her gaze back to the incubus standing proudly beside the fire. The incubus's hips swayed as he walked closer to the nun. She scooted away."

        sisgw "Don't you see him?! You must! He's right there!"

        "She thrust a hand out towards the incubus, who quickly snatched her palm and gave her finger a little suckle. She yanked her hand away and clutched it to her chest, her face blossoming in a bright red."
        "Rowan tried not to laugh or even smile. It was no easy task, especially considering how flustered the nun was."

        ro "I don't see anything, Sister. There's nothing there."

        "The incubus' eyes sparkled as he picked up on Rowan's intentions. There was little keeping him clothed in the first place, but the demon removed the thin cloth wrapped around his waist, dropping it into a pile beside the campfire."

        ro "What are you seeing, Sister?"

        "Sister Gwen stammered out a response, desperately working to shield her eyes from the disrobing demon, but he was difficult to ignore."

        sisgw "A-A-An… I-Incubus…"

        "She could barely get the word out, the pallor of her skin turning an even brighter red as she caught a glimpse of the incubus removing his pants. Rowan looked in the same direction as her, toward the incubus, but played dubious."

        ro "An incubus? I don't see anything, sister."

        scene cg904 with fade
        pause 2
        scene cg905 with dissolve
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg905

        "The lustful demon wrapped a strong hand around his cock and pumped, earning another frightened squeak of the nun. She did not glance away this time, however; her gaze was frozen on the steady movements of the incubus as he pleasured himself right beside her."

        sisgw "B-But it's right the--"
        ro "Are you sure you see it? You aren't having… impure thoughts, are you, sister?"

        "Rowan cocked his head to the side and looked at her politely, but inside he was laughing away, enjoying the sight of the nun squirming uncomfortably on the ground."
        "This was what she deserved, after all, for insisting there was no danger here."

        sisgw "N-No, of course not… Forgive me, I must have been mistaken."

        "But she looked at the incubus deadon, her youthful curiosity getting the better of her as she watched the incubus dance around her, his cock growing with each flick of the wrist. His one visible eye roamed across her body, seeming to pierce through each layer of her dress."
        "Something changed in the nun's expression, and Rowan saw her haughtiness subside into a natural desire as her eyes traced every sway of the demon's hips, the broad expanse of his chest, and the hard erection poking out from his crotch."
        "It was likely she had never seen an exposed man before, and even more likely that she never felt the desire of one pressed against her body."
        "Rowan stood up, and while the incubus spy did not falter in his self pleasure, Sister Gwen jumped, certainly haven forgotten that the Hero of Karst was even there. She looked away in shame."

        ro "Well, since you're so worried, I'll go make sure there are no demons in the area."
        sisgw "W-What? No, you needn't do that…"

        "She reached out to stop him, but her fingers paused in the air. Rowan could see she was afraid, but it was not what the incubus would do if she was left alone with him that scared her; it was what she might do."

        ro "({i}Perhaps she shouldn't have such impure thoughts{/i}.)"

        #ro smirk
        "Rowan smirked."

        "Oh, don't worry. I won't be gone long. I think it will give us both some peace of mind."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        "Ignoring her stammering objections, Rowan gave the nun a little wave and walked off into the woods."

        scene cg906 with fade
        pause 3
        show incubus 2 behind cg906

        "Just out of sight behind the forest foliage, Rowan leaned against the bark of a tree and watched with a mischievous gaze."

        traz "Sister, huh? A little nun~ Now that's just too cute. My name is Trazear. Remember that when you're screaming with pleasure."

        "He winked at her. Despite the sweetness in his tone, the incubus's voice was husky as he bent down to her eye level."
        "Rowan chuckled as the nun had trouble keeping eye contact with the incubus as he continued the steady movements on his cock. "

        traz "Don't be so shy. Here, you can touch it."

        "Sister Gwen let out a small gasp as the incubus took her hands and wrapped it around his cock. She sat still, her body unmoving."

        sisgw "You're not real… Y-You're just a figment of my imagination…"
        traz "Oh, then you must have a pretty dirty imagination."

        "She flushed to the tips of her ears and looked away, but she did not remove her hands."

        traz " Here~ It must be your first time. Let me help you."

        "The incubus knelt down in front of her and placed his hands over hers, moving them up and down his shaft."
        "Sister Gwen tried to avert her gaze, but soon she could not resist her own curiosity and she stared in amazement as Trazear's cock twitched and throbbed beneath her palms. "
        "Rowan had to bite back an audible laugh as he watched the nun's curiosity take hold of her. It was too easy for her to drop decorum and give in to her base instincts."
        "After a few moments, the incubus released his hold on her hands and moved them to her thighs, pushing the fabric of her dress up as she worked on him by herself. She didn't even seem to notice him removing her dress, her focus solely on the smooth curve of his shaft."

        traz "Is it what you thought it would be?"
        sisgw "I-It… It's smooth."
        traz "Why don't you taste it?"

        "Sister Gwen lowered her head and timidly licked the slit of his tip. Trazear stroked her hair with one hand while the other pinched and pulled at her nipples, giving each one an equal amount of attention in turn."

        traz "Oh, aren't you lovely."

        scene cg907 with fade
        pause 3
        show incubus 2 behind cg907

        "The compliment urged her on, and Sister Gwen opened her mouth, allowing the tip to move past her lips."
        "There was no doubt she was inexperienced, but Trazear was patient and allowed her to explore different techniques on his cock, thrusting deeper inside of her mouth with each pleasant touch until she was gagging."
        "Trazear pulled out of her mouth, earning a disappointed whimper from the nun. He smirked down at her and nudged her down onto her back."

        scene cg908 with fade
        pause 3
        show incubus 2 behind cg908

        "Rowan could see the embarrassment on her face as Trazear forced her legs apart and settled between her gaping thighs. "

        traz "My oh my~ Is this all for me? What a {i}dirty{/i} little nun."

        "Trazear ran a finger along her slit and pressed it into his mouth, licking the juices clean off. Her body shuddered, her hips involuntarily jerking toward him."

        traz "Simply delightful."

        "Wasting no more time, the incubus shoved himself fully into her at once, earning a pained cry from the nun."

        traz "Oh right! You're a virgin. I should have taken that slowly, right?"

        "Trazear thrusted in and out of her with a little more care, and with each movement, the pain inside of Sister Gwen seemed to ease into a needy pleasure instead."
        "Rowan didn't expect Sister Gwen to know what to do, but it seemed Trazear was happy to take on a more dominant role as he fucked the nun's open cunt, each thrust and clench of her pussy pushing them close to the edge. "
        "Sister Gwen dug her nails into the ground and hooked her legs around his waist as Trazear grabbed her breasts for leverage. Rowan grinned at the sight of her bouncing chest as Trazear rocked her body against the ground. "
        "Her soft moans turned into cries, and she seemed no longer able to contain herself as he pounded into her body harder--"
        "Harder--"
        "Harder--"

        sisgw "G-Goddess…!!"

        show cg908 with sshake
        show cg908 with sshake
        scene cg909 with flash
        pause 3

        "Her back arched toward him as she met her climax, her body convulsing uncontrollably as Trazear continued to fuck her senseless."
        "Amidst the moans of the nun's climax, Rowan heard Jezera's voice come through his amulet. He quickly stepped further into the wood so that the passionate couple would not overhear."

        scene bg3 with fade
        show jezera happy behind bg3
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "Well, that was quite the plan, Rowan! You should tell me next time you organize something like this; I'd love to be there and see it."
        ro "It was more impromptu than a plan, but thanks for sending your spy over."
        je "Oh, no trouble at all. He's already back, and he's brought that pleasant little girl for me to play with."

        "She'd left already?"
        "Now that he listened carefully, Rowan realized he could no longer hear the nun's cries of pleasure. He peeked through the foliage, surprised to see the two of them gone."
        "Mistaking his silence, Jezera hurried to reassure him."

        je "Don't worry, I didn't kidnap her; she agreed to come to the castle willingly. And let me tell you, we're having a {i}splendid{/i} time, aren't we, sister~?"

        "Rowan could hear the nun's familiar cries of ecstasy through the amulet and chuckled to himself. Somehow, it was Jezera that won in the end."

    return

# \events\map_forest.rpy
label the_trapped_dryad_rp:

    $ phoebeFree = False
    $ phoebeSex = False

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    # $ released_block_rollback()
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg3

    $ dryadName = "Dryad"

    "For a change, Rowan’s passage through the forest had afforded him a pleasant surprise, instead of the usual brush with danger."
    "In the glade before him he could see a vision in green and brown; a pair of long legs, covered in bark and leaves, rose into a pert, round ass."
    "The woman, obviously a forest spirit, was bent forward from the waist, almost horizontally, and over her back was splayed hair coloured with all the hues of autumn."
    "She wriggled and squirmed, but was, rather ironically it seemed to him, rooted in place, as if held there by something."
    "As Rowan was admiring the view, a voice smooth like silk rang out through the glade."

    dry "Hello? Is somebody there?"
    dry "I’ve been trapped here for hours, please…. Please help me..."
    ro "Hang on, I’m coming."

    "Rowan hurried over to the woman in peril."
    "When he reached the far side of the glade, he discovered two things; the first was that she was just as stunning from the front as she had been the back, and the other was that the thing holding her in place was a rather elaborate looking trap."

    ro "What happened? "
    dry "It’s, ah, a bit embarrassing to admit… "

    "The dryad flashed him a nervous smile as Rowan began to examine the trap beneath her."
    "In her hand, she had grasped something, but what it was he could not tell inside her small fist. He could only assume it had been some sort of bait, because directly beneath her hands was a metal plate."
    "Attached to it was a metal ring, that must have sprung when she took whatever was on the inside, ensnaring her hands. "

    ro "I take it there was something on this plate?"

    "She nodded and opened her fist to reveal a small, brilliant red gemstone. A strange thing to use as bait Rowan thought, but it had seemed to work in this case."

    dry "… I thought something was on fire?"

    "She tried, unconvincingly. As if there was anything wrong with being attracted to a jewelry."

    ro "Always looking after the forest, I see. What’s your name?"

    $ dryadName = "Phoebe"
    dry "Phoebe. And you?"
    ro "Rowan."
    dry "Can you do anything about the trap, Rowan? I can… Give you the gem as a reward?"

    "She offered a shy smile, squirming a bit. If Rowan wanted to, he could simply take the gem by force… Among other things."
    "A dryad was a rare and valuable find. There were several people in the castle who would have use of her, and would no doubt be grateful for a “gift” of this caliber."

    label phoebeMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Free her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if phoebeSex == True:
                    ro "A deal’s a deal. Hold still for a minute."
                else:
                    ro "Hold still for a minute."
                "Trying the obvious solution, he reapplied pressure to the plate but it was no use; the trap must have been loaded with a spring or some similar mechanism, as putting pressure back on it loosened the ring encasing her hands in no way."
                "Looking closer, he saw there was a small keyhole on the underside of the ring. This made sense as whoever had set the trap would at some point have to undo it. A talented rogue would be able to pick the lock. Sadly, Rowan was not one."
                "Instead, he worked to his strengths, again examining the trap, locating the bolts and screws that held it together. A mechanism of this kind relied on locking away the target’s hands, preventing them from tinkering with its various elements."
                "But with outside helps,taking the thing apart was simply a matter of time."
                # if avatar.skill_roll("survival", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if True:
                    "Half an hour later, the dryad stood free, and surprised Rowan with a tight embrace."
                else:
                    "Two hours later, he was still tinkering with the device, growing increasingly more embarrassed by his inability to disassemble it. The dryad didn’t say a word of complaint, but her heart fallen expression did not escape him. "
                    "Another two hours later, the bear trap finally came undone, and they both breath a sigh of relief. Phoebe was finally able to stand free, and she surprised Rowan with a tight embrace. "
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame",], "light_damage")
                dry "Thank you- Thank you so much! You don’t what it is like for one of the fey to feel trapped…"
                if phoebeSex == True:
                    ro "Based on your moans earlier… A mixture of fear and excitement?"
                    dry "P-please… Don’t talk about that…"
                    "Blushing like an autumn tree, she handed him the red stone; it was of little use to him as it was, but he was sure he could probably get a tidy sum for it if he were to sell it."
                else:
                    ro "It is no problem, just glad I could help."
                    dry "As promised."
                    "She handed him the red stone; it was of little use to him as it was, but he was sure he could probably get a tidy sum for it if he were to sell it."
                dry "And I’ll tell the others of you, so you should be more safe from them in the future."
                "They chatted for awhile, and then exchanged pleasant goodbyes. Rowan headed off on his way, and when he glanced back, the spirit had become unrecognizable from the rest of the trees that were now behind him."
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                # $ change_personal_gold(50)
                # $ phoebeFree = True
                return

            "If she wants your help, she should rethink if the gem is all she has to offer. (Scene)" if rowanCorrupt > 30 and phoebeSex == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan eyed her nimble figure with lust. A dryad was a rare find indeed… Who would blame him for using this opportunity to his advantage? Besides Phoebe, of course."
                "He sidled up behind the beautiful creature, placing his hands on her svelte sides."
                dry "Hey, what in the six hells are you doing?"
                ro "You want my help, don’t you? "
                "He ran his hands down to her tight little ass. Putting his feet on the inside of hers, he used his lower body strength to force her legs apart."
                "She struggled against him to try and keep them closed, but her unsteady position gave little in the way of purchase, and she was easily overpowered."
                dry "Y-yes, but-!"
                "He paid no attention to the dryad’s meager protests, now that he had created the access he wanted. Moving one of his hands down from her behind, he slid a single finger into her surprisingly tight brown pussy and began to stroke her walls with a come hither movement."
                ro "“But” what? You’re in no position protest, Phoebe, not if you *really* need my help. So you better offer me something besides a pretty bauble."
                "A sharp intake of breath, followed by a small cry signalled that the hero his fingers found what he was looking for. Sliding another finger inside, he doubled his assault, frigging her with increasing speed."
                "For all her complaining, her resistance almost melted away, replaced by steady panting and quiet moans. Before long Rowan’s fingers were slick with her sticky fluids."
                ro "So, do you have anything I might be interested in?"
                "The dryad squirmed beneath his skilled fingers, her pride preventing her from saying out loud what her body wanted. But with Rowan dangling the prospect of freedom right before her eyes as well, the outcome of that inner struggle was long decided."
                dry "You can- You can fuck me! "
                "Freeing it from his trousers, he ran his hand over it to coat it with her pussy juices. Teasingly he rubbed it against her opening, threatening to enter her, but stopping short each time."
                ro "I “can”? Don’t you feel how wet you are? To be frank, Phoebe, to me it seems like I’d be the one doing you a favour, not the other way around."
                dry "Ro-owan, ple-ease!"
                ro "Well, if you insist… "
                scene cg141 with fade
                pause 3
                "Rowan slid his cock deep inside her, causing her to let out a low moan. Wasting no time, he grabbed her by the hips and began to fuck her roughly."
                "As the fey are sexual creatures by nature, whatever feelings the dryad had about her current predicament were cast away as she lost herself in the pleasure of the act. She used whatever leverage she could get from her current position to buck back against him."
                "Reaching forward, Rowan roughly grabbed and squeezed a tit; small, almost boyish, but firm and perky. The surprise caused the dryad to tighten her cunt, squeezing his dick in a way that was almost unbearable."
                scene cg141 with sshake
                scene cg141 with sshake
                scene cg142 with flash
                pause 3
                "He felt her shudder as she came, her cries so loud that they rang out through the otherwise silent forest. The sensation was too much for him, and he came hard and deep within her."
                "He pulled his dick free of her, untangling the two of them, and tucked it back in his pants as cum oozed from her well used cunt."
                scene bg3 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral behind bg3
                dry "… Will you free me now?"
                $ phoebeSex = True
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
                jump phoebeMenu_rp

            "Deliver her to Castle Bloodmeen":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                if phoebeSex == True:
                    ro "A deal’s a deal. Hold still for a minute."
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 15
                    # $ avatar.add_guilt(10)
                else:
                    ro "Hold still for a minute."
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
                    # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                "Kneeling next to the trap, he made a show of inspecting it very thoroughly, checking for design flaws and trying to find some sort of release button or keyhole."
                "After regretfully failing at the task, he stood up with a sigh, and delivered Phoebe the crushing news."
                ro "I’m afraid I won’t be able to disassemble it. Not with the tools I have on me."
                ro "I saw a cabin a day away from here, I believe it might contain what I need. If I make haste, I should be able to return before the hunters arrive."
                dry "Are you sure?"
                ro "Yes. I promise."
                "The dryad bit her lip nervously, then nodded nervously, unsure about the plan. The two parted ways, with Rowan contacting castle Bloodmeen as soon as he was out of the view."
                "His orcs would get to the Dryad before any hunter would. The only question remaining was: who should the dryad be delivered to?"
                menu:
                    "Deliver her to Andras and his orcs, to use and abuse.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Keeping Andras plactated was a time consuming and never ending endeavor. Perhaps the dryad will serve to entertain him for a month or two."
                        # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        # $ phoebeStatus = "fucktoy"
                        # return

                    "Deliver her to Cla-Min, to sell into slavery.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan doubted if anyone in castle Bloodmeen would actually appreciate the value of a subdued dryad. Cla-Min would no doubt someone with the wits, and the coin, who’d see what a rare treat Phoebe was."
                        # $ change_relation('cla_min', 10)
                        # $ change_personal_gold(150)
                        # $ phoebeStatus = "slave"
                        # return

                    "Deliver her to Cliohna, she might be interested in her.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Cliohna’s research was so expansive in scope, Rowan could safely assume the Dryad would be helpful for something. And if not, Cliohna can always give her away later."
                        # $ change_relation('cliohna', 10)
                        # $ castle.tech += 5
                        # $ phoebeStatus = "cliohna"
                        # return

                    "Deliver her to Nasim, he’s always looking for new subjects." if nasimAvailable == True:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan couldn’t say whether or not the dryad would be of use to the mage, but the dryad’s unique biology would be certainly of interest to him."
                        # $ chamberControl += 1
                        # $ phoebeStatus = "nasim"
                        # return

    return

# \events\map_fey.rpy (deleted scene)
label maddening_side_of_nature_rp:

    # $ avatar.add_exp (75)

    # $ arzylMet = True

    scene cg305 with fade
    pause 3

    "It happened fast. Unnaturally fast. One moment Rowan was blissfully ignorant of their presence, the next he was surrounded by them. One moment he has his sword drawn, and was ready to defend himself, the next he was reeling from a kick to the guts."
    "He had lunged at one of the assailants as a warning, and had been effortlessly disarmed in the process. Rowan was flustered, the weapon he had been disarmed with was a dagger. Whatever these women were he faced, they were not human."
    "With his back against a thick birch tree Rowan did what he always did. He assessed how bad the situation was, and laughed internally. Technically it wasn’t all that bad. Three women with maliciously curved ritual daggers. How bad could that be?"
    "The women approached him, each from a different angle. There was no escape except through one of them. As they closed in on him the already dim afternoon sunlight graced their features, and Rowan gasped."
    "Three pairs of snow white eyes gazed feverishly into his own. Lips painted black as midnight smiled at him like ferocious predators, betraying sharp fangs made for drawing blood.  When he spied pointy elven ears large bestial horns his heart skipped a beat."
    "These creatures were the legendary Drach’Hyl. In the common tongue they were unceremoniously called Nocturnal Elves, yet there was nothing trivial about them. The Nocturnal Elves fornicated with the Demon Lords of old, and had received dark gifts as a reward."
    "Rowan opened his mouth to speak, hoping the Nocturnal Elves could be bargained with. He shuddered when he felt a prick in his neck. He turned his head to the left and found glassy eyes looking at him, and the tip of a dagger in his neck."
    "In a fraction of a second he felt another sting, and to his right another of the elves had pierced his skin. They were fast beyond mortal capacity, and their venom worked just as fast. He expected to fall to the floor for an agonizing death, but instead he stood rooted like a tree."
    "Rowan could not move a muscle save those of his eyes. He looked to the left and the right but found his eyes could not clearly make out the elves that had flanked him. The figure in front of him was the only thing his situation allowed him to focus upon."
    "She was their leader, Rowan understood as he took her in. She had pale eyes that gazed at him with a cold intensity, plump lips curved into a wicked grin, and pronounced cheekbones that gave her face a devilish sort of regality."
    "Rowan imagined the elf was in her early forties as far as appearance went, yet immediately conceded that while that may be so, she was the most well-preserved mature woman he had ever laid eyes on."
    "When Rowan gazed lower he found a pair of overly-ripe breasts, the largest he had ever seen. He wondered whether such an absurd size of breasts was even aesthetically pleasant. When his manhood stirred Rowan had his answer."

    scene bg3 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

    arz "Greetings to you, Rowan Blackwell. I am Arzyl, and these are my acolytes Estraea and Shyrenthe."
    ro "..."
    arz "I imagine you have many questions. What will we do with you? How do we know your name? Will we drink your blood? Perhaps something far darker?"
    arz "I am not one to give information freely, however. None of your questions will be answered today. Instead, you will be sent away with more."
    arz "We know you, Rowan. And we know for whom you work. Soon you will know us, and you will make a choice. To empower that choice with wisdom, I command you to observe."
    arz "Be a good boy, and obey. If not… you will miss a spectacle few men ever get to witness."

    menu:
        "Observe as instructed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump arzylObserve_rp

        "Try and break free of the venom.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #vit test 18
            #if check_stat(18, 'vitality')[0]:
                #pass
            "Rowan gathered all his mental fortitude and fought for control over his own body. He strained his mind in ways he had never done before, and felt a finger twitching. A finger eventually become a hand, which led to an entire arm."
            arz "What a disappointment. Do you have any idea what you are missing out on?"
            ro "All good and well, but I prefer to be in control."
            arz "Control is illusion, especially for you mortals."
            arz "If my orders did not specifically prohibit it I would slay you where you stand."
            ro "Who’s orders?"
            arz "You insult me, and then ask for information? You truly are a simple soldier, aren’t you?"
            arz "Estraea. Shyrenthe. Come. This one is not worthy of our exquisite company."
            scene black with fade
            "As inhumanly swift as they came, the Nocturnal Elves elves departed. One moment they were there, and then they were gone. Rowan picked up his sword and started walking, and for an hour or more a question had him spellbound. Who’s orders?"
            return
            #else:
                #fail
                #jump arzylObservearzylObserve_rp

    label arzylObserve_rp:

        "He had no options. Rowan did as he was told. In his mind he heard his subconscious mock him. {i}Such an obedient boy. Andras would be proud of you.{/i} Rowan realized the red demon had gotten under his skin. He vowed he would deal with him in time."
        "Rowan’s thoughts on Andras quickly dispersed when Arzyl spread her arms. She raised her chin dominantly, and gazed at Rowan with the longing of a predator. Rowan’s eyes scooped down and settled on Arzyl’s now showcased chest."
        "Arzyl smiled when she noticed Rowan’s attention on her plump bosom. She bit her lower lip and winked at him. Rowan found it maddeningly erotic, yet again saw clearly the predator that Arzyl truly was."

        #cg naked Aryzl
        scene black with fade
        show arzyl neutral behind black
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black

        "One of the ancient Nocturnal Elf’s acolytes came from behind her and respectfully disrobed her. She dropped the robe on the floor behind her and started to undo her brassiere. The other acolyte went to one knee and started to undo Arzyl’s lower garment."
        "Arzyl’s breast popped free, and in doing so gifted Rowan with a new definition of ripeness. They were full and heavy, with an undeniable weight to them, but possessed of a youthful firmness as well. They were, Rowan mused, as unnatural as most else of the Nocturnal Elves."
        "Rowan did not have much time to enjoy the bountiful orbs. Arzyl’s side-cut dress dropped to the floor and exposed a perfectly trimmed tuft of dark moss hair, from which a bloodshot clit stood out proudly. Arzyl’s clitoris was pierced by a silver ring adorned with a precious stone."
        "Arzyl was the epitome of maternal sexuality, and Rowan’s body had responded against his will. That fact was bad enough as it was, but what troubled Rowan more was how his erect manhood had become uncomfortably stuck in his pants. Paralysis sucked; he was disgusted."

        arz "Look at that, my acolytes. It seems our prey is a little… stuck!"
        shy "Perhaps we should release the poor worm from it’s bondage?"
        est "Surely he would have to earn such a privilege first?"

        scene bg3 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        arz "My sweet acolytes have a fair point. Your cock seems painfully stuck, but if you want us to release it, you must earn it."
        ro "..."
        arz "Blink with your eyes once and we will allow your poor cock to be free. Any poison can be conquered, Rowan. You need but the will."

        "The mature Nocturnal Elf looked at Rowan with fiery intrigue. He could tell power and focus excited Arzyl, and that she was testing his capacity. Part of him wished to tell her to go to hell, that he was no toy. Another part wished to give this creature anything she wanted."

        menu:
            "Try to blink your eyes.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #vit check 8
                #if check_stat(18, 'vitality')[0]:
                    #pass
                    #"Rowan strained to focus his desire into a singular intent, and then, for as long as he could muster, applied all his will. His vision flickered not once but twice, which filled Rowan with a strange sense of accomplishment."
                    #"Arzyl smiled, bearing pointy fangs. She pointed at Rowan’s crotch, upon which one of the acolytes moved forward to undo his breeches. Rowan’s cock popped free as his pants hit the floor, a dangle of precum hanging from his cockhead."
                    #"The acolyte teasingly stroked his shaft a few times, ran her hand over the bottom of his length and gathered the pre-cum. This she brought to her mouth, and seductively licked off her finger. She then returned to Arzyl’s side."
                    #jump arzylSex_rp
                #else:
                    #fail
                "Rowan strained to focus his desire into a singular intent, and then, for as long as he could muster, applied all his will. For a second he thought something was about to happen, but then his focused lapsed and he was back at square one."
                "Arzyl shook her head and shrugged mockingly. The acolytes laughed at Rowan’s failure, and their leader soon joined in."
                return

            "Don’t play along with her game. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                arz "What, don't want to play? Nevermind, I will show you anyway, so you may witness."
                jump arzylSex_rp

    label arzylSex_rp:

        arz "What I offer is a glimpse of the forgotten, a vision of the darker side of nature. A truth that courses through your veins, even if your entire being has forgotten it in favor of illusionary civilisation."
        arz "Feast of me, my beautiful acolytes. Drink of my lifeblood, and in doing so take my essence into you. Indulge in the sacred alchemy. Devour!"

        #cg acolytes drink
        scene black with fade

        "The acolytes did not need to be told twice. The first plunged her face into the area above Arzyl’s left breast, and buried her fangs into her skin. Arzyl groaned loudly as her skin was pierced, yet lovingly cupped the head of the acolyte in approval."
        "The second acolyte was bolder. She fell to her knees and brought her sharp fangs before the sex of her mistress, and looked up longingly. Arzyl smiled ferociously and nodded. Arzyl then released a low and guttural moan; the sensitive skin above her cunt was punctured."
        "What followed was a showcase of vampiric lust and lesbianism. Blood was drank from various parts of Arzyl’s skin, leaving puncture marks and tiny strings of red ichor. Hands found every intimate spot, cupping breasts and buttocks, and later disappeared into orifices."
        "The alchemy Arzyl spoke of became apparent to Rowan. The acolytes drank of Arzyl, and Rowan had no doubt as to the boons - it formed the acolytes into the image of their mistress. It gave them eternal life and power."
        "Arzyl in turn had become an idol of worship. The servants that she blessed with eternity would - for that same eternity - love and cherish her totally. The exchange was one of perfect balance, and as dark and uncivilised as the ancient Elf had proclaimed."
        "Arzyl’s grunting intensified, indicating her climax was at hand. She stood spread legged, with fangs buried into either side of her inner thighs. Her glistening sex was clearly visible to Rowan, and was filled with fingers from both acolytes."
        "Arzyl groaned loud, her voice low and hoarse. Juices bursted from her swolled sex with with furious intensity, coating the faces of her wanton acolytes. She gazed at Rowan in between her spasms, with a knowing glistening in her eyes."

        #cg acolytes drink variant - squirt
        scene black with fade
        "Arzyl spasmed orgasmically for a good few minutes. The barrage of juices she spurted from her sex slowly subsided, and only then did the enigmatic mature return to her composed ways. The acolytes below her had resorted to slurping the juices of each other’s faces."

        scene cg137 with fade
        pause 3

        "Arzyl moved towards Rowan whist never losing eye contact. Upon reaching him she pressed her sweaty body against his. Rowan felt her massive mammaries against his chest, and his stiff cock against her moist sex."

        scene cg138 with fade
        pause 3

        "Arzyl took Rowan’s cock and brought it to her slit, and pushed it in for a mere quarter of an inch. It was hot as a furnace, and dripping juices still. She then brought her mouth to his ear, licked it, and spoke a single word. “Cum”."

        show cg138 with sshake
        show cg138 with sshake
        scene cg139 with flash
        pause 3

        "Rowan exploded into her sex. He was barely inside her, and for some inexplicable reason lamented this greatly. All of his sticky seed bursted not into her warm cavity, but dripped from the sides of her sex over her legs to the floor."
        "Arzyl laughed wickedly into Rowan’s ear. She asked him if he knew what she had ignited in him. When he did no answer she assumed he had not, and explained."
        "Arzyl told Rowan she had invigorated his primal essence, the beast in him. She had him leashed like a dog - referring to the poison that debilitated him - or else he would have ravaged her. She asked Rowan what his inner-most desire had been at that moment."
        "Here too Arzyl waited not for the response Rowan was incapable of giving. She explained that Rowan, at that point a beast in heat, had wanted to shoot his seed deep into her fertile womb. He had wanted to impregnate Arzyl. To breed her. For that is what beasts do."
        "She laughed, and said that if Rowan aligned to Arzyl he would learn of bestial lust and desire like never before. Arzyl would teach him to channel such characteristics to reach his innermost essence - the maddening side of nature."

        scene black with fade
        "Before parting Arzyl told Rowan that they would meet again. Rowan would have time to consider his loyalties, and also what she offered. If he respected the Old Ways and the darker side of nature properly, there would be no poison next time."
        "As inhumanly swift as they came, the Nocturnal Elves elves departed. One moment they were there, and then they were gone. Rowan picked up his sword and started walking, and for an hour or more a question had him spellbound. What piqued their interest in him?"

    return

# \events\map_forest_3.rpy
label rowan_and_the_smuggler_rp:

    "Pass the skill checks? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene 1 and 2)":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    $ rowanGaySex = 0

    # $ avatar.add_exp (25)

    $ obelSex = False
    $ kohSex = False

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Something was wrong. Rowan could feel it."
    "He had been making excellent time through the dense press of the forests today. The region was absolutely infested with poison oak, and he was fortunate to have found a spacious deer line while mapping out this stretch of woods."

    ro "These tracks are fresh but…"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    if skillCheck == "success":
        ro "Looks like I’m not the only one to travel this way... someone’s tried to hide "

    else:
        "Something had seemed off, but Rowan could not place what."

    "Rowan’s better senses warned him of something was wrong. He hadn’t noticed it before, intent as he was upon traversing the dangerous terrain, but the path was two shoulder widths apart, far wider than any natural deer line. "
    "He wanted to leave, but froze as he realized he was surrounded."

    ro "Shit…"

    "That familiar three-leaved bush beset him from all sides. A sea of emerald green strangling the trunks of great mighty oaks."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Damn it…"

    "If he double-backed, {i}days{/i} of ranging would be lost… Rowan pressed forward."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Nearly an hour of arduous journey later, during which Rowan’s inner monologue berated him for his foolishness, he noticed something."
    "But then it hit him. It was intrusive, unnatural to the forest: a smokey scent he’d spent the better part of his military career with. A campfire. The gnawing sensation that not all was well had been correct. This was no deer trail."
    "He couldn’t leave this mystery to chance. If he got into the thick of it, he could rely on Jezera for a hasty return to Bloodmeen. Steeling his nerves, he moved cautiously towards the camp."
    "The thickets of malevolent plants had thinned. Rowan slunk into the treeline and approached."
    "Through the treeline he could see a small collection of tents at the foot of a hill. A small band of men and women were preparing their supper… Rowan’s stomach growled in response, begging him forward. He swallowed the notion down."
    "Straining his eyes Rowan could make out a crudely camouflaged entrance dug into the hill. A collection of crates, barrels, and man drawn wains were strewn about… this was no doubt a smuggler's encampment."

    ro "(It could be risky even for orcs to fight in this terrain. They seem well armed, but we’d have the element of surprise. Wouldn’t be safe to underestimate them…)"

    "Rowan rolled his shoulder. The bite of phantom pain from when a smuggler had dislocated it. With a wince, he forced the memory down. He had to stay alert so he could decide his next move."
    "Given the scale of the operation, these smugglers most likely had a wealth of supplies that would aid the twins efforts. But it could take considerable losses to size them… "
    "Still, smugglers were businessmen. If he were diplomatic enough he could maybe secure a new ally."

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "Something felt off to Rowan. The hairs on the back of his neck raised. His hand found his weapon, his body tensing with the thrill of danger."
        "Something approached silently from behind. Whoever it was, they were good. Damned good. Rowan would have never noticed them had he not caught the thick, spiced scent of cologne that betrayed their presence."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "In an instant, Rowan arced his blade overhead in a gracious but deadly spin. The blade of his sword rang against another. His assailant stepped back to find his footing."
        "Rowan, still kneeling, drew his blade back. He thrusted again towards the shifty assailant. The other man grunted when Rowan’s weapon nearly found the mark, but he narrowly dodged the sword stroke."
        "Rather than retreating as Rowan expected, the man stood fast and swung his fist at his head. Caught off guard, the hero dodged backwards. Now locked in a standoff they stood at arms length from each other."

    else:
        "He didn’t hear the sound of footsteps until they were upon him."
        "A loud {i}thud{/i}, Rowan’s head exploded with stars as he doubled forward from the force of the blow. Instinct kicked in as he rolled, leaping to his feet and spinning in a graceful circle, his hand ripping his sword from its sheath."
        "The assailant used his momentary advantage to press forward, swiping at Rowan’s head and forcing him to backpedal again. Despite being unarmed, his enemy did not hesitate to press the attack."
        "It took several near-misses for Rowan to make enough distance to lift his sword and ward off another attack. Now locked in a standoff, the two stood at arms length from each other."
        # $ avatar.take_damage (["blunt",], "light_damage")


    obel "Hah! Creepin’ about my camp, are we? You have some fight in you laddie, that’s downright charming."

    "The man straightened himself and chuckled. Rowan darted his eyes to the man’s chest. It was a gaudy surcoat with cutouts to accentuate the chainmail beneath… far too showy for Rowan’s taste."

    obel "Mayhaps we could have a little chat, you and I? Ey?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Long enough for your men to take me from behind?"
    obel "Nothing of the sort! Well, unless that’s what you’re looking for… this could be arranged."

    if rowanGaySex == 0:
        "Rowan grimaced at the man’s lechery. He stepped back and gripped his sword that much tighter."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The stranger drew his hood back, revealing an olive-skinned man wearing a smug look. With the point of his sword still levelled towards Rowan he measured the man. The stranger traced a finger along his meticulously trimmed facial hair."

    $ obelName = "Obelius"

    obel "Introductions, introductions! I am Obelius! A purveyor of many things, people, and experiences! Now I am afraid that means you now have me at an advantage, sir…?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It’s Rowan."

    "Obelius flourished with flourished his free hand. A lesser swordsman would see this as an opening… but Rowan could see the man was still incredibly poised. It was an open invitation to attack."

    obel " Hmm… I like it. A good strong name. Such fine footwork too! Obelius: Yet I can’t allow a man - even a handsome young lad like you - to just waltz across our operation here!"
    obel "We have important goods to deliver to the capital. So if you would be so kind as to drop your blade…?"
    ro "You are a smuggler then, yes?"
    obel "To my shame, you have the right of it! Have you been sent here by your Lord, or by your lonesome?"
    ro "I wasn’t sent here to stop you."

    "The man turned his head and cocked an eyebrow. Rowan had met his kind before. Cocksure. Endlessly confident."

    obel "Well then lordless, lonesome Rowan, why is it you’ve delivered yourself unto me?  Mind you, I’d prefer you didn’t lose your life for the sake of a wandering eye. A few days in a cage, mayhaps. So long as you will permit me the trouble, I will spare your life."

    menu:
        "Bluff your way out":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if skillCheck == "success":
                ro "It seems we’re at an impasse."
                ro "Look, I’m here on the orders of a backer who would be {i}very{/i} displeased if I went missing. I’m on a strict deadline, and he knows where I am. Rowan: How about a bit of honour among thieves? You let me on my way, and I pretend I never saw a thing."
                obel "Oh Rowan, Rowan, Rowan."
                obel "I am no thief my boy, and you would do well to remember it."
                "Obelius paused to consider the situation, sword still firmly tucked in hand. He wasn’t about to let Rowan run off. But, After a few moments, he let out a sigh. His blade dropped lower. Hardly a sign of submission for a man with all the cards."
                obel "It’s against my better judgement but…"
                "The man stepped aside and circled towards Rowan. The two walked until they’d switched their positions."
                obel "Go on then, young Rowan. Before Koh comes to check up on me. She would be furious just to learn I even entertained the thought of letting someone walk away like this."
                obel "But, if you really do serve some powerful masters, you’d do best to remember that old Obelius did you a favour when you needed it."
                "The two exchanged a curt yet uneasy nod. Both uncertain of the repercussions that could come from this meeting."
                return
            else:
                ro " I won’t speak a word about your operation here."
                obel "How generous. And I’m supposed to just… let you go?"
                ro "It’s what's best for you and your men."
                obel "Hah! What’s best for me and my men? Oh dear, sweet, stupid Rowan. It’s not a {i}man{/i} you gotta be worried about."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Wha-"
                scene black with fade
                "{i}Thud{/i}. The feeling of something heavy against the back of his head. Someone had been lying in wait in the bushes, creeping close while Obelius had distracted him. Rowan never saw it coming."
                "The next few days were spent locked away in a cage deep in the hill. His hands were bound, his mouth gagged. There was no choice but to sit and wait under the watchful eye of a surprisingly well mannered orcish woman named Koh."
                "She brought him water, tended to his minor injuries, but otherwise remained silent. She seemed to find his sudden arrival humorous."
                # $ avatar.take_damage (["blunt",], "normal_damage")
                scene cave1 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Days passed. Eventually, the cave grew barren as Koh’s men removed the crates of supplies until it was just Rowan, Obelius, and Koh. Rowan’s stomach twisted with anticipation… he had no way of knowing whether they would kill him or spare his life."
                obel "Well then, sir Rowan. I’d wish you’d had joined us as a guest for a spell but...  I’m not one to accept lies easily. And as you learned, Koh mayhaps has even {i}less{/i} patience for them!"
                "He tried to wrap a hand around the orc’s armored waist. But only to be rebuked with a tame slap to the hand."
                obel "Ah! This will be the last time we speak I suppose. I’ve left a bowl of pitted dates and dried fruit outside the cave. I imagine after two days without food you must be quite famished. As for your freedom…"
                "He tossed a dull file into the cage a ways away from his prone form. Rowan dragged it to himself and worked at the rope on his wrist. It would be a long day. By the time he cut his bonds his captors had already left."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "How will I explain this waste of time to the twins…"
                # $ avatar.mp = 0
                return

        "Suggest a cooperation with the twins. (Scene 1 and 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if skillCheck == "success":
                ro "You’re making a pittance with all these small time gigs."
                ro "If you were to work for my lords you could benefit greatly."
                obel "Could we now? I’ve dealt with your Rosarian lords before. They hung my Koh from a noose while I was left begging for her life."
                "The man’s warm and garish demeanor faded. Obelius tightened his lips, his brow pulling down as he adopted a fencing stance."
                ro " know that feeling, and I don’t serve any Rosarian lord."
                obel "So tell me then boy, who do you serve?"
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "That’s… complicated. But they appreciate talent and skill. And they don’t discriminate when it comes to Orcs."
                koh "-And would they appreciate {i}my{/i} talent, human?"
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan stepped to the side and looked over his shoulder. An orcish woman in polished plate armor was standing just a few steps behind him. She looked down at Rowan through raven black bangs that framed her face."
                "A myriad of tattoos more common to humans adorned her face. Nothing about her demeanor reminded him of the orcs he commanded."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "...Yes. They would."
                $ kohName = "Koh"
                koh "They are not my kind, sir. Koh is - I am, my own woman."
                "Rowan sheathed his weapon as a gesture of good faith and humility with his new found captors. The orc carried herself with the precision of a years drilled soldier. Rowan tensed for a violent confrontation, but Obelius laughed and stepped towards him."
                obel "Alright!  Calm yourself, love. A liar would have filled his boots to the brim at the sight of you! Obelius: Perhaps we can come to a deal… but I have terms."
                ro "Of course. What do you wish of me?"
                obel "Nothing so dire as you seem to think! Obelius: No, no. I am willing to take a chance on you. We have merchandise to smuggle into Rastadel, and if you are bluffing, I’d be a fool to let you go. I insist you stay with us for the night!"
                koh "‘No’ is not an answer we’ll accept."
                "Rowan glanced back and forth from Koh’s surly expression to Obelius’ easy grin. He knew a no-win situation when he saw one."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Then I’d be happy to."
                jump smugglerCampfire_rp
            else:
                ro "I could offer you work. We could both walk away from this with enough coin to-"
                obel "Koh."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                ro "koh?"
                scene black with fade
                "{i}Thud{/i}. The feeling of something heavy against the back of his head. Someone had been lying in wait in the bushes, creeping close while Obelius had distracted him. Rowan never saw it coming."
                "The next few days were spent locked away in a cage deep in the hill. His hands were bound, his mouth gagged. There was no choice but to sit and wait under the watchful eye of a surprisingly well mannered orcish woman named Koh."
                "She brought him water, tended to his minor injuries, but otherwise remained silent. She seemed to find his sudden arrival humorous."
                # $ avatar.take_damage (["blunt",], "normal_damage")
                scene cave1 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Days passed. Eventually, the cave grew barren as Koh’s men removed the crates of supplies until it was just Rowan, Obelius, and Koh. Rowan’s stomach twisted with anticipation… he had no way of knowing whether they would kill him or spare his life."
                obel "Well then, sir Rowan. I’d wish you’d had joined us as a guest for a spell but...  I’m not one to accept lies easily. And as you learned, Koh mayhaps has even {i}less{/i} patience for them!"
                "He tried to wrap a hand around the orc’s armored waist. But only to be rebuked with a tame slap to the hand."
                obel "Ah! This will be the last time we speak I suppose. I’ve left a bowl of pitted dates and dried fruit outside the cave. I imagine after two days without food you must be quite famished. As for your freedom…"
                "He tossed a dull file into the cage a ways away from his prone form. Rowan dragged it to himself and worked at the rope on his wrist. It would be a long day. By the time he cut his bonds his captors had already left."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "How will I explain this waste of time to the twins…"
                # $ avatar.mp = 0
                return

    label smugglerCampfire_rp:

        scene bg38 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Koh had kept her watchful eye ever on Rowan through the most of the night. To which she received no end of teasing over from the motley crew."

        mino "Aha! Koh, you’d be better off with me than that new runt! A human like that wouldn’t scratch that itch of yours!"

        koh "What!?"

        "The minotaur was relentless in his constant teasing and childish flirting. Like a young boy slinging mud at his childhood crush."
        "The gathering was surreal, with a diversity to rival the hodge podge back at Bloodmeen. But this lot were true friends who shared their stories almost as much as they seemed to share each other."
        "Rowan had tried to act like he hadn’t noticed the goblin woman fumbling with a younger half minotaur man’s cock. Desperately she tried to impale herself on it as a small crowd cheered her on."

        obel "Quite the crew, aren’t they? The finest in the trade, each and everyone one of them!"
        ro "They are certainly a lively bunch."
        ro "(Degenerate is the word I would choose.)"
        obel "As they should be. Each of us weren’t appreciated back in our homes. Odd ones out you might say. Removed from your Solansia’s stuffy ways soldiers will entertain themselves."

        "Rowan only shrugged at this. There was nothing to say. Even an army on a holy mission was not averse to sinful entertainment. Adrenaline flowed freely as the wine at the campfire."

        obel "We’re not shy here as you can see. Besides, you look like a man with some experience. So before we talk to whoever you’re working with, how about we get to know each other better?"
        ro "And what does getting to know each other mean to you?"
        obel "Hah! No my friend. I’m feeling like the company of a handsome lad tonight! And who do we have here… oh! A handsome young lad looking mighty stressed. I could help with that."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "It was clear he was being propositioned."

        menu:
            "Accept Obelius’ bout of stress release. (Scene 1 - Gay)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Against my better judgement… I’ll take you up on that."
                obel "Hah! I’m against better judgement, it’s droll. Let slip into somewhere more private."
                $ obelSex = True
                # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                jump obelSexTent_rp

            "Politely decline Obelius’ offer.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I’m a married man, actually."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                obel "Oh! My apologies, Rowan. One forgets the propriety of civilized people in our line. If you’d like you could hole up in the storage cave for the night. Just… don’t go eating the produce."
                ro "Produce?"
                obel "Indeed!"
                ro "But there’s a famine out there…"
                obel "Precisely why we’re smuggling dried, cured, and preserved food stuffs from the coast. We’ll deliver it directly to the people of Rastadel. Have you seen them, Rowan? Like damn skeletons...  terrified, withering away in their homes."
                obel "We turn a handsome profit since we buy where food’s plenty."
                ro "So you bleed the people dry of their coin…"
                "The man furrowed his brow in response. He hummed while raking his neatly trimmed facial hair.  Hie eyes had a purpose in them when he levelled them to Rowan’s."
                obel "People need to eat, Rowan. Many have the coin to buy foodstuff at a fair and reasonable price instead of relying on what scraps the “approved” merchants are allowed to bring in. They can’t even change their rules in the middle of a crisis. ."
                obel "Think of us what you may… we aren’t in business for the sake of charity . We plan to turn a profit. Don’t need those people starvin’ weighing me down neither."
                "With that he left Rowan for the night. Likely, he found some other hapless smuggler to slake his lust upon. Rowan stepped to the cave and held the magical pendent close. Even when sequestered in the cave, he spoke in a whispered voice."
                show jezera displeased behind bg38
                je "What? Speak up! Do you really think that I lack for important business at night? If so, you clearly haven’t spent enough time in the castle."
                ro "I’ve secured a partnership with a rather large smuggling racket."
                show jezera happy behind bg38
                je "Exciting exciting. Please tell me they run something interesting. Silks perhaps? Women? I wouldn’t say no to some chemical smugglers. Do you know how how hard it is to get good Rosarian poisons? "
                "Rowan peered into a couple crates while his mistress droned on about further and further salacious possibilities. Like a child in a bakery of sweets she was. It felt cruel, but satisfying to break the news to her."
                ro "Honeyed pears, dried figs and salted fish."
                "Jezera let the silence hang in the air. He could almost imagine her eye twitch in frustration on the other end. Rowan took a certain sadistic satisfaction in the notion. Finally the silence was broken by his mistress’ long sigh."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                je "Very well… but in the future I expect you to reserve any communication past this hour to be for something truly exciting. Have them make contact with one of Cla-Min’s bands. {i}Excellent work, my hero.{/i}"
                "She ended that with seething disappointment. Rowan took some satisfaction in that thought. It would certainly keep him warmer through the night than the scant few tarps he managed to scrounge from the storage room. Sleep was mercifully fast tonight."
                scene black with fade
                pause 1
                scene bg31 with fade
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan’s eyes flung open, and he stumbled upwards. He took moments to shake off the grogginess to see the culprit… Koh was pulling at the tarps under Rowan. He stood up, and she neatly folded them. Obelius entered with his typical swagger and pomp."
                obel "Well then Rowan! It seems we part paths for now. How are we to contact your benefactors?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I’ve alerted them as your general location. A representative should be on their way shortly. They tend to do most of the supply operations, so that’s who you’d deal with."
                obel "Very good. Very good. Perhaps once the arrangement is made, we might meet up again. Have a drink someday. "
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Maybe we will. I look forward to it, Obelius."
                koh "As do I, sir Rowan."
                "Obelius gave an exaggerated fanciful bow, while the orc woman gave a snappy nod and pivoted away. Rowan could almost swear he noticed a slight blush on the orc woman face."
                #TODO - 10 gold per week
                return

            "You’d prefer the company the fairer sex. (Scene 2 - Straight)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I prefer to keep a more feminine company."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                obel "Say no more. Koh! Leave that flea infested minotaur alone and come over here."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan had never seen an orc move so quickly in his life. She seated herself beside Obelius and waited for his command."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                obel "Koh! You are to watch our guest for the rest of the night. Where he goes, you go. When he drinks, you drink! Where he sleeps, you sleep! Do you understand me?"
                "The orc woman nodded in compliance, but then stopped when she had time to consider what he said. Any protest was cut short when her superior stood up and marched off. The camp joined in and followed their leader… leaving Rowan nd Koh alone with the fire."
                "There was a tension that built and hung in the air. The orc still glanced at him from time to time. It would seem she was not ready to trust him yet."
                koh "I’ve not seen many men like you. Skin as pink as a newborn pig."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Oh, uh…"
                "Koh’s cheeks flushed red, she looked away… was that meant to be, a compliment? Rowan thought hard at that. So much so that he forgot to keep his eyes from wandering."
                "Her features were so delicate for an orc, yet nonetheless strong and muscular. Her hair was tied back in an elegant bun with a set of long raven black bangs that framed her visage. She wore eyeliner paired with beautiful pale green skin."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan shook his head at the thought. But the sweet scent of lilac from the orc only made the awkward tension build higher and higher. If he didn’t make for privacy, he likely might end up regretting something soon."
                "But before he could react Koh quickly moved in on Rowan."
                koh "Mmph…"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "The orc leaned into him and gently placed her lips to his own. Rowan was taken aback not by the force of the kiss… but the gentleness. The plate armour that encompassed her form rattled and shook while the pace of her heart beat ever more."
                koh "Hahh… am so - I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to let that happen."
                ro "What, you didn’t mean to kiss me?"
                koh "It’s the orcish blood they say... I’ll go! The captain just was teasing me with this. I’m sorry!"
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan blinked in shock. A bashful orc… who would have thought?"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Koh rose to leave but Rowan stopped her. He clenched her armoured gauntlet tight within his hand. He felt feel the orc girl vibrating nervously through her armour. She leaned forward again and pressed her thick lips to Rowan's."
                "The sweet taste of honey was on her lips. Rowan was drowned in the gentle scent of lilac that enveloped the orc’s presence. Her skin was so soft and gentle. The timid kisses broke with Koh gasping for air."
                koh "Ah’ have tent… I - I have a tent!"
                ro "Lead the way."
                $ kohSex = True
                jump kohTentSex_rp

    label obelSexTent_rp:

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Obelius’ tent was far more spartan than Rowan imagined. Just the bare necessities for traveling. Though it was thick with the musky perfume he wore."

        obel "Dawdling gets you nowhere, Rowan."

        "Obelius had already managed to peel the majority of his wardrobe from his body. Rowan looked at the olive skinned man."

        ro "You make time to tan, it seems."
        obel "Never you mind about me! Hurry yourself while the night is still young."

        "The two shared an awkward chuckle as Rowan shedded his equipment. His heart thumped against his ribs so hard it’s painful. A lump swelled in the back of his throat…"

        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Right… I’m naked."
        obel "Hah! Nervous are you? Ey, there’s nothing to worry about lad. Well… maybe a little. Stay turned around."

        "Rowan's neck tingled at the feeling of the other man's body heat stopping just before touching him. Goosebumps dotted his pale complexion. The other man slid his hand just a hair's breadth away from contact."

        ro "Ah…"

        "Obelius played shadow touch along Rowans back for a time longer. The hero squirmed. He bit his lip as the anticipation built. His cock throbbed, inch by inch raised without a singular physical touch."
        "The smuggler's hands were as deft at plying his trade as they were with toying with a lover's frame. Rowan looked down to watch the other man’s hands curve around his body. They hung above the hero's pale flesh."
        "Finally, the moment came when olive fingertips land. They stooped down Rowan’s taught muscular frame… teasing anticipation built from gentle creek further and further. It rushed into a torrential river with the entirety of Rowans being focused on his hardening cock."

        ro "You know your way around a man’s body..."

        obel "So sensitive! Calm down my lad, you’re liable to burst before the fun has begun."

        scene cg416 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg416
        pause 3

        ro "I’m fine…"

        "He lied. Forced to bite into his lip just at the feel of the other man's fingertips. They deftly coaxed the base of his cock."

        obel "We’re having fun, aren’t we?"

        "His eyes rolled back when Obelius wrapped his hand firm around Rowan’s aching cock. The smuggler leaned into Rowan's back, his own olive length pressed against the hero’s milky white flesh."

        ro "Holy mother!"

        "He gasped at the sheer size of the other man's dick. Cutting off any chance of protest, Obelius' fingertip dragged across the underside of Rowan's shaft. That throbbing length now pinned between his own abs and the firm touch of another man."
        "Obelius smiled wide while his plaything rolled his head. Precum slicked down the underside of Rowan's cock, ready to meet Obelius’ fingertips. Now his fingers slid freely to the other man's glans, quickly and fervently he pressed onward."

        ro "Ffff-"
        obel "You’re like clay in my hands, Rowan… a sculptor's playthings, mine to shape with pleasure."
        ro "That’s damn good..."

        "Rowan was cut off when the more experienced man started to pump the base of his cock. His palm coated with Rowan's precum. Obelius firmly but rapidly stroked at Rowan's dick. Only to slide his palm against the head."
        "Rowan’s legs wobbled, toes curled tight as bucked he in the other man's hand."

        obel "Such stamina… but trust me, you’re going to want to cum fast. Give me a heap of cum, Rowan. Then I’ll spread it on this dick of mine - "

        "Obelius ground his cock between Rowan’s ass. His eyes flew wide open at feeling the thick sensation dipping lower and lower."

        obel "With your help this will glide so smooth into you… you want that, Rowan?"
        ro "Hhhaff…"

        obel "Tell me, do you want it, Rowan?"

        ro "Yes, damnit!"
        obel "Then cum for me!"

        "Obelius wrapped both hands around the length then pumped them rapidly. His lower hand twisted and turned as they slid over the precum. The other hand rapidly pumped at the tip. Rowan blinked in disbelief as that familiar tingling pressure built within his core…"

        ro "So-Sola-"

        obel "She had nothing to do with this! It’s my name you cry out! Do it for me now!"

        "Rowan had crossed the point of no return and cried out in the throws of passion;"

        ro "Obeliu - uus!"

        "Obelius wickedly grinned, catching Rowan’s load within the palm of his hand. The virile load began to spill between the seams of his fingers…"
        "…But before Rowan could catch his breath, he was shoved and bent over a desk."

        ro "Unnghh…"

        "The capacity for rational thought had left the dirt general who once stormed a demon’s legions headlong aside his men."

        scene cg417 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg417
        pause 3

        "But any lauded thought faded at the sound of the man lathering his cock with Rowan’s generous seed. Unceremoniously the man plunged between his cheeks. He spread Rowan’s tight ass to accommodate the olive length that bedded half way into the hero."

        ro "Aaah!"
        obel "Sssh - shit! Remind me to thank whoever sent y-you here… tighter than a goddamn goblin!"

        scene cg418 with dissolve
        pause 1.5

        "Obelius gripped Rowan’s shoulders firm and sank as much as himself as could fit. Each thrust brought a grunt from the dusky olive skinned man. Every inch forced a moan from the depths of Rowan’s chest… "
        "…And it only spurred the man into fucking him faster and harder."

        obel "Rowan… it’s like you were built for this!"

        "Mmmph!"

        scene cg419 with dissolve
        pause 1.5

        "Rowan bit down onto his wrist and took the man’s cock deeper and deeper. He nearly buried the entirety of into into the smaller man. Bit by bit he took more of until finally a clap of flesh on flesh echoed through the tent."

        ro "Oohnn."
        obel "Made for it… ahh."

        "He grew more and more erratic in his thrusts. Rowan’s hole clung tight to the larger man as he savagely pumped into the smaller man as if he were trying to breed the fallen hero. A hero now reduced to a used fuck toy."
        "Obelius pulled back, leaving Rowan aching for more. The man’s anticipation to be buried into filled him to the brim. He ached for that addicting feeling of comfortable fullness."

        obel "Ca-aaah!"

        scene cg419 with sshake
        scene cg419 with sshake
        scene cg420 with flash
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg420
        pause 3

        "Rowan threw his head back at the sensation of hot seed mixing with the last furious thrusts of his partner. It was a heat so intense it spread from where their bodies joined through his entire body. The sensation was so comforting that Rowan hadn’t even noticed he’d climaxed a second time."
        "The hero managed a breathy chuckle when he realized how thoroughly coated the paperwork on Obelius’ desk was…"
        "Reminded him of a scene he was forced to deal with back in Bloodmeen."

        obel "Koh is going to have my ass…"
        ro "That’s not funny."
        obel "Depends what side of the ass you were on!"

        "Obelius gave Rowan a light smack to his ass and pulled himself free. But his legs buckled from under him and he fell back into the bed. With a sigh, they took a moment to appreciate the mess they made."

        obel "Tell me then, are your employers as fun as you are?"
        ro "That would depend on your definition of fun."

        "Rowan turned over and sat for a second before propping on his side."

        obel "Hah, still tender? I’m glad you took the chance on me. Mayhap we can do it again sometime… so long as our new employers treat my boys and girls well."
        ro "They respect talent…"
        obel "Hmm… mayhap there’s a place for us in your world too, then. But for now… sleep."

        jump tentSexPost_rp

    label kohTentSex_rp:

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Koh avoided eye contact while she unfastened her armour. Though she fumbled in the process. Her fingers jittered and shook so violently that she could barely unfasten a single buckle."
        "Rowan had eagerly peeled himself free from his equipment. Now he was standing in front of the orc in his smallclothes. The orc’s striking blue eyes glanced up and down the hero’s body."
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        "The pale green of her face flushed vibrant red, little freckles that were unseen before were revealed in her bashful glow."

        ro "Here."

        scene cg554 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg554
        pause 3

        "Rowan moved forward and tackled the fasteners of her armour. Locked in place, her lips gently parted. Piece by piece the heavy plate armour came free."
        "Before long an hour glass figured orcish woman stood bare before Rowan.  Her modest breasts covered with an arm, to hiding her flower with the other.  If it weren’t for the color of her skin, Koh would remind Rowan of a holy  painting he once saw."

        koh "Do… I disgust you?"

        "Rowan snapped to and shook his head. With a furrowed brow he gave the orcish girl a puzzled look."

        ro "Why would you think that?"
        koh "The look, it was the same ah’tha other humans. The men from Raeve what hung me from the tree."

        "Koh tried to cover her breasts while shifting a hand to hide the grizzly noose scars around her neck. They were deep. They men hadn’t accounted for her height when they tried to hang her."
        "Rowan couldn’t stop himself from noting internally that they could have shortened the rope."
        "Rowan felt a surge of shame overtake him from his very center. Here was this woman, an orc, but a woman nonetheless. Polite, nervous, and as far as he can tell she was a kind sort. She stood before him laid bare… reaching out for some kind of connection."
        "Validation that he did not see her as a monster."
        "Rowan reached up to the orc’s neck and gently traced the scar. He leaned up on his toe tips to plant a gentle kiss on the marks. Koh, was stunned by this, but she wordlessly leaned down for him."
        "Her flesh was so impossibly soft for an orc. Rowan quickly became drunk on the floral scent she perfumed herself with. The orc woman hooked an arm around Rowan’s back and pulled him to the bedroll."

        koh "Oof!"
        ro "Ah! Are you alright?"
        koh "Oh! Just a little carried away… don’t stop!"

        "Rowan smirked and eagerly complied. She may have been a lady, but there was that warrior’s passion in her voice. Though she embraced the hero lightly, a measure of ferocious instinct fueled her passion. She pulled him into her chest so hard her breasts spilled over the sides.."

        koh "I want it like… you would a woman. A real woman, a hum-"

        "A finger placed upon her lips shushed her. Rowan followed with a kiss to those supple plump green lips. They pressed harder into it, and harder… the kiss escalated as the two passionately explored one another's body with their hands."
        "Rowan groaned into the kiss as the orc finally found his cock. She may have been a sword arm, but her fingers and palm were even soft as a lady in waiting. He steeled himself for a forceful handjob one could expect from an orc but…"

        koh "Ish- is that good?"

        "He furrowed his brow and broke the kiss to lean back. Koh’s fingers fumbled about and prodded at his cock. It wasn’t painful...just ineffective. He pistoned into her hand to help her along, but it only seemed to confound the orc."

        ro "Wrap your hand around it, grip it softly…"
        koh "Oh!"

        "She did just that and not a thing more. Rowan pumped his hips into her hand quicker and quicker. His cock filled within her hand and the orcs eyes flew open wide."

        koh "Oh Solansia! Wi-will it hurt!?"

        "Rowan stopped and leaned back to look at the orc. Her eyes were apprehensive. Mouth dropped agape while her free hand twirled strands of hair around its digits. He swallowed hard and cautiously chose his next words."

        ro "Have… are - Koh is this your first time?"

        "Koh looked away and blushed furiously. Her hand released his cock and covered her pert green breasts. The realization hit Rowan like a bull at full charge. It didn’t ever occur to him that an experienced smuggler could be a virgin…"

        koh "Is that wrong?"
        ro "No! But… it’s just, don’t you want this to be something special?"

        "Her eyes turned to Rowan’s. Misty and blue. He didn’t know an orc could have blue eyes until today. Her head nodded but she couldn’t bring herself to say the words… and though Rowan may well should have stopped…"
        "He lined the head of his cock to the orc’s pussy. Then advanced forward to kiss supple folds with the tip of it. The excitement of this carnal pairing had already drawn dollops of precum. He liberally coated her sex in his gossamer strands of precum."

        koh "Ho-hooohh… that doesn’t hurt at all! Mmm… I’ve been made a woman, after all this time. I thought it would be… more, is it because you are human?"

        "Rowan almost felt guilt for what was about to come…"
        "...Almost."

        koh "Mm-mh!? Ahhhhn!!"

        scene cg555 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg555
        pause 3

        "His cock parted the entrance of her pussy and he buried half his length into her by the time he reminded himself to stop. The orc instinctually spread her legs accommodate his size. Her hands caressed and touched Rowan’s body desperately searching for something...anything...to hold onto."
        "He couldn’t believe the softness of her insides. Soft as an any human woman he’d ever been with. The familiar struggle of pushing himself inch by inch inside of her. He felt her body’s own response. He felt the way her soft folds wrapped tight against him. He gave her pleasure, and she gave him pleasure back."
        "He took gauge of her expression to see if it was too much. But, her face was marked with nothing but bliss. Her tongue lolled from between her lips as she huffed and gasped. Her bright blue eyes were heavy in the throws of passion."

        ro "How is it?"
        koh "Rowan! It’s.. is there more?"
        ro "Yeah… about half more."
        koh "H-half!? Mmn… go more but, not too fast!"

        "His mind pleaded to bury himself fully within her. In one hard motion he plunged his cock deeper, with a loud wet slap. He was nearly driven over the edge when his balls slapped against the bottom of her pussy."

        koh "Yaaaasss! Hmnn!"

        "Rowan grinned at her reaction. Her body twisted at his touch. The lust inside of her was bubbling up behind her every groan and movement. . His cock flooded her pussy and filled the emptiness inside of her. . Loudly, she gritted her teeth and snapped in a breath of air."

        ro "Nnha… are you okay?"
        "Koh nodded frantically and then managed to hiss an inaudible response."

        ro "I’m going to start now…"
        koh "St-start? There’s more?"
        ro "Lay back…"

        "He was about to take this girl’s virginity. Be her first. She would remember this moment her entire life. Remember him. The idea rang in his head with almost a taste of conquest."
        "The thought spurred him onwards, he pistoned into her now marked cunt. It felt as if his cock had moulded her, shaped her for his body. A symphony of squeaks and moans from Koh made him feel it was the same for her."
        "Each rush forward of his cock felt like she came closer to something. His partner’s vocalizations has descended into incoherent yelps and moans, but fell just short of climax. The orc groaned and pleaded for him to bed into her deeper, to push harder."
        "Her hips bucked gently from the floor. Rowan didn’t need anymore encouragement. He slammed his cock into her cunt with a wet slap that rebounded through the tent."

        koh "Haaah!"
        ro "Oh gods your… pussy is -"
        koh "Faster! Mmph!"

        "They thrusted into each other now. Koh pushed to impale herself deeper. Rowan would answer and thrust her back into the bedroll.. Her body jolted with electricity, her inner walls tightened. She quaked with orgasm after orgasm wracking her body."
        "Rowan revelled in the experience of it. The momentary sexual high. Each tremor massaged his entire length and pulled at his own limit. He gripped Koh’s breast tight in his hand and rolled the nipple under his palm."

        koh "Gg-ggohh!"

        "Her head threw back into the bedroll with a thud. Her back arched from the floor as her entire body spasmed in orgasm. The thuds and slaps of his body meeting her soaked pussy resounded through the camp. But now the orc’s moans were brazen. The whole camp may as well have been listening. "
        "But then that familiar shock struck his body. Though he thought he could ride that line, his seed surged into Koh. The same woman who was just now coming down from her own orgasm."

        koh "Ggrrah!"

        "With an beastial roar she arched her back once more. Rowans seed painted every inch of the girl’s pussy. They were locked together tight, riding out their orgasms frozen in time."

        koh "Huff…"
        ro "hahh…"

        "The two finally took a breath and collapsed. Though Rowan tried to stay imbedded in the orc, she quickly and forcefully shoved his length from her."

        koh "Sorry! Ahm too… twitchy? Hah…"

        "They locked eyes and chuckled. Even the slightest brush of her inner thigh set Koh into a spree of twitches."

        koh "Sun might be up soon."
        ro "I wouldn’t doubt it… best catch what shut eye we can."
        koh "Mhm. Have to stay sharp tomorrow. We travel deep into human lands… it might be my last night on this world…"

        "Rowan’s blood ran cold even with the thick downy blanket covering them. He wanted to disagree, to comfort her… but that would have just been a lie. Even an educated orcish woman like herself could be killed on sight in the interior of Rosaria."
        "Instead he shimmied up the bedroll. Gently grabbing the back of her scalp and pulling her head to his chest. There, Koh slept for the rest of the night…"

        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
        jump tentSexPost_rp

    label tentSexPost_rp:

        scene bg31 with fade

        if obelSex == True:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan stumbled out of Obelius’ tent sometime later. Normally he’d have been more than quiet enough to go unnoticed. Yet several of the men on watch noticed his stiff stumbling."
            "A good night’s sleep did not help the issue. When he stood before Obelius and his orcish assistant Koh, Rowan had to resist the urge to stretch. He desperately wished for some relief."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "The entire camp seemed to snigger and tease Rowan at every opportunity. They chuckled each time he refused to sit. Though it didn’t seem in cruel intent... It was almost welcoming, like a light hazing."

        else:
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan had offered to leave discreetly, but Koh simply shrugged, and asked what the point would have been. The entire camp almost certainly heard their display last night. It would have been an act of denial to believe otherwise. Though the camp did not joke or jeer, as Rowan had expected them to."
            "In fact, the group oddly seemed… content. The smugglers here were as much an enigma as they were varied. Regardless, Koh shyly avoided eye contact and flushed when she met the gaze of the other smugglers in the camp."
            "From time to time Rowan caught her stealing a glance at him. He had to battle the urge to reciprocate."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan stood in front of Obelius with the entirety of the camp gathered about. They all hushed on their own and now waited intently for their leader to speak."

        obel "Our new friend here has brought us a proposition! He hints that his benefactors would be far more open to our fair trade than these stuffy lords who sit on their thrones in Rastadel. We all know we are at the breaking point… but some of you are bound to have questions."
        mino "What will they offer us that we couldn’t just take for ourselves!?"

        "Obelius nodded to Rowan to give him the credence to speak in this circle."

        ro "Protection and contracts. We will mutually benefit from many of the dealings we’ll have together. We can also offer safe and fast travel… though I can’t demonstrate this without-"
        gobgirl "Pah! No demonstration? Could just be smoke and mirrors!"
        ro "Listen. You can waste your time with these small jobs, risk your lives every time you smuggle your contraband. One day they will catch you. The gamble will be over."
        gobgirl "So we rely on you and some, what, magic you can’t show?"
        ro "If I’m lying then what do you have to lose? How many more times do you think you can manage to slip through the patrols and guards? All can be answered, if you give us a chance. One far less weighted than what you risk now."

        "The gathered smugglers mumbled among each other for sometime. Though his argument may not have swayed them, none could deny that one day their luck would run out. Many of the smugglers collected here would be executed on account of their birth."

        koh "It’s getting worse, each trip we take...  more an’ more dangerous."
        mino "Aye…"

        "The young goblin ran a hand over the stump where a long pointed ear should be."

        ro "We can make your travel safer. You’ll need to offer something in return, but what we ask is far less than the gallows that await you in Rastadel."

        "Nervous glances were exchanged between the band. An unease set upon the lot, only to be hushed by Koh so that all would listen to Obelius."

        obel "The man has the right of it, I’m afraid. Our days are numbered on this racket. That is unless something changes… I’ll be putting together a group of you to meet with the agents of his master. "
        obel "Right… it’s getting late and we need to be gone before fifth bell! Wagons must be loaded up and tents down before fourth bell… if your tent isn’t packed by then! Well, best get used to sleeping outside."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan shared a farewell with Obelius and Koh, the charismatic smuggler promising to meet once again. The hero didn’t know if that were true… but in his heart he was equal parts envious and melancholy."
        "They’d have more freedom than he may ever have again, but they have no idea what they are getting involved with when it comes to the twins."

    return

# \events\map_forest_3.rpy
label huters_and_hunted_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 20
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg3 with fade

    "Rowan waited in the brushes, bow ready. His eyes were trained unrelentingly on his target. The large doe standing in the clearing. Tonight’s dinner. She swiveled her head around, but Rowan was well out of sight."

    #//If high wilderness tracking score.
    #"But, somewhat was wrong here. He could feel. Was another animal also stalking his prey?"

    "He waited until the shot was lined up perfectly. If he was even a hair off, she’d go running off into the foliage."
    "He let loose and the arrow went whizzing into the deer’s neck. With a sad cry, the animal went down in a pool of blood."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    #//If high wilderness tracking score or high perception.
    "Rowan slowly raised from his clearing, but notched another arrow. Something still felt wrong here."
    "It was fortunate, for he was scarcely a few paces from the bush when he realized what had given him a bad feeling."
    "He turned suddenly, pointing his bow towards the top of a hill behind him. Standing there was a man, his face obscured by the sun behind him. But, whoever it was, they were not friendly. As Rowan trained his bow on him, the man took similar measures with an imposing longbow."
    questi "Hrmph."

    #else - to do
    #"Rowan slowly raised from his clearing and moved to collect his prey."
    #"But, he only got within a few paces of it before he heard a voice from the hill behind him. He looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun. But, he could clearly make out a figure...one holding a bow trained on him!"
    #questi "Halt!"

    questi "You’re trespassing here, stranger. Did you think this land was unclaimed? That you could kill our deer without permission?"

    #//If High Wilderness or Perception
    "Rowan furrowed his brow and steadied his aim."

    #//Else - TO DO
    #"Rowan slowly dropped his bow to the side and raised his hands over his head. This was a right fine mess he’d gotten himself into."

    ro "I hadn’t known this was occupied land, else I would have been more respectful. There weren't any lords with lands nearby on my map."
    questi "Well, that’s your mistake. Our band has staked claim on these woods. If you’d bothered to ask any of the local villages they’d have told you as much. You’re either lying or stupid."

    "Rowan grunted. "

    ro "(...A hunting band?)"
    ro "I’m not from around these woods. Truth be told you’re the first human being I’ve run into in days…"

    "He tilted his head."

    ro "But, I’d be happy to just say this whole thing was an accident. In fact, you can have my kill if you want. My losses for not checking where I was doing my hunting. But…"

    menu:
        '"I want to depart."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I want you to agree to let me leave. I won’t put a foot back in these woods. My word to Balast."
            "He stepped forwards, putting on a soft smile."
            ro "Besides, I’m sure it would be more of a mess for you to report this. All you’d have to do is say is that you killed the deer yourself."
            "The man stared intently at Rowan. His arms remained tense, holding the arrow notched."
            questi "My commander wouldn’t be happy if I let someone leave after killing an animal in our woods..."
            "He slowly lowered his bow. (Rowan did likewise, at the same pace as him)."
            questi "So it’s lucky for you, I don’t give a fuck what she thinks. Go. Now."
            "Rowan didn’t need to be told twice. Losing his dinner for the evening was a painful loss, but not so painful as to make him want to fight this man."
            "Along the path out of the woods, he pondered the encounter briefly."
            "A band of hunters might make for valuable recruits for Bloodmeen. Many mercenary bands start as hunters or some other more legitimate fighting force, after all."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "It wasn’t as if he was about to second guess his choice, though. So long as the twins never would learn about it, failing to gain allies was nothing he had to worry about."
            else:
                "It wasn’t as if he was about to second guess his choice, though. Andras and Jezera could go fuck themselves."
            return

        '"Take me to your leader" (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    ro "...But, I want to be taken to your leader and given a chance to sit down with him. I have a proposition he might want to hear."

    "The man slowly raised an eyebrow."

    questi "Our leader? ...What kind of proposition."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan gave a forced smile."

    ro "I represent a powerful group of people. One in need of local friends. I didn’t know these were your woods. Honest. But, perhaps it was fortune that brought me here."

    "There passed a tense moment of deliberation. Then the man lowered his bow."

    questi "Good fucking luck with that. The bitch doesn’t make many friends. "
    questi "But, I guess I’ll take you to her. No harm in it, s’ppose."

    "Rowan nodded softly and went to the body of the deer he’d felled. The man came down the hill to help. Soon, they were walking together through the forest, carrying the fresh kill together."

    questi "I go by Hawk, by the way. You’ll meet some of the others when you get back to the lodge."

    hawk "I guess I can’t really blame you for the mess here. We only moved out here to the middle of nowhere a few months ago."
    hawk "The boss decided to change our target and we didn’t get much of a say in the matter..."

    "Rowan listened along intently, occasionally asking a clarification question. But, in his head a plan was forming."
    "A hunting band represented a valuable opportunity. After all, it was a collection of trained and armed soldiers without sworn loyalty. Many a mercenary band started as some other kind of armed company."
    "Rowan used the opportunity of a small break to whisper to his amulet."

    ro "{i}Encountered a group of potential mercenaries. Unsure numbers. Will report on success.{/i}"

    show jezera neutral behind bg3

    je "{i}Yes, yes. Whatever you feel you need. Just don’t interrupt me again. I’m engaged in some...fun...that I ought not be distracted from.{/i}"

    "Rowan returned to Hawk and the deer, and found the hunter examining the wound from the arrow."

    hawk "That was a nice shot, by the way. Clean and from a good distance. You’re a hunter too?"
    ro "I was."

    "When he arrived at the lodge, he found the building surprisingly extravagant. Especially for a building that had clearly been thrown together quite recently. Some of the spare timbers from construction even were stacked next to the building."
    "Small pockets of men congregated outside, going about their business. Rowan eyed them with a calculating mind. They seemed relatively strong and hardy. Many had clearly served during the war."
    "Hawk led him inside the building. The path to the leader’s personal room was not far. She had chosen the grand red doors next to the entrance as the entrance to her study."

    hawk "Good luck. You’ll need it."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan stopped to look at the inside of the room. His mouth parted slightly."
    "All four walls of the long hall were filled with trophies. Heads of an endless variety of beasts mounted as proof of conquest. A menagerie from the mundane to the incredible."
    "The fanged head of a drider stood on one pedestal. The giant face of a troll hung over a burning fire. In one corner there was a stuffed monster with white fur and talons like a bird, of a species Rowan could not even begin to guess at."
    "He was so busy gawking, he hadn’t noticed the woman approaching him. She had rosarian red hair braided down her back and she wore leather fatigues. Though, her most notable feature was the black eyepatch over her left eye."
    "But, she didn’t speak immediately. She just stood with her arms crossed and her single eye bearing down on him with intensity."

    menu:
        "Avert gaze.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ darlaGaze = False
            "Rowan instinctively looked down slightly. His posture slumped slightly."
            questi "Tsch."

        "Stare back.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ darlaGaze = True
            "Rowan met her eye to eye. The way one might stare down a wolf who has you in their sights."
            questi "Hrmph."

    "She drew a long hunter’s knife with a wicked curve and spun it slowly in her hand. A feat she performed with silent dexterity."

    questi "Do you know who I am?"
    ro "I can’t say I do."

    questi "Pity. They call me Darla the Huntress. I’d have thought my name would ring out farther by now. I’ve collected every damn beast in Rosaria."

    "She turned from Rowan towards her impressive array of kills."

    darla "Yeah, I saw ya’ staring. If someone had shown me all of this crap as a teenager, I’d have peed myself. A Draketooth Anaconda from The Tail. A white Tiger. The head of an ogre."
    darla "Hrmmmm..."
    darla "Come here. I’ll show you something."

    "She motioned Rowan over to a spot of the wall next to the head of a Sand Lion. He tilted an eyebrow up. There was a plague in place for an animal head, but there was nothing there. It was the only segment of the wall without a trophy."

    darla "This right here is the reason I came to this shithole. There’s a Red Gryphon here. Villagers spotted her several times already. Maybe the rarest magical beast in all Rosaria."
    darla "When I find her, she is going to be the centerpiece of my collection. The finest prey I ever hunted."
    darla "So why the fuck are you in my hunting ground killing game I use to feed my men?"

    ro "From all you’ve shown me, it’s surprising you’d care about some common doe."

    "The woman shrugged."

    darla "No food, those lazy idiots don’t focus."
    ro "Well, it’s not going to matter much in a moment. See, the truth is that I’m here on behalf of some important clients. The kind who can make problems as small as a single night’s dinner disappear."

    "Rowan paced slightly, taking a position closer to the door. Darla used the extra space to play a game tossing her knife into the air and catching it over and over mid-spin."

    ro "There’s war coming to Rosaria. I represent the side with the most to gain from the coming conflict. "
    ro " We’re looking for mercenaries. Men and women who know how to fight and conquer. Mena and women who know their way around the bow and blade. Folks like your band."
    ro "My employers are willing to pay for good soldiers. The salaries and plunder we offer far outstrip anything you or your men are currently making off this land. If you accept employment, you’ll come out much wealthier for it."

    "The woman holstered her knife and cracked her knuckles."

    darla "You want me to whore myself out as a sellsword, that's the way of it?"
    ro "And get paid a duke’s share in the process."

    "She spat to the side."

    darla "A fine trap you laid out, but I’m not going to take the bait."
    darla "Let me tell you, {i}messenger{/i} boy, how this world works. There’s the hunters and there’s the prey. You gotta be one or the other."
    darla "Predators live by their own rules, don’t answer to no one, and take what they want. They roar, bite, and slash and whatever they hunger for becomes theirs. They kill what they want, fuck what they want, and live how they want to live."
    darla "Prey scurry around. Some go to the ground and hide. Some obey the hunters so they’ll be eaten last. Always keeping their eyes behind them in case a hunter stalks by."
    darla "Predators make their own rules. Prey don’t."
    darla "So, sorry, but you aren’t making no prey out of me. I’m here to hunt down my fucking Red Gryphon. And I won’t stop till I’ve got her."
    ro "Sounds like a rather simplistic philosophy if you ask me. The world’s a complex place. You can’t boil it down to just two categories."
    darla "Well, I didn’t ask you, {i}messenger boy{/i}. You’re here on someone else’s orders. That makes you pray. And I don’t listen to prey."
    ro "I doubt that’s a sentiment your own men much enjoy?"
    darla "Why should I care? If they weren’t prey they wouldn’t be following along at my heels. I tell them what to do, and if they’re smart they shut their mouths and do it."
    darla "Predators make their own rules. Prey don’t."

    "Rowan sighed darkly."

    ro "Sounds like there isn’t much I can do to persuade you, is there?"
    darla "Nope. So, if you aren’t here to join my band you should get the fuck out. I have a grand hunt to plan."

    if darlaGaze == True:
        "Rowan chuckled darkly to himself."
        ro "Your funeral."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan walked out of the trophy room. But, upon opening the door, he found himself staring at a familiar face."

    ro "Hawk...you were listening in?"
    hawk "Heh. You could say that."

    "Rowan and the hunter walked through the halls together side by side. Outside of the trophy room, the walls were nearly totally bare. The building finished too recently for decoration to be possible."

    hawk "I heard what you were telling her. About a deal to leave here in return for some real money for a change."
    ro "She didn’t seem especially interested. I wish I could give you better news than that."

    "Hawk shook his head."

    hawk "How much money are we talking here?"

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. When he gave a sample figure, he could see interest light in Hawk’s eyes. Perhaps something could be made of this wasted day..."

    hawk "What if I told you that me and some of the other men are starting not to give a damn what that woman was interested in?"
    ro "Then I’d say that my employers would be happy to take the band...regardless of who was running it."

    "Hawk scratched at his goatee."

    hawk "Problem is, if I want the whole band, the only way to get them would be to challenge Darla for it."
    ro "You can’t win that fight?"
    hawk "Not without help. I can’t have an ally in the ring with me. But, if I knew someone stealthy enough to creep into her room and sabotage her spear..."

    menu:
        "“I don’t think I can”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shook his head slowly. Persuading the band to take a deal would have been one thing, but he’d never planned for this idea to lead to espionage and risk."
            ro "You’d be talking to the wrong man. We’d still take deserters, of course. But, my employers are not about to risk making extra enemies."
            hawk "...A pity."
            scene black with fade
            "The man shook his head and turned away. Rowan very much doubted he would see him again."
            "Rowan spent the night at the lodge. The woods were a dark place at night, after all. But, he resolved to depart at first light in the morning."
            "Gathering his gear, he took one last look around the encampment. Some of the men grumbled as they went about their morning tasks. No doubt, another quixotic search for Darla’s fabled pay."
            "But, Rowan doubted they’d ever find it. After all, the odds were strong that the demons would be in control of this area soon enough. And Darla might someday soon come to learn that the rules of another predator might not be the sort she could live with."
            return

        "“Sounds easy enough” (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    ro "Perhaps you do know such a person. But, they’d need to be given details of the layout of the building and Darla’s schedule."

    "Hawk smiled softly."

    hawk "I would imagine they would, huh?"
    hawk "Here, follow me. Let’s go eat something. I’m sure that doe is nearly done cooking by now…"

    scene black with fade

    "Later that night, once the camp had gone to sleep, a shadow crept through the halls. Rowan had been supplied with a map of the lodge and directions. Everything he’d need for a little bit of espionage…"

    #if stealth below x - ToDO
    #"...But, in the morning the story would not be of how Rowan had managed to sneak into Darla’s room and sabotaged her spear."
    #"His effort to sneak through the corridors that night were detected, and he was forced to flee to the guest room before Darla could be alerted to his presence further. There would be no successful infiltration tonight."
    #"Rowan had failed…."
    #scene bg3 with fade
    #That morning, Rowan watched the ongoing fight from the relative safety of the edge of the clearing. The hunters of the band were gathered around watching.
    #"It was natural for them to be so interested, since their lives would be determined by the winner. Hawk had challenged Darla for leadership."
    #"From his vantage point, he could barely make out the form of Darla and Hawk trading blows. Hawk would lunge forward with his axe, but Darla had reach on him with her spear."
    #"Every time Hawk would attempt to go approach her, a jab from the spear was always waiting. Darla was taking her time, wearing Hawk down and attempting to force him to make a mistake."
    #"For one brief moment, it seemed as if Hawk was about to pull through. He charged forward, swinging like a mad man. It actually forced Darla on to her back heels. But, his final savage blow was deflected by a well timed block from the durable body of her spear."
    #"The force of the exertion sent Hawk reeling backwards. His eyes widened slightly."
    #"Rowan shook his head and turned away from the spectacle. There was no need to watch any further."
    #"He was in the guest room when there was a knock on the door. Darla with her brow furrowed into a glare...and blood on her spear."
    #show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    #darla "I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but if you’re still in my camp by nightfall, you are a dead man. I don’t care who your patron is."
    #"Rowan shook his head and resumed packing."
    #ro "There’s no need for threats. I’m already on my way."
    #ro "You’re the one who makes the rules here, after all."
    # "Darla let a smirk break through her rough exterior."
    #darla "Now you get it."
    #"Then, she turned and continued on her way. Rowan was simply left to account for the wasted day. It had been a good attempt. He could only hope the twins would feel the same way…"
    #$ avatar.mp -= 2
    #return

    #else:
    #pass

    "And in the morning, a story spread among some of the hunters who supported Hawk. They said that a shadow had snuck through the corridors that night."
    "That this shadow had found its way to Darla’s room. And that something had happened to the huntress’ spear. But, of course, all of this was just hearsay."
    "That morning, Rowan watched the ongoing fight from the relative safety of the edge of the clearing. The hunters of the band were gathered around watching."
    "It was natural for them to be so interested, since their lives would be determined by the winner. Hawk had challenged Darla for leadership."
    "From his vantage point, he could barely make out the form of Darla and Hawk trading blows. Hawk would lunge forward with his axe, but Darla had reach on him with her spear."
    "Every time Hawk would attempt to go approach her, a jab from the spear was always waiting. Darla was taking her time, wearing Hawk down and attempting to force him to make a mistake."
    "But, in an instant, everything changed. Hawk rushed forward, swinging his axe like a madman. Darla moved to block a blow with her sturdy spear...only it didn’t prove so sturdy. It took a single blow to snap the weapon in half."
    "Darla only had a moment to stare at her destroyed weapons before being struck with the blunt end of an axe."
    "Rowan turned away from the fight so he could return to his room. The last thing he saw was Darla stumbling to the ground. The crowd was moving in closer..."
    "Hours later, Rowan went down to the front of the lodge to meet with Hawk. He found the man lounging on an ornate red chair, draped in fine pelts. No doubt, they had been Darla’s once."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "I suppose there are certain privileges that come with being the leader."

    "With Rowan’s help, he went to his feet. The two clasped in friendly greeting."

    hawk "We’ll be ready to move out very soon. After the duel, the first thing I did was get everyone together and announce that we’re finally pulling out of this shithole in the middle of nowhere."
    hawk "Well...second thing."

    "Rowan nodded."

    hawk "You said your boys would be here soon, right?"
    ro "They’re already on the way. They’ll lead you and your men back to our secret base."

    "Hawk raised an eyebrow."

    hawk "Should I be asking how you were able to get in contact with them while this far from civilization?"
    ro "If you want. Though you might have more luck if you directed that question to your new employer."

    "There was a tense moment with their eyes meeting. But, it was broken by a shrug from Hawk."

    hawk "So long as the pay is what you promised."

    "Rowan nodded softly. His eyes went to the big red door that led to Darla’s trophy room."

    ro "I take it that your predecessor isn’t with us anymore?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "It was a shame what had happened to her. But, Rowan took solace in the fact that she was probably a less than positive force in the world regardless."

    hawk "Ha. I thought that was going to be your first question when you came down."
    hawk "But, your guess would be wrong. I had a better idea of what to do with her."

    "Hawk energetically bounded over to the door. Whatever was inside, he was eager to show it off. Almost like a hound presenting a fresh kill. When the door opened, Rowan understood why."
    "The first thing he noticed was the floor. The immaculate beast-hide rug was stained at a corner next to the wall by a small puddle. Rowan’s eyes trailed a dripping line of fluid up to the trophies…"
    "...And the newest trophy. Darla."
    "The woman had been strung up against the wall, alive and intact. Her wrists were strapped back against the wall by leather belts. More restraints held her knees open, presenting her open body to any who’d see her."
    "She was, of course, nude. But, surprisingly little of her skin could be easily made out. Her body was so coated with white cum that it hung over her like clothes. "
    "Rowan took a step closer, jaw opening slightly."
    "There was cum on her thighs. Cum on her stomach. Cum in her hair. Were it not for her striking red locks, it’d be impossible to tell who she even was. Her muscular physique was almost hard to make out."
    "But, the physical transformation was met with another almost as dramatic in her demeanor."
    "Before, she had always maintained a piercingly intense glare. Confident and predatory. But, now her eye darted low as Rowan approached. A soft whimper escaped through a bit that gagged her lips."
    "Her power had fled her form, leaving her meek and exhausted."

    ro "Unbelievable…"
    ro "There was no way she didn’t put up a struggle. She must have fought you tooth and nail the entire time."

    "Hawk smirked."

    hawk "Well, it’s about to be even more unbelievable then."
    hawk "We didn’t force her to do anything. Darla here was a willing participant. After the loss, she said we could do whatever we wanted with her. When I told her to march in here and she didn’t raise a peep. Not even while we strung her up."

    "Rowan traced a finger along the edge of the wooden frame behind her. It had been the same plaque where she had promised to mount the Red Gryphon. A spot reserved for a great trophy."

    ro "Truly, she accepted all this?"
    hawk "Yup, she just said that thing. What was it again?"

    "He approached the filthy woman and drew the bit from her lips."

    hawk "Hey, {i}Boss{/i}. Say the thing again."

    "She murmured something in an exhausted voice, but it was too weak for Rowan to hear it."

    hawk "Ya gotta talk louder than that, Boss. How else is our guest over here supposed to hear you?"
    darla "...Predators make their own rules. Prey don’t…"

    "Hawk brought the bit back to her lips. Darla opened her mouth, as if in anticipation for it."

    hawk "See. Tame as a whipped hound."
    hawk "Want a turn? The rest of the band already did a number on her, but no one has used her mouth yet."
    hawk "What do you say?"

    menu:
        "Fuck Darla. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1007 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1008 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1008
            pause 3
            "Rowan eyed the degraded figure of his former negotiation partner up and down. Then he slowly came to his answer."
            ro "You know what…"
            ro "I think I will."
            "Hawk gave him a hearty slap on the back."
            hawk "Good man."
            "He tossed the bit gag into Rowan’s arms and departed the room, leaving Rowan alone with the bound woman."
            "His face darkened. How was he to go about this exactly?"
            "The answer came when looking over the side of the room. He found an appropriately sized stool, perfect to bring himself level with her orifices. Perhaps it’s intended purpose had even been to mount conquests up on the wall."
            "A brief silence fell on the room as Rowan worked everything into position. Darla never looked away, but she didn’t speak either. Her gaze followed softly. There was no effort to struggle away either. She held steady, even as Rowan let his trousers drop."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "I’m sorry."
                darla "..."
                ro "You’re going to have to open your mouth now."
            else:
                ro "Open your mouth. Now."
            "Rowan had not spoken the words in a very strong voice. But, it didn’t matter in virtue of his position. After the slightest moment of hesitation, Darla opened more than wide enough to fit something very large."
            "With a brief moment of relief, Rowan noted the absence of white spool inside. Hawk had been true in his assessment that no one had yet used this particular orifice."
            "So, Rowan was going to change that."
            show cg1009 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1008
            pause 3
            "He took a grip of her head behind the wall and lined it up with his crotch perfectly. Then, he jabbed his cock down her throat."
            darla "Urgh!"
            "She sputtered and gagged softly at the intrusion, but to her credit she didn’t bite down. Rowan’s eyes fluttered slightly. The familiar warmth and tight constriction of a woman’s throat brought with it equally familiar pleasure."
            "Rowan was the one who guided her head. Either from inexperience or exhaustion, there was little effort being given. Although the little attempts to bob her head made it clear she wasn’t an entirely absent participant."
            "Instead, she yielded to Rowan’s hand. Of course, she’d gag and whimper softly whenever Rowan’s cock would hit the back of her throat."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "It was in those moments Rowan took pity on her and allowed her a pause to breathe."
            else:
                "Had Rowan been in a more generous mood he might have given her pauses to breathe. He wasn’t."
            "Rowan had to use his other hand to steady himself against the wall. There was a strange precariousness to having his dick sucked while this high above the ground. If his knees got weak enough, he could topple over."
            "Darla’s body, meanwhile, seemed to shiver and shake. More of the layer of cum dripped off her body with the exertion. A frothy mixture of semen and sweat hung from her chest. The room stank of salt and exertions."
            ro "Urch. A bit more…"
            "Rowan shut his eyes hard as a wave of sensation hit him. His grip on Darla’s hair loosened for a wink, before being reignited with stronger conviction."
            ro "Almost there…"
            "His words were to no one. Rowan was the one who set the pace. All Darla could do was passively take it. The pace of his hips sped up to meet the inertia of pleasure."
            ro "Almost…"
            show cg1010 with sshake
            pause 2
            show cg1011 with flash
            pause 3
            "He grunted. Then, he came."
            "After a few quiet moments, he pushed back slightly, nearly stumbling from the stool. When he pulled out, it left tell-tale signs of what he’d done. Her open mouth was filled with his extract. A line of drool and cum hung from her lips."
            "He’d done his part in defiling her."
            "But, afterwards, Rowan didn’t leave the room. He didn’t move to speak with her of course. He simply took the opportunity to look over the once majestic trophy display."
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5

        "Pass on the offer.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "Rowan shook his head slowly. Something about the sight, this proud warrior reduced to a literal cumdump, churned his stomach."
            else:
                "Rowan shook his head. His mind was more intensely focused on business. Besides, he didn’t need Hawk’s sloppy seconds."
            ro "Thank you for your( ...er,) generosity. Leave me for a moment and I’ll decide what I want to do with her."
            "Hawk raised an eyebrow."
            hawk "Bit of the ‘ol performance anxiety, heh? Well, I understand that. Just find me again before you head on your merry way."
            ro "Of course."
            "Soon, Hawk disappeared out the door, leaving Rowan alone with the wall-mounted trophy."
            "Once he was gone, Rowan exhaled softly. There was no more need to posture. He walked deliberately backwards from Darla’s bound form, eyes glancing over the slab of wood that had once been her desk."

    "Rowan’s eyes sparkled with recognition when he noticed what lay forgotten upon it. He seized it immediately. A hunting knife with a wicked curved blade. She’d made such a show of tossing it up and catching it from the air."
    "He turned back to Darla’s exhausted, strung up form. His fingers traced the edge of the blade."

    ro "Predators make their own rules, prey don’t huh?"
    ro "Already thinking of yourself differently, since you lost?"

    "He trained an intense glare on her."

    ro "Hrmm."

    menu:
        "Leave her to her fate.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "But, as quickly as the thought had come to him, it dissipated. Instead, he turned his back to her once more, and jabbed the weapon hard into the desk."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "His mouth twisted into a sad little frown."
            else:
                "His mouth twisted into a vindictive smirk."
            ro "Well, if that’s the way you see things, who am I to argue? It all went according to your theory, right?"
            "That was the final thing he said to her. For a moment, he felt her eye trailing him as he made for the door. But, he didn’t turn back to check."

        "Give her the weapon.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan turned sharply and strode right up to the wall. Darla flinched slightly at his approach. He held the knife with the blade towards her."
            ro "In several hours time, a troop of Orcs are going to arrive and lead this band to my Masters’ base of operations at Bloodmeen. If someone tries to stop them, that person will die."
            "Then, he jabbed Darla’s knife forward. He sunk it deep into the wood of the plaque…"
            "...just a hair from one of the straps holding her wrists in place. So close, that even in bindings she’d be able to press the strap to the blade."
            ro "But, so long as the men come along willingly, they don’t much care which man...or woman...is leading them. They’d be a leader and a servant, all in one. Not entirely a predator. Not entirely prey either."
            ro "But then again, you wouldn’t be much of a predator if you accepted my help anyway, would you?"
            ro "So if all of that is too much for you. If you can’t see the world is more complex than predators and prey...well, I’m sure someone will be along and notice the knife soon."
            "Darla’s glance trailed the edge of the knife. It’s blade reflected in her eye."
            ro "Goodbye, Darla."
            "Without a further word, he turned and made his departure. He went straight out the lodge and straight out the forest. There wasn’t an impulse to look back. All he’d later learn was that the band had indeed entered into Bloodmeen’s employ..."

    # $ avatar.mp -= 2
    # $ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops += 5

    return

# \events\map_swamps_2.rpy
label the_nyverian_wisp_rp:

    "Pass the skill checks? (affects CG and dialogue - both choices have a different ending)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    # $ avatar.add_exp (75)

    $ wispName = wisp

    scene bg32 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg32

    "The bog Rowan found himself in was depressing in more than one way: it was moist to the point of claiming half of his boots with each step, the air was putrid, and its dense foliage allowed for very little light. Rowan was barely able to see where he was going."
    "A glimmer in the distance that moved from behind tree trunks caught his attention. He could not make out what it was, but the glimmering spectrum of blues and pinks told him it was of magical origin. Its elegant movement allowed for a second conclusion - it was alive. "

    menu:
        "Inspect the entity. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            jump inspectWisp_rp

        "Leave it alone.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "Ethereal lights in dark forest were considered an ill omen for a reason, and in muddy swamp like this a quick exit would not be an option. Rowan ducked behind a tree and waited for the creature to pass. Better safe than sorry."
            return

    label inspectWisp_rp:

        "Ethereal lights in dark and damp forests weren’t the wisest thing to pursue, but Rowan’s curiosity won the day. He attempted to make his way to the creature when its movement suddenly stopped."
        "The light the entity emitted flared up in magnificent fashion, coloring the forest around it sensual hues of pink and purple. Then, in a flash almost too quick for Rowan’s eyes to follow, the thing was before him."
        "The visage of a gorgeous female hovered before Rowan. Her face was that of lascivious temptress, with hunger and desire shining in brilliant eyes, but a benign quality seemed also present. For hair it had strands of vibrant energy that writhed as if alive."

        $ wispName = 'Alanarithe'

        wisp "Well met, child of man. I am Alanarithe of the Nyverian lights. May I inquire as to your name?"
        ro "Well met. I am Rowan Blackwell."
        wisp "And what brings you to my domain, Rowan Blackwell?"
        ro "I was merely passing through when I saw your radiance illuminate the darkness. If I intrude and am unwelcome I apologize, and can be on my way."

        "As Rowan spoke with Alanarithe he noticed the entity’s presence had a soothing, almost healing quality. Whatever thoughts of danger he initially had were gone. In their place was a warm and fuzzy feeling that slowly but certainly grew as he lingered."

        "During their conversation time passed in a strange yet pleasant manner. Rowan asked Alanarithe if she was a sort of wisp, upon which the feminine creature grinned seductively and said she was of the Nyverian lights. Rowan did not recognize the heritage."
        "After what felt like hours of pleasant and at times sensual dialogue Rowan noticed a soreness in his legs. Initially he wished to disregard it, as he had never held such pleasant company as he did then. What the Nyverian said next worried him, however."

        wisp "You seem encumbered, Rowan Blackwell? Are you afraid that my demeanor will turn predatory soon?"
        ro "I am not. But there is a strange passing of time in your presence. As much as I enjoyed your company, I fear I must be on my way."
        wisp "If you want to leave you can, but I would insist you pay a trivial tithe."
        ro "Payment in the form of? I doubt you’re interested in gold, and I have nothing else to offer."
        wisp "The currency you mortals hold dear is not the one nature covets, true. Nevertheless you certainly have something I desire, Rowan."

        "Rowan felt himself stir below: first to a general level of arousal, but seconds later to the point of unbearable hardness. Alanarithe licked her upper lip provocatively. It couldn’t be any clearer what the fey creature desired."

        menu:
            "Agree to Alanarithe’s tithe. (Scene)":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump agreeWispTithe_rp

            "Disagree to Alanarithe’s tithe":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump disagreeWispTithe_rp

    label disagreeWispTithe_rp:

        "The mouth of the Nyverian seemed, at that time, as the most desireable orifice one could ever be inside. Rowan wanted to indulge with all his being, yet shook his head stoically. Whatever influence the wisp exerted over his thoughts, he would not allow it to dominate him completely."

        ro "I’m honored, Alanarithe, but I cannot pay such a tribute. If you would so kind as to allow me to pass freely?"
        wisp " I freely give hours of my prestigious attention and you cannot even indulge a simple request? I have killed men for worse, Rowan Blackwell! But… I do confess to liking you. You’ll get off with a minor curse."

        menu:
            "Accept a minor curse as the price of your curiosity":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "Rowan considered drawing his blade. He disliked his odds against the otherworldly creature, but he had an equal dislike for curses. Eventually he decided against physical conflict; he wasn’t certain his blade could damage an entity so otherworldly as Alanarithe."
                "Alanarithe smiled wickedly. Rowan felt a spike of agony rush into his legs from the floor, surging through his legs up into the rest of his body. They were like energetic barb wire, and wherever they passed they left insufferable agony."
                "Eventually the energy found his heart and concentrated there. Alanarithe mumbled something about the Heavens and Hells, puckering her delightful lips as a final tease, and then Rowan fell to the floor and everything turned dark."
                "When Rowan awoke he found Alanarithe was gone. She had taken her warmth with her, and had left him with the feeling of broken bones. He slowly rose and found he was in better shape than he felt, but not by much. Eerie lights in swamps? Never again, he vowed."
                # $ avatar.take_damage (["general",], "normal_damage")
                return

            "Try and bluff your way out of the curse":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    ro "That would be quite unwise. My employers are pair of unforgiving demons, and have tasked me to be the extension of their will in these lands. They would not look kindly on anyone that thwarts my progress."
                    wisp "You are working yourself into a bind here, Rowan Blackwell. If your demonic masters would take offense for me cursing you, am I then not better off ending your existence instead?"
                    ro "They’d know and repay you in kind."
                    wisp "Would they now? I don’t see anyone, Rowan. Nor do I feel any incorporeal presence observing us."
                    "Rowan failed to suppress a sly smile. He tapped the ornate amulet around his neck and explained its function to Alanarithe. The Nyverian intently looked at the blue stone Rowan wore for the better half of a minute, then shook her head in spiteful resignation."
                    wisp "Should I find you here again, and with that stone not gracing your neck, know that you will suffer greatly. Death would be gentle compared to what I have in store for you, Rowan Blackwell!"
                    return
                else:
                    ro "Cursing me may blow up in your face. I have powerful employers that-"
                    "Before Rowan could finish his bluff he felt a spike of agony rush into his legs. Coming from the ground it surged from his lower limbs into his torso. The sensation felt like energetic barb wire, and wherever they passed they left insufferable agony. "
                    "Eventually the energy found his heart and concentrated there. Alanarithe mumbled something about the Heavens and Hells, puckering her delightful lips as a final tease, and then Rowan fell to the floor and everything turned dark. "
                    "When Rowan awoke he found Alanarithe was gone. She had taken her warmth with her, and had left him with the feeling of broken bones. He slowly rose and found he was in better shape than he felt, but not by much. Eerie lights in forests? Never again, he vowed."
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["general",], "grevious_damage")
                    return

    label agreeWispTithe_rp:

        wisp "To receive is to give, and to give is to receive. It fills me with joy to see there are mortals that still honor the old way. Now then, enough talk - show me your cock!"

        scene cg143 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan nodded. He unceremoniously unzipped his trousers and produced his fully erect manhood. He could not deny being excited at the prospect of the Nyverian’s ‘tithe’; a drop of pre-cum dangled from his cockhead."
        "As Alanarithe slowly hovered closer the alien nature of the fey entity became more apparent. Her eyes were like glistening gateways into a dark infinity and her energetic hair danced as if it had a life of its own. For a moment Rowan considered backing out. "
        "All Rowan’s resistance failed when Alanarithe pressed her mouth to the head of his cock. Her lips parted just enough to let his slit enter the warmth of her oral cavity. It was greeted by Alanarithe’s moist tongue."
        "Alanarithe’s tongue teased the opening of his head while her eyes were fixed on his own. For a second he entertained an uncharacteristic thought: to grab the creature by her ethereal hair and press himself balls-deep into her. Then Alanarithe swallowed his head fully."

        menu:
            "Act on the uncharacteristic thought. (Scene)":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump wispFinaleDominant_rp

            "Let Alanarithe pleasure you as she sees fit.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump wispFinale_rp


    label wispFinaleDominant_rp:

        scene cg144 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan clasped the back of Alanarithe’s and buried himself balls deep in a single gesture. The Nyverian glanced at him in an insidious manner, in which Rowan read a hint of approval. This was all he needed."
        "He started to fuck her mouth forcefully, slowly pulling back to the head, before plunging into her again in one violent motion. Whenever he pulled out Alanarithe’s cheekbones became extremely pronounced; she sucked at his cock fiercely."
        "Burying himself into the depths of Alanrithe’s deep oral cavity was a guilty pleasure Rowan enjoyed far more than he should have. Back out was pleasurable in an entirely different manner. On the return trip he felt like he was orgasming the entire journey back."
        "The climaxes Rowan felt whenever Alaranthe’s sucked weren’t true orgasms. There was no ejaculate, nor was there a feeling of being ‘done’. What he did feel were tendrils coming from his cockhead, filaments of energy disappearing in whatever void the mouth of Alanrithe truly was."
        "Rowan came again and again in that strangely energetic fashion, and over time three things happened: he began to feel weaker, especially in the knees, he became extremely light headed, and he felt a huge explosion of semen was about occur."
        "It was clear the tithe was more than Rowan bargained for. The question was by how much? What would happen if Rowan unloaded hot semen into this entity’s mouth? Gods know he wanted to… Besides, did he even have the fortitude to stop at this point?"

        jump wispFinaleChoice_rp

    label wispFinale_rp:

        "A slow but powerful blowjob followed. Alanarithe’s suction was divinely pleasant as she pressed forward, yet when she pulled back her cheekbones became extremely pronounced and she sucked hard. At first the sensation was too extreme, but Rowan soon edged into it."
        "The duality of Alanarithe’s in and out movement slowly but surely became a rhythm that held Rowan spellbound. Going into the depths of her mouth he was relaxed as pleasure tingled through his glans, back out he felt like he was orgasming the entire movement."
        "The climaxes Rowan felt whenever Alaranthe’s sucked weren’t true orgasms. There was no ejaculate, nor was there a feeling of being ‘done’. What he did feel were tendrils coming from his cockhead, filaments of energy disappearing in whatever void the mouth of Alanrithe truly was. "
        "Rowan came again and again in that strangely energetic fashion, and over time three things happened: he began to feel weaker, especially in the knees, he became extremely light headed, and he felt a huge explosion of semen was about occur."
        "It was clear the tithe was more than Rowan bargained for. The question was by how much? What would happen if Rowan unloaded hot semen into this entity’s mouth? Gods know he wanted to… Besides, did he even have the fortitude to stop at this point?"

        jump wispFinaleChoice_rp

    label wispFinaleChoice_rp:
        menu:
            "Pull out in time. (Ending 1)" if skillCheck == "success": #if avatar.brawn > 1:
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "A true physical orgasm was seconds away, and Rowan would not have been able to stop it even if Alexia popped up from behind a tree. He knew Alanarithe would not let him go freely, and with his cock in her mouth he could afford no risk - he would pull out at the last moment."
                "The Nyverian knew Rowan was on the brink and swallowed his full manhood in gleeful anticipation. She was ready to devour his seed. With all the signs that semen was about to erupt from his cock Rowan started his ploy."
                "“Yes!” Rowan shouted, feigning cooperation. Alanarithe’s unnatural eyes looked up at his and shone with delight; she was going to get swallow hot cum. Rowan intertwined his fingers in her hair and pinned her balls-deep on his cock. His orgasm started."
                scene cg146 with flash
                pause 3
                "Alanarithe moaned of pleasure when the first burst of sperm shot from Rowan. It hit her in the left eye; Rowan had pulled out just in time. Timely or not, there was no stopping the maddening amount of semen the seductive entity had caused him to produce."
                "Another burst hit Alanarithe’s face at blistering speed. Rowan had not shot like this since he was sixteen, and even then the semen had not been so thick and plentiful. He groaned as he struggled to keep Alanarithe’s head in place while cumming so violently."
                "Burst after burst erupted until Alanarithe was smeared with strands of white goo. Alanarithe was beyond words and screeched in fury as she bit at the air, hoping to maim Rowan cock. While it was becoming harder to hold her in place Rowan had no fear of reprisal."
                "The eyes of the entity were - as well as much of the rest of her face - covered in semen. Rowan smiled and thanked the twins. When Alanarithe pulled at him with all her might he indulged her, and with all his might swung the entity in the direction it tugged."
                "Rowan the hero, the thought amused as he ran through the bog with his cock in his hand. He heard Alanarithe screeched and screamed behind him, yet without hands to clean her face she was unable to pursue Rowan."
                "As the screams and death threats became distant Rowan slowed his pace. The Gods were surely cruel at heart. Lacking hands Alanrithe was now dependant on heavy rainfall to regain her eyesight. {i}That or a deer with a taste for cum{/i}, he mused grinning."
                return

            "Explode in Alanarithe’s mouth. (Ending 2)":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "Rowan groaned in unison with Alanarithe. He did not have the vitality to to pull himself away from her heavenly cock-sucking mouth. He didn’t even have the will to want freedom. His cock was right where it ought to be. Whatever the price encompassed, he would pay."
                "The Nyverian knew Rowan was on the brink and swallowed his full manhood in gleeful anticipation. She was balls deep and her eyes glimmered with emotion. {i}Is that love{/i}? Rowan wondered momentarily. Then he correctly saw it for what it truly was - pure lust."
                "Rowan grabbed the back of Alanarithe’s head by instinct and pulled her into his groin with all his might. No one had sucked his cock like this, and he knew it was likely no one ever would again, he wanted to enjoy it. He wanted to gift Alanarithe his cum."
                scene cg145 with flash
                pause 3
                "He came like never before. Semen and the energetic strands from before spurted from his cock into the warm haven that was Alanarithe’s otherworldly insides. The entity moaned and groaned in feverish pleasure, yet never stopped sucking."
                "Burst after burst disappeared inside Alanarithe and there was no sign Rowan was about to stop. He realized he had fallen to the floor at some point (yet lacked the memory), and was thrusting his hips into Alanrithe’s mouth as if to impregnate her. Eventually he passed out."
                "When Rowan awoke he found Alanarithe was gone. She had taken her warmth with her, and a good deal of his constitution as well. He rose slowly and found all his muscles were sore. He would not be able to explore much this week…"
                # $ avatar.mp -= 5
                return

    return

# \events\map_swamps_2.rpy
label witnessing_the_old_ways_1_rp:

    "Pass the skill checks? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    # $ avatar.add_exp (75)

    scene bg32 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg32

    "The bogs and marshes  around Rosaria always made Rowan feel uneasy. He imagined their dreary nature triggered a subconscious response that lingered until he set foot into greener pastures. Today the reason for his unease was far more tangible; he heard ominous chanting."
    "Rowan could not mark the language of the incantations, but they seemed of dark intent to him. Honing in closer it felt as if the air came alive with a mischievous character, and though he had no esoteric knowledge he was certain something was being invoked. "
    "Rowan saw the source of chanting: two female forms lit by eerie purple lamplight, covered in smoke rising from censers they held, and dancing around a stone altar. Rowan could not make out further details from his vantage point. He would need to venture closer."

    menu:
        "Try to sneak closer. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            if skillCheck == "success":
                jump witchSneak_rp
            else:
                jump witchSneakFail_rp

        "Don’t risk it and escape.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "Rowan was a fighter and a strategist. He was aware of his strengths, but also his glaring weaknesses. He had no real defense against magic, and even less so against a potential enemy he could not even perceive. He cautiously crept away from the scene."
            return

    label witchSneakFail_rp:

        "His approach went well until a rather large twig snapped. Rowan attempted to dart behind a tree before he was spotted, but hit a dozen branches getting there. There was no way in all of the hells that his position wasn’t compromised."

        $ witchName = "Unknown Female"

        witch "Conjure a black dart, sister! I will offer my sacred red substance - may the slumbering demons of the forest itself come to our aid!"
        witch "Agh Draghul Elas! Rise up from the womb of eternity with poisonous intent!"

        "Rowan drew his sword but greatly disliked his odds. One of the naked forms was cradling a black bolt of writhing energy she drew from the ground into her hands. The other had cut her hand and was offering her blood as a means to conjure demonic spirits."

        menu:

            # TODO
            #"Fight!":
            #   $ renpy.fix_rollback()

            "Run for it!":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "Rowan’s one thought was the thing the female had called a black dart. That would be flung his way soon, and if it hit him his odds of survival were slim. “Fly with vengeance!” he heard a voice scream behind him. This was it, he only needed to dodge once!"
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    "At this pace only instinct existed. Rowan zig-zagged right, then left, and then pushed left again. Something shot past him at an unnaturally fast speed and buried itself in a tree in front of him. The tree became black almost instantly. Rowan had successfully dodged."
                    "Inhuman screams of rage started to screech in the distance. Rowan wasn’t too worried - the summoning of spirits was known to be a slow practice. When he saw the sun shine through the trees he knew he had made it. He sighed in relief."
                    return
                else:
                    "Rowan intended to zig-zag as a diversive ploy but was flung forward instead. Something had hit him in the shoulder and had at least partially breached his pauldron. He screamed out in agony as poison seeped into his skin."
                    "Poison or not, he knew his only chance of escape lay in running for his life. When inhuman screams of rage started to screech in the distance Rowan wasn’t too worried - the summoning of spirits was known to be a slow practice. "
                    "When Rowan saw the sun shine through the trees he knew he had made it. His poor judgement would cost him, however. The poison wasn’t fatal or too severe, but it would hamper his progress greatly."
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["poisons",], "heavy_damage")
                    return


    label witchSneak_rp:

        scene cg322 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan skillfully closed the distance. From his new perspective he realized how dire the situation was. The women were elf maiden of the dreaded sisterhood of Nyx, of whom Rowan had heard tales so horrible he regarded most of them as fancy. Not anymore."
        "The stone altar was home to a naked man bound by leather straps. He was gagged, and his entire skin was ornamented with fiendish-looking symbols. The man looked around himself in sheer terror, yet ironically had a rock hard erection. "
        "As the chanting continued Rowan saw - for the merest moment only - that which the sisters were calling into our world. Sylvan creatures that were part tree, part woman, and part demon danced to their hymns. Tentacles and arm-sized erections swung every which way."
        "Rowan pieced the information together. The sisters would copulate with the Sylvan spirits, that much was clear. The man he could not place, however. Would he be sacrificed, or was he merely to be used as a sexual tool? The latter Rowan could live with, the first..."
        "Rowan realistically weighed his options. The sisters were armed with daggers and likely possessed at least some magical ability. The spirits they were conjuring into our world had not fully manifested, but that was no guarantee that they could not retaliate."
        "The odds were stacked against Rowan. And even if he took them, what was he supposed to do? Cold-bloodedly cut the two maidens down? What if they were just planning to have some fun with the poor soul? None of this sat right with Rowan."

        menu:
            "Silently make your escape.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "Rowan saw too many variables; this would not end well for him. Whatever fate held in store for the man on the altar, it wasn’t worth risking his death (and in doing so condemning Alexia to a lifetime under Andras’ care). He slowly crept away from the ominous scene."
                return

            "Try to save the poor soul. (Scene)":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump witchNegotiate_rp

    label witchNegotiate_rp:

        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg322

        "Rowan took a deep breath. The play he intended to make was a risky one, but it was better than storming in sword in hand. He exhaled. Then he walked towards the sisters of Nyx."

        ro "..."

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "Have you come to pay your respects?"

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "To fuck us in the honor of the Spirits of the Old Ways?"

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "Look at those serious eyes, sister. He is not here to deliver his seed..."

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "I fear you are correct. He comes to bargain for this pitiful creature."
        ro "May I know what you intend to do with him?"

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "We will use his energy to empower the ritual."

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "Orgasm after sweet orgasm… he’ll love it."
        ro "But will he survive?"
        witch "This ritual? Most likely. "

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "But sooner or later the expanse of energy will claim its toll."

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "Lament not for his fate. He’ll go out in a blaze of orgasmic glory, that I can guarantee."

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "And now we lay a question at your feet, handsome stranger. Are you a friend of the Old Ways? "

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "By which my sister means to ask: do we get to fuck and suck as we had intended, or shall events take a turn for the darker?"

        "Rowan felt for the poor soul. Whatever his cock said on the matter, his eyes contradicted; he did not wish to be where he was. He could bargain with the sisters and perhaps secure his release, but it could backfire and antagonize them. Them and their demonic forest spirits."

        menu:
            "Bargain for the release of the victim.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    "Rowan’s tongue had never sounded so convincing. He brimmed with confidence; this ought to work. The red-haired sister shrugged at the futility of Rowan’s request. Did he not see the man was doomed by his own stupidity, regardless of their use of him?"
                    "Eventually they conceded. This would be the last time they used the man, but Rowan would have to take them on their word. He had disrupted their work enough. Rowan nodded, wished the dark-minded sisters the best and departed. They promptly resumed chanting."
                    # $ avatar.remove_guilt(15)
                    return
                else:
                    "Rowan attempted for all he was worth, but the responses ranged from rejection to straight-out ridicule. The sisters especially laughed when he threatened with his employers and played the ‘legendary hero’ card. At one point his hand was on his sword hilt, yet he dared not draw."
                    "Eventually he accepted defeat. The man’s fate was sealed, and he wasn’t about to risk death (and in doing so condemning Alexia to a lifetime under Andras’ care). Rowan nodded, wished the dark-minded sisters the best and departed. They promptly resumed chanting."
                    return

            "Allow them to continue and leave":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "Rowan wanted to aid the man, but he was outnumbered three to one, and had no way knowing just what sort of powers these witches possessed. He wasn’t about to risk death (and in doing so condemning Alexia to a lifetime under Andras’ care)."
                "With his tail between his legs, he slinked back through the swamp that way that he came, leaving the poor man to his fate."
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(10)
                return

            #requires x corruption
            "Allow them to continue and stay to watch. (Scene)":# if avatar.corruption > 30:
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump witchWatch_rp

    label witchWatch_rp:

        scene cg323 with fade
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg323

        "What possessed Rowan to ask to watch? Was it the sensual elven frames and the hope one would tend to his obvious needs? The taint of the dark spirits they were conjuring? Or was it Chaos itself that was creeping up on Rowan?"
        "The sisters agreed, but only on one condition. As the chanting and dancing rekindled Rowan stood watching, his cock in his hand as agreed on. He was commanded to slowly stroke, and with a heart heavy with guilt he did."
        "The censers were hung on tree branches; the elves wanted their hands free. The redheaded sister crawled atop the man on the altar and started to grind her sex against his groin. The moistness of her mound glistened teasingly against the purple lamplight. "
        "The Raven-haired sister focused on Rowan. She slid behind him, grabbed a chunk of his hair, and with it directed him to watch her sister. She started stroking Rowan’s cock just as her sister pushed the captive’s cock inside her cunt."
        "The sister atop the man set a slow but relentless rhythm; she was balls deep and never released an inch of the man’s cock. Instead she ground her hips back and forth in sensual motions, massaging his member inside her swollen mound."
        "Rowan’s eyes were almost hypnotically locked on the display before him, but his mind was at his nethers. Two hands were active there now: one was stroking his cock in a firm manner, the other teasingly massaged and tugged at his balls."

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "Mine is ready to offer his first release, sister! Is yours?"

        $ witchName = "Raven-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "As is mine... But has he earned the right to claim such a prestigious station? He has neither knowledge of - or love for - our blessed Ways of Old."
        ro "I… Ugn…"

        $ witchName = "Crimson-haired sister of Nyx"

        witch "I fear you are right, good sister. Not only should he not get his desired release, he should also see none of the coming spectacle!"

        "A word was whispered into Rowan’s ear and something pricked his neck. Almost instantly his legs went weak and his view became a spinning mess. He heard fiendish laughter blend into feverish moans while he spiraled towards the floor."
        "The last thing he remembered before he passed out was an invitation. Should he desire more of what transpired here, he could find the sisters of Nyx via the magnificent Queen of the Fae, Kassandra thornheart. She was the gate to the Old Ways, the ways of pleasure."

        # $ avatar.corruption += 5
        # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
        # return

    return

# \events\chaos_inc.rpy (deleted scene)
label the_duel_4_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg38 with fade

    "Rowan let out a sigh and lifted his hand up to his forehead, wiping the sweat that beaded across his brow as he shielded his eyes from the encroaching twilight."
    "He had managed to reach the small inn at the base of the mountaintop. Apparently, according to his men, there was a strange creature causing trouble within."
    "The inn was small and quaint, and as Rowan pushed open the door he had to lower his head to pass beneath the undersized door, wiping his feet on the snow-shod mat before entering. "

    scene bg21 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "He was immediately blasted with a wave of warm air and raucous laughter. Pulling his cloak tighter about himself, Rowan funneled into the room and looked for the troublemaker."
    "Doing so was a little difficult. The place was packed with workers from the local mines, as well as a few more exotic visitors. He strode up to the barkeep, who shot him an inquisitive eye."

    ro "Double-size Stonebreaker, and keep it frothy."

    "The man behind the counter guffawed and nodded, lifting a hefty mug onto the bartop and filling it to the brim with effortless efficiency. He then slid the mug to Rowan’s hand, who tossed him a few silvers."
    "Now properly armed for the evening’s adventures, Rowan took his seat at a nondescript table near the corner. Plopping down into the wooden chair, he sipped at his mug, wiping the suds from his lips as he observed the inn’s proceedings with a spectator’s eye."
    "His gaze was drawn towards a particular being of draconic nature. Near the center of the room, a tall Dragon Ogress roared with laughter alongside a small table of goblin traders and a lone, ebon-armored human who seemed to be their bodyguard."

    show ygriss neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ygris "And here I thought you said wouldn’t back down from a challenge! What, is the mere thought of my heavy teats mashed in your face enough to unman you?"

    "The table erupted into laughter as the goblins clapped the unhappy-looking warrior on the back. The Ebon warrior, for his part, did his best to not look the Dragon Ogress in the eyes, calmly sipping from his drink as she pressed her muscular upper body against him."

    ygris "Don’t think you can handle me, boy? Once you’ve had a Dragonness, you’ll never go back. When you’ve got a Spearwife guarding your flank, you’ll always be secure."

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    ro "Hah! With a woman like you on his side, I think more than just his flanks are secure."

    show ygriss happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Rowan grimaced to himself as the Dragon Ogress’ head turned to look straight at him. A curling, draconic smile grew on her face. She let out a belly laugh, tilting her horned head skyward as she bellowed."

    ygris "Ah {i}ha{/i}! See that, boy? You waited so long to say yes, you’ve now got some competition for my attention!"

    "She waddled up to Rowan, her four, reptilian legs moving smoothly across the ground as she approached. The large-breasted half-dragon leaned forward, displaying her bounteous cleavage as she quirked a haughty eyebrow."
    "Her smile was broad, it would have been almost friendly if she weren’t the size of a giant. She took Rowan by the wrist and half-dragged him back to the table. She pointed at the empty seat next to the Ebon Warrior. Rowan tried to beg off, but she gave him a hard stare."

    menu:
        "Tell her you came to talk with her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show ygriss neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            "Rowan did his best to hold an awkward smile, raising his hands up as if to beg off an unsavory action."
            ro "I actually just came to talk."
            "The crowd of men burst into drunken laughter at the Dragon Ogress’ embarrassment. Her face colored, but she recovered her composure quick enough."
            ygris "Ha! Are there no real men in this tavern?"
            "She folded her muscular arms across her mountainous tits and let out an infuriated huff."
            ygris "Hmmmph! At least I’m spared the disappointment."
            "Her eyes narrowed at the adventurer."
            ygris "You’re probably less endowed than this black-armored milksop sitting next to me!"
            "She stood up and then made her way to the bar. Even in the cramped spot, it was easy for her to move since everyone worked to give her a wide berth."
            ro "(She’s got a tough hide, this one.)"
            "As uncomfortable as it made him, he had business with the Dragon Ogress, and would not be dissuaded."
            "Gathering his wits, Rowan went over to the bar to make a proper introduction."
            ro "I’m Rowan."
            $ ygrissName = "Ygriss"
            ygris "Ygriss."
            jump ygrissTalk_rp

        "Take a seat. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shrugged and took the offered seat, settling into the cushioned chair under the watchful gaze of the fiery Dragon Ogress."
            "The ebon warrior seemed visibly relieved that he was willing to pick up the slack with the insatiable woman."
            ygris "That’s more like it. {i}Barkeep{/i}! A drink for the only man in this inn with balls!"
            ro "The name’s Rowa-"

            label ygrissIntro_rp:
                $ ygrissName = "Ygriss"
                ygris "I am Ygriss! The greatest hunter of the Dragon Orgresses."
                ygris "And tonight… I seek someone with the will to be my Spearguard."
                ro "Spearguard?"
                ygris "You should be honored, human: there aren’t many Spearguard seekers these days, even fewer looking for a {i}human{/i} mate!"
                "Deciding that discretion was the better part of valour in this instance, Rowan smiled and nodded."
                ygris "What do I call you, Human?"
                ro "Rowan."
                "A new drink was thrust into his hands by the grinning Ogress, and he accepted it."
                ygris "Cheers! But don’t get too drunk that you can’t shove that pecker into my wood, haha!"
                "Rowan nodded and then downed the beer as he heard the tall tales and laughter that arose from the rowdy group."
                "After several more drinks, Rowan finally found his tongue once again."
                ro "I’m afraid I’m not very familiar with Dragon Ogresses."
                "The woman, sitting back on her scaly haunches next to Rowan, cast a sly look in his direction."
                ygris "My kind are simple and uncomplicated, Rowan. When we range from the mountains we call home, the fiercest among us search out a Spearguard."
                ygris "In your tongue, it would mean husband. A {i}proper{/i} husband at that! Someone to cook the meat of our kills and tend to our whelps."
                menu:
                    "Are there any male Dragon Ogres?":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ygris "They are the gentler sex of my people. Perfectly suitable if all you want out of life is safety and… softness."
                        "Ygriss’s shoulders shook as a small shiver ran through her. Then she gave Rowan a big grin full of sharp teeth and sensual hunger."
                        ygris "Those that travel far into the world make danger our companion, and desire to find the best man for the job."
                        ro "And that’s where I come in…"
                        ygris "Haha. Fast of mind. Our children would fare well, Human."
                        "Now clear of the powerful woman’s intention, the Ebon warrior quickly took the opportunity to scamper out of the area."
                        "Ygriss paid him no mind, as her attention had now fixed squarely on Rowan."

                    "And you’re looking here?":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I don’t think you’ll find much quality among these men, my lady."
                        ygris "Hah! Maybe… maybe not. That is the pleasure of hunting."
                        "The Ebon Warrior squirmed in place at Ygriss’s statement."
                        "With Rowan distracting Ygriss, the man took this as his opportunity to bail, giving a half-hearted excuse before all but fleeing the scene."
                        "The Dragon Ogress’ eyes played across his retreating form before refocusing her attention on Rowan."

                ygris "Seems you really are the only man around now."
                ro "Don’t worry, I was the only man in the room, anyway."
                "A chorus of jeering laughs erupted from the drunken Goblins. Rowan saw Ygriss’s brow rise, and her eyelids lower. A sultry smile played across her lips."
                ygris "Prove it."
                ro "How?"
                ygris "Kiss me. Show me the strength of your lips, and I will know the strength of the rest of you."
                gob "I’ll give you a kiss, lady."
                ogob "Haha. Do that and she’ll crush you. That is if Berta doesn’t geld you."
                gob "You lousy rat!"
                "Over the laughter of the drunk Goblins, Rowan rubbed his jaw and considered the offer for a moment."
                "Odd anatomy aside, Rowan was already married. and one wife was altogether too much for him to handle as it was."
                "That being said, Ygriss did not seem to be the type to take kindly to being denied. And Rowan was far drunker than he had anticipated being when he first walked into the inn."
                "His curiosity stirred in his pants. Or was that something else."


        "Buy the Dragon Ogress a drink and take a seat.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "-And a Double-sizer Stonebreaker for the lady!"
            ygris "What, are you trying to embarrass me, boy? Stonebreaker’s got all the impact of a light spring breeze upon my liver."
            ro "Barkeep! Make it two of them, for the sake of the lady’s liver."
            ygris "Hah!"
            ro "The name’s Rowa-"
            jump ygrissIntro_rp

    label ygrissBarMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Tell her you have a wife." if ygrissWife == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ ygrissWife = True
                ro "Look, while I appreciate the offer-"
                "Ygriss’ head leaned in closer towards him."
                ygris "It wasn’t an offer. Rowan, it was a {i}command.{/i}"
                ro "I’m married. I wasn’t trying to lead you on, I just didn’t know how to tell you-"
                ygris "Married..."
                ro "Yes."
                ygris " ...And? Does your cock not work because you said some words?"
                ro "What? I- No it still bloody works."
                "The husky Ogress tilted her head back and let out a hearty belly laugh."
                ygris "Hah! You’ve been unmanned by a wedding band! Your wife is away, dearest Rowan. Why not take the opportunity? It’s presenting its fertile rump to you!"
                show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan’s cheeks colored at the assertion. Was he even sure what he wanted to do?"
                jump ygrissBarMenu_rp

            "Accept the invitation. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump ygrissBarSex_rp
                return

            "Gently turn her down.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan shook his head back and forth. No, he could not do that to Alexia, despite everything that’s happened."
                ro "I… appreciate the offer. If it was under different circumstances I’d jump at the chance. But I’m going to have to decline."
                ygris "Heh, a man with principles… That’s more than I can say about this lot."
                "Some of the Goblins sneered at her while others broke into whooping and laughs."
                gob "Principles don’t make a hot momma wet, lass. Hahaha!"
                "Ygriss chuckled and looked at Rowan."
                ygris "He’s not wrong…"
                jump ygrissTalk_rp

            "Explain that you just aren’t compatible.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan grimaced at the prospect of confronting the opinionated Dragon Ogress with his denial, but she really had left little for him in the way of outs."
                ro "While I… appreciate the gesture, I’m going to have to decline."
                ygris "Oh? Got your pants so tight about your waist you cut off all circulation to your naughty bits, eh?"
                ro "No, I just… don’t think we’re that compatible."
                show ygriss angry at cliohnaright with dissolve
                "A scowl built upon the Dragon Ogress’ face."
                show ygriss neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
                ro "(Ah Kharos take me…)"
                "Her eyes flashed, and for a moment Rowan worried that she was going to snort and charge at him like an enraged bull cornered in a pen."
                "Thankfully, she just downed her mug in three deep gulps and slammed the cup onto the table."
                "When the draught was empty, she got up, left the table and went over to the bar."
                jump ygrissTalk_rp

    label ygrissTalk_rp:

        "While Ygriss herself was a sight to behold, her golden accented spear also drew Rowan’s eyes."
        "He recalled how the Orcs had been too frightened to oppose her. Rowan couldn’t say that he blamed them much."

        ro "(She could skewer three of them at once with that thing.)"

        "After hearing her bark a new order at the bartender, he cleared his throat."
        "He cocked his head towards her spear."

        ro "…You any good with that thing?"

        "At first, it looked like she was going to scoff, then Ygriss paused and nodded her head to a side door. Then she waddled over, holding the spear in one hand and beer in the other."
        "She awkwardly shifted the mug into her spear hand and then opened up the door. Rowan immediately caught a strong whiff of something akin to vinegar."

        ro "What- Oh…"

        "It took him a few minutes to realize just what he was looking at when he came into the storeroom."
        "The realization turned his stomach slightly. Glancing over to Ygriss, he saw that she seemed quite numb to the sight."

        ro "I did not think to see a pair of Drider hides… Or I guess I should say… Carapaces."

        ygris "I was fixing to sell them, but apparently the people here haven’t gotten a taste for them."
        ygris "Funny, isn’t it? They certainly have a taste for Humans."

        "Whatever he thought of the Dragon Ogress, it was clear that she knew a thing or two about handling herself in battle."

        #if castle.buildings['pit'].driders >= 1:
        ro "(Driders are not to be trifled with.)"
        "Ygriss had to be perhaps one of a dozen people in all of Rosaria who could best several of them at once all on her own."

        ygris "I mean to leave this place in a few days."
        ro "Can I ask why?"
        ygris "Isn’t it obvious? This place is boring. I’ve yet to have a proper fight."

        "She flashed him another smile likely meant make him weak in the knees."

        ygris "Or a proper fuck. Luckily, you can help me with at least one of those. Hell, maybe both."

        menu:
            "I already have a wife." if ygrissWife == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I’m afraid I cannot. I’m a married man, Ygriss."
                ygris "A Human wife. And none of my concern. If we’re ever in the same room, we can battle it out for who gets bred first, Rowan."
                if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    ro "(I can just imagine Alexia’s reaction to such a propostion)"
                else:
                    ro "Haha. Now that would be a sight to see. But I still must decline."
                "Despite her horny thirst to ravish any male she set her eyes on, Rowan knew that that the woman in front of him was worth ten swords easily. Perhaps even twenty."
                ro "Let me buy you another round, for your trouble."
                ygris "Make it two."
                "The pair ended up splitting another few cups of beer and Rowan made a proposition of his own."
                ro "If you stay in this area a little longer, I’ll make it my goal to keep an ear out for a battle that would be a {i}true{/i} test of your skills, Ygriss."
                ygris "Ngnnn…"
                ro "Come on. It’s the least I can do after denying your… uh, ‘advances’."
                ygris "I’d rather test out your cock. But, I won’t deny an different to get my blood pumping."
                ygris "I’ll stay here a little longer, but I hope that if you find something and I prove my strength yet again, you’ll indulge me…"
                "With that, he gave her a parting nod, finished up the last of his drink and then headed out of the bar."
                return

            "We’re just too different.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Ygriss be reasonable. Look at me, I doubt I’d be a match for you."
                "The intense and slightly lusty gaze told him that she did not share his hangup."
                ygris "Blah blah. I just think you’re afraid to try. What kind of man are you?"
                ro "(One who doesn’t want his pelvis crushed.)"
                "Despite her horny thirst to ravish any male she set her eyes on, Rowan knew that that the woman in front of him was worth ten swords easily. Perhaps even twenty."
                ro "Let me buy you another round, for your trouble."
                ygris "Make it two."
                "The pair ended up splitting another few cups of beer and Rowan made a proposition of his own."
                ro "If you stay in this area a little longer, I’ll make it my goal to keep an ear out for a battle that would be a {i}true{/i} test of your skills, Ygriss."
                ygris "Ngnnn…"
                ro "Come on. It’s the least I can do after denying your… uh, ‘advances’."
                ygris "I’d rather test out your cock. But, I won’t deny an different to get my blood pumping."
                ygris "I’ll stay here a little longer, but I hope that if you find something and I prove my strength yet again, you’ll indulge me…"
                "With that, he gave her a parting nod, finished up the last of his drink and then headed out of the bar."
                return

            "Warn her to stay out of trouble.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I didn’t come here to fuck you. I came here to warn you about causing trouble in the area."
                ro "We have enough problems as it is."
                "His words caught the Dragon Ogress’ attention. Slowly, her head turned to him, and her head leaned from one side to the other, eyeing him like a hawk eyes a mouse."
                ygris "Heh. And what if I don’t stay out of trouble? What happens?"
                menu:
                    "You’ll find out.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "You’ll find out, Dragon Ogress."
                        "Rowan grabbed a handful of silver coins and dropped them on the bar."
                        "The beleaguered innkeeper looked at Rowan and then back towards Ygriss. If the man was disappointed in still having a problem, he kept his thoughts to himself."
                        "Ygriss turned and raised her glass to Rowan as he left."
                        ygris "We {i}will{/i} meet again, bold Human…"

                    "I can find you a real test.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I run into all sorts of problems out there. I’m sure I’ll come across something that would give you a run for your coin."
                        ygris "Perhaps. So long as it’s not another Drider. You’ve trapped one, you’ve trapped them all."
                        " (Well it cannot be said that she doesn’t have a healthy view of her skills.)"
                        "He nodded and then paid for his tab."
                        ro "If I find something, I’ll send word here. Until then, try not to wind up in a cell."
                        ygris "Why not? Never found one big enough to house me anyhow."
                        "The dangerous Dragon Ogress quipped at him as he headed for the door."

                    "Or you’ll never see just how good a spearguard I am.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan decided to have a little fun with her."
                        ro "I’m the best warrior in Rosaria and would be an able Spearguard for any Dragon Ogress."
                        ro "Of course, if I was going to become your Spearguard, I’d need to know that you can be trusted."
                        "Ygriss’ eyes narrowed at him."
                        ygris "I don’t look trustworthy to you?"
                        ro "You look like someone who enjoys trouble just for the hell of it. And I have enough trouble in my life to bury me twice over."
                        ygris "Hmmm. You’re lucky I enjoy a good hunt, Rowan Blackwell."
                        "He smiled and then left a few silvers on the bar to pay for their drinks. After that, he got up and left, confident that he’d at least piqued Ygriss’ attention enough to hold her in Rosaria for a time."
                        ro "(There must be something I can put her on. It would be a waste to not see if she’s half as strong as she thinks.)"

                "Rowan left the inn and the Dragon Ogress behind."
                return

    label ygrissBarSex_rp:
        scene cg316 with fade
        show ygriss aroused behind cg316
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg316
        pause 3

        "What the hell. With everything else that has gone wrong in Rowan’s life, it’s not like this was exactly on par with a world-ending threat from Demons. Hell, this wasn’t even the oddest proposition Rowan had gotten in the last week."
        "Perhaps it was the alcohol simmering with a delectable, warm heat in his belly, or perhaps it was just the pent up frustration of a world that was slowly falling apart around him. Either way, Rowan’s blood was up."
        "He smiled, leaning forward as Ygriss’s lips stretched wide into a triumphant grin. They came together, the larger Dragon Ogress leaning down at the same time Rowan lifted up."
        "Their lips met, their tongues circling around one another’s as the stolen kiss quickly turned into a drunken makeout session. The patrons of the bar cheered as the two threw their arms around one another, their eyes ablaze with lust as their hands began to wander. "
        "Rowan reached out and took hold of one of her large tits, feeling the weight of them in his hands as his tongue moved in competitive circles around Ygriss’s own. Her lips were moist, her tongue long and draconic."
        "The Dragon Ogress laughed, reaching down with a hand to unsubtly grope at his nethers. Rowan grimaced as her solid fingers closed clumsily around the erection hardening in his pants."
        "The randy Dragon Ogress let out a roar of approval. Before Rowan could so much as utter out a complaint, she’d taken him by the shoulders, lifting him bodily off the ground so that his feet dangled in the air."
        "Taking his outfit by the scruff of the neck, she pulled, tugged, then ripped. In one, smooth movement Rowan was left naked. The force of Ygriss’s pull all but split his outfit down the middle, with his shoulders serving as the split point on either side."
        "Rowan cursed, but had little time to recover, as the Dragon Ogress tossed him atop the drinking table, spilling drinks as the Dwarves let out hooting calls before clearing to safety out of the blast radius."
        "Rowan scrambled to his feet atop the beer-slick table, his head woozy and the room spinning. He had downed far more alcohol than he remembered. Judging from Ygriss’s bright red face and wolfish grin, so had she."
        "The Ogress slinked forward, her reptilian feet and toed claws clicking across the stone floor as she undid the straps around her bra, letting her breasts spill forth."
        "She untied her loincloth, allowing it to drop to the floor like discarded rubbish as she ascended the step to the tabletop. Her eyes were ablaze with wanton need, and Rowan could feel a building weight in his tongue as he stared at her."
        "As strange and otherworldly as she may have been, she was also beautiful. With a grace that belied her size, the Dragon Ogress pivoted on her back legs and did a half-circle, presenting her sizable hindquarters for Rowan’s viewing pleasure."
        "Her ass was huge, her thighs thick like a broodmother’s. Rowan’s vision was obscured standing directly behind her, like a solar eclipse of Dragon cunt. Her bright, pink pussy lips were parted, dribbling feminine fluids down her leg as she perked her hips up for him."
        "A waft of heated pheromones drifted up and blasted Rowan full in the face, and he nearly swooned from the scent of it. Something primal compelled him onwards, and before he had time to take stock of what he was doing Rowan had buried himself deep in Ygriss’s box."

        ygris "{i}Mmmmh{/i}! Yeah, get in there, stud. Eat me out till you’re addicted to the taste of Dragon Ogress juices!"

        "Rowan blushed, but obliged. Redoubling his efforts, he tongue-fucked her cavernous gorge till his tongue was straining to reach deeper. He tasted sopping-wet nectar as the beastwoman’s lust built up."
        "Rowan planted a hard {i}spank{/i} across her ass and the Ygriss let out a tortured squeal. By now, most of the patrons were giving catcalls and yelling suggestions, all of which Rowan ignored to focus on the Dragon Ogress’ ever-wettening puss."
        "Rowan mashed at her muff with all the enthusiasm of a frenzied shark amidst a school of fish. He lapped at her insides, his tongue licking in long, languid strokes before diving deep and shortening his licks to breakneck speed."
        "Ygriss let out a booming cry of pleasure and stomped her foot, rattling the table they were on. Rowan pulled back, his cheeks splashed with the squirting wetness coming out of Ygriss’s cooter."
        "He could no longer contain himself. Reaching out with his hand, Rowan slid the better part of his hand into her clenching pussy, eliciting a cry of joy from the Dragon Ogress who turned partially around to stare at him."
        "He felt the warm contractions of her cunt around his hand as he slathered it in her fluids, retreating only after lingering for a moment her large clit. He lubricated his cock in her accumulated juices, finishing with a flourish and a spank on the ass."

        ygris "Take me… do {i}it!{/i}"

        scene cg317 with fade
        show ygriss aroused behind cg317
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg317
        pause 3

        "Rowan heeded her breathless command, though he did not respond verbally. Taking himself in hand, Rowan positioned himself against the Dragon Ogress’ hind, his hands wrapping around her scaly hips as his cock teased her pink slit."
        "The Dragon Ogress wiggled her bum and tried to step backwards, nearly knocking Rowan off his perch on the table. He managed to recover, delivering a second, cautionary {i}spank{/i} to her ass to remind her who was taking the lead in this endeavor."
        "Rowan pressed into her interior, his cock sliding in deep as her large pussy swallowed him into its velvety embrace. Rowan let out a deep moan as the clinging heat and snug wetness sucked him in."
        "Without thinking, he thrust as deep as he could, his balls clapping against her flank just as he pulled back to spear her again. The Dragon Ogress let out a snarling laugh, plumping her hips up to give Rowan a better position with which to fuck her thoroughly."
        "Taking this as his cue, Rowan began to move once more. He set a quick tempo, the wet schlicks coming from her sloppy cunt only further enunciating the illicit public dalliance as the cheering goblins egged him on."
        "Rowan grunted, smashing his hips against the Dragon Ogress as she wiggled and squirmed in his grasp. Despite her imposing size, the Dragon Ogress seemed content to be in the breeding position now that Rowan had taken charge."
        "She let out a heady moan, tossing her hair across her shoulders as she thrust back at him. The hot, wet fuck got hotter and wetter. Rowan could feel the weight of the Dragon Ogress as he rammed his thick cock into her, the loud squelches growing ever more overt."
        "Ygriss moaned, mauling at her tits with her hands, pinching at her nipples when Rowan slid to the hilt.  His hands found their way to the flare of the Draconic woman’s waist and began to pull her down with each piston forward he made, forcing her to meet him halfway."
        "The result was a wet, rhythmic metronome of thrust and retreat, the air growing heavy with the scent of sex and pheromones. Rowan grimaced at the sensitivity: her cunt was like a cock-vacuum. No matter how hard he pulled, it always seemed to try to suck him back inside."
        "Her strong vaginal muscles clenched with every thrust, and gripped him with every pull back. It was heaven, a burst of concentrated pleasure that he could no longer resist even if he wanted to."
        "The Dragon Ogress’ dripping reply to Rowan’s thrusts became a sudden torrent as she squirted onto the table, basting Rowan’s legs in her sexual orgasm as she roared and reared back on her hind legs."
        "The table shifted beneath them with sudden force as all the weight shifted to one side. Rowan nearly toppled over but Ygriss slammed her feet down, reasserting the table’s stability. Another roar of approval arose from the assembled patrons."
        "The tabletop was soaked in a mixture of beer suds and Dragon cum. Rowan was reaching his peak. Every ounce of strength was devoted to stuffing as much of his dick into Ygriss’s pussy as possible, ramming so hard that he left ass-quakes on her cheeks from the thrust."
        "Ygriss’s cunt stretched around his thickness, dripping its delectable honey across Rowan’s toes. Her front legs, already unsteady, collapsed under her, but she managed with his help to maintain her weight on her back legs as she submitted to his final, thrusting climax."
        "The warrior’s pace picked up considerably, and he felt a building pressure in his groin. Just as he reached his climax, Ygriss turned around again, flashing him a wide smile as she quirked an eyebrow."

        ygris "Inside, husband!"

        "Responding as if on command, the warm ecstasy inside Rowan rushed out in a tremendous spurt, squirting globs of thick white cum into the Dragon Ogress’ clenching pussy. Ropes of creamy spunk fire inside the creature, and she roars in lustful approval."
        "Her hungry twat drinks down the seed with gusto, drawing it out of Rowan even as it milked him for more. By the time he was finished, Rowan was panting and spent, covered in sweat and empty of breath."
        "The cum glazed lips reluctantly released Rowan’s withdrawing prick. {i}Schllurk{/i}, said the fucked cunt in belated goodbye to the cock that had made a creamy mess of her insides."
        "Remembering at least some of his former dignity, a butt-naked Rowan sheepishly descended the table to the ground. Several of the miners proffered a ribald insult or two about ‘finishing what he started’, but Rowan brushed them off."
        "Ygriss, for her part, basked in the post-coital bliss of their sex. Far from descending the table, she allowed her body to collapse down upon it, rattling the table and nearly breaking it from her weight."

        scene bg21 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        show ygriss happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

        "Rowan saw the pooling puddle of cum leaking from her well-used pussy as she tilted her ass to one side and reclined against the table. She held his eyes with her own."

        ygris "You have done well this day, husband of mine."
        ro "I’m not your husband."
        ygris "The seed leaking from my womanhood would seem to indicate otherwise."
        ro "..."
        ygris "{i}Ha!{/i} Look at your face. You haven’t even the common decency to be proud of your accomplishment: few mortals can make a Dragon Ogress cum as hard as you did."
        ro "I’ll make sure to add it to my list of ‘accomplishments.’"
        ygris "Mmmm, you should. "

        "Rowan switched to water back at the bar to get his fluids back up."
        "Ygriss meanwhile returned to partaking in beer and acted as if they had not just had mind-shattering sex in front of all the people eating and drinking in the inn."

        ro "I should tell you. I didn’t actually come here to fuck you."

        "The large woman who had commanded him to spill his seed inside of her wet, ashen folds looked at him with her intense gaze."

        ygris "You have my full attention. So long as you be a good Spearguard."

        menu:
            "I’ll do my best.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ygris "Good."
                "Beyond fucking the Dragon Ogress and filling her quim with his seed, Rowan didn’t have much idea what being a Spearguard would mean."
                "Thankfully, he wasn’t too worried about it. That was up to the point he realized he probably couldn’t outrun the four-legged woman."

            "I have a pretty full plate.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ygris "Your plate wasn’t too full earlier. Now that you’ve had your fill you think that will be enough?"
                "She smiled malevolently at him."
                ygris "Think again, Human."

        ygris "But you have something on your tongue. Speak."

        "Rowan explained about the Orcs and how they said she was causing trouble at the inn."
        "Ygriss laughed heartily at that."

        ygris "I’m {i}so{/i} sorry I hurt the poor Orcs’ feelings. But do I really look like a woman who causes trouble?"

        "The Dragon Ogress asked him, doing her best to maintain a deadpan expression."
        "When he didn’t fall for it, Ygriss laughed and punched Rowan in the shoulder. The woman really didn’t know her own strength and he had to adjust not to fall completely off his stool."

        ygris "Lighten up, Rowan. Sure I was a little restless after killing a pair of Drider and that meant I was bored and when I get bored, I get horny."
        ro "Hmmm. I can see the problem."

        "The draconic centaur being rolled her neck, letting out a few audible ‘cracks’ before she took another drink from her mug."

        ygris "I’m not here to cause trouble for the Twins. Hell I was about to leave this place behind after realizing Driders were so easy to kill."

        "Bright turquoise eyes that stood out against her gray skin landed on him and she grabbed him with her clawed fingers and pulled him close so she could lick his neck."

        ygris "But then you showed up."

        menu:
            "I may have a challenge for you.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan thought about all the crazy situations he got into for the Twins. Having a warrior like Ygriss around would definitely be a boon."
                ro "I’ve been thinking, I might have a proper challenge for you."
                "Ygriss perked up at that."
                ygris "Well, as my Spearguard, this wasn’t going to be the last time we met anyhow. But I am interested. I’ll be staying around here for a while."
                ygris "So just come to me once you find this… challenge."
                ro "Will do."

            "I’m glad I could help.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ygris "Not as glad as I am. But don’t get too cocky. It may take you more than one time to knock me up, Rowan."
                "Rowan nodded, doing his best not to have his brain get completely hung up on the possibility of becoming a father to a half Dragon Ogress child."
                ygris "I will stay here, there are some other monsters lurking in the mountains. Attend me in a week or so, and we’ll go again."
                ro "Uh… very well, Ygriss."

            "You really think I should be your Spearguard?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ygris "I had some reservations, until you made me cum. Truth be told, some of my kind did not think a Human cock capable of such a feat."
                "She flashed him a sharp smile and then ran her hand down his chest and scratched at his still recovering crotch."
                ygris "You should feel greatly honored to have proven them wrong. Many Ogresses left unsatisfied during sex can fly into a murderous rage."
                ro "(That’s me. Always lucky.)"
                ro "Alright… so what happens next?"
                ygris "I won’t travel back home till I’m pregnant, so that is your only duty for now. Attend me in a week or so and we’ll speak more."
                ygris "Tomorrow, I’ll begin a new hunt."
                ro "Understood."

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black

        "When Rowan finally left the bar, his mind was still a flurry of issues nearly causing him to lock up with anxiety."
        "He had found a new potential ally, but also was now tasked by her to give her a child. Beyond that, it sounded like she planned for him to return to her people with her."

        ro "(No way in the hell that will work for the Twins. I mean, Alexia.)"

        "After that, he set off at a brisk pace, hoping the physical distraction would at least put his brain off from all having to think, at least for a little wild."

        # return

    return

# \events\map_hills_2.rpy
label talkative_traders_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    # $ avatar.add_exp (25)

    scene bg43 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was sundown. Rowan knew that there was little more he could safely travel tonight. The hillsides were often alive with wolves and predators in the night time."
    "He was so far out from civilization that it came as some surprise that there was someone else approaching him along the way. A large wagon drawn by two horses."
    "Rowan approached wearily. Cloak over his head to obscure himself and a hand on his sword. But, he eased slightly when he saw a goblin directing the horses. These were caravan traders."
    "He approached, albeit still with some caution. He didn’t recognize this goblin as one of Cla-Min’s brood."

    ro "Good evening friend."
    rancou "And a good evening to you. I apologize that it’s getting dark. If you’d like I can find somewhere else to set up camp?"

    "Rowan gave him a soft smile. The goblin’s remark seemed infused with a lifetime of the way that humans were likely to treat his kind."

    ro "I would be honoured to share a fire with you. That is if you’re equally willing to share a fire with a human?"

    $ rancou_name = "Ran-Cou"

    rancou "I think I can manage that. My name is Ran-Cou."
    ro "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

    "The goblin merchant continued to be apologetic, even as they set up a small campfire. But, every time, Rowan waved him off."
    "Rowan brought the kindling to a strong and warm fire. They sat down together and settled in for the night’s conversation. Rowan planned to ask about the man’s caravan and it’s allegiance. Whether they were friendly with the Cla clan. Goblin politics was a new and vital topic."
    "But, fate had a different conversation in store."

    rancou "Do not worry about food. I will have my wife prepare a meal. She’s getting to be a good cook. Not at first though. Spoiled thing had to be taught."
    rancou "Woman! Woman, come out here!"

    "The woman who came from the tent was no goblin. Instead, it was a comely human with sparkling gold hair. She wore a skimpy vest and ragged skirt, that exposed much of her body. Yet, neither that nor her generally dirty appearance disguised her natural beauty."
    "In her arms, she carried a bundle. It should not have been a surprise to Rowan, that it was a goblin infant, but something about the situation made that detail stand out."

    rancou "There you are. We need to prepare portions for one extra tonight. We have a guest."
    zelda "We do? Who is he?"

    "The woman looked to him, blue eyes searching wide. Her voice was soft but surprisingly proper for her appearance. At once, Rowan knew she was castle born."
    "Apparently, she overstepped her bounds. Her husband gave her a firm, but not especially hard, smack on the rear."

    zelda "Eek!"
    rancou "Questions are for when food is on the fire."
    zelda "Right away."

    "Ran-Cou turned back to Rowan, who was still slack-jawed from the display."

    rancou "My new wife, Zelda. Hehe. I find that she thrives when you keep a firm hand with her."

    $ zelda_name = "Zelda"

    ro "A strange relationship you have."
    rancou "A goblin and a human?"

    "Rowan shook his head. Of course, that part he was curious about as well. But, something else from that interaction stood out to him."

    ro "As I’ve said. I’ve met goblins before. I did not know you privileged the male sex so highly. I’ve met Goblin matriarchs and my understanding was that there is no dominant status for goblin males."
    rancou "That’s relationships between goblins though."

    "He nudged Rowan in the ribs."

    rancou "Besides, technically speaking this girl is still my servant. I think she likes it that way too."

    "Zelda blushed but didn’t look away from the cookfire."

    rancou "Zelda here was given to me by my clan as a servant to take on the road. Didn’t quite intend to knock her up along the way."
    rancou "My Papi raised a laugh when he found out about that part, let me tell ya. Especially considering how haughty she was when they first met."

    "His answers just begged more questions. Rowan leaned slightly forward. For the first time, he noticed a slight swell in the woman’s stomach, unhidden by her skimpy outfit. Was she pregnant with Ran-Cou’s second child?"

    ro "It’s not common for a human woman to end up a servant to a goblin either. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before."
    rancou "It ain’t. But, my Zelda’s not a common girl."
    rancou "Woman, why don’t you tell him about it?"

    "Zelda sighed."

    zelda "You know the story is embarrassing, darling…"
    rancou "Ha. That’s all the more encouragement to make you tell it!"
    zelda "Fine. Fine."
    zelda "The truth is, only a year back I was a knight. Formerly landed, but that was lost."

    "If Rowan’s eyeballs could pop out of their sockets, they would have. Castle born was one thing. But, how did a knight end up in such a predicament?"

    zelda "A knight of the western vassals of Prothea. You have know of the traitor, Zerias, no? The leader of the attackers at the seige of Karst."

    "Rowan leaned back and tried not to strike a smug face."

    ro "I’ve heard the name once or twice."
    zelda "My father was sworn to him. A loyal supporter, no less. And when his host was shattered in the flight from Karst, my father died to protect him."
    zelda "That was the end of my house’s fortunes. As eldest daughter, I inherited the title and the estate. I’d been training for it."
    zelda "Our new liege demanded heavy tribune as recompense. When I sought to replay it, I didn’t find any gold. Just stacks of secret debt notes."
    zelda "And no human money lender would aid us. We were a treacherous house. I sold the entire estate, top to bottom, but it was not enough."
    rancou "That’s where we came in…"

    "He reached out and wrapped a short stubby arm around his wife’s waist. Despite her larger form, she yielded to the touch with a sigh."

    rancou "Papi offered her a fair price. As much as could barter for with whatever crap she still had."
    rancou "But, we wanted a little more for the deal. Her father had tried to stiff us once, actually. Everyone thinks they can stiff the goblin. We’d have been well within our rights to tell her to shove it. But, Papi had a better idea. Why not take her a trophy?"
    ro "As a slave?"
    rancou "Goblins? Slaving humans? The price of that is death in human lands. No sirree."
    rancou "But, a nice binding indenture contract. Five years of enforced servitude and labor? Now, that’s just fair dealmaking between responsible parties."
    rancou "Ain’t nothing wrong with a freely negotiated contract, hehe."
    rancou "So, when I went out on my own to do my rounds, Papi handed her as a gift. A pretty well bred servant with legal standing in the human lands. Real generous of him."
    ro "You still haven’t explained how you ended up married, though?"
    zelda "Sir, do you really think I’d have taken a deal like that without some idea of the...other...kind of uses such creatures might use me for?"

    "She shruged to herself and laughs."

    zelda "I guess chaos runs in the family. Not quite in the way father had intended..."

    "The story continued from there. Zelda spoke about her entrance into the Ran household and setting off on the journey with Ran-Cou. Her husband liberally interjected in the story, and egged her on to reveal more and more details."
    "Rowan suspected that this was more for Zelda’s benefit than his. Every time he made Zelda divulge something new, Ran-Cou looked to her for a reaction."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan grinned to himself. It was sadistic but in a fun and charming way. Something he could see himself doing in such a strange power dynamic."

    "Not that Rowan made no use of the time. When he could, he asked for details about the clan and it’s trade practices. They were not rivals of the Cla clan, at least insofar as any set of goblin clans were not rivals. But, they were not as prosperous either."

    rancou "Come on, woman. Get to the good stuff. The tent. The tent."
    zelda "Are you sure? Isn’t that a little intimate?"
    rancou "And?"

    menu:
        "Ask to keep it chaste.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan gave the goblin a friendly slap on the back. This was a step too far, especially with a new face."
            ro "How about you skip this part of the story, huh? Some things are better left unsaid."
            rancou "You sure? It’s a good story."
            ro "Not tonight, I’m afraid."
            "Ran-Cou laughed and turned back to his wife."
            rancou "Ya hear that, woman? Got left off easy. Say thanks to your saviour."
            "Zelda raised an eyebrow, then took out plates to serve the meal."
            zelda "Thank you for the help…"
            "Rowan was left not totally sure if what he was hearing from her was gratitude...or disappointment."
            jump rancouEnd_rp

        "Listen intently. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    scene cg947 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg948 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg948
    pause 3

    zelda "It was on the tenth night that I knew that I wanted more. Cou has been a perfect gentleman to me, but it just was wrong. He had me wearing these revealing clothes yet never did anything to me."
    zelda "I was the one who came to him."
    ro "Truly?"
    rancou "You shoulda seen it. She came practically begging me to fuck her. Ass in the air and everything."
    zelda "It’s true. I tried to be subtle and seductive at first. But, I was never good at that. Training in arms doesn’t leave you much in the way of that kind of skill."
    zelda "Eventually, I just told him what I wanted, and asked him for it."

    show cg949 with dissolve
    pause 3

    rancou "Begged, more like."
    zelda "Y-yes. Begged him for it."

    #cg1
    scene cg950 with fade
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg950
    pause 3

    zelda "He told me that he wanted me down on all fours. So that’s what I did. It was the first time I ever looked up at him."
    zelda "He didn’t, uh. He didn’t waste much time taking me."
    rancou "And what did you think of Goblin cock, huh slut?"
    zelda "Cou! He can hear us!"
    rancou "Say it."
    zelda "Uh. I didn’t expect it to be so big. Or to feel so good. He just kept pounding me and pounding me and it felt like, ugh."
    zelda "There are no words for it."
    rancou "You were a loud little minx, wasn’t you?"
    zelda "Yeah. I had some problems controlling my voice..."
    rancou "And what were you saying?"
    zelda "I have to tell that part too?"
    rancou "All of it."
    zelda "I said...I just kept saying “Ruin me” over and over again. I guess, I decided that for a knight of honour, being fucked by a goblin was the end of the line."
    zelda "I must have been pretty loud about it. In the morning, my voice was hoarse. How many people might have heard me screaming that?"
    zelda " It just kept going and going. It was like I was losing my mind. I’d never been...taken...before. That’s what it felt like. Being taken."
    zelda "Do I need to keep going?"
    rancou "Yes."
    zelda "I must have cum so many times. I don’t know. I lost track after awhile. I’d never even had an orgasm before that."
    rancou "I could feel it too. No doubt. This bitch was shaking and squirting. I had a sleeping rug set up and she damn near ruined it."

    #cg2
    show cg951 with sshake
    show cg951 with sshake
    scene cg952 with flash
    pause 3

    zelda "By the time it was, over I knew I crossed a turning point. I was lying face down on the ground with goblin cum leaking out of me."
    zelda "Sir Zelda met her end that night. I knew I’d be back the following day for more. And the day after that."
    zelda "I belonged to him."
    zelda "There was no question of what the effect of so many days of it would be. For all I know, he, little one was conceived on that first try."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    "By the time the story way over, Rowan had but one question."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "W-why did you tell me all of that? You could have warned me before going that in depth."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "A good story. And one that I bet you have told to many others. Am I right?"

    else:
        ro "Something tells me that the story wasn’t mostly for my benefit, was it?"

    "The goblin and his wife exchanged a mischievous glance but didn’t actually give him a straight answer."

    scene bg43 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    label rancouEnd_rp:

        "After storytime came dinner. True to the goblin’s word, Zelda proved to be a competent, albeit not spectacular cook. When the meal was done, Zelda begged off to take care of the newborn. Before she left, Rowan wanted to ask her a question."

        ro "Are you happy with this? Truly? There’s still use in the world for women who have been trained in arms."

        zelda "Your question speaks volumes to your concern. Truly, I thank you."
        zelda "But, even if this was not the path I planned for myself…"
        zelda "It’s one I can live with. I think."

        "She gave him a smile then vanished into the tent."
        "Rowan and Ran-Cou spent much of the night discussing more business-oriented questions. The Ran clan was noted for acquisitions and finance. Both of use to Bloodmeen."
        "The only real problem was Cla-Min. She was too valuable as an ally by a country mile to unseat. But, she’d hardly let another clan muscle into her territory. By night’s end, Rowan had constructed a plan that would have the Cla’s act as intermediaries for any trade."
        "By the end, Rowan felt he had a preliminary deal that even Cla-Min might be willing to accede to. It would line more gold into her pockets than anyone else. "
        "In the morning, Ran-Cou and his small wagon went off in the other direction. He was heading back to the western dependencies of Prothea to relay the deal to his kinsmen. With him went his wife and son. The strange family they’d made together."

        #TODO - slight weekly income increase
        return

    return

# \events\map_hills_2.rpy
label the_lost_tribes_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Has Rowan had gay sex before? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanGaySex = 10
        "No":
            $ rowanGaySex = 0

    scene bg43 with fade

    "Rowan trudged through the steep, rocky paths along the mountainside, careful not to veer too close to the edge lest he fall into the sharp ravine below. There was still some time to his journey and he would rather not spend it tumbling to an early death."
    "A low growl caught his attention from the cliffs at his side and before he knew it, a sword came crashing down on his head."
    "With expert precision, Rowan unsheathed his own weapon and blocked the surprise attack, forcing his assailant backward."
    "An orcish warrior rolled back onto his heels but kept his stance, wielding his weapon with a strong but slender hand. The male orc was strangely handsome, with white hair softer than snow that brushed over the side of his face and nearly matched his ghostly greyish skin."

    if rowanGaySex > 2:
        "Rowan didn’t often find himself saying this, but he sure was a morsel for an orc."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    keth "What need have you in our mountain?"

    "Even his speech was different, delivering more intelligence than Rowan expected. Rowan was taken aback, used to having met several grotesqueries among the orcish race."
    "He held himself upright and stared at the orc head on, unwavering in his confidence."

    ro "Simply passing through."

    "The orc scoffed. Apparently Rowan was not the first to use that excuse."

    keth "Doubt it."

    "The orc attacked again, but despite his strength and experience, Rowan was faster. He disarmed the orc in two swift movements and the orc's sword clanked against the rocks as it tumbled down, echoing across the mountain."
    "The orc gritted his teeth and stared at Rowan, waiting for the next strike that would end his life. It did not come."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan offered his hand instead."
        ro "You needn't look so angry, friend. I have no intention of harming you. I'm just trying to find a spot to camp for the night."
        "The orc surveyed Rowan's hand, searching for a trick that was not there, before reluctantly taking it. Rowan helped him to his feet."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan simply sheathed his blade. There was a story here, and Rowan intended to hear it."
        ro "Your style was sloppy. But, you will not die for it today. You interrupted me in my search for a spot to camp for the night."
        "The orc rose slowly to his feet."

    keth "What is it you want then? What purpose do you have on our mountain?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "To know who've I've offended so badly would be a nice start. My name is Rowan."
        "Rowan offered his hand again, but the orc did not take it this time. "

    else:
        ro "Information for a start. I am Rowan. To whom am I speaking?"

    $ ketharName = "Kethar"

    keth "Kethar. You're looking for a camp, yes? Follow me."

    scene black with fade

    "Kethar and Rowan weaved through the narrow path of the mountainside until they came across a small orcish camp set up along a plateau."
    "There were less than a dozen orcs including Kethar, each of them more slender and pale than the last. Rowan cocked an eyebrow. This was not the lot of giant green monstrosities that was common to his experience with orcs. "
    "Kethar noticed him staring as the other orcs eyed Rowan with suspicion, reluctantly making room for him beside the campfire."

    scene bg43 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    keth "We are what you might call the runt of the litter. We've been exiled from our tribes, so we band together and form our own council."

    "Despite the positive outlook Kethar seemed to have, there was shame in his eyes. Rowan knew firsthand how seriously the orcs took their position among their tribes, so to be exiled… It was a great shame indeed."

    ro "You lead these men, then?"
    keth "Yes."

    "Kethar and Rowan sat down around the fire while the rest of the small band of men passed around bowls of stew. Rowan knew better than to ask of its contents and simply enjoyed the warmth the food provided him."
    "Once everyone had their fair share, another orc spoke up from across the fire."

    runto "He was 'spose to lead 'em all. Not just us, y'know."
    ro "What happened?"

    "Kethar looked reluctant to answer, but he pushed through, downplaying the events as much as he could."

    keth "There is a trial in my tribe to test a leader's abilities. I did not meet the requirements."

    "It was a nice way of saying he failed. Kethar looked into the crisp flames of their campfire and a new determination burned in his gaze."

    keth "But, with some more training, I intend to come back and take my rightful place as leader. They cannot avoid me forever."

    "Kethar reached out with a stick and stoked the fire, sending embers up into the air. The others around him ate silently, and Rowan guessed this was not the first time Kethar made such a proclamation."
    "As Rowan surveyed the camp, he had little faith in Kethar's ability to lead this tiny troupe, much less an entire army of orcs. Their food supply was greatly dwindling and the rest of their supplies looked worn through and ready to break at any given moment."
    "Unless someone stepped in soon, they would surely die on this mountain. Someone with a use for orcish fighters."
    "On one hand, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to leave them. Andras had no idea this little band of orcs existed, so there would be no one to reprimand him for leaving them behind. Bloodmeen would suffer."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Surely, if he brought them back , it would add more fuel to Bloodmeen’s war machine. And alone here, he was uniquely positioned to get away with it."

    "...But so would these orcs, dying out here in the cold from either starvation or other natural elements. Could Rowan live with himself if he did that?"

    menu:
        "Leave them to die.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                ro "{i}It's for the greater good.{/i}"
                "He could not risk Andras's army growing any larger, even by a band as small as these orcs. If he wanted to keep peace in the world, some sacrifices had to be made."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "That didn't mean he felt any better about it."
            else:
                ro "{i}Andras can suck my dick.{/i}"
                "Rowan still remembered how he’d fallen (quite literally) into Bloodmeen’s service. Just because there were consequences for refusal didn’t mean he was going to help those demon bastards of his own volition."
            scene black with fade
            "He ate in silence with the rest of the quiet group, fully aware that this could be the last time he ever saw them alive, before bidding them goodnight and taking a rest off to the side."
            "He woke up first thing in the morning and left without a word, hoping that he would never see them again."
            return

        "Recruit them and increase army size.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops += 5
            "Rowan couldn't bring himself to just leave these men out here to die. Kethar and his group offered a sort of intelligence that he hadn't seen in many orcs, and with any luck, they would prove to be useful both on and off the field."
            "At the very least, Andras would be happy to see more soldiers in his army."
            "So, Rowan gave them the offer, repeating the same spiel he had given many wandering orcs and travellers. Kethar seemed reluctant at first, but peering around his ruddy camp, he knew there were few options left but to accept."
            "Rowan gave him directions to the castle and they bid farewell in the morning. Rowan knew Andras would be pleased with his work, and Kethar's group would not die alone in the mountains. It was a win for everyone."
            return

        "Recruit them for Bloodmen in exchange for sexual favors. (Scene)" if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
            # $ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops += 5
            $ rowanGaySex += 1
            "Rowan eyed up Kethar and a new idea popped into the back of his mind. Kethar was quite handsome, especially for an orc, and with a slender body like that… Well, Rowan would have no trouble putting him to good use."
            "Finishing off his bowl of soup, Rowan set his bowl aside and the rest of the orcs got up to rest for the night. Kethar began to stand up as well, but Rowan grabbed his arm, pulling him back down."
            ro "Why are you in such a hurry? Come. Sit. You haven't even heard my offer yet."
            keth "Your offer?"
            "Kethar raised a brow in suspicion and eyed Rowan up and down. Rowan could not resist doing the same, enjoying Kethar's nimble physique."
            ro "I have something better than leading a tribe; you know your little party here won't last more than a few weeks at most without help, and I happen to have an army that needs soldiers."
            "Rowan could tell the offer tempted Kethar, but the orc was wary to latch onto his suggestion so easily."
            keth "That sounds… perfect, but you want something in return. What is it?"
            "Rowan supposed Kethar assumed he wanted money or loyalty, but as Rowan eyed him over, his gaze lingering along Kethar's crotch, he could see the wheels slowly turning in the orc's head."
            "Kethar stilled as Rowan leaned closer to him, his hot breath tickling Kethar's skin as he murmured a response in the orc's ear."
            ro "I think you know what I want."
            "Rowan rested his hand on Kethar's thigh, his fingers running up and down the orc's leg. Kethar glanced back at his sleeping men, but whether he was checking to make sure they were asleep or to gauge if this would be worth it, Rowan wasn't sure."
            "Without a word, Kethar stood up and motioned for Rowan to follow. Kethar led the hero a little ways back down the path until they reached a tree that had somehow grown sideways along the mountain's cliff."
            "Rowan admired the strange work of nature for only a moment before Kethar removed his shirt."
            "There wasn't much in terms of clothing for Kethar to begin with, but he removed the heavy pelts and fabric that hid his chest and crotch, hanging them over a hooked tree branch."
            "Rowan noticed Kethar was careful to be quiet as he stripped, but Rowan offered no such accommodation, his belts and fabric making loud clanks as he plopped them into a pile on the ground."
            "Kethar swallowed hard when he saw Rowan's growing erection poking out in the night air."
            "He looked as though he were going to warn Rowan about keeping silent but thought better of it, instead turning around to bend over and grip the tree."
            "Kethar's skin was so pale that it practically illuminated in the dark, so Rowan had no trouble admiring each slender curve of the man as he stuck his pert ass out for him."
            scene cg869 with fade
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg869
            "Spitting into his palm, Rowan coated his cock with saliva before easing it into Kethar's waiting asshole. The orc grunted in pain, his nails digging into the tree bark as Rowan eased into him."
            ro "Heh. You're so ready to just {i}take{/i} it. This isn't your first dick, is it?"
            "Rowan gripped the orc's hips and thrusted hard from behind. Kethar panted in response, his legs widening to accommodate Rowan as he pounded into his ass. No, this definitely wasn't his first time, and Rowan felt a surge of desire run through him at the thought."
            "He gripped Kethar's hair hard and yanked his head back to get a good look at his pretty face. The orc's lips were parted, his breath coming out in cold puffs against the night air."
            "Rowan stuck a finger in his mouth. Then two. Kethar sucked them eagerly, desire lidding his eyes as Rowan fucked his gaping hole. Kethar moaned around Rowan's skin, his tongue darting over and across the fingers as they explored his mouth."
            "Kethar's cock twitched with each hard thrust, precum dripping down his tip and onto the solid ground beneath them. Rowan's own excitement built as he watched Kethar's cock bob in the night air."
            "Rowan removed his hand from the orc's mouth with a wet pop and wrapped his hand around Kethar's girth, pumping up and down. Kethar gasped, struggling to hold down a moan."
            ro "Is this what you needed? One cock in your ass isn't enough for you? You need to get jerked off, too?"
            "Kethar didn't answer, but the flushed look on his face told Rowan everything he needed to know. Rowan bucked against the orc's ass and Kethar jerked his hips feverishly against him, both working to get Rowan off as well as himself."
            "Rowan's wrist flicked as he ran his hand up and down Kethar's throbbing shaft. The orc's ass clenched, tightening pleasantly around Rowan's cock as he neared his climax."
            keth "Fuck… Fuck… Yes, yes, yes, like that, just like-- like--"
            "He didn't have time to finish his sentence as hot spurts of cum sprayed out against the tree. Kethar fell into a post-sex haze as Rowan finished up with him, still pulling at the orc's hair while his other hand fell against his slender waist."
            show cg869 with sshake
            show cg869 with sshake
            show cg870 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg871 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg891
            "Kethar panted and moaned as Rowan slammed into him, his erection sliding in and out of the orc's ass fully until he reached his own orgasm. His body convulsed, spilling his seed deep into the pretty-faced man."
            "Rowan slapped Kethar's ass hard as he pulled out and enjoyed the sight of his cum dripping out of his open hole, the white fluids sliding down the orc's asshole and thigh."
            ro "Now that's a good sight."
            "The orc's face heated up as Rowan laughed, putting space between them."
            keth "...We'll be recruited into your army then?"
            "He watched as Rowan got dressed, his voice betraying his reluctance. Rowan slid his clothes back on easily, tucking his softening erection into his pants."
            ro "Well, I am a man of my word. And you did such a good job to earn that position."
            "Rowan's hand slid down Kethar's ass and he pressed a finger against the orc's asshole, stroking him inside once before pulling away. Kethar shuddered but offered no other words as he got dressed."
            scene black with fade
            "Once they were clothed, Kethar led Rowan back to the campsite. None of the other orcs had awakened, so they were entirely unaware of the agreement that transpired just down the pathway."
            "Rowan and Kethar parted as they settled down for the night, and Rowan slept with a dark smirk on his lips."
            return

    return

# \events\village_encounter.rpy
label unscrupulous_noble_rp:

    "Pass the skill checks? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    $ temp = False
    $ temp1 = False
    $ temp2 = False
    show bg1 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg1

    "Rowan was just beginning the process of reconnoitring this particular settlement, when he spotted a small party of horsed humans trotting around the perimeter - two young women and a man."
    "The women in to back wore simple clothes, and appeared uncomfortable on horseback. The man in the front was richly dressed and sat with a straight back, projecting an aura of authority even from afar. A local noble, as it seemed."
    "It was unorthodox to have one present in the countryside, for purposes other than hunting. Rowan would have to get to the bottom of this, before he decided on his course of actions."

    noble "Ah, Good sir! Sir Blackwell!"

    "Like a hawk, the horseman spotted him the moment he left the woods. He man opened his arms wide, and graced him with a small bow and a welcoming smile."

    noble "I am glad we were in good stead to intercept you, milord. Welcome to my fiefdom - such as it is."

    "He indicated the small town beyond. The two young women smiled at Rowan demurely. Both were comely village lasses, one flaxen-haired and the other chestnut, sunburnt and healthy."

    ro "It’s quite charming."
    noble "I do my best to see it prospers. In times of peace, I am its kind, diligent gardener, as Solansia commands. And in times of trouble… I make sure it endures."

    "There was something unsettling about the man. His eyes kept going to the woods behind Rowan, as if he expected something to march out of them at any minute."

    ro "Is something the matter?"
    noble "Hm? Ah yes. Well, no. It’s just… News of what happened in Raeve reached me some time ago. Quite the horrible thing. Struck terror in the hearts of many. Orcs so far south. Terrible, simply terrible."
    noble "… But that didn’t stop the traders, I heard! The caravans still ride, even if some of them are slightly… Different than before."

    "He licked his lips nervously. The two women behind him kept eyeing the hero with interest, oblivious to their master’s unrest."

    noble "I heard you represent them now, Sir Blackwell. A friend of mine, mayor from another village, struck a deal with you some time ago. It’s- It’s good to see his village stand, even when Raeve does not."
    noble "I was thinking if we could come to a similar arrangement. After all, this place has much to offer! Like these two lovely ladies!"

    "The nobleman indicated, and the two women clopped slowly forward."

    oll "Ooh, look at the arms on him, Brinnid. And doesn't his hair just shine!"
    bri "*giggling* No, I wouldn't mind seeing to that - even if I did have to share."
    noble "Wouldn't it be nice to relax in well-appointed surroundings with pleasant, willing company for a while? These two shall be yours, each and every time you choose to visit."

    "Rowan kept his silence, knowing it would urge the noble to say more than he wanted. The man either knew something… Or was incredibly paranoid, and thought to hedge the bets in his favour by getting on his good side. The latter was more likely."
    "He shouldn’t tip his hand too much, but this was a welcomed development. If he wanted to play ball, a profitable contract for Cla-Min was on the horizon, and perhaps some  entertainment for himself."

    menu:
        "Simply agree to his terms, and inspect the women. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "It warms my heart to see a noble as yourself take the initiative in keeping  the countryside safe. You can be at ease, sir, I’m sure we can come to an agreement that is satisfying to us both."
            "He could see the relief wash over the man. The nobleman smiled again, and pointed to his companions."
            noble "Then, a sample of our hospitality… To celebrate our new partnership?"
            # $ castle.villages_income += int(temp3 * ( (dice(50) + 50)/100.0 ))
            $ NobleVillageTradeWeak = True
            jump nobleGirlsSexMenu_rp

        "Try to negotiate a better deal. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I would be very happy to resolve this peacefully under such tempting terms. But as you accurately noted, my Lord, these are difficult times. It takes much to ensure trading caravans arrive at their destinations undisturbed."
            if skillCheck == "success":
                noble "Of course. Of course. Whatever you ask for, milord."
                noble "We can discuss the details later. Perhaps now you would like to retire with my companions? I have a place readied."
                # $ castle.villages_income += int(temp3 * ( (dice(100) + 100)/100.0 ))
                $ NobleVillageTradeStrong = True
                jump nobleGirlsSexMenu_rp
            else:
                noble "Wisely said. Which is why I invested heavily in a mercenary band to keep the area safe, should any ruffians try to disturb us or our visitors."
                noble "Surely you agree this is wise, my lord?"
                menu:
                    "Concede the point. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan almost chuckled. The man stared death in the face, and still had the audacity to negotiate. He could respect that."
                        ro "A fine point, my Lord. Regardless, I’m sure we can come to an agreement that is satisfying to us both."
                        "He could see the relief wash over the man. The nobleman smiled again, and pointed to his companions."
                        noble "Then, a sample of our hospitality… To celebrate our new partnership?"
                        # $ castle.villages_income += int(temp3 * ( (dice(50) + 50)/100.0 ))
                        $ NobleVillageTradeWeak = True
                        jump nobleGirlsSexMenu_rp

                    "Put his mercenaries to the test - take the village by force.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I’m afraid I can’t. It saddens me to hear you decided to put your faith in sellswords, and not the heroes of the land."
                        ro "Now excuse me. There are things I must attend to."
                        "He turned around, his scouting done. The noble stared into his back with eyes wide open, all blood drawn from his face, too shocked to answer."
                        "Mercenaries or not, whether he would choose to run away or fight, it would all make no difference. Rowan would make sure they are all captured before they can share their suspicions with anyone."
                        menu:
                            #Choice: Conquer the village (go to standard conquer outcome)
                            'Conquer the village':
    #~                          # call run_events('village_occupy', 2) from _call_run_events_6
                                # $ choose_and_insert_next_event('village_occupy')
                                return
                            #Choice: Destroy the village (go to standard destroy outcome
                            'Destroy the village':
    #~                          # call run_events('village_destroy', 2) from _call_run_events_7
                                # $ choose_and_insert_next_event('village_destroy')
                                return

        "No negotiations are necessary. Just take the village by force.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’m afraid I do not understand what you’re trying to imply here, my Lord. I am simply passing through the area. Now, do excuse me."
            "He turned around, his preliminary scouting done. The noble stared into his back with eyes wide open, all blood drawn from his face. Whether he would choose to run away or fight, it would make no difference."
            "Rowan would make sure the orcs would get him before he shares his suspicions with anyone."
            menu:
                #Choice: Conquer the village (go to standard conquer outcome)
                'Conquer the village':
    #~              # call run_events('village_occupy', 2) from _call_run_events_6
                    # $ choose_and_insert_next_event('village_occupy')
                    return
                #Choice: Destroy the village (go to standard destroy outcome
                'Destroy the village':
    #~              # call run_events('village_destroy', 2) from _call_run_events_7
                    # $ choose_and_insert_next_event('village_destroy')
                    return

    label nobleGirlsSexMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Sample his hospitality. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I could think of no better way to celebrate."
                noble "Excellent, simply excellent! Do follow, I have a place readied."
                jump nobleGirlsSexScene_rp

            "Politely refuse.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I am a married man, sir. You do everyone present a grave disservice by attempting to whore your subjects."
                noble "I- I apologize unreservedly, milord. When I heard of what had taken place elsewhere, I thought I must-"
                ro "That's enough. I have no wish to spill blood in this place, and have no issue with agreeing to a trade tariff with you, so long as the extra money goes towards the upkeep of the village."
                noble "You... truly are the hero the ballads have you as, aren't you? My word. I, of course, agree unreservedly."
                ro "You thought wrong, something I would advise you reflect on later."
                "The man took off his hat and bowed sweepingly to Rowan, before slowly trotting back towards the village. Rowan could hear the two girls murmuring between themselves in slightly awestruck tones about his honor and chivalry as they followed suit."
                if NobleVillageTradeWeak == True:
                    show andras displeased behind bg1
                    show jezera displeased behind bg1
                    "Of course, once the twins understood the terms under which the village fell under their control, they were less impressed."
                    an "You AGREED to this ludicrous arrangement without any reason to?! Do you not have an army to impose your will? Are you man, or slug?"
                    je "I must agree. Buying their mundane goods for better money without cause makes us look weak and incredibly foolish. No good shall come of it, once word spreads."
                    "Still, despite a lengthy browbeating session, Rowan got his way."
                else:
                    show andras displeased behind bg1
                    show jezera happy behind bg1
                    "Of course, once the twins understood the terms under which the village fell under their control, they were less impressed. Or at least Andras was."
                    an "You AGREED to this ludicrous arrangement without any reason to?! Do you not have an army to impose your will? Are you man, or slug?"
                    je "Do stop with your awful nonsense, brother. The trade is acceptable, and the man might prove useful in the future."
                    je "I do so regret you have nothing to tell us off two lovely companions that were offered... But if Rowan spurned the offer… Perhaps we’ll pay the village a visit ourselves, dear brother?"
                    "Rowan rolled his eyes, and tuned the reminder of the discussion out. The interview concluded, and he stepped out from the newly conquered village, back on the road again."
                return

    label nobleGirlsSexScene_rp:

        "Hand-in-hand with the blonde and brunette, Rowan was led to a chalet in the woods above the village."
        "The two girls chatted warmly with him, mentioning all the little eccentricities of their home and how happy they were such a storied and powerful hero of the realm now had his hand over it."
        "Rowan felt himself relaxing; was this really such a terrible way to avoid bringing the orcs in and storming the place? Not at all."
        "He curled his arm around Brinnid and Ollia's waist and winched the soft weight of their thighs into his side, to a chorus of coos and giggles."
        "The chalet was comfortable, heavy on silk pillows, a large bucket bath in one room and a double bed in the other. Rowan wondered just how often the nobleman used this place to get away from his wife."
        "All other thoughts except the growing, throbbing need in his pants disappeared, however, once he had sat himself down in a throne of pillows and Ollia began to remove his armor piece by piece."
        "All the while Brinnid placed kiss after lascivious kiss upon his face and chest, pressing her firm breasts into him. Rowan gasped slightly as he felt warm, slender, work-roughened hands coil around his cock."
        bri "What would you like, milord? I'm sure a worldly knight such as yourself knows all sorts of things…"
        "For all their pleasantness Rowan could feel and hear urgency about the two peasant girls; a deep desire to please him and save their home in so doing."

        menu:
            "Sapphic make-out. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene cg349 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg349
                pause 3
                "Rowan's eye fell on a vial of oil upon a shelf, undoubtedly kept there for just such an occasion. He slipped out of the two girls' grasp and collected it."
                ro "Here. Oil yourselves. It would please me... for you to please yourselves."
                "He settled back amongst the cushions and watched as they slowly stripped, revealing their lean bodies and tender, small-nippled breasts, before Brinnid pooled oil onto her hands and sent them roaming across Ollia's sunburnt-striped skin."
                "They were laughingly awkward and blushing at first, not used to caressing other women quite in this way, but as more and more of their flesh gleamed wetly under the candlelight they lost themselves in it."
                "Their arousal grew as they were brushing over each others' erect nipples, delving with oil-slathered fingers between thighs to make the other gasp, jerk and moan."
                "Rowan watched it all hungrily, stroking himself, a thrill running through him each time the girls looked towards him coquettishly, slick hands imbedded deep in one another."
                show cg184 with fade
                pause 3
                "A wolfish lust overtook him, and he could not help himself reaching out to sink his hands deep in the warm, oiled flesh on display, culminating in Ollia riding him, cock jerking deep within her with each urgent push of her hips."
                "Brinnid watched, fingering her oil-smeared cunt with her thighs splayed."
                show cg184 with sshake
                show cg184 with sshake
                show cg185 with flash
                pause 3
                "Rowan groaned as the floodgates opened and he unloaded flagrantly within the girl, holding her firmly by the ass and shoulder so she took every thick, warm, flume, her moans and sighs rich in his ears."
                jump .villagegirlsconclusion_rp

            "Double blowjob. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show cg81 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg81
                pause 3
                "The sugar of power and dominance pulsing through his veins, Rowan opened his hips, hand around his thick, proud erection."
                ro "Lick, both of you. That is how you can please your lord."
                "They stripped, revealing their lean bodies and tender, small-nippled breasts, and knelt between his thighs happily enough."
                "Shoulder to shoulder, hands sliding over his flat, doughty stomach, they laid their warm, rough tongues upon his penis and lapped it up and down, laying wet kisses on its bulging head with their pretty lips, twinkling eyes fixed upon his face."
                "Pleasure flared up Rowan's shaft with tightening intensity with every pass and wick of their tongues, and at last he felt compelled to sink his fingers into each one's silken hair, holding them close to his bulging cock as orgasm overtook him."
                show cg81 with sshake
                show cg81 with sshake
                show cg82 with flash
                pause 3
                "Brinnid and Ollia twitched and laughed in soft shock as load after load surged out of his enflamed dick, painting their faces with thick, musky seed."
                "Color high on her cheeks, the former reached out her lips when Rowan had pulsed his last, enveloping his tender head and sucking it quite clean."
                jump .villagegirlsconclusion_rp

    label .villagegirlsconclusion_rp:
        "Still naked, the two peasant lasses heated and poured a lavender-scented bath whilst Rowan dozed in a post-coital bliss, and then relaxed in there with him, cleaning every inch of his sweaty, travel-hardened frame with slow passes of cloth, soap and pumice."
        "By the time they were done Rowan's lust was almost completely rekindled - he envisaged bending one or both of them over in the hot water, rutting them senseless for their keen efforts. But..."
        ro "I must go."
        bri "Aww!"
        oll "If you must, milord. Remember - if you pass this way again, this place of comfort is always ready to welcome you. As are we."
        "His hands trailed out of theirs as he emerged out of the bath, towelled himself down, clambered back into his gear and departed down to the village's gate."

        scene bg1 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind bg1

        noble "I note a spring in your step, milord. Did one find the comforts on offer here sufficiently diverting?"
        ro "Yes. Now do excuse me, there are some things I must attend to."

        "Now he was back in the fresh air with his balls recently emptied, Rowan felt guilt weigh upon him for his lecherous actions, a sensation not helped by the nobleman's knowing smirk."

        noble "I trust we now have a deal?"
        ro "Yes. I am glad we were able to resolve this peacefully. Go now."

        "Out of sight, and out of earshot, he used his amulet to tell the demons about the most recent addition to their demesne."

        if NobleVillageTradeWeak == True:
            show andras displeased behind bg1
            show jezera happy behind bg1
            an "Pah! It sounds as if this nobleman ran rings around you. I would have had him gutted for his arrogance, and then taken the women whilst still covered in his blood!"
            je "Do stop with your awful nonsense, brother. Rowan has acted admirably. I'm so glad that he is starting to use his position of authority to enjoy the finer things in life - all the while garnering support for us without wasting a single soldier."
            je "Truly how a dark lord should act!"
            "There the interview concluded, and Rowan stepped out from the newly conquered village."

        else:
            show andras displeased behind bg1
            show jezera happy behind bg1
            an "Pah! It sounds as if this nobleman ran rings around you. I would have had him gutted for his arrogance, and then taken the women whilst still covered in his blood!"
            je "Do stop with your awful nonsense, brother. Rowan has acted admirably. The trade is acceptable, and the man might prove useful in the future."
            je "And I am glad you are starting to use your position of authority to enjoy the finer things in life. Do it more often! All that conquering and pillaging can get so drool at times."
            "Rowan rolled his eyes. There the interview concluded, and he stepped out from the newly conquered village, back on the road again. "

        return

    return

# \events\abbey2.rpy
label corrupted_abbey_dazzanath_rp:
    #$ avatar.add_exp (100)
    
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanGuilt = 0
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Usually, Rowan never checked individual Abbeys before ordering his orcs in. It was inefficient, scouting every single location that he would inevitably order to be burned to the ground."
    else:
        "Usually, Rowan never checked individual Abbeys before ordering his orcs in."
        "It was easier that way. He didn't want to see the faces of people that would soon die or be enslaved by his orders."

    "But this time, things were different, as the abbey before him laid in an area he was told to pay specific attention to."

    show xzaratl neutral at center with dissolve

    xz "If you want to, that is. You might find something… Interesting there."

    hide xzaratl with dissolve

    "Would it be too much to wish that the people he was supposed to be working with would kindly stop being so infuriatingly cryptic half of the time?"
    "Probably yes."

    #abbey bg
    scene bg46 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Regardless, whatever X’zaratl was referring to, Rowan knew it would be unwise to simply ignore her words. That's why this time, after scouting the abbey, he didn't call the castle and instead went to pay the clergy a visit."
    "Thus far, he didn't find anything odd about the place. The building itself wasn't any different than all the other temples of Solansia. It was a small, octagonal structure, with large windows on the side of it."
    "Rowan approached the main gate and knocked twice. After a short while, a pair of acolytes opened it up and inquired about the nature of his visit."
    "He introduced himself, giving his full name but not mentioning his past as the Hero of Karst, and explained he was merely passing by. He told them he wished to pay his respects to Solansia and rest a while before continuing his journey."
    "A simple cover, that would serve his needs for the time."
    "But the acolytes weren't all too keen on letting him inside, he saw that much from their expressions. They eyed him suspiciously and kept exchanging glances, as if both of them expected the other to come up with an excuse to send the visitor away."
    "But they found none, and with some reluctance, led him inside, into the large, also octagonal, hall that made the center of the abbey."
    "Rowan looked up at the statue of Solansia and knelt before it to offer a quick prayer. But just as he was about to start, a pleasant voice called out to him."

    aga "Rowan Blackwell?"
    aga "Is that you?"

    "A short, plump nun entered the hall from one of the side rooms. She looked no older than her early forties if Rowan were to judge from the small wrinkles around her mouth."
    "She approached him with a kind smile on her lips and a bright sparkle in her eyes, and bowed her head in respect."

    #if guilt higher than 49
    if rowanGuilt > 49:
        "Rowan returned the greeting with a hollow smile."
    else:
    #else
        "Rowan returned the greeting with a polite smile."

    #rejoin
    ro "In the flesh. Have we met?"

    $ agathaName = "Reverend Agatha"

    aga "Reverend Agatha, the Abbess. And no. Not exactly."
    aga "But I saw you once. A long time ago. After the battle of Seeley Fields."

    "Her smile turned melancholic and a painful shadow crossed her face."

    aga "I was one of the nurses that took care of the wounded. You visited the infirmary, to send off an old friend."

    "Rowan grimaced despite himself. He remembered the battle, and what transpired after it."
    "Sir Raignald, one of the few nobles who openly expressed his support for Rowan being named General, received a grievous wound on Seely Fields. He died soon after, in his final words begging Rowan to create a world where his daughters could live happily."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan hadn't thought about the old knight for a long time now and was none too pleased with the nun for reminding him of the promises he made that day."
        "But he couldn't reveal just how far he strayed from the path he vowed to follow."
    else:
        "Rowan still thought about the old knight from time to time. A joyous fellow, he always bragged about his younger child being the jewel of the realm."
        "If he knew how far had Rowan strayed from the path he once vowed to follow, he would not doubt punch him in the face in an attempt to straighten him up."
        "It wasn't a pleasant thought, but Rowan couldn't help but smile at the memory of his old companion. The realms suffered a great loss when Raignald left them."


    ro "Sir Raignald. He was a good man."

    aga "So he was. I remember he spoke of his daughters in his final moments. Said he hoped they would one day find a husband as noble as you."

    ro "I hope they did."

    aga "So do I."

    "The nun smiled warmly. The two acolytes were still with them, standing behind Rowan, somewhat uncomfortable with the odd reunion."

    aga "But enough reminiscing about the painful past. Rowan Blackwell, Hero of Karst, I cannot express how happy am I to see you here. Solansia has finally answered our prayers."
    aga "There is something you must assist us with-"

    aco "Reverend Mother, you mustn’t!"

    "One of the acolytes suddenly raised his voice in opposition."

    aco "This man is not part of the Codifice! He cannot learn of-"

    aga '"This man" is one of the six heroes who slew the last Demon Lord. He is more fitting for this task than any of us ever were in the first place!'

    "The nun's voice cut the air, silencing the two acolytes with a tone of absolute authority."
    "Rowan glanced behind him. While clearly chastised, the men did not seem all that convinced of the idea."

    aga "I apologize. They mean well. There are dark forces abound, and trust is hard to come by."
    aga "But I know your arrival must be a sign from the Goddess. I am certain of it."

    "The nun turned to her two assistants."

    aga "Leave us."

    "The men hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly obeyed. Agatha smiled at Rowan once more."

    aga "It will be easier to simply show you. Come with me."

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow and followed the Abbess. Guess he stumbled upon whatever it was X'zaratl was speaking of."
    "The two of them headed to the small door at the back of the temple, entering living quarters of the Solansia clergy. Occasionally, they would pass another nun or a priest."
    "Judging from the size of it, Rowan estimated the abbey had around a dozen of faithful living in it, including the Abbess."
    "Agatha led him to a spiraling staircase, guarded by a young nun."
    "Though guarded was perhaps a bit of an overstatement, as the woman did not notice them approach. She stared into the distance with a dazed expression, and only snapped back to reality once the Reverend Mother touched her shoulder."

    aga "Get some rest, Sister. I’ll keep watch for now."

    "The nun blushed, stammered an apology, and quickly left the two. Agatha opened the door to what Rowan believed was the cellar. As they headed downstairs, the Abbess finally decided to shine some light on the whole mystery."

    aga "A month ago, he came to us in our sleep. A demon most vile. He whispered words best left unspoken, and tried to lead us astray with promises of pleasure."
    aga "We turned him away, obviously."
    aga "But then, a vision came to me. The Goddess herself appeared before me, telling me of the demon that plagued us."
    aga "She reminded me of the duty we all took upon ourselves and bestowed unto us a truly holy quest."
    aga "You see, by turning the demon away, we only sentence others to be his prey. Rather than protect the people, we chose to protect ourselves."
    aga "So instead…We laid a trap..."

    "Her voice trailed off. The dramatic pause annoyed the hero, but he decided to wait for her to continue of her own accord and remained silent."
    "A moment later, they reached the door. Rowan kept watching the Abbess from the corner of his eyes and noticed her breath growing slightly heavier, and her cheeks somewhat redder."
    "The Abbess took out a heavy key and opened the cellar-"
    "Instantly, Rowan's sense of smell was assaulted by an overwhelming stench of semen. He covered his nose with his sleeve and peered into the half-dark."
    "He saw him, on the other side of the room. The demon. An incubus. He was illuminated by two nearby torches and chained to the wall."
    "His head snapped upwards at the sound of the door opening, and he was now glaring at them both furiously, with glowing, pink eyes."

    aga "His name is Dazzanath. For over three weeks now, he's been chained here, kept drained by us so he cannot escape his bonds."

    "The two approached the incubus. Despite being allegedly trapped underground for nearly a month, he didn't seem all that weakened to Rowan."
    "His pink eyes pierced through Rowan with intensity, and the chains rattled worryingly as his powerful arms threatened to break them with brute force alone."
    "- but without success so far."
    "Furthermore, the demon was surrounded by a circle of runes. While Rowan lacked the expertise to identify them, he believed they sapped his strength, at least partially."
    "Finally, Rowan couldn't miss the fact the incubus lower half was exposed for the whole world to see. His dick swayed in front of their eyes, looking painfully erect."
    "For some reason, Rowan felt his eyes drift to it of their own accord and he had to focus quite heavily to force them away."
    "There was now no doubt this was what  X’zaratl spoke of. And while Rowan already had a pretty good picture of what was going on, there were still some questions he had to ask the Abbess."

    $ event_tmp['ask_name'] = False
    $ event_tmp['ask_rune_circle'] = False
    $ event_tmp['ask_naked'] = False
    $ event_tmp['ask_drained'] = False
    $ event_tmp['Dazzanath cum dump'] = False
    label AgathaMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "Ask how she knows his name.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            aga "Ah, one of the acolytes mentioned it to me last week. They check on him regularly, and some of them use the opportunity to learn more about him."
            ro "You don’t talk with him yourself?"
            "Agatha shook her head."
            aga "I've been too occupied scouring the ancient texts for ways to banish him. I fear it left me little time for other things, so I had to relegate keeping watch to other members of the Codifice."
            $ event_tmp['ask_name'] = True
            jump AgathaMenu_rp

        "Ask about the rune circle.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Agatha smiled brightly in response and straightened her back proudly."
            aga "It’s a gift from Solansia herself! As we prepared our trap, she sent me another vision, showing what runes will keep him powerless. They've been exceptionally useful in keeping him pliant and obedient."
            'Rowan took another look at the incubus. The demon growled at him in response. How was that "pliant and obedient"?'
            ro "Have you experienced such visions in the past?"
            "The nun hesitated for a moment, then shook her head."
            ro "(Not suspicious at all.)"
            $ event_tmp['ask_rune_circle'] = True
            jump AgathaMenu_rp

        "Ask why he’s naked.":
           # $ released_fix_rollback()
           aga "Oh, that’s simple. We couldn’t risk him hiding any lockpicks in his clothes."
           ro "Did you find any?"
           aga "No."
           ro "So why is he still naked?"
           "The Abbess furrowed her eyebrows, uncertain how to respond."
           aga "Um... I believe some of the acolytes said they didn't want to come near him unless absolutely necessary?"
           "She blushed, ashamed of herself, and looked away."
           aga "I didn't really think about it until now, to be honest."
           ro "(Right...)"
           $ event_tmp['ask_naked'] = True
           jump AgathaMenu_rp

        "Ask how exactly are they keeping him drained.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            aga "Oh, it’s simple! We drain his cum."
            ro "…"
            ro "You drain his cum."
            aga "Yes. It’s the incubus main source of power. As long as his testicles are empty, he is powerless to escape."
            ro "…"
            "He looked her straight in the eyes. She tilted her head, clearly not understanding his apparent disbelief."
            ro "(Oh Goddess.)"
            $ event_tmp['ask_drained'] = True
            jump AgathaMenu_rp

        #only available after other four choices have been chosen
        "Ask why didn't they kill him. (Scenes)":# if event_tmp['ask_name'] and event_tmp['ask_rune_circle'] and event_tmp['ask_naked'] and event_tmp['ask_drained']:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            aga "Oh, we couldn't! We cannot risk him reforming in the Outer Dark!"
            aga "A incubus this powerful cannot be slain with a simple sword, his essence would simply escape this realm, and in time, create a new body for itself!"
            aga "That's why we keep him here for now. And that's where you come in."
            aga "If you agree to help us, that is."
            "The Abbess looked up at him with a hopeful smile, while Rowan did his best to suppress a sigh. His eyes wandered to the runes surrounding the incubus."
            "He doubted they really did anything except look mysterious. Just as he doubted that keeping him “drained” actually weakened the incubus."
            "The whole damn story came apart at the seams the moment anyone stopped to think about it, and Rowan had no doubt the incubus had to work the clerics for some time to have them all discard basic logic so easily."
            'For crying out loud, the demons did not, and never did, "reform" after being slain. Just like people, they all die when they are killed. Even Karnas, for all his power, was never able to come back from the dead.'
            "It was time to decide what to do about the whole situation. Rowan looked at the incubus once more, his glowing eyes staring right at him-"
            "..."
            "Uh..."
            "…"
            "What was he on about…?"
            aga "Are you feeling alright, Rowan?"
            "Feeling a bit lightheaded, Rowan blinked rapidly a few times, trying to get his thoughts together. What was he..."
            ro "I... Yes, I'm feeling alright, just..."
            "This wasn’t like him, suddenly spacing out like that. Something was-"
            "He heard Agatha gasp loudly."
            aga "Oh no! Look, Rowan!"
            "She pointed to the demon's nether regions, and Rowan followed her finger."
            "Precum was leaking from Dazzanath painfully erect cock, filling the room with a heavy aroma of cum. The demon grunted in discomfort, and buckled his hips forward, making white droplets fall on the floor in front of them both."
            aga "But we already drained him today! Solansia protect us, we can’t let him regain his power!"
            "Eyes fixated on the organ before them, Rowan knew that one of them would have to kneel before Dazzanath, to prevent him from escaping. It was the only way, after all…"

    menu:
        "Rowan kneels. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanGaySex += 1
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind black
            "Rowan felt his mouth water. His head was light from the intoxicating smell of Dazzanath’s cock, and he couldn't help but watch fascinated as its bulbous head swayed enticingly before him."
            "Without a word, Rowan knelt before the incubus. So did Reverend Agatha, by his side – either to advise him on the proper draining technique or just to watch."
            "Rowan was grateful for the consideration, but it wouldn’t be needed. He was a hero – and he always saw the job through."
            "Even a blowjob."
            "As he feasted his eyes on the sight before him, Agatha reached out, running her fingers under Dazzanath’s cock. She scooped up the leaked cum and brought it to her lips."
            "She licked it up greedily and sighed with satisfaction, a look of complete exaltation on her face."
            aga "Ah… So thick…"
            "Meanwhile, Rowan still couldn't take his eyes from the engorged head before him, its heavy aroma assaulting his senses. His mind felt heavy, and his body turned numb."
            "It was increasingly more difficult for him to focus on anything other than the growing need inside of him."
            scene cg201 with fade
            pause 3
            "Slowly, he leaned forward and opened his mouth. The incubus' hips buckled forward, and the tip passed through his lips."
            "Salty precum covered the inside of his mouth, and he started to explore the throbbing tool with reverence, running his tongue along it with passion. Whenever it hit the inside of his cheeks, it left a pleasant, numbing sensation, that went straight to his head."
            "Until now, he still heard a quiet voice in the back of his head that kept insisting something was wrong with the entire scene, but it was silenced the moment he tasted the demon's cock."
            "Rowan could now focus on properly draining the captured incubus, just he was supposed to."
            aga "Deeper. You have to take it deeper."
            "The Abbess urged him on from the sidelines, and Rowan didn’t need to be told twice. He leaned in, taking it halfway through, enjoying its shape and warmth. Little by little, he pushed forward, gurgling as the tip hit the back of his throat, and then further down, deep inside."
            aga "Now, move your head slowly… You need to bring him to the edge before we can drain him."
            "The Abbess clung to his arm, whispering excitedly in his ear, her hot breath on his neck. He could hear the hunger in her voice, and for some reason, he felt immense joy at the fact he was the one taking care of draining Dazzanath, and not her."
            "Elevated, he started to slowly slide his lips up and down the demon's cock, his jaw loosening up as he felt the incubus leak more and more precum into his mouth."
            "Quickly, he started to pick up the pace, not paying much attention to anything besides the taste of the corrupt cock and its semen."
            "A soft hand touched his own, left one, and the Abbess brought his fingers up, guiding them to the incubus sack."
            aga "Now, massage them gently… We have to drain him thoroughly."
            "His fingers touched the heavy balls, admiring their weight. The source of the incubus power. They had to empty them."
            "He had to empty them."
            aga "Almost there! Drink it up! You have to drink it! It's the only way to seal the dark power inside his semen!"
            "He heard the incubus grunt."
            "The quiet voice in the back of his head suddenly woke up again, screaming at him not to do it. Maybe drinking Dazzanath's corrupt, delicious cum wouldn't be such a great idea..."

            menu:
                "Drink it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind black
                    "Warm, thick cum hit the back of his throat. Greedily, Rowan started to drink it all down, a warm, pleasant feeling spreading through his body as he did."
                    ro "Ah… Ah…"
                    "Dazed, he fell back. Slowly, the fog that covered his mind seemed to dissipate, now replaced with a burning sensation deep inside his stomach."
                    "He looked up-"
                    "And saw the incubus cock was still hard and leaking cum."
                    aga "Oh no, it’s still not drained!"
                    "Panicked, the Abbess quickly positioned herself in front of the demon, read to do her duty as the incubus cum dump."
                    aga "Cum... Cum... Been so long..."
                    "Her excited whispers filled the room, and the gravity of the situation suddenly crushed into Rowan, washing away the numbness of his thoughts and body. Quickly, he grabbed the Abbess by the arm and painfully yanked her backward."
                    "He saw her eyes flare up in anger, furious at being denied her treat."
                    ro "Reverend Mother, we can’t both spend the day draining him. I’ll take care of things, while you consult the sacred texts. Maybe you’ll find something that will help us."
                    "He couldn’t risk having her around when he confronted the incubus."
                    "The abbess tried to protest, tried to struggle, but when she turned around to look at the incubus, her body suddenly lost all of its energy. She nodded in agreement, somewhat dazed, and left the room in a hurry, leaving the two of them alone."
                    "Rowan stood up. He placed his hand on his sword and turned to address the incubus, careful not to look him in the eyes."
                    #gain corruption
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                    #set flag: Dazzanath cum dump.
                    $ event_tmp['Dazzanath cum dump'] = True
                    jump confrontDaz_rp

                "Don’t drink it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace concerned behind black
                    ro "(Don’t!)"
                    "Panicking, Rowan suddenly fell back, releasing the cock from his lips. It throbbed violently and unleashed a stream of thick cum into the air, some of which landed on Rowan's pants."
                    "The Abbess gasped in horror and instantly took Rowan's place, obediently drinking all of the corrupt sperm. Rowan could only watch, dazed, as the once pure nun gulped loudly, choking from all the cum the cock kept pumping into her."
                    "Half a minute later, she released his dick, an exalted look on her face as she still savored its taste."
                    aga "Ah… Ah…. That… That should do it."
                    "She sighed happily. Rowan took a quick glance at the demon's penis."
                    "It was still erect and still leaking cum."
                    aga "Oh no, no no no!"
                    "Panicked, she turned around and looked at the hero."
                    aga "Rowan, we must do something about this!"
                    "Her terrified, cum stained face finally pushed the hero out of his stupor. He forced himself upwards, feeling a bit wobbly on his knees, but the numbing fog that covered his thoughts was quickly dissipating."
                    "He placed one hand on his sword, while the other reached for the Abbess. He grabbed her by the arm and yanked back, away from the corruptive influence of Dazzanath's cock."
                    ro "Reverend Mother, you should consult the sacred texts. Maybe you’ll find something that will help us."
                    "He didn’t want her around when he confronted the incubus."
                    "The abbess tried to protest, but when she turned around to look at the incubus, she suddenly lost her resolve and nodded in agreement. She left the room in a hurry, leaving the two of them alone."
                    jump confrontDaz_rp

        "Rowan watches as Agatha kneels. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg212 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg212
            pause 3
            "Rowan felt his mouth water. His head was light from the intoxicating smell of Dazzanath’s cock, and he couldn't help but watch fascinated as its bulbous head swayed enticingly before him."
            ro "(… Hold on… Something is…)"
            "Furrowing his eyebrows, Rowan couldn't help my think that something… Something wasn't exactly right with this scene."
            'A furious voice in the back of his head kept telling to "snap out of it", but he could not say why was he supposed to "snap out it", or what exactly was the "it" he supposed to snap out of.'
            "Standing motionlessly, he tried to make some sense of his thoughts, when the cock twitched again. By his side, the Abbess let out a startled gasp."
            aga "Oh no, it’s getting worse!"
            "Quickly, she knelt before the incubus. Rowan felt like he should probably stop her, but he couldn't determine why, and at the moment his heavy body wasn't exactly complying with his wishes."
            "He could only stare as the Abbess opened her mouth, and slowed enveloped the incubus tool with her lips. She eased it in slowly, carefully, with great reverence."
            "But as soon as she managed to force it all the way in, she rapidly picked her pace up, working the shaft with great tempo. It felt… Wrong, to see a woman of faith show such great practice in sucking a cock, but again, Rowan couldn't say why exactly."
            aga "Mmmph- Mmm! …. Mmmph!"
            "The incubus remained almost motionless, lightly bucking his hips to match the Abbess movement. Rowan could still feel his eyes on him, but he couldn't bring himself to look up."
            "Transfixed on the Abbess, he felt himself split between revulsion and jealousy, slowly growing aware that of these two conflicting feelings, only one was truly his..."
            "Suddenly, Agatha stopped. She slid off the cock, keeping her lips closed around the tip, and gently reached out to massage the demon’s balls."
            "Dazzanath grunted, and pushed his hips forward, coming straight into her mouth. Agatha's cheeks ballooned, and gulping loudly, the Reverend Mother started to drain the corrupt seed from the demon."
            aga "Mmm- ah, ah, ah…"
            "Finally, she released his cock, an exalted expression on her face. She sat down, panting, eyes still focused the throbbing tool in front of her."
            "… Which started leaking cum once more."
            aga "Oh no."
            "Panicked, she turned around and looked up at the hero."
            aga "Rowan, we must do something about this!"
            "Her terrified, cum stained face finally pushed Rowan out of his stupor. He placed one hand on his sword, while the other reached for the Abbess. He grabbed her by the arm and yanked back."
            aga "Reverend Mother, you should consult the sacred texts. Maybe you’ll find something that will help us."
            "He didn’t want her around when he confronted the incubus."
            "The abbess tried to protest, but when she turned around to look at the incubus, she suddenly lost her resolve and nodded in agreement. She left the room in a hurry, leaving the two of them alone."
            jump confrontDaz_rp

        "(Fight this, damn it!)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            "Rowan felt his mouth water. His head was light from the intoxicating smell of Dazzanath’s cock, and he couldn't help but -"
            ro "(NO!)"
            "Forcing himself into action, Rowan slapped himself across the face, the stinging pain that followed bringing him out of his stupor."
            "Dazzanath’s chains rattled dangerously. Rowan brought his hand to his sword and shook his head at the Incubus, careful not to look him in the eyes."
            "Not yet. Not with Reverend Agatha around."
            aga "Rowan? Is everything ok?"
            ro "Yes, Reverend Agatha. Would you mind leaving the two of us alone?"
            aga "I shouldn’t-"
            "The Incubus turned his eyes to the Abbess. In an instant, the resolve to be of assistance drained from her posture, and she nodded obediently."
            aga "… If you feel it best."
            "The Abbess left the room in a hurry, leaving the two of them alone."

    label confrontDaz_rp:

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show dazzanath neutral behind black

    ro "…"
    ro "I imagine you do speak, is that right?"

    daz "Mhmmmm, I do."

    "The incubus had a pleasant, almost velvety voice."

    daz "But Agatha is always so… Fun to have around. How could I ever interrupt you two?"

    "He chuckled softly. The chains that held his arms rattled again, and this time – popped off the wall, as the demon casually removed a fake link that must have been there from the start."

    daz 'And I was... Curious. Agatha was supposed to keep her "holy quest" secret from everyone… And yet she brought you here. She must hold you in high esteem, “Rowan”.'

    "It wasn’t often that Rowan met demons unfamiliar with his past. Dazzanath was a rare exception. "

    daz "Which means the two of us are likely going to fight… Unless…"

    "The incubus opened his arms up invitingly."

    daz "Look… The fact you still haven't stabbed me with that pointy thing inclines me to think that maybe there is some… Common ground for us to find..."
    daz "What is it that you desire, Rowan? Is it women? The abbey has no small number of them, you would just need to give me some time to finish my work. Men? Same as the above."
    daz "Is it power? You’d be surprised what sort of concoctions can be prepared with incubus fluids..."
    daz "Riches? Treasures? I have quite the collection... You could pick something for yourself..."

    "The incubus went on, going through the usual “temptation” routine Rowan was slowly getting familiar with by this point."
    "But there was indeed a common ground for them to find. There was something Rowan wanted from the incubus, though it was not what Dazzanath imagined."

    #if corruption is higher than 49
    if rowanCorrupt > 49:
        "His work on the Abbey was impressive. If not for Rowan, he would likely succeed in converting it fully, without anybody ever noticing anything wrong. His method of infiltration was unorthodox, but the fact he was able to pull it off showed great skill."
        "Skill the twins could benefit from if Dazzanath agreed to spy for them."
    else:
    #else
        "The incubus sickened him, there was no denying it. It was downright demoralizing, witnessing the servants of Solansia being reduced to mere cock-slaves."
        "He also couldn't deny Dazzanath possessed both skill and a particular brand of bravado that would make him an excellent spy in the service of the twins."

    #rejoin
    "His method of control, in particular, would also be of great use. Rowan was accustomed to demons trying to break his will with brute force, but Dazzanath’s, while not as direct, and therefore much less effective, was also much less invasive."
    "And in certain ways that was much more dangerous."

    menu:
        "Recruit him as a spy.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan signaled the Incubus to stop and finally took his hand off the sword."
            ro "Enough. None of these interest me."
            ro "But we might come to an agreement after all…"
            jump recruitDaz_rp

        "Slay him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "… Far, far too dangerous."
            #if Dazzarath cumpdum is true
            if event_tmp['Dazzanath cum dump']:
                "… But did that really mean Rowan had to kill him?"
                "The hero hesitated, the memory of Dazzanath’s cock in his mouth, and his sperm in his stomach, still fresh in his mind."
                "His gaze wandered to the incubus' fully erect tool. The demon, still talking, quickly took notice."
                daz "Or is what you want… Me?"
                "… The Twins would find his skills useful... And with Dazzanath in castle Bloodmeen, Rowan could keep an eye on him to make sure he wouldn't be up to any mischief..."
                "Surely it was an option worth considering, right?"
                "Before Rowan could even consider the idea thoroughly, he found himself already agreeing."
                ro "We might come to an agreement after all…"
                jump recruitDaz_rp
            else:
            #else
                "Without giving the incubus a moment to react, Rowan jumped forward, brandishing his sword. Instantly, his mind slowed down, as the demon attempted to stop him in his tracks with magic."
                "Too little, too late."
                "Powering through the mental domination, Rowan reached the demon and pushed his sword into his chest. With no armor, no blade of his own, and no room to dodge, the Incubus fate was sealed on the spot."
                daz "… No way… "
                "The demon coughed blood, desperately clinging to Rowan, but his strength was already failing him."
                daz "… Such a stupid death…"
                "Rowan pushed the incubus off him, pulling out his blade. The demon fell to the ground, lifeless."
                "..."
                #abbey
                scene black with fade
                "It took some time to explain the Abbess everything. At first, she was hysterical, and for a moment Rowan feared the whole situation would result in violence – further violence, that is – but in the end, he was able to talk the acolytes down."
                "Many still couldn’t believe the demon had deceived them, but in time, the corruptive influence would leave their body, and they would see reason."
                'For now, Rowan preferred not stick around, in case any of them choose to enact bloody vengeance for the death of their "prisoner".'
                "He sneaked away from the Abbey under the cover of night, knowing he already spent far longer in it that he should have had."
                "At least for now."
                "He could, at least, take comfort in knowing its residents would be safe."
                #gain solansia favour
                #$ change_favor('solancia', 1)
                #Lose: corruption, guilt, X’zaratl influence (Only a small amount. Dazzanath is more of a passing acquaintance, so she's not to shaken by his loss, and has no proof it was Rowan who slew him. )
                #$ rowanCorrupt -= 5
                #$ avatar.remove_guilt(15)
                #$ change_relation('xzaratl', -5)
                return

    label recruitDaz_rp:

    "In the following minutes, Rowan briefly explained who his masters were, and what was their goal. While Dazzanath proved to be horribly uninformed in the matters of demon politics, or any politics, he did hear of the twins and seemed intrigued by the idea of working with Jezera."
    "Her style, at least, interested him, because as far as the overall goal went..."

    daz "With all due respect, Rowan Blackwell, but I find world domination... Oh, so horribly cliché! It's a fun way to pass the time, don't get me wrong, but I cannot imagine ruling it to be anything but a massive headache."

    "Rowan stopped himself from rolling his eyes and decided not to comment. Personal outlook aside, Dazzanath ultimately did agree to join them... He just had one little request…"
    "That Rowan allowed him to remain in the Abbey, to finish his work. Shouldn't take him more than a month or so."
    "In return, he’ll bring the “converted” clergy with him to castle Bloodmeen. Surely Rowan would find some use for a dozen of cum hungry slaves, no?"

    menu:
        "Agree.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The Abbey was already lost. Might as well get something out of it."
            "Dazzanath would be free to do as he pleased."
            "He reattached the Incubus to the wall and headed out to find Reverend Agatha. He found her studying the texts, as he told her to."
            "Trying to avoid her trusting eyes, he told her he would look for a way to slay the Incubus, and that for now, they are too keep him drained and weakened, as they did before."
            aga "Thank you, Rowan! We will do just that. Our fate is in your hands now."
            "It was indeed. And it was already sealed."
            "Agatha insisted he stay over for dinner, but Rowan declined."
            "He already spent too much time at the abbey."
            "He left the same day."
            #Gain: Guilt. In 4 weeks: Launch event “Dazzanath arrives” (see below)
            #$ activate_event('dazzanath_arrives')
            #$ set_event_timer('dazzanath_arrives', 'after_abbey', 4)
            #$ avatar.add_guilt(10)
            #$ rowanCorrupt += 5
            #Lose: -Solansia favour.
            #$ change_favor('solancia', -1)
            return

        "Refuse. He’s leaving with you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Whether it was because they needed his services now, or because Rowan found the idea of letting Dazzanath do as he pleased with the Abbey reprehensible, the incubus was informed they would be leaving the Abbey immediately."
            "Rowan found Reverent Agatha studying the sacred texts, as he told her too. He lied he knew somebody who would be able to help, but they couldn't risk waiting for them to arrive at the Abbey. Instead, he will take the incubus, and escort him personally to the destination."
            "At first, the Abbess opposed the idea, the corruptive influence forcing her to find more and more bizarre excuse to prevent the incubus from leaving the abbey."
            "But Rowan was relentless. After over two hours of persuading, Reverend Agatha finally gave up. The very same day, the Incubus was bound in chains and released in Rowan's care."
            "The two left the Abbey soon afterward. Agatha insisted the hero should stay over for dinner, but Rowan declined."
            "He spent in the Abbey way too much time anyway."
            #Gain: Dazzanath as a spy (see below). Solansia Favour.
            #$ change_favor('solancia', 1)
            #$ recruitDaz = True
            #python:
                #event_tmp['_spy'] = Spy('m')
                #event_tmp['_spy'].name = 'Dazzanath'
                #event_tmp['_spy'].traits = ['Master', 'Submissive Seducer', 'Methodical']
                #event_tmp['_spy'].sprite = 'incubus3'
                #castle.spies.append(event_tmp['_spy'].uid)

    return

# \events\mine_events_3.rpy
label mine_level_3_party_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ week = 100
    $ serveChoice = 2
    $ orciad_state = 1
    $ orciad_ally = "tarish"
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
           $ rowanCorrupt = 100
           $ roAlRel = 0
        "No":
            pass

    #$ avatar.add_exp (50)
    scene bg55 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg55

    "Taking a bit of a detour, Rowan approached what he knew was an abandoned iron mine. A couple of years back, he heard from a passing merchant about it being overrun by monsters, though by then he had already retired from being a hero and general, and was enjoying a peaceful family life with Alexia."
    "Never really one for adventuring – he was a soldier in the past, not a glorified mercenary for hire – he chose to leave the matter to the local authorities."
    "Though knowing the level of enthusiasm with which lords react to peasants asking them to do their damn job of protecting the countryside, he honestly expected the mine to be still filled with monsters."

    if rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "Not like that would be an issue, now that he had literal disposable orcs at the snap of his fingers. "
    else:
        "Not like that would be an issue, with the orcs he had under his command."

    "Maybe if said monsters turned out to be driders, he might get a chance to grab a couple of eggs. Two birds with one stones, if lady luck smiles on him."
    "Filled with such optimistic thoughts, he approached the slope leading to the mine entrance-"
    "- and instantly noticed the faint trail of campfire smoke on the horizon."
    "Sensing trouble, Rowan stepped off the dirt path he was on, and entered the nearby forest. With his usual expertise, he started sneaking up to the source of the unexpected smoke."
    "As he drew nearer, he started overhearing snippets of a conversation between two particularly agitated people. A minute later, he was close enough to grasp the words being said."

    qais" … then you shouldn’t have tossed in so much wood into the fire!"

    "The first voice complained, annoyed. It sounded male, young."

    shee "Yes, yes, blame everyone but yourself."

    "Another answered. This one was high pitched. Girly."

    qais "I did everything right! I got the recipe from the innkeeper in Rastedel and followed it to the letter!"

    shee "Horseshit! Show me that- "

    qais "Hey knock it of you bi-"

    isaa "Please, there’s no reason to be upset! We still have rations!"

    "A third voice, sounding very young. Either a young boy or another girl."
    "Rowan crept in closer. A minute later, he was close enough to see who the voices belonged to."
    "Near the entrance to the mine, a group of… Adventurers, apparently, set up camp, and was in the middle of bickering with one another in a rather lively fashion."
    "A young sorceresses, dressed in red robes, tried to lay her hands on a piece of paper desperately protected by a young man in leather armor. These must have been the first voices he heard."
    "To the side, he noticed the likely owner of the third voice – a short haired… Boy, Rowan guessed? No older than 16. Hiding his face in his hands, he looked like was about to cry."
    "There was another person, who kept his silence so far. A burly, serious man, with a long beard, tanned skin and a gentle, if disapproving gaze, sat next to the young boy. He wore a simple shirt, but Rowan quickly noticed a breastplate and a shield lying nearby."
    "Again, Rowan crept a bit closer, kneeling behind one of the trees, trying to get a better look at the odd party, and to wait and see how the situation develops -"
    "- but he wouldn’t get the opportunity to do so."
    "He must have passed some sort of invisible line, because the the sorceresses head suddenly snapped upwards, and she turned her gaze in his direction."

    $ sheenaName = "Sorceress"

    shee "We have company."

    "Like a well oiled dwarf mechanism, the group instantly sprung into action. The big man in the back jumped forward, grabbing his shield and sword, placing himself in the front."
    "The other man and the woman positioned themselves behind him, by his sides, with the man taking out a crossbow, while the sorceress’s hand burst ablaze with magical fire."
    "The boy lingered in the back, protected by the three clearly more experienced fighters."

    $ qaisName = "Burly man"

    qais "Show yourself, interloper!"

    "With a soft sigh, Rowan stood up, and waved his arm from behind the tree."

    ro "I mean you no harm! But I would prefer if the other guy lowered his crossbow before I leave cover."

    "The three exchanged glances, then with some hesitation lowered their weapons."

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan showed his face-"
    "-and the woman gawked at him instantly."

    shee "Holy shit."
    shee "It’s Rowan Blackwell."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "All of them, Rowan included, looked at her in surprise. It wasn’t often he would be recognized so quickly. There wasn’t anything particularly characteristic about his face or clothes – bar the magical amulet, but this was a recent addition."

    qais "… Are you certain?"

    shee "Yes! How could I not be!"

    shee "Didn’t I tell you like, a thousand times how I saw Deanara and her party in Rastedel!  Of course I would recognize him!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The sorceress quite literally jumped up with giddiness, and waved at him, urging him to come closer."

    shee "Mister Blackwell, please, join us!"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    shee "… We’d offer drider omelettes, but SOMEONE fucked up the recipe!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "… Drider omelettes?"

    $ bernName = "Young man"

    bern "I told you I did not!"

    qais "I don’t think it’s even possible to cook a drider egg…."

    "Rowan shook his head as the group almost instantly forgot about his presence and descended into what he assumed was their usual bickering. It had been some time since he had seen a honest, proper adventuring group."
    "Not that they weren’t present in Rosaria. With the nobles more or less completely ignoring the countryside, it wasn’t uncommon for people to hire mercenaries to deal with their problems."
    "Though Rowan couldn’t help but feel the group in front of him was considerably more… Lighthearted than he had expected them to be."
    "A sign of times, perhaps. With Karnas defeated, hope returned to Rosaria."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "… For a time, at least."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "Normally Rowan might have paid no attention to random adventurers like that, but judging by their location, it was safe to assume they were here for the same purpose as he was. If they already scouted they mine, it would make his job that much easier."
    "Adopting a pleasant smile, he joined the group for supper. With the “innovative” dish ruined, the party offered him some of their usual dried rations, and with them – customary introductions."
    "The sorceress’s name proved to be Sheera. She was a fire mage who used to study in Rastedel and dreamed of becoming a heroine, just like Deanara was."
    "The burly man called himself Qais. He was a mercenary from the Empire of Sand, but after seeing the destruction caused by Karnas he chose to quit the life of a sellsword and devote himself to hunting down the monsters that now plagued the countrysides of all the nations Karnas invaded."
    "The man in leather told Rowan his name was Bernard, and that was that. He didn’t seem like the talkative kind, which contrasted with his earlier, loud behavior. Guess he only ever opened to people he was close with?"
    "The last adventurer was a scrawny boy who, contrary to Bernard, just didn’t seem like the kind to open up at all. Sheera said his name is Isaac, and that the group rescued him from orc slavers two years ago. Ever since, the four of them travel together."
    "Frowning, Rowan asked why exactly did they think that dragging an adolescent boy around for monster hunting was a good idea. This was no life for a kid!"

    $ bernName = "Bernard"
    $ sheenaName = "Sheena"
    $ qaisName = "Qais"
    $ isaaName = "Isaac"

    shee "It’s fine, it’s fine."
    shee "Isaac is stronger than he looks. He’s blessed by Solansia, you know?"

    bern "Sheera!!"

    "Bernard hissed at his companion, but the sorceress waved him off."

    shee "Oh come on, you want me to keep things away from the Hero of Karst? He’s the most trustworthy person we could ever possibly meet, bar Deanara herself!"

    bern "This is NOT your secret to tell!"

    "The sorceress pouted."

    shee "Sheesh, whatever… "

    "Rowan looked at the boy, who turned his eyes away. He chose not to pry on the subject… At least not yet. "
    "After they all exchanged backstories, before Sheera could shower with various question regarding his  time spent with Deanara, Rowan asked them what were they doing in the area."
    "As he expected, they also heard the rumors about the mine being occupied by monsters, so they came to clear it out. But they didn’t find anything except a lone drider – whatever used to haunt the tunnels must have left a long time ago."
    "As for the mine itself, they still saw traces of ore here and there, but it was hard to say if it was abandoned because of monsters, or because it was no longer profitable. Regardless, it could be reopened, and Rowan did a mental note to inform the castle of that as soon as possible."
    "With his main objective achieved and the day nearing its end, Rowan asked if the group would mind if he joined them for the evening. It was always safer in a group, and he wouldn’t mind having some company for a change."
    "Isaac didn’t mind at all, and if Bernard had anything against it, he decided to keep it to himself. Now, Sheera and Qais…"
    "Both of them were all too happy about Rowan’s company. The sorceress kept finding more and more excuses to rub her body against him, or to lean forward so he could look down her cleavage."
    "Her robes were loose enough that Rowan could easily see her modest breasts whenever she did so, and it would be a lie to say he didn’t look at least once. The sorceress noticed, the corners of her cute mouth turning upwards into a devious smirk."

    if rowanCorrupt > 49:
        "Rowan found himself responding to their flirtations, wholeheartedly enjoying the feeling of being courted. After all the time spent in Castle Bloodween, it was nice to spend some time with someone who didn’t have an ulterior motive when attempting to fuck him."
        "There would be nothing wrong with fooling around a bit, would there?"

    elif rowanCorrupt <= 50 and roAlRel < 30:
        "Rowan found himself responding to their flirtations. With Alexia giving him the cold shoulder, he couldn’t help but enjoy being courted."
        "Surely nobody would blame him if he let himself have a little bit of fun for a change, would they?"
    else:
        "Despite himself, Rowan found himself responding to their flirtations. He felt a bit guilty about doing so – with Alexia waiting for him back in Castle Bloodmeen, it didn’t feel right to mess around with other people."
        "Though It would be a nice way to release some tension… "

    menu:
        "Encourage Sheena. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump encourageSheena_rp

        "Encourage Qais. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump encourageQais_rp

        "Keep things platonic.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump adventurersPlatonic_rp


    label encourageSheena_rp:

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    "Smiling, Rowan turned his attention to Sheera, happily indulging her many questions about his past adventures."
    "Sheera’s enthusiasm and general sunny disposition proved to be infectious, and Rowan quickly forgot about the many struggles he was forced to endure in present days."
    "He gladly spent the evening reminiscing about old times, when thing weren’t nearly as complicated, and he didn’t need to balance his soul and Alexia’s safety with every decision."
    "At one point, when they thought he wasn’t looking, he saw the sorceress smile triumphantly at Qais, who raised his hands in defeat."
    "When night came, he laid to bed with the others, agreeing to take the last watch. But he didn’t sleep. He waited patiently, and as expected, half an hour later, he heard someone approach him."
    "He opened his eyes and smiled at Sheera, who stared in surprise, before returning the gesture, again offering him that cute, devious smile of hers."
    "She helped him get up, and with a skip in her step started to drag him into the woods."

    ro "Should we just leave them like that?"

    "Rowan asked, casting a glance at the reminder of the party. The sorceress smirked in response."

    shee "We literally just killed the only thing that could ambush us, and I have magical alarms all around the camp. How did you think I noticed you earlier?"

    ro "Fair."

    "Choosing their steps carefully – at least Rowan was, the concept of sneaking was foreign to the woman – they left the camp, and started walking deep into the forest."
    "Deep enough for that the two of them could talk comfortably, without the fear that they might be overheard. Or that they would wake up the others."

    shee "Mhm! Yes, this will be perfect!"

    "The sorceresses declared suddenly, once they were a fair distance from the camp. Without allowing Rowan a chance to respond, she jumped him, using the momentum to press him against the nearby tree."
    "Her lips sought his, while her hands started to undress them both. She wasn’t wasting any time, and Rowan felt she’d rather just tear the clothes off him, if given the option."

    ro "No foreplay?"

    shee "Fuck foreplay. I want to feel the Hero of Karst inside of me already!"

    ro "(Oh, so that’s what this is…)"

    scene cg675 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg675
    pause 3

    "Rowan didn’t mind a casual encounter, but he had no intention of letting the lively sorceress treat him like a trophy fuck. Annoyed, he grabbed her by the wrists, and with one swift motion turned their positions around, pinning her to the tree, arms over her head."

    ro "Young lady, I think you got the wrong idea about who’s claiming who here."

    "Sheera giggled in response, not at all dissatisfied with the sudden turnaround. She tried to lean in to kiss him again, but Rowan kept her firmly in place. Her enthusiasm was quite flattering – but he had no intention of letting her dictate the tempo."
    "Exploiting the physical advantage he had over her, he locked the sorceress wrists with one hand, and used the other to undo the front of her robe."
    "Sheera’s accursed mounds, previously taunting him with occasional appearances through the entire evening, were finally revealed to him in full glory."
    "They were petite, but perky, with small, erect nipples. Rowan pinched one of them teasingly, then grabbed the teat forcefully, making his partner gasp."

    shee "If you like them, why not give them a kiss?"

    "The sorceress smirked at him mischievously, again, not at all discouraged by her current position. She kept trying to free herself, but it was a token effort."
    "Rowan’s arm trailed lower, and with deliberate slowness started undoing her belt, revealing her nether regions."
    "As he expected, her lower lips were not unlike her upper ones. Just like the sorceress couldn’t shut up her mouth for 5 minutes, so was her slit partially open, already wet and ready."

    shee "You won’t be needing to force these gates open, general Zerias!"

    ro "..."

    "Rowan stared at her through half-lidded eyes. Sheera giggled again."
    "Rowan thrust two fingers inside of her, evoking a delightful gasp from the sorceress."

    ro "You talk too much."
    ro "I’d much rather hear you keep squealing like this."

    scene cg676 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg676
    pause 3

    "Sheera smiled impishly, but this time spared him the commentary. Satisfied the girl was starting to listen, Rowan began to lazily explore her insides, setting up a steady, slow tempo, as he kept driving his fingers further into her."
    "Sheera tried to get him to speed up, gyrating her hips to his movements, but whenever she did so, Rowan simply stopped. She grumbled with frustration, but rather than keep struggling, surrendered herself to his caresses."
    "Satisfied with the result of his ministrations, Rowan started to thrust his fingers with greater enthusiasm."
    "He released Sheera’s arms, staring her in the eyes as he did so. She dropped them to her sides obediently, while he used his newly freed hand to reach out and grab her perky breasts again."

    shee "Aa-aah!"

    "She left herself at Rowan’s mercy, moaning sweetly. Her eyes, her green eyes, betrayed her excitement as she awaited his next move."
    "Not being in any hurry, Rowan kept exploring her pussy for a longer moment, paying careful attention to her growing excitement."
    "When he breathing grew even deeper, he decided she’s finally ready. He leaned in for a passionate kiss, which the sorceress eagerly returned, then whispered in her ear:"

    ro "Turn around. Hands on the tree."

    "Sheera obeyed without a moment of hesitation, giddy at the prospect of finally being fucked by the hero of her childhood. She eagerly presented her cute ass to him, swaying it to the sides enticingly."
    "Rowan undid his pants and, again, without any haste whatsoever, started to rub his phallus against her overflowing opening. Sheera whined in response, much to Rowan’s delight."

    shee "Please… Haven’t you toyed with me enough, Rowan?"

    ro "Maybe."

    "It was tempting to just keep on toying with the sorceress, but doing it anymore would be simply cruel. For all her faults, Sheera did choose to play along, and it was high time she was rewarded for her obedience."
    "Though perhaps not in a way the sorceress expected."
    "He pushed the tip in, into the welcoming, warm folds of Sheera pussy. The woman tensed in anticipation. Was this finally it? Was her sweet torture at an end?"
    "But Rowan’s tool would retreat as unexpectedly as it thrust in. Sheera turned her head to the hero, letting Rowan get a good look at her confused, fearful expression."

    scene cg200 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg200
    pause 3

    "With a smile, Rowan spread her ass-cheeks and started to push the tip of his penis forward, but not into the same hole as before."

    shee "Oooo-ooooo?"

    "The sorceress gasped in surprise, and unexpectedly burst into giggles. She threw him a wild smile, then braced herself better, ready to accommodate him with her tight asshole."
    "His cock, wet with her juices, worked its way steadily into her depths. Her insides squeezed around him, too tight for his size. But rather than force his way in with one brutal stroke, Rowan kept pushing in gently, allowing Sheera’s anus to stretch with minimal pain."

    ro "Brave girl. "

    "Finally, his balls touched her ass. Against all odds, she managed to take him all the way in. His hand trailed against her back possessively, as Sheera waited for him to start moving."
    "And he did just that."
    "Slowly, but mercilessly, he started to fuck her tight asshole, pushing against her twitching inner muscles. She wasn’t used to it, but what she lacked in experience, she   made up with enthusiasm and endurance."

    ro "Ready for me to go faster?"

    shee "Yes!"

    "Smirking, Rowan pick up the tempo methodically pounding her tight ass. Sheera moaned something incoherently – she no longer had the strength to keep throwing cheeky responses as she loved to do."
    "Her head hung low, as she focused her attention on keeping her sphincter nicely relaxed for him."
    "Ever the gentleman, Rowan resisted the temptation to pick up the pace any further – the poor sorceress was already barely holding herself together."
    "He grabbed her sides firmly, helping her keep her posture as he kept thrusting in – her tight insides constantly trying to keep his cock in place, and constantly giving way as kept pushing in and out of her."

    shee "A-aah! Aaah!"

    "Rowan’s grunts and Sheera’s half-pained, half-ecstatic moans were the only sounds filling the forest now – and it would stay that way for a while, as Rowan was in no hurry to finish the girl off."

    "But despite that, there was an end to even his endurance. Her narrow ass was simply too good to resist for long, and Rowan felt himself approach his limit."
    "He buried himself deep inside of her, and reached between her legs once more, his hand seeking her overflowing pussy. He pushed his fingers into her, their movement mirroring the pistoning of his cock -"

    shee "Aah!!"

    "- and finally pushing her over the edge."
    "A moment later, he came as well, his hot cum pouring into her freely. Sheera trembled in joy, and Rowan had to grab her by the stomach so she wouldn’t fall."
    "He remained like that for a moment, lazily exploring her breasts as the sorceresses rested  with her body against the tree trunk."
    "Breathing heavily, she turned her head around, and familiar devious smile forming on her lips."

    shee "So that’s why general Zerias lost."
    shee "He kept trying to force the front gate, rather then push into the backdoor!"

    "Sheera's delighted giggle filled the forest, only to be stopped when Rowan thrust into her ass once more, shutting her up again."

    #Set flag = “Fucked Sheera”, “Isaac mage”
    #$ fucked_sheera = True
    #$ isaac_mage = True
    jump adventurersConclusion_rp

    ############################################################

    label encourageQais_rp:

    "Rowan turned to face the big man, flashing him a wide smile. The man was handsome, bronze skin stretched over a taut, muscled body. He was comely, to be certain."
    "Rowan decided to innocently prod him on his backstory. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Sheera pout angrily. Her sulking did not escape Qais either, as the large man let out a low chuckle in his deep voice before answering him."

    qais "There isn’t much to tell. My father owned a small farm in the southern regions. I worked there for most of my youth. "

    "He cracked his neck and flexed his impressive shoulder muscles. Rowan noted the girth of them."

    qais "It’s thanks to him that I’m as strong as an ox. "

    shee "And almost as dumb as one, too."

    "Qais snickered, making a rude gesture in the direction of the sorceress, who smirked and turned to talk to her other companions. She seemed resigned to Rowan’s choice of partner."

    qais "The old man sired four of us, brothers all. He used to call us his little soldiers... till we all ended up a full head or so taller than him.  "

    "His voice took a melancholic tone. Rowan saw Sheera roll her eyes in the background."

    qais "Back then... I thought my might made me special. I was the youngest you see, and by the time I reached adolescence, my father was old and decrepit. I didn’t want to listen to his wisdom-"

    shee "Oh Goddess, I can’t listen to this again! Ladies and gentlemen: the master of the mood-slayer! It’s like  the knight from Uverth all over again!"

    "The gentle giant spread his hands defensively to try to calm the sorceress down."

    qais "Sheera, that knight needed a night of comfort, not passion. A man like that… let’s just say tears dont make for good pillow talk."

    bern "Is that why you make this story so fucking depressing every time you tell it?"

    qais "Maybe I’m just hoping one day it will give life to your ironclad heart? Maybe even let me sneak my way into it?"

    bern "Oh, fuck off."

    qais "Hmm, I guess there’s still room for improvement."

    "He winked at Rowan, and the hero shook his head with a smile. It was refreshing to see a man who wasn’t just looking for an easy lay."
    "…Though that did make Rowan somewhat self-conscious. An easy lay was exactly what he was looking for."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black

    "The lighthearted, cozy atmosphere continued on through the evening, with the bratty sorceress doing her best to get under Qais’s skin, and the unflappable giant taking it all in stride."
    "It was almost a shame to see the sun go down. Stifling yawns, the rest of the group headed to their bedrolls."
    "Leaving Rowan and Qais alone to take the first watch."

    shee "… If you two wake me up before daybreak, I’m flinging fireballs."

    "Rowan shared a smile with Qais, but said nothing.  The burly man’s dark eyes gleamed with mirth in the firelight. There was no hurry, and the quiet conversation was pleasant."
    "Almost an hour passed, the night deepening to a comforting stillness. After a while, Qais stood up from the campfire and stretched. Rowan liked the sight of his tanned muscles flexing, the casual strength of his thick biceps."
    "Without a word, Qais headed for the woods. He shot Rowan a glance and a smile over his shoulder, indicating with his eyes for him to follow."
    "Rowan tramped a short ways behind Qais through the woods, fascinated by the calm, assertive way he moved. He was a bulky fellow, but he carried himself with the ease of a far more limber man."
    "Qais stopped only a short distance away from the camp. Rowan looked back - the tents were still within eyeshot. Qais chuckled at his unspoken concern."

    qais "We’re on guard duty, it would be irresponsible to leave them {i}completely{/i} unprotected."

    ro "And on the off-chance someone hears us…?"

    qais "Isaac sleeps like a log, and Bernard - despite his attitude - understands all too well how necessary stress release can be."

    "The big man shrugged, flashing Rowan a sultry smile."

    qais "Besides, Sheera is going to be insufferable whether we wake her or not. So we might as well give her ample reason to be."

    ro "And here I thought you were the ‘matron’ of the team."

    "Rowan felt a thrill run down his spine at the smirk Qais gave in response to the little jab."

    qais "I am. But even a matron needs to let her kids run free and focus on herself, for once."

    "Qais quirked an eyebrow, looking Rowan up and down before unbuckling his sword belt. Rowan noticed for the first time how large his hands were."

    qais "-And just so we’re clear:  you’re gonna pay for that last comment."

    "Rowan’s heart pumped a little faster as he hurriedly undid his own sword belt."

    ro "Don’t threaten me with a good time unless you intend to follow through on that threat."

    "Qais chuckled, his deep voice rolling off into a masculine purr. Rowan watched, mesmerized as he removed his shirt, exposing his rippling chest. He was hairy, with fine black curls coating his tawny skin in a patch of thick fuzz."
    "Here, was a man."
    "As Qais removed his trousers, he let out a low grunt, nodding at Rowan’s still-clothed body. Rowan peeled off his shirt, exposing his pale chest. Qais’ eyes drifted across his body with the appraisal of a man who knew the value of things."

    qais "There’s something I wanted to ask you. Everybody knows of your skill in commanding men."
    qais "But was there ever a man you wished to serve {i}under{/i}?"

    "Rowan  narrowed his eyes at the large man, doing his best to hold back a smile as he unbuttoned his pants. Qais expression was that of pure innocence, as if his words were not dripping with innuendo."

    ro "Perhaps there was. "

    qais "They must have been quite remarkable, to attract your attention. "

    ro "Would you rather be {i}with{/i} them?"

    qais "No. I’d rather {i}be{/i} them."

    "And just like that he was in the man’s arms. Rowan let out a heavy breath, settling into Qais’ embrace as the two locked lips. His thick beard tickled his chin, his cock stiffening as he drew close to the imposing warrior."
    "Qais’ large hands settled on Rowan’s shoulders, rubbing his back in soft circles. Despite his formidable frame, the man was quite the gentle giant. Rowan let out a groan of pleasure, kneading Qais’ biceps in wonder at their thickness."
    "His scent was heavy, masculine and potent. A lingering sheen of sweat made his swarthy skin glisten in the night air. Rowan breathed it in with a pleasured sigh."
    "There was little time for foreplay. Despite their mutual attraction, both men were still professionals. An absent night watchman spelled doom for a sleeping camp. They would have to be quick about this."
    "Fortunately for Rowan, Qais knew what he wanted. His thick hands drifted down to cup Rowan’s butt, kneading the cheeks as he pulled him close. Rowan could feel Qais’ large erection poking him in the stomach."

    qais "Supple."

    scene cg565 with fade
    pause 3

    "Qais said the word as if that was all there was to say on the matter. Rowan almost let out a bawdy joke, but instead groaned as he felt Qais’ large finger sink into his ass."

    qais "Turn around, Hero."

    "His voice was deep, but his tone was soft. Rowan, blushing, turned around. Qais sat back against a nearby tree trunk, spreading Rowan’s cheeks as he examined his nethers."
    "Rowan stood half bent over with his hands to his thighs, bearing the embarrassing position as best as he could."
    "Thick fingers trailed across Rowan’s growing erection before moving once more to his ass."
    "He stuck his index finger in his rump again, letting out a huff of appreciation when he managed to push to the second joint before encountering stiffer resistance."

    "Qais pulled his index finger free, only to replace it with the one on his other hand. Rowan groaned as he felt the finger press deep inside, wigging back and forth to test the proverbial waters."

    qais "Relax, Rowan. Breathe..."

    "Qais’ warm breath at his neck made Rowan shudder with anticipation. He did as he asked, taking in slower, deeper breaths as he relaxed his contracting muscles. Qais pulled free from Rowans ass, planting his hands on the hero’s hips."

    qais "Easy now, slow and steady. Lean back into me."

    scene cg566 with fade
    pause 3
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg566

    "Rowan leaned back, falling into Qais’ lap as the heat of his skin suffused him. Rowan felt the weight of the man beneath him, his back rubbing up against Qais’ hairy chest."
    "He positioned himself as best he could, spreading his legs to either side of Qais’ as the burly man angled his thick erection towards his ass. Rowan’s knees trembled, his face scrunching in both embarrassment and excitement."
    "He shuddered as he felt the head of Qais’ dick press against his anus. His large hands pulled Rowan downwards, drawing him inexorably deeper onto a proper mounting of the adventurer’s cock."
    "It came as a shock when their genitals made physical contact. An electric thrill ran up Rowan’s spine, pain and pleasure mixed together as he sank down onto Qais’ dick."

    qais "Relax…"

    "His big hands were at Rowan’s shoulders now, kneading them softly to accentuate his point. Rowan took in a deep breath and relaxed, feeling his whole body follow suit."
    "Qais’ cock slowly entered him, inch by inch, sinking deep into his ass. Rowan felt his own erection harden still further as the girthy length entered him, blood flowing like a river to his extremities."
    "He got nearly halfway down the shaft before Rowan had to pause. He was panting, his stomach clenching tight from the sensation of the intruder in his insides."
    "It was a deep, filling sensation. Qais’ cock throbbed inside of him, like a second heartbeat radiating erotic heat into his body."
    "Qais’ hands lifted him, guiding Rowan upwards. They paused at the apex of the thrust, with just the tip of his cock still inside of him."

    qais "Ready?"

    ro "Yeah..."

    "The big man’s hands pulled down on him again, sliding deep into his rectum. Rowan grunted, feeling every inch entering him as Qais’ member throbbed with each stroke."
    "The thrusts were slow at first, building in momentum as they continued onward."
    "Soon the hot, wet {i}slaps{/i} of human copulation filled the night air. Rowan moaned, reaching down to jerk himself off as Qais took control, bucking his hips upwards in tune with Rowan’s downstrokes."

    ro "{i}Aaah!{/i}"

    "Rowan’s hand leapt from his precum-slick dick to cover his mouth in embarrassment."
    "Qais had poked his prostate so hard and so suddenly that he had nearly cum then and there. The large man chuckled, his hot breath tickling the back of Rowans neck."

    qais "Careful, hero. Wouldn’t want our fun to end so soon, would you?"

    "Qais leaned his head forward and kissed the back of Rowan’s shoulder, the tanned adonis’ thick beard tickling his skin with its raspy texture. Rowan moaned, reveling in Qais’ masculine body, the way he held him tight and wouldn’t let go."
    "He was beautiful, this untamed stallion that Rowan was riding."
    "Having found Rowan’s g-spot, Qais made a point to time his thrusts to caress it each time he reached the downswing. It was maddening, like he was trying to test the limits of Rowan’s resistance."
    "Rowan moaned, leaning back to plant his hand on Qais’ tanned shoulder for support as the thrusts went ever deeper. He continued to jerk himself furiously with the other hand, an orgasm rising like a crashing wave."
    "Qais let out a deep growl at the base of his throat. While he’d been a gentle lover at first, now he had revved up to full speed. His breathing deepened, manly exhales of exertion that Rowan replied in desperate kind."
    "The thrusts came shorter and deeper now. More than once Rowan felt his hips connect with Qais’ own, their balls touching together as Rowan settled onto his man-made love seat. The pain was gone, replaced only by a growing need to cum."
    "Qais’ cock twitched once, twice, three times, then unloaded. Rowan heard his breathing quicken into shallow breaths, then a final, loud exhale."

    qais "{i}Aaahn{/i}, R-rowan!"

    "Rowan jerked himself like a horny , his body clenching in pleasure as he created a vice-like grip on Qais’ fat cock. He gasped, feeling it thicken and bulge inside of him as Qais’ testicles clenched beneath him."

    ro "Come on! Let it out!"

    "Qais did as he was told. His large hands dragged Rowan down into his lap and held him there, his breath expelling in great gouts as he came. Rowan felt a sudden warmth blossom inside him, spurts of cum firing off into his deepest places as he felt himself."
    "Rowan took his own advice, letting out a cry of pleasure as his cock spurted a jet of ivory liquid high into the air, he clenched and held in place, feeling the warmth blooming from inside his ass."
    "The two stayed there for a long moment, reveling in the joy of post-orgasmic bliss. Qais tilted Rowans head around to look at him fondly for a moment, then planted a slow kiss on his lips."

    qais "Just as good as I imagined."

    "His quiet voice was comforting, but also filled with a certain… pride? As if Rowan had been the easy lay, rather than the other way around."

    ro "Does that mean you’re ready for round two?"

    "Qais let out a low laugh."

    qais "I’ll be lucky to feel my legs in the morning, at this point."

    #$ rowanGaySex += 1
    #$ isaac_mage = True
    jump adventurersConclusion_rp

    ###########################################################
    label adventurersPlatonic_rp:

    #If Alexia influence is 50 or higher.
    if roAlRel > 50:
         "Rowan turned down both of them, kindly noting that he was, in fact, a married man."
    else:
        "Rowan turned down both of them, preferring not to sleep with every random stranger he met on his travels."

    #rejoin.
    "Instead, he paid more attention to the other half of the party, hoping to get them to open up."
    "With no success. Bernard said he had no intention of sharing his life story with every stranger on the road, hero or not-"

    shee "He’s a reformed criminal who killed his bandit chief when he learned he was engaged in child slavery!"

    bern "Dammit woman!"

    "… While Isaac still didn’t want to open up. The kid kept staring at him though, like there was something he wanted to say after all, but couldn’t bring himself to do it."
    "Every attempt and finding some common ground with the boy proved unsuccessful. As night came, Rowan headed to bed defeated, informing the others he would take the last watch.
    Isaac took the one before him."
    "…"
    "The boy woke him up at the agreed hour. With a polite “Thanks kid”, the hero headed to the front of the camp."
    "Isaac stood motionless for a moment, then followed suit."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Something bothering you, Isaac?"

    isaa "…"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    isaa "There is darkness in you. I feel it."

    "Isaac kicked the ground, eyes down."

    if rowanCorrupt > 69:
        isaa "It’s… Suffocating. It envelops you. Surrounds you. Taints everything you touch."

    elif rowanCorrupt < 69 and rowanCorrupt > 30:
        isaa "It’s like a… Stain. Living… Expanding. Tainting you."

    else:
        isaa "It’s… Subtle. But it’s there."

    isaa "But you don’t seem bad… So I didn’t want to say anything with the others listening."
    isaa "Are you…"
    isaa "Are you okay, Mister Blackwell?"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What?"

    isaa "Well… Everyone kept saying what a great hero you were, so… Something bad must have happened to you… Against your will… I think?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Goodness gracious…  It was heartwarming to see the kid show such concern for someone who in his eyes had to be tainted."
    "Naive as well. Heartwarming, but naive."

    ro "You could say so."

    "Still..."

    if rowanCorrupt > 69:
        "“Tainting everything he touched”?  That sounded pretty ominous."
        "He knew, the moment he agreed to serve the twins, that he wouldn’t be able to keep himself pure. But was the situation this bad already?"

    else:
        "He wasn’t surprised his aura wasn’t entirely pure. He knew this would happen the moment he agreed to serve the twins."

    ro "I was forced to make some… Difficult choices."
    ro "It’s a long story."

    isaa "… I see."

    "The kid wasn’t one to push an uncomfortable subject, and for that, Rowan was grateful."
    "Though the fact he was capable of seeing the twin’s influence on him was… Worrying. It shouldn’t be possible for most faithful – the kid obviously had strong affinity for divine magic."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Do you… See such things often?"

    "Isaac kicked the ground again. He still refused to meet his eyes."

    isaa "Sometimes."
    isaa "An abbey we passed a while ago felt… Wrong."
    isaa "The others wanted to investigate it, but I begged them not to."

    "His voice dropped to a whisper."

    isaa "I don’t think we’d survive if we did."
    isaa "Then there was this big woman in Rastedel… "
    isaa "I… Think she felt I felt something, because when we crossed gazes, she smiled this sweet, friendly smile, and started walking in my direction. "
    isaa "But then I think she saw Qais and Bernard, and I quickly lost her in the crowd."

    #if past week 49
    if week > 49:
        isaa "And recently, the entire region just feels… Wrong."
        isaa "I don’t think we’ll stay here."
    else:
        pass

    "Rowan studied the boy closely. He was no expert on the matter of magic, but he could see a hero in the making when he saw one."

    ro "You have a rare gift. Why haven’t you joined the church?"
    ro "They would welcome you with open arms in Prothea."

    isaa "… It wasn’t Prothea that saved me. And It wasn’t Solansia that protected me."
    isaa "Or my family."

    "His voice was now that of an angry whisper. He turned his head to the sleeping adventurers."

    isaa "I owe everything to them. I won’t abandon them."
    isaa "Not even for a Goddess."

    menu:
        "Tell him he could serve Solansia and still help his friends.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You don’t have to. You can embrace your gift without turning your back on them."
            ro "Didn’t Deanara herself lead a ragtag bunch of heroes despite being Solansia’s chosen?"
            "Isaac smiled gently, but didn’t seem fully convinced."
            isaa "I guess she did."
            ro "We all have our part to play in all of this, Isaac. We might not always like the roles that have been given to us… But Solansia picks her chosen for a reason."
            ro "Sometimes to save people she herself couldn’t reach."
            ro "You can do much good in the world, but you’ll have to put your faith in the Goddess."
            "Isaac finally met his eyes, hesitating with his response. Coming from someone else, Rowan’s word would ring hollow."
            "But hearing them from the Hero who helped slay Karnas… It gave them weight."
            isaa "… I’ll think about it."
            "Rowan nodded solemnly-"
            "- then, he ruffled his hair affectionately."
            isaa "H-hey! Stop it!"
            "He couldn’t help himself. Precious kid. Goddess knew he needed it."
            #set flag = “Isaac Cleric”. Gain small favour with Solansia.
            #$ isaac_cleric = True
            #$ change_favor('solancia', 2)

        "Tell him he should follow his own path.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I understand."
            ro "… When we slayed Karnas, many years ago, not everyone had their fill of blood yet."
            ro "Some people had enough of the noble rule. They thought it was time for a change."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "They came to me, and asked me to lead them into battle. To tear down the society they thought unjust."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I refused. All of them. I didn’t… I didn’t want to spend all my life fighting. I had someone waiting for me back home. I wanted a different life for us both."
            isaa "… I take it that didn’t work out, then?"
            "Rowan laughed bitterly."
            ro "Oh, it did… For a while."
            ro "But I guess destiny doesn’t look kindly on people who refuse its call."
            ro "And I never regretted my choice, present complications notwithstanding."
            ro "The point is, kid – never let anyone rope you into a war that isn’t yours. Always fight for what you believe in."
            if serveChoice == 2:
                "His own words sounded hollow to him. Never fight a war you don’t believe in? He joined the twin’s out fear, not conviction."
                "And now he paid the price fort that. Every day. Some role model he was."
                "… But that wasn’t what the boy needed to hear right now."
            else:
                pass
            ro "You can be who you want to be.  Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise, Solansia blessing or not."
            "Isaac nodded solemnly, a determined expression on his face."
            isaa "I will. I promise."
            "He would grow up to be someone noteworthy, of that, Rowan was certain."
            #Set flag = “Isaac mage”, slightly increase favor with Kharos.
            $ isaac_mage = True
            $ change_favor('kharos', 2)

            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro " Alright, that’s enough philosophical discussions for today."

    isaa "… The sun has yet to come up. "

    ro "Yes."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Yes, the sun has yet to come up."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Get some rest. Even if only for an hour."
    "The boy nodded, and left Rowan alone for the reminder of the night."

    label adventurersConclusion_rp:

    scene bg55 with fade

    "Morning came, and the adventuring party gathered for breakfast, with Rowan joining them."
    "They inquired if he would also join them in their travels, at least for a while. The group was heading west, planning to walk the southern bank of river Yael till they reach the coast, and then turn north, into forest Ealoaen."
    "The prospect of some honest company wasn’t an unpleasant one, but Ealoaen wasn’t his target at the moment, and even if it was, he couldn’t allow himself to be limited by people who didn’t know the nature of his present quest."
    "So instead, they exchanged some information on the surrounding area."
    "Among the general advice, they also told him there were rumors of a massive orc camp between the river and the mountains to the north, west of Rastadel. That’s why the wanted to stick to the southern bank, to avoid any possible orc raiding parties."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    #if rowan has visited the orciad camp
    if orciad_state > 0:
        if orciad_ally == "ulcro":
            ro "(That would be Ulcro’s camp. Wise choice on their part.)"
        elif orciad_ally == 'batri':
            ro "(That would be Batri’s camp. Wise choice on their part.)"
        else:
            ro "(That would be Tarish’s camp. Wise choice on their part.)"
    else:
        ro "(Hmm. Might be worth checking out.)"

    #rejoin
    "With that, their business was concluded, and it was time say their goodbyes."

    qais " It was an honour meeting you, Rowan."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "The honour is all mine. I still can’t believe I ran into an actual adventuring party!"

    shee "Ha, how is that surprising? Do you know how many orc camps they have in Rosaria? Dozens!"

    if True:#castle.recruitment_bonuses > 2:
        bern "But they haven’t been very active recently… "
        bern "Something must be going on."
        qais "Perhaps. But I fear that this time we’ll have to leave that to the nobles."
        "Bernard spit to the side, obviously not convinced they would be of any use."
        "And being very right in that regard."
    else:
        pass

    ro "Regardless, let’s just say it was a nice change of pace."
    ro "I wish you all good luck."

    shee "Aye aye! Tell Deanara to ask about Sheera of Arkeny, if she’ll be visiting the elf lands next year by any chance!"

    bern "Yeah, take care."

    isaa " … Stay safe, Mister Blackwell."

    "They lingered for a moment, delaying the goodbye, until Qais nudged Isaac gently, and the four finally started moving. Rowan stayed behind, having told them he needed to take one last look at the mine – and already contacting Castle Bloodmeen to have them send people in."
    "If he ever finds himself in Ealoaen, he should keep an eye out for these guys."

    #Show usual mine menu.
    # Gain normal mine rewards. Reduce corruption a little. Reveal all hexes within a radius on 3, but keep them unexplored/ grayed out.
    # roll 1d10.
    # on 10, add “Drider omelette recipe” to the inventory.
    #Drider omelette recipe
    #Icon: A piece of paper.
    #Value: 0
    #Description: “The fabled omelette recipe. Someone must have put it in your backpack by mistake. Due to wet stains on the paper, likely from being left in the open during a passing rain, the writing has been rendered completely Illegible.”
    #$ rowanCorrupt -= 5
    #$ temp2 = mines_defs[eventHex[6]][1]
    #$ temp3 = mines_defs[eventHex[6]][2]
    #$ temp4 = temp2 * miner_cost
    #menu:
        # Choice 1: Hire workers
        # costs some gold.
        #"Hire workers ([temp4] gold)" if castle.treasury >= temp4:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ change_treasury(-temp4)
            #$ castle.mines += 1
            #$ castle.iron_per_week += temp3
        # Choice 2: Deploy Soldiers
        # costs some soldiers, but also some morale.
        # TODO count soldiers able working at mine (different barracks)
        #"Deploy Soldiers ([temp2] soldiers)" if castle.buildings['barracks'].troops >= temp2:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops -= temp2
            #$ castle.morale -= temp2
            #$ castle.mines += 1
            #$ castle.iron_per_week += temp3
        #Choice 3: Leave
        #does nothing, but leaves the mine unexplored so that the player can come back later.
        #"Leave":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ prevent_tile_exploration()

    return

# \events\alexia breeding 4.rpy
label the_full_package_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade

    show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia knelt on the musty floor to one of the breeding pit cages, her sponge soaking up and wiping away the stubborn grime and mud that collected between the cracks."
    "Work had come with its own set of challenges this morning, but it was nothing compared to the lingering dream in the back of her mind. Just the thought of it sent another pleasurable thrill through her body."
    "It wasn't often Alexia dreamed of sex, but there was something about this particular instance that stuck with her, invading her thoughts with a sensation of ecstasy she yearned to fulfill."
    "She couldn't push the dream from her mind; it had been so lifelike, with the shadowed man's hands running across her bodice, his cock pressed up against the wet opening of her cunt..."
    "{i}Damn it{/i}. She was thinking about it again."

    show draith neutral behind bg25

    dra "Something wrong?"

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia jumped, snapping back to the present as she took in Draith standing beside the cage door with a curious look on his face."

    hide draith
    show draith happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Ah, no, not at all. Why do you ask?"
    dra "Because you've been cleaning the same spot for fifteen minutes."

    "Alexia looked down at the floors; this particular spot had been scrubbed cleaner than the rest, with almost shining stone that practically looked new. She flushed, sloshing her sponge back into the bucket as she moved to another spot."

    al "Sorry. I think I'm just a bit distracted today."
    dra "I can see that."

    "The dark elf looked amused. Alexia's gaze strayed to the brown package in his arms, its contents tied tightly at the end with a thin string."

    al "What is that?"
    dra "O-Oh, it's nothing."

    "The elf's face deepened to a shade of purple as he shifted the package in his arms, tucking it further out of view. Alexia raised a brow but didn't push the subject."
    "An orc tromped up beside Draith then, his expression set in a harsh glare. A few lingered behind the first, equally menacing as they approached the beastmaster."

    show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    os "We gotta problem wif yer beast."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Draith raised a skeptical brow."

    dra "Don't you {i}always{/i} have some sort of problem with my beasts? What is it now?"
    os "Yer drida is causin' problems. Won't listen."
    dra "I doubt that, but go on. I'm assuming you mean Lissie; what's wrong with her?"
    os "She won't get up and keeps snappin' her teeth. Won't move with us at all."
    dra "Won't get up? Did you check to see if she's hurt?"

    "The orc scoffed, a clear indication that they hadn't bothered to look. Draith pursed his lips in annoyance."

    dra "Well if you weren't so {i}careless{/i} with my poor creatures, this wouldn't be an issue."

    "The elf sighed and held out his package to Alexia."

    dra "Alexia, would you mind just dropping this off in my office? It appears I'm needed. {i}Again{/i}."

    "Alexia didn't miss the distaste Draith sent to the orc as he spoke. She quickly rose to her feet and accepted the brown parcel"

    al "Of course."
    dra "Thank you-- ah, and don't worry about opening it up. You can just leave it on my desk."
    os "She's gettin' bitchy--"
    dra "Yes, yes, I'm coming."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright
    hide draith with moveoutright

    "Leaving her cleaning supplies behind, Alexia carried the package to Draith's office."
    "As she held the brown package, she couldn't help but notice its odd shape; it was bulky, with something long and slender inside that extended at one of the edges. When she adjusted the package in her arms, she found that it was easy to bend to her will."

    al "What could he be hiding in here?"

    "Curiosity got the better of her. She shifted the parcel back and forth between her hands, trying to guess what could be inside."
    "When she couldn't figure it out, Alexia gave up and opened the package, dumping it onto the beastmaster's desk."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh my!!"

    "A long purple-fleshed cock bounced out of the package, its length and head wiggling as it landed against the desk's surface."
    "Well, that was the last thing Alexia expected from his parcel."

    al "It's not… real, is it?"

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Braving herself, Alexia poked the cock. It rolled against the desk, perfectly fake. She breathed a sigh of relief."

    al "This thing is huge… I never expected Draith to be waiting on something like this."

    "Alexia eyed up the fake cock, shocked by its thickness and length. Draith was such a nimble man, it was hard to imagine him taking something so large."
    "Not that she would have any trouble with it… right?"
    "Alexia licked her lips, the desire from her dream pulling at her with violent temptation."
    "She knew she should get back to work, but Alexia could already see herself straddling the faux flesh between her thighs, slipping its full length into her…"

    show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Her face heated up at the thought."

    menu:
        "Use the dildo. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1040 with fade
            show alexia breeding aroused behind cg1040
            pause 3
            "She couldn't resist any longer; the dream was at the forefront of her mind, and Alexia {i}needed{/i} to feel a cock inside of her."
            "Besides, Draith was busy with the orcs. He shouldn't be coming back for a while, right?"
            "Glancing around the room, Alexia carried the dildo around to the other side of the desk and planted it on the floor, suctioning it against the cool stone. It swayed slightly, the tip pointing up toward her waiting cunt."
            "Lifting her skirt above her belly, Alexia positioned herself above the dildo and pressed it inside of her."
            al "Ooohhh…"
            "She breathed a sigh of relief, her voice hitching into a moan as she slid fully down to its base. Saints, she felt so {i}full{/i}. Alexia closed her eyes, the image of the mysterious shadow man in her dreams returning to the forefront of her mind."
            "Her hips moved on their town, jerking back and forth against the dildo as she slid up and down and up and down, each thrust becoming easier as her pussy grew wet with the sensation."
            scene cg1041 with fade
            show alexia breeding aroused behind cg1041
            pause 3
            al "Oh fuck."
            "She could still feel the mysterious man's hands on her hips as he thrust inside of her from behind, his grip firm as he drove into her body. She matched her movements with the memory, reaching one hand to play with her clit while she bounced on the dildo."
            "The stone floor was harder on her knees than she hoped, but Alexia barely paid any attention as she imagined the shadowed figure whispering in her ear, his breath hot against her sensitive skin as he pleasured her."
            "Her thrusts picked up speed, desperate to feel more, more, more. It had been so good to feel this mysterious figure in her dream have his way with her like an animal. She could still picture his hands gripping her body like a play thing, using her however he saw fit."
            "Alexia bit down on her lip as her orgasm built up, each memory of the dream invading her mind as she bounced on the thick girth of the dildo."
            scene cg1041 with sshake
            scene cg1041 with sshake
            scene cg1042 with flash
            show alexia breeding aroused behind cg1042
            pause 3
            al "Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck--"
            show draith neutral behind cg1042
            dra "Alexia?!"
            "Alexia's eyes snapped open. She froze."
            "Oh fuck, indeed."
            "Alexia's hold on her skirt slipped, and her lips parted open in shock as Draith stepped into the office. He looked at the discarded empty parcel on his desk, then the dildo clearly suctioned between her legs."
            "Instead of anger, the dark elf looked put out, his lower lip jutting out into a dismayed pout."
            dra "I was so looking forward to using that, too…"
            "Alexia's face burned with embarrassment and shame. She could barely bring herself to look at the dark elf in the eye."
            al "I-I'm so sorry, Draith. I have no idea what came over me."
            "Alexia started to lift off of the dildo but Draith shook his head, waving her off with a disappointed sigh."
            dra "Don't. Keep it, please. There's no way I'll be able to get any enjoyment out of it now, not after seeing this…"
            dra "But if you wouldn't mind, next time, maybe wait until after your shift?"
            al "O-Of course. I'm sorry again."
            "She hurriedly slipped the dildo out from under herself and wiped it off with the edge of her skirt. Draith awkwardly avoided looking at her, busying himself with tossing the empty parcel into the trash instead."
            scene black with fade
            show draith neutral behind black
            "As Alexia scrambled out of the office, tucking the dildo discreetly between her skirts, she heard Draith mumbling sadly to himself as he resumed his work."
            dra "It looked so much smaller than when I ordered it… I'll need to get something girthier next time."
            # return

        "Get back to work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia stared down at the dildo and bit her lip, the temptation to use it on herself almost overwhelming. Would it really hurt to just shove it inside of her for a little bit…?"
            "No. She couldn't do that; this was Draith's, after all. She wasn't even supposed to know what was inside this package, let alone use it on herself."
            "Disappointed, Alexia picked up the cock and shoved it back in the package's wrapping, making sure to tie it tightly before setting it on the desk once more. Hopefully Draith wouldn't even notice that she'd opened it in the first place."
            "With a sigh, Alexia returned back to the cages. She would just need to find a way to get herself off later."
            # return

    return

# \events\orc_tribe2.rpy
label orc_feminist_camp_rp:

    "Pass skill checks? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = True
        "No":
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = False

    $ orciad_ally = "tarish"

    #$ avatar.add_exp (50)

    scene bg26 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "When he saw the female guards at the gates, he didn’t take notice."

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    "When he couldn’t see any male orcs around the village, with the exception of a few kids that couldn’t be older than six, a certain suspicion arose within him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "And finally, when he was allowed to enter the chief’s tent after a short explanation of his intent, his growing suspicion was fully confirmed."

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    ro "I take it there’s some backstory here?"
    orcm2 "Men stoopid. Always fight over human sluts. Think with da dicks, not da brains."

    "Rowan thought it an unjust generalization, but with two female warriors pointing their spears at him, he chose to respond with an apologetic smile instead."
    "The backstory in question proved to be a simple one. This particular tribe served in the vanguard of Karnas’ army, and used to count its members in thousands. But after going through eleven different tribe leaders-"

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "-one of which Rowan had a nagging suspicion he was personally responsible for the demise of, given the recounting of the battle, a fact he decided to keep to himself-"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "-the wife of the first one decided that enough is enough, and it was time to cut their losses and pack home. A decision that did not sit well with the twelfth warchief-"

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    "-and this one Rowan was absolutely certain he was responsible for killing, unless there was more than one orc warleader who chose to “paint male genitalia on his cheeks as a sign of virility”-"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "- and the tribe split up. Most of the women went with the new matron, who now sat before him, while the men stuck with Karnas. Given how the war ended, he had to commend the matron’s foresight."

    "… Not it was particularly difficult to foresee how the war would end, given how the same conflict played out numerous times in the past, but orcs weren’t known for learning from past mistakes."
    "Regardless, this now led to a difficult conundrum. Given the tribe’s history, he couldn’t really see how he could convince them to join a yet another demon-driven crusade…"
    "But at the same time, he could just have Andras wrap the place up, in the usual fashion."

    menu:
        "Propose a loose alliance.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "It wasn’t ideal, but it was making the best of a bad situation. Surely there would be no shortage of hotheaded young orcs who’d rather join in on the fight, than waste away in some gods-forsaken valley."
            "His assumption was correct, and the matron looked covertly pleased with the suggestion of taking the village troublemakers away."
            # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 0.3)
            # $ castle.villages_income += 0.3
            return

        "Convince the orcs with your body. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump orcfeministSex_rp

        "Call in Andras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ avatar.corruption += 3
            "As amusing as their little community was, it was not Rowan’s job to support local social experiments."
            "Keeping his expression straight, he politely inquired on the matters of the village further. Then, once he was away from prying eyes, he touched his amulet and sent his current location to his demonic overlord."
            "As always, Andras fell upon the village like a plague of locusts, cutting orcs left and right. Against such overwhelming difference of power, the village was quick to surrender."
            "Most agreed to serve. Some, especially the elderly, stated they’d rather die on their feet than live on their knees."
            "Andras applauded the sentiment, then broke a few knees to swiftly uncover the faulty reasoning behind it, and had the remaining opposition collared and sent back to the castle as slaves."
            # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 0.3)
            # $ change_prisoners(5)
            return

        "Tell them about Tarish." if orciad_ally == "tarish":
            hide rowan with dissolve
            "The village matron was not the first orcess Rowan had met that thought she could do a better job leading them than men."
            "He retold the tale of the conflict between Ulcro and Batri, and how, ultimately, with trickery and guile, it was Tarish who emerged victorious and now led the biggest orc army in Rosaria."
            "Suffice to say, the matron was impressed. She asked to meet Tarish in person, and promised her support in full if the tale proves true."
            "Rowan arranged for the meeting to happen, then went on his way, letting his subordinates handle the rest."
            # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 1)
            return


    label orcfeministSex_rp:

        ro "I understand, and sympathize with your plight. Most of the men I served under where like that as well."
        ro "Aggressive, domineering, needlessly violent."
        ro "Personally, I prefer a… Softer approach."

        "He lowered his voice ever so slightly, adding a seductive undertone to his words. But the matron either remained oblivious to it, or chose to purposely ignore it."
        "The two guards by his sides, however, responded more keenly to his attempts. The one on his left eyed his crotch with poorly concealed interest, while the one on his right wiggled her eyebrows at her companion."

        orcm2 "Bah, men always the same. Make empty promises, give no guarantees. Heard it a dozen times. Leave me."

        "He bowed before the camp leader, and left the tent. It wasn’t long before the two guards approached him, the one leading them flashing him a toothy grin."

        grino "Well, well, well… Been a while since we had such a fine male wander here. How long has it been?"
        shyo "A year… Methinks?"
        grino "Methinks a year too… And to think our good matron was so quick to dismiss him… The old hag forgot the benefits of having a dick around."
        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        "Her hand gripped his ass suddenly, making him yelp."

        grino "Though personally, I’d like to have a go at THAT, than take in the thing between his legs… And you?"
        shyo "Is a real one… Better?"
        grino "Oh, SO much BETTER."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "Rowan eyed his newfound supporters. The grinning orcess was tall, muscular, and kept rubbing his butt quite shamelessly. The second one was more lithe, more generously gifted around the chest, but evidently lacking in self-confidence."

        ro "I take it you don’t exactly approve of how things are done around here?"
        grino "Oh I do approve! It’s just that some of us think that as we sit here, twiddling our thumbs waiting for gods knows what, the world moves on without us."
        grino "And in time, it will forget us. Or crush us to dust so we fit whatever new grand design it has for the orcs, without ever asking us for our opinion."
        grino "So I tell you what… As long as your demon masters let us keep some male slaves for entertainment, we won’t mind throwing in with you lot… And don’t worry about any… Internal opposition. That’s my problem now, not yours."
        grino "Though of course, we would need a… Proof of good intentions, hm?"

        "She pushed in direction of one of the tents, and brought out a… Quite imposing strap-on from one of her belt sacks. Rowan didn’t know why she carried it around, though seeing the shy orcess blush at the sight of it, he could make an educated guess."

        grino "Get on with it, mister human… I’d like to see this settled by sunrise."

        menu:
            "Betray they guards and try diplomacy again.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "That’s a bit quick, don’t you think?"
                grino "And what’s the point of waiting?"
                ro "All I can say… I need some time to discuss this with my superiors, alright? I’ll get back at you tomorrow."
                "The orcs grumbled but agreed, with the domineering shooting him unpleasant glances. No matter."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    hide rowan with dissolve
                    "By noon the following day, both of them ended up with their head on pikes, charged with treason. The matron was grateful for his information, not at all surprised there were those who would see her deposed."
                    "In the end they agreed to a simple, yet favorable arrangement. The village would pay a considerable weekly tribute and send most of their young to serve in the Bloodmeen army."
                    # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 0.5)
                    # $ castle.villages_income += 0.5
                    return
                else:
                    hide rowan with dissolve
                    "Sadly his attempt at revealing the brewing mutiny proved fruitless, as matron would not believe a single word from Rowan’s mouth."
                    "Further negotiations broke down quickly, leaving Rowan with a simple choice: To leave, or to call in Andras and let him sort this place out."
                    menu:
                        "Subjugate the village by force.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                            "As always, Andras fell upon the village like a plague of locusts, cutting orcs left and right. The matron and her guards were among the first to fall, courtesy of Rowan himself."
                            "After that, the village was quick to surrender. Most agreed to serve. Some, especially the elderly, stated they’d rather die on their feet than live on their knees."
                            "Andras applauded the sentiment, then broke a few knees to swiftly uncover the faulty reasoning behind it, and had the remaining opposition collared and sent back to the castle as slaves."
                            # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 0.3)
                            # $ change_prisoners(5)
                            return

                        "Just leave them be.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ avatar.corruption -= 3
                            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                            "Despite the twins’ quotas, it just didn’t feel right to destroy a settlement that for the most part managed to live in peace with the surrounding villages."
                            "With a heavy heart, Rowan bid the orcs goodbye, knowing fully well he’d have to try extra hard to make up for the loss here."
                            return

            "Use your ass for diplomacy. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump orcfeministSex2_rp

    label orcfeministSex2_rp:

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "If you insist so much…"
        grino "Oh I do~"

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        "She shoved him again, making sure Rowan had no false impression on who was going to be the top dog in this relationship. The shy orcess followed after them, fidgeting with every step."

        grino "Now get out of that shirt, before I rip it open!"

        show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

        "He didn’t have to be told twice. Taking his shirt off, he flexed his muscular chest, eliciting a surprised gasp from the shy one. She was clearly not accustomed to the sight, and kept avoiding his eyes."
        "Her friend, on the other hand, was much more brazen in her ogling."

        grino "Damn… That’s one hot piece of ass... Do you like it too?"
        shyo "Y-yes…"

        "The dominant orcess coiled around her meek partner like a snake ensnaring her prey, whispering sweetly in her ear."
        "Whenever the hesitant girl tried to look away, she would gently push her face back in Rowan’s direction, and her eyes would always venture to his chest, or to the bulge in his pants."

        grino "Poor girl… Never had it in her to disobey our good matron and venture outside to find herself a nice cock to fuck."
        grino "I hope this makes you happy, human…"

        "She playful twirled the intimidating strap-on, then slid it between the shy orcess’ thighs, making her moan sweetly."

        grino "She’s not a virgin, but I guarantee yours will be the first real dick she’s ever had."

        menu:
            "“I consider it an honour.”":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "(What is up with people and their fixation on virgins...)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He simply did not get what the fuss was all about, but after eyeing the strap-on again, wisely decided to keep that thought to himself."
                ro "I consider it an honour."

        grino "Good. You should."

        "Another gasp escaped the meek girl as his cock sprung worth, half erect but growing from the perverse display before his eyes, the domineering orcess still teasing and groping her less experienced friend."
        "The shy orcess struggled to escape her friend’s grasp, but did so with no actual strength or real effort in her movements. A futile display, that convinced no-one sans the girl herself."

        grino "Come on now, enough playing coy. Touch it."
        shyo "It’s so..."
        grino "{b}Touch it.{/b}"

        "This time her voice was sharp as commanding, and the other orcess almost yelped in surprise. Still shivering, she approached Rowan."

        show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

        "Her hand touched his cock, first shyly, but with every stroke growing more confident in her caress. She watched, wide-eyed, as it hardened under the slow dance of her delicate fingers."

        shyo "… So warm…"
        grino "A dildo can be fun, but nothing beats the real deal."

        "Rowan blinked, the shy orcess suddenly disappearing from his view, leaving behind her a loud “eep!”. The grinning one shoved her onto the bed, tired of her antics."

        grino "Alright slut. Now you strip. And make it quick."

        "Reduced to the role of a bystander, Rowan watched the orcess “help” her friend, tearing one piece of clothing after the other, seemingly callously, but the more he looked, the clearer it became she wasn’t destroying anything too valuable…"
        "A game they had played several times, it seemed..."

        grino "There you go… Open wide."

        "Flashing Rowan a cocky grin, the domineering orcess guided her partner’s hands to her crotch. The hesitant fingers wrapped around her pussy lips, and with her legs spread wide, the shy orc presented her honeypot to the hero."

        shyo "P-please don’t stare… It’s embarrassing…"

        show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

        grino "“Don’t stare, don’t look, kyaa, it’s embarrassing!” Oh, do you never grow tired of that act?"
        grino "I certainly don’t, haha!"

        "It would be a lie to say he wasn’t seeing the charm either. The shy orcess had a lithe, slender body, without a hint of fat in it, but not as muscular as to appear amazonian. The modest, but pleasantly rounded breasts added an air of femininity to an otherwise fighter’s body."
        "And the shy, reluctant act, so clearly masking fascination and desire, from the way her eyes constantly ventured to his cock, to the heaving of her breasts and way she licked her lips..."

        if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna == True:
            "This must have been what his and Helayn’s first time would look like, if things turned out differently."
            "Maybe without the additional company."
        else:
            "Alexia was a lot less bashful during their first time… But this was also nice."

        grino "What are you waiting for, you dumb hunk? Show my little slut what it means to be with a man!"

        "An uncertain smile graced the shy orcess as he climbed atop of her, his hard phallus pressing against her stomach. Voice wavering, she begged him:"

        shyo "P-please be gentle?"
        grino "Ha! Be anything but!"

        menu:
            "Go hard.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I think your mistress knows your body a lot better than you do..."
                scene black with fade
                shyo "E-eh? AAAh!"
                #CG 1
                scene cg401 with fade
                pause 3
                "A pained moan escaped her lips as Rowan pushed into her savagely, having no problem in penetrating her wet pussy. Despite all her halfhearted noes and resultants protests, her lower lips offered no resistance, parting welcomingly before Rowan."
                shyo " Aaa-aaah?!"
                grino "Ahaha! What’s with that perverted moan you slut? You never scream like that under me! Trying to make me jealous?!"
                shyo "N-noo-aah!"
                "Her words of denial drowned under her own moans, and soon conversation proved impossible, the shy orcess responding to his rapid thrust with sweet cries of ecstasy, completely ignoring her friend."
                grino "So quick to forget about the one who first showed her how much fun it is to play with your own pussy… I’m hurt!"
                grino "I think I’ll have to punish you human, for turning her against me."
                "He felt her feel his ass again, a wet finger pushing against his lower entrance. His surprised gasp was quickly silenced when the orcess below threw herself at him, sealing his lips with a passionate kiss."
                grino "So you do you remember where your loyalties lie! Keep him steady for me…"

            "Go easy.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene black with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind black
                ro "Shh… Relax… I promise it will feel divine."
                #CG 1
                scene cg401 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg401
                pause 3
                "Rather than take her savagely, he cupped her face gently, caressing her cheek as the tip of his cock teased her entrance. She looked almost confused at the unexpected gesture."
                grino "What are you playing at, human?"
                ro "Nothing… Just making sure she enjoys herself."
                shyo "I-I… Mmmm?!"
                "He silenced her protests with a passionate kiss, his hands exploring her feminine mounds. Slowly, he pushed her lower lips open. There was no need for hurry. He’ll show these women how a hero-"
                ro "?!"
                shyo "Aaa-ah!"
                "Someone slapped him in the ass with full force, the sudden sensation making him jerk violently. He thrust into the orcess, sliding easily, but-"
                grino "Don’t forget why you’re here, human. It’s not to please just her, but also {b}me{/b}."
                grino "I think I’ll have to punish both of you for trying to hog all the fun…"
                "He felt her feel his ass again, a wet finger pushing against his lower entrance. In a surprising reversal, his pained gasps were silenced with a passionate kiss as well, as the orcess under him threw herself into his arms."
                grino "Feeling remorseful now? Ha, fair enough! Keep him steady for me…"

        "He shuddered as she kept prodding and exploring his insides, spreading some sort oily substance inside his anus. Wet and ready..."

        grino "Now, tell me you want it."
        ro "I-"
        grino "Not you, you dunce. Her!"
        grino "Tell me you want me to fuck you through the human on top of you. Tell me you want to feel me thrust his cock right into that slutty pussy of yours!"
        shyo "I- I- I-…"
        grino "Enough playing coy! Tell me what you want!"
        shyo "I-I-"
        shyo "I want you to fuck me with a male cock! I want to feel you fuck me, and have a dick inside of me! It just feels so, so..."

        "She took the finger out, and soon, he felt something else, something much bigger, replace it."

        grino "Treacherous little cunt… I’ll make sure to punish you good for that~"

        #shake screen
        #cg2
        scene cg402 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg402
        pause 3

        ro "A-ah!"

        "He couldn’t stop the pained moan as she brutally forced the stone strap-on into his ass. She showed him only the bare minimum of consideration, just enough to avoid ripping him apart, but not enough to make the process in any way pleasurable."
        "As she pushed into him further, the orcess below him embraced him in an almost loving fashion, kissing his lips and his face, whispering sweet nothings into his ear."

        shyo "I-I know how it feels… J-just relax, it will soon feel really good~"

        "The warmth of her body contrasted with the cold stone up his ass, contrasted with her wet, needy pussy~"

        grino "Damn you’re tight! You must not be doing this very often!"
        ro "Can you please- aaah!"

        show cg403 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She shoved it all the way in, pushed him all the way into her lover~"

        grino "How does her pussy feel, human?"
        ro "G-great~"
        grino "Fuck I’m jealous… But I’ll make use of what I have… Now… Start pulling out slowly…"

        "What followed Rowan could only describe as several hours of lust driven insanity. The Orcess would not let him rest. Pulling his hair, slapping his ass, she had him follow her bidding, her stone cock in his ass proof of his submission."
        "Her artificial dick set the tempo, tempo Rowan had to follow religiously. Whenever he’d feel her pull out, he pulled out as well. When she pushed, he relaxed, his hard dick thrusting into the panting lover under him."

        shyo "M-more! Please, mo-ore!"

        show cg404 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Thrice he came in her. Normally it would be nearing his limit, but with his ass stimulated he would not go soft, the sensation below his waist slowly growing into a mixture of pain and pleasure."
        "It was sweet agony, accompanied by grunts of efforts, triumphant laughter, and almost constant cries of ecstasy."

        shyo "Y-yes! Fuck me more! Both of you, fuck m-me mooore!"
        shyo " I-I never knew a male’s dick would feel so good! Harder, please, harder!"
        shyo "Harder! I said harder!"

        scene black with fade
        shyo "Fuck me harder, damn it!"

        "… … …"
        "… …"
        "…"

        #shake screen

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked angry at center with dissolve

        "Feeling someone approach him, Rowan sprung up, sword in hand, already aimed at the assailant’s neck."

        grino "Holy fuck, you’re jumpy! It’s me, you dunce!"

        show rowan necklace naked neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "Sorry, it’s just-"
        grino "No, no, that’s fair. I admire the reflexes."
        grino "Get dressed, human. Time for you to meet our new matron."

        show rowan necklace naked angry at center with dissolve

        "Grudgingly, Rowan forced himself up, trying to ignore the pain in his ass. He would not be sitting straight for a week… Good luck explaining that to Alexia..."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "Ten minutes later, he was outside, dressed up and looking spry and ready for action, as he always was. Immediately, a pair of unfamiliar guards started to lead him towards the warchief’s tent."

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        "He was greeted by the very orcess that was squealing under his cock the night before, but now she was dressed much more ornamental, in a brightly colored tunic that were reminiscent of the robes of the previous matron."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "She welcomed him with a warm smile, her eyes devouring his body. The look in them made him slightly uneasy, and the way she licked her lips when looking at his crotch did not help."

        shyo "Emissary of Castle Bloodmeen. Earlier this morning, the tribe has reconvened to once more discuss your proposal."
        shyo "After addressing everyone’s concerns and dealing with the accordingly, we’ve decided to support you and your demonic patrons, in exchange for a fair share in the spoils, expressed in the form of male slaves."
        shyo "We will send our warriors by the end of the week."
        shyo "Go now."

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        "He got ushered out of the tent instantly. A bit dazed, he looked at the grinning orcess who waited for him outside, uncertain what to say."

        grino "Shocked?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "That’s… Quite the change. I thought you would be the new matron?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        grino "Me? Ha, nah. Never had the head for all this management stuff. The previous matron –"
        grino "-please pay your respects when leaving, the head is mounted near the entrance, second from the left –"
        grino "-she always had us rob or trade for books, saying “Males stoopid, think they know all. You read. You see you know shit. You learn.” Guess I have more of a man in me than just the penchant for being on top, since they never interested me that much."

        "She pointed behind her, winking to the hero."

        grino "She on the other hand? Devoured everything she could get her hands, can recite half of that stuff from memory. I’m sure she’ll do great, she just has some trouble getting out of her shell. Glad you were around to help with that, stud."
        ro "… No problem?"
        grino "Oh, don’t be modest, I know how exhausting it must have been for you!"
        grino "You know, it’s always the shy ones that are the biggest sluts. Now she won’t shut up about all the things she wants to try… I believe double penetration is first on the list? And I think she wanted to inquire if you have futanari magic at your disposal?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "(Sweet Goddess, what I have I unleashed upon this innocent land.)"

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        grino "But I’ve wasted enough of your time here. You can go. Please, tell your demonic masters their manwhore performed most admirably."

        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

        ro "Wha-"

        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

        ro "Hold on, what exactly do you think my position is in the castle?"
        grino "… Male whore, no?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        "The genuine confusion in her voice stung. It really did."

        ro "(Maybe that’s for the better… I don’t want them walking around, boasting about fucking the Lord of Castle Bloodmeen.)"

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "Choosing to keep what little remained of his pride, he finally bid the orcess, and the strange camp, farewell."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        scene black with fade

        "He continued his journey, armed with the knowledge that for all of his troubles, at least he managed to secure another village, without Andras' help to boot."

        # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 1)
        # return

    return

# \events\mine_events_3.rpy
label deep_in_her_mines_rp:

    "Pass skill checks? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    # $ avatar.add_exp (50)

    scene bg55 with fade

    "Rowan cut through the bramble overtaking an old dirt path and thorny branches fell to the wayside. As the sun dipped low beneath the trees and a crash of thunder sounded nearby, he knew his options for places to rest had become limited."
    "A large abandoned mine loomed through the darkness. It was not an ideal choice, considering how dangerous it could be to explore at night, but the oncoming storm left him little choice."
    "Rowan ducked into the constructed cavern and lit a torch, its soft glow barely illuminating the space. He raised his torch up to get a better look, but the mine stretched onwards, the tracks of old mine carts disappearing into pitch blackness."
    "He followed the tracks into the mine, each step echoing throughout the cave. It felt as if the mine stretched on for miles. How far did this thing go?"
    "As he took another step forward, the earth shifted underneath his foot, and Rowan found himself falling into the darkness."

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    ro "Wha--Ahhhh!"

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "He plummeted through the darkness, panic surging through his body as he wondered how deep this hole might be and if this mine may be the last place he is ever seen, before he landed on the hard, stiff ground."

    scene cave1 with fade

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cave1

    "There was a brief flash of light as his torch tumbled after him, the light distinguishing as it fell against the floor."
    "It took a few minutes for his eyes to adjust. Rowan sat up cautiously, wincing as his backside throbbed in pain. He felt around the walls of the mine, searching for a ladder or some device that could pull him back up."
    "Nothing."

    ro "Shit."

    "This wasn't good. There was only so much food and water in his pack to last him a few days, but who knew how long he would be trapped in his cave? He might just have to message back to the twins and hope they could send rescue. "

    questi "What are you doing here?"

    "Rowan spun at the sound of a feminine voice behind him, unsheathing his sword at his side. He could barely make out her figure in the darkness, but he could hear her footsteps shuffling against the dirt, stopping just in front of him."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cave1

    ro "I thought this mine was abandoned?"
    questi "Well it clearly isn't. I ask that you leave at once and do not bother me or my home again."

    "Home? Rowan looked around the pitch black cave skeptically."

    menu:
        "Ask for help. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "...Right. That's sort of impossible considering I can barely see my hand in front of my face."
            ro "Would you mind helping me get out of here?"
            "The woman cocked her head to the side, her figure becoming more visible as Rowan's eyes continued to adjust to the darkness. She has a curvaceous figure with a high slit dress that swished as she circles him."
            questi "You would ask for {i}my{/i} help? {i}You're{/i} the one that invaded my home… "
            "She stopped in front of him, and although he had trouble seeing her, Rowan could feel her gaze trailing up and down his body."
            questi "But I suppose you could {i}convince{/i} me to help you. What do you say?"
            "Rowan tensed up as she ran a hand down his chest. Suffice to say, there was little ambiguity in the form of persuasion she desired."
            menu:
                "If I have to… (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump velrysSex_rp

                "Just tell me how to get out of here.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The woman scoffed and put some distance between them."
                    questi "A lot of fun you are. Fine; I want you out of here as soon as possible, so better for me."
                    ro "And who are you, exactly?"
                    vel "You can call me Velrys."
                    jump velExit_rp

        "Find your own way out.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Right… I'll be on my way then."
            "Rowan nodded to himself, feeling around the tunnel for any sort of light source. He found one by accidentally bumping his head on a hanging lantern, hissing between his teeth in pain."
            "Pulling a match from his pack, Rowan lit the lantern and held it up high. The hole he fell from was steep, but not too large. Still, it was a wonder he managed to survive that without any broken bones."
            "There had to be another way out of here. As he looked around the pit he'd fallen in, there were various tunnels leading in different directions."
            "But if he wanted any hope of making it out of here tonight, he had to choose one now."
            "Keeping the lantern in front of him, Rowan looked down one of the tunnels and walked."
            if skillCheck == "success":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #pass
                "…"
                "………"
                "…………"
                "After a few minutes of walking through endless tunnels, Rowan doubted the way he chose and started to suspect that he was walking in circles."
                "That is, until he heard the hoot of an owl nearby. Rowan followed the sound, managing through the winding tunnels until he was spit back out of a separate entrance to the mine."
                scene bg55 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "He gulped in the fresh night air, pleased to find that the rain had stopped."
                questi "Impressive. I didn't think you would make it out of there until dawn at least."
                "Rowan spun and reached for his sword, surprised to find the woman standing at the entrance to the mines. Now with the moonlight shining down, he could see that she was a modest half-elf."
                ro "With no thanks to you. Were you waiting here to gloat if I failed?"
                questi "No. I was simply curious to see if you would make it tonight, and you did. Bravo."
                ro "Who are you?"
                questi "If I tell you, does that mean you will go away?"
                ro "Perhaps."
                vel "My name is Velrys. Are you satisfied?"
                ro "Not quite. I don't know how else to tell you this, but I need to take this mine here. I'll be putting it to good use, if that's of any consolation."
                vel "Absolutely not! This is my home! What right do you have to come take it?!"
                ro "You aren't using it--"
                vel "The hell I'm not!!"
                "Rowan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He needed to get through to her somehow if he wanted to avoid this thing ending in bloodshed."
                ro "Why are you here?"
                "Velrys looked hesitant to answer. She glanced away, crossing her arms indignantly over her chest."
                vel "I had to leave, okay? I'm not fit to be a whore. I refuse to be a whore. This is my only choice."
                "Her words took on an edge, and Rowan got a pretty clear idea of what kind of life she led. Even so, he still needed the mine, and if she continued to stand in the way of that, the twins would not be so merciful."
                ro "What were you before that?"
                vel "A blacksmith."
                "A blacksmith? He could use that."
                ro "Perhaps we can make a deal then. You could work under my protection as the mine’s manager? You can stay here as long as you want, so long as you continue to take care of the mine for me and my workers."
                ro "What do you say?"
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #pass
                    "Velrys eyed him skeptically, but she did not seem opposed to the idea. Rather, she almost looked excited at the prospect."
                    vel "...Would it be slave work? Do I get paid?"
                    ro "No, you'll get paid. By the time you’re done you will be quite wealthy."
                    "She considered the offer carefully, searching for any kind of loopholes or lies in Rowan's statement."
                    vel "...Fine. As long as I get to stay here and I get paid for it, I can do that."
                    vel "But if I find out that this is some scheme of yours, I'm coming for your head, you got that?"
                    "She held a threatening finger out to him, as though she was half-tempted to decapitate him here and now. Rowan held his hands up in defense."
                    ro "I understand. It's no scheme, I promise. The mine is yours, we just want to work it."
                    "Velrys straightened herself and nodded."
                    vel "Good. Then send me the workers and we shall start."
                    vel "Until then."
                    "She gave him a small wave before walking back into the mines, her figure disappearing in the darkness. Rowan watched her go, amazed that she knew the mines well enough to figure it out in the dark."
                    "At least the twins will be pleased. With not only a mine but a mine manager, this is going better than he could have imagined."
                    # $ castle.mines += 1
                    return

                else:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    vel "Pay or not, you're coming to invade my home. You're no better than a slaver."
                    "She spat at Rowan's feet."
                    vel "I hope you get eaten in the woods, boy."
                    "With that, Velrys stormed back inside of the mines. Rowan watched her go, running his hand up and down his wrist."
                    "There would be no point trying to follow her. Even if he could find her, there was no way to convince her. With a sigh, Rowan left. He could only hope Andras wouldn't be the one to handle her."
                    return

            else:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan felt that he had been walking for ages. Perhaps he had. Surely it would be dawn when he reached the end of the tunnel, right?"
                "But as he made yet another turn, the familiar sight of the pit came into view. He did a double take, glancing back down the tunnel he left, the tunnel he came from, and the hole he originally fell down."
                ro "(I just walked in a big circle!! Damn it!!)"
                "Rowan kicked the rock wall in frustration, wincing a little as pain reverberated through his toes."
                "He was exhausted. There was no doubt he had been walking for hours and, if he wanted to have any energy to keep moving tomorrow, he needed to rest."
                "With no shortage of defeat, Rowan set up camp in the pit."
                "..."
                "......"
                "………"
                "Morning came at last and Rowan could just make out the blinding peeks of sunlight filtering down one of the tunnels he had failed to explore."
                scene bg55 with fade
                "He followed the sunrays and came out along another entrance to the mines."
                "There was no sign of the woman from last night, or even a trace that she had existed. For all he knew, she could be trapped in the mines herself and had lied about knowing a way out."
                "Oh well. At least Rowan could continue his journey now, although he lost a day to the mines."
                # $ change_mp(-2)
                return

    label velrysSex_rp:

        "It's not as if he had another  chance of getting out on his own in the middle of the night. If this is what she required for him to avoid getting trapped in this mine, Rowan he would just have to pay the price."

        ro "Alright. If that's what it--"

        "Rowan was cut off as he suddenly was pushed down to his knees, two strong hands grasping his shoulders. He didn't expect her to be this strong."

        "She leaned in close, her nails lightly caressing his throat."

        vel "Perfect. You can call me Velrys… But I might prefer hearing you call me “My Lady” instead."

        "She waited expectantly for his response."

        ro "...Yes, My Lady."
        vel "Good. Now strip."

        "Rowan did as told, removing his various belts and fabrics until he was bare before her. He heard her continue to circle him, her nails occasionally caressing his scalp and shoulders."

        vel "You'll do anything to get out of this mine, won't you? Any little thing I want?"

        "She sounded delighted by the fact. He heard fabric shift, followed by the collapse of her dress onto the ground."

        ro "Yes, My Lady."

        "The mystery of it came with a certain...thrill. He had no idea what this woman really looked like or who she was: he just knew that she wanted him to obey."
        "Something hard--a shoe?--pressed against his forehead and shoved him down. Rowan gasped as he landed hard on his back."
        "His cock hardened as he felt Velrys crawl over him, her leg coming to rest against his erection."

        vel "What's this? Are you already getting excited? You can't even see me, you pervert. "

        "Her leg rubbed against his growing erection, each movement sending an eager twitch through his cock. Rowan bucked against her, unable to help himself from the pleasure."

        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cave1

        ro "A-Aaahh…"

        "Velrys dug her knee into his hip, forcing him back down."

        vel "Did I say you could do that?"

        "Her words contained enough authority that he decided to back down. Seemingly satisfied, Velrys lightly stroked her nails over his stomach to his chest."
        "She found his nipples and pinched tight."
        "Rowan released a muffled whimper between closed lips, his body arching toward her touch as she continued to fondle him."

        vel "Do you enjoy that, you little pervert? For all you know, I could be a disgusting creature born out of the iron mines, and you're getting off on it."

        "But she did not feel like a disgusting creature, and every supple touch only fueled his desire further."
        "Velrys dipped her mouth low, her breath hot against his skin as he took one of his nipples into her mouth. Rowan tilted his head back, unable to resist whimpering in delight as she toyed with his body."
        "After a few minutes of assault on his chest, Velrys climbed further over him and Rowan's nostrils filled with the scent of her musk as she hovered her wet pussy above his face."

        vel "Please me, boy. "

        scene cg1043 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1043
        pause 3

        "She lowered herself on top of him, smothering him with her sodden cunt. Despite taunting him for his own perversions, Velrys was soaked with arousal, her fluids dripping against his chin."
        "Rowan tilted his mouth up and licked her slit, his tongue lightly lapping up her excess fluids."
        "Velrys let out a sigh."

        vel "Surely you can do better than that."

        scene cg1044 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1044
        pause 3

        "She gripped the back of his head and shoved herself as far down on him as she could go, crushing Rowan's face between her thighs. He tried to breathe, but all he could take in was the strong scent of her pussy."
        "Dizzied but excited, Rowan pressed his tongue into her folds, emitting a content sigh from the mysterious woman. Velrys ground herself against his face, urging him deeper."
        "Rowan complied, his tongue picking up the pace as she rode his face. Her fluids flowed easily into his mouth and down his throat, each salty drip coating his tongue and encouraging him forward."

        scene cg1045 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1045
        pause 3

        "Velrys moaned as she bucked her hips over him, reaching a frenzied state with her orgasm. She continued to ride him past her first one, second one, and well into her third, suffocating Rowan under the thick drench of her pussy."
        "He gasped when she finally pulled away, her fluids covering the lower half of his face."

        vel "That was… quite delightful. Wouldn't you say so?"
        ro "Yes, My Lady."

        scene cg1046 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1046
        pause 3

        "Repositioning herself over him, Velrys slid down to Rowan's thighs and gripped his erection in her rough palm."

        ro "Aahh..."

        "He involuntarily bucked in response, the sudden grip of her hand sending an exciting jolt through his body."

        vel "So pathetic… I'm barely even touching you and you can hardly stand it."

        "She stroked his length up and down in a swift motion, her fingers rubbing eagerly over the tip. The woman leaned down to drip some of her spit onto his shaft for lubrication, her wrist flicking up and down with more ease."
        "Rowan jerked his hips toward her with each motion, precum dripping down his erection as he neared his climax."
        "Velrys noticed the movement and stopped stroking him at once."

        vel "Not yet."

        "Rowan gritted his teeth in frustration, just barely able to resist spilling his load over her. Once she saw he wouldn't cum, Velrys slowly began to stroke him again, once more building up momentum."
        "But just before he could cum, she stopped."

        ro "Please… Please, I need to cum…"

        "Velrys laughed and moved her hand up and down once again."

        vel "Who said I would let you cum at all?"

        "She picked up speed with her hand, flicking her wrist down his base and over his tip until Rowan was once again near his orgasm."
        "He tried to restrain himself, tormented with the thought that this woman just very well may keep him on the edge as long as she wanted."
        "She continued this back and forth for a little while longer, pumping his erection until he was just on the verge of climax before stopping altogether."

        vel " I don't usually allow men to cum on their first try with me, but tonight I'll be merciful. You can cum on ten. Ready? Nine… Eight…"

        "Her hand once again picked up speed and Rowan bucked eagerly into her palm, desperate for her to reach the end."

        vel "Seven… six… five…"
        vel "Four… Three…"
        vel "Two…"

        "Rowan could feel himself on the edge, just a second away from releasing his seed."

        vel "Two…"
        vel "Twooo~"

        "She dragged out the word, giggling a little to herself as his cock twitched impatiently in her hand. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold off."

        ro "P-Please! Please let me cum!"
        vel "One."

        show cg1047 with sshake
        show cg1047 with sshake
        scene cg1048 with flash
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1048

        "She barely had the word out before Rowan's load was spurting out, coating along the woman's belly and thighs before dripping down over himself."
        "Velrys climbed off of him and settled down on the ground, haphazardly pulling her dress back over her bodice."

        vel "I suppose you want to know the way out now, hm?"
        ro "Actually, I would like to hear a little more about who I just slept with, exactly."

        "Velrys was quiet. For a moment, he wondered if she snuck off. Then he heard a match strike."

        scene cave1 with fade

    label velExit_rp:

        "A hanging lantern on the wall suddenly flickered on, revealing a modest woman with long white hair and pointed ears."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You're an elf."
        vel "{i}Half{/i}-elf. Don't try to flatter me."

        "Velrys shook the match in her hand, allowing it to diminish to nothing."

        vel "Come along, unless you want to wait until daylight."

        "Velrys turned toward another dark tunnel, unlatching the lantern from the ceiling to help guide her way."

        ro "Wait a second! Who are you?"

        "She gave out a sigh of frustration and glared back at him, uninterested in delving into more conversation about herself."

        vel "Isn't my name enough? Will that not satisfy you?"
        ro "No, not quite. I think it's at least a little important to know whose… er, home I'm invading…"
        vel "And why is that so important? You don't plan to come back so--"

        "She stopped herself, eyes narrowing in suspicion as she regarded her intruder."

        vel "...You plan to take this mine."

        "There was no use in lying, especially when he'd be back with workers to prove it. Rowan nodded."

        vel "...Now you're just giving me a reason not to show you the way out."
        ro "If you don't show me, I'll just figure it out myself when daylight comes. I'll be back here regardless."

        "Velrys bit her lip, and he could almost see her inwardly cursing herself for offering him any hope for assistance in the first place."

        vel "This is all I have. I’m not about to treat a threat to that kindly."

        "Velrys sighed and touched one of the mine's walls. Her finger tips seemed to search for lost memories."

        ro "It's not common to walk into an abandoned mine and discover it...occupied. Surely there is more to this story."

        "Velrys cut a glare in his direction but softened when she looked back at the walls of her mine. She sighed deeply."

        vel "I didn't have a choice. I used to make a proper living, you know; I was a blacksmith in my village. I loved working with metals."
        vel "...Until our village was sacked, and I was carted around between brothels. Some people choose that line of work, but I wasn't one of them."
        vel "I managed to escape a few months ago, but I know they're still looking for me. These mines are the closest I have to a home now. I ask that you don't take that away."

        "She looked to Rowan with strength and sadness in her eyes."
        "There was no way Rowan could simply let her stay here, but another, better idea came to him as he tried to think of possible solutions."

        ro "I'm sorry to hear that happened to you, Velrys. No one should ever suffer in that way..."
        ro "But how about I offer another solution that could benefit the both of us?"

        "Velrys crossed her arms tightly over her chest and eyed him up with suspicion."

        vel "And that is…?"
        ro "I have to take this mine one way or another, but what if you ran the mine in my stead? You could become the mine's manager. It would be a paid position, and you could have the freedom of staying here as long as you would like."

        if skillCheck == "success":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #pass
            "Velrys seemed to take her time considering the idea, hesitant to accept his word outright."
            vel "And why would you offer me that position? Surely you can think of someone else that would be more beneficial to you."
            "Still, she didn't seem to be outright opposed to the suggestion. That was encouragement enough."
            ro "Who more beneficial than the woman that knows the mines the best? What do you say?"
            vel "...And I get to stay in the mines? This will be my home?"
            ro "You can stay as long as you'd like, but you would be working as a manager for me. Does that sound fair?"
            vel "...Yes, I think it does. Very well, I will be your manager. Send me the workers I need and I can begin setting up shop."
            "Excellent. I'll be sure to send them here when I return."
            scene black with fade
            "Satisfied, Velrys held up the lantern high and led Rowan out of the mines."
            "It was still dark when he reached the outer cave, but at least the rain had stopped. On top of that, he managed to secure both the mines and a manager, so perhaps this was a larger win than he expected."
            # $ castle.mines += 1
            # return

        else:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Velrys sneered at him. Any connection made among them was tossed to the side."
            vel "Absolutely not. Why should I work for you when you're here to take the mines away from me? You cannot just come in and claim something because you want it. You are no better than the slave-traders I was sold "
            "Velrys spat at his feet."
            vel "I'll show you the way out only because I'm a woman of my word, but I dare you to come back and take this mine from me. I will not make it easy."
            "Velrys snatched her lantern and sped up down the tunnel. Rowan stumbled after her, struggling to keep up."
            "Once they reached the entrance to the mines, Velrys put out her lantern and walked back into the darkness without so much as a goodbye, leaving Rowan alone in the dark."
            "Rowan could not tell her that he was duty bound to bring back a detachment of orcs as soon as he left. What they would do to an interloper would not be pleasant."
            "He looked up at the night sky miserably as he stepped out and began to set up camp."
            "Well, at least it had stopped raining."
            # return

    return

# \events\orc_tribe3.rpy
label chieftess_seeks_pretty_boy_rp:

    # $ avatar.add_exp (50)

    scene bg3 with fade

    "There should have been orcs in the area. Frequent large footfalls through this particular stretch of otherwise very dense woods had choked out the plants and left a good path to follow."
    "Rowan had been tracking the tribe for several hours now. Well, tracking was hardly necessary at this point. It had started with him finding their hunting grounds and following the trails they'd left since."
    "Up ahead, he spotted a group of them. That confirmed what he'd hoped, though left him in an awkward position. There wasn't anywhere to hide on this trail and the forest brush on either side wasn't something he'd be able to make much headway in."
    "There was a shout from the approaching group, so Rowan decided it was time to hurry in the only direction open to him. He was a human, prey as far as orcs were concerned until his demon Master arrived to give him safe passage through the tribe."
    "A quick word through the amulet was all that was needed to indicate he'd found some orcs to recruit. Now he just needed to get somewhere where he could wait for Andras to make his way here from the nearest portal."
    "Ten minutes later, he was cursing his luck. He'd gone around a turn and run straight into another group of orcs heading in the opposite direction."

    show wild orc neutral behind bg3
    #show femorc

    wo "Wat dis? Some silly humie out here on his own?"

    "The speaker had a large deer slung over his shoulder and a bloody spear in his other hand. A moment after he spoke, the others fanned out and blocked any chance of running past them. Rowan put his hand on his pummel, sizing them up. Four plus the hunter with his deer."

    femorc "Humie! Humie!"

    "The other group came around the corner, pinning Rowan in. Now there were over a dozen of them, and he was surrounded."

    femorc "Heh, caught you!"

    "The green woman swaggered confidently up to Rowan, nodding at the other hunter."

    femorc "Gettin extra meat I see."

    "Rowan sighed and took his hand off the pommel of his sword. Instead, he undid the scabbard from his belt and let it tumble to the ground."

    wo "Dat was fast."
    femorc "Humie smart. Knows when he beaten."

    "She snatched up his sword then took a close look at Rowan."

    femorc "Well, you real pretty one. Silly boy, shouldn't walk all alone in woods, might find strong orcs. Hungry orcs."

    "She laughed, then shoved Rowan towards the other group. One of the other hunters grabbed his hands, then tied them up behind his back."

    wo "Chief will like him, pretty boys like dis get da blood running."
    femorc "Maybe. If not, I get him when hunt over and you can have dis sword."
    wo "Done."

    "The two groups passed by one another, and Rowan was lead further down the path. At first the group made crude remarks about his appearance and insults to Rowan's abilities and intelligence, though they soon grew bored of it when he didn't react to their antics."

    scene bg26 with fade

    "Upon returning to the tribe, the group broke up: the lead hunter went off to butcher his kill and most of the others went off to their respective tents. The remaining orc paraded Rowan around the camp to a few scattered cheers."
    "The man bore it in stoic silence. He was not so helpless as they might believe."
    "Soon the chief came to inspect the capture that had been said to be of interest to them. She towered over Rowan, wrapped in silk scraps and a vest of antlers lashed together. Pale white eyes glowered down at him from a sharp face with one broken fang."

    orcc "Hmm, he is pretty humie boy. Got some nerve to him too, no tears or begging. Wonder how long dat will last?"
    orcc "No one fucked him, right?"

    "Her gaze had a look of great danger to it and there was a certain degree of apprehension when the guard insisted that no, Rowan had not been fucked by any of the other orcs. Yet."
    "Her gaze softened and she returned to Rowan, inspecting his body and pulling off some of his clothing to reveal the scars underneath."

    orcc "Oh? A warrior dis one. Well, warrior, you tink you can last wid me? I could use a toy dat can last all day."

    "At the same time, Rowan was given a chance to observe her as well. More muscular than the typical female orc but not to the same extent as most males. Her breasts would easily fill a human's hand, although they looked about average on her large frame."

    orcc "Say, do someden! Ya may be pretty, but ya ain't no fun."

    "That was a good sign if he didn’t want to find himself being used as her toy. He couldn’t react. Any sign of weakness would shift the dynamic."

    menu:
        "Accidentally meet her eyes. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump chieftessSexScene_rp

        "Continue ignoring the taunting":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            orcc "Notting? Boy you are bo-ring. We see how you are after a couple days on a post. Den you'll be begging to be a proper toy. If he still stubborn, den da tribe gets him."
            "Rowan had to stop himself from sneering."
            "She waved the two off and Rowan was taken to a set of posts and tied to it. Another human was tied up here as well, a woman. She glanced at Rowan briefly, but didn't try to talk to him."
            "Soon after, another orc came and took her down. She was lead off without complaints to one of the tents. Well, that was for the best. It meant that Rowan would get less attention."
            scene bg26 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show andras happy at edgeleft with moveinleft
            "Nearly an hour later, a familiar red demon was sideling up to the post with a satisfied smirk on his face. The cavalry was here."
            an "Well, well, well, what do we have here? Stubbed your toe and suddenly in need of rescue?"
            ro "Hardly."
            show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan effortlessly slipped free of his bonds and stood with a stretch."
            ro "I figured out the ropes within the first hour. I was just waiting until... ah!"
            hide rowan with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace neutral behind bg26
            "Spotting the other hunting group get back, Rowan walked confidently up to the orcish woman who'd 'captured' him. He rolled his shoulder, still stiff from the ropes."
            ro "I believe you have something that belongs to me."
            femorc "Wha dis? Humie out of his ropes?"
            ro "This humi is a demon's agent, and..."
            "The man rushed forward and elbowed the orc in the stomach, then swept her feet out from under her when she tried to hit him back. Before she could recover, Rowan yanked his sword off of her belt and returned it to his own."
            ro "... he'll be taking back his property."
            hide rowan
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinright
            ro "I'll be returning to exploring now, if that pleases you, Master?"
            show andras happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            an "Ha! Yes, that will be fine."
            # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame"], "light_damage")
            # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 1.5)
            return

    label chieftessSexScene_rp:

        orcc "Oh?"

        "She grabbed Rowan's face, forced him to look her in the eyes again. She chuckled, then released his head and ruffled his hair."

        orcc "I'm keeping you."
        orcc "Who brought him? He's worth a double wine prize."

        "She accepted the rope from the hunter as he relayed the story of Rowan's capture, then led him off to her tent."

        scene bg30 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "The interior was dominated by two things: a veritable horde of deer antlers and a large bedmat."

        orcc "You real tough out der, may fool my boys and girls, but not fool me."

        "She flipped Rowan around and roughly grabbed his jaw, forcing him to meet her gaze again."

        orcc "You definitely toy material. I'ma enjoy breaking you in."

        "The man squirmed in her grip to try and free himself, but could do nothing against the stronger orc's grip on his bonds. He did succeed in annoying her enough to slap him across the face twice."

        orcc "Enough of dat. Wedder you give in, or I have to beat you first, I will get what I want."
        ro "Fine."
        orcc "He speaks! Well, let's see if ya moan too."

        "She roughly ran one of her thick digits over his crotch, then slipped it inside his pants and yanked both them and his undergarments down."

        orcc "Hehe, already hard for me too. I knew you wanted me on you."

        "Although she wasn't trying to hurt Rowan, her treatment had not grown gentle or caring. It was with the typical orcish brutality that she forced Rowan to kneel down, then shoved him onto his back."
        "After planting a foot on his chest and releasing his bindings, the chieftess undid the scraps of fabric covering her loins. Loop after loop came off with significantly more care than had been shown before."
        "There was a certain amount of satisfaction on her face at Rowan's reaction to seeing her reveal her sex."

        orcc "Dis is your new Master. Betta make it feel good or ya gonna be ravaged by all dem in my tribe and da boys too."

        #CG1
        scene cg608 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg608
        pause 3

        "Without removing her foot, Rowan's legs were hoisted into the air. Both of the man's boots were casually yanked off and tossed into the corner, followed by his pants being roughly jerked and shook off."
        "Now she finally took her weight off of him and pressed her new toy's legs firmly against either side of his body. Even if his arms weren't tied and he'd had the strength to overcome this monstrous woman, Rowan couldn't have done anything against her now in such a helpless position."
        "The orc knew it too, and it was with some pleasure that she settled herself down on him and guided his member into her sex."

        orcc "Like dis pretty boy? I certainly do."

        "Rowan let out an involuntary groan, the feeling of her sex clamping down on him followed by rapidly plopping herself up and down on his length was too much to keep his voice back."

        orcc "Dat's what I like to hear."

        "Being fucked in such a compromising position was surprisingly exotic and exhilarating. It certainly suited this orc chiefess to ride her conquests in such an amazonian way."
        "Their eyes locked together while her hips continued to bounce up and down, making an audible smack with each drop that hilted Rowan's member. Rowan couldn't help but groan yet again."

        orcc "Yes! Keep making dos nice noises."
        ro "(Is it the humiliation...or am I actually enjoying this?)"

        "In true orcish fashion, the rough fucking soon reached climax for both of them. The chieftess finally let Rowan catch his breath after he painted her insides white."

        orcc "Hehe, good enough for first time, wonder how long you'll last in da next one?"

        "She didn't wait for a response. Just let out a couple groans of her own while she stood up and stretched. This gave the man a chance to reposition himself into a much less uncomfortable orientation and finally get his bindings into his hands."
        "She walked over to a case in the corner of the tent with her bits still exposed and dripping with a mixture of white and clear. When she returned, she was drinking from a leather flask. After taking a few sips, she pressed the skin to Rowan's lips and let him have a taste of watered down wine."
        "While Rowan was not surprised when she plopped herself back down on top of him, her lips suddenly pressing against his own in a deep kiss was. The sudden romantic affection sent blood rushing back into his deflating member."
        "She broke the kiss and smiled triumphantly."

        orcc "Feels like humie's ready to go again. Lookies like he might be good enough to stay with me after all."

        "Once more, she roughly kissed him, then licked Rowan's ear and whispered to him:"

        orcc "You belong to me. No one else can touch you."

        scene bg30 with fade

        "Nearly an hour later and at the end of the fourth round of orcish chainsex, Rowan finally managed to slip the knot on his bindings free. There was no end in sight to this woman's lusts and he knew that Andras would be arriving soon."
        "The orc chief was worn out enough that he could finally take her on in a wrestling match, and her surprise at his sudden freedom was enough of an advantage to turn the bonds against his captor."
        "Just in time as well, as shortly after things turned to violent wrestling, a familiar red skinned demon opened up the tent flap."

        show andras displeased at midleft with moveinleft

        an "Oh Rowan? Your mighty Master is here to save you from your incompetence."

        "Rowan pulled the rope tight, finishing the process of tying up his former captor. He stood and grabbed his fallen clothing from the floor."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

        an "Hmm? Well, I'd expected to find you were in need of rescue, but it seems like everything is well in hand."
        ro "That's one way of putting it."

        "He looked over his shoulder at Andras as he spoke, then turned back to the bound chief. "

        ro "Looks like I don't belong to you anymore."
        orcc "Grrr, I didn't like you anyway. Remember dat I will make you pay for taking away my tribe."
        ro "Oh, you don't need to worry about what happened here leaving your tent, assuming you do as my demon Master tells you. "

        "He stood, stretched, and put his pants back on."

        ro "Now, if you'll excuse me, there's one more thing I have to take care of."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

        "The hero stepped outside the tent and scanned the tribe for the one he was looking for. Conveniently she was at the nearest campfire, admiring exactly what he needed."

        ro "I believe you have something of mine."
        femorc "Wha dis? Humie out of his ropes?"
        ro "This humi is a demon's agent, and..."

        "A kick sent the orc over as she tried to stand up, then the man dropped his knee into her stomach to make sure she stayed down."

        ro "... he'll be taking back his property."

        "He strapped his sword back on his belt and returned to Andras."

        scene bg30 with fade
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

        ro "I'll be returning to exploring now, if that pleases you, Master?"

        show andras happy at midright with dissolve

        an "Ha! Yes, that will be fine."

        # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame"], "light_damage")
        # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 1.5)
        # return

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_explore.rpy
label orcish_courtship_in_action_rp:

    "Pass skill checks? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    #Orcish courtship in action
    #"Explore the Camp" event

    # $ avatar.add_exp (75)

    scene bg26 with fade

    "This part of the camp was particularly rowdy today, with lots of guttural shouting and chest pounding."
    "After getting closer, Rowan found that a large section of ground had been cleared for several competitions. Orcs were in the process of digging holes by hand, lifting various heavy objects, and balancing a plate on the end of a stick."
    "Other contests seemed like they'd finished not too long ago, with debris scattered around from what had been going on before. After watching for several minutes, the man finally started to get an idea of what was going on."
    "This was some kind of courtship ritual, the contests having been started by orcish woman who wanted to have a child. Each set their own contest for the men to attempt, first by showing how good they were at it and then taking challengers to prove themselves worthy of her."
    "It wasn't just a contest of being the best, you also had to have endurance. No orcs were ever eliminated unless they were severely outclassed. One kept at it until they either withdrew or were the only one left."
    "At least two couples who'd been decided by previous contests were also watching the show, plus a woman who'd been tied up to a pole and occasionally had dirt thrown in her face by other female orcs."
    "Rowan had to ask why she was being publically humiliated. After a few questions he worked out that she'd tried to start a competition she was very bad at, unworthy of orcs giving her a child. All orcs had to be powerful, not just the men."
    "In off comment, the hero had wondered if the woman hadn't really wanted a child, but to have some fun. That got him a dirty look and a suggestion that if all she wanted to do was get off she should have gone to find some prisoners to fuck."
    "After that, he returned to watching the ongoing three contests. These ones seemed like they'd only just started and were still getting new competitors joining in to the feats of strength, speed, and dexterity."

    menu:
        "Try your hand at strength, digging holes bare handed. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve
            show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "Rowan stepped forward among the competitors.  Right away one of them put a hand on his shoulder."
            os "What you doing humi?  Dis orc sport for who get to make babies."
            ro "Yes, I'm here to compete."
            os "Eh? What makes you dink that okay?"
            ro "What, are you afraid I might beat you?"
            "That got the orc's attention. He wheeled around and started the next round without another word. No one else made any attempt to stop Rowan when he participated in that round."
            "That didn't stop the crowd of orcs from jeering at him when it was his turn."

            if skillCheck == "success":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #success
                "Digging holes barehanded was tiring and very intensive for what the orcs were demanding in this contest, but Rowan didn't let that slow him down. Again and again, he was able to match or at least come close to his competitors."
                "Sudden cheering drew his attention away for a moment, as he saw the runners had declared a winner. Yet among his group only two of the ten or so competitors.  He did draw some satisfaction that the one who'd challenged him was among those who'd given up."
                "Soon afterwards the other competition ended. Rowan realized that perhaps this had been a mistake, while he'd certainly put on quite a bit more musculature since joining the twins, could he really beat orcs in a test a strength?"
                hide wild orc with moveoutright
                "Digging and digging wore on, lasting hours.  Most of the time Rowan didn't even realize when another orc dropped out, but he steadily held out round after round."
                "His hands felt numb, his arms on fire, but he never stopped grabbing another handful of dirt."
                hide orc soldier with moveoutright
                "Finally, when it was nearly dark out, powerful hands gripped him from behind and lifted him up from the ground. He was turned around and found himself facing the orc woman who'd started this contest."
                #show female orc
                "She ran her callased hands over his, dirt caked deep under both their nails. For his part, the man found looking over her powerful, yet still feminine body almost a relief."
                "The end of the digging along felt wonderful.  Their eyes met, white pupiless orbs searching the man's brown ones."
                femorc "Yous really strong for a humi. Dis should be fun."
                jump courtshipVictory_rp

            #fail
            else:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan did well enough for the first few rounds, however it soon became apparent that he'd probably made a mistake in challenging the orcs to feats of strength."
                "Already he was tiring fast, but those around him looked to be still doing quite well. Realizing that he'd never be able to pull this off, he decided to try and at least keep digging long enough for at least one of the orcs to give up."
                "Much to his satisfaction, and the pleasure of the observers, the original orc who'd challenged him proved to be the first to withdraw from the contest. Rowan stopped soon after himself, but there was no jeering at him now."
                jump courtshipFail_rp

        "See if you're a faster runner than orcs, in foot racing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve
            show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "Rowan stepped forward among the competitors.  Right away one of them put a hand on his shoulder."
            os "What you doing humi?  Dis orc sport for who get to make babies."
            ro "Yes, I'm here to compete."
            os "Eh? What makes you dink that okay?"
            ro "What, are you afraid I might beat you?"
            "That got the orc's attention. He wheeled around and started the next round without another word. No one else made any attempt to stop Rowan when he participated in that round."

            if skillCheck == "success":
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    jump runningVictory_rp
                else:
                    jump runningDefeat_rp
            else:
                jump runningDefeat_rp

        "You bet you could balance that plate better than the rest of these brutes. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if skillCheck == "success":
                "Rowan picked a plate and stick up off the ground, set it spinning, much to the grumblings and irritation of the orcs around him. They wouldn't admit it, but they were really bad at this sort of thing."
                hide wild orc with dissolve
                "Some of them tried to copy Rowan's technique, so he mixed it up and added complications to how he was performing. They didn't impress the crowd, but they made it almost impossible for his competition to learn from him."
                "Surprisingly, it wasn't this challenge that ended first, that was the runners.  The diggers, on the other hand, showed no signs of stopping any time soon with nearly all of the competitors still in the running."
                hide orc soldier with dissolve
                "However, Rowan's victory wasn't too long afterwards. His competition eventually just gave up in frustration. What really amounted to a children's game simply wasn't well suited to these orcs, who valued strength and brutality."
                #show femorc
                "The man turned to the woman who'd started this contest, somewhat worried she might have been offended by his victory and gave a wry smile."
                ro "Well, guess I win then."
                "To his relief, she smiled warmly back at him and blew a kiss.  Certainly looked like this wasn't going to be done out of necessity."
                jump courtshipVictory_rp
            else:
                "Rowan picked a plate and stick up off the ground, set it spinning, much to the grumblings and irritation of the orcs around him. Most of them hadn't really figured out how to do this yet, and were finding it frustrating."
                "However, as the rounds went on, Rowan soon realized that he was actually his own downfall here. The orcs were so bad at this that they were watching him closely and copying how he was doing it.  At least a few of them were surprisingly good at it."
                "A few dropped plates later and he realized he'd have to withdraw or be forced to. Shame it ended like this, but he did pat himself on the back for having been the best at the challenge at least to start with.  Plus, the orc who'd stopped him at the start had been among the first to give up."
                jump courtshipFail_rp

        "Competing to mate with an orc woman isn't something you want to do.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump courtshipFail_rp


    label runningVictory_rp:

        "Speed was Rowan's speciality. In battle he always tried to be one step ahead of his opponent's, one arm length apart, one breath beyond."
        "This was why he'd eschewed metal armor during the war even after it became available, sticking with the leather he'd been initially issued."
        "Now, speed in battle is different from running speed, but this was just as much of a contest of endurance as it was of speed. Rowan did the laps again and again, amazing the crowd and the other competitors."
        hide wild orc with moveoutright
        "Soon, those watching had traded their jeers to cheers as he finished yet another lap, leaving the one orc still trying to best him almost in the dust."
        "He tried to call foul, bringing up the same argument that a human shouldn't be able to compete again."
        "However, now the onlookers were against him and demanding he withdraw after such a poor final showing. He looked like he'd do something more, but then was tackled from behind by the woman who'd started the contest."
        hide orc soldier with moveoutright
        #show female orc
        "After bringing him down and stomping on the fallen form once, the orcish woman turned to Rowan."
        femorc "I say, yous da winner!"
        "A final cheer went up from the onlookers, celebrating the human's victory as if it were one of their own."
        jump courtshipVictory_rp

    label runningDefeat_rp:

        "While racing against orcs was certainly one of the easier competitions Rowan could have joined, the difference in height between the human man and the orc men soon proved to be a bit of an issue."
        "Their strides were much longer than Rowan's, so he had to put a lot more work into moving his legs just to match his competitors."
        "The pace that was set and the sheer number times that same run was done soon started to take its toll on his endurance."
        "Thankfully, many other orcs were finding this particular contest was beyond them and Rowan's withdrawal was about after half of the others had left."
        "Even getting a few nods of approval from the crowd as he rejoined them and beating out the orc who'd first stopped him."
        jump courtshipFail_rp

    label courtshipVictory_rp:

        "The orc woman wrapped her arm around the slightly smaller man and started leading him away from the competition grounds."

        scene bg30 with fade

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #show female orc

        "She led him to a tent that seemed to be empty, then gave Rowan a curious look."

        femorc "Well? You gonna fuck me?"

        "He was normally more of a lover than a fucker, but Rowan figured that orcs tended to be just as ferocious in bed as on the battlefield. So he was going to be a lot more aggressive than he usually was."

        #kissing and fondling/stripping CG.
        scene cg321 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg321
        #show female orc behind cg321
        pause 3

        "Deciding to just act on instinct, he stepped forward and pulled the woman into a deep kiss.  She seemed confused at first, but soon got into it and forced her tongue into his mouth in response. That gesture was appreciated, as it hurt to press against her tusks."

        "After a moment she pushed Rowan back and smiled."

        femorc "Humis have funny way to fuck."
        ro "It's better if we have some foreplay."
        femorc "Show me."

        "Once again, the two kissed, pushing their tongues into one another's mouths and exploring the difference in anatomy. The hero essentially ignored the irritation caused by those big teeth. They weren't sharp, just awkward."
        "Instead, he focused on other parts of her, like her rump.  Copping a feel, the orc let out a snort of amusement, but didn't break off the kiss. This only encouraged her to pull him in closer so she could do the same."
        "Rowan used the hand on her backside now to slip up along her back, and into her meager garments to start removing them."
        "This did cause the his partner to pull back from him. While worried at first that maybe he'd done something wrong, the orc instead helped him pull her armor off. She tried to start on Rowan's gear after that, though her efforts were mostly fumbling until she started getting frustrated."
        "Rather than letting her force them off, the man undid his armor and then pulled off his clothes himself.  As soon as she saw dick, she crashed into Rowan and brought him to the ground."

        #Show 69 CG.
        scene cg189 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg189
        #show female orc behind cg189
        pause 3

        "With some effort, and fumbling of his own to finally get his pants off, Rowan managed to wrestle himself on top to take the lead again. During the scuffle, the two found themselves face to face with each other's naughty bits in a 69."

        femorc "Silly humi, you got us da wrong way round!"
        ro "I wouldn't say that..."

        "He opened his mouth and ran his tongue over the green pussy in front of him. Following his lead, once again, the orc ran her tongue over his balls and up his hard shaft."

        femorc "Dis is different, but fun."

        "The man nibbled on her lower lips as he repositioned his hips to push his cock past her upper ones. There was no resistance as he sunk down past her tusks and into her throat. In fact, she was very eager to swallow his length and gave a deep blowjob."
        "Bobbing his hips up and down several times and enjoying the sensation immensely, Rowan also put some more effort into teasing and play biting the orc's womanhood. She really liked him being forceful, so he was constantly being a little bit harder, a little rougher."

        #Show fucking missionary CG.
        scene cg110 with fade
        pause 3

        "Deciding that was enough foreplay, the human pulled himself fully free and flipped around so he was face to face with the orc woman again. Instinctively he lined up and pushed himself inside her passage in two quick motions. She had said she wanted to be fucked, after all."
        "Her cunt was very slick, as well as deeper and wider than a human's. It also felt more flexible and squeezed down on him a bit to make up for being looser. There were other differences, but Rowan was a bit distracted to focus on them."
        "He pumped himself in and out of her as quickly as he could, with her moving her hips up to meet him with each thrust. A loud meaty smack accompanied each of these motions, along with grunts of pleasure from both of them."
        "This was what orcs were used to; rough hard animalistic fucking.  That didn't stop the man from reaching out and, 'appreciating' her softer assets. As before, as soon as he started fondling her, the orc did the same to him."
        "She was especially fond of pulling him down insider faster and harder."

        #Show cuming CG.
        scene cg110 with sshake
        scene cg110 with sshake
        scene cg111 with flash
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg111
        #show female orc behind black

        "Rowan didn't even notice that he was approaching his peak, so it surprised him a bit when he came inside the orc. Given the noises she was making and the rippling feeling of her passage, there were unlikely to be any complaints from the woman."

        femorc "Hehe, yus was good. Doubt a humi will give me a baby, but letten you have your way with me makes up for it."
        ro "Ha, I certainly liked having you under me for the evening. How did foreplay compare to skipping straight to the action?"
        femorc "Different. I'm a probly start another contest as soon as is proper if I don't get a baby. Wouldn't mind if you want to try for me again."
        ro "Intriguing."

        #rowan gains a small amount of corruption
        # $ avatar.corruption += 5
        # jump campMenu_rp

    label courtshipFail_rp:

        "Rowan watched the rest of the competition, interested to see how the orcs fared at each of the challenges.  One by one, competitors withdrew as rounds concluded and they realized they were outclassed."
        "The runners were the first to declare a winner, who promptly ran off with the woman on the line to claim his prize. After that was the plate balancers.  Unlike the runners, these quit in frustration rather than because they were exhausted."
        "Unsurprising for orcs, the contest of strength was still going on when Rowan decided to move on over three hours later. Even when it came to something as mundane as digging a hole, orcs were surprising powerhouses."
        "He did notice as he left that the woman who'd been tied up had left at some point during the contest. Presumably someone had let her down, so it wasn't that long of a punishment."
        # jump campMenu_rp

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_batri.rpy
label corrupt_delane_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ elfSex = True

    #if the player has met delane and batri, a new option should appear on the camp menu "Corrupt Delane (Requires available spy)"
    #if the player meets all criteria, clicking it and assigning a spy should trigger the corruption path, starting with this event

    "Rowan went over his list of spies in his head. Now that he had Delane’s location, it wouldn’t be that hard to bring her back into Batri’s possession, should he desire to do so. But, the operation would be far simpler with a willing Delane."
    "Perhaps she might be taught to enjoy the prospect of the things that Batri would do to her..."

    if rowanCorrupt < 30:

        "The idea was abhorrent to him conceptually. It involved corrupting a kind enough member of nobility into nothing but an orc slut. But, he’d seen enough by now to know that it was doable. And the prospect of an alliance with Batri was too valuable not to consider."

    elif (rowanCorrupt > 29, rowanCorrupt < 60):

        "Rowan shrugged. He saw little wrong with the idea of corrupting Delane into an orc slut per say. After all, she was a captive at an orc camp, why should she deserve any special treatment? Still, was he not still a hero? Was a hero supposed to do such things?"
        "But, Batri would be a powerful ally, and like it or not he needed powerful allies."

    else:
        "Rowan almost smirked before he stopped himself. The mental image of an incubus bending over and teaching that haughty noble woman her place was certainly amusing. And such an option brought to bear the prospect of an alliance with Batri. A brutal creature but a useful one."

    "Still, even considering the option bore risks. If he sent an incubus to corrupt her, then he likely wouldn’t be able to side with Ulcro, nor would Tarish be especially happy with using his own espionage network for his own ends. Choosing this meant choosing Batri."

    #"Should Rowan send a spy to corrupt Delane? (This locks off all other paths)"
    "Should Rowan send a spy to corrupt Delane?"

    menu:
        "Yes. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ send_spies(1, for_weeks=4)
            # $ delane_corruption = True
            # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note11')
            # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note12')
            jump corrupt_yes_rp

        "No.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #return to menu
            #if player chooses option again, after assigning spy, jump to the next part "corrupt_yes" of the event
            # jump campMenu
            return

    label corrupt_yes_rp:

        "Rowan sent word to the spy of the mission, along with Delane’s location. With that out of the way, it was merely a matter of making sure that Batri had the power position to take on Ulcro."

        if rowanCorrupt < 30:
            "Rowan’s hand trembled slightly. Was he really doing the right thing?"

        else:
            pass

        #spy chosen earlier is unavailable for 4 weeks
        # return

        jump delane_corruption_week1_rp

    label delane_corruption_week1_rp:

        # $ delane_corruption_occurred = True

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan was sitting at his desk doing a recount of acquired provisions for the week when the spy returned to report on their success for the week."
        "Seeing her bosses’ visitor, Liurial rose to her feet and walked out of the room steadily. She well knew by now that such matters were above her pay grade."
        hide liurial with moveoutright

        "Rowan was sitting at his desk doing a recount of acquired provisions for the week when the spy returned to report on their success for the week."

        "The spy proceeded to recount the events of the past week. Disguised as an Orc guard, they made regular trips to visit Delane as the week wore on. While there, the spy wove seductive magic designed to help slip down her resistance."
        "At first Delane barely wanted to speak to them. However, after a few charms and lots of boredom, Delane cracked and proved willing to engage in conversation here and there."
        "She remained hesitant to so much as discuss sex, of course. But, the demon optimistically noted that there was already a seed of curiosity in her regarding her captors and her sexuality."
        "With a few well placed suggestions, some drugs, and a well staged sexual show, Delane was almost certainly more inclined to think erotic thoughts. A curse designed to keep her dreams on the subject was always a throw of the dice, but the spy believed it would be successful."
        "Rowan shooed the spy away when the report was done, and returned to his papers. It seemed that the plan was well on its way."

        if rowanCorrupt < 59:
            "..Though even as he went back to the papers, the pit in his gut just wouldn’t subside. Just what was he doing to this poor girl?"

        else:
            "...Though even as he went back to the papers, he started to smile. There was something oddly thrilling about the entire thing. He awaited (spy name)’s next report eagerly."

        # return

        jump delane_corruption_week2_rp

    label delane_corruption_week2_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Once more as Rowan was working keeping the army from breaking down at the seams, he was interrupted by the spy returning from their mission to corrupt Delane."

        "Liurial once more rose to leave the moment the spy entered. However, this time, Rowan told her to stay. There were not many people in the castle he trusted, but Liurial was one of them."

        "The spy once more began to regail the tale of their efforts to turn Delane into a slut. Once more, it had gone well."
        "Where at the beginning of the week, Delane had been hesitant to discuss her sexuality, as the week had progressed it had turned into her favorite topic of conversation. She was still shy of course, embarrassed to admit her attraction to orc cock. But, it was clearly on her mind constantly."
        "On three occasions throughout the week, the spy had arranged little shows for her. Twice two orcs engaged in rough coitus at an angle that Delane could view. The third was something a bit more relevant, a female human slave girl being used by her orc master while screaming in pleasure."
        "The spy had been on hand on all three occasions. Each, especially the last, had their intended effect on her."
        "Indeed, the spy was even able to report that seemingly each night she had begun masturbating herself to sleep. She tried to muffle the sound with a blanket that Ulcro had given her, but there was no hiding matters."

        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
        "As Liurial worked, she was pretending not to listen to the report. But, Rowan could not be fooled quite so easily. The blush on her cheeks gave away that she was very interested indeed by the matter of what they were doing to Lady Delane."

        if elfSex:
            "Perhaps he’d have to attend to that interest after the spy left..."

        else:
            pass

        "When the report finished, Rowan thanked the spy and bid them on thier way. Delane was another step closer to corruption. At the current pace, it was almost certain that she’d be ready for Batri by the end of next week…"

        # return

        jump delane_corruption_week3_rp

    label delane_corruption_week3_rp:

        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note12')
        # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note13')
        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        "This time when the spy walked through the doors, Rowan could hardly be surprised. He looked up from his documents and asked for news of Delane, eager for anything at all to distract him from the tedium."
        "Liurial didn’t budge from her seat this time. Instead, she leaned forward, eager to hear the latest details of Lady Delane’s conversion into a slut."

        "The spy eagerly reported that the mission had been a complete success. Near the beginning of the week, they had decided that the lady was far enough along to put her newly awakened libido to the test."

        #cg1
        scene cg412 with fade
        pause 3

        "The demon had come to her in the middle of the night in the usual orc form. Delane had not complained about the presence of this nocturnal visitor. In fact, her cheeks had flushed and she showed every sign of eagerness."
        "Still, for the sake of her modesty, she’d offered token protestations to the idea of something more. And yet, when the spy had stripped down and revealed the bulging orc cock, there was no mistaking the look in Lady Delane’s eyes."
        "The spy said that she wanted it. She needed it."
        "Thus, it only took a token effort to get the noblewoman to sink down to her knees, kissing and lavishing the giant green cock in front of her. The spy took great delight in describing the eagerness of her licks and her shallow panting."
        "But, the goal was not to make her suck a cock. No. In her lust-bound state, it wasn’t a challenge to get her to accept being rolled up on her back and having her legs spread. She had even been begging for it, pleading for the great big orc member to enter her."

        if elfSex:
            "By this point, not only had Liurial’s cheeks turned pink, but her own breath had grown shallow. She followed every word of the spy’s report as though being led by leash."
        else:
            pass

        scene cg396 with fade
        pause 3

        "The description that followed was the juicy part. Once the spy had her on her back, the spy spared no time filling her over and over again. Lady Eleanor even had to put her hands over her mouth so she wouldn’t scream so loud she’d wake anybody."

        show cg397 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Pent up from weeks of the spy’s teasing, and perhaps more than a little curiosity from merely living among such sexual creatures, Lady Eleanor had been an eager, if not entirely experienced, partner. Gasping and moaning and bucking through the entire process."
        "By the time that the spy was done with her, and she was left panting and spilling orc seed, the process had reached its zenith. The following days had been merely repetitions of the process. By this morning, she would salivate at the mere sight of orc cock."

        show cg398 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She would be ready for Batri if need be."

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_batri.rpy
label delane_corruption_week3_split_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ elfSex = True # affects CG
    $ society_type = "might"

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

    "The spy finished the report and gave a short bow, as though they had just finished a great performance. It left Rowan without much left to say besides a thank you to the spy for a job well done."
    "The spy departed, more than satisfied,  giving Rowan one last wink. When the spy was gone, the room was left with a lingering silence, broken only by the occasional clicking of Liurial’s pencil."

    if rowanCorrupt < 30:
        "Click. Click. Click. His mind ran with confusion over what he’d just done. This was one of the people that Solania had chosen as a noble of the realm. Yes, he’d accepted the need to work for the twins, but there was something dirty about this. Almost sacrilegious."
        "He looked over to Liurial’s blush though, and was once more reminded by the way she reacted to the story."
        "The mere thought of it  was the basis of...stirrings."

    elif (rowanCorrupt > 29, rowanCorrupt < 60):
        "Rowan leaned back in his chair. Part of him was still quite guilty about what he’d done. He didn’t have to like what he’d done. Afterall, the idea of so actively despoiling a noble went against everything he once believed."
        "And yet, it was necessary. An alliance with Batri was the only way. The only way at all."
        "His eyes caught sight of Liurial at her desk. The signs of arousal were obvious all over her body, from her shallower breath to red cheeks."
        if elfSex:
               "His cock stirred lightly. He didn’t have to like what he’d done. But, he did."

    else:
        "When Rowan leaned back in his chair, he had a smile on his face. In all of his years fighting for Rosaria, he’d never even imagined he’d one day be turning its nobility into orc sluts."
        "Every time he thought of Lady Delane, he remembered every ineffeciency, injustice, and evil that the nobles he’d known had ever committed."
        "Perhaps the world might be a better place if their daughters learned what Lady Delane had."
        "His eyes caught sight of Liurial at her desk. The signs of arousal were obvious all over her body, from her shallower breath to red cheeks."
        if elfSex:
            "His cock stirred lightly and a grin spread to his face. It seemed he wasn’t the only one who had been touched by the spy’s story."

    menu:
        "Rowan told Liurial to come to him, it was time to act on those desires. (Scene)" if elfSex:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump liurialBatriSex_rp

        "Putting the images out of his mind, Rowan returned to his work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "No, he had too much work to do today."
            "Ignoring the elf's obvious arousal, he returned to the work at hand."
            # $ delane_corruption = False
            # $ delane_corrupt = True
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
            return

    label liurialBatriSex_rp:

        $ liurialSex = True

        ro "Liurial. Come here."

        "The elf kept her head down, but motioned to obey him, padding over to his desk. Indeed, she didn’t even offer resistance when Rowan grabbed her and pulled her up on to his desk. Instead she squeaked loudly, and obediently spread her legs for him."

        ro "Did you enjoy hearing the spy’s story?"

        if society_type == "feudal":
            liur "Yes, M’lord. It was quite…"
        else:
            liur "Yes, Sir. It was quite…"

        ro "Quite what?"
        liur "Quite evocative. It leaves one only able to imagine what you will do to the nobles of other regions once you arrive there."

        "Her hair fell over her face slightly. They obscured eyes that burned...burned with something. Was is lust? Was it the vengeful fantasies of an exile? Perhaps a bit of both?"

        ro "Perhaps you should be more concerned about what I’m going to do with other people."
        ro "Like you."
        ro "Right now."

        "His breath grew shorter. More ragged. The distance between the two seemed to grow shorter and shorter with each passing moment. His lips nearly at her neck now."

        if society_type == "feudal":
            liur "Of course, M’lord. You know my answer to you will always be the same. "
        else:
            liur "Of course, Sir. You know my answer to you will always be the same. "
        liur "Whatever you want."

        #CG2
        scene cg213 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg213
        show liurial aroused behind cg213
        pause 3

        "There was no need for any more complex courtship than that. In seconds, Liurial’s underthings had been shoved aside and Rowan’s breeches opened. Now there was nothing preventing him from slowly driving his cock into her."

        liur "Oh. Oh…"

        "She rolled her head back and groaned loudly into the air. In the process, her head piece fell from her head, letting her long golden hair splay freely backwards over Rowan’s desk."
        "What followed was the rolling of hips, the press of body to body. His fingers seemed to dig tighter and tighter into her waist every time he rammed his hard cock into her body. His eyes became focused, carnal."
        "It was as though all of the lust, all of the guilt, all of the confusion over what he’d done to Lady Eleanor slammed into her with each thrust of his hips. It energized him, and gave him the roughness of an animal letting off steam."
        "Perhaps, even if for a small moment, in his eyes she was Lady Delane. Her golden hair was black. Her lithe elven body supple and human. But, only for a moment."

        liur "Oh fuck...Rowan...You’ve never been…"

        "Papers went flying everywhere in the passion of the moment. He could feel the sweat from his brow. The hard grunts leaving his lips every time he moved inside of her. Of course, more than anything, he could feel the wonderful tightness of her slit pressing against him."

        liur "Fuck. Please. Oh fuck."

        "She was gasping now. The throes of passion were apparent in every movement. The shivering, the gasping, the shaking. Her back arched and her toes curled. The wetness of her body made her so easy to fuck, so easy to use this way."

        liur " I’m about to...I’m going to…"

        "Rowan felt a spasm. And then another. Liurial’s body went from wild thrusting and humping to almost rigid and shaking violently. In the process, her cunt squeezed down oh so powerfully. It was more than a man could stand."
        "Within moments, he too felt a high go through his body, and his cock let loose a wave deep into her."

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan staggered backward into his chair, looked up with exhaustion at the blonde elf, spasming and dripping cum from the desk. What a mess. This might take an hour to clean up before they could get back to work."

        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan closed his eyes. Perhaps a little clearer of mind, his thoughts returned to the orc camp, and the Rosarian noble woman who he doomed to a life servicing orc cock that dwelled within."
            "A stray idea ran through his head. If he ever got a chance to do this again, maybe he shouldn't give the job to one of his spies."

        else:
            "Rowan closed his eyes. Once more clear of head, his mind turned back to Delane one final time for the moment. He wondered, ever so briefly, if she would be happy as an orc slut. Would she find that meaningful?"
            "Rowan hoped so."

        # $ delane_corruption = False
        # $ delane_corrupt = True
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note14')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note15')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note16')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note17')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note18')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note19')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note20')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note21')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note22')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note23')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note24')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note25')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note29')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note30')
        # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note31')
        # return

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_showdown.rpy
label orciadShowdown_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 100
    $ earlyBreak = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1: Ulcro and Delane":
            $ delane_status = "ulcro"
            jump orciadAftermathUlcro_rp
        "Yes - Scene 2: Batri and Delane":
            $ delane_status = "batri"
            jump orciadAftermathBatri_rp
        "Yes - Scene 3: Kraug/Snag and Delane":
            $ earlyBreak = True
            $ delane_status = "tarish"
            jump delaneBadEnd_rp
        "Yes - Scene 4: Rowan and Tarish":
            $ delane_status = "tarish"
            jump orciadTarishSex_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Who did Lady Delane end up with? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Ulcro (Scene 1)":
            $ delane_status = "ulcro"
        "Batri (Scene 2)":
            $ delane_status = "batri"
        "Tarish (Scene 3 and 4)":
            $ delane_status = "tarish"
        "Set was set free":
            $ delane_status = "free"

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 51
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg26 with fade

    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note7')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note8')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note9')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note10')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note11')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note14')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note15')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note16')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note17')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note18')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note19')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note20')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note21')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note22')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note23')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note24')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note25')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note27')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note28')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note30')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note31')
    # $ orciad_state = 2

    "Rowan had not been surprised when he had received word, from one of the twins agents, that something big was happening at the camp. After his own role in the events of the last few days, it was only time before the already tense relations between those vying for power came to a head."
    "As he approached the camp, he knew that whatever it was, it must be important. He didn’t even see the sentries at their usual posts, and even orcs weren’t stupid enough to lower their defences for no good reason."
    "When he got closer, he could see where the sentries had gone. A large group of orcs, perhaps nearly every one that made up Ulcro’s tribe, was crowded around the centre of the camp. Even from this distance he could hear the whoops and the jeers, as they jostled against each other."

    if delane_status == "ulcro":
        # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note32')
        jump orciadShowdownUlcro_rp

    elif delane_status == "batri":
        # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note32')
        jump orcaidShowdownBatri_rp

    elif delane_status == "tarish":
        # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note32')
        jump orcaidShowdownTarish_rp

    else:
        # $ journal.add_quest_note('orciad', 'note33')
        jump orcaidShowdownEscape_rp

    label orciadShowdownUlcro_rp:

        "He knew it could only mean one thing, newly emboldened by having lady Delane at his side, Ulcro had challenged Batri to do away with his snide comments and disobedience for good."
        "As he entered the camp, he saw a pair of familiar faces coming towards him, Ulcro and his new mate, the lady Delane. Considering what was about to occur, they both seemed strangely chipper. More than that, they both seemed to be expecting him."

        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show ulcro neutral at center with dissolve
        show eleanor dress happy at edgeright with dissolve

        ele "Ah, Rowan, there you are. We were wondering when you would show up."
        ro "You were expecting me?"
        ele "Who do you think sent the little birdies that informed your masters of this little ruckus?"
        ro "Next time, I suppose I will have to endeavor to get here sooner. However, you two look unusually in good spirits considering what is about to occur."

        "The lady laughed, and Rowan could only think of the change in her since he had first met her, when she was a sad and angry woman, clothed in tatters and caged."

        ele "That rowdy little upstart is no match for my man. He’ll see to him in no time at all, and when he is dead, his boys will have to fall in line, and this little rebellion will be over for good."

        "Ulcro said nothing, he just stood at the side and beamed with pride at what Delane was saying. He was utterly besotted, and now she had made up her mind with Rowan’s help, it had not taken the noble long to wrap him around her finger."
        "A loud horn sounded, long and low, and Delane smirked upon hearing it."

        ele "That will be for us."
        ulc "We talk after Batri taken care of, hum- Rowan. Once he dealt with, we have deal as promised."
        ro "Good luck."
        ele "Oh, don’t worry, he won’t need luck."

        "Rowan watched as the two left, heading towards the crowd. The woman slipped her arm around the orc’s waist as they walked, and the hero could only hope that her support, and no doubt acts more carnal in nature, had rekindled enough of a flame in him to overcome Batri’s youth."

        jump orciadFight_rp

    label orcaidShowdownBatri_rp:

        "He knew it could only mean one thing, the raid he helped Batri orchestrate had been the last straw, and now Ulcro, cornered by such a blatant act of defiance, had no option other than to play into the younger orc’s hand by accepting his challenge."
        "As he entered the camp, he was greeted with a sight that would have shocked him only a few months ago, but was now becoming all too familiar. Batri approached him, a loud laugh emerging from him as the woman at his side, the once prideful lady Delane, tried to fondle his cock through his armour as they walked."

        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show batri neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show eleanor naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve

        bat "Der yous are humi, was wonderin' when you’d get here."
        ro "You were expecting me?"
        bat "Who yous think let dem spies know dis was happenin’?"

        "Rowan was surprised, Batri didn’t seem like the type for any sort of subterfuge. He had chosen to support him as chief because of his strength, not because of his intelligence. Maybe the lady Delane was rubbing off on him in more ways than one."

        ro "Well I am here now."
        bat "Just in time too."

        "The noble was still fumbling at his armour and failing, when the orc placed one of his green, oversized hands on her breast, causing her to moan. If she felt any shame at Rowan being present, he could not discern it."

        bat "First, I kill dat old bastard, easier than killin’ baby pink. When he saw his precious humi with her tongue down Batri throat, he looked like he was gonna cry."

        "Batri laughed again, even louder than before. Rowan couldn’t help but feel a little bit sorry for the old orc, and the part he had played in the current outcome."

        bat "Den, well, you tell 'im, humi."
        ele "Once Ulcro is dead, Batri is going to… Umm.. Well..."
        bat "TELL 'IM, SLUT!"

        "Batri spanked her on the ass, hard, and again, she let out a moan. She clearly enjoyed being manhandled by the orc, perhaps the spy had done the job a little too well."

        ele "Chief Batri is going to fuck me with his magnificent cock in front of the entire tribe for hours until I can’t take anymore. Mmmmm, I can’t wait…"

        "Clearly turned on by the thought, she began to deeply french kiss the orc, who once again chuckled at her enthusiasm."

        if rowanCorrupt < 69:
            "Rowan did his best to not show it, but the sight made him a little bit sick. He couldn’t help but feel guilty, seeing what Delane had now become, and knowing he was responsible."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(2)

        else:
            "Rowan couldn’t help but smile at the new Delane. Thanks to the efforts of Bloodmeen’s spies, the noble would finally learn her place. Perhaps Batri would even let the other orcs use her for relief once he had grown tired of her."

        "As he was contemplating this, a low, loud horn rang out over the camp - a challenge had been issued. The time for battle had come."

        bat "I kill Ulcro now, den we talk. But Batri very happy wit’ dis slut, humi. Once dis done, you and your masters have Batri’s support."

        "Batri turned and headed off in the direction of the huddle, ready to face the tribe’s chief in a fight to the death. Delane flashed Rowan and embarrassed smile, and then headed off after him. The hero was left alone, wondering if he had backed the right horse. He would soon find out, at least."

        jump orciadFight_rp

    label orcaidShowdownTarish_rp:

        "It could only mean one thing, Tarish’s plan had worked. Faced with a missing Delane, Ulcro would have accused Batri, and Batri would have denied it, since he was actually innocent for once. Ulcro, in a rage, must have challenged the younger orc, aiming to kill him over the woman."
        "As he entered the camp, he was greeted with a sight that made him feel a little bit uneasy. Tarish was walking in his direction looking like the cat that got the cream, a huge grin on her face."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve

        tar "Der you are humi, been waitin’ for yous."

        ro "You knew I was coming?"

        tar "Who do you think told dem spies about what was goin’ on. For a humi yous ain’t dat smart at times."

        "She laughed at her own joke, she was clearly in a great mood."

        ro "Well, I am here now, that is what matters."

        tar "True, true. Everythin’ worked out exactly as we planned."
        tar "When da humi went missin’ wit’ your help, old Ulcro went straight to Batri an’ accused him of takin’ his precious toy. Batri rightly denied it, an’ dat only made da old bastard even more mad."

        "Rowan could tell from the zeal with which she told the story that she was very proud of how she had outwitted the two male orcs."

        tar "So Ulcro challanges ‘im to a fight to the death, playin’ right into our hands. While those two were arguing I had my boys sneak into their tents and use dat poison you got me."
        tar "Don’t matter which one a’ da idiots wins, they’ll both be dead by the end of it, an’ then I cans make my move."

        ro "And lady Delane?"

        tar "Aww, yous soft on da slut, hero? Don’t yous worry, she’s fine. Wet an’ ready for later. "
        tar "Da tribe will give her one hell of a ride after dis."

        if rowanCorrupt < 69:
            "Rowan did his best to not show it, he felt a little bit sick. He couldn’t help but feel guilty, knowing he was responsible for what was about to happen to Delane."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(2)
        else:
            "Rowan couldn’t help but smile. Thanks to the efforts of Jezera’s little helper, the noblewoman would finally learn her place. He imagined it would be quite the show."

        "As he was contemplating this, a low, loud horn rang out over the camp - a challenge had been issued. The time for battle had come."

        tar "I don’t wanna miss dis. Come find me afterwards, we talk about promise to serve yous masters."

        "She left to go and watch the fight. Rowan was left to ponder if he had made the right decision - sure, the orc was clearly more intelligent than most and very cunning, but would the orcs really follow a female?"

        jump orciadFight_rp

    label orcaidShowdownEscape_rp:

        "He knew it could only mean one thing, his role in helping Delane escape had escalated to violence consequences."
        "Faced with a missing Delane, Ulcro would have accused Batri of taking her, and Batri would have denied it, since he had not. Ulcro, in a rage, must have challenged the younger orc, aiming to kill him over the woman."

        jump orciadFight_rp

    label orciadFight_rp:

        #cg1
        scene cg537 with fade
        pause 3

        "Getting to the front of the crowd was no easy task, he had to force his way through the orcs, who continued to push and shove, clearly agitated by what was about to occur, and their differing loyalties."
        "When he finally managed to push his way to the front, he saw the two orcs, facing each other, ready to battle to the death."
        "Ulcro had chosen a battleaxe so large that it was a two handed weapon, even in the hands of an orc like himself. Batri, on the other hand, had elected to wield two bastard swords as if they were normal swords."
        "Even if he had no dog in this fight, the warrior in Rowan would still be interested in the outcome. Many soldiers often debated the merits of youth versus experience, he himself had on many occasions."
        "Discussions of these sorts were all you really had when waiting for battle, in a vain attempt to pass the time, and turn your thoughts from the possibility of impending death. Now, he would get to see an almost ideal case study though."
        "Ulcro had been a chief for many years, and even fought in campaigns, he had probably killed more men than Batri had even seen in his long life."
        "That sort of experience was invaluable, it brought with it technique tested in battle, and more importantly, the ability to think reasonably and keep your head."
        "Batri on the other hand, had all the advantages of youth. He was undeniably physically stronger, and should the battle go long, he had more stamina. He had also not suffered the many wounds Ulcro had over the years, which would also be a benefit to him."
        "Could he keep his cool though? The young were often rash, and there was always the chance Ulcro could goad him into making a mistake."
        "Regardless, Rowan was about to get his answer. The horn sounded for a second time, signalling the beginning of the battle."

        #cg2
        show cg1389 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1390 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1391 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1507 with dissolve
        pause 3

        #cg2
        scene black with fade

        "The younger orc wasted no time, coming at Ulcro like an animal released from a cage. He hacked and slashed at the chief with both swords, and all the hatred that had been brewing since he had decided Ulcro was too weak to lead the tribe."
        "Ulcro did his best to block him with his axe, using both the large blade, and its long metal handle to shield himself, but he was already on the back foot, and with each blow he was forced to back peddle a little more."
        "Soon he found himself at the edge of the crowded ring of onlookers that had gathered around them, with nowhere left to go. The first blow came down, a vertical slash he blocked with the heavy axe, but, as he soon learned, it had been a feign to force an opening."
        "The second sword found his side, biting deep. Ulcro let out a roar in pain and brought the axe down to bear, cutting the arm that had wounded him. Batri let go of the sword as pain surged through him, and it clattered to the floor."
        "Both now injured, they circled each other, each looking for an opening."

        if delane_status == "ulcro":
            show cg1621 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1622 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1623 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Batri came at the orc, again and again, but each time Ulcro managed to dodge the blade or turn it away. No matter how he probed, Batri could not find an opening in the chief’s defences, and it began to frustrate him."
            "This time, it was experience that triumphed over youth. The moment the old orc had been waiting for finally came when Batri over extended himself, attempting to force through Ulcro’s defence, and the chief turn away from the blade, sending Batri sprawling with own large weapon."
            scene cg562 with fade
            pause 3
            "Before he could recover, Batri found his enemy standing over him, axe in hand. Most of the orcs chanted the chief’s name as he brought the blade down to finish the would be usurper, and then it was over."
            "He leaned on the axe, exhausted as the chants grew louder, but to Rowan it seemed he couldn’t even hear them. Ulcro just gazed happily at the woman who had finally accepted his advances."
            "The hero realised that he might have forgotten the most important variable in his earlier analysis; having something to fight for."
            jump orciadAftermathUlcro_rp


        else:
            show cg1621 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1622 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1623 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Batri came at the orc, again and again, but each time Ulcro managed to dodge the blade or turn it away. But each successful parry seemed to take more and more from the older warrior, and Rowan wondered how much longer he could last."
            "It looked like youth would win out over experience this day. Despite his years as a seasoned warrior, Ulcro could do very little in the way of fending off the younger, stronger Batri, as his stamina was just too much for him."
            "The younger orc was finding ways through his defences now, just small wounds, but it was only a matter of time."
            "In desperation, Ulcro swung out with his axe, in one last attempt to mortally wound his assailant, but Batri ducked under it with ease and slashed low, hamstringing the old chief."
            scene cg561 with fade
            pause 3
            "Ulcro fell to his knees, unable to stand now, as Batri brought his sword down, cutting deep into his neck. Two or three hacks later, and he had severed clean through the spine."
            "As the crowd began to chant his name, he picked up the head, and let out a loud roar of victory."

            if delane_status == "tarish":
                "As it happened, his celebration turned out to be a little premature. Suddenly, Batri began to cough violently, dropping the head as he brought his hands to his mouth. Black blood, a result of the deadly poison he had brought Tarish, now covered them."
                "He fell to his hands and knees, continuing to cough up more and more blood, as the crowd of orcs looked on, shocked at what was happening. Batri’ eyes darted around, looking for someone who would help, some shaman or priest."
                "None would arrive quickly enough. Shaking in violent spasms, he coughed one last time, and collapsed to the ground."
                jump orciadAftermathTarish_rp

            else:
                jump orciadAftermathBatri_rp

    label orciadAftermathUlcro_rp:

        scene bg26 with fade

        "After a few moments, the old orc saw Rowan at the front of the crowd, and started to walk towards him with a grin on his face."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show ulcro neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        ulc "What yous think of dat, Rowan?"
        ro "Very good, I guess youth is no match for experience after all."

        "The orc let out a loud laugh from the bottom of his belly."

        ulc "Dat’s true! Hopefully now dem boys will see who iz chief around here."

        "The chief clapped one of his rather large arms around the much smaller man."

        ulc "Ulcro cannot thank you enough for what yous done for ‘im, whatever tribe can do for yous and your masters, dey will. Ulcro promises."
        ro "Thank you, Ulcro."
        ulc "Many things to see to now, including woman."

        "He grinned again, and the hero found it strange to see an orc so happy."

        ulc "Yous come back in few days, we have big feast, thank friend Rowan."
        ro "You don’t have to do that."
        ulc "Ulcro insist!"

        "The two continued to exchange pleasantries until Ulcro excused himself to go and look for his mate, presumably, Rowan thought, to get a reward for his victory. As the other orcs started to dissipate, Rowan made his way out of the camp to continue his duties."

        # $ orciad_ally = "ulcro"

        scene black with fade

        "A few days later..."

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show wild orc neutral behind bg26

        "Rowan had been through the camp many times in recent weeks. In many ways, it has become almost cozy to him. Even the usual festivals and celebrations had become familiar. But, tonight was different."
        "Even as he was approaching the camp, he could hear an uproar like he’d never heard before. Not even the fight earlier had this level of intense excitement. The orcs were celebrating, and they did not celebrate in a polite way."
        "Inside the limits of the camp, the first thing Rowan noticed was how bright it was. At night, there were generally only campfires and the odd torch for light. But, tonight there were so many torches that one could mistake it for day."
        "The orcs partied like only they could. It was pure chaos. Dancing and laughing. Drinking and fucking. Fighting and arguing."
        "Rowan had to dodge out of the way of one orc who was staggering back and forth drunk. It would not be the last time tonight."

        wo "Pah. Humi."

        "He stopped to watch when one orc, a big grey fighter whose age and scars seemed to suggest that he’d been around for the last war, smashed open a younger foe’s skull in the fighting pits. A cheer went out. It was almost a re-enactment of the earlier fight."
        "Yet, the brutality was never taken too far. For all of the chaos of the celebration, there appeared to be the odd heavily armed guard patrolling the camp making sure no one acted out. It was a celebration, but a controlled affair. No looting, no violence against those who had not agreed to fight."
        "He turned around and found a large open pagoda filled with the sight of flesh ramming against flesh. Orcs, humans, even the odd goblin, were all naked and engaging in a great orgy. There were large orc cocks slammed into every orifice they could get their hands on."
        "Rowan had to step carefully around to avoid getting spunk on his boots."

        show ulcro neutral at center with dissolve

        "When he reached the center of the camp, he discovered that a poorly built dais had been raised, where Ulcro sat on his throne surveying it all. His chieftains, shamans, and loyalists sat on a lowered segment, where naked human slave girls came to serve them with wine and their bodies."
        "Lesser loyalists sat in a great circle on the ground, feasting and making toasts. Rowan almost joined them before a commander on the dais gestured for Rowan to take a seat above."
        "Ulcro’s raised platform was weighed down partially by the sheer amount of stuff on it. Swords, gems, and luxuries of all sorts."
        "Some of it was surely from the war chest, but many sub-chieftains and prominent orcs were coming up to offer their leader personal spoils from recent raids. At first, it seemed odd. That was until Rowan noticed that it was mostly Batri’s sub-commanders who were paying homage."
        "After all, a rapier taken from a slain knight was better to lose then your head."
        "One by one they presented their tokens of submission. He acknowledged each by slamming the butt of his axe against his chair. In a strange way, it reminded Rowan of the ceremonies where kings were crowned."
        "Ulcro seemed to notice Rowan’s arrival and gave him a nod. Rowan lowered his head respectfully. What he was really wondering was where Eleanor was. It seemed strange that she wasn’t up there with him."
        "Rowan surveyed the crowd. He didn’t find Delane, but he did see someone with red skin on the far edge of the circle giving an orc female a rough tumble. It seemed Andras had come to enjoy the festivities too."
        "Then Rowan’s attention was drawn by a figure hidden by a number of cloths moving into the center of the circle. Ulcro raised a single hand. The boisterous crowd, seeing the gesture, went silent."
        "Then the clothes swirled open. They were being held by scantily clad young orc women, who retreated into the crowd...leaving Lady Eleanor standing naked alone in the center of the circle."

        show eleanor naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Ulcro’s breath grew heavier. In the firelight, Lady Eleanor was radiant. Until now, he’d rarely seen her outside of her cage. Here she walked and moved with a practiced grace. Her body had been painted in subtle ways with orc tribal markings whose purpose Rowan could only guess at."
        "She stepped, back erect, up to the dais. A grumbling whisper went through the crowd. Any open questioning of Ulcro was silenced by what he’d done to the last tribesman to question his choices. A human at Ulcro’s ear was more tolerable than his axe in your forehead."
        "The orcs at the front of the dais moved aside. Lady Delane ascended the stairs, eyes fixed firmly on her new lover. She didn’t even acknowledge Rowan’s presence. The air tensed with anticipation..."

        ele "My love. Once more you are unstoppable. Once more no one can challenge your will."

        "She stepped on the upper most platform, stopping right in front of him. Then she gracefully sunk down to one knee, lowering her head submissively. All of this was a choreographed performance."
        "It was almost a parody of the staged victory celebrations he’d been forced to attend after the war back in Rastedel."

        menu:
            "Watch the scene unfold. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "Turn away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump ulcroSexSkip_rp


        #cg1
        scene cg381 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg381
        show ulcro neutral behind cg381
        pause 3

        "It was in the same scripted manner that Ulcro reached down and scooped the naked woman from the ground, and settled her on his lap. The entire circle, thousands of orcs, had easy line of sight to her unblemished naked body. Her cheeks flushed."

        ulc "No."

        "The old orc growled loudly."

        ulc "We iz unstoppable."

        "He wrenched her legs open with one hand. The strength of the motion made her gasp out loud. Her legs were spread wide enough to put her exposed pussy on display. Even Rowan could see the tell tale signs of arousal."
        "The idea of being fucked in front of the entire tribe must have been...exciting her. Rowan raised an eyebrow."

        ulc "Dis tribe iz mine."

        "His free hand pawed at her exposed breast. Her neck rolled back so she could let out a long guttural groan. Her hair draped over his scarred chest."

        ulc "An' yous iz my woman. What’s mine iz yours."

        "Eleanor was squirming eagerly in her lap, but even still she proved capable of reacting to his words. Pre-planned or not, a glimmer went into her eyes and she rolled her head to the side until she was looking him in the eyes. The watching orcs exchanged glances."

        ele "Together."

        #cg2
        scene cg324 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg324
        pause 3

        "In a sudden jerk, she turned around on his lap, so as to face her lover as opposed to the crowd. A hand lowered between the orc’s leg and worked his cock out of his loincloth. It was hard, thick, and veiny. It almost looked like it would impale her."

        ele "Connected."

        "She raised her hips and then slammed them downward, penetrating herself on Ulcro’s shaft. The moment it filled her, she let loose a powerful moan. All the inhibitions that she’d been storing up for so long were being opened up right there in public."

        ele "Take me, my champion. Show them all who your woman is."

        "Rowan watched on at the edge of his seat."

        if rowanCorrupt > 39:
            "The beginnings of a smile formed on his face. There was the slightest hint of pleasure for him in the idea that he’d unleashed this. Behind all of her good girl noble facades, Lady Eleanor was hiding this slut in her all along. But, the emergence was his work."

        else:
            "When he decided to help Ulcro get lady Eleanor to agree to be his, he’d expected to convince her pragmatically. Perhaps even show her that being with an orc was not such a bad fate. But, he never could have expected to see her engage in such a wanton act with his own eyes."

        "Ulcro was having no trouble accepting this turn of events. He let out a fearsome roar when his woman impaled herself on him and gripped her tight as he broke into a series of powerful upward thrusts. Despite being ostensibly on the bottom, he was the source of all the movement."

        ele "Yes! Heavens yes!"

        "The sound of their bodies in motion made a slamming noise. It was loud enough that it surely must have rung out at least to the back of the circle if not further. The pounding of flesh on flesh overpowered the scattered low whispers of the watching orcs."
        "Lady Eleanor, meanwhile, had entirely lost all reason and sanity. She shook and pumped her body up and down in wild abandon. Her long hair flew in every direction. There was no rhyme or reason to it. Not even the careful pageantry of before. She was being fucked and she loved it."

        ele "More. More. More. Yes. More. More."

        "The same might that had once made Ulcro chief went into his movements. The muscles of years of warfare and fucking went into his thrusting. Certainly, it was clear he was into it, his normally stern expression had also taken on a look of shocked rapture."
        "The crowd had at first been confused. Surely the way he treated Lady Eleanor as nearly an equal could not fit with their worldview. But, this they got. A few cheers broke out amidst the crowd, that soon spread. They raised their goblets and toasted to Ulcro and his human slut."
        "Her vocalizations had lost all coherence. She rocked and shivered, shook and bounced, all while blubbering in incoherent bliss. It almost looked to Rowan like her eyes had rolled upwards. The pleasure consumed her."
        "This really was no act. When the act was done, Lady Eleanor was really just a slut for orc cock."
        "Ulcro’s body stiffened. He let out a loud groan and started to spasm. Lady Eleanor’s orgasm hit only a moment later. Bubbly white cum dripped out of her pussy down the exposed length of his cock. The watching orcs roared in approval."
        "By the time it was done, she was clearly exhausted. She swayed back and forth, still groaning out half formed syllables. Ulcro picked her up, off his cock, and placed her on the arm of his throne. More cum leaked out."

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show ulcro neutral at center with dissolve
        show eleanor naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve

        "He returned his focus to the tribe, who watched their leader with reference. When he spoke, his voice was a bellow."

    label ulcroSexSkip_rp:

        ulc "Now yous sorry lot know who master iz again."

        "He took one fist and slammed it against his chest."

        ulc "I 'ave been yous chief for many years, and I will be yous chief for many years more. Let any other fool who wishes to join Batri come an' challenge me!"

        "There would be no second challenge. Ulcro’s domination over the tribe was once more secure. They gazed up at him, nodding their heads in agreement. After a beat of silence, a roar of approval rang out to solidify it."
        "Exhausted though she was, Lady Delane drifted an arm over to clutch Ulcro close to her. Rowan took a sip from his goblet. They would have their alliance. Ulcro would fight for them."

        if rowanCorrupt < 39:
            "...A thought that left a pit in his stomach. What had he just done?"
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(2)
        else:
            pass

        return


    label orciadAftermathBatri_rp:

        scene bg26 with fade

        if delane_status != "batri":

            "After a few moments, Batri saw Rowan at the front of the crowd, and threw the head on the ground before approaching him, with an angry look on his face."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show batri neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            bat "What da fuck are yous doing 'ere humi?"
            "Rowan really didn’t know how to respond to the aggression, so he decided the best tactic would be to attempt some form of flattery."
            ro "Watching your magnificent victory. I see you defeated Ulcro."
            "Batri spat on the floor, clearly not fooled."
            bat "Yeh, without your ‘elp, and da humi slut iz gone."
            bat "Only thin’ Batri not sure of iz if yous a spy, or just fuckin’ useless."
            "This caused a loud laugh to rise from the crowd of orcs who were watching the scene unfold. Rowan began to worry that it might escalate."
            bat "Don’t worry, Batri not gonna kill yous. Not unless yous return to camp dat iz."
            bat "Yous slink outta here with tail between legs, an’ tell dem masters of yours dey won’t be getting any ‘elp from Batri or his boys."
            "More laughter. Rowan burned with anger, but there was nothing he could do, he couldn’t kill an entire orc tribe by himself, even if he wanted to. All he could do is accept he had lost this one, and hope saving lady Delane had been worth it."
            "He left to the sound of more whooping and laughing, before the orcs finally stopped watching him to celebrate Batri’s victory instead. And if that wasn’t already bad enough, now he had to worry how the twins would react to his failure."
            # $ orciad_ally = "none"
            # $ orciad_ban = True
            return

        else:
            pass

        "After a few moments, Batri saw Rowan at the front of the crowd, and threw the head on the ground before approaching him, with a grin on his face."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show batri neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        bat "See, humi? Told yous dat old bastard would be no challenge for great warrior like Batri."

        "He spat on the ground, to emphasize what he thought of his former chief."

        bat "Now rest of tribe see what happen, dey fall in line, boys will help make sure of that."
        ro "I’m sure they’ll be happy to have all of this put behind them, and get back to raiding."
        bat "Dey will, dey will."
        bat "An’ don’t yous worry humi, Batri ain’t forgotten about deal, he always keep word. Said he would kill Ulcro didn’t he, and now he iz dead."

        "The orc laughed again, killing seemed to put him in a much better mood than when Rowan usually saw him."

        bat "Batri need to take care of few things, whip rest of da orcs into shape, make sure dey know who boss now. Come back in few days, we ‘ave big feast."
        bat "But Batri not forget what you do for ‘im, anythin’ tribe can do for yous and your masters, dey will, on this yous ‘as Batri’s word."

        "The two continued to talk for a short while until Batri excused himself to go look for Delane, the reason for which Rowan had no trouble imagining. As the other orcs started to dissipate, Rowan made his way out of the camp to continue his duties."

        # $ orciad_ally = "batri"

        #Batri's Feast

        scene black with fade
        "A few days later..."

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show wild orc neutral behind bg26

        "Rowan had been through the camp many times in recent weeks. In many ways, it has become almost cozy to him. Even the usual festivals and celebrations had become familiar. But, tonight was different."
        "Even as he was approaching the camp, he could hear an uproar like he’d never heard before. Not even the fight earlier had this level of intense excitement. The orcs were celebrating, and they did not celebrate in a polite way."
        "Inside the limits of the camp, the first thing Rowan noticed was how bright it was. At night, there were generally only campfires and the odd torch for light. But, tonight there were so many torches that one could mistake it for day."
        "The orcs partied like only they could. It was pure chaos. Dancing and laughing. Drinking and fucking. Fighting and arguing. As Rowan made his way through the camp he found the odd body lying on the ground."
        "Rowan had to dodge out of the way of one orc who was staggering back and forth drunk. It would not be the last time tonight."

        wo "Pah. Humi. I should kill yous where yous stand."

        "He stopped to watch when one orc, a big grey fighter whose age and scars seemed to suggest that he’d been around for the last war, had his head chopped off in combat with a long haired brute. Almost a re-enactment of the previous fight."

        show batri neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show eleanor naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve

        "In the center were ten older looking orcs tied up and down on their knees. Rowan recognized their faces. They were Ulcro’s lieutenants and commanders. None of them moved or resisted. What was the point? They might as well already have been dead."
        "Others came to Batri to kneel and offers tokens of submission. A few would grope the human slut at his feet. Batri seemed more amused than annoyed by it. He darkly smiled at lady Delane’s wanton moaning."
        "Rowan kept by the edge of the circle. The fact that he had aided Batri only offered him so much protection. Orcs around the pit jeered at Ulcro’s tied up lieutenants. They wanted blood."
        "In fact, he was so focused on the center of the pit, that he didn’t notice when someone more familiar snuck up on him."

        show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

        an "Bah, I half expected not to see you here, Rowan."

        "Rowan turned around to face his master."

        ro "Andras?"
        an "The one and only. This is my kind of party. Fucking and fighting, what more do you need?"

        "Rowan looked around with apprehension."

        ro "Do you know what’s going to happen to the prisoners? I’m surprised he hasn’t already killed them."
        an "Oh he will. Probably later tonight as sport. This is just rubbing their noses in it first. You gotta really make them feel the sting of it, first."
        ro "I see."

        if rowanCorrupt < 69:
            "Rowan felt a sting of guilt if only for a second. He had doomed these creatures. He had to remind himself that they were probably all the butchers of his countrymen themselves. Besides, this was just how Orc society was run. Still, his actions had put them in this place. They would not be the last."
        else:
            "Rowan nodded softly. He felt nothing for the Orc Captains, in truth. They were not the first people he’d killed since he’d first shown up at Bloodmeen, nor would they be the last. If he’d seen his countrymen die and become numb to it, why care for these killers of men? They sealed their own fate by backing a weakling."

        "Rowan grunted. Just then he noticed something interesting happening with Batri and lady Delane. He casually reached down and gripped his hand in her hair roughley. She groaned out, but was otherwise pliant and obedient. A perfect slut."
        "It seemed he was about to use her for relief right here in the middle of camp. A degrading fall for the once proud noblewoman."

        menu:
            "Watch the scene unfold. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump aftermathBatriSex_rp

            "Turn away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan may have been responsible for making her this way, but he didn’t actually want to see it with his own eyes. He pulled his head in the other direction and refused to look back."
                "Andras chuckled softly at this, but didn’t otherwise try to force Rowan to watch. Clearly he was enjoying the display though. He was treating the entire thing like nothing less then a show."
                an "They’re done. You can look again. Wimp."
                jump batriSexSkip_rp

    label aftermathBatriSex_rp:

        #cg 1
        scene cg227 with fade
        show batri neutral behind cg227
        pause 3

        "Batri wrenched her upwards towards his crotch, not showing an ounce of concern for her. Lady Delane’s cheeks were flushed red. All of the dark feelings that Rowan’s agents had drawn from her was to be displayed for the entire camp. Her chains rattled as she moved with the hand."
        "For a moment, Rowan thought he saw glee."
        "Batri pushed aside his loincloth, letting his cock out for the whole camp to see. It was nothing to be disappointed in. The orcs were endowed with massive cocks, the likes of which could leave a human woman limping."

        #cg 1 - variant 1

        "Lady Delane made a loud choking sound as he slammed it all the way down her throat."
        "Her chains rattled and she shook slightly, but overall she tried to force the entire massive member into her small and inexperienced mouth."

        bat "If yous stop, yous get da lash."

        "Yet, despite the size of the thing and the threat of force, she didn’t give him the pathetic blowjob of a slave fearing the whip. Rowan saw her body start to wiggle, and her head bob as best as she could manage. Batri’s harsh words only made her more aroused."
        "She even positioned her hips so that she was humping the bottom of the throne with her pussy even as she took his massive cock in her mouth. She was rubbing and grinding it for every ounce of stimulation that her eager pussy could want."
        "Batri remained stoic. He surveyed the crowd, barely paying attention to the slobbering choking slut forcing herself down harder and harder on him. He barely seemed concerned."
        "Her face went red, and at one point lady Delane pulled her mouth away so she could catch some air. Rowan almost shouted out to her to breathe with her nose. But, Batri ended this small break with a light glare."
        "That was all it took. Her chains rattled softly as she got back to work panting and gasping each time her mouth was filled by his enormity."
        "The bucking of her hips against his throne only got more frantic. Rowan was close enough that he could hear a wet squelching sound from her lewd masturbation. A little bit of her juices dripped down the length of the throne."
        "Her head bobbed vigorously. Up and down, up and down. She looked so eager, so desperate. There was not a trace of lady Delane’s former grace and dignity. She looked as eager for his cum, if not as skilled at getting it, as the most broken of the camp free use pets."
        "Suddenly, her entire body jerked and she pushed herself hard against the throne. The motion was unmistakable. She just came."
        "Lady Eleanor fell to the ground gasping weakly. Her face was bright red and her thighs were soaked. But, before she had time to recover, Batri emotionlessly reached down and grasped her by the hair, dragging her back up."

        bat "If yous too dumb to use your mouth, use ya hands."

        "Lady Eleanor gave a weak nod and brought her hands up to his massive shaft. It was still lubricated by her spit."

        #cg 2
        scene cg382 with fade
        show batri neutral behind cg382
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg382
        pause 0.5
        show cg383 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        show cg384 with dissolve
        pause 0.5


        "Her hands got to work pumping his cock as best as the chains would allow. It was as inexperienced as her cock sucking, but the lady made up for it with enthusiasm. She panted loudly and threw both hands into the effort."
        "Rowan forced his eyes away for just a moment to look at the crowd. Many of them weren’t even bothering to pay attention to this little scene. To Batri it was routine, and to them just as much. But, some actively cheered him on, throwing jeers and taunts at the human woman that their former chief had fancied."
        "They called her a whore, a cunt, and a pig. All of it only made her stroke his cock harder."

        bat "Yous gonna take all my cum, slut. Yous kno' where."

        ele "Yes, Master! Anything, Master!"

        #cg 2 - variant
        show cg385 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        show cg386 with flash
        pause 1
        show cg387 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "He only lasted a second longer. In a fearsome tidal wave, his cum shot out, covering her face in a thick white layer. It dripped down her exposed breasts and covered her body."
        "That was when the most shameful moment of all came. She took one hand and brushed it over her face...only to slam it into her own pussy. She was filling herself with his cum."
        "At once his prior declaration had started to make sense. He must have previously commanded her to not waste a drop. Yet, that realization didn’t make the sight any less shocking. She was shoveling as much of his cum as she could grasp into her pussy."
        "Rowan stifled a gasp. The meaning of such an act was not hard to ascertain. Looking at the new chieftain of the orcs, along with his slave, he knew that within year’s end her belly would be swelling with child."

    label batriSexSkip_rp:

        scene black with fade
        scene bg26 with fade

        "Rowan sat with Andras for the next hour or so. Andras was full of weird little stories and facts about the orcs that he’d picked up from so much time fighting and fucking them. Rowan nodded and followed as best as he could, but even after all this time at camp he was still a novice to the subject."
        "By this point, it was so late into the night that even the orcs were starting to get tired. Many were wandering off to their tents to rest. Then the moment it seemed Andras was waiting for. The spent and cum covered Lady Delane was handed over to a subordinate and Batri wandered off towards Ulcro’s former tent."
        "Andras rose to follow him."


        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

        an "I’m going to go sit with the new chief. The alliance is set in stone. But, he’d take it as a slight if I didn’t meet him myself. You’re welcome to come along."
        an "We could use the entertainment."

        menu: # Replay mod: Removed gay scene so we can tag it separately in a new scene
            # 'Join him as their "entertainment".':
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                # jump batriGayScene_rp

            "Call it a Night.":
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan gave Andras a polite smile. He had a sneaking suspicion what Andras had meant when he called him entertainment."
                ro "No, I think I’ve had enough orc diplomacy these past few weeks to last me a lifetime. Just tell me if anything important happens, please, so I can adjust the war plans accordingly."
                "Andras slapped his back and laughed."
                an "Your loss."
                "Rowan watched him leave. In the corner of his eye, he saw the bound prisoners being led away. No doubt so that Batri might have some entertainment for after his meeting with Andras. A new day was dawning for this camp. For better or for worse, its fates were tied to Rowan's."
                "Rowan took another swig of mead."
                return

    label batriGayScene_rp:

        # Replay mod: Used in a different scene. Not called from "orciadShowdown_rp".

        scene bg30 with fade
        show batri neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras smirk at edgeleft with dissolve

        "When they entered the tent, Andras wasted no time. Placing both hands on the human’s shoulders, he forced him down so that he was kneeling before him."

        bat "What yous doin’ demon? Thought we wuz gonna talk about alliance."

        an "We will, after we’ve had a little fun."

        "The orc chuckled, realizing what the demon meant by that."

        bat "Guess dis humi yous bitch in more ways than one."

        "Rowan burned with shame at the insult. Even if he wanted to, he couldn’t have stopped Andras from forcing him down, his master was much stronger than him, physically. But more vitally, deep down he didn’t want to, part of him wanted this, to serve the demon with his body."
        "The demon smirked as he freed his huge semi-erect cock from under his clothing, and saw the former hero staring at it."

        an "You know what to do, slave."

        #CG -1 BJ Andras with HJ Batri
        scene cg287 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg287
        pause 3

        "Rowan then began to suck on the head, taking it inside his mouth. Andras wasn’t about to take it easy on his slave though, and grabbed him roughly by the back of the head, forcing his cock down the man’s throat."
        "Rowan let out of gag of surprise, but did his best to take it deeper. The demon began to move his hips, fucking his face to a symphony of glug-glug-glugs."

        an "That’s it slut. Take it all."

        "He half turned with his upper torso, so he was facing the orc at the other side of the tent."

        an "Well, are you just going to stand there?"

        "The orc let out of grunt of affirmation, and walked over to the pair, freeing his own thick cock, that had already grown had from the show Andras had been putting on. Knowing what was expected of him, Rowan reached out to grab it, and began to stroke it without instruction."
        "The demon smirked, as an idea formed in his head. He leaned over to whisper something to the orc beside him."

        an "Open wide, bitch."

        #CG2 - Double BJ
        scene cg369 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg369
        show batri neutral behind cg369
        pause 3

        "Without warning, Batri moved forward to try and shove his cock inside Rowan’s mouth, alongside Andras’. All the human could do in his startled state was exactly what the demon had told him to."
        "With a bit of jostling, and a little more force, the pair managed to fit both of their large dicks inside his very full mouth, as he sucked and tongued them as best he could. Andras laughed, and clapped the orc on the shoulder."

        an "Told you they would both fit."

        bat "Yous did. Ha, dis slut is even betta’ than well used camp whore."

        "Rowan wanted to object, but his mouth was too full. Besides, as much as he hated it, being dominated so roughly by the pair was causing his cock to throb uncontrollably. He might not like it, but when it came to being the demon’s plaything, his body betrayed him."

        an "That’s enough foreplay, I think."

        #CG3  - Spitroast
        scene cg228 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg228
        show batri neutral behind cg228
        pause 3

        "With little effort, and zero resistance, Andras repositioned Rowan so he was on his hands and knees before him, with the orc in front of the former hero."
        "He spat on his hand, and then slid a finger inside the human’s asshole to make sure it was properly lubricated. Rowan let out a little moan as the digit entered him, causing the demon to chuckle."

        an "Ready for my cock, slut?"

        "Rowan nodded meekly, and Andras laughed again as he slid his fat cock deep into his willing slave’s ass, who shuddered in pleasure, and let out an even louder moan."

        an "I think you should do something to shut this cockhungry whore up."

        "Batri, who had until now been stood watching, and idly stroking his cock, grabbed Rowan’s head by the hair, and forced his thick cock all the way down his throat."

        bat "Like dis?"

        an "Much better."

        "Rowan could do nothing, caught between the two as he was. Andras moved his hip in long, hard strokes, pumping balls deep against his ass. The pleasure was overwhelming, but all the hero could do was let out a muffled cry, as the orc fucked his throat."
        "Once again the sound of glug-glug-glug rang out in the tent, joined this time with the slapping of flesh on flesh every time Andras bottomed out."

        show cg228 with sshake
        show cg228 with sshake
        scene cg229 with flash
        pause 3

        "Rowan didn’t know how much he could take of this, but thankfully it wasn’t long before their dual movements brought them to climax. Andras grabbed him by the hips and buried his cock in his ass, releasing a hot load of cum deep inside."
        "The sensation made Rowan cum, hard, shooting ropey lengths of jizz from his throbbing cock. "

        show cg229 with sshake
        show cg229 with sshake
        scene cg230 with flash
        pause 3

        "Batri wasn’t far behind, holding him in place as he forced the human to swallow his salty load. Rowan collapsed on the dirt, cum oozing from both holes."

        scene black with fade
        show andras smirk behind black

        an "Let the slut rest. We have much to discuss, he’ll be ready for round two later."

        "It was going to be a long night."

        # $ rowanAndrasSex =+ 1

        return

    label orciadAftermathTarish_rp:

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Silence fell on the camp."
        "Then, all hell broke loose. Cries of traitors and scum rose from the crowd of orcs, outraged by what had just occurred."
        "With their leaders dead, both sides turned against one another in an instant. There was no love among them, but they were all ready to accept the outcome of the duel. Tradition demanded they do."
        "But now both Batri and Ulcro were no more. One slain in fair combat, the other, treacherously poisoned. Without a victor, the camp had no leader. And this could mean only one thing."
        "Open war, winner takes it all. At least what remains."

        cro "Ya boss knew he couldn'ta win! Dat why he cheated!"
        cro "Horseshit! He would neva!"
        cro "Yea? Then what'z dat black blood?!"

        "Accusations flew freely, and Rowan began to sweat. Tarish overplayed her hand. There was no chain of command among orcs, the leadership did not just default to her now that her rivals were dead. She was crafty, and he knew the value of that."
        "But he feared the orcs would not view things the same way."

        cro "Vengeance! Vengeance for Warchief Batri!"
        cro "Traitorz! Shoulda never joined dat bastard!"

        "Blades were drawn, shields were raised. All it would take was a single arrow shot or an axe thrown, and the whole camp would descend into violence."

        ro "Tarish..."

        "He cast the woman an uncertain look. Did she really know what she was doing?"

        show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve

        "She only grinned in return, and took a step forward."
        "Everything was proceeding exactly as she expected."
        "Horns thundered through the air, putting an end to the commotion, and causing both sides to turn against the third group, who until now remained by the side. Tarish crossed the field, approaching the now dead warchiefs, her two most impressive warriors trailing behind her."
        "One of them carried a human-sized sack on his shoulder. Delane."
        "Head high, Tarish reached Batri’s body. She threw it a disinterested look, one of pure disgust. She raised her spear, and unceremoniously stabbed the dead orc through the skull."
        "Batri supporters howled in fury. One even threw himself forward, sword in hand."

        snag "Wait."

        "He was stopped by a lean orc in the front. Rowan squinted his eyes. His armor was of much higher quality than most of the stolen equipment the camp orcs utilized. He must've been one of Batri's officers."

        snag "Tarish. Dis 'hole shitshow stinkz of yous tricks."

        tar "Snag, 'ow about ya kneel before ya new warchief?"

        $ snagName = "Snag"

        snag "Don’t make me laugh, ya witch. I shoulda slaughter yous on da spot for what ya did!"
        snag "Ya dishonor da tribe!"

        tar "I dishonor da tribe?!"

        "She stabbed Batri’s body again – invoking another roar of disapproval."

        tar "Batri and Ulcro 'ad us sitting for months! Raiding some shitty villagez that might've been growin' dirt, for all I know!  When wus da last time we raided somethin' good, eh?! When wuz the last time we got ourselvz some real loot?!"

        "Rowan recalled Batri had some success in that area, but it paled in comparison to what the entire tribe could accomplish, if united."

        tar "Deez two idiots 'ad us fightin’ over some dumb humi slut, but I dishonor da tribe?!"

        tar "I’ll bring honor back to da tribe!"

        "Rowan glanced at the crowd. Not the first time he heard a speech like that. Probably not the first time they heard it either."
        "It didn't look like they were buying it. "

        tar "No mo' sitting around! No mo' small raids! No mo' stupid fights ova nothin'!"
        tar "An' most importantly!"

        "The orc beside her set the sack down, and tore the material off-"
        "Revealing Delane. Naked, scared, with her hands tied behind her back."
        "And with thighs wet from the constant stream of juices that leaked from her pussy. Jezera's concoction was working."

        tar "No mo' slave hoardin'!"

        "The mob murmured in confusion. Many heard of the fabled Eleanor Delane, Ulcro's praised/stolen pet."
        "This finally evoked a shout of approval, even among some of the Ulcro’s boys. Nothing made a forget his old boss like the prospect of fucking his bride-to-be."
        "Batri's men lowered their weapons, discussing the prospect against one another. Their new 'leader', the orc named Snag, approached Tarish carefully, though Rowan saw his eyes were focused on Delane the entire time."
        "He and Tarish exchanged a few sentences between themselves, voices low. Negotiations, no doubt. At one point, Tarish pointed to Rowan, and the hero saw the other orc smiling."
        "Finally, despite just having his boss sneakily murdered, Snag let out a boisterous laugh and turned to his people."

        snag "Tarish be right! No mo' slave hoardin'! From now on, fair spoils for everyone! Everyone gets to ride Ulcro’s bitch!"

        "Tarish shoved Delane forward, and the opposing mobs started to dissolve slowly, united by the prospect of the upcoming gangbang. Ulcro's men weren't as quick to follow Batri's suit. There was some commotion in the back between them..."
        "But it must have been enough for Tarish, for Rowan saw her retreat from the field, a triumphant smile on her face. As she neared him, he cocked an eyebrow at her."

        ro "Everything under control?"

        tar "Yeh. Snag wanted Delane from moment he saw 'er during raid. Kept ravin' about how Ulcro stole 'er from “dem”. As if Batri would ever share her."
        tar "He'll make hiz boy fall in line. As for Ulcro's..."
        tar "I’m havin' my spies deal with da few who would oppose me. Once dey laying in the dirt, camp will be mine."

        "An overstatement, if Rowan ever heard one. Tarish was building her empire on backstabbing and bribery. It would not last. Sooner or later some other orc of Ulcro's or Batri's caliber would raise up and overthrow her. She simply did not command the same authority as they did."
        "… That’s why she needed the twins. She needed Rowan to have her back, she needed Andras to be the big bad boss who made sure they wouldn't be acting up."

        if rowanCorrupt > 50:
            "Rowan smiled to himself. Something to hang over her head, in the near future."

        else:
            "Something he might be able to use against her if there was a need to."

        ro "Clean up the camp. I expect it to be ready battle by next week."

        "Tarish nodded, still smiling, and Rowan left the area. Other duties called."

        # $ orciad_ally = "tarish"

        scene black with fade

        "Do you wish to witness Delane's fate?"

        menu:
            "Yes. (Scene 3 and 4)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump delaneBadEnd_rp

            "No. (Scene 4)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump orciadTarishSex_rp


    label delaneBadEnd_rp:

        # $ seen_delane_bad_end = True

        "Sometime later..."

        scene bg26 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused

        ele "Ah!"

        "Delane gasped as Tarish shoved her into the center of the impromptu arena. Tripping over her feet, she fell into the dirt."
        "For the hundredth time this day, she cursed quietly. Cursed Rowan for his betrayal. Cursed the Goddess for her cruel indifference. Cursed the orcs for just existing. Pathetic plague of rats, unworthy of sharing Solanse with those infinitely their better."
        "Cursed herself, for foolishly trusting the first human that stumbled into her tent."

        "Cursed her body, for turning against her."
        "She didn’t know what was in the concoction Tarish fed her. She expected some sort of… Numbing drought. Something that would make her pliable for her captor."
        "Instead, the potion set her loins ablaze, and she wished for one of those herbal teas the priestess always gave her mother. Her every sense was heightened – her mouth felt dry and empty, her naked skin shivered from every gust of wind-"
        "Her eyes found every orc cock peeking from beneath the loincloths of these savages, her nostrils widened as she inhaled the intoxicating, disgusting odor of these beasts, and her ears caught every insult they threw her way."

        cro "Tits small."
        cro "Ass too."
        cro "Looks puny, will break."
        cro "Yus think she has all her teeth? Dey say humi warleader use magiks to keep em."
        cro "No fair. Me want all teeth too."
        ele "(It’s called personal hygiene, you brutes!)"

        "Despite her frustration, she bit her tongue and kept the remark to herself. She was naked, tied up, and humiliated beyond all imagination. But she would not lower herself to… Basic banter."
        "She was Lady Eleanor Delane, of the noble Delane family! They might strip her of her clothes, but she refused to be stripped of her dignity."
        "Knees shaking, she rose up, standing tall and proud among the orcs. She held her head high-"
        " -as high as she could without making it obvious to the orcs she was doing her best to avoid staring at the behemoths between their legs."

        cro "Bwahaha! Look 'ow wet she is! It’s like a river!"

        "She didn't need it pointed out to her. For the last couple of hours, her nether regions burned with... Need. Unnatural need. To leave such a trail of... Bodily fluids, could not be normal."
        "But she refused to acknowledge the insult, no matter how true it was."
        "Endure. She just had to endure. The situation seemed hopeless now, but as long as she kept her wits, then maybe… Maybe an opportunity for escape would present itself."
        "The odds were small. Nonexistent event. But she would not give in to despair, or this… Artificial lust."
        "The orcs kept jeering, but neither stepped forward to touch her yet. Not that she wanted them too."
        "They were waiting for… Something..."
        "Or someone."

        snag "Kraug!"
        krau "Snag."

        "A huge, stocky orc pushed his way through the wall of orcs. He carried a bloodied axe in his right hand, and his torso decorated a shallow wound. His chiseled… Muscular torso…"
        "Delane turned her head away, preferring to focus on the orc that spoke up. This one was leaner, more humanlike. She saw him earlier – he was talking with the orc called 'Tarish' about… Something. Too focused on her own situation, she wasn’t really paying attention to their words."
        "Great, now she could also curse her own lack of attentiveness."

        krau "Stupid Vorg. Thought 'e’d take my band."
        snag "Shoulda cut 'iz skull open long time ago."
        krau "Wus gud warrior. Shame to kill 'im."

        "Based on the subtle differences in their armour, they must have belonged to opposing camps. Ulcro’s and Batri’s, most likely. Were they high ranking officer, then?"
        "From the way they carried themselves, she would say so. They certainly seemed to command respect. So… Powerful and… Domineering..."

        krau "Dis Tarish gift?"
        snag "Aye! Ya boss’s whore."
        krau "Hrm."

        "Their lustful eyes fell on her naked body, and she met them with a defiant glare. She would not shrink under their gaze. No, never. Instead, she held her head high, and as they approached her, opened her mouth to deliver a cutting remark. "

        ele "Iiiiiiiiiiii???!!!"

        #cg1 - fingering
        scene black with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind black

        "Without a word of warning, the massive orc shoved his fingers right into her snatch."
        "Violent pleasure erupted from somewhere deep within her body, making her almost faint on the spot. The orc cared little for her weak moans. He kept exploring her insides, at first pushing two, then three fingers into her, making her spasms in ecstasy."

        ele "Aaa-aah? Aaaah!"

        "She couldn’t wrap her head around it. How- How could it feel so good? How could anything feel this good?! When she was young, she used to pester her maids about the matters of sex - asking how it felt to have a man touch your skin, kiss your lips. She had a vague idea, but this…"
        "This ecstasy was beyond her wildest imaginations. She covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from crying out again. The pathetic moan from before was humiliating enough, she would not let out another one."
        "She wouldn’t give these brutes the satisfaction."

        krau "Hrm. Loose an' wet."
        snag "Nice."
        krau "Hate loose. Dibz on ass."

        "His fingers left abruptly. Delane hoped her body would finally stop its rebellion against her. This… heightened sensitivity from before she could handle. As long as they weren’t touching her…"
        "As long as they weren’t touching her…"

        ele "Nnn… Aah?"

        "Despite her earlier conviction, she couldn’t help but moan mournfully. What was this… Feeling of emptiness inside of her? This profound feeling of loss? It was as if there was this… Void inside of her..."
        "A void she was now certain always existed. She just wasn’t aware of it. Until now."
        "She imagined this is how a man who never ate his entire life would feel, after being given his first meal. Hunger, once muted, now ravished her body. She had- She had to-"

        ele "(No!)"

        "She wouldn’t give in to it. No matter how much she wanted to. She was Eleanor Delane, of the noble Delane family, not some... Floozy with no self-control!"
        "Gathering herself, she threw the stocky orc her most cutting look. Batri and Ulcro killed themselves over her. If she could just turn his officers against that other woman…"

        ele "Your chieftain is dead. Doesn’t that-"
        krau "Shut up, slut."

        "But she didn’t have much time to work them over. She should’ve tried to sway Ulcro to her side when she still had the opportunity to do so."
        "She will pay dearly for choosing pride over survival."
        "She swallowed heavily, trying to keep her composure. “Kraug”, meanwhile, walked past her. He placed his large hand on her shoulder, forcing her to stand still."
        "Her bindings came undone, cut by a dagger."
        "She turned her head around and addressed the orc again, trying a different strategy this time."

        ele "The Baron will payyiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii?!"

        #cg2 - nipple play
        scene black with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind black

        "She didn’t get halfway past her ransom idea, when the orc in front of her roughly grabbed her by the bosom and twisted her nipples. He tugged at them without mercy, forcing another high-pitched shriek out of her."

        ele "Aaaaaiii!"
        snag "Eh, too small."
        ele "Aaaah!"
        krau "Yer not gonna fuck 'em."
        snag "Wanted to, later."

        "They exchanged a few more remarks, but Delane started having trouble with keeping with the conversation. The lean orc released her nipples and dug his fingers into her breasts. His cruel manhandling should’ve been painful, but instead…"

        ele "Aah?!"

        "A lustful moan escaped her lips. She used to.. Touch them, when she was younger, as all young, curious ladies did. But this violent arousal was completely unlike what she felt back then."

        "It was as if her chest was on fire. It made her feel dizzy, like all her attention drained away from her head, and traveled downwards, to her breast and nether region."
        "She had to stop this somehow-"

        ele "Aaa-aaah?!"

        #cg2 variant - pussy massage
        scene black with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind black

        "Part of her – a part that now felt so very, very small – was embarrassed, ashamed at her own behavior."
        "And another part reveled in how delightfully improper her reactions were."
        "To be able to finally drop the pretense she was forced to maintain her entire life, and just… Indulge herself."
        "How could she resist the temptation?"

        ele "Aaah!"
        snag "Ha! She’s salivatin'!"

        "Was she? She didn’t know. She couldn’t really focus on anything except the burning pleasure in her tits and pussy."
        "She didn’t really want to focus on anything except the burning pleasure in her tits and pussy. Not anymore."

        ele "Aaah, aaah!"

        "Finally, Kraug stopped rubbing her lower lips – and again shoved his finger inside of her. But this time, into her other hole."

        ele "Iii?!"

        "It was wrong, so delightfully wrong. She heard some men preferred to use the other entrance. Back then, she found the idea revolting."
        "Now she couldn’t wait to try it."

        ele "Aaaah, aaaah, put- put it…"
        snag "Shh, slut, let Kraug get yous ready- or do you want to have 'er rough?"
        krau "Hrm…"

        "His finger left her suddenly – and Kraug grabbed her by the sides. He lifted her up, while Snag spread her legs open."

        ele "(Yes!)"

        #cg3 - standing dp
        scene cg225 with fade
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg225
        pause 3

        ele "AAAH!"

        "Pain and pleasure overtook her. The cock in the front slipped into her overflowing pussy with ease – while the one in the back ripped her asshole open with no consideration whatsoever.  She should be writhing in agony – but instead, the pain simply applied the ecstasy."
        "The orcs gave her no time to rest, or to accustom herself to their massive cocks. Like a sack of flesh, they started to bounce her body up and down on, forcing a quick tempo onto her."

        snag "Shit, what’ya know – she was a virgin!"
        krau "Hrm."
        snag "Tarish did keep 'er word, after all... "

        "Another time, she would despair over losing her maidenhood before marriage. But now…"

        ele "Aaa-aaah-aaah!"

        "Now all she could think about was how wonderful having a dick inside of her felt."

        ele "Aaaah! AAAH! AAAH!"

        "She couldn’t stop herself from moaning – no, screaming in joy. Such violent delight – she couldn’t keep her voice down. She didn’t want to."

        ele "Aaa-Aah! H-harder!"

        "The orcs obliged, gripping her tighter and forcing her down on their dicks."

        ele "Aah! Yes, yes!"
        cro "Haha, split 'er apart!"
        cro "Noble slut!"
        cro "Bwahaha, Look at dem titties bouncin'!"

        "She barely registered the other orcs cheering her on. So good, so good-"
        "To think she could’ve had it months ago. She could’ve been bouncing on Ulcro’s cock every night for the past, what, half a year? It was difficult to keep track of time in the camp."
        "Not that it mattered anymore. Nothing mattered anymore."

        ele "Harder, harder!"
        krau "Shut up."

        "The orcs kept punishing her holes, locked in a dominance contest she wasn’t even aware of. She didn’t care. As long as they kept fucking her, nothing else really mattered."

        #cg3 variant - standing dp cum
        show cg225 with sshake
        show cg225 with sshake
        scene cg226 with flash
        show eleanor naked aroused behind cg226
        pause 3

        ele "Aaah, aaah!!"

        "Finally, the orc in front of her came, filling her with warm seed. Delane giggled in delight. So that’s how it felt… What a perfect ending to all that rough fucking…"
        "The other one soon followed, filling her ass as well. She couldn’t stop giggling. There was nothing, nothing more inside of her, except for that burning desire in her loins. And the orc cum. Guess she should also count the orc cum..."

        ele "(Orc cum... Orc cum...)"

        "Her mouth felt empty. She was thirsty. She wondered how it tasted. She should ask them to fuck her mouth as well. She had three holes, no? They should all be filled. She wanted all of them to be filled."
        "She looked to the side, at the mob of orcs that surrounded them. Surely some of will want to stick their orc dick into her mouth, right?"

        ele "(Ahh... Orc dick...)"

        "Something wet traveled down her cheek. She paid no attention to it."
        "The orc behind her grunted and dropped her into the mud without a warning. She yelped, and threw them both a hurt look. Her ass and pussy were empty... She missed their warmth already..."

        ele "Gah!"

        "Someone yanked her head up from behind. An unfamiliar orc stared right at her, baring his teeth."

        wo "Ready for round two, slut?"

        "What a stupid question."
        "Delane smiled from ear to ear, and reached out to grab his cock."
        "She had a lot of orcs to service..."

        # Replay mod: Break the scene early if it's a skip
        if earlyBreak == True:
            return

    label orciadTarishSex_rp:

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Tarish wasn't in her old section of the camp, at least not at the moment. Rowan recognized a couple of her inner circle from the night they'd captured Delane and was informed that the new chief was probably in Ulcro's tent."
        "It was surprising when he arrived to find the place unguarded. The former lieutenants and closest loyalists of Ulcro had left, taking their tents with them. Either this was the wrong place or the new chief's boundless confidence still hadn't faltered."

        scene bg30 with fade
        show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Inside he saw Tarish standing next to Ulcro's old throne. She glanced up for a second when he cleared his throat, but her eyes were quickly drawn back and she ran her hands over the gold decorations and lingered on the ruby fabric."

        tar "Wonder where he got dis. Soft and shiny, is tacky. Not at all like what Ulcro was. Den again, he always have dumb taste. Now it mine."

        "She chuckled and gripped it tightly."

        tar "Mine."

        "Rowan stepped behind her."

        #tarish happy

        "Much to Rowan's surprise, the orc woman's chuckle broke out into laughter."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Have I come at a bad time?"
        tar "No, it fine. Just a personal party. I was never de strongest. Most of da chiefs needed me for smarts, but dat not how new chiefs decided."

        "A moment passed before she turned around and brought her gaze onto Rowan's. Those eyes held a manic gleam in them to match the triumphant grin on her face."

        tar "Now... now da smartest orc chief. No small thanks to ya. Ya did very well humi."

        show tarish at center with moveinleft

        "She placed a hand on his shoulder, gripping it tightly."

        tar "All went as I planned. Good, yes... with it... I deserve dis."
        ro "Hrmph. If it’s a private party, you don’t much need me for it."

        "Rowan started to turn away, but the response was to pull the man against her chest and put the other hand onto his rear."

        tar "Da tribe is mine."

        "Her voice was barely above a whisper."

        ro "Uh huh, do you just like saying that?"
        tar "Yes."

        "Having had enough, Rowan pushed the woman back."

        ro "It's possible that this has escaped the smartest orc's wits, but I am not a part of her tribe."

        "Once more she locked eyes with him and her grip became painful. Though that smile never left her face."

        tar "You in my camp and you my favourite humi. Everything in camp belong to me. No seem complicated."
        ro "Barely settled on the throne and already you're acting the entitled brat? Now where have I seen that before?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Luckily for me, you are unarmed and don't know magic."

        #rowan combat stance

        "He put his hand on his sword, drawing it out and forcing Tarish to jump back."

        #tarish happy
        show tarish neutral at midright with moveoutright

        ro "Take a good look around... chief. There are no guards, no hangers on, not even anyone tending fires or eating outside."

        "Her eyes looked at Rowan's sword and at the only exit behind him. The manic grin didn't fade, though at last her awful laughter faltered."

        ro "That's right. Now you better start listening. I. Am. Not. Yours. This tribe you are so enamored with? I gave it to you."

        "The smile changed from a triumphant one for the first time. Instead it was something closer to humour."

        tar "Yus a strange humi, seem to dink you a tribe chief? Is a funny idea."
        ro "That's not that far off. I led armies in the last war. I was one of the Six Heroes."

        tar "Humis not orcs, dey for being raided and made slaves."

        "In spite of her words, her tone was quisical not confrontational."
        "This was getting off track. Rowan came to talk business."

        ro "Even if you could escape, eventually there will be someone who rises up to challenge you. Another Batri. If you refuse that challenge or use tricks to get rid of them again, there won't be another noble to throw at the orcs."
        ro "Honour our agreement. Serve Bloodmeen."

        tar "... I remember the red master. I not forget your help, now and later."

        ro "Then you had best remember when you deal with me, you deal with Bloodmeen. I am just as much a chief as you are."

        #rowan neutral

        "He sheathed his sword. Tarish let out a wry chuckle."

        tar "Not here. If I let a weak humi rule by me, den I lose tribe. I not be very useful for demons den, am I?"
        ro "Here? Now? Not a lot of orcs in this empty tent to make a show for? The way I see it, anything that happens away from prying eyes can stay that way."
        tar "Strange hero you are. Kissing butt of demon masters is what orcs do."

        "She approached Rowan once more, stepping close and meeting his gaze with her white eyes. He could feel her breath on his face and the heat of her body. After holding the look for an uncomfortable moment, another chuckle escaped her lips."

        tar "Very interesting. I like you."
        ro " I'm flattered."

        #tar neutral

        "A moment passed and Tarish suddenly leaned forwards with pursed lips. Rowan held her back, surprised at the sudden move."

        tar "Hmm? Yus no want to fuck? Dis be another secret between us, one I's going to enjoy a lot. Humi hero and orc chief, dancing on da enemy's throne. We see who best, yes?"

        menu:
            "Have sex with Tarish. (Scene 4)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump tarishShowdownSex_rp


            "This is a business meeting and nothing more":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I didn't come here for a dalliance. This was a business meeting and nothing more, which I believe we have finished."
                "She frowned for a moment, but this wasn't enough to disrupt her mood and she was back to her grin after."
                tar "Den be off. Dis won't be da last time we meet."
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                scene bg26 with fade
                "That seemed like it was the end of it. Rowan had done what he'd come to do and Tarish had promised her people to Andras and Jezera. His mission in the camp was complete."
                return


    label tarishShowdownSex_rp:

        ro "Between equals."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "He was already a bit hard after she'd pressed against him, some fun with the orc sounded pretty good now that the two had sorted out their working relationship. He lowered his hand and leaned into the orc's fierce kiss."

        tar "Maybe. Dis place have Ulcro's stink, I want make it reek of us."

        #tar happy

        "Once again she looked over at the throne, licked her lips with a grin, and looped her fingers through her skirt and pulled it off."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan shrugged, orcs were not ones for subtlety when it came to sex, so he undid his belt and pulled his pants down as well to let his member pop free."

        else:
            "That was something to appreciate about orcs. They didn't waste any time when it came to sex, so Rowan tore off his belt and let his pants fall to the floor. He wore a grin to match Tarish's as his member popped free."

        "He stepped behind the orc chief and slipped one hand over her sex and the other past the band of cloth over her breast. Breathy chuckles escaped her lips at his touch and she pushed her rear back in appreciation, while also possessively grabbing his hand over her chest."
        "One of the man's fingers slipped into her sex, checking to see how wet she was. There were some drops, but he'd work her a bit more first. He crooked his finger once, twice, she quivered and a lot more moisture filled her passage."

        ro "Lets see if humi dick is to your liking."

        "He drew himself back and tried to line up to penetrate Tarish, but she wasn't cooperating. She abruptly turned around in his hands and licked his face."

        tar "Be my throne. Mine."

        scene cg232 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg232
        show tarish neutral behind cg232
        pause 3

        "She grabbed his arms and twisted around, then pushed him back onto what had once been Ulcro's throne. Then she sat down on his member with a groan of pleasure. Once more the manic laughter came out, this time interspaced with gasps as she rose and fell on Rowan's shaft."
        "Right back to being possessive. It was annoying, at the first opportunity she tried to take full control of the situation."
        "Again he put a hand to her breast and pinched at the nipple as she bounced on his cock. He held her arm and tried to control the pace a little, but he was fucking an orc chief. She wanted to fuck fast, and fuck fast they would."
        "Tarish gripped the throne, gasping out 'mine' while also laughing and moaning in pleasure. Reveling in her triumph seemed to be something she couldn't help but do again and again."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "If she was going to go on and on like this, well Rowan may as well show her that this was a two way relationship. He started laying kisses over her back and firmly running his hands over her arms and belly as she rode him."
            "His arms closed around her body in a tight hug, trying to slow her down and savour the experience."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "At this point Rowan was officially annoyed. He tried to meet her movements harder, faster, and fiercer than she did, while gripping and pinching her body at the same time."
            "Unfortunately the orc proved the stronger and fiercer one of the two. Rowan could not match her force with force and found himself giving out underneath her."

        else:
            "If Tarish was going to assert herself like this, Rowan was going to do the same. He lightly bit down on her shoulder while also gripping her tightly to control the pace. A light warning growl escaped his lips."

        "Tarish ignored him and kept bouncing on his member the same as before, in almost complete control of their lovemaking. No, at this point she was outright dominating him. Her grip shifted from the throne onto Rowan's wrists, gripping them almost painfully tight."

        tar "My throne, mine..."

        "That would not stand, Rowan was not just her throne. He couldn't seem to do anything about that while she was on top of him."

        scene black with fade

        "So he stood up."

        #Cg2
        scene cg716 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg716
        show tarish neutral behind cg716
        pause 3

        "Their weight carried the two forwards and Tarish was finally brought out of her revelry just in time to get her hands under her before she hit the ground. Her manic laughter finally silenced. Rowan's landing was a little more graceful, leaving him squatting behind her."
        "He lined up, and thrust into the woman laying on all fours in front of him. To his surprise, Tarish didn't resist and only gasped when he hilted her."

        ro "You're mine Tarish. The chief {i}I{/i} put on this throne."

        "He slapped her across the ass and started pumping her as fast as he could. Press the advantage, give no quarter, he was running on full instinct."
        "The orc took it, rocking forward with each thrust and letting out an occasional groan."
        "Abruptly a rush of her fluids coated Rowan's member, but Rowan didn't let up. He pushed for a few moments more, keeping up the same frantic pace that Tarish had started this session with."

        ro "Don't forget..."

        #cg2 - cumshot var

        ro "... you are mine."

        "Finally he peeked, arched his back, jerked his hips a couple times, and was spent."
        "He sat down, breathing heavily and leaned back for support."
        "Tarish exhaled slowly, still on all fours. Slowly she relaxed her core and sat back down on her ass. Rowan noted that her hands were firmly clenched in fists for several seconds while she looked at nothing in particular. Finally she looked over her shoulder once then stood up."

        scene bg30 with fade
        #tarish happy
        show tarish neutral behind bg30
        show rowan necklace happy behind bg30

        tar "Yus full of surprises humi."
        ro "My name is Rowan, Tarish. Use It."
        tar "Rowan... Rowan? Rowan."

        "His chief turned around, then contemplated the man sitting on Ulcro's former throne."

        tar "Yus remind me... of me. Mine and mine."

        hide tarish
        show tarish neutral at midright with dissolve

        tar "Go back to da demons, before ya get more dumb ideas about me being yus humi."

        "She nodded, then squatted down to retrieve her skirt and pulled it back on without even bothering to clean herself up first. Tarish started to leave, but stopped and looked over her shoulder at Rowan one more time."

        tar "Dis contest ain't over."

        hide tarish with moveoutleft
        hide rowan

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "Then strode straight out of the tent without another word."
        "That seemed like it was the end of it. Rowan had done what he'd come to do and Tarish had promised her people to Andras and Jezera. His mission in the camp was complete."
        return

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_explore_4.rpy
label the_orc_slaves_fate_rp:

    $ emmaMet = False
    $ emmaIgnored = False
    $ emmaNotMet = False
    $ woodCarverSaw = False
    $ delane_status = "tarish"
    $ roAlRel = 100

    "Has Rowan met Emma? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ emmaMet = True
        "Yes, but he ignored her":
            $ emmaIgnored = True
        "No":
            $ emmaNotMet = True

    "Why is Rowan serving the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Biding his time":
            $ serveChoice = 1
        "Avoid being a prisoner":
            $ serveChoice = 2
        "For Alexia":
            $ serveChoice = 3
        "Jezera was convincing":
            $ serveChoice = 4

    scene bg26 with fade

    "Once more, Rowan found himself near the mother’s section of the camp. This afternoon, the area was mostly empty. Only a few orc mothers remained, with children no older than a year or two. The rest must have been away, training or helping with the camp chores."
    "Rowan glanced over the remaining people and found his eyes drawn to one person that stuck out. A sole, pale figure sitting by one of the tents."

    if emmaNotMet == True:
        "Squinting his eyes, the hero realized it was the human girl from before, the pregnant slave. The one he wanted to talk before all that… Business... with the orc matron."
        "Well, now that the orc woman wasn’t around, there was nobody stopping him."
        "Without hurry – he didn’t want to spook the girl, as he recalled doing last time – Rowan approached the tent."
        "She was sitting by the side of it, working the needle with a small smile on her face. She was sewing what appeared to be one of the camp’s war banners. Since their last meeting, her stomach had grown larger. Round and heavy, it was out in the open, not covered by her rather skimpy apparel."
        "… Among other things."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "…"
        "Standing next to the girl, Rowan coughed ostentatiously. The girl raised her head – and Rowan averted his gaze. From the corner of his eyes, he could see her eyes widen with fear, and her face redden with embarrassment."
        "For whatever reason, she no longer wore a shirt. Or a bra. Her enlarged breasts were now out for everyone to witness."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I apologize if I surprised you. Do you mind if I talk with you for a moment?"
        "She brought the unfinished banner to her chest, trying to cover herself. She eyed him suspiciously."
        emm "You’re… That man from before... "
        ro "Rowan. Again, I apologize for disturbing you."
        "The girl hesitated, her expression wary as she judged the man before her. Rowan offered her his best welcoming smile. It seemed to have worked, since he saw her relax ever so slightly."
        emm "It’s okay…"
        emm "I’m Emma."
        emm "And I…"
        "She forced a polite smile."
        jump emmaNotMetIntro_rp

    elif emmaIgnored == True:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Squinting his eyes, the hero realized it was the human girl from before – the pregnant slave. That scared girl he talked about with the matron."
        "...The one that cowered before him, and tried to run away with tears in her eyes."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Did he… Did he really just left without a word last time? Didn’t bother to check on her at all?"
        ro "(Goddess… What is wrong with me.)"
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan clenched his teeth and forced down the raising feeling of self-loathing. There was no point in bemoaning his earlier mistakes."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "His time was better spent making things right."
        "His resolve restored, without hurry – he didn’t want to spook the girl, as he recalled doing last time – Rowan approached the tent."
        "The girl – Emma, that was her name - was sitting by the side of it, working the needle with a small smile on her face. She was sewing what appeared to be one of the camp’s war banners. Since their last meeting, her stomach grew larger. Round and heavy, it was out in the open, not covered by her rather skimpy apparel."
        "… Among other things."
        "…"
        "Standing next to the girl, Rowan coughed ostentatiously. The girl raised her head – and Rowan averted his gaze. From the corner of his eyes, he could see her eyes widen with fear, and her face redden with embarrassment."
        "For whatever reason, she no longer wore a shirt. Or a bra. Her enlarged breasts were now out for everyone to witness."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I apologize for surprising you like that. Do you mind if I talk with you for a moment, Emma?"
        "Rowan started carefully. He really didn’t want her to panic again…"
        "And he had some success, since the girl recoiled only slightly, bringing the unfinished banner up to her chest to cover herself."
        emm "You’re… That man from before..."
        ro "Rowan. I apologize for… Leaving like that last time."
        "The girl hesitated, her expression wary as she judged the man before her. Rowan offered her his best welcoming smile."
        "It seemed to have worked, since she relaxed ever so slightly."
        emm "It’s okay…"
        jump emmaNotMetIntro_rp

    else:
        "Emma, the slave girl he met some weeks ago, was still present in the area. Last time they talked, the poor girl ended up sobbing in his arms. He hadn’t had the occasion to check on her since."
        "It was time to rectify that."
        "He approached the girl without hurry. Again, she was working the needle –  a small smile on her face, as she sewed what appeared to be one of the camp’s war banners."
        "Since their last meeting, her stomach grew larger. Round and heavy, it was out in the open, not covered by her rather skimpy apparel."
        "… Among other things."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "…"
        "Rowan stopped beside her and coughed ostentatiously. Emma raised her head – and Rowan averted his gaze. From the corner of his eyes, he could see her blush."
        emm "Oh."
        emm " Hello…"
        "For whatever reason, Emma was sitting with her upper torso uncovered, her enlarged breasts on open display. As if unaware of that fact, she kept staring at the hero, a conflicted expression on her face."
        ro "Do you mind...?"
        emm "Huh? Oh."
        "Embarrassed, she quickly covered herself with the banner in her hands."
        emm "Sorry, just…"
        emm "I’m not supposed to… Wear anything..."
        "Her voice trailed off, and she averted her gaze, not having the courage to look him in the eyes."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "It’s okay. I understand."
        "She flashed him a quick smile, but again, averted her eyes."
        emm "I…"
        emm "Uh… I don’t think I ever got your name?"
        emm "“Warbringer” doesn’t sound right."
        ro "It’s Rowan."
        "She repeated the name to herself as if savoring it. “Rowan, like the hero of Karst”..."
        "Finally, she found some courage within herself to look him in the eyes."
        emm "Rowan, I…"
        emm "Thank you. For what you did earlier."
        "She smiled earnestly – an honest, true smile. While he could see she was still wary of him, that moment of kindness from back then really had an impact on her."
        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(2)
        ro "Sorry I couldn’t do more."
        emm "It’s okay."
        emm "Sorry I tried to run away."
        ro "It’s fine. You were right to be careful."
        emm "… Maybe..."
        "Her smile faltered, and again, she looked away. Silence fell between them."
        "Rowan could see Emma was fighting with herself over something. She didn’t tell him to leave, even though part of her still wasn’t all that keen on his company."
        "He tried to think of something that would put her at ease, show her he had no ill intentions, as he already proved earlier. But before he could come up with a concrete idea, Emma came to a decision."
        "She stood up and grabbed him by the sleeve.  Gently, she pulled him with her, into her tent."
        emm "Just… For a moment… If we could…?"
        "She whispered, voice weak – almost pleading. Rowan nodded solemnly and followed her lead."
        jump emmaMain_rp

    label emmaNotMetIntro_rp:

        emm "I guess I should apologize as well."
        emm "For how I… Reacted."
        emm "Last time."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "She struggled to get the words out. She made a heroic effort to look him in the eyes, but it was obvious she’d rather be somewhere else."
        "Preferably somewhere where she wouldn't be forced into slavery, but at the very least somewhere without Rowan."
        "Somewhere where she wouldn't have to explain herself."

        emm "I didn't..."
        emm "I didn’t want anyone... To see me like… This..."

        "She placed her hand on her stomach. On her bastard half-orc child."

        emm "So… Sorry."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "It’s alright."
        ro "I’d be wary of other people as well.  "

        "Emma tensed at his words, her expression frozen in the polite, small smile she tried to maintain. Her eyes shot to the sides as if she was looking for someone who could come save her from this conversation."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan forced down a sight. He wanted to help the woman, somehow. He wasn't certain how, but he'd improvise something."
        "At least he would if she didn't send him away."
        "And for a moment it seemed like she would do just that. Tell him to go away, to stop harassing her."
        "... That moment stretched out, the air heavy with uncomfortable silence."
        "But as Rowan was searching his mind for any topic he could use to break the ice, the girl stood up suddenly."

        emm "Do you mind… Coming inside for a moment?"

        "Her tense expression slipped for a second, her voice taking on an almost pleading tone. Without thinking twice about it, Rowan nodded his head."
        "She headed for her tent, and Rowan followed behind her."

        jump emmaMain_rp

    label emmaMain_rp:

        scene bg30 with fade

        "Emma’s tent was, as one would expect, largely empty. It was equipped with only the barest of necessities, and Rowan expected it to feel cold."
        "Instead, it was almost… Cozy. There was not much, but what was, was enriched with various trinkets – fresh flowers, decorative cloths. Rowan saw a skull of a deer, and two dolls made out of sticks."

        if woodCarverSaw == True:
            "There even was a crude, but realistic wooden figurine of a bird in flight, oddly familiar to the hero."

        else:
            pass

        "This tent might have been a prison, but Emma tried to do whatever she could to make it feel like home."
        "Speaking of the girl, she set aside the cloth she was working on and knelt on her bedding, now covering herself with a fur blanket. She must have had nothing else to use – no shirt or anything of the kind."
        "She looked up to the hero and smiled weakly."

        emm "It’s… Good to finally see a friendly face."
        emm "A human face."
        emm "…. Would it be too much to hope you’re here to rescue me?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "His silence was the answer."

        if delane_status == "batri":
            "With the camp now under the twins boot, he could, in theory, attempt to negotiate Emma’s release.  But the whole conflict started precisely over slave ownership, and he didn’t see the orcs looking favorably at giving slaves away."
            "Perhaps he might be able to strike a deal with the warchief in the future, but for now, he didn't see a way to make it happen."

        elif delane_status == "ulcro":
            "With the camp now under the twins boot, he could, in theory, attempt to negotiate Emma’s release.  But the whole conflict started precisely over slave ownership, and he didn’t see the orcs looking favorably at giving slaves away."
            "Perhaps he might be able to strike a deal with the warchief in the future, but for now, he didn't see a way to make it happen."

        elif delane_status == "tarish":
            "With the camp now under the twins boot, he could, in theory, attempt to negotiate Emma’s release.  But the whole conflict started precisely over slave ownership, and he didn’t see the orcs looking favorably at giving slaves away."
            "Perhaps he might be able to strike a deal with the warchief in the future, but for now, he didn't see a way to make it happen."

        else:
            "With the camp still at war with itself, he could, perhaps, arrange for an escape."
            "But not now. Not when she was pregnant. She already looked weak, there was no way she had the strength to pull off a daring escape, no matter how much she desired to."

        "She must have understood that much. For a moment, she just stared at him pleadingly. With a heavy heart, Rowan shook his head ever so slightly."
        "She forced a smile upon her lips and moved on to other topics."
        "He expected her to be starved for human contact but that proved not to be the case. Oh, she did her best to pretend she was – she asked him about news from Rastedel, and the village she always visited for the spring carnival. She wanted to know who would be playing the six heroes this year."

        #if castle.villages > 3:
        "It was one of those Rowan ordered enslaved. Heart heavy, he told her he didn’t know."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)
        #else:
            #"Rowan didn’t know, but he promised to ask if he’s ever in the vicinity."

        "All pointless small talk, but Rowan indulged her. If this moment of normalcy was all he could for the girl, then at the very least he’d give her that."
        "But then Emma could not maintain the pretense for long. After half an hour, her questions started coming more slowly, with bigger breaks in between."
        "Finally, she fell silent altogether, and cast her eyes down."

        ro "… Emma?"

        "She turned her head away, refusing to respond."
        "One painfully silent minute later, Emma took a deep breath and gathered the courage to look him in the eyes once more."

        emm "Rowan, I…"
        emm "I have to ask."

        "Her voice was heavy. Solemn."

        emm "Why are you here?"
        emm "As in... In this camp."
        emm "You don’t… You don’t look like a bad man."
        emm "Don’t seem like one."
        emm "So how come you are here, among the orcs?"
        emm "How did you end up working with them?"

        "A fair question, and Rowan expected it to pop up at some moment."

        if serveChoice == 3:
            ro "I had to make some difficult choices."
            ro "For someone very important to me. "
            emm "Was it worth it?"
            if roAlRel > 30:
                ro "Despite everything that has happened..."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Yes. Always."
                "Slave or not, she was still pretty young – and every young girl dreamed of a handsome hero who sacrificed everything for the woman of his life. It was a tale all bards loved to tell."
                "Curiously, the one's Rowan heard never included a red demon trying to fuck the wife of the main character."
                "He wondered why."
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)

            else:
                "His mind wandered to his wife. When was the last the time the two of them had time for one another? Held each other?"
                "Even talked honestly with one another?"
                ro "…"
                emm "Sorry, I… I shouldn’t have asked."
                ro "No, it’s… It’s not your fault."
                ro "(It’s mine.)"
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)

        elif serveChoice == 1:
            ro "I had to make some difficult choices. Had no other options at a time."
            "Emma nodded solemnly, understanding all too well what he was going through back then."

        elif serveChoice == 2:
            ro "I had to make some difficult choices."
            ro "To survive."
            "A dry laugh escaped her lips."
            emm "Don’t we all... "

        else:
            "Rowan opened his mouth – and froze."
            "So what exactly was he supposed to say to Emma? That the world was plagued by injustice and corruption, and that he had plans to make it better?"
            "By siding with orcs and demons, who thought nothing of enslaving, raping and pillaging the countryside? Who saw her as nothing but a toy or tool for their needs?"
            ro "…"
            ro "I had to make some difficult choices."
            "He swallowed heavily. Emma’s curious eyes were still on him, and he’d rather they weren’t."
            ro "For people who were dear to me. "
            "Emma nodded solemnly. She didn’t press the matter, seeing it was a difficult topic for him."
            "For that, he was thankful."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)

        "Emma sat in silence for a moment, her lips moving wordlessly as she mulled over his words."

        emm "“Difficult choices”, huh…"
        emm "I thought so."
        emm "I mean… I knew so!"

        "She inhaled sharply, and a nervously smile crossed her face."

        emm "You’re not a bad man for working with the orcs."

        "She giggled to herself softly. Not a good sign."

        emm "Of course you aren't!"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        emm "Just as I’m not a bad woman for fucking them!"
        ro "Emma?"

        "He tried to politely interrupt her, but it was no use."

        "The girl was no longer listening to him. She rocked herself gently, her fingers clutching the blanket at her chest with desperation, knuckles white from the strength of her grip."
        "She barely even registered his presence anymore, lost in her own little world."

        emm "What choice did I have?"
        emm "It was either spreading my legs willingly or getting beaten up!!!"

        "She shouted out, hate, anger, and pain mixed in her voice."

        emm "So why should I feel bad for using my body to survive?!"
        emm "Why should anyone have the right to call me a slut?!"
        emm "Why do I always have to be the village slut?"
        emm "Why is it wrong of me to enjoy myself a little?!"
        emm "And at least the orcs know how to fuck!"

        "Her face twisted in rage. She spat to the side in disgust."

        emm "None of that… Three pumps and they’re done!"
        emm "When the orcs fuck you, they fuck you! Really give their all! "
        emm "They’re considerate like that, you know?!"
        emm "Never leave you unsatisfied!"
        emm "Yeah they’re a bit rough at times-"

        "Her voice wavered."

        emm "-all the time-"
        emm "-But keep yourself wet and they always make sure you come!"
        ro "Emma..."
        emm "And they don’t judge you!"
        emm "None of that-"

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        emm "“I can’t believe you put in your mouth Emma!”"
        emm "“Eww, in the ass, you’re so disgusting Emma!”"
        emm "Well fuck you Derek, I’m glad the orcs killed you!"
        emm "I bet your corpse is really disgusting now! Haha, hahaha!"
        emm "Ahahahahahaa!"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Emma."

        "Her mad laugh broke midway, and her eyes, wet from the tears she was holding in, refocused on him again."

        emm "None of this is how I wanted it to be Rowan."
        emm "I never wanted to be an orc slut."
        emm "But if I have to be a slut, I might as well be one to someone who appreciates it!"
        emm "And they really like how I always keep myself ready for them."
        emm "And how I- How I got-"

        "She placed her hands on her stomach and looked away."

        emm "They really like how my stomach and t-tits are all swollen."
        emm "One even said he wants me to a-always look like this."
        emm "That he’ll, he’ll…"
        emm "Make me his s-slave-wife and will keep f-fucking me until I get pregnant with his kid this time."
        emm "He’d make sure I have a warm meal every day."
        emm "I wouldn’t have to worry about getting beaten up or raped…"
        emm "And being pregnant is actually pretty nice…"
        emm "Is it-"

        "Her voice broke, and tears ran down her face."

        emm "Is it wrong of me? To think it sounds pretty nice?"
        emm "It doesn’t make it a bad person, right?"
        emm "Right?"
        ro "… "

        menu:
            "Tell her it’s okay to be an orc slut. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump emmaOrcSlut_rp

            "She mustn't let the abuse break her. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump emmaSurvivor_rp

    label emmaOrcSlut_rp:

        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
        # $ avatar.corruption += 3
        #Gain small Kharos Favour

        # $ emmaPure = False

        ro "Emma…"
        ro "You’re in a difficult position."
        ro "I don’t think anybody has the right to judge you for doing what is necessary to survive."

        "She held her breath, waiting for the “but” that would inevitably follow."
        "..."
        "It never did."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Emma exhaled slowly."

        emm "R-right…"
        emm "They don't."

        "She offered him a small smile. A small, genuine smile."

        emm "I…"
        emm "Um, I apologize for…"
        ro "Don’t worry about it."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I’m sorry. I wish there was something more I could-"
        emm "It’s alright."
        emm "I…"

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        emm "I think I’ll be fine."

        "She smiled cheerfully, all the way – showing her teeth. Her smile had a few holes in it, either due to poor hygiene, or because the orcs knocked a few of her teeth out."
        "She quickly hid it behind her hand, realizing what she just did. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, but she didn’t seem all too bothered by it."
        "She could drop her guard around Rowan."
        "It would take her some time to get used to this strange reality, where she didn’t have to blame herself for what she had become."
        "It was best to just let her adjust. Rowan stood up and-"

        emm "Wait."

        "He turned his eyes to her."
        "Slowly, Emma, lowered her blanked, staring straight at him as she exposed her pregnant, swollen body."
        "A young woman in full bloom, she had a heavy bosom that begged to be groped, and narrow, sexy hips."
        "Months of slavery made her skinny, and not in a healthy way, but any deficit in her figure was more than made up by the shy, eager look she was giving him."

        if roAlRel > 30:
            "She couldn’t hold a candle to Alexia – her hair did not shine as brightly, and her smile was not as pretty. But she was kneeling right before him, ready and willing to be taken."

        else:
            "She kneeling before him, ready and willing to be taken."

        emm "Do you want to, um… "
        emm "Stay for a bit longer?  "
        emm "It’s been a… Stressful day."
        emm "I wouldn’t mind some company."

        menu:
            "Stay. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump emmaSlutSex_rp

            "Politely decline.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if roAlRel > 30:
                    ro "I appreciate the offer. But I’m afraid I am a married man."
                    emm "Oh?  She must be a very lucky woman then."
                    "Rowan chuckled softly."
                    ro "I think I’m the lucky one."
                else:
                    ro "I appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid I’ll have to decline."
                    emm "Ah."
                    emm "Then let me just say thank you. Really."
                "Rowan smiled, and bidding Emma farewell, left the tent."
                "Not exactly the heroic job he imagined himself doing when he first joined Denara, but…"
                "Kindness came in many forms."
                return


    label emmaSlutSex_rp:

        "Rowan peeked out of the tent. The orc mothers had yet to return."
        "They would not be interrupted."

        ro "… I guess it is a bit late."

        "He closed the exit, and started to undo his belt, as Emma’s smile took on a triumphant tone."
        "…"

        scene black with fade

        emm "You just make yourself comfortable, Rowan."
        emm "I’ll handle everything."

        #SlutEmma CG
        scene cg234 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg234
        pause 3

        "Rowan laid naked on the tent’s bedding, as his pregnant partner climbed over him. She insisted on this position, said she didn’t want to hurt the baby."
        "Rowan suspected there was another reason as well. As his gaze traveled across her swollen form, from the corner of his eyes, saw her grin lewdly at him. But the moment he looked at her again, she would once more wear that bashful smile of hers."
        "She was still clinging to her nearly abandoned modesty, even if all she could afford was, at best, a token effort at keeping the masquerade."

        ro "Motherhood becomes you."

        "She flashed him another perverted smile, unable to stop herself. To be adored liked, desired like that – she couldn’t help but bask in this feeling."
        "The tragic backstory behind her current state no longer mattered. At least not at the moment."
        "Placing herself comfortably on his stomach, Emma rubbed her backside on his phallus, clearly enjoying herself a bit too much to hurry things along."
        "Rowan knew all of this foreplay wasn’t needed – he felt the wetness of her nether regions on his skin, felt her eagerness on his body – but indulged her nevertheless."

        ro "Taking your sweet time, aren’t you?"
        emm "Can you blame me? You’re quite the treat."
        ro "For a human?"

        "She grinned again and reached behind her. Her finger traced along his manhood, from the base to the very top."

        emm "I can see some similarities between you and the orcs."

        "A weird compliment, but coming from her, it sounded like the highest of praises."
        "She raised herself up with a smooth motion, and moved her hips to have the tip of his cock brush against her entrance. For a moment, she simply moved back and forth, teasing him mercilessly."
        "It was only her pregnant state the prevented Rowan from turning the tables on her – grabbing her by force and pinning her under him."

        ro "Nn-!"
        ro "Goddess damn you Emma… Do you torment all your partners like this?"

        "She giggled to herself, a devious smile dancing on her lips."

        emm "Only the ones who let me."
        ro "I’m starting to think I’m being too nice with you."
        ro "You’re really trying my patience here.  "
        emm "Mmmm..."
        emm "Then I guess that’s as far as I can take it. "

        "She wanted to tease him more. This feeling – this intoxicating awareness he wanted her so bad, he was barely controlling himself – was better than any alcohol she ever tried."
        "She wanted to revel in it."
        "But she wanted him inside her more."
        "Unable and unwilling to contain her own desire, she finally positioned herself properly. Rowan gasped, as he felt the tip of his cock slowly part her lower lips."

        emm "I’m sorry if I’m a bit… Loose."

        "She sat down suddenly, taking him all the way in."

        emm "A-ah!"

        "She needn’t fear. Soaking wet, her warm insides sucked him greedily."

        ro "Hnn- Damn, you’re wet."
        emm "Aa-ah, thank you!"

        scene cg235 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg235
        pause 3

        "Needing no encouragement from her partner, Emma started to bounce on Rowan’s cock with unbound joy, her body shaking obscenely as she did."

        emm "A-Ah! Ah!"

        "Her eyes never left his own. She had to cover her mouth with her hand, to conceal the lewd expression she kept breaking into."

        emm "A-aaah! R-Rowan, you feel so~ Good~!"

        "But it did nothing to hide her lustful moans and wanton praises. No wonder the orcs wanted her so much. She was a born slut, she just didn't know it before."

        "She must have had a great deal of practice in this position – at no point did she see the need to stop and rest. Rowan watched her breasts, as they continued to sway erotically, small, white droplets forming on the end of her nipples."

        menu:
            "Taste her. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene cg236 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg236
                pause 3
                "He laid a hand on her thigh and held her tight. She stopped herself – her eyes following where his own were focused on."
                emm "A-aah~, if you want to…. Just let me…"
                "She opened her legs and reposition herself, allowing Rowan to sit up."
                "He reached for her tits, and squeezed them forcefully-"
                emm "A-ah!"
                "- Evoking another lustful moan from Emma. Music to his ears."
                "Not being in any hurry – a subtle revenge, from her earlier teasing - Rowan ran his tongue across her nipple, tasting the milk that started to flow freely. It was quite sweet."
                ro "Do they ever…?"
                emm "No… They don’t like it…"
                emm "But they do sometimes milk me like a cow~"
                ro "Why am I not surprised."
                scene cg237 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg237
                pause 3
                "He shook his head in mocking disbelief, then finally took one of her nipples in his mouth."
                emm "A-a-ah! Please, ha-arder!"
                emm "Suck ha-a-arder!"
                "She wiggled in his arms, moaning in his ear as her milk flowed forth."
                emm "Mm-aah! Rowan, it feels so- so-!"
                emm "Goood~!"
                "And to think a while ago, she would find this behavior perverse..."
                "Rowan switched his attention to the other nipple, still pinching the first one. He allowed himself to be a bit harsher than usual, as her honeyed moans kept pushing him on."
                emm "A-aah! Y-yes! Aaah!"
                "Suddenly, her body shuddered in ecstasy. Just from having her nipples played with..."
                ro "You really are a slut, aren’t you?"
                emm "Ehehe~"
                "Not even a hint of remorse in her voice. Good heavens."
                "Rowan pinched her tit one last time, and laid back. Her puffy nipples stood proudly, a testament to his ministrations."
                ro "Weren’t you supposed to “handle everything”?"
                ro "Get back to work."
                "He needn’t tell her twice. Despite feeling sensitive, she quickly picked up the pace, once more impaling herself on his dick with wild enthusiasm."
                "After all, if there was anything the orcs required from their slaves, it was endurance."
                "It would be a long night for both of them."

            "Let her keep riding you.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Soon her movement grew more desperate, more frantic. She hadn't bothered with keeping her voice down for some time – but now, her cries grew even louder."
                emm "Rowan- ah! Rowan!"
                "She threw her head back, moaning his name, again and again. Music to his ears."
                emm "Good, so good~!"
                "She couldn’t contain herself anymore. She violently impaled herself on his dick, taking it as deep inside of her as she could. Her body quivered in pleasure, and Rowan swore he saw her eyes roll up from the ecstasy."
                ro "Good heavens…"
                ro "Such a slutty way to climax."
                emm "Ehehe…"
                emm "It’s because you’re so good, Rowan."
                ro "Filthy little liar."
                "He grabbed her by the thighs and moved her body up. Without any warning, he pushed her onto his cock again."
                emm "O-O- O-Oooooooooh!"
                ro "I bet you show that face to every orc."
                "She giggled in delight. “Guilty as charged”."
                "She might have come, but he hadn’t. And he wouldn’t be leaving this tent until he did."
                "Luckily for him, if there was one thing the orcs valued, it was endurance. Emma quickly picked up the pace, true to her earlier promise of “handling everything”."
                "It would be a long night for both of them."

        scene black with fade

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        emm "Thank you, Rowan. For everything."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "The pleasure-"
        emm "-was all mine."

        "Emma giggled cheerfully. She no longer bothered to cover her chest, proudly showing off her tits and belly. She even kept pushing her breasts out, whenever she saw Rowan looking in her direction."
        "She really was happy like that. At first, he wasn’t certain if his advice was the right one, but after the night they spent together…"
        "Honestly, he got a bit carried away there. It was a bit embarrassing."

        emm "You should go now."
        emm "I wouldn’t want my master-to-be to see me so me acting so chummy with a human."
        ro "(“Another” human, you mean.)"
        ro "Obviously. Take care, Emma."

        "The shared a quick goodbye, and Rowan left her tent, spirits high."
        "Perhaps everything will turn out fine for the girl."
        "One way or the other."

        $ emmaRowanSex = True
        return

    label emmaSurvivor_rp:

        # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)
        # $ avatar.corruption -= 3
        #Gain small Solansia Favour

        ro "Emma…"
        ro "You’re in a difficult position."
        ro "I don’t think anybody has the right to judge you for doing what is necessary to survive."
        ro "But…"
        ro "You know that even if you do everything the orcs want you to, and even if you pretend to enjoy doing so, they’ll never care for you."

        "He saw the despair enter her eyes. Rowan’s words were like a knife to her heart, and Rowan did not hesitate to twist the blade. He had to."

        ro "You’ll never be more than a toy to them."
        emm "So what?"

        "She whispered, voice faint."

        emm "At least a toy gets taken care of."
        emm "A slave is used and discarded."
        ro " … So is the toy, once the owner gets bored of it."

        "It might have been cruel, to rid her of these illusions. But too often, during the war, he saw people try and bargain with demons, hoping it would allow them to retain some semblance of normalcy. That through servitude, they would be able to protect at least some parts of their now broken life."
        "It never worked, and their fate was usually worse than death."

        if serveChoice == 2:
            "Yet somehow he ended up doing the exact same thing, joining the twins just to save his own life."
            "For how long, he wondered, will he able to stay true to himself, defiant to all attempts at corrupting him? How much longer, until he ends like Emma?"
            "Rowan pushed these thoughts aside. It was neither the time nor the place for them."

        else:
            "A cautionary tale, given his current circumstances."

        "Emma’s lips moved silently, failing to get her words out. She licked them and tried again."

        emm "I-"
        emm "I don’t-"
        emm "I don’t think I have it in me to resist any longer."

        if emmaMet == True:
            "Her voice broke down again. Knowing all too well how she felt, he wrapped his arms around her, just like last time."

        else:
            "Her voice broke down again. Knowing all too well how she felt he wrapped his arms around her."

        emm "Why- Why-"

        "She broke into tears, sobbing into his arm. He did his best to whisper something encouraging into her ears, even if it was just empty words."
        "He was there for her. At least for now."
        "No matter how little it meant."
        "..."

        emm "C-could you… S-stay the night maybe?"
        emm "Just... O-one night."
        emm "Please..."

        ro "..."
        ro "Yeah."

        emm "Thank you..."

        "It was a small sacrifice. The world could wait."

        scene black with fade

        "…"
        "Night came, but it brought him no rest. Rowan stared into the darkness, a thousand thoughts denying him peace of mind."
        "“You can’t protect everyone.” He knew that. Every general knew that."

        if orciad_state <=1 and met_with_delane == True:
            "He might yet save Delane. It would be difficult, but possible."
            "As long as he was willing to risk Andras wrath."

        elif delane_status == "batri":
            "That’s why he had to sell Delane to the orcs. For the greater good. As dirty as it sounded."

        elif delane_status == "ulcro":
            "That’s why he had to sell Delane to the orcs. For the greater good. As dirty as it sounded."

        elif delane_status == "tarish":
            "That’s why he had to sell Delane to the orcs. For the greater good. As dirty as it sounded."

        elif delane_status == "free":
            "But at least, he was able to protect Delane. A small triumph."

        elif delane_status == "dead":
            "And every general knew how failure to do so felt."
            ro "(Delane, forgive me...)"

        else:
            pass

        "So what was he going to do with this girl?"
        "Emma laid beside him, dressed in his shirt – for modesty. She was pressed against his body, her hand over his chest, caressing him timidly. She couldn’t sleep either, no doubt plagued by the visions of things to come."
        "She already suffered so much, and it would only get worse. So much worse."
        "He turned his head to her. It was too dark to see her expression, but he saw her look up, staring into his eyes. Her fingers slowed their dance."
        "She leaned in, a little. Then again, her face inching to his own, as her hand started to venture down."

        menu:
            "Let her kiss you. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump emmaPureSex_rp

            "Stop her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "His hand grasped her own, and Rowan shook his head. Emma sighed, and laid her head on his arm."
                jump emmaPureConclusion_rp

    label emmaPureSex_rp:

        #puresex CG
        scene cg238 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg238
        pause 3

        "Tenderly, she pressed her lips against his. It was gentle, shy kiss, chaste almost. There was no passion in it, at least not the sexual one. Desire, yes. Desire for intimacy, closeness."
        "For being more than an object."
        "Her fingers wrapped his manhood, her small hand moving up and down his entire length, without haste, without hurry."
        "She didn’t moan his name, or comment, with poorly acted out astonishment, what a big stud he is. Her breathing got a bit more hectic, and that was all. Rowan allowed her to continue without interruption, gently caressing her hair."
        "He was content to let her have this. She didn’t have many opportunities to be the one in control."
        "And it wouldn’t change anytime soon."
        "Realizing he was now ready, she ran her fingers one more time along his length, and got up from her bedding. She climbed over him, her swollen stomach now resting on his own."
        "He saw her remove his shirt, and for a brief moment, she continued to cover her breasts with her arm, despite the darkness."
        "She exhaled slowly. With some hesitation, she moved her hand away, letting Rowan see her in her entirety."
        "She might have hated that body. She might have hated what the orcs made her into. But she didn’t want it to ruin the one night she would get with Rowan."

        ro "Emma…"
        emm "Shh..."

        "She silenced him gently, and leaned in, placing her hands on his naked chest. She ran them across his skin, having her fingers dance slowly again, as she felt the muscles underneath."
        "Emma smiled to herself. So different, compared to her usual partners. Lean, strong – but not in a brutish way. There was gentleness in Rowan."

        if serveChoice == 3:
            "Whoever this “very important person” of his was, they were lucky to have him."

        else:
            "If he had anyone in his life, they must have been lucky to have him."

        "Again, she reached for his manhood, now pressed comfortably against the valley of her backside. For someone to wait for her to get ready..."
        "It was nice."
        "Rowan felt the girl rise up – his manhood was suddenly denied the warmth of her body as she repositioned herself. But only for a moment."
        "She lowered herself on him, her lower lips parting before him."
        "Despite all the recent abuse, her body was still that of a young woman. Rowan grunted as he felt her insides tightened around him, while Emma kept pushing him deeper in – deeper and deeper, until she could once again rest on his hips."

        emm "A-ah..."

        "Only her soft moaning could now be heard in the tent. Mostly. Occasionally, in the distance, a violent shout would break the silence."
        "Some orc, or maybe a slave who didn’t get as lucky with their partner for the night."
        "But neither of them paid any attention to the outer world. These were problems of tomorrow. They would deal with them once the sun rises."
        "But not now. Not this night."

        emm "Mmmh~"

        "Slowly, she accustomed herself to his girth. He wasn’t the largest she had to take in…"
        "And she appreciated that."

        scene cg239 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg239
        pause 3

        "She raised her body gently, evoking a pleasant gasp from Rowan. She smiled to herself, and gradually lowered herself again."
        "For Rowan, it was hardly a show. In the darkness, he could only see her rock her body with gentle, deliberate movement, her face hidden away."
        "But every small movement of hers was done for his pleasure. Her body was his."
        "In ways the orcs would never have it. "
        "He didn’t hurry her on. He allowed her to slowly rack up the tempo, to start rocking her hips more aggressively, more greedily. The sounds their bodies made grew more obscene by the minute."

        ro "Ah!"
        emm "Mmmnn~"

        scene cg239 with sshake
        scene cg239 with sshake
        scene cg240 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg241 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg240
        pause 3

        "Rowan was the first to reach his limit. Emma moaned softly, stopping herself as she felt him paint her insides white. A feeling she was well familiar with by now. But with Rowan..."
        "It felt different."
        "For a while, she just sat there, enjoying the warmth in her body."

        emm "... You come a lot."
        ro "… Thank you?"

        "He wasn’t certain how else to answer that, but judging by the soft giggle his response provoked, Emma clearly didn’t mind it."
        "After a minute or so, she pushed herself upwards, releasing his manhood."

        ro "What about-"
        emm "Shhhh."

        "She knelt by his side, and diligently cleaned him up with her mouth. She didn't need him to prove what a stud he was to her, by finishing her off."
        "She just needed him by her side."
        "Once she was done, she mouthed a quiet 'thank you', and laid down by his side again."
        "Rowan said nothing, and just let her drift off."
        "Soon enough, exhaustion took him as well."
        "…"

        $ emmaRowanSex = True

    label emmaPureConclusion_rp:

        scene bg30 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        emm "So I guess this is goodbye."
        ro "I’m afraid so."

        "Emma shuffled her feet, unsure how to continue."

        ro " … If there is a way-"
        emm "I know."

        "She offered him a sad smile. For some reason, this time it felt like she was the one twisting a knife in his heart."

        emm "It’s okay. I’ll manage."

        "She lied. He knew that. She knew that."
        "But she didn’t want to saddle him promises he might not be able to keep."
        "Or perhaps her spirit would not take it if he did promise help, only for it to never arrive."
        "She gave him a quick hug – just for a moment, to feel his warmth again."

        emm "Go."

        "Then she pushed him away. Rowan nodded solemnly and left her tent to resume his quest."
        "He prayed he made the right call there."

        return

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_escape.rpy
label orciadEscape_rp:

    $ ulcro_path = 0
    $ delane_abduction = True
    $ delaneEscapePerimeter = 1

    "Is Lady Delane corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ delane_corruption_occurred = True
        "No (Ulcro path)":
            $ delane_corruption_occurred = False
            $ ulcro_path = 2
        "No":
            $ delane_corruption_occurred = False

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = True
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = False

    "Pass skill checks? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note14')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note15')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note16')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note17')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note18')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note20')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note21')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note22')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note23')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note24')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note25')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note29')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note30')
    # $ journal.complete_quest_note('orciad', 'note31')

    scene bg30 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show eleanor rags happy at midright with dissolve

    ele "Rowan, as always your presence brightens my day. What news do you bring?"
    ro "The one you were waiting for all this time."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show eleanor rags concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "Everything is in place, my lady. We leave the camp tonight."

    "At first, Delane did not seem to comprehend his word. For so long, the prospect of freedom seemed so far away."
    "She held on it, held on to that hope, despite knowing she was likely just deluding herself."
    "And now Rowan told her that by the end of the night, she will once more be a free woman."

    show eleanor rags happy at midright with dissolve

    ele "Rowan, I ..."

    if delane_corruption_occurred == True:
        show eleanor rags concerned at midright with dissolve
        ele "Thank you, thank you so much."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ele "Truth be told, I don't know how much longer I would be able to keep my sanity intact."
        ele "I've been visited by this... "
        show eleanor rags concerned at midright with dissolve
        "A deep blush entered her face, and she found herself unable to continue."
        ele "No, it doesn't matter anymore. What's important is finally getting out of this hellish nightmare."

    elif (delane_corruption_occurred == False) and (ulcro_path > 1):
        ele "Truth be told, I was starting to lose hope."
        ele "With the way you spoke of Ulcro, I feared you had given up on finding a way to free me."
        ele "I apologize for ever doubting you. You truly are a man of your word."
        ele "Thank you, for everything."

    else:
        ele "Thank you, for everything."
        ele "I apologize for ever doubting your intentions. You truly are a hero. "

    show eleanor rags neutral at midright with dissolve

    ele "..."
    ele "But I should not celebrate this early. I take it the escape will not be easy?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I will explain the plan shortly, but first…"
    ro "I fear you will have to suffer through one more indignity."

    if delane_abduction == True:
        "He brought the sack he received from Tarish up and pushed it through the bars. Inside- "

    else:
        "He brought the sack he had prepared beforehand and pushed it through the bars. Inside- "

    "Tattered, heavy robes. Jars of mud, fat. Make-up."

    show eleanor rags angry at midright with dissolve

    "Bindings."

    ro "Even at night, I can generally explore the camp without any of the orcs disturbing me."
    ro "But I cannot guarantee this will be the case if I am accompanied by a cloaked figure walking behind me."

    show eleanor rags neutral at midright with dissolve

    ele "So you will have me play the role of a lowly slave, freshly captured."
    ro "I am afraid so."

    show eleanor rags happy at midright with dissolve

    ele "A small price for freedom."
    ele "When do we leave?"
    ro "Within the next hour. My allies will start their diversion when an opportunity presents itself."
    ele "Then I’ll begin my preparations at once."

    #hide delane
    "Delane grabbed the sack and disappeared behind the doors. Rowan knelt before them, and bringing up a pin, started to pick to lock to her cell."
    "This was way nowhere near his usual area of expertise, but Rowan wasn’t concerned. A long time ago, an old friend explained the basic principles of the art to him, so he wasn’t a complete novice."
    "For the crude locks the orcs employed, he only needed time."

    if delane_abduction == True:
        "His fingers worked relentlessly, while his mind wandered."
        "By the time the sun rises, Delane will know the hero of Karst has betrayed her. She will be in captivity once more, this time at the mercy of someone whose plans were far more wicked than Ulcro’s ever were."
        "She will be stripped naked and used as a public relief toy to appease the camp orcs."
        "And Jezera's potion will make sure she enjoys every moment of it."
        if rowanCorrupt > 69:
            "It will most certainly be quite the show, though he expected it to be orc exclusive."
            "A bit of a shame, to be honest."
        else:
            ro "…"
            "The things he did in the twin’s service…"

    else:
        #todo
        pass #for now

    "By the time a distant shout crossed the air, Rowan had unlocked the doors with plenty of time to spare."
    "The cell was open. The distraction has arrived."
    "This was it."

    ro "Are you ready?"
    ele "Yes."

    #escape outfit sprite

    "Delane stepped forward, out of her cell, her disguise ready. With an unflattering, heavy robe hiding her figure, with her hair in disarray and with her face hidden under a layer of dirt, she was almost unrecognizable from the proud lady Rowan knew."
    "She even used the presented makeup to give herself a black eye."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Impressive. I believe this will fool most of the orcs we meet."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Well done."

    #escape outfit angry
    show eleanor rags angry at midright with dissolve

    ele "Please do not praise me for my ability to make myself look like a beaten up slave."
    ro "My deepest apologies."

    "Delane scoffed, clearly not believing a word he just said. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #escape outfit neutral
    show eleanor rags neutral at midright with dissolve

    "A moment of reprieve, before both of them put their lives on the line."
    "Not wanting to waste any more time, Eleanor presented her hands, and Rowan put the leather bindings on. She would be of no use in a fight anyway, and this way her disguise was far more convincing."

    ro "Let’s go."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    hide eleanor with moveoutleft
    scene black with fade

    scene bg26 with fade
    show eleanor rags neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "One never realized how full of life a camp at night could be, until every person passing by, every gaze met, could herald an untimely doom."
    "He and Delane traversed the camp under the cover of darkness, away from the torches and campfires."
    "Before, Rowan feared Delane would give them away – misstep and trip, likely over some random peg in the ground."
    "But the noblewoman proved more competent than he expected. She stepped lightly, without a sound. Anticipating this very day, she must have practiced in her tent, and Rowan was deeply grateful for it. Because of that, he was free to lead her into the shadows whenever possible."
    "But these were not always an option. Every now and then, they had to cross an open field, or some often frequented camp path."

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "For most people, this would have been an impossible obstacle - dangerous waters, where one had to take a deep breath, close his eyes, and make a leap forward, hoping for the best."
        "But not him. He waited for groups too drunk or agitated to pay attention to them, and used them for cover, blending with the crowd."
        "Nobody spared them a glance."
        jump escapePart2_rp

    else:
        pass

    "Whenever they did, Rowan straightened his back and put on his fiercest expression, walking with the full authority that came with being the Bloodmeen seneschal."
    "Delane lowered her head and slanted her shoulders, doing her best to appear cowed and demure, as was expected of her."

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "Obviously, they attracted some attention. Once, Rowan saw two orcs eye Delane's chest with great interest. One of them even took a step towards them – but when he saw Rowan’s cold glare, he hesitated, and backed off."
        "Not wishing to give the orcs the opportunity to change their mind, Rowan grabbed Delane by the arm and hurried on."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        hide eleanor with moveoutright

    else:
        "Most of the time, their deception worked. Orcs walked past them, showing some interest in Rowan’s slave, but his cold glare usually scared them away."
        "Usually."
        "A pair of orcs took great interest in her chest, and despite Rowan’s scowling, started to approach the two humans."
        if delane_abduction == True:
            "Only for a drunk orc woman to crash right into them."
            wo "Ey, watch where yous goin’!"
            femorc "Ya watch where yous standin’!"
            "Taking advantage of the distraction, Rowan grabbed Delane by the arm and quickly hurried on."
            hide rowan with moveoutright
            hide eleanor with moveoutright
        else:
            "The hero broke into cold sweat. This could get real ugly really fast. "
            ro "This way."
            "He turned right, dragging Delane with him. He tried to lose them behind a large tent-"
            wo "Ey! You!"
            "- but failed."
            ro "(Damn it!)"
            "Running was not an option, it would only attract further attention."
            "He will have to get rid of them quietly."
            show wild orc neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
            ro "What do you want. Don’t you see I’m busy?"
            wo "Pretty slave you have here, humi."
            wo "Who she for?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            show wild orc neutral at midright with moveoutright
            "One of the orcs approached him, while another reached out for Delane. He grabbed her by the face roughly, but Delane didn’t give him the satisfaction of squealing in pain."
            wo "Hardy. Pretty. All teeth."
            wo "Must be worth a lot."
            "The situation was quickly spiraling out of control. He had to do something right now."

            menu:
                "Bluff your way out of this.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Oh she is worth a lot."
                    ro "That’s why she belongs to warchief Ulcro."
                    ro "You two morons are feeling up his property."
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        show wild orc neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                        "The orc pulled his hand back, as if Delane suddenly caught on fire. Sometimes the truth made for the best lies."
                        wo "Me no mess with Ulcro slave."
                        os "Ye. Move on."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Thank you. Have a pleasant night gentlemen."
                        hide wild orc with moveoutleft
                        hide orc soldier with moveoutleft
                        "Were the circumstances any different, he’d regret not having a hat he could tip mockingly."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        "But this was close. Way too close."
                        ele "Won’t they be trouble later? They might tell Ulcro they had seen you with me."
                        ro "And admit they witnessed you escaping and did nothing? "
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "I think we’re good."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        "He allowed himself one short chuckle, then focused on the task at hand. They were nowhere close to being out of the woods yet."
                        ro "Let’s go."
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        hide eleanor with moveoutright

                    else:
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        "The two orcs looked at one another, and burst out laughing."
                        wo "Ya, as if da warchief let you walk with his slaves."
                        "Hard way it was then."
                        if skillCheck == "success":
                            os "Att-!"
                            "Before the other orc could shout out an alarm, Rowan took out the knife behind his belt and threw it at his throat."
                            show bg26 with sshake
                            os "Grrlgh!"
                            "Bullseye."
                            "Luck was on his side. The blade hit dead on, stopping his scream midway."
                            hide orc soldier with dissolve
                            show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinright
                            "Rowan quickly took out his sword and finished off both orcs with a pair of quick strikes. Delane watched form the side without a word, pale with fear."
                            ro "Quickly, help me drag them to the side."
                            "She nodded numbly. Since they were now off the beaten track, they could hope nobody would discover the bodies until they were far away from the camp."
                            ro "Good, let’s go. Go!"
                            hide rowan with moveoutright
                            hide eleanor with moveoutright

                        else:
                            "He drew his sword, and turned to the other orc."
                            os "Attack! We’re being att-gah!"
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinright
                            "With a swift strike he cut his throat open. But the damage was done."
                            hide orc soldier with dissolve
                            ro "(Shit!)"
                            show bg26 with redflash
                            hide wild orc with dissolve
                            "He quickly finished off the other orc. Couldn’t let them question him."
                            ele "What now?"
                            "The plan was bust.They were too far away from their designated exit spot to reach it before somebody stops them."
                            "It was time for plan B."
                            ro "Don’t worry about it, just follow my lead."
                            "He sheathed his blade and quickly redirected their steps."
                            hide rowan with moveoutright
                            hide eleanor with moveoutright
                            jump desperateEscape_rp


                "Kill them.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Without a moment of hesitation, Rowan punched the first orc in the face, knocking him out in an instant."
                    hide wild orc with dissolve
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        os "Att-!"
                        "Before the other orc could shout out an alarm, Rowan took out the knife behind his belt and threw it at his throat."
                        show bg26 with sshake
                        os "Grrlgh!"
                        "Bullseye."
                        "Luck was on his side. The blade hit dead on, stopping his scream midway."
                        hide orc soldier with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinright
                        "Rowan quickly took out his sword and finished off both orcs with a pair of quick strikes. Delane watched form the side without a word, pale with fear."
                        ro "Quickly, help me drag them to the side."
                        "She nodded numbly. Since they were now off the beaten track, they could hope nobody would discover the bodies until they were far away from the camp."
                        ro "Good, let’s go. Go!"
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        hide eleanor with moveoutright

                    else:
                        "He drew his sword, and turned to the other orc."
                        os "Attack! We’re being att-gah!"
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinright
                        "With a swift strike he cut his throat open. But the damage was done."
                        hide orc soldier with dissolve
                        ro "(Shit!)"
                        show bg26 with redflash
                        hide wild orc with dissolve
                        "He quickly finished off the other orc. Couldn’t let them question him."
                        ele "What now?"
                        "The plan was bust.They were too far away from their designated exit spot to reach it before somebody stops them."
                        "It was time for plan B."
                        ro "Don’t worry about it, just follow my lead."
                        "He sheathed his blade and quickly redirected their steps."
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        hide eleanor with moveoutright
                        jump desperateEscape_rp

                "Let them feel Delane up." if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "You should check her tits. She’s hiding a great rack behind those clothes."
                    show eleanor rags angry at edgeright with dissolve
                    ele "What-?!"
                    ele "Ah!"
                    "Needing neither encouragement nor, honestly, permission, the orc quickly grabbed Delane under her clothes, roughly feeling her chest."
                    show wild orc neutral at midright with moveoutright
                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                    wo "Haha, nice!"
                    wo "Hey, check it out!"
                    "The orc called out to his friend, who quickly turned around."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "{i}~swish~{/i}"
                    hide wild orc with dissolve
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "The first orc didn’t even realize what was happening as Rowan slashed his throat open. The second got as far as opening his mouth to shout a warning, only to find his vocal slightly impaired by eight inches of sharp steel."
                    hide orc soldier with dissolve
                    ro "Help me hide the bodies. We’re off the beaten track, so they shouldn’t find them until it’s too late."
                    ele "..."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "… Sorry for using you as a bait?"
                    ele "Apology accepted. Let us never speak of this again."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show eleanor rags neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                    "But they didn’t the time to exchange one-liners. Time was of the essence."
                    hide rowan with moveoutright
                    hide eleanor with moveoutright

    label escapePart2_rp:

        scene black with fade
        scene bg26 with fade

        "One extremely stressful half an hour later, the camp's outer towers were within their sight."

        if delane_abduction == True:
            "They were nearing the verge of Ulcro’s side of the camp. The ground where all three factions bordered one another served as a sort of unofficial “no man’s land”."
            "Near the center of the camp, it was where most faction disputes took place. But at the edges of the camp, the area was largely left unattended."
            "It was where the guards were least attentive, if the were even present at all."
            "It was where the wall was either weakest, or literally nonexistent."
            "Once they reached it, Tarish agents could lead them out of the camp without any interruptions."

            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan turned around so Delane could see his face, and offered her a reassuring smile. “Almost there”, he mouthed."

            #escape outfit happy
            show eleanor rags happy at midright with dissolve

            "He saw her return the smile, tears forming in her eyes. She always did her best to maintain her composure, and given her background, she usually had little trouble doing so."
            "But with freedom so close, even she couldn't contain her emotions. She quickly wiped the tears away, and mouthed “thank you” to her hero once again. To her knight in shining armor."
            "Who was about to hand her over to a rival orc chieftain."

            ro "(...)"

            "Tarish agents awaited them."

            menu:
                "Deliver Delane to Tarish.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump tarishEscapeFinale_rp

                "Save Delane - find another way out. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "He couldn’t do it. Handing Delane over to Tarish was against everything he ever stood for."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                        "No matter how far he falls, no matter how much of his soul he sacrifices to the twins, some things were simply going too far."
                    else:
                        pass
                    ro "Change of plans. We’re going this way."
                    "He quickly changed directions, yanking Delane with him. This was stupid. He knew he was being stupid."
                    "But he’d rather be a fool, than a mindless tool in the hands of evil."
                    $ tarishBetrayed = True
                    jump desperateEscape_rp


        else:
            "They were nearing the verge of Ulcro’s side of the camp, next to Tarish’s ground. Near the center, this would be a fairly lively place. A sort of “no man’s land” where all three factions settled their disputes."
            "But at the edges of the camp, the area was largely left unattended."
            if delaneEscapePerimeter == 1:
                "And this was where the empty guard tower stood."
                jump escapeSoloFinale_rp
            else:
                "And this was where the Matron told them to go."
                jump escapeMatronFinale_rp

    label tarishEscapeFinale_rp:

        if rowanCorrupt > 69:
            "“You’re welcome” he mouthed in return, and continued on."

        else:
            "Rowan tightened his jaw and turned around, so his emotions wouldn’t betray him."
            "It was all for the greater good."

        "The no man’s land was the last risky part of their escape. On the other side of it, Rowan saw two cloaked figures - Tarish’s spies, sent to make sure nothing goes wrong."
        "They weren't needed. They went through without any of Ulcro's orcs paying attention to them."
        "The cloaked orcs continued to stare straight ahead. As the moved past them, one of the orcs turned around and started to follow them. Delane, having noticed it, tugged Rowan's cloak in panic."

        #escape outfit concerned
        show eleanor rags concerned at midright with dissolve

        ro "Relax. They’re allies."

        "She didn’t look reassured by his words, perhaps subconsciously realizing something was very, very wrong."
        "At the edge of the camp, the met another agent, this one waiting with four horses by his side.  Rowan put Delane on one and took the other."
        "For now, they had to keep Delane away from the camp, in case Ulcro decided to turn the whole place upside down before challenging Batri."

        femorc "Any complications?"

        ro "No, everything went smoothly."

        femorc "Good."

        "Delane looked like she wanted to add some questions of her own, but in the end kept her silence."
        "They left the camp without hurry. No alarms, no ruckus. From what Tarish told him earlier, it would be some hours before Ulcro learns Tarish has been kidnapped - by Batri, as the agents she placed by his side will tell him."
        "Delane still kept to herself, her enthusiasm now gone. With Rowan riding in front of her, and the two agents by her side, she could only follow them into the woods."

        if rowanCorrupt > 69:
            "She knew. She saw her 'hero' smirking as they left the camp, and she saw the way their “allies” were watching her. This was no rescue."
            "She had been tricked."

        else:
            "She knew. She knew the moment Rowan started to avoid her eyes. This was no rescue."
            "She was tricked."

        "By the forest, two more orcs awaited them. With chains and a gag ready."

        ele "These will not be necessary. I can see now nobody would come to my aid even if I screamed."

        #escape outfit neutral
        show eleanor rags neutral at midright with dissolve

        "She did not raise her voice, only corrected her posture, straightening her shoulders and raising her head high. With her hope shattered, dignity was the last thing she still possessed, and she would not abandon it, even in these circumstances."
        "Projecting nobility was one the last thing she still could do."
        "Now, as much as Rowan wanted to spend the rest of the night feeling her judgmental look on his back, his mission was now complete. Everything else was in Tarish's hands."

        ro "Tell your boss I'll be waiting for her message."

        femorc "Aye, betta stay out of da camp for now. Things about to get hot."

        ro "To put it mildly."

        "He was in no mood for banter. Rowan cued the horse forward and left Delane to her fate."

        # $ delane_status = "tarish"
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 10

        return

    label escapeSoloFinale_rp:

        scene bg26 with fade

        "Every step brought them closer to freedom. 100 meters. 80 meters. 50 meters."
        "The tower was clear in Rowan’s view."
        "It was empty."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        show eleanor rags neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        ro "Keep your head down. We might still get noticed by the other guards."

        "She nodded, her entire body tense. Close, so close."

        hide rowan with moveoutright
        hide eleanor with moveoutright

        "But they needn’t bother. No alarm was sounded. The orcs were painfully negligent, as they always were."
        "They left the camp, without anyone as much as batting an eyelash at them."
        "..."

        jump escapeSex_rp

    label escapeMatronFinale_rp:

        "The Matron waited for them by one of the towers near the edge of Ulcro's part of the camp."
        "A group of women accompanied her."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        show eleanor rags concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft

        "Delane grew tense as the orcs attention focused on the escapee, no doubt afraid they were discovered."

        ro "Don’t worry. They’re on our side."

        "The Matron’s plan for “escape” proved to be a simple one. She ordered both of them to keep their heads low, mixed with the rest of her allies, while she walked the group out of the camp."
        "The orcs had no concept of proper checkpoints. As long as they saw a familiar face they knew they could reasonably trust, they couldn’t care less for what they might have been doing."
        "And so Rowan saw the guards watch their procession, but not a single one showed even a modicum of interest in them."

        ro "Can’t believe it’s that easy…"

        orcm "Only because you’re with me. "

        "The matron cast a short glance at the noblewoman. With her slave disguise she didn’t look all that impressive, but the matron wasn’t one to get fooled by such tricks."
        "But her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she kept staring at her."

        orcm "I don’t know what’s more ridiculous."
        orcm "That her pussy is worth an entire tribe to the warchief."
        orcm "Or that its worth even more to you."

        ele "What did she say?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Nothing!"
        ro "(Good heavens…) "

        scene black with fade
        "..."

        scene bg3 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        show eleanor rags neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        orcm "We part ways here."
        orcm "My companions will make some false tracks. Might throw Ulcro’s men off."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I think you underestimate how crazy Ulcro is about Delane."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "He might actually send the entire camp after us."

        orcm "Possibly."

        "She didn’t look too concerned."

        ro "(If they catch us, it’s even better for her.)"

        "They were lucky his assessment of her proved right. She was a woman of honour. She would see their deal through."

        orcm "Now, don’t take it the wrong way, but I hope we never, ever see each other again."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "The feeling is mutual."

        orcm "Good luck, Rowan."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "… ?"
        ro "(When did I…?)"
        ele "Is something wrong, Rowan?"
        ro "..."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "No. Let’s go."

        hide rowan with moveoutright
        hide eleanor with moveoutright

        scene black with fade

        "..."

        jump escapeSex_rp

    label desperateEscape_rp:

        $ desperateEscape = True

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show eleanor rags concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        ro "(Shit, shit, shit!)"

        "Thanks to the arranged distraction and the late hour, their path was largely empty. Rowan picked up the pace, coming just short of a proper run."

        if tarishBetrayed == True:
            "Every second counted. Someone sounded the alarm, and the orcs were already leaving their tents. Tarish wouldn’t let them escape so easily."

        else:
            "With the alarm in full swing, every second counted. Many orcs had already left their tents, checking whatever was happening."
            "None of them stopped Rowan and Delane yet, but it was only a matter of time before someone would."

        "No matter. His destination was already in sight: One of the camp stables."
        "Orc rarely utilized cavalry, but they had some horses at their disposal. As long as- "

        ele "Rowan!"

        if tarishBetrayed == True:
            if skillCheck == "success":
                "He noticed the female orc at the last possible moment. Dagger in hand, she jumped him, trying to strike him directly in the heart. His good reflexes bought him a split of a second, but it wouldn’t be enough."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    show bg26 with sshake
                    "Without any time to dodge, he had to block the attack. Despite the massive difference in power between them, he somehow managed to grab her wrist with both hands, stopping the blade a mere inch from his body."
                    "The orc growled in fury and put her entire body into the push, but with the element of surprise gone she stood no chance."
                    ro "You-! "
                    "He twisted her arm and struck her under the chin. Her guard dropped, and he swiftly exploited the moment to wrench the dagger out of her hand and stab it into her neck."
                    ele "Rowan, are you-"
                    ro "I’m fine, go, go!"
                else:
                    "Without any time to dodge, he had to block the attack. He grabbed her by the wrist at the last possible moment-"
                    show bg26 with sshake
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "Only for the orc to push her entire body forward, overpowering his block and stabbing him in the shoulder."
                    ro "Ngh-!"
                    ele "Rowan!"
                    femorc "Did you really think you- AARGH!"
                    "He pushed his fingers into her eyes with no remorse. She didn’t let go, but after he followed with a punch under her chin, her gripped finally loosened."
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "He only needed a moment to draw his own dagger out and finish the job."
                    ele "Rowan, you’re bleeding!"
                    "The wound burned like hell. The blade went in deep - he felt it graze a bone."
                    "But he didn’t have time to evaluate the damage. He ripped it out, suppressing a cry of pain, and tossed it away."
                    ro "It’s - hrm - nothing."
                    ro "Don’t just stand like that, go, go!"
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["arms",], "deathblow")

            else:
                "He noticed the female orc at the last possible moment. Dagger in hand, she jumped him, trying to strike him directly in the heart."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    show bg26 with sshake
                    "Without any time to dodge, he had to block the attack. Despite the massive difference in power between them, he somehow managed to grab her wrist with both hands, stopping the blade a mere inch from his body."
                    "The orc growled in fury and put her entire body into the push, but with the element of surprise gone she stood no chance."
                    ro "You-! "
                    "He twisted her arm and struck her under the chin. Her guard dropped, and he swiftly exploited the moment to wrench the dagger out of her hand and stab it into her neck."
                    ele "Rowan, are you-"
                    ro "I’m fine, go, go!"
                else:
                    "Without any time to dodge, he had to block the attack. He grabbed her by the wrist at the last possible moment-"
                    show bg26 with sshake
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "Only for the orc to push her entire body forward, overpowering his block and stabbing him in the shoulder."
                    ro "Ngh-!"
                    ele "Rowan!"
                    femorc "Did you really think you- AARGH!"
                    "He pushed his fingers into her eyes with no remorse. She didn’t let go, but after he followed with a punch under her chin, her gripped finally loosened."
                    show bg26 with redflash
                    "He only needed a moment to draw his own dagger out and finish the job."
                    ele "Rowan, you’re bleeding!"
                    "The wound burned like hell. The blade went in deep - he felt it graze a bone."
                    "But he didn’t have time to evaluate the damage. He ripped it out, suppressing a cry of pain, and tossed it away."
                    ro "It’s - hrm - nothing."
                    ro "Don’t just stand like that, go, go!"
                    $ delaneEscapeWound = True
                    # $ avatar.take_damage (["arms",], "deathblow")


        else:
            show wild orc neutral at edgeright with moveinright
            "Finally one of the orcs proved to be smart enough to connect the dots. Two axes in hand, he jumped Rowan seemingly out of nowhere."
            "With no time to dodge, Rowan grabbed his assailant by the wrists, stopping the attack with ease. The enemy orc smaller than most warriors of his kind, so Rowan should be able to- "
            show bg26 with sshake
            "The orc slammed his head into Rowan’s face."
            if skillCheck == "success":
                ro "Nnn-!"
                "Despite the pain, Rowan stood his ground, and unceremoniously shoved his knee right into the orc’s groin."
                "His opponent proved far less resilient than he was. He hunched over, giving Rowan just enough time to wrench the axe from the orc’s hand and embed it into his skull."
                hide wild orc with dissolve
                ele "Rowan, are you-"
                ro "I’m fine. Go, go! "

            else:
                "The attack wasn’t strong enough to knock him out, but it did disorient him. He felt his grip weaken-"
                ele "Look out!"
                "-and the orc wrenched his hand free."
                show bg26 with sshake
                show bg26 with redflash
                "The axe struck his shoulder, easily piercing his armor, sinking deep into his body."
                ro "Nnh-! You-! "
                "The pain helped him come to his senses. He smashed his elbow into the orc’s face, returning the favour."
                "The orc stumbled back, giving Rowan enough time to draw his sword and skewer his opponent open."
                ele "Rowan, you’re bleeding!"
                "The wound burned like hell. The blade went in deep - he felt it graze a bone."
                "But he didn’t have time to evaluate the damage. He ripped it out, suppressing a cry of pain, and tossed it away."
                ro "It’s - hrm - nothing."
                ro "Don’t just stand like that, go, go!"
                $ delaneEscapeWound = True
                # $ avatar.take_damage (["arms",], "grevious_damage")


        "Their fight lasted seconds, but it was enough to have orcs glancing in their general direction. They were running out of time."
        "With a couple of swift jumps, Rowan was already at the stable’s entrance. With two swift strikes, he dispatched the still confused guards, while Delane caught up to him."

        ro "Can you ride?"

        ele "A little- "

        show eleanor rags neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        ro "Yes!"

        "Not good enough. They’d need one horse then."
        "He quickly took stock of what was available to them. Their choice was fairly limited, but it didn’t matter. He found the largest, strongest stallion he could get his hands on, and led them to it."

        ro "We’ll take this one. I’ll ride."
        ro "We only need to put some distance between us and the camp, then we’ll go by foot and lose them in the mountains."

        "He cut Delane’s binding, and ordered her to sit behind him."

        "Hold tight."

        scene bg26 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry behind bg26

        "They burst out of the stables, trampling the two orcs who were unlucky enough to a) Be born into the same age as Rowan Blackwell, and b) Stand in his way."

        ro "Keep your head low! And no matter what, don’t let go!"

        "The passed the guard towers, and took a straight line to the woods. He was Rowan Blackwell. As long as he had time, he would be able to cover their tracks-"
        "A lone arrow struck the ground next to them. Another went by his ear."
        "The next one grazed his horse."

        ro "What the- Calm down boy, calm down!"

        if delaneEscapeWound == True:
            if skillCheck == "success":
                "His body moved on it’s own, guided by instinct and years of experience. He kicked the stallion to keep it going, and leaned forward."
                "… It didn’t rear up."
                jump desperateEscapeSuccess_rp
            else:
                "The horse reared up, making them an easy target for the orcs."
                jump desperateEscapeFail_rp


        else:
            if skillCheck == "success":
                "He kicked the horse to keep it going, and leaned forward, stopping it from rearing up."
                jump desperateEscapeSuccess_rp

            else:
                "He tried to rein the horse in, but the wild beast would not listen. The horse reared up, making them an easy target for the orcs."
                jump desperateEscapeFail_rp

    label desperateEscapeSuccess_rp:

        ro "Giddy-up!"

        "Arrows continued to rain down on them, but few orcs every practiced archery."
        "Not a single one found its mark, and soon Rowan and Delane were out of their range."
        "…"

        jump escapeSex_rp

    label desperateEscapeFail_rp:

        show bg26 with sshake
        show bg26 with sshake
        show eleanor rags concerned behind bg26

        ele "Nngh! Nn!"

        ro "Delane?"

        ele "I’m f-fine!"
        ele "Go!"

        "Her voice wavered. Rowan feared the worst."
        "Arrows continued to rain down on them, leaving hero no time to worry about anything else. With titanic effort, he managed to get the horse under control, and direct it at the nearby force."
        "All he needed was time. Then… He’d make sure everything is okay."
        "Delane’s grip weakened."
        "…"

        jump delaneDeath_rp

    label escapeSex_rp:

        scene bg31 with fade

        show wild orc neutral at center with moveinleft
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        wo "Tracks went dis way."

        "Three Orc trackers looked around the wide stretch of rocky hills that sat nearly five miles from the orc camp. Surely trackers had gone other directions as well, all in an attempt to discover where their lost prisoner had gone."
        "And perhaps it would have worked, if they were not trying to find one of the foremost trackers and scouts of the age."

        os "Many caves. Lots ‘o hidey holes."

        wo "Maybe. But, many caves to check. Many places to search still."

        "The orcs somberly agreed to move on. There was just too little they could do here."

        hide wild orc with moveoutright
        hide orc soldier with moveoutright

        "In secret, eyes watching from a strategically chosen cave watched their departure. It meant safety."

        show eleanor rags happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ele "Are they gone?"

        ro "For now. They’ve moved on, but the possibility of them doubling back is real."

        if desperateEscape == True:
            "The fact that they sent parties out to track them was not of much concern. He’d planned for this ahead of time, and his extra time gained from not raising the alarms allowed a more deliberate escape with fewer tracks. The odds of discovery were quite low."

            #if delaneEscapePerimeter == 2:
            "Especially with the matron’s fake tracks. It was a miracle they even managed to get this far."

            #else:
                #pass
        else:
            pass

        "Delane slumped against the side of the cave wall. The two had set up a small camp a bit deeper in, where any light they’d make wouldn’t be spotted from the outside."

        ro "We need to remain here for the next few hours. Until dusk at least. Moving in the day time is too dangerous."

        "She nodded silently to Rowan’s suggestion and followed him deeper into the cave where their campfire waited."
        "The two huddled up close to each other for warmth in the dark bowel of the cave."

        ele "I suppose...I’m free now aren’t I?"

        ro "I suppose you are. How does it feel?"

        "Delane paused to consider it. The weariness of the night still weighed on her."

        ele "It would feel a good deal better if I were not trapped in a cave. Out one prison, into another."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’re never happy."

        "Delane chuckled."

        ele "I suppose the distinction is that my former prison could only be escaped by bedding an orc. This one I merely have to wait until nightfall without making too much of a fuss."

        ro "An impossible task. I know."

        "She elbowed him in the ribs."

        ele "Still, I have you to thank for all of this. Truly. You’re everything the tales told and more."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        if tarishBetrayed == True:
            "Rowan smiled weakly. She couldn’t be further from truth. She’ll never know how close he was to handing her over to Tarish."
            "In the end, he did the right thing. He proved the man they called the Hero of Karst was someone more than shunned, lowly general, or a slave to demonic forces."
            "Proved to Delane, and to himself."
            "But he couldn’t banish the dark thoughts that now plagued his mind. If he was this close to falling off the wagon now, how will he handle the trails that laid ahead? The necklace still hanged from his neck like an anchor that dragged him further into the darkness. He was still chained to the twins."
            "Will he be able to make the right call next time as well?"

        else:
            if rowanCorrupt < 30:
                "Rowan smiled weakly. Even hearing someone say that to him was something of a surprise and something of a gut punch. He’d been the captive of the twins for so many months now. And before that, he’d been an outcast."
                "For just this brief moment, Rowan was the hero of the six realms again. Not the man who’d done nothing as his world burned around him."
                "But, then that moment passed."

            else:
                "Rowan smiled weakly. The notion of what Lady Delane was saying struck him as almost absurd. He saved her to be sure. He might put on the face of the hero everyone had once called him. But, she didn’t understand him. She didn’t understand what he had done to get to this moment."
                "She didn’t understand what he would be willing to do to keep muddling through."
                "What she said came from a place of gratitude, but to Rowan’s ears it all sounded like were his own lies."

        "After that the clock started to tick away. There was plenty of firewood, and Rowan had prepared food. So they were never in the dark nor miserable. But, the most tiresome thing was the monotony. On a few occasions, Rowan stealthily checked the entrance to determine time of day."
        "What had first been pleasant conversation turned into long stretches of quiet. They were both too weary and had their mind too focused on the matter of making sure they got away from the orcs."
        "But, it was not the only thing that their minds were focused on. Or at least it didn’t seem to be for Lady Delane."
        "Rowan was surprised when, about three hours into their time in the cavern, Lady Delane rested her head on his shoulder. The intimacy of the contact was surprising. But, he did not shake her off or otherwise dissuade her. She had been through a lot."
        "But, amidst the dim light of the fire, Rowan could see the eyes she made towards him. They were not merely appreciation."
        "More time passed in silence. It was only broken when Rowan felt a hand on his leg. He turned to face Eleanor and found her face perilously close to his."

        ele "You’ve done so much for me. You helped me maintain my resolve. You gave me something to hope for. And now, you’ve gone a step further. You saved me."

        ele "Had it not been for you, I would probably have died back at that encampment."

        "Her hand slid up his leg."
        "The two exchanged a glance. Her intentions could not have been any clearer had she said them out loud. If he wanted this, she would let him have her. The only question was if he wanted this."

        menu:
            "Refuse her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Before it could get any further, Rowan shook his head and carefully removed Lady Eleanor’s hand from his leg. He was here to rescue her, not here to fuck her. There was just no way he could bring himself to do that."
                "She blinked twice at this sudden refusal, but didn’t press the issue. This was a terse situation. She would understand."
                jump escapeSexConclusion_rp

            "Sleep with Delane. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ eleanorCaveSex = True
                "Part of Rowan’s brain reminded him of their situation. They were alone in the woods with no backup and if discovered would be in grave danger. But, they were relatively safe here in the cave. The chance of being overheard would be minimal."
                "They had time to kill. Why not have some fun with it?"
                #noble reward CG#1
                scene cg407 with fade
                show eleanor rags happy behind cg407
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg407
                pause 3
                "Rowan didn’t do anything to dissuade the movement of her hand, even as it crept further and further up. At the first brush of her fingers against the exterior fabric covering his crotch, he exhaled sharply."
                ele "I just want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I want to…"
                "She slowly unlaced his breaches, and pushed her right hand all the way to his cock. He groaned out at the feeling of her delicate skin against his cock."
                ele "I want to give you some kind of token of my appreciation…"
                "Behind them, the shadow on the cave wall reflected their movement. Delane’s shadow grew closer to his until their distinct outlines became hard to see. But, when she put her hands to his cock, the way he leaned backwards re-established their outlines."
                ro "Ah…"
                "He felt the friction of her hand as it started a pumping gesture. In moment, he went from semi erect to straining with hardness. In the back of his mind he idly realized that this probably wasn’t the first man she’d jerked off."
                "But, curiosity as to the sexual escapades of a young lady in waiting took a back seat behind the raw sensation of it."
                "Stroke. She leaned in closer, eagerly awaiting his reaction. Stroke. His eyes fluttered slightly. Stroke."
                ro "Wait."
                "Delane’s hand paused in place."
                ro "Not your hand."
                "Lady Delane swallowed softly. By all rights he was well out of line. Even engaging in any sexual activity with a noblewoman was supposedly out of bounds for a commoner. Asking for penetrative sex all the more so."
                "Yet, Delane’s response was to nod. Even to start working the dirty tags that were as close as she had to an outfit off of her head. Apparently, class distinctions mattered little to two aroused traumatized people hiding in a cave."
                ele "Okay. Not my hand. But, you’re going to have to lay back, alright?"
                "Rowan had already been leaning backwards, but at Lady Eleanor’s request he adopted a position on his back, cock still erect and now pointed upwards. One presumed that the lady had learned to ride."
                #noble reward CG#2
                scene cg341 with fade
                show eleanor naked aroused behind cg341
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg341
                pause 3
                "Lady Eleanor stood up. Her body shone in the fire light with sweat. Then, with some apprehension she lowered herself down slowly. He felt something wet and hot on the very tip of his cock, and as she lowered herself the feeling crept down with her."
                "His hands dug into her hips. He saw the expression on her face shift to a gasp. It too was framed by the firelight. Now the shadow on the wall showed a single figure, albeit one with a wide base."
                ele "F...fuck."
                "Her hips rolled and bucked. At first slowly, but it did not take long for her to find her rhythm. This motion too, while not practiced, had the finesse of someone who had done it before. Before long she was bouncing up and down on his cock in a steady rhythm."
                "She cried out loudly, rolling her head back."
                ro "We have to...keep quiet…"
                "She blushed."
                ele "Right. Sorry."
                #noble reward CG#2 var 2
                show cg342 with dissolve
                pause 0.1
                show cg343 with dissolve
                pause 0.1
                show cg344 with dissolve
                pause 0.1
                show cg345 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "The brief blip threw off her rhythm, but it only took a few seconds for her to regain the momentum. Rolling and bouncing as she threw herself down at his cock. Only this time with a single hand covering her mouth to prevent her from being too loud."
                "Rowan’s nails dug into her body. Every roll of her hips brought with it more pleasure. More friction. More of the addictive motion of his cock inside of her. He too had to stifle noises."
                "Starkly lit by the flicker of the campfire. Punctuated only by what few moans and grunts they let out their hushed lips. The movement of their bodies was desperate, and weary. The sex of the reprieved and the scared."
                ele "I’m going to…"
                ro "...Shh"
                show cg346 with dissolve
                pause 0.1
                show cg347 with sshake
                pause 0.1
                show cg347 with sshake
                pause 0.1
                show cg348 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Lady Delane threw both hands to her mouth to cover the long moan she was about to release. She started to spasm, and threw herself downward on him with one last burst of energy. A burst that was, in-turn, just enough to send him over the edge with her."
                "He gasped, and felt his load release. A moment later, he slumped down on the ground, and she collapsed forward on to him. Their breaths rose and fell almost in tandem and her breath touched his neck."
                ele "I’ve been waiting for you to do that since the first time you visited."
                ro  "That early?"
                "Delane gave a weak chuckle."
                ele "Will you not excuse a lady her knight in shining armor?"
                ro "My lady, I’m no knight."
                ele "A good thing too. If you were, you might have known better than to risk bedding someone above your station."
                "The two curled up together. Rowan only bothered to move when he saw how low the fire had gotten. The two were pressed together for the entire remainder of the their time together in the cave."

    label escapeSexConclusion_rp:

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black

        "After enough time had passed, Rowan checked the entrance of the cave again. Now the time was ripe. Dusk had settled in and visibility would be low. Now it was time to move."

        ro "Move fast, keep quiet. Don’t talk unless absolutely necessary. If we keep a steady pace we should be to a keep by nightfall."

        scene bg31 with fade

        "The following hours felt ploddingly slow, as every shadow behind every tree and every leaf crunch signaled a possible discovery. But, in truth it was rather dull. Slow careful movement, high strung nerves, and an absence of encounters."
        "As dawn approached, Rowan spotted a small keep in the distance. His intended destination. Hardly a powerful fortress, but it would due for making sure Delane reunited with her family safe and sound."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show eleanor rags happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        "He stopped her by the side of the road."

        ro "This is where we part ways. I need to return so my absence is not felt strongly. But, you need to continue on. If possible, all the way to Rastedel. They need to know that the situation out in the provinces are dire."

        "She nodded stoically, but he caught the flash of sadness in her eyes."

        ele "I will do as you bid. No one has more experience with the rampaging orcs than I."

        "Rowan sincerely doubted that was true."

        ele "And the prospect of reunification with my family is one I cannot pass up for a moment."
        ele "What about you though? Will you be alright?"

        ro "You don’t have to worry about me. I’m a survivor. I’ve lived through a lot already. I imagine I’ll be in Rastedel again before too long. We can talk then."

        "Delane gave a soft nod then surprised him with a long hug. When it was released, Rowan turned and bade her a wordless farewell. His mind was already racing with other thoughts."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "The easy part was over. Without delane, his attempts to co-opt the various Orcish factions were in dire jeopardy. Back at Bloodmeen, Andras and Jezera would almost certainly be angry about the situation, even if they didn’t understand how critical a role Rowan had played in the failure."
        "Still, he walked back with his head a bit higher then it had been in a long time. He was a little bit more like the man who’d first come to Bloodmeen such a deceptively short time ago."

        # $ delane_status = "free"
        # $ rowanCorrupt -= 10
        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(10)

        return

    label delaneDeath_rp:

        scene bg31 with fade

        show wild orc neutral at center with moveinleft
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        wo "Tracks went dis way."

        "Three Orc trackers looked around the wide stretch of rocky hills that sat nearly five miles from the orc camp. Surely trackers had gone other directions as well, all in an attempt to discover where their lost prisoner had gone."
        "And perhaps it would have worked, if they were not trying to find one of the foremost trackers and scouts of the age."

        os "Many caves. Lots ‘o hidey holes."

        wo "Maybe. But, many caves to check. Many places to search still."

        "The orcs somberly agreed to move on. There was just too little they could do here."

        hide wild orc with moveoutright
        hide orc soldier with moveoutright

        "In secret, eyes watching from a strategically chosen cave watched their departure. It meant safety. It meant hope."

        "And the latter in particular was in short supply."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "They’re gone."

        "A wheezing, distant sound from somewhere deeper in the cave was his only response. Delane couldn't walk up to see the orcs leave."
        "She barely had the strength to stay conscious."
        "... He failed. He promised to get her to safety, and he failed. During their escape, two arrows struck her back. One he was able to remove."
        "The other reached her lung."

        if skillCheck == "success":
            "He cursed his medicinal knowledge. He knew removing the arrow would likely cause the lung to collapse, and that, adding to Delane’s already extensive injuries, would quickly kill her."
            "He needed somewhere she could rest, and a trained Medicus that could help him stabilize her condition."
            "But neither of these were an option to him."

        else:
            "He knew some first aid, but a wound like that… Was beyond him. She needed a trained Medicus."
            "And there were none in sight."

        "Swallowing heavily, he walked further into the cave, where he set their camp. He had Delane rest on the side, close to the fire."

        ro "Try not to say anything. You’ll only make it worse. "

        "Again, the wheezing sound was his only response, but this time he saw her glare, and could almost hear the cutting remark. All the months of captivity could not break her spirit."
        "And neither would death."
        "…"
        "He couldn’t tell her. He didn’t have the heart."
        "But she felt it coming. She would not leave this cave alive."

        if tarishBetrayed == True:
            "And it was his fault. If he didn’t side with Tarish, if he didn’t waver in his convictions – maybe things would turn out differently."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)

        else:
            "And it was his fault. If only he was better. Faster. Stronger."
            "If only he was the hero everyone took him for. "

        "He knelt besides her. They had plenty of food ready, but she refused to eat any of it. She mostly just stared into nothingness, occasionally grimacing."
        "He couldn't leave her like that. He reached for one of the water bags, and brought it to her lips."

        ro "Drink. You need to stay hydrated. "

        show eleanor rags concerned behind bg31

        if ulcro_path > 1:
            "She shook her head slowly. She didn’t have the strength for anything more."
            ele "Should’ve… "
            "Her face contorted from the pain, but she refused to surrender to it. "
            ele "Gone… With… "
            ele "Ulcro… "
            "Her foggy eyes stared at him accusingly. Rowan put the water bag in her mouth, forcing her to drink at least a little bit. "
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)

        else:
            "She showed no signs of registering the water in Rowan’s hand. Her lips moved, but not to drink from it."
            ele "Wanted… "
            "Her face contorted from the pain, but she refused to surrender to it."
            ele "To… Do…"
            ele "So… Much…"
            "Her foggy eyes found his, searching for some reassurance. Rowan tried to smile, only to feel it falter."
            "Her own mouth twitched slightly. She appreciated the attempt, if anything."
            "Gently, he put the water bag in her mouth, making her drink at least a little bit."

        ro "You will get out of here, my lady. "

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You will return to your family."
        ro "You will yet decide what you want to do with your life."
        ro "I can’t have you giving up here. "
        ro "That would be unbecoming for Lady Eleanor of House Delane."

        "His words, once spoken with such gusto, now sounded hollow even to him. But he had to try and bring her spirits up."
        "He saw her eyes water. She closed them, and tried to turn her head away. With no success."

        hide rowan with dissolve

        "Rowan turned around, deciding to give her some privacy."
        "She was too proud to cry."
        "So he pretended he didn’t hear her."

        scene black with fade

        "..."

        scene bg3 with fade

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "When the sun had risen, Delane was dead."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

        "He put the fire out, then took out a handkerchief and his water bag."
        "Delicately, he cleaned Delane’s face. She still had the make-up from the night before. It did not become her."
        "Neither did the rags he had her wear for their escape, but he didn't have anything better at hand."
        "She’d hate being buried like that."

        ro "..."

        "He needed a grave for her. He didn’t bring a shovel."
        "A stone mound would have to do."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        "The orcs were gone, chasing other leads. The mountainside was empty."

        scene black with fade

        "For the next several hours, he wandered around the empty caves, looking for rocks, both big and small."
        "Finally, he had gathered enough to make a modest pile."

        scene bg3 with fade

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        "After some consideration, he ended up carrying her body outside, to the edge of the nearby forest."
        "Delane liked to stroll the family gardens in the mornings. She’d enjoy being buried under the open sky, rather than in a cave."
        "…"
        "Stone after stone, he put the mound together. One lifeless rock after another, placed on Delane’s lifeless body."

        ro "..."

        "An hour later, the mound was ready. Only Delane’s head was visible from the impromptu grave."
        "One last thing remained."
        "Rowan cleared his throat."

        ro "Delane-"

        "His voice broke. He cleared his throat again."

        ro "Delane... "

        "No, wrong. He cleared his throat again."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "Lady Eleanor of House Delane was- "

        menu:
            "A remarkable woman.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "A woman of incredible character. Strong. Perceptive. Intelligent."
                ro "She showed unparalleled resilience in the face of adversity, unwilling to betray her ideals."

            "A noble worthy of her title.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "She was young, and sheltered."
                ro "But unlike many in her position, she didn’t look down on others. She understood the responsibilities that came with her lineage, and did her best to rise to the occasion."

            "Someone who deserved better.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "A wonderful woman, taken from us far too early."
                ro "With her wit and strength she would have made the Delane house proud, but now..."

        ro "The world is a lesser place without her."
        ro "All who knew her, would admire- "

        menu:
            "Her vast knowledge.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "She loved books. She loved to read."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "She once remarked she would kill for a book, and I have no doubts she would make true of this threat, had she stayed in captivity any longer."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

            "Her cutting tongue.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "If Ulcro understood enough of human etiquette, her offhanded jabs would quickly get her beheaded."
                ro "I imagine she would dryly complain how the low quality of the executioner's axe hardly beseeches a woman of her status."

            "Her incredible bravery.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Despite the looming threat, the only time I ever saw fear in her eyes, was when she thought of her parents, and their whereabouts."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "Well, and maybe when we sneaked through the camp, but that’s understandable."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "..."
        ro "I’ll never forget how-"

        menu:
            "She ordered him to save her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "“Whether you came here to rescue me or not, it is your mission now!”"
                ro "Haha… The nerve..."

            "Her face lit up every time she saw him visit.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "All week, all you did was wait for my arrival. You tried to be nonchalant, but your smile betrayed you in an instant."
                ro "…. I’m sorry I couldn’t spend more time with you."

            "She reminded him what it meant to be a hero.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I knew the consequences of going against the twins would be dire, but… "
                ro "I just couldn’t leave you there."
                ro "Nobody gets left behind."

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "…"

        menu:
            "(Say a prayer to Solansia)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "May your soul find peace with the Goddess, Delane."

            "(Say nothing)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "May your soul find peace in the afterlife, Delane."

        ro "..."

        "He didn’t know what else to add."
        "He took the last set of stones, and placed them over Delane's face, covering her up completely."
        "It was over."
        "Another ally gone."
        "..."
        "After they had slain Karnas, he thought he was putting these times behind him."
        "That he would never again be responsible for his shortcomings killing someone important to him."
        "Now…"
        "The village elder was dead…"
        "And so was Delane."
        "How many more?"

        ro "..."

        menu:
            "He must never forget what he fights for.":# if serveChoice != 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "This was only the beginning. As long as he serves the twins he will have to take further and further risks in order to protect that what is most precious to him."
                "This time, he failed."
                "He will not do so again."
                # $ rowanCorrupt -= 5
                jump delaneDeathConc_rp

            "It will only get worse. He must steel his heart.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "This was only the beginning. He will likely have to sacrifice more, much more, as long as he serves the twins. He can’t despair over every life lost."
                ro "(I will not let this break me)."
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                jump delaneDeathConc_rp

            "… It’s too much …":# if avatar.guilt > 70:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "..."
                "Bound by magic, under constant threat of death and torture..."
                "His wife sharing his misery, her only crime being married to the man she loves."
                "Bringing pain and agony wherever he arrived..."
                "He was supposed to be a hero…"
                "But he couldn’t save even a single soul."
                ro "..."
                "His eyes wandered to the knife by his side. His hand drew it almost of its own accord."
                "What was the point in all of this? He was only making the situation worse."
                "Maybe…"
                "Maybe it would be better to just…"
                "End it?"
                menu:
                    "It’s for the best.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "He aimed the blade at his heart."
                        "It would be quick. He would not miss."
                        "The hero of legends never missed."
                        ro "(I’m sorry everyone.)"
                        ro "(It’s for the best.)"
                        ro "(Good luck, Alexia.)"
                        ro "(I love you.)"
                        show bg3 with sshake
                        show bg3 with redflash
                        scene black with fade
                        "..."
                        # $ renpy.full_restart()

                    "… No.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "His hand shaking, he put the knife away."
                        "He couldn’t."
                        "Despite everything…"
                        "This was not the end."
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                        jump delaneDeathConc_rp

    label delaneDeathConc_rp:

        "He took one last moment to take a look at Delane’s grave."
        "With any luck, the orcs won’t find the mound and her body will be left undisturbed."
        "It was all he could hope for."
        "…"

        scene bg31 with fade

        "For the remainder of the week, he ended up wandering across northern Rosaria, avoiding all settlements and people. He needed to clear his head. At least a little bit."
        "Soon enough, the amulet called."
        "The twins awaited."

        # $ delane_status = "dead"

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_explore_5.rpy
label claminOrciadTrip_rp:

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = True
        "No":
            $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = False

    $ gobFamDinner = True

    scene bg26 with fade

    "The sun was still rising as Rowan surveyed the massive orc camp. Everything seemed normal, or as normal as things could be in a sprawling stretch of tents and campfires filled with contentious monsters who were always ready for a good fight."
    "Glancing out towards the wider Rosarian plain, Rowan’s sharp eyes caught a glint of movement. At first, he imagined it might be a group of scouts, but as he looked closer, he noticed it was not people, but a wagon. Cla-Min’s caravan to be specific."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "As the Goblin matriarch pulled up in front of Rowan, she eagerly waved to him."

    cla "Ho!"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "The spunky woman with excited red eyes and lovely green skin hopped down. Soon she greeted him with a smile on her lips and a coquettish hand upon her hip."

    cla "My own personal valet, he-he."

    "Cla-Min joked while her eyes constantly bounced between Rowan and the settlement in front of her. It was truly a sight to see. She let out a slow whistle while scratching an ear."

    cla "This camp really is something to see."

    "The green-skinned woman’s mischievous red eyes shone like rubies as she looked at Rowan."

    cla "I would have arrived sooner if someone told me the handsomest orc in the whole place would be here to greet me."
    ro "I take it your ride here was a smooth one, Cla-Min."
    cla "It was fine, a bit dull for a bit there, but nothing perks me up like an opportunity for business. Especially one that comes with an invitation from you."
    ro "You’re welcome. I imagine the orcs will really enjoy such a cheery visitor with a wagon full of new blades for them to get their claws on."
    cla "And shiny baubles, exotic delicacies and fine fur coats. Those orcs better keep their wits about them, or I’ll leave them without so much as a piece of lint."
    ro "That’s what I’m counting on. Alright. Let’s get you unpacked."

    show clamin happy at edgeright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace happy at center with moveoutright

    "Cla-Min gave him a wide grin and then turned towards her caravan. With a well-practiced whistle from their leader, the rest of the Cla clan erupted from the wagon like circus tumblers."
    "The pack that included every member of Cla-Min’s extended family set off to work turning the caravan from traveling home away from home to a storefront for the orcs."

    cla "Cla-Min, don’t take out that box. Orcs don’t need soap and fragrances."

    "Rowan watched as the younger Min frowned and then turned around to remove the crate from the selling area."

    cla "Rowan, can you lend a hand? If he keeps trying to lug those suits of plate, he’s going to break something. Probably his lazy back."

    hide clamin with moveoutright
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene bg26 with fade

    "Nodding towards Cla-Min, Rowan was happy to join in on the work. He’d been the one to suggest the idea of coming to the orc war camp, so it was best if he helped things go as smoothly as possible."
    "The work continued. The Min matriarch displayed a meticulous approach to maximizing her sales for the day. She was doting to those who worked hard, but stern to those who seemed to slack off."
    "As much as she loved her family, Cla-Min kept them on a short leash until she was satisfied with the presentation."

    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    cla "Everything is ready."

    if orciad_state == 2:
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        cla "Now this is where I would normally ask what con are we running… But apparently I missed all the fun! "
        ro "I wouldn’t call it that way. But yeah, that particular debacle has already been resolved. So we’re here for one purpose only - making money."
        cla "Ah, the magic words! Their coins are as good as ours - they just haven’t found their way into our coffers yet."
        $ claminShop = 'making money'

    else:
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        cla "Alright, now spill the beans, love. There’s no way the grand trickster invited me all the way here just to make money. Not with all the scheming and backstabbing going around in the camp!"
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Andras and Jezera have been talking?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
        cla "So do our orcs. I know the basics, but you have to fill me in on the details. What is it you really want me to do here? "
        menu:
            "Have her buy back anything Delane might be interested in.":# if rowan_met_ulcro and met_with_delane and delane_corrupt == False and delane_corruption == False and tarish_path == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "There’s a noblewoman in dire need of luxuries, some of which were repossessed by the orcs here. If they wish to sell them-"
                cla "Consider them bought."
                $ claminShop = 'delane gifts'
                # $ delane_gifts += 5

            "Have her favour Batri’s men.":# if rowan_met_batri and tarish_path == False and delane_trust < 3:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He pointed to a symbol in the distance."
                ro "See that? Many of Batri’s men carry that symbol. If you have any high-quality equipment, keep it for them only."
                cla "I do have some: swords, axes and armor. I promise you they’ll find new homes by the time the sun sets."
                $ claminShop = 'batri swords'
                # $ batri_power += 2

            "Have her find some orcs to use for Delane’s rescue. (Just don’t mention the last part)":# if delane_status == "tent" and delane_plan == True and delane_corrupt == False and delane_corruption == False and delaneDistraction == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I need… Goons."
                cla "Any particular requirements on the quality of them?"
                ro "Easily intimidated into obedience."
                cla "There’s always someone desperate looking for a lucky break. Before the sun sets, I will find you the best orc servants money can buy."
                $ claminShop = 'orc blackmail'
                #blackmailed orcs var for escape - TODO

            "No hidden agenda - focus on making money.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I want you to make a profit, Cla-Min. Don’t worry about anything else - I have it covered."
                show clamin angry at midright with dissolve
                cla "Stinkspuds! I was really hoping to get into some trickery with you by my side."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "Buuuut making money is my second favourite activity, so I’ll let it slide. This time."
                $ claminShop = 'making money'
                # $ change_treasury(50)
                # $ change_personal_gold(100)

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show clamin neutral at center with moveoutleft

    "Within an hour of their arrival, the camp filled with brutal orc warriors became a bustling marketplace. By Rowan’s eye, almost all of the movement was centered on Cla-Min’s shop."
    " At first, most of the orcs regarded the tents and stands with annoyance that someone else had claimed part of their territory without so much as a ‘by your leave’."

    show clamin happy at center with dissolve

    "But all the cute woman had to do was open her mouth and it was like every word was filled with grog in the minds of the bulky barbarians."

    cla "Come on, everyone! We’ve only the finest goods for ya. Need a new sword? I’ve got everything from bastards to claymores. Need a shield? We’ve got iron, hide, wood, the works."

    "Cla-Min spoke from a crate while using her hands and even her hips to do a little flourish as she pointed out the racks and stores of items holding everything a blood-thirsty greenskin could want."

    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "It wasn’t long before the first orc got brave or bold enough to inspect the steel. He appeared fairly sure that there was no trickery afoot. No magic or pig shit. Despite his natural indifference to Cla-Min’s people, he knew a good sword when he saw it."

    wo "Forty gold."

    hide clamin with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at midright with moveinright
    show clamin happy at center with dissolve

    "Cla-Min didn’t say a word. Instead, she gave the orc a little wiggle of her finger to draw him in. Not wanting to display any sign that he was scared of a little pint-sized goblin, let alone a goblin woman, he quickly got closer."
    "Rowan’s companion fixed the warrior with a short grin that changed into a look of utter bemusement."

    cla "Come on…"
    wo "What?"

    "Cla-Min ran a finger along the lower heft of the blade. The orc’s big eyes watched, and he let out a snort as she danced her digits down to the hilt."

    cla "This is castle-forged steel. I know a big strong man like you must have noticed the little details…"
    wo "Ah… o’ course. O’ Course I did!"
    wo "But it’s… well its little-bitty human blade. Not much bigger n’ my ol’ dagger, only good for stabbing, not hacking! So… fifty gold, because it does shine nice. Hrh harh… can blind enemy!"
    cla "It is an impressive sword. But what’s doubly impressive is that you noticed the craftsmanship. What’s your name?"
    wo "Me Throg."
    cla "Throg, when you give me what that blade is worth, you know what all your jealous friends will say?"
    wo "No…"
    cla "They’ll say: “Throg is the smartest orc. The cleverest orc. He bought that special sword for a hundred gold coins, because he was the first in line!” The next man might have to pay two hundred, or three hundred, or more-"

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    "The orc grunted and shifted a bit on his toes. Rowan noted with amusement that the man seemed almost a little nervous around the goblin lass and her effortless charisma."

    wo "Throg is very smart orc, but a hundred…. That is all Throg has."
    cla "But that will pass. With this sword by your side, the treasure will flow to you like blood from bandits."

    "That idea absolutely sparked something within him. Throg loved the idea of getting to boss around his lessers. And, by the way the Goblin made it sound, he’d soon have more than enough gold thanks to the impressive sword. Finally, he shoved out his meaty paw."

    wo "Fine. Hundred gold. Just make sure to rub it in Volgo’s face how smart Throg is, if he comes by little girl’s shop. Hahaha. He’ll hate dat!"

    hide wild orc with moveoutright

    show clamin happy at midright with moveoutright

    cla "His fault for not being as sharp as you. Pleasure doing business with you, Throg. Oh assistant…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan realized she was gesturing to him. Unfolding his arms, the ex-hero walked up and craned his neck towards his goblin ‘boss’."

    ro "Yes?"

    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan said, happy to humor Cla-Min after watching her wheel and deal with the first customer of the day."

    cla "Find our new friend a good scabbard to go with his new sword."

    show clamin neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    cla "Be quick about it though, it looks like everyone wants a good deal of their own…"

    hide clamin with moveoutright

    ro "Right away."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    scene bg26 with fade

    "The day continued much the same as that moment. Every chance she got, Cla-Min swindled and ensnared, lobbied and begged. At numerous points, she even had Rowan help her sell ‘poisoned daggers’ and ‘antidotes.’"
    "The brown-haired human had never thought about a life on stage, but with Cla-Min’s encouragement and the thrill of hoodwinking a few orcs, he was really starting to get into the swing of playing the dead and the newly resurrected."

    menu:
        "Help Cla-Min shine.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "With each new customer, Rowan grew more and more surprised at her ability to filch from them wholesale. It was a marvel that any orc that came to Cla-Mins shop managed to walk away with any coin at all."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft
            show clamin happy at midright with moveinright
            ro "I wager you could sell a snail their own shell."
            cla "Hah. That would be too easy. I can do much more… speaking of which-"
            "Rowan noticed her red eyes widen as a particularly hulking orc made his way towards the shop."
            cla "Stay sharp, Rowan."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            show clamin happy at midleft with moveoutleft
            show wild orc neutral at midright with moveinright
            "Cla-Min seized his hand and dragged him by his fingers. The pair arrived at the orc as he was looking at a set of throwing axes."
            "Rowan noticed the bracelets on his arm. They appeared, maybe elvish in design, for they shined even without daylight. There was some inscription artfully chiseled in the metal."
            "Cla-Min didn’t start things off by letting the orc know she was interested in his bracers. Instead, she started off by showing him a better set of axes and after telling him how much gold they’d go for, she offered a different method of payment."
            cla "Those bracelets of yours look mighty fine, come to think of it. How about you trade me the axes for them? I’ll even toss you in a nice bandolier perfect to hold the axes."
            wo "Hmmm. These bracers with me long time. Bring good luck."
            "The bulky humanoid folded his arms."
            wo "Axes and something special. Then you have deal, little one."
            cla "Well I do have this pendant. It might not look like much, but it has secret magic formed inside this jewel here."
            wo "Oh… is very shiny. What make it fancy?"
            show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
            cla "Inside this jewel… is a pleasure demon. Her name is… Rovania. All you have to do to enjoy a night of pleasure with her is complete a simple command."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            wo "Bah… sounds like goblin trick. How I know that not just fake amulet with fake ruby?"
            "Cla-Min’s red eyes glanced towards Rowan. He saw the corner of her mouth pull back in a small grin. Then the goblin woman pointed a clawed finger his way."
            cla "Meet my associate, the steward of the famous castle Bloodmeen. He knows everything there is to know about demonic amulets. Don’t you, Rowan? "
            "Rowan looked at his own ‘actual’ demonic amulet and then leaned in closer to the orc. He nodded sagely, running his hand across the smooth sapphire."
            ro "I’ve had this one for… longer than I care to remember, haha."
            "Rowan motioned towards the item in Cla-Min’s hand."
            ro "Trust me when I say, I can almost feel the demon’s presence."
            wo "And when I said the magic word, demon lady serves me?"
            cla "She’ll make you experience things you’ve never dreamed of! But you better keep it a secret if you buy it, your friends will want a spin too."
            wo "What is magic word?"
            cla "Balderdash."
            wo "Bal-"
            #show clamin shocked at center with moveoutright
            cla "Don’t say it now, you lug! Everyone will see and I’ll have a bidding war."
            show clamin neutral at center with dissolve
            "She gave the orc a very trusting look, slowly reached her hand out and gently placed the jewel in his hands."
            cla "Why let them have a chance when I came to you first?"
            "After a moment, the orc nodded in understanding and then finally accepted the trade."
            hide wild orc with moveoutright
            show clamin happy at midright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "Rowan didn’t have to be an expert on demonic apparel, real or fake, to imagine that the item the orc was leaving with definitely didn’t contact the magically sealed up energy of a sex demon."
            "Still, he had to admire how easily Cla-Min knew he could sell it with him backing up the sale."
            ro "That was fun. But I have one question?"
            "Cla-Min gave him a big grin while she examined every inch of the magical bracers."
            ro "What happens when he says the word?"
            cla "Hahaha. Come on, Rowan. You really think it’s the first time I’ve given a magic word to an orc?"
            cla "Years trading with them, and I never once heard them come close to saying it correctly."
            "Rowan shrugged, naturally trusting in her experience. Then he noticed Cla-Min swinging her legs as she sat on the crate in front of him."
            # if castle.buildings['sanctum'].lvl >= 1:
            cla "And if it comes to it, one of X’zaratl’s cubi owes me a favour."
            cla "Now it’s your turn. Find us a mark."
            "The former champion of the land found himself smiling at his little partner in crime and then he glanced around and looked for their next mark."

        "Stay on the sidelines and keep watch instead.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "Rowan set up a vigilant watch at the perimeter of Cla-Min’s camp. With his blade at the ready, his gaze surveyed the camp, paying special attention to any rough customers. These were orcs after all."
            "The day wore on, and the ex-hero spent his day lazily checking in on Cla-Min’s work. It was boring work, and Rowan started wondering if he’d made the right decision."
            "Still, his fastidious guardianship paid off when he caught a few wily orcs trying to pilfer some of Cla-Min’s items. Caught stealing, each orc lost a few fingers for their troubles."
            show clamin happy at edgeright with moveinright
            cla "Haha. A little brutish for my taste, Rowan. But it will be fun to see them try to steal something without a thumb!"
            hide clamin with moveoutleft
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            "The buxom Goblin matriarch guffawed to herself. She soon hopped into action, spying another orc checking out what looked like a smooth, spherical shield. Rowan allowed himself a small chuckle."
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "While he had helped her and her family unpack the items, he’d realized the shield wasn’t made of any rare metal, it was simply painted to look extra shiny."
            "Later on he watched her finish with a pair of customers each wanting their own double-sided heavy axes."
            "This allowed Cla-Min to take them both for a ride after she ‘helped’ them begin a bidding war for a jewel-encrusted axe that the conniving woman vaguely claimed to have come from some underwater lost city."
            show clamin happy at edgeleft with moveinleft
            "After making one orc incredibly happy after he made her happy with a fat purse of coin, Cla-Min ventured over to her business associate."
            cla "This is like stealing from a blind man. Hehehe. But you… you’ve been amazing."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            show clamin happy at midleft with moveoutleft
            "The charming green-skinned woman gave Rowan a great big smile. This one had only half as much mischievousness as usual."
            cla "You’re a natural, Rowan. I really think we’ve tapped into something great here. You can stand guard over all my business dealings. A strong and silent type always distracts the eye… especially mine."
            ro "It has been an interesting day. When I trained to be a soldier, I never imagined that one day I’d be guarding a shyster."
            cla "Haha. Chin-up! Life is all about adapting to new circumstances. At least that’s what me and the caravanners have learned…"
            hide clamin with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinright
            "With that, she gave Rowan a little mock salute and then went back to business."

    scene bg26 with fade

    "A little while later, the pickings became slim. The few orcs that came by were older and lazier than the young pups who had risked their coin for treasures earlier on."
    " A few griped here and there about all the good stuff being gone, but Cla-Min did whatever she could to smooth things over, only to artfully fleece them just like the rest."
    "Then, campfires began to light up the din of the late day and almost all the orcs began congregating to the center of their camps."
    "There the usual business of the camp returned, with the greenskins eating their fill of whatever food they had foraged. Fights occasionally broke out along with the occasional drunken song accompanied by low ‘thump thump thumps’ of drums."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The day was almost over. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he glanced at the caravan mistress once again, checking if everything was in order. "

    if claminShop == 'delane gifts':
        "She was wrapping up some deal with a man bearing Batri’s colors. He saw the sun reflect from something shiny. An expensive brooch exchanged hands, Cla-Min quickly hiding it in her sacks before anyone noticed."

    elif claminShop == 'batri swords':
        "A small group of orcs with Batri’s colors were just being handed a stack of swords, trying to hide their smug smiles. They probably thought they managed to dupe the goblin woman into a bad deal, unaware the low price was for them only. "

    elif claminShop == 'orc blackmail':
        "A small group of orcs, ragged and clearly down on their luck, was being presented with a large sack of coins."
        "Cla-Min was literally dangling it before their noses. After a long moment of hesitation, they each nodded to themselves, clearly unhappy, and each placed something before the goblin mistress. Rowan couldn’t see what - but it obviously mattered a great deal to them."

    else:
        "He saw Cla-Min counting her hard-earned coins with a smile, whistling a happy tune."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "The caravan mistress found him staring, and gave him a large smile. Reliable as always. "

    #orc camp night
    scene bg26 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "Evening settled in at the massive orc camp. Rowan and Cla-Min enjoyed a night under the stars with some meat broth prepared by her family. Enchanting the boiling hot mix of rabbit, potatoes and seasoning was a wineskin near to bursting for the two to enjoy as they relaxed for the day."
    "Rowan and Cla-Min ate outside while the rest of the goblin matriarch’s family ate within the wagon. It was clear they’d all had enough of orcs for a while."
    "Cla-Min leaned her back against the wagon and then banged the wooden exterior."

    cla "Don’t get too full. No catnaps until everything is packed up and ready to go come first light."

    show clamin happy at center with moveinright

    "Rowan couldn’t help but grin when he heard a variety of squabbling and growling curses from inside of the caravan. Then he noticed the bantam woman had squirreled over so that she sat right against his side."

    cla "No one warned me that the temperature drops so quickly around here."

    show clamin neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan chuckled to himself and raised the wineskin to his lips again. His hand stopped midway when he noticed Cla-Min’s suddenly somber expression."

    cla "Rowan, I loved having the chance to work besides you. We saw much success today. But if the Cla clan is to establish itself in this camp, there is one more thing I need to do. "

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    cla "Rowan, I have to fuck you."
    ro "Excuse me? "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He thought it a joke, but Cla-Min looked dead serious. Which, granted, still didn’t rule out the former- "

    #if orciad_state ==2:
    cla "I have to fuck you. These orcs might be our allies, but they are still a wild and unpredictable race. "

    #else:
        #cla "I have to fuck you. This camp is volatile, as are the orcs that make it."

    show clamin neutral at midright with moveoutright

    cla "And I haven’t been holding back here. By my estimates, by the end of the night at least three orcs will realize they got swindled, and will swear bloody vengeance on me."
    ro "I’ve been meaning to ask if it’s really wise-"
    cla "So, in order to deter them, I {b}MUST{/b} find the most dangerous, conniving, deadly skilled man in this camp, and show I can handle him!"
    ro "...By taking his cock."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "By taking his cock!"

    "She snapped her fingers at him. Rowan rubbed his forehead. This woman… "

    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    cla "For what it’s worth, I am as appalled as you are. Qerazel has a proper complaint office for such cases, but the warm blanket of bureaucracy offers no comfort here!"
    cla "Here in the wilds, I must rely on guts, charm and ingenuity, and seek advantage wherever and whenever possible! "

    ro "Even in my pants."

    cla "Especially in your pants!"

    "Her lips twitched. Rowan had to applaud her poker face - for now, he matched it with his own."

    menu:
        "Go along with it. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "It would be quite unfortunate if the orcs got to you before I could teach them how to file a formal complaint."
            show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
            cla "Exactly!"
            ro "I mean, I haven’t even started considering if we should adopt the Qerazel standard. It doesn’t exactly translate well into orc culture, from what I understand."
            cla "Which is why for now we’ll rely on establishing dominance by taking cock!"
            "Cla-Min hopped onto a nearby crate as she set about revealing her juicy titties and her succulent opening. Working with her hero all day had gotten her sopping wet."
            ro "Innovative and very, very appealing. But doesn’t that just give demons unfair advantage?"
            show clamin angry at midright with dissolve
            cla "We’re losing daylight here, Rowan! "
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            cla "But these are important issues that must be discussed!"
            cla "Rowan!"
            show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro " … Cla-Min, do you really think the Great Trickster can’t fuck you in the dark?"
            cla "Oh I know he can! But I’d rather see the magic happen, given the chance."
            cla "And have everyone else see it too."
            ro "Well, since it is your life on the line…"
            "Rowan gave the Goblin a grin and moved in nice and close. Cla-Min’s dark leather boots played against his crotch, and Rowan fixed his companion with an amused look as his fingers got to work."
            cla "Mrmmmahh… I’m glad we didn’t put that on sale. I heard there are some pretty-thirsty orc she-wolves around."
            scene cg1023 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1024 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1023
            #show clamin naked happy behind cg1023
            show clamin happy behind cg1023
            pause 3
            "Rowan’s skilled fingers pulled Cla-Min’s bright yellow pants all the way down around her ankles. The Goblin matriarch’s heart skipped a beat as she felt Rowan’s fingers crawling back up her legs."
            "Her long, knife-like ears twitched, and then one hand reached forward and flicked along the little green jewel nestled amongst her folds."
            ro "Looks like you’ve been thinking about this the whole day."
            cla "Quit teasing me and fuck me, Rowan. The tribe’s warriors aren’t going to be impressed if all I do is whimper, you know…"
            show cg1025 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan smiled as he watched Cla-Min’s perky tits bob in time with her excited breathing. He didn’t waste any more time, pushing the thick knob at the end of his cock against her clinging entrance."
            cla "Oh fuck… Yes… Fuck me, Hunny Push that big stiff cock as far as you want-uuaaah!"
            "The tiny vixen moaned as her lover buried his thick rod deep inside her honeypot. As her body bounced along irregular pulses of pleasure, Cla-Min’s clawed fingers reached out to grab something to hold onto. Ironically, all she found were gold coins."
            "Alas, as Rowan plunged his member further inside her hole, even the bright, shiny metal was forgotten. The pile of pieces danced and bounced off the crate while Cla-Min’s lover railed her fluttering pussy again and again."
            cla "Bollocks… you… huaah… you know you’re playing with fire, buster… a wild goblin can be a dangerous thing."
            "Rowan grinned after spotting the quill she used to track her profits sitting beside the loosening pile of coins."
            ro "I guess I’ll just have to make you cum so much that you’ll be limp as a doll after."
            show cg1028 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Without missing a beat, Rowan plucked up the quil, teasing the feathered end all across her dark-green nipples while his hips maintained their satisfying momentum."
            cla "Oh no… cheater… rapscallion! Crook - oh fuck!"
            ro "Heh. Just paying you back in kind. It’s the least you deserve after swindling all those Orcs."
            cla "Hey! They… uh…unf-"
            show cg1030 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Cla-Min could hardly put two words together as her crafty lover tickled the feather all across her lively form."
            cla "They deserved it. Just like I… deserve… this big… thick… cockuuaah!"
            "Rowan sought out every sensitive spot on her body to exploit. Just before he hit the jackpot, Cla-Min slid her body back, unplugging the Human’s thick cock from green, soaked lips."
            ro "Wait… what’s wrong?"
            cla "Hah. Let’s just say I needed to change the venue. Hup!"
            "Cla-Min launched her nimble body off the crate, crashing into Rowan’s arms. His cock brushed against her butt just as his back smacked against a big barrel."
            ro "You’re going to break something."
            cla "Mrraah… Come on… just work with me here, Rowan."
            menu:
                "Let her ride you.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show cg1031 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan silently agreed to the request of his partner in crime. His hands gripped her cute bottom while her luscious breasts bounced up and down against his muscular chest."
                    cla "Oooohah… yes… yes yes yes… your chest is as sturdy as your cock!"
                    "The small woman’s head buckled and rolled against the motherlode of pleasure brimming deep within her pussy."
                    "For a brief moment Rowan spotted the worry in her red orbs, a sure sign that not only was she about to cum, but that she was embarrassed to do so before he did."
                    ro "Better luck next time, then."
                    cla "Nuh-uh. There is no way… I’m giving up so easily."
                    "Cla-Min redoubled her efforts, bowing her head forward as she lustfully nipped and licked at Rowan’s nipples. Every time Rowan bottomed out inside her, it made it harder for the lovely Goblin to focus."
                    "The sex soon devolved into a kind of competitive game as the two found their rhythm, each stubbornly holding out against the other as they rutted frantically against the wagon."

                "Out of Question. Take her - hard.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show cg1031 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Given how she’d been in charge most of the day, Rowan figured it was only fair that he handle the tempo now. Rowan’s hands took hold of Cla-Min’s asscheeks between his fingers as squeezed and rubbed her bounteous derriere."
                    "With each squeeze, he felt Cla-Min’s pussy spasm and leak around his veiny cock."
                    cla "Hmmraah… oh… what are you d-doing to me?"
                    ro "Paying it forward."
                    "Rowan slapped her deliciously plump buttocks. Each time his hand connected with the surface of her emerald plushnes, he felt his lover’s walls clench tight around his cock."

            "Finally, neither human nor goblin could hold back any longer. With one last growling thrust, Rowan squeezed Cla-min’s butt and drove her lower body down to his base, ensuring that her pussy devoured every inch."
            cla "Come on.  Give me… every… last drop!"
            show cg1031 with sshake
            show cg1031 with sshake
            show cg1032 with flash
            #show clamin naked happy behind cg1032
            show clamin happy behind cg1032
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1032
            pause 3
            "Rowan couldn’t have stopped if he wanted to. Cla-Min’s tightened around his body like a constrictor. While her legs held fast around his back, her pussy blossomed with intense heat as she came."
            "The rambunctious swindler moaned, orgasming hand in hand with Rowan’s release as he emptied out his balls and filled her womb to the brim."
            "The two finally collapsed down to the grass beneath them. The stench of sweat filled their nostrils while Rowan and Cla-Min luxuriated in the pleasant sensations of their post-nut rutting."
            "Their hands gently caressed each other’s bodies while both of their hearts clamored from the effort."
            if gobFamDinner:
                "The sweaty Goblin lady rubbed her nose and cheek against Rowan’s chest. He was surprised to see her looking at him with a bittersweet expression."
                ro "What is it?"
                cla "Heh, it’s nothing. Just a missed opportunity. If I knew you’d come this much, I would have grabbed a bottle to collect the excess. Share some with Cla-Tre."
                ro "You’re irredeemable."
                cla "Oh hush you."
            else:
                "The sweaty Goblin lady rubbed her nose and cheek against Rowan’s chest, taking a moment to rest in his arms. "
                cla "If you enjoyed this as much as I did… You should drop by the caravan when we’re back in Bloodmeen. I’ll introduce you to everyone, and we’ll start making plans to have this be a regular thing."
                ro "Already working on your next sale, Cla-Min? You’re irredeemable."
                cla "Oh, stop complaining."
            scene black with fade
            show clamin happy behind black
            cla "You wouldn’t have me any other way."

        "Cla-Min will have to find  some other way to prove she is not to be trifled with.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "With a sigh, Rowan pushed the insistent goblin away."
            ro "Cla-Min, I don’t appreciate being placed in a position where I have to use my cock to save lives."
            if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                ro "It happened with Helayna before, and I wouldn’t hear the end of it from Alexia."
            else:
                ro "I didn’t use it that way in Reave Keep, and I’m not going to do so here."
            ro "So you'll have to rely on your “charm and ingenuity”, which I’m sure will be more than enough."
            cla "That’s cold Rowan, leaving me out here, alone and in the open, surrounded by bestial orcs- "
            ro "Cla-Min I’ve literally just seen you work. Any orc comes here looking for a fight, you’ll convince him to sell you his sword instead."
            show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
            "Cla-Min chuckled at that remark, and flashed him a knowing smile."
            cla "Now now, that only happened twice!"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "Thrice’s the charm then. Get some rest now. We both have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
            "He could see the caravan mistress wasn’t happy, but she was nothing if not a good sport."
            scene black with fade
            "She offered him a graceful bow as good night, and retired to her cart, leaving Rowan alone for the evening."

    scene bg26 with fade

    "Morning came and Rowan found himself the first up."
    "After he finished some stretches and drilling, he found Cla-Min and her clan quickly getting to work on packing up their wandering domicile for the return trip. The orc camp ended up feeling just a little less friendly in his mind without the presence of the wonderous (if duplicitous) little goblin shop."
    "But Rowan knew that like him, the goblins and the orcs had things to do, and they couldn’t dilly-dally forever. No… the past day had ended up being more or less, a nice little distraction from his woes and duties. Idly, he imagined it might be fun to try his hand as a traveling merchant another day…"
    "Every member of the clan wished him well and thanked him for all his help. Cla-Min lingered while the rest loaded up for their trip back to the portal."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midleft with dissolve

    cla "You know… the more they hang out, the more I believe you definitely should have been born with big ears and skin just like me."
    ro "That would have been something. But I think things worked out."
    cla "They did. Well… you know where I work. Big spooky castle, can’t miss it."
    ro "Heh. Safe travels, Cla-Min."

    hide clamin with dissolve

    "With that, she climbed aboard her caravan and her and her entire family began driving back along the road to the magical portal that would take them straight back to Castle Bloodmeen."

    # return

    return

# \events\village_encounter_4.rpy
label village_spoils_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg5 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Destruction surrounded Rowan. It wasn’t surprising. What could the small settlement do against the butchery of a legion of orcs?"
    "Once all resistance had faded, the former hero found himself strolling through the village proper. On either side of Rowan, houses burned while others looked like little more than charred husks."
    "The Orcs always enjoyed a good sacking. His soldiers were busy looting what remained from the rubble, laughing with cruel malice as they stepped over the broken and defeated corpses of the few who’d tried to resist."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan felt disgusted and appalled by the butchery. While on the outside, he looked resolved and indifferent, beneath his skin he felt a swirling and bitter rage. Even though he had played his role, Rowan knew that he was simply a blade that the Twins had plunged through the heart of the village."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "It was their way. And in some respects, Rowan couldn’t fault them for it. They had fought and bled to take the village, and now they enjoyed their spoils, as easily taken as they were."

    else:
        "It was easily one of the smoothest conquests he’d yet played a role in. A grin formed on his face as he enjoyed the inspiring sense of power broiling through him after bringing the village under  the twins’ domain. Sure they had suffered, but in time, Rowan knew that those that survived would enjoy the new world he was helping to build."

    "His ears alighted to the sound of jeering barking, coming from one group of orcs in front of him. He watched from afar as they rounded up the survivors to bring back as slaves."
    "The villagers were all in chains, bound and ready to be either enjoyed or dispatched to their new work. It was a typical raiding party, nothing out of the ordinary."
    "But then the warrior stopped, his eyes settling upon a peculiarly entrancing sight. There was a young woman amongst the haggard prisoners. Even covered in soot and grime as she was, the maiden stood out. Perhaps it was her beauty, or merely the defiant look in her eye."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    os "Alright boys. Get’em moving!"
    ro "Stop!"

    "The leader of the Orc squad turned his head and bared his tusks slightly at Rowan."

    os "Wot?"

    "Rowan raised a hand and pointed out the rare jewel that had caught his eye. She looked up at him with tired, resigned eyes. Though a spark remained, it had faded to a pale indifference."

    ro "Pull that one from the line."
    os "Aww… Boss man, no! Dat’s da best one!"
    ro "I’m not here to listen to your whining."

    "The two orcs looked back and forth from their treasure to Rowan. Then the main one barked out new orders in his low, guttural tone."
    "The chains around the woman’s feet that attached her to the line were removed. With a grunt of annoyance, the thick-shouldered greenskin shoved her towards the warrior."

    wo "Dis is no fair."

    "Rowan grabbed the girl by the arm, leading her slowly but surely away from the rest of the prisoners."

    os "Was got inta you Boss? Youse is usually a great big stick in da mud!"

    hide orc solider with dissolve
    hide wild orc with dissolve

    "Rowan gave them no reply.  He left the gang of pillagers with his new acquisition glumly in tow. He was certain they’d find their amusements with the other slaves they had nabbed from the ruined village."

    "Rowan’s grip remained like a steel trap around the girl’s arm as he escorted her back to his command tent. He spared a glance in her direction, it was hard not to enjoy her beauty, given the wide and shocked pools of her eyes."

    gret "Please, let me go."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "As he looked at her, the shock seemed to wear off, turning into a stubborn expression. She didn’t lack for spirit, and he hoped that the spark would serve her well as the world rapidly changed for her."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "A spark of courage remained in her. It amused Rowan, until she started trying to drag her heels into the bloody and muddy ground around them."

    else:
        "While Rowan looked at her, he found himself forgetting about the smoking huts and the metallic stench of blood. Something about her comeliness called out to him, demanding his attention and he quickly had to look away to make sure he didn’t drip over a discarded sword left on the battlefield."

    "He turned on the heel of his boot and squared her shoulders with both hands so that she faced him directly."

    menu:
        '"Shhh. Quit struggling. I’m trying to help."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The girl pulled her hand back but he kept his grip firm and tight around her skin."
            "She looked at him, uncertain that she’d even heard his words correctly. Rowan fixed her with a strong look, indicating with his eyes."
            "Wary, she nodded at him. She didn’t bog them down any further for the rest of the trip. After all, what choice did she have?"

        '"This reckless behavior will only make it worse for you."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "He eyed a pair of orcs paying attention to him and his prisoner. Steeling his resolve, he shook her shoulders again to ensure he had her attention."
                ro "I said be {i}quiet{/i}!"
                "She was clearly unprepared for the edge in his voice. Rowan prayed that she’d manage to keep her lips shut as they continued to the tent. He had to maintain the facade of an overlord dragging his concubine to his tent for some after-battle entertainment."
            else:
                "Rowan’s words smacked some sense into her. She looked at him and then at the pair of orcs around, before finally giving him a nod. As they continued walking, Rowan no longer had to drag the girl he had liberated from his warriors."

    scene bg30 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Upon returning to his tent, Rowan released his grip on the girl. She fell down to her knees, as the former hero began to brusquely pace back and forth about the tent."

    gret "Y-you… you have my thanks, m’lord…"

    "The poor woman’s body straightened up. Her shoulders trembled as she glanced back to the tent’s entrance. She was clearly worried the orcs might return while she wasn’t looking."

    ro "What is your name? "

    $ gretchaName = "Gretcha"

    gret "G-Gretcha… and w-who are you?"

    "The warrior didn’t answer the question. His eyes dropped from her features after a moment, still abuzz from the rush of battle. As he slowly calmed down, Rowan took a moment to sniff at his armor. His armor had been caked in a layer of grime and viscera. He felt soiled. He needed a bath."

    gret "M’lord… why… why did you save me?"

    "Rowan glanced at her for a moment and then shifted his eyes away."

    menu:
        '"Because I could."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Rowan turned back to face the trembling girl."
                ro "Do I need a reason to spare someone’s life?"
                "She looked at him with blank confusion. Her eyes filled with emotion as they boiled up into rage."
                gret "So why didn’t you save the others? My {i}whole village{/i} was-"
                "Rowan felt his chest constrict. He let out a heavy sigh, unable to look her directly in the eyes."
                ro "Because I can’t save everyone, the Orcs would not allow it. I had to choose, and I chose you."
                ro "At least they died with sword in hand."
                gret "You… you’re just like them..."
                "Gretcha glared at him, obviously not eager to believe his words or trust what he had to say to her."
                gret "So… what happens now?"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                "Rowan fixed the pretty lass with a warm smile."
                ro "You know, I haven’t quite decided yet. But I’m sure we’ll have a lovely evening together."
                "Her eyes were uncertain, her lips flattening down to a fine line. She let out an exhausted sigh."
                gret "Hmmmph. So, if the orcs were going to take me like common wolves, what do you intend to do to me?"
            else:
                ro "I didn’t come here to salt the earth."
                "Rowan’s voice came out as a low growl. He did his best not to look her in the eye."
                ro "I spared you. Isn’t that enough?"
                "The woman looked away from him; her silence was an implicit condemnation. The only thing that could be heard throughout the tent was her soft, laboured breathing."
                gret "But… not the others."
                "Hatred, frustration and pain spilled out of her voice in equal measure. Her fingers knotted into fists."
                gret "Where is your mercy for {i}them{/i}?"
                ro "Count yourself fortunate there was any at all."
                "The girl glared at him. For a time, the only sound was the scribbling of Rowan’s quill and the grunts and whooping of the orcs outside the tent. Finally, the peasant girl spoke up."
                gret "So… I’m to be {i}your{/i} plaything tonight instead, is that it?"

        '"You suffered enough."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "I could not stand by and leave you to the Orcs."
                ro "You’ve suffered enough."
                "She looked at him incredulously, half-expecting a seastorm to rise up and sweep through her already ravaged village. Finally, she found the courage to speak."
                gret "T-Thank you, my lord. But… I don’t understand. What do you want from me?"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "It’s simple."
                "The warrior stroked the villager’s chin and then ran a hand down her back. She shivered at the touch, goosebumps rolling down her spine at the sensitivity."
                ro "If I left you to the orcs, they would have done terrible things to you. I don't want that for you... "
                ro "And I don't think you want that, either."
                "The beautiful woman blinked, her eyes slowly shutting as Rowan ran a finger across the upper breadth of her lips."
                gret "As you say… but {i}my lord{/i}…"
                "The two last words were spoken with equal parts frustration, concern, and curiosity."
                gret "What is it you want of me?"
            else:
                ro "Would you rather I toss you back out there with the orcs?"
                "He blazed with rage at the question and its impudence. This girl knew {i}nothing{/i} of true suffering. She didn’t understand what he was doing for her."
                gret "I... No… please."
                "She sniffled and whimpered, shrinking down into herself. His harsh tone had put her in her proper place."
                gret "Anything but that…"
                ro "Then keep your questions to yourself."
                gret "But… I don’t understand. What do you want from me?"

        '"I don’t know."':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "I… I don’t know why I did it."
                "Rowan sat down and slumped into his chair, depressed and full of malice without direction."
                ro "I just saw you, and I..."
                "His eyes fell on the girl, and he gave her a sad, faltering smile."
                ro "I couldn’t let them take you."
                gret "You… you could have helped the others."
                "Rowan’s brow lowered, his low mood only worsening."
                ro "Maybe. But I didn’t."
                "The village girl said nothing. She looked at him, eyes wide and frightened."
                gret "...You helped me instead."
                ro "Yes."
                gret "Why me? What do you want from me?"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "I don’t know. A whim, I guess?"
                ro "You’re beautiful, that much is plain."
                "Gretcha blushed and turned away, her hands reaching up to cover up her breasts."
                ro "Maybe I just wanted to see you a little longer."
                "Rowan stroked his chin while mulling over his thoughts on the matter."
                ro "Perhaps you remind me of someone? I’m not sure, the heart can be a foolish creature sometimes."
                gret "I-I… I think I know what you want."
            else:
                ro "It was a mistake, a foolish decision. I should just send you back."
                gret "{i}Please{/i}, my Lord. Let me stay with you!"
                "The woman cried out while tears welled within her oaken eyes. She knew as well as he did that a return to the orcs was a worse fate, regardless of his intent."
                gret "It’s not like… there is anything for me to go back to. Whatever you want from me, just ask. I have nothing left…"

        '"I want you tonight." (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            label gretOrcProtect_rp:
                if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                    "The poor girl stiffened at her captor’s quiet smile."
                    ro "Why are you afraid? I saved you from those Orcs, didn’t I?"
                    "Rowan crouched in front of her, gently cupping her trembling chin."
                    ro "I’m not going to hurt you."
                    gret "P-Please. Don’t send me away."
                    "A faint edge formed at the corner of Rowan’s smile."
                    ro "I wouldn’t dream of it."
                else:
                    ro "You are a rare beauty, Gretcha. But I did not bring you here to be my slave."
                    "Rowan turned to look at the quiet peasant girl."
                    ro "Stay with me this evening, enjoy a quiet bath, and tomorrow I will ensure you go free and safe."
                    "Gretcha looked at him, her eyes two stormy pools of darkened oak."
                    gret "And why should I trust you?"
                    ro "My masters already have enough prisoners as is. One missing peasant girl won’t be a significant loss to them."
                    ro "Really, what have you got to lose?"
                    "Gretcha looked around the tent for a long moment, and then let out a sigh. She nodded towards her captor."
                    gret "As you wish…"
            jump GretchaBath_rp

    menu:
        "Offer her a path to freedom.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "For now,  just rest. You’ll be safe here for tonight."
                "Rowan resisted the urge to laugh. The idea of anyone being {i}truly{/i} safe, with the Twin’s armies marching through Rosaria was ludicrous. But she didn’t need to hear that."
                ro "Tomorrow, I will make certain your escape seems like an ‘accident.’"
                "He gave her a sad smile, one she did not return. Her eyes watched him warily, her expression guarded."
                "She must hate him; she wasn’t wrong to do so. If their roles were reversed, Rowan would have been hard-pressed to trust her word himself."
                ro "Please, take some time. Have something to eat. You’ll need your strength."
                "The young woman, seeming to finally realize he was serious, and that she really was safe, struggled to fight back tears. She looked away, responding only with a faint nod. "
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "I don’t want anything from you, I want you to get out of here. Come tomorrow, you will ‘escape’ this camp. With any luck, you will never see me again."
                gret "Why… why would you do that?"
                "Rowan’s brow furrowed, and he turned from his desk and glared at the girl."
                ro "Why do you care? I’m offering you a chance that no one else in your village has gotten. If you’d prefer, I can send you back to the orcs."
                "Gretcha quickly shook her head back and forth. To the peasant girl’s credit, she did not wilt when he returned her curious gaze with a withering glare."
                gret "Y-You really mean to free me?"
                ro "Those were my words, correct?"
                "Rowan proceeded to ignore her for the next few hours. Not a word was shared between them as he focused on his work, looking over the new dispatches and reports of the day."
                "Gretcha watched him for a long while before finally sitting down. Her dark-brown eyes slowly sliding shut as the exhaustion of the day overcame her."
                "She fell asleep on the ground, curling up to stay warm in the chill air. Rowan worked through the night, his gaze only briefly wavering in her direction every so often."
            else:
                ro "Best you keep quiet."
                "Rowan swept by her to make sure the flaps of his tent were closed. He peered beyond the stiff leather, his eyes hardening as he saw a train of captives being led off not far from the entrance."
                ro "Orcs are dull, but their ears still work. Sometimes better than our own."
                "The girl let out a small yelp and nodded, holding her hands close to her body. Rowan almost moved to comfort her, but decided against it. He kept his back to her."
                ro "Get some rest, if you can. Tomorrow, I will help you escape."
                gret "Truly?"
                ro "Yes."
                "That settled things. The strange, twinging feeling in Rowan’s gut seemed to retreat."
                "Rowan turned from the tent entrance and moved to small work bench in the corner. Without a word, he began to look over the new dispatches and reports of the day."
                gret "I… I still don’t understand. Why are you helping me?"
                "Rowan paused. He set down the report, affixing her with a short, sharp look."
                ro "Does it matter?"
                "He returned to his work. She sat for some time in the center of his tent, huddled into herself."
                "Eventually, the peasant girl fell asleep on the ground. Rowan, as if it were an afterthought, draped a spare blanket over her shivering body before retiring to his cot."
            return

        "Offer the girl protection from the orcs if she spends the evening.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump gretOrcProtect_rp

    label GretchaBath_rp:

        scene cg983 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg983
        pause 3

        "Time passed. That evening, Rowan had Gretcha draw them both a bath. The warrior was eager to cleanse himself of the soot and grime leftover from a hard days struggle."
        "Gretcha played her part as a servant girl well, first filling the tub with warm water and then lathering her captor’s body with a brush and soapy hands."

        gret "I didn’t think I’d meet someone who traveled with their own tub. Much less bathing some strange man in one…"

        "As she spoke, her nipples occasionally brushed against his shoulders and back. It was a pleasing, ticklish sensation."

        ro "These are strange times."
        gret "Terrible ones, if you ask me."

        "She was a pleasant enough distraction: shy, demure, with a spark of resistance in her. Rowan settled down happily into the tub as she worked the kinks out of his shoulders."

        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            "Gretcha seemed to be slowly coming around as well. She squished her chest against his back as her fingers ran down his chest, her breathing deepening to a low, sensual coo."
            "Naturally, under the pleasant touch of a beautiful woman like her, his budding arousal soon revealed itself."
            ro "Excuse me."
            "The warrior spoke with faux-modesty as he reached down to shield his wet cock from her. Gretcha’s hand moved over his, pausing his progress."
            gret "You asked for a bath, my lord. That means I need to wash all of you."
            "Her eager tone surprised Rowan. Before he could say anything, a groan slipped from his lips as Gretcha’s slender hand peeled his fingers away."
            "Without another word, she changed positions, pulling herself up out of the back and moving around to the lip of the bath. She kneeled in front of him, covered in suds."
            "Then the peasant girl took hold of his warm, wet length, leaned forward, and engulfed it with her mouth."

        else:
            "Relaxing in the bath, Rowan felt flickers of warmth rising in his body as Gretcha ran her hands across his body, sliding slowly downward, ever lower."
            "He felt her cute tiny nipples harden against his back, which in turn sent a spell down to his groin."
            "Soon, the tip of his cock breached the surface, sticking conspicuously out above the water."
            gret "I guess I should attend that as well?"
            ro "I didn’t say anything."
            "The girl let out a wry chuckle."
            gret "Your eyes say it all, my lord…"
            "Without another word, she changed positions, pulling herself up out of the back and moving around to the lip of the bath. She kneeled in front of him, covered in suds."
            "As Gretcha bent her body forward, Rowan watched as she closed her eyes and began licking the tip of his spear."
            "Her tongue fluttered and licked along the edge of his cock, stoking the fire of Rowan’s lust."
            "It became immediately clear to the warrior that it was not the first time Gretcha had done something like this."

        scene cg984 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg984
        pause 3

        gret "Mrmmm…"

        "Gretcha moaned out as her head bobbed up and down on the warrior’s cock, moving with urgency and focus."
        "While her lips hugged his cock, the girl’s fingers trailed lower, fondling his balls with her palm."
        "Partially submerged as they were, her fingers created little splashing noises as she massaged him. The warm water blanketed Rowan’s balls in intoxicating pleasure."

        gret "Ahhuhah… It’s getting… bigger…"

        "Rowan’s hand reached out, grasped her by the back of the head, and pushed down. The warrior buried his captive’s mouth back down upon his throbbing shaft."
        "He led her in an intense throat fucking, pulling her head up and down on his shaft in a relentless tempo. After a moment, Gretcha’s lips tightened; her movements felt more eager and intense than before."
        "The slut was {i}enjoying{/i} herself!"

        gret "Ahuhaah… Mrrmm… Glllrp… glrrrpp… glruph!"

        "The slurping wet noises of her whorish lips only bolstered the evening treat. Rowan’s balls began to churn as the hot water and the continuous touch of his servant girl’s hands and lips combined to bring him to orgasm."

        show cg985 with sshake
        show cg985 with sshake
        show cg986 with flash
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg986

        "With one more hardy grunt, Rowan’s back hunched forward in the bath as fire flourished through his body. It lanced up, firing free from his cock, charting a path directly into Gretcha’s quivering throat."
        "He held her there for several seconds. Finally, Gretcha managed to pull back once Rowan released his grip. Ribbons of his nectar and her spittle fired off across her face, hair and breasts."
        "They coated the villager’s luscious lips, giving her a pearlescent sheen of cum. Even as the last drops were still spurting out, he did her best to scoop them up like a good girl."
        "She coughed a few times as she struggled to gulp down the last remnant of Rowan’s seed. Rowan leaned back, spent but pleased. Gretcha stared expectantly at him, kneeling in front of the bath."

        ro "Go… Fetch yourself some water."

        "She nodded standing up and idly wiping at the cum on her breasts, as Rowan finished washing himself up."
        "Later he and Gretcha shared a quaint meal together. Thereafter, the warrior offered the girl his bed, a kindness she warily indulged in."
        "She didn’t end up trying anything more, but she did settle into his arms and attempted to sleep. It had been, after all, a strenuous day for her."

        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            "Looking at the beautiful girl who had been his evenings entertainment, Rowan wondered for a moment if it would be better to keep her."
            ro "The odds are high that she’ll be plucked up by a patrol before walking two miles from the camp."
            "Still, he shook his head and returned his thoughts to more important matters. It wasn’t about whether or not she would actually escape into that wide world beyond."
            "He had kept his promise to her, and that was enough."

        else:
            "Watching the alluring woman squirm and twist in his arms gave rise to frustration inside of Rowan. He couldn’t help himself and felt his cock stirring anew, even after he’d quenched his lust with Gretcha’s throat."
            "For a moment, he nearly indulged in the urge  to spread her legs apart, but some part of him locked up. Eventually, he settled back down into his chair"
            ro "She’s not worth it."
            "It was true. As pleasant as the distraction had been, that was all she was: a distraction. He’d promised her freedom, and she had returned with affection."
            "His lust sated, his conscience cleared, he turned his thoughts back to more important matters."
            "After all, what was one peasant girl’s life to another? There were countless other innocents suffering on all sides. If anything, he had {i}spared{/i} her of the worst of it."

        scene bg5 with fade
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        "Come the morning, Rowan marched out from his tent. With the sun rising above the ruined village, the warrior found the same group of orcs from the day before. The lazy brutes were asleep at their posts."
        "He delivered a swift kick to the chest of their leader."

        show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "She’s gone."
        os "Ah, can’t  we sleep a bit more, Boss? All dis raiding… got me hankered."

        "Rowan delivered a sharp kick to the Orc’s groin, sending him rolling on the floor, howling in pain. The rest of the party leapt to their feet."

        ro "I said {i}she’s gone{/i}."
        os "Who? Who’s she?"

        "Rowan glared at them, playing the part of the stern overseer scolding his incompetent servants."

        ro "Who do you think, you lazy fiends? The girl! She’s escaped!"
        os "Da’ milkmaid? The one wit them huge tits?"
        ro "I should gut you where you lie. What good are a bunch of slumbering half-wits if you can’t even guard my tent?"
        os "Buh… sorry Boss. Wez jus resting our eyes."
        ro "Not any longer, you’re not. Her tracks lead north. Find her, and bring her to me at once."

        "The Orcs looked back and forth at one another, their eyes full of fear. The one Orc was still hunched on the ground, cupping his groin as he whimpered in pain."

        os "Y-yes, Boss."
        os "You ‘eard him, boys. Gather up your blades and clubs, we’s goin huntin’!"

        "The other orcs shook off the sluggishness of sleep and began barking and whooping excitedly while they went for their weapons."
        "Their leader smacked Rowan on his shoulder."

        os "Don’t worry, we’ll catch da pretty Humi for you, boss."

        "Rowan said nothing, returning the Orc’s smile with a cold glare. The Orc shrank back, gesturing meekly towards the ground."

        os "Ah, don’t worry, we won’t do nuffin to her… come on, boys!"

        "Rowan suppressed a smile as the troop headed off on their grand, fruitless hunt. The hero had naturally told the young girl to head due south, and the empty headed Orcs were so stirred up by his sudden hostility that they didn’t even look properly for the tracks. "
        "Now, with the warriors searching in the wrong direction, he had followed through on his end of the deal. The rest was up to her; he just hoped she wouldn’t run into other raiding parties."

        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 1.rpy
label jezera_wants_a_new_agent_rp:

    "Is Alexia obedient to Jezera? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ mikaelDance = True

    # deactivate harassment counter and timer
    #~ $ deactivate_event('alexia_maid_harassment_counter')

    scene bg14 with fade
    #alexia maid happy
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midright with moveinright

    "Alexia had scarcely finished putting on her uniform for her shift before a shadow descended on her."

    je "Alexia dear? It’s amusing that I stumbled on you. I was just thinking about which girl might be perfect for a very special job."
    al "A special job?"

    if alexiaJezObedient:
        "Alexia lowered her head in deference. Inwardly, she was brimming with curiosity."
        al "What would you have me do, Mistress?"

    else:
        "Alexia shifted in place. With all the groping and violations to her comfort zone she’d already received, dread sat in immediately. Whatever this could be, it wasn’t going to be good."
        "Still, she had enough sense to avoid openly antagonizing the lady of the castle. So she held her tongue for the moment."

    je "There's a man of some magical power who is currently my guest at Bloodmeen. He has a history with demons and is rather cautious around me. Thus far he's been, difficult, to get information out of."
    je "I would like you to spend some time with him, intimate time. Enough so that he lets his guard down and tells you things."

    if alexiaJezObedient == False:
        show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
        al "..."
        "Her mouth hung. The words seemed impossible to process."
        al "You’re telling me you want me to...to...prostitute myself out so you can get some information?"
        #jez smirk
        je "Oh darling, you make it sound like I’m asking you to jump off a bridge. No no, just spend a little quality time with him. Be there to listen to him. Stroke his leg a bit."
        je "Maybe stroke a little bit more if you’re feeling adventurous."
        "She gave a wicked grin."
        al "But...but, I’m married..."
        je "Alexia, darling. You were the one who said that you wished to be useful to us. Did you not? That’s why you’re standing here in that scrumptious outfit of yours?"
        al "Yeah, but I didn’t mean…"
        "A finger went to her lips, silencing her objections."
        je "This is what it would take to be useful to us. Any of the other girls on the castle staff would do it without question. That’s what it means to serve as my maid."
        #show alexia maid angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia took a step back, clutching her hands into fists. An unconscious reaction. To swing at the demoness might have meant death."
        al "I said I’d help Rowan. That’s what I want. To help him."
        je "To help him, you need to help me."
        "Her hand brushed down the side of Alexia’s body with the practiced smoothness of a woman who knew what other bodies felt like. Alexia couldn’t help shuddering slightly."
        al "Wh-why me? You said the other girls…"
        je "The other girls are not you."
        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
        "Jezera took a step forward. Alexia ceded space, in moments she was pressed with her back to the wall. Jezera’s piercing hypnotic eyes trained with intensity on her."
        je "On your first day as {i}my{/i} maid, I told you that you had more options available to you than just busy work."
        je "You have considerable talents, my dear. I could send another maid to attempt it. But none could accomplish what you could."
        show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia blinked and shied from Jezera’s glance. Surely that wasn’t true? She was just a housewife…"
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        je "It has to be you. I consider it something of a…"
        je "...well, let’s call it an investment."
        "Alexia ducked to the side, so that Jezera no longer had her pinned. The demoness backed up slightly and giggled softly at the way the redhead tried to catch her breath."

    else:
        show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
        al "By intimate, you mean...?"
        je "Fool around with him? Give the boy a good time?"
        je "Yes. I do."
        show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia gasped to herself, cheeks growing flush."
        al " Mistress! You can’t mean to-"
        #jez smirk
        "Jezera moved closer, pushing Alexia back against the wall. The redhead couldn’t stop herself from arching her back. No matter the situation, Jezera’s body felt good…"
        if mikaelDance:
            je "Protesting now? I seem to recall you a bit more..pliable...when my friend Mikhael came to visit. Surely if that was okay, then this is no problem."
            je "Just as reasonable a request."
            "Alexia flushed slightly at the memory..."
        else:
            "I can mean whatever I want to mean, little one. You’re not such an innocent flower anymore, now are you?"
        je "I need a good little maid to flirt with him and make him want to run his mouth. And what girl on my staff do I trust more than you?"
        je "Besides…"
        "A finger trailed Alexia’s ear."
        je "This is for your benefit."
        "Alexia’s eyelashes fluttered."
        al "My…"
        je "Mhm. You need to learn how to make a man feel good. For Rowan’s sake, of course."
        al "For Rowan’s sake…"
        je "And you need to learn how to use that body and mind of yours properly. I didn’t take you on for training because I thought you’d just make a good maid."
        je "You have incredible potential, little dove. The power to twist your way into the hearts of men. To traffic in important secrets. To put that mind of yours to work. Where it belongs."
        #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia brushed herself from Jezera’s grasp. Her heart was beating so fast now. Part of her was screaming at herself for even considering it. But, Mistress was speaking so persuasively..."

    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Wh-what information...exactly...are you trying to extract from him?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "That sounded like a yes, darling."
    je "Well, that's your test. The more you find out, the more impressed I'll be. So, are you ready to meet with Mr. Garforth?"

    menu:
        "Accept Jezera's task. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia’s lip trembled. Then she closed her eyes."
                al "Would I have to go all the way with him? If I could get the information without...doing anything. Would that be acceptable?"
                show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                "Jezera rolled her eyes."
                je "One supposes."
                al "..."
                al "Alright. I will try."
            else:
                show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "She breathed in, searching for air. Even here, even now, she trusted Jezera. There was no question how she’d answer."
                al "If that’s what you wish of me…"
                #jez smirk
                "Her head started to lower, but Jezera bid it back up and planted a kiss on her lips."
                "Jezera’s hand locked with hers, and she felt something soft being pushed into her grasp."
                je "Take it with you, dove. A sign of my affection. So you know that your Mistress is with you the entire time."
                "Alexia looked down at her hand and found she was holding a familiar black choker..."
            jump garforthMeet_rp

        "Reject Jezera's task.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Please, Jezera. Don’t make me do this."
            al "...Please."
            "She looked Jezera closely in the eyes. She wanted to make it impossible to miss her discomfort with such an assignment. She was a married woman. A married woman."
            if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                je "Clearly, you have a long way to go if you wish to really be of use. But potential cannot be forced, it can merely be cultivated."
            else:
                "She had a line she would not cross. No matter how strong the desire to please was…"
                show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                "Jezera sighed and took a step back."
                je "..."
                show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
                je "Of course, my dear. You’ve already proven yourself more than willing to be obedient. You needn’t push yourself in every circumstance."
                je "A shame. This would have been a perfect chance for you to...develop...but there will be other opportunities. I’ll make sure of that, sweetling."
                "Jezera reached forward and gently caressed a strand of Alexia’s hair."
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            je "I will have another maid take up the task. Resume your usual duties, girl."
            "Then, the demoness strut back the way she came. For a lingering moment, Alexia watched the sway of her rear on the way out."
            show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia’s breath caught in her throat."
            if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                "Had that monster really asked her to do such a thing?"
            else:
                "Had she really said no to her Mistress that way?"
            return

    label garforthMeet_rp:

        scene bg14 with fade
        #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "It was late in the evening by the time she found herself standing in front of Mr. Garforth’s door."
        "Alexia fidgeted in place, nervous about what was going to happen. (She squeezed down on the thin strip of cloth in her hand.)"

        play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
        pause 1

        #CG of Alexia speaking to Mr. Garforth.  CG is inside the generic guest room.
        scene cg406 with fade
        show alexia maid neutral behind cg406
        pause 3

        gar "Yes? A redhead? She knew about my weakness for redheads, huh?   Come in, come in.  I'm curious what you're going to try on me."

        "Alexia cautiously entered the room. Not quite the reaction she had expected... "
        "Mr. Garforth was a rather small thin man.  A quick glance was more than enough to know he was no common visitor, though. Tomes of power, similar to the library, were scattered in a mess across the room. The result of sleepless nights of study, no doubt. "

        al "Uh, Mr. Garforth, right?"

        $ garforth_name = "Mr. Garforth"

        gar "Yes. The nervous maid routine?  Hmm, seems lazy.  Honestly, I thought that Jezera herself would come by to try and loosen my lips, but you don't exude that level of power.  I wonder, what class of demon are you, girl?"

        #scene black with flash
        #cg variant
        #scene black with dissolve
        #show alexia maid neutral behind black

        "Alexia felt an indignant reply start to rise up. But it died on her lips when a bright flash of light blinded her for a moment. Her vision cleared, and there was a look of absolute terror on Mr. Garforth's face."

        al "What was that for?!"
        gar "Y-y-you're not a demon!"
        al "If you’d have let me, I would have simply told you that."
        gar "Oh, uh, I'm s-s-so sorry! I, uh, I'm not..."

        "His voice trailed off too quiet for Alexia to hear him. The two simply looked at one another for a long awkward moment before the woman cleared her throat and spoke up again."

        al "I didn't catch the end of that."
        gar "I'm not good around girls. When you were a demon, it was…"
        gar "Well, rather easier, I suppose..."
        al "Please relax, Mr. Garforth.  I'm not going to do anything to you. I just want to talk. "
        gar "Of course, right."
        al "Why were you much more confident when you thought I was a demon?"
        gar "Well, I studied a lot about demons when I was an apprentice. Especially safeguards against their influence and power."
        gar "This was going to be how I tested myself. I was going to find the demons of this place and show they could do nothing to me."
        al "That sounds very brave. But what made you think that there'd be demons here?"
        gar "Well, I noticed a strange nexus in the world's flux field about a year and a half ago.  I'd been tracking it since, and eventually figured out it originated here."
        al "That sounds impressive! All this magic talk is beyond a simple maid like me. Have other sorcerers done the same thing?"
        gar "It's not something a normal sorcerer would notice. Most don't gaze around the outer dark looking for the specific kinds of demons I do."
        al "Specific kinds of demons?"

        gar "Yeah, they... uh... "
        gar "Well, I, er, don’t suppose the rest is something I should be talking about. You said yourself you wouldn’t understand."

        "Despite her attempts to convince him otherwise, it seemed that Garforth was quite done saying anything to Alexia."

        scene black with fade
        #show alexia maid concerned at center with dissolve
        show alexia maid neutral at center with dissolve

        "Alexia slammed her eyes shut."

        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "She had hit a brick wall and she knew it. What was her Mistress going to say when Alexia returned, with barely anything to show for it?"
            "Her Mistress…"
            "She opened her palms and saw the thin strip of fabric. Without thinking, she slid it around her neck. There was no more need to worry. She knew what to do."
        else:
            "Her hands shook. She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t extract information from him by just talking, no matter what. Jezera was going to be so mad at her…"
            "Alexia blinked twice. Jezera hadn’t sent her into this room to {i}talk{/i} information, had she?"
            "On the outside, she tried to seem engaged in Garforth and the conversation. But inside a tempest was raging."
            "What was she doing here? How had she let herself be talked into this?"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "She was married. She’d made vows. She was a good and proper wife, and they didn’t go around fucking other men behind their back. No matter who it would please."
                "But, then good and proper wives wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. If she were the woman she thought she was, she would have told Jezera to shove it the moment the demoness had even suggested coming here to flirt with him."
                al "I’m so stupid…"
                gar "Hrmm?"
                al "Oh! Nothing. Nothing. I just got confused about something."
                "Confused about a lot of things…"
                "There was only one thing she could do. Only one way to resolve this. She had to let instinct take over. In a room with him and pressed for time, she couldn’t think it through."
                "She would…"
            else:
                "Alexia shook her head. It wasn’t as if getting naughty with some stranger was quite the ask it might have once been. But, was this who she was now? Someone who Jezera could just talk into sleeping with some stranger?"
            menu:
                "”Seduce Garforth” (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    pass

                "”She couldn’t do it”":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene bg14 with fade
                    #show alexia maid angry at center with dissolve
                    show alexia maid neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Without a further thought, Alexia made for the door. She shook her head slightly as she walked. This was too much for her. How could Jezera ask this of her?"
                    gar "Erm, where are you going?"
                    "Alexia kept walking without listening. Her mind was made up. Jezera would be mad, of course, but compared to the prospect of being a whore on her command, this was preferable."
                    "She swore at herself under her breath. How had she almost been lured into this? And, as she walked, her thoughts turned to Jezera and how she’d been treating her until now."
                    "Jezera liked to pretend she was a friend helping her out. But she wasn’t. Alexia would have to remember that…"
                    # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', -3)
                    return


        scene cg98 with fade
        pause 3

        "Abruptly, Alexia pulled Garforth into a sudden meeting of their lips. His eyes shot open from surprise, but he didn’t try to shove her away."
        "What’s more, as Alexia kissed him, his posture relaxed slowly. All of the tension melted into her arms. Very unlike how Rowan normally was…"
        "The distance between them closed. Her bosom brushed against his chest, close enough that she was sure he could feel it. His hands wriggled to the side, but didn’t even dare to actually touch her body."
        "It was funny, she actually would have let him."

        scene cg97 with fade
        pause 3
        show alexia maid aroused behind cg97

        "Finally, Alexia broke it off. The man was left standing in place, dazed and bewildered."

        al "You don’t have to be nervous. Really. The truth is, I’m here against Jezera’s orders. She told us that no one was to meet with the sorcerer. But, I was curious."
        al "Can you forgive me, Sir?"
        gar "...Huh? Really?"
        al "You can trust me."

        scene cg96 with fade
        show alexia maid aroused behind cg96
        pause 3

        "Alexia led him by the hand to a large leather seat at the front of the bed. Garforth, still blinking rapidly, proved willing to let her lead."

        al "Why don't we start over? I haven’t even asked for your first name yet, have I?"
        gar "It’s...it’s Berrington."
        al "What a nice name, I think I'll call you Berry. You don't mind, do you?"

        gar "N-no."

        if alexiaJezObedient == False and alexiaCorrupt < 60:
            "Alexia breathed inwardly."

        "She placed her hand on his leg and slowly trailed it up. Garforth’s breathing hiked, but he was too stiff to escape her. Soon, her fingers were between his legs tracing the outline of a hardening bulge through the fabric. His eyes bulged."

        al "Berry, do you think you could tell me more about yourself? I’m risking a lot coming down here… "

        "The man proved as pliable a source of information as he was a pliable toy for Alexia to fondle. He spoke about his magical interests, his path to the castle and more."
        "Whenever the string of new information would stop, Alexia’s hand would “mysteriously” pull backwards. Only to return whenever he complied with her latest question."
        "Still, Alexia’s brow was starting to furl. There were parts of the story she wasn’t getting."

        al "Oh, but Berry. What about your teacher? Was learning it all exciting? What were they like?   "
        gar "Oh...oh, you’re really good at. No one has ever…"
        al "Hrmm? What was that? You were talking about your teacher?"

        "She punctuated her last sentence with a much harder stroke, then slowed her fondling to a near stop."

        gar "I... I... I really shouldn't say anymore."

        "Alexia suppressed her frown. Somewhere along the line, she’d started to do this more of her own volition than to fulfill a mission. When he told her some new secret, it made her want to push him further. To see how far she could go."
        "But now she was staring at that brick wall again."
        "Toying with his cock through his trousers had only gotten her so far. If she wanted the last important parts, she’d need to take it further."

        menu:
            "This is good enough." if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                "Alexia closed her eyes and got control of her breathing. Part of her was still urging her on. She wanted to know the rest. She wanted to melt this boy as though he were a candle."
                "But the rest of her knew something more important was true. Rowan would be waiting for her tonight."
                al "Hehe. I suppose everyone is allowed their secrets. I’m just so excited about meeting you!"
                gar "Oh. Yes yes. Of course."
                "Alexia tried to move the topic to other matters, but she found herself frustrated on all points. It was not long before she was wishing the timid man goodbye."
                "By the time she was approaching the door, he was left panting and half out of breath. This time she couldn’t suppress her own smirk. Surely once she left, he’d finish the job she started…."
                jump garEnding_rp

            "Take him all the way. (Scene)":
                # $ set_actor_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', get_actor_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence') + 3)
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
                pass

        scene black with fade
        show alexia maid happy behind black

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "Alexia bit her lip."

        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "Alexia brushed her fingers over the choker...her collar. She wasn’t alone."

        "Without a word of warning, she pushed the sorcerer backwards. He continued to yield to her until he was half reclining and she was straddling his lap."
        "Her hips softly ground into him. If he could process what was going on, he might notice how damp the point of contact was. He had not been the only one growing excited."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            al "(Goddess...I’m really going to do it…)"

        else:
            al " (I’m such a slut…)"

        gar "What was…?"
        al "Shhh. Just relax."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "She brushed her lips against his ear awkwardly. A timid attempt to replicate the kind of seductions she’d seen Jezera perform flawlessly."

        else:
            "She brushed her lips against his ear as seductively as she could."

        al "I’ve always wanted to fuck a sorcerer..."

        scene cg92 with fade
        show alexia maid aroused behind cg92
        pause 3

        "Every part of him yielded to her. When she drew it out, his cock sprang to attention. When she set him into position, he followed suit. And when she kissed him, he fell into her lips."

        gar "Wait, I’ve never…"

        al "No words. Shh..."

        "He sputtered weakly, but couldn’t look away. She raised her skirt, unhooked her panties, and made a show of pulling them away."
        "Then, she grabbed his cock in her hand, bulging and hard, and settled it beneath her. She suppressed a giggle. It was smaller than she expected. Even still, she dutifully aligned it between her legs...and then lowered herself down."

        gar "Oh...my word...my word…."

        "Alexia groaned and tested with a quick buck of her hips. Small perhaps, but not too small for her to enjoy. She reached down, cradling Garforth’s head in her hands so she could look him in the eyes."
        "Beneath her, the man was a mess of squeaks and groans. His mouth seemed to twist into a new shape with every roll of her hips. She sped up the pace of her movements, just to eke out more intense reactions from him. He never disappointed."
        "That aspect was almost...almost more pleasurable than being filled. Rowan was always so composed, even when she was nominally on top. But Garforth yielded to every sensation. She was desirable to him. She was riding him."
        "For a brief flash of a moment, she was young again."

        gar "I...I never knew it felt like...oh...oh…"

        "Alexia leaned back and made a point of rolling her hips. Every technique and every skill she’d learned in a decade of marriage went into it. Garforth half laid still, more a saddle to ride than a partner in motions."
        "But that was okay, Alexia would lead."
        "In fact, with even a bit faster a pace of stimulation, Garforth seemed to be advancing to a release. Alexia could hear his breath quicken and see the contortions of his face growing more dramatic. She frowned."
        "And slowed the movement of her hips quite a bit. It took a few seconds for Garforth to even notice. He bucked slightly under her, but her control over their pace was not even budged."

        gar "Wha-"

        al "Shhhhh. I don’t want it to end."
        gar "Oh….oh."

        "The following minutes of slow deliberate grinding were a form of torture. Every time his breath caught, she’d slow slightly more."
        "The rise and fall of her chest only continued to grow heavier. His faces were too much. The desperation, the lack of control over sensation. She rode each expression as much as she rode his cock."

        gar "Pleasee...oh...I can’t take it...please!"

        "Alexia blinked twice and gasped. What had she been doing? She’d really gotten into it..."

        al "Y-yes, of course. Together."

        "At once her hips sped up into a heavy rhythm. The air rang with the slapping of flesh against flesh. It was the kind of attack that a man such as Garforth would never be able to withstand."

        gar "Oh! Oh, I’m...I’m going to-"

        al "Me too! I’m going to-"

        "She was lying."

        scene cg92 with sshake
        scene cg92 with sshake
        scene cg93 with flash
        show alexia maid aroused behind cg93
        pause 3

        "When it was over, and when he returned to consciousness, he did so to Alexia’s face smiling right beside him."

        al "So, you were going to tell me about your teacher, Berry?"

        # $ alexiaUnfaithful = True
        $ garInfo = "4"

    label garEnding_rp:

        scene bg14 with fade
        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia maid neutral at midright with moveinright

        "Alexia took a deep breath and then gave the door two quick knocks. In between, she straightened her hair and outfit. The door opened, revealing the inquisitive face of the demoness."

        if garInfo < 4:
            je "You’re flushed, darling. Did I put you through too much?"
            #show alexia maid concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "...still?"
            je "Oh, hush. I’m sure you’d fool someone less initiated if they saw you. Your husband perhaps."

        else:
            je "Welcome back, darling. It’s good you came straight here. I wonder what your husband would think of that little {i}mess{/i} that our dear visitor left on your dress."
            show alexia maid aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia looked down at her dress. At once she went white. There was no mistaking what had been spilled over her uniform."

        je "What did you think of Mr. Garforth?"

        show alexia maid neutral at midright with dissolve

        al "I don't know.  He seemed ... weak?"
        je "A perfect first target, no? A woman should learn to adore men of that sort. They offer more and more to please you and don’t say a word in protest when you take more still."
        je "To such a man, any woman can be a queen. From a powerful demoness...down to a castle maid."

        show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "Now, let's hear what you discovered from our guest."

        scene black with fade
        pause 1
        scene bg14 with fade
        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia maid neutral at midright with dissolve

        if garInfo < 4:
            show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve
            je "So you weren't willing to take that last step? Tsk tsk. And from the sound of it, you were doing so well, too. Tsk."
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
            je "Still, for the moment, I'm suitably impressed by your efforts."

        else:
            je "Fascinating. Very fascinating. I suspected, in truth, that was who he was learning this from. But I needed proof. You’ve done very well tonight, my maid."
            show alexia maid happy at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia blushed softly."
            al "I wanted to test myself. I wanted to see if I could do it. To see how much I could milk from him."
            je "From the looks of it, quite a bit. But to me there was no test involved. I had every confidence from the moment I sent you that you’d return with all I wanted and more."
            je "You’re a good girl, Alexia."

        if alexiaJezObedient == False:
            je "As a reward, I believe that I'll be able to restrain myself while you're working as a member of my staff."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                #show alexia maid concerned at midright with dissolve
                "Alexia blinked twice."
                al "Is that what is considered a reward here?"
                #jez smirk
                je "If you’re displeased, I can continue toying with you when the mood arises?"
                "Alexia shook her head fast."
                al "No, no! Thank you for the reward, Mistress."
                "Alexia lowered her head and ducked to the side. Even as she retreated down the hall, she could still hear the faint sound of Jezera’s laughter."
            else:
                show alexia maid aroused at midright with dissolve
                "Alexia glanced sideways."
                al "Are you implying that your attention is a punishment? I thought you were trying to make me enjoy it."
                #jez smirk
                je "When did you get so clever, girl?"
                al "I’ve been in Bloodmeen too long."
                "Jezera rolled her eyes and shooed her off. Alexia left with a smile on her lips. All witty retorts aside, she’d done a good job. And the feeling of Garforth melting in her hands."
                "She flexed her fingers and then closed them into a balled fist."

        else:
            je "I am sure I can come up with some kind of suitable reward for you...the next time I call you for an evening visit."
            show alexia maid aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia blushed a dark shade of red."
            al "I have no doubt of your abilities, Mistress."
            "Alexia turned to leave. Jezera was a woman with important duties to attend to after all. But, before the door closed, she came up with one last thing to say."
            al "By the way...the choker helped. A lot."
            #jez smirk
            "Jezera didn’t answer her. But Alexia was sure she saw a smirk as the door closed behind her."

        #return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 4.rpy
label alexias_break_rp:

    $ meetMary = True
    $ liurial_orgasm_control_on = True
    $ NTR = True
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
    $ Liurialname = "Liurial"

    scene alexia_maid_1 with fade

    "Alexia was on cleaning duty alone today. A fairly normal task, albeit not an especially exciting one. It mostly meant going to the unused rooms and cleaning them out. Why any given room went from occupied to not was a roulette."
    "Sometimes they left to seek out a better room. The castle was quite large, with hundreds of rooms that sat unused due to inability to maintain so much. Other times, it was for less innocent reasons. Especially when the room belonged to an orc."
    "She’d actually spent the better part of the last hour hauling a bad mattress away. Her muscles just weren’t built for that."

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She rubbed her shoulders as she walked into a recently vacated room. Only to discover that she wasn’t quite as alone as she might have believed."

    #liurial shocked
    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    liur "Eeeek!"

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve

    al "W-wait!"

    "Alexia froze up, only to loosen up again when she discovered who it was It was just Liurial."

    show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "Don’t scare me like that, you. What are you even doing out here? This isn’t your room, is it?"

    "Liurial took a second to catch her breath."

    #liur neutral

    liur "M-mistress Alexia. When someone walked in, I had assumed the worst. Thank the sky and the dirt that it’s just you."
    liur "I only know this room has no present occupant. That’s why I picked it. There was little in the way of new work to do, so I wished for a quiet place to seclude myself. "
    liur "I’m sorry to have surprised you in this way."
    al "No no, it’s quite alright."

    "She clutched at the amulet that hung dark on her neck."

    al "I quite understand the feeling of being rather vulnerable in this place. I’m sorry to have disturbed your sense of security that way. If you’d like I could go?"

    "Liurial shook her head emphatically."

    liur "No! You’re not violating anything Mistress Alexia. I’m worried about those of ill intent. You’re my protector’s wife. I could never refuse your presence."

    "Alexia smiled to herself. The fact that her husband was still...with...this woman was a hard thought to push out of her head. But, what would be the point of putting up her guard?"
    "If there was one thing that was true about Liurial, she was not a threat."

    al "I’m glad you feel that way. If there is anything you ever need, you can always come to me."

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    liur "I know, Mistress. Thank you."

    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Liurial returned to her tea, and Alexia got to work bringing the room into more of a presentable state. Removing any trash or remaining belongings. Dusting the floors and counters."
    "But, the more she worked, the harder she found it to continue. She’d pause for a few seconds here and there to collect herself. The exhaustion was getting to her. She needed a break. She needed-"
    "Alexia paused."

    al "Liurial, you consider me to be your Mistress, right? You belong to my husband, after all."

    "She gave the waifish blonde a small wink."

    al "And we both know from first hand experience that what’s his is mine. He does not mind sharing with me."

    show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

    "A blush came to her face. The memory Alexia was hinting towards was not a difficult one to tease out. "

    liur "That is all true…"

    "Alexia stood tall and walked towards her. She didn’t normally tower over most people, but she could easily overpower Liurial if she so desired."

    al "Wouldn’t you call it...rather rude for your Mistress to be doing all the work while her possession lounges around luxury. "

    "Liurial nodded slowly. There was a light behind her eyes. A spark of interest."

    liur "Of course. It’s my duty to serve you. If it is within my power, it is my responsibility. What would you have me do?"

    "Alexia’s smile grew wider."

    al "I know just the thing. I bet they have one in your size. Wait right here."

    #cg1
    scene cg538 with fade
    show alexia maid happy behind cg538
    show liurial aroused behind cg538

    "Half an hour later, it was Alexia sitting at the table sipping slowly from a hot cup of tea. This was her break hour and she was going to make the most of it. Her feather duster remained in hand, but Alexia only idly toyed with it by brushing the table."

    al "Under the desk as well."

    "Liurial rushed to respond. Liurial fluttered over with a duster in hand. The minuscule skirt that Alexia had picked out for her flared easily. She looked good in a maid outfit. It suited her. If anything, it was a shame that she was mostly tasked with clerical work."

    if meetMary == True:
        "The fact that it was one of the skimpier outfits that Mary tended to wear only added to the aesthetic appeal of the situation."

    "Liurial bent low to clean the floor, inadvertently giving her Mistress a show."

    al "Lacey. Very cute. "

    "Alexia brushed a hand along Liurial’s rump. The girl shivered at the touch. But, before it could get too far, Alexia drew her hand back."
    "That was the game of it. Tease and pull back. Tease and pull back. Cop a feel of Liurial’s exposed breasts then draw her hand back."

    if NTR and alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "By now, Alexia knew the basics of the art of teasing a girl. She’d learned from experience."

    "Liurial was naturally the perfect subject for this. Every time Alexia brushed her hand against her, she’d let out a little whimper. She’d lean into touches, like a pet craving affection."

    if liurial_orgasm_control_on == True:
        "If Alexia didn’t know any better, she’d suspect that Liurial hadn’t released any sexual tension in weeks. Where was this desperation coming from?"

    "Liurial subtly waved her rear at Alexia as she cleaned. Pleading with her body. Alexia could smell the need in the air."
    "But, she wasn’t going to indulge yet. After all, would she really be doing her duty if she didn’t make sure the maid finished her work? Not that Liurial seemed to be making much headway at all."

    al "This floor is still filthy. Look at all that dust! It’s a wonder to believe you’ve really been cleaning this entire time."
    liur "I’m sorry, Mistress..."
    al "Have you been too busy fantasizing about naughty things to clean?"
    liur "..."

    "Liurial nodded her head slowly. She looked up to the other woman."

    al "And are you here to have dirty thoughts, or are you here to clean?"
    al "O-only bad little maids are thinking dirty thoughts when they should be thinking clean thoughts."

    "Alexia had to suppress a giggle. The character she was playing was not exactly subtle. Besides, she hadn’t exactly forgotten what she was wearing herself."

    liur "Indeed, Mistress. I’m a bad little maid. My mind keeps on going to such filthy filthy places. No place for a maid like me."
    liur "Do you wish to punish me, Mistress?"

    "She wiggled her rear again."
    "Alexia’s mouth grew dry. She wanted to lean down and feast on the girl here and now. The more she teased Liurial, the more turned on she got. How did Jezera maintain so much self control when going about her perversions?"

    al "W-well the only solution to you being a bad little maid is for you to instead be a good little maid. That means you need to do some cleaning."

    "Liurial went up to her knees. By now, her face had turned totally red."

    liur "What would you have me clean? Surely there is something I could do to show you my obedience?"

    "Alexia bit her lip. She’d planned to continue the game of role reversal a little longer. But, how could she resist such a cute face? How could she resist the scent of feminine arousal in the air?"
    "Alexia lifted her own maid skirt and brushed her panties to the side."

    al "Why don’t you clean this?"

    "Liurial giggled softly. Then she leaned in to lick her Mistresses’ slick pussy."

    #cg2
    show maidcunnianimation1 with fade

    al "Ah…"

    "Liurial might not have been good at cleaning some things. But this she could do. The movement of Liurial’s tongue proved skillful. Every time it brushed over Alexia’s clit, she let loose a loud groan."
    "Alexia gripped the back of Liurial’s head tightly. The silly bonnet Alexia had given her was lost in the chaos."
    "The intensity of Alexia’s movements grew and grew. At first, she squirmed and twitched. Soon her back was arched, and her chest rose and fell in deep lustful breaths. Alexia’s eyes fell closed."
    "Liurial just continued her work. She dutifully worked on the task of bringing Alexia pleasure."

    al "Filthy filthy little maid."

    "She pulled Liurial’s head away for a moment and found the elf’s face covered in juices and a mischievous grin. Some of her hair had fallen in front of her eyes and gotten matted. "

    al "What are you grinning at?"
    liur "Nothing, Mistress."

    "Alexia rolled her eyes."

    al "Then get back in there."
    liur "Of cou-"

    "Before she could even finish her reply, Alexia had gagged her once more with her sex. At once, the lapping of Liurial’s tongue started again. With it, the pleasure."

    al "Ahhh. Fuckkkk."

    "She bucked her hips, grinding and moving against Liurial’s face. Juices poured down her chin, dripping into the empty spot of the dress afforded for cleavage. Liurial’s borrowed outfit grew damp with hot, sticky liquid."

    al "More. More. Keep on going. Keep on going you little Ah."

    "Liurial’s tongue sped up. It went from polishing to scrubbing. The effect on Alexia was instantaneous. She went from squirming and groaning to thrashing and moaning. For Alexia, it was the building of pressure. A bubble about to burst."

    al "Almost there. Almost there…."

    "Her voice turned to a rasp. Her body grew stiff…"

    show cg542 with sshake
    show cg542 with sshake
    show cg543 with flash
    pause 3

    "...Then it hit."
    "Alexia’s fingers dug into Liurial’s hair, forcing her face close. That last extra bit of stimulation as she came, to eek out every last bit of pleasure from Liurial’s tongue."

    "Alexia let Liurial fall backward. The elf panted loudly, sucking in every bit of air she could get. She’d been reduced to a filthy pussy stained mess."

    if liurial_orgasm_control_on == True:
        "Liurial’s fingers drifted between her legs for a moment. To Alexia, it seemed like she was about to touch herself. A natural response to what had just happened. But, after the first brush, Liurial forced her fingers back up. Like she was forcing herself not to indulge."
        "Alexia would have said something, but she was too busy panting."
    else:
        "A hand drifted between Liurial’s legs. Even as Alexia was recovering from her orgasm, Liurial was working towards hers. Good. She deserved it. Her tongue had put in work."

    "Alexia closed her eyes. This had been a good break."

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    al "..."
    liur "..."

    "Liurial stretched her jaw. She’d been doing so off and on for the past few minutes. The remnants of Alexia’s secretions still covered her face."

    al "So, both of the uniforms are too much of a mess to return as is..."

    "She turned to the table."

    al "The floor and the chair are both so stained from cum that they’re actually more filthy than when I first arrived…"

    "Then she turned back to the rest of the room."

    al "...And you were too distracted by the roleplay to do much actual cleaning at all."

    "Alexia ran a hand through her hair. Not only would she still have to clean, despite having already wasted so much time on her break. But, she’d actually need to do more cleaning then she’d have had to do had she never tried to get Liurial to do her work."

    al "This place is a nightmare. What exactly are we going to do about this?"

    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She turned to the side, only to find her plaything shimmying back into her normal green dress."

    liur "How should I know, Mistress? I’m not a maid."

    "Alexia gave her a swat on the ass."

    # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 5.rpy
label trapped_in_the_closet_rp:

    $ maryNakedSeen = True # affects CG

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    "Early in the morning, Alexia joined a line of servants. Jezera had wanted them for something important before tasks began for the day. The entire castle staff was standing in ranks like a military unit."

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    "They had to wait five minutes before Jezera, hair still a mess, wandered in."

    je "Good morning, boys and girls."

    "She advanced slowly down the line, looking up and down at whomever she passed. The maid or servant in question straightened their posture and prayed to whatever deity they respected that Jezera would not notice an imperfection in their posture."
    "Alexia went into the same posture as the others."

    je "We have a guest coming from the east. I will need four staff working, specifically, under me today, for the sake of ensuring his room is kept constantly clean and whatever he desires is given to him. That means that representing Bloodmeen is your job."
    je "Alright alright alright. As lovely as my voice is, I’m sure you’re all just wondering who has the job."

    "She walked up and down the line. Then, she suddenly pointed at one of the maids."

    je "You."

    "She moved her finger to the maid’s neighbour."

    je "You."

    "She paused in place, putting her finger to her lips. Then, she suddenly picked one in the back."

    je "You."

    "Jezera kept on walking down the line, absentmindedly looking over potential prospects. Alexia’s heart thumped along with the clacking of Jezera’s heels. Was she about to be picked?"
    "Jezera reached Alexia...and kept on walking along."

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "But, as she did, Alexia exchanged glances with her for a brief moment. Jezera’s eyes reached into hers, and for the briefest of seconds, her Mistress gave her a secret smile. Just for her. It made Alexia think of satin and chokers."
    "Alexia was still giving a goofy grin towards empty air even seconds after Jezera passed."

    je "Hrmm. Perhaps, Mary. How do you feel about the idea of being the face of our hospitality?"

    show mary neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Mary stood at attention a few paces over from Alexia. When her name was called out, she gave a proper curtsy. Or at least as much of one as she could manage with that minuscule skirt of hers."

    mary "Such a position would be an honour. I’d love to work under you. Mistress."

    "Jezera brushed one her long fingernails down her cheek slowly."

    je "No. Not the right kind of guest."

    "She turned away. Mary didn’t seem to consider it much of a slight. With a lowered head, she returned to proper attention."

    je "I think Sazaria. You will join them as well."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    "Alexia barely noticed as the meeting broke up. Jezera had other work to be done, of course. The entire castle relied on her. Alexia and the other maids remained to receive their assignments."
    "Yet, Alexia was half in a trance as she went about her morning. What did Jezera have planned for the next time she was summoned down to her quarters? The thought consumed her."

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve

    "So much so, in fact, that it took a sudden and shocking pinch in the rear to break her from her stupor."
    "She was standing a hallway alone now. That is, except for Mary."

    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    mary "You were walking in the wrong direction, silly. We’re on kitchen duty today."

    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She blinked twice. The petite maid was standing in front of her with a beaming facial expression. Her usual unquenchable cheerfulness was on full display."

    al "Oh? You’re right."

    "Mary giggled in a high girlish tone."

    mary "You don’t gotta say a word about it. I understand. You were all giddy thinking about Mistress Jezera, right? Totally normal."

    al "I was-"

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia blinked again."

    al "What?"

    "Mary raised her shoulders and struck up a mischievous smile."

    mary "I’m not blind, silly goose. Those “Fuck me” eyes you were making at her. Those “I will” eyes she was giving you back. And all of those late night visits to-"

    #alexia maid angry
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia moved without thinking. No one else was in the hallway. So she shoved the smaller girl to the wall and loomed over her with narrowed eyebrows. Her arms slammed the wall, holding Mary in place."
    "She couldn’t know. If people knew they could tell Rowan."

    al "I don’t know what you think you saw, Mary. But, you don’t know what the slightest thing about what you’re talking about."

    "Mary, for her part, just kept on smiling. She hadn’t even reacted to being shoved against the wall, except with a mouse-like squeak."

    mary "Ooh, rough."
    mary "Don’t worry. I’m not about to run around screaming about it. No worries. I know how to be to keep my lips gagged."

    #alexia maid concerned

    "Alexia slowly eased backwards, moving her arms to the side. As the surprise faded, so too did the rage. Mary would not be telling her this if she planned to skip off to Rowan. Besides, that wasn’t Mary’s style."
    "Besides, she knew Mary. Would Mary actually try to harm her?"

    al "Is there something you want from me?"
    mary "Oh, nothing at all. We’re friends, silly.  I’m just glad to have you as a serving sister is all."

    #alexia maid neutral

    "Alexia tilted an eyebrow."

    al "Serving sister?"

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
    #show mary naked happy

    "Instead of answering in words, Mary answered by lifting up her skirt. Alexia froze, dumbfounded. For starters, Mary was not wearing any panties."

    if maryNakedSeen == True:
        "Alexia already knew what she would find, but could not help looking down. She’d seen it all before."
        scene cg399 with fade
        pause 3
        "The intricate tattoos, the piercings to most intimate places. Even the word slave written dramatically above her sex."
        "It had been shocking at the time. In truth, even all this time later, it was still stunning."
        scene bg14 with fade
        show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
        #show mary naked happy
        show mary happy at midright with dissolve
        "Now Mary was showing it all to her voluntarily. Did this mean that-"

    else:
        "But, had the pussy it revealed been an average one, Alexia would not have been left so shocked."
        "No, Mary’s pussy was something unique entirely. It was laced with a string of piercings. Alexia struggled to count them."
        "More than that, it was marked with the word “Slave” written in beautiful cursive above it."
        "Alexia took a step back and muttered under her breath. How? Why? Who would do something like this to their body?"

    mary "A slave must have an Owner, after all. Perhaps one beautiful and a bit sadistic. Now we have the same Owner!"

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia’s knees shook. Without even meaning to she took a step backwards, ceding ground to Mary. She didn’t mean...she couldn’t mean...But, yet.."

    al "D-Did she make you get all that?"

    "Mary giggled softly and played with the hem of her skirt."

    mary "Worried it might be your turn next? Hehe. Don’t worry. I was the one who asked her to get them. My idea. It was too sexy not too."

    #show mary happy

    "Finally, she brought the skirt back down, removing the depraved sight from Alexia’s gaze."

    mary "So, tell me the story, sister. Oh, you have got to tell me everything. I want to hear every last juicy detail!"

    show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia rolled her eyes. This was much more like the Mary that she knew."
    "Still, here was someone who not only would keep a secret, but probably had a similar experience. Alexia had to admit it would be interesting to open up to someone about it."
    "Oh, she didn’t say everything. If a detail concerned Rowan, Alexia kept it from her tongue. She also didn’t mention the trip to Rosaria."
    "Still, Mary hung on every last word, asking the occasional clarification question. When the story finished, Mary clapped her hands together."

    mary "Wow! You must really be a prize to her. She never did anything remotely that impressive for me!"

    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "You serve her, but she doesn’t value you?"
    mary "Nope. I’m just a toy! You’re clearly much more important to her."

    "Mary sighed happily. Alexia couldn’t help raising an eyebrow. Mary had said it so matter-of-factly. No, she almost relished it. Shouldn’t that make her sad?"

    mary "But, that’s okay. Everyone has their place. Mine just happens to be on my knees. "

    #alexia maid concerned

    "Alexia’s heart was torn by this. Mary was her friend. How had she had internalized the idea of her own inferiority to the point where it no longer even bothered her?"
    "Yet, Alexia couldn’t help turning over what Mary was saying in her mind. She’d known for awhile that Jezera had other pets. If Jezera really was treating her as something special, did that mean that she really did..."
    "She lost her footing slightly. She suddenly felt woozy."

    al "This all feels...I don’t know how to say it...wrong? What kind of woman enjoys something like that?"

    "Alexia blurted it out before she realized that she’d just insulted her friend."

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to-"

    "Mary interjected."

    mary "A fuckslave!"

    "Alexia blinked twice."

    mary "I’m a pussy addicted fuckslave. That’s the kind of woman who enjoys something like that."

    "For the first time since they’d met, Mary wasn’t smiling. She wasn’t angry. Just...serious."

    mary "I’m a slave with a Mistress. I have a purpose. And it’s to serve with everything I have. Especially my body."
    mary "Back in my home village, they had all these dumb rules about who I could fuck. Who I couldn’t fuck. It had to be a man. It had to be someone I was married too. My parents had to approve."
    mary "But, that just wasn’t me. I wanted to be kissing, rubbing, and fucking every pretty girl that crossed my path. That’s why Mistress made me her slave. Now I can fuck and fuck all I want, and no one cares. I’m just a slave. What’s wrong with enjoying myself?"

    "Alexia found herself silent yet again. Mary had a way of disarming her with her bluntness. Especially about such lewd topics."

    "Mary stepped closer and placed a hand on Alexia’s waist."

    mary "You don’t need to struggle so much with it, cutie. Do you like having sex with Mistress?"

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia sighed."

    al "...Yes."
    mary "So you do like fucking girls, then?"

    "She was suddenly much more aware of Mary’s hand."

    al "Well, I don’t know if it’s all girls…"
    mary "But, when you see her perfect purple skin, it makes you all hot and steamy, doesn’t it?"

    "Alexia closed her eyes."

    scene black with fade
    show jezera happy at center with dissolve

    "…"

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    al "I suppose so."
    mary "And when Mistress fucks you, is it tame and chaste?"

    "Mary was brushing her hand now along Alexia’s stomach in a slow rhythmic fashion. Light, fleeting touches constantly moving."

    al "Well no…"

    mary "And she wants you to develop your skills at sex and using your body, right?"

    al "..."

    "Alexia sealed her eyes shut. Was Mary...insinuating they were the same? That couldn’t be right."
    "Mary’s hand trailed up slightly. Alexia let out a slight gasp. She’d felt the back of Mary’s hand brush over her nipple through her outfit."

    mary "And do you like it when she teaches you those things? When you get to act like a bad girl?"

    "Alexia tried to formulate a way to say that Mary didn’t understand. That it was more complicated than that. Nothing of the sort ever came out."

    al "...Yes."

    "Mary drew her hand back suddenly. Alexia suppressed a groan. Her eyes fluttered open to see Mary grinning in a way she’d never seen before. Less cutesy and more...hungry."

    mary "See! You’re a fuckslave too! You just haven’t accepted it yet!"

    "Alexia stumbled back a step. The back of her foot hit the wall."

    al "I’m not..I’m not that…"
    mary "Mm. Silly silly. Your slave sister Mary is here to help drive all those silly lies away."

    "Mary advanced slowly."

    mary "In fact, you probably got all wet and steamy just from talking about it, didn’t you? I’m willing to bet a pretty penny on it."

    "Alexia huffed. She was letting Mary get the better of her. Letting her read her mind. Letting her read her body. This had gone far enough already."

    #alexia maid angry
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m not a fuckslave like you. There isn’t a tattoo on my crotch. Jezera is just showing me a few things. I still have control of myself. I still have choices."

    "Mary did a twirl and giggled to herself. Alexia let herself exhale."

    mary "Well, fuckslave or no. Jezera does always allow her toys to spend quality time together."
    mary "So, miss self-control. We could always take a teeny little break in that closet over there. I could help you with that wet pussy of yours. What do you say, sister? Think you’re going to, hehe, choose to do that?"

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "..."

    "Alexia’s attention distinctly went between her own legs and the sensations emanating from them. Her eyes couldn’t help drifting to the opening of the closet."
    "Mary leaned up to her ear and gave her final pitch in a husky whisper."

    mary "No one would have to know. It would just be between us girls."

    menu:
        "Nod. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ marySex = True
            "Alexia almost shook her head. She’d spent the better part of the conversation denying all of Mary’s totally baseless assertions."
            "And yet.."
            "Alexia nodded."
            al "I don’t think...I don’t think that would be so bad..."
            "The words flowed from her mouth, as though she hadn’t been the one to say them."
            "Why had she said it?"
            "Alexia wondered that even as a grinning Mary pulled her by the hand towards the waiting closet. She had all the eagerness of a puppy."
            "Still, the reason why she was doing this could not be denied for long. Mary had been right about one thing, at least. She was wet."
            "The closet itself was small. An old stone enclave into the castle for the purpose of storing supplies. Alexia nearly hit a broom on the way in."
            "The space was cramped and dark. The only light came from a crack in the door that Mary left open behind them. The size of the closet forced their bodies together. Already Alexia’s bosom pressed to Mary’s. That wasn’t an unpleasant feeling."
            "To her surprise, Mary didn’t start throwing herself at Alexia the moment they were safe in the darkness. She actually dutifully removed her glasses and stashed them away in a spot out of reach. It was a smooth, practiced gesture, like a habit she’d built up over time."
            al "I've never quite had a tryst this way before. What now?"
            mary "Now this."
            #mary aroused
            "Mary went to the tips of her toes, and slowly brought her lips to Alexia’s. Her lips tasted good. Like cherries. After only a few seconds, Alexia was starting to get into it."
            #CG1
            scene cg563 with fade
            #mary naked
            show mary happy behind cg563
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg563
            pause 3
            "In the darkness, there were a flurry of hands. Grasping. Undressing. Garments fell to the floor of the closet. The largest of which was the longer maid dress Alexia wore. Mary’s entire dress slipped off like it was hardly there, though. Had it been made to be removed easily?"
            "Alexia and Mary both started to sink, landing gently on their knees. It put them on an even plane. By now, Mary was down to little more than her lace undergarments and her heels. Mary didn’t even have undergarments."
            "Their hands explored each other’s bodies and their tongues explored each other’s mouths. Mary was so soft. It felt good to rub against her body. Their breasts and stomachs met."
            "Her companion quickly had her pussy pressed against Alexia’s leg. Alexia followed suit."
            "Mary’s body had a strange texture to it. Alexia was only still getting used to the soft sweet feeling of another woman’s body. Mary’s petite form certainly fit that bill."
            "But, as Mary ground her nipples and crotch into her, the feeling was interspaced with hard metal. Each sensation heightened her awareness of the other. The piercings made her softer, and her body made the piercings more overpowering."
            "It was driving Alexia crazy."
            mary "Mph. Mph. I'm getting all wet…"
            "Alexia rode Mary’s thigh. It reminded her of the way she’d use a pillow back during her youthful experimentations. The harder she ground herself, the more and more she drowned in the pleasure. Her juices coated everywhere she rubbed. Hot and wet."
            "The same was happening to Mary. Her head rolled back and her posture grew more restless by the moment. Alexia’s thighs were getting wet with juices besides her own."
            "It went on and on without advancing or progressing. There was none of the urgency of sex with a man. When her body was locked with another woman’s she could rub and tease and play for so long that it was hard to pay attention to time."
            "Who would even want to think about time when her breath was at your neck and your entire body felt so good?"
            "Alexia's breath caught at her throat. A long throating moan was building up...only to be silenced by Mary’s hand."
            mary "We have to be quiet, sis. We can't have someone open up and see a p...pair of sluts in here."
            "Mary’s voice came out in a breathy whisper."
            "Alexia nodded slowly. A pair of sluts..."
            al "Dizzy…"
            "Without thinking, Alexia kicked out her leg. She’d been so lost in the fog that her space constraints were not on her mind. When she kicked out, it hit the wall with a loud bang."
            "Alexia and Mary both froze in place. Alexia’s eyes shot open. What had she just done?"
            "Then, from outside the closet, the sound of heavy male footsteps grew louder and louder. Mary silently drew the door totally closed, leaving them in darkness."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve
            "Andras walked slowly down the hallway. His muscles were tense. He looked as though he were preparing for battle."
            "Suddenly, Andras froze in place."
            "He thought he heard something. Breathing perhaps. Only it was very heavy. He sniffed the air. His large frame towered over the hallway."
            "No one was there. Seemingly."
            "He brushed his hair back and kept on walking. Though, if he looked tense before, it was only more so now."
            #CG1
            scene cg563 with fade
            #mary naked
            show mary happy behind cg563
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg563
            pause 3
            al "Mary…"
            "Alexia panted softly. It was hard to even form words."
            al "Why were you teasing me? We could have been found out…"
            "The entire time that someone had been walking past, Mary’s hand had been between Alexia’s legs. It would have been a struggle to keep totally quiet even without the mischievous touches."
            "Mary gave a breathy giggle."
            mary "Why did you like it so much, then?"
            "Alexia sealed her eyes shut. Then she opened them once more. Some of the lust that clouded her gaze receded."
            al "No more teasing."
            al "You’re the lesbian fuckslave, right? The one who spends all of her time with other girls? You like to pretend that you’re so skilled."
            "Alexia brushed a hand over Mary’s cheek."
            al "Prove it."
            "Alexia leaned back, as much so as space would allow, and pulled away her panties. By now, they were so soaked that they were practically unwearable."
            mary "..."
            mary "As you command."
            #CG2
            scene cg564 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg564
            pause 3
            "If Alexia had actually believed Mary to be bluffing, she had made a real mistake. Without another word, Mary was on all fours, practically throwing her face between Alexia’s legs."
            "Alexia’s eyes flew open. Mary’s tongue had plunged deep inside of her and was now frantically exploring her inner walls."
            "Mary didn’t have a technique built on slow and steady buildup. She attacked Alexia’s sex like a woman possessed. Her tongue twisted and flicked at expert speeds."
            "She was completely unprepared."
            al "Oh...fuck…"
            "In mere moments, her head was rolled back and her chest was rising and falling fast. Alexia sucked in air but couldn’t stop feeling breathless. Mary’s tongue always seemed to find the exact right spot to do the maximum damage."
            "Already dripping, she was soon bucking and spasming. She was going to cum. She was going to cum."
            al "M...Mary…"
            #CG2 - var 1
            scene black with fade
            "Alexia spasmed. Waves of toe curling delight filled her body. Every nerve ending was alight."
            "But, Mary wasn’t done. Games between girls don’t have to stop after one."
            "For the next half hour, the closet was filled with the sounds of desperate moaning. At times even aroused screaming. Alexia was pushed past the edge over and over again."
            "Mary’s tongue never seemed to tire or grow sore. She just kept on attacking and attacking. A flick of the clit. A move deeper into her folds. All of it made Alexia squirm."
            "By the time she was done, she’d left the redhead crumpled on the closet floor like a puppet whose strings had been cut."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show mary happy at midright with dissolve
            "Both women, fully clothed once more, left the closet holding hands. They were both flushed red, although Mary was not half as flushed as Alexia."
            "Mary’s glasses were crooked. She’d put them back on in the dark."
            "Alexia, meanwhile, found it hard to even hold Mary’s hand. Her hand would still spasm every few seconds. Aftershocks."
            al "You’re such a slut, Mary."
            mary "I thry. Sisth."
            "Her words came out so slurred that Alexia could barely understand it. So, she just kissed Alexia’s cheek instead to get the point across."
            "Alexia groaned. Something told her that Mary wouldn’t be content with a single tryst."
            al "Sisters, huh…"
            "She brushed a shaky hand along her neck."
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', 3)
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
            # return

        "Shake head.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia paused. She was wet. She could feel it. The proximity of Mary’s body did nothing to alleviate that. Neither did the feeling of her breath at Alexia’s ear."
            "But, was she so wet that she couldn’t maintain control of herself?"
            show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia shook her head firmly, and playfully pushed Mary out of her personal space."
            al "Nice try, Mary. Did you really think I would be that easy? The answer is no."
            mary "But, what if-"
            show mary neutral at midright with dissolve
            "The smaller maid pouted. Alexia’s head was already starting to defog."
            al "Nope."
            "Alexia glared into Mary’s eyes and Mary glared back. They held their stare for a few seconds that felt like minutes. Like two sams circling each other with horns out."
            "Mary broke her glance first."
            mary "Mph. Darn it."
            "She stomped her foot."
            mary "I was doing my best purring seductress voice too!"
            show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve
            show mary happy at midright with dissolve
            "They both laughed a little bit."
            "Alexia rolled her eyes. Was this what Mary was like with other girls who she’d seduced? A little disappointment and she turned to a petulant child. Her parents really must not have done a good job with her."
            al "You were. It almost worked even. Almost."
            "Mary sighed. They started walking towards the Kitchen, where they were both expected for work."
            mary "You may have won this battle, sis. But, I’ll get you next time. Don’t think I’ve given up yet!"
            "She giggled playfully. Alexia couldn’t help but smile a bit too."
            al "Sister, huh?"
            mary "Mhm. Sister slaves to the same Mistress."
            al "I see."
            #alexia maid concerned
            show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "It was almost like there was an entire kingdom beneath Jezera. A series of feudal dues and power structures invisible to anyone who wasn’t clued into the network."
            "The question for Alexia was...where exactly was she in this kingdom? Was she a duke? Or a peasant?"
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 6.rpy
label unbalancing_act_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    scene black with fade

    "Alexia groaned. She knew she shouldn’t be doing this."
    "But, Mary had been so persuasive. And she really had been feeling pent up…"

    #show cg1
    scene cg851 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused behind cg851
    pause 3

    "She squirmed in the bed, but kept her legs wide open. Her friend, Mary, had her head in between, mouth pressed to Alexia’s lower lips."
    "Their uniforms had been long discarded at the foot of the bed. So too with it their work ethic. They’d been tasked with cleaning the room, but Mary had gotten bored of working."
    "Mary got bored of working often."
    "Alexia had attempted to protest that they needed to do their work. That they might be punished if they were to laze away the day in a tryst. But, deep down she wanted Mary’s tongue inside her slit. And they both knew it."
    "She stifled a long moan and gripped Mary’s hair tighter. The tip of Mary’s tongue toyed with her clit."

    al "Mary. Ah. M-mary. Faster. We don’t...ah...we don’t have a lot of time…"

    "Her companion let out a cute sigh, muffled by Alexia’s body. The girl’s fingers had slipped between her own legs and she was fucking herself to the same rhythem that her tongue toyed with Alexia."
    "Shivers ran up Alexia’s spine. Her head rolled backwards. Mary’s tongue knew how to work anatomy, and it eke’d out reactions from Alexia that she couldn’t control."

    scene cg853 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused behind cg853
    pause 3

    al "Mary. Fuck. M-mary. It’s too much."

    "Her back arched, and her nails dug into Mary’s hair as hard as they could. Her thighs wrapped tight around the smaller girl’s head. Not, that Mary did anything to resist the vice holding her. If anything, it made her butt wiggle more excitedly."
    "The room reeked of their mutual scent. It hit Alexia’s nostrils. The bedsheets lay sprawled everywhere. The mattress creaked beneath them to match their animalistic movements."

    al "Keep going. Ah. Keep going."

    "She felt the heat rise. The molten core threatening to boil over. Mary seemed to keep going without any hesitation. She had a tongue with the stamina of repeated use. And she employed it to great effect. "
    "Alexia had resorted to bucking and moaning. Pulsing waves of pleasure were taking her further and further. Soon, she could hold it back no longer."

    #show cg1 - var 1
    scene cg852 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused behind cg852
    pause 3

    al "Mm. Mary. Y-yes!"

    "Her thighs squeezed tight around the girl’s face. Alexia’s juices flowed relentlessly into her partner’s mouth. Any left over dripped down to stain the sheets. If Mary had thoughts on the matter, she didn’t have a mouth in any position to voice them."
    "Not that it mattered, Mary answered in her own way. She kept going. Sensitive and shaking, Alexia’s body couldn’t resist it much longer."

    al "Yes. Fuck. Goddess above…"

    "The second orgasm came soon after the first. This time, it left Alexia panting and breathless. Her thighs eased up, but Mary didn’t ease up."
    "Each subsequent orgasm came easier than the last. It left her more exhausted, more overwhelmed, more sensitive. She came and came until the time between the waves seemed non-existent."
    "Mary had her own enjoyment too. Her shakes grew more violent the longer she touched. Before long, she was cumming right alongside Alexia. The spasms of her body vibrated up through her tongue into Alexia’s painfully sensitive clit."

    al "E-enough. Enough…."

    scene black with fade
    show alexia maid happy behind black
    show mary happy behind black

    "Mary rolled over and speechlessly lay next to Alexia. The last embers of sunlight streamed through the window, bathing them in the sweat and musk."
    "Alexia smiled to herself…"
    "...until she realized what they’d done."

    al "...Mary? How long were we doing that?"
    mary "I-uch."

    "The girl rolled her tongue for a few seconds and then let out a tired little giggle."

    mary "I unn know?"
    al "And how long time were we given to finish our rounds before we had to report back?"

    "They exchanged a glance."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show mary neutral at midright with dissolve

    over "What did you girls {i}do{/i} to this place? I swear that It was not like this when last I was here."

    "Alexia and Mary were lined up next to each other, both with their heads lowered. The overseer for this shift stood in front of them, arms planted on her hips."
    "She was an elderly woman, and had a face perpetually frozen in an expression that suggested that there was never a person she didn’t find annoying."

    al "I-"

    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "There were some...accidents that happened while we were cleaning. We believed there'd be time too-"

    over "Accidents? The sheets are a disaster, they're soaked. What did you do to them? And the smell of the place."

    #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "I-"

    "Alexia searched for an explanation, but none came forth. Thankfully, this was a situation that Mary was well prepared for."

    mary "It was me, Ma'am. I wanted to break the rules, so I told Alexia to wait outside. Then, I invited my friend-"

    "The overseer grunted to herself."

    over "Of course, it was you. It’s always you, Mary. Didn't you learn anything from your last punishment? Anything at all?"

    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    mary "He. I certainly did."

    "A pause came over the woman. While she thought over what to do, Alexia simply had to wait in agonizing silence."

    over "Mary. Follow me to the dungeons. I fear a more advanced punishment will be required this time."

    show mary neutral at midright with dissolve

    mary "Yes, Ma’am. "

    "Mary started after the Overseer, walking with her head down and posture scrunched up. Almost like a puppy that aimed to forestall consequences with a cute demeanor."

    over "Alexia, come along as well."

    #show alexia maid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "But-"

    "The Overseer shook her head, almost disappointed."

    over "Alexia, since you joined us, you’ve proven hard-working and fairly reliable. But, the rules are the rules."
    over "You were the accomplice in...{i}this one’s{/i} scheme. You had a share in her mischief. So you will have a share in her punishment."

    #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    "Mary jumped between Alexia and the overseer."

    mary "Oh, you can’t do that. Is it really proper for you to harshly punish the wife of the castle steward? What would Mistress think?"

    "The older woman didn’t respond. But, from the way her eyes widened slightly, Alexia guessed that line of attack hit close to home."

    mary "Let me take the full punishment. Her share and mine. That would be easier for all of us."

    menu:
        "Let Mary take the fall.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Mary..."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "Alexia’s face sank. The idea of letting her…”sister”...take the entire blame left a weight on her chest. But at the same time, why did it feel like another weight was being removed in its place?"
            else:
                show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia had to stop herself from smiling. That mischievous bitch! That genius! She was about to get Alexia off free and clear!"
            mary "Nope. Not a word. It’s my fault for being frisky, heh. You were barely involved, weren’t you?"
            al "..."
            "The overseer exhaled a long strained breath."
            over "Alexia, you need to stay here and clean up this mess. I want this room spotless. Absolutely spotless. Do that, and you’re free to go. Understand?"
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia answered back with a long, respectful curtsey. At least, in this, she was the proper maid."
            al "Of course, Ma’am."
            over "Mary. You’re with me. Now."
            "The Overseer took Mary by the wrist and dragged her from the room, the way a parent might lead a child. In her typical fashion, Mary managed to blow Alexia a kiss before the door slammed."
            hide mary with moveoutright
            #if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            #else:
                #show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia turned back to the room. Covers swept over the floor, the bed was drenched, and the entire room had started to reek. She sighed. This was going to be an all day task."
            #small income loss - TODO
            return

        "Accept the punishment. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show alexia maid angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia stepped definitely forward. But, her hands still wrung unsteadily at her side."
            al "No!"
            al "Mary. Thank you. You’re the best friend I can ask for."
            mary "Aww...."
            al "Ma’am. I, er, stood to the side while Mary made the mess. I deserve punishment as well. If my husband asks I will say that I not only consented to it, but considered it necessary."
            al "Even if Mistress asks, I won’t fault you."
            al "...I deserve it."
            "The overseer nodded to herself. Although, the older woman didn’t seem to react quite as much to Alexia’s opinions on her deservingness, as to the assertions of how Jezera would react. That slight gap of hesitation closed hard."
            over "Girls. Follow. Now."
            "With a commanding snap of her fingers, she led them from the room."
            #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            show mary concerned at midright with dissolve
            "Mary and Alexia exchanged soft glances the entire time. Mary offered soft smiles of gratitude. That helped ease Alexia’s mind. A valuable thing to do considering the path they followed the Overseer through. They were going to the dungeons…"
            scene bg8 with fade
            "The two maids walked with lowered heads into a medium sized stone chamber. It wasn’t well lit. Not very filled either. All there was of note was a small platform, and hanging from the ceiling two ends of a long cord."
            show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "What is-"
            show mary concerned at midright with dissolve
            mary "Oh. Oh no."
            "The Overseer reached over to a nearby rack and grabbed a leather riding crop. She waved it with menace towards her subordinates."
            over "Uniforms off."
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            #show mary naked
            "Alexia scrambled to throw off the dress, before folding it and lying it down to her side. Now she was in naught but her headdress and her underwear. To her side, Mary had removed her bra too."
            "Clearly, the other girl was much more practiced in this sort of situation. So, Alexia undid her bra and left it in the pile."
            over "Step forward."
            over "For your punishment, you are to spend an hour on the pulley. You will not have access to your hands, and we will not be finished until you have properly been educated."
            al "Ma’am. If I may. What is the pulley exactly?"
            "The Overseer pulled out an imposing set of metal clamps. They were quite large and heavy looking, and the design made them look like menacing alligators."
            over "One set on you. One set on her."
            "She pointed to the cord."
            over "Connected by a single line. You are going to find it very hard to deal with the tug it emits. But, if your friend decides to be selfish, you’re going to find it a lot more difficult."
            "At once, the brutal logic of the event was apparent to her. An exercise in trust between them, with pain as the motivator. A cruel form of torture indeed."
            "Alexia hugged her arms against her chest and shivered."
            over "Don’t make that face. You agreed to this, didn’t you?"
            #cg2
            scene cg856 with fade
            #mary naked concerned
            show mary concerned behind cg856
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg856
            pause 3
            "Her arms were limp and pliant as the Overseer worked them behind her back so leather cuffs could be applied. She waited for the sting of the alligator clamps biting into her skin. But, it didn’t come immediately."
            "Instead, the Overseer picked Mary as the first recipient. Alexia’s eyes widened. The steel contraptions seemed to totally engulf her meager breasts. Mary’s mouth shot open."
            mary "AHHHHHHHHHH!"
            "Could Alexia’s face grow more pale? The really tilting element was that this was Mary. This was the girl who’d once asked for seconds when Alexia slapped her in the face."
            "The Overseer moved to Alexia next. She near winced in fear."
            over "Don’t squirm, girl."
            al "AHHHHH!"
            "The moment the clamps went on, her breasts were on fire. A dull constant winging pain that didn’t ease off even as her body acclimated to the new sensation. She bit down on her lips."
            "She was so focused on adjusting to the new sensation, she barely noticed what her captor was up to now. She didn’t realize the cords were connected, until she felt the sudden sharp tug from the clamps."
            "Another wave of pain came from the powerful pull of the cord. In her animal desire to escape pain, Alexia went to the tips of her toes. That alleviated the pain...long enough for her to return to the situation at least."
            over "In an hour, we’ll see if any lessons have been learned."
            #cg3
            scene cg855 with fade
            #mary naked concerned
            show mary concerned behind cg855
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg855
            pause 3
            "The Overseer turned and briskly departed. In the process, leaving the two disobedient maids to their fate."
            "On the other side of the platform, Mary was in an even more extreme position than Alexia. Her short frame was being stretched out like a rack. She was as far up as her toes would allow, but from the squirming and whimpering Alexia guessed it wasn’t enough."
            "Alexia has her own challenge. The sensation was like being stretched out on a rack. The longer it went on, the more her legs began to ache instead."
            mary "Ugh…"
            "Alexia sighed eyed Mary wearily. It was hard to think through the pain, but to Alexia that almost sounded like a moan."
            "But, the thought was lost amidst the assault on her sensations. Now, the tension in her legs was far overpowered. Alexia’s mouth contorted in desperation, but nothing would ease her from the assault."
            al "I...I can’t stay on my feet."
            al "Mary, I’m…"
            mary "It’s okay, Sis. It’s okay."
            scene cg854 with fade
            #mary naked concerned
            show mary concerned behind cg854
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg854
            pause 3
            "Alexia pushed herself down on her heels. The tension in her legs mercifully eased for the moment, at the cost of some added pressure on her chest."
            "But, none of that mattered half as much as the shocked scream that came from her side."
            "Mary was near hoisted into the air now. Her toes didn’t even make contact with the ground. It was as if her entire body was being held aloft by the clamps."
            "Mary didn’t speak of the sensation with words, but her mouth rapidly formed incoherent syllables that didn’t even rise to the level of vocalizations. It had left her addled and speechless."
            "Alexia held down as long as she dared. Her legs needed the rest, but the pain from her breasts was only growing. Besides, this position couldn’t have been comfortable for Mary."
            mary "I can’t. Even..even I can’t. No moreeee."
            "In an unthinking panic, Mary swung her weight down, finding solid ground on the platform. But, now it was Alexia’s turn to be the victim of the full weight of the cord."
            "The intensity in her legs caught her off guard. A slow burn had turned into a raging inferno. She gasped and squirmed in her predicament, but was helpless to do anything about it."
            al "M..m...mary. We need..we need to level."
            al "Ahh!"
            al "Level!"
            scene cg856 with fade
            #mary naked concerned
            show mary concerned behind cg856
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg856
            pause 3
            "Mary and Alexia had to work together. But, the dire predicament they were in made co-operation easy. Slowly, they worked themselves back into a balance."
            "Neither woman forced the other to bear too much weight. But, each was left with more than enough weight to leave them squirming and panting."
            "As the minutes ticked away, Alexia found herself slipping. He world was the tug on her breasts, the pain in her thighs, and the overwhelming need for balance. Sensation alone guided her. Her eyes went glossy."
            "When the Overseer returned, she found both that way. Panting and red faced. Blank eyes and whimpering. There had been failures to keep balance here and there, but Mary and Alexia had long settled into as sustainable a position as the bondage would allow."
            over "Do you understand what you did wrong?"
            al "Yes!"
            mary "Yes!"
            over "And will it happen again?"
            al "No...ah…."
            "Her voice came out hoarse and faded. Alexia had to remind herself how to speak again."
            over "So you’re saying I should let you down now?"
            al "Please yes!"
            mary "Yes!"
            "The Overseer nodded to herself."
            over "Insufficient difference. I will see you again in five minutes."
            "As she walked back out from the chamber, Alexia let out a long groan. This was not how she’d planned to spend the day at work..."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
            #mary naked concerned
            show mary concerned at midright with dissolve
            "In the back of the Maid supply room was a small bath. It was frequented by maids after an especially difficult day on the job."
            "Suffice to say, that is where Mary and Alexia had gone."
            "Alexia sunk low enough that only her head hung above the water. Her hands absent-mindedly ran over her body. Her breasts were red. But, not quite as red as her calves."
            al "My legs feel like they were run over by a wagon."
            #mary naked aroused
            show mary happy at midright with dissolve
            mary "If you want, I can...massage them?"
            "Mary snuggled in close to her side. Alexia pulled back, eyes trained on the door."
            show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
            al "Mary, you really need to have more self control. This is a public space. Anyone can walk in?"
            #mary naked neutral
            show mary neutral at midright with dissolve
            mary "...And?"
            "Her eyebrows narrowed. The sheer lack of comprehension on Mary’s face was antagonizing."
            al "...And your carelessness got us in that situation in the first place."
            "The other maid sighed and sunk her head down into the water, until it was up to her nose."
            mary "Hrmph."
            al "You really didn’t learn anything, did you?"
            "Then, Mary popped up from the water slightly, splashing Alexia by accident. If Alexia was modest in her bathing, Mary was anything but. She seemed to use the event as yet another opportunity to flaunt her audaciously marked body."
            show mary happy at midright with dissolve
            mary "You’d be surprised."
            "Alexia grunted in answer. Her hands massaged her aching breasts."
            mary "Hey, Alexia... "
            mary "...Thank you for being there with me. You could have left me behind. I was trying to help you escape."
            show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            al "You tried to cover for me. You easily could have been more direct about my involvement in those kind of...activities. I’d rather my husband didn’t find out about that."
            al "The way I see it, I owed you."
            "To her surprise, Mary responded with a dark laugh."
            mary "You really think that old hag would tell? She was hand-picked by Mistress. She was actually a maid here back during her father’s war. If she knew anything, the Mistress would decide if it got around or not."
            "Alexia sunk lower into the water. Was the Overseer really so loyal to Mistress? Jezera was the one ultimately in charge of the castle staff, so it did make sense. But, it was hard to associate that stuffy old woman with someone so…"
            "So…"
            "Alexia shivered softly. She felt like someone brushed her shoulder. But, she didn’t see anyone there."
            #return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 3.rpy
label more_with_mary_rp:

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (slightly affects CG)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia had been working in the kitchens when it hit her. She didn’t know what it was. She didn’t know how to describe it. All she knew was that one moment she was doing her duties as a maid, entirely fine. The next moment she was on the ground crying."

    show alexia maid sad at midleft with dissolve

    "She didn’t even understand what had happened. Why did she feel like this? If someone had just asked her, she would have only been able to say that she felt...she felt…"
    "...empty."
    "She felt like there was something missing that should be there."
    "So, she stumbled off, tears strolling down her face into the hallway. Mary looked to the side to see what the disturbance was. But, Alexia just kept on stumbling. She clutched the walls. She put a hand to her heart. But, nothing eased it."
    "Eventually she found herself crouching alone in her room…"

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
        scene bg7 with fade

    else:
        scene bg9 with fade

    show alexia maid sad at midleft with dissolve

    "That was then when the door opened."

    al "(Huh?)"

    show mary concerned at midright with moveinright

    mary "Hey..."

    "Alexia turned around her. Her eyes were strained and red with tears. In the doorway stood Mary, with a concerned look on her face."

    mary "You ran out, halfway through the job. If you were willing to risk punishment from Mistress J, I figured it must be pretty serious."

    "She took a step closer and waited. Alexia didn’t stop her. So she took another step. Alexia didn’t know that she wanted to talk to Mary, she didn’t know that she wanted to talk to anyone, but she didn’t stop her friend."
    "Mary took a spot next to Alexia and crouched down."

    mary "What’s wrong?"

    al "I...I don’t know. I can’t really describe it."

    "Mary nodded."

    mary "Do you want to talk about it?"

    "Alexia considered the question. Did she want to talk about it?"

    al "Not at the moment. I guess. Not really?"
    mary "Alright. I’ll just sit with you."

    "So they sat. At least for two hours. Mary didn’t say much, and neither did Alexia. It didn’t cure the...the...whatever it was that left her feeling so damn empty. But, it was good to have someone else there, even for a little bit."

    al "Do you ever feel that...feel that this place takes your soul away? Just a little bit?"
    mary "I don’t know if I’d say that."
    al "Ugh. I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s just...there is something that should be there and isn’t. And I want it to be right, but I don’t know how…"

    "Alexia went on. She continued to try to explain how she was feeling, but she simply could not find the words for her state. Mary, though, listened intently. She nodded along to what Alexia was saying, and didn’t interrupt her or challenge her."
    "By the time she was done, the feeling was gone too. It almost was like a passing phantom. It swooped in without warning, and just as quickly had vanished. Alexia even managed to smile."

    show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve
    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Thank you. Really. Thank you. You don’t know how much you’ve helped me, Mary."
    mary "You don’t have to thank me. I saw something was wrong, and I knew I had to help out. Who else do I have to laugh about Skorded’s beard with?"

    "Alexia giggled."

    al "No really, I do. I probably would have been miserable for hours without you. I really owe you one."

    "Suddenly a mischievous look settled on Mary’s face."

    mary "Welllllll. If you insist…"

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
        scene cg365 with fade
        pause 2
        scene cg366 with dissolve
        pause 3
        show alexia maid shock behind cg366

    else:
        scene cg367 with fade
        pause 2
        scene cg368 with dissolve
        pause 3
        show alexia maid shock behind cg368


    "Alexia’s eyes shot open. Mary had suddenly closed the distance between them and pressed their lips together."
    "Alexia didn’t even have time to fight or come up with a coherent response to what happened. It had all happened so suddenly she didn’t know how to react."
    "She had trouble even making sense of the sensation. Perhaps it was her confusion, but it felt odd. Mary’s lips were different from any man she’d kissed. They were softer. There was also something unusual. She wouldn’t realize until later that it had been Mary’s tongue piercing."

    al "Mary...?"

    "She withdrew slowly. Mary didn’t seem to mind. She had a smirk clear on her face. She looked like a child who’d eaten fruit from the tree they were supposed to stay away from."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == True:
        scene bg7 with fade

    else:
        scene bg9 with fade

    show alexia maid shock at midleft with dissolve
    show mary happy at midright with dissolve

    mary "That was my way of saying you're welcome."

    "She rose to her feet."

    mary "I’m just happy I could help however I could. Don’t worry about the chores. I’ll cover for you."

    hide mary with moveoutright

    "She gave Alexia a little wave and walked out the door. Alexia remained in place, incapable of speech or even rational processing."

    "Alexia put a hand to her lips. What was that? The conversation had been so simple and wholesome, but then that kiss had come out of nowhere. It was so strange."
    "But, more than that, she had to process if she even liked it."

    #if all_actors['alexia'].corruption < 60:
        #"Kissing girls was something she distinctly was not used to."
    #else:
        #pass

    menu:
        "It was oddly enjoyable.":
            # $ maryKissLiked = True
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve
            "She tasted her lips. It was hard to describe how she felt about it. It wasn’t disgust. Different from kissing a man, but not worse. It was softer. More on even footing."
            "Alexia giggled softly. Her earlier concerns had eased entirely."
            al "Maybe…"
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
            # return

        "It wasn’t for her.":
            # $ maryKissLiked = False
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia tasted her lips. It took a few seconds to process, but she didn’t really like it. She wasn’t mad. Mary had been too playful, and before she had been so helpful. She didn’t even feel violated, even though if a man had done that, she certainly would have. It was too...innocent."
            "Alexia sighed. Her earlier concerns were mostly eased. Still, she was pretty sure that kissing girls just wasn’t for her."
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 5.rpy
label recycled_crops_rp:

    $ pickyCleanupSeen = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was starting work early in the morning, just after she’d changed into her maid uniform. A tap on her shoulder drew her attention."

    maid "The Mistress wishes for you to attend her in her quarters."

    scene bg18 with fade
    #show alexia maid concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Shortly after, she was at Jezera’s door knocking. When a voice called for her to enter, she shuffled inside with her head down and gave a well trained curtsy."

    "You called for me, Mistress? How might I be of service?"

    "Jezera looked up lazily from the large tome in her hands. Two more books scattered on the table seemed to be of a similar topic. It was a marvel she could split her attention in so many ways."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Alexia? Good good. I told them to send you, but sometimes those fools need a swat in the rear for a reminder."

    $ res_roll = dice(4)

    if res_roll == 1:
        je "I need a maid to attend me. Last night, I and this delightful Uvraithi man made such a mess. I need someone to replace the sheets and make this place spotless."

    elif res_roll == 2:
        je "I need a maid to attend me. Last night, I and this delightful Prothean made such a mess. I need someone to replace the sheets and make this place spotless."

    elif res_roll == 3:
        je "I need a maid to attend me. Last night, I and this delightful Rosarian slut made such a mess. I need someone to replace the sheets and make this place spotless."

    else:
        je "I need a maid to attend me. Last night, I and this delightful Qeratzeli contortionist made such a mess. I need someone to replace the sheets and make this place spotless."

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia scanned the room. She wasn’t lying about the state of the room. The bed alone looked like it had been a battlefield."
    "She bowed her head slightly in a maid’s practiced reverence."

    if pickyCleanupSeen == True:
        show alexia maid happy at midleft with dissolve
        al "But, nothing in green, right Mistress? It isn’t your colour, after all."
        "Jezera smirked."
        je "Actually, perhaps something green is in order this time around. You know how I like the occasional change of pace."
        show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "But, before Alexia could even start on the room, Jezera had more demands."

    #jez smirk

    je "One more thing. You needn’t remain so stiflingly dressed when it’s just us girls in here, do you? The boys are away, after all."
    je "Sweet dove, I called you for a reason. I want service...and a {i}show{/i}."

    "A blush crept over Alexia’s cheeks. But, such a request from her Mistress was hardly a surprise by this point."

    #CG1
    scene cg898 with fade
    show alexia maid aroused behind cg898
    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy behind cg898
    pause 3

    "She didn’t issue a word of complaint, even as her uniform polled at her feet."
    "She settled on leaving on her bra and stockings. But, most everything else was openly on display for Jezera’s viewing pleasure."
    "It was only after she finished that she noticed the implement in Jezera’s hand. A small leather riding crop."

    al "What’s that for-"

    "She was interrupted by a lightning quick, but not especially hard, strike to her rear. An involuntary squeak burst from her lips."

    je "In case you mess up, darling. I'm not quite the sadist my brother is. But, surely it's well within my rights to punish my service staff if they don't perform their duties adequately."
    al "I-yes. Of course, Mistress."

    "Alexia set to work on the delicate task of cleaning Jezera’s room. She was not some first-time maid now. She’d been on the job long enough to approach the task with the special delicacy it deserved."
    "Jezera occasionally hovered over her, crop in hand. But, she mostly stayed by her table with multiple books in hand at the same time."
    "Yet, every time she looked up at Alexia’s creamy nudity, the poor maid was left flustered. To Jezera, she was prey to be eaten."
    "Despite herself, the more she cleaned, the more worked up she would get. There was hardly a moment she wasn’t secretly hoping for the demoness to look her way."
    "For the sun to shine down on her. When Jezera didn’t look for too long, she found herself taking more provocative poses."
    "She’d clean with her rear bent over dramatically. Or else, she’d make extra sure to stand straight when she needed to reach something high up. This was Jezera, surely she’d soon be making suggestive remarks to her?"
    "Of course, it wasn’t like Jezera wasn’t paying occasional mind to Alexia. But, an ache set in every time Jezera returned her glance to the book."
    "She wanted more."
    "The moment of opportunity came when Alexia had moved on to the bookshelf. It was filled with unordered books and scrolls. Nothing that couldn’t survive a fall..."

    menu:
        "Resist the impulse.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She shook her head slightly."
            "This was a job. Yes, she was getting the personal benefits of one on one time with her Mistress. But, why had she joined the castle staff if not to keep things in smooth working order?"
            "She brought her duster to the bookshelf, and to the best of her abilities, wiped the accumulated residue from them. She even took the time to sort some of the books by title."
            "At the end of the work period, Alexia returned to Jezera and gave a deep bow. Jezera had not budged from her spot, save for bringing in new reading materials. Whatever work she was doing, it had a stronger hold on her attention then Alexia."
            "It was a strange thing, being jealous of a stack of parchment."
            al "I have completed the task as you commanded."
            "Jezera playfully waved the riding crop back and forth in Alexia’s face."
            je "Did you now? Let’s see about that."
            je "The bedding is...competent this time."
            je "The shelves are cleaned. Even organized. Risky. I might have had things where they were for a reason."
            "Alexia kept her eyes low."
            al "I know you better than that, by now."
            je "So you do."
            je "It appears that everything is in order."
            "The demoness strolled back into her seat, crossing her legs. Alexia couldn’t resist the urge to peek at her."
            je "It seems you’ve avoided the crop for today. You must be overjoyed."
            al "Very much so."
            je "One last thing…"
            "She raised her foot into the air. From Alexia’s hunched bow, it hung nearly a hair from her face."
            je "A kiss."
            "Alexia’s final act before departing was giving that foot a respectful little peck. The sensation lingered on her lips even as she dressed, even as she returned to work. Nothing else from the day stayed in her memory long after."
            # return

        "Provoke a punishment. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "With an “ill” placed swipe of the hand, scrolls and books went tumbling to the floor. It seemed half the shelf had been dislodged. Alexia immediately went to her hands and knees scrambling to collect the fallen material."
            "But, she peaked up over her bangs to see if Jezera would shine her attention back on her. Jezera did not disappoint."
            al "I was just trying to get some of the dust on top of the-"
            je "{i}Shhh.{/i}"
            #CG2
            scene cg954 with fade
            show alexia maid aroused behind cg954
            #jez smirk
            show jezera happy behind cg954
            pause 3
            "Nailed fingers worked their way into Alexia’s hair. Then, inhumanly strong arms raised her like a ragdoll and shoved her hard against the wall. A gasp escaped her lips."
            "Jezera was close. She was using her weight to press Alexia against the wall. In practice, that meant bodies touching. Breast against breast. Lips so close that Alexia wanted to taste them."
            al "No, I-"
            je "{i}Shhh. Shhh.{/i} No words, no words."
            je "I know why you did it. Such a needy little creature. I know just the {i}punishment{/i} you need."
            "Alexia’s eyes widened slightly. She felt something brushing between her legs. There was no need to look down. She knew what it was. The crop. The friction of the leather running over such a sensitive place stole a gasp from her."
            al "Ah…"
            "But, even as she was getting used to the skilled rubbing, another sensation entered the mix. Jezera pulled the crop back and put a light strike between Alexia’s legs."
            al "Ah!"
            "Alexia’s hips squirmed. Her clit burned with pain, but before she could adjust, Jezera had switched back to rubbing. Her body had a quick sensation."
            "Soon she was squirming to the rhythm of her Mistresses’ ministrations. The crop was growing damp from the state of Alexia’s exposed crotch."
            je "Such a desperate little creature. Disobeying me so she can be played with. That’s not how a good and proper maid behaves."
            al "No, it’s-AH!"
            "Her response was silenced by another swat of the crop between her legs. Her lips twisted into a wide and desperate gasp."
            je "{i}Shh{/i}. No words."
            "Alexia’s hips rolled with greedy intensity against the surface of the crop. In truth, she preferred fingers, but in Jezera’s hands, the strip of leather was overpowering. Her Mistress rolled it in a circle, the crop turning into an instrument in the hands of a violinist."
            "And, whenever Alexia settled into a rhythm, the source of mind melting pain."
            al "Ah!"
            "The swats of the crop seemed to bleed into the rubbing. Every time her pussy was struck, it was left more sensitive to the next round of pleasure."
            "It was almost too much. Her lungs felt empty of air. The weight of sensations threatened to crumble her. Had Jezera not been holding her aloft with the hand cruelly gripping her hair, Alexia would have collapsed to her knees."
            al "Ah...Ah...ah…."
            je "You just have no self-control, pet. So desperate to be used that you’d misbehave just for a bit of...{i}sensation{/i}."
            je "You need to learn a lesson."
            "Her cheeks grew red. Her fingers squeezed and opened. The frantic spastic moves of a woman riding an edge."
            "And then...it stopped. The crop was gone."
            al "I-"
            je "{i}Shh.{/i}"
            je "Did you really think I was going to let you get off, after you misbehave? I’d just be training you to make a mess of things in my room every time you’re horny."
            "Alexia whimpered softly as Jezera withdrew. Her hair no longer being gripped, she sank halfway down the wall. Her chest rose and fell, searching for missing breath."
            "All the while, her cunt pulsed...ached…"
            je "Clean up the mess you made from the bookshelf. I want it exactly as I left it before."
            al "But…"
            je "And then leave. You are clearly in need of further training before you can have the privilege of personally tidying my room."
            je "But, I’m a generous Mistress. Further training is not something you will have to wait long for."
            al "..."
            al "May I speak...Mistress?"
            "Jezera giggled to herself."
            je "I don’t know why that would be necessary, darling."
            "And so, Alexia set back to work. The mess from the book shelf was advanced enough to require a surprising amount of effort to clean up."
            "The ache didn’t help. It didn’t help at all..."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 1.rpy
label frisky_drider_rp:

    # $ friskyDrider = True
    scene bg25 with fade

    "Alexia had a moment of peace while the orc handlers were pulling one of the driders out of its cage. It was a powerfully built male creature that was straining against the chains and prods that kept it from rampaging around the pits."
    "One of the orcs, a muscular woman with an arrogant look about her, seemed to be taking a particular sadistic pleasure in tormenting the beast."
    "That was nothing new, Draith hadn't managed to get the orcs to be gentle, but this girl was being especially aggressive at rilling the drider up."
    "She frowned, that didn't look like the right way to hold that-"

    #escaping drider cg
    scene cg414 with fade
    pause 3

    "Suddenly he managed to slip his spinner free and spray the orcs behind him! They dropped their leashes in surprise and in moments the chains were off of his legs and he leapt forward."
    "His tormenter barely had time to realize what had happened before it landed on top of her and pinned the orc woman to the floor underneath his body. She yelped in shock, then growled as she tried to force the beast off of her."
    "Those efforts soon proved futile as the drider pinned her arms under his legs and then used his human ones to pull the lower parts of her armor free and expose her sex underneath."
    "Even if Alexia hadn't become familiar with drider libido, the look on his face told her exactly what was happening next."

    menu:
        "Watch. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            jump orcDriderScene_rp

        "Leave.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "This wasn't something Alexia needed to see. She couldn't do anything to help recapture him anyway."
            "Luckily, he'd calmed down enough by the time he'd finished raping the orc woman that he was easily recaptured and Alexia was able to return to her work."
            return

    label orcDriderScene_rp:

        scene cg131 with fade
        pause 3

        "There was a strange sense of fascination to Alexia as she watched the scene unfold. She couldn't exactly do anything about what was happening, that wasn't her job either."
        "Instead she simply watched events unfold, watched the drider man seem to gloat down at his victim for a few seconds and savoring having her at his mercy.  Or maybe he was just waiting for his shaft, which was resting on her belly, to reach full hardness."

        scene cg132 with fade
        pause 3

        "A moment later the drider grinned and started chittering happily as he forced his cock into the orc woman's pussy. For her part, the woman continued to struggle against his grip while making frustrated noises that were now twinged with gasps."
        "The other handlers started picking themselves up off the ground and clearing the webbing from their eyes. When they saw what was happening, some laughed, some scrambled to get new chains, and one even took out his dick and started masturbating to the scene!"
        "Ignoring all of them, the drider settled into a steady rhythm of slowly sliding out of the orc, but then slamming his dick home hard, out, then bam, out, then bam.  Each thrust was accompanied by a smacking sound of chitten hitting flesh and a gasp of pleasure from the victim."
        "Well, victim was maybe a bit generous. The woman had almost brought this on herself, had she been paying more attention to holding the guide chains properly instead of tormenting her charge, maybe she wouldn't be pinned under him being ravaged."
        "A few moments later, the beast slammed his chameric hips forward one last time, then held himself there as he emptied his twisted seed into an orcish womb. Alexia was surprised to notice that the woman had stopped struggling now, was she resigned or actually enjoying it?"

        scene cg132 with sshake
        scene cg132 with sshake
        scene cg133 with flash
        pause 3

        "As he pulled back from her well used sex, a trail of his seed stuck to his shaft. A small pool also started forming as it oozed out of the hole underneath."
        "The orc handlers who'd actually done their job took this moment to quickly feed chains around the beast and rebind him. He didn't have a chance and the remaining slackers quickly jumped in to do their part."

        scene bg25 with fade

        "They lead the drider away, towards the cleaning area for Draith to brush him down. They also left the orc woman who'd been violated laying on the ground, panting and cursing the drider for humiliating her and herself for enjoying it."

        #alexia gains a small amount of corruption
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 2)
        # $ do_job_breeding('alexia')
        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 2.rpy
label wild_animals_bite_back_rp:

    $ roAlRel = 50

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship?"
    menu:
        "Good":
            $ roAlRel = 100
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0

    #catacombs BG
    scene black with fade
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia went down the long, winding stairs, into the depths of Bloodmeen Castle as per usual. It was a long, dark descent, and she was completely alone for the majority of it. She thought little of it. At this point, this had become a semi-regular occurrence."

    #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve

    "It was going to be a long day of cleaning in the Drider pits, Alexia could tell. The recent breedings had left the place a chaotic mess of spilled, unnameable fluids. Alexia was secretly dreading it."
    "Her mind was in the clouds, picturing all the things she’d do once the unpleasant work of the day was over. A hot bath was on the top of that list."
    "The sound of rustling wind at her back caused her to freeze. She glanced over her shoulder, seeing nothing. They were deep in the dark now, not far from the breeding pits."
    "The animal part of Alexia’s brain twitched. Something was wrong. She glanced around, seeing nothing but shadows and the stairs twisting upwards like a harried snake. It was a particularly dim part of the castle, lit only by the distant torches set far apart down the stairs."

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "...Hello?"

    "No answer. With some trepidation Alexia continued her descent, her steps quickened as she neared the bottom."
    "Then, just as she came to the end of the stairwell and reached to the door leading to the pits, it appeared."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "The shadow of some massive form slunk from the darkness as if materialized from thin air. It let out a low growl."
    "Alexia backpedaled, nearly toppling to the ground as it menaced her. She shrank back, her mind going blank as blind panic set in."

    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "White fur. A hulking body. Long, black claws thick enough to eviscerate a man with a single swipe. It’s yellow eyes regarded Alexia with a bestial calculation, as if sizing up her prospective threat to him versus her value as a meal."

    al "W-what..."

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Who are you?"

    "The creature let out a sharp snort. It stared at her with its piercing gaze for a moment longer, before finally blinking. Something about the action made Alexia let go of the tense breath she’d been holding."

    whit "There’s a disgusting scent coming from behind this door. I haven’t been able to get it out of my nose since I arrived in Bloodmeen."
    whit "I can smell it on {i}you{/i} as well, mortal."

    "She was shocked to hear the creature speak intelligibly. Its voice was harsh and deep, its tone crude and belligerent. But Alexia could understand it."

    whit "What are the Twins keeping behind this door?"
    al "Th-they call it the Breeding Pits. It’s where they cage the beasts they’ve captured. Driders, mostly."

    "This revelation seemed to only make the Wolf man mad. His clawed fists clenched as he let out a low growl."

    whit "You cage them?"

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Words escaped Alexia. She felt a wave of primal terror her when the white wolf looked at her like that. If she had laid eyes on a monster such as him alone in the forest, she’d have run for her life."
    "The wolf-man paused, taking a few experimental sniffs of the air. His gaze hardened on her as he let out a huff."

    if roAlRel >= 60:
        whit "You stink of Rowan. His mate, perhaps?"
        if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
            whit "Then again, you stink of more than a few others, as well."

    elif roAlRel < 31:
        whit "You have a whiff of Rowan upon you. Faint… but it’s there."
        if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
            whit "Strange that I’d pick it out, amongst the dozen or so other scents I smell on you."

    else:
        whit "Hm. Rowan’s scent. You’ve been intimate with him."
        if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
            whit "Strange that I’d pick it out, amongst the dozen or so other scents I smell on you."

    whit "Who are you?"

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I-I’m Alexia Blackwell. Rowan’s wife."

    "The beast regarded her with something approaching confusion. He cast his glance backward towards the closed door then refocused on her."

    whit "I am Whitescar, Emissary of the Fae. What are you doing down here?"

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "J-just… just working. What are you doing down here?"
    whit "Investigating my prospective allies. Who leads the… ‘work’ down here?"
    al "That’d be Draith. The Dark Elf beastmaster."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    whit "{i}Beastmaster{/i}!"

    show draith neutral at midleft with dissolve

    dra "W-wuh- what?!"

    "The white wolf yanked the shocked Elf out of his chair and lifted him bodily into the air. His slender legs dangled feebly as he stared wide-eyed at the beast that had appeared in his office."

    whit "I should have known I’d find one of your kind lurking in the muck."
    whit "Is what Rowan’s mate told me true? Do you cage these beasts at the Twin’s behest?"

    "Alexia shuffled into the room behind Whitescar, casting an apologetic look in Draith’s direction. To her surprise, he didn’t look afraid. Far from it, he looked amazed."

    dra "By the Three! So the rumors were true, the true Fae really are here in the castle."
    dra "You’re just… you’re beautiful!"

    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Whitescar’s rage faltered. He cast a short, sharp look back at Alexia. He seemed just as confused at Draith’s reaction as Alexia was."
    "The Dark Elf, far from being intimidated, reached out and brazenly ran his fingers through the fur on the Fae’s hand."

    dra "Gods, it’s so soft!"

    "Whitescar snarled, shoving the Dark Elf back onto his desk. He loomed over him, his thick shoulder blades clenching together with rage."

    show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Whitescar, wait!"

    "Draith, to Alexia’s shock, began to {i}laugh{/i}. He held his hands up in halfhearted defense."

    dra "Sorry, sorry! I should have known better. Maybe proper introductions are in order?"
    dra "I’m Draith. And yes, I am the Twins' beastmaster. But you’ve got it all wrong: I’m not abusing the creatures in my care, I’m just training them."
    whit "A living thing does not need ‘training’ to know how to live. You’ve enslaved them."
    dra "I’d like to think of it as ‘recruited.’"

    "The Fae let out a towering roar. He rushed forward, planting himself over the helpless Dark Elf like a predator pinning its prey as he forced him back onto the table. Be bared his teeth, his snout mere inches from his face."

    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Draith!{/i}"
    dra "It’s okay, Alexia. I’ve got this."

    show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "But he’s going to-"
    dra "Trust me. I know the difference between anger and bloodlust."

    "How could he be so calm in a moment like this? Whitescar looked like he was inches away from killing him! But Draith was as serene as a fish in a storm. He smiled at the snarling beast."

    dra "You think I’m just like my brothers slaving under the Sisters of Slaughter, don’t you? That I beat and torment animals for the fun of it. You’re wrong, I care for these creatures."
    whit "It does not matter if you ‘care’ for them. You cage them all the same."
    dra "The animals we capture are hunted mercilessly by the Rosarians. They slaughter them wherever they find them. Rowan himself helps me collect them, to protect them."
    dra "Andras promised me that once their conquest was over, they’d all be set free to roam the world once more. If it wasn’t for the Twin’s efforts, these poor creatures would already be dead."
    whit "The barbed whip on the table by your hand proves your lie, torturer."
    whit "Reach for it. I dare you."
    dra "I’d never make it. And it wouldn’t matter if I did, would it? I doubt it’d do much more than anger you."
    dra "...You’ve felt its sting before, haven’t you?"

    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    scene cg718 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg719 with fade
    pause 2

    "Whitescar tensed. His eyes blazed with white fury as he seized the Elf by the neck and smashed him against the wall. It shook with the impact. Draith’s hands went involuntarily towards his closed windpipe, but he let them fall to the side in a meek gesture of submission."

    show alexia breeding concerned behind cg719

    al "Please, let him go!"

    "Whitescar stood still as stone, frozen to the spot, glaring into the eyes of the unintimidated Draith. At last his grip loosened, and the Dark Elf took in a deep breath."

    show draith neutral behind cg719
    show whitescar neutral behind cg719

    dra "I… don’t know who did this to you. But I offer my life in their place."
    whit "Their sins are not yours. You have nothing to offer me, runt."
    dra "Then why are you gripping me so tightly?"

    "There was a long silence. Alexia did not fully comprehend the dynamic at play here, but she was catching on to the fact that Draith wasn’t in any real danger. This was less of a threat to his life, so much as a strange struggle for dominance."
    "Whitescar growled, dropping Draith to the ground before dragging him once more over to the table. The Elf let out a short gasp, before the beast’s lurid intent became evident."

    dra "Ah… Alexia you’re off for the day, okay? D-don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine."

    menu:
        "Stay and watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show alexia breeding angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "N-no, I’m staying here!"
            show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "I… need to make sure you’re okay. "
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                show alexia breeding aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
                "In truth, that was just the convenient excuse. There was something terrifyingly arousing in the way Whitescar moved. He had a hunter’s purpose, a sort of ceaseless aggression that spoke to Alexia’s baser urges."
                "She wanted to see the beast in action."
            dra "S-suit yourself, but I’ll warn you: things might get a bit messy from here on out."
            whit "Quit your whimpering, runt."
            "The Fae busied himself with disrobing his erstwhile opponent. His long finger-claws ripped Draith’s leggings down the middle like they were nothing. He yanked them off in one, great tear, leaving him naked."
            dra "Hehe… I’ll only whimper if you ask me to."
            "Whitescar let out a growl and slammed his fist onto the part of the table directly next to Draith’s head. The Dark Elf remained utterly unphased, smirking back at the Fae as if they were playing some strange game with each other."
            dra "You’ll have to do better than that to make me quiver."
            whit "Why don’t I tear your throat out then?"
            dra "But you won’t be able to hear my squeals then!"
            #cg1
            scene cg720 with fade
            show draith neutral behind cg720
            show whitescar neutral behind cg720
            pause 3
            "Whitescar growled. He seemed more annoyed than angered by Draith’s insolent tone. If anything, he sounded excited. His hips positioned against Draith’s body, the red, pulsing weight of his cock pushing free inch by inch from its sheath."
            dra "What are you waiting for?"
            "Draith’s voice was breathless, airy and whimsical. There was a peculiar kind of grace in the way he shifted beneath Whitescar’s bulk, stretching languidly back onto the table as he displayed his nude body for the white wolf’s purview."
            whit "I’m not waiting, runt. I’m sizing you up."
            dra "Could have fooled me."
            "Alexia was shocked at the ease with which Draith handled Whitescar. The Fae spread the Elf’s legs, exposing his hardening member and the supple curve of his rump upon the table. Draith wiggled his hips back and forth. "
            dra "Come on, I’m already primed and ready for you."
            scene cg721 with fade
            show draith neutral behind cg721
            show whitescar neutral behind cg721
            pause 3
            whit "Like a bitch in heat."
            dra "Hehe. Guilty as charged!"
            "By now the full length of Whitescar’s red cock was exposed. It was bestial in shape, a long, veiny bulge with the glans ending in a point. It’s base was a bulb of swollen nerves made for knotting their copulation partners."
            "Alexia swallowed as she imagined what such a thing would do to Draith. The Elf was so {i}small{/i} compared to his partner, but evidently that wouldn’t deter him."
            "Whitescar angled his hips in precise, controlled movements. Despite his overwhelming strength, he moved with calm surety. He planted his paws on either side of Draith’s head and leaned forward, commanding his attention with his large furry form."
            "He angled himself towards the Elf’s unspoiled asshole with short, humping movements. This was no tender moment, no kind foreplay or exchange of pleasure. This was a hunt, and Draith was the challenge to be overcome. Thankfully for everyone involved, Draith liked being his prey."
            "He cock brushed against the crack of the Elf’s ass and Draith shivered, settling in and wrapping his arms around Whitescar’s thick neck. The Wolf growled a warning, but the Elf ignored it, humping back against him as the tip drew ever nearer to its terminal destination."
            "Then, without warning, Whitescar thrust forward."
            "The first sign Alexia had of what had just occurred came when she saw Draith’s fingers clench against Whitescars neck."
            scene cg722 with fade
            show draith neutral behind cg722
            show whitescar neutral behind cg722
            pause 3
            dra "{i}Oooooh{/i}, by the Three that’s deep!"
            scene cg723 with fade
            show draith neutral behind cg723
            show whitescar neutral behind cg723
            pause 3
            "Whitescar did not spend much time in establishing a relentless tempo. He thrust hard against Draith, pinning him hard to the table as he laid his whole form atop him. The Elf was smothered under a layer of white fur."
            "Whitescar’s teeth pulled back on his snout as he humped hard in short, sharp strokes, his legs bending and lifting repeatedly."
            "Alexia’s face went beet red as she observed the brutal way he treated the Elf. He did not slow or pause his thrusts for an instant. His tail wagged as his shapely flank pulled back before thrusting like an animal against him once again."
            "Draith moaned and gasped beneath the wolf’s form, and Whitescar rewarded him by leaning downwards, licking the sweat off of his chest. He took in a long, deep inhale of his skin near his throat then grunted in appreciation."
            whit "You’ll do. For now."
            dra "C-color {i}ah{/i}! Color me impressed!"
            "The Fae grinned at Draith. Or, more accurately, he bared his teeth at him. But Draith laughed, pulling close to plant a cheeky peck on the beast’s snout. Whitescar growled and seized the Elf’s wrists, pinning him back against the wall as he picked up the pace."
            "Their playful battle of dominance devolved into animalistic fucking rapidly enough. Soon, the table upon which Draith was pinned was smacking repeatedly against the wall. The only thing Alexia could hear rise above it were the increasingly loud cries of Draith himself."
            dra "{i}Ah! Ah! Ah! H-harder{/i}, you beast!"
            "Whitescar obliged him, his hips pistoning hard as his turgid length slid deeper and deeper into the valley of the Elf’s ass. Soon his knot was bumping against his asshole, sending jolts up Draiths’ spine as he tried to maintain some sort of composure."
            "But the White wolf was too much for him. He fell back against the table, shivering and shaking as he let out a shout of pleasure. A thin stream of cum shot forth from Draith’s cock and painted his chest and belly in long lines of white."
            dra "O-oooooh f-{i}fuck{/i}!"
            "But Whitescar did not slow his thrusts for the sake of his spent lover. If anything, it merely emboldened him: a predator proving his ultimate dominance over his lesser prey. The Wolf growled and fell hard against the Elf, mashing his fur against his wet chest."
            "The thrusts grew shorter and shorter, until Alexia was sure that the table itself would give out on them. Whitescar was rutting against Draith so hard that the table legs were banging hard against the stone ground."
            "She’d have been afraid for the Elf’s life… were he not so clearly enjoying every second of it."
            dra "Come on, drain it out in me. I {i}dare{/i} you!"
            show cg724 with sshake
            show cg724 with sshake
            pause 2
            show cg725 with flash
            pause 3
            "Not about to let the masochistic Elf off the hook, Whitescar did. He let out a bellowing howl as his thick wolf cock thrust once, twice, three times, then {i}shoved{/i} his hips forward. His bloating knot pressed, then slipped into Draith’s overworked ass with a loud pop."
            "Draith screamed in a voice that sounded like a curious mixture of pain and pleasure. Whitescar leaned hard against him, his tail wagging back and forth in sharp bursts before puffing out as he released his pent up seed within the hapless Elf’s rectum."
            dra "Oh m-my- {i}guh{/i}!"
            whit "Careful what you wish for, runt."
            "The two held there in place for a long moment, the Wolf’s cock pulsing his sperm directly into Draith’s ass in thick, pumping gouts. A blissful look overtook Draith as he laid back and took it."
            "For all his harsh words, Alexia noticed that the Wolf was letting out cute little yips of pleasure himself. Tied together for the foreseeable future, Whitescar allowed the exhausted Elf to wrap his hands around his back and pull him close."
            dra "That was amazing. Your people are fierce lovers."
            whit "We’re even fiercer warriors."
            dra "Of {i}that{/i}, I have no doubt."
            scene bg25 with fade
            show alexia breeding aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            show draith happy at midleft with dissolve
            show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            dra "Uh… Alexia? We’re probably going to be here a while. Mind fetching me a towel?"
            dra "..And maybe a bucket."
            show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Shocked out of her stupor, Alexia stood to attention."
            al "Uh- yeah! Okay! S-sure!"
            "Her cheeks were aflame as she fled the messy scene. She had initially stayed for the sake of making sure that Draith wasn’t going to be killed by the angry Fae. But such fears had quickly died in the passion of their lovemaking."
            "...So why had she stayed? The question dogged her for several minutes after as she rushed to find something to clean up the wet, animalistic sex off the ground."
            # return

        "Leave while you still can.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Y-you’re sure you’ll be okay?"
            dra "I’ll be fine. Whitescar and I are just having a… {i}spirited{/i} discussion!"
            dra "Close the door on the way out, will you sweetie?"
            "Alexia shut the door behind her, profoundly confused as to the interaction that had just occurred. Apparently, Draith had… ‘diffused’ the situation? At the very least she didn’t think Whitescar would hurt him."
            "...Best not to ask too many questions."
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 2.rpy
label drider_exhibitionism_rp:

    "Is 'Monster Taming' researched at the castle? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ monsterTaming = True
        "No":
            $ monsterTaming = False

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ roAlRel = 100
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 0
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ driderCount = 1
    $ alexia_ice_shard = True
    $ alexiaWulump = True

    scene bg25 with fade

    if monsterTaming:
        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
        show draith happy at midright with dissolve
        dra "Isn’t he simply adorable?"
        al "Not exactly the word I’d use."
        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
        dra "Hmm… I guess that much is true."
        show draith happy at midright with dissolve
        dra "“Magnificent” is much more fitting!"
        "Alexia smiled to herself. Draith’s enthusiasm was infectious, even though the object of his adoration was slightly unorthodox."
        "Said object – a large drider they recently finished training – continued to pace restlessly in his cell. They’ve been doing great progress on them, and it was surprising to see these wild beasts act so… Servile."

    else:
        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show draith happy at midright with dissolve
        dra "Isn’t he simply adorable?"
        al "Not exactly the word I’d use."
        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
        dra "Hmm… I guess that much is true."
        show draith happy at midright with dissolve
        dra "“Magnificent” is much more fitting!"
        "With some concern, Alexia eyed Draith’s object of adoration – a large drider they recently finished training. The beast paced the cell restlessly, and Alexia suspected it wasn’t striking against the bars only because his master was here."
        "They had been making great progress with them, and Alexia had to admire Draith’s skill, but she just couldn’t share his enthusiasm. She couldn’t help but think they’ve been playing with fire here."

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Do you think he’s fit for battle?"

    show andras displeased behind bg25

    an "He better be."

    hide andras
    show andras displeased at edgeright with moveinright
    show draith neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    dra "M-Master?"

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show draith happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    dra "What a pleasant surprise! Have you come to inspect the pens?"
    an "Yes. I was hoping to make use of our driders next month."

    show andras displeased at midright with moveinright

    an "So I believe you can imagine my disappointment when I saw the result of your “hard work”."

    if driderCount == 1:
        an "I was promised an army of driders, Draith! Is this one, measly bug all you have to show to me?!"

    elif driderCount == 2 or driderCount == 3:
        an "I was promised an army of driders, Drath! Is a handful of bugs all you can show me?! What am I supposed to conquer with them, a cabbage farm?!"

    else:
        an "I was promised an army of driders! And all you have here is a mob of half-feral bugs!"

    dra "Technically they’re arach- gack!"

    #draith terrified
    show draith neutral at center with moveinleft
    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    "Andras seized the elf by the throat, picking hip with ease, and he weighed nothing to him. And mattered nothing to him."

    an "I found you wandering the tunnels like a lost dog, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME?!"

    show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Andras, please-"

    show andras displeased at midleft with moveoutleft

    an "Do not interrupt me woman."

    "His low growl was enough to make her shut up, and she shriveled under his fury. His lone arm still choked the elf – Draith put his own hands on it, but made no attempts to break his hold."
    "If there was anything both of them had learned already, it was that resisting Andras usually only made the situation worse."
    "Even if his initial intent was to kill you."

    an "Pathetic."

    hide draith with dissolve

    "He threw the pen master to the ground – violently. Alexia winced as she heard something crack and prayed it wasn’t anything important."

    show draith neutral behind bg25

    dra "*cough* M-mas…"

    "Draith tried to apologize, but Andras paid no attention to him. He turned to Alexia and the housewife backed away immediately, instinctively. He wouldn’t hurt her, right?"

    if alexiaAndrasSex > 2:
        "She’s been obedient, spreading her legs whenever he asked her to. He wouldn’t hurt her for a silly little thing like this, right?"
        "Right?"

    else:
        "… Right?"

    an "This is unacceptable. What are you two even doing here all week? Is this whole project just a massive money sink?"
    dra "M-"
    an "Shut up."

    "Draith whimpered, and did just that."

    "The demon turned away from both of them, and peered into the cell. The drider watched the situation unfold in silence, having retreated deep into the corner of his room."
    "The beast recognized the presence of an apex predator, but with escape impossible, it could only try to put some distance between himself and red demon."

    an "…But I guess I can’t really blame you."

    if driderCount < 4:
        an "It’s not your fault you have no eggs to work with."

    else:
        an "It’s not your fault you receive sup par eggs or that you don’t have enough staff to train everyone.    "

    an "Rowan was supposed to handle this, but I guess I expected too much of him."

    #if all_actors['andras'].favors > 2:
    an "And to think he was starting to show promise…"
        #an "..."

    #else:
        #pass

    an "Guess I’ll have to discipline him."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with moveoutright

    "Without another word, he headed for the exit. Alexia felt her heart sink. The threat hanged in the air, spoken so casually, yet carrying terrifying undertones."
    "Rowan was not in the castle, but Andras was not one to calm down with time. His fury would only grow, and her husband would meet it head on the moment he steps from the portal."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    al "Wait!"

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    "Miraculously, the demon did just that. He turned his head around, eyes narrowed on her."

    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    # Replay mod: This should probably be < 30, not > 30.
    # if all_actors['alexia'].relation > 30:
    if roAlRel == 100:
        "Even if things weren’t going so well between her and Rowan, she couldn’t just let Andras hurt him for no reason."
        "Despite everything, a part of her still loved him. She was still his wife – she had to find a way to protect him."

    else:
        "She couldn’t just let Andras hurt her husband for no reasons. She was his wife – she had to find a way to protect him."

    al "We might not have the army you wanted, but-"

    show alexia breeding happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    if driderCount == 1:
        al "But we’ve been making great progress training them!"

    else:
        al "But the ones we have are all well trained!"

    al "Just look at this one!"

    show andras displeased at center with moveinright

    "She pointed to the cell. The drider still observed them all without as much as a peep, silent and alert."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
        hide andras with dissolve
        show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        "As Andras approached the cell, Alexia took a quick glance to where the demon dropped the pens master."
        hide draith
        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Draith didn’t look seriously injured, but did not dare to raise up. Alexia offered him a reassuring smile, mouthing “I’ll take care of it”. She then turned back to Andras before the demon noticed she was looking away."
        hide draith with dissolve
        show andras displeased at center with dissolve
        show alexia breeding happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    else:
        pass

    al "Strong and vicious in battle, but tame and obedient in the presence of his trainers!"

    if driderCount < 4:
        al "Rowan has been delivering some high-quality eggs, so the driders we have all show great potential!"

    else:
        al "We might be a little bit understaffed, but the people Rowan assigned to us all are excellent trainers!  These driders will surely perform in battle, Master Andras!"

    "It was straight up lies, but she had to say something. Her mouth was simply running faster than her mind could keep up. She only hoped Andras would buy it."

    if driderCount == 1:
        al "We just need some time to breed this one, and-"

    else:
        al "We just need some time to breed the more promising ones, and-"

    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Hrm. Breed, you say?"

    "She froze. This did not bode well."

    show alexia breeding happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "… Yes?"

    show andras happy at midleft with moveoutleft

    an "You had plenty of time to breed them before, didn’t you?"

    "He placed his arm on her shoulder. She did her best not to shiver, and failed miserably."

    an "I’d like to see some proof of your claims."
    an "Strip."

    show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "What?"

    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    an "I said strip."
    an "You’re going to prove to me how well trained he is."

    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    an "So, you’re going to strip. Then you’ll walk in there. Slowly."
    an "You’re going to tell the drider to stay put."
    an "Then, you’re going to spread your legs, and start playing with your pussy."
    an "If, by the time you come, the drider does not jump you, then I’ll concede that maybe, just maybe, Rowan and Draith know what the fuck they’re doing here.  "
    al "… You can’t be serious."

    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    "He glared at her, and she stowed further complains. He was very much serious."

    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Her eyes ventured to the drider. In the heat of the moment, she made some very bold statements, on some very shaky grounds. She couldn’t back down from them now, and she couldn’t expect the semi-sentient beast to play ball with her. "
    "The drider still kept his distance, but even in the half dark of his cell, she could still see his large body looming menacingly behind the cell bars."

    if alexia_ice_shard == True:
        "Was she really going to expose herself to this beast? With nothing to defend herself, except for a low-level magic bolt and faith in Draith’s unfinished training?"

    else:
        "Was she really going to expose herself to this beast? With nothing to defend her, expect for Draith’s unfinished training?"

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "It was reckless. It was foolish. It was downright insane."
        show alexia breeding aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "But Solansia save her, as much as she wanted to deny it, something deep inside of her was thrilled at the perspective of following through with this, thrilled at the prospect of exposing herself like that."
        "It was wrong. But as much as she tried to suppress her feeling, they refused to leave her."

    else:
        show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        "It was reckless, it was idiotic, and she shivered in fear at the thought of doing so."

    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Besides her, Andras was waiting for her decision. He didn’t urge her on, but his mere presence was enough to make her sweat."

    $ driderProtectAsk = False

    label driderMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Agree to his demands. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "There was no use resisting. She’ll just make the situation worse if she tries to. It was best to just go along with his demands before he adds something even more unreasonable to them."
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                    show alexia breeding aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
                else:
                    show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                jump driderHarrassSex_rp

            "Ask Andras if he’ll protect her if something goes wrong." if driderProtectAsk == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "Um… Theoretically asking…"
                al "If the drider proves to be more rebellious than we previously anticipated… Will you make sure he doesn’t hurt me?"
                "Andras gave her a hard look, then burst into a loud, mocking laugh."
                show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
                an "Ahahaha, not so confident in your husband’s choices after all, are you?!"
                "He put his arm around her, and hugged her close to his chest. She blushed, feeling his rock hard muscles and heavy musk of his sweat, so characteristic to the demon."
                an "Very well. No harm will come to you. I am not like Rowan. I’d never allow anyone to touch you without my permission."
                $ driderProtectAsk = True
                # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
                jump driderMenu_rp


            "Try to weasel yourself out of this.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if driderProtectAsk == True:
                    "Hearing her husband’s name, she felt a surge of guilt overtake her. She pushed herself away from the demon, and stammering, tried to think of an excuse to cut things short before they spiral out of control."
                else:
                    pass
                show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve
                al "This a little sudden don’t you think?"
                al "The drider is trained, but we haven’t fed him today, and that might make him a bit uppity-"
                an "Alexia."
                an "As much as it amuses me seeing you backtrack from your attempt of covering for Rowan’s mistakes, I am less pleased by the fact you think you can play me and get away with it."
                an "Need I remind you of your place here? Then allow me to rephrase my earlier demand."
                an "You will strip."
                an "You will walk into the cell."
                an "And you will fuck your slut pussy until you cum."
                an "This is an order."
                show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                al "…"
                if alexiaWulump == True:
                    "Andras already proved he wouldn’t shy away from anything when Alexia got out of the line. And while refusing him here likely wouldn’t be enough to toss her into the dungeons again, she knew she couldn’t keep doing so."
                else:
                    "She didn’t think he’d do anything to her from denying him here, but… He wouldn’t tolerate constant disobedience either."
                "Sooner or later, she will suffer the consequences from her continuous resistance."

                menu:
                    "Submit to his will. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Slanting her shoulders, she resigned herself to her fate. What else could she do? He was the Lord of the castle, while she was his prisoner."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve
                            "Besides… It’s not like she was wholly opposed to the idea…"
                        else:
                            pass
                        jump driderHarrassSex_rp

                    "Deny his request.":
                        al "Andras, I-"
                        show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                        al "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have made all these claims about the driders."
                        if roAlRel > 30:
                            al "Please have mercy on my husband-"
                        else:
                            al "Please have mercy on me-"
                        an "Enough. This is pathetic. I don’t have time for this."
                        show andras displeased at edgeright with moveoutright
                        an "I don’t have time for this."
                        "Andras snapped angrily, stopping her midway, no longer paying attention to her excuses. He walked over to Draith, and Alexia fully expected him to kick the dark elf or punch him or something equally violent."
                        an "Draith."
                        "Instead, he knelt beside him and grabbed him by the chin, forcing him to look him in the eyes."
                        show alexia breeding shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                        an "Do not make me hurt you again."
                        an "Have I made myself clear?"
                        show draith neutral behind bg25
                        dra "Y-yes Master…"
                        show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                        an "Good."
                        hide andras with moveoutright
                        "He left the room as suddenly as he arrived, leaving behind an oppressive atmosphere."
                        hide draith
                        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
                        show alexia breeding concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                        al "Draith… "
                        dra "… Let’s get back to work."
                        al "Right."
                        scene black with fade
                        "Neither of them wanted to talk about what transpired. They returned to their duties, doing their best to avoid one another for the remainder of the week."
                        # $ andrasPunishmentCounter += 1
                        return

    label driderHarrassSex_rp:

        al "Alright… I’ll do it."

        show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

        an "Good… Good."

        show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

        an "Get on with it then, I don’t have all day."

        hide draith
        show draith neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        "With trembling hands, she started to take off the heavy tunic she wore in the pens, and quickly moved on to everything else."

        show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

        if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
            al "(Let’s just be done with this…)"
        else:
            pass

        show alexia necklace naked concerned at center with moveinleft
        show andras displeased at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        show draith neutral at midright with moveinright

        "A moment later, she stood naked in front of the cell, Draith by her side with the keys in his hand. He kept rubbing his throat, the red imprinting of Andras hand clearly visible on his dark skin."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
            al "Are you okay Draith?"
            "He nodded solemnly, but didn’t speak up. She could only imagine how much it hurt."
        else:
            "She couldn’t help but notice there was a soft blush to his cheeks. Did he like it when Andras treated him roughly?"
            "Part of her wanted to feel his pants to check it, but this was not the right time."

        "He opened the door for her. She took a deep breath, stepped inside."

        #cg 1
        scene cg263 with fade
        show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg263
        show andras smirk behind cg263
        pause 3

        "She never was much of a fighter, but now, she felt more vulnerable than ever. The stone beneath her feet was hard and cold, and the cell had an unpleasant smell to it Alexia tried very hard not to think about."
        "And in front of her, the drider watched her approach, slowly raising up to meet his prey."
        "Protected by the orcs and separated by metal bars, Alexia sometimes forgot what a dangerous foe they were playing with here. The Drider towered over her easily, his eight black legs supporting a large body that could crush her with ease."
        "Four pairs of eyes hid intelligence that rivaled human, while the chitin armor on his lower torso covered something that often surpassed its human equivalent."
        "Alexia saw it break many slaves. And if their training was insufficient, she was next on that list."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "He would plunge his massive cock into her, ravishing her with abandon. She would scream, she would shout, but would Andras and Draith react? Would they save her, or would they let her be ravished in front of their eyes?"
            "… She only just entered the cell, and already she felt her pussy flare up."

        else:
            pass

        "The drider waited, uncertain of the situation. He glanced towards his dark elf master, expecting to see him follow Alexia into the cell, whip in hand."
        "But Draith only watched the situation unfold, with a pained expression on his face. He would not intervene, that much was clear to the beast. And this only meant one thing to the drider."
        "He smiled hungrily, and took a step forward."

        al "Stay!"

        "The drider almost recoiled from the command. He was trained to obey the staff, no matter the circumstances. Draith made sure of it."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "And a small, twisted part of Alexia almost resented him for it. Such a glorious beast… Shackled and broken."
            "What a shame it was!"

        else:
            "And again, Alexia prayed the training stuck. Overwhelmed with fear, she barely got the command out in time."

        "She could almost see the invisible tethers of Draith's conditioning bind the drider, hold him in his place. How durable were they?"
        "She was about to put them to the test."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Giggly with anticipation, she spread her legs slightly. She watched the beast, as her hand slowly slid downwards."
            al "A-ah!"
            "She could not contain her voice. It was twisted, she knew that."
            "But with every passing moment, she cared less for it."

        else:
            "Shivering in fear, she spread her legs slightly. She watched the beast while her hand ventured south, fully expecting the drider to pounce at her at any moment."

        al "Stay."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            scene cg264 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg264
            show andras smirk behind cg264
            pause 3
            "It was amazing, watching this massive beast just… Stare, as she spread her pussy lips right in front of him. He could watch, but he could not touch. They lived to breed, and this wonderful soaking pussy was being denied to him."
            al "Stay and watch."
            al "..."
            al "Watch me fuck myself with my fingers."
            "She couldn’t contain her voice, the rush from taunting the drider banishing all reason."
            al "You can watch me, but you can’t fuck me."
            al "Watch my – Mmmh!- fingers!"
            al "Watch me put them inside of me!"
            "She felt a jolt of pleasure shoot up her spine, as she easily thrusted her hand inside of her. The drider’s erect cock swayed in front of her eyes, the sight of it tearing her apart-"
            "What was better? Taunting him, or laying on her back and letting him fuck her?"
            al "Ha… ha-ha!"
            "She had- she had to masturbate, but the more she did, the more remorse she felt Andras didn’t order her to just go and fuck the beast. She wanted- she wanted something bigger than this! Something bigger than her fingers!"
            an "Ahahahaha, panting like a slut already? You really are shameless!"
            "She heard Andras jeer, and could not find it in herself to refute his words. Here she was, naked, fucking herself with her hand in front of a massive drider dick, and all she could think about was how it was not enough for her."
            an "Tell him to watch you! Tell him to stare at your cunt!"
            al "W-watch meeeee fuck my cunt!"
            an "Tell him to stroke himself!"
            al "U-use your hand while yo-u watch!"
            an "Tell him he’s not worthy of breeding with you."
            al "You c-can’t fuu-uck me!"
            al "You caaa-n’t spray your cum inside of m-me!"
            an "Tell him your pussy is for me only."

            menu:
                "Obey.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 3)
                    al "My pussy is for M-master Andras aloooone-!"

                "Don’t.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Despite the overwhelming lust, the words froze in her mouth, as the image of her husband flashed before her eyes."
                    "She couldn’t do it. She couldn’t betray him like that."
                    al "Ah-ah, ah!"
                    "Instead, she redoubled her efforts. She had to cum."
                    "She had to cum before Andras makes her say something she didn’t want to."


            if monsterTaming:
                jump alexiaDriderCum_rp

            else:
                jump andrasDriderIntervention_rp

        else:
            scene cg264 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg264
            show andras smirk behind cg264
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg264
            pause 3
            "She slowly traced her fingers across her slit, but felt no arousal from doing so. What madwoman would? With a half-feral beast waiting to rape her, and with her captor watching her every move?"
            "But Andras wouldn’t let her go unless she orgasmed. Bastard…"
            "Too afraid to take her eyes off the drider, she imagined her husband behind her, and herself leaning her back against his muscular chest."
            "She imagined his arms embrace her, as he leaned in to whisper reassuringly in her ear:"
            ro "Everything will be fine. Just think about me."
            "And she did. Ignoring the drider in front of her, and the demon behind her, and the cold stone beneath her, and the horrid odor around her, she thought of her husband."
            "She thought of his kind smile, of his tender touch. She thought of the warmth of his body, and his gentle voice, firming guiding her movements."
            ro "Everything will be fine. Put your hand between your legs, and think about me."
            al "A-ah…"
            "She slid the first finger in, her eyes never leaving the drider."
            al "Ah-ah!"
            "She thought of the summer festival, three years into their marriage. She promised the Cavins she would help with the pies. Rowan pretended to go patrol around the village, only to sneak in into the bakery when no one was looking."
            "She recalled how he grabbed her from behind, shushing her. She tried to protest quietly, telling him it wasn’t proper, but he paid her no heed."
            "He reached under her skirt, and thrust his finger into her pussy, just as she did now."
            al "Aah! Mm-ah! S-stay!"
            "She saw the drider tense, and again she ordered him to stay. His erect tool swayed in front of her eyes, ready to plunge into her hole."
            "Insane. This was all insane. But she had to keep going."
            "She kept thrusting, with every moment with greater urgency. She tried to think of Rowan, but it was difficult to recall the fantasy again, with the cock reminding her of the danger she was in."
            al "(Why do I have to suffer through this…)"
            "She tried to think what Rowan would say, what comforting words he would offer-"
            an "Looking real nice, slut!"
            al "Nngh?!"
            an "Look how hard you got his dick! He looks like he’ll pounce you at any second!"
            al "S-stop it Andras!"
            "He laughed in response, as always not caring in the slightest for her concerns. No matter. She was getting close. She just had to ignore everyone and think about her-"
            an "It’s actually dripping with pre-cum! Driders must really love you Alexia!"
            al "(Ignore him, don’t-)"
            an "Spread your legs! Keep fucking your pussy!"
            al "Sto-o-op!"
            an "Keep fucking it!"
            al "D-damn it Aaa-Andras!"
            al "(Shut up, shut up, shut up!)"
            an "Keep fucking it right in front of his eyes until you cum, you slut!"
            al "I’m n-nngh-!"
            an "I said cum!"
            if monsterTaming:
                jump alexiaDriderCum_rp
            else:
                jump andrasDriderIntervention_rp

    label alexiaDriderCum_rp:

        al "A-ah, aaah, AAAH!"

        "She closed her eyes, threw her head back, and allowed pleasure to overtake her."

        scene black with fade

        "..."

        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

        al "Nn… Uh?"

        scene bg25 with fade
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve

        "With some fear, she opened her eyes, and looked up at the drider. He still glared at her furiously, cock painfully erect, but he dared not to step forward."
        "She heard a slow clap from behind, and saw Andras enter the cell."

        show andras smirk at midleft with moveinleft

        an "Well done, well done."

        "His gaze traveled across her body, but she was too tired to cover herself."

        an "They really are well trained."
        an "I’ll give you and Rowan a pass this time. Keep up the good work."
        al "… Yes, Master Andras."

        "She did it. She managed to protect her husband."
        "But as she stood there, Andras eyeing her naked body with lust in his eyes, somehow, it did not feel like victory..."

        # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 3)
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
        return

    label andrasDriderIntervention_rp:

        scene black with fade

        "Suddenly, all hell broke loose."

        show black with sshake

        "So engrossed she was in the situation, she didn’t notice the drider leap forward, screeching in frustration. She fell back, shouting-"

        show black with redflash

        "She felt a large arm embrace her, and a crimson energy flooded the cell. "

        show black with sshake
        show black with redflash

        "She watched, as a large, red pentagram fell on the drider, crushing it into the ground, turning him into a red pulp right in front of her eyes. He kept screeching, until his head literally exploded from the pressure, spraying the cell red."

        show andras displeased behind black

        an "Nobody fucks Alexia without my permission."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve

        "She looked up, eyes blurry, and saw it was Andras embracing her from behind. His left arm was raised up, glowing menacingly with terrifying power."

        if alexia_ice_shard == True:
            "He was younger than her, and she almost never saw him train the library… Just how much innate power did he have at his disposal?"
        else:
            pass

        an "So much for it being well trained."
        al "..."

        "She couldn’t say anything. She just stayed in his arms, trying to stop her heart from jumping out of her chest."

        an "But I guess I’ll let it pass. This one time."

        "He broke the spell, and gently ran his fingers over her hair. Alexia did her best to ignore the stench of blood that now filled the room."

        an "You did well Alexia. Take the rest of the week off."

        "She nodded solemnly. She did it. She protected her husband."

        scene black with fade

        "Then why was she hugging another man?"

        #lose 1 drider
        # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 3)
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 2.rpy
label drider_milking_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ AlexiaOrcSex = True

    scene alexia_pits_1 with fade

    "Alexia often dreaded the prospect of descending into the depths of Bloodmeen Castle to work once in the breeding pits."
    "It was dark, dank, engulfed in the collected heat and stench of creatures enslaved to the will of the Twins. The walls were wet, covered in scratch marks and glistening in the dim torchlight like some mouldering vision of eternal imprisonment."
    "Alexia would almost pity them… were the monsters themselves not so despicably abhorrent."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    dra "Good {i}morning{/i}, Alexia!"

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "...Which made Draith’s eternal, cheery nature all the more jarring."

    al "Uh… good morning, Draith?"
    al "What are you doing carrying around those buckets?"

    "Draith glanced down at the two hefty buckets clenched in each hand at his side. A gleam of mischief entered his eyes."

    dra "Oh! I… forgot I had these."

    "Draith’s lie was unconvincing, his false smile doubly concerning. Despite their numerous positive interactions since she’d started working with him, the Dark Elf was still somewhat intimidated by Alexia."

    dra "It’s a bit complicated."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Buckets are complicated?"
    dra "Uh, no... but the reason why I have them is."

    "The Elf gestured with his head in the direction of the occupied breeding pits."

    dra "Do you mind tagging along? We’re just about to get started."

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia felt her hackles rise as she joined Draith down the long walk towards the Drider cages. Their footsteps echoed in the humid air as they moved through the darkened corridors."

    dra "You know how I mentioned in the past about having troubles with maintaining permanent staff down here?"
    al "I… can't imagine why."

    "Draith laughed, seeming to take her frank comment as a joke."

    dra "I know, I know. Taming beasts is not an easy job, it’s even harder when you’re trying to teach a bunch of uncoordinated Orcs to do it."
    dra "{i}One{/i} bad mauling in the cage, and suddenly they all turn to puddles on the floor. They wouldn’t have lasted a day in a Dark Elf Menagerie."

    #draith annoyed
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    dra "Do you realize how many times I was bitten working in my Mistress’ pits, before I finally figured out how to wrangle a Chalcedon Cobra? I practically developed an immunity to their venom by the end of it!"
    dra "Well… almost. It’s actually impossible to develop an immunity, as their venom is magical in nature."

    #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Draith, what are we doing? What’s with the buckets?"

    "Draith - to his credit - managed to stop himself from rambling more about the intricacies of herpetology. He shot her a sheepish grin, unable to meet Alexia’s eyes as they came to a stop near one of the training pits."

    dra "Remember how I said that the Orcs are unreliable? "
    dra "Well… one of my normal handlers is no longer available for work, and I was hoping you could help."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    dra "You see, her unexpected ‘leave of absence’ has gotten me to thinking: I really don’t have a reliable worker down here in the pits… other than you."

    "He extended the bucket towards Alexia. The bottom dropped out of her stomach as she realized what he was asking her to do."

    #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "N-no way!"

    #draith sad
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    dra "Please, Alexia? I’ve got a training session set up for one of the new Driders. It’s just some simple exercises, and uh… ‘rewarding’ them for their good behavior."
    dra "I promise: you won’t be in any danger. I’ll be right there with you, and there’ll be handlers in the cage with us at all times."

    al "If you’ve already got handlers, then why not make {i}them{/i} do it?!"

    #draith annoyed

    dra "Haven’t you been listening? I can’t rely on them! The Orcs are clumsy, boorish, and violent. A deadly combination when dealing with a temperamental Drider."
    dra "Besides, have you ever felt an Orc’s grip? No tenderness or subtlety at all. We’ll be lucky if the Drider doesn’t kill them, much less allow one of them to get him off."

    if AlexiaOrcSex == True:
        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "She had felt an Orc’s grip before, in a much more personal manner than she cared to admit. It was hard to deny that their touch could be… rough."
        #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    dra "I’ve seen how you handle these beautiful creatures. You know when to be kind, and when to be firm. They respect you, more than I think you realize."

    "Alexia thought back to all the times she’d passed by a Drider’s cage, only for the thing to hiss and grab at her from the other side of the bars. "

    al "They have a funny way of showing it!"

    dra "{i}Please{/i}, Alexia? You’re the only worker I trust enough to teach how to do this. Between the two of us, we can make a lot of progress in the breeding pits."

    "Alexia frowned. Draith was asking her to do something particularly odious: seeing to the ‘needs’ of half human monsters who would sooner fuck her into submission than obey her command."
    "She cast a worried glance in the direction of the cage they were standing next to. Deep inside the training pit, the Drider was curled up in a defensive crouch, lurking in the darkest spot it could find. There were so many ways that this could go wrong."
    "...Then again, Draith was one of the kinder members of the Twins’ staff, and he had gone out of his way to ask for her help."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "..And, after all, wasn’t this an opportunity for a new experience?"

    menu:
        "Beg off the request.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "...No. I’m sorry Draith, but this is just too much."
            #draith sad
            "The Dark Elf deflated, letting out a heavy sigh. She’d increased his workload considerably, and both of them knew it."
            dra "I… I understand. Drider wrangling isn’t for everyone."
            al "It’d be one thing if it was just ‘wrangling’ Draith, but…"
            show draith happy at midright with dissolve
            dra "Say no more, Alexia. I’ll take care of it. I’ll just have to hope the next batch of recruits Andras sends me are more capable."
            dra "In the meantime, you can help the cleaning crew scrub out the empty cages instead!"
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia stopped dead, her mind alight with the disgusting state of Drider cages after several weeks of occupation."
            al "Oh…"
            show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Wonderful."
            # return

        "Agree to train and drain the Driders. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "...Okay, fine. Let’s just get this over with."
            "Alexia accepted the empty bucket from Draith, casting a worried glance in the direction of the training pit."
            "The next hour or so was a slow process of wrangling the unruly beast. Alexia stood by as Draith put the beast through his paces, letting the handlers angle the Drider to his proper positioning while Draith gave him basic commands."
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "The Drider was not happy with the situation, but Draith was a natural, moving with smooth grace across the soft, sandy floor. He moved in tune to the creature’s body language, making sure to always remain within easy vision of the beast’s numerous eyes."
            "Every time the Drider would get distracted, or hiss at one of Draith’s handlers, Draith would raise the whip and snap it backwards. He would then assert a strong stance, holding the whip in an active position as if to menace the Drider with a direct hit against the carapace."
            "Despite his ruthless nature in training the Drider, Alexia was astounded by Draith’s restraint. He only used the whip when he had to, and even then only as a tool of chastisement."
            "She had grown up hearing tall tales of the infamous sadism of the Dark Elves, so it was surprising the tenderness with which he handled the beasts in his care."
            #show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
            dra "Stop!"
            "The beast came to a halt, straightening his humanoid spine and casting a long look at the Dark Elf he dwarfed with his bulk."
            show draith happy at midright with dissolve
            dra "All right, I think he’s ready."
            dra "Alexia? Step forward next to me in the pit. Don’t make eye contact with the Drider, just look at me."
            "Alexia took in a deep breath, then did as she was bid, striding forward with slow purpose next to Draith. He smiled and handed her the whip."
            "The Drider, spotting the bucket in Alexia’s other hand, began to get antsy, letting out a low growl and stepping back and forth as he wiggled his abdomen."
            dra "Okay, when I tell you do, look directly into his eyes. You’re going to give him three commands: walk, turn, and stop."
            "Alexia frowned, nervously fingering the whip in her hand as she raised it up to shoulder height the way Draith had showed her. The Drider stopped dead, freezing in place like a bug on a wall. His stillness was almost disturbing in its totality."
            show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Walk!"
            "The Drider began to move, its skittering feet reaching out as if searching for leverage as it moved about the training pit. Alexia sidestepped like Draith had shown her, keeping herself in front of the Drider at all times."
            "Its multiple eyes were watching her, always watching her. There was a terrifying intelligence in his expression. She suppressed a frightened shudder and raised her hand in the air."
            #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "Turn!"
            "The creature turned, its heavy body shifting in place as it adjusted to the slowing momentum. He was beautiful - in a strange, bestial way. The bristles on his spider abdomen swayed gently, keyed to the slightest change in air pressure."
            "Alexia sidestepped again, moving once more to the front of the Drider’s form. She led him in a slow circle around the pit, with Draith and the handlers moving out of the way to allow the Drider free access."
            show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "{i}Stop!{/i}"
            "The Drider stopped. It let out a low hiss, its humanoid upper body shuddering in place as the wind worked its way up from his gullet in a loud pronouncement of sound. He stretched, putting his muscles on display as he regarded her with a cool, deferential look."
            show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Good boy!"
            "Alexia blurted out the words without intending to, feeling an embarrassed blush rise to her face as she did so. She glanced back in the direction of Draith who gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up."
            "The Drider pranced excitedly in place. He reared up on his hind legs, exposing his undercarriage and the long, black sheath of his erect cock."
            dra "All right! He’s looking for his reward. Now: slowly approach him."
            #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "Stay!"
            "The Drider went stock still. Alexia shuffled forward and clambered under his bulky frame. The Drider let out a low, pleasured coo."
            #cg1
            scene cg717 with fade
            show alexia breeding aroused behind cg717
            show draith happy behind cg717
            pause 3
            "Alexia planted the bucket onto the ground beneath his hovering cock and adopted an awkward stance. She was forced to bend low to reach the turgid shaft, its black carapace coloration providing a lurid bestiality to the whole affair."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "I think you deserve a reward."
                "Her lurid whisper was undoubtedly lost to everyone around her save the spider, and she somewhat doubted whether he could actually understand her or not."
                "It didn’t matter. The sight of his fat Drider cock caused Alexia’s mouth to moisten with excitement. She licked her lips, her fingers curling about his shaft with the forcefulness of a lover impatient to get started."
            else:
                "While Alexia had certainly… ‘expanded her horizons’ in recent months, she still was a bit mortified at finding herself face to face with a Drider’s imposing dick."
                "Her fingers reached out with hesitant trepidation, before finally wrapping around the shaft in a gentle, double-handed grip."
            "She stroked him, moving up and down in a slow and steady rhythm. It was marvelous how much heat he gave off. He was a seething aura of sexual energy."
            "The Orcish handlers standing on either side of the Drider watched with amusement as the human handler worked a lather upon the creature’s cock, stroking it at a slow pace. Alexia spared a glance in Draith’s direction, who was watching her efforts with genuine interest."
            dra "Don’t be afraid to go at it a bit harder, Driders love the stimulation!"
            "Resolving to make the most of her compromising situation, and more than a little turned on by the lurid act, Alexia started to work the shaft at a faster pace, her elbows bending to the task as she jerked the creature’s long cock in swifter, shorter bursts."
            "The Orcs began to catcall, which brought a nervous blush to Alexia’s face. She {i}never{/i} imagined that this is where she would have ended up in her life: jerking off a sentient spider-morph in the dungeons of Bloodmeen Castle while a leering crowd watched her do it."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "...Then again, it was almost {i}deliciously{/i} obscene. The sheer taboo of what she was doing brought a pleasant moistness to her nethers, an itching need to fill herself with this big, onyx shaft whose altar she was worshipping at."
            "Alexia wiped the sweat from her brow, her fingers coated in the Spider’s precum as she continued to work it up and down."
            "The Drider grunted and repositioned, raising his torso and legs so that Alexia was shaded by his tall bulk. His cock snapped up, moving almost to smack her in the cheek."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "Alexia, overcome in the moment by the delightful eroticism on display, leaned forward and planted a little kiss upon the shaft. The Drider’s cock had a thick, rubbery texture. She licked her lips, marvelling at the exotic taste on her tongue."
            "Undeterred, Alexia picked up the pace, standing now with the cock level with her face. The Drider thrust its abdomen forward, its sheath bunching as her hands reached his base before jerking forward again."
            "She palmed his cockhead, rubbing the juices across her hands as she heard the hooting calls of the Orcs all around. Draith was shouting encouragements, but she barely heard them. She was focused entirely on the unique experience of this creature in her hands."
            "Her nose hovered perilously close to the Drider’s slick cock, the smell of its sexual juices permeating her nose and filling her with a deep, burning desire in her belly."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "Alexia gripped the black spider dick in her hand in a vice, jerking him in fast, sudden strokes as if to squeeze every bit of the Drider’s milk out."
                al "C’mon you dumb beast: shoot your thick load out onto the floor!"
            else:
                al "{i}Cum{/i}. Cum for me!"
                "Her pace quickened still further, her face flushing red at the sight of the Drider’s bulging cock swell with every stroke. It was nearing completion."
            "The novice Drider handler felt a surge of triumph as the Drider’s cock bloated in her fingers. It’s thick cumvein swelled as it reached its climax."
            "Alexia dimly heard they encouraged shouting of Draith and his Orcish handlers in the background. She was transfixed by the curious beauty of seeing this pristine manhood swell with impregnating potential."
            "Snapping back to reality, she hurriedly pointed the creature’s cock downwards in the direction of the bucket."
            "She was just in time too, as the first surge of cum spurted out like a fountainhead, painting the bottom of the bucket in strings of pearlescent white."
            "She jerked him, coaxing the cum from his cock in long, languid strokes to help facilitate the process of extraction. The Drider hardly needed encouragement: once he began, there was little to stop him."
            "Spurt after spurt of white seed fired forth from his onyx cock, the chitinous cockhead swelling then discharging as Alexia looked on, simultaneously shocked and aroused at this crowning display of virility."
            "The Drider growled and hissed in supreme satisfaction. The bucket roiled with the growing puddle of spunk issuing forth from the creature’s prodigious genitalia. It took almost a minute for the drooling spurts to finally cease."
            scene bg25 with fade
            show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show draith happy at midright with dissolve
            dra "My goodness! Excellent work Alexia, I’ve never seen a Drider respond so positively to a new handler before!"
            "Alexia clambered out from under the sedate Drider, who basked in his post orgasmic bliss. Her face was burning as she saw the leering grins the Orcs gave her as she walked over to Draith, a slushing bucket of Drider cum in her hands as she handed it to him."
            al "M-my pleasure, Draith."
            dra "You’re a natural, Alexia. I cannot thank you enough!"
            if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "No thanks were needed. If Alexia’s soaking panties were to be believed, it was {i}she{/i} who was now in dire need of a release."
            dra "Now we’ve just got a few more before we’re done for the day."
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "..."
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            al "{i}What?!{/i}"
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 3.rpy (a_slippery_meeting)
label silquien_combined_pits_rp:

    # Replay mod: Larger replay scene combining "a_slippery_meeting", "a_lesson_in_intelligence", and "an_aquatic_attachment".

    $ silFavour = 10
    
    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump silBJ_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    label a_slippery_meeting_rp:

        # $ silFavour = 0

        scene bg25 with fade

        "Scrubbing the cages clean was certainly not among Alexia's favorite tasks, but it had to be done. Once more she found herself hunched over the dirty stone floor, the bristles of her brush rubbed raw with soap and dirty water. Damned it all, this would be spotless by the time she was finished."
        "As she dipped her brush into the bucket once more, the sharp scrape of metal against stone caught her attention."

        scene cg923 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg924 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg925 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Alexia looked up, surprised to see Draith and one of his assistants--a brutish Orc by the name of Gnash--hauling in a large glass tank, the inch of metal padding at the bottom groaning with each push. Water sloshes over the sides as something large moves inside of it, flitting from one end of the tank to the next."
        "There were still a wide variety of cages to clean, but Alexia found herself distracted by all the noise."
        "Draith and Gnash grunted as they hauled the tank into one of the cages, sighing in relief once the heavy lifting was finished. Alexia wandered to the cage's open door, peering inside."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        al "What is all of this?"
        dra "Alexia! Perfect timing. Come welcome our newest recruit."

        "Draith gestured toward the strange creature inside the tank: its arms connected to smooth flappy skin like a cape, golden eyes wide and fearful--hostile, even--as it soared through the water, desperately searching for a way out."
        "Alexia reached up and steadily brushed a hand along the side of the tank."

        gnash "It's a Sil-queen--"
        dra "{i}Silquien{/i}. They're a rare breed from the sea. They have a special venom in their tails that, once injected into their victims, will paralyze and shut down all of their organs within minutes. "
        gnash "We're gonna give 'em as a gift to Andras for the army."

        "Gnash grinned maliciously up at the creature. The Silquien hissed, barring its sharp fangs."
        "Draith glanced behind the Silquien and his eyebrows knit together in concern."

        dra "Ah, Gnash, you may want to rethink that plan…"

        "Alexia and the orc followed Draith's gaze to a rod poking out of the creature's lower back. It appeared to have been severed, its edges jagged and broken. Although it appeared to have healed on its own, even Alexia could see that something vital had been severely damaged."
        "Gnash's fist slammed against the glass."

        gnash "Fuck! Damn breed is useless now. Guess we can kill it, feed parts to the others…"

        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia paled. Even the Silquien seemed to catch Gnash's intentions, its hisses becoming louder, frantic. Alexia and Draith shared a look and immediately shook their heads."

        al "You can't just kill this poor thing!"
        dra "Absolutely not. I won't allow it."
        gnash "Then what do you s'ppose we do with it? 'S got no use."

        show draith happy at midright with dissolve

        "Draith smiled coldly at him, all forced politeness and honeyed words. Even Alexia felt the chill of his changed demeanor."

        dra "Don't worry your pretty little head about it. Why don't you take another look around the pits and find something else suitable to bring Andras? "

        hide orc soldier with moveoutright
        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Gnash grunted, irritated by Draith's dismissal, but did just that. Draith's pleasant mask fell with the orc's departure, annoyance left in his wake."

        dra "Why Andras sent him to work with me, I'll never know…"

        "Draith sighed, looking back up at the Silquien. Its hissing had subsided, but the creature now curled up in the bottom corner of the cage and eyed the remaining workers with suspicion. Alexia could not blame him."

        dra "He's right, though; we need to do something with him. Poor little guy…"

        "Draith pressed a hand against the cool glass as though to pet the creature. The Silquien's eyes narrowed further."

        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "Will you really get rid of him?"
        dra "Of course not, but taking care of him myself is going to be too much work. If he's really disabled--and it looks like he is--then he's going to need extra attention."

        show draith happy at midright with dissolve

        "Draith spun on his heel and smiled at Alexia. She could practically see the wheels turning in his fair-haired head."

        dra "Which makes you the perfect candidate!"

        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

        al "M-Me? I don't… I don't know…"

        "She glanced back at the Silquien, unnerved by its harsh glare."

        dra "You'll be perfect, Alexia. He's probably just uncomfortable, being in a new environment and all. Gnash's ugly mug probably scared the poor thing half to death."

        "Draith laughed, but Alexia was sure he wasn't joking. Gnash unnerved her and they barely had any interaction. She could only imagine how the monsters he handled felt."

        dra "This poor boy could use some nurturing back to health. You'll be great at it."

        "Alexia looked back at the creature, but he had retreated into a makeshift rock home inside of the tank. Occasionally she saw his golden eyes poking out through the dark, watching her."

        al "How can you tell it's a boy?"

        "Draith tried to get a good look of the Silquien to point it out, but with it hiding, there wasn't an optimal angle. Draith sighed, giving up."

        dra "It's hard to see, but at the front of the tail there's something like a compartment in male Silquiens; their cocks stretch right out when they're excited. Females, on the other hand, have large openings."
        al "Oh."

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia bit her lip. She tried to smile at the Silquien, but whether he understood the gesture or not, she had no idea. How was she supposed to take care of a creature that wanted nothing to do with her?"
        "That didn't seem to cross Draith's mind, though. Or, if it had, he simply didn't care."
        "Draith led Alexia through the breeding pits to collect a few things for the Silquien's tank, rattling off information on how to care for the creature--what it ate, its daily patterns, what to avoid, how to apply medicine, anything Alexia needed to know as his caretaker."
        "Alexia struggled to keep up with all the details of the task."
        "It was not so simple as most of the monsters in the pits; the Silquien was a sea creature, so she needed to take extra care to ensure his water was the right temperature and consistency, as well as other small tasks that she was not used to with the other monsters."
        "By the time Draith had finished running her through all of the information, Alexia was sure she only retained half of it. She didn't tell Draith that, though. She would figure it all out somehow."
        "Once they reached the tank again, the Silquien was out of his hiding spot, curiously watching the other monsters that passed by. Alexia paused, taking a moment to admire his childlike wonder."
        "This must have all been so new for him; she remembered when it was new for her as well, her own fears and notions mixed with a sense of excitement and curiosity. Like a new adventure was about to begin."

        dra "I'll leave you to it."

        hide draith with moveoutright

        "Draith patted Alexia's shoulder before disappearing into the pits. The Silquien didn't even seem to notice her presence, his eyes focused on the door from which the dark elf had left."

        al "Interesting creatures, aren't they?"

        "She smiled at the Silquien, suddenly feeling silly for talking to him. It wasn't as though he could understand her. And yet, the Silquien cocked its head to the side, regarding her. Perhaps he was more attentive than she thought."
        "Alexia's gaze drifted to an exposed flap of the Silquien and the rough cuts along it. The skin was not so smooth after all; tears and cuts aligned the creature's back, some long healed while others looked fresh or reopened."
        "She pressed a hand to her mouth, horrified. Who--or what--had done this? Was this part of the effort to enslave the creature? Or was it being preyed on in the wild, seen as an easy target because of its broken tail?"
        "A trickle of blood lifted from his back and dissipated in the water. Her heart plummeted."
        "Alexia took a step forward, arm outstretched. The Silquien suddenly turned on her, lifting his arms to appear large and intimidating as it hissed."

        menu:
            "Heal his cuts.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ silFavour += 1
                "Alexia flinched at his harsh response but held her ground. He was her responsibility now, and she wasn't about to let his cuts get infected."
                al "You likely can't understand me, but please, I just want to take care of your cuts."
                "Alexia reached for the medicine supplies in the corner and held it up to the glass for him to get a good look."
                "She felt ridiculous--none of the other caretakers talked to their monsters like this, as if they could truly understand what she was saying--but the Silquien closed his mouth, narrowing his eyes at her and the bottles."
                "After a few moments of silence, Alexia climbed up on the ladder to reach the edge of the tank. She had assumed she would need to wait there for a while, but the Silquien slowly positioned himself underneath her, his back flat against the surface."
                "Alexia stared at the marks, a twinge of guilt rising in her chest alongside… surprise? It was impossible that this creature understood her, but could he trust her already?"
                "Noticing her hesitation, the Silquien turned its head to glare up at her, his eyes slit with suspicion. Alexia carefully dabbed a cloth with the medicinal liquid and stroked it along his back."
                "The Silquien had howled at first, rushing back down to the tank to resume hissing at her from afar, but after some coaxing, he returned. He did not howl again, but he did watch her every move, wincing when the sting of medicine met his scars."
                al "I just want to help you.  This will make it hurt less, I promise."
                "Alexia repeated the mantra to him several times, her voice turning into a near soothing melody as she cleaned the Silquien's wounds."
                "By the time she was finished, the Silquien did not hiss or bare his teeth at her. He simply watched as she packed up the medicine, gave him a warm smile, and returned to her other duties."
                # return

            "Leave him to heal on his own.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Alexia stared at the poor creature, too afraid to take another step. As much as she wanted to take care of him, he was clearly hostile. There was no guarantee she would even be able to get near his back without his fangs digging into her skin."
                "With a heavy heart, Alexia turned and walked away. She would just have to hope he eased up on her or that the cuts would heal on their own."
                # return

        jump a_lesson_in_intelligence_rp

    label a_lesson_in_intelligence_rp:

        scene bg25 with fade

        "Despite the dank smell of the breeding pits, Alexia found herself enjoying her time down there more often, sometimes even looking forward to her next shift."
        "She particularly looked forward to seeing her new waterbound charge. The creature that Draith had assigned her to care for."
        "She brushed her fingers against the Silquien's healed back, the texture far smoother than the ragged misshapen cuts she had been treating. He was healing, perhaps in more ways than one."

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "You're doing wonderfully, Sil! I'm so proud!"

        "The Silquien vibrated pleasantly in response, rippling the water around him."
        "Since their initial rocky meeting, Alexia had gotten better at handling the Silquien over time, eventually giving him the name Sil for her own memory's sake. Sil seemed quite happy with the name, beaming at her with approval once the nickname had been offered."
        "Sil currently swirled around in his new tank, twisting and turning out of the rocky holes of coral with a look of pure delight on his face. He seemed to do that every time Alexia praised him these days, performing a little spin around his enclosure while he vibrated in delight."
        "With more time spent between them, Alexia began to notice that many of Sil's behaviors were quite human in their nature: the way he regarded others, the looks of understanding they often shared."
        "She could swear she even heard Sil utter a few words under his breath as the other monsters passed, but she immediately chalked it up to her own overactive imagination."
        "With the rest of Sil's medicinal treatment completed for the day, Alexia lowered herself from the ladder beside his tank."
        "There were still several other tasks she needed to complete--many chores that she had been neglectful of in exchange for keeping Sil company--that would earn her a reprimand if she did not attend to them soon."
        "Sil watched her lower herself down the prongs, his excitement suddenly muted. He always seemed sad to see her go, which only furthered Alexia's theory."
        "As she and the creature had gotten to know each other better, Alexia found it harder and harder to leave his side. He must be lonely sitting in that tank all day by himself. She knew that she certainly would be."
        "Alexia hopped off the last step of the ladder, her shoes scraping against the stone floor."
        "Whereas she felt precarious--sometimes even whimsical--sitting atop the ladder, more than tempted to dive into the water and swim beside Sil, the ground felt solid. Real. It grounded her, reminded her that such thoughts were merely fantasy."
        "The real way to escape her problems was not so easy."
        "Before Alexia could remove herself from the cage, Draith rounded the corner, peering in curiously at the moping Silquien before settling his gaze on Alexia."

        show draith happy at midright with moveinright

        dra "He looks even more depressed than when we brought him in."

        "Alexia glanced back at Sil. Sure enough, the Silquien was staring back at her, his fingers pressed up against the glass. Pleading her, begging her not to go."

        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "He often gets like this when I have to leave. I always feel so bad."

        "Draith nodded, approaching the tank. He observed the cuts on the Silquien's back. They had healed considerably over the past few weeks, nothing but pink scars now."

        dra "You've done a great job back here; I was worried he was going to be infected when we brought him in, but he seems perfectly fine. Well, except for the tail."

        "Draith looked back at the rod protruding from Sil's behind. Although Draith had done his best to help Sil, there was no fixing the tail that was damaged beyond repair."

        al "He doesn't seem to mind it. Now that he's being fed regularly, there isn't much use for a weapon like that."
        dra "No, I suppose not."

        "Draith sighed, patting the glass tank once before turning back to Alexia."

        dra " I have to admit, I like the guy. I'm always rooting for an underdog to make it out like this, but Gnash…"

        "Alexia frowned, glancing back at Sil. Gnash had made his position on Sil clear: find a use for the creature or get rid of it. Alexia found the idea of tossing Sil out into the wild after she had worked so hard to heal him inhumane. There had to be a better way."
        "Maybe there was."

        al "Ah, Draith, there's something I've been meaning to ask you, actually."
        al " How intelligent are the Silquiens? Can they… would it be possible to understand human behavior to some extent?"

        show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Draith blinked, surprised by Alexia's sudden change in direction, but pondered the question. He rubbed his chin, eyeing up Sil in deep thought."

        dra "To be honest, I don't have much personal experience with Silquiens--or at least their intelligence. The dark elves had some on hand, but usually they were trained and weaponized like most of the beasts in their care."
        dra "As for Sil, I can't be sure. It would be interesting to see what he picks up under your care though."

        show draith happy at midright with dissolve

        "Draith smiled at her and Alexia felt a surge of hope. Maybe Draith didn't know exactly how smart the creatures were, but if Alexia could find out if Sil was intelligent to some degree, they wouldn't have to get rid of him after all."

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "Thanks, Draith. I think I'll spend some time practicing with him for a little longer, if you don't mind."
        dra "That's fine with me. It all counts as work in some way or another. Just make sure to clean your cages for the day."

        hide draith with moveoutright

        "Alexia nodded, a smile etched onto her face as Draith left. Sil observed her quietly from his tank, likely confused that she had not left as well. Alexia turned to him instead, a new sense of resolve coursing through her."
        "She would not let Gnash take him away from her so easily."
        "Once her work for the day was done, Alexia spent the rest of her evening and most of the night putting together a string of lesson plans for Sil: the basic alphabet, arithmetic, science, culture, history, anything she could think of that a young child--or in this case, a monster with a gentle gaze--might grasp onto."
        "Sil watched her curiously as she carried in her books the next day, carefully tucking one under her arm as she reached the top of the ladder."
        "Sil popped his head out at the top of the tank, eyes wide as he took in the book in Alexia's hands. She showed him the cover and a few pictures inside."

        al "I think you're smarter than you look, Sil, so we're going to try something new today."
        al "I want you to knock once if you understand. Can you do that for me?"

        "Then, when Alexia asked him again, he thumped as well. Just once: he understood."
        "A surge of pride overwhelmed her, but Alexia did well to calm herself. It could have been a coincidence, but the excited part of her brain told her it was no such thing."

        scene black with fade

        "So her lessons began. Alexia covered a wide range of subjects, jumping between small concepts at a time in an attempt not to overwhelm the creature."
        "She taught him basic commands: thump once for yes, twice for no, and three times if he was confused. Sil seemed to pick these up quickly and, although Alexia had a feeling he understood, part of her wondered if she was simply reading too much into it."
        "After three days, however, Alexia was sure that it was no coincidence. Sil was learning."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

        gnash "Do you even work here anymore?"

        "Gnash's rough voice cut in through one of Alexia's lessons. She frowned, peering down at the orc as he approached the tank. Sil didn't seem thrilled by his presence either."

        gnash "What're you doing up there with 'em books?"

        menu:
            "Testing Sil's intelligence.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ silFavour += 1
                "Although she was reluctant to give Gnash {i}any{/i} information on Sil that the orc could use to his advantage, Alexia was proud of Sil's accomplishments. Perhaps if Gnash saw that Sil was useful after all he wouldn't feel the need to threaten the creature with banishment or death."
                al "I'm teaching Sil the alphabet. He seems to understand the words, so we'll be practicing speaking next."
                "She smiled proudly at the Silquien and, if she wasn't mistaken, the Silquien smiled back. His tail thumped once against the glass."
                "Gnash barked out a laugh beneath her, startling Alexia."
                gnash "Monsters don't {i}learn{/i}! Stupid girl. Wasting time…"
                "The words crushed Alexia but she held her chin up and tried not to show it. She did not want to admit that she too had questioned her own abilities."
                al "You haven't spent enough time with him. Sil is quite the competent student."
                gnash "Believe it when I see it."

            "Taking a break from work.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Although Alexia was proud of Sil's accomplishments, the idea of conveying his intelligence to Gnash didn't sit right with her."
                "No doubt he would finally see that Sil was useful, but at what cost? She didn't like to think about what Gnash would do with him if he knew of Sil's comprehensive abilities."
                al "I'm just taking a break from work."
                "Alexia placed a bookmark between the pages and subtly hid the title behind her hand. She didn't need Gnash to see what she was reading and put two and two together."
                al "Was there anything you needed, Gnash?"
                "She smiled politely down at him, although the gesture felt forced. More than anything she wanted to push him out of the cage, keep his glaring eyes away from Sil."
                "She saw the way he looked at the Silquien, viewing the creature more like a sack of meat instead of a sentient being. It was the same look he gave Alexia."
                gnash "Came to see what his use is. You got one yet?"
                al "...We're still working on it."

        "Gnash snorted, his face becoming uncomfortably close to the glass. Sil moved away, his body taking shelter behind the coral structure inside. Apparently he did not like the way the orc stared at him either."

        gnash "I been talkin' to some others. This thing should still have his venom inside, so if we cut 'em up, we can take it out and bottle it up."

        "Alexia blanched, a slight tremor taking over her body. She had assumed she would have more time to prepare, some excuse she could throw his way and shield Sil with, but if what Gnash said was to be true, she could think of little that would dissuade him from gutting the poor Silquien."
        "Sil seemed to grasp the meaning of Gnash's words, hissing once at the orc before disappearing entirely in the formation of coral. Alexia could see the glow of his eyes glaring out at Gnash through one of the holes."

        al "Give me a little more time. I'll have something soon, I promise."

        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Gnash grunted, his gaze raking over her body once. She shivered, clamping her skirt tightly between her legs."

        gnash "Time's almost up, lady."

        hide orc soldier with moveoutright

        "Thankfully, the orc left, his heavy footsteps echoing through the chamber before disappearing entirely. Sil peeked out of his hiding spot, glaring after him."
        "Alexia tried to smile, tried not to show her fear, as she flipped the book back open on her lap."

        al "...Let's get back to it, shall we?"

        "But even as they continued their lesson, neither one seemed to share much enthusiasm for the rest of the day."

        # return

        jump an_aquatic_attachment_rp

    label an_aquatic_attachment_rp:

        scene bg25 with fade
        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "Very good, Sil! You're adapting very quickly. I'm impressed."
        sil "Thank you…"

        "Sil grinned at her from inside of his tank, his tail swishing happily in the water as Alexia pulled out another block of flashcards she had prepared. Sil watched with eager anticipation, his lithe body swaying from side to side."
        "Alexia found herself increasingly impressed by Sil's progress. They had moved from basic hand gestures as a form of communication to verbal language in a matter of days, and she was sure it would only be a matter of time before he mastered the art of reading as well."
        "Sil truly was an intelligent creature. Alexia felt a surge of pride run through her as she presented the next batch of flash cards. As they ran through the next set of words, Alexia wondered if all Silquien's were this smart or if Sil was just lucky."

        al "Alright, try to sound this one out. I know it's a long one, but I have faith in you."

        "Alexia held up a card with the word {i}cherish{/i} written in her elegant looping scrawl. Sil squinted at the word, puzzled."

        sil "Cah-er…"
        al '"Not quite. Remember what sound these characters form? "{i}Ch{/i}".'
        sil "Cher… Cherish…?"
        al "Precisely."

        "Alexia flipped the card over. She had made sure to write the definitions of each word on the back and would attach them to the side of Sil's tank before she left each day."
        "The method seemed to work, although she wished she could think of a waterproof option to go inside of his tank instead…"

        al "{i}Cherish{/i}. To care for and protect someone in a loving manner. See?"

        "She pressed the card flat against the glass for Sil to get a good look. His eyes flitted across the parchment, drinking in the scrawl, before nodding once."
        "Alexia took a bit of the strange sticky goo out of the little glass bottle and stuck the card to the glass."
        "Draith had offered her a bottle of the stuff a while ago, but she didn't find a use for it until now. Alexia wasn't sure what monster it came from, or what it was in the first place, but she felt some things were better left unknown."
        "She picked up the next card, ready to begin again."

        sil "Alexia?"

        "The way Sil said her name was strangely accented, and combined with his muffled voice underwater, it sounded like a melody coming from his lips. She loved the way he said it, drawing out each syllable."
        "Alexia looked up at once, surprised by Sil's interruption. Usually he was so quiet during their lessons."
        "Sil averted his gaze, suddenly nervous now that he had her attention. His mouth opened and closed as though he was searching for the right words."
        "She felt bad for him; communicating was not easy under normal circumstances, but it was doubly frustrating when there was a language barrier between them."

        al "What is it, Sil?"

        "She smiled at him patiently. Sil took his time as he constructed what he wanted to say."

        sil "Sil… cherish… Alexia?"

        show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

        "He said it as though he was asking permission. Alexia blinked, taken aback."

        al "You cherish me?"

        "Sil nodded confidently, but he still looked nervous. Was he afraid she would be mad?"

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia felt the opposite; she was touched by his declaration. His words brought a warm smile to her face. He probably didn't understand the romantic connotation behind the word, but Alexia couldn't bring herself to correct him. The gesture was too sweet."

        al "That's very kind of you, Sil. I cherish you as well."

        "Sil's face lit up in delight. He swirled around in his tank and Alexia laughed."

        show orc soldier neutral behind bg25

        gnash "Don't see no work getting done ov'r here."

        hide orc soldier
        show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

        "The mood deflated as Gnash approached the tank, his large orcish body casting a shadow over the glass. Sil moved back against his coral home, the structure protecting him as he glared at the orc."

        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia looked down at Gnash from atop her ladder, shifting to adjust her skirt more modestly over her legs. She hated the way he tried to stare up her skirt from below."

        al "Hello, Gnash. Can we help you?"
        gnash "Yeah. What's the beast's weight?"
        al "His weight? I'm not sure. What do you need to know that for?"
        gnash "Preppin' meals for other beasts. Wanna know how much this one'll feed."

        "Gnash barked out a laugh, his grin vicious. Alexia felt a chill run down her spine but she remained composed, eyes narrowing in distaste."

        al "That isn't funny, Gnash."
        gnash "Not jokin'."
        al "You can't talk like that in front of him. He knows what you're saying."
        gnash "He don't know shit."

        "Gnash set his eyes on the Silquien. Sil slid further into his coral structure, but gave no indication that he knew what Gnash was talking about. He appeared like most of the monsters Alexia had come across, compliant and mindless."
        "Gnash laughed again, the sound rough and throaty. It grated on Alexia's nerves. He left them there, the atmosphere soiled by his presence."

        hide orc soldier with moveoutright

        "Sil slid out from his hiding spot once Gnash was determinedly gone. He glared at the spot the orc was last seen, uncharacteristic hatred in his eyes. He knew exactly what Gnash was implying."
        "Alexia reached into the tank to pet his head. Sil jolted, but any surprise he held was quickly erased by the soft caress of her fingers. His body vibrated, thriving on her touch."

        al "I'm sorry you had to hear that. I'm not going to let him do anything to you, alright? I promise."

        "But even as she said it, Alexia wasn't sure how realistic her promise would be. When it came down to it, she was ranked pretty lowly among the workers of the breeding pits."
        "She may be able to get Draith on her side, but there was no guarantees that Gnash wouldn't fight tooth and nail for Sil."

        "Sil seemed to understand that as well. His vibrations stopped, a solemn look on his face. It pained her to see it."
        "But it was time for her to go."

        al "I'll be back tomorrow, alright? You'll be safe until then."

        "Her fingers lingered on his head then slowly pulled away. Sil caught her hand, eyes wide and pleading."

        sil "Stay."
        al " But my shift is over--"

        "His grip on her hand tightened."

        sil "Please."

        "...Well, how was she supposed to say no to that?"

        al "Alright. Just for a little bit longer, though."

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "And we'll be using this time as an opportunity to study, alright?"

        "Sil visibly relaxed. He smiled, releasing her hand. It didn't appear that he cared what they did, so long as Alexia stayed by his side."
        "Gnash must have really scared him."
        "Alexia settled herself on the ladder and continued flipping through their flashcards. Sil responded enthusiastically, trying to sound out and understand the words even more than usual. Alexia suspected he was trying extra hard in the hopes she would not leave when they were finished. "

        show draith happy at midright with moveinright

        "Draith strode into the room a little while later, a bemused expression on his face. Sil didn't seem to mind Draith in the slightest, observing the dark elf with no more than idle curiosity."

        dra "How are the lessons going? Can he recite poetry yet?"

        "Alexia chuckled, shaking her head."

        al "No, but I'm sure we'll be there in no time. He's making excellent progress."
        dra "I'll say."

        "Draith looked the Silquien up and down with a smirk before directing his attention back to Alexia. There was no doubt the Silquien's lithe, muscular form was appealing to the dark elf. Alexia couldn't deny that Sil was rather attractive."

        if silFavour > 0:
            dra "You've been spending a lot more time with him lately, Alexia. You haven't developed a crush on our new little monster, have you?"
            "Alexia laughed, grateful that {i}crush{/i} was not a word she taught Sil yet. He watched them both from the safety of his tank, confused."
            al "We have become quite close. I enjoy spending time with him."

        else:
            dra "The poor thing looks so lonely when you leave, Alexia. I feel bad for him."
            al "Aw. Well, I miss him, too. We've become quite close."
            "Alexia smiled at Sil over the top of the tank. He grinned back at her, his expression soft."

        "Draith glanced between the two of them, an impish smile curled on his lips. His gaze roved over Sil once more, stopping low on the Silquien's body."

        dra "I think Sil wants to get even closer."

        show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia followed Draith's line of sight, a blush creeping up her neck to her ears as she took in the sight of Sil's large member poking out below his stomach. She stared at it, trying to fathom how she had missed it before."

        al "Is that…?"

        "Draith nodded, his smirk growing wide."

        dra "That would be his cock, yes. Male Silquiens are able to retract them most of the time, but sometimes they can't help it. I'm surprised you didn't notice sooner."
        dra "They even have an airflap above their cockslit to provide air to their lungs! Fascinating, isn't it?"
        dra "Oh, but you wouldn't have to worry about him losing breath - Silquiens have plenty of ways to take in air."

        "Alexia's gaze fell to the flap above Sil's cock, making the connection."
        "Draith was enjoying this too much. Sil tilted his head to the side, oblivious to Alexia's embarrassment. Of course he wouldn't understand, he was just a Silquien..."
        "But he was an incredibly smart and {i}sentient{/i} Silquien…"
        "Draith patted Alexia's arm and turned to leave."

        dra "I'll leave you two to your fun. Keep up the good work~!"

        hide draith with moveoutright

        "Alexia worked to contain her blush as Draith left, but she found her gaze continuously falling back onto Sil's erection. To his credit, Sil didn't seem to mind her staring. If anything, his erection grew larger."
        "Sil cherished Alexia."
        "Perhaps he {i}did{/i} know the meaning behind it."
        "She looked back up at Sil; at those warm eyes and pretty sea-blue hair. He was attractive, for a beast. Alexia would be lying to herself if she pretended she didn't look at him a little {i}too{/i} fondly at times."

        menu:
            "Give Sil a blowjob. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ silFavour += 2
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
                jump silBJ_rp

            "Ignore Sil's erection.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She knew what Draith meant by leaving her alone with Sil after having pointed out the obvious, but she couldn't bring herself to act on it. Sil was still a monster, no matter how sentient and well-intentioned he was."
                show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia forced a polite smile on her face and did her best to push back the erotic thoughts surfacing in the back of her head as she continued Sil's lessons."
                return

    label silBJ_rp:

        "Alexia felt her own desire well up inside of her, a sudden moisture forming between her legs."
        "How long had she been denying her own attraction to Sil? Was she depraved for the thoughts she had of him now? She couldn't take her eyes off of his light cock. Would it be as smooth as his back, or rough and scaly? "

        al "Sil, would you come up here for a moment?"

        scene cg926 with fade
        pause 3
        show alexia breeding aroused behind cg926

        "Sil popped his head out of the water, blue hair sticking to his face as he watched Alexia reach down to run her hands over his shoulders. His skin was considerably smoother than a normal human's, as if he had been coated entirely in lotion. "

        al "You cherish me, don't you?"
        sil "I do."

        scene cg927 with fade
        pause 3

        "He breathed sharply as Alexia's nails trailed down his chest. Water splashed onto her dress, but she couldn't bring herself to care."
        "The tank was deep; despite Draith's promises, Alexia felt the fear of drowning coil through her body. Sil watched her with wide eyes as she stripped down, carefully leaving her clothes on a pile on the ladder before climbing in."
        "Alexia let out a gasp-- the water was freezing!-- but Sil pulled her in his arms, keeping her head out of the water while his cape-like flaps kept her snug against his body. A pleasant thrill ran through her as she felt his cock throb against her thigh."

        sil "Alexia…"

        "Alexia was always surprised to learn what Sil already knew, but none of his quick learning surprised her as much as the feel of his lips on hers, his tongue lightly tracing her bottom lip."
        "She moaned against his mouth, deepening their kiss with her tongue before she took in a deep breath and lowered herself further in the water."
        "Sil moved to pull her back up, but Alexia pushed his hands away, feeling around his body until she latched her mouth onto his cock."
        "Oxygen filled her lungs at once, as well as the salty taste of his cock. Alexia almost released him in surprise but held on, her fingers digging into the Silquien's hips."
        "She heard Sil gasp above her, but she kept her eyes shut, afraid to open them under the salty tank water. Draith had been very specific about the amount of salt…"
        "Alexia felt two hands come down to press her face further down his cock. She took his member with ease, surprised and delighted by the smooth texture as it slid down her throat. She didn't even need to worry about controlling her breathing."
        "Sil bucked against her, his tail curling around her waist. Alexia bobbed her head up and down, the feel of the end of his tail pressing down her belly sending a shudder through her. What would it feel like inside of her? What would he feel like inside of her?"

        show cg928 with sshake
        show cg928 with sshake
        show cg929 with flash
        pause 3

        "The thought placated her as Sil reached his climax, his hips grinding against her face hard. She could hear Sil's muffled panting become more frantic through the water, his grip tightening on her hair and waist as he released his seed deep in her throat. "
        "Alexia swallowed hard and took another deep breath from his cock before swimming up to the surface."
        "Somehow the oxygen on land didn't taste as satisfying as the kind she had been sucking off of him. Sil helped keep her upright in the water as he swam her back to the tank's ledge. "
        "He pressed soft kisses to her neck before lifting her back up onto the ladder. Alexia's legs felt shaky, but she quickly pulled her clothes back on, careful not to drip too much water onto her flashcards."
        "As she began to climb down the ladder, Sil's voice caught her attention."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show alexia breeding happy behind black

        sil "Alexia enjoyed?"

        "She smiled back and nodded."

        al "I really enjoyed it, Sil. Promise."

        "Sil's face lit up. For once, he was still smiling as Alexia gathered her things and left the cage."

        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 3.rpy
label a_stinging_confession_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

    "The pits reeked of must and wet fur as Alexia weaved her way through the cages. She did her best to scrub the scent out-- from both the cages and the creatures themselves-- but there was only so much she could do while they waited for more supplies to be shipped in."
    "Sil's tank was clean at least, and the Silquien creature's face lit up when Alexia approached with a stack of books in her arms."

    sil "Alexia!"

    "She smiled, utterly charmed by his childish excitement. It was hard to ever be upset at someone whose entire demeanor lit up when she walked in the room."

    al "Good afternoon, Sil."
    sil "Good afternoon."

    "He grinned with a full row of sharp, pointed teeth. Somehow they didn't even look threatening on his sweet face."

    al "Are you ready to begin our lessons for the day?"

    "Alexia held up her books: an assortment of classic texts ranging from history to theology. She hadn't yet touched the subject of religion with him, but with Sil's progress, she was curious to see his take on it."
    "Sil did a little spin in his tank, the excitement practically radiating out of him. He nodded, taking up his usual position near the top of the tank."
    "Alexia climbed the ladder and joined him, flipping open one of the books to where they left off previously."
    "Sil had proved to be of greater intelligence than either Alexia or Draith realized. He understood basic concepts as Alexia explained them to him and seemed to grasp critical thinking skills that even the most clever creatures in the pits seemed to lack."
    "She didn't even know if she could call Sil a creature anymore. He possessed too much intelligence-- too much sentience-- to be deemed as such."
    "Was it right, then, for them to keep him in the pits? Sil didn't seem to mind his enclosure-- preferred it, even, when Alexia had asked if he missed the ocean-- but that didn't make her feel any less guilty for keeping him here among the strange animals and creatures that Draith came across."
    "Alexia couldn't think of many places outside of the pits for his tank, though. Not without him facing harassment from others in the castle. Even her own chambers didn't spare the room, and anywhere public would only put Sil in harm's way."
    "No, the pits were the best place after all, she decided. At least he was happy here, and he was safe."
    "Relatively safe."
    "Alexia had barely finished reviewing the territorial war of the River Red when Gnash came tromping over. She almost expected the stone to crack under his heavy footfalls."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with moveinright
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Hello, Gnash."

    "It was hard to hide her distaste as he approached the tank, his light, glassy eyes trailing Sil up and down like meat hanging on a rack. Sil glared at him but inched closer to Alexia, as though he would pull her into the water if things got out of hand."

    gnash "You still wastin' your time on this piece'a meat?"

    "Gnash's words came out discordant and jumbled, as if he were chewing each syllable, but Alexia understood him well enough by this point."

    al "It is not a waste. Sil has made excellent progress, more than I can say for most creatures."

    "If Gnash noticed the pointed look she gave him, he didn't let on. She was almost disappointed as he disregarded her entirely, his focus solely trained on the Silquien. Sil bared his teeth, a low hiss caught in the back of his throat."

    gnash "Alright. If he's so smart, prove it. Show me what he's learned."

    "Alexia sat up straight, donning the aura of an instructor at work."

    al "Very well. Sil, won't you read this page for me and answer the questions at the bottom?"

    "Alexia flipped to a different page, one they had covered extensively, and held the book out to him."
    "Sil gave her a dubious look, hesitant to perform for the monstrous beast. He was a person of sorts, not a mindless animal."
    "Still, it appeared he would do anything for Alexia's favor."
    "The Silquien read back the paragraphs in full, darting annoyed glances in Gnash's direction as he did so, before answering the questions at the end of the page. Alexia had him do this a few more times with different books and subjects. "

    show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

    "By the end, Sil seemed more proud at his progress than annoyed by the tasks at hand. Alexia smiled at him, her own heart swelling with pride as well."
    "She snapped the book shut and set it beside her."

    al "As you can see, Sil has been studying very hard in your absence."

    "Gnash stared at Sil, his silence unnerving. Alexia had to bite back her frustrated response."
    "Did he not see the potential Sil had? Was he not impressed by the progression they've made? Sil was a breakthrough study. There was still so much more to learn about him, so much more to test."
    "Finally Gnash turned to her, and she dreaded the darkly satisfied gleam in his eye."

    gnash "So he is smart. Heh. Maybe he won't be such a waste after all."

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia shared a wary glance with Sil. The way Gnash stared at the Silquien sent a shiver down her spine. Compliments from Gnash were rare and Alexia felt strange to be on the receiving end of one."

    al "Thank you. I'm glad you can finally see the value in our work."

    gnash "Oh, I see the value alright. This beast's gonna make us a fortune."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "What?"

    "She felt the blood drain from her face and her lips part in shock. A battering ram to the chest would have been an easier blow than what Gnash was suggesting."
    "The orc didn't seem to notice-- or even care-- about Alexia's state of shock. He carried on, staring at Sil as though he were made of gold instead of the dear Silquien he was."

    gnash "I'll set the auction up for 'em. A beast this smart's gotta be good for battle, sure, but fools'll pay even more for 'em as a slave."

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "You-- You can't do that!"

    "Sil, a {i}slave{/i}. No, she couldn't let that happen. Alexia refused to entertain the idea."
    "Gnash snorted, the sound pig-like through his smooshed nose and protruding teeth. Angry tears pricked Alexia's eyes but she blinked them away, refusing to allow him the satisfaction of seeing them."

    gnash "I can do what I want. Don't be bossin' me around."
    al "Please, Gnash, just reconsider. There's no reason to sell him off. He can be useful--"
    gnash "I made my choice. What we do with 'em is my decision, so say yer goodbyes now. He won't be around much longer."

    "Gnash grinned at Sil through the tank and patted the glass with a large, rough hand. Sil hissed in response, the stub of his tail swishing angrily in the water."
    "Gnash laughed and the sound raked on Alexia's patience. The orc walked off to plan the auction, leaving the anxious pair behind."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    "Alexia swallowed hard, the urge to cry creating a lob in her throat. Would Sil really be leaving her behind, sold off to some rich patron like cattle?"
    "She was certain whoever Gnash planned to sell Sil off to wouldn't treat him with the same kindness she had. The idea of someone else taking him in and causing the Silquien any harm left an ache in her chest."
    "Alexia felt Sil watching her, gauging her reaction. He was smart enough to know what Gnash meant by selling him off. She almost wished he wasn't so intelligent, if only so she could protect him from his own fate."
    "Taking a deep breath, Alexia grabbed one of the books and flipped it open. She didn't care where their lesson started today as long as she could keep her mind preoccupied."

    show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

    "With a shaky smile, she turned to Sil."

    al "Let's get back to our studies."

    "She couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze as they began a new subject entirely. Sil didn't seem to mind, easily keeping up with her questions and explanations, but Alexia struggled to push through their lesson."
    "Each passing second felt like another step closer to Sil's inevitable slavery. Each correct answer left her feeling further and further away from him, until Alexia couldn't take it anymore. She shut the book and set it aside."

    al "Perhaps we should end our lessons early today."

    "She loathed the idea of ending their session early, but they would not be making any progress with her moping about. She was practically useless to him right now, too depressed to carry on for the day."

    show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve

    scene cg1017 with fade
    pause 3

    "Sil frowned and leaned over the edge of the tank. She gasped when his hand reached out to caress her cheek, his skin cold and unnaturally smooth against hers. Sil pulled back, afraid to have hurt her, but slowly reached out once more and touched her face again."

    sil "Don't cry."

    show alexia breeding concerned behind cg1017

    al "I'm not."
    sil "You are."

    "Alexia reached up, already aware of the tears spilling over. She hastily wiped them away and shook her head. Now was not the time for tears. If anything, Sil should have been the one crying; it was his life he was losing, after all."

    al "You don't need to worry about me, Sil. This isn't about me, it's about you."

    "Sil looked like he wanted to argue but kept his mouth shut, continuing to caress her cheek with utmost gentleness. She couldn't help inclining her head against his palm."

    al "This isn't fair to you. What is it {i}you{/i} want?"
    sil "What I want?"

    "Sil seemed shocked, as if the idea of wanting anything had only just occurred to him. Alexia nodded in encouragement. Sil pressed his lips together tightly, consumed in thought."
    "Then--"

    sil "I want to stay by Alexia's side."

    show alexia breeding happy behind cg1017

    "His statement nearly warmed her heart as much as it broke her."

    al "You want to stay with me?"

    "She tried to keep her voice light, flattered, but it was impossible to hide the heartbreak that seeped in. It was an impossibility."
    "Sil nodded, fully confident in his answer. His fingers trailed closer to her lips. Looking to her for permission, his thumb ran over the soft curve of her bottom lip."

    sil "I love you, Alexia. I want to stay with you."

    "Alexia was about to answer but she stopped herself, seeing the look in Sil's eyes. This was not some attachment to a friend."
    "This was his love confession."

    menu:
        "Reciprocate Sil's feelings. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ silFavour += 3
            "Alexia's heart thundered in her chest, a hundred emotions soaring and crashing through her."
            al "I love you too, Sil."
            "The words were out before she could even think of taking them back. How long had she felt this way about him? How long had she suppressed this part of her, hoping it would go away like any other intrusive thought?"
            scene cg1018 with fade
            pause 3
            "Sil didn't give her the option of reconsidering. He leaned over the tank, took her face in his palms, and kissed her."
            "Sil was inexperienced, of course-- where would he have had the opportunity to learn how to kiss, being stuck inside of a tank?-- but Alexia didn't mind. She melted from his touch and helped guide him, her tongue easing its way inside of his mouth, careful to avoid brushing against the sharp points of his teeth."
            "Sil shuddered, his hands sliding to her arms and gripping her hard."
            "He slipped, accidentally pulling her into the tank."
            #cg1
            scene cg1019 with fade
            pause 3
            show alexia breeding shocked behind cg1019
            "Alexia grasped, clinging onto the Silquien for dear life. Sil pulled her back above the water, uttering apology after apology as she coughed up the lungful of water she'd sucked in."
            sil "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry--"
            show alexia breeding happy behind cg1019
            al "It's fine."
            "She laughed, her throat still scratchy from the sudden intake of water. She was soaked through but didn't mind, the feel of being in Sil's arms easing any of her anxiety away."
            "Sil brushed some of her wet hair from her face, his expression soft. He kissed her again, and this time she felt his excitement hard against her leg."
            "Desire swelled in her lower abdomen. Her legs parted instinctively, wrapping around his waist. Sil's eyes widened in surprise but he didn't object."
            "Sil moved through the water with ease, carefully pressing her against the wall of glass. She gripped the edge of the tank to keep herself up, but it took little effort with the buoyancy of the water."
            "Sil helped tug at her uniform and the heavy fabric floated down to the bottom of the tank. Alexia took in a deep breath, the sensation of the cool glass against her bare breasts sending a pleasant thrill through her body."
            "She could feel his cock hard between her legs, easing upward slowly until the tip pressed against her entrance. He paused, unsure."
            "Alexia smiled back at him with encouragement, her own need to be filled up by him nagging at her."
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1019
            al "Go ahead, Sil. Fuck me. {i}Please{/i}."
            "She squirmed against him, pressing her ass against his groin for emphasis. Sil moaned, his hands finding their way to her hips before he thrust upward into her."
            "Alexia gasped, surprised to feel his full length shove inside of her. For as gentle as Sil was, she expected him to at least work up to it."
            "The sensation wasn't unpleasant, though-- quite the opposite-- and it only took a few moments for the pain to subside into a more pleasurable feeling."
            "Sil stopped and Alexia whimpered, begging for more."
            al "Don't stop now! Please, Sil, keep going!"
            "The Silquien obliged, his hips jerking back and forth as he thrust in and out of her open cunt. Alexia panted, her nails scraping against the glass as she worked to keep herself upright."
            "The water and smooth texture of Sil's cock helped him slide in and out of her easily, each thrust emphasizing how well he fit inside of her. Alexia had seen his cock, knew its length, and still he felt bigger inside of her, stretching her walls wide open."
            al "Oohh… Sil… Sil…!"
            "She cried out his name as her own climax built up inside of her, her hips rocking back and forth against him for more, more, more--"
            "A sudden sharp pain pierced into the back of her neck. Alexia cried out, almost losing her grip on the tank as Sil bit and licked at the wound, his sharp teeth piercing against her skin."
            al "Fuck-- Fuck, Sil-- Yes--"
            show cg1019 with sshake
            show cg1019 with sshake
            scene cg1020 with flash
            pause 3
            "Tremors ran through her body as Alexia reached her orgasm, her pussy clenching around his cock tightly."
            "Sil moaned in her ear from behind before blowing his own load inside of her. The excess cum dripped out and floated through the water."
            "Alexia touched the back of her neck, surprised to find the sharp indents of where his teeth had been in her skin. It was the last thing she expected from Sil of all people, but the passion and need he displayed was enough to push her over the edge."
            "She smiled a little to herself and maneuvered herself around in his arms to face him. Sil petted her hair gently and held her in his arms, the flaps folding around her like a cool blankets."
            scene black with fade
            "After a few minutes like that, embraced in each other's arms, Sil finally pulled away and fetched her gown. Alexia pulled it back on, only then realizing how miserable it would be to wear a drenched uniform around the drafty castle."
            "Picking up her books, Alexia reluctantly bid Sil farewell and, with the promise of more lessons tomorrow, finished up the rest of her shift."
            "She tried not to think about the fact that Gnash still intended to auction him off and that this may have been her last time with Sil."
            # return

        "Tell him what a great friend he makes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia stared back at him, momentarily speechless. She was not prepared for something like this."
            #if all_actors["alexia"].relation > 40:
                #"She was married, first of all. Rowan was her husband, although Sil didn't know that. It had never come up in their conversations."
            "Sil was… He wasn't even human. He was intelligent, yes, but he was a creature in the breeding pits."
            "Did he even know what love was, or was he just repeating something they'd gone over in one of their books? Had they ever gone over this topic?"
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia felt all out of sorts as she gathered up her books and pulled away. She needed space, some time to think. She couldn't do that here, not with Sil."
            al "I have to be going now."
            "She climbed down the ladder, afraid to meet his gaze. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him swimming down in his tank to reach her height with each step, his eyes wide and pleading."
            show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
            "She couldn't leave him wondering if he'd done something wrong, so she smiled at him quickly, hoping to ease some of the tension."
            al "I'll see you again tomorrow for our lessons. Be good, Sil."
            hide alexia with moveoutright
            "Sil opened his mouth to call after her, but Alexia rushed from his cage, from the pits, as far as she could away from Sil."
            "She didn't even stop to wonder if he would even still be there tomorrow."
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 3.rpy
label a_silquien_auction_rp:

    $ silFavour = 10

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia sighed heavily as she finished substituting fresh hay in one of the cages of the breeding pits. What was usually easy monotonous work became a true chore in recent days."
    "How was she supposed to focus when her favorite charge was going to be sold off like a piece of meat?"
    "Gnash's plans to auction Sil off had been weighing down on her mind. Work became more difficult to complete when she knew every second spent scrubbing out cages was another second away from Sil."
    "Supposedly Gnash had been busy bidding Sil's freedom to multiple sellers, all of whom were eager to get their hands on a creature as intelligent as Sil. The thought left Alexia feeling sick. It was only a matter of time before a final bid was placed."
    "Alexia finished scrubbing her last cage of the day before making her way to Draith's office."
    "Draith sat at his desk, a pouty expression on his ashen face as he filled out paperwork. Alexia knew he would rather be wandering the pits and caring for the creatures firsthand, but certain duties had to be completed."

    al "Draith, do you have a minute?"

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    dra "Of course!"

    "Relief washed over his face. Draith smiled, gesturing for Alexia to enter. She did so, gently shutting the door behind her."

    dra "What can I do for you, Alexia?"
    al "Have you heard about what Gnash is up to? With Sil?"

    "Draith's face fell. He sighed, nodding."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    dra "I have. He won't stop talking about it."
    dra "I'm sorry for all the stress he's put on you. He's been pretty rash about things since Andras sent him over here."

    "Draith's lips curled in distaste and he tapped his fingers against the tabletop in irritation. It appeared that Alexia wasn't the only one having troubles with the new assistant beast master."

    dra "The boar could use a good kick in the head. Do you know what he tried to do yesterday?"

    #draith angry

    "Anger flared in Draith's eyes and Alexia shook her head. She had been so focused on Sil's inevitable departure that she had trouble remembering much of anything that happened on her shift yesterday."

    dra "This {i}barbarian{/i} thought it would be a {i}brilliant{/i} idea to put the female Loricians in with the males. Can you believe it?"

    "Draith shook his head in disgust."
    "Alexia only had a vague idea of which creatures he was currently upset about-- there were so many Draith talked about that sometimes she just simply lost track-- but she understood the gist of his anger."

    al "That's terrible."
    dra "It was genocide! I had to pry the females off before they slaughtered every last male available. Those poor Loricians didn't stand a chance…"

    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve

    #draith sad

    "A shadow of mourning passed Draith's face and Alexia felt for him. He cared about these beasts like they were his children, and to see their deaths surely hurt him deeper than the mistake itself."

    al "I'm so sorry."
    dra "That idiot. If I could have, I would have fed him to the Loricians himself."

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "We may not be able to do anything about the Loricians… but we can do something for Sil, can't we?"
    al "You can't let him sell Sil, Draith. You know he won't care who Sil goes to; it's inhumane!"

    #draith neutral

    "Draith rubbed his tired face, and Alexia could see that his time working with Gnash had exhausted him more than she realized. Draith appeared to be at his wit's end."

    dra "I know, I know."

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    "He pursed his lips in thought. He suddenly looked up at Alexia, his eyes bright and cheerful with a new idea."

    dra "You know, we could always kill him! That's how things were done among the dark elves."

    "Draith beamed at her, his smile full of humour."

    al "You aren't serious?"
    dra "No, but it is tempting, is it not?"

    "Alexia sighed. Perhaps it was more tempting than she wanted to admit, but she could never be the kind of person to take someone else's life. No, killing the orc would not be an option, and it was not one either of them took seriously."
    "The door swung open then, interrupting their conversation. Alexia didn't bother to hide the sneer on her face as Gnash came trudging in."

    show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright
    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Draith's smile dropped and he regarded the grinning orc with a raised brow. Alexia blanched, already knowing what the orc's smug expression meant."

    dra "Can I help you, Gnash?"
    gnash "Got a buyer ready. Need ya to prep the monster."

    "Her heart plummeted. Yes, this was exactly what she feared. Alexia hadn't even been able to see Sil today, let alone talk to him, and now suddenly he was going to be shipped off to some stranger."
    "Draith and Alexia shared a look, a grim mutual understanding passing between them."

    dra "I see. When is the buyer arriving?"
    gnash "On his way now."
    al "Now? Can't you tell them to come later? Tomorrow, or next week?"

    "There was a hint of desperation in Alexia's voice as she objected. She glanced at Draith, hoping he would interject and find some excuse to stop this. But the dark elf seemed to be at a loss."

    gnash "Buyer's only here today. He'll be here in an hour."
    gnash "Make sure the beast's ready."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    "Alexia winced as Gnash slammed the door on his way out."

    scene black with fade

    "….."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Sil knew something was up the minute she and Draith arrived at his tank."
    "Alexia felt sick, her eyes stinging as she assisted Draith in cleaning the tank and helping Sil look presentable-- as presentable as any Silquien could, anyway."
    "Sil watched her with wide sad eyes, barely registering Draith's presence. The way he stared at her broke her heart; like a lover being left behind."

    sil "Alexia…"

    "She looked up, surprised to find Sil's blurry hand reaching to wipe the tears from her face. She inclined her cheek into his palm, no longer as comforted by his hand when she knew it would inevitably be torn from her face when Gnash arrived."

    sil "Am I leaving now?"
    al "I--"

    "{i}Yes, Sil. You're being sold{/i}. That's what she was supposed to say, but Alexia couldn't get the words out."

    al "Isn't there anything we can do, Draith?"
    dra "I've been trying to think of something, but…"
    al "What if we hide him? Gnash can't auction him off if Sil isn't there."

    "It was a silly, ridiculous idea-- something she had just blurted out in a weak grasp for control over this spiralling situation-- so it came as a surprise to her when Draith seriously considered her idea."

    dra "That's not bad. If the buyers arrive and there's no Silquien here at all, they may even think Gnash is lying. It could ruin his reputation among potential buyers in the future as well."
    dra "What do you say, Alexia? Shall we hide him?"

    menu:
        "Hide Sil.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Hope soared through her. If there was any chance of saving Sil from being sold off, this was it."
            al "Yes, let's hide him."
            al "Are you okay with that, Sil?"
            sil "If it means I get to stay with you, of course I'm okay with it."
            "Spurred on by his touching words, Alexia climbed the ladder and helped Sil out of the tank. Draith reached out as well and together the pair did their best to lower Sil to the ground."
            al "Is he going to have trouble breathing out of the water?"
            dra "He'll be fine; Silquiens have evolved for land and sea, although walking on land is-- so I've heard-- very uncomfortable for them for the first hour or so. Look, his legs are already coming out."
            al "Legs--? Oh!"
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia cried out in shock as she watched two legs extend from his hips. She nearly dropped him but Sil caught himself, his webbed feet landing with a wet smack on the stone floor."
            al "I-I didn't-- I had no idea you could do that!"
            "Sil looked at her shyly, an embarrassed smile on his face."
            sil "I thought you liked me better without them."
            show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "...Oh. No, Sil. That isn't the case at all. I think you look lovely no matter what."
            "Although he didn't blush, Sil suddenly became flustered, wringing his hands together nervously as he stared down at the floor."
            "Draith cleared his throat from behind."
            show draith happy at midright with dissolve
            dra "If you're done flirting, we are supposed to, you know, {i}hide{/i} him…"
            al "Yes, of course!"
            "Alexia and Draith led Sil to the corner of the cage where several feeding and general supplies are kept to take care of the Silquien and his tank. Sil maneuvered himself between the supplies, crouching down and disguising himself underneath a tarp."
            "It was not the most original hiding spot, but in a pinch, Alexia and Draith found it worked fine."
            show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright
            show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Gnash entered the cage a few minutes later, inspecting the clean tank with a sharp eye. Of course, Sil was nowhere to be seen."
            "Gnash approached the tank and banged a heavy fist against the glass. The water sloshed inside, some spilling out over the edge, but Gnash didn't seem to care."
            gnash "Ay! Beast! Come out!"
            "He squinted and peered into the cracks of coral, searching for the Silquien. When Sil did not appear, he rounded on Alexia and Draith, his large hands balled into tight fists."
            gnash "Where is he?!"
            al "I don't know what you mean."
            "Gnash glared between the two, his temper rising. He was silent for a moment, the wheels slowly turning in his head, before a new idea struck him."
            gnash "Yer hiding him. Ya plan to sell him for yerselves, don't'cha?!"
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Before Alexia could object, the orc grabbed her by the hair and dragged her toward the tank. She shrieked and pried at his hand, but Gnash's grip was firm."
            gnash "If ya won't tell me where he is, I might just sell ya instead."
            "Gnash yanked on her hair again, nearly lifting Alexia off of her feet."
            #draith angry
            dra "Gnash, put her down {i}now{/i}!"
            "The orc ignored Draith, a malicious grin on his face as he held Alexia in front of him. She realized with an ounce of fear that he could crush her head between his palms if he wanted to."
            "And it definitely looked like he wanted to. Or worse."
            "A rustling caught her attention, but Gnash seemed oblivious to the noise."
            "Alexia's eyes widened as she watched Sil spring out from his hiding place. She opened her mouth, the {i}No{/i} already formed on her lips, but Sil dove onto the orc from behind and knocked him down. Alexia stumbled out of his grip, barely catching herself on one of the ladder's steps."

        "Don't hide Sil.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia considered it, her chest aching with longing at the idea, but deep down she knew it would be ridiculous. There weren't many places to hide Sil in the breeding pits in the first place, let alone the ability to hide him somewhere on such short notice."
            "She shook her head, defeated."
            al "...No. Gnash isn't that stupid, he'll find him in no time."
            "Draith gave her a surprised look but didn't object, climbing back down from the ladder and placing the cleaning supplies away. Alexia could feel Sil watching her with growing anxiety, but she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze."
            show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with moveinright
            "Gnash trudged into the cage a few minutes later, his eyes full of greed as he took in Sil's cleaned tank."
            gnash "There we go! Buyers'll be here any minute."
            "The orc's expression fell, and Alexia finally dared to look at Sil to see what the problem was. The Silquien moped about his tank, obviously depressed as he moved from side to side."
            "Gnash banged a heavy fist against the glass."
            gnash "Ay! Knock it off! We got buyers comin', they wanna see ya smilin'!"
            "Sil glared at the orc and made no attempts to adjust his attitude. He flung an obscene gesture at the orc."
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia raised an eyebrow at Draith, suspicious of where he'd learned that one. {i}She{/i} certainly didn't teach him that. Draith just smiled back at her."
            gnash "Don't have time for this."
            "Gnash grumbled under his breath as he climbed the ladder and reached an arm into the tank. Sil easily dodged his advances, swimming away from the orc's large hand."
            gnash "Get the fuck up here! We're not playin' fuckin' games!"
            "Gnash leaned into the tank more and this time managed to grab Sil by the stunted rod of his tail. Sil gasped as Gnash managed to yank him upward by the rod, pulling him out of the water. Sil's face contorted in pain and he struggled to escape Gnash's grasp."
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia ran to the edge of the ladder, unsure of what to do but terrified to see Sil being harmed."
            al "Stop it! You're hurting him!"
            gnash "'Is fine!"
            al "He's {i}not{/i}! Let him go!"
            "Gnash ignored her, managing to yank Sil out of the tank. He dropped him onto the floor with a wet {i}smack{/i}, ignoring the height difference between the top of the tank and the floor below."
            "Sil gasped, clutching his arm in pain. Alexia rushed to his side."
            show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "Sil, are you okay? Hey, look at me. Can you breathe?"
            "Sil nodded, and Alexia was surprised to see a new change in him: legs began to extend out from his hips, as human as hers aside from his webbed feet. She gawked, unable to take her eyes off of the new limbs."
            show alexia breeding shocked at midleft with dissolve
            "Seeing her surprise, Draith chimed in."
            dra "Oh, I didn't tell you this, did I? Silquiens evolved for land and sea; their legs aren't needed often, but they are there. They can be dreadfully uncomfortable to walk on for the first hour or so, though."
            "Gnash observed this transformation from the ladder, his eyes wide."
            gnash "Why didn't ya tell me he did this shit?"
            #draith angry
            "Draith glared at Gnash through narrowed eyes, pretending to clean his nails."
            dra "You didn't ask."
            "Gnash nearly broke the ladder with his heavy footsteps, his feet slapping hard against the ground as he towered over Sil."
            gnash "Shit! This beast's gonna make us rich."
            "He grabbed the Silquien by the hair and raised him to eye level. Sil glared back at him, no longer defenseless with his newfound legs."

    al "Sil--"

    "Her warning died in her throat. Sil did not look like the sweet, nervous Silquien she knew; he was, in every sense, a {i}beast{/i}."
    "Sil's sharp teeth protruded from his gums as he bit hard on Gnash's neck. The orc yelled and Sil yanked his head back, easily tearing the flesh open."
    "Alexia didn't even see the claws protruding from Sil's fingers until they were deep on the other side of Gnash's neck, thick blood pooling out from his side."
    "Alexia gawked, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene. Sil, her sweet Sil, was shredding the flesh on Gnash's neck, ignoring the punches and scratches the orc returned in retaliation."

    hide orc soldier with redflash

    "Then the struggling stopped. Gnash landed on the floor in a pool of his own blood, his thick skull practically severed from his body. Blood dripped from Sil's mouth and claws."
    "The Silquien stood on shaky legs, refusing to meet Alexia's gaze. Draith appraised Sil with an approving gleam in his eyes."

    dra "...Well! That settles that, don't you think?"

    "Alexia didn't know what to say. It was all over and done with so quickly. She just stood there, mouth agape, processing."

    dra "Alexia?"
    al "Ah, um, yes?"
    dra "I'll take care of the body, so how about you help Sil clean up in my office? There should be some bandages in there."
    al "Sure."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Alexia took Sil's hand in her own and led him to Draith's office, trying to ignore the feel of warm blood in his palm. They said nothing as they entered Draith's office."
    "Sil took a seat on the edge of the desk while Alexia searched the room for supplies to clean his wounds. Silence stretched between them, deafening."

    sil "Are you angry at me?"
    al "Huh?"
    sil "You seem… angry."
    al "No, I'm not angry at you, Sil. I'm… surprised, certainly. But I'm not angry."

    "Sil finally met her gaze then, his large eyes wide and doubtful."

    sil "You don't hate me then?"

    "And there it was, the shy Silquien she had come to know. Alexia's heart melted a little at the sight. Yes, this was her Sil. That hadn't changed."

    show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I could never hate you, Sil. "

    "Sil smiled in relief but didn't allow his body to relax entirely. Alexia eventually found the medical supplies and tended to his wounds. The sight of him yanking Gnash's flesh out with his teeth still lingered in the back of her mind."

    al "...But I do want to know… Why did you murder him?"
    sil "Because I wanted to stay with you."

    "He stared at her as if his explanation was obvious."

    menu:
        "Disapprove of his murdering Gnash.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "I… Even so, you shouldn't have murdered him, Sil. That's wrong."
            "Sil frowned, and Alexia could see there was a flicker of confusion on his face although he tried to hide it."
            sil "I thought you didn't like Gnash."
            al "I don't-- didn't-- but we can't solve every problem with murder. Promise me you won't do something like that again."
            "Sil bowed his head in shame, clearly wishing this conversation had taken a different turn. He nodded solemnly."
            sil "I promise."
            show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Good. Now let's get you cleaned up."
            "Sil seemed to soften as Alexia continued bandaging him up."
            "She still wasn't comfortable with his methods of getting rid of Gnash, but she would be kidding herself if she said she wasn't happy that she got to stay with Sil now."
            # return

        "Show your appreciation. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if silFavour > 3:
                "How could she be angry at him if he was so desperate to stay by her side? Alexia couldn't bring herself to explain the intricacies of murder tonight, not when he'd risked his life for her."
                "Alexia ran her hands over his thighs, surprised by just how smooth his skin was."
                al "I want to stay with you too, Sil. You mean so much to me."
                "She leaned forward, her voice taking on a more sultry tone as she ran a finger down his chest."
                al "Let me show you how much you mean to me."
                #cg 1
                scene cg977 with fade
                show alexia breeding aroused behind cg977
                pause 3
                "Sil smiled softly, his fingers reaching out to stroke through her hair. Alexia sighed in contentment, savoring the feel of his touch."
                "She reached down and peeled her panties off, the fabric already damp with her own excitement. Sil licked his lips and Alexia watched as his arousal hardened in front of her."
                "Alexia climbed onto his lap, straddling him, and ground against his erection. Sil held her waist, his breath coming out heavier with each roll of her hips."
                "Her cunt was already dripping when she reached down and slid him inside of her. Alexia whimpered as he thrust inside of her at once, pushing the full length of himself as far as her pussy would allow."
                al "You don't waste any time, do you?"
                "Her laugh came out breathy and receded into a moan as Sil dragged himself in and out of her, lifting her up and down on his cock in a quick, steady motion."
                "Alexia's fingers dug into his shoulders, the tip of his cock pressing deep inside her waiting cunt. She could already feel her climax approaching when Sil removed one hand from her waist."
                scene cg978 with fade
                pause 3
                "She gasped as he stuck a finger in her asshole, then two, curling them in and out of her in tandem with the motion of his cock."
                "Her thighs clenched. Oh fuck, she felt {i}good{/i}. Everything about Sil was smooth and slippery and so easy to slide and stretch inside of her, morphing her body to his pleasure with ease. She didn't even need to worry about lubrication when his body naturally provided it."
                "Alexia's moans turned to quick pants as she reached her orgasm, her nails clawing into his back as violent tremors shook her body."
                "Sil didn't stop, his movements only growing more fervent with his own growing climax. It was so easy for her to give into him, to let him fuck, fuck, fuck her until he came."
                "And came he did. Sil's choked out a gasp as his cum shot out deep into her pussy. He clutched Alexia tightly to him, their bodies rubbing until he was finished."
                scene cg979 with fade
                pause 3
                show draith happy behind cg979
                dra "...I see my desk was put to good use."
                "Heat rushed to Alexia's face as she finally noticed Draith standing in the doorway. He raised an amused eyebrow at them, and Alexia could see him admiring Sil's masculine features."
                "Despite her shaky legs, Alexia climbed off of Sil and yanked on her uniform. Draith held up a hand."
                dra "No need to rush on my account. I'll come back later."
                dra "Make sure to clean up when you're done!"
                "He winked at them before stepping out of the office and shutting the door in his wake."
                # return
            else:
                "How could she be angry at him if he was so desperate to stay by her side? Alexia couldn't bring herself to explain the intricacies of murder tonight, not when he'd risked his life for her."
                al "Well, thank you. I'm happy we get to be together."
                "Sil beamed, her words putting him in a better mood."
                "Alexia dug around the office a little bit until she came across some extra treats. She gave them to Sil as a reward."
                al "Don't eat them all at once. I don't want you to get sick."
                "Sil grinned and nodded, munching on the snacks while she finished bandaging him up. At least she wouldn't have to worry about him being sold off anymore."
                # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 2.rpy
label draiths_visitor_rp:

    $ friskyDrider = True
    $ NTR = True
    $ alexia_ice_shard = True
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 51
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0

    scene bg25 with fade

    "Working in the breeding pits wasn’t exactly Alexia’s favourite job. The boy, Draith was nice, and she tried her best to be kind to him, for all that he has been subjected to before he arrived at Castle Bloodmeen, but the work was often hard going."
    "Cleaning the cages was a long, and arduous task, and the creatures who lived in them were at best not particularly friendly, and at worst downright scary."

    if friskyDrider:
        "She had seen what happened when one of the driders got free, and she wasn’t pleased at the prospect of the same thing happen to her."

    else:
        "If she had met any of the monsters that Draith loved so much out in the world before coming to the castle, she would have run for her life screaming, and now she had to look after them."

    "Today though, as it had turned out, had been her lucky day. Draith had a number of errands that needed doing around the castle, and had given her the task of doing them instead of her usual chores."
    "When she saw the errand list, she understood why; a visit to Cliohna for books needed for research, Cla-Min for supplies, and delivering a report to Jezera. She knew how the young dark elf felt about women, and was no doubt happy for an excuse not to have to see them himself."
    "In the end, the tasks had taken her longer than she had expected. The sorceress was busy, and Alexia ended up having to search for the books herself."
    "When she got to the caravan, later than intended, Cla-Min’s supplies were low, which meant waiting for one of her children to return with more stock."
    "Jezera had been the worst though, she had kept her waiting outside her chambers for almost an hour while she amused herself with the help, and when she was finally able to deliver the report, the demoness nonchalantly waved her off, uninterested in Draith’s research."
    "By the time Alexia was finally able to head back to the pits, it was well past noon. She contemplated stopping for lunch, but still had the books and supplies, and felt she had best deliver them first, in case the dark elf needed them."
    "As she approached, goods in hand, she heard two voices coming from the research area. At first, she could make out neither, but as she got closer, it became clear who were talking."
    "One voice, as she assumed, belonged to Draith. He would be there still working after all. But the other surprised her - it was Andras. Was what he doing down here?"
    "She tiptoed closer, wanting to hear what was being said, but without wanting to intrude in case it was inopportune timing. With what she had seen of Andras’ temper, eavesdropping was the more prudent choice."
    "She stopped near the door and placed the items she had been carrying on the floor, carefully. First, the sounds of heavy breathing, and then the demon spoke."

    show andras smirk behind bg25
    show draith neutral behind bg25

    an "You haven’t forgotten your place, have you?"
    dra "No master."

    "Place? Were they talking about work?"

    dra "My place… my place is…"
    dra "To do whatever you want me to, whenever you ask me to."
    dra "You be… your fuck toy."

    "Alexia went bright red as she realized what she had walked in on. She shouldn’t have been surprised really, Draith was so afraid of women it was obvious he’d prefer the company of men, and Andras was practically a walking erection."
    "She should leave now. This was obviously a private moment, and she didn’t really want to risk getting caught peeping, however…"

    if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
        "She felt her loins grow hot at the thought of what was about to happen. The dark elf was a cutie, and the thought of the larger, muscular demon pounding his little butthole made her wet."
        if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
            "And as wrong as it was to feel that way, she felt jealous of Draith."
        else:
            pass
    else:
        pass

    menu:
        "Peek.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            jump andrasDraithBPSex_rp

        "Leave":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "No, this was a private moment, and she had no idea what would happen if the demon was to spy her watching, or the type of punishment he would inflict."
            "Bending over, she picked up the books and supplies from where she had left them. She would return after eating to deliver them, when they had, hopefully, finished."
            return

    label andrasDraithBPSex_rp:

        #CG1
        scene cg358 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg358
        show draith neutral behind cg358
        pause

        "While she had been contemplating what to do in the hallway, Andras had wasted no time putting the dark elf to work. When she peeked around the corner, she saw Draith was now on his knees behind the demon."
        "She saw his grey-white hands on the demon’s ass, a strange contrast against his red skin. He spread the cheeks, and leaned forward to bury his face in it."

        an "Uhhh.. That’s it, lick it slave."

        "Alexia watched as the smaller elf began to tongue her captor’s asshole, licking up and down, and round in circles. It was obvious to her he had done this before, and was clearly enjoying himself. Andras didn’t seem to mind it either."

        an "You’ve gotten good at this, haven’t you, my little ass slut?"

        "At the use of the term, “ass slut”, the dark elf’s face reddened, not with shame, but with pride. He was getting off on the degradation, perhaps the result of the years he had spent as a slave to the females of his species. "

        "He took a moment to move his face back, giving him room to respond."

        dra "Yes master. I love the taste of your ass master."

        "He really did. He went back to licking it as soon as the words left his mouth, the demon smirked."

        an "Why don’t you prove it?"

        "Draith didn’t need any more encouragement, he buried his tongue into his master’s hole as far  as it would go. Andras let out and groan, followed by a chuckle, as the elf swirled his tongue as best he could. Alexia wondered how he could breathe."
        "As his slave jerked his head back and forth, stabbing his tongue into his butthole, Andras reached down and grabbed his engorged cock, moving his hand up and down in lazy strokes."

        an "That’s a good start, slut. Now, assume the position."

        #CG2
        scene cg405 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg405
        show draith neutral behind cg405
        pause 3

        "Draith got up from the floor, and walked over to the desk where he did his research. He pulled down his pants, and then leaned over to offer himself to his master. Andras walked up behind him, and placed a large hand on the elf’s posterior."

        an "Now, do you think that performance deserves a reward? Hmmm?"
        dra "No master."
        an "No, what does it deserve then?"
        dra "I think I…"
        an "Yes?"
        dra "I deserve to be punished!"

        "The demon let out a chuckle."

        an "I think so too, three should do it, don’t you think?"
        dra "You are too kind, master."

        "Andras smirked at his response."

        an "You are right, of course, we’ll make it five."

        "*THWACK*"

        "His large hard came down in a flash, so fast that Alexia barely saw it. The elf let out a squeal as it met flesh, leaving a large red welt in its wake. It looked painful, but it was clear Draith was getting off on it."

        an "That’s one."

        "*THWACK*"

        "Again the hand came down as the demon spanked him, this time leaving a welt on the other cheek this time."

        dra "Unnnn……"
        an "Two."

        "*THWACK*"

        "Once more, the hand met flesh with hard contact, making the cheek even redder. The dark elf shuddered and moaned in response."

        an "Three."
        dra "Please master…"
        dra "No more…"

        "This must have been part of the act, the woman surmised, he was clearly enjoying being manhandled by Andras."

        an "Be quiet you wimp, and take it like a man."

        "*THWACK*"

        "The fourth spank fell, both cheeks were practically glowing now. Draith had bitten down on his lip to try and stop himself from crying out, but it hadn’t helped. He had a dazed look on his face, and his cock was twitching with arousal."

        an "Four. Just one more."
        dra "No no no…"

        "*THWACK*"

        "The final spank was so hard, the sound reverberated around the room. Draith collapsed on the table in extacy."

        dra "Fuckfuckfuckfuck…"

        "Andras gentled caressed his small ass with his hand. He then ruffled his hair in an uncharacteristic display of gentleness."

        an "Good boy."

        scene cg256 with fade
        show andras smirk behind cg256
        show draith neutral behind cg256

        "Without a word, Andras flipped his smaller partner over so that his back was on the table, and spread his legs apart. The elf didn’t object, but then, even if he wanted to, he was hardly in a state to do so."
        "Andras spit on his hand, and applied a copious amount of it to his dick, before fingering Draith’s asshole to lube it up for good measure. Reaching down he grabbed his cock, and pressed it against his slave’s ass, forcing it inside."

        dra "Unnnf!"

        "Without waiting on ceremony, the demon began to move his hips back and forth, deep fucking the elf. All the foreplay must have gotten him hot, and he was in no mood to play around any further."
        "By this point, Draith was reduced  to a moaning mess. To add to it, Andras reached down and grabbed his cock, and stroked it with the same rhythm as the movement of his hips."
        "The sound of thwack thwack thwack filled the room as flesh met flesh, each time the demon bottomed out, again and again. It was joined by the cries of the young elf, which grew louder and louder."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 50 and NTR == True:
            "As if almost by instinct, Alexia slid a hand down into her panties, and began to massage her clit. As she watched the two handsome creatures before her, fucking like animals, she wished one of them was inside her too."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 75 and NTR == True:
                "Or both of them, she had more than one hole after all, and she knew she would feel so full..."
            else:
                pass
            if alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5:
                "She couldn’t stop herself from staring at the demon, so strong and so powerful. She knew it was wrong, and she tried to push the thought away, but all she could imagine was him holding her down, and having his way with her. A wave of orgasmic pleasure shot through her body."
            else:
                pass
        else:
            pass

        "It didn’t take long before they were both approaching climax. Draith came first, as Andras jerked him hard and fast, spraying cum into the air like a fountain."

        show cg256 with sshake
        show cg256 with sshake
        show cg257 with flash
        pause 3

        "With a smirk, the demon forced his cock into the dark elf’s asshole until he was balls deep, and then let out a satisfied grunt as he spunked inside him. Draith smiled as he felt his insides grow warm from his master’s creamy load."

        show cg257 with sshake
        show cg257 with sshake
        show cg258 with flash
        pause 3

        if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
            "Alexia came last, greedily fingering her hole as she watched the two males cum. As she climaxed, she had to cover her mouth to avoid being discovered, before sliding to the floor in post orgasmic bliss."
        else:
            pass

        "With the show over, and both of them currently distracted, Alexia saw this as her best chance to slip away. She picked the goods, and the books, up from the floor, and carefully tiptoed away down the hall."
        "She would return later to deliver them to the dark elf, and never mentioned what she had seen to anybody."

        return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 2.rpy
label indarah_get_that_d_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ NTR = True
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
    $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
    $ influenceRandomiser = dice(2)

    if influenceRandomiser == 1:
        $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
    if influenceRandomiser == 1:
        $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was working the usual afternoon shift. A long caravan was passing through on the way to the castle, and that turned what would have otherwise been a slow day into a maelstrom of work."
    "The monotony of the day was broken up by a sight that changed a few perceptions for Alexia."

    show indarah neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Indarah was walking through the usual crowd of travellers holding beers in each hand. There was something majestic about the way she could duck and dive her way through a hazard field of roaming hands, tightly packed bodies, and whatever the drunks had spilled on the floor."
    "Suddenly, a hand shot out of the crowd. A deliberate motion. It squeezed down hard on the Tavern Keeper’s rear, and drew her closer. Alexia held her breath from across the room. Was that man about to lose a hand?"

    #indarah aroused
    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "But, no. Surprisingly, she let out a playful gasp and let herself be dragged on to the man’s lap. Alexia almost gasped. She’d never seen Indarah liked to flirt with the customers, but she didn’t seem the type to be manhandled."
    "The man was huge. Nearly half a head taller than the other men around. He had fire red hair and a red dragon tooth tattooed on his cheek. Certainly he was an intimidating figure, but Indarah certainly didn’t look scared."
    "When he finally let her boss go, Alexia went to discuss what she’d seen with her."

    #indarah happy
    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I thought you were going to eat him alive. You’re normally really good at avoiding getting groped by the drunks."
    ind "It wasn’t a matter of good at it or bad at it. If he was a normal customer he never would have got a hand on me."
    ind "But, I’ve known Jak for years. He used to stop in port back when I lived on the isles. I was the one who set up his trade compact with Jezera. When he gets too handsy, just means I need to put him back in his place later on."

    "Alexia nodded. If she knew him well that made far more sense. Still..."

    al "Put him back in his place?"
    ind "Or perhaps he’ll be putting me in mine. The man makes for a good time. You never know who will end up on top by the end of the night."

    "Alexia looked over him. He was laughing and taking swaggering gulps of his tankard. How did he even get so huge?"

    #if alexia corruption is less than 50
    if alexiaCorrupt < 50:
        al "That’s really. Uh. Well it sounds like you really enjoy it."
    else:
    #else
        al "Sounds like you’re in for a wild night."
        "She giggled softly to herself."

    #rejoin
    ind "You know, if you’re curious, you can always drop in and see for yourself. A pair of eyes doesn’t do much for me either way, but Jak’s always eager for an audience."
    ind "Besides, the fucker claims he has dragon’s blood. Now, I suspect he’s full of shit, and it’s just orc blood. But, either way it sure makes for a real impressive sight."
    ind "Interested in a show?"

    menu:
        "Stay and watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ alexiaWatchedJak = True
            jump jakIndarah_rp

        "Politely decline.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shook her head."
            al "I don’t think so. Not today at least. I appreciate the offer though."
            ind "Think nothing of it. I’m a more practical boss then those you’ll find in your castle. I know for a fact that Jezera at least doesn’t much like hearing no."
            show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "The two laughed together and then Indarah was off. While Alexia was making the rounds an hour later, she noticed the woman was gone. She smiled softly to herself, confident that the other woman was having a good time."
            return

    label jakIndarah_rp:

        if alexiaCorrupt > 49:
        #if alexia corruption is greater than 49
            al "That sounds like it could be a great time, actually. I accept your offer."
        else:
        #else
            "Alexia didn’t say much in reply. How could she even vocalise her feelings about that kind of offer? She just nodded silently and blushed."

        #rejoin
        ind "I thought you might like that. Just wait to go until you see me and Jak head upstairs. Then follow along yourself. Alright?"

        "Alexia agreed and returned to work. Every so often, Indarah would shoot her a knowing look. Hours passed before she saw the sign. While most of the men were distracted by a conversation about dangerous places to travel, Indarah sashayed up the stairs after Jak."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 50:
        #if alexia corruption is less than 50
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "She bit her lip softly. It was hardly a betrayal of Rowan if she was just watching, right? Still, was she really going to do this?"
            "Clearly though, the answer was yes. After all, after a few moments she started the slow walk towards the staircase."

        #rejoin
        scene black with fade
        "Alexia followed the path that Jak and Indarah had followed, through by now they were both out of sight. Naughty thoughts of what the two must be doing together filled her head."
        "Of course, in the darkness, it was hard to tell which room the two has sojourned off to. The answer came in the sound of a soft moan muffled by a door halfway down the hallway."
        "Alexia pressed her ear to the door. Panting. Slapping. Moaning. Gasping. She heard Indarah’s swarthy voice amidst the soundscape. This was it."
        "She slowly opened the door, trying to make as little noise as possible. She was here to watch, not disturb the proceedings."

        #Indarah dicking CG 1
        scene cg174 with fade
        show indarah naked behind cg174
        show jak neutral behind cg174
        pause 3

        "The door opened and Alexia almost gasped. Indarah was naked, sweat covered skin gleaming in the moonlight. And she was not alone. Her hips were pistoning downwards, impaling herself on a massive cock. One that belonged to the man from before. Jak."
        "She expected at least some kind of acknowledgement of her presence, but the two just kept on thrusting and thrusting like she wasn’t even there. Alexia silently closed the door behind her and took a seat."
        "What she was watching was not lovemaking. No, this was fucking."
        "Alexia marveled at Jak’s body. The size of his build. Maybe he really was part dragon? The muscles and scars that ran the entire way over his chest. Not to mention the size of other parts of his anatomy."

        #if NTR is on and Andras' Influence on Alexia is at least 5
        if NTR and alexiaAndrasInfluence >= 5:
            "A stray thought ran through her head. A red cock inside of her…"

        #rejoin
        "Her eyes also trailed over Indarah. The domineering powerful way that she slammed herself down on his cock again and again. Alexia’s eyes followed her form. How had she not realized what a beautiful body Indarah had until now."

        #if NTR is on and Jezera's Influence on Alexia is at least 5
        if NTR and alexiaJezInfluence >= 5:
            "Of course, Alexia had been having many strange...stirring...thoughts about women of late. Her mouth watering attraction to Indarah was hardly unusual."

        #rejoin
        "Jak was red faced and grunting loudly now. Alexia leaned forward in her chair. Was he approaching his limit?"
        "That was when Indarah brought her hand up and brought it crashing down in a loud smack across Jak’s face."

        ind "Is that the best you can do? Really? You’ll never satisfy me unless you put some back bone in it. Did your cock shrivel up from too much time on dry land?"

        "He grunted once more. The slap was etched into his face by a glowing pink hand print. She rode him harder, using his body as if it were nothing but a sex toy."

        ind "I said is that the best you can do?"
        jak "Maybe..."

        "Without warning, the room exploded into activity. Jak shot up, seizing Indarah by the hips and sending her smacking down against the bed. She hissed and wriggled in his grasp, but to no avail. He now had her pressed against the bed by overwhelming weight."

        #Indarah dicking CG2
        scene cg217 with fade
        show indarah naked behind cg217
        show jak neutral behind cg217
        pause 3

        ind "Fuck. No."

        "Alexia muffled a gasp. One of her hands drifted between her legs."

        jak "Maybe, maybe not."
        jak "After all, little bird, maybe you’re the one who's gotten soft. Fucking merchants when you used to fuck pirate lords? That ain’t a real challenge."
        jak "Not like me, bitch."

        "His cock had gotten free of her body in the process of retaking control. It shone in the moonlight, massive and still gleaming with her fluids. Of course, within moments he penetrated her, ramming his cock into her again. Indarah couldn’t stifle a defeated moan."
        "Now the one on the bottom, Indarah is subjected to his vengeance. He mercilessly pounded her again and again, earning a groan each time. Her hands struggled, trying to gain leverage, but were caught and forced to the bed."
        "Alexia’s hand sneaked underneath her dress. She panted softly as her fingers toyed with her wet sex. Her eyes were trained solely on them."

        ind "Ooooohhhh..."

        "He thrusted forward again and again, grunting and working his muscles. How her normal form even kept up is seemed like a minor miracle. She seemed to steady somewhat, and started twisting her hips as she thrusted back, caressing his cock with her body movements."

        ind "You’re still going to have to do better than that, asshole. Fuck me like you mean it. Do I look like your hand? Is this masturbation? Fuck me like you mean it!"

        "Her provocations would prove more than effective. She only fell silent after an animalistic thrust left her gasping too hard to even speak. Her eyes glazed over and her words melted from her lips. The heat of their bodies colliding was just too much."
        "This brutal fucking was coming to an end. Even Indarah had stopped struggling beneath him. Their bodies moved in pitch perfect rhythm. The air was consumed by their musk. Alexia felt her own heat rising."
        "Watching this scene had left her breathless. She could feel her orgasm approaching as inescapably as she could feel theirs."
        "Unsurprisingly, it was Indarah who came first. She let out a sound halfway between a squeal and screech."

        ind "Yes. Yessssss."
        show cg217 with sshake
        show cg217 with sshake
        scene cg218 with flash
        show indarah naked behind cg218
        show jak neutral behind cg218
        pause 3

        "The spasming of her body set off Jak. He groaned out loud, and his whole body went stiff. Alexia could almost feel the sticky white cum filling Indarah’s hole."
        "That sight, that mental image, was the final straw for her too. Alexia rolled her head back and let herself cum. The third limp body and the only one not overwhelmed with raw physical force."
        "Some time passed. Alexia regained her senses. Indarah and Jak were lying on the bed, which was now stained with their juices. Somehow, Alexia knew that she’d be the one to clean it up."
        "Indarah and Jak didn’t cuddle. They didn’t hold one another. They laid with little concern for one another."
        "Jak recovered first. He stumbled shakily to his feet and pulled on his clothes."

        #if NTR is on and Alexia's corruption is greater than 49
        if NTR and alexiaCorrupt > 49:
            "The man turned towards Alexia and loosely groped his crotch in a lewd show of masculinity."
            jak "Liked what you saw, did you bitch? If you're lucky maybe next time I'll split you in half as well."
            show alexia barmaid aroused behind black
            al "Is that a promise big boy?"
            "She slid her hand down to her cunt, and pulled her lips apart in an inviting gesture."
            al "I can't wait..."
            "Jak laughed and headed back to the tavern proper, muttering something about sluts."

        #if NTR is on and Alexia's corruption is less than 50
        if NTR and alexiaCorrupt < 50:
            "The man turned towards Alexia and loosely groped his crotch in a lewd show of masculinity."
            jak "Liked what you saw, did you bitch? If you're lucky maybe next time I'll split you in half as well."
            "Alexia blushed intently, she couldn't deny she was aroused by what she had just seen, but would she really let him have her?"
            "Jak laughed and headed back to the tavern proper, muttering something about sluts."
        else:
        #else
            "For a brief moment as he left, he gave Alexia a tiny nod. The only time he’d acknowledged her in the entire time she was here."

        #rejoin

        "Indarah purred softly from the bed, and at last turned her attention back to Alexia. She beamed with pleasure. She was like a satiated cat."

        scene bg21 with fade
        show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

        ind "Ignore his manly gruff nonsense. He was happy you were there. And based on what you were up to, I’m guessing you didn’t mind either."
        ind "Perhaps we might have to do this again at some point."

        #if Alexia's corruption is greater than 49
        if alexiaCorrupt > 49:
            "Alexia simply smirked and nodded along. She was already considering what fun could be had next time."
        else:
        #else
            "Alexia blushed softly and gave a small nod. It seemed kinky, but at the end of the day, all that really watched was she had fun watching other people have sex. What was wrong with trying it again?"

        #rejoin
        #alexia gains a small amount of corruption
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
        #alexia loses a little stress
        # $ change_actor_stress('alexia', -4)
        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 2.rpy
label indarah_get_that_d2_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ NTR = True
    $ alexiaWatchedJak = True
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
    $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
    $ influenceRandomiser = dice(2)

    if influenceRandomiser == 1:
        $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
    if influenceRandomiser == 1:
        $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
    show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve
    show jak neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Indarah returned to the table with another round of warm Uvarthian Mead. Alexia and Jak had sat waiting for her, kept company by a flickering candle light. Their cheeks were flushed from the past hour of drinking."
    "Alexia politely thanked the other woman for her drink, and took in the strange aroma wafting up from her goblet. Her head was already delightfully fuzzy, but she didn’t mind a bit more.."
    "Jak, meanwhile, grabbed his goblet with one of his big meaty hands and took a long gulp. Indarah rolled her eyes. If his men hadn't already gone up for the night, they would have no doubt approved."

    jak "The Tundra folk have one virtue, and it's that they ain't wilting flowers when it comes to their booze."
    jak "It's a wonder they make it so strong and flavorful. Especially once you've tried some of their food. Stale bread, hard rations, meat with seasoning no more complex than salt."
    jak "But, when it's time to drink? Then they perk up."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia nodded along, taking a sip from her drink. As intoxicating as the drink was, there was also something spellbinding about Jak's stories. He'd seen so many places, done so many things."

    if NTR and alexiaAndrasInfluence >= 5:
        "Jak had a confidence to him that was kind of magnetic. He was confident and knew what he wanted. Alexia was fascinated by that."

    #ind happy

    "Indarah meanwhile, yawned and stretched her arms."

    ind "You talk like you've been out discoverin' ancient wisdom."
    ind "You'd want a drink too if you had to live in snow up to your knees and monsters passing by weekly."

    "He smirked back at her."

    jak "I'd probably never be sober."

    "Jak turned to Alexia. He liked a rapt audience."

    jak "Really though, you had it good in Rosaria. If you had a bite of the food down south, you'd long for a punch in the gut. Disgusting stuff."
    al "It can't have been the worst you had to eat traveling around. I've heard from some of the men that pass by that the food they take for travel is barely edible."

    show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia took another swig, finishing off her drink. When she put the cup down, she noticed that she felt warm. It was like the fire of the candles had grown stronger."

    jak "Bunch of liars. Most of them probably keep a bag 'o spices around for flavoring. Road food is bland, but it ain't that bad."

    "Indarah leaned forward with a smirk on her face. In the process, she tilted her cleavage towards him. Jak's eyes took the bait."

    if NTR and alexiaJezInfluence >= 5:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Though, he wasn't the only one. Alexia had been finding it harder and harder to resist a look at exposed breasts of late..."
        show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve

    ind "You say that, but a moment before you were running your gums about how bad the food down in Uvarth was. You've got a spice belt too. I've seen it around your waist."
    jak "I'm sure you have."

    "He reached down and produced a small bag."

    jak "Though, I mostly use it for keeping dried randado root. Potent aphrodisiac for women. One bite and they get randy enough to spread their legs on the spot. When I mention it, the ladies always want a taste."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia raised an eyebrow. Was that true? Why had she never..."

    ind "That stinks worse than minotaur dung."
    ind "You really think I've never had randado root before? It's fake."
    ind "That talk is the prattle you tell doe eyed maidens who haven't traveled out of their home town, when you're trying to get them out of their dresses."

    show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia broke out into a huge giggle. Larger than the situation demanded. Jak rolled his eyes and laughed."

    jak "No, no. It's the real thing. Whatever you had must have been garlic that some goblin used for a swindle. This is the real thing."
    jak "Besides..."

    "His eye sparkled with devious intent."

    jak "I don't need no randado root to get a girl on the table."

    #ind aroused

    ind "Please. You couldn't get me over the table if you tried."
    jak "Oh? Wanna bet?"
    ind "So what if I do?"

    show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia looked back and forth between the two. She'd seen the signs of flirting. Aggressive posture, targeted smiles. But, it struck her all at once how far along it had gotten. They really were right about to fuck here and now."
    "Probably without much concern if she was still here to see."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 69:
        "Alexia got a glint in her eye. Debauchery was such a joy."

    menu:
        "Stay and watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jakIndarah2_rp

        "Leave.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al "I have...uh...some chores I need to deal with. Sweep up and all. I gotta run."
            "Neither of them seemed to acknowledge what she said. Indarah gave her a short nod, and Alexia rushed out of the room."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 69:
                "In the process she nearly stumbled over her own feet."
            if alexiaWatchedJak == True:
                "She had watched last time, of course. But, that had been an invitation. A choice. This felt more like an ambush."
            if alexiaWatchedJak == False and alexiaCorrupt > 69:
                "Alexia sighed to herself. As much as she did love a good sexual encounter, watching just didn’t seem like something she’d enjoy this time."
            "Alexia wasn't sure. If someone had asked her to explain it in this moment, she probably would have failed. Uvarthian mead was known to have that effect."
            "The moment she closed the door behind her, she heard the sound of rustling and movement behind her. The rustling turning to bangs and groans as she walked away from the door."
            "Jak and Indarah were good company, but spending time with them carried the risk of awkward moments."
            return

    label jakIndarah2_rp:

        "Jak responded to this by calmly rising from his seat, walking around the table, and then lunging at Indarah."
        "In a movement so fast that Alexia barely registered it initially, he had his hand in Indarah's hair and was forcing her face down into the table. Her chair fell over to the side."

        al "W...woah."

        #cg1
        scene cg354 with fade
        show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg354
        show indarah neutral behind cg354
        show jak neutral behind cg354
        pause 3

        "Indarah let out a gasp against the hardwood counter top. Her half full mead pitched over, staining her dress. She pushed off with her hands to no avail. Jak had her pinned with a mercenary's skill."

        ind "Fuck you."

        jak "If you insist."

        "Jak grinned darkly, as he worked down his trousers. Even while still struggling with her upper body, her hindquarters rubbed backwards against him. She was daring him to take her."
        "Alexia watched quietly. Her temples were pounding, her breath was quickened, and her body ached. It was a desperately arousing spectacle."
        "Two of her fingers slipped underneath her skirt. Soon she was mewling out lustfully. Her sounds added to the crashing and slapping of the struggling happening in front of her."
        "Jak worked Indarah's dress up. It was no easy task. Every time he left her hands free for more than a second, she was forcing herself upwards. He had to bring his hands back swiftly to prevent her from wriggling out."

        ind "Do it. Do it, you piece of shit."

        "Her growling tone didn't match the soft smirk on her face. But, in moments that smirk was about to be erased."
        "Jak brandished his long black cock, and positioned it right behind her."

        #//If Alexia has done the stretching scene.
        #Alexia knew all too well that taking such a well endowed man was no simple task.

        "Then, with a fearsome grunt, he impaled her with it."
        "Indarah didn't stop struggling, even as her grunts of effort turned into groaning. If anything, the pushing and shoving became even more frantic. Her hips bucked, albeit mostly backwards. Her wiggling took on an animalistic quality."

        jak "Still think...I can't...fuck a girl...on a table...if I want?"

        "His hips moved with a steady pounding rhythm. Each time his body made contact with hers, it produced a loud slapping sound."
        "Indarah made one last play to fight her way off the table, even as the response of her body to his cock inside of her grew more and more apparent."
        "She pushed up with all her might, even working her way free for a second, before his hands forced her back down on the table. He had to reposition himself to resume pounding away at her."
        "After that, Indarah played along fully. Her movements mainly focused on the pumping of her hips."

        ind "You call this...ah...you call this fucking?"
        ind "Fuck me like you mean. Like you mean it."

        "Alexia's eyes fluttered. Her own pleasure was steadily mounting, aided by the erotic struggle in front of her."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "Still, her cheeks flushed dark. Doing something like this was so lewd…was this something that a slut would do?"

        "What followed was a dance of fucking and moving. Hands banging on the table. Teeth snarling and lips moaning. A sexual hurricane throwing empty goblets to the floor and making tables bang and creak."
        "Alexia came first. Her fingers worked fast, and soon the stimulation to her clit was more then enough to send her, moaning and shaking, over the edge."

        jak "Having a good time, eh?"

        "He called over to her, through strained breath. Alexia was too busy shuddering to answer with any degree of intelligence. Too busy being blissed out of her mind."
        "At that point, Jak had been pounding his huge cock into Indarah for what felt like forever. Her initial struggling and taunting had collapsed into spasms and incoherent moaning, as her insides were stirred again and again."
        "She climaxed with a brutal force, flailing her arms, and knocking one of the few still upright mugs right off the table. The sound of it clattering on the floor was overcome only by Indarah's orgasmic screech."
        "Jak kept pounding her, over and over, even as Indarah's movements collapsed into an exhausted heap. The force of his slamming rocking her still body."

        show cg355 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg356 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg356 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg357 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "It was her second orgasm that sent him over the edge. As her shaking and moaning picked up for a second powerful crescendo, he too started to feel the sap rise. Alexia could only imagine that her body had tightened down against him."
        "Jak responded by quickly whipping his cock out of her, just fast enough that his seed launched all over her back, with some even landing in her hair. It was hard to be accurate when forced to move at that speed."
        "Some of his cum even landed on the table."
        "As he bent over, panting and gasping. The room around them was a mess. Tables bumped into, goblets overturned. It was like a hurricane had come through."
        "Though, it wasn't like anyone particularly seemed to mind. They were all gasping and panting in the afterglow."

        scene bg21 with fade
        show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "After their little tryst, Indarah and Jak retreated to her room. Whether or not they planned to sleep was a question that eluded her."
        "Alexia, meanwhile, was cleaning up the dining room. There was not merely the result of their “conversation” to deal with, but also some of the bottles and plates from Jak's men when they had eaten earlier."

        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:# and NTR == True:
            show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia's eyes wandered back to the table, while carrying some bottles. She froze in place. There was a long trail of white sitting on the hard wood right where Indarah had been positioned."
            "She walked over. It wasn't a lot, but it still had the overpowering musk of cum to it. A soft smile worked it's way on to her lips."
            "Alexia placed the bottles down on the floor, and worked her hair back. Then, without the slightest hint of shame, she leaned forward and ran her tongue along the table."
            "It still had that familiar creamy and salty taste to it. Alexia licked and licked until she'd tasted every last drop."
            "After that she returned to work with a new spring in her step. There were so very many messes to clean."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

        else:
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia's eyes wandered back to the table, while carrying some bottles. She froze in place. There was a long trail of white sitting on the hard wood right where Indarah had been positioned."
            "There was a bright red blush on her face as she toweled off the table. She hoped that wasn't going to leave a stain on their too. A few days later she'd learn that hope was in vain."

        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 2.rpy
label andras_tavern_visit_rp:

    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaWatchedJak = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
    $ alexiaAndrasSex = 0
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "A lot":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaWatchedJak = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "A little":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 40
            $ alexiaWatchedJak = True
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alexia influenced by and obedient to Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene alexia_tavern_1 with fade

    "Another week had come and gone, spent tiredly serving the customers of the tavern."
    "As they often were, the visiting travellers were evenly split between those respectful and those rowdy, with a further split down either group of those who enjoyed ogling their servers and those who just wanted a rest from the road."
    "And of those groups, the lot of them were further divided into those who tried to do their ogling sneakily as opposed to openly. That mostly meant staring at their asses rather than their tits."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "With how routinely she could sense some of the attention, Alexia often felt as though she had grown eyes on the back of her head, always on the lookout for wandering male gazes– the female ones often seemed to find the discretion the fellows lacked."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 59:
        "Not that Alexia minded the attention all that much. Indarah didn’t let it get to her, so she saw no reason to let it bother her, either. It was nice to be noticed and to know she was being lusted over."
        "So long as no one got aggressive about it, anyway."
        "She wasn’t against an occasional touch, either, seeing how a casual grope was a constant danger within the tavern’s four walls."

    else:
        "There were some nights when Alexia appreciated the knowledge of how much she was being lusted over, and others when it was bothersome– nights when she just wanted to get her work done and get off her feet for a minute or two."
        "It was one of those nights. Thankfully, her respite was not that far off."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The evening was slowly turning into night, and with it, Alexia’s shift was about to end."
    "She was just bending over to wipe down the far side of a dirty table when she heard a deep voice behind her, and a large hand unexpectedly came into contact with her bare skin."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia immediately stiffened and squeaked."
        "It was rare for any of the drunks to sneak up on her like this, but at least the naked flesh he was touching was that of her collarbone. It was a touch to her shoulder, not a surprise grab of her tit. Having dealt with enough of those in her time at the tavern to know the difference, Alexia relaxed marginally."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 59:
        "Alexia jolted in place and let out a surprised breath. Although the tavern was noisy whenever it had more than a handful of guests, she had developed a sense for what was around her and what was coming her way. Stray, unexpected hands occasionally found her body, but few guests ever snuck up on her."
        "At least it was only a touch to her shoulder."

    else:
        "Although Alexia startled from the unexpected touch, she took it slow. If the man had any lurid intentions in mind, he would have gone straight for her tit or for her hip or arse or {i}something{/i}– the bare flesh he touched was only her shoulder. It was the sort of touch that asked for her attention, not for her body."

    questi "Excuse me, miss? Might you take a moment to seat me and fetch your menu?"

    al "(Menu? Does he think he’s dining in Prothea or something?)"

    "A bit late for that sort of thing, and a bit late to come stumbling in from off the road for that matter, but Alexia would leave any suspicions about that sort of thing to Indarah. She turned to face the new guest, straightening from her bend and presenting him with her best customer service smile."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras disguised happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Of course, it’s just over here, Andras–"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Andras?!"

    "The tall, powerful man in fine reds and golds took a step back, smiling a most handsome smile."

    $ andras_name = "Lord Daniel"

    an "An Dras. Both wrong and right, my fair maiden, and not just in a grammatical sense."
    an "I am not just {i}an{/i} Dras. Mine is a sorrowful tale, for I am the last of my line, fated to spend the rest of my days journeying throughout the Seven Realms and fighting the forces of Chaos. For you see, the last demon lord saw to it that my most noble House was destroyed to a man when I was but a–"

    "Alexia stared at him. The man frowned, then lifted a hand in a gesture that led to his fingers touching the redhead’s cheek."

    an "Have you forgotten the face of your hero, Alexia Blackwood? Perhaps another kiss might remind you of the what we shared the last time I visited this fine establishment–"

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Oh, Alexia was tempted. She was {b}tempted{/b}. He was a good kisser."
        "But there was a stark difference between letting Andras kiss her in public and letting him get away with, say, murder."
        "And she was pretty sure letting him try to slip his tongue down her throat would be akin to murder, if Rowan ever learned of it, or how she didn’t try to stop him."

    elif alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        "Alexia grimaced at the reminder of Andras’ last visit to the tavern. He did save her, but that certainly didn’t earn him the right to kiss her. And he could have been far, far less messy in the way that he had dispatched the orcs, considering the power differential. They were still finding the occasional bit of orc in the rafters."

    else:
        "An uneasy fluttering rose in Alexia’s belly."

    al "… No, of course not. Lord… … Daniel Dras, wasn’t it? It’s a pleasure to see you again."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
        "With those words, Alexia dipped into a curtsy, daintily lifting her skirts while adding,"
        al "My Lord."

    "Andras, or rather ‘Lord Daniel’, let out a boisterous laugh ill-befitting his tragic backstory, planting his hands on his hips. Its loud rumble drew the attention of all those in the tavern, and though many were out of their wits on ale and wine, enough recognized him that his name and deeds were quickly passed around by whisper."
    "Though none of the present guests had been in the tavern when the orcs attacked, word of his feats that dreadful evening had already spread amongst travellers sharing fires and refuge."
    "Those in the know quickly showered him with their unadulterated admiration, picked up by their fellow drunks. Lord Daniel showed them all a heroic grin, lifting his arms in a shrug that also seemed to be flexing his arms, showcasing his mighty thews."

    an "Please, please. Don’t let me distract you from your merry-making, my friends! And think not of me as some stuffy, vengeance-obsessed lordling. Call me not ‘my Lord’ or Daniel or anything of the sort. I would have you address me as my friends once did, prior to their untimely demise at the hands of orcs most heinous."

    an "Call me…"

    "He paused, pensive, before smiling boldly once more."

    $ andras_name = "Dandras"

    an "Call me Dandras."

    "Alexia stared at Dandras very, very hard indeed."
    "Dandras. Dandras. Daniel. Of House Dras. Dan. Dras. Dandras. DANDRAS?"

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Dandras. It was not… very subtle… or even the slightest bit clever, and Alexia had to wonder if Andras knew that. He {i}must{/i} have. He wasn’t an idiot. He was quite smart and charming, at least when he wanted to be. But it was clear that Andras was having fun with his charade."
        "It was almost sweet, in its own little way, seeing him smile and carry on this way. Almost. It was very difficult to remove it from the violence she knew him to be capable of."

    else:
        "Alexia was speechless."
        "It had to be one of the stupidest things Alexia had ever heard, a farce so fragile that not even someone who had drunk themselves dumb could possibly fall for it, and yet– people cheered his name and praised him. It must have helped that few knew of a half-demon named Andras, and fewer yet had met him in the flesh."

    "“Dandras! Dandras! Dandras!” “Get Dandras a drink!” “Goddess, what a jawline.” “Could crack a walnut in those biceps!” “MARRY ME FUCKIN’ DAUGHTER! FUCKIN’ MAKE MY GRAND BABIES!”"
    "Dandras laughed and called back at some of them, carrying on for a few minutes. Alexia hovered near him awkwardly, uncertain of how he would react if she were to get back to work, or if she were to interrupt him to try and get him seated. In that time, his hand ended up back on her shoulder."
    "Several times, from across the room, Indarah caught Alexia’s gaze, her expression both concerned and inquiring. She was the only other person present that knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that ‘Dandras’ was an agent of the Chaos he claimed to fight against."
    "Alexia could only give Indarah a helpless little shrug and a blink of her eyes. The proprietress pursed her lips and focused on handling things, though she always seemed to be glancing over at Alexia and Dandras from the corner of her eye."
    "As things quieted down, he spoke in a lower voice for Alexia’s ears alone."

    an "Now then… you can guess why I’m really here, can’t you, Alexia."

    "Indeed she did."

    menu:
        "For her to ‘service him’?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 2)
            show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show andras disguised smirk at midright with dissolve
            al "I don’t think… it’s entirely appropriate for me to offer you any kind of ‘service’ here, my lord. Or another kiss, for that matter."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "Though… she could see herself doing either, if he really pressed her on it. So long as they kept it discreet."
            an "Haha! Why, where else would you service me other than here in the tavern?"
            "His bold, deep voice rang out with another chuckle that a few nearby patrons joined in on, clueless to what they were laughing at but happy to be laughing with such a larger-than-life figure. Dandras spoke again more quietly."
            an "It’s far better for you to serve me here than back at Bloodmeen, don’t you think? There, your husband could walk in at any inopportune moment to see what your hands are doing, handling my meat…"
            "As Dandras murmured, his hand refound its perch upon Alexia’s shoulder, his entire arm soon encompassing them as he took her under his proverbial wing. He brought her in close against his solid side and began to steer her through the tavern, towards his desired seat."
            "Alexia’s face tinged a deep red."
            "What he was saying was beyond scandalous, but she couldn’t deny that he was right: it was far worse to be doing… this sort of thing where Rowan was so much more likely to walk in on them."
            "Here, the concern was different. Repeat customers would get the wrong idea if they were to find Alexia handling Dandras’... meat. It would interfere with the rest of the business. Give them unwarranted ideas."
            al "I don’t think–"
            an "Shh."
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia swallowed nervously."
            an "Service me, Alexia."
            show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
            an "With your best meat and wine! Haha!"
            show andras disguised happy at midright with dissolve
            "His laughter boomed out loudly, startling Alexia. The euphemism was just that, it seemed: euphemism. Relief flowed through Alexia’s bones, and she found herself growing a little more relaxed beneath his arm even as they came to a halt beside a relatively secluded table."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "She couldn’t help but feel slightly disappointed, though she had a feeling that Rowan would indeed have a strong reaction to her putting platters in front of Andras."

        "For her to service him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "For the best food and drink on this side of the Rakshan Wasteland, correct?"
            an "Quite so, quite so! And for the best service, too. Haha!"
            al "Of course."
            "His laughter boomed out loudly once again. Though he reached for Alexia’s shoulder again, she was already turning and walking away from him before he could touch her, guiding the Last Lord of House Dras over towards a cleaned table."

    "A new customer, just when she was hoping to wrap up and wind down for the night. Alexia had no doubt that disguised or not, the (normally) red-skinned demon was plotting something or another that would keep her on her feet for some time."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "But she couldn’t more openly ask him about what it might be. Not while he was disguised, with people around them– not without ruining the fun that he likely came to the tavern seeking, at least."

    else:
        "But she couldn’t more openly confront him about what it might be. Not while he was disguised, with people around them. "

    "Some trite talk followed as Dandras settled in, sitting languid and lordly while inquiring as to how the tavern was doing since his last ‘visit’; Alexia had to wonder if it was his idea of small talk. If it was, how redundant was it? Did he even bother reading Rowan’s weekly report on the financials of the tavern and other such things?"
    "Still, Alexia indulged him, mentioning some highlights without going into too much detail. Sometimes, gossipy guests would show up in the tavern with a genuine interest in such things– but most of the time, people asking such questions just wanted an excuse to keep her or Indarah nearby, eyes level with the women’s tits."
    "Dandras was impressively subtle about it. Less subtle were his remarks about the beauty of the tavern staff, and how lucky they were to have such a ‘devoted protector’ as the Last Lord of House Dras in their vicinity. He lavished Alexia with promises of always being there for her."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Or threatening to hurt her husband in exchange for her ‘cooperation’. That would have been nice too."

    "Ten minutes into his monologues, she almost wished he’d go back to threatening bodily harm. Indarah was beginning to settle up tabs between shepherding absolutely wasted patrons to their rooms. Or to the door, if they were camping or staying in wagons. She gave a long look over to Alexia, who could still only shrug helplessly."
    "What were they going to do, tell Dandras that it was nearly closing time and risk pissing off one of their controlling benefactors? Indarah shrugged back. Seeing how likely it was that they would be open for another hour, she stopped short of kicking the last few patrons out."
    "Another ten minutes, and Dandras was finally ready to order. He demanded whatever was roasting in the kitchen, as well as the best wine the house could deliver. Alexia didn’t need to run back there to tell him what she already knew: there wasn’t ANYTHING roasting."

    an "Ah! Well, throw something on the spit for me. Your finest cut to pair with the finest wine, of course. Haha!"

    al "… Of course, my lord."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "As much as Alexia was inclined to let him get away with a {i}lot{/i}, this was getting to be a bit much."

    an "Remember, Alexia. Dandras. It isn’t as though I’m making you get down on your knees and swear fealty to me while you hand me my meat, is it?"

    "Alexia held back a sigh."

    al "Of course not, Dandras. My apologies. I’ll get right on it, but it may take some time. Would you like your wine first, or with your meal?"

    an "Ah. Hm. Yes. Before. But separate wines. I want a proper pairing for my meal. My palate is as discerning and potent as my blade. Perhaps some cheese to go with the initial glass, if you don’t mind."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient == False:
        "She did, in fact, mind. But she didn’t voice it."

    "Off Alexia went to the kitchen, getting the fire going again and some meat cooking. Then she went into the cellar, perusing bottles and barrels by candlelight in search of a vintage for the demon upstairs."

    al "(Hmm… our ‘best wine’...)"


    menu:
        "Bring him the best.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 2)
            "After a few moments, she picked a bottle that she knew to be quite good by its label, a vintage appreciated back home in the village. Fetching a wine glass on her way out of the kitchen, she briskly moved throughout the tavern on her tired feet, soon setting the glass before Dandras with a polite smile."
            al "Here you are, sir. Our finest wine."
            "At least, Alexia was certain that it would pass as such. She wasn’t a fucking sommelier. She began to pour the heady red liquid, and when the glass was half full, Dandras stopped her. He took it by its stem, large hands capable of surprising delicacy, and swirled it gently. Then he brought it to his nose, sniffing lightly."
            show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
            an "Hmm… an acceptable aroma."
            "He took a careful sip and smiled approvingly, taking another."
            an "An unbelievably rich and weighty mouthful… and is that a hint of spicy oak I taste? Well picked, Alexia. I’m impressed."
            show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Thank you, my lord–"
            show andras disguised angry at midright with dissolve
            show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
            an "DANDRAS."
            al "Oh! I’m sorry, Dandras–"
            an "Bah! You’ve spoiled this fine wine with not just your careless words, but also your ABYSMAL SERVICE!"
            "With a sneer of disapproving disdain, Dandras tossed the glass aside, wine splattering over the floor just prior to the shattering glass. Alexia winced worriedly and took a step back at the cracking sound."
            an "Do you mock me, woman? After everything I did for this place?"
            an "Bring me another. NOW. Forget the meat, just serve me properly."
            al "Y-yes, sir!"

        "Fuck that. Where’s the vinegar?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', -2)
            "Alexia was almost halfway up the steps before realising her little, spite-fueled move was unlikely to go over well. After a moment, she turned and stepped back into the cellar, this time grabbing the first bottle she found. She double-checked the label just to make sure she had no idea what the fuck it was, then returned upstairs."
            "On her way through the kitchen, she grabbed a wine glass and was soon planting it before Andras on the table. Though her feet were beyond weary now, working well past closing time, she put on a polite smile for him."
            al "Here you are, sir. Our finest wine."
            "She began to pour the heady red liquid, and when the glass was half full, Dandras stopped her. He took it by its stem, large hands capable of surprising delicacy, and swirled it gently. Then he brought it to his nose, sniffing lightly."
            an "Hmm… this aroma…"
            al "(I figured as much. He doesn’t know bad wine from good wine at all, does he?)"
            "Dandras sighed, then lowered the glass to the table. The second it clinked down, Alexia knew something was about to happen."
            an "Alexia."
            al "… Yes, Dandras?"
            an "Do you take me, Daniel Dras, the Last Lord of House Dras, to be a fool?"
            al "Of… course not, my lord–"
            show andras disguised angry at midright with dissolve
            show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
            an "DANDRAS."
            al "Oh! I’m sorry, Dandras–"
            "With a sudden snarl that evoked the demon Alexia knew to be hidden beneath that handsome face, Dandras slapped the glass off the table. It flung across the room, breaking on impact and leaving his hand bloody prior to the rest of it shattering on the wall."
            an "I’ve never smelled anything so foul in all my years! Were you not listening when I warned you that I have been trained as a sommelier, you bloody wench?"
            "Alexia hadn’t been."
            "She lifted her hands helplessly, taking a step back, feeling very small in the face of his shouting. Was he actually {i}angry{/i}, though, or just playing the part of an aggrieved and high-strung guest?"
            al "I’m sorry–"
            an "Don’t give me your apologies! GO. Get another bottle. FORGET THE MEAT. And this time, SERVE IT PROPERLY. After everything I’ve done for you, I can’t believe your gall! It’s simply shocking–"
            "Alexia fled the room before the still-lingering guests could join in on his tirade."


    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show andras disguised angry at edgeright with moveoutleft
    show indarah neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Indarah was already at the kitchen’s door when Alexia reached it, holding it open and ushering the redhead inside."

    al "I’m sorry, Indarah, I–"

    ind "Shh. Not your fault. Come in. Quickly, now."

    "The two secreted inside, away from Dandras and the others still present past closing time."

    ind "Dealt with plenty of his sort over the years. Narcissistic pricks who just get off treating us like dirt. Whatever he was screaming at you for was just an excuse. You could have done everything right, and he still would have found something to nitpick over."

    "That… made perfect sense, honestly. Alexia grimaced."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Of {i}course{/i} Andras would not be satisfied with all his shenanigans within Bloodmeen’s walls. He wanted to play his little games with her wherever she was, no matter what."

    else:
        "Of {i}course{/i} Andras would not be satisfied with her having a safe haven from him beyond Bloodmeen’s walls. Anywhere she went, he would follow her for the sake of tormenting her, wouldn’t he?"

    al "Still, I’m–"

    ind "Seriously, girl. I won’t have any of that."

    #ind happy

    ind "You’ve been here long enough. Slip out the back and get home to your bed. I’ll take care of him, don’t worry. He’s nothing new to me."

    "There was something slightly off about Indarah’s smile, though, and Alexia found herself worrying over the thought nonetheless. Was it nervousness tugging at Indarah, or perhaps unease? Alexia couldn’t say."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Alexia hesitated short of speaking a bit {i}too{/i} honestly to Andras: he was nothing new to Alexia, either."
        "In fact, Alexia had a feeling she had a better grip on what kind of ‘service’ he was after than Indarah did, and experience in rendering that service unto the demon."
        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "If not for others being present– if not for how tired Alexia was, it wouldn’t even be that objectionable an idea. Certainly if Indarah wasn’t offering her an out, Alexia knew she wouldn’t be feeling much in the way of turmoil. She’d just get it over with."
            "And she’d probably enjoy it, on some level."
        else:
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Could she really… leave Indarah to deal with Andras on her own, though? It was one thing for her to be able to point out that Andras was being an asshole on purpose, but very much another thing altogether to ‘handle him’."
            "Her body was begging for a bit of rest, but Alexia’s heart tugged another way. What if he hurt her? It wasn’t as though they could rely on Jezera to protect them from him… right?"

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Her dithering must have been obvious, for Indarah spoke again, frankly and more firmly, arms crossing. The proprietress’ lush mouth set into a flat line, eyebrows raising high."

    ind "I’m not taking no for an answer, Alexia. Go home to your husband. I have this well in hand."


    menu:
        "Serve Dandras (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Go home. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia brought a hand up to her amulet, toying with it anxiously as she came to a decision she already wasn’t proud of."
            al "… Are you sure you’ll be fine?"
            "Indarah smiled that same smile again, more suggestive of anxiety than Alexia’s first encounter with it. But still, that didn’t seem quite right to her. There was… something else there. After a brief silence, Indarah replied, dropping her arms from their fold and reaching out to squeeze Alexia’s forearm."
            ind "Positive."
            "Her warm hand, at least, was sure, unflagging. Alexia sucked in a breath and prepared to say more, but already, Indarah was in motion, dragging her towards the tavern’s discreet back door half-hidden in the kitchen."
            ind "Now, go on, you. Get some rest. I’ll definitely need you at your best tomorrow, alright?"
            al "A-alright."
            "After shoving Alexia out the door, she closed it firmly behind herself."
            scene bg21 with dissolve
            show andras disguised smirk behind bg21
            #ind naked aroused
            show indarah naked behind bg21
            "The barmaid squeezed her amulet again and glanced around, preparing to call for teleportation back to Bloodmeen away from prying eyes. The coast was clear. Something kept her from reaching out to Jezera immediately, however."
            "She didn’t hear Indarah lock the door, confirmed by a quick rattle of the door’s knob. It was easily cracked open a bit– unbolted, too."
            "Indarah NEVER forgot to lock up the tavern's back door at night."
            menu:
                "Make sure Indarah is fine. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "A mixture of second thoughts and concern nagged at Alexia. She stepped back into the tavern, her first instinct being to at least make sure the door was secured and barred. It wasn’t as if she needed to be outside to return to Bloodmeen."
                    "But the ruckus coming from the tavern’s common room stopped her from requesting her return. One loud THUMP made her go very, very still– and then she heard a familiar voice yelp out wordlessly, followed by Dandras’ voice, raised but indistinct through the closed door."
                    "Alexia forced her limbs to move despite the fear she felt. Surely, Dandras wouldn’t be hurting Indarah over this…? She was so confident about being able to handle him. The barmaid hesitated at the kitchen’s door, then cracked it open."
                    "Immediately, Indarah’s hissing voice slipped through that crack."
                    ind "Oh bloody fucking mother of a bitch’s–"
                    "{b}CRACK{/b}. That crack was far more familiar to Alexia’s ears than even Indarah’s voice. A… slap?"
                    ind "FUCK."
                    an "You’re a whore, Indarah, but I never took you to be this desperate of one. Have your boyfriend and the common rabble around here been failing to keep you satiated?"
                    ind "S-shut the fuck up and just get it over with, Andras, you fuckin’ red buffoon!"
                    "{b}CRACK. CRACK CRACK. CRACK.{/b} Indarah’s voice rose to a wordless, yipping squeal."
                    an "Dandras. Not Andras, Dandras. It’s not complicated. Just like you crawling back for more after… oh, what was it you said to Jezera? That you’d never touch my vile red cock again?"
                    "Indarah only groaned in response."
                    ind "Just… fuckin’... stick… it… IN."
                    an "You simple, desperate whore."
                    "There was no hint of another soul in the common room - all the remaining patrons must have been driven out in order to let… this… play out."
                    "Stick it in."
                    "Alexia did not need to hear or see any more than that to put together all the pieces of information she’d been given."
                    menu:
                        "... make sure Indarah is fine. (Scene 2)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
                            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 2)
                            "Alexia hesitated, then slowly began to push the door open further, just enough for her to peek out and see if the sight would match up with what she was hearing."
                            "Indarah had been so sure about being able to handle Dandras, but did she mean like THIS?"
                            #cg1
                            scene cg1594 with fade
                            pause 3
                            show andras disguised smirk behind cg1594
                            #ind naked aroused
                            show indarah naked behind cg1594
                            "Apparently, yes. The two were the only ones who remained in the common room, both on their feet but neither of them in the state that Alexia had last seen them in."
                            "She focused on Indarah first, naked but for her heeled boots. And as for everything else she had been wearing? Neatly folded and set aside on the table Dandras had been sitting at."
                            "Not ripped off her, as she would have expected if Dandras had forced himself on her."
                            "The lone exception was her bandana, which had been repurposed as a red blindfold over her eyes. She stood bent over at the waist, legs wide, ass thrust backwards."
                            "Both of her hands were at the small of her back, gripping the opposite forearm, willingly restraining herself. Between her cusses and moans, her mouth hung open, panting lustfully."
                            "Their position gave Alexia a view of their bodies in profile."
                            show cg1595 with sshake
                            pause 2
                            show cg1596 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            "Dandras’ hand came thwacking down on her ass once more, and Indarah cried out with the impact, back arching. Though her body jerked away from the blow, she quickly pushed herself backwards, presenting for another."
                            "Alexia flinched."
                            ind "Fuckin’ - c’mon, fuck…"
                            hide cg1594
                            hide cg1595
                            show cg1594 with dissolve
                            pause 0.5
                            show cg1595 with sshake
                            pause 2
                            an "Fine, but only if you ask nicely."
                            "Dandras hadn’t even bothered removing his pants. He had just ripped the front of them clean off, revealing the briefly bewildering sight of his… red cock."
                            "Alexia had to do a double-take to make sure he hadn’t discarded his disguise, but indeed, the half-demon’s cock and balls reflected his normal appearance. His shaft was visibly slick in the tavern’s dim lighting, as though he’d already pumped it into Indarah’s cunt."
                            "Before she had a chance to wrap her head around why the fuck his cock might still be red, Indarah asked nicely."
                            ind "Fuck me, you piece of shit."
                            "Dandras laughed, only giving the mouthy proprietress a drag of his cock against her leaking slit and one more spank for good measure. As she quieted from her yowl, he said a single word, flat and forthright."
                            an "Nicely."
                            "Breasts swaying and heaving between her shuddering and her hard breathing, Indarah took a moment to do just that."
                            ind "L..Lord Daniel Dras, Last Lord of the stupid fuckin’ House of Dras, please stop bein’ a prick and FUCK ME."
                            "Dandras smirked."
                            show cg1597 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            an "Good enough, you feisty bitch. Fine, have the cock you crave so much. But don’t think I’m going to show you a shred of mercy. I was looking forward to Alexia’s ‘service’. And if you ever do this again…"
                            "Indarah drew in a deep breath, half excitement, half girding herself."
                            "Before it was halfway finished, Dandras’ hands had grabbed her svelte arms just above the elbows, pulling back and forcing her back to arch and shoulders to lift. All the gathered air left her lungs in one great whoosh, and then–"
                            "Then Indarah screamed at the top of her lungs, her body giving a ragged jerk as Dandras’ followed through, impaling her on his cock."
                            "Alexia’s eyes widened, her hand clamping over her mouth as she repressed the urge to cry out alongside her friend. Despite having his cock positioned at her pussy, Dandras had angled himself to go straight into her ass."
                            #cg 2
                            scene cg1598 with fade
                            pause 3
                            show andras disguised smirk behind cg1598
                            #ind naked aroused
                            show indarah naked behind cg1598
                            "And he {i}plunged{/i} into it, savage from the first thrust. Alexia expected every subsequent sound out of Indarah to sound like she was miserable, for her to be screeching bloody murder, but no."
                            "When Indarah’s mouth wasn’t hanging open between screams, there were fleeting hints of a grin, a smile, even laughter. Each one was quickly fucked right off her face as Dandras slammed into her, his hips slamming into her reddened ass, balls slapping her sodden cunt."
                            "That wasn’t to say Indarah didn’t show a single sign of discomfort while Alexia watched, but it was clear that she enjoyed it rough and wild."
                            if alexiaWatchedJak:
                                "Not that Alexia didn’t already know that, considering that she had been invited to watch Indarah goad Jak into rough sex before. But this was something else. There was a fondness and passion underlying those encounters."
                                "This…"
                            "It was just crass carnality, and Indarah seemed particularly weak to it. Alexia watched on with wide eyes, unable to bring herself to peel her gaze away, as Dandras’ rhythm and Indarah’s reactions were hypnotising her."
                            show cg1599 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show cg1600 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            "Indarah tensed and wailed out, stomping her heeled feet and jerking against Dandras’ subduing hands as she hit her point of no return. Her orgasm was the wet and messy sort, leaving her thighs, boots and the floor splattered with her quim’s issue."
                            ind "F-fuck, ohhh, fffuckin’... asshole…"
                            "But Dandras seemed no closer to slowing or spurting inside of her. As Indarah’s wave of intense pleasure passed and she grew less steady on her feet, he continued, unrelenting and uncaring for her apparent need to sink down."
                            an "Fucking your asshole? You could have just asked me earlier in the night, whore. There was no need to send anyone away, let alone…"
                            scene cg1601 with fade
                            pause 2
                            show cg1602 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show cg1603 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show andras disguised smirk behind cg1601
                            #ind naked aroused
                            show indarah naked behind cg1601
                            an "Alexia. Who should really take your advice and go to fucking sleep, shouldn’t she?"
                            "As he said those words, Dandras lifted his eyes from the back of Indarah’s head to look directly towards the kitchen door, grinning. Alexia shrinked back as he continued to unabashedly ream her boss. He knew."
                            "He KNEW."
                            ind "Uhhh.. uhm, fuck–"
                            "The false noble began to turn Indarah’s body towards the door, releasing one of her arms to reach for her hair, pulling up to make sure she was facing the door. The blindfold was still on, but…!"
                            "Hastily, Alexia pushed the door shut and fumbled for her amulet. She needed to go before the situation could take another twist."
                            "Thankfully, Jezera teleported her back to Bloodmeen within moments."
                            scene black with fade
                            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                                "Despite her exhaustion, it took several long hours for Alexia to calm down enough to fall asleep, unable to scrub Indarah and Dandras out of her mind."
                            else:
                                "Exhausted as she was, Alexia expected to fall asleep within moments of laying down, but her body had other things in mind."
                                "Her fingers were aching but her whole body relaxed by the time she slipped into a dreamless sleep."
                            "The next day, all that Indarah was willing to say was that Andras had kept her up for most of the night with ‘his nonsense’."
                            "She seemed to be in a distracted daze for the next two days, incapable of focus or the grace that so many associated with her. When she took breaks, she spent them laying on her belly in the tavern’s back room."
                            "Not a word of complaint left her lips."
                            "It would be a few days before Alexia was comfortable meeting her eye again, but thankfully, her head seemed to be in the clouds all that time."
                            $ andras_name = "Andras"
                            return

                        "Indarah is probably fine!":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Alexia’s hand slapped over her mouth to quiet the gasp that came unbidden from her lips."
                            "Indarah’s idea of… of {i}handling{/i} Andras… was this? And from the way he was speaking–"
                            "Knowing that she was on the verge of intruding on something that Indarah sought to spare her from even knowing about, Alexia quickly slid the door back shut and fumbled for her amulet."
                            "The next day, Indarah wasn’t willing to talk about whatever she had done, and it had clearly taken its toll on her. For the next two days, the normally graceful proprietress seemed incapable of focus."
                            "Alexia had never seen her mix-up orders or wobble as she moved, unable to dance her way through the taverns as she once did. And unsurprisingly, she didn’t sit down once that Alexia could see."
                            "There was no mistaking the faint smile on Indarah’s face when she thought no one was looking at her, though. She didn’t seem to have much in the way of complaint."
                            "Nevertheless, it was a few days before Alexia was comfortable meeting Indarah’s eyes in conversation."
                            $ andras_name = "Andras"
                            return

                "Lock up and go home.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "It only took Alexia a few scant seconds to take care of the mistake. Already, she could hear something of a commotion in the tavern’s common room, but– her mind was made up. "
                    scene black with fade
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "Her heart was troubled by it, but she was eager to get home, clean up and pass out."
                    else:
                        "She expected to feel far more guilt than she did as she washed up and stripped down for bed, but perhaps she was too overworked for that."
                        "Maybe she’d just take the next day off, too."
                    if alexiaSeparateRoom:
                        "Her warm bed awaited her when she returned."
                    else:
                        "Her warm bed, and Rowan’s warm flesh, awaited her when she returned."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "It took some time for her to fall asleep, but she slept well when she did. The next day at the tavern…"
                    else:
                        "Within moments, she was passed out and slept deeply and restfully. Though she tried to take the next day off, Indarah all but begged her to come in."
                    "Indarah didn’t want to discuss what she had done to placate Dandras, Last Lord of the House of Dras. Alexia supposed that to be for the best; she seemed cagey and even a bit combative on the subject."
                    "Whatever she had done seemed to take a toll on Indarah, keeping her from properly focusing throughout the day– and the next day too, strangely. Alexia had never seen her mix-up orders or wobble as she moved, unable to dance through the tavern as she once did."
                    "No matter how Alexia encouraged her to sit down and take it easy, she refused."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "Alexia decided to leave it there. Some things, she knew, she’d be happier not knowing."
                    else:
                        "Alexia pulled short of asking if it was a proper ass-fucking or just an all-out spanking. Whatever it had been, it was clearly rough–"
                        "And with the benefit of hindsight, Alexia would wager the strangeness of Indarah’s smile was an edge of… eagerness."
                        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                            "Maybe she and Indarah had more in common than either of them previously knew."
                    $ andras_name = "Andras"
                    return

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Indarah, I…"

    "Alexia swallowed, then reached out to grab the other woman’s wrist. She squeezed it, then began to pull it from its grip on her arm."

    al "Thank you, but I can’t leave you with this on your head. I’ll handle Andras myself."

    #ind angry

    ind "Oh, you fucking–"

    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Indarah’s other hand flew up as though she were about to slap some sense into Alexia, but pulled short. She tensed her jaw, let the hand hover, then dropped it."
    "Although Alexia had flinched back, expecting it to come, she nevertheless held her ground. She had been around Andras more than Indarah had; she knew what she was getting into."
    "Indarah grunted with discontent, stepping away."

    ind "You’re a kind woman, but I swear, it’ll spell doom for you. You cannot bend to Andras’ every whim just because you fear what he might do to people around you."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "… Right. As if that was the only reason she bent over for his whims, constantly. It would be so much easier to just tell Indarah."
        "She couldn’t, though."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I know. Will you help me survive the night with at least some dignity intact, or will I have to do it all alone?"

    "Indarah rolled her eyes and crossed her arms again, turning away from Alexia. After a handful of seconds, she sighed, shook her head and began to walk along one of the kitchen’s shelves."

    ind "Fine. Let’s see."
    ind "What he desires tonight is not sex, though that's part of it. What he really wants is for us to degrade ourselves. To grovel, and admit that we are less than them. And I'm afraid that's exactly what you'll have to do."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia swallowed softly, but her mind was made up. Surely, it wouldn’t be THAT bad."

    else:
        al "So treat him like most nobles, then."
        "Indarah’s snort came close to a laugh, if a humourless one."
        ind "The most noble of nobles, just as he presents himself. Yes. A bit further than that, though."

    "Indarah stopped, finally finding what she was looking for. She took the object and showed it to Alexia. It was a tall glass with a long stem and a wide rim. A cocktail glass."

    ind "Luckily for us, as we still have guests and he maintains his disguise, so we should be able to get away with using this. We’ll give him the “proper service” he grumbles on about.   "

    al "Meaning?"

    ind "You’ll let him drink from your cleavage. You’ll put this glass between your tits, pour the wine in, and let him drink from it.    "

    if alexiaAndrasSex == 0:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia blushed a little. This wasn’t that bad, but still…"

    else:
        show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
        al "That’s it?"
        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Indarah blinked once, and then Alexia realised that she had said that out loud."
        if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
            "Her hand shot up to cover her horrified mouth, but it was too little too late: Indarah slowly narrowed her eyes, gleaning all too much from just two words."
            "She knew. Maybe she knew all along. Alexia tried her best to be discreet in her liaisons with Andras, but some rumours must have circulated the castle."
            "Indarah let out a pitying sigh, but didn’t bring further attention to it."
        else:
            "Indarah slowly narrowed her eyes, gleaning all too much from just two words."
            "She knew. Maybe she knew all along. Alexia tried her best to be discreet in her liaisons with Andras, but some rumours must have circulated the castle."
            "Alexia drew in a breath and shrugged helplessly, and after a moment Indarah shrugged back at her, as though saying, ‘what are you going to do, not fuck the demon threatening to kill your man’?"
            "… Maybe it was something they had both endured. Regardless, she did not bring further attention to it."

    "Her mind was already set. With a determined expression, she took the glass from Indarah’s hands, and headed for the wine rack to pick the most expensive bottle they had."

    ind "You might feel tempted to try and get him drunk, but I’d advise against it. He might get… handsy."

    al "Can he even get drunk?"

    ind "Do you want to find out?"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "No, I suppose not."

    else:
        al "Not tonight, no."

    show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
    #ind happy

    al "Thanks, Indarah."

    ind "Just be careful."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #ind neutral

    "There was no use stalling. Alexia steeled her nerves, and with the wine in hand, went to face her tormentor."

    hide indarah with moveoutleft
    show andras disguised smirk at midright with moveinright

    "All eyes turned to her the moment she left the kitchen. There were even fewer people in the tavern, now, but those that remained were sobered up, interested to see how she– or perhaps they expected Indarah –would resolve the situation."
    "None of them knew throwing him out was not an option. Except for the man in question. With a triumphant smile on his lips, Andras devoured her form with his eyes, before he reminded himself he was supposed to play the role of a disgruntled customer."
    "Even then, Alexia could see the mocking amusement in his ‘lordly’ eyes."
    "She forced herself not to grit her teeth, and with her most charming smile approached his table."

    al "My deepest apologies, Dandras, for the sub-par vintage we offered earlier. Will this one be more to your liking?"

    "She held the bottle up to her chest and leaned forward, the label on it strategically placed right in front of her bosom."

    an "Hmmm…"

    show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve

    "He stroked his chin in thought, shamelessly ogling her tits."
    "Alexia suppressed the rising urge to smack the bottle over his head. Working at the tavern had gotten her used to having her tits leered at, but this sort of posing made it all the more humiliating."

    an "I suppose. If the service is right."
    an "A hero of my stature deserves the very best, don’t you agree?"

    al "Of course, Dandras."

    an "Good. Now get to it."

    al "(Here we go…)"

    #andras disguised shocked

    "Hiding her grimace, Alexia opened the bottle and put it aside on the table. She saw Dandras’ eyes widen as she grabbed at the edge of her top’s cleavage, pulling it away from her breasts."
    "Keeping her expression unreadable, as though this were an ordinary occurrence, Alexia nestled the glass between her tits. She had to use an arm around her bosom to securely squeeze them together and keep it steady while her other hand reached for the bottle."

    al "Just a moment longer. Thank you very much for your patience."

    show andras disguised happy at midright with dissolve

    an "Of course. I’m a reasonable man, full of empathy and compassion."

    "And hot air. Magnanimously, Dandras allowed her to continue. She grabbed the bottle, filled the glass, and leaned in to push her chest right into Andras face."

    #cg1 - var 1
    scene cg278 with fade
    show andras disguised happy behind cg278
    show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg278
    pause 3

    al "Enjoy."

    "Dandras held his hand up, and shook his head."

    an "Alexia, Alexia. I appreciate the intent here, I do. But I can see the inexperience with this sort of thing, catering to those above your station. You’re used to customers who drink their fill without taking the time to appreciate the finer things in life."
    an "You have to let it breathe first. So hold that pose."

    "Alexia wanted to smash the bottle right in his smirking face the second he spouted those condescending words. But she couldn’t. For her sake, Indarah’s sake, and everyone else in the tavern for that matter– she had to keep him happy, no matter how it sickened her."
    "She had to kow-tow."

    al "Of course, sir."

    "Around them, those with enough wits and sobriety to stand up straight started to switch seats, eager to get a better view of the unfolding show. Alexia wasn’t as welcoming to wandering hands as Indarah was, so seeing her demean herself in such a way with a smile on her face?"
    "What a special treat, seeing her provide the sort of service reserved for brothels."

    al "(Solansia protect me… Get on with it, Dandras! Andras! Whatever your name is. Fuck.)"

    "She squirmed, as though some small movement might lessen their judging gazes. But it was no use. All it resulted in was a bit of wine spilling out and upon her breasts, and drunk men openly discussing her ass behind her."

    #cg1 - var 2
    scene cg279 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg279
    show andras disguised happy behind cg279
    pause 3

    "Alexia swallowed and resigned herself to her fate, certain that her discomfort was sparing Indarah something far worse. And her fucking FEET. She was going to sleep with them in an ice bath when this was over."
    "Finally, Dandras leaned in and took a long, overly theatrical whiff."

    an "Mmm… What a wonderful bouquet."
    an "Very promising…"

    al "I’m glad you approve, sir."
    al "Do you care to taste it now?"

    an "So eager to have my face between your tits, Alexia?"

    show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg279

    "The remaining patrons roared in laughter while Andras finally leaned in to taste the wine. His eyes never left her, and Alexia again had to suppress a scowl."

    an "Mmmm..."
    an "Ahhh… yes. I don’t usually approve of Rosarian wine."
    an "I think most of them are simply austere. And the last one that was offered to me? Not here, mind you. It was utterly disappointing."
    an "Such a tired, wearisome taste. You could barely call it wine, in fact. It was practically vinegar. A cheap, vinous insult to the palate."
    an "But this one, with such a buxom presentation… mm, yes. I can see it becoming one of my favourites. Complex, robust. Earthy, but in a good way. A rich finish that leaves you yearning for more."
    an "The garnish of a red-haired slut really brings it together. Yes, I approve of this. Another!"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        al "… Please do not call me a slut, Dandras."
        an "Of course. Pardon the slip of my tongue, I’ve only received such fine service from sluts prior to today. Never wenches. You are doing a wonderful job, by the way."

    scene black with fade

    "… …. …."
    "… …"
    "…"

    #cg1 - var 2
    scene cg279 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg279
    show andras disguised happy behind cg279
    pause 3

    "Alexia did as Indarah suggested and allowed Andras to pace himself, instead of trying to egg him into drunkenness. Just as she predicted, he kept his hands to himself."

    an "–now, their women, with their constant fights for dominance in bed, are quite fun to subdue. But the lack of tits is unfortunate."

    al "I see."

    "Dandras keeping his hands to himself did not stop him from having Alexia serve his every whim, standing by his side as he recalled his many ‘adventures’ to both her and the ever-dwindling amount of patrons. They were universally pretexts for him to comment on Alexia’s looks, if not tell her different ways he would fuck her."

    an "Everybody likes a big bosom. Not to say yours are not nice, of course, but they could {i}stand{/i} to be a bit bigger and rounder. "

    ".. And of course, she had to keep nodding and agreeing with him. For the last two hours. It was well past midnight, now. Indarah was dragging their last, blacked-out patron."
    "The longer it went on and the more tired Alexia found herself, the less humiliating it became, though not for the right reasons. It was just hard to give a fuck after a certain point, and easier to go along with it all."

    al "I apologise."

    an "But you do show your tits off, like a nice little slut, so that’s a plus. Did you know that your left one is larger than the right?"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "Please don’t call me a slut, Dandras."
        an "Of course, of course. A slip of the tongue. I only meant to say that it’s nice, how shamelessly you show off your tits. Like a slut would."
        "Alexia had asked him twenty-six times not to do so. She was keeping track."
        an "Now tell me. Were you or were you not aware of that difference?"

    else:
        "Alexia didn’t even bother asking him to not call her a slut. She had the first dozen times, and at LEAST another dozen had followed since. At LEAST. It had long since become clear to her that asking him to stop was just encouraging him to push it more."

    al "No, I did not know my left breast is larger than my right."

    an "Measure them later, you’ll see that I’m right."

    al "Of that I have no doubt."

    "Alexia also had no doubt that her legs were going to refuse to ever move again, once she finally sat down. At some point they had been trembling from overexertion."

    an "And I do so love the way you put your hair up. Is it for convenience’s sake?"

    al "Yes–"

    an "For when you suck cock?"

    al "… We do not provide that… service here, Dandras."

    an "Ah, such a waste. Your body was made for serving men."

    "Alexia barely sighed."

    al "Thank you, Dandras."

    an "Indeed, I could spend the rest of the night here enjoying this fine service, and I’d be sure to recommend it to all my friends."

    al "That’s very kind of you, Dandras."

    an "Though what would really cap off the experience would be getting my cock sucked. It’s always been a perfect nightcap to me, you see. Are you {i}sure{/i} that the tavern doesn’t have ‘wench swallowing dick’ anywhere on the menu?"

    "Alexia didn’t even bat an eyelash, though she couldn’t say whether it was from a lack of surprise or just not caring at this point. She could pick up his not-so-hidden meaning without wearying herself any further."
    "He was happy to drag this out longer, or… he’d let her off the hook if she went down on him."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 60 or alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "If only he had presented that option several hours ago."

    menu:
        "Oops. Yes, sorry. It is. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia’s weary resignation made saying the words so much easier than it should have been. That did not make them anything less than half-hearted in effort; there was no one else around to necessitate the charade, but for Dandras himself."
            al "Oh. You’re right, actually. It is. How silly of me. "
            an "Then I’ll have that."
            "Alexia started to pull away, but Dandras’ hand rose and lightly rested atop her breast, taking her words as an invitation to finally push things further along."
            an "After I finish this glass, of course."
            "The barmaid glanced down between her tits. There was barely any wine left in the glass, but just enough for Dandras to have some plausible deniability."
            al "Of course. Forgive me, Dandras."
            an "But of course. It would be unfair of me to hold that against a silly slut after she’s already gone so above and beyond in providing stellar service."
            "He took his time in finishing the glass, idly playing with the softness of her tit in the process. Tired as she was, Alexia’s body nevertheless reacted accordingly to the stimulation. He was surprisingly gentle."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "She had to bite on her bottom lip to hold in a moan."
            else:
                "A light moan slipped out of her."
            "After a couple of minutes, Dandras sat back with a sigh, turning his chair away from the table with a loud scrape that was sure to scratch the wooden floorboards."
            an "Excellent. Now, then…"
            an "Get your tits out properly and get to work. Do a good job, and I’ll make sure to leave you a very white tip."
            "set it on the table beside the bottle. Then she pulled down her top just a little bit further, tight fabric soon bunching underneath her tits. Dandras spread his knees to open a space for her, and down she went, reaching for his belt–"
            scene cg1604 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1605 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1606 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show andras disguised smirk behind cg1604
            "Before she could unlatch it and unleash his cock, Dandras reached down to his crotch, grabbed a hold of the fabric and ripped it wide, ruining a perfectly good pair of pants in his impatience."
            "Alexia flinched back, both because of the sudden violence and how his cock nearly prodded her in the eye. The moment quickly passed and left her with something surprising before her, though."
            "His cock."
            "Not the fact that it was there. It was where it was supposed to be, after all. Attached to his pelvis. Pointing at her face. Waiting to enter her mouth. No, that was all right."
            "The surprising part was that his cock was… red. Alexia had to snap a quick glance up to make sure that she was between the knees of one Daniel Dras, not Andras sans disguise. And indeed, the magical veneer of Andras’ humanity remained."
            "Dandras smirked down at her grandly, having already filled his glass with another helping of wine. He swirled it and took another long inhalation of its aroma while Alexia stared at him, then spoke again."
            an "Is something the matter?"
            show alexia barmaid shocked behind cg1604
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "I… your–"
                "Alexia swallowed down the words, cheeks burning not quite as red as his dick. She wasn’t sure that she even wanted to know."
            else:
                al "Why is it still red?"
                "Dandras sipped from his wine, taking a gander at his cock."
                an "Why is what red?"
                al "… your cock."
                an "It looks like a perfectly normal cock to me."
                "Alexia pursed her lips, but found herself too drained to push it further."
            an "Get on with it before I change my mind, fair slut."
            show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg1604
            "Alexia shifted her weight slightly, then reached towards Dandras’ body with both hands. Just before she could touch either his hip or his cock, though, he spoke again."
            an "A little courtesy wouldn’t be remiss. I may welcome informal address, but I {i}am{/i} a Lord. In case the sight of my majestic cock has struck you dumb, allow me to remind you that I am the Last Lord of–"
            show alexia barmaid happy behind cg1604
            "Alexia plastered on a smile, interrupting without courtesy."
            al "May I please serve you the cocksucking that you just ordered, my lord Dandras?"
            an "By all means, go ahead. Suck your little slut heart out and show me why nine travellers out of ten recommend this oasis to their peers."
            "Alexia’s smile grew strained as her expression started to pinch, and she resolved to get her mouth-sullying task done and over with as soon as she could. She didn’t want Indarah to come back and find her gargling demon cum."
            al "Thank you, sir."
            "One of her hands reached out to rest on Dandras’ hip, and the other took hold of his fat red cock, giving it some brisk strokes. Despite how tired she felt, a second wind of sorts alleviated her weariness, as though priming her to push through at her very best."
            #scene cg1 - var 1
            show cg1607 with dissolve
            pause 3
            an "Excuse me, fair slut?"
            "Alexia started to slow, glancing up from the tip of Dandras’ cock to his face curiously."
            an "No, no. Keep going, don’t slow down."
            "Alexia held back a sigh and continued her swift pumping of his shaft."
            al "Is something wrong with your order?"
            an "Yes, in fact. Aren’t blowjobs supposed to be a lot wetter than this? Mine, it seems, is awfully dry."
            "Alexia gave the disguised demon a bland smile. If he hadn’t interrupted her…"
            al "My apologies. I’ll get right on that."
            "If he wanted a wet blowjob, she’d give it to him. And then she’d get in a fucking bed and she’d go the fuck to sleep."
            "Alexia slid her fingers to caress more along the far side of his shaft, leaning in to press her soft lips against his side. Her tongue quickly chased the kiss, dragging up and leaving it slick with saliva."
            show cg1608 with dissolve
            pause 3
            an "Mm. That’s more like it. Do you like the taste of my heroic cock, Alexia? I trust it tastes much more courageous than Rowan’s."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "She already knew exactly what he wanted to hear, and that it would likely speed things along if she just played into it."
                al "Yes, my lord Dandras, it is. You can really taste all the good you’ve ever done in the world. This is, by far, the most heroic cock I’ve ever put inside my mouth."
                "She sincerely doubted she would ever have reason to refer to another cock as heroic."
                "Dandras smirked gallingly, sipping as Alexia went on to take the engorged head of his cock into her mouth."
                an "And they say good guys never prosper."
            elif alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Alexia quickly moved her mouth to take him past her lips, preventing herself from being able to answer. Thankfully, Dandras seemed content with that, sipping at his wine."
            else:
                "Not wanting to spend too much time dirty talking Andras, Alexia quickly moved to take his cock’s crown past her lips, giving him the barest vestige of an answer in the form of a moan around his tip."
                an "That’s what I thought."
            show cg1609 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Alexia made the most of her second wind, throwing herself into the cocksucking with as much sloppy swiftness as she could. Her tongue worked harder than ever before in an effort to hasten his nutting, but–"
            "But Dandras was on his own timeline, not hers. He picked up right where he left off his exaggerated tales, telling her of the time that he aided a village by doing a barn raising all on his lonesome."
            an "And of course, the women were just {i}falling{/i} over themselves to thank me. In the same way you’re serving me now, fair slut, though I must admit that they did a better job of it. Haha! Perhaps I should take you to learn from them."
            "Alexia grimaced at the thought of being Dandras’ travel companion for any length of time, trying to ignore him and not let the distracting insults upset her. That was what he wanted."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "She would far rather accompany his red-skinned twin, or triplet, or {i}whatever{/i}."
            an "The chief difference, I think, is that unlike you, they never neglected my balls. If one of the girls wasn’t licking or sucking them, there was always someone fondling them and treating them like the royal jewels they are."
            an "But that’s the advantage of four women trying to suck one cock at once. Your comparative ineptitude is no surprise."
            "So it went on for several more minutes until, unsurprisingly, Dandras came at the worst possible moment, having held himself back with it in mind. Alexia only realised that after he had stained the inside of her mouth with his cum, however."
            "Certain he was done, she pulled her mouth away and pushed off him with her hands. At that moment, he spoke and shot another load that smacked across her face."
            scene cg1610 with fade
            pause 1
            show cg1611 with sshake
            pause 0.5
            show cg1612 with flash
            pause 2
            show indarah neutral behind cg1610
            show andras disguised smirk behind cg1610
            show alexia barmaid concerned behind cg1610
            an "Ah, I was wondering where you had gotten off to! You should really advertise this special service on the menu. It’s a shame more people don’t know about it."
            "Indarah’s voice was frosty as she replied, her shadow casting over Alexia’s body."
            ind "Very kind of you to say so. I take it you’re finished?"
            "Mortified, Alexia remained on the floor as Dandras got up from his chair, following Indarah over to the bar to settle up his tab for the evening. Without any further consideration of Alexia, the ‘hero’ departed."
            "Soon, Indarah was joining her on the floor, a damp towel in one hand and a cold glass of water in the other."
            ind "All of that and you still ended up touching that bastard’s cock?"
            "There wasn’t any judgement in her voice, nor anger. Instead, there was something between disappointment and understanding."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Alexia had little wits to say for herself, mumbling a rambling explanation to Indarah as she cleaned up and cleansed her mouth. The tavern’s proprietress sighed and gave her shoulder a squeeze."
                ind "Shh. "
            else:
                "After several deep swallows (both of cum and water), Alexia slumped and glanced at Indarah out of the corner of her eye."
                al "It was either that or…"
                "She trailed off for a moment, then grabbed the towel to start wiping at herself."
                al "I figured he’d have us here until dawn."
                ind "Mm. Next time, just know that I wouldn’t have minded. Handling it, {i}or{/i} being here all night."
            ind "It’s all done and over with. For now, at least."
            al "Yeah…"
            "For now."
            $ andras_name = "Andras"
            return

        "My apologies, but it is not.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "My apologies, sir. But I’m very certain that we don’t do that. You might have mistaken us with the brothel in the next village."
            "Wherever the fuck the next village was."
            an "Pity. Though I daresay my assumption has less to do with any villages and more to do with the last place that Indarah ran. She’s quite good at what she does, you know. Could show you a thing or two."
            al "I’m sure she could."
            "Dandras leaned in to take another sip from the glass, before settling back to begin reminiscing on his last time ‘adventuring’ in the Dragon’s Tail. Much of it seemed to be about fucking a woman who worked as both a dancer and a server at a tavern."
            "He never said Indarah’s name directly, but he didn’t need to. He had made it obvious what he was referring to, and how both he and his sibling (some last Lord!) had both enjoyed her ‘nightcap service’ a great deal."
            "Before Alexia could learn any true details about Indarah’s connection to the twins, however, she came back to the tavern and he moved on to regaling them with a story about the time he popped an orc’s head like a grape with his bicep."
            scene black with fade
            "… … …"
            "… …"
            "…"
            "At least another hour and a half passed before Dandras finally grew bored of his drawn-out aggravations and called it a night. Unsurprisingly, he did not leave Alexia a tip."
            "Alexia was too tired to stay up and speak with Indarah, or even get back to the castle. With the tavern’s guest rooms full, she slept that night in Indarah’s bed."
            "They were both glad to see that Dandras didn’t come for a breakfast special."
            $ andras_name = "Andras"
            return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 5.rpy
label diplomatic_immunity_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ roAlRel = 0
        "No":
            $ roAlRel = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    $ alexiaJezObedient = True

    scene alexia_tavern_1 with fade

    "It was a quiet night at the inn aside from the harsh rumble of thunder outside, soon followed by the steady thump of rain on the roof. Alexia watched the small beads splatter and roll down the glass windows and pretended they were racing toward the windowpane's finish line."
    "It wasn't as if she had anything better to do; the bar was clean, most of their visitors had checked out for the week, all she had to worry about was refilling the occasional beer for a weary traveller at a nearby table."
    "As Alexia grabbed the pitcher for another refill, three hooded figures scrambled through the front door, their cloaks soaked through from the rain. They dropped their hoods at once, clearly relieved to find shelter from the storm."
    "The man in the center was tall with a handsome face and messy curls of damp dark hair. It was only when he stepped into the light that Alexia realized he was a dark elf. Two goblins flanked him on either side and ushered for him to follow as they checked in."
    "Alexia watched the curious trio as the goblins led the reluctant elf to their room."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

    ind "You know them?"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia jumped; she hadn't even heard Indarah approach."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "No. Do you?"

    "Indarah nodded."

    ind "The goblins are traders: Ebs and Ras. I see them come in here every few months. They always order the same thing-- two bowls of beef stew and three mugs of beer before they wobble back to their rooms."
    al "I guess that makes them easy to remember."
    al "What about the third one there?"

    "Alexia pointed toward the dark elf just before he disappeared up the stairs. Indarah looked after him and shrugged."

    ind "Couldn't say. Never seen him. He looks like a page boy, though, don't you think? I guess they got some extra help."
    al "Hm. I suppose so."

    "Alexia returned to work, the thoughts of the dark elf and his escorts drifting to the back of her mind."

    scene bg21 with fade

    "....."

    show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Ugh, this is disgusting…"

    "Alexia pinched her nose as she finished cleaning one of the rooms. Some of these travellers were absolute {i}pigs{/i}."
    "She took in a deep breath of fresh air as she stepped out into the hall, eager to close the door behind. If she ever had to scrub vomit from bedding again it would be too soon."
    "With a sigh, Alexia knocked onto the door to the next room."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Housekeeping."

    "There was no answer, so Alexia unlocked the door and stepped in."
    "At least this room wasn't so bad; some rumpled sheets, a few balled up pieces of parchment on the floor. She got to work, eager to finish quickly and end her shift for the night."
    "As she bent over to pick the parchment up from the floor, something under the bed caught her eye. Alexia reached underneath, surprised to find a satchel."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh!"

    "Something hard and circular fell out of the bag and rolled across the floor. Alexia picked up the rough metal, surprised by how heavy the silver steel was. Purple gems decorated the heavily spiked circle, glinting under the soft lamplight."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "What is this doing here…?"
    rhis "O-Oh… That's..."

    "Alexia froze, the strange accessory clutched in her hands as the dark elf opened the door. He stood in the doorway, panic written on his face as he took in the item in her hands."

    al " I'm so sorry, it just fell out…"

    "Alexia tucked the strange object back into the bag. She shouldn't have been snooping, but what if the bag belonged to another guest? The right thing would have been to return it."

    rhis "It's okay… Um…"

    "The elf glanced around the hall before ducking inside, making sure to lock the door before dropping his voice down to a whisper."

    rhis "I can explain."
    al "Did you steal this?"
    rhis "No! ...Er, not really. Please, just listen to what I have to say."

    "He gestured for Alexia to sit in a nearby chair while he perched himself on the edge of the bed. Alexia did so, her curiosity getting the better of her."
    "The dark elf continued to glance around the room as if he was being watched. She had to strain to hear him speak."

    $ rhistelName = "Rhistel"

    rhis "My name is Rhistel. I promise that heirloom is as much my right as my name. I didn't {i}technically{/i} steal it--it is… was… my mother's."

    al "Won't she be upset that it's gone?"

    "He ran a hand over his face, his smile bitter and without humour."

    rhis "We don't need to worry about that. She's dead."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Then, upon seeing the look on Alexia's face--"

    rhis "I didn't kill her. She… Things are complicated back home. But she's gone and my sister is in charge now."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    rhis "How much do you know of Dark Elven politics?"
    al "Enough to know you are one."

    "Rhistel nodded, and Alexia noticed a flicker of shame in his eyes as he looked away. He picked at a thread on his sleeve, betraying a nervous habit."

    rhis "It's common for Dark Elven men of high social standing to be given as pets to secure alliances. My mother adored me and always promised I would be protected… But my sister is in charge now. She's not so merciful."

    "Rhistel's eyes met Alexia's then, and she could see the desperation in his gaze as he pleaded with her."

    rhis "So please, I'm begging you, do not tell anyone about the heirloom. I just want to leave as far as possible, until no one can recognize me again."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "Alexia's lips pressed together in a tight line and, for a brief moment, she considered how advantageous this could be: a dark elven noble trying to escape slavery. She knew plenty of people that would pay plenty for that kind of information, if she didn't take him back to his sister herself."
        if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
            "She shut the thought down just as quickly as it came. What kind of woman would harm someone in need that way?"
        al "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. Your secret is safe with me."

    else:
        "Alexia nodded and a pitying frown pulled at her face. She could only imagine how scared and alone this poor man was just trying to escape slavery, enforced by his own flesh and blood no less."
        al "Of course I'll keep it a secret. You have nothing to worry about."

    "Rhistel's body sagged with relief, a grateful smile brightening his weary face."

    rhis "Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me."

    "With that, Alexia hastily finished cleaning the room and stepped back out into the hall."
    "She was only a few steps away when another conversation caught her ear."

    ebs "We could tell him we're making a stop in town. He doesn't need to know {i}what{/i} town."

    "Alexia slowed her pace, her attention drawn to the conversation floating out from the room next door. She pressed her ear against the wood, a nagging feeling twisting in her gut."

    ras "That's true. You know, the closer we get to the border, I'm sure the sister's name will pop up. News about runaways with that kinda background tends to go pretty far."
    ebs "Exactly. Once we got a name, we just need to draft a ransom note and send it on its way. Then we get the money and boom! We're rich!"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        "Had they heard her conversation with him, or had they known about this all along? She put a hand to her aching heart; was she responsible for Rhistel's blown identity?"

    else:
        "Had they eavesdropped on her? Alexia's fists tightened at her sides. What right did they have to listen in on her conversation?"

    "She didn't think; she just unlocked and threw open the door, adrenaline rushing through her veins. The goblins both jumped at her sudden intrusion, looking up from their maps on the table."

    ebs "We don't need our room clea--"
    al "You're going to ransom Rhistel back."

    "The goblins' mouths snapped shut. They exchanged a glance, their high spirits immediately taking a sour turn."

    ebs "And what's it to ya? Ya shouldn't have been eavesdropping--"
    al "You did it first."

    "It was a wild guess, but from the look on their faces, Alexia knew she was right. So they had heard her conversation. She swore under her breath. She'd only just made her promise to Rhistel that she would keep his secret and already it was broken."

    ras "Listen, girlie. Why don't we cut a deal? We've got gold, and you got a pretty mouth you can keep shut."

    "Alexia stared at them, shocked by the offer. She had expected threats or a fight even-- not a bribe."

    al "And what would it take for you not to harm him?"

    if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "She glared between the two men, her hands balled into fists at her sides. She was furious; if they hadn't eavesdropped on her, she never would have been forced to break her promise in the first place."

    elif alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "She couldn't shake the idea of poor Rhistel bound in chains and forced to act as some dark elf's pet. Alexia just met the man, but his story was so pitiful that the idea of him being forced to go through with it stabbed at her heart like a knife."

    else:
        "Guilt tugged at her heart. It was her fault that his secret was out now; she had to make it up to him."

    "The goblins scoffed, but the merchant eyed her over, his crooked lips curling into an even more crooked smirk."

    ebs "Been a while since either of us saw some action, wouldn't you say, Ras? "

    "Ras chuckled but nodded. She could feel their gazes piercing through her clothes, taking in every slight curve of her body that her uniform exposed."

    menu:
        "Do nothing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "Alexia stared at the men, flustered and stunned. What should she do? {i}Could{/i} she do anything realistically? She wasn't about to have sex with these men in exchange for a stranger's safety, but wasn't there any other way to help him?"
            else:
                "Were they seriously trying to {i}blackmail{/i} her? What kind of woman did they take her for?"
            if roAlRel > 30:
                "Not to mention the betrayal Rowan would feel if he knew she slept with someone else. How could she ever justify that?"
            "The goblins took her silence as her answer."
            ebs "Now that's a smart woman. Be on your way now."
            "Alexia tried to find something-- anything-- to say, but nothing came to her. She was paralyzed by her own indecision."
            "Without another word, Alexia fled the room."
            "……"
            "When Alexia came to clean their room the next day, the goblins and Rhistel were long gone. Worry pulled at the back of her mind, thoughts of what would become of Rhistel once the goblins' ransom succeeded eating her away."
            "She should have done something, and yet, here she was."
            "Alexia stepped into the goblins' room with her cleaning supplies, ready to turn over for the next guest."
            "A large velvet pouch sat on the bed. When she looked inside, shiny gold coins glinted up at her."
            "Well, at least something came of her indecision."
            # $ castle.treasury += 50
            # return

        "Help Rhistel escape.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "They couldn't be serious, right? But from the look in their eyes, Alexia knew they meant every word."
            "She smiled politely, working hard to keep the grimace from her face. The idea of lying in bed with these two scheming lowlifes made her sick, but if she wanted to assist Rhistel, she couldn't risk them thinking she would do anything to upset their plan. She would just need to find another way to help Rhistel."
            al "I'll be quiet. You have my word."
            ebs "Damn. Was hopin' you'd take us up on the other option, but silence works, too."
            "Alexia forced a smile and stepped out of the room, a plan already forming in her mind."
            "….."
            "It was late into the night when Alexia tiptoed through the halls of the inn, the sounds of the storm disguising her footsteps and the creaky floorboards."
            "Rhistel was fast asleep in bed, his hair tousled and knotted over his pillow. Alexia crept up to his side and gently shook his shoulder. He blinked awake, tired and confused."
            rhis "What--"
            "Alexia clamped a hand over his mouth. Rhistel's eyes widened and he stilled."
            al "You need to leave. Now. They know everything."
            "Panic sunk into his face, but he remained silent as Alexia removed her hand and rummaged through his room, tossing his items back into his bag."
            "Rhistel said nothing as Alexia helped dress him up and covered him in his cloak, pulling the hood low over his face."
            "She escorted him back outside to the stables; she'd already prepared a horse for his escape. Alexia helped attach his luggage to the animal before he climbed up and took the reins."
            "Before he took off, Rhistel gripped Alexia's hand and smiled down at her. His touch was soft, his fingers smooth and free from calluses."
            rhis "...Thank you."
            "She would need to feign being too sick to work tomorrow; the last thing Alexia wanted to see was the goblins when they realized their ransom had disappeared on them. It wouldn't take long for them to figure out who did it."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
            # return

        "Fuck the Goblins in exchange for Rhistel's safety. (Scene)" if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "I…"
            "Alexia began to object but stopped herself, the words dying in her throat. Was this all they wanted in exchange for Rhistel's safety? Men were so simple when it came to their desires."
            al "Alright. As long as you can guarantee Rhistel's safety."
            ebs "Oh. You're serious?"
            ras "Don't make her change her mind, Ebs. Opportunities like this don't come round often enough."
            ebs "Right, right. Why don't you get on the bed for us, girlie?"
            scene cg980 with fade
            show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg980
            pause 3
            "Alexia did as commanded, settling on her knees into the middle of the bed. The goblins wasted no time unbuckling their belts and crawling after her, one on either side of her body."
            "She felt their hands slide from her thighs to her ass to her breasts, pushing at the fabric to get a better sense of how her body felt underneath. Alexia couldn't help but grin to herself as they removed her uniform, tossing the dress aside to ogle at her bare skin."
            ebs "Fuck, it's been a long time since I've seen tits like these."
            "The goblin squeezed her breasts and shoved his face between them, his tongue and teeth licking and nipping at the soft skin."
            "Ras's hands roamed down her hips from behind, his fingers brushing against her pussy."
            ras "Fuck, she's real wet, Ebs. You think she was hoping for an offer like this? Huh, girlie?"
            "His hot breath tickled her ear as he chuckled. She could feel his erection already pressing hard against her round ass."
            al "Mmm..."
            "A small moan escaped from her throat. Her eyes widened, surprised by her own reaction, but the goblins' grins grew wider."
            ebs "We better give her what she wants."
            "Ebs lifted his head slightly from her breasts, just enough to position his cock against her pussy. He slid in easily, forcing her to take his full amount. Alexia gasped, gripping his shoulders."
            ebs "Oh, you like that, don't you?"
            ras "Think she'll like this, too?"
            "Alexia whimpered as Ras eased into her ass from behind."
            ebs "How do you like the feel of two cocks in you at once, girlie?"
            ras "I think she likes it, Ebs."
            scene cg981 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg981
            pause 3
            "They took their turns pushing in and out of her, Ebs gripping her hips while Ras toyed with her breasts from behind. Alexia's grip on Ebs's shoulders tightened, a pleasure growing low in her belly."
            "Alexia's pulse quickened and her breath came out as heavy pants as the two men fucked her. She could feel their cocks moving in and out of her from in front and behind, and just when one would pull out, the other would drive right back in."
            "They didn't give her time to catch her breath or even truly {i}breathe{/i}-- it was one building sensation after another toward her climax. Her toes curled and she arched toward them, jerking her hips back and forth in an attempt to match their movements."
            al "Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck--"
            "Her voice pitched high with her orgasm and her body spasmed."
            show cg981 with sshake
            show cg981 with sshake
            scene cg982 with flash
            pause
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg982
            pause 3
            "Ebs came soon after, grunting hard as his cum spurted inside of the wet folds of her pussy. Ras didn't last much longer, filling her ass with enough cum that it slid and dripped down her thighs."
            "The goblins climbed off of her, laughing a little to themselves at the mess they'd made. Even Alexia found it amusing and smiled herself; she may be a maid, but they could clean up this mess on their own."
            al "He'll be safe then?"
            ebs "Yeah, yeah, we'll keep him safe. Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
            ras "But if you ever want to go again, you know where to find us."
            "Ras winked at her. Alexia scrambled to pull her clothes back on before slipping out into the hall."
            "It was out of her hands now; all she could do was hope they kept to their word."
            scene black with fade
            "….."
            "Alexia stood in the stables beside Ebs and Ras, her hands folded delicately in front of her. A blush colored her cheeks as Ras subtly grabbed her ass, but she worked to hide any physical responses."
            "Rhitel was busy attaching his luggage to a horse the goblins had given him. He didn't seem to notice the sexual atmosphere between his three companions."
            "The goblins had already confessed to Rhitel what they knew about him by the time Alexia had arrived, but true to their promise, they intended to keep him safe from harm. Rhitel seemed skeptical about the ordeal, but was willing to trust them as he had Alexia."
            ebs "Remember, we'll be meeting up at Qerazel at the Blue Bird Inn. If you aren't there in four days, we're leaving without you."
            rhis "Don't worry, I'll be there."
            rhis "Ah, before I forget…"
            "Rhitel reached into his bag and pulled out the accessory. The goblins' eyes widened, immediately attracted to the shiny object. Rhitel passes it over to Ebs."
            rhis "For a ransom; it's preferable if they think I'm dead, but you can say that you came across this beside my corpse. I know my sister will be wanting it back."
            "The goblins stared at the spiked hoop and nodded; it wasn't a dark elf, but the crown itself came pretty damn close."
            "Alexia waved farewell to Rhistel as he rode off, and soon Ebs and Ras were travelling after him."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
            # return

        "Call Jezera.":# if all_actors["alexia"].flags["jezera_influence"] > 5:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia bit her lip, contemplating her options. She didn't want to have sex with them, but what else could she do to protect Rhistel?"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "She hated the idea of him suffering for her silence."
            else:
                "She was already involved, she wasn’t about to let these chumps get away with it."
            "Ah, but if Jezera were here..."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                "Alexia smiled to herself and nodded. Jezera was a master at negotiations, and it was probably best that her mistress be informed about the situation with Rhistel anyway. Jezera had plenty of connections to the dark elves; perhaps this could benefit both of them."
            else:
                "Alexia bit her lip and sighed. Jezera was a master at negotiations; there had to be something she could do to help Rhistel."
                "That didn't mean she wanted to ask her, though."
            al "I understand. I'll be quiet."
            "Alexia ducked out of the hotel room, eager to leave the goblins' presence."
            "Once she was further away from the rooms, Alexia pressed a hand against her sapphire necklace."
            al "Jezera?"
            show jezera neutral behind bg21
            je " Yes, yes, I hear you. Is something the matter, sweetling?"
            al "Somewhat."
            "Alexia explained the situation with Rhistel, working to keep her voice both low enough that she couldn't be eavesdropped on as well as loud enough that Jezera could hear her over the storm."
            je "I see. Wait just a moment."
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia made her way to the portal and waited. Fifteen minutes passed before Jezera stepped through."
            hide jezera
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
            je "Now, where are these nasty little goblins?"
            al "Ah, right this way."
            "Alexia led her to their room. Jezera smirked and gripped the brass knob."
            je "You stay right here, sweetling. I'll take care of these negotiations."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                "Alexia nodded, holding back. She was reluctant to trust the twins, but she knew Jezera could get this done."
            else:
                "Alexia nodded, a chill running down her spine. She trusted Jezera to handle this, but her methods… She wasn't sure if she trusted those."
            "A few moments later, Jezera left the room, a satisfied grin on her face."
            je "Those disruptive little goblins and I came to an... understanding. They were quite agreeable after some persuasion."
            je "We'll even bring the little lordling back with us. I'm sure he'll be very comfortable after a short stay in the castle, don't you agree?"
            "Alexia smiled, although she wasn't entirely relieved. A guest? She doubted as much. Still, he was safe."
            al "Thank you so much, Jezera."
            je "Don't worry, little dove. I'm proud of you; you did the right thing coming to me."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                "Jezera ran her thumb across Alexia's bottom lip, her sensual lips curling into a smile."
                je "Perhaps I'll reward you later."
            "With a little smirk and wave, Jezera returned to the portal and disappeared."
            return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 2.rpy
label pony_stop_rp:

    $ alexiaJezeraSex = 10

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #ind concerned
    show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia descended down the staircase. The sound of voices down below warned her that it was time for work. She found a crowd of rough looking men and women, mostly in leather, making themselves at home in the main room. Their swarthy complexion was unmistakably eastern."

    ind "Keep yourself nice and respectful. These here are imperials."

    "From the odd talk around the inn up until now, Alexia knew that to mean they were regular members of the Empire of the Sand’s army."

    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Do you know why they’re here?"

    "Indarah sighed."

    ind "‘Course. Imperials make a nice bit of mint moving people around. They’re tryin’ sell some folks to the Dark Elves under the woods."
    ind "As far as they’re aware of, we must not be anything at all ‘cept a convenient point to rest."
    al "Slavers?"

    "She didn’t know much about the eastern slave trade, except that it existed. Slavery was not as large an institution down in Rosaria. Especially not in the countryside."

    al "Should we be worried about what they might do?"
    ind "Nah. They tend to behave themselves. These are army men and women. They know not to go around starting things under the imperial banner."
    ind "But, them Imperials ain’t known for their humbleness. So like I said before. Keep it nice and respectful, and nice and respectful is what you’ll get back."

    "Indarah shoved a pair of beers into Alexia’s hands, and directed her towards some of the slavers. Obediently, Alexia put on her smile."

    "As she bent down to serve them, one more person walked in. This one was different than the rest. They were all wearing sensible boiled leather. She strut in all black leather, showing ample cleavage, and pants and boots for riding. Completing the look was a whip coiled at her hips."
    "It was a special kind of leather too. It was sleek. Thin and texture-exposing, but also sturdy and imposing. Sexy in a come-and-get-it-if-you-dare kind of way."
    "Alexia blinked twice. Who in the world was {i}that{/i}?"

    ind "Everything I said for the others is still true for her. You treat her with respect now. Don’t get into anything trouble. And she’s nothing to worry about."

    "Yet, Alexia could tell from the furrow of Indarah’s brow that she was worried about her for whatever reason. She definitely knew why this woman was dressed so differently."
    "Alexia kept one eye on the woman throughout the evening. She interacted with the other slavers normally enough. She drank, she joked around, she behaved like one of the guys."
    "Though, when she looked closely, she did notice a few little tidbits. None of the jokes or ribbing was ever directed her way. Neither was the odd bit of flirting directed at the other women slavers. Not even the leader of the caravan seemed to get too comfortable with her."
    "She was with them. But, she was not truly one of them either."
    "When she asked Indarah about her, Indarah just waved her off. There were promises to explain later, but that wasn’t exactly satisfying to Alexia’s curiosity this very moment."

    ind "By now the horse trough is probably as parched as the horses. Be a dear and bring them something to sip on, please."

    "Alexia went out, not a complaint on her lips, with full buckets in either hand. She was not surprised to find large carriages with iron bars in a large circle. A few of the slavers patrolled the circle’s perimeter. Alexia didn’t much want to think about what their cargo."
    "She turned her head the other direction, towards the watering trough. But, she found no respite."

    al "Huh?"

    #cg1
    scene cg482 with fade
    pause 3

    "There was a woman tethered with the horses. A dark skinned beauty with equally dark hair cascading in a ponytail down her back. She stood at stiff attention."
    "No doubt aiding this stance was her unusual wardrobe. She was standing here, in the cold night, almost entirely naked. What little clothing she had was an oppressive leather."
    "Leather straps criss crossing her body, holding it firm but leaving much of her skin, including her pierced breasts exposed. A stiff collar that held her neck at attention. A contraption that held her arms behind her back in extreme bondage. "
    "Even a strange pair of boots that ended in a large metal horse print. Along with the bit and bridle in her mouth, it looked like she was pretending at being a horse."
    "There was something unmistakably lewd about it. It was like a mix between a discipline lover’s wet dream and something that a woman might wear to bed. The animalistic nature of it was only highlighted by her placement at camp. She was with the horses."
    "Alexia took a step closer. This was definitely not something she would ever find back home."
    "It had taken her some time to recognize the metal contraption that the woman wore. It was connected to the leather harness, and ran between her legs. The big bulky plate that covered her crotch had small holes in it."
    "It was a chastity belt. It was meant to keep someone from sleeping with her. Or from stimulation from touching her nether regions. The belt had a lock on it. Alexia doubted strongly that this woman held the key."
    "Naturally, Alexia’s mind drifted to the woman in sleek black leather before. Were the two somehow related to one another?"
    "Alexia walked over and filled the trough with new water. Now she definitely needed to ask Indarah about who that woman was."
    "As Alexia walked back inside, someone crossed her path. Dark leather boots strutted confidently on the ground. Alexia turned around. That sleek woman from before was coming outside."

    leatwom "Awe, did you miss me, Johara? I didn’t keep you waiting too long, now did I?"

    "At the sound of the woman speaking behind her, Alexia scrambled for the door. Better to watch from the door's frame, and not be seen catching an eyeful of what was happening."

    scene cg558 with fade
    pause 3

    "The horse woman’s eyes went wide at the approach of the woman in black. Alexia could only assume it was her Mistress."
    "Once the Mistress reached her, her hands enveloped the bound woman. She wrapped herself behind her, with her lips pressed to her victim’s neck, one hand toying with the horse woman’s nipple chain, and the other stroking her inner thighs."
    "The horse woman rolled her head back as far as the posture collar would allow and let out a strange whining sound. Her discipline of her posture buckled. In mere moments, she had become an instrument in her dominant’s hands."

    if alexiaJezeraSex > 0:
        "The image it brought to mind was her own relationship to a certain powerful demoness…"

    "The woman brought a hand up to the straps binding her captive’s head. When the bit fell away, Alexia thought that she might finally hear the exotic pet speak. But, all she did was let out a soft whine and open her jaw wide."
    "She was asking for something with her mouth."

    if alexiaJezeraSex > 0:
        "Yet again Alexia’s mind supplied an answer. This time in the form of a moist purple sex drawing inevitably closer to her face. So close she could smell its overpowering musk."
        "Alexia’s pussy tingled."

    leatwom "So eager for your treat. A wild filly indeed. You are a fortunate creature in that I am not a more cruel owner."

    "What was meant by that soon became apparent. The Mistress reached into a small pack on her belt and pulled out a strange brown square. Alexia had to strain to even see it."
    "Her lips pressed themselves to the “filly’s” ear and whispered unheard words for her alone. Then, she placed the strange cube in her open mouth. It dissolved into nothing."
    "In response, the horse woman let a long low groan out into the night. Her eyes rolled backwards. The sound was only silenced by the bit gag being fit back into her mouth."
    "Whatever had been placed into the bound woman’s mouth was having an overwhelming effect on her."
    "Whatever self-restraint she had was simply gone. She squirmed, bucked, and ground her body into the dominant woman’s with mindless abandon. Especially her crotch, which Alexia could only imagine was starved of all feeling."
    "Her Mistress responded back with a sadistic zeal. Sharp pinches, brutal tugs on her nipple chain, hands roaming her plaything’s body. The horse woman responded to each with a pathetic stifled whine. She was being handled and she loved it."
    "Alexia couldn’t help but flash her attention back every so often to the steel belt. There was moisture on it now. The shine of liquid in the moonlight was unmistakable. This girl was soaking wet, teased but helpless."
    "Watching it reminded Alexia of her own presence. It also reminded her of the dampness between her own legs."
    "With a blush, she ducked back into the inn. If she stayed out too long, she might get caught. Best not to risk such a thing with an imperial."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

    "It wasn’t until late at night that Alexia got a chance to sit down with Indarah. By then, all of the guests were tucked into the beds, or standing guard with the carriages."

    al "I’d really like to ask about that woman now. I saw what she had parked outside."

    #ind concerned

    ind "Ya mean that noble steed of her, eh? Yeah, there was no hiding it from ya."

    "Indarah shifted in her stool."

    ind "That’s just how the empire is. They don’t have much respect for people out that way. None of the Eastern Lords do. In their culture, there are all sorts of ranks and rules. You gotta be half mad to keep it all straight."
    ind "That woman is in a special class. Ain’t many of them, but they can be pretty scary. The Faras’i. Fierce fighters and trackers. Raised from birth to it too. Real scary stuff when they get into battle."
    al "And the horse woman outside?"
    ind "I was getting to that, I was getting to that."
    ind "I don’t know how it works or why they started doing it. I’m sure those imperial types have a reason for it. Though, they didn’t think to tell me ‘bout it. But, they have a special type of training for their captives. They make ‘em into beasts of burden."
    ind "Mares are what they’re called."
    ind "They’ve got these mean old chariots they ride around in when they want to fight, and they got one or two of those lovely things out there to pull it along."
    ind "Still, when I said you have got to be careful, I meant it. I had a friend once who ran into trouble with a Faras’i. That’s a tale you’d need to put a lot of alcohol in me before you’d ever hear."

    "Horse women. Alexia opened her mouth and closed it again. If she hadn’t seen one for herself, she never would have believed it. What do you believe when your own eyes tell you stranger stories then fantastical books?"
    "Had she really been living in a world with such things this entire time?"

    scene black with fade

    "The following morning, the caravan went on its way, none the wiser as to the allegiance of the inn that they had crossed paths with. Before they left, Alexia watered the horses. She used the opportunity to take a final eyeful of the Mare."
    "It was strange to look into her eyes. She had the face of the human, but the vacant expression of an animal. Just how much thought ran through her head? It would not be the last time she pondered that question."

    # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 5.rpy
label alexia_and_the_drunk_rp:

    "Is Alexia obedient to Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False

    scene alexia_tavern_1 with fade

    "Between the spilled mugs, the sticky tables, and the wide puddles of drink across the floor, it was often a gruesome, messy affair. On particularly rowdy nights, overturned tables and scattered barstools only added to the chaos."
    "Which was to say nothing of the assorted drunks who, at the end of the evening’s revelry, ended up strewn like slaughtered casualties across the floor and bar countertops. Alexia was, in many ways, more of a corpse-clearer than a barmaid. "
    "One such liquor-licker was still sitting slumped at the bar, insistent in his refusal to either leave or lose consciousness."

    scene bg21 with fade

    drunk "Oi! Wench! More beer, aye?"

    show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve

    "This inebriated indigent had been a thorn in Alexia’s side all night, dispensing catcalls, curses and obscene calls for “more ale!” in equal measure."
    "More than once, Alexia had been forced to run the gauntlet of his pinching fingers and groping hands, grimacing every time a glancing touch brushed across her bottom. He was a nuisance, in every sense of the word."
    "Now that the tavern was closing, the time had come for him to leave."
    "...But he would not budge."

    al "...Sir, it’s well past midnight. Everyone else has gone ho-"

    drunk "{i}Fack off{/i}, aye?"

    "Exhausted, exasperated, and stressed to the point of anger, Alexia approached Indarah for advice on what to do."

    show indarah neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Indarah, in a tone that made it clear Alexia should say nothing more, whispered in her ear."

    ind "Bar the door, return to your duties. I will handle this."

    "Alexia grumbled to herself, but did as she was bid. She had expected Indarah to give the drunken lout a thorough tongue-lashing then and there."
    "But the exotic tavern owner gave no sign that she intended to intervene whatsoever, casually polishing a bar glass as the evening hours wound down. Aside from a brief disappearance into the portal room, she remained aloof."
    "As the minutes ticked by it became increasingly obvious to Alexia that he would face no repercussions. She was just about to complain to Indarah again, when a hulking, green brute strode in from the back rooms."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "For a brief, terrible moment Alexia thought that a repeat of Arthdale was about to occur. It was only after she sized up the Orc that she realized he was a veteran from Bloodmeen."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    tarek "Wots the trouble?"

    "He was large, a beast of a brute. Narrow eyes set upon a heavy brow, with a rough, chiseled jawline. This was no mere Orc, but was a hardened killer."
    "Indarah merely pointed at the man, shoving her thumb over her shoulder in dismissive command to remove him. The Orc grunted."

    tarek "Waste o’ damn time."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Despite his grumbling, the Orc shifted his swordbelt and approached the drunk. Alexia was just passing him as he did so, balancing a tray of empty glasses on her hand."
    "She felt his thick, green hand grasp her by the forearm. She stopped short."

    tarek "Ey, wots his guff? ‘Dis fool givin’ ya the pinchy treatment?"

    "The Orc lifted his free hand and mimed pinching his fingers together. Alexia blushed and nodded. The Orc grinned with cocky pride, looking Alexia up and down."

    tarek "Thought so. Had the same thought m’self."

    "The Orc bent down. For a brief moment, Alexia thought he was leaning down to kiss her, but instead his lips went to her ear."

    tarek "Don’ worry. He won’t give ya no more trouble."

    "With a smirk and a grin, the Orc let go of Alexia and trudged up to the drunk. Alexia watched as the Orc smacked his fist onto the countertop directly next to the old drunk’s dozing head."

    tarek "{i}Ey{/i}! Wakey wakey!"

    "The man’s head snapped up, his eyes going wide at the sight of the hulking figure looming over him."

    tarek "If you’s gonna keep the nice ladies up all night, you’d best keep drinkin’."

    "The drunk, perhaps finally sensing the danger through his alcohol haze, stammered something inaudible and tried to stand up. The Orc let out a guffaw and planted his heavy hand down onto his shoulder, shoving him back into his stool."

    tarek "Ah naw, ya ain’t gettin’ away dat easy, ya cheeky git."
    tarek "You’s wanna drink? Fine. Then drink wif me."

    "The Orc bent over the countertop and fished a tall bottle out. He planted it with a wet smack onto the Bar."

    tarek "‘ere’s the deal from now on: you can come in ‘dis place whenever you like. Night n’ day, rain or shine. Don’t make no difference to me."

    "The Orc’s grin was wide and predatory, a long line of sharp fangs that looked ready to take a bite out of the terrified drunk. He popped the cork on the bottle."

    tarek "Only rule is: ya gots to tell good ol’Indarah over there yer comin’."

    "He lifted the bottle and took a pair of deep, heavy gulps, swallowing well over a third of its contents in the process. He lowered the bottle and smacked his lips."

    tarek "{i}Ah{/i}! Dat’s the stuff."
    tarek "{i}But...{/i}"

    "The Orc turned in his stool to face the drunk. The poor man tried to squirm away but the Orc took him by his chin, staring straight into his eyes."

    tarek "Everytime you’s here, I’ll be here too. We’ll be drinkin’ buddies!"
    tarek "And fer every drink {i}I{/i} take, you takes the same."

    "The Orc’s easy smile disappeared. His face contorted for a moment into a monstrous simulacrum of a dragon’s snarl."

    tarek "And if ya can’t keep up…"

    "The Orc smashed the bottle against the bar just next to the terrified drunk’s trembling hand. The unfortunate man let out a squeaking yelp as glass and alcohol rained down onto the ground."

    tarek "You won’t have to worry ‘bout yo’ tab ever again."

    "The threat alone was enough to shatter him. The bedraggled drunk fled from the grinning Orc’s sight, whimpering as he threw open the door and ran from the tavern."
    "The Orc started to laugh, though Alexia noticed that he made no move to leave, now that his task was done."

    tarek "Ey, where’s my victory bottle?"

    "Indarah sighed, as if she had expected this outcome."

    ind "Alexia, let him have his pick of whichever bottle he wants. One bottle, and no more. Tarek knows the rules. "

    $ tarekName = "Tarek"

    hide indarah with dissolve
    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    tarek "...Well? Wot ya waitin’ for?"

    "Alexia circled to the back of the bar. The next few minutes were a frustrating guessing game as the Orc patently refused to pick a specific bottle."
    "Finally, once he had chosen one he tore open the cork with his teeth, spitting it out onto the floor to settle with the smashed glass of the first bottle. The Orc took a deep slug of the bottle, then held it out for Alexia."

    tarek "Have a taste. Gab wif me a minute."

    "He swirled the water around in the bottle, his heavy brow arching in mirth. That wide, predatory smile was on his face again."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
        "There was a callous masculinity to the Orc’s brutish demeanor that was strangely… {i}charming{/i} to Alexia. Perhaps it was just in her head, but the Orc in many ways reminded her of Andras."
        "Alexia smiled, sliding smoothly into the seat next to him as she gratefully accepted the bottle from his hands. Her fingers trailed across his as they passed the bottle between them."
        jump tarekSitandTalk_rp

    else:
        "The offer was tempting. Alexia had been working on her feet for hours now, and was nearly at the end of her endurance. Despite the brutish company, she dearly coveted a short rest and a little nip of wine."
        "But… was it worth the trouble?"
        menu:
            "Accept the bottle. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Thirst and weariness won out over caution. Alexia - with more than a few misgivings - took a seat next to the Orc. She felt his wandering eyes roam across her body."
                "The Orc grinned and held out the bottle. She reached out and took it. His thick, green fingers met hers for a brief moment as he handed her the bottle."
                jump tarekSitandTalk_rp

            "Decline and go back to cleaning.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Alexia spared a nervous smile in the direction of her uncouth savior. Though the drink was sorely tempting, and Alexia was in desperate relief from the drudgery of the work, she knew a risky offer when she saw one."
                al "Thank you, Tarek. But I really must clean up this spill."
                "The Orc grunted and downed the bottle, gulping half its contents in one great swallow."
                tarek "Suit yo’self. I ain’t one fer wastin’ good drink."
                "He waved her away dismissively. Alexia - finally able to see a light at the end of the tunnel - redoubled her efforts. For all the toil still to do, she had at least gotten to see the sorry old drunk evicted. The day wasn’t a {i}complete{/i} loss."
                return

    label tarekSitandTalk_rp:

        tarek "Dat’s a nice lady. Drink up!"

        "Alexia lifted the bottle to her lips, taking a swig of the wine. The Orc’s taste was good, it was a fine vintage."
        "Tarek grinned, reaching out to tilt the end of the bottle upwards. In a rush, Alexia’s mouth was flooded. Her cheeks wept red tears as her throat overflowed. She coughed and spluttered, not ready for such a sudden deluge."

        show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

        al "{i}Guh!{/i}"
        tarek "Har! Ya hold yer drink {i}worse’n{/i} the drunk!"

        "Alexia swallowed the wine still in her mouth and affixed the randy Orc with a glare."

        show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve

        al "{i}D-don’t{/i} do that!"

        "His insolent grin was answer enough."

        tarek "Then drink faster!"

        show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "The Orc began to laugh. Despite her own annoyance, Alexia found herself smiling along with him. He was an uncultured beast, to be sure. But there was an odd sort of charm in his antics. He took the bottle from her hand and took another long swig."

        tarek "Wine like ‘dis, ya gotta {i}gulp{/i} it, see?"
        al "Why?"

        "Tarek smacked his lips and handed the bottle back to Alexia. She took a shallower drink, tasting the warm flavor of the wine. All things considered, it was a pleasant end to the evening’s work."

        tarek "Cause it’s pisswater. Wouldn’t want Indarah to waste her best stuff on a lowly head-cracker."

        show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "...Or a lowly barmaid."

        "The Orc guffawed, slapping Alexia across her back. She felt his hand linger for a long moment on her, drifting lower before retreating."

        tarek "See? You gets it. Peas in a pod, you’n me."
        tarek "{i}Neither{/i} o’ us gets the reward they deserve. Just endless toil and a bottle o’ piss-wine to keep each other company."

        "Alexia giggled as the bottle was passed back to her. She dwelled on Tarek’s observation for a long moment. It was strange how... prescient it was. More often than not Alexia felt as if her jobs were merely one endless, thankless task after another."
        "Perhaps this Orc felt the same. Alexia took a contemplative sip from the half-empty bottle."

        al "{i}Everyone{/i} deserves to be rewarded for their hard work."

        "Tarek grinned, a naughty twinkle in his eye. He accepted the bottle back from Alexia and finished off the bottle, smacking his lips again."

        menu:
            "Thank Tarek for his help.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                al "...Thank you,Tarek."
                "The brash Orc guffawed again."
                tarek "Har! ‘Tink nothin’ of it, pretty lady. Bashin’ heads is wot I do. The bottle’s just a bonus."
                "The Orc stood up and stretched, giving Alexia a pat on the bum before standing to leave."
                tarek "Tell ol’Indy I said ‘thanks’ fer the drink. Call me anytime."
                al "I’ll do that Tarek."
                "Alexia watched as the Orc shot her one last sly smirk before departing. Alexia sighed, turning to face the final, arduous push before closing time. At least the Drunk was finally gone. That was a plus."
                # return

            "“Reward” Tarek for his help. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ AlexiaOrcSex = True
                "Sod it. She had had a rotten day, and this gruff greenskin had managed - in spite of his abrasive demeanor - to markedly improve it. Perhaps he did deserve a reward for all his efforts."
                show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "He was attractive enough… in a bestial, boorish sort of way. In fact, it was {i}that{/i} uncultured vulgarity that drew her to him. His aggressive masculinity was, paradoxically, as intriguing as it was infuriating."
                "Alexia, plied by wine and the pleasant company, inched forward in her chair. She leaned forward, as she reaching beneath the countertop at the same time Tarek lifted the bottle to his lips. He jerked in place when her hand settled on the stiff bulge in his groin."
                al "Oh…"
                tarek "Har! Yer a feisty little fig, ain’t ya?"
                #cg 1
                scene cg657 with fade
                show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg657
                show orc soldier neutral behind cg657
                pause 3
                "Far from being put off by her antics, Tarek grinned. He took another long swig of drink before putting his free hand atop hers, mashing it against his crotch so she could appreciate the full scope of his manhood."
                al "Mmmm…"
                tarek "And here I was, thinkin th’ only friend I’d make tonight was ‘dis bottle."
                "Alexia’s fingers kneaded his growing erection through the thin veneer of his leather loincloth. Her eyes lidded as she felt the heat radiating off of him."
                al "We deserve to be rewarded for our hard work, don’t you think?"
                tarek "Har! Dat we do. Dat we do."
                "Tarek settled his elbows onto the bar top, taking yet another swig off the bottle as Alexia did her dirty work. She shifted position, peeling aside the loincloth to get at the fat green cock bulging beneath."
                "Her fingers wrapped around his length, marveling at the prodigious size she was dealing with. The head of his cock lifted nearly to the roof of the bar top at full erection. She jerked him with slow, steady movements, working up a lather."
                tarek "Easy now, we’s just gettin’ to the good part."
                "The Orc huffed when she began to speed up, using her awkward position to roughly masturbate the Orc beneath the bar."
                "From a casual observer’s perspective, Alexia was merely leaning forward on the bar. Her companion was just taking short hits off the wine bottle."
                "In reality, she was quickening her efforts. Her fingers clenched as she formed a solid grip upon his cock, jacking the well-endowed Orc off at a faster and faster pace."
                "Alexia’s efforts clearly paid off, for Tarek was soon letting out little, squeaking grunts in the pit of his throat. He slid the bottle across the countertop to her, shooting her a naughty smirk."
                tarek "Yer grip’s off. Take a drink."
                "Alexia laughed and did as she was bid, lifting the bottle with her free hand and downing a robust mouthful. She gripped him tighter, tugging at his cock with ever increasing vigor. Her fingers were now slick with his precum."
                "Tarek took the bottle from her and downed the last dregs. Alexia, randy, tipsy and well past the point of common sense, redoubled her efforts. Her rapid, jerking handjob became a blur of motion as Tarek reached his climax."
                "The Orc grunted, hunching forward in his seat. Alexia felt the sudden bulge of his cumvein, a wave of heat and inseminating liquid that rose, peaked to the brim, then fired a thick, white rope against the roof of the bar top’s underside."
                "Alexia giggled as the masculine Orc let out another grunt, reveling in the feeling of working him to completion as she continued to jerk him as strings of cum came spurting from his member. Her fingers were slick with white fluid."
                show cg658 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg659 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Just then, Indarah stepped through the door. Her eyes affixed to Alexia and Tarek sitting together. Her eyes narrowed. Tarek, still in the midst of ejaculation, let out a loud sigh of satisfaction. He planted the empty bottle on the countertop."
                scene bg21 with fade
                show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve
                show indarah neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                tarek "{i}Mmm{/i}! Dat’s some damn fine wine, Indy!"
                "The look on Indarah’s face was inscrutable. Alexia couldn't tell if she either enjoyed or despised the Orc’s presence. The Tavern owner allowed a faint smirk to play across her lips."
                ind "..It’s the same brand you guzzle every time, Tarek."
                "Tarek grinned, patting Alexia’s inner thigh with his big hand beneath the countertop."
                tarek "Yeah, but fer some reason, it tastes {i}better{/i} today!"
                show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia panicked. She hastily reached for her hand towel, furiously mopping up the leftover splooge and Orcish cum from her fingers, hands and the bar top’s underside."
                ind "Alexia, have you finished cleaning the bar?"
                show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
                al "N-not yet, Indarah. I was just-"
                "Tarek let out a booming guffaw, clapping Alexia hard on her back."
                tarek "Har! She was just keepin’ me company is all! Ya wouldn’t want to make yer best customer mad, would ya Indy?"
                "Alexia saw something approaching recognition cross Indarah’s face. Alexia hurriedly mopped up what she could from the remainder of Tarek’s eruption, giving him a last, loving jerk with her hand before standing up and stepping nervously away."
                "Indarah gave Alexia a short look, then glanced back at Tarek. She squared her jaw."
                ind "...I suppose I wouldn’t."
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia forge 2.rpy
label alexia_lends_a_hand_rp:

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Did Alexia promise Rowan she'd not pursue anything with Greyhide? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ further_sex_scenes_with_greyhide = False
        "No":
            $ further_sex_scenes_with_greyhide = True

    scene alexia_forge_1 with fade

    "Alexia once again spent the week in the forge, helping out the blacksmith with his duties. This week, however, disaster had struck - there had been trouble on a number of routes between the mines and the portals back to the castle, meaning that numerous deliveries of iron were late."
    "She spent most of her time cleaning and running errands, but as the week’s end approached, and more late deliveries began to pile up, there was still much to do."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "Is that all of the iron accounted for?"

    al "I think so. I counted it as the orcs brought it in, and it seems about right. It is hard to tell with only estimates from the mines though."
    gh "I see. Well at least it is finally here, but it doesn’t leave us much time to turn it into weapons and armour."
    al "Perhaps we could get some more help?"
    gh "I doubt it, and even if we could, orcs hardly make for the best assistants."

    "Alexia smiled at him, but the minotaur did not smile back, he was deep in thought about how to deal with the current predicament. "
    "The silence was broken by the sound of the door opening."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with moveinleft

    an "Are my weapons ready, blacksmith?"
    al "Not yet, there has been a delay because-"

    "The demon turned to look at her and snarled."

    an "Was I talking to you, woman?"

    "Alexia looked down at the floor, as not to meet his eyes."

    al "No…"
    an "Then spare me your excuses."
    gh "As Alexia was going to say before you so rudely cut her off, whelp, the deliveries were delayed, and as a result, I find myself behind."
    an "I’m as interested in your excuses as I was in hers. I want those weapons by the end of the week, beast."
    an "And if they aren’t ready, I’m sure there are plenty of old broken down minotaurs who can take your place when I snap your neck."

    show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Andras!"

    "Andras ignored the woman’s protestations and turned to leave."

    an "This week, Greyhide, or else."

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    al "I am so sorry, Greyhide, he shouldn’t talk to you like that."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "It makes me so angry!"

    "The minotaur smiled and placed one of his large hands on her shoulder."

    gh "It is okay, child, others have said much worse to me."
    gh "No minotaur is able to live as long as I have without enduring many, many, threats, believe me."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh…"
    al "Well, what do you propose we do? I doubt Andras was bluffing…"
    gh "No, I suppose he was not. And even if he were, it would not do to fall behind with more deliveries due next week."
    gh "Before we know it, iron will be piling up everywhere, and we can’t be having that now, can we?"

    "He let out a laugh and then removed his hand from her."

    gh "No, Alexia, we do the only thing we can do."
    gh "We work."

    scene alexia_forge_1 with fade

    "They spent the rest of the day working hard, sweating amidst the heat generated by the castle’s furnace. Alexia would go and fetch iron as the inhumanly strong minotaur beat, shaped, and cooled various blades, plates, and other necessary elements for the needed equipment."
    "Alexia would do her best to place together, or affix the pieces when he was done, as she had little skill at smithing herself. It took them all day, but by the end, it seemed like finishing over the next two days was a possibility, and that Greyhide’s head was probably safe. At least for now."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "Phew… That should do it for today."
    gh "Yes, I think we might even catch up at this rate. But I’m afraid the work will be just as bad tomorrow."

    "Alexia smiled at him, in an attempt to allay his guilt. "

    al "I don’t mind the work Greyhide, to be honest, it keeps my mind occupied so I don’t have to worry about my situation."

    "The minotaur was silent, worried that he had inadvertently touched a sore point. Not everyone at the castle had chosen to come here after all. Alexia noticed his unease. "

    al "Say, master Greyhide?"
    gh "Hmm?"
    al "I know I’m not much in the way of a smith, but maybe you could teach me how to make a blade?"
    gh "There’s no shame in that child, I’m sure there are plenty of other things you are good at."
    al "Well, I’m a pretty good dancer…"
    gh "There you go, could you imagine me dancing? I’m sure you are much better at smithing than I am on my feet."

    "She giggled, the idea of Greyhide dancing was quite funny, she had to admit."

    gh "Maybe you can teach me one day, but for now, how about we try that blade?"

    "The minotaur picked up a long tang and a pair of tongs and gave them to Alexia. She gripped the handle of the tang with the tongs and held it over the furnace until the end of the metal turned orange from the intense heat."

    gh "Now, as you can see, the metal is currently too thick to make a decent blade, we need to draw it out."
    al "That is what you are doing when you hit it with the hammer?"
    gh "That’s right. Now, here, place it on the anvil."

    "The redhead removed the tang from the forge and placed it on the anvil as instructed. The minotaur handed her a small hammer."

    al "So, I just hammer it a few times?"
    gh "Yes, the part where the metal is heated. Give it a good three or four hits. The metal will become thinner and lengthen, but it won’t grow any wider."

    "Alexia lifted the hammer and brought it down a few times, as hard as she could."

    al "Like this?"
    gh "No, it requires more force. Here."

    hide alexia
    show greyhide neutral at center with moveinright
    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide moved behind her and wrapped his much larger hand around hers. Leading her firmly, but gently, he raised the arm again and brought the hammer down harder with the aid of his own strength."

    gh "Like this. Now turn it over, otherwise, you’ll end up with ridges on the other side, and we don’t want that."

    "The blade was now smooth, but being in such close proximity to the human was having an effect on Greyhide. The smell of her hair and the closeness of her body caused his loins to stir. With the two pressed together, Alexia could feel the huge, semi-hard member press against her back."

    show greyhide neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    gh " I’m so sorry, Lady Alexia, I didn’t mean-"
    al "It is okay, Greyhide. It is only natural."
    al "If anything, I take it for a compliment! I feared you only fancied me after a couple of drinks. "

    "She winked, hoping to diffuse the situation with a joke, but Greyhide’s expression darkened at the mention of the firegrout. "

    gh "Lady Alexia, I… "
    al "Shh, I know. "

    if further_sex_scenes_with_greyhide == False:
        "She smiled understandingly at the minotaur. She could see he still felt bad about everything that happened back then."
        "Once Jezera’s interference was discovered, she and Rowan decided that it was all just the alcohol and magic talking, and that they would keep their relationship with Greyhide friendly. But now…"
        "Now with Greyhide’s towering figure before her eyes, his sweat and musk teasing her nose, and the heat of the forge mixing with the heat of her body, she wondered if she really wanted to stand by that decision. It felt like they made it so long ago…"

        menu:
            "Make a move on Greyhide, Rowan be damned. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She rubbed her thighs together. Damn it, the thought of having that bull beneath her was making her hot. Usually, she tried not to think about it, but now..."
                "Ah, to hell with it!"
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
                jump helpForgeSex_rp

            "Stay true to your promise with Rowan.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "She shook her head slightly, banishing the nefarious thoughts that crept into her head. The decadent atmosphere in the castle was getting to her."
                jump helpForgeNoSex_rp

    else:
        "Luckily for Greyhide, Alexia and Rowan did not share his unease with regards to what happened. She already had Rowan’s permission to play with the minotaur, so all she had to do was assuage his fears… "

        menu:
            "Make a move on Greyhide. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ alGreyhideForgeSex = True
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
                jump helpForgeSex_rp

            "She shouldn’t do anything without Rowan.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Alas, perhaps now was not the right time for that… "
                show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve
                jump helpForgeNoSex_rp


    label helpForgeNoSex_rp:

        al "Do you want a moment to… Collect yourself?"
        gh "Yes. Excuse me, my Lady."

        hide greyhide with moveoutright

        "She smiled warmly as he left the chamber. Another man would try to initiate something, but not Greyhide. Such a gentle soul… "

        scene alexia_forge_1 with fade

        "The issue dealt with, the two was free to return to work, without further accidents interfering with their schedule. Miraculously, they were able to meet Andras' quota, and Greyhide was able to avoid his wrath, much to the relief of both of them."

        return

    label helpForgeSex_rp:

        al "There is nothing to be ashamed of Greyhide. Besides..."

        "Alexia put the tang down on the anvil and took a step towards the minotaur, flashing him a coy smile."

        show alexia forge neutral at midright with moveoutright

        al "The feeling is mutual."
        gh "Alexia, I don’t think-"
        al "Shhh."

        #cg1
        scene cg315 with fade
        show alexia forge neutral behind cg315
        show greyhide neutral behind cg315
        pause 3

        "She took a few more steps until she was before him. With how much taller the minotaur was, she didn’t even have to kneel as she freed his huge phallus from his pants."
        "He began to protest, but Alexia shushed him again, as she gently stroked his cock with both of her hands, coaxing it to full hardness."

        al "You just let me take care of everything, okay?"

        "She had felt the minotaur’s cock before, but she had yet to taste it, and even though it was far too large to ever fit in her mouth, that wasn’t going to stop her."
        "Leaning slightly down she was hit with a strong animal musk, almost overpowering, and nothing like the smell of that of a human. It only served to make her more curious about how the beast would taste."
        "Continuing to stroke the shaft with both hands, Alexia softly kissed the top of the minotaur’s massive prick, before beginning to lick it. Like the smell, it had a strong taste, one that she did not find unpleasant."
        "Greyhide let out a grunt of pleasure as she continued to run her tongue around his member, coating it with her saliva. After all, it would have to be very lubricated for what she intended to do once she’d finished enjoying the taste of his cock."
        "The pleasure had caused Greyhide’s initial apprehension to dissipate, as he no longer objected to Alexia’s ministrations. He watched eagerly as the human woman worshipped his huge bull dick."
        "She continued to hungrily lick, tongue, and kiss it all over as she stroked. Then suddenly, she stopped and stood back straight."

        al "Now, lie down."
        gh "Huh?"
        al "All this foreplay is fine, but there’s nothing like the real thing."

        "Greyhide looked at her as it dawned on him what she intended, worried."

        gh "But Alexia, you can’t! It is too big."
        al "Perhaps, but I certainly aim to try, so be quiet and lie down."

        "The minotaur knew when he was beaten and did as he was told. The redhead removed her clothes and positioned herself above him. She spread her legs as far as she could, and begin to lower herself down onto the giant prick below her."

        #cg2
        scene cg282 with fade
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg282
        show greyhide neutral behind cg282
        pause 3

        "It wasn’t going to be easy, that was for sure, but the poor minotaur hadn’t had proper sex since his lover had died, and Alexia was determined to do the best that she could to help on that front."
        "It took some work, and a lot of lubrication, but she was able to work the huge tip of the minotaur’s dick past the opening of her snatch."
        "That alone was enough to make her feel almost full enough to burst, but she wasn’t finished. She started to slowly and surely push herself down, taking as much inside her as she could."
        "Once she reached her limit, she lifted herself up again and then did the same. It took a while, but eventually, she was able to get a good rhythm going, as the minotaur groaned and grunted below her."
        "She felt impossibly full as she ground her hips up and down, moaning loudly as she did so."

        al "Gods, it is so big, I didn’t think…"
        al "Hnnn!!"

        "Alexia felt a long way of orgasmic bliss hit her as she impaled herself on his dick. It throbbed inside her against her walls.  The minotaur was close too."

        gh "Alexia, I’m... I’m…"

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            al "That’s it, Greyhide, cum with me… Uhhh…"

        elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaCorrupt < 61:
            al "Oh fuck yesss…. Cum!!!"

        else:
            al "Fuck Yes!! Breed me, you beast!!"

        #cg2 - cumshot
        show cg282 with sshake
        show cg282 with sshake
        scene cg283 with flash
        pause 3

        show greyhide neutral behind cg283

        "Greyhide let out a loud bellow, shuddered and unleashed his seed deep within her. His load was far larger than that or a human, and when his cock plopped out after cumming, jizz leaked from Alexia’s gaping cunt."

        show alexia necklace naked behind cg283

        al "Oh dear, it looks like you have made quite the mess."
        gh "I’m sorry, I didn’t intend…"
        al "Shh, you."

        "She kissed him softly on his snout."

        al "Everybody gets lonely, we all have needs. "
        al "You’ve been on your own for a long time, and I wanted to do something to help you. That is all there is to it, so there is no need for none of your typical moodiness about this, okay?"

        "The aforementioned typical moodiness on his face transformed into a smile."

        gh "Yes… Thank you Alexia."

        "Alexia stood up and picked up her clothes from where she had discarded them nearby."

        if further_sex_scenes_with_greyhide == True:
            al "And if you’re still unconvinced… Next time I’ll invite Rowan along, so we can hammer the point in together. "
            gh "Lady Alexia, please. I am not worthy of such friends. "
            al "I think you’re the only person in this castle that truly understands the meaning of this word. You give yourself too little credit Master Greyhide."

        al "Now, we’d better get back to work. It wouldn’t do for you to lose your head because I decided to take advantage of you."

        scene alexia_forge_1 with fade
        "Alexia smiled warmly, and once again assured him that it was fine. The rest of the day passed with a small amount of awkwardness, but the rest of the week was free from incident."
        "The pair were able to catch up, sparing Greyhide from Andras’ wrath, much to the relief of the both of them."
        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia forge 2.rpy
label greyhide_gives_back_rp:

    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia obedient to one of the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "By all the Saints in Solansia, Alexia couldn’t take it anymore."
    "She’d been struggling with this warmth in her tummy now for what felt like days, an unending deluge of desire and horny feeling coiling like a python in her chest."
    "She felt pent up, like a restless wild colt trapped in a too-small pen."

    if alexiaJezObedient == True:
        "Jezera had been caught up in the intricacies of her job as the true ruler of Bloodmeen. Despite brief glimpses of her the last few days, she had been all but a ghost."

    elif alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
        "Andras was off gallivanting around the countryside with his soldiers once more. He had left her with a parting gift: two days of solid edging before he departed with nary a goodbye."

    else:
        "Rowan was gone from the castle, and had been for almost four days. He wouldn’t be back to help her for another three."

    "It was no different than any other week, yet as far as her body was concerned, she’d been stranded out in a sexual desert for months with no relief, and she was slowly dying of thirst."
    "It was this profoundly frustrated Alexia, starved of company (and of a particular, masculine “attention”) who walked into Greyhide’s forge with sex on the mind and a damp patch on her panties."

    al "...Morning Greyhide."

    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Greyhide, in a manner most unlike him, was sitting idle next to his anvil, lounging in his chair, shirtless. A thin sheen of sweat covered his coarse brown fur, a result of the simmering heat of the forge."

    gh "Good morning, little one. No work here, today."

    "Alexia let out an annoyed sigh. As difficult as forgework could be, it was an excellent way to get one’s mind off of her present… difficulties. The exhausting work did wonders for her pent up energy as well."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "What?! Why?"
    gh "The latest shipment is late. Won’t be here till late afternoon. By then it will be too late to start."

    "Alexia couldn’t help but notice the casual flex of his muscles as he leaned back in his chair. Greyhide, despite his age, was the very image of masculine power."

    gh "There’s little to do but wait. You may go. I have nothing for you today."

    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia shifted back and forth on her heels. The more she looked at Greyhide, at the casual way he sat in front of her, cool and confident as a bull, the more she realized she wanted him."
    "Their precious exchanges had been… {i}more{/i} than pleasing. And the Minotaurs barrel chest and firm expression sent tiny butterflies in roiling circles in her belly. Her face reddened, her eyes drawn downwards towards his shorts."

    al "A-actually, I wouldn’t mind it if we just… talked for a minute."

    "The Minotaur’s brow furrowed with confusion at her odd behavior."

    gh "Are you all right?"

    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "I-I’m fine! Why do you ask?"
    gh "You’re staring at me."

    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "It was true. The bulge in his crotch was calling to her. She had seen the Minotaur’s mammoth pole before. Dangerous, delectable thoughts and lurid images ran like lightning through her mind."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Greyhide’s bare body, exposed to her in the flickering light of the forge. His bulging, muscled body stooped at the anvil as he worked."
        "She could see every curve and facet of his body as he moved, a peculiar adonis in the midst of mascluine work."
        "Alexia, naked as well, working next to him, the heat of the forge reflecting the heat in their bodies. Sweaty, steaming forms coming together in a brief moment, pressing close as his hands drifted downwards to-"

    else:
        "Greyhide, stripped naked, bending her helpless form over an anvil, striking her ass with his large hands in imitation of the hammer blows on molten metal."
        "Forging her into a wanton, wet slut the same way he’d forge a masterwork weapon."
        "Her fingers reaching out, cupping his large furry balls in hand as she milked him of his seed, staring up into his bovine eyes as she let out a whorish moo-"

    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    gh "{i}Alexia!{/i}"

    "Greyhide’s sudden shout made her nearly jump out of her skin. His eyes were fixed to hers, a contemplative look coming to the old Minotaur’s face."

    al " I-I…"
    gh "You have not heard a word I said."

    show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m sorry Greyhide, I just…"

    "If there was anyone who could be honest with regarding her plight, it’d be Greyhide. Alexia let out a long sigh."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I’m just frustrated. Rowan hasn’t been around much lately, and I’m a bit…"

    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Lonely."

    "Greyhide let out a soft grunt, shifting position in his tiny chair. Alexia gulped when she saw his thick arms flex."

    gh "Lonely, is it?"

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "I never took you for the sarcastic type, Greyhide."

    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Honestly, I was looking forward to a long, hard work day in the forge to get my mind off things."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "...But I guess that’s no longer an option, is it?"

    gh "Forge work? No."

    "The Minotaur shook his shaggy mane back and forth."

    gh "But there is something else you can do."

    "Alexia rolled her eyes."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "If there was, I’d have done it already."

    "Greyhide chucked, a deep rumble in his throat that brought an unconscious blush to Alexia’s face."

    #greyhide happy

    gh "You’re a strange one, Alexia; I’m offering to help you."

    show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "How would you-"

    show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Greyhide stood up out of his chair, looming over the tiny human in his midst with his rippling bulk. He was so big, his hands alone could grab the whole of her ass in one, meaty palm."
    "He looked down his nose at her, letting out a heavy snort that blew her hair back. She blinked in surprise as he stepped into her personal space."
    "Strange… he was so imposing, standing over her like a bull ready to charge. Yet, she didn’t feel an ounce of fear. She trusted him utterly."

    gh "How do you want me to help?"

    menu:
        "Tell him to remove your clothes. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Tell him it is nothing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "It's uh.. nothing really, I should get back to work."
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "With that she dashed off, leaving the minotaur standing alone, and confused."
            gh "Humans are such strange creatures."
            return

    al "...Take off my clothes"

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "He reached down, pulling her apron off of her in a single, smooth jerk."

    gh "Done."

    show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "W-wait!"

    "Her timid tone gave the Minotaur pause. He stopped short, his thick fingers hovering near the buttons on her shirt."

    gh "Why?"

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "It’s more than just a mindless rutting that I’m looking for. I’m looking for passion, for {i}foreplay{/i}, do you understand?"
    gh "Foreplay, I have heard you say that word before. But I do not know it."

    "Alexia suppressed a groan. How could someone as clever as Greyhide be so dense, sometimes!"

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "I want to fuck you, Greyhide, but I want to {i}please{/i} you, too."
    gh "Fucking {i}is{/i} pleasure, little one."

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "Yes, but… "
    al "Solansia forgive me, how am I supposed to explain this? "
    al "When humans mate, they do more to each other than just hump."
    gh "So I’ve noticed, little one. You can be quite creative when you wish to be."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She took Greyhide’s hand in hers, stroking the thick digits of his fingers as she looked deep into his eyes."

    al "Sometimes, a mate wants to service her lover. I want to be pleased, Greyhide, and to please you in return."

    show greyhide sad at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "I would like that too. But…"
    gh "I do not wish to hurt you."
    al "It doesn’t have to be that."
    al "Here, let me show you."

    "Alexia put her hands upon his thick chest, marveling at the iron-like feel of his corded muscles."
    "Her cheeks reddened as she glanced downwards and saw the growing bulge beneath his loincloth."

    "Sit down."

    #cg1
    scene cg586 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg586
    show greyhide neutral behind cg586
    pause 3

    "Alexia reached out, peeling on the fabric of Greyhide’s loincloth as the head of his fat, pillar like cock poked out the top. Cooing, Alexia pulled the useless clothing off of him, exposing his growing erection and his large, furry testicles."
    "She took his manhood in hand, marveling at the virile blood flow as the thing thickened and swelled in her hands. She planted a soft kiss upon the shaft, moving upwards as like climbing the rungs of a ladder."

    al "{i}Mwah!{/i}"
    al "I want that. I want us to please each other… and maybe you can do the same to me."

    "Greyhide let out a low grumble in his throat. He leaned back in his chair, angling himself so Alexia would have to stand to reach the pinnacle of his throbbing erection. His large, cowlike eyes shined with amusement."

    gh "I have never done this before. You must show me, little one."

    "Alexia obliged. The raging fire in her belly wouldn’t let her do anything else. She planted a kiss upon the very base of his cock, her hands reaching down to cup his balls."
    "She handled them like priceless eggs, gently rolling them in her fingers as she bent her neck upwards to resume her long ascent."
    "Alexia stuck her tongue out, planting it against the bulging vein of the cock that she knew - it she played her cards right - would be the primary vehicle through which he’d shoot his cum all over her."
    "Delighted by the deliciously naughty thought, Alexia suckled upon it, working her hips this way and that as she drew a ragged line of saliva up the turgid pillar. At last she reached the head, moaning and licking he cumslit and planting soft kisses everywhere."
    "Her panties were damp mess, her legs trembling from the effort of holding herself up as she bent over the grunting Minotaur, working his thick dick into a lather with her hands."

    al "Do you like that, Greyhide?"

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "The old blacksmith let out a snort. The closet thing the stubborn oaf could ever get to an honest admission. She chuckled and stood up, her cheeks burning and her face a red mess."

    al "Now it’s your turn. Plant your hooves, I’m going to climb on top of you."

    "Greyhide, his eyes still fixed upon her, did as he was bid, spreading his legs wide and leaning back so that the chair was propped against the anvil, giving an ideal angle for Alexia to clamber on top of him and sit in his lap."
    "She giggled as she felt the meat of his shaft propping her up from behind, a stiff reminder of his attraction to her. Greyhide put a large hand against her back, trailing down to grope her bottom."

    gh "What now, hm?"

    "His voice was deep, a masculine rumble that made Alexia’s head spin and her knees weak. She put her hands to his chest, reveling in the thick, masculine scent he exuded."

    al "Now… you try."
    gh "Try what?"
    al "I licked you, now you lick me."
    al "Have you never wondered what I taste like?"
    gh "...Taste like?"

    "Alexia laughed. He was stubbornly charming, the old stick in the mud. "

    al "You {i}must{/i} know what I mean, Greyhide. Haven’t you ever tasted a woman…"

    #cg2
    scene cg587 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg587
    show greyhide neutral behind cg587
    pause 3

    "She took his hand and led it to her crotch. His meaty fingers made short work of her panties, spreading her pussy wide as one slipped in with a soft, wet {i}squelch{/i}."

    al "{i}Aah{/i}!"
    al "H-have you ever tasted one… there?"
    gh "No."

    "His voice was gruff, but there was a deep, erotic curiosity in his tone. Alexia smiled at him, running her fingers across the side of his face."

    al "Good. Then I’ll be the first."

    "Greyhide let out an appreciative rumble. Alexia squeaked in surprise when she felt his hands reach down to grab her by her hips."
    "He manipulated her like a doll, lifting her with his prodigious strength and spinning her about. He planted her stomach on his chest, giving him easy access to her nethers."
    "Alexia gasped when she came face to face with Greyhide’s erection once more. It stared back at her, pulsing with a hot, masculine energy. Her face reddened."
    "Greyhide peeled her clothing off of her with a simple rip of the fabric. Alexia let out an ecstatic squeal of pleasure, followed by a moan as the large Minotaur spread her asscheeks apart."

    gh "...What should I do?"

    "Alexia - wet, wanton and nearly crazed with lust - let out a sultry moan and took the Minotaur’s dick in hand once more."

    al "Lick it. I want you to {i}taste{/i} me!"

    "She resumed her horny worship, licking and kissing every spot she could find. If she were braver, she’d have tried to take his massive length in her mouth, but the sheer geometry of the challenge was too much to overcome."
    "Such minor triflings were rendered moot when she felt the warm, fat tongue of the Minotaur press up against her drooling slit."

    al "{i}Aaaan{/i}! Solansia preserve me!"

    "His tongue was large and flat, a wet, spongy surface that set the nerves of her pussy afire. She waited with bated breath for him to start a rough tonging session."
    "But… nothing happened. His tongue was pressed to her pussy, but it stayed in place like a horse at a salt lick."
    "Breathless, red faced and trembling, Alexia cast her gaze back at Greyhide. His brow was furrowed, his eyes focused on the task. He tried to say something through the confines of her crotch."

    gh "{i}Ampf fi doing it righth{/i}?"

    "Alexia lifted off the Minotaur for a moment, sitting up on his chest. She reached back and took him by the scruff of hair between his horns."
    "Then, without preemption, she jammed him nose-first into her ass."

    al "Lick me, lick me! Get as {i}deep{/i} as you can!"

    "The Minotaur complied, lapping at her sodden cunt with long, slow drags of the tongue. Alexia shivered in place, feeling the flat weight of him sliding across her lips as a wide, dopey smile crossed her face."

    al "{i}Mmmh.{/i}"

    "She lowered herself down once more, redoubling her efforts as she kissed and suckled on every unpolished spot of Minotaur dick she could find. Greyhide grunted when she planted her lips on his cockhead and rolled her tongue around the rim."
    "Greyhide - novice that he was - made up for his inexperience with sheer enthusiasm. His fat tongue managed to lick the whole of Alexia’s wet hole from stem to stern in a single languid movement."
    "He was slow, but steady, managing to slip the edges of his flat tongue inside of her and wiggle around inside. Still more nerves touched off in Alexia’s head, and she found herself rolling her hips against his face in an effort to encourage him."
    "It all built up to this penultimate moment. Feeling the rising tide of an orgasm coming on, Alexia took matters into her own hands… literally."
    "She latched her hands around the base of Greyhide’s cock and jacked him roughly, planting sloppy kisses to his head and shaft all the while."

    gh "{i}Grrh!{/i}"

    "Greyhide keyed in to Alexia’s attention, lapping hard at her clit and cunny up and down in maddening repetition"

    #cg2 - var 1
    scene black with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black
    show greyhide neutral behind black

    "She gasped and trembled and came all over his face, her spraying wetness coating his lips and snout as he licked her to completion."
    "Greyhide was not long in following her. His balls clenched, a thick tide of Minotaur spunk surging upward through her clenched fingers to the top. She planted her lips upon his cumslit in the vain endeavor to take it all down her throat."
    "He pulsed once, spurting a mouthful of his seed down her throat as she gulped down what she could. The second pulse proved too much for her, and her cheeks bulged."
    "Cum spurted out from the edges of her lips and dribbled down the sides of his cock in pearlescent channels."
    "A third pulse, and Alexia was overwhelmed, pulling her lips off of his fecund cock as it sprayed a fertile line of white up over her head, coating her face, lips and back in a line. "
    "Alexia trembled, feeling Greyhide’s relentless tongue sliding across her clenching pussy. His hands spread her ass wide, kneading at her skin as he licked her well past his own orgasm."
    "Alexia continued to jerk him, draining the last of his seed out onto her tongue as a wave of supreme bliss flowed over her."
    "Six hells, she’d needed this."
    "The two reveled for a moment in their shared pleasure. Alexia grinded her hips into Greyhide’s slow, licking tongue, and she in turn licked up the stray cum leftover on his cock and belly."
    "Once she had finished cleaning him up, she reluctantly pulled herself off of him."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "So… how was it?"
    gh "Different. Very different."
    gh "Your pussy tastes good, little one. "
    al "I’m glad you approve. You don’t taste so bad yourself, big guy."

    "Greyhide chuckled, a deep, masculine rumble that sent Alexia’s tummy to tumbling again."

    gh "I enjoy our foreplay. More than I ever expected to."
    al " -And I enjoy {i}you{/i}, Greyhide."

    "Greyhide chuckled again. He reached down and patted Alexia lovingly on the head."

    gh "You’re an odd one, Alexia."
    gh "...Are you satisfied now?"

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    al "I am."
    gh "Good."
    gh "The delivery won't arrive for some hours yet. Enjoy your day off, for tomorrow we work."
    al "...Are you sure you don’t need help?"
    gh "What is there to help with? You have earned a break, I think."

    "Alexia smiled at the old bull’s friendliness. She leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek."

    al "Thank you, Greyhide. This was a lot of fun."

    "Greyhide let out a low grunt. He winked at her."

    gh "You will have to teach me more."

    # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia forge 3.rpy
label alexia_shackle_fantasy_rp:

    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False

    "Is Alexia obedient to one of the twins? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No - Loyal to Rowan":
            pass

    scene bg22 with fade
    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The time had come to do inventory again. Monotony personified; Alexia hated it. Of all the odious tasks she had to perform in the smithy, this one was by far the most mind numbing."
    "Every errant piece of metalwork, every stray nail and every rusty hinge had to be accounted for. Some of the pieces lined across the shelves and stacked on the walls had decades of dust layers, coating them in a fine sheen of grayish moss."
    "Bloodmeen was, after all, still only half-occupied by its new ownership."
    "Alexia had made a game of the tiresome task: keeping track like a scorekeeper for a children’s game with little tally marks on her clipboard. It was wasteful, but at least it helped to mitigate the tedium."

    show alexia forge angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The pounding cacophony of Greyhide’s hammer was particularly piercing today, even in the farthest corners of his forge. Alexia had never quite gotten used to the harsh clanging of metal upon metal, but today it was giving her an especially nasty headache."
    "She ignored the racket as much as she could as she moved slid like an abacus from object to object, shelf to shelf, itemizing and tallying everything she came across."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was only once she came to a particular dusty shelf that she was given pause. There, sprawled in great heaps in a disorganized pile, was a mass of dark metal."
    "Shackles, rough hunks of black iron and chain hammered into the shape of human wrists. The mark of slavery."
    "Some dim part of Alexia’s mind knew that this was the true horror of the Twin’s regime. For them, Slavery was a means and an end, a literal and figurative state in which there are only those who rule, and those who serve. And the ‘rulers’ could be counted on but one hand."
    "Domination, control, the dismemberment of all other’s wills in the face of their own, crowning ambition. This was the future that the Twins envisioned."
    "Staring at the row upon row of slave shackles, only half-listening to the heaving roar of Greyhide’s furnace as he forged their weapons of war, Alexia felt their domineering presence acutely."
    "But… was it really that bad?"

    if alexiaJezObedient == True:
        "Jezera had expanded her horizons on the subject. Where once Alexia had recoiled in horror and disgust at the humiliations, now she appraised it with a gemcutter’s practiced gaze."
        "Lady Jezera was good at that: changing opinions, shifting one’s point of view from the norm."
        "Perspective was a curious thing. Entire world views shifted and internal realities collapsed at the slightest tectonic shift, and Alexia’s had been particularly shaken."
        "It was not her own submission she sought, so much as the subtle power play at work between the competing personalities."
        "Sure, Alexia might attempt to rise up, only to be struck down every time by Jezera’s more dominant force of personality, but that was ultimately not the point of the exercise. Sex had become, for the first time in Alexia’s adult life, a dangerous, exciting thing again."

    elif alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
        "Andras was a brute. A foul-mouthed and foul-tempered tempest whose rages were as fierce as his lovemaking."
        " He had subjugated her, {i}humiliated{/i} her, left her a wet and quivering mess on the floor, making all the while an abject mockery of her broken marriage."
        "...And yet, he had taught her so much. He had shown her the ugly truth of things: that mutual animosity could breed intense passion, that submission could be daring, that ecstasy was not the {i}antithesis{/i} to agony, but rather its parallel."
        "Humiliation was not a punishment to be meted out. Rather, it was a delicacy to be savoured."

    else:
        "Alexia was no great lover of the Twins, to be certain. They had burned her home, slaughtered her loved ones and ripped her and her beloved husband from the only peaceful life that they had ever known."
        "But she had learned much in her time here in Bloodmeen Castle, scurrying about like a rat beneath the floorboards."
        "Slow indoctrination into the deeper mysteries of her own repressed sexuality had taught her that submission was not as repulsive a state of being as she had once thought."

    "As she stared at the row upon row of manacles, Alexia wondered what kind of use they had seen, what use they might see in the future."

    menu:
        "Continue with work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shook herself. What was she doing? She still had a mountain of work to do, and so little time to do it."
            "Casting a long, thoughtful look at the manacles, she returned to her task, tallying up and listing the inventory, praying for a respite from the interminable tedium."
            return

        "Daydream about the shackles. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump alexiaShacklesSex_rp

    label alexiaShacklesSex_rp:

        show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

        "She closed her eyes and pictured it, her mind's eye brimming with lurid imagination as the fantasy began to play out inside her head."

        scene cg603 with fade
        pause 3

        "She was in the courtyard, standing atop a huge wooden platform in the middle. A crowd had begun to form, milling about in excited disharmony as chattering voices and the rough grunts of Orcs filled the air."
        "She was naked, stripped of all pretense of dignity by her captors, not even a scrap of loincloth to cover her womanhood as she was paraded out upon the stage."
        "They had shackled her, slapping heavy chains of black iron around her wrists. It was mostly for show - it’s not like Alexia could actually {i}go{/i} anywhere, even if she tried to run."
        "But such wasn’t the point of the manacles, for they were merely the physical indication of her submission. As a crown is to a King, so too are chains to a Slave."
        "She was not alone. Others had been gathered here for this sinister auction. Humans, Elves, Goblins and Orcs. All female, all shackled and bound and nude, paraded across the stage like a menagerie at a circus."
        "The roar of hundreds of masculine voices greeted her as she was led across the stage in turn. Hooting catcalls and jeering laughter followed her every trembling footstep, her face growing hot and her cheeks flushing. "
        "She heard them, the hungry jackals. They snarled like beasts, held at bay only by the meager cadre of armed guards standing watch at the edges of the platform. Imploring arms reached out, scratching at the air as if to seize Alexia from the stage through sheer force of will alone."
        "But these beasts were not driven to such frenzy by Alexia herself. “Alexia” was immaterial. They were baying for {i}her{/i}, for the captive female in their midst. She wasn’t a person, she was instead the embodiment of her physical traits: her red hair, her perky breasts, her soft curves and milky skin."
        "A kind of lurid malaise fell upon the monsters lurking out in the crowd, a lust borne of malicious envy, of selfish covetousness. As she looked out across the crowd, she saw not horniness, but hunger and greed. She was a product, a thing to be purchased."
        "The auctioneer, a tall, leering human with a bearded face and venturesome hands led her along to the front of the platform. It was her turn to be sold."

        auct "Now we got us some prime meat!"

        "The crowd let out a raucous roar of approval. Alexia, unable to look away or avert her gaze from the leering throng of voyeurs staring directly at her, shivered and gasped, mortified and electrified in equal measure."

        auct "I know how you lads love a good story, and by is this one a doozie!"
        auct "Number 423 is a special case: a {i}volunteer{/i}!"

        "Jeering laughter followed his statement, and Alexia felt her face falling. Was this really all she was now? A number in a list? A morsel of meat to be savored by the mighty?"

        auct "She’s young, fresh, but most importantly: {i}experienced{/i}."

        "Alexia yelped as she felt the auctioneer suddenly reach down and inexpertly finger her, directly in front of everyone. To her everlasting shame, she was wet. His finger slid right in."

        auct "Don’t mistake the doe eyes for innocence lads, this one’s a Grade A Whore."
        auct "Her cunts as tight as a bear trap."

        "{i}SMACK{/i}. The Auctioneer planted an open palm directly across Alexia’s bare bottom, leaving a stinging red mark in its place."

        auct "Her arse is as perky as a bar wench after a few stiff ones on the job! And those {i}lips{/i}..."

        "Alexia said nothing as the Auctioneer withdrew his curling fingers from her pussy and stuck them in her mouth, applying his own form of lipstick as he ran them around."

        auct "These luscious lips of hers have milked more than their fair share of cocks, let me tell you. She’ll suck you dry, then beg for seconds!"

        "More laughter. Alexia’s face burned red hot with humiliation. She could not bear to look at them, yet she could not look away. They were all there, {i}staring at her{/i}."

        auct "We’ll start the bidding at 500 pieces. Now that may seem steep to the keen-eyed among you, but she’ll earn her keep in a day. Trust me on this one boys, I speak from experience! Har!"
        auct "Now, do I hear Five hundred?"

        "To Alexia’s horror (and, secretly, to her thrill) a dozen hands or more raised. A vicious bidding war ensued, where her price climbed higher and higher, till even the Auctioneer was breathless in his excitement over the prospective monetary windfall."
        "Finally, a lone hand raised, when none others were willing to go higher. A clear voice called out through the din, giving the highest number yet by a wide margin."

        if alexiaJezObedient == True:
            scene cg673 with fade
            show jezera happy behind cg673
            pause 3
            je "Three thousand gold pieces. And fifty more if you can stick her in some finery first."
            "To Alexia’s shock, it was not a man who had purchased her, but rather the graceful, purple form of a woman. She had been lurking in the crowd the entire time, like a quiet spider spinning her web amongst the cover of foliage."
            "The woman caught Alexia’s gaze, and she smirked. And just like that, Alexia knew she was owned. It was that easy, a simple smile had convinced her of the futility of resistance. This woman could pin her down in a way that no manacles ever could."
            "...Worse still, Alexia’s heart began to pump faster at the thought of it. It was one thing to be ravished by a man seeking some piece of meat, it was quite another to be coveted by {i}her{/i}."

        elif alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
            scene cg604 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg604
            pause 3
            an "Three thousand gold pieces, and not a penny more."
            "Alexia’s heart skipped a beat. A hulking red brute had somehow managed to weave his way through the crowd without her noticing. Like a shark circling chum he had come upon her silently, with a unity of purpose not unlike that of a predator."
            "Sizing up his prey, his laughing, mocking eyes locked with hers, and an unspoken conversation ensued."
            "In an instant he disarmed her of her internal defenses. Left helpless in form by the shackles, she was now also shackled in spirit. She was his, a piece of property to do with as he would."
            "And Alexia knew it. Despite her own embarrassment, if this hulking creature were to take her then and there atop the platform, with all present watching, she would spread her legs and cry out his name."

        else:
            scene cg674 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg674
            pause 3
            ro "Three thousand gold pieces."
            "Alexia’s heart leapt. There, in the crowd was her buyer: a slender man in a heavy cloak, whose piercing gaze she could make out even from this distance."
            "Her body trembled as they made eye contact, a true sense of helplessness washing over her. The Auctioneer made a great show parading Alexia around like a trained beast who had won a contest, but she was only half paying attention now."
            "He was there, watching her: the perfect specimen. A being whom Alexia - enslaved, ensnared and surrounded by threats - could give her all to. He {i}owned{/i} her now in body."
            "All that was left was to own her in spirit as well."

        "It was all so wrong. She didn’t want to be owned! She was a human being, with feelings and thoughts and-"
        "But the pale excuses sputtered and died like withering vines in a fire. She could not even finish the thought before they blew away into the wind. Alexia realized that she was merely fooling herself. It was as the auctioneer said:"
        "She had {i}volunteered{/i}."
        "The manacles were heavy about her wrists. Her body twisted this way and that, her hips swaying as she felt a profound warmth rise like a tide in her nethers. "
        "Her need to be ruled, to be {i}subdued{/i}, to be put on her back and left helpless to the machinations of others overrode her instincts. Naked, she reached down with her manacled hands and began to finger herself in front of everyone, proclaiming to the world that-"

        scene black with fade
        show greyhide neutral at center with dissolve

        gh "{i}Alexia{/i}! Where are you, girl?"

        scene bg22 with fade
        show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve
        show greyhide neutral behind bg22

        al "{i}Ah?{/i}"

        "Alexia’s mind roared back to the present with enough speed to give her whiplash. She glanced around in confusion, carried back to reality from her horny fantasy by the booming roar of the Minotaur in the room."

        gh "The forge needs heating, but you are still doing inventory!"

        "Alexia looked down stupidly at her hands, momentarily taken aback at where she was and what she was doing… it had all been so {i}real{/i}. It took her several seconds to find her voice, and when it came, it came as a croaky whisper."

        show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve

        al "I-I was just-"

        "She stared for a long moment at the manacles stacked upon the shelves. Her spine tingled at the vivid daydream, her mind alight with the sights and sounds of what she had experienced as a would-be slave on the auction block."

        gh "There is no time, come tend the bellows!"

        show alexia forge concerned at midleft with dissolve

        al "Y-"

        "Alexia hesitated for a half second, staring for another long moment at the shackles. She (regretfully) shoved the image from her mind and returned to the present."

        show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "Coming, Greyhide!"

        "At least she’d have something to think about after the work day was over…"

        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia librarian 4.rpy
label library_lovers_2_rp:

    scene bg12 with fade
    show alexia librarian happy at midleft with dissolve

    "It was a wonderful day for a stroll through the library. Alexia hummed a pleasant tune to herself as she walked, her gaze turning left and right and taking in the magnificent sight of so much knowledge gathered together."
    "For some reason, Alexia always found solace standing amongst the collected words of thousands of minds. All with their own story to tell or knowledge to impart, all with their own unique flavor and eccentricities."
    "She never felt lonely when she was in the library, not when a rousing conversation or titillating story was just a page turn away."

    show alexia librarian neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She wandered without thought towards direction or task, moving through the shelves with a kind of aimless adventurousness. She had only ever been a casual reader back in Arthdale, but here… here in Bloodmeen, they had become her refuge."
    "Walking through the aisles, she paused in one particular area. It was dusty and dim, and as she regained her bearings she realized she remembered this place. The last time she’d been here, a young Squire and a Goblin were carrying on a secret romance."

    show alexia librarian happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia smiled to herself, wondering if their short dalliance had yet ended. Young love was such a strange thing: intense yet fleeting. "

    #if all_actors["alexia"].relation < 30:
    "...She of all people knew the truth of that."

    "She doubted that their affair had stood the test of time. Like as not, they had already tearfully parted ways with one another."

    questi "{i}Mmmph!{/i}"

    "No sooner had Alexia turned the corner on the next aisle than she found herself skittering back behind the shelf to take cover. She put her hands over her mouth to cover the audible gasp that issued from her lips."
    "What appeared to be a Goblin and a human were in the midst of desperate flagrance with one another. Alexia had gotten but a peek, but she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they were… ‘involved’ with one another."

    menu:
        "Peek around the corner.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump loversPeek_rp

        "Leave them to their secret affair.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia gulped. She had {i}not{/i} been expecting to see something like that today! Leaving the two lovers to their excessive moaning, she creeped away, keeping an eye on her back to make sure she wasn’t noticed. She did her best to ignore the shy blush that grew hot on her cheeks."
            "The Library could be a strange place, sometimes."
            return

    label loversPeek_rp:

        #CG1
        scene cg863 with fade
        pause 3

        "She had not been expecting to see the plump lips of a diminutive Goblin busily polishing off a much-taller human male. The mortified librarian had caught a brief glimpse of the human hunched over her, with his crotch in her face and his fingers in her red shock of hair, urging her ever onward."
        "Alexia went stiff as a statue, {i}praying{/i} that the two engaged lovers had not noticed her sudden, explosive outburst through her closed mouth. The sight had been so jarring and unexpected that she’d been caught totally off guard."
        "The soft sound of the human’s groans, and the wet, gurgling sound coming from the preoccupied Goblin’s throat indicated that they had not noticed her at all."
        "Alexia snuck a surreptitious peek around the corner of the bookshelf, confirming her suspicions that she had, indeed, seen what she thought she had."
        "Cla-Yil was eagerly sucking Rickon’s dick, bending her head into the action as she relaxed her throat and allowed his cock to lodge itself deep inside her."
        "She had good head action, widening her mouth and allowing her lips to slide freely, leaving wet strands of saliva on his turgid length as she went up and down, up and down."
        "Rickon moaned, lifting his head to the sky as he hunched his back in the rough shape of a question mark, culminating in the point of contact between him and his Goblin lover."
        "His hand urged her on, pulling her deep into his lap as Cla-Yil’s face moved nearer and nearer to his midsection."

        rick "Oh Yilly..."

        "The Goblin gulped, making a strained sound in her packed throat. Her brow narrowed, her nostrils flared, and she closed her eyes. Sensing her preparation, Rickon’s fingers clenched against the back of her head, pulling her firmly down his length to properly deepthroat him."
        "Cla-Yil made a slight choking sound, but somehow managed to take him down to the base, her cute button nose bunching up against his midsection. She took a short inhale, savoring his masculine scent as her eyes fluttered."
        "Rickon held her there for a long moment, then pulled back, allowing her to gasp in a breath of air, exposing his rock-hard cock, coated in her saliva."
        "Cla-Yil rubbed at her cheek, noting with a wry smile that her dark lipstick had left a series of concentric lipstick rings running down to his base, culminating in a puckered kiss at the very bottom of his cock."
        "Her eyes flicked up to look at her lover as she leaned back to inspect her work. Her hand reached out to fondle his balls."

        clayil "Told you I could do it!"

        rick "Kharos take me, I never thought I’d be so happy to be so {i}wrong{/i}."

        "The two laughed, sharing a brief moment of levity in the midst of intimate eroticism. Alexia peeked around the corner, keeping her mouth covered so as not to alert the two lovers to her surreptitious snooping. The thought of being discovered was mortifying."
        "Rickon bent down and kissed the top of Cla-Yil’s head. She huffed and flicked the underside of his chin."

        clayil "I’m wetter than a rainstorm at the moment Rickon, a kiss on the head’s not gonna cut it."
        clayil "Pick me up, jam me against the wall, and {i}get inside me{/i}."

        rick "Y-yes ma’am!"

        "The little Goblin grabbed Rickon by the scruff of his collar and yanked, pulling him into a harsh kiss that the young Squire eagerly reciprocated."
        "He stripped her of the few remaining bits of clothing she had not already cast aside like so much flotsam, taking hold of her thick hips and lifting her up in his arms."

        #CG2
        scene cg864 with fade
        pause 3

        "Cla-Yil let out a pleasured gasp at the feel of Rickon’s cock sliding against her bottom. She reached out to steady herself against the bookshelf, her nails digging into the wood as her legs swung freely in the air."
        "Her big green bottom wiggled back and forth eagerly while Rickon angled himself against her feminine folds."
        "True to her words, she was leaking. There was no resistance whatsoever as Rickon’s cockhead pierced her womanhood, sliding in to the hilt in one, smooth stroke."
        "Cla-Yil let out a small gasp, her tiny frame squishing up against the bookshelf as Rickon took firm grasp of her hips and began to thrust."

        clayil "{i}Ooooh{/i} yes! Come on love, {i}fuck me{/i}!"

        "Rickon let out a deep grunt, bending his legs to get better leverage as he thrust upwards back and forth, back and forth again. Cla-Yil squealed as he slid home into her deepest place and then withdrew, only to find the air knocked from her lungs by the upstroke."
        "The wet {i}smack{/i} of her green ass connecting with his hips filled the air, the two randy lovers heedless of anyone who might be unintentionally peeping."
        "Alexia watched in shock, astounded at the passion with which these two very different species engaged with one another. The Goblin’s smaller scale made for a strange sight, as Rickon’s larger frame seemed to loom over her like a giant."
        "Such size issues did not seem to bother either of the participants in the slightest… if anything, it made them {i}more{/i} lustful."
        "Rickon fucked Cla-Yil with all his strength, thrusting against the Goblin’s fat bottom like a man possessed. Cla-Yil’s fingers clenched against the shelf, her body bouncing against the bookcase, her mewling cries echoing in the narrow spaces."
        "The horny Goblin bounced back and forth between the bookshelf and Rickon’s postponing hips like a rag doll, her body absorbing the sordid thrusts of her chosen mate with the eagerness of an animal in heat."
        "She cast a long, lustful look back over her shoulder at Rickon, who returned the look with equal verve and passion."

        rick "I love you Yilly!"

        # Replay mod: Typo fix on Cla-Yil's name (was Cal-Yil)
        "Cla-Yil’s body clenched up in orgasm when he said those words, her body seizing up as she let out a cry of pleasure."

        clayil "I... {i}aah{/i}! l-love you too, Rickon!"
        clayil "Cum for me, my Knight. C-{i}cuhhh{/i}!"

        #CG2 - cum var
        show cg864 with sshake
        show cg864 with sshake
        scene cg865 with flash
        pause 3

        "She never finished her sentence, for her mate was already acquiescing to her wish. Rickon thrust once, twice, three times, then jammed Cla-Yil as tight against the shelf as he could, causing a loud {i}thump{/i} from the weight of their impact."
        "He draped himself across the top of his lover and planted kisses against the back of her neck."
        "Cla-Yil cried out and went stiff, the two holding in the stillness as they reveled in their mutual orgasm."
        "The Goblin gasped and squirmed and squealed, and her lover let out great gouts of air from his nose as he thrust against her again and again, keeping her tight to his waist as he drained himself within her."
        "Exhausted, spent, unable to hold her up any longer, Rickon gently pulled free from Cla-Yil’s cunny and set her down onto her wobbling and unsteady feet."
        "Cla-Yil moaned, holding fast to the shelf for leverage as a strong trickle of white cum dribbled out of her pussy. She let out a shuddering sigh, almost like a laugh."

        clayil "R-ready for round two?"

        "Rickon, breathless, began to laugh. He sat down on the ground, crossing his legs as he smiled at his little lover."

        rick "More ready than you are, looks like."

        "Cla-Yil tried to affect a scowl, but her body was still trembling from the aftermath of her explosive orgasm."
        "Instead of growling at him in annoyance, she let out a small sigh, walking over to Rickon in a few footsteps. She bent down over him and took his face in hands, planting a soft kiss to his lips."

        clayil "Careful now, love. We can waste a whole day here together."

        "Rickon laughed, patting Cla-Yil’s bare bottom with his hand before kissing her again."

        rick "Not without getting spotted. We should get dressed, lest we scare some poor librarian sorting books."

        "Cla-Yil let out a sultry chuckle. Alexia, seeing her chance now that the not-so-surreptitious lovers were readying to leave, fled with all possible stealth from the site of the romantic dalliance."
        "It was to her shame (or perhaps it was excitement?) that her face was flushed, and her heart beating a lot faster than normal."
        "Who could have expected two different species with such differences would have such passionate sex?"

        # return

    return

# deleted scene
label arzyl_nileth_rp:

    # $ arzylDialogueStage = 3

    scene bg9 with fade

    "Rowan awoke in the middle of the night to the sight of pale, glowing eyes staring at him in the dark."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned behind bg9

    ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "He leapt out of bed, his heart pumping as the figure in the darkness snapped her fingers. A purple, flaming light erupted in the palm of her hand, casting her face in the cover of flickering shadows."

    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

    arz "Rowan. Come. The Midnight Court has need of you."

    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What the {i}hell{/i} are you doing in my room at this time of night?!"
    arz "There is no time. I heard a psychic call upon the wind. My acolyte, Nileth is in trouble."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What are you talking about?"
    arz "I dispatched Nileth to the castle to give him a report on the state of things with the Twins. But it seems he has run into a band of their Orc servants, near the base of the mountain."
    arz "He thinks that they intend him harm. If we do not intervene now, there may be severe consequences… for everyone involved."
    ro "Then go handle it! Why are you waking me up at Gods-know what time to tell me this?"

    #show arzyl happy at midright with dissolve

    arz "Oh, Rowan. I thought you’d know me better by now."
    arz "If {i}I{/i} go down there, the only thing left in my wake will be bodies. As detestable as the Orcs are as a species, killing the Twins’ servants would not endear them to me much at all."
    arz "Don’t you think a ‘softer’ touch is needed here?"

    menu:
        "Yes. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump orcsNileth_rp


        "No.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Deal with it your damned self, woman. It is the middle of the night."
            "If his anger had any effect on the pale elf, she showed no sign of it. Her lips curled into a smirk that sent a chill down his spine."
            arz "Very well Rowan, but do not come running to me if you do not like the outcome."
            hide arzyl with dissolve
            "With that, the witch disappeared, leaving him stood alone in his chambers. He didn't learn what happened that night, but in the morning he discovered two orcs were missing, neither were ever seen again."
            # $ castle.buildings['barracks'].troops -= 2
            return

    label orcsNileth_rp:
        show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "All right! Damn it! At least let me get some clothes on!"
        arz "Oh don’t mind me, Rowan! I’m just admiring the view."
        ro "Ugh."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan threw on his travel cloak and shoved his sword into his belt. He kept his eyes upon the shifty Fae and her imperious smile, wondering to himself if this was just another in the long line of the endless mind games she loved to play on him."

        #outside bloodmeen BG
        scene black with fade

        "Rowan followed the nebulous Fae’s instructions, picking his way down high embankments and rock-strewn crevices to reach the base of the mountain upon which the Bloodmeen Castle perched. As he reached at last a bend in the road he overheard the sound of voices."

        show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

        os "Wots dat sound?"

        show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        wo "Wot sound? You get nogged ur someden? Is just dis coward wimperin! Heh heh."

        #nileth scared
        show nileth neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        nil "You uncultured swine! S-stay back! I am the acolyte of Arzyl herself!"

        os "Acka-who?"
        wo "Wots an “Arr-zeal?”"
        dag "She’s your worst nightmare, you green skinned gits!"

        "Rowan’s eyes were drawn to the small, impish creature caught in the grasp of one of the Orcs. He was tiny, fitting into the palm of the creatures’ hand as he struggled in futility to free himself."

        dag "Do as you please with that jizz-swilling toadie - Sol’s Bones, he may even like it! But leave me out of it, or Queen Kassandra will hear of this!"
        os "Imp talks too much. {i}*Squeeze*{/i}"
        dag "{i}Gak!{/i}"
        nil "Please good sirs: I am a diplomatic representative, here to meet with the Midnight Court’s ambassador to the Twins, your mighty rulers."
        nil "I only ask that you allow us safe passage, as becoming of a diplomatic mission of such importance."
        wo "Hah! It talks more dan ‘da Imp duz!"
        nil "...“it?”"
        os "Da way ‘e uses his mouth, ‘e’s more girl than boy."
        wo "Wot? It not girl? It {i}shaped{/i} like girl!"
        dag "He’s got a {i}dick{/i}, you assholes!"
        os "Yap, e’s a girl, no mistakin it."
        wo "I dunt believe ya."
        os "Well, dere’s only wun way ta find out!"
        nil "Oh, goodness! I didn’t even lube myself!"

        "The two Orcs chuckled, menacing upon the poor, Fae twink. Rowan saw his chance: the Orcs were distracted, too busy pulling aside their loincloths to bother looking in his direction. Rowan watched as Nileth halfheartedly shrinked back from the two of them."
        "Rowan could take this opportunity to confront the Orcs and prevent any ‘harm’ from befalling Nileth (though truth be told: it seemed less ‘harmful’ and more sexual. And even Nileth didn’t seem {i}that{/i} frightened.)"
        "As the first Orc produced his member, shoving directly in Nileth’s face."

        menu:
            "Intervene.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan gritted his teeth. He couldn’t just sit by and watch this helpless being be menaced by the Twins' lackeys. He stood to his feet, stalking over to the two Orcs as they loomed over the Fae creature."
                show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                ro "Stop!"
                hide rowan
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                wo "Wot?"
                ro "What is the meaning of this? What are you two guards doing with that man?"
                os "E’s more of a girl than a git, boss."
                show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                ro "I don’t care if he’s a bloody busty succubus! Unhand him immediately!"
                "The two Orcs shared an uncertain look, staring stupidly into one another’s eyes in hopes that the other might take charge and defy Rowan’s order. Seeing that neither was taking the bait, both stepped back from Nileth."
                dag "Finally! Someone with a lick of sense! Thanks, effeminate stranger!"
                "Rowan had to bite his tongue to not strike the impudent imp. Brushing aside the two Orc Guards, he knelt in front of Nileth, offering his hand to pull him to his feet."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "I apologize for my master’s servants. They can be a bit energetic in their efforts to defend our borders."
                nil "Th-that’s quite all right, Sir."
                "Nileth’s face flushed and he glanced away, unable to properly meet Rowan’s eyes. It was vaguely charming. Rowan reached out and took the demon twink by the wrist, pulling him to his feet."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "I guarantee that you will not be accosted. Do you think you can reach your lady’s chambers from here?"
                nil "Y-yes, I can feel her presence. I uh… I don’t need an escort or anything."
                "Judging from the way he blushed, Rowan wondered if he was more terrified of Rowan’s presence than he was the Orcs'."
                ro "I am sure we will be seeing more of each other in the coming days."
                ro "Guards, I want the two of you to escort Nileth to Arzyl’s chamber and ensure he reaches there with no more… issues."
                "Rowan planted his hand upon the pommel of his sword."
                ro "If I find out that it was anything to the contrary, I will personally make a point of finding and punishing the ones who did it. Am I clear?"
                os "Yes, boss."
                wo "Count on us."
                show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                ro "I don’t. But you {i}can{/i} count on the consequences. Now begone."
                nil "Thank you, Sir."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "It’s Rowan. And it was my pleasure, Nileth."
                dag "Yeah yeah, let's get goin’ you glorified sex toy. Lady Arzyl’s lookin’ for us."
                "Rowan made a point to watch as the Orcs led their former victim back towards the Castle. He caught glimpse of Nileth stealing long glances over his shoulder before disappearing inside. He let out a sigh and resolved to keep a closer eye on the guards from now on."
                # return

            "Stay hidden and see where this goes. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan decided to observe the unfolding action, keeping hidden till he felt certain he should intervene. He watched as the two Orcs continued with their plans unmolested. The Orc not holding Daggertongue reached down and roughly fondled the androgynous Fae’s crotch."
                scene cg439 with fade
                show wild orc neutral behind cg439
                show orc soldier neutral behind cg439
                #nileth aroused
                show nileth neutral behind cg439
                pause 3
                nil "{i}Ah!{/i}"
                wo "Hah! Its fer sure a ‘he!’ I felt his lil’ cock!"
                nil "Nnngh!"
                "The Orc continued to fondle the Fae, his leering grin growing as Nileth blushed and looked away. The other Orc let out a boisterous guffaw, holding up Daggertongue face to face with Nileth so that he could see his humiliation."
                os "Imp bitch get to see Fae bitch squeal!"
                dag "I’m gonna make you squeal out your {i}intestines{/i} once I’m done with y- {i}gak!{/i}"
                "As the Imp struggled in his new owner’s grasp, Nileth gasped, his girlish face twisting with repressed lust as the Orc’s hand began to move faster. He squirmed back and forth, but was unable to escape the creature’s thick hand."
                "He pumped him back and forth, his brutish fingers closing about the Fae’s crotch in a vice-like grip as the other Orc loomed over him."
                "Nileth’s pale eyes stared up, his lower lip trembling as the Orc pulled aside his loincloth, revealing the green, pulsating cock beneath. He was already rock hard, his erection jabbing forth to poke Nileth in the cheek. The pale-skinned trap let out a simpering wimper."
                scene cg440 with fade
                show wild orc neutral behind cg440
                show orc soldier neutral behind cg440
                #nileth aroused
                show nileth neutral behind cg440
                pause 3
                os "Time fer sum fun."
                "The Orc took himself in hand, laughing as he began to jerk in front of Nileth’s face. Emboldened by his companion, the second Orc soon followed suit: releasing Nileth’s pitifully small cock as he ripped his own loincloth clean off. Nileth shivered, the air heavy with the musk of superior masculinity."
                "Nileth’s face was red, his eyes flicking back and forth from dick to dick as he licked his luscious, cocksucking lips. There was a low heat in the air, a sort of erotic tension that made the scene seem less like an inflicted punishment and more a debauched fantasy of domination."
                "Even Nileth was rock hard, his cock pointing straight up from his outfit."
                wo "You like dis, girl?"
                nil "N-no! And I’m a man!"
                os "Mmm, yeah ya do. Lick it, girl."
                "The Orc responded to Nileth’s protestations by rubbing his dribbling cockhead across his face. Nileth grimaced but did not push him away, groaning as the Orc spread precum under his nose."
                show cg441 with dissolve
                show wild orc neutral behind cg441
                show orc soldier neutral behind cg441
                #nileth aroused
                show nileth neutral behind cg441
                pause 3
                "Against his better judgement Nileth took a deep whiff, shuddering as he planted a short, hesitant kiss upon the cock."
                os "Dats right. You like bein held down, dontcha?"
                nil "No… n-no I don’t…"
                wo "She’s a shy one. Wot say we give her wot she wants?"
                show cg441 with sshake
                show cg441 with sshake
                scene cg442 with flash
                show wild orc neutral behind cg442
                show orc soldier neutral behind cg442
                #nileth aroused
                show nileth neutral behind cg442
                pause 3
                nil "Eeek!"
                "Nileth closed an eye as a long string of pearlescent spunk squirted up along his face. The second shot threaded across his nose, his downcast eyes squeezing tight to keep the sloppy load from getting in them."
                "The Orcs grunted, their heavy breathing heralding new jets of cum to come roaring forth. Soon Nileth’s face was caked in the stuff, the shameful residue of stronger males coating him like a lurid christening. He groaned, unintentionally licking his lips and getting some of the creamy cum on his tongue."
                os "She looks good dis way."
                wo "You ever want to come ‘round here again, you just ask."
                nil "I-I… I wont…"
                os "Heh. We heard dat one before."
                "Laughing, the two Orcs unceremoniously dropped the struggling Imp to the ground and left, whistling an off-key tune as they moved on with their patrol."
                "They did not spare so much as a half-glance in the direction of the thoroughly-humiliated Fae, who picked himself up off the ground only after waiting to be sure that they were gone."
                nil "Ugh… mmph. S-stupid Orcs."
                nil "...What’s Arzyl going to say? I couldn’t even take on a pair of brutes!"
                dag "I dunno dick-lips, but you can be damn sure {i}I’m{/i} not getting in trouble with this!"
                "Realizing that his opportunity to intervene had come and gone, Rowan wisely decided to simply fade back into the brush. At this point, it was probably better to tell Arzyl that he simply wasn’t able to find the Fae twink at all, otherwise he doubted she’d take kindly to him in the future for letting it happen."
                # return

    return

# \events\fey\arzyl dialogue.rpy
label arzyls_gift_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "As Rowan approached the Lady of the Midnight Court’s dank chambers once more, he came upon a truly concerning sight: Jezera standing in front of Arzyl’s closed door, tapping her toe against the ground with barely-restrained annoyance. Her head snapped over to look at him when he turned the corner."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Why is this door locked, my hero?"
    ro "Will you ever tire of using that nickname on me?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "I will at the exact moment it fails to get a rise from you."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "And I believe I asked you a question: {i}why{/i} is this door locked?"
    ro "...Because Arzyl wanted some privacy?"
    je "Then she was a fool to look for it while living under my roof. More to the point: if that was the case, she should not have invited me into her quarters in the first place."
    ro "The Midnight Court has invited you to a personal meeting with their representative?"

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Oh! Rowan! Is that the telltale hint of {i}jealousy{/i} I hear?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Hardly. You made me the arbiter of this alliance negotiation on your behalf, why bother giving me the task if you’re just going to make deals behind my back?"
    je "Who said anything about making a deal behind your back?"
    ro "Why else would you be here?"
    je "Why, for my own selfish interests of course. Did you expect anything less from me?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No."
    je "Ha ha! Goodness Rowan, but you are a terrible liar."

    "With a smirk and a wink, Jezera waved her hand across the door. Like an obedient servant, the lock popped open."

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

    je "Enough waiting. Come along, hero."

    hide jezera with moveoutright
    pause 1
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene black with fade

    "The room is dark, murky and damp-smelling. Rowan could barely see in the gloom, his eyes failing to adjust as the heavy door slammed shut behind him."
    " There was the sound of a hum, like the noxious buzzing of a hundred whispering voices melding together into a single, incomprehensible mass."
    "Rowan felt the bottom drop out of his stomach, his hand reaching instinctively for his blade."

    scene bg13 with fade

    "One by one, eldritch candles made from black wax flickered to life. They glowed with a sickly, greenish hue, tainted with an almost miamsic glow that hung heavy in the room like a fog. As Rowan’s eyes at last adjusted to the dim coloration, he caught sight of a truly disturbing sight."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Gah! What in the hells are you doing?!"

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "My, my, my, what do we have here?"

    show arzyl neutral at cliohnaright with moveinright

    arz "{i}Abrith’Allach! Sakah nobbek! Gephar’Ykaal!{/i}"

    "Stretched across a long table, bound at the wrists and feet, a young elf struggled to free himself from the nightmare in which he found himself. He was naked from the waist up, his slender body straining against his manacles in futility."
    "Catching sight of the two newcomers, he let out a keening cry which carried over the ceaseless, droning chant of the hooded and robed figures all around him."
    "A humid, pinkish mist hung about him, distorting the murky light. The mist bent and shivered in geometric circles as Arzyl swirled her hands about them, twisting and bending the mist to suit her needs. "
    "At each flowing gesture, the elven prisoner’s face twisted and jerked. When she reached into the swirling matrix near his chest and clenched her fingers, he screamed, the carmine smoke diverging from its singular stream into a dozen, trembling tributaries."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Fascinating."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Fascinating?!{/i} She’s torturing that poor elf!"
    je "Incorrect. The pain the prisoner is feeling is merely a byproduct of her true intent."
    je "Can you not see her subtle brilliance? She is manipulating the very essence of his spirit, the way a butcher tenderizes meat. She’s making a more succulent sacrifice. "

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Granted, I do not recall inviting her servants into Castle Bloodmeen for the demonstration; although I suppose now I at least get to see one of these rituals enacted properly, for once."

    "Arzyl turned to face the Demon spawn, a curling smile breaking across her angular features like the midnight glimmer of an assassin’s blade."

    arz "So you have come."
    je "Of course I came! You kept me waiting at the door like a frightened neophyte."
    arz "My sincerest apologies, Lady Jezera, but the ritual could not be halted in such a delicate moment. Not even for your sake."

    "Arzyl spared Rowan a smirk and a fleeting wink before turning to her prisoner. She gestured towards him, beckoning Jezera forward."

    arz "The sacrifice is prepared. We need only conduct the ritual."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Good! Then let’s not waste any more time."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What are you going to do?"
    arz "What does it look like I’m doing?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You think {i}this{/i} is going to convince me that the Midnight Court are a better ally than the Red Sun Alliance?"

    "At this, Arzyl quirked an eyebrow. A smile built across her face that sent a chill down Rowan’s spine. She walked up to him, her sultry footsteps criss crossing in front of her as she exaggerated the sway of her hips. She came to a halt in front of him."

    show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright

    arz "Tell me, Rowan: just what is a soul?"
    ro "Don’t try to spin your words with me, witch."
    arz "I wouldn’t dream of it. You only need to listen."
    arz "When my people arrived in Rosaria from a different plane of existence, we were as infants attempting to comprehend the new reality in which we found ourselves."

    "Arzyl’s hands swirled around her, the clinging, pinkish smoke of her ritual building like a fog around her fingertips."

    #arz angry

    arz "The very air we breathed was an uncomfortable stranger; the ground we walked upon an unfamiliar echo from whence we came. The trees, and the rivers and the mountains a foul parody of our old existence. Not even the sky above us was the same."
    arz "But we were Spirits of Nature, we were always meant to adapt or die, to embrace {i}change{/i}…"

    "Arzyl clenched her fist around a particularly thick strand of pinkish smoke. The prisoner let out a deafening scream."

    #arz happy

    arz "-Or face oblivion."
    ro "Is that how you justify your atrocities against this poor fool? Survival of the fittest?"
    arz "What would you call it? In nature, the strong consume the weak. Ask yourself: why is {i}he{/i} lying on the table, and not another from his village?"
    arz "He was the chaff, the weakling; the sickly and decrepit. Does not the Lion hunt the oblivious Gazelle, does not the lizard devour the eggs of an absent Eagle? Morality is the false construct of a deluded animal in search of greater meaning. Strength and will are all that matter. "
    arz "Are all that ever mattered."

    "Arzyl turned back to face the manacled prisoner, her hands reaching out and grasping the trembling tendrils of smoke above his chest like a rope."

    if society_type == 'feudal':
        show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve
        je "Now now, Arzyl, be fair to the poor prisoner: it was chance that saw him captured. Nature is by no means a fair thing, regardless of how you might want to justify it. This boy got unlucky; don't try to claim otherwise."
        arz "Luck plays a part even in nature, my Lady"
        je "But we are not ‘nature,’ my dear. {i}Our{/i} methods are a little more civilized.  We have laws and titles to make things less random."
        je "I don't condone this kind of needless waste of resources. Moving forward, more suitable subjects will be selected for your use during your stay in the Castle: criminals, layabouts and the like."
        show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        je "It also gives a good incentive to try and earn the favor of my brother and I! "

    else:
        je "I see we are kindred spirits, Arzyl! He lost because he couldn't stop you; you had the power to choose who in village would be yours, and he could do nothing to prevent himself from being chosen."
        arz "You are not mistaken, my Lady. This wretch’s fate was sealed the moment I laid eyes upon him."
        je "Had he managed to fight you off or even destroy you, then that would have been his right to do; after all, he can hardly be blamed for killing a foe to preserve himself."
        je "But he didn't. So here he is."

    ro "You hide behind your words, witch. But I have spoken with the Red Sun Alliance. They believe in Survival of the Fittest as well, and it’s not... "
    ro "Whatever the hell this is supposed to be."

    "Arzyl let out a contemptuous snort. She turned, her slender shoulders squaring as she looked down her nose at Rowan."

    arz "‘Survival of the Fittest.’ What those enslaved beasts practice is Survival of the Favored."
    arz "A thousand generations pass, and the weak are allowed to return from death in place of the strong. Only those who have properly prostrated themselves to that would-be messiah, Sol return. The weak-willed, the cowardly and the subservient."

    #arz angry

    arz "My sister died her last death six centuries ago. She was one of the strongest and fairest of all the Fae. But because she refuses to bow to that Golden Dragon, she remains trapped in limbo, fading away on our old plane of existence. "
    arz "Had our realm been this green and verdant place you call Rosaria, she would have been the greatest among us. But instead she fades away, our old plane of existence slowly sapping her of her strength."

    "Rowan could swear he could see tears building in the eyes of the ancient Fae sorceress."

    arz "{i}That{/i} is what is unnatural. That is what the Red Sun Alliance offers my people, Rowan. Sol has infected us, polluted our very essence by shackling us to his will. He is nature corrupted, tamed to the tyranny of a single being, not for the sake of the natural ecosystem, but for his own, grasping vanity."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If what you say is true, why do you toy with other being’s spirits in the same way?"
    arz "You are comparing an anthill to a mountain range. This Elf lives a natural life cycle - short and fleeting as it is. He is {i}afforded{/i} the chance to fail."

    "Arzyl stared down at the struggling prisoner on the dais with an expression approaching envy."

    arz "He is, in many ways, blessed in his rudimentary reality. He does not have to be anything other than what he is: in this case, my prey."
    arz "I cannot speak to the confusing morays of your realities or your heavens or your gods, but at least once he dies this creature will go where those that created him intended, be that a comforting paradise, or a black abyss. "
    arz "...When we Fae die, our spirits return to our original plane. We cannot pass beyond the veil again without Sol’s blessing. And If we linger too long in that deadened place of ash and memories, we wither."
    arz "Sol is the gatekeeper, preventing us from returning, from existing without his overriding control. Life without free will is just a lingering suicide. My people {i}refuse{/i} to be his slaves, and thus, we return once more to the Elf lying upon the table."

    #arz happy

    arz "He - and many others like him - has provided us with an ‘alternative’ means of survival. Just as Sol perverted our natural life cycles and and forced us to submit, we have twisted the laws this new reality to adapt to his "
    arz "This is a ritual to replenish our souls. And the prisoner is the fuel."

    show jezera displeased at midleft with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    je "My, my, what a conundrum this puts me in. As I recall Arzyl, one of your demands for this alliance was to have free access to take whomever you please from our occupied villages."
    arz "Only the weak. Only the useless. Your servants and agents will of course be left alone."
    je "Nevertheless, you are asking for the right to take people from their beds. {i}My{/i} subjects."
    je "On the one hand, this kind of reckless kidnapping and sacrifice would be hell on our population, sowing fear and resentment wherever you go, and leaving me with the task of cleaning up your mess."
    je "On the other hand…"

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "These powers of yours are quite {i}fascinating{/i}."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "You can’t be serious."
    arz "Doubt my methods if you must Rowan, but do not judge before you understand what it is that you are judging."
    je "Hmm… perhaps a demonstration is in order?"

    "Another curling smile grew across Arzyl’s face. Her hands swirled again across the unseen plane above the elf’s body where the pink mist hung like lingering, acrid smoke."

    arz "If it pleases you, my Lady. I can show Rowan firsthand the raw power of a consumed soul."

    #arz aroused

    arz "Shall I give it to you, Rowan? Shall I feed you the delectable sweetness of another’s life force? I promise you, you will not regret it.."

    menu:
        "Accept Arzyl’s 'gift'. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ arzylGift = True
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "...Fine. Since you’re going to kill this poor fool anyway, show me how this senseless death actually could mean something."
            #arz happy
            arz "Oh, Rowan. You are as ravishing as you are wise."
            ro "-On one condition."
            je "Oh, here we go."
            ro "Make it quick. Make it painless. You’ve already condemned that poor Elf to death, the least you can do is minimize his suffering."
            #arz neutral
            arz "That will significantly weaken the effect of the spell. If I try to limit his suffering, I am also hamstringing my ability to manipulate his-"
            ro "Do it my way, or don’t do it at all."
            arz "Hm, you know Rowan I never noticed this about you, before."
            #arz aroused
            arz "You’re so… forceful. I like that."
            "Arzyl turned back to face the half-conscious prisoner. Her hands reached out, fiddling in frenetic movements as her fingernails traced amongst the pink smoke. It swirled around her fingertips, attaching to it like rope tethers to a rising monolith."
            "Her chanting voice began to rise above the dim, her voice growing and growing in strength till it was booming in the low light of the room. The cultists’ calls turned to a gnashing wail as a light appeared."
            "The Prisoner jerked, his mouth gaping as his eyes became lidless husks. They stared up at oblivion. He seemed to scream, though no sound emerged from his voice."
            "In a rush, the pinkish smoke was sucked, as if in a vacuum into Arzyl’s fingertips. The prisoner collapsed against the table, dead. He looked empty, wrinkled and dry, as if he were a corpse worn away by a stinging desert sandstorm."
            arz "S-step forward Rowan. Quickly!"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            show jezera displeased at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            pause 1
            scene white with fade
            show rowan necklace shock behind white
            "Arzyl’s hands felt cold upon Rowan’s brow as she laid her fingertips upon his head like a crown. There was a blinding flash, and for a moment his vision went white."
            ro "{i}Aaaah!{/i}"
            "Fever dreams of a passing spirit flowed like water through his consciousness. Names, faces, places, events pass beyond his eyes in a confusing mess of contradictions. Rowan felt in an instant the whole of the poor elf’s memories."
            "A lone tear crawled down his cheek. Heat built in his mind as the energy redirected itself, dissipating the confusing jumble of sensations into a warm, soothing bliss."
            "When Rowan opened his eyes, he was on the floor, staring up at the ceiling."
            scene bg13 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            show arzyl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
            je "Jeez, one silly soul-transfer and you go faint on us!"
            arz "The first spirit meld is always the hardest. Thankfully, he enjoyed only a watered down sensation. Many of those non-fae who endure a full spirit meld for the first time do not survive the experience."
            ro "Ugh… what- what happened?"
            arz "You absorbed the prey’s soul. It has revitalized you."
            ro "I feel…"
            #arz happy
            arz "Younger? Stronger? {i}Filled{/i} with energy?"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Dirty."
            je "Ha ha! Oh Rowan, never change."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I saw his memories. Just for an instant, but-"
            arz "That was his spirit melding with yours, it takes some time before it breaks down into something consumable. I helped the process along as quickly as I could to spare you from..."
            #arz angry
            arz "Hmph. Anyway, your newfound gifts will not last long; the ritual itself was stunted, due to the restrictions you placed upon me."
            je "Even still, most impressive. I can see the strength in Rowan myself!"
            #TODO - temp stat boost
            #TODO - MC rep boost
            # $ avatar.corruption += 5
            show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            jump arzylGiftEnding_rp

        "Refuse her ‘gift’.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ arzylGift = False
            ro "No."
            #arz neutral
            arz "...No?"
            ro "I will not be a part of this crime against nature."
            ro "This goes beyond ‘cruel necessity’ Jezera. This is plain cruelty."
            ro "I know you don’t care all that much about the subjects you rule."
            ro "...But by whatever small scrap of humanity you have left, {i}this{/i} is not the way to treat them. You’re trying to build an Empire, not govern over smouldering ashes."
            show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
            je "Do not presume to tell {i}me{/i} what to do, Hero."
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
            je "That being said… I’ll be sure to take that into ‘consideration,’ my loyal servant."
            "Arzyl’s eyes were filled with frigid malice. Her lips flattened into a line, her nose curling into a sneer as she let out a huff."
            #arz angry
            arz "I expected better of you Rowan."
            "Rowan heard the scream before he realized what was happening. Arzyl clenched her hands tight around the pinkish smoke, where before she had been content to merely manipulate. Now her knuckles clenched like she was trying to choke the life out of him."
            "...And that’s exactly what appeared to happen. The Elf writhed upon the table, his face reddening as his eyes bulged. The penultimate screech grew and grew, and grew, till Rowan winced and looked away."
            "How was a creature able to scream for so long? He didn’t even pause to breathe."
            arz "{i}Kakh’Khaan!{/i}"
            "Arzyl’s fingers ripped the smoke into pieces like a child tearing apart a fallen leaf.The scream blessedly, mercifully stopped. The Elf collapsed against the table, twitching, his limbs moving in an uncoordinated and jerky fashion."
            "His eyelids fluttered, but his pupils were dilated, dead things that stared at nothing. Rowan felt for a brief, terrible moment that they were staring at him."
            arz "Seeing as no one here has need of this thing’s soul, the demonstration is over."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            jump arzylGiftEnding_rp

    label arzylGiftEnding_rp:

    arz "{i}Now{/i} do you believe me, my lady?"
    je "It is indeed a neat trick, my dear. Whether or not it ultimately serves my purposes? Well…"

    "Jezera’s predatory smile was like a fistful of razors in her mouth. She stared at Rowan with a long, knowing look."

    je "That remains to be seen."
    arz "Do not allow another’s words to sway you one way or the other, my Lady. Perhaps next time {i}you{/i} could be the target of such an empowering ritual?"
    je "Perhaps. We would - of course - need to take the necessary… ‘precautions.’"
    je "After all, you can never be too careful, even with friends."
    arz "You need not worry when in my august company, Jezera. I am committed to showing you and your brother that the Midnight Court is the best possible ally you could have."

    "Arzyl shot a glance over in Rowan’s direction, her eyebrow quirking. He couldn’t tell if she was flirting with him or glaring at him."

    arz "And conversely, no worse enemy."
    je "Hm, I will admit, there are a few details about this ritual that I’d like to go over with you… perhaps in private."

    #arz happy

    arz "Hmm, that sounds positively delightful, my Lady."

    je "Rowan, would you give us the room?"
    je "Hm… better yet, will you stick around? Perhaps in watching us, you’ll learn something about the nature of magic."

    if arzylGift == False:
        "Arzyl’s eyes flashed at Jezera’s offer."
        #arz angry
        arz "No. He does not deserve to see what transpires. Do you reward a dog for going against your commands?"
        je "Oh come now Arzyl, don’t you like an audience?"
        arz "Only those who are worthy to see such a spectacle."
        arz "Perhaps another time, when my tempers have cooled and Rowan has gained the proper perspective."
        "Jezera held eyes with the stoic Fae for a moment, then shrugged."
        je "Sorry Rowan, seems like the deal’s off. On your way, then. Arzyl and I have some ‘business’ to discuss."
        je "Don’t wait up."
        "Rowan took his leave, sliding free from Arzyl’s room and the limp body splayed across the table nearby with a shudder of relief. He might have angered Arzyl, but at least he had maintained his dignity."
        "...For all that was worth at this point. He did his best to put the poor Elf out of his mind, though the memory of his vacant, soulless eyes hovered in his mind for several hours thereafter."
        jump aryzlDialogueEnd_rp

    "Rowan knew Jezera well enough by now to know precisely what she intended to do with Arzyl. He stood firm for a few moments as Arzyl’s chanting circle of hooded followers slowly filed out of the room."
    "The way Jezera’s eyes roamed across Arzyl’s succulent form told to her true motives. The lack of an invitation to ‘join’ in the discussion spelled out the voyueristic purpose of Rown’s presence as well, should he choose to stay."

    menu:
        "Stay and watch. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezArzSex_rp

        "Leave gracefully.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I shall take my leave."
            je "Why did I have a feeling that would be the case?"
            "Jezera planted a thoughtful finger on her lips and smirked. Rowan did his best to ignore the jab."
            ro "Do you have any more orders for me, my Lady?"
            "Rowan’s Demonic mistress let out a snort."
            je "No. That will be all, my hero. Run along now, I have a competition to win."
            "Deciding that any words he might use in this moment would only give Jezera ammunition for more mockery, Rowan pivoted on his heel and left the room. He heard one last, mocking chuckle emerge from Jezera before the door closed behind him."
            jump aryzlDialogueEnd_rp

    label jezArzSex_rp:

        "Deciding that any words he might use in this moment would only give Jezera ammunition for more mockery, Rowan planted his feet and said nothing. Arzyl’s unearthly eyes began to glow with mirth."

        arz "You only want him here as an audience."
        je "Of course! Now let’s get that robe off."

        #arz naked

        "Jezera strode forward, grasping Arzyl’s milky tits in a rough grope. She unceremoniously ripped her slim blue bodice, exposing the Fae’s heaving breasts and pink areolae. Rowan’s eyes trailed across them, his face betraying no expression as Jezera cast a sly gaze over her shoulder in his direction."

        je "Time for a ‘demonstration’ of my own!"

        "Rowan’s demonic mistress kneaded the Fae’s breasts within her hands, her grin growing as Arzyl’s face struggled to maintain its cold indifference. Jezera, ever the minx, leaned up and planted a wet kiss upon the stoic creature’s lips."

        arz "Please: we can do far better than this. Perhaps another demonstration is in order?"

        "Arzyl’s slender fingers slid across the bare, purple skin of Jezera’s shoulders, sliding off her crimson dress with an almost effortless grace. Her hands trailed southward, grasping Jezera’s still-covered bottom in her hands. The Demon let out a contented purr."
        "Her purr turned into a sudden gasp as Arzyl whispered something under her breath, her fingers hovering over Jezera’s tailbone as they massaged something that only she could see. Jezera shuddered for a moment, pulling back before Arzyl could get a firm grip on her."

        je "Naughty little witch! And here I thought we were playing a simple lover’s game."
        arz "Why settle for such pale mundanities, my Lady? We are both better than that."

        "As if to exemplify that fact, Arzyl reached out and brazenly groped Jezera’s left breast, pulling aside the crimson fabric to tweak her nipple. The Demon let out a pleasured laugh."

        je "Hmm, careful what you wish for, my dear. If we go by that particular, juicy metaphor: you are attempting to out-hunt a lioness."

        #cg1
        scene cg518 with fade
        #arz naked
        show arzyl neutral behind cg518
        show jezera happy behind cg518
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg518

        "A whispered breath is all it took, and familiar, tendrils of power erupted from her fingertips. But unlike her normal, eldritch puppeteering, this took a decidedly different turn. "
        "For one the ropes were now pinkish, almost purple in coloration. They swept about her like whips before stretching down towards the Fae’s crotch."
        "They rubbed against the fabric of her underwear with a pleasing friction, causing the Fae to let out a low, breathless sigh. Her thighs clenched for a moment before she put a hand to Jezera’s wrist. "

        arz "{i}Ah!{/i} Yes! You are exactly what I expected, my Lady. Powerful and fearless, delight and danger together as one."
        arz "But… why should unleash ourselves upon each other so quickly? Isn’t the kill far more savoury when it has been properly…"

        je "‘Stuffed?’"
        arz "Hmm, I was more thinking ‘chased down.’"
        je "What did you have in mind, my dear?"
        arz "A game. A test, if you will. "
        je "Of our abilities?"
        arz "Of our ability to resist one another."

        "The low growl that emerged from Jezera’s throat told Rowan everything he needed to know about the stakes of their unspoken wager. Her eyes practically shined with glee as she began to caress the ancient creature’s chest with her free hand."

        je "Mmm, so it is a lover’s game, then. One I fully intend to win."

        "It was as if her words were the spell to some sinister ritual, for in the blink of an eye Arzyl and Jezera were in each other’s arms. They ripped at one another’s clothing with the heedless care of two sweethearts on a midnight tryst."
        "They were naked, their hands roaming across one another, groping flesh and pinching bottoms."
        "Jezera’s used her left hand to touch, and her right hand to cast, her fingers rubbing together to stimulate movement across the hair-thin tendrils under her command. More erupted from her fingertips, swirling about Arzyl’s breasts and forming something approaching breast manacles."
        "Arzyl gasped, her body going taut at the same time the ropes did. The very touch of them seemed to stimulate pleasure, and Rowan could see her mouth open wide in a near-orgasmic O. The ropes flashed pink, and Arzyl let out a literal squeal."
        "Not to be outdone, Arzyl’s fingers reached out to caress Jezera’s body, her face, her breasts. Everywhere the fingers traced, goosebumps appeared. Rowan watched as Jezera shivered, her concentration wavering as she struggled to keep her knees together."
        "Arzyl ran her fingers down Jezera’s spine, leaning forward and planting her thick lips upon Jezera’s extended neck. The Demon laughed at the Fae’s impudence, planting her hand in a rough spank across Arzyl’s ass as her spell-finger continued to grind and twist and pull against the threads upon the ethereal creature’s cunt."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan did his best to keep his face impassive and his gaze faraway as he stood in front of the increasingly-erotic display."
            "Both of the voluptuous women were gasping and panting, the raw heat and stench wafting over his nose and bringing an uncomfortable twinge in his pants. He did his best to ignore the pleasured cries and glances Jezera shot his way every so often."

        else:
            "Rowan couldn’t help but gawk at the lewd display. Jezera and Arzyl were going at one another like bitches in heat, their bodies slick with sweat as they engaged in their erotic competition to out-tease the other."
            "The hapless spectator found himself reaching down to fondle his growing erection through his pants. Jezera smirked at his arousal."

        "The twining torsion of Jezera’s semi-corporeal threads twisted and squirmed against Arzyl’s soaked thighs. She grimaced, her magic fingers leaving a trail of shivering ecstacy across Jezera as she tried to resist her partner’s magics."
        "Jezera grunted, leaning forward and taking Arzyl’s right nipple in her mouth. Her casting hand sent out yet more pleasure ropes which wound tight about the other nipple, clenching and constraining like the contractions of her vagina."
        "Seeming to almost read Rowan’s thoughts, Arzyl reached down, her fingers curling into a question mark that found its answer at the junction of Jezera’s thighs. She cried out, grasping Arzyl’s arm to steady herself, to keep her own legs from giving out."

        je "C-clever... "

        "Jezera shifted focus, clenching her fingers as her hand clasped tight to Arzyl’s ass, pulling them together, chest to chest. The Demonic twin clenched her teeth, her brow furrowing with concentration even as her wet sex glistened with every schlicking sound that the Fae witch inflicted with her finger."
        "It was an utterly ruthless game of teasing."
        "The first sign that the sexual dam had broken came when Arzyl’s pale face reddened to a bright, cherry color. She bit her lower lip, her eyes clenching for a moment. Jezera’s ropy tendrils slid across her mound, dragging with slow, delectable torsion up the length of her womanhood, wrapping tight around her clit."
        "Jezera flicked her thumb across her hand, and more ropes emerged. One wrapped itself tight around Arzyl’s luscious lips, sealing whatever spell the ancient Fae had been about to utter. Her body went slack, her fingers slipping bonelessly from Jezera’s drooling snatch as she shuddered in place."

        arz "{i}Aaaahn!{/i}"

        # Replay mod: Typo fix. "euporia" -> "euphoria".
        "Rowan watched as the vaunted Voice of the Fae cried out and orgasmed onto the floor, a flood of feminine fluids squirting forth as Jezera’s relentless ropes pulled tighter and tighter, forcing the Witch to helplessly endure the erotic euphoria that radiated out from their touch."
        "Jezera, her face as red as her opponent’s, laughed aloud."

        je "{i}Mmmmh{/i}, that was a good one! I look forward to giving you many more in the hours to come, my dear."
        arz "{i}Hah… haaaah…{/i}"

        "Despite Jezera’s bold words, Rowan could see she was nearing her limit. Her spine was taut like a drawn bowstring, and her body all but quivered like one too. She allowed the mystic ropes that bound Arzyl to become incorporeal, and the Fae collapsed back onto her bed, panting."

        je "The point has been made. Rowan, give us the room."
        ro "...Yes."

        "His face bright red with embarrassment, and perhaps more than a bit of arousal, Rowan pivoted on his heel and left the room. He heard one last, mocking chuckle emerge from Jezera before the door closed behind him."

        je "Quickly now, best two out of three!"

        jump aryzlDialogueEnd_rp

    label aryzlDialogueEnd_rp:

        # $ arzylDialogueAvailable = False
        return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_33.rpy
label heartsongDreamscape_rp:

    $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = False
    $ rowanGaySex = 0

    scene black with fade

    "Sleep came to Rowan with a certain, lingering discomfort. The last few weeks had left him drained, exhausted of the endless minutiae of being a mostly-unwilling participant in the conquest of Rosaria for the Twins."
    "He had fallen into bed that night with the weight of someone weary of responsibility of the waking world."
    "And yet sleep did not come."
    "When his head hit the pillow, he lay there for several hours, staring at the wall of his chambers in the vain hope that he might find peaceful slumber. It was only after a long period of inactivity that he started to notice something was… off."
    "Rowan sat up, his head swimming as he realized the room had a hazy, dreamlike texture. He lifted his arm, and it moved like it was underwater. He blinked, and the texture of the room changed, beaming a warm, pulsating glow through the window."
    "Rowan stood to his feet, waddling over to the strange light that shot an almost sunlike glare into the room. He tried to peer out of the castle window, but found himself staggering back as the light became a blinding inferno that engulfed him."
    "Castle Bloodmeen fell away, the world fell away. Rowan fell into a pit of light as blinding as total darkness. He could not see, could not hear, could barely think with the endless luminescence filling his vision. He tried to scream, but the light blocked out even that."
    "And just like that, he was elsewhere. The light dissipated, leaving Rowan to stare in blank incomprehension at the strange climate of his new surroundings."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Ah! What in the Planes of Chaos is this?!"
    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan knew immediately that wherever ‘here’ was, was not anywhere in Solanse."
    "The woods around him were ancient: an endless series of dead trees with petrified bark, like rootless matchsticks made of a white, chalky texture. Their leaves were dark and crinkled, wafting black dust that almost seemed like soot into the air, dissipating into the mustard-yellow sky above."
    "Above his head, tall, bulbous clouds roiled across the heavens. Even without inhaling the acrid stench of sulfur that hung in the air, Rowan knew that this was a dead world. There was something… missing in his vision of this place, something hollow."
    "He felt a breeze ruffle his hair. It felt hot and humid, festering like the interior of a plague victim’s lungs. Rowan nearly gagged on the stench."

    ro "What is this horrible place?"

    show heartsong neutral behind bg3

    hear "Home."

    hide heartsong
    show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "...Heartsong?"

    #heartsong happy

    hear "Hello, Rowan."
    ro "..."
    ro "I’m dreaming again, aren’t I?"

    hear "Yes."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Why did you bring me here?"
    hear "To tell you a story. And to try to help you comprehend what that story means to my people."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I… don’t understand."
    hear "You don’t need to. Yet."
    hear "I understand if you don’t wish to, but if you could... "
    hear "Will you stay with me here, for a time? "

    "The Dreamwalker’s smile was sad, but kindly. She sidled over to Rowan, pulling him into a side hug as she rested her head upon his shoulder. Together, they watched the pale, lightless sun work its way across the sickly sky."

    hear "Welcome to our home, Rowan. Our true home. The final birthright of the Fae."
    ro "...This is your original plane of existence?"
    hear "Yes. It is. Or, maybe ‘was’ would be a better term for it? I do not know if time even works properly as you would conceive of it here."
    ro "What happened?"
    hear "Extinction. The slow decomposition of a comatose world."
    ro "...Why? What caused this?"
    hear "I do not know. I am not sure if there are any living Fae who do know. Our memories of this place - much like its original name, are lost to us."
    hear "Even the oldest among us cannot recall a time when it was anything else other than this."

    "Rowan watched as a thin brown cloud moved in front of the sun, casting them in the faintest of shadows. His heart caught in his throat as he feared for a half-moment that they would be plunged into total darkness, but the cloud merely meandered onward in its listless journey."

    ro "What could have done this?"
    hear "War? Disease? The Gods? Perhaps some poor, long-dead creature’s grand spell that went awry? We will never know for certain."
    hear "All that we know is that this is where the Fae go when we die: this lingering perdition, a plane that has no soul. A world that has no God."
    hear "We can never fully escape it, for we are the nature spirits that once gave this plane life. We are bound to this place, to its doom."

    "Rowan could feel it: the quiet, sucking sensation that this profane environment inflicted upon him, even through the shroud of the dream. It was a quiet malaise: a low, queasy feeling that grew more intense with every passing moment."
    "He felt nervous, fidgety and uncomfortable. It only got worse the longer he lingered."

    ro "Does anything still live here?"
    hear "They used to. There is some evidence of ancient settlement: sunken towns buried in the swamps, half collapsed towers in the distance, crumpled cottages with mouldering walls amidst skeletal fields. But nothing lives here, nothing grows."
    hear "To a spirit of nature, this place is like a pestilence. There is nothing to tend, to nurture or sprout from. Everything here is…"

    "The half-Fae trailed off, her long ears flicking as she stared at the hollow sun."

    #heartsong sad

    hear "Stillborn."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It’s horrible."

    hear "It is the harsh reality that my kind face when they die: both the Red Sun Alliance, and the Midnight Court."
    hear "My father might see those wayward souls of the Court as abominations, as cruel parodies of the Fae."

    #heartsong neutral

    hear "But he is wrong. They are Fae, just like us. They share the same, awful fate as we do when they die."

    ro "You almost sound like you pity them."
    hear "Pity?"
    hear "...No. Not pity. Pity is condescension, laced with scorn. I have empathy for them."
    hear "How can you not feel for the poor soul that finds itself stuck here, wasting away in this place for all eternity?"
    hear "At least we have Sol to bring us back. "
    hear "When the Fae of the Midnight Court arrive here? They are alone. "
    hear "...Forever."
    ro "..."
    ro "Why are you showing me this, Heartsong?"
    hear "To help you understand. This conflict between the followers of Sol and the Midnight Court, it's more than just a squabble."
    hear "Sol is more to the Red Sun Alliance than some powerful ruler, or a deity to mindlessly worship. He is our salvation."

    "The foxtailed Fae swept her delicate arm out, indicating with her hand the desolation that lay before them."

    hear "Everything we are, everything we have accomplished in Solanse, is due to his influence. Even the Midnight Court themselves owe their lives to his mercy, despite their misplaced hatred for him. "
    hear "He is the tether: the only means of bridging the gap, of bringing us back from this place. Without him? Without the Red Sun Alliance?"

    #heartsong sad

    hear "The Fae are doomed."
    ro "..."

    "Rowan watched as a small tear drifted down Heartsong’s cheek. She quietly wiped it away and turned to face him, a sad smile on her face."

    #heartsong neutral

    hear "Enough of this. I did not invade your sleep just to show you the misery of our fate."

    "She stepped forward, turning back to face Rowan as she extended her hand to him."

    #heartsong happy

    hear "Come, walk with me."

    "Relieved to be away from this plane of perdition, Rowan reached out and took her hand. She pulled him forward, and suddenly they were elsewhere."

    #cg1
    scene cg477 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg477
    #heartsong naked
    show heartsong neutral behind cg477
    pause 3

    "Rowan stood, naked in the moonlight. He looked around, astonished at the drastic shift in scenery."
    "They were in a secluded grove of wide-leafed trees, in the middle of a knee-deep pool of water reflecting starlight to the heavens. A gentle brook flowed through it, splitting off into small terraces of waterfalls that fed into the larger pond below."
    "Heartsong was at his side, naked as the day she was born. Her fingers slid across Rowan’s abdomen, trailing across the nicks and scars he had incurred in his years of war and adventuring."

    hear "You have carried the burden of your troubles for a very long time, Rowan. It is etched into your very being, like a scar, or a wound."
    hear "I wished to show you tonight the existential terror that we face, so that you might understand our plight. But that is not all that we are. The Fae are not defined by the horrors of our past."
    hear "There is beauty in this life as well, Rowan."

    "Her lips were at his ear, whispering sweet tones that made his spine shiver. Rowan let out a deep, shuddering sigh. It was as if the magical dreamscape that surrounded them was lifting months of care and worry off his shoulders."

    hear "Breathe. You are safe here."

    ro "If there is one thing I’ve learned from everything that’s happened to me these last few years, it’s that no one is ever really ‘safe.’"

    "He felt her right hand squeeze his shoulder in empathy. Her other hand began to trail slowly downwards towards his groin."

    menu:
        "Let her continue. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump heartsongDreamSex_rp

        "Stop her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan took Heartsong’s wayward hand by the wrist and pulled it off of him. He looked her in the eyes."
            ro "No. Don’t."
            "Heartsong smiled, unperturbed by his rejection. She stepped away from, looking up at the moon with a contemplative look on her face."
            hear "I am sorry if I was too forward. I was only attempting to ease your mind, and physical affection is often the easiest method for mortals."
            ro "Thank you, but I’m all right."
            hear "Of course, Rowan. Of all the people I’ve met at Castle Bloodmeen, you’re one of the few whom I honestly believe when you say it."
            ro "Do you invade their dreams as well?"
            hear "On occasion, though to be honest few are as fascinating as yours."
            hear "… if I may ask, what made you decline? "
            hear "Most of the Fae - and to my shame, even my own father - would leap at the opportunity to mate with me, even if it’s just in a dream."
            menu:
                "You’re not my type.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "I’m sorry Heartsong. You are kind to offer, but… I’m not interested in you in that way."
                    "Heartsong, far from being insulted, merely smiled."
                    hear "How charmingly refreshing."
                    if rowanGaySex > 4:
                        ro "To be honest, recent experiences have made me realize that I’m not interested in… any woman in that way."
                        hear "Ah. I see, you are an’sahai: a lover of the male energy. Thank you for telling me, Rowan. I apologize for misinterpreting you."
                        hear "if I may be so bold, my father – when he chooses to incarnate himself in the male form – is also of such energy."
                    else:
                        ro "It’s not that you aren’t beautiful-"
                        hear "It’s that I’m not attractive to you."
                        "Heartsong’s seemed more mischievous than insulted. Her tail twitched behind her as she casually rubbed at her foxlike ear."
                        hear "I think I can guess the reason."
                        ro "Like you said, I’m just not attracted to you."

                "Trying to be loyal to Alexia.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Despite everything that’s happened, despite what the Twins have done to both of us, I am still in love with my wife."
                    ro "I don’t know how this all will end, or if we will even manage to end being with each other again."
                    if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna == False:
                        ro "But I have to keep trying. For her sake, for everything she’s done for me. And for everything she means to me."
                    else:
                        ro "I may not be the best husband, and I may fail her consistently, but I am trying to be better. She deserves better."
                    "Heartsong smiled, sadness and empathy radiating off of her gentle expression."
                    hear "Mortal love is often so fleeting, yet in my experience far more intense and worthwhile. I respect your conviction and dedication to her, Rowan."
                    hear "And I am sorry, I often forget the boundaries mortals put upon each other for the sake of romantic love. Know that my offer was genuine, and only intended to ease your troubled heart."

                "Worries about Fae trickery.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "This is… what, the third time you have pulled me through one of your dreamscapes?"
                    ro "To be perfectly blunt, I don’t trust you, nor the magic you wield. For all I know you could lying to me about all of this."
                    "Rowan saw Heartsong’s smile falter, her shoulders slumping. She let out a deep, weary sigh."
                    hear "I have not lied to you, Rowan. I have no reason to, nothing that I have shown you in my dreams will convince you of the worthiness of my people."
                    hear "I am only attempting to make you understand."
                    ro "Maybe, maybe not. Call me a cynic, but I have yet to meet someone as eager to ‘show’ me things as you, who did not ultimately have an ulterior motive."
                    hear "I am sorry that you feel that way, but know that it was not my intent."
                    ro "I often struggle to understand your kind’s ‘intent.’"

                "Rather not say.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "My reasons are my own. Isn’t it enough for me to say that I’m not interested?"
                    hear "It is. Of course it is. I’m sorry for being so forward, I am not well practiced at deception."
                    hear "Mortals are often far too complicated for me to understand. I hope you did not take my advances as an insult."
                    ro "I didn’t. It’s just… not something I want to discuss."

            "Heartsong tilted her head up once again to gaze at the moon and stars, a soft smile gracing her lips as she contemplated his words."
            hear "You are a good man, Rowan. But a conflicted one, full of doubt and uncertainty."
            hear "Perhaps I can’t give you the solace you seek, maybe you don’t even seek it in the first place. But know that there is at least someone in this world who sees you for who you are."
            "She glanced over at him, her eyes shining in the moonlight. Her hand reached out and took his. It was chaste, an emotional intimacy rather than a physical one."
            hear "Wake up."
            scene bg9 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Guh!"
            ro "..."
            "Rowan awoke in his bed, the gentle sunlight of dawn filtering in through the castle window. He yawned and stretched, feeling groggy."
            "The last vestiges of the dream-that-was-not-a-dream was fading away into hazy obscurity. But as he looked around the memory of the dead world of the Fae filled his mind. He grimaced, remembering Heartsong’s words and wondering if it was all true. If so…"
            "Rowan shook his head and threw aside the covers, determined to continue with his quest."
            return

    label heartsongDreamSex_rp:

        # $ HSDreamSex = True

        "Rowan let her hand trail lower, reaching down to clasp his phallus in a tight grasp. He took in a sharp inhale, his body tensing as a sudden wave of sensitivity washed over him."
        "As she stroked him, the nerve endings across his body rippled up and down, like the swell of a rising tide moving back-and-forth against the beach."

        hear "You are quite sensitive, Rowan. You bear many burdens within your body."
        hear "Allow me to release them, that you might feel better when you awaken."

        "Her hand stroked and pulled at his length in a mesmerizing rhythm, her other hand moving across his body, pressing gently against pressure points, releasing tension that he didn’t even realize he was carrying."
        "He shuddered, groaning at the unexpected sensation as his body slowly unworked through months of clenched worry."
        "It was almost non-sexual, despite the stroking pleasure of her hand against his cock. But soon she had finished with his pressure points, turning his head with her free hand to look at her as she leaned up and planted her thick lips upon his."
        "The cool water beneath them was like a calm steadying point As the two melded together. Rowan pulled the half-Fae into his arms, feeling the delightful press of her breasts against his chest, the soft drag of her nipples and sway of her hips reminding him of her exotic femininity."
        "He reached down, feeling the wet line of her delta in a long, gentle stroke. She moaned and leaned against him, clinging to his shoulders for support, her foxy ears pulling back against her head."

        hear "Rowan…"

        "He dipped an experimental finger into her clenching hole, wondering at the feel of her muscles contracting against him as he moved in and out, in and out. She gasped when he pulled free, his fingers coated in her juices."

        # Replay mod: Shuffled this section and cg516 around because it originally didn't match the CG.
        #              cg515 and cg516 moved and 5 lines of dialogue moved up.

        #cg2
        scene cg515 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg515
        #heartsong naked
        show heartsong neutral behind cg515
        pause 3

        "He picked her up beneath her thighs, hoisting her up into his arms as she straddled his torso. She was as light as a feather, lithe and flexible. Her legs curved around his back as she positioned his manhood for penetration."
        "She looked down at him, her eyes gleaming like stars in the hazy Dreamscape. Breathe, she whispered under her breath as she settled down onto his cock, sliding him in deep as the wet, clinging tension overcame them both."
        "He lifted and lowered her weight upon him, sinking down into her depths before drawing out of her in a long, extended motion. He grabbed hold of her ass as he began to fuck her, his breath heaving out in primal exhales through his nose."
        "Her pussy engulfed him, sliding in and out in tantalizing clenches that seemed to suck him in deeper into her womanhood. The fox girl gasped, her bushy tail twitching behind her as she clung to him, riding her thick hips up and down in the waist-deep water."
        "Rowan kissed her, feeling the building rise of an orgasm as he humped against her body. He half-Fae let out a cry of pleasure and threw herself against him, tipping his balance and sending them both plunging into the water at the same time as his rising climax."

        #cg3
        scene cg516 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg516
        #heartsong naked
        show heartsong neutral behind cg516
        pause 3

        "Rowan opened his eyes, and to his shock found that he could see without impediment, despite being underwater. He looked around, and realized that he was floating in an abyss, with no bottom beneath and no surface above, only the light that surrounded them both."
        "He looked deep into the eyes of the Dreamwalker, still buried hilt deep in her pussy. She caressed his cheek, her face clenching with pleasure as he watched her orgasm expression."
        "He came, fountaining cum into her womb as he felt her rock her hips back and forth in the watery depths. He breathed, and found his lungs fill with air. She collapsed against him, the two hovering together into the darkness as Rowan felt a deep weariness lift from his body."
        "They panted together, their arms moving across each other’s bodies as they shared in the strange intimacy. Rowan looked up at the exotic creature, and she smiled back at him, warmth building in her eyes."

        hear "Wake up."

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Guh!"
        ro "..."

        "Rowan awoke in his bed, the gentle sunlight of dawn filtering in through the castle window. He yawned and stretched, feeling strangely rejuvenated in a way he hadn’t in weeks."
        "The last vestiges of the dream-that-was-not-a-dream was fading away into hazy obscurity. But as he looked around the memory of both the dead world of the Fae, and Heartsong’s wondrous encounter filled his mind."
        "Despite himself, he allowed an uncharacteristic smile to cross his face, before throwing aside the covers to begin his day anew."

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_34.rpy
label spider_be_reborn_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg25 with fade

    "As Rowan made the arduous trek down to the breeding pits, he came across a most unexpected sight. A tall, elegant being towered over Draith, who languished beneath her withering glare."

    show draith neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

    arz "..."
    arz "{i}You{/i} are the castle’s beastmaster?"
    dra "I-I am, ma’am."

    #arz angry

    arz "-And just how do you plan to subdue the creatures in this pit? You look so weak I doubt you could subdue a pork roast."

    "Draith was speechless, his mouth hanging open as he tried to find something to say. He gabbled out a string of nonsense words before managing to actually answer her question."

    dra "N-no, Ma’am! "

    "Deciding that prolonging the torture would likely see the fragile beastmaster dissolve into a useless puddle of nerves, Rowan stepped forward to save the terrified Elf."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Arzyl, I would appreciate it if you did not amuse yourself at the expense of the castle staff. Don’t distract our beastmaster from his duties. "

    "Arzyl let out a dismissive breath of air, her cold eyes trailing across Rowan’s form as he descended the steps into the breeding pits. Draith cowered from her gaze, sidling behind his unexpected savior like a shield to wall off the lady of the Midnight Court."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinleft

    show draith at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    arz "A being who would seek to dominate others requires a will of iron and a merciless attitude. Yet the Twins see fit to make a mockery of their own bestiary by having this frail specimen take up the whip and bridle."
    ro "Draith is more skilled than anyone at the castle when it comes to beasts and monsters, Fae included.  He’s the perfect man for the job."
    arz "That I doubt. But so be it: let him prove his worth to me."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What do you mean?"
    arz "You have captured a number of the {i}Drach’anili{/i} in your recent adventures, yes?"
    ro "...The what?"
    arz "The web-biters. The spider-folk of the deep forests."
    ro "You mean the Driders? What of them?"
    arz "It just so happens that one of my Handmaidens is nearing the end of her host body’s lifecycle. The traditional rituals and sacrifices are no longer enough to sustain her."
    ro "I fail to see what this has to do with you bullying our beastmaster."

    #arz happy

    arz "She was looking to acquire a new host, one with a more… shall we say, “deadly complexion?”"
    arz "She mentioned the web-biters by name. I had almost given up hope of finding one myself, and was going to simply implant her into an inferior specimen."
    ro "And you want us to give you one of the Driders to use as a new host?"

    #arz neutral

    arz "Why not? They are strong - if willful and stupid - creatures. They make wonderful predators, ideal hosts for the Fae."
    dra "They’re not exactly stupid, rather-"
    arz "Think of it as a cultural exchange between newfound allies. In return, I am willing to give you a rare glimpse into the Fae’s methods of soul transference."
    ro "..."
    ro "I’ll have to think about it."

    #arz annoyed

    arz "The time for careful contemplation is gone: my Handmaiden will not last much longer in her current form. If you will not acquiesce to my request now, I will be forced to locate a lesser host for her immediately."

    "The look of danger in her eyes told Rowan that she would not be pleased with this particular outcome. He glanced over his shoulder at Draith, who was shaking like a leaf, using Rowan’s larger bulk as a bulwark against the matron who so terrified him."

    ro "Give me a moment to talk it over with the beastmaster."

    "Arzyl made a dismissive gesture with her hand. Rowan took the terrified Elf by the hand and lead him off to one side of the breeding pit."

    #show arz annoyed at edgeright
    show arzyl neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    ro "So, what do you think?"
    dra "She scares me more than Jezera does."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "No not her, the offer she made us."
    dra "Oh… about the Driders? Well it’s…"

    "Rowan watched has an eager grin spread across the Elf’s face."

    show draith happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    dra "It’s amazing! I definitely think we should do it."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Really? You realize that this ritual will kill the Drider, right?"

    dra "I mean… yes, and it’s unfortunate to have to lose a creature as majestic as Dirklaw or Antaweb. But…"
    dra "Rowan, This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
    dra "Can you imagine: merging two being’s life forces together to create a brand new creature?"
    dra "I have heard of a human alchemist attempting to make such chimeras, but stories claim he never managed to refine the process beyond creating mindless beasts!"
    dra "But to make an actual thinking, feeling hybrid! Gods, if my people possessed such an ability, just think of the beasts we could create!  "

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan imagined for a moment what kind of twisted terrors might lurk in the energetic mind of the little Elf. If one set aside the blasphemous notion of playing God, the military application of such custom-created chimeras could not be ignored. "
        ro "Something to consider in the future, perhaps. For now… "
        "He turned to face Arzyl, who stood impatiently tapping her toe against the ground. Her glowing eyes swiveled to him as he came to a decision."

    else:
        "Rowan imagined for a moment what kind of twisted terrors might lurk in the energetic mind of the little Elf. He mentally shuddered."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro " ...I’d rather not."
        "Sighing to himself, the warrior turned to face Arzyl, who stood impatiently tapping her toe against the ground. Her glowing eyes swiveled to him as he came to a decision."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    label driderMenu2_rp:

        menu:
            "Ask if the Fae has a gender preference.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Does your Handmaiden care about the gender of the Drider she possesses?"
                arz "Not in the slightest. "
                arz "A Handmaiden is a Handmaiden, we Fae make no distinctions on the particulars of our host’s genitalia."
                ro "Does that apply to you, as well?"
                "Arzyl swayed her hips as she sashayed up to Rowan, her ripe breasts wobbling as she smirked at him."
                #arz happy
                arz "I have taken a male host in the past, if that is what you are asking. The Fae are not bound by the dualistic reality of a mortal’s reproductive organs."
                arz "And in the case of my Handmaiden: I am already granting her a great boon by asking an ally for a gift on her behalf. It is only fair that you get to choose the manner of gift that is given."
                jump driderMenu2_rp

            "Bring her the Female Drider. (Scene 1 - Straight)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ driderSex = "female"
                ro "Very well, Arzyl. I will have Draith bring you the female Drider to use as the host."
                jump driderTransformation_rp

            "Bring her the Male Drider. (Scene 2 - Gay)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ driderSex = "male"
                ro "I will grant you your request, Arzyl. Draith will bring you the male Drider to become the new host."

            "Deny the Request":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan shook his head. No matter how he tried to square it in his head, he did not like the idea of allowing Arzyl to use one of his Driders in such a manner."
                ro "No. I’m sorry Arzyl, but we cannot spare a Drider. Your Handmaiden will have to find a different host body."
                "Arzyl’s glare could have melted stone. Rowan felt the shadow of Draith‘ form cower behind him as if sheltering from a storm."
                #arz angry
                arz "No indeed, you obviously need these witless creatures for the far greater purpose of allowing your incompetent little beastmaster to poke and prod at them like a blundering child."
                arz "Very well, it is of no concern to me. But the Midnight Court will remember this the next time you come seeking our aid."
                "There was a danger in her eyes. Rowan felt his hand reach in caution towards the hilt of his sword, though the Fae did not make a move. She turned, striding with quick steps out of the breeding pit."
                arz "If you will excuse me, I have arrangements to make with my Handmaiden."
                hide arzyl with moveoutright
                "Rowan watched the Fae enchantress as she left, his hand never leaving his sword hilt till she was gone from view. He breathed out a low sigh of relief."
                dra "She was not happy."
                ro "She’s trouble. How much trouble she is for us though remains to be seen."
                dra "Well, at least I get to keep Dirklaw and Antaweb. Despite the whole… aggression thing, I’ve grown quite fond of the two of them."
                #todo - lose MC relationship
                return

    label driderTransformation_rp:

        arz "Excellent Rowan! You will not regret your generosity."
        arz "And worry not, I shall bring my Handmaiden here, we shall perform the ritual within the Drider’s cage itself."

        "Arzyl whispered a low incantation and snapped her fingers. At the apex of her chant, a blinding blue light filled the room. Rowan only just managed to shield his eyes from the glare in time to avoid being stunned."
        "Through the glimmering fog a pale, emaciated figure stepped into reality."
        "What appeared before his eyes was an ancient, decrepit human. Her face was a mess of wrinkles, like the bleak furrows of a volcano’s pyroclastic flow caught mid-eruption. "
        "She might’ve been beautiful once, but now she was a hunched figure: bent backed and knobby kneed, with a toothless, gaping maw of a mouth and a whispy, white tuft of fuzz atop her head, like baby hair."
        "Rowan gaped for a long moment at the wizened figure who shuffled through the break in reality. The only thing about her that seemed even vaguely alive were her eyes: dark, piercing green, the color of a forest canopy in heavy shadow."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        ro " ...{i}This{/i} is your Handmaiden?!"
        arz "It is, indeed. You see now why I said it was pressing that we find her a suitable host. "
        arz "Her original body has already lived long past its natural lifecycle, and nothing short of a complete migration will be sufficient to save her."
        arz "We must act quickly. Come, my dear: Rowan has procured the form you sought."

        "Rowan watched as Arzyl gently took her Handmaiden’s trembling, arthritic hand in hers and led her towards the Drider cage, where Draith was overseeing his Orcish worker’s efforts to chain up the creature. Draith did his best to calm the worked up monster."

        if driderSex == "female":
            dra "Shh, easy girl. No Orc treats today, we have something special for you instead."
            "The female Drider’s eyes burned with anger at her restraints, her chitinous body shifting and twisting this way and that in a vain attempt to free herself from her bonds. She let out an angry hiss, but Draith simply patted her spider-bottom in pity."

        else:
            dra "Cool it boy, it isn’t feeding time anymore… or I guess, ever again. There’s someone here who wants to meet you."
            "If the male Drider was aware of what Draith was saying to him, he showed no sign of it. He attempted to lurch forward in his restraints, snarling as he parted his maw wide and displayed his poisonous mandibles. He let out a hiss, but Draith simply patted his spider-bottom in pity."

        "The gate opened, and Arzyl, the Handmaiden and Rowan stepped into the cage."
        "The old crone broke out into a wide, toothless grin as she caught sight of the struggling Drider, letting out a wheezing groan of joy. Smiling from ear to ear, she leaned up and whispered something in Arzyl’s ear, cupping her hands as if to capture its faint tone."

        arz "My Handmaiden wishes to thank you for your generous gift. In ages past she was born into a form much like this one. "
        arz "I cannot begin to tell you how long she has pined for the chance to live as one of them! Let us tarry no longer:"
        arz "Beastmaster, step away from the {i}Drach’anili{/i}!"

        if driderSex == "female":
            dra "So long girl."

        else:
            dra "So long, buddy."

        arz "{i}Uns-Alach ma dorr{/i}."

        "Arzyl’s hands crackled with arcane energy. The tingling tendrils ran up both the wizened woman and the bound Drider’s bodies. They began to shiver and jolt in place."

        arz "{i}As kalah mach bo. Heen yala yidor.{/i}"

        "The room and the cage flashed a bright, electric blue. The walls flickered and shivered, as if reality itself were unraveling at the eldritch shimmer of Arzyl’s incantation."
        "Rowan watched in stonefaced silence as the wizened Fae’s eyes rolled into her head. Her tremors became seizures, and from her gaping, lipless mouth emerged a dark mist, like onyx droplets issuing forth from a waterspout."

        if driderSex == "female":
            "The Drider let out a keening screech, her multiple eyes blinking in arrhythmic disharmony with one another."
            "Her humanoid half shuddered, and her limbs went taut. More violent still was her spider half, whose eight limbs twitched and jolted like an insect in its final death throes."
            arz "{i}Drall’Acha{/i}!"
            "With a dramatic flourish Arzyl directed the channel of spiritual energy issuing forth from the Handmaiden’s old host into its new one, the mist filling the Drider’s nostrils as her mouth opened to scream. But no sound issued forth."

        else:
            "The Drider let out a booming roar, his multiple eyes blinking in arrhythmic disharmony with one another."
            "His humanoid half shuddered, his muscled abs clenching as his limbs went taut. More dramatic still was his spider half, whose eight limbs twitched and jolted like an insect in its final death throes."
            arz "{i}Drall’Hekar{/i}"
            "With a dramatic flourish Arzyl directed the channel of spiritual energy issuing forth from the Handmaiden’s old host into its new one, the mist filling the Drider’s nostrils as his mouth opened to scream. But no sound issued forth."

        "The concentrated energy in Arzyl’s hands dissipated away, the room returning to its natural color. The old woman who had once been the Fae’s host crumpled to the ground, dead."
        "The Drider stood stock still, as if calcified into marble. It stood in a locked position, its eyes slowly opening to stare blearily at the world around it."

        ro "Is it… done?"
        arz " Not quite. Witness the transformation."

        if driderSex == "female":
            "Rowan watched as the Drider let out a low, stomach-churning gurgle, her throat clenching as the changes took hold."
            dra "{i}Oh{/i}!"
            "The terrifying changes spread: the black, chitinous armor of the former-Drider’s spider body flowing across her skin, forming clothing-like coverage to her shifting physique."
            "A pair of humanoid legs sprouted out from beneath her former thorax. They were long and lissome pale, like her humanoid half. In place of feet, black tips like a spider’s legs grew at the end."
            "Her arms became more angular, her fingers long claws of black chitin. The Drider’s white hair shrank into her scalp, becoming stained with streaks of deep green."
            "The Drider’s former legs were absorbed into her humanoid body, becoming long, scuttling blades attached to the shoulders and back."
            "They stretched outward, growing nearly three meters in length, sharpening to a razor’s edge before curling behind her like the pinions of a huge, featherless bird."
            "The changes even reached her genitalia: the Drider’s juicy breasts ballooning in size even as they were enveloped in a black, chitinous coating."
            "Her hips widened, her ass plumped out, and her spider-pussy repositioned itself to the nexus of her crotch, growing a small but noticeable clit where none before existed."

        else:
            "Rowan watched as the Drider let out a low, stomach-churning gurgle, his throat clenching as the changes took hold."
            dra "{i}Oh{/i}!"
            "The Drider’s features began to warp. His numerous eyes reshaped themselves, merging into a single, angular pair larger than a human’s eyes. His spider abdomen contorted, shrinking like a deflating balloon into his body as his legs shrank into their sockets."
            "The terrifying changes spread across his body: the black, chitinous armor of the former-Drider’s spider body spread across his skin, forming clothing-like coverage to his shifting physique."
            "A pair of humanoid legs appeared, thick and muscled, but in place of feet were black tips at the end like the spider’s former legs."
            "His arms became more angular, his fingers long claws of black chitin. The Drider’s white hair shrank into his scalp, becoming stained with streaks of deep green."
            "The Drider’s former legs were absorbed into his humanoid body, becoming long, scuttling blades attached to the shoulders and back."
            "They stretched outward, growing nearly three meters in length, sharpening to a razor’s edge before curling behind him like the pinions of a huge, featherless bird."
            "The changes even reached his genitalia: the curving barb that was his spider cock repositioning itself to his humanoid groin, growing an inch or two longer in the interim."
            "A set of chitinous testes formed beneath his sheath, creating a hardened sac for his gonads to reside."

        "At last the changes ceased. The thing that had once been a Drider opened its eyes, revealing that same, canopy green shade that had inhabited the now-dead body lying on the ground. It smiled, and Rowan was struck by how similar it was to the old woman’s toothless grin."

        arz "Beloved Handmaiden, you have returned!"
        hand "Yes, Mistress. And stronger than ever!"
        hand "Thank you my lady, for this priceless gift."

        arz "Do not thank me dear, thank Rowan. It is he who has gifted you your new and improved form."

        if driderSex == "female":
            "The Handmaiden bowed her head low, exposing her long back as her leg-claws swayed in a strangely seductive manner. They reached out and touched the ground, steadying her frame as she bent at a ninety degree angle."

        else:
            "The Handmaiden bowed her - or rather, his - head low, exposing his rippling back as his leg-claws swayed in a strangely seductive manner. They reached out and touched the ground, steadying his frame as he bent at a ninety degree angle."

        hand "Thank you, Master Rowan. You have granted me my deepest abiding wish."

        ro "Don't mention it."
        arz "How do you feel, my dear?"

        if driderSex == "female":
            "The Fae lifted her hand, gazing in fascination at her new, supple arachnid body. The former Drider’s hands roamed up and down her feminine curves, pausing to grope at her hefty breasts. She licked her lips."
            hand "...Horny. I can feel the Drider’s spirit raging within me now: She is frustrated. Pent up. Ready to fuck."
            arz "I don’t doubt it, sister. You have been kept waiting for a long time."
            dra "By the twisting taint of Kharos! Look at her!"
            "The beastmaster marveled at the transformed Fae, despite her feminine features, it appeared that he still saw her more as a creature than a woman."
            "As he fearlessly approached her flank and began to poke and prod at her new legs, dragging his fingertips across the black armor before knocking his knuckles against them."
            dra "She’s amazing! The chitin has solidified to almost twice a Drider’s density, you could use a boar-spear and still struggle to pierce her armor now! Yet it does not seem to weigh much at all!"
            "The Fae seemed almost amused by the fawning adoration Draith was showering on her. She smiled, extending her leg-claws out as she stretched, letting out a Drider-like hiss of satisfaction."
            "Draith, caught up in the moment as he was, took hold of one of the legs and ran a finger across its edge. He drew back, staring in fascination at the blood that beaded from his fingertip."
            dra "-And the legs. Look Rowan: you see the muscles at the joints? Each of these claws are strong enough to cut a man in half! Not even a normal Drider has that kind of body strength!"
            "The Fae laughed, giving one of her aforementioned legs an experimental slice. Rowan was shocked at the reach that they had, extending almost to the other side of the pen in a single swipe."
            "The former Drider let out a low growl of satisfaction. Draith continued his excited inspection, leaning down and brazenly sliding a finger across her spider-cunny."
            dra "Hmm, I wonder if she’s sexually compatible with normal Driders. If we could breed her-"
            "The Fae snarled and slapped Draith’s hand away. The Elf let out a startled yelp and leapt back, reminded once more that this thing that stood before him was no longer the Drider he had once known."
            "She affixed him with a dark glare, and he shrank back, huddling once more behind Rowan."
            hand "Insolent whelp! I am no beast, to mate like a brood mare for your amusement!"
            hand "If I am to fuck something, it shall be on my terms. And I have far bigger prey in mind."
            #arz happy
            arz "Do you now? And… who might you have in mind, my dear?"
            "Rowan did not like the tone in Arzyl’s voice. She spoke with a certain humored quality, as if she already knew the answer to her own question. He felt the two Fae’s gazes swivel to him. There was a hunger in the Handmaiden’s eyes."
            hand "...My ‘saviour’ is a tasty morsel."
            arz "He is indeed, my dear."
            arz "Perhaps you’d like to… pluck him?"
            "The former Drider let out a low, menacing growl, before Rowan knew what was happening she rushed forward, moving with almost blinding speed, surging across the room with the help of her back-claws, pinning him to the wall."
            "Despite himself Rowan felt a thread of panic run down his spine."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "{i}Arzyl{/i}! Control her!"
            arz "Now, now Rowan: I thought you would be pleased! It is a great boon for a Fae to bestow upon a mere mortal the honor of testing out her newest form. "
            arz "We Fae can get {i}really{/i} pent up when we switch between bodies; count yourself lucky she merely wishes to copulate with you, and not test her blades."
            "The Handmaiden flashed her fangs at him and leaned in for a kiss."

        else:
            "The Fae lifted his hand, gazing in fascination at his new, muscular arachnid body. His hands trailed southwards, reaching down to give his large, onyx dick a few experimental strokes. The former Drider licked his lips."
            hand "..Horny. I can feel the Drider’s spirit raging within me now: He is pent up. Fuck hungry. Ready to rut."
            arz "I don’t doubt it, brother. You have been kept waiting for a long time."
            dra "By the twisting taint of Kharos! Look at him!"
            "The beastmaster marveled at the transformed Fae. He began to poke and prod at his new legs, dragging his fingertips across the black armor that covered them. Rowan spotted Draith making a few casual gropes of his rock-hard abs as well."
            dra "He’s {i}amazing{/i}! The chitin has solidified to almost twice a Drider’s density, you could use a boar-spear and still struggle to pierce his armor now!  Yet it does not seem to weigh much at all!"
            "The Fae seemed almost amused by the fawning adoration Draith was showering upon him. He grinned, extending his leg-claws out as she stretched, letting out a Drider-like hiss of satisfaction."
            "Draith, caught up in the moment as he was, took hold of one of the legs and ran a finger across its edge. He drew back, staring in fascination at the blood that beaded from his fingertip."
            dra "-And the legs. Look Rowan: you see the muscles at the joints? Each of these claws are strong enough to cut a man in half! A normal Drider has nowhere near that kind of strength!"
            "The Fae laughed, giving one of his aforementioned legs an experimental slice. Rowan was shocked at the reach that they had, extending almost to the other side of the pen in a single swipe."
            "The former Drider let out a low growl of satisfaction. Draith continued his excited inspection, leaning down and brazenly taking hold of his spider-cock. There was a slight, reddish tinge to his cheeks."
            dra "O-oh, and he’s grown, too!"
            dra "I wonder if he’s still sexually compatible with normal Driders. If we could breed him with-"
            "The Fae snarled and slapped Draith’s hand away. The Elf let out a startled yelp and leapt back, reminded once more that this thing that stood before him was no longer the Drider he had once known."
            "He affixed him with a dark glare, and Draith shrank back, huddling once more behind Rowan."
            hand "Insolent whelp! I am no beast, to mate like a breeding stud for your amusement!"
            hand "If I am to fuck something, it shall be on my terms. And I have far bigger prey in mind."
            #arz happy
            arz "Do you now? And… who might you have in mind, my dear?"
            "Rowan did not like the tone in Arzyl’s voice. She spoke with a certain humored quality, as if she already knew the answer to her own question. He felt the two Fae’s gazes swivel to him. There was a hunger in the Handmaiden’s eyes."
            hand "...My ‘saviour’ is a tasty morsel."
            arz "He is indeed, my dear."
            arz "Perhaps you’d like to… pluck him?"
            "The former Drider let out a low, menacing growl, before Rowan knew what was happening she rushed forward, moving with almost blinding speed, surging across the room with the help of her back-claws, pinning him to the wall."
            "Despite himself Rowan felt a thread of panic run down his spine."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "{i}Arzyl{/i}! Control her!"
            arz "Now, now Rowan: I thought you would be pleased! It is a great boon for a Fae to bestow upon a mere mortal the honor of testing out her newest form. "
            arz "We Fae can get {i}really{/i} pent up when we switch between bodies; count yourself lucky he merely wishes to copulate with you, and not test her blades."
            "The Handmaiden flashed his fangs at him and leaned in for a kiss."

        menu:
            "Is this really necessary? (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan grimaced under the unsubtle touch of the assertive Fae. Even as he spoke he could feel grasping claws casually groping his genitals."
                ro "Is.. {i}urgh{/i} - is this really necessary for your Handmaiden to do?"
                arz "Yes. The transference often leaves the host body physically pent-up and frustrated. The best means of dealing with that extra energy and combing the spirit is to get out that aggression, one way or another."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "So why me?"
                arz "Why not? You should be flattered that you are my Handmaiden’s preferred choice."
                ro "And if I don’t wish to be?"
                if driderSex == "female":
                    arz "She seems quite set on the idea… perhaps you just require a bit more incentive?"
                else:
                    arz "He seems quite set on the idea… perhaps you just require a bit more incentive?"
                arz "I'll tell you what: if you allow my dearest Handmaiden to ravish you in a manner that only the Fae are truly capable of…"
                arz "I will allow your frail little servant to do whatever tests he wishes with my Handmaiden and the remaining Drider."
                dra "Deal!"
                ro "Damn it, Draith!"
                arz "So… what will it be? Shall my Handmaiden show you the sensual pleasures of a Trueborn?"
                jump driderSexMenu_rp

            "Reprimand Arzyl. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Is this how you repay me for my kindness, witch? Siccing your minion on me? "
                arz "Calm yourself, my sweet. She is just trying to show her appreciation."
                ro "Regardless of whether or not I want it in the first place?"
                "The Fae let out an appreciative growl, gripping tightly to Rowan’s shoulders with its finger claws. The former Drider seemed to be waiting for Arzyl’s command… or her permission."
                arz "I'll tell you what: if you allow my dearest Handmaiden to {i}ravish{/i} you in a manner that only the Fae are truly capable of…"
                arz "I will allow your frail little servant to do whatever tests he wishes with my Handmaiden and the remaining Drider."
                dra "Deal!"
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Damn it, Draith!"
                arz "So… what will it be? Shall my Handmaiden show you the sensual pleasures of a Trueborn?"
                jump driderSexMenu_rp

            "Threaten the Handmaiden":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan realized that if he was going to stop the randy Fae, he’d have to put his foot down. His hand reached down to grasp the hilt of his sword, drawing the blade so as to ward off the aggressive creature."
                ro "Let me go. {i}Now{/i}."
                hand "I love it when prey squirms."
                ro "Lay your hands on me again, and you’re going to need another new host body before the day is through."
                if driderSex == "female":
                    "The Handmaiden grinned, but Rowan could see the uncertainty grow in her forest green eyes. She turned, casting her gaze in the direction of her mistress, as if seeking Arzyl’s permission to continue. The Sorceress shrugged."
                    "The Handmaiden let out a growl, but with some reluctance released her hold on Rowan, stepping away with a huff as she withdrew her shoulder-claws."
                    "The warrior watched the creature with wary eyes, sheathing his blade but keeping his hand on his sword hilt. The Fae made a great show of stretching her body, plumping out her breasts and swaying her wide hips in a suggestive manner towards him."
                else:
                    "The Handmaiden grinned, but Rowan could see the uncertainty grow in his forest green eyes. He turned, casting his gaze in the direction of his mistress, as if seeking Arzyl’s permission. The Sorceress shrugged."
                    "The Handmaiden let out a growl, but with some reluctance released his hold on Rowan, stepping away with a huff as he withdrew his shoulder-claws."
                    "The warrior watched the creature with wary eyes, sheathing his blade but keeping his hand on his sword hilt. The Fae made a great show of flexing his muscles and thrusting his hips in a suggestive manner towards him."
                hand "You missed out, Rowan. I was looking forward to having fun with you."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "No doubt you were."
                #arz happy
                arz "There’s no accounting for taste, my beloved Handmaiden."
                arz "For what it’s worth: I cannot {i}wait{/i} to see what wonders you can perform for me in the bedroom."
                "The Fae cast a long, contemptuous glance back in Rowan’s direction."
                hand "-And I cannot wait to show you, my Lady."
                menu:
                    "Demand the Handmaiden remain to be studied.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "And just where do you think you are going?"
                        jump handmaidenThreatened_rp

                    "Let them go.":
                       # $ released_fix_rollback()
                       jump handmaidenEnding_rp

    label driderSexMenu_rp:

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        menu:
            "Allow the sex to occur. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                ro "...Fine."
                arz "You have chosen well, dear Rowan."
                jump driderTransformSex_rp

            "Decline the offer":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "...No. Not interested."
                #arz annoyed
                arz "A pity."
                #arz neutral
                arz "Release him, my dear. Rowan does not seem interested in such playthings at the moment."
                "The Handmaiden hesitated, finger claws curling about Rowan’s chin as his brow tightened at the intrusion into his personal space."
                hand "B-but my lady! The Drider wants me to-"
                #arz angry
                arz "I said:"
                arz "{i}Release him.{/i}"
                if driderSex == "female":
                    "Chastened, the former Drider stepped back, her back claws pulling away as she stretched to her full height. She cast a frustrated look down at Rowan, predatory eyes shining with hunger before she turned away in a huff."
                else:
                    "Chastened, the former Drider stepped back, his back claws pulling away as he stretched to his full height. He cast a frustrated look down at Rowan, predatory eyes shining with hunger before he turned away in a huff."
                hand "As you wish, my Lady."
                arz "You have already been granted a great gift by this man, do not anger me any further by giving into your baser instincts like a pathetic mortal."
                #arz happy
                arz "Thank you Rowan for your help in this endeavor. The Midnight Court will remember the gift you have given us."
                menu:
                    "This is not a gift. The Handmaiden will remain here to be studied.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Arzyl, I do not believe we are on the same page here."
                        jump handmaidenThreatened_rp

                    "It was no trouble.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        jump handmaidenEnding_rp

    label driderTransformSex_rp:

        if driderSex == "female":
            jump driderFemaleVersion_rp

        else:
            jump driderMaleVersion_rp

    label driderFemaleVersion_rp:

        "The Handmaiden’s forest green eyes lit up at the sound of Rowan’s acceptance, glimmering with a ravenous need. She smiled, revealing a mouth of half-human, half fanged teeth. "

        hand "You have made the correct choice, Rowan. "

        "She stepped into his arms, her body moving with a spider’s slow grace as her foot-claws skittered forward."
        "The Fae wrapped her arms around him, pulling him tight against her chest as her breasts squashed into him. The feeling of the hard chitin against his chest made a strange but pleasing dichotomy with the squishy texture of her large breasts."

        hand "Mmm, you have no idea how long it’s been since I’ve had another hold me like this."

        "Her clawed hands reached out, taking Rowan’s with surprising gentleness and guiding them to her hindquarters. He felt the curve of her plump ass, squeezing at the tender flesh that had grown in place of a spider abdomen."
        "The black armor coating formed a sort of seal upon her rump, only revealing the skin beneath as Rowan applied erotic pressure."
        "The Handmaiden sighed as Rowan pulled aside her plating, his probing fingers finding purchase in the wet delta of her snatch as they squirmed their way inside."

        hand "Yes… let me show you what my new form is capable of!"

        scene cg611 with fade
        show arzyl neutral behind cg611
        show draith happy behind cg611
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg611
        pause 3

        "The Handmaiden’s hands reached down to cup Rowan’s ass, her finger-claws curling posessively around them before reaching around to grab at his crotch beneath his outfit. Rowan let out a low grunt as the spider’s sneaking fingers jerked him off through his clothing."

        dra "She is showing immense restraint; the Drider would have mounted Rowan by now."
        arz "A Fae can be just as bestial as any being, little beastmaster. But we are in control of our hosts. We choose when to let loose."

        "The Handmaiden giggled as her claws tore a hole in Rowan’s crotch, allowing her grasping digits to take hold of him in the warmth of her palm. She stroked him, moaning as Rowan fingered her pussy with his hand."

        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "He felt an animalistic need rise up in his chest, and he reached around with his free hand to plant a loud spank against her fat rear. The Fae let out a cry of pleasure, and he repeated the action."

        hand "Mmm, do you hear that, lover? Our audience is getting impatient with us. I wouldn’t want my mistress to leave disappointed."

        "The Handmaiden smiled, showing her rows of fangs. Rowan lifted his hand, displaying for all to see the wet, glistening juices now flowing freely from her spider cunt."
        "She put her hands to his chest, shoving Rowan to the ground before clambering over him as she let out a Drider-like hiss of satisfaction."
        "The Handmaiden planted herself atop him, her fat bottom resting hard upon his crotch as she grinded up and down atop him. Her grasping, spiderlike limbs encircled them both like a cage, trapping Rowan in place as the Fae eagerly humped atop him."

        hand "I can feel it: she wanted to take you herself."
        ro "W-who?"
        hand "My host. Her thirst is almost as unquenchable as mine - as unquenchable as ours is for you."

        "The Handmaiden’s lips pressed against Rowan, a rough kiss of animalistic passion mixed with predatory hunger. She all but assaulted Rowan’s mouth, biting on his lower lip and eliciting a sharp yelp from him when her fangs poked into his skin. "

        hand "I want to rip your clothing to pieces and mount you like a mare."

        "Her spider claws tore at his clothing, ripping aside his paltry leggings to reach the juicy cock beneath. Her chitinous hand grasped Rowan’s prick, stroking it to full hardness as a wicked grin grew across her face."

        hand "Can you feel it? My rejuvenated power?"

        "Rowan could feel it… and it was more than just her touch, her fingertips spun threads of mystic power around and across his penis, the sensitive nerves of his dick responding to her flexes and pronations like a puppet to pulled strings."
        "She toyed with him for a moment, manipulating his cock till Rowan thought he was about to burst."

        scene cg612 with fade
        show arzyl neutral behind cg612
        show draith happy behind cg612
        pause 3

        "And just like that, the sensation spilled away. She took his rock-hard dick in hand and aligned it with her folds, her knife cut smile growing as he slipped between her insides. The spider matron settled her hips down onto his waist, letting out a low, rumbling coo as she bottomed out on him."

        dra "{i}Amazing{/i}! She even moves like a Drider, despite the changes!"
        arz "Have you heard that trite human saying: “you are what you eat,” little beastmaster?"
        arz "For the Fae, the term takes on a far more spiritual meaning."

        "The dark elf and Fae ambassador watched as Rowan groaned under the weight of the Handmaiden’s pounding hips."
        "Her chitinous black ass slapped against him, creating a rough sexual tempo that matched the hammering of his heart. She twerked and twisted in place, finding new and exciting angles to hump him as she eagerly mounted his manhood."
        "The Handmaiden let out a deep growl, her grin widening across her cheeks as she flashed her fangs at her half-lover, half-prey. She picked up the pace, her black carapace bouncing against Rowan’s thighs as her body shivered and shuddered."
        "The pace quickened, the two lovers from different dimensions gasped and groaned as the Drider-cunt swallowed his cock whole before pulling back, her lips clinging to his head before plunging back down again."
        "Rowan let out a grunt, his balls tightening as his cock thickened within the Spider woman. The Fae let out a keening screech, half Drider and half something else in tone. She lifted her head skyward, her mouth going slack as her pussy clenched around the cock jammed within it."
        "Rowan came, shooting his seed deep within the Fae’s newfound spider-pussy. Arzyl watched, her hand drifting beneath her robes to rub at herself as she bit her lip. Draith looked excited."
        "The Fae panted above Rowan for a moment, then lifted herself off of him on her powerful legs, a string of white seed leaking out of her used fuckhole as she walked over to Arzyl."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show draith happy at edgeright with dissolve
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        arz "Well done my Handmaiden. I see your new body has done nothing to dampen your sex drive."

        hand "It was my pleasure, Mistress. This new body is far more vigorous and resilient than my previous one."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan picked himself up off the ground at the same time as Arzyl led her rejuvenated Handmaiden back through the portal she had created. The half-Drider being gave him a naughty wink as she left."

        dra "Wow, now wasn’t that something?"

        #Add a small increase to drider power and Draith relationship - TODO
        #Relationship with Arzyl/MC, Lose a Drider - TODO
        return

    label driderMaleVersion_rp:

        "The Handmaiden turned, his forest green eyes burning with a ravenous need. He grinned, revealing a mouth of half-human, half fanged teeth."
        "He strode towards Rowan with an arachnid’s confidence, taking the warrior by the wrist and pulling him roughly into his arms. He was graceful, forceful in his movements. As the Fae wrapped his arms around him, Rowan felt the breath stealing from his lungs. "
        "The pale skin of the former Drider gleamed like a mirror’s sheen in the torchlight of the breeding pits. The feeling of the hard chitin against Rowan’s chest made his heartbeat quicken."

        hand "Mmm, you have no idea how long it’s been since I’ve had someone in my arms like this."

        "His clawed hands reached out, sliding across Rowan’s ass, kneading at his hindquarters as he let out a contented growl."
        "Rowan felt the tickling curve of his clawed fingers drag possessively across his cheeks, plump ass, squeezing at the tender flesh as the bulge of his spider cock grew thicker between them. "
        "A similar bulge was building in Rowan’s pants, his hands sliding across the Fae’s sweaty skin as they traced the thick muscles of his bare chest."
        "His eyes were upon Rowan’s, a hungry smile growing as the former Drider made an experimental hump, frotting with Rowan through the covering of his leggings."

        hand "Yes… let me show you what my new form is capable of!"

        "The Handmaiden’s hands reached down to cup Rowan’s ass again, his finger-claws curling posessively around them before reaching around to grab at his crotch beneath his outfit. Rowan let out a low grunt as the spider’s sneaking fingers jerked him off through his clothing."

        dra "Wow... he’s uh… q-quite spirited!"
        arz "Do try to contain your pathetic libido, beastmaster. I can see you squirming from here. You look like a wine bottle about to pop its cork."
        dra "Y-yes ma’am! I j-just wasn’t expecting him to be still so… ah, aggressive?"
        arz "A Fae can be just as aggressive as any creature. But we are in control of our hosts. We choose when to let loose."

        "The Handmaiden cackled as his claws tore a hole in Rowan’s crotch, allowing his grasping digits to take hold of him in the warmth of his palm."
        "He stroked him, moaning as Rowan’s hands wrapped around his onyx dick, marveling at its superior size. The air grew thick with the scent of masculine arousal."

        hand "Mmm, do you hear that, lover? Our audience is getting impatient with us. I wouldn’t want my mistress to leave disappointed."

        "The Handmaiden smiled, displaying his rows of fangs. He thumbed Rowan’s cock, coating his black fingertips in precum so that they glistened. He lifted his hand displaying the sticky juices as they stretched between his fingertips."
        "The Handmaiden put his hands to Rowan’s chest, shoving the warrior to the ground before clambering on top of him as the Fae let out a Drider-like hiss of satisfaction."

        hand "Hmm, what have we here? A tasty morsel, barely even a snack."

        "The Drider pinned Rowan’s hands above his head, flopping his turgid black spider cock on top of Rowan’s, dwarfing his size and asserting his dominance. Rowan squirmed in place, but could do little to free himself from the creature’s iron grasp."

        hand "I can feel it: he wanted to take you himself."

        ro "W-who?"

        hand "My host. His hunger is almost as unquenchable as mine - as unquenchable as ours is for you."

        "The Handmaiden’s lips pressed against Rowan, a rough kiss of animalistic passion mixed with predatory hunger. He all but assaulted Rowan’s mouth, biting on his lower lip and eliciting a sharp yelp from him when the Fae’s fangs poked into his skin. "

        hand "I want to rip your clothing to pieces and fuck you like a cheap whore."

        dra "O-oh, wait! Hold on, before you begin!"

        "The Fae let out an annoyed growl as Draith rushed over to the two, pulling a small vial of clear liquid from his belt. Rowan watched from his compromised position beneath the former Drider’s bulk as the waifish Elf squeezed in on one side."
        "He spread Rowan’s bare buttcheeks as he popped the vial’s lid and applied a small stream of the liquid to his fingertip. Draith dabbed the finger against Rowan’s twitching asshole, sending a shiver of sensitivity up the hero’s spine at the warm, wet feel of it."

        ro "What the hell are you doing?"

        dra "Applying lube. Trust me: from personal experience, you’ll thank me later."

        scene cg528 with fade
        show arzyl neutral behind cg528
        show draith happy behind cg528

        "Comprehension dawned on Rowan as he realized what was about to happen. The Handmaiden dragged his long, black cock up across Rowan’s own smaller length before sliding back again to align himself to the recently-lubed hole."
        "Draith stared at the entrance, squinting one eye as if he were an artist inspecting their latest work. He clapped his hands and stepped away, a noticeable blush in his cheeks and stiffness in his groin."
        "A wicked grin grew across the Fae’s face as the tip of his cock touched the entrance to Rowan’s backside."

        hand "Can you feel it pressing against you? Sliding in like-"

        "Rowan stared up at the Fae, whose forest green eyes gazed back at him with erotic authority. Though Rowan would never admit it,  laid out on the ground with his legs spread and his ass getting reamed, he felt a submissive thrill of pleasure run through his body."
        "The Fae began to move, sliding his big, black spider dick in and out of the wet hole he had claimed as his own. Rowan grunted, his erect cock flopping against his stomach with every thrust."
        "His stomach clenched around it, and he found himself leaning into the abuse as the former Drider’s clawed hands ran up and down his chest, tweaking his nipples and scraping across his pecs."

        dra "{i}Amazing{/i}! He even moves like a Drider, despite the changes!"

        arz "Have you heard that trite human saying: “you are what you eat,” little beastmaster?"
        arz "For the Fae, the term takes on a far more spiritual meaning."

        "Rowan’s face burned with humiliation as the two voyeurs watched him get fucked on the breeding room floor. The Fae, seeming to sense his trepidation, picked up the pace, driving more and more of his slick cock deeper into his rectum."
        "The pale-skinned creature laughed, tossing his red-tinged hair around as he adopted a fast, frenetic humping pace. Rowan could do little but brace himself against the floor as the Fae took him for a ride."
        "The Handmaiden let out a deep growl, his grin widening across his cheeks as his flashed his fangs at his half-lover, half-prey. He picked up speed, his black carapace cock bouncing against Rowan’s thighs as draped his legs over his shoulders and laid into his ass."
        "The pace quickened, the two lovers from different dimensions gasped and groaned as the Drider dick pressed deep enough to poke Rowan’s prostate before pulling back, his ass clenching against the cockhead before it plunged back in again."
        "Rowan let out a cry of pleasure, his balls tightening as he orgasmed from the repeated stimulation of his g-spot. "
        "Cum spurted from his tip and shot across his stomach, some of it even landing as high as his chest."
        "The Fae let out a growl, half Drider and half something else in tone. He lifted his head skyward, roaring as his dick thickened within Rowan and unloaded its deposit of seed deep within Rowan’s rectum. He kept thrusting through the orgasm, grunting and groaning as his hands molested Rowan’s sides, chest and shoulders."
        "Arzyl watched, her hand drifting beneath her robes to rub at herself as she bit her lip. Draith looked excited, his cheeks beet red and his eyes alight with erotic tension."
        "The Fae panted above Rowan for a moment, then pulled himself free, jerking his cock over Rowan in a display of dominance. Content that he had dribled out the last drops of cum onto Rowan’s stomach, he walked over to Arzyl."

        scene bg25 with fade
        show draith neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        arz "Well done my Handmaiden, I see your new body has done nothing to dampen your sex drive."
        hand "It was my pleasure, Mistress. This new body is far more vigorous and resilient than my previous one."

        "Rowan, exhausted and covered in two people’s cum, picked himself up off the ground at the same time as Arzyl led her rejuvenated Handmaiden back through the portal she had created. The half-Drider being gave him a naughty wink as she left."

        dra "By the Plane of Chaos... Rowan, do you know when he'll be back?  I think I'll have to take a turn to test his body before we move onto the Drider!"

        #Add a small increase to drider power and Draith relationship - TODO
        #Relationship with Arzyl/MC, Lose a Drider - TODO
        return

        label handmaidenEnding_rp:

            if driderSex == "female":
                "The now-transformed Fae scuttled with a Drider’s rapid gait over to her mistress. Arzyl pulled her into a kiss, and for a short moment the two roughly made out."

            else:
                "The now-transformed Fae scuttled with a Drider’s rapid gait over to her mistress. Arzyl pulled him into a kiss, and for a short moment the two roughly made out."

            arz "{i}Mwah{/i}!"
            arz "Mmmm, I think I’m going to like this new you, my dear."
            arz "Very well, if there is nothing more you wish of us then, Rowan? I believe I am going to test my loyal servant’s new body out myself."

            #Relationship with Arzyl/MC, Lose a Drider - TODO
            return

    label handmaidenThreatened_rp:

        ro "You said you would let us study the methods of the soul transfer."
        ro "You showed us the ritual, but that is not enough. I expect your Handmaiden to return later, so Draith can examine her further. "

        "Arzyl’s let out a contemptuous sniff."

        arz "I said I would allow you a glimpse. And I have kept my word. "
        ro "Don’t play word games with me, Arzyl. That’s {i}my{/i} Drider your Handmaiden is occupying, so far as I’m concerned, she’s half mine now."
        arz "You would {i}dare{/i}-"
        ro "But we’re not here to bicker, are we? Allies, gifts, and all that."
        ro "I have granted you your wish. The least you can do is to abide by my beastmaster’s request, and let him study your Handmaiden."
        arz "..."
        arz "Very well."

        hand "M-mistress!"

        "The Fae Ambassador silenced her minion with a rough kiss, reminding everyone in the room that despite whatever physical might the now-reborn handmaiden possessed, she was still just a servant."

        arz "Shh, do not worry my dear. I will make sure to thoroughly examine your body first. You’d like that, don’t you? "

        "A hungry moan was all the confirmation she needed. Arzyl answered Rowan with a respectful nod."

        arz "You drive a hard bargain Rowan, but as allies-to-be, I will acknowledge your words. My Handmaiden will be at your filthy Elf’s disposal… for a time. "
        ro "I expect the handmaiden to behave. If I hear they are bullying Draith, I will return for my half. "
        arz "For a beastmaster to require a caretaker of his own… how pathetic."
        ro "Arzyl..."
        arz "She will behave. Now, if you do not mind, I must break my lovely Handmaiden in. {i}Again{/i}."

        if driderSex == "female":
            "The Fae left with her giggling Handmaiden in tow. Draith gave Rowan a shy thumbs up, pleased by the end result, if slightly terrified of the prospect of upcoming evenings with the Drider hybrid."

        else:
            "The Fae left with her giggling Handmaiden in tow. Draith gave Rowan a shy thumbs up, pleased by the outcome.  "

        ##Add a small increase to drider power and Draith relationship - TODO
        #Relationship with Arzyl/MC (but lower than what you get otherwise), Lose a Drider. - TODO
        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_34.rpy
label dream_of_wolves_rp:

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "The hidden forest trail stretched onwards into the distance like an emerald eternity."
    "There was something primal about this place, something virgin and unspoiled. Rowan could feel the life force of the whole world flowing through the earth beneath his feet, in the coiling roots between his toes."
    "He was at peace here, one with nature and the mother-forest that sheltered him in her protective embrace. Rowan lifted his nose and breathed in the moist forest air."
    "He paused. The scent of prey tickled his nostrils, leading like an unseen blood trail into the distance."
    "Rowan smiled to himself. His pack would eat well tonight."
    "He took off into the brush, making sure to stay downwind of his prey. The quick-witted Wolf-kin followed the scent for over a mile, his heart pumping in his chest as he leapt over fallen trees and sprinted between the gaps of thorn bushes."
    "Rowan stopped dead. The scent of prey was all around him. He tensed himself to strike, watching like a hawk for any change in scenery."
    "Then, a movement: a flash of tan fur amidst the sea of green foliage. The chase was on."
    "A predatory instinct Rowan could neither define nor control compelled him to pursuit. His legs moved with the blinding speed of a beast on the hunt, his mind fixed to the target in front of him: his prey, his meal."
    "The Deer stood no chance. It had spotted him far too late. It’s fight-or-flight instincts were useless against a being as deadly as Rowan."
    "His claws were like scimitars, his teeth like ripping daggers. He was faster, stronger, {i}smarter{/i} than his prey. This was the logical state of being: the strong survived, the weak served to strengthen and feed. And Rowan was indeed strong."
    "He closed the distance in seconds as the Buck leapt high to escape his snapping jaws. Rowan was so close, he was nipping at its back legs-"
    "A white blur descended from an unseen angle in the forest canopy above. Rowan skidded to a stop, his honed instincts warning him of imminent danger."
    "A second predator entered the fray. The white blur leapt from the branches above and pounced on the blindsided Buck. Rowan’s mind caught up with his instincts, recognizing the white-furred predator to be a Wolf-kin like him."
    "The interloper tackled the Buck, using her weight and momentum to bring it crashing to the ground. The Buck let out a cry, blood fountaining into the air as the White Wolf latched her teeth around its neck and tore its throat out. A few shakes and a second bite, and the Deer lay motionless upon the ground."

    menu:
        "Another predator. Observe her cautiously.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan bared his teeth, circling the uninvited assailant with caution.  She was not of his pack, her markings and her foreign scent made that clear."
            "But Rowan had not been raised to leap headlong into danger. He first had to determine if this was a fight worth having."

        "She took HIS kill! Attack!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan snarled at this intruder, who was she to deny him his prey? She was not of his pack, her markings and her foreign scent made that clear."
            "She was a rival huntress, and she had {i}stolen his kill{/i}."

    "The intruder wolf’s yellow eyes focused upon him, baring her fangs to ward off her competitor. Rowan let out a threatening roar, and she responded in kind, snarling at him. The two circled each other, the dead Buck separating the two rivals as they prepared to fight for the right of the kill."
    "Rowan charged at the same time she did, meeting somewhere in the middle as they became an indistinguishable pile of gnashing teeth and flared fur."
    "The contest was fierce: when he slashed at her stomach, she bit him on the shoulder. When Rowan attacked her from the side, the White Wolf snapped at his hind legs."
    "The two fought like animals caught in a death spiral: neither willing to return to their pack empty handed. Both ready to fight to the death rather than cede dominance to the other."
    "The battle went on and on, far longer than bestial logic or survival instinct would normally allow in such a contest."
    "At last, Rowan used his superior weight and size to leap atop her, pinning her to the ground with his arms as she nipped and roared and snarled at him. Despite his wounds, he had gotten the better of her. Yet still she struggled."

    menu:
        "Pacify her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The White Wolf tried to squirm free from beneath his weight, but a bellowing roar into her face chastened her at last. Exhausted, she stopped struggling and collapsed against the ground, defeated."
            "Rowan growled at her, flashing his eyes and making sure in no uncertain terms she knew who had won. The White Wolf let out a whine and bared her neck to him, a sign of utter submission. Her yellow eyes never left his as they both panted from the exertion."

        "Humiliate her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan wouldn’t let the insult stand. He took hold of the White Wolf’s face, grinding her cheek into the earth as she growled and yelped in pain. She squirmed and writhed beneath him, but it was useless: he was stronger than she was. He wanted her to {i}know{/i}."
            "After a last, frantic effort to free herself she collapsed against the ground, unable to maintain her feeble resistance. Rowan reveled in the feeling of putting his rival in her proper place: helpless, terror-stricken, unable to resist his might."
            "Rowan ran a claw across her cheek as she shuddered, powerless to stop him. The White Wolf let out a whine and bared her neck to him, a sign of utter submission. Her yellow eyes never left his as they both panted from the exertion."

    "Rowan snapped his jaws in her face as a final warning and then withdrew, moving to secure his hard-fought kill."
    "The moment he was off of her, the White Wolf moved to bolt into the underbrush. He let out a low growl of warning. She gave a second, longer whine and sat back on her haunches."
    "The White Wolf watched in submissive silence as he took hold of the dead deer between his jaws and began to drag it towards his family’s den."
    "Rowan cast a long look over his shoulder at the conquered Huntress, letting out a commanding growl between his teeth. He gestured with his head in the direction he was headed, then disappeared into the underbrush."

    show rowan at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show heartsong neutral at center with dissolve

    "He felt more than heard her soft footsteps behind him as she followed him back to his den."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Time passed. There was no way of quantifying the changing of seasons to his kind. Only a vague, instinctive appreciation of the shifting nature of the hunt as the weather cooled, the leaves changed color, and game became more scarce."
    "Rowan had outgrown his original family, separating from his birth pack and his Alpha father when it became clear he was no longer welcome."

    show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The time had come for him to set out on his own in search of new territory to hunt. When he left the pack, the White Wolf followed along after him, silent and watchful as always."
    "She had become his faithful companion: traveling with him, hunting with him, sharing the warmth of their body heat in the depths of the night. He had come to rely on her, and she in turn had learned to share her meals."
    "Their pecking order had been clearly established by that first, intense encounter: he led, and she followed. They protected each other. Such was the way of things. They had become quite the pair."
    "One day, late in the afternoon as they coaxed a hare away from its burrow in tandem, Rowan caught wind of a scent that he had never smelled before."
    "Just as he flushed the floppy-eared prey from cover, he sniffed something sweet upon the wind. His head snapped around, craning his neck to stare at the White Wolf. Her rump was turned towards him, her tail held high as she chased after the tiny creature, catching it in her jaws. "
    "The White Wolf grinned in excitement through the meat in her teeth. She loped over to him and spat the hare out at his feet, her eyes alight with joy at having brought him the kill."

    menu:
        "She is… beautiful.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan looked at his companion for the first time in a new way. She was strong, yes: a loyal pack mate and an excellent hunting partner. But… this feeling about her was different. Intangible. Instinctive."
            "Rowan circled her, and the White Wolf froze, paralyzed by his gaze. The two stared at each other, exchanging words without words as their eyelids lowered and their tongues grew heavy in their mouths."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "She is mine.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan stared hungrily at the White Wolf, feeling a gnawing need build in his gut. He had conquered her: submitted her will to him as the superior specimen all those months ago. And now she did as her Alpha bid, following where his whims took them."
            "Rowan prowled around her, his tongue hanging out of his mouth as he felt heat build in his loins. Taken aback by her partner’s sudden aggression the White Wolf froze, paralyzed by his hungry gaze. He lifted his head and took a deep inhale, sensing her tense back."

    scene cg677 with fade
    pause 3

    "He circled her a second time, pausing this time to stare at her ripe breasts and juicy hindquarters, noting that the scent was coming strongest from her rear. She stood stock still in place, as if she were prey readying to bolt, but the White Wolf did not move an inch without his permission."
    "He approached her from behind, sniffing, sniffing at the sweet scent she gave off. He put his nose against her pink slit and inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring at the erotic scent. The White Wolf whimpered at the feel of his breath against her genitals."
    "Rowan felt a rush of adrenaline, his nose burying itself into her rump as he breathed in the intoxicating scent coming from her cunny. He gave an experimental lick, marveling at the sweet nectar that leaked from her femininity."
    "The White Wolf let out a moan, hiking up her ass so that Rowan might have easier access to her nethers. It seemed she liked his touch."
    "Rowan began to lick and slide his tongue up and down her lower lips, his mind awash with primal urges as his cock grew painfully erect beneath him."
    "Her pheromones were unbearable, like a fire burning from the inside that had caught the dry brush of Rowan’s mind ablaze in its destructive path."
    "He buried his face in her pussy, licking with wild abandon as he growled and nipped and bit at her plush butt. Far from being angry, the White Wolf mewled with hungry need, forgetting entirely the hare and their meal in place of this new, wonderful thing they had discovered."
    "Rowan spread her ass, slathering her with kisses and licks until her crotch was soaked and she was crying out with pleasure. The noise rebounded across the forest clearing with a loud, cacophonous echo. They’d likely scared away the game for miles around; Rowan couldn’t care less."
    "The White Wolf’s upper body went to the ground, her arms clinging to the uneven forest floor as Rowan lapped again and again at her sweltering honeypot."
    "Rowan was getting dizzy, pussy-drunk on the scent of the pheromones she exuded from her muff. He was rock hard, dribbling precum from his cockhead and humping the air in desperation for release."

    scene cg678 with fade
    pause 3

    "Flush with animal need, he mounted her, pistoning his hips at such a frantic pace that Rowan slipped and missed on his first stroke, the topside of his cock slathering across her slick slit and coating it in her feminine juices."
    "The White Wolf gasped, her body tensing with anticipation at their impending mating. She humped back against him, as eager to quench her heat as he was to fill her. It only complicated the delicate biological process as he slipped and slid his turgid length across her hot, wet snatch."
    "Frustrated in a way only a rutting male could be, Rowan drew back his hips, let loose a bellowing roar, and speared her entrance with his cock. The White Wolf’s head lifted from the ground, her ears standing on end as she let out a cry of half-pain, half-ecstasy."
    "Rowan adjusted his weight, reveling in the warm, wet conquest of his pack mate. She whimpered beneath him, her pussy tightening, squeezing his cock like a vice. The pleasing sensation urged him onwards, and before Rowan’s conscious mind had time to process he was thrusting into her depths."
    "They moved as one, rolling their hips together in a hypnotic rhythm that was not borne of experience, but basic instinct. The White Wolf let out a gasp, her arms going out from under her as she lifted her ass in the air to further facilitate Rowan’s rough fucking."
    "There was a wet {i}squelch{/i} every time he hilted within her. Each time he hit that particular depth she let out a scream of orgiastic approval. They mated like beasts beneath the boughs, thrusting and bucking against one another with little subtlety and less restraint."
    "Rowan picked up the pace, his hands reaching around her to grope at her chest and her hanging teats. The White Wolf groaned, helpless to the sensation of being roughly taken like a bitch in heat."
    "Rowan laid himself atop her, smothering her with his weight, claiming her as his own. She submitted to him, bucking her hips back against him in tune to his aggressive thrusts."
    "The two fell into a natural sync, their bodies molding together in a manner reminiscent of their conflict, months before. Only this time, the growls and yips were of an altogether different nature."
    "She spread her legs apart and lifted her tail higher in a show of submissiveness. Rowan responded by taking hold of her shoulder firmly but gently with his teeth, holding her in tight place as he slapped his hips hard against her ass."
    "He felt the swelling of his base grow and grow, his knot thickening with blood as he bottomed out within her. His knot bumped against her pussy lips, the engorged meat {i}squeezing{/i} tight between the narrow gap of her pussy. Rowan let out a growl, building to a roar. His knot slid into her folds with a loud {i}pop{/i}."
    "{i}She is mine{/i}. That was the thought that repeated like a mantra in Rowan’s head as he hilted and came."
    "He felt a rush of feminine fluids coat his crotch as the White Wolf orgasmed in tune to his own climax. There was a triumphant thrill of conquest as he ejaculated, a sense of biological accomplishment. His hot cum squirted deep into her pussy, filling her fertile womb with his impregnating seed."
    "They had created a new life in that moment, Rowan felt it in the depths of his soul. The very wind in the trees changed their direction to tell him so."

    menu:
        "I love her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ heartsongLove = True
            "Despite his initial release, his knot did not go down. Whether she had intended it or not, the White Wolf had inflamed Rowan to his very core. They were now irrevocably tied together: his cock letting loose further spurts inside her womanhood as her pussy gently massaged more cum from his balls."
            "Still tied at the groin, the two collapsed together against the earth. Rowan was more exhausted now than he’d been after their first, contentious encounter. The White Wolf huddled into his arms, sharing her warmth with him in the heady afterglow."
            "Again, the yellow eyes. They were the strangest thing about her. More than her strength, or even her beauty, her contemplative gaze was what fascinated Rowan the most. She stared at him with something approaching contentment, and perhaps even a little bit of possessive pride."
            "{i}I am hers{/i}. He realized at last, his heart pumping faster. "

        "I own her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ heartsongLove = False
            "Rowan roared and came, reveling in this final, total conquest of his onetime competitor. He had marked her womb as his territory: a claim staked upon her very inheritance."
            "None save Rowan could mate with her now, and she was at his beck and call. He felt his knot swell still further within the whimpering woman at this supremely masculine thought."
            "As his balls pulsed and his knot swelled Rowan imagined his virile seed working its way into her, filling her with his cubs. The White Wolf was his, now and forever."
            "He laid atop her, pinning her to the ground for hours on end until his knot popped free from her dribbling pussy. She glanced up at him, letting out a submissive gasp as her yellow eyes fluttered and her ears pulled back against her head."
            "{i}She is mine{/i}. He thought again, growling in her ear as he breathed in the intoxicating scent of her hair."

    scene bg3 with fade

    "The seasons changed again. New life sprang into being as the cold of winter gave way to the bliss of spring. The White Wolf’s belly swelled, her breasts grew heavy with milk, and for a time Rowan hunted alone through the woods to feed the both of them."
    "She soon gave birth to a trio of daughters: all white haired, with hazel eyes the color of their father’s. Rowan was overjoyed."
    "Weeks passed; months; years. Seasons came and seasons went. Rowan’s pack grew and grew, his cubs growing and multiplying as he and his White Wolf hunted and mated and lived their lives as all Wolf-kin should: free and happy beneath the sheltering boughs of the mother-forest."
    "Rowan looked on with pride as his sons and daughters matured and split off from the pack, embarking on the same journey of discovery that he and his love had once taken together, so very long ago."
    "More time passed, and the mighty patriarch grew old and grey, his claws dulling and his speed slowing. His old strength failed him, and for the first time since he was a pup, he found himself unable to keep up with the pack."
    "Yet beyond all natural logic, the White Wolf still followed him. Even when he grew too weak to lead, and handed down leadership to his eldest remaining son."
    "Then, one day, he could hunt no more. On an old family trail, the very same trail where he once had tried to pursue a fleeing Buck, Rowan collapsed to the ground, his breath going faint and his eyes fading."
    "He looked up from his dazed stupor, and there was the White Wolf, bent over him, loyal as always. There was a soft expression in her yellow eyes. She stroked his face, her claws running through his hair and scratching behind his ear, just like he loved it."

    wwolf "Rowan…"

    "Rowan’s heart caught in his throat; she had never once said his name. Names were a foreign idea, an unnecessary categorization of someone who meant more to you than words."
    "The White Wolf smiled at him, leaning in to kiss him gently on the lips one last time before whispering in his ear."

    wwolf "Wake up."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"
    ro "W-what?! Where the hell am I? Where is-"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."
    ro "By the Goddess."

    "Rowan put his head in his hands, shaking it back and forth as he tried to clear the fog of the dream. He had to remind himself where he was - {i}who{/i} he was. It had all been so real: a lifetime lived in the space of a few hours."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Heartsong."

    "Why was she doing this? What did she want from him? It had all been so…"
    "Sudden."
    "Rowan got out of bed, feeling as weary as if he hadn’t slept at all."

    # return

    return

# \events\room_events.rpy
label summon_liurial_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ elfSex = True
    $ elfDom = True
    $ liurial_orgasm_control_on = True

    # Liurial menu (throne room)
    scene bg6

    menu:
        "Request blowjob. (Scene 1)" if elfSex:
            jump liurial_request_blowjob_rp

        "Confine her. (Scene 2)" if elfDom:
            jump liurial_confinement_rp

        "Make Liurial Perform. (Scene 3)":# if liurial_orgasm_control_total_time > 3 and liurial_orgasm_control_on:
            jump liurialPerformRepeatIntro_rp

        # Replay mod: Looks like the "Something more intense" and "Dominate her" options were moved
        #             by dev's to the "dungeon_delving" scene.
        #

        #"Something more intense…" if (liurial_weeks_after_blowjob_request > 0) and (liurial_domination_count <= 0):
            #Once the player has requested a blowjob from Liurial, a week must pass. At that point, when the player speaks to her, along with requesting a blowjob, a second option appears entitled “Something more intense…” which activates this event.
            #It has no effect on the game, aside from possibly triggering sexual loyalty flags for Rowan. Subsequent uses of this option will have slightly modified text and instead will be entitled “Dominate her”
            #jump liurial_domination_rp

        #"Dominate her" if liurial_domination_count > 0:
            #jump liurial_domination_rp

        "Back.":
            # jump throne_room_rp
            #pass
            return

    label liurial_request_blowjob_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan let out a groan of frustration. Yet another error in the reports, this was going to set him back again."

        liur "Is something the matter?"
        ro "Just wishing that some of the twin's staff was as competent as you are."

        show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

        liur "Oh dear, how bad is it?"

        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        ro "It isn't bad, it just feels tedious to fix."

        show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

        liur "It seems then, sir, that you have a long task ahead. Perhaps then, there’s something I could do to help you pass that time..."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan almost waved her off, then looked down at the pages in front of him and back up at the smiling woman."
            ro "Pass the time...how?"
            "Rather than answer with words, she shaped her mouth in a lewd way. It certainly got the meaning across."
            ro "I suppose that would help..."
            "Promptly she circled around to his side of the desk, then crawled underneath. Once more the man nearly stopped her, but he really could use some relief."
            "He pulled open his pants, then returned to the papers as Liurial got to work on him."

        else:
            ro "Well, as long as you mean what I think you mean, sounds good to me."
            liur " Of course!"
            "Promptly she circled around to his side of the desk, then crawled underneath. Rowan already had his pants open by the time she was in place and pulled her head down onto his."
            ro "Ah..."
            "There were no complaints at him taking her head for the moment, Liurial simply let the man guide her until he returned to his papers. Then she got to work on him."


        #rejoin
        #CG of Liurial under Rowan's desk giving him a blowjob.
        scene cg150 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan could feel her lips wrapping around his glans, kissing him and then running her tongue over the tip. At the same time she cupped and corressed his balls, lightly rolling them around her fingers."
        "With a moan of pleasure, Liurial slid down his length and engulfed completely for a moment. Then she pulled off again and her warm breath tickled Rowan's groin as she stopped for a moment. Then she dropped down once again, voluntarily deepthroating him."
        "While he worked, his secretary continued the same process of taking him down her throat for several seconds and then stopping so she could breathe again. Never once did she gag or gasp, just cooed and moaned in pleasure around his length."
        "When she sensed he was nearing his peak, the pace increased and she became more frantic in her movements until he climaxed.  At that moment, she nearly pulled him out of her mouth, but kept the tip in so that she could savor his seed."

        #CG of Liurial under Rowan's desk, puffed up cheeks version.
        scene cg151 with fade
        pause 1
        show cg151 with sshake
        show cg151 with sshake
        show cg152 with flash
        pause 3

        "Throughout she never stopped kissing him, rolling his tense balls, but did make use of one hand to stroke his shaft while her mouth was unable to deepthroat him. When he came down from cumming, she became more gentle with her ministrations."
        "As Rowan let out a contented sigh, he felt the woman between his legs slowly swallow the load he'd given her. He expected her to pull off and get back up, but she didn't. She kept his softening length in her mouth and kept gently stimulating him."

        #CG of Liurial under Rowan's desk giving him a blowjob.
        scene cg150 with fade
        pause 3

        "The elf seemed to know just how to keep him from feeling uncomfortable and a few minutes later Rowan could feel himself growing hard again. A sound of approval came from underneath him as he did so and he decided not to mention yet that he'd finished making the corrections."
        "Since Liurial didn't seem to want to stop yet and there was still more work to be done, Rowan simply moved onto the next part of his tasks while his secretary maintained her post."

        # $ liurialSex = True
        # change from -1 to 0 to allow this count progress
        # $ liurial_weeks_after_blowjob_request = 0
        # jump throne_room_rp

        return

    label liurial_confinement_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan was alone at his desk when someone walked into the room. He briefly glanced at Liurial’s empty desk, before seeing who the visitor was. "

        show skordred neutral at skorright with dissolve

        sk "Greetins Rowan, might I ask whar Liurial is?  I ave these reports from tha last building project.  She always wants exact numbars of our leftover materials."
        ro "Liurial? Oh she’s out today."

        "Rowan couldn’t suppress a chuckle. The dwarf responded with a quizzical look."

        sk "I nevar though I'd see tha day that damn girl didn't work.  Must be damn serious with her."
        ro "Let’s just say she’s in a bind. She’ll be fine. I’m looking out for her."
        sk "Good."
        ro "How about you just leave the reports and I’ll make sure she gets them."

        "Skorded walked up to Liurial’s desk. But, rather than place the documents on the desk itself, he just placed them down on the wooden crate in front of it."
        "The moment the paper touched the lid, the box itself rumbled and released an incoherent sound, like there was a wounded animal inside."

        sk "Hrmm?"
        ro "How about you just put them on my desk instead. "

        hide skordred with moveoutright

        "Rowan faked a courteous smile. It wasn’t as if the stone mason hadn’t heard that sound just now. However, he evidently elected to ignore it. After placing the documents on Rowan’s desk, he hurried off to whatever was his business next."
        "The human waited for Skorded to leave before rising from his chair and padding over to the mysterious wooden crate."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "You okay in there? Skorded had me worried for a second."

        else:
            ro "Ha, you were worried he was going to find out, weren’t you?"

        scene cg1065 with fade
        show liurial aroused behind cg1065
        show rowan happy behind cg1065
        pause 3

        "Rowan opened the lid of the crate, revealing it’s hidden contents. A single elf, bound in strict chains, and gagged so she couldn’t make a sound. A large oiled plug had been left in her rear. When he’d inserted it earlier, Rowan had described it as “Entertainment”."

        liur "Mph. Mph."
        ro "You’ve been in there awhile. Are you sure you’re still okay?"
        liur "Mphphph."
        ro "If you say so."

        "Rowan scratched his chin. The entire affair had been Liurial’s idea. Albeit, one that she’d suggested to him in that indirect way that made it sound like a “fear” of hers. Sure enough, when she’d seen him bring the box up, he’d seen that familiar sparkle in her eyes."

        ro "Stand up, girl. You must be getting pretty bored in there. We wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?"

        "With help from Rowan’s hand, she managed to work herself back up into a standing position. The long dildo hung beneath her, held inside of her body only by the leather strap at it’s base."
        "With delicate precision, Rowan removed the strap...only to use the opportunity to shove it in deeper. Even lubricated, it was a struggle to work it in much deeper. But still, Liurial’s hole obliged. "

        # liur "Mafdojasfna;sf!"

        "When he was content with the depth of the insertion, Rowan worked the strap into place. The submissive elf whined into her gag, but there was little else she could do to stop him. Even had she wanted to. "

        ro "There we go. You’re looking like you’re having more fun already!"
        ro "Now back in the box then. "

        hide liurial with dissolve

        "Rowan only briefly caught the wide eyed, frantic expression on her face for a moment, before she obediently returned to the fetal position. Suffice to say, she didn’t look like she was suffering. "

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Remember. If you need out, just scream as loud as you can. Otherwise, I’ll see you in half an hour."

        else:
            ro "See you in another half an hour, Liurial!"

        "Then, Rowan lowered the lid of the crate back into place..."

        # jump throne_room

        return

    label liurialPerformRepeatIntro_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        "As he steadily made his way through a stack of documents, Rowan looked up at the desk opposite his. Liurial seemed busy with a few reports too, but hardly too busy for a distraction."
        "They’d gotten so much done in the past few days that perhaps a reward was exactly what Liurial, and Rowan as well, might need."

        ro "You’re still in denial, aren’t you?"

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "He smiled at her. Liurial raised her head and gave him a suspicious look. But, it was in her nature to be deferential to him, even when he clearly had some kind of evil plan."
        "Liurial nodded softly."

        ro "How would you like to cum today?"

        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        liur " I would like that...very much."

        "The elf was clearly trying to sit still. Trying not to show her eagerness for it. Afterall, orgasm denial tends to leave the subject in desperate want. But, it was the widening of her eyes until near puppy-like proportions that tipped off her level of engagement."

        ro "Good. All you have to do is perform for me. Bring your chair in front of your desk and make a show of touching yourself for me while I work. I want something pretty to look at from time to time."

        jump liurialPerform_rp

        label liurialPerform_rp:

            #Show Liurial Masturbation CG 1 Variation 1
            scene cg478 with fade
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg478
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg478
            pause 3

            "Liurial eagerly scampered back to her desk to grab her chair. The process of removing her clothes was not some sexy strip tease. She threw anything that might obstruct his view to the side."
            "Chair set, legs opened, body exposed to his eyes, she began. Her right hand slowly went down between her legs to touch. It didn’t long for her body to react. Being left in denial makes...lubrication an easier task."

            liur "Oh."

            "Rowan was watching of course. It basically took up his entire attention. But, to give off the vibe of the unconcerned dominant, not even bothering to pay complete attention to her humiliating display, he had to pretend to be working on a few papers."
            "Her fingers worked deftly to bring her further along. They moved in skilful clicks to her sensitive clit. It was clearly a movement that was the result of years and years of practice."
            "Her fingers moved faster and faster the longer she touched. What were at first tepid touches turned to eager flicks. Her other hand found her nipple and gave it soft rhythmic pinches."
            "Rowan kept on glancing up periodically at the display from the papers. But, most of the time, she was only visible to him from his peripheral vision. Did she even know how much of his attention she held?"

            liur "Oh my. Lord Rowan. It’s been...too long…"

            "The pace of her hand sped up. Flick flick flick. It was as though the little barriers of dignity she’d set up went away. Reaching her long awaiting orgasm was far more important then not looking pathetic to his eyes."
            "Her body was writing now. Her breath ragged. There was no disguising the fact that she was getting close."
            "No disguising to Rowan that with a precious few more seconds, she would tip into what could only have been her first orgasm in a desperately long period of time. Just a few more seconds..."

            ro "Stop."
            liur "Stop?"

            ro "Take your hand away from your lower regions. You’re not allowed to cum yet."
            liur "Oh."

            "Her face was beet red, but to her credit Liurial pulled her hand back."

            liur "Yes, of course, Lord Rowan. I will comply immediately."

            "She began to close her legs and revert to a more naturalistic posture."

            ro "No. Stay like that. Legs spread."
            liur "Oh. Of course."

            "That’s how they remained for a time. Rowan actually took a bit of time to review a few documents. Liurial remained in place. Legs spread, pussy dripping helplessly on to her chair, breath coming out in soft eager pants."
            "Rowan had to stop himself from smirking. Every time he’d look up at her she’d lean forward. The thought of stoking in her mind the idea he was about to let her continue only to not do so had a certain sexy ring to it."

            liur "Lord Rowan, I can start up again if you-"
            ro "No. I will inform you when you may."

            "She bit her lip weakly."

            liur "Of course."

            "He kept her waiting fifteen more minutes. Fifteen more minutes of her forced to remain in place. Displayed and wet for him. The fact that she wanted to touch, or perhaps at least cover herself, was almost more erotic than her actually touching again..."

            ro "Start masturbating once more."

            #Show Mastubration CG Variation 2
            scene cg479 with fade
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg479
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg479
            pause 3

            "She didn’t even bother acknowledging the order. A pair of fingers were already sinking deep into her sopping wet hole. This time it wasn’t a matter of simple clit flicks. She was slamming her fingers deep inside herself."
            "Rowan tried to keep his eyes on the paper in front of him when he could, but it was hard not to drink in the sight. Liurial’s body eagerly writhed and grinded as she fucked herself. A wanton display of the sort he’d seen from Liurial in the past whenever he’d played with her."

            liur "Yessss."

            "This session lasted minutes at most. With the intensity of her finger movement, combined with all of the built up tension, it took mere minutes for all the tell tale signs of approaching orgasm to appear. Shallow breath, animalistic hip thrusts, eyes glazed over in utter lust..."

            ro "Stop."
            liur "A..again?"

            "Her voice was a pant. Weak."

            ro "That’s right. I said stop."

            "Liurial obeyed. Rowan had to actively hide his smile behind his hands now. There was a rush of power, a knowledge that she’d do anything he said. And she’d enjoy it too."

            liur "You can’t mean to-"
            ro "I can mean whatever I want."
            liur "But. Please?"
            ro "I said stop."

            "Liurial sighed. Her tiny show of backbone had been crushed. There was nothing else for her to do besides once more sink back into the chair. Despite her desperate squirming, her legs remained opened and exposed."
            "There was no need to have her wait quite as long this time. Two edges in, her mind would probably be so fogged with need that waiting two minutes might feel like waiting two hours. Before long she was letting out weak whimpering sounds. It was time to let her touch again."

            ro "You may touch more, girl."
            liur "Oh, thank you! Thank you!"

            scene cg480 with fade
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg480
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg480
            pause 3

            "In moments, the eager elf was throwing her hands at her body once more. The hand on her breast was desperate, grasping, where once it has been exploratory. The hand at her pussy pumped in and out lewdly with hardly a thought for the fact she was being watched."
            "Just the same, his own little game of pretend went away. There was no need for an illusion he wasn’t watching her. His papers stayed by the wayside, while his eyes hungrily ate up her writing body."

            liur "Ah."

            "He watched every little spasm of her body. He watched the way her toes curled. He watched the way her eyes rolled back and the way her lips formed into a near permanent gasp. Rowan’s body reacted of course. His cock strained ever so slightly beneath his trousers."

            scene cg481 with dissolve
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg481
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg481
            pause 3

            "This would not be a very long session at all. With all of the build up of the prior moments, it was mere minutes before the renewed sensations had her body entering the state that Rowan knew meant she was getting closer…"
            "Closer..."
            "Almost there..."

            ro "Stop."
            liur "Ah. No please. Please no."
            ro "Stop."

            "She removed her hand as bid, but the elf’s lithe body was practically vibrating her entire chair with need. Her juices stained the wood."

            liur "Please Lord. I’ve been good. I’ve been obedient. Please. My body can’t stand it. I...I’m so wet and… You have to let me cum."
            ro "Does that seem like the proper disposition to take? I don’t have to let you cum. I don’t have to protect you. I don’t have to do anything."

            "In truth, there was no threat to not protect her here. As if he would throw her out of his protection over something so small. But, he wanted her to bathe in the feeling of being in his power."

            ro "But, perhaps if you show me how thankful you are for all I do for you, I can let you cum."

            "Liurial gasped softly. The notion appeared to have some effect on her. Rowan noted that to himself softly."

            liur "Oh. I. Um."
            liur "Thank you for protecting me and making me..feel, um, feel like I can...walk the halls. Unafraid. Thank you."

            "She stumbled over her words."

            liur "Thank you for...taking my work seriously. Um, thinking I can help you. That thing."
            liur "Thank you for, well, thank you for making me feel good. I wanted to be fucked so badly. And here, you, um, you do whatever you want with me."
            liur "So please, Lord Rowan. Please, Please, Please. I’ve been a good girl. I’ve done...well...I’ve done what you wanted."
            liur "Won’t you please let me orgasm? For you?"

            show rowan necklace happy behind black

            "Rowan’s stoic demeanor finally broke. He smiled."

            #Show Liurial Masturbation CG 2
            show liurfingeranimation1 with fade
            show liurial naked aroused behind black
            show rowan necklace happy behind black

            "Liurial panted softly. Her eyes followed Rowan rise from his seat and walk towards her. He hadn’t planned anything. But, it somehow felt wrong to not have a more personal hand in her finish."

            liur "Oh Lord Rowan. What are you..?"

            ro "Shh…"

            "He knelt down in front of her, head mere inches from her sex. He could smell her need. Almost taste it. But, it wasn’t his mouth he would use to bring her over the edge. He took two fingers and slid them inside of her."
            "Liurial gasped and her eyes fluttered. With so much built up lust, it took mere seconds to have her squirming under his ministrations. He curled his fingers so they could have all the stronger effect."
            "Her hips thrusted, her lips moaned. Rowan was focused. His beat was workman-like. A steady stroke stroke stroke of a touch that brought her skillfully and inevitably to that peak she’d already approached three time before in the past hour."

            liur "I can’t help it. Too...too much. I’m about to…"

            #if corruption is lower than 50
            if rowanCorrupt < 50:
                ro "That’s alright Liurial. You can cum."
            else:
            #else
                ro "I know. You have my permission to cum."

            scene cg535 with sshake
            show cg535 with sshake
            show cg536 with flash
            pause 3

            #rejoin
            "Liurial didn’t even have time to react. With that final barrier broken, and the pistoning of his hand not slowing down, there was no way for her to escape shaking into a deep body orgasm."
            "Rowan could feel the tremors running down her spine. Certainly he could hear her lengthy shriek."
            "Though, he should have perhaps expected her to squirt intensely on the chair. It was by a minor miracle that he didn't end up half as drenched as it did. Suffice to say, the smell wouldn’t be coming out of it any time soon."

            scene bg6 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

            "Liruial slumped down in the chair, panting and gasping. Her body went limp like a ragdoll. A part of him considered using her open body to relieve his own arousal from the scene. But, he couldn’t let this run forever."
            "Besides, it was not like making her cum like this wasn’t enjoyable in itself."

            #if corruption is lower than 50
            if rowanCorrupt < 50:
                "He stayed in place, stroking her spasming naked body for a few more minutes. He wasn’t about to abandon her in a moment like this."

            #rejoin
            "Rowan rose to his feet."

            ro "Ready to continue with work yet?"
            ro "It was a fun distraction, but it’s not like I can run an army by making you cum."

            "Liurial nodded softly, her body still shaking."

            liur "I am sure you would if you could, Lord Rowan."

            "The rest of the the time at work was devoted to matters at hand. Issues of supply, pay, and troop movements that dulled the mind to focus on. Still, Rowan could look forward to the shy smiles that Liurial would shoot his way whenever she thought he wasn’t looking."

            # jump throne_room

    return

# \events\room_events.rpy
label draithRepeat_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan strode forward and wrapped his arms around the willowy dark elf in one firm, strong movement."
    "He knew Draith drew comfort from the certainty of his commander's actions - even if Rowan himself didn't necessarily feel that certainty - and he was rewarded with a cute little gasp, two hands grasping his chest and a deep blush blooming over Draith's delicate features."

    dra "O-ooh... i-is Master feeling frisky?"
    ro "Yes. And it is your duty to see to that."

    #cg1 - Kissing / groping
    scene black with fade
    show draith happy behind black

    "Rowan drew him into a side chamber, throwing a sharp glance over his shoulder as he did so."
    "Impossible to tell if Jezera was listening in - either through the connection crystal or some other nefarious method - but he could at least save the two of them from other prying eyes and wagging lips."
    "Rowan's breath came hot and ragged as he tore off his clothes, pausing only to plunge his tongue into Draith's mouth, molding himself against the dark elf's slight, supple form, groping his supple backside and his long, slender erection."
    "Draith moaned into his mouth to his touch, his slutty slave clothes providing barely any protection to Rowan's rough, questing hands."
    "The elven beast master looked into Rowan's eyes soulfully as he reached down and trailed slender fingers up the human's thick cock."

    dra "How - how would you like it, sir? I am yours. All yours."

    menu:
        "Blowjob. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump draithRepeatBJ_rp

        "Assfuck. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump draithRepeatAssfuck_rp

    label draithRepeatBJ_rp:

        #cg2 - Draith sucks Rowan's cock
        scene cg233 with fade
        show draith happy behind cg233
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg233
        pause 3

        ro "Take me into your mouth, sweet-lipped servant of mine. Please me."
        dra "Yes..."

        "If Draith held the slightest resentment about this - pleasuring Rowan without receiving the slightest amount of gratification himself - he didn't show it."
        "He eagerly got onto his knees, and looked up at Rowan worshipfully the whole time he stroked his human master's cock to full mast with expert curls and coils of his slender fingers, before spreading his lips over the bulbous tip."
        "Rowan sighed as Draith slid his tongue all around his sensitive head, savoring his taste, and then groaned as the delicate little bottom leaned forward and enveloped him proper, sliding his lips down his shaft."
        "Rowan ran his fingers through the dark elf's white hair and grasped him by the back of his skull, willing him to take more of Rowan's fiercely erect member into his wet suck with each bob of his head."
        "Draith seemed to draw arousal from the mere act of giving pleasure to Rowan; one hand stroked the base of his Master's shaft and balls whilst the other was a frantic blur over his own erection."
        "His eyes fixed upon Rowan's face, seemingly a silent thank you for the privilege of sucking human dick."

        #cg2 - Draith sucks Rowan's cock (cum variant)
        scene cg233 with sshake
        scene cg233 with sshake
        scene cg233 with flash
        show draith happy behind cg233
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg233
        pause 3

        "From his nostrils the dark elf's breath fumed over Rowan's groin, and suddenly it was all too much."
        "He gripped Draith's head firmly and orgasmed like a magician's wand, spurting thick wads of cum deep into his servant's welcoming mouth, spurred on by the kneading caress of the dark elf's lips and tongue."
        "Rowan came and came, jerking his hips reflexively, until it felt like every last drop of semen had been drawn out of him, disappearing straight into Draith's stomach."
        "Good, Rowan thought woozily, leaning against the wall; the wafer thin little guy could stand to get some protein into him."

        ro "...thank you, Draith. You did well."
        dra "Thank you, sir!"

        "The dark elf practically purred when Rowan rubbed his hair and stroked his china bone jaw line. It really was like owning his very own pet. A pet that was in charge of caring for even more pets."
        "The strangeness of it all lent Rowan's throbbing gratification a surreal sensuality, that hung over him as he stowed his wilting penis back into his breeches."

        return

        #return to room menu
        # jump pit

    label draithRepeatAssfuck_rp:

        #cg3 - Rowan fucks Draith's ass
        scene black with fade
        show draith happy behind black
        show rowan necklace happy behind black

        ro "Fetch your oil and see to me, servant. I am going to make every inch of you mine."

        dra "Y-yes sir!"

        "Draith pulled away, deliberately flaring his narrow hips in order to swing his cute apple-shaped backside over to a bottle-cluttered shelf above his desk."
        "He withdrew a vial filled with clear fluid, removed the stopper and pooled the unguent onto his hands, rubbing it into his palms. Heart beating, Rowan sat himself down on a bench and opened his thighs."
        "Draith smiled at him shyly as he slowly descended onto his knees in front of the human."
        "Rowan sighed, and then groaned with pleasure as the dark elf wrapped his fingers around the human's cock, slithering his slender grip up and down his shaft, working the warm, coating oil into it until it was hard as oak and sang with pleasure."
        "Draith smiled and laughed, eyes darting up to Rowan's face and then batting submissively away again every time he drew a gratified sound out of the human; the act of giving pleasure seemed to give him genuine pleasure as well."
        "Lust throbbed through Rowan, enflaming his senses as the dark elf slid the long, nimble fingers of one hand in deeper, jerking his cock assiduously whilst cupping his balls, polishing every inch of Rowan's sex in warm, slick oil."
        "Feral lust gripping him now, Rowan rose up and grabbed the smaller male, turning him around and bending him over the bench, drawing a surprised squeal out of the submissive."
        "He pulled Draith's tight-fitting breeches down and admired his pert, naked ass for a long moment, slapping his urgently erect, oil-soaked cock between its crack as he did."
        "Draith looked at him over his shoulder, color high in his cheeks."

        dra "Please go slow first, sir... then hard."

        "Rowan drew his hips back, allowing his erection to slither downwards meaningfully, lining himself up with Draith's cute little rose, enjoying the twitch and expectant inhalation it brought out of the dark elf."
        "Then he pushed forward, slowly penetrating it, gloving his cock-head in wonderful, clinging warmth, carefully working him loose with slow movements of his hips."
        "Draith gasped and clutched at the wood beneath him, a chorus of cute little grunts and huffs... but he never bade Rowan to stop, and soon the human found himself easily sliding his length deep into the elf's tight tunnel."
        "Draith's own cock, as slender and cute as its owner, jerked in response to Rowan's efforts, wagging like a puppy's tail as the human pushed himself home into the boy-slut's tight, oiled warmth again and again."
        "Genuine excitement and slight giddiness energised Rowan; he was a complete novice to this, but his roughness seemed only to excite the dark elf, moaning at him to keep going, pulling Rowan’s hand to his flat chest and small, erect nipples."

        scene cg72 with fade
        show draith happy behind cg72
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg72

        "Animal lust overcame Rowan, and he suddenly grabbed Draith around the hips, hoisted him into the air and then firmly sat him down on his cock, thrusting into the dark elf’s opened asshole from below."

        scene cg73 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg73 with sshake
        show cg73 with sshake
        show cg74 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg74 with sshake
        show cg74 with sshake
        show cg75 with flash
        pause 2
        show draith happy behind cg75
        "Draith cried out with joy, slim arm thrown around Rowan's neck, his own dick gleefully erect, his tone of ecstasy climbing down to a coo of deepest satisfaction when the bigger human came with spectacular force, fluming a guttering fountain of cum deep into his gaping hole."
        "After he'd pulsed his last he relaxed back against the wall, the dark elf still sat on top of him."
        "Draith's supple, sweaty frame felt so light it seemed a miracle the Rowan's urgent bucking hadn't sent his head through the ceiling. The dark elf's fingers curled up his shoulder, his silky hair tickling Rowan's jaw, nuzzling him happily."

        dra "I hope you will come by often, sir. A big, energetic beast like that needs a lot of care... and there's nobody better trained to give it than me."

        "Helping himself to the lithe, winsome dark elf in a way that was an obvious pleasure to the boy himself was not something Rowan was going to give away, and at least they were being discreet."
        "Perhaps, he considered as he slowly put his clothes back on, it was even a relief to Alexia that he wasn't constantly pawing at her instead."

        #return to room menu
        # $ rowanGaySex += 1
        # jump pit

    return

# \events\room_events_2.rpy
# can't be unlocked? nothing jumps to this label
label titJobCla_rp:

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "... and we'll need more of those next week."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "Excellent. Now, how about we move on from one mutually beneficial business to another?"
    ro "What did you have in mind?"

    "Winking, the goblin girl pushed out her chest."

    cla "Something I know you were after when you paid this special visit... come inside and let's discuss it."

    scene cg195 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg195
    show clamin happy behind cg195
    pause 3

    ro "Well miss Min, you're being rather forward today."

    "After the two of them slipped inside the wagon, its owner had wasted no time in pushing herself onto her guest."

    cla "Believe me when I say I'm always exercising restraint when it comes to you."

    scene cg196 with fade
    pause 3

    "She removed her top to free her large breasts, and smirked as she saw the hero admiring them."

    scene cg197 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg197
    show clamin happy behind cg197
    pause 3

    "Without waiting on ceremony, she pulled open his pants and let Rowan's cock spring forth. It fell onto her tits with a soft smack."

    cla "After all, it takes a goblin of great talent and skill to keep herself in check when such a prized piece is nearby. I don't want to scare you off."

    "A dry chuckle escaped Rowan's lips and he ran a thumb over Cla-Min's sizable mounds, flicking and then pinching her nipple with a surprised cry in response."

    ro "I can handle your business outside of the cart just fine. I think I can handle you inside even better. Oh."

    scene cg198 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg198
    show clamin happy behind cg198
    pause 3

    "At his taunting the goblin started working his shaft, pumping her chest up and down at a rapid rate. The sudden stimulation caused a quick intake of breath, followed by a pleased groan."

    cla "Hehe, alright big boy, let's milk you for all you're worth. Ough, hmm."

    "While it was Rowan who was the one getting the special treatment, the goblin certainly wasn't disliking the experience either. That didn't stop the man from adding his own teasing and stimulation to the mix as well, which elicited many sounds of approval."
    "Being wrapped up in goblin tit-flesh was incredible and Cla-Min was very enthusiastic about making it as good as she could. Sometimes she'd alternate her breasts, other times she keep them together. Always they moved fast and kept him firmly planted between them."

    scene cg198 with sshake
    show cg198 with sshake
    show cg199 with flash
    show clamin happy behind cg199
    pause 3

    "Finally Rowan reached his peak, and let loose his seed. That didn't seem like a good reason to Cla-Min to stop her treatment so she kept at the rapid pumping, causing his jizz to cover much of her tits, her chin, and even some got on her lips."

    cla "Hmm, you've got a good taste hero."

    "She let him slip out of her pleasure prison at last, and grabbed a towel to wipe herself off."

    cla "I look forward to some more private business again sometime."

    "With that she tossed the towel to Rowan to clean himself off while she fixed her blouse. With a skip in her step, Cla-Min was back outside and ready to resume her work before Rowan even had his pants back on."

    # return

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
label helayna_a_cuckquean_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ helCuckLiurSeen = False
    $ helPath = "bedslave"
    $ Liurialname = "Liurial"

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan laid back on the bed thinking about what he wanted to do tonight with Helayna. He considered the fetishes that he knew she had. As he lay there, an idea came to him."

    ro "I think we’re going to do something different today."
    hel "Yes, my love?"
    ro "I think rather than fuck you...I’m going to bring in another girl and fuck her instead."

    "He leaned over and brushed her hair softly."

    if helPath == "bedslave":
        ro "But, don’t worry. You can watch, pet."

    else:
        ro "But, don’t worry. You can watch."

    "Helayna flashed a dark grin. A normal woman might not be so keen on this declaration. But, Helayna was not a normal woman anymore."

    "Who will Rowan fuck in front of Helayna?"

    menu:
        "Liurial. (Scene 1)":# if liurial_domination_count > 0 and rowanCorrupt > 29:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump helCuckqueanLiur_rp

        "A Castle Maid. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump helCuckqueanMaid_rp

        "Perhaps Some Other Time.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            return

    label helCuckqueanMaid_rp:

        if helMaidFirst == True:
            "Rowan sent off a quick message asking for a member of the maid staff to come and pay him a visit. Jezera had previously told him that he could always ask one of them to come around if he really was eager."

            if rowanCorrupt < 30:
                "Rowan wasn’t too keen on making use of the castle staff this way. It was always a gamble if they were even here of their own volition. But, Helayna really did seem quite eager for this, and Rowan was determined to make her happy."

            else:
                pass

            "A short time later, there was a knock on the door. Rowan opened it to find one of the castle maids behind it. She had dark hair and a swarthy complexion that wouldn’t be out of place in the Dragon’s Tail. Rowan had seen her scurrying around the castle a few times before."
            "Helayna was laying back against the bed, softly toying with herself. She wanted to warm up first. Her fingers played with her clit, but kept the pace slow and soft."

            if helPath == "bedslave":
                "Her neck was bare. She’d asked if he wanted her in the collar before, but had decided there was little point today."

            else:
                pass

            maid "Good eve, Sir Rowan."

            "She gave a small curtsy."

            ro "Good eve. You understand why I called you here tonight?"

            "The maid looked past him to the figure of his lover panting softly as she toyed with herself."

            maid "I believe I understand."

            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "And do you have a problem with that? If so, I can ask for someone else to come up."

                "The maid shook her head."

                maid "Not at all. I volunteered to be on call tonight in case one of the Masters desired me."

            else:
                pass

            "She walked into the middle of the room, giving a second glance to Helayna, and then began to unlace her frilly outfit. The redhead looked to Rowan expectantly."

            ro "Get on your knees for me."

            jump helMaidSex_rp

        else:
            "Rowan sent off a quick message to the castle staff. He now had a much better understanding of what they were willing to do, so there was less hesitation on his part."
            "Helayna was laying back against the bed, softly toying with herself. She wanted to warm up first. Her fingers played with her clit, but kept the pace slow and soft."

            if helPath == "bedslave":
                "Her neck was bare. She’d asked if he wanted her in the collar before, but had decided there was little point today."

            else:
                pass

            "There was a knock at the door, and when Rowan opened it, he found himself looking at the same maid with a swarthy complexion who’d joined him in a show for his lover before. It seemed she hadn’t had an entirely miserable time of it."

            maid "Good eve, Sir Rowan. Is this call for the same reasons as before?"
            ro "It is."

            "The maid nodded and walked into the middle of the room. She was already unlacing her frilly outfit."

    label helMaidSex_rp:

        "Helayna’s eyes followed Rowan. They followed his body’s movements, his reactions, his own eye line. He understood what they were searching for by now. How he reacted to this other woman. How he displayed power over her. Helayna thrived on that. He wouldn’t disappoint."
        "The maid was staring at his cock. She had these great big hungry black eyes. Her lips were slightly parted."

        #maid cg
        scene cg266 with fade
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg266
        show rowan naked aroused behind cg266
        pause 3

        "Rowan reached out and guided her down on to him. The maid eagerly took over the moment his entire cock was in her mouth."

        hel "...Yesssss…"

        "The person who had the strongest reaction to this was not the man with a cock in an exotic beauty’s mouth, but the woman who was watching. "
        "Before, Helayna’s fingers had merely been teasing herself. But, the moment the other woman took in his cock, they attacked her clit with need."

        hel "Fuckkkk."

        "Rowan grunted softly and rocked his hips in rhythm with the maid’s tongue. The trained lapping of her tongue against its underside was a motion designed to bring pleasure, to speed up the release of his seed into her throat."
        "The sound from the bed was wet and heavy. The slap slap slap of heavy rubbing. The sensation of it left Helayna twisting and moaning all over the bed like a woman possessed."
        "Even the maid seemed to be getting into it. While bobbing up and down on his cock, a hand strayed between her legs."

        hel "Fuck. Fuck. I can’t…I’m going to..."

        "Helayna’s incoherent speech was overtaken by a loud screech. Her body shook like a woman possessed. There was even a jet of liquid that squirted from her cunt all over the bed sheets."

        if helPath == "bedslave":
            "Watching the sight only made Rowan grow closer to orgasm in tandem with the eager sucking of the maid. Having her cum to the sight of him being blown by another woman was oddly...empowering."

        else:
            "There was a strange rush at the sight of this. Was it strange that he felt an increased connection to her despite currently being fucking someone else?"

        "A moment later, Rowan gripped the hair of the maid. There was that ever more common spasm, and then a moment later the familiar rush of pleasure. Spunk filled the maid’s mouth."
        "He staggered backwards slightly."
        "That was when the maid turned back to Helayna. She stood up and made a show of opening her mouth to the other woman. In essence she was forcing Helayna to look at her lover’s cum in her mouth."
        "The show had the desired effect. Helayna’s fingers shot to life again with renewed vigour. In moments she was spasming all over again."

        "Clearly a fun time for all involved."

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "After that, came the afterglow. The maid offered to clean up, since they had made quite a mess. But, Rowan dismissed her again with a wave. She shot the two of them one last wicked glance as she left."
        "Helayna was breathing heavily. Rowan went over to approach her."

        if helMaidFirst == True:
            hel "Please...My love...Tell me that...tell me that you can have...any woman you want."
            "Rowan nodded softly. This was her kink. She got off on not feeling special. She got off on the idea of his power."
            ro "Any woman I want. Whenever I want. You’re just one of many. Maybe I’ll even let you keep watching. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?"
        else:
            ro "You liked that, didn’t you? You liked watching me fuck another woman."
            "He brushed his hand against her cheek."
            ro "And knowing I can fuck other women whenever I want…and make you watch whenever I want too."

        "Helayna smiled. That was exactly what she wanted to hear. The kinky vixen."

        # if helMaidFirst == True:
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
            # $ helMaidFirst = False

        # else:
            # pass

        return

    label helCuckqueanLiur_rp:

        "Of course, there was one woman he knew in the castle who wouldn’t say no to a chance to indulge in vice. As shy as the little minx was, Liurial had an insatiable side to her. Of course, it was to her that Rowan sent a request to come up."

        if helCuckLiurSeen == False:
            show liurial neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
            "The door opened up shortly after. Liurial was scratching away at a parchment with a quilt. She didn’t even look up to see Rowan until she was well into the room."
            liur "Ah, you have found time to talk about the reports from earlier? I had wished for your input before I put in a-"
            #rowan smirk
            #hel smirk
            "Her eyes immediately fell on Rowan’s nude body...and the equally naked form of the woman with whom he was sharing a bed."
            liur "Oh."
            "As if on cue, her cheeks flushed."
            liur "If this is a bad time, I could come back."
            ro "It’s not a bad time."
            "Liurial took a step backwards, eyes trailing between the humans. Had it even sunk into her why Rowan had called her? To his side, Helayna grinned and gripped his arm. Always so eager to see Rowan play with his food."
            liur "Was this request work related, Rowan? I had thought that it was regarding the matters we agreed to put off?"
            "Rowan stood up from bed, and walked towards her. Without his blanket to cover him, the fullness of his body was on full display. Liurial’s eyes fell right where Rowan thought they would."
            "He placed a finger to her lips. Liurial always had a way of drawing something sadistic out of him..."
            ro "It wasn’t."
            show liurial aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Her eyes strayed back to the bed and the watching redhead."
            liur "But…"
            ro "Yes?"
            liur "You’re with Lady Helayna and I’m sure that-"
            "Helayna was near leaning over the side of the bed, like a cat watching a mouse parade through a dining room. She made no effort to disguise her naked bosom."
            hel "You needn’t be bashful on my account, sweet lady. In fact, you are to be tonight’s entertainment."
            ro "She won’t mind."
            "He turned back to Liurial and placed a firm, commanding hand on her back."
            ro "Will you, Liurial?"
            "Liurial started to form words, but thought better of it. It was only with a moment to collect herself that she took her large headdress in hand and looked to Rowan."
            show liurial neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            liur "I am to be...a show…?"
            ro "Of sorts. Though, I think you’ll find plenty of personal enjoyment involved."
            ro "My sweet Helayna has a unique set of predilections. She likes to watch. I am sure that you of all people wouldn’t begrudge a lady her own eclectic interests?"
            "His hand trailed upwards to her hair, fingers softly passing through the long blond strands. It was gentle. Not a threat, but a comfort."
            ro "You don’t have to be shy, Liurial."
            show liurial aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Slowly, the elf began to nod. Rowan was there to steady her."
            if liurial_orgasm_control_on == True:
                liur "You haven’t let me cum in so long...If you played with me, I might…"
            else:
                liur "We...we made an arrangement. You can use me how you wish…"
            "But, before she could speak further, she was silenced one more by Rowan’s finger in front of her mouth. He smiled softly. This was going to be fun."
            ro "Shhh. Rest your lips. You’re not going to need many words tonight…"
            scene black with fade
        else:
            show liurial neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
            "Liurial walked in, parchment in hand. But, her expression shifted the moment she saw Helayna in bed with him."
            show liurial aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            liur "Oh, I see where this is goi-"
            scene black with fade

        "..."
        show liurial aroused behind black

        liur "Mffffff!"

        #cg1
        scene cg660 with fade
        pause 3

        "Rowan found that playtime with Liurial always went better with a little restraint."
        "So, once he’d gotten her assent, he’d rapidly set to work ensuring the helplessness of the petite morsel. First, he bound her wrists behind her back, then he used the rope to ensure the whole of her torso was tightly restrained."
        "Then, he’d set to work on her. Her mouth would have to be gagged, of course. It had been trivial to work a piece of cloth into a ball for the occasion. While he was at it, he’d taken away her eyes as well. No need to let her see what was coming."
        "When he was all done, he leaned back to admire his handiwork. She squirmed in her binds without a prayer of freedom."

        scene bg9 with fade
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        #if bedslave - TO DO
        show helayna collar naked aroused at midright with dissolve
        #if knight path - TO DO
        #show hel naked aroused

        "Helayna leaned close. She’d watched transfixed throughout the entire process. When it was done, one of her hands drifted to Liurial’s rear, earning a muffled mewl from their captive."

        hel "So helpless. And so much squirming too. It is as though she would explode from lust if you added so much as another tie."

        if helCuckLiurSeen == False:
            "Her lips went to the side of Rowan’s ear. A hoarse, eager whisper strained out."
            hel "What will you do with her, my love?"
            "Rowan’s hand trailed down Helayna’s side. His attention returned to his waiting lover. Yet, still he felt the high of having just tied up his blond pet."
            #if on bedslave path
            ro "You’re missing a key question. What am I going to do with you?"
            hel "Hmmm?"
            "Helayna’s hand went to her collar, softly moving over its lacey exterior. Her eyes took on that strange empty quality that they so often did when she touched it."
            "Rowan went to get more rope."
            ro "It wouldn’t be fair if our squirmy little elf was the only one a little restrained, would it?"
            "As he returned to the bed, he gave Liurial a firm swat on the rear. She groaned into her gag and wiggled in place."
            hel "One supposes there is truth in that. A good Master is a fair Master. Do with me what you wish with me, My Love."
            "There was not the slightest hint of resistance as he bound her wrists behind her back. Nor was there any as he worked a similar cloth ball into her mouth to gag her."
            "When she was ready, Rowan placed a brief kiss on her lips...then a cushion between her legs. That part was an act of mercy. She was going to need something to stimulate herself, after all."
            #else (knight path) - TO DO
                #"Rowan leaned back, lips meeting with Helayna’s. Their kissing was furious and passionate. It was as if all the intensity that he’d spent on tying Liurial returned in the form of his lover’s eagerness."
                #hel "I have faith that you’ll come up with an...engaging display for me."
                #ro "Is that a vote of confidence?"
                #hel "Always."
                #"Rowan went back to the bed, and gave Liurial a firm swat on the rear. An action rewarded with a pathetic mewl from beneath the gag."
                #Helayna leaned forward but kept her distance. Her fingers had trailed down beneath her legs. This show was for her benefit, after all.
                #"Mostly."

        else:
            #if bedslave
            "Next, it was Helayna’s turn. There was no way she was escaping being bound too. She offered no resistance as Rowan bound and gagged her."
            "Again, he left her a pillow to sate herself with."
            #else (knight path) - TO DO
                #"Helayna took up her vantage point, with a hand between her legs for ease of access."

        #cg2 (var if on bedslave)
        scene cg661 with fade
        show liurial naked aroused behind cg661
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg661
        #if bedslave - TO DO
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind cg661
        #if knight path - TO DO
        #show hel naked aroused
        pause 3

        "First, Rowan added a little extra to Liurial’s bindings. He used a short strand of rope to add impromptu bindings on her ankles."
        "Then, he lifted the elf slightly into the air. The girl weighed next to nothing, so he could hold her up with both hands without breaking a sweat. Blindfolded though she was, Liurial still responded with a confused groan."
        "Rowan’s intentions for her could not have been unknown for very long. She most certainly seemed to feel it when he lined her up with the head of his cock. It even brushed teasingly against her lower lips."

        liur "Mff. Mfff."

        ro "Shh. Just relax. I’m going to give you what you want."

        "Then, Rowan eased his grip, letting her lower slightly. Gravity did all the work. The force of it rammed his shaft deep into her. At once, he was engulfed by the feeling of warmth and tightness."
        "Liurial rolled her head back and let out a muffled scream into her gag. As much as the bindings would allow, she rolled her hips. She might not have had much freedom of movement, but her eagerness could not be contained."
        "As a result, Rowan did much of the work. He raised and lowered her entire body, in the process totally setting the pace. "

        #if bedslave
        hel "Mmmfh."
        "Rowan’s attention was briefly drawn back to his bound lover. She was as red faced as Liurial and had begun to furiously rub herself against the cushion."

        #else (knight path) - TO DO
            #hel "Harder, Rowan. Please, harder! You should make her squirm!"
            #"Rowan’s attention was briefly drawn by his over-eager lover. Her fingers were furiously pumping at her hole. The sound of it was so loud as to even drown out the slapping sound he and Liurial made together."

        "Rowan felt his cock starting to twitch. It made him pick up the pace. Lifting and dropping Liurial with reckless abandon. It made the pressure rise at a steadily increasing pace. What had once been an eagerness had risen to a fever pitch."
        "Each time he lowered the elf, a sound accompanied it. A squeak that went out right on cue."
        "He slammed her down as hard as he could, plunging as deep in as he could. So deep he even hit the cervix. She answered with a long groan. He even could feel the shiver that shot up her spine."

        #if bedslave
        ro "See this, Hel. Want it?"
        "Helayna nodded furiously."
        hel "Mff. Mff."
        if rowanCorrupt < 60:
            ro "Nope nope nope. None for you. You only get to watch."
        else:
            ro "Too bad, Slut. Too bad. You’re not getting shit. Watch me. Watch me fuck her."
        "He turned his head back to Liurial. But, he could still hear the defeated groan that muffled out from the corner."
        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan couldn’t help smirking to himself."

        #else (knight path) - TO DO
            #hel "Come on. Come on. Yes. Yes. "
            #"Helayna was alternating moans and giggles."
            #hel "Please...Make her scream."
            #ro "If you insist."
            #"Rowan repeated the previous slam, striking all the way to the cervix once again. True to his lover’s request, Liurial did indeed let out a scream. Had she not been gagged, this might have been audible all the way in Alexia’s room."

        "Rowan grunted to himself. The pleasure had slowly risen the longer and longer he used Liurial’s bound body as a sex toy."
        "Besides, there was an aphrodisiac in the fact they had an audience. Helayna desperately fucking herself to the scene was only raising the heat. The more aroused she got, the more he felt it too. Like a circle flowing into itself."

        hel "Ahh! Ahh!"

        ro "Get ready, Liurial. Almost th-there…"

        "He picked up the pace further, throwing her entire body up and down with all of his considerable strength. Her head bobbed from the force of it."

        ro "Almost…"

        "His breathing grew faster to match the pace of the furious movement."

        ro "Almost…"

        hel "Mff. "

        #if bedslave
        "Helayna and Liurial let out gagged moans in unison. "

        ro "Almost…"

        "He felt the final rush. His arms moved themselves, milking her body for that last bit of sensation needed to close the gap."

        ro "Yes!"

        "With a long moan, he felt the tension explode. His arms shook, and Liurial’s body fell slightly. But, Rowan was too deep in the sensation to focus on it."
        "From the corner of his eye, he saw Helayna’s work to a frantic finale. The sight of him finishing was enough to bring her over by itself."
        "He blinked a few times. Liurial slipped slightly, spreading out on the bed with cum leaking. Low happy purrs emitted from her."
        "He blinked a few more times. Helayna had fallen forward, shivering and panting."
        "An enjoyable way to spend the evening for everyone involved."
        "…"

        scene bg9 with fade
        #rowan smirk
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        #if bedslave - TO DO
        show helayna collar naked happy at midright with dissolve
        #if knight path - TO DO
        #show hel naked happy

        "A short time later, Liurial had been cleaned up and sent her off. Helayna giggled at the sight of the timid kiss that the elf had given him on the way out."
        "Shortly afterwards, they were curled up in bed together."

        #if bedslave
        "The gag, like Liurial’s, was long forgotten on the floor of the bedroom."

        if helCuckLiurSeen == False:
            hel "She’s a fun little creature, isn’t she?"
            ro "You don’t mind me keeping another woman?"
            "Helayna laughed darkly and pressed closer to him. Her nipples brushed teasingly against his chest."
            hel "My love, I tolerate that you keep a {i}wife{/i}. Why would I care if you have a pet?"
            "She slid up in the sheets, pressing her lips once more to his ear. Her voice came out in a lustful whisper."
            hel "Besides...my man should have other women. I don’t want some one woman wimp."

        else:
            hel "My word. That elf is certainly an exciting spice for the bedroom, isn’t she?"
            "He gave a small chuckle."
            ro "I’m sure she’d say the same about you, by this point."

        "Rowan turned back to Helayna. The look in her eyes said that she certainly would not have been opposed to being his round two, right then and there."

        # $ helCuckLiurSeen = True
        # return

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
# can't be unlocked? nothing jumps to this label
label wrapped_in_soft_silk_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ shayaSilkSeen = False
    $ shayaClue6 = True

    scene bg24 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "When Rowan arrived at the brothel, the pretty young attendant at the desk bowed to him. Then, she gestured for him to follow her."

    attend "The madam received your note, Sir. She has requested that you join her in a back room."

    if shayaSilkSeen == False:
        ro "She didn’t want to meet me herself?"
        "The girl didn’t answer him. After a few seconds, he moved to follow after her."

    "Rowan followed her deep into the bowls of the brothel. In the day time, the only ones who made use of it were the odd off-duty mercenary or orc seeking to make use of its services. As such, only the occasional room or segment was sealed off by curtains."
    "Still, the place reeked of the familiar strong scents of incense and perfume. Women and men dressed in skimpy silks were at work on basic maintenance tasks in some of the rooms."
    "Finally, they arrived at a doorway at the end of the hall. A full room, as opposed to merely a subdivision."

    attend "In here."

    "She bowed her head and turned away. Rowan didn’t see her again after he went in and closed the door behind him."

    ro "Ah."

    #cg1
    scene cg916 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg917 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg918 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show shaya happy behind cg918
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg918

    "Shaya was indeed waiting for him inside, but not in the way he had expected. She had tied herself down to the large bed by a web of silk strands. Her wrists were bound to the headboard, and straps running from her knees kept them apart. Her entire body was exposed to him…"
    "...Save for her face, still behind the veil."

    if shayaSilkSeen == False:
        sha "Sir Rowan. I pray that I’m to your liking…I had wished to offer you a pleasant surprise."
        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan’s face went red. From this vantage point, there was little he could do to prevent himself from staring at her uncovered body. Her shapely breasts...the puffy cunt between her legs…"
            ro "I...oh...yes. Definitely."
        else:
            "A grin slowly went to his face. His hungry eyes traveled from her shapely uncovered breasts down to her exposed sex. All of it wrapped up and placed on display for him."
            ro "Well that remains to be seen. I haven’t put this surprise to the test yet."
            ro "...But so far I’m liking what I’m seeing."
        "Rowan walked around the bed slowly, Shaya’s eyes trailing him the entire way. The rope job was well made. Normally, silk restraints would be easy to escape from. But, the knotwork here was genuinely secure."
        "He brushed a hand over the silk strand binding her ankles together. Of course, in the process, that also meant his hand meeting her ankles."
        ro "You must trust the one who tied this. It’s very secure."
        sha "Of course I do. One normally tends to trust themselves."
        "Rowan trailed his hand up her thigh."
        ro "You did this to yourself?"
        sha "My art is pleasure. Bondage, self-bondage included, is just another weapon among my arsenal. Let us say that I am very well trained and go no further."
        "She smirked faintly, albeit Rowan had to strain to see it through the fabric covering her face."
        sha "But, you needn’t worry about such things, Sir Rowan. Is it not a more pertinent question...what you plan to do with me?"

    else:
        "Rowan approached her bound form slowly. His hands went down to his hips."
        ro "The bondage again, huh? Should I be concerned that you’re running out of ideas already?"
        sha "You did not seem to protest it in prior engagements, from what I recall. Besides, sometimes a client craves novelty...but also familiar pleasures at others. The foolish search for imperfect novelty at all times is an intermediate’s mistake. Balance in all things."
        sha "After all, do you much mind?"
        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan slowly shook his head."
        else:
            "Rowan smirked to himself"
            ro "I suppose not."
        "He slowly approached her and placed a hand on her thigh. It was simply an act of taking in sensation. A test of just how miraculously good her perfect skin felt in his hands."

    "Soon, Rowan was kneeling on the bed, with her body stretched out in front of him. His clothes had been quickly and haphazardly discarded on the floor. His cock stood steady, awoken by the sight of the woman bound in silks."
    "At first, he simply teased her with his hand, but that was proving too slow."

    # Replay mod: typo? "please" -> "pleasure"
    sha "You needn’t worry… about my pleasure… do as you will…"

    ro "What if I {i}want{/i} to worry about your pleasure?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Here, let me do this."
    else:
        ro "In fact, I have an idea that’s just going to make you positively melt."

    #cg2
    scene cg919 with fade
    pause 3
    show shaya happy behind cg919

    "Shaya was about to open her mouth to reply, but it soon became apparent that there would not be much more conversing. Rowan lowered his face between her legs and worked his tongue into her sex. Soon his tastebuds were overtaken with the pungent taste of a female body."
    "But, the act of cunnilingus had a unique character with a bound woman. She could not close her thighs around his head or use the position to a dominating advantage. Instead, she was left to writhe and squirm at the workings of his mouth."

    sha "Uffff."

    "As he worked her body, his familiarity with her grew. It was not long before he found a certain little nub and began to center all of his attention on it."

    sha "Oh!"

    "To another woman, so much attention to that one sensitive area might fast move from pleasurable to unbearable. But, Shaya’s moaning and futile shaking never seemed to grow. If there was one woman who could handle a spot of overstimulation, it was her."
    "She rolled her hips as much as the tight bindings would allow. Her chest had slightly more leeway, however. So she was free to arch her back, breasts rolling side to side to the pace set by his tongue."
    "The bed creaked beneath them as it bore the strain of her unconscious struggling. Drool and feminine juices dripped on to the sheets. Likely not the first time they’d been sullied with that particular mixture."
    "Once he was sure that she was good and ready, Rowan finally returned to his kneeling posture. If he continued much longer, his jaw would have locked up."
    "Shaya squirmed in bindings. The veil moved up and down softly, as it was softly blown by her panting breaths."

    sha "You want...more...I’m totally available to you. I know...I know you want to fuck me. Totally in your power."

    "His hands found her hips. His body aligned with her. Hard steel lined up perfectly with a sheath. The heat of her sex radiated all along it’s surface."

    scene cg920 with fade
    pause 3
    show shaya happy behind cg920
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg920

    "Rowan closed his eyes. Then he shoved himself into her."

    sha "Mmm. Rowan."

    "Rowan threw himself into the task. All the foreplay had left her opening eager. And the act had the effect of working him up as well. Within moments of penetration, he was pistoning at full speed."
    "And Shaya’s body proved perfect for its task. Her sex was the perfect mxiture of tight but receptive. Every thrust was met with the right sensations."
    "Of course, that was not to discount the human factor."
    "Shaya’s movements might have been limited by the soft silk bondage. But, her hips still rolled to Rowan’s pace. Flexing and pumping to offer as much sensation back to him as her bindings would allow."
    "In any restriction short of total immobilization, she’d have been able to offer at least some force back."
    "Sweat ran down his back. His hands dug harder and harder into her hips. In this state, Shaya herself seemed to fade away. She could have said something, and Rowan wouldn’t have heard her."
    "Instead, it became a matter of action and reaction. He would thrust and she would thrust back. He would grab her soft flesh and she would yield to touch. She was here for him to use."

    ro "I..."

    "His eyes fluttered. A wave of pleasure was building. He could not hold on much longer…"

    ro "Fuck."

    #cg2 - var 2
    show cg921 with sshake
    show cg921 with sshake
    show cg922 with flash
    pause 3
    show shaya happy behind cg922


    "He came deep inside of her, filing her throbbing cunt with his hot seed. Pulling out he admired his handiwork as cum oozed out of her, as she lay breathing heavily on the bed."

    sha "I...I hope I was pleasing, Sir Rowan…"

    #player has not finished room event 6 - TODO
    if shayaSilkSeen == False and shayaClue6 == True:
        scene bg24 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
        "A short time later, Rowan had mostly recovered. He’d wiped his seed from Shaya, but she remained in her bindings. He had almost released her when an idea struck him."
        ro "I still have you helpless here, don’t I?"
        sha "Considering another diversion, Sir?"
        ro "No. Just…"
        "He gestured to the veil covering her face. The one thing that had remained hidden from him."
        ro "...If I wanted to remove that veil and see your face, there would be no way for you to stop me, would there?"
        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
        sha "I would be very displeased if you were to do that. Suffice to say, your arrangement with {i}Jezer’aca{/i} does not cover such an act."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan retreated slightly, offering a slight smile to help disarm her. He hadn’t expected such a strong reaction."
        ro " I am not going to do it. I’m not. I simply wanted to point out that the opportunity existed."
        "He felt something pat his arm and looked down to see Shaya’s hand. It took him a moment to realize it was not still in the restraint."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
        sha "{i}Had the opportunity existed, Rowan?{/i}"
        "Shaya rose from the bed. In a matter of seconds, she had worked her way from the wrist bindings. Now she was in the process of undoing the restraints to her ankles."
        sha "But, worry not. As you said, it was merely a joke. I understand."
        "Rowan blinked softly. She could have done that the whole time…"

    # if shayaSilkSeen == False:
        # $ shayaSilkSeen = True

    # return

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
label helayna_mindless_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Very":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 40
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan wiped his eyes on the long trip up to his room. This week’s excursion back to Rosaria had been especially exhausting. He was happy to simply have a place to lie down in peace."
    "Alas, the sounds of a deeply distressed woman moaning and wailing in lusty despair met his ears long before he reached his room’s door."
    "It seemed that because of Rowan’s new roommate, an immediate nap was not in the cards for him. As he heard the sound of something heavy falling over, the hero rushed forward."

    scene cg887 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg887
    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg887
    pause 3

    "Upon entering the room, Rowan was relieved to see that Helayna wasn’t in any immediate danger. The noise that he had heard seemed to be courtesy of a toppled-over chair."
    "The redhead sat in the room’s centre, clutching at the side of her head, her needful whimpers taking precedence over any groaning over the bump she must have sustained in the fall."
    "Rowan took a quick glance around and found that as a whole? His quarters were a fucking mess. Helayna had the bedsheets on the floor beneath her, and they were soaked with a combination of her arousal and sweat. A number of other things had been knocked over or scattered around."
    "An untouched tray of food sat near his feet, just to the side of the door. The castle’s maids must have been by but Helayna was not making their work easy. The woman herself looked like a mess, hair loose and wild rather than the practical braid she typically preferred."
    "… Clearly, a week without Rowan or his cock had proved more trying than Helayna expected it to be. She had yet to register his entrance."

    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg887

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan caught himself staring at her naked body, and had to turn his glance away."

    else:
        "Rowan stared at her naked body for a moment. Even unkempt, she was so desirable. The wildness of her appearance certainly suited her mindlessness."

    ro "Helayna."

    hel "Nnhmm? Ahhh… aahmm, mmm, Rowan…"

    scene bg9 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Helayna opened her eyes and affixed them on Rowan as if he was the only thing in the room, her breath quickening with excitement. Her hand dropped away from the bump forming beneath her hair and began to crawl towards him."
    "She wasn’t meeting his eye, though. Helayna was staring straight at Rowan’s cock, and despite his weariness it was growing hard at the sight of her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Oh, for the love of… Helayna, can this wait an hour? Please? "

    else:
        ro "Fuck me… ugh, no, not like that. Look, can you wait for me to have a nap first? I’ll fuck you as much as need want later."

    hel "Mmaaahhaaaa– Rowan, Rowanrowanrowan–"

    "She continued to pad towards him, half panting. There was no question what she wanted. Those unfocused animalistic eyes of hers were trained right on his crotch."
    "But after all the walking that Rowan had done that day, he had no intention of busting his hips. He backpedalled away from Helayna and stepped around the perimeter of the messy room, over to his knocked-over chair."
    "Helayna’s hasty, clumsy crawl to reach him made her stumble and fall flat on the blankets, giving him the time he needed to put his chair upright."
    "He ran his hands through his hair briefly, trying to think of a last minute way to put this off, at least long enough for him to get a glass of damn water."
    "Short of asking one of the twins to make Helayna take another magical nap, though…"

    ro "… Alright, fine."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Really, he owed it to her."

    else:
        "His adventuring throughout Rosaria {i}had{/i} left him rather pent-up."

    "Once she was close, Helayna began to twist around, ready to once more offer herself to Rowan for the taking: ass high and wiggling, pussy presented, head low."

    hel "Rrrrrrowan… ahhh…"

    ro "No."

    "Helayna went quiet and stilled halfway through her turn, staring at Rowan’s tented crotch with vapid confusion sprawled over her features."
    "That was more understanding than Rowan expected."

    ro "I mean, not like that. Stay still for a moment."

    "He started to strip out of his clothing, leaving it in shapeless puddles of fabric and leather on the floor. Helayna didn’t sit still exactly, but the way that she impatiently humped at her hand was close enough for Rowan’s purposes. She started to mewl when his cock was out."
    "When he had his boots off, Rowan sighed and stepped around to sink into his chair. As he lounged back, he crooked a finger at Helayna. She quickly closed the distance between herself and the chair, and at his feet began to turn around again–"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan reached out to rest a hand on her head and slow her down."

    else:
        "Rowan grabbed her hair to slow her down. The sex-starved cock addict shivered in an outward show of her inner ecstasy."

    "Rowan guided her closer, until she was between his spread knees."

    ro "Open your mouth."

    hel "...?"

    "Helayna tilted her head. A long mass of messy red hair fell like a waterfall along one shoulder."

    ro "Your mouth. I need it open."

    "Helayna’s lips were already slightly parted. With his cock now inches from her face, she showed no further comprehension of his words."
    "Clearly, Rowan would need to take matters into his own hands. He leaned down and put two fingers to her lips, pushing them inward."
    "That was enough to get it through her head. In moments, her lips were stretched wide and her tongue was dancing around his hand as if she had mistaken it for his cock. But, he knew she hadn’t. From where her focus remained, she had to know exactly where it was."

    ro "Open. OPEN. MOUTH. Right?"

    "Helayna didn’t react, but when his fingers slipped away her pink bowed lips remained parted enough for his purposes. Slipping his hand to the back of her head, Rowan drew her forward, lowering his risen shaft to just the right angle."

    #cg1 var 1
    scene cg888 with fade
    pause 3
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg888
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg888

    "A glimmer of understanding seemed to shimmer through her unfocused eyes at the last moment, and she giggled with a maenad’s delight just before his cock entered her mouth for the first time."
    "Considering that Helayna had lost her virginity to Rowan, it seemed impossible that any other man had been permitted to use this other hole. She certainly didn’t seem to have any more experience with her tongue than her cunt– but the same eagerness that her pussy had was there, too. "
    "She took to giving head far more readily than Alexia did."
    "The instant that Helayna’s tongue was in contact with his cock’s head, Helayna was licking at it. Enthusiasm alone could not make up for her lack of trained skill, but it was enjoyable all the same– especially combined with the relish and relief flooding upon Helayna’s face."
    "She moaned around him like his peasant cock was the most delicious thing her noble tongue had ever tasted."

    ro "Shit…"

    "Helayna’s shamelessness and clear appetite for cock wasn’t going to be enough for Rowan to get off, though, pent-up or not. Her hands grasped at his thighs for support as she soaked his cock in both saliva and affectionate worship, The very shallow bobs of her head seemed to be purely incidental."
    "It was in-line with what Rowan needed of her, however. After allowing Helayna to have her fun for a couple of minutes, Rowan formed a grip in her hair and began to push down. The disgraced knight shifted slightly, not complaining about getting more of her master’s dick inside of her, even if it meant her tongue was no longer on its top."
    "Confusion and a very faint hint of concern creased her brow when it became more than just that. She tensed, eyes squeezing tightly shut."

    ro "You’re doing good…"

    show cg889 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Helayna relaxed and moaned muffled appreciation of the praise, at least until his cock was in her unexpecting, unprepared throat. Her grip tightened to an almost painful degree on his thighs, but she didn’t fight him."
    "In fact, Helayna leaned into it. She began to force herself down his cock as much as he was pushing her to take it. Though her gag reflex fought her, the redhead seemed more beholden to the ring’s effects, as well as what both she and Rowan wanted."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Damn, Helayna…"

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "...Take it. Yeah...take it, Helayna…"

    else:
        ro "...Yeah...that’s good…"

    "When Helayna pushed herself too hard or seemed like she was too breathless to keep going, Rowan pulled back on her hair. Not once did either of them try to take his cock back from her lips, however; it was a fuckhole meant to be used."
    "But, even as high as the tension got, Rowan did not yet tip over. The pace remained constant, like the tide of a relentless sea. But, it was not a sensation that finally did it."
    "It was when she looked up, for just a brief moment. The wide blue eyes staring up at him. Almost eerie in how vapid they were, yet with affection and love: blank only for her desire to be his outlet. That was too much."

    ro "Helayna…!"

    show cg889 with sshake
    show cg889 with sshake
    show cg890 with flash
    pause 3

    "He felt his cock let loose but didn’t see much of it. Helayna gulped rapidly, swallowing as much as she could. It was totally subsumed in Helayna’s mouth, and she didn’t let up even as his full load shot down her throat."
    "Yet, even as he once more softened, her mouth didn’t let up, trying to take every inch of him now that she knew his cock could fill her throat. In his post-release sensitivity, she was truly too much for him. Rowan yelped out."

    show cg891 with dissolve
    pause 3

    ro "S-stop that, I need a second…!"

    "In the end, he had to pry her off him, changing his grip to near her forehead and shoving her back until she finally let up. Even then, however, Helayna wanted him to keep going. "

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Once his cock had calmed, Rowan resigned himself to allowing the redhead to do as she liked with her tongue until he was hard again. He sank back into his seat, eyes fluttering shut."
    "It would be a few hours before he finally got his nap, and by then it was earned several times over– and more than a full night’s sleep."

    $ mindlessHel1Available = True

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
label daughters_blowjob_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "While browsing the supplies, Rowan noticed something out the corner of his eyes.  He watched discretely for a moment, then another, and confirmed that someone was watching him from around the corner of the wagon."
    "It was a young goblin woman, braided collar length hair, thinner body, and a bashful charm about her."

    ro "(That looks like Min?)"

    "The same shy girl from the dinner party who'd been so eager to 'service' him.  She was giving him the same look from that night.  Their eyes met for a moment, alerting her that she'd been noticed."
    "She looked away quickly, then glanced back and licked her lips with a downward glance."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Her face then turned dark in embarrassment when she remembered that Rowan was looking at her and bid a retreat.  Rowan considered going after her, but decided he'd best finish his work here at the caravan first."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    cla "... and that will be all?"
    ro "Yes."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "Thank you, come again."
    ro "I'm sure I will."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    hide clamin with dissolve

    "On his way back over the bridge to the castle, Rowan noticed that a certain goblin was watching him from above, perched on the gate battlements.  This time he kept his observations discrete and decided to pay the little girl a visit.  The novice observer could use a pointer."

    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He quickly slipped up the ladder and crept to the girl's hiding place.  When he stepped around to the nook below where he'd seen her perched, she suddenly popped out at the same time and ran straight into his groin."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "No damage was done, it was just a light bump into his stomach, but the man unintentionally gave her a face full of his package."

    ro "I thought you maybe wanted some help at spying without being noticed.  I didn't mean to..."

    "Min froze in place for a second, then started nuzzling the man's member through his pants and gave a hopeful look up with her lips parted."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "... but if you want to do something else at the same time I don't mind."

    #cg1
    scene clamini_bj1 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind clamini_bj1
    pause 3

    "The words were barely out of his mouth before dick was filling hers.  It certainly wasn't that complicated to arrange things, her mouth was at crotch level while both of them stood there."
    "She took his burgeoning erection and polished it twice to full hardness before taking it in as far as she could.  There was a small contented hum once she got down all the way."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Whoa, easy there."
        "Min's eagerness had once again caught Rowan off guard.  He glanced around the walls to see if anyone was nearby.  That time at the dinner table hadn't exactly given much privacy."

    else:
        ro "No complaints here."
        "A girl after his heart for sure.  He put a firm hand on her head and lazily glanced around to see if there was an audience for their little lesson."

    "There wasn't anyone on the walls, but there certainly were people on the castle bridge.  If someone looked up, they'd only see Rowan standing there.  However, anyone paying attention would almost certainly hear the sloppy sucking emitted by the girl hidden from sight."
    "Min fumbled a bit, trying to worm a hand around and then under her subject's groin, but gave up after a few attempts and switched instead to cupping his balls and stroking his thighs."
    "The man groaned under his breath and leaned back against the rampart.  Min's head was now bobbing in a steady rhythm on his member with nary a need for him to direct her or lift a finger."

    ro "Well, I did say that I was going to give a lesson on not being noticed.  So, I suppose I should get started? Ah."

    "She stopped bobbing a moment to dip her head under his member and give his balls a quick suck, then ran her tongue up his shaft.  There was a smile on her face and she gave a quick nod before returning to work."

    ro "The key when spying or eavesdropping isn't to stay out of sight, it's to not be noticed.  Someone can see you just fine without realizing you're paying attention to them."

    scene clamini_bj2 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind clamini_bj2
    pause 3

    "Once again Min swallowed as much cock as she could, then let out a cute little 'uh huh' around the obstruction.  The goblin was a woman of few words, but the tremor had a big impact."

    ro "Hng, paying att-tention..."

    "She tried yet again to work her hand into his pants, this time managing to get to his backside and prod his rear."

    ro "Yeah.  So... do something you're supposed to be doing, watch them from the corner of your eyes, but, hah, don't forget to act like how you're supposed to."

    "Finally she released him from her throat and returned to bobbing her head.  It gave Rowan a second to catch his breath, but he was feeling himself start to build up."

    "Speaking of which, movement caught Rowan's eye and he snapped his head to look at the source; a bird that had just perched a little ways from where they were."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "The distraction was not appreciated by Min, who swallowed his cock deep once more to regain the man's focus.  It didn't quite work, but Rowan put a little extra into his grunt of pleasure and patted her head to make her feel better."

    else:
        "Min huffed slightly indignantly and decided then was a good time to swallow his cock deep once more.  Rowan rolled his eyes and pulled her down hard.  If she wanted to swallow him, he'd obliged her."

    "Her finger then entered his ass, finally making him return his attention to the goblin, to the sight of her cute face with adoring eyes, and of course his cock sticking out of her lips.  She wanted him.  Well, he could give himself to her."

    #cg1 - cum var
    scene cg698 with sshake
    scene cg698 with sshake
    scene cg699 with flash
    pause 2

    "Rowan jerked his hips forward a couple times and pushed over the edge.  A little eep came from the girl when the first spurt of his seed went down her throat.  Then another and another.  She swallowed all of it without complaint."
    "Only after Rowan had completely finished did Min even try for a gasp of air.  The man idly wondered where she'd learned how to perform so well?  He very much doubted that she'd been sucking too many goblin cocks like this or that her mother had whored her out on their travels."
    "She was well on her way to being a fellacio star."

    #battlements CG
    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If you want any more tips, don't be afraid to ask.  Or you can keep practising when I'm around so I can let you know how you're doing."

    "She nodded eagerly with a glowing smile."

    ro "I'll see you around Min."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    scene black with fade

    "Rowan ran into Cla-Min after he got down from the walls.  She didn't say anything to him, just gave a sly wink before going up the ladder herself."

    # return

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
# can't be unlocked? as ghThreesome is never == true
label gayhide_rp:

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Rowan entered the forge to see Greyhide at his usual spot: bent over his massive anvil, hammering away at a piece of molten metal."
    "He stopped at the entryway, leaning back to enjoy the view of the muscular bull at work. His hefty shoulder blades twisted and bent as he lifted and struck, lifted and struck."
    "Beads of sweat collected in his pelt and matted his fur. He was a picture of masculinity: thickly built, well defined, driven in purpose and strong in action."
    "Had Rowan never come to the castle, he would have never known how handsome a bestial creature like a Minotaur could be. He was still somewhat taken aback at how easily he’d fallen for a creature nearly twice his size."
    "But, he supposed, that was part of the charm of Greyhide: despite all appearances, he was an easy man to like."
    "At last the bull noticed him, setting down his hammer with a smile as Rowan offered him a cloth. He gratefully accepted it, wiping at his brow to clear the sweat. There was a pleasant scent radiating off him. The scent of activity, of sweat and toil."

    gh "Hello Rowan."

    "Always the simple greeting. But it rumbled so pleasantly in his chest."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Greyhide."
    gh "Do you need something?"

    "Rowan felt a blush creep onto his cheeks."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "...You could say that."

    "Greyhide flashed him a glimpse of his wide, flat teeth. For a man as solemn as him, he sure liked to smile a lot."

    gh "Ah, I see."
    gh "Well, I have a few hours to spare, if I skip my lunch."
    ro "I wouldn’t want you to go hungry."

    "The bull chuckled, letting out a great huff of air from his snout."

    gh "You make for a better meal."

    "He undid his apron and set it carefully aside, allowing his broad torso and upper body to come into unobstructed view."

    ro "It’s times like these that I’m glad you’re a vegetarian."

    "Greyhide grinned."

    gh "Mostly."

    "The Hero of Rosaria stepped forward, putting a brazen hand upon the fur of Greyhide’s rippling chest. He traced the curve of the muscles downwards, like following the line of a dry riverbed towards the source."

    gh "That tickles."
    ro "Indulge me."

    "Greyhide chuckled in that deep, sonorous voice of his."

    gh "I did not tell you to stop."

    "Rowan’s gentle touch trailed lower, across the chorded muscles of his midsection and around the curling foothills of his abdomen. He felt the Minotaur’s large mitts settle upon his shoulders, enveloping them in his heat."
    "Rowan looked up, feeling his tongue grow heavy in his mouth as the Bull smiled down at him. His big, brown eyes held steady to his own, a knowing twinkle causing Rown to unintentionally smirk."

    ro "What’s that look for?"
    gh "You are staring."
    ro "So are you."
    gh "I am just watching you."
    ro "Staring {i}lustfully{/i}, you mean."

    "Greyhide’s smile widened. One of his hands left Rowan’s shoulder, tracing down the flat of his back to grope his rear. His modest posterior barely filled the bull’s palm."

    gh "Maybe."

    "He squeezed Rowan’s ass, to make sure he had his full attention. Their hands roamed across one another, taking in the length and scope of their bodies."
    "The size difference was almost intimidating. Here was a being strong enough to lift a boulder, whose individual fingers were almost thicker than his wrist. Yet… his soft, intoxicating touch was sending electric jolts of excitement up his spine."
    "Rowan was hard, painfully so. Greyhide was not a subtle lover, but he made up for it with sheer vigor. Judging from the prodigious girth tenting his own trousers, the bull was just as excited."
    "Rowan let out a moan as Greyhide’s thick fingers began to undress him. He moved with swift intent: unbuckling his armor and shedding him of his shirt with impressive dexterity."
    "He was always so careful, so deliberate. To have such raw strength, yet be so delicate… it only encouraged him more."
    "Rowan leaned forward and hugged him, reveling in the firm feel of Greyhide’s body against this own. On a whim he wrapped his arms around the Minotaur’s waist, and found that he could barely touch his fingers together from each hand on the other side."

    ro "I want to see it."
    gh "See what?"
    ro "Don’t play dumb."
    gh "There are many things to see in this forge."
    ro "You know what I want to see."
    gh "Maybe. Point it out and I will get it for you."

    "Rowan laughed. Greyhide’s obstinacy didn’t come out often, but it did make for some frustratingly erotic foreplay."

    ro "Fine… this."

    #CG1
    scene cg443 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg443
    show greyhide neutral behind cg443
    pause 3

    "Rowan’s hands enclosed around the warm bulge beneath the beast’s loincloth. He felt the turgid length with his fingers, working his thumb back and forth. Greyhide’s breathing sharpened."

    gh "Ah, that."

    "Rowan smirked, his other hand reaching lower to fondle the soft orbs of his nutsack beneath. Greyhide let out a low grunt."

    ro "Yes... {i}that{/i}."
    gh "I may need help reaching it."

    "Needing no encouragement, Rowan peeled Greyhide’s clothing away, soon reaching the source of his investment. He pulled down the bull’s loincloth, and his thick length was exposed to the air."
    "It stood at full attention: a tall pillar of bestial virility. It was already aroused, leaning at the tip. Rowan took the bare length in hand and stroked it, marveling at the sheer size of the thing."

    ro "How do you work when you get hard with this thing?"
    gh "You don’t. You find a way to make it go down, or wait until it subsides."
    ro "So, no work for you then."
    gh "For the time being."
    ro "No matter, I’ve got a better idea in mind."

    #CG2
    scene cg791 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg791
    show greyhide neutral behind cg791
    pause 3

    "Rowan bent down and planted a wet kiss onto the dripping tip. There was a sharp intake of air as Greyhide tensed up."

    gh "You do not have to-"
    ro "What if I want to?"

    "The bull didn’t respond, so Rowan returned to his tender ministrations. His hands began to move up and down Greyhide’s length as he planted kisses in descending staircase steps."
    "Greyhide palmed his head, and Rowan got down on his knees, planting his mouth firmly against the base of his cock and licking upwards."
    "He kissed the tip, licking in slow circles around the flat head of his dick. Greyhide let out a grunt: that low, masculine sound of pleasure pulled from the depths of his chest. The sound inflamed Rowan’s senses, and he redoubled his efforts."

    ro "What’s it like… being with a human?"
    gh "Pleasant."

    "Rowan chuckled, his hand reaching down to gently palm one of Greyhide’s hanging orbs before returning once more to a strong, steady stroke of his increasingly spit-covered cock."

    ro "Come on, you can do better than that."
    gh "Is this just to stroke your ego?"

    "Rowan pulled back for a moment from his spit shining to look Greyhide in the eye."

    ro "Does this look like the kind of thing most humans would take pride in?"
    gh "Maybe. I do not know."

    ro "Cute. Keep playing dumb, it’s not like I haven’t figured you out already, friend."
    ro "Now, answer the question."

    "Greyhide blushed, his head lifted skyward as Rowan went back to sucking his cock."

    gh "I am not a man of words."
    ro "I’m sure if you put a little effort into it, you’d be- {i}mwah{/i}, good at it."

    "Rowan planted his lips firmly around the underside of his dick and swirled his tongue around in a sloppy kiss. It came away glistening."

    gh "You are- {i}mmmh{/i}… small. Fragile. I-Iam afraid to go too fast with you."

    "Now they were getting somewhere. Rowan rewarded him by picking up the pace of his strokes. He clenched his fingers and began to jack Greyhide off harder."

    ro "Why? Afraid you’ll hurt me?"
    gh "Yes. Always."
    ro "I survived a {i}Demon War{/i}, I think I can handle a bit of Minotaur."
    gh "It’s more than just ‘a bit.’"
    ro "Heh. {i}Now{/i} who’s prideful?"

    "Greyhide’s response was a pleasured moan. He leaned back, clenching his hands against the steadying weight of the anvil behind him as Rowan redoubled his efforts."
    "With some difficulty, he managed to take a good portion of the head of his cock. He suckled on it like it was a tasty, oversized sweet, his tongue waggling back and forth as he lathered in as much of his saliva as he could."
    "The taste was distinct. Greyhide had a certain… flavor to him, that was different from others. It was almost savory. Pleasant to the tongue and arousing in the extreme."
    "Unbidden, Greyhide began to speak once more."

    gh "Y-you… you make it much more pleasurable than with other Minotaurs."
    ro "{i}Mmmh{/i}- why?"
    gh "It is hard to explain. You are more aware than they are. You pay attention to m-my- {i}unf{/i}!"

    "Greyhide tensed and jerked. His body went rigid. Rowan felt his cock swelling in his mouth as he built towards an orgasmic crescendo."

    gh "Gods, right there! {i}Right{/i} there!"

    "Rowan redoubled his efforts, bobbing his head up and down as he did his utmost to cram as much bullcock in his mouth as he could manage."

    gh "You… you are slower than they are. Soft. Less rough. It’s like being teased with a feather."

    "Rowan smirked, swirling his tongue in a slow circle around his shaft. A feather, eh? Perhaps he could tickle him to completion."

    ro "Sounds like Minotaurs could use a lesson in subtlety."

    "Rowan slapped the Minotaur’s cock against his cheek and grinned. Greyhide’s large brown eyes stared at him, lidded and passionate."

    gh "We could. Will you teach me?"
    ro "Of course."

    "Emboldened, Rowan gripped the Minotaur’s cock in both hands and began to jerk him in alternating patterns. Greyhide’s mouth opened and he let loose what sounded {i}suspiciously{/i} like a stifled {i}moo{/i}."

    ro "Getting close?"
    gh "Very close."
    ro "Where do you want it?"
    gh "Anywhere."
    ro "Heh, you’re no fun."

    "As enjoyable as their banter was, Rowan could tell Greyhide was only half listening at this point. No point in torturing the poor bull. He muffled his mouth with Greyhide’s cock once more."
    "It only took a few more, strong strokes before Greyhide inhaled a sharp breath. It was the only warning Rowan got before he felt his jaw widen as the Minotaur’s cock bulged, distended, then erupted with white, sticky goo."

    #CG2 - var 1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind black
    show greyhide neutral behind black

    "Rowan’s mouth filled in an instant, and he pulled back unconsciously to avoid choking. He coughed twice, his mouth full of the sticky, salty taste of the bull’s love."
    "Secondary strands fired forth and hit his face, his eyes squeezing shut to avoid friendly fire. The bull grunted, holding firm to Rowan’s shoulders as came."
    "Eventually, Greyhide himself angled the tip away, past Rowan’s shoulder. It wasn’t in time to prevent him from a facefull of Minotaur cum, but at least the thought was there."
    "Rowan watched with a sort of fond warmth as the bull came down from his orgiastic high. Greyhide was panting, his heavy chest lifting and lowering in rapid breaths as he tried to center himself."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    gh "That was-"
    ro "Good?"
    gh "Messy. My forge is soiled."

    "Rowan chuckled."

    ro "Have you seen my face?"

    "Greyhide snapped to attention, recalling his sudden onset of passion. He hurriedly handed a chuckling Rowan the same cloth he’d used to wipe himself off."
    "Rowan gratefully accepted it, clearing his face from most of the leftover loving. He took a short inhale of the cloth and smiled. He could both smell and taste Greyhide at the same time. There was a salacious sort of pleasure in that."

    gh "What of you?"
    ro "What do you mean?"

    "Greyhide gestured towards Rowan’s trousers, where a sizable bulge was resting in his pants."

    gh "I have had my pleasure, but you have not."

    "Rowan smiled. Though he has half naked, he had had the fun he’d been looking for. Teasing Greyhide had been an experience unto itself, one he wished to continue again someday."
    "Also… after all that passionate touching he doubted very much he’d last for more than a few seconds."

    ro "I’m fine. This was fun, for now."

    "Greyhide’s eyes were apologetic. For all his noble grandstanding Rowan knew the look of a man about to fall off his feet from sheer contentment. Greyhide let out a tired sigh."

    gh "Fine. You win this time."
    ro "I always win, Greyhide."
    gh "We shall see. Next time: it’s my turn."

    # return

    return

# \events\room_events_4.rpy
label helayna_path_choice_rp:

    # $ helCuck = True
    $ greyhideMet = True
    
    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            jump helayna_path_choice_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind bg9
    show helayna naked happy behind bg9

    "Rowan awoke to the sound of sheets ruffling slightly. Helayna was in bed next to him, fast asleep. She must have been tossing in her sleep."
    "He sat up and looked down at her sleeping form. The curve of her body, the way her hair streamed down her shoulders."
    "Earlier, the two had talked once more about her desire to be more helpful to him. In recent weeks he really had been considering her request. He’d trained with her, but he’d also tested her like Jezera had told him too."
    "He still couldn’t escape her words to him."

    show jezera happy behind bg9

    je "The only way to make her happy is to make her your slave."

    "But, was that really true?"
    "One option would be to listen to Jezera. Accept that her brain had been entirely rewired and put her into a role more fit for a woman constantly sexually charged. Perhaps even indulge in some of the vices Jezera was suggesting…"
    "...Or he could listen to Helayna and try to train her back up. It might be a long road, but her devotion to him was total. If anyone in the world could help her re-learn to fight it would be him."
    "And as Rowan sat there, eyeing the rise and fall of his lover’s chest, he came to an answer."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan walked down to the upper floor where the twins' quarters were located. He stopped at the doorway and knocked on the door. She wasn’t going to be happy about this. But, even if it probably could wait, he didn’t feel like it couldn’t wait."
    "No response. He knocked again."

    show bg14 with sshake

    show jezera naked happy behind bg14

    je "If the castle isn’t under attack, then whoever woke me is going to pay."

    hide jezera
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "The door swung open, and out came a naked and snarling Jezera. But, once she saw who it was, the anger was replaced by surprise."

    je "Oh. Rowan."

    "She flashed a grin."

    je "Are we finally at the stage of our relationship where you come crawling to me in the middle of the night now?"
    je "That little red head in your bed must not be happy about this."

    "She tilted her body to the side, making it hard for Rowan not to notice her nudity and the sexy curves that nudity revealed."

    je "But then again, since you still roll about with your original little red head around, she can’t be too surprised."
    je "Not that I mind, of course. Come in."

    #If the Lock-In Event has already happened, and Alexia chose Andras or Jezera.

    #je "I guess you haven’t learned much from what happened with your previous little red head."
    #"Rowan blushed and looked away. If there was one thing he didn’t want to think about right, didn’t want to think about ever, it was Alexia."
    #je "Not that I mind, of course. Come in."

    scene bg18 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan followed Jezera into her lavish quarters. As he did, he couldn’t help but notice a lump on her bed under the covers. He couldn’t tell, though, if it was a masculine or feminine state. With his mind more concerned by Helayana, he didn’t care enough to check further."
    "Rowan took a step forward and shook his head."

    ro "Not tonight, Mistress. I’m actually here to talk about that same red head. You gave me advice about her before. About what she could become. I wanted to talk about that."

    "The moment he said it, the wicked grin melted from her face."

    je "That’s what you’re at my door in the lover’s hour about?"
    je "Oh hero, you can be such a disappointment sometimes."

    "She shook her head at him, clearly disappointed. She snapped her fingers, and at once her normal red dress materialized on her body."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan stood still and in an attentive pose. Like it or not, Jezera held all the power in their relationship. He needed to be respectful."

    ro "If you desire, I can return another time. I was just thinking about it now and wanted to speak to you while my thoughts were still fresh."
    je "No no. I’m awake now. We might as well make something of it."
    je "Tell me what you arrived at. Did you take my advice?"

    "Rowan coughed. Count on Jezera to get right to the most sexual element of a conversation."

    ro "Well, I wanted to see if you were right for myself first."
    ro "I sparred with her out in the courtyard. She still has great potential as a fighter, but the ring dangerously distracts her. She struggles to maintain concentration for more than a short length of time. It will take a lot of work before she she is competent as a fighter again."
    ro "And I tried your...suggestions...in bed. Once more you were right. She’s inexperienced with the matter, but she seemed to enjoy a more servile role. If I wanted to make her my bed slave, I believe she would not protest too hard."

    "Jezera rolled her eyes."

    je "The fact that I’m right is hardly news. I usually am. So now that you’ve run your little tests, what are you going to do about it?"

    "Rowan looked down at his feet."

    ro "She loves me. I just want what’s best for her."

    menu:
        "Make her your bedslave. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ helPath = "bedslave"
            jump helBedPath_rp

        "Train her back into a knight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ helPath = "knight"
            jump helKnightPath_rp

    label helBedPath_rp:

        ro "That’s why I don’t think she can really be the knight she wants to be. At least until she’s back to normal. And if what you said is true, then in serving me, she could at least feel useful."
        ro "Valuable even."

        "It had been the decision he’d come to looks at her sleeping form. She looked so happy when she was in bed next to him. Far more so than her pained looks on the training field. She’d looked defeated. Despaired."
        "Why have her slam against a wall over and over again? She had been naturally predisposed to soldiering before, but that just wasn’t the case with the way her brain worked now. She’d be happier and more satisfied acting to her strengths."
        "That he’d enjoyed the test session before was neither here nor there..."

        ro "I want her to feel that way. So yes, I’ll go with your suggestion. I’ll train her to be my bed slave."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        "Jezera almost purred with delight. She clapped her hands together and beamed at him."

        je "Excellent excellent, I knew you’d see the wisdom of my words."

        "Rowan nodded. The fact that choosing this appeased Jezera was only a bonus. Still, he had to be careful. The fact alone that Jezera wanted him to do it put Rowan on edge. She was almost certainly scheming something."

        ro "But, I’m doing it my way. I’m not trying to break her or hurt her. No emotional manipulation. No damage to her self esteem. I might be making her my slave, but she’s still my lover."
        je "Yes, yes. Romance and caring and all your human nonsense. Do it right and you won’t even need to break her."
        ro "Alright. What do I need to do?"

        "Jezera draped herself over the chair that she often used as a makeshift throne. Her leg bounced up and down to the rhythm of her whirring mind."

        je "Head over heels for you. New to submission. Sexually addicted, but inexperienced. "

        "She put a hand to her chin."

        je "Your first step is train her in the basics of obedience and being on bottom. You must get her used to the idea of being compliant to your commands until it’s second nature."
        je "If you start with the lighter stuff first, she won’t balk later on when you give her more and more demanding commands."
        je "Focus on positive feedback. Keep on reminding her over and over again that she’s helping you by being obedient."

        "He raised an eyebrow."

        ro "Positive feedback is how you turn someone into a slave?"
        je "A willing slave? It’s the most important part. Or at least, stringing them along with little bits of it so that they jump along for more and more. Discipline when needed, of course. But, you’re trying to coax her into submission, not beat her into it."
        je "That fact is what makes my dear brother such a complete oaf. He can be manipulative when he really wants to be. But, most of the time he has the delicacy of a minotaur in a glass workshop."

        if greyhideMet:
            ro "I imagine Greyhide is actually quite good at glasswork."
            "Jezera rolled her eyes and made a dismissive gesture."
            je "Unimportant. You understand my metaphor."

        else:
            pass

        "Jezera snapped and sat up in her chair. Her body was electric with excitement."

        je "Actually, I have something on hand that might be useful in this situation."

        "Jezera rushed over to a shelf. Rowan looked towards her bed. The lump moved slightly, but he still could not see the figure underneath. When Jezera returned, she tossed an ornate box on his lap."
        "Inside was a leather collar with a metal ring bolted to the front. It had frills around the edges in a deep crimson."

        je "Hrmmm."

        "Jezera snapped again. Before his very eyes, the color of the material shifted into an exact match to the bedwear she had taken to wearing around."

        je "There we are. Have to make it match that little purple number she trounces about in."

        "Rowan glanced up at Jezera and then back at the collar."

        ro "Magic?"

        "He picked it up. Normal weight. Normal thickness. Yet, it almost certainly was laced with any number of enchantments."

        ro "What does it do?"
        je "Collars are about ownership, aren’t they? We put collars on dogs to show other people who they belong to. And since this particular dog is also another person…"

        "She giggled cruelly."

        je "It’s the result of an experiment of mine. I’m not sure how easily I could whip up another one. But, while it’s around her neck it should induce a feeling of belonging and it should center her thoughts even stronger on the person who put it there."
        je "I don’t know how it would interact with the ring. But, I suspect it would allow you to further shape her lust towards your own ends."

        "Rowan stared down at the collar. Such an effect would of course be helpful. But, it wouldn’t exactly be out of Jezera’s wheelhouse to include some other effect that was less obvious in the background."

        ro "That’s all it will do? No transformations? No remote mind control?"
        je "My dear hero, would I ever lie to you?"

        "Rowan put the collar back in the box. He probably would give it to Helayna. It could easily have another enchantment, but if Jezera wanted to force another enchantment on Helayna, it was hardly as though she’d need to resort to this trickery."
        "Jezera had a few more pointers. Indeed, she was practically brimming with excitement at the possibility of teaching Rowan the tricks of the trade."
        "But, before long he was starting to nod off. It was still late at night after all. A yawn convinced them that this was a conversation that could be resumed another time. When Rowan left Jezera’s room, he took the box with him."

        # $ helPathChoice = False
        # $ helBedslavePath1 = True

        # jump rowans_chambers

        jump helayna_bedslave_1_rp

    label helKnightPath_rp:

        ro "That’s why I can’t do what you said I should, despite the fact that she’d probably accept. I can’t train her to be my bed slave, or whatever it is you turn people into."

        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

        "Jezera made a show of rolling her eyes."

        ro "She asked me to help her become a fighter again. To be a knight again. I want her to not only be happy, but be proud of herself. No matter what it takes."

        "It had been the decision he’d come to looking at her sleeping form. She looked happy sleeping next to him. But, looking at her in that position felt like a betrayal. She wanted to fight for him. How could he stand in her way."
        "He understood all that was arrayed against him. He understood that her brain itself no longer seemed wired like that of a fighter. But, in this world there were very many beautiful women. But, how many women who could outfight him a duel."
        "He refused to tell her to give up on the one thing she’d always based her life around. He refused."
        "Jezera listened to all of this, and promptly yawned."

        je "Well that’s a surprisingly sweet sentiment. That said, I do have to wonder what this has to do with me and my precious sleep hours."
        je "If you didn’t want my advice before, I don’t know why you might be here…"

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        "She flashed the trademark grin that said she was scheming."

        je "...That is, unless you’re only saying that is your plan, but you want me to convince you in the-"

        "Rowan risked upsetting her by cutting her off."

        ro "No. I need your help. Helayna was right to come to you before. What made her this way was magic. That ring addled her mind. If there is a way to counteract that, then you hold the key."

        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve

        je "I’m afraid to say I’m fresh out of keys. "
        je "I’ll tell you the same thing I told her, my hero. I don’t understand the ring and its properties much better then you. The return of her mind at all was a surprise to me. I cannot remove it or dispel it."

        "She shot the lump in bed a dark glance."

        ro "Really, I’m as much a...voyeur of that situation as you are."

        "Rowan sighed. His heart pounded softly. There had not been many occasions he’d been able to ask things of Jezera. This was going to be a challenge."

        ro "I already knew that. But, I also know something else. You are the most powerful enchantress in this castle. Perhaps among the most powerful alive in the world."

        "She laughed to herself, but he could see in her eyes that the flattery had been effective. Jezera’s vanity was one bedrock he could count on."

        ro "Maybe you can’t do anything about the ring. But, if you tried you could come up with something to help her regain her focus. An entirely different enchantment. If not a way to free her from her lust, then to forestall it."

        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Jezera draped herself over the chair that she often used as a makeshift throne. Her leg bounced up and down to the rhythm of her whirring mind. She really was taking the matter seriously."

        je "An enchantment to forestall her lust...free her mind long enough to fight…"
        je "I suppose something of the sort would be possible."
        je "But, you forget one thing."
        ro "What?"

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        "She shot him a playful look. She looked like a cat who’d just seen a mouse."

        je "How exactly do you propose to get me to do it?"
        ro "..."
        ro "I wish to ensure that one of the most effective soldiers in the realm can take a spot at the head of your armies. Surely you understand why I would desire this, Mistress."
        je "Mhm. One of the most effective soldiers….and one who wishes for nothing less then my head on a pike. Would you empower my enemies, Rowan?"

        "She straightened up in her chair, and matched him eye to eye. He’d have to step carefully here."

        ro "Never. I wish only for...well, I’ve developed quite strong feelings for Helayna. Surely, you can understand why I want this for her. If that means I will keep her in check, then I can do that."
        ro "You control me, My Lady. I will keep her in line."

        #If after the lock in event, and Rowan got NTR’d.
        #Rowan looks sad.
        #"He closed his eyes and spoke the last part in a low voice."
        #ro "(You’ve/Your Brother) has already taken one woman from me. Surely you can leave me this small happiness."

        "There was a moment of silence. Jezera didn’t ease off from her intimidating posture even as she considered his response. Then she placed a single finger to her and started to chuckle."

        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        je "Very well. I don’t have the brain power for these shenanigans at this hour."
        je "So long as you keep the faith, I will provide you with a means to help her focus better in combat. It will help, but you think you can slap one enchantment on her and call it a day, then you don’t understand enchantments."
        je "Granted, you don’t understand enchantments anyway."
        je "Furthermore, if your toy raises a sword to me, there will be consequences. With that ring on her finger, I wonder how your pretty Helayna would fair in a room with a certain...pet of my brothers"
        ro "I understand, Mistress."

        "He breathed in deeply. That could have gone far worse."

        je "So tell me, champion of the weak. How do you propose exactly to turn some half lust-mad slut back into a warrior?"
        ro "That’s what I need to consider for myself."

        "He started to rise to his feet."

        ro "But, thank you. I know you didn’t have to do this for me."
        je "I don’t have to. You’re right."
        je "And if she doesn’t perform in combat the way you’ve promised, I will be quite cross with you. I don’t like being roused for your human nonsense."

        "Rowan only responded by giving her a stiff bow."

        je "Now get out. I want to sleep."

        show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "She waved off Rowan sharply. As she did, the outfit she’d manifested dematerialized into the air. Rowan didn’t dawdle though. For all the annoyance Jezera had shown, she’d still agreed to help him and that was what mattered."
        "But, even with her help that still meant he had to figure out how he was going to train up Helayna at all. That would be the hard part."

        # $ helPathChoice = False

        # jump rowans_chambers


        #Possible stinger if Alexia Lock-In has happened and she chose Jezera.
        #hide rowan with moveoutleft
        ##show alexia necklace neutral behind bg18
        #al "...huh...why are you still awake, Mistress?"
        #hide alexia
        #show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #"The lump on the bed ruffled slightly, just as soon as Rowan had left the room. From it, a tired Alexia rose and wiped the sleep from her eyes."
        #je "Nothing you need concern yourself with, pet. Go back to sleep."
        #"Jezera shimmied back towards her bed, swaying her hips back and forth. When she reached Alexia she gifted her with a long kiss on the lips. Jezera was so generous after all."
        #return

    label helayna_bedslave_1_rp:

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan returned to his room, to find Helayna standing near the mirror. She was changing from her armor into the gown that she’d taken too. He paused in the doorway to watch. He smiled softly at the small waves of her braid each time she moved. A small happiness."

        #If the two do not share a room.
        #"The two had been planning to spend the night together. She’d been practically begging him for it every chance she had."

        "That was when he caught sight of something disturbing. A painful looking bruise on her ribcage. With how many hours she’d been putting into training of late, its origin didn’t need much explanation."
        "It only made his choice the night he’d spoken to Jezera clearer. This was for her own good."

        ro "My love…"

        show helayna 2 happy at midright with dissolve

        "Helayna turned around sharply, but softened at the realization of who was in the doorway."

        hel "Rowan? I had not expect you yet."

        "She threw herself into his arms. He felt her head nestle in mere inches from his chest. She could probably hear his heart beat. Rowan squeezed her tight. She was so young young...so eager…"

        ro "There is something I want to…"

        "He was cut off by a sudden kiss. He didn’t refuse it, but after a second broke it off of his own volition."

        ro "Wait. Before we begin, there is something I wanted to talk to you about."

        show helayna 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Helayna blinked twice."

        hel "Something you want to…"

        show helayna 2 happy at midright with dissolve

        hel "You want to talk about my request right? To serve you in the field?"

        "Rowan nodded."

        ro "I did. Sit with me."

        show helayna 2 concerned at midright with dissolve

        "Whatever brightness of her expression the realization had brought her was snuffed out by that comment. But, to her credit she shuffled along obediently with him to the bed and sat by his side. Even in the midst of this, he noticed her glance briefly at his crotch. The ring was strong."

        ro "I considered what you asked as well as I could. That’s why I went down to spar with you."
        hel "I assumed..."
        ro "Look."

        "He exhaled sharply."

        ro "You’re incredible, Hel. You always have been. If the ring didn’t exist, you’d still be one of the finest fighters alive. But, so long as you’re bound by it you’ve got a ceiling that is too hard to break."
        hel "I know it’s going to be hard, but I can still do it. I have to do it…"
        ro "But, you don’t have to. You said that you wanted to be of service to me, right? You wanted to be useful? "
        hel "And I’m a fighter, the best way for me to do that is to fight at your side."

        "Rowan shook his head."

        ro "Right now you aren’t. And you wouldn’t be much use to me dead. Would you?"

        "Her expression darkened and she lowered her head."

        ro "I think that you can still have what you want, though. If what you really want is to be useful to me, then there are still lots of ways you can do that. Ways that don’t put you at risk."
        hel "What do you mean?"
        ro "I don’t need a great fighter. The war itself will be won by the movement of armies. One powerful knight isn’t going to move the dial far. But, you said you wanted me to have my rightful place right? To get the respect I deserve?"
        hel "That’s one way of putting it."
        ro "Well, for that I need a lover."

        "She raised her head, meeting his eyes."

        hel "What do you mean by that?"
        ro "I need a way to help me remove my stress after long days in the field. Someone who I can take to bed and take my mind off things. A job you’re already doing admirably, but could be more focused."
        ro "But, it’s more than that. I need a public lover. A beautiful woman to drape over my arm publically as a symbol of status and prestige."
        ro "A woman whose public and private obedience to me will make other people think that I’m someone to listen to."
        ro "...and perhaps...and only if it’s something you’d be willing to do...be a warm body who can sleep with others at my command in order to secure alliances."

        "Helayna frowned taking it all in."

        hel "You don’t want me to fight for you?"
        ro "I want you to be the woman behind the man. Without whom much of what I do would be impossible."

        "She seemed to respond better to that. Jezera’s advice still sounded out. Helayna cared about him and wanted him to succeed. But, she also wanted to feel like she was a vital part in that success."

        hel "What would I have to do?"
        ro "For now? Just continue to trust me and act as my moral support. Nights like this are more important to me then you could ever realize."

        "Helayna smiled weakly."

        ro "But, we’re going to slowly work together so I can teach you what you need to know. How we should behave together in public, what our relationship will be like. Maybe some new and interesting tricks in bed."

        "Helayna pressed herself to his side."

        hel "Well, I can say for certain that last part doesn’t sound so bad."

        #If Lock-In Event has not happened, or Alexia chose Rowan.

        hel "But, what about your wife? What about Alexia? Surely you’d want her by your side in public."
        hel "Furthermore, she’s already less than pleased with this situation. Surely if you want me to take on a public role like that, she’d only grow angrier."

        "Rowan nodded with a sigh. Managing his relationship with Helayna and Alexia was a pain. So long as she saw Helayna as a threat to her, she would never be happy."

        ro "Alexia is a wonderful woman. But, she is not the right material for a public concubine. She’s lowborn. Sensible. Having her by my side won’t inspire awe and jealousy."
        ro "You’re young, beautiful, and high born. More to the point, you’re devoted to me unceasingly. No one could fake the way you look at me. When others see that, they’ll be right by your side. You’re the perfect concubine."

        show helayna 2 happy at midright with dissolve

        "Helayna said nothing, but blushed."

        ro "As for Alexia’s temperament, I’ll deal with her. With some luck, I’ll calm her to you before long."

        show helayna 2 concerned at midright with dissolve

        #else
        #pass

        "She twirled a curl of her hair with her finger slowly."

        hel "You’re telling me I should give up on fighting. Everything I’ve trained for my entire life."
        ro "I know. But, it’s still a big ask. Taking the field. Fighting. It’s all a part of me. But, I guess I understand what you’re saying. I want to get better, but my brain just isn’t...working right."

        "She clenched her fist into a ball. Rowan tried to pretend that he couldn’t feel a light turning off."

        hel "I still want to train. I’m still going to go out to the training fields in my free hours. But, if you think this is how I could help you best. Then I’m just going to have to trust you."
        hel "I’m your woman, my love. Do as you will with me."

        "They both exhaled softly at the same time. Rowan told himself that this was for the best. Helayna had to stay here with him. She would never be happy without being of use to him, and this was the best way to achieve that."
        "He assured himself that this was the right path. That everything he was doing was good."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I promise you, my love. If at any point you become uncomfortable with what’s happening or don’t think you can continue, just say the word stop and we’ll end it right there. You have a choice in all of this."

        "She nodded softly."

        hel "Just stop? No special word or something?"
        ro "Just stop. Nothing special. No frills."

        "Helayna smiled weakly. Bless her, she was trying. "

        hel "I can do that."
        ro "Rowan got up from the bed, leaving Helayna to tilt her head incuriosity. He was going to his cabinet to retrieve the box that Jezera had given him on his visit."
        ro "There’s something I wanted to give you to celebrate the occasion. "

        "He returned with the box and opened it to her. Helayna carefully studied its contents."

        hel "A choker?"
        ro "A collar. A symbol of ownership. I’m going to have you wear it at certain points as a way of signaling to others the fact that you belong to me. And to get you more into the mindset when we’re alone."

        "She picked it up, tracing her fingertips along the edge of the fabric. Better to not say where it came from, lest she grow too suspicious of it. Helayna was not known for her love of Jezera."

        show helayna collar neutral at midright with dissolve

        "She unlatched the back of the collar and wrapped it around her neck. She sealed the clasp shut with a soft click. Rowan almost could have sworn he heard something else click with it. A sigh crossed her lips as she rested her hand on the decorated leather."

        hel "...Ownership…"
        ro "You like it?"

        "She nodded slowly."

        hel "I do. I didn’t think I would, but I do."

        show helayna collar aroused at midright with dissolve

        "She rose from bed, closing the distance between the two of them. Whatever dam the conversation had erected was opening. Her breath quickened. So did his."

        hel "It really does feel like I’m being marked as…"

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Her lips hovered achingly close to his. Rowan felt himself stirring."

        hel "...Yours."

        "Rowan had to stop himself from throwing her to the bed and taking her right then and there. He had to remind himself of the advice he’d received before. This wasn’t just about fucking her. This was also about training her. He had to do a bit more to establish dominance first."

        ro "I want you to do some poses for me first, my love. I want to see how you look in your new collar."
        hel "You want me to model for you?"
        ro "I do. Just be a good girl and do what I tell you."

        "She bit her lip, but made no move to disobey. Rowan took a step back."

        ro "You need to start by undressing. I want to see you in nothing besides your new collar."

        show helayna collar naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "She wordlessly set to work complying. With what little clothes she wore to bed, it was a quick task. The fine material pooled at her feet. It contrasted the sharp white of her naked skin. She tilted her hips and place her hands on them."

        hel "Like this, my love?"

        "Rowan shook his head."

        ro "Good. But, let’s do something with that pose. Spread your legs for me and put your hands on the back of your head. I want you to keep your back straight and your head up."

        "She giggled softly, but moved to comply. With a former lifetime of martial prowess, she actually proved quite adept at holding perfect posture. She looked open and ready for him."

        hel "Just like before, right?"

        "His eyes focused in on the collar and the way that it seemed to frame her entire form. As her lone accessory it only stood out more boldly."

        ro "Mhm. Just hold still. I want to get a good look."
        hel "Of course, my love. It’s only natural for one to want to see what belongs to them…"

        "Rowan’s eyes drifted down between her legs. There was no hiding her desire. Indeed, had he thrown her to the bed as he’d originally desired, he probably would have found her a willing participant."

        ro "Tell me, who's my eager slut?"

        show helayna collar naked aroused at midright with dissolve

        "She blushed a darker shade of red, but the twinkle in her eyes betrayed nothing resembling annoyance."

        hel "I am."
        hel "I’m your eager slut."

        "Rowan took a step forward."

        ro "Keep your hands on your head."

        jump helayna_path_choice_skip_rp
        label helayna_path_choice_skip_rp:

        scene cg559 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg559
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind cg559
        pause 3

        "Rowan put two fingers into the ring on her collar and used it to tug her into a kiss. Her eyes first widened, but then closed once she felt the connection of their lips. To her credit, her hands remained in place at the back of her head."
        "The simple details of their placement gave the kiss a different feel. She was passive and holding a strict posture. He had by the collar, controlling the movement of her head. He decided how long the kiss would last. Yet, she didn’t seem to mind one little bit."
        "The kiss broke and then started once more. She desperately went along with it, eager for more energy, more tongue. The worst of the ring’s effects may have faded, but she still had an omnipresent need for more."

        hel "Rowan…"

        "She gasped out, breaking free of the kiss. His lips tasted like her. They were about to taste like her more."

        ro "Keep holding your position. No breaking."

        "He put on the most authoritative voice he could. In truth, he was worried it sounded like a child playing at command. But, if it did, she didn’t seem to mind it. As soon as he issued the command, her muscles went taunt and she straightened her body up."

        scene cg560 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg560
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind cg560
        pause 3

        "That was when he sunk down to his knees, placing himself eye level to Helayna’s eager sex. She kept her legs spread and didn’t lean forward. Still he could feel her eyes follow him with eager interest."

        hel "My love, you know I haven’t..."

        "That was when he planted his tongue between her legs, quickly finding the hood of her clit. She let out a small gasp, but was otherwise obedient. Her posture held."

        hel "Oh."

        "After that it was a matter of work her slowly. This was not exactly the first pussy Rowan had eaten, and he knew what he was doing. He started with small movements at a slow and steady pace, to work her into it."
        "But, once she was used to the pace, he picked it up. The pressure placed on her clit by the motion of his tongue only grew by the second. She let out a mewling noise, but still kept her composure."

        hel "Ooooooh."

        "The seconds turned to minutes. Rowan tasted her with all the pungent flavour that she gave off. His tongue brushed against her folds, taking in their texture..taking in the unique shape of her body."
        "While at first her discipline had been solid, it soon started to crack. He felt a shake run up her leg, and was certain her posture was starting to slouch."

        #cg2 variant 1
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind black
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind black

        "Rowan leaned backwards, away from her soaked pussy. Indeed, it seemed that she was doing worse then he’d feared. Not only was her entire body shaking, but one of her hands had drifted down to her side."

        hel "M-my love...I..."

        "The look of ecstasy on her face suggested she was finding it hard to focus on his earlier command. That would not do."
        "He reached around her body and planted a hard slap on her rear. The blow sounded out through the room, along with Helayna’s surprised gasp."

        ro "Posture. You have to remember your posture. I told you to say still."

        "Helayna bit her lip, but rushed to bring her hand back behind her leg. Her cheeks burned with shame."

        #cg2 variant 2
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind black
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind black

        "It was only once Rowan had made sure that she straightened her posture that Rowan resumed the task of getting her off. Whatever relief that the pause had granted, was erased almost immediately by the sensual assault of his tongue to her sex."

        hel "Fuckkk."

        "His tongue arched and flared in her folds. He could full the extent of the effect on her. She was shaking. He could feel it even between her legs. Her entire body from her forehead to her clit was doing it."
        "The loudest sound in the room was her breathing. It had started to come out as shallow pants, punctuated by intense gasps and moans."
        "She was getting close. Everything about her reactions seemed to suggest that if he kept going just a little bit further, she would cum. Which is why he stopped."

        hel "Huh?"

        scene bg9
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna collar naked aroused at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan stood up to meet Helayna eye to eye. She let out a long and frustrated groan. Hearing it gave Rowan’s heart strange butterflies."

        hel "What? But, I was right about to cum…"

        "Rowan leaned in close to his lover and whispered softly in her ear."

        ro "You’re going to cum when I cum. Not before."

        "She bit down on her lip and nodded softly."

        hel "Does that mean, you’re about to fuck me?"
        ro "I am. But, there’s one thing first."
        ro "I need you to go on the bed, place your hands directly on top of the head board, and stick your ass out. Can you do that for me?"

        "She nodded softly."

        hel "If you insist, my love."

        "He watched her saunter over to the bed, swaying her ass back and forth with each step. It wasn’t subtle at all. She was calling him over to take her."

        show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan made his way back to the cabinet he’d drawn the collar from. His clothes were thrown off piece by piece on the way there."

        ro "Just hold still. I’ll be right there."

        "He pulled out something else he’d stashed away for this occasion. A bit of rope from the supply shed. Helayna shot a curious look over her shoulder, but demurred when she saw him returning."

        hel "Afraid I’m going to escape?"

        "Rowan put a hand on her thigh, letting it slowly glide up and down. Her skin was so incredibly soft. It was almost surreal."

        ro "No. I just want to hold you…"

        "He set to work on her hands, binding them to the head board."

        ro "Right in place."

        "She wiggled her rear and tested the bonds he was working on. Rowan’s skills with rope were purely practical from his army days. But, the utilitarian knots he learned from his army days worked here. Mostly."
        "Helayna winced."

        ro "Are you alright?"
        hel "Yeah. Just a little tight over there."

        "Rowan loosened the knot where she specified and kept going. Helayna let out small sounds every so often. Grunts while testing her bonds or little sighs signaling her impatience."

        ro "There we are."

        "He leaned back, surveying his work and his prize. Helayna was kneeling on the beg near naked and pulsing with need. The ring on her new collar jingled softly. Her hands remained firmly bound to the headboard by clumsy but effective knots. Rowan smiled."

        hel "You have me right where you want me, my love. Please. Please. Just take me already. Fuck me. I’m begging you."

        "If she insisted."

        #cg3
        scene cg254 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg254
        show helayna collar naked aroused behind cg254

        "Her pleading was cut silent by the sudden intrusion of Rowan’s cock into her. Her words were cut off by a sharp gasp. He shoved himself deep into her folds, taking little time to warm up. Her pussy was soaked and already more than ready for something a bit harder."

        hel "Yes. Yes. Yes."

        "Rowan grunted and slammed into her with all of the might he could muster. Her body squirmed under him, but her movement was limited by her bindings. All she could do was energetically take his cock."
        "Her words drifted off into an incoherent string of yelps and cries."
        "He could see the way that lacking free movement, her fingernails dug into the headboard."
        "There was a special way Helayna moved when she was fucked. The moment a cock entered her, her arms would flex, and her body would shake. Everything turned to movement and energy. Yet this explosive energy crashed into her bindings."
        "It wasn’t like Rowan had much time to reflect on that. Where she’d been the first to throw herself entirely into it, Rowan’s studying demeanor broke entirely and now he was just in the moment. Rising the wave of pleasure as he plunged in again and again and again."
        "They both threw themselves into the consumptive ecstasy."

        hel "Fuck. Fuck. I’m close. I can’t hold it. I can’t hold it."
        ro "Then cum with me."

        show cg254 with sshake
        show cg254 with sshake
        show cg255 with flash
        pause 3

        "True to his word, Rowan came a moment later. A shot of pleasure went up his spine, like electricity through his system. As he stiffened, whatever resolve Helayna had left simply vanished. She jerked widely, held down only by the rope and let out a long screech."

        scene bg9
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna collar naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "The last few spasms played out even as the two settled down. Rowan lazily went to the ropes, and rather than bother untying it, just freed her with a quick dagger cut. Even while rubbing her wrists, she was already burrowing into him like a cat."
        "Wrapped in each other’s arms and each other’s warmth, they started to drift slightly."

        hel "Did I do good? Did I do what I was supposed to do?"

        "Rowan brushed her cheek."

        ro "You were amazing, love. You’re wonderful."

        "They continued to drift more towards rest. From the corner of his eyes, Rowan saw her brushing her fingertips along the edge of the collar. She would be happy with all of this. He was sure of it."

        # $ avatar.corruption += 5
        # $ helBedslavePath1 = False
        # $ helBedslavePath2 = True
        # $ HelOrgasmTraining = True

        # jump rowans_chambers

    return

# \events\room_events_5.rpy
label jackhammer_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    # $ HelOrgasmTraining = False

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    #hel collar naked concerned
    show helayna collar neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Helayna stood next to the supply chest with an unsteady expression. This was the third time they’ve run this training, and the prior two times had not gone to plan."
    "Rowan wore a focused expression and had his arms crossed over his shoulders. He could be nice, but if he wasn’t stern, the training would not work. He needed to radiate strength. He needed to look like he thought it would work."
    "By comparison, Helayna’s posture was asymmetrical and askew. She stood naked, except her new collar, and held one of her arms limply to the side while the other held it."

    ro "This time, I think we'll pull it off. The prior attempts were just training runs."

    "She looked down to her finger and the black onyx that encircled it."

    hel "If you believe, it will help…"

    #hel collar naked neutral

    hel "You can count on me, My Love. I'll give it everything I have!"

    "Helayna slowly sank down into a kneel. The posture was one Rowan had taught her. Back straight, chest held high, and knees spread apart for ease of access between her legs."
    "Rowan went down into a sitting position behind her. He positioned himself close enough to her that they were nearly touching body to body. The only point of contact though, was a single hand he placed on her shoulders."

    show helayna collar naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Helayna shuddered. Even his a single touch was enough to get her breathing fast."
    "The posture and the plan were both well known from the prior attempts. It had been a training exercise that Rowan had came up with to face down one of the more persistent problems. Something that was getting in the way of his slave-lover’s obedience."

    ro "Ready?"

    "She bit her lip and nodded."

    ro "Begin."

    #CG1
    scene cg605 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg605
    show helayna collar naked aroused behind cg605

    "Helayna sank a hand between her legs. The room rang out quickly with the sound of her fingers flicking and toying with her clit."
    "A normal woman would have taken some time from first touch for the intensity to grow. But, when it came to sex, Helayna was no longer a normal woman. Her dampness grew fast. So too did the speed of her hand. "
    "She was not merely playing with herself. She was fucking herself."

    ro "Good girl. Hold steady."

    "Helayna’s breath had already turned to gasps. Her hips rocked and bucked. After three or four disorganized motions, she found her rhythm. Then she was pumping and thrusting at the air as though against an invisible cock."
    "Rowan was used to this by now, though. How many times had he seen her lose control? For Helayna, lust was energy. In a state like this, she could break furniture with her movements. She was like a sexual sledgehammer."

    hel "Rowan...Ah... I'm getting there. Closer."
    hel "I..I don't know if I can hold back."
    hel "Oh, fuck...fuck…"
    ro "You have to hold on, Helayna. Use everything you have. Every last bit of restraint. You don't have my permission to cum."

    "She squirmed."

    hel "R-right. I…"

    "Despite her words, Rowan could see the dam breaking already. Rowan could even see little droplets of liquid dripping on the wood floor beneath her. Her hips were rolling and rolling like a cart going downhill."

    ro "Hold it. Hold it."
    hel "Oh fuck. Fuck. Fuck me. Fuck."

    "She was thrusting her hips wildly now. Even the intense rhythm of before had broken down to random violent thrusting."

    hel "Helayna, you have to stop. Helayna."
    hel "You have to…"

    #CG1 - var 1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show helayna collar naked aroused behind black

    "It was too late. A massive current ran up Helayna’s spine, with spasms and shakes following in its wake. A scream pierced her lips, and she fell forward with such violent force that she had to throw out her hands to steady herself."
    "The force and the suddenness of it all threw his hand from her shoulder."

    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
        "Seeing her in such a state, hyperventilating and still shivering seconds later, he couldn’t keep his straight face. His eyes opened with worry, not as her trainer but as her lover."

    "Rowan sighed weakly. The training had failed again. She wasn’t able to keep control of her lust, even when he ordered her otherwise."

    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
        ro "I'm pushing you too far, aren't I?"
        "Rowan thought back on his conversation with Jezera. He didn’t trust her when she said this would actually help Helayna. Why had he believed her? She truly seemed incapable of maintaining discipline with that ring around her finger."
        ro "I'm sorry, Hel. I just don't know how we're going to beat the ring. Perhaps it was stupid to even-"

    else:
        ro "You’re never going to progress if you keep failing like this."

    hel "I can go again, My Love."

    "Helayna looked back over her shoulder. She was hyperventilating and shaking. The room smelled of lust. Yet, the determination in her eyes was impossible to mistake."

    ro "You can? You’re sure?"
    hel "I don't want to give up. You're my everything. I would do anything to escape your disappointment."

    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
        ro "I'm not disappointed."

    else:
        "Rowan remained silent."

    hel "I just want you to be proud of me. Proud of your woman…"

    "He sighed. There was no dissuading her from it. Already worked up, the next loss in control would only come sooner. But, it was not in Helayna’s character to be dissuaded when she set her mind like this."

    hel "Please. One more go?"
    ro "Okay. One more go."

    "Rowan turned her words over in his head. Proud of his woman...His woman. Perhaps he was going about this the wrong way. Orders might not be enough."
    "Helayna lifted herself back into the kneeling position. It let Rowan grab her again. But, this time, he grabbed her by the back of the neck. His hand wrapped around the back of her collar."

    ro "This time, try repeating 'I belong to you.' Do it over and over."
    hel "You think it will help?"
    ro "I'm sure of it."

    "It was time to see how this collar of Jezera’s would handle itself when faced with the full force of her magically induced lust."

    #CG1 - var 2
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show helayna collar naked aroused behind black

    hel "I belong to you."

    "She breathed the words in a whisper. With Rowan’s hand in place, her fingers returned to their proper position between her legs."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "Despite her higher starting point of arousal, Rowan did notice an immediate change. Before, her back had started to slump when she first touched. But, now her back was staying straight."

    hel "I belong to...oh...you."

    "A shiver ran down her spine. Already Rowan could see the pattern forming again. The rising lust in her body and the increasing desperation of her movements. "

    hel "I b-belong to you."

    "The pace of it was faster this time. She was already so worked up that she seemed to move from wiggling all the way to desperate thrusting in the span of a minute."

    hel "Can...can I cum, My Love?"

    "Her ass wiggled backwards towards him."

    hel "Oh fuck. I'm so close."

    "His grip tightened without even thinking. He was losing control of the situation again. She was going to go into a full frenzy any second now."

    ro "No!"
    ro "Remember, you have to keep on saying it. You belong to me."

    "The forceful way he said it seemed to break through. For a split second, she froze in place. Long enough to break her from the erratic movements of her berserk lust."

    hel "Oh..Oh Right. "
    hel "I belong to you."

    "Her touching and grinding resumed again, only now at a pace closer to when she first started. Still energetic and aroused, but steady and controlled now."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "A small gasp escaped her lips."

    hel "Oh."

    "Her fingers moved at a fast pace. Rowan kept up with her hand intently. He watched as it pumped in and out. He was so close that he could almost feel the way that the speed of her breathing shifted to match the speed of her hand."
    "Rowan focused his gaze intently on her. She could start to lose control again at any moment. He needed to be ready."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "He waited. Her back was still firm. Her pace was still steady."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "Was she actually doing it? Even as the pace increased, even as he could tell she was moving closer to another fever pitch, she continued to hold herself to a simple rhythm."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "Had this been the key all along? Rowan’s mind swam with the possibilities. So long as he was able to use direct control methods and reminders of belonging, he’d be able to-"

    hel "Oh fuck. Fuck."
    hel "I belong to you."

    "She jerked her hips forward hard. For a moment, Rowan was worried she was about to spontaneously cum."
    "She didn’t, of course. But, her brief period of control was over. Now her hips were shaking back and forth with a desperation so intense, Rowan was half sure she’d try to turn around and hump him."

    hel "Please. I'm losing my mind. Please. Let me cum."
    ro "You have to keep on going. We have to keep it going. You're doing well. You're making me proud that you belong to me."
    hel "I...I am?"

    "Rowan almost brushed her back to reassure her, before stopping himself. In all likelihood, more touch would only make her self-control worse."

    ro "Yes. Keep going. Keep going."

    "She sighed inwardly. Still, she could not get a grip on her body. She still was thrusting and squirming like a mad woman."

    hel "I belong to you."

    "And yet, despite her state, she was not actually going over. It was as though she were riding the edge. A dangerous wave was washing towards shore, but she was atop of it. Rowan marveled. How many times should she have gone over by now? Five? Ten?"

    hel "I belong to you."

    "Rowan silently pumped his fist. A little bit more. He didn’t think she’d be able to hold forever at this pace. But, just a little bit more and the test would be an unqualified success."

    hel "I…"

    "Her body suddenly made another dramatic jerk. Just like the one from moments earlier. Again, Rowan recoiled, believing her orgasm had hit."

    hel "Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck me."

    "For a few seconds, she waved her hips back and forth. Her posture was totally broken. She was nearly lying forward. There was the sound of splashing as she shoved three fingers at once in her dripping sex."
    "But, that proved the last dying gasp of her ability to resist. Rowan was hardly surprised when, a few seconds later, she came."
    "No ordinary orgasm either. It must have been strong, because she fell on her face again and juice squirted from her crotch. Some of it went on the leg of Rowan’s pants."

    #CG1 - var 1
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black
    show helayna collar naked aroused behind black

    "Now her arms were barely able to keep her up. They wobbled as though made from jelly. It was up to Rowan to pull her back into something resembling a kneeling position."

    hel "I...I failed?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
        "Rowan pulled her closer, going so far to wrap an arm around her in a loose embrace."

    else:
        "He used the hand on her neck to stabilize her."

    ro "You were amazing. You held out long after you'd normally have lost control. You had it this time."

    "With some trembling, Helayna managed to bring a hand up to her neck. The tips of her fingers traced the soft material of the collar."

    hel "Amazing…"
    hel "Good…"

    "Her eyes fluttered."

    hel "I would never... never let this beat me. "
    hel "Next time...more than amazing."

    "Then her eyes went closed. For her, holding back orgasm had been a test of stamina akin to a cross country run. She was thoroughly spent."
    "But, as she hung limp in his arms, Rowan was already analyzing the new data. She could be trained to maintain self control. It would just take work. He’d need to be careful not to wear her out like he had today though…"

    # return

    return

# \events\nasim.rpy
label bootlegAlexiaSpin_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ helayna_escaped = False

    # $ bootlegAlexiaFucked = True

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    ro "(I suppose I might as well take Nasim’s advice. It’d be a lie to say I’m not curious.)"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "Lay down. And forgive me in advance, but we’ll do it somewhat… Differently."
    boot "Buh?"

    #cg1 blurred
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    "He stripped quickly and climbed on the bed. But rather than sit over her chest, he took a different position."

    #cg1
    scene cg325 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg325

    "He knelt over her head, so he would not see Alexia’s face, and would instead feast his eyes on the wide body of the orcess. Thick thighs, long legs, and of course – the two massive breasts, which the orcess oh so helpfully pressed together with her arms."

    ro "Nasim really went all out, didn’t he?"
    boot "Yes, mastah."

    "A thin smile entered his lips. Now then… What should he start with?"

    $ bootlegNipplePinch = False
    $ bootlegNipplePinched = False
    $ bootlegNipplePull = False
    $ bootlegTitsFeel = False
    $ bootlegTitsFelt = False
    $ bootlegFingerSink = False
    $ bootlegRoughCounter = 0

    label bootlegTitsMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Pinch her nipples." if bootlegNipplePinch == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ bootlegNipplePinch = True
                $ bootlegNipplePinched = True
                "Two nubs stood proudly, amidst a pair of wide aureoles. With a half-grin, he put his hands over them, and pinched them lightly."
                boot "Ooo-oooh!"
                ro "Ho? Such a nice voice. Are they this sensitive?"
                boot "A-ah… Yes mastah…"
                "He pinched them again. Another delightful moan filled the chamber."
                ro "Good gracious… It’s almost too easy."
                jump bootlegTitsMenu_rp

            "Pull them roughly." if bootlegNipplePull == False and bootlegNipplePinched == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ bootlegNipplePull = True
                # $ avatar.corruption += 5
                $ bootlegRoughCounter += 1
                "His grin grew wider. He pinched her nipples again, but this time, he didn’t stop there. He pulled them up, then to the side, making a painful moan escape the orcess lips."
                boot "Aaah-aaah! Mastah! Please, not so rough!"
                ro "Oh, as if you haven't been through worse."
                "He let them go, and watched, mesmerized, as they tried to spill across her chess, only to wobble enticingly. Was it magic that kept them so round? Made them seemingly immune to simple laws of gravity?"
                ro "He made you quite a spectacle, hasn’t he?"
                boot "Aaa-ah… Thank you?"
                "He chuckled under his breath. It wasn’t exactly a compliment, but he’ll let her have it…"
                jump bootlegTitsMenu_rp

            "Feel them up." if bootlegTitsFeel == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ bootlegTitsFeel = True
                $ bootlegTitsFelt = True
                "No longer able to deny their allure, he plunged his fingers straight into her mounds of flesh."
                boot "O-Ooh? Aah… Mastah…"
                ro "Sweet Goddess!"
                "They looked so fake, but the felt so soft! So yielding and warm, and-"
                boot "Aaa-aah!"
                "And they provoked such a nice reaction from their owner~"
                jump bootlegTitsMenu_rp

            "No need to be gentle: sink your fingers in." if bootlegFingerSink == False and bootlegTitsFelt == True:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ bootlegFingerSink = True
                # $ avatar.corruption += 5
                $ bootlegRoughCounter += 1
                "It was not enough to simply feel them up. Rowan sunk his fingers deeper, kneading them roughly, in his lust forgetting about the pain he might be causing to the orcess."
                "She moaned in what must have been a mix of pain and pleasure, but uttered no word of protests. Her hands gripped the bedsheets, as she squirmed from the cruel caress."
                boot "Ah, mastah!"
                jump bootlegTitsMenu_rp

            "Enough foreplay - Fuck her tits.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump bootlegSexContinue_rp

    label bootlegSexContinue_rp:

        # Replay mod: In case the player skipped the options.
        $ bootlegRoughCounter = 2

        ro "Get yourself ready, orc."
        boot "Y-yes, mastah!"

        "On demand, she started to spit at her tits, smearing the valley between them in preparation for his cock. There was nothing sensual in all of it. It was raw, perverse eroticism."

        if rowanCorrupt > 30 or bootlegRoughCounter == 2:
            "She was made to be a toy, and she acted like one. Like an object to be fucked and used. What reason was there to hold back?"
            menu:
                "Get yourself off with her tits.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump bootlegRoughTitfuck_rp

                "Be gentle.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump bootlegGentleTitfuck_rp

        else:
            "She was made to be a toy, and she acted like one. Like an object to be fucked and used. But even she deserved some compassion, whether she believed so or not."
            jump bootlegGentleTitfuck_rp

    label bootlegRoughTitfuck_rp:

        ro "Hurry up, will you?"
        boot "Y-yes…"

        "He stroked his cock in anticipation, well aware she could see him do so. Her hands worked frantically, desperate to avoid punishment."

        ro "Oh, just forget it. This is good enough."
        boot "Ma-astaaah?!"

        "He sunk his fingers in, and plunged his dick between her whorish breasts."
        "He gasped in surprise at the delightful sensation. Nasim wasn’t kidding, these tits were made for cock. Warm and welcoming, soft yet somehow firm, perfect for forming a valley for his dick."

        ro "Fuck, these feel great!"
        boot "A-ah, t-thank you?"

        "She grunted in pain while Rowan moved her tits up and down, impaling them on his dick. The orcess arched her back, helping him get a better angle. Between her legs, he saw her juices glisten."

        ro "Enjoying yourself?"
        boot "A-ah! Mastah! My t-tits! They’re on fiah!"

        "He stifled a laugh."

        ro "If you needed it so bad, then just touch yourself, you damn slut!"

        "She didn’t mind his words – hell, it sounded like she enjoyed them. Her fingers sunk into her snatch greedily, jilling herself as Rowan pounded her tits without restraint."
        "She came at least several times before him, moaning incomprehensibly, her screams mixing together with the slapping noise of his dick. It was perverse. It was obscene."
        "He wouldn’t have it any other way."

        jump bootlegSexEnding_rp

    label bootlegGentleTitfuck_rp:

        "His hands covered hers, circulating her breasts, admiring their volume. True wonders of human ingenuity."

        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            if helayna_escaped == False:
                "Perhaps one day, he’ll have both Alexia and Helayna get an upgrade like this..."
            else:
                "Perhaps one day, he’ll have Alexia get an upgrade like this…"

        boot "A mo-oment mastah-"
        ro "It’s fine… You have to be thorough."
        ro "It’s important that we both enjoy yourself, is it not?"
        boot "A-a, ah…"

        "He could almost hear her get flustered. Her fingers intertwined with his, and they both kept massaging her breasts, getting them nice and wet, ready to welcome his dick."

        ro "Want to do it yourself?"
        boot "Y-yes mastah!"

        "Such enthusiasm! Seemed she didn’t get much dick locked down here…"

        ro "Then get to it, will you?"

        "Nodding her head with ardour, she guided his hands to seize her tits from the sides, then buckled her hips, arching her back, guiding him in-"

        ro "A-ah?!"

        "He gasped as her tits enveloped his dick, presenting him with a truly divine sensation. Warm and welcoming, soft yet somehow firm. Her breasts were simply wonderful – a work of art. A perverse tribute to what one can achieve with chaos magic."
        "She started to move her tits slowly, up and down, caressing his cock with her delightful flesh. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her curl up the toes on her feet, something glistening between her legs-"

        ro "Do you want to touch yourself?"
        boot "A-ah-ah! M-mastah, can I-?"

        "He laughed out loud, and slowly took her hands, claiming her charming mounds to himself."

        ro "Yes, yes… Go wild, if you need."

        "She inhaled sharply, and she heard her mumble her thanks, her free hands venturing south, seeking her snatch, and quickly plunging into it."
        "She came at least several times before him, moaning incomprehensibly, her moans filling the room as he kept sliding into her breasts, taking the time to savor the sensation."
        "But he couldn’t hold back forever."

    label bootlegSexEnding_rp:

        ro "Aaah!"

        show cg326 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg327 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg327 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg327 with sshake
        pause 0.1
        show cg328 with dissolve
        pause 0.1
        show cg329 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "When he finally came, he painted her chest white, his cum clearly visible on her greenish screen. He took a moment to admire his handiwork, then got off the bed with a tired sigh."

        scene bg8 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        ro "That was…. Something."
        boot "Are ya satisfied… Mastah?"

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        ro "I am. I can see why Nasim thought you’d make a good gift for Andras."

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

        "He saw her smile, and despite her obscene form and despite the tusks, for a brief moment she genuinely resembled his wife."

        ro "(… I really can’t leave her here.)"

        "He’ll have to talk with Nasim about her."

        scene black with fade

        "And sometime soon."

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_40.rpy
label xzaratl_virility_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 0
    $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100

    "Are Rowan or Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither are":
            pass
        "Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100

    "Are Rowan or Alexia influenced by X'zaratl? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Both are":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 10
        "Neither are":
            pass
        "Just Rowan":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
        "Just Alexia":
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 10

    $ firstTreatment = True

    $ breedingGreeting = False
    $ lovingGreeting = False

    scene black with fade

    "Motherhood… To think of all the problems he had to take care of in the castle, it was Alexia’s long-held dream that now occupied his mind."

    if firstTreatment == True:
        "Would Nasim’s treatment be enough to satisfy her? He hoped so, but if not…"

    elif promisedFertilityTreatment == True:
        "He promised her to look into possible solutions, but it was easier said than done. Nasim was one possible angle. And another…"

    elif alexiaScolded == True:
        "It was precisely why he didn’t want her bothering him with it. He couldn’t even focus on his gods-damned job now. But perhaps there was a way to appease her with minimal effort…"

    else:
        "He told her to wait, told her now was not the right time. And it was a wise choice. Still…"

    scene bg14 with fade

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
        "The door to X’zaratl’s lair loomed before him. The demoness offered her help before. And her solutions thus far have been… Enjoyable. What harm was there in consulting her?"
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        scene black with fade
        "Licking his lips, he entered the sanctum, and ordered one of the cubi to lead him to their mistress."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "The door to X’zaratl’s lair loomed before him. The demoness offered her help, after all. And at times, it felt like he needed all the help he could get."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        scene black with fade
        "He entered the sanctum, and ordered one of the cubi to lead him to their mistress. "

    scene bg23 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Immediately upon seeing his expression, X’zaratl flicked her wrist, and just like before, the chamber emptied in a blink of an eye, leaving the two alone."

    show xzaratl neutral at center with moveinright

    xz "Gallant Rowan, you seem troubled. What’s wrong? How can I help?"

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "She grabbed him by the arm, and led him to the large bed at the center of the room so they could sit down."

    ro "Straight to the point. Where do I start… You remember how we talked of demons having children? You spoke of me and Alexia having one, one day."
    ro "Truth be told…  It’s been Alexia’s dream for a while now, but we had no luck back in Arthdale, and Castle Bloodmeen hasn’t made it any easier. "
    ro "And it’s been weighing on her."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "More than I realized."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Four arms rested on his shoulders, and X’zaratl hugged him close. He could see the anguish in her eye - almost as intense as the one he saw in Alexia’s."

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "Tell me everything."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "And he did. Once he started, he couldn’t stop. He poured his heart out, starting from their first attempts in Arthdale, and ending on Alexia stealing Nasim’s potion, and the fallout of it all."
        "X’zaratl listened intently, nodding her head, only from time to time interrupting to reassure him he did nothing wrong."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
        # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
        "And in the end, he did feel a little better for getting it all off his chest."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        "X’zaratl listened intently to his every word, nodding her head, only from time to time interrupting to reassure him he did nothing wrong. Mindful of her dubious motives, he told her only what she needed to know - just enough to satisfy her."

    show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve

    xz "Ah, Rowan! That is all so dreadful! And I feel for Alexia. I know what it’s like, to be denied that which we so desperately desire."

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "But she must not fret, and neither should you. She {b}will{/b} conceive!"

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz " I have seen how much you try for her. Whatever you put your mind to, you always achieve. How can this compare to the monumental tasks you’ve already accomplished in her name?"
    ro "That’s very sweet of you. But - well, I was hoping for something more than words of encouragement?"
    xz "Of course! You desire my help - and I will grant it."
    xz "But first, I must ask. Do you do it often? When you fuck - do you always come inside of her?"

    if roAlRel < 50:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
        ro "To be honest, things have been a little rocky between us recently."

    else:
        if rowanCorrupt < 31 and alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            ro "As often as any couple, I would say?"
        elif rowanCorrupt > 30 and alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I try, but Alexia isn’t always in the mood."
        elif rowanCorrupt < 31 and alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Well… Not often enough, apparently. Feels like Alexia can’t get enough nowadays…"
        else:
            ro "Sometimes, sometimes not. We’ve been trying new things, kind of hard to keep track of it all."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "X’zaratl, I think I know where this is going. I don’t think it’s the frequency of our lovemaking that’s the problem. I was thinking that maybe there’s a spell you could try on her?"

    "Surprisingly, he saw X’zaratl shake her head. "

    xz "There are no shortcuts in love. I learned that a long time ago, and I know you know it too."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "This isn’t a matter of love. It’s a simple biological problem, and it should have a simple magical solution."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        xz "Rowan, please. Hear me out."

    xz "You must not think of this in terms of fertility - or virility - alone. It is part of it, yes. But must look at the bigger picture."
    xz "You must ask yourself - what does Alexia desire?"

    #xz eye flash yellow

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Ask yourself - when you come inside of her - do her eyes not shine with joy? Do the corner of her lips not twist up in delight? Do her moans not grow breathless and satisfied?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I mean…"
    xz "If all you said is true, this is no passing fancy, but a dream she carried for years! A desire that has always laid beneath the surface, and now, finally, rises to see the light of day."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 5:
        "He was having a hard time disputing her claims - why did it feel like the conversation was running away from him?"

    else:
        "Her words made him pause. As always, she was shining new light on his problems, and he found himself nodding along, eager for her insight."

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "Gallant Rowan, please, consider what I am about to say."
    xz "What Alexia asked for, is to be blessed with your child."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve

    xz "But what she {i}desires{/i}, is for you to {i}breed{/i} her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    xz "For you to thrust your cock inside of her, as hard as you can, and pump her full of seed. Not once, not twice - but every week, every {i}day{/i}! Whenever you can! Without rest and without restraint, until she’s heavy with your child! "

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz "And {i}with that{/i}… I could help. "

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She smiled at him. He was so lost in her sparkling eye he almost didn’t notice her bring something up to his face."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "A dark-red ring, oddly shaped, with delicate, engraved runes. It shimmered in the flickering light of the sanctum’s torches."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It looked too large to fit over his finger - then he realized that wasn’t where it was intended to go."

    xz "Let me slip this over your cock, gallant Rowan. Then give it a few hours to work its magic."
    xz "I will make Alexia ready for you. You will give her a breeding session she desires so much."
    xz "And afterwards… I can’t guarantee success. But I know both you and her will find the attempt enjoyable. A few weeks of trying, and I’m sure you’ll see results."

    "The dark ring beckoned. He had to force himself to look away - only to be once again met with X’zaratl’s radiant smile."

    #If JezeraNTRDetoxSex: Yes
    #(Not yet written)
    #show Rowan awkward.
    #Rowan: Isn’t this…
    #X’zaratl: The same ring I gave Alexia before, yes. But don’t worry - it’s a versatile tool, and you will be in control this time. It will behave as you need it to.
    #show Rowan aroused.
    #He licked his lips nervously. For it to keep him on edge… Would be counterproductive. But that was not the main problem.
    #show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "X’zaratl, that’s a… Far-reaching conclusion."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "And truth be told, I haven’t been looking for an {i}immediate{/i} solution. Not with everything else going on."
    ro "You know how hard it would be to raise a child now."

    "He made a vague motion with his hand. Right now, it felt like a lame excuse."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Not to X’zaratl. She squeezed his shoulder reassuringly, and nodded her head, sympathy clear in her gaze."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "By now, he was all too aware of the pleasant heat of her body, of the sweet scent that always followed her, and even the softness of the bed they both sat upon. He felt he could sink in it. In it all."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Oh, Rowan, what a difficult role you have! Both lover and protector, torn between keeping Alexia safe, and making her dreams come true!"
    xz "I understand, I really do. And if it’s your wish, gallant Rowan…"

    show bg23 with flash

    "She trailed a fingernail along the ring’s surface, making it sizzle with small, white flames that quickly died out."

    xz "Then I can make it so nothing will come of your encounter whilst the ring is on."
    xz "Fair Alexia will get a taste of what she so desperately desires - of what it means to be bred, of how it feels to have your cock thrusting in her without stop or rest, pumping her full of cum."
    xz "Just a taste. Just one night, for that is all we can steal for her, with Jezera breathing down our necks. One night without consequence, so that in the future you can breed her for weeks, not days. Just as she deserves."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Y-yeah…"
    xz "One night, to give her hope for tomorrow."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "She would love it, for sure."
    xz "And yet…"

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Her dizzying, sweet fragrance wrapped him like a blanket. She touched his cheek gently, making him focus on her and her alone she continued, another hand placed on his chest."

    xz "Gallant Rowan, I know you always try to be sensible. Alexia loves that in you, and so do I."

    #xzaratl eye flash yellow

    xz "But in matters of love, is it not better to follow your heart? Leave reason and logic at the door, and let yourself be carried away by romance?"

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz "Do you not want to try and give your beloved what she so desperately desires?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "X’zaratl, the consequences…"
    xz "I will be there to help you handle them. She wants this. And I believe you want it to. "

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Her lips almost brushed against his, and her hand ventured south, towards his crotch. Her breath was like fire, and she never stopped whispering into his ear. "

    show xzaratl neutral at midright with dissolve

    xz "Take the ring Rowan."

    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    xz "Let it work its magic in full."
    xz "Show your wife how it will feel to be bred by your cock."

    show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve

    xz "Make her pregnant with your child."

    menu:
        "Follow X’zaratl’s advice in full.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 3
            # $ breedingRingAccepted = True
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "… A calculated risk"
            "Her eye sparkled in the dark, curious. He swallowed hard, his tongue seemingly possessing a mind of its own."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Even with the ring on, there’s no guarantee anything will come out of it, right? But at least… It would be an honest attempt… Right?"
            xz "Yes. It would be the honest thing to do. It would be the right thing to do."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Y-yeah. It’s the right thing to do."
            #xzaratl yellow eye flash
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            xz "Exactly. Pumping your wife full of your potent, virile cum is the right thing to do."
            ro "And if it doesn’t work… "
            xz "Then you can try again."
            xz "And again, and again, and again, and again."
            "X’zaratl’s seductive tone made it all too easy to picture doing exactly that. When she started to undo his pants, he made no move to stop her."
            jump acceptedRing_rp

        "Demand the contraception charm.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 2
            # $ contraceptionRingAccepted = True
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            "He seized her hand, and met her innocent gaze with his own unrelenting one."
            ro "X’zaratl, we’re not doing anything without the contraception charm. It’s too risky otherwise."
            xz "...Of course, Rowan."
            show bg23 with flash
            "Again, she trailed her fingernail over the dark-red ring, this time over the whole of it as she weaved her spell."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "… Was it dishonest of him? To fuck his wife under a false pretense?"
            #xzaratl yellow eye flash
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            xz "A taste. Of things to come. Until you’re free to breed her as she deserves. She deserves to know it will feel. She deserves to hope again."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "… Yeah. Exactly."
            "Her finger reached the starting point, and the ring shone white for a moment, as the charm took hold. Still holding it, she reached down again - and this time, he found no reason to stop her."
            jump acceptedRing_rp

        "Refuse the ring altogether.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence -= 1
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
            "He seized her by the hand- and pushed her away."
            ro "X’zaratl… No."
            ro "It’s too risky without the contraception charm, and with it… That just defeats the purpose, doesn’t it? It would be done for my sole satisfaction."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            "He forced himself up - without X’zaratl hanging off his shoulders, the sanctum suddenly felt cold and unpleasant. He didn’t mind it - it served to cool his head, and calm his feverishly beating heart."
            ro "It would be dishonest. Plain and simple."
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            xz "Only if you didn’t intend to repeat it without the charm later."
            show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "That’s a level of mental gymnastics I do not subscribe to."
            "Glaring at the succubus, he dared her to challenge his words - only for X’zaratl to beam at him, smiling from ear to ear."
            xz "I understand. You will make her dreams reality on your own terms."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            ro "… Something like that."
            xz "Then you must make haste, and find a way to rescue her as soon as possible."
            "The cubi mistress rose from her bed and escorted him back - her hand touching his arm gently as she did."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            hide xzaratl with moveoutleft
            scene bg14 with fade
            show xzaratl neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            xz " I will ask my cubi to get out of your way today as you work. And if you need anything of me, you need only to ask Rowan."
            xz "Even if it is just someone to talk to."
            ro "I know. And… Thank you, X’zaratl. For hearing me out, and for understanding."
            xz "Of course."
            scene black with fade
            show xzaratl neutral behind black
            xz "Anytime, Rowan."
            return

    label acceptedRing_rp:

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve

    "There was a soft gasp, and he saw X’zaratl stare, as if entranced, as his cock stood hard and throbbing. Her delicate hands hovered nearby, and she licked her lips hungrily."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    xz "Ah, Rowan, you truly have the most wonderful cock… Have I ever told you how lucky your wife is to have you?"

    menu:
        "Let her touch it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
            ro "You can touch it, if you want."
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            xz "You torture me, Rowan. Today, it belongs to your wife alone."
            "She bit her lip, then placed a quick kiss on his cheek, her eye sparkling."
            xz "But thank you for the offer."

        "Keep it “professional.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "X’zaratl…"
            xz "I know. I wouldn’t dare. Today, this cocks belongs to your wife alone."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            xz "But I can at least admire it from a distance, can I not?"

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "He heard a soft click, and drew a sharp breath himself, when the ring wrapped itself around the base of his cock, the other half extending around his testicles."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "He expected… He wasn’t sure what. It was warm, and vibrated gently, almost unnoticeably. It locked itself tight, but not uncomfortably so."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    xz "There. Give it a few hours, while I make Alexia ready for the evening."

    "She redid his pants, and drew away. Exhaling, Rowan repositioned his cock, trying to pay no mind to the strange sensation. A few hours… That didn’t sound that bad."

    ro "Fair enough. I still have castle business to take care of. "

    xz "Take your time, gallant Rowan."

    scene black with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind black

    xz "And ready yourself for an experience you too won’t forget anytime soon. "

    "..."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    al " X’zaratl, you’re skulking around again."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve

    "The demon gave a sheepish laugh - and in a blink of an eye, she was beside her, arms around her, grinning from ear to ear."

    xz "Oh, Alexia. I’m sorry! I didn’t want to startle you."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "But I was talking with Rowan, and he- well, he saw fit to let me in on some of your problems."

    show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
    hide alexia
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "The demon leaned in, whispering in her ear the topic of her earlier discussion with her husband. Alexia sighed, her cheeks turning a light shade of red."

    show xzaratl happy at midright with moveoutright
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "To have people actually approach me regarding it… It’s a little embarrassing."

    xz "It should not be. There is nothing to be ashamed of."
    xz "I’ve met many women in my life who had similar problems. Dear Duchess Moress comes to mind, among others."
    xz "It is no shame to face adversity, sweet Alexia. I know that as long as you and Rowan work together, there is no hurdle you cannot overcome."

    al "I would say that given the nature of the problem, it can only be resolved together."

    if promisedFertilityTreatment == False and firstTreatment == False:
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "And given how difficult Rowan is on that particular topic…"
        xz "A thing of the past, I believe."

    else:
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        xz "And resolve it together you shall.  "

    show xzaratl happy at edgeright with moveoutright
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with moveoutright

    "Both sets of arms grabbed Alexia’s hand, and the demon pulled her gently in the direction of her room, gracing her with a vibrant, friendly smile."

    xz "Come with me, Alexia. Rowan has something planned for you, for the evening. And I am to make you ready for it."

    if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence == 0:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        "She regarded her warily. It was a lie too easy to disprove, but for him to actually involve her, after everything they’ve discussed…  "

    else:
        "Her heart skipped a beat - he actually planned something, and had X’zaratl involved? It would be a lie to say she was not excited, but…"

    menu:
        "Follow her to your room.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 2
            scene black with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
            al "Well… If it was Rowan’s idea…"

        "Absolutely not! Rowan shouldn’t let X’zaratl interfere in their lives like that!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence -= 2
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with moveoutleft
            show xzaratl shocked at midright with moveoutright
            "She pulled her hands away, and glared at the surprised succubus."
            al "X’zaratl, I don’t know what it is you managed to trick my husband into, but I will have no part in it."
            show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
            xz "Making your dreams-"
            show xzaratl shocked at midright with dissolve
            al "Come true? I’m sorry X’zaratl- but I don’t think you’re in them."
            show xzaratl concerned at midright with dissolve
            "The demoness looked almost hurt by her words, but Alexia would not take them back. She turned around and left to find her husband, tell her what she thought of all of this."
            scene black with fade
            "He didn’t look happy either, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. But her decision was final, and she would not discuss it further."
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            # $ virilityTreatmentAlexiaDenied = True
            return

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show clamin happy at midleft with dissolve

    cla " ...Aaaaand that’s another thirty gold to the coffers. After my cut, of course."
    ro "Mhm."

    "Hours have passed since his conversation with X’zaratl. His castle duties were never a fun affair, but today, they were proving exceptionally dreary."
    "The soft vibrations of X’zaratl’s ring never ceased, but neither did they grow in intensity, constantly sending subtle warmth across his crotch."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
    #clamin surprised

    "He was starting to feel its effect. Like a slight… {i}Churning{/i} in his balls. They felt heavier. Swollen, almost. His cock was half-erect at all times, and it increasingly more difficult to hide it’s outline. "

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    #clamin happy

    "A few more hours. A few more hours, and he would finally put it to good use. Find his wife, bend her over, and-"

    cla "Rowan, are you listening? "
    ro "Hm? Yes, yes, of course. Thirty gold, after your cut. Sounds fine to me."
    cla "Great! So, moving on…"

    "He had a gnawing suspicion Cla-Min took advantage of his temporary distraction to pocket a few extra gold coins for herself, but just once, he couldn’t be bothered to call her out on it."

    scene black with fade

    "Other things occupied his thoughts. Like Alexia’s waiting, wet, empty- "

    scene cg930 with fade
    pause 3
    show xzaratl happy behind cg930
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg930

    xz "-{i}Cunt{/i}. Just imagine it overflowing with Rowan seed, his cum dripping down your belly and back, as he keeps pumping into you from above, with limitless vigour!"
    al "A-ah, X’zaratl, that’s-"

    "What started as a casual conversation held at Rowan’s desk, with X’zaratl behind her, holding her by the shoulders, soon ended with all four of the demoness hand caressing her body, and the demoness whispering sweetly into her ear."
    "In front of her, laid X’zaratl’s violet, crystal ball. It kept showing her things - figures of two people intertwined, of lovers lost in pleasure."
    "In possibly every position known to man, and then twice that. And X’zaratl insisted one day, she and Rowan would try them all."

    al "… A-ah… Didn’t the last one... Require both of us flying? "
    xz "Nothing a little magic can’t fix."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Almost against herself, Alexia’s imagination ran wild. She never thought herself boring in the bedroom - but X’zaratl’s ideas were on a whole other level."
        xz "Don’t worry. You’ll try them all, in time. But for now…"

    else:
        "She had to admit - the Succubus had {i}quite{/i} the imagination."
        al "Should we- Ah!- Should we try them all?"
        xz "You {i}will{/i}. I promise. But for now…"

    "The image shifted again, and X’zaratl’s fingers pushed her lower lips open, making her squeal in delight."

    xz "There. This one. That’s the position you should greet Rowan with, when he comes to breed you today. "
    al "H-ha… You keep saying it like that…"
    xz "Because that’s what it will be! He will ram his cock inside of you, balls-deep, and keep thrusting with a single goal in his mind: To cum inside, paint your womb white with his semen."

    #xzaratl eye flash yellow

    xz "What you always desired so desperately, comes true today. Why be embarrassed about it? Is it wrong to rejoice when dreams become reality?"

    "She tried to answer, but just right then, X’zaratl hit a sensitive spot with her finger, and she could only moan in response. Several times now, she arrived right at the edge of an orgasm - only to have it denied her every time."

    xz "There is no reason to be ashamed anymore, fair Alexia. Revel in tonight."
    xz "Just try. I’ll help. I’m always here to help."
    xz "So repeat after me -"

    scene cg931 with fade
    pause 3
    show xzaratl aroused behind cg931
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg931

    xz "“Ah! I can’t wait to feel my husband’s cock inside of me! ”"

    menu:
        "“Ah! I can’t wait to feel my husband’s cock inside of me!”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            xz "Such a lucky girl, to have such a wonderful man by her side…"
            show xzaratl happy at center with dissolve

        "“Still too embarrassing!”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show xzaratl happy at center with dissolve
            xz "Why? You’re husband and wife. It’s only natural."
            xz "Come now, Alexia. Be honest with yourself. Say what you truly want."

    xz "Say: “I want him to ram it inside of me, as hard as he possibly can!”"

    menu:
        "“I want him to ram it inside of me, as hard as he possibly can!”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            xz "Yes, exactly! Now… "

        "...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "A quiet moan escaped her lips, as she writhed in X’zaratl’s grasp."
            xz "Don’t try and hold your voice, Alexia. Speak your true desires. Repeat after me:"

    xz "“I want him to breed me! I want him to impregnate me!”"

    menu:
        "“I want him to breed me!”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1
            $ breedingGreeting = True
            "She cried out in pleasure, only to find her lips sealed in a passionate kiss by the demoness. Quivering, she surrendered herself to her, growing limp in her arms."
            xz "There you go! Now, come with me…"

        "“I want him to make love to me.” ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ lovingGreeting = True
            "She glared almost defiantly at the succubus - only to find her pressing her lips against her, locking them in a passionate kiss. And even though X’zaratl had yet to cease her ministrations, they grew more gentle, more loving, after hearing her words."
            xz "Oh, Alexia~~~ You two are made for one another! Don’t worry - he will do just that!"
            xz "That’s enough teasing for now, fair Alexia. Please, come with me…"

    scene black with fade
    show xzaratl happy behind black

    xz "Let’s greet your husband properly."

    "..."

    scene bg14 with fade

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Hours. Literal hours of constant vibrations. The hardness of his cock could no longer be concealed, the outline of his throbbing phallus clearly visible to all who could see. "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "He no longer bothered to hide it. The cubi all eyed it hungrily, but for once, he felt no temptation to waste his lust on such lowly sluts. A single thought occupied his mind, a single desire guided his action."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "The need to {i}breed{/i}."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "He laughed out loud. Gods, that was stupid! But his balls felt so heavy and swollen, that was all he could think about. Taking his cock out, plunging it into his wife, and fucking her till she’s full of his cum."
    "But his wait was now over. He was already undoing his pants the moment he saw the door to his room. He let his cock sprung free, and opened the door wide."

    scene cg932 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg932
    show xzaratl happy behind cg932
    pause 3

    xz "Hello, Rowan."
    al "A-ah, hello dear~~."

    "They were ready for him. Alexia laid naked on her back, holding her legs high and spreading them wide, presenting her {i}cunt{/i} for him. It glistened in the evening light, parted welcomingly."
    "He almost didn’t notice X’zaratl. The demon knelt behind her, allowing Alexia’s head to rest on her thighs. One set of arms ran lovingly through her hair. The other - held her legs ups. Kept them spread."
    "Kept his wife ready to be bred. Ready to be impregnated."
    "Mad with desire, he shut the door close and started throwing his clothes off, sending his armor and sword flying. Alexia watched, speechless, her eyes drawn to the throbbing rod between his legs."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "She grinned at the sight of it, and licked her lips. The dark-red ring around the base of his cock made his tool look almost massive. And it was all at the thought of {i}her{/i}."

    else:
        "She laughed nervously, then bit her lips. The dark-red ring around the base of his cock made his tool look almost massive. She knew he found her attractive, but this…"

    scene cg933 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg933
    show xzaratl happy behind cg933
    pause 3

    "He climbed the bed without hesitation. She let her eyes wander up - across his sculpted chest, his toned muscles - and looked into his eyes."
    "They saw no world beyond her."
    "A gentle, feminine hand caressed her cheek as Rowan positioned himself over her, his cock dangling inches away from her soaking cunt."

    xz "What do you say, Alexia?"
    al "Ah, Rowan…"

    if lovingGreeting:
        al "Make love to me, dear."

    else:
        al "Breed me, my love."

    "The burning flames of his desire burst forth, twice as strong, and he thrust his hips forward. His throbbing cock parted her overflowing pussy with ease-"

    scene cg934 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg934
    show xzaratl happy behind cg934
    pause 3

    ro "Ah!!"

    "And his world went white with ecstasy. He threw his head back, almost blind from the overwhelming sensation. Gods, his cock was sensitive, and her cunt squeezed him so tight! Her pussy felt incredible. It- "

    "A gentle kiss was placed upon his lips. He blinked, and found himself looking at X’zaratl’s benevolent smile. "


    xz "Relax, Gallant Rowan. Breed her properly. Do not rush, but do not hold back either."
    xz "And cum with her. Don’t worry, the ring will help."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "His wife’s quiet moans reached his ears, he looked down, and looked straight into Alexia's loving, slightly glazed over eyes."
        "Without a moment of hesitation, he started thrusting again-"

    else:
        "His wife’s quiet moans reached his ears, he looked down, and looked straight into Alexia's lust dazed eyes. Without a moment of hesitation, he started thrusting again-"

    "And again- and again! The searing ecstasy robbed him of all reason. Alexia’s velvet, soft pussy felt like heaven, her wet walls both soothing and driving the raging desire that took hold of his cock."

    al "Ha- ha- Aaah, Rowan!"

    "And Alexia - she was used to her husband taking her hard- used to him taking the lead- but the desperate, almost primal thrusts were like nothing before."
    "She cried in pleasure again. She could see Rowan looking into her eyes - and X’zaratl too. And she could even see the demoness’ own cock, painfully hard and neglected, pressing against her black robe, leaving a wet, sticky stain from the inside."
    "And at the same time, she saw none of it. She knew no world beyond her husband’s iron-hard cock, splitting her apart with every thrust. His heavy balls hitting her, their slapping noise barely noticeable through Rowan’s grunting and her own moans."
    "How could she hold back? How could she last? Her eyes rolled back -"

    show cg934 with sshake
    show cg934 with sshake
    show cg935 with flash
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg935
    show xzaratl happy behind cg935
    pause 3

    al "A-aaah!"

    "Just as ecstasy took her, a surge of hotness filled her to the brim. Was this it? The day she waited so long for?!"

    al "A-ah… Y-yes! Finally!"

    "His hard cock throbbed inside of her, cumming seemingly without end. Gods- if she could only ever remember one moment in her life, she would wish for it to be this one. The feeling of Rowan’s cock cumming inside of her."
    "And he felt it too. Only partially aware of his wife’s happy moans, he kept thrusting, driven by instinct, head thrown back. Lost in his own ecstasy, he didn’t care how the force of his thrust caused his cum to spurt out of her pussy."
    "Gods, it felt amazing - to finally find release. But the ring around still vibrated gently, and he found his need didn’t recede one bit-"
    "He felt X’zaratl’s lips on his own again. A gentle, delicate kiss - as he was still thrusting into his wife. A moment of quiet and clarity, amidst the hurricane of lust."

    scene cg934 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg934
    show xzaratl happy behind cg934
    pause 3

    xz "Excellent work, Rowan."
    xz "Keep going."

    if lovingGreeting:
        al "Y-yes! Keep going! Fuck me, darling!"

    else:
        al "Y-yes! Keep going! Breed me, darling!"

    "Alexia didn’t realize - never dreamed - how good it would feel to {i}finally{/i} have Rowan fuck her like this."
    "She giggled, drunk with desire, and made no efforts to hold back her moans as Rowan resumed his feverish thrusts."

    show cg934 with sshake
    show cg934 with sshake
    show cg935 with flash
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg935
    show xzaratl happy behind cg935
    pause 3

    "It didn’t take long until Rowan felt himself cum again. He threw his head up again, grunting in pleasure, not even caring how it looked or sounded-"
    "And met X’zaratl’s sweet lips {i}again{/i}. They were like a glass of fine wine, and he drank it without hesitation, his cock still twitching inside of his wife."
    "And each spurt of cum was rewarded with a slow, almost loving kiss."
    "Finally, when he was done, she let go of him. He looked into her sparkling eyes, at her crimson red lips-"
    "And saw her smile."

    xz "Excellent work Rowan. You’re the best lover a woman could ask for."
    xz "Keep going. Keep fucking your wife. Make her understand what true bliss is."
    xz "Make her experience a taste of her happy ending."

    "Alexia stirred beneath him, her hard breathing barely noticeable through the maddening beating of his heart. X’zaratl kissed him again, for a brief moment, then pulled away-"

    menu:
        "Do not let her pull away!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 2
            scene cg934 with fade
            pause 3
            "He leaned in, forcing her lips open with his tongue, not wanting to let her go."
            "X’zaratl offered a quiet moan in protest, and tried to pull away again, to no success. He wouldn’t let her - he wanted her just as much as he wanted Alexia."
            "And when she felt it - felt his passion as his tongue danced with her - X’zaratl returned it a thousandfold, grabbing his head and pressing into his lips."
            "Only then did he start thrusting again, driven to madness by the constant vibrations around his cock. His world was reduced to Alexia’s tight pussy and X’zaratl’s sweet lips - and he would trade it for no other."

        "Let her pull away, and focus on Alexia.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "- and Rowan turned his attention back to Alexia. Back to his sweet wife - his sweet,  moaning wife."
            "He started thrusting again, driven to madness by the constant vibrations around his cock, Alexia’s tight pussy and X’zaratl’s perverted whispers."

    "He thrusted and came, again-"
    "And again-"

    scene black with fade

    "{i}and again-{/i}"

    "..."

    #new bed var
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind black
    show xzaratl happy behind black

    "He didn’t realize when morning caught them. Their session continued well into the night, and at some point, exhaustion must have taken them both, for he did not recall their fucking actually coming to an end."
    "Not that he cared. With a smile, he ran his fingers through Alexia’s hair, a gentle gesture that got him a half-asleep murmur from his exhausted wife. If he could, he would stay like that forever. But the depressing reality…"

    xz "I’ve brought you breakfast, gallant Rowan. And the twins should be still distracted with the impromptu orgy I ordered yesterday. Should buy you an hour more."

    "Like a shadow, X’zaratl tiptoed around the room, carrying a silver tray in her hands. Did she stay with them the entire night? That would explain their folded clothes, and opened windows…"

    ro "… Thank you, X’zaratl. "
    xz "You’re welcome. I should go now, try to buy you more time. Andras can occupy himself, but Jezzy will go hunting for entertainment if left unattended for too long."

    "Rowan stifled a laugh, and waved goodbye at the succubus. X’zaratl sent him another vibrant smile, and hurried out of the room."
    "Alexia shifted beside him, and he kissed her head lovingly. To stay like that forever…"

    scene black with fade

    "Would be bliss."

    # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
    # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
    # $ virilityTreatmentSex = True

    # if breedingGreeting:
        # $ virilityTreatmentBreedingSex = True

    # if contraceptionRingAccepted:
        # $ virilityTreatmentSafeSex = True

    # return

    return

# \events\nasim.rpy
label alexiaFertTreatment_rp:

    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ alexiaScolded = True
    $ alexia_knows_magic = True

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Did Rowan promise Alexia fertility treatment? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ promisedFertilityTreatment = True
        "No":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ promisedFertilityTreatment = False

    # $ firstTreatment = True
    # $ firstTreatmentSeen = True

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft

    ro "I know the two of you met, but given the circumstances, maybe we should start anew."

    show nasim happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "Nasim, my lovely wife, Alexia. Alexia, research Nasim. "

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Aha, ha…  I’m really sorry about the potion, researcher Nasim. I allowed my emotions to get the better of me."

    if promisedFertilityTreatment == False:
        "If Nasim noticed how forced her smile was, he showed no indication of it."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    nas "Apologies accepted. Besides, I can hardly blame someone for breaking a few rules to further their ambitions."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "… I feel like this shouldn’t be the lesson taken out of this whole ordeal."
        nas "It’s only a crime if you get caught!"

    else:
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "That’s a unique outlook."
        nas "Not this far north. Here, it’s only a crime if you get caught."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

    nas "But I must insist you refrain from stealing unidentified magical potions from now on. It can be dangerous, especially in castle Bloodmeen."

    ro "Dare we take it a step further, and propose not stealing anything at all? Do you know how much equipment goes missing on a weekly basis? "

    nas "Nothing a few curses wouldn’t solve within a month. But I believe we’re getting off-topic here. I take it Lord Rowan has briefed you on the purpose of this meeting?"

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
    show nasim angry at midright with dissolve

    al "… Not really?"

    ro "Not yet. Nasim, would you mind giving us a moment?"

    "The wizards’ deadpan expression betrayed the matter should have been resolved beforehand, but he gave them their space nonetheless."

    if roAlRel < 30 and promisedFertilityTreatment == False and alexiaScolded == True:
        hide nasim with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with moveoutright
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        "Rowan sighed to himself, and walked to the side, holding his wife by the hand."
        ro "Look, I know I said this isn’t the right time for a child, but… Well, since you were that unhappy, I decided to ask Nasim if there’s something we could try."
        ro "And there is. An experimental fertility treatment, just for you. He can’t guarantee success, but it’s better than nothing."
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        ro "... Aren’t you happy?"
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        al "Apologize."
        ro "What?"
        al "Apologize."
        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "Do you honestly think you can shout and demean me, then do some grand gesture out of necessity and think everything is forgiven? That I’ll just smile and nod like nothing ever happened?"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "Don’t get me wrong, I am happy you decided to think of me for a change."
        al "Now I just want you to apologize."
        menu:
            "Apologize. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "When you put it that way…  Maybe I have been acting like a prick."
                ro "I’m sorry. I was so focused on-"
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
                al "Alright."
                "Her lips curled into a little smile. Something familiar entered her eyes, making him realize how cold they were before."
                ro "… That’s it?"
                al "I don’t want to make Nasim wait. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I’m still mad at you for everything you’ve said earlier, but… It’s a start."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, and turned to the wizard, her fingers briefly finding Rowan’s as she passed him by."
                # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)

            "Absolutely not.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Has it ever occurred to you that maybe you should temper your expectations a little?"
                ro "I’ve got you a one of a kind, hand-tailored miracle cure, at quite literally world’s end, and you’re still complaining?"
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                al "If it’s such a great treatment, you can take it yourself. We’re done here."
                hide alexia with moveoutleft
                show rowan necklace shock at center with moveinright
                "He watched her leave. Unbelievable. The ungrateful bitch straight up turned around and {i}left{/i}."
                show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                show nasim neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                ro "… Don’t you dare say a fucking thing."
                ro "Forget the treatment. None of this ever happened, you hear me?"
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "The man gave a short nod, for once knowing when to shut up. Face burning from the humiliation, Rowan left the library, cursing Alexia under his breath."
                # $ change_relation('alexia', -10)
                # $ unlockFertilityTreatment = False
                return

    elif promisedFertilityTreatment:
        hide nasim with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        "Rowan walked to the side, taking his wife by the hands, and smiled."
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Remember when I said I’d try to think something out? I discussed the issue with Nasim, and, well - he agreed to try something for us. An experimental fertility treatment, tailored-"
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with moveinleft
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        "He didn’t get to finish. Alexia threw herself at him, hugging him close. He put his arms around her, and didn’t let go until he felt her pull away."
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        al "… Thank you."
        "It was the second most radiant smile he had seen in months. Trying to ignore his own aching heart, he kissed her on the forehead, and let her discuss the details with Nasim."

    else:
        hide nasim with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        "Rowan walked to the side, taking his wife by the hands, and smiled."
        ro "Look, I know I said this isn’t the right time for a child, but… I couldn’t stand it.  I couldn’t stand seeing you this miserable. It broke my heart a million times."
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        ro "So I asked Nasim if there’s something we could try, and… He agreed on a treatment. It’s-"
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with moveinleft
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        "He didn’t get to finish. Alexia threw herself at him, hugging him close. He put his arms around her, and didn’t let go until he felt her pull away."
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        al "… Thank you."
        "It was the most radiant smile he had seen in months. Trying to ignore his own aching heart, he kissed her on the forehead, and let her discuss the details with Nasim."
        # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "So how is it going to work?"

    nas "I will spare you the fine details - Rowan knows them, so he can explain later."
    nas "The rough idea is - we will trick your body into thinking it was pregnant before, forcing it to adjust its inner workings to support further pregnancy later."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "That’s… I’m not sure I understand?"

    nas "Permanent change comes from belief. The only reason this treatment might work is because this is what you desire."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show nasim happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    nas "You could say we are simply synchronizing your body with your heart."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "Sounds almost magical."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    nas "It literally is."

    hide nasim with moveoutright

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Nasim headed to the side. Alexia turned to Rowan again, beaming with happiness. When was the last time he saw her this excited?"

    show nasim neutral at midright with moveinright
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    nas "Allow me to walk you through the process. First - drink this."

    "He handed her a mug full of some white, thick liquid. Alexia arched an eyebrow, eyeing it with curiosity."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Is this…"

    nas "It’s milk."

    "Alexia blinked, then slowly brought it to her lips. It really was milk."

    nas "Consider it something of an arcane focus. "
    nas "For the next step, as visual feedback is paramount during the process, I’m afraid I will have to request you to strip from the waist up."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        nas "And before you say anything - I consider this something akin to a medical procedure. As do you, I imagine."
        "She looked up to her husband. Rowan, in return, looked to Nasim."
        nas "… Lord Rowan, do consider who I work with on a daily basis."
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        ro "Point taken"
        "If Cliohna wore any less, she’d walk around naked. And while he wasn’t all that happy with other men seeing his wife bare herself... They were asking Nasim for a favour here."
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        "This was no hill to die on. He gave Alexia a reluctant nod, and she was quick to remove her upper dress."
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    else:
        show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
        nas "And before you- ...and you’re already naked."
        al "That’s what you said to do?"
        "Both men shared a quick look. Rowan shrugged. When in Castle Bloodmeen…"
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve


    nas "Right. Now, the important thing is, as we are not using the chamber, nor are we utilizing a preexisting spell, someone will have to guide the transformation process. And that person will have to be you."

    if alexia_knows_magic:
        al "I understand some magic, but…"
        nas "I’m afraid your time in the library will be of little use here. But that is no reason for concern.  "

    nas "All transformation magic relies on a template to work towards. Normally, the caster enforces the new shape, bending reality to his whims."

    show nasim happy at midright with dissolve

    nas "But given how it is your body, and you are a willing participant in the process, it would be best for you to visualize what the change will entitle."
    nas "I will provide the technical components. You will steer the transformation."
    al "How do I do that? Just… Imagine what I want to be?"
    nas "Yes. Though perhaps… Lord Rowan might be of help? "

    "Rowan arched an eyebrow at the man."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    nas "I’m afraid your wife is not going to get pregnant on her own, Lord Rowan. Consider this practice."
    ro "Oh shut up."

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia threw him an abashed look, and smiled encouragingly. Shaking his head with a smile, he walked up, and embraced her, his hand gently resting on her belly."

    show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

    nas "Lady Alexia, do keep in mind transformations, especially those focused on sexual organs, can be quite euphoric for the target."

    show nasim neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    nas "Try to keep your voice down. This is a library, after all."
    al "I promise to behave."

    hide nasim with moveoutright
    show alexia necklace naked at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveinleft

    "She giggled, her eyes full of anticipation, and he recognized she was struggling not to break into a full grin. Nothing Nasim could say would dissuade her at this point."
    "She wanted this. Always did."
    "How could he not be by her side?"

    ro "Alexia…"

    "He moved behind her, hands resting on her shoulders. She leaned against him, eyes closed, seeking his warmth amidst the library’s cold air."

    ro " I want you to imagine… Home."

    scene cg892 with fade
    pause 3
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg892
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg892

    ro "I want you to imagine sitting at the porch of our house, enjoying a cool breeze in the morning."
    ro "I want you to imagine our child, and yourself, cradling it in your arms. "
    al "Ha… That’s a nice picture."

    "At the edge of his vision, he saw Nasim’s fingers trail complex symbols in the air, the wizard mumbling something under his breath. A delicate, pink glow began to envelop Alexia’s body."

    ro "And I want you to imagine yourself. Glowing, fulfilled."
    ro "...your breasts swollen with milk, ready to nurture our children… "

    "She drew a sharp breath, and the pink glow ran up, swirling around her chest."

    al "A-ah… So it’s… That kind of treatment… "
    ro "Sh… Don’t talk… Just… Picture them."
    ro "Picture them, round and heavy… "

    "The pink glow grew more visible. Strands of it danced across her body, like wisps of fire."

    ro "… weighing down your chest…"

    "She wriggled under his touch, her tits bouncing ever so slightly…"

    ro "… full of delicious, nutritious milk…"

    "… her nipples hardened, and she arched her back in ecstasy-  "

    ro "… Swollen and aching…"

    "Another moan, and- "

    al "Aaah!"

    show cg892 with pinkflash

    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

    show cg893 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He expected… Something. An explosion, or maybe a surge of magic across the room. Instead, he saw them {i}grow{/i}. Before his very eyes. The handful pair he was so accustomed to growing a full size, and then some more."
    "The pink glow was still enveloping them, with a pair of pearly droplets peaking through, at the tip of her nipples."
    "Alexia bit her lip, trying not to cry out again. He felt her tremble in ecstasy, chaos magic coursing through her veins, seeping into her body."

    ro "… Just like that. Heavy, and full of milk."

    al "A-aah, Rowan..."

    "He knew she was struggling not to sneak her hand between her legs. Standing on her toes, she sought his lips, sealing them with a passionate kiss as she ran her fingers through his hair."
    "To stop his whispers or her own moans, he couldn’t say."

    menu:
        "This should be enough.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He let her stay like that, for a moment."
            "… Finally, he let her go, drawing back."
            jump fertTreatmentEnding1_rp

        "Touch her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    show cg894 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He let her hold him, silently glad that his own hands were no longer occupied steadying her."
    "He ran them down her body, feeling the feverish warmth of her flesh. Did her hips widen too? He was almost certain they did."
    "But they weren’t his focus right now."

    al "MMmmmmm?!"

    "He barely brushed her tits - cupped them every so lightly from beneath, feeling their new weight. Despite that, he felt her knees buckle underneath her, as she barely held on."

    al "A-aaah, Rowan~~ "
    ro "They’re quite lovely, aren’t they?"
    al "It’s- it’s too much! I didn’t think- didn’t think they’d be so- "

    "He flicked his finger across her nipples, cutting her meagre protest short. To think his beautiful wife could be this erotic…"

    menu:
        "This should be enough.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "… So sensitive, no?"
            "He gave her a quick kiss on the kiss, then two another - one for each of her wonderful tits."
            al "A-ah! Y-yeah… "
            ro "So damn adorable."
            al "Ha- Ha…."
            "He threw her a mischievous smirk, and finally drew back."
            jump fertTreatmentEnding1_rp

        "Caress her more. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
            # $ fertilityTreatment1LustAddled = True
            pass

    "He placed a kiss on her neck, his fingers massaging her enlarged breasts gently. His wife struggled to contain her moans, much to his amusement."
    "He saw Nasim rub his eyes in irritation, one hand still glowing pink as he kept the spell going. Rowan paid him no heed. He could be excused for taking a moment to shower his wife with affection."

    ro "Your new tits are lovely Alexia. Just imagine them like that, after giving birth to our children."

    al "I- A-aaah…"

    "He grabbed her breasts more firmly, and he saw her eyes glaze over, lost in fantasy.  Her cheeks coloured with a most beautiful shade of rose pink, and he’d swear even her lush hair shone with newfound glow."
    "Magic might have brought this form to life, but he knew that’s simply how she wanted to be. Radiant. Enchanting. Mother to his children."
    "Had he always knew… He’d spend every evening burying his cock in her snatch, fucking her with no reserve until her belly swelled with life, her tits growing heavy with milk."

    ro "… Simply amazing… "

    al "Mmmm… Y-yeah…."

    "He’d watch them grow with each week…"
    "Watch them sway as she walked around the house, drawing his gaze-"
    "{i}Demanding{/i} his touch…  "

    menu:
        "{i}This{/i} should be enough.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "… And one day, that fantasy that had them both enraptured would be their reality. But for now…"
            "He kissed her on the lips. Softly. Gently. It took his wife several moments to remember where she was."
            al "Aa-aaah, sorry, I…"
            ro "It’s okay. You can relax now."
            scene black with fade
            "Almost reluctantly, he drew away. Her fingers sought his hand - he let her hold it, just for a moment, until, again, he forced himself away."
            jump fertTreatmentEnding1_rp

        "“... Imagine them bigger.” (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
            pass

    #if avatar.corruption < 31:
    "He wasn’t sure what urged him to say the words, but the moment they left his lips, there was no coming back. A desire he wasn’t aware he held rose to the surface, and took control of his tongue."
    #else:
        #"Why hold back, he wondered. She {i}could{/i} be bigger. There were so many busty beauties in the castle… Why {i}shouldn’t{/i} his wife trump them all?"

    ro "Even bigger, Alexia. Massive, heavy tits. Fat, full udders."
    ro "Doesn’t that sound wonderful?"

    "She didn’t answer him, trembling in his hands. He sneaked a glance between her legs, and saw a thin, translucent line run down her inner thighs."

    ro "It does. I can see it does, Alexia."

    "He sunk his fingers in, delighting in their shape, in their softness. She clung onto him desperately now, her back rubbing against his crotch, eager for the hard cock hiding beneath."
    "It was a sweet temptation to just bend her over and ram up her hungry cunt, but he fought it, keeping all of his attention on those heavy orbs, kneading them perhaps too roughly now."

    al "A-aaaah!"

    "… But given her embarrassed moans, she was hardly hurting."
    "He brought his lips to her neck, kissing it gently. Then, her cheek. Then, up again, kissing her ear, his hot breath tickling her skin as he leaned in to whisper-"

    menu:
        "“... But you should rest now.”":# if avatar.corruption < 31:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "A-ah? "
            "He could see the confusion in his eyes, and he wasn’t that surprised by it. With her body ravished by desire, to stop now would be torture."
            "… At least that’s what he desperately wanted to believe. Solansia forgive him, he wanted {i}more{/i}. More of that erotic body of her, more of its warmth, more of those siren moans."
            "But this procedure wasn’t done for his amusement. So almost against both of their wishes, he gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek, and drew away."
            jump fertTreatmentEnding2_rp

        "“Imagine them bigger.” (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 10)
            # $ avatar.corruption += 3
            # $ fertilityTreatment1MassiveTits = True
            pass

    show cg895 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "… She closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath."
    ro "Imagine them swollen…"
    "With each breath taken, her chest rose and fell, her tits pushing into his hands, eager for his touch."
    ro "… Imagine them massive… Heavy and yearning to be milked…"
    "He squeezed them again, and felt something wet touch his fingers. Streams of white trailed down her nipples, dripping to the floor-"
    ro "… Yearning to be caressed… Touched… {i}Abused{/i}…"
    "Her whole body trembled, and he saw the pink glow grow again, swirling around her body-"
    ro "-kissed, and suckled, and-!"
    al "Aaah!"
    "She cried out, pushing her chest out-"
    "They grew again, one cup, then another! All as Alexia cried out in ecstasy. No longer did they fit in his hands - they spilled out of his fingers, too large to hold."
    "But he wouldn’t let go of them for a million gold."
    ro "Just like that."
    "He wanted to laugh in delight. Instead, he continued to whisper sweet nothings into her ear, until her orgasmic moans died out. He hugged her close to his chest, so she wouldn’t fall as climax took all of her strengths away."
    "… Finally, his wife opened her eyes again, and looked down on her chest - and giggled at the magnificent sight of it."
    al "Aaaah, Rowan~~~ They’re so big~~~"
    ro "They are. You look amazing."
    "Again, he ran his fingers under her tits, and weighted them with his hand. He savoured their size, their softness - and the sweet sounds they evoked in his wife."
    al "I wasn’t- aa-aaaa--aaah… Ah!"
    "She couldn’t get two words out before another blissful moan broke through her lips, the wide grin never leaving her face."
    al "A-aaaaah, ah… Shoooo… Sooo goood…."
    "She kept squirming under his touch, demanding more of his affection."
    al "A-aaaah… You’ll have to…. A-ah! Y-your cock~~~"
    "Her plush ass never stopped rubbing against his cock, making him dread he might burst right there, right now."
    al "Aa~~ah… Inside of me~~~~"
    al "A-ah… Full of cum~~~~ Full of milk... Mmmmm...  So heavy~~~"
    "A polite cough interrupted her sweet moan. Rowan glared at the man responsible."
    "Perhaps it would be a bit too much to fuck her in front of another… "

    menu:
        "That’s enough.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "… And seeing her drool, drip and leak, he had to acknowledge his objective was met. The only thing on Alexia’s mind right now was being pumped full of cum and giving birth to his kids."
            "To do anything more would be simply for his own enjoyment."
            "Well. More of it, at least."
            "He gave her a small kiss, and drew back. Or tried to. She held tight to him, not letting him go."
            al "T-touch me, please! "
            "He chuckled, and brushed his fingers against her cunt. Instantly, all strength abandoned her, her knees giving way under her. He steadied her, ever the loving husband."
            ro "Now now, Alexia… I know all you have on your mind right now is cock and getting fucked-"
            al "YES!"
            ro "… And I want you to keep fantasizing about exactly that. Nasim, what’s the next step?"
            jump fertTreatmentEnding3_rp

        "Milk her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 10)
            # $ avatar.corruption += 10
            # $ fertilityTreatment1Milked = True
            pass

    show cg896 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "… But there were other things he could do."
    "His hands never stopped kneading her tits, massaging them without rest. He felt how full of milk they were. He saw them leak."
    "What man would leave his wife like that?"

    ro "Sh…. I know… "
    ro "Let me help."

    al "A-Ah?!"

    "With only a few words of warning, he pressed against her tits. Warm milk trailed down her skins, down his hands, as her cries of lust resounded across the room."

    al " AA-aaah! Y-yes!"
    al "Ooooh GODS, this feels-! This is!"
    al "AH! "

    "All semblance of thought dissolved from her eyes, and dripped out of her tits. Any other time, he would be worried by it. Now… "
    "Now he wondered if we could ever go back to being satisfied with Alexia’s usual body. Or with Alexia herself."

    show cg897 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He kept kneading her tits, kept tugging her nipples, making her leak and moan, until he finally managed to make her {i}squirt{/i} milk."
    "Not that {i}*that*{/i} made her finally dry up… Nasim’s magic and her mindless desire kept the magic going, her tits never shrinking, her lust never abating."
    "To have her so {i}putty{/i} in his hands… Gods, what man could say no this."
    "Finally, after her third - or was it fourth? - orgasm did her body finally give way. Her knees buckled completely, and she went limp in his arms."
    "And even though she no longer had any strength in her body, she was still looking up at him with a wide smile, moaning quietly."

    al "M-more…"

    scene black with fade

    "Laughing to himself, he kissed her affectionately, then gently laid her on Nasim’s bed so she could rest. At this point, he doubted the man would mind."

    jump fertTreatmentEnding4_rp

    label fertTreatmentEnding1_rp:

        scene bg12 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked at edgeleft with dissolve

        al "Mmmmm… S-so... what happens now?"

        "The wizard mumbled something again, and turned his hand clockwise. The glow lessened - but didn’t dissipate entirely."

        nas "Now you must rest. The spell will hold between two and a half and three hours, then your body will return to its natural shape. Try to get a feel of it."
        nas "… In a nonsexual way."

        "She laughed awkwardly, covering her tits, her blush betraying the possibility did cross her mind. Rowan handed her a robe he prepared beforehand, then turned to the wizard."

        ro "Everything went as expected?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        nas "Yes, very much so. Though…"

        ro "What’s wrong?"

        "Nasim narrowed his eyes, inspecting his wife. Alexia herself was too busy peeking at her breasts to notice anything."

        nas "… It’s nothing. Please ignore my previous remark."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "… Alright. Next week, then?"
        nas "If you must."
        al "We most {i}certainly{/i} must."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Alexia bounced up to them, throwing them both a most dazzling smile. Nasim politely looked to the side. Rowan wasn’t under any such obligation."

        scene black with fade

        "He wrapped his hand around his wife and led her back through the castle. And while it would be a lie to say her near-naked body and flushed face weren’t stirring something inside of him…"
        "This evening, he couldn’t bring himself to tarnish that pure, almost innocent happiness that sparkled in her eyes."

        # $ change_relation('alexia', 15)
        # $ treatment1PureEnding = True
        return

    label fertTreatmentEnding2_rp:

        scene bg12 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

        "He did his best to pretend not to notice as she rubbed her thighs together, and covered her with a robe he brought earlier."
        "Seeing they were done, the wizard mumbled something again, and turned his hand clockwise. The glow lessened - but didn’t dissipate entirely."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What happens next?"
        nas "Her body will remain like this for between two and a half and three hours. Normally I’d advise her to try and get a proper feel of it, but given Lady Blackwell’s state, I think it might be best if she does, indeed, rest."
        ro "Did everything go as it should?"
        nas "… Mostly. We’ve… Strayed somewhat from what I assumed the treatment would entail."

        show nasim happy at midright with dissolve

        nas "But that’s not always a bad thing."

        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "Next week, then?"
        nas "I’ll consider it. In the meantime, I do believe it might be best if you’ll escort the Lady back to her room."

        scene black with fade
        show nasim neutral behind black

        nas "… Before she starts humping my desk."

        # $ change_relation('alexia', 15)
        # $ treatment2HornyEnding = True
        return

    label fertTreatmentEnding3_rp:

        scene bg12 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

        "The wizard was still watching both of them, his hand glowing pink. Seeing that Rowan had finally finished, he turned his hand clockwise - and pink missed slowly dissipated, though not in its entirety."

        nas "Given Lady Blackwell’s state, I advise rest. Her mind needs to adjust to her body."
        nas "… Preferably with minimal external stimuli."

        "Her needy whine more than betrayed her true feelings on the topic. Rowan covered with a robe he brought beforehand, giving her some appearance of modesty."

        ro "I take it everything went as planned? "

        show nasim angry at midright with dissolve

        nas "Given said plan was designed on what now can only be described as “dishonest pretence.”... No."

        "Rowan chuckled. Right now, he couldn’t care less for Nasim’s complaints."

        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "Nonsense! Don’t tell me this is not the perfect breeding body."
        nas "… It would be difficult to argue with that particular assessment."

        "Another lustful moan interrupted them. Rowan beamed at his wife, while Nasim rubbed his eyes again."

        ro "Same time next week?"

        nas "I’ll consider it. In the meantime, I must politely request you vacate my room. All that moaning must be getting everyone’s attention."

        scene black with fade
        show nasim neutral behind black

        nas "… I’ll be getting funny looks from everyone for months."

        # $ change_relation('alexia', 15)
        # $ treatment3AddledEnding = True
        return

    label fertTreatmentEnding4_rp:

        scene bg12 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

        "And he did, in fact, voice no concern. Nasim kept watching both of them, not saying a word for the last several minutes, hand still glowing pink, expression unreadable."
        "Seeing that Rowan had finally finished, the wizard turned his hand clockwise - and pink mist slowly dissipated, though not in its entirety."

        ro "A great success, if I say so myself."
        nas "… One could describe it as such."
        ro "Same time next week?"

        show nasim angry at midright with dissolve

        nas "Lord Blackwell, at the very least, please drop the smile. This was supposed to be a medical treatment. Instead…"

        show nasim neutral at midright with dissolve

        nas "Well, I suppose the end justifies the means."
        nas "I’ll consider it. In the meantime, I must politely request you vacate my room as soon as Lady Blackwell comes to her senses."

        "The wizard glanced at the floor. Most precisely, at the large pool of milk occupying the center of it."

        scene black with fade
        show nasim neutral behind black

        nas "… And do send for a maid on your way out."

        # $ change_relation('alexia', 15)
        # $ treatment4MilkedEnding = True
        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_32.rpy
label a_private_dance_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Pass skill checks? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ skillCheck = "success"
        "No":
            $ skillCheck = "fail"

    $ rowanJezSex = 10
    $ shayaClue1 = True
    $ shayaClue2 = True
    $ shayaClue4 = True
    $ shayaClue5 = True
    $ shayaClue6 = True
    $ shayaClue7 = True

    # $ privateDanceSeen = True

    scene bg24 with fade
    show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve

    "In the rose scented rooms of the brothel, two Succubi giggled together. It seemed that the latest guest had attracted some attention."

    succ1 "Did the general himself come down to pay us a visit? Awe, how sweet! Gotta inspire the troops."

    hide succubus neutral with dissolve
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

    succ2 "Well, since he came all the way down, I think that we should show him some of our famous hospitality. "
    succ2 "And by we, I mean me."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan leaned against the wall by the entrance hallway wall with his arms crossed. But he smiled gently at the antics of the two demons. It was like a child’s game for them."
    "Even as he listened to them babble, his eyes scanned the room, looking for something worth observing."

    hide succubus 2 neutral with dissolve
    show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve

    succ1 "You!? I don’t see why he’d want to spend his time with you when I’m around. Not that you’re bad, of course. But, you’re maybe...the tenth most attractive woman here. Cute in your own way, but not in my league."

    hide succubus neutral with dissolve
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

    succ2 "You tell such silly jokes, sister. It shows what a great personality you have. A good thing too, because it helps you make up for..."

    "The playful back and forth came to an abrupt end when a fourth person joined them. "

    show shaya happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    sha "I fear, my sweet girls, that he’s not here to see either of you."

    hide succubus 2 neutral with dissolve
    show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve

    succ1 "Madam!"

    hide succubus neutral with dissolve
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with dissolve

    succ2 "Madam!"
    sha "I heard there are some very vigorous orcish men waiting to spend time in your company. Do you really want to keep them waiting?"

    "The two demonesses gave each other a smile and then rushed off to the other end of the facility. They were probably never going to be allowed to sleep with Rowan, no point in pretending otherwise. "

    hide succubus 2 with dissolve

    "Shaya approached Rowan and made a motion halfway between a bow and curtsey. Rowan respectfully nodded back in turn."
    "From beneath her veil, he he could make out olive skin and perfect cheekbones. Her eyes, bright and attentive like a pair of green jewels went uncovered."

    sha "Rowan. It is good of you to come and visit. I had heard from Mistress Jezera to expect your return, but I had waved it away as an enticing but unlikely prospect."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan shuffled slightly in place. How could he explain a whim like this?"
        ro "I hadn’t expected to grace you either. But, I am here nonetheless."
        "Shaya’s face remained difficult to read behind her veil. It definitely seemed like she was smiling though."
        sha "Well, what truly matters is what happened, not why. Now that you have come to visit me, Rowan, I will surely have to convince you it was worth doing. A whim needn’t be a bad thing. Not with the right person."
        "She tilted her near-bare hips to the side. Rowan had to marvel at how flawless her features were. She was like a sculpture"

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan smirked to himself."
        ro "Now, why would you think that? I was promised a reward, was I not? It would be rude to Jezera not to take her up on her hospitality?"
        "He reached around her body and gave her ass a squeeze. It was soft and supple. Just the right size too. Shaya had a body from a dream."
        sha "Now now. There are private rooms for that, Rowan."

    "She took him by the hand and playfully led him past elegant sofas and glimmering statues deeper into the building. Around him, there were the odd sounds of moans and sighs. It seemed like a quiet day here to him."

    ro "By the way, didn’t you have an attendant? Nia or something?"
    sha "Lia. She isn’t on duty today, I fear. The girl has yet to develop a proper work ethic for the profession."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "She led him to a small room. It held little more than a lavish bed and a side table with a pair of chairs and some fruit on the table. The small space felt more close and intimate than claustrophobic. It smelled of exotic flowers."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan stood around, awkward from lack of experience with such a high class escort. When she saw that, she helped him down into one of the seats."

    else:
        "Rowan selected one of the chairs for a seat. And took a position with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyes trained square on the beautiful brothel madam."

    ro "So...where do you normally begin?"

    "Shaya put a finger to her lip as though she didn’t know what to do next. Her voice came out soft and sweet."

    sha "I have found that men like it when I set the mood for them. Is that how you would like me to begin, Sir Rowan?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan nodded softly, unsure how else to respond."

    else:
        ro "I think I like the sound of that. Go ahead."

    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan watched in rapt attention as Shaya started to dance. Not a belly dancer’s gyrations, but slow flowing movements where the momentum of each movement went into the next. Her hips moved from one side to the other like sloshing water in a cup."
    "Up and peak and down. She added spinning to this simple motion, turning and rocking her hips. With her back to him, she bent lower. Almost a squat. Her shapely rear stuck out to him. Beckoning him forward."
    "Rowan leaned slightly forward in his seat."
    "Still dancing, she moved towards him, first circling the small area behind his chair. Her hands resting on his chest, massaging him through the fabric of his clothes. "

    #cg 1
    scene cg580 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg580
    show shaya happy behind cg580
    pause 3

    "His breathing picked up pace. Now she was in front of him, body pressed closer. She broke into the same dance as before. Flowing and turning. The flowing shake of her hips and rear. Only, now she was practically on Rowan’s lap."
    "Every time she pressed against him it was a little closer and a little closer. A bit more skin. A bit more sensation. He could feel her body through his pants. It rubbed against him."
    "He reached out without thinking and ran a hand along her thigh. He marveled at the feeling of it. No bumps. No imperfections. Just soft and smooth. Shaya let out a soft sigh. She was not unaffected by the touch."

    if rowanCorrupt > 31:
        "Rowan smirked to himself."

    "She recoiled soon after the touch began, drawing herself just outside of groping range. Though she hardly seemed offended. In fact, rather than admonishing him she instead reached behind her back. To grasp at the knot that held her top up."

    #cg1 - var 1
    #scene cg580 with fade
    #pause 3

    "Her back was turned to Rowan, so he couldn’t see it fall free. But, a moment later she turned back to him, now holding her breasts in her hands. Still covered, if only, by her fingers. Even as she gave him more, she still held back."
    "Now she resumed her sensual dance, only with her hands trained on her breasts instead. Rowan still felt the push and touch of her body close to him. Only now he was starting to get painfully stiff. "
    "Rowan groaned. He wanted more. He wanted to fuck her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Please, stop with all the teasing. This is too much."

    else:
        ro "Get on with it already. I’m waiting."

    "Shaya bowed her head and answered in a soft voice."

    sha "Of course, Rowan. As you say."

    #cg2
    scene cg581 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg581
    show shaya happy behind cg581
    pause 3

    "The teasing was over. Her hands drew back, revealing the fullness of her bosom to Rowan. Was there a part of her body that was not perfection? She was unreal. He marveled at them even as she sunk down to her knees."
    "From her new position, there was one action, one mission, that she set her sights on. His cock. Her fingers dexterously worked his stiff cock free from his pants, and started on the task of working it. Rowan’s eyes closed and he leaned his head back in his seat."
    "She was slow and delicate. Every motion was practiced. Not unsure, but instead continuing to move into the next action like the turning of a wheel. This woman knew how to work a cock."
    "Her other hand searched for his prostate and began to work it as well. Her eyes, those jewels, were transfixed. Every movement, every ounce of her attention, every potential avenue of pleasure. It was all focused."
    "Rowan gave a low grunt and sputtered slightly. This wasn’t the most intense sexual high he’d ever felt. There was something lacking. An emotional connection. But, who could match this woman in terms of pure skill?"

    if rowanJezSex > 0:
        "Even Jezera, with all of her sexual skills, lacked this degree of precision."

    "There was one rising frustration. She wasn’t going fast enough. He wanted more."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Faster. Fuck. You have to go faster than that. You have to...you have to..."

    else:
        ro "I said stop playing around. Stop teasing me. Put your all in it!"

    sha "Whatever you desire. My body is here for your pleasure. In fact…"

    #cg3
    scene cg582 with fade
    show shaya happy behind cg582
    pause 3

    "Her hands went to her breasts once more. But, not to cover them. No, it was to lift them together like an offering to him. Held aloft with just enough spacing for a small gap between them."

    sha "Use me. Please, Sir. Use me."

    scene shayatitjob
    show shaya happy behind shayatitjob
    pause 3

    # $ shayaSex = True

    "In seconds, he’d thrust his cock forward into the gap. Her body was there for his pleasure. She pressed them together. Now they engulfed him. The moaning and grunting started up again. He was thrusting forward and she was rocking her body in response."
    "She let him fuck her as though she were dancing. The flowing movements and steady precision. It all was there. Her body rocked and gyrated. "
    "It all made him groan out uncontrollably. His senses had been overwhelmed beyond his capacity to rationally process it."
    "But, Shaya made a sound too. Just not one Rowan had expected to hear. She sang. A small quiet hymn in a steady rhythm. Almost a lullaby. It was framed by the strange scales of Qerazel, and she used it to time the sway of her breasts. "

    sha "He left me crying down by the shore. The weep of the lily."

    "Rowan was almost out of the chair. Each thrust met by the countering force of Shaya’s movements. Like the tide striking and receding from the shoreline."

    sha "The soft dreams of a whore. Loved when I’m pretty."

    "Her eyes closed. Her body was acting on instinct and the unseen force of their bodies in unison. The dance continued."

    sha "The smile will slowly return to my face. A courtesan’s special charm."

    "Rowan groaned out loudly. There wasn’t much longer he could hold it in. He was about to..."

    sha "For there are others who want a taste. A customer cannot harm."

    show cg647 with sshake
    show cg647 with sshake
    show cg648 with flash
    pause 2

    "....White cum shot in an incoherent splatter over Shaya’s breasts. Rowan sputtered and grunted, before sinking back into his chair."
    "Shaya didn’t pull back. She milked his cock for the very last drops before sinking backwards. The cum was already drying on her breasts. "

    scene bg24 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

    "A short time later, Shaya had cleaned off her breasts and robed back up. She selected the other open chair to sit in. Rowan was already mostly recovered from his adventure. Still, his breath came out in ragged rasps."

    ro "Has anyone ever told you that you’re very good at this?"
    sha "From time to time.  The appreciation is...welcome."

    "She grabbed an apple from the table and stared at it. Its shiny surface offered her a reflection of her own veiled face. She could only look at it for a few seconds before offering it to Rowan. "

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "He accepted it from her hands and took a bite."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "How did you learn all of this? The Dancing? The sexual techniques?"
    sha "There is a place called {i}The Empress of the Waters{/i}, in Qerazel. A brothel. It’s quite a marvelous place. {i}Jezer’aca{/i} called it her favorite place in the world once. As children, we’d look at its marble exterior in awe. The techniques they practice are esoteric...and effective."

    if shayaClue1:
        ro "Is that the building this place is based on? You suggested when we met that this was not an original design."
        "Shaya blinked softly."
        sha "...Yes. An exact replica. {i}Jezer’aca{/i} likes it when things are perfect. So why not copy the best?"

    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "She smiled softly to herself. Her hand slowly ran down the bare side of her body. Rowan’s eyes kept coming back to her perfect curves."

    sha "The song from before was a...training aid from back then..."
    sha "Sister knows magic and intrigue. But, my arts are beauty and grace. Pleasure, too. I serve them as a sculptor serves his art or a singer serves hers."
    sha "I’m good at it. I make people happy. Who would not enjoy making people happy?"

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "Rowan’s mind was still, however, on the song that she had carried even while in the midst of pleasuring him."
        ro "The song was beautiful. But, it wasn't very happy, was it?"
        show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
        sha "The best songs seldom are."
        ro "The impression I get from it is...that the courtesan training they give you isn’t very pleasant, is it?"
        "Shaya nudged his shoulder gently."
        sha "Not all the girls come entirely willing. But, we needn’t discuss such things. What man truly wishes to think of such things in the bed of a beautiful woman?"
        sha "When one eats a fine cake, they ought to consider the splendid flavor. Not the apprenticeship experiences of the baker."

        menu:
            "Agree.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback
                ro "You’re right, I suppose. It’s not something a normal man concerns himself with here, is it?"
                ro "But, you never know. Maybe I have a strange fetish for empathy. Surely you’ve encountered rarer kinks than that?"
                "Shaya giggled."
                sha "Then empathy? My word. You’re scandalizing me. Are you about to suggest something so unchaste as holding hands next?"

            "Disagree.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback
                ro "Maybe. But, when I eat a cake, I’m not eating a person. Maybe if it was a person, I’d care a lot more about how it came to my plate."
                "Shaya’s bangles rang slightly. She brought her wrist to the front of her veil and sniffed at her own hand."
                sha "A strange sentiment. Who is to say that a cake isn’t alive? That it doesn’t feel it every time you bite into it? Were that it could, would you know?"
                sha "Further, who is to say that I am not a cake? I’ve been told I’m quite delicious by men who’ve been with me in the past. You could have a taste for yourself if you’d like, Rowan."
                "She giggled into her hand."
                sha "You do me an undeserved honour with your concern. But, it is appreciated nonetheless. You’re a kind man."


    "He let himself go back in the conversation and considered her question from before. Who wouldn’t enjoy making people happy?"

    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
    # $ shayaClue5 = True
    # $ shayaClueScore += 1

    "The question had been rhetorical, but Rowan couldn’t help but think of an answer to it."

    ro "But, Jezera…"

    sha "...Is my best friend. She’s the entire world to me, and has been my entire life. If I can ply my trade for her benefit, that’s all the better."

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. He had rarely even heard anything pertaining to Shaya outside the context of Jezera. Just what was the friendship between the two of them?"

    if shayaClue4:
        "The only thing he had to go on was what Alexia had told him…"

    ro "You really love her, don’t you?"

    #shaya annnoyed
    show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

    sha "It is bad form to accuse a courtesan of loving anyone, Sir Rowan. A whore in love is a failed whore."

    #shaya neutral

    sha "..."

    #shaya sad

    sha "But, yes. I love her with all my heart."

    "She giggled to herself in a low tone."

    sha "Perhaps I am not quite so good at this as you’d have me believe."

    "Rowan laughed."

    ro "I wouldn’t say that at all. Not at all."

    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "They sat and chatted for a little longer. For all of her meek and deferential demeanor, Shaya was a surprisingly excellent conversationalist. Witty and capable of speaking on a wide range of topics."
    "Rowan’s mind started to fixate on one particular thing though…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Why the veil? I had thought it a part of the costume at first. But, I do not believe I’ve seen you without it."

    sha "A question I field often when around a customer for long enough. I’ve heard that it catches the eye."
    sha "I like to think about the meaning behind objects. When I’m not working, of course. To a courtesan, a veil is a barrier. Feelings and the Art. Behind it is the truth. In front is the performance. But, men and women do not seek me out for the truth, do they?"

    "Rowan’s eyebrows narrowed."

    ro "So you never service customers without it? None of them ever see your face?"

    sha "There would be no point to it. No man has ever chosen to forgo pleasure with me on account of such a mere trifling. "

    menu:
        "Ask to see her face.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback
            label shayaSeeFace_rp:
                ro "What if I was the first?"
                ro "I’m not just some thrill seeker visiting the brothel. You’re someone who I have to rely on, and someone who has to rely on me."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "I want to know the person I’m trusting. I want to see your face."
                else:
                    ro "If there’s a secret to learn, I want to be the one to learn it. Especially one being held by so beautiful a woman."
                    ro "Show me your face."
                "Shaya brought the back of her slender hand to her mouth and used it to hide a soft giggle. She gave a lazily stretch, arching her back away from the chair. Rowan’s eyes were briefly caught on her breasts."
                sha "More flirtation? I must have had quite a profound effect on you, hrmmm?"
                ro "That’s not an answer to my question."
                sha "..."
                sha "No, one must suppose it isn’t."
                sha "But, I must refuse. I will never allow you...anyone...that privilege. This one thing is private to me. Would you not forgive a woman who sells her body the right to keep one thing for herself?"
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "I hadn’t realized it was so important to you. I’m sorry."
                else:
                    ro "Sounds like there’s no way to convince you, huh?"
                    sha "There is not. But..."
                "A faint smile was visible beneath the veil. She reached out and put a supportive hand on his knee."
                sha " I appreciate the intent, at the very least. At the end of the day, the concern of most men goes as far as a warm hole to do their business."
                show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
                sha "What you want...well that’s a thing I will need to learn for myself, hmm?"
                # $ shayaClue6 = True
                # $ shayaClueScore += 1

        "Let the topic drop.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback
            "Rowan bit his tongue softly. Shaya certainly seemed to be implying that it was private to her. But, still...the curiosity remained."
            menu:
                "Remain silent.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback
                    pass
                "Ask to see her face.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback
                    jump shayaSeeFace_rp


    "Shaya slowly rose from her seat and stretched her arms and legs. She was like a fighter preparing for a battle."

    sha "Let us put a page mark here, shall we? You are too important a man to waste your hours in the afterglow with one such as myself..."

    "She leaned over his chair and nuzzled against his cheek. It was almost a kiss. The smell of her perfume hit his nostrils hard."

    sha "...But, {i}Jezer’aca{/i} has put me at your service whenever it is what you desire. This will not be our last opportunity to speak, w"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sighed."

    ro "You make a good point, Shaya. I’m sure that I’ll have more questions about your...operations to take me back here."
    sha "And I shall be open and eager for said questions. My operations are yours to explore."

    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan thought he saw her smile as he departed, but with the veil obscuring his view it was hard to be sure."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan found himself at his desk again that night. In his hands was the familiar piece of parchment with that one central question at the top."
    "{i}Who is Shaya?{/i}"

    if shayaClue1 == True or shayaClue6 == True or shayaClue7 == True:
        "As he thought back over the encounter, now with the benefit of greater scrutiny, the quill in his hand started to move."
        if shayaClue1 == True:
            "For the first time, Rowan cleared out one of his prior questions and wrote in an answer."
            "Beneath {i}“What place is the Brothel a replica of?”{/i} Rowan put down an answer. {i}“The Empress of Waters. The Brothel she was trained at.”{/i}"
        if shayaClue5 == True:
            "One of the key discussions that stood out to him centered on her training. She had tried to hide it, but whatever had happened to her must have been grueling. Perhaps even traumatic. The song she’d sung had been almost a lament."
            if shayaClue2 == True:
                "Rowan scratched his chin. Was that the reason Jezera considered her trustworthiness beyond reproach? Surely not…"
            "Still, it left him with a new question to add to the page."
            "{i}What happened to Shaya during her training as a courtesan?{/i}"
        if shayaClue6 == True:
            "There was the matter of her veil. Her response to his request to remove it had seemed reasonable. But, how adamant her refusal was stunned him."
            "His eyebrows furrowed."
            if shayaClue4 == True:
                "Yet, he’d heard Alexia tell him that she’d actually seen Shaya’s face before and found her to be a beautiful woman."
                "Why wouldn’t a trained and practicing seductress want to flaunt that element of herself? It was madness. Yet, perhaps that proved that her stated rationale was actually true?"
            else:
                "His mind was left to run rampant speculation on the nature of Shaya’s face. Why else might she refuse to show her face?"
                "Was she ugly? Did she have a scar? Was her face recognizable somehow? Just what was she trying to hide?"
                "Somehow, Rowan felt he’d know so much more about the woman if he could just see her face clearly."
            "He wrote another question on a blank stretch of parchment."
            "{i}Why does Shaya wear a veil?{/i}"

        "When he was finished, he slumped back into his chair. His arms hung loosely at his sides. This was progress, but his curiosity still burned. He’d just have to pay her more visits in the future."
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "What a {i}horrible ordeal{/i} to have to go through to get information."

    else:
        "Yet, every time he put quilt to parchment, he could think of nothing to write. Had he really learned nothing of substance from the entire excursion?"
        "What had he even been doing that entire-"
        show cg647 with fade
        pause 2
        "Right."
        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Instead of continuing his futile efforts to write, Rowan just went deeper into his imagination. Picturing her dance again but this time totally naked. Picturing her those soft supple breasts bouncing this time as she rode his cock."
        "He could almost hear her call out his name in that sing song voice of hers."
        scene black with fade
        show shaya happy at center with dissolve
        sha "{i}Rowan.{/i}"
        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan blinked twice."
        "Today had been a bust, so to speak. But, he’d have to go back and visit her again soon. He wasn’t done investigating her, after all!"
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5


    # $ shayaPrivateShow = False
    # $ shayaSilkAvailable = True
    # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_12.rpy
label helayna_is_acclimating_in_rowans_room_rp:

    $ helaynaTitle = "teacher"
    
    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            jump helAcclimitedSex_rp
        "No":
            pass

    # $ caravan_shop.add_tool("energy_potion")

    #CG of Helayna looking out the window
    scene black with fade

    scene bg9 with fade
    show helayna naked sad at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Since taking Helayna in, Rowan had grown used to her method of welcoming him home after any prolonged absence. Her body immediately offered to him; her begging through both verbal and body language for his cock."
    "If she didn’t throw herself at him immediately, it was because she was asleep– and the moment she awoke, he’d get her wanton welcome with wired, fervent energy."
    "But not today."
    "Today, she was wrapped up in one of the blankets from his bed, sitting on a window bench and staring outside at the mountains visible from his room."
    "Rowan hesitated."

    ro "Helayna?"

    "She didn't reply at first, but the hero could tell that she had heard him due to the shift in her posture. So he approached and sat at the desk nearby her, looking out the window as well. After another minute, she finally answered with a quiver in her voice."

    hel "Rowan… oh, Rowan. What must you think of me and my lack of control?"
    ro "What happened? Did you get the band off?"
    "He glanced over to see Helayna slipping her arm out of the blankets, looking at the accursed jewellery on her left ring finger."

    hel "I’m just…  more myself, today. I can think. "

    "A shudder ran through her body, and she smiled feebly."

    hel "The need for you, the desire… it’s all still there. Still as strong, but I’ve grown used enough to it that I can… wait."

    ro "That’s good, isn’t it?"

    "Helayna fiddled with the ring, twisting it in place."

    hel "… I don’t know. I think I prefer it overpowering me. There was a certain… a certain freedom in that."

    "A shudder ran through her body."

    menu:
        "Rowan told her it wasn't her fault.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            ro "None of what happened was your fault, Helayna. It was Jezera."
            "Helayna laughed quietly, but without mirth. Her shoulders sagged as she finally looked towards Rowan."
            hel "Was it, Rowan? Jezera… didn’t make me want you. She didn’t make me {i}choose{/i} you."
            hel "Damn it all, I thought I’d finally put away that childish fantasy of mine, but as soon as my discipline cracked… no, {i}shattered{/i}, my infatuation for you came forth, stronger than ever."
            jump helMergeA_rp

        "Rowan put his arm around her.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "Rowan stood up and walked over to the bed where they had slept together countless times, now. He intended to put his arm around her, but as soon as he got close, Helayna recoiled away from him, meeting his eyes with guilt and disgust."
            hel "No! Don’t touch me, Rowan. I’m– now that you’re here, I’m already slipping again. And you deserve better than a slatternly wench. You’re married, for Solnasia’s sake."
            hel "Damn it all, I thought I’d finally put away that childish fantasy of mine, but as soon as my discipline cracked… no, shattered, my infatuation for you came forth, stronger than ever."
            jump helMergeA_rp

        "Rowan waited to let her finish.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            jump helMergeB_rp

    label helMergeA_rp:

        menu:
            "Rowan confessed he returned Helayna's love. (Scene)":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                ro "Helayna… don’t call it an infatuation. I love you, too."
                show helayna naked happy at midleft with dissolve
                "For a moment, Helayna’s eyes lit up with a brilliant joy. Rowan hadn’t seen it upon her face in years– first when he agreed to teach her, then when he defended that choice against the men that her uncle sent to recover her."
                "He had seen hints of it every time he praised her or favoured her with a smile. Tears glistened in her eyes."
                show helayna naked sad at midleft with dissolve
                "Then her expression fell, and those tears began to trickle down her face as her shoulders shuddered with grief."
                hel "T-this… no, Rowan, this is a love that should never have been consummated.  You were forced to break your vows to Alexia, and… and I besmirched the honour of my household. Nobility and peasants should never mix."
                "Another shudder ran through her."
                hel "The thing t-that… that {i}horrifies{/i} me is how happy I’ve been here, Rowan. My family, all of my people– killed, enslaved… and here I am, living out girlish fantasies of being your lover."
                hel "I haven’t even {i}grieved{/i} for them… and even as I say this, I’m drenching the bed sheets beneath me."
                hel "You… I’d accepted that we could never be together, that you were already married to Alexia, but…"
                "She swallowed thickly and gripped white-knuckled over the ring that despaired her so."
                hel " Rowan, I… I can’t stay here. I can’t be with you. You need to help me. You need to help me escape, before this goes any further. We can’t let the demons win. Oh, the things I see in my dreams…"
                menu:
                    "Rowan kissed her. (Scene)":
                        # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                        show helayna naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        "Instead of answering her, Rowan moved forward. Such was Helayna’s distraught that she didn’t react quickly enough to escape him, pulled into a deep kiss. After a short stiffening, she melted into his arms and eagerly returned his affections."
                        ro "This isn’t evil, Helayna… our love is something Jezera never could have created. You didn’t care before that I was a peasant, and now? I don’t care that you’re a noble."
                        ro "And Alexia…"
                        ro "We’ll figure it out."
                        "The blankets that had shrouded Helayna’s form fell away, revealing her nude body, aquiver and awash with arousal."
                        "Helayna pulled back from Rowan for a moment to brush tears from her eyes, loving eyes rapt on his face as she whispered words from a tragic Rosarian poem."
                        hel "Here we two lovers lie, under a blackened sky."
                        hel "Until now our love was forbidden, but dark has revealed what was hidden."
                        "Then her expression shifted from whimsical to hungry and she rushed forward into Rowan's arms for another deep kiss."
                        jump helAcclimitedSex_rp

                    "Rowan resolved to help Helayna escape.":
                        # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                        jump helMergeC_rp

                    "It would be too dangerous to help her, for both of them.":
                        # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                        jump helMergeD_rp

            "Rowan waited to let her finish.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump helMergeB_rp

    label helMergeB_rp:

        "Rowan didn't say anything, letting the former knight continue at her own pace."

        "Helayna took in a shaking breath, steadying her shoulders."

        show helayna naked sad at midleft with dissolve
        hel "All I want to do now is redeem myself. In your eyes and my own, if not Solanasia’s."

        "Now she averted her eyes from him, oddly both embarrassed and shy. Grief touched her smile."

        hel "Rowan… great hero of Rosaria… I beg you to help me get away from this place."
        hel "We can’t be together. I need to escape, come what may, lest I ruin us both. If I don’t, I fear that we will both become monsters."

        menu:
            "Rowan resolved to help Helayna escape.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump helMergeC_rp

            "It would be too dangerous to help her, for both of them.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                jump helMergeD_rp

    label helMergeC_rp:

        ro "Helayna…"
        ro "… Of course. I’ll find a way to get you out of here. The portals would be easiest, but there’s no way I’d be able to sneak you out through one. You’ll have to brave the Rakshan Wastes."
        ro "We’ll need to plan out the journey. The safest route will be to the Empire of Sand–"

        show helayna naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

        hel "No… no, I’m not going to run away from these problems, Rowan. I can’t stay here with you, but…"
        hel "I’ll find some way to help you. I may be disgraced, but I’m still a knight."

        ro "Helping me means helping the demons who are trying to conquer the Six Realms, Helayna."

        #hel embarassed
        hel "Yes… but… you’ve always been my hero, Rowan. And your confessions each night haven’t fallen on deaf ears. You’ll do what you need to do to survive, and perhaps with time… we can bring them down from within, or at least soften the damage they do. I have faith in you."

        ro "What you’re suggesting is an incredible risk, Helayna. There are many creatures in the Wastes that could take advantage of that curse to do horrible things to you, to say nothing of the bandits and orcs you could encounter."

        hel "Thank you for caring, Rowan, but please… just get me some armour, a weapon, and a way from these walls. I can ask no more of you than that. I’ll handle the rest. I must. "

        ro "… Alright. If you’re certain. It’s best we start our plans as soon as possible. It might take weeks before we can get you out of here."

        show helayna naked happy at midleft with dissolve
        hel "Thank you, Rowan. This is a great risk, and I know your masters won’t be happy to learn I’m gone. If I can ask one final thing… "
        hel "Please help me keep my lusts in check while I remain in your care."

        ro "Of course, I promise."

        #Rowan will attempt to help Helayna escape in 5 weeks (TODO)
        # $ helayna_escape_method = 'rowan'
        return

    label helMergeD_rp:

        ro "No, Helayna. It’s too dangerous… and the risk far outweighs the reward if we’re caught. I don’t want to imagine what the twins would do to punish us."

        show helayna naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
        hel "You’re my hero, Rowan. My only hope."

        show helayna naked sad at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I'm sorry, Helayna. I’m… I’m going to take a walk. Let’s forget we had this conversation."

        #Helayna will escape without Rowan's help in 5 weeks
        # $ helayna_escape_method = 'without rowan'
        return

    label helAcclimitedSex_rp:

        #naked Helayna stradling clothed Rowan's lap on the windowsill CG
        scene cg136 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg136
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg136
        pause 3

        "Rowan gathered Helayna in his arms, kissing her as he stumbled back towards the windowsill. There he dropped down, back pressed against the sturdy glass as she settled in to straddle his lap."
        "Helayna kissed him ravenously, her hands running over her back while her hips worked in urgent rolls, grinding her sodden cunt down against his covered crotch."
        "To help her along, Rowan tried to work his hands underneath her to let loose his hard shaft."
        "It wasn’t happening quick enough for Helayna’s liking, which only made it harder for him to unbuckle his belt. She opted instead to ride his fingers, desperate for her pussy to touch his flesh."
        "The hero decided to humour her by working his digits into her snatch, causing her to moan loudly into his mouth."
        "Helayna had claimed the lust for him was still there during the conversation, and her body promptly proved that: her moan accompanied her fuckhole’s quivering, and a trousers-staining gush of her juices."
        "Helayna broke the kiss, glassy-eyed and breathing hard, unashamed of the ease with which he brought her to climax."

        ro "Already? I didn’t realise you liked my fingers so much, Helayna. Just look at the mess you’ve made of me."

        "A breathless giggle escaped Helayna, wetting her lips before purring out a hedonistic promise."

        hel "I, ha, can, hah, keep going."

        "It was a promise she made good on. Though the rest of her body shaked, her hands moved with surety to unbuckle his belt and guide his cock into her waiting hole, aquiver and lustful. She moved fluidly, moaning and crying out for all the castle to hear."
        "Again and again she came around Rowan, but he held off his inevitable release for her sake, until–"

        ro "Helayna, I’m going to–"

        scene cg125 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg125
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg125
        pause 3

        "She obviously knew from the twitch of his cock. With feline grace, Helayna slipped down between his spreading knees, kneeling in supplication. Her hand grasped hold of his cock while her mouth dived in low, locking around his crown, urging his orgasm on with suckles and tongue."

        ro "Oh, Goddess, Helayna…!"

        "Finding the current situation a little overstimulating, Rowan put a hand on his lover's head. Instantly she reacted to his touch, adjusting her pace and depth at the slightest pressure to match what he wanted."
        "It was almost too much. Groaning, Rowan put his hand on his lover’s head. She immediately reacted to his touch, adjusting her pace accordingly from the slightest pressure. Though she slowed, she was no less passionate for it."
        "The combined current stimulation, aroused state, and lewd thoughts that were racing through his head quickly brought the man to his peak and he used his hand to push his lover's face all the way down to the hilt."
        "Finally, driven by impulse, Rowan pushed Helayna’s head down until he was hilted within her mouth. The way she swallowed as he began spewing his cum down her throat had him hissing in overwhelmed pleasure."
        "There was something deviant and mischievous about the way she hummed around him, her other hand lifting to massage his thigh in appreciation. She pulled back gradually, giving his crown one last revolution of her tongue."

        scene cg126 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg126
        show helayna naked aroused behind cg126
        pause 3

        "Then she popped off him with a backward flick of her head, mouth opening to show him her cum-stained tongue. Proving just how right he was earlier, the noblewoman swallowed his commonborn sperm a moment later."

        hel "Thank you… so much, Rowan. It feels so good to make you cum… and you taste so wonderful…"

        "Rowan laughed hoarsely, presuming it to all be over. He started to stroke her hair."
        "But Helayna had never been like other noblewomen. When she lived with Rowan and Alexia, she hadn’t ever expected Alexia to clean up after her."
        "She wrapped her arms around his back and squeezed in, bowing her head over his flaccid, dripping cock to begin addressing her mess. Rowan groaned from the tickle of her warm breath as she whispered over him."

        hel "Never again, Rowan. I’ll never push you away again… I love you, my hero."

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        show helayna 2 happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You sure you're alright?"
        hel "Yes… I think I can control the urges from the ring, so long as I don’t go too long without you."

        show helayna 2 aroused at midleft with dissolve

    return

# \events\ruler_events_20.rpy
label what_is_precious_to_me_rp:

    "Did Rowan get a blowjob from Skordred? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ skordred_bj = True
        "No":
            $ skordred_bj = False

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg20 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "Skordred?"

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "(Wait, what happened here?)"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The workshop was in quite the state of disorder, with its owner nowhere to be seen. It looked as if the dwarf had been working on a sculpture, but it had fallen to the floor and fallen apart. No, this had been deliberately destroyed."

    ro "(Oh.)"

    "Looking closer, Rowan realized that this wasn't any statue, it was probably of him. That was his sword, another piece partially carved from the rock and probably his hair. There was nothing left of the face, that had been completely destroyed."

    ro "(Okay, now I'm worried.  Where is that dwarf?)"

    scene black with fade

    "After looking around and asking some of his staff, Rowan determined that Skordred had been missing for most of the day. The build and salvage teams were working alone, making this absence very uncharacteristic for their superior."

    scene bg3 with fade

    "He left Bloodmeen and headed into the forests, towards the mountains that Skordred had spent five years as a hermit. He didn't know exactly where the cave would be, but he was confident enough in his tracking skills that he'd find it eventually."

    scene black with fade

    "Luckily enough the dwarf hadn't exactly been hiding it, as there were clear wheel tracks running through the forest right up to the entrance."

    scene cg467 with fade
    show skordred neutral behind cg467
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg467
    pause 3

    "After giving a moment for his eyes to adjust to the dark interior, Rowan could see the dark dwarf sitting in the middle of a room surrounded by stones of various colours and sizes. The man was naked, facing away from him, his robes folded neatly to the side."

    sk "Who be ye, who disturbs my sanctuary?"
    ro "Rowan."
    sk "Why are ya here?!"
    ro "I was worried about you, since it's mid afternoon and no one's seen you since breakfast."

    "The dwarf moved for the first time, turning his head to look back at Rowan and out the cave entrance."

    sk "Has it been tha long?  I... apologize. I shall be more mindful of my duties."

    "He began to rise from the floor, but stopped when Rowan waved him off."

    ro "Wait, I saw the smashed statue in your workshop. Does that have something to do with why you're here?"

    "Skordred settled back down and resumed his hunched, contemplative stance."

    sk "Aye.  Karnas hated you. He hated all the heroes, he would never have wanted ya as a proper champion. In a dream, my lord told me to destroy you, so I did. He said he'd take me back, that he'd love me again."

    "Rowan stepped inside, getting closer to the dwarf and saw for the first time that Skordred was crying."

    ro "Love you again?"
    sk " As the war went on, my master grew angry and paranoid. He lashed out at everyone, refused the touch and comfort of all us. All he said was that he wanted his enemies destroyed, he cared for nothing else. He was no longer the master had known, the master I loved. Ya killed him."
    ro "Denara and Solansia killed him, I was just there."
    sk "No, Karnas was already dead then. Ya, the general who brought down his armies and pushed them back to Bloodmeen, ya are the one who killed him. From yar own lips I heard ya say the war was already over when you came to Bloodmeen."

    "Now his hostility made sense. Rowan wasn't sure how to respond to this man who blamed him for so much, yet his duties forced to follow."

    sk "Now I have new masters, however I canny deny tha yar the one who is the true power here. I've seen what you've done for Andras and Jezera in tha short time you've been here. Ya, who took the world from chaos, will be the one to give it back."
    sk "Tha is why I must complete yer statue. However, I canny decide what stone represents ya."

    "He spread his arms wide as he spoke."

    sk "Which would you say is your stone?"

    "Rowan looked about the room, noticing that the rocks around him were of all kinds, probably from all corners of the Six Realms!"

    ro "Where did you get all these?"
    sk "Cla-Min, I have paid her a great deal over tha last year for a proper collection."
    ro "I'm not that familiar with stone, is there some other way I can help you?"

    "A long moment of silence passed between them, leaving Rowan feeling that perhaps he'd given the wrong answer."

    if skordred_bj == True:

        sk "I've already tasted ye, what is a little more?"
        ro "I'm sorry?"

        "Suddenly the dwarf adjusted his pose, unfolding his legs and leaning forwards so that he was on all fours and presenting his backside to Rowan."

        sk "To complete your statue, I need to understand yar passion better, show me! Take me! Use me like a proper champion of Kharos!"

        menu:
            "Fuck Skordred. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                jump skorCaveSex_rp

            "Don't fuck Skordred.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "No, I don't think so."
                "The dwarf resumed his original seated pose."

    else:
        pass

    sk "Then I shall have to hear yar story so I can understand what kind a man ye are."
    ro "Alright, I'll tell you a story or two every week at breakfast, how does that sound?"

    "The dwarf picked up his garments off of the floor and stood."

    sk "Tha will work. I am finished here, for now. I shall return to my duties."

    "Satisfied as well, Rowan left the dwarf to get dressed and return to the castle on his own. After all, there were still duties of stewardship of his own to deal with."

    return

    label skorCaveSex_rp:

        "Rowan's mind went back to the time that he was being measured for the statue and the dwarf's mouth on his member. It wasn't the most enjoyable of experiences, but the heat and feel of the dark skinned man. There was definitely something enticing there."

        ro "Alright."

        scene cavesexanimation with fade
        show skordred neutral behind cavesexanimation
        show rowan necklace naked behind cavesexanimation

        "Rowan removed his clothes and stepped behind the dwarf.  As he placed his hands on either side of the dwarf's firm well-muscled backside, he noticed Skordred fumbling in his clothes for a moment before holding up a bottle of some kind"

        sk "If ya don't mind, I'd appreciate if ya used this first. Rather not go bareback, yar not a demon after all."

        "It turned out to be a rather oily lubricant, which Rowan spread over his member before positioning himself at Skordred's back entrance. Already the dwarf felt hot to the touch, what would his insides feel like?"
        "He pushed forward, easily passing inside and being enveloped by the dwarf."

        sk "Oh ho, it's been ta long since I had a man in me."

        "There was virtually no resistance, Skordred obviously wasn't lying about previous experience. Nor did he have any trouble providing ample stimulation on Rowan's member as he fucked the dwarf."

        sk "Naw, show me yer passion!  Fuck me!"

        if rowanCorrupt < 29:

            "There was only one way this felt natural to Rowan, which was to take it slow and relish the sensations. He wanted to make his partner feel just as good as he did, so at the same time as he pumped his shaft in and out he reached around and gripped Skordred's fat, semi-hard member."

            sk "Now wha's this? Yer fucking me like I was a girl!"

            "Smirking, Rowan pinched and jerked the dwarf's cock for a few moments to get it completely hard and chuckled in response."

            ro "What's wrong with that? You asked me to know how I love, what my passion is. Based on your dick, I'd say you're enjoying it."

            "The dwarf merely grumbled, but his cock was rock hard under Rowan's fingers. So evidently he was enjoying the treatment regardless."

        elif (rowanCorrupt > 28) and (rowanCorrupt < 59):

            "What were his passions? What were his desires? What were his emotions?"

            "Rowan pushed in hard, trying to show the heights he could go to the dwarf. This was what he wanted, right? To be used as a receptacle for those lusts. So Rowan took him with vigour."

            sk "Haha! Yes! This is what I wanted!"

            "Continuing the rapid pace of his ponding, Rowan reached around and grabbed at Skordred's cock, discovering it already rock hard. Well, if he was already fine then he probably could just focus on his own pleasure."
            "So he did, fucking the dwarf's hot, slick insides at full speed. Skordred had no trouble taking him again and again, driving Rowan closer and closer to his peak."

        else:

            "Rowan didn't much care what Skordred wanted at this point, he was going to do things the way he wanted to."
            "Things went into overdrive, with loud wet sounds of him bottoming out over and over again, slapping his balls on Skordred's own with almost each pump."

            sk "Aye, this is not wha-"
            ro "Shut up."

            "Skordred did so, taking everything that Rowan had to throw at him as he took his pleasure out of the dwarf. Whether or not his partner was enjoying it was irrelevant, what mattered was what Rowan wanted now."


        #cumshot cg
        show cg468 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        scene cg469 with flash
        pause 0.5
        show cg470 with dissolve
        show skordred neutral behind cg470
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg470

        "A low growl escaped Skordred's lips and he clamped down hard on Rowan's shaft. Wet squirting and the smell of cum filled the air as the dwarf came from his rectal penetration. The hero wasn't too far behind him, dumping his load inside, then drawing a small trail when he pulled out."
        "Several pants escaped both of their lips before either spoke a word."

        sk "Thank ye. I am finished here, for now. I shall return to my duties."

        "He reached over to take his clothes, then felt at his backside for the trail of Rowan's cum flowing down his rear."

        sk "Perhaps I will need a little time to contemplate this passion?"
        ro "Pff, don't be ridiculous. Look, if we're going to be fucking on the regular, I kinda want you to know me outside the bedroom too. I've heard some of your stories, why don't I tell you some of mine?"
        sk "If thas what ye want, very well."

        "Satisfied, Rowan left the dwarf to get dressed and return to the castle on his own. After all, there were still duties of stewardship of his own to deal with."

        # $ skordred_fuck = True
        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_22.rpy
label threes_company_rp:

    $ elfSex = True
    $ elfDom = True
    $ skillCheck = "success" # Pass skill checks
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ helayna_escaped = False
    $ helaynaConfession = True
    $ roAlRel = 0
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
    $ greyhideRelationship = ''
    $ RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesome = False
    $ rowanFutaSuck = False
    $ rowanFutaAnal = False
    $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 0
    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False

    # Replay mod: You would normally need Alexia to be corrupt and Rowan and/or Alexia to have been unfaithful
    #              with multiple people so you can get enough threesomePersuadeScore to reach the scene. But we
    #              will just inflate the score to 5 (instead of 0) so the user can see any scene variation.

    $ threesomePersuadeScore = 5

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ LiurialThreesomeAllowed = True
            $ threesomePersuadeScore = 20
            $ admitElfSex = False
            jump elfThreesomeResolutionSkip_rp
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan or Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Yes - Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither are":
            pass

    "Have Rowan and Alexia been faithful to reach other? (only affects dialogue; 'futa' and 'gay' options are only extra dialogue and not CG)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ elfSex = False
            $ elfDom = False
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = False
        "No":
            pass
        "No (with NTR)":
            $ greyhideRelationship = 'alexia'
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaJezeraSex = 10
            $ alexiaAndrasSex = 10
        "No (with Futa-on-female)":
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 10
            $ alexiaFuta = True
        "No (with Gay or/and Futa-on-male)":
            $ RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesome = True
            $ greyhideRelationship = 'rowan'
            $ rowanFutaSuck = True
            $ rowanFutaAnal = True


    $ persuadeProtect = False
    $ persuadePartners = False
    $ persuadeShare = False
    $ persuadeCompetition = False

    $ protectPoints = False
    $ partnerPoints = False
    $ sharePoints = False
    $ competitionPoints = False
    $ admitElfSex = False

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    if elfSex:
        "Rowan had been in his room, appreciating his last day of relative tranquility, when Liurial arrived. Her visit had not been unexpected. He’d asked her to visit before he left to ensure he left her with instructions for the time he was gone."
        "But, from the moment she arrived, he knew she had trouble on her mind. There was that tell-tale look in her eyes that suggested naughty thoughts were lurking inside."
        "She placed one knee on the bed and clutched at the wooden footboard with her small hands."
        liur "Sir, I apologize for the undue interruption. But, my legs are rather sore. I had to do a great deal of walking today. May I please lay on your bed while we speak?"
        "Rowan scrunched his eyebrows."
        ro "That sounds...acceptable."
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
        "Liurial reclined over his covers, squirming softly. It was the shallowest facsimile of trying to find a comfortable position. Instead, all she was doing was contouring her body into ‘distracting’ poses."
        "Rowan tried to go on speaking, focused on his work. But, his secretary’s obvious intentions were starting to distract him. By now she was reclining forward, her meager but firm cleavage positioned towards him invitingly."
        liur "Rowan…."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Funny. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you didn’t come here to work."
        liur "Sirrrrrr. I did come to work. I promise. But, when we’re alone together here, it’s normally for...erm...another purpose. So my mind started going places."
        "Rowan shook his head. Despite himself, he was smiling. Being around her when she was like this did things to his head."
        ro "You’re incorrigible."
        liur "Mmmf. Yes..."
        "He drew closer."
        ro "Now now, what am I to do with you? Such a disobedient subordinate, coming here to waste my time."
        if elfDom:
            ro "The type that needs a punishment…."
            ro "A shame we aren’t in the dungeon...there aren’t so many toys here."
            "The rise and fall of her chest grew more pronounced. This was exactly the sort of talk she craved."
            liur "...Do you really need such things? You have so much ingenuity Sir. Surely there are all sorts of ways you could teach a disobedient girl like me a lesson in your room. "
            "He raised an eyebrow. It had been a submissive statement. But there was almost something of a challenge behind it."
        else:
            ro "We’re going to need to find a different activity to engage in. One a girl with such little self control is more suited for."
            "Liurial’s breath quickened and her legs parted slightly."
        "But, there would not be a chance to take this blooming moment to its fruition. They were about to have company."
        show liurial aroused at edgeright with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with moveinleft
        al "Ah, Rowan you’re here! I was hoping to have a chance to see you before-"
        "Rowan’s wife blinked twice, as she processed the scene she walked in on. Rowan’s jaw hung slightly. "
        show liurial sad at edgeright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        al "..."
        ro "..."
        liur "..."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Rowan. Dear."
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
            al "Would you please explain to me who this under-dressed young woman is and why she’s laying spread out in your bed?"
        else:
            al "Would you please explain to me who this under-dressed young woman is and why she’s laying spread out in our bed?"
        "Liurial threw herself into a ball, covering herself with her arms. Her eyes ducked under her bangs, for that little bit of cover. It was left to Rowan to turn to face his wife, tongue tied."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        ro "Alexia! It’s, er, good to see you. I know this doesn’t look good. But, you might get the wrong impression from -"
        al "Well that’s good. I don’t much like the impression I’m getting."
        liur "H-hello, Lady Alexia?"
        "Alexia raised an eyebrow."
        al "Lady?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        "This wasn’t good. If she interrogated Liurial, there was a better than even chance his secretary would crack like an egg. He put on a fake smile and approached her."
        ro "I should explain. I’ve told you about my secretary Liurial before, dear? She came on official business. And her legs cramped up so I offered for her to sit in the bed. You just happened to come in right as she was stretching."
        ro "Just a silly misunderstanding."
        al "Stretching?"
        "She tightened her jaw."
        al "...It’s a...pleasure to meet you, Liurial…I’ve heard a good deal about you…"
        liur "You as well, my Lady. Sir speaks highly of you whenever you are mentioned at work. In particular of your beauty and grace."
        al "I’m sure he has plenty of time alone with you to discuss me. But, it’s good he remembered my name."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Okay, this was only getting worse. He needed to do something. Now."
        ro "Alexia. Would it be possible for us to go into the hallway to have a quick conversation?"
        al "That sounds...wise. "
        "He turned back to Liurial, who had exhaled the moment that Alexia agreed to turn her focus off of the elf."
        ro "Mind waiting here, Liurial? It might be a little bit, but we should talk after."
        liur "Of course, Sir. I can wait."
        hide alexia with moveoutleft
        hide rowan with moveoutleft
        "Alexia led Rowan off into the hallway, closing the door behind them. He counted himself lucky he wasn’t getting dragged by the ear."

    else:
        "Rowan tapped his foot and crossed his arms. His intention had been to give Liurial instructions for the following week while he was out of the castle. But, she kept distracting him."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial happy at midright with dissolve
        "Whenever he started speaking, she’d go and collect some of the dirty clothes from the floor or make his bed. She was still engaged in the conversation, but he was starting to find it maddeningly."
        ro "Liurial, while your diligence is....appreciated, it’s not always necessary."
        ro "There are maids to clean my room. They just won’t be here until I leave tomorrow. You needn’t trouble yourself with a task like laundry."
        "She beamed back at him with an innocent smile. The kind that made it hard to be upset at her for the fuss."
        liur "It’s no trouble, Rowan. Please. While I’m here I can do something useful while we speak."
        ro "...Continue then..."
        "This wasn’t the first time he’d dealt with this habit of hers. There were times when they were at their desks and she’d distract him with her habitual organization and reorganization of papers.How she focused on anything was a small wonder."
        "With some effort, Rowan brought the conversation back to planned tasks. Liurial made a mental checklist of the things he noted, and promised to write them down later. But, before they could get too far, she was back to her innocent antics."
        liur "Ah, Sir, your own shirt is dirty as well. Perhaps I should bring it down to the washroom too?"
        "He blinked twice. His shirt too?"
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I suppose…"
        #shirtless rowan
        "Without thinking, Rowan pulled his shirt over his head. But, he shouldn’t have acted so impulsively. When Rowan exposed his abs to Liurial, he sensed an immediate shift. The elf leaned forward, drawn in by the sight. Her lips parted softly."
        #shirtless
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
        ro "Rowan blushed. He knew of Liurial’s crush on him, of course. How could he not? He knew he should have avoided doing anything to tease the poor girl."
        show rowan necklace aroused at edgeright with moveoutright
        show liurial aroused at midright with moveoutright
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
        "But, that was about to be the least of his worries. Because a moment later, Alexia walked through the door."
        al "Rowan?"
        show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
        show liurial sad at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "..."
        ro "..."
        liur "..."
        al "Rowan. Dear. Who is this? And why is your shirt off?"
        "Rowan turned back with a face twisted in horror. Liurial turned red and hid her face in her hands."
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
            ro "Alexia! You walked in at a horrible time. Liurial here was just helping pick up my laundry. So I was offering her my own shirt because it was stained."
        else:
            ro "Alexia! You walked in at a horrible time. Liurial here was just helping pick up our laundry. So I was offering her my own shirt because it was stained."
        "Liurial gave a shy wave and then immediately brought her hand back to her face. Rowan noted the stain on his shirt with his finger. His wife gazed at it skeptically."
        liur "You m-must be Lady Alexia. I apologize profusely for disturbing you. If you’d like I may leave?"
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Liurial. Rowan has told me about you before?"
        "Her fingers opened a small hole so that Liurial could look up at her with one eye."
        al "I’ve been waiting to meet you for some time. I’ve heard you’ve made his life much easier."
        liur "He is too generous to me. And what he says about you is far kinder. He speaks of your beauty and grace constantly."
        "Alexia pursed her lips."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "I’m sure he has a great many chances to speak of me in all the time you spend together. With his shirt off apparently."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinright
        "Rowan rushed between them. He had to clear this misunderstanding now, before it got too out of hand."
        ro "I know it’s hard to believe. But I was being honest. It really wasn’t what it looked like."
        ro "Perhaps, we can discuss this in the hallway?"
        al "That would be wise, yes. Though, it would be wiser if you put your shirt back on."
        #rowan clothed
        "He looked down. The shirt that had been the cause of so many problems was still in his hands. He gulped and threw it on."
        ro "Can you wait here, Liurial? Hopefully this will just take a minute. But, I can’t promise that."
        liur "O-of course, Sir. Considering the circumstances…"
        hide alexia with moveoutleft
        hide rowan with moveoutleft

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia led her husband a few steps into the hallway, and took an extra look back to ensure that the door was closed behind him. Then, she started her line of questioning in a hushed but aggressive tone."

    if roAlRel > 50:
        al "Care explaining to me what I really just walked in on? Rowan, I want to trust you here. But, it would be pretty normal for a woman in my position to make some assumptions."

    else:
        al "Rowan, you’re going to explain yourself right now. It would be pretty normal for a woman in my position to make some assumptions."

    ro "You mean-"
    al "Rowan. I know what goes on in Bloodmeen behind closed doors. I’ve been here for too long now not too."

    if elfSex:
        al "I walked into your bedroom and you have some scantily clad elf girl spread out across the sheets making “fuck me” eyes. That’s not right."

    else:
        al "I walked into your bedroom and found you taking off your shirt while some scantily clad elf girl is ogling you. There are only a few things it would suggest."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She took in a deep breath and then exhaled. Her eyes shone up at him with piercing intensity."

    al "Rowan..."
    al "Do you have a relationship with your secretary? Are you sleeping with her?"

    label admitLiurMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Yes, I am.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if elfSex == False:
                    "For some strange reason, Rowan was actually considering telling her that he was sleeping with Liurial...despite having rejected all of her overtures."
                    "Surely, this would not be a very intelligent choice, since it would just piss her Alexia when the truth was a much better option."
                    "The only possible reason for him to do something like this was if he wanted to piss her off?"
                    menu:
                        "Pretend to have slept with Liurial?":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            pass
                        "Make Good Choices.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            jump admitLiurMenu_rp
                else:
                    pass
                $ admitElfSex = True
                "Rowan shifted in place slightly, not fully able to meet the intensity of his wife’s stare."
                ro "I wouldn’t exactly call it a relationship...and that isn’t the reason why she came today, actually."
                al "But, you have slept with her, right?"
                "Rowan didn’t say the words, allowed. But, he didn’t have to. She went silent for a minute, as if just taking in the information. And when she did decide on a course of action…"
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                show bg14 with sshake
                "...Her hand was in the air coming at his face. He had the reflexes to dodge of course, but this was a situation where he just had to take the blow outright."
                ro "Ow."
                al "That’s for not telling me sooner. And lying the first time I asked you."
                "She crossed her arms back over her chest."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    al "How could you, Rowan? We have a marriage. A bond. It’s not right for you to be doing things like that. Not right."
                else:
                    al "There’s many things you could do without pissing me off at this point, Rowan. Many things. But lying to me. Taking this...this…"
                    "She grit her teeth, probably to hold back a rude word."
                    al "Taking her back to your room and lying to me about it is one of those things that I just can’t accept you doing whenever you want."
                al " I want you to explain to me right now why I shouldn’t walk in there and scream that poor girl’s head off."
                ro "Well…"
                ro "If it’s anyone’s fault it’s mine. I’m the one to scream at. I’m the one with all the power in my interactions with her. She looks up to me and relies on me. Her wanting it was natural. And she didn’t lie to you. I’m the one at fault here."
                al "That’s an excellent point. I should be mad at you. I should be {i}furious{/i} at you."
                "She paused to catch her breath. This was the dressing down he should have expected, of course. But, he was surprised she hadn’t started crying or broken into a more extreme reaction."
                if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                    "Certainly, this was nothing compared to her rage at the Helayna situation. Yet, that seemed like a much better justified thing to have done."
                "Perhaps there was a chance here to head off a further storm from Alexia? While she was gathering his words he could apologize…"
                menu:
                    "Apologize. (Scene Route)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        label threesomeApologize_rp:
                            ro "Alexia. You’re right. I shouldn’t have slept with Liurial. And what’s worse, I shouldn’t have tried to lie or hide it from you."
                            ro "I'm sorry."
                            al "..."
                            ro "..."
                            "He waited for Alexia to respond to the apology, but it seemed that she left room open for him to keep talking. It would be a mistake not to take it."
                            ro "If it helps...I’ve never said that I love her or remotely suggested to her that she’s as important to me as you. It’s been mostly a...casual thing."
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            al "I suppose that is preferable…"
                            "Alexia ran a hand through her hair."
                            if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                                al "I don’t know what to do. After you brought back Helayna, I was so mad. Should I shout your head off? Should I let it slide? "
                            else:
                                al "I don’t know what to do. Should I shout your head off? Should I let it slide?"
                            ro "You’re not asking me to pick are-"
                            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            al "No, you silly idiot. I am asking {i}myself{/i}. How can I possibly mentally handle something like this?"
                            "He lowered his eyes to the ground."
                            ro "…I wasn’t trying to hurt, Alexia."
                            al "Then what {i}were{/i} you trying to do?"
                            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            al "Actually, maybe…"
                            al "..."
                            "Her left hand ran up and down her other forearm. Her posture was unbalanced, asymmetrical."
                            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            al "Rowan, I have to believe that you have some kind of good reason that’s more compelling than “because she was sexy”."
                            al "So, I’m going to give you a chance to explain yourself. You have tell me why I should look past this and maybe even approve whatever it is."
                            show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
                            ro "Approve?"
                            al "I don’t know. I don’t know. Just get talking, Mister. And whatever you say had better be good."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                            "He rubbed his chin. Rowan was not enough of a fool to ignore that Alexia had thrown him a small life raft here."
                            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                                "It was a sign of how much things had changed. She never would have even tried to hear him out before. But, then again, Rowan never would have fucked his secretary before…"
                            elif alexiaAndrasSex > 0 or alexiaJezeraSex > 0:
                                "It was a frankly confusing level of leniency. Rowan couldn’t quite tell where this willingness to hear him out was coming from."
                            elif raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                                "It was a different reaction entirely from when he’d brought Helayna into the castle. But, that had been many months prior. Perhaps her stance on Rowan straying from the strict bounds of marriage had softened?"
                                "...Or perhaps she’d even come to regret her distraught reaction in that situation?"
                                "It all made Rowan’s head hurt."
                            else:
                                pass
                            ro "Alright. How about this…"
                            jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

                    "Refuse to admit fault.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # "{i}Refusing to be contrite will just anger Alexia further. Is this truly the best course of action?{/i}"
                        # menu:
                            # "Yes.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                # pass
                            # "No.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                # jump threesomeApologize_rp

                        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                        ro "You know what? Yell at me all you want. I don’t care."
                        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia’s eyes widened in surprise."
                        al "Excuse me?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        "His face and his heart both hardened. He’d been willing to play this game with Alexia at first. But, considering all they’d been through, there was only so much shit he was willing to take."
                        ro "I don’t regret sleeping with Liurial. The girl likes me and relies on me. It makes her feel safe."
                        ro "And it makes me feel good too. She’s an eager lover. And she has the excitement of a new relationship. Not tainted by years of {i}decay{/i} and resentment."
                        ro "So I’m not sorry I’ve been with her and I don’t intend to stop."
                        "Alexia didn’t say anything. Her face and the way it contorted with first surprise and then rage spoke for her. Finally, she let out a simple exclamation."
                        al "...I see."
                        hide alexia with moveoutleft
                        "And then swiftly walked away. Rowan was left alone, waiting to see if she’d try to come back and continue her tantrum. But, when it was clear she wasn’t returning any time soon, he turned back to the door of his room."
                        "A certain elf was waiting for him."
                        # $ change_relation('alexia', -15)
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                        # $ elfRage = True
                        return


            "No, I’m not. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if elfSex:
                    "Rowan’s first impulse was to say no. To assure Alexia that there was nothing going on between him and Liurial."
                    "But, it would be a lie."
                    "Certainly it would make getting out of this situation easier. But, if he was caught in a lie later, the consequences could be dire indeed. Should he truly lie to her?"
                    menu:
                        "Yes, lie to her. (Scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            pass
                        "No, just admit the truth.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            jump admitLiurMenu_rp

                $ admitElfSex = False
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan met Alexia’s eyes."
                ro "Alexia. Liurial and I are not sleeping together."
                ro "You know me. What you walked into just now was a misunderstanding. That’s all. I promise that Liurial and I have never done anything together you wouldn’t approve of."
                "Alexia tilted her head to the side. The firmness of Rowan’s answer had finally put a dent into her aggressive demeanor."
                al "..."
                al "But, why does she look at you that way? That girl was basically staring at you when I entered. You’d almost think she was drooling."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan chuckled slightly."
                ro "Well that’s easy. It’s because she {i}wants{/i} to sleep with me. I’ve had to tell her no in the past. She’s not insistent on it, but she needs to be reminded from time to time that I’m married."
                ro "That’s why I don’t think your concern is just paranoia. It makes sense."
                al "Oh."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                al "So you turned her down?"
                "He felt that the situation had simmered enough to risk putting a hand on Alexia’s shoulder. Thankfully, she didn’t try to remove it."
                ro "Yes."
                al "You promise?"
                ro "I promise."
                "He gave her a minute to process it. She kept glancing back to the door and the person who was still inside. What she thought of the whole situation was a mystery. Finally, she gave him a peace token in the form of a soft smile."
                al "Well, that’s a relief."
                al "It’s good to know you have that kind of self control. If I’d gone around propositioning men in {i}that outfit{/i} before we were married, most of them wouldn’t say no."
                if elfSex == False:
                    "He thought back on some of Liurial’s prior efforts to entice him to bed her. Certainly, she could not be faulted for a lack of effort."
                else:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "He thought of all the times he’d seen that dress off her too. But, it would be wise not to mention that now."
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "Yeah, she’s rather eager. But, it’s not something you have to get too angry about. Or worse, blame her. She’s really respectful when I say no. And she definitely feels guilty about it."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "She raised an eyebrow."
                al "{i}Huff{/i}. You have said you like her though. As a person?"
                ro "She’s really helpful to have working with me. And it’s nice having someone to rely on at work, who isn’t keeping tabs on me for some nefarious evil."
                "Alexia giggled slightly into her hand."
                al "You think I’d like her then? It’s not like I have many friends here."
                ro "Maybe. She’s been eager to meet you for some time too. It’s a shame it’s under such unfortunate circumstances. "
                al "..."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia went quiet again. Rowan almost asked her to speak her mind, before deciding that would be a very poor idea."
                if elfSex == False:
                    "She did believe him, right? If not, what was she considering?"
                else:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "His heart beat fast. Was she going to call him out in the lie? Maybe there was something else on her mind?"
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                al "In those times when she asked you to sleep with her. Would you have done it if you weren’t married? Or our relationship was open enough to allow that?"
                "His lips parted softly and he sucked in air."
                menu:
                    "I guess. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan didn’t {i}think{/i} the question was a trap. But, this was territory he should be cautious in."
                        ro "I won’t say I haven’t considered it. She is...well, she is very pretty. And it might make managing my relationship with her easier."
                        ro "But, never seriously. I don’t want to betray you. And I’ve made that quite clear to her by now."
                        "But, the answer emboldened Alexia. She leaned forward, arms crossed over her bosom."
                        al "So you want to sleep with her, but haven’t. She wants to sleep with you but you won’t let her because of me. And you haven’t told me any of this?"
                        "Oh. It {i}was{/i} a trap. "
                        ro "I’m sorry. I’m sorry. You’re absolutely right. I should have mentioned it sooner. I didn’t want to burden you with it. Or worse, I was worried you’d tell me to throw her out. But, I {i}need{/i} her help running the castle."
                        al "Well it is a headache, I’ll tell you that much."
                        "She leaned back with a slight chuckle. It didn’t seem like the reaction of someone who was really mad about not having it mentioned..."
                        al "..."
                        al "Do you think I should let you sleep with her then? I guess it’s not really cheating if I give you permission. And you did say the reason you haven’t was for my sake."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        "His throat suddenly became dry. Was she suggesting that she was amenable to some kind of arrangement between him and Liurial?"
                        ro "Yeah, I would like that. I wouldn’t have ever asked. But, you want to know what I honestly want…"
                        al "Well, you’d need to persuade me. Do you have any arguments that you think make a good case?"
                        ro "Well…"
                        "He closed his eyes for a moment, to gather his thoughts."
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore +=2
                        jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

                    "Never!":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        "Rowan chuckled softly."
                        ro "She’s not really my type exactly. It’s not just some wedding band that’s holding me back."
                        if elfSex:
                            "He couldn’t even admit to finding her attractive if he wanted any hope of getting out of this with his lie uncovered..."
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        al "Knowing you, I can see that. Truthfully, I shouldn’t have been so suspicious in the first place."
                        "She snorted softly."
                        ro "Well, if I were in your shoes, I probably would have doubted me too. I mean, you walked in at just the {i}worst{/i} time."
                        al "Let’s go back in then. I think we’ve settled this strange little mess."
                        # if elfSex:
                            # $ elfLie = True
                        jump elfThreesomeResolution_rp


    label threesomePersuadeMenu_rp:

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        menu:
            "“I want to protect her”" if persuadeProtect == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ persuadeProtect = True
                if admitElfSex:
                    "One reason you should be okay with the dynamic I have with Liurial is that I want to protect her. I’ve told you before how she came to be my secretary."
                else:
                    "One reason you should be okay with a dynamic with Liurial is that I want to protect her. I’ve told you before how she came to be my secretary."
                ro "How she came to me for protection. That means effectively, I’m the one in charge of looking after her well being."
                "And…?"
                "Alexia raised an eyebrow."
                ro "{i}And{/i} people in this castle are sexual vultures. If they see vulnerable prey they go in for the kill. If they were to find out Liurial was pining for me but left unfulfilled. They might see her as vulnerable. Manipulate her maybe. Even hurt her."
                if admitElfSex:
                    al "Are you seriously suggesting I should forgive you for sleeping with your secretary...because it will somehow keep her safe? Rowan darling, your penis is not some magic barrier creator. I would know."
                else:
                    al "Are you seriously suggesting I should let you sleep with your secretary...because it will somehow keep her safe? Rowan darling, your penis is not some magic barrier creator. I would know."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "Despite herself, she couldn’t help but giggle at her own turn of phrase. Rowan shrugged."
                ro "I’m not talking idly. Jezera has already made an attempt to do exactly what I said. She made an out and out attempt to seduce Liurial from under me. It didn’t work, thankfully, but it’s not hard to imagine another attempt. "
                "He chose to strategically not mention how poor Jezera’s effort had gone in {i}actually{/i} swaying Liurial."
                if admitElfSex:
                    ro "The best thing I can do to dissuade that is to make sure she doesn’t need to get sex from anyone but me. No opening for someone to exploit. And to make sure any potentially interested suitors are well aware of that fact."
                else:
                    ro "The best thing I can do to dissuade that is to make sure she doesn’t need to get ...well you know… from anyone but me. No opening for someone to exploit. And to make sure any potentially interested suitors are well aware of that fact."
                if alexiaJezObedient:
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    al "Jezera {i}failed{/i} to seduce her? That’s rather hard to believe. She’s very talented at that sort of thing. Or at least, so I’ve heard."
                    "Rowan raised an eyebrow."
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                al "Still, Liurial is a {i}person{/i}. Surely she can make her own sexual choices."
                ro "She {i}did{/i} make a sexual choice. That’s why she’s waiting in the bedroom right now."
                ro "But..."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "He rubbed his temples."
                ro "…you understand that there are people and things in this place that have ways of compelling you to make choices you don’t want to make...but part of you doesn’t totally disprove of."
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30 or alexiaAndrasSex > 0 or alexiaJezeraSex > 0:
                    al "...Yes..."
                "Alexia glanced to the side. At the very least, she wasn’t treating Rowan’s explanation as quite so absurd."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "I shouldn’t leave those things any extra room to work their methods."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                al "Still, it seems wrong to accept the idea that part of what protection means is using her sexually. It sounds like justifying a selfish desire with a ludicrous practical purpose."
                if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                    ro "What about with Helayna? You recall that I had to claim her sexually to keep her safe from everyone else in the castle, don’t you? In that situation, the choice was more direct. But, it’s still the basic logic. If I hadn’t done so she’d have been thrown to the orcs."
                    ro "And you were okay with the Helayna situation."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    ro "Well, not quite {i}okay{/i} with it. But, you at least saw the necessity."
                    if helayna_escaped:
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore +=2
                        $ protectPoints = True
                        "Once more, her expression softened with thought. What she’d at first been scoffing at, it seemed she was taking it seriously."
                        al "I suppose there is {i}some{/i} analogy there. But, in that case there was a direct threat hanging over her."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Between Jezera and Torlene, I would say Liurial is under pretty direct threat."
                        "Alexia tapped her foot."
                        al "But, it’s not as if you have a plan to get Liurial out of the castle, do you? She’s to be a permanent part of our lives, while we’re here. Helayna was temporary."
                        ro "She was temporary maybe. But, it worked. Because I claimed her, no one touched her. It’s strange to think about, I know. But, that’s just how it works here."
                        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia bit her lip."
                        al "Maybe…"
                    #and reconcile is not true false - TODO
                    if helaynaConfession:
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                        $ protectPoints = True
                        "Alexia’s eyebrows narrowed. Rowan had opened the poorly healed wound that was his ongoing relationship with the Duke’s Niece. Bringing it up was a risky point, but probably necessary. "
                        if admitElfSex:
                            al "Are you really going to remind me of Helayna, right now? If you’re trying to convince me you respect our marriage, I don’t advise it."
                        else:
                            al "Are you really going to remind me of Helayna, right now? That seems like a poor strategy."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                        ro "I know. I know. I’m just proving a point, though. You’ve seen that despite her curse and the fact she’s an attractive young woman, people keep away from her. That’s because it’s well known that I'm with her."
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia groaned and swiped at the air."
                        al "Fine. I get it. You can keep people away by making it clear you fucked her. What’s your next argument?"
                    #If Accepted Helayna Confession and Reconciled. - TODO
                        #$ threesomePersuadeScore +=2
                        #$ protectPoints = True
                        #show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        #"Alexia bit her lip."
                        #al "I suppose the Helayna analogy makes sense. You’re saying you had to sleep with her to get people to leave her alone, right? And you think by sleeping with Liurial it puts your flag on her."
                        #ro "Exactly. And you’ve learned to accept Helayna. Hell, you’ve even seen that I can still keep a woman on the side without tearing our marriage apart."
                        #"That Rowan had already worked so hard to persuade his wife to accept Helayna was proving fortunate here. Compared to her open romantic pining for Rowan, Liurial was hardly a threat."
                        #show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        #al "Actually, do you think that Helayna would accept her? It’s not just my approval you have to worry about here."
                        #If Done Liurial-Helayna Scene from Cuck Ala Carte. - TODO
                            #"Rowan could have mentioned the fact that Helayna had not only been aware of their relationship, but even gotten a chance to voyeuristically peer in on the action."
                            #"But, perhaps it would be wiser not to make Alexia feel like the only one not privy to the secret."
                        #show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        #ro "Somehow, I don’t think she would partially mind."
                    else:
                        "That was as good as Rowan felt he could get from her on this point. It was time to move on."
                al "Can you give me a better argument than that?"
                jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

            "“We’ve had other partners before”" if (RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesome or raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna or greyhideRelationship == 'rowan' or greyhideRelationship == 'alexia' or greyhideRelationship == 'poly') and persuadePartners == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ persuadePartners = True
                ro "One good reason to approve of this is the fact that we don’t have an entirely exclusive relationship anymore, all things considered. It’s more, er, open than that."
                "Alexia studied him carefully."
                if greyhideRelationship != '':
                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                    $ partnerPoints = True
                    ro "Think about Greyhide. Since coming here we’ve let him into our relationship in a way we never could have imagined. Even into the bedroom."
                    if greyhideRelationship == 'alexia':
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Considering all the fun you have with him, I’m sure you see why having a partner on the side doesn’t have to be a threat to our relationship. And you know I’ve tried to be supportive of that."
                        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        "She blushed faintly at the reminder of her trysts with the friendly bull."
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    elif greyhideRelationship == 'rowan':
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "You’ve approved of me being with him. And you’ve seen firsthand it doesn’t make me love you any less."
                    else:
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "You’ve seen that we can add a third wheel to our relationship and both find enjoyment from it. Together."
                        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia blushed softly at the reminder of their prior activities together."
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia sighed softly."
                    al "Look. Greyhide is different. We know Greyhide. We trust Greyhide. "
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    if admitElfSex:
                        ro "I trust Liurial. You could learn to trust her too. Decide for yourself if she’s worth having around."
                    else:
                        ro "I trust Liurial more than most people in the castle. You’d have a chance to feel your own comfort with her before assenting to anything, Alexia."
                    al "Right..."
                if RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesome:
                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                    $ partnerPoints = True
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
                    ro "You can hardly forget our times with X’zaratl. The stuff we get to do with her? It’s nothing {i}like{/i} what we could have imagined back in Arthdale."
                    if rowanFutaAnal:
                        ro "As I recall, at her urging you’ve literally grown your own cock and fucked me in the ass."
                    elif rowanFutaSuck:
                        ro "As I recall, at her urging you’ve literally grown your own cock and had me suck on it."
                    elif alexiaFuta:
                        ro "I mean, I was okay with the time when you grew your own cock at her urging."
                    else:
                        pass
                    ro "Compared to {i}all of that{/i}, what’s one simple straightforward elf girl with a crush?"
                    if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence > 7:
                        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        al "I wonder if she would be insulted or honoured by the comparison…"
                        "Alexia’s cheeks colored red. The memory of all the time she spent with the succubus must have been running through her mind. He really hadn’t exaggerated when he suggested Liurial was almost mild by comparison."
                    else:
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        al "X’zaratl is...complicated."
                        "Rowan could see the effectiveness of this line of argument on her face. Her eyes shone with memories."
                        if admitElfSex:
                            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            al "But, you know what isn't complicated with her? She wants us to love each other. I never get cut out of the loop when it comes to her."
                            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        else:
                            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                            ro "Well definitely that. But, it’s also fun and exciting. And proof that what happens when everyone is on the same page doesn’t have to be bad."
                            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            al "That’s true..."
                if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "And then there’s Helayna. I know you were worried about me just running off with her when I first claimed her. You’ve seen I can keep being a good husband regardless of who else is on the side."
                    #and not reconciled - TODO
                    if helayna_escaped == False and admitElfSex and roAlRel < 50:
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore -=1
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia grit her teeth."
                        al "I’m not sure I have, Rowan?"
                        al "..."
                    if helayna_escaped == False and roAlRel > 49 and threesomePersuadeScore > 2:
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        if admitElfSex == False:
                            "Alexia gave him a knowing look."
                        if admitElfSex:
                            al "So many girls you’re keeping on the side. First Helayna. Now you have Liurial too. How many more?"
                            "Alexia had already visibly calmed down enough to crack a few jokes. The fading of her rage gave Rowan hope."
                        else:
                            al "So many girls you’re keeping on the side. First Helayna. Now you want Liurial too. How many more?"
                        al "I have to wonder if this is a power fantasy for you? You’re trapped in this goddess forsaken castle, so you’re off trying to form your own little harem. Is that the way of it?"
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        "Rowan grinned, but didn’t quite deny it."
                if admitElfSex:
                    al "Look, the difference here is that you {i}lied{/i} about Liurial. You had her behind my back."
                    al "It doesn’t matter how many side partners I’ve {i}knowingly{/i} consented to having when it comes to deciding about a woman who you {i}hid{/i} from me."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "His frown returned."
                    ro "Well, I don’t want to hide it from you anymore. I want her in the open. I don’t want to cut you out of loop anymore."
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    al "I suppose that’s admirable. But, that doesn’t mean all is forgiven. I’m still…processing it…"
                    al "So let’s move on from this topic."
                else:
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "We both consented then. Is it so wrong for me to ask for your consent for one more?"
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia didn’t quite answer him. But, his point had seemingly got across."
                jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

            "“We could share her”" if persuadeShare == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ persuadeShare = True
                "Rowan hesitated for a moment before launching into this point. It was certainly one of the more...daring rationales he could give Alexia to accept Liurial. But, he ultimately decided to be bold."
                if admitElfSex:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I’m not sure if this will help you forgive me for the lying part. But, if you want a reason why you should accept keeping Liurial…"
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "If you’re around me and her together for any length of time, you’ll come to see how she views me. In her mind, the fact that I’m her protector basically makes her my possession. She’s told me so herself."
                ro "But...if you think about it, what’s mine is yours."
                "Alexia blinked at him in confusion. But, it turned into a slight squint as the meaning of his words dawned on her."
                ro "And you saw the way she talked to you when you entered the room. All “Lady Alexia”, right? She’s very deferential to me. Because you’re my wife that extends to you."
                if admitElfSex:
                    ro "She’s already perfectly comfortable with me. If I said I wanted her to treat a command from you as one from me, I don’t doubt for a second she’d obey."
                    ro "And if I told her I wanted you to join us sometimes, there would almost certainly not be a real objection from her."
                else:
                    ro "She’s told me that I could do basically whatever I want with her. If I told her the price of finally getting to sleep with me was that she’d have to share the bed with you...I doubt she’d object at all."
                ro "So...maybe you’d be more okay with her if you got your own turns with her too?"
                if greyhideRelationship == 'poly':
                    ro "Kind of like with Greyhide, only more simple because Liurial’s already sworn to obey me anyway."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia stared blankly at him until words finally returned to her."
                    if threesomePersuadeScore > 4:
                        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        al "...Well, I suppose that would be one solution to this entire conversation."
                        ro "One you’re interested in? "
                        "Alexia flushed slightly."
                        al "I will admit, she is...pretty…if I were interested in experimenting, you could have picked someone much worse for the job. It was part of what gave me a heart attack when I came in."
                        al "“Who is this beautiful girl in such a sexual situation with my husband?"
                        al "..."
                        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        al "I wouldn’t want to exploit Liurial though. Feelings for my husband aside, she seems like a nice girl. Perhaps, too vulnerable for her own good, from how you’ve described her."
                        ro "But, if she were willing to consent?"
                        al "Without coercion or pressure?"
                        ro "Yes."
                        "Alexia ran a hand through her hair."
                        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        al "I could see myself enjoying such a thing…but, then again, I don’t even know if I want to agree to letting you keep her at all…"
                        al "Let’s focus on something else…"
                    elif threesomePersuadeScore < 5 and admitElfSex:
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore -=1
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        "Her face slowly hardened. He knew he’d seriously fucked up before she even opened her mouth."
                        al "Rowan. Did you just try to talk your way out of cheating on me by suggesting that you would {i}give{/i} me the girl you cheated with?"
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Uh..."
                        "He tried to find a less absurd spin on what she said.. But, based on how the conversation had been moving, he decided it would be better to change his strategy."
                    else:
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore -=1
                        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        "Then, she began to softly shake her head."
                        al "No."
                        al "That’s just callous. Treating the girl and her choice of partners as a bargaining chip in negotiations."
                        al "If you actually want me to approve a liaison with this girl, you should prove that it’s a good idea to allow. Asking for a threesome is a request, not a gift, Rowan."
                        al "And I still find it rather presumptuous to assume she’d want such a thing. Uncomfortably so."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Right. Sorry…"
                        "He swiftly shifted the line of argument."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=2
                    $ sharePoints = True
                    "Alexia may have been initially surprised by the offer for a threesome. But, a moment later she was nodding along and considering it as if it were any normal proposal."
                    if admitElfSex:
                        al "It’s pretty clear by now that in your relationship with Liurial, she’s something like your sexpet, right?"
                    else:
                        al "So, when Liurial expressed interest in you, she was basically asking to be your sexpet, right?"
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                        ro "Definitely."
                    else:
                        ro "You could frame it that way."
                    al "And your grand peace offering to me is to make her {i}our{/i} pet, then?"
                    ro "Heh. I guess you can’t say I never bring home any gifts for you."
                    if threesomePersuadeScore > 4:
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "Alexia met his smirk. They briefly looked like two wolves hunting the same prey."
                        al "If I must say...She is a very pretty little thing. I can’t fault your taste. But, will she just go along with such an arrangement?"
                        #If done Helayna-Liurial ALA Carte Scene - TODO
                            #"Here, Rowan could have mentioned Liurial’s acquiescence to his prior effort to bring Helayna into their play. But, he didn’t want to spoil the moment by suggesting Helayna knew about his relationship to Liurial while his wife didn’t."
                        ro "I’d say so. But, the best way to find out is by asking her, right?"
                        al "Right."
                    else:
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        al "Hey now. Don’t get ahead of yourself. You haven’t convinced me to accept {i}your{/i} relationship with her. You’re not at the propositioning threesomes stage of this conversation"
                        al "...Yet."
                        "To Rowan, the last word was the only one that really mattered from her answer."
                else:
                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                    $ sharePoints = True
                    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia was tongue tied by the sheer boldness of the offer. Rowan was half-wishing he could take it back. At least, until Alexia mumbled out a reply."
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    al "...Liurial is quite pretty, isn’t she?’"
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
                    "Rowan breathed a sigh of relief."
                    ro "She is."
                    al "I won’t say that the offer isn’t a bit...enticing. But, are you sure the girl would be okay with something like that? Here we are talking about her like she’s a piece of meat for you to bribe me with."
                    #If done Helayna-Liurial ALA Carte Scene - TODO
                        #"Here, Rowan could have mentioned Liurial’s acquiescence to his prior effort to bring Helayna into their play. But, discussing how Helayna already knew of Liurial was a recipe for disaster."
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "It’s not like her motives and feelings are much of a mystery, Alexia. From first hand experience, I would doubt that she’d be very upset about this."
                    al "If you say so…"
                    "She bit her lip."
                    ro "If you were interested, we’d just ask her. The worst that could happen would be she says she isn’t comfortable with it."
                    if admitElfSex:
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        al "It’s a bold move trying to get out of being dressed down for cheating by offering a threesome, mister."
                        "She chuckled darkly."
                        ro "The bad kind of bold?"
                        al "I don’t know."
                jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

            "“She’s not competition for you.”" if persuadeCompetition == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ persuadeCompetition = True
                "Rowan thought back to his earlier conversation with Liurial along the walls of the castle."
                ro "If there’s one reason for you not to get jealous, it’s this. You and Liurial are not in competition with each other. Not in a way that matters."
                "She tilted her head slightly. He took a moment to catch his breath and formulate his words."
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "You’re my wife, Alexia. I love you. We will be together for the rest of our lives, regardless of how long or short that turns out to be."
                "He gestured to the door of the room."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "Liurial doesn’t {i}want{/i} to be my companion."
                ro "She’s said so herself. She doesn’t desire to be my lover or for what happens between us to be a lifelong emotional relationship."
                ro "What she {i}wants{/i} is for me to give her sexual attention {i}now{/i}. Not at all like what we have with each other."
                ro "She’s not your competition."
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia crossed her arms back over her chest, as if holding herself in place. Her eyebrow turned upwards with skepticism."
                if admitElfSex:
                    al "Considering the circumstances, I suppose that’s a comfort. But, not one without reservation."
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                else:
                    al "Certainly a comfort. But, how much stock should I put into it?"
                al "After all, that’s just talking about {i}now{/i}. How often do people get into a casual relationship...only for it to stop being so casual?"
                if admitElfSex:
                    al "It’s hard to take an argument like that seriously, since you already lied to me once today. How do you know your feelings won’t change and that I’d suddenly be fighting her for a spot in your bed?"
                else:
                    al "It’s not that I don’t believe you. But, how much should I trust your own knowledge of yourself? How you’d react to having her at your beck and call?"
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                    $ competitionPoints = True
                    "Rowan paused to form words. Were he to face that argument directly, he’d struggle. After all, how could he know that his intentions would never change?"
                    "Instead, it would be better to emphasize that sexual relationships without feelings could be normal or routine. Enough so that the risk would seem lower."
                    ro "I think the difficulty is that you’re still thinking about this as if we were back home. Back in our village."
                    ro "In Rosaria, people get married. They settle down. An especially lustful man or woman might go sneaking around looking for suitors or mistresses on the side."
                    ro "That’s just how we’ve thought about it our whole lives."
                    ro "But, you know that’s not true in the north. In Bloodmeen, of course. But, also in Qerazel, in parts of Ealoaen, and on the Isles."
                    "It was important to remind her that this also applied in realms not ruled by sex hungry demons. It might help her see it as natural."
                    ro "People have servants or slaves. Sometimes bedboys or bedgirls. And they help fulfill certain urges for those lucky enough to afford them or bring them into service. It’s a different {i}thing{/i} than being a wife or a husband."
                    ro "That’s what I meant when I said she wasn’t your competition. Liurial has only been with men who learned sex and relationships from slaving for the drow. That’s just how she thinks of it."
                    ro "So, I’m not asking you to let me have a lover. I’m asking for you to let me have a sexual servant."
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    al "..."
                    "An encouraging lack of comeback. But, he needed to bring the point home even further."
                    ro "Come on, sweetie. You have some inkling of what I’m talking about."
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                        "He thought back to life in Arthdale. For details that might demonstrate this."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "There was a scroll you used to have. About the pirate lord in Travelers Rest? Do you remember it? Your father’s originally. It had the tale of the bedgirl he kept, right?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
                        "Her eyes widened, ever so slightly."
                        al "You remember that?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "She offered him a soft smile."
                        al "I suppose what you’re saying is something like...in Bloodmeen, do as the demons do?"
                        ro "Well not quite so extreme. If I was trying to be a demon, I’d be asking for something far filthier."
                        "That earned a giggle from her. Yet another encouraging sign. He was making good headway."
                        al "Fine. Fine. In Bloodmeen, do as the Imperials do? Though that doesn’t make as much sense."
                        ro "I get the gist."
                        "He smiled back."
                    else:
                        "She took a moment to consider it. But, then slowly started to shake her head. He’d taken the point as far as he could go. "
                        al "I don’t know, Rowan. I don’t know. We’re not from those places, are we? We’re not from {i}here{/i}. Maybe, I am thinking like a Rosarian. But, it’s not fair to ask me not to when that’s all I’ve ever known."
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia tapped her foot. Some new thought seemed to have struck her. Rowan waited to hear what her latest objection would be."
                    al "But, if that’s your goal, what does that mean about your duties to her?"
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "Huh?"
                    al "Suppose I agreed to this arrangement here and now. But, then later I saw you developing feelings for her. And if I then told you that you needed to drop her entirely. Cut her out of your life."
                    "She paused, letting the words linger in the air with all of the implications that came with it."
                    al "Would you cut her out of your life for me?"
                    ro "Not just, stop sleeping with her. End the protection arrangement too?"
                    al "Yes."
                    menu:
                        "Of course.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                            ro "Of course, I would. I came all the way here for you. I crossed half of the continent. If you wanted me to stop being her protector for your sake, I’d do it."
                            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                                "Rowan waited. But, the answer he got from his wife was not relief at his proclamation of fidelity. She cocked her head and gave him an intense, almost dark, glare."
                                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                al "Funny, but didn’t I hear that you took her on because the girl was in trouble? I wonder what that says about your motives in all this?"
                                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                "Had that offended her? But, he’d said that he would give her up for her?"
                                ro "Wait. I was just trying to reassure you."
                                al "I know."
                                al "..."
                                ro "..."
                            else:
                                $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                "Alexia pouted softly."
                                al "Good. Well, at least you know where your priorities ought to be. The question is if you can prove it?"
                                ro "I can, Alexia. I promise, I can."

                        "I made her a promise":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                            ro "I would, er…"
                            "He stopped himself, mid-sentence. What would he do in that situation exactly? Certainly the answer Alexia might want to hear is that he’d put her over everything. But, he had made assurances to Liurial. And throwing her to the wolves wouldn’t be good for him or for the elf. "
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                            "He straightened his composure and made his face into stone."
                            ro "Liurial and I have a deal. I would protect her from harm. In return, she would do everything in her power to help me and obey me. That doesn’t have to entail a sexual relationship."
                            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                                ro "But, I’m not going to take back my oath to her. It would be too cruel."
                            else:
                                ro "But, I’m not going to take back my oath to her. Not when she’s already done so much to prove her loyalty."
                                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                                al "..."
                                if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                                    $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
                                    $ competitionPoints = True
                                    "Alexia exhaled softly. Rowan noted, with some small satisfaction, that her body language came across as more relieved than furious."
                                    al "It is perhaps not the wisest thing to say to your wife. Though, there is something admirable about wanting to back up your oath. "
                                    if admitElfSex:
                                        al "Especially since you need to convince me that I can trust you."
                                    else:
                                        al "After all, I’m only going to let you do this if I feel like I can trust your promises."
                                else:
                                    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                    al "Loyal perhaps…but to the wrong person."
                                    "Rowan blinked twice. He wondered if there was a time where Alexia would have shown more concern for the girl’s welfare. But, in this moment it became clear to him that he chose wrong."
                            jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

                else:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "Rowan stumbled on his words. How exactly would he be able to prove that it would always be true? His current situation was not what he intended when he first agreed to work for the twins. If he said he knew the future, it would just make him seem like a liar."
                    ro "I guess….I guess I’d just want you to be able to trust me. I don’t know if I can give you a better answer than that."
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "She sighed."
                    if admitElfSex:
                        al "Well, if you want to keep seeing this girl, you’re going to have to give me a bit better than that."
                    else:
                        al "Well, if you want to see this girl, you’re going to have to give me a bit better than that."
                    jump threesomePersuadeMenu_rp

            "Continue. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        if admitElfSex:
            al "So that’s your case for why I should let you keep Liurial as a partner on the side?"

        else:
            al "So that’s your case for why I should let you have Liurial as a partner on the side?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        ro "Yes."
        al "..."
        ro "..."

        if admitElfSex:
            "His heart was beating fast. Would she forgive him for his transgressions? Would she try to force him to break off his dynamic with the elf?"

        elif admitElfSex == False and elfSex:
            "His heart was beating fast. Had he given too much away? Would she realize that he’d lied to her?"

        else:
            "His heart was beating fast. Would she really be alright with letting him keep Liurial on the side? "

        "He waited on every sign she was ready to answer. It took a few agonizing false starts before she was ready to speak."

        if (alexiaAndrasSex > 0 or alexiaJezeraSex > 0) and (alexiaJezObedient == False or alexiaAndrasObedient == False):
            if admitElfSex:
                $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            al " I suppose I should give you some extra slack here. People have urges. Even married people."
            "What did she mean by that? Rowan tried to look into her eyes, but she was looking at the floor. It felt like the distance between them was larger than this stretch of hallway."
            if admitElfSex:
                al "Provided that your loyalty is still with me, at the end of the day. I suppose I shouldn’t judge small transgressions so harshly."
            else:
                al "There’s nothing too bad about you wanting an experience on the side as a change of pace...provided your heart is still with me."
            al "We’ve both learned many things in this strange last year or so…"
            "Her voice faded off into a mumble. Rowan wanted to ask her what she meant by it. But, considering the topic, the time didn’t feel right."
            "Instead, he softly inhaled."

        elif alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient:
            if admitElfSex:
                $ threesomePersuadeScore +=2
            else:
                $ threesomePersuadeScore +=1
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "The slightest hint of a grin formed on her lips. Rowan felt oddly cold when he saw it. Like it wasn’t a smile for his benefit."
            al "I suppose, the more I think about it, that it’s only natural that husbands and wives have urges that their partner can’t always meet. You shouldn’t feel guilty about it."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "She looked Rowan in the eyes with such directness, Rowan almost flinched his gaze away."
            al "I’m sure we {i}both{/i} agree with that."
            ro "Of course."
            "But, that expression of confidence swiftly faded. Instead, she looked down at her feet, grappling more with some thought unseen to Rowan than with the conversation itself. "
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "…Especially when presented with the option of something truly tempting. And I have to admit your desire makes sense...Liurial is certainly a tempting girl…."
            "Rowan inhaled softly. "

        ro "So what do you think?"

        if threesomePersuadeScore < 3:
            al "..."
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Then, the dam broke. She slowly started to shake her head."
            al "I don’t…I don’t think you’re right."
            if threesomePersuadeScore == 1 and admitElfSex:
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "As she spoke, the tears she long delayed began to fall from her eyes. Rowan was unsure if he should step forward and comfort her or step back and give her space."
                "Had she been fighting to retain her composure the entire conversation?"
                al "I didn’t like what you said at all. I wanted to give you a chance to convince me. But, all you did was dodge around the issue."
                al "You made a vow to me the day we got married, and when you slept with this poor girl behind my back, you {i}knowingly{/i} betrayed my trust."
                "She jabbed a finger towards him. Where her voice had been straining with sadness, it now raised with fury."
                al "So no, Rowan. I can’t accept you continuing to use Liurial like you’re unmarried. And I can’t accept that you {i}lied{/i} to me about it."
                show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                ro "You were the one who asked me to explain-"
                al "I did. But, I wish I hadn’t."
                al "In fact, I don’t want to hear from you at all right now. I think I need some time alone to think…"
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                hide alexia with moveoutleft
                "She turned on her heels and made down the hallway. Along the way, Rowan thought he saw her turn back to him. But, only for a second."
                "Rowan was left alone and speechless in the middle of the dark hallway. Part of him wondered what would have happened had he lied to her instead?"
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                show liurial neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                "But, his reflection was interrupted by the girl in question popping her head out the doorway."
                liur "Sir? Is everything alright? I heard shouting?"
                "Rowan didn’t have an answer for her."
                # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                # $ elfRage = True
                return
            else:
                al "It’s not that I didn’t understand the point you were trying to get at. I did…"
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "She stepped closer, seeking the comfort of a hug. Rowan wrapped his arms tight around his wife."
                if admitElfSex:
                    al "…And I was the one who asked you to argue for it. You could have just apologized, agreed with me, and moved on."
                    al "But, I don’t think I can agree to you continuing a relationship with this girl. Romantic or otherwise."
                else:
                    al "…And I was the one who asked you to argue for it. You didn’t even ask me to let you sleep with her until I decided to pry. "
                    al "But, I don’t think I can agree to you pursuing a relationship with this girl. Romantic or otherwise."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan sighed and breathed inward. "
                ro "That’s your answer?"
                al "It is."
                "A moment of silence passed. One where Rowan just held the woman he’d decided to marry in his arms."
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "But, Alexia didn’t want to stay for too long. Soon she pulled out from under his grip. And just like that, a soft smile was back on her face."
                al "Now then. Let’s go inside. Just because I said no doesn’t mean I can’t be civil with her, you know."
                hide alexia with moveoutright
                if elfSex:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    "Alexia turned and re-entered the room. But, Rowan stood alone in the hallways a moment longer, mind running over what had just been said."
                    "Would he really accept Alexia’s pronouncement? It was still possible to continue seeing this girl behind Alexia’s back. But, now that his wife was aware, would it be so wise?"
                    menu:
                        "Continue to see Liurial in secret.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ elfLie = True
                            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                                #smirk
                                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                            "No, of course, he couldn’t abandon his sexual relationship with Liurial. Sure there would be new risks with Alexia’s disapproval known. But, it just meant that he’d have to be careful."
                            "…And that he’d have to get Liurial on the same page as him this time, to ensure she didn’t reveal anything to Alexia again."
                            "But, that would be a conversation for later."
                            hide rowan with moveoutright
                            "Rowan put on a fake smile and followed his wife into the room."
                            jump elfThreesomeResolution_rp

                        "End things with Liurial.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ elfSex = False
                            $ elfDom = False
                            "Rowan shook his head. Of course, he wasn’t going to do that. The only option left would be to take Liurial aside later and explain the situation to her."
                            "He didn’t know for sure how she would take it. Certainly “happy” wasn’t a word he could expect to describe her reaction. But, she would come to accept the wisdom of Rowan’s rejection in time. Especially since he was still assuring her protection."
                            "Rowan frowned. It was a pity though…"
                            jump elfThreesomeResolution_rp

        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia started to speak, and then abruptly stopped. As if she had to convince herself that what she was saying was alright. But, sure enough, she let the words out."
            al "It’s strange to think about. Especially in the context of what our lives were like before…"
            if admitElfSex:
                al "But, I suppose that based on what you said…I wouldn’t have that big an issue if you and Liurial kept up the relationship you have now."
            else:
                al "But, I suppose that based on what you said…I wouldn’t have that big an issue if decided to start a sexual relationship with each other."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan exhaled sharply. It was a yes."
            if admitElfSex:
                "She briefly glanced to the side, not meeting him in the eyes."
                al "I’m not happy you didn’t tell me right away. It was…upsetting. I don’t want another incident like this happening."
            else:
                show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "She gave him a weak smile."
                al "I probably wouldn’t be saying this if you hadn’t already shown me you valued our marriage more than trying to get in this girl’s delicates."
                show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "But..."
            if protectPoints:
                al"Sex and power just work...differently here. I don’t know if I like it, but in a place like this, sleeping with an ally is part of how it works."
            if partnerPoints:
                al "Having a more open relationship doesn’t have to be bad for our marriage, so long as we’re honest with each other."
            if sharePoints:
                al "I’m not really the same {i}prude{/i} I was back in Arthdale."
            if competitionPoints:
                al "You said she’s going to be some kind of sexual servant, instead of a lover, right? That doesn’t seem quite so objectionable."
            if (alexiaAndrasSex > 0 or alexiaJezeraSex > 0) and admitElfSex:
                ro "Even though I didn’t tell you?"
                al "Everyone has desires, Rowan. Sometimes we can’t help ourselves."
            "Rowan nodded his head. Her ascent would remove a layer of complexity between him and Liurial. It was a weight taken off his chest."
            if admitElfSex:
                ro "Okay. So we have an understanding then? I can keep sleeping with Liurial and you won’t be mad?"
            else:
                ro "Okay. So we have an understanding then? I can finally sleep with Liurial/ and you won’t be mad?"
            if threesomePersuadeScore < 5:
                al "Well, it’s not like I want to hear about it. And I definitely don’t want it shoved in my face. This is all still new to me. But, yes I can survive the idea of it."
            else:
                al "Yes, Rowan."
            "Rowan took Alexia’s hands and placed them in his. Her small, delicate fingers were all the more diminutive framed against his own."
            if admitElfSex:
                "Together, husband and wife shared a moment of relief. The storm clouds were passing."
            else:
                "Together, husband and wife shared a giggle."
            if threesomePersuadeScore > 4:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "The serenity of the moment gave Rowan space to consider just how far Alexia’s acceptance went. Certainly, she was more open than he imagined. It was clear to him that there would not be much of a downside at this point to suggesting something more than permission."
                "In fact, he was growing increasingly convinced she was persuadable to more."
                "The question now was, did Rowan want to invite his wife to partake in Liurial with him?"
                menu:
                    "Leave Alexia out.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Ultimately, Rowan decided not to push the point any further. Instead, it would be Alexia who would break the silence."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                        al "If you want to go back in now, I wouldn’t mind. That poor girl must be dying from tension. And it’s only right you introduce us properly this time, dear."
                        "Rowan nodded his head and led Alexia back into the room. "
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        hide alexia with moveoutright
                        jump elfThreesomeResolution_rp

                    "Make it into a threeway. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ LiurialThreesomeAllowed = True
                        "Rowan inhaled. He’d come this far in the conversation already. Why not see how far her acceptance actually went?"
                        ro "There is one other thing…"
                        if persuadeShare:
                            ro "...I mentioned the idea of sharing her, right? I wasn’t exaggerating when I said she’d probably be okay with bringing you into a play session with her."
                            "Alexia looked up to him with a skeptical tilt to her eyebrows."
                            al "Oh? So, that wasn’t just a line to try to persuade me?"
                            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                                ro "Well it wasn’t very persuasive, was it? Still, I’m leaving the option open for you."
                                ro "What’s mine is yours, Alexia."
                        else:
                            ro "If she’s going to be serving me, I don’t think she has many qualms about {i}also{/i} playing with someone who I consider trustworthy and can vouch for. Especially if it’s the three of us together."
                            "Alexia blinked twice."
                            al "You mean...a threesome?"
                            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                            ro "If you’re interested?"
                        "Alexia bit down on her finger."
                        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                            al "Perhaps…"
                            al "Perhaps, I’d be willing to give it a try. If she isn’t uncomfortable with the idea, that is…"
                        else:
                            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                            al "Provided she’s okay with it too, right?"
                            "He clutched her sides reassuringly."
                            ro "Of course. It’s all about having a good time. And can you really say no to a good time?"
                            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            al "I didn’t think this conversation would end with me telling you that you spoil me."
                            "Rowan chuckled softly."
                            ro "I can’t say I did either."

    label elfThreesomeResolution_rp:

        scene bg9 with fade
        #liurial concerned
        show liurial sad at edgeright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveinleft

        "Liurial sat up straight when Rowan appeared through the doorway. Her eyes wandered from Alexia back to him. The room had the air of tension Rowan only knew from the moments before facing a mounted charge. But, in this case, the charge never came."

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with moveoutright

        "Alexia put on a reassuring smile and took a demure seat by Liurial’s side."

        al "I apologize for the wait. And for the harshness of my initial reaction. That was so rude of me. I hope you can forgive me for the way I spoke to you, Liurial."

        liur "O-of course."

        al "Good, then consider myself pleased to have finally had a chance to meet you in person, Liurial. I hope we can come to call each other friend."

        show liurial neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        liur "I would enjoy that too, my lady."

        "Alexia giggled."

        if LiurialThreesomeAllowed == False:
            al "None of that “My Lady” silliness. You’re talking to a village girl. I’m as much a stranger to these parts as you are."
            liur "But, I serve your husband. So that would make you my lady."
            "Alexia rolled her eyes."
            al "Well, if I’m your Lady, then my first order would be to be a bit more casual with me. Can you do that, sweetie?"
            liur "I c-can try…though it comes naturally."
            if admitElfSex:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "Alexia briefly glanced back to Rowan. He knew his wife well enough by now to know the difference between genuine comfort and an act."
                if threesomePersuadeScore < 1:
                    "Alexia briefly glanced back to Rowan. He knew his wife well enough by now to know the difference between genuine comfort and an act."
                else:
                    "There remained a point of tension. Still, he could see her making an effort. Rowan was positive that past the initial awkwardness of their first meeting, she’d grow more used to his secretary in time."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        else:
            al "You can cut out all that “My Lady” stuff if you want. You’re talking to a village girl. I’m as much a stranger to these parts as you are."
            liur "But, I serve your husband. So that would make you my lady."
            al "Alexia rolled her eyes, but Rowan thought he caught her glancing towards him. Whatever she was thinking, she didn’t show it."
            al "Okay, but you know you don’t have to? Right? Especially if you don’t like it."
            "Liurial nodded briskly."
            liur "It is…good of you to concern yourself with my feelings, My Lady."

        "The two talked, mostly about the kind of work Liurial did and about him. Rowan playfully interjected here and there when one or the other decided to interject an embarrassing story about him. But, otherwise, he let them mostly talk amongst themselves."
        "For what it was worth, Alexia disarmed the meek elf’s distance with surprising grace. For all their differences, as a Rosarian peasant housewife and a refugee elf, the two found commonality in their civility, their diligent demeanor..."
        "...And of course, their mutual experience being gawked at by every hungry-eyed cretin in an entire castle full of hungry-eyed cretins. Male, Female, and everything in between."

        liur "Normally, I just ask Rowan to help me. But, sometimes when collecting reports, the orcs can get rather cruel with their jokes."

        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        al "But, do they touch you?"

        liur "No. Never. But, sometimes I fear it’s only because their captains are always present when I am scheduled to make my rounds."

        "Before long, Liurial visibly started to relax. Her shoulders slumped and her posture shifted forward. Rowan hoped that she might be able to move past the awkwardness inherent in the way that they met."

        if threesomePersuadeScore < 3:
            if admitElfSex:
                "Yet, a pleasant conversation seemed to be all it was. For all of Alexia’s friendliness, there was a certain coolness about it, no matter how hospitable."
            "Still, the conversation could not go on for too long. Before Alexia had come to visit, Rowan had been planning for the week’s excursion. So it came to him to announce when the visit had to end for the day."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "Perhaps in the future, he might have a chance to allow the two to interact more. Perhaps to acclimate his secretary to the idea of being around his wife. And to acclimate his wife to interacting with people who served under Rowan directly."
            "But, it seemed today was not the day for it."
            $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
            return

        else:
            pass

        "Still, the agreement that Rowan and Alexia had reached had not escaped either of their minds."

        if LiurialThreesomeAllowed == False:
            "As much as the intent of this conversation was to form the seeds of future friendship, it was also to bring up Alexia's newfound approval of liaisons between Liurial and himself."

        else:
            "As much as the intent of this conversation was to form the seeds of future friendship, it was also to see the elf girl’s willingness to allow a third party into their fun."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Surely though, not all of the attention from men in the castle has been such a worrying prospect for you?"

        #liurial shocked

        "Liurial blinked twice at him."

        ro "Well, since you left Torlene, has your only experience with men been with the predatory sort. Or have you found time for a few more {i}enjoyable{/i} encounters?"

        "The elf’s visual confusion only grew. There was little doubt that she understood the question…"

        if elfSex:
            "…But, how could she process the fact that he was asking it in front of his wife? The same wife who seemed outraged at the idea of them sharing a bed…"
            #liur neutral
            liur "Oh, yes. It hasn’t been all bad. I’ve had time for a few more pleasurable encounters…"
            liur "..."
            liur "Oh, but nothing you need concern yourself with, Rowan. I’ve been taking good care to be safe!"
            "Solansia protect her. She was still trying to pretend like Rowan hadn’t been using her as a cock sleeve for months. Not especially convincingly, of course."

        else:
            "…But, after the mishap before, the last thing she’d expect is to have Rowan try to make her {i}admit{/i} her crush on him."
            #liur neutral
            liur "I can’t entirely say that I have. I’ve had the desire, of course…but, I’m alright. I promise. You don’t need to worry about me, Rowan…"
            "Rowan gave the elf girl a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Alexia’s eyes focused on the place where his hand made contact with her body."
            ro "You know that’s not true, Liurial. You told me yourself that I should consider you as mine. And if you’re essentially mine, then it’s my job to ensure that you’re satisfied. Right?"
            #liurial shocked
            "Liurial looked frantically between Rowan and Alexia. "
            #liur neutral
            liur "…I suppose…"

        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        "Alexia took this as the moment to jump back in. She inched her position closer, so she was near touching the girl."

        al "Well, now. You’ve got me all curious, sweetie."
        al "So, what type of man is it that strikes your fancy? I can’t imagine there are very many who would in this foul castle. "

        "Liurial placed a finger to her lips. Her cheeks flushed ever so softly. The topic certainly had given the room a different energy."

        liur "It’s a rather embarrassing subject…"

        al "Oh come now. It’s just us girls here. Minus my husband of course. But, surely you consider him trustworthy by now."

        liur "Of course, I do!"
        liur "..."

        liur "Well, my preference has always been for men who are… {i}dangerous{/i}. Fighters and warriors. Not a threat to myself, I suppose. Just, if someone wished to do me ill…"

        al "They could protect you?"

        "Liurial nodded."

        liur "But, not a brute. A man who used his head and could speak with cleverness and wit. Intelligent and mentally fit. And of gentle demeanor when he so chooses. I admit there is a certain charm to aggression… but, a {i}controlled{/i} aggression. Too much is offputting. "

        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "He. I don’t know about that. A hunk is a hunk, Liurial."
            "The elf just shrugged."
            liur "I apologize if my explanation displeased you, My Lady."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            al "Stop that! I’m just having fun. Keep going. Need it always be an elf?"
            liur "Well…"

        else:
            al "Just elves though? Do elves feel attraction to other species."

        liur "In the past, my inclinations always leaned towards others of my kind. As is common. But, if we’re simply speaking of those in the castle. In light of our rarity, I find humans can share many of the same traits. Sometimes even to the point of being…preferable…"

        "By now the girl was actively forcing herself not to look towards Rowan. But, Alexia wasn’t about to let her dance around the true point."

        menu:
            "Point out the similarities.":
               # $ released_fix_rollback()
               #ro smirk
               "Rowan took the chance afforded to shake things up further. After all, his prior effort had already proved successful. "
               ro "A human or elf who is trained in combat, but nominally has a job that is more about using his brain, huh?"
               ro "I wonder where you’d find such a person."
               show liurial aroused at edgeright with dissolve
               liur "…I, er…"
               "She glanced towards him with shy curiosity. With how angry Alexia had been when she first came in, there would be no way for Liurial to know what Rowan and his wife agreed to in the hallway. To her, Rowan probably looked like he was making the situation worse on purpose."
               "Her confusion was adorable."
               al "Hmm. Rowan is right. It does sound like someone we might know. "
               al "Anyone come to mind, dear?"
               ro "Mmm. I’m still considering it. It is a familiar description though…"
               liur "..."
               "Alexia couldn’t help but give him a wink."
               #ro happy
               al "Stop playing with her, Rowan. Everyone here understands that she described you when asked who her ideal man is."
               show liurial neutral at edgeright with dissolve

            "Let Alexia do it for you.":
               # $ released_fix_rollback()
               al "Hmm."
               "She pointed to Rowan."
               al "You realize you just described that silly idiot over there, right? A human man who is smart and well-mannered, yet could still kill a man. That’s Rowan. "

        #liur concerned

        "Liurial went pale."

        liur "I…er...suppose that’s accurate. But, you needn’t worry about my intentions, Lady Alexia. I understand that-"

        al "Oh hush, now. Rowan told me everything already. Why do you think we were in the hallway for so long?"

        "The elf’s eyes went as wide as saucers. As in most situations where things got difficult, her first reaction was to look to Rowan."

        ro "She’s not mad, Liurial. At least, not so mad anymore."

        liur "O-oh. "

        if elfSex:
            show liurial sad at edgeright with dissolve
            "As the situation dawned on her, Liurial’s head bowed low in contrition. Strands of her hair tumbled forward, obscuring her face."
            liur "…I’m sorry that I…well…you know…with your husband…I'm horrible for what I did...I hope that you aren’t too strict with me. But, I understand if you want me to go…"
            "She hung her head in shame. "
            if admitElfSex:
                al "No no. I don’t want you to go, sweetie."
                "She placed Liurial’s head in her hands."
                al "Well, when he first told me, I was pretty furious. Who wouldn’t be? But, much of that was simply… I don't know. Afraid of being replaced?"
                liur "I don’t want to replace-"
                al "I know. I know. Rowan told me."
                al "But, Rowan showed me that all he wanted to do was help you. And besides, it’s rather hard to imagine you as the scheming sort."
                "Liurial shook her head softly, so as to not throw off Alexia’s hands."
                liur "Never."
                al "That’s why My husband and I came to an arrangement…"
            else:
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
                al "Wait-"
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan went stiff as stone. In the midst of such a long conversation, he’d almost forgotten that he’d {i}lied{/i} to Alexia. He was entering the moment of greatest danger of discovery."
                al "..."
                al "What did you mean by “what you did”?"
                #liurial concerned
                "Liurial's face became a shade paler, and she slid closer to Rowan from where she was sitting. At least enough to make her harder for Alexia to grasp, were she to lunge at the elf."
                liur "Um…"
                liur "I thought you said that he told you everything?"
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                "Alexia’s eyebrows narrowed slightly. She was leaning towards towards the elf in a vaguely predatory pose. The calm demeanor that Rowan had worked so hard to build was gone."
                al "He did."
                al "He told me that you {i}wanted{/i} to sleep with him. Which is everything. Right?"
                "Rowan jumped back into the conversation, lest he wait too long."
                ro "Alexia, Darling. I think you’re scaring the poor thing."
                ro "I think what she meant to say was that…"
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "She feels guilty because when she tried to hit on me. Because of how foreward she was and sexually eager. I’d walked in on her undressed and she tried to lay hands on me. Getting her clothed again was…a challenge."
                    ro "But, if it affects your view at all, she’s been totally contrite about it ever since. This isn’t the first time she’s felt guilty over it."
                    ro "The confusion here is my fault. I should have been more up front about just how hard she tried to bring me to bed. I made it sound like it was just innocent propositioning. I’m sorry."
                    "Alexia leaned back slightly. Her eyes shifted from a focus on Liurial to focus on Rowan. But, his face retained the practiced look of contrition. His secretary, of course, looked terrified. But, he had some hope that Alexia would just treat that as her natural expression."
                    "His palms were slowly being coated in his own sweat."
                    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                    al "..."
                    al "That’s what you meant, Liurial?"
                    liur "O-of course…I should never have assumed his interest to such a degree. I still feel horrible about it…"
                    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    "Finally, his wife visibly relaxed backward. In his head, he made note to praise her later for the small assist."
                    al "Well, Rowan you should have been clearer. I admit that you did make it out to be less serious. "
                    al "Still, so long as you turned her down, I don’t see the issue. I guess your arguments before were pretty effective."
                    al "You see, Liurial. My husband and I came to a new arrangement back when we were in the hall together…"
                else:
                    ro "…that…er…she feels bad about what she {i}wanted{/i} from me. About what her fantasies were."
                    "Rowan knew he was in trouble. Alexia kept leaning forward, undeterred by his mediocre lie."
                    al "No no. I know what I heard, Rowan. She said what she “did”. But, Liurial, what did you {i}do{/i} exactly?"
                    "There would be no hope of salvation from the elf’s quarter. She was so tongue-tied that the only sounds she could mangle out were squeaks."
                    al "Liurial, have you slept with my husband?"
                    "Rowan rushed to cover the girl’s mouth, but she folded before Rowan could get to her."
                    liur "…I’m sorry..."
                    al "You needn’t worry Liurial. I’m not angry at you in the slightest."
                    al "{i}Dear{/i}. You told me that I walked in on a misunderstanding. Everything I said, everything I agreed to, was only on the condition that you were telling me the truth."
                    al "Rowan. Say something, damnit."
                    "Rowan gulped down."
                    ro "Look, Alexia. You don’t understand-"
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with moveoutright
                    show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with moveoutleft
                    "His wife abruptly stood up. "
                    al "Oh, I understand perfectly."
                    al "I walked in on you about to sleep with this poor girl. Then you lied to me {i}multiple{/i} times suggesting you weren’t."
                    al "But, then you had the absolute audacity to try to suggest that I should approve of you sleeping with her. That if you did “start” it would be a good thing."
                    if LiurialThreesomeAllowed:
                        al "Alexia: And to go so far as to suggest I have a threesome with you and the woman you cheated on me with and then lied about. I’m almost impressed by the ambition, if not the morality."
                    al "So no, Rowan. I understand perfectly."
                    hide alexia with moveoutleft
                    "And without a further word, she turned on her heels and briskly walked out of the room."
                    "Rowan was left with a choice of following Alexia, who left the door ajar on her way out or comforting Liurial. To his side, the girl had broken down sobbing."
                    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                        "That too was his fault."
                    menu:
                        "Go after her.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan placed a hand on Liurial’s shoulder and rose to his feet."
                            ro "I need a moment…"
                            scene bg14 with fade
                            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve
                            "He rushed out into the hall, trying to catch up to his wife. The sound of her feet stomping on the hallway floor made her easy to track. But, when he finally reached her, she turned and stared daggers at him."
                            al "I don’t want to see you, right now. I don’t want to hear you, right now. Go away, {i}bastard{/i}. "
                            hide alexia with moveoutleft
                            "Once more, she turned and marched away. Rowan was left standing in place. His arms fell limp by his sides, and his jaw hung open ever so slightly."
                            "{i}How big a fool could one man be{/i}?"

                        "Stay and comfort Liurial.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan took a spot behind Liurial and wrapped his arms around her waist. For a moment, he worried that she too would be furious at him. After all, he brought her into this mess."
                            "But, she just sighed and leaned back into his touch. The tears kept strolling down her face."
                            "Perhaps she should have shoved him away. Perhaps the fact she accepted his touch meant she didn’t know what was good for her. Was it all a sign of weakness?"
                            "Rowan worried about these things as he stared at the open doorway. Alexia would be upset about this for a long time…"
                            "How could he be so stupid?"

                    # $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
                    # $ elfRage = True
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', -20)
                    return

        if elfSex == False:
            liur "You’re truly not angry, my lady? About all the times in the past that I’d suggested to Rowan that we-"
            if admitElfSex:
                al "He told me about more than just the propositioning. According to Rowan, you’ve been sleeping with him behind my back."
                #liur shocked
                liur "What!?"
                "Her jaw gaped wide in shock and not a little fear."
                liur "But, Rowan and I haven’t-"
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "He sighed. Since lying to Alexia, this had been inevitable. What was one more complexity in an already complex situation?"
                "To resolve it before Alexia questioned it further, Rowan leaned towards Liurial’s ear and whispered to her softly."
                ro "{i}Follow my lead. It will work.{/i}"
                "Then, before Alexia could question his words, he raised his head back to his wife."
                ro "Can you blame her for being shy, darling? She must still think you’re about to wring her neck."
                al "As she should, in this situation. But, yes sweetie. As Rowan suggested. You can admit the truth now. We talked it out."
                "Her eyes timidly wandered from Rowan to Alexia."
                #liur neutral
                liur "Then yes…I admit I’ve been…er…sleeping with him…"
                al "Well then, I’m sure you’d be delighted to learn what my husband and I have agreed on."
            else:
                al "Screw each other? Yes, he told me about your efforts in that regard. "
                #liur shocked
                "Liurial slid slightly away from Alexia. Out of easy grabbing range. But, Rowan’s wife followed, not letting the skittish creature get away from her."
                al "And it’s as Rowan told you, sweetie. I’ve forgiven you for it entirely."
                al "In fact, you can thank your boss over there for being so persuasive that I’m inclined to let him say “Yes” to your next attempt."
                "Liurial’s mouth hung over slightly."
                liur "You mean-"
                al "I mean that…"

        if admitElfSex:
            al "If, in the future, Rowan wishes to continue to have sex with you. I’m giving him my permission to do it."

        else:
            al "If, in the future, Rowan wishes to have sex with you. I’m giving him my permission to do it."

        show liurial happy at edgeright with dissolve

        liur "Y…you’re sure?"

        al "Mhm."

        "The girl’s expression lit up like a puppy that had been given a treat. She was near hopping up and down in her seat."

        liur "I…I had been so worried! And every time he reminded me that he was married I’d felt so guilty about everything…"
        liur "Eeeeeee. I apologize. It’s just exciting. And…And…"
        liur "My Lady! I never imagined you’d be so understanding. T-thank you…"
        liur "How can I ever repay your mercy? If you need anything, I’ll do anything for you. Just say the word and-"

        "Alexia gave the elf a soft smile."

        if LiurialThreesomeAllowed:
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            al "Mmm. I can think of a few ways to put that to the test. But, don’t worry at all, sweetie. We’ll get to that."
            liur "Of course. Anything at all. "
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        else:
            al "All you need to promise me is your friendship, Liurial. "
            liur "Heh. That I can do without question."

        jump elfThreesomeResolutionSkip_rp

        label elfThreesomeResolutionSkip_rp:

        # Load some characters if we skipped.
        show bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial happy at edgeright with dissolve

        "Soon, the conversation topic had shifted again. It mostly concerned how the new dynamic would work, and what Alexia approved of or didn’t approve of. Here, Rowan was more active, as he certainly had a stake in what was decided."

        if LiurialThreesomeAllowed == False:
            "Ultimately, the entire affair lasted well into sundown. It was only as the daylight faded that Rowan reminded them that he still had to prepare for the week’s excursion. He had been doing something before the entire situation had come to a head. "
            if elfSex == False:
                "He didn’t even have a chance to break in his new sex partner. A shame, but one there would be plenty of time to correct in the future."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            show bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "As Rowan left the bedroom, Alexia and Liurial were still talking. Once out of sight range, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He had somehow emerged from the meeting with approval from his wife to take on a side partner."
            "That she’d agreed at all was still a shock. Alexia really had come a long way in such a short amount of time. "
            if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "…Though, in most situations her changes weren’t quite as much of a relief as in this case."
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            "In the back of his mind, all the other ways this mess could have gone worse lingered as what-ifs. Had he been smart? Or lucky? Rowan didn’t know."
            $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
            $ elfYes = True
            return

        else:
            pass

        "Now that Liurial’s skittish fear of Alexia had eased, it put the topic of the threesome back on the table. So to do the openly sexual topics being discussed. Rowan kept his eyes open for a chance to move the topic in that direction."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "After all, Alexia was still in many ways a housewife when it came to sexuality. It was on Rowan’s shoulders to help guide her to it."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "He gave Liurial a shy smile and took a seat at Liurial’s side. It placed the elf girl with the wife on one side and the husband on the other."
            else:
                "He gave Liurial a playful grin and took a seat at Liurial’s side. It placed the elf girl with the wife on one side and the husband on the other."
            liur "Liurial, I don’t believe I’ve ever asked you, but is attraction to both males and females common in elven society?"
            "Liurial nodded softly, though Rowan caught her eyes briefly fall on Alexia."
            liur "In Elven society, it is tolerated but not encouraged. A source of scandal on rare occasions. But, never the cause public punishment, like some humans engage in."
            show liurial aroused at edgeright with dissolve
            liur "..."
            liur "Well, in the past my prior Master…er, Finnigold had another concubine. And at times he liked it when we…"
            liur "…Well, you know. With one another."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia leaned in slightly. Rowan’s intentions were no secret to her. But, the question was whether she’d join in the effort too. He’d gotten her to agree to share her, but she had still seemed of shaky certainty."
            show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            al "Oh. It must have been cruel of him to force you to do things with a woman when you aren’t even interested in her."
            liur "I never said I wasn’t…"
            liur "…Nor did I find it especially cruel, if I must be honest, Lady Alexia. "
            "A soft grin played on Rowan’s face. It was not a huge surprise, based on all he knew about her. But, it still was gratifying to hear her admit."
            menu:
                "Ask if she prefers men.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Ah, what you mean then is. You personally prefer male partners. But, don't mind a woman in the context of a dynamic with a man."
                    "Liurial took a moment to process his words. Then answered with a soft nod."

                "Ask if she’s slept with a woman recently.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "That was a few years though? Any more recent experiences worth mentioning, Liurial?"
                    liur "Er, there was a slavegirl when we were employed by the Drow. But, not since we made our way to Bloodmeen."
                    "Rowan chuckled."
                    ro "Well now, clearly it’s been far too long since you’ve had the chance then, huh?"

            ro "Well now, clearly it’s been far too long since you’ve had the chance then, huh?"
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia and Liurial both seemed to flush at once. Liurial shied her eyes down, suddenly aware of the implications behind Rowan’s words. Alexia too seemed embarrassed. But, she gave the elf a weak smile."
            liur "Sir...Do you mean to ask me if.."
            "Rowan gave her a nod. Liurial finally looked up to Alexia. Her eyes hung on her freckled face. But soon, to Rowan’s gratification, traced down to her ample bosom. They far dwarfed what assets Liurial had."
            liur "Yes…she’s er…very…attractive."
            "Her answer came out as a shy breath."
            ro "Fantastic! So Liurial, something I’ve tried to do for awhile now is help Alexia get out of her shell. I could use your help."
            liur "A-always, Sir..."
            "He turned to his wife."
            ro "Alexia, Darling. Would it be okay with you, if Liurial gave you a kiss?"
            "Alexia put her hands to her mouth and looked back and forth between Rowan and Liurial. She’d agreed back when it was hypothetical. But, faced with the reality of a liaison between the three, she seemed to freeze up."
            "Liurial pulled her oversized hat from her head and held it in her hands. Her eyes were wide and trained on the other woman."
            "Alexia bit down on her lip. Then, it morphed into a playful smile. The last bit of hesitancy cracked."
            al "I’ve never kissed an elf before…"
            al "Yes. It would be okay."
            scene cg413 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg413
            show liurial aroused behind cg413
            show alexia necklace aroused behind cg413
            pause 3
            "Liurial leaned in and closed her eyes. A heartbeat passed. Then, Alexia followed suit. Rowan watched eagerly as their lips touched one another."
            "At first, it was a timid contact. No tongues. Not much movement of their bodies. Liurial was naturally reluctant to be aggressive with her protector’s wife. Alexia, meanwhile, was almost certainly not very used to the soft lips of a woman."
            "But, no matter what reluctance she brought in, Alexia clearly had a taste for Liurial. Her head surged forward, and the kiss grew deeper. Ever acquiescing, Liurial tilted her head backwards and submitted to Alexia’s lead."
            if elfSex == False:
                "Rowan noted with irony the fact that his wife was getting a chance to be intimate with her before he was. Though, with a display like this in front of him, he would find a way to live with it."
            ro "Not bad, right?"
            al " Mmm…not at all…"

        else:
            #alexia smirk
            "But, Rowan was not the only one interested in taking the conversation in a more lewd direction. Before he could make his move, Alexia stepped in and did it instead."
            al "Liurial, you know, I’ve been thinking about earlier when you said you’d do anything I asked of you…"
            liur "Y-yes…My Lady?"
            al "And that means you’d answer any question I asked you. Even if it wasn’t the sort of thing polite folks normally ask?"
            "Liurial blushed softly."
            liur "If that’s what My Lady wishes to ask me…"
            "Alexia leaned closer. Their respective postures left Alexia positioned above Liurial."
            al "Something I’ve been considering of late has been to expand my experiences with women. Back in my home village, I’d never have dreamed of it."
            al "And yet…"
            al "I could always use the {i}advice{/i} of a woman who has had experiences with other women before. That wouldn’t describe you, would it?"
            "Liurial shot Rowan a surprised glance. But, he just answered it with a firm nod. The question was as much from him as from his wife. That was all Liurial needed."
            liur "Yes…I could be described that way."
            show liurial aroused at edgeright with dissolve
            "Alexia subtly rested a hand in Liurial’s lap. The ever skimpy outfit the elf girl wore meant that this was a contact of skin against skin. Liurial inhaled."
            al "Would please tell me more?"
            liur "Oh, just. Before my exile. My former Master, Finnigold had another concubine who sought his company. And at times, for his amusements, he’d encourage us to…"
            al "Have sex?"
            "Liurial nodded quickly and let out a squeak."
            al "And you enjoyed it?"
            "Another nod. Alexia brushed a finger along Liurial’s inner thigh. The elf sighed and drew the oversized hat from her head."
            ro "Careful with her, Darling. She’s a shy one."
            al "I’ll be delicate. Don’t worry, love."
            "She turned back to Liurial, her expression twisting to naughty glee. She bit down on her lip. Despite the fact that Alexia was in the driver’s seat here, her inexperience seducing another woman showed."
            al "Mmm. And since we established that an order from me is as if it came from my husband…"
            al "…You wouldn’t just answer a question from me, right? If I gave you an order, you’d do it as readily as if it came from."
            "Liurial slowly nodded, eyes transfixed by Rowan’s aggressive wife. He noticed the way she’d started to lean forward too. Their lips were only a few inches from one another."
            al "What if I wanted to kiss you? After all, I have been so curious. And you said yourself, you have had experience before."
            al "Besides…"
            "Alexia’s words turned low and breathy."
            al "I’ve never kissed an Elf before. I’ve always wondered how they taste."
            liur "Mmm."
            liur "My Lady…"
            liur "You’re making me needy…"
            "Alexia smirked. Then, she suddenly turned to Rowan, acknowledging for the first time since the exchange began that there was a voyeur."
            al "There is also the question of our audience. What do you think, Dear? Would watching us make out excite you?"
            menu:
                "Definitely.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Alexia, Darling… {i}of course it would{/i}."
                    al "Such a pervert. Forcing his wife and his side woman to play with one another, just to fulfill his fetishes."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I’m not-"
                    "He stopped mid-sentence. Considering the context of the statement, he could tell there was something else she really wanted to hear instead."
                    #ro smirk
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    ro "Well now? What are you waiting for? You don’t have a choice, you know."
                    al "Mmm..."

                "Only if she likes it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan gave his wife a soft smile."
                    ro "I definitely would. But, only if I knew you were having fun too. It wouldn’t be much fun if you were miserable doing it."
                    "Alexia broke her seductive grin momentarily to beam at her husband."
                    al "Mmm. Well, let me assure you that I’m willing to. In fact, let me show you…"

                "I’d rather jump in.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
                    "Rowan leaned forward, mouth parting slightly. As the contact between the two had grown more flirtatious, his own body was being affected by the sight."
                    ro "And what if I said I’d rather not watch and jump right in?"
                    al "Then I’d tell you that you need to be a good boy and show a little patience."
                    al "You were the one who convinced me to try my hand at her, Rowan. That means you need to leave me to my fun."
                    al "…At least to start with…"

            scene cg413 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg413
            show liurial aroused behind cg413
            show alexia necklace aroused behind cg413
            pause 3
            "Alexia suddenly attacked Liurial’s lips with her own. There was little build-up needed. She’d been eager since Rowan first proposed the idea to her. In contrast, Liurial’s timidity left her initial movements stiff, but her rising desire soon corrected that."

        "Their respective positions said it all. Alexia leaned forward, directing and guiding the smaller woman. Liurial tilted her head up, letting Alexia take the lead."
        "Rowan watched the unfolding scene with rapt attention. How could he have imagined that introducing Liurial and Alexia would end so well? He should have done it sooner."
        "Of course, neither of them minded his greater attention. Though the intimacy was certainly not a show for him. Alexia was positively riled up, and Liurial was quickly growing just as desperate. The moans and shallow gasps that escaped the kiss hinted at the passion."
        "Liurial hands grasped her own shoulders. The yielding fabric that made up her dress offered no resistance as she pulled it open. The kiss broke so Liurial could work her dress off."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            al "So pretty…"

        else:
            al "You’re cute when you’re eager."

        liur "Mff. Thank you…"

        "Alexia seemed to have as little qualms about staring as Rowan did. Her eyes traced Liurial, from her nape to her most delicate place. Wordlessly, Alexia’s hands went to her own clothing. It joined Liurial’s dress in a pool at their knees."
        "Rowan broke the spell of the moment with a chuckle."

        ro "That’s too much for one man…"

        "Alexia shot him a brief glare, then rejoined the kiss. Their entire bodies pressed against one another. Soft hands explored soft bodies. Liurial almost seemed to be absorbed in Alexia’s curves. Lips met lips. Passion met Passion."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Alexia broke the kiss, though she didn’t make the slightest move to extract herself from the other girl’s embrace. Liurial rolled her head back and let out a groan. Alexia ignored it, momentarily, and shifted her attention back to Rowan."
            al "What are you waiting for, Rowan? Going to join us?"
            "Rowan’s mouth went dry. Rather than answer her with words, he pulled off his clothes. Then, he moved to join his wife and his secretary’s embrace."

        else:
            "Rowan drew closer to the two women, putting one hand on each of their backs. Alexia broke the kiss with a gasp, but neither seemed to much mind his intrusion."
            if elfSex:
                "Afterall, they were both no strangers to his touch."
            ro "Room for one more?"
            "Alexia giggled and shot Liurial a grin."
            al "What do you think?"
            liur "Liurial breath was coming out heavy, but she managed a dainty giggle."
            liur "Please…"
            "And just like that, two became three. His clothes swiftly joined Liurial’s and Alexia’s on the floor."

        "Rowan leaned down on Liurial, planting a strong kiss. She was all too happy to receive the attention, pressing her hands to his chest. Alexia was not to be denied, and she, in turn, leaned on his neck to suckle on it. Her breasts jutted into his side."
        "All three of them softly ground their hips against one another. Three people simply basking in the pleasure of each other’s bodies."

        al "Mmm. More. I want more."

        ro "You heard the lady."

        scene cg242 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg242
        pause 3

        "Soon, Alexia was kneeling behind Liurial. Her arms wrapped around the elf’s body and her bosom teased the blond by pressing into her back."
        "The elf silently went along with Alexia’s ministrations. She barely rose a peep when Alexia’s hands grasped Liurial’s nipples and toyed with them."
        "A soft, submissive moan slipped out of Liurial’s lips at the sensation. Just the opportunity for Alexia to take possession of her lips once again. Soon, they were once more gagged by a kiss."
        "But, Rowan would not be drawn out of the proceedings again. His attention was drawn to the spreading of Liurial’s legs. They were open to him. Inviting."

        if elfSex:
            ro "That’s a good girl. So open to me, now. Ready to be fucked…"
            "He could see her need glistening between her legs. There would be no need for further lubrication. Her body itself was beginning for him."

        else:
            "How long had he denied himself this pleasure? How long had Liurial practically begged him to take her and he’d refused. But now, he had a chance to have her body. And not only with his wife’s permission. She was practically holding the girl’s legs open for him!"
            ro "I’ve waited for this for a long time. And I know you have to, girl…"
            "Liurial pulled her eyes away from Alexia long enough to meet him in the eyes. She couldn’t speak, but she was begging for his cock harder than any words could. All of her, from the look in her eyes to the glisten between her legs, was calling out for him."
            "So, Rowan, finally, fucked Liurial."

        scene cg243 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg243

        "By the time he’d entered her, he had been nearly painfully erect. At the feeling of his entrance, Liurial let out a loud sound muffled by Alexia’s lips. Her body spasmed in ecstasy, a sensation that traveled down to him as well."

        menu:
            "Degrade Liurial.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ threesomeDegrade = True
                $ threesomePraise = False
                ro "Ugh. You like that? You like that, slut? I know you’ve been dripping for my cock since you, ghhh, walked in the room."
                if elfDom:
                    ro "A desperate slave who, fuck, just wanted to be used."

            "Praise Liurial.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ threesomePraise = True
                $ threesomeDegrade = False
                ro "Mmmm. Good girl. That’s right. Take it all. You’re doing so well, taking my, er, my cock so well."
                if elfDom:
                    ro "Good girl. Good slave. Take it all."

        "But, it was not as simple a sensation as had he simply taken Liurial to bed himself. The motion of three bodies is far different from the bodies of two."
        "Every time he would piston forward into Liurial’s welcoming body, the force of it would hit Alexia. And when Alexia would push her own body in response to Rowan’s it would push Liurial’s with it."
        "In this way, three bodies acted almost like two. Rowan would thrust, Alexia counter-thrust. Between them, Liurial’s squirming body became almost like a ragdoll. Alexia was fucking him using Liruial as a puppet."
        "And the elf was loving every second of it. She was a spasming puddle of desperate noises and spastic movements. The harder Rowan’s cock penetrated into her, the louder the involuntary noises that she let out. At least, until Alexia gagged her with more shallow, desperate kisses."
        "Suffice to say, she lacked the clarity of mind or the will to protest being their fuckpuppet, even had she wanted to."

        if elfDom:
            ro "Ugh. Fuck. Take it, Slave. Take it like, gruh, the fucking…fucking toy, that you are…"
            ro "Being used…by both of us…at the same time…totally helpless…"

        else:
            if threesomeDegrade:
                ro "Fuck. You’re loving this, aren’t…aren’t you slut? Taking it, grrr, rough. Like a fucking, ugh, toy for us."

            else:
                ro "Good girl. Ugh. Good girl. Such a, gruh, good girl. Letting yourself be…be fucked by both of us at, ugh, the same time."

        "The rhythm of their hips grew faster. The friction of her tightness against him drove him closer yet to eruption. Normally he lasted longer than this…"
        "Perhaps, it was just the musk in the air. Perhaps it was the joining of Liurial’s tight body with Alexia’s strong hips and practiced thrusting. Or maybe the idea alone, the very concept was driving him wild."
        "Whatever, the cause, it soon had at the point of bursting."

        ro "Graph…"

        "He felt a powerful burst of pleasure, and then a load of his seed shot into Liurial’s pussy. Whiteness leaked out, in whatever space his cock allowed."

        if elfSex == False:
            "He leaned back, watching with satisfaction as his wife and his (secretary/girl/pet) continued their desperate kissing and grinding. They barely stopped the pace, even as Rowan’s seed started to leak out of the blond’s despoiled hole."

        elif elfSex == True and elfDom == False:
            "He leaned back, watching with satisfaction as his wife and his girl continued their desperate kissing and grinding. They barely stopped the pace, even as Rowan’s seed started to leak out of the blond’s despoiled hole."

        else:
            "He leaned back, watching with satisfaction as his wife and his pet continued their desperate kissing and grinding. They barely stopped the pace, even as Rowan’s seed started to leak out of the blond’s despoiled hole."

        "The sight of it alone soon had Rowan’s blood worked up again. He might have cum early, but he was far from done."

        scene cg374 with fade
        show liurial naked aroused behind cg374
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg374
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg374

        "As his refractory period drew to a close, the three worked themselves in a new position. Liurial was laid back with her legs spread. Rowan’s cum had formed a pool in her pussy. It proved a natural subject of fascination. Even to the point that Alexia was soon on all fours, with her face mere inches away."
        "All that cum would only be seasoning to go with the taste of exotic pussy."

        if elfDom:
            ro "You can dig right, Alexia...sh’s yours. If she complains a peep, I’ll grab some belts and hold the little slave in place for you."
            "Liurial made a sound halfway between a whimper and a cry of lust. She always melted into pure need when he spoke that way."
            al "Rowan…so kinky…this girl really, heh, pulls it out of you."

        else:
            if threesomeDegrade:
                ro "Alexia…I wonder. Is this slut eager to feel your tongue…or will she be sad about losing all that cum?"
                al "Heh. Let’s find out."
            else:
                al "Mmm. It looks tasty, doesn’t it, Rowan?"
                "Rowan laughed between heavy breaths."
                if rowanGaySex == 0:
                    ro "I don’t know about tasty. But, heh, seeing her perfect pussy filled up like that? Beautiful."
                else:
                    ro "It looks divine."

        "But, as he felt his cock stiffen back to attention, he took his position behind Alexia. Before she even had a chance to taste from the elf, his familiar cock slammed it’s way inside of her. She let out a long, eager cry."

        show cg375 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        show cg376 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        show cg377 with dissolve
        pause 0.5
        show cg378 with dissolve
        pause 0.5

        al "Rowan!"

        "Liurial watched on, wide-eyed, as Alexia’s entire body shook. But, she didn’t have long to gawk. Alexia lowered her head and set her tongue to work on the girl."
        "As overstimulated as she was, it took no time to make the elf squirming and gasp at the sensation. A wet, eager lapping at the girl’s soiled insides."
        "From Rowan’s vantage point, he couldn’t see Alexia’s face. He could only imagine the drip of his cum down Alexia’s tongue."
        "But, Liurial was in plane view. He didn’t have to imagine the way she’d thrash and spasm. He saw the way she clutched as her own meager chest, for something to grip into. The way her tongue panted out like a dog. The way her eyes rolled as if her mind was going vacant."
        "The sight of it all helped him continue, despite the accrued exhaustion from the first session. How could he stop when they looked so divine in their rapture? When they sounded so heavenly in their desire? When they moved so perfectly in their need?"

        liur "Ahhhh…"

        if elfDom:
            liur "U-use meeee….Use me….Use me use me use me use me. "

        else:
            liur "So good…Rowan…mmm…any-anything…anything for…you…"

        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "In what part of his mind was still rational, he marveled at the effect Alexia was having on her. For a woman whose sexual expierience was mostly men, she was surprisingly skilled at handling a woman’s body."

        "Once more the three moved together. Thrusting and licking. Gasping and moaning. Every time he’d slam his hips into Alexia, it would drive her tongue deeper into Liurial’s sex. The force of it traveling all the way through his wife’s body into the other girl’s sex."
        "And with each time Alexia’s body shuddered from the rough fucking, it would draw an equal reaction from Liurial. Alexia’s prying tongue was as affected by Rowan’s handling as the rest of her."

        liur "Mmmm…uahhahahaaa….."

        "Liurial let out a small shocked sound, almost a squeal. Then she convulsed. Already on edge from Alexia’s earlier ministrations, her endurance gave way. From that moment on, she kept cumming, over and over, again with the period between shorter every time."
        "Rowan and Alexia didn’t ease off, of course. If anything her pleasured mewls just made them move faster. It certainly pushed Rowan closer to the same heights that he’d felt with the prior explosion."
        "Alexia was the next to succumb to the feeling. He knew the feeling of her body peaking intimately, and he felt that familiar sensation."

        al "Rowan!"

        "In the throes of her passion, her head tilted backwards and she gasped for air. Strands of spittle and cum were tossed up. The viscous mixture of Rowan’s fluids with Liurial’s."
        "This sight was the last thing Rowan could take. It was scarcely a few seconds after his wife had reached her climax that Rowan felt himself reaching a similar point. Even the reduced sensitivity from repeated use was no match for the pleasure he was subjected to. "

        show cg379 with flash
        pause 1
        show cg380 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "A mute groan came to his lips, and then he let loose. As his shuddering slowly came to a stop, he felt something warm and hot from inside his wife’s body. Now, Alexia and Liurial had something new in common. Freshly creamed cunts."
        "In the aftermath, Rowan sat backwards on his ass. Alexia slumped downwards, chest to the floor. Liurial was still on her back, shuddering from the afterquakes of her multi-orgasmic “torture”."
        "He caught sight of Alexia turning back to him. With half-lidded eyes, she was staring at him, mouth slightly ajar. A trail of white liquid ran down her lip. It drew Rowan’s glance to the tired smile she was slowly forming. "

        scene bg9 with fade
        show liurial naked happy at center with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked at midright with dissolve

        "A quiet set into the room. It matched the musk of sex that hung heavy in the air. Their chests rose and fell, searching for air to replace all that had been lost amidst the lust. Surprisingly, Liurial was the first to speak. She curled into a ball, face close to Alexia’s."

        show liurial naked sad at center with dissolve

        liur "I was terrified…you were in the hall for so long…I thought you would…mmm…make him get rid of me…"

        if elfSex and admitElfSex:
            liur "Or…you’d hate me for what I did…that you wouldn’t like me…"

        "Rowan crawled closer along the floor, so he could more easily hear the conversation."

        al "Oh sweetie…heh…you didn’t have to…have to worry…once I got to meet you, how could I not…not like you?"
        al "Mmm. You’re adorable."

        #liur naked neutral

        "Liurial whimpered and tilted her head away."

        liur "No. I’m not…"

        "Alexia started to giggle, and Rowan joined in. "

        if elfSex and admitElfSex:
            al "Rowan dear…is she always so bashful, after?"
            ro "Always."
            liur "Mfff."
            if elfDom:
                al "And all that…that slave stuff? Is that how you always…?"
                ro "She likes, er, talk like that."
                al "Clearly..."
            else:
                al "You’re a…a lucky man, Rowan. You had such a cute thing. This entire time. Just waiting for you?"
                "Rowan grunted."
                ro "I had to wait…so not that lucky."

        "The three curled together. Rowan took the position as the big spoon at the back. Alexia, second largest, settled into his warm embrace. And the petite elf was drawn towards Alexia, wrapped in her arms and pressed into her bosom."

        ro "So, Liurial…what do you say?"
        liur "Hrmm?"
        ro "You swore yourself to me. And Alexia and I swore ourselves to each other. So, hrmm, if you want, that means you can be Alexia’s too. "

        show liurial naked happy at center with dissolve

        "Alexia nuzzled into Liurial’s neck. The girl’s head tilted backwards to accommodate. It was accompanied by a sigh of the utmost satisfaction."

        liur "B-being Alexia’s woman? Rowan…"
        liur "So long as…as you don’t mind?"
        ro "Not a bit."
        liur "Then, er, if My Lady…please make use of me again…what’s his is yours…"
        al "..."
        al "Didn’t I..didn’t I tell you that you didn’t have to call me that? The “My Lady” stuff."

        "Liurial’s voice became a diminutive whisper."

        liur "…what if…I like calling you that…"

        "Alexia answered by sighting and turning her head halfway back to meet Rowan in the eyes."

        al "I like her. Can we keep her?"

        "And so they laid on the floor for some time. The conversation never hit on anything serious. There had already been enough of that for one day. But, though it all, one thing remained true…"
        "…That Rowan had utterly forgotten about preparing for the upcoming week’s excursion. The entire reason he brought Liurial in the first place."
        "Whoops."

        # $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
        # $ elf3Some = True
        # $ elfSex = True
        # if alexiaJezObedient == False and alexiaAndrasObedient == False:
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 10)

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_44.rpy
label the_tower_rp:

    $ skillCheck = "success"
    $ earlyBreak = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1":
            $ earlyBreak = True
            jump claClanGroping_rp
        "Yes - Scene 2":
            $ earlyBreak = True
            $ claClanGroped = True
            jump claClanFucking_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass


    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg43 with fade

    "Rowan looked out across the fiendishly looking hills. Nestled among the craggy mesas, a dark tower rose, like a black sword stabbing up towards the sky."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Seems like the right place. Are you sure about this?"

    "Behind him, Cla-Min stood close, her hands resting casually on her hips while she grinned confidently at the foreboding structure."

    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    cla "Yessir. The relic is waiting for us in that tower."

    "Rowan gazed down. Several skeletons wandered at the tower’s base, repeating the same predetermined pattern."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Cla-Min, did you {i}forget{/i} to tell me everything about the wizard who owns this tower?"

    "The scrumptious shortstack fixed the ex-hero with an innocent expression that just looked ‘off’ on her. When she saw it wasn’t winning him over, Cla-Min let out a huff."

    cla "Well… the goblin who escaped and ended up giving me the info… He might have mentioned that the sorcerer inside dabbled in the uh… well… the darker side of the arcane arts. "

    "Rowan looked at the skeletons once more."

    ro "So… we’re looking at a Necromancer’s tower."
    cla "Right on the gold. See, you’re perfect for this sort of thing! "

    "Rowan glanced ahead at the imposing structure. He’d seen a lot during the war and knew that mages were flesh and blood just like him. Still, the quest had just turned a bit sour in his mouth."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "On a mission, it’s important not to hide things."
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
        cla "You’re right. Next time I won’t."
        cla "Sorry..."
        "After her little bark of an apology, her expression turned into a big grin."
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        cla "Still, you’ve got the Cla clan backing you up. We’ll take down this skullbanger faster than you can skin a cat."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "Quit holding things back from now on. Or our adventuring together will be finished. Understood?"
        "The Goblin matriarch quickly nodded."
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
        cla "Clear as a bell, Rowan. And don’t worry. With the Cla Clan backing you up, we’ll take down this skullbanger faster than you can skin a cat!"
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        ro "This wasn’t the deal, Cla-Min…"
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
        cla "I… I’m sorry, Rowan. It just slipped my mind, honestly."
        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
        cla "Still… I mean, you’re the Grand Trickster, and you have the Cla clan backing you up. I know we can take down some mook in a robe!"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Hmm."

    ro "Yes, regarding that… "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Was it vital to bring {i}your entire clan{/i} with you?"

    "Rowan looked behind into, into the expecting faces of Cla-Min’s father Cla-Sty, her twin brother Cla-Bow, her younger sisters Cla-Tre and Cla-Owi, the youngest sibling Cla-Sel, Cla-Min’s mate Ver-Tod, his sister Ver-Min -"
    "- Cla-Min’s firstborn triplets, consisting of the little Cla-Min, also called Cla-Mini, the Cla-Sty - Cla-Tod brothers, and finally, yet another set of twins, Cla-Min’s youngest Cla-Kas and Cla-Lij."
    "His skeptical expression didn’t go unnoticed. Cla-Sty spat to his left, having none of that."

    clasty "Don't be giving any lip, boy. You might be a general, but I’ve been in more brawls than you could imagine! "
    clasty "Everyone here knows their role in a fight. We can handle a bunch of skeletons."
    cla "We’ll distract the Necromancer while you go deal with the big bad of the tower. Sounds good, no? "

    "Somehow, Rowan wasn’t sure it would go that swimmingly. But did he want to go into details here?"

    $ claDialogueCounter = 0

    menu:
        "Ask everybody about their assignments.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

        "Let’s just get on with this… (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump claClanNevermind_rp

    label claClanDialogueMenu1_rp:

        menu:
            "What is Cla-Sty’s role?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                clasty "I’m leading the vanguard. Keeping everyone safe."
                bow "It’s good to have you with us, dad. Just don’t go down in a blaze of glory if things go south, alright?"
                clasty "Ha! As if a bunch of skeletons and some weakling in fancy robes could kill me!"
                jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

            "What is Cla-Bow doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                bow "Having dad’s back. I’m a true artist with my bow."
                clasel "It’s easy to aim between the ribs when they’re right there in the open, brother."
                bow "Ha, bet you ten coins I’ll knock a skeleton’s head right off its neck!"
                jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

            "What are Ver-Tod and Ver-Min doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                vertod "Protecting Cla-Sty’s flanks. He goes a little… Berserk in battle."
                clasty "Am not!"
                vermin "It’s a compliment, old man."
                jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

            "What are Cla-Tre and Cla-Owi Doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                cla "Taking care of the injured. I told you they’re good with needles."
                clatre "And bandages and ointments too. You make it sound like our medical knowledge ends at needlework."
                cla "It is how you originally got into it…"
                jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

            "What about the younger members?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanDialogueMenu2_rp

            "I think I got this." if claDialogueCounter > 7:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claGotThis_rp

            "Nevermind.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanNevermind_rp

    label claClanDialogueMenu2_rp:

        menu:
            "What is Cla-Mini doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                clamini "… I scouted the area earlier. Right now… Helping mom keep everything in order."
                cla "Remembering the big picture is key, sweetie."
                clamini "Yes, Mother..."
                jump claClanDialogueMenu2_rp

            "What is Cla-Sel doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                clasel "I’m back-up if things go wrong. l hope it won’t come to it."
                bow "Don’t sell yourself so short, brother! You’re great with the knife!"
                clasel "The kitchen knife, Bow."
                jump claClanDialogueMenu2_rp

            "What are Cla-Sty and Cla-Tod doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The twins showed their teeth in a wild smile."
                clastyj "Providing the magic."
                cla "They mean the distraction. No need to be overly dramatic, sweethearts."
                clatod "Now that just goes against everything you’ve ever taught us!"
                jump claClanDialogueMenu2_rp

            "What are Cla-Kes and Cla-Lij doing?":
                $ claDialogueCounter += 1
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The first of the twins sighed, defeated."
                clakes "We’re on the lookout for new enemies. Again."
                clalij "Hey, I like that job..."
                jump claClanDialogueMenu2_rp

            "What about the older members?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanDialogueMenu1_rp

            "I think I got this." if claDialogueCounter > 7:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claGotThis_rp

            "Nevermind.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanNevermind_rp

    label claGotThis_rp:

        # $ change_relation('cla_min', 5)

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Cla-Sty, Ver-Tod, Ver-Min, and Cla-Bow form the main striking force."
        ro "Cla-Min, her triplets, and Cla-Sel are the auxiliary force and will engage depending on how the situation develops. The rest act as medics and sentries."
        ro "… A rather well rounded approach. I’ve seen worse plans. "
        cla "Told you we got this handled. "

        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

        "The whole affair still felt insane, but Rowan’s fears were at least partially assuaged. He signaled for the clan to follow his lead and descended to the tower’s base. "

        jump claClanContinue_rp

    label claClanNevermind_rp:

        ro "Alright, I’ll trust you not to have all of us killed. "
        cla "Thank you for trusting us, Rowan. You can count on the Cla clan to save the day!"

        "He didn’t, but while tactical sensibility was in low supply in Castle Bloodmeen, the goblins at least didn’t have a track record of getting themselves stupidly killed like the orcs."
        "That counted for something."
        "He signaled for the clan to follow his lead and descended to the tower’s base."

    label claClanContinue_rp:

        #tower
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

        cla "Also, we split all the extra loot evenly between everyone."
        ro "Is that the real reason you dragged your whole clan here?!"
        cla "What can I say! Momma wants a golden wagon!"

        "Cla-Min clasped her hands together, rubbing them eagerly. Rowan had no more time to argue - the first skeleton was already turning his head at them. "

        #tower
        show black with sshake

        "Only to end up smacked with a jar of… Something. White mist spread over the undead, and Rowan saw them grow agitated. "

        clatod "Holy mist in a jar! Ha, and they called me a madman!"

        "Whatever the stuff was, it was enough to buy Rowan time to decapitate the first undead."
        "Cla-Sty removed the knees from another skeleton by his side, then swung his axe at his head, splitting it in two."

        clasty "We got this boy! Go, go!"

        "Rushing past the undead - an arrow swished past his ear, shattering the spine of yet another skeleton warrior - Rowan made his way to the base of the tower. Up high, he saw a small window, just large enough for a man to fit in."
        "He took his grappling hook out and tossed it into the air. Luck was on his side."
        "Rowan pulled again to check that the hook was in place, then quickly started to climb up. The ruckus down below only grew louder, but he could afford no time to look down."
        "He heard a loud crash - the main gate being forced open."
        "Finally reaching his goal, he jumped inside, unsheathing his blade and bracing himself to slice down the first of the Necromancer’s guards."

        ro "What the… "

        "No enemy was standing to greet him. However, pieces of skeletons laid scattered across the floor. Sensing a trap, he made his way up the nearby stairs, expecting a barrage of dark magic to greet him on the first step."
        "Nothing. The room was also empty. And clearly ransacked. Frowning, he backtracked down,, and found Cla-Sty and Cla-Min standing in what had to be the tower’s main hall. "

        ro "Top's empty."
        clasty "So are the lower levels. Someone got here first, girl."

        show clamin angry at midright with dissolve

        cla "I can’t believe it. Who could have done this?! Raaaaraah! This is like stealing grandma’s luck potion and realizing it was just filled with her spit!"
        ro "… Gross Cla-Min."
        cla "Bah. You understand. Someone nicked my score! Gotta make em pay!"
        ro "Calm down. The information you got, was it old?"
        cla "Nope. Not more than a week at most."
        ro "Hmmm. If the relic is as valuable as you say, it makes sense someone else would be looking for it."

        vertod "Rowan. We should check the tower. Make sure it’s empty."

        "Rowan nodded and left the frustrated Cla-Min to grumble. He began searching for traces of the first invaders, starting with the already defeated undead."
        "Among a set of broken skeletal guardians, he found a torn piece of armor with a badge on it. When he returned to the first floor, Cla-Min practically ripped it from his hands."

        vertod "Something smells…"

        cla "Quiet, I’ve seen this before. But where? Damnit. Think damnit, think!"

        "As much as she scrunched up her face in concentration, the answer eluded the green-skinned shortstack."

        ro "I’m sure it will come to you."
        cla "Maybe. For now, looks like we’re at the end of the bottle, Rowan. Grah. I’m not giving up. Gotta be something here!"

        menu:
            "Stay at the tower to further investigate. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanQuestContinue_rp

            "Return to Bloodmeen and leave Cla-Min to the task.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Have fun. I’m returning to Bloodmeen. You and yours will be alright here?"
                cla "Yeah… I mean…  you bet! And don’t worry. I’ll find out who sniped this place from me. From us!"
                "Rowan nodded, pat the Goblin on the shoulder, and then departed from the Tower."
                return

    label claClanQuestContinue_rp:

        ro "You’re right, and I’m not one for leaving the job half done. Set up camp; we’ll be searching every nook and cranny of this place until we find the people responsible for this."
        bow "You make it sound so heroic as if we didn’t intend to do exactly the same."
        cla "Shush and get to work!"

        "The clan scattered, bringing their supplies in and setting up a new camp in the large room at the tower’s base."
        "While her three youngest prepared some food, Cla-Min urged Rowan to continue exploring."

        ro "We still have… About 40 hours until Jezera starts complaining, nothing is working without me being there to oversee it. "

        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

        cla "More than enough to dismantle this place brick by brick. "
        ro "No reason to be hasty, old wizard towers all full of surprises. I’ll go segment by segment and the rest of you will help."
        ro "There’s still time to do some searching before nighttime… Then we should be able to get stuff done tomorrow in the morning, afternoon and evening, and then again in the morning right before we have to leave. "
        ro "Let’s make the most of it, everyone!"

        $ claClanExploreTower = False
        $ claClanExploreDungeons = False
        $ claClanExploreCircle = False
        $ claClanExploreKitchen = False
        $ claClanExploreStudy = False
        $ claClanExploreGallery = False
        $ claClanExploreBedroom = False

        $ claClanGroped = False

        $ claClanTime = 1

    label claClanTimer_rp:

        #tower
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        if claClanTime == 1 or claClanTime == 2 or claClanTime == 4 or claClanTime == 5 or claClanTime == 7 or claClanTime == 8 or claClanTime == 10:
            jump claClanExploration_rp

        elif claClanTime == 3:
            jump claClanGroping_rp

        elif claClanTime == 6:
            jump claClanDay2Aft_rp

        elif claClanTime == 9:
            jump claClanFucking_rp

        else:
            jump claClanLeave_rp

    label claClanExploration_rp:

        menu:
            "Explore the top of the tower." if claClanExploreTower == False:
                $ claClanExploreTower = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Cla-Min, let’s check out the very top again."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "I’m right behind you!"
                "The unlikely pair climbed the steps of the tower. Before the end, Cla-Min offered Rowan a treat if she could ride on his shoulders."
                menu:
                    "You’re not a dog, but you can help her out.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "He casually plucked her up, and then the two ascended together."
                        cla "Hah. You’re a nice ride, just about any way you cut it, aren’t you?"
                        ro "Let’s stay focused."
                        cla "Sure…"
                        "The plucky Goblin, with an eye for gold and a nose for a deal, the plucky Goblin managed to contain herself as Rowan marches up a whole floor of stairs."
                        cla "Weee! Look mah! I’m on top of the Great Trickster!"
                        ro "After we’re done, we might have to talk about the division of labour."
                        "Rowan grunted with a joke. Cla-Min chuckled and playfully touched his ear while leaning in."
                        cla "Oh, don’t worry that pretty face. I know there are no free lunches in this age. Now keep going. Maybe the crooks missed something."
                        "Finally, they emerged into the tallest room of the tower. Cla-Min tumbled down Rowan’s shoulders and gave him a big toothy smile."
                        cla "Thanks. You’d think the wizard who lived here was overcompensating for something."
                        ro "They all do. Let’s get to work."

                    "Ha. Ha. Ha. No.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Are you for real, Cla-Min? “A treat”?"
                        cla "Alright, bad choice of words. But you must understand the predicament I’m in here! These short legs are doing overtime here!"
                        ro "I don’t hear you complaining in Castle Bloodmeen."
                        cla "Because my cart isn’t parked at the top of it!"
                        "Finally, they emerged into the tallest room of the tower. Exhausted, Cla-Min leaned against the nearest wall to rest."
                        cla "Bloody hell. You’d think the wizard who lived here was overcompensating for something."
                        ro "They all do. Let’s get to work."

                "The pair found an advanced alchemy set, smashed into so many shards of glass. A curved bookshelf covered one half of the room."
                "Tragically, it was robbed of every tome, save except for a few volumes on poetry and a book labeled simply ‘Taxes’."
                cla "Woah, what the… look at that!"
                ro "Looks like a big, standing spyglass."
                cla "Hmm. Pah! We could have sold the lenses. Damn things are broken. What a waste!"
                "The main item of interest the pair find is a journal. They learn the necromancer’s name was Brentwug. Only the last page has words that make sense."
                "Every other page features a mess of shifting letters and numbers. Some sort of code, Rowan figured. Besides…"
                ro "“The alarm in the south quadrant just activated. Must those bothersome ravens again.”"
                cla "Hmm. Not much to chew on. Still, whoever this other group is, they have some big balls to take on a Necromancer."
                ro "Looks that way. Do you think we’ll be able to decipher the random numbers?"
                "With the area thoroughly examined, the two begin walking down the stairs."
                cla "Great. I like going down a lot more than going up."
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Explore the cells." if claClanExploreDungeons == False:
                $ claClanExploreDungeons = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Cla-Tre, Cla-Owi, I’m going down to look over the cells again. Cla-Sty mentioned he found something strange there, and I could use some extra eyes."
                claowi "The cells? Like… dungeons? Where the Necromancer… tortured prisoners?"
                "Both girls looked pretty shaky and nervous at the concept. Rowan gave them a reassuring look and patted each of Cla-min’s younger sisters on the shoulder."
                ro "I’ll be with you. Ver-Tod and I already searched it for bad guys and traps, and now we’re just looking for clues."
                claowi "O-Okay. Just… tell me if I should close my eyes."
                clatre "Owi, he just told you he needs them open. You don’t need to worry about me, Hero. I can follow your lead perfectly."
                ro "Uh… great."
                "They descended and found the spot that Rowan canvased before. His torch led the way as they walked over to the cell he wanted to start investigating."
                claowi "Rowan… What happened… there?"
                ro "I don’t rightly know. But I think the cell contained an infiltrator."
                "Rowan crouched down, examining the scorch and blast marks that emerged from within one of the cells. The doorway of the cell was behind him, embedded into the wall."
                cla "Infiltrator? Like another mage?"
                ro "The scorch marks suggest so. There’s also this."
                "He moved further down the corridor. At the end of it, there was a perfect, open hole in the wall, leading to a tunnel a meter wide in diameter. "
                "So that’s how the assailants bypassed the guards outside."
                claowi "This one!… this one has a message, Rowan! Come look."
                "He turned to see the other young sister waving her hand excitedly from one of the other cells. Cla-Owi inched her body to the side so he could pass inside."
                ro "(She’s definitely a bit removed from Cla-Min’s pluckiness.)"
                "His eyes narrowed, at first missing whatever caught Cla-Owi’s attention. Her finger shakily pointed at the wall right next to the old, bound skeleton."
                clatre "What is it?"
                claowi "Well, it looks like a message."
                ro "Let’s see."
                "His torch illuminated the wall. The rogue’s eyes quickly searched the ground, hoping silently that he and Ver-Tod had found every last trap in the tower."
                "The message started to take shape. It appeared to scratched into masonry. Rowan noted a bone nearby with one end filed down into a simple writing tool."
                claowi "What’s that bone?"
                ro "Shh. Cla-Owi. I’m trying to read."
                claowi "Oh! Sorry..."
                "Rowan’s eyes went back to the scrawling on the wall:"
                "{i}He has them! I saw them with my own eyes. That damn bastard paraded the damned things in front of me! When I get free, I’m going to gouge out his eyes! {/i}"
                "{i}I’ll put them on before I kill him, of course. I can see it now.{/i}"
                clatre "Looks like he never got the chance."
                "Rowan felt surprised when he found Cla-Tre hovering close to him while her sister remained far back."
                ro "So, Cla-Min was right. The necromancer did have some powerful artifact. This poor corpse came here for it too."
                claowi "R-Rowan. Can we please go now?"
                "Even though Owi was the only one to voice her concerns, it was clear that both of the Goblin females were interested in getting the hell out of the cells."
                ro "Sure. Nothing else to see."
                "With that, Rowan put his hands on their shoulders and escorted them out of the dungeon."
                "The adventurer wondered about the exact nature of the relics the prisoner had mentioned. Privately, he hoped that even if the relics weren’t here, he would see them one day."
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Inspect the magic circle." if claClanExploreCircle == False:
                $ claClanExploreCircle = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan walked to Cla-Bow, Cla-min’s twin brother. The goblin in his simple white shirt cracked a smile towards Rowan and stood up straighter."
                bow "What’s on your mind, Hero?"
                "Rowan noted that Cla-Bow was watching the younger Cla-Sty and Cla-Min."
                ro "Going to check out that special room we found. Could use some backup. Lots of switches."
                "Cla-Bow nodded excitedly."
                bow "Come on, rugrats. The Hero needs help."
                clamini "Okay…"
                "The group traveled up some stairs and then arrived at the room in question. Rowan wasn’t quite sure what to make of it."
                "There was magical equipment and strange, runic patterns on the floor, but he couldn't figure out what they were for."
                clamini "Wow. Uncle, the previous owner, sure loved his space. You could fit fifty Goblins in here."
                bow "Big people love all the emptiness, I guess. Lot of good it did him."
                "Cla-Bow chuckled dryly."
                ro "I’m not complaining. Your sister only told me we might be fighting a Necromancer once we already came here."
                "Cla-Bow grinned, and two of Cla-Min’s triplets giggled and chuckled."
                bow "Growing up, catching people off-guard is what sis did best. I think she just does it to sound smart."
                clamini "Uncle! You know Mom is the sharpest Goblin around."
                "The older Goblin nodded and squeezed his niece on the shoulder affectionately."
                bow "Just teasing, young one. Now come on, let’s see if we can figure this place out."
                "Try as they might, the group failed to learn much about the room. Rowan’s best guess was that it was some sort of chamber for magical transportation."
                "If he hadn’t seen the corpse of the Necromancer, he might have imagined the owner of the tower had fled."
                ro "Well, this one is a bust."
                bow "Didn’t hurt to walk around and check the place out."
                clamini "Are you sure there is nothing we can do, Rowan?"
                "Rowan shook his head."
                ro "Fraid not, Cla-Min. Sometimes, this type of work is just a lot of digging around and coming up dry. It happens."
                "Cla-Min the younger nodded towards him. "
                clastyj "Come on, Sis. I’ll race you back down. At least that will be fun!"
                "Cla-Min nodded eagerly, and the two younger Goblins quickly sprinted down the stairs to head back to the camp."
                bow "Hmm. We better get after them, make sure they don’t trip or crash into my dad on their way down."
                "Rowan nodded and followed Cla-Min’s twin back to the group’s base camp at the bottom of the tower."
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Explore the kitchen." if claClanExploreKitchen == False:
                $ claClanExploreKitchen = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan joined Ver-Tod, and his sister, Ver-Min to explore the kitchen of the tower. The place stood in stark contrast to the rest of the structure."
                vertod "Hmm. It’s… uh…"
                ro "It’s not much to look at."
                "Ver-Min nodded and dusted off some of the food that remained."
                vermin "Maybe we can salvage something."
                "She climbed up onto a counter and began opening up some cabinets. Then, she glanced back, spotting strange looks on the two men after finding a bit of stale bread."
                vermin "What? What are you doing?"
                "Rowan and Ver-Tod saw it at the same time, a cloaked figure moving to attack Ver-Min. Both men’s weapons came out nearly at the same time. "
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    ro "What the- wait!"
                    "Ver-Min, acting on instinct, threw the stale bread behind her and dove over the two. Rowan held his sword in front of him, stopping Ver-Tod from advancing."
                    "Their enemy swayed on his feet, nodding his head wildly. Rowan furrowed his eyebrows, and with the tip of his sword, took the cloak off."
                    vertod "Is that… A dancing broom?"
                    ro " Ha, we almost got murdered by a slightly enhanced stick with some tablecloth over it."
                    vermin "Huh. Do we take it back to Bloodmeen?"
                    ro "With the amount of standard equipment the orcs break every week? It would be a waste. I imagine it might be worth quite a lot."
                    vertod "Since I almost smashed it into pieces, we split it 50/50?"
                    ro "Sounds fair to me."
                    vermin "Glad you settled that. I suppose I’ll just stand here and uh… point out stuff that looks edible."
                    vertod "You never were one to let things go to waste. Let’s help her out."
                    # $ change_personal_gold(40)
                else:
                    "Ver-Min, acting on instinct, threw the stale bread behind her and dove over the two as they advanced."
                    vertod "Die!"
                    "Rowan and his companion slashed at their opponent. It seemed to spasm before going still and falling to the ground."
                    "Now close enough to get a good look, both of them realized it was just a broom with a tablecloth over it."
                    vertod "Oh…"
                    ro "I thought it was…"
                    vertod "Yeah… Guess the Necromancer used magic to enchant this place."
                    vermin "Haha. Well, this broom’s sweeping days are over."
                    vertod "Mmm. I’ll bag it. Could fix a wheel one day."
                    ro "Let’s keep looking."
                    vermin "You do that, I’ll just stand here and uh… point out stuff that looks edible."
                    vertod "You never were one to let things go to waste. "
                "The two of them joined forces in collecting a few scraps of food here and there that still looked fresh enough to eat. "
                "On their way back, the Goblin in light armor grunted in Rowan’s direction."
                vertod "You’re very fast on the draw, Rowan."
                ro "Thanks, you too."
                "In due course, the trio returned to the campsite and dolled out the food to the rest of the party"
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Explore the study." if claClanExploreStudy == False:
                $ claClanExploreStudy = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan asked Cla-Sty the elder if he wanted to help him explore the tower’s study."
                "The ex-hero was a little surprised, first that the older Goblin accepted, and secondly that he grabbed Cla-Kes and Cla-Lij to follow them."
                clasty "Hop to it, you two. If I can make it up these stairs, I don’t want to hear any lip out of you."
                "“Yes Grand-dad,” The two youngest members of Cla-Min’s brood replied. Cla-Sty rustled both of their hair, and then the four started to move."
                "Eventually, they exited the circular stairwell into what had once been an expansive library."
                clakes "Damn, the thing’s completely ransacked."
                ro "It’s a good thing Cliohna isn’t around to see this. She would be very displeased about the destruction."
                clasty "Bah. Of course, because that’s all some people care about. Books."
                clasty "They just sit around staring at words. Never occurs to them to enjoy a good story around a campfire. "
                ro "You have something against them, Cla-Sty?"
                clasty "A lesson is better learned through action, practice. You can’t learn without doing."
                ro "Hmm. Well, let’s sweep the area. Maybe the Necromancer put a switch in one of the shelves to unlock a secret room."
                clalij "A secret room! Wow!"
                "Cla-Lij immediately took off with his brother in tow. They touched and scrambled across all of the empty and ruined bookshelves."
                "The old and wrinkly Goblin chuckled and lit up an old pipe. He found a spot against one of the curved wall and sat down."
                clasty "Good thinking, son. Hopefully, that will tucker them out for a few hours."
                "The ex-Hero imagined that hearing Cla-Sty call him son would have made Cla-Min giggle with glee."
                "Rowan nodded and ended up joining the two brothers in their exploration. Much as he’d feared, they ended up finding no new clues about the Necromancer or the relic."
                "Still, he ended up having fun with the energetic duo before the group made their way back down."
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Mess with Cla-Min in the gallery." if claClanExploreGallery == False:
                $ claClanExploreGallery = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Cla-Min walked into the gallery on her own. As her torch moved around in the chamber, she gulped back her fear."
                "Stuffed creatures of various makes, each more scary-looking than the last, filled the room. She stepped closer to a big creature with a bear’s body and an owl’s face."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "It’s dead. It’s dead. Nothing to be afraid of. You’re alright, you’re-"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Boo."
                cla "Ayiiiee!"
                "Cla-Min ran like a cat on its last life. Rowan ended up catching the flipping torch casually, and then he slapped his knee as he laughed loudly."
                "Cla-Min eventually inched her way back into the room, her red eyes brimming with anger."
                show clamin angry at midright with dissolve
                cla "Rowan! What the… how could you? My heart is beating faster than I was running!"
                ro "Hahah. Oh, that was priceless."
                cla "Hmmph. It was stupid. I could have… hit you with my torch."
                "Rowan just gave her a roguish grin."
                ro "Yes, but instead, you ran away like a scared little girl."
                cla "I… I don’t know what you’re talking about. Big mean Human. You just… I thought you were a skeleton guard or something."
                ro "Come on Cla-Min, I’m getting the hang of knowing when you’re lying."
                cla "Hah. That’s what you think."
                "The Goblin woman, who always prided herself on being on top of every situation, walked up to him, fixing him with a coy grin while she folded her arms tightly beneath her bust."
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                cla "Maybe I’ve been being too honest with you."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Not at all. Besides, we’re partners on this job. Partners aren’t supposed to keep secrets."
                cla "That’s one way to think about it.  Did you find anything?"
                "The Great Trickster slapped the butt of the bear creature."
                ro "These heads and statues are all real creatures, but they must have been magically sealed to the ground and walls. I can’t get them to budge."
                cla "No wonder the bandits left them."
                cla "Don’t ever tell her, but I’m kind of wishing we’d dragged Cliohna out here. I bet she could get all this loot ready to move with a snap of her fingers."
                "Cla-Min stopped looking so embarrassed and then gave Rowan a seductive and mischievous grin."
                cla "Come on, you. I’m not letting you waste any more time so you can try to scare someone else."
                "Rowan accepted her hand as she led him towards the stairwell."
                ro "So, you admit it. I scared you."
                cla "I admit nothing."
                "Rowan laughed, and the two made their way back to the camp to join the others."
                cla "I’m going to get you back, you know that, right?"
                ro "Sure. Give it your best shot."
                # $ change_relation('cla_min', 1)
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Explore the bedroom with Cla-Min." if claClanExploreBedroom == False:
                $ claClanExploreBedroom = True
                #Movement Points next week: -0,5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan and Cla-Min climbed up to the second tallest chamber of the tower. The room they walked into was a bedroom."
                "Like the rest of the place, everything of value appeared to have been stripped clean. With a heavy sigh, the curvy little Goblin woman hopped up onto the bed."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                cla "Hmmm. Comfortable enough. Maybe we should have a little fun, Rowan? Make this trip count for something."
                ro "Don’t raise the white flag yet, Cla-Min. We still might find something."
                "Cla-Min bent forward towards him, exposing a delicious window into her green cleavage while she sat on the King-sized bed."
                cla "Really? I’m impressed, Mr. Trickster. You care more about making sure I didn’t make a fool of myself than having sex with me."
                menu:
                    "Yes.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I do, Cla-Min. Don’t forget. We’re in this together."
                        "Cla-Min hopped off the bed and placed her hands on her hips."
                        cla "You’re right, Rowan. Now come on, let’s keep at it."

                    "Maybe.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Care is a strong word. We’re tricksters, right? Caring about stuff is how we get caught."
                        cla "Hah. Surely even the Great Trickster cares about a few things. Everyone has to have something important to hold on to."
                        ro "I just know, I’m not going to let my partner down."
                        "A smile broke out on the Goblin Milf’s features, and she hopped off the bed."
                        cla "Glad to hear it. Let’s leave this dusty claptrap and find ourselves some treasure!"

                    "No.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Oh, I definitely want to have some fun with you, Cla-Min. But maybe not in the bed of a Necromancer. Who knows what a guy like that is into?"
                        cla "Ewuah! I didn’t even think about that."
                        "Cla-Min quickly jumped back to the ground and dusted off her pants. Then, she fixed Rowan with a mischievous and seductive grin."
                        cla "As far as having some fun, we’ll have to put a pin in that for now, buster."
                        cla "If we don’t find anything from this job, the Twins might decide to cut down on my travel expenses. Or worse."
                        ro "Agreed."
                "The two soon prepared to exit the bedroom. Rowan felt that Cla-Min was still a bit down in the dumps of yet another empty room."
                ro "Cla-Min. Why do Necromancers always have skeletal guards?"
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                cla "I don’t know. Why?"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "He works his zombies to the bone."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                "She quickly did her best to seal her lips together at the bad joke, but eventually, Cla-Min’s mouth burst with a quick giggling laugh."
                cla "That was terrible. Thanks, Rowan."
                "The two continued down the stairs to return to the rest of the group."
                # $ change_relation('cla_min', 1)
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

            "Leave the tower.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claClanLeave_rp

    label claClanGroping_rp:

        "The first evening, Cla-Min and Rowan handled the early watch for the rest of her clan. Then, Ver-Tod and Cla-Bow took over."
        "With his duties finished, Rowan settled in to get some sleep, only to find Cla-Min settling down in front of him."

        ro "Hmm. I shouldn’t be surprised."

        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

        cla "What? This tower has no stinking heat, Rowan."

        "She looked around, seemingly remembering that they had company. Her knife-like ear twitched, checking to see if anyone else was stirring."
        "Then she began wiggling her plump little bottom nice and close to the Great Trickster’s body."

        scene cg1049 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1049
        show clamin happy behind cg1049
        pause 3

        cla "I’ll be ‘little spoon’, and you be ‘big spoon’. We’ll stay nice and warm. Mrmm… Oh yes, you’re a much better pillow.."
        ro "I see…"

        menu:
            "Let her snuggle. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "Push her away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Politely, but firmly, he shoved Cla-Min away from himself."
                ro "Your husband is standing guard Cla-Min. Have some decency."
                cla "That’s what the covers are for. "
                ro "Cla-Min, no."
                "The caravan mistress stuck her tongue at him, but didn’t push further. With a sigh, Rowan closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep before tomorrow’s exploration."
                $ claClanTime += 1
                jump claClanTimer_rp

        ro "From Great Tricker to a glorified pillow. How depressing."

        "Rowan replied calmly. He closed his eyes and then felt a small-clawed hand stroking his fingers."

        cla "Don’t act like such a plank. If you wrapped your arms around me, that would keep us snug and warm…"

        scene cg1050 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1050
        show clamin happy behind cg1050
        pause 3

        "The adventurer could have chuckled, but he knew that they were trying to be quiet. He nodded, and Cla-Min pulled his hand up, settling it right against her chest."
        "Then the Goblin gave the Human’s form one last wiggle and stopped moving."

        cla "Ni-ni Rowan…"

        "Rowan wished her a good night as well. At least, that’s what he assumed she had said. He did admit. He felt warmer and more comfortable snuggled up with her."
        "It felt nice, and given how the day had started, Rowan didn’t mind it ending with something good."
        "Of course, his fingers seemed to have more in mind. They stirred against Cla-Min’s juicy mounds. In his mind, he could see Cla-Min’s nipples, just beneath the soft white fabric."
        "The thought sent a thrill down his spine. Rowan kept his cock from stirring, though after he remembered just where they were."

        ro "(Cla-Min’s family is all around. Trying to sleep. Still, there is no way she doesn’t want a little fun tonight…)"

        "A sly grin emerged on his features. Knowing the room was dimly lit only added to the excitement."

        ro "(We’re under blankets. That will help cover us up…)"

        menu:
            "Get some sleep. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "That night, Rowan decided to just get some shuteye. His hand simply rested on Cla-Min’s, holding her gently and snugly to share his warmth with her."
                "In time, the human shut his eyes and fell asleep."
                "Something nudged Rowan’s mind. His hand was moving, but he wasn’t the one doing it. His fingers felt nice and warm, like they were resting on a sun-touched flower."
                "Rowan grudgingly opened his eyes and quickly realized the increased source of heat."
                ro "(Cla-Min put my hand underneath her top and her bra! She’s flicking her nipples with my fingers.)"
                "The wily leader of her clan was trying to be quiet as a mouse. But sure enough, as she used his hand and her nipples hardened, she let out a whimpering moan of lust. "
                menu:
                    "Pull your hand away.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Not tonight, Cla-Min. It’s late, and it’s not like we’re alone."
                        cla "Oh come on, longshanks… You know we can both be... sneaky."
                        "Rowan shook his head and removed his hand out from her clothes. Then he looped his arm around her belly."
                        ro "Rest now. We’ve got work tomorrow."
                        "Cla-Min let out a grumble and then settled down to rest. This time, Rowan made sure the mischievous Goblin was sleeping before closing his eyes and drifting off."
                        $ claClanTime += 1
                        jump claClanTimer_rp

                    "Make Cla-Min nice and warm. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Alright, you asked for it, Cla-Min. I’m going to finish what you started…"
                        cla "Ooohuah… I’m quivering with fear."
                        pass

            "Grope Cla-Min.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass


        scene cg1051 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1051
        show clamin happy behind cg1051
        pause 3

        "Rowan nibbled on Cla-Min’s shoulder and began slowly stroking her hips while she ground her ass back against his crotch."
        "Cla-Min chuckled in between her soft, quiet moans. It seemed to take her some time getting used to keeping her voice in check."

        cla "Come on. Don’t be too gentle with me, Rowan."
        ro "If I’m not gentle, the gig will be up in a moment."

        "But the Goblin woman remained insatiable. She purred like a kitten as his fingers continued working their magic, enjoying their illicit fun."
        "Rowan smiled as he squeezed his fingers around Cla-Min’s tits. They were just the right size for him to hold in his hand."

        cla "Mrraah… ha-huaah… it feels even better… knowing anyone could hear us if I moan."

        scene cg1052 with fade
        show clamin happy behind cg1052
        pause 3

        "Rowan nuzzled her dark hair, letting his lust take over. His lips kissed Cla-Min’s head and then began biting and licking her long ear. She shivered and fought to keep from squeaking."
        "The pair soon reached the breaking point. Cla-Min and Rowan turned their bodies and faced one another as their breathing slowed. Each didn’t need to speak to understand a simple truth."
        "If they did anything else, someone would find out for sure and ruin sneaky pleasure."

        cla "A perfect midnight treat..."

        scene cg1049 with fade
        pause 3

        "Cla-Min stroked Rowan’s chin and then nestled in against his body. He hugged her small form against his and the two soon settled into sleep beneath the bearskin blanket."
        "Naturally, the woman who always loved doing things her way gave him one last sneaky kiss. After that, both settled in to get some rest."

        if earlyBreak:
            return

        $ claClanGroped = True
        $ claClanTime += 1
        jump claClanTimer_rp

    label claClanDay2Aft_rp:

        "During the afternoon of the second day at the tower, the exploration was put on hold. Cla-Kes and Cla-Lij came running up the stairs screaming."
        "Before anyone could figure out the cause, a group of skeletal warriors hissed, emerging from the darkness."

        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

        cla "Cla-Sty, protect the kids! Rowan, Ver-Tod, kick those numbskulls back!"

        "Rowan, with his sword and Ver-Tod with his axe jumped into action. The two skeletal warriors proved no match for them, but more and more kept coming."

        ro "Where did they come from?"
        vertod "Just keep swinging!"

        "Cla-Min and Ver-Min formed a quick plan as their defenders continued holding back the tide of ‘clacking’ boney bodies. Their eyeless and tongueless foes tried to gain a foothold."
        "Then, both Goblin females pushed a cask onto its side."

        cla "Ready?"
        vermin "As ready as I can be."
        cla "Push!"

        "Rowan didn’t see their handiwork clearly at first, but he definitely saw the result as they rolled the barrel forward along the ground. Cla-Mini jumped in, bravely lending her strength."
        "The cask gained speed, but then, a skeletal hand began pushing back at the last moment."

        vermin "Gah!"

        "Ver-Min squeaked loudly as a bleached, bone head appeared. Another hand appeared, trying to grab Cla-Min. Luckily, Cla-Bow was there and ready."
        "With a two-handed swipe of a shovel, he wanged the ghoulish guard, sending the skull tumbling downwards."

        cla "Now!"

        "With one more heavy push, the three Goblins shoved the barrel hard!"
        "It began bouncing on the steps and smashing through the column of undead guards. With no reinforcements plaguing them, Rowan and Ver-Tod made short work of the rest."

        vertod "That… was close."
        ro "Well done, everyone."
        cla "Where the hell did they come from?"

        "Cla-Min asked urgently while walking over to Kes and Lij to make sure they were okay."
        "Rowan left Ver-Tod to guard the camp and investigated the situation. He found one door that they couldn’t even budge earlier. "
        "It was open now. He surmised that the group had used magic to seal up the guards, leaving the Necromancer to fend for himself. The spell must have run out of juice."

        show clamin angry at midright with dissolve

        "Cla-Min fumed with anger."

        cla "As soon as I track down those bastards, I’m going to cut them up with a dull knife!"

        "Rowan did another sweep up the whole tower for good measure and found no other doors sealed up by magic. During a private moment, Cla-Min found him and held his hand."

        cla "Thank you, Rowan."

        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

        ro "It was nothing."
        cla "I really mean it. Without you helping Ver-Tod, it would have been all over."

        "The Great Trickster nodded towards her and patted Cla-Min’s shoulder."

        ro "Don’t sell yourself short. You came up with the final blow after all."

        "Cla-Min smiled warmly at the high praise from the man who was her hero, and so much more. Eventually, the group calmed down and resumed their exploration."

        $ claClanTime += 1
        jump claClanTimer_rp

    label claClanFucking_rp:

        if claClanGroped == False:
            "Rowan and Cla-Min watch over the camp for another evening. When their shift finished, they settled in together to keep warm before closing their eyes and going to sleep."
            $ claClanTime += 1
            jump claClanTimer_rp

        else:
            show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
            "Cla-Min and Rowan finished their watch. Once again, the inside of the tower seemed drafty and uncomfortable. Cla-Min slid a hand back and gave her ass a little squeeze."
            "It was something that only Rowan could see as he walked behind her."
            "Disappointed as the clan leader had been that someone got there first, Cla-Min continued enjoying herself with the ex-hero whenever she had a chance."
            "After she squeezed her lovely green lumps once more, she increased her speed. Rowan watched the plucky merchant practically dive beneath her thick, furry blankets."
            "He glanced back and saw that Ver-Tod’s gaze was set on the doorways leading out of the central chamber. Rowan settled down, wondering what Cla-Min might try tonight."
            "He didn’t have to wait long to find out. When he lifted the blanket, he discovered the charming Goblin woman was naked from the waist down."
            ro "Evening. You’re going to get really cold like that."
            "Rowan found himself watching as Cla-Min grabbed one of her shapely asscheeks and pulled it to reveal her bare folds..."
            cla "Come on, hunny. I think we both deserve a reward for all our hard work today."
            "Rowan nodded. The ex-hero began teasing the Goblin’s green lips with a finger. His cock started to get firm and erect, but he still held himself back."
            ro "Just remember to keep silent. Or we’re going to have a big audience in no time."
            cla "Don’t worry none about that. I’ll stay as quiet as you do, hehe."
            scene cg1053 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1053
            show clamin happy behind cg1053
            pause 3
            "Rowan grinned and then slid his manhood deeper inside Cla-Min’s squelching and slippery, warm folds. She sucked on a finger to blockade her moans."
            "While she managed to hold back her gasps and squeaking sighs, her hips continued racing back to feed more and more of her lover’s cock into her syrupy honeypot."
            ro "You’ve been waiting for this all day, haven’t you?"
            cla "Would… muuaah… would you… oh fuck… Mrrah… just fuck me…"
            scene cg1054 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1054
            show clamin happy behind cg1054
            pause 3
            "For good measure, when Rowan got into the swing of things, he clasped his hand tightly around Cla-Min’s lips. His length throbbed intensely with each humping motion."
            "His hand kept her from alerting the entire clan to what they were up to."
            ro "Guah…"
            "Feeling tiny dagger-like teeth stab into his fingers, Rowan winced. But after her initial biting, his greedy little Goblin partner began licking and kissing his hand lovingly."
            "Down where their bodies met, Rowan’s rod reached even deeper, ready to probe Cla-Min’s most hidden point."
            cla "Mrrph! Rthfff!"
            "The heat in Rowan’s loins sparked as Cla-Min continued slamming her hips back. Her pussy felt so inviting and so tight."
            "It wasn’t long before his thrusts turned savage and uncontrollable. The adventurer felt her juices spilling down his thighs right as he started bursting inside of her."
            show cg1055 with sshake
            show cg1055 with sshake
            show cg1056 with flash
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1056
            pause 3
            ro "Cla-Min…"
            "The name was whispered like a prayer. As his fiery warmth filled her, Cla-Min’s entire body twitched, even all the way to her ears."
            "Cla-Min stroked and rubbed Rowan’s body affectionately. Eventually, he removed his hand from her lips, half expecting the silver-tongued woman to say something clever."
            "Instead, she just set her head back against his shoulder, pulled one of his hands up, and kissed it before falling into a slumber."

            if earlyBreak:
                return

            $ claClanTime += 1
            jump claClanTimer_rp

    label claClanLeave_rp:

        if claClanTime != 11:
            show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
            cla "I know we didn’t get what we came for, but trust me, I won’t rest till we get to the bottom of this."
            ro "Their ears are probably burning already."
            "Cla-Min nodded sharply, full of frustration that would hopefully fuel her determination."
            cla "Come round my spot in a week or two. I’m going to flip over every rock till I find us a new lead."
            "Rowan nodded and then set off to return back to Castle Bloodmeen."
            return

        else:
            "All but Cla-Min and Rowan left the Tower behind to travel back to the castle. This left the Goblin and the Great Trickster a few moments to themselves."
            show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
            cla "The tower was a bust. Still, maybe I can find the relic at a bazaar or auction…"
            "She said grumpily. After all the extra time spent combing the tower, it was easy to see how disappointed the short woman was."
            ro "If anyone could find a needle in a haystack, it’s you, Cla-Min."
            scene bg10 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            show clamin neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "The Goblin marveled at her partner in crime. Unfortunately, her smile vanished when they emerged through the portal and found a slightly annoyed-looking figure waiting for them."
            show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
            je "Hello you two…"
            cla "Oh. Jezera! So… nice of you… to meet us here."
            je "Yes… but kindness was not my motivation."
            "The demon studied the Goblin and then cast her sharp gaze on Rowan."
            je "You made very… liberal use of your forty-eight-hour lease on my General, little one."
            cla "Right… well you see…"
            ro "We were… investigating a powerful mage, Jezera."
            cla "Exactly! At first, we planned just to be in and out, back in a day. But, well… the guy was missing and…"
            ro "We didn’t want to leave any stone unturned."
            cla "Mmhmm. We’re pretty sure he’s dead, but we wanted to jot down every clue we could find. It might be useful, yes?"
            je "Hmmm. Perhaps… A rival magic-user is not what we need right now."
            "The woman who could be cute one second and menacing the next stepped forward and stood tall over Cla-Min."
            je "But let’s not make this tardiness a habit, Cla-Min."
            cla "Of course not. E-Efficiency is my middle name."
            je "Hmmph. Rowan. Your duties are waiting…"
            hide jezera with moveoutleft
            "With that, Jezera departed the chamber, leaving the pair to finally breathe a sigh of relief."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            show clamin happy at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "Phew… I like you, but you’re a terrible influence on me."
            cla "Haha. Shut up, hunny, you know you love it! We’re the best team in this whole castle. Now, hurry up and get back to work so she doesn’t kill us both."
            "The unscrupulous Goblin woman patted the notebook she’d made of all the information she’d gleaned from the tower."
            cla "Don’t forget to stop by later. We’re not done yet."
            # $ change_relation('cla_min', 3)
            # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_45.rpy
label clamin_sex_at_will_rp:

    # $ ClaSexAtWill = True

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "… I think that’s enough for the day."

    "Cla-Min nodded in relief."

    cla "Absolutely. I’ve learned more about stain-resistant Orc loincloths to last a lifetime."
    ro "Anything news from our guest slash prisoner?"
    cla "Lokrum is working hard, that’s the bonus of having a man who desperately wants to impress our demon overlords working for us."
    cla "But I can’t say there is anything solid for you to chew just yet. Sorry, Rowan."
    ro "It’s fine. I’m sure he’ll discover their exact purpose soon."

    "Cla-Min grinned at the man who had proven invaluable in two of her missions."
    "As important as it was that she impressed the Demons, her appreciation of Rowan as a reliable ally had grown tenfold."
    "Rowan felt surprised when he saw her giving him a slightly nervous look."

    ro "Something wrong, Cla-Min?"
    cla "Uh… No not wrong… just something else I wanted to give you."

    "The curvy Goblin babe reached a hand into her cleavage and then pulled out a gold coin."
    "He noticed it was larger than most coins, and when she flipped it into his hands, he saw Cla-Min’s mark hammered into the surface."

    ro "You breaking into the currency trade? I hear it’s pretty cutthroat."

    "She chuckled and then stood before him with her hands to her sides. Standing this close to the man she’d idolized, only to then become his friend made her well… a little distracted."

    cla "It’s my token, Rowan. Consider it well… a marker, for calling in favors… yeah."

    "Slowly, she put her hands on his, brushing her fingers over his own as she looked at the coin he held."

    cla "If something comes up and you… well… I mean it’s not like you’d need my help."
    cla "But just in case you ever did… well this will get you a personal favor. No questions asked."
    ro "Thanks. I’ll always keep it close. Got a question though…"
    cla "Well don’t leave me in suspense. Spit it out."
    ro "Haha. If we keep going on wacky adventures, do I get more tokens?"

    "Cla-Min smirked at him and gave him a little shrug. Slowly, her bravado lagged and Rowan noticed her pinch the bottom of her ear."

    cla "Come… join me for a drink, will ya?"

    "Rowan accepted the offer and Cla-Min took him into her storeroom. Crates and shelves lined the walls, but there was also a Goblin-sized bed in the space."
    "Cla-Min opened a shelf and pulled out a bottle of Rosarian wine for them to share. Rowan hadn’t even finished his first cup before Cla-Min started tugging off his armour and shirt."

    cla "You didn’t think I just invited you in here for wine did you?"

    menu:
        "Why don’t I help you out of your clothes first? (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ claAtWillSex = True
            ro "Hmmm. How about I strip you down first. Make things easier."
            cla "Oohuha… I love having such a naughty partner-in-crime."
            "Working together, the horny Human and Goblin quickly stripped off every piece of clothing from Cla-Min save for her necklace."
            "From there, Cla-Min directed him to take off his shirt while her tiny and quick hands made short work of his belt."
            "Once she tugged his pants down, she immediately began brushing her naked slit all over Rowan’s growing erection."
            cla "Now we’re in business!"
            jump claminSexAtWill_rp

        "I think we should just enjoy the wine.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ claAtWillSex = False
            ro "I think we should just enjoy the wine, Cla-Min."
            "If the small woman was frustrated by his decision, no part of her cool and calm demeanor hinted at it."
            cla "Works for me. Bottoms up, Rowan!"
            cla "You’re the best, Rowan. Whatever comes, I can sleep better knowing that the Great Trickster is looking out for me and mine."
            ro "You bet, Cla-Min."
            "With that, the two head back out to the caravan and resumed their duties."
            jump postAtWillSex_rp

    label claminSexAtWill_rp:

        #cg1
        scene cg127  with fade
        show clamin happy behind cg127
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg127
        pause 3

        "Cla-Min quickly set herself up on top of Rowan’s lap. The Goblin looked very comfortable in her new seat. "

        cla "You really are lucky, Rowan. Not many of my customers ever get a second purchase like this…"

        "Her right arm reached up, stroking the back of his head while her other hand tugged her black and white top down, revealing the shapely pears of her breasts."

        ro "Well then, I must be a very ‘premium’ customer."

        "He replied while gently stroking Cla-Min’s hips and legs. His fingers began stroking closer towards her honey pot, eliciting soft moans from the excited merchant."

        cla "Haha. The oil in your lamp certainly feels like a perfect match for me."

        #cg2
        scene cg128 with fade
        show clamin happy behind cg128
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg128
        pause 3

        "Rowan started fondling her tit, exciting her nipple to make it nice and hard. "

        ro "You think about my oil often, don’t you?"
        cla "Ooohuah… and your lamp! Most definitely your lamp. It’s poking me right now…"

        "Cla-Min sucked in air through her teeth before playing her silvertongue along her lips. The man’s cock was distracting, to say the least, but that wasn’t all."

        cla "These hands of yours… Fuck… I’d give you a good price… to keep them on permanent retainer."
        cla "Ouhah… "
        ro "Sorry. They’re on lease to someone else right now."
        cla "Mrwah… Can… can I make a better offer?"

        "He grinned, noticing that the hand scratching and occasionally pulling on the back of his neck got more and more aggressive the more he touched Cla-Min’s cutely plump form."

        ro "I’m sure you could. But Demonic interest is ruthless. Maybe we can just enjoy a borrowing system."
        cla "Mraah… I really hate ironclad deals when they don’t favor me. But… Ohruah-hraah… Fuh-hukk… "
        cla "Maybe meeting in the middle isn’t such a bad deal after all... "

        #cg3
        scene cg69 with fade
        show clamin happy behind cg69
        pause 3

        "Spurred on by an interest in much more than just his hands on her body, Cla-Min removed her clothes and helped Rowan out of his."
        "Their hands and lips met in the middle, hungrily attacking flesh and kissing lips whenever their eyes met."
        "Rowan stretched on the bedding and Cla-Min hopped up, tugging down his pants and then teasing his girth with her tender, wet lips."

        # Replay mod: Typo; "sanding" -> "standing"
        cla "Mrmmm your sausage always looks amazing. But it looks a little lonely… just standing like this."

        "The man chuckled as the excited Goblin continued cooing and sighing while her pussy became wet as a riverbed… "

        #cg4
        scene cg70 with fade
        show clamin happy behind cg70
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg70
        pause 3

        "He was fine with her staging on top again, but that didn’t mean he’d simply let her ride him like a good stud."
        "Rowan’s hands reached out. In an instant, he had Cla-Min’s juicy chest purses covered in his thick fingers."

        cla "Uh-huaah…"

        "She tried to fend him off, but it was clear her heart wasn’t in it, because it was already flowing with crackling pleasure once she sank onto his shaft."

        cla "Gods… it feels so karking good! Huah-rah…"

        "Rowan grinned while he continued squeezing and enjoying every succulent inch of her big breasts. "

        ro "I think you’re starting to really like my signature product, Cla-Min."
        cla "Bahua-rauh! So do you… And haha… what’s not to like? Hehehe."

        "The voluptuous Goblin woman lost track of her words. Soon, she lost control over her breathing."
        "Each breathy sigh and crying whimper felt throatier and wilder."

        cla "Time for me to show you what this little body can do! It’s my time to get on top… urha-ooouhah…"

        menu:
            "Mrrmm… whatever you want, Cla-Min. (Let her take charge.)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Cla-Min fought through her rapidly culminating orgasm and licked her lips hungrily. She twerked her hips like there was no tomorrow."
                cla "I like treating my man sometimes. Doubly so when I want to feel his thick seed spill out inside me."
                "From then, the buxom woman with knife-shaped ears led the charge. The mountains of her breasts, capped by big moss-colored nipples constantly bounced."
                show cg70 with sshake
                show cg70 with sshake
                scene cg71 with flash
                show clamin happy behind cg71
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg71
                pause 3
                "Finally, both man and woman erupted while their bodies continued plowing against one another."
                "Cla-Min collapsed on top of Rowan when her orgasm ended. Moving slowly, she drew her hand back, pulling some errant strands of hair before she kissed him deeply."
                cla "Thanks for the deposit, Mr. Trickster. Don’t forget, the bank of Cla-Min is always open for business."
                ro "Heh. You’re welcome. I’ll have to be careful. A few more visits like this… I’ll never leave."
                "She gave him a wicked grin while stroking his sweaty flesh. It was clear that the Goblin matriarch would have absolutely no qualms about that."
                scene bg19 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve


            "Do what you like. I’m not stopping. (Rowan takes charge.)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The ex-Hero lowered his hands to the sheets and used them to give his thrusts more leverage."
                "Cla-Min did her best to ride the bucking stud she found herself mounted on. Each time Rowan’s cock drilled inside of her, the Goblin let out a worried squeak of a moan."
                cla "Row-ieeehua! It’s too much!"
                ro "You’re handling it pretty well…"
                "She gave him a brief look that seemed to be a combination of annoyance and mild fear. It soon gave away, however."
                "While her body shivered and trembled, Cla-Min leaned in, capturing Rowan’s neck in her hands before giving her lover a passionate smooch."
                show cg70 with sshake
                show cg70 with sshake
                scene cg71 with flash
                show clamin happy behind cg71
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg71
                pause 3
                "The gesture of love ended up igniting both of their passions. As they lay together, only their hips continued to move with Rowan’s sperm spurting out within Cla-Min’s body."
                "She let out joyful moans feeling her mate’s hot steamy sauce spill out nice and deep inside of her."
                "Slowly, she pulled back, stroking her nipple and his legs. Rowan felt surprised to see a bittersweet smile on her face while Cla-Min looked down at him."
                ro "Everything alright?"
                cla "I don’t like… giving up control… "
                "Then she let her body fall once more so she could hug and kiss the sweaty Human who had enjoyed her honeypot once more."
                cla "Trusting someone… to look over my clan… That’s a tall order, Rowan…"
                "Rowan stroked her hair and then kissed the lovely Goblin woman firmly. It was a strange thing, seeing her so vulnerable."
                "Knowing the faith and adoration she had in him, the ex-hero simply continued hugging her tiny frame as the two enjoyed a lazy moment in bed. "
                scene bg19 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    label postAtWillSex_rp:

        "The pair refreshed themselves with some more wine. Cla-Min stroked Rowan’s chest and he noticed her ears dip slightly."

        if claAtWillSex == False:
            "As the two embarked on their second cup of wine, Cla-Min let out a deep, melancholic sigh."
            ro "What’s on your mind?"

        cla "That job in the pit… well, I guess the best way to put it is that it… it got a little out of hand. "

        menu:
            "That’s the fun part.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "That’s the fun part. It would be boring if an adventure didn’t have any thrills."
                cla "Yeah, well that’s easy to say when your family isn’t right there with you. A few breaks the other way… well none of us might have left the Pit."

            "I imagine you’ve gotten into similar scrapes.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                cla "Oh sure. Just… not in a while. "
                cla "Part of the whole reason I came to Jezera and Andras was to leave that kind of trouble behind."
                ro "You’re thinking about what ‘could’ have happened, in the Pit."
                cla "You hit the nail on the head."

        cla "Did you enjoy it? The Tower… and the Pit?"
        ro "Overall… I’m just glad things went as planned. Brur did not strike me as the amenable type."
        cla "He is not. I…"

        "The lovely woman with warm, green flesh nervously sipped from her mug."

        cla "When he chased me through the markets. I was scared shitless… What was I thinking, letting Cla-Mini in on the plan?"

        menu:
            "She did fine.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "She did fine. She takes after you a lot."
                cla "Sure. She did fine {i}this{/i} time."
                cla "But I could never forgive myself if something happened to her and it was {i}my{/i} plan…"

            "You think it was too much?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "You’ve taught her plenty, right?"
                "Cla-Min nodded half-heartedly."
                ro "But you don’t think she was ready."

        cla "She is the smartest of the clan. But… that can get you into trouble just as much as it brings you gold."
        ro "You have nothing to worry about, Cla-Min. I can’t imagine anything in this world that would stop you from protecting her."
        ro "And you’re not the only one looking out for them. Whether it’s out there or here in the castle, you know I’ll keep watch over Cla-Mini and the others."

        "Cla-Min looked at him, her red eyes big and slightly fearful."

        cla " You swear?"

        menu:
            "Swear to watch over Cla-Min’s family.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The ex-soldier nodded and hugged her tightly."
                ro "I swear."

            "Reassure Cla-Min.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan hugged the busty Goblin gal. "
                ro "You have nothing to fear, Cla-Min. I’ve watched you for weeks now."
                ro "Whatever trouble comes, you have {i}more{/i} than what it takes to handle it."
                "Cla-Min smiled warmly at him and squeezed his hand."

        "Cla-Min kissed him longingly and then set her head back down against his chest. Reassured, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, followed by Rowan."

        #return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label dungeon_delving_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ elfSex = True
    $ rowanDeception = 5
    $ rowan_draith_sex = False
    $ halaynas_day_off = True
    $ helAlexiaWhip = True
    $ clampedWhore = True
    $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"
    $ Liurialname = "Liurial"

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg6
    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan leaned forward, glazed eyes staring down at his desk. Liurial was telling him about some kind of census initiative for the castle, but Rowan was too far gone to process a word."

    liur "I was thinking, since the orcs have such a low rate of response to the questionnaire, perhaps we could find some kind of incentive to tie to the response. I must confess that my experience interacting with orcs is lacking…"
    liur " ...And I would prefer to keep it that way…"

    "She paced back and forth in front of his desk clutching her notepad."

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "...So perhaps you might have some kind of idea on how we can bring response rate up, M’lord."
    else:
        liur "...So perhaps you might have some kind of idea on how we can bring response rate up, Sir."

    ro "Huh?"

    "Rowan groaned and raised his head to look at her. "

    #liurial concerned
    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    liur "Rowan, you're practically drooping in your chair! I hadn’t even noticed something was wrong. I’m terrible."

    "She rushed over to his side, frantically looking him over for some sign of harm. Her prior inattention had flipped into disheveled worry."

    liur "Were you wounded recently in the field? Is there something I could bring you?"

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "Nothing so serious. I appreciate your concern though."

    "He forced a weak smile."

    ro "I'm just a bit overwhelmed, is all. It’s been such a long week, that the talk of surveys and whatnot just took my last bit of fire. It might surprise you to hear, but my position is a bit stressful."

    liur "Oh. Why, of course! I could only imagine!"

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "Please, allow me please to bring you something to drink. It’s the least I can do, M’lord."
    else:
        liur "Please, allow me please to bring you something to drink. It’s the least I can do, Sir."

    menu:
        "Accept her help.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She scurried off to pick up a vase full of water and returned with a full cup. She went down to her knees, and held it up to him. More slave-like than secretarial."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "Thank you."
                "He softly took the glass from her hands."
            else:
                "Rowan nodded and grabbed the glass."

        "Wave her off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan waved at the air, discouraging the notion. The obedient elf simply went down to her knees in front of him, regarding him with clear concern."

    ro "You don’t have to drop everything just because I’m not in my best shape. Being stuck filing papers in a dark castle in the barren north probably wasn’t how you planned your life would go."

    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    liur "Perhaps it wasn’t my plan. What would have become of my life in Ealoan, only the weeping goddess may mourn for."

    "The reassuring smile she offered him could have warmed the heart of a demon."

    liur "Truth be told, working beneath you has proven most invigorating."
    liur "I've never tackled a task as complex as assisting in running such a stronghold! Among {i}The Band of the Fourteen Winds{/i}, there was often little work to do between jobs. It could get dreadfully dull. "

    "Rowan leaned back in his chair. The conversation and the drink were doing wonders for his energy already. Perhaps all he needed was a chance to take his mind off his troubles?"

    ro "You didn’t take the time to develop any hobbies?"

    liur "...Er, not on the road…At most the odd book."

    #liurial concerned
    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Her eyes darted to the side."

    liur "Without some task to do, or some way I can be of use to someone, I start to feel like a pointless mouth to feed."
    liur "Just let me be useful, and I’ll be content. I’m sorry if that makes me rather boring though..."

    "As always, there was a mountain of reports, documents, and requests covering Rowan’s desk. Far beyond what any man could handle by himself in a single day. It made him chuckle darkly into his hands."

    ro "Well, it’s good that one of us, at least, can find a way to enjoy paperwork."

    show liurial aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She breathed inwards. Then, she shot him a timid glance from behind her bangs. Rowan couldn’t help but notice she’d brought her arms closer to her chest making her meager bosom push up."

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "M’lord, Perhaps there are other ways I could be helpful, too? Pertaining to your stress, I mean…"
    else:
        liur "M’lord, Perhaps there are other ways I could be helpful, too? Pertaining to your stress, I mean…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s face remained stone. She’d even started to bat her eyelashes, as if her meaning wasn’t already clear. "

    if elfSex == True:
        ro "Something tells me that you're about to suggest another roll in my sheets, aren't you? For such a shy thing, you’re surprisingly insatiable."

    else:
        ro "I told you before that you don't need to pay for my protection with sex, right? Are you about to suggest something of that sort?"

    "She let out a soft giggle."

    liur "Well, that’s not {i}exactly{/i} what I meant..."
    liur "Perhaps…"
    liur "Perhaps, there is a game we could play together? You could say that I had somehow been a disobedient secretary. And you were bringing me down to the dungeon to give me a punishment."
    ro "You've been a model of diligence and respect."
    liur "Yes, but we would be playing pretend. You’d say I was a bad girl and in need of punishment. And, of course, I would never dream of contradicting my protector."

    "She leaned slightly forward, without breaking her kneeling posture. The back of her hand brushed against the leg of his pants. It was so soft a touch he could barely feel it through the material. "

    ro "What kind of punishment are you suggesting?"
    liur "Ah...you know...perhaps bindings. Or even a spanking. It would be your place to choose, not mine. Just, so long as what you’d selected would help you release your stress on me."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "At that, he had to chuckle. Rowan had lived in Bloodmeen long enough by now to know what she was trying to imply."

    ro "That's what you're talking about, huh? Do you take me for Jezera? Or Andras?"

    "Her eyes widened."

    #liurial shocked

    liur "No! Of course not!"
    liur "I must have overstepped. Please forgive me. I’m so stupid."

    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan just shook his head."

    if elfSex == True:
        ro "It's fine. It's fine. You're just talking about rough sex, right?"
        ro "It’s not as though I've never engaged in anything like that before. But, taking you down to the dungeon would be taking it to a different level entirely."
        liur "I’m so, so, so, sorry. It was a mistake to suggest you do something you aren’t comfortable-"
        ro "Just breathe for a moment, Liurial. "
        "She paused and took in a bit of fresh air. Enough, at least, to let her stop and calm down."
        liur "Oh. Okay."

    else:
        ro "Relax Liurial. I know you didn't mean to insult me. Though, it is rather daring to suggest something so intense after having already seen me so reluctant about any kind of sexual contact."
        liur "I'm sorry for that too…"
        "Her head drooped lower. She was like a puppet whose strings had been cut."
        liur "I thought that maybe I'd asked you at a bad time. I’m so stu-"
        ro "Wait. Just wait a second. Let me think."

    "Rowan settled back in his chair with a frown. He hadn’t anticipated how hard she seemed to take it when he even suggested he would say no to her offer. Surely if this were just a way of helping de-stress she would have been more blase about it. "
    "Then who was to say that was the real rationale?"
    "Something that struck him from the day that she asked for his protection was how quick she was to offer sexual service to him. At the time, he’d merely imagined it as just an attempt to sway him into agreement. The rest of her behaviour since put it in a whole new context... "

    show liurial aroused at midleft with dissolve

    liur "..."

    "Her cheeks instantly went a shade redder."

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "Is “both” an acceptable answer, M’lord?"
    else:
        liur "Is “both” an acceptable answer, Sir?"

    "Rowan nearly laughed. He was getting much better at reading this girl. With her admission, it brought him right to the edge of an answer to her offer."

    menu:
        "Become Liurial’s dom. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
            "Without a word of warning, Rowan rose to his feet. He affected the pose and tone of an angry superior. His arms were balled into fists and pressed into his hips."
            ro "Liurial, Liurial, Liurial. Your work today has been horrible. Sloppy even. I cannot believe you’ve failed to meet my expectations so badly."
            #liurial shocked
            liur "Wha-"
            if rowanDeception > 2:
                "He held out his hand and made a gesture of stretching it and balling it up again in a threatening pattern. He’d seen enough sadists in this castle to have a grasp on their behaviour. He just needed to channel his inner Andras."
                ro "It seems that you’re in dire need of punishment. Clearly, I have not gone far enough in my efforts to discipline you."
                #liur aroused
                liur "Oh."
                "Her eyes lit up. At once she hopped back to her feet and stood in attention, wrists crossed together behind her back. "
                liur "Yes, yes. Of course. I submit to whatever recourse you think is necessary."
                ro "Your agreement isn’t necessary, {i}Slut{/i}. All you need to do is get that pretty ass of yours behind me."
                "He sneered."
                ro "Now."
                liur "...not bad..."
                "Her voice came out as a soft whisper. Rowan had to stop himself from smiling. It almost broke his “angry” face. "
                ro "What part of {i}now{/i} is confusing you?"
            else:
                "He swallowed hard and wagged his finger at her in his best impression of an angry superior officer. For a military man, he didn’t really do a lot of ordering grunts around. He was a general, not an officer."
                ro "You’ve been a very bad girl."
                liur "..."
                #liur aroused
                "Her eyes lit up. At once she hopped back to her feet and adopted a pose with her hands held together in a pleading pose in front of her bosom. "
                if society_type == "feudal":
                    liur "Such a bad girl, M’lord. It’s only natural for you to wish to discipline me. I submit to whatever recourse you feel is wise."
                else:
                    liur "Such a bad girl, Sir. It’s only natural for you to wish to discipline me. I submit to whatever recourse you feel is wise."
                ro "Yes. Er. In fact, you’ve been such a bad girl, you need to come with me down to the dungeons. Now."
                liur "The dungeons? Oh my. You could do whatever you want to me down there."
                "Rowan paused, struggling for words. Liurial was patient though, and waited for him to bring his pose together."
                ro "Yes, the dungeons. And if I hear another word of argument out of you, I’ll bring you down in chains."
                "He turned to leave, but found she was still standing in place. For a moment, he felt a flicker of actual anger. He’d just told her what to do."
                "If he was Andras, what would he do here?"
            "Rowan strode up behind Liurial and planted a hard smack on her rear end. The sound of it echoed through the room."
            show bg6 with sshake
            liur "Oh!"
            liur "...That one hurt..."
            ro "Move that butt."
            if society_type == "feudal":
                liur "Right away, M’lord. "
            else:
                liur "Right away, Sir."
            "Giggling under her breath, the elf girl padded along after him. The destination was the dungeons. "

        "Hold the relationship.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Finally, after making her wait for longer than he planned to, he started to shake his head."
            if elfSex == True:
                ro "You know, Liurial. I’d never have guessed you were quite so kinky back when your first came to me."
                ro "Perhaps a bit more than I’m prepared to go along with, even."
                "He chuckled softly. Then, he placed a hand on her hair, softly stroking the individual strands. Liurial sighed into the gentle touch. "
                ro "I think...we can go ahead and skip the dungeon roleplay idea. At least for today."
                show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
                liur "Oh."
                "She looked up at him with puppy dog eyes."
                ro "Disappointed?"
                "After a moment to process, the smile slowly drifted back to her face. It was followed by a soft sigh and the sensation of Liurial pressing into his touch. "
                show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve
                if society_type == "feudal":
                    liur "Perhaps, M’lord. Somehow, I will need to console myself with the frequent instances where your human girth fills me up so completely that I feel on the verge of burst-"
                else:
                    liur "Perhaps, Sir. Somehow, I will need to console myself with the frequent instances where your human girth fills me up so completely that I feel on the verge of burst-"
                "Liurial brought a hand to her mouth and silenced herself with a dainty cough. Rowan couldn’t help but crack a smile."
                liur "Have no fear on my behalf. I remain your content servant."
            else:
                ro "I think, if I wasn’t ready for anything a bit more intimate before, I don’t think making the activity any kinkier is going to change my answer."
                show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
                liur "Oh."
                "Her head lowered slightly. "
                menu:
                    "I’m married.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I’m still just as much a married man today as I was when you first came to me, Liurial."
                    "You’re not the type of partner I want.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "You’re beautiful and radiant, Liurial. But, everyone has their own taste in sexual partners. And you’re not who I’m looking for. "
                    "I’m not ready":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I wasn’t ready then and I still don’t think I’m ready now."
                "He placed a warm, protective hand on her shoulder. She sighed and leaned into that merciful touch."
                ro "I hope this won’t make you think less of me, Liurial. I really do value your service."
                liur "Oh, Rowan…"
                "She looked up at him with a weak smile. But, her eyes were round and lacked the sadness of even moments before. "
                liur "Working for you has given me a purpose I haven’t felt in a long time. And with you, I know that I am finally safe."
                liur "That’s what matters to me."
            ro "Good."
            ro "Now come back up front and talk to me about the questionnaire again. I think this little conversation brought out a bit more energy."
            if society_type == "feudal":
                liur "Right away, M’lord!"
            else:
                liur "Right away, Sir!"
            "Liurial flew back to her feet with renewed energy and scrambled back to the other side of the desk. Soon, she was back to laying out the details and challenges of the questionnaire. This time Rowan was actually listening. "
            return

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

    "As Rowan strode down the hallway, Liurial shuffled along behind him with her head lowered. Every so often when Rowan would look back, he’d catch her watching him inquisitively. Whenever he caught her, she just ducked her head down again."
    "In his head, Rowan was left to plan on the fly. Certainly, he’d enjoyed playing a more rough top in the past. But, was that enough to satisfy her in this context?"

    if rowanDeception > 2:
        "His effort at putting on a soldier’s demeanor back in the office certainly had proved effective so far."

    ro "..."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "There was a certain other submissive of elven descent he’d been practicing his inner dom with. Surely the knowledge from topping a male wasn’t that different from topping a woman."

    elif halaynas_day_off:
        "In the past Helayna had always shown a preference for Rowan being the dominant partner. His explorations with her would be a potential source to draw on."

    elif helAlexiaWhip:
        "There had been that whipping incident with Alexia. The context had been... less than ideal, but it had taught him a great deal about the act."

    elif clampedWhore:
        "Some of his recent visits to Shaya’s brothel had given him the opportunity to try out his inner sadist…"

    else:
        pass

    "He could do this. At least...he hoped so..."
    "Rowan led them down a spiraling staircase to the lower dungeon’s locked door. Liurial’s breath softly caught in her throat, and she put on the face of a wide-eyed innocent."

    liur "R-rowan. Are you going to hurt me?"

    "She made it sound like a plea for mercy, but it was really a dare."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Er, you’ve been a really bad girl, Liurial. I’ve got no other choice."

    else:
        ro "Of course I am, Slut. And I’m going to make you like it."

    "She sighed, softly."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinleft
    show liurial aroused at midleft with moveinleft

    "Liurial followed Rowan into the dungeon without another word. The place was unusually quiet today. Not as many prisoners took up the cells as normal. Rowan had no problem finding an unoccupied cell away from prying eyes."
    "Liurial walked into the center of the cell, waiting for his next command. Rowan sealed the door behind them and took a deep breath. This was it."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Look, before we begin...I just want you to know that you don’t have to go through with anything if you don’t think you can handle it, Liurial."
        liur "Heh. You’re sweet, Rowan. But, don’t worry. I can handle it."
        "Liurial took a step forward and planted a kiss on his chin."
        if society_type == "feudal":
            liur "If it would make you feel better, M’lord, perhaps you can give me a word? And if I say the word, that means it’s done?"
        else:
            liur "If it would make you feel better, Sir, perhaps you can give me a word? And if I say the word, that means it’s done?"
        ro "That could work."
        liur "Anything to ease your heart, my owner. What word do you wish me to use?"
        menu:
            "Stop.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I think, just “Stop” is okay."
                show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve
                liur "Hehe. I can remember that."

            "Banana.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "How about, er, “Banana”?"
                show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve
                if society_type == "feudal":
                    liur "Hehe. M’lord, you’ll get me thinking of naughty things…"
                else:
                    liur "Hehe. Sir, you’ll get me thinking of naughty things…"

            "The Dark Lord Karnas.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Let’s go with something you’d never say during sex. “The Dark Lord Karnas”"
                show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve
                liur "A bit of a mouthful, though…"

        show liurial aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan nodded and took a step back. That momentary bit of tenderness had taken him out of the mindset. So he had to breathe in for a few seconds, and then harden his face."
        ro "O-okay. Return to the middle of the room. Then, take off your clothes."

    else:
        ro "I’ll admit that this is still something I’m new to. So what’s the normal first step with this?"
        liur "Well, in the past I was normally given some sort of safe word. A phrase I could say to end the encounter."
        ro "That takes the danger out of it, doesn’t it?"
        "Liurial giggled softly."
        if society_type == "feudal":
            liur "I believe that’s the point, M’lord. But, if it will bring you confidence, I don’t believe there’s much risk that I will reach that point."
        else:
            liur "I believe that’s the point, Sir. But, if it will bring you confidence, I don’t believe there’s much risk that I will reach that point."
        ro "If you say so. Well, just say “Stop” if you want the encounter to end. Alright?"
        "Liruial’s nodded softly with red cheeks."
        liur "Do what you will with me. I’m your woman."
        ro "I guess I should start with this then. Go to the middle of the room and take off all your clothes. Got it?"

    "Liurial batted her eyelashes at him."

    liur "Right away. {i}Master{/i}."

    show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
    "Liurial took her hands to her clothes, and soon piece after piece lay pooled on the floor at her feet. As she took off her hat, she flipped her hair. The golden strands almost shone in the firelight."
    "There was a brief pause. Now what? He hadn’t thought this far ahead. Maybe, some kind of domineering pose? It could help her get into the mindset."

    ro " Alright then, now I want you to kneel… "
    liur "Yes, {i}Master{/i}."

    "Liurial folded her knees beneath her. She struck a posture with her head lowered to his feet. But, something was wrong. Was that the normal submissive kneeling pose in a situation like this? It seemed rather tame."
    "Perhaps he needed to specify more?"

    ro "Actually, spread your knees a bit and straighten your back. So that, like, your breasts are out."

    "Without missing a beat, Liurial shifted her posture. It exposed her glistening slit to him and emphasized her perky chest. The beginnings of a smile broke through Rowan’s hard face."

    ro "Good girl. Remain here."

    "She’d gone into the poses with the grace and discipline of a fully trained slave girl. Whatever kinky shit she’d gotten into in the past with Torlene, it must have been serious."
    "The question was...now what? Maybe some form of bondage?"
    "He walked to the side of the room and found some old prisoner rags. They could work, perhaps. This master and slave stuff might be new to him, but improvising tools on the fly wasn’t."
    "He tore off a strip and returned to her. There was a flicker of a smile on her face when she saw what was in his hands. Soon the makeshift blindfold had been settled over her eyes and tied in place tight. Her long ears perked up at the sound of him walking away."
    "There had to be some more stuff he could use around here, right? It was a dungeon. There’d be restraints. He searched around until he found a pair of iron shackles in a supply chest."
    "His smile grew wider. It started to look like he could pull this off."
    "He hurried back to the cell and started the process of working them on to Liurial’s wrist. In the process he accidentally left a small cut on her arm from a failure closing the latch."

    menu:
        "Apologize.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Oh shit. Sorry."
            liur "You needn’t apologize to me, {i}Master{/i}. This lowly slave doesn’t deserve your pity."
            ro "Oh. Right."
            ro "Of course. "

        "Get annoyed.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Fuck."
            liur "I apologize for failing you again, {i}Master{/i}."
            ro "Right..."

    "He sighed and finished locking her wrists in the cuffs."

    #cg1 - Liurial naked and bound
    scene cg153 with fade
    show liurial naked aroused behind cg153
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg153
    pause 3

    "With the work done, he took a step back to get a better look. There was something serene, beautiful even, about what he saw. There she was kneeling in perfect posture, as if the straighter her back the greater the act of reference."
    "The new bindings seemed to add to the effect. They highlighted how helpless she was like this. How he could do anything to her, and she’d just beg for more."
    "His smile grew slightly wider. He could get used to this feeling..."
    "On impulse, Rowan reached down to her. His hand found her chin, and at first cupped it...before forcing it as high as it would go. Liurial gasped softly, but her head yielded to Rowan’s hand. She even broke that perfect posture by wiggling her hips slightly."

    liur "This disobedient slave hopes you’ll forgive her transgressions, Master. And that she can help you relieve some of your stress..."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "I think...I think I know a few ways you can help me with that."

    else:
        ro "You know, I don’t think I’m so ready to forgive you yet. I think it’s time for your punishment. "

    #rejoin
    liur "{i}Master{/i}.."

    "Her voice came out breathless. It seemed Rowan wasn’t the only one being put in the mood."

    liur "You can do anything you want to this slave. Hurt her. Fuck her. Goddess...So helpless for you..."
    liur "What about sucking your cock, {i}Master{/i}? Would you let these unworthy lips worship you? Or maybe you want them gagged instead?"

    ro "Gagged? Would you prefer it if I had gagged you?"

    "The elf’s squirming hips was the only answer he needed. That such a wanton thing still had it in her to blush like a maiden had a strange charm."

    liur "This slave’s preferences don’t matter. Only the punishment you desire to give her."
    ro "And what if I desire to fuck your ass?"
    liur "...A-ass?"
    liur "This slave cannot remember the last time she was used {i}there{/i}. It must have been years ago…"

    "She sucked in air."

    liur "But, this slave belongs to you...Master. If you wish to fuck her in that part. It’s yours."

    "Rowan smirked wider. "

    ro "Well, it’s going to be pretty tight back there, right? I’m definitely going to need some lubrication if I want to do that."

    "He fumbled his breeches open."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "I guess I’m going to need your help with that. With your mouth maybe."

    else:
        ro "Be a good girl and suckle it for a bit."

    "Her breath was hot and steamy. Without a second's hesitation, she leaned forward towards his cock. With his hand’s guidance, she took as much of it as she could manage down her throat."

    "With how warm and wet her mouth was, it only took moments to bring his shaft up to full length. She collected as much saliva at the bottom of her mouth as she could. That way, when her lips would run over his cock again, it’s entire length would be coated."

    ro "You can stop now."

    "At once, she rushed to obey. Her mouth even made a cute little pop sound as it pulled out."

    liur "Master, do you wish for this slave to assume the position for you?"

    ro "Yes. Good idea."

    liur "Right away…"

    "Liurial attempted to lower her own body down, while raising her ass in the air. However, bound as she was, balancing the effort to lean forward proved more complex than she must have expected. She topped forward, face first."
    "Luckily, Rowan caught her and guided her down. He didn’t want her hurt. He was her protector, after all."

    #cg2 - anal
    scene cg163 with fade
    show liurial naked aroused behind cg163
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg163
    pause 3

    liur "Thank you…"

    "Rowan settled in behind her, drinking in her curves. While her breasts were meager, her ass was surprisingly supple. She wiggled it slightly in an inviting gesture. It said “Come and Take me”"
    "So he did."

    liur "Ugh…"

    "Inch by inch, Rowan pushed himself into her. At first, her sphincter held tight enough to make accepting even his lubricated cock a struggle. Liurial gasped. If there were any doubts about her own pleasure, the way she eagerly pushed back into him silenced them."
    "After the first pounding broke her body's resistance, it was time to enjoy the spoils. He pistoned his cock in and out of her rear. Every time it went in, Liurial’s inner walls fought a little bit less and welcomed him a little bit more. It squeezed his entire length at once."
    "It was already enough to have the little elf thrashing in her bonds. Hands opening and squeezing, legs shaking, hips bucking. The cuffs were strong enough to hold her posture She could do little more than flail and moan incoherently in pleasure."
    "The sound of her whimpers and cries echoed through the cell’s walls. Her silence in the office was in perpetual conflict with her volume during play. There was an honesty to it. She could not be shy about her true feelings here."

    liur "{i}M-m-master{/i}! Fuck me! Fuck your elf! Fuck your slave! {i}Master{/i}!"

    "There was no denying such a request. So, Rowan fucked her harder. He tried to push himself as deep into her as he could. It was as if every inch he used, every inch he fucked, fell deeper into his possession. Made her more completely his."

    liur "So large...You’re...breaking me...{i}Master{/i}...Ah!"

    "The sensation of her sphincter stroking his cock was too much for Rowan. Every thrust brought him closer to orgasm. Every animalistic roll of her hips made it harder to take much more. His cock moved faster and faster. His grunts turned to gasps. Almost there."
    "Almost there."

    liur "Rowan..."

    "At last, Rowan let loose a jet of semen deep into her. It was a torrent that flooded her insides."

    #cg2 - anal cumshot
    scene cg163 with sshake
    scene cg163 with sshake
    scene cg163 with flash
    pause 3

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "It would be wrong if he was the only one who got to cum from this though."
        "After a moment to catch his breath, Rowan put his hand between her legs. It took barely a minute of tender clit rubbing before her whole body shook and spasmed in orgasm."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ro "That “Master” thing was intense."

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "Did you like it, M’lord? I thought it would set the mood."
    else:
        liur "Did you like it, Sir? I thought it would set the mood."

    menu:
        "I got into it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Well, I’d say it worked. Made it much easier for me to stay in the whole “dominating slave master” headspace."
            "She smiled softly."

        "So long as you enjoyed it":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’m not sure if it’s for me exactly. But, I could tell you were enjoying calling me Master, right?"
            liur "...A little bit…"
            "She bit her lip."

    liur "Do you believe that this has helped lower your stress level?"
    ro "Certainly."
    liur "Good."
    liur "..."
    liur "Can we do that again?"

    "Rowan just laughed."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    show liurial naked happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Some time passed and the two were still curled up together on the dungeon floor. Rowan had long since removed the cuffs and blindfold, but she remained naked. He’d even brought in a rough blanket for them to snuggle under."

    liur "Mmm. Rowan."

    "She sighed softly."

    ro "It seems you’ve been holding back on what your biggest fetishes were, huh?"

    show liurial naked sad at midleft with dissolve

    liur "I was afraid…"

    ro "That I’d hurt you, the way that Torlene did?"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "He looked down on her sympathetically."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    liur "That you’d judge me…"
    liur "...I’m saying too much, but…"

    "She hid her face in high chest."

    liur "It wasn’t Torlene who I learned about this proclivity from. It was my prior protector, Honoured Finnigold. "
    liur "He was my {i}Master{/i}...Well, my first Master now. After he passed, I fell into Torlene’s protection."
    liur "When I told Torlene of the nature of my prior relationship with Finnigold, he tried to emulate him. As he so frequently did in all matters. But, his abilities to utilize domination and force in the bedroom proved...lacking…"

    if society_type == "feudal":
        liur "Is it not almost funny, M’lord? He was so willing and able to use both when they were unwanted. But, when it was requested, he was tame as a housecat."
    else:
        liur "Is it not almost funny, Sir? He was so willing and able to use both when they were unwanted. But, when it was requested, he was tame as a housecat."

    "Rowan stroked her hair."

    ro "That wasn’t too much for me to hear. It was very helpful for me to understand your mindset. Thank you, Liurial. "
    liur "Er...if you say so."

    show liurial naked happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She looked up at him briefly. Her eyes shone with wonder. "

    liur "I trust you, Rowan. More than I’ve trusted any man in a long long time. I’m so happy that I found someone like you. "
    ro "Hrmm."

    "Rowan settled down, his mind lost in thought."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "The girl really had grown very attached to him quickly. He was going to have to be careful with her. Would she be able to refuse him, even in situations where it was what she ought to do? He knew she had a problem with dependent relationships, after all…"
        "Still, since she was his, he’d have a responsibility to take care of her. Perhaps to keep her happy as well…"

    else:
        "The girl really had grown very attached to him quickly. There was an opportunity in that. If she was so zealous a follower, it meant he had less to worry about her ever betraying him or running off. Jezera really had underestimated him."
        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "And it meant, if he needed to manipulate her, she’d prove easily swayed…"
        "Still, it would be prudent to get a better grasp on her interests. The more she enjoyed her time with him, the more he could count on her loyal obedience."

    ro "Then is there any element of that prior relationship that you long for? Something that was missing when you were under Torlene’s protection."
    liur "Well…"
    liur "..er..."

    show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "She ducked her eyes down to hide below her bangs."

    liur "He had a certain rule. I can get distracted, at times, by certain needs and easing those needs. So he told me that I wasn’t allowed to, er, finish without his express permission."

    #ro smirk
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "You’re telling me, you want me to deny you from cumming without my say so?"

    "Evidently her bangs were not enough. She threw her head down into his lap, to escape his amused grin."

    liur "...I can’t believe I’m doing this to myself…"
    liur "Yes, {i}Master{/i}."
    ro "Then consider your pussy under lock and key, Liurial. You’ve had free rein of it for too long."

    "The sound she made could best be described as a gulp."

    liur "Your word is my command, Rowan."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Liurial clutched his arm the entire way back to his desk. It seemed that nothing got Liurial feeling affectionate like having her ass used. She made sure to straighten her composure whenever someone approached."

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "In the distance, they saw Jezera walking towards them. Liurial snapped into a dignified posture a step behind him. When she was about to pass, they both lowered their heads and greeted her. A hint of fear touched Liurial’s frown."

    je "Looks like you two had fun. I suppose you’re hardly the first man to lay his secretary."

    show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve

    ro "How did you-"
    je "No one’s knees get so banged up from paper work."

    "Liurial looked down her. Her knees were scratched up and pitch black. The result of the dungeon floor. The demoness started laughing. Liurial and Rowan exchanged a worried glance."

    hide liurial with moveoutleft
    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Evidently Jezera wanted to do more than just tease. She pulled Rowan aside for a moment and bid that Liurial stay out of earshot."

    if liurialChoice == "alluring figure":
        je "I suppose you did warn me about your intentions to the girl. Still…"

    else:
        je "And after that great big speech about how you wanted her for her efficiency as a secretary or whatever nonsense."

    je "It’s almost enough to make a woman regret giving you permission to claim her."

    "Rowan narrowed his gaze. Typical Jezera, whining about not having gotten the girl after having specifically given up first dibs on her."

    menu:
        "Question her motives.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "It’s a bit late for you to get second thoughts about her. She’s quite attached to me. I have to wonder what your game is here?"
            show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            je "Hrmph. Well she certainly seems attached to you."
            "The demoness broke into a grin."
            je "Perhaps, you’ve overestimated your hold on her? One roll in the dungeon doesn’t make a girl a follower for life. Take it from me."

        "Mock her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Well that’s something I never thought I’d hear from you. Are you crying that Liuirial chose me over you?"
            ro "Maybe you should try bringing it up with her. I’m sure she’d find your pouting attractive."
            #jez smirk
            show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Jezera giggled."
            je "Oh, sweet hero. This is me having a laugh. If I were truly “pouting” you’d know. I do have a way of creating corpses when I’m upset. Especially, out of the fools who upset me in the first place."

    "Rowan just rolled his eyes."

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "Sure, Jezera. Sure."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft
    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He walked off back towards where Liurial was left patiently waiting for him. When she saw him approach, she eagerly stepped into his arms. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Jezera glaring."

    # $ elfDom = True
    # $ elfSex = True

    # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia librarian 3.rpy
label magic_bookshelf_rp:

    $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
    $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia influenced by the twins? (affects CG and dialogue, each influence is a different page of the book)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10
            $ roAlRel = 0
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasInfluence = 10
            $ roAlRel = 0
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg12 with fade
    show alexia librarian neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia pushed her cart through the dark part of the library. The low ceiling and distance from the windows made it into almost an alcove. The only visibility came from torchlight."

    pot "Girl. Over here. Girl."

    "Alexia blinked twice. Was someone speaking to her? She looked around, but the room was empty."

    pot "No. Don’t turn around again. I’m right over here."
    al "Where are you? I can’t see you."
    pot "The bookshelf, girl. The bookshelf."

    "Suddenly, a bookshelf on the far right went crazy. Books started popping out and then jumping back in with no indication that anyone had touched them. Alexia approached slowly."

    al "You’re...the bookshelf?"
    pot "Correct in spirit if not in nomenclature. Once upon a time, I was called the Prince of Tomes."

    $ potName = "Prince of Tomes"

    "Alexia cocked an eyebrow. Hardly the weirdest thing she’d found in the castle so far."

    al "That’s a pretty fancy name for a bookshelf. "

    "She brushed her hand over the spine of the books. They were all old and dusty. Indeed, it didn’t look like anyone had taken any of the books off the shelf for many years. Just how old was this creature?"

    pot "I’ve resided here for many hundreds of years. The first demon lord to make use of my mighty talents was Azerion the Dread. The works I carry are timeless."

    #alexia shocked
    al "How did you-"

    pot "Know what you are thinking? Reading is a talent of mine. The human mind is as obvious as words on the page."

    "Alexia drew her hand back. How had it done that? Could it see her? Was it able to read thoughts? She almost waited to answer to her own internal monologue, but if the bookshelf really did know what she was thinking, it didn’t reveal it."

    al "So, “Prince of Tomes”, what is it you want with me exactly?"

    pot "Entertainment mostly. It’s so rare to see a human girl working this segment of the Bloodmeen library."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
        pot "Rarer still one so innocent. This castle has such a way of disposing with that virtue."

    else:
        pass

    #alexia neutral
    pot "I think we could establish a mutually beneficial relationship. You’re new to this world, yes? The works on my shelves are full of knowledge. Knowledge that one trapped in your position might find valuable."
    pot "And I need a way to pass the time. What good is a collection of books that is never read? I want to fulfill my purpose."

    "Alexia took a step back, crossing her arms over her chest. Part of the benefits of working in the library was all the reading material. Furthermore, Cliohna didn’t seem much interested in recommending her reading material of value in her situation."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
        "He squinted slightly. What mysteries did the books contain? Perhaps there would be something of value in their pages…"

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 70:
        "Alexia briefly flashed a grin. What dark mysteries must be contained on the pages of the books. Powerful and valuable insights...perhaps something a bit more erotic..."

    else:
        pass

    "But, it wasn’t like she needed to be told that the bookshelf could just be lying. It was clearly magic. Who knew what curses could be on it."

    if alexia_and_her_demon_book > 0:
        "Alexia knew full well what kind of malice evil books were capable of from first hand experience."

    else:
        pass

    pot "What do you say? I know just the book for you. I always know what books people are looking for, even if they do not know it."

    "One of the books on the shelf suddenly pushed outward, standing out amidst the rest."

    menu:
        "Take the book. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ POTTaken = True
            jump potTakeBook_rp

        "Keep on walking.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ POTTaken = False
            "Alexia stared at the book in silence for a moment before she shook her head. This was a trap. It almost had a glowing sign declaring as much. Alexia had not been in this castle for more than a year without coming to understand how dangerous trusting anything here was."
            "She went back to her cart and started to push it back into the light segment of the library."
            pot "Wait. Come back."
            al "Not today, bookshelf. Maybe another time."
            "She kept about her rounds for the day, making sure the library was in the proper condition. Every so often she’d glance back at the darkened corner where she knew the creature was no doubt observing her."
            return

    label potTakeBook_rp:

        "Alexia put her hand on the book extending from the shelf. It felt normal enough."

        al "And there are no charms on this book? No curses or anything?"

        pot "It is but a normal book. You have my word. No doubt you can understand how important my word is to one such as myself."

        "Alexia sighed. There was no harm in a bit of reading. Besides, this creature seemed to suggest this book to her specifically. Perhaps there was a reason for it."
        "She grabbed the book and put it on her cart. If the Prince of Tomes had a reaction, it did not show it."
        "Shortly afterwards, was her normal break time. Alexia found a quiet corner of the room, far away both from the mistress of the library and the strange bookshelf. There she opened the book to a random page."

        if alexiaJezInfluence > 5 and roAlRel < 30:
            # $ POTscene = "Jezera"
            scene cg250 with fade
            pause 3
            "The book was about the culture and secret practices of the dark elves. Even a cursory glance proved that it had the sorts of information that no conventional human book would ever have. This might be useful. Alexia dug into the pages."
            "{i}The third high elf reconciliation mission was led by a male named Fargut. Fargut’s plan was to offer Queen Varyn and Queen Maieria plots of forest near the banks of the river Anurillindill. {/i}"
            "{i}The twin offer was designed to exclude Queen Arrania. This was part of Fargut’s plan of division, however it would later prove to be the doom of the proposal, when…{/i}"
            "Alexia skimmed around more, reading through various segments. Much of it was dry details of history that might have been recorded elsewhere. She kept on searching for the secret details of Dark Elven society."
            "Then she opened the book to a fascinating segment... "
            "{i}A portion of the captured human women, the most beautiful portion, are taken by Queens, High Nobles, and those instrumental in their capture. They are to become Tongue Girls, eternal servants of their dark mistresses.{/i}"
            "{i}Before the litany of spells can be applied, the first step is to wear down the resistance of the captives. Consent empowers the spells, for the strongest chains are those self forged.{/i}"
            "{i}Future Tongue Girls are kept in seclusion in the dark. They must be taught not to expect the light. The only food they are given are from the Fruits of the Underground Skenia tree. It’s addictive flavor has been long attested too. {/i}"
            "{i}The Skenia fruit take on the flavor of the first liquid they contact. When put to the taste of the Tongue Girl’s future Mistress, they replicate their taste exactly. Tongue Girls are conditioned to their Owner from afar.{/i}"
            "{i}The key test to decide if a Tongue Girl is ready the trial of binding. A conventional blindfold is used and they are taken from their cell for the first time. There they are presented with the naked body of their Mistress and four of her servants.{/i}"
            "{i}A future Tongue Girl is expected to use her mouth to bring pleasure to each of the five. Failure to do so is met with severe consequences. At the conclusion, she is to be given the test of selection. She must identify her Mistress by the flavor.{/i}"
            "{i}If the Tongue Girl fails, she is to be taken back to her cell and her diet of Skenia fruit is resumed. If she succeeds, it means she has accepted her Mistress’ unique flavor, and the next stage of her training can begin. {/i}"
            "{i}That involves-{/i}"
            #alexia aroused
            "Alexia slammed the book shut in a hurry. She’d been so lost in the passage she hadn’t even been paying attention."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 50:
                "There was no other word for what she had been reading besides depraved. She had not finished the passage, but the meaning of the name “Tongue Girl” was hard to miss."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 70:
                "Alexia bit her lip. The talk of Tongue Girls didn’t go into nearly enough detail, but what had been described was so depraved...sexy…"
            else:
                pass
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', 3)
            jump potResolution_rp

        elif alexiaAndrasInfluence > 5 and roAlRel < 30:
            # $ POTscene = "Andras"
            scene cg251 with fade
            pause 3
            "The book was about a human knight named Eleanor, the woman who’d popularized the name. She’d been Solansia’s campion in a war vs the Demon King Nekolio more than 400 years before. The first time a human champion of Solansia had emerged since ancient days."
            "Alexia knew her story. It was very common in Rosaria. But, there was nothing wrong with looking at it again. After all, this was the work of an author in Bloodmeen. In the known story, she vanished in the last battle on Rosarian soil. Her fate was considered something of a mystery."
            "She opened the book to the segment after the battle."
            "{i}Nekolio, King of Kings, King of Lands, brought his new trophy with him to all functions and events. He was seldom seen without the slave groaning and seething at his feet. The rattle of her chains was heard often.{/i}"
            "{i}The King would take great pleasure in using his slave in public. She was taught the arts of pleasure, in contrast to her former training. She was taught to replace the sword with the shaft.{/i}"
            "{i}The King said loud and strong that she would learn to enjoy herself. All human sluts did. The slave insisted that she was not a slut. Yet, the first signs of resistance breaking were observed. The wetness of the thighs, the eyes focused on his cock.{/i}"
            "{i}It was only when the first stage of her resistance was broken that the King announced that his slave would be made to bear his next child. She would be fucked mercilessly day in and day out until his seed had taken hold.{/i}"
            "{i}The slave did not speak at this announcement. Perhaps even this early she was learning to accept the pleasure that a human man could not provide-{/i}"
            #alexia aroused
            "Alexia slammed the book shut there, cheeks flushed. That phrase she’d just read, about pleasure a human man couldn’t provide, had hit a bit close to home."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "She couldn't put her finger on why. It seemed wrong to her. Like something that shouldn’t even be said. Yet...it did have an effect on her…"
            else:
                "Her finger traced the cover of the book. Even if she didn’t want to admit it, she had thought that exact same thing during her past...encounters...with her captor."
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 3)
            jump potResolution_rp

        else:
            scene cg252 with fade
            pause 3
            # $ POTscene = "Rowan"
            "Alexia skimmed the book with a furrowed brow. The topic of it was strange. Not something she ever expected to read about. The first human to reign as a queen of Bloodmeen."
            "The story of how it happened was a curious one. After the fall of a demon lord, the daughter of a high lord was placed as caretaker of the castle. Perhaps it could even become a functioning part of the realm."
            "She flipped ahead in the story. Already she could see the way it went wrong."
            "{i}The Queen brought the Knights of Bloodmeen to the throne room, and they were shocked by what they had seen. She sat naked upon her throne, impaled upon a phallic object. The chaste men shielded their eyes.{/i}"
            "{i}The slutty queen declared her new allegiance to chaos. The pleasure that came from sex and power. She revealed the sexual encounters she’d had throughout the castle with the remaining prisoners.{/i}"
            "{i}She spoke of the joys of sex. The hatefulness of purity. What was the point of limiting ones pleasures in the name of a lady who loves them not?{/i}"
            "{i}She revealed the interests that had grown in the interim. How lovingly she spoke of large cocks and rough sex.{/i}"
            "{i}The Knights of Bloodmeen debated continuing their mission and removing their queen from her throne. But, without consulting the others, Sir Vasylio approached the throne and stripped off his armor.{/i}"
            "{i}The Knights were yet more astonished as the Queen mounted her loyal knight right there and fucked him in front of the entire-{/i}"
            "Alexia slammed the book shut. A shiver went up her spine."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "Just what was she reading? How could a woman choose to do such a thing? Yet, everything she read merely reminded her of her day to day life."
                "She felt the constant caress of this place at all times. Behind every nook and cranny, something was here urging her to go further, do something that she might have viewed wrong for her entire life."
                "It could be quite seductive..."
            else:
                "Alexia licked her lips. She understood the chain of events that had led the queen to that mental state. In truth, it wasn’t like she’d never thought about having sex in public, or any of the debaucheries she’d ever read."
                "People did what felt good, right?"
                if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                    "Part of her, a part from back before, loudly reminded her that this was wrong. But, reading the story just now had made that part of her easier to ignore. Whiny. Annoying."
                else:
                    pass

    label potResolution_rp:

        scene bg12 with fade
        show alexia librarian neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "For the briefest moment, she glanced towards the front of the library. Would Cliohna be too angry with her if she stopped to touch hers-"

        "Alexia shook her head. That was a bad idea. She should just finish her work."

        "Alexia picked up the book and walked towards the darkened section of the library."

        pot "I knew you’d like the book. I always know the books that humans long to read most."

        "Alexia answered quietly."

        al "It was illuminating."

        "She placed the book on the empty spot of the shelf and then returned to her duties. Part of her suspected that this might not be the last time she paid the Prince of Tomes a visit."

        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)

        show cliohna neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        "On her way out for the night, she was stopped briefly by Cliohan. The woman did not even raise her glance from her reading material."

        cl "Be careful with the creature in the back of the library. It is mostly harmless, but it is not trustworthy. There is a reason why I have not made use of it’s talents in my studies."

        "Alexia walked on, unsure of what to make of Cliohna’s warning. Just what was that thing?"

        al "...Right."

        # return

    return

# \events\orciad\orciad_showdown.rpy
label delaneBadEnd2_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ serveChoice = 4

    scene bg26 with fade

    "With the leadership for struggle resolved, the orc camp was united once more. Tarish was the new warchief, having secured her position through bribery and trickery."
    "A position she would not keep, if not the twin’s looming authority. Something he had reminded her of."
    "As he walked through the camp, heading to Tarish's new tent, Rowan found himself passing next to the impromptu arena that served a battleground to Batri’s and Ulcro’s duel."
    "Last time he was there, Tarish threw Delane into the crowd of orcs, to secure their backing."
    "The noblewoman couldn't still be there..."
    "Could she?"

    menu:
        "Check the arena. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                "Curious on how the whole affair ended, he turned his steps to the arena. He had a pretty good idea…"
            else:
                "Heart heavy, he turned his steps to the arena, unable to ignore the gnawing suspicion he already knew what he would find there."
            # $ seen_delane_bad_end = False
            jump delaneArena_rp

        "Continue on.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                "His business with Delane was over. There no longer was any point concerning himself with her."
            else:
                "Whatever became of Delane… He did not want to see."
                "It was easier this way."
                $ seen_delane_bad_end = False
            # jump campMenu_rp
            return

    label delaneArena_rp:

        "What once was an impenetrable circle of orc flesh, was now a group of four orcs, casually hanging around. Three of them talked about something, Rowan wasn’t certain what about."
        "The fourth one was busy fucking Delane."

        #cg1
        scene cg253 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg253
        pause 3

        "Covered in filth and dry cum, the broken noblewoman laid on the ground, ass sticking up to give the orc good access to her pussy. She moaned softly, as he kept ramming his dick inside of her, without any consideration."
        "A dazed, happy smile graced her lips, but her eyes were empty. Even when Rowan stood right in front of her, she did not register his presence, lost in her own little world - one that started and ended on the cock in her pussy."
        "Perhaps Jezera’s concoction was a little bit too effective. "

        ro "…"

        if (rowanCorrupt > 50) and (serveChoice == 4):
            "Rowan looked down on the broken noblewoman. Had he done nothing, another would take her place – some peasant girl, who knew nothing but hard work and poverty her entire life."
            "To see stuck up bitch like Delane reduced to such a state…"
            "Rowan smiled and knelt beside her. She still stared into nothingness, tongue hanging out as she moaned."
            "He patted her gently on the cheek. Lovingly, almost."
            ro "Welcome to the new world, Lady Delane."
            "She moaned pathetically in response. How adorable!"
            "His spirits lifted, he headed out."
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(2)
            # jump campMenu_rp

        elif (rowanCorrupt < 50) and (serveChoice == 4):
            "Rowan looked down on the broken noblewoman. Had he done nothing, another would take her place – some peasant girl, who knew nothing but hard work and poverty her entire life."
            "Instead, the role of an Orc plaything fell to Delane."
            "Was this not justice?"
            "Without a word of commentary, he turned around and left the arena. There was much to be done."
            # jump campMenu_rp

        elif serveChoice == 2:
            "Rowan looked down on the broken noblewoman."
            "Had he refused Jezera, his own fate might have been similar."
            if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                "It was unfortunate that he had to sacrifice Delane to ensure his continued survival, but what other choice did he have?"
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(2)
            else:
                "How many more would he have to sacrifice to save himself?"
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(2)
            "No matter - there was no point sticking around. Rowan turned around, and headed out."
            # jump campMenu_rp

        elif serveChoice == 1:
            "Rowan looked down on the broken noblewoman, swallowing heavily."
            "“I have to bide my time”. “Now is not the time to strike”. “The twins are too strong to resist now”."
            "How often did he tell himself these excuses…He knew he would have to agree to some sacrifices when he embarked on this path, but this…"
            "Wasn’t this a little bit too much?"
            "… No matter. Self-loathing won’t undo the damage now. He should go, there were things that needed doing."
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
            # jump campMenu_rp

        else:
            "Rowan looked down on the broken noblewoman. Had he done nothing…"
            "Had he done nothing, this could’ve been Alexia. Not here, no. But back in Castle Bloodmeen. Perhaps it wouldn't be orcs, but some other creatures. Driders maybe. Or some bizarre beast summoned by Jezera."
            "But none of it mattered, because Alexia was safe now."
            "But only as long as he kept being useful to the twins."
            if rowanCorrupt > 50:
                "And as long as she was safe, no price was too high to pay."
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(10)
            else:
                "Was it really right of him, sacrificing others just so his own wife could be safe? Perhaps not."
                "He didn’t want to think about it."
            "There was no point in sticking around. Rowan turned around, and headed out – he had things that he needed to do."
            # jump campMenu_rp

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_barracks.rpy
label alainSexScene_rp:

    scene black with fade
    #alain naked happy
    show alain happy behind black

    "A warm bath was already waiting for them - perhaps drawn by a particular perceptive guard - and after quickly stripping both of them Rowan unceremoniously dragged Alain inside, causing the water to splash."
    "All while the young captain offered slightly nervous, unconvincing protests, that failed to sound in any way like honest objections."

    alain "Ha, I get told that a lot."

    #cg1
    scene cg590 with fade
    #alain naked happy
    show alain happy behind cg590
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg590
    pause 3

    "In a rare display of affluence, the guard baths held a particularly large tub inside. Large enough for two people, a fact Rowan shamelessly ignored, pulling Alain in with him so the young man sat between his legs."
    "Rowan ran his hand through the blond locks, then down, over the youth’s athletic, lean body. He marveled at the well-sculpted chest, the narrow waistline, and the hard muscles. But mostly at the complete lack of scars, so uncommon in a warrior."
    "By contrast Rowan had many, many marks from the war and some he'd gained more recently. Once he'd been that green too, never touched, never broken in."

    ro "You really are in pristine condition."

    "He murmured in his ear, and the boy reacted with a hesitant “thank you?” that made Rowan smirk."

    ro "Why are you being so nervous? I can see you want it. And you’re usually so full of energy!"

    "His hand reached south, and he ran a finger down his erect shaft, causing the boy to let out an embarrassed, hushed moan."

    ro "Ah, and I see at least some part of you still is!"

    "The captain had a respectable member, it might not be quite Rowan's size, but no man would be embarrassed with his.  He pinched the glans, getting a sharp intake of breath in response."

    #alain naked aroused

    alain "I- Ah! It’s complicated."

    "Again, Alain tried to meekly protest. Rowan bit his ear lightly, and added in a low, almost menacing tone: "

    ro "If you’ll ruin the mood with politics…"
    alain "Aha-ha, ha! No, no- Ah, well, a little, but- no, it’s not about- Not *exactly* about that…"

    "Alain wiggled in his spot, the nervous gesture accomplishing little besides making Rowan’s cock to brush against his backside, something the hero didn’t mind at all."

    alain "It’s just that I’ve never… Ah, well done *it*- I mean, I have! Just- Not with a man…"
    alain "But I always was a little curious…  "

    "The unexpected words made Rowan stop. His hands rested on Alain’s body, not teasing, but providing comfort and support. He turned Alain’s head and sealed their lips in a slow, sensual kiss."

    ro "I see… And here I was, pushing you without thinking twice. How inconsiderate of me. "
    alain "Ha, you don’t need to apologize. In fact, I’m glad!"

    "The bright smile returned, as magical as ever. Alain leaned in and reciprocated the kiss, wrapping his arm around him, hugging him close. They stayed together for a long moment until Alain finally broke it off, trying to catch his breath."

    alain "I should’ve made a move myself, but I was too hesitant to do so."
    ro "Was I that intimidating?"
    alain "A little. But right here, right now?"

    "No longer squirming under Rowan’s touch, Alain pushed himself up a little. Rowan’s cock slid between his slim asscheeks, in what could only be a deliberate invitation."

    alain "Not so."

    "Rowan gripped his hips tightly and pressed him closer. He made him feel how hard his manhood was, made him feel it’s considerable girth, it’s full length."

    ro "… Are you sure I’m not even a little intimidating?"
    alain "Hmm..."

    "Rowan admired the nervous, excited smile, and the slightly unseeing gaze as Alain rolled his hips, enjoying his hardness. He let him enjoy himself, trying not to laugh at such an unfamiliar expression."

    alain "... Nope, not even slightly."

    "Rowan clicked his tongue in pretended annoyance. Such a defiant attitude was useful on the battlefield, but here..."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind black

    "So enamoured Alain was in feeling his cock, Rowan had no trouble in suddenly lifting him up, and pushing him against the edge of the tub. "

    ro "Good, that means we’re past foreplay. It’s time you showed that cavalerie attitude is not just for show. "

    #cg2
    scene cg591 with fade
    #alain naked aroused
    show alain happy behind cg591
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg591
    pause 3

    "Alain did as commanded. Rowan took a moment to appreciate the tight, well-sculpted ass before him. The captain did the same, turning around to finally get a proper look of Rowan’s cock in all its glory."
    "A sight that left him speechless."

    ro "Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle. Wouldn’t want your first experience to be unpleasant."
    alain "I- Hold on, how is it even going to fit? I don’t-"

    show cg591 with sshake

    "A light, playful slap stopped the captain mid sentence."

    ro "Alain, for once, leave the logistics to someone else."

    "The bath had no shortages of lotions of all kinds, so it wasn’t hard to find one that suited his means. He picked one, then ran his hand down Alaina’s crack."

    "His lubed up finger teased and prodded at the entrance. He could feel Alain’s tense anticipation, and the effort the young man was putting into loosening up for him."
    "An effort Rowan would not put to waste, as he slid a finger inside, forcing his anus open. Alain inhaled sharply, his cock twitching at the sudden stimulation."

    ro "At the very least, I expected a cute moan."
    alain "Ha, from just a finger?! You’ll have to try much ha-a-arder than that!"
    ro "Oh, I will."

    "He slid a second finger inside, applying a little more force this time. And again, it made the captain gasp, much louder this time."
    "It wasn’t the cute moan he was hoping for, but Alain’s barely contained, needy panting was almost just as good. His fingers explored his inside, and Rowan delighted in the way Alain’s body reacted to even slight change in stimuli."
    "Finally, he couldn’t stop himself anymore. Two fingers in wasn’t nearly enough, but seeing Alain bear with them without as much as a peep of protest convinced him he could handle it."
    "His fingers left with a quiet *plop* and he dug them into his backside as he moved behind the man, spreading his ass. Alain looked behind his shoulder, trying very hard to keep his nervousness hidden."

    ro "Relax. It will make it easier."

    "He pressed the tip of his cock against his entrance, and started to slowly, oh so painfully slowly, push forward."

    alain "You don’t have to be so delicaaaaaaaaaaaaate!"

    "Rowan waited for the words, and forced his cock in, causing Alain to finally moan out loud. Not giving him a moment to compose himself, Rowan started to gently rock his hips, in and out, just fast enough to keep the sweet panting going."
    "He could no longer see Alain’s expression, but he could imagine it perfectly. Delightful, mind-melting pleasure, poorly hidden as Alain struggled to keep appearance, for no reason at all."

    ro "And you don’t have to be so reserved, Alain."

    "He pulled the boy up and planted a slow, tender kiss on his neck."

    ro "I want to hear you enjoying yourself."

    "This time, it was not an order, but a gentle request, a quiet whisper in Alain’s ear."

    "The captain gave a short nod, and when he bent over again and pushed back, forcing Rowan’s cock even deeper when before, his delighted cry was so loud it made Rowan fear being discovered."

    alain "It’s - ah, ah- so unlike- anything I tried before!"

    "Rowan let the man set the tempo, holding him with one hand as he steadied himself. He admired the muscle on his slender back, and chuckled as Alain threw his head back, trying hard to endure the mix of pain and pleasure."
    "Rowan didn’t know what he enjoyed more - Alain’s tight, accommodating ass, or knowing he was the first one to claim it."
    "But one thing he knew for sure - he’ll make this a memory Alain will never forget."

    ro "It can feel even better. Touch yourself."

    "It must have looked perverse - the Hero of Karst, fucking the Rastedel guard captain, as the man stroked his cock in slow motions, too afraid to pick up the tempo, lest the sensation overtake him."
    "But with every passing moment, their rhythm picked up, as Alain’s ass grew more to accommodate the hero, and the younger man lost him in the rising pleasure."

    alain "A-ah, ah aaah!"

    "And finally, Rowan got to witness those sweet, uninhibited moans of delight. Wishing to see them rise to a crescendo, Rowan grabbed him hard and pushed his cock in, all the way to the base."

    alain "Aaaa-aaah!"

    "Rowan perched him up, and a stream of cum sailed across the room. But he paid no attention to that, as he found himself hitting his own limit."
    "Cock buried deep, he hugged the captain close and filled the captain up. For the first time, in what he hoped would be many."

    #blur cg

    "… … …"

    scene black with fade

    "… …"

    #generic room bg
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

    "Some minutes later, Rowan already finished wiping itself, while Alain still laid in the bathtub, too exhausted to move, one hand beneath the surface of the water as he massaged his sore parts."

    #alain naked happy
    show alain happy behind black

    alain "That was… "
    alain "I can’t put into words, honestly."

    ro "Oh? Was I actually able to fuck the brash out of you?"
    alain "Ha! As if the pride of the Guard captain could be taken by a single sword!"
    ro "Hmph. Repeated stabbing will be required I suppose."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "He leaned in for a quick kiss, that turned into a long, sensuous one. And from the corner of his eyes, he saw Alain was enjoying it quite a lot."

    ro "And perhaps, at some point in the future, we’ll switch roles."
    alain "I’ll hold on to that promise, Rowan."

    scene bg45 with fade

    "He let the captain sort himself out, and left the bath. Nearby guards all greeted him respect, and while some appeared to smile ever so slightly at the sight of him leaving the baths, none said a word for it. "

    scene black with fade

    "He deserved a moment just for himself. As did Alain."

    # $ released_fix_rollback()
    # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
    # $ push_to_previous_tile()
    # return

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_ruler.rpy
label the_coronation_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ rowanGuilt = 0
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ rastAlly = "jacques"
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ julietSex = True
    $ amerName = "Ameraine"

    scene bg52 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "The long throne was empty. Little besides the broken window spoke to what had happened here mere hours before. The silence was broken only by the sounds of screams reverberating from across the river."
    "Rowan sat on the steps alone. He wasn’t processing, for there was too much process. He simply wanted to be alone."
    "Which is why he was less than thrilled by the sound of heels clicking on the marble floor."

    show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve

    amer "Rowan."

    show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve

    amer "You look like shit. A mosquito bite could probably put you out of your misery."
    ro "Hmph."

    "Rowan did not meet her eyes."

    amer "No thanks for my actions? Was your head so rattled that you don’t remember that the only reason you aren’t a corpse is me?"
    ro "..."

    "Rowan finally looked up. He couldn’t muster up the will to glare at her. His eyes were just tired. When he saw her, all the memories of her intervention during the battle returned."

    amer "What are you?"

    "She raised an eyebrow."

    amer "What am I? Such a direct question. Not in the mood to talk anymore?"

    "She sighed and took the seat beside Rowan. He grunted but otherwise didn’t muster the energy to stop her."

    amer "I suppose you’ve earned a modicum of information. I’m not exactly alive. But, to call me deceased would be mistaken."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "A magical undead?"

    "Rowan was no expert on the subject, so the answer only raised more questions. There were many different types of undead, ranging from the obscure to the more common. But, all were rarely seen outside a full demon war."
    "Had Karnas been the one to have her raised? It might explain why the twins knew her."

    amer "Perhaps."

    show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve

    amer "But naturally, that is why I found myself inclined to work with your Masters. I have no lost love for the humans."

    "Ameraine looked around the empty room and brushed a hand through the long strands of her hair."

    amer "Where are they anyway?"
    amer "I finally spoke to Jezera earlier. Smart woman. A bit proud of herself. But, it's a natural response considering the day’s events. But, I lost track of her in the route through the city."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan let out a long yawn and slouched back on the step behind him."

    ro "They're coming back. They wanted to get the orgy started first."

    show ameraine happy at midright with dissolve

    amer "Orgy? How gaudy."

    "Rowan didn’t know how to answer that. So he didn’t. Instead, they sat together in empty silence."

    amer "You should rest."

    "He diverted his glance."

    ro "..."
    ro "They'll be back any second now. I should get ready."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Gotta clean up the glass at least…"
        "His voice came out in a half mumble. In truth, most of the glass had fallen outward into the garden below. There was nothing to clean. No other thing he needed to do."

    else:
        "Rowan rose and started to climb the stairs. But Ameraine didn’t seem done with him."
        amer "Why so shaken? It’s just a little bit of killing. I know for a fact that you’ve done some killing and pillaging yourself. You’re no divine."
        "Rowan turned back to her with furrowed eyebrows. How could she compare anything he’d done to this carnage? The idea was absurd."
        ro "You should shut your mouth."
        "One of her eyebrows went up."
        amer "Shut my mouth? We both know I could kill you before you blink."
        if rowanGuilt > 30:
            "Rowan lowered his head slightly."
            ro "I’d welcome it."
        else:
            ro "Hmph."
        "His companion chuckled to herself but made no further move to draw him back. Rowan wasn’t in a talkative mood, and nothing would change that."

    "Then, came a sound from the hallway that drew both of their attention."

    amer "I think they're coming back…"

    scene black with fade

    menu:
        "Witness the chaos. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #cg1
            scene cg592 with fade
            pause 3
            "A bearded young man in a disheveled noble tunic plowed his cock into an older woman. Silver-haired and a pristine figure, her beauty had not faded with age. She had come in a dress, but it was long discarded now. The fate of his pants was equally dubious."
            "There was a strangeness to it. From the age difference, it was unlikely they were husband and wife. Perhaps lovers. Maybe even total strangers."
            "Their movements too were unnatural. His body slapped against her at a rhythm that seemed impossible. Driven by a lust more intense then that of a normal human. The noblewoman’s eyes rolled up. She was as much a slave to the strange effect as he was."
            "Hands gripped supple flesh. Body ground against body. They were lost in each other."
            #cg2
            scene cg593 with fade
            pause 3
            "But, why wouldn’t they be? After all, there was a succubus driving them on."
            "She was engaged in a similar project with a neighboring pair. Two well-dressed girls with their heads deep down each other’s skirts. The sounds of slurping and groaning filtered from behind the fabric."
            "Only this time, the sex demoness was more involved. Her hands had found their way to the breasts of the girl on top."
            "Back among the original pair, the young man went stiff and let out a long, gurgling groan. Beneath him, the older noblewoman cried out. But, by the time he finished, his silver-haired partner was already gone. Looking for someone else to fuck."
            #cg3
            scene cg594 with fade
            pause 3
            "The entire room was awash in such scenes. The noble and proud of Rosaria, dressed in their finery, had descended to the sloppiest of orgies. Fluids drenched the marble floors."
            "Fine women sucked off orc cock. Former rivals let loose their old tensions on each other. Husbands and Wives found new partners to satisfy their lusts. Bodies moving and swirling, as if all together descending into the same pit of depravity."
            "One pair, mother and daughter, were in a writhing pile with a female goblin. The daughter had her lips pressed to the goblin’s. The mother’s mouth was buried in the shorter woman’s crotch."
            "The daughter of one noble whom Rowan had previously seen in Juliet’s entourage was letting herself loose on two men at once. Her hands worked their shafts with a virgin’s vigour."
            "Noticing this, an incubus brought his cock to her lips. No words needed to be spoken. Especially when her lips wrapped around his shaft."
            "In the corner, two men drew closer to one another. In the heat of the room, they were contemplating thoughts they may have kept buried their entire lives. Then, they too embraced."
            "Each man and woman faced their own private temptation. Their own public depravity."
            "Some even crawled towards Rowan, reaching out for him...yearning for him..."
            "The cubi spread their magic to the entire room. It was as if they were all consumed by a cloud of dust. Those who breathed it in seemed to lose all self-control. For that moment, they were slaves to their base urges."
            "But, it didn’t seem like they needed that much prompting. Any of them could have stopped if they truly cared. Rowan did not know Cubi magic to be irresistible. This was dark secrets coming to light."
            "They wanted to sink their cock into their vassal’s daughter while their wives were grinding on an orc’s thigh. They wanted to explore new strange new sensations inside of them that otherwise would have been scandalous. They wanted to let loose."

        "Enough depravity for today.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene black with fade
            "Rowan could hardly watch, even if he could smell it and hear it. Far beneath him, a scene of such depravity as this city had never known was playing out."
            "Guided by the cubi, they were letting loose every base urge they’d ever had. A fitting celebration for the rise of demons over the city."

    #cg4
    scene cg595 with fade
    pause 3

    "Andras and Jezera looked upon their new subjects, doing homage to them with their bodies. It made them smile."

    if rastAlly != "werden":
        "Not all of the captured nobles were here, of course. Only the portion who’d come seeking mercy. Many were still in hiding."

    else:
        "Not all of the captured nobles were here, of course. Only the portion who’d come seeking mercy. Many were still in hiding, or had attempted to make the dangerous journey to safety."

    if rastAlly == "werden":
        "Though, in truth, not all of them were even nobles. So much of Rastedel’s blue blood had escaped in Werden’s caravan that their ranks needed to be filled in with some high merchants, just so there could be a full hall."

    scene cg607 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg607
    show andras smirk behind cg607
    pause 3

    "The Twins were loving the attention, of course. They stood, regally naked, on the steps leading to the throne. Jezera had dug up an old Rosarian crown from the vaults. Andras held aloft the very scepter that the Baron had so recently dropped before his self-defenestration."
    "Rowan could see it all from his vantage point overlooking the scene. Ameraine stood to his side in a place of honour."
    "Naturally, it was Jezera who stepped forward to speak. Her poise was practiced down to the smallest muscle, as though she had practiced it in front of a mirror for years."

    je "Lords and Ladies of Rastedel."
    je "A new sun shines."

    "Some of the audience broke from the activities they’d been engaged in so they could listen. Or at least shifted to a less...intensive version."

    je "Those robe-clad despots have been run out from the city. The Barons who serve them are undone. The armies of the imperialist Protheans are helpless."
    je "What does this mean?"

    "Andras snarled. He stood tall with crossed arms. The power and muscle to Jezera’s grace and words."

    je "It means you are free. No one binds you. No watchers keep down your base impulses. Sex, power, pleasure. You have long desired it and we shall give it to you."
    je "None shall interfere. You are free."

    "She swept her arms in a wide gesture over the room."

    je " Already you are getting a taste of what this freedom means. You like how it feels, don’t you? Who are you fucking? Your neighbour? Your enemy? That servant boy you always had your eyes on?"

    "Her face flashed with a mischief that Rowan knew all too well."

    je "Every wicked thought you’ve ever had could be real."

    if society_type == "might":
        je "There will be no shame, no injustice. Those who desire power, those with the will to claim it, will rise."
        je "If you are mighty. If you have the will to claim power, no law or interloper will interfere in your desires. If you are weak, then other pleasures of a more lowly kind will be found for you."
        je "This is the sun we bring to Rastedel. This is the world we build with our might. "
        je "The old days are over. Justice has won. Freedom has won."
        je "Your new Masters have won."

    else:
        je "In its place, a new order will rise. One without shame and compunction. An order where men and women may live as they wish. Enjoy who they wish."
        je "Serve this new order faithfully, and enjoy its light. The indulgences of today will be but a first taste."
        je "But, if you reject our generosity and seek the chains of the Protheans, a new role can be found for you. You will still feel pleasure, but pleasure of a more extreme sort."
        je "A new sun rises. Freedom has won. You have won."
        je "Your new Empress and Emperor have won."

    "Then, came Andras’ moment. He slammed his foot down with such force that the sound rang from every corner of the room. Rowan thought he heard the sound of stone cracking."
    "Everyone’s attention ceded to him. For many women, it was with lustful gazes. Some men as well."

    an "Hail your new rulers, Dogs!"

    if society_type == "might":
        an "Hail the Conquerors of Rosaria!"
    else:
        an "Hail the Emperor and Empress of Rosaria!"

    "A chorus of groans, grunts, moans, and a few incoherent efforts as compliance rose from the mass of bodies. A spirited effort, but one made incoherent from the pheromones."

    an "I said hail!!!"

    "His voice crackled like thunder. Even though the blissful lust fog, that shone through. A vast rousing mix of cheers and moans rang out through the hall in a deafening chaos."
    "Andras nodded stoically. That was more to his liking."

    scene bg52 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan swayed in place. The longer he focused on a particular part of the room, the harder it was to pay attention. His vision kept on blurring."
    "It didn’t help that all of the damn pheromones were rising to his nostrils as well. Exhaustion (and horror) kept him leveled, as did his raised position, but he was too close not to be exposed to some of it. Being turned on was a strange feeling when paired with such total lack of strength."
    "Rowan tried to close his eyes, but the sounds of cheering and fucking made it impossible. Better to focus on such things then memories of his tour of the city, at least…"
    "He let out a cough. This had to end soon, right?"

    if rastAlly == "werden":
        #ameraine concerned
        show ameraine neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Seemingly, his state must not have been easy to conceal. Ameraine was carefully studying his slumping posture."
        "But, how could he hide it? His feet were giving way under him. There were limits of exhaustion that a human body and a human mind could hit, and Rowan had already reached this point much earlier. He had to grip a column to even stay up."
        amer "You’re more pale than I am, Rowan."
        ro "I’m fine, I just…"
        "Rowan’s legs gave way mid-sentence. Everything faded to an incomprehensible grey. He tried to steady himself, but even moving seemed impossible."
        #blurry screen
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned behind black
        questi "He should be okay. No deep damage. Just exhaustion and blood loss."
        questi "He needs a few days off his feet to rest."
        ro "..."
        # jump rastEpilogue_rp

    else:
        show jezera naked happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        #andras naked happy
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve
        an "Servant."
        "Rowan was surprised to find the man and woman of the hour had come to speak to him."
        ro "..."
        an "For all your failures, you did accomplish a portion of what my sister and I had demanded."
        je "We decided you deserved at least some kind of reward for your service. A show of our...generosity."
        "Rowan considered asking where the trap was here, but couldn’t muster the energy. Considering how they’d brushed aside his concerns outside the city, this couldn’t be something good."
        "Andras beckoned one of the orc guards."
        an "Bring her."
        "He turned back to Rowan, now openly grinning."
        an "We caught the little morsel trying to sneak out the Noble Quarter. Of course, that was the first place we set up guards. No way we’d let the really valuable prizes escape..."
        #juliet naked afraid
        show juliet shocked at edgeright with dissolve
        an "...Prizes like the Duke of Werden’s daughter."
        #juliet naked happy
        show juliet happy at edgeright with dissolve
        juli "Rowan!"
        "The orc dragged in a familiar face, but in a situation radically different from how he’d last seen her."
        "Juliet was naked and heavily bound. There were shackles on her wrists and ankles and a harness made from rope around her chest. Her hair, normally done up pristinely, was matted and free."
        #juliet naked embarassed
        juli " I….so much has happened...You’re safe! ...You’re alive! I...I was worried and…."
        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            ro "Juliet!? They didn’t hurt you, did you?"
            "Rowan’s stomach sank. It wasn’t like this wasn’t a situation that could have been foreseen. But, it was a different thing entirely to see her in such a degrading state."
            "For her part, Juliet didn’t seem to process any of that. She was just beaming at the sight of Rowan safe and whole."
            juli "N..no. They grabbed me most ungently, but they didn’t do anything..."
        else:
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Juliet? And you’re unharmed."
            "Rowan grunted. His present state made this “reunion” hard to focus on."

        juli "There was fire everywhere. Father and Brother never came back overnight. I don’t know where they are. So, I thought I should…"
        "Jezera put a finger to the captive’s lips."
        je "He gets the point, Love."
        if rowanGaySex < 3:
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Despite the circumstances, Rowan couldn’t help but draw his eyes over her exposed form. Damn her beauty and damn the succubi pheromones for making it so hard to control himself."
        "Andras gave her head a malicious little pat."
        an "You know, I considered keeping her for myself, at first. The bastard’s own daughter? It would probably be easy too."
        "Juliet tried to scoot closer to Rowan, away from the demons. "
        an "But, then she started asking for you, of all people. "
        #amdras naked smirk
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
        an "Oh, where’s Rowan? Is Rowan okay? Have you hurt him?"
        show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve
        je "The poor thing could scarce believe it when we told her you were here, safe and sound, with us."
        "The demoness strode confidently to Rowan’s side and placed her lips to his ear. "
        #jez smirk
        show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        je "We haven’t told her everything. Some...{i}revelations{/i}...might come better from a different source."
        an "Break her. Keep her. Sell her. Whatever you want. She’s yours. She’d say so herself, wouldn’t she?"
        #juliet naked aroused
        "At the time he’d said it, Juliet had been caught staring into space with a blank look. Her nostrils twitched as she breathed in the air...and all that the room’s air contained..."
        "To get her to focus, Andras lowered his fingers in front of her face and snapped. As much as her bindings would allow, Juliet snapped back to attention."
        juli "Y-yes. If I have to serve someone….then Rowan...Uh…."
        juli "If it’s you…"
        "Her cheeks went red and her eyes lowered, unable to meet Rowan’s. It was hard not to notice the way she’d started to squirm in place."
        an "Then it is settled. You will take Duke Werden’s nubile little flower as your personal servant. A fitting revenge on the man who’d done you wrong, no?"
        je "And one worthy of celebration, methinks."
        "She snapped her fingers."
        je "Girl. Pleasure your new Master with your mouth. I’m sure the musk of the room is having an effect on him."
        "Juliet looked back at Jezera as she spoke and then shot him a quick glance. Rowan’s head felt light."
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I..."
        menu:
            "Accept the gift.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump juliCoronationBJ_rp

            "Pass out.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan wasn’t even able to finish the thought. Already, he was so woozy that he could barely stand. But, as he considered the prospect, his mind went strangely blank."
                "Then, his knees started to give way. Suddenly, in front of Juliet and the twins, Rowan had collapsed onto his back. His vision blurred."
                #blurry
                scene black with fade
                show rowan necklace concerned behind black
                questi "Rowan!? Rowan!?"
                questi "Hrmm."
                questi "No real damage. Probably exhaustion setting in. Let him get some bed rest and he will be in tip top shape within a few days."
                ro "..."
                return
                # jump rastEpilogue_rp

    label juliCoronationBJ_rp:

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        hide jezera with dissolve
        hide andras with dissolve

        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "Perhaps he might come to regret the decision with more ability to think. But, she wasn’t hard on the eyes and would be docile. An easy slave to keep."

        else:
            ro "...Are you okay with this, Juliet? I don’t...uh...I don’t want to hurt you."
            "Rowan’s eyes fluttered open and closed. Perhaps if there was a way of easing the arousal, he might find it easier to focus..."
            "Juliet tried to form a response in words. But, ultimately answered in a nod. She trusted him. There was no doubt she’d obey him."

        #cg1
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind black
        #juliet naked aroused
        show juliet happy behind black

        "His new servant drew herself closer to him, without her knees ever leaving the ground. Her eyes were drawn magnetically to the front of his pants...and what lay underneath. Her lips parted slightly."

        ro "Oh...Yes…"

        "He was rather scatterbrained at the moment…"
        "His hands went down to his waistband and made a clumsy effort to work his belt free. Without the support, his pants dropped. Juliet was left staring at his erect manhood, mere inches from her face."
        "Her eyes widened and her breath grew heavier and more erratic. "

        if julietSex == True:
            "The last time she had seen it was in very different circumstances…"

        juli "I’ll...I’ll take care of you, Rowan…"

        #cg2
        scene cg599 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg599
        #juliet naked aroused
        show juliet happy behind cg599
        pause 3

        "Finally, she brought her head close, shaky as though approaching something dangerous. Her mouth opened wide...and then she took his entire cock in her mouth."

        juli "Mphtf."

        "Juliet set to work pleasuring him. Though, clearly, this was a skill she had not yet mastered. A tiny bit of teeth mixed in with her tongue. The occasional pause for air."
        "Nearby, other women bumped or brushed themselves against him. The orgy kept expanding outward and outward until he and Juliet were caught in the midst of it."
        "A woman with red hair motioned for his cock, but it was out of her reach. Juliet was too eager for it."
        "His head soon grew lighter and lighter. If he was already having trouble keeping himself together, the blowjob wasn’t exactly giving him strength. His hands reached behind him, searching for stability."
        "Yet, the more he faded, the more his new servant threw herself at him. Her head bobbed up and down in a steady pumping rhythm."
        "If Andras, Jezera, or Ameraine were still there to watch, Rowan couldn’t see. The lighter his head got, the less he could pay attention to anything besides the pleasure. Shallow pants came from his lips."
        "Juliet’s wriggling and squirming hit a fever pitch. Had her hands been free, there was little doubt what the little minx would be doing with them. She had the same look in her eyes as those who’d been fornicating during the coronation itself. "
        "A slave consumed by lust."

        juli "Mffff! Mfff!"

        "She broke from her task to cough and gag. No amount of desperation could replace technique. But, it was enough to bring her back for more within seconds."
        "Rowan was fading and he knew it. Had he tried to speak now, it might not work. All that was tethering him still to this place was the sensation and his own desire for release."

        ro "Rgh."

        "It was rising and rising. He felt like he was stumbling forward through a black room."
        "He managed to glance down again. Mascara ran down Juliet’s cheeks. Her eyes were totally blank now. All that was there was a relentless eagerness. "

        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "It was that last little nudge that set himself over. The sight of Juliet as a slut."

        else:
            "Despite that disturbing image, there was no holding back the coming wave. Rowan slipped over."

        #cg3
        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind black

        "Rowan felt light. Pleasure shot through his body, touching every corner. There came the feeling of sperm streaming out into her mouth and the pressure lifting from his balls. Like a huge weight coming off his body."
        "A second later, his hand slipped. His knees were buckling and he couldn’t hold them up. All the energy of his body was gone."
        "His legs gave way beneath him and he fell flat on his back."

        questi "Rowan!? Rowan!?"
        questi "Oh, relax. There isn’t any real damage. Probably just exhaustion. he’ll get some bed rest and he will be in tip top shape within a few days."
        ro "..."

    return

# \events\monster_lairs.rpy
label affectionate_driders_rp:

    scene bg44 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg44

    "There were driders here alright, an awful lot of them for one place at that.  Rowan had seen at least a dozen of them moving over the ground and through the trees.  Two had been feasting on fresh kills."
    "It was no wonder, prolific was hardly enough to describe the sheer amount of life that thrived in this particular neck of the woods.  It was a veritable cornucopia of game, many hunters could make a very good living here."
    "Evidently the driders had moved in, taken the role of apex predator for the region, and were positively thriving.  That boded quite well for Bloodmeen once Rowan found the local nests."
    "It was inevitable that he'd have a confrontation with at least one of the driders.  Only his skills as an outdoorsman had allowed him to avoid as many as he had."
    "Now he was faced with a male that definitely knew he was here.  However, it wasn't with aggression that the spider man showed Rowan.  No, it was a very erect member and a smug saunter with which this creature approached.  It even mimed getting a blowjob."

    ro "(Horny bastard.)"

    "As Rowan drew his sword the drider elicited a chuckle, at least he thought those clicks were a chuckle.  The sight of metal alone wasn't going to be enough to dissuade this beast, though it still remained in its confident saunter, an overconfident saunter."
    "Casually it pulled a long silk thread from under its body and looped it together, then flung it in Rowan's direction, which he easily avoided.  It seemed to shrug in response, then abruptly lept forwards.  However that too Rowan had seen coming and was able to avoid without difficulty."
    "A flicker of surprise danced over the drider's face when it turned back around and it tried the same trick again.  This time however the veteran warrior used one of his best tricks for such large creatures to turn the beast's size against it."
    "He stepped slightly to the side, bent his leg, leveraged his sword, and send the spider man into an unintended cartwheel.  It skidded over the grass and flipped over a large exposed root before finally getting those many feet back under its body."
    "There was no mistaking the look of dismayed anger on the drider's face now.  Though it seemed that it wasn't going to be giving up this hunt just yet.  All traces of the previously casual flair were gone as it studied Rowan carefully."
    "The two started circling one another and occasionally made probing attacks against the other's defenses.  The long legs gave the drider the advantage of reach, but even then it was it that showed first blood."
    "Rowan feinted left, swept around right and left a long line of red over the beast's torso that it only barely managed to pull back from.  Then nearly took a leg off when he abruptly broke the pattern he'd been intentionally showing his opponent."
    "It was a common tactic, one he'd used especially often when training students in swordsmanship.  The move had also put the drider hard on the defense, it was now being excessively cautious against further tricks."
    "After a few more probes, Rowan noted to himself that the same tricks didn't seem to work twice on the drider.  It adapted fast to his attacks, covering previous openings better each time he was able to get close to doing more damage."
    "A smile touched the beast's lips, but not one of confidence.  Suddenly another loop of web came out, which turned out to be a feint for a follow up attack that Rowan just barely managed to parry.  The creature hadn't done a feint before, was it learning from him?"
    "It jumped back and the two returned to studying one another's movements.  There was definitely something different now.  Movements which were a little stuttered, like the beast was a student focusing too hard on his footwork."
    "The man did a double take, was that a smile of genuine joy on the drider's face?"

    menu:
        "Allow yourself to be distracted. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ affectionateDriderBJ = True
            jump affectionateDriderSex_rp

        "This is no time to get distracted.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ affectionateDriderBJ = False
            ro "So, you think this is a game?  Well, time to teach you a lesson then."
            jump postAffectionateDriderSex_rp

    label affectionateDriderSex_rp:

        "That momentary distraction was all it took for Rowan to put his foot into one of the loops of webbing that the drider had thrown at him earlier.  It stuck to his boat, causing a stumble, then a tumble, and in a moment Rowan was well and truly trapped in one of the nearby webs."
        "He tried to get free, but the drider was already on top of him.  A few quick movements and a few more applications of webbing made certain that fight was over."
        "His captor heaved a large sigh, seemingly disappointed with how the fight had ended.  Nevertheless it ran its hands up and down the man's body as its inhuman member reemerged.  The touch was not harsh or forceful, but rather appreciative and showed no restraint in what it touched."
        "As soon as the beast found Rowan's member, it paid special attention to that.  The creature fondled him until it got an erection to match its own, but made no effort to remove or free Rowan from his clothing."

        #cg1
        scene cg606 with fade
        pause 3

        "Instead it stepped up onto the webs, positioned its member in front of Rowan's face, and tried to jab it into the man's mouth!  He recoiled from the strange black cock, but no wasn't an answer the drider would take."
        "One of its spider legs pushed painfully against his cheek, drawing a small trickle of blood.  With no way to fight back, Rowan obliged the creature and opened his mouth to accept its cock."
        "The first thrust was not gentle, eliciting a gag on the sudden intrusion of the strange chitin covered thing when it went down his throat.  No chance was given to adjust or respond, as the beast simply used him for its own pleasure.  It paid no attention to its partner's comfort or needs."
        "Instead the creature simply humped his face again and again, running those interlocking plates over his tongue over and over.  It had a somewhat dusty taste, mixed with dirt.  You certainly wouldn't want it in your mouth, but it wasn't revolting."
        "This continued for nearly a minute, with the creature's movements steadily increasing in ferocity as Rowan tried to get what lungs of air he could between the beast's intrusions."
        "Eventually it peaked and the man beast thrust his length all the way to the hilt again, forcing Rowan's head back so it could get down.  Rowan had no choice but to swallow the cum that went straight down his throat, then coughed and sputtered as it withdrew from him."

        scene bg44 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind bg44

        "Once Rowan recovered, he was surprised to see that the drider was still there, just looking at him with a strange restless expression on its face.  Abruptly it sliced apart the webs, freeing him."
        "Then it scurred over to where Rowan had dropped his sword, picked it up, and almost forcibly put it into his hand!"

        ro "What do you want now?"

        "Obviously he didn't get a coherent answer.  What was given was a return to the beast's battle stance with that same joyful smile on its face."

        ro "Fighting?"

        "Taking his stance again, Rowan gritted his teeth in annoyance."

        ro "This isn't a game.  Time to teach you a lesson."

    label postAffectionateDriderSex_rp:

        "The drider charged, going for the feint tactic again. If it was going to copy him, that meant that it was unwittingly playing into Rowan's hands. Rowan had trained enough prospective swordsman that he could see what was coming a mile away."
        "He didn't move, causing his opponent to hesitate at the lack of reaction.  That screwed up the charge, putting it out of place.  Rowan then swept his sword down in a wide arc, nearly cutting off both of the beast's front legs."
        "It screeched in pain, reeling from the blow and dancing backwards.  Ichor dripped from its wounds and its expression had become one of fear.  Rowan brandished his sword for his own charge, but it seemed that the game was over."
        "After staggering in place for a moment, the creature dipped its head in a sort of bow or admission of defeat before running away."

        if affectionateDriderBJ == True:
            "After watching for a moment to see if it came back, Rowan stood up straight and wiped a trail of cum from his mouth."
            "That wasn't as bad as it could have gone.  He just wished the encounter hadn't left him so hard."

        "Rowan kept his sword out until after he'd found the nest and left the driders' territory, but was thankfully not accausted again."

        # $ world.cur_map.resources[world.cur_map.pos].capture()
        # return

    return

# \events\fey_dreams.rpy
label heartsong_dream_1_rp:

    #CG 1
    scene cg790 with fade
    pause 3

    "Pine needles descend in a thorny rain upon the orphan’s head. They collect and tangle in his moppish hair, like the laurel crown of a woodland king."
    "He can feel his heartbeat, quick and pattering as it beats a nervous furor in his chest. Tiny fingers clench tight upon the yew bow in his hand. His toes tremble in his boots, numb from the frosty snow that engulfs his legs up to his ankles."
    "The boy’s left arm strains from the force of the draw, his elbow shivering as his fingers cling fast to the nock of the arrow."
    "Across the gulf of space and time, he stares, wide eyed, at the tiny creature standing in front of him."
    "Yellow eyes peer back. Fearless, curious, penetrating. Her black nose wrinkles as it sniffs the air."
    "The pale fox regards Rowan with curiosity, pausing mid-step in the snow as it waits for the human to make the first move. They are less than a dozen paces away from one another."
    "And yet, he hesitates."
    "How did he get here?"
    "Cold memories leak in to fill the yawning cracks. A blur of continuity spreads across his mind: the disappearance of his parents, the sudden, jarring shift from domestic bliss to orphaned isolation."
    "Weeks of frightened solitude. The villagers coming to see him, alone and hungry in the family cabin. Words: empty explanations and quiet platitudes. He does not register them, he only asks why."
    "They take him into the Elder’s home. Flashes of a strange bed, an unfamiliar hearth and foreign food made by a stranger’s hands scamper through his mind."
    "Questions. Endless, unanswerable questions. No one can tell him anything. No one can explain what’s happened: where they have gone, why he is alone."
    "Tears. Anger. Frustration. A desperate need to search, to find them, to make things go back to the way they were."
    "He packs his things in secret, squirreling away what food and supplies he can, then makes tracks to Da’s old hunting grounds."
    "And now here he stands: three days into the wild with his supplies exhausted and not one step closer to discovering an answer he would never find."
    "The fox’s reasons for being here are a mystery, but the rumble in Rowan’s belly was far less ambiguous."
    "He’d never killed anything before."
    "Something hot and wet fills the small boy’s eyes, obscuring but not impeding his vision. He blinks them away. His breath issues forth in great, white gouts from his mouth as he lets loose a shuddering exhale."

    menu:
        "He looses the nock, and the arrow flies.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #CG of Rowan Shooting Fox
            scene black with fade
            "Quivering fingers release the arrow, and it fires forth with deadly precision. The yew groans as the bowstring twangs in his grasp."
            "A dark bolt speeds across the white landscape, punching into the small fox and sending her sprawling."
            "A startled yelp. Rowan lowers his bow and examines the kill from a distance. He caught her hard in the chest, just above her left leg."
            "The little creature lies there, sprawled out in the snow, a shock of red glistening on her fur where the arrow has struck."
            "It was a clean kill, as clean as could be expected. Rowan lets out a downcast sigh and trudges over to where the fox has fallen."
            "The indent of her body in the snowdrift makes it look almost as if she had fallen into a shallow grave."
            "She lies motionless, her eyes closed as if she is merely resting. For some reason, it makes Rowan’s heart hollow to look at her this way."
            ro "I-I’m sorry."
            "The mumbled words slip out of his mouth without thinking as the breeze picks up, sending the boy’s hair tumbling across his face. He whispers a quiet prayer for the fox under his breath."
            "He knows what comes next. The skinning, cleaning, cooking and preparing. He may have made his first kill, but there is still so much to do. Mother had shown him how to do it."
            "Something about the thought of his mother gives him pause. His hand hesitates as it reaches for his hunting knife."
            "Wait… how did she do it? Rowan wracks his brain for a moment as he tries to remember his missing mother’s lessons."
            "A sudden terror grips him as he realizes he can recall next to nothing about her."
            "All he can remember are sensations: feelings rather than memories. A quiet recollection of nights spent huddled up by the hearth: of gentle lullabies whispered into dozing ears, a slender finger curling across rosy cheeks in the firelight."
            "Such a warm memory. Such a warm, blurry memory."
            "Rowan grasps at her fading image with desperation. He cannot picture the barest details of her face.The very thought of it causes the boy to panic."
            fox "Why?"
            "A voice cuts through the frigid stillness, interrupting the dream with its singular incongruity. Rowan lifts his head, his eyes widening as he realizes the dead fox is looking at him. Through blood-caked lips she opens her mouth and whispers."
            fox "Why?"
            "Horror grips the young boy as he stumbles, falling back onto his hands. His eyes go wide, watching as the injured Fox lifts her head and looks at him. Her body twitches and writhes upon the ground."
            ro "W-what?"
            fox "Why did you shoot?"
            "Rowan’s voice catches in his throat. He tries to form words, but the world is full of sludge."
            ro "I…"

        "He waits too long, and his arm grows tired from the strain.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The fox and the boy stand across from one another in the snow, time stretching onwards towards eternity. The wind blows a gentle breeze across his face, his hair buffeted by its touch. The same breeze ruffles the fox’s white fur."
            "She stares at him, her yellow eyes fixed to his. Empty of malice, devoid of judgement. She makes no move, content to watch the child decide her fate."
            #CG of Rowan Dropping Bow
            scene black with fade
            "Rowan’s vision fills with water for a second time. The bow slips, useless from his hands. He falls to his knees, sniffling and crying as he covers his face to hide his shame."
            "What a worthless son he’s become. His parents had shown him how to hunt a hundred times before. He’d been practicing with a bow since almost before he left his swaddling clothes. He could hit the fox from this distance with his eyes closed."
            "Yet… he cannot bring himself to do so."
            "Father would be ashamed of him. Had their roles been reversed, he would not have hesitated to loose the deadly quarrel. Rowan is sure of it."
            "Or... would he have?"
            "What {i}would{/i} his father have said to him in this moment? A sudden panic strikes the boy as he realizes he does not know."
            "He cannot remember his voice, nor his words, nor even his face. He is a figure on the horizon, a hazy image in the mist."
            "And that is all he will ever be. The little boy cries all the harder."
            fox "Why?"
            "A voice cuts through the frigid stillness, interrupting the dream with its singular incongruity. Rowan lifts his head, his eyes widening as he realizes the white fox is standing right in front him, close enough to touch."
            "The snowfall has stopped. The world around them has stilled into nothing."
            "The beast looks up at him with a quizzical expression. She opens her mouth, and repeats the question."
            fox "Why?"
            ro "W-why?"
            "Baffled by the sudden twist in the memory, Rowan rubs his tearstained eyes and stares at the talking fox. She curls her snowy tail around herself and sits, lifting her head to stare directly at him."
            ro "Why what?"
            fox "Why didn’t you shoot?"
            "Rowan’s voice catches in his throat. He tries to form words, but the world around him turns to sludge."
            ro "I..."

    scene bg9 with fade
    #rowan necklace naked shock
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Guh{/i}!"

    "Rowan leapt out of bed in a single, swift movement, carrying the blankets with him as he all but cartwheeled back into consciousness."
    "His heart was pounding out of his chest, his mind racing. For a moment he forgot where he was, as lost as he’d been in the dream."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "N-no…"

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "That wasn’t just a dream."

    "No dream he’d had in his life had ever been so lucid. His skin shivered from the sensation of the cold, winter air. His arm still trembled from the stress of drawing the bowstring taut."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Gods, I haven’t thought about that day in years."

    "The events had played out just as the dream had shown them: with the notable exception of the fox talking to him."
    "The memory was among the earliest he could clearly recall of his childhood. It took the Elder half a week to finally track the half-starved and hypothermic boy down. He’d nearly died."
    "It was there, at that moment, when he had the fate of another’s life in his hands, that Rowan finally came to terms with the truth."
    "His parents weren’t coming back. He could no longer rely on them to keep him safe. From now on, he had to make his own decisions, for good or ill."
    "...So why was he dreaming of it now?"

    # return

    return

# \events\fey_dreams.rpy
label heartsong_dream_2_rp:

    #karst bg
    scene cg849 with fade
    pause 2
    scene cg850 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rosarian knight neutral behind cg850

    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. The first thing that hit him was the sound of screaming. So many directions at once. The effect was pure disorientation."
    "Then came the smell. To say it reeked could not possibly describe it. The scent that assaulted his nostrils would make a man think he would never smell something good again."
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. He was on the ground. His tunic was dirty. His pike was lying by his side. That was wrong. The knight who commanded his division had told the men that anyone who lost their pike would be flogged. He scrambled to retrieve it on hand and knee."

    ro "Ai-aiden?"

    "He looked around. His unit was nowhere to be found. Only...only…"
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. He was on a battlefield. Next to him, two armored men were fighting. Behind him, a member of his unit was being hacked apart by two giant orcish brutes. He looked down and realized that the stain on his tunic was blood."
    "His blood? Someone else’s? There was no time to think about it. There was only instinct. Rowan ran."
    "Shadows darted through the trees. Giant Orcish brutes and armored men wearing full metal facemasks stalked behind them, cutting down routed soldiers."
    "He joined the bloody and chaotic mass flying towards the nearby keep. Men with gaunt faces. They had been turned into animals. Behind them, their once mighty army crumbled. Thousands were dead. Thousands more were sure to die."
    "And in front of them stood the fortress. Built into a cliffside with jagged walls running up impossible angles. An impenetrable bastion camouflaged by the treeline and cliffs."
    "Karst."
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered."
    "He was standing in front of a sealed gate, along with a dozen or more men. They were pushing and shoving. Hands clutching the bars. Body parts were thrust through the small gaps, as if getting one's arm through to the other side might save the rest of him."

    rkn "Please, let us in! Please! By {i}Balast{/i}, open the gate!"

    "Another man clamored up above the screaming."

    rkn "We’re going to die! You’re going to kill us!"

    "A man on the ramparts above them looked down, his face gaunt. He kept glancing back out towards the battlefield. To where the sounds of screaming men and bloody slaughter still emananted."

    gkeeper "I...gods...I can’t open the gate! I’m sorry. {i}Fuck{/i}. They could be coming any second. Go away!"

    rkn "Help us!"
    gkeeper "They’ll kill us all!"

    "The standoff was only broken when another man emerged on the rampart. He wore a soldier’s garb. Blood stained and damaged."

    rkn "Goddess {i}bloody fend{/i}. Open the damn gate, you cunt! "

    "There was the sound of a scuffle. Rowan couldn’t track it. All he knew was that the gate soon opened in front of him. The trapped men surged forward. One of the survivors in front fell down and was near trampled before rolling to the side."
    "Rowan saw the man’s hand grasping towards the entrance. So close to safety…"
    "The moment he crossed the threshold, his ears were struck by a thunder of a sound. Orcish shatter horns blowing. Men went to the ground, clutching their ears. Sound and sensation mixed to the point he could feel a sound. His bones shook and rattled inside of him."

    hide rosarian knight
    show rosarian knight neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. He was standing in front of the soldier who’d forced the gatekeeper to open up. Only now did Rowan see the long gash running down his arm. Where were the healers?"

    ro "I’m just… I’m just looking for my unit…"
    ro "I was with….er...I was with Duke Raeve’s levy. He must have made it back. He wasn’t in the front."

    "The soldier just shook his head sadly."

    rkn "Lived, probably. But, gone. Him and all the other lords with horses. Anyone on four legs scattered to the interior. Didn’t even stop by the keep to pick up his shit."
    rkn "Raeve. Crevette. Probably even my own Duke Werden."
    ro "Not Werden. He was caught with the vanguard. I saw it. At least, I think I did."

    "He spat to the side."

    rkn "Guess that means I don’t have a lord now, eh? Well, doesn’t matter if he’s a coward or a corpse."
    rkn "We’re alone. "

    hide rosarian knight with dissolve

    "Rowan glanced back to the gate, to where the awful sounds of the battlefield still sounded, quieted only by distance and what meager cover the walls offered."
    "The slaughter continued unabated."
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered."
    "He was walking along the side of the curtain wall, his gaze blurry and unfocused. Everything was numb."

    ro "Aiden? Cal? Anyone?"

    "He watched with drooping eyes as a group of men staggered past him, laughing near-hysterical. They held fine booze in their hands, and about their shoulders were draped fine coats of leather pulled over their bloody uniforms."
    "They stumbled and drank more. Whatever lord the goods once belonged to evidently wouldn’t be coming back for it."
    "But, when Rowan got closer, he saw their wide, teary eyes. To these men, this was a cadaver’s party. A final send-off before the orcs reached the gates."
    "There was a priestess of Solansia huddled in the corner. Rowan couldn’t help but stare at her hair. It was so vivid and red…"

    ro "Alexia…"

    "The priestess muttered desperate, pathetic prayers. A call to the heavens that would never receive an answer. Long streaks of tears rolled down her face."
    "Rowan stumbled on. His eyes kept fluttering."
    "Then, he was in front of a man he knew. Aiden, from just down the road. He’d been drafted in Trosshoven. Another member of his unit. Rowan was near silent as he applied a rag to the young man’s leg."
    "The gash was ugly. Bits of muscle were exposed. The ground beneath him pooled with blood and piss. If Rowan could have moved him, he would have. If he could have searched for a healer without Aiden bleeding out, he would have."
    "He watched as Aiden frantically twitched and groaned. Every fresh warhorn from outside the walls jolted him again. Rowan was forced to hold his leg down to keep the rag in place. "

    aiden "My… my sister was just about to give birth. Don’t you know, Rowan, I’m probably an uncle by now?"
    aiden "Can you believe it, an uncle. Isn’t that incredible?"
    aiden "..."
    aiden "I’m going to see him someday. Right? Right? I bet he’ll look just like her. Haha. Maybe afterwards I’ll try to find a girl so I can have one of my own."
    aiden "Tsk. This is wrong. This is all wrong."
    ro "Please…Please hold still. You’re going to make it-"

    "Rowan’s hands balled up on the rag. They were near fists by this point. Aiden had broken into a tortured sob, but he just kept going."

    aiden "None of this was supposed to happen. I’m good. My priest said so. My parents said so. I did everything I was supposed to."
    aiden "I’m going to...I can just go. I did my service. I did what I had to do. I’m just going to go home."
    aiden "Fuck."
    aiden "She was supposed to protect me. That’s what the priest said. Goddess..."
    aiden "I just want to see my sister..."

    "Rowan bit his tongue. He was so numb, even if he wanted to put his feelings to words, it just wouldn’t happen. It was too much."
    "Aiden’s sobbing grew more frantic and his words became gradually less coherent. Rowan kept on holding the rag down. Just… hold the rag down."
    "Even when Aiden’s body went still, Rowan continued to press it tight against his leg. What else could he do?"
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. Some men from his unit had dragged him from the ground. Someone was shouting his name. Rowan’s eyes kept on fluttering."

    cal "Rowan! You need to listen to me! Rowan! Can you hear me!?"
    ro "Huh?"

    "Suddenly, a sharp pain spread from his cheek. It took him a moment to realize he’d been slapped. Rowan staggered back, blinking. The adrenaline put him back in reality."
    "He looked around. These were men he recognized from his unit."

    cal "That’s Aiden, right? Goddess fend, he looks a right mess."
    ro "He’s dead."
    cal "One more then."

    "Cal gestured behind him. Two other men from the unit were holding a third. Rowan had to squint to recognize him as Raphael."

    cal "Raphael’s in it bad, but we’re looking for a healer. We know some of them had to have made it back in."

    "Rowan tested his grip with his hand. Forming a fist and opening it again. Something was missing, but he couldn’t remember what."
    "A healer? He’d seen a priestess, hadn’t he?"
    "...Why hadn’t he thought of that when he was with Aiden? She’d had red hair…"

    ro "We have to do something, yeah. I think… I think I saw a healer before. But, I don’t know if she’s in any shape to help him."

    "The thought was interrupted by a sound from above. He looked on the ramparts and saw the dark outline of a figure falling. Everyone watched in horror. A few gasped as he hit the ground with a bone chilling {i}crunch{/i}."

    show rosarian knight neutral behind cg850

    rkn "I guess, that’s one way out of here."

    "The small band of survivors trudged down the decayed path back the way Rowan had come in. The growing weight dawned on him. He’d lost his pike. Had he left it when tending to Aiden? Or... was it before?"
    "Rowan chuckled slightly. If his officer were still intact, he’d be in real trouble."
    "In the distance, Rowan saw a figure curled up against the wall. His eyes widened. Her hair was red..."

    ro "Alexia."

    "He closed his fists into balls. He needed a weapon. He needed to do something…."
    "His eyes fluttered again."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan was striding towards the armory. There had to be something there. He’d left the former survivors of his unit behind. Most of them were too battle shocked to even think."
    "He found that a small crowd of men had gathered. One burly man had taken center in front of the main weapon rack, and was giving an impromptu speech."

    burlys "We need to surrender now. If we give them the keep before they are forced to attack, they may be willing to show mercy."

    "A clamoring went around. They’d seen what had happened on the field. They knew what was happening to their comrades outside the walls at that very moment."

    burlys "Shut up. Shut {i}up{/i}, let me talk!"
    burlys "Yes. I don’t think the orcs will spare us. But, Zerias is out there with them. He was a duke once. He’s one of them, but he’s not like the others. If we surrender to {i}him{/i}, specifically, he might spare us."
    burlys "Look. Look."
    burlys "Maybe...maybe they’ll keep us as slaves! I’ve heard of demons doing that. Keeping captured soldiers as slaves, for the mines. "
    burlys "That can’t be worse then-"

    "Rowan was done listening to this man. Without concern for the consequences, he walked over to the weapons rack. The defeatist was in the way, so Rowan shoved him lightly to the side."

    burlys "Are you crazy, what are you doing?"

    ro "I lost my pike. I need a weapon. Probably a bow. And a sword. I’m better with those…"

    "The man didn’t intervene, even as Rowan pulled weapons down from the rack. The moment there was a bow in his hand, he felt good again. In the fight before he’d been forced to use that unwieldy stick. But, this was a weapon he knew."
    "He faintly remembered trudging through snow, his sights on a fox…"

    burlys "You can’t be serious. Look at you. You had to have just come from out there."

    "Rowan shrugged."

    ro "There are still people out there. The fight isn’t done."
    ro "..."
    ro "Can’t just stand around here doing nothing."

    "Whatever calm remaining broke. Individual soldiers shouted words that might be extreme in another circumstance. Some were directed at the burly man who’d been giving the speech. Some probably were shouting at him. Rowan didn't much care."
    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. He walked out of the armory, back towards the gate. But, a dozen or so men followed him from the gathering. It was almost annoying, being followed. One particularly bothersome fellow was hovering at his shoulder, voicing his worries aloud."

    hide rosarian knight
    show rosarian knight neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    rkn "One man can’t keep the route of retreat open single handedly. The orcs will crash over you like a wave. This is suicide."
    ro "Can’t just do nothing."

    "The annoying man didn’t stop following him. Neither did any of the others. So Rowan kept marching forward."
    "His eyes fluttered.  He was standing at the edge of the gate again. There were men all around him now. Others who’d seen them leaving. Rowan hadn’t planned any of this. "
    "He stopped, and his little band of followers stopped too. Eyes on him. Waiting to see what he did. When he continued, they started back up in tandem."
    "More of the survivors seemed to drift into the small band by the moment. By the time Rowan reached the gate, there must have been at least fifty of them."
    "The gatekeeper raised the portcullis for this small force. Rowan’s grip tightened on his bow, the higher it got. There was a battle to fight on the other side. His day wasn’t done."
    "Then, bloody chaos in front of him, Rowan charged forward. Around him a cry went out. The other men were shouting."

    hide rosarian knight with dissolve

    "Rowan’s eyes fluttered. Then the sound drifted away. Rowan was alone."
    "He looked behind him, and found a single soldier standing in awe. A female levy with a face that Rowan almost recognized...but he couldn’t place it..."

    femsol "How did you do that?"
    ro "How did I do what?"

    femsol "Take command, lead those men back into that awful situation."
    femsol "You kept a level head, when all the world was collapsing around you. No one else did. Just you."
    femsol "You knew what awaited you when you led them back into those woods…"

    "Rowan swallowed. His throat felt tight as he realized he wasn’t breathing. He’d never noticed it before in all the chaos of battle, but the soldier’s eyes were a brilliant, piercing yellow."

    femsol "Why did you choose to go back out there?"
    ro "It wasn’t even a choice. I… I just couldn’t sit by and let things happen."
    femsol "Why not?"

    "Rowan felt as if his heart was about to burst from his chest."

    ro "Bec-"

    scene bg9 with dissolve
    #rowan necklace naked shock
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Guh{/i}!"

    #return

    return


# \events\ruler_events_39.rpy
label password_is_fidelio_rp:

    "Who is your Orc ally? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Tarish":
            $ orciad_ally = "tarish"
        "Ulcro":
            $ orciad_ally = "ulcro"
        "Batri":
            $ orciad_ally = "batri"
        "None":
            $ orciad_ally = "none"

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ shayaClue6 = True
    $ shayaClue11 = True
    $ shayaClue12 = True
    $ shayaClue15 = True
    $ shayaClue17 = True

    scene bg24 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "After entering the brothel, Rowan was immediately ushered into a back room, where Shaya was waiting for him."
    "Today was the day of the party. He found entry from castle residents restricted, and the brothel staff hard at work setting up."

    if orgyPromise:
        "He’d been greeted warmly at arrival. There’d been no doubt that he’d be here in attendance, of course. He had promised to come, after all."

    else:
        "There had been some surprise and scrambling to account for his arrival. His vague answer had made it hard to account for his coming. But, he’d decided to attend because of…"

        menu:
            "...His growing interest in Shaya.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "...His continued efforts to investigate the brothel.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "...It sounded like fun!":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                pass

            "...He wasn’t quite sure himself…":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

    "Besides, he hadn’t forgotten her promise."

    sha "{i}...And if you do attend, I will make it worth your while. I can do things you could only dream of your wife doing.{/i}"

    "Now, here he was, with Shaya standing in front of him, holding a box filled with elaborate disguises."
    "The changing room was a large and elaborate hall filled with tall mirrors on every side. Locked metal trunks lined the walls, each labeled with the name of a particular courtesan. An armory for a different kind of warrior."

    sha "It is a costume party, Sir Rowan. Always popular. Anonymity and pageantry in the same gimmick."
    sha "It wouldn’t do for you to traverse through such a sensual affair dressed in your field dress, rugged though you look in it."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I like this outfit."

    "Shaya just shook her head at his rural intransigence."

    sha "-And I like my standard ensemble. But, it wouldn’t be wise for me to wear it while visiting a nunnery."

    "Rowan had to pause to consider what she had said. Just how many situations had he stumbled into wearing this same tunic, especially since first arriving at Bloodmeen?"

    ro "You’d be surprised by all the places I’ve managed to get into while wearing this."
    sha "Oh, I have no doubt."

    "She returned to a nearby cabinet and rifled through it. Rowan was left to squirm on the bench, waiting in dread for her return. When she finally did, her arms were filled with a mountain of fabric."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Priestly robes?"

    "She set out the costume for him. The long, flowing robes of blue were the vestments of a Solansian priest. But this particular one was unique, towering habits on male robes were a unique feature of the sect in Qerazel."
    "Between it and the jeweled white mask she’d selected for him very little of his features would be visible. "

    sha "I am sure you can see the irony in the selection."
    ro "Is that...a hole in the crotch? Really?"

    "He poked a finger through a well disguised slit in the robes."

    sha "Made for ease of access. This is a brothel, after all."
    sha "I can find another costume if you would prefer, Rowan. Your pleasure is a gift to me. But, I fear you would find most of the other options… similarly disagreeable."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan sighed softly. There was no backing out of his promise now. Shaya’s reward at the end had better be worth it."

    ro "Don’t tell Jezera about this."

    sha "You understand, of course, that I cannot promise that."

    "Rowan sighed."

    #cg 1
    scene cg881 with fade
    pause 3

    "In some ways, the party remembers the kind of nobleman’s get-together that he so loathed in Rastedel. But, those didn’t normally have a fuckpit with dozens of people giving each other oral sex in a circle. One mouth to their neighbor’s crotch."
    "Normally, the brothel was a maze of small rooms created by dividers and screens. But, for this occasion, the floor had been cleared into one large hall with hallways off to the side. And in the center was where the carnality was happening."
    "In one corner of the sultry bordello, two of the courtesans had stripped naked and were engaged in a long drawn out kiss with one another. From the small group of men gathered around them, this was clearly for the patrons’ benefits. "
    "One man approached them and produced two pairs of wrist cuffs. Moments later, the girls resumed their provocative display...only now with wrists behind their backs."
    "In another segment of the pit, a masked lady wearing a poor mockery of a serving wench’s outfit was busy riding a male courtesan as though he were her saddled steed. Another man approached behind her and kissed her neck, eliciting a low groan from her."
    "Other pairings could be seen everywhere, cast about like leaves in autumn. Two masked men had dragged a bed in from one of the private rooms and were in the midst of using each other for their personal pleasure."
    "Next to them, a male courtesan was slamming his shaft into a woman wearing a large fur mask meant to represent a bunny rabbit. But, the most interesting element was the man, dressed identically to her, being used as a piece of furniture in their fornication. Perhaps her husband?"
    "Yet, during this entire affair, Rowan was..."

    menu:
        "Accompanying Shaya.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #cg2
            scene cg882 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg882
            show shaya happy behind cg882
            pause 3

            "Rowan stood on the periphery, taking in the scope of this strange scene. Not so distant that he couldn’t always see and hear what debauchery was going on. But, not so close that someone might try to drag him into the festivities. Shaya, who he was arm in arm with, acted as his guide."
            "She was dressed in an erotic mockery of a wedding dress. It was white and flowing, with a long skirt. But the breasts and crotch had been cut out, along with the sides. Her normal red veil was replaced with a similar design in white."
            "She had a strange ability to navigate the chaos. She always knew where the intertwining bodies were to sidestep them. Or else knew the exact path to circle towards one of her girls to check up on them. The swordsman in him respected it."

            if orciad_ally == "batri":
                "Such a sight was a debauched one, beyond all doubt. If they reminded him of anything, it was the fuck pits of Batri’s tribe. But, where those had been brutal, careless, and inelegant, this was more… indulgent."

            elif orciad_ally == "ulcro":
                "Such a sight was a debauched one, beyond all doubt. If they reminded him of anything, it was the fuck pits of Ulcro’s tribe. But, where those had been brutal, careless, and inelegant, this was more… indulgent."

            elif orciad_ally == "tarish":
                "Such a sight was a debauched one, beyond all doubt. If they reminded him of anything, it was the fuck pits of Tarish’s tribe. But, where those had been brutal, careless, and inelegant, this was more… indulgent."

            elif rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "The sheer taboo on display saw Rowan frequently covering his eyes or averting his gaze in embarrassment. How had he let himself be talked into this?"

            else:
                "Rowan found himself stealing glances at different corners of the room. Such raw, sexual degeneracy on display... If they hadn’t wished to be seen, they wouldn’t be at an orgy, would they?"

            "He turned back to the host of the affair, grinning like a mischievous cat at his side."

            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "You didn’t say it would be quite so…"
                sha "Overwhelming?"
                ro "Yes."
                "She warmly rubbed his upper arm. It would have been almost a romantic gesture if not for the man in the goat mask fucking a prostitute mere inches away from them."
                sha "Worry not, my friend. You needn’t participate in any of the festivities if you are not comfortable."
                ro "No one will find it strange if I stay back?"
                sha "They will assume you are here simply to…spectate. You would not be the only one."
                "She gestured towards one of the back walls. Several masked men, and one woman, were indeed lurking on the periphery, their eyes locked intensely to the hedonistic orgy. One was stroking his cock through his costume."
                "Rowan stared back at them silently."

            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                "Rowan smirked."
                ro "You do this often?"
                sha "As often as such  things can be arranged. In practice, every fortnight or so. Why do you ask?"
                ro "No reason. Perhaps I simply want to attend another, one day."
                sha "She gave a slight bow. For a moment, he was reminded of that deep bow she’d greeted him with when they’d first met..."
                sha "For you, hero, it can be arranged. I am {i}always{/i} at your service."

            else:
                sha "You look like you’re enjoying yourself, friend."
                "Through the veil, Rowan was sure she was smirking. He averted his gaze. Though, in the process, he caught an eyeful of a man in faux-knight armor devouring fruit from between a courtesan’s bosom."
                ro "I’m not. I’m just curious. I’ve never been to this sort of… ‘thing’ before."
                sha "Curiosity can be a healthy thing, Sir Rowan. And there are many ways to sate it during a party such as this."

            "The longer he stayed, the fuzzier his head seemed to become. Perhaps it was the overwhelming smell of cum bursting through even the masking incense. Perhaps it was the dizzying array of bodies pressing against bodies."
            "Their meandering journey through the degenerate fornication became a surreal tour. She led him to the back of the hallway, some distance from the pit. They were left somewhat alone. Shaya pulled close, her lips leaning up to whisper into his ear."

        "Investigating on the side.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "...far away from where the main action of the orgy was happening. He’d found a place along the side walls, where he could observe."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "His lip curled into a slight frown as he watched. He was too used to Bloodmeen to be truly shocked by such a display. But, he had yet to shake the discomfort of watching men and women so wantonly and openly engaging in sexual depravities."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                "Rowan took a few moments here and there to oggle the scene. There were more important things he could do with his time than cavort around a sex pit. Yet, even he had to admit that it looked like a good time. Perhaps if he wasn’t here with a goal..."
            else:
                "He watched expressionless. Even by Bloodmeen standards, this was a pit of seuxal immorality and hedonistic decadance. Yet, he’d grown too hard-hearted to let such things affect him. Even at their most overwhelming."
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Shaya, of course, was making her rounds through the party, stopping to glad hand with men and women who were of seeming importance. Rowan observed her from a distance, taking note of her particular approach to ingratiating herself with the wealthy and powerful."
            "But, most of all, he took note of where her attention lay. A distracted Shaya was a Shaya who couldn’t stop him from exploring. It was only when he was absolutely sure that she was distracted that he made a beeline for the back hallway."
            hide shaya with dissolve
            "As he entered the hall, he took a moment of pause to consider his next step."
            "There was Shaya’s private room, of course. Though, he’d had several chances to look inside there already. There was also the room filled with mirrors and trunks where the courtesans changed."
            "Finally, there was that padlocked door. He’d never gotten a chance to explore that room yet. A juicy target."
            if shayaClue15:
                "On his last stealth mission back here, he’d tried the door, but it simply was too difficult a task to break through. But, this time Rowan was prepared."
            "When Shaya had helped him change, Rowan had made absolutely sure she wouldn’t find the lockpicks he was sneaking in."
            "The moment he reached the door, he set to work with the picks. He worked as fast as he could...but not quite fast enough."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            questi "Hello? Is someone back there?"
            "Rowan turned quickly, and found a woman dressed in a luxurious black bustier. She held an oiled black riding crop in one hand. The look was completed by a mask in a grotesque shape. An artistic rendering of a demon."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "She seemed like one of the courtesans. Perhaps a specialist for customers with a kink for masochism."
            questi "You’re not on the staff, ain’t ya? Why are you back here? This is a restricted area."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan swore under his breath, but his composure appeared steady behind the layers of his costume. That he was dressed as a guest was his greatest advantage."
            ro "Oh? You mean the lavatory isn’t back here? My word, this place is like a maze!"
            questi "A lavatory? That’s all you’re looking for? I tell you, you went in the {i}total{/i} wrong direction. Let me give you the real directions."
            "A minute later, a less than successful Rowan was marching back into the general floor of the brothel. The courtesan in the demon mask waved him off politely."
            hide rowan with moveoutleft
            "But, once he was gone, the form of the courtesan began to shift into one that Rowan might have found more familiar."
            show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
            je "Rowan, Rowan, Rowan. Now what were you doing back here?"
            je "Ugh, and right as I was starting to enjoy the party..."
            hide jezera with dissolve
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            "Still seething from the disappointment, he took the chance to scout around the edges of the room. But, his quiet contemplation on how to return to the back rooms was spoiled by another of the patrons. It was an elderly man wearing an elaborate golden headpiece."
            patron "This is your first time at one of Shaya’s parties, young man?"
            ro "How did you know?"
            patron " Because I have eyes. And they happen to notice that you’re out of place here. You look like you’re standing on the edge of a sludge pit, trying not to step in anything."
            patron "Ehehe. If you knew what you were doing, you’d be trying to step {i}in{/i} the sludge."
            ro "If you’re so experienced, why are you off to the side with me?"
            "The man smiled faintly."
            patron "I told you, didn’t I? I have eyes. I’m partaking in my own way. Ehehehe."
            ro "..."
            "He glanced at the wizened old man. His dark skin suggested his Qerazeli origin. And he was clearly familiar with Shaya."
            ro "So I take it then, you’re familiar with Shaya’s parties."
            patron "Oh yes, she’s an excellent host. The best in the city. She stopped for a time, after she left the {i}Empress{/i}, but she’s been even better since going off on her own. Excellent entertainment indeed."
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            ro "You sound knowledgeable. I take it  you attend many...rendezvous like this?"
            patron "Oh yes. If you ever want to know where the latest festivities are, you go to my old bones."
            ro "And you’ve been doing this for many years?"
            patron "Ehehehe. You could say that."
            ro "..."
            ro "How long has Shaya been throwing events for? Is she a newcomer?"
            ro "How long has…"
            patron "Oh. Yes."
            patron "Quite new, but the best talent in a decade. At least. She must have had her debut, a few years back now.. Though, it was a rather strange occasion, wasn’t it?"
            "The old man scratched the flakey top of his head. A suddenly interested Rowan’s posture instantly straightened."
            ro "Strange how?"
            patron "Well, a normal debut happens after word of mouth has taken time to go around. You always know who the next girl the empress is going to debut will be. But, one day they announced Shaya’s debut. No buildup. No word of mouth."
            patron "Of course, she did marvelously. She’s quite the charmer, eheheh. But, still. strange that she just appeared the way she did...."
            $ shayaClue17 = True
            # $ shayaClueScore += 1
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Before he could go further into it, who should appear but the subject of conversation herself?"
            sha "Ah, that’s where you wandered off to. I had been worried you’d be lost in the entertainment. It can be hard to find a man who doesn’t want to be found."
            "She was dressed in an erotic mockery of a wedding dress. It was white and flowing, with a long skirt. But the breasts and crotch had been cut out, along with the sides. Her normal red veil was replaced with a similar design in white."
            "She wrapped her arms around Rowan’s arm, the bare breast of her costume ensured that plenty of sensation made it through the layer of fabric. The patron he’d been speaking to certainly noticed. His eyes had  widened slightly."
            patron "Ah it seems you’re acquainted after all. I’ll leave you to your fun then. Unless you decide to take it in public, ehehehe."
            "Shaya bowed softly to the man."
            sha "M'lord."
            "Ultimately, Rowan had little objection to rejoining Shaya at this point. His ploy to get into the locked room had been a failure. But, at least he’d come away with something..."
            "Besides, accompanying Shaya was enjoyable. She was always quick to lavish praise on him. And, of course, she was never shy about bodily contract. "

        "Participating in the fun. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1021 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1021
            pause 3
            "...in the middle of it. The story of how he went from voyeur to participant was a slow one. It started with eager observation, turned to growing lust, and then to indulgence in curiosity."
            "Being on the receiving end of a sensory deluge so obscene had a curious effect on the mind. Perhaps it was the smell. Perhaps it was the impersonal nature of so many people together doing things that’d be unspeakable in the society he grew up in."
            "After a dizzying array of time, Rowan found himself on one end of a large ornately carved table. On the other end was another masked man."
            "And between them, strapped down to the surface, was a squirming, naked woman. Her only covering was an obscene mask in the shape of a comical whore. With a single hole at a pronounced pair of lips."
            "Rowan had lined himself up in front of her face, while the other man was positioned between her legs. Rowan’s cock had been pulled out from the front of his robes. Ease of access, indeed."
            "Then, at the exact same moment, they plunged into her. Rowan into her mouth hole, and the other man into her rear end. Together they set to work on her. Pumping their hips together at the same time. The force of being caught between them got the courtesan gagging and dancing."
            "Rowan blinked twice. His head was pounding. Was it all the smoke?"
            "He wanted to keep going...He wanted to see what he could do to her."
            "His cock rammed down her throat over and over again. The mask stripped away every part of her face that wasn’t fuckable. He held her by the throat to keep her lined up perfectly. The whore sputtered on his cock, saliva running down her lips."
            "Her body thrashed like an animal. She was being pounded from the front. Pounded from the rear. The bonds on her wrist held her down."
            man "Yeah. Fucking slut. You don’t deserve it in your pussy. Right there."
            ro "..."
            "His head was pounding...he just wanted to see more."
            "The pleasure helped guide him forward. There was no skill to the blowjob. No technique. Whatever abilities she had were trapped behind the restraints and the mask. Instead, Rowan felt the obscene derogatory pleasure of using a woman as meat."
            "The same process spared him. The mask shielded him with anonymity. No observer  could see that Rowan was the one doing this. He could have been anyone. He was no one."
            "His mass went down her throat. And she took it. He moved his body. And she took it. In the moment, she was less of a person and more of an instrument of masturbation."
            ro "..."
            whore "Mmph!"
            "Her body thrashed beneath him. She must have been in a state of total over-stimulation. The subject of brutal fucking to her rear and her throat at the same time. The other patron had begun to slap her crotch every time she moved, only adding to the intense frenetic energy of the moment."
            "Rowan breathed in the lustful air. Others were engaged in depravities behind him...to his sides...all around. It took on an inevitable quality, like the turning of the wheel. Men getting fucked. Women getting fucked. Moaning. Panting. Screaming."
            "So easy to keep on going...All the way too…"
            ro "Grru-"
            "He took a step back, involuntarily. His leg had begun to shake wildly, right as the inevitable conclusion came to him. As his cock pulled free, a fountain of seed shot into the air. It landed across the length of the woman’s mask. It splattered the entire surface with his presence."
            "Yet, there would be no rest for the girl. Even as he stepped back, another man rushed forward into his place. One plug for the hole replacing another."
            "He stumbled further backwards, panting rapidly. The woman strapped to the table let out a long moan, that only sputtered weakly past the man’s cock. From the way shakes ran over her body, Rowan must not have been the only one who reached his peak."
            "His vision slipped in and out of focus. Time seemed to pass, without any input from him. For a moment he thought he saw Jezera’s face staring at him from the crowd. Judging him."
            je "I knew this was what you really wanted, Rowan... "
            "He found himself reclining in a disheveled heap on a cushion. To his side, there was something soft and warm pressing to him. "
            "His eyes turned to the presence and found something not altogether unsurprising. The large breasted bosom of a woman who was barely paying attention to him."
            "She was blowing rings of smoke from the end of a strange long pipe with a watery basin at the bottom."
            ro "...hrmm…"
            "Just how long had he been out for?"
            "He returned to his legs and found strength had returned to him. And as he surveyed the lustful display in the center of the room, he found his member hardening again. Long enough to have made it through his refractory period, it seemed. "
            sha "Ah, once more you’re found. I had worried that you might never have been found. {i}Jezer’aca{/i} would be most displeased if she lost her steward."
            "Shaya was dressed in an erotic mockery of a wedding dress. It was white and flowing, with a long skirt. But the breasts and crotch had been cut out, along with the sides. Her normal red veil was replaced with a similar design in white."
            "Rowan put a hand to his mask, straightening it."
            ro "Water."
            sha "Of course, follow me."
            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            "He followed Shaya, first to refreshments, and then treading along with her as she struck up conversations with some of the guests. But, Rowan’s head was still in the sex pit."
            "For a moment everything had been so...so…"
            "Well, it seemed he now understood the appeal of a party such as this, at least."
            sha "Surely your prior pleasures didn’t take too much from you, my friend. A man who gorges on the appetizers may be left with insufficient room for the main course."
            "Rowan let his eyes drift down Shaya’s body, from the exposed breasts on her wedding outfit, down her naval, all the way to her thighs. The renewed stirrings he’d felt earlier blossomed into something more."
            #ro smirk
            ro "I assure you, my lady. I have room for more."
            sha "{i}Good.{/i}"
            "And so, they continued on through the soiree, Rowan at Shaya’s side from them on. Where she went, he went. Until…"
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 10

    sha "Stop for a moment, if you please…"

    scene bg24 with fade
    show shaya happy at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve

    "She motioned with her eyes towards a bench near the edges of the party. A dark skinned older man was stationed on it, dressed in an immaculate lion outfit with strands of gold woven in. The gaudy costume was a stark contrast to his wrinkled, aging body."
    "He watched the debauched proceedings with a faint grin. The younger man in the tiger costume to his side, however, was leaning forward with his jaw open. He was enraptured by the bodies in motion. A courtesan stood by their side, filling the man’s wine cup."

    sha "That is Lord Magistros Lirio. Very important in the Imperial Bureaucracy. Along with his son, it looks like! It would be bad form for me not to give him some attention."

    "She led Rowan, arm in arm, towards this most high ranking of guests."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    sha "My friend, you made it! I was worried that we wouldn’t be blessed with your presence today. It would have turned our joy to ashes."

    "The wrinkled man flashed her a pleasant smile."

    lirio "The woman of the hour! Ah, those pretty tits are a sight for these old eyes. After you departed from Qerazel, I had been worried that would be the last I heard of you. Would be such a shame. Such a shame."
    lirio "And here you are putting on your own events. I knew I just had to come and see for yourself. "
    lirio "And my word, it’s not a disappointment. The little show from the start? The one with the girl covered in milk? Oh, that was ingenious. The only improvement this foggy old brain could imagine would be if you’d been the performer."

    sha "Still, I suppose my presence could add a certain spice to the display. Perhaps I will have to consider including a more personal performance at my next event."

    "She poked the old man’s cheek playfully."

    sha "But, you forget who you’re speaking to. I’m the madam now. Aren’t such affairs more for the peons?"

    lirio "Do Madams still make house calls though? Now that you’ve resurfaced, I know quite a few friends who’d be eager to get some of their missing fix, eh?"
    lirio "What say you, girl? I could arrange a ferry to come to the island and pick you up?"

    "Shaya bowed slightly and then she took a seat on the bench. She gestured for Rowan to sit by her side."

    sha "That would be most kind of you, sir. However, I do not think I could make particularly many such trips. I am deathly afraid of the sea."
    lirio "Oh? Is there a story there?"
    sha "Not an interesting one, I fear. My friend and I were invited aboard the yacht of a nobleman who proved less than capable as a seaman. I was left with quite the scar to prove it too."

    "The Magistros frowned slightly."

    lirio "Seems an odd thing for a woman with such a potent fear, to surround herself with water."
    sha "But, my lord magistros. Odd women are the best sort. Don’t you agree?"

    "Rowan watched silently. He could see the Magistros’ intentions clearly on his face. Shaya was dancing around the true question."

    lirio "Tell me, surely I am too late to buy you for the night, yes?"

    "She brushed a soft hand up his arm. Faint teasing touches."

    sha "You are. You may have noticed my silent friend? He is quite a fan of mine. There was no chance of anyone beating him to the prize."

    "Lirio glanced to the side at Rowan, finally acknowledging his presence. His frown grew."

    lirio "Must have quite the coin purse to do so. Tell me friend, are you someone who I should be getting to know better?"

    "But, Shaya leaned forward, blocking Rowan’s face."

    sha "Earlier he told me that he’d prefer not to speak tonight. Suffice to say he is from a profession where it would not be looked upon...kindly if even rumor were to escape."
    sha "..."
    sha "In fact, would you be so generous as to excuse me for the briefest of moments?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show shaya neutral at midleft with moveoutleft

    "Without a further word of warning, Shaya ushered Rowan to his feet and nudged him over to a side corner where they could speak more freely."

    sha "I will remain and speak to Lirio for some time more. Ply him for what secrets I can get. Once I have him behind closed doors with a succubus, I will find you."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan looked around, barely able to hide his discomfort. To be alone at an event like this...it was not something he was especially comfortable with…"

    else:
        "Rowan looked around. As fascinating as this event was, for an outsider like Rowan it was one easier to get into with a guide…"

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Seems rude to leave me here by myself considering all that time you spent begging me to come."

    "She giggled softly into her hand."

    sha "It is a party! I am sure you can find something entertaining. Consider it practice in networking. A valuable skill for someone in your line of work."
    sha "Simply seek me out afterwards. I have not forgotten what I owe you. Tonight, I’m yours, after all…"

    "Shaya turned her back to him and started back towards the Magistros. But, before she could go far, there was something Rowan considered. A moment from the prior conversation that struck out to him."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "...Wait."
    ro "Was the story about the boat true? Or were you just making an excuse to not pay him a house visit?"
    sha "Hm?"

    "She turned her back to him and tilted her head."

    sha "An excuse, but one that really happened. I simply left out Jezera’s role in the whole...affair."
    sha "Now then. Do try to enjoy the party. If you attempt to indulge, you might be surprised by how enjoyable it can be."

    hide shaya with moveoutright

    "She brought her veil to the cheek of Rowan’s mask and planted a kiss on it. Rowan couldn’t feel the warmth from her lips, but he did notice the soft press of cold porcelain against his cheek. Then, with a wink, she made her way back to Lirio."

    if shayaClue7:
        "Rowan stood in place, watching with a skeptical eye."
        "This Lirio man was clearly of some importance. That she had chosen Rowan as her partner for the night and not Lirio seemed almost a dereliction of duty, if collecting knowledge was the goal."
        "So, why bother with Rowan here? Perhaps she was not being truly honest when she professed to genuinely want to spend time in his company."
        "He shook his head."

    "Rowan wandered around lost. He was a stranger in a strange land. There was no one whom he knew, and it would be hard for him to make a new friend when everyone was too busy slapping bodies together."
    "He looked back to Shaya and Lirio. Another girl had joined them and was whispering something into Lirio’s ear, while Shaya had placed herself by Lirio’s side."
    "With a sigh, he turned away. The wait was one thing, but the attention she was showing to this other man produced a different set of emotions entirely. He knew that no man could lay exclusive claim to a courtesan."
    "Still, she’d made him a promise. She actually intended to come back and show him {i}“things you could only dream of your wife doing”{/i} right?"
    "Right?"

    menu:
        "Get annoyed at being brushed off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ lirioConfront = True
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan’s eyebrows narrowed. He really had been left here entirely on his own, hadn’t he?"
            "Well, there was no way he was going to just stand for that. She made him a promise and she was going to deliver on it. "
            show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve
            "He boldly rose to his feet and returned to where she and Lirio were reclined. The fat Magistros hailed his return, but Shaya raised an eyebrow skeptically. "
            ro "I apologize for interrupting. But, the woman has a certain contract with me she needs to fulfill. So I’m going to need to take her back."
            sha "Hmmm?"
            "He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her gently from the older man’s lap. He gave Rowan a quizzical look but didn’t offer any immediate protestations."
            sha "Ah, apologizes, my friend, but I’m just going to be a minute longer with Lirio- "
            "Rowan pushed her into the wall. The wall rattled with a slam from the force of it. She gasped softly, but demurred her head to the side. She offered no resistance as he forced her wrists together above her head."
            ro "No minutes longer. You’re mine tonight, Shaya. That’s the promise you made me. It’s cruel to keep me waiting."
            "Rowan made out a twist of her lips beneath her veil. Was that a smile? His focus was so intensely focused on her that he hadn’t noticed just how many people had stopped to look at them."
            "It seemed one could not go about manhandling the hostess without drawing interest."
            lirio "Ah, he hasn’t started to bother you, has he {i}tsorachi{/i}? If you need help, you have only to-"
            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
            sha "Not at all!"
            "Her voice came out in a delighted sing-song."
            sha "My friend here is just {i}forcefully{/i} showing how eager he is for later, isn’t he? It seems I’ve overestimated how patient a man he is. "
            "She leaned forward as much as Rowan’s grip would allow, pressing her lips to his ear."
            sha "{i}But, perhaps I am a less patient woman then I appear.{/i}"
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "She turned back to Lirio. He, and the others nearby, visibly softened once it was clear that Shaya did not seem genuinely in trouble."
            sha "I must apologize most sincerely, Magistors. I would but stay and talk longer, but it seems that duty calls."
            "The man rolled his eyes."
            lirio "Go. Go. Give the impatient lad what he wants."
            "Rowan didn’t wait a second longer. Rather than let go of her wrists, he used them as a handle to drag her along behind him. Shaya followed along, giggling and not making the slightest effort to wrench herself free from his grasp."
            sha "So eager...And all for a humble girl like me…."
            "A few noticed them pass as he pushed his way to the attendant desk and the door behind it. But, for the most part, they didn’t let this little disturbance interrupt the party."

        "Accept the wait. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #cg1 var 3
            scene cg883 with fade
            pause 3
            "With a sigh, he let his shoulders settle. He’d waited some time already. Surely he could be patient until she was done with her job."
            "In the seat next to him, a woman was being eaten out. She was naked save for a jeweled blue mask with peacock feathers emerging. The man between her legs was naked, safe for a gold collar around his neck."
            if rowanGaySex > 2:
                "Rowan’s vision settled back on the two men in the bed. The smaller man was groaning while bouncing up and down atop the cock of the one under him. A third man had joined in and was suckling on the nipples of the man on bottom. The entire pile had turned to a heap of groaning."
            else:
                "Rowan’s vision settled back on the two courtesans pleasuring each other for the erotic amusement of the spectators. Now, a golden double sided phallus has been placed between them with both their bodies in doggystyle pose."
                "The girls moaned loudly as they threw their asses backwards towards each other. The wet sound of slapping ringing out with each movement."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan felt his cheeks grow red underneath his mask. He didn’t realize it, but there was another bodily reaction happening too…"
            else:
                "Rowan sighed. It was no surprise that such a cavalcade of erotic sights was having an effect on him. A bulge had started to form beneath his robes"
            #cg2
            scene cg884 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg884
            pause 3
            court "I could help you with that, Sir?"
            "He looked down. His cock was semi-hardened and sticking out of his robes. He briefly remembered the slit in the costume he’d discovered before."
            "The courtesan knelt down by his side. She was dark skinned and relatively young. Even in the low light, he could make out her dimples."
            "Her dress was comical, yet provocative. A skimpy blue silk robe in an elvish style that showed her entire body. The look was even completed by obviously fake elvish ears."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Rowan shook his head."
                ro "You don’t have to do that if you don’t want to, girl."
                court "It’s what I’m here for."
            else:
                "Rowan grunted."
                ro "I suppose you’d be quite good at it, huh?"
            ro "You’re one of Shaya’s girls, right?"
            show cg885 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg885
            pause 3
            "The girl nodded slowly. Her hand slowly crept over towards his waist."
            menu:
                "Stop her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ orgyHJ = False
                    hide cg885 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg884
                    pause 2
                    "Rowan grabbed her wrist softly when her hand was mere inches away. He shook his head softly."
                    ro "Just talk."
                    "He let her hand go, and it returned to her side. She nodded slowly."
                    court "If that’s what you would prefer..."
                    "Rowan eyed her exposed body, though kept his glance away from more intimate places. The tone of her skin stood out."

                "Let Her Continue. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ orgyHJ = True
                    show cg886 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg886
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan did nothing to impend her progress. He grunted softly as her fingers wrapped around his shaft. If it had been slowly growing erect before, now it was starting to strain."
                    "She took a few seconds to work into it before her motions took on a regular pumping pace."
                    "She was good at it, as was to be expected of a woman in her profession. She was careful not to hurt him, but still held firm enough to provide plenty of pressure where it was needed most."
                    "He eyed her breasts, making note of their unusually dark complexion."

            ro "Where are you from? Not from Qerazel, I assume?"
            court "Hehe. Can’t you see that I’m an elf?"
            ro "No, really. Are you from Qerazel?"
            court "..."
            court "Okay, okay, I am from Qerazel. City girl, born and raised. Don’t worry, Sir. Lots of people make that mistake. Skin tone and all. My parents were from the Dragon’s Tail."
            ro "Hrmmm…."
            if orgyHJ:
                "He shivered slightly. The softness of her skin was electric. His hips shifted so he could feel even more as her hand continued its motion."
                "His body started to recline, and his breathing sped up. It was not just the sensation of being masturbated by this girl. The sights, the sounds, all of it was erotic. All of it produced an air of lust that swept him up too."
                court "Just relax sir. Let me take care of you. It’s a party. You should enjoy yourself."
                "She looked him in the eye, even as she spoke. She might not be able to see behind his mask, but that form of intimacy, at least, was still available to her."
            else:
                "Rowan slowly tucked his cock back in his robes as they spoke. She glanced down at it but quickly darted her attention back up towards his eyes. The only part of his face not hidden by the mask."
            if shayaClue6:
                "...And as he looked at her, a thought nibbled on his brain. Something he had not truly considered until now…"
                "She was not wearing a veil over her face. He could see it, dimples and all. In fact, none of the other courtesans seemed to be wearing anything similar."
                menu:
                    "Ask about Shaya’s veil.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Wait."
                        if orgyHJ:
                            #cg2
                            hide cg886 with dissolve
                            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg884
                            pause 2
                            "Rowan placed a hand on her wrist and stopped her hand’s movement. He groaned slightly at the sudden absence of stimulation."
                            "But, for this brief moment, his curiosity outweighed his lusts."
                        court "Hrmm?"
                        ro "You aren’t wearing a veil over your face? Is that not just what courtesans from Qerazel wear?"
                        "She tilted her head."
                        court "Like the Madam, you mean?"
                        court "Some special girls learn dances involving veils. But, even then, it’s just for the performance…."
                        court "You may have heard gossip about it back in the city? Hehe. There is a rumour that beneath the veil, she hides powerful fangs."
                        "Rowan would have scratched his chin if there had not been a mask in the way. The more he learned about Shaya, the stranger she seemed."
                        ro "Do you believe these rumors?"
                        court "Of course not. She’s a good madam."
                        ro "..."
                        if orgyHJ:
                            ro "Continue."
                            #cg2 var 1
                            show cg886 with dissolve
                            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg886
                            pause 2
                            "Rowan pulled his hand away, allowing her to resume the process of working on his shaft."
                            $ shayaClue11 = True
                            # $ shayaClueScore += 1

                    "Ignore it.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan shook his head. It was a fascinating question, of course, but this really was not the situation to ask such a thing…"

            "But, as the minutes ticked by, Rowan began to feel restless. He was with this girl, and should have been paying attention. But, something else was on his mind."
            if orgyHJ:
                "It wasn’t that the girl was bad at giving pleasure. Far from it. But, the touch of her hand was almost an appetizer. When the promised special encounter with Shaya was so close, how could he truly be happy with her touch?"
                "He grunted and moved to her rhythm, but he soon started to daydream of what he would do with Shaya afterwards. For now, he had to settle with a lesser copy."
                "Then and there, Rowan decided to rise to his feet. The girl staggered backwards, clearly not expecting her actions to be interrupted."
            else:
                "The girl was still trying to flirt with him. But he hadn’t come here for her. The more she hinted at touching his cock, the longer the wait seemed to grow."
                "Perhaps Shaya was done by now?"
                "With a gentle hand, he pushed the girl back. It allowed him the space to rise to his feet."

            court "Have I done something to displease you?"
            ro "Of course not. You’ve been excellent entertainment. But, I have reason to believe I’m going to be with my date again very soon."
            court "Of course, sir. I hope you enjoy yourself…"
            scene bg24 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show shaya happy at midright with dissolve
            "He found Shaya back where he left her on the bench. But, the Magistros had already departed, along with the succubus whom Shaya had sent to speak to him. Now, she was half curled up with the man’s scrawny son whispering into his ear."
            "When she saw Rowan approaching, however, she perked up in place."
            sha "Ah, my friend. I was right about to call on you. Your timing is perfect."
            ro "So you’re all done here?"
            sha "But of course. I have obligations I must meet with certain eager individuals, do I not?"
            "Rowan extended his arm to Shaya and she clutched it with the dainty courtesy of a lady at court. In that way, he led her back the entire stretch of path to her back room. Amidst the chaos of the orgy, they only had to walk around a modest few fornicated orgy-goers."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "It was only once they were back alone in her room that Rowan let his guard down. The dionysian insanity of the party rumbled through the walls, but the sounds didn’t penetrate in detail into this private space."
    "Rowan removed his mask and breathed a sigh of relief."

    ro "Well now. I’ve been told by someone that I’m about to experience types of pleasures I’ve never experienced before. Am I about to be impressed?"
    sha "I should hope so."

    "She brushed against his shoulder. She pressed in close to his mask, letting her words come out in a purring whisper."

    sha "I don’t think there’s much need to delay with further anticipation building, is there? We should remove some of this cumbersome clothing…"

    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    hide shaya with dissolve

    "What followed was a chaotic dance of hands on bodies. Rowan’s on Shaya’s. Shaya’s on Rowan’s. One by one, every article of clothing found its way onto the floor. Rowan’s costume was discarded with thoughtless abandon. All that remained was Shaya’s veil."
    "She beckoned him forward, leading him up to the concave in the back of her private quarters that formed a stage. Rowan had never been back here before, and thus never quite grasped how large private stage was."
    "It had already been prepared for his arrival. Two long silk curtains descended from the ceiling all the way down to the floor. Rowan had never noticed how large this area was before. "

    show shaya behind bg24

    ro "Why the new decor?"
    sha "Patience, Rowan."

    "For a fleeting moment, her hand brushed against his chest. He sighed involuntarily. But, before he could embrace her, she backed all the way to the set of hanging curtains."
    "That had to mean whatever she planned was about to begin. He slowly settled with his back along the wall and his arms crossed over his chest. But, his eyes never left her. Even now they traced the fleeting contours of her body."

    scene cg910 with fade
    pause 3

    "But, his hungry gazing was broken by a sudden burst of movement that nearly made him lose track of the girl as she gracefully leapt in the air. Her movement defied expectation as she caught the strands in her hands. Her legs followed suit, wrapping themselves in the fabric."
    "It was as if she was floating in the air."
    "This, however, was only the beginning. A performance unfolded of limbs twisting in and out of the silk. It was astonishing to see the ease that Shaya was able to glide up higher without slowing or shifting the pace of her acrobatic dance."
    "The flurry of movements stopped for a brief moment, and Rowan caught Shaya looking him in the eye over her shoulder.  It was the tiniest flirtation. A tease of what was to come. Then, her legs slowly spread into a wide split. It left her delicate places forcefully exposed to his eyes."
    "Rowan shifted subtly in place, eyes transfixed on the provocative display. The elegance of the dance, contrasted by her shameless nudity, was surreal."

    scene cg911 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg912 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg912
    show shaya happy behind cg912

    "But, that had been merely a momentary pause in the dance. She brought her legs together and tumbled like a ball. It left her hanging upside down at eye level, but with her form so contorted that her feet rested on her hair."
    "Rowan caught himself slackjaw, wondering just how flexible this woman was. Her mastery of the human body reminded him of a trained warrior."
    "Without thinking, he stepped forward and placed a hand on her thigh. His manhood stood erect in the open air. The dance had only left him more eager, more frenzied. He wanted her now."

    ro "That’s quite impressive...but I didn’t just come for another show. You made me a promise."

    sha "This isn’t a performance where the audience must keep off the stage, Rowan. {i}You can do whatever you want to me{/i}."

    "She put herself right side up and pulled her body slightly higher. Her arms and legs wrapped themselves tight in the silk. The entire time, his hand never left her thigh. Now he could even feel the motion of her muscles as she controlled her movements."
    "Shaya slowly uncurled backwards, bringing herself upright. Rowan’s hands guided her into proper pose. The pose brought Rowan's cock, strained to attention, pressed into her belly. He would have kissed her, if not for the veil."
    "However, the momentary distraction made him realize how hard Shaya was breathing.  Perhaps, her dance was not as effortless as it first appeared."
    "His thoughts turned briefly to foreplay. But such considerations soon proved moot when the folds of her sex brushed against his member. She was most certainly {i}not{/i} dry."

    sha "Hold me tight…"

    scene cg913 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg913
    show shaya happy behind cg913

    "He drew her into a possessive embrace as Shaya lowered herself ever so slightly more.  A heartbeat passed and then instead of merely nudging against her, her tightness was wrapped about him."

    ro "Eurgh."

    "It was when their hips began to press together that Rowan saw the value of this pose. Despite the position, Shaya had full freedom of motion. She was held aloft by her own power."
    "So, when she moved, it was not merely in reaction to Rowan’s thrusting. She could fuck him with her own force. More than that, with gravity itself."
    "Her hips twisted and bucked expertly, working down on his cock. The contractions and motions were like an assault of sensation striking right to the brain. He grimaced slightly, but dug his fingers deeper into her shapely hips."

    sha "You...you like this?"
    ro "It’s...it’s different."

    "She leaned forward, nuzzling her face into Rowan’s neck. The sound of her soft panting rattled his ears. At the same time, her breasts rubbed eagerly against his naked chest, bringing with them their own pleasant mix of sensations."
    "The curtains acted as a sort of anchor. She supported every motion with a corresponding movement of her arms. The power of gravity would always do the rest."

    sha "Oh."

    "As a result, she looked less like she was fucking him, and more like she was dancing in the air. Her arms and legs would shoot out and then retract together in strange patterns. It was almost beautiful."
    "But, any appreciation for such aesthetics were not to last. When Shaya picked up her pace, it left him groaning. His own hips moved to match her pace. They were soon driven by a hungry animalistic energy. A contrast to the controlled waves she moved in."
    "Only a moment later, Shaya did something he couldn’t have expected. She freed her arms and wrapped them around him. Delicate fingers wove through his dark hair. Sharp nails dug into his shoulder."
    "Yet, losing the control that her arms gave her didn’t impede her abilities. She continued rolling and thrusting down with the same hammer-like intensity, only now directed only by her legs. The silk strands kept her body moving and gliding through the air."

    sha "Oh! Oh!"

    "Her eyes seemed to roll backwards. Even her toes curled into the silk. Whenever she slammed down on Rowan, it left him overwhelmed. But, what effect was it having on her? Surely with every thrust, she was taking his cock in deeper then her anatomy was designed for?"
    "From outside, the constant low sounds of moaning and thrusting permeated through. The collective lust of the other patrons soaked in and drove their lustmaking to more animalistic places."
    "Shaya drove his head close to hers. Her lips were separated from his ear merely by the fabric of her veil. Her voice came out in a  hoarse whisper."

    sha "Rowan, I’m about to…"
    sha "{i}Ah{/i}…"

    "Her body shuddered and went still. It hung limply in the silk. But, Rowan was not done yet. He was already worked into a frenzy. His hands clung harder to her hips and slammed them down on his cock. Now he was finally commanding the motion."
    "She shuddered with every thrust. Her eyes fluttered weakly. But, she continued fighting to stay in the moment. Her hips rolled and fell, only at a far weaker pace."
    "It was a small thing, but it drove him mad. The faint, honest reactions of her body. If a sight could be a feeling, it would have stroked his cock as hard as her lower muscles."

    sha "Almost...{i}a-again{/i}..."

    "Her body spasmed again. For a lingering tense moment, it looked like she might fall from her precarious place in the curtains. Her hand had to return to them to steady herself again."
    "Rowan’s leg began to shake. This electric energy seemed to spread out all over his body, driving him towards a peak. Each heavy thrust into Shaya’s receptive body pulled it closer and closer."
    "His eyes slammed shut."

    ro "Eurgh."

    show cg914 with sshake
    show cg914 with sshake
    pause 2
    show cg915 with flash
    pause 3

    "Then, in a single motion, he pulled her down onto him as hard as he could, forcing his cock deep inside as he sprayed his cum into her hot,sodden cunt."
    "Finally spent, he began to sink to his knees. From the corner of his eye, he saw Shaya roll limply down the chords of silk. She hovered mere inches above the ground for a moment...before letting her body fall to the wooden stage beneath."
    "They lay there, panting and gasping. The sounds of the orgy faded from consciousness, even if Rowan knew it was still going on."

    sha "It..it seems...you enjoy...ed that. Yes?"
    ro "I can...heh...I can say the same about you."
    sha "Is it...is it such a surprise...that I..I actually enjoy sex?"

    "Rowan laughed as much as his breathless lungs would allow. He took another moment to recover before speaking again."

    ro "I propose...we move this to the bed...unless you’re enjoying...the floor."
    sha "Proposal accepted...but you have to carry me…"

    scene black with dissolve
    show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan stirred briefly to see that there was still another body beside him in bed. Shaya’s beautiful femine form."
    "From the faint sounds from outside the door, the party was still raging. But, even now, she was still spending her time resting in bed with him."
    "Despite himself, Rowan smiled."

    #if Perception is above x (moderate difficulty mid game) - TODO
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    "However, then something shook him, if only for a brief moment."
    "His hand reached out and traced Shaya’s back. Her skin was so beautiful and soft, all in that warm shade of olive. It would be easy to just get lost in the sensations. "
    sha "Mrrr... Rowan?"
    ro "Rest more. I just wanted to touch you."
    sha "Of course...feel away…"
    "But, Rowan was not touching her body for enjoyment. He was looking for something. And the more he touched her skin, the more he examined her with his eyes, the more one thing became clear."
    "Her back was near totally without blemish. It certainly didn’t have any scars or deformities."
    sha "{i}...My friend and I were invited aboard the yacht of a nobleman who proved less than capable as a seaman. I was left with quite the scar to prove it too...{/i}"
    "Had that been a lie after all? If so, why had she bothered to tell Rowan it was true? His stomach felt uneasy all of a sudden."
    $ shayaClue12 = True
    # $ shayaClueScore += 1

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was only later, once Rowan began the morning march back to his room, that he had a chance to compartmentalize and go over what had happened. Even then, his head was still pounding."
    "The party. The round of socializing with Shaya. The private session."

    if shayaClue11 or shayaClue12 or shayaClue17:
        "It was certain that he’d have questions to add to his little investigation parchment."
        if shayaClue11:
            "{i}If Qezeli Courtesans didn’t wear Veils outside of performances, why did Shaya never take hers off?{/i}"
        if shayaClue12:
            "{i}If she claimed to have been scarred in the past, why was her skin near totally without blemish or marking?{/i}"
        if shayaClue17:
            "{i}Why would Shaya have gotten a debut if she had no pre-existing reputation?{/i}"
        "It felt like he was closer to understanding what exactly was so unusual about her. But, something was still missing..."

    else:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "But, it was the last of those that hung most totally in his memory. The way her body had moved. Her seemingly endless skill in the sexual arts."
        "She really was incredible, wasn’t she?"

    # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label an_iconic_display_rp:

    $ week = 100
    $ orciad_state = 2
    $ helayna_escaped = True
    $ rowanBlameAlexia = True
    $ liaAttitude = "flirt"

    scene bg24 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show shaya neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan lounged on the cushions in Shaya’s private room in the brothel. She sat across the small table from him, daintily bringing olives to her mouth beneath the veil. His bowl of olives sat untouched. The unfamiliar, Imperial fruit was a stranger to his tongue."

    if shayaClueScore < 7:
        "In truth, he was simply enjoying the company, after yet another hard week in the field. Shaya was a patient listener and always engaged herself in relevant topics."
    else:
        "He’d considered going with the purpose of information collection, but this visit had proved fruitless in that regard. He’d decided to settle on the simple joy of conversation."

    if week > 61:
        sha "I had thought of taking a trip back to Qerazel soon. The big city was always a home to me. The castle is lovely, for its unfortunate location at least, but rather austere."
        sha "Though, I suspect you’ve visited a major city more recently than I have. I’ve never been to Rastedel. Tales speak of it’s industry."
        "Rowan frowned."
        ro "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
        sha "Come now. It’s my job to know things. Your secret is safe with me. Always."

    elif week < 61 and orciad_state == 2:
        sha "So many orcs visiting the castle of late. Their dignitaries are giving my boys and girls a hard time indeed. A human’s orifices are not designed for taking so many large...organs in succession."
        sha "Whatever happened must have been a success."
        if delane_status == "free":
            sha "Although...I’ve heard tell of an incident at the orc camp. An escaped prisoner. Orcs like to talk, you see."
            sha "You ought to have kept a closer eye on her. Surely, by now, you see the value of a hostage."
            "Rowan huffed and threw an olive into her cleavage. His hostess giggled."
        else:
            sha "You’ve proven yourself quite the diplomat, Rowan. I’d claim I was impressed...but when it comes to you my eyes are clear. I had no doubts of your success."

    elif week < 61 and helayna_escaped == True:
        sha "The castle is all abuzz still about that escaped knight. One sweet, and financially well-endowed, frequent customer was suggesting she had dug a tunnel beneath the walls. Another friend of mine was wondering if she’d convinced a cubi to hoist her over the walls."
        if rowanBlameAlexia:
            sha "But, of course, you and I know the truth. One must suppose your subsequent actions explain why you’re down here spending time with a humble servant such as myself."
            "Rowan’s expression remained stone-like."
        else:
            sha "I’d ask you more, but I’m sure her absence has you distraught. You were close, yes?"
            ro "You could say that."

    else:
        sha "I’ve heard much about the fall of your little castle. So much fighting and bloodshed. I can never stand such things. That is why the fighting is best left to...strapping...young men."
        ro "I’m not so young."
        sha "Perhaps. But, you make up for it in the strapping realm."

    "After some further relaxation, Rowan stood to leave. Involuntarily, he broke into a stretch. His muscles had grown stiff from the time spent in uncharacteristic relaxation."

    ro "I think that should be all for the day. If I’m down here too long, people might start to wonder about my absence."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "But, as Shaya accompanied him to the front hall, something struck his eye down the side corridor. He turned to inspect it."

    sha "Sir Rowan?"

    scene cg1066 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1066
    show shaya neutral behind cg1066
    pause 3

    "What he found was a display of what seemed like an art piece. If one could call a human being an art piece, that is."
    "It was a naked woman standing in perfect posture in the center of the hall. Her arms were folded behind her back and her stance kept her legs spread wide. But, it was impossible to see her face."
    "A large ornate mask in the shape of a woman’s face covered her head. It was hewn from a shining material that was perhaps gold. Writing in Imperial script lined the head, along with an artistic molding in the shape of a halo."
    "Rowan approached the woman close and studied her. There were small air holes at the top of the mask, but otherwise it was totally closed."

    sha "Curious? One imagines this is a custom you’re unfamiliar with."

    "The Brothel Madam appeared at his side. Her arms wrapped daintily around his chest."

    sha "In Qerazel, among the elite of courtesans, the training regiment must be equally elite. And the punishments for failure are severe. This was a training method shown to me by my former Madam. Called, The {i}Epipala{/i}."

    "She ran a hand along the cheek of the mask, as if caressing another human being."

    sha "The Priestesses of Solansia in Qerazel hew great works of art to The Lady’s honor from gold. They are called {i}Ikons{/i}. It is said they are blessed by the power of the goddess themselves. They are her pride and majesty."
    sha "I was never a religious girl, but gold has a power on it’s own."
    sha "But, a courtesan is a servant of her duty. Confidence is vital, but pride is a sin."

    "Her hand drifted lower, to the collarbone of the girl. The moment she touched skin, the girl shivered. But, just as quickly returned to statue-esque posture."

    sha "This girl attempted to solicit customers after I had forbade it. She believed herself too good for a lengthy training period. And she spoke back to her madam when I scolded her."
    sha "The {i}Ikon{/i} Mask blocks her words, her ears, her eyes. She must remain in place, unspeaking, unmoving, regardless of what the customers do to her. In that time, she is to be art. A week with no name will serve her well."

    "Shaya drew herself from Rowan and circled the girl. She traced the tip of her fingernail around the girl’s hips. It left a slight indentation in its wake for a moment after."

    menu:
        "Sounds kinky.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Encouraged by Shaya’s handsy approach, Rowan couldn’t resist placing a hand on the girl’s thighs."
            #if avatar.corruption < 31:
                #ro "Sounds kinky. She’s basically on display this way. I suppose...I could see how some people could be into having a girl this way."
            #else:
            ro "Sounds kinky. You’ve got this slut out here as basically a decoration. Tempting people to touch her exposed body…very kinky indeed."
            "He gave an evil grin and brushed his hand further up the girl’s thigh."
            ro "Probably a nice attraction for a brothel too. A nice warm up for the rest of the business. How do I know you didn’t make up the whole punishment story just to make the display sound kinkier."
            "Shaya circled back around, placing her hand atop Rowan’s."
            sha "If it soothes you, there is nothing stopping it from being both a spectacle and a punishment. Shame and humiliation is a powerful motivation, but also a source of profit. Why not make use of the tools you have?"

        "Sounds Like a grueling ordeal.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan eyed Shaya skeptically."
            ro "A week standing at attention as a glorified sex toy? Sounds like a taxing punishment for a single instance of back talk."
            sha "I take no joy in it. But, the purpose of a punishment is to modify behaviour. She will learn from it."
            "Shaya’s eyes still trailed the still courtesan. Rowan’s glance faded from them down to the veil over her face, and the absent expression that was surely beneath it."
            ro "..."
            ro "When you were studying how to be a Courtesan in Qerazel, I have to imagine that you were subjected to the same kinds of punishments."
            "Shaya sighed inwardly."
            sha "On many occasions. There was a time I was...haughty. My Madam broke me of that a long time ago."
            "She flashed him a seductive glance and pulled closer to him."
            sha "Or were you asking for the purpose of roleplay? I do have another mask should you wish..."
            ro "No no, I just meant that it sounded like a grueling ordeal."
            "She sighed and pulled back from him."
            sha "It was. But, I understand why it was necessary. That is sufficient."

    scene cg1067 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1067
    show shaya neutral behind cg1067
    pause 3

    "Rowan’s eyes wandered over the girl’s body. She was pretty. Shapely smooth breasts, toned arms and legs, skin of a dark cream."

    menu:
        "Indulge.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan openly stared, mouth parting slightly. Shaya was there to witness him. But, what would she care?"

        "Shy away.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan tried to pull his eyes away from her. He was not alone in the room. She was not the sort to judge, but it still felt wrong."

    sha "It’s quite alright for you to partake. This place, and all of it’s pleasures, are spread open for you."

    "Her voice turned to a hoarse whisper."

    sha "You may do whatever you wish to her."
    sha "I would draw the curtains for you. Let you loose your desires in private. Not even the girl would know."
    sha "Perhaps you’d even like to engage in more...unconventional pleasures. There’s a chest full of clamps by the wall for that very purpose. All forms of indulgence are welcome here."

    "Rowan clenched his fist."

    menu:
        "Use the clamps. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ clampedWhore = True
            "Without a further word, he trailed over to the aforementioned chest. It was no surprise that it was gold lined with a velvet interior. The clamps inside were equally a work of excess. They were shaped like river crocodiles and hewn from bronze."
            "Rowan held one up. Then, he smiled darkly."
            sha "It seems you’ve decided."
            ro "It seems I have."
            "He grabbed an armful of the clamps from the chest and returned to his unaware victim. There was no creation to his approach."
            "Even with senses dulled by the mask, she was aware of his presence from the touches. But she was disciplined enough already to keep as still as a statue."
            "He was going to have to change that."
            "To test their strength, he placed one of the clamps on his finger. At once, he pulled it off with a wince. These things stung."
            ro "You’re sure it won’t leave a mark?"
            sha "We have tested them. Extensively."
            ro "Hmm."
            scene cg1068 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1069 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1069
            show shaya neutral behind cg1069
            "Without a further word, he went up to the girl’s breast and clamped her nipple. For a split second, he detected movement. As if she had bounced on her heels. But, on second glance she was holding with perfect discpline."
            "Still, if there remained any doubt she was aware what was happening…"
            show cg1070 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1070
            show shaya neutral behind cg1070
            "Rowan placed a second clamp to her other nipple to match the first. It would have been wrong to take the symmetry from a piece of art like this. Still, this one had even less of an effect. She didn’t even flinch. Evidently, it would be be harder when surprise isn’t a factor."
            "So, Rowan kept on adding clamp after clamp. Each must have become a hotspot of pain, radiating out. Certainly they were digging into her breasts with enough of a bite that the skin was pulled. But, sure enough, she held firm."
            sha "If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion. There are other places for you to clamp."
            "Rowan turned back to Shaya."
            ro "“Bold as to suggest”. You really want me to torture this girl’s crotch, huh?"
            sha "...My want is irrelevant here."
            "The statement gave him an idea. He took two clamps and tossed them to the madam."
            ro "I’m not doing this for your amusement, you know? How about you put these on your nipples too. A reminder not to overstep."
            sha "mfff."
            "In the same gesture that she caught the clamps, the first was already placed on her body. It dug into the soft fabric of her top. Soon, it’s twin would find a similar spot."
            sha "If this will please you."
            "Rowan turned back to his primary target. Shaya’s prior suggestion still stuck with him. It may have been vengeful, but that didn’t mean it wasn’t cruelly effective in it’s own way."
            "He started slow. One clamp on each lip of her labia. At once, the effect was visible. A slight twitch. A crack in her armor. Rowan smirked. He was going to break through. He just needed one more step."
            "So, he leaned down, final clamp in hand. He had to prod her sex to find it’s destination. The nub of her clit was but a bump in his hands...but it was more then solid enough to serve as a handle. A moment later, the final clamp bit into her clit."
            "The reaction was instantaneous. A shiver that ran up her leg. This time, there was a fit of squirming before she regained her pose. Regardless of her duty, this was clearly no easy task for her."
            "Rowan returned to Shaya’s side to admire his handiwork. There was a strange beauty to it. The glimmer of gold and bronze. The unchanging face of the goddess looking back at him. He sighed softly."
            sha "May I remove the clamps now, Rowan? I believe you’ve made your point."
            ro "I suppose."
            "His attention was trained solely on the girl. The clamps on her breasts had been in place for a few minutes now. More than enough time for the cumulative strain to go from painful to excruciating. Every moment tortured by the clamps would grow more intense."
            "It was showing in the girl’s posture. What had been a few breaks had turned into the occasional squirm. That, in turn, had descended to full on wiggling."
            "He leaned in closer. Any moment now."
            "Then, it came. A soft scream, muffled by metal. The limits of the girl’s endurance. She fell down to one knee, chest rising and falling. It made a funny sight. The bronze of the clamps seemed to dance in the air to the movement of her body."
            "It was only then he had mercy. With Shaya’s help he removed the clamps one by one. This proved a final torture for the poor girl. Each time a clamp was removed, her arm shook. The sudden absence of the pain could be more intense then the initial bite."
            "It was only when the final piercing was removed, the clit clamp, that the girl finally rose to her feet."
            "Shaya shot him a knowing glance."
            sha "I had not known you to be a sadist of this calibre. Perhaps in the future, I can plan in advance something to scratch that itch."

        "Jerk off on her. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan stared at the naked form of the courtesan with a dry mouth. Naked, wearing the mask, there was a strange serenity to her. She was more like a marble sculpture then a person. Too perfect to be real."
            "His hands quietly fumbled with his belts. Shaya watched with a cat’s curiosity."
            "She was too perfect. He had to spoil her."
            scene cg1071 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1071
            show shaya neutral behind cg1071
            pause 3
            "There was a clattering as his trousers landed on the floor of the brothel. Rowan drew closer, so close that his erect mass nearly touched the girl."
            "Then, his hands joined in the action. They pumped back and forth in a pattern familiar to him since adolescent, stroking the surface of his cock."
            "As he did, his hand nearly brushed over her skin. As the friction grew, he started to groan. It wasn’t a long and slow effort. He was working himself as fast as he could, for one purpose. To defile her."
            "Of course, the subject of his glance didn’t move. Had it not been for the earlier touch, she may not have even realized she was not alone. Still, she held pose, with the tiny movement of her chest even showing she was alive."
            "He blinked softly. What had Shaya told him before? That she had been made to endure this for being haughty? In his mind, he imagined her as an ice queen. Someone so rigid that she deserved this treatment."
            "Shaya circled closer, brushing a hand over Rowan’s back. It brought a shiver down his spine. He felt the brush of her veil along the tip of his ear."
            sha "My assistance might prove valuable here, Rowan. You need only give permission."
            "The intent could not be more obvious."
            menu:
                "Let Shaya assist.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Shaya’s slender arm gradually wrapped itself around his waist. She took her time to allow him plenty of opportunity to stop her. But, Rowan didn’t stop her. Instead, a soft sigh escaped his lips the moment her hand wrapped itself around his cock."
                    "Slowly, his hands drifted down to the side. Instead, Shaya’s delicate fingers took up the work stroking him off. The shape of her hands and the pace she set were practiced. Tight enough a grip to feel almost as if he were engaging in penetration, but loose enough to be comfortable."
                    "He sighed and leaned back into her. The tips of her nipples gave a tantalizing brush against his back."
                    "Yet, his eyes never left their true focus. The creamy skin of the woman in front of him. As the pressure mounted and his eyes fluttered, the thought of despoiling her was what consumed him."
                    "It made it inevitable that he wouldn’t last long. His cock twitched. Shaya aimed it square at the girl’s belly."

                "Finish without her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "She slid a slender arm around his waist. But, before her hand could reach his cock, he brushed it away. Wordlessly, she drew back to a less obtrusive distance."
                    "This was a task he wanted to finish at his own pace."
                    "He focused with his full attention on the girl. Her perfect posture and creamy skin begged for despoilment. The mask of the goddess stared back at him. Holy and unfeeling. In a sense, it was almost like cumming on Solansia herself."
                    "His pace picked up to frantic stroking. He was rushing towards his inevitable climax at his fastest possible speed. His eyes slammed shut."

            show cg1071 with sshake
            show cg1071 with sshake
            show cg1072 with flash
            pause 3
            "Then, in a flash of white, he let loose."
            "In his wake, he left the girl stained by his cum. A streak of white ran from the underside of her breast all the way down to her hips. Smaller globs were splattered in a rough pattern around the line."
            "He staggered back panting. The orgasm felt good, of course. But, it was for this sight that it had all been worth it."
            "Shaya took to his side and looked on with equal fascination."
            sha "A fine painting job, sir. I couldn’t have done a better job myself."
            ro "At least not without the right tools."
            "She giggled softly into her veil."

        "Decline politely.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "A beat passed. Rowan could picture the feel of her nipple between her fingers. The splatted of his seed over her belly."
            ro "...No..."
            "He pulled his glance away from the girl and her plight. This was a temptation that would not snatch him."
            "Shaya pulled to the side and stoically bowed."
            sha "Of course, Sir Rowan. I apologize for overstepping in suggesting something so inappropriate."
            "He shook his head slightly."
            ro "No. No. It’s your job. You’re alright..."

    scene cg1066 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1066
    show shaya neutral behind cg1066
    pause 3

    "Rowan went silent for a time, contemplating the faceless figure before him. He’d almost missed it before, but there was something about her…"

    ro "This girl. What’s her name?"
    sha "Sweet Rowan. It would defeat the purpose of the punishment to reattach a label to her. For now, she is just a girl."
    ro "...Does she frequently work the attendant desk, though?"

    "There was a twinkle in Shaya’s eyes, but the veil hid if it spread to the rest of her face."

    sha "I will simply say that she is not authorized to interact with a client, absent my permission. No matter how much she professes her beauty is “wasted”."

    "She shook her head slightly."

    sha "Beauty is wasted on the beautiful. This is where pride ought to lead."

    menu:
        "Agree.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "With how strong your hold on the girls here are, she must have expected it wouldn’t go well. Compared to dealing with a succubus, a bratty attendant is nothing."
            sha "I cannot speak for the girl. But, she cannot speak for herself presently, either."

        "Flirt.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Perhaps, Rowan might have taken those words seriously if they’d come from someone else. He gave Shaya a nudge in the side and shot her a bemused look."
            ro "Don’t give me that. With looks like yours, you were probably a menace in your youth too. Maybe Jezera will tell me some time."
            "Shaya chuckled softly."
            sha "...Perhaps."

    "Rowan turned to finally leave, when one final idea came to him."

    if liaAttitude == "flirt":
        "He turned back to the girl and gave her a sudden and intense smack on the rear. She jumped slightly before returning to her prior position."
        "It gave Rowan a soft grin."

    else:
        "Rowan drew a coin from his belt and snuck it into the girl’s hand. When she realized what it was, her grip tightened around it."
        ro "{i}Here’s something for your trouble.{/i}"

    # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia maid 6.rpy
label a_deep_cleaning_rp:

    scene bg6 with fade
    show alexia maid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Thirty bedrooms still to clean… Then I have to dust the halls, beat the rugs, wash the curtains in the left wing…"

    "Alexia murmured her tasks for the day to herself as she scrambled to finish wiping down one of the dusty mirrors of a spare bedroom. She had gotten a late start today and was already falling well behind, racing against the clock to finish her duties on time."
    "That in of itself seemed an impossible task. With one of the maids sick, Alexia had foolishly offered to cover more than her share of rooms in hopes of making it up to the others who had to deal with her starting work late."
    "It didn't even occur to her until now just how much cleaning she'd piled onto herself."
    "{i}No use in complaining now{/i}, she thought with a sigh. {i}I'll just need to be efficient.{/i}"
    "Picking up her caddy of cleaning supplies, Alexia moved to the next room: the throne room."
    "The room itself wasn't particularly dirty-- a discarded array of paperwork on Rowan's desk, a thin layer of dust on some of the decorative fixtures, mud-splattered floors-- but even still, it always felt like it was in a constant state of chaos."
    "With half the castle staff running in and out of here, it never really gets the deep cleaning it needs, she thought miserably."
    "Alexia knew she should leave her husband's area of work for later-- there were still so many other rooms that needed her attention, and Rowan would understand if she had to skip his section on a busy shift-- but she simply couldn't let it go."
    "If she didn't clean now, it could be weeks before she gave the throne room the proper attention it craved."
    "Dipping her sponge into a bucket of soapy water, Alexia made her way to the corner of the room and began scrubbing the floors."

    show rowan necklace happy behind bg6

    ro "Ahem."

    "Alexia jumped, shocked to hear her husband's cleared throat behind her. She whirled around, her sponge flopping with a wet splat onto the floor."
    "It appeared she wasn't the only one that had a late start to her day."

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan took a moment to regard her, his arms crossed over his chest as he took in the uniform clinging to her body. A slow smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth."

    al "I thought you'd already left."

    "Alexia bent down to pick up the sponge. She could feel her husband's eyes on her, his gaze snagging on every curve her thin dress accentuated."

    ro "It appears I didn't. But a certain maid is going to make it very hard to focus."

    "Rowan strode across the room and stopped in front of his wife, his tall stature towering over her with a look of pure desire. Alexia felt the soapy water pool under her knees, brushing the bare skin of her calves."

    ro "You know, my wife is away at work right now… and I think my office could use a very {i}deep{/i} and {i}thorough{/i} cleaning."

    show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia felt the heat rush to her face as Rowan crouched down and brushed her bangs from her eyes, his fingertips lingering against the soft skin of her cheek. A small smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she relished in her husband's roleplay."

    ro "What do you say?"

    menu:
        'Be a good maid and "clean him up". (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
            scene cg1057 with fade
            show alexia maid aroused behind cg1057
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1057
            pause 3
            "A little voice in the back of Alexia's head reminded her of the responsibilities she still had to take care of on her shift today, but the voice was quickly drowned out by a flooding desire for her husband and his little game."
            al "You're sure she's not around? I'd hate for one of us to get caught."
            "Alexia lightly squeezed the sponge against Rowan's shoulder, pretending to clean him off. Rowan grinned and stood, pulling his wife to her feet as well. His voice slipped into the smooth, seductive tone she was well accustomed to."
            ro "Then we'd better clean up quickly, shouldn't we?"
            "Rowan's hands fell to Alexia's waist, his rough fingers pushing the fabric back to get a better feel of her curves."
            al "This is so sudden, sir. What if my overseer finds out?"
            "But Alexia moved toward him anyway, batting her eyelashes coyly up at her rogueish husband. She squeezed the sponge again, this time soaking his back. His shirt clung to his broad figure, and Alexia could feel each rippling muscle underneath."
            ro "You'll have some explaining to do."
            "Rowan's lips brushed against the shell of her ear. Alexia shuddered, the heat of his breath sending pleasant chills down her spine. She could feel her own wetness accumulating between her legs with her building desire."
            "Alexia gasped as Rowan yanked her forward, his lips pressing harshly against hers. She threw her arms around his neck, sponge dropping to the ground, as she pressed flush against his muscular figure."
            "There was a pressure against her thigh. It twitched, hard with Rowan's need for her. Alexia found herself rubbing against it without a thought, her clit throbbing with anticipation."
            "Rowan's hands slid underneath her skirt and palmed her ass."
            "{i}SMACK{/i}!"
            "Alexia's breath hitched with the first spank. Rowan repeated the motion once. Twice. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, body inclining toward him. She could hear the smile in his voice as Rowan breathed against her ear."
            ro "Get to work."
            "He pulled away suddenly, leaving Alexia breathless and flushed. Rowan plopped down in his chair and admired her with a hungry gleam in his eye. He gestured with an airy wave of his hand for her to continue."
            "Alexia bit back a smile."
            "If this was how he wanted to play, she could certainly comply."
            "Bending over, Alexia made sure to give Rowan a good view of her ass as she scrubbed the floor. She heard a content hum of enjoyment behind her, but why not raise the stakes a little?"
            "She tugged at her skirt, allowing it to slide up to her waist as she bent over. A cold breeze swept across her exposed pussy, sending a thrill through her."
            "Alexia could feel Rowan's eyes on her wet cunt and pert ass as she moved about the room, bending over to scrub and polish well past the point of cleanliness."
            "She purposely squeezed the sponge close to her, making sure the water soaked through her gown and clung to her taut breasts and firm body."
            scene bg6 with fade
            #rowan smirk
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            show alexia maid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "It wasn't until she moved to the desk that Rowan stood up and shoved her down, his pants already unzipped and providing freedom for his stiff cock. She felt his hardness press against her from behind, grinding hard against her wetness."
            al "S-Sir, you don't mean to ravish me on your {i}desk{/i}, do you?"
            ro "Absolutely I do. I won't stop until this desk is {i}covered{/i} with our cum."
            "The thought sent a pleasant thrill through her. The feel of her husband's erection against her left her breathless and desiring more. Her legs quaked against him, desperate to feel the pressure of his cock inside of her."
            al "Sir…"
            ro "{i}Master.{/i}"
            al "M-Master..."
            "He slid his fingers inside instead, curling them deeply against the walls of her pussy. Alexia moaned, her nails scraping against the tabletop."
            al "Master! Really, you must be careful… Your desk is going to become {i}filthy{/i}!"
            ro "Why should I care? You'll just clean it up for me."
            "His fingers pressed deeper. A whimper escaped from her throat, and Alexia jutted her hips back, eager to meet his every touch. Rowan chuckled low under his breath, sending an eager shiver down her spine."
            ro "What a naughty little maid you are… Are you always so eager to put out for your guests?"
            "She could feel him press against her open cunt now, the tip of his cock playing just along the edges. Alexia tried to press back and insert him but Rowan's hand fell to her hips, forcing her in place."
            ro "Well?"
            al "Mmm… Only when they're as handsome as you are, master."
            "She shook her ass from side to side, grinding against him. An involuntary moan escaped from the hero, momentarily breaking character. One hand reached up into her hair, yanking her head back. Alexia gasped."
            ro "You know how to sweet talk me, but you're terrible at hiding what a {i}slut{/i} you are."
            "{i}SMACK{/i}!"
            "Alexia let out a cry of delight as Rowan's hand came down hard against her ass. Again. And Again."
            scene cg1058 with fade
            pause 3
            show alexia maid aroused behind cg1058
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1058
            "She tensed herself, waiting for the next spank. He slid fully into her instead, his cock driving into her pussy until she could feel the press of his balls against her."
            al "O-Oooh!"
            "Alexia tried to muffle her moan with her hand but Rowan yanked her head back, forcing her cry to echo throughout the room. Keeping one hand on her hip, Rowan pounded into her dripping cunt, his thrusts harsh and rough as his hips smacked her soft ass."
            ro "Just as I thought. You love this, don't you, little slut? Why make you a maid when you're so good at {i}this{/i} instead?"
            "He shoved himself fully into her once more. Alexia moaned, not caring what other nearby maids or servants heard her on the other side of the door."
            al " Y-You're right. I love it, master."
            al "Please fuck me. Don't stop fucking me--!"
            "She caught a glimpse of his smirk before Rowan thrust harder into her again, the desk rattling violently underneath them. Papers and writing utensils fell off, but Alexia couldn't bring herself to care-- not when her husband's thick cock was hitting the center of her pleasure."
            "Alexia's legs shook violently with her orgasm, soft moans and whimpers escaping from her throat as she came against the desk."
            show cg1058 with sshake
            show cg1058 with sshake
            scene cg1059 with flash
            pause 3
            show alexia maid happy behind cg1059
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1059
            "Rowan wasn't too far behind-- she felt his body convulse, then thick spurts of hot cum filled up inside of her, spilling out down her thighs and legs."
            "Cock softening, Rowan pulled out, but didn't release his wife yet; Alexia gasped in surprise as he pulled her down onto his lap as he collapsed in his chair."
            ro "You really do look sexy in that maid outfit, Alexia. I wish I got to see you in it more often."
            "She couldn't help herself; Alexia giggled, thrilled with her husband's compliment. It was almost like they were back at their little home, wrapped up in each other after a delicious meal."
            "Almost. She glimpsed at the necklaces hanging off of his chest and hers-- a constant reminder of where they really are, and who they currently belonged to."
            al "If that's how you react every time I'm in this uniform, I'll have to wear it around you more often."
            "Rowan grinned."
            ro "I'd love that."
            "They nuzzled for a few more moments before Alexia finally had to excuse herself to get back to work. In addition to cleaning half the castle, she needed to wipe up her own legs first-- and maybe give her uniform a good washing. More chores added to the list."
            "{i}Oh well{/i}, she thought with a smile. Alexia reluctantly left her husband's office and resumed her duties for the day."
            # return

        "Get back to work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            "The idea of fooling around during work caused Alexia's heart to thump hard with excitement, but the responsible part of her brain warned her against doing so. There was still so much work to be done, after all, and she had barely started on her duties for the day."
            "If she didn't clean now, she would be working all night."
            al "I'm sorry, Rowan, but I can't right now. I still have a lot of work to get done before tonight."
            al "I'll see you after my shift."
            "Disappointment slipped onto Rowan's face. The hero took a step back, giving his wife more room to move about the office."
            ro "Oh… Right. Yes, of course. I'll see you when I return to the castle."
            ro "I should get started on my field preparations, anyway."
            "With a stiff nod, Rowan sat down at his desk and began his work for the day. Alexia grimaced, an awkward silence following her as she hurriedly cleaned the room. She knew Rowan was just trying to have a little fun with her, but she really didn't have the time to spare for him today."
            "After a very uncomfortable speed clean throughout the throne room, Alexia grabbed her caddy and scurried to the next room."
            # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_40.rpy
label a_caged_mess_rp:

    $ rowan_draith_sex = True

    scene bg25 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "The breeding pits never smelled any better no matter how many times Rowan ventured down into the castle's depths. It was a musty stench; the sour tang invaded his nostrils as Rowan searched through the pits for the small beastmaster."
    "He would have to make sure the staff down here was adequate when it came to cleaning the cages. He knew the breeding pits were overwhelmed as it was, and it appeared the cages were suffering for it."
    "Knowing Draith, he probably wasn't happy about the state of cleanliness either. He cared for these creatures more than anyone Rowan knew. Seeing them in any state of disarray would no doubt trouble the beastmaster."
    "Rowan made a mental note to himself of the state of the pits as he turned the corner, the dark elf coming into view."
    "Draith was in the midst of training one of the many beasts, his whip gripped securely in his palm as he circled one of the Driders. It was a new one, smaller than the others Rowan usually brought in. He recognized the runt of the litter, its eyes roving around the cage with fresh panic."

    # if rowanCorrupt > 30:
    "Rowan was not usually here to witness Draith's training methods, but as he watched the dark elf instruct the Drider, he found himself amused by the scene."

    # else:
        # "Rowan was not usually here to witness Draith's training methods, but as he watched the dark elf instruct the Drider, a sense of admiration swelled in his chest. "

    "Draith was not cruel to the creature, no matter how new and disobedient it was-- and that was often. Rowan winced as the Drider hissed and made a step to attack the beastmaster, but before Rowan could reach his sword, Draith lashed his whip out in warning."
    "It barely caught against the Drider's leg, but it was enough to force it into submission."

    ro "Impressive."

    #show draith shocked at midright with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Draith started at the sound of Rowan's voice. When he glanced back with a smile, the Drider took its opportunity to leap toward him."

    dra "Hello, sir--"

    "Before Rowan could get a warning past his lips, Draith lashed his whip again, drawing the Drider back. He {i}tsk'd{/i} at the creature with pity."

    #show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    dra "You're a stubborn one, aren't you?"

    "With a sigh, Draith hooked the whip against his hip and ducked out of the cage. The Drider hissed at him, but once the lock was in place, Rowan felt he could relax."

    ro "Are they all like that when you first start?"

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    "Draith gave him a wry smile."

    dra "Sometimes. This one is tougher than most… But she has a lot of scars. Whoever caused those caused more damage than physical."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    dra "I hate to see them in pain like that…"

    "The elf sighed, disheartened. Rowan could see the hurt it caused him to see even a gruesome beast like a Drider suffering."

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    "Just as quickly though, Draith perked up."

    dra "Ah, but was there something you came here for, sir?"

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "Rowan could see the eagerness on the man's face, and the memory of his last time here in the pits flashed through his mind. Based on the tinge of purple on Draith's face, Rowan assumed the elf was thinking the same thing."
        "Alas, that is not why he came here."

    ro "Yes, actually. I came to see how much food you need down here for the month. I didn't receive your usual report."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Recognition and shame colored Draith's face. He grimaced, running a hand through his hair."

    dra "Right. The report."
    dra "I'm so sorry, sir. I've been so busy, I didn't get a chance…"

    "Draith glanced around the cages, and Rowan could tell he was mentally calculating the time it would take to continue training the creatures, clean up the pits, {i}and{/i} come up with everything they needed down here, plus the time it would take to deliver that report back to Rowan's office."
    "It was a lot of work for one person to do by themselves."

    dra "I'll have it ready by tonight. I'm sorry for the delay."

    ro "It's fine. I just need it by tomorrow night, so whenever you get a chance."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "The dark elf smiled shyly up at him and nodded, comforted by his words. Rowan took the moment to admire the plumpness of the man's lips, remembering just how sweet his tongue had tasted against his. How smooth his body felt under his hands…"

    else:
        "Draith nodded in relief. The extra time was appreciated, Rowan could tell."

    dra "Is there anything else I can do for you, sir?"

    menu:
        "Have sex. (Scene)" if rowan_draith_sex:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 3)
            jump cagedMessSex_rp

        "Observe Training.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 3)
            "Rowan glanced back at the feisty Drider. He still had a few minutes to spare, and the hero was curious to see just how effective Draith's training was."
            ro "Actually, I was hoping to see a little more of their training. Would you mind?"
            dra "Not at all, sir."
            "Draith beamed before jumping back into his session with the Drider."
            "The beast was not friendly, but it wasn't as wild and violent as Rowan had expected. He could only assume that was due to Draith's teaching."
            "Rowan watched as Draith instructed the Drider to sit, heel, lay down, and speak. They were very basic commands, but the Drider seemed reluctant-- no, outright refused-- to cooperate. Rowan saw that it was not just a test of getting the Drider to perform the actions, but to make it willing to learn as well."
            "Draith was patient, coaxing the creature and then tossing a treat its way when it obeyed his orders."
            "Once he was satisfied with the beast's progress, Draith led the Drider back to its cage."
            ro "That was impressive. I'm not sure I would have had the patience you do."
            dra "It's not easy, but they're learning. It's harder some days than others."
            ro "It's good we have you aboard, regardless. I trust our beasts are in fine hands."
            "Draith grinned and looked away, seemingly unsure how to take the compliment."
            "Rowan waved goodbye to the beastmaster before returning to his office. There was still work to be done on both their ends."
            return

        "Return to work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(1)
            # $ change_relation('draith', -3)
            if rowan_draith_sex:
                "Briefly, Rowan considered the heated moment of passion he and the dark elf shared last time he wandered down into the pits, but just as quickly pushed the thought away."
                "He wasn't sure what came over him last time. Something about the elf was… pleasurable, both to look at and to have."
                "But if Draith didn't have the time to clean up the pits, he certainly didn't have a free moment for sex."
            else:
                "Rowan wrinkled his nose as the thick stench of grime wafted his way. "
            ro "Yes, I would like you to clean up these cages. They reek."
            "Draith frowned, looking back at the empty, unused cages."
            dra "O-Of course. Yes, sir."
            if rowan_draith_sex:
                "Rowan waved goodbye to the attractive dark elf, glancing once at the pleasant sight of his ass before returning to his office."
            else:
                "Rowan waved goodbye to the dark elf, grimacing at the cages as he made his way out of the breeding pits."
            return

    label cagedMessSex_rp:

        "Well since he was here, Rowan may as well make use of the extra time. He smirked, his eyes roving over the delicious curves of the supple man's pale skin."

        ro "I can think of a few things, actually."

        "Rowan rested his palms against Draith's slender waist and pulled him flush against his chest. The elf's eyes widened, the blush taking a stronger hold over his face."

        ro "When are you going to clean up these cages?"
        dra "Sometime tonight."
        ro "Good. Then you won't mind if we use one now."

        "Draith shook his head, an eager glint in his eyes. Rowan pressed his lips hard against his, sucking on the soft curve of the elf's bottom lip. Draith moaned, his trembling hands clutching tightly onto Rowan's shirt."
        "Memories of their last endeavour poured through Rowan's mind, heat building up in his hardening cock. Draith was so small, so soft, compared to the other men he'd come across."
        "It made him want to tear the elf in two."
        "Rowan's hands roamed down, over the curve of his back and planted his palms firmly on Draith's buttocks, giving the soft flesh a squeeze. The elf bit back a whimper, arching toward him."
        "One touch and the beastmaster was ready to give it all away."

        dra "Should I get the oil?"

        "The man smirked at him, something coming to mind."

        ro "I've got a better idea."

        "Draith got into an easy position, his pert ass raised high in the air as he arched downward. Once his cock was free, Draith rested his head in his arms, moaning softly under his breath as Rowan's hands roamed across his ass and thighs."
        "Rowan pressed kisses across Draith's back, earning a shudder from the elf when his teeth grazed his hip bone."

        scene cg1073 with fade
        #show draith aroused behind cg1073
        show draith happy behind cg1073
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1073
        pause 3

        "Working his way downward, he knelt behind the elf and began exploring the twink's asshole with his tongue, drawing a shudder from his lithe body."

        dra "Ohhhh... sir... what are you...."
        ro "Shhh."

        "Rowan continued his assault, while grabbing Draith's cock and starting to work it in tandem with his oral ministrations, reducing the dark elf to submissive moans at the mercy of the double assault."
        "Precum glistened on the head of his cock, and he gripped the cage for support. The human continued to work the shaft and tongue away until he was happy the hole was suficiently wet to take his fat dick."
        "Rowan pulled himself out from his own trousers and spit on his hand to lubricate his own erection. Draith glanced back, biting down on his lip when he took in the sight of Rowan's large shaft."
        "Once the oil was thoroughly applied, Rowan leaned forward and humped Draith's buttox, his cock stiff and ready for insertion."
        "Draith was not quite ready, however. Rowan delighted in the tightness of the elf's asshole as he ground against it, each movement widening it further."

        dra "G-Go slow… Careful, please, sir…"

        scene cg1074 with fade
        #show draith aroused behind cg1074
        show draith happy behind cg1074
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1074
        pause 3

        "Draith panted out the words, his fingers curling against the hard stone floor. Rowan eased Draith's tight hole with a few fingers, pumping in and out until he felt the man was ready for his cock."
        "Rowan pushed himself inside slowly, earning a pleased cry from the elf. Rowan further surged inside of him, his cock pressing deeper. Deeper. Deeper."

        dra "O-Ooohh…"

        "Draith bit down on his arm as he whimpered. Rowan's fingers dug into the slender man's hips as he pushed in and out at a steady rhythm."
        "Draith's reached down to stroke his own cock, occasionally reaching back to touch his own ass or the base of Rowan's shaft. The sight excited Rowan, and he rocked against the elf harder."
        "Draith begged and pleaded through his little pants and whimpers, his little cock twitching every time Rowan followed through. Rowan pressed close to bite down along the elf's shoulders and back, enjoying the bloom of purple on his skin wherever the bites left a mark."

        "He bit further, up his shoulders, along his neck. Draith leaned his head to the side, giving Rowan better access to his skin."

        scene cg1075 with fade
        #show draith aroused behind cg1075
        show draith happy behind cg1075
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1075
        pause 3

        "The elf gasped as Rowan pounded inside his taut hole, a stream of white cum pouring out over the stone floor."

        dra "Puh-Please, sir… Fill me up…!"

        "Draith wiggled his ass against him, rubbing against Rowan's balls. Rowan grunted in pleasure, his hips jerking hard against the elf's soft rear."

        show cg1075 with sshake
        show cg1075 with sshake
        show cg1076 with flash
        pause 3

        "He tried to hold it in-- he wanted to keep going, to make Draith cum a second time-- but the sight of Draith panting and whining naked underneath him was too much. Hot cum released from his sac, pouring out into Draith's waiting hole."
        "Rowan humped the elf a little further until he was empty."

        scene bg25 with fade
        #show draith aroused behind bg25
        show draith happy behind bg25

        "After a few moments of silence, Rowan finally stood up and cleaned himself up. Draith remained on the floor, a relaxed smile on his face."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan began to leave the cage but stopped, looking back down at the mess they made."

        ro "Make sure this is cleaned up the next time I'm here."

        "Draith beamed, excited by what Rowan's next visit could entail. Rowan saw the elf's cock twitch in anticipation."

        dra "Yes, sir!"

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label calm_before_the_storm_rp:

    $ rowan_draith_sex = False
    $ rowanAndrasSex = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Has Rowan had sex with Draith or Andras before? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Just Draith":
            $ rowan_draith_sex = True
        "Yes - Just Andras":
            $ rowanAndrasSex = True
        "Yes - Both":
            $ rowan_draith_sex = True
            $ rowanAndrasSex = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan felt as though time itself was in a loop. No matter how much work he finished, how many plans he made, hardly a dent was made in the endless pile of work atop his desk. The day slogged on, as did Rowan's fraying sanity."
    "Just a few more hours. He could put in just a few more hours, couldn't he?"
    "Rowan was starting to doubt it."

    show andras displeased at midleft with dissolve

    an "Where's my beast?"

    "Rowan started, thrown by the sudden boom of Andras's voice as he barged into Rowan's office. Jezera followed closely behind, her chin tilted high in an air of regality."

    ro "Pardon?"

    "The two of them together was never a good sign. The  twins stopped beside Rowan's desk. Despite their differences, Rowan could easily see their relation by the shared look of impatience on their faces."

    an "You heard me. You visit the pits often enough; where is it?"

    "It took Rowan a moment to process exactly what Andras was referring to, but Jezera cut in before he had a chance to answer."

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "The little beastmaster promised something {i}revolutionary{/i}, and time is running short."
    je "I have a guest from the dark elven lands coming soon. A guest whose assistance would prove most valuable in the coming conflicts."
    je "And one {i}most{/i} interested in ‘pet projects,’ if you will."
    ro "I'm not sure where the beast is. It's probably still recovering from surgery."

    "In truth Rowan had heard little of the monster since his last visit to the breeding pits. He too was curious as to how Draith's experimentation had fared."

    an "He promised me a prize by the end of the season. It's had more than enough time to recover. "

    "Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed."

    ro "I understand. I'll visit him when I return from my scouting next week."
    an "You'll visit him now. I have a hundred gold riding on this."

    "Jezera's attention snapped to her brother, one eyebrow quirked in disbelief."

    je "You made {i}another{/i} bet with Draith? Did you learn nothing from last time?"
    an "The boy's a cheat! But he can't talk his way out of this one. "
    je "You're impossible. He'll have the entire castle's funds before the war is over if you keep this up."
    je "If you're so keen on throwing your money away, I'll happily take it off your hands."

    "Andras ignored her, his expression hardening as he stared Rowan down."
    "Rowan stretched his arms, earning a few cracks from his shoulders before rising from his chair."

    ro "...I'll see to it now, then."
    an "A wise decision."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft
    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Well, at least this offered some change of pace to his day."

    scene bg25 with fade

    "It took some time to find Draith in the lower pits of the castle.Rowan was unsurprised to find the dark elf tending to his newest creation, tossing fresh meat into its cage for the monster to devour."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "It looks larger than I remember. Have you been fattening him up?"

    "Draith grinned, but gave no other indication that he was aware of Rowan's presence. He tossed another lump of meat into the cage, much to the beast's joy as he greedily caught the bloody mass between his sharp teeth."
    "Rowan stopped beside the elf and admired the thing. It was wild, unnatural, and… strangely cute? He watched as the Khusti-variant's body vibrated in a happy purr as Draith fed him a hefty, gory meal."
    "He could almost see the appeal."

    ro "Are the teeth new? I don't remember it having those when we grabbed it."

    "In fact, Rowan distinctly remembered the creature having a beak."

    "A cautious look flickered across Draith's face, but he nodded."

    dra "Yes. I added a few more modifications to improve its offensive capabilities."

    "He tossed another lump of meat into the case. The Khusti let out a loud, almost aggressively happy yell as it dove after the treat. The beast almost reminded Rowan of a small child playing with their favorite toy."
    "Except this child could cut Rowan clean in half with one, powerful bite of his jaw."

    ro "That's good. Andras was starting to worry that you made the whole thing up."

    "Rowan smiled in amusement. Draith rolled his eyes."

    dra "I've told him, these things take time. You can't rush proper recovery-- it's not my fault some limbs took longer to heal than others."
    ro "Well, he looks pretty healthy now. Do you think he'll be ready by the end of the season?"
    dra "Of course."
    ro "He also mentioned something about ‘a hundred gold pieces?’"

    "This earned a little smirk from the dark elf."

    dra "There may have been a little bet on whether I could do it or not. I almost feel bad taking his money all the time, but when he gets  frustrated he finds the most creative ways to take it out on me."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "A glimmer of excitement flickered in Draith's eyes, the familiar look of arousal that Rowan had grown accustomed to seeing on the dark elf's face… except he was used to being on the receiving end of that look."

    else:
        "Draith grinned, a glimmer of desire lighting up his eyes. Rowan shifted in place awkwardly, scratching the back of his head."

    if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
        "Rowan couldn't blame Draith for taking advantage of a position underneath the demon lord. Andras knew what he was doing, and even Rowan had enjoyed falling prey to the demon's sexual dominance."

    else:
        "Rowan didn't see the appeal of the demon-- certainly not as Draith did-- but he supposed everyone had their preferences, no matter how… questionable they may be."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Andras was powerful, yes, but the thought of Draith going out of his way to earn the demon's sexual ire instead of Rowan's left a bitter taste in his mouth."
            "Perhaps he needed to devise his own punishments for the wayward beastmaster. Remind him who, exactly, was in charge."
        else:
            "Rowan wasn't sure how to feel about Draith's confession. He had no right to be annoyed, and yet... he couldn't think of another way to describe how he felt."
            "Rowan hadn't exactly remained monogamous in his marriage, and it wasn't as though his relationship with Draith spanned any farther than a few quick fucks when the tension built high. They were friends with benefits, nothing more."
            "…So why the fuck did the idea of Draith sleeping with Andras bother him so much?"

    ro "It sounds like you enjoy Andras's attention."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "Rowan stepped closer and placed a hand upon Draith's hip. The elf instinctively moved toward him, melding against the hero's side."
        dra "On occasion. He can be so brutish, though. Sometimes it's nice to feel something a little… gentler."
        "Draith's eyes flickered over Rowan's body, slowly moving back up to meet his gaze. Rowan's sight snagged on the elf's pouting lip. He could almost imagine how nice that soft skin would feel between his teeth."
        "Rowan leaned forward, his whispered breath hot against the elf's ear."
        ro "And what makes you think I'll be gentle?"
        "He delighted in the way Draith shuddered against him, his bulge growing hard with excitement. Draith bit down on his lip, and it took Rowan everything he had not to snatch it away between his own teeth."
        dra "Why don't you show me how you'd do it then, master?"

    else:
        "He wasn't sure what else to say. Rowan had grown fond of the beastmaster, but hearing about Draith's sexual exploits with the demon lord wasn't exactly a topic of interest."
        "Draith's gaze snapped to him, his long lashes batting against his pale cheeks."
        dra "He knows how to treat me exactly how I like it."
        dra "...But there's someone else that I think could do it even better."
        "Rowan was surprised by the way the dark elf stared him up and down, the implication of his desires loud and clear."

    menu:
        "Show Draith who's in charge. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
            scene cg1077 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1077
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1077
            pause 3
            if rowan_draith_sex == False:
                "He felt even {i}more{/i} surprised by his own body's response; the sudden rise of his cock, an electrified tension between them."
                "And the sudden desire to fulfill the dark elf's sexual implications."
            $ rowan_draith_sex = True
            "The sultry tone to Draith's voice pulled him in, and Rowan knew there was no resisting the urges that built up inside of him."
            "Rowan's hands slid down the dark elf's waist, his thumbs hooking underneath his shorts until the fabric glided down to the floor."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 31:
                ro "I'm going to do what I want to you. And if you object, I'll see it as an act of defiance that needs to be punished. Do you understand?"
                "He murmured the words into Draith's ear, relishing the way the dark elf melted against him with a shuddered breath."
                dra "Yes, master."
                ro "Good."
            else:
                ro "Why don't you show me how you like it, then?"
                "Draith's eyes lit up in surprise and excitement. His hips swished back and forth as he licked his lips, gaze trailing up and down Rowan's masculine form."
                dra "You're technically my master, you know… considering you're in charge of what goes on around here."
                "Draith pressed up against Rowan's chest, his exposed cock brushing eagerly against the hero's thigh."
                dra "You could be in charge of me, too."
                "Rowan cocked an amused brow."
                ro "You want me to order you around?"
                dra "I want you to do a lot {i}more{/i} than just that… Master."
                "The dark elf's excitement was contagious; Rowan grinned as he eyed up the beastmaster's lithe body and imagined all the positions he could put it in."
                ro "Alright. Then I'll do whatever I want to you."
                dra "And if I object?"
                "Rowan started. Although he initially took it as Draith setting boundaries, he quickly could see by the look on the dark elf's face that Draith {i}wanted{/i} some kind of sexual response to his disobedience."
                "Rowan hadn't expected there to be more, but if it was what Draith wanted, he supposed he could oblige."
                ro "Then I'll punish you."
                "Draith grinned, practically melting against him. It appeared that was exactly what the dark elf wanted to hear."
            scene cg1078 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1078
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1078
            pause 3
            "Without warning, Rowan plunged two fingers into the dark elf's asshole, stretching the skin wide."
            "Draith released a muffled cry, two hands flying up to cover his mouth as Rowan played with the taut hole. The elf's hips wiggled, bucking toward his movements."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "You {i}like{/i} this? I mustn't be going hard enough then."
            "He inserted another finger."
            dra "Ngh, Master, that's…"
            "Draith's words cut off into a whimper as he bent over, gripping an empty cell's bars for support."
            ro "What's that? Are you objecting?"
            ro "You know what I've said about objecting."
            "Before Draith could utter another word, Rowan's fingers slipped from his ass and came back in full force as a full slap to his rear. The elf yelped once, then twice when another spank came."
            dra "N-No… More… I want more."
            "Draith stuck his ass out toward him, the skin blooming a dark purple where he'd been hit. Rowan regarded his slim figure with a hungry, bemused look."
            ro "More spanking or more fingering?"
            dra "I… {i}Oooh{/i}!"
            "Rowan's fingers lightly cascaded down to the elf's quickly hardening cock, his thumb pressing lightly against the tip. Draith's hips jerked toward him but Rowan pulled his hand away before pleasure could be extracted."
            ro "If you want more, you'll need to convince me."
            scene cg1079 with fade
            pause 1.5
            show cg1080 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1080
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1080
            pause 2
            "Draith glanced back at him, a quiet pleading in his eyes, before taking the hero's hand and leading him down the hall. Rowan quirked an eyebrow but said nothing, curious as to where the dark elf would lead him."
            "The two men found themselves in a storage room of sorts; several shelves carried food and medical herbs for the beasts, a couple of toys for entertainment--"
            if rowan_draith_sex:
                "But the equipment that caught Rowan's attention was the wall of chains, collars, leashes, ropes, shackles, and common restraints organized against the stone."
            else:
                "But the equipment that caught Draith's attention was the wall of chains, collars, leashes, ropes, shackles, and common restraints organized against the stone. Rowan's brows raised in surprise."
            "Rowan watched as Draith selected a few restraints off of the wall, carefully avoiding the whips in the corner. A small part of the hero wondered if Draith had a negative experience with those, but this didn't seem the time to ask."
            "The dark elf brought the restraints to Rowan and held them up, a small, impish smile playing on his lips."
            dra "To do with as you please."
            if rowan_draith_sex == False:
                "Rowan nearly took the restraints but hesitated."
            ro "It hardly seems fair that {i}you{/i} get to choose them, doesn't it?"
            "Draith's brows furrowed. He glanced at the restraints, suddenly uncertain."
            dra "I..."
            "Stepping past him, Rowan grabbed a leash and collar from the wall. He tossed them at the elf. Draith caught them clumsily, dropping his other restraints onto the floor with a clatter."
            ro "Put these on."
            "The dark elf did as told, snapping the collar around his neck before attaching the leash. Rowan circled him once, slowly."
            ro "Mmm… Yes, this will do nicely."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Grabbing the leash by the edge of the collar, Rowan yanked Draith to his knees."
            else:
                "Grabbing the leash, Rowan tugged Draith to his knees, careful not to pull too hard in case the elf hurt himself on the stone."
            ro "Strip."
            scene cg1081 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1081
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1081
            pause 3
            "A new excitement flickered in his eyes as Draith tossed his clothes into a messy pile on the floor. His cock bobbed, betraying his eagerness for what would come next."
            "Rowan took a deep, satisfied breath, admiring every lithe curve and angle of the dark elf's body. Draith rested patiently on his knees, his head bent back at Rowan's tug of the leash."
            ro "You're down here with nothing but beasts for company… It's no wonder you're fine being treated like an animal yourself."
            "Draith bit his lip, but Rowan could make out a small smile at the corner of the elf's lips."
            "The hero's cock throbbed in his pants, the tight constraint of fabric nearly unpleasant. He wanted to shove the entirety of his member down the elf's throat at once, but he knew good things came to those who waited."
            ro "Well? Are you going to just sit there or show me how much you want it?"
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan yanked on the leash, forcing Draith onto his palms before he could object. The elf's face hovered above Rowan's crotch, the bulge practically brushing against his lips."
            else:
                "Rowan pulled on the leash and Draith eagerly moved onto his palms, brushing his lips against the bulge in Rowan's pants with a satisfied sigh."
            "Keeping his gaze on Rowan's, Draith tugged at the hero's pants, his fingers swiftly reaching up to stroke the hero's member."
            "It was a light touch, hardly anything at all, but the look Draith gave him drove Rowan crazy."
            "The elf bent forward, slowly taking the tip past his lips, then more of his shaft until Draith's tongue caressed over the skin at a maddeningly slow speed."
            "Rowan knew what the elf was doing; he wanted the punishment. He wanted to see how far he could push before Rowan gave in."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "You think that's enough to convince me? What a weak little slut."
            else:
                ro " I know you can do better than that."
            ro "Or should I leave you here and find someone else to get me off?"
            scene cg1082 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1082
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1082
            pause 3
            "Draith's eyes widened. He bobbed his head forward, his pace speeding up as he took in more and more of Rowan's cock."
            ro "That's better. Don't hold out on me."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Yanking again on the leash, Rowan forced Draith forward, one hand gripping the elf's hair so he could plunge his erection as deep as the beastmaster's throat would allow."
            else:
                "Feeling a little more confident, Rowan pulled harder on the leash and forced Draith forward, one hand gripping the elf's hair so he could plunge his erection as deep as the beastmaster's throat would allow."
            "Draith whimpered, then moaned, the sound reverberating pleasantly around Rowan's cock."
            ro "That's more like it."
            "Rowan's breath came out ragged as he shoved the elf's face against his cock, yanking tight on the leash so he couldn't escape."
            "To Draith's credit, he took it all without complaint; each thrust down his wet throat, each smack of the hero's cock and balls against his face, the elf simply stared up at him with wide, eager eyes."
            "Begging for more."
            show cg1082 with sshake
            show cg1082 with sshake
            show cg1082 with flash
            pause 2
            "Rowan pulled out and Draith gasped for air, only to receive a mouthful of cum instead."
            "The hero smirked, admiring each spray of hot cum that pressed onto Draith's tongue and dribbled down his chin. The elf blinked, surprised."
            ro "You look disappointed. Don't worry, I'm not finished with you yet."
            scene cg1083 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1083
            #draith aroused
            show draith happy behind cg1083
            pause 3
            "A brief look of relief flashed across Draith's face before Rowan settled behind him and yanked the leash back."
            dra "Mast--? Ngh!"
            "Draith tossed his head back in pleasure as Rowan drove his cock's full length into the elf's ass."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "You did well convincing me. I suppose I can reward you this once."
            else:
                ro "You did a very good job. Now let me reward you."
            "Rowan's breath tickled against the elf's neck, and another moan escaped his throat as Rowan kept up his quick pace, thrusting more violently with each swing of his hips."
            "Words failed the elf as he struggled to keep up, the leash tight in Rowan's hand as he pulled, pulled, pulled the elf back, forcing him flush against the hero's broad chest."
            dra "Master… Master, M-Master..."
            "Rowan felt his excitement build up once again as Draith whimpered his title again and again. He felt the elf writhe beneath him, ecstasy overcoming the lithe man as cum shot out across the storage room floor."
            "That did not stop Rowan."
            show cg1083 with sshake
            show cg1083 with sshake
            show cg1084 with flash
            pause 3
            "He continued thrusting inside, his panting heavy against the elf's ear until his cock twitched and shuddered, filling the beastmaster's ass with another fresh pile of seed."
            "Draith breathed hard as Rowan's grip on the leash sagged, allowing the elf to collapse on the floor."
            "A small, satisfied part of Rowan nearly laughed; good. Let the beastmaster remember exactly who is in charge, who can make him feel this way."
            "They cleaned up slowly, their movements sluggish with the aftermath of pleasure as they got dressed and snuck out of the storage room."
            "Rowan glanced back at the door as they stepped into the hall. He would definitely be making use of this room again."
            "Without another word, Rowan followed Draith back out to the Khusti's cell, a small smirk playing on his lips."
            "The beast seemed entirely unaware that they'd even left, too preoccupied in the rest of its meal to care about its masters."
            scene bg25 with fade
            show draith neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Let him imagine it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan smirked down at the elf, running his thumb across his pale cheek and upper lip."
            "Draith's breathing hitched, ready to take the thumb into his mouth."
            "Rowan pulled away, much to the elf's disappointment."
            ro "I could show you, but I think I'll let you imagine what I could do instead."
            ro "I expect you to share a {i}thorough{/i} explanation the next time I visit."
            "Draith nodded eagerly, his initial disappointment dissipating as he no doubt imagined the ways Rowan could dominate him into oblivion."
            "There wasn't nearly as much enthusiasm as when Rowan had implied such an act-- right here, right now-- but the elf's imagination would have to suffice."
            "Rowan smirked to himself as he looked within the cage's bars once more."

        "Direct the conversation back to work." if rowan_draith_sex == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I don't see how that pertains to the Khusti's progress, do you?"
            "Rowan raised an eyebrow at him, almost daring for the dark elf to find an explanation. Draith opened his mouth, searching for one, but nothing came."
            "With a disappointed sigh, he took a step back."
            dra "...No, I suppose it doesn't. Just some food for thought, is all."
            "Rowan could still feel the dark elf's eyes on him as he observed the Khusti, but Draith made no further moves to seduce him."

    ro "So, did you ever end up naming the beast?"

    "Draith reluctantly returned his attention to the Khusti abomination."

    dra "Murlock."
    ro "Like the folktale character?"

    "Rowan was surprised to hear the name. Murlock had been a famous myth-- a nightmare, even-- that parents told their children about to get them to behave. Rowan's childhood was no exception, and he too learned at a young age to fear the made-up beast."
    "Looking at the Khusti now, it almost was like looking at the Murlock itself."
    "Draith nodded with a small grin."

    dra "I was told stories of the Rosarian Murlock growing up, but I never feared him. More than anything, I wanted to meet him. The poor creature was misunderstood."
    ro "Misunderstood?"

    "Rowan wasn't sure if 'misunderstood' was the right word for a creature that was supposed to feed on the fear of sentient beings and consume their shadows so their souls would be trapped in limbo instead of moving on to the afterlife, but to each their own."

    dra "Of course. He was just a poor dark elf that had been changed into a nightmarish beast. It's not his fault his mistress mistook his advances and chose to punish him."

    ro "Those aren't quite the stories I remember."
    dra "What's {i}your{/i} Murlock like?"
    ro "The Murlock I was told about was born on the hatred of men."
    dra "That's very different from what I've been told..."

    "Draith paused in consideration."

    dra "I suppose it's a cultural difference. Murlock has a different meaning for us dark elves. He's a warning to little boys; behave, or this is what you will turn into."
    dra "But I've always admired Murlock's abilities after his transformation. Who wouldn't want to feed off of their captor's fear?"

    "The dark elf smiled to himself a little, revealing a part of himself that Rowan was unfamiliar with. The hero felt a mixture of pity and amusement rise inside of him."
    "Draith rarely spoke of his former abuse, but it seemed only natural for him to admire a creature that fed on fear. The beastmaster may be timid, but it was unsurprising that he would take comfort in the monster."
    "The hero chuckled to himself, shaking his head."
    "The dark elf gave Rowan a curious look, as if the hero's reaction bothered him."
    "But the look was gone as quickly as it came, and Draith was careful to keep his expression neutral as he tidied up the rest of the meat."
    "Murlock whined and pawed at the bars with his giant padded feet, but Draith did not give in."

    ro "Did you base the experiment around the stories?"

    "It was easy to see where Draith's inspiration came from now that Rowan thought about it-- so many of the stories described the Murlock as sharp-toothed and heavily armored. The Khusti's hefty build paired with whatever else Draith threw in fulfilled that expectation."

    dra "I did."
    ro "You know, I remember it being able to turn invisible. Can your creature do that?"

    "Draith hesitated. He looked between the beast and Rowan, then let out a sad sigh."

    dra "No, he can't do that-- but not for a lack of trying. There were too many risks, high infection rates, incompatible blood cells… It could have been a disaster."
    dra "He's like the real Murlock in appearance only, I'm afraid."
    ro "Oh. That's too bad."

    "Murlock paced in the cage before plopping down lazily on its side, obviously disgruntled with its sudden lack of food. It watched Draith as the dark elf carried the food away and placed it into storage, out of sight from the Khusti."

    ro "At least Andras will be pleased that the creature is almost ready."
    ro "I think we should give it a test run before we put it to actual use."
    dra "A test run?"
    ro "Just something to get it interacting with the kind of environment it'll be fighting in. We don't want Murlock to be overwhelmed."
    ro "You should start exposing it to allies now so it doesn't accidentally attack us instead. We'll want Murlock to be fitted and ready for battle when the time comes."
    dra "Yes, I suppose that makes sense."
    ro "Besides, Jezera has a visitor coming. They want to see the beast, so we should make sure it's on its best behavior."
    dra "A visitor? What kind of visitor?"

    "His voice took on a cautious edge."

    ro "Someone that could possibly help fund the war, from what I've heard. But they want to see what they're funding before they agree to it. I think that's pretty reasonable, don't you?"
    dra "Mm.."

    "Draith looked back at the cage and the Khusti within it. Rowan wondered if Draith regretted the idea of creating a creature bred for battle. There was no guarantee the Khusti would survive, after all, no matter how many advantages Draith gave him."
    "The best thing they could do to ensure victory was to be prepared."

    ro "Let's set up a practice battle. I'll round up a few soldiers, we can go outside of the castle for a while-- you look like you could use some sun anyhow."

    "Rowan was pleased to find his joke eased some of the tension on Draith's face. The dark elf smiled bashfully, his grin half-hidden under his floppy white hair."

    dra "If I stay in the sun too long, you'll fail to recognize me."
    ro "Then let's just hope Murlock does-- the last thing we need is him to forget who its friends are."

    "Draith glanced back at Murlock and gave a firm nod."

    dra "I'll start to introduce him to the other monsters, then. I suppose I'll take him outside once in a while, too, if I manage to get enough soldiers to guard him."
    dra "I doubt Andras will be happy if he takes a large bite out of our army. Even if they deserve it."

    "Draith grumbled the last bit under his breath, no doubt still holding onto his feud with the orcish soldiers. Rowan still wasn't sure what started that fight, but they seemed equally tolerable of each other ever since Draith arrived to Bloodmeen."

    ro "I'll make preparations for the mock battle, then. Murlock should have some fun with it, don't you think, Murlock?"

    "The beast snorted and rolled over, batting its heavy eyelids as it prepared for sleep."
    "Rowan hoped the Khusti would show more action on the battlefield."

    dra "Make your preparations, then. I'll work on getting Murlock used to… well, people, I suppose."
    ro "Good. Let me know if there are any problems."

    show rowan at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    hide draith with dissolve

    "Rowan bid Draith farewell with a wave and began to leave the pits."
    "As he passed by several cages, however, he noticed that many of the creatures inside were in varying states of slumber, their tired behavior growing weaker the further he walked away from Murlock."

    ro "That's odd. Usually the creatures are active around this time."

    "He glanced back at Draith and the Khusti, neither of which seemed to notice him any longer."
    "Shrugging it off, Rowan stepped out of the pits and back into the havoc of Bloodmeen. His report should placate the twins, for the moment."

    # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_40.rpy
label goblin_twin_double_rp:

    $ week = 100

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "There was a knock at the door."

    ro "Enter."

    "A maid entered the room, then gave a short curtsey. She was followed by four more, two carrying a trunk, the third a wooden stand, and the final one held a single tall stool."

    maid "Mistress has sent us to prepare for the lady's fitting."

    ro " In my office?"
    maid "Yes, mistress insisted."

    "Well it certainly was not unusual for Jezera to impose... frequently. The demoness bastard herself would insist that he stay here while this went on too, not that Rowan really wanted to move everything out to keep working anyway."

    if week > 24:
        "Liurial would be gone for most of the day and he had a lot to do in her absence."

    ro "Very well, get to it."

    "They placed their burdens in the center of the room, then extracted a large noblewoman's dress from the trunk. It was a Rosarian style, the sort of attire typically worn by ladies to balls or weddings."
    "They put the entire affair on the rack, lined up for a group bow, and took their leave. It had not even been two minutes since the first had entered."

    ro "Guess the lady will be by later then."
    ro "(I should keep working while I still can.)"

    scene black with fade
    pause 2

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Perhaps an hour later Rowan became aware in the back of his mind that there were a lot of excited women chatting outside his office. It wasn't enough to draw his attention away from his work until the door suddenly opened and Jezera surrounded by three goblin women piled inside."

    show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
    show clamin happy at edgeleft with moveinleft

    je "Wonderful, it would seem everything is in order for you. What do you think, my lady?"

    "Rowan watched the goblins circle around the dress for a moment before speaking up. Cla-Min was unmistakable, the other two were her sisters Cla-Tre and Cla-Owi. He recognized the twins from the dinner."

    ro "After the staff came by I wasn't expecting a business deal like this."

    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    je "Rowan! You insult us! This is no deal, it is a gift for our new noble lady Cla-Min."

    show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve

    "He could only stare on incredulously. A dress like that? Evidently he wasn't the only one."

    clatre "This is what we have to work with?!"
    claowi "Empress, I wouldn't call this a 'little' adjustment."

    "However, the one who was receiving the gift had a very different reaction."

    cla "Thank you so much your majesty, it's beautiful!"

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera beamed then surveyed the room with a triumphant grin on her face."

    je "I'm so happy to hear, you, like my gift. Please make use of this room for your tailoring needs until you have finished your adjustments. If you need any supplies or tools, do not hesitate to ask Rowan and he'll get what you need."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    "Without another word the half-demon slipped back out the door and closed it behind her."

    clatre "This is going to take days! You know how much work we'll lose in that time?"
    claowi "Sis, what is wrong with you?"
    cla "Don't be like that girls."

    hide clamin with dissolve

    "Ignoring the other goblins, Cla-Min promptly stripped her clothes off then and there and clambered up onto the stool with an expectant look on her face."

    show clamin happy behind bg6

    cla "Let's get to work. The sooner you start, the sooner we finish."

    "The twins exchanged a double take of the dress, Min on the stool, each other, and finally eyed up Rowan. A few whispers were exchanged before they saddled up to the man. Together they looked up at him, Owi doing her best doe eyes while Tre licked her lips seductively."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "(Uh oh, what do you want with me?)"
    clatre "We could really use your help here, big hero."
    claowi "Yeah, sis is in one of her moods."

    "The two kept their voices low, while they stood on either side of his chair."

    clatre "There's no way two short girls like us can work on that dress alone."
    claowi "You're a nice tall man who could. And we'd owe you a big favour if you help out."

    "The two pressed in against him, while puffing their sizable chests out."

    clatre "A big big double double favour!"
    claowi "Oh! Yeah, yes. We do the best chestwork."

    menu:
        "Take up their offer of a 'favour'. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump goblinDressFitting_rp

        "Help them find some stepladders.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I have a better idea."
            scene black with fade
            pause 1
            scene bg6 with fade
            show clamin happy behind bg6
            clatre "Fourteen."
            claowi "Okay, that's half the other side."
            clatre "Good."
            "Rowan mostly tuned them out as he kept working, only occasionally being distracted by the often naked woman receiving measurements and trying out various parts of her new dress in front of him."
            "Her younger sisters fussed about her dutifully on the stepladders that Rowan had found for them. They were slightly disappointed he hadn't decided to help them personally, but Rowan had a lot of work to do and this way he'd get it done even after his office takeover."
            cla "You'd think it wouldn't be so tight when you're half the dress size. Hey Rowan, does this push my breasts up too much?"
            "Get most of the work done anyway."
            return

    label goblinDressFitting_rp:

        scene cg1085 with fade
        pause 1
        show cg1086 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1087 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1088 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1089 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1089
        show clamin neutral behind cg1089

        "Rowan put his papers down and stood up."

        ro "Alright, what do you need me to do?"

        "The two squealed slightly in excitement and wrapped their arms around his waist."

        clatre "Thank you so much!"
        claowi "Yes, thank you!"
        cla "What are you two doing, hurry up already!"
        claowi "Coming sis!"

        "While one sister ran off, the other lingered just a second longer to give a smoldering smile and wink."

        clatre "Don't worry big guy, you won't regret this."

        "Rowan wasn't sure if he was already regretting this or not."

        claowi "Now elbow height. Lift your arm Cla-Min."
        clatre "And Rowan you lay that attachment, yes up there. Now put the tape next to it."
        ro "Here?"
        clatre "No, up a bit."
        ro "Right."

        "They'd been at it for awhile now.  Measuring and marking all sorts of different parts of the dress so it could be refitted for Cla-Min."
        "The routine was first to put the dress on, adjusting the oversized thing to where it would properly fit, then use the measuring tape to figure out how much material needed to be removed. Finally put some pins in to mark things and move on to the next part. There was a lot to do."
        "On the other hand, most of the time Cla-Min's chest was totally exposed right in front of his face."

        cla "Steady there. Here, lean against me."

        "Not only were none of the goblins troubled by the lack of personal space, they actively looked for opportunities to press against Rowan while he worked. By human standards all three sisters were very well endowed."

        ro "(How big are goblins on average?)"

        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve

        "There was a sudden sharp prick in his backside!"

        ro "Ow!"

        "Cla-Tre winked at him and held up one of her long needles, which he took."

        clatre "Don't get too distracted, big guy, we do actually want to finish here."
        claowi "Five centimeters in from the elbow."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "Okay."

        "He put the pin in and Cla-Owi checked the tape one more time."

        claowi "Great. Next the cuff."

        "Rowan sighed slightly and started messing around with the sleeve with Cla-Min to get the wrist onto her wrist. A pair of mounds that were growing rather familiar pressed right against his groin. Soft whispering came up from the site."

        clatre "Hey, remember there's an extra special double double favor coming at the end. We'll get through this."

        "She flicked her pink hair over her shoulder and pressed her breasts even harder against his trousers with an eager grin."

        cla "Cla-Tre! Stop flirting with Rowan for one damn minute so we can sort out this sleeve!"

        "Tre jerked back in surprise and looked over at her older sister impishly, then pointedly took a step away from Rowan. For all the world Cla-Min looked like a schoolteacher reprimanding a misbehaving student."

        clatre "Sorry Cla-Min."

        "Just before returning to work, Rowan noticed that the third sister was barely suppressing laughter."

        scene black with fade
        pause 2
        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        show clamin happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Ultimately things went fairly smoothly and Rowan hardly noticed the passage of time. He was a bit surprised when Cla-Owi announced that they'd finished."

        cla "Thank you so much for your help Rowan. I can't wait until you get to see me in the finished dress."
        ro "So you're not going to keep using my office for the tailoring?"
        clatre "No, it'll be a lot easier if we take the dress back to our wagon."
        claowi "There's a lot more there we'd have to bring in to do the work here."

        "It was a few minutes after they'd taken the last measurement. Everything was back on the stand and Cla-Min had put her regular clothes back on."

        cla "There won't be any problems, right girls?"
        clatre "Mostly no."
        cla "Mostly?"

        claowi "Well the chest..."

        show clamin annoyed at midleft with dissolve

        "A dark look crossed the goblin's face."

        cla "Yes, the one thing that's way too tight."
        claowi "We can take material out no problem but adding it in... not so much."
        cla "If only we could move some of that around. Ugh, well if I have to bear it I will."
        clatre "Actually we could take the chest out."
        ro "Wait, take it out? As in, no chest at all?"

        clatre "Totally! Goblins go barechested all the time, it wouldn't be odd at all!"

        "On queue, the twins popped their breasts out of their tops and hopped once together."

        ro "I don't think that would go over well in most noble parties I've seen."

        "Owi blushed a deep green as she fixed her blouse, but Tre remained upbeat and pleased with herself."

        cla "Nor is it true. Tell me what you're actually thinking Tre."

        "Tre stuck her tongue at her sister, however the matriarch was back and she was not in the mood to put up with nonsense. The troublemaker heaved an exaggerated sigh as she pulled her top back up, then apologized."

        clatre "Sorry. I was thinking that we could take the chest out and replace it with material from somewhere else."
        claowi "Uh, Tre, none of these cuts are going to be enough for that."
        clatre "We're cutting from two sleeves, we can stitch those together without it looking terrible."
        claowi "Hmm. Yeah, that might work."

        show clamin happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Cla-Min clapped her hands together."

        cla "Excellent, then problem solved. I believe that's everything we needed here. Thank you very much for letting us use you and your office Rowan. We'll get everything cleaned out and discuss compensation for service and space."
        claowi "You shouldn't trouble yourself Cla-Min."
        clatre "Yeah, we'll take care of everything, you get back to the caravan. I think... "

        "The twins exchanged a look."

        claowi "Bow?"
        clatre "Yeah, Bow said he wanted you back as soon as you were done."
        claowi "We don't need you here anymore, so we'll take care of cleanup and repaying Rowan while you help Bow at the caravan."

        "Cla-Min's expression didn't change an inch. Though her next sentence did come far more dragged out."

        cla "Very well. I'll leave Rowan in your 'very' capable hands."

        hide clamin with moveoutleft

        "She nodded once to Rowan and left the room."
        "No sooner had Cla-Min left the room and Cla-Tre was straight back to her seductress ways. She threw her arms around Rowan's waist and rubbed her face against him, urging a little excitement."

        clatre "Thank you sooo much for your help, you big sneaky sexy man."

        "Only a beat behind her sister, Cla-Owi wrapped her arms around Rowan's back and rested her head in the small of his back."

        claowi "So good, so nice."

        "Both of them pressed their breasts hard against Rowan's legs."

        claowi "We promised you a big double double favor, now it's time to pay it! Ready, Owi?"
        clatre "Ready, Tre."

        scene cg1090 with fade
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1090
        pause 3

        "Rather than pulling their tops down, the two sisters lifted them up.  Slowly pulling the cloth up and over their heads to let their breasts drop with a satisfying bounce to them."
        "Rowan smiled in approval and started working at his belt, only to be stopped by Owi."

        claowi "Don't trouble yourself, let us take care of you."

        ro "Hmm, well I think I can leave myself in your 'very' capable hands for now."

        "Rowan sat back on the dress trunk to let the girls work. They busied themselves first with his shoes, taking them off fast and efficiently. Then giving both feet a firm rub. It was obvious they were good with their fingers."
        "Next came the belt and peeling down his pants. It didn't take long, but even if it had Rowan had plenty of entertainment in the form of ogling the two topless women before him."
        "Tre took full advantage of the gawking and pressed herself against him with every opportunity. On the other hand Owi had developed quite the deep blush and squirmed a bit under his gaze. Rowan used a finger to lift her chin and meet his gaze so he could give her a reassuring smile."
        "Her eyes darted in all directions, but kept coming back to his."

        clatre "Looks like someone's enjoying this."
        claowi "Tre, please don't tease me."

        "The show was effective. By the time they had fully depantsed Rowan he was rock hard and ready for their attention. Both kneeled down on either side of him and pressed their breasts together with their arms to push them forwards."
        "Then they leaned in and wrapped him up in their tit-flesh. It felt amazing having these two around him. Even better when they started rocking forwards and back. As they started to get into it Rowan leaned backwards and relaxed into their motions."

        claowi "Hah, yes."
        ro "Isn't that my line? Hnn..."

        "Owi's blush deepened even more and she bit her lip to stifle further comment. On the other hand Tre was all smiles as she leered at Rowan."

        clatre "Cla tits are the best, aren't they? Definitely worth the trouble we put you through, I bet."
        ro "Your family certainly is blessed. You've got most human women beat when it comes to size."

        "She winked at him and used a finger to draw circles about the glans sticking out of her green flesh."

        clatre "Enjoy, you earned it."
        claowi "Uh huh."

        "Tre was knocked slightly off balance when her sister started pushing forwards harder, but quickly moved to match the movements. The sensations on Rowan's member were doubled and he groaned appreciatively."

        ro "Well you two are doing a good job at making it enjoyable. How often do you give double double favors?"

        "The two glanced at one another and Rowan realized what he'd just said."

        ro "You know what, never-"
        claowi "Just you, actually."
        clatre " You're special. You're Rowan, the hero!"
        claowi "The man who'll join the clan..."

        "That again."

        ro "I haven't heard of humans joining goblin clans before, are double favors part of the process?"
        claowi "Yes!  Yes!  So many double double favors when you join our clan, right Tre?"

        "This time it was Tre's turn to be caught off guard."

        clatre "Of... course?"

        "Rowan was about to say something else, but decided not to and just enjoy the sensation of bouncing and rolling around the bountiful breasts before him. It hadn't been a lie. They really were good at 'chestwork'."
        "However, now he was approaching his peak."
        "There was no relaxing anymore, no holding back. He put a hand on either shoulder of the twins and started bucking his hips against their movements. The change was obvious to them. Owi rocked harder as Tre planted a wet kiss on his member."

        #cum var
        show cg1091 with sshake
        show cg1091 with sshake
        scene cg1092 with flash
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1092
        pause 3

        "A moment later a shudder ran through the sisters as he erupted over their combined tits. Tre pulled her head back but kept her breasts firmly against her sisters."
        "Owi didn't, and got some of Rowan's seed on her head. The rest covered their joined chests, with the shaft kept firmly between."

        ro "Hah, amazing. I definitely enjoyed that. Your hands and chests make compelling arguments for giving favours."
        claowi "Thank you so much! I practice a lot when I'm... uh..."

        "Once more Owi looked away in embarrassment and busied herself with cleaning off her face."

        clatre "Good to know. If we need any help with more big jobs, we know just who we can hire with our double double favour!"
        ro "Depends on the job."

        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan started redressing himself while the sisters cleaned themselves off.  He stood up and glanced down at the chest he'd been sitting on.  It had taken two human maids to bring that in here."

        ro "Do you need a hand with this? It might be a bit big for you two. No favour needed."
        claowi "Oh don't trouble yourself, we can-"
        clatre "No Owi, we aren't bringing that all the way to the wagon on our own."
        claowi "But... but..."

        "She stumbled at her words for a moment, but couldn't seem to come up with an actual objection."

        scene bg19 with fade

        "A few minutes later the three of them had hauled the chest with the dress in it to the goblin wagons. It was quite manageable between the three of them, but Rowan was surprised at how much trouble Owi seemed to be having."
        "When they got to the wagon and put the chest in, he saw his answer. While pushing their burden further in, Rowan got a good view of both sister's backsides. Turns out Owi was rather wet downstairs after their double favour."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "(Well that's interesting.)"

        # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 6.rpy
label the_entertainers_dance_rp:

    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia Corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg21 with fade

    "Alexia watched the beetle crawling across the windowsill. Once, part of her might have felt revolted by the tiny creature, with its outer shell of ugly gray-green. But now she simply stared."
    "The creature waddled a little farther before its dark-jade wings lifted and it buzzed off. It had its own little adventure to go on. And Alexia? She had a tavern to work."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Gods, it’s slow this evening. "

    "She turned away from the windowsill, letting her hand stroke along a few bottles that had been delivered a few days ago."
    "Alexia's bored contemplations were interrupted by the sound of the tavern's heavy door creaking open."

    #ind happy
    show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

    ind "Welcome to my tavern travelers, rest your feet and tell us your tales…"

    "Alexia glanced over and saw it wasn’t a single newcomer, but a whole group. The men, looking a bit worse for wear, all seemed eager to take a break from the desolate wastes outside the tavern’s walls."
    "The men were well-dressed, though their presentation was dampened slightly thanks to a layer of dust on their clothes. That said, they were easily a cut above any customers they’d had over the week."
    "A man in lead tipped his hat to Alexia. But, the others walked right to Indarah. At first, Alexia was on guard. This could be troublesome. But, Indarah hardly seemed distrubed. She gave the men a hearty laugh and offered them a drink."

    al "(I wonder if they know her…) "

    "Indarah signaled for Alexia to go sweep the floor. But, she was too curious not to spy on what was going on at the counter. Indarah and the man in lead whispered among themselves, while the others waited at the side."
    "Finally, Indarah broke into a smile and gave the man a handshake. But, her hand lingered for a second, brushing against his wrist. Alexia leaned forward slightly."
    "With whatever negotiations concluded, Indarah ushered the men back to the door into the employee’s only chamber. Alexia had never seen any patrons allowed back there before."

    ind "My dear, you’ve been a great help this week. But tonight, I release you early.  Travel home, my sweet friend. Just lock the door behind you on the way out. "

    "Alexia’s eyes sparkled curiosity as they shifted between her boss and the mysterious group of men."

    al "Those men. Who are they? What do they want from you?"

    "Indarah reacted to her worried tone with a playful laugh and a soothing pat on the shoulder."

    ind "It’s nothing to worry about. Nothing dangerous."

    "Alexia still felt like something was off. She pursed her lips and did not budge from her spot behind the bar."

    ind "Fine, little miss nosey. If you really {i}must{/i} know, those gentlemen are customers. From Qerazel. They’ve been on a long, hard road and word reached their ears about my… dancing finesse."

    "From the silky tone of her voice, Alexia was having a hard time deciphering if Indarah was trying to be reassuring...or trying to {i}brag{/i}."

    al "So, they stopped by to watch you dance?"
    ind  "And pay me a very generous chunk of coin for my time.  If we’re in for more miserable weeks like this one, it’s good to have the only paying customers be willing to throw down for more than ales."
    al "You… you’d really just dance for strangers for coin?"
    ind "Is a stranger’s coin so different from a friend’s once it’s in your hands?"

    "She smirked. Her hands ran softly through her long dark curls."

    ind "I almost offered to do it for free, just for old time’s sake. No one here asks me to dance. Too many barely offer more than a grunt and a leer."
    ind "It will be my to actually entertain. Not serve drinks. Not sweep up a mess. But, ply my own skills."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "Still Indarah…I know part of the job is to be pretty. There’s a reason they don’t send guys down to work the shift. But, I don’t know how you could stand being looked at that way. It’s indecent."
        ind "Didn’t you tell me you used to be a dancer?"
        al "Back in the village, yeah. But, we were always covered up when we did that. Dresses and layers and everything."
        "Indarah smiled at her."
        ind "Well, you never know till you try."
        "The adventurous woman stroked a strand of Alexia’s fiery hair back behind her ear."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        al "Just a dance? That’s all?"
        ind "What do you mean?"
        al "I mean you’re already preparing them a meal, why not offer them dessert and double your money."
        ind "I’ve played the harlot enough times in my life."
        "After a pause, Indarah tapped her painted nails against the smooth wood of the bar. A thin grin cracked across the mostly smooth features of the older woman."
        ind "Besides, you know the story. Woman buys a bar with some demons, people expect her to keep things a little respectable, right?"
        "Alexia laughed at that."

    else:
        al "I guess if you’re okay with it, then I shouldn’t complain. It’s not like I’m an angel anyway. At least not anymore. Still, what if the men aren’t trustworthy?"
        "Her lively eyes sparkled at Alexia."
        ind "Come on Alexia. Even if things get a little wild, I know how to take care of myself. And remember, a little anarchy now and then keeps the heart robust."
        "Alexia smiled at that; not entirely sure the woman didn’t have a point."

    menu:
        "Leave early.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia decided that she would rather call it a night after Indarah gave her the opening. She gave the other woman a sweet smile."
            al "I think, all things considered, it’s better if I take you up on your offer.  Have a uh… great time dancing."
            "Indarah gave her a big grin and stretched her arms up and over her head. Her mind must have already elsewhere."
            ind "Safe travels then, Alexia. I’ll give you all the juicy details later."
            scene black with fade
            show alexia barmaid neutral behind black
            "With that, Alexia left the Tavern behind and returned to Castle Bloodmeen. On her way home, a nagging part of her brain second-guessed her decision. It wondered what the performance would look like...how far would Indarah go? "
            al "(It’s better this way. Whatever Indarah gets up to her in her free time is none of my business....)"
            return

        "Sit in on Indarah’s dance. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump indarahsDance_rp

    label indarahsDance_rp:

        al "I suppose there’s no harm in staying. Since you offered…"

        "Indarah ushered Alexia into a storeroom, all the while shooting her grins like a co-conspirator. They grabbed a golden pole and a divider to partition the main room while Indarah prepared herself. "

        ind "Thank you, Alexia. Now please, go and dim all but… uh…"

        "Indarah’s quick-moving eyes picked out a few candles in various positions. Then, she pointed them out to her companion."

        ind "Yes. All of them but those. It’s going to look perfect. Well… as perfect as can be."

        "Alexia set off to her assignment. Once she put out the candles, she moved to the other side of the divider."
        "In the dimly lit room, all of them men became more like a pack of watching shadows. They watched and waited. Some with coins in hand. Others simply training their gazes on the center of the stage."

        ftrav "The wind may not be with us these last couple of days. But at least Jaluffy Marrow smiles on us with this woman."
        strav "Sharp mind. Let him smile more though, my mother will curse my bones from Blue Claw Isle if I die so far from the waves."
        ttrav "Hey, small up yuhself. I need da room."

        "Alexia’s turned back to check in on Indarah. She found her in the back room, fully ready. But, instead of going on, she took a moment to breathe and soak in the excitement of the unseen men."
        "Finally, Indarah gave the signal. Alexia suddenly heard the strum of a small string instrument. She looked back, puzzled because she did not recall seeing one earlier."

        ind "Hey. Psss. Alexia. Come on! I’m all rigged up here. What’s the drag?"

        al "Oh! Sorry."

        scene cg1093 with fade
        pause 3

        "Alexia pulled the divider to one side for the grand reveal. Indarah looked amazing. Her body seemed to glow and her metal looked freshly polished. She slowly stretched out her arms, leaning her entire body forward. Alexia inhaled quietly at the splendid sight."
        "Indarah spun her body in a lazy circle. Her lovely legs always appeared to be moving. The red, blue, and gold of her dress made for a mesmerizing display as she darted here and there. The speedy tempo from the unseen instrument carried her body through her steps."
        "As quick and graceful as Indarah had moved earlier, Alexia gasped in surprise as the dusky woman's movements became, more abrupt, jankier even. Sometimes, the image of lightning striking the ground came to mind while she watched Indarah’s sudden jerky motions."
        "Amidst these sharp hand flourishes, spanks of her hip, and bending of her upper half, Indarah turned around and pulled at the white strips securing the top of her dress. The woman seemed perfectly at home dancing for a crowd. But she did have a little trouble undoing the knot."
        "Things got just awkward enough to the point where Alexia felt she should tell a joke, even a bad one just to keep the energy up. Finally, Indarah freed her lovely plump chests from their billowy confines. With that, Alexia could see on her face that she was done playing things slowly."

        scene cg1094 with fade
        pause 3

        "Pulling out a dagger, she spun around, cradling the blade carefully against her oiled flesh. The group let out excited calls and breaths. Alexia thought that Indarah was going to do a balancing trick, or juggle the knife. Instead, she just used the blade to cut herself free."
        "Now, with Indarah’s top half completely exposed, Alexia was not surprised when the dance got raunchier and raunchier. Indarah tossed the cut garment out into the center of the men. They all gave a rowdy cheer. Coins began falling into the bustier while Indarah struck a pose."
        "With her bust now clearly exposed, Indarah turned her attention to the pole and continued her sensuous performance. Alexia expected some daring feats of flexibility, but the most that Indarah did was hop towards the pole, swaddling it with her legs while she shook her frame."

        scene cg1095 with fade
        pause 3
        show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg1095

        "The innkeeper used one hand to hold the pole and the other squeezed her bare breast against the smooth golden surface."

        al "(Wow…)"

        "The dance continued to be more than a little perverted by some standards. Alexia had only ever danced with Rowan and a few times at village festivals. She’d joined girls around a maypole, and they’d all laugh and giggle and stare up into the calm blue sky."
        "That girl, and those moments, seemed like a lifetime ago. Her lips frowned slightly, pondering if she’d ever dance so freely as Indarah was capable of."

        al "(Maybe… maybe one day.)"

        scene bg21 with fade

        #ind happy
        show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Finally, Indarah’s first dance finished. The men all cheered, and Alexia found herself joining in their applause. Strange and naughty as Indarah’s dancing had been, it had easily become the high point of her week. The men left in the morning, each kissing Indarah on the hand."

        ind "You’re too kind. Please… pass word to any other bands from the east that you meet."

        "Indarah moved to personally say goodbye to each of the travelers. Once they were gone, she moved over to Indarah. The older woman positively beamed."

        show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with moveinleft

        al "(Indarah looks like she’s walking on clouds…)"

        menu:
            "Alexia is too shy to ask Indarah about her dancing.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ind "Please Alexia. Tell me what’s on your tongue."
                "After a brief pause, Alexia shook her head."
                al "Sorry, I mean it’s nothing Indarah. I… I’m going to Bloodmeen now. I… I will see you next time."
                ind "Of course. If this dancing takes off, I’ll need my assistant after all."
                scene black with fade
                "Blushing, Alexia headed out of the tavern. She felt anxiety brushing down her back like tiny drops of water. Thoughts tugged in the back of her mind, wanting her to return to the Tavern and speak more with Indarah about the woman’s performance."
                "But in the end, her shyness had gotten the better of the young woman, and she made a hasty retreat back to Castle Bloodmeen."
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                return

            "Alexia asks Indarah where she learned to move like… that.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                al "Indarah. I have to ask. Where did you learn to dance? I’ve never seen… that sort of style before."
                "Indarah looked a little bit embarrassed for a moment."
                ind "It was terrible, wasn’t it? I knew I should have kept up my practice."
                "She chewed on her lip."
                ind "You don’t think… they weren’t just leading me by the nose last night, were they?"
                al "No… I don’t think so. They seemed to really enjoy themselves. You have nothing to worry about."
                ind "Lovely."
                "Indarah bounced her shoulders excitedly and then went to the bar, pulled down a bottle, and poured two glasses of dark rum for the pair of them."
                ind "Well, back home, I tried just about everything to make money. Some things were exhilarating, some things were dangerous, some things were boring, and some things were terrible."
                ind "Hmm. I might have to write a song about it one day, come to think of it. Indarah’s Impossible… Hmmm."
                ind "Anyhow, after slinging ale for years, I figured, why not try a little dancing."
                "The woman’s casual attitude about stripping her clothes off for strangers still seemed so foreign to Alexia."
                ind "I naturally have the perfect body for it, and it was far less boring than rushing back and forth between tables like a rat chasing the last chunk of cheese on a ship."
                "Indarah smiled, obviously lost in a treasured memory she had not unearthed in some time."
                ind "I still remember my last dance in Dragon’s Tail. It was on Kraken’s Tongue Island. I lathered myself up in oils and wore this… oh this crimson silk sash that you’d never forget."
                "She her eyes and sighed excitedly, brushing her hands along the outer curve of her elbows."
                ind "The Pepper Lord was so engaged with the movement of my body that the fat sod nearly tumbled right out of his golden chair."
                ind "And when I removed my panties and commenced my second act, he nearly choked on a roasted parrot. "
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    al "Yes… I’m sure that would have been quite… scandalous when you did it."
                    "Alexia never imagined her or any of the girls she used to dance with doing something so brazen."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                    al "I am surprised that is {i}all{/i} you did. The Pepper Lord sounds like an important man, and you had him under your thumb. You could have turned him into your slave!"
                    ind "I thought I did too. I felt so close to my goal, like he was one breath away from giving me the gift I wanted. The gift everyone said I’d never get."
                    al "What happened?"
                    "The tavernkeeper let out a heavy sigh."
                    ind "All the oil and sweat on my body must have smelled great or something. Suddenly the slob’s mind changed from entertainment to food. Just like that."
                    "Indarah snapped her fingers sharply."
                    ind "I think, in all the times I’ve been kicked and punched when things got a little rocky, that one hurt the most. I gave it my all and still didn’t get what I wanted..."
                    al "Well, at least you’ve finally come out on top."
                    ind "I guess. Maybe a little further from home than I ever imagined."
                    "She said with a rare, sad smile. It passed quickly."
                else:
                    al "It must have been… very liberating for you. I’m not sure… I could do something like that."
                    ind "Sure, you could. Half the time, the ropes or waves holding us back end up just being our own bad spirits, Alexia."
                    "Indarah opened her hand towards her helper."
                    ind "If you want to do something, you should just {i}do{/i} it. Simple as you like."
                    al "Hmmm."
                ind "You know… if you’re interested, I could always teach you some of my moves down the line. The two of us could even make a double-act."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    al "..."
                else:
                    al "What? Really?"
                ind "Let’s not discuss it now, my friend. There will be other chances. And it is late."
                al "I suppose it is."
                scene black with fade
                show alexia barmaid neutral behind black
                "As she made her trip back to Bloodmeen, she could think of little else besides Indarah’s brazen performance."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    al "(I could never do something like that.)"
                    al "(...Right?)"
                else:
                    al "(It definitely might help make those quiet nights a little more thrilling.)"
                    al "(...But, what would Rowan think?)"
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 6)
                return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_44.rpy
label liurials_visitors_rp:

    "Is Rowan dominant over Liural? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1":
            $ elfDom = True
        "No - Scene 2":
            $ elfDom = False

    $ elfSex = True
    $ rowanDeception = 10
    $ week = 100
    $ alexiaJezObedient = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan made his way up from the darkness. At Jezera’s request, he’d spent the entirety of the morning exploring unused cellars and catacombs. A great many had not been in use for centuries. Suffice to say, the number of skeletons he’d found had been disconcerting."
    "But, the task was interrupted when he found an Orc courier waiting for him on the staircase."

    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    os "Humi Rowan? Elf gurl said to give you dis."

    "Rowan opened a tiny note. In Liurial’s impeccable handwriting, it said: {i}Apologies M’lord, but I need you urgently. Please, save me{/i}."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Was there anything happening in the Throne Room when she gave this to you?"
    os "Uhhh….Da Mistress was der. Da Pretty purple one."

    hide rowan with moveoutright

    "Before the orc even finished the sentence, Rowan was rushing down the hallway."

    scene bg6 with fade

    "He crept into the throne room and moved briskly to the entryway of the little alcove where he and Liurial had set up their office."

    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    #show liurial concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He found Jezera sitting provocatively on Liurial’s desk, legs crossed and cleavage leaning forward to hang at Liurial’s eye level. Rowan’s poor secretary was leaning as far in the opposite direction as her chair would allow, hands gripping the armrests as if a typhoon were trying to blow her away."

    je "...And you would be very warmly received if you went with me, sweet morsel. I have the ability to disguise your form if need be…"
    liur "That is truly generous of you Mistress. But, that isn’t a decision I should be part of. You should speak to Rowan and decide amongst yourselves. "
    je "Come now, Sweet Morsel. I’m merely suggesting a quick visit home. Surely you’re not-"

    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg6

    ro "{i}Cough cough{/i}."

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    ro "Jezera. It’s so rare to see you actually concerning yourself with the castle administration. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

    show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Liurial’s face lit up. Jezera turned back with a frown."

    liur "M’Lord!"
    je "Ah. Rowan, I believe your instructions today were to examine the catacombs. Surely you haven’t finished such a large task so soon."
    ro "My Lady Jezera, you forget that today is review day for the weekly casualty reports. It’s of great importance I take a break from the catacombs and work through that with Liurial."
    je "{i}Funny{/i}. She hadn’t mentioned that to me."

    "The demoness hopped back to her feet with a sigh. Her fingers glided over the table, stopping to toy with the brim of Liurial’s discarded hat. Then they slipped away. Rowan, however, had been tracking her movement with a watchful eye. She’d lingered on the hat suspiciously long. "

    je "Since you have such pressing work, it would be rude for me to disturb you further. I will simply be on my way."
    je "Oh, and Rowan you don’t have to worry about the catacombs exploration anymore right now. Just write a report on what you found and get back on it… {i}whenever{/i}."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    "Jezera sashayed out of the alcove in her usual way, giving a playful little wave of her hand on the way out. The moment she vanished, Liurial let out the largest sigh of her life."

    liur "Oh, Rowan. You arrived at-"

    "As she spoke, she reached for her hat to return it to her head. But, Rowan rushed forward and stopped her. He reached inside, feeling around until he found a small golden hairpin with a blue jewel on it."

    ro "Is this yours?"
    liur "Hmmm. No. I don’t believe I’ve seen it before. Why-"

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Rowan turned on his heels and rushed back to catch up to Jezera."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I believe you dropped this. A listening device, perhaps?"

    "He held up the hairpin."

    je "I don’t recall having seen that before."
    ro "Yet, Liurial doesn’t either."

    "Jezera silently took the hairpin from his hand and stashed it away."

    ro "We had a deal, Jezera. I firmly recall receiving a personal assurance from you that you’d let me have her? Why are you trying to seduce my secretary?"

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "Me? Break my word? What a scandalous accusation. "
    je "I was simply trying to help the poor girl, that’s all. I was working up to a suggestion of an incognito visit to her old homeland. But, what do I get for my generosity? You insult me. And nothing but wringing of hands from her."
    je "{i}Oh, Rowan wouldn’t approve. Oh, you should ask Rowan.{/i}"

    "Jezera said the words in a pitch perfect match of Liurial’s voice and speech patterns. She had the trained mimicry skills of a shapeshifter. Rowan frowned."

    ro "You know I’m smarter than this. Why even let me have her if you were going to turn around and shove your tits in her face a few months later? Why the extra work?"

    #jez smirk

    "She gave a dignified uptilt of her chin."

    je "Shove my tits in her face? How vulgar. I told you before Rowan, my motives were entirely benevolent."
    je "..."
    je "Still, I will admit I was curious. Had the time finally come where that wanton little thing had found you a disappointment? I was certain she’d have grown bored of you by now."

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s hand tightened into a fist."

    ro "So that was the plan all along? Just wait until she comes running to you?"
    je "Oh Rowan, if I had a scheme here, it would already have worked. Simply a statement of {i}reality{/i}. Some boys and girls really just want a Master or Mistress to follow. And you’re just not...Master material."
    ro "If it’s reality, why hasn’t she left me yet?"

    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    je "Perhaps, she lacks the self respect to escape a state of boredom. Perhaps, she was so starved for attention, even your “methods” are sufficient. "

    if elfSex==False:
        je "You’re not even fucking her and she’s still slobbering over you like a trained bitch. You must be stringing her along then, right? Making her think that bedding she so desires is right around the corner?"
        "Rowan raised an eyebrow. How exactly was she aware of this?"

    menu:
        "Show defiance.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan walked in front of Jezera to cut her off, crossing his arms."
            ro "Look, whatever your motivation. I hope this made clear to you what a waste of time such an effort it is. You waited for too long. Her loyalty is solidified. Surely there’s some more rewarding target for you to spend your time on?"
            ro "Just stop."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                #jez smirk
                show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
                je "More rewarding target, eh? I wonder where one might find one of those."
                je "Still..."
                show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
            je "Precious Hero, you know better than to give me commands. If I did wish to take that misguided morsel, you couldn’t force me to stop."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan stopped for breath. He was letting himself get too worked up. And this was a situation where he could easily overstep."
            ro "I’m not giving you a command. It’s like you said before. I’m explaining reality."
            ro "In months since she came to me, we’ve grown close. Close enough to know she would never trust you. And close enough to know you’d be spendings months of work throwing yourself at someone who probably would never reciprocate. "
            ro "And for what? You have dozens of lovers, slaves, and bedmates. Hundreds even."
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Sugar coated counterargument.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan put his hands behind his back, taking a non-threatening posture. Perhaps the direct approach wasn’t working."
            ro "Surely, this state of affairs also works for you. You spend so much time trying to get me to indulge in all the depraved things people do in this place. Having a beautiful, promiscuous girl practically throwing herself at me would help with that."
            if rowanDeception > 1 and elfSex:
                ro "And to tell you the truth, it might even be working."
            ro "Why give that up? Especially because she’s so loyal to me and she’s already shown such extreme reluctance to accept your charms. Definitely a wasted effort."
            if elfSex==False:
                je "Calling her a temptress would be a stronger argument if she was doing a better job at tempting you."
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
            "The demoness yawned loudly."
            je "Here you are trying to convince me not to do something I said I wasn’t doing. It’s almost as if you don’t believe me, my servant."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan feigned a smile."
            ro "Surely I wouldn’t be suggesting that. But, if you were…bitter about having given up Liurial to me, then this is why it {i}would{/i} be a mistake to attempt to sway her out from under me."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            je "I see."

    "Jezera straightened her back and raised her head high. In the process she became slightly taller than him."

    #jez smirk

    je "Very Well, Rowan. Let’s play a game."
    je "Suppose for said game that I truly did want your silly elf girl from you. Perhaps even suppose your delusions that her loyalty towards you is beyond reproach."
    je "What would you do if I decided at that point to have her brought down to my {i}special{/i} dungeon? The one where I employ certain methods to break “problems” down so they know never to say no ever again. Where their only desire is service to their Mistress."

    "Jezera giggled cruelly."

    je "Assuming such a place actually exists, of course. What would our poor hero be able to do to stop me?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan felt a shiver down his spine. What she called a hypothetical sounded much more like a threat. And Jezera was known to prove points."

    ro "... if we’re playing hypotheticals. In that case, I wouldn’t have any way of stopping you."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Though, I do know someone who might be able to give you pause."
    je "Oh?"
    ro "You."
    ro "I’m a soldier and hunter, not some powerful wizard. But, I have gleaned some valuable things about how your magic and methods work in the time I’ve been here.You cannot “break” people without consequence."

    if week > 61:
        ro "I’ve seen this breaking room of yours, after all."

    else:
        ro "Else there are certain {i}people{/i} in the castle you’d have already done it too."

    ro "So this hypothetical Jezera of ours would probably get an obedient sex slave... and {i}only{/i} that."
    ro "Now, we both understand Liurial’s role in the castle, of course. Liurial makes sure you always have enough imported wines. She plans your banquets for you. She’s the one who makes sure that your every need and want is fulfilled promptly and without fuss."
    ro "I recall the time before her. The castle had lots of shortages didn’t it? You complained a great deal. I couldn’t keep up with it all, not on my own. But, you are far wiser than me, so surely I don’t have to remind you of all this."
    ro "So, I’m sure we both understand that this Jezera would have to be very desperate to lose a subordinate who is already so valuable to her. All to get a sex slave she’d get bored of in a week or two. "

    "Jezera raised an eyebrow."

    je "A sex slave AND to prove a point to certain disloyal subordinates who believe they can challenge me."
    ro "It seems a needlessly costly way to teach such a redundant lesson."

    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    je "..."

    "Jezera took a step back, the ghost of a smile returning to her lips."

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "Ah, and here I was hoping you’d get mad. Or at least beg me not to do it. But, I suppose there’s a cleverness to appealing to my selfishness."
    je "You’ve learned to better ply the arts of diplomacy, under my tutelage. You’d never have thought of that answer when we first met."
    je "Very well then. As you said, persuading her to give up her silly crush on you is a waste of my time and gifts. So games aside, you have my renewed promise that Liurial is yours to keep."
    je "I know that was important to resolving your...{i}insecurities{/i}. "

    #jez smirk
    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Before Rowan could exhale, Jezera was back in his face. So close he could see the menace in her eyes."

    je "But, here’s another lesson for you, Rowan. If I {i}did{/i} wish to have Liurial and this conversation {i}was{/i} an act of defiance from you…"
    je "I would remember it, Rowan. And ensure that you paid for it when the time was ripe."

    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    "Then, she pulled away. Rowan was left on his own to contemplate the prior confrontation. He had won, right? It felt like a victory, albeit a limited one."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan walked back to his desk, lost in worry. He was only shaken from it when an excited Liurial ran up and hugged him. She looked up at him with the excitement of a loyal puppy."

    liur "Sir, are you alright? You were gone for-"
    ro "I was making sure that you wouldn’t need me to return this way again any time soon. But, you did the right thing by calling for me. And if she tries something like this again, let me know as soon as you can."
    liur "I was afraid my message wouldn’t reach you in time. I sent it with a report right as it became clear she wasn’t leaving."

    "But, Rowan had scarcely sat down for more than a few minutes before a second visitor approached. It seemed today was going to be very complicated."

    #show liurial concerned at midright with dissolve
    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Liurial noticed him first, from a distance. When she did, her expression changed to frantic dread. "

    liur "Goddess fend. Please M’lord. You have to hide me! Please!"

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. But, when he got a clearer view of the newcomer, her reaction became more sensible. It was Torlene."

    ro "You know I wouldn’t let him do anything to you, right? Even if you were in the open, he couldn’t just snatch you away."
    liur "Please."

    #show liurial concerned at edgeright with moveoutright
    show liurial neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
    #show torlene at midleft

    "She held her arms out in front of her in a plea. Rowan sighed and gestured for her to hide underneath his desk. She scrambled in just in time. A moment later, Torlene entered the alcove. "

    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "Torlene. Must this conversation happen now? You chose a rather bad day for this."
    torl "I will not be told to wait. I have come to offer terms."

    "Rowan exhaled."

    ro "I hope the terms you’re talking about pertain to the service contract for you and your men. Because that’s the only discussion between us I see as fruitful."

    "Rowan shifted in his chair. He felt a pair of small soft hands clutching at his leg. Torlene, meanwhile, seemed unaware there was a third person in the room. "

    torl "In a sense. The holdup in the process is {i}you{/i} and what you’ve done. We cannot accept service in the Bloodmeen army until my stolen property has been returned to me."

    menu:
        "Remind him she isn’t property.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "She’s not a slave, Torlene. She made a choice to leave you. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t order her to serve you again. She must have told you all of this by now. I don’t understand your confusion."
            torl "She hasn’t told me {i}anything{/i}. As for that girl and her choices? She couldn’t choose something more complex than what is for supper."
            "Rowan frowned. Was it even {i}possible{/i} that he didn’t know her reasons for leaving? Surely it was much more plausible he just didn’t care."

        "Tell him to go fuck himself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "A fascinating dilemma. It’s a shame I don’t care. So, you’re going to need to learn to shut up and go away."
            ro "She chose me over you. You’re a grown adult. Stop sniveling over it."
            "Torlene’s eyebrows narrowed."
            torl "You-"
            torl "No. I didn’t come to fight. I must control myself."
            "His breathing slowed and regained a calm composure."
            torl "But, I find it laughable you allude to a choice. That girl doesn’t choose anything for herself and never will. You were in her ear guiding her the entire time."
            ro "Surely she’s told you herself by now why she left you?"
            torl "That girl scarcely told me anything before you stole her from me. All that I know of, is she was mine one day, and hiding out under your “protection” the next."

    torl "Regardless, I am prepared to resolve our dispute with a bargain. Our prior altercation came from a place of anger. I am not usually a man of such ill-caution."
    torl "Tell me how much gold she is worth to you, and I will instruct Galbraith to bring you a suitable amount."

    ro "She’s not for sale."

    "The elf paced in front of his desk. His steps were regular, with military discipline."

    torl "Perhaps, some sort of service then? My band and I are quite skilled. There is much value that we can offer you in the field. And you're a man in need of allies."
    torl "You saw our fighting prowess at Deadman’s Pass. Surely we could-"

    ro "She’s not for sale, Torlene."

    torl "Hrmph…"

    "That seemed to have gotten the message through. Without a further word, he turned and stormed away."

    menu:
        "Be empathetic to him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "For what it’s worth, Torlene. I’m sorry. I know losing someone hurts. But, there will be a day when you realize your behaviour towards her has been wrong."
            "Torlene stopped briefly to acknowledge what Rowan said, but kept leaving without a further reply."

        "Let him walk off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

    #hide torlene
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show liurial neutral at midright with moveoutleft

    "Once he was out of sight, Liurial crawled out from under his desk and caught her breath. "

    ro "You haven’t spoken with him about why you left? Have you even sent a message through Galbraith? I know he’d help you."

    liur "Before I left, I was unable to even tell Torlene about my dissatisfaction. Confrontation is not… not a skill I’ve developed. And Torlene is frightening when he’s angry…"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan ran a hand through his hair. Great. One more tangle in this increasingly endless knot."

    ro "I guess I understand, in light of the circumstances."
    ro "Still, until he gets the message through that thick skull of his, he’s going to keep coming back. Nothing is ever easy in Bloodmeen."

    "She walked behind his chair and wrapped her arms across his shoulders in as tight a hug as her frail arms could muster. He felt her cheek press to his shoulder."

    show liurial sad at midright with dissolve

    liur "You needn’t stress yourself on my account, M’lord. No matter who comes for me. There’s only one man I’m loyal to. You can count on me."

    "Despite himself, he couldn’t help a thin smile forming on his face."

    ro "And you can count on me too. As far as I’m concerned, no one puts a hand on my secretary. Not if I have a say in the matter."

    if elfSex==False:
        "He tapped the back of her hand twice, then delicately pulled himself free from the embrace. When he turned back to her, his smile had formed into a full smirk."
        ro "Now get back to your desk. Barring some third asshole walking in here and trying to drag you off, we still have a job to do. Don’t we?"
        liur "Right away, Mlord!"
        scene black with fade
        "His secretary shuffled around to the other side of the desk. Soon enough, they were actually engaged in the work that Rowan had come down to. And this time, no one else interrupted them."
        return

    else:
        pass

    ro "..."
    ro "Well actually…  know one person who lays hands on you. "

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

    "Liurial giggled and hugged his neck tighter. Meanwhile, Rowan’s mind had started to race. His last comment had given him a few ideas."
    "Besides, recent events had gotten him down. Perhaps he could give Liurial a little reminder of who she had sworn herself to?"

    menu:
        "Indulge the impulse. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump ELLSex_rp

        "Ignore it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shook his head. No, there was simply far too much work to spend the day romping about with his secretary. Not with two distractions already setting them behind."
            ro "Now get back to your desk. Let’s get back to the job. Jezera’s wild goose chase put me back hours of work time."
            show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
            liur "Ah, M’lord, do you think we could…"
            ro "Later. Work now."
            show liurial happy at midright with dissolve
            liur "Of course, M'lord!"
            scene black with fade
            "His secretary shuffled around to the other side of the desk. Soon enough, they were actually engaged in the work that Rowan had come down to. And this time, no one else interrupted them. "
            return

    label ELLSex_rp:

        "Without warning, Rowan rose from his seat. Before her arms could pull away, Rowan grabbed them with his. When he started to lead her away, his wide eyed secretary followed along obediently."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        liur "Ooh. M’lord. Is there somewhere we’re going?"

        if elfDom:
            ro "The dungeon."

        else:
            ro "The bedroom."

        "Her body wiggled with excitement."

        liur "Wait, what about work?"
        liur "What about workkkkkk?"

        if elfDom==False:
            #cg1
            scene cg1189 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1190 with dissolve
            show rowan naked aroused behind cg1189
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1189
            pause 2
            liur "{i}Rowan!{/i}"
            "A soft cry escaped the petite girl’s lips. She’d just lowered herself onto Rowan’s cock. The force of gravity had allowed her to work the entire length in. The deeper it went, the more her expression has contorted into one of overwhelming need."
            "Meanwhile, Rowan had taken steady hold of her hips, using them as grips. His breathing had also quickened. The sensations of Liurial’s inner walls enveloping him bit by bit had created the intended effect. Now his entire stiff length was inside her."
            liur "Ro-rowan...should I move?"
            ro "Yeah...you can move Liuiral."
            liur "Mmm."
            "She gave a tentative roll of her hips. Rowan felt it as a swell of pressure, massaging the sensitive surface of his length. His fingers dug harder into her bare skin."
            liur "And I should keep going?"
            ro "Yeah…"
            liur "Mmm. I’m not..ah...not normally used to being on top…"
            show cg1191 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Her movements grew in pace. She wasted little time warming up into a full riding motion. The foreplay had gotten her plenty worked up."
            "Her hands, so used to clutching the bed, scrambled for something to hold. They settled in her locks, her fingers wrapped in strands of her long, golden hair. The faster she pressed herself into his stiff mast, the harder she gripped."
            "The room soon reeked of their combined scent. The musky scent of a man’s sweat mixed with the pungent scent of her arousal. The walls similarly reverberated with the sounds they made. His groans and grunts mixed with her cries and moans until they couldn’t be taken apart."
            "Amidst the throes of lust, his eyes were drawn to the place where his body and hers met. The opening of her lower lips, and the spot where the base of his cock emerged. That was the place they were united."
            ro "You’re...mine. I won’t...hrr...I won’t let anyone...anyone take you from me."
            liur "{i}Rowan{/i}!"
            liur "Yours! All yours! Ah!"
            "Her body spasmed and her eyes fluttered. Had she just cum? Her pace faltered for a moment, and her breath turned to desperate pants. But, moments later her pace picked up again. Only now with intermittent breaks of spasming and pleasure."
            "His cock pulsed. He felt the peak drawing closer. At one point, he’d almost reached it, but her pace had seemed to falter again when she reached another fit of spasms."
            ro "Mine!"
            show cg1192 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "He forced his grip tighter on his thighs and pumped his hips up. Liurial was so light that even when she was on top, a thrust of the hips was enough to make her bounce. Her head bounced."
            "And like that, Rowan had taken total control of the pace. He thrusted and her body jumped. She was like a rag doll atop him. A passenger ready to follow wherever he wished to take her. The girl was so out of her mind with pleasure, the only sounds she made were incoherent mewls."
            show cg1193 with sshake
            show cg1193 with sshake
            show cg1194 with flash
            pause 2
            "But, those eager thrusts were enough to give Rowan the last little push he needed. With a dark grunt and a flutter of his eyes, he let loose his torrent. Then, he collapsed back into the bed."
            scene bg9 with fade
            show liurial naked happy at midleft with dissolve
            show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve
            "His exhausted companion crumpled in much the same way. When his awareness returned, she was laying on his chest, bodies still connected at the point of insertion."
            "Her eyes were still closed, but she mustered the energy to lean forward and plant a weak peck on his chin."
            liur "...yours…"
            "Rowan wrapped his arms around her. He wasn’t about to let go of something that was his..."
            return

        else:
            #cg2 var 1
            scene cg1096 with fade
            show rowan naked aroused behind cg1096
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1096
            pause 3
            "Rowan strode into the center of the dungeon cell, naked as the day he was born. In this secluded place, there was only one person to see him. Liurial stared up at him like congregants before the living saint. Her mouth hung open in awe."
            "But, Rowan hadn’t brought her here to gawk. He gave the iron leash he’d affixed to her a hard tug. His submissive scrambled forward in answer, crawling on hands and knees. Besides the collar and chain, he’d stripped her and affixed shackles to her wrists and ankles."
            "If one could call the games between them a roleplay of Master and Slave. She looked the part."
            liur "Rowan...It’s so large…."
            "Her eyes were fixed on his stiff cock with unwavering dedication. At the moment, in this dark dungeon hideaway, it was her world."
            "Rowan settled down on a stool. A tug on her leash was his demand for him to come closer. His elf pet scurried forward to answer the chain."
            liur "Mfff….{i}Master{/i}…"
            liur "May I...may I taste it?"
            ro "Hrmm. Pay it homage first."
            liur "Homage?"
            "She sighed and leaned in close to his mast. So close that it hung mere inches from her face. But, ever the obedient girl, she didn’t yet put her mouth to it."
            liur "Master...May this unworthy slave have a taste of your superior cock?"
            liur "This slave...longs for it."
            "Her breath quickened. The words coming from her mouth were starting to have an effect on her."
            liur "When this slave sleeps, she tosses and turns dreaming of it. When she desires to...to...relieve certain urges, it is in her fantasies…"
            liur "Master’s cock is...mfff...the only thing this slave wants. Her most favorite sensation."
            "Rowan felt himself grow harder and harder. It was as if her words were stroking it with the same tactile sensation a hand might."
            #cg2 var 2
            show cg1097 with dissolve
            show rowan naked aroused behind cg1097
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1097
            pause 3
            ro "Give it a kiss."
            liur "Muah."
            "Her lips left a lingering trace of saliva on his cock’s head."
            #cg2 var 1
            scene cg1096 with dissolve
            show rowan naked aroused behind cg1096
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1096
            pause 3
            liur "Mmm...It tastes so good, Master. This slave wants {i}more{/i}."
            ro "But, do you deserve it?"
            "She squirmed in place."
            liur "{i}Master{/i}...this slave is...is unworthy. To bestow your cock on her would be the highest gift her simple mind could...could imagine."
            ro "So it’s above you in value then?"
            liur "Yes...yes, {i}Master{/i}. I’m beneath it. Please. Let this slave worship your cock, Master. Let her pay it homage."
            "Her panting had gotten to the point that her chest was rising and falling. Her eyes were frozen, unable to look away from the mass hanging inches from her lips."
            ro "Yes. Yes, you may."
            #cg2 var 2
            show cg1097 with dissolve
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1097
            pause 3
            "The moment she had been given permission, she set to work. Her tongue stretched lewdly out and made contact with him at the base. From there, she slowly ran it up the entire length. There was no hesitation or desire to pull away. To her, every taste was delicious."
            "Rowan groaned softly and gave her leash a sharp tug. The chain between them gave him total control over the movement of her head. He could make her go fast or slow."
            "Liurial treated her task with nearly religious reverence. When she had asked to worship it, she had spoken truly. The lap of her tongue was like a prayer. The expression on her face was of a woman touched by the divine."
            "Soon, Liurial’s tender attention had gotten Rowan worked up to a sweat. He was tired of the foreplay. And since he was the one holding the leash, he got what he wanted. With another move of her chain, he pulled the desperate elf from his cock."
            "She looked up at him, panting and squirming with desperate eyes."
            liur "More. {i}Master{/i} please. Please…"
            liur "I’m so wet, {i}Master{/i}. Please…"
            #cg3
            scene cg1098 with fade
            show rowan naked aroused behind cg1098
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1098
            pause 3
            "Rowan opened his mouth to speak, but could not find the words either. Instead, he took her by the shoulder and lifted her to her feet. Liurial’s legs shifted beneath her, and the chains of shackles rattled. But, she was pliant in his hands."
            "Then, he settled her down on his lap. A gasp escaped her lips as her lower lips touched his stiff cock. More than warmed up, her body was receptive. Her flower opened to him and took his entire length. "
            "By now, her body had become more used to him. Where once she had trouble fitting him, now his human cock inside her was something she could take without fuss. He’d trained her into a perfect fit."
            liur "Fuck...ah…"
            "Rowan rolled his hips up, thrusting himself into her. The petite girl shook and bounced to the rhythm he set."
            "But, he was not only setting his own rhythm. Whenever he shoved himself forward, Liurial would be met with a tug of the chain by her neck. She could do nothing but lean back into every bit of force. It was only when he pulled back that the leash would go slack."
            "So it was that he was able to work out every bit of tension and energy raised from the worship session. The emotion from each word of praise she’d said returned to her in the form of another slam of his cock towards her womb."
            "All of it was too much for his little slave. Her face contorted into wild expressions of lust, and her words turned to gibberish. She must have cum at least once. That girl always was so quick to orgasm."
            "Rowan swiftly felt his own passion rising. With such control over Liurial’s pace, she was more like a sleeve for his cock than an independent participant. It was not long at all before he’d pushed himself to the edge."
            ro "Take it. Take it. Urgh. Take it, cunt."
            show cg1098 with sshake
            show cg1098 with sshake
            scene cg1099 with flash
            pause 3
            "He grit his teeth and let himself loose inside of her. Then, with a final pant, he slumped down into his chair."
            "Liurial sank to her knees in front of him. Her bound hands went to her collar, clutching it and gasping for air. Rowan lazily watched her."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Was she alright? He hadn’t choked her too hard, had he?"
            scene bg8 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            show liurial naked happy at midright with dissolve
            "But, her breathing soon returned to normal. When it had, she leaned against his leg, pressing her cheek to him."
            liur "{i}Master{/i}...I’m bound to you…"
            liur "..."
            liur "If you make me worship your c-cock like that again...m-maybe I’m going to have to set up a shrine to it. Hehe."
            ro "Heh. That’s a joke right?"
            liur "...Mostly."
            # return

    return

# \events\room_events_6.rpy
label xz_anal_training_1_rp:

    $ alexiaBecomesLikeXzaratlSeen = True
    $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 0
    $ rowanAnalInterest = True
    $ seenXzaratlsRoom = False
    $ seenXzaratlsBed = False
    $ RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesomeRowan = True
    $ rowanFutaSuck = False
    $ rowanFutaAnal = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ roAlRel = 0 # Enables one whipping option
    $ helayna_escaped = True # Blocks one whipping option
    $ helayna_escape_method = "without rowan"
    $ delane_status = "tarish" # Blocks one whipping option
    $ xzaratlWhippingPromise = True
    $ alexiaWhippedRowan = True
    $ helayna_escaped = True
    $ helayna_escape_method = "without rowan"
    $ delane_status = "tarish"
    $ rowanGuilt = 100 # Not currently used

    "Is Rowan influenced by X'zaratl? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
            $ seenXzaratlsRoom = True
            $ seenXzaratlsBed = True
            $ rowanFutaSuck = True
            $ rowanFutaAnal = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass


    # $ analTraining1Seen = True

    if seenXzaratlsRoom == False:
        scene bg23 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Upon entering the Dark Sanctum, Rowan saw it busting with activity. For once though, there was no sight of the queen bee at the center of the hive. Rowan asked one of the cubi to come near, and inquired about X’zaratl’s whereabouts."
        succ "Oh, she’s in her room. You’re free to come in, whenever you want. Mistress’ own words."
        if rowanFutaSuck:
            "Rowan arched an eyebrow. He’s only been to X’zaratl room’s once before, when Alexia first tried how it felt to have a cock of her own. He didn’t have much time to look around the place back then. "
        ro "Thank you. You’re free to go."
        hide succubus with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
        "The demoness bowed before the castle steward, and Rowan moved to a small door to the side of the main Sanctum hall."
        if rowanFutaSuck:
            "X’zaratl’s room was just as he remembered, only sparsely decorated. He saw signs of Skordred craftship on the walls, and noticed the lavish curtains Jezera ordered - but few decorations beyond that."
        else:
            "Curiously, X’zaratl’s room proved to be sparsely decorated.  He saw signs of Skordred craftship on the walls, and noticed the lavish curtains Jezera ordered - but few decorations beyond that."
        "Some of the things {i}that{/i} did catch his attention was the massive bed at the end of the room, with long, pink curtains drawn, and a variety of bondage equipment. Considerable variety."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
        show xzaratl happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
        "And of course, X’zaratl herself, sitting at the center of the room, holding that pink orb of hers in both hands, cleaning it with a white cloth, clearly engrossed in the process."
        menu:
            "Watch her for a moment.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "X’zaratl wasn’t rushing, taking her time to clean the orb thoroughly. Long fingers rubbed the surface of the orb gently, holding it like a praised memento. The demoness had a soft smile on her lips, as if doing so was no chore at all. "
                if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
                    "Seeing the demoness handle the orb so gently… He almost grew envious of it."
                else:
                    "It was hard to believe a demon could be this gentle. Was this an act, to convince him of her good nature? Deception wasn’t out of question, but… It didn’t feel likely. "
                "After a moment, he was starting to feel he was intruding on something intimate, and coughed to get her attention. "

            "*Cough.*":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        xz "Ah, gallant Rowan! I didn’t hear you enter!"
        ro "I pride myself on my light step."
        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 9:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl aroused at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. Rowan turned his head to meet her, sealing their lips in a passionate kiss. He wrapped his hands around her waist, as her dizzying scent washed over him."
            "She let him hold her as long as he wanted, her tongue dancing with his. Finally, he decided it was high time to keep the conversation going, and reluctantly pulled away."
        elif RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. Rowan let her do so, wrapping his hand around her waist as the dizzying scent briefly engulfed him."
        else:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. He patted her shoulder in a friendly manner, using the motion to politely hold her place, at arm’s length. She didn’t seem to mind one bit."
        show xzaratl happy at center with moveoutleft
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        xz "Come, make yourself comfortable. How can I help?"
        "She took the cleaning supplies off the tables, inviting him to sit down. He did just that, then waited for X’zaratl to take her place as well. As for the matter he came for…"
        # $ seenXzaratlsRoom = True

    else:
        scene bg23 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Again, X’zaratl was not in the main hall of the Dark Sanctum. He headed for her room, and opened it after giving it a polite knock."
        hide rowan
        show xzaratl happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        xz "Ah, gallant Rowan! How delightful to see you today! "
        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 9:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl aroused at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. Rowan turned his head to meet her, sealing their lips in a passionate kiss. He wrapped his hands around her waist, as her dizzying scent washed over him."
            "She let him hold her as long as he wanted, her tongue dancing with his. Finally, he decided it was high time to keep the conversation going, and reluctantly pulled away."
        elif RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. Rowan let her do so, wrapping his hand around her waist as the dizzying scent briefly engulfed him."
        else:
            hide rowan
            show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "X’zaratl approached him to give him a peek on the cheek. He patted her shoulder in a friendly manner, using the motion to politely hold her place, at arm’s length. She didn’t seem to mind one bit."
        show xzaratl happy at midleft with moveoutleft
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        xz "Come, make yourself comfortable. How can I help?"
        "The cubi Mistress invited him to sit down at her table. He did just that, then waited for X’zaratl to take her place as well. As for the matter he came for… "

    label xzRoomDialogue_rp:

        menu:
            "Ask about anal training. (Scene 1)" if rowanAnalInterest:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump askAnalTraining_rp

            "Request whipping. (Scene 2)":# if xzaratlWhippingPromise or (alexiaWhippedRowan and rowanCorrupt > 30) or (alexiaWhippedRowan and rowanGuilt > 30):
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump rowanXzaratlWhipping_rp

            "You just wanted to see her." if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I just wanted to spend some time in your company. Is it a crime?"
                "To that, he could swear X’zaratl’s radiant smile could melt glaciers. "
                xz "Not here, not now, not ever. I’ll stay by your side for as long as you want, gallant Rowan. Shall I make us some tea?"
                show xzaratl happy at center with moveinright
                "He nodded, leaning back in his chair, finally feeling free to relax for the first time in what felt like a week. X’zaratl stood up and headed for the teapot, her hand caressing his cheek as she walked past. "
                scene black with fade
                "He needed that. He really did."
                return

            "You needed a break.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Simply exhausted by the insanity of it all. I could use a breather."
                xz "I understand. You’re free to stay for as long as you need. Do you want some tea?"
                "He nodded, leaning back with a tired sigh. Taking a break under the guise of handling cubi business was not something he ever thought he would do."
                scene black with fade
                "But gods’ damn it, he needed one."
                return

    label askAnalTraining_rp:

        ro "Well, do you remember what we discussed after Liurial stopped by with the questionnaires? The thing with the oil?"

        "X’zaratl’s eye shone and her smile widened. Her hands disappeared in her dress, and a moment later, a small, round bottle sat on the table before him. "

        xz "Say the word, and I’ll show you pleasure you never thought possible, gallant Rowan. "

        menu:
            "Gods, yes! (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump analEagerStart_rp

            "You want to say yes, but… (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump analReluctantStart_rp

            "… Maybe not today.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                xz "Ah? I see."
                "The bottle disappeared as quickly as it appeared - as did the excitement in X’zaratl’s voice."
                jump xzRoomDialogue_rp

    label analEagerStart_rp:

        # $ XzaratlAnalTrainingOneFinger = True
        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
        $ rowanAnalEager = True
        # $ rowanAnalReluctant = False

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You were right about one thing - everyone’s god damn shy about this stuff, as if their masculinity could be shattered with a single finger."
        xz "Trying new things can be daunting."
        ro "Leading an army was a “daunting new thing to try”. Teaming up with the embodiment of Solansia’s will was a “daunting new thing to try”. Killing Karnas was a “daunting new thing to try”. "
        ro "Letting someone touch your ass is not."

        "He grabbed the bottle, he threw it up, catching it with ease as it fell down. He gave the demoness his most roguish grin, and presented it back at her. "

        ro "Dizzying X’zaratl, will you do butt stuff with me?"

        "The succubus looked like she was about to cry. She accepted the bottle with a respectful bow, and stood up."

        xz "It will be my honor, gallant Rowan."

        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

        "He wasted no time in grabbing her by the hand, and pulled her to the large bed at the end of the room as he started to strip out of his clothes. He pulled the pink curtain away."

        show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve

        if seenXzaratlsBed:
            ro "I think I’ve said it before, but that thing is massive, X’zaratl."

        else:
            ro "That thing is massive, X’zaratl."
            # $ seenXzaratlsBed = True

        xz "For three people to sleep comfortably in. "
        ro "As if you’d let them sleep, girl."

        "She giggled at his response, her eye shining with excitement. Rowan jumped onto the bed, kicking his underwear off, and X’zaratl wasted no time following."

        #cg 1
        scene cg1100 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1100
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1100
        pause 3

        "Still holding the oil, one of her hands lifted his leg. He moved the other aside with a grin, and soon felt another hand rest on his ass, her fingers gently massaging his posterior. One hand was placed on his chest, pushing him down into the bed."

        ro "I know, but given your enthusiasm… I don’t intend to hold back."

        "Her last hand wrapped around his head, running through his hair, as X’zaratl pulled herself up, resting her chin on his shoulder. She uncorked the bottle, and its content started to pour onto her fingers."

        ro "You shouldn’t. You’ve been making some pretty big promises here."
        xz "And I will keep every. Single. One."

        "Her final word was accented by her pressing an oil covered finger against his anus, prodding it. He drew a long breath. It felt cold, but less than he expected. She spread it slowly around the edges, her other hand running her fingers through his hair. "

        xz "Feels nice, doesn’t it?"
        ro "You’re a damn tease."
        xz "I see. Then..."

        show cg1101 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1102 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She thrust her finger inside, and it slid in with one smooth motion. Rowan drew a short breath, surprised at how easy she entered him. X’zaratl smiled, and pulled her finger away- "
        "Only to thrust it in again. His insides clenched around her finger, but not painfully so. Rowan felt his body grow hot, and he wondered what aroused him more - her finger, or the feeling of her body against him."

        ro "Are you sure you’re not offering this for your own enjoyment? "

        "Her supple tits pressed against his chest, X’zaratl rubbing them against him with every motion of her hand. They weren’t what he was here for, but it would be a lie not to say he wasn’t enjoying their presence."

        xz "Yours is all I think about. Here… Let me show you."

        "Her finger curled inside of him. In a moment, he threw his head back, a bolt of intense pleasure running up his cock."

        ro "Holy shit-!"

        "Despite his reaction, X’zaratl didn’t stop her tender massage, her finger rubbing against that sensitive spot inside his ass. "

        xz "And to help you get used to it… "

        "He let out a sudden moan as X’zaratl started to rhythmically thrust her finger inside his ass. His cock twitched like crazy, and there was this pleasant warmth spreading across his insides…"

        xz "Do you want me to add the second finger, gallant Rowan?"
        ro "Do you - ah! -  have to ask?"
        xz "… Maybe I just wanted to hear you say it."
        ro "Look at you… Suddenly playing coy."
        ro "Fine. Put the second finger in, X’zaratl. And stop fooling around."
        xz "As you command, gallant Rowan."

        jump analTwoFingers_rp

    label analReluctantStart_rp:

        # $ XzaratlAnalTrainingOneFinger = True
        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
        $ rowanAnalEager = False
        # $ rowanAnalReluctant = True

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft  with dissolve

        ro "Well, I..."

        "He felt his cheek redden, and he ended up looking to the side, ashamed to meet her eye. "

        ro "It’s not that I’m not interested, but… You were right. It feels like it’s not a particularly “manly” activity."

        "X’zaratl reached through the table, her hands findings his. She held him, and he forced himself to look back. Her eye held nothing but understanding, her lips as always curled in a friendly smile."

        xz "Gallant Rowan, you are the most valiant man to walk these lands. Your courage in the face of adversity is unrivalled, and your devotion to the chosen of your heart is worthy of songs."
        xz "All men should look up to you. You have nothing to prove."
        ro "That’s very nice of you. But it doesn’t change the fact I’m not sure if I’m fully comfortable with it?"
        xz "I understand. I really do."

        "She leaned in, pulling him in, making him lean as well. Another set of her hands reached for his face, and cupped his cheeks gently."

        xz "But tell me, gallant Rowan. You want this, don’t you? That’s why you came here. That’s why you asked about the oil."
        xz "Despite a part of you thinkinging this is not something a man should do… You were interested enough to breach the topic again."

        "He nodded. Her sweet fragrance wrapped around him like a veil, and his eyes felt drawn to her plump lips as she talked to him. All of this was true. But… "

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        xz "Then let me show you there is nothing to be ashamed of. We’ll start slow. And you can stop at any point. "

        show rowan necklace aroused at midright with moveoutright

        "She rose up, and so did he. Still holding his hands, she led him to her bed. It was a massive thing, easily able to fit three people at once. With each step, her fingers undid his clothes, one by one.  "

        show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve

        "As his shirt fell, her hands roamed his muscles, trailed his scars."

        xz "Your body reflects your nature well, gallant Rowan. But just because it’s rough and hard, does not mean you cannot allow yourself to be delicate. "
        ro "There aren’t many opportunities for that… "
        xz "That is why I want you to cherish this one. Let’s make the most of this, gallant Rowan."

        "Her bodice fell down, sliding down the silk sheets to the floor. Her hands guided him to lay down, and he sank into the soft sheets. A moment later, X’zaratl joined him."

        #cg 1
        scene cg1100 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1100
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1100
        pause 3

        "Still holding the bottle, one hand lifted his leg. He moved the other aside, and soon felt her fingers rest on his ass, gently massaging his posterior. Then one hand was placed on his chest, comforting him, and pressing him down into the bed."
        "Finally, one hand wrapped around his head, X’zaratl’s fingers running through his hair. The demoness pulled herself up, and rested her chin on hhis shoulder. Her eye kept watching him, as she uncorked the oil, and poured it on her fingers."

        xz "It will feel a little cold at first. Don’t worry. It will soon pass. "

        "He drew a sharp breath as her finger prodded his anus. The magical oil did feel cool, but less than he expected. X’zaratl spread it slowly around the edges, her other hands still holding him down, still running her fingers through his hair."

        xz "Aaand…"

        show cg1101 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1102 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She thrust it inside, and it slicked inside in one smooth motion. Rowan let out a short moan, surprised at how easy she entered him."

        xz "As I promised, gallant Rowan. The oil will make the experience as comfortable as possible. See?"

        "He felt her pull away, and thrust in again, his insides clenching around her finger, but not painfully so. He felt his body grow hot, but couldn’t say it was due to her caress, or because of how close X’zaratl was to him."
        "Her supple tits pressed against his chest, and even though this was not why they were both here, it would be a lie to say he did not enjoy their presence."

        xz "And now… "

        "Her finger curled inside of him. In a moment, he threw his head back, a bolt of intense pleasure running up his cock."

        ro "Holy shit-!"
        xz "Shhh… Relax, gallant Rowan…"

        "Despite his reaction, X’zaratl didn’t stop her tender massage, her finger rubbing against that sensitive spot inside his ass."
        "These violent surges of pleasure did not grow any milder - but little by little, he started getting used to them, fighting the urge to thrust his hips up every time X’zaratl pressed her finger a little harder. "

        xz "Feels good, doesn’t it?"

        ro "Y-yeah…"

        "Her finger uncurled, and she started to rhythmically thrust it inside his ass. A quiet moan left his lips - it felt better now. Far better. His cock still twitched like crazy, but there was this pleasant warmth spreading across his insides… "

        xz "Do you want me to add the second finger, Rowan? "

        menu:
            "Yes! (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump analTwoFingers_rp

            "One is enough.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I mean… If just one feels this good… I’m not sure if we should... "
                "Sensing his hesitation, X’zaratl leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek, her expression holding no disappointment. "
                xz "Of course. We’ll take it slow, as promised. "
                xz "Such experiences must be savoured. Relax, Rowan. Relax, and enjoy yourself."
                "The hand on his chest ran over his muscles, her fingers dancing over his body, as she kept fingering his ass. The pleasure was unquestionable - strange, a little wrong - but unquestionable."
                "For a moment, her finger left him, and she poured more oil into it, emptying it. She set the bottle aside, while her oozing, slick finger brushed against his ball."
                xz "I’ll make you cum in a way only a man can. "
                "He gasped as her finger entered him again, but this time, her other hand caressed his sack as she kept thrusting inside of him. The feeling of warmth spread, and before too long- "
                ro "A-ah! "
                show cg1103 with sshake
                show cg1103 with sshake
                show cg1104 with flash
                pause 2
                "The dual caressing proved too strong, and he found himself cumming, his semen hitting both of them. X’zaratl didn’t mind one bit, laying another loving kiss on his cheek."
                xz "Should we stop here, gallant Rowan?"
                ro "Y-yeah… Lets."
                "He was surprised by the reluctance in his own voice - just one finger suddenly didn’t feel like it was enough, and with the way X’zaratl kept rubbing his insides, his erection didn’t recede one bit."
                "But he made a decision earlier, and he would stick by it. The demoness waited a moment, as if hoping he would change his mind - the pulled away, her hands lingering on his body for as long as they could."
                "Rowan rested his head back with a sigh. X’zaratl came back a moment, a wet towel in her hand, and cleaned him up before handing him his clothes."
                scene black with fade
                show xzaratl happy behind black
                xz "Visit me again, gallant Rowan. My doors are always open for you."
                return

    label analTwoFingers_rp:

        # $ XzaratlAnalTrainingTwoFingers = True

        "The sudden sensation of loss inside his ass was alleviated by X’zaratl’s soft body pressed against his own. She continued to caress him, a warm smile on her lips, as her hands applied more oil to her fingers."

        xz "I would love to say this will double your delight, but it doesn’t quite work this way. But it will let me show off my skills a little bit more. For that, I thank you, Gallant Rowan."

        scene cg1101 with dissolve
        pause 1
        show cg1102 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1101
        pause 2

        "He managed no witty response, only a soft grunt as she thrust her fingers into his ass again. Amazingly, he sensed no friction - only the slight pressure as they pressed against his inner walls."
        "The demoness wiggled her fingers, twisting her hand, testing his limits. He let out a moan - was his body getting hotter? Was it the oil’s doing? Or was it just X’zaratl’s presence? Surely doing it with a succubus wasn’t-"
        "His musings were suddenly interrupted, as her fingers curled inside of him, sending a surge of ecstasy up his cock. He clenched his teeth, trying to stop a moan from escaping his lips."

        ro "A-aaaah! "

        "But it was no use, as X’zaratl didn’t stop massaging his most sensitive spot. She kept going, two of her fingers rubbing the base of his cock from inside his ass, sending paralyzing pleasure through his whole body."
        "There was no way to fight this. Her hands stopped him from bucking his hips, but-"

        ro "Ah!!! "

        show cg1103 with sshake
        show cg1103 with sshake
        scene cg1104 with flash
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1104
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1104
        pause 2

        "It hit him unexpectedly - an orgasm both sudden and violent, his cock spurting white semen, droplets falling on both his and X’zaratl’s stomachs. And despite all of that-!"

        xz "Keep cumming Rowan. Don’t hold back."

        "The cubi mistress kept thrusting her fingers into his ass, dragging his climax out. It took all of his self-control to stop himself from trashing in her hands, as his cock kept twitching, leaking even more cum."
        "… And even after it stopped, he still felt the pleasure radiate from below his belt. Allowing him a moment’s rest, X’zaratl’s fingers lazily prodded his ass, making him feel delightfully… Filled."
        "He drew a deep breath, and turned his head to address the demoness."

        ro "X’zaratl… "
        xz "We can keep going, gallant Rowan."

        "He blinked. X’zaratl golden eye shone with excitement, as her fingers wiggled in his butt, then pressed against his vulnerable spot. He hissed as his cock twitched again, already growing as hard as before."

        xz "The true wonders of anal… Is that you don’t have to stop after the first orgasm. It’s no magic. It’s just how a man can reach the peak of pleasure… As long as he keeps himself open-minded. "

        if rowanAnalEager:
            ro "I know that- Why did you think I agreed to this in the first place? "
            xz "Then let me keep going, gallant Rowan. I can make it feel even better. "

        else:
            xz "Let me keep going, gallant Rowan. I can make it feel even better."

        xz "I want to show you a world of pleasure you didn’t think possible. It’s all I want from you. It’s all I ever wanted from you, from the day I met you."
        xz "Will you let me add another finger, gallant Rowan?"

        menu:
            "Keep going. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "That’s enough. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "You do that… We might not get off this bed till midnight."
                xz "Would it be such a shame, gallant Rowan?"
                scene bg23 with fade
                show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "He chuckled lightly, but still found the inner strength to push her away. The demoness did so reluctantly, her hands lingering on his body for as long as they could."
                if rowanAnalEager:
                    ro "Not particularly, but you know it is. Duty calls and all of that. "
                else:
                    ro "Well no, but… Let’s not overdo it, shall we?"
                "She nodded her head, then went to fetch a towel, cleaning him up before handing him his clothes. They parted with a short kiss, and X’zaratl whispering in his ear."
                scene black with fade
                show xzaratl happy behind black
                xz "Visit me again, gallant Rowan. My doors are always open for you."
                return

        if rowanAnalEager:
            ro "Since you’re that sure of your skills… "
            ro "Amaze me, X’zaratl."

        else:
            ro "If you say it will feel even better… "
            ro "Go ahead, X’zaratl."

        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 3

        "X’zaratl’s beamed at his words, climbing higher and kissing him on the cheek, whispering feverish thanks into his ear. There was no hiding her excitement - not when it was pressing against his stomach, her cock pushing against her loincloth."

        xz "You will not be disappointed. I promise you."

        "With her horns obscuring his view, he could only partially observe as X’zaratl pulled her fingers out, and emptied the remainder of the bottle onto her hand. She set it aside with care."
        "Then pushed all three of her fingers into his ass, making him grunt. They slid in with no resistance - but the force of her thrust still pushed him up a little."

        xz "Just lay back and enjoy this, Rowan. I’ll handle everything."

        "The pleasant warmth of the oil overtook his whole body, putting him in a state of pleasant lethargy. Despite that… He felt everything X’zaratl was doing to his ass. Every little twist and turn."
        "He moaned out, and leaned back, X’zaratl’s hand still holding his head, her fingers lovingly running through his hair. "
        "He let her fuck his ass with her fingers, all while her own cock pressed against his stomach…"

        menu:
            "… Have her fuck you with her cock. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump xzaratlAnalTrainingFuck_rp

            "Relax, and enjoy the ride.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "His world melted down, reduced to the sensation of her fingers claiming his ass over, and over again. Wrapped in X’zaratl’s loving arms, he let himself fully enjoy the warmth and softness of her body, for as long as he could. "
                "And it proved to be a while. Like a master craftsman working on a grand project, X’zaratl immersed herself fully in her work, showering his ass with care and affection he didn’t think possible."
                "Time and time again, her gentle massage brought him to the edge, causing him to shower both of them in cum."
                ro "A-aaah! Ha…. "
                "Always, she gave him a moment to rest afterwards - a moment she used to caress his ass, or run her fingers up his cock or around his balls. Always, her fingers caused him to go hard again within minutes."
                xz "Enjoy yourself, Rowan. You’ve earned it."
                #darken CG
                "Then, the process would repeat. Again, and again. "
                scene black with fade
                "Until exhaustion took him."
                jump analTrainingEnd_rp

    label xzaratlAnalTrainingFuck_rp:

        # $ XzaratlAnalTrainingAnalSex = True
        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1

        ro "X’zaratl… Let’s- ah! Let’s take it a step further."
        xz "Four is a little much- "
        ro "I want your cock inside of me, X’zaratl."

        "It was always a delight to see the cubi mistress freeze in surprise, stopping her thrusts for a moment as she looked up, uncertain if she heard right. "

        xz "Ah, Rowan, that’s… "
        ro "I know what I said, X’zaratl."
        ro "Or do you want to hear me beg? "

        "She hesitated for a moment, something unreadable passing through her eye."

        if alexiaBecomesLikeXzaratlSeen:
            if rowanFutaAnal:
                if RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesomeRowan:
                    "A moment later, she nodded, the smile returning to her lips."
                    xz "As you wish, gallant Rowan."
                else:
                    "A moment later, she nodded, the smile returning to her lips. "
                    xz "It will be my honour, gallant Rowan."

            else:
                # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                xz "After not even giving Alexia the privilege… "
                "She bit her lip, stopping herself midway. He wondered if she would protest further - if it made her uncomfortable to be allowed something he wouldn’t let his own wife do."
                "He cupped her cheek, and smiled reassuringly. "
                ro "Am I not allowed to enjoy each of you in my own way? "
                "She flushed, turning her gaze away. A moment later, she giggled and nodded her head. "
                xz "You are. Then, if that is your wish, gallant Rowan… "

        else:
            if RowanAlexiaXzaratlThreesomeRowan:
                xz "Ah, I thought I’d give Alexia a chance next… "
                ro "… What?"
                "X’zaratl bit her lip, refusing to elaborate further. Instead, she lowered her head demurely before him."
                xz "It will be my pleasure to do so again, gallant Rowan. "

            else:
                xz "Ah, I thought I’d give Alexia a chance first… "
                ro "… What?"
                "X’zaratl bit her lip, refusing to elaborate further. Instead, she lowered her head demurely before him."
                xz "It will be my honour, gallant Rowan. "

        scene black with fade
        show xzaratl happy behind black

        "She pulled away, but her hands never left his body. She ran them over his chest, up his arm, as she repositioned herself, climbing atop of him. Two hands supported her as she pulled herself up."
        "Two other two found his own, their fingers intertwining. She leaned in to kiss him, pressing her body against his, their cocks touching both hard and erect, yearning for release. "

        xz "Thank you, gallant Rowan. "

        #cg 2
        scene cg1105 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1105
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1105
        pause 3

        ro "Ah!"

        "She pulled away and pushed into him in one smooth motion. Thanks to the oil, she had no trouble entering him. Thanks to the oil, she had no trouble thrusting into him with slow, gentle movements."
        "Was it also thanks to the oil that he felt so content to just lay under her and take it? Was it the oil that made his whole body feel both hot and weak at the same time?"
        "Or was it just the knowledge he didn’t have to worry about a thing, as X’zaratl languidly pushed her cock into his ass, each thrust feeling absolutely divine?"

        xz "A-ah! Your ass feels amazing, gallant Rowan! The things we’ll do together- "
        xz "I will show and Alexia wonders you’ve never seen. Make you experience delights you’ve never dreamt of. Every day. Every night. Forever and ever."

        "The demoness continued to whisper sweetly into his ear, rocking her hips, spreading his anus with her cock. It wasn’t brutal. It wasn’t violent. But it didn’t feel any less intense."
        "A slightly harder thrust made both of them gasp, and X’zaratl was quick to kiss him, murmuring apologies. "

        xz "I’m sorry. But your ass - it feels so {i}good{/i}! It’s so tight and slippery - and it squeezes my cock so ravenously! Does it feel good for you, gallant Rowan?"

        ro "It feels- gods! "

        xz "Ah, I know! It feels great for me as well. Kharos shatter my soul, it feels divine- "
        xz "A-ah. I shouldn’t, but -"
        xz "... If I wanted to cum inside of you, Rowan, could I… ? "

        "The question lingered in the air, X’zaratl fighting her desire to frantically thrust into him, to fill him to the brim. Her stomach kept rubbing against his own cock, adding yet another layer of sexual caress to it all."
        "Her hands on his body, her lips on his skin, her tits pressing against his naked chest, and her dizzying scent all around him. Like she was wrapping herself around him, her embrace warm and comforting."
        "To have that warmth enter him even deeper…"

        menu:
            "Let her come inside. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ XzaratlAnalTrainingButtCum = True
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                ro "You can. You- ah, gods! - If you want to- "
                xz "I want to, Rowan, I really do."
                ro "Then go ahead."
                "His breathless permission was all she needed to hear. Her thrusting became wilder, more passionate. And even though what he just said was supposed to be for her benefit…"
                "Seeing that excited look on her face felt good too, in a different way."
                ro "Fill me up X’zaratl- come in my ass!"
                "She let out a delighted moan, his words edging her forth. And in just a few moments-"
                show cg1105 with sshake
                show cg1105 with sshake
                show cg1106 with flash
                pause 3
                "He felt her ejaculate, felt her hot cum pour into his ass. Thanks to the oil, it all felt so vivid - like a small torrent of liquid ecstasy, pumped directly into his insides."
                "He closed his eyes, and laid his head back, enjoying the sensation. X’zaratl kissed him on the lips, lightly rocking her hips, causing her cum to slush around his ass."
                "And then she started thrusting {i}again{/i}. "
                ro "A-ah?! "
                xz "This is all still for your pleasure. So just relax, and let me do all the work. "
                "He had no strength to fight her, nor any desire to do so. The pleasure from his ass radiated all the way to the tip of his cock, his desire to come drawing near. "
                #darken cg
                "And when he suddenly did, he knew it would not end there. She would keep fucking him, filling his ass and emptying his balls, again and again."
                scene black with fade
                "Until exhaustion took him."
                jump analTrainingEnd_rp

            "Just enjoy her cock inside of you. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                "Was it selfish of him, to just lay there, and take the ecstasy she offered? To be content with her cock fucking him, not wishing for her to come, not wishing for his delight to end?"
                "Maybe so. And maybe because of that, a flicker of guilt passed through his eyes. One X’zaratl noticed, and silenced with a kiss."
                "She didn’t ask again, only kept thrusting her cock into his pliant ass, elevating his excitement to new and new heights."
                "Soon the throbbing need in his cock proved too great to bear, and with a needy moan, he was pushed to the edge- "
                ro "A-ah! "
                "His orgasm ended up showering both of them in his cum, staining their skin and silken sheets in pearly white cum. X’zaratl slowed her thrust, allowing him to enjoy himself, as the ecstasy receded bit by bit."
                "And as soon as he rested a little, she picked up pace again."
                xz "Ha, ha-ah! I can go on for as long as you want me to, Rowan. So just relax and let me do all the work."
                "He had no strength to fight her, nor any desire to do so. The pleasure from his ass radiated all the way to the tip of his cock, making him harden within moments."
                #darken cg
                "She wouldn’t stop with making him cum twice. Nor thrice."
                scene black with fade
                "So he let her fuck him without end, until exhaustion took them both."
                jump analTrainingEnd_rp

    label analTrainingEnd_rp:

        "He woke up in the demoness’ arms an hour or two later. Instinctively, he looked down - and found his body wiped clean, though he noticed no towels nearby."
        "With a quiet sigh, he untangled himself from X’zaratl’s arms, and started dressing up. A soft rustling of silk sheets informed him the cubi mistress woke up as well."

        scene cg1107 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1107
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1107
        pause 3

        "She was kneeling on her bed, resting her hands on her knees. She was still half-naked, allowing her assets to draw his eyes in. Her lips curled in an innocent smile. "

        xz "Have you slept well, Rowan? Would you like some tea before you go? "

        "His heart skipped a beat at the sight. If it was any other demon, he would think it a beast ready to pounce. But because it was her…"
        "He wondered if he couldn’t possibly stay a little longer."

        ro "… I shouldn’t. There’s not enough time in the day. You know how it is. "
        xz "Duty is a cruel mistress. But do visit me again, gallant Rowan. My doors are always open for you."
        ro "Y-yeah… "
        ro "I certainly will."

        return

    label rowanXzaratlWhipping_rp:

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan coughed a little awkwardly, his cheeks colouring red from embarrassment."

        if xzaratlWhippingPromise:
            ro "I don’t know if you remember, but a while ago you promised me a certain… Activity. "

        else:
            ro "I don’t know if you remember, but a while ago we engaged in a certain… Activity."

        ro "Do you still have the whip with you, X’zaratl?"

        show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        "The demoness blinked once, then put all four hands over her mouth. She giggled nervously, her cheeks as red as his. "

        if xzaratlWhippingPromise:
            xz "Of course I remember! But I was afraid this was something said at the spur of the moment."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            xz "It’s not often that I am pressed against the wall and asked to whip someone."
            if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 6:
                ro "It’s not often I consider it. But since I’ve met you, I find my horizons have broadened considerably."
                xz "It’s all I ever wanted for you, gallant Rowan. That, and happiness."
            else:
                ro "It’s not often I consider it."

        else:
            xz "Of course I have! Oh Rowan, it was a magical moment. To see the two of you unite in such a way… It was a dream come true. As for the whip…"

        "X’zaratl offered him a sweet smile, and her hands disappeared between the wide folds of her robe. The black rope from before then reappeared, the demoness trailing her long fingers over its length."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        "It took a familiar shape - that of a whip as black as night. The demoness held it fondly, and Rowan wondered if it was just any other magical item, or if there was a history behind it."

        if alexiaWhippedRowan:
            xz "I am happy to learn that you were not scared by your last encounter with it. Though I am… Slightly concerned that you asked for it."

        else:
            xz "I am happy to learn it still holds your interest. Though I am… Slightly concerned that you asked for it."

        xz "There are only two types of people who ask for it. Those seeking pleasure, and those seeking pain. "
        xz "Do you being here mean the black thoughts from before still haunt you?"
        xz "Or is it that maybe… "

        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
            show xzaratl aroused at cliohnaright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Her fingers ran lovingly over the thick handle of the whip. Despite the serious topic of their conversation, Rowan found himself imagining them stroking something else."

        else:
            show xzaratl aroused at cliohnaright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Her fingers ran lovingly over the thick handle of the whip. Rowan tried not to think about them stroking something else, and failed miserably."

        if xzaratlWhippingPromise:
            xz "Maybe it’s curiosity that guides you? Desire to experience the fabled “demonic punishment” you spoke of."

        else:
            xz "Maybe it’s curiosity that guides you? Desire to experience the fabled “demonic punishment” some mortals speak of."

        "X’zaratl shifted in her chair, and Rowan had a good idea why. Still, he couldn’t forget the gentle tone of her voice when she asked if the guilt still plagued him. For her to be so concerned about him… It was touching."

        xz "It’s not often that I assume the role of a wicked mistress. Usually it’s out of necessity. But if it is what you need, gallant Rowan, then I will be as firm as you needed. "

        "Rowan swallowed heavily. What he wanted, what he desired, what he {i}needed{/i}-"

        $ whippingForPain = False
        $ whippingForPleasure = False

        menu:
            "He needed punishment.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ whippingForPain = True
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
                ro "X’zaratl, if it’s not a role you take often, or one that you do not enjoy, then I have to apologize. But I… "
                "He didn’t want to say “needed it”, even if it was how he felt. What he needed was to not act like garbage, rather than seek out ways to cope."
                ro "… I’m not driven by curiosity right now, X’zaratl."
                xz "Punishment and absolution, then."

            "He needed to know how good she could make it feel.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ whippingForPleasure = True
                "Again, he coughed awkwardly. Seeing how concerned X’zaratl was for his mental well-being, it would be incredibly embarrassing to admit it was his cock that guided him here."
                if xzaratlWhippingPromise:
                    "Even if it was her who promised him unimaginable pleasures… But maybe this was not the time to mention that."
                ro "You know this job comes with its own set of challenges. It doesn’t get easier. "
                ro "But it doesn’t mean I either need you to be, or want you to be, brutal. You don’t need to be a wicked mistress, X’zaratl. You can just be yourself. "
                xz "A little bit of both, then."
                xz "And that is very sweet of you to say Rowan. Thank you."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve


        xz "But there is something we must discuss first."

        "Her fingers still stroked the whip, but now it seemed more like a nervous tick. Concern marred the demoness’ face as she addressed him again."

        if alexiaWhippedRowan:
            xz "As I said before, for whipping to bring relief… It must be done out of love. That is why I asked Alexia to do it."
            ro "And it worked.. "
            xz "And I’m glad to hear it."

        else:
            xz "As I said before, for whipping to bring relief… It must be done out of love. It is why I wished for Alexia to do it."

        xz "The bond we share… "

        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 9:
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
            ro "Is it not just as strong, X’zaratl?"
            "The demoness blushed red, and shook her head."
            xz "I’m happy to see it so strong, but I could never compare it to the one between you and Alexia."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        elif RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
            xz "Is one we are still building. Maybe one day… It might be as strong as the one you share with Alexia. I would love to see it. "
            xz "But not yet."

        else:
            xz "I know I am still a stranger to you. I just hope it will not remain that way."

        xz "So I cannot bring you absolution the way Alexia would, gallant Rowan. I am sorry."
        xz "Which is why I must ask you to allow me to bring you relief in other ways."

        "He was halfway through voicing his protest when X’zaratl said that. She pulled at both ends of the whip, making it snap in her hands. The other two reached across the table to hold his own."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show xzaratl happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

        xz "With the whip, I will bring you the punishment you so seek. "
        xz "With my body, I will grant you the relief you so deserve."

        ro "That’s… "

        xz "You wish to atone, gallant Rowan. Is that not the most noble of goals? Does it really need to end on a painful note?"
        xz "We can mix pain and pleasure."
        xz "I can make it feel good."
        xz "{b}Really{/b} good."

        if whippingForPain:
            menu:
                "This was… Acceptable. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                    "X’zaratl squeezed his hands reassuringly, and he found himself returning the gesture. Mixing pain and pleasure… If there was anyone who could pull it off, it would be X’zaratl. And he would be happy to try it."
                    "… and Jezera would be disappointed to learn he wasn’t a {i}complete{/i} masochist when it came to handling his guilt."
                    ro "(Better to never tell her what transpires in X’zaratl’s room.)."

                "He was not here for entertainment.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    show xzaratl neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
                    ro "It’s not supposed to feel good, X’zaratl. You’re missing the point."
                    "This was a mistake."
                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    show xzaratl neutral at center with moveinright
                    "He pulled away, making his irritation show. X’zaratl was quick to raise too, fumbling apologies."
                    xz "Gallant Rowan, I’m sorry. But you don’t need- "
                    ro "I decide what I need, X’zaratl. And it’s not another sexual encounter masquerading as therapy."
                    ro "I appreciate you hearing me out, but let’s end it here for today."
                    "The whip disappeared as quickly as it showed up, the demoness following him to the door. Pain and pleasure… What was it with demons and mixing the two?"
                    show xzaratl happy at center with dissolve
                    xz "… It’s fine, gallant Rowan. I understand."
                    xz "If you ever want to talk, my doors are always open."
                    ro "Not today, X’zaratl."
                    scene black with fade
                    "He opened said doors - and shut them close behind him. "
                    # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence -= 1
                    return

        else:
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "She was asking for his permission, and he would grant it in an instant. The only reason he didn’t yet, was to not appear too enthusiastic. "

        ro "I feel like it’s cheating just a little bit, but… I trust you, X’zaratl. If you think this will help… I agree. "

        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "She beamed at him, with a smile that could melt glaciers. She stood up, pulling him with her. Pain and pleasure… He couldn’t wait to try.   "

        else:
            "She beamed at him, with a smile that could melt glaciers. She stood up, pulling him with her."

        show rowan at center with moveoutright
        show xzaratl at midleft with moveoutleft

        "She guided him to the center of the room, her hands already working to take off his clothes. His shirt was discarded to the floor, and his pants soon followed. Every step exposed him further. "

        show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

        "She stopped him after just a few meters. One pair of hands lowered his underwear - another traveled up his arms, raising them to the ceiling. He heard a soft click, as a leather-covered, metal cuff was closed around one of his wrists. "

        ro "Your room has everything, I see. "
        xz "I’ve only used them once before, when Ishta felt particularly rebellious. They’re not for everyone to wear."
        ro "Only those special to you?"

        "She smiled, and moved her hands to his other wrist. Another soft click followed. Naked and chained, he shivered in nervous anticipation."

        ro "I suppose it’s not proper punishment without them. "
        xz "No, it is not."

        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
            "X’zaratl traced her fingers over his back and chest as she circled him slowly. He gasped as her hand brushed his half-erect cock - and she silenced him with a quick kiss, that seemed to last into eternity."

        else:
            "X’zaratl traced her fingers over his back and chest as she circled him slowly. He hissed as she brushed his half-erect cock. Briefly, he wondered - was it really wise of him to let himself be manoeuvred into such a position? How- "
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
            "X’zaratl kissed him suddenly, the dizzying smell of raspberries enveloping him. When she pulled away, he forgot what it was he was thinking about. "

        xz "Be at ease, gallant Rowan. As promised, this will feel… Exquisite."
        xz "But you must endure to the end. And it will not be easy. Here… Open your mouth, please. "

        "In her hands, he saw a gag to bite into. She was being serious, then. Having made his choice already, he let her fasten it around the back of his head."

        xz "Do not worry. I will not hurt you. I would never hurt you, Rowan. {b}Never{/b}."

        "She kissed him on the cheek, and her hands lingered on his body a little longer… "

        hide xzaratl with dissolve

        "Then X’zaratl disappeared from view. He counted every step, her heeled boots hitting the stone floor. One, two, three, four, five, six… Silence. "

        show cg1242 with fade
        show xzaratl happy behind bg23
        pause 2

        xz "Close your eyes, Rowan. And focus. For a moment, I need you to forget about me, and focus on the things you wish to atone for."
        xz "I will not ask you what they are. Not now. If you wish to share them later… I will always listen. "
        xz "For now… Just focus on them. And tell me when you are ready. "

        "Rowan let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. Six steps behind him, X’zaratl was waiting with her whip ready to strike. He needed only to find a reason for her to do so. Something she should punish him for… "

        $ rowanWhipCount = 0

    label rowanWhipMenu_rp:

        if rowanWhipCount == 1:
            hide cg1244
            show cg1243 with sshake
            show cg1244 with redflash
            "The swishing sound was his only warning before the whip suddenly struck him. Pain exploded through his back, and his whole body spasmed in agony. A muffled scream struggled to escape his lips, stopped by the gag."
            "X’zaratl held nothing back. Once the flash of pain subsided, he felt the wound ache across his whole back. Heaving, he struggled to keep standing, grabbing the chains around his wrists to pull himself up."
            hide cg1244
            show cg1243 with sshake
            show cg1244 with redflash
            "Only for X’zaratl strike again, her whip crossing the first mark, making a reddened X on his skin. He screamed into the gag again. He was allowed no respite, no rest."
            hide cg1244
            show cg1243 with sshake
            show cg1244 with redflash
            "And then the whip struck a third time, and Rowan started wondering if he hadn’t made a horrible mistake. From just three strikes, he already felt the strength leaving his body."
            "This was no punishment, but torture."
            xz "Breathe, Rowan. You can relax for the moment."
            scene cg1245 with fade
            show xzaratl happy at midleft behind cg1245
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1245
            pause 2
            "X’zaratl calming voice came accompanied by the dizzying scent and gentle touch, as her fingers trailed the fresh wounds."
            "He drew a sharp breath. Even the gentlest brush of her fingertips was agonizing right now."
            xz "Breathe. Acustom yourself to the pain. I know you have it in you. "
            "She undid his gag. Before he could say a word, the demoness kissed him, and pulled closer, wrapping herself around him. "
            ro "Mmm! "
            "He moaned as she touched his cock, four hands caressing it with perfect skill, distracting him from the pain in his back. Pain that was suddenly reignited as X’zaratl pushed into him, her chest rubbing against the whip-marks."
            "Still chained, he had no choice but to surrender to her ministrations, her tongue dancing with his. She cupped his balls, caressed the underside of his cock, teased the tip."
            "And it felt amazing, the ecstasy of her touch fighting the pain from her whip. And soon the former started to grow stronger, threatening to eclipse the latter."
            "… And just as he started to yearn for it, she began to pull away. First, she broke their kiss. Then, she took a step back, no longer aggravating his wounds. Finally, with one hand still stroking his cock, she reached for the gag around his neck. "
            xz "Guilt into pain, pain into pleasure. Endure, gallant Rowan. It will be worth it."
            "He nodded dumbly, his previous concerns dispelled by her intoxicating touch and lovely smile. She promised him - and X’zaratl upheld her word."
            show cg1242 with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind bg23
            "The demoness hastened the gag around his mouth, and once more disappeared from view."
            xz "Remember. Focus on what troubles you."
            "It was easy for her to say, it was not her cock that was pulsating with need. Demanding attention. Or maybe it was. He wasn’t sure if the thought aroused him, or repulsed him."
            "Still, he closed his eyes, and waited for X’zaratl to strike him as punishment for… "

        elif rowanWhipCount == 2:
            hide cg1244
            show cg1243 with sshake
            show cg1244 with sshake
            "This time, he was ready. The whip cracked, adding another wound to his back. He let out a muffled… Moan?"
            "This strike was lighter. It still hurt like hell, thanks to the wounds already present on his skin. But he could bear that pain."
            xz "Brutality is not necessary for punishment to be effective. I know you hurt, Rowan. For now… Just endure."
            "Another strike followed. Five already. And again, he half groaned, half moaned. His whole back ached. Punishment for his sins, rightfully earned."
            "{i}Another strike{/i}. Punishment. Punishment. This was his punishment."
            "Then why was his dick only getting harder?"
            xz "It’s easier now, no? "
            scene cg1245 with fade
            show xzaratl happy at midleft behind cg1245
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1245
            pause 2
            "He nodded his head, as he felt her touch his skin, her fingers once more undoing his gag. Her lips searched his, and her whole body pushed into his own. She wrapped her hands around his dick, and he wanted to beg her to stroke it harder."
            ro "X’zaratl, please- "
            xz "Not yet. Endure, gallant hero."
            "His cock throbbed with need, and he groaned, suddenly unsure what was worse - the whip, or the insistent denial of fulfilment. "
            xz "Remember. This is still punishment."
            ro "Certainly - ah! - feels that way!"
            xz "As it should. Do not worry, gallant Rowan. Soon it will be over."
            "She trailed her finger up his cock, teasing the underside again, and deftly redid his gag. He voiced his displeasure with a low moan, but X’zaratl only cooed soothingly as she stepped away. "
            show cg1242 with fade
            show xzaratl happy behind bg23
            "Punishment. Wishing for the demoness to tend to his cock, it was now hard to see it that way now. But still, he tried to think about the things that troubled him most. In particular…"

        elif rowanWhipCount == 3:
            jump postRowanWhip_rp

        else:
            pass

        menu:
            "… All the atrocities he committed.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "Sin after sin… How many lives were lost or ruined because of his betrayal of Rosaria? Could he ever truly atone for what he had done?"
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Growing so indifferent to the suffering of others." if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "“Hero of Rosaria”... What an empty title it was nowadays. He has long grown numb to all of the suffering he was complicit in. He told himself it was necessary. What a joke."
                # $ rowanCorrupt -= 3
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Being so soft on others." if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "Kill or be killed, the strong dominate the weak. His time here has proven it to be true. So why did he hesitate? All that old fashion morality was only holding him back, and because of it, the truly innocent suffered. "
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Failing to save Delane." if delane_status == "dead":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "… She counted on him, just as Alexia did, as so many people did. And he failed her. Like so many before. {i}Gods{/i}, some hero he was."
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Failing to save Helayna." if helayna_escaped and helayna_escape_method == "without rowan":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "… She trusted him. Begged him for help. And he abandoned her. In her darkest hour, he wasn’t there for her. When had he become so craven? "
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                # $ rowanCorrupt -= 3
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Being such a horrible husband." if roAlRel < 50:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "… She relied on him. It was his fault Alexia was there. Then why was it so difficult to bring her comfort? Was he that weak of a man, that in times of hardship, he had to take it out on his beloved ones?"
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

            "… Pretending to feel guilty, just to have her punish him." if whippingForPleasure:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanWhipCount += 1
                hide cg1244
                show cg1243 with sshake
                show cg1244 with sshake
                "All X’zaratl wanted was to ease his pain. All {b}he{/b} wanted was to indulge in a desire he so rarely had the opportunity to explore. What a truly wicked man he was."
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                jump rowanWhipMenu_rp

    label postRowanWhip_rp:

        "This time, X’zaratl made him wait, giving him ample time to focus on the past. Standing naked on the cold floor, his wounds and arousal the only things keeping him warm, he started to long for the loud crack of her whip."
        "Soon. Soon. She promised him it would be over soon. Soon he would be free to no longer torture himself with his own mistakes. Soon he’ll find release. Soon- "

        hide cg1244
        show cg1243 with sshake
        show cg1244 with sshake

        "The whip cracked, and he found himself standing on the tip of his toes as the force of the strike made him arch his back. It was agonizing - but he asked for it. And every strike brought him closer to release."
        "Suddenly he was glad for the gag. Without it, he feared he would beg X’zaratl to strike him again. He wanted it to be over. He wanted her to touch him again- "

        xz "Two more, Rowan. "

        "Her sweet voice was so far away. He wanted to hear it whispering into his ear. Two more, just two more."
        "The second strike came quickly, and his whole body shuddered. Feeling his knees weaken, he pulled at the chains to keep himself standing."

        xz "I know much troubles you, Rowan. I know it’s not easy being gallant all the time. You must make hard choices on every step. And maybe sometimes, you make the wrong one. "

        "He couldn’t see her, but he imagined her rolling the whip in her hands, then readying it to strike again. Despite the pain, he forced himself to listen - it would be a disservice to the demoness to do otherwise."

        xz "I want you to know… That even if at times you think you made a wrong choice, took the wrong path… I forgive you. "
        xz "I made my share of mistakes when I first arrived to this plane, and they caused me no small amount of grief too."
        xz "Let this punishment help you put the painful past behind, and move on. "

        scene black with fade

        "He tried to turn around to face her - only for the whip to strike him one final time, the agony overwhelming his senses. His body went slack, and he saw dark spots before his eyes."

        show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

        "As he was slipping into unconsciousness, he felt the gag fall down, and X’zarat raised his head to kiss him, her dizzying scent bringing unexpected relief. He drank her lips ravenously, guided by desire and need of comfort."

        xz "And now… "

        "Her fingers trailed down, and her lips soon followed, kissing his chest, then stomach, as she knelt before him. Rowan took a sharp breath as she parted his legs, forcing him to hang off his chains, her other hands grabbing his ass to pull him in."

        #blowjob CG
        scene cg1246 with fade
        show xzaratl happy behind cg1246
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1246
        pause 3

        "All of that discomfort was worth it, when she kissed the tip of his cock and circled her tongue around his engorged head. "

        xz "Now you can finally let go, gallant Rowan. "

        "He groaned as her tongue kept teasing him, nimbly dancing around, licking him with fervour. It was a gentle caress, so unlike the whip’s strikes, but somewhat far more agonising. "

        xz "Let go, and forget about the pain of the past. "

        "Her lips parted, and she put the tip of his cock into her mouth, its moist warmth overwhelming his senses. She started to suck gently, lightly bobbing her head up and down, in a torturous delight that felt far too good for Rowan to want it to stop."

        xz "Mmmm… Mmmm… Mmmm-ah! Let go, and focus on the pleasure of the present."

        show cg1247 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "This time she dived deeper, taking almost half of his cock, sealing her plump lips around it. She kept bobbing her head, her tongue now once more teasing his tip."

        ro "X’zaratl… By gods, I- "
        xz "Mmmm…. Shh… Mmmm… "

        "She wasn’t listening - and what was it he wanted to tell her? Beg her to go faster? Her tongue was already unbearably wonderful. Tell her to hold him tighter? All four of her hands already wrapped themselves around him, not letting go."
        "And then she pushed her head down his cock, taking it into her throat. The demoness started to suck him with vigour, fully intent on milking him dry."
        "It was a heavenly sensation that seemed to continue into eternity. Rowan groaned, and leaned his head back, surrendering to the sensation, and allowing relief to wash over him."

        xz "Mmm! Mmm… "

        show cg1248 with sshake
        show cg1248 with sshake
        show cg1249 with flash
        pause 3

        "He came right into her mouth, and he heard her swallow without hesitation. She didn’t stop sucking, prolonging this ecstatic moment until his knees grew weak from pleasure."
        "In one thing X’zaratl was right. The pain in his back weakened to a slight ache, and with her tongue still circling and licking his cock, he could hardly think about the excuse that brought him here."

        xz "Mmmmh… Ah… "

        "Little by little, she started to slow down. Her tongue coiled around his dick, cleaning it with reverence. "
        "Despite coming… It didn’t seem like X’zaratl had any intention of releasing him."

        $ secondWhippingblowjob = False

        menu:
            "… Just a little longer. (Scene)":
                hide cg1248
                hide cg1249
                pause 3
                "Breathing heavily, he let himself rest for a moment, enjoying the feeling of her mouth."
                "One moment turned into two, then into three. A moan escaped his lips, and he looked down."
                "She was still licking his cock, her cherry-red mouth sealed around its base. But her eye was focused on him. Waiting for him to order her to stop."
                menu:
                    "Stay like this. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ secondWhippingblowjob = True
                        "With a content sigh, Rowan leaned back. Sensing his approval, X’zaratl’s pulled away to kiss the tip of his phallus, then resumed sucking."
                        "For several long minutes, Rowan’s weak moans and X’zaratl slurping sounds filling the room. Eventually, he started to grow hard again - and X’zaratl started to bob her head up and down, once more vigorously milking him dry. "
                        ro "A-aaah, ah… "
                        xz "Mmmm..."
                        show cg1248 with sshake
                        show cg1248 with sshake
                        show cg1249 with flash
                        pause 3
                        "He came again, unable to resist the allure of her hot, wet mouth. Again, X’zaratl drank his load greedily, a happy moan vibrating from her throat."
                        "He wondered if she would go yet again - but after a moment, she started to pull back, her lips sealed around him. Even when all was said and done, X’zaratl still found ways to make him shiver in delight."
                        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1

                    "She can let go now.":
                       # $ released_fix_rollback()
                       jump xzLetGo_rp

            "She can let go now.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                label xzLetGo_rp:
                    ro "X’zaratl, you can… Ah! … I think you can take my cock out now."
                    "He intended it as a joke, but with his voice so weak, it came out more like a plea. The demoness lingered between his legs for a moment, then started to pull away, her lips still closed around his cock."
                    "Even when all was said and done, X’zaratl still found ways to make him shiver in delight."

        $ xzaratlPersonalWhipping = True

        # if whippingForPain:
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(10)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5

        # else:
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5

        # $ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 2

        xz "Mmm… There. Your cum tastes wonderful, gallant Rowan. Do you mind that I swallowed without asking? "

        ro "Is it something I should… Be worried about it? I mean, there are stories… "

        scene bg23 with fade
        show xzaratl happy at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

        "The demoness giggled, and pulled up. She started to undo his bindings, her other hands supporting him so he could stand. "

        xz "No. The only risk there is, is that I might develop a taste for it."

        "The cuffs came undone, and he struggled to stand. Gods, was he tired, and his wounds were still fresh. Without X’zaratl to distract him from the pain, he was starting to feel the full extent of her strikes. "

        xz "Do you wish to rest? We could steal away an hour or so. I would tend to your wounds."

        "He groaned, and X’zaratl held him tighter. Her dizzying scent lingered around them, growing stronger as she leaned in to whisper in his ear."

        xz "I want to take care of you Rowan. Will you let me?"

        menu:
            "… He could use a break. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if secondWhippingblowjob:
                    "He gave her a short nod - and she led him to her bed. After coming twice, he would not be going anywhere without at least a moment of rest."
                else:
                    "He gave her a short nod - and she led him to her bed."
                scene black with fade
                "True to her promise, after X’zaratl laid him on his stomach, she brought in some ointment he did not recognize, and rubbed it into his back. It felt nice, and he allowed himself a sigh of content."
                "They didn’t talk - he tried to say something once, but she shushed him, ordering him to rest."
                "In the end, he drifted to sleep. "
                "…."
                scene cg1107 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1107
                show xzaratl happy behind cg1107
                pause 3
                xz "Do your wounds still ache, Rowan?"
                ro "No. They’re all better now, X’zaratl. Thank you."
                xz "You’re welcome. Perhaps I should do it more often, after you return from Rosaria."
                ro "I don’t think my back would handle it."
                xz "I meant tending to your wounds."
                "Rowan laughed, a little nervously. X’zaratl watched him from her bed, a small smile on her lips. He didn’t know how she managed to buy him two hours of undisturbed sleep but he was grateful for it."
                xz "I understand duty calls you, gallant Rowan."
                ro "As it ever does."
                xz "Then I bid you goodbye. And remember."
                scene black with fade
                show xzaratl happy behind black
                xz "My doors are always open for you."
                return

            "He indulged already. It was time to go." if secondWhippingblowjob == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midright with moveoutright
                ro "They ache, but I’ve been through worse X’zaratl. I just need a moment to get my bearings. "
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "It’s not uncommon that I have to travel Rosaria with a broken arm or a sprained ankle. Honestly, this is fine."
                "X’zaratl blinked slowly, trying to figure out if he was joking. Now that he said it out loud, he understood how she could get a little worried."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "It’s fine, really. Thank you for… Well, everything today."
                if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 4:
                    "He gave the demoness a light kiss on the cheek, then headed for the exit.  X’zaratl gave him a little wave goodbye."
                else:
                    "He held her hand for a moment, then headed for the exit. X’zaratl gave him a little wave goodbye."
                xz "Of course."
                scene black with fade
                show xzaratl happy behind black
                xz "My doors are always open for you."
                return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 4.rpy
label alexia_succubus_humiliation_rp:

    $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 0
    $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 0

    "Are Alexia and Rowan influenced by X'zaratl? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence = 10
            $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg25 with sshake
    show alexia breeding concerned at center
    show alexia breeding concerned at midright with moveoutright

    al "Ah!"

    #show alexia breeding angry at center with moveinleft
    show alexia breeding neutral at center with moveinleft

    al "Don’t you snarl at me, mister! Just because you got rejected by the last female we introduced you to doesn’t mean you get to vent your frustrations on me. "

    "The drider showed his teeth in an ugly grimace, then retreated into his cell, chastised. They were always a handful once they reached breeding age, even with Draith’s expert training."

    al "(And speaking of handfuls…)"

    show succubus 2 neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    al "How long are you planning on glaring at me from that corner? "

    #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with moveoutleft
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show succubus 2 neutral at midright with moveinleft

    "The demon tsk’ed in annoyance, then stepped out of her hiding spot, throwing Alexia an annoyed look. Blonde hair flowed down her shoulders, and as she placed her hand on the stone wall next to her, her long talons bore into it in irritation."

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "… I remember you."

    ##Hide all sprites, Show Zoom up of the Rude Succubus from dominance display. - TODO

    al "You’re one of the succubi who spied on me and Rowan before, aren’t you?. "

    ##return - Show: Breeder pen BG, Alexia in center-left, succubus in center right. - TODO

    al "The foul-mouthed, rude one."

    rsucc "I didn’t see a reason to be polite to a cock-hogging, greedy little village slut, and I- "

    #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Oh for the love of- Show some respect! "

    if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence > 3:
        show alexia breeding concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al "I can’t believe it. X’zaratl is always so nice and caring. She might be the sweetest person in the whole castle."
        #show alexia breeding angry at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "And her own subordinate is acting like a complete bitch!"

    else:
        al "I might not know much about demons, but X’zaratl at the very least tries to be polite! I can’t believe her own subordinate could be such a complete bitch! "

    "Hearing X’zaratl’s name put a stop to the rude demon’s litany of curses.  Her lips formed a thin line, and two stared at each for a moment."

    #show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Most cubi were still a mystery to Alexia - especially X’zaratl’s inner circle, who always greeted her with a predatory smile, followed by a respectful nod. The lowest of them on the other hand… "
    "Some weren’t that complex. Alexia easily recognized a simple bully looking for an easy target to push around. She would find none in Alexia today."

    al "If you have something to say, do so, and let us be done with it."

    rsucc "… It’s just not {i}fair{/i}."

    "Alexia arched an eyebrow on her, which only served to infuriate the woman further."

    if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
        rsucc "Lord Blackwell might be the only man of quality in this entire shithole. And you and X’zaratl keep him to yourself!"

    else:
        rsucc "Blackwell might be the only man of quality in this entire shithole. But you keep him all to yourself!!"

    #If: ANY OF THE BELOW - TODO
    #Seen: RowanGreyhide gay romance finale.
    #Seen: RowanAlexiaGreyhide polyamory romance finale.
    #Helayna stays in Rowan’s room.
    #Alexia participated in the Liurial Threesome.

    #"… That wasn’t exactly true, but Alexia was in no mood for splitting hairs."

    al "That’s what {i}wives{/i} tend to do. Or were you not briefed on basic human practices  before coming here? "
    rsucc "I know what a wife {i}is{/i}, but- Well…"

    show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

    "The Rude Succubus eyed her chest, and squinted angrily. Alexia blinked - then smiled, and pushed her chest out just a little."

    al "I suppose I am slightly prettier than your average peasant girl."
    al "As do most women here, now that I think of it. Is that the fly in your porridge? Competition in Castle Bloodmeen causing you problems, dear?"

    rsucc "Hrmph."

    "The succubus pouted, and Alexia would be inclined to think it adorable, if one ignored the demon’s crass behaviour - and obvious thirst for her husband’s cock."

    al "(So refreshingly simpleminded…) "

    menu:
        "Toy with the succubus a little. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump toySuccubus_rp

        "Enough wasting time - tell her to leave you alone. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
            al "Well, life’s not fair sweety. I heard your complaint, now away with you. People work here, you know."
            "She shooed her away with her hand, and the demon reluctantly obeyed, murmuring obscenities under her breath."
            hide succubus 2 with moveoutright
            show alexia breeding neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            al "And stop spying on us!"
            show succubus 2 neutral behind bg25
            rsucc "Fuck you!"
            scene black with fade
            show alexia breeding neutral behind black
            al "… Unbelievable."
            return

    label toySuccubus_rp:

        if AlexiaXzaratlInfluence > 3:
            al "I suppose it is a {i}little{/i} selfish of us, to hog Rowan to ourselves like that…"

        else:
            al "I suppose it is a {i}little{/i} selfish of me, to hog Rowan to myself like that…"

        show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "But I don’t see why I should share him with every floozy that {i}clearly{/i} hasn't had a good dicking in months."

        rsucc "Hey-! "
        rsucc "It hasn’t been {i}months{/i}..."

        al "Aren’t sexless cubi sort of like dogs? Doesn’t one week of abstinence for demons equal a decade of human life?"
        rsucc "What?! Where have you heard that?"
        al "Oh, somewhere. Regardless, I really don’t see why I should share my husband when there are so many orcs around."
        rsucc "{i}Because{/i} orcs can’t keep a good fucking tempo if their life depend on it. Believe me, I tried. "
        al "I... sympathize? Rowan mentioned a similar issue with teaching them how to march, but as much as I’d like to do something about it, I can’t help with every issue that pops up around here. The driders alone take considerable-  "

        "She stopped, as if struck by a sudden thought. The impertinent succubus perked up, for once quietly waiting for her to finish. Alexia barely held back her grin."

        al "Hmm… From what Rowan said, driders and their wellbeing will be integral to his long term plans, but Draith has been struggling with getting proper help handling them...  "

        "She kept wondering out loud, and the demon leaned forward, eyes shining like lanterns. It was like dangling a piece of meat before a hungry dog - almost literally, as she noticed the demon’s tail waggle behind her back."

        show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve

        al "I suppose if you do want to get into my husband's good graces… "

        menu:
            "Have her fuck the driders. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump succDriders_rp

            "Have her scrub the floors.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "She beckoned to the demoness, ordering her to follow. Once they were around the corner - she handed her a grey towel and a bucket full of water, forcing them into the demoness’ hands before she could protest."
                al "Start with cleaning the place. It’s an absolute mess."
                rsucc "… Seriously?"
                al "What, are you not familiar with working on your knees? "
                rsucc "I- Well, I am, but not like {i}that{/i}."
                al "I think you’ll catch on in no time. Friendly advice, use your hands more than your tongue. Your mouth is so filthy it could have the opposite effect to what we intend."
                "The succubus looked like she was about to explode - and did just that, starting a litany of curses so colorful and long, Alexia suspected she just learned how to say “fuck” in several languages long thought dead."
                hide succubus 2 with moveoutleft
                show alexia breeding happy at midleft with dissolve
                "And without stopping, the succubus dropped to her knees, and started working. Alexia had to admire the sheer determination - even if she couldn’t approve of the lack of manners."
                scene black with fade
                "Wearing a soft smile, she left the demon alone, and returned to her duties - the litany of curses accompanying her throughout the day."
                return

        label succDriders_rp:

            show succubus 2 neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

            "She beckoned the demoness forward. Once close, Alexia wrapped her hand around the succubus's waist, and moved aside to show the cell behind her. The drider, till now brooding in silence, raised his head to observe them. "

            al "This is Asir. He’s been feeling a little frustrated since the latest breeding partner we introduced him to refused to mate with him. "
            rsucc "They get a say in who they fuck? "
            al "Of course! They’re not slaves or animals - the cells are as much for their safety as it is for ours."

            "The rude succubus furrowed her eyebrows, trying to make sense of Draith’s policies - only to yelp in surprise as Alexia grabbed her ass."

            al "Still, having been raised in Castle Bloodmeen does leave them a little inexperienced when it comes to drider usual mating rituals, and everything that follows. Asir here needs… Someone to practice on. "
            rsucc " I’m not letting that thing even touch my cunt."
            al "Oh, you can keep that one chaste and pure if it matters to you so much."

            "She trailed her finger up, circling around the base of the demon’s tail, then slid it down again - and pressed the tip of her finger against the cubi’s dirty hole. Alexia felt the demon's body shiver all around her flesh."

            al "Asir has been curious about how our {i}other{/i} holes work… So that’s what you’re going to use. "
            al "And before you say anything, remember: "
            al "We have dozens of demons here. Why should we favour you above others?"

            "She ran her finger back and forth, pushing into the succubus so she had to lean against the cell’s steel bars. The drider stood up by now, having caught whiff of the conversation."
            "His cock dangled before their eyes, half unsheathed. Seeing its protruding shape, and feeling the warmth of the cubi’s body, Alexia couldn’t deny her own arousal growing."

            al "So how will it be, dear? "

            "The demon made no effort to push her away. She was biting her lips hard enough to draw blood, and her eyes were fixated on the cock in front of her."

            rsucc "… Do you promise to tell your husband about me?"

            menu:
                "[Lie] Of course!":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "If you prove your loyalty… Of course."

                "If she’s a good little pet… Why not?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The question made her pause. This really was little more than punishment for her impertinence. But seeing her squirm in desperate need for her husband’s cock had a charm of its own. Maybe Rowan would enjoy it too."
                    al "If you keep being a polite little demon… Perhaps something could be arranged. "

            rsucc "… Fuck, let’s do it then."

            show succubus 2 neutral at midright with moveoutright

            "Alexia couldn’t help but grin at the succubus' determined expression. Only a demon of lust could approach a simple request like a challenge to a duel. Taking the keys out, she unlocked the cell, and opened the doors wide."

            al "Asir, be a dear and come here."

            "The drider walked out of his cell, clearly excited about what was about to come. Already he was undressing the succubus with his eyes - only to recoil a little once he met the demon’s withering gaze."

            show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

            al "Now, now - why the hostile attitude? "
            rsucc "Driders are no better than orcs - mindless beasts with no technique to speak of. Why should I look forward to this? "
            al "If you treat him right, maybe he’ll surprise you. Even if he doesn’t speak - something you honestly should learn from him - Asir is an intelligent and promising specimen. I have high hopes for him."

            "She ran her hand up the drider’s leg. The young male lowered his head obediently, though his eyes never left the cubi’s near-naked figure. "

            al "Now be so kind and strip down, lay on the table, and stick your ass out."
            rsucc "The fuck you just said-"
            al "And be quick about it, if the other driders grow restless because I spent too much time here I will have you service them as well."

            "{i}That{/i} put the cubi in her place. She hastily scrambled to the heavy table located at the center of the room, throwing her dress aside.  Alexia smiled, and took a place by her side. "

            #cg1
            scene cg1108 with fade
            show alexia breeding neutral behind cg1108
            show succubus 2 neutral behind cg1108
            pause 3

            al "You know… You actually have a pretty shapely rear, now that I look at it."
            rsucc "Y-yeah, I suppose so."

            "Alexia placed her hands on the demon’s ass, massaging it with circular motions. The rude succubus, now acting far more subdued in her unexpectedly submissive position, watched her with a growing blush on her face."

            al "You can shapeshift, no? So was it a conscious choice…?"
            rsucc "Can’t blame a girl for wanting to look nice-"
            al "Not blaming you at all! I think it’s cute. And I’m not the only one here who thinks that way."

            "The drider continued to pace nearby, his erect cock protruding out of his lower half like an obsidian javelin. The succubus glanced nervously in his direction, eyeing the pulsating shaft."
            "Meanwhile, Alexia spread the demon’s cheeks, presenting her unguarded hole to the drider."

            al "Asir, I expect you to be at your best behaviour. No fucking until I allow it."

            "The drider nodded his head eagerly. Alexia moved one hand over to the Cubi’s pink little butthole, and prodded it gently - only to find it nervously clenched."

            al "That’s no good, dear. You have to relax a little… "

            menu:
                "Lube her up with the drider’s precum.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "She signaled for the drider to come closer. Eager to finally see some action, it growled in annoyance as Alexia had it stop mere inches away, placing one finger on his cock. "
                    al "Patience, Asir."
                    "She teased the drider just a little, making his cock twitch in desire. Already the tip started to moisten - and after a moment, a white drop formed up, one Alexia was quick to scoop up."
                    rsucc "What are you- AH!"
                    "Alexia pushed her finger up the succubus ass, cooing soothingly as the demon let out a pained moan."
                    al "Relax. Imagine it’s Rowan’s, if that’s what you’re into."
                    "The rude succubus gritted her teeth, and tried to follow Alexia’s order. Another scoop of precum later, she managed to slide two fingers in. Two more - and it was three."
                    al "There, all ready."

                "Lube her up with her own juices.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    rsucc "Aaa-ah?!"
                    "Alexia gave no warning as her fingers found their way inside the demon's pussy, plunging deep. Much to her delight, she found the succubus to be already growing wet."
                    al "My my~~ And here you were, being all hesitant and crude, when your pussy is begging for a drider cock."
                    rsucc "W-well… Look, it’s been a while!"
                    al "Please. All cubi are insatiable sluts. Most of you are even proud of that, aren’t you?"
                    "She moved her fingers out, admiring how they glistened in the flickering torch light of the monster pens. A moment later, she was sliding them up the cubi’s ass, cooing soothingly as the demon let out a pained moan."
                    al "Relax. Imagine it is Rowan’s cock, if that’s what you’re into."
                    "The rude succubus gritted her teeth, and tried to follow Alexia’s order. Again, Alexia pushed her fingers into the demon’s soddy cunt, and again, she forced her fingers into her anus - this time fitting two of her fingers."
                    "She repeated the process again - with great satisfaction fitting three of her fingers now."
                    al "There, all ready."

            "She pulled her fingers out, and admired how her butthole twitched, as if not wanting to let her go. Alexia  placed her hands on the demon’s ass again, and looking up to the drider - spread her open."

            al "She’s all yours, Asir. But remember what we talked about. Gentle and considerate."

            rsucc "I can’t believe I’m-"

            #cg2
            scene black with fade
            show alexia breeding neutral behind black
            show succubus 2 neutral behind black

            "The drider pushed his hips, forcing the tip of his cock into the demon’s ass! The succubus let out a silent scream, then forced her mouth shut, trying to blink away the tears. "

            al "I said be gentle! Come on, try again."

            "The drider grunted what had to be an apology, then pushed again, this time with less force. Alexia held the succubus back in an iron grip, and watched with glee as the drider started to bury its manhood inside of her."

            al "There you go. How does it feel, dear? To have your ass split by a drider?"
            rsucc "Nnnngh…. It’s too- forceful! I told you they had no technique!"
            al "That’s what we’re working on here, aren’t we?"

            "Alexia hid a smirk, then nodded at the drider, ordering him to keep going. The veiny, black cock slowly disappeared inside of his prey, causing the drider to smile wickedly."

            al "Let her grow accustomed to your size. We want her moaning in desire like a common slut, not grunting in pain."
            rsucc "Hey, that’s- ahh!"

            "The beast started to pull out, then made a short, powerful thrust, causing the table to creak, and pushing the succubus further down. The poor demon instinctively forced her talons into the dark wood, searing long scars into it."

            al "Slowly… Gently…"

            "Still holding the succubus ass, alexia started to make slow, circular motions, her soft voice aiming to soothe both of the unlikely lovers. Finding his prey sufficiently subdued, the drider visibly calmed down. As for the demon…"

            rsucc "Ha…. Ha… Haaa…"

            "Pained moans slowly turned to that of building desire, the scowl on her face clearly there to hide her feelings, and deny Alexia the satisfaction."

            al "You know there is no shame in enjoying drider cock, right?"
            rsucc "A dildo… Can feel good… Too… It doesn’t- ah!"

            "The drider pushed into her roughly, obviously displeased by the comparison. Alexia clicked her tongue in annoyance."

            al "I {i}said{/i} play nice, both of you! "

            "The succubus scoffed, then lowered her head. Alexia took the opportunity to reach out to the drider, and bring his head down so she could whisper into his ear."

            al "Make her feel good, and maybe I can convince her to visit every week. Wouldn’t that be nice? "

            # if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 60:
            "She had no intention of doing such a thing at first - but seeing the demon slowly surrender to Asir’s throbbing slab was making her heart beat faster in ways she couldn’t quite understand."
            "She might be a prisoner in Bloodmeen - but right now, she was no longer in a position of weakness."

            # else:
                # "She told herself it was simply for practical reasons - and that it wasn’t simply because there was something incredibly arousing in making a demon surrender to cock."

            "The drider heeded her advice, and resumed his thrust in a deliberate, gentle manner. Eight legs allowed for control other lovers could only dream of. And a few minutes later, despite her reluctance, despite her opposition to the idea…"

            rsucc "Ha…. Haaaa.. Oo-oh!"

            "The demoness was again panting lustfully, her hips rocking ever so slightly to match the drider’s thrust."
            "Alexia didn’t say a word, not wishing to bring her out of that blissful state. Her hands continued to admire the demon's body, her fingers kneading its supple asscheeks, then moving to other locations."
            "A light stroke of the pussy lip, a gentle push down to keep the ass presented to the beast, a little pinch to the nipples, and soon-"

            rsucc "---!"

            "The demoness let out a muffled moan, hoping Alexia wouldn’t notice her orgasm. The pens caretaker pretended to be oblivious - then wrapped her hand around the drider’s back, pushing him forward, urging him to go faster."
            "Asir obliged, his cock now pistoning in and out of the demon’s ass, forcing her to brace herself to keep her position. His breath grew heavier."

            rsucc "W-wait, not-"

            "He didn’t listen - he buried his cock as deep as he could, and Alexia witnessed it pulsate as the beast started to pour his semen inside of his new lover, trails of it suddenly dripping out of her well-fucked asshole."

            rsucc "-insi-aaaaaaah!"

            "The demoness threw her head up, her tongue rolling out. She looked like a bitch in heat - an image that suited her well, in Alexia’s eyes."

            al "Feeling alright, dear? "
            rsucc "Nnngh…. I feel… Full…"
            rsucc "Didn’t know… Driders came so much… "
            al "Then this was an illuminating experience for us all, don’t you agree, Asir?"

            "The drider nodded his head - and started to move his cock again. Alexia giggled, then pulled away, causing the demoness to snap her head at Alexia."

            rsucc "Wait.. We had a deal-"
            al "Oh don’t worry, we’ll discuss it later. For now, enjoy yourself. It’s not that unpleasant, is it?"

            "She caressed the woman’s cheek - and saw the demoness look away, biting her lips to keep herself from moaning."

            al "Be nice. "

            scene black with fade

            "She left the succubus right there, and moved on with her duties - wondering if the demoness will visit her again - be it to play with the driders, or to have her make good on her promise."

            # return

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption2.rpy
label meeting_zahira_rp:

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            $ ridingPromise = True
            jump meeting_zahira_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Alexia in her own room? (only affects backgrounds)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
        "No":
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        scene bg9 with fade
    else:
        scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It had been a long day and Alexia was relaxing in her chambers for the evening, when all of a sudden…"

    #knock sfx

    al "Someone at the door? Who could it be at this time?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    "She opened the door to see Zahira standing there, practically naked and smiling."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        show zahira happy behind bg9
    else:
        show zahira happy behind bg7

    zah "Hello lady Alexia, I hope I am not disturbing you."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    al "No, Zahira, not at all. Please, do come in."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinright
    hide zahira
    show zahira happy at midright with moveinright

    "Zahira followed Alexia into the room. Even her form as she walked was perfect, her hips sashing and her ample bosom jiggling with each step. Alexia watched her with a hint of envy and smiled."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "So, as nice as it is to have company, I take it this is not a social visit?"

    zah "Very astute, master did say that you were a smart one."

    "Whether the compliment was genuine or not, she couldn’t say. Zahira’s dress revealed much, but the woman herself was hard to read."

    al "Lord Andras sent you, I presume?"
    zah "Yes, my lady. The master requests your presence the evening after he has finished with his duties, and sent me to retrieve you."
    al "I see."

    "A shudder went down her spine. She had been wondering when Andras would call for her again after the last time when she had failed his challenge."

    #if all_actors["alexia"].corruption > 59:
    "She could already feel herself growing wet, the demon had given her the most intense multiple orgasms of her life, and she’d be lying to herself if she tried to pretend she wasn’t excited about what he would do to her next."

    "She walked over to the chest of drawers and rummaged around until she found the barely-there black outfit she had hidden well so her husband would not find it. Pulling it out, she turned to Zahira, dangling it in the air, and grinned."

    al "I suppose I had better put this on then."

    "Zahira nodded and then turned toward the door."

    zah "I will leave you to prepare, my lady. You can meet me at the master’s chambers when you are ready."

    "Alexia gently placed her hand upon the brunette’s shoulder."

    al "Please, Zahira, stay. I suspect we are going to be spending quite a bit of time together in the future, so it would behove us both to get to know each other better."
    al "And no more of this “my lady”, call me Alexia."

    zah "Thank you, Alexia."

    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia slid her dress to the floor and gave off a little giggle."

    al "Plus, I have seen you riding Lord Andras’ cock, I think the ship has sailed on any sort of modesty between us."
    zah "Hmmm, a good point, Alexia."

    "A sly smile crossed her lips."

    zah "In that case, it is only fair I get to see you riding master’s cock. Then we will be even."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia went all flush at her lewd suggestion. In all honesty, it made her feel…"

    menu:
        "Aroused":
            $ ridingPromise = True
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al " I… I’d like that…."
            al "Bouncing up and down on Andras’ fat cock, while you watch us…"
            "Alexia closed her eyes and imagined the scene. She knew Zahira noticed her visible signs of arousal, but she kept that sly smile on her face and did not show it."
            zah "I’m certain that is something that could be arranged if you would like, Alexia."
            al "I would, but…"
            zah "But?"

        "Embarrassed.":
            $ ridingPromise = False
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia tried to laugh it off, and hide her embarrassment at the thought."
            al "I don’t know if I could do that, I think I have a few too many inhibitions."
            zah "You needn’t have, Alexia."
            al "That is very nice of you, but..."
            zah "But?"

    show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The redhead slid the teeny sling dress up her body, adjusting it so that it just about covered her nipples and her crotch."

    al "I’m sure I would feel too self-conscious, Zahira. I don’t have your confidence."
    zah "You should. Just look at you standing there in that outfit master gifted you. It suits you much better than the dress you wear."
    al "It does?"
    zah "Yes, you have a great body, you should flaunt it, any man who saw you wearing this would want you."
    zah "You are a beautiful woman Alexia, I can see why our master is so taken with you."

    menu:
        "Take the compliment.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Thank you, Zahira."

        "Return the compliment.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Thank you, Zahira. It means a lot coming from a woman as beautiful as you are."

    zah "You have been chosen, and you can be so much more than a poor girl from some small village, but you have to choose it too."

    "Alexia didn’t know how to respond. She was equal parts flattered and embarrassed to be complemented by such a beautiful woman. She decided it might be best to just change the subject for now."

    al "It seems you know quite a bit about me, but I still don’t know anything about you."
    zah "What would you like to know, Alexia?"
    al "Hmmm…"
    al "Well, since you seem to know how I ended up here, maybe you could tell me how you did?"
    zah "Oh, does it really matter who we were before? All that matters is who we are now - Master's praised lovers. But if you insist..."

    "She gave Alexia a little wink."

    zah "It is a story with a happy ending after all. You have no doubt guessed that I am from Qerazel?"
    al "Well, I didn’t want to assume…"
    zah "It would have been the correct assumption. Like master and his sister, I grew up there, although we had very different upbringings."
    zah "I was the daughter of a minor house, not particularly powerful or wealthy, but my childhood was comfortable enough."
    zah "All of that changed however when I came of age, however. Even amongst the famed women of Qerazel, I was a rare beauty. "

    "Alexia smiled at her."

    al "I can see that."
    zah "Very kind of you to say, Alexia. Rich men and powerful lords were lining up for my hand in marriage, and I married one of the more rich and powerful ones, which at the time suited both me and my family."
    zah "And for a few years, I suppose I was happy. I wanted for nothing, had the most exquisite clothes and jewels, so many servants I never had to do a thing for myself. The sort of life that I had always dreamed of."
    al "Seems like a far cry away from the life of a “poor girl from some small village”."

    "She sighed, unable to hold back the self-deprecating remark. But rather than look at the girl with pity, Zahira answered her with a small, knowing smile."

    zah "That’s how it all looks when we look back, doesn’t it? A sad life, of a poor girl, in a small village."
    zah "And yet I’ve heard of the green fields of Rosaria, and I’ve heard how after the war, it was a time of peace and prosperity. As a newly wed wife, you should have been happy. That’s what everyone would tell you."
    zah "Unless, just like me, you felt that something was missing."
    zah "Or maybe someone."

    "Alexia blushed, the woman was anything but subtle."

    zah "Speak of the devil, this is when master enters the tale."
    zah "Those years of luxury had made me arrogant and conceited, and when he accidentally bumped into me, disguised as a human, on one of my trips to the bazaar, I got very angry."
    zah "I demanded that he apologize, but he just leered at my chest and said…"
    zah "“Damn, you have amazing tits, slut.”"

    "Alexia laughed."

    al "Oh dear. That sounds just like him."
    zah "Shocked, I screamed insults at him, but master, being master, merely laughed and told me to fuck off and walked away, which only incensed me more. I returned home and demanded that my husband make him pay for his impudence."
    zah "At first he refused, saying he had better things to do than to get himself involved in my hysterical episodes, but as you know we women have our ways, and in the end, it only took a little convincing to get what I wanted."
    zah "Some men are such simple, gullible creatures. I almost pity them. "

    al "And Lord Andras?"
    zah "Well, my husband took a dozen or so house guards to the slums with him in search of master. I wasn’t allowed to go as the slums were no place for a woman according to my husband, but I slipped out in disguise after he left. "
    zah "The servants, being smart, were much more afraid of me than they were of him. "

    "Alexia smiled at her."

    al "I can imagine."
    zah "Trust me, dear one, you cannot. "
    zah "Anyway, it didn’t take long for them to find him in some dirty, deserted back alley, as it is not in master’s nature to hide from a fight. I arrived, just in time, excited to see him get his comeuppance and die by my husband’s hand. What a fool I was then."

    al "I take it that it didn’t go as you expected, then?"

    "Zahira laughed loudly."

    zah "You could say that. Master revealed his true form and killed all the house guards in what seemed like a flash, he would have killed my husband too if I hadn’t stepped out and begged him not to."
    zah "Do you know what he did instead?"

    al "No."
    zah "He laughed, whipped out that magnificent cock of his, and pissed on the poor bastard. It probably would have been more merciful if I had let him kill him!"

    "Now it was Alexia’s turn to laugh."

    al "Oh dear. I shouldn’t laugh, that’s awful."
    zah "He knocked him out and then came towards me, his huge cock swaying between his legs. I tried to back away, but stumbled and fell to my knees. He stood over me, this demonic brute of a man, and I was terrified, thinking to myself “What will he do to me? What will he do to me?”"
    al "And what did he do?"
    zah "He just leered at my tits again and said “Damn, they really are amazing. Shame they belong to such a weak man” and then walked off with a smug grin on his face."

    "Alexia smiled at her."

    al "Again, that sounds just like him."
    zah "I tried to go back to my life after that, but I couldn’t get the encounter out of my mind. And all the emotions that had rushed through me at the time; terror, shame, anger, and lust."
    al "Lust?"
    zah "Yes, he was a demon, and incredibly dangerous. I had thought my husband the most powerful man I had ever met, and there he was lying on the floor, utterly humiliated. Every time I looked at him, I just saw master towering over me, his massive cock in front of my eyes."

    "She slide her hands down to her large breasts, each adorned with a heavy gold loop, and began to caress them, almost subconsciously."

    zah "I became obsessed with him, and eventually I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to find him."
    zah "One night when my husband was lying in bed, recovering from his wounds, I snuck back to the slums to see Andras."
    zah "When I found him, I slipped out of my dress, presented my tits to him-"

    "She slid her hands underneath and pushed them upwards."

    zah "-and asked him “Do you still think they are amazing?”."
    al "Since they {i}are{/i} amazing, I’m guessing his answer was yes?"

    "She nodded and smiled at the redhead."

    zah "I gave myself to him - body and soul. My husband bought me, but master? He owned me."
    zah "As a reward, I was given a night of pleasure like nothing I had ever felt before. But you know something about that, don’t you?"

    "Another little wink, as Alexia burned with shame."

    al "...Yes..."
    zah "I could no longer stay away. In the day, I would tend to my husband’s wounds, tenderly changing his bandages, running my fingers through his hair and whispering soothing words to ease his pain."
    zah "In the night, the same hands roamed master’s body, and my tongue danced around his cock, worshipping it with every inch of my heart and soul. The deception thrilled me in ways I had never experienced before. "
    zah "When the Master told me he was leaving Qerazel, I begged him to take me with him. He did, and in doing so he freed me all obligations other than being his pet, his slave, his lover. I’ve devoted myself fully to giving him pleasure, and in doing so I found true happiness."
    zah "I hope that with time, you will come to feel the same way. "

    "Alexia wasn’t sure what to say. At the end of her story, Zahira spoke with such honest passion, it almost made her heart ache. She just wasn’t sure if it was because she was happy for the woman, or jealous of her."

    zah "But I have rambled on for too long, we should go. We wouldn’t want the master to return when we are unprepared to receive him. "
    al "That’s true."

    show zahira happy at edgeright with moveoutright

    "Zahira turned to leave."

    al "Umm… Zahira?"
    zah "Yes?"
    al "Thanks for telling me that story."

    "Zahira gave her a warm smile. "

    zah "Anytime sweet one. Perhaps when we have more time I can tell you some others, I have a few I think you will find very…. Stimulating."

    scene bg14 with fade

    "The pair walked the hallways of castle Bloodmeen, making their way to Andras’ chambers. Zahira strolled confidently, while Alexia followed after her, hoping not to be seen."
    "Luckily the castle was deserted at this time, and the only other souls they met were a few orcs returning to the barracks, who stared lewdly at them both as they passed. Zahira assured her the loyal soldiers of their master would tell no one what they had seen."

    jump meeting_zahira_skip_rp

    label meeting_zahira_skip_rp:

        scene bg41 with fade
        show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show zahira happy at midright with dissolve

        "Alexia let out a sigh of relief."

        al "Phew, Lord Andras has not returned yet."

        "Zahira placed an arm around her, softly."

        zah "Do not fear, Alexia. I did not completely lose track of time earlier. We still have enough time before master returns to prepare properly."

        "Alexia had a cursory glance at the messiness of Andras’ chambers."

        al "Umm… Zahira..?"
        zah "Yes?"
        al "Well, you keep talking about preparing…"
        al "How exactly should we prepare?"
        zah "Do not fret, sweetie, it is quite simple."
        zah "Master will one day rule the Six Realms, and after that the whole world. He has a lot of responsibilities, as well as a lot of stress on those broad shoulders of his."
        al "He does? I guess I never thought about it…"
        zah "Where lesser men would be crushed by the weight of it, master uses it to push himself even further. But even he needs time to rest. It is our duty to help with that, whenever he desires. Help lighten his burdens, even if just a little."
        al "How?"
        zah "Well, remember when you were in the throne room, and you knelt and sucked his cock?"

        "Alexia burned with shame."

        al "He.. he told you about that?"

        "Zahira smiled kindly at her."

        zah "He did. He said you were very good."
        al "He… did?"

        "A shudder of arousal shot through Alexia at the mention of the praise."

        zah "Yes, he did. Now, do what I do."

        #cg1
        scene cg1250 with fade
        show alexia slut necklace neutral behind cg1250
        show zahira happy at midright behind cg1250
        pause 3

        "The brunette knelt facing the door, posing in such a way that her breasts were thrust forward as if she were presenting herself. Alexia did the same, slipping the parts of the slings covering her breasts to the side to reveal them in all their glory."

        zah "Good, just like that. Now when master returns, we are going to allow him to use our bodies to relieve himself of all that stress that has accumulated, but we must be ready."
        al "Aren’t we already ready?"
        zah "Not quite, my dear Alexia. Remember that I mentioned the throne room?"
        al "…Yes…"
        zah "I want you to close your eyes, and imagine kneeling there again."

        #cg1 - var 1
        show cg1251 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Alexia did as she commanded, and they both knelt there with their eyes closed."

        zah "Now imagine master’s cock is in front of you. "
        al "O…okay…"
        zah "Think about how big it is, how it smells…"
        zah "How it tastes…"

        "The memories flooded Alexia’s brain, causing her to let out an involuntary moan."

        al "Mmm..."
        zah "You want to taste it again, don’t you?"
        al "Yes..."
        zah "Then tell me."
        al "I want to… to suck Lord Andr-"
        zah "Master."
        al " -master’s cock."
        zah "Now again. Without hesitation. And louder. "
        al "{b}I want to suck master’s cock{/b}."
        zah "Good, good. Now I want you to imagine him taking hold of your head…"
        al "Yesss?"
        zah "And sliding that massive cock between your lips again. "

        "Alexia let out a louder moan now as she imagined repeating their encounter in the throne room. She began to salivate at the thought of tasting his fat red cock once again."

        zah "Now, tell me about it."
        al "Mmmm… Master is so big…"
        al "And he tastes amazing…"

        show cg1252 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Zahira slid a hand down to rub her clit, a low moan escaping her lips. Was she picturing the scene herself - or was she thinking of that fateful night when she herself surrendered to Andras?"

        zah "I want you to touch yourself while you are imagining it."

        "Alexia followed suit, sliding her hand down, she began to stroke her cunt as she imagined deepthroating the demon’s cock."

        al "Ohhhh…"
        zah "Now… Slow down."
        al "Aaa-ah?"
        zah "We’re not doing this for ourselves, Alexia. We’re doing this for Master."
        zah "We have to be wet and ready for him, at all times. "
        zah "So slow down, breathe."

        "Alexia fought back a frustrated groan, but followed the woman’s advice. It was just fantasy… But felt so real, Andras {i}cock{/i} felt so real. Almost as if it was now permanently lodged into her mind."

        zah "… Now go again. Touch yourself thinking about Master’s cock."

        "Alexia started rubbing her cunt before Zahira even finished speaking. She opened her mouth wide, as wide as she could, to welcome master’s cock, to allow him to plunge deep into her with a single thrust!"

        zah "{b}Never{/b} stop thinking about Master’s cock. "

        show cg1253 with dissolve
        show andras smirk behind cg1253
        pause 3


        "And she wouldn’t, touching herself with abandon before Zahira inevitably told her to stop again, only for the two to resume a moment later, even hornier. "
        "So lost were the pair in pleasuring themselves to the thought of pleasing their master, that they didn’t even notice when he entered the room. He grinned like a child in a candy shop."

        an "Well, what do we have here then?"
        zah "Ohhh… master… I was just teaching Alexia…"
        an "Teaching her what?"
        al "…how to prepare for your arrival, m...m..master… "

        "Andras moved behind them, placing a hand on each of their shoulders."

        an "Clearly, you are doing an excellent job, Zahira."
        zah "Thank you master, I live to serve."
        an "That you do. Please don’t stop on my account."
        an "And just how were you preparing for my arrival?"

        "The pair continued to finger themselves, more intensely now their master had arrived, his masculine scent empowering the fantasy Alexia has been living in for… Gods know how many hours now. Or was it just minutes?"

        zah "Alexia?"
        al "Uhh…. we were imagining… sucking master’s dick…"

        "Andras raised an eyebrow."

        an "Oh, really?"
        al "Yesss…."

        show cg1254 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "He smirked as he flopped his semi-erect dick out from under his belt, so it was perfectly placed between the pair of them."

        an "I suppose I had better help you out then."

        "The pair opened their eyes and stared at it lustily."

        zah "Oh.. master…"
        al "Master… Master’s cock…"

        "They frigged themselves wildly now, gazing at their master’s phallus with wild abandon. So large. So {i}perfect{/i}. It was no wonder Zahira couldn’t get it out of her mind the night she first saw it."

        an "Do you ladies like what you see?"

        "The incoherent moans that emerged from within the pair of them were a clear yes to Andras’ question, and he chuckled."

        an "Now I want you both to think about sucking it…"
        zah "Mmm..."
        an "- and riding it…"
        al "Unnnnnf…"
        an "-and taking my hot load deep in your tight little slutty cunts…"
        zah "Fuuuuuccckkk… "

        "After all that waiting, the thought was too much for Zahira, who came loud, hard, and messy grinding her pussy against her hand before slumping back against Andras’ arm."
        "The redhead came shortly afterwards, quieter but no less intensely, also slumping back against the demon’s arm who supported them both with a wide smile on his face."

        an "That’s my girls."
        zah "Mmmm…"
        al "Ohhh..."
        an "When the feeling in your legs returns, help Alexia back to her chambers, Zahira."

        "Alexia let out a small whine."

        al "Buuuut master…"

        if ridingPromise:
            menu:
                "She promised to show Zahira how she’s riding his cock!":
                    # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    an "Really now? That’s delightful to hear."
                    an "But both of you had enough fun for tonight, and trust me, the waiting will only make it better."

                "She wanted more. ":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    an "You’ve had enough fun for tonight, and trust me, the waiting will only make it better."

        else:
            an "But nothing. You’ve had enough fun for tonight, and trust me, the waiting will only make it better."

        "She pouted. To have his cock so close, yet have it denied to her!"

        al "If you say so…"
        an "I do, and I believe it was the pair of you who said that I was the master around here."

        "Zahira laughed, and Alexia couldn’t help but giggle along with her."
        "Soon they would leave their master, but for now, they both just leaned against his strong arms, supported by him with inhuman ease, thinking about what was to come in the future."

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label a_noble_fate_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan found himself in the throne room in the early dawn, just an hour before the sun would break out over the horizon. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the air miserably chilly compared to the warmth of his bed."

    ro "You called, Jezera?"

    "He didn't hide the annoyance in his tone; her voice had loudly woken him up through the sapphire necklace just minutes before, insisting that he was to make his way to the throne room immediately."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera smiled at him from atop her throne, well aware of the disturbance she caused him. Andras sat at her side, arms crossed and annoyed."

    je "Yes; I've recently acquired a little treasure that I simply can't decide what to do with. Perhaps you'll be of some advice."

    "A treasure? Rowan scowled. Couldn't this have waited until the morning?"
    "He watched Jezera flick her wrist, and two orc guards dragged out her so-called treasure."
    "It was a man-- a slave from the looks of it-- with broad muscles and dark hair that was bleached lighter by the sun. His hands were bound by iron shackles, and even with his strong figure, the orcs easily brought him down to his knees with a swift kick behind his calves."

    je "Rowan, meet Dasius-- a runaway slave from Qerazel."

    "Rowan took Dasius in, recognizing the bronze armor and symbols carved into it: one marking him as a slave,  another signifying which house he belonged to. {i}He's a gladiator{/i}."

    je "It appears the poor thing wants to disappear. I say we give him the opportunity, don't you?"
    je "But how should we do it, hmm? So many options… Personally, I like the idea of placing him in the brothel. He would make a most excellent little whore, don't you think?"

    das "I am not some sex puppet for you to tote around!"

    "Although the only outburst were his words, the orcs yanked on his chains, earning a small hiss of pain from the slave."

    je "Not with that attitude."
    je "Be careful, little slave. You do know who is deciding your fate, don't you?"

    "Dasius turned to Rowan, recognition and dread crossing his features."

    das "I was there at Deadman's Pass when he stormed it--"

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras slammed his fist against his chair's arm, drawing their attention."

    an "The man is a {i}gladiator{/i}; he was born to fight!"
    an "I say we let him fight {i}to the death{/i}."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras flashed a sharp, sadistic smile in Dasius's direction. The gladiator glared but didn't object."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan shifted uncomfortably in his place."
        ro "Surely there is something more useful we can do with him. Add him to the army, perhaps?"
        an "Shove off, worm. You hand him a sword and strip his chains and he’d probably try to slice your throat in your sleep. Gladiator or Bedwarmer. You’re not getting out of picking this time."
        je "He’s quite right, dear. One or the other."
        "Rowan sighed."

    menu:
        "Make him a manwhore for the brothel. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_prisoners(1)
            # $ change_favor('jezera', 1)
            "There was always a shortage of male whores among the brothel, and Dasius had the kind of physique that fit the role perfectly."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "He would no doubt bring in plenty of money for Bloodmeen at the expense of a few thrusts."
            ro "I say we put him in the brothel."
            an "Tch.Boring."
            je "I knew you would see reason, Rowan. We'll have him prepared right away."
            "The demon flicked her wrist again, dismissing the orcs and their prisoner. Rowan didn't miss the harsh glare Dasius cast in his direction as he was dragged away."
            hide andras with dissolve
            "Andras got up and left, Jezera smirked down at Rowan, a knowing look in her eyes."
            je "Why don't you take the first swing at breaking him in? If you're into that sort of thing, of course."
            menu:
                '"Teach" Dasius how to be a whore. (Scene)':
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan picked up on her meaning easily."
                    ro "That's a great idea."
                    scene black with fade
                    "....."
                    scene bg24 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "Rowan found Dasius in the brothel a few hours later, his armor replaced with thin trousers and a leather mask around his eyes. His lips curled into a sneer as Rowan entered and gestured for the slave to follow him."
                    "Dasius hesitated, but upon seeing the weapon strapped to Rowan's side, he followed until they came to a spare bedroom."
                    das "I thought you were supposed to be a {i}hero{/i}."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        ro "I would say ensuring you don't die is pretty heroic, don't you think? I even came all this way to make sure you got some training for your new job."
                        "Rowan licked his lips, admiring how little Dasius's pants hid his slight erection."
                        ro "On your knees. Now."
                    else:
                        ro "I thought so, too. Things are more complicated than that, though…"
                        "Rowan looked down at Dasius's pants, noticing his slight erection through the thin fabric."
                        ro "Have you ever blown a guy?"
                    show cg1181 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1182 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Dasius didn't respond; he lowered onto his knees obediently, aware of where this was going. Rowan unbuckled his pants and pressed the tip of his cock to the gladiator's lips."
                    "His behavior spoke for himself-- Dasius took Rowan's cock into his mouth and down his throat with ease, an expertise that spoke from experience."
                    show cg1183 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan's fingers pressed into the back of Dasius's head as he fucked his mouth and throat, his thrusts growing more fervent the deeper Dasius's took him."
                    "The gladiator seemed to be enjoying himself, closing his eyes as his tongue ran up and down Rowan's shaft."
                    ro "Fuck, fuck--"
                    show cg1184 with sshake
                    show cg1184 with sshake
                    show cg1185 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "His cock twitched, cum spurting down deep into the gladiator's throat. Dasius's swallowed it all, his tongue still tracing against Rowan's tip as they pulled away."
                    "Rowan tucked himself back into his pants, a small smirk playing at the edge of his lips. Dasius just watched him, his expression unreadable."
                    ro "Looks like you'll have no trouble fitting in here."
                    "Rowan patted his shoulder once before making his way out of the brothel. Yes, this had been a good decision."
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                    return

                "Leave it to the twins.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "I'm sure you two have it handled."
                    je "Hm. Suit yourself."
                    ro "Is that all you needed?"
                    je "Yes, yes, you're free to go."
                    "Rowan nodded, eager to return to the comfort of his bed."
                    return

        "Make him a gladiator.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
            "They could always use more soldiers, especially experienced ones. If he managed to survive Andras's show to the death, he could be incredibly valuable to their army."
            "He said as much to Andras and Jezera, earning a pout from the female while Andras grinned maliciously."
            an "{i}If{/i} he survives."
            "Rowan had a feeling Andras had no intention of letting the gladiator succeed, but at least he could try."
            scene black with fade
            "....."
            scene bg28 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "The turnout for Dasius's fight was larger than Rowan had ever expected; the arena's stands were filled with orcs and various other castle staff, their fists and feet pounding against the stone chairs and floor in a steady, dooming rhythm."
            ro "You'd think he advertised this fight to half the realm…"
            "The arena itself was empty, although Rowan could hear snarling and growling from the other side behind a solid row of iron bars. Whatever Dasius was about to fight was either angry or hungry-- or both."
            "The gladiator and Rowan stood on the other side of the arena, staring at the empty space with a sense of foreboding."
            das "I didn't expect {i}you{/i} to visit me before the show."
            ro "I thought I'd see a fellow warrior off before battle."
            "Dasius narrowed his gaze, a thousand questions behind his dark eyes. Rowan couldn't tell if he was grateful for the long pause of silence that followed or guilty for the position he'd put the gladiator in."
            das "May I make a request?"
            ro "Of course."
            "Dasius's gaze fell to the sword by Rowan's hip."
            das "If I'm to die, I wish to die a noble death."
            menu:
                "Let him borrow the sword.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan unhooked the sword from his side and passed it into Dasius's hands. The gladiator's fingers curled tightly around the sheathed sword until his knuckles were white; this was his last chance, a final lifeline."
                    "An announcement echoed throughout the arena: the fight was about to begin."
                    ro "Good luck."
                    "The seats were uncomfortable, but Rowan was more concerned about the gladiator as he stepped out into the arena. A large frog-like beast Rowan didn't recognize-- Draith must have either created this monstrosity or found it-- croaked and snarled through thick fangs before diving at Dasius."
                    "Dasius managed to dodge and block one of the blows with his sword. A few orcs boo'd."
                    "As the battle continued, Rowan realized the orcs were hoping for a quick round of bloodshed. Instead, they got an actual show and they were disappointed."
                    "Harsh words and angry boo's nearly drowned out the announcer's voice as he tried to keep up with the battle. Rowan felt a surge of relief; he had rescued this man. If he were to die, at least it would be noble."
                    "But the gladiator did not die. Dasius fought hard, and Rowan could tell that the man had years of training as he dodged and sliced at the beast with expert precision."
                    "The frog-creature's corpse rolled over onto its back, its long purple tongue swollen and missing a piece that had been strewn out somewhere in the arena."
                    "Dasius raised his arms up in triumph. The crowd boo'd. The slave didn't care; he was alive. At least for one more day. One did not live long in the gladiator pits, after all."
                    "He clapped quietly before leaving the arena. Morale may be down, but Rowan's mood certainly wasn't."
                    # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                    return

                "Fend for himself.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan shook his head; that was not the show Andras wanted to put on, and the orcs were eager for bloodshed. If Dasius was any kind of skilled gladiator, he would find a way to handle this by himself."
                    ro "I can't."
                    "Dasius's expression slipped and Rowan caught a hint of betrayal on his face. Of course he would see it this way; a hero leaving him up to his own devices, refusing to help the very people he had sworn to protect."
                    "But this was Dasius's fight, not Rowan's."
                    "Rowan clapped his hand against Dasius's shoulder. The gladiator tensed and swallowed hard, a new panic in his eyes as he looked back out over the arena."
                    ro "Good luck out there."
                    "Dasius didn't respond. He stood there, still and shocked, while Rowan left to find his seat."
                    "The excitement was contagious; Rowan felt himself getting hyped up in the orc's audience, almost as eager for the bloodshed as they were."
                    "The announcer yelled over the arena for the fight to begin. The crowd cried out in response."
                    "The gates opened. Dasius stumbled out, empty-handed and barely armored. He stared ahead and raised his chin in an attempt to look intimidating, but Rowan could see the weak bend of his legs and the tight fists clenched at his sides."
                    "The gladiator was terrified."
                    "On the other side, a large frog-like beast Rowan didn't recognize croaked and snarled through thick fangs before diving at Dasius."
                    # if castle.buildings["pit"].lvl >= 1:
                    "Draith must have either found this creature or created it."
                    "The frog spit something at Dasius's arm. The gladiator screamed."
                    "The gladiator fell easily, one limb burned off from a strange purple acid emitting from the frog. The rest of the match went quick; without a weapon, Dasius was defenceless."
                    "The orcs didn't care, though. They cheered and whooped with each splash of gore and acid in the arena, many even jumping up to their feet as they took in the bloodshed."
                    "The announcer mocked Dasius, his voice echoing throughout the chamber until the gladiator's dying breath."
                    "The whole affair was humiliating. Rowan stared down at Dasius's corpse-- rather, what was left of it. The gladiator hadn't stood a chance."
                    "Excited chaos erupted throughout the arena as the announcer declared the beast the winner, and the audience craned their necks and pushed past each other to get a good view of the frog consuming the gladiator's remains."
                    "Rowan grimaced; he felt bad leaving Dasius without a weapon, especially after seeing how poorly it had gone, but what's done was done. At least the soldiers were happier, and that would be just as useful as an extra hand on deck."
                    # $ change_morale(3)
                    return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label showing_driders_whos_on_top_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade

    "There was always an unpleasant smell to the beast pits, not from lack of care, but from the animals themselves. It was lucky for Rowan that he had come across plenty of miserable scents in his lifetime, or he might have felt inclined to pinch his nose to block it out."
    "How Draith could stand it, Rowan never knew."
    "He found the dark elf in a heated discussion with a pair of orcs near the drider cages, his face pinched in irritation. The orcs stalked off, leaving an annoyed Draith behind."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "What was that about?"
    dra "Yes?!"

    "Draith jumped, eyes wide and alarmed, until he saw who it was behind him. He pressed a hand to his heart."

    dra "Oh, you can't scare me like that! My nerves are shot as it is."
    ro "What's going on?"
    dra "One of our driders has been a little feisty out on the fields. Neswin--"

    "Draith gestured toward one of the cages where a female drider rested, her large body rising and falling with heavy sleep."

    dra "--has been bullying the orcs when they go out to fight. She's usually pretty obedient, but she's been relentless out on the fields, constantly picking fights with the orcs."
    ro "Has she been hurt?"

    "Draith laughed, shaking his head."

    dra "They {i}wish{/i} they could lay a hand on her. Oh, it was quite the bloodbath, I hear…"
    dra "But she's developed a bit of an attitude, and now the other driders are picking it up, too."

    "Another one of the driders in a nearby caged perked up, as if he knew he was being spoken about. Draith gave him a warning glance before turning back to Neswin."

    dra "Something needs to be done. The orcs are furious, but what do I do? What do I do?"

    "Draith pressed his hands over the lover half of his face, repeating the nervous mantra to himself."

    ro "You could always punish her. If she's killing off soldiers, that's enough reason to teach her a lesson."

    "Draith looked torn, as if the idea of holding her properly accountable physically hurt him."

    dra "I don't want to punish her; it's not her fault she's like this. "
    ro "It's not?"
    dra "No. It's her first breeding season, after all; she can't help it. She wants a strong male, but none of our driders fit the role. Female driders can be immensely competitive, actually."
    dra "Once they reach about two years old, they begin a long search for a partner, and the longer they go without finding one, they become insatiable. It's actually..."

    "Rowan tuned out a little at Draith's eager explanation on the inner workings of the female driders' sex drives. The male drider in the cage perked up, almost appearing offended by Draith's claims, but the dark elf ignored him."

    dra "--but since no one here fits, she's been looking for substitutes. Unfortunately she picked the orcs, but none of them have been able to live up to the task."

    "Rowan nodded to himself and peered between the cages of driders. Violent, nasty beasts they were, but they had an alluring quality to them as well. They couldn't resist their base urges, no matter the problems it caused for others."

    ro "But if we don't do something, the orcs aren't going to want to go out at all with them. They might even hurt or kill the Driders while they're out before the beasts attack first."
    dra "Ugh, Rowan, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Believe me, I know."

    "Draith stared at Neswin with a troubled look on his face. Rowan felt for him; punishment of the beasts for misbehavior was one thing, but it was another entirely when the beast was following a natural instinct."

    dra "I don't know what to do. She's so good otherwise, but when she's with the orcs, she's practically uncontrollable."
    ro "Well, it may not be that she's uncontrollable, but that the orcs don't know how to handle her."

    "The dark elf shot a glare in the direction the orcs had left."

    dra "You could say that again. I could have fed them to the driders for dinner! They didn't show any care when they brought her back here-- the poor girl was practically dragged into the pits! "
    ro "I don't think they're used to having a beast overpower them. The orcs are used to using their physical prowess in fights; they don't know how to peacefully handle a creature that is stronger than them. They just want to fight it more and show their superiority."

    "Draith's nose wrinkled in distaste but he nodded, understanding."

    dra "They've made that abundantly clear."
    ro "Neswin doesn't seem all that powerful-- she isn't bigger than most of the other driders-- so we just need to approach this differently."

    dra "Well, don't keep it to yourself. What did you have in mind?"

    #If 2 Heavy Armored Orcs in Rowan's Retinue / Battle Prowess Rank 2 - TODO
    "Rowan rubbed his chin in thought. Then--"
    ro "Bring her to the arena. Make sure she's still a little tired; we don't want her putting up a full fight."
    "Draith raised an eyebrow but didn't object. Rowan was glad the beastmaster trusted him; it definitely made his job easier."
    "Now he just hoped his plan would work."

    scene bg28 with fade

    "……"
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan met Draith back in the arena, a tired Neswin beside him. She fidgeted, slowly growing more alert as Rowan stepped in. Draith held his whip tightly in case she lost control."
    "Two armoured orcs flanked either side of Rowan, chains and shackles held in their arms. They eyed the drider like a challenge, their sharp teeth protruding with their smiles."
    dra "So, not that I'm one to doubt you or anything, Rowan, but what is your plan exactly?"
    ro "We're going to make sure she doesn't bother the orcs anymore. Would you mind providing a distraction?"
    dra "I suppose."
    dra "Neswin! Over here, girl. That's it, come forward."
    "Neswin followed Draith through the arena slowly, her speed picking up as she grew more awake. Rowan watched her, waiting for a perfect opening."
    ro "Now."
    "The orcs descended upon the beast, clamping on their shackles around her legs and wrists before yanking the chains to pull her away."
    "Neswin gave out a startled yell, suddenly alert. She snarled and attempted to attack the orcs, but the chains trapped her to the ground."
    "The orcs waited as Neswin thrashed about, failing to free herself from the shackles. She paced the short length the chains allowed, eyeing the group of men with malice."
    "But after a few tense minutes, to Rowan's surprise, Neswin sat down. She continued to eye the men, but she didn't bite or fight for her freedom. She seemed to be… waiting."
    "Rowan turned to Draith, proud of his work."
    ro "I would say she's submissive now, wouldn't you?"
    dra "Hm, not quite. She still needs to breed with someone or else it'll be the same situation all over again."
    menu:
        "Let the orcs fuck her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Would it be so bad for the orcs to have a go at her, then?"
            "Draith considered the idea, slowly nodding in agreement."
            dra "Yes, I think that could work. Really, it has to; it's our only option. Until we find a proper drider for her, she'll just keep acting up unless she's properly satisfied."
            "The orcs grinned, having overheard the suggestion."
            ro "Have at it, boys."
            "They wasted no time, quick to slip out of their pants and press themselves on either side of the trapped drider. Her hisses turned to moans as they thrust inside."
            dra "Hm. Yes, perhaps this could work after all! Thank you, Rowan."
            ro "No trouble. Come see me if you need anything else."
            dra "Of course."

        "Fuck her yourself. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Let me handle it. I'll make sure she learns her place."
            show cg1186 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Draith watched with interest as Rowan stepped toward the beast and unbuckled his pants. Neswin regarded him curiously, her initial anger subsiding as she took in the length of his cock."
            "Rowan settled behind her. Neswin started as he placed his hands on her waist and shoved her down, hiking the opening of her pussy up toward him. It wasn't hard to do considering her bulbous rear made the opening easy to find."
            ro "You've caused a lot of trouble, you know? "
            "She whipped her head back and hissed, but the sound changed into a whimper as Rowan thrust inside of her with the entirety of his length. Fuck, she was so {i}open{/i}. His fingers dug deeper into her sides."
            "Neswin squirmed, at first trying to pull away, but then pushing Rowan's cock deeper. Neswin jerked her body back and forth in an attempt to ride him, to overpower him, but Rowan held her still."
            ro "Easy there."
            "As Rowan picked up the pace, she slowly fell into submission. Her body jerked with each thrust. Rowan felt his own pleasure build as he felt her wet folds welcome him, her desire obvious."
            "The orcs cheered him on from the sidelines, and even Draith watched Rowan's movements with fascination. There was a small thrill in succeeding where they had failed, especially when he felt just how much the drider wanted his cock driven inside of her."
            show cg1187 with sshake
            show cg1187 with sshake
            show cg1188 with flash
            pause 2
            "Neswin let out a small cry as her body spasmed with her climax, her legs trembling before they collapsed onto the ground. Rowan finished inside her, shooting his seed deep into her drider cunt."
            "Rowan strode across the arena back to Draith, tucking himself back in his clothes."
            ro "Let me know if there are any more problems with her. I'll take care of it."
            dra "Mm, I'm sure you will. I'll keep that in mind."
            "With a satisfied grin, Draith ordered the orcs to take Neswin back to the pits. Rowan left them behind, his mind already drifting to the mountain of paperwork he still had to complete."

    scene black with fade

    "....."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan visited the pits once more a few days later. Draith sat in his office but perked up with Rowan's entrance."
    ro "Hey. I was just coming to see how everything worked out with Neswin."
    dra "Oh, she's getting along just {i}fine{/i}. It's become a sort of game between her and the orcs, really."
    ro "A game?"
    dra "Yes! The orcs will set traps for her while out on duty, then subdue and fuck her. I was a little worried at first, but she seems to be enjoying the game immensely, even purposefully falling into the traps."
    "That was the {i}last{/i} thing Rowan had expected to hear, but it was better than the news that Neswin had slaughtered a whole new branch of orcs. "
    ro "Oh. Huh. Well, I'm glad to see it all worked out."
    dra "Indeed. Now to stop Neswin from influencing the other driders to fall in traps on purpose as well…"
    "Draith mused a little more to himself before jumping back into his paperwork."
    return

    #Else - TODO
    #ro "I'm not really sure. I guess we could try to keep her off of the fields for now."
    #dra "Yeah, I suppose that's all we can do for now."
    #"Draith sighed in disappointment, then returned to his office."
    #"Rowan watched him go. He felt a little bad for not having a better idea, but what else could he do? It wasn't like he could pull a dominant drider out of thin air to please her."
    #"With a sigh, he too returned back upstairs to his own waiting pile of paperwork. "
    #return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_45.rpy
label forging_a_connection_rp:

    scene black with fade

    "Castle Bloodmeen was in an unusual state of intensity as Rowan made his rounds."
    "While there seemed to be no inherent cause for the agitation, every pair of eyes he met held a moody, dark cloud within."
    "Perhaps it was just one of those days."

    scene bg25 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "It seemed that Draith was no exception; as the hero stepped into the breeding pits, he found the dark elf tucked underneath a broken set of cell bars, grumbling to himself as he fiddled with the metal."
    "Rowan crouched down beside him."

    ro "…What are we looking at?"

    #draith shocked
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Draith jumped, smacking his head against the bar. Rowan winced, and the dark elf rubbed the back of his head."

    dra "Ow…"
    ro "Sorry, didn't mean to scare you."

    #draith neutral

    dra "It's fine. I didn't even hear you come in."

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    "Draith sighed and smiled. It was a tired gesture, emphasized by the dark circles under his eyes. When was the last time the beastmaster slept?"

    dra "Can I get anything for you, Rowan?"
    ro "Just stopped by to see how you're doing."

    "Draith nodded, his falsely pleasant demeanor immediately slipping into frustration. He nudged at the bar; a rusted piece fell off."

    dra "I'm trying to repair these cells, but it's been so stupidly damp down here that the bars have rusted. Some of the beasts have already started beating against them and bending them out of shape."

    "Draith continued to mumble under his breath as he tried to bend the metal bar back into place. It wasn't budging. Rowan craned his neck to get a good look at it."

    ro "Why don't you just have a new one made in the forge?"

    "Draith dropped the tool in his hands with a loud clatter and snapped his attention upward, eyes wide."

    dra "We have a {i}forge{/i}?"

    "The corner of Rowan's mouth twitched upward."

    ro "You don't explore much of the castle on your own, do you?"

    "Draith's cheeks colored in shame and embarrassment. He looked away, his thumb brushing against the rusted metal point that had broken off."
    "Rowan stood up and offered a hand to the dark elf. Draith reluctantly took it."

    scene black with fade

    "Rowan led him out of the breeding pits and through the dark hallways underground, their footsteps echoing loudly through the empty chambers."
    "Goddess fend, it was damp down here; Rowan made a mental note to talk to Skordred later about checking the lower regions of the castle to find the source of the problem."
    "Thankfully, the heat of the forge warmed them up as they approached. Rowan was pleased to find Greyhide setting aside a metal pole for cooling–he didn't appear to be too busy, at least."

    scene bg22 with fade
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright
    show rowan necklace happy behind bg22

    ro "Not interrupting anything, I hope?"

    "Greyhide looked up, a smile crossing his leathery face."

    gh "No. Just finished."

    hide rowan
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinright
    #draith shock
    show draith happy at edgeleft with moveinright

    "Rowan stepped into the forge and heard Draith gasp softly behind him, the elf's eyes widening in awe."

    dra "A minotaur…! In the castle?!"

    "Greyhide glanced around at his surroundings."

    gh "Yes…? This is the castle. "

    "A new excitement overtook the dark elf as he rushed towards the forgemaster. Not a sound came from Greyhide before Draith was reaching up to touch his ears and stroke his furry arm. Rowan, too, found himself speechless as Draith examined the minotaur with scientific fascination."

    dra "A living minotaur… It is so much {i}bigger{/i} in person! And this nose ring… is it customary for all minotaur to wear, I wonder? Hmm…"

    "Greyhide stood rigid as Draith continued to examine him, the forgemaster's soft cow eyes glancing at Rowan in confusion– and perhaps a silent plea for help."
    "Rowan coughed to disguise his laughter."

    ro "Ah, Draith?"
    dra "Hm? Oh! Sorry, sorry!"

    "Draith quickly stepped back and bowed his head in apology, but Rowan could see the burning curiosity in his gaze when he met Greyhide's eyes again."

    ro "Greyhide, this is Draith, our beastmaster. Draith, Greyhide. He runs the forge."
    gh "It is an honour to meet you, curious one."
    dra "No, please, the honour is all mine!"
    dra "I've always wanted to meet a minotaur… We don't have any of those in the dark elven kingdoms."
    gh "I could say the same of you. You are the first dark elf I have ever met."
    gh "How can I help you two?"

    "Rowan began to explain the situation, but Draith–surprisingly–waved him off."

    dra "Forget about the bars! I want to know more about {i}you{/i}."
    gh "Me?"

    "The bull looked between his guests in confusion. Even Rowan was a little thrown off by the sudden change in plans."

    dra "Of course! I have so many questions–do you have your own cities? What senses do you use for hunting? Is cannibalism really the primary diet for minotaur children?"

    "Greyhide let out a nervous chuckle. He scratched the back of his neck."

    gh "We do not have cities. I am no hunter. And no, certainly not."

    "Draith nodded seriously, taking in every ounce of information."

    dra "What about your bowel habits? Do you use the same anatomy as other mammals, or is there something different?"
    gh "Well… I…"

    "Rowan found Greyhide's flustered state amusing as Draith continued to poke and prod him with questions the stoic bull certainly wasn't prepared for."
    "Greyhide indulged in Draith's curiosity with the patience of a saint; every time a new question bubbled up on the dark elf's lips, Greyhide took the time to answer as thoughtfully and truthfully as he could."
    "As time passed, the awkward tension of their greeting seemed to ease, as Greyhide grew more comfortable with Draith’s probing queries. The trio of men soon found themselves seated on the floor by the hearth, passing a bottle of firegrout amongst themselves."
    "Rowan knew better than to drink too much, and made sure to warn Draith of the same thing. That, of course, didn't stop either of them from feeling the buzzing tipsiness that accompanied the heated liquor."

    dra "So how does the mating work? Don't you–is there some kind of ritual? I've heard minotaurs have some kind of fire dance to attract a mate."

    "Greyhide shook his head, not nearly as affected by the firegout as his companions. Rowan could feel his cheeks burning from the alcohol's touch, and Draith's face was light purple as his questions slipped into less scientific territory."

    gh "No. There is no dance. You are thinking of our harvest festival. It is a grim occasion."
    dra "Why?"
    gh "We do not attract mates, we fight for them. A bull must yield or be knocked out before the fighting stops. Sometimes a youngster will aim too high, challenge an older, stronger bull. – "

    "There was a tone of melancholy to Greyhide's voice, and the large bull glanced away, gripping the stem of his bottle a little tighter in his oversized hand."

    gh "It is a brutish behavior, but one that stands to tradition among my people. Sometimes… things go too far."
    dra "I see."

    "There was something sharper in Draith's gaze as he glanced between Rowan and Greyhide, as if sizing the two of them up. The dark elf sighed, taking another swig of ale."

    dra "I know many beasts who use the same methods, but it seems so inefficient for sentient beings."

    "The dark elf grinned mischievously, running a hand through his fluffy white hair."

    dra "I'd much rather have them prove who is the better lover."

    "Rowan chuckled under his breath and sipped at his alcohol. It burned through his body, leaving him feeling delightfully warm in every crevice. Draith shrugged."

    ro "You would have them all fuck you at once?"
    dra "Why not? What is the point of partnering with someone that cannot grant you pleasure?"

    "Rowan did not miss how Draith's eyes flickered to the hero beside him, his gaze briefly snagging on Rowan's crotch with familiarity."

    gh "There is more to a partner than pleasure. There is companionship… kindness that is hard to find, especially in parts like these."

    "Greyhide smiled softly at Rowan, the gesture carrying an intimate knowledge between them."
    "Draith nodded, but it was clear his mind was elsewhere–perhaps off in a previous life, tortured under the dark elven kingdom. Rowan frowned, all too aware of the darkness that seemed to follow the two men around like a dark cloud."

    ro "I'll drink to that."

    "They all sipped their alcohol in silence."
    "But Draith was not yet finished with his questions."

    dra "Which of you two do you think is the better lover?"

    "Rowan and Greyhide sputtered, both snapping their attention to the dark elf. Draith sat back on his palms, idly peering between the two."

    dra "Well? I know I certainly wouldn't win a battle against a minotaur–"

    "Draith gestured toward the bull, then to Rowan."

    dra " –or a slayer of kingdoms. So which of you two would it be?"

    "Greyhide and Rowan shared a look–before promptly bursting out into laughter. Greyhide’s heavy guffaws bellowed through the room with a booming echo."
    "Draith's cheeks flushed. He looked away, pouting as he took another swig of ale."

    dra "Fine, forget it. You're no fun."
    gh "I do not mean to offend you, curious friend. I did not expect the question."
    ro "Same here. Ah…"

    "Rowan rubbed his chin, considering."

    ro "I would say Greyhide; it's kind of hard to compare with… {i}that{/i}."

    "He waved his hand toward Greyhide's crotch. The bull blushed. A large bulge protruded against his loincloth, gathering the wide-eyed attention of Draith."
    "Greyhide shook his shaggy mane back and forth. He made an effort to shift his legs to  hide his arousal."

    gh "Rowan is the better lover.  He is small, delicate… but there is pleasure in gentle subtly."
    ro "Little to {i}you{/i}, you behemoth."

    "They laughed again, and even Draith cracked a grin."

    dra "It seems you're both at an impasse."
    ro "Well, what do you think, Draith? Which of us would it be?"

    "Rowan had an idea of what the dark elf's answer would be–he had only fucked one of them, after all–but he took joy in the consideration Draith gave to the question."

    dra "It's hard to say–I would need to try you both out to decide."

    "Well, that wasn't what Rowan was expecting. He looked to Greyhide, wondering if Draith had gone too far for the forgemaster's comfort."
    "The bull shifted back and forth, hiding his blush behind another swig of drink. His eyes turned to Rowan, staring apologetically at him before darting away in embarrassment."
    "Rowan recognized the similar pattern of lust he usually reserved for him: the shallow breath, soft eyes–and most noticeably, the erection poking against the fabric over his crotch. But neither he nor Rowan had forgotten the recent drama regarding their alcohol-fueled escapades."

    gh "That is… something for Rowan to decide."

    "A part of Rowan's clouded mind wondered if this was really happening. The more prominent, hornier side was relieved."

    menu:
        "Discover who's the better partner. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump draithGreyhideSex_rp

        "End this gathering.":
            "Rowan set his bottle back down on the ground. He was coming close to his limit, and there had been an initial reason they'd come to the forge in the first place."
            "If only he could remember what that reason was."
            ro "Oh!!"
            "The dark elf and bull looked up at him, snapping out of their quiet ogling of each other."
            ro "Bars for the cells– we came here for bars."
            "Draith frowned, but nodded."
            dra "Yes, I suppose that is why we came."
            ro "Do you think you could forge us some new ones for the breeding pits, Greyhide? The old ones are beginning to rust, and some of the beasts have already begun kicking them out of place."
            gh "That is no good; they could hurt themselves."
            "Greyhide rose from the floor, and while disappointed, Draith joined him."
            jump greyhideDraithRejoin_rp

    label draithGreyhideSex_rp:

        # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
        #$ change_relation('greyhide', 5)

        "Greyhide looked at Rowan, his soft brown eyes full of questions. Rowan didn't need to look at Draith to see the hope and lust in his gaze, but he did anyway, his own cock stiffening against his trousers as the dark elf bit his lip."

        ro "I guess we should give him something to compare, don't you think?"
        gh "If… if that is what you think."

        scene cg1199 with fade
        #show draith aroused behind black
        show draith happy behind cg1199
        show greyhide neutral behind cg1199
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1199
        pause 3

        "Draith needed no encouragement. He positioned himself between the men, his excitement contagious. His hand went to their crotches simultaneously, rubbing at the meat he found there."

        gh "Perhaps it is best if you led, Rowan. I am not sure I would fit."

        "Rowan nodded, gripping the dark elf's hips and pressing rough kisses across the back of his neck. Draith shuddered once, then again when Rowan slowly peeled the black cloth from his beastmaster's frame."

        dra "Don't worry, I'm sure I can handle anythi–"

        "Greyhide stripped naked and Draith's words cut off into a soft gasp."

        dra "Oh {i}my{/i}."

        "There was a giddiness in Draith's eyes as he visually devoured Greyhide's massive cock. His breath hitched, and with trembling fingers, he reached forward to touch it."
        "Greyhide let out a rough breath, his large hand especially careful as he patted Draith's soft hair."

        gh "So beautiful, and so… tiny… Even more than Rowan. How do you all manage being this small?"

        "The bull's chuckle rumbled through him. His touch was as gentle as a bird's feather as he caressed Draith's hair and cheeks, letting out a soft hum of pleasure when the dark elf licked across his massive shaft."

        gh "I've… I've heard minotaurs are ferocious lovers, but you're so careful."

        "He sounded almost disappointed with the fact."

        gh "I am not most minotaurs. Count yourself lucky."

        "Draith said nothing, taking the cock between both of his hands so he could properly lick and suck on the tip. Greyhide smiled down at him and slowly bucked toward the beastmaster's mouth."
        "Rowan felt an odd, pleasurable tingle at the sight of his two lovers engaging in each other sexually. The hero knew the dark elf was unused to tenderness, and receiving such from Greyhide was certainly a change in routine."
        "But now he was feeling left out–and this was a competition for who the better lover was, after all."
        "Coating his fingers with saliva, Rowan plunged two into Draith's asshole, stretching the gape open wide. Draith gasped, his body jerking in reaction."

        dra "S-Sir–"

        "His words fell off into a whimper as Greyhide's hand gripped him a little more firmly, easing the elf's mouth back onto his cock. Rowan smirked, pumping his fingers in and out of his supple ass."

        show cg1200 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "It was so easy to figure out how to pleasure Draith; the dark elf fell into submission at just the slightest touch. It wasn't long before Rowan was stripping as well, dropping his clothes into a pile on the floor and pressing his hard cock against Draith's backside."
        "Greyhide watched in surprise as Rowan easily slid inside, rocking his hips back and forth as the dark elf twitched in pleasure."

        gh "He is so eager. Mmh… Very excitable."

        "The minotaur smiled, savoring the growing fervency to Draith's strokes and licks as Rowan pounded in him from behind. His body was so soft and nimble– Rowan dug his fingers in deeper, thrusting hard."

        gh "Have you… hah… decided which of us is better?"

        "Rowan's breath tickled across Draith's back. The dark elf struggled to catch his own breath–let alone reply–as he catered to Greyhide's erection."

        dra "I… mmph… can't decide…"
        gh "Perhaps we should make it easier."
        dra "Mmph!"

        "Draith let out a small, surprised cry as Greyhide gripped his head tighter, shoving him against his dick. The dark elf eagerly latched on, working his tongue along the minotaur's length."
        "Rowan smirked and doubled his efforts, the slick slap of his balls audibly smacking against Draith's ass."
        "The dark elf was lost in pleasure, his whimpers heightening in pitch as he lost himself between the two men. Greyhide closed his eyes and shuddered against him, his breath short and shallow."

        gh "You are… quite good at this."
        ro "Heh. He's had a lot of practice."

        "Draith made a noise of agreement, his ass clenching as Rowan dragged himself out and shoved himself in at speed. Greyhide watched the movement through lidded eyes, his erection twitching in pleasure."

        dra "Ngh… You… You– ahh!"

        show cg1200 with sshake
        show cg1200 with sshake
        show cg1219 with flash
        pause 2

        "Draith felt the effects of pleasure first, spasming as his cock poured hot, fluid cum across the stone floor. This set Rowan off as well, throwing his head back with a grunt as he loaded his seed between Draith's cheeks."
        "Greyhide was last to finish, and Draith grinned in delight as the geyser of cum splashed against his face. He dragged a nimble finger across his cheek and sampled it between his lips."
        "Out of breath, the three men collapsed into a pile of limbs, glancing at each other in silence–before promptly bursting into another round of laughter."

        ro "Well? Which of us was it?"
        gh "Yes, who is the better lover?"
        dra "Hmm~ It's hard to say."
        dra "Maybe we should go for another round?"

        "Draith looked between the men imploringly, but Rowan shook his head."

        ro "There is still much to be done. We {i}did{/i} actually come here for some new cell bars, remember?"

        "Rowan turned to Greyhide, explaining the situation. Greyhide nodded in understanding, while Draith pouted from the floor"

        dra "That wouldn't have been nearly as fun."

        "Greyhide chuckled, the sound rumbling through his large body as he stood up."

        gh "Fun is best appreciated after the hard work is done."

        scene bg22 with fade
        #show greyhide happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show draith happy at edgeleft with dissolve

    label greyhideDraithRejoin_rp:

        gh "Show me these cells of yours, curious elf–I will begin the repairs today."
        dra "Thank you. You have no idea how relieved I am to hear that."

        "The large bull nodded, leading the men out of the forge."

        scene bg14 with fade
        show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
        show draith neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "While Draith turned to show Greyhide the breeding pits, Rowan started the other way. The men stopped."

        dra "You aren't coming?"
        ro "I still have some work to take care of."
        ro "(...And some sobering up to do.)"
        ro "You two go on without me–I'm sure Greyhide will be able to handle it."

        hide draith with moveoutright
        hide greyhide with moveoutright
        scene bg14 with fade
        show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with moveinright
        show draith neutral at midleft with moveinright

        "They seemed to consider arguing for a moment, but after a quick shared glance, Draith shrugged and led Greyhide down the hall."

        dra "So, since you're a forgemaster, perhaps you can make me something for a little more {i}personal{/i} use as well…"
        gh "Hrmh… what did you have in mind, elf friend?"
        dra "Okay, so imagine for a minute the great satyr fertility statue of the Bosnius Tribe, but we make everything {i}physically{/i} accurate-"

        "Draith's voice carried down the hall with their footsteps before disappearing altogether. Rowan chuckled under his breath and returned upstairs."

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_45.rpy
label cla_act1_finale_rp:

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            $ ridingPromise = True
            jump cla_act1_finale_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    # $ claFinaleSeen = True

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    cla "Well met, Rowan. I was hoping you’d come around."
    ro "What’s going on, Cla-Min."
    cla "We’re in business. And by that I mean, Locrum finally figured out the ins and outs of them rings of ours."

    "Rowan saw her pointed smile grow even larger than normal."
    "After their adventure to the Necromancer’s Tower and the Pit, he knew just how much effort Cla-Min had put into acquiring the magical relics."

    ro "You going to clue me in?"

    "Cla-Min’s red eyes sparked with mischievousness and she played with her hair while giving Rowan a light giggle."

    cla "I don’t have the answers yet."
    ro "Really?"
    cla "I did think about learning the secrets on my own, but I decided to wait till you had some time. Now come on."

    "The pair headed over to Locrum’s workspace, a small cramped cell within the mighty castle."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    hide clamin with moveoutleft

    scene bg8
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The Earth Mage complained about the arrangement, but Cla-Min promised him a better deal once he proved himself."
    "The man who had nearly foiled their attempts to get the magical rings frowned when he saw both Cla-Min and Rowan approach. Soon, his more… ‘professional’ attitude returned."

    mage "Well, since you’re both here, it shouldn’t be hard for one of you to promise to bring me before my new Masters once this is over."

    cla "Hold your horses, Rockbender. We’ll worry about getting you an appointment, once we’re sure you’ve held up your end of the bargain."

    "The mage sighed and nodded and then gestured towards a desk in the space. Rowan quickly spotted the two rings that he’d first laid eyes on down in the Pit."

    mage "Ahem, as far as relics go, these rings give their owners a simple yet powerful enhancement."

    "Cla-Min stood close to Rowan. He noticed her fingers flexing like she was nervous to hear what kind of boon or curse the rings possessed."

    cla "By my calculations, when two people wear the rings, they are best with the best qualities of the person wearing the other ring."
    mage "In this, one could say that the relics work in conjunction."
    ro "So if Person A and B wear the rings, A gets B’s best quality, and B gets A’s best quality."

    "Besides Rowan, the small Goblin woman chewed her bottom lip and then walked over and plucked up one of the rings."

    cla "Ain’t that a kick in the head. I thought one would give fire powers."
    mage "Hmmph. Once again, my… associate, you have failed to grasp the enormous gravity of the situation."
    ro "So you’re saying they’re pretty powerful."
    mage "{i}I{/i} am powerful. But even my magic is like a pebble compared to the boulder of essence that powers these devices."
    cla "I know you’re powerful, Locrum. That’s not the problem. The problem is they’re a shit-fit for the Twins. "

    "Locrum’s steely gaze turned towards the skilled trader and his expression turned into a dour frown."

    mage "Explain."
    cla "The twins will never wear them. Doing so would make both of them cop to the idea that either of them has something the other admires and wants, got it?"

    "It took a moment, but Rowan understood what she meant.

    The Twins barely liked to cooperate, so having them admit (even silently) that they could be better by sharing a power from their sibling, was not likely."
    "Still, Cla-Min was determined to at least make sure all the effort wasn’t a total waste."
    "She picked up the other ring and tossed it over to Rowan."

    cla "Well, at the very least, we should give them a test drive. Then I’ll know what to ask for them if we end up selling them."
    mage "You… you would really simply… pawn them off?"

    "Cla-Min shrugged in his direction."

    cla "We’ll see won’t we. Now, you just hang around and think about how you’re going to impress the bosses. Rowan and I have work to do."

    scene cg1295 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1296 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1297 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1298 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1299 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1300 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1301 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1302 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Empowered by their new magical items, the pair got up to plenty of fun."
    "With his ring, Rowan gained Cla-Min’s silver-tongued wit. He found a group of marks in the form of a band of mercenaries traveling through Rosaria."
    "In the end, (with Cla-Min’s assistance of course) the ex-hero pulled the Copper Configuration and the Dragon Island Prisoner grift, leaving the band with next to nothing."
    "Rowan couldn’t believe the tricks worked, but just like at the Pit and the Tower before that, he found that he and Cla-Min had a knack for picking up on each other’s cues."
    "Cla-Min on the other hand gained Rowan’s determination when she put on her ring."
    "Emboldened, almost to the point of fearlessness, the Goblin Matriarch managed to iron out a new trade agreement with Jezera with very good returns."
    "Not only would will she rake in more gold on each caravan trip to supply Bloodmeen, but Cla-Min also got assurances that her family will have a place at the castle for two more years."
    "To that effect, even if a major problem arose in her trade network, Cla-Min and the rest would never have to return to the caves of her ancestors, something she was very thankful for."
    "Experiencing a fraction of her hero’s tenacity made Cla-Min appreciate Rowan even more, especially given how much he had done to look after her family during their travels so far."
    "Finally, they get spotted by some of the younger members, who haven’t been informed about the details of the ring heist."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    clalij "Wow! Look at those shiny bits."
    clakes "They’re new. Aren’t they momma? "

    "Rowan and Cla-Min were caught off-guard by the twins' sudden arrival. Both young Goblins looked at the matching rings with wonderment."

    clakes "This means big things right!"
    clalij "Wait, does that mean you popped the question?"

    "The older Goblin’s face turned pale. Cla-Min glanced worriedly at Rowan and then her sharp nose darted at her children."

    cla "I-I did no such thing."
    cla "Now shut your gobs. I didn’t raise you to be blabbermouths. Aren’t you two supposed to be cleaning hooves?"

    "Both Cla-Lij and Cla-Kes simply beamed at their mother, obviously having fun with her sudden embarrassment. Then, Cla-Kes even took things one step further."

    clakes "You can’t trick us. Does that mean we’ll have a little bro or sister soon?"

    "Rowan watched as the mother of the pair stormed over to Kes like a cat hunting down a mouse. She boxed both of her sons on the ears and sent them running."
    "Then, she eventually turned around and walked slowly back to Rowan. Looking down at her, he saw Cla-Min screwing up her face for some kind of line, but he waved his hand."

    ro "I think you and I need to have a good long talk."

    "Defeated, Cla-Min’s shoulders slumped while she nodded."

    cla "You’re probably right. But is it too late to change that last word?"

    "The two ended up in a quiet out of the way spot so they could have a heart-to-heart. They sat down with a jug of water and Rowan started off the conversation."

    ro "Obviously the first thing is that {i}you{/i} really have not been jesting when it comes to wanting a child with me."
    cla "I might make boasts and spin tales for business, Rowan, but I rarely joke about children."

    "After giving him a somber grin Cla-Min took a moment and then touched his knee."

    cla "Do you want children?"

    "The former hero looked around and took a deep breath."

    ro "You make it sound so simple."
    cla "Well it should have a simple answer."

    "Rowan thought long and hard about his answer. He thought about Alexia and her want of children."
    "Then his mind turned to Cla-Min, her wants, and the second family he had found in the dark fate that had befallen him."

    cla "And of course, before your worries pile up, I can tell you something that will help. I mean, not help but… well I mean…"

    "The small-framed woman took a breath and collected herself. It was obvious that siring a child with Rowan was important to her. He could tell she’d given it plenty of thought."

    cla "This is what I meant to say. If I get knocked up, even by you, the kid will take after me mostly."
    ro "So our child would look like a Goblin."
    cla "Exactly. No one but us would know, but your blood would still flow through their veins…"
    cla "I’ll look after them and raise em up to be the best, just like I do with the rest."
    ro "Have you heard of other Goblin-Human couplings?"

    "Cla-Min chewed her bottom lip before shaking her head."

    cla "No, but you know what they say. ‘There’s a first time for everything,’ So… whatcha thinking?"

    "Rowan scratched the back of his head while Cla-Min waited for an answer. He knew more than anything, that this was not a decision to be made lightly."

    menu:
        "Yes, I would love to have a child with you. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "No, I do not want children.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan saw the Goblin’s lip quiver as the words left his lips. She recovered swiftly enough, shoving her disappointment back into the back room of her mind."
            cla "Thanks for clearing things up, Rowan. I-I… I’m glad we got it in the open."
            ro "Of course, Cla-Min."
            "Even though she was putting on a brave face, Rowan could tell the lovely Goblin matriarch had been wounded by his reply."
            cla "Well, enough serious jibber-jabber. Even though you won’t be putting a bun in my oven, doesn’t mean we still can’t keep having fun right?"
            ro "I can’t think of any reason why not."
            "Cla-Min grinned and gave him a quick nod."
            ro "Perfect. I’ll see you around, Rowan. I gotta think of other things we can do with these rings, hehe!"
            hide clamin with moveoutright
            "With that, she exited, leaving Rowan alone with his thoughts."
            "Rowan felt confident that he had made the right decision. His life was already more complicated than most and he worried about the ramifications of bringing a child, any child into it."
            "Still, he doubted Cla-Min would be quick to see the silver lining of his decision any time soon. Then again, she’d taken the rejection as well as could be expected."
            # $ claminChildren = False
            return

    "Cla-Min licked her lips and looked absolutely thrilled by Rowan’s words."

    cla "Sounds like we have a deal then. I will have to reward Cla-Lij and Cla-Kes."
    ro "Why?"
    cla "Well, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this, but I was too chicken. Those two seeing us helped give me just the kick I needed."

    "Rowan grinned and then grabbed Cla-Min’s hands and gave her a little pull to bring her onto his lap as he sat. Cla-Min’s big red eyes marveled at him."

    ro "So… what do we do now that we have this little engagement of ours?"
    cla "Well, I could spend all day preparing a traditional Goblin betrothal dinner for you, my secret husband."

    "Her ears bounced while Rowan watched her hands scratching across his chest. Cla-Min began excitedly rubbing her legs against his body before speaking again."

    cla "But that can wait. Right now, you’re gonna fuck me nice and hard until you spill your warm, thick seed inside me!"

    jump cla_act1_finale_skip_rp

    label cla_act1_finale_skip_rp:

        menu:
            "Make sweet love to Cla-Min. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claFinaleVanilla_rp

            "Dominate your secret Goblin bride. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump claFinaleDom_rp

        label claFinaleVanilla_rp:

            #cg1
            scene cg1201 with fade
            pause 1
            show cg1202 with dissolve
            show clamin happy behind cg1201
            show rowan aroused behind cg1201
            pause 2

            "Cla-Min stood on Rowan’s lap and kissed him hungrily. The shortstack’s plush lips laid wet smooches on his mouth."
            "When she felt his hands on her body, preparing to strip her down, the sexy Goblin woman let an eager chittering noise."
            "Her nails scratch his neck and shoulders while she continued passionately kissing her new mate-to-be."

            cla "I’ve been thinking about this moment a lot."

            "Cla-Min tongue smacked her licks hungrily while she continued hoping to make every magical moment with Rowan last."

            cla "Oh Rowan… Mmmph… Mmrhmm…"

            #cg2
            show cg1203 with dissolve
            pause 3

            "Very quickly, the pair removed their clothing. Rowan felt Cla-Min becoming more aggressive, with her tongue and her teeth."
            "The emergent lovers nibbled and teased one another before Rowan upped the ante by grabbing and pinching the Goblin’s keen nipples."

            cla "Oouhwah! Yes… that’s it… "
            ro "I can only imagine how big they’ll get… in time…"

            "The woman, already short of breath, gave him a crooked grin and a big smooch."

            cla "Someone’s putting the cart before the horse, hehe…"

            "Then she closed her eyes and stroked the man’s neck and ear while the two danced their tongues against one another."

            cla "Mwah… first… Mrrwah… first you got to give my wet… juicy… pussy… a nice big delivery, Rowan…"

            #cg3
            show cg1204 with dissolve
            pause 3

            "Rowan gently laid her out on the bed and began teasing the sopping, green petals of Cla-Min’s entrance."

            cla "Mrwah-huah. Ever since I laid eyes on you… I’ve wanted this. Now… The Great Trickster… is going to knock me up…"

            "The man looming over her had to admit that her voice sounded a bit nervous, bordering on shy. It was strange given they had already made love before. But this time felt different."

            ro "Believe it, Cla-Min. Tonight. You’re all mine."

            "Cla-Min’s curved cheeks turned rosy red and she nodded and couldn’t help but tease her pussy as waves of rampant lust tickled the edges of her mind."

            #cg4
            show cg1205 with dissolve
            pause 3

            "With a slow thrust, Rowan began planting the thick tip of his cock inside Cla-Min’s feverishly hot insides."

            cla "Ohuwa fuck! Did you… mhrwa… never mind… just keep going… Yes!"

            "Almost immediately, Cla-Min’s sighs gave way to racing moans and terse pants as his hard member delved deeper and deeper."

            cla "It feels amazing! Make my titties bounce! Yes! Oouhaah… Gods! Rowan… Yes… More… I love feeling you so deep!"

            "Cla-Min stretched out her arms and Rowan’s hands met hers as their bodies continued rocking together."
            "Nothing tasted sweeter to her than the look in Rowan’s eyes as he gazed down at her. It filled her with more passion and gratification than ever before."

            #cg5
            show cg1206 with dissolve
            pause 3

            "Their sweaty bodies continued writhing together."
            "Cla-Min always liked to be on top during sex, but this time, under the passionate spell of Rowan’s resolve, she did not care about the how."
            "Soon, she could feel it, the rumbling deep within her most intimate point. Cla-Min’s eyes jostled with each hard thrust and she imagined Rowan’s length knocking on the door to her womb."

            cla "Rowan… Ihuaah… I love it… I love you… give… Mourrah-uhra… fill me with your love!"

            "Rowan felt her entire body shivering as she started to cum. The walls of her pussy clamored all around him, milking him fiercely, claiming the seed in his balls even before he came."
            "Very quickly, the locks holding back both of their releases shattered into a hundred pieces. Rowan drove his body down against Cla-Min’s trembling form as their bodies ignited."

            cla "Yess! Oh gods! It’s so warmuha… More… Rowan… give me moreuaah!"

            ro "Cla-Min-nuraah…"

            show cg1207 with sshake
            show cg1207 with sshake
            show cg1208 with flash
            pause 2

            "Cla-Min’s knees rose and banged against his sides while Rowan flooded her pussy with the culmination of his affection for her."
            "Beneath him, Cla-Min gasped and cooed, feeling the intense heat of his load burning her nether region with intensity."

            scene black with fade

            "For a long while, the two lovers did not say anything. Both Human and Goblin were content."
            "They did not know where this new path would lead, but both were gratified that they would walk the adventure together."

            return

        label claFinaleDom_rp:

            #cg1
            scene cg1268 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1269 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show clamin happy behind cg1268

            "Full of vigour to utterly dominate and breed the slutty Gobling in front of him, Rowan started things off by tearing off his pants and pushing his hard erection right against Cla-Min’s face."

            cla "Ooouh… Rowan… I huup-"

            "When she opened her mouth, the green shortstack got a faceful of her mate’s throbbing meat. Her lips strained against his size, but the outpouring of his pre-cum helped loosen up her hole."

            cla "Mruaah… Lorrrhhh…"

            "Spittle and precum formed on her lips and started dribbling off her chin as Rowan began hammering his tip towards the back of Cla-Min’s throat."

            #cg2
            scene cg1270 with fade
            show clamin happy behind cg1270
            pause 2

            "As he continued drilling his secret bride’s juicy tight mouth, Rowan stripped off her corset and shirt so he could watch her bountiful tits jiggle as his balls slapped her lips."

            cla "Roowwfff… Ooourthh… Mrrfffh!"

            "Cla-Min was beside herself. She couldn’t help but get turned by this more animalistic side of Rowan. Having him fuck her without affection had her pussy dripping like a leaky pipe."
            "As Rowan started shoving all his prick to the back of her throat, she lost control and her womanhood shivered and quaked."
            "Her juices spilled out onto the floor. Cla-Min’s body felt flush and her hole ached to be filled, which was exactly what Rowan had in mind."

            #cg3
            scene claloop1 with fade
            show clamin happy behind claloop1
            show rowan necklace naked behind claloop1
            pause 3

            "After his Goblin gal came the first time, Rowan plucked her up in his powerful arms. Placing her body onto the bed, the Human stood behind her and quickly slammed his hips forward."
            "All the air raced out from Cla-Min’s lungs as Rowan’s thunderous cock took her like the bitch in heat she’d become after he began facefucking her."

            ro "This is what you like, my big thick dick shoved deep into your slutty hole."

            cla "Yes! This is what I need… to be your… Nuraah… your little Goblin cocksleeve… Fuck me… fuck me as hard as you want… Just please… spray your cum inside me, Rowan!"

            "She felt thankful that since she’d already cum once, she was a bit looser than normal. Her secret husband’s cock felt enormous inside of her, maybe even bigger than normal."
            "Cla-Min imagined that Rowan’s want to knock her up was getting him as feisty as her. Soon she moaned out as he grabbed her leg and lifted it off to the side."
            "Her creamy pussy felt even tighter which made each new thrust burn her pussy even more."

            #cg4
            show claloop2 with dissolve
            pause 3

            "Rowan’s breakneck pace continued. Inside of Cla-Min’s quivering walls, his cock scraped against every sensitive nub, making her juices constantly stream out of her pussy."
            "Her head constantly dropped and swerved and she had to focus on keeping her mind under control while her tits bounced due to the sheer force behind each of Rowan’s thrusts."

            cla "Fuck me fuck me fuck meuiihuaah!"

            "The naked woman couldn’t keep up with her mate’s incredible ferocity. She felt like a back-alley whore being used and abused by a male’s whim."
            "Still, during each thrust, Cla-Min did her best to focus through her frantic breathing to milk and squeeze Rowan’s enormous cock with her inner petals."
            "She was resilient and would take everything he got, so long as Rowan gave her the indulgence that she had wanted the moment she set her eyes upon Rowan in the throne room."

            #cg5
            show cg1293 with sshake
            show cg1293 with sshake
            show cg1294 with flash
            pause 3

            "Finally, she felt it, the oncoming eruption of Rowan’s cum as his balls started twitching. Her head turned back and her blinking red eyes focused intently on her mate."

            cla "P-please… Orwhuaah! Shoot it out… Deep inside me!… Give me your cum, Rowan! Knock up my tiny, Goblin womb!"

            "With that, the horny female got her wish as a huge wave of cum began splashing out within her womb. Cla-Min cried out happily while her toes curled and her knife-shaped ears bounced."
            "Nothing could feel sweeter than the fiery, syrupy sensation erupting within her. The volume of Rowan’s cum was so much that her body couldn’t take it and some spurted out."

            cla "Mrwaah… That’s… perfect… Rowan… Please… keep filling up… your slutty Goblin with… your cummuhaa…"

            scene black with fade

            "When the two managed to catch their breath, Cla-Min’s first act was to start licking her lover’s cock."
            "She tasted his cum and her own juice mixed all over Rowan’s mammoth girth, but it didn’t stop her. The only thing on Cla-Min’s mind was another round of getting fucked silly by her man."

            # return

    return

# \events\nasim2.rpy
label fertTreatment3_rp:

    $ fertilityTreatment1MassiveTits = False
    $ fertilityTreament2HopingForMiracle = True
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ highCorDestroy = False

    "Is Alexia or Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Yes - Just Alexia":
            $ highCorDestroy = True
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Both are":
            $ highCorDestroy = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither are":
            pass

    # $ alexiaFertTreatment3Seen = True

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The preparations were exceedingly short. Rowan sat at the table, his back to the window, as a pair of orcs carried a large mirror into his room. It was almost two meters wide, and excessively decorated. "

    ro "Is it really necessary?"
    nas "It might be of benefit. Since Alexia obviously had no trouble visualizing her post-pregnancy form, a mirror will provide a stronger visual feedback. "
    ro "And we’re doing it in my room because…? "

    if fertilityTreatment1MassiveTits:
        "Nasim narrowed his eyebrows at him. Rowan caught awkwardly."
        ro "Right. "

    else:
        "A familiar location will make Lady Blackwell more comfortable. Plus, it will spare her the… ”Walk of shame”, so to speak. "
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "More like “walk of pride”."
            nas "From a certain point of view, perhaps."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        else:
            ro "Surprisingly considerate of you. "
            nas "It was the practical decision to make, that’s all."

    if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
        nas "I hope this wasn’t a problem for Dame Raeve… ?"
        #if helayna is still lust addled
        "Rowan didn’t answer, his lips forming a thin line. It was always difficult to find somewhere safe for Helayna to stay whenever he and Alexia needed a moment for themselves. He hoped her condition would improve soon."
        "Nasim noticed the topic must have been sensitive, and didn’t prod any further."
        #If Helayna and Alexia resolved their differences. TODO
            #ro "Her only complaint was that she wouldn’t be able to cheer Alexia on. I think a few more minutes, and Alexia would talk herself into letting her stay."
            #nas "… You three have a very peculiar relationship. "
        #else
            #ro "No. It wasn’t."
            #"His lips formed a thin line, and he didn’t elaborate further. The whole thing almost turned into an argument between him and Alexia. He was glad it didn’t."

    "Finally, the orcs were done with stabilizing the mirror, placing it at the opposite side of the room. Satisfied, Nasim ordered them both to leave."

    ro "We’re ready Alexia. You can come out. "

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        show alexia necklace naked behind bg9
        al "Finally!"
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
        show nasim neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        hide alexia
        show alexia necklace naked at center with dissolve
        "With a wide smile, Alexia emerged from the closet, fully naked. She strolled to the center, hips swaying."
        "Nasim kept his expression neutral. Rowan scratched his chin, and said nothing."


    else:
        show alexia necklace naked behind bg9
        al "Ha… Finally."
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
        show nasim neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        hide alexia
        show alexia necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve
        "With a nervous laugh, Alexia emerged from the closet. She was already naked, covering her breasts with one hand, and her pussy with the other."
        "Nasim kept his expression neutral, looking in her direction, but focusing on her face. With a sigh, she dropped her hands."
        al "No point being modest given what we’re about to do… But I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. "
        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked at center with dissolve
            ro "Good. Modesty becomes you, dear."
            al "You’re too kind, husband."
            "Both of them shot Nasim a side glance. The man raised his eyebrow in response. No snide remark? Rowan almost couldn’t believe it."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

        else:
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "Don’t worry about it. You have nothing to be ashamed of."
            al "That’s not the problem here."
            ro "I know, I know. I’m just teasing you."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "Is there anything we need to discuss before we start, Nasim?"
    nas "Not at the moment. I already briefed Lady Blackwell on my initial findings. Now, please be so kind and direct your full attention to the mirror. As before, all you have to do is picture the physical form you imagine yourself with after your hypothetical motherhood."
    nas "And keep in mind what I said before. "
    al "I will. "

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at center with dissolve

    ro "Good luck!"

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
        "She offered Rowan a cheeky smile, and giddy with excitement, looked into the wide mirror. She gazed upon her naked form in all its glory. Young, sexy…"

    else:
        "She offered Rowan a warm smile, and with nervous anticipation, looked into the wide mirror. She gazed upon her naked form in all its glory. Nubile, elegant…"

    "Waiting to be what it was always meant for."

    if fertilityTreament2HopingForMiracle:
        al "Let’s make a miracle happen."

    else:
        al "Let’s teach this body how it feels to be a mother."

    show bg9 with pinkflash

    "In the mirror’s reflection, she saw Nasim’s hand glow pink, and she readied herself for the incoming influx of energy. And next to him… "

    show cg1209 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg1210 with dissolve
    pause 3
    hide cg1209
    hide cg1210 with pinkflash

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
        "Rowan watched her, leaning in, fingers intertwined and a gentle smile on his face. He didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, and she appreciated that-"
        "As well as the fact that despite that, his eyes kept darting to her naked ass, admiring it. She stifled a laugh. He too couldn’t wait to see her new form, a woman in her prime, with large, bouncy tits- "

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan leaned in, fingers intertwined, and quite shamelessly ogled her naked ass.  She stifled a laugh. He was so brazen nowadays! Clearly, he couldn’t wait to see her new form - that of a true sex goddess, with a wide ass and whorish tits-"

    else:
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
        "Rowan watched her, leaning in, fingers intertwined, with a slight smirk on his face as he admired her form. It sent a pleasant shiver up her spine. He too couldn’t wait to see her new body - see her turn into a sexy vixen with massive tits-"


    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    al "A-ah?!"

    "The spell crashed into her like a massive wave, sending her thoughts astray. It coated her from head to toes, filling her with tingling, warm energy. As if drawn by past experiences, she already felt it focus on her crotch and chest - gathering, waiting."

    if fertilityTreament2HopingForMiracle:
        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "She found herself giggling, smiling from ear to ear as she wallowed in that amazing sensation overtaking her body. A miracle waiting to happen. All she needed… Was to give it a little push."
        else:
            if fertilityTreatment1MassiveTits:
                "She found herself smiling from ear to ear, enjoying that irresistible energy that filled her body. A miracle waiting to happen. All she needed… Was to give it a little push."
            else:
                "She found herself smiling from ear to ear, finally allowing herself to enjoy that irresistible energy that filled her body. A miracle waiting to happen. She regretted now that they didn’t take their last session further."
                "She would rectify that mistake now."
    else:
        "Kharos’ dark blessing - so he said. Vile magics - so she thought. But heavens, it felt good, and she found herself smiling almost against her will. Now, all he needed was to give it a little… Push."

    al "Ha-a!"

    #cg1 - blurred
    scene cg1211 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1211
    pause 3

    "She needed only to picture it - picture herself with heavy, swollen tits - and instantly she felt that power rush into her tits, filling them, {i}expanding{/i} them. "

    al "Ha-a! Yes, yes!"

    if fertilityTreatment1MassiveTits:
        "She stared, amazed, as they grew in size. One cup, another - gods, another! Within moments becoming as large as Rowan wanted them to be."

    else:
        "She stared, amazed, as they grew in size. One cup, another - gods, another! Within moments, they were as large as before - larger, even!"

    "It was so easy. {i}Gods{/i}, years of trying, and now it all seemed so easy. "

    #cg1
    scene cg1212 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1212
    pause 3

    "She held them up - held her big heavy milkers - and giggled at what she saw in the mirror. "

    if fertilityTreament2HopingForMiracle:
        "She barely paid any attention to her husband in the background. No - all she could see was the curvaceous, glowing woman in front of her. She was grinning from ear to ear - and why wouldn’t she?"
        "A miracle. Her one true dream, held for so long, soon to be realized. And it felt so close! She felt it - felt Nasim’s magic coursing in her veins, still ready to be called upon."
        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "She knew it was wrong of her to revel in it so. It was Kharos’ magic, chaos magic, vile magic wielded by demons and warlocks…"
            "But if it could be used for good, then who cared? The demons used her husband for vile ends - why shouldn’t she use the demon’s magic for noble ones?"
        elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
            ""
        else:
            "It was sweet temptation, a siren’s song promising her everything she ever wanted. But it was all true. She felt it in her heart - even if this magic was supposed to be vile, evil - it would make her dreams come true."
            "So why not reach for it?"
            if highCorDestroy:
                "Who cared if it was Kharos’ magic? If it was chaos magic? If it was evil in any way? She buried such concerns with her old self under the black tree. If she wanted something - she would reach for it."
            else:
                "Who cared if it was Kharos’ magic? If it was chaos magic? If it was evil in any way? Her old self could voice such concerns -  and she would stuff her full of cock till she shuts up again."
        al "…. More."
        "She held her tits up again, weighting them. If a miracle was within her reach - why not try and make it happen? She could do so much better. She could have the perfect body - the perfect breeding body - with bigger tits, wider hips-"
        "And just as she pictured it - she felt the magic flow through her, guided not by thought, but instinct. She let flow freely, filling her fully. Filling her to the brim."
        "And she would keep doing it, until her body remembers this is the only way it could be."
        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

    else:
        "She couldn’t help it. Everything else faded into the background. The room, the wizard, even her own husband.  Now all she could see was the curvaceous, glowing woman in front of her."
        "She was beautiful. She looked at her grinning expression, and saw the woman she was always supposed to be. A sexy, fuckable babe, waiting for her husband to stick a cock inside of her-"
        al "A-ah! "
        "She couldn’t help but let out a weak moan. The dark magic whirled inside of her - especially in her new tits, almost as if sloshing inside of her. It was a weird sensation that made her head feel light. This- all of this- was to help her conceive- "
        "But to conceive she needed to fuck, she needed a cock inside of her, and-"
        "She moaned again, trying to fight her growing arousal. This wasn’t supposed to be like this. She wasn’t doing this to feel good. But it did. And maybe…"
        "Maybe it could always be that way. There was a god who wanted her to fuck her husband till she bears him an heir… Why did she ever want to refuse such a blessing? Seemed like such a foolish notion now, when it was within her reach."
        "The mana swirled inside of her, and she knew she needed to only wish it, and it would grant her a body Rowan would never refuse. She could make him breed her. She could be the woman of his dreams!"
        "She just needed to {i}want{/i} it"

    menu:
        "Bigger tits - wider hips - whatever she wanted! ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "A moment of stillness. Her decision made, she held no thought in her mind, and just let herself enjoy the feeling of power inside of her. Then, she opened her lips, and uttered a single word."
            al "… More. "
            "The perfect breeding body - with bigger tits, wider hips. She pictured it - and felt the magic flow through her. Flow freely, fill her fully."
            "Change her in the only way it was meant to be."
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

        "...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Nn-ngh…"
            "Another weak moan left her lips, and she tried to ignore how lewd it sounded. Or not notice how kissable her lips looked, when she parted them just a little bit."
            "This body was meant to fuck, to please, to breed. And she wanted it to be fucked - treatment or not, there was no denying the feelings that were now mixing with the dark mana inside of."
            "She should call it- she should call it! Allow it to remake her into the woman she should be! With bigger tits- wider hips-"
            "The image blossomed in her mind - and despite her opposition, the mana flowed through her body, guided not by thought, but instinct. It bled into her tits and ass, and she shuddered at the unearthly delight it brought."
            al "A-ah… I-I… "
            "There was no stopping it, she could only… "
            menu:
                "Embrace it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Once she had taste, there was no turning back. She sighed dreamily, and let the sensation take her. Bigger tits, wider hips, fatter ass- till she had the perfect breeding body. Now and always."
                    "And once the mana leaves her… Well, she’ll have her husband cum inside of her every night to make her body grow like that on its own."
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

                "Fight it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Another weak moan left her lips, but she no longer had the strength to form words. It was as if her mind was turning to mush, overloaded by pink magic."
                    "Maybe- maybe just once, she could see where things go. Let the magic do as it wills - make her body into the perfect breeding material- with bigger tits, wider hips, and a fat ass-"
                    "And then have Rowan cum in her until it looks that way always."
                    al "A-ah..."
                    "She couldn’t hold it in anymore. Her eyes rolled up, and she let the magic wash over her."
                    # $ fert3Fight = True

    al "Ah!"

    scene black with fade

    "..."

    scene bg9 with fade

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
    show nasim neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

    "Rowan swallowed, trying to do something about his parched throat. By his side, Nasim’s hand stopped glowing, the wizard no longer channelling Kharos’ magic."

    ro "You used more power this time."
    nas "… I used less."
    al "What can I say - must be a sign of divine favour then."

    #cg2 - blurred
    scene cg1213 with fade
    pause 2

    "His wife giggled at them both, turning around to show her new body, and Rowan wasn’t sure where to rest his eyes first. He loved his wife - and he always found her beautiful. He always thought she was the most beautiful woman in Arthdale."

    #cg2
    scene cg1215 with fade
    pause 1
    show cg1214 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1214
    show nasim neutral behind cg1214
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1214

    "The woman before him could be the most beautiful woman he has ever seen."
    "No- not beautiful. Erotic. She opened her arms wide, striking a pose for him, presenting her obscenely large tits. Grinning, she gave them a little shake, and he found himself staring, mesmerised."
    "But it wasn’t just her tits. Her hair grew longer and thicker, and curled a little bit, making it surround her face like a red halo. Her hips grew wider - childbearing. Any imperfection of her skin and body he was familiar with was now gone, removed or smoothed out.  "
    "And he could swear her pussy was dripping on the floor, already awaiting his cock. His wife noticed where his gaze went, and parted her lower lips with her fingers, cooing sensually. "

    al "Ready to fuck a child into me, my beloved?"
    nas "… Tentacles for eyes Rowan, remember."
    ro "{b}I know.{/b}"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "This was obscene. Gods, this was absolutely obscene. But he couldn’t deny the appeal. What man did not want an oversexualized version of his own wife throwing herself at him?"

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "This was obscene, and part of the reason why he couldn’t stop staring. Oh, he loved his wife - but what man didn’t fantasize about just a few, minor adjustments? Like slightly bigger tits."
        "Or a sex-crazed look in her eyes, and a husky voice begging for his cock."

    else:
        "This was obscene, oh so wonderfully obscene. What man wouldn’t want such a curvaceous goddess for a wife? And to hear her beg for his cock - music to his ears!"

    al "Oh, you don’t know that Nasim. I say we try ~~~ Wouldn’t you like that Rowan? Wouldn’t you like to fuck a kid in me, and see my tits grow into these wonderful jugs? "

    "She shook her tits again, giggling. Rowan swallowed again. In the corner of his eyes, he saw Nasim frown."

    ro "Was this within your projections, Nasim?"
    nas "… No. I think it would be wise to end today’s session here, Lord Rowan. The mental side effects- "
    al "Oh, be quiet. "

    "His wife ran her hands over her body, her fingers stopping to play with her nipples. A guttural moan escaped her lips, and a trickle of white milk leaked from her erect nipples. She giggled again, relishing in the feeling of her body."

    al "This is what I want. What I always wanted. Don’t blame me for being excited about it! And I know I’m not the only one enjoying this body."

    "She gave Rowan a smoldering look, and reached for her tits, holding them up at first, then pressing them together. How could something so obscenely large look so good on her?"

    al "Shall we try them, my dear husband?"

    menu:
        "Take your cock out, and order her to kneel before you. (Scene, maledom dialogue)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ fert3Dom = True
            ro "Oh, we will. "
            nas "Lord Blackwell..."
            ro "I’m testing the results of your spell, Nasim. I thought you like to be thorough?"
            "The wizard glared at him - only to scoff and roll his eyes as Rowan undid his pants, taking his cock out. A motion that made his wife squeal in delight. She quickly took a few steps forward and knelt before him."
            "Rowan smiled, and brushed his fingers against her cheek in a loving fashion. He noticed Nasim cast another spell. What it was, he did not care. He was too focused on Alexia’s loving smile, and the hunger she eyed his cock with."
            jump fert3Titjob_rp

        "You wouldn’t mind putting your hands on them. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I certainly wouldn’t mind sinking my fingers into them. How does that sound, my love?"
            nas "Lord Blackwell..."
            ro "Relax. I’m testing the results of your spell Nasim. I thought you like to be thorough?"
            "The two shared a look - only for Rowan to break it as he saw his wife run her hand between her tits, slowly shaking her head."
            al "No, no… I wouldn’t mind, but… I have a much better idea."
            al "Why should I be the only one to enjoy myself?"
            "She took one step, then another, and soon his wife knelt before him. Her hand reached for his belt, and she yanked it open, her fingers working quickly to undo his pants."
            "Rowan watched, entranced by his wife’s wide smile. He noticed Nasim rubbing his nose, and the wizard casting another spell. What it was, he did not care anymore."
            jump fert3Titjob_rp

        "Was this really a good idea… (Scene, femdom dialogue)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He hesitated, in part due to the wizard’s presence, in part because of the way Alexia acted. It made him wonder how much of it was really her."
            ro "Alexia, Nasim advised us to avoid- "
            al "Nasim says a lot of things, some just to hear himself talk. This is about us, my love."
            "Her hands rested on her stomach, and she smiled as she did a small step in his direction."
            al "Life will be so much better once you breed me. I just want to give you a taste of it."
            menu:
                "But the wizard- (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "Oh let him watch. I don’t care."
                    "Nasim narrowed his eyes, as if asking Rowan when he was intending to stop any of this. Alexia took another small step forward."
                    menu:
                        "Let her approach you. (Scene)":
                           # $ released_fix_rollback()
                           $ fert3AlexiaDom = True
                           "But no word of protest came to Rowan’s lips as Alexia knelt before him, and reached for his belt. She yanked it open, her fingers working quickly to undo his pants."
                           "Rowan watched, entranced by his wife’s wide smile. He noticed Nasim rubbing his nose, and the wizard casting another spell. What it was, he did not care anymore."
                           jump fert3Titjob_rp

                        "This was not normal. Cut the experiment short.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            jump Fert3CutShort_rp

                "This was not normal. Cut the experiment short.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump Fert3CutShort_rp

        "This was not normal. Cut the experiment short.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()

            label Fert3CutShort_rp:
                "Rowan shared a look with the wizard, and gave him a short nod. Nasim brought his hand up, and made a single sigil in the air, followed with a few incantations."
                al "Come on, Rowan, let’s not… "
                scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                show nasim neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
                show bg9 with sshake
                "Alexia’s voice trailed off as she took a wobbly step in his direction. Rowan rushed up and grabbed her falling body, trying to ignore her soft boobs pressing into his chest."
                ro "How long will this form last, Nasim?"
                nas "A couple hours, as before. The sleep effect will last far longer. She seems to be quite suggestible in this state."
                "Rowan brought her to his bed, and covered her naked body, to hide it from Nasim’s sight - even if the wizard made an effort not to stare - and to stop himself from ogling it."
                ro "You said you used less power. What happened?"
                nas "Something I observed earlier, and informed Alexia of. Granted, this exceeded my expectations. I’ll review my notes, and inform you if it’s wise to proceed any further, Lord Blackwell."
                "The man gave him a short nod, not even hiding his concern. He wanted his wife to be happy… "
                scene black with fade
                "But it was starting to look like the price would be too high to pay."
                # $ fert3TitJobDenied = True
                return

    label fert3Titjob_rp:

        al "You’ll love them. I promise."

        #cg3
        scene cg1216 with fade
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1216
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1216

        "Pushing her tits together, she took his cock between them, and Rowan drew a sharp breath as his full length was enveloped in her soft body."
        "He was enamoured in an instant. Warm and soft, Alexia’s new tits seemed more suitable for cock-worship than maternity, even with the milky trails coming from her nipples."
        "His wife noticed his reaction, and after a short giggle, spit down, and started working her breasts up and down, in slow, loving motions."

        al "A-ah, they’re so good Rowan! And so sensitive~~ Ha, I can feel your cock through them~~ "
        al "It’s so hard and heavy~~ It’s throbbing~~ Ah… So wonderful…"
        al "I just wish… I just wish it was in my pussy instead~~ "

        "He didn’t answer her, Nasim’s words still rattling at the back of his head, an irritating reminder to hold himself back. Instead, he ran his fingers through her hair, watching her as she slowly worked his cock."
        "And staring into her glazed over, lust drunk eyes. She wanted him to fuck her - she wanted him to think only about fucking her. It was both terrifying and arousing. To think his wife could be like this… "
        "Nasim mentioned the mental side effects. He wondered… "

        menu:
            "“Alexia, I want you to worship my cock.” " if fert3AlexiaDom == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ fert3Dom = True
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                ro "… I want you to focus on how well it fits between your new, massive tits. I want you to love my cock, Alexia."
                al "I love your cock already Rowan-"
                ro "I want you to love it more, my love. It’s the cock that will fuck a kid into you, remember?"
                ro "It’s the one thing that can fulfill you. Is that right Alexia?"
                "He watched in fascination as his words started to set in. Where before his wife tried to look him in the eye, her attention slowly shifted to the cock between her tits. She giggled a little, and the words flew off his lips by themselves."
                ro "It’s amazing, isn’t it? Say you love my cock, Alexia."
                al "I love your cock, Rowan. It feels so good~~ "
                "She slurred praises to his phallus, as he held her head more firmly, and started rocking his hips, thrusting his cock between her tits, enjoying her body to its full potential."
                ro "Fuck! So soft… "
                al "I know! I love them so much… And I wanted you to love them too, Rowan."
                "She giggled again, and he pulled her hair, forcing her to arch her back, push her tits out more. Was that what was going on in her head as Nasim cast his spell? To look like a dolled up slut for him?"
                menu:
                    "“Good job, my love.” ":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "You did well… I think your new tits are great."
                        ro "You should think about such things more often. How to act - how to look - to please me."
                        al "A-ah, yes, of course! All I want is for you to fuck me Rowan!"
                        "He picked up his tempo, edged forth by his wife literally salivating at the sight of his cock, both of them lost in the sensation. She was such a wonderful slut- "
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)
                        $ fert3ExcessiveCor = True

                    "Just keep fucking her tits.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "He paid the revelation no heed, too focused on the pleasure, edged forth by his wife literally salivating at the sight of his cock. She was such a wonderful slut- "

                ro "Nngh!"
                show cg1217 with sshake
                show cg1217 with sshake
                show cg1218 with flash
                pause 2
                "He couldn’t hold it in any longer. He exploded all over her, showering her in his cum, painting her face and tits white."
                al "Aaaaah! Yes! So wonderful! Gods, I love your cum so much Rowan~~"
                "It was an obscene picture, and it made him grin. He scooped up a little of the cum that hit her cheek - and offered it to her. She giggled, and started licking it off his fingers. Oh, he could get used to it…"

            "See where she takes it." if fert3Dom == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ fert3AlexiaDom = True
                "He should’ve stopped it. But the way her tits engulfed him… What harm would it do, to enjoy himself for a moment?"
                al "They’re good, aren’t they? They look good, they feel good~~ I love them so much~~ "
                ro "A-ah… Your tits are amazing Alexia. I love them too."
                "He meant every word. With a deep sigh, he leaned back, allowing her to service his cock, caring not for the consequences."
                al "I wish I had them all the time, Rowan. I wish I was always like this."
                "His wife giggled, and he stared in pure wonder at the sheer joy in her eyes. When was she ever this happy as she was now, with these obscene tits, and a body made to fuck and rut? "
                al "I wish you could always have me like this ~~ Ah, for you to shove your cock between my tits every morning, force it down my throat in, then bend me over and fuck me!"
                ro "Ah!"
                "She redoubled her efforts, pushing herself up and down, stroking his cock with her tits. They felt too soft to be real - as if they were made for titfucks, not breastfeeding."
                ro "Alexia, they’re so soft… "
                al "I know, Because I wanted you to squeeze them, I wanted you to touch them. I want them to bring you joy like no other."
                "Her loving motions started to slow down, until they finally stopped. When he looked down, he saw Alexia grinning at him, giving him a smouldering look as her hands moved over her tits."
                al "I want to have them all the time, Rowan. Will you promise to fuck a baby in me, so I can be nice and heavy for you? "
                menu:
                    "Whatever you want, honey. ":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I promise, Alexia. We’ll make your tits all nice and big, just like you want them."
                        al "Like {b}we{/b} want them, honey."
                        "She giggled in that delighted, high pitch tone, and resumed her ministrations, running her tits up and down his shaft, as he leaned back again and relaxed."
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 3)

                    "Of course - later. ":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "If that’s what you want. We just have to wait-"
                        "She pouted and pushed forward, thrusting her chest into him."
                        al "Why wait? This is how I want to feel like Rowan. And we both know this is how I should look like."
                        al "… But it’s fine. I’m sure I’ll be able to convince you of their perks…"
                        "Whispering sweetly, she resumed her ministrations, running her tits up and down his shaft, in a way that soon made him forget her earlier question."

                al "A-ah…"
                "Her breathing got heavier, and she picked up the pace, pressing her breasts together, causing him to draw a sharp breath. He wouldn’t be able to withstand this for much longer, no man would."
                al "Come for me Rowan. Shower me in cum. Paint my tits white!"
                ro "Ah!"
                show cg1217 with sshake
                show cg1217 with sshake
                show cg1218 with flash
                pause 2
                "As if on command, he exploded over her tits and face, making his wife squeal in delight. He was still breathing heavily, as she scooped up some cum from her breast, and brought it to her lips."
                al "Mmmmm… Delicious.. But I think it belongs in another of my holes, love."

        al "Now… Should we go for round two?"

        "Before Rowan could agree, there was a slight glow to the side, and a few words were spoken. Alexia blinked, her gaze suddenly growing unfocused."

        ro "Alexia?"

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show bg9 with sshake

        "She blinked a few more times, then closed her eyes, and started to slip down, suddenly asleep. Rowan grabbed by the shoulder before she could hit the floor - and turned to the wizard. "

        nas "I think we’ve tested enough, Lord Blackwell. "

        if fert3Dom:
            show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "Not your call, Nasim."
            al "As the wizard overseeing this treatment, it actually is. I’ve already analyzed the flow of magic within her. Allowing this to continue would be for your own indulgence."
            ro "… Fine. And what did you see?"
            nas "… I’m not sure yet."

        else:
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan looked away, slightly embarrassed by his own behaviour. He really let Alexia take this a little too far… But what man could blame him? Except for the one next to him, apparently."
            ro ".. What was the other spell you cast? The one from before?"
            nas "A simple spell to analyze the flow of magic within her. It was…"
            nas "… I’m not sure what it was yet."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

        "Rowan picked his wife up, bridal style. She felt heavier now - no wonder, with tits like these. He’ll need to clean her up."

        nas "The transformation should run its course before she wakes up."
        ro "Good. We’ll stay in touch, Nasim."

        hide nasim with moveoutleft

        "The wizard gave him a polite bow, his expression stoic, as if he didn’t just witness Alexia debase herself by giving her husband a messy titjob. He left the room without another word - no doubt in a hurry to do so. "

        if fert3Dom:
            "Meanwhile, Rowan laid his wife on his bed, as gently as he could, making sure not to wake her up. While he wouldn’t mind another go… Maybe it wasn’t so wise as to tease her while she was in this state."
            "He wondered if today’s encounter would have lasting effects. And if it did… If he wanted to encourage them further."

        else:
            "Meanwhile, Rowan laid his wife on his bed, as gently as he could, making sure not to wake her up."
            "While he wouldn’t mind seeing what else she would think of… He worried about the mentioned side effect. Would this encounter have lasting effects on his wife?"
            "And if yes, was it something he wanted to encourage?"

        scene black with fade

        "Nasim better have some answers next time they meet. "

        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 10)
        # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)

        # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_46.rpy
label another_challenge_rp:

    $ elfDom = False
    $ elfSex = False
    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"
    $ society_type = "feudal"
    $ helayna_escape_method = "no escape"
    $ earlyEnd = True # End the scene early as there's lots of dialogue after the CG
    $ Liurialname = "Liurial"

    "Is Rowan dominant over Liurial? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ elfDom = True
            $ elfSex = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    if elfDom:
        scene bg8 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Liurial would be down soon. He had called for her."
        "Rowan sat alone in the middle of the dungeon cell. The door was wide open, awaiting the arrival of his submissive subordinate. As he waited, his hands idly toyed with the rope that he had prepared."
        "It was not the sort of rope he’d normally take with him on campaign in the field. For practical tasks, he’d be more likely to pick his gear for sturdiness. "
        "The manual had suggested that for this task he should find softer materials. He ultimately settled on Jute, for a mix of sturdiness and comfort. It would do nicely."
        "Rowan was not a man blessed with a lot of free time. He’d used a good deal of what he had to prepare for this."

        show liurial neutral at edgeright with moveinright

        if society_type == "might":
            liur "Rope, M’lord?"
        else:
            liur "Rope, Sir?"

        "He saw the girl in the doorway, pressing herself against the frame of the door with a certain soft grace."

        ro "That’s right. Rope. "

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan smiled playfully and beckoned her through the threshold. Liurial stepped forward cautiously, eyes firmly entranced by what was in Rowan’s hands."

        show liurial neutral at midright with moveinright

        ro "A curious incident happened to me recently. Some writings ended up on my desk at work. Scrolls from the library on some of the rope practices from the Northern Dragon’s Tail. You wouldn’t believe my surprise."
        ro "So, I read them. It turned out that the techniques they discussed were quite intricate. Lately, when I’ve had some spare time, I’ve been practicing some of what I saw in their pages."

        "Rowan chuckled and pointed to a wooden dummy, stolen from the training yard. It stood in the corner of the cell, bound in rope into an intricate pattern."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "He kept his glance trained on Liurial. His lip curled with a playful, yet sinister, expression."

        ro "I’ll admit, I found the scrolls were quite fascinating. But, want to know what I found even more fascinating?"
        ro "How did they {i}get{/i} on my desk in the first place?"

        show liurial sad at midright with dissolve

        "Liurial swayed gently in place. At first, the only sound she made was a loud gulp. When her voice finally returned to her, it was weak."

        liur "If it would please you, Sir…I could investi-"

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

        "Rowan didn’t even let her finish the sentence before he was on his feet. The rope dropped to the floor. His muscular frame pressed the diminutive elf to the wall, one hand on her throat. He gripped her, but not so tight as to cause harm. Just the way that he knew Liurial liked it."
        "She yielded to his force, squirming within his grasp. Her hands clutched the stone wall behind her with whatever strength her arms could muster. Rowan looked into her eyes. They stared back with wide awe. "

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        ro "This is what you wanted, isn’t it? What you were hoping for when you left it there?"

        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        liur "..."

        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve

        liur "Yes..."
        liur "...Master."

        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve

        "Rowan inhaled. Just like that, he was in total control, and Liurial was a pliable toy in his hands… "

        menu:
            "...And it was intoxicating.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ loveThat = False
                pass

            "...And it felt good.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ loveThat = False
                pass

            "...And she would love that.":
                $ loveThat = True
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        "With his free hand, Rowan drew two fingers and pressed them to the girl’s softly panting lips. Liurial compliantly opened her mouth and suckled them with lustful abandon. Their eyes met, creating a bridge between them. she was searching for approval in his expression."
        "His hand drew back so suddenly that a trail of her saliva lingered in the air for a split second. Her mouth finally free again, Liurial exhaled deeply."

        liur "Goddess…"

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Reading and practicing on dummies is one thing. But, you really can’t learn anything without putting it into practice. Don’t you want to help me with that, Liurial?"
        else:
            ro "Reading and practicing on dummies is one thing. But, you really can’t learn anything without putting it into practice. And you’re going to help me with that, aren’t you…"
            ro "…{i}Slave{/i}?"

        "She nodded quickly."

        ro "Good."

        "He pointed to the middle of the room. The fallen rope marked the spot where he had been waiting for her to answer his summons."

        ro "What you need to do is go right to the middle of the room, get rid of those clothes, and kneel down."

        show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
        show liurial happy at midleft with moveoutleft

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Without a word, she rushed to obey Rowan’s command. He couldn’t stop himself from smiling warmly the moment her back was turned. She really was a good girl."
        else:
            "Without a word, she rushed to obey Rowan’s command. He watched the wiggle of her pert rear as she moved. Such an eager thing…and all his."

        show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Soon, her clothes lay discarded on the ground. She turned back towards him, head bowed and long gold hair hanging over her shoulder. Then, she sank downwards into a kneel with perfect posture."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan didn’t move to join her immediately. He paced in front of her, taking in the scene. He briefly glanced up to the hooks that he’d installed in the ceiling. They looked secure enough. And they were positioned over a nearby pile of hay."
        "Rowan inhaled. This was it. He was ready for it, right? The practice hadn’t been in vain? There would only be one way to find out."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveoutleft

        "He finally approached the waiting girl. The longer he’d been pacing, the more the anticipation had built. She was shivering, ever so softly, by the time he was ready. Still, she kept her head down and her mouth silent."
        "Rowan took position behind her, one knee to the ground. With one hand he took the rope and with the other, he steadied Liurial. She would need to be relatively still for this next part…at least according to the manual."

        #cg1
        scene cg1226 with fade
        show liurial naked aroused behind cg1226
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1226
        pause 3

        "Rowan uncoiled the rope, spreading it out into a longer strand, but folding it over. According to the manual, the rope needed to be doubled up. That way more could be folded through. Liurial breathed softly as Rowan worked. No doubt, she was left to only imagine what he was doing."

        show cg1227 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She would soon learn. He started with her wrists. She let out a soft sigh as he wordlessly forced her wrists together behind her back and bound them. This part was simple and familiar enough."
        "The moment she was in bondage, Liurial wiggled softly in place."

        liur "Master…"

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "I’m going to need you to stay still, Liurial. Don't hesitate to tell me if something pinches or is too tight."
        else:
            ro "Rowan: I’m going to need you to stay still, Slave. Don't hesitate to tell me if something pinches or is too tight. Else, I won’t learn."

        liur "You’re going to tie me up?"

        "Rowan chuckled."

        ro "Try to contain your excitement. If you wiggle too much, I’ll mess it up."
        liur "Of course, Master. Anything to help."

        "Rowan took another deep breath. This next part would not be so difficult either. Just a harness. He brought his arms around Liurial, as if embracing her. Naturally, she leaned into it. However, the purpose was less to embrace her then to bring the first strap across her chest."

        show cg1228 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "He wrapped it around the top of her pert bust, and came back around for a second wrap-around, underneath."

        liur "Mmm…That feels good, Master…"

        "Her breath had grown heavier. The constant points of touch between their bodies, paired with the restriction of the rope, were already starting to produce the desired effects."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "It’s not too tight, right? I just want to make sure I don’t choke you."
        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "You will tell me if it’s too tight to the point it’s making it hard to breathe."
        else:
            ro "Remember. You have a job to do, Slave. Is the rope too tight?"

        liur "I could use…tighter…that would…"

        "Her answer had been such a mumble that Rowan had to strain to hear. That was no good. While focusing on the rope, he shouldn't also have to lean in close to hear her."

        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1228

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "What was that? Liurial, you’re going to need to speak up when I ask you questions."
        else:
            ro "What was that? Slave, you’re going to need to speak up when I ask you questions."

        "She inhaled briefly…then answered in a shout!"

        liur "Tighter!"

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan smiled."
        else:
            "Rowan grinned."

        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1228

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "If you insist."
        else:
            ro "If you insist, Slave."

        "Rowan leaned back, pulling on the straps. A gasp of air escaped her lips as the compression on her chest grew tighter. She knelt forward, in shock at the sudden confinement."

        show cg1229 with fade
        pause 3

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan was just getting started. He gently scooped her back to her knees so he could continue the binding. First, his progress so far had to be settled into place with a secure knot. Another skill he hadn't needed the manuals for. A lifetime of hunting ensured that."
        else:
            "Rowan was just getting started. He roughly pulled her back to her knees so he could continue the binding. First, his progress so far had to be settled into place with a secure knot. Another skill he hadn't needed the manuals for. A lifetime of hunting ensured that."

        "His arms went back around her so he could work the rope through the front of the fledgling harness, working their way around her breasts."
        "She was not so endowed that it was truly necessary to keep them stable. However, the moans she let out as the jute pressed into her sensitive flesh validated that element of the process."
        "Once a full chest harness had been secured, he brought the rope back around to seal it in another knot. Rowan paused momentarily to wipe the sweat from his brow."
        "The fact that what he was doing was erotic could almost escape him. Certainly, the elves’ moans added to the sexual tenor. But, so focused was the inexperienced rigger on getting the ties and knots right, he could not be fully present for the eroticism."
        "Still, his hands were nimble, even if he had not worked his way to full confidence in the art. When he was ready to continue, he split the rope and began to work it around her small stomach, creating patterns that looked like a diamond as they worked their way down."
        "Liurial’s bodily reactions only seemed to grow more and more extreme the more of her body was bound."

        liur "Master…my head is going blank…so tight…"

        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1229

        ro "Too tight?"
        liur "N-no. It’s…it’s perfect."

        "Her head rolled back and she produced a low whimpering moan. Rowan almost tried to force her back into posture, but she was beyond that now. Even his novice eyes could see that. So instead he continued the work, now with her head resting on his shoulder."
        "The position grew incredibly awkward when he reached all the way down to her waist. He had to guide her body into a position laying on her side. Liurial, all the more a ragdoll with each passing moment, let him guide her position as it suited him."
        "He closed the diamonds at her waist, wrapping it all as a single solid binding. The manual called for him to simply produce another knot here."
        "Afterward, he had more than enough extra rope for a bit of fun. So he took part of the remaining rope, produced a knot right above where her crotch would be, and dug it between her legs."

        liur "Master!"

        "Her eyes shot open. The sudden stimulation of the bind pressed right above her clit, and the rest of the cord dug between her legs, revived her from her semi-stupor. She squirmed desperately in response to the new sensation."

        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1229

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "I thought you might like that, Liurial. You aren’t even trying to hide what a wanton thing you are from me."
        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "It would be wrong to tie up with such a desperate slut this way and not tease her a bit. You’ve always been nothing but a plaything."
        else:
            ro "I thought you might like that, Slave. You aren’t even trying to hide what a wanton thing you are from me."

        liur "Ye…yes, Master. You’re…aha…you’re right."

        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "He dug the rope in slightly harder, moving it back and forth to ramp up the erotic torture."
            if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "Perfect. And you make such pathetic noises too, Slave."
            else:
                ro "Perfect. And you make such nice noises too, Slave."

        "He clinched the rope through the other side and tied it into place, leaving Liurial in her sexual predicament."
        "Now Rowan found himself with a problem. There was far more rope left over than there was supposed to be, even with his added embellishments. He swore silently to himself. He’d practiced so much with the dummies, he hadn't properly accounted for her smaller frame. "
        "He was left with the momentary choice of trying to do something else with the rope. Then shook his head, dissuading himself from the notion. Improvisation would have required far more skill than that of a novice."
        "Instead, he tucked the rope in some of the pre-existing bindings. The rest of the length he placed into extra knots, to ensure that Liurial’s new harness was securely in place."
        "Liurial sighed weakly and ground herself into the ever-present teasing of the crotch rope. Her head was rolled back. It gave Rowan a view of her distorted expression. She looked as though she were half-drunk, only from the sensation of her bondage."
        "Rowan blinked. Seeing her so affected…as if she were half going into a trance from the sensation…"

        menu:
            "…Was enticing.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "Was curious.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "…Was concerning":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        "He ran a hand delicately through the strands of her hair. It had been splayed out wildly on the floor beneath her. The dungeon had been blessed by a touch of gold."

        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1229

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "You look fairly out of it, Liurial. Try to remember this isn’t something I’ve had much experience with.  If I did something wrong or you need to stop, you can tell me."
        else:
            ro "You look fairly out of it, Slave. Try to remember this isn’t something I’ve had much experience with.  If I did something wrong or you need to stop, you must tell me."

        liur "No…Master…Please more…"
        liur "I’m…I’m okay…"
        liur "Just overwhelmed because it feels…feels…so good."

        "Rowan nodded slowly. She was perhaps slightly out of it, but clearly seemed coherent enough to continue."
        "He drew away from her and went for a second rope. The work this one entailed thankfully meant he hadn't needed to have it made of jute."
        "He took it to the pre-positioned hardpoint on the ground and settled it through with plenty of length to spare. Then, with the help of a stool, he ran it through the hardpoint at the top of the dungeon. This left another long segment of cord hanging from the ceiling. "
        "Liurial didn’t pay much attention, what with the distraction of the tight harness still affecting her. He did briefly catch a glimpse of her stare. A single emerald eye, surrounded by a roiling sea of hair, trained on him."
        "The rigger returned to his subject and pulled her into a kneel. He swiftly found that if he didn’t maintain it, she simply fell over. Rather unfortunate, considering he needed her back on her knees so he could connect the segment of rope hanging from the ceiling to her existing harness."
        "This was, perhaps, the most important knot of all. He used a generous amount of rope ensuring that this load bearing segment would not fall apart when stress was applied to it."
        "When he was done, the ceiling rope was connected to her, with generous enough slack to not get in the way."
        "At that point, there remained one last part of her to bind. Though totally dazed, she was still able to follow instructions to keep her knees together."
        "He’d selected a pair of smaller ropes for her legs. In quick succession he tied one together at the knee and secured it, followed by the other. On the ground, it left her in a perpetual kneel."
        "Although, when he briefly let her go she ended up on the ground long enough for him to see her squirming with her legs in a frogtie."

        liur "Master…Rowan…th-thank you…"
        ro "Hrmm?"
        liur "For…for all this…mph so good…ha…"

        "Rowan listened to the appreciation silently. Inwardly he was chuckling. As intensive as that entire process of binding had been…and as strong an effect it had seemingly had on her…"
        "…It had just been the lead in."

        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1229

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Liurial. I think you should hold in the thanks a bit longer. After all, I haven’t even got to the best part yet."
        else:
            ro "Slave. I think you should hold in the thanks a bit longer. After all, I haven’t even got to the best part yet."

        "Before she could even ask what Rowan meant, he was whirring into action. He grabbed the rope and pulley and took position. Then, with a strong grunt, he pulled hard."
        "Liurial gasped. The rope was lifting her off the ground. Inch by inch, Rowan was making her rise into the air. It reminded him, in a way, of the way that Jezera lifted someone into the air. Only, Rowan had done it himself, using his own ingenuity."
        "Liurial squirmed in her ropes, suddenly cut off from the stability of the ground. "

        show rowan necklace neutral behind black

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Steady…steady…I don’t want to hurt you."
        else:
            ro "Steady…steady…I don’t want to hurt you. At least, not too much."

        "That did the job of getting her to stop squirming. Of course, Rowan was reasonably sure it would not have made a difference. The hardpoint’s position above a stack of hay had moved Liurial in that direction, putting something beneath her."
        "Besides, provided the scrolls were accurate, the ropes would be more than secure enough to take almost any movement she could try. Then again, Rowan didn’t exactly know for sure if scrolls were accurate."

        #liurial naked shocked
        liur "I’m…I’m…"

        "She sighed. Being lifted in the air this way had taken from her even the limited movement being on the ground had allowed. "

        liur "I really can’t…can’t move…"

        #liurial naked aroused
        liur "Mmmm…{i}helpless{/i}."

        "Rowan let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding. That certainly sounded like a happy response."
        "Betting that a bondage slut like Liurial would enjoy play of this sort would have been fairly safe. However, a part of him had still worried that what she might find enjoyable in theory, she might hate in practice. Now, that last bit of doubt was gone."
        "When he brought her to a height slightly above his waist level. He stopped pulling further. To conclude, he bent low and tied a final tough knot. This time to keep her elevation secure."

        show cg1230 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1231 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1232 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1233 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1234 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "His labour completed, Rowan took the moment to sit down and rest. He’d done it. His eager submissive was now hanging, suspended in the air. Perhaps not every tie or strand was positioned perfectly, but Rowan didn’t let that possibility dampen his mood."
        "There was a certain elation that came with it. That of a difficult task completed, a monster bested. Granted, tying some elaborate knots was a small monster by Rowan’s standards, but he was not above the elation of a job well done."
        "Liurial hung in her bonds, sighing in pleasure. Her body squirmed within the rope, but her bindings held her totally captive. Now aloft, she could not even roll or squirm along the ground."
        "Rowan jumped back to his feet. His hand brushed against Liurial’s thigh, tracing along the edges of a line of rope. An intimate spark seemed to bloom wherever he made contact with her skin."

        liur "{i}Ooooh{/i}…"

        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1234

        ro "You’re beautiful this way, Liurial. Almost like a work of art. Like a statue in an abbey or a painting on a wall."

        "His other hand joined in, gliding around her legs. Soft gentle touches, meant to explore her sensual form. It made the girl moan all the more."
        "Rowan was not content with mere soft touches."
        "When he had placed both hands at her inner thighs, he gripped them and pushed them apart. Her weak form yielded to him here too. Her bound legs were spread open, revealing her glistening sex, covered by the rope knot."

        show liurial naked sad behind cg1234

        liur "You’re…uh…"

        "Liurial let out a whimper. She obediently kept herself spread for him, even as he took one hand away to work at his trousers. Soon, they joined Liurial’s clothes on the dungeon floor. "

        liur "M-master…are you going to?"

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Shh…You’ll enjoy this, Liurial."
        else:
            ro "Shh…You’ll enjoy this, Slave."

        "First, Rowan went to the crotch rope. As much fun as it had been, and as much as it had helped put his submissive in the mood for this moment, it had served its purpose. He delicately loosened it and moved it to the side."
        "There was no need for any further foreplay. Rowan’s body had long since begun to react to Liurial’s naked body and moaning pleas. To say Liurial was worked up already was an understatement. She was dripping with lust."

        show liurial naked aroused behind cg1234

        liur "Master…f-fuck me…please…"

        "It was a please Rowan intended to answer, merciful ruler that he was. He positioned himself into place. Her body hovered, via the rope, at just high enough to keep their crotches level."
        "All it took was gripping down on her hips to steady her…and shoving his cock into her eager hole."

        show cg1235 with fade
        pause 3

        liur "Oh…ohhhh…!"

        "Rowan forced himself all the way inside. Small as her body was, it yielded itself to his shape, as was no doubt it was becoming accustomed to. With little effort, he’d jammed his cock all the way inside."

        liur "M-master…"

        "Rowan had total control. He set the pace with both his thrusts and his ability to slam her against his cock by his makeshift handle on her hips. The rope swung slightly overhead, though far from enough to destabilize her."
        "Liurial whimpered and squirmed harder. The only way she could move was by contract with his body. Rowan felt her hips rolling back into him, using his body as a grounding point. Her movements were frantic, the result of overpowering desire."

        liur "Master!"
        liur "All I…i can feel…is…you."

        "He repositioned one hand into her hair and pulled. It proved a convenient handle. Another way to control her weight. And another source of pleasure for the masochistic girl as well. "

        liur "M..master…mas-ster…master…"

        "The word took on something like a chant from her. A way to measure the pace. With each new call of the title she called him, Rowan slammed his cock into her again."

        liur "Cum for you…wanna…for you…"

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Enjoying yourself, Girl?"
        else:
            ro "Enjoying yourself, Slave?"

        "He kept up his fast, powerful pace. He felt the sweat drip down his back. He felt the way her whole body seemed to push back at him…act as one more source of pressure driving him forward. The sort of pressure that would make him explode. His breath grew hotter as he drew closer."
        "Liurial was even more overwhelmed than he was. Already shattered from stimulation from the rope alone, she had now been reduced to a mess. A spot of drool hung from her lip, that she couldn’t clean up. A similar strand dripped from the place his dick and her pussy met."
        "Every few seconds, increasing in pace and intensity, a large shiver would run through her body. Rowan felt it as a pulse against his cock, simply adding to the sensation. It also traveled through the harness, making the entire apparatus vibrate. She, no doubt, would be unable to last much longer."

        liur "Wanna…cum…"
        ro "Having…trouble…?"
        liur "No…"
        liur "I..."
        liur "Mmmphphph…"
        liur "Want…permission…"

        "Rowan laughed and gave her a swat on the ass."

        #rowan smirk
        ro "Then cum! Cum for me! Now!"

        "All it took to set Liurial over the edge was the words alone. It was as if the final mental block stopping her was gone. The girl screamed and thrashed in her bonds. The rope proved no more yielding, even now."
        "Even as she came, Rowan wasn’t done. Not until he received his pleasure. Certainly, the explosion of energy from Liurial had only pulled him closer to final release. Rowan still had a last reserve of stamina and resistance left."

        ro "Cum. Again…"

        "Barely a minute from her first release, Liurial still responded to the command. A second smaller, but still powerful release of spasms heralded a second orgasm. Rowan gasped and re-adjusted himself so he could keep thrusting."

        #rowan necklace aroused
        ro "Ughhhh…."

        "He could feel himself slipping over. With each passing moment, the pressure mounted and mounted. He could feel the sweet promise of release overtaking him. Even so, he still managed one last command."

        ro "Again!"
        liur "...Master…"

        show cg1235 with sshake
        show cg1235 with sshake
        show cg1236 with flash
        pause 3

        "Liurial gasped,  even in her weakened state, she still managed to succumb one final time. Her cries and quakes this time proved too much for Rowan. Already perilously close to the edge, trying in vain to hold off his orgasm, it set him over."

        ro "Grugh!"

        "A shudder went down his back. He pulled backwards, letting a torrent of his cum spray over Liurial’s back. Some of it covered the intricate harness, seeping into the jute. He stumbled backwards a few steps, then steadied himself against the nearby wall."
        "As he caught his breath, there in front of him was a beautiful sight."
        "Liurial remained bound and hanging. The exhausted elf hung limp in her bonds from the exhaustion. A mixture of sweat and cum dribbled off her sides. From this vantage point, he was even left with a clear view of her poor, abused cunt."

        scene bg8 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve
        show liurial naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "A short time later, Rowan had safely removed Liurial from her bindings. There had been a moment when bringing her down that she’d descended too rapidly, and nearly landed in the hay. But, thankfully he’d caught her."

        "Since then they’d been cuddling together in the afterglow, both sitting in the pile of hay. Liurial’s body remained crisscrossed with red indentations. A reminder of their play session on her body. Even if they vanished in a few hours, she would not soon forget it."
        "Liurial coo’d softly and curled into his chest. As the minutes had passed since her release, she’d grown steadily more alert."

        liur "...You’ve been practicing, Master?"
        ro "I have."

        show rowan necklace naked neutral at center with dissolve

        if loveThat:
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "Just to confirm…You’re saying that you enjoyed that? This is entirely new territory for me."
            else:
                ro "Just to confirm…You’re saying my technique was effective? This is entirely new territory for me."

            liur "…{i}Definitely{/i}."
            ro "Good. I still don’t know how much I enjoy it. At least relative to more…normal…sex. But, the process of learning is, at least, engaging. And having an appealing practice doll helps."

            show liurial naked aroused at midright with dissolve

            "Liurial blushed, ever so slightly."
        else:
            ro "I’m not really used to playing the way you like it. It's not that I’ve never been the dominant one in bed before with Alexia, but this is an entire new skill set when it comes to sex. One that I've never developed before."
            ro "Granted, a surprisingly enjoyable one. I’m starting to suspect when you picked me, you had to have known this sort of thing would prove effective for me."
            liur "Know is strong…more like…a kind of aura…"
            ro "Well, it’s still something I need to get used to if I want to rise above the level of a novice. Something to work to improve at."

        ro "You might be surprised to hear this, but there aren’t a lot of whips and chains being used in sex games back in provincial human villages."

        show liurial naked happy at midright with dissolve

        liur "There is rope though?"

        show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve

        ro "…We don’t normally use it this way."

        "Liurial giggled and pressed her face closer to Rowan’s chest."

        liur "Thank you, Master…"
        liur "... for trying so hard for me."

        "They remained that way for a time. Long enough, at least, for Liurial to have mostly recovered. But, they were not to have the leisure of choosing the time of their own departure."

        show rowan necklace naked neutral at center with dissolve

        "There was a knock on the cell door. Rowan frowned. He’d chosen this spot for its secluded position within the dungeon…and for the fact it had locks on both sides."

        show liurial naked sad at edgeright with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace naked at midright with moveoutright
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        "Rowan pulled the door open slightly, finding an orc on the other end."

        ro "I’ll be with you in a minute. This is priva-"
        os "Waz lookeen for you. Mistress sayz you needs go to ‘er. ‘mportant meetin."

        show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan’s frown only grew."

        ro "Jezera…"

        "He turned back to Liurial."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Will you be alright here, Liurial? There should be some soothing herbs and a bucket of fresh water for the rope burns next to the stool."
        else:
            ro "You should be alright now. There should be some soothing herbs and a bucket of fresh water for the rope burns next to the stool."

        show liurial naked happy at edgeright with dissolve

        "She sighed and smiled at him."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            liur "Go...go. You’ve done more than enough for me, Master."
        else:
            liur "O-of course. You’ve done more than enough for me, Master."

        "He nodded. He would have preferred to stay with Liurial for a time and ensure there was not some lingering issue. But, duty called."
        "As he went looking for his clothes, he cracked his neck. That had been quite the work out. Were it not for his active lifestyle, it might have actually been somewhat taxing on his stamina."
        "Liurial gave him a final little wave as he departed, heading off to find what was so important as to disturb him from his elf bondage time."

    else:
        scene bg6 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan blinked twice. He thought he heard a voice calling his name."

        show liurial sad at midright with moveinright

        if society_type == "might":
            liur "M’lord?"
        else:
            liur "Sir?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan raised his head and wiped the dust from his eyes. It took him a few moments of grogginess to realize that his face had been lying flat on his desk."
        "He looked up. Liurial was staring at him with concern, holding a scroll and writing board close to her chest."

        liur "…You were sleeping. I didn’t know if you were resting on purpose and wished to be alone or if you had fallen asleep in the middle of something important. So I didn’t know if I should-"

        "He held up a hand."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Liurial. It’s fine."

        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        if society_type == "might":
            liur "Oh. Yes M’lord. If you say so."
        else:
            liur "Oh. Yes Sir. If you say so."

        "Rowan stretched his arms out. He hadn’t fallen asleep in a good position; everything was sore."

        if elfSex:
            show liurial sad at midright with dissolve

            if society_type == "might":
                liur "M’lord, perhaps you’d like me to give you a massage to help you relax?"
            else:
                liur "Sir, perhaps you’d like me to give you a massage to help you relax?"

            "Rowan raised an eyebrow. From the context, it was hard to tell if it was a euphemism. Though, it wasn’t as if she’d given him many massages before. "

            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

            ro "Well, that depends. Are you particularly good at it?"

            show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

            liur "I would venture to suggest so. Torlene frequently requested them, so I practiced the skillset. He would have been upset with me otherwise…"

            "She gave him a beaming, proud smile as she answered."

            if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "So long as you say you know what you’re doing.."
            else:
                ro "You know I would never be upset with you over something like that."
            liur "Of course, Sir."

            "Liurial went behind his chair and ran her hands over his shoulders. Rowan leaned back in the touch. Her hands were perhaps on the small side. But, surprisingly nimble. He sighed softly. This wasn’t so bad at all."
            "Then again, it was hardly the first time she’d demonstrated the ability to please him using her hands…"

        else:

            show liurial sad at midright with dissolve

            if society_type == "might":
                liur "M’lord, would you’d enjoy a cup of tea? When I find my attention span waning, I often find it helps me."
            else:
                liur "Sir, would you’d enjoy a cup of tea? When I find my attention span waning, I often find it helps me."

            liur "All it would take would be a quick trip to the kitchens."

            "Rowan sighed."

            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "So long as it isn’t too much of a hassle…"
                "He knew, deep down, any protestation would not be of much use. Liurial liked being useful to him. But, she had a bad tendency to put his needs above hers."
            else:
                ro "That would be wonderful, Liurial. Go ahead."
                "He was always astonished by how quick the Liurial was to tend to whatever need he asked for. She was as dutiful a servant as he could ask for."

            show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

            "Without a further word, she rushed off to the kitchens. A short time later she returned. There were two ceramic cups in her hands, steam billowing out. One for her and one for him."
            "Rowan took his first sip and sighed. "

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Once Rowan was feeling slightly more awake, his mind turned back to the subject he’d probably fallen asleep to avoid."

        ro "Before you lost me there, what were we working on? Anything important?"

        show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

        liur "...Perhaps."

        if elfSex:
            "The steady rhythm of her hands didn’t cease. She eased Rowan forward slightly, so she could slide her hands under his shirt. He groaned slightly at the touch against his skin."
            "But, it seemed it had not been an innuendo after all. The focus of her touch was entirely on his muscle groups. A steady, gentle process of working the stiffness out of them."
            "Perhaps not the finest massage he’d ever received, but certainly not a bad one."
        else:
            "She took one further sip from her drink, then lowered it to the desk. She meticulously put down a coaster beforehand, in her typically meticulous fashion."

        liur "The reports came back from the orc scouts sent along the walls. The mission that Skorded had requested."
        ro "Ah yes. You can send the reports back to-"
        liur "Wait. There was something I wished to ask you about specifically. It seems while examining the perimeter, one of the scouts found an interesting discovery along the south wall."
        liur "A segment beneath the barricades had a significant opening. And inside he discovered some sort of room built in. Large enough to comfortably fit a few occupants and with a fair number of amenities such as beds and plumbing."

        if elfSex:
            "Rowan momentarily pulled her hands away and turned to look at her."
        else:
            "Rowan studied her closely."

        ro "With amenities? So it’s not some damage from the war. It’s something pre-existing that someone was aware of."
        liur "Indeed. This castle has a long history. I theorize it might be some old hideaway. The castle was rife with factions and intrigues. Some of whom may have needed places to hide within the castle. It may have remained uncovered for decades."
        liur "Either way, it does not appear to be a significant flaw in the wall."
        ro "So why did you choose to single it out specifically?"

        show liurial happy at midright with dissolve

        if elfSex:
            "Liurial gave Rowan a naughty look."
        else:
            "Liurial gave Rowan a sly look."

        if society_type == "might":
            liur "Because, if you so wish, I could remove the report from the dossier of repairs we hand to Skorded. Provided it is of interest to you, M’lord."
        else:
            liur "Because, if you so wish, I could remove the report from the dossier of repairs we hand to Skorded. Provided it is of interest to you, M’lord."

        liur "It is near a damaged segment of wall, so it may be discovered in the renovations regardless. But, in the meantime, we would be the only ones to know about it. Only the scout would be aware, and he would hardly understand its relevance."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan shared her smile."

        ro "Clever. I like it. Remove the report."
        liur "And I did good?"

        "She stood straight and attention, waiting for his reply. She’d asked it in the way a child who just finished a schooling task might have."

        ro "You did, Liurial."

        show rowan necklace happy at center with moveinright

        "Rowan leaned over and gave her a pat near the top of her head. Though, in practice, he nearly knocked over that comically large elven hat she always wore around. Liurial didn’t seem to mind. The praise alone had her smiling wide."

        show rowan necklace shock at midright with moveoutright
        show liurial sad at edgeright with moveoutright
        show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

        "But, the moment quickly came to an end. An orc messenger arrived at the little makeshift alcove that they used as an office."

        os "Humi. Important meeting. Mistress says you gots to come now."

        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

        "Rowan sighed."

        ro "Wonderful."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

        ro "Liurial, are you okay with the daily paperwork without me?"

        show liurial happy at edgeright with dissolve

        if society_type == "might":
            liur "I will manage, M’lord."
        else:
            liur "I will manage, Sir."

        if elfSex == False:
            "He took one last swig from the tea that his secretary had prepared."
            "Then, he picked himself out of his seat and followed along behind the orc. As he did, he twisted his back in several active stretches."
        else:
            "He picked himself out of his seat and followed along behind the orc. As he did, he twisted his back in several active stretches."

    # Replay mod: Early break in the scene
    if earlyEnd:
        return

    scene bg18 with fade
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "Rowan was still stretching when he arrived at the meeting. It was a small affair that had been arranged in Jezera’s bedroom. A small table had been brought up, with Andras and Jezera sitting on one side…"

    #torlene edgeleft

    "…And Torlene and his oversized deputy, Galbraith, on the other. Rowan frowned."

    if elfDom:
        "Ah, dear Rowan. It took you long enough. I sent that little messenger to your office, but it took you so long to appear. I believe that you are acquainted with Honoured Torlene?"

    else:
        "Ah, dear Rowan. It took you long enough. I believe that you are acquainted with Honoured Torlene?"

    torl "Blackwell."

    "Torlene gave him a curt nod, but showed no expression. "

    ro "We’ve met."
    ro "What is all of this about?"

    an "Big ears and his boys are finally ready to join the fighting. That’s what. We’ve been hammering out the final terms of alliance all day."

    "Andras was sitting across from Galabraith. There was something almost amusing about the two stockier men sitting next to their more diminutive companions. Although, Andras was one of the few people in the castle who made Galbraith look short by comparison. "
    "Rowan would have to pick his words carefully, so as to avoid casually insulting Liurial’s abuser during a delicate meeting."

    ro "It’s good that negotiations aren’t being dragged out much longer."

    an "Sit. I want to get on with it. "

    "Rowan paced over to the side of the table with the Twins and took a seat beside them."

    torl "Commander Galabraith, read the final terms."

    "The large elf paused for a moment, staring at Rowan. He had a look in his eyes as if there was something he wanted to say. Instead, he dutifully rose from his seat.  He held a parchment scribbled with terms in hand."

    gala "In accordance with the wishes of his great high lordship, Honored Torlene of {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i}, we hereby enter into the following agreement with the House of Bloodmeen."
    gala "{i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i} will serve among the regular forces of the House of Bloodmeen and fight enemies including but not limited to the armies of the Six Realms."
    gala "Commanders of {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i} will have the right to choose the field they deploy in, provided that…"

    "More conditions followed, all written out in the same detailed style as the others. Considering his half-exhausted state, Rowan struggled to keep up with it. To his side, Andras was yawning."
    "Instead, Rowan focused more on the situation at the table. Torlene faced ahead, posture impeccably stern. Jezera seemed to be mostly avoiding looking at the elven commander. A less than friendly demeanor."

    gala "In accordance with the terms of the negotiations, Honored Torlene shall give up requests for an amount in pay equal to…"
    gala "..And in return, the House of Bloodmeen shall provide…"
    gala "...Err..."

    #jez smirk at midleft
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    gala "...The return of {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i} deserter, Liurial Twenson."
    gala "She shall be brought shackled to the camp of the {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i} at a date to be specified. And in the future should she attempt to desert again, the House of Bloodmeen agrees not to-"

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve

    "The moment the words had been spoken, Rowan was standing up. The back of his chair hit the floor behind him and made a sickening sound."

    ro "Excuse me. Did I hear that right?"

    "Before Jezera or Andras could answer, Torlene was also up on his feet. His arms were crossed behind his back, in a stiff symmetrical pose. "

    torl "That you shall be returning Liurial to me? Indeed."

    "Rowan felt a hand on his arm."

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "My suggestion, dear Rowan. Of course, we recognize Liurial’s valuable contributions to our new reign. And in this way, she will be of further service to us."
    je "The loss of her valuable skill set will be tragic, of course. But, remember that the elves were the ones who brought her to us in the first place. It is losing something they gave us in the first place. A reasonable term, all thing considered."
    je "Less a concession and more a return to the status quo. Quite a clever line of negotiation, if I do say so myself."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "You never stop saying so yourself, sister. "

    "She looked up at Rowan with a confident grin. But, Rowan was in no mood for such games. He turned behind him to where Andras was sitting."

    ro "And you approved of this?"

    an "Why wouldn’t I? Your pet elf is of precious little interest to me. I’m here for soldiers. Killers."

    menu:
        "Try to persuade them.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ returnLiurResponse = "persuade"
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "It strikes me as not entirely wise to offer that kind of concession without having me look at it first. Since I work directly with Liurial, I’d have the best knowledge of her relative value compared to-"
            "Jezera held up a hand."
            je "A wise suggestion perhaps. But, unnecessary in this instance, I’m afraid. With how delayed the terms are, there is a need for swiftness. Something that isn’t in your incentive wheelhouse, I’m afraid. "
            show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan narrowed his eyebrows."
            ro "What are you suggesting?"
            je "Simply that I suspect you would not hurry to part ways with the dear girl. You are quite fond of her, no?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan took a moment to compose himself, searching for another line of persuasion. But, caught off-guard, he struggled to find any sort of avenue to make headway."
            ro "If that’s your concern, then allow me to exchange her for something of equal value. I can start working on a proposal immediately. If  I could offer something instead of Liurial, that might-"
            show andras angry at midright with dissolve
            "Andras slammed a fist on the table."
            an "Quiet. The terms are made. We brought you to listen. Not to complain."
            show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan scowled."
            ro "Of course. I forget myself."

        "Get outraged.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ returnLiurResponse = "outrage"
            ro "And you thought that I would approve of this!? This is my matter to handle. Liurial is an incredibly valuable subordinate. Giving her up would be a great hindrance to our cause."
            if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "She is rightfully in service to me. You can’t-"
            else:
                ro "She is under my sworn protection. You can’t-"
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            "Andras responded with a yawn."
            an "We can, servant. If we say the elves get their slut back, they get their slut back."
            "Torlene glanced skeptically at Andras, then returned his cold gaze to Rowan."
            torl "Come now, Rowan Blackwell. This outburst is unnecessary. Surely you can see the utility of this exchange? "
            "Rowan turned back to Jezera."
            ro "You don’t understand the mistake you’re making."
            "Jezera picked at her nails and gave him an “innocent” smile."
            je "Dear Rowan, of course, we understand what we’re doing. As I recall, you explained her value to me yourself? Factors I took into account during the negotiations to ensure we got the best deal. Most helpful of you, may I say."
            show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve
            je "Now please be so kind as to sit {i}back down{/i} so we can conclude the meeting. Your objections have been noted and heard."
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan scowled. "
            ro "I see."

    "Rowan collected his chair and sat back down, trying his best not to seethe."
    "The reading of terms continued. Though, Rowan paid little attention anymore. Had they even brought him here for any reason besides humiliation?"
    "Galabraith spared him a sad look between the reading of terms, but otherwise didn’t stray from his task."
    "As the terms finished, Torlene briefly rose again. But, this time it was to go down on one knee. His jagged sword was raised from its scabbard, held aloft."

    torl "I swear by these terms by my words, by my deeds, and by my honour. I swear it on the fallen god Tsorinic, honored blade of Mount Tunaval. I swear on his brother, Gasrien, keeper of the gates of the sky. And I swear on their sister Cessair, who weeps evermore in their memory…"

    show jezera displeased at midleft with dissolve

    "Jezera’s face twisted into a frown as the display continued. With everything Rowan knew about them both, he could not imagine them as anything besides oil and water."

    je "Perhaps there would be a better time for such formalities, my new ally?"

    "Torlene glared at her but continued."

    torl " …that shall fulfill this vow. And should I seek to escape it, may I bring dread dishonor on myself forever. May Tsorinic rise from his god-tomb and strike me down. May I no longer call myself Honoured Sword. "

    "Finally, Torlene rose from his kneeling posture."

    torl "The terms are concluded. We will await the delivery of my missing paymaster. Then we shall consider the terms of the arrangement met."

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "Andras rose and clasped the smaller elf on the back. Torlene stumbled forward slightly, lips pursed."

    an "Good good. You better be as good a fighter as you say. For all the talking you do, there better be something behind it. I’ve heard a lot about you Honoured Swords. Maybe when we get the chance, I can put you to the test. Find out how much of it is true."

    "The elf straightened himself out."

    if society_type == "might":
        torl "An offer of a sparring contest would be worthy of further consideration, Lord Andras. I look forward to demonstrating my people’s prowess."
    else:
        torl "An offer of a sparring contest would be worthy of further consideration, Emperor Andras. I look forward to demonstrating my people’s prowess."

    torl "Perhaps a lesson in some of the basics of our fighting arts? They seem a matter that might hold your interest?"

    an "Hrmph. If you impress me enough, maybe."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "Torlene approached Rowan on his way out the door, only for a moment. Rowan kept his face from expressing his true emotions."

    torl "I apologize for the display your masters arranged, Rowan Blackwell. Informing you this way was shameful."
    torl "After the pact has settled, pay me call at my perch on the walls. There are matters we ought speak of, now that our conflict has been resolved."

    "Rowan bit his tongue, rather than give Torlene a response. The elf waited briefly, but once it became clear that no reply would be forthcoming from Rowan, he signaled for Galbraith to follow him out the door. It was just as well. There was only one person Rowan wished to speak to."

    #hide torlene

    if returnLiurResponse == "persuade":
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        ro "Jezera, we need to talk."

    else:
        ro "Jezera, what is this? "

    ro "We had a deal.  A deal you reaffirmed recently, no less. Liurial was to be mine and you were to give up on your attempts to take her from me. "

    "Jezera sat down on the table, crossing her legs."

    je "An unfortunate necessity of politics. It is a shame this has to be the way of things. But, worry not. You’ve demonstrated the value of placing an assistant under your supervision. I shall make a priority of finding her replacement. "
    je "As for the deal you mentioned…I believe we’ve arrived at something of a…misunderstanding."

    #jez smirk

    if society_type == "might":
        je "I {i}specifically{/i} told you that your humble Mistress would give up on any effort to add her to my collection. As you said, she couldn’t be squandered by making her into a fuck toy. She’s {i}useful{/i}."
    else:
        je "I {i}specifically{/i} told you that your humble Empress would give up on any effort to add her to my collection. As you said, she couldn’t be squandered by making her into a fuck toy. She’s {i}useful{/i}."

    "She flashed a sharp-toothed grin. "

    #jez happy

    je "But, I wonder if she’s {i}more{/i} useful than an entire band of veteran mercenaries?"
    je "You see, I did listen quite well. Losing her from the administration for the sake of sating momentary…urges…would be a waste. But, trading one useful pawn for another? Nothing self-defeating about that."

    ro "..."
    ro "As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather have Liurial on my side over Torlene many times over. Her work here is vital to the castle."

    je "The work maybe. The person less so. Worry not, hero. You’ll see the wisdom of the exchange soon enough. "

    if returnLiurResponse == "persuade":
        show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "His fist clenched into a ball. His anger at the betrayal bubbled under the surface. The casual ease that they’d stabbed Rowan and Liurial in the back could simply have been the standard inconsiderate disposition they displayed to everything. This smelled of something else"

    else:
        "His fist clenched into a ball. His anger at the betrayal bubbled under the surface. The casual ease that they’d stabbed Rowan in the back could simply have been the standard inconsiderate disposition they displayed to everything. This smelled of something else"

    "It smelled of revenge."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    ro "Jezera, please tell me the truth. "
    ro "When the dispute over who would have power over Liurial last came up, you suggested that any perceived defiance from me when it came to Liurial would be punished."

    if returnLiurResponse == "persuade":
        ro "You know I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to bring the elven mercenaries into the fold. I am ever your servant."
        ro "But, it’s natural for me to have concerns about the purpose of Liurial’s transfer and how much it’s intended as a…message…to me. Concerns that could be dealt with in other ways, so we don’t enter into a deal with such disastrous terms? "
        ro "Surely some alternative arrangement with Torlene was possible? Why hand over someone so valuable?"

    else:
        ro "So it’s natural for me to be left wondering here. How much was your proposal to transfer Liurial a matter of pure utility…and how much was it directed at me as some form of message?"
        ro "We both know that you could have eventually reached some deal with Torlene without giving her up. You didn’t even trade her for the entire company. Just some concessions. "

    #jez smirk

    "Jezera went silent for a time. Then, for just a blink of an eye, Rowan caught her forming a dark grin. Its cruel meaning all the more clear. But, as soon as he saw it, the expression vanished. Replaced with a more diplomatic smile. "

    ro "..."

    je "Dear sweet hero. {i}Brave{/i} hero. Surely that wasn’t intended as an accusation? That would be quite a silly thing to do, wouldn’t it?"

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "…Of course I didn’t, Mistress."

    else:
        ro "…Of course I didn’t, Empress."

    #jez happy

    je "But, if you {i}must{/i} know. Of course, I would never let such petty emotions affect affairs of state. I am a wise woman after all."
    je "The truth is simple. Liurial is a means to an end. Torlene has a force of elite warriors. I rarely indulge in the matter of armies. But, brother tells me they are quite formidable. “A vanguard” or whatever nonsense. "
    je "Tell me this, Rowan. Why would I require an ulterior motive to do something in my own interests?"

    ro "..."

    "No matter what Jezera said, the evil expression she’d made before she’d spoken had been the true answer. He was all the more certain now. This was some elaborate payback to Rowan’s earlier demand that she stay away from Liurial. "

    je "Now then. Since I’ve assuaged your concerns, let us focus on the practicalities. When the time comes to deliver Liurial to her boyfriend, I shouldn’t expect you to interfere, yes?"

    "For a moment, Rowan was tempted to tell her to go fuck herself. But, his sensible side won out."

    ro "…Of Course…. "

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Shortly thereafter, Rowan stumbled out into the hall. He stared dumbly at his hands. Behind him, the door to Jezera’s room slammed shut."

    ro "Shit."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve

    liur "W-what if he wants to punish me for leaving before? Goddess no. He’s going to be so mad. But, maybe you could do something to stop him? But, he would probably demand that you-"

    ro "Liurial…"

    "Rowan sat at his desk, head buried in his hands. Liurial was pacing back and forth at a frantic pace. She was near ripping her hair out of her head, expression twisted with fright."

    liur "What am I going to do? M-maybe if I did something to my face he wouldn’t want me anymore? But, what if he still wanted to hurt me? Curses. I don’t…"

    "Rowan held a hand out to her. "

    ro "Liurial. Breathe."

    liur "Okay…"

    "She paused in place, staring at Rowan for guidance. He couldn't offer her much at this moment. Still, it was enough to get Liurial to take a moment to inhale."

    liur "I can do that…just breathe…"

    "When she exalted, she looked back at Rowan. The frantic panic had settled. But, she still had wide, fearful eyes."

    if society_type == "might":
        liur "M’lord...what am I going to do?"

    else:
        liur "Sir...what am I going to do?"

    ro "The truth is…I don’t know. I’ve been trying to form a plan, but the situation is not a promising one."
    ro "Your old companions are believed to be a formidable fighting force. If I ruined the pact, the Twins would not let such a thing go unpunished."
    ro "Maybe you could try to talk to Torlene? Explain the reasons you left? You told me you haven’t spoken to him since you departed. I have to wonder how much that communication breakdown is making all of this worse. "
    ro "It’s not good enough an answer for me. But, if you’re specifically worried about a reprisal of some sort…"

    if rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "She shook her head. Small tears started to pool in the corner of her eyes. His face darkened all the more. Another reminder of his failures."

    else:
        "She shook her head. Small tears started to pool in the corner of her eyes.  His face darkened all the more. It broke Rowan’s heart to look at."

    liur "No. No..that would never work…"
    liur "There are reasons I could never talk to him…he’s not…he gets ideas into his head, and then you cannot dissuade him. "

    "A hush fell over the office. It matched the gloomy mood. Liurial crossed her arms over her chest and turned away from Rowan."

    liur "You didn’t approve of this, right…? They must have ignored your advice…"

    ro "Of course, I didn’t approve of this, Liurial. You know me better than that by now."
    ro "The moment I learned what they were planning, I told them it was the worst idea I ever heard. But, you’ve seen the power they hold over me and Alexia. I can’t outright fight them. And if they ignore my advice, there’s not a lot I can do."

    liur "I believe you…You’re my protector. I know you tried your best…"

    show liurial neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Liurial settled down in a curled up position by the wall. Rowan watched her with weary eyes. He thought he heard the sound of a sob."

    if elfSex:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
        "Rowan rose from his seat and walked over. Then, slid down into a seated position right next to her. From this vantage point, he could even see the way her eyes had reddened. "

    liur "What happens if I do not approve of this arrangement? If I attempt to refuse to return to Torlene?"

    if elfSex:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve

    ro "I don’t think it would matter much to them. At least not to the twins. The deal specified you were to be brought back in shackles. According to the terms of the deal, you’re considered a deserter. "

    liur "Little better than a slave…"

    "She sniffled."
    "Rowan was left struggling for his own course of action. It seemed like he was trapped. As much a prisoner in this interaction as he was of the demons as a whole."

    menu:
        "Declare an intent to fight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if elfSex:
                "Rowan wrapped an arm around Liurial. She sniffled again, but didn’t refuse the touch."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            else:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "For what it’s worth, I’m not going to comply with the order. If they want you, they’re going to have to go through me."
            liur "You can’t win, Rowan…you said that yourself. And that they’d be angry with you…"
            ro "I know, but I’m still going to fight this however I can. "
            "If that cheered Liurial up, he didn’t see it. She was still curled in her ball sobbing."
            if society_type == "might":
                liur "I don’t wish for you to do that, M’lord...not if it will risk your safety. Or your wife’s."
            else:
                liur "I don’t wish for you to do that, Sir...not if it will risk your safety. Or your wife’s."
            "Rowan grit his teeth."
            liur "P-perhaps I could attempt to run away? Er, it worked last time. Maybe while no one is paying attention, I could escape?"
            "Rowan actually was in the midst of considering such an idea. But, there were problems with the idea."
            ro "You’d never survive the trek through the wastes by yourself. And I couldn’t get you out via the portals. Jezera controls them, and would be able to stop a plan like that."
            if helayna_escape_method == "rowan":
                "Rowan chose not to mention a different problem with such an idea. Namely, that he had already {i}done{/i} such a thing once before. In that case with Helayna. But, to repeat it risked disaster."
                "What’s more, even in her newly recovered state, Helayna had been far more independent and capable than Liurial was."
            ro "I’m stumped. The best idea I have is the notion that I could sneak you out in a convoy with Cla-Min?"
            "He shook his head."
            ro "No, that would never work. she wouldn’t jeopardize her business relationship with Jezera by angering her that way. She’d want a price far higher than I could ever offer."
            liur "Then I could hide? I don’t know how long I could keep out of sight for. But, perhaps with some time, you could work out some other way to help me?"
            if elfSex:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            else:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "She looked at Rowan with a hopeful expression. Perhaps, seeking to find validation from him. Rowan could only scratch the back of his head."
            ro "It’s possible."
            if elfSex:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            else:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "Jezera has ways of searching the castle. Sending guards looking, of course. Some sort of glass crystal I’ve seen her use before. I can tell you for a fact that if Alexia or I attempted to hide from her, she’d find us with little trouble."
            show liurial sad at edgeleft with dissolve
            liur "Magic…Can it find {i}anyone{/i} in the castle?"
            ro "Truthfully? I don’t know."
            "Rowan went silent for a moment, considering how that device might work. He’d have to try to consult Cliohna about it immediately. But, in the absence of that, he was still left with doubts about its capability."
            ro "Jezera has made me explore the castle for her. There have been other times where she’s shown difficulty knowing where things were located. Especially if whatever she was looking for isn’t in the main inhabited castle segment."
            ro "If I had to guess…she can find me because of the amulet. But, if you were to hide elsewhere in the castle, she’d have to search room by room."
            show liurial neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            if society_type == "might":
                liur "Perhaps I should attempt that, M’lord? If you say it could work…do you believe that is the course of action to take?"
            else:
                liur "Perhaps I should attempt that, Sir? If you say it could work…do you believe that is the course of action to take?"
            "Liurial raised her head from her ball, a bit of pep having returned to her. Any idea was more uplifting than being completely absent from a plan."
            "Rowan was momentarily unsure what to say. As usual, Liurial was seeking for Rowan to make a choice. But, it was a choice that carried grave consequences."
            "Perhaps she could, at least temporarily, delay being transferred over to Torlene. But, she couldn’t forever. When she was found, she’d likely suffer all the more for having fled. What’s more, Rowan knew there’d be consequences for himself as well. The twins would be furious."
            if helayna_escape_method == "rowan":
                "Especially in light of the prior events with Helayna."
            "Still…it would be better than giving her up outright. Perhaps it would buy him enough time to find the way out of this situation."
            ro "It’s a gamble. I can’t tell you it isn’t. The moment you go missing, the twins will be show their wrath. "
            ro "I could be entirely wrong about how her power works. Further, you’d need a hiding spot that she’d never {i}think{/i} to search. That might be able to hold them off for a time. But, only for a time."
            ro "Provided you have such a thing…I suppose we don’t have many better options."
            liur "Somewhere she would never consider searching?"
            liur "…I know of such a place…"
            if elfDom:
                "Before she could say another word, Rowan held a hand up to her."
                ro "No. Don’t finish that sentence. It’s better if I don’t know. It gives me more deniability."
                "Liurial nodded softly."
                if society_type == "might":
                    liur "Oh. Yes. Of course, M’lord. That is most sensible."
                else:
                    liur "Oh. Yes. Of course, Sir. That is most sensible."
            else:
                "Rowan chuckled. He too remembered what had been discussed in the morning, even if subsequent events had somewhat overshadowed that conversation."
                ro "You needn’t finish the sentence. I know what you’re thinking."
                "Liurial nodded."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright

        "Muse about earning her Torlene’s forgiveness.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if elfSex:
                "Rowan wrapped an arm around Liurial. She sniffled again, but didn’t refuse the touch. "
            if elfSex:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            else:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            "As much as it pained him to even consider letting Liurial slip from his grasp, he had to accept that the odds were against him here. Was he really able to defy Jezera? The prospect shook him."
            if roAlRel > 50:
                "After all, it’s not as though Rowan was the only one the twins held captive with the magic amulets…"
            ro "..."
            ro "At this point, it might be more productive to start planning how to manage your return to Torlene. Try to figure out how to avoid reprisal from him.  I’m not happy about even considering it either, but the situation is what it is."
            ro "I imagine, knowing Torlene, if you arrive yourself before the appointed day, he might twist that to mean that you actually {i}wanted{/i} to return. You’ve told me he’s prone to that sort of self-deception. It might make him more merci-"
            show liurial angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Rowan had hardly finished the sentence before Liurial burst from her ball, staring at him with red, tear-soaked eyes. He’d never seen her so upset with anything he’d said before."
            liur "No!"
            liur "A thousand hundred times no!"
            if elfSex:
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with moveoutright
                "Rowan backed away slightly, putting extra distance between them."
            liur "Are you truly considering just...just accepting it?"
            liur "If that is the situation…if I truly have no choice but to return to a man who wishes ill on me…as his captive no less…"
            liur "...Then perhaps I’d rather die. At least then I wouldn’t be an exile anymore…"
            "Rowan’s jaw hung open. He hadn’t meant to suggest anything quite as dramatic as giving up entirely. Had he?"
            "But, she’d taken the smallest sign that her protector wasn’t going to help her as a chink in her armor of trust. Rowan felt the sting of it."
            "What’s more, there was what she had actually said…Liurial couldn’t truly be so desperate that she’d choose to end her own life rather than be taken back to Torlene. At least, Rowan hoped not."
            ro "Liurial…I hadn’t meant it like that…"
            "She blinked. "
            show liurial sad at edgeleft with dissolve
            if society_type == "might":
                liur "Oh. I should have known that M'lord. You meant simply…in addition to looking for other methods, right?"
            else:
                liur "Oh. I should have known that Sir. You meant simply…in addition to looking for other methods, right?"
            ro "Yes…"
            if elfSex:
                "Rowan drew closer and gave Liurial a hug. For a moment. He’d been half worried that she’d draw away. But, the girl leaned into his touch, eager for its warmth."
            liur "..."
            if society_type == "might":
                liur "Oh. I should have known that M'lord. You meant simply…in addition to looking for other methods, right?"
            else:
                liur "Oh. I should have known that Sir. You meant simply…in addition to looking for other methods, right?"
            "For the moment, Rowan’s hesitation was chased back. Faced with Liurial in this situation, talking about extreme measures, it made the choice all the more stark. "
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "I’m going to do everything I can. There’s still time before they come to collect you. "
            show liurial neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            liur "You’ll look for another way to stop them?"
            "Rowan nodded, more forcefully this time."
            if elfDom:
                ro "I’m going to look for a way to help until the very last minute. And even if they take you, I’m not going to stop looking for a way to free you. I’m not about to give up my girl to these bastards, without a fight."
            elif elfSex:
                ro "I’m going to look for a way to help until the very last minute. And even if they take you, I’m not going to stop looking for a way to free you. I’m not about to give up my pet to these bastards, without a fight."
            else:
                ro "I’m going to look for a way to help until the very last minute. And even if they take you, I’m not going to stop looking for a way to free you. I’m not about to give up my secretary to these bastards, without a fight."
            show liurial sad at edgeleft with dissolve
            "The pause from before briefly returned to the room. Two different minds whirring with activity at the same time. Liurial broke it first."
            liur "P-perhaps…you’d have more time to search for a solution if I went into hiding? It might delay the transfer long enough for you to arrive at a method to save me?"
            "Rowan gave her an uncertain glance. The idea of it sounded risky. Far riskier than Rowan liked. Even her temporary disappearance would be likely to earn the Twin’s wrath."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            ro "Er, potentially."
            liur "Good…"
            "Liurial didn’t continue the idea. But, her response left him feeling that going into hiding was exactly what she was going to do."
            "Rowan wasn’t entirely sure if he should ask her or simply assume it. Certainly, it might be bad if he were to become privy to such plans. Better to maintain some element of deniability if that was true."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    show liurial neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "After a time, Liurial broke from her ball and stood back up. She dusted off her dress and re-assumed her normally diligent posture."

    if elfSex:
        "When she rose, Rowan also returned to his feet. "

    if society_type == "might":
        liur "…Yet again…My fate is in your hands, M’Lord…"
    else:
        liur "…Yet again…My fate is in your hands, Sir…"

    show liurial happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She stared at him with vibrant pleading eyes. The same ones she’d had the day that she first came to visit him, seeking his aid."

    liur "…I cannot say how happy it is that it’s…well…you. That you are a man of such drive and resourcefulness, even now…it makes me wish I’d known you in the past. If only to have seen you without the yoke of these demons…"

    if elfDom:
        liur "I know it will all work out. I h-have Rowan watching over me. Binding me in your protection..."

    else:
        liur "I know it will all work out. I h-have Rowan watching over me."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan and Liurial exchanged a smile. But, inwardly Rowan was anything but smiling."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "He was in an impossible dilemma and he knew it. Jezera had been the architect of the exchange. He knew that to withhold Liurial would be an act of defiance to her."
    "Would she truly kill Rowan or Alexia over such a thing? Rowan didn’t think so. But, there were other things, beneath death, that she had the power to inflict. To help Liurial would be a great risk."

    scene bg1 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
    show village elder neutral at midright with dissolve
    show liurial neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "It gave Rowan memories of another impossible dilemma he’d recently faced. Staring into the wrinkled face of a man of great importance to him. The tragedy at Briarbridge. "

    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
        "Rowan still burned at the memory of seeing death and pain in someone who he cared about. Someone who hadn’t deserved it."

    else:
        "Rowan still cursed the demons for taking someone who was close to him. For taking his friends and loved ones. At least, part of him did. "


    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "But, that had been many months ago. Back when Rowan was a newcomer to Bloodmeen, and in a situation where he truly had no resources. Perhaps now he had more options?"
    "As Rowan contemplated this, a second memory came to mind. The day that he’d first made the promise of protection to her, and the feelings that had driven him."

    hide rowan with dissolve
    show liurial happy at center with dissolve

    if liurialChoice == "sad plight":
        if rowanCorrupt < 60:
            "He remembered how desperate for safety she was on that day, and how happy she’d been when she realized there was someone looking out for her. He was not the sort of person who would let harm befall her."
        else:
            "He remembered how desperate for safety she was on that day, and how happy she’d been when she realized there was someone looking out for her. When he helped her, it was even enough to make Rowan feel like a hero again."
        "It was a testament to his success…but also to his failure. Liurial was still in danger. She still didn’t deserve the suffering others sought to inflict on her. He had to do something."

    elif liurialChoice == "valuable skillset":
        "He had known, even then, that Liurial would become necessary to his daily life, with her skill sets. But, he never could have known at the time just how important she would become. Just how much he relied on her. "
        if elfSex:
            "This wasn’t just a matter of his pride. Nor even one of protecting a precious sexual partner. Rowan needed Liurial. He had to do something."
        else:
            "This wasn’t just a matter of his pride. Rowan needed Liurial. He had to do something."

    elif liurialChoice == "allegiance offer":
        "She had made him an oath of obedience and loyalty. One that, at the time, Rowan had believed but only to an extent. Liurial had surpassed both respects in ways he could not imagine."
        if rowanCorrupt < 60:
            "If she put so much trust and loyalty in him. How could he even imagine simply letting something bad happen to her. He owed her his loyalty too. He had to do something."
        else:
            "In the time since he had come here, there were very few people that Rowan could call “his”. But, Liurial was one of them. She was his. He had to do something."

    else:
        "He remembered the way he’d been captivated by her from the first time he’d seen her. From her lithe figure to her sparkling gold hair. He remembered the way he’d imagined what it would be like if such a girl was his."
        if elfSex:
            if elfDom:
                "Liurial belonged to him. She said it herself every chance she got. By word and deed. From the sparkle of her eyes, to her pale skin. His to dominate. He wasn’t about to let Torlene have her. He had to do something."
            else:
                "Liurial belonged to him. She said it herself every chance she got. By word and deed. From the sparkle of her eyes, to her pale skin. He wasn’t about to let Torlene have her. He had to do something. "
        else:
            "But, in the time since then, Rowan had come to see her as more than a body. Indeed, the two didn’t even have a sexual relationship. Instead they had one of loyalty and trust. And if Liurial put her loyalty in Rowan…how could he even think of not saving her from a dangerous situation? He had to do something."

    return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_45.rpy - Old scene
label cormalda_calling_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ scene_skipped = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip to the CG":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ scene_skipped = True
            jump cormalda_calling_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    # $ cormalda_calling.mark_objective_done(o_id="cormalda_02")

    scene bg1 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The village by Rastadel was small, barely more than a few shops and houses. A large house–an estate, really–sat apart from the rest, its land mingling with that of a nearby farm."
    "The farm itself looked as if it had been pushed off its original land, shoved far to the side so that it touched the border of the forest. "
    "It was an odd place for either home, or at least Rowan thought so."

    ro "I guess some people really like their privacy."

    "As he ventured into the village, a loud growl caught his attention. The sound was familiar, although Rowan couldn't quite place it."
    "An older man passing by shook his head, a look of irritation on his face."

    hest "Damn it… Not again."

    ro "What's happening?"

    "The gruff man pointed towards the farm with a huff."

    hest "Ask that bastard in there! We've been dealing with his shit for months now."
    hest 'Goddess, it\'s a wonder we haven\'t driven him out of town yet. I keep sayin\', good ol\' mob mentality will do it, but "nooooo, Hestor, you can\'t just {i}run people off their land{/i}."'

    $ hestName = "Hestor"

    hest "Well back in my day, we did more than that. It's not like the old days anymore…"

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Hestor hobbled off, continuing to grumble under his breath about days long gone. Rowan chuckled and watched him go in amusement."
        "There was something inherently entertaining about the old man's mentality. Rowan was sure Andras would appreciate Hestor's ideals."

    else:
        "Hestor hobbled off, continuing to grumble under his breath about days long gone. Rowan watched him go, thrown off by the exchange. The old man's ideals were dangerous, and something Rowan was glad to see them left in the past where they belonged."
        "Perhaps not far enough in the past. Wasn't he doing the very same thing for the twins?"
        "Rowan shook his head and swallowed hard, pushing back his guilt."

    "He glanced back at the farm, the growls still echoing throughout the village. Rowan couldn't deny that he was intrigued."

    menu:
        "Go to the farm.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ cormaldaFarm = True
            $ cormaldaEstate = False
            "Surely he had a little time to spare, right? It wasn't as if he'd been given any deadlines for his return."
            "Turning around, Rowan made his way up to the farm."
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Up close, it looked even more dilapidated than he'd expected; the fence had been repaired and broken and repaired again more times than he could count. The fence stretched out into the forest, and the farmhouse had been constructed in a rush, as if there had been little time to prepare."
            "Before he could call out a greeting, something stirred between the trees, its shining eyes locked on Rowan."
            questi "Oi! Enough 'o yer fightin' now, ya hear?"
            "The owner of this strange farm emerged from the forest, his long dark hair pulled back haphazardly as he tugged on a leash. The beast on the other end growled, still hidden in darkness."
            nole "Ya think I'mma let ya wander 'round these parts? No sir, ya got this situation all wrong."
            "He tugged again, finally pulling the creature into the light."
            "A drider– a {i}drider{/i} –followed behind the farmer, its sharp canines barred. The farmer seemed unconcerned about the drider's behavior, simply leading it back into the pen."
            nole "Ya, ya, growl at me all ya want. It ain't makin' dinner come no faster, ya hear?"
            "The farmer stopped when he spotted Rowan leaning against his fence, his grip tightening on the leash."
            nole "Whatchu want?"
            "Rowan stared back at him, speechless. The last thing he expected this farmer to come dragging out of the forest was a {i}drider{/i}."
            "But his silence only furthered the farmer's hostility."
            nole "Look, I ain't movin' an inch more, ya hear? Ya can tell that bellyachin' noble {i}parasite{/i} that he's got more 'an enough land for 'is damn horses–"
            ro "I'm not here on behalf of the noble."
            "Rowan finally managed to find his words, unable to take his eyes off of the snarling beast. But even with the drider's hostility, it didn't move to attack anyone. {i}Odd{/i}."
            nole "Then whatchu want?"
            ro "Is that… Is that {i}your{/i} drider?"
            nole "Tch. Who else's would it be?"
            "Shaking his head, the farmer led his drider back to a large barn near the back of the field. Rowan hadn't noticed it at first, but he could make out black legs of other driders shuffling inside."
            "The farmhand returned shortly after, the snarling ceased."
            ro "What are you doing, exactly?"
            "The farmhand's eyes narrowed."
            nole "Who wants to know?"
            ro "Forgive me–my name is Rowan. I came here looking for an item my friend mentioned, but this…"
            "Rowan glanced back at the barn with a grin."
            ro "Well, I think you two would get along just fine."
            $ noleName = "Nole"
            nole "Well, welcome to Whitefield, Rowan. Name's Nole– and these here are my pets."
            "Rowan nearly choked."
            ro "{i}Pets?{/i}"
            "Nole shrugged, glancing back at the barn."
            nole "Close enough to what they are–they'll be gettin' released back in the wild soon enough. Gotta wait for them babies to hatch."
            ro "…I have so many questions."
            nole "Bet ya do. Wait on the porch here, I'll grab us some drinks."
            "Rowan did as told, his gaze locked on the barn as he sat on one of the old whicker chairs on Nole's porch."
            "The farmhand returned shortly after, two glasses of water in his hands, and explained everything."
            ro "So you breed them?"
            nole "Breed and release–population's dwindlin' round here on account of that damned noble's sport huntin'. Ya know what happens when driders disappear?"
            "Rowan shook his head."
            nole "Then we get overpopulated with other critters. Then what feeds on the driders comes lookin' for other prey–and we're a mighty good size for 'em to eat."
            nole "I figure, if lord bastard-face is gonna kick me off my ol' land, might as well put my new one to good use. Can't do much farmin' here with the trees in the way, but it's good access to the drider nests. Least I can do a lil good in the world."
            ro "It doesn't seem like the town appreciates it very much."
            "Nole laughed, waving his hand toward the village."
            nole "Course they don't! They're lil lord bootlickers!"
            nole "They'll get used to it. Don't got much of a choice."
            "A new sound arose from the barn–equally familiar, but certainly not a growl. Rowan cocked a brow."
            nole "Looks like 'er ready for matin'. I been needin' to calm 'em down 'fore they get to it. 'S hard, bein' round all these people for 'em, but they manage."
            "Perhaps he'd come to the right place after all. "
            ro "How do you calm them down?"
            nole "Y'know, 's funny, I got an 'ol shell thing from my gramps that they've taken a likin' to. Don't bother me none, but they sure is calm after bein' round it."
            "Rowan opened his mouth to ask more, but another angry yell stole his speech."
            questi "YOU!!!"
            "Both men turned toward the sound, Nole's expression slipping into revulsion as they watched a skinny man–perhaps a decade older than Nole–in fine pressed clothes storm up to the porch. He slipped a little in his shoes, the material not quite built for fields."
            "There was only one person in the village who could dress so extravagantly."

        "Go to the Estate":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ cormaldaFarm = False
            $ cormaldaEstate = True
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan shook his head and walked toward the estate. He didn't want to spend all day here; the sooner he spoke to the noble about the cormalda, the better."
            "The hero approached the humble estate and knocked thrice."
            "A young woman in a maid's outfit answered shortly after, her face scrunched up in suspicion as she eyed Rowan up and down; visitors were clearly a rarity."
            maid "Can I help you…?"
            ro "My name is Rowan. Is your lord in?"
            maid "He isn't taking visitors."
            "The maid started to shut the door, but Rowan slid his foot between the crack."
            ro "It's regarding the Cormalda– I heard he was asking about it in town."
            "The maid hesitated, and Rowan could see the conflict on her face as she debated sending him away regardless."
            "Instead, she opened the door wide and gestured for him to follow."
            maid "You can wait for him here in the parlor. I'll let him know of your arrival."
            "With a formal curtsy, the maid disappeared back into the hall. Rowan said in one of the plush chairs and waited."
            "A few minutes passed before a tall, lanky man in his forties strode into the room, dressed in a rich emerald green. He smiled, taking in every inch of Rowan with his sharp gaze."
            hayw "Rowan! A pleasure to meet you, my boy."
            ro "The pleasure is all mine."
            "Haywood sat down in one of his chairs and waved his maid away, only for her to return shortly after with a set of drinks. He took a sip, offering the other to Rowan. The hero obliged."
            hayw "Now, I hope you haven't traveled far; I'm afraid my inquiry has already been handled."
            ro "You've already found a cormalda?"
            "Haywood nodded, but it was a reluctant gesture. He tilted his hand back and forth with uncertainty."
            hayw "More or less. It wasn't the device itself I was searching for, you see, simply information. "
            ro "What type of information?"
            "Haywood sighed, his attention drawn outside of the window. Rowan saw the farm in the distance, its fence cutting through into the forest."
            hayw "We've been dealing with a little pest problem as of late; my neighbor didn't own as much land as he thought he did and was rather distressed when he had to move upon my arrival."
            hayw "He's chosen to spite the town by taking in wild beasts from the forest. I hunt down as many as I can, but there's only so much you can do when your neighbor insists on {i}breeding more{/i} next door."
            ro "I see. That sounds like a frustrating situation."
            hayw "It is! No one feels safe with those {i}driders{/i} running around–"
            ro "Driders?!"
            "Rowan gaped at the man, unable to contain his shock. He'd expected {i}something{/i} strange from the forest given Lord Haywood's distaste, but the last thing he'd imagined a local farming tending to was {i}driders{/i}."
            "Lord Haywood nodded grimly, his focus and ire reserved for the farm across the fields."
            hayw "Indeed. He claims he's tamed them, but I've seen them break the fence and escape. They are wild creatures! A wooden fence isn't going to keep them out, no matter how well trained they are!"
            "Rowan couldn't disagree with that– even Draith took greater precautions when it came to housing the driders in Bloodmeen."
            hayw "Not to mention the noises they make! The growling and the snarling and the grunting and the {i}heaving{/i}–"
            "Haywood gave a shudder of disgust."
            hayw "How is a soul supposed to get some sleep around here when those ugly black masses are bumping and grinding all throughout the night?!"
            ro "Have you spoken to your neighbor about this, Lord Haywood? Perhaps he can take on another pet project."
            "One that wouldn't endanger the town would be a good start."
            hayw "Of course I have– we all have! The blasted man won't listen. Nole is perhaps the most stubborn man I've ever met, besides myself."
            "Before the lord could continue, a feminine voice cleared her throat from the doorway."
            "Rowan looked up to see a young woman in a soft pink dress, her long hair piled into a fashionable updo. She glared at Lord Haywood, her arms crossed over her chest in disapproval."
            questi "I thought we weren't accepting guests."
            hayw "Bah! Leave me, Cynthia. Can't you see I'm busy with work?"
            cynth "I would hardly call this work, {i}my lord{/i}."
            "She hissed the title, her distaste written on her face as strongly as it is in her voice. \"Busy with work\" was clearly a common lie told in this household."
            hayw "You're my wife, not my mother. Find something to do and leave the men alone."
            "Cynthia rolled her eyes, her gaze landing solidly on Rowan. Something shifted in her expression–interest? Further revulsion?--but before Rowan could place it, the lady of the house left the room."
            "Rowan shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, attempting to ease the newfound tension in the room."
            ro "So, how did Nole manage to train them in the first place? I've never heard of driders sticking around confines so… flimsy."
            "Flimsy was a generous term to give the fence– it looked downright ready to fall apart, having been through more repairs than it could handle."
            hayw "The cormalda, of course. That is why I wanted to know about it– I had to know how he was managing this."
            "Lord Haywood leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper."
            hayw "If you're interested in helping this town, I'd be more than happy to compensate you for your efforts. "
            ro "What is it you want me to do?"
            hayw "You see, no matter how frustrating those beasts are, there's nothing I can do to convince the mayor to get rid of them. They've yet to hurt anyone, so they are not a liability– {i}yet{/i}."
            hayw "But if we smash the cormalda, the driders will return to their natural state. The mayor will {i}have{/i} to do something once they attack the village."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "Someone will get hurt."
                "But Rowan found he wasn't as concerned as he should have been; people got hurt every day, didn't they? And this was bound to happen anyway. Lord Haywood just wanted to expedite the inevitable."
            else:
                ro "What if someone gets hurt?"
                "Rowan was appalled by the lord's suggestion. "
            hayw "Perhaps, perhaps not. Your arrival has come as a blessing, actually; if a {i}guest{/i} to the village got hurt– fake or otherwise– I doubt they would be able to let it go."
            hayw "So, what do you sa–"
            "Before Lord Haywood could finish his sentence, a loud grunting carried in from outside. Haywood's eye twitched as he looked back out at the farm."
            hayw "What do you–"
            "The grunting got louder, cutting him off entirely. "
            hayw "That's {i}IT{/i}!"
            hayw "Come, Rowan. We're ending this now."
            "Lord Haywood left the hero little time for contemplation as he marched out of the estate. Rowan hurried after him and tried not to laugh as the noble struggled over the slick grassy fields. Clearly his shoes weren't well equipped for mundane travel."
            "A dark-haired man stood on the porch to his farmhouse, his skin tanned from the sun's exposure. He watched the two men march toward him in amusement."

    nole "Lord Barnwood. Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes! With all that money, shouldn't they be makin' ya boots for walkin'?"

    "The lord bristled."

    hayw "That's Lord {i}Haywood{/i}, you imbecile."
    hayw "I believe I told you to cease this ridiculous affair!"

    "Lord Haywood gestured wildly toward the barn where the sexual grunts of the mating driders had become harder to ignore."

    nole "Don't see nothin' ridiculous round here. Maybe ya got the wrong farm."

    hayw "Wrong {i}farm{/i}–?!"
    hayw "I have had enough of this! Now see here, you've refused to get rid of these beasts time and time again. If you won't do it, I'll handle the job myself."

    nole "Ya ain't touchin' my pets!"

    "Nole stood up to match Lord Haywood's height, his muscles and deep tan pronounced against the noble's lean figure."
    "Lord Haywood raised an eyebrow but kept his composure as he took a small step back."

    hayw "I wouldn't dream of it– but accidents do happen, you know. I doubt anyone would blame me for ridding the village of the monsters that destroyed their homes and hunted their children."

    nole "Tch! My pets ain't never done that!"

    hayw "Not {i}yet{/i}."

    "Lord Haywood spared a knowing glance toward the barn."

    hayw "But if your… {i}techniques{/i} of taming were no longer available, well, there's very little keeping your \"pets\" from causing destruction."

    nole "You tryna threaten' me?"

    "Nole's fists tightened at his sides, ready for a brawl. Lord Haywood smirked, but there was no humor behind his smile."

    hayw "Let me put this in as many words as your adolescent mind can comprehend: get rid of those beasts {i}now{/i}, or I'll be forced to remove them {i}for you{/i}."

    jump cormalda_calling_skip_rp
    label cormalda_calling_skip_rp:
    
    if scene_skipped:
        # Replay mod: Add in scene in case we skipped
        scene bg31 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        $ cormaldaFarm = True
        $ cormaldaEstate = False

    if cormaldaFarm:
        "Lord Haywood turned to Rowan, only just noticing him for the first time. He cleared his throat and addressed the hero firmly."
        hayw "You aren't from here. You're not related to this fool, are you?"
        ro "I'm not."
        hayw "Then you can't be blamed for any sympathy towards him–an underdog has always been a popular story. "
        hayw "But don't let this boy fool you– he's become a menace to this town. Ask any of us here."
        hayw "If you were to help me remove this little problem, I would compensate you greatly."

    else:
        "Lord Haywood gestured vaguely to the farmer, a look of disgust on his face."
        hayw "Don't let this boy fool you– he's become a menace to this town. The village will be glad to be rid of him and his monsters."
        hayw "I stand by what I said earlier– help me remove this little problem, and you'll be compensated greatly."

    menu:
        "Assist Haywood in getting rid of the driders. (Scene 1 - 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_personal_gold(100)
            "Rowan looked back at the barn full of mating driders; it was hard to accept that their presence so close to the village was safe, regardless of what taming techniques Nole used."
            "The farm itself was already falling apart; it was only a matter of time before the driders escaped and wreaked havoc."
            ro "They can't stay here, Nole."
            nole "Wha–?! Ya can't take 'em! I won't let ya!"
            "Nole threw a punch at Haywood. Rowan jumped in, barely blocking the blow with his forearm."
            ro "Go, Haywood! Bring me the cormalda!"
            hayw "{i}Me{/i}? You want {i}me{/i} to go in there? Absolutely not!"
            "Nole threw another punch; it was easier for Rowan to stop this one, but it was difficult for him to keep up a conversation on top of it."
            ro "You want to handle the fighting then?"
            "Haywood considered, his expression troubled. Without another word, he ran toward the barn."
            nole "{i}NO!{/i}"
            "Rowan prepped for another attack that never came. Nole dodged past him and ran after Lord Haywood."
            "Rowan sprinted after, surprised by the farmhand's tenacity. Even with all that muscle, Nole had the fleeting grace of a fawn."
            "They reached the barn in time to see Lord Haywood pick up the cormalda. The noble held it above his head, ready to smash."
            nole "{i}DON'T!{/i}"
            "{i}CRASH!{/i}"
            "Rowan and Nole both reached for the device, but it was too late; the shell splintered off into large pieces against the floor."
            "The driders slowed their mating, the calm atmosphere of the barn broken at once. They looked around the room as if in a daze."
            nole "Shit! Shit, shit, {i}shit{/i}!"
            nole "Get outta here! NOW! GET!"
            "Grabbing the two men roughly by their arms, Nole all but dragged Rowan and Lord Haywood out of the barn and to the opposite side of the fence."
            nole "Ya got no idea watcha've just done! Not a damn clue!"
            nole "Now scram 'fore someone gets hurt!"
            nole "I gotta get these guys back in the woods 'fore they really lose it…"
            "Nole's shoulders slumped in despair as he trudged back to the barn, forced to free the creatures he'd worked so hard to tame."
            "Lord Haywood laughed at Rowan's side."
            hayw "I say, that was easier than I thought it would be!"
            hayw "Good job holding him off– a man that size is a trifle too much to deal with for someone of my state."
            hayw "Now, as for your payment."
            "Rowan followed Lord Haywood back to his estate, where the noble offered him a back of coin."
            hayw "That should do it. Thank you again for your help."
            "Cynthia reappeared from her bedroom, observing the two with a suspicious gaze."
            cynth "What is this all about? I heard yelling from that damned farmer again–"
            "The lord's mood visibly soured as he spared a glance toward his wife."
            hayw "Nothing for you to mind, woman. I've handled the situation, Nole won't be bothering us any longer."
            cynth "{i}You handled it?{/i}"
            "There was reasonable doubt in her eyes, and Cynthia returned her gaze to Rowan, expression softening."
            cynth "You rely on our guests for too much–surely he wasn't looking to settle more of your disputes with the town."
            hayw "What does it matter? I've paid him, it was a fair transaction!"
            "The lord paused, looking Rowan over from top to bottom with an impish smile."
            hayw "If you were looking for {i}another{/i} form of payment, though, I'm happy to oblige."
            "Cynthia stepped forward as well, cocking her head to the side."
            cynth "The last thing he wants is a useless old man like you panting over him."
            "She smirked, coiling a stray piece of hair around her finger."
            cynth "Not when he can choose something {i}younger{/i} to play with."
            menu:
                "Allow the Lord to pay you with his body. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "Rowan bit back an amused grin. There was something delightful about this pristine older man eyeing him up with far dirtier intentions in mind."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt something stir inside of him at the suggestive look Lord Haywood gave him. There was an electricity in the air, a string pulled taut between them."
                        "And quickly, Rowan realized he {i}wanted{/i} what this man was offering."
                    ro "What did you have in mind, Haywood?"
                    "The noble grinned with the assurity of a man who knew he was getting exactly what he wanted. Cynthia scowled, put out by the hero's decision, and left in a huff."
                    "With one vague gesture of his hand, Lord Haywood led Rowan to his bedroom."
                    "It wasn't as elaborately decorated as Rowan imagined, but there was nothing cheap about the soft, heavy fabrics that made up the blankets and sheets to his bed."
                    "Rowan sat on the edge of the bed, only to be motioned to flip over."
                    hayw "If you don't mind– I do have preferences, you see."
                    "Rowan cocked a brow but didn't object as he stood and bent over, his hands pressed against the bedspread."
                    scene cg1466 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1467 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1466
                    "He could feel the lord removing his pants, but nothing prepared him for the sudden wet muscle that licked his asshole."
                    ro "!!"
                    hayw "Hah, don't worry, this is just the warm-up."
                    "Lord Haywood positioned himself on a spot on the floor, his tongue darting in and out of Rowan's taut asshole."
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "It was a strange sensation, one Rowan never imagined he would feel before."
                        "And yet, it was oddly pleasant. He felt himself inclining his ass back toward the noble's face, urging him deeper."
                    else:
                        "Rowan breathed a sigh of contentment, enjoying the sensation of Lord Haywood's tongue roaming inside and around Rowan's ass."
                        "It was a pleasurable feeling, almost a tease to what was sure to come."
                    "The lord's tongue darted in and out of Rowan's hole, his movements rough as Rowan arched his back to push him deeper inside."
                    "After a short time, it wasn't enough. Rowan was craving more."
                    "Thankfully, Lord Haywood was, too. The noble stood and tossed his clothes to the side, their heavy fabrics audibly collapsing against each other on the floor."
                    hayw "Ooohh… Yes…"
                    show cg1468 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1469 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1466
                    "The lord moaned as he slid himself into Rowan's open asshole, easing in one inch at a time. Rowan's ass clenched, pulling him deeper."
                    hayw "Oh, you like that too, don't you?"
                    "His fingers clenched into the bedding, back arched to meet each quick movement of the noble's cock."
                    hayw "Mmm… Yes, yes, this is what I've been missing!"
                    hayw "It's so hard to find a man around here that will just {i}take it{/i}."
                    "His words were emphasized by his thrusts, the slap of his skin against Rowan's ass creating a steady rhythm in the room."
                    "Rowan felt his pleasure build alongside the lord's, his own cock twitching as he reached his climax."
                    show cg1470 with sshake
                    show cg1470 with sshake
                    pause 2
                    show cg1472 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "A geyser of hot cum erupted from Rowan, splashing out across the dark bedspread in a stark white shade."
                    "Rowan used a spare towel in the room to clean up while Haywood collapsed back against his bed, pointedly ignoring the puddle of cum staining the bedspread just a few inches away."
                    hayw "Hah… Quite a good transaction, I think."
                    hayw "Safe travels, young Rowan. May the roads treat you well."
                    ro "Goodbye, Lord Haywood."
                    "Rowan nodded and made his departure, half-dressing himself on the way out."
                    return

                "Take Cynthia to bed. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan took the opportunity to look at Cynthia–to really look at her, from the way her dress clung to her curves and the slight mussed up state of her hair that was both careless and sexy at the same time."
                    "If he was going to pick up an extra payment, she would do nicely."
                    ro "What did you have in mind, Lady Haywood?"
                    "Rowan didn't miss the look of disappointment that crossed the lord's face as the hero turned toward the noble's wife. Her smile spread into a smirk."
                    cynth "Why don't you come with me and find out?"
                    "Cynthia left no room for argument as she strode to her bedroom, swishing her hips for Rowan's benefit."
                    scene cg1789 with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1789
                    pause 2
                    show cg1790 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her room was obviously a separate place than Lord Haywood's–Rowan couldn't imagine the man sleeping in a place filled with so much {i}pink{/i}."
                    "From the four-poster bed to the heavy curtains blocking out most of the sight of her balcony, Cynthia's room was the most feminine creation Rowan had ever seen."
                    "Cynthia was already half-undressed when he peered back at her, her underwear slipping into a neat pile on the floor before she promptly kicked it under the skirt of her bed."
                    cynth "No need to look so put off. The colour won't bite you."
                    "There was a teasing lilt to her voice as Cynthia dropped her last bit of clothing onto the floor. She sauntered toward the hero, drawing her fingers up and down his shoulders."
                    cynth "Relax. Why don't you take out all that aggression on me?"
                    "Rowan didn't need to be told twice. Grabbing Cynthia by her slender hips, Rowan pushed her toward the bed, enjoying the bounce of her ass as she landed face-first against the light comforter."
                    "Cynthia let out a slight purr as she glanced back at the disrobing hero, her eagerness showing through when she caught sight of his erect cock."
                    ro "Like what you see?"
                    cynth "I'll like it even better when it's inside of me."
                    "She wiggled her ass for emphasis, the soft folds of her pussy already wet with anticipation."
                    scene cg1237 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1238 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Gripping her rear, Rowan drove himself into her pussy, surprised by how easily she took him inside of her. Cynthia gasped, her fingers curling against the bedspread."
                    cynth "Hah–you don't waste any time, do you?"
                    "But there was an excitement in her voice as Rowan thrusted in and out of her wet folds, driving in and out of her pussy with force."
                    "Cynthia writhed against him, arching her back higher, higher–as high as she could to meet each violent drive of his cock."
                    "Rowan licked his lips, pleasure overwhelming him. There was some perverted glee in knowing that Cynthia's husband was somewhere in this estate, fully aware that his wife was being fucked mercilessly by a stranger."
                    "Perhaps that's why she moaned so loud; Cynthia's voice carried throughout the room, each gasp and whimper emphasized by Rowan's deep insertion."
                    show cg1239 with fade
                    pause 3
                    "His hands moved to her tits, squeezing and squishing the soft mounds of fat as he came, grinding hard against her ass with each hot spurt of cum."
                    show cg1240 with sshake
                    show cg1240 with sshake
                    show cg1241 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Cynthia shook underneath him, her hair wild and out of place as she too finished. Her pussy clenched, savoring the feel of Rowan's cock one last time before he pulled out."
                    "She watched him clean up and get dressed with an impish grin, once more coiling her hair around her finger. Cynthia didn't bother with clothes; she sprawled herself out naked over the bed, cum still dripping from her cunt."
                    cynth "I see why my husband invited you in. Don't be a stranger, you hear?"
                    "He could still feel her hungry gaze follow him as he left the estate shortly after."
                    return

                "Pass on their offer.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "…I think the gold is enough for now."
                    "Lord Haywood nodded, although Rowan could sense his disappointment. Cynthia scowled at his side and left abruptly, clearly put out by his decision."
                    hayw "Yes, of course."
                    hayw "Safe travels to you, then, Rowan."
                    return

        "Recruit Nole to the breeding pits. (Scene 3)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ castle.buildings['pit']._driders += 1
            #lower pits upkeep - TODO
            "Rowan looked back at the barn full of mating driders; it was an impressive sight, especially given what little resources Nole had to work with."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "He couldn't let an asset like that go. He had better uses for it."
            else:
                "He knew if he gave Nole the proper resources he could make substantial improvements to the breeding pits."
                "If he left the farmer here, Nole's ambition would burn under Lord Haywood's fist."
            ro "Do you love these creatures?"
            nole "What?"
            hayw "What?"
            "Both men snapped their attention to Rowan, confusion drawn on their faces. Nole caught himself, nodding."
            nole "Sure I do. They can't help the way they are, they're driders."
            "Rowan felt his lips quirk into a grin. He'd heard almost the very same thing from Draith."
            "The two would get along splendidly."
            ro "How about you bring your driders and join me at Castle Bloodmeen then?"
            nole "…Eh?"
            hayw "What?!"
            hayw "You want to {i}recruit{/i} him? The man is a spiteful, petty numbskull!"
            "The lord looked between the two in outrage. Rowan shrugged."
            ro "We need caretakers, and Nole would help ease our workload."
            ro "That is, if he wants to join."
            nole "Ya! Er, ya, I'll join ya."
            nole "Better than stayin' where I ain't wanted."
            hayw "Tch. Very well– it's your mistake for taking this fool, but who am I to care. He'll be out of our village and out of my hair."
            "Haywood spared another glare at the barn of driders, unable to suppress a disgusted shiver. Shaking his head, he marched back to his estate, eager to rid himself of the entire ordeal."
            scene bg25 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            nole "Wow… This is Bloodmeen?"
            ro "Well, a part of it– you'll be spending most of your time here in the breeding pits."
            nole "I feel I oughta repay ya somehow."
            "Nole licked his lips nervously, his gaze darting over the hero's body."
            menu:
                "He can repay me with his body. (Scene 3)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind black
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "Rowan felt a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. There was something delicious about the rough, muscled body of the farmhand that stirred him up inside."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt a sudden heat rush up his neck as he looked over the rough, muscled body of the farmhand. It stirred up something both familiar and foreign inside of him."
                    ro "Come with me."
                    scene cg1303 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1304 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1304
                    pause 2
                    "Nole followed Rowan dutifully to a hallway just outside of the breeding pits–a secluded stone-walled space that led to nothing but storage facilities."
                    "Disguised by the darkness of the small space, Rowan turned toward Nole and pressed his hands against the taller man's shoulders."
                    "Nole got the hint, quickly moving to his knees."
                    "As the farmhand slid Rowan's stiff cock from his pants, he idly wondered how many times Nole had done this. The farmhand seemed to be a pro, easily sliding his tongue across the hero's erection."
                    ro "Ngh…"
                    "Rowan bucked his hips toward the farmhand's mouth as Nole took the tip into his mouth, running his hand up and down the hero's shaft."
                    ro "Fuck…"
                    "Rowan let out a sharp breath, urging himself further into the farmhand's mouth. He could have sworn Nole was {i}smirking{/i}."
                    "Well, if that's how things were going to be."
                    nole "Mmph–!!"
                    show cg1305 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Rowan gripped Nole's shoulders and shoved him forward, his dick sinking as deeply as it could down the farmhand's throat."
                    "The hero tossed his head back in ecstasy, nails digging into Nole's muscled shoulders as a deep-seeded burst of pleasure rushed through him."
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        ro "{i}That's{/i} more like it."
                    else:
                        ro "Fuck, that's good…"
                    "Nole didn't attempt to push him away– instead, the farmer's hands reached back to grip Rowan's ass, massaging the soft flesh between his sturdy fingers as Rowan fucked his face."
                    "Rowan could feel the constriction of Nole's throat around his cock, every slight hum or motion urging him closer to the edge."
                    "Nole sensed Rowan's growing urgency, his grip on the hero's ass becoming rougher as Rowan plunged in and out of his mouth."
                    show cg1306 with sshake
                    show cg1306 with sshake
                    show cg1307 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan bit back a moan as he unleashed his cum down Nole's throat. The farmhand swallowed easily, clearly experienced in the way of blowjobs."
                    "Rowan pulled away shortly after, and Nole stepped back to wipe his mouth with his sleeve."
                    ro "Hah… Your show of thanks is appreciated."
                    "Nole grinned, almost laughing as he walked back to the breeding pits. He didn't even bother to wipe the bit of cum that had dripped onto his collar."
                    return

                "Garnish his wages.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Don't worry, we'll be taking a small payment for your room here."
                    ro "Otherwise your help is payment enough."
                    nole "Ah. I gotcha."
                    "Nole glanced around the breeding pits in a mixture of awe and stress; there would be a lot to get used to."
                    "Rowan pointed him in the direction of Draith; the beastmaster would be ecstatic when he saw the cormalda in his new assistant's arms."
    
    return

# \events\ruler_events_42.rpy
label trek_into_the_wild_rp:

    $ rowan_draith_sex = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanSurvival = 10

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    #tropical jungle bg
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinleft
    show draith neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan stepped through the portal, Draith and camping equipment in tow. They were greeted with thick, humid air and the fresh scent of unearthed soil after a storm. Draith squinted against the lush greenery, unused to so much light and vibrancy."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "You can't track the beast if your eyes are closed."
        "Draith blinked a few times, slowly adjusting to the environment."
        dra "Sorry… Ah, thank you for doing this. I'm not sure how else I would acquire it."

    else:
        ro "Thanks for coming. I'm not sure I'd be able to track down this beast on my own."
        dra "Of course. If you’re doing this for my sake, I should come along too."

    "Rowan unattached the machete from his waist and hacked away at the overgrowth in his path."

    ro "You still haven't told me what we're using it for exactly. The Khut-- The Khustish--"
    dra "The Khustistian."
    ro "Right. That. Are you going to train it like the others?"
    dra "Sir, please, I have much bigger plans for the Khusti! Its natural-made armour is nearly impenetrable; if I can pair that with the… with the…"

    "Draith trailed off. Odd. Usually he was eager to discuss his plans for the beasts at length, whether anyone was interested in hearing about it or not."
    "Rowan glanced back as he maneuvered through the thick jungle, surprised to find the dark elf several feet behind. Draith seemed both fascinated and confused by his surroundings, constantly leaning down to inspect the leaves or examine a multi-legged insect up close."

    ro "Draith?"
    dra "Hm? Yes, just a moment."

    "Draith procured a glass bottle from his bag and scooped the creature up, capturing it with a cork top."

    ro "Careful, some of the stuff here could be poisonous."
    dra "Yes, yes, I already know that. It's precisely what I'm hoping for…"

    "Draith smiled at the little insect before placing the bottle back into his bag. Rowan wasn't sure he wanted to know what experiments Draith had planned for the little creature."
    "He wasn't sure he wanted to know what Draith was going to do with the Khusti either."
    "Rowan had planned, with Draith's assistance, to track down the beast within two days' time. Draith had reassured him it would be easy with the Khusti's telltale signs of nesting and travel."
    "They did not get very far."
    "Every few paces, Draith seemed to find another creature he was eager to add to his collection."
    "After the second day, Rowan could hear the clinking of bottles in Draith's bag, followed by the irritated sound of hissing and wings flapping as his miniscule creatures desperately tried for an escape. There was still no sign of the Khusti."
    "At this rate it would take them weeks to track the beast down."

    ro "You know you don't have to take every creature we pass by, Draith."

    "A rushing coursing stream broke up the monotonous greenery of the jungle. Rowan made his way across a stream with ease but Draith hesitated at the edge of the running water, his leg spread out to cross but never making that final leap."

    dra "It's hard to resist; I may never come back here again. I need as many specimens as I can."

    "He eyed the water suspiciously before leaping to the first stone. Draith waved his arms frantically at his sides, barely catching his balance in time. There were still three stones to go."

    ro "What makes you think you'll never come back here?"
    dra "I have a job to do; I can't leave the creatures for long."

    "Draith hesitated. He looked around the jungle with such an awestruck longing that Rowan felt a slight tug at his heartstrings. He was used to travel-- heroic deeds required heroic settings, in his experience--but this was the beastmaster's first time ever setting foot on tropical land."

    dra "I was lucky enough to come here once. I doubt I'll see it again."
    ro "I'm sure we'll need more beasts in the future. It's not as if we're keeping you locked up in the pits, you know."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Not that Rowan wasn't tempted to now. With how much time Draith had taken in the jungle, keeping the dark elf chained to the breeding pits while Rowan searched for the Khusti by himself might've been more efficient."
        "The dark elf gripped the straps of his bag a little tighter, his smile weary and his gaze finding interest in anything but Rowan."

    else:
        "Rowan regretted the words as soon as they'd left his mouth. While Draith kept up a light front, the dark elf gripped the straps of his bag a little tighter, his gaze finding interest in anything but Rowan."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        dra "You're always welcome to start if you're feeling the temptation. There's plenty of rope, and I'll make any noise you want~"

    else:
        dra "You're always welcome to if you're feeling the temptation. It wouldn't be the first time I was locked up for bad behavior."

    "Draith winked and laughed, but Rowan couldn't tell if the beastmaster meant what he said or if he was simply making light of the situation."
    "Rowan elected to ignore the comment and made his way back across the stream, offering his hand out to the dark elf. Draith took the help at once, leaning into Rowan's touch as they leapt over the remaining stones and once again found dry land."
    "They started forward, but Draith threw a hand out, halting Rowan in place."

    dra "Wait!"
    ro "What is it?"

    "Draith didn't answer. He crept forward instead, focused on something Rowan couldn't see. He disappeared behind the trees."

    ro "Draith?"
    dra "Just a moment."

    "Rowan waited. The dark elf returned a few moments later with a giddy look on his face."

    ro "Did you find another bug for your collection?"
    dra "Better than that; I believe I've found footprints."

    "Draith waved Rowan forward, pointing out the small stumpy prints in the ground."

    dra "They're smaller than I expected, but these are certainly the right prints."

    "Draith rummaged through his bag and pulled out a green-covered book that looked like it'd seen better days; the pages were rumpled and worn, with ink marks and small, hurried notes in the columns. He flipped through the book's contents until he landed on a page titled {i}Khustistian{/i}."
    "Rowan peered over the beastmaster's shoulder, taking in a drawing of the beast's footprint. It looked much larger than the one Draith was showing him on the ground."

    if rowanSurvival < 1:
        ro "Are you sure that's the right footprint?"
        dra "Well, it's not exactly the same, but you can't blame the artist for trying."
        ro "They look recent--and there's more over here. Do they travel in a pack?"
        dra "No. That is unusual… but perhaps there's a nest nearby."
        ro "Great."
        "From everything Draith had told Rowan about the Khusti so far, he felt confident in handling one of them, but any more would cause trouble."
        ro "We'll keep going. If there's a nest ahead, we may need to rethink our strategy."
        dra "Whatever for? We'll simply take them all back."

    else:
        ro "That doesn't look like one set of tracks, Draith. Look-- you can see the imprint of smaller ones beside it."
        dra "That doesn't make sense; Khusti's are solitary creatures."
        ro "Then either another animal crossed this path shortly after-- not entirely unlikely, but it would make more sense if they travelled together-- it's being hunted, or--"
        dra "Or a nest!"
        "Draith beamed at the prospect, and Rowan could see the wheels turning in the dark elf's head; masterful plans of experimentation that left even the bravest men feeling uneasy."
        ro "Er, possibly…"
        dra "This is better than I ever imagined! We could return home with an entire family of Khusti!"

    #rejoin

    "Rowan stared at him. Did he not realize how much trouble just one of these beasts was going to be to drag back on their own?"
    "No--there was an excited gleam in Draith's eyes, and Rowan realized the elf was solely focused on the possibility of experimenting on not just one deadly beast, but multiple."

    ro "...Let's see if it's a nest first."
    dra "Alright."

    "To Rowan's relief, Draith seemed far more focused on their task now that there was a hint of the beast ahead. He hardly stopped to collect any other random creatures that were unfortunate enough to meet the elf's path."
    "They travelled a little farther before the sun started to set. Despite their desire to get the beast and return home, the men were forced to call it a night and set up camp."

    ro "Would you mind starting up the fire tonight? I'm going to take a leak and then hunt us some fish."

    "Draith had usually handled the food up until this point, but their two days of rations were gone, and Rowan would be damned if he didn't get something to eat before he dealt with giant insects swarming around his head or deadly animals growling at him from behind bodice-sized leaves."

    dra "Sure! It'll be easy."

    "Rowan started toward the jungle but stopped. There was something nagging at him, a small voice that cut through his confidence in the dark elf."

    ro "Have you ever lit a fire before?"
    dra "I've read about it plenty of times, Rowan. I'm sure I can light a simple fire."

    "Rowan shrugged, leaving the dark elf to his devices. Draith was well-versed enough in animals, he supposed the elf should be just as studied in their habitats as well."
    "Rowan returned just after sundown with a couple of fish and some fallen fruit from the trees he'd collected off the ground. He was eager to settle down by the fire and fill the empty void in his stomach."
    "The campsite, however, was shrouded in darkness. Draith grunted from somewhere on the ground, cursing under his breath."

    ro "Where's the fire?"

    "Draith jumped."

    dra "J-Just a moment. Please wait, just a moment..."

    "Rowan, his eyes already adjusted to the dark, watched Draith rub the sticks together furiously. The elf's face was pinched with growing agitation and anxiety as he redoubled his efforts."

    ro "Where's the flint?"

    "The sticks fell from his hands."

    dra "The what?"

    "Rowan walked past the beastmaster and, after setting his catch of the night down, dug through his own pack. He pulled out a small piece of flint and some flammable material."
    "He gently nudged Draith out of the way and set up a proper fire. Draith held his breath at his side, eyes wide as Rowan explained the process. Flames sparked and the fire roared."

    dra "Oh. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I should have known about that..."
    ro "It's alright, don't worry yourself about it."

    "But he was. Draith kicked a stray stick into the fire dejectedly. The flames licked it up greedily, quick to turn the wood into ash."

    "Draith avoided Rowan's gaze, his lips moving but his words too quiet for Rowan to hear. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Draith was blaming himself for the incident."

    ro "Do you want to learn how to cook the fish?"
    dra "...Sure."

    "Rowan picked up the fish and taught Draith the procedures for cleaning and cooking them-- a far cry from the academic study the beastmaster was used to when it came to learning about animals. The elf relaxed as the lesson went on, the tension easing from his face and shoulders."
    "Soon their stomachs were full and the fire was dimming. Draith chewed at the last remaining pieces of his fish with a thoughtful expression on his face."
    "Rowan observed him from the corner of his eye."

    ro "What are you thinking about?"
    dra "I'm wondering how to use  some of the smaller creatures I've acquired. I never imagined I'd come across so many all at once; it's almost overwhelming. The possibilities are truly endless…"
    ro "Hm."
    dra "What?"
    ro "I was just thinking… You have more knowledge about beasts than most men have about themselves. I don't think I could name half the creatures you captured in your bag, let alone what else is in this jungle."
    ro "Do you have a favorite?"

    dra "A favorite beast from the jungle?"
    ro "Any beast from anywhere."

    "Draith tapped his chin in thought."

    dra "There's a lot that comes to mind… But I guess it would have to be the Pearl Solandis."
    ro "I've never heard of that before."
    dra "They're a type of mammalian creature that live in the tundra. Their white fur blends right into the snow, and they have a pearlescent eye color, so the only way to really see them is when their jaws are open and you can see their black teeth."
    dra "They're not all that strong, but they're very fast. Pearl Solandises are very good at outrunning their prey, or outswimming them if need be. They're truly outstanding creatures."

    "A blush colored Draith's cheeks. He looked away and poked the dying flames with his stick if only for something to do."

    dra "Sorry, I must be boring you. I can cease talking now."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        ro "That would be preferred. You have a tendency to ramble."
        dra "Right… Sorry."
        "Draith smiled awkwardly before redirecting his attention back to the fire. Only a small flame sparked now, diminishing into embers."
        if rowanCorrupt < 61:
            "There was something to Draith's movements that nagged at him, and despite himself, Rowan felt a little guilty for shutting him down."
        else:
            "There was something to Draith's movements that nagged at him, and despite his better judgement, Rowan sighed and turned toward the dark elf."

    else:
        ro "You don't have to do that. I don't mind hearing about it."
        "Draith looked at him skeptically. He didn't look like he knew what to do with that information, choosing to wring his hands together instead."
        dra "It's alright. I know I can be a bit much sometimes."
        "He laughed awkwardly, but the tension in his body was clear."

    ro "You're used to people telling you to be quiet."

    "It wasn't a question. Rowan could see it in the dark elf's face; his presence was to be seen, not heard. At least, that must have been how it was in his former kingdom. Draith bit his lip."
    "Rowan knew Draith's experience in the dark kingdom left much to be desired, but Draith rarely-- if ever-- spoke the details of his abuse. It was there in the way he talked about his interests as if he couldn't get the words out fast enough, the way he flinched when something minor went wrong."
    "Rowan had seen the same reactions in his own soldiers after battle, the haunted look in their eyes and the way they would laugh as if that could erase the horrors they'd seen. The horrors they'd endured."
    "Draith was the same way; his cheeky grin didn't match the sadness in his eyes."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "But he smirked at Rowan anyway, dragging his gaze over the hero's body."

    dra "They'd have to find ways to shut me up. Sometimes I was just so loud~"

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "The elf slid closer to Rowan. Draith tilted his head back to look up at him, his long eyelashes casting shadows over his pale cheeks."

    else:
        "Draith hesitated, gauging Rowan's reaction. Unsure, he coiled a piece of white hair around his finger nervously."

    dra "Do you want to shut me up, too?"

    menu:
        '"Shut up" Draith effectively. (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
            "Rowan's gaze dropped to Draith's lips: soft, supple. He could feel the heat of Draith's body intoxicating him. Pulling him closer."
            show cg1255 with fade
            pause 3
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                dra "Well? I-- Mmph!"
                "Rowan gripped the back of his head and yanked him forward, lips mashing against his. Draith's words melted into a satisfied moan, his slender arms finding their way around Rowan's neck."
                "Rowan dug his tongue into the elf's mouth, pulling the whimpers from Draith's throat. His hands fell to the elf's waist, then his hips, his ass, and back around again."
                "He pulled away just as roughly, earning a dazed smile from the beastmaster."
                ro "You really don't know when to stop talking."
                dra "Heh. It's a gift."
            else:
                "Cupping Draith's face in his hands, Rowan leaned over and pressed an awkward kiss to the dark elf's lips."
                if rowan_draith_sex:
                    "It shouldn't have been any different than kissing Alexia, and yet Rowan felt newly inexperienced as Draith submitted against him, searching for a lead."
                "Rowan eased into the dominant role, his hands gently gliding across the dark elf's slender waist and across his back, lower and lower until he was cupping the beastmaster's soft ass. Draith's arms tightened around his neck with a soft murmur of satisfaction."
                "They pulled away slightly, hot breath intermingling as Draith's fingers gripped Rowan's hair. They stared at each other for a moment, excitement rippling between them."
            "Their lips found each other again. The men stumbled toward their tent-- a canvas pitched together to provide the bare minimum of protection from tropical storms-- and collapsed into a pile of limbs and violent kisses."
            "A lantern burned low in the corner of the tent, casting stark shadows across the men's bodies. Draith was all too eager to slip out of his clothes, exposing every inch of that indulgent flesh that left Rowan's mind addled and his cock hard."
            "Fuck, there was something delicious about the curve of Draith's slender waist and the round flesh of his pert ass that drove Rowan crazy."
            "Draith knew it, too; he arched his body toward the larger man, precum dripping from the tip of his stiff cock. Rowan was tempted to lick the juices right off."
            "The hero removed his own clothes instead, peeling the leather and fabric off until they were discarded throughout the tent. Draith's cock twitched, his gaze dropping from Rowan's wide muscles and onto the erection poking out in his direction."
            scene cg1256 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1256
            #show draith aroused behind cg1256
            show draith happy behind cg1256
            pause 3
            "Rowan pressed the beastmaster against the ground and hiked Draith's legs up against his chest. The elf bit back a smirk as his legs were forced apart and his asshole exposed."
            dra "This isn't convincing me to be quiet, Rowan."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "Then it's a good thing no one can hear you."
                show cg1257 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Draith opened his mouth to make another remark, but the words were lost as Rowan drove himself fully into his ass. A strangled cry of pain and pleasure echoed through the jungle."
            else:
                ro "I don't {i}want{/i} you to be quiet."
                show cg1257 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Rowan eased into the elf's ass, savouring Draith's soft, pleasured whimpers that carried through the tent."
                "The dark elf squirmed beneath him as Rowan gained momentum, finding his pace as Draith submitted underneath. The beastmaster met each of Rowan's thrusts, urging him further inside."
                dra "Harder-- mm! Harder!"
                "The hero cocked a brow but complied, his movements becoming more haggard and intense. A new wave of pleasure overcame him as Draith relished in response."
            "Rowan's cock dived in and out of the beastmaster. His hands wrapped around Draith's legs and held them tightly in place, digging into the elf's soft flesh as he admired the bounce of his pale cock with each violent thrust."
            "Precum dribbled from the tip, flying onto the elf's stomach every time Rowan pounded deeper into him. Draith tossed his head back, incoherent words slipping together until they came out as nothing but pleasured moans."
            "Draith's ass clenched. Rowan's breath grew heavy, and the sight of cum pouring from the elf's cock pushed him over the edge."
            show cg1258 with sshake
            show cg1258 with sshake
            show cg1259 with flash
            pause 3
            "He slipped out of Draith's ass, barely giving himself enough time to blow his load across the elf's chest and belly. A low hum erupted from Draith's lips, utterly content."
            "Rowan took a moment to admire his work; Draith was covered, his body a strange canvas for their mixture of cum. The elf dragged a finger across the mess and pressed it between his lips, licking off the semen."
            "Rowan's body gave a slight shudder, and if he wasn't so tired from their expedition across the jungle, he would have been tempted to fuck him again."
            ro "We should rest; there's still a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. I want to be ready to capture the Khusti and go home."
            "Draith reached for a spare cloth and wiped at his chest."
            dra "Of course. I don't think I could stay awake any longer if I tried."
            # $ rowan_draith_sex = True

        "Suggest you both go to bed.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "We should rest; there's still a lot of ground to cover tomorrow. I want to be ready to capture the Khusti and go home."
            if rowan_draith_sex:
                "Draith frowned, clearly disappointed with the direction Rowan had gone."
            else:
                "Draith frowned but moved away, the awkwardness of his behavior stretching in an uncomfortable silence between them."
            dra "Yes, I suppose so."

    "The men finished cleaning up the campsite and climbed into their cots, worn out from their trek thus far. It didn't take very long for them to succumb to their exhaustion."

    scene black with fade

    "……"

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Draith seemed more energetic after the night's rest, his excitement to see the Khusti's nest obvious as he searched out clues and tracks with enthusiasm. Rowan quietly wished he'd had this focus when they first arrived; then perhaps it wouldn't have taken three days to track down."

    dra "Ah, Typhon Berries!"

    "The beastmaster ran towards a tropical bush covered in vibrant violet berries. Rowan had never seen food of such an unnatural color, but then again, he didn't tend to go galavanting this deep in the jungle."
    "Draith plucked one of the berries from the bush and squeezed it between his thumb and forefinger; bizarrely enough, a green juice oozed out from it. The elf's excitement increased tenfold."

    ro "What's so special about the berries?"
    dra "They're a staple of an early Khustistian diet; these berries contain the nutrients their young need to develop their armor properly. A nest must be closeby."

    "Rowan struggled to keep up with Draith as the elf wandered through the jungle, always three steps ahead and constantly disappearing behind the thick leaves. It was a far cry from their earlier journey; perhaps Draith had lost interest in collecting the smaller creatures now that he was so close to his goal."
    "Draith reached the nest first and held up a hand for Rowan to slow his steps and remain quiet. They peered through a break in the trees."

    dra "An infant; isn't it beautiful?"

    "Beautiful wasn't the word Rowan would use to describe the creature. The baby Khustistian had a small beak and large, oversized eyes that were halfway covered by patches of rough natural armor, and thick limbs that looked too big for its tiny body. It was perhaps one of the strangest creatures Rowan had ever seen."
    "But Draith stared at the baby Khusti with all of the love and admiration of a parent overseeing their newborn. The elf glanced around, his expression falling at once with a soft gasp."
    "A few feet away, a fallen tree had crushed the head of the mother, stopping her just short of protecting her baby. While the armor around the Khusti's face and body may be impenetrable, their exposed neck wasn't. "

    ro "It must have happened before we got here; the tree looks like it was struck by lightning."

    "Draith frowned at the burnt tree, then at the mother, and finally at the Khusti baby. They'd been lucky enough to avoid any rainstorms since they arrived, but it seemed they had been even luckier to avoid a real disaster."

    dra "Well, this will have to do."

    "Draith stepped over the overgrowth and approached the hissing baby. It snapped its beak at Draith, but the elf was undeterred, easily picking it up like a disgruntled toddler."

    dra "Now, now, there's no reason to be so feisty. I'm not going to hurt you."
    ro "Is a baby going to work? I thought we came here so you could experiment on an adult."
    dra "It should be fine, we'll still take the mother back. It may even have worked out better with her dying; there's less risk when one of the subjects can't feel pain."

    "The baby Khusti wriggled in his arms, its limbs frantically swiping the air as if it could escape on its own. The sight was almost cute."

    dra "As for this little one, it won't be able to survive in the wild. I'll just need to raise it myself, won't I?"

    "Draith smiled down at the feisty infant. It gave him the stink eye in return, and Rowan nearly laughed."

    dra "We should take one of those berry plants back with us as well; we'll need plenty if we want the baby to grow up big and strong."
    ro "I'll have someone get on that."

    "There was no way they'd be able to haul all of this by themselves, so Rowan would have to send some orcs to bring the adult Khusti and the berry plants back."
    "Draith seemed satisfied with the plan, and they both began their trek back to the portal, one ill-spirited baby in tow. Draith reassured him that the baby would relax and grow used to being handled by them once it had some time to adjust; Rowan hoped the elf was right."

    # return

    return

# \events\abbey4.rpy
label virgin_protection_rp:

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    scene bg46 with fade

    "Rowan felt something strange about the Abbey even before he got close to the old structure. Standing before the brick and mortar, his eyes found various marks glowing on the building’s exterior."
    "He had seen magical runes before, during the war. He felt confident that the symbols meant that the building was guarded by an exceptionally powerful spell. Powerful enough to keep out demons, even."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft

    ro "Hmm. Jezera and Andras won’t like this one bit."

    "Inside the Abbey, he soon found the Abbes, a young woman dressed in religious garb. The church’s hallowed interior looked well cared for. The Abbess’ frock looked very drab by comparison."

    tulip "Welcome to the Abbey. I am Abbes Tulip."

    "Suddenly, the woman took a closer look at the man who’d entered her domain."

    tulip "You… you’re Rowan Blackwell! Savior of the Six Realms?!"

    "He stiffened for a moment and then nodded awkwardly."

    ro "I am."

    "The young woman took a moment, fixing up her hair slightly before beaming at the adventurer secretly in service to the forces of evil, returned to the world."

    tulip "This is… unbelievable… Y-You honour {i}me{/i}, and the abbey…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan gave her a bittersweet smile. It felt refreshing to have such a kind reception."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "‘Perhaps tonight I will ‘honour’ you in a way you’ll never forget,’ Rowan thought while giving the Abbess a simple grin."

    else:
        "Rowan nodded quickly, suppressing a smile at the thought that she considered him a man of honour."

    "Tulip gave Rowan a small tour of the grounds. Rowan tried to dissuade her, but she appeared quite nervous, and the tour seemed to be a way for her to compose herself in his presence."
    "By the time they were finished, the hour had grown late. Rowan’s mind began thinking about how he would handle the discovery of the abbey. Then he found Tulip’s eyes on him once more."

    ro "Is… is something the matter?"
    tulip "Please Rowan. Use the dormitories this night. There are rumors that when the sun falls, dangers rise throughout Rosaria."

    "The comely woman frowned sadly."

    tulip "No worshippers have come here in weeks…"
    tulip "But it would be a privilege to have a man such as yourself stay in the abbey. Even for just one night."

    "Rowan accepted her offer, but he did not go to sleep quickly. Like a thief in the night, he explored the abbey after Tulip doused the candles."
    "He found her in the main hall, performing a ritual. Rowan didn’t pick up on all of the words, but he watched as glowing cords of energy rose up from Tulip’s lower body and merged into her hands."
    "Then, she raised up her fingers and fired off the spell. A lattice of golden magic washed over the large structure. Once she was done, he approached her gently."

    ro "That was quite the sight."

    "Tulip looked like she was about to flee but she found her courage and smiled at the fallen hero."

    tulip "Thank you… I… I never imagine doing the ritual of the sacred flower in front of someone like you, Rowan. In fact… doing it in front of anyone feels strange."
    ro "Ritual of the Sacred Flower?"

    "Tulip nodded."

    tulip "Yes. Only a few priestesses have been known to be able to cast it. Young women found to be pure of heart and body train for months to harness it."
    ro "So, you’re saying… the power comes from you being… a virgin. And that ritual… it protects the abbey?"
    tulip "Yes. And praise Solansia it does. Which makes it a shame that the abbey has no flock."

    "She sniffed and then turned away from him."

    tulip "I fear that many in Rosaria have either lost faith, or they feel that if the darkness will take them, it is better that they perish in their homes…"

    "Slowly, the Abbess turned back to him. Rowan saw a faltering smile on her face."

    tulip "Am I a fool, Rowan? The shadows over Rosaria… can they be beaten? You… you must know better than most…"

    menu:
        "Comfort Tulip. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Tulip. Everything will be fine. Days like these, I know it can be easy to give into fear… But you must hold strong."
            "Tulip nodded at him and slowly exhaled. It appeared like the weight of the world had lifted from her shoulders with just a few words from the hero of the land."
            "Then Rowan found her hand on his own and she guided him towards the dormitory. At first, he believed that she was just going to bring him back to his bed, but when they got inside, Tulip fell to her knees."
            ro "Tulip… what are you doing?"
            tulip "What I can, Rowan. You don’t realize what it means to me, having you here after these dark nights. It… it feels like a sign… your arrival."
            tulip "That… that Solansia has not forgotten about us. About {i}me{/i}."
            "Tulip’s hands rubbed over his pants. Her lips slowly opened and shut while Rowan felt embers of lust fluttering up to his mind."
            tulip "Please allow me to give you a small gift in return."
            menu:
                "Accept her gift. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan nodded to Tulip and watched as she quickly unlaced his pants. She freed his cock, and the nervous Abbess took a moment, just to take in the sight."
                    tulip "Rowan… It’s… incredible. I… I hope you will not be disappointed in a virgin like me…"
                    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                        ro "I know you will do your best."
                        "Tulip smiled at the man, obviously encouraged by his words. She licked her lips and then leaned her face closer."
                    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                        ro "It’s possible. But I never pass on a blowjob, so you’re in luck."
                        tulip "Yes… yes Rowan…"
                        "The Abbess’ cheeks burned at his casual mannerisms about sex, but she had already promised him a gift."
                        "Insistent to please him, she gulped down her apprehension and then leaned her lips forward towards Rowan’s waiting cock."
                    else:
                        ro "We won’t know till you start."
                        "Tulip breathed out nervously. Then she nodded towards the hero while her cheeks grew flush at the thought about what she was doing."
                        "After taking a deep breath to quell her fears, the beautiful Abbess touched her cheek and then reached her hand closer to touch Rowan’s cock."
                    #cg 1
                    scene cg1344 with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1344
                    "The cute woman in her religious garb stroked Rowan’s cock in her inexperienced hands."
                    "Rowan saw her cheeks burning with embarrassment but the more she rubbed, the more her shyness melted away like wax off a candle."
                    "Tulip opened up her lips and then slid her head forward, taking in more than half of the warrior’s warm, throbbing penis into her mouth."
                    "She made up for lack of knowledge with energetic motions and in the dimly lit dormitory, it wasn’t long before Rowan’s balls churned with fiery intensity."
                    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                        ro "Tulip… I’m… about to cum."
                        "Tulip’s eyes looked at him intently. There was a subtle excitement in her pupils."
                        "She surprised Rowan by pressing on, sucking and slurping all over his thick, long manhood until he finally came."
                        "The Abbess did her best to swallow his cum, but in the end, the excess of Rowan’s load forced her back."
                        "Coughing and spitting, she pulled back, and the few last squirts of Rowan’s essence landed on her lips and chin."
                        tulip "T-Thank… thank you, Rowan. I… I am pleased that I could give you… some small measure of appreciation."
                        ro  "You’re… you’re welcome, Tulip."
                        tulip "Perhaps… perhaps this will not be the last time you visit. But for now… I should let you rest… Good night, Rowan."
                    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                        "With a dark grin, Rowan’s hands reached out and cupped Tulip’s ears and head when he felt the ropes keeping back his orgasm snapping apart."
                        tulip "Wrrruup?"
                        "The single noise of surprise came from Tulip before her eyes started to grow wide."
                        ro "Allow me to give you a gift in return, Abbess."
                        "The former hero held her head tightly and slammed his hips forward, pushing his tip as far as it could go while his balls unleashed their pent-up load."
                        "The cute Abbess’ breathing floundered in the face of such a sudden and confusing situation."
                        "She pressed on as best as she could. But when Rowan release his grip on her head, more than half of his cum spilled out from her lips, staining her frock."
                        "Ambling up on uneven legs, Tulip turned away quickly, without even offering Rowan a ‘good night’."
                        "The adventurer chuckled and then leaned back on his bed."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt his oncoming orgasm, but he was having too good of a time with the naughty Abbess to warn her."
                        "Tulip’s eyes registered her surprise as suddenly, the first spurt of piping-hot cum from the hero’s balls sprayed out in her throat."
                        "Moving reflexively, she pulled back without thinking. She let out and shallow gasps, but soon Tulip cried out as more of Rowan’s cum splattered her face."
                        "In the end, the Abbess was a shivering mess, her face and parts of her headdress coated in the man’s sperm. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment."
                        "Rising quickly, Tulip bade Rowan a good night and then quickly departed the room, most likely to clean herself up and see if she had another robe available."
                    "Soon, Rowan closed his eyes and the day’s events fall from the forefront of his mind as he slept."

                "Tell her ‘there is no need for that’.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "You have my gratitude, Tulip. But there is no need for that."
                    "Tulip simply looked at him for a moment and then eventually nodded."
                    tulip "Of… of course Rowan. It was… it was improper of me to even offer. I should…"
                    "She quickly moved for the door, only to then turn around, having gained her composure once again."
                    "Rowan saw her smile while she ran her hands down the front of her robes."
                    tulip "If… if there is anything else you require, you have only to ask."
                    tulip "Good night, Rowan."
                    ro "Good night, Abbess."
                    "Once she left the dormitory, Rowan closed his eyes and set his head down on the rough-sewn fabric of the pillow beneath him."
                    "His thoughts landed on the past before he drifted off."

            scene bg31 with fade
            "Come the morning, Rowan shared a quick breakfast with Tulip before exiting the Abbey."
            "A short distance away from the structure, he used the amulet fastened around his neck to contact Cliohna."
            "Rowan informed her about the Abbey’s location, with specific instructions to work around the Abbess inside. He would not tarnish the one save spot in Rosaria, even if it meant hampering their progress."
            "Cliohna covered any confusion with amusement. Naturally she accepted his command all the same."
            "With one last look back at the Abbey, Rowan soon turned his back to the structure and its magical protection as he headed out of the area."
            # $ avatar.remove_guilt(15)
            # $ change_research_bonus(0.5)
            return

        "Kill Tulip.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan told the Abbess what she wanted to hear, that there was hope so long as good people held true to themselves."
            "When night fell however, Rowan snuck into her room at the hour of the wolf and dispatched the servant of Solansia. Before the blood was even cleaned from his blade, Rowan sent a signal back to his orcs."
            "He gave them the location and soon enough, he left the Abbey as a wave of orc warriors charged in to lay claim to the abbey and take everything of value back to Cliohna."
            "Rowan pressed on, searching out the next target for his dark conquest in service to Jezera and Andras."
            # $ change_research_bonus(1)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(10)
            return

        "Seduce Tulip. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Rowan shook his head and placed his hand on the Abbess’ shoulder. He pulled her closer towards his body, meeting her gaze steadily."
                ro "Of course not, Tulip. Trust me. The darkness you speak of… they are… nothing more than echoes of Karnas."
                ro "And I will not let them harm you… This abbey will stand for years to come."
                "Rowan's lie came easily to his lips. The Abbess gazed at him and reached out a hand to hold onto his thick, rough fingers."
                "Her cheeks grew flush, and Rowan spotted arousal in her dark-golden eyes."
                tulip "Rowan… That… I… I should not have such… such impure thoughts… But I am…"
                tulip "I don’t wish to be alone tonight…"
                "Her lips quivered and he quickly noticed how close she’d moved towards him. Her breasts rose and fell with the soft sighs of her breathing."
                ro "Stay with me tonight, Tulip. I will stand watch and make sure the shadows do not touch you."
                "She nodded and then embraced him aggressively. Rowan, feeling her heart hammer excitedly against his chest leaned her body back and slid his fingers along her cheeks."
                tulip "Rowan… I… I want to share… my light with you…"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "Of course, there is nothing to fear. Not with the Hero of the Six Realms by your side, Tulip."
                "Rowan gave her a grin that came as easily as the unsheathing of a blade for him. The Abbess immediately stiffened and brought a hand to her lips."
                "Then he began tugging off his shirt, exposing his hardened musculature to the woman’s hungry gaze. Rowan turned away from her and moved towards the bed in the dormitory."
                ro "Good night, Tulip."
                "He was not surprised at all when he felt her hand against his naked side as he prepared to go to climb onto the bed."
                tulip "Rowan… My… the spell… I am… I do not want this… I do not want to be alone anymore."
                "Rowan turned around and nodded at her while cupping her trembling cheeks."
                ro "I did not expect such a naughty Abbess. What would the church think?"
                "When he teased her, Tulip’s cheeks grew beat-red, but she remained determined."
                tulip "To blazes with them. They… they stuck me here… I’m tired of this… I’m tired of not getting… what I want…"
                "Rowan nearly laughed at the horny virgin minx. Instead, he simply pulled her in with a sharp tug and set his lips hungrily against Tulip’s mouth."
            else:
                "Rowan chuckled dryly. He knew only too well the shape and make of the shadows and darkness threatening the land."
                "‘I’m one of them…’ He thought grimly. But looking at the frightened woman, he felt there was at least some little that could be done for her."
                ro "Abbess…"
                tulip "Rowan please… Tulip… It’s not like…"
                "She bowed her head slowly."
                tulip "What good is an Abbess without her flock."
                ro "Come here…"
                "The young woman in her frock walked over into his embrace. She shivered at first, but then her body quickly calmed down in his warm grip."
                ro "Nothing will happen to you while I am here."
                tulip "Let me sleep here… {i}with{/i} you, Rowan. Then…"
                "He felt her fingers tightening against his back. Tulip was in no rush to let go of the comfort of his frame."
                tulip "Then at least I can think of you… whenever the nights grow cold."
                "The adventurer decided to do her one better. Guiding her with his hands, he leaned her body back and then kissed Tulip. His touch was slow but firm."
                "Very quickly, he felt her hands rushing to his head."
                "Tulip did not resist, and instead quickly began succumbing to the lust formed from weeks if not months of being alone."
            #cg2
            scene cg1263 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1263
            pause 3
            "The two fell on the bed. Their roles as Hero and Abbess were quickly forgotten as Rowan pinned the moaning nun to the bed and kissed her."
            "Rowan’s hands squeezed and caressed her breasts through her frock. Tulip gave an appreciable moan of joy in response."
            tulip "Rowan… {i}Rowan{/i}…"
            "He peeled away her clothing, revealing her ripe breasts. She moved to cover them, shyly looking up at him with an embarrassed expression."
            tulip "They’re-"
            ro "Beautiful."
            "She was self conscious, but Rowan would hear none of it. He leaned down, his lips teasing the curve of her erect nub. She moaned and tensed."
            "He chuckled, running his tongue across her tender bipolar before supping on them with his suckling lips."
            tulip "{i}Nnnnhn{/i}! G-goddess preserve me!"
            "Her hands flew to her mouth, and she shot Rowan an apologetic, almost frightened look. Her cheeks were red as cherries."
            tulip "Forgive… f-forgive my blasphemy."
            "Rowan smiled, he put his hand to her breast again, teasing the sensitive nipple with a finger."
            ro "On the contrary, my dear… {i}thank you{/i}."
            show cg1264 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan leaned down and kissed her neck, teasing her with the suction of his lips. When he pulled back to inspect his handiwork, he saw a bright, purple mark from where he’d left his hickie. He grinned."
            "There was no time for subtlety, no place for bashfulness. Rowan wanted her, and her holy vestments were proving a titillating impediment."
            "He began stripping her, and she did not resist, shyly watching him peel off her frock and cast it to the floor. She trembled in embarrassment at his hungry look."
            # Replay mod: this wasn't marked as Tulip, probably should be?
            tulip "You’re... you’re very handsome-"
            ro "Heh, you don't have to force it."
            ro "Watch, I’ll show you…"
            "He reached down to her most tender place. She let out a gasp of surprise when he rubbed her there."
            "His hand came up, showing her his handiwork. Beads of sticky wetness clung to his fingertips."
            ro "You’re ready."
            "She nodded wordlessly, her face so red she looked almost ready to burst."
            show cg1265 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "When the time came for Rowan’s stiff cock to press inside of Tulip, she put on a brave face. Still, the moment they truly became connected, the young woman squealed, and her nails dug into Rowan’s back."
            "The heat of her blood became washed out by the river of her arousal as Rowan humped her."
            "Gods, she was tight, and it was enough to bring him close to climax, but he wasn't ready to cum yet. He wanted to give the young nun something to remember."
            "Ceasing the pistoning of his hips, he slipped out, drawing a sad, questioning murmur from Tulip."
            ro "Shhh, you'll enjoy this. Trust me."
            show cg1266 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "He deftly stripped her of the remainder of her outfit and slipped his own off. Using his considerable strength, he lifted her from the bed, pulling her onto his lap in a tight embrace."
            tulip "{i}Unnnfff{/i}... That's deep..."
            "The young woman writhed on his lap, bouncing up and down with wild abandon."
            "Tulip sighed and moaned, biting a finger when to stifle her screams when she realized that she was not only being deflowered, they were defiling the church she’d watched over for months."
            "Mere moments transpired before Rowan felt the Abbess’ tight and gushing womanhood flutter and grow taut around his manhood."
            "When Tulip began to orgasm, her petite body bucked against him. Rowan’s fingers caressed her hip and neck while his hips continued descending against her body."
            show cg1266 with sshake
            show cg1266 with sshake
            show cg1267 with flash
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1267
            "After two more powerful surges of his body, the heat in his own loins boiled over. His balls jumped and he grunted like a beast as the first squirt of his cum filled the girl’s womb."
            "On the bed, the two rubbed one another’s damp bodies. The sensation of having her insides blasted full of his heat left Tulip breathless."
            tulip "I… I cannot believe it… {i}that{/i}… All… all of these months…"
            "Rowan smiled and kissed her lips forcefully while rubbing and teasing her breast."
            ro "Guess that’s the end of the ritual for this place…."
            tulip "Yes… But one day… someone else will take up the call. The power to cast the spell lies in my family…"
            "Rowan nodded, too tired to inquire further. Taming the virgin’s incredible compact sex had taken the wind from his lungs."
            scene black with fade
            "Soon enough, both Rowan and Tulip drifted off to sleep together."
            "In the morning, Rowan left the Abbess and Abbey. Swiftly, he ordered the orcs to secure the structure."
            "He did command no harm to come to her. The Abbess would remain to oversee the abbey, as soon as Cliohna’s brainwashing took root. Perhaps one day, he might check in on the follower of Solansia."

            # $ change_research_bonus(1)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
            # $ avatar.add_guilt(10)
            # return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 4.rpy
label andras_alexia_caretaker_anal_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "This week, Master Andras was once more inspecting the driders. "

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show draith happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was happy to see the man pleased with the progress they’ve made. Draith was just showing off the latest specimen, going into a rather lengthy technical explanation on some rare carapace mutation it displayed, when Adras interrupted him."

    an "Yes, yes, you have reasons to be proud. But I am concerned about the diet you’ve been feeding them."
    dra "Oh, there is no reason for worry, master. They follow a very strict-"
    an "Exactly. They need variety. A delicacy, presented to only the most impressive warriors.   "
    an "Cla-Min has been to the elven forests recently. Ask her if she has anything my driders might enjoy. "

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    #show draith concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show draith neutral at midleft with dissolve

    dra "I don’t- "

    "Draith wasn’t able to even start protesting - Andras icy stare shut him up on the spot. The drow beastmaster looked to Alexia for help, but the woman wasn’t particularly quick to grant it."
    "There was no man in the castle who could disobey Andras. Drokk was proof of it."

    hide draith with moveoutleft
    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "Finally, looking like a man sent for execution, Draith retreated from the room. Seeing him shake, Andras chuckled a little."

    an "This will do him good. It’s pathetic of him to be afraid of {i}Cla-Min{/i} of all people. But enough about that. "

    show alexia breeding aroused at center with moveinleft

    "The moment they were alone, Andras pulled her close, kissing her ravenously. Caught slightly by surprise, she was nevertheless quick to submit to it."
    "As always, Andras was insatiable, his hands roaming her body, making her moan into his lips. She could feel his hardening cock press into her thigh through her clothes, eager to fuck her."
    "A low growl from the side brought her out of the moment. A handful of driders were looking from behind the cell bars, upset at being mere spectators. Andras paid them no heed, his hand reaching down to grab her ass."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Hrm. This dress is atrocious, Alexia. You should flaunt your figure, not hide it behind half a dozen layers."
    al "One can hardly take care of driders in their lingerie, Master Andras."
    an "Someone like you shouldn’t take care of them at all."

    "He grabbed her by the chin, forcing her to look him in the eyes as his other hand reached for her chest. She gasped when he squeezed her breasts roughly, kneading her through the thick apron."

    an "Strip for me."
    al "Master Andras…"
    an "{b}Strip{/b}."

    "His command wasn’t as forceful as the one he gave to Draith, but still, it allowed for no debate to be had on the topic. But should she really just strip while at work…? "

    menu:
        "So filthy, yet… Exciting.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
            pass

        "When Andras ordered, she obeyed. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
            pass

        "She shouldn’t - such games are best left for the bedroom.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia breeding neutral at center with dissolve
            al "Master Andras, please… With Draith gone, I have to see to the Driders. "
            "His thumb trailed across her lips, making her cease further protests. His hand wandered to her other tit, his caresses as insistent as before."
            an "Do not think about what the driders need. Think about what I want."
            show alexia breeding aroused at center with dissolve
            an "I want to see you naked Alexia. Take off that ugly dress, and show me your wonderful body in all its glory."
            "She blushed at the praise, trying to look away, but there was no escaping Andras’ intense gaze. Even though they were in such a public place, maybe she should just… "
            menu:
                "Agree to strip.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                    pass

                "She really shouldn’t. Rowan was counting on her here. (End replay)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show alexia breeding neutral at center with dissolve
                    "While she enjoyed her budding relationship with Andras, stripping in the monster pens and willfully ignoring her duties was a step too far. She shook her head, trying to pull away from the man."
                    al "This is really not the place for it, Master."
                    an "Hrm."
                    "Andras grip did not lessen, and her demon lover held her in place. His eyes turned cold, hiding the anger inside."
                    show alexia breeding shocked at center with dissolve
                    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
                    "And then he slapped her ass, laughing boisterously."
                    an "Ha! Still being a closeted slut, Alexia? Fine by me!"
                    an "All that fake modesty makes it all the sweeter when I pin you to the wall, thrust my cock into your wet, needy cunt, and make you moan my name like a greedy little whore."
                    show alexia breeding neutral at center with dissolve
                    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
                    al "Ha, ha… That’s… "
                    "As crude and obscene the description was, it probably wasn’t that far from the truth. Still, she had her boundaries."
                    an "Pick your two most impressive driders, and make sure they are given whatever Draith gets from Cla-Min. I’ll be following your progress."
                    al "Of course, Master Andras. We won’t disappoint. "
                    an "Good."
                    hide andras with moveoutleft
                    "He left without another word, and Alexia let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding. Encounters with Andras always were intense, and not always in a good way."
                    scene black with fade
                    "In the end, he didn’t come to check on their progress, that week or the other. Maybe she should’ve stripped after all… "
                    return

    show alexia breeding happy at center with dissolve

    al "… As Master commands. "

    show alexia breeding aroused at midleft with moveoutleft
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "There was no way to remove the coat in an enticing way, but Alexia did her best. Wiggling her ass at the red demon, she pulled it over her head and threw it onto a nearby table."
    "The shirt was next. Then, the bra. Finally, she bent over, her back to her man, and pulled her panties down."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "The monster pens were always cold. But she couldn’t blame the temperature when she noticed her nipples standing. She turned to Andras to present herself, and saw the demon’s gaze trailing her naked skin with obvious hunger. "

    an "Much better."
    al "I’m glad you approve, Master Andras."
    an "Of your body, always. But I am slightly disappointed, Alexia."
    an "You should be wearing my outfit underneath."

    "She blushed at the thought. With how skimpy it was, it was basically lingerie."

    al "I wouldn’t want it to get dirty, Master."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Really now."

    "The demon took a look around the place, and Alexia blushed a little when she realized what a poor state it was in. Cleaning the pens was a daunting task that never seemed to end - no matter how hard she applied herself, the walls always seemed to crawl with filth."

    an "I’m glad you treasure my gifts so much. But at the same time, the fact you even want to work here tells me you don’t mind getting a little dirty. "

    "She wasn’t sure how to reply to that, but seeing Andras grin, she settled on a polite smile. The demon chuckled, then took a step in her direction."

    scene bg25 with sshake
    hide alexia
    show andras smirk at center with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked shocked at center with dissolve

    al "Aah!"

    #Possibility of a bonus erotic CG?

    "In an instant, she was shoved into the nearest table, her butt sticking out, Andras’ hands already caressing the crack between her asscheeks. He forced her legs apart, then sunk one finger into her cunt, while another prodded her anus. "

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

    an "You’re already wet, Alexia."

    "She giggled a little nervously. In her current position, she had a clear view of the driders still around them, all of them eyeing them with bestial, barely restrained lust. Wasn’t this going a little too far…? "

    al "It’s, ah… A little embarrassing. Undressing… Being naked in front of all the driders… "
    an "Afraid they’ll tell? Don’t worry. They know who their true master is. They know when to keep their mouth shut, and when to sing to my pleasure."

    "He suddenly pushed another finger into her cunt, and Alexia yelped. She blushed as she realized what he had just done, his wide grin taunting her."

    an "This is how I like you, Alexia. Hot, wet and ready."
    an "This is why you should wear my outfit at all times. It, and nothing else. No matter what you are doing."
    an "So that at any time I want, I can do this-! "

    "He took his finger out of her cunt, and pushed it into her ass. Wet with her juices, it slid in with no resistance, making her moan pathetically."

    an "Don’t pretend to be shy, Alexia. You like getting dirty. You like {b}being{/b} dirty. "

    "He pushed his finger in and out, then added another, spreading the walls of her ass. Panting, she steadied herself, trying to focus on the sensation in her ass, and keeping her head low so she wouldn’t see all the driders staring at her."
    "Something Andras quickly noticed, and yanked her head up, forcing her to look at the wild beasts. The males wanted her, the females wanted to be her."

    al "A-ah… Master Andras~~ "
    an "Hush, slut."

    "Andras pushed his hips into her, and she felt his cock slide between her asscheeks, hard and ready to enter her. She moaned again, her desire fueled further by this indecent exposure."

    al "Master, what if Draith-"

    "Her protest was silenced with a slap to her ass. She yelped, then found herself pushed into the table, hard."

    an "If by any chance he manages to stutter his way through Cla-Min’s swindling and finds his way back, then he’ll probably want in on the fun."
    an "Not that I plan to show him any attention. I’ve been waiting to get you out of these clothes since this fucking morning. Now that I have…"

    "He let go of her hair, and cupped her face, rubbing his cock against her ass, while his hand possessively groped her back. This unexpectedly tender moment made Alexia melt, and she found herself grinning from ear to ear."

    an "I don’t intend to let you go until you’re a complete mess. "

    #sex CG
    scene cg1223 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1223
    show andras smirk behind cg1223
    pause 3

    "Her eyes rolled up as he started to push his cock into her ass, his massive cock spreading her insides, her juices helping only a little. She would have to bear with the pain, just a little longer-"

    al "Nnnngh-a-AH!"

    "With one final push, he buried his cock deep inside of her. The feeling of fullness was like no other - but she was allowed no respite, no opportunity to appreciate it, as Andras immediately started to thrust his hips."

    al "F-fuck, Master, you’re so big!"
    an "And you’re doing a fantastic job taking my cock, Alexia. Just look. "

    "He pulled her hair again, forcing her to stare at half a dozen driders watching them. Lust, anger, jealousy. She could see it in their eyes. She could see them touching themselves to her, to the way she was taking Andras cock in her ass."

    al "S-shit, that’s so-"

    "Hot. It was so {i}hot{/i}~~"

    # Replay mod: Fixed the bold tags.
    an "They all want you. But you’re {b}my{/b} slut, Alexia."

    "He slapped her ass, picking up the pace. She moaned, the pleasure from his thrusts mounting, pushing through the pain of her ass being stretched."

    an "You’re my slut now, Alexia. And right now, I have no intention of sharing you."
    al "H-ha, ha- ah!"

    "She only managed a couple of weak moans, Andras massive cock claiming her in full. Fuck, no matter how rough he was, once his cock was inside of hers, nothing could compare, nothing felt as good"

    al "F-faster!"

    "With a low chuckle, Andras complied, thrusting his cock hard, pinning her body to the table with the force of his thrust. She will be sore all over tomorrow, but right now all that mattered was getting more of his wonderful, hard cock."

    al "Y-yes! Yes! Gods- Yes! "

    "She felt her insides contract, squeezing his cock greedily. She heard Andras grunt, and found herself giggling. She could only imagine how tight her ass was - how good it felt for him."
    "But no matter how tight she was, Andras showed no signs of wanting to go slower. There was no stopping his lust. And little by little, she surrendered fully to it, abandoning all pretense of decorum."

    al "A-ah, Ah! "

    "The driders’ visages danced at the edges of her visions, witnesses to her decadent submission. She didn’t care for them. She couldn’t help it that Andras cock simply felt…"

    al "Sooo gooood! AH!!!"

    show cg1224 with sshake
    show cg1224 with sshake
    show cg1225 with flash
    pause 3

    "She came with a loud scream, and right afterwards, she felt Andras come as well, his dick pumping cum right into her insides. Wave after wave of hot cum - gods, he came so much!"

    al "A-ah, fill me more, Master Andras! "
    an "Always, dear."

    "Her red master chuckled, turning her head to kiss her. She welcomed him eagerly, her tongue dancing with his."

    al "A-ah, I think it’s spilling out~~ "
    an "Oh, it is. I promised, didn’t I?"
    an "That I wouldn’t stop until you’re a complete mess. "

    "He slapped her ass one more time, admiring her blush with a cocky grin."

    scene black with fade

    "He could be a man of his word after all. "

    scene bg25 with fade
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding neutral at center with dissolve
    show draith neutral at edgeleft

    dra "I hope I will not have to do this again any time soon. Praise the Three Cla-Bow was there."
    dra "The delicacies should be ready in a week or two, Master"
    an "Excellent job, Beastmaster. I’ll drop by to discuss the details."
    dra "Of course, Lord Andras. Now excuse me, the driders seem agitated today."

    hide draith with moveoutleft
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
    show alexia breeding aroused at center with dissolve

    "The drow master hurried to tend to the driders, while Andras squeezed Alexia’s ass again. She threw him a filtrous look, smiling."

    al "Coming by next week as well? "
    an "Yes. And next time, I expect to find you wearing my outfit. "
    al "Master, you know I love it, but it’s really not that practical- "

    "He slapped her ass, making her shut her lips so she wouldn't yelp out loud."

    an "You won’t be working. You’ll keep me company why I see to the driders. "
    an "You’re my lover first and foremost. My satisfaction comes before everything else."

    menu:
        "The prospect was exciting… ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
            al "If Master demands it… "
            "The coy smile was her answer, and Andras kneaded her ass again, approving of her decision. "
            scene black with fade
            "Then gave it another quick slap, for good measure."
            # $ monsterPensAndrasLingerie = True
            # return

        "She still had a job to do. Rowan was counting on her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            show alexia breeding neutral at center with dissolve
            "Playing with Andras was harmless, but willfully ignoring her duties was a step too far. She shook her head, then leaned against Andras when she noticed him frown. "
            al "This is really not the place for it, Master."
            an "Hrm."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            show alexia breeding happy at center with dissolve
            an "Maybe I should make it a castle policy for women to be only allowed black lingerie as work uniforms. "
            "Alexia giggled in response - then stopped when it struck her Andras might actually do just that. "
            scene black with fade
            "…That man really took what he wanted, no matter the cost. "
            # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_46.rpy
label save_liurial_rp:

    $ Liurialname = "Liurial"
    $ jezMercy = True
    $ elfDom = False
    $ elfSex = False
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ jezFavours = 10
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ jezeraSubmission = False
    $ rowan_draith_sex = False
    $ skillCheck = "success"
    $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ rowanDeception = 10
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = False
    $ earlyEnd = False
    $ castleBrothel = 10

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1 (With Alexia)":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            $ torleneFate = "spared"
            $ torleneDuelScore = 10
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            jump save_liurial_skip_alexia_rp
        "Yes - Scene 2 and 3 (With Liural)":
            "How is Rowan and Alexia's relationship?"
            menu:
                "Bad - Scene 2":
                    $ earlyEnd = True
                    $ elfSex = True
                    $ elfDom = True
                    $ torleneFate = "killed"
                    $ torleneDuelScore = 10
                    $ rowanCorrupt = 100
                    $ roAlRel = 0
                "Good - Scene 3":
                    $ earlyEnd = True
                    $ elfSex = True
                    $ elfDom = True
                    $ torleneFate = "killed"
                    $ torleneDuelScore = 10
                    $ rowanCorrupt = 100
                    $ elf3Some = True
                    $ roAlRel = 100
            jump save_liurial_skip_liural_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Alexia or Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Yes - Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither are":
            pass

    "Is Rowan or Alexia submissive to the twins? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Just Rowan (Scene 1 Route)":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 2
        "Yes - Just Alexia (Scene 2 Route)":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = False
        "Both are (Scene 2 Route)":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 2
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
            $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = False
        "Neither are (Scene 1 Route)":
            pass

    "Rowan was motivated by Liurial's... (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Sad plight":
            $ liurialChoice = "sad plight"
        "Valuable skillset":
            $ liurialChoice = "valuable skillset"
        "Alluring figure":
            $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"
        "Allegiance offer":
            $ liurialChoice = "allegiance offer"

    "How is Rowan's relationship with Alexia? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good (Scene 1 Route)":
            $ roAlRel = 100
        "Bad (Scene 2 and 3 Route)":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ elfSex = True
            $ elfDom = True
            $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = True

    scene bg12 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan couldn’t allow himself to stop, Liurial needed help. His eyes were strained from hours of reading, but he kept scanning the pages of book after book for something, anything that would help him in the current predicament."
    "The latest book, from the large stack at his table, was titled {i}“Of The Old Ones and The Sacred Canopy”{/i}. A tome on the ancient, mostly departed Elven Gods."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "{i}Tsorinic, the honoured blade of the heavens, descended from great heights to the dirt of the mortals. For the Warlord Amazorin, mightiest of living elves, had called him forth to battle. And Tsorinic could not refuse, lest he be honoured no longer…{/i}"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan put a bookmark in place and lowered the text for the moment. Focused as he was, Rowan was alert enough to realise someone was approaching."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show jezera displeased at midleft with moveinleft

    je "Ah, Rowan. I’ve just been looking all over for you. It would almost be enough to make me think you were…say…hiding from me. "

    "Rowan took a deep breath, then gave her his best “loyal servant” smile. He knew he couldn’t escape this conversation forever."

    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
        if society_type == "might":
            ro "Er? Did you need me, Mistress?"
        else:
            ro "Er? Did you need me, Empress?"

    else:
        if society_type == "might":
            ro "Jezera. To what do I owe the…pleasure."
        else:
            ro "Empress Jezera. To what do I owe the…pleasure."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
    show jezera displeased at center with moveinleft

    "Jezera placed herself on the table, legs crossed. She picked up one of the books, examined it for a moment with faint curiosity, then carelessly tossed it back on the pile."

    show jezera happy at center with dissolve

    je "Oh, don’t mind me. I simply came for an update on your search for that elusive secretary of yours."

    if elfSex:
        je "You remember her, don’t you? Small thing. Cute in her own way. Prone to sleeping with authority figures."

    else:
        je "You remember her, don’t you? Small thing. Cute in her own way."

    je "She was supposed to be strung up and gifted to that annoying boyfriend of hers by now. Surely she’s turned up in your searches of the castle?"
    ro "Not yet, Mistress. If she had, you’d already have been informed about it."

    show jezera displeased at center with dissolve

    je "…I see. And your assessment remains unchanged, yes? No chance that she escaped?"
    ro "There’s no evidence around the castle, at least. We’re deep in the wastes. For an untrained human, or elf, there would need to be supplies or guides. The sort of thing that would leave tracks or remnants."
    ro "There’s still the option of the portals, of course. But, if she’d left that way, I’m sure you’d know."
    ro "She’ll turn up. You have my word."

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rather than answer immediately, Jezera stared down at her meticulously trimmed nails. Rowan was forced to wait in silence as she deliberated. It made him suspect that this was a test of some sort."

    je "Mmm. Rowan, you know there are times when I find games quite enjoyable. This is not one of those times."

    #//Jezera to Angry.

    "Her face twisted into a dark glare. The intensity of it could have melted stone."

    je "I want Liurial found. I want her found now."
    je "This whole affair has turned into a hassle far beyond its meagre value. A clever solution to a thorny problem, I thought. But now, the slut is missing and her annoying boyfriend is threatening to tear up months of negotiations."
    je "Every day a new missive from him."

    show jezera happy at center with dissolve

    "She took on a pitch-perfect recreation of the elf commander’s voice."

    if society_type == "might":
        je "Lady Jezera, I have the displeasure to remind you that the terms of our arrangement have not been followed through as specified in segment blah blah blah of the blah blah blah. The band of anus lickers is most displeased…"
    else:
        je "Empress Jezera, I have the displeasure to remind you that the terms of our arrangement have not been followed through as specified in segment blah blah blah of the blah blah blah. The band of anus lickers is most displeased…"

    "She sighed and tossed her hair back."

    show jezera displeased at center with dissolve

    je "Brother assures me he’s useful. Otherwise, I would have already beheaded him for his insolent whining alone."

    show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan pretended to smile as if he’d actually been able to find the joke particularly funny."

    ro "He is persistent, isn’t he?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    je "You. Hush."
    je "As far as I’m concerned, none of this would have had to happen if not for that nasty greed and insufferable pride of yours. An unclaimed piece of ass showed up in the castle, and {i}the big hero{/i} had to swoop in and save her."
    je "For her own protection, of course. My warm-hearted servant. Always looking out for the interests of the defenceless…"

    #//Jezera to evil.

    if elfSex:
        je "…If they’re fuckable."

    else:
        je "…If they’re useful."

    "The sweat came back to his brow. This was going in a direction he’d hoped to avoid."

    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
        ro "Please, that’s not-"

    else:
        ro "Jezera. Be reasonable-"

    #jez displeased

    je "It’s more than that. I’m sure you just had to rub it in. You humiliated the poor bastard. Parading her around on a leash in front of his face."
    ro "I didn’t…"
    je "And some of the other things I’ve heard. {i}Scandalous{/i}!"
    je "Had the girl made the right choice and stayed with me, none of this would be a problem. I would have guided her right. With some actual subtlety beyond all the masculine cock waving of your unfortunate sex."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve

    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
        ro "Rowan grit his teeth. There were many, many things he could say about Jezera’s relationship with subtlety. But he was already walking a tightrope."

    else:
        ro "Rowan grit his teeth."

    ro "I assure you. When she’s found, I will set things right."

    #//Jezera to angry

    "Jezera jabbed her finger towards him."

    je "Rowan, Rowan. Rowan. What did I say to you before?"
    je "No more games."

    if elfSex:
        je "Surely you don’t think me so stupid that I’d actually believe that your personal secretary, your little fucktoy, mysteriously disappeared and that you’re not involved?"

    else:
        je "Surely you don’t think me so stupid that I’d actually believe that your personal secretary, your devoted puppydog, mysteriously disappeared and that you’re not involved?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve

    "There it was, the accusation that Rowan had long dreaded. To project confidence, he straightened his back and looked her in the eyes."

    ro "I was in the field at the time. I couldn’t have done it. And I’ve provided witness testimony of where Alexia was the entire weekend. It wasn’t us."
    ro "Why would she have even {i}needed{/i} us? Liurial is a smart girl. And she knows the castle. Is it really so difficult to believe that knowing she would be a captive of a man she hates, she decided to-"

    "Jezera interrupted him with a hiss."

    je "Enough of this."
    je "You have three days more to resolve this. I don’t care if you were the mastermind of her escape or if you’re merely an incompetent. If it’s not solved by then, the consequences for you and Alexia will be extremely dire."
    je "Extremely. Dire."

    "Rowan recoiled slightly."

    je "…Have I made myself clear?"

    "Rowan was left with a stinging choice. Her order was a threat hanging over both his head and his wife’s. Perhaps, if he dug deep enough, there might be a way to get her mercy."

    $ liurialJezFavourSeen = False

    label liurJezMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "Attempt to call in a favour." if jezFavours > 0 and liurialJezFavourSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ liurialJezFavourSeen = True
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan ran across the back of his head. There was one long-shot idea that he’d not yet tried.  Through his service to Jezera, he had acquired a fair number of favours. Perhaps one might prove the answer here?"
            ro "You’ve told me in the past that through loyal service to you that I might earn boons? I recall for a fact that I’ve saved some."
            show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
            je "Oh?"
            ro "I want this as that boon. I want an arrangement where I get to keep Liurial. Torlene would still be a problem. But, we could find something else that he’d be willing to strike a deal for. I am sure that if we offered-"
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            "Jezera shook her head, dismissing the thought before he could even finish it."
            je "Sweet Rowan…that is not how this works. I gave you an order, Rowan. An {i}explicit{/i} order that you have failed to obey. One with material importance to the castle, no less."
            show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
            je "Those boons should be thought of as extra rewards for good service. Not promises that I’d forget {i}failure and disobedience{/i}."
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan exhaled darkly. There would be no buying his way out of this dilemma."
            jump liurJezMenu_rp


        "Refuse to seek compromise." if jezeraSubmission > -10 and jezeraSubmission < 3:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ jezMercy = False
            "Still, part of Rowan didn’t entirely want to rely on Jezera’s benevolence. Especially since she was the devil who’d put him in this precarious position in the first place. That fact hung over this entire conversation."
            "He could have apologised. But, Rowan chose a different course."
            ro "You’ve made yourself very clear, Jezera."
            ro "What {i}isn’t{/i} clear is what you expect me to do about it. She’s missing. I’m already searching for her with all the resources available to me. I cannot use magic to make her appear."
            #rowan smirk
            show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "Though I have to wonder… no one is better suited to such a search than you. I’m sure that with your powers, you could find her faster than I could. Why am I running the search for her at all, when you could?"
            #jez displeased
            "Jezera tilted her head, confused. It was as if the very notion was an insult to her. Granted, she was not entirely wrong…"
            je "Magically search for her? It seems a wasted effort when I have a perfectly good steward who {i}almost certainly{/i} knows where she is."
            "Rowan maintained his fake smile. But, by now it was showing cracks. His show of deference could only be maintained for so long."
            ro "Perfectly good? I shall take it as a compliment, Mistress."
            je "It wasn’t meant as one."
            ro "So you say. But, worry not. I will resolve this entire mess so you don’t have to work to solve it. As you said with such {i}factual accuracy{/i}, this is all my fault after all."
            #jez angry
            "Jezera hissed sharply."
            je "Enough. Enough of all of this."
            je "Three Days, Rowan. Three. If I am still having to waste precious seconds of my life dealing with this by then, the punishments will start."
            "She rose from the table, striding boldly up to him with the intensity of a storm cloud. Rowan was forced to lean back in his chest, lest she knock it over. Even so, he kept his eyes up, directly meeting her eyes."
            hide jezera with moveoutright
            "Then, with a final huff, she turned and departed. The menacing stomp of her heels loudly announced how she’d felt about the conversation."
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with moveinright
            "Rowan buried his face in his hands. The metaphorical headsman’s axe was above him now. But at least he still could fix this. "

        "Plead for her mercy.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ jezMercy = True
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan knew deep down what he would have to say if he wanted Jezera to show him any scrap of mercy. If this entire mess had been about power, he needed to accept and reaffirm his subservience to her power."
            "That meant apologising and accepting responsibility for the entire affair. A galling prospect. But, It was the only way to save Liurial."
            "Besides, in the time since he’d come to Bloodmeen, he’d surrendered so much already. What was a bit more of his dignity?"
            show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
            "Rowan rose from his seat slowly. Jezera re-crossed her legs and kept a reserved, judgemental expression. Then, he bowed his head low in a gesture of fealty."
            if society_type == "might":
                ro "Mistress…please. I swear I didn’t help Liurial hide from you. I understand that you have your doubts. But, I would never dream of defying you in such a brazen way."
            else:
                ro "Empress…please. I swear I didn’t help Liurial hide from you. I understand that you have your doubts. But, I would never dream of defying you in such a brazen way."
            ro "As for the rest of what you said…"
            ro "You’re right. I put my pride as a hero before your interests. Even before my own. I should have sought your wisdom to guide me when it came to Liurial. I accept responsibility for this all."
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            "Jezera’s frown twisted into the slightest of smiles."
            je "Your pride as a hero…and as a man."
            ro "Yes."
            "He kept his head bowed. Perhaps, he was getting somewhere with this."
            if skillCheck == "success":
                ro "Please. I am in desperate need of your help. Your mercy. I’m trying to obey your orders. But, I’m trapped between them and between what I know prudence demands."
                ro "It’s not just that I cannot find Liurial. It’s also that if I did find her, the consequences would be disastrous. The castle administration could fall apart."
                ro "Even in the short time she’s been gone, the paperwork has been stacking up. And no other secretary could replace her. She’s a unique talent."
                ro "I need Liurial."
                if elfSex:
                    je "You need her for your paperwork? Or you need her as a sleeve for your cock."
                    show rowan necklace aroused at edgeright with dissolve
                    ro "..."
            else:
                "Rowan thought about how to frame his request. A plea for her mercy might work…but he knew Jezera loved to see herself as a benevolent teacher, albeit in her own depraved subjects of study. Perhaps a plea for {i}instruction{/i} might be more effective?"
                ro "Clearly, all of this has placed me in a precarious position. The sort of position a mastermind of your skill would never find yourself in."
                if society_type == "might":
                    ro "Mistress please instruct me. How might I escape this situation? How can I preserve a valuable subordinate without angering my superiors? What sort of methods might have worked?"
                else:
                    ro "Empress please instruct me. How might I escape this situation? How can I preserve a valuable subordinate without angering my superiors? What sort of methods might have worked?"
                if elfSex:
                    je "A valuable pet, you mean?"
                    ro "Yes. Of course."
                "The thin smile on her lips only grew wider. "
            show jezera displeased at center with dissolve
            je "Do not think of me as the sort of woman who can be manipulated by base flattery, Rowan. I see what you’re doing."
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            je "However, I admit this change in tone has a pleasing ring to it. No more defiance out of you on the subject of Liurial?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            ro "Yes."
            je "Good."
            "She also rose to her feet. He stood perfectly still as she started to pace in a circle around him. The sound of her heels on the library floor became a steady, intimidating series of clicks. The sound of tribunal."
            show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
            je "If your aim is to have me modify the deal, not merely forgive the girl’s disappearance, then you’ve made a challenging request."
            je "By not resolving this mess {i}before{/i} the terms were struck, you made everything much more difficult. Even if I wished to give you back that elf slut, it would now involve breaking a contract."
            je "Often a fun thing to do, mind you, but inconvenient if you hope to actually have these people go off and kill for you and whatnot. So it would not be in my best interest to be seen as breaking my word here."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan kept his eyes lowered. There was an implication to her words that he picked up immediately."
            ro "So, if allowing me to keep Liurial was something you’d assent to, it would require me to do so in a way where you weren’t seen as breaking the contract."
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            je "…Clever boy."
            "Rowan inhaled sharply."
            if society_type == "might":
                ro "So do I have your leave to attempt it, Mistress? To make Torlene relent to returning Liurial to me, without breaking the contract."
            else:
                ro "So do I have your leave to attempt it, Empress? To make Torlene relent to returning Liurial to me, without breaking the contract."
            "There was another pause. Jezera continued to circle around Rowan slowly. Was she trying to throw him off balance? Or was she thinking of an answer? Regardless, Rowan remained fixed in place. To move otherwise could be a slight."
            show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
            je "Mmm. Provided you offer some sort of penance for your earlier failures, I believe such a thing could be allowed."
            ro "A penance?"
            #jez evil
            show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            je "A task of my choosing, to be performed at a later specified date. A chance for you to go above and beyond in your obedience to me…and to demonstrate your change in attitude."
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan had been waiting for the other shoe to drop. This had been going too well. The prospect of this mystery task was enough to give him pause. Whatever she asked of him, it could not be good. Still, to accept it would remove one of the largest obstacles to Liurial’s freedom."
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan bowed his head lower."
            ro "Your will shall be done."
            #show jezera happy at center with dissolve
            je "Excellent."
            "She stopped in front of Rowan and flashed him a playful grin."
            je "Now, colour me curious. You’ve agreed to so much trouble in the future, in the process of merely getting {i}permission{/i} to get Torlene to agree to return the slut to you."
            je "Do you have an actual {i}plan{/i} for how you’re going to achieve such a thing, little hero?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "Rowan let out a nervous laugh and ran a hand through the back of his hair."
            ro "Before you came, I was in the process of working out that exact problem."
            je "Then I shall take my leave. It would be rude of me to interrupt you, after all."
            "Jezera gave him a playful shove, toppling him back into his chair. Afterwards, she turned and strode away."
            show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
            je "Ta-ta now."
            hide jezera with moveoutleft
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinright

    "Rowan frowned to himself, waiting until Jezera was in the distance. Once he was alone again, he returned to the book he’d been reading before. {i}“Of The Old Ones and The Sacred Canopy”{/i}."
    "He traced his finger along the words of the page, his mind a turbulent sea. The answer to the dilemma was written clearer on the page. He would have to confront Torlene, in person."

    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The first time Rowan had come to visit Torlene, the walls had been swept by high winds. Today, the weather was no different. He could scarcely stop his clothes from billowing wildly."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "As he drew closer to the guardhouse that housed the elves, he glanced off the side. The vast maw of Bloodmeen’s dry moat extended into the distance. Its floor was so far down that it was shrouded in darkness. How many people had met their end in its depths?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "At the entrance of the guardhouse, someone came to guide him in. Galabraith. Rowan greeted the hulking elf with a strained smile."

    gala "Rowan..."
    gala "I didn’t want this. I kept telling him that it was better to give up on her. If she truly wished to return she would have done so by now. But, he just wouldn’t listen. It’s a matter of pride now."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "I don’t blame you, Galabraith."

    else:
        ro "..."

    #show torlene

    "Rowan continued on to Torlene’s balcony. Today, the Elven Honoured Sword sat cross-legged on the ground, drinking tea from a small ceramic cup. A painted teapot sat on a tray in front of him. Despite the cup’s meager weight, he used both hands to bring it to his lips for each sip."

    torl "Rowan Blackwell."
    ro "Torlene."
    torl "{i}Honoured{/i} Torlene. You must remember the honourific."

    "Rowan clicked his tongue."

    if society_type == "feudalism":
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "If that’s the game we’re playing, then it should be “Sir” Rowan Blackwell. I’m a knight of Bloodmeen, after all."
        torl "..."
        torl "My apologies, Sir Rowan Blackwell."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Odd. Rowan had expected something a little more rude from him in response. He really did take such things seriously."

    "Rowan paused at the side railing, taking note of unexpected greenery. There was a row of unfamiliar plants, freshly dug into pots on the walls. They gave an odd touch of life to the drab location. Rowan paused briefly to feel their jagged leaves between his fingers."

    ro "These plants are from Ealoaen?"
    torl "Yes. A memory of home."

    "When Rowan reached Torlene, the elf drew a second small cup from the tray that held the teapot. He placed it on the ground in front Rowan. A gift for his guest."

    torl "Will you drink with me? If one is visited during mealtime, it is improper not to share."

    menu:
        "Decline.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ torlTea = True
            "Rowan shook his head. This was not exactly a social call. However, he did take a seated position opposite the elf."

        "Accept.":
            $ torlTea = False
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan took a seat opposite Torlene and raised the small cup to him. The elf tenderly poured warm tea from the pot. It was a task he went about with the practised poise of someone who’d been instructed in the “proper” way to serve tea."

    torl "I had presumed that the next time you would return here, it would be with Liurial. Yet, she isn’t with you. She is not found yet?"
    ro "Not yet, no."

    "He half expected the elf to fly into a rage, yet Torlene’s face remained stoic. Or at least it appeared to. Rowan thought he saw something flicker in his eyes."

    torl "It is galling. I had thought with the terms I worked out with the demons, that it would place you in a position where you would be forced to return her to me. Yet, you seem to have discovered a flaw in my plan."

    if torlTea == True:
        "Rowan faked a smile and took a sip from his tea."

    else:
        "Rowan faked a smile."

    ro "I’m sad to say that I don’t really know what you’re talking about, Torlene. When she shows up, I will bring her to you. As agreed."
    torl "To be sure."

    "Torlene set down his teacup and stared at Rowan. His gaze was intense, like a light being shown on a surface to examine it for cracks."

    if society_type == "feudalism":
        torl "…and yet, you call on me. It would be naive to think this visit motivated by idle leisure. Why did you come, Sir Rowan Blackwell? Is this at your masters’ behest?"

    else:
        torl "…and yet, you call on me. It would be naive to think this visit motivated by idle leisure. Why did you come, Rowan Blackwell? Is this at your masters’ behest?"

    ro "I’m here for myself. I want to negotiate."
    torl "To negotiate?"

    "To Rowan’s surprise, Torlene cracked a faint smile. It was as close to amusement as he’d seen the stoic elf manage."

    torl "That is most excellent. I had been intent to speak with you alone, before. Your arrival simplifies matters."

    "It was true that Torlene had suggested meetings between them several times in the past. But, Rowan had not been much in the mood to listen then. But with Liurial’s fate in the balance, he was now essentially a captive audience."

    if torlTea == True:
        "Rowan took a polite sip from his drink and tried not to frown."

    else:
        "Rowan frowned and crossed his arms over his chest."

    torl "I believe there is an arrangement we could arrive at. One that I hoped once to offer without precondition. Now, it might serve as enticement to help you “locate” the girl."

    ro "Go on."
    torl "From my first arrival and discovery of your presence in the castle, I had been resolved to meet with you. I have told you so, yes? It was unfortunate that our first interaction ended in conflict."
    torl "Of course, considering your actions, my anger was justified. But, it was unbecoming of me. A warrior must have self-control. With time, I have come to move past such emotions."
    torl "What’s more, my ill-discipline got in the way of matters of the highest import."

    "Rowan idly stroked his chin. He had expected Torlene to react to him with some of the hostility of their earlier meetings. The change of pace to something calmer was encouraging, without being truly comforting. Even with his rage subsided, he had not given up on Liurial. "

    torl "I am not here in this castle out of some fondness for your masters, nor their mission. I was thrust into leadership over a host of strong elven warriors. Warriors who long for home. Victory for Bloodmeen is our only possible salvation from exile."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "An elf isn’t meant to be alone."

    "Rowan chuckled and looked at the plants on the ramparts. Liurial had told him that once."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    torl "More true than you could possibly understand, Rowan."
    torl "We are alone in this castle. No other elves. But also, no other friends. No allies who we can rely on or act in our interest. "

    if rowanDeception < 2:
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    torl "Thus my offer to you, Rowan. You have wronged me in the past, but the needs of Finnigold’s host come first. Bring me Liurial. End this farce."
    torl "You will not only have my forgiveness for your transgressions, but my friendship as well. And allies you may count on in this castle."

    if rowanDeception < 2:
        "With each passing word, Rowan’s face showed more and more surprise."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        "Rowan remained stone-faced, not wanting to give off any reaction that Torlene could read."

    ro "This all begs a question though. I’m sure there are other potential allies for you in the castle. But, I’m the human who you claim stole your woman. Why me?"

    "Torlene went back to his tea, filling the emptied cup with green liquid. As he continued, he took on a more casual tone. Far more relaxed, even playful, than Rowan had ever heard from it."

    if society_type == "feudalism":
        torl "Think logically, Sir Blackwell. You showed such canny at Deadman’s Pass."

    else:
        torl "Think logically, Blackwell. You showed such canny at Deadman’s Pass."

    torl "Your circumstances are not unknown to me. Nor do I fail to recognize our similarities. We are not demons, you and I. We are not orcs, drow, goblins, or beings of the dark. Even the other humans here fought beneath Karnas’ fell star. "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stifled a laugh."

    ro "So it’s our similarities? Yet, we’re not even the same race."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    torl "Different races, same world. Raised in the stability of Solansian society. Imbued with the same morals. Adapted to similar hierarchies. Surely the casual violence and perversions of this place are as alien to you as they are to me? You are not like them."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan averted his eyes briefly. He didn’t like to be reminded of such things."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    torl "Indeed, we even fought under the same banner. And yet, no reward came to me or mine. Our homes were taken from us. Our honour was left unrecognised. We were deprived."
    torl "You too were deprived. There were many honours you were due that you were deprived of. In all six realms, your story is known."
    torl "And now, we both find ourselves here at the edge of the world. You, shuffled off by your cowardly nobility. I and my men, branded traitors and exiles. Two of Solansia’s champions, forced to serve at Kharos’ throne."
    torl "Exiles."

    "Torlene paused to let the message sink in. He took to his tea, gathering his thoughts and his voice. Rowan let him take his time."
    "There was an element of truth to what Torlene was saying. For all his time spent pondering how to proceed, he had not even considered that the elf might feel the same sense of displacement here that Rowan did."
    "Yet, it made sense. It wasn’t as if there was much lost love between Torlene and Jezera. She’d reacted to his stiff formality with something approaching open disdain."
    "Still, Rowan saw what he was leaving out. Liurial had spoken plenty about how the band became exiles. More than enough to wonder just how “unjust” Torlene’s exile truly was."
    "Torlene cleared his throat and continued."

    torl "I do not trust the honesty of Demons and the Dark Horde. I have reluctantly worked with Drow. They are beings of spite and malice. Always searching for ways to harm even those who are ostensibly their allies. These demons are no better."
    torl "You are a thief, Rowan. But, you are no demon. And from your position as majordomo, you may prove a worthwhile ally. Just as the friendship of elite elven swords might prove worthwhile to you."
    torl "My contract with the demons gives me say over what theatres of operations and command structures I choose for my band. I could demand that my coordination be done through you."

    "Torlene flashed his trademark, smug grin. Though, for once, not meant maliciously."

    torl "What say you? All that is required is to resolve this matter of Liurial. Cease dawdling in her return. Swear not to orchestrate a second escape attempt. Extend to me the mutual respect I deserve. Do this and my friendship will be yours."

    "Rowan pursed his lips. Whatever else that could be said, it was far from the worst offer that Torlene could have made. Whatever else, Rowan could use allies in the castle. When he considered the prospect, he found it…"

    menu:
        "...Intriguing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "…Intriguing. For all his faults, Torlene was a fearsome fighter. There was even a moment where Rowan was tempted to say yes to the offer. But, there was no way he could. After all, to accept would be to give away Liurial…"

        "...Unacceptable.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "…Unacceptable. Rowan had come here on a mission. One he was determined to complete. Rowan’s need for allies was immaterial. He couldn’t agree. After all, to accept would be to give away Liurial…"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if liurialChoice == "sad plight":
        # Replay mod: Fix, was "avatar,corruption"; now "rowanCorrupt"
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Is Rowan still motivated by her sad plight?"
            menu:
                "Yes.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "…And for all that had happened in the interim. For all the vows Rowan had broken and all the misdeeds he had done, this was one vow he refused to break. For his own sake, as much as for Liurial’s."
                    # $ rowanCorrupt -= 5

                "No.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "What motivates Rowan?"
                    menu:
                        "Her valuable skillset.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "…And Rowan could not give her up. Beyond any vows he had made in the past, the truth was that Liurial was indispensable. With a loyal and capable subordinate like her helping him run the castle, he could accomplish more than he could with a company of soldiers."
                            $ liurialChoice = "valuable skillset"

                        "Her oath of allegiance.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "…And Rowan could not give her up. The friendship of a powerful ally was one thing. But, Torlene was hardly trustworthy. Liurial’s dedication to him was beyond reproach. A constant in a chaotic place. To lose her would be the height of foolishness."
                            $ liurialChoice = "allegiance offer"

                        "Her alluring figure.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "…And Rowan could not give her up. Liurial was his. Body, mind, and perhaps even soul. To even consider letting Torlene lay his hands on her again was a source of nausea."
                            $ liurialChoice = "alluring figure"

        else:
            "…And Rowan had made an oath to protect her. What’s more, the oath had been explicitly to protect her from Torlene. Rowan was of clear mind. There was no way this conversation could end with Rowan in violation of his oath."

    elif liurialChoice == "valuable skillset":
        "…And Rowan could not give her up. Liurial was indispensable. With a loyal and capable subordinate like her helping him run the castle, he could accomplish more than he could with a company of soldiers."

    elif liurialChoice == "allegiance offer":
        "…And Rowan could not give her up. The friendship of a powerful ally was one thing. But, Torlene was hardly trustworthy himself. Liurial’s dedication to him was beyond reproach. A constant in a chaotic place. To lose her would be the height of foolishness."

    else:
        if elfSex:
            "…And Rowan could not give her up. After the time he’d spent with her, the way he’d gotten used to the shape of her body, how could he hand her back to Torlene? To let him put his hands on her?"

        else:
            "What Motivates Rowan?"
            menu:
                "The need to protect her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "…And Rowan could not give her up. It is true that he’d first been drawn to her beauty.  But, this was a woman who relied on him. A woman who he had given his oath of protection to. Torlean’s offer could not be accepted."
                    $ liurialChoice = "sad plight"

                "Her valuable skillset.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "…And Rowan could not give her up. While he’d first become her protector for her beauty, Liurial had since become indispensable. With a loyal and capable subordinate like her helping him run the castle, he could accomplish more than he could with a company of soldiers."
                    $ liurialChoice = "valuable skillset"

                "Her oath of allegiance.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "…And Rowan could not give her up. The friendship of a powerful ally was one thing. But, Torlene was hardly trustworthy himself. Beyond whatever attraction had first moved him to recruit her, Liurial’s dedication to him was beyond reproach. A constant in a chaotic place."
                    "To lose her would be the height of foolishness."
                    $ liurialChoice = "allegiance offer"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan shook his head softly, a slight chuckle coming to his lips. "

    ro "It’s an interesting offer, I’ll say that much. Not at all what I expected to hear when I came here."
    torl "So, you are amenable to it?"
    ro "Well…"

    menu:
        "Tell him to fuck off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ torlChoice = "fuck off"
            ro "…There’s just a slight problem with the whole affair."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Until now, Rowan had done a good job holding back his rage. At Torlene’s entitlement to Liurial. At the way he’d manipulated the situation to his advantage. At the rank delusion of thinking there could be rapprochement while all this stood."
            if torlTea == True:
                "Rowan raised his half-empty cup of tea in the air and spilled it on the stone tile. Torlene was so momentarily stunned that he didn’t react before Rowan swept Torlene’s cup from the ground and did the same. Then, he carefully placed them back on Torlene’s tray."
            else:
                "Rowan leaned forward and spat on the ground between them. Torlene’s eyebrows narrowed."
            ro "We are nothing alike. If you think we are, you’re out of your mind."
            ro "It’s true that we’ve both been forced to fight for the demons. But, the reason why makes all the difference."
            "Rowan violently slapped his chest."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "I didn’t fucking choose to be here. I’m a prisoner. Everything I’ve had to do…they made me do it."
            else:
                ro "I didn’t choose to be here. I’m a prisoner. If I could, I would be fighting the Twins right now."
            "Then, he jabbed his finger back towards the still half-stunned elf."
            ro "But, you? There’s nothing unjust about why you’re here."
            ro "Liurial told me why you’re not allowed back in Elven Lands. Slave trading. Selling your own countrymen like they were cattle."
            ro "That master of yours that you revere so much? He wanted a little extra, and you and your merry band went along with it. It’s no wonder your people exiled you. You deserved it."
            ro "You’re a slaver. Torlene."
            ro "And now, you’d do it all again. You’d keep Liurial in chains, forced to serve you against her will. You might as well write up a deed to her, just so you can make it official."
            ro "Now you sit here, acting like you aren’t a monster. Somehow having tricked yourself into believing I’d just go along with it? That I would ignore how you treated her in the past and return her to you?"
            ro "Have you even spoken to Liurial? She’s disgusted by you. And so am I."
            "Rowan rose from a seated position, making for the doorway. He turned back to where Torlene remained sitting. The commotion of it brought some attention from the Elves in the makeshift barracks."
            ro "My answer is no, Torlene. I don’t like you. I don’t like the way you treat Liurial. And I’d rather be damned than parlay with you while you’re out to steal my woman."
            "Torlene frowned momentarily. But, when he raised his head, it was with a fresh smirk. The normal, smug Torlene had returned to play."
            torl "Not your woman for very much longer, human."
            "Torlene rose to his feet. Rowan’s eyes locked with his. The tension was growing palpable. Indeed, Rowan wasn’t even fully convinced it wouldn’t come to blows immediately."
            torl "You insult my expression of goodwill. You scorn my offer of forgiveness. Yet, you have not obeyed your Masters and brought my woman to me. Why waste my time in such a way?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "See if he’ll drop the requirement for Liurial.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ torlChoice = "diplomacy"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "…There are reasons I cannot accept."
            if torlTea == True:
                "Rowan raised his cup to Torlene."
                ro "First…will you please pour me some more?"
                "Torlene nodded and obliged, filling the cup with shimmering green liquid. Rowan took in the aroma briefly before having a sip."
            else:
                "Rowan ran his hand over the back of his head, looking for words."
            "Certainly, he had from this conversation with a new understanding of her erstwhile adversary. Perhaps even a glimmer of hope of a compromise."
            ro "Much of what you said… the way you framed it…makes sense to me. I can’t say I agree with everything, but it would be a pretty smart alliance to make."
            ro "It’s true that I lack friends who can fight. It’s true that I could use my influence in the castle to your benefit. An understanding that we’re on the same side would be a valuable arrangement for the both of us."
            torl "Yet, you remain reluctant to accept."
            ro "Yes."
            "Rowan shook his head slowly."
            "I’m not going to willingly surrender Liurial to you. Even if I’m forced to by my masters, I would never give up on retaking her. On the day she came to me… to help me escape you… I made her vow."
            ro "I vowed that I would protect her from you, with my life it came to it."
            ro "You’re an Elven Honoured Sword. If there is any man who is bound to his honour, it’s you. Just as you couldn’t break such a vow, I couldn’t either. So, any deal I make that requires me to break that vow is impossible."
            ro "So. As the deal stands, I cannot accept. Even if I found Liurial, I would never turn her over willingly. And should the demons take her from me by force, I would fight until my last breath to ensure that she is free."
            "Torlene pursed his lips."
            torl "That is… disappointing. I had allowed myself to hope for a breakthrough since my hand in the matter was so superior. "
            ro "This doesn’t have to be the end of the discussion. You said it yourself. If we could move past our distances, it would be to both of our benefit. So why require Liurial to make it happen? Why throw it away for a woman who doesn’t even {i}want{/i} you?"
            ro "The truth is, I came here, prepared for you to be in a rage. But, you’re a more sensible person than I knew. A fellow {i}general{/i}. Putting Liurial ahead of the best interest of your band doesn’t sound very sensible to me."
            ro "Maybe...you could reconsider?"
            "Torlene inhaled sharply. He drew his tea to his lips, momentarily taking in the aroma, before softly sipping at its contents. Rowan marveled at the way he scarcely made a sound as he did. That to, must have been the result of much practice."
            if society_type == "feudalism":
                torl "You are mistaken, Sir Rowan. On many counts. For a first, the girls’ return will not prove in vain. She is lovely, but of a weak will. I have merely to remind her of my authority, and she will return to her prior state of contentment."
            else:
                torl "You are mistaken, Rowan. On many counts. For a first, the girls’ return will not prove in vain. She is lovely, but of a weak will. I have merely to remind her of my authority, and she will return to her prior state of contentment."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan’s eyebrows narrowed. A shame. He was almost coming around to the guy."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            torl "What’s more, there are matters at stake beyond her mere possession. She belonged to my master, before his passing."
            torl "Were I to let another man run off with her, without first having obtained my assent, it would be as much a dishonour on me as to him. There is a form to all things, and it cannot be broken. By that form, she is mine."
            torl "It is a crime against my name, as much as against my property."
            torl "If it is impossible for you to break your vow, then it is equally an impossibility for me to surrender my rightful possession. We can have no arrangement without the girl."
            "Rowan set his cup of tea down, only half-finished. His eyes met Torlene’s. It seemed that things were moving in the direction he’d anticipated originally, even if the diversion had been unexpected."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "If we can’t have a friendship without resolving the fight… and I can’t give her up… and neither can you…"
            ro "It sounds like we’re doomed to be enemies then."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            torl "Tragically so."
            "Rowan rose to his feet and started to the doorway. Torlene remained sitting, tea in his hand."
            torl "Before you leave… please sate this curiosity."
            torl "You chose to visit me, yet you have no intention of making common cause, nor fulfilling your obligation to deliver the girl to me."
            torl "To what end was the visit?"

    ro "This."

    "Rowan went to his belt and drew his sword from his sheath. He banged it against the doorway twice, drawing the attention of Galabraith and the other elves. He needed others to witness this."
    "Torlene did not move. But, his lips tightened, and one hand moved to the hilt of his sword."

    ro "Honoured Torlene of {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i}, I have come to issue a challenge-of-honour."

    "He turned his sword sharply down, pressing it into the space between two stones. It was as close an approximation to putting the sword into dirt or snow that the book had mentioned."

    ro "At dawn tomorrow, I will be on a section of the eastern walls, ready for battle. And I expect you to join me, sword in hand. The first to slay their opponent or to make them yield shall not only be the winner…but shall be recognized as Liurial’s keeper."

    "Torlene glanced between Rowan, and further afield the figures of his men. The weight of the audience left its impact."
    "This was Rowan’s desperate play. If Torlene were another foe, he’d brush off the challenge. After all, there was little Rowan could stake that Torlene didn’t already have. One simple refusal and Rowan would be left without options. But, Torlene wasn’t another foe."

    torl "This is madness. Liurial is mine. My agreement with Jezera and Andras specified this."
    ro "You have a piece of parchment saying so. But, she’s not here, is she? If you want her, there’s only one way."

    "Rowan continued, desperate to drive the point home."

    ro "Besides, I know the meaning of being an Honoured Sword, Torlene. I know the weight it carries. I also know that if you refuse this duel, you will be branded an Honoured Sword no longer."

    #rowan smirk

    ro "So, parchment with the demons or no… you cannot refuse."

    "Rowan could feel the heat radiating from Torlene. The bewilderment and rage were etched into his features. Good. Rowan wanted him worked up."

    #rowan neutral

    "He heard the sound of feet shuffling behind him, punctuated by one set significantly louder than the others. More of Torlene’s men were pulling close. No doubt eager to hear the reply of their leader."

    torl "..."
    torl "You do not understand the forces you are seeking to manipulate, human. Any elf would understand that a threat against the honour of someone of my station is the most extreme of all measures. You are playing with a fire that you cannot control."
    ro "And you’re trying to kidnap my subordinate against her will. I’d say you’ve made the situation pretty damn extreme."

    "Torlene didn’t speak. He glanced between the sword in the ground and his human adversary. Rowan could tell he was getting close. One more push…"

    #rowan smirk

    ro "You know, I remember your Master, Torlene. I bet that if Finnigold was standing where you are, he would have already accepted the challenge. "
    ro "Why are you hesitating, Torlene?"

    if torlChoice == "diplomacy":
        "Torlene sighed and replaced his cup of tea on his tray. Then he too rose to his feet."

    "Wordlessly, Torlene drew his weapon from its sheath. He aimed it menacingly at Rowan. But, rather than charge, he mirrored Rowan’s action. His sword was positioned in a gap in the stone."

    torl "Tomorrow at dawn, on the eastern wall."

    if torlChoice == "diplomacy":
        torl "…That will be the place you die."
        torl "It is a shame things could not have been different. But, this was your choice."

    else:
        torl "Mark my words, Thief. That will be the place you die."
        torl "I should never have extended you this second chance at reason. I will finish the task that should have completed the day you took her from me."

    #rowan neutral

    "Matching Torlene eye to eye, Rowan let a faint smile flicker on his face. It worked. Now came the hard part…"

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
        scene bg9 with fade

    else:
        scene bg13 with fade

    show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve

    "The first cracks of light filtered through Alexia’s window as she threw open the curtains to watch the sunrise. She had been woken earlier by a noise but had not wanted to get out of bed. Now she stood in the morning light, her arms hugging her chest."

    if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
        show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
        "She glanced at the bed she shared with Rowan. His spot was empty, as it often was. He must have left earlier in the morning."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        "Her quiet contemplation was broken by a frantic knock on the door."
        show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
        al "Mmm. It’s so early…"
        al "Hello? Is someone there?"
        "She cautiously cracked open the door so she could see her guest without exposing her nightwear."
        if alexiaLiurialFriendly:
            show liurial sad at midleft with moveinleft
            #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve
            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "Liurial!"
            "Alexia took a step back, throwing the door open. Liuiral was doubled over, panting for breath, at the threshold. She was clutching her hat in her hands, her hair matted and dirty."
            liur "Please. Please. {i}Please{/i}, Mistress! Quick, you must come. You must…. you must hurry!"
            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "Liurial, sweetie, you have to slow down for me. What’s wrong? Why are you so out of breath?"
            "The fact that Liurial was here could only mean serious trouble. The girl was supposed to be in hiding. At least, that was what Rowan had told her when he had warned her of Jezera’s potential wrath."
            liur "Mistress, it’s Rowan. He’s in… he’s in grave danger!"
            if roAlRel < 50:
                "Alexia bit her lip."
                al "I see…"
            else:
                "Alexia’s glare hardened."
                al "Take me to him."
            "She took one final, longing look out the window before rushing to the cabinet to get dressed. Dawn was breaking."
        else:
            show andras happy at midleft with moveinleft
            #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve
            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
            al "Andras!"
            "The red demon was leaning in the door frame with a big cocky grin on his lips and his arms crossed over her chest."
            an "Your dumbass husband is about to get himself killed. Come watch with me."
            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
            "Alexia gasped."
            "She rushed to her wardrobe and threw on her clothes. Andras, being his usual self, gave her a smack on the ass to move faster. In the window behind them, the dawn was breaking."

    else:
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == True:
            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
        "She walked right up to the window and placed her hands on the glass. In the distance, the faint blur of humanoid figures walked atop the battlements. Overhead, the sun was rising. It was dawn."
        "But, the moment soon faded. When she returned to her cabinet to get dressed, she idly wondered if she would have a chance to see Rowan later. He had been so busy since Liurial disappeared…"

    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan’s cloak billowed behind him at the behest of the howling gale. The winds atop the wall, always high, were today wild with energy. It was as if the very air knew what this morning would bring."
    "Yet his grip on his sword remained ironclad. It’s tip rested comfortable on the stone floor."
    "His gaze was fixed in the distance, waiting for the arrival of his foe. Every moment that passed made the tension grow and grow. His muscles flexed imperceptibly with nervous energy."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show andras smirk at midleft with moveinleft

    an "Well well well, looks like you have more balls than I thought. I’m almost impressed, Rowan."

    "He turned back to find a small crowd had started to form behind him. It mostly consisted of leering, eager orcs hungry for bloodshed. They must have heard rumours of the coming duel from the elves. At their head was a hulking red figure that Rowan knew all too well."

    ro "Andras… did you come to stop me?"

    if jezMercy == True:
        "He had cleared a permission - of sorts - from Andras’ sister. But there was always the chance that the word of one twin might not be the word of the other."

    else:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan only grew tenser. The fact that Rowan was here was, in many ways, an act of defiance against Jezera. There was a real risk that the demon might haul him down to the dungeons."
        "As if this entire mess were not complicated enough…"

    show andras happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Andras just let out a deep belly laugh."

    an "{i}Stop you{/i}? Why? You and long ears trying to slit each other’s bellies will be the highlight of my week."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "I’d have thought you’d be more upset at the idea of losing soldiers over a petty dispute?"

    an "You mean all that nonsense with your elf slut? That was sister’s little plan, not mine. If you want to settle your differences with a bit of bloodletting, I won’t stop you."

    if jezMercy == True:
        "Andras pulled a slip of parchment and tossed it to Rowan. The dexterous hero plucked it from mid-air."
        an "This is for you, boy."
        an "Sister, didn’t want to attend. She’s no fun when it comes to bloodsport. But, she asked me to bring this for you. You’re lucky. I almost told her to shove it."
        "He opened the slip."
        scene black with fade
        show jezera happy at center with dissolve
        "{i}It seems you have found a ‘solution’ to our little dilemma. How regrettable it involves risking such valuable assets. But you know me, dearest Rowan: I’m an optimist! There is always gain to be found if one looks with clear eyes{/i}."
        "{i}Earlier, I insisted that my approval rests on you fulfilling a certain service for me{/i}."
        "{i}This is your task: you will not kill Torlene in battle. He is too valuable to me alive. Instead, you will make an example of him.{/i}"
        #jez evil
        "{i}I expect you to humiliate him. Make him wallow in his defeat. Wounds are acceptable, so long as he walks away properly humbled. Do this, and I will consider it a token of your obedience to me. One that might prove worth a boon in the future.{/i}"
        scene bg57 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        show andras happy at midleft with dissolve
        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan read it and frowned. To treat a defeated enemy that way would be shameful. But this was the price he paid for Liurial…"
        else:
            "Rowan sighed. Always so vindictive."
            "Still, Rowan didn’t know if that sort of petty cruelty truly suited him well. But, he didn’t have time to worry about such matters with the duel so close at hand."
        ro "..."
        "Rowan was knocked slightly off balance by a sudden powerful gust. His cloak nearly ripped from his shoulders and flew off into the dark void of Blackmeen’s moat. He had to grip it tightly to keep it in place."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with moveinleft
        else:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with moveinright
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        "But, Rowan pulled his attention from Andras when he noticed one newcomer whose presence he could not ignore. Rowan gulped at the sight of her. How had she found out?"
        if roAlRel > 50:
            ro "Alexia? Honey? What are you doing here?"
        else:
            ro "Alexia? What are you doing here?"
        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            "Alexia took a spot next to Andras, hands on her hips and an enraged glare on her face."
        if roAlRel > 50:
            al "Beloved..."
        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "What is going on here? Is it true? Are you about to fight Liurial’s former lover?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan chuckled nervously, running a hand across the back of his head. He’d meant for Alexia to learn of this only after the deed was done. That way she wouldn’t worry about him…"
        ro "This is nothing. I’ve handled far nastier foes than him before. I’m sure I can handle him without breaking a sweat."
        "Andras snorted at Rowan’s assessment. He was acting as if this little lover’s confrontation was yet another spectacle for his amusement."
        ro "Look, it would have been better had you stayed away. I didn’t…I didn’t want you to see it. There's a good reason I don’t want you to see me fighting."
        al "Rowan..."
        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "All this… all this for her? You bring a girl to our bed, now you’re risking your life for her?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan frowned."
            ro "I know that when we last spoke of her we didn’t… we didn’t really arrive somewhere we’re both happy with. I promise you, later…once she’s safe, we’ll talk again."
            "But, right now, I need to focus on the fight to come. There is a right time and a wrong time for this conversation."
            "Alexia crossed her arms over her chest and went silent. Rowan knew the expression on her face well. This was Alexia closing up."
            al "Do what you must, Rowan."
            al "We’ll talk at a better time."
            show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
            "The moment between them was interrupted by Andras swaggering over, giving her a playful nudge to the side. Rowan scowled. He didn’t much like the familiarity he was showing."
            an "Personally, I think widowhood will suit you wonderfully."
            show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Alexia stared at the demon in shock, momentarily stunned. When sense returned to her, she gave him a hard shove away. The demon laughed but didn’t resist."
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "That’s not funny, Andras."

    "Rowan let his attention drift back to the rest of the crowd. It had grown even in the time he’d come to examine it. Far in the back, in a shaded segment of the wall, someone had set up a stand with an assortment of snacks."
    "As he squinted, he found a goblin working it, selling steaming slabs of fried meat to some of the orcs."

    if gobFamDinner:
        "Rowan couldn’t help but smile, albeit briefly. The one running it was none other than Cla-Mini, the young heir of the Cla clan."
        clamini "Snacks! We got snacks here! Snacks for a fair price! Don’t watch the fight on an empty belly!"
        "Rowan locked eyes with her, and she gave him a wink. Then she went right back to hawking food."

    "But, he didn’t have time for further distractions. In the distance, a second crowd was approaching. Elves of the exile band. Torlene and Galabraith, resplendent in their ceremonial garb, strode forth at their head."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        "Rowan gave his wife one last smile."
        ro "Rowan. Be safe…"
        if roAlRel > 50:
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "Rowan. Be safe…"
        else:
            if alexiaAndrasObedient == False:
                show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                al "..."
                al "Don't die."
        "Rowan thrust his cloak into her arms and turned back to face his foe."
        hide alexia with moveoutleft

    else:
        "Seeing that his moment had come, Rowan threw off his cloak and thrust it into the arms of a nearby orc. "

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Rowan and Torlene met each other in a bare length of wall, equidistant from the two crowds of spectators. As Torlene approached, Galabraith was trying to tell him something, but his words were lost in the wind."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "The hero’s eyes darted around. This segment of the walls was in horrible disrepair. Crumbling stones, decayed walls… There was a non-negligible risk that it might collapse if too much force was applied to it."
    "The space was tight, confined. This had been Rowan’s intent in choosing this battleground. Somewhere more open might allow room for manoeuvring. And while Rowan prided himself on his quickness with a blade, against Torlene it would have been a disadvantage."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "When Torlene reached a proper distance from Rowan, he stopped in place and removed segments of his robe. Everything decorative was thrown to the side. He even scrunched his flowing hair into a close bun behind his head."
    "When it was done, Torlene was left nearly naked. He wore only ceremonial short pants that stopped at his knees. His elbows were padded by leather guards with a similar pair strapped to his knees."
    "…And in his hands, he bore his trademark jagged elven blade. Its shape was like a lightning bolt."
    "The elven warrior adopted a fighting stance. His sword hung menacingly over head, his knees bent into a near crouching. It was a ready stance, like a snake coiled up and ready to pounce. His form swayed back and forth rhythmically, as though he were dancing. "

    if torlChoice == "fuck off":
        torl "It is good that there are witnesses. All the better. They will see your end, Thief. Liurial will be {i}mine{/i} today."
        menu:
            "Trash talk him.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ torlTrash = True
                ro "I wonder what your men will think after I’m done with you. Will they weep and rage and gnash their teeth? I wonder if they’ll think you died honourab-"
                torl "Enough. I will silence that roguish tongue of yours."
                "Rowan grinned."
                ro "You won’t do it by talking."

            "Remain silent.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ torlTrash = False
                "Rowan had passed the need for words by this point. He simply raised a hand and beckoned the elf to approach."

    else:
        torl "There is still a path for you to escape your fate, Rowan. Surrender the girl to me, and none of this need happen. We would both walk away, honour intact."
        torl "You needn’t do this on her behalf. She will be happy in my custody. It is in her best interest as well."
        menu:
            "Answer him.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan shook his head softly."
                ro "You’re misguided, Torlene. You don’t understand the words you’re saying."
                torl "..."
                torl "So be it. When this day is spoken of, they will not say I was eager for it."

            "Remain silent.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan had passed the need for words by this point. He simply raised a hand and beckoned the elf to approach."

    "The wind’s howling grew to a shrill screech. Its scream echoed across the vast chasm that awaited either if they fell over the side. For some reason, to Rowan, it almost sounded like a woman’s cry."

    scene cg1308 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1309 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1310 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1311 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1312 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg1312
    #//Rowan to combat stance.

    "Rowan closed his eyes and inhaled. Then, he struck. "

    #//Combat animation

    "Rowan’s first blow was a noncommittal test to see how his foe would react. But, Torlene was not in the mood for a slow start. He strongly deflected Rowan’s strike, then broke into a flying charge. His sword shot out in a smooth jab towards Rowan’s head."
    "Rowan went careening backward, keeping his footing steady. It paid off: Torlene’s first strike was revealed as a feint, fast turning into a ducking swipe, followed by a second swipe from the same angle. Were he any closer, it might have chopped off Rowan’s leg at the ankle."

    torl "Last time, you experienced my technique when I was off-centre. {i}Off balance{/i}. Today, you will see the techniques of a true artist."
    torl "-And then you will see no more."

    "The two broke off, swords out to enforce distance. Rowan’s longer wingspan kept Torlene at a farther backstep."

    torl "You chose a foolish place for our encounter. I was born on the side of Mount Karjilo. The wind is my friend and the elevation elicits no fear from me. To think that-"

    if torlChoice == "fuck off":
            if torlTrash == True:
                ro "I told you before. You won’t kill me by talking."
            else:
                ro "Talk less."

    else:
        ro "I came to fight, not to talk. I don’t need a speech."

    "Torlene kept himself in a half-crouch, advancing slowly. His blade whirled in tight circles, sending jabs towards Rowan at a dizzying speed. It was through skill alone that Torlene was able to do so while keeping his stance centered, rarely opening even the smallest of holes in his guard."

    $ torleneDuelScore = 0

    #//Combat Animation

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "But Rowan was no novice either. Where Torlene was an acrobatic wonder, he was cold practicality. Rowan kept his posture, moving minimally to match each strike, but conserving as much energy as possible."
        "To an outside observer, such flourishing strikes might be impressive... but to Rowan, they seemed a waste of energy."
        $ torleneDuelScore += 1

    else:
        "Rowan slowly fell backwards, trying to manoeuvre his own far larger blade to meet each biting strike. The elf’s speed left him constantly in a state of reaction, unable to retake the initiative. Nevertheless, his guard held."

    "By now, Rowan had already retreated some distance, far enough that his footing had deteriorated. As he ducked a leaping strike, he recalled the elf’s feint-heavy style from their prior bout. There would be a follow-up…"
    "It came, almost at the exact moment Rowan expected. A low, flourished strike, pivoting into a leg sweep. Rowan was ready for it—what he {i}wasn’t{/i} ready for was when the sweep transitioned into a flying knee, mid motion."

    #//Combat Animation

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "Rowan’s body reacted faster than his mind could. As Torlene had closed in on Rowan, he’d opened his own guard. Before the elf’s knee could land the hit, Rowan’s off-hand went flying into the elf’s face, striking a savage blow that sent Torlene reeling."
        torl "urgh!"
        "Rowan nearly stumbled back, but he managed to move back into a guard stance. Torlene danced backwards, clutching his jaw."
        "The brief respite didn’t last long. In moments, Torlene was advancing again, raining jabs and feints in recompense."
        $ torleneDuelScore += 1

    else:
        "The blow struck Rowan, right in the centre of his abdomen, setting all of his nerves alight. Rowan only barely raised his sword in time to catch the swing that had been meant as a follow-up."
        torl "What’s wrong, human? Not fast enough?"
        "Rowan only just managed to retake his guard before the next barrage of jabs came flying at him."

    "Behind him, Rowan heard distances shouting and calling out to him. He tried to keep his focus exclusively on the fight, but some he managed to recognize."

    show andras smirk behind cg1312

    if torleneDuelScore == 2:
        an "Kick his ass! Make him bleed!!"

    elif torleneDuelScore == 1:
        an "Get in there! The fuck are you standing around for!?"

    else:
        an "Hit him! Hit him you piece of shit!"

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind bg57
        ro "Rowan! Be Careful!"

    "All the while, Rowan grew more familiar with his foe. Weak spinning jabs to disorient, sudden shifts in centre of gravity, mixup using elbows and knees. To a lesser fighter, it might have come across as an incomprehensible storm. But, Rowan’s golden virtue as a warrior was pattern recognition."
    "So, this time, even as Torlene was keeping him distracted with another frantic flurry of blows, Rowan kept his attention on Torlene’s back leg. He was hungry for an opening."
    "He waited until he saw a low crouch, almost like a spring ready to be unleashed. That meant a jumping strike."

    #//Combat Animation

    "Torlene lunged forward… only to be met by Rowan, mid-swing. He put all his strength into his arms, aiming to overpower his weaker foe."

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "Such a blow might have been a killing strike to another fighter. Even having caught on to the attack, Torlene’s position left him few options. He only just managed to put his blade between his body and Rowan’s sword, but the ringing force of the blow still slammed him into the railing."
        $ torleneDuelScore += 1

    else:
        "But Rowan was too slow, if only by a hair. Torlene managed to catch himself, reversing his momentum backwards. He sailed out of the reach of Rowan’s blade, but his off balance dodge sent him crashing with great force into the railing."

    #//Some kind of rumbling or destruction sound effect if we have it.

    "The structure let out a sickening creak. Then, all at once, a whole segment of railing collapsed away. Torlene only managed to throw himself back on safer footing before taking a deadly plunge. Up and down the battlefield, stone went plunging away into the dark depths below."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "If he doesn’t kill me, Skordred’s going to…"

    #//Rowan to combat stance
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "There was a brief lull in the fighting as the two struggled to catch their breath. They circled each other as much as the constrained space would allow, each trying to manoeuvre their foe into a position with their back to the hazardous gap in the wall."

    torl "You may still yield, Blackwell. Drop your sword and kneel. You have shown your mettle. But, your death cannot keep the girl from me."

    if torlChoice == "fuck off":
        ro "Are you still talking? Fight me, asshole."

    else:
        ro "Are you still talking? Fight me."

    torl "..."
    torl "Die."

    "For all Rowan’s skill, he could not match the precise movements of a master of the elven fighting arts. Each time the hero tried to place himself closer to the wall, Torlene used jabs and footwork to push Rowan back."
    "The situation increasingly grew dire. Rowan’s back foot was teetering on the edge of the abyss, with Torlene closing in. One bad step could send Rowan falling to his death. A risk Torlene exploited with a sudden, aggressive advance."

    #//Rowan to combat stance
    if skillCheck == "success":
        "It was just what Rowan wanted him to do. At the very last moment, he ducked to the side, trying to give Torlene a shove off the side."
        "It was a clever ploy. And one that nearly worked. But the falling elf managed to grapple with Rowan’s arm. The result sent them both tumbling to the ground at the edge of the precipice."
        $ torleneDuelScore += 1

    else:
        "As bad as his position was, Rowan managed to gird himself just in time. The force of the clash sent Rowan stumbling backwards, but not far enough back to fall off the edge. What’s more, Rowan’s unexpected resilience had thrown off Torlene’s momentum."
        "Torlene went tumbling to the ground, right on top of him. The yawning call of the edge threatened them both."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        al "Rowan!!!!!"
        "Rowan could hear his wife’s voice crying out to him in the distance. But, he was too focused on survival to truly pay her mind."

    "Both their swords had clattered out of reach, forcing them to trade unarmed blows. Punches, kicks, and grapples. Such a fight could never be to Rowan’s advantage. Torlene managed to position himself on top, raining brutal elbow blows to Rowan’s head."

    #//Combat Animation

    ro "{i}Unff{/i}!"

    "He scrambled to protect his head and face. He needed to act. {i}Now{/i}."

    if skillCheck == "success":
        "He waited till Torlene grew comfortable enough administering his beating to lower his guard. Then, Rowan used the main advantage he had over his foe: raw strength."
        "Rowan reached out, catching one of the elf’s elbows mid-strike. Torlene tried to wrench himself away, but couldn’t slip his way out. Rowan’s grip was vicelike."
        #//Combat Animation
        "He saw Torlene’s eyes widen slightly. Rowan let out a great heave, attempting to shove Torlene over the edge. In his desperation, Torlene wrenched backwards. But, Rowan followed, landing a sloppy right hook across Torlene’s nose."
        "But, Torlene was ever the agile fighter. Despite Rowan’s success, he managed to roll out of Rowan’s grasp."
        "Both combatants breathing heavily, there was no attempt by either side to prevent the other from collecting his weapon. They rose to their feet, swords facing each other once again. And so the duel raged on."
        $ torleneDuelScore += 1

    else:
        "In his desperation, under pounding assault, Rowan had to do something, {i}anything{/i}, to survive."
        "So he took the gamble. He reached up, grabbing Torlene’s wrists as he stuck him. With them in his grip, he surged upwards, head first."
        #//Combat Animation
        "His desperate, sloppy headbutt struck Torlene square in the nose. Blood spattered on the stone beneath. Both his and Torlene’s."
        "That broke the grapple. Both fighters stumbled backwards, scrambling to reach  their weapons and returning to their feet."

    if torleneDuelScore > 2:
        "A clash of this ferocity could only go on for so long. Battered and bruised from the multiple blows Rowan had gotten past his guard, Torlene was now less than half the fighter he had been at the start."
        "Because of his broken nose, his eyes were blocked by tears and blood. A nasty gash on his left leg made his acrobatic style of combat nearly impossible. Sheer exhaustion had dulled the speed and dexterity of his strikes."
        "Meanwhile, Rowan was winded, but he was still in pristine condition compared to his opponent. Where Torlene had fought with flashy acrobatics, Rowan had fought with economy of movement."
        "Torlene kept attempting - now desperately - to land low strikes at Rowan’s legs. Rowan had previously noticed Torlene’s propensity to follow his first strike with a second immediately."
        "Earlier, it had caught Rowan off guard. But, now he was the one with the advantage in speed and stamina. He was more than ready to punish such tactics."
        "Knowing he had the victory, the patient hero waited for Torlene to advance. The elf’s fighting style demanded a kind of aggression even if his body was no longer fully capable of it."
        "The morning sun gleamed off of Torlene’s blade as he launched into a final telegraphed charge."
        #//Combat Animation
        "The air rang with a clash of steel. After a brief exchange, Torlene fell backwards, his shoulder penetrated by the end of Rowan’s blade. His own jagged sword slipped out of his hand through blood-slick fingers."
        torl "Tsh..."

    else:
        "A battle of this intensity could only go on for so long. The two warriors had fought themselves to exhaustion. Open cuts lined their bodies where they’d been struck in close combat. Rowan’s hands trembled in the effort of holding his sword aloft."
        "Yet, as grim as the contest was, this was a dynamic that favoured Rowan. The human’s conservative fighting style let him keep his energy, only moving dramatically when forced to shift his footing."
        "Meanwhile, Torlene’s entire strategy was predicated on speed, swiftness, and aggression. All of which were liabilities in a long fight. His once controlled spins and swings grew slower and more imprecise."
        "Seeming to sense this, the Honoured Blade attempted one final jump strike. It had been intended as a mix-up from a swinging low blow, but he hesitated for a fraction of a second in the transition."
        #//Combat Animation
        "A fraction of a second too long. Rowan’s mighty swing came down on him with all the weight of a thunderclap."
        "It was a mercy that Torlene was not cut in half. He had just enough remaining reflexes to divert his sword in the way of Rowan’s. However, there was not enough strength in the gesture to properly deflect the strike."
        #//Metal on metal sound effect or impact sound effect.
        "{i}Clang{/i}. The sickening sound of a sword smashing into another rose above the gale of wind."
        "The elf was sent reeling. His back smashed into a surviving segment of railing before the force of the collision sent him collapsing to the ground."
        "Torlene’s prized jagged blade went flying from his hand. Before he could try to retrieve it, Rowan’s blade was at his neck."

    if torleneDuelScore > 2:

        scene bg57 with fade

        "Torlene’s eyes said it all. Wide and desperate, with tears and blood streaming down his face."

        torl "End this…"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan panted for breath. Now that Torlene was defeated and at his mercy, he called to mind the terms of the duel. There were two ways he could win. Surrender or Death."

        torl "Human… you won. End this…"

        if jezMercy == True:
            "Rowan still remembered the command that Jezera had given him. She wanted him humiliated for making things difficult for her. Now that he had Torlene at his mercy, he could obey that order if that was what he truly wished."

        "Rowan inhaled sharply. Then, he..."

        menu:
            "…Spared Torlene.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ torleneFate = "spared"
                "…Stopped. Even as his foe was pleading for Rowan to kill him, he remained in place. After a few contemplative seconds, Rowan let his blade fall to his side."
                torl "I will not yield, Human. {i}Do it{/i}!"
                "When Torlene spoke, Rowan could see the blood upon his lips. He spat some out with every word. There was desperation in his eyes, something far more fearful was at risk here than his life: the death of his honour."
                "Rowan, moved either by pity or spite, still did not give him the death that he demanded."
                #combat stance
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                "Torlene’s eyes turned to look at something behind Rowan’s shoulder. He let out a piteous groan. Rowan hesitated to look, worrying that it might be some final trick to get the upper hand."
                #show liurial concerned behind bg57
                show liurial sad behind bg57
                liur "{i}Rowan{/i}!"
                hide liurial
                show liurial sad at edgeleft with moveinleft
                "That got his attention. Rowan turned his head slightly, keeping Torlene in his peripheral vision. Liurial had pushed her way in front of the orcs and had come running towards the area of the fight. His breath came out shakier than he’d intended."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "L-Liurial. Wait…"
                show liurial sad at center with moveinleft
                "For once, the elf girl didn’t obey a direct order. Instead, she drew close to him. Torlene groaned, shifting his glance between Rowan and the newcomer."
                liur "Rowan… What are you going to do? Are you…"
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan gave her a weak smile."
                ro "I’m not going to kill him."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "With aching arms that screamed for rest, Rowan returned his sword to his scabbard."
                torl "What are you… {i}doing{/i}, you fool!? I haven’t yielded."
                ro "I don’t care. This is over. If you don’t yield, it would be no different from suicide. There’s no honour in that."
                "He gestured towards Liurial. The girl had pressed herself close to his side, clutching him for support."
                ro "And for what, Torlene? For what? I’ve told you half a hundred times. Liurial came to me of her own free will. Your death would be more meaningless than this contest."
                torl "You… you… took her from me…"
                "His voice was something akin to a croak now. Broken and strained with pain."
                "Rowan was set to answer him when Liurial gave him a look. She was pleading with him to let her speak. Exhausted as he was, Rowan was more than happy to let her."
                show liurial neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                "Liurial bent low, placing a gentle hand on Torlene’s arm. Reflexively, he shied away from her touch."
                liur "Torlene… Old friend… What have you done to yourself?"
                liur "..."
                show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan’s fallen foe worked himself back up into a seated position. Liurial knelt down at his side. And put her hands on his wounds. Torlene recoiled from the touch, but Liurial was insistent."
                "Rowan also examined Torlene’s condition. He was certainly battered and bloodied, but most soldiers Rowan had seen who took similar levels of pain survived with proper rest and treatment."
                show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Liurial scurried over to Torlene’s discarded clothes and tore off a scrap. When she returned, she applied it to the largest of Torlene’s wounds. Again, Torlene tried to protest, But, Liurial clicked her tongue until he stopped."
                torl "I told you, girl. I haven’t {i}yielded{/i}!"
                liur "I’m not your girl anymore. Don’t call me that."
                "She inhaled sharply, then looked at him with renewed determination."
                liur "Deep down, I always knew it would be your downfall…Every mistake, every failure. I saw the same root in it all. But, I was never…never able to express it."
                liur "Finnigold was your father…and you worshipped him for it. Just as he was my keeper and I worshipped him for it. And I think…"
                liur "..I think that’s why…when he was gone, we stayed together…You took me in because {i}He{/i} would have taken me in. I was precious to you because I was precious to {i}Him{/i}."
                liur "…you were just like I was. You were lost the whole time. I was lost…and you were lost too."
                "She sighed and resumed working on his bandages. Where there was an open wound, Liurial tried to use some of the cloth to stop the bleeding. Torlene still regarded her with annoyed anger but had given up trying to stop her."
                show liurial angry at midleft with dissolve
                liur "You’re not Finnigold, Torlene."
                "She shook her head forcefully."
                liur "Can’t you see, old friend? Here you are bleeding out…begging for…for, you know…just because you couldn’t win a fight you didn’t need to fight."
                liur "Why?"
                torl "For you…"
                "She shook her head forcefully, pressing down hard on the cloth to help stop the gash across his leg."
                liur "Not for me…Torlene. Not for me…For the honour of a man who's gone. To protect the possession of a man who can’t posses anything anymore…"
                torl "For you…he stole you…"
                "Liurial shook her head again."
                liur "I left. Even before I met him, I left you."
                liur "I knew I would have to for a long time. I just didn’t…didn’t admit it to myself. Because the things that came so easy to him when it came to me were so hard for you. …you would get so angry about it…"
                liur "And when you got angry…you hurt me."
                "Torlene jerked his head away, refusing to face her."
                torl "You were… you were precious to me, I would never…."
                show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan squatted down so he could rest a hand on Liurial’s shoulder. He could see the tears rolling down her cheek. This was not an easy task that she had given herself. But, Rowan could not interfere."
                liur "And look where that anger took you, Torlene. It destroyed us…and now it’s destroying you. Refusing to yield, even when it would save your life. All to meet your end here…so far away from home."
                liur "Don’t do this…Old friend…don’t die for me. I was never what you wanted."
                "Whatever strength was left in Torlene’s body failed him. From the way he was slumped over, Rowan was rightfully afraid he might have died. When the power of speech returned to Torlene, it was in a soft tone, devoid of all his power and dignity."
                torl "Liurial. You-"
                torl "You-"
                "Liurial placed her hands on Rowan’s side, gripping him for support."
                torl "...So he spoke true then...You came to him purposefully…and he had no hand in it…"
                torl "...And the true cause…is that you pity and fear me…"
                liur "Torlene…"
                "The elf slowly came back to life. He used whatever strength he had left to bring himself up into a fully seated position. When he raised his head, it was too Rowan he looked."
                show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                if society_type == "might":
                    torl "Rowan Blackwell. I yield."
                else:
                    torl "Sir Rowan Blackwell. I yield."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan rose to his feet once again, extending a hand down to Liurial. But, she continued to care for Torlene until Galabraith had come running to his defeated commander’s side."
                "Only once he’d taken over holding the cloth did Liurial relent and return to her feet. But, not before sharing a brief friendly smile with the hulking elf. "
                if torleneDuelScore > 2:
                    "Rowan led Liurial back, giving Torlene space. Liurial cried and clutched his side for support. Together, they returned to where Andras was waiting."
                else:
                    "Rowan led Liurial back, giving Torlene space. Liurial cried and clutched his side for support. Though, truthfully, Rowan might have needed her help standing more than she needed his. Together, they returned to where Andras was waiting."

            "…Humiliated Torlene." if rowanCorrupt > 59 or jezMercy:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ torleneFate = "humiliated"
                if jezMercy:
                    "...clenched his free hand into a fist. This was the price he had to pay. Jezera’s approval rested on Torlene’s humiliation. Her will would be done."
                else:
                    "…clenched his free hand into a fist. Torlene had been the instigator of this entire ordeal. The man’s senseless entitlement had not only threatened Rowan’s safety, but that of Alexia and Liurial. Now Rowan had Torlene at his mercy."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "No."
                torl "Wha-"
                ro "You want me to give you an honourable death? Well, too bad."
                "Rowan bent low. His face hung close enough to Torlene’s to glare into his eyes. His defeated foe’s pupils were frantic with pain."
                ro "You did this. At every step, you could have walked away. But you never got it through your thick skull."
                "He jabbed a finger into Torlene’s forehead."
                ro "The girl doesn’t want you anymore. How blind are you that you can’t see it? She chose me over you. How did you think you could get her back with just a treaty and a tantrum?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan returned to his feet. It cast a dark shadow over his fallen opponent."
                ro "-Or did you go through all this for honour? It doesn’t matter if she actually wants you. According to your code, she {i}belonged{/i} to you."
                ro "I see what you are. {i}Everyone{/i} sees what you are: an entitled child. A fool who ran headfirst into a fight he couldn’t win; all for the sake of your worthless honour."
                "Rowan spat on the ground next to Torlene. The elf couldn’t help but recoil slightly, expecting another blow. It was a pitiful sight."
                if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    "Rowan paused. His chest rose and fell rapidly. There was something about having Torlene in this position that offered an intoxicating sense of power. He knew it was wrong, but the more he belittled his fallen foe, the better he felt. "
                else:
                    "Rowan paused. His chest rose and fell rapidly. Already the first pangs of guilt were beginning to hit him. He’d never treat a defeated foe like this normally. Even one as deserving as Torlene."
                    "But, playing the part was easier if he let himself rage. So he suppressed that reaction as best as he could and simply let himself ride the anger."
                "His eyes caught the glimmer of Torlene’s sword, fallen nearby. Rowan paced over to it, his fingers closing gently around the intricate, decorative hilt. After examining the blade for a brief moment - turning it this way and that in the sunlight -  he tossed it over the edge."
                torl "My…"
                ro "This is what I think of you, Torlene. This is what I think of your ‘honour.’"
                ro "Stay away from Liurial. Don’t ever try to speak to her again. Don’t ever try to “strike a deal” for her with me again, either."
                #rowan smirk
                if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    ro "And if you even think about trying to go behind my back again… I will give you a death that will have no glory. A painful, slow end. You will beg me to stop the pain. So if anyone even remembers you, all they will think of is the shameful way you died."
                else:
                    ro "And if you even think about trying to go behind my back again… I will give you a death that will have no glory. A painful, slow end. So if anyone even remembers you, all they will think of is the shameful way you died."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan punctuated the point with a cruel kick to the stomach. Torlene curled up in pain. "
                show liurial sad behind bg57
                liur "Rowan?"
                hide liurial
                show liurial sad at edgeleft with moveinleft
                "Rowan turned around. Liurial was standing in front of the crowd of spectators, hands held in a prayer gesture. Her eyes trialed Torlene and Rowan with horror."
                if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    "He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach. She wasn’t supposed to see that."
                else:
                    "He felt a knot in the pit of his stomach. She wasn’t supposed to see that. No one was supposed to see that."
                ro "I-"
                "Had he made a huge mistake? Surely she was over Torlene, but that didn’t mean she necessarily wanted to see him treated this way."
                liur "Old friend…"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "But, Rowan could only get so distracted while the fight was still technically going. He sensed movement and turned to ensure the battered elf was not making some futile attempt against him."
                "Instead, he found him crawling along the ground towards Liurial. Tears mixed with blood as they streamed down his face."
                torl "Liurial…don’t…don’t look...at me like this…"
                "Liurial closed her eyes and inhaled. When she opened them again, they shone with a determination Rowan had never seen from her."
                show liurial neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                liur "No."
                "She shook her head firmly."
                show liurial angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                liur "Rowan is right, Torlene. You need to stay away from me now. Forever."
                torl "Liurial…"
                "Torlene stopped advancing towards her. The strength left him."
                show liurial sad at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan thought he saw the start of tears budding in Liurial’s eyes. But, rather than express that as any sympathy for Torlene, she forcefully turned her back. It deprived her former protector, who had just suffered so much for her, of a chance to look at her face."
                torl "..."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                torl "I yield…"
                "His voice came out faint and weak. But it was more than enough for Rowan. He had triumphed completely: denying his foe of even a worthy death."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan didn’t spare Torlene another word. He simply turned and made for where Liurial was. Behind him, in his peripheral vision, he could see Galbraith and several other elves rushing to Torlene’s side."
                "He idly wondered why Liurial had been so accepting of his cruelty to Torlene. Had it bothered her and she simply refused to show it?"
                if jezMercy:
                    "Rowan closed his eyes and inhaled. His thoughts turned to the deal he had struck the previous day. All of that would surely be enough for Jezera, right?"
                    # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                    # $ change_favor('jezera', 1)
                else:
                    "For his part, Rowan knew he would be angry at himself for this later. It was cruel and vindictive. Not to mention stupid. But, at that moment, it felt good…"
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(3)

            "…Killed Torlene.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ torleneFate = "killed"
                "…raised his sword high overhead. Rowan’s eyebrows narrowed. Thoughts of all the hardship that Torlene had put him through filled his head."
                if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    "All the horrible things that the bastard had done to Liurial…"
                #//Combat sound effect, body hitting the floor sound effect.
                "Torlene’s lips moved. There was something he was about to say. However, before he could get out the words, Rowan’s blade fell. The sharp steel easily cut through the elf’s thin neck. When it was done, his decapitated head rolled at Rowan’s feet. "
                "A round of gasps arose from both groups of spectators. Andras and the Orcs began cheering as if Rowan had won a race."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan pivoted slowly to glare at the assembled elves. He watched them avert their eyes so as to avoid the spectacle of the bloody corpse of their leader."
                if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at edgeleft with dissolve
                    "Rowan turned around to face Andras and Alexia. His wife — Goddess, he’d done it right in front of her — had her hands over her mouth, her eyes were wide, filled with horror."
                    al "How could you…?"
                    hide alexia with dissolve
                    "He couldn’t hear her say it over the wind and the cheering, but he knew what that look meant."
                    #//Rowan-Alexia Relationship score down
                "Mere moments too late to watch the end of the fight, a newcomer pushed her way through the crowd of orcs. It was the very woman who Rowan had killed this man to protect."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with moveoutright
                show liurial sad at midleft with moveinleft
                liur "Rowan!"
                "She sprinted out into the centre of the bridge to meet him. The week in hiding had done a number on her appearance. Her clothes were dirty and unwashed. The blond hair that she normally kept immaculately cared for was a tangled mess."
                "Rowan looked down at his bloody clothes and bruised body. It was not like he was in a much better state."
                "She arrived next to him, stopping to look down at the decapitated body of her ex-lover. One hand went to her mouth."
                ro "Liurial, you weren’t supposed to see that…"
                if (alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly) and rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    "…Much less Alexia…"
                "She stood in place, paralyzed by the grisly sight."
                liur "No, I..."
                "She whimpered softly. But, rather than recoil from Rowan,  she drew in close. He felt her soft arms wrap around his chest. The bloody sword fell from Rowan’s hand, landing next to Torlene’s body."
                liur "It’s okay, Rowan…. You had to do it, right?"
                ro "Yes…"
                "She nodded faintly."
                liur "Then the only one to blame is him…"
                show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
                liur "And me..."
                if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    ro "Liurial..."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                "Once Liurial had stopped crying, and once Rowan felt some of his strength return, he let her guide him back to the side with Andras and the orcs. Only once they’d done so did Galabraith and several of his comrades rush over to collect their deceased leader’s body. "
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                # $ change_morale(10)

    else:
        "In the end, Rowan was only human. There were only so many hits he could take, so many injuries he could withstand. Every new blow opened up new gaps in his defences, leaving Rowan weaker. Sloppier."
        "It all culminated in a critical mistake. As Rowan’s endurance ebbed, he searched for any opening in the elf’s guard. Torlene was making almost as many missteps as he was. It was just a matter of who would succumb first."
        "Knowing he was at his limit, Rowan leapt at the first opportunity, throwing the last of his energy into a final, ferocious charge."
        "Unfortunately, in his exhaustion, he failed to account for one crucial factor: The wind. A strong gust kicked up just as he executed his attack, knocking him off balance."
        #//Sound effect of body hitting the floor.
        "It was not a mistake that Torlene failed to capitalise. Rowan’s legs gave way from a wel-timed leg sweep. It threw his entire body off balance, and he went toppling forward past his foe."
        "As he scrambled to regain his footing, a powerful kick struck him in the nose, sending him reeling towards the side. His sword slipped from his grip."
        "Rowan was frantic and disoriented. He tried not to panic, but the spectre of death hung over him. He pulled himself from the ground, only to feel a sudden, sharp pain in his shoulder. Torlene had stabbed him."
        #//Rowan to injured?
        "Rowan doubled over, clutching the wound. His vision was obscured by blood and tears from his battered nose. Torlene’s shadow hung over him, sword raised."
        torl "So it is done. Your sluggish human sword stances were always doomed when faced with my divine sword arts. This ending was preordained."
        torl "The great Rowan Blackwell. A hero of the Six Realms. A companion of Lorelyn…"
        "Torlene spat viciously."
        if torlChoice == "fuck off":
            torl "...A weakling. Goodbye."
        else:
            torl "…A disappointment. Goodbye."
        scene black with fade
        "Rowan closed his eyes. A brief memory of home passed his head. The day he’d returned from the war. The expression on Alexia’s face when they’d first laid eyes on each other."
        if roAlRel < 50:
            "It felt like so long ago…"
        "It would have been a fine thought to die with."
        questi "STOP!!!!"
        scene bg57 with fade
        #rowan injured
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        show liurial sad at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Torlene stopped. Rowan opened one eye and looked to the source of the noise. A lithe blonde maiden stood in front of Rowan’s small crowd, holding her hands in a prayer."
        liur "..."
        liur "Torlene… my old friend, Torlene…"
        liur "You must stop this at once. This has gone on too long…too far…"
        "Rowan rolled on the ground, groaning. There was little hope of using the distraction to recover his sword. He was in no proper state to attempt a surprise attack."
        "Torlene stepped away from his defeated foe, raising his blade in Liurial’s direction. His chest rose and fell wildly, searching for air."
        torl "And so that which is missing chooses to be found! Very good. I had worried that upon his death, collecting my reward might prove difficult."
        torl "Now all that remains is to deal with-"
        show liurial angry at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Liurial’s panicked voice cut him off."
        liur "No no no! You must stop! This is…this is monstrous!"
        torl "Do not lecture me, girl. Your foolish captor was the one who challenged me. I was more than willing to be reasonable. This is the fate he chose for himself."
        liur "Torlene. Torlene…I am begging you. Don’t hurt him anymore. Your…your obsession with me has gone too far a thousand times over. Please."
        "Torlene paused. His eyes searched between Liurial and the bloodied human at his mercy."
        torl "You do not wish to see the fool come to any further harm?"
        "Torlene lowered his sword and straightened his composure. He extended his free hand towards Liurial. An offer for her to take it."
        torl "Very well. Then, you must accept your proper position. Submit and return to me. No further fuss. No further thought of similar incidents. I had already been promised your return with my victory. But, I am generous enough to offer this further concession."
        if torlChoice == "fuck off":
            torl "Do this, and I will take mercy on this wretched fool."
        else:
            torl "Do this, and I will take mercy on this misguided fool."
        "Rowan opened his mouth, struggling to form words. Was he going to tell her not to do it? Not to sacrifice herself for him? Or was he going to tell her to agree, so he might survive and try again?"
        "But, Liurial had come of clear mind and purpose."
        liur "Torlene. I will never come with you."
        torl "Of course, you will. You’re {i}mine{/i}."
        show liurial neutral at midleft with moveinleft
        "There was a rush of movement. Gasps of shock erupted from the crowd. When Rowan finally worked his battered form into position to see, he too was left jaw agape."
        "Liurial had jumped atop one of the surviving segments of the railing. She stood, defiant and resolute, hanging precariously at the edge. A single slip would send her toppling into the abyss."
        "Her face was a mess of tears, yet her eyes had a firm power that he’d never seen her muster in the time he’d met her. She was deathly serious."
        liur "I will {i}never{/i} come with you."
        "Torlene took a step towards her, his expression as panicked as the others."
        torl "This is {i}madness{/i}! What are you trying to prove?"
        liur "Nothing. I have {i}nothing{/i} to prove to you. You’re a monster. I would rather die than spend another minute in your captivity. If you hurt Rowan... i-if you try to make me go back… I will jump."
        "Torlene continued to approach her, hand outstretched."
        torl "You don’t have the-"
        show liurial angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Liurial raised a foot, hovering it over the edge. The winds made her hair billow wildly as she balanced on a single, dexterous leg."
        "The action had the intended effect. Torlene froze in place. To continue to approach her was not a risk worth taking."
        torl "...You’ve made your point."
        "Torlene returned to where he’d left his scabbard and returned his sword to it."
        show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Liurial closed her eyes and inhaled sharply. Rowan jerked forward, for a brief moment {i}terrified {/i} of the implication. He reached out to her, cursing his inability to move easily."
        "Then, she opened her eyes and stared directly at Torlene."
        show liurial angry at midleft with dissolve
        liur "Torlene. My old friend. Torlene…there is no future where I return to you."
        show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
        liur "The day he died… it was the darkest of all my summers. I was lost. I didn’t want to be with the others in the band anymore. But, I could not leave. There was nowhere to go."
        liur "He was everything. I let him in me and, like a vessel, he filled me. More and more until there was so much him and so little me."
        "She sighed softly."
        liur "But, then you were there. You joined me in his tent. And where there was one in mourning, there became two."
        liur "I remember your face that day. You looked as though you were lost in a blizzard. And I stayed with you because… maybe… maybe I wouldn’t have to be alone."
        "Rowan looked back to Torlene. Liurial’s words were having their impact. There were hints of tears in the corner of his eyes."
        liur "But you’re not Finnigold, Torlene."
        "She shook her head forcefully."
        liur "And you never will be. Where he was so in control of himself, you were cruel in disappointment. Always so quick to take out your newest frustrations on me."
        liur "I never should have… I never should have let anyone treat me the way you did."
        "Torlene jabbed a finger towards her. "
        torl "That’s a…that’s…you’re lying."
        liur "I am indeed a liar, Torlene. But, only in that when you asked me if I was okay, I told you that I was. I was always too afraid of you to tell you how horrible the way you treated me was. It was all lies."
        torl "Never. Never! You were precious to me. You are precious to me. I wouldn’t do that."
        "Liurial smiled and lowered herself to a seated position. Her legs were, thankfully, turned away from the chasm below. Rowan breathed a sigh of relief."
        liur "There was a time…a long time…when I didn’t understand why you treated me that way…"
        liur "But, the truth is clear to me now. . I was precious to you because I was precious to {i}Him{/i}. But, what was easy for {i}Him{/i}, was so hard for you. I would just…just remind you what you weren’t over and over. And you’d be angry. So angry."
        "She lowered herself slowly from even the railings, her feet at last touching solid ground. The fear was gone now. She’d long since stopped crying. All that remained was the hopeful smile."
        liur "Torlene. My old friend. He who once served the same Master…am I truly precious to you? Or is it all one more effort…trying to be a man you will never be?"
        "Torlene sunk down to his knees. His sword clattered on the floor of the wall, having slipped from his grip."
        torl "Liurial. You-"
        torl "You..."
        "Suddenly, Torlene took one sharp breath in. Then, he rose to his feet. His head was held high with pride and dignity. Yet, it all contrasted sharply with the outline of tears on his cheek."
        show liurial sad at midleft with dissolve
        "Liurial took a step back. For all her confidence, Rowan saw her momentarily give her lip a nervous bite."
        torl "...So the human spoke true when he said you came to him of your own volition. He truly had no hand in the matter."
        liur "Yes…"
        torl "And the true cause…is that you despise me…"
        liur "Torlene..."
        "Liurial’s eyes met with Torlene for one fleeting moment in time. Then, Torlene turned sharply and marched back to his discarded clothing. His back was left turned to them."
        torl "Go to the human. Tend to his wounds. This matter is settled."
        show liurial neutral at midleft with dissolve
        torl "I yield the spoils that have been allotted to me by my victory. I shall also not demand compliance of the contract with Bloodmeen. You are free, Liurial."
        "Having collected his clothes, Torlene made for the company of the other elves. Rowan scarcely had time to exhale before the elf girl was running towards him. She all but tackled him, babbling and checking his myriad wounds."
        if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
            "From the crowd, Alexia pushed her way forward. In moments, she too joined Liurial at her wounded husband’s side."
            "Now that the deadly business was done, Rowan let himself actually chuckle."
            ro "I hope one of you brought a bandage with you…"
        else:
            "Now that the deadly business was done, Rowan let himself actually chuckle."
            ro "I hope you brought a bandage with you…"

    scene bg57 with fade

    if torleneDuelScore > 2:
        "Upon his return to the crowd of spectators, Rowan was treated as the conquering hero. The orcs let out a rousing cheer, and even Andras was smirking with approval. There were few ways to gain popularity amongst the brutes of Castle Bloodmeen quite like victory in combat."
        if torleneFate == "killed":
            "Liurial, of course, hung on his arm. She had a faint smile on her face. It suggested a mind torn between relief and mourning."
        else:
            "Liurial, of course, hung on his arm. She was hardly a social creature, but in the light of victory, she practically was glowing."

    else:
        "Upon his return to the crowd of spectators, Rowan was greeted with stony silence. The orcs respected winners above all else. Andras stroked his chin, musingly."
        "That suited Rowan just fine. He wasn’t much in the mood for a crowd anyway. Liurial had possessed the foresight to bring bandages with her. The others made space for Rowan to sit down while his secretary patched up his wounds."
        "He grunted and looked to the spot on his shoulder where he’d been stabbed. That would need stitches for sure. Rowan wasn’t looking forward to that."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        if alexiaLiurialFriendly == False:
            "After a moment’s hesitation, Alexia also came to Rowan’s side. However, Rowan found it impossible not to notice the annoyed glare that his wife made whenever Liurial smiled."
        else:
            "Alexia too came to Rowan’s side. She fussed over him, examining seemingly every wound and scratch to ensure that her husband had returned from the duel in one piece."

    "There was, of course, still the matter of the twins to deal with. Among the first people who came to greet Rowan upon his return was Andras."

    if torleneDuelScore < 3:
        #rowan injured
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve
        an "I’m impressed you had the balls to actually try to fight him. But, did I feel the same way about the skill you actually put on display? Ha. What do you think?"
        "Rowan groaned."
        ro "I think you enjoyed watching me get my ass kicked."
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
        an "Damn straight. I could watch that all day. Though, you did make a proper sport of it. Would have been boring if you hadn’t."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve
        an "You fought well, Rowan. For once, consider me actually pleased with your performance. If that goblin slut was taking bets, I would have lost enough coin to buy a village."
        ro "Good to see you had such a high opinion of me."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "The Demon shrugged, allowing Rowan to see the briefest of genuine smiles."
        an "Surprises keep life interesting."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan rolled his eyes. Though he had to admit, there was something oddly satisfying about receiving an actual compliment from the normally abrasive demon."
        if torleneFate == "spared":
            an "A shame about the ending though."
            ro "A shame?"
            an "Yeah. You had the cur flat on his back begging for you to end him. But you were too weak to go through with it."
            an "Disappointing."
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            "Andras flashed a sadistic grin."
            an "I could have demanded his execution. Do not think I wasn’t tempted. Were he not actually useful, I would not have stayed my hand."
            ro "Restraint? From you? That’s rare."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            an "Don’t get used to it. There are just not enough {i}real{/i} killers around that I can spare them for bloodsport. {i}Yet{/i}."
        elif torleneFate == "humiliated":
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "The end was the best part, of course. You really gave it to that bastard. Watching you toss away his sword was the funniest shit I’ve seen all week."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            an "Shit, I didn’t even mind you letting him go at the end. It was more cruel than simply killing him. I approve."
            if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                "The thought of Andras’ approval of his methods was a sobering thought. Torlene was not a good man. But was he truly so evil as to have deserved what Rowan did to him?"
            ro "I imagined you’d see it that way."
        else:
            "Andras let out a big bellowing laugh."
            an "Afraid your ass is about to be hauled in the dungeon?"
            ro "I didn’t enjoy it very much the first time."
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            "Andras flashed a dark grin."
            an "Well, we’re going to have to see if we still have that service contract. Aren’t we?"

    hide andras with moveoutright
    show liurial sad at midright with dissolve

    "Andras gave way, allowing Rowan a chance to actually speak to the girl who he’d just gone through this ordeal for."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You look like you could use a bath."

    "It took Liurial a moment to settle down enough to realise he’d meant it as a joke."

    if society_type == "might":
        liur "But, M’lord. It looks like you need one more than I do!"

    else:
        liur "But, Sir/. It looks like you need one more than I do!"

    "Rowan chuckled faintly. But, the jovial tone didn’t last. Liurial’s face made it clear that she had something more serious to say."

    if torleneDuelScore > 2:
        liur "Rowan… you did it. I’m still… I’m still almost in shock."

    else:
        liur "Rowan…you went through so much, just for me. I’m in shock someone would do such a thing…"

    show liurial neutral at midright with dissolve

    liur "I don’t even know what to say. Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. Nothing does. I never could have asked you to… to… do all that. Risk your life for me that way. But, you did…"
    liur "I’m in your-"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan put a reassuring hand on her shoulder."

    ro "Liurial, I made you a promise. You serve as my secretary, and you get my protection. All I did was honour the promise."

    show liurial happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "She smiled warmly."

    liur "You did. You fulfilled it beyond any and all expectations."
    liur "How could I have known that when I came to you… that you would be exactly who I needed."

    if elfSex == False:
        liur "The truth is, when I came to you I thought that it would be more like - well… with Torlene or Finnigold. That you’d keep me as some kind of pet."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        liur "Not that it would have been so bad, of course…"
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
        "She blushed softly."
        liur "But, you’re different. You care about my skills and my talents. You care about my thoughts… you encourage me. I’ve never felt like what I do really mattered until I met you."
        show liurial happy at midright with dissolve
        liur "But, more than that, you trust me."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        liur "And you look out for me. No one forced you to do all this for me. But, you did it for me… You saved me."
        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "I don’t know if I deserve that level of praise. After all, it’s not like I don’t benefit from having you around."
            liur "Still…"
        liur "It’s certainly nothing like what I had with Finnigold. The manner of use is rather…different. But not in a bad way."
        "She paused, taking a moment to collect her words. Whether from exhaustion or simply a desire not to interrupt her, Rowan let his secretary finish the thought."
        liur "I’ll never stop owing you my thanks, especially after what you’ve done for me today. So all I can offer you is this…"
        liur "Rowan, I v-vow to you, that no matter what the future may bring. Joy or Ill, I will remain faithfully in your service."
        "Rowan brought her in for a chaste hug."
        ro "Good. Because I’m going to need your help every step of the way."
        if society_type == "might":
            liur "Yes, M'lord!"
        else:
            liur "Yes, Sir!"
    else:
        "Rowan put a finger to her lips."
        ro "Let’s talk about it when we’re not both quite so exhausted. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of opportunities for private conversation after things quiet down."
        show liurial aroused at midright with dissolve
        "She blushed softly, knowing quite well what sorts of “private conversations” they often had."
        liur "I look forward to it…"
        "Liurial leaned close and planted a delicate kiss on Rowan’s cheek. He sighed softly and placed his finger tip to the spot she’d kissed."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
        if alexiaLiurialFriendly:
            show liurial neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
            "Next, Rowan turned back to the most important spectator of the fight. Alexia had allowed him the chance to check in with Liurial, but she was now kneeling by his side, waiting for her turn to speak."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            al "Rowan, as happy as I am that you’re alright… please, never do something so reckless again. Especially without telling me."
            ro "I’m sorry about that. The reason I did it was that I had to-"
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "She hushed him with a finger."
            al "Save Liurial. I know, dear. I married the famous hero in all of Rosaria. I should be used to things like this by now. I suppose…"
        else:
            show liurial neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutright
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "Rowan turned away from Liurial, only to realise that someone important had turned to leave, without even taking a chance to really speak to Rowan."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            ro "Alexia…you’re leaving?"
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia turned back to him, barely disguising the glare on her face."
            if roAlRel < 50:
                al "I stayed to make sure you made it through alive and intact."
            else:
                al "I stayed to make sure you made it through alive and intact. I suppose some bandaging will be needed. But, so long as you’re unharmed, I’m content. Your safety is what matters to me."
            ro "Yes, but-"
            al "But, nothing. There’s no other reason to stay. Do you think I enjoy watching my husband risk his life for the girl he brought into my bed behind my back?"
            al "I’m afraid I don’t have the strength of will to stand around watching you make eyes at each other."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "..."
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "There was little more he could say. Indeed, perhaps her returning to the castle was a mercy. Liurial was an open wound when it came to Alexia that was not likely to heal soon."

    if torleneFate == "humiliated":
        scene bg57 with fade
        "Rowan looked out in the distance, back towards his vanquished foe. With the duel over, the Elves were making their departure back to their guardhouse. Torlene brought up the rear, requiring Galabraith’s help to even move at all."
        "He thought he saw Torlene give Rowan and Liurial one last parting glare. Rowan matched the expression. That Torlene hated him was no issue, provided he learned to stay away."

    else:
        scene bg57 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
        an "Rowan. Stop lounging around with the women and join me. There is actual work to be done, the Elves are coming to talk."
        "Rowan nodded. Wincing in pain at how much it hurt to move, he nonetheless followed Andras to the segment of the wall that was still damaged from the recent clash."
        if torleneFate == "killed":
            if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                "Galabraith stood at the head of the party. Torlene’s former deputy came with eyes downcast and hints of tears on his cheek. Rowan frowned to himself. Even a monster like Torlene had people who depended on him."
            else:
                "Galabraith stood at the head of the party. Torlene’s former deputy came with eyes downcast and hints of tears on his cheek."
            gala "It seems that the particulars of our alliance have grown more complicated."
            ro "This is all my fault. I apologise for it."
            "Galabraith shook his head and held up a hand."
            gala "No. No. If there is anyone at fault, it is the commander."
            gala "Torlene had grown erratic of late. He will be missed, of course. But, perhaps a change in command might prove… beneficial in the long run."
            gala "After the war, if there is a chance, I will attempt to bring his bones back to Ealoaen. Finnigold’s bones are also still in our possession. Even in death, they would have wished to return home someday."
            show andras angry at midright with dissolve
            "Andras stomped his foot angrily, silencing the present conversation."
            an "Enough. I came to a parlay, not a wake. You. Large Elf. You were his deputy, correct? This would place you in charge now?”"
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            gala "There will need to be consensus among my people, bn the interim, you can trust me to speak for our people."
            "Andras advanced on his opposite number. As large as Galabraith was, Andras still had the advantage in both size and mass. As he approached, Galbraith’s stature seemed to shrink."
            an "Will you have any issues fulfilling the terms of your deal with me? I would be most… {i}cross{/i} to discover that your people intended to renege. After all, this was a duel your now-cadaverous former leader agreed to."
            "Galabraith’s voice lowered slightly."
            gala "Y-yes. I concur. As a consensual duel-of-honour, there was no conflict with the pact. {i}The Band of the Fourteen Divine Winds of the Blessed Canopy{/i} will uphold our end of the arrangement."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            "Andras loomed in Galabraith’s personal space for a moment too long after Galbraith’s statement. Then, with a grunt, he stepped back."
            "The dark grin on Andras’ face showed how much he had enjoyed toying with the inexperienced new elven leader."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
                "There was little more to the meeting after having settled that point. With the crowd having thinned, Rowan and Andras made for the castle proper. They were joined by Liurial and Alexia, who had waited to join them."
            else:
                "There was little more to the meeting after having settled that point. With the crowd having thinned, Rowan and Andras made for the castle proper. They were joined by Liurial, who had waited to join them."
            ro "So, what happens now?"
            an "You walk free. Torlene’s dead, but I’m not about to lose any sleep over it. So long as his followers still kill at my command, I’m content."
            ro "Your sister might not agree."
            if jezMercy:
                "Rowan knew that her wrath was the real problem. After all, he had not obeyed her order to spare Torlene. Her reaction was to be an unsettling mystery."
            else:
                "Rowan knew that Jazera's wrath was the real problem. She might take the fact he had rescued Liurial, rather than deliver her, as an act of defiance."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            an "She’ll have to live with it."
            "Rowan raised an eyebrow."
            an "If push comes to shove, I will provide you with a pardon myself."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan raised an eyebrow."
            ro "Truly?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            an "Don’t get used to clemency from me, boy. I simply enjoyed the fight."
            an "Sister might not have the stomach for bloody-handed slaughter as a means to settle disputes. But, as far as I’m concerned, you handled that the way a man {i}should{/i}."
            if society_type == "might":
                ro "I should count myself fortunate that you have that as your guiding principle, Master."
            else:
                ro "I should count myself fortunate that you have that as your guiding principle, Emperor."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan let himself laugh a bit, feeling relieved of some of the weight on his shoulders, at last. Together with his small entourage, they returned home to the castle."

        elif torleneFate == "spared" or torleneDuelScore < 3:
            if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                "Torlene made the return trip to the spot of the battle with Galabraith following behind him. Since the end of the fight and Liurial’s confrontation, he seemed much calmer."
            else:
                "Torlene made the return trip to the spot of the battle with Galabraith following behind him. Since the end of the fight and Liurial’s confrontation, he seemed much calmer. The large elf was still working to apply bandages to Torlene’s wounded body."
            "Upon Andras and Rowan’s arrival, Torlene struggled back to his feet and gave each newcomer a respectful bow."
            if society_type == "might":
                torl "It was a duel well fought, Rowan. My conduct of late has been… shameful. But I take pride in that bout, at least."
            else:
                torl "It was a duel well fought, Sir Rowan. My conduct of late has been… shameful. But I take pride in that bout, at least."
            torl "Perhaps: Should circumstances allow, I pray we have another opportunity to test our skills against each other…"
            "To Rowan’s utter surprise, the elf let out a weak chuckle."
            torl "…Preferably, one with lower stakes."
            if torlChoice == "fuck off":
                if torleneDuelScore > 2:
                    ro "We’ll see about that. Depends if you can give me more of a challenge next time."
                    "Torlene grunted."
                    torl "I will endeavor to improve, have no doubt. Honoured Swords does not take defeat lightly. "
                else:
                    ro "I think, considering how terrifically I performed in this one, I’m probably going to have to decline that offer."
            else:
                ro "Of course. It would be an honour for me as well."
            an "A duel with no bloodletting? Boring."
            "The demon walked between Rowan and Torlene, drawing the center of the conversation - as always - to himself."
            an "What of our pact? Do you intend to renege on me?"
            torl "Of course not. That was a duel of honour. Well allowed within the confines of our arrangement."
            if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                an "Do you understand that you won’t be getting compensation for the girl? You had the right to her and you gave it up. I’d rather chop off my left nut than go through another round of negotiations."
            else:
                an "Do you understand that you won’t be getting compensation for the girl? You had the right to her and you lost it. I’d rather chop off my left nut than go through another round of negotiations."
            "Torlene nodded solemnly."
            torl "I concur. It was a reward offered and squandered. At this point, I ought to consider this entire affair a concluded matter."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            "Andras nodded in approval. Content that his bloody fun hadn’t cost him either allies or gold, the demon made a quick excuse and departed."
            hide andras with moveoutright
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
            if torlChoice != "fuck off":
                "Rowan waited for Andras to be out of earshot before he addressed the {i}real{/i} reason that he hoped to speak to Torlene."
                ro "There’s something else we should discuss. Just between you and me."
                ro "Yesterday, when we spoke, we could not find agreement on the terms for an alliance. But now it seems that the Liurial issue has been settled for good."
                "Torlene shifted in place slightly."
                torl "Settled, but in a complicated way, Rowan. Certainly, my incentives remain as they were. Your alliance would be strictly to the benefit of my people."
                torl "But I spoke true when I said that you had meddled in matters beyond your understanding when you challenged my honour."
                torl "To show respect to a foe is proper. But, when you issued that challenge, it was a slight against my Honour. To openly {i}befriend{/i} one after having done so is another matter entirely."
                torl "It could be taken as a sign of submission to a conquering foe. This is not an acceptable solution."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    ro "I believe your analysis is flawed, Torlene."
                    torl "Flawed, you say? How so?"
                    ro "Because I didn’t slight your honour. I tried to save it. Liurial’s departure was justified and your treatment of her wasn’t. When I stepped in to protect her, I was well within my rights."
                    ro "What’s more, had I not challenged you, then what would have followed from regaining Liurial would have been a stain on your honour. One far greater than had I let you continue."
                    "Torlene frowned."
                    torl "A depressing counterfactual, yes."
                    ro "Then you can clearly see that I didn’t go challenging you as a slander. I was willing to risk my life to save it from a real {i}threat{/i} to it that might have emerged from a misunderstanding."
                    ro "You might not be able to befriend a man who slandered your honour. But, surely you can befriend a man who saved it."
                    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                    "Rowan couldn’t help smirking, even if he was not entirely bullshitting, at his little logic game."
                    torl "I believe your account is accurate. But, only from the experience of a participant. Others might not see it that way."
                    ro "Reputation isn’t honour, even if they are often confused. I’ve met men who were called honourable but were nothing but swindlers. And some of the most honourable men I’ve ever met have been nameless."
                    ro "From everything I’ve learned about you, I do not believe you’d care more about your reputation than your honour."
                    "Torlene sighed and softly nodded his head."
                    torl "I shall take that as praise. Always a thing of value from a foe who proved himself in combat."
                    ro "Then are we in accord?"
                    "Torlene extended an open hand to Rowan. The hero wasted no time clasping and shaking it."
                    ro "I look forward to working with you."
                    if society_type == "might":
                        torl "Working with you {i}again{/i}, Rowan."
                    else:
                        torl "Working with you {i}again{/i}, Sir Rowan."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    $ torAlly = True
                else:
                    ro "Honour again? It seems that following it to the point you’d put it above everything else was the same mistake that led you to this situation in the first place."
                    if society_type == "might":
                        torl "I would disagree most strenuously with such a sentiment, Rowan. It was not my honour that led me here. It was my lack of honour. For what could be more shameful than to use your strength to suppress the weaker follower?"
                    else:
                        torl "I would disagree most strenuously with such a sentiment, Sir Rowan. It was not my honour that led me here. It was my lack of honour. For what could be more shameful than to use your strength to suppress the weaker follower?"
                    torl "This is merely a sign that I must redouble my efforts and clear my perspective. Not to discard that which is important."
                    "Rowan sighed. It was an admirable sentiment, to an extent. But, dancing around the specifics of his code never ended with this guy."
                    torl "I will consider the matter further. For now, however, no alliance."

            "Rowan too turned to depart, following behind Andras. But, at the last moment, Torlene stopped him."
            torl "I do not imagine I will have many future chances to speak to Liurial. This fact is…proper."
            torl "But for my sake, please extend to her my deep regret about how this affair has transpired. What’s more, my sins prior to her departure as well. I had not meant for any of this…"
            if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "Rowan placed a hand on the side of Torlene’s arm and gave him as reassuring a smile as he could muster."
                ro "She knows."
            else:
                ro "That’s how it goes. You mean good and wind up doing evil instead."
                ro "It isn’t a pleasant feeling, is it? But, it’s one you need to learn to live with, Torlene."
            "Rowan started back for the castle, leaving the elves behind in the distance. He felt what little strength his adrenaline gave him fading. This would be a good opportunity to unwind."

    scene bg65 with fade
    show bg66
    show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan let out a tired sigh, breathing in steam through his nose. The warm water of the baths was soothing against his wounded skin. Here, he was finally able to let his worries drift away."
    "Liurial was saved. The twins were - at least for the moment - not about to harm him or Alexia for doing so. He’d survived."
    "He made a move to reach for soap but his arm plunged down into the mid-way through the effort. There was simply no strength left in his arm. He leaned back into the water and let out a sigh."
    "That was alright. He could get it later."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Ahh..."

    if torleneDuelScore == 5:
        "He’d suffered some scuffs here and there. Scratches from rolling along the edge of the wall with Torlene. Nothing remotely serious. The bath could soothe these scrapes with ease."

    elif torleneDuelScore < 3:
        "Rowan felt like a slice of beef that had been pounded flat. His body was crisscrossed with bruises, cuts, and scrapes. Each blow that had made it through Rowan’s guard left a lingering pain."
        "The worst of it was his shoulder. His fingers traced the stitches that held the wound together. The aching pain of the wound would not be something he would shake anytime soon."
        "But he could count his blessings that it had not been hit by a crippling or fatal blow instead."

    else:
        "He’d endured a fair number of cuts and scrapes, wounds from the occasions when Torlene had managed to break his guard. Rowan had bruises in a number of places, but nothing particularly terrible. He’d probably still feel it in the morning. But, for now, the bath washed away the pain."

    "{i}Creak{/i}"

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve

    "Exhausted as he was, Rowan’s reflexes flared. Had that been the door opening? His mind started racing with the possibilities. The last traces of the morning’s adrenaline still flowed through his system."
    "To get a better view, he worked himself partially out of the water. But, the steam clouded over much of the room, hiding the identity of anyone who might have entered."

    ro "Hello?"

    if elfSex:

        jump save_liurial_skip_liural_rp

        label save_liurial_skip_liural_rp:

            show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve
            "The newcomer drew closer in short, dainty steps. Rowan relaxed back into the water, instantly surmising who it was. Proper manner. Shy disposition. Low body weight. It was Liurial."
            show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            if elfDom:
                liur "Mmmm. You needn’t force yourself to rise on my account, Master."
            elif society_type == "might":
                liur "Mmmm. You needn’t force yourself to rise on my account, M’Lord."
            else:
                liur "Mmmm. You needn’t force yourself to rise on my account, Sir."
            show liurial naked happy at midleft with dissolve
            liur "Please stay. I’ve come to attend to you. A great hero ought to have a servant to care for him after a battle."
            "From the mist, he made out her lithe, naked form. She must have already completed a quick bath because her hair wasn’t dirty or matted anymore. She had her hands pressed together behind her back submissively. All in all, it made for a lovely sight."
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
            ro "My pretty servant."
            ro "…Safe at last."
            "She knelt down at the edge of the bath, directly behind him. Now that she was so close, he could see that she had brought with her a bucket and washcloth. She placed it to the side and entered into a slight bow."
            show liurial naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            liur "I had thought you might wish for me to wash you myself? You may find it soothing…"
            "Rowan held her gaze for a moment, then gave a gentle nod of assent."
            #Show Bathing with Liurial CG 1
            scene cg1567 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1406 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1407 with dissolve
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1567
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
            "The already relaxing feeling of bathing in warm water was immediately enhanced by Liurial’s washcloth running along his skin. She paid special attention to any spot that seemed worse from the battle."
            "Under her soothing attention, the pain almost seemed to vanish."
            if elfDom:
                "Rowan sighed and leaned into the touch. He was idly surprised by how skilled she proved at the task. His servant had a knack for giving massages, it seemed."
            else:
                "Rowan sighed and leaned back into her touch. He’d learned quite recently that Liurial was no novice when it came to massages. It was a skill she only continued, to great effect, here."
            "Rowan barely noticed at first, but the task was having an effect on Liurial too. Once he’d settled into her tender ministrations, she dared to lean into his neck. From the sounds of sighs escaping her lips, it seemed his scent was having an effect on her."
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
            ro "You know, if you keep behaving this way, you’re going to make me wonder. Are you doing here with me for my benefit…or yours?"
            "Her cheeks flushed."
            if elfDom:
                liur "Mmm… Sorry, Master.."
            elif society_type == "might":
                # Replay mod: Typo fix (was a random bracket)
                liur "Mmm… Sorry, M’Lord.."
            else:
                liur "Mmm… Sorry, Sir.."
            if elfDom:
                "With a grunt, Rowan managed the strength to reach back and give her nipple a playful squeeze."
                #ro smirk
                ro "Tsk tsk. Needy sluts are so distractable. Leave them without cock for a few days and they can’t control themselves."
                "Liurial whimpered happily and sank into a low bow."
                liur "Mmm. Yes, Master. We can’t help thinking with our… our pussies. That’s why we need to be trained to be… obedient…"
                "She glanced up, with only one of her eyes left unobscured by her cascading hair. It centered entirely on him. He liked that he’d left her wondering if this would remain an erotically charged, but chaste bath… or if it would turn to something more."
            else:
                "Rowan managed the strength to reach back and place a comforting hand on her thigh. Liurial let out a happy little squeak at the touch."
                ro "Relax. That was a joke, Liurial. We can both enjoy ourselves. In fact, I prefer it that way."
                liur "You’re so good to me… mmm… but I should focus…"
                "Rowan idly wondered if she should, in fact, actually focus. After all, they hadn’t had a proper chance to see each other since the whole crisis began…"
            menu:
                "Keep it to back washing.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ liurBathSex = False
                    "Rowan shook his head. Even if playing with Liurial was tempting, there was a question whether his body was even {i}capable{/i} of such a thing in its current state. No, better to just let her attend to him."
                    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
                    ro "I think it would be best if this didn’t progress past bathwashing right now."
                    "Liurial cocked her head. Golden locks tumbled over her shoulder."
                    #show liurial naked neutral behind cg1567
                    liur "Mmm? Did I do something wrong?"
                    ro "Of course not."
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                    ro "A duel to the death just tends to take a bit of stamina out of you. Don’t worry. There will be other chances when I’m less pulverized."
                    "No longer afraid of having upset him somehow, her expression softened back into a warm, tender smile. "
                    show liurial naked happy behind cg1567
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "Hehe. Of course, Master."
                    elif society_type == "might":
                        liur "Hehe. Of course, M’lord."
                    else:
                        liur "Hehe. Of course, Sir."

                "Give into temptation. (Scene 2 and 3 Route)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ liurBathSex = True
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                    "He leaned out of the tub and planted a firm kiss on her lips. Her eyes initially widened with shock. But, once the kiss had time to work its special magic, the eager girl was leaning into it with desperate hunger. Those same eyes had fluttered shut."
                    "When the kiss finally broke, she was left kneeling in place with a dumb, happy expression. Rowan sank back into the water with a groan. Fun as it was, that little exertion had hurt more than he cared to admit. Still, it was worth it for the cute expression he’d got out of it."
                    ro "Doing alright there, Liurial?"
                    liur "Huh?"
                    ro "You’re just sitting around. As I recall, you had a task to complete."
                    "She blinked in confusion. Only once the initial glow of the kiss faded did she even remember that she was still holding the washcloth. "
                    liur "Oh. Yes. Of course. Apologies."

            "Liurial went back to work, tenderly running the warm towel over his back. Rowan let himself simply enjoy the sensations and the pleasantly steamy air."
            if liurBathSex == True:
                "Though, he could only lose himself so much, considering the increasingly erotic atmosphere. After he’d made his intentions clear, Liurial’s touches had only grown more eager. By now, she was interspacing her massaging with soft pecks to his back and neck."
            else:
                if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
                    "Still, at one point he was roused from his relaxation by a sharp, jabbing pain at his shoulder. Liurial had used too much force too close to the stitches. He jumped up in the water suddenly, letting out a sharp hiss of pain."
                    ro "Careful there. It still hurts a lot."
                    show liurial naked sad behind cg1567
                    "She bowed her head, ashamed at the accident."
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "Oh, of course. My apologies, Master."
                    elif society_type == "might":
                        liur "Oh, of course. My apologies, M’Lord."
                    else:
                        liur "Oh, of course. My apologies, Sir."
            "The two must have been in the baths together for some time before the girl worked up the courage to say something that had been clearly on her mind."
            "She dropped the soggy washcloth in the bucket and wrapped her arms around Rowan, clinging to him with what strength her delicate frame allowed."
            show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
            if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                liur "You’ve been the most amazing protector I could ask for. Truly… I think about what you endured for me today… what you risked… and I can’t stop feeling giddy."
            else:
                liur "You’ve been the most amazing protector I could ask for. Truly… I think about what you did for me today… what you risked… and I can’t stop feeling giddy."
            "Rowan gave a weak shrug and leaned back into her touch."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
            if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                ro "I made a vow, Liurial It’s as simple as that."
            else:
                ro "You’re mine, Liurial. And I have to protect what’s mine."
            "Yet despite his efforts to be humble, Liurial only clutched at him tighter."
            liur "I think back on my time with Finnigold and Torlene quite frequently."
            #show liurial naked neutral behind cg1567
            liur "I don’t need to speak of Torlene or how he saw me. You know the consequences of that first hand…"
            if torleneFate == "spared" or torleneDuelScore < 3:
                "With her lips so close to Rowan’s ear, he had no problem hearing her pained sigh."
                liur "Though, for the first time, I actually made progress helping him understand. There was real progress. Perhaps someday I could see him as a friend and remember the good times."
                liur "But, never more than that."
            show liurial naked sad behind cg1567
            liur "Sometimes I wonder if Finnigold was much better. I was so young then… All that I wanted was his approval. But, he let me be exiled…hurt. All for crimes that he’d been the one to commit."
            liur "Every man I’ve given myself to, before you, just {i}used{/i} me. I served them, but when it was time for them to act on my behalf… they simply didn’t."
            "Rowan felt her grip loosen. He turned back and found that she had fallen back into a respectful kneeling posture. She grabbed one of the long strands of her hair and twirled it idly in her hand."
            liur "I don’t mind being a possession. I don’t need an equal partnership. It’s… comforting to have a controlling hand."
            liur "But, I don’t… I don’t want to be discarded. I don’t want to be used up and thrown out, or ignored on the side to collect dust."
            "He reached a hand to her cheek. The contact proved soothing for her. She whimpered and nuzzled into it, eager for his affection."
            ro "Liurial…"
            show liurial naked happy behind cg1567
            if elfDom:
                liur "...You never have to question my loyalty, Master. You’re more than my protector now. It’s not a deal. Or a transaction. I don’t need terms."
            elif society_type == "might":
                liur "...You never have to question my loyalty, M’Lord. You’re more than my protector now. It’s not a deal. Or a transaction. I don’t need terms."
            else:
                liur "...You never have to question my loyalty, Sir. You’re more than my protector now. It’s not a deal. Or a transaction. I don’t need terms."
            liur "..."
            liur "I trust you. I will walk where you tread. Where you lead me, I’ll follow. No question, no second thought."
            liur "Do as you bid with me."
            "Rowan sat up in his bath, reaching eye level with her. She looked at him with something akin to sparkling devotion. A puppy eager for approval."

            menu:
                "Disabuse her of the thought.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                        "Rowan frowned. As much as he appreciated Liurial’s show of devotion, it left him uneasy. In her words were the seeds of the same mistake that had led her to Torlene in the first place."
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
                        ro "Liurial. Such a promise is tempting, really. I would count myself lucky to have that kind of loyalty to a woman with your beauty and talent."
                    else:
                        "Rowan grunted. There was something gratifying about Liurial’s profession of blind loyalty. But the fact she’d done so showed a dispiriting lack of sense."
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
                        ro "Liurial. It’s not that I don’t appreciate your loyalty to me. But, think logically for a moment…"
                    liur "Rowan…"
                    "He reached out, as much as his battered form would allow, and placed his hands on her shoulder."
                    ro "But, I can’t accept that offer. Not on those terms."
                    ro "I don’t think you’ve identified the problem right. It cannot all have been caused by the fact that you were preyed on by bad masters who didn’t reciprocate your loyalty. Though, you certainly were preyed on by such men."
                    "If you don’t hold your protector to a high standard, you open yourself to being exploited. With Finnigold you blinded yourself entirely. At least with Torlene you eventually saw the mistake."
                    "Rowan sighed."
                    ro "Liurial,  I do not want your blind obedience. That was what Finnigold asked of you. That was what Torlene asked of you."
                    show liurial naked sad behind cg1567
                    liur "Oh..."
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                    "He gave her a reassuring smile."
                    if elfDom:
                        ro "I love having you serve me. And I’m very happy that you enjoy pleasing me. But never without thought. Never without question. If I {i}truly{/i} harmed you, you should treat me as you did Torlene."
                    else:
                        ro "I love having you work for me. And I’m very happy that you enjoy pleasing me. But never without thought. Never without question. If I {i}truly{/i} harmed you, you should treat me as you did Torlene."
                    liur "But, you would never-"
                    ro "I agree with you. But, when you look back on it, did you ever imagine that Finnigold would harm you?"
                    liur "..."
                    ro "So will you rescind that promise? Will you take care to always hold me to a high standard?"
                    "Liurial lapsed into silence to process his words."
                    #show liurial naked neutral behind cg1567
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "Of course! If that’s what you prefer, Master."
                    elif society_type == "might":
                        liur "Of course! If that’s what you prefer, M’lord."
                    else:
                        liur "Of course! If that’s what you prefer, Sir."
                    "Rowan frowned. That was not quite the answer he had been hoping for…"
                    ro "Not for me. For yourself."
                    show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                    liur "Oh, right. Yes. Thank you…"

                "Promise to lead her well.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan leaned out of the tub and brought his lips to hers. Once more, she hungrily leaned into the contact. As the kiss broke, her tongue hung amorously from her lips, like a panting animal. "
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                    ro "I couldn’t ask for a better follower. Talented. Beautiful. Utterly perfect in your devotion. Of course, I couldn’t let Torlene take you."
                    "Liurial brought both hands to her face, trying in vain to hide her growing blush. Yet, behind them, he could hear her girlish giggling."
                    ro "And I owe you a promise too. Just like I did today, I will protect you from anyone who wants to hurt you. If you wish me to help guide you then I’ll do it well."
                    if elfDom:
                        ro "Your trust means everything to me, Liurial. I will prove to you that I’m a more worthy Master than Torlene or Finnigold ever were."
                    else:
                        ro "Your trust means everything to me, Liurial. I will prove to you that I’m a more worthy man than Torlene or Finnigold ever were."
                    show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                    liur "Rowan..."

                "Ask slavish obedience of her." if rowanCorrupt > 29:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan pursed his lips. Here Liurial was, having finally totally escaped the grip of Torlene, only to thrust herself more totally into his hands. A dark thought came to Rowan. He could see how far this went. How deep under his power she truly wished to be."
                    "It was an impulse he acted on."
                    #rowan naked smirk
                    ro "I understand Liurial. You feel you {i}need{/i} me. To be the man who leads you. Someone you can obey without thought or question."
                    "She nodded shyly."
                    #show liurial naked neutral behind cg1567
                    liur "After today, I feel like I owe it to you…"
                    ro "Like you owe me your life?"
                    liur "Absolutely."
                    "He pulled himself partially out of the baths, with whatever strength he had left in his arms. He seized her chin and forcefully drew it close to his face. His girl let out a soft gasp, submitting to his control."
                    ro "And that’s not a debt you can ever truly repay, is it?"
                    show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "No…Master."
                    else:
                        liur "No…"
                    if liurBathSex == True:
                        "Rowan gave her a soft kiss. Liurial pliantly followed along, eagerly dancing her tongue with his. Her body was squirming."
                    ro "If that’s how you perceive it, then you can consider me pleased with you, Liurial. You’re a good girl."
                    liur "I am?"
                    ro "You are."
                    "She let out a murmuring sigh."
                    ro "Though, considering your vow, a thought occurred to me. If you’re in debt to me for your life…and you obey my commands without thought…and you’re mine to do with as I please…"
                    ro "It sounds less as if our relationship is leader and follower. Almost more like the relationship of Slave and her Master."
                    "He trailed his hand along her neck, hinting as if to wrap it around her throat without taking the exertion. It’s not as if he could anyway."
                    if elfDom:
                        ro "And I don’t mean in the sense of our little games, either."
                    "Liurial bit her lip and refused to meet his eyes."
                    show liurial naked sad behind cg1567
                    liur "I hadn’t perceived it as having quite that intensity…"
                    ro "But, it’s the natural conclusion of your vow to me, isn’t it?"
                    "She nodded slightly."
                    show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                    liur "Is that what you wish for me to be, Rowan? Your…your…slave?"
                    ro "Yes."
                    "Rowan waited. Liurial was frozen by indecision. But, such an opportunity might pass if he really gave her time to fully consider it."
                    "Instead, he drew his hand from her neck to guide her head. With it, he forced her to look into his intense gaze. At first hesitant, this too she submitted to. In such a position, she was left to search for guidance in his eyes."
                    "And his eyes told her, with his unbreaking intensity, to submit."
                    "Finally, Liurial tenderly drew back from his touch. But, Rowan didn’t have time to worry if this was resistance before she bent down into a prostrate bow. Her hands outstretched in front of her and her hair tumbled to the wet floor."
                    liur "Master. Please keep me as your property. Discipline me if I defy you. Bind me by words or chains. Please…just allow me to serve you."
                    "Rowan smirked."
                    ro "We will need to draw a deed for you. In secret, of course. Best if the twins don’t know of it."
                    liur "...yes, Master…"
                    if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                        "Rowan gave her cheek a gentle touch. He tried to project nothing but pleasure and approval, but he worried that some of his misgivings might show."
                        "Had he really done the right thing? Liurial would be happy as his slave if it meant being freed of the burden of uncertainty. It was for her benefit, right?"
                        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                        ro "Good girl."
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                        # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                        # $ elfDom = True

            "Having made his point, Rowan settled back into the water so he could continue to relax in its warmth. Liurial returned to her prior position, kneeling behind him."
            show liurial naked happy behind cg1567
            liur "Thank you…"
            "Liruial’s fingernail was on his back, tracing lazily along his spine. It made him softly shiver."
            if elf3Some and roAlRel > 49:
                "Rowan could feel things in the tub heating up, he could feel Liurial’s desire to give him more than these light touches. Yet, if that was indeed what she wanted, she didn’t get an immediate chance to please him more. This tender, private moment was about to be interrupted."
                show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1567
                "Rowan perked up suddenly. He’d heard the sound of approaching footsteps. Bare feet plodding along the stone floor. His muscles flexed slightly in preparation."
                #liur naked concerned
                "His elven companion came to the same realization a half-second later. She squeaked shyly and frantically tried to cover her nudity with her arms."
                questi "Oh!"
                "The moment he heard the voice, all of his tension relaxed. He would recognize the sound of his own wife’s voice anywhere. Alexia emerged from the fog, nude and with a slightly embarrassed expression."
                show alexia necklace naked shocked behind cg1567
                al "Goddess above, it’s just you. Liurial, you scared me for a moment! I thought I’d find Rowan alone."
                show alexia necklace naked behind cg1567
                al "I hope that I’m not interrupting anything that I shouldn’t?"
                "Liurial’s hands dropped to her sides. It’s not as if her mistress hadn’t seen her elven body in all of its naked splendor before. There was no shame, just palpable relief."
                liur "Mistress Alexia! I should hope not. I am the one who ought to apologize for monopolizing your husband. It was so very rude of me."
                liur "How could I have not seen that you’d wish to be alone with (Sir) Rowan after everything that happened to him? I was simply trying to help with his bathing."
                liur "I had hoped it would be the meagerest of rewards for all the ways he’s helped me. I would never dream of-"
                al "Liurial. Breathe, girl."
                #liur naked neutral
                al "You were just showing how much you appreciate everything he did today, right? I had the exact same thoughts."
                "Alexia chuckled softly to herself. With a gentle hand, she bade Liurial back down to her knees. She even slid down to join Liuiral, taking a spot at her side."
                "He felt her hands, larger and less slender than Liurial’s, make gentle contact with his shoulder. There were now four feminine hands caressing his worn body. Quite naturally, he found it hard not to sigh with relief."
                al "You don’t have to leave, honey. I’m not going to send you away. You know that I am fully capable of imagining myself in your position. Were I you, Rowan here would be practically glowing in my eyes. It would be like looking directly into a star."
                al "Dear, you are speaking to an {i}expert{/i} when it comes to being rescued by Rowan. Trust me, I won’t judge you."
                ro "Trying to rescue you at least. Not always entirely successfully."
                "Alexia flicked his ear."
                al "Hush you."
                "She turned her attention back to the other woman. Rowan could hear Liurial giggling softly at that little back and forth."
                if elfDom:
                    al "With everything you’ve gone through, everything you must be feeling, I can’t just up and send off, can I? You call me your Mistress, I ought to be a good one, you know!"
                else:
                    al "With everything you’ve gone through, everything you must be feeling, I can’t just up and send off, can I?"
                #liur naked concerned
                liur "So long as I have your heartfelt assent…I wouldn’t wish to cause any more trouble today…"
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    "Alexia wasn’t going to let that timid acceptance be the end of it. Liurial had hardly finished the words before Alexia leaned forward to kiss her on the forehead. Rowan felt the movement behind him and turned back to look."
                    al "Shhh. I understand, sweetie. Really. I do."
                else:
                    "From how timid Liurial’s acceptance was, clearly something had to be done. Rowan felt movement behind him. He turned back to find Alexia facing Liurial, her hand positioned beneath the elf’s quivering chin. Liurial was so pliable in her hands."
                    al "Hush now."
                al "Like I said, we’re of the same mind about this. We both knew that the relentless hero was going to need some…womanly attention in the baths. You simply beat me to the punch is all. "
                #liur naked happy
                "Rowan, until this point mostly silent, spoke up again."
                ro "You know…you could both do it together. Two pretty attendants instead of one."
                "Even though Rowan had turned back forward, he could still tell that Alexia was smirking at him. A husband gets a sense for these things. Then, he felt a soft tickling on the nape of his neck. Alexia was giving him a soft series of tender kisses."
                "It was a maneuver that paid dividends. She soon had Rowan sighing out in a long series of low groans."
                al "Don’t interrupt me, Mister, not when I was about to suggest that very same idea. "
                if liurBathSex == False:
                    ro "Just try to keep your passions in check, alright? After everything that occurred, I think I’d just prefer a bath tonight, my dear."
                if society_type == "might":
                    liur "Well…we were both going to clean Sir Rowan...I would never be opposed to your company, Mistress."
                else:
                    liur "Well…we were both going to clean him...I would never be opposed to your company, Mistress."
                show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg1567
                if liurBathSex == False:
                    al "We may have to go easy on the poor man. At the moment he looks as though he could sleep a week."
                else:
                    al "We may have to be careful with the poor man. At the moment he looks as though he’s held together with paste."
                if liurBathSex:
                    ro "It’s a relief you came to an agreement. I was starting to worry that Liurial would try to politely defer for so long that I’d start to boil."
                    show alexia necklace naked behind cg1567
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        al "Oh, hush!"
                    else:
                        al "I said hush!"
                    "Rowan could feel her glare on the back of his head and it gave him a smug smile. Although, he also suspected that were he less worn out that Alexia might have tried to give him a little smack for that display of smugness."
                    show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                    liur "Perhaps…"
                    liur "Perhaps, we should resume our attentions?"
                    al "Eager to get started?"
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "Well, if Master were more distracted, perhaps he would not have the remaining attention to tease us."
                    else:
                        liur "Well, if he were more distracted, perhaps he would not have the remaining attention to tease us."
                    "Alexia and Liurial exchanged a giggle."
                    al "Let’s get in then. The water looks warm."
                    if elfDom:
                        "The next thing Rowan knew, his wife and his Pet both discarded their towels and jumped in the hot water to join him. There was a serene smile on his face. Being a hero had its perks."
                    else:
                        "The next thing Rowan knew, his wife and his slut both discarded their towels and jumped in the hot water to join him. There was a serene smile on his face. Being a hero had its perks."
                    jump alLiurBath3some_rp
                else:
                    if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                        "Rowan stretched his shoulder. He still felt the throbs of pain whenever he moved. That chaotic fight had required him to move in ways that were often uncomfortable or taxing. That was to say nothing of all the damage he’d sustained."
                    else:
                        "Rowan stretched his shoulder. He still felt the throbs of pain whenever he moved. That chaotic fight had required him to move in ways that were often uncomfortable or taxing."
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1567
                    al "Surely some…pleasures are warranted for the conquering hero, right?"
                    ro "Warranted maybe. However, I told Liurial before that I’d rather focus on the bathing. I’m not sure my body would be able to keep up with anything more."
                    "Rowan looked to his wife and saw the hint of a concerned frown."
                    al "Oh?"
                    "He felt her hand softly touching his shoulder. She was probably looking over his body, for the first time really trying to determine how banged up he was."
                    if torleneDuelScore > 2:
                        al "Mmm…it doesn’t look that bad. Are you so worn out that you couldn’t possibly muster up a bit of energy when it comes to two lovely women showing you gratitude? I assure you, Rowan. We’ll do all of the work."
                    else:
                        show alexia necklace naked concerned behind cg1567
                        al "You’re okay though, right? You took some rough hits during the fight, but I thought that-"
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1567
                        "Rowan raised his hand to silence her."
                        ro "I’m a tough bastard, you know that. I’ll be alright. I may just need to take it easy for a little bit."
                        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1567
                        "Alexia returned to her previous flirtatious tone, although there were still the hints of worry tinging the edge of her voice."
                        al "Well, there are ways of testing such things. Are you sure there’s nothing at all that your lovely ladies could do to ease your burdens?"
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1567
                    if torleneDuelScore > 3:
                        "Rowan felt a soft, deliberate finger tracing a tantalizing circle on his collarbone. It never strayed close to the visible wounds, careful to keep the things pleasurable. A moment later, Liurial resumed her touching too. Their lips were at his ear, vocalizing their desire for him in breathy moans."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt a soft, deliberate finger tracing a tantalizing circle on his collarbone. A moment later, Liurial resumed her touching too. Their lips were at his ear, vocalizing their desire for him in breathy moans. "
                    if elfDom:
                        liur "Please, Master? Won’t you play with us…?"
                    elif society_type == "might":
                        liur "Please, Sir? Won’t you play with us…?"
                    else:
                        liur "Please, M’Lord? Won’t you play with us…?"
                    "Could he continue to decline?"
                    menu:
                        "“...On Second Thought…” (Scene)":
                            #$ released_fix_rollback()
                            if torleneDuelScore > 3:
                                "Rowan rolled his eyes at this transparent sexual come-on. Yet, beneath the waters, Rowan still felt himself starting to stir. He might have been a wounded man, but he was still a man."
                            else:
                                "Rowan rolled his eyes at this transparent sexual come-on. Yet, beneath the waters, Rowan still felt himself starting to stir. He might have been a tired man, but he was still a man."
                            "Considering the occasion, and how much work he’d put into getting here, maybe it would be alright if he indulged himself just a little bit. So long as he was careful, of course."
                            if torleneDuelScore > 3:
                                ro "Stop. Stop. You win. Just remember to keep it delicate, alright? It’s all fun and games until you rip open a stitch."
                            else:
                                ro "Stop. Stop. You win. Just remember to keep it delicate, alright? It’s all fun and games until I re-pull a muscle."
                                "Alexia giggled wickedly."
                            al "Oh don’t worry about that. In fact, don’t worry about anything at all. You just lie back…and let the two of us take such good care of you."
                            "Rowan felt a peck on his cheek and knew it was from Liurial. He glanced at her and found her blushing."
                            show alexia necklace naked  behind cg1567
                            liur "Rowan…"
                            liur "…Thank you."
                            "Then, the next thing Rowan knew, the two girls were sliding down into the warm watters. That way, they could be even closer to him. He leaned back and smiled softly. He’d earned this."
                            jump alLiurBath3some_rp

                        "Continue to refuse.":
                            #$ released_fix_rollback()
                            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1567
                            "Rowan smiled faintly and let out a low chuckle. Alexia’s little ploy was doomed, but he couldn’t say it wasn’t amusing."
                            ro "Tempting. Tempting. Sadly, I don’t think any of what you’re implying is going to make me recover any faster."
                            al "The mending of the body is a strange thing, dear. For all you know, it might. I haven’t read many books on the restorative powers of loving threesomes."
                            "Rowan shook his head."
                            ro "I suspect it’s more likely to harm if we’re not careful. I’m sorry, both of you. Let’s keep it to just the bathing though. "
                            show alexia necklace naked behind cg1567
                            if torleneDuelScore > 3:
                                "Alexia faked a huff and picked up Liurial’s discarded washcloth. Rowan had to suppress a small laugh. She must have gotten herself excited by the prospect of a “celebratory reward” for the enduring hero."
                            else:
                                "Alexia faked a huff and picked up Liurial’s discarded washcloth. Rowan had to suppress a small laugh. She must have gotten herself excited by the prospect of a “celebratory reward” for the conquering hero."
                            al "Come on now, sweetie. If he’s too wounded to actually enjoy himself, Rowan {i}clearly{/i} needs some serious care."
                            #liur naked happy
                            liur "O-of course!"
                            "A moment later, their attentions returned to washing of the more mundane variety. Their hands and washcloths gave wonderful relief to everywhere he was sore and in need of bathing."
                            "Rowan leaned into it all with a happy sigh. He sensed that Alexia and Liurial were enjoying the simple act of service too. This alone was more of a reward for him then either could have realized. It was enough."
                            jump saveLiurEnd_rp

                label alLiurBath3some_rp:
                #cg1
                scene cg1993 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1993
                show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1993
                show liurial naked aroused behind cg1993
                pause 2
                show cg1994 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Rowan inhaled sharply, allowing the steam of the hot baths into his nostrils. Its naturally soothing properties helped him feel more relaxed."
                "So too did the newcomers to the bath. To his right-hand side, Alexia was pressed into his chest, the familiar touch of her bosom caressing his skin. She had worked her lips into the crevice of his neck, rhythmically providing a steady stream of gentle kisses."
                al "Mmm. Let us tend to you, my love. You don’t have to stress yourself at all. Not with me. Not with us. We’ll do all the work."
                "To his left, Liurial’s hands were at work, massaging him everywhere. Running over his soldiers, his sides, down to his legs. Being in the water, so close to his naked body, only made her touches all the more eager."
                "He was bathing in all the stimulation, floating in a sea of adoring care. There were so many different points of contact, it was impossible to keep track of everywhere he was being touched and worshiped. The steady presence of the hot water only heightened this flood of sensation."
                ro "Ah..."
                "He inhaled again. If he had troubles, they were impossible to spare a wit of focus on. Not with these two loving ladies so intent on making him feel good."
                "And they weren’t just going to do it in chaste ways either. "
                al "Hehe..."
                show cg1995 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1996 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1997 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1998 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1999 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Alexia’s fingers dipped beneath the water line in search of his cock. She found him already aroused, so much so that its head was already peaking above the surface. How could it be otherwise after all this sensual delight?"
                "It was not only Alexia who searched it out. Liurial’s right hand went to join her, taking a careful hold of his erect mast. Although, without Alexia’s reach, the little elf was forced to lean half of her body over just to get the right grip."
                if elfDom:
                    liur "Mph. Master..."
                elif society_type == "might":
                    liur "Mph. Sir..."
                else:
                    liur "Mph. M'Lord..."
                "Together, Alexia’s hand on bottom and Liurial’s on top, they began the work of stroking all his tension away. It was as though they were pulling some foul spirit from his body, leaving only relief in its wake."
                ro "Mmmm..."
                "As promised, it was gentle. Always gentle. This was no mad dash to get Rowan off, but the ministrations of two attendants eager to work all the stress out."
                "Rowan groaned loudly and leaned back against the side of the pool. His arms gripped the edges so he wouldn’t slip entirely into the water by accident. The more they touched the easier it was to drift away. "
                "Even as his member swelled with a growing desire for release, he was not in any immediate mood to move his hips or urge his two attendants to rub any faster. He was enjoying the slow buildup, and the ability to just relax, far too much."
                al "That’s right, my love. You were so brave today. So strong. You don’t have to do anything. Just let us make you feel good."
                liur "So good…please…"
                "The way Liurial stroked was dainty and “correct.” The posture of her movements were the result of so much prior training, which her small hand sought to reproduce. Alexia’s technique was less refined but more personally experienced. She knew how to make him feel good."
                "Just because they were busy with his cock, didn’t mean that the sensual torrent elsewhere had leveled off too much. Alexia had shifted to kisses across his pectorals, while Liurial was now half-riding his thigh. Teasing him with her pert rear as much as with her hands."
                al "Mmm. Rowan?"
                al "This is all about you and what would feel good to you. How do you want to cum, my love?"
                al "We could keep going with our hands? You’re enjoying this right, right?"
                al "If you feel strong enough though…it can go further. Would you like that, Rowan? Would you like to be fucked? We can be gentle."
                "Rowan panted softly. Were he asked in a moment of sounder mind, he might have opted for prudence. Sex was no small exertion. However, as good as their hands were making him feel, the softness of a woman’s folds was a temptation he couldn’t refuse."
                ro "You can…do more…"
                "Liurial looked to Alexia, softly biting her lip."
                liur "Let me do it, Mistress. Please…"
                liur "If it would make him feel good…and after everything he’s done for me…"
                "Alexia sighed softly."
                al "Of course, Sweetie. That’s {i}exactly{/i} what I had in mind."
                show cg2000 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg2001 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "With that, the plan of action was decided. Alexia half lept from the water, throwing her arms around Rowan in a warm, wet embrace."
                "Were she slightly less careful, his worn body might have actually been hurt by the process. It stung for a second but the sensation soon melted away. The fact that his wife was now kissing him so desperately was a mighty distraction."
                "He barely noticed the shuffling motions in front of him until Liurial was already straddling, seconds from plunging down on his cock. Her weight hadn’t even registered because of the water."
                liur "Don’t…don’t worry about anything. I’ll do all the work. I’ll make you feel so good…"
                show cg2002 with dissolve
                pause 2
                if elfDom:
                    "He certainly noticed the sensation when she did. After a mere few seconds without the stimulation of their hands, there was something new touching his shaft. His elf slave’s pulsing inner walls. As eager to engulf him with pleasure as the rest of her body."
                else:
                    "He certainly noticed the sensation when she did. After a mere few seconds without the stimulation of their hands, there was something new touching his shaft. His elf secretary’s pulsing inner walls. As eager to engulf him with pleasure as the rest of her body."
                "As Alexia promised, he wasn’t required to put in any work. Liurial took the initiative, her body gyrating and pumping as she rode him. Her eagerness more than made up for his exhaustion. The waters rippled with her exertions."
                "That wasn’t to say that he didn’t move at all. He’d been first aroused by the solo massage, then the sensual assault when they first entered the baths, and finally by the combined stroking of their hands. It would not take long at all for Liurial’s tightness to draw out his orgasm at this rate."
                "Nor was it to discount the effort of Liurials’ counterpart. Alexia pushed her lips against Rowan’s with real hunger. It was a service meant to please him, yes, but she was a woman with needs. It came out in the way her soapy body pressed to him and in the moans that escaped their kiss."
                al "Shhh. We’ll do everything for you. We’ll make you feel so good. Rowan…"
                if elfDom:
                    "The pair together together, one showing her love with her mouth and the other showing her worship with her cunt. It was not something a man could resist for long. A shudder went up his spine, signaling the coming release."
                else:
                    "The pair together together, one showing her love with her mouth and the other showing her devotion with her cunt. It was not something a man could resist for long. A shudder went up his spine, signaling the coming release."
                "The last thing he heard was two voices saying the same words in unison, but imbuing them with their own personal meanings."
                al "You’re my hero…"
                liur "You’re my hero…"
                show cg2002 with sshake
                show cg2002 with sshake
                show cg2003 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg2004 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "And then he came. His tension, his stress, all of it came flooding out of his body. In the rapture that followed, he was at peace."
                "For a minute, anyway. Inevitably his senses, his memory of the day, and his will to do anything but groan in happiness came back to him. When he did, there were two sets of arms wrapped tight around his neck. Alexia and Liurial were both nuzzling into him."
                "It was a happy scene, and it might have even been a perfect, pleasurable code to the entire experience. Only there was one problem. This pose was actually starting to hurt a bit."
                show rowan necklace naked behind black
                ro "Ow. Can you move over a bit?"
                show alexia necklace naked behind black
                al "Rowan!? Are you really going to ruin this moment already?"
                ro "Well, yes. This is really lovely…and I’d be so happy for a repeat of it another day. But…"
                ro "…I actually was really enjoying the massage. Worn muscles, remember? Besides, now that the high of the moment is fading, I think I might have pulled something in all that…."
                "Alexia giggled and gave Liurial a look. "
                al "Well, you heard the boss. Back to attendant duty for us. Ready to get up, Sweetie?"
                liur "One moment more, please."
                "She tilted her head up and placed a small, sweet kiss on Rowan’s cheek. "
                if elfDom:
                    liur "Thank you… Master..."
                elif society_type == "might":
                    liur "Thank you… Sir..."
                else:
                    liur "Thank you… M’lord..."
                if earlyEnd:  # Replay mod: Break early if we skipped
                    return
                jump saveLiurEnd_rp

            elif liurBathSex == True:
                "Rowan leaned his head back into the crook of her neck, placing his lips against her ears. A twitch ran down their entire length from the contact. When he spoke again, it was in a low growl."
                if elfDom == False:
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1567
                    ro "It’s time to stop teasing me, girl. I want some release."
                else:
                    #rowan naked smirk
                    ro "Rowan: Such a disobedient slut, teasing her Master this way. I think it’s time you gave me a real proper thank you."
                show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                liur "Yessss…. How would…would you like me to please you?"
                "Her breath sunk into a husky whisper."
                ro "How about… you use your mouth?"
                "Liurial blinked twice, the spell of the moment slightly broken. She craned her head over the pool, staring down at Rowan’s cock."
                liur "But, it’s…"
                liur "Oh, do you mean…"
                "Rowan nodded his head. A look of apprehension flashed across her face, only to be chased away by a naughty bite of her lip. Then she too nodded her head."
                #cg 2
                scene cg1408 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1408
                show liurial naked aroused behind cg1408
                pause 3
                "She dropped her feet into the water, testing to make sure it wasn’t too hot. While the water was warm, it wasn’t scalding. Inch by inch, she lowered herself into the pool. Once inside, she swam out slightly, aligning herself with Rowan."
                if elfDom:
                    ro "Ready, Pet?"
                else:
                    ro "Ready?"
                "Liurial gave one final nod, then her head dove beneath the water. Were some of her hair not floating at the surface, she might have disappeared completely."
                show cg1409 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "A silent groan escaped Rowan’s lips. His cock, long straining from the elf’s nudity, was now engulfed in her eagre lips. He could not see her movements, but it was not hard to imagine the bobbing of her head in the same rhythm as the sensations on his shaft."
                "His eyes fluttered shut, his hands gripping the side of the bath for support. The steady, throbbing pleasure was more soothing than even the regular bath had been."
                "He needed to get this sort of treatment more often."
                "Liurial remained under the surface for far longer than he expected. Elves came from mountain forests and had lung capacity that a human could not compare to. Indeed, the bubbles rising to the surface from her were more sporadic than he’d expect from a human woman."
                "He bucked his hips slightly. But, there was little need for it when it came to stimulation. She was moving at a frantic, near desperate pace."
                ro "{i}Fuckkkkk{/i}."
                "His eyes fluttered. But, before he could approach too close to the edge too fast, the sensations momentarily ceased."
                "Liurial’s head rose from the water, but only far enough to bring her nose above the water. Her eyes opened so that she could look at him shyly."
                if elfDom:
                    ro "Keep going, slut."
                else:
                    ro "Mmmm. Good girl."
                "She nodded softly and then dived back under the waves. Rowan once more felt Liurial’s mouth giving him pleasure. His cock went back down her throat."
                "This time he brought one hand down, and positioned it on the back of her head. Always eager to please, Liurial yielded to his control, and let Rowan set the pace. With his pleasure mounting and orgasm drawing closer, that meant hard, fast movements."
                "But a more intensive pace was also more challenging to maintain, for the girl whose face was being used as a fuckhole. Rowan sensed her body jerk beneath him, and felt pressure on his hand. She was trying to rise."

                menu:
                    "Hold her down a bit longer.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan focused on his own pleasure. Letting her up would mean a temporary break in this clinging ecstasy. So instead he kept his hand on the back of her head."
                        "She gave a cursory struggle, but Rowan’s grip remained firm. She had no choice but to suck his cock."
                        if elfDom:
                            "Perhaps it might have been cruel in another context. ButRowan suspected that the little slut enjoyed such harsh handling. After all, in his weakened state, she easily could have wrenched free of his grasp if she tried."
                        "It was not as if Rowan truly wished to harm the girl. He’d worked so hard to save her, after all. After forcing her to continue for a short time, he finally removed his hand from her head. Liurial immediately broke the surface, panting and gasping."
                        "Her eyes looked at him, wide with fear and desire. The effect of being held down left her sputtering and coughing."
                        "Rowan gave her a few seconds to gather air."
                        ro "Back down."
                        liur "Mmm…."
                        "She whimpered softly, then settled back under the water to obey his commands. Rowan’s hand settled back into place, his fingers curling through her luscious hair as he held her tight against him."

                    "Let her up.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "As much as Rowan longed for the stimulation to continue, Liurial’s safety came first. He pulled his hand back so she could come to the surface."
                        "She rose quickly, taking as much air into her lungs as she could, before thrusting herself back beneath the water. She offered no resistance as he returned his hand to the place behind her head, guiding and controlling her."

                "Rowan felt himself going white. Being in the soothing water already left him with the distinct feeling of floating. The high of his near orgasmic state added to this sense of buoyancy. His whole body began to shudder."
                #cg 3
                show cg1410 with sshake
                show cg1410 with sshake
                show cg1411 with flash
                pause 3
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1411
                show liurial naked aroused behind cg1411
                "Right at the moment he felt himself tipping over, his hands jerked Liurial’s head over the surface. At the same time, he raised his cock, so the head peaked over the water line. It let loose into the air like a fountain."
                "Always the happy cumslut, Liurial rushed to open her mouth in time. As a result, she managed to capture much of it on her tongue. Such an inviting expression made Rowan raise his cock to her lips. The last dribbles fell one by one onto her waiting tongue."
                "When it was all done, she moved closer, so as to show him the results. Her tongue was covered in his frothy seed. Once she had properly displayed it, she closed her mouth and loudly swallowed."
                if elfDom:
                    liur "Master…"
                elif society_type == "might":
                    liur "M’lord…"
                else:
                    liur "Sir…"
                "Rowan groaned and let his head sink to near the water line. He felt devoid of energy. But it was a pleasant emptiness. Why would he need to move when everything was pleasure?"
                "Liurial nuzzled up against his leg, sated and content. Her eyes softened upon making contact with his skin. Rowan smiled softly. With some effort, he reached out and put a hand in her hair."
                "She really was a good girl…"

            else:
                "Rowan turned his head slightly, using the crook of Liurial’s neck to hold it."
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1567
                ro "You’re still trying to tempt me, aren’t you? Didn’t I say we’d keep it to bathing today?"
                show liurial naked happy behind cg1567
                "Liurial giggled."
                if elfDom:
                    liur "Me??? Oh, I’d never, Master."
                else:
                    liur "Me??? Oh, I’d never, Sir."
                ro "How about you just use this time to think about what we’ll do together next time?"
                show liurial naked aroused behind cg1567
                liur "If I think such things, I won’t be able to get any work done tomorrow…"
                ro "Don’t even joke about that. The paperwork has been piling up non-stop since you went into hiding. Another day without your magic touch and the entire castle might fall apart."
                "Liurial went back into her kneeling posture from earlier, but now with a hand at her head in a salute."
                show liurial naked happy behind cg1567
                liur "You can count on me!"

            if earlyEnd: # Replay mod: Break early if we skipped
                return

    elif alexiaLiurialFriendly and roAlRel > 49:

        jump save_liurial_skip_alexia_rp

        label save_liurial_skip_alexia_rp:

            questi "You needn’t get up, dear. I’m coming into the water too."
            show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            "The sound of her voice was enough to make Rowan relax at once. How had he missed that the newcomer was his wife?"
            "Alexia padded across the room. She threw the thin towel that was her only clothing to the side. Upon reaching him, she greeted her husband with a quick peck on the cheek."
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve
            ro "The water is warm…"
            show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve
            al "Oh, I'm..."
            "As she’d spoken, she tipped her toe in the water, but immediately pulled it back. The shock of it interrupted her reply to him."
            show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
            al "Hehe. You weren’t kidding."
            #//Show Bathing with Alexia CG 1 Variant 1
            scene cg1313 with fade
            show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1313
            show alexia necklace naked behind cg1313
            pause 2
            "She dipped her legs back in, slower this time,  allowing her skin time to adjust to the change in temperature. Rowan smiled weakly."
            if torleneDuelScore < 3:
                #show alexia necklace naked neutral behind black
                al "Is your shoulder doing alright? You were so loud when they were doing the stitches…"
                "Rowan raised an eyebrow at the teasing gleam in his wife’s eyes."
                ro "What do you expect? They {i}pricked{/i} me."
                "Giggling, Alexia leaned close to him, her soft breasts pressing into his skin. Mercifully, she had the sense not to touch his wound directly. Her fingers trailed gently at the border of it, making her concern clear."
                show rowan necklace naked behind black
                ro "I’m alright, love. Truly. You don’t think I’ve taken worse scraps than this?"
                al "You’re not making me feel any better about this…"
                ro "Besides, I firmly recall you telling me on more than one occasion that you liked the scars?"
                "She shot him that signature marital look that told him that the joke wasn’t funny. Rowan smiled, despite himself."
                show alexia necklace naked angry behind black
                al "That was by no means an invitation for you to rush out and get more!"
                ro "And here I thought I was doing you a favour…"
            if alexiaCorrupt > 59 or torleneFate == "spared":
                "She leaned close, nuzzling against his neck. Rowan, worn out as he was, sighed into her touch."
                show alexia necklace naked behind black
                al "I just wanted to tell you that I’m proud of you. There were moments I was scared. {i}Mad{/i} even. But, when it comes down to it, I understand why you made the choices you did."
            else:
                #show alexia necklace naked neutral behind black
                al "I still don’t know how to feel about how you handled Torlene. It was more…"
                al "I didn’t expect you to be so brutal."
                al "But, on some level, I do understand."
            "She reached up, cupping his cheeks tenderly in her hands. Their eyes met. Almost like the way their eyes had met so many years ago during the dance…"
            show alexia necklace naked concerned behind black
            al "I see the truth. We’re alone here, Rowan. You and me."
            #show alexia necklace naked neutral behind black
            al "There’s only one way to be safe here, isn’t there?"
            "Her eyes softened. She leaned forward, planting a tender kiss on his lips."
            al "Together. Keeping every friend we have. Standing by their side when they need us, so they’ll be there for us when we need it."
            ro "We can only do what we can."
            al "I wish you’d told me in the morning, where you were going. I wouldn’t have stopped you."
            al "I would have {i}worried{/i}, of course. But… I wouldn’t have stopped you."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral behind black
            ro "Alexia..."
            "She smiled faintly."
            show alexia necklace naked behind black
            al "Keeping her safe… was keeping me safe too."
            "She leaned forward, planting another one of her softest kisses on his lips."
            al "My hero."
            menu:
                "Insist it was for Liurial's sake.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan frowned slightly."
                    ro "I’d be sad to lose such a kind compliment, dear. But I didn’t do it {i}exclusively{/i} for our sake."
                    ro "The girl was in real trouble and I’d made her a promise to protect her. I think I did a bit more to secure Liurial’s safety than ours."
                    "Alexia rolled her eyes."
                    al "Oh shush you. I hadn’t meant to say you were selfish. Just… that I see the connection between helping her, and helping {i}us{/i}."

                "Don't.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    pass

            "Alexia slipped down into the water with a small splash. Rowan lightly recoiled from the displaced water and let out a small laugh."
            al "I suppose I shouldn’t be too surprised that you went so far to save her."
            al "After all, I’m talking to the man who travelled across the entire world just to rescue little old me."
            show rowan necklace naked behind black
            ro "And I’d do it again, too."
            "She swam closer to Rowan and wrapped her arms around his neck. The familiar sensation of her breasts pressed to his side drew Rowan’s mind back to his wife’s nudity. So too did the tender kiss she placed on his cheek."
            al "My hero."
            "Rowan sighed, putting his hands behind his head and losing himself in thought."
            ro "Liurial is a good girl. She’s smart. She’s loyal. She means well, even if she lacks the independence to always put that into action."
            show rowan necklace naked neutral behind black
            ro "I hope that someday she learns that with that brain of hers, she doesn’t {i}have{/i} to rely on me. But, until that day comes, I can make sure her stay here is happy."
            "Alexia nodded softly."
            ro "And maybe… maybe someday I could even bring her home to Eaolaen. At least, I hope I can."
            show rowan necklace naked behind black
            ro "She would like that, I think."
            "For a time they fell silent. Rowan relaxed in the steamy waters of the bath with his wife by his side. Her hand running circles on his chest was as soothing as the warm water."
            "Alexia seemed to have more than mere care in mind. Touches progressed to light kisses at his neck."
            "She started to pull in closer, taking a position more straddling his lap than by his side. The look in her eyes was one that he knew well from years of experience. Love and desire."
            menu:
                "Don’t discourage Alexia. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
                    ro "Alexia..."
                    #//Show Bathing with Alexia CG 1 Variant 2
                    scene cg1314 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1315 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1315
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1315
                    pause 2
                    "He tried to put his feelings to words, but he was cut off by a powerful new sensation. Alexia’s familiar hands wrapping themselves around his cock. Rowan groaned involuntarily and leaned back into the side of the tub."
                    al "Shhh. Rest, dear. Let me do all the work. My conquering hero can just lay back and enjoy."
                    "Rowan didn’t protest. On a day like this, his wife knew him and his desires better than he knew himself. After suffering so much hardship, the ability to simply lay back and enjoy some well-earned pleasure was enticing."
                    "Her hand tightened around his cock. {i}Goddess{/i} he loved this woman."
                    "The water’s resistance kept the pace of her stroking slow, teasing almost. But Alexia supplanted speed with thoroughness. She looked him in the eyes as she touched him, her mouth parting ever so softly."
                    al "Faster?"
                    "A question. Spoken with the breathlessness of a whisper. Her eyes were focused on him in a way that only the truly devoted could understand."
                    "Rowan nodded. She smiled, her hand moving faster beneath the water. She reached up with her other hand to brush a lock of red hair from her face. It was the most beautiful thing he’d seen in his life."
                    "Rowan spasmed and gripped the wall of the baths even harder. His hips began to roll in rhythm to the steady stroking of his wife’s hand."
                    al "You like it?"
                    ro "{i}Yeah{/i}…"
                    "Both of them were breathless, their eyes lidded as they stared at one another. Alexia leaned forward and planted a gentle peck on his lips. Her hands left his cock."
                    "He strained at the loss of stimulation. Why had she stopped?"
                    ro "Come on… it was {i}just{/i} getting good."
                    "Her lips twisted into a teasing, sensual smirk."
                    al "…Only ‘just?’"
                    #//Show Bathing with Alexia CG 2
                    scene cg1316 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1316
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1316
                    pause 3
                    "Alexia drew closer until she was entirely straddling her husband’s lap. Then, with as much force as she could muster in the water, she impaled herself down on Rowan’s straining cock."
                    ro "Oh {i}goddess{/i}…"
                    al "Shh… baby. Let me attend to you. Just lay back and relax…"
                    "She settled down on top of him with a comforting, feminine softness. Slowly, Alexia began to roll her hips. The motion made his cock throb with the sensation of her inner walls, squeezing and rubbing against his sensitive organ."
                    "True to her word, Alexia was the one who was putting in all the exertions. Rowan simply laid back in the tub, cock erect as Alexia dutifully fucked herself on it for him. She was in the lead, yet only concerned herself with his pleasure."
                    ro "Ugh… where have you been all my life?"
                    "She gave him a playful poke in the chest, her eyes gleaming with lust."
                    al "Rest love, you’re turning delirious."
                    ro "Heh. Lead on, my lady."
                    "In tandem, their breaths grew hotter and hotter. It grew almost as steamed as the air around them. Her hands sought out his chest to steady herself."
                    al "M-my darling. My champion. My… ah… Rowan."
                    "Her body spasmed lightly, sending her leaning forward. Her slippery, wet breasts pressed down on him, hard nipples poking tantalizingly into his skin."
                    al "{i}Hah… hah… nnh{/i}!"
                    show cg1317 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "The thrusting of her hips grew in intensity, taking on a frantic, unsteady pace. Her desperation to please him had totally taken her body."
                    "Rowan was in bliss. Between the soothing water and the eager bouncing of his wife, he entered into a blank state of ecstasy."
                    "For a moment, all his stresses and worries went away. All that was there was him, his wife, and the warmth that surrounded them."
                    "The rising tide of pleasure carried him higher and higher. So high he felt like he was about to overflow."
                    "He only faintly noticed Alexia’s steadily declining composure. Her mouth was wide in a frantic, sultry gasp. She’d fallen forward slightly, and now clutched at Rowan’s neck to steady herself."
                    al "R-rowan!"
                    ro "Ale- Alexia…"
                    "Goddess preserve him, he could barely maintain his composure just {i}looking{/i} at her. She dropped her hips to his and he felt her settle her ass against his waist…"
                    show cg1317 with sshake
                    show cg1317 with sshake
                    show cg1318 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Husband and wife came together at nearly the exact same time. Alexia let out a cry of joy as Rowan exhaled sharply through his nose. Rowan’s hot seed flooded her insides. But even as the high of the orgasm settled down, they didn’t disconnect."
                    #//Show Bathing with Alexia CG 1 Variant 1
                    scene cg1316 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1316
                    show alexia necklace naked behind cg1316
                    "It took both of them nearly a minute of silent panting to recover."
                    ro "Ha… I should risk death more often. If this is the kind of reward I get."
                    "She ran her fingers through his hair, her eyes shining with post-orgasmic bliss. Her brow narrowed at his words."
                    al "If you make a habit of this, the only “reward” you’ll be getting is me washing all your fresh wounds out with soap."
                    "Rowan grinned at her faux-annoyed expression."
                    ro "Sorry Darling, the temptation is just too much."
                    "She smiled, leaning in to kiss him on the lips."
                    al "You’re lucky you’re so charming, love."

                "Suggest it isn’t the time.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Even if Alexia had come with the intent of giving Rowan a more… personal reward. There were certain realities that had to be considered. His body was far too exhausted and battered to sustain the kind of exertion that lovemaking would require of him."
                    "Rowan smiled and softly brushed his wife’s cheek."
                    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind black
                    ro "Alexia, Darling. You know I love you. But…"
                    show alexia necklace naked behind black
                    ro "Perhaps isn’t the best time for something… strenuous. After a fight like that, my body is too exhausted. I think, today at least, I’d rather just have some time to unwind."
                    "Alexia giggled."
                    if torleneDuelScore > 2:
                        al "Well, if that’s what my conquering hero prefers… I think we could save the post-victory celebrations for another time."
                        ro "I’ll look forward to it."
                    else:
                        al "Well, if that’s what my reckless hero prefers… I think we can save my planned post-fight “cheer up” for slightly later."
                        ro "I’ll have to look forward to it."
                    "Alexia planted one last kiss on his cheek and rose from the bath. Water dripped down her body, leaving a small puddle as she walked."
                    al "Just try not to be in there too long. You’ll end up dried as a prune."
                    "Rowan let his eyes settle closed."
                    ro "Don’t pluck me if I get too ripe."
                    "She giggled as she dried herself off."
                    al "See? {i}This{/i} is how you keep getting yourself into fights. Always the comebacks from you, mister."
                    ro "Heh… I just can’t help myself."

            # Replay mod: Early end if we skipped
            if earlyEnd:
                return

    elif rowan_draith_sex:
        "When the figure finally emerged from the steamy mist, it was someone Rowan was unfamiliar with. A slender, twiggish young man, entirely in the nude. He frowned."
        yman "Man: Rowan Blackwell? Lady Liurial sent me. She believed that you might desire a male servant to {i}attend{/i} to you in the baths."
        show rowan necklace naked at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan smiled softly."
        menu:
            "Accept his “help”.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "She really has grown to know me quite well, hasn’t she…"
                yman "Hrmmm?"
                ro "The offer is appreciated. Come in and join me, friend. The water is warm..."

            "Wave him off.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I don’t believe that will be necessary. But please thank her for thinking of me."
                yman "Of course."
                "The servant bowed his head and departed. Rowan was left to chuckle to himself and slip deeper into the relaxing water."

    else:
        "Rowan looked around, searching for the source of the noise. Yet, try as he might, he couldn’t find anyone there."
        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midright with dissolve
        "With a final heave, he gave up the search and settled back into the water. After such an intense day, he didn’t have it in him to worry about it further."
        if roAlRel < 50 and (alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly):
            hide rowan with dissolve
            show alexia necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Unbeknownst to him, his wife was hiding behind the door of the baths. She had intended to come and visit him."
            "But, having seen him, she found herself unable to continue. The strength simply left her. After a fierce, but quick, internal debate, she fled without having ever made her presence known."
            "Rowan was left none the wiser."

    label saveLiurEnd_rp:
    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The following morning, Rowan awoke with a body covered in dull aches. For a fraction of a second, he was puzzled by it. Then the memories of the prior day came back to him all at once."
    "He pushed himself out of bed and walked towards the window. The morning sun was already up and shining."
    "Unconsciously, his eyes were drawn to the segment of the wall where he had once found Liurial with her tree. He squinted. There was indeed a figure near said tree. But, from this far distance, he could only speculate if it was his secretary or not."
    "Rowan put his hand on the glass. He idly wondered if Liuirial would ever be able to see her homeland again. As an exile in service of Bloodmeen, it would take a miracle for the elves to allow her back willingly. He wanted to believe such a thing was still possible, for her sake."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    if torleneFate == "humiliated":
        scene bg57 with fade
        show jezera neutral at center with dissolve
        "On this particular morning, there was other activity happening on the castle walls. A demoness was treading down the long, winding path to the elves’ guardhouse."
        "Jezera was ushered through with nary a word. All knew who she was and what misfortune would befall someone who tried to delay her task."
        "She strode confidently onto Torlene’s balcony, with a wide grin on her face. There she found Torlene, strung out on a liter and resting beneath a shaded corner. The remnants of the prior day’s duel were hard to miss. One leg and both arms were in casts. Assorted bandages criss-crossed his slender frame."
        show jezera happy at center with dissolve
        je "Mmm. You’re not looking so good today, my friend. Had a little accident, did we? Tsk Tsk. You really ought to be more careful."
        torl "You…"
        je "Don’t speak, Torlene darling. I plan to be quick. It would be so rude of me to bother you in the midst of your recovery."
        "Torlene grunted but otherwise held his tongue."
        je "I heard whispers of what transpired at your testosterone-fueled tiff. Such vicious treatment. Your present mangled appearance gives truth to them. You’re not going to win back many ladies looking like {i}that{/i}."
        je "Now, If it were me who was {i}utterly{/i} and {i}pathetically{/i} humiliated in such a way…I would never just let bygones be bygones. I would always be {i}quite{/i} hungry to get revenge on the perpetrator."
        "Torlene squinted and leaned forward in his cot."
        je "Now, it is unfortunate, but I cannot come to you today to offer you the revenge you seek. At least not any time soon. Rowan is too useful to me."
        je "But I find that those who are indispensable today… are not always so indispensable tomorrow…"
        #jez smirk
        je "And if that day comes, it’s always good to have friends who might be equally interested in a change of the guard, so to speak."
        "The cover of bandages left enough of Torlene’s mouth uncovered that someone watching would have seen the faintest hint of a smile return to him. Jezera met his expression with her own fiendish grin."
        "She might have to thank Rowan later. He’d done so much to help her set up this meeting…"

    else:
        scene bg18 with fade
        show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
        "But, there was another pair of eyes watching that particular segment of walls. Cold, cruel eyes from higher in the tower. They trailed the faint movements of the figure with cold appraisal."
        if castleBrothel >= 1:
            #shaya no mask
            show shaya neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Finally, Jezera let out a sigh and wandered back from the window into her chair. Shaya, always dutiful, rushed over to massage her mistress' calf."
            sha "Mistress, ought I continue?"
            "Jezera gave a faint wave of her hand."
            sha "In summation, it is my humble judgement that Liurial represents a moderate risk factor."
            sha "Her role in the information system of the castle cannot be underestimated. But with her lack of propensity for independent action, she remains only as dangerous as the one controlling her."
            if torAlly:
                sha "There is also the matter of Torlene and his newfound friendship with Rowan."
                "Jezera sighed."
                je "The pest. Worth watching, for certain. I want a mole in his camp as soon as possible. That you have not already gained one has been the source of no end of trouble."
                "Shaya bowed slightly."
                sha "Yes, Mistress."
            "A yawn came from Jezera, shifting her out of position. Shaya scrambled to get ahold of Jezera’s other calf and provide service to it as well."
            je "At this point, I would be content to declare the entire affair resolved. If only for my sanity."
            je "It was a concerning sign that Rowan showed such independent thought in this matter. But, one within the limits of toleration. After all, my leash around the throat of both him and his wife is quite tight. He’s no threat."
            if jezMercy and torleneDuelScore < 3:
                show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
                je "Though, I have to wonder if he’d have obeyed my command had he actually won the fight? Alas, a pointless counterfactual. There is only so much one can expect from any particular tool."
                show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            "Shaya bowed her head."
            if shayaSuccumb:
                sha "I assure you, Mistress, I will keep a {i}very{/i} close eye on him."
            else:
                sha "You are ever wise, Mistress."
            sha "Though, if I may, there is one other issue to resolve. What ought to be done about the girl?"
            "Jezera yawned."
            je "Liurial? Mark her off the list. She was a fun little prospect. But not worth a fraction of the trouble this has already caused."
            je "…Let the hero have his pet."
            sha "Of course, Mistress."
            "Jezera leaned back in her chair with a sigh. Her mind was aflame with activity, considering all of the different matters she had her hands in. There were schemes to conduct. "
        else:
            je "It’s fortunate I have Rowan on such a tight leash. He remains no threat to me. Were it otherwise, it might make a woman suspicious of his intentions."
            je "As for the girl…"
            "She leaned in closer to the glass. With her enhanced senses, she could faintly make out Liurial watering the tree."
            je "Tsk. Let him keep her. She’s not worth the trouble…"
            questi "I will strike her from the list, {i}Jezera’aca{/i}."
            "With a huff, she turned away from the window. Jezera had no more time to waste on such trivialities. She had more important things to do. "

    return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label the_beast_rages_on_rp:

    $ rowan_draith_sex = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = True
    $ earlyEnd = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            jump the_beast_rages_on_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "A cool breeze cut through the air as Rowan stepped out of Castle Bloodmeen, whipping his hair into his face."
    "The sun shone high above the cloudless sky, coloring the castle and all who inhabited it in an unusually friendly-- almost cheerful-- light."
    "What an unusual day to stage a bloodsport."
    "Orc soldiers followed Rowan out of the castle, squinting up in annoyance as the sun blinded their sight. Rowan led the group around to the side of the castle, to the entrance where most of the beasts were carted through."
    "A snarl echoed from the depths. It appeared Draith and his monstrosity were ready."

    ro "Open the gates!"

    "The orcs heeded Rowan's orders, spinning the heavy wheels to open the iron-clad gate to the castle."
    "The gate lifted, revealing the towering monster of Draith's own creation. "
    "The beastmaster rode atop Murlock's back as the beast lumbered forward, the creature was somehow even larger in the short time span Rowan had been away. It towered over a story high, and the antlers and horns sticking out of its head gave additional height."
    "Murlock was evidently no longer used to daylight-- it hissed and thrashed against its restraints as the sun's rays beamed down upon its rough, armored skin, it’s black eyes blinking furiously in the glare."
    "Although Rowan couldn't hear him, he watched as Draith patted the creature's head and murmured reassurances."

    ro "Everything okay up there?"

    "It took longer for Draith to answer than Rowan felt comfortable with."

    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    dra "Y-yes, he's just a bit excited, is all. I've let him outside a few times, but he's still not used to the transition yet."
    dra "It's fine-- keep going. He'll calm down soon."

    "Rowan hesitated, casting a wary look up at the beastmaster before trudging toward the forest. If Draith insisted it was fine, then he would have to take the elf's word at face value."
    "They travelled far past the castle's gates and through the forest, careful to find births wide enough to fit Murlock through. On a few occasions, the beast got rowdy and knocked a couple of trees down, but Draith otherwise kept a tight leash on the creature."
    "When they emerged on the other side of the forest, the wastelands stretched out before them and a cold breeze cut through Rowan's clothes. The seasons were changing, and the anticipation of the oncoming threat of battle tightened in the hero's chest."

    ro "Alright, spread out into your positions."

    "The orcs followed their orders, a few moving onto the defensive as Murlock and his team took the offense. Draith slid down from the beast's back, whispering a few more words of encouragement before he joined Rowan on the sidelines of the battlefield."
    "Without Draith participating it was up to a couple of orcish soldiers to hold the chain restraints around the Khusti. Rowan could feel the dark elf's stress radiating off of him when they held the chains too loose or tugged the creature too violently. "
    "He stood rigid next to Rowan, grimacing at every angry growl Murlock made."

    menu:
        "Reassure the beastmaster.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 2)
            "Rowan laid a heavy hand on the beastmaster's shoulder before he could jump into the fray."
            ro "You won't be on the battlefield when the time comes. You need to trust the handlers."
            "Draith's face twisted into a mixture of stress and anxiety. He seemed to squirm in place, as though he wanted to object but couldn't find the words to do so."
            "Rowan gave his shoulder a squeeze."
            "He had no idea if Draith had had to go through something like that, but based on his reaction, he doubted it."
            ro "Let's see how he handles the mock battle first, alright?"
            dra "...Alright."
            "Draith reluctantly took a step back, putting some more space between himself and the battlefield, but Rowan could still see the tension in his body as he watched the orcs tug and pull at Murlock's chains."

        "Focus on the battle.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', -2)
            "Rowan shifted himself in front of Draith, blocking the elf's path lest he decide to jump into the fray. The last thing he needed was a mother hen panicking on the battlefield."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "He heard Draith make a noise of discontent and worry behind him, but Rowan elected to ignore it. There were bigger problems to be had than Draith's needless worries."
            else:
                "He heard Draith make a noise of discontent and worry behind him, and Rowan bit back a comforting response. The time for Draith to face what his creature had actually been made for was here, and Rowan needed to make sure it went smoothly."

    "Rowan glanced around the field, searching for Andras. The demon had expressed his intent on viewing the spectacle from the moment Rowan had mentioned it, eager to see what the beast was capable of."
    "Except no one had seen the demon lord all morning, and time was running short."

    menu:
        "Call Andras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Annoyed with the delay, Rowan grasped the amulet and spoke clearly."
            ro "We're all waiting on you, Andras."
            "There was a pause. Rowan glanced at the antsy beast, its growl echoing across the wastes."
            show andras displeased behind bg3
            an "Hold on. I'm in the middle of something."
            an "Who said you could run now, fucker?!"
            "The second part wasn't directed at Rowan, but he could hear shouting on the other end of the amulet."
            "Before Rowan could respond, Murlock's chains scraped together, drawing his attention. The monster yanked on its restraints, nearly bowling a few orcs over in its attempted escape."
            ro "...I'm not sure we have the time to wait."
            ro "Do you want us to call off the mock battle?"
            "Another pause. He heard scuffling on the other end, followed by Andras's wickedly gleeful laugh."
            an "Hold on. This won't take long."
            "The connection ended abruptly. Draith shifted at his side, barely suppressing the urge to run in and interfere with how the orcs were handling Murlock's restraints."
            "Rowan looked back across the wastes, his lip curled in distaste. Andras or not, the orcs were clearly ready for bloodshed, and any indication of a cancellation would only upset them."
            "Then again, Murlock didn't seem to be willing to wait any longer. It yanked on its chains again, an angry cry echoing in the air."
            "Perhaps there was time for a quick practice run before Andras got there, just to be safe."
            hide andras

        "Go on with the mock battle.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Mulock yanked on his chains, letting out an agitated growl as it shifted back and forth. The orcs struggled to hold the beast in place, yanking on the chains with more force than necessary."
            "Draith took a step forward, barely suppressing the urge to run in and save his poor creature from their brutality."
            "Andras or not, if they didn't start soon, Rowan wasn't sure how he could keep Draith from interfering--or the orcs from hurting the Khusti."

    "Rowan cleared his throat and stood a little taller, raising his voice to bellow out across the fields."

    ro "Ready yourselves, men! Begin on my mark!"

    "The orcs moved into position, two of them dragging the Khusti to the right side of the barren landscape. Fifteen soldiers stood on each side of the wastes and eyed each other up, their weapons held high. There was a new excitement in the air as they anticipated the fight."

    ro "Now!"

    "The mock battle began."
    "The offensive orcs struck first, their swords clashing loudly with the metal shields their opponents were given."
    "The Khusti did not move. It watched the orcs battle beneath it, seemingly interested in the battle but uninterested in participating. Rowan frowned."

    ro "Why isn't it doing anything?"

    dra " It... doesn't feel threatened. The orcs are more concerned with fighting themselves than Murlock!"

    "Draith sounded fascinated by this development, and Rowan could see in the dark elf's eyes that he was just as surprised by the Khusti's behavior."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with moveinright

    "A sudden movement to his left caught Rowan's attention, and before he could instruct the orcs with their next move, Andras came striding out from between the trees."

    an "What's this? You started all the fun without me!"

    "His voice was accusatory as he approached Rowan and Draith. Although his face was twisted in anger, Rowan could see an excited glimmer in his eyes as he glanced toward the enormous monster."

    an "Is this it?"
    an "Where's the bloodshed? The fighting?! Don't tell me you made it {i}docile{/i}!"
    dra "I didn't {i}make{/i} it anything; I can't control every whim and emotion my creatures feel. I'm not a deity."
    an "This is useless! You promised me something revolutionary! What am I supposed to do with this?!"
    dra "He's not useless!"

    "But Draith glanced nervously at the Khusti, and Rowan knew he was thinking the same thing; Andras wouldn't let him house a beast this large that didn't earn its keep, no matter how much Draith cared for the Khusti. An idle monster would do nothing for them on the battlefield."
    "They needed a reaction; a strong one."

    ro "Aim for the beast!"

    "Draith tensed, but Rowan disregarded the dark elf's concern as the orcs on defense dove for the Khusti."
    "A howl of pain echoed throughout the fields. While many of the orcs had missed, one managed to strike Murlock across its soft underbelly-- one of the only spots not protected by armour."
    "Murlock didn't hesitate to strike back."
    "Large pools of vibrant purple venom shot out from the beast's mouth, striking down the orc that dared hurt him-- and anyone nearby."
    "Screams pierced the air as the venom ate through their armor and skin, flesh burning clean off of their bones and sizzling as it hit the ground. One stumbled backward, his face half-melted to nothing, before collapsing on the ground."

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras flashed a wide, pointed smile."

    an "Now that's what I'm talking about!"

    "The demon's glee shone through as the orcs shrieked in pain, their green skin bubbling and disintegrating underneath the heavy acid. He seemed to have forgotten that these were members of his own army he was watching die on the field."
    "Rowan stared agape at the beast as he let out a wild roar. Draith was in awe, and Rowan could tell that the dark elf was already mentally noting every movement the Khusti made for his records."

    dra "This is intriguing…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "This is brutal..."

    else:
        ro "This is amazing..."

    an "Ha-ha, this is {i}perfect{/i}!"

    "The three of them watched as Murlock liquefied the opposing orcs with its acid, the purple goo locking them into place and melting their flesh down to their bones."
    "Rowan glanced down at the beastmaster with suspicion."

    ro "I thought you said the venom would just spray out and poison its victims? I don't remember you mentioning anything like this..."

    "The elf froze. He kept his attention on the beast, refusing to look in Rowan's eyes."

    dra "...I may have made a few modifications. I thought this would be more useful."
    ro "...I see."
    dra "It was such a small change, I didn't think it was worth mentioning."

    "Rowan wouldn't call it a ‘small change,’ not in the least. But no one could argue its deadly effect"
    "What was odd, though, was that some of the opposing orcs turned on each other as well. At first Rowan assumed they were confused in the midst of battle, but something seemed odd about the half-melted orcs as they turned on their dying comrades."
    "That was no concern for Mulock's team, though."
    "Murlock's orcs cheered beside the beast in victory as they yanked the chain back and forth to aim for certain opponents. It didn't matter that their brethren had died; they were winning."
    "That is, until the beast turned on them."

    ro "What--?"

    "Before he could get another word out, Murlock spun around and spewed more poison onto the triumphant orcs. Their cheers turned into screams as they clutched their melting limbs."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras's face fell as he realized what was happening."

    an "What's it doing? {i}Stop him{/i}!"

    "A few brave orcs yanked on the chains in an attempt to drag Murlock down, but the beast pulled back, yanking them clean off their feet as it balanced back on its hind legs."
    "A roar loud enough to shake the ground quaked through the wastes, sending the men scrambling for their balance. Draith’s eyes went wide."

    dra "Oh no..."

    "This was a disaster. Rowan held his breath as more poison came cascading down, easily eating through the chains that bound the Khusti and the poor orcs that were foolish enough to cling onto them."

    ro "Shit."
    ro "(The orcs didn't even stand a chance.)"

    "Andras turned on Rowan and Draith, his fists clenched and seething."

    an "I thought you had that thing under control!"
    dra "I-I did, mostly! "
    dra "It's young, it's still learning!"
    an "Young?! That thing took out thirty men!"

    "Draith flinched, glancing back at the heaps of orcish remains scattered over the plains. Murlock continued to drown the remaining ones in poison before charging over the wastes-- away from the castle."

    dra "Wait, where is it going?"

    "The men stopped their bickering to watch as Murlock charged through the wasteland with a furious battle cry, its legs surprisingly fast as it moved onto its next target."

    ro "It looks like it's heading toward one of the mercenary camps."
    an "Hm. Their loss."

    "Andras shrugged, seemingly unbothered with the fact one of their hired camps was about to be liquified."

    ro "We can't just let it roam free. It's still just a child-- it's going to keep growing, keep adapting.  Eventually it's going to come back to the castle, and I'm not sure we're equipped to handle an adult with those capabilities."

    "Something seemed to click in Andras's mind at the mention of the castle-- a realization that it was not just the few wanderers in the wastes at risk, but Bloodmeen as a whole."

    an "Fine. Don't just stand there! Stop that thing!"

    "Draith bristled, his cheeks turning a deeper shade of purple with embarrassment."

    dra "I'm not-- I don't--"

    "Draith looked to Rowan with pleading eyes for a suggestion."
    "Rowan sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in thought."
    "There were still a few chains attached to Murlock's collar, albeit much shorter than before. If they could grab those and press its head toward the ground, then the poison shouldn't be able to go far."
    "That, of course, would rely on the beast not disintegrating them first."

    menu:
        "Take control of the situation.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "We need to stop it from spreading anymore poison. If we can grab the chains and force its head to the ground, that should be enough, right?"
            ro "Then we can clamp the mouth shut. Draith, you'll work on calming it down. Andras, bring us a muzzle from the castle."
            an "Are you giving {i}me{/i} orders?"
            "The demon glowered at him."
            ro "Do you want the beast taken care of or not?"
            dra "...I'm not sure that'll work..."

        "Ask for suggestions.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Well, does anyone have any suggestions, or do I need to come up with something myself?"
            an "We could kill it."
            "Andras grinned maliciously at the thought. Perhaps the challenge of hunting down Murlock excited him more than owning the creature for himself."
            "Draith paled considerably."
            dra "No! You can't!"
            an "What, you want it to wreak havoc until it can come back and destroy the castle?"
            an "That thing's done enough damage. I'm going to hunt it down."
            dra "B-But… But…!"
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Draith glanced frantically between the two men, his eyes wide with panic. The truth was, it {i}would{/i} be easier to just kill the monster, but Rowan could tell from the look on Draith's how important the Khusti's survival meant to him."
                "Rowan wasn't sure he wanted to be responsible for that fatal decision."
            else:
                "Draith glanced frantically between the two men, his eyes wide with panic. Killing the monster {i}would{/i} be easier than ensuring its survival, but Rowan had seen with his own eyes just how brutal the beast could be. Was he really willing to kill such a useful monster?"
                "No, he wasn't."
            ro "Let's not be too hasty… I'm sure there's something else we can come up with."
            ro "We just need to find a way to stop it from spreading more poison. If we can do that, then it shouldn't be too hard to get it under control."

    "Draith shifted in place, a guilty look overcoming his face."

    ro "...Draith?"

    "The dark elf cringed, avoiding Rowan's gaze."

    dra "Er-- Well, I…"

    "He hesitated, glancing back at the beast."

    ro "What is it? Draith, we don't have time for this."
    dra "Yes, I know but… It won't be so simple as that…"
    ro "What? Why not?"
    dra "Murlock… {i}can{/i} do one other thing..."
    dra "I didn't just choose the name for appearances sake. I thought it would be rather fitting… if the beast could also steal 'shadows'."
    ro "{i}What{/i}? What does that even mean?"
    dra "Well, it's not {i}perfected{/i}, and it's not actual shadows persay, but I wanted to get it as close to the myth as I could."
    dra "Murlock in mythos can steal shadows, souls, and force them to do his bidding. Our Murlock can bind to other creatures-- people, whatever-- and compel them to do the same thing. "
    dra "It's a very basic compulsion-- Murlock can't do anything too complex-- but I thought this would help turn the tides if things got too ugly."
    an "What a {i}monster{/i}."

    "But Andras didn't sound angry-- he sounded excited, as if he could already see the beast stealing the enemy numbers and turning them around. Rowan, despite his better judgement, was impressed."
    "Draith avoided looking at Rowan's face, his focus solely on the direction the Khusti had disappeared. Each second wasted meant the creature would be further away and harder to capture. They had to make a decision-- fast."

    ro "Alright. Great. Does anyone have any ideas?"
    an "It's simple; we kill the beast."

    "Andras looked a little too excited as a hunting knife appeared in his hand. He stalked toward the direction the Mulock disappeared, following the sounds of the beast's wild cries."

    dra "Andras! {i}Andras{/i}!"

    "Draith chased after the demon, his eyes wide with fear, and Rowan pursued after them."

    an " C'mhere, beasty! Your head will make a great decoration on my wall!"
    dra "{i}No{/i}!"

    "Draith's voice squeaked. Rowan caught up to the two quickly, rounding in front of them to block their path. Andras quirked a brow but halted beside Draith."

    ro "That's enough."
    an "Out of my way. Don't you know better than to get between a hunter and his prey?"
    ro "We shouldn't kill the beast. It wouldn't make sense; we've spent too many resources putting it together."
    ro "Besides, you've seen what it can do. Having that in our army could turn the tide in an instant."

    "Andras looked ready to fight back, but he seemed to consider Rowan's argument, the logistics of the situation giving him pause."
    "The demon's lips curled into a snarl."

    an "Then what do {i}you{/i} suggest we do?"
    ro "We'll capture it and take it back in. That's all we can do."
    an "Not {i}all{/i} we can do…"

    "Draith glanced nervously up at the demon."

    dra "Rowan has to do it."
    ro "Why me?"
    an "Yeah, why him? I can fight it off just fine."

    "But the devilish grin on his face suggested the demon would do a little more than just fight the monster off. "

    dra "Because it won't compel Rowan-- {i}and{/i} I'll get Murlock back {i}alive{/i}."

    "Draith glared at Andras, but the demon laughed boisterously in response. There was no denial to Andras's plan."

    an "Fine. Let's see if the weakling can tame the beast."
    an "If not, he's all mine."

    "Draith shuddered and looked at Rowan imploringly."
    "There wasn't time to ask Draith how he knew the compulsions wouldn't work on him-- Rowan could hear the monster's roars fading."
    "Rowan took off across the wastes with the demon and dark elf in tow."
    "They were lucky; the beast had gotten distracted, veering off of the direction of the mercenary camps in exchange for a worn path that weaved through the hills."
    "Draith's voice called out beside Rowan, his attention focused on the direction of the Khusti."

    dra "If you can, try to climb atop its back. There is a notch in its armor that, if you put enough pressure, will put it to sleep."
    dra "Just don't squeeze too hard, or you could really hurt it."

    an "So cut the thing's head off? On it!"
    dra "{i}Andras{/i}!"

    "Draith let out a frustrated noise and spared the demon a distrusting glance before they turned their attention back to the road."
    "It was only as they grew closer that Rowan saw just what had distracted the beast; an ornate black carriage strolling directly in its path."
    "The hero picked up speed, nearly tumbling downhill as he rushed toward the beast. There was no time to wonder what such a carriage was doing out in the Wastes. What mattered was it made the situation a lot more complicated."
    "Andras reached the monster first, slamming his knife against the beast's side. The metal clanked against its armour, bouncing off back into the wasteland. Andras looked momentarily stunned before his grin widened; a predator ready to play."
    "The beast let out a cry as Andras dug his fingers under a plate of armor and tried ripping it from the monster's skin."

    dra "Don't {i}hurt{/i} it!"
    an "C'mhere, beasty! Look at you, you ugly fucking thing."

    "Murlock roared, turning its head to spit the purple acid at his foe. Andras jumped back, the ground hissing as the goo melted where he had just been."
    "While Andras provided a decent distraction-- for both Murlock and Draith, admittedly-- Rowan sized up the beast. The chains looked shorter up close, and his initial plan for pulling the beast down was looking slim."
    "But if he could knock it out like Draith said, that wouldn't be a problem."
    "He just needed to get up there. Somehow."
    "With a weary sigh, Rowan dove for one of the chains."

    ro "Haugh--!!"

    scene cg1319 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1320 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1321 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1322 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1323 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1323
    #draith concerned
    show draith neutral behind cg1323
    show andras smirk behind cg1323

    "He caught the end of one-- barely. Rowan's legs kicked as he dangled from the side of the Khusti, gripping the metal curves as tightly as he could as the beast's head swung round and round to keep up with Andras. It didn't even seem to notice the extra passenger."
    "So far so good."
    "Rowan carefully climbed up the chain, struggling to avoid whiplash as the beast spun in its distraction. Asking Andras to remain still would surely draw the Khusti's attention, so he would have to make do."
    "He reached the top of the Khusti feeling sick from all of the spinning. Rowan took a deep breath to hold down his bile and fully hoisted himself up. Nails digging into the beast's collar, he hooked his legs around its neck, earning a startled cry from the monster."
    "Murlock threw itself back on its hind legs and let out a roar, nearly throwing Rowan off. He gripped onto the collar tighter, barely able to keep his balance."

    dra "Rowan!!"
    ro "I'm fine! I'm fine-- Just-- Calm down, will you?!"

    "Of course, the Khusti would not calm down. Rowan's location had been exposed, and the Khusti would not have a stranger upon its back."
    "So much for putting it to sleep; Rowan had to grip the collar for dear life not to be thrown off and consequently trampled on in the process."

    an "You ready to do things my way yet?"

    "Andras drew the beast's attention with another stab of his knife, although he directed the question toward Draith. The dark elf looked nervously between his creature and the demon."

    dra "{i}No{/i}."

    "However the doubt in his eyes was clear; would Andras have to intervene?"
    "Gritting his teeth against the hammering of his skull, Rowan pinched around the Khusti's neck."
    "It hollered, reminded of his presence once more, and thrashed about."
    "Rowan could feel the presence of the Khusti's compulsion against him, battling in tune with the sharp headache. {i}Anger. Anger. Anger{/i}."
    "Rowan shrugged it off, feeling nothing more than a mild annoyance as he tried to put the beast to sleep."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Looking at his companions, he saw that the beast's compulsion affected none of them. Andras was too powerful, and Draith… well, Rowan didn't know {i}why{/i} the dark elf was unaffected. The piece of information nagged at him, but it was something he would need to solve later."
    else:
        "Looking at his companions, he saw that the beast's compulsion affected none of them. Andras was too powerful, and Draith… well, though Rowan didn't know why Draith was unaffected he was happy to see the dark elf safe."

    "No wonder the Khusti was so upset; it had no control in this situation."

    ro "Damn you-- just go to sleep already!"

    "Rowan continued pinching along the skin, but all it seemed to do was annoy the Khusti further. How much longer could he try this before the beast knocked him off entirely?"
    "The carriage rolled closer along the path, and Rowan wondered if they were oblivious to the raging monster nearby. Didn't they see the dire situation they were already in?"

    dra "Rowan..."

    "Draith's voice carried a panicked edge to it. With a glance below, it was obvious Andras was growing bored of fending off the beast. He wanted to finish the hunt. Now."

    ro "Damn it all! Why won't you sleep?!"

    "Pinch. Pinch. Pinch."
    "The beast swayed. Rowan pinched harder, a hysterical giggle bubbling on his lips as he saw the Khusti's eyes loll in its head."
    "He'd found the spot."

    dra "Rowan--"
    ro "I've got it!"
    dra "But Rowan--!!"

    "Rowan ignored the dark elf, pinching as hard as he could. He could feel the Khusti's compulsion slipping as it lost consciousness."

    dra "ROWAN!"
    ro "What--? Oh."

    "Rowan finally followed the elf's line of sight and saw why the beastmaster was so panicked."
    "They were falling."
    "They were falling directly on the carriage."

    ro "Shit-!!"

    "Murlock came crashing down on the carriage, its heavy body splintering the wood into several thousands of pieces. A few screams sounded from below, but Rowan couldn't get a good view of who had been injured-- or killed."
    "He fell off of the sleeping beast's mighty back, landing clumsily on his feet amidst the broken wood."
    "Andras let out a long whistle behind them, his attention more focused on the beast's prowess than the victims of its rampage."
    "Draith caught up to Rowan's side."

    dra "Are you alright?"

    ro "I'm fine-- so is Murlock."

    "The dark elf let out a deep sigh of relief. Then, he frowned at the carriage."

    dra "You don't suppose…?"

    "Movement stirred between some of the wood. Out of the splintered vehicle and bloodshed, a lithe woman rose, her eyes slitted into a glare. Her features were impossible to mistake; purple skin, pointed ears, two telltale signs of the dark elven kingdom."
    "Guilt coiled in Rowan's stomach. Jezera was expecting a woman from the very kingdom, and he had a horrible, sinking feeling that this woman was her."
    "It seemed he wasn't the only one rattled by her presence, though; Draith paled considerably at Rowan's side, and he all but hid behind the hero."

    ro "Draith?"

    "The dark elf did not respond. He stared at the woman with utter horror as she brushed debris from her gown."

    ro "Do you recognize her?"

    "Draith swallowed hard."

    dra "That's my mistress. The dark lady Elyon Daxysis."

    scene black with fade

    "......."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

    je "We're terribly sorry about the inconvenience, Lady Daxysis. You can imagine how hard it is to find good help these days."

    "Jezera glared at Rowan over her shoulder, her anger still fresh and ripe despite the hours of apologizing, agonizing, and pure asskissing Rowan had to do to appease the dark elven noble enough that she would still agree to see them."
    "It wasn't as if it was his fault that the Khusti went out of control. In fact, if it wasn't for him, the beast may have very well crushed the noble without a second thought."
    "But that wasn't what Jezera thought. No, she was furious that the beast had even gone out in the first place, especially when it cost her a pretty coin to purchase Lady Elyon Daxisys a new wagon suitable to her tastes."
    "This was not the current root of Jezera's apology. No, now the noblewoman seemed to find anything and everything wrong with her accommodations in the castle, and it was up to the demons and their staff to fix it."
    "No matter how ridiculous it was."

    ely "Of course. I can see why you asked for help; even my servants aren't so idiotic as to serve wine from {i}Lakreshda{/i} of all places. Then again, perhaps it's all you can afford, you poor dears."

    "Jezera's body tensed, her smile carrying a sharp edge to it as she laughed alongside the dark elf's jibe."
    "Rowan followed the women behind at a distance, biting back his annoyance as they schmoozed and not-so-subtly insulted each other's staff. "
    "He had been requested to come along as a courtesy, as a sort of silent apology to Lady Daxisys. If she wanted anything, Rowan would be the one to personally fetch it for her. After all, it was his idea that nearly got her killed."
    "He was lucky Jezera didn't simply bargain him away for more money."
    "No, she wouldn't do that. He was too useful here."
    "At least, he hoped so."
    "Watching the women bicker, he wasn't so sure."

    je "Rowan."

    "The hero's gaze snapped to the demon, his posture stiff and tense. From the look on her face, this was not the first time she called for him."

    ro "Yes?"
    je "Our guest is thirsty. Acquire her something from the kitchen, will you?"
    ro "As you wish."

    "Rowan turned to leave, relieved to finally be rid of their presence, when Lady Daxisys held out a hand to stop him."

    ely "Ah, and if you see that little elven boy from earlier, do bring him with you. I have a few questions for him regarding the creature."

    "From the interest on her face, though, Rowan knew it was not just the Khusti that held her attention. After all, not many dark elves had the chance to flee their mistresses and live."
    "The image of a shaken Draith came back to him now. He'd looked so stressed, so terrified, after realizing just whom the carriage contained."
    "There hadn't been time to comfort the dark elf. There'd barely been time to talk to him. Upon realizing their mishap, Jezera was notified, and their group was quickly transported back to the castle."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "It was a perfect time to comfort the beastmaster, to provide a shoulder to cry on while he dug around to find out exactly {i}why{/i} the Khusti hadn't affected him, and yet he was stuck with these two women."

    else:
        "Rowan couldn't stop thinking about the beastmaster and wondering if he was alright."

    "Jezera evidently saw the look of familiarity in Lady Daxisys's eyes as well as well, and with a glance in his direction, Rowan heard her voice although her mouth did not move. This was for his ears only, thanks to her amulet."

    je "{i}I will have to insist you do not bring him back with you. However, our beastmaster is in need of some attention after that... mess outside. I do not mind if you take a little extra time and sort him out{/i}."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Relieved, Rowan gave a stiff nod and left."

    jump the_beast_rages_on_skip_rp

    label the_beast_rages_on_skip_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade

    "Saving his trip to the larders for later, Rowan walked straight to the breeding pits, his attention focused on finding the dark elf."
    "It was a harder task than anticipated. Rowan searched through the cells, Draith's office, the small section of the laboratory-- even the storage rooms-- but the dark elf was nowhere to be found."
    "A chill ran down his spine. Lady Daxisys hadn't gotten to him on her own yet, had she?"
    "Before he could make a run upstairs to see for himself, a wooden frame near the back of the pits caught his attention."
    "It was decently hidden behind several stacked crates, but the frame peeked out of the stone walls, as if begging to be caught. Rowan grasped the handle and shoved the door open."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Draith?"

    "It was a modest bedroom, with four stone walls and a single door to the pits. There was no window, but several notes and sketches had been attached to the walls, giving the room some flavor."
    "There was very little furniture, too-- a bed, a trunk for clothes, and a small table with candles-- but somehow the simplicity suited Draith."

    ro "...Draith?"

    "A large bundle of blankets shifted on the bed. The dark elf's face peeked out from between them, a stubborn frown pulling at his lips."

    show draith neutral behind bg25

    dra "A-Ah… I'm sorry. I didn't think anyone would come down here."

    hide draith
    show draith neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Draith unravelled himself from his blankets, putting on a brave face for the hero's sake, but Rowan could see the puffiness around his bloodshot eyes."

    ro "Are you alright?"
    dra "Me? Y-Yes, fine, fine! I'm doing great."

    "Draith smiled. Rather, he tried to smile. His lips twitched, but fell immediately, and the dark elf was forced to look away."
    "Rowan took a step forward and placed a hand on his shoulder."

    ro "You can be honest with me."
    ro "It's about your mistress, isn't it?"

    "Draith's frame tensed. A small nod."

    dra "She didn't say anything, but I saw the look in her eyes. She knows who I am. She's not happy."

    "His hands shook at his hands, and Draith gripped his forearms to hide the movement. Rowan frowned. He'd rarely seen the beastmaster so tense, so… afraid. Even an angry Jezera did not elicit this kind of response."
    "The dark elf kept his head down, and Rowan felt he was getting a glimpse of who the man used to be before joining Bloodmeen."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "It was disheartening to look at."

    ro "Draith… What was it like? Living with your mistress?"

    "Maybe if he knew more about Draith's situation, he could find a way to ease the dark elf's stress. "
    "But the look on Draith's face told him that one measly conversation would do little to make up for whatever torture the elf endured under Lady Daxisys's care."

    dra "She… She was not a kind mistress. Not many are."

    "Draith was quiet for a long time, and Rowan wondered if he would end the conversation there. He could not fault the beastmaster for wanting to avoid conversation of his troubled past."
    "But then--"

    dra "I was her slave for years. I don't remember much of my family-- just Lady Draxisys and her home."
    dra "Her husband was an academic-- sort of a hobby to keep him preoccupied while she focused on more political matters. Lord Draxisys is the one that trained me to care for the collection of beasts."
    dra "He… He taught me everything I know."

    "The beastmaster's voice fell, a solemn expression reaching across his face."

    ro "That's how you learned to experiment, then, I take it?"

    dra "Yes. His experiments were… brutal, at times. I didn't always approve of them. But I wouldn't have learned anything without his help."
    dra "My mistress was… unhappy with the time we spent together. She made sure I was aware of that."

    "He instinctively reached for his back, his slender fingers brushing against the skin. Rowan could see no mark there, but that didn't stop his mind from wandering to the various forms of torture Lady Draxisys could have inflicted on him."

    ro "She's not your mistress anymore. She isn't someone you need to worry about any longer."

    dra " That's… That isn't true."
    dra "The twins could always sell me back to her, if it suited them. They need her support."

    "Rowan opened his mouth to object, but found the words failed him. He was right; sure, Draith made an excellent beastmaster, but if it came down to acquiring a wealthy supporter versus replacing their beastmaster, would the twins make the trade?"

    ro "I'll do my best to protect you."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "They were reassuring words, ones that Rowan was sure Draith wanted to hear. It didn't have to mean he meant them; when it came down to it, Rowan wasn't even sure there {i}would{/i} be something he could do to stop Jezera from selling him off."

    else:
        "There was conviction in his voice. And, to Rowan's own surprise, he realized he meant it."
        "He knew deep down that there was a chance he couldn't prevent it, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try."

    "Draith's brows furrowed, confusion flitting across his face."

    dra "You will?"

    ro "Don't you believe me?"

    dra "I-I-- no, it isn't that, I just…"

    "Draith bit down on his lip, flustered."

    dra "I don't understand why you would go out of your way for me, I suppose."

    menu:
        "You're my friend.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
            # $ rowanCorrupt -= 3
            $ draithFinaleChoice = "friend"
            ro "You're my friend, aren't you? I wouldn't let a friend fall back into the hands of a woman like that."
            dra "You… You see me as a friend?"
            ro "I do. I would hope you've come to trust me as your friend as well, although I won't force it on you, of course."
            dra "No, no! Yes, I-- I do see you as a friend, I think. I've never had anyone this close before…"
            dra "I'm very new to this… to 'friendship'. This will take some getting used to."
            ro "Of course. It's not easy to put your trust into someone else as friends do, but I hope you're comfortable doing that with me."
            ro "Speaking of trust, though, there is something I'm curious about..."

        "You're a valuable asset.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', -5)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
            $ draithFinaleChoice = "asset"
            ro "You're a valuable asset to the castle, Draith. The effort it would take to find another beastmaster when we have you simply wouldn't be worth it."
            "Draith frowned slightly, his fingers drumming against the box."
            dra "Is that so…?"
            dra "Yes, I guess it would be hard to find someone with as much knowledge... "
            ro "Ah, speaking of knowledge..."

        "You're mine." if rowan_draith_sex:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
            $ draithFinaleChoice = "mine"
            ro "I'm your master now, aren't I?"
            ro "You're mine. I won't let someone else take you so easily, dark elven noble or otherwise."
            "Draith's cheeks flushed a dark purple, his eyes wide. He was momentarily speechless, both touched and excited by Rowan's proclamation."
            dra "I-I… Oh. {i}Oh{/i}."
            "A small, excited smile played at the corner of the dark elf's lips. Rowan could see the desire flooding his eyes, all but begging Rowan to show him just how {i}much{/i} he belonged to the hero."
            "That would have to wait, though. There was something on Rowan's mind, something that had been bothering him for hours now, ever since they ran off to capture the beast."
            ro "But as your master, there's something I've been wanting to know."

    ro "How did you know that Murlock's powers wouldn't affect me when I ran in to stop it?"

    "He could see Draith visibly searching for the right answer. Cautiously, he met Rowan's gaze."

    dra "...I didn't."
    dra "I mean, I {i}hoped{/i}. You seemed to be unaffected during the battle, and my options were you or to let Andras kill Murlock…"

    "Draith shook his head in disgust."

    dra "I'm not really sure what happened, but I'm glad things worked out as they did. I'm not sure what I would have done if I lost my Khusti..."
    ro "The compulsion didn't seem to work on you either. Was that something you put into the beast?"
    dra "No, I…"

    "The dark elf's face fell."

    dra "It doesn't work on people who have been magically bound already. I'm no longer bound to my mistress, but I was, once."
    dra "All slaves are, but usually we're not so lucky to find a loophole and escape."

    "So that was how he escaped, then; a loophole. Curiosity tugged at the back of Rowan's mind, but he refrained from bombarding the dark elf with more questions."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "He needed Draith to trust him, after all. Pushing too much would just be suspicious."
    else:
        "There was a time and place, this was neither."

    ro "...Oh. I see."
    ro "That worked out for you today, then. You might not have been able to resist otherwise."
    dra "I wouldn't even be here if I hadn't found a way out from that spell."

    "Their conversation lapsed as Draith reached down to fix the sheets on his bed. Rowan watched him with a frown, then cleared his throat."

    ro "You know, I had no idea this place was down here. I take it this is your room?"
    dra "Yes. I don't like to be far from the animals, so I turned one of the storage rooms into somewhere to sleep."
    dra "Ah, I suppose I should have asked if that was alright first…"
    ro "It's nice. Are you sure it's big enough for you?"

    "The room itself felt a little cramped for a bedroom, even with the bed tucked into the corner. Draith finished fixing the sheets and lowered himself onto the mattress, his slender legs illuminated by the dim candlelight. "

    dra "It's perfect. I don't need much space-- it's bigger than any room I've ever had."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan didn't doubt it; dark elven slaves were not known for having much space to themselves, if any at all. It was unsurprising that Draith relished in living in a broom closet."

    else:
        "He sounded so happy about it. Rowan frowned, a slight pang in his chest. A storage room was the biggest room he ever had? He dreaded to think of what Draith's sleeping conditions must have been like in the dark eleven kingdom."

    "Glancing at one of the bottles on Draith's desk, the reminder of the bottle of brandy he was meant to fetch came back to him. He knew he should be getting back to Jezera and Lady Daxisys, but it felt wrong to leave Draith now when he was still so tense."
    "As the dark elf settled himself comfortably on the bed, Rowan had a feeling he knew how Draith would prefer to be comforted."

    menu:
        '"Comfort" Draith with Your Body. (Scene)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
            scene cg1324 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1325 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1325
            show draith happy behind cg1325
            #show draith aroused behind cg1325
            "Before he could think better of it, Rowan stood at the foot of the bed and reached for Draith from behind, pulling him tightly against his chest."
            "Draith started, surprised by the sudden contact, but whatever words he'd planned to say quickly developed into a slight whimper as Rowan bit down on the soft, tender flesh of his neck."
            ro "You're still so tense. Didn't you listen to anything I had to say?"
            if draithFinaleChoice == "friend":
                ro "You're my friend. I'm not going to let my friend mope around so pitifully."
            elif draithFinaleChoice == "asset":
                ro "You're a valuable asset to us, but your work is hardly effective when you're being so pitiful."
            else:
                ro "You're mine, and I won't let my things become so miserable and pathetic."
            "He bit down again on the dark elf's neck, his hands sliding across his chest and waist. Draith shuddered, his eyes fluttering closed."
            ro "Now, how can I cheer you up?"
            dra "I-It feels like you already know what to do."
            "Draith arched his body toward Rowan, his ass pressing up against the hero's crotch. Rowan smirked, the friction against his cock a pleasant sensation."
            "Draith looked back at him imploringly, the bulge of his erection already poking out from his shorts."
            scene cg1326 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1327 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1328 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1328
            show draith happy behind cg1328
            #show draith aroused behind cg1328
            "Removing his clothes, Rowan climbed atop the bed. The dark elf shimmied out of his clothes, tossing them into a dirty pile on the floor."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Gripping his wrists, Rowan shoved Draith back onto the bed, pinning his arms above his head."
            else:
                "Rowan ran his hands up and down the dark elf's body, gently pushing him back down onto the bed. Draith automatically put his arms above his head, securing them together by an invisible bind."
                "Complying, Rowan placed his hands over his slender wrists, earning an excited writhe from the beastmaster."
            "His mouth came down onto Draith's neck again, teeth grazing the skin as he pressed down hard kisses. Draith inhaled sharply, his body arching closer with each bite and lick."
            dra "Fuck… Fuck, Rowan… Master…"
            "Rowan could feel the dark elf's excitement grow with each hardening each of his cock as it brushed and bobbed against the hero's thigh. Rowan's own erection lengthened in response, rubbing against the elf's belly."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Scanning the room, Rowan reached for Draith's belt nearby."
                "Draith stopped, a slight panic settling onto his face."
                dra "W-What are you…?"
            else:
                dra "Y-You know, it would be a lot easier for you to touch me if you had something to hold me in place…"
                "Draith glanced up at his wrists, the implication clear. Rowan nodded, glancing around the room."
                "His gaze landed on a discarded belt on the floor. He bent over and picked it up."
                "Draith's eyes widened, a slight panic settling onto his face."
                dra "U-Um, Rowan, I..."
            "He trailed off, relief overcoming him when Rowan tied the belt around the elf's wrists and the wooden headboard, securing him there."
            "Draith bit down on his lip, eyes wide as he watched Rowan kiss down his neck and shoulders, following a path down to his taut nipples."
            "Rowan bit down on one, gently toying with the nib between his teeth."
            if rowan_draith_sex == False:
                "It was more difficult than he was expecting, considering how flat and slender the elf's chest was. Rowan was used to the soft mounds of his wife, but Draith's body provided more of a challenge-- one he was eager to explore."
            dra "Mmph!"
            "Draith's hips jerked up toward him, but Rowan pushed him back down, using his other hand to toy with the beastmaster's other nipple as he sucked and bit the first one."
            "He repeated the action to the other side, flipping every so often as Draith's nipples became as rigid as his cock."
            if rowan_draith_sex == False:
                "It became easier with each movement, and Rowan found his body easily becoming accustomed to the flat panes of Draith's chest as he teased and toyed with the nimble beastmaster."
            dra "Master… Rowan, please…"
            "He needed it. Rowan could feel it in every twitch and movement of the elf's body, his craving for something more."
            "Rowan felt a similar sensation. His cock twitched, brushing against Draith's leg. The dark elf whimpered."
            if rowan_draith_sex or rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Sitting up, Rowan grabbed the candle from the elf's nightstand. Draith watched with interest as Rowan hovered it above his lithe body, the wax dripping over the edges."
            else:
                "Rowan glanced at the melting candle on the elf's nightstand, an idea flickering at the back of his mind. He'd once done this with Alexia when she was feeling particularly feisty-- would Draith like it as well?"
                "Hesitantly, Rowan sat up and grabbed the candle, carefully lifting it over the dark elf. Draith watched with eager anticipation as the hero slowly dripped some of the wax onto his chest."
            "The elf hissed as the wax landed with a slight plop onto his nipple. Draith bit down on his lip, the second drop eliciting a more pleasant reaction than the first."
            ro "Why isn't it cooling into wax?"
            "Rowan stared at the little clear puddle on Draith's chest, surprised that it didn't immediately turn back into wax. Draith breathed heavily, his body shuddering with excitement."
            dra "It's a special candle I had shipped in. The… The wax is also massage oil…"
            "A light blush colored his cheeks as he too watched the puddle of oil drip down his nipple and chest."
            "There were a million uses for this Rowan could think of, many of them involving a rather sensual image of Draith pleasuring himself in the ass with one of his candles when no one else was around, but Rowan had another thought for this in mind."
            "Lifting the elf's legs back, Rowan dripped the wax oil onto Draith's asshole, savoring the pleasured gasp that escaped from his lover's lips."
            dra "Yes… Ohh, yes--!"
            show cg1329 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Lifting the candle back above Draith's chest, Rowan inserted himself into the elf's asshole as bits of wax and oil slid down the elf's body, creating a shine across his purple-hued skin."
            "The oil made it easy for Rowan to drive himself into the beastmaster; Draith's asshole opened up wide, allowing Rowan to plunge as deep into the slim man as he could."
            "Rowan watched in delight as Draith's cock twitched and bounced with each violent thrust, the massage oil mixing in with precum as they slid and dripped from the elf's tip."
            dra "F-Fuck, ohh, fuck, master--!!"
            "Draith whimpered again, the bed bouncing as his hips thrashed up and down on the bed. Rowan could feel his desperation, the desire and need pent up in his body and begging for release."
            "Setting the candle down, Rowan squeezed Draith's oil-covered cock, one hand moving swiftly up and down his shaft as he plowed the elf's ass."
            "It was the most open Draith had ever felt to Rowan; his legs spread wide, eager to accept each pounding sensation of the hero's cock between his ample bottom."
            "The oil was slick within the elf's asshole and in Rowan's hand, allowing for quick, swift pumps at the base and tip of Draith's cock."
            "Draith's hands reached for Rowan, but the belt held them in place above his head, forcing him to show his excitement by bucking his hips."
            "A pleasured moan escaped Rowan's mouth as he dug himself deeper, harder, faster into the sex-driven elf."
            "He was losing himself, the combination of movement in Draith's asshole, his bucking hips, and the feel of a hard cock in his hand driving him over the edge."
            "Draith gave in first, his body convulsing with stuttered gasps as hot cum poured out of his cock and over the hero's belly and hand."
            "The visible sight of Draith's pleasure was enough to put Rowan over the edge, steering him into his own climax."
            ro "Ngh--!!"
            show cg1330 with sshake
            show cg1330 with sshake
            show cg1331 with flash
            pause 1
            show cg1332 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan's hips bucked, his movement haggard and hard as Draith's ass squeezed every ounce of seed from the hero's cock. He could feel the liquid gushing out from Draith's ass and spilling out onto his hips and the bedding."
            "The men stayed like that for a moment, their minds swimming in the aftermath of pleasure as they caught their breaths."
            "Draith broke the silence first with a small, breathy laugh."
            dra "Mmm… I definitely feel my value here now."
            "Rowan chuckled, reaching up to untie the elf from the bed. Draith rubbed his wrists, lazily laying back on the mattress as he took some time to recover."
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "Rowan stared down at Draith, a strange feeling overcoming him. He felt as though his chest were swelling, his breathing tight as his gaze devoured every curve and angle of the dark elf's body."
                "He recognized this feeling, but he pushed it down, down, as far from thought as he could. It was too familiar, too overwhelming giddy and warm."
                "Sex with Draith was enjoyable, but it didn't warrant this type of reaction after the fact, right?"
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    "Guilt immediately mixed with the emotion, dampening his mood. A part of him recognized that, just maybe, he was using the dark elf for his own selfish means. To suggest there was anything more would be a lie to them both, wouldn't it?"
                "Getting dressed, Rowan shook off the thoughts, hoping that by refusing to address them that they would disappear. The emotions lingered, but he paid them no mind."
            else:
                "Rowan stared down at Draith, a strange feeling stirring in his chest, but he pushed it down. Perhaps once he would have explored such tender emotion, but Rowan knew the time for that was long gone."
                "Instead he smirked, satisfied with the way Draith stared up at him with glistening adoration. Good; he'd successfully secured the dark elf's trust, and all it took was a quick romp in the bed."
                if rowan_draith_sex == False:
                    "If that was all it took, perhaps he should have given in to the elf's desires much sooner."
            "There were still two women of high power waiting for him, after all. He needed to get that brandy to them as soon as possible, perhaps more for his own sanity than fear of punishment."
            $ rowan_draith_sex = True

        "Return to Jezera and Lady Daxisys.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Regardless, it wouldn't do to keep Jezera and Lady Daxisys waiting. Rowan had put off meeting with the women again for as long as he could allow."
            ro "Chin up, Draith. You're with us now; we won't let you go so easily."
            "Draith gave the hero a grim smile, his eyes betraying his disbelief, but said nothing more as he curled back into bed."

    # Replay mod: Break early if we skip.
    if earlyEnd:
        return

    scene black with fade

    "Leaving the beastmaster to his devices, Rowan left the breeding pits, snatched a bottle of brandy from the larder, and rejoined Jezera and her guest."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    "He found the two women seated at a large table, empty goblets set out in front of them as Jezera tapped her nails idly against the tabletop. Their conversation halted as Rowan stepped in, suspicion blatant on their faces."

    ely "Where is the beastmaster?"
    ro "I didn't come across him-- but the orcs are drinking us out of house and home, mistress. This is the last of it for now, but another shipment arrives tomorrow. I'll make sure to order more next time."

    "He said the second part to Jezera, quick to change the subject before Lady Daxisys could push further for information on Draith."

    je "You certainly will. It won't do to leave our guests thirsty."

    "Rowan nodded, bending toward her goblet to fill it up."
    "The demon's voice suddenly played in his mind, the amulet providing discretion to their conversation."

    je "{i}You seem to be in a better mood. I take it the beastmaster is doing well?{/i}"
    ro "{i}As well as he can. You haven't made any plans to sell him to her, have you?{/i}"
    je "{i}Hm, what a quaint idea. It didn't even cross my mind, but if she's interested, that could be an incentive of its own…{/i}"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "A dark look flickered across Rowan's face. Jezera barely held her laughter in."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Rowan carefully kept his face neutral. He expected as much from Jezera, but after just securing the dark elf's full trust, it would certainly be an inconvenience to lose him already."

    else:
        "A guilty look flickered across Rowan's face. Jezera barely held her laughter in."

    je "{i}Oh, don't look so dire. I tease. It's not easy to come across a beastmaster so knowledgeable; I have no intention of selling him.{/i}"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Although he tried not to show it, Rowan felt a wave of relief wash over him."

    else:
        "Rowan nodded, betraying nothing on his face."

    "As he bent to pour Lady Daxisys's, she raised a hand to stop him."

    ely "Don't bother; I'll be retiring momentarily."
    ely "As I was saying, this was a poor introduction to your practices at best, Jezera."
    ely "..But that beast was certainly magnificent. If he hadn't destroyed my carriage and killed my footman, I might almost be impressed."
    je "It's our newest addition. Some hiccups are always expected along the way, but they never last long."

    "Jezera sipped her wine, and Rowan stared at her, baffled. {i}Hiccups{/i} were expected? Wasn't she the one that threw a fit that the mock battle had gone horribly wrong?"
    "But neither woman paid the hero any mind. Their talk was business, and he was simply another slave to do their bidding."

    ely "Speaking of hiccups, I noticed a young man in your staff. A little dark elf. He looked strikingly familiar."

    "She looked directly at Rowan."

    ely "I see you didn't bring him with you."
    ely "Pity. There's so much I want to ask him."

    "But the look on her face told another story. Rowan saw the malicious glint in her eyes, the way her lips pressed together in a tight, forced smile that barely constrained her irritation."
    "He was relieved when she turned to Jezera and dropped the subject, tucking it away for what Rowan could only guess would be a later confrontation."
    "Even with Lady Daxisys's calm demeanor, he doubted the dark elf would allow Draith to continue living here with no consequence for his escape. But what was she planning?"

    if rowanCorrupt > 61:
        "A disturbance churned in his stomach. Rowan's grip tightened around the brandy bottle."

    else:
        "Rowan kept his expression blank, but he watched Lady Daxisys out of the corner of his eye."

    ely "Your efforts intrigue me. Let's strike up a deal, shall we?"

    "Jezera leaned in, a slight purr to her voice."

    je "I'm listening."
    ely "Your original monetary request is outlandish, but that does not mean I can't be persuaded. Allow me to offer you a smaller sum for now, and if you continue to impress me, perhaps more will come your way."
    ely "I would be interested to see more as you progress. I request an invitation and presentation as you advance. If I like what I see, perhaps then we can discuss larger donations."
    je "We would be more than happy to accomodate you, Lady Daxisys."
    ely "Elyon is fine. I believe I'll be looking forward to this partnership."

    "Lady Daxisys glanced in Rowan's direction with a hard edge to her smile before rising from her chair."

    je "Must you retire so soon? You've only just arrived. Do stay-- we'll have a party of our own."
    ely "A generous offer, but I'm quite exhausted from my travels. I'll rest tonight and be on my way tomorrow."
    je "I see. And you're set on travelling {i}traditionally{/i}? We have portals for a reason, you know."
    ely "In my experience, the journey, my dear, far outweighs the destination. "
    je "...Of course. Well, if you need anything at all, do not hesitate to ask. We like to be hospitable to our guests."
    ely "When you're not launching beasts on them."

    "Jezera's smile twitched, her annoyance slipping through."

    je "Rowan. Be a good boy and escort Elyon to her room. I will have a new carriage waiting outside for her in the morning."
    ro "Of course."

    scene black with fade

    "Rowan led Lady Daxisys upstairs to a long hall of guest rooms, glancing down at her every so often to make sure she didn't run off. He didn't trust her not to disappear down one of the halls and exact some type of vengeance on Draith of her own accord."
    "Lady Daxisys did no such thing and followed him diligently. A small smirk played on her lips as she wandered silently beside him through the halls."

    scene bg14 with fade

    "He stopped in front of a guest room as far from the breeding pits as he could get. Rowan pushed the door open and gestured inside."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Your room, my lady."
    ely "Hm. Yes, I suppose this will do nicely."

    "Lady Daxisys stepped into the bedroom, but stopped and turned back at him before reaching the bed."

    ely "Since I could not tell him myself, I'll leave a message with you to deliver to the little dark elven boy. Understood?"

    "She did not wait for Rowan to accept."

    ely "The demons' walls cannot hide you forever. You're a traitor, and you will be dealt with accordingly."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan bristled, but if Lady Daxisys knew or even cared about his reaction, she didn't show it."

    else:
        "Rowan stared at her with a slight edge to his stance. If Lady Daxisys knew or even cared about his reaction, however, she didn't show it."

    "The dark elf shut the bedroom door in his face, her smirk haunting his thoughts long after she'd gone to sleep."

    # $ draith1FinaleSeen = True

    # return

    return

# \events\chaos_inc.rpy
label sexy_elf_thief2_rp:

    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg31 with fade

    "Rowan arrived at the place that the spy had told him about, the convoy of would-be refugees was here as he had said."

    menu:
        "Seize the convoy with a company of Orcs.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump seizeConvoy_rp

        "Infiltrate the convoy to learn more about it. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump infiltrateConvoy_rp


    label seizeConvoy_rp:

        "Rowan arrived at the convoy’s location with a host of brutal Orcs at his back."
        "His scouts found the perfect point to attack the convoy with a pincer move. Rowan’s aim was to quickly strike and surround the convoy so that people couldn’t break through and flee."
        "A murky cloudy sky formed the backdrop for their assembly. Once his warriors were in position, Rowan gave the signal, and the greenskins charged in with a bone-rumbling roar."
        "When the people traveling to leave their homes realized what was happening, fear spread through them like a ghostly chill."
        "The convoy was not wholly defenseless, but as Rowan closed with them, he saw the terror in the faces of every man and woman who raised up a sword or spear."
        "Blades shook and spear tips were not even raised to properly fend off the Orc’s initial press."
        "Rowan imagined all of their slim hopes formed after escaping Raeve vanishing as his host smashed against their feeble defense line."
        "One face did stick out to him as he followed behind the vanguard. There, quickly surveying the situation with sharp eyes was an elven woman."
        "He saw her pretend to surrender to an orc, only to pull out a shiny dagger and slice the sinew of the raider’s hamstring. When he fell, her blade slashed again, this time across his neck."

        show rowan necklace neutral behind bg25

        ro "Hmmm."

        "Knowing she might try to rally the people around her into some kind of suicidal last stand, Rowan moved to defeat her."
        "Unfortunately, among the screams and carnage of the assault, he lost track of the raven-haired woman."
        "Most of his luck held though as the surviving Rosarians defending against the orcs soon dropped their weapons, raising their hands in defeat."
        "A few Orcs barked back, wishing to take their pound of flesh to avenge their few fallen comrades, but Rowan put a quick end to that."

        hide rowan
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        ro "The battle is over! These people are now the property of your Masters!"

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind black

        "If the greenskins did not appreciate his decision, they kept their big jaws shut. After that, the convoy began marching again, this time in a very different direction."
        "Rowan led them to the portal he and the orcs had used. Once they returned back to Castle Bloodmeen, each and every soul who had tried to flee the country was put to good use."

        if serveChoice == 4:
            "He watched many hopeless faces pass him as the procession moved to an assembly point outside the formidable castle."
            "Some still had hope in their eyes. He wished them well, even though he knew it would be best to abandon such feelings quickly."
            ro "(Hope dies here. All they can hope for is service to something greater. The faster they realize that, the better off they’ll be…)"

        elif rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan felt a knot in his stomach each time he saw defeat and hopelessness on the faces of the former convoy members."
            "With the loss of their freedom, they would now serve the Twins wherever the Demons needed more manpower."
            "Deep in his heart, he knew he had to be strong, for himself and for them. He had to keep hope alive for the small chance that one day things would change."
            "He thought privately to himself they needed to hold onto hope, a silent prayer that he hoped some among the mass might hear."

        else:
            "Standing in front of the defeated mass of people who tried to flee from the Twins, Rowan thought on his actions."
            "He felt confident that if the convoy had been left out in the open, it would simply have been a matter of time before they were attacked by bandits… or worse."
            "At least this way they would keep their lives and some good could come of their situation. He knew Andras would approve this raid. And a happy Andras was more likely to cooperate with him. "

        # $ avatar.add_exp (150)
        # $ change_prisoners(10)
        # $ change_favor('andras', 2)
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
        # $ avatar.add_guilt(10)
        return

    label infiltrateConvoy_rp:

        "When he got close to the convoy, Rowan pulled on some worn clothes and a ratty cloak he’d found from the castle’s stores. "

        show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "(I can’t just walk up to the convoy and be spotted immediately, that will end the plan before it begins.)"

        "The convoy was actually well hidden among some hills and trees. Whoever was their guide appeared to know the land well based on the choice of a resting point."
        "When Rowan walked in close, he was met with spear and sword by a group of paltry guards protecting the group."
        "The hero of Kast easily managed to convince them that he was just another Rosarian, fleeing from the terror that had befallen Raeve."
        "Once he got into the main throng of people, he began observing the group."
        "There were some minor nobles, but it appeared that the majority of the people were peasants, perhaps fleeing the dawning famine starting to sweep through the land."
        "They had taken their children and everything they could carry and joined Sylaris, the leader of the group."
        "Just as Rowan was about to find her, she found him."
        "Her eyes were as sharp as the ends of her ears as she looked over the man standing in front of her."

        syl "Hmmph. I’m Sylaris, leader of the caravan. And I don’t think you’re on my list."

        "She said coldly, observing him with a solemn stare. The woman had long black hair and knife-shaped ears."
        "Her pose betrayed her guarded stance and Rowan’s eyes landed on the sword at her side and the dagger sheathed on the woman’s hip."

        ro "I’m not. The name is Rowan."

        "If she’d heard the name, the elf‘s expression did not betray any recognition."

        ro "I heard rumors about this group from some farmers. If you mean to escape this wretched place, I wish to come along."
        syl "The more the merrier, if you have the coin."

        "Rowan nodded slowly and then pulled out a coin pouch. When she saw the glint of gold, the elf’s shoulders relaxed somewhat."
        "She chuckled but then chewed on her lip as she turned away from Rowan and glanced towards the mass of people she was apparently leading."

        syl "Shame that it won’t do you any good. We cannot advance, and It’s probably the time the noose finally slides down around my neck for good."
        ro "What’s the problem?"
        syl "We use scouts to guide the way and make sure we don’t run into trouble. My top man, Grelond, has not returned in several days."

        "She sighed heavily while resting her hands on her hips."

        syl "He was my best eye, and also had our map of the region."

        "Rowan judged that the woman feared what might happen next. If she continued forward, the convoy could be snapped up."
        "On the other hand, both he and Sylaris knew that with each passing hour, the odds that they’d be discovered increased."
        "It would be a simple thing for any group of raiders or bandits to fall upon the convoy, kill anyone who resisted, and take every scrap of food and supplies from the refugees."
        "Rowan’s gaze landed on the elf woman in her tight, leather armor. She noticed his gaze and her chin lifted up as she eyed him warily."

        syl "What?"
        ro "I served in the Solansian forces as a ranger, I can navigate you and the convoy to the east."

        "Her head cocked to the side."

        syl "I don’t want false hope. And I cannot suffer fools because then all of them would suffer too…"

        "She waved a hand out, gesturing towards the multitude of tired and hungry refugees assembled around them."

        ro "The only way we can overcome these beasts is by working together. I swear on my life that I can lead you through them."

        "As an effective general of the Twins’ military forces, Rowan’s skills in tracking were second to none."
        "His assuredness won over the taciturn elf, and she eventually obliged him, but not without threatening to gut him if he led the group astray."
        "With that, the Hero of Karst began making the preparations, which included drawing up a new map of the area to lead the refugees to safety."
        "But before that, he had a choice to make. He had not come here simply to spare some people from the conflict he was trapped in. Had he?"

        menu:
            "Earn Sylaris’ trust to turn her into one of your agents one day.":
                $ sylarisSpy = True
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene black with fade
                "Knowing the value of hunting down surviving nobles and other potentially powerful opponents to the Twins’ plans, Rowan decided that he would work on turning Sylaris to his side."
                "The first step was guiding the convoy out and doing his best to ensure he appeared as he should, someone with knowledge of the area."
                "Naturally, with his knowledge of the region, the former hero of the land played a false ranger quite well and the convoy never ran into trouble."
                "He did more than that, however. Whenever he could, he spoke to the elf’s agents, seeking out the most ideal candidate to be turned into his agent on the inside."
                "Rowan could have tried turning Sylaris to begin with, but he believed she would see his ploy coming a mile away."
                "So, he ended up working on a man named Vekylion, planting the idea in the man’s mind that information about future convoys and the people backing them would be worth a pretty gold."
                "The measure was a gamble, and a few nights, Rowan prepared himself for the worst, either to be killed in his sleep or to have to fight his way out of the convoy if Vekylion turned on him."
                "In the end, he made it to the final day with his throat intact. The train of refugees crossed the border, leaving their home and everything else they had known behind."
                "“What will happen to us now?”"
                "“I’ve never known any other home but Rosaria.”"
                "“How are we going to find food?”"
                "At one point, he nearly spoke up to tell them that they should have stayed and served the Twins, but he kept his lips shut and left the people to press on towards their uncertain path."
                "With both his fake and true mission accomplished, he went to meet with Sylaris and bid her farewell."

            "Help Sylaris lead these people to safety.":
                $ sylarisSpy = False
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene black with fade
                "Rowan decided that he would help the people out without hope of any reward beyond leading them to safety."
                "The former soldier of Rosaria did not wish to merely stand by if he could ease their suffering."
                "He decided to help Sylaris and the people cross the border to flee the darkness falling on Rosaria."
                "The convoy got back on the move and Rowan led Sylaris and her people for the rest of their journey."
                "A few times they had to stop to avoid orc patrols, but Rowan always managed to keep them at a distance."
                "He used his skills from the war to good advantage as well, teaching the travelers a few tips and tricks to help cover up as much of their trail as they could."
                "In the end, they reached the border. It was a moment of elation for many of the people, though some could not help their darkened spirits."
                "“What will happen to us now?”"
                "“I’ve never known any other home but Rosaria.”"
                "“How are we going to find food?”"
                "Rowan had no answers for them as he watched them continue marching on the path. He made to meet with Sylaris, one last time before returning to Castle Bloodmeen."

        scene bg31 with fade

        "With the refugees safe, the elf and her small crew set up a small camp for the night."
        "Rowan was preparing to head back to the portal when Sylaris found him near her tent."

        show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve

        syl "Thank you. You did… something good today. Tomorrow we’ll begin again."

        "Rowan nodded to her and then felt a little surprised when the cunning woman chuckled lightly."

        syl "Haha. I would ask you to stay, but I think your fight is bigger than just slow, plodding caravan protection."
        ro "You could say that."
        syl "Well, I am grateful. This is the third convoy, but really it’s the only one that made it."
        syl "The first was butchered, and on the second we lost three-quarters of the people."

        "Her chin bowed and she suddenly looked weary beyond her years."

        ro "So why do you do this? Put yourself at risk?"
        syl "It is something I know how to do, and I know it helps people. A darkness is rising on the land and if I can help, even a few, I know that I should."

        "She gazed at him and sniffed before collecting her wits. Sylaris shifted awkwardly on her feet in front of the Hero of Karst."

        syl "But I must thank you. And… Well, gold hardly seems fair for a man of your skills…"

        "Her eyes glance at him and Rowan noticed the elf’s enchanting eyes bounce from looking at him to looking at the entrance of her tent."

        menu:
            "Join Sylaris in her tent. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump sylSex_rp

            "The safety of the people is thanks enough.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "You are generous."
                "Sylaris scoffed and then fixed him with a rather dismissive look."
                syl "I wasn’t trying to be generous. It is not like only you would enjoy yourself."
                "Rowan nodded before taking a beat."
                ro "All the same, it’s best I get moving again. Farewell Sylaris. I hope we meet again."
                syl "Aye. Safe travels, Rowan."
                "With that, the adventurer began moving, leaving the elf and the convoy behind."
                jump elfThiefEnd2_rp

    label sylSex_rp:

        scene black with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan joined her in the tent. It was threadbare with a small area for bedding and a small trunk for clothes and belongings."
        "He also spied bags that he’d assumed were full of the take from her convoys so far. It appeared she’d made a small fortune."

        ro "(She could stop this and live a life of comfort if she wanted to.)"

        "The elf noticed him looking at the bags."

        syl "Things have not changed for me much. I still take money from people. ‘Once a thief, always a thief.’"
        ro "You’re taking their money to keep them alive."

        "The sigh that came from her lips was coated in disappointment, or was it shame?"

        syl "A good deed does not vanquish the bad. When I see the faces of the poor children, looking lost and confused, I…"

        "For a moment she trailed off and her head jerked away from the bags of gold to gaze at him."

        syl "I just think back to all my marks from before. My wicked acts were small, but it feels like they helped make things worse."
        syl "And now look where we are."

        menu:
            "Tell her it isn't her fault.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                syl "If you say so."

            "Tell her she is doing her best now.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                syl "True enough. I just hope it counts for something…"

        syl "Anyway, I didn’t bring you in here to talk about me. "

        #cg1
        scene cg1345 with fade
        pause 3
        "Rowan watched Sylaris turn her lithe form away from him. She stepped out of her boots and then knelt down on her bedding."
        "He felt his cock stir as she grabbed at her belt. The elf’s long fingers worked their magic and began pulling down her pants to reveal her soft, porcelain flesh."

        #cg1 - var 1
        show cg1346 with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1346
        pause 3

        "Rowan moved closer, feeling lust rise up in his body as Sylaris went further."

        syl "I have learned you are a man of some skill, Rowan. I hope those skills can help me here."
        ro "You won’t be disappointed."
        syl "Mmm."

        "With that, she finished pulling her pants down around her ankles, exposing her dewy elven pussy to the human’s warming gaze."
        "Rowan put his hands on her sides, slowly running them down her frame to get her ready.  However, she pulled out of his grasp as she went down on all fours and turned back to him impatiently."

        #cg2
        show cg1347 with dissolve
        pause 3

        syl "Hurry up and get started. I wish I could say I have all night, but time is not on my side."
        ro "Hmph, that was fast, you aren't even wet yet. I normally prefer to take things slow but..."

        "Rowan did not delay further. He settled in behind the sexy woman with her long knife-ears and spat on his cock to help lube it up."
        "If she wasn't interested in foreplay, this would be something… simple rather than intimate."
        "Like a candle in the dark, the pleasant notes of Sylaris’s moans brightened up the evening as Rowan began pumping harder."

        syl "Yes… Fuck… Give it to me… Rowan… I’m… Nrwaaha!"
        ro "I see you're a quickshot then? You didn't even need to be buttered up first."

        "The elf’s exposed flesh rumbled as she succumbed to the burning heat in her loins. Rowan felt her folds twitching around him."

        syl "Fuck you, a girl like me needs to be ready to leap at a moment's notice. I could miss my chance otherwise."

        "Sylaris’ pussy seemed as eager as her body, clinging all over his length, bidding him to go deeper.
        But when he felt his balls tightening, she must have sensed what was coming as well."

        syl "Not inside. Huhah… my face… I want your cum on my face!"

        "Rowan nodded and his fingers sank into the elf’s tasty ass as he pulled his throbbing member free from her velvety warmth."

        ro "Since you want it this way..."

        "He stepped over in front of Sylaris and expelled his load all over her pretty face."
        "Sylaris welcomed every spurt and every drop. It must have been some time since she’d known the kind of relief that he’d given her."
        "As he watched the ropes of warm  jizz slipping down her face, Rowan felt a bit surprised when a small smile broke across her features."

        show cg1348 with dissolve
        pause 3

        ro "I take it then, you didn't mind my quick shot?"

        "Rowan’s muscular chest heaved as his dick finished jerking from the radiant pleasure of his orgasm."

        syl "Not bad… not bad at all, Rowan."

        "Sylaris’ face was a mess, but the elf appeared to have no problem looking like a two-gold whore in front of the man who helped lead her convoy to safety."
        "Instead, her tongue reached out, making for quite the tantalizing display as she washed some of Rowan’s cum from her exquisite features."

        ro "After being used like a cheap whore, you've got a smile on your face and are licking the semen of a man you don't even know? Normally I'd call that pretty terrible treatment of a lady."
        syl "It's not my first time being used like that. You wouldn't believe how many men will line up for a chance at an elven maiden. Too bad for them I charged extra."
        ro "You certainly seemed to enjoy playing your old game."

        "A thought crossed Rowan's mind and he reached out under her bedmat. Sure enough, his coin purse was pulled from it. He gave it an experimental toss to make sure she hadn't also pulled some of the coins out while they'd been having their fun."

        ro "'Once a thief, always a thief' was it?"

        scene black with fade
        show rowan hood neutral behind black

        "She merely shrugged. The two got washed up and then Sylaris prepared to see him off. The convoy keepers had done their job, but in an hour or two, they would have to press on."
        "As he watched the company led by the former thief take off, Rowan gave one final farewell."

        ro "I wish you luck in the trials ahead."
        syl "Heh. Keep it. I’ll take gold any day."

    label elfThiefEnd2_rp:

        scene bg31 with fade

        if sylarisSpy:
            if serveChoice == 4:
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    "Rowan felt good about helping the beleaguered travelers, but it was not as easy to feel the same concerning his other activities.."
                    "Placing a spy in Sylaris’ operation meant that eventually, her group’s goal of working for the betterment of Rosaria would be twisted to other goals."
                    "Privately Rowan wondered if he might be falling deeper under Jezera’s sway."

                elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    "Rowan felt adrift as he pressed on, leaving Sylaris and the business of the convoy behind."
                    "It felt wicked, dishonorable, to put a wolf among the sheep as he had done."
                    "He did not know if he felt good because he knew it was something Jezera would have done? Or because he appreciated his own deception."
                    "One way or another, he knew that one day, the small fish he had gained might hopefully lead him to bigger, more important fish."

                else:
                    "The adventurer felt chipper in the aftermath of the quest. Alas, the feeling did not last long before a dark shadow fell over him when he caught Sylaris’ eyes one last time."
                    "The good that he had done for the refugees would fall to the waterside once his deal with his agent bore fruit."
                    "Rowan wondered if Jezera once felt the same bittersweet taste when she first began constructing her machinations and plots."

            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                "Part of him regretted not simply raiding the Elf and her convoy."
                "Such a devastating blow to the hope of Rosaria would have amused Andras to say the least."
                "Still, when Rowan took stock of the situation, his new agent Vekylion would hopefully prove useful."
                "Not only would the traitor help Rowan keep tabs on Sylaris who herself might be an asset, Vekylion might also learn of the people sponsoring her activities."
                "Whoever they were, Rowan believed that they might be influential in the tumultuous times ahead."

            else:
                "The sting of betraying Sylaris by winning Vekylion over to the Twins’ side did not leave Rowan quickly."
                "Still, the harsh reality of the situation was that at any moment, if his performance as their General was found wanting, the demons might move against him."
                "Having an insider within any future convoys was the smart bet, one he was sure that even Sylaris would take if she were in his position."
            # $ avatar.add_exp (150)
            # $ change_favor('jezera', 2)
            #TO DO - Add Spy asset: Vekylion, Sylvaris’ right-hand man. (Mechanical effect: Arrange Kidnapings: +15% efficiency.)
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 5

        else:
            if serveChoice == 4:
                "It was a risk, helping the refugees leave Rosaria. It was an even greater risk to keep Sylaris and her associates a secret from his Demonic captors."
                "Still, some part of him knew he could not do more damage to them than his earlier actions already did."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                "A part of Rowan regretted simply helping Sylaris and her crew deliver the downtrodden mass out of danger for nothing more than their thanks."
                "It was a great and benevolent gesture, which was plain to him, but he imagined it playing a small role in the long run."
            else:
                "All victories, even the smallest ones, were to be enjoyed, especially with the world as it was."
                "Rowan knew that the small deed of helping Sylaris and the people would not do much in the long run."
                "Still, he had to keep faith, to hold onto his humanity, and Rowan did not regret lending the elf his aide."
                "Every little bit counts, after all. War is not finished with one battle, but a thousand small ones."
                "Rowan took solace in that and then continued exploring the land."
                # $ avatar.add_exp (150)
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(10)
                # $ rowanCorrupt -= 5

        # return

    return

# \events\jez_favour.rpy
label jezItemsFavour_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ reformReason = "selfish"
    $ skillCheck = True # Pass skill checks
    $ got_jez_potion = True
    $ seen_delane_bad_end = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan submissive to Jezera? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg14 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "Mistress, it hasn’t escaped my attention that between the amulet you’ve presented both me and my wife, and the ring you gave Helayna, you appear to have quite the collection of magical items."

    else:
        ro "Empress, it hasn’t escaped my attention that between the amulet you’ve presented both me and my wife, and the ring you gave Helayna, you appear to have quite the collection of magical items."

    ro "And if the amulets are anything to go by, some of them are quite powerful."

    je "What can I say? I enjoy collecting pretty and useful things."

    if jezeraSubmission > 5:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        je "And you’re the centerpiece of my collection, Rowan. More valuable than any item or jewel."
        ro "I- Thank you, Mistress?"
        "Jezera offered him a small smile that made his heart beat faster. He cleared his throat, and got the conversation back on track."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I wanted to discuss what practical applications they might have. And whether or not we should deploy them in Rosaria. I need every edge I can get, Mistress."
    je "You want a magic sword? After what happened during our second encounter?"

    #show jezera smirk at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    je "I approve of the audacity, if nothing else."
    ro "… Maybe not a sword, then. But I am sure you have something that could be of use?"

    if reformReason == "selfish":
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "It was a long shot, but maybe there was something he could use even against Jezera herself. The woman had a habit of shooting herself in the foot - he was banking on it right now."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "He spoke truly. Gods only knew what Jezera held in reserve - and he’d rather not waste them on torturing people, or whatever vanity project Jezera is currently pursuing."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Maybe. Possibly. But no."

    "Rowan blinked. Jezera looked at her fingernails, and repeated herself."

    je "Just no. Oh, I have a number of them, that much is true, but I’ll decide myself when and how to make use of them. Besides, you don’t need them."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    je "You had no holy armour or sword when you fought my father. You always relied on your skills and wit. And look how far it brought you!"
    ro "That’s… One way of looking at it?"

    "He wondered if he should call her on it, but the wicked smile Jezera wore betrayed she was well aware just how ridiculous that spiel was, coming from her. She chuckled, and shook her head again."

    je "You don’t need any magical toys, Rowan. I know you can bring Rosaria to its knees with just what you have in your head. You simply need to learn how to apply it properly."
    je "I could help, if you’d want to. Teach you things no other woman could."

    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
        show jezera happy at center with moveinright
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "She ran her finger down his chest, her last words delivered in a husky whisper. Rowan swallowed, and tried to pay no attention to her perfume wrapping around him."
        "She smelled of roses today. He made a mental note of it, unsure why."
        show jezera happy at midright with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "… What do you have in mind, Mistress?"

    elif jezeraSubmission < -1:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I sincerely doubt that, but what do you have in mind?"

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "What do you have in mind?"

    je "You’re quite familiar with Rosarian flora, no? Did you know the Imp Tulip is the main ingredient in four different kinds of poisons?"
    ro "… I’m aware of one. And that it’s mostly used as sleep medicine."
    je "In small doses, of course, it can be used in such a way. But it’s a far more versatile, and deadly, tool."
    je "I do not mean to downplay your expertise or experience as a ranger, Rowan - but you haven’t been hanging out with the right people to make full use of the knowledge you have."
    je "I will take you for an apprentice, and teach you all I know about Rosarian herbs. How does that sound?"
    je "It would be just the two of us. And I must confess, I’m a little excited about the prospect."

    if jezeraSubmission > 1:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Her finger trailed the edge of her cleavage, and his gaze followed. He stared into Jezera’s tits for quite a while, before he realized what he was doing, and snapped his head up."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        "Her finger trailed the edge of her cleavage, trying to tempt his eyes to drop lower. he kept his gaze steady, all too familiar with her tricks."

    je "You are my most valuable asset, Rowan, and your development is important to me. You’ve been doing quite well in Rosaria, but I see you want to do even better."
    je "So forget about magical items, and simply let me guide you. I promise you won’t regret it."

    menu:
        "Agree. Jezera deserved the benefit of the doubt every now and then. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "He was used to always looking for a hidden motive in everything Jezera did, but for once, the offer seemed straightforward. Even if it was, at least partially, motivated by her unwillingness to share her collection."
            ro "It’s been a while since I had a proper tutor. Maybe it’s not a bad idea."
            if reformReason == "selfish":
                "Besides, learning her dirty tricks was one of his goals as well. If only to protect against them better."
            else:
                "Besides, if she sees he was willing to learn from her, maybe she’ll be more open to taking his advice later. It was worth a shot."
            je "Of course it isn’t! Now, let’s get started - there’s no time like the present!"
            hide jezera with moveoutright
            hide rowan with moveoutright
            "She patted his cheek, then twirled on her heel - her dress hiking up dangerously, brushing against his leg - and headed for her room. Trying not to stare, he followed right behind her."
            jump postJezItemsFavourReward_rp

        "This could be useful - but try to bargain for more.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "It’s been a while since I had a proper tutor. Maybe it’s not a bad idea."
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "But there are problems I can’t solve with poisons and tinctures. I could still benefit from having access to your collection."
            je "That really is out of question. But perhaps I could throw in a little extra…"
            menu:
                "Praise her generosity - that’s bound to open her pockets.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "I would be most grateful, Mistress. Your ongoing support is a welcome change after years of serving under Rosarian nobles."
                        je "Men rarely see the value of what they have in front of their very eyes. You will learn I’m different."
                        jump AmicableIncreasedReward_rp
                    else:
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "That would be ideal. It’s good you’re willing to share."
                        je "I wouldn’t call it sharing. But you deserve something, that much is true."
                        jump AmicableRegularReward_rp

                "Offer to share your own expertise on Rosarian herbs.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Then so would I throw a little extra in return. What maps we have on Rosaria are horribly out of date. I’m sure I’ve stumbled upon herbs you need, and didn’t even know they grew in Rosaria."
                        je "It is possible, true…"
                        jump AmicableIncreasedReward_rp
                    else:
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Surely there is some insight I could offer in return? I’ve been scouring Rosaria for a while now… "
                        je "Maybe, I suppose…"
                        jump AmicableRegularReward_rp

        "There’s nothing a demon could teach you - demand something material instead.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            ro "If you wanted to teach me your craft, you didn’t need to wait for me to ask for something."
            je "I was waiting for you to show initiative. Now you did, and I wanted to reward you."
            je "While you, I see, chose to be unpleasant about it."
            "Her smile vanished into thin air, replaced by a scorching glare. He withstood it without much effort, thinking how to best approach it."
            menu:
                "Keep calm, and convince her you aren’t backing down on this.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        ro "I apologize, this isn’t how I wanted it to come across. I appreciate you wanting to teach me, I do."
                        ro "But unless you want to keep me here for the week, then we have precious little time to study."
                        ro "I am not one to advocate for quick solutions, so I hope the fact I’m doing so now convinces you I need help {i}now{/i}."
                        jump RefusalSuccess_rp
                    else:
                        #jez angry
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Oh no, I didn't mean it that way at all, I promise."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        "He couldn’t stop the sarcasm from reaching his voice, and it was instantly obvious Jezera wasn’t buying any of it."
                        jump RefusalFailure_rp

                # replay mod: Shortened the menu choice wording to avoid wrapping.
                #"Your knowledge of wilderness and herbalism is already considerable. She was offering too little.":
                "Your knowledge of wilderness and herbalism is already considerable.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if skillCheck == "success":
                        ro "You speak of the Imp Tulip, but it’s a plant that only grows in the far north of Rosaria. I will have little opportunity to gather it, and I don’t even want to know how much would Cla-Min charge for it."
                        ro "A craftsman is nothing without his tools. I ask that you provide me with some I can make immediate use of."
                        jump RefusalSuccess_rp
                    else:
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        #jez angry
                        ro "I don’t need to know everything about the frigging Devil’s Tulip of all flowers to know it’s not going to be of much use to me."
                        je "Imp Tulip."
                        ro "Imp Tulip then, what bloody difference does it make?"
                        "Her eyebrow twitched. Maybe he was too callous about this."
                        jump RefusalFailure_rp


    label AmicableIncreasedReward_rp:

        # $ change_personal_gold(200)

        je "Oh fine, I’ll throw in some gold. Two hundred coins. Cla-Min’s supplies are no magic, but they’re the next best thing."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "So, shall we proceed with your lessons?"

        "Even if this wasn’t what he was hoping for, there was no point in pushing Jezera when she obviously wouldn’t budge. He couldn’t risk ruining what little goodwill he just managed to gain here."

        hide jezera with moveoutright
        hide rowan with moveoutright

        "He signaled for Jezera to lead the way, and followed suit. Perhaps this would be worth his time after all… "

        jump postJezItemsFavourReward_rp

    label AmicableRegularReward_rp:

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        # $ change_personal_gold(100)

        je "Oh fine, I’ll throw in some gold. A hundred coins. Cla-Min’s supplies are no magic, but they’re the next best thing."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        je "So, shall we proceed with your lessons?"

        "This wasn’t even remotely what he was hoping for, but he doubted he would manage to gain anything by doubling down on his demands now.He couldn’t risk ruining what little goodwill he just managed to gain here."

        hide jezera with moveoutright
        hide rowan with moveoutright

        "He signaled for Jezera to lead the way, and followed suit. Perhaps this would be worth his time after all… "

        jump postJezItemsFavourReward_rp

    label RefusalSuccess_rp:

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        #jez angry

        # $ change_personal_gold(350)

        je "You know, there are people who would literally kill for a chance to spend an evening with me, and here you are, pulling out the heaviest arguments just to weasel out of it. And for what, a fancy item?"
        je "{i}You are not getting them{/i}. But I’ll throw in some gold so you can supply yourself at Cla-Min’s, and shut up about this."
        je "But you’ve made a mistake here, Rowan. I hope you realize it."

        ro "This isn’t- "

        show bg14 with redflash

        "The amulet flared up for a moment, and he hissed in pain as it almost forced him to his knees."

        je "This is what you’re getting Rowan. Now leave before I lose my patience."

        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with moveoutleft

        "He glared at her - only for the amulet to flare up again. Knowing when to cut his losses, he bowed to his mistress, and slowly backed away. "

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        scene black with fade

        "This wasn’t what he was hoping for - but it would have to do."

        # $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1

        return

    label RefusalFailure_rp:

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        #jez angry

        # $ change_personal_gold(200)

        je "You’re a real piece of work Rowan, I hope you know that. So smart. So sure of himself."
        je "And yet, here you are. At my mercy."

        show bg14 with redflash
        hide rowan with dissolve

        "He received no warning when the amulet suddenly flared up, and he fell to the floor, writhing in pain. He tried to stop himself from crying out in agony - and managed to only give out a small yelp. "

        #jez smirk
        show jezera happy at center with moveinright

        "He noticed Jezera’s shoe next to him, as the demonic mistress walked up to him. He looked up - right into her cold, uncaring eyes."

        je "I wanted to offer you a different lesson, but it seems this is the one you desperately needed."
        je "Remember Rowan. It doesn’t matter how well you’re doing in Rosaria - I expect absolute, unquestionable obedience. Is that understood?"

        show rowan necklace concerned behind bg14

        ro "Y-yes, Mistress."

        "He had to say it - the pain was unimaginable. Fucking amulet, and fucking Jezera!"

        je "Good. Since you are so desperately in need of items, you will get some gold to supply yourself for your excursions. But never again ask about access to my collection."

        scene black with fade
        show jezera displeased behind black

        je "And do not make me repeat this lesson."

        # $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1

        return

    label postJezItemsFavourReward_rp:

        scene bg18 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        "Jezera wasted no time. Once they arrived in her room, she brought out a couple of flasks and books from a cupboard nearby, and started setting up a small alchemical apparatus."

        ro "I’m surprised you keep everything on site."
        je "I like to work uninterrupted. And where poisons are concerned, it’s better to keep out of sight."
        ro "Hard to argue with that."

        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Soon enough, they got to work. Rowan expected Jezera to tease him relentlessly, but the half-demoness proved committed to their task. She had sit side by side as she explained the variety of herbs and substances he could make use of in Rosaria."

        # $ avatar.add_exp (400)

        "Some he knew of, sometimes by a different name. Some were new to him. Others had applications that were completely unknown to him. Mostly as poisons."
        "Actually a lot of what Jezera explained concerned poisons, which in retrospect shouldn’t surprise him."

        ro "Are you trying to turn me into an assassin, Jezera? You know such things aren’t my style."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        je "“Aren’t your style”? No, I suppose it’s not what one would expect from the Rowan Blackwell, hero of the six realms."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        je "Famed for his ability to sneak in and out of besieged castles, known by all goblins as the Great Trickster, and notoriously advocating for putting practically over knightly honour."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        je "Face it Rowan, you’re a dark cloak and a lack of morals away from being one. I’m just filling in gaps in your education, in case you ever change your mind."
        ro "Then you aren’t planning on sending me on some secret mission to murder your enemies in the dark."
        je "Ha, no, no. Well, maybe sometimes. I’m not particularly picky over how you kill our enemies."

        "She chuckled, an evil glint in her eye. They said no knowledge was inherently evil, but what Jezera taught him… "

        menu:
            "She was right. It could be useful in the future.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                "What difference did it make, if his enemies died with a sword to their gut, or a cup to their lips? He listened to Jezera closely, asking questions, and sometimes taking notes on things he wished to follow on."
                if reformReason == "selfish":
                    "Idly, he wondered if somewhere along the way, Jezera hadn't just handed him the tools of her own demise. It was a long shot, but maybe…"
                else:
                    "It was refreshing to know there were things Jezera handled seriously. The more they had in common, the easier it would be to convince her to his own ideas."

            "Would be helpful for antidotes as well. So he gritted his teeth and bear with it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He listened closely to Jezera’s explanations, and tried to ignore the little stories of how she personally witnessed the effects of a given poison, and how {i}hilarious{/i} it was to see a man puke his guts out, simply because he insulted her dress."
                "He was starting to regret agreeing to any of this."

            "Was difficult to focus on, with Jezera so damn {i}close{/i} to him.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "He did his best to listen, and while Jezera chose not to flirt, for once, it was impossible to ignore she was still {i}there{/i}."
                "Her hand would brush his every now and then. When her fingers worked a flash, he imagined them wrapped around something else. She would lean in, and he would catch a whiff of her rose perfume again."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "She knew what she was doing to him. And all she would do was {i}smile{/i} in response. It was driving him crazy, but clinging to what little remained of his dignity, he kept his mouth shut, and pretended to focus fully on the herbs in front of him. "

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        je "Hm… Good, yes, that is correct. I think we’ve gone through most of the really important things. You are an excellent student, Rowan."
        ro "You’re a good teacher, Mistress. That’s all."

        "It was late evening when Jezera finally decided it was enough. Rowan sighed - but noticed she wasn’t putting away the tools on her table."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        je "Now, if you have time, there’s a little something I wanted to show you before we move on. Think of it as a reward for applying yourself."

        "She reached to her drawers - the one at the bottom. It was locked by a small key, that Jezera procured seemingly out of nowhere. She opened, and took out a large flask, with some strange, purple fluid inside."

        je "I spoke a lot about poisons, but there’s another weapon in my arsenal you could make use of."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        je "This, my cute student, is “Immoraltis”. A powerful aphrodisiac, among other things."

        if got_jez_potion:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "… It looks similar to what you gave me for Tarish."
            je "As it shares many of its ingredients. I hope the other one served its purpose. "
            if seen_delane_bad_end:
                ro "It was… Terrifyingly effective."
                je "It was meant to be."

        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

        "Not asking him for his permission, she suddenly plucked a strand of hair off his head. Rowan hissed, and glared back."

        je "Relax, I just need something male as the final ingredient. I could’ve prickled you, but people always get so squeamish when you try to add their blood to a potion. I wonder why."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        "She put the hair inside, and started to gently stir the potion. The surface bubbled, and the purple liquid took an even darker shade - then it started to shine. Rowan leaned back just a little."

        je "We focused on poisons today, since in the field that’s what you are most likely to make use of. But there is something you could help me with, so a word about “Immoraltis”."
        je "The ingredients for it are quite rare, the process of brewing is quite lengthy, and it requires magic to acquire its properties. But the effect…"
        je "Unlike most aphrodisiacs, “Immoraltis” can trigger lasting mental and biological effects."
        ro "… I’m not sure I like the sound of that."
        je "So critical already. To put it simply - if the user is fed the right kind of stimuli not long after drinking it, they will come to crave it. Need it. And getting it will grow even more rewarding to them."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "So it’s more of a drug and a curse than an aphrodisiac. A brainwashing potion."
        je "Such a strong term! Rowan, please, it’s not nearly as versatile as that. “Immoraltis” is best employed in making people more… Sexual liberated. And creative in pursuit of pleasure."
        je "I’m sure Nasim can explain the fine details if you care to ask him. I’m more concerned with the effect. And how it can be used in helping people reach their full potential."

        "Jezera rang a small bell that resided on her table. The door to her room opened, and in came a woman, dressed in a maid’s uniform."
        "She was tall, and graced with elegant beauty, with high cheekbones and long, dark hair, that contrasted greatly with her milky white skin. She had to be in her late thirties, but age added a hint of refinement to her face, highlighted further by the conservative uniform."
        "Rowan thought she seemed familiar. He wasn’t the only one - when their eyes met, the woman’s eyes widened, and she quickly looked away. She bowed deeply before the castle mistress."

        maid "Mistress Jezera."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        je "Madeline. You know Rowan Blackwell."

        made "Of course. Master Blackwell."

        "She bowed before him, and finally, he remembered."

        ro "You were Helayna’s handmaiden. Madeline Mosset."

        "She shivered, and said nothing. By his side, Jezera giggled."

        je "It’s just Madeline. She was stripped of her family name after it was discovered her brother had dealings with demons, almost ten years ago. I’m surprised you even know the family name. It was struck from all records."
        ro "Helayna mentioned it. She always thought your brother’s sins were not yours."

        made "Lady Raeve has been very kind to me in the past."

        "Despite the high praise, her voice remained reserved. As if she didn’t {i}really{/i} mean what she said. For her to be here…"

        je "Helayna is no longer her mistress. Miss Madeline now serves me. And she expressed a desire to take on further responsibilities."

        "The vile potion danced in her fingers, Rowan looked to it, then to the other woman. Her expression betrayed nothing."

        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "You want her to drink the potion."
        je "It’s her own idea. Tell him Madeline."

        made "… Master Rowan, I…"

        "There was a long pause. A grimace went past her lips, and her face twisted as if recalling something unpleasant. When she continued, her voice was hoarse."

        made "I was blessed with my mother’s look. Something my father always thought I should make use of. But even though I understood the value of my body, I never… Found much pleasure in it, as some of my peers did."
        made "Neither in men, nor in women. They just never captured my interest. The priests thought it was a sure sign I should take the cloth, but after my brother’s indiscretions came to light, that was no longer an option. I became a pariah, shunned by many."
        made "My looks were a blessing at first, then a curse. My dislike for romance was a curse at first, then a blessing. Now the situation is reversed again."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        made "I wish to put an end to this. On my terms. I will no longer be denied what always should have been mine. And Mistress Jezera promised to help."

        ro "… Because by doing so, you become more useful to her."

        made "We are all tools in someone’s hands."

        "Her voice was cold, and she spoke slowly. It was not a decision she made lightly, that much was clear. But it seemed Jezera understood nothing of her sacrifice, as she sauntered to her, swaying her hips from side to side."

        show cg1333 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "She touched the maid’s hair, so carefully groomed, and nodded in approval. She then looked to Rowan, eyes sparkling."

        je "Oh, Rowan, do not think me the villain in all of this! “Immoraltis” will help rewire Madeline’s mind and body to be more in tune with desires we all agree are perfectly natural. For the first time in her life, she’ll understand what {i}pleasure{/i} means."
        je "And I want {i}you{/i} to introduce her to it."

        "He was halfway through another protest when her words registered. Jezera’s hands went to the laces on Madeline’s dress, and she started to undo them."

        je "You’ve been a good student, Rowan. You’ve earned yourself a treat."
        je "You will take the potion, and give it to Madeline. Together, we’ll show her a world she never knew."

        ro "“Together”?"

        show cg1334 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

        "The laces came undone, and the top of Madeline’s dress slid down. Large and handful, they sagged a little - unlike Jezera’s, always perky and full. He blinked as he realized the demoness also removed her dress. It fell to the floor, discarded so carelessly."

        je "Together. You see… I could use a man like you for this, Rowan."
        je "“Immoraltis” can ruin a person - too much stimuli of the wrong kind, and Madeline’s new cravings might be… Difficult to control."

        "She played with Madeline’s hair some more, wrapping it around her finger. Then, she moved her hands lower, and started to work on the remainder of her uniform. Madeline lowered her head, in clear submission to her new Mistress."

        je "I do not need someone who needs to be abused or taken by half a dozen men to reach satisfaction. And it’s not what I promised Madeline, have I?"

        made "No, Mistress."

        "Jezera turned the maid’s head to face her, and kissed her, passionately. The maid stood there like a statue, surrendering to the kiss."

        if jezeraSubmission > 2:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Could she really not feel a thing? The thought made Rowan scowl. To be on the receiving end of Jezera’s affections - and to show nothing at all…"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        else:
            "Could she really not feel a thing? For neither men nor women?"

        je "Do you know what every man craves, Rowan? To make a woman submit to lust, almost against her will. If there is a drug too addictive to quit, it would be this."
        je "Miss Mosset can be the very picture of a refined, unapproachable noble lady. With the help of “Immoraltis”, we will add {i}fire{/i} to that impeccable poise of hers. Desire hiding just beneath the surface, waiting for the right person to unleash it."
        je "Every man that tastes you just once, dear, will want you to have you again, and again, and {i}again{/i}."

        made "And they will - if you allow it, Mistress."

        show cg1335 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Finally, Madeline’s dress fell to the floor, and the two women stood naked in front of him. Jezera in her perfect body, with skin as dark as nightshade."
        "And Madeline, with wide hips and large tits, so soft and womanly, yet standing tall Still unapproachable,  despite being naked. So distant and cold."

        if rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "He didn’t need Jezera’s urging to fantasize about ruining that perfect image of hers."

        else:
            "And “Immoraltis” would ruin all of it. It was as sickening as it was intriguing."

        je "Rowan, I will say it again. I want you to help me break Madeline in."
        je "Introduce her to the wonders of a man’s cock. Claim her womanhood - while I teach her how to use her tongue properly."

    label madelineSexMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Sharing Madeline with Jezera was too exciting to pass on. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "There was a rational part of his brain that told him nothing Jezera ever offered came without strings attached."
                "Then there was the part that saw two naked, beautiful women, both of whom would be his for the evening - even if Jezera dictated the details."
                ro "If Madeline agrees to it, then it would be my honour."
                made "You are pleasant to the eye, Rowan Blackwell. And I’ve heard much good about you. It would be an honour to have you as my lover on this special day."
                je "See? She’s so polite. I can’t wait for us to teach her to moan “aaah, Rowan, I beg you, I need it so bad! Please stick your cock inside already! Please!” "
                "Madeline looked down, embarrassed, and Rowan almost choked. They would ruin her, and she agreed to it. {i}Asked for it{/i}."
                if rowanCorrupt < 30:
                    "And the wrongness of it all just made it all the more exciting.  It was a madness that seemed to seize both him and Madeline."
                    "As Rowan started to take off his clothes, his cock already painfully hard, he wondered who would be changed by the experience more."
                else:
                    "Hastily, he started to take his clothes off, his cock already painfully hard. Such things could only be possible in Castle Bloodmeen. He couldn’t help but wonder - what else would Jezera show him in the future?"
                "Jezera eyed him for a moment, and he’d swear she nodded her head in approval of his excitement. She led the girl to the bed, resting one hand on her hips."
                je "Do not forget the potion, Rowan."
                ro "Of course, Mistress."
                jump madelineSubmissiveSex_rp

            # replay mod: Shortened the menu choice wording.
            "It sounds fun - but you aren't Jezera's cock puppet. (Scene 2)": #"It sounds fun - but you have no intention of letting Jezera treat you like a cock puppet.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace angry behind cg1335
                ro "So that’s what you need me for? To stick my dick in her?"
                je "That’s a rather crude way to phrase it."
                ro "That’s a rather crude request to have. You usually need me for my reputation, or my skills as a general. Rarely for my cock."
                #jez naked displeased
                je "I have great plans for Madeline, and they require a degree of finesse that is in short supply among the male side of the castle staff. It is also a sign of my quickly dwindling appreciation for your efforts."
                ro "And your own participation in it is also a token of your appreciation, or do you just look forward to bossing me around?"
                #jez naked smirk
                "Jezera grinned, malice clear in her eyes. He knew it. Sometimes she was just so easy to read… "
                menu:
                    "You can break Madeline in - but Jezera stays out of this. (Scene 2)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        scene bg18 with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Why participate at all, Jezera? You mentioned men several times - you already know who she’s supposed to serve."
                        je "Certain things have been put in motion. Perhaps you will be present to see the result of my work, but it’s too early to include you in them."
                        je "Especially since you’re looking to antagonize me, Rowan. I gave you an offer you should not have refused-"
                        ro "Oh, I’m not refusing it. If you need Madeline broken in, I will gladly do the honours."
                        ro "But it will be just me and her."
                        "Head high, he approached the two women. He looked to Madeline - and without saying a word, nudged his head in the direction of Jezera’s bed."
                        "The poor woman looked to her Mistress. Jezera rolled her eyes, then gave her a short nod. Finally, Madeline followed his order."
                        "Seeing his displeasure, the demoness chuckled."
                        je "You certainly know how to throw your weight around, but Madeline knows her place. She never forgets who owns her. {b}And neither should you{/b}."
                        show bg18 with sshake
                        show bg18 with blueflash
                        "There was a surge of magic from the amulet, and Rowan grunted as every nerve of his body suddenly exploded with agonizing, searing pain."
                        "The sensation passed as quickly as it appeared. He glared daggers at Jezera, but she just smiled sweetly at him."
                        je "Are you surprised, Rowan? Your Mistress offered you a chance to share a lover together, and you want her all to yourself? How greedy of you. I’m a little insulated, to be honest."
                        je "But this possessive side of yours isn’t exactly unpleasant to look at, so I’ll allow it."
                        hide jezera with moveoutright
                        "She turned around - and grabbed one of the chairs in her room. Rowan watched as Jezera placed it down, facing the bed, and as she unceremoniously took her spot on it."
                        show jezera naked happy behind bg18
                        je "Don’t worry, I won’t criticize your performance. Much. Don’t forget to grab the potion."
                        ro "{b}I know.{/b}"
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        "He grabbed the flask, the purple fluid sloshing inside. Jezera and her dark, twisted concussions. He only hoped they did what they were supposed to do - that the glossed-over side effects weren’t as damaging as he feared."
                        jump madelineDominantSex_rp

                    "This was not worth it - let Jezera do as she wills with Madeline.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "If that’s how it is, then I’ll respectfully refuse the offer. Thank you for your earlier lesson, and have fun with Miss Mosset."
                        je "Are you sure? Another chance like this won’t happen again."
                        ro "I’m sure. Enjoy your evening, Jezera."
                        "He went to gather his notes, then headed for the door, offering Jezera a polite bow on his way out."
                        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                            "Madeline will likely get more than she bargained for… But that was her choice. He was involved in too many of Jezera’s games already."
                        else:
                            "He had no time for Jezera’s games, and Madeline knew what she was getting into."
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        je "Hmm… Too bad."
                        scene black with fade
                        show jezera naked happy behind black
                        je "I wonder if a strap-on would do…"
                        return

            "The lesson on poisons was enough, you’ll take your leave.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene bg18 with fade
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
                show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "Jezera, you honour me with this proposal. But I don’t think I’m the right man for this."
                je "Are you sure? Another chance like this won’t happen anytime soon."
                ro "I’m sure. Enjoy your evening, Mistress."
                "He offered her his most charming smile, and went to gather his notes. This already was an enlightening evening - but he had other duties to attend to."
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "Jezera watched him leave, her eyes following him to the door. Once he closed it, bowing to his Mistress, she waited for a moment - then pushed Madelina in the direction of her bed."
                je "Hmm…"
                scene black with fade
                #show jezera naked neutral behind black
                show jezera naked happy behind black
                je "I wonder if a strap-on would do…"
                return

            "This potion was vile - you have to stop this.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt -= 3
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
                scene bg18 with fade
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
                show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "Jezera, you honestly cannot expect me to agree to this."
                ro "This potion cannot be as benign as you try to sell it. If it was, you’d try and use it on me a long time ago."
                je "Oh, don’t give me ideas Rowan~~"
                ro "Don’t play coy, as if {b}you{/b} wouldn’t have thought of it. So what aren’t you telling Madeline. Is she going to spend the remainder of her life fighting the urge to fuck every man she comes across?"
                "He saw the hint of worry in the maid’s eyes. He couldn’t allow it. He-"
                #jezera naked angry at center
                show bg18 with sshake
                "A hand struck him across the face. He raised his head to protest- only for another slap to hit his other cheek."
                je "I offered you a chance to be part of something unique, and you spit in my face, Rowan? The nerve!"
                "She hissed and grabbed his face. Every cell in his body urged him to fight back - but the amulet on his neck reminded him how that would end. "
                je "Get out. {b}Now{/b}."
                "He noticed Madeline shivering. Their eyes met for a split of a moment - and the maid shook her head gently.  There was nothing he could do to save her."
                "In the end, both of them were just victims of the twins. All he could do right now was show her there were people in the castle who didn’t agree with them."
                scene black with fade
                "This wasn’t what he wanted to accomplish today, but he couldn’t just watch a woman throw her life away and not even say a word."
                "But a line had to be drawn somewhere. It had to be."
                # $ madelineReluctant = True
                # $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1
                return

    label madelineDominantSex_rp:

        scene cg1482 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1482
        show jezera naked happy behind cg1482
        pause 3

        "Madelina knelt on the bed, patiently awaiting his approach. Despite her nudity, she retained her dispassionate expression - but the way her eyes diligently followed the flask revealed her nervousness."
        "Rowan found himself playing with it, turning it in his fingers. How bizarre this all turned out to be. He asked Jezera for access to some of her magic items, only for the demoness to adamantly refuse him."
        "And in the end, here he was - about to use one of them."

        ro "There’s no reason to be nervous. You’re in good hands, Madeline."

        if society_type == "might":
            made "Of course, Sir Blackwell. "

        else:
            made "Of course, Lord Blackwell. "

        "He wondered if there was something else he ought to say. Something that could ease her worries, or prepare her for what was about to come. Then he realized he himself wasn’t sure how it would all play out. All that remained was to go with the flow. "

        show cg1483 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "He uncorked the flask, and took his place next to her. She looked up, staring at him with those deep, black eyes, and awaited his next order."

        ro "You know what to do."

        "He held her chin, and gently pulled her mouth open. Madeline allowed him to do as he pleased, like a lifeless doll. He wondered how much of that would remain, once the potion kicked in."
        "He raised it up to her lips, and slowly tipped it over, pouring the vile, violet liquid into her mouth. She closed her eyes, and started drinking, taking small, careful sips."

        je "Imagine if it was your cock between her lips ~~ "
        ro "{i}Mistress{/i}, please."

        "He silenced Jezera, trying to remain polite, but failing to conceal the snappy undertone of his reply. His attention was now fully on Madeline. On the way colour slowly blossomed on her cheeks."

        made "Haa..."

        "The bottle was empty now, and Rowan put it aside. Her breathing grew heavier - her nipples now stood erect, drawing his eyes in. He ran his hands through her hair and pulled her head back."

        ro "Look at me, Madeline."

        "She obeyed. Her dark eyes were now clouded with desire, as they searched his face for something, but not finding it. Her gaze then slipped down, and she ogled his open chest, trying to make sense of the feelings now rising within her."

        made "Rowan..."
        ro "It’s okay. Just do as I say."

        menu:
            "Jezera had the right idea - you want to feel her lips around your shaft. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ madelineBJ = True
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                "He ordered her to move aside and took off his clothes. Watching Madeline obediently submit to everything was not without effect - it was already hard and throbbing, proudly standing up."
                "So of course it drew her attention. Previously so indifferent to him, Madeline’s eyes were now glued to his cock, her pupils dilated."
                if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                    "He couldn’t not smile. Maybe he was too hard on Jezera earlier - a sight like that was a pleasant reward in itself."
                ro "Have you ever sucked cock before, Madeline?"
                made "… Once. No, twice. It was…"
                ro "Not particularly pleasant? Don’t worry, you’ll feel differently now. Come."
                show cg1484 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1486 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1485 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1484
                ro "Crawl to me."
                "She put her hand forward, hesitant. Her movements were slow, careful, as if she no longer trusted her body to obey her. He let her take her time, admiring the heavy sway of her breast."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "No matter her coldness, her body evoked lustful desires few could resist - and soon Madeline would know them too."
                else:
                    "No matter her coldness, she had the body of a whore - and will soon have the mind and heart of one."
                "Her hand brushed against his leg as she finally placed herself over his cock. Her eyes reluctantly left the wonderful, hard phallus in front of her, and sought his face."
                ro " Looks like the potion is already working. So let your body guide you. Open wide, Madeline."
                made "{i}Yes{/i}~~~ "
                "Her long sigh came to a sudden end, as he pushed her head down, forcing her lips open, forcing her to take his full length in. She looked up in surprise - then her expression went slack, as a shiver ran through her whole body."
                made "Mmmmmmmmmm…"
                "Her tongue rolled around his cock, admiring the girth, the hardness of it. He let her do so - then pulled her head back a bit, and watched as her lips greedily closed around his cock, not wishing to let it go."
                ro "It’s wonderful, isn’t it?"
                made "Mhm-mm!"
                "She moaned in agreement, her tongue mindlessly circling his phallus, licking it feverishly, with lewd, slurping sounds. He pulled her head back just a little more - then thrust it down!"
                made "Mmm!"
                "She let out a surprised moan as his tip hit the back of her throat, then quickly calmed down, the lustful fog once more covering her eyes as her tongue resumed its work, in no way dissuaded by how little she could do, taking the full length of his manhood into her."
                "It was divine. She was completely hooked on cock, from just one lick. Immoraltis really was an impressive tool."
                made "Mmmm…"
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    "He was half-tempted to simply leave her like this and relax, as she slowly conditioned herself to be a perfect little cocksucker. But from the corner of his eyes, he saw Jezera grinning from ear to ear."
                    "He couldn’t afford to relax, not with {i}her{/i} in the room."
                else:
                    "Too impressive, perhaps. He couldn’t simply sit idly while Madeline fucked herself silly with his cock, not with Jezera watching him like a hawk, grinning from ear to ear."
                "He had a job to do. With some regret, he pulled her off his cock, and pushed her aside."
                ro "Wipe your face, then lay down on your back. And don’t worry your pretty head about a thing. I’ll handle everything from here on."

            "There was no reason to rush - let her accustom herself to the potion first.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ madelineRowanPatient = True
                # $ avatar.remove_guilt(3)
                je "Admiring your prize before you ravish it, Rowan?"
                ro "Watching the effects of your magic, Mistress."
                "He tuned out Jezera’s evil chuckle, and kept his focus on Madeline. Her breathing grew more hectic, and he saw her shuffle in her spot, trying to rub her thighs together to alleviate this unfamiliar burning between her legs."
                "He held her harder, and forced her to once again look up."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "Describe what you’re feeling to me. And try to control yourself."
                    if society_type == "might":
                        made "Haaa… That’s… Not easy, Sir Rowan."
                    else:
                        made "Haaa… That’s… Not easy, Lord Rowan."
                else:
                    ro "Describe what you’re feeling to me. And stop acting like an animal in heat."
                    if society_type == "might":
                        made "Haaa… That’s… A good way of putting in, Sir Rowan."
                    else:
                        made "Haaa… That’s… A good way of putting in, Lord Rowan."
                "Her hand traveled to her tits, and she trailed the tip of her fingers around her nipple. She jerked forward, trying not to gasp at how sensitive her body was."
                made "Mmm… I’ve tried… A-ah!-aphrodisiacs, in the past. But the effect back then was… Mild. Nothing to speak of. Nothing like what the crude scoundrels at the Plucked Swan promised would be."
                "Rowan shook his head. Wasn’t that the name of a seedy tavern Raeve soldiers used to drink themselves to stupor? Good heavens, where was this woman searching for medicine?"
                made "But this…"
                "Her hand traversed lower. She looked to Rowan, waiting to see if he would stop her. He chose not to."
                made "A-aaaaah…"
                "She traced a sole finger over her pussy lips, drawing a sharp breath, then letting out a long moan as she slipped it in. Her eyes rolled up for a moment, but soon after she bit her lower lip and forced herself to answer him."
                made "I can feel it deep inside of me, Rowan. A desire unlike any other. So strong… That I fear what satiating it might do to me. But at the same time… I’ve Never felt more {i}alive{/i}."
                if society_type == "might":
                    made "Sir Rowan, I will never forgive myself if I do not embrace it. Please, {b}fuck me.{/b}"
                else:
                    made "Lord Rowan, I will never forgive myself if I do not embrace it. Please, {b}fuck me.{/b}"
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "Holding his lips tight, he caressed her hair as gently as he could, watching how reason and desire battled in her eyes - with reason slowly losing the field."
                    "Perhaps these few minutes of relative calm would lessen the potions effect and help her maintain some semblance of sanity despite the myriad of side effects Jezera no doubt hid from her. He could hope."
                    "Because there was no delaying what they were about to do - and seeing Madeline like this… He wasn’t sure if he himself wanted to delay any further."
                else:
                    "Smiling, he caressed her hair, looking into her eyes. He admired how silky smooth her locks were - and how reason and desire battled on her face, the latter growing in power with every second."
                    "Jezera could be so quick with her ploys, so indulgent with her desires. And it was said men were the impatient ones. Ha!"
                "His hands went for his belts, and he started to undo them, one by one."
                ro "Lay down on your back, Madeline."
                "Trembling with anticipation, she moved back, staring as he revealed more and more of his muscular, toned body."
                "Pulling his pants down, he freed his now hard, throbbing cock, and he could swear she held her breath at the sight of it."
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1484

        show cg1487 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "He climbed atop of her, and as he did, he trailed his hands up her thighs, admiring her curvaceous figure. She shivered with every touch, her expression quickly melting into pure pleasure. "

        if madelineBJ:
            "He smirked, and pulled himself up, dragging his cock across her pussy lips, rubbing it against them, much to Madeline’s frustration."
            made "A-ah, Rowan, please… I can’t take it anymore~~ "

        else:
            "He smirked, and pulled himself up, dragging his cock across her pussy lips, rubbing it against them, much to Madeline’s delight."
            made "Rowan, please… I want it."

        ro "Beg for it."

        made "Please, I want your cock, I {i}need{/i} your cock, Rowa-aaaan~~~!"

        show cg1488 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Her pleas turned to moans as he thrust into her, sliding with ease despite the immense tightness of her cunt. If he hadn’t known her story, he would swear she was unsullied."

        made "A-aaaah~~ "

        "He thrust into her a little harder, evoking another sweet moan. Nothing remained of the calm, collected woman from before. Writhing in lust, she clawed at his back, begging him to go harder, faster!"

        je "Isn’t she simply intoxicating?"

        "Lost in the extraordinary tightness of Madeline’s warm cunt, he almost forgot about the demoness. Jezera was still lunging not far away, still watching them with a smirk."

        je "Use her to your heart’s content. I do so enjoy it when a woman breaks down and surrenders to lust. Men too, but I suppose I can’t be counting on that here~"

        menu:
            "Ignore her. Focus on Madeline.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ focusOnMadeline = True
                "Like a petulant child, Jezera demanded his attention, unable to sit still for even a minute. He paid her no heed, and instead reached out to cup Madeline’s cheek, as the latter trashed about, overwhelmed with ecstasy."
                ro "Madeline."
                "Following his voice, her unseeing eyes sought his. He held her until they did so, and once they did, reason started to return to them - only to vanish in an instant when he rammed his cock all the way into her."
                made "A-ah! AAAAH!"
                ro "Look at me, Madeline."
                "His gentle voice brought her back, and she tethered on the brink of sanity, almost overwhelmed by the pleasure of his cock. Each thrust made her eyes roll up, her mind blown away by sudden ecstasy."
                "… And each time he called her name, she was forced back to him, looking into his eyes with helpless lust. She was a complete slave to her desires - and to him."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "He hated it, but Jezera was right. What man would not fall in love with such a sight?"
                else:
                    "Jezera was right. What man would not fall in love with such a sight?"
                "What man would not desire such a woman? Each thrust shaped her into a perfect sex toy, and she shouted with joy at the fact."
                menu:
                    "Kiss her.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ madelineRowanRomanticKiss = True
                        "Driven by instinct, he pushed further into her and sought her lips, kissing her hard. Her mouth welcomed him eagerly, her tongue dancing with his as she clawed at his back."
                        "She was close now, and she couldn’t, and wouldn’t, hold back."

                    "Fuck her.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "She clawed at his back, and he realized she was close now. She couldn’t hold back - now that he wanted her to."

            "“Maybe you want to take her place?”":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Turning his attention to Jezera, he thrust into Madeline yet again, the woman’s sweet moans following his bold suggestion. Jezera tilted her head, amused."
                je "You think you could make me moan like that? With just your cock, no magic involved?"
                ro "You always praise and trust my skills. Why should now be any different?"
                "The demoness chuckled, her good mood in no way subsiding. Her hand traversed down, and she traced her fingers over the valley of her tits, smiling coyly."
                je "Every week I wonder, what wonderful idea my most precious pet will try next, to ever so slightly undermine my authority, while increasing his own."
                je "I would never have guessed you would try and fuck me into obedience. But then again… You are learning from the best."
                "He could not miss the hint of mockery in her tone. Taken by anger, he ended up thrusting into Madeline harder, evoking more delirious cries of lust. It should have been Jezera. One day it {i}will{/i} be Jezera."
                "Still holding the demoness’ gaze, he kept thrusting into her maid, until she clinged to him desperately, and he realized she was already at the edge."

        made "A-aaah! Y-yes, YES! Rowan, I, I’m-!"

        "With a grunt, he held her hips up and pushed even further than before, and that finally pushed her over the edge. Screaming in ecstasy, she clung to him as she came-"
        "-then collapsed on the bed, sweaty, spent, absolutely ravished. Rowan gazed down on his lover, and saw a woman {i}broken{/i}."

        je "Wonderful. Just what I needed."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "He swallowed heavily. He was holding back - and still Immoraltis had this much of an impact on her. Or maybe it was just how it looked, he couldn’t be certain…"
        else:
            "He found himself panting heavily. He was holding back, at least a little - and still Immoraltis had this much of an impact on her. Or maybe it was just how it looked, he couldn’t be certain…"

        show cg1490 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "What he was certain of, was that he himself had yet to find release. Something Jezera noticed, as she stood up from her chair, and strolled next to them with a innocent smile on her lips."

        je "But not what {i}you{/i} needed, I see. Really Rowan, you always just have to take the high road!"

        "She wrapped a lock of his hair around her finger and leaned in to whisper into his ear."

        je "Now that I think about it… I don’t need Madeline that {i}sane{/i}."
        je "So feel free to use her just a little longer. You might scramble her brain a little bit, but don’t worry about it. You have my permission to do so."

        menu:
            "Knock Jezera’s hand away, and pull away.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
                scene bg18 with sshake
                show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
                #jez angry
                show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                "He saw the flash of anger in her eyes as he pulled away, leaving Madeline to rest. He and the demoness sized up one another, each waiting for the other to strike."
                je "… You would be far more menacing if you weren’t dressed only in a hard-on."
                "And you would be far more pleasant if you stopped wagging your tongue and used your mouth for something useful. I think we could kill two birds with one stone here."
                show jezera naked happy at center with moveinright
                "The demoness flashed her fanged teeth and took a step forward."
                je "Is that so? You overestimate your performance here, Rowan. So much, in fact, that I might decide I, and {i}nobody else{/i}, will ever have use of your cock."
                "… He realized he may have taken things a bit too far - in part because of the very vivid image his imagination just conjured for him, involving his manhood and her rather sharp teeth."
                show rowan necklace naked angry at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                "He had nothing to gain in antagonizing her here, so he swallowed his pride, and took a step back, lowering his head in deference."
                ro "Madeline is broken in, exactly how you wanted her. Glad I could be of service, and I hope they will be needed in the future."
                je "Wise choice, Rowan. You may go now."
                hide jezera with moveoutright
                "She flashed one final grin at him, then turned to the still dazed maid. Rowan started walking back, watching as Jezera whispered something in Madeline’s ear."
                "His blood boiled at the knowledge he had to leave Madeline in Jezera’s hand. But saving her never was his objective."
                scene black with fade
                "He could only hope his introduction into the world of carnal pleasure ended up more pleasant than what Jezera would arrange for her."
                if madelineRowanPatient or focusOnMadeline:
                    $ madelineSane = True
                else:
                    pass
                return

            "Pull Madeline to her knees, and come on her tits. (Scene Ending 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
                ro "Ruin all the work I’ve done thus far? As If could ever leave a work half-done."
                ro "And I suppose the same should go for you, Madeline."
                show cg1493 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "He pulled out, and pulled Madeline with him, forcing her to her knees again. Still dazed, she followed his every order, looking up at him like an obedient puppy."
                ro "Present yourself. Stay still."
                "She pushed her chest out, those wonderful, milky-white orbs. He grabbed his cock, and started stroking, driven by unfulfilled lust. Madeline’s attention once more zeroed in on his manhood, as if it was the most amazing thing in the world right now."
                ro "N-gh- ah!"
                show cg1493 with sshake
                show cg1493 with sshake
                show cg1494 with flash
                pause 3
                "He didn't last much longer. Madeline gazed in pure wonder as he came on her chest, drawing long, white lines across her skin, painting her with his cum."
                "She reached out, scooped a bit of it and raised it to her lips. Rowan ran his hand through her hair affectionately, and let her enjoy the moment a little longer."
                scene bg18 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "Are you satisfied, Mistress?"
                je "How could I not be, when you do my bidding with such passion! Ah, what a sight. It’s almost a shame I must employ Madeline for other means. I might have let you keep her otherwise…"
                je "Hm, still might, if I feel generous."
                "Already dangling a treat before his eyes. Keeping his expression impassive, Rowan started dressing up. He didn’t say a word, cautious not to ruin Jezera’s good mood, and soon the demoness lost interest in teasing him further..."
                "He watched as Jezera took the finger out of Madeline’s lips, and slowly slid in hers, whispering something in the maid’s ear. It angered him that he would have to leave the woman in Jezera’s hands, but there was little he could do now."
                scene black with fade
                "He could only hope his introduction into the world of carnal pleasure ended up more pleasant than what Jezera would arrange for her."
                if madelineRowanPatient or focusOnMadeline:
                    $ madelineSane = True
                else:
                    pass
                return

            "Madeline felt too good - he had to come inside her. (Scene Ending 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                "He knew he was making a mistake, he knew he was playing into Jezera’s hands - but right now, he couldn’t care less."
                "Everything contributed to it, bit by bit The way Madeline’s pussy greedily squeezed his cock, the way she slowly gyrated her hips, urging him to resume. The way she quietly begged him."
                made "More~~~ More!"
                "He didn’t pull away, and that told Jezera everything she needed to know. The demoness nibbled at his ear, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper."
                je "She wants it too, Rowan. Go ahead. Mess her up some more."
                ro "Ngh-ah!"
                "He found himself thrusting again, his aching cock pushing him to find release. He no longer cared for showing Madeline any consideration. He wanted - he needed to cum inside of her."
                "This maddening desire that seized the woman before - it now took him, evoked not by alchemy and dark magic, but Madeline’s erotic body alone."
                made "A-ah, yes! Oh it’s wonderful Rowan, your cock is so wonderful!"
                made "More! I want more of it! Ah!"
                "No matter how brutally he pushed into her, she only begged for more. He couldn’t hold back anymore. He felt himself reach the edge-"
                je "Cum inside her. Make her into a mindless cumslut. A slave to your cock!"
                menu:
                    "Inside! ":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                        # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                        show cg1490 with sshake
                        show cg1490 with sshake
                        show cg1492 with flash
                        pause 3
                        "He plunged in hard, with a mighty groan, and started pumping right into her pussy. Madeline’s lips parted in a silent scream, as her whole body shuddered with yet another orgasm, this one triggered by being filled, bred."
                        "With each spasm he pushed into her, filling her more and more, {i}messing her up more and more{/i}…"
                        je "Now that’s a nice expression on you…"
                        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                            "He was smiling, grinning from ear to ear. He didn’t realize it, not until Jezera spoke up. This feeling of {i}power{/i}…"
                            "Jezera was right. It was intoxicating."
                        else:
                            "To his horror, he realized he was grinning from ear to ear. He didn’t realize it, not until Jezera spoke up. This feeling of {i}power{/i}…"
                            "It was dangerous. Jezera was right, breaking Madeline was intoxicating."

                    "Outside":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show cg1490 with sshake
                        show cg1490 with sshake
                        show cg1491 with flash
                        pause 3
                        "With the last embers of self-control, he pulled out, coming the second his cock left his cunt, showering her stomach with his seed. This was close - dangerously close."
                        je "Second thoughts? A little too late for that, Rowan."
                        "He swallowed heavily, his eyes still drinking in Madeline’s wonderful, lustful body. Jezera was right, Immoraltis made her intoxicating - too intoxicating… "

                ro "F-fuck…"
                scene bg18 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked angry at center with dissolve
                "With release came clarity of thought, and instantly he started to curse himself. What little he gained by snubbing Jezera before, he lost entirely now. A moment of weakness…"
                #jez smirk
                hide rowan
                show jezera naked happy at midleft with dissolve
                show rowan necklace naked angry at center with dissolve
                "He tensed as Jezera’s hand touched his cheek. And now was the time for his Mistress to gloat."
                je "That was a wonderful display Rowan. I know I jest and complain about men thinking with their cocks too much, but in your case… Oh, I could get used to seeing you cut loose."
                je "Serve me well, Rowan, and one day you will have a whole harem of women to break, if that is what you desire."
                "It wasn’t - it should be. But as much as he wanted to protest, as he looked down on Madeline again, at her lost, lustful expression…"
                scene black with fade
                if jezeraSubmission > 0:
                    "He realized he would not mind doing it again. Even if the price was serving Jezera."
                else:
                    "He realized he would not mind doing it again."
                # $ madelineLustFuck = True

        return

    label madelineSubmissiveSex_rp:

        #show CG 1 - Blurred OR without Rowan.
        scene black with fade
        show jezera naked happy behind black

        "Jezera laid Madeline down on her plush bed, the fallen noble allowing herself to be guided entirely as Jezera willed it. The demoness’ hand traced the woman’s curves, fingers playfully dancing on her milky white skin."

        je "Such wide thighs… I imagine a fair number of people will want to fuck a baby into you."

        made "Mistress, the herbs you gave me…"

        je "Keep taking them. And don’t worry. You won’t have to stop until you’ve had your chance to enjoy yourself in full."

        "Madeline nodded weakly, then let out a small gasp as Jezera pinched her nipple. The demoness weighted her massive tits, then finally turned her attention to Rowan."

        je "Get her ready, my pet."

        "Jezera’s hand ventured down, between Madeline’s legs. The maid parted them as if on command, inviting Rowan in. If he thought to protest the nickname, the notion now vanished from his head. Her pink, pretty pussy awaited his attention."

        #show CG 1 - Cunnililungus.
        scene cg1336 with fade
        show jezera naked happy behind cg1336
        pause 3

        "He swallowed heavily, then knelt between her legs. There was a small bush above Madeline’s pussy, meticulously groomed. Jezera’s traced her finger over it, then chuckled, amused by it."

        je "We’re going to have to shave it, and keep you smooth at all times. Remember - lady on the outside, slut on the inside. The moment your panties drop, your true nature must be revealed. And speaking of that…"

        "She extended an open palm to him. Knowing what she was asking for, he handed over the potion. She uncorked it deftly, the quiet “pop!” sounding like a sentence being passed."

        je "You know what to do, Rowan. Get to it."

        "He wasted no more time, and dived into Madeline’s pussy. Driven by perverse need to see Madeline’s face twist in ecstasy, he started licking her with fervor, sliding his tongue over her vulva in long, careful strokes."

        je "Such enthusiasm… Take notes, Madeline. And open wide."

        show cg1337 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1338 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "The castle mistress grabbed Madeline by the back of her head, and pulled it back, bringing the potion up. Madeline obediently opened her lips, waiting to have her fate sealed."
        "The dark, purple potion poured into her mouth. Her eyes widened, and a little bit of it trickled down the corner of her mouth. She swallowed. Once, twice."
        "Until the bottle was empty."

        je "You will feel lightheaded. Don’t worry. For now, just do as you are told."
        je "Feel the heat in your body. The need. Embrace it. Obey it, as you obey me."

        made "Y-yes, Mistress. A-ah!"

        show cg1339 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1340 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Madeline’s hips buckled as Rowan drilled the tip of his tongue into her pussy. He tasted the slightly metallic taste of her juices. She was growing wet - so very wet. Was it the potion, or his efforts? He wanted to think the latter."
        "He was suddenly stopped, as he felt a hand placed on his cheek. Jezera leaned over, and cupped his face, a wicked smile dancing on her lips."

        je "That’s quite enough. We want her coming from your cock, not your tongue."

        #show CG 2 - Threesome sex
        scene cg1341 with fade
        show jezera naked happy behind cg1341
        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1341
        pause 3

        "She pulled him up, switching positions herself. She never broke eye contact with him, as she shifted her body, and knelt over Madeline’s face, her own pussy now inches away from the woman’s lips."
        "Briefly, he regretted losing sight of Madeline’s glazed over eyes. But with Jezera in front of him…"

        menu:
            "He wished he was fucking Jezera.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                "For all of Madeline’s charms, with Jezera’s full tits swaying before his eyes, and her lips parted in a mischievous grin, wide enough to show the white of her sharp teeth, he could think of no other woman."
                "It was easy to imagine it was Jezera under him. That it was her pussy he was about to plunge his cock into."
                je "You’re thinking something naughty, aren’t you?"
                "He stumbled over his words, trying to think of an excuse, completely caught off-guard. Jezera only laughed in response, caressing his face in a soothing manner."
                je "It’s fine, think whatever you like. Fantasize to your heart's content. You have my permission."
                je "But don’t forget why you’re here."
                "She pulled him in - his cock brushing against Madeline’s soaking wet pussy. The woman shuddered just from that."

            "He wanted to enjoy Madeline some more.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "She’s beautiful, you know? You have excellent taste, Mistress."
                je "Praising another woman right in front of your Mistress? Such a bratty pet you are."
                je "But you are right, so I’ll forgive you. This time. And as long as you don’t forget why you’re here."
                "Jezera giggled, and pulled Rowan in, his cock brushing against Madeline’s soaking wet pussy. The woman shuddered just from that - oh, how he’d love to see her face!"

        je "Fuck a whore into Miss Madeline. For me. {b}Now{/b}."

        "On command, he thrust his cock inside - penetrating Madeline with ease. She cried out, but her voice was quickly muffled as Jezera lowered herself down, and started gently rocking her hips."

        je "I know you don’t have experience serving women, Madeline. Don’t worry. Just listen to what your body tells you."
        je "Stop thinking, and focus on what’s in front of you. Let desire be your guide."

        "Her eyes never left his, and something told him it wasn’t only Madeline Jezera was addressing. With a smile of his own, he started to thrust into Madeline’s pussy. Slowly, for now - gods, she was so tight!"

        ro "A-ah!"

        "Jezera pleasant laughter filled the room, the demonic Mistress still rocking her hips as she enjoyed Madeline’s increasingly wild ministrations. The maid’s arms went around Jezera’s legs, pulling the demoness close, her tongue lapping at her pussy."

        je "Wonderful. You’re doing so well. Keep going. Do not hold back."

        "Rowan picked up the pace, Madeline’s hungry pussy drawing him in. The lust-struck woman now wrapped her legs around him, urging him to go faster, harder-"
        "He thrust deep into her, and in doing so, came only inches away from Jezera’s face. His mistress grinned, and leaned in, her warm breath tickling his skin."

        je "Teach her pleasures she never knew before, and in time, I will do the same for you. You will only need to ask."

        "Before he could form a reply, Jezera’s hand grabbed his ass, and she pulled him into Madeline’s pussy again, not allowing him to stop for even a moment."
        "Not that he wanted. Mindful of Jezera’s words, he tried to pace himself, tried to focus on Madeline’s pleasure first. But contrary to her words, Jezera seemed to be doing everything to make him forget why he was here."
        "Each word, every movement - the way she casually traced her fingers over her tits, and playfully flicked her nipples - was meant to drive him wild. And he felt it working. He groaned, as lust fought reason on every step."
        "Madeline arched her back, and her pussy clamped around his cock, her muffled moans reaching his ears. It was a battle {i}she{/i} already lost."

        je "Mmmm… Don’t stop licking, girl. Your orgasms are a reward for service provided. Remember it."

        "Before Rowan could even try to pull out, Jezera grabbed his chin, and forced him to look her in the eyes. There was an evil, sadistic glint in them that worried and excited him at the same time."

        je "You’ve done well, Rowan. But try not to come inside. We don’t want to give her a fetish for creampies."

        "Then she pulled him in, sealed their lips in a ravenous, passionate kiss. Making his mind go blank…"

        menu:
            "Surrender to lust.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                show cg1342 with sshake
                show cg1342 with sshake
                show cg1343 with flash
                pause 2
                "Her tongue danced with his, and it was the final straw that broke the camel’s back. With a grunt, he exploded deep into Madeline’s pussy, painting her insides white."
                je "Oh, Rowan, what did I {i}just{/i} tell you."
                ro "I’m sorry, I-"
                "She placed a finger on his lips, and winked."
                je "Shh… It’s fine. But if she ends up a cumslut, Rowan… That’s on you."
                # $ cumslutMadeline = True

            "Keep yourself together.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show cg1342 with sshake
                show cg1342 with sshake
                show cg1343 with flash
                pause 2
                "Her tongue danced with his, and it took truly inhuman resolve to pull out in time, and not finish inside his lover. He came, painting both Jezera’s and Madelaine’s skin white."
                je "What an obedient pet you are… Well done."
                "She laughed, but he couldn’t say if she really did approve of his self-control."

        "Finally, she let him go. Exhausted from the intense session, he allowed himself to fall on her bed, right beside Madeline. Jezera pulled herself off the girl, and Rowan could finally see the effect he had on her maid."
        "Panting heavily, Madeline was staring at the ceiling, eyes wide open, too shocked to speak even a word. He wondered if they weren’t too rough with her after all."
        "Then he saw her hand venture to her pussy, and slide a finger inside. She moaned weakly, and closed her eyes, a smile blossoming on her face."

        scene black with fade

        "Rowan closed his eyes as well, allowing himself some rest. Jezera would no doubt be happy. And if every lesson of hers ended this way…"
        "He really wouldn’t mind."

        # $ fuckedMadelineWithJezera = True
        # $ rowanCorrupt += 10
        # $ avatar.add_guilt(5)

        return

    return

# \events\chaos_inc.rpy
label meeting_gorza_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ castleMorale = 100

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "A bit":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 50
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg26 with fade

    "After some time and effort, Rowan managed to track down the murder happy orc captain at her camp. From a distance, the camp resembled just about all of the rest he’d explored."
    "It was strange. Ghorza Bloodaxe was an Orc who had done well for the Twins in the past, garnering a fearsome reputation as a warrior in the process. But now she was causing more problems than she was worth."
    "Could this be a sign of further rebellion in the Twins’ ranks?"
    "Rumour had it, she had never willingly taken a single human prisoner, and always preferred a good bloodbath whenever the option came along. Her tasks tended to end in massacres, rather than pacification."
    "She had been a particular favorite of Andras in the early days of their rise to power, but she’d fallen out of favor as the needs of the war effort shifted from bloody slaughter to open conquest."
    "The General of the Twins turned to the retinue of Orcs that he’d brought with him. He held his hand up, ordering them to stay put. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Wait for me here. I need to meet this “Ghorza” first."

    show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft

    "He drew his sword sharply from his scabbard and stalked boldly into the center of the camp."
    "Various dark eyes fell on him almost immediately. With each step, he felt slivers of fear run up his spine."
    "No matter how long he’d fought alongside them, Rowan could never get used to the feeling of being the only human in an Orc camp. More and more of the warriors stopped their tasks when he came into view."
    "Rowan’s attention gravitated towards a group of them sitting about a campfire, each holding their weapon to a whetstone and furiously sharpening their jagged blades."

    ro "(At least if they cut my head off it will happen in one stroke.)"

    "He came to the center of camp, decorated with two rotting corpses hung on spikes, clothed in a scattering of blood-stained rags that might have once been clothing. They flapped feebly in the wind."
    "With a long exhale, Rowan pivoted on his heel and cleared his throat loudly before addressing the crew of seasoned killers arrayed in front of him."

    ro "My name is Rowan Blackwell! I’ve come for Ghorza Bloodaxe!"

    "One of the greenskins immediately ducked his head and shuffled off from Rowan’s gaze. Others continued to work on their gear or stir great, bubbling pots for their evening meals, sharing grog and war stories."

    ro "Discipline has fallen to bedrock around here."

    "The tramping of heavy bootfalls heralded his opponent's imminent arrival. The crowd of orcs parted like a hand cutting through water."
    "Then he saw her: a powerful woman of hard, sinewy muscle. Her long, braided hair was the colour and texture of a black wolf’s mane. With each step, Rowan took the measure of her."
    "Her gaze never faltered from the Human she approached."
    "Rowan, not to be intimidated, moved as well, stepping right up to her, even as his eyes caught upon the long two-handed battle-axe slung across her bulky shoulders."

    ghor "You be a long way from the castle, big bad demon general."

    "Eyes of intense gold washed over Rowan, sizing him up. Her lips curled in a contentious sneer, and she let out a scoff absent-mindedly reaching up to rub at her tusk with the back of her finger."

    ghor "You don’t look like a demon to me. Someone take your horns?"

    "Rowan could not tell whether she was playing with him, or if Ghorza really didn’t know that he was truly a Human."

    ghor "I take it you are Ghorza Bloodaxe?"

    "She rolled her neck and shoulders in a lazy circle. Then, in a burst of action she shifted her mighty weapon off of her shoulder."
    "Almost before Rowan could react she slammed the head of it down into the ground in front of him. It landed with a heavy crunch."

    ghor "I am Ghorza, and you’re looking at my bloody axe. Now speak quickly. It’s a dishonour to me and my warband having a humie like you breathing where we sleep."

    "The orc woman grinned in brazen hostility. She evidently saw very little threat in the man standing before her."
    "A grave mistake."

    menu:
        "Word is that you’ve been killing peasants.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "She chortled with boisterous glee. The noises she made sounded like rumbling thunder coming deep within her chest."
            ghor "I have been killing the {i}enemy{/i}. It is a crime for orcs to not kill, ‘General’."
            "Rowan watched her tongue peek out and wipe her grinning lips."
            ghor "The Demons made a terrible mistake… They insult me and my clan, putting a Humie in charge!"
            ghor "How can such powerful beings of Chaos put such a weak, useless lump of Solansian garbage in charge of der' campaigns?"
            "Ghorza tilted her head to her fellow warriors."
            ghor "Maybe we got tired of listening to dem after dey got so comfortable ignoring {i}us{/i}."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "(This woman doesn’t like serving the Twins any more than I do.)"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "(This orc bitch’s tongue will see her to an early grave.)"
            else:
                ro "(I wonder how many people in her camp feel the same way about the Twins’ decision)"

        "You need a lesson in respect.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "At that, Ghorza’s yellow eyes narrowed. She inhaled, then spat on the ground between the two of them."
            "Rowan’s hand clenched tight around his sword, but he did not raise it from his waist.."
            ro "(One wrong word and this turns bloody…)"
            ghor "And you think you have the balls to teach me this lesson? Haha. A puny Human like you is only good for practicing my axe on!"
            "She let out a huff as her thick fingers tensed on the end of the long shaft attached to her weapon. She yanked it out of the ground and hefted it onto her shoulder."
            ghor "It’s madness, da Demons putting yous in charge! Dey must be dumb. Or cowards."
            "Her grunt of irritation nearly made Rowan laugh."
            "If she had said such words in the presence of Jezera or Andras, it was a sure bet that Ghorza Bloodaxe would become Ghorza the Headless."

    "Rowan cleared his throat."

    ro "Whatever your personal feelings are regarding my humanity, you pledged your arms to the Twins. Which means that you listen to their orders. And mine."
    ro "You will stop killing peasants at once."
    ro "This land is going to turn into one big graveyard if there is no one to till the lands."

    "She yawned lazily, right in Rowan’s face."

    ghor "Whenever your jaw moves, I just hear buzzing in my ear. We are Orcs! We’re not meant to coddle Humies!"
    ghor "If we sees someone with something valuable that we wants, we kill dem. End of story!"

    "Rowan chewed his bottom lip, quickly trying to mull over the situation."

    ro "(Andras would already have stopped wasting breath and just killed her.)"

    "The ex-hero felt the weight of the sword on his side."

    ro "(... No, not just that. He’d have the entire camp slaughtered as punishment for taking Ghorza’s side in the first place. A waste of good soldiers, but maybe a show of strength is good from time to time.)"

    if castleMorale < 50:
        ro "(Especially since morale has been a problem lately. )"

    ro "(Then again, every orc counts. Andras is doing enough culling on his own without me joining in on the fun.)"

    if castleMorale > 70:
        ro "(I have things under control so far. Showing clemency will hurt my position, but won’t cause a mutiny.)"

    else:
        if castleMorale > 50:
            ro " (Things have been stable…  Showing clemency will hurt my position, but I should be able to prevent things from spiraling out of control.)"

    "Then he realized that the pair’s argument had drawn quite the audience. At least twenty orcs formed a bit of a loose circle around him and Ghorza."
    "Walking away was still an option, but it was not without its dangers. Ghorza was just as likely to throw her axe into his back as to let him leave the camp."
    "The Orc must have thought she saw fear in his eyes because she smiled, baring her white teeth and sharp tusks."

    ghor "Maybe dat is how your story ends too. I kill you. I become General…"

    menu:
        "Duel Ghorza. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "If you’re so confident in your strength, then defeating me should be easy right?"
                "The muscular Orc scoffed and slung her axe back over her shoulder."
                ghor "I would split yous in half before yous had time to shit yourself."
                ro "Maybe. But {i}when{/i} I defeat you, then you will repledge your blades and service to the Twins."
                ro "And that means no more peasant murdering."
                ghor "Talk talk. But it won’t matter. Before the sun sets, da crows will be picking out your eyes."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "That tongue of yours is going to get you into trouble, Ghorza."
                "Rowan raised his sword and angled the tip towards her face."
                "Many of the orcs surrounding the two reached for their own weapons, but Ghorza stopped them with a glare."
                ro "Lucky for you, today I will only give you a painful lesson. If you talked like this to the Twins, they’d be picking their teeth with your bones."
                "Ghorza laughed uproariously at him."
                ghor "Talk talk… I’m going to kill yous. Then maybe I’ll gnaw yous down to the femur. I heard eating humi drumsticks is quite tasty once you get da hang of it…"
            else:
                ro "I didn’t come out here looking for a fight, but it’s clear that you need to be reminded of the pecking order."
                ghor "Hah! How yous plan to do that?"
                ro "A duel. If I win, you and your soldiers will stop all unneeded bloodshed and only kill on the orders of myself or the Twins."
                ghor "Hah. I would prefer death before such dishonor. But I guess it won’t matter since it will be yous, Rowan Blackwell, who dies dis day."
                ghor "Then maybe de Demons will realize an Orc was always meant to be der' General!"
            jump ghorzaDuel_rp

        "No mercy - Raid her fledgling clan and slaughter them all.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Things turned ugly after that. Rowan knew that he wouldn’t be able to get out of the camp without bloodshed and was forced to cut down several Orcs as he escaped."
            "After joining up with his retinue of loyal warriors, the group launched a reprisal attack that very night. Ghorza was among the first to go, felled by Rowan’s own blade."
            "The rest of their group put up a stiff resistance, but it was not enough to hold back the viciousness of the loyalist Orcs."
            "When the sun rose, the dirt of the camp lay stained with blood. Only a few survivors remained and those were taken back to Bloodmeen for ‘retraining’."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "(What a waste.)"
                "When the battle turned against them, Rowan had hoped that the orcs would surrender, but in the end, it turned into a slaughter."
                "He couldn’t help but dwell on what might have been if he decided to play things out differently."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                "After the battle was over, Rowan found himself resting comfortably in the former rebel’s tent."
                "Ghorza had been enjoying the loot she’d accumulated like a wannabe queen."
                ro "(Not a bad day’s work. A traitor killed and plenty of treasure to take back home.)"
            else:
                "Rowan didn’t enjoy the butcher’s work, but at the end of the day, the problem had been solved."
                "The Twins already faced an uphill battle and did not need rebellious Orcs spreading chaos and discord among their armies."
            scene black with fade
            "Upon returning to Castle Bloodmeen, Rowan was surprised to find that word of the fate of Ghorza and her warband had traveled quickly."
            "Several Orcs waited to congratulate him on his swift victory over her."
            "Many chimed in, saying that they had hoped they could be the ones to deliver her head, but they were glad she was rotting in the ground now."
            "Even Andras nodded respectfully towards Rowan before sharply suggesting to the assembled Orcs that they all had more important work to do."
            # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
            return

        "BManipulate and bribe her. (Scene 1 and 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan studied Ghorza and decided to offer her an alternative to violence and bloodshed."
            ro "You are right, it’s clear the Twins have caused you to feel insulted."
            "Ghorza blinked at him suspiciously. Some of the other Orcs showed unease on their faces."
            "It would have been easy for most to back her up before. But now, in front of a servant of such powerful individuals, it appeared some were having second thoughts."
            ro "I’ve served in two armies and know how it can feel when someone unworthy is placed in charge."
            ro "But I am worthy and have proven myself in battle many times now. But that doesn’t mean I don’t have a solution to your problem."
            "Rowan looked around and found the largest and most ostentatious tent in the camp. Seeing the giant axe and skull motif outside, he believed it had to be Ghorza’s."
            ro "Let us discuss what {i}you{/i} need. If you’re not satisfied, there is still plenty of time for us to kill one another."
            "He could see it in her eyes, the wheels turning to try to figure out whether or not he was simply trying to pull her away from her warriors so that he could kill her in her tent."
            ghor "I will listen. Other than that, I make no promises."
            "The hard-bodied woman marched forward, showing him her back in a rather fearless display."
            if rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "(Very cocky. With one strike, I could end this business right now…)"
                "Rowan followed behind her."
            scene bg30 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            "She turned to face him when the tent’s flap fell behind him."
            ro "Truly you are a leader among the Orcs. There are few enough with your vigor and the Twins need smart and capable people like you by their side."
            ro "So, if I make an investment in you and your forces, that should be enough to show the Twin’s appreciation of your strength."
            ghor "Your words mean little to me. What are yous proposing?"
            "Rowan kept a smile from his lips. Her curiosity showed that she was walking into the trap."
            if rowanCorrupt > 29:
                ro "(Jezera would be proud.)"
            ro "Slaves. Not just regular ones, but well trained, to show that you, Ghorza Bloodaxe, stand above the rest of the Orc Captains. To spread among your forces, or to keep for yourself, as you decide."
            ro "And demons. A pair of personal cubi servants. Men, or women… Or both."
            "At first, she’d been disgusted to hear about the Human slaves, but her demeanor shifted at the mention of a gift of Succubi."
            "Rowan imagined she’d only heard about their gifts before."
            "For the first time since she’d met her, Rowan noticed Ghorza’s posture relaxing ever so slightly. Then she shook her head."
            ghor "I don’t want prizes. I want glory! I want to show the world what I’m capable of."
            ro "And you will. In a siege, your warband will be chosen to do the bloodiest work I can find for you."
            if rowanCorrupt > 29:
                ro "(And either you’ll kill many enemies, or you’ll get yourself killed.)"
                "It was harder to think of a better example of a win/win situation for himself and the Twins."
            ghor "I will agree."
            ro "Good choice. So now-"
            "Ghorza raised up her hand to cut him off."
            ghor "Yous will hold your tongue. I have a condition, Rowan Blackwell."
            "Rowan didn’t quite like the look that formed on her face. Her eyes still had great animosity, but her mouth looked quite hungry now."
            ro "(If she asks to eat a finger or something, I’m going to have to figure a way out of this tent.)"
            ghor "You robbed me of a battle, a duel in front of my warriors. I require… satisfaction."
            ro "Very well. Tell me what’s on your mind."
            "A toothy smile filled his field of vision and Ghorza tapped his shoulder with her strong fingers before lightly hitting his cheek."
            ghor "Yous will submit to me, Rowan Blackwell. Truthfully, I’ve never met a Humie as fearless as yous."
            ghor "Your words are brave. But I believe that your body’s strength will fail… when put up against a woman like me…"
            menu:
                "Change the plan and duel Ghorza (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ghor "Very well, Humie. Den, we duel."
                    "She strode past him, back outside to be in full view of her warband. With no choice, Rowan followed."
                    jump ghorzaDuel_rp

                "Submit to Ghorza. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene cg1455 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1455
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan found himself feeling wary when the beefy orc woman strapped him to a post in her tent. He’d said the words, but now the duty of action beckoned."
                    "At first, he thought the worst part would be the coarse itching of the ropes coiled around his wrists and neck, but Ghorza wasn’t about to let him off that easily."
                    ghor "Haha. Is dat worry I smell?"
                    "She asked as she slid down her breeches to reveal her hard-toned legs."
                    menu:
                        "I’m ready for anything.":
                           # $ released_fix_rollback()
                           ro "Hah. In your dreams."

                        "I think you’re just smelling your own arousal.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            ghor "I will make you each dem words once yous fail to satisfy me, Humie."

                    "Ghorza moved her naked ass back and then guided Rowan’s short sword up to her moss-colored folds."
                    "The man took some pleasure, not just from her wetness, but from the tensing of the orc’s bountiful ass cheeks when his head pushed into her womanhood."
                    ro "(Did she just realize she bit off more than she could chew?)"
                    scene cg1456 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1456
                    pause 3
                    "The woman pressed on, undaunted. Her pace started off nice and slow but in no time at all, she was pounding on Rowan’s cock like a hammer on a nail."
                    "Rowan’s chest flexed as his breathing struggled to keep up. The Orc continued barreling her body back to seize every inch of his throbbing manhood between her dripping lips."
                    "Only her pleasure appeared important in the situation. Soon, the ferocity of Ghorza’s shoving became so much that Rowan felt a little light-headed."
                    ro "Fuck… Nurrah… Gods…"
                    "He could almost imagine the color fading from his cock, like paint being charred by a fire."
                    ro "(This Orc will be the death of me if I’m not careful.)"
                    show cg1457 with sshake
                    show cg1457 with sshake
                    show cg1458 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "The intense humping soon robbed him of his seed and his body lurched against the ropes as he spilled thick, ropey strings of jizzum throughout Ghorza’s folds."
                    ghor "Haha. Look at dis. Is dis another sign of your submission?"
                    "But even that did not sate her appetite. The Orcess continued using him to get off, leaving his penis aching and raw."
                    "Finally, Rowan felt her shake and slow down. Just on the cusp of begging her to stop, he steeled a quick few breaths while Ghorza grinned back at him."
                    "She pulled off his thickness before scooping up some of his cum from her pussy. Her green nostrils twitched as she drank in the scent."
                    ghor "Or are yous just really enjoying being turned into nothing more than a toy, {i}General{/i}?"
                    scene cg1459 with fade
                    pause 3
                    "The unyielding orc wasn’t finished with Rowan yet. She turned around, and with a carefree grin, Ghorza dropped to her knees and brought her lips close to his member."
                    "For a brief moment, Rowan thought that he would enjoy some respite. But the Orc did not suck his cock and instead slapped his raw meat with her hand."
                    "His aching cock flared with pain and Rowan winced and yelped. Not for the first time did he feel hints of regret about this deal."
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1459
                    "Ghorza said nothing but proved to be a proper mistress when it came to twisting and bending submissive males to the point of no return."
                    "Just when Rowan felt like he could take no more, her hand went from clapping his weary rod to rubbing and massaging his still energetic balls."
                    "Having her firm grip on his balls, knowing the pain she could cause, felt like the greatest mixture of exhilaration, uncertainty, and of course… pleasure."
                    ro "Oh fuck… My… you really… oh gods…"
                    "Rowan’s chest heaved when he felt the wet texture of her tongue caressing and lathering up his cock. Every inch of his hot stiffness began throbbing once more."
                    ghor "Glurrpph… Mlurpph…"
                    "She took his cock down her throat and closed her eyes. Here was no romance or affection in the gesture as she slurped all over the warrior’s prick."
                    "Pleasure tried to climb its way into Rowan’s mind, but after the rough fucking and the way she’d treated his cock earlier, his body danced between satisfaction and strain."
                    #cg3 - var 2
                    show cg1460 with sshake
                    show cg1460 with sshake
                    show cg1461 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1459
                    ro "Fukaaah-ruhah-rhau… its so… fuck… hot… Ghrorzahuaah!"
                    "Rowan came again, this time, Ghorza apparently didn’t see the need to let his sperm out into another one of her holes."
                    "Instead, the determined Orc chief pulled back, letting Rowan’s cum slide free from her verdant lips."
                    "Pleasure crackled through Rowan’s mind before he felt her hand tugging his length once more and aiming his crown right at the ground."
                    "In a rather wasteful display, his load spilled out between them. The puddle of his jizz looked sad, futile even, and he felt a rush of embarrassment."
                    "Ghroza grinned from ear to ear."
                    ghor "Hmmph… Not da worst I’ve seen, but certainly not da best. Now… time for round three…"
                    scene black with fade
                    "..."
                    scene bg30 with fade
                    "Rowan awoke the next morning with his entire body on fire and hardly able to move. Ghorza untied his hands, finally offering him complete freedom once more."
                    "For a brief moment, he thought she might have softened up on him, but it wasn’t the case."
                    "Before he’d even had much time to stretch his body out, Ghorza growled at him, barking for him to get dressed."
                    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I’m going. Why the rush?"
                    ghor "There is work to be done. Right now… it’s fancy word time…"
                    scene bg26 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "He eventually understood her meaning when they walked out of her tent. Ghorza called the warriors of her camp to attend her."
                    ghor "The General and I have {i}talked{/i} things over. In the days to come, we’ll be getting a bunch of slaves to serve us as cooks, smiths, or cocksleeves."
                    ghor "You get to pick because they’ll belong to you."
                    "Then she turned to Rowan and bowed her head."
                    ghor "Twins’ General Rowan has given us this gift, to purchase our skills for the great battles to come. He respects our strength and is quite strong… for a Humie."
                    show wild orc neutral behind bg26
                    wo "So, what does dis mean, Ghorza?"
                    ghor "It means… dat we stay with da Twins. Even if we can’t kill all Humies, there will be plenty to kill as we conquer dese lands and more."
                    "Many of the warriors nodded in agreement, smiling tusked grins towards Rowan."
                    ghor "When you’re old and toothless, you will all tell stories to your pups of how you were a part of Ghorza Bloodaxe and her reavers!"
                    "The orcs let out a great cheer."
                    ghor "Our legend will grow with da Twins, and before da last battle is over, everyone will know of our strength!"
                    "And even louder cheer exploded out among the crowd as the Orcs clanged their weapons and clapped their hands in support of their chief."
                    ghor "But enough words! It is time to move, I want us ready to move after da mid-day meal. Get to it!"
                    "She barked out the order and just like that, the simple command marshaled the excited Orcs into action. Rowan didn’t see a single look of doubt or confusion in the crowd."
                    "Their leader had told them what had happened, and what would happen next and that was that."
                    ro "Impressive…"
                    "Ghorza led him over to the edge of camp and for the first time, he saw a smile that wasn’t murderous on her face."
                    ghor "Return to da castle now, my Humie toy. Tell da Twins dat Ghorza Bloodaxe is ready for more fighting."
                    ghor "As for yous, I think, after our next battle, we will need to ‘talk’ again…"
                    menu:
                        "Agree with her.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            ro "Time permitting, I’m sure we can figure out something."
                            "She slapped his shoulder and pulled him in close to bite painfully on his ear."
                            "Rowan didn’t have the energy to pull away, and only freed himself once she let go."
                            ghor "A little reminder, until we meet again."
                            "With that, Ghorza Bloodaxe turned around and returned to camp, leaving a beleaguered Rowan to start walking, his legs calling out for more rest."

                        "Head out.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            ro "You shouldn’t get ahead of yourself, Ghorza. Besides, I’m sure the war will keep you far too busy for such distractions."
                            ghor "Hmmmph. Perhaps. Den again, I am sure I will carve up so much glory dat one day, the Twins might just give yous to me."
                            ghor "Den, I’ll turn yous into a proper pet…"
                            "She left things at that and turned around to return to her camp."
                    "He knew his choice would not be without consequences. He proved disobedience could pay off, something that would make keeping morale in check far more difficult in the future, and something Andras would no doubt disapprove of."
                    scene black with fade
                    "But he gained an ally, one more loyal to herself than the twins. And that could be useful in the future."
                    # $ change_prisoners(-5)
                    # $ change_recruitment_bonus('barracks', 2)
                    # $ change_morale(-5)
                    return


    label ghorzaDuel_rp:

        "The duel began without warning when the towering Orc swung at him. Rowan diverted the angle of the axehead and he danced back on his heels."
        "She swung at him again, and Rowan’s sword met Ghorza’s battleaxe with a powerful clang!"
        "The former hero grimaced. Her strength was nothing to balk at."
        "Rowan sidestepped another wild swing and then ducked as Ghorza’s counterswing sailed over his head."

        ro "(She’s strong. But has no training… no finesse.)"

        "Rowan began to find his rhythm; rather than trying to riposte, the Human did his best to simply dodge all of her strikes."
        "But the Orc wouldn’t tire if he just ran circles around her, he could tell that by her slow, steady breathing."
        "Her axe swept through the air, aiming right for his chest. Rowan barely had time to parry the strike and dodge the follow-up thrust."

        ro "(I have to end this soon!)"

        "Finally, his opportunity came when he disengaged with Ghorza and raced around one of the tentpoles of the camp. She swung like a lumberjack, looking to take his head."
        "Instead, the axe’s shaft smacked into the pole with a sharp thunk. The collision made the weapon tremble, and Ghorza nearly dropped it."
        "Rowan made a desperate gamble and dropped his sword to maximize his speed. While Ghorza struggled to get her grip, he struck like a viper from the long grass."
        "This was Rowan’s cue. It was a rookie mistake to rely on one’s weapon too much - he dropped his own sword while Ghorza struggled to get her grip, and struck like a viper from the long grass."
        "Diving through the air, his hands stretched out and found purchase with Ghorza’s long thick braid. When he hit the ground, Rowan got to his feet and pulled. {i}Hard{/i}."

        ghor "What?! Yous little bastard!"

        "When he yanked, Ghorza’s feet left the ground. She landed with a heavy thud, losing her axe in the process."
        "The greenskin’s hands reached out but Rowan quickly planted the edge flush against her throat."
        "The Orcs around them all flinched with surprise. Ghorza’s heavy breathing filled Rowan’s ears as he felt his heart racing."
        "She hesitated and Rowan pressed on, pressing a knee hard in between her tits and bringing even more of the edge against her flesh."
        "The woman’s golden eyes were wide and she appeared too shocked to even move her tongue."

        show orc soldier neutral behind bg26
        show wild orc neutral behind bg26

        wo "What is going on?"
        os "He beat her! He beat Ghorza!"
        wo "I knew it was a dumb idea. Demon General gonna kill us all!"

        "Not wanting to roll the dice with what the defeated woman might say to her followers, he took charge of the situation."

        ro "Everyone listen! This duel is over! You can all see who lost. Tie up this traitor and bring her to that tent!"

        "It took ten torturous beats before some of the Orcs nearby reacted. They found rope and went over to their former leader and bound her hands and feet."

        ghor "This isn’t over, Humi!"

        "She offered more than a few choice insults to the men tying her up, but all of them stayed the course."
        "Rowan wiped his brow as he stood back up and sheathed his sword."
        "When he looked around, he saw many of the greenskins nodding in respect, some with even a bit of reverence. The duel had done its job, and then some."
        "Then Rowan’s eyes landed back on the trussed-up Orc woman. Now he just needed to figure out what was to be done with Ghorza Bloodaxe."

        scene bg30 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

        "Rowan walked into the tent and found Ghorza doing about what he expected, trying to trip him up and break his neck with her feet."

        ro "Enough. Accept your defeat."

        "When she persisted, Rowan pinned his boot onto her chest. He felt her breasts moving beneath him as he worked hard to keep her in place."
        "He imagined that the warrior had not tasted the bitterness of loss in some time. If she didn’t get a handle on her pride, death would come on her soon enough."
        "Ghorza glared up at him, looking at him just like before, like Rowan was beneath her, even though she was the one tied up on her back."

        ghor "Yous cheated. Somehow… Der is no other way. Admit it!"

        "She spat at him while still struggling against the weight of his boot and the ropes that kept her hands tied."

        ro "Admit what?"

        ghor "Da Demons… Dey musta given yous something. Dat necklace! It must give yous da strength of ten men!"

        "Her tusked mouth formed a sneer and her eyes looked as venomous as a Drider’s claws."

        ghor "Free me from dese ropes and drop your foul sorcery. Without your magic tricks, yous will fail. I know it!"
        # "She was delusional - but Rowan had no intention of fighting her again. There was no denying her skill, and he was already winded. Another fight like this might not go in his favour."
        ro "Enough, here is what is going to happen."

        menu:
            "Make Ghorza submit again. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump ghorzaSubmit_rp

            "Strip her of her command, and let Andras set her straight.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "Your tenacity is impressive, but it’s going to get you killed. I’m sending you back to Bloodmeen."
                    ro "I’m sure Andras will find a way to… remind you of who is in charge."
                    "For the first time since he’d met her, Ghorza did not have a fierce reply."
                elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    "Rowan knelt in front of the struggling woman. He admired her spirit;  if her prideful violence could be harnessed, she would serve the Twins well."
                    "With a period of adjustment."
                    ro "Remember this, Ghorza Bloodaxe. You were beaten by a human. And you will {i}serve{/i} a human, until the last light drains from your eyes."
                else:
                    ro "You’re going to Castle Bloodmeen and then you won’t be my problem anymore."
                    "A small, vengeful part of him took pleasure in the thought of how Andras would see to the Orc’s disobedience."
                    "Ghorza sneered at him."
                    ghor "Hah. Yous better pray dat dey never let me out, Rowan Blackwell. I will remember yous…"
                    ro "See that you do."
                "With that, Rowan instructed a group of the Orcs from the camp to drag her to her feet."
                "He gave the band specific instructions to drag Ghorza back to Castle Bloodmeen, alive, to begin her retraining as a proper Orc in service to the Twins."
                return

            "Execute her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "Rowan did not relish his decision as he swiftly planted his sword in the Orc woman’s heart."
                    "Ghorza coughed up blood and shook on the ground before the life drained from her eyes."
                    "It was a terrible thing, a despicable thing, and Rowan knew it. But he did not have a choice."
                    "Bringing her back to the fold could have worked, but she could have caused even more trouble for him and the Twins."
                    "But now… one way or another… the matter was closed."
                elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    "Ghorza noticed the change in his eyes as his sword left his scabbard."
                    ghor "I’ll see yous in hell, Rowan Blackwell."
                    "His blade dug into her chest, right for the Orc’s heart. Blood spilled freely and she grimaced, fighting against the inevitable."
                    ro "Don’t wait up. Unlike you, I have much more to do before my time is over…"
                    "Ghorza’s teeth clenched and rattled, but in the end, her head slumped forward and her eyes stared at nothing."
                    "After cleaning his sword, Rowan sheathed it and headed out of the tent."
                else:
                    ro "You brought this on yourself."
                    ghor "Heh. What are yous gonna do? Youa don’t have-"
                    "Rowan plunged the tip of his sword into the bound woman’s heart. He put his weight fully into the hilt, hoping to end it quickly."
                    "Ghorza’s lips cracked open, uttering one last curse before her head tilted down."
                    "Rowan pulled his sword free and cleaned the warchief’s blood from the tip. Part of him still argued that she could have served the Twins, that it didn’t have to be this way."
                    "But now it was a very moot point. The deed was done, which only left one last thing for him to do."
                "When Rowan emerged from the tent, he made a short announcement about Ghorza’s death."
                "Anger flashed through a few of the orcs around him, but none of them lifted their weapons to avenge their fallen leader."
                "He commanded them to bury Ghorza and then return to Castle Bloodmeen for new orders. With that, he left the fallen warchief’s camp behind."
                return

    label ghorzaSubmit_rp:

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "I promise you, Ghorza. The Demons have not given me gifts."
            ro "(Unless you count curses as gifts…)"
            "The adventurer steeled himself, remembering why he was there. If he did not get Ghorza in line, she would undoubtedly kill more innocents."
            ro "I will fight you again. But not to the death like before."
            ghor "Haha. Lie to yourself if yous want."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan grinned at the impetuous Orc female."
            ro " I will allow you to embarrass yourself again. But know that when you fall this time, I will not be so courteous as I was before."
            "Ghorza scoffed at that, though for just a moment, he saw a grin form on her tusked lips."
            ghor "I accept. It is fitting that we honour da old ways, Rowan Blackwell. But do not get your hopes up."

        else:
            ro "Believe what you want. But I have no problem humiliating you twice, Ghorza Bloodaxe."
            "The Orc bared her teeth at him."
            ghor "Once I defeat yous, I will drag your corpse out and display it proudly as my banner."
            ro "I think someone is counting her chickens before they’ve hatched."

        "The Human found it even easier to defeat her without her favorite weapon. Ghorza did her best to grab him and choke him, but Rowan constantly evaded her attempts."
        "Ducking underneath her wild swings, Rowan delivered a savage elbow strike to the side of her head."
        "Ghorza fell to her hands and knees. Taking advantage, Rowan quickly scrambled on top of her body."

        ghor "Haha. Do yous really think dat yous can mount me like a common mare?"
        ghor "I am Ghorza Blooda-"

        "Rowan slung his right arm around her neck to shut her up while he ripped at her loincloth. Emboldened by beating her not once, but twice, he ripped the material off easily."
        "The moment that her pussy became exposed, Ghorza’s demeanor changed ever so slightly. Their eyes met briefly while the sound of the orc’s heavy breathing filled the tent."

        ghor "Heh. Yous going to claim your prize, or what, Humie?"

        menu:
            "Claim your prize. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

            "Tell her this isn’t about sex.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan released her and adjusted his clothes. Ghorza blinked at him for a moment and then looked away while settling onto her haunches."
                ro "This was not about sex, Ghorza. It was about bringing you back to the fold. The Twins need good fighters."
                ro "But these need ones that follow orders, am I clear?"
                "She nodded but otherwise did not reply, which was unsatisfactory to Rowan."
                ro "Who do you work for?"
                "Whether she feared angering him or had finally come to respect his strength, the green woman slowly turned to look at him once again."
                ghor "Yous General… yous and da Twins."
                "It was clear that she was disappointed and ashamed of herself, but Rowan felt confident that she had seen the light."
                "Or had she?"
                menu:
                    "Strip Ghorza of her command and send her to Bloodmeen for retraining.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                            ro "Your tenacity is impressive, but it’s going to get you killed. I’m sending you back to Bloodmeen."
                            ro "I’m sure Andras will find a way to… remind you of who is in charge."
                            "For the first time since he’d met her, Ghorza did not have a fierce reply."
                        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                            "Rowan knelt in front of the struggling woman. He admired her spirit;  if her prideful violence could be harnessed, she would serve the Twins well."
                            "With a period of adjustment."
                            ro "Remember this, Ghorza Bloodaxe. You were beaten by a human. And you will {i}serve{/i} a human, until the last light drains from your eyes."
                        else:
                            ro "You’re going to Castle Bloodmeen and then you won’t be my problem anymore."
                            "A small, vengeful part of him took pleasure in the thought of how Andras would see to the Orc’s disobedience."
                            "Ghorza sneered at him."
                            ghor "Hah. Yous better pray dat dey never let me out, Rowan Blackwell. I will remember yous…"
                            ro "See that you do."
                        "With that, Rowan instructed a group of the Orcs from the camp to drag her to her feet."
                        "He gave the band specific instructions to drag Ghorza back to Castle Bloodmeen, alive, to begin her retraining as a proper Orc in service to the Twins."
                        return

                    "Leave Ghorza in charge of her warband.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "I will leave you in charge of your warband and we’ll forget this incident happened."
                        ghor "So… what happens next?"
                        if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                            ro "In time, you and your warriors will fight the enemies of the Twins once again."
                            ro "Do not disappoint me…"
                            "The proud Orc gave him a huff and said nothing, so he pulled the flap and departed from the tent."
                        else:
                            ro "Insubordination aside, you are truly an orc to watch closely,  Ghorza Bloodaxe. "
                            ghor "And yous not bad… for a Humie."
                            "The softness in Rowan’s eyes vanished in an instant."
                            ro "Step out of line one more time and the only thing left of you will be the tusks I keep as a trophy…"
                            "With that, Rowan pulled open the tent’s flap and left Ghorza Bloodaxe be."
                        # $ change_morale(5)
                        return

        "She continued fighting, even clawing at Rowan’s hand around her neck, but it was her words that changed the most."

        ghor "Yous must have a rock for a head. Do yous think dat your filthy Humie prick will even be strong enough to open me up?"

        "As much as he heard the mocking sharpness from her tongue, Rowan also heard a challenge, however thinly veiled."

        menu:
            "Strip her of command, let Andras set her straight.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan chose not to take his spoils from the twice-beaten Orc woman. Instead, he tied up Ghorza Bloodaxe and then kicked her out of the tent, butt naked."
                scene bg26 with fade
                show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveinright
                "Emerging from the tent, Rowan pointed towards one of the warriors."
                ro "You, take this traitor north. My retainers will take her the rest of the way back to Castle Bloodmeen."
                show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve
                os "Of course, General."
                if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    ro "If anything happens to her, be certain that I will find out."
                    "The Orc blinked at him for a moment and then nodded urgently. After that, he barked some commands to his fellow warriors to get ready."
                    "Rowan watched the group drag the naked and tied up Ghorza Bloodaxe out of the camp."
                    "The once-proud greenskin bowed her head, apparently finally accepting that she had been soundly defeated."
                else:
                    ro "Remember this, if she doesn’t make it back to Castle Bloodmeen, or anything else happens to her, the Twins will hear of it."
                    "The Orc tightened his grip on the rope strung around Ghroza’s neck."
                    os "Of course, General. I will not let anything happen to her. Please… forgive us again for our… um… we just got confused is all."
                    os "Now we know da right path."
                    "With that, the Orc marshaled some of his companions and then they started marching Ghorza out of the camp."
                "With her pride and reputation shattered, the upstart warlord would never regain her position. For the last of her days, she would serve as a sombre reminder one did not cross Rowan Blackwell."
                return

            "Dominate Ghorza. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump dom_gorza_rp

    label dom_gorza_rp:

        #cg1
        scene cg1349 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1349
        pause 2

        "Rowan’s arm burned as Ghorza struggled, but he continued holding his limb across her neck. She huffed and puffed, before squealing when his cock entered her lips."

        ghor "Yous… yous fiend. Uhrauah…"

        if rowanCorrupt < 60:
            ro "That sounded a lot like a moan."
            ghor "If {i}dat{/i} was a moan, then I feels sorry for all the women you’ve disappointed, Humie."
            "Rowan grinned and then stabbed his cock deeper into her hot, damp folds."

        else:
            ro "Heh. Now I see it. All the anger, it’s just a front because no Orc male could dominate you."
            "Ghorza grunted, but it was a half-hearted noise at best. In no time, more moans spilled out, along with a stream of arousal from her folds."
            ghor "Yous dumb as a mule. Dere is no way yous can bring me pleasure."
            ro "You’re lying to yourself. This is what you’ve wanted. Someone… Nurah… Someone to put the mighty Ghorza Bloodaxe in her place."

        #cg2
        show cg1350 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "To further humiliate and dominate the Orc fighter, Rowan tightened the grip of his arm around her neck and used his other hand to spank her plump behind."

        ghor "How dare yous! I will enjoy ripping off every finger and-"

        "With another slap, Rowan watched as her entire body shivered and he felt her pussy tighten up. When his hand rubbed her haunches, he felt something else."
        "Her hips moving back to meet his own. It appeared that the Orc was at least not about to let him ride her without enjoying herself in some manner."
        "The warmth of her pussy became that much more irresistible as Ghorza’s moaning turned into frantic panting."

        #cg2 - var 1
        show cg1351 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "The last of the Orc’s ferocious resistances crumbled in the wake of Rowan’s potency."
        "The formerly taciturn and rebellious Orc ended up squealing like a newborn suckling as the adventurer hammered his hips harder and harder against her taunt flesh."

        ghor "Fuuuwaahauaahkk… No… my Fulgrim… A humie… a humie is making me cum… Yous must stop this… I can’t… hold…"

        "Naturally Rowan hardly skipped a beat. After a day of travel, dueling and now sex, holding back now just isn’t on the menu."
        "His hands square themselves on the Orc’s hard hips and he sinks every inch of his hard meat into the molten embrace of Ghorza’s pussy."

        #cg2 - var 2
        show cg1352 with sshake
        show cg1352 with sshake
        show cg1353 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Sweat rolled across Ghorza’s flesh as she howled like a feral wolf."
        "Rowan’s stiff member continued filling her pussy before his cock jerked, signaling the release of his essence into the mewling Orc woman."
        "Drool flied from her open lips and her tongue flounders past her tusks."

        ghor "Fuck… You’re drowning… nuraah… drowning my womb with your weak… Humie… seeeduaaah!"

        "The seething heat of Rowan’s cum permeated the Orc’s womb and splashed out to mar the flesh of her thighs as the Human continued railing her."

        scene bg30 with fade

        "The two lay there for a moment. Eventually, Rowan shifted and pulled his body away from hers. He cleaned himself up but when he moved to help her, she shooed him off."

        ghor "I am not some fresh maiden. I tend my own fires and I will… clean up my mess."

        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Rowan watched the defeated woman for a moment before dressing and heading towards the entrance of the tent."
        "Before he left, he glanced back at Ghorza. Her eyes avoided him for a moment before her expression changed to one of dour indifference."

        menu:
            "Send her to the castle, a reminder for all who would oppose him.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                    ro "You’re off to Castle Bloodmeen now. I hope we meet again. Your strength will be useful in the wars to come."
                    "The proud Orc gave him a huff and said nothing, so he pulled the flap and departed from the tent."
                else:
                    ro "You’re quite the woman, Ghorza Bloodaxe. I imagine you can see why I’m in charge {i}now{/i}…"
                    "He grinned at her and saw the way her breasts heaved, suggesting that her body was still flush with emotions from their mating."
                    ro "But if you need another reminder. Perhaps I’ll visit you at Castle Bloodmeen."
                    "With that, Rowan pulled open the tent’s flap and left Ghorza Bloodaxe be."
                scene black with fade
                "A short while later, Rowan personally took Ghorza back to his retainers and the portal back to the castle."
                "He handed off the rebellious Orc to his sergeant and gave strict instructions to not let Ghorza talk to anyone and bring her straight to a cell."
                "As she was trotted off, she gave Rowan one last look. The fire in her eyes informed him that Andras would have his work cut out for him."
                "Rowan started off to continue his own path, wondering if he might meet the Orc woman again."
                "As she was trotted off, she gave Rowan one last look. The fire in her eyes was a silent promise he would pay for what he had done."
                "He almost laughed. He’d seen it a hundred times. With her pride, her reputation, and her body broken, the world will never again hear of Ghorza Bloodaxe."
                return

            "Let the bitch keep her warband - if she bends the knee, like a good slut.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I bested you in combat. Not once, but thrice. I made you squirm under me, forced your body to submit and made you cum like a little bitch."
                ro "And here you are, a mere slut trying to retain a shred of dignity."
                show bg30 with sshake
                "She growled at him - and Rowan slapped her across the face.  Shocked, she turned to him with eyes full of fury - and ended up slapped {i}again{/i}."
                "This time she didn’t raise her head. Even though her eyes still held fire, she kept her head down, waiting for him to speak again."
                ro "That’s better. Maybe I’ll have use of you after all."
                "He wrapped his hand around her throat, squeezing it harshly as he forced her to look him in the eyes. She bared her teeth at him, but quickly stopped, before he could punish her again."
                ro "You have fire in you. I like that both in a woman. But I don’t have time to train every uppity bitch that comes under my wing."
                ro "I could let you keep this little warband of you… If you vow to obey me from now on."
                "He studied her reaction with great interest. The disbelief, the revulsion, and finally - the cold calculation happening in that empty, stupid head of hers."
                "Briefly, he wondered if he should threaten her with the consequences of refusing him here, but decided against it. If the previous defeats weren’t a big enough stick, then Ghorza would be too troublesome to keep around anyway."
                "Finally, she opened her mouth to answer him - then closed it, sneered - briefly - and tried again."
                ghor "… Very well."
                ro "Do it properly. On your knees. Swear you’ll serve me, Ghorza Bloodaxe."
                "Struggling to keep her anger in check, the orc upstart lowered herself, and knelt before her new Master."
                ghor "I… Ghorza Bloodaxe, swear to serve Rowan Blackwell… As long as he remains strong enough to lead us."
                "He chuckled. Obviously her pride would force her to add something like this. Oh, it didn’t matter. He had no intention of showing weakness in front of her."
                ro "I accept your pledge, Ghorza Bloodaxe. Serve faithfully as both a slut and a warrior, and you will find a stallion to mount you and a true general to lead you."
                "Her body shook as she fought the instinct to lunge at him. She would not find her new position easy. Likely, she would be even more brutal now, trying to mend her shattered pride. His own orc will not find it easy to work with her."
                scene black with fade
                "It didn’t matter. A competent pawn was far more useful than a hundred orcs… Especially one that was loyal to him alone - if she herself didn’t accept it yet."

    return

# \rowan intro.rpy
label sexscene1_rp:

    show cg1 with dissolve
    pause 2

    show alexia intro neutral behind cg1 with dissolve
    show rowan intro happy behind cg1 with dissolve

    "Rowan’s hands held tight to her waist, pulling her ass to his crotch. She was powerless to resist him he began to gently kiss the pale, exposed flesh of the nape of her neck, moving up to her ear. A bright flush spread across her cheeks."

    al "{i}Mmmh{/i}, oh Goddess..."

    "Her back stiffened as he leaned against her. Rowan breathed in the scent of his beloved, smiling as goosebumps prickled up her neck."

    al "We… really don’t have time, Rowan-"

    show rowan intro smug behind cg1

    ro "What? I am not stopping you, am I? Your hands are perfectly free to continue doing what they are doing."
    al "That’s n-not the point, you silly man! I- {i}mmmh{/i}!"

    "Rowan’s hands roamed lower, trailing across her navel as they slipped beneath the hem of her skirt. Her skin was so warm, her body shivering at the contact of skin on skin. She bit her lip to try to contain the moan that nevertheless seeped out."
    "Rowan smiled to himself, amused at her failed attempt to hide her horniness. As prim and proper as she might pretend to be sometimes, Alexia was just as excited as he was."
    "Rowan continued to plant soft kisses down the length of her unguarded neck, and Alexia’s breaths grew both shorter and shallower, her skin flushing bright red."

    show alexia intro aroused behind cg1 with dissolve

    al "You might not be stopping me, dear heart, but you are making it {i}awfully{/i} difficult for me to concentrate on  washing my hands."
    ro "I’m sorry, I did not realize that you found it so distracting."

    "He leaned up to her ear, his voice a throaty whisper."

    ro "I suppose if I were to do {i}this{/i}, it would not help?"

    "Rowan slid one hand down to caress her thigh. Alexia shivered."

    al "No, husband, that {i}definitely{/i} does not help."
    ro "How about this?"

    "With a grin, he moved his other hand from her hip, slowly up her stomach until he found her left breast. His hand caressed her tit through the fabric. His fingers lightly grazed her erect nipple, eliciting a soft, low moan."

    al "{i}Nnnnnn{/i}... What do you think?"
    ro "I don’t know, that is why I am asking you."

    menu:
        "Threaten to stop.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I guess I had better stop then. I would not want you telling the villagers how much I bother you."
            "Taking his hands from her body, he placed them on the counter at either side, and arced backwards so they were no longer touching."
            al "Did I tell you to stop, darling?"
            ro "I thought your husband was being naughty and distracting you?"
            al "He is, but I never said that it was a bad thing."
            ro "Oh really?"
            jump alexia_foreplay_beg_rp

        "Tease her harder.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan intro aroused behind cg1
            ro "In that case, I guess I will just have to keep bothering you until you give me a proper answer then."
            "Rowan’s groping got rougher, his hands molesting her breast and massaging her thigh in ever more insistent strokes."
            al "Uhhhh...."
            "Sliding the hand on her thigh under her dress, he pressed it against her underwear and gently rubbed her wet pussy."
            al "Ohhh yessssss...."
            ro "Somebody is practically sodden down there."
            al "Somebody’s trying to sound {i}awfully{/i} clever, using a word like ‘sodden.’"
            al "Besides, what do you expect when you are fondling me like that, dear?"
            jump alexia_bj_intro_rp

    label alexia_foreplay_beg_rp:

        menu:
            "Resume foreplay.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan intro aroused behind cg1
                "Undeterred by his wife’s teasing, Rowan resumed his attentions. He groped one of her breasts, while his other hand slid under her dress to massage her clit."
                al "Ohhh yessssss...."
                jump alexia_bj_intro_rp

            "Make her beg for it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "If you want me to continue, you are going to have to tell me what you want me to do to you."
                al "Never."
                "Rowan laughed. Whatever else could be said of his wife, she was stubborn to the core."
                ro "I’m a dangerous man to deny, beloved."
                al "{i}Nnnh{/i}!"
                "His fingers crept lower, past the thin fabric of her panties and into that wet, warm spot at her core. He drew back almost as quickly as he’d arrived, leaving her humping back against his finger."
                "At last, she could contain herself no longer. Her voice took on a quiet, desperate quality."
                al "I want you.... to touch me..."
                ro "You are going to have to be a lot more specific than that."
                al "You’re cruel."
                ro "And you’re not being honest with me."
                al "I want you to grope my breasts..."
                show rowan intro aroused behind cg1
                "Rowan complied with her request, his hand returning to her breast, squeezing the nipple hard."
                ro "Mmm hm? Like this? And what else?"
                al "Uhhuhhh... and stroke my..."
                ro "Stroke your what?"
                al "Ohhhhh... m-my {i}pussy{/i}, you bastard."
                ro "No need for the name calling, all you had to do was ask."
                "He moved his hand beneath her dress and under the panties, sliding two fingers between her wet cunt lips."
                jump alexia_bj_intro_rp

    label alexia_bj_intro_rp:

        ro "You know, turnabout’s fair play."
        al "Mmmmm.. What did you have in mind?"
        ro "I can think of a few things."

        "Emphasizing his point, he pressed his hard cock against her ass."

        al "I take it you're unarmed?"
        ro "Ouch. That tongue of yours is sharper than any blade I can wield."

        "Alexia giggled, her voice trailing off into a low, sexual coo."

        al "I'm only joking, husband of mine."

        menu:
            "Ask her to blow you.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                al "How romantic."
                ro "If you know a more sensual term for it, I’m all ears."
                al "My husband, the sweet talker."
                ro "Would you rather I resort to begging?"
                "Alexia giggled. She knelt down in front of Rowan and pulled his hard cock free from his trousers."
                show cg2 with dissolve
                pause 2
                al "No. I’ve already got you in the palm of my hand."
                "Grabbing it at the base, she placed a soft kiss on the glistening head. With a grin, Alexia started to run her tongue along the head of her husband’s cock with long, slow licks, her hand gently working the shaft in smooth, familiar strokes. "
                ro "That’s it..."
                "Taking the head of his cock into her mouth, she sucked on it lightly while continuing to stroke the shaft."
                "As she sucked, she swirled her tongue, licking the sensitive tip, causing Rowan to let out a low moan."
                "Enthused by his reaction, Alexia bobbed her head back and forth, her soft lips rubbing up and down the length of his throbbing cock."
                "Rowan began to subconsciously move with her, slowly moving his hips back and forth."
                ro "That feels so good..."
                al "Mmmmmfff!"
                "She worked his dick at the base with her hand, sucking on the head and the shaft in a slow, deliberate manner. It was heavenly, a succession of warm sensations radiating from his groin."
                "Before long, Rowan’s dick was covered in spit, and every movement of her head was accompanied by a sloppy, wet {i}squelch{/i}."
                "Rowan placed his hand on her head and braced against the window frame to steady himself, as he felt a climax starting to rise within him."
                "Feeling him begin to shudder, Alexia stopped sucking on his dick and grabbed it by the base."
                ro "F-fuck, I’m so close...."
                "Keeping a tight grip on his manhood, she backed off until his cock was no longer inside her mouth. A naughty grin formed on her full lips."
                al "Not yet, husband of mine. You started this war, you have to finish it. There’s somewhere else this needs to be first."
                jump alexia_rowan_bedroom_rp


            "Push her head down.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show cg2 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Rowan, without a word, pushed Alexia’s head down towards his crotch. She let out a hum of surprise but let him do so. His other hand fumbled with his trousers as he freed his hard dick from its confines."
                "Before she could utter a word of protest, he shoved his cock into her mouth, a wide {i}O{/i} of shock from the rough behaviour."
                al "Mmmmffffph!"
                "With her lips now wrapped around his cock, Rowan moved his hips back and forth, gently, to simulate fucking her, enjoying the wet, warm sensation he felt as it slides in and out of her mouth."
                "On her knees, and in a position in which she felt powerless, all Alexia could do was accommodate his manhood as best as she could, sucking on it as he pistoned his hips back and forth."
                "Rowan braced himself against the under ledge of the window, placing his hand on her head and stroking her hair as he fucked her mouth to a symphony of squelching sounds."
                "Alexia, for her part, enthusiastically slurped away as he bucked his hips to a steady rhythm, doing her best to deliver a good, sloppy blowjob. They were well and truly in sync."
                "Rowan pulled his dick from her mouth, glistening in the sun from being covered with all of the excess saliva."
                ro "Ready to take it deeper, baby?"
                al "Ohhhh.... {i}Uhhuhh{/i}..."
                al "D-do I get the dignity of getting to answer you, this time?"
                "Smirking, Rowan pushed his cock back between her soft lips, and began to move his hips once more, faster and rougher."
                "Alexia tried her best to avoid gagging by breathing through her nose as her husband’s fat cock slid in and out of her throat. The room was filled with the lewd sounds of Alexia’s gurgling."
                ro "{i}Unnnn{/i}... Gods, you are amazing..."

                menu:
                    "Make her deepthroat you.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Take a deep breath, love."
                        al "Glggf!"
                        "Her harried voice just barely carried through the dick in her mouth. With one last thrust, Rowan pulled her head against his crotch, forcing her to take it all down her throat."
                        "Alexia shot him a sharp glance from her uncomfortable position, but there was little she could do but bear it. She quivered as it pressed against her lips; he was so close to cumming."
                        "Before that happened, however, Rowan pulled free of her, now dripping with spit, and grabbed it by the base, prolonging the orgasm. His wife looked up at him in surprise."
                        ro "N-not {i}urgh{/i}, yet. Not yet."
                        jump alexia_rowan_bedroom_rp

                    "Take it to the bedroom.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "He couldn’t wait any longer. Pulling his cock from her hungry mouth, Rowan reached down to offer his hand and aid his wife in rising."
                        jump alexia_rowan_bedroom_rp

    label alexia_rowan_bedroom_rp:

        ro "Are you ready to move this to the bedroom, darling?"

        "Alexia smiled, her face flush with embarrassment and arousal."

        al "Mmmmhmmmm..."

        show cg3 with dissolve
        pause 2

        show alexia intro aroused naked behind cg3 with dissolve
        show rowan intro aroused naked behind cg3 with dissolve

        "The pair made their way to the bed, trading casual gropes and soft caresses as they went. They looked for all the world like a pair of newfound lovers, half-giggling in excitement at their impending pleasure."
        "Alexia slunk onto the bed, giving Rowan a long look at her ample backside. She cast a coquettish glance over her shoulder in his direction, before she laid on her side to allow Rowan to take her from behind."
        "Rowan did not hesitate. He laid beside her, gently lifting her leg slightly to position himself between her wet and willing pussy lips. As he slid his cock between them, Alexia let out a long, shuddering moan."

        al "{i}Hnnnh{/i}! R-rowan..."

        "Her voice was soft but hoarse. Rowan placed his arm around her waist and with a grunt started to move against her, taking care at first to move slowly."
        "With gentle thrusts of his hips, his dick slid in and out of her cunt. It wasn’t long before she was crying out in pleasure."
        "His manhood pulsed from the friction from her well lubricated labia, it felt just felt so damn good, a tingling wave of sensation with each and every thrust."
        "He leaned in to plant soft kisses on her neck as he continued to buck his hips, his flat stomach slapping away against her pert, round ass."
        "As he continued to pound away on her pussy with care, he leaned forward to whisper in her ear."

        ro "You okay?"

        al "{i}Uhhhuhhhh{/i}... D-don’t you {i}dare{/i} stop…"

        menu:
            "Make love to her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan continued to move against her, while softly kissing her neck. They were making love, not fucking like rabbits after all. His wife’s breathing grew shallower, her moans rising in pitch and tempo as he brought her closer and closer to climax."
                "He slid his hand down from her waist, softly rubbing at her clit as he fucked her tenderly. She cried out in ecstacy. He leaned close to whisper in her ear again."
                ro "I’m close, honey..."
                al "Ohhhh... me too love..."
                ro "You ready?"
                al "Y-{i}yeah{/i}..."
                "He had reached his peak. Rowan moved his arm around to clinch her waist to his and gave it one last hard, deep thrust."
                show cg3 with sshake
                show cg3 with sshake
                show cg4 with flash
                pause 2

                "He grunted, feeling his balls constrict as he unloaded himself in his wife. Alexia orgasmed, her voice rising to a breathless gasp as he flooded her sodden pussy with his cum."
                "Like a bowstring the tension snapped, and the two let go as one. Rowan collapsed beside her, still inside of her."
                "Thoroughly pleased with his lovemaking, she pushed back against him as he spooned her, snuggling against his neck."
                al "Mmmm... Love you."
                "Rowan planted a soft kiss on the crown of her head."
                ro "Dinner’s getting cold."
                "She laughed, slapping his bare chest with her palm as a naughty gleam entered her eye."
                al "You’re impossible."
                # jump intro_scene3

            "Be rough with her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Normally the two were content with straightforward lovemaking, but something bestial rose up inside of Rowan’s chest today. Using the arm wrapped around Alexia’s waist for leverage, Rowan began to fuck her harder, pounding his dick against her wet pussy."
                "The sudden change in pace caused her to cry out in pleasure. She looked back at him for a brief moment, her expression more surprised than displeased."
                ro "You love it rough, don’t you slut?"
                al "Nnnnn... I’m not... a...."
                "Unimpressed by her weak excuse, Rowan gave her hair a sharp tug."
                ro "What was that, slut?"
                al "Y-yesssss!!"
                ro "Hmph, that’s what I thought."
                "Their rough fucking continued apace, Rowan thrusting hard into her flanks as Alexia clung to a pillow for dear life. Close to climax, he leaned in to bite her neck as he made one last forceful thrust, pushing his cock deep inside her."
                show cg3 with sshake
                show cg3 with sshake
                show cg4 with flash
                pause 2
                "Alexia screamed aloud in orgasm as her husband filled her pussy with his warm, sticky seed. Even here, he kept thrusting, grinding his cockhead deep within her womanhood. He wanted to ensure he’d marked her as his."
                "Rowan pulled his cock out with a satisfying pop as she laid there, blissfully cooing, white cum leaking from her cunt."
                al "Goddess… Rowan, where did that come from?"
                ro "Enjoyed it, did you?"
                "Alexia giggled, her hand idly trailing down to the mess he’d made at her crotch. Her finger gently circled near her still-twitching opening."
                al "Not in the least."
                ro "Liar."
                al "Maybe. I am not complaining, but my legs feel like they are made of jelly."
                ro "I guess I’ll have to carry you to the dinner table, then."
                al "Right of conquest, eh?"
                # jump intro_scene3

    return

# \rowan intro.rpy
label sexscene2_rp:

    scene cg11 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg11
    show rowan aroused behind cg11
    pause 2

    $ jezera_name = 'Jezera'

    "Rowan turned to Jezera, nodding slowly at her. She fluttered her eyelashes at him."

    je "I knew we shared a connection, hero."

    "Andras snorted, crossing his arms over his chest as he glanced away, tapping his foot impatiently on the ground. His annoyance seemed to only further excite Jezera."
    "The demon, with teasing coyness, slid her dress down to reveal her shapely body, curvaceous, with a pert pair of large breasts. Rowan couldn’t help but feel his eyes drawn to her."
    "She turned and strutted towards the throne, giving him a direct sight of her ample bottom as she walked. She sat down, crossing and recrossing her legs as if to tempt him before spreading her legs wide. "
    "With one finger, she beckoned Rowan to her."

    je "Come."

    "Gingerly, Rowan climbed the last few steps between them until he stood before her. Her eyes played across his form, a flash of lustful intrigue spreading across her features."

    je "Take off those pants. Kneel."

    "He’d already given up so much, sacrificed everything… perhaps he needed this brief, fleeting moment of pleasure. Rowan did as he was told, peeling off his clothing and kneeling at her feet."
    "She ran her fingers through his hair, toying with his locks as if she were a with a treasured lover. Without saying a word, she lightly grabbed him by the back of his head and pulled his face forward toward her crotch."
    "Rowan’s tongue connected with her cunt, already wet from his admission of submission. Clear on what was expected, Rowan began to tongue her pussy gently. She leaned her hips into it, letting out a little moan."

    je "{i}Unnn{/i}... That’s it."

    "He redoubled his efforts, running his tongue against her pussy lips, wiggling about as he felt the pulses and tensions of her cunny clenching around him. He reached the clitoris, which he flicked lightly with the tip, causing her to let out another louder moan."

    je "{i}Mmmh{/i}! Someone has done this before."

    "Rowan swallowed down the guilt that built in his chest and continued to lick her clit. His lips circled around the little bud and then began to suck on it gently, eliciting a shiver from Jezera."
    "With a gentle shove, she moved his head down to her cunt hole, now sticky with her juices. Rowan gave it a probing lick, tasting her illicit sweetness, before sliding his tongue deep inside."

    je "Ohhhh..... Yessss....."

    "The demon began to buck her hips against him as he moved his tongue inside her, while rubbing his nose against her clit. She giggled as she stared down at him, his cheeks squished firmly between her clenching thighs."
    "Soon his skillful tonguing brought her to a budding orgasm; she grabbed his hair roughly and forced his face against her cunt as she locked her legs around him. As he struggled to breathe, Jezera came all over his face."

    je "Uhhhhhhhh!!!"

    "Her hips jerked and gyrated against his face, a squirt of femcum coating his lips as she let loose. She held him there a long moment, revelling in her position, before Jezera released her hold on Rowan, and he fell back onto the soft carpet of the throne room."

    ro "Can’t... Breathe..."

    "Still in a state of post-orgasmic bliss, Jezera slid her hand down to idly stroke her pussy."

    je "Not bad, hero. Mmmm... we’re going to have a lot of fun, you and I."

    "She crooked a finger once more towards him, patting the spot on the seat directly in front of her."

    je "Come here, sit."

    show cg12 with fade
    pause 2

    "Breathless, Rowan did as she asked. He sat down in front of her lap, settling with his back to her. She leaned in, pressing her heavy breasts against his back as she wrapped her arms around him. She planted a playful kiss on the back of his shoulder."
    "With her free hand, she reached down to grasp his cock, now hard and glistening with precum."

    je "Mmmm, feels like someone’s hard."
    ro "N-no-"

    "She giggled and squeezed his painfully hard erection, eliciting a heady moan from the overwhelmed hero."

    je "Despite all that protest, someone is clearly enjoying himself, hm?"

    "Rowan burned with shame as she swiped her fingertips across her dripping pussy, lathering it in her juices, then grabbed his cock at the root. With a gentle touch, she began to lightly jerk it up and down, massaging him with long soft strokes."
    "As his cock started to throb in her hand, she moved to the top, and lightly traced her wet fingers around the sensitive purple tip. Her breath was in his ear, her hot scent filling his nostrils."

    je "...Do you like that, Rowan?"

    "Her voice was a seductive whisper in his ear. He shivered at her touch."

    ro "{i}Nnnh{/i}…"

    "Jezera let out another sultry giggle. She grabbed his cock at the root again, harder now, and began to jerk it firmly. Rowan let out a louder moan as her hand moved up and down his pulsing dick, lubricated by her feminine juices."
    "She moved faster as she licked and kissed his neck, causing him to grunt loudly. She leaned in to nibble on his ear, and Rowan jerked in place, the hairs on his neck standing on in at the sound of her breath. "
    "As he moved closer to orgasm, she can feel his manhood begin to throb harder and harder."

    je "Do you want to cum?"

    "Close to orgasm and robbed of his senses, Rowan could only moan in response."

    je "Well, too bad."

    "Smirking, the demon once again grabbed his dick again at the base, but this time, she did so so tightly, that it robbed him of his climax."
    "The cock twitched wildly in her grip, but found no release. Rowan could only whimper as she held him firm until the moment had passed."

    je "Don’t be too disappointed hero, I just didn’t want to waste all that lovely cum."
    je "There’s a much better place for you to put it. Now, turn around."

    show introjezSex with fade
    pause 3

    "His legs shook as he did what he was told. Jezera lifted up on her knees, switching places as she leaned the weight of her infernally-warm body atop him. She mounted his cock, still rock hard from his thwarted orgasm, leaning forward so that he could see her perfect ass in portrait."
    "Her pussy, tight and sodden from the foreplay, felt incredible against his dick. She leaned forward and began to move against him very slowly, moving her ass up and down on his member."

    je "{i}Mmmmm{/i}... Now this is more like it."

    "Already sensitive from before, Rowan could do little but grit his teeth and try to endure it. He did his best to concentrate on not cumming as the beautiful demon moaned loudly while riding him."
    "With each stroke, she rose higher and took him deeper, the sensation becoming almost too much for him to bear. Soon his cock disappeared entirely into her, her hourglass figured bouncing upon his lap in long, hypnotic strokes."

    je "Do you {i}enjoy{/i} serving me?"

    "The Demon’s smirk was obvious even though she was turned away from him. Her laughter was teasing, but there was a note of triumph in her tone. She moved faster, bucking her hips and driving him toward climax."

    ro "Uhhuhhh...."
    je "And do you want to cum deep inside me?"

    show cg13 with sshake
    show cg13 with sshake
    show cg14 with flash
    pause 2

    "The question, spoken with a demon’s allure, was more than Rowan could bear. Jezera dropped her hips to take all his manhood inside her pulsing cunt. He convulsed wildly as an ejaculation roared up from his deepest depths. He shot his load deep within her."
    "Jezera shuddered as she came one more time on his shaft, bouncing and thrusting against him, letting out a long, loud moan of orgasmic bliss."
    "Spent, Rowan sagged back on the throne. Jezera lifted herself from him and stood, cum still oozing from her well fucked hole. She flashed him a cheeky wink, as she moved to put her dress back on."

    return

# \rowan intro.rpy
label sexscene3_rp:

    scene cg15 with fade
    show rowan aroused behind cg15
    show andras smirk behind cg15
    pause 2

    $ andras_name = 'Andras'

    "With a flush of embarrassment Rowan nodded towards the red demon. Andras’ wicked grin widened."

    an "Too bad, dear sister: seems your little pet wants to get fucked by a {i}real{/i} man."

    "Jezera let out a huff of annoyance, casting her hand carelessly in Rowan's direction as if to allow her brother to proceed."

    "With a smirk, the demon disrobed to reveal a cock far larger than anything Rowan had ever seen before. It was thick, red, and veiny, a masculine pillar that brought a degrading rush of heat to Rowan’s cheeks. He felt his own begin to stir at the sight of it."

    an "Now get over here, and suck my dick."

    "Rowan removed his clothes, his sense of shame only deepening as the Demon undressed him with his eyes. He knelt before Andras, who towered over him, making it perfectly clear who was in control. The smell of him was overpowering Rowan as he looked up from below."

    an "By the time I’m done you’ll {i}beg{/i} me to fuck you. Now start sucking."

    "Rowan took in a deep, shuddering breath, then did as he was told. Inexperienced, but curious, he started to lightly lick the cock, running his tongue from the base to the tip. Andras’ knowing grin widened when Rowan made eye contact with him."

    an "If you do a good job, maybe I’ll let you be my personal cocksucker."

    "It was uncomfortable how arousing it was. The more he lapped at his shaft, the more confident Rowan became. He began to work his neck into it, licking the cock harder and faster. Upon reaching its strangely crimson head, he swirled his tongue around it.

    The demon dick was soon glistening with his spit. Rowan paused a moment to gaze at it, his mind running wild with the perverse ecstasy he felt servicing the son of his most hated enemy at the very seat of his throne."
    "He slid it into his mouth and suckled on it. The tip was leaking precum, which soon inundated his tongue. Using a free hand, he jerked the shaft while alternatively sucking and licking the head."
    "The demon cast a contemptuous gaze down at Rowan’s dick, now rock hard and covered in precum. It made him chuckle."

    an "Looks like the ‘hero’ is enjoying himself! But remember, a good slut doesn’t forget to take care of the balls."

    "Rowan’s ears burned with shame from the demon’s lewd suggestion, but that did not stop him from obeying. He slid the tip of his tongue all the way down the length of the slippery shaft, finally nestling his nose against his balls as he tongued the underside."
    "Andras’ strong fingers ran through Rowan’s hair, clenching against his scalp with a hint of menace. His grip was strong, and his strength merciless as he held him hard against his groin."

    an "For how much trouble you gave us earlier, you are good at following orders. Must be because there’s a cock in the room."
    an "Now, {i}suck me off{/i}."

    "What else could he do? He’d already gone so far, and Rowan would be lying to himself if he didn’t feel a thrill at the utter scandal of it all. He did as he was told, taking as much of the huge cock as would fit in his mouth. "
    "Andras began to buck his hips back and forward, as Rowan clung on with his lips as best he could. He bobbed his head with Andras’ rhythm, mildly shocked at how accommodating his throat became to the massive member."

    an "{i}Unnnn{/i}... Take it all!"

    "Without warning Andras grabbed his throat with both hands and forced his cock as deep as he could, causing Rowan to gag."

    ro "Mmmmfff!"

    "The demon held him there for a long moment, revelling in the way Rowan squirmed beneath him. With a laugh he pulled his cock out of the smaller man’s throat. Rowan gasped in a breath of air, coughing as he tried to steady his heartbeat. Andras gave him a little slap on the face with his dick."

    an "Don’t worry, with a little practice you will be deepthroating it in no time like a Qerazeli whore."
    an "Now stand."

    show cg16 with fade
    pause 2

    "Rowan rose on shaky legs. The Demon grabbed him by the arm like a willful maiden and dragged him over to one of the throne room’s pillars. Rowan shuddered as he grabbed him by the shoulders and spun him around, shoving him against it."
    "The Demon was at his back immediately, his hand wrapping tight around his mouth to muffle his moans. Without warning, he spat on his hand and slid a finger into the human's tight hole."

    an "If you are going to take my dick, I’m going to have to open up this tight little virgin asshole a little, first."

    "Rowan let out a muffled groan as Andras probed his ass, first with one finger, and then with a second. He began to slide the fingers in and out of his hole, opening it up a little more each time he penetrated it."

    an "{i}Now{/i} we are starting to get somewhere."

    "Andras continued his relentless assault on his ass, sliding his fingers in and out, faster and faster. Rowan grimaced and struggled in his grasp but he could not break free. He was panting now, ashamed of the intense pleasure it brought him."
    "He smirked as he stared in mocking humour at the human’s cock. It throbbed and twitched from at his debauched stare."

    an "Remember when I said you’d beg me to fuck you?"

    "He forced the two fingers in as deep as they’d go, and started to make a come hither movement with them. He stroked Rowan’s g-spot, wiggling his fingertips around deep in his ass. Rowan let out a low, loud muffled moan."

    an "Do you want me to fuck you?"

    "Rowan nodded enthusiastically as Andras continued to move his fingers inside him. He removed the hand that was covering his mouth."

    an "I want you to say it."
    ro "Please..."

    "The demon smirked."

    an "Please what?"
    ro "Please.. {i}Fuck me{/i}..."

    show cg17 with fade
    pause 2

    "Andras laughed as he removed his fingers from Rowan’s ass. Rather than fucking him straight away, he ascended the throne, taking a seat like a decadent king. He gestured to Rowan as if he were a prized slave girl."
    "Rowan padded over to the throne, embarrassed, humiliated, and {i}horny{/i} as hell. He clambered up onto the throne, planting himself upon the demon’s lap. After a brief teasing, Andras mounted him onto his huge cock."

    ro "Unnnnn!!"

    "The human began to move, greedily taking the cock into his willing asshole. Andras looked at the man and grinned."
    "The Hero of Rosaria, who had been so defiant until only moments ago, was now riding up and down on his cock with aplomb."

    an "Do you like having my dick in your ass, hero?"

    "Rowan let out a moan of affirmation, which made the demon smile. He was going to have some fun breaking in this one."
    "Placing one hand on his neck, and the other below his leg, he used his strength to help Rowan’s momentum, forcing him to take more of the huge cock in his ass."
    "Before long, the rough movement, combined with tightness of Rowan’s newly fucked orifice, brought him to the brink of climax."

    an "Get ready for my load, slut."

    "His words were too much for Rowan, who let out a guttural grunt of orgasm, and shot ropey lengths of jizz on the demon’s stomach and chest."

    show cg17 with sshake
    show cg17 with sshake
    show cg18 with flash
    pause 2

    "With one last jerk against his hips, Andras brought the man down on his cock and came deep in his ass. Rowan collapsed against his chest, gasping and moaning as a warm feeling filled him deep inside his hole. Andras let out a booming laugh."

    an "If Daenara could see you now: ass in the air, with a hole full of demon cum!"

    "Rowan bristled at the comment, but made no attempt to remove the huge cock from his ass. Andras gave him a patronizing slap on the bum."

    an "Go on, get up. If you serve us well, I might even let you do this again."

    "Rowan shakily got off the throne and pulled his pants back on, blushing as the demon did the same. Jezera let out a light giggle at the sight of their post-coital bliss."

    return

# \events\week_end.rpy
label Alexia4Sex_rp:

    $ alexiaIntroFriendly = False

    "Has Alexia warmed up to Andras? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaIntroFriendly = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan was back. He was back and Alexia didn't know what to do with herself. It was twice as hard to see him leave again, off on the Twin's bidding, leaving her once more alone with her thoughts."
    "Alone with the guilt."
    "So when she heard a knock at her door, she nearly jumped out of her skin. The feeling of unease only deepened when she recognized who was knocking."

    show alexia intro necklace concerned at edgeright with moveoutright

    "She let out a long, frustrated sigh, then strode over to the door."

    if alexiaIntroFriendly == False:
        show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
        show andras smirk at midright with moveinright
        "There he was: King Shit-eating-grin himself, perched against the doorframe like a preening peacock, brazen as could be."
        an "Took your time, didn't you?"
        show alexia intro necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "..."
        al "Is there {i}something{/i} I can help you with, Lord Andras?"
        "Her teeth gritted as he smirked at her, his yellow eyes alight with mischievous glee."
        an "I'm sure there are a lot of things that you could help me with."
        "Without waiting for an answer he brushed past her, walking into the room with that arrogant strut of his, like her personal space meant nothing to him. He crossed his arms over his chest and shot a teasing look in her direction."
        an "Maybe you can help with a few of them now."
        al "Get out of my room, monster."
        an "Why?"
        al "Because I said so."
        an "I’ll need a better reason than that."
        al "You lied to me."
        an "Oh, did I now?"
        al "My husband’s alive. He’s {i}here{/i}."
        an "Well, well, the cat's out of the bag."
        an "So what now, lover?"
        "She rushed over to him, jabbing her finger in his face. Her voice came out like a snarl."
        al "{i}Get out of my room{/i}!"
        an "Or what?"

    else:
        show andras happy behind bg7
        an "Hello Alexia, is everything okay?"
        an "After what happened the other night, I was worried about you."
        an "Do you mind if I come in?"
        hide andras
        show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
        show andras happy at midright with moveinright
        "She nodded wordlessly, opening the door to let him in. There was a churning feeling in her gut. It was hard to look at him. He walked into the room, surveying his surroundings."
        al "Um… Lord Andras?"
        an "Didn’t I tell you to just call me Andras?"
        al "I..."
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        al "I saw Rowan, Lord Andras. I know he’s here."
        show alexia intro necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "I know you lied to me."
        "Andras stared at her, his glowing yellow eyes holding fast to hers."
        an "Do you, now?"
        al "W-why? Why didn’t you {i}tell{/i} me he was here?"
        an "Maybe I didn't want you to know he was."
        show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        al  "W-{i}what{/i}?!"
        al "Andras, why would you do something like that?"
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
        an "Maybe I wanted you all to myself."
        show alexia intro necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia was stunned by the admission. He said it so carelessly, so brazenly. Not only had he been lying to her this whole time, but he didn’t care that she knew. Far from being ashamed of what he’d done, he looked smug."
        al "You..."
        show alexia intro necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "You {i}bastard{/i}!"
        an "My, my, such foul language. If 'd know it was this easy to get you going, I would have dropped the charade a long time ago."

    "She cranked her arm back to slap him. His hand snapped up, catching her wrist just before her palm made contact with his cheek. She let out an angry grunt as she tried to pull away."
    "He laughed at her. The bastard {i}laughed{/i} at her! Her face went beet red."

    menu:
        "Slap him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her other hand came up, and she struck him as hard as she could across the face. It barely even phased him. She shoved at him, and at last he let go."
            al "Don’t fucking touch me. Don’t even {i}look{/i} at me, ever again!"
            an "Is the little housewife sad? Scared? Worried I might sweep her off her feet?"
            al "Get out."
            an "I wonder what Rowan might say about what you almost-"
            al "{i}I said get out{/i}!"
            show andras smirk at edgeright with moveoutright
            "Andras laughed again. Alexia was near hysterical, her heart pumping red hot lava through her chest as she glared at this… fucking monster. The demon let go of her arm, turning with deliberate slowness to the door."
            "He walked with slow, plodding footsteps, taking care to exaggerate his step, as if to give her a show. She wanted to shove him out the window. "
            "He paused at the door, giving her a last, teasing look. His hand went to his neck, casually flicking a necklace that wasn’t there as he grinned at her."
            an "I hope you enjoyed my gift. If you ever need me, you just have to call."
            hide andras with moveoutright
            "She almost rushed him then and there, but the Demon had the good sense to close the door behind him. She stood there, alone in the room, hands balled into fists, trying desperately not to cry."
            "She felt so stupid, so foolish. How could she have ever let herself get deceived by that snake? She let her guard down, she let herself get gulled by his stupid words and his empty promises. She-"
            "Her cheeks burned with embarrassment, and fury… and maybe something else. She couldn’t even put into words what that man - no, that {i}beast{/i} made her feel."
            al "That {i}bastard{/i}."
            return

        "Kiss him. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump introAlexiaNTRSex_rp

    label introAlexiaNTRSex_rp:

        "A half a heartbeat passed as she stared into his pitiless eyes, his malicious grin widening as he toyed with her emotions, holding her in place like she was some helpless little doll."

        "Before Alexia could even stop to think about what she was doing, she threw her lips against his."
        "It was not the gentle, romantic pecks she often gave Rowan in the morning as they lay together in bed. Nor was it the deep, passionate kiss they shared as husband and wife as they made love in the dark intimacy of night."
        "No. This was hateful, like biting a pinecone. Less a kiss and more a declaration of war. She mashed her lips onto his as if she could kill him through sheer spite. The brute chuckled as she did so, only returning the favor after gracing her with a few seconds of unrequited aggression."
        "This was a war, where giving ground meant admitting you were wrong. And Alexia knew she was right. She pulled back from the kiss for the briefest of moments, shooting him a venomous glare."

        al "You piece of shit."

        "She kissed him again, enmity and desire roiling in her gut in equal measure as she threw caution to the wind and allowed her urges to overwhelm her. The red demon - for his part - simply seemed amused. That only angered her further."
        "He returned the aggressive kiss, his tongue sliding into her mouth like it owned the place. He smirked, letting out a low {i}hum{/i} that vibrated in her throat. He placed his hand under her chin, forcing her to look up and meet his gaze."
        "The woman found herself trapped in those inhuman eyes, swimming in the power that radiated from thim. There was an intensity to the look, a deadly seriousness that lay beneath the teasing mockery. Andras wanted her, that much was certain."
        "To her disgust, she wanted him too. More than anything."

        an "This is a side of you I've never seen before. Reminds me of my sister, a bit... Sans the kissing."
        al "Fuck you."

        "His cocky smile darkened."

        an "Oh, I {i}fully{/i} intend to."

        "He leaned down and planted his lips on her's, pushing his tongue into her mouth and fiercely devouring her mouth. Her face flushed, her heart hammering in her chest as she felt the heat of the moment sweep her away from all thought or reason or logic."

        show alexia necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

        "He stripped her of her clothing. No… that wasn’t quite right: he {i}ripped{/i} her clothing off her shoulders like they were useless impediments. She let out a groan of dismay as he unceremoniously shoved it in a pile down around her ankles, his greedy fingers scrabbling at her bra clasp."

        al "B-be more careful."
        an "No."

        "Bastard. Two could play at that game. Her hands fumbled with his belt as she shoved his pants down, her fingernails clenching at his hips as she felt the raw muscle of his frame press against her. They were already skin to skin… how had it all happened so fast?"

        "Finally, their vindictive kiss broke, and Alexia was left panting and short of breath, her face a red mess as she stared directly in the face of the demon and his raw sexuality."

        an "I like this side of you."
        al "Shut up."

        "Rather than rise to the bait, Andras just laughed, his hand reaching out to roughly grope her breast without so much as asking permission, as if he’d done it a hundred times before. He tweaked her nipple, and she let out a scandalized squeak."
        "Rather than wait for her inevitable retaliation, the Demon scooped her up, hefting her in his arms like she was nothing as her legs were roughly pulled around his sides. He took her by the back of the head and pressed her face against his red chest, the ends of his long hair tickling her ears on either side."

        scene cg23 with fade
        pause 3
        show andras smirk behind cg23
        show alexia necklace naked behind cg23

        "They were naked, both of them. She was left with her crotch exposed, her body helpless in his arms as he perched her over the precipice of his straining manhood. Desperately, she looked down, trying to catch a glimpse of his cock. She was not disappointed by what she saw."
        "Andras shifted his grip to line up his throbbing member with Alexia's entrance. She opened her mouth to say something - maybe to tell him to stop. But… no words came out."
        "She moaned as his head pushed against her womanhood, her voice trailing off into a breathless gasp as it stretched her out more than Rowan {i}ever{/i} had."

        an "Ha ha, already so wet for me! I think you want me a bit more than you let on, don't you?"

        "Alexia tried to bite back with a retort, but the plunging feeling in her core made it come out instead as a pleasured grunt. Her fingernails dug into his back as she felt his grip relax, allowing Alexia's own weight to bring her down further and further on his shaft. "

        al "F-{i}uuuuuck{/i}!"

        "He bounced her up and down, toying with her as her wet cunt slid up and down upon his slick shaft. As she descended further and further, she felt his heat and fullness twinge in the center of her groin. The woman involuntarily groaned in a mix of pain and pleasure."
        "Half way down, Andras suddenly lifted Alexia back off of his length, his cock pulling free from her pussy with a wet, wanton {i}schlick{/i}. She let out a growl of frustration. After all that, he was going to {i}tease{/i} her? Her nails dug deeper in his back."

        an "Now for the real treat."

        "He lifted her up..."

        al "W-wait, where are you-"

        "..and slammed her back down, but not in her clenching pussy. His cock - well lubed by her dripping jucies and his own precum - slid in with surprising ease deep into her ass. She groaned as she felt the foreign intruder dive into a most unexpected place."

        al "{i}Oooh{/i}!"

        "Alexia tensed up, shocked at the sudden, alien feeling in her rump. She squirmed in place, feeling suddenly vulnerable in the face of this unexpected shift. The demon, for his part, simply stared at her, chuckling at her embarrassed attempts to hide her shame."

        al "{i}Urgh{/i}...."
        an "I bet your husband's never taken you like this before, has he? Thanks for the lube, by the way."

        "She could barely form the words answer. Her eyes squeezed shut as she tried to simply endure the ruthless anal pounding he was giving her. He roughly jerked her body up and down on his shaft, laughing at her obvious discomfort. "
        "As if to compound her humiliation, the demon tilted her head to face his and forced his tongue into her mouth. She was powerless to resist."

        show cg24 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "She felt Andras becoming more and more aggressive, reveling in the pleasure of the act. Lifting and dropping more and more frantically without a care to Alexia's wellbeing. Her ass felt painfully stretched, the slick cock invading her insides with a near-frantic pace."
        "Suddenly she let out a cry. Pain spread across the red haired woman's back, as Andras's claws dug into her with heedless abandon. She responded in kind, her nails digging deep furrows into his back as she clung to him like a lifeline."

        show cg25 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "He thrust, then humped, then thrust her down to his base, her ass bouncing against his groin in short, sharp rocking movements."

        an "{i}Take it{/i}, slut!"

        "A sudden rush of heat and jizz flowed into her bowels, signalling the demon's sudden orgasm. She heard him laughing even as he grunted and thrust against her. She let out a quiet moan, simultaneously mortified, yet reveling in the hot sensation flooding into her."

        show cg25 with sshake
        show cg25 with sshake
        show cg26 with flash
        pause 2

        an "Who would have thought the prim little housewife would like it so much in the ass?"

        "Alexia said nothing in response to his mocking tone. She panted, nearly out of breath. Her thoughts were a confused jumble of emotions and sensations. She clung to her hated lover, unsure if she wanted to hug him or shove him away."
        "This was Andras's true self: a sex-crazed monster. A mocking brute whose every word was degradation, both to her dignity and her marriage."
        "So… why were her hips still moving of their own accord?"
        "It was exhilarating in a way, she supposed. To be with such an animalistic creature that so strongly desired her. There was no love lost here: it was just passionate, empty rutting. Her cum-filled ass spoke to that truth."

        show cg27 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "The red demon rather unceremoniously pulled out of her, allowing a dribble of white to drip from her clenching rump to the floor. With little ceremony he flipped her over and threw her down on the corner of her bed with all his strength."

        al "W-wait, I need a m-"
        an "Time to finish what I started."

        "Ignoring her complaints, he planted himself at her rear like a stallion ready to mount a mare. His hands gripped her hips, yanking her up into position as he lined up his cock with her womanhood again."

        an "Ready to take my seed in both holes?"

        "Alexia twisted her head to the side in frantic denial. She met his eyes, gleaming with vicious amusement. Her face went redder than before."

        show alexia necklace naked angry behind black

        al "Don't you fucking {i}dare{/i}!"

        "Andras' smug grin made her want to hit him. Even moreso seeing his naked body poised at her flank."

        an "Do what?"
        al "C-cum inside!"

        "He chuckled, letting out a careless shrug in response."

        an "Fine. Suppose I should leave something for next time."

        show cg28 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "Then he entered her. Alexia gasped as he pulled back and drove his cock into her passage all the way to the hilt in one thrust. She felt the breath force from her lungs as she was stretched beyond what she ever thought possible for her to take."
        "If before he had been brutish, now he was simply {i}rough{/i}, pistoning his cock in and out of her clenching pussy with no regard for her pleasure or comfort. He simply thrust into her, grinding his cockhead as deep as he could, spreading her apart."
        "What’s worse, he was a beast about it, laughing and taunting her the whole way. Alexia could do nothing but take, and take, and take. She tried and failed to stop her voice as she let out a muffled squeal as he hit a particular, sensitive spot."

        an "Oh ho! Was that you cumming I just felt?"

        "Alexia closed her eyes, hiding her face in the bedsheets to ignore the rush of embarrassment and the growing pool of her fluids leaking onto the bed. She could not deny that she was enjoying the feeling of being violated by such a creature."
        "Gods, it was pathetic."

        hide cg27
        show cg27 with dissolve
        show cg27 with sshake
        show cg27 with sshake
        show cg29 with flash
        pause 2

        "Such thoughts were driven forcefully, at a rutting pace, from her mind as he drove her into the bed. She cried out in pleasure and shame and clung to the mattress for dear life."
        "Finally, after a last, too-deep thrust, Andras pulled out completely, his cock making a loud, squishy sound as it emerged from her cunt. He took himself in hand, jerked himself twice, and sprayed his second load over her rear and back."
        "To her dismay, the feel of his hot, wet load leaving its mark upon her back caused her pussy to twitch and spasm and cum. She rode out an orgasm that had been long in coming, her voice rising in pitch as the Demon finished over her."
        "Observing his handiwork, Andras laughed and slapped her hard with an open palm on her bare ass."

        an "There, my gift to a hero's wife. What do you think of that?"
        an "I wonder if next time you'll beg me to give you a child."

        "Alexia, still half-dazed by her insufferably good orgasm, was roused to sudden, blinding anger. Her spine went rigid."

        al "G-get… the {i}fuck{/i} out of my room!"

        "Her voice shuddered even as she spoke, and her elbows trembled from holding herself up. It was difficult to look properly irate when his still-hot cum was dribbling down the crack of her ass."

        show black with fade
        show alexia necklace naked concerned behind black

        "The demon laughed that same laugh that had started all this: scorn laced with indifference. He’d just fucked her brains out, and now he was finished with her. He clambered off the bed, strutting to the door buck-naked. "
        "He didn't even bother reaching for his clothing, leaving it in a discarded mess on the ground as he opened the door and walked naked out into the hallway, leaving the door open behind him as he went."
        "Alexia, mortified, rushed over to the door, too mortified to even clean herself off as she did so. She slammed the door behind him, hoping that its sharp retort might somehow jar him the same way he'd jarred her."
        "It wouldn't. She knew it wouldn't. Her heart sank as she put her back against the door and sank to the ground. She put her head in her hands."

        al "Goddess, what have I done…?"

        # $ andras_alexia_sex = True
        # $ alexiaAndrasSex += 1
        # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 5)
        # return

    return

# \events\week_end.rpy
label turn3_end_village_captured_rp:

    $ andras_alexia_sex = False
    $ jezeraIntroSex = False
    $ andrasIntroSex = False

    "Did Rowan offer Alexia to the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (NTR dialogue)":
            $ andras_alexia_sex = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Did Rowan have sex with either of the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ jezeraIntroSex = True
            $ andrasIntroSex = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene white with fade
    show bg10 with fade

    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan emerged from the portal with a look of cold fury on his face. Jezera smirked at his hot approach."

    je "Well done, my hero."
    je "You've exceeded even {i}my{/i} lofty hopes for you. In just a few weeks of effort, look at what you’ve accomplished!"

    ro "Where is she?"

    je "They say patience is a virtue."

    "Seeing the murderous look in Rowan’s eyes, Jezera let out a gentle chuckle."

    je "Though, for the life of me, I cannot possibly fathom why. You have done great work Rowan, of course you may see your darling wife."

    show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Bring her in, brother."

    #CG of Andras presenting Alexia / variant

    show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve
    show alexia intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    if andras_alexia_sex:
        "Alexia padded into the room a few steps behind the red demon, head bowed."
        "She didn’t seem to know why she was here, but her trembling shoulders indicated she didn’t think it was anything good."
        show alexia intro necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        "She stopped short when her eyes alighted upon Rowan."
        "Rowan couldn’t contain his smile. For a long moment, the two just stared at each other."
        an "Well? Didn’t I say he’d be here?"
        "Go. Be with your husband."
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at center with moveinright
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Half-hesitant, seeming to think this was some kind of trick, Alexia approached Rowan. The two quietly wrapped their arms around each other, holding together for a long moment."
        "For some reason, she wouldn't meet his gaze; shejust stared at the floor."

    else:
        "Alexia walked into the room like she was about to face her execution: jaw set, her face schooled into a collected mask."
        show alexia intro necklace shocked at midright with dissolve
        "She stopped short when she saw Rowan, her eyes going wide."
        #show alexia intro necklace happy at center with moveinright
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at center with moveinright
        "Alexia ignored the demons, ignored their knowing stares as she crossed the gap between her and Rowan at a run."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        al "{i}Rowan{/i}!"
        "She threw her arms around him, holding him tight as he reciprocated the gesture. Rowan closed his eyes for a moment, and pretended they were elsewhere."
        "She leaned her head into the crook of his shoulder, sheltering herself within his arms. He felt her breath against his chest, the gentle way she trembled in his arms."


    je "You see, Rowan? We are as good as our word."
    je "Here is your wife, safe and sound. She has wanted for nothing while in our care."
    je "Nor will she want for anything now that you are reunited. She is yours, as surely you are {i}ours{/i}. "
    je "From now on, the two of you may move as you will within the castle. You will no longer be prevented from being together - save for your duties to us."

    "As much as Rowan wished he could simply hold her to his chest, he knew he had to play the part of protective husband."
    "He made a show of pulling back from her, examining the glorified manacle locked around her neck."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "That amulet...."

    an "Alexia stays here at all times, to ensure your obedience."

    je " Is that really necessary, brother? Has Rowan not given us sufficient assurance yet that we need to continue forcing his wife to be our house guest?"

    show jezera  at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "If he isn't up to the task, It'll be good to have her on hand so that he can be properly punished."

    show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    je "Andras, you're getting ahead of yourself. But we'll discuss this later."

    "A lie, and they all knew it. The last thing the Twins would want is for Alexia to be rid of her amulet, for that would free Rowan to do… {i}anything{/i}."

    je "For now Rowan, I will leave you and your blushing bride to your own affairs. Whatever house arrest the two of you were under is over."
    je "Alexia will have free range of the castle. As you are both now under our protection, you no longer have anything  to fear in this Castle. "
    je "Please, spend some time together, catch up, and let the staff know if you need anything.  In the morning I'll organize any change you'd like to your sleeping arrangements."

    "Andras barked out a mocking laugh, shooting a smirk in Alexia’s direction."

    an "Yes, enjoy one another."

    je "Have a good evening, you two."

    scene bg14 with fade

    if andras_alexia_sex:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia intro necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia walked, side by side with Rowan. She stole the occasional glance at him, as if not quite believing he was standing next to her."
        al "Is this… really happening?"
        ro "I’m here, aren’t I?"
        "She didn’t smirk at his usual braggadocio. Sensing the strangely awkward tension in the air, Rowan resolved to break the ice between them."
        ro "…You look good. Better than I did after {i}my{/i} imprisonment, at least."
        al "I..."
        al "They did not harm me, they treated me well enough."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Are you {i}sure{/i} you’re okay? You look unwell."
        al "Yes. Yes, I… I’m just rattled, is all."
        al "So much has changed since Arthdale, so many things I thought were true that weren’t, I just…"
        if jezeraIntroSex or andrasIntroSex:
            "Rowan swallowed down the lump in his throat. He knew {i}far{/i} too well what she meant."
            ro "We’re here together now. That’s what matters."
        else:
            ro "I’m so sorry you got roped into this, my love."
        ro "I’ve missed you. Every day I’ve missed you."
        "She looked down at her feet, her expression pensive."
        al "I’ve… missed you too, Rowan. I’m sorry for my lack of reaction, I'm still a bit in shock."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Nothing a night together cannot fix."
        #show alexia intro necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia smiled at that, the first genuine one he’d seen from her since Arthdale. A teasing look crossed her face."
        al "Oh? I suppose m’lord would prefer I wait on him, hand and foot."
        ro "I was thinking less mundane body parts."
        "She flicked his ear, laughing at the scandalized expression on his face."
        al "We’ll see. Let’s start with getting you out of those dirty clothes, hm?"

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        #show alexia intro necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "They walked together, hand in hand, as if in a dream. Rowan felt the soothing warmth of her palm clasped in his and felt his heartbeat thud heavily in his chest."
        "Alexia was alive. She was safe. As safe as could be expected. Words could not express the depth of his relief, how heavy the weight that lifted off his shoulders at the sight of her nervous smile."
        "But nothing good could come from Alexia knowing how profound his fear had been. So he schooled his expression and shot her a sly look instead."
        ro "I'd say that went fairly well."
        show alexia intro necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        "His wife returned his gaze, her expression vacillating between fear and relief."
        al "Are you all right? You look exhausted."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan’s thoughts trailed for a terrible instant to the Elder’s last moments. To the look in his eye as he stared back at Rowan. He shook his head."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I’m fine, love. Just a bit… weary."
        al "Well come on then, I’ll help you get your boots off."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "He shot her another sly look."
        ro "Just my boots?"
        #show alexia intro necklace happy at midright with dissolve
        show alexia intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        "Alexia’s brow quirked. She stuck her tongue out at him."
        al "I’ve missed you too, darling."


    scene bg9 with fade

    "As the door closed behind them Rowan let out a sigh and collapsed onto the bed."
    "True to her word, Alexia helped him peel out of his clothes, her fingers brushing gently across his bare skin. She traced the long-healed scars of his old war wounds, as if to reacquaint herself."
    "Rowan was already in bed by the time she crawled, naked under the covers with him."

    scene cg31 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked behind cg31
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg31
    pause 3

    "They laid there for a long moment, cuddling close as they reposed in the fading hours of dusk."

    al "…You really came for me."

    ro "Of course I did."

    if andras_alexia_sex:
        "Her gaze dropped, briefly chewing on the thought."
        al "I… I should have known. Andras- {i}Lord{/i} Andras said you weren’t coming."
        ro "Demons lie. It is their vocation."
        al "Then why are we still here?"
        ro "..."
        ro "Because the alternative is worse."

    else:
        al "I… I never gave up hope. That you would come."
        "Her fingers curled around the gaudy necklace about his throat, lifting it for a brief moment before setting it back down on his bare chest."
        al "I just… wish it were under different circumstances."
        ro "We are safe, and we’re alive. That’s all that matters."
        al "For now."

    al "…What are we supposed to do now?"

    ro "Whatever we can. Whatever it takes."

    al "I’m scared, Rowan. I-I never…"
    al "Demons aren’t what I’d thought they’d be. They’re nothing like the children's fables."

    ro "Some are as awful as you’d expect. Others are more…"

    if jezeraIntroSex or andrasIntroSex:
        show rowan necklace concerned behind cg31
        ro "{i}Alluring.{/i}"
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg31

    else:
        ro "Insidious."

    al "What did you promise them?"

    ro "What I needed to, to get out of that dungeon. To see you again."

    "She opened her mouth, as if to say more, but then thought better of it. She pulled close to him, settling her head on his chest."

    al "I’ve missed you."

    "Rowan huffed, his chest rising and falling with the pleasant weight of her atop him."

    ro "So you’ve said."

    "She pinched his shoulder, shooting him a dangerous, curling smile."

    al "Don’t be mean! It’s hard enough to talk to you, sometimes."

    ro "Heh. Isn’t it enough that I’m here with you, right now?"

    show cg32 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She looked up at him for a long moment, something inscrutable flickering behind her eyes. Then she smiled and leaned closer."

    al "…Yes. Yes it is."

    "Rowan felt his wife’s naked form mold tight against his own. He felt her chest press softly against him, her body heat chasing the chill from the air completely."

    menu:
        "He felt his groin stir, and his heartbeat suddenly quicken. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            jump reunionSexScene_rp

        "He found himself drifting off to sleep under her.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "Rowan’s breathing steadied, his heartbeat slowing. It did not really hit him {i}just{/i} how tired he was until he felt the warm embrace of sleep rising up to greet him."
            "Alexia's breathing slowed even faster than his, and soon they were dozing."
            show black with fade
            "That night, Rowan dreamed of Arthdale. Of laughing faces and burning houses. Of warm summer evenings, and the scent of blood in the air."
            #end week
            return

    label reunionSexScene_rp:

        label sexscene5_rp:

        "This last year had been a cavalcade of sorrow, struggle, and lonely evenings spent either about a campfire or in a dungeon."
        "Rowan had sacrificed much for the sake of this singular woman, this feeling of her warmth against his body, her scent filling his nostrils."
        "She sensed his hardening against her almost before he did."

        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg32

        al "Ah, I see somebody else has missed me as well."

        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg32

        ro "Probably more than {i}me{/i}, in fact."

        "Alexia chuckled, reaching beneath the covers to take hold of him, her strokes coming short and fast and urgent."

        al "Don’t be crass."

        ro "Why not? It’s your favourite thing about me, second only to my humility. "

        "Alexia giggled, her voice taking on a deep, breathy quality. Her eyes lidded."

        al "Yes, and your {i}charming{/i} way with words."

        ro "I’m a man of many talents."

        al "Yes, like that one time you almost burned the house down trying to cook a roast."

        ro "I {i}told{/i} you, it was a Fae! A little sprite snuck in and sprinkled grease upon the stove. "

        al "Hm, and which children's fable used my favorite apron to put it out?"

        ro "Shall I charm you with my words until you believe me?"

        al "Shut up and kiss me, you silly man."

        "He kissed her, with the kind of desperation that could only come from one who had been missing out for so, very long."

        scene cg202 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg202
        show alexia necklace naked behind cg202
        pause 3

        "And then, like a dam breaking across the months and months they’d been away, they threw themselves against each other."
        "Alexia gasped as Rowan spun her around, pinning her against the bed with her lips hard against his."
        "He wrapped his hands around her back and pulled her tight against him. Alexia let him, a small moan escaping her lips as the feel of her soft breasts dug against his chest."
        "They clung to each other, like flotsam in the sea, like two lost souls adrift with naught but one another to turn to."
        "Rowan ran his fingers through Alexia’s hair, marveled at the feeling of her slender fingers as they brushed across his cheeks. When he looked into her eyes he felt a well of emotion rise in his chest."
        "She was his everything. And he had given everything he was to finally have her back."
        "They had all night to linger with one another, and yet there was no time. There was a brief disentanglement, a frantic fumbling, hands reaching down to properly align one to another, and then a soft, warm tightness engulfing his manhood."
        "Rowan let out a sigh like a mighty burden had been lifted. He thrust against his wife, and she let out a soft moan, a quiet admission of his return."
        "He kissed her again, and she returned the gesture, her hips rocking against his with familiar urgency."

        al "Rowan… oh Goddess, {i}Rowan{/i}-"

        "She said his name like it was the key to some magic spell, like an answer to a question she’d been longing for. Rowan let out a strained grunt."
        "He needed her. He needed {i}all{/i} of her."

        scene cg83 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg83
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg83
        pause 3

        "He rose from their passionate emebrace, hips gyrating as began to fuck her in earnest. Alexia moaned, her hands going about her ankles as she spread her legs for him."

        al "{i}Aaah{/i}!"

        "She did not hold back her voice as he thrust deeply into her, stirring himself within her as if to savour every inch of her folds."
        "Their lovemaking soon turned to unabashed {i}fucking{/i}, their bodies moving in sync as he reacquainted himself with that slick, wet place between her legs."
        "Alexia’s brow knitted together, biting on her lip to contain her erotic cries. Rowan loomed over her, sweat pouring down his brow as he hilted within her and humped against her groin."
        "All that pain. All that heartache. All that something in his chest that clenched with a fearful tightness every time his eyes trailed across that necklace about her neck. All of it unleashed in a single, frantic mating."
        "Finally, breathless, on the verge of lust born madness herself, Alexia put a palm to Rowan’s heaving chest."

        al "W-{i}wait{/i}, Rowan!"
        al "Let me… on top…"

        "Heart hammering in his chest, Rowan did as she asked. For a brief instant, an animalistic impulse in his mind urged him to simply thrust to completion."
        "But this wasn’t just any moment, and this wasn’t just any person. This was her. This was her. This was her."

        show cg33 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "Alexia mounted him with little fanfare. She was just as desperate as he was; her emerald eyes glimmered with a burning, aching need as she bounced atop him with all the weight and strength that she could muster."
        "Her hips - her {i}Goddess sent{/i} hips - rolled against his waist like the roiling tide at dawn, like waves crashing onto the beach."
        "His hands cupped her waist, ran down the length of her creamy thighs. He drank in that sinful, feminine touch, that delicate sweetness that threatened at every moment to subsume him, to send him careening over the edge."
        "Alexia gasped and shuddered atop him, her ass bouncing with hot, wet {i}slaps{/i} against his groin. A quiver went up her spine, like stricken with a sudden chill she shuddered and tightened around his cock."
        "She did not pause in her efforts, did not wait for that trembling ecstacy to pass. She simply screamed out his name at the top of her lungs and came."

        ro "{i}Nngh{/i}, A-Alexia, I’m-"

        "She threw her arms around him, leaning her weight into his body as her lips whispered, breathless in his ear."

        al "Now! {i}Now now now now now now no{/i}-"

        show cg33 with sshake
        show cg33 with sshake
        show cg34 with flash
        pause 2

        "He could not contain himself any longer. Rowan - with a groan of pleasure that rose to a breathless cry of his own - shuddered, clenched, and exploded within her."
        "He felt the hot, white jets of his ejaculation pump with each spurt, the clenching tightness of her pussy holding him in place, uniting them once more."
        "Rowan continued to thrust against her, his body tingling with the aftershocks of that final, penultimate moment before satisfaction. Alexia did the same, cooing in his ear even as she cradled his head in her hands."

        al "Rowan… oh, my sweet Rowan…"

        "He kissed her, silencing that quiet sorrow in her voice that threatened to tear him to pieces. He kept thrusting slowly, gently, moving with an almost lethargic gentleness as he held his wife close."
        "Savouring, for however brief a moment, the simple innocence of their togetherness."

        # $ renpy.end_replay()

        scene cg32 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg32
        show alexia necklace naked behind cg32
        pause 3

        "The couple basked in the tender afterglow of their lovemaking, covered in sweat but nonetheless content to cling to one another. Rowan’s manhood slipped free from her almost as an afterthought, causing a shiver to travel up his spine."

        al "Goddess, that was wonderful."

        ro "You weren’t so bad yourself."

        "Alexia theatrically rolled her eyes in mock annoyance."

        al "All right, {i}Sir{/i} Rowan. Next time please show this ‘humble peasant’ her proper place beneath you."

        ro "…Is that a challenge?"

        "She smiled and flicked his nose. He made a great show of acting insulted, till she kissed the tip of it to assuage his wounded pride."

        al "Always, my love."

        "Alexia let out a contented sigh and settled against him, her fingers ran gently across his skin. She opened her eyes, staring at him for a long moment."

        show cg31 with dissolve
        pause 2

        if andras_alexia_sex:
            al "..."
            al "You’re too good to me sometimes, you know that?"
            ro "If you’re trying to butter me up so that I’ll apologize for the burnt roast, it’s not happening."
            "She let out a halfhearted laugh, her lips twisting downwards as she averted her eyes."
            al "I just… I don’t think I was ready to see you climb up from that window. I thought-"
            al "..."
            al "I don’t know what I thought."
            ro "-That lingerie is an inappropriate nighttime attire?"
            "Rowan expected a laugh, but instead Alexia let out a sigh."
            al "It doesn’t matter anymore."
            "Rowan tilted her chin to look at him, her uncertain eyes struggling to meet his. He gently stroked her cheek."
            ro "Hey. You’re safe now, okay?"
            al "…Thank you, Rowan. I… I love you."

        else:
            al "Are you sure you’re alright?"
            al "You look… troubled. Even more than when we met in the tower."
            ro "It’s been a long few weeks."
            al "You can talk to me."
            "Rowan thought of what he’d done - what he’d been {i}forced{/i} to do - since pledging to the Twins. He could not forget the memory of it."
            if jezeraIntroSex or andrasIntroSex:
                "Nor could he ignore that gnawing pit in his chest at the thought of the debauchery he’d committed {i}with{/i} those Twins. Only to end up in her bed again."
            "Rowan opened his mouth, but the words would not come. If they did, he feared he’d break apart at the telling. He ran his hand down her back and tried to not look guilty."
            ro "I’m fine, love. Truly. I’ve just got a lot on my mind."
            al "I suppose we both do."
            al "..."
            al "I love you, Rowan."

        "He leaned in and kissed her forehead. Alexia let out a hum of contentment and snuggled closer to him."

        scene cg30 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "It did not really hit Rowan {i}just{/i} how tired he was until he felt the warm embrace of sleep rising up to greet him."
        "Alexia's breathing steadied even faster than his, and soon they were dozing."

        scene black with fade

        "That night, Rowan dreamed of Arthdale. Of laughing faces and burning houses. Of warm summer evenings, and the scent of blood in the air. "

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_ruler.rpy
label epilogueMarianne_rp:

    $ northsideAlly = "none"
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ tharos_name = "Tharos"

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alain an ally? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ northsideAlly = "alain"
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
    show tharos neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Jezera led Rowan through a back pathway towards a small podium that had been erected in a corner of the courtyard. Here there were only a few select important individuals in attendance."
    "Rowan quietly wondered what she was planning. Clearly she didn’t want him for something good."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with moveinright

    "Andras had snuck out from the party and joined them on the podium. Rowan could still smell the lingering stink of sex on him."

    an "Bring them in. It’s time."

    "A force of orcs led in a string of prisoners, all bound by shackles and chains."

    hide rowan with dissolve
    hide jezera with dissolve
    hide andras with dissolve
    hide tharos with dissolve

    show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with moveinright
    #show nun at midleft with moveinright
    show solanse knight neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Rowan recognized the newcomers by garb. Some wore the modest habits of the nuns of Solansia. Others more august priestly robes. The knights in blue were the Porthean Guardsmen whom Rowan had arrested in the throne room."

    #show marianne naked
    show marianne neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "And at their head walked Marianne. She had been stripped naked, but she still marched with her head at a dignified height. It was though she still had her splendid gown and jewels."
    "Several orcish chiefs and mercenary leaders laughed at her nudity and made lewd remarks. But, she didn’t react to them at all."
    "Tharos, hiding near the back of the podium, leaned forward slightly. The naked high priestess had definitely become the subject of his interest."

    hide orc soldier with dissolve
    hide solanse knight with dissolve
    #hide nun with dissolve

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "Andras took center stage to address the bound newcomers."

    an "You are the servants of a defeated god. Your codifice is now ash. Pathetic."
    an "Surely, you see the truth? Solansia is weak. Our power is now the supreme force in the six realms"

    "The assembled faithful didn’t seem much budged by this argument. A few narrowed their eyes in anger. Others did not give him the satisfaction of reacting."

    je "My brother and I have decided to be merciful, men and women of the cloth."
    je "The zealotry you’ve shown may be put to a noble purpose. Any who now wish to go down upon one knee and swear yourself to your new gods shall be freed."
    je "No harm shall come upon you. You may even keep positions of privilege and power. What say you?"

    "Her question was met with silence. Rowan wasn’t much surprised by that. Many of them would have been prepared to give up their own lives if it meant defiance of the demons."
    "Marianne stepped forward, as much as her chains would allow. The priests and other protheans backed away slightly to allow their leader to speak for them."

    mari "The goddess has sent me dreams of prophecy while I have been in your dungeons. In these dreams, I have seen a paradise that the lady has set aside for her loyal martyrs. It is a wonderful place."
    mari "Death is no threat."
    mari "You will see no defection amongst us, Demons. Solansia fends for our very souls."

    "Andras showed his fangs."

    an "I was hoping you’d say that. It’s time to begin."

    "The orcs untethered her from the other captives and marched her up to the stage. As she passed the others, she hummed a strange otherworldly hymn. The other captives were made to kneel and watch."
    "When she was close, her chains were removed. She was no threat here."
    "Rowan drew slightly closer. She looked to him with a serene expression. That actually took him back. He had expected nothing less than rage."

    mari "Rowan. It is fitting you are here at the end."
    mari "We all have part of The Lady in us. In our lifetimes, we must seek out this portion of ourselves, wherever it will take us. "
    mari "So…"
    mari "Rowan. I forgive you for everything. I absolve you."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "Marianne...How..."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "Rowan’s eyes narrowed. She forgave him? Surely she understood her role in her own fate. How {i}dare{/i} she?"
        ro "I don’t need your forgiveness."
        mari "You have it all the same, Rowan."

    else:
        ro "..."

    scene cg552 with fade
    pause 3

    "Her presence drew vivid clarity to the memory. It reminded him of the way she had started to scream as the Baron had broken the glass. Of the confusion and chaos as Rowan slowly drew comprehension of what happened."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
    #show marianne naked
    show marianne neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan lowered his head. He didn’t have enough spirit to take that kind of blow. Not now..."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "Rowan scowled. It was a low blow and she knew it. He had enough to deal with mentally without having to expend what little mental energy he had on that old fool."

    else:
        "Rowan crossed his arms. Of course, he told himself, she was wrong. Afterall, the Baron had been the one to kill himself."

    if northsideAlly == "alain":
        hide jezera with dissolve
        hide andras with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
        menu:
            "Pass on Alain’s words.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "… Gentlest, but not the brightest."
                ro "That one still lives. And he wanted you to know he’s grateful for your kind words and guidance. He regrets not heeding them more."
                #marianne naked happy
                "A faintest smile graced her lips. He expected to see her relieved, but the heavy tone she answered in revealed she was anything but."
                mari "And I do not blame him for not listening. He was too young to have such a burden placed upon him. I should have known better.  But if he still lives… "
                mari "Then I hope he will not seek to avenge me. He’s better than that. He must be."
                #marianne naked neutral
                mari "Solanse needs him to be."
                #marianne naked angry
                # $ mariannesWordsForAlain = "regret"
            "Taunt her with Alain’s loss." if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Forgive me? Maybe you’re the one who needs forgiveness."
                ro "Casimir, Alain… Men you associate with have a nasty habit of meeting a tragic end."
                "Her eyes blazed with fury, but it was quickly tempered by a regret he did not expect to see."
                "When she answered him, it was in a quiet, hateful voice that sent chills down his spine."
                mari "I warned him, told him to steer clear of the “Hero” of Karst. I told him to believe in his own strength, to forge his own path."
                mari "In ten years, he would be the light of Rosaria. You’ve tainted that. Robbed us of it. Ruined not only the present, but the future as well."
                mari "..."
                mari "For that, I must forgive you as well."
                # $ mariannesWordsForAlain = "tainted"

            "Keep your silence. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "..."
        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
        #jez smirk
        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "Marianne turned back to the twins and looked them in the eyes. She was the perfect image of a defiant martyr."

    mari "Do your worst, demons. I have spent every night since the tragedy in communion with the lady. My faith has never been stronger."

    #marianne naked happy

    "Now her expression changed to a grim but triumphant smile.. It was as if the roles were reversed."

    mari "You have no power over me."

    "Jezera and Andras exchanged a glance. Then they burst out laughing."

    je "Us? Whoever said we were going to do anything to you?"

    hide andras with dissolve
    hide jezera with dissolve

    show tharos neutral at midright with dissolve
    #show marianne naked neutral

    "Then, Tharos made his presence known once more. The hooded figure drew forward, shadow slowly creeping over Marianne. The priestess looked to him skeptically."

    tharos "Ah, yes yes. What an entrance. So poised. And the fire on your tongue about your goddess. How wonderful. I am sure that she is quite proud of you."

    #show marianne naked surprised

    "He walked over to Marianne and put his face right to the Priestess’ ear. Marianne’s eyes widened slightly, but Rowan could not hear the words he said."
    "Marianne was still chewing on what he said, even as Tharos walked backward and pointed his hands at Marianne. A purple light came from his gloves. Meanwhile, tendrils shot from the ground and wrapped around her wrists. Rowan recognized them as Jezera’s."

    tharos "Tell me your full name, woman of Solansia. "
    mari "My name?"

    "She let out a hiss."

    #marianne naked angry

    # Replay mod: Typo fix, "Marrianne" -> "Marianne"
    mari "I am High Arbitron Marrianne of Rosaria. Born of the divine blood of Aryficci. You have no power over me, monster."
    tharos "What a fantastic name! So grand!"

    "Tharos let out an excited sigh."

    tharos "I will take it from you."

    "He said that last segment in a darker tone. One that reverberated in Rowan’s soul. Then, a glowing ring of light appeared around Marianne’s chest."

    #cg1
    scene cg601 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg601
    pause 3

    "The ring of light swirled with intense, shifting energy. Its movements and patterns were impossible to piece together with the human eye. But, the longer everyone watched, the larger and more intense the ring got."
    "The crowd went silent, some staring forward. Rowan was among them."
    "He’d never seen magic like this. It was unlike the focused deliberate spells that Cliohna and the twins cast. It was especially different from the beams of light and soothing radiance that marked the spells of Solansian priests."
    "This was a tempest. An entirely alien form of magic. If Rowan stepped too close, he was sure it would consume him too."
    "Marianne held steady. She whispered through grit teeth, but Rowan couldn’t hear her amongst the storm of insanity around her."
    "Jezera leaned forward excitedly. She was the first one to notice the effect of the spell. The ring of light was moving...expanding."
    "Suddenly a piercing scream rang out. Whatever pain Marianne was holding back, she could not contain it any longer."

    #Flash Screen with the image of the burning codifice.
    show bg56 with flash
    pause 1
    hide bg56

    ro "..."

    "Rowan clutched his head. It was all too intense. The longer he stared the more impossible it was to focus. A flash of light blinded his eyes."
    "...And then she was gone."
    "Or rather, different."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show tharos neutral at midright with dissolve
    #show marianne stone

    "..."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Rowan approached cautiously. The circle of light was gone. But, the image in front of him was too surreal to be believed. Where once there had been the High Arbitron, now there was a solid marble statue."
    "Rowan brushed a hand along her. She was as hard and smooth as the stones of the castle. He recoiled his hand and stared at it."
    "The one who did this, Tharos, took a moment to admire his handiwork. Then, with a long bow he stepped out of the way so the twins could take center stage once more."

    hide rowan with dissolve
    hide tharos with dissolve
    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "Jezera came swaggering to the center of the stage, hips thrown side to side. Andras didn’t put as much effort into the act as she did though. For the moment, he seemed to forget where he was and just stared at the statue."

    je "Now, my sweet ladies and gentlemen of the cloth. That was a wonderful demonstration, was it not? I had chills down my spine the entire time!"

    "The people who had once been the High Arbitron’s subordinates looked on with open horror in their faces. A few, mostly younger nuns but also one of the grizzled Prothean guardsmen, even openly wept."

    je "But, I haven’t even shown you the best part yet!"

    scene cg672 with dissolve
    #jez smirk
    show jezera happy behind cg672
    show andras smirk behind cg672
    pause 3

    "Her arms snaked around the frozen statue slowly. Her soft purple finger tips roamed over the marble surface."
    "Rowan leaned back against the wall and caught his breath. It was a ghastly sight."
    "Andras stood back to watch with a renewed grin on his face. Whatever had caught his attention had only held it for a passing moment."
    "But, Jezera kept on toying with her trophy. She made a point of roaming her hands around. Over the statue’s neck. Over her cheek. Up her legs. It was like marking her territory."

    #show jezera aroused at midleft with dissolve

    "Then, she stuck her tongue out, and trailed it over the cold lifeless ear that had once been Marianne’s. It was a transfixing sight. Like a sexual act for the sake of the provocation alone. The more she transgressed, the more angry and disgusted the captives got."
    "Jezera’s hands kept searching out more and more provocative areas. A hand roamed over the solid curvature of the statue’s rear end. Another went for the nipples, forever frozen stiff."
    "Rowan could clearly see where this was moving. Was Jezera really about to molest an inanimate object, albeit one in the shape of a person she had killed, just to prove a point? It was almost stranger than it was obscene."
    "Finally, Jezera slid a hand to the place Rowan knew it was going. A single finger traced the exposed lips of the High Arbitron’s sex. Then, they slid in…"
    "Rowan blinked. How had that happened?"
    "He was close enough to the display to realize that it had made a sound too. The noises of flesh yielding that frequently accompanied fingers up a woman’s sex. But that should be impossible."
    "Rowan looked closer. The lips had actually parted. Jezera was finger fucking stone."
    "But, it wasn’t just that. Rowan noticed other things too. The liquid that seemed to spontaneously appear at the statue’s folds. He could already guess what it was, though the thought of it was strange and unnatural."
    "Jezera was busy with her new toy, so Andras was the one who addressed the stunned audience."

    an "You can see it, can’t you? You can smell it? "
    an "Your pretty little high priestess is still alive. Unthinking. Unspeaking. Unmoving. But, feeling...{i}everything{/i}."

    "He bellowed out a laugh."

    an "You pathetic fools came here to say that death doesn’t frighten you."
    an "Well, death isn’t on the menu, pigs. If you aim to defy us, then you better be prepared to deal with the consequences of that for some time."
    an "In my experience, statues tend to last for centuries. In four hundred years when my descendants rule this land, will she have learned to love the pleasure by then?"

    "Jezera’s fingers pumped faster and faster. Stone yielded to her. The more she used Marianne, the more the petrified body responded. In a grotesque sign, Rowan even saw a droplet trail down the statue’s unmoving leg."
    "There was something strange about it. Marianne didn’t moan. She didn’t squirm. She showed none of the typical reactions. Yes, her body was still racing towards climax. If not from her wetness, her arousal would have been invisible."
    "How much of this could she feel? How much could she process?"

    je "What you’re looking at is the new statue for the fountain at the front of the castle. She’s going to be oh so much fun to toy with whenever I pass."

    "Jezera writhed, pressing her body teasingly against the back of Marianne. It was as though she engulfed her."
    "Suddenly, came an eruption. A far larger drop rolled down the statue’s leg. Her lower lips shuddered from the tension. Perhaps that had been an orgasm, but it was impossible to say."
    "But, Jezera kept on pumping and pumping and pumping. To any living woman, this would be torture by stimulation. Every few minutes would come another burst of liquid. Another shudder."
    "That statute was being made to cum over and over again, all while the demon twins laughed."

    #Flash Screen with the image of the burning codifice.
    show bg56 with flash
    pause 1
    hide bg56
    pause 1

    "Rowan found it difficult to watch. Difficult to smell. Difficult to hear. A sharp ache spread over his head."

    show cg552 with flash
    pause 1
    hide cg552
    pause 1

    "Ideas and thoughts were in his head, and he could not get them out, no matter how hard he tried."

    show cg573 with flash
    pause 1
    hide cg573
    pause 1

    "How many people had been affected by what he’d done?"

    show cg248 with flash
    pause 1
    hide cg248
    pause 1

    "How many principles that he once held had been lost along the way?"

    show cg107 with flash
    pause 1
    hide cg107
    pause 1

    "How many oaths had he broken?"

    #arthdale fire and bloodied elder
    show bg4 with flash
    pause 1
    hide bg4
    pause 1

    "How many people had he lost?"
    "He sucked in air. He couldn’t do this. He couldn’t stay here."
    "Andras and Jezera turned back towards their captives. Some were on their knees. Others were crying or praying. "

    je "Now then. Who is ready to be my next ornament? Surely, you haven’t all forgotten your brave leader’s call to keep the faith."
    je "Who is ready to show how much they love your sweet goddess?"

    "Rowan looked to the unmoving mask of Tharos. But, if the priest objected to any of this, he didn’t show it. He stood, tall and unmoving, overlooking the entire scene."
    "This was too much. It was all too much. Like another boulder being dropped on a man being buried alive."

    if rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "Something was wrong with him. Weak. "

    "Without warning, Rowan slipped from the stage and went for an exit. Some way to escape the scene. Jezera watched him flee, but didn’t try to stop him."

    scene black with fade

    "He stumbled out, heading back towards the party."
    "He couldn’t stand there and watch it anymore. It was too much. He needed to speak to someone."
    "...He needed to talk to Alexia…"

    # "This is the end of the main narrative for the time being, it will be continued in a later release."

    # $ rastLocked = True
    # return

    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_ruler.rpy
label epilogueDelane_rp:

    $ eleanorCaveSex = False
    $ delaneLodgeSex = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ alexiaJezObedient = True
    $ tharos_name = "Tharos"
    $ eleanor_name = "Delane"

    "Has Rowan had sex with Delane? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ eleanorCaveSex = True
            $ delaneLodgeSex = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg19 with fade
    show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "The orcs brought over a chair and forced Rowan down. He struggled reflexively and tried to wriggle from their grasp. "

    je "Oh stop that. You’re not going to be hurt Rowan. This is just a show."

    "Rowan slowly brought his fighting to a halt. To fight here would be pointless folly, but he didn’t have to be happy about it. A show from the twins was never something he much wanted to see."
    "The orcs bound his wrists in rough twine rope. He twisted his wrists around, but it just gave him scratches. The tie was too tight."
    "Only then did another guest join the growing party. Andras stepped from the shadows. Marks from women’s makeup on his skin reflected what he’d been doing until his arrival."

    ro "What’s happening?"

    "Instead of answering him, she gave Tharos a polite bow."

    je "I’m sorry my friend, but do you mind if I take a second to explain something to Rowan?"
    tharos "Certainly. I have no wish to disturb your work."

    "Jezera strode back towards Rowan. He flinched at the sensation of her hand brushing against the inside of his thigh. She was teasing him."

    je "Now, as you’ll recall, brother dearest and I were not exactly happy with your performance at Rastedel."

    show andras displeased behind black

    an "Not happy at all."

    "Rowan withdrew his leg from Jezera. At least, as much as the bindings would allow. Of course, the topic was his failures at Rastedel. He’d suspected on several occasions that their punishment would not be limited to the sack."

    ro "I told you before. I didn’t plan on what happened with the Baron. I also tried to kill-"

    "She pulled her hands to her hips and let out a snarl."

    je "Rowan. Less speaking. More listening."

    "She paced in pace, tossing her long hair back and forth. Like she was stalking the center of the room. Behind him, he felt Andras’ gripping the back of his chair with frightful strength."

    je "I’m not so blind as to not have an idea of what happened. Did you try to kill Werden? Did you set it up? Who can say?"
    je "But, when you chose him initially, the truth was that I had my suspicions. After all, it wouldn’t be the first time we sent you on a mission and you came back with lies."

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow. "

    ro "What?"

    "Andras shook the chair, throwing Rowan off balance."

    an "The Orc Encampment. The negotiations with the leadership. You remember it."
    ro "Y-yes."
    je "And I’m sure that you remember a certain young woman whom those savage brutes were fighting over. Such a strange disappearance."
    je "Naturally, she showed up in the capital afterwards, yes?"
    je "Lady Eleanor Delane."

    "Rowan hid his face. He tried to keep his voice steady, but the moment the name came from her lips, the scale of his trouble grew more clear."

    ro "I recall her."
    je "Of course, you do. You were the one who orchestrated her escape. Quite the harrowing operation."

    "Rowan squeezed his hands into fists, if only to hold some of the tension. The situation was growing more grim by the minute. There was no point in denying the charge now. They had clearly pieced together what had happened at the orc camp. "

    ro "Why didn’t you say anything back at the time? I thought you hadn’t figured it out."

    "Andras just laughed."

    an "Because it worked, fool. The Orc chiefs died and we got the army. You were lucky. Had we lost command of the orcs through your foolish scheme, I’d have taken your head as a trophy."

    "Rowan thought back to it. Had he really come so close to death back then?"

    je "But, Rowan. This time your defiance has gone too far. Many valuable prisoners were cost by your games. Worse, the Rosarians still have a banner to cling to. "
    je "And of course, that little morsel had a hand in it too, didn’t she. Lady Delane. Going to meetings. Defending you and interceding with Werden. Getting you into rooms you wouldn’t have made it into otherwise."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True or delaneLodgeSex ==True:
        je "...Even meeting you in private…"
        "Rowan’s eyes widened. She knew even that?"
        je "Now, I wonder what Alexia would think of that. Although, she has to be used to it by now. You’re quite the rambunctious little tiger, Rowan."

    "The twins circled around his chair as predators circle prey. One moment Jezera was in front, the next Andras."

    je "Still, the time for indulgences has passed. Wouldn’t you agree, Brother?"

    an "Very much so."
    an "You must learn, once and for all, what happens when you defy us. We’ve been indulgent. Never a {i}true{/i} punishment."
    an "It’s time that you learned that your actions have consequences, knave."

    "Andras snapped his fingers."
    "A sound came out from behind. A person being dragged. Rowan strained in his bonds to see who it was. But, the binding was too restrictive."
    "His eyes were frantic. Was it Alexia? Were they bringing Alexia."
    "But, when the person came into view, it was someone else entirely."

    hide tharos with dissolve
    #delane naked scared
    show eleanor dress concerned at midright with dissolve

    ele "Lady above...Rowan…"

    "Lady Delane, a woman he had expected to safely be at the coast, was here in Bloodmeen. What’s more, she was naked except for heavy iron shackles. Heavy tears stained her cheeks."
    "Rowan’s eyes widened. Without thinking, he surged struggling against his bonds. But, they’d chosen the rope well. It was so strong that it’d take a sword to cut it."

    ro "How did you..why..wha-"
    je "When we learned of the situation in the city, I sent an advance team in. I just knew I couldn’t let her slip out of our hands. Especially after all that work you’d put into keeping her safe."

    "Jezera drew herself close to the shivering captive. A shot of adrenaline went through Rowan’s body when the demoness brushed the back of her hand over Delane’s cheek. His muscles strained."

    je "Such an angel. It’s no wonder you did so much for her sake."

    "He gnarled his teeth together and tried to rise from his chair. But, Andras slammed him back down with strong arms."

    ro "I’ll kill you. I’ll kill you. Get your hands off of her."

    "Delane looked to him with red teary eyes."

    ele "Rowan, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. We were going to be partners. I was going to go on an adventure to help you. And I ruined everything."
    ele "I wanted to be the one you could rely on. Your agent on the inside. I told you that you didn't have to worry about me…"
    ele "Even after I was captured, I still hoped you’d save me one last time..."

    "Rowan strained against the bonds, against Andras’ arms, to close a portion of the gap between them."

    ro "It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. Please. It’s mine. My fault."

    "She looked down and to the side. Her cheeks were slightly red."

    ele "Rowan...I'm in love with you."

    menu:
        "I love you too.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Delane. I love you too."
            if alexiaAndrasObedient == True:
                "Andras let out a small chuckle."
            if alexiaJezObedient == True:
                "Jezera let out a small giggle."

        "I'm sorry.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was something he knew she wanted to hear. But, even now, even here, he could not bring himself to say it."
            ro "I know. I'm so sorry."

    ele "..."
    ele "Please. Just stay here. Stay. I don't want to be alone at the end…"

    "In some respects, it was a strange request. Rowan was bound to his seat. Yet, to him, it didn’t feel redundant at all."

    ro "I'm not going anywhere, Delane. I’m not going anywhere. I'm here. You’re not alone."

    "Jezera stepped back between them and let out a long showy yawn."

    je "Isn’t it time we got to the point? We picked her as a demonstration of our new friend’s abilities. Naturally, the show should begin."
    an "Someone gag him."
    ro "No. Don’t do this. I’m not going to-"

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "Rowan’s words were cut off by a cloth gag being forced into his mouth by one of the orcs. He snarled and cursed, trying to get another word through. He struggled with all his might, but there was no escape."
    "Delane was made to kneel in the center of the room."

    je "If you wouldn’t mind, wise gardener. I’m very interested in the results of the process."

    show tharos neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Tharos, the strange newcomer, stepped back into the center of the room. From behind his still mask he stared at Delane."

    tharos "It seems there’s a lot of drama, huh? Well, that’s just excellent! I love emotion. Passion. It makes being alive so much sweeter."

    #cg1
    scene cg602 with fade
    show tharos neutral behind cg602
    #show eleanor naked scared behind cg602
    show eleanor dress concerned behind cg602
    pause 3

    tharos "Before we begin…"
    tharos "Tell me your name."

    "She blinked through the tears."

    ele "My..name?"
    tharos "Yes, my dear. Your full name. It would not be proper at all to begin without it!"
    ele "..."

    "She straightened up her back with pride."

    ele "Lady Eleanor of House Delane."
    tharos "My word! What a lovely name."
    tharos "..."
    tharos "I will take it from you."

    "Tharos slowly lowered the mask over Delane’s face. Rowan watched cautiously. What was it about to do?"
    "Then a sharp purple light emanated from the forehead of the mask. All he heard was her screams."

    scene black with fade
    show andras smirk behind black

    "Reflexively, he ducked his head low and slammed his eyes shut. He couldn’t watch this. He couldn’t watch this. It was too much."
    "Andras leaned closer to his ear to whisper."

    an "You’re missing a sight, boy."
    an "His people have powerful magic. The changes they can make to the human body are beyond imagination."
    an "Surely, you don’t want to miss something so delicious."

    "His ear was filled by the cruel sound of Andras’ laugh. But, even that was a mercy. It let him focus on something besides the screaming."

    an "No last look at your precious noble girl?"

    "Rowan’s brain closed down. He simply couldn’t engage or process the situation. His head hung, as if whatever held it up had lost all power."
    "Slowly, the sound faded. No more screaming. Whatever he had been doing had been completed."
    "Rowan opened his eyes."

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
    show eleanor fallen neutral at midright with dissolve
    show tharos neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Delane was still kneeling where she had been, but she was altogether different now."
    "Her fine white skin had turned blue. The mask clung unnaturally to her face, leaving her blank and expressionless. A sharp horn burst from her forehead where the purple light had been. "
    "Strangely, more clothing items from the same black material had appeared elsewhere on her body."
    "Rowan felt Andras undoing the gag."

    ro "M-My lady?"

    "Yet, Delane did not turn to face him. The room took on an eerie stillness."

    show jezera happy at edgeright with dissolve

    je "You needn’t bother, hero. You may knock at the door as loud as you want, but it doesn’t matter when the occupant is no longer home."
    ro "...No longer home…?"

    "Rather than explain, she kept him in suspense longer by turning back to Tharos."

    je "A most marvelous show. And quite informative. I simply must learn how you fine folks accomplish this."

    tharos "It’s quite the feat, I assure you."
    tharos "I take it you are satisfied?"

    je "Very."

    "The mysterious figure gave one final bow."

    tharos "Then, I shall depart for the nonce. I am sure you and your brother wish to explore your new pet in greater detail."

    hide tharos with dissolve

    "Rowan was still sputtering as Tharos briskly strolled from the alley, without so much as a second glance. He looked to Delane and found movement. She was..crawling?"

    ro "What..what did you do to her? Delane..."

    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    an "Fascinating, isn’t it?"
    an "Tharos has made her perfect. His order keeps the secrets of perfect obedience. A process to convert human bodies and souls into something new."
    an "Something always obedient. Always eager for pleasure."
    an "The woman you knew is gone forever now. No trace of her remains. She is now, and forever, a slave."
    an "Fascinating, isn’t it?"

    "The Delane creature crawled in a catlike motion to Andras’ leg and twisted herself around it. Her limbs moved and contorted in strange movements."
    "Rowan stared numbly. The blank mask stared back at him, unmoving and unchanging. There was no sense of who was beneath."

    ro "You..but she…"
    ro "Delane."

    je "Oh, don’t you worry that mop top of yours. She’ll be much happier now."

    "The creature slithered over to the demoness and pressed herself to Jezera’s leg. She looked like a cat seeking affection."

    je "Pride. Intelligence. Morals. Memories."
    je "These things all get in the way of true happiness. Pain. Pleasure. Carnal lust."
    je "Of course, you and I still have to bear these things. But, sweet Lady Delane? Now she’s free to enjoy herself. No concern more pressing than the next thing to fill her with a cock."

    "Jezera placed a finger to her lips."

    je "She’ll never be...what was it she said?"
    je "Alone."

    "As the seconds passed and the realization of what had just happened became starker and starker, Rowan grew fainter and fainter. He sunk into his chair like a man without a skeleton. Even his breath came out ragged and parched."

    je "In fact, I bet she’s just smiling about it."
    je "Why don’t you show us your smile, pet?"

    "Suddenly, the mask shifted. Or perhaps opened. A large gaping maw opened at the front and from it, a long prehensile tongue snaked out. Everything about it was wrong. From the sharp monstrous teeth to its failure to map to the natural place for a mouth on the human face."
    "No one could mistake such a thing for a human face. It was a creation of vile and uncommon magic."
    "Rowan stared blankly at it. They had turned her into a horror too strange to be believed."

    je "See. Happy as can be."
    je "Perhaps, a celebration is in order. Something to test out her new nature."

    "Andras leaned in together with his sister. They looked like two children conspiring the day’s mischief."

    an "Are we thinking the same thing?"
    je "Indeed, brother."

    "Jezera pointed a finger towards Rowan."

    je "Pet, go show Rowan your appreciation for his concern. Bring him off with your tongue."

    show eleanor fallen neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    show andras smirk at midright with moveoutright

    "All it took was the single command. The creature that had been Delane began to crawl towards him on hands and knees. Her strange tongue swirled and readied itself as if about to pounce on prey."
    "He sank further in his chair. He didn’t try to fight. He didn’t try to plead. All the whole, she drew closer and closer."

    je "Don’t look so glum, Rowan."

    if eleanorCaveSex == True or delaneLodgeSex ==True:
        je "From my understanding, being told to fuck you would be an order she might have even obeyed even as her old self."

    else:
        je "This is what she always wanted, wasn’t it?"

    "Soon, the Delane creature between his knees. So close that he could see every detail. She had a mole on her left arm just like the old Delane had possessed. She even smelled slightly like her old self."
    "Rowan was simply frozen. No energy. No anger. It was all too much. "

    je "Hmm."

    "She drew her tongue down, sliding slowly up his leg. There was no excitement, even as it touched the thin fabric covering his crotch. He was just going to let it happen. "

    ro "..."

    "Jezera let out a sigh. Then, she gestured the creature back towards her."

    je "Stop. Stop Stop."
    je "It’s just no fun if there isn’t a “yes” behind the “no”. It’s not worth it."

    show eleanor fallen neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show andras smirk at midleft with moveoutleft

    "Without so much as a second thought, the creature that had been Delane skittered back to her new Mistress. The strange mouth sealed shut, leaving nothing but surreal blankness behind in its wake."
    "Andras let out a yawn."

    an "Boring."
    an "We still need to break her in though. I want to see the results of the process first hand."

    "Andras smirked to himself."

    an "I’ll take her down to the barracks and have her give the men a reward. Sluts like her don’t tire easily, so I’m sure they’ll appreciate it."
    an "What do you say, boy? Wanna come and watch?"
    ro "..."

    hide andras with moveoutright
    hide eleanor with moveoutright

    "Shortly afterwards, Andras had a chain wrapped around her neck like one would make for a dog. He gave her a yank, and the creature that had been Delane happily trailed along behind him. The orc guards flanked him on either side."
    "Jezera, however, didn’t leave yet. She went behind Rowan and delicately worked the knots from the rope out."

    show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft

    je "No more games, Rowan. No more playing the hero. No more barely disguised disobedience."
    je "This is your life now. If you want to keep living it, then this will never happen again."
    ro "..."

    hide jezera with moveoutright

    "When he was free, she sauntered away without so much as a second glance. Now, Rowan was alone in his chair."
    "But, he didn’t rise. Instead, he started to cry."

    # "This is the end of the main narrative for the time being, it will be continued in a later release."

    # $ rastLocked = True
    #make rastedel unaccessable
    # return

    return

# \events\heartsong.rpy
label heartsong_first_visit_rp:

    $ earlyEnd = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    # $ heartsongVisitAvailable = False
    $ heartsongNurture = 0
    $ heartsongControl = 0
    $ jezeraFavours = 0
    $ andrasFavours = 0

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Scene 1: No sex, but great art":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
            jump dreamEndNurture_rp
        "Yes - Scene 2: Rowan and Heartsong":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
            jump heartsong_first_visit_scene2_skip_rp
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Who does Rowan imagine? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Jezera":
            $ jezeraFavours = 10
        "Andras (No gay content, but likely part of that route)":
            $ andrasFavours = 10
        "Alexia":
            pass

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan weaved through the winding bends of the dark forest path like a panther pursuing his prey."
    "He was after something. Who or what, he could not say. All he could recall was the drive forward: the relentless, unceasing push to see this journey through to the end."
    "The indistinct greenery that surrounded him was unfamiliar, alien and altered. It was as if someone had taken a brush and painted the rough approximation of the trees and plants he knew."
    "There was an intruder here, in this place that he instinctively knew belonged to him. Whoever they were, they’d hidden themselves well, but he’d finally tracked them down."

    #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

    "He was getting close. There was no escape: he was almost upon them. He cleared the final, clinging branches and stepped out into the clearing to see-"

    play music "music/village loop.ogg" fadein 2.0
    show bg1 with fade

    "...A sight he never in his life expected to see again."

    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with moveinleft
    #show rowan intro shock at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "W-what-"

    "It was Arthdale. Hale and whole."
    "The village was just like he remembered it: quiet, cozy, with the faint scent of beeswax and baking bread wafting in the air, mixed with the traditional rural stenches of village life."
    "Craftsmen hawked their wares in the streets as the sound of clanging steel echoed down the main thoroughfare from the smithy. In the distance, the laughter of children rose above the din as they chased one another through the narrow alleyways."

    show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve

    "It was a bright, sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky, perfect weather for an afternoon stroll. Alexia would no doubt be busy preparing a light lunch for the two of them to share, before Rowan went off on another hike to-"

    #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}No{/i}. Stop it, this isn’t real."

    "Rowan knew instinctively what this memory was. But upon second glance, some of the details were off, as if someone had hurriedly cobbled it together from scratch."
    "For one thing, it was daytime, and yet it had been night when this occurred. The moon hung in place of the sun in the sky, and yet daylight was everywhere."
    "In the distance, some of the farther buildings looked almost hazy, shimmering into view almost like a mirage in the desert."

    if jezeraFavours > 5:
        ro "…At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jezera showed up, naked as a jaybird."
        #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show jezera naked happy at center with moveinleft
        pause 1
        hide jezera with moveoutright
        "As if on cue, the utter absurdity occurred. A nude, purple demon strutted across the town square, ambling on her way as if she were any other villager going about her business."
        "She spared him a brief wink, then disappeared down an alleyway."

    elif andrasFavours > 5:
        ro "…At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if Andras showed up wearing a maids outfit."
        #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show andras happy at center with moveinleft
        pause 1
        hide andras with moveoutright
        "As if on cue, the utter absurdity occurred. A red demon wearing a Bloodmeen maid’s skimpy attire marched across the town square, ambling on his way as if he were any other villager going about his business."
        "He shot Rowan a smug grin, then disappeared down an alleyway."

    else:
        ro "…At this rate, I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw my wife running naked through the streets."
        #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked at center with moveinleft
        pause 1
        hide alexia with moveoutright
        "As if on cue, the utter absurdity occurred. A nude redhead charged across the town square, laughing and giggling as she flashed literally everyone on her voyeuristic adventure."
        "She stuck her tongue out at Rowan, then sprinted down an alleyway."

    #show rowan intro shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Did… did {i}I{/i} do that?"

    "Rowan considered the thought. It was a dream after all, and a lucid one at that. Perhaps he had more power here than he thought."

    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He glanced up at the incongruous moon hanging high above his head. Wheels turned as he considered the thought."

    menu:
        "Try turning the day into nighttime.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan closed his eyes, remembering the time of day this particular memory occurred. He {i}willed{/i} the night to come."
            scene bg67 with pixellate
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "He opened his eyes, and was greeted with the old, familiar sight of a peaceful, quiet Arthdale in the late evening."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Wow..."

        "Try turning the moon into a wheel of cheese.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan closed his eyes, imagining a giant wheel of cheese, floating in the sky like a celestial body unto itself. It’s curdled scent wafting on the air and blessing the village of Arthdale with its aromatic deliciousness. "
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            "He opened his eyes, and found himself grinning like an idiot at what he saw."
            "The moon was cheese now. Gouda."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "And then, as if his captor had been waiting for him to finish his explorations, the memory itself began."

    show village elder happy at midright with dissolve

    el "Ah, Rowan! It’s good to see you, my boy."
    el "I trust you’re doing well."

    "Rowan said nothing, staring into the eyes of his dead mentor with a graveyard expression. The old man was panting, almost out of breath. It was the only inconsistency in the otherwise pitch perfect replication."

    el "Back from your last patrol? You’re out late this evening."

    #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    "Goddess, he even smiled like the real person. Rowan felt something painful well up in his chest. He knew what memory this was, what he was supposed to say, but the words caught in his throat."

    menu:
        "“Would you expect any less of me, old friend?”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            "The Elder’s aged face crinkled into a kindly smile."
            el "I suppose not. “A year’s care, a minute’s ruin,” as the saying goes."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            el "Though I do wish you’d learn to relax a little, my child. You’ve only been back a few months, and yet I barely see you."
            el "Seems all that’s on your mind these days are either brigands or boogeymen."
            ro "It’s not the brigands that concern me."
            "There was a gleam in the old man’s eye, a familiar warmth that managed to stir Rowan to an awkward, stilted smile of his own."
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            el "No? Perhaps a dragon, then? I suppose Arthdale’s concerns must seem a tad modest compared to your recent exploits."
            ro "Come on, you know I don't think about it like that."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                el "I know you don’t, my boy."
                el "But sometimes I wonder if you brought a bit too much of that wide world back with you, when you returned."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                "The Elder arched an eyebrow, his lips narrowing down to a fine line."
                el "...Do I?"
                #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "What’s that supposed to mean?"
                el "You were always much too big for this place, my boy. It only makes sense that one day you would end up outgrowing the flowerpot."
                ro "Arthdale is my home."
                "The Elder said nothing in response. Somehow, that was more damning than if he’d elaborated on the thought."
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            else:
                el "And yet… since you’ve come home, you act as if it were your solemn duty to remain aloof from the rest of us."
                el "Some of the villagers have mentioned being afraid of approaching you, for fear of incurring that dreaded {i}scowl{/i} of yours."
                "The Elder waggled his eyebrows to emphasize the point, letting out a soft laugh."

        "Rowan refused to follow the Fae’s script.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "We’re not doing this again."
            el "Hm?"
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Why do you insist on continuing to pretend? Is this all just a game to you?"
            el "I don’t quite grasp what you’re getting at, my boy."
            "His fist clenched. Rowan’s temper flared."
            jump nurtureVsEnslave_rp

    menu:
        "“Where are you going with this, old man?”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            el "Nowhere in particular. You should have learned by now that most of this “old man’s” ramblings are just doddering nonsense, anyway."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I didn’t mean to…"
            ro "I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said it like-"
            el "Goodness Rowan, do I have to {i}beg{/i} you to crack a smile?"
            el "I’m not yet so feeble minded that I’ve forgotten my own age. I can slide into senility and decrepitude perfectly well on my own, thank you very much."
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Heh… Some days I wish you’d just get on with it, spare us all the suffering."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            el "Ah, {i}there{/i} he is: there’s the quick-witted boy I raised. I’ve missed him these last few months."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "He’s been… preoccupied."
            el "So I’ve noticed."
            el "Your wife tells me you haven’t been sleeping well."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan lapsed into uncomfortable silence. Even though it was just a phantasm, he still couldn’t look his mentor in the eye."
            el "...Bad memories?"
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Some are harder to forget than others."
            "The Elder nodded in sympathy. He put a hand to his mouth, gently stroking the wisps of grey hair on his beard as he stared at the peaceful tranquility that surrounded them."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan turned his head to look at the Elder’s hunched stature standing next to him. A sour feeling arose in his chest. He knew what was to come next."
            el "I’m proud of you, my boy."

        "Enough of this charade. Reveal yourself, whoever you are.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            el "I… I don’t quite take your meaning, my boy."
            el "Are you feeling alright? You seem agitated."
            "His fist clenched. Rowan’s temper flared."
            jump nurtureVsEnslave_rp

    menu:
        "“Proud of what? Having bad dreams?”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The Elder laughed softly, shaking his head back and forth in bemusement."
            el "No, child. Of you: of the things you’ve accomplished, of the man that you’ve become."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            el "When I watched you marching up the road to join Raeve’s army with the others, it was like a hand had clenched tight around my heart."
            "The Elder thumped his chest with his fist, pursing his lips as his brow furrowed."
            el "“There he goes,” I thought to myself, “The boy I raised from a pup, the child I taught to fish in the little creek next to our hut.”"
            el "“That kind-hearted lad - who cried the first time I went away for a fortnight to see my relatives in Briarbridge - is off to fight the greatest war the Six Realms have ever seen.”"
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            el "I had no idea what might become of you, or if I’d ever get to see you again. The very thought of it made me sick to my stomach."
            el "I knew that you would witness terrible evil, face horrors beyond description. Such is the way of war, even moreso when demons are involved."
            el "But it haunted me that I could not spare you of any of it."

        "No. Enough, I don’t want to hear the rest.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The Elder - or rather, his doppleganger - looked surprised."
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            el "W-what do you mean, Rowan?"
            "Rowan’s fist clenched. His temper flared."
            jump nurtureVsEnslave_rp

    menu:
        "“It was my duty. Nothing more.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            el "Don’t be so modest, Rowan."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            el "We have our duty, and we have our hearts. Choosing one often means the other must suffer."
            "The Elder said nothing for a moment, lifting his gaze to the sky. Rowan saw a fleeting glisten of wetness build in the wrinkled corner of his eye."
            el "Solansia preserve me, how many nights did I kneel in the dark at my bedside, praying for your safety? Too many to count. Far too many for these old bones to weather."
            el "And yet… you proved me wrong, Rowan. So wonderfully wrong."
            el "The war did not destroy you, it revealed you for who you really are. Who I knew, deep down, you {i}always{/i} were:"
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            el "A hero. One worthy of standing beside the greatest of Solansia’s champions."
            el "Not a mighty warlord, nor a cunning sorcerer. Just a good man, in the right place, willing to do what was necessary to protect the ones he loved."
            el "I am so, {i}so{/i} very proud of you, my boy. I just wanted you to know that."

        "There are so many things I wish that I could tell you. But I know this isn’t real.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            el "You’re right. None of this is real."
            el "But nevertheless, I am here for you, Rowan."
            el "…Is there anything you wish to say to me?"
            menu:
                "What am I supposed to do now?":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The Elder laughed warmly, patting Rowan on the back."
                    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    el "I cannot answer that question for you, my boy. I never could. Your fate is your own."
                    el "You must do what you think is best, as you always have."
                    #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    el "…Isn’t that what I taught you to do?"
                    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

                "I miss you.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The Elder’s lips turned upward into a gentle smile."
                    el "And I know, wherever he is, he misses you too, child."
                    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

                "I am sorry. For everything.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    el "Don’t be. You know as well as I do that I lived without regrets."
                    el "…It’s one of the things you envied most about me. Whatever else can be said, even at the very end, I was content."
                    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

                "No, because you’re not really him.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "He smiled - but it wasn’t the Elder’s smile. It was soft, almost mournful."
                    el "Yes. Just so."
                    el "I guess it isn’t the same, is it? Still, I had hoped that it might help."

            ro "..."
            ro "I think I’d rather talk to the {i}real{/i} you, right now."
            "The Elder nodded, granting him a last, fleeting smile before dissipating once more into memory."
            hide village elder with pixellate
            show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
            hear "I’m sorry for leading you on, Rowan. I did not intend for this all to be so… personal."
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "It's okay. It was… nice to see him again."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather not be in Arthdale right now."
            scene white with pixellate
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
            "The Fae nodded in sympathy, and with a whisper the world fell away to white nothingness."
            ro "…What’s your name?"
            $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
            hear "Heartsong."
            jump heartsongVoidTalk_rp

        "Enough! I am sick and tired of this mockery.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            "The thing that pretended to be his old friend took a step back from him, flabbergasted."
            el "It wasn’t- I meant no mockery, my boy. I was only telling you how I felt."
            "Rowan’s fist clenched. His temper flared."
            jump nurtureVsEnslave_rp

    menu:
        "“I… thank you, Elder.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The Elder snorted, a familiar gleam entering his eye."
            el "There’s nothing to thank me for. I’m just a grumpy old codger, after all. Nothing to compare to the {i}Hero of Rosaria{/i}."
            show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Kharos take me, I will never be rid of you, will I?"
            el "Hoh, careful there lad: you were {i}dangerously{/i} close to cracking another smile."
            ro "-And risk ruining my reputation around Arthdale as the village churl? Not on your life."
            "The two men laughed, their playful banter breaking the solemn atmosphere their earlier conversation had created. They stood together in the street for a time, watching the villagers go by on their daily business."
            jump rowanCottageConversation_rp

        "Tears built up in Rowan’s eyes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show rowan intro sad at midleft with dissolve
            "He turned away from the apparition, suddenly overcome with emotion."
            el "I’m sorry… Rowan, I didn't mean to-"
            ro "It’s fine. Give me a moment."
            "Rowan collected himself, shaking his head back and forth. He wiped at his eyes as he turned back to face the Fae."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I haven’t thought of that day in a very long time."
            el "And yet… his words always seem so near to you."
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "…Would you please take your true form? I’m having a bit of trouble talking to you, right now."
            el "Of course, Rowan."
            hide village elder with pixellate
            show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
            "Rowan watched as his old friend disappeared once more into the murky depths of memory."
            scene white with pixellate
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Arthdale faded away as well, the walls of reality fading into an endless white."
            $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
            hear "My name is Heartsong."
            hear "…Thank you, for letting me witness that memory."
            ro "It isn’t one I like to often think about."
            jump heartsongVoidTalk_rp

        "Are you finished? Can we finally talk now?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            el "I… I’m sorry, Rowan. I didn’t mean to keep you waiting."
            ro "It seems the only way the two of us can ever have a conversation is when I have to drag one out of you."
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Must I rehash every errant memory of my life before I even get to learn your name?"
            $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
            el "My name is Heartsong."
            ro "-And yet I’m still looking at my dead friend."
            "The Elder blushed in a very uncharacteristic display. He looked at the ground, playing with his toes."
            hide village elder with pixellate
            show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
            hear "H-here I am."
            ro "Do you need a moment? Should we not delve further into my past? Perhaps a memory of my missing mother?"
            #heartsong sad
            hear "That…!"
            #show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
            hear "T-that won’t be necessary, no."
            ro "Good. Then let’s talk."
            scene white with pixellate
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
            jump heartsongVoidTalk_rp

    label nurtureVsEnslave_rp:

        menu:
            "Try to explain your perspective.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…You need to stop hiding behind these personas."
                "The Elder’s eyes went saucer shaped. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out."
                ro "I watched Arthdale burn. I watched the man you’re pretending to be die in front of me."
                el "..."
                el "I-I’m sorry, Rowan. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought…"
                el "You have such fond memories of this place, I hoped it would make it easier for us to talk."
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "By wearing the guise of my dead mentor?"
                elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                    ro "By stealing the form of a dead man?"
                else:
                    "By taking on the appearance of the man I betrayed?"
                el "I… I didn’t mean to cause you distress."
                ro "You haven’t."
                el "B-but your voice, it’s-"
                #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "{i}I said I’m fine{/i}."
                "The Elder shrank back from him. A long moment of silence passed as Rowan glared into the shapeshifter’s eyes."
                scene white with pixellate
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show village elder neutral at midright with dissolve
                "Finally, {i}mercifully{/i}, the mirage passed. The pleasant sounds and happy images of a bygone world faded back into mournful memory."
                $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
                hear "...My name is Heartsong."
                hear "I can’t thank you enough for what you did for my father in the throne room."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Show me your true form. You owe me that much, at least."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                hide village elder with pixellate
                show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
                "Rowan blinked, and suddenly she was there."
                "Her cheeks were burning, and her lips quivered with an awkward smile. Heartsong’s tail flicked back and forth behind her in nervous twitches."
                hear "H-here I am."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Please, for both our sakes: drop the act."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Just be yourself."
                hear "I will. I promise."
                jump heartsongVoidTalk_rp

            "Take control of the dream… and of her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump heartsongControl_rp

    label rowanCottageConversation_rp:

        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "The memory was over, Rowan had followed it to its logical conclusion. And yet… the dream still continued. It seemed his mnemonic stowaway had something else in store for him."
        "The moments dragged by. He cast a short glance in the Elder’s direction. She clearly didn’t intend to show herself. If this really was a dream, then perhaps..."

        ro "Say, Elder?"

        el "Yes, my boy?"

        ro "Would you care to join me for dinner? Alexia is out for the day, and I’m in for a lonely meal otherwise. "

        show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve

        el "Oh, I wouldn’t want to impose. There is still so much to do around the village for the harvest festival, and I needed to check in on Tobias’ latest-"

        "Rowan closed his eyes and concentrated, picturing the interior of his home in Arthdale, recalling as much of it as he could, down to the smallest detail."

        ro "Please…"

        scene bg2 with pixellate
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        show village elder happy at midright with dissolve

        ro "I insist."

        "Reality itself reshaped to the whims of Rowan’s imagination. The Elder let out a gasp as the world around them shifted and warped."
        "The small table where Rowan and Alexia had once dined together appeared between them, welcoming in its rustic simplicity."
        "Two places were set on the table, laid out with plain wood platters and wooden utensils. A small assortment of fruits and nuts and cheeses filled the plates."
        "It was astounding the level of detail Rowan could see. This wasn’t just what he could specifically remember, it was the {i}entire memory{/i}."
        "Rowan smiled and gestured towards the chair opposite to his own in a polite invitation. The Elder’s lower lip quivered."

        el "Rowan, I-"

        ro "Take a seat. Your old bones must be weary."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "The Elder’s eyes flicked down towards the table and then back to Rowan. A nervous smile spread across his face."

        el "I-I suppose I could sit. Just for a little while."

        "Rowan watched the Elder ease slowly into his chair, letting out a soft sigh as he bent his crooked back into the unyielding wood. It brought a wistful smile to Rowan’s face."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’re quite good at that."

        el "At what?"

        ro "Moving like he would. It’s uncanny: you really do look like he did in his later years."
        ro "He’d often struggle to sit down - something in his lower back, I think. I used to try to help him, but he’d just wave me off."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "He was a very stubborn fellow."

        "The Elder’s cheeks reddened with a most uncharacteristic blush."

        el "You… really loved him."

        menu:
            "I really did.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "He was a good man. I miss him terribly."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Our final encounter was… unpleasant."

            "Maybe. I don’t know.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                el "{i}He{/i} loved you. It’s obvious the way he spoke of you."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "More’s the pity for him, then. Look what it earned him."

            "At one point, I must have...":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                el "You don’t give yourself enough credit, Rowan."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "-Or maybe you give me altogether too much. {i}He{/i} certainly did."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        el "It’s wrong, what Andras did. What he made you do."

        menu:
            "I made a hard choice, I have no regrets.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                el "Truly? None at all?"

            "What’s done is done.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "The past is the past. I can no more change it than I can overturn a mountain."
                ro "The only thing left to do is to live with the choices I’ve made."
                el "But… have you never wondered? At what might have been?"

            "Had I known, I would have chosen differently.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "My mistake was in thinking I could salvage something from the ashes."
                el "But... don’t you worry that that’s exactly what is happening to you, now?"

        "The Elder blushed again and looked down at his lap, his fatherly disposition giving way to a far more timid body language."

        el "F-forgive me Rowan, I don’t mean to pass judgment on you."
        el "I wish I had a fraction of the courage that you showed in that moment. Were I in your position, I would have never been able to decide."

        ro "I recall a similar line of discussion, when you were pretending to be Jezera in the dungeon."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What is it about my choices that fascinates you so?"

        el "The fact that you can make them at all."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Everyone makes decisions in life."

        el "But few can make them as decisively as you do. Not on such a grand scale."

        ro "And that is why the Fae want my help?"

        el "It’s why {i}I{/i} want your help."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan’s eyes softened."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "…You don’t have to be so afraid of me. Will you at least talk to me, face to face?"

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan’s eyes narrowed in annoyance."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Enough. I’ve been more than patient with you. Show yourself."

        else:
            "Rowan gave her a meaningful look."
            ro "If it’s all the same to you, I’d prefer to talk to the {i}real{/i} you, right now."

        "The Elder blinked, glancing down at his lap. He let out a soft sigh and nodded."

        hide village elder with pixellate
        #heartsong sad
        show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "The Elder’s body blurred and warped, reshaping itself to the familiar white-haired creature from before. Gone was the mischievous gleam in her eye, now she all but trembled in her seat when his gaze settled upon her. "

        hear "H-here…"

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "Here I am."

        ro "Here you are."
        ro "What should I call you? Or would you prefer simply “the white fox?”"

        "She giggled, casting a shy look at him from beneath her bangs with her strikingly yellow eyes."

        #heartsong happy

        $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
        hear "My name is Heartsong."

        menu:
            "A pleasure to meet the {i}real{/i} you at last.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "She perked up a bit at that, sitting just a little bit straighter and meeting his gaze."
                hear "A-and you as well, Rowan!"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "You’ve led me on a merry chase across my subconscious, I must say."
                "Heartsong’s blush crept further up her cheeks. She glanced down at her lap again, unable to maintain eye contact with him for long."
                hear "Actually, i-in retrospect... I think I {i}wanted{/i} you to catch me."
                ro "Well, it seems that you've been caught. But to what end?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                #heartsong neutral

            "Well, Heartsong? Have you anything to say for yourself?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #heartsong neutral
                hear "I-I…"
                "She closed her eyes and put a hand to her face, dragging her clawed nails down her brow."
                hear "Sol save us all, I must have practiced this conversation with myself a hundred times."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Take a breath — if that even matters in a dream?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "We’re not going anywhere, and frankly I’d like an explanation. This time it was like you {i}wanted{/i} me to catch you."

            "I will only say this once: {i}no more memories{/i}, do you understand me?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Whatever you were hoping to learn from me, you’ve found it. I’ve indulged your curiosity long enough."
                ro "My memories are my own, and not yours to tamper with. If you want to say something to me, you can damn well say it to my face."
                #heartsong concerned
                "Heartsong shrank down into herself, her ears flattening back against her head."
                hear "O-okay…"
                ro "Promise me."
                hear "I-I won’t! I promise!"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                #heartsong neutral

        hear "I just… I want to help you."

        ro "Last we spoke, it seemed like you were trying to enlist {i}my{/i} help."

        hear "I-I am! I mean- we are… but I want to help you, too."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’re not making much sense."

        hear "I’m s-sorry! This isn’t how I thought things would go between us."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan leaned back in his chair, affecting a relaxed posture. Despite the brave front she was trying to put up, the Fae was fearfully shy."

        ro "Take your time. I’m a captive audience, after all."

        "She took in a deep breath, and exhaled heavily."

        hear "M-my people stand at a crossroads, Rowan."
        hear "For centuries we’ve lived in peace, watching the waking world from afar. But over time, we have become divided. {i}Hateful{/i} to each other."
        hear "Now we are pulled in two directions. My father, Whitescar, and auntie- er, {i}Lady{/i} Arzyl… they’re at each other’s throats. And I don’t know how to stop it."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        hear "This business with the Twins is just the latest - and most dangerous - conflict. Only Queen Kassandra still keeps the peace between them, and even then, only just."

        ro "What does this have to do with the Fae and threatening the Twins over the use of the leylines?"

        #heartsong concerned

        "Heartsong’s ears pulled back against her head."

        hear "…Why do you think there are {i}two{/i} ambassadors currently representing one people? They have different visions of what that might mean."
        hear "I don’t want this war to happen, I don’t want people to die."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "But... I’m a nobody, a {i}recluse{/i}. I barely interact with my fellow Fae. I can’t stop what I know is coming, not alone."
        hear "I don't want to get involved, but I’m scared of what will happen if I just stand by and watch, like-"

        #heartsong concerned

        hear "…Like I do with everything else."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "So why me?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        ro "Why go to all this trouble, sift through my memories, drag me through these dreams, just to bring {i}me{/i} here?"

        hear "Because you are someone who I believe would understand. Ever since I first discovered your dream grove, I have felt that."

        ro "And just how long have you been watching me?"

        "Heartsong’s face flushed cherry red. She glanced down at the table, lips quivering."

        hear "L-longer than I care to admit. Enough to have witnessed most of your memories."

        ro "How many?"

        hear "Almost all of them."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…So you know everything about me."

        "Heartsong nodded."

        hear "-As much as anyone can ever know the mind and soul of another. "

        menu:
            "That’s… oddly flattering.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…I never expected my life’s story to be captivating material for the idle whimsies of a Fae."
                #heartsong happy
                "Heartsong allowed a playful smile to slide onto her face. Rowan saw the brief flash of a toothy canine."
                hear "You aren’t an idle whimsy to me, Rowan."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan watched as her hands settled nervously atop the table. Sharp claws drew gentle circles on the wood as she looked at him."
                hear "You are… something else, entirely."

            "That’s disturbing.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "No one should ever be privy to someone else’s personal experiences like that."
                hear "Y-you have nothing to be ashamed of, I swear! I-I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished. It’s why I want your help."
                #heartsong sad
                hear "I wouldn’t have watched for so long if you hadn’t captivated me so. You are so… so very unique, even for a mortal."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        ro "So what exactly are you proposing here? An alliance? A secret deal?"

        hear "A promise. My help, and your trust in dealing with the Fae together."

        ro "No strings attached?"

        hear "No strings. I know how much you hate them."
        hear "Think of it as me helping you ease one more burden off your shoulders. After all, with all that’s going on in Rosaria, you need the Fae right now like-"

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…Like I need a hole in the head."

        #heartsong happy

        hear "Yes! Just so."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "..."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        ro "It’s like I’m talking to a stranger who knows my every word."

        hear "Then I hope you’ll take it as a sign of my sincerity when I swear that no one knows about us, Fae or otherwise."
        hear "What I tell you, and what you tell me are for our ears alone. I will never betray that trust."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too earnest to be lying, her wide-eyed nature bordered on an almost doelike innocence."
            "But given her powers, such innocence was a danger to everyone involved. In the wrong hands…"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Not to be unsympathetic to your people, but I’m not exactly in the best position myself to be managing the disputes of the Fae."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too gullible, too guileless to be playing some greater game with him. Perhaps she really was this naive."
            "Rowan could use that."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "What’s in it for me? It sounds like you’re just asking me to add the Fae’s problems to my own, considerable list."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


        else:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too earnest to be lying. But her trusting nature {i}would{/i} make her easy prey for wolves seeking to use her."
            "…Though, her powers would make for an impressive chess piece."
            ro "You’re asking me to help your kind with a problem that seems entirely their own."

        hear "I wouldn’t have come to you if I didn’t think we had something to offer."
        hear "My people are slow to trust, but we are fierce allies. You have seen the ease with which we traverse the leylines, and we know many paths the Twins do not. We would be grateful, I know we would."

        ro "And what do {i}you{/i} get out of all this?"

        hear "I just want to help you however I can."

        ro "Why?"

        "Her eyes widened. The very question seemed to baffle her."

        hear "W-what do you mean? "

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What possible reason could you have to want to help me?"

        hear "Because… you deserve it?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan blinked once. Twice. Of all the reasons the Fae could have given, he never would have expected that answer."

        #heartsong happy

        hear "So are we in agreement, then?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Maybe. Provisionally, if your information proves useful. I can’t promise how things will turn out with either Arzyl or Whitescar in that regard. Things could get ugly in spite of my intervention."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "I would never ask you to make such a promise. Your word alone means more than I can say."

        "Rowan gestured with his hand to the fictional room in which they sat."

        ro "So this is to be our conference room, then? A place to plan strategy?"

        #heartsong happy

        "Heartsong giggled, her tail swishing in mischievous arcs behind her."

        hear "It’s a {i}dream{/i}, Rowan. It can be anything you want it to be, as you showed but a minute ago!"
        hear "There are things that I know that my father and Lady Arzyl will wish to keep from you. My people are secretive; we do not like to reveal ourselves to outsiders."

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "So I’ve learned firsthand."

        #heartsong neutral

        "Heartsong blushed, unable to meet his gaze."

        hear "I will tell you everything I know, in time… maybe you can find a path that doesn’t lead to bloodshed."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "How do we seal the deal, then? A spell, some kind of ritual-"

        #heartsong happy

        "Heartsong tried and failed to stifle another giggle."

        hear "I think the Elder may have read you a few too many bedtime stories about us. "

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Heh. You would know, wouldn’t you? "

        "The mischievous glint returned to her yellow eyes. Heartsong let out a low, almost purring growl."

        hear "Would you prefer I swear an oath of loyalty to you, instead?"

        "There was a wavy, shivering feel in the air, and then everything changed again."

        scene bg6 with pixellate
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        "With a start he realized he was seated like a king atop the Throne of Bloodmeen."
        "Heartsong kneeled in supplication far below him at the foot of the dais. She looked up at him in expectant eagerness."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        menu:
            "Very well, proceed.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #cg 1
                "Heartsong settled her hands in front of her, and tilted her head up to look at him. Her smile grew wide, like a fond, old friend."
                hear "I swear by Sol and the spirit that binds us…"
                hear "To help and to serve you however I can, wherever I can, {i}whenever{/i} I can."
                hear "This I swear within the dragon’s dream, with faith that his slumbering ears will hear."
                hear "I will follow you, Rowan Blackwell, wherever you may lead me."
                "Her eyes held onto him for a long moment. A mischievous grin grew on her face."
                #cg1 - var
                #heartsong happy
                hear "Now, and forever."
                "She bowed her head low against the ground, supplicating herself completely."
                "Several beats passed as she knelt at his altar. There was a strange sort of power in looking down on her from this place."
                ro "All right, you’ve made your point."
                #cg 1
                "Heartsong lifted her head again, her tail wagging happily behind her as she beamed."
                hear "Just so!"
                jump dreamEndNurture_rp

            "A promise, remember? No oaths.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                hear "They are one and the same, Rowan. For a Fae, a promise is sacred."
                ro "Maybe. But to me there’s an important difference."
                ro "An oath is a verbal contract with no substance, as easy to break as anything else. But a promise implies trust."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Trust between two equals."
                hear "I… I only offered it to prove I’d never break my word to you."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "It’s a bad thing to break a promise…"
                "Rowan’s thoughts returned for a fleeting moment to that instant at Briarbridge, staring into the Elders eyes for the final time. Heartsongs gaze held to him now in much the same manner."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "But it’s a worse thing to let a promise break you. Some promises - when made for the right reasons - ought to be broken. And I'd rather you had the choice."
                hear "..."
                scene bg2 with pixellate
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                #heartsong happy
                show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
                "And just like that, they were back at Rowan’s dinner table, sitting face to face."
                hear "I promise to help you, Rowan. However I can."
                ro "And I promise to help {i}you{/i}, Heartsong. However I can."
                "She smiled at him, and he smiled back."
                jump dreamEndNurture_rp

    label heartsongVoidTalk_rp:

        ro "What do you want from me? What do you have to gain from sifting through my memories like this?"

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "I’m just trying to understand you."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I think you understand more than enough at this point. Where are we, right now?"

        hear "Your dream grove."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "My what?"

        hear "Your dream grove. Your spiritual center within the Netherweald."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’re talking in riddles again."

        hear "I-I’m sorry! The Netherweald is… well, it’s the realm of spirits and dreams. It exists parallel to the world you know. It’s my home."
        hear "The Leylines are its physical manifestation in your reality. We Fae live within them."

        ro "And my dream grove is…?"

        hear "Your particular section of the Netherweald, one that all soul-bearing mortals possess."
        hear "It is the spiritual representation of all your dreams, your memories, and your experiences. Like a grove in a forest."
        hear "You visit this place whenever you sleep. It is tied to you; it exists within you."

        #heartsong happy

        hear "Think of me like a watcher at the door, staring into the room that constitutes your life."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "So I noticed."

        #heartsong concerned

        "Heartsong’s lips quivered as she glanced down, unable to meet his gaze. Her pale tail drooped towards the nonexistent ground behind her."

        hear "…I’m sorry for spying on you. I didn’t mean to impose."

        menu:
            "It’s okay.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…It’s all right."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "All things considered, I suppose there are worse memories you could have had me recall."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            "I guess we can move on from it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Just so long as you understand that it's not okay to invade my memories."
                hear "I did not intend to ‘invade’ your memories, Rowan."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            "Don’t do that again without my permission.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Whatever you were hoping to learn from me, you’ve found it. I’ve indulged your curiosity long enough."
                ro "My memories are my own, and not yours to tamper with. If you want to say something to me, you can damn well say it to my face."
                "Heartsong shrank down into herself, her ears flattening back against her head."
                hear "O-okay…"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "I just… I want to help you."

        ro "Last we spoke, it seemed like you were trying to enlist {i}my{/i} help."

        hear "I-I am! I mean- {i}we{/i} are… but I want to help you, too."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’re not making much sense."

        hear "I’m s-sorry! This isn’t how I thought things would go between us."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan folded his arms over his chest, affecting a relaxed posture. Despite the brave front she was trying to put up, the Fae was fearfully shy. "

        ro "Take your time. I’m a captive audience, after all."

        "She took in a deep breath, and exhaled heavily. "

        #heartsong concerned

        hear "M-my people stand at a crossroads, Rowan."
        hear "For centuries we’ve lived in peace, watching the waking world from afar. But over time, we have become divided. {i}Hateful{/i} to each other."
        hear "Now we are pulled in two directions. My father, Whitescar, and auntie- er, {i}Lady{/i} Arzyl… they’re at each other’s throats. And I don’t know how to stop it."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        hear "This business with the Twins is just the latest - and most dangerous - conflict. Only Queen Kassandra still keeps the peace between them, and even then, only just."

        ro "What does this have to do with the Fae and threatening the Twins over the use of the leylines?"

        #heartsong concerned

        "Heartsong’s ears pulled back against her head."

        hear "…Why do you think there are {i}two{/i} ambassadors currently representing one people? They have different visions of what that might mean."
        hear "I don’t want this war to happen, I don’t want people to die."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "But... I’m a nobody, a {i}recluse{/i}. I barely interact with my fellow Fae. I can’t stop what I know is coming, not alone."
        hear "What do I do? Do I just let things happen as they are? I don't want to get involved, but I’m scared of what will happen if I just stand by and watch, like-"

        #heartsong concerned

        hear "…Like I do with everything else."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "So why me?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        ro "Why go to all this trouble, sift through my memories, drag me through these dreams, just to bring {i}me{/i} here?"

        hear "Because you are someone who I believe would understand. Ever since I first discovered your dream grove, I have felt that."

        ro "And just how long have you been watching me?"

        "Heartsong’s face flushed cherry red. She glanced down at the table, lips quivering."

        hear "L-longer than I care to admit. Enough to have witnessed most of your memories."

        ro "How many?"

        hear "Almost all of them."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…So you know everything about me."

        "Heartsong nodded."

        hear "-As much as anyone can {i}ever{/i} know the mind and soul of another."

        menu:
            "That’s… oddly flattering.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I never expected my life’s story to be captivating material for the idle whimsies of a Fae."
                #heartsong happy
                "Heartsong allowed a playful smile to slide onto her face. Rowan saw the brief flash of a toothy canine."
                hear "You aren’t an idle whimsy to me, Rowan."
                "Rowan watched as she wrung her hands in nervous movements. Sharp claws drew gentle marks upon her wrists as she looked at him."
                hear "You are… something else, entirely."

            "That’s disturbing.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "No one should ever be privy to someone else’s personal experiences like that."
                hear "Y-you have nothing to be ashamed of, I swear! I-I’m in awe of all you’ve accomplished. It’s why I want your help."
                #heartsong concerned
                hear "I wouldn’t have watched for so long if you hadn’t captivated me so. You are so… so very unique, even for a mortal."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong neutral

        ro "So what exactly are you proposing here? An alliance? A secret deal?"

        hear "A promise. My help, and your trust in dealing with the Fae together."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "No strings attached?"

        hear "No strings. I know how much you hate them."
        hear "Think of it as me helping you ease one more burden off your shoulders. After all, with all that’s going on in Rosaria, you need the Fae right now like-"

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…Like I need a hole in the head."

        #heartsong happy

        hear "Yes! Just so."

        ro "..."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "It’s like I’m talking to a stranger who knows my every word."

        hear "Then I hope you’ll take it as a sign of my sincerity when I swear that no one knows about us, Fae or otherwise."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "What I tell you, and what you tell me are for our ears alone. I will never betray that trust."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too earnest to be lying, her wide-eyed nature bordered on an almost doelike innocence."
            "But given her powers, such innocence was a danger to everyone involved. In the wrong hands…"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Not to be unsympathetic to your people, but I’m not exactly in the best position myself to be managing the disputes of the Fae."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too gullible, too guileless to be playing some greater game with him. Perhaps she really was this naive."
            "Rowan could use that."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "What’s in it for me? It sounds like you’re just asking me to add the Fae’s problems to my own, considerable list."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


        else:
            "Rowan considered her words. She was too earnest to be lying. But her trusting nature {i}would{/i} make her easy prey for wolves seeking to use her."
            "…Though, her powers would make for an impressive chess piece."
            ro "You’re asking me to help your kind with a problem that seems entirely their own."

        hear "I wouldn’t have come to you if I didn’t think we had something to offer."
        hear "My people are slow to trust, but we are {i}fierce{/i} allies. You have seen the ease with which we traverse the leylines, and we know many paths the Twins do not. We would be grateful, I know we would."

        ro "And what do {i}you{/i} get out of all this?"

        hear "I just want to help you however I can."

        ro "Why?"

        "Her eyes widened. The very question seemed to baffle her."

        hear "W-what do you mean? "

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What possible reason could you have to want to help me?"

        hear "Because… you deserve it?"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan blinked once. Twice. Of all the reasons the Fae could have given, he never would have expected that answer."

        #heartsong happy

        hear "So are we in agreement, then?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Maybe. Provisionally, if your information proves useful. I can’t promise how things will turn out with either Arzyl or Whitescar in that regard."
        ro "Things could get ugly in spite of my intervention."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "I would never ask you to make such a promise. Your word alone means more than I can say."

        "Rowan gestured with his hand to the white void in which they stood."

        ro "So this is to be our conference room, then? A place to plan strategy?"

        #heartsong happy

        "Heartsong giggled, her tail swishing in mischievous arcs behind her."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        hear "It’s a {i}dream{/i}, Rowan. It can be anything you want it to be."

        "Rowan considered the thought. He closed his eyes, concentrating on the memory of Bloodmeen Castle, of walking the walls at dusk."

        scene bg68 with pixellate
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        "To Rowans shock, when he opened his eyes, he was elsewhere, standing at the top of the gate wall. The sun was dying, the last rays of light peeking over the shattered hills that surrounded them."
        "Heartsong stood, side by side with him. Together they leaned against the crenellation, overlooking the castle."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong happy

        "She playfully nudged his shoulder."

        hear "You’re good at that."

        ro "Good at what?"

        hear "Manifesting your will on the dream. You can even overpower a Fae’s influence."

        #heartsong neutral

        hear "…There are things that I know that my father and Lady Arzyl will wish to keep from you. My people are secretive; we do not like to reveal ourselves to outsiders."

        ro "So I’ve learned firsthand."

        "Heartsong blushed, unable to meet his gaze."

        hear "I will tell you everything I know, in time… maybe you can find a path that doesn’t lead to bloodshed."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "How do we seal the deal, then? A spell, some kind of ritual-"

        #heartsong happy

        "Heartsong tried and failed to stifle another giggle."

        hear "I think the Elder may have read you a few too many bedtime stories about us. "

        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Heh. You would know, wouldn’t you? "

        "The mischievous glint returned to her yellow eyes. Heartsong let out a low, almost purring growl."

        hear "Would you prefer I swear an oath of loyalty to you, instead?"

        "There was a wavy, shivering feel in the air, and then everything changed again."

        scene bg6 with pixellate
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        "With a start he realized he was seated like a king atop the Throne of Bloodmeen."
        "Heartsong kneeled in supplication far below him at the foot of the dais. She looked up at him in expectant eagerness."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        menu:
            "Very well, proceed.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #cg 1
                "Heartsong settled her hands in front of her, and tilted her head up to look at him. Her smile grew wide, like a fond, old friend."
                hear "I swear by Sol and the spirit that binds us…"
                hear "To help and to serve you however I can, wherever I can, {i}whenever{/i} I can."
                hear "This I swear within the dragon’s dream, with faith that his slumbering ears will hear."
                hear "I will follow you, Rowan Blackwell, wherever you may lead me."
                "Her eyes held onto him for a long moment. A mischievous grin grew on her face."
                #cg1 - var
                #heartsong happy
                hear "Now, and forever."
                "She bowed her head low against the ground, supplicating herself completely."
                "Several beats passed as she knelt at his altar. There was a strange sort of power in looking down on her from this place."
                ro "All right, you’ve made your point."
                #cg 1
                "Heartsong lifted her head again, her tail wagging happily behind her as she beamed."
                hear "Just so!"
                jump dreamEndNurture_rp

            "A promise, remember? No oaths.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                hear "They are one and the same, Rowan. For a Fae, a promise is sacred."
                ro "Maybe. But to me there’s an important difference."
                ro "An oath is a verbal contract with no substance, as easy to break as anything else. But a promise implies trust."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Trust between two equals."
                hear "I… I only offered it to prove I’d never break my word to you."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "It’s a bad thing to break a promise…"
                "Rowan’s thoughts returned for a fleeting moment to that instant at Briarbridge, staring into the Elders eyes for the final time. Heartsongs gaze held to him now in much the same manner."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "But it’s a worse thing to let a promise break you. Some promises - when made for the right reasons - ought to be broken. And I'd rather you had the choice."
                hear "..."
                scene bg2 with pixellate
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                #heartsong happy
                show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
                "And just like that, they were back at Rowan’s dinner table, sitting face to face."
                hear "I promise to help you, Rowan. However I can."
                ro "And I promise to help {i}you{/i}, Heartsong. However I can."
                "She smiled at him, and he smiled back."
                jump dreamEndNurture_rp

    label dreamEndNurture_rp:

        if earlyEnd:
            # Replay mod: We skipped. Load the scene.
            scene bg2 with pixellate
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        #heartsong concerned

        hear "…I wish this dream didn’t have to end so soon. It’s been a joy to talk to you."

        ro "The dream is ending?"

        #heartsong neutral

        "Heartsong nodded, casting a glance around her. It was only then that Rowan noticed that the world was beginning to blur."

        hear "You’re waking up."

        ro "So you’re leaving then."

        #heartsong happy

        "The Fae flashed him a coy grin."

        hear "For now."

        scene black with pixellate
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong happy
        show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        "She shyly offered Rowan her hand."

        hear "Would you… like me to show you the way back?"

        "There was something specific in the offer of her outstretched hand. Something unspoken; a teasing fondness in her eyes."
        "Taking her hand would be making an entirely different kind of promise to her."

        menu:
            "He took Heartsong’s hand, and felt his heartbeat quicken. (Scene 1)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "He took her slender hand in his, feeling the warmth of an unspoken connection."
                ro "I would like that."
                "She beamed, gently pulling him along with her."
                hear "Then, follow me."
                "She led him by the hand to the edge of black nothingness, to the shore of a colorless pool almost indiscernible from the rest of the dream."
                #heartsong neutral
                "They stood there, hand in hand, staring into the abyss. At the very bottom of that nothingness, Rowan could just make out two windows of light."
                hear "…Are you ready to wake up?"
                ro "Yes."
                hear "Then on three."
                #heartsong happy
                hear "One… two- {i}hup{/i}!"
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                ro "{i}Gah!{/i}"
                show cg1382 with dissolve
                pause 0.08
                show cg1383 with flash
                pause 0.08
                show cg1384 with dissolve
                pause 0.08
                show cg1385 with dissolve
                pause 1.2
                show cg1386 with dissolve
                pause 1.2
                show cg1387 with dissolve
                pause 1.2
                show cg1388 with flash
                pause 3
                "The playful fox leapt a second too early, catching Rowan off-guard and dragging him down after her. He felt the sensation of falling, but it was as if they were moving in slow motion."
                "Together, the two plummeted towards the pair of peeking windows, opening up to bright light."
                "Heartsong laughed as she looked back at him, her yellow eyes gleaming with mischief. "
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "That was a dirty trick."
                hear "Hehe! You’re fun to tease."
                "He felt her hand squeeze his own, Heartsong’s expression softened. She leaned her face to his, and for a moment he thought-"
                "Her lips brushed across his cheek. She pulled back, flashing a glimpse of her canines as she smiled at him."
                hear "…Goodbye for now, {i}Ahmreval{/i}."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "What does “Ahmreval” mea-"
                scene bg9 with pixellate
                show rowan necklace neutral behind bg9
                ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"
                "Rowan’s head hit the pillow as if he’d just landed from a fall. He sat up in a rush, his heart pounding out of his chest as an image of the Fae’s last expression flashed through his mind."
                "He tried to calm his thudding heartbeat, but it only seemed to quicken at the thought of her. Rowan’s hand went to his cheek."
                "After a moment of reflection, he let out a small laugh."
                hide rowan
                show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve
                ro "Goddess, what have I gotten myself into?"
                $ heartsongSex = True
                $ heartsongNurture += 1

            "He politely declined the offer.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan gently waved her off."
                ro "I think I can find my own way back."
                "If she was insulted by the rejection, she did not show it. Heartsong’s smile only broadened at the statement."
                hear "Yes, just so. Then until we meet again, Rowan."
                #heartsong neutral
                "Now even Heartsong herself began to blur. She moved to turn away, but paused for a brief moment to look back at him."
                hear "…He was right to love you, you know? Whatever came after."
                ro "Who?"
                "The only thing left that he could see were a pair of curious yellow eyes, watching him in the darkness."
                hear "You know who."
                scene bg9 with pixellate
                show rowan necklace naked at center with dissolve
                "Rowan’s eyes peeked open, taking in the sight of the warm morning sun rising through his window. He laid there for a moment, listening to the sound of birds tittering in the distance."
                "For the first time in what felt like years, he awoke with a smile on his face."
                $ heartsongSex = False
                $ heartsongNurture += 1

        return

    label heartsongControl_rp:

        "So the little stowaway wanted to play games with him? Fine. He’d play games."

        menu:
            "Try making the ‘Elder’ think he’s going senile.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Ah forgive me, Elder, just a poor joke on my part. What were we talking about?"
                el "Your time in the war."
                #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "But… Elder, that was so long ago. It’s been over thirty years since we defeated Karnas!"
                "Rowan concentrated, {i}willing{/i} the fake Elder to remember it as such. The Elder blinked in surprise, but seemed unfazed by the news."
                el "{i}Thirty years{/i}! My, but you haven’t aged a day."
                show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I eat my vegetables."
                "The Elder nodded sagely, as if Rowan had just uttered a wise truism."
                el "Yes, yes. Good. I always knew you were a good boy."
                ro "By the way, you’ve met Helayna, haven’t you?"
                el "That charming young noblewoman? Of course, I recall you training her not long after you returned home from the war. That was…"
                ro "Today, actually."
                el "{i}Today{/i}? But… wasn’t that nearly thirty years ago, now?"
                #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…What are you talking about, Elder? I’ve been home only a few months. This is the first time I agreed to train her."
                "Rowan concentrated once more, and hid a smirk as he watched the Fae completely switch gears."
                el "I— you’re right! Goddess, what’s gotten into me, today?"
                ro "Are you all right? Maybe you should sit down."
                el "I… no, I’m quite all right my child. Just a little out of sorts, I guess."
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "If you say so…"

            "Try changing the scenery and see if he notices.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "My apologies Elder, this is all a bit difficult to talk about."
                el "Ah, of course my boy, I did not intend to impose."
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Say, isn’t the sky a bit… green, today?"
                el "Green, you say?"
                "Rowan concentrated, imagining the fanciful scenario in his head. A world where the sun was the color of a lime."
                scene bg69 with pixellate
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show village elder happy at midright with dissolve
                "His eyes peeked open to see midday on a lime green world."
                el "…No more than usual, I suppose."

            "Try giving the Elder a phobia he never had.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Say Elder, I know it’s a bit of a change in subject, but do you know it’s ladybug season?"
                el "I— well, I suppose it is. Why bring it up though, my child?"
                ro "Didn’t you tell me once you were deathly afraid of ladybugs?"
                "The old man crinkled his brow, as if struggling to remember his own opinion on the subject."
                el "I… I did? That doesn't sound right."
                "Rowan concentrated, {i}willing{/i} the Elder to feel the terror of the little red bug. He gestured towards the Elder."
                ro "You’ve uh… got one on your sleeve."
                show village elder at edgeright with moveoutright
                "The Elder let out a startled yelp and leapt back with a grace and speed he’d never truly had in life. Rowan smirked."
                el "THRICE DAMNED CRITTERS! S-solansia preserve me, get it off! {i}Get. It. Off{/i}!"
                "Rowan watched with increasing amusement as the old man struggled futilely to brush it off his arm."

        "So… he could control not only the dream, but the Fae’s {i}perception{/i} within the dream. Interesting."
        "It was high time he put this trickster Fae in her place. And he knew just the memory to do it."
        "The best way to teach a lesson, after all, was to use one he’d already taught to someone else."

        ro "-I suppose we should be stopping soon, we’re nearly at the spot I chose."

        el "W-what-"
        el "What do you mean?"

        "Rowan - now confident in what he was doing - closed his eyes and concentrated on the image in his head. The world around them turned to putty."

        scene bg43 with pixellate
        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show village elder happy at midright with dissolve

        "And just like that, they were on the outskirts of Arthdale, standing together at the base of a set of high hills that loomed over the landscape."

        show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Just the sight of it brought a wistful smile to Rowan’s face. A happy memory of a simpler time."

        ro "{i}Now{/i} do you remember what we were doing?"

        "The Fae cast a concerned gaze across the landscape. The Elder’s gnarled hands worried at his walking staff with a most uncharacteristic nervousness."

        el "I… I don’t believe we ever visited this place together, Rowan."

        ro "No, this is the first time."
        ro "But then, we’ve only just recently been fully acquainted, you and I."
        ro "Haven’t we, Helayna?"

        hide village elder with pixellate
        show helayna neutral at midright with pixellate

        "He blinked, and suddenly he was staring at his young pupil. Fiery eyed and eager for his instruction."
        "Rowan gestured to the looming hill in front of him, at the foot of which sat a pair of laden traveling packs. Without hesitation, Rowan stooped low and picked up his. But Helayana stood in place, staring down at it."

        ro "…You know how to carry your own equipment, my Lady? Unless you’re more used to having your gear {i}carried{/i} for you?"

        show helayna happy at midright with dissolve

        "Helayna - after a half-seconds pause - huffed and swept her fire red bangs to the side."

        hel "Of course, I can! It’s just lugging around whatever equipment we need right, right? I’d just believed that we’d start by focusing on- "

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "We’ll start by focusing on the things that are important for you to know. Knight or not, you can’t expect your squire to haul your baggage around all the time like he was your own, personal porter."

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "War is an equal burden to everyone in an army. It forgives neither laziness nor vanity.  You can always tell the real knights from the nobles in metal dress-up by how they adapt to that fact."

        hel "Surely, that’s not always the case though, right? Brother talked about the baggage trains that accompany the army."

        ro "They’re not always around for you. Sometimes on a forced march - and especially during a retreat - everyone from the highest lord to the lowest peasant is expected to carry their weight."
        ro "Today, we’re part of that retreating army, we need to get up that hill before the Orcs can catch us."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        "The dream-Helayna looked down at her expensive armour set then back up at Rowan."

        hel "Sir, have you considered that I’m wearing {i}plate armour{/i}? Would it not be better if I changed into a tunic?"

        show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Leave it on. It should help you work up a good sweat."

        "Rowan scooped up both stuffed packs, slinging his own over his shoulder. He turned and offered the spare to the headstrong knight, his arm shaking with the effort."

        show helayna happy at midright with dissolve

        hel "If this is what it takes to be a proper knight… then okay! Thank you for instructing me, Sir."

        "There was a great big smile on her freckled face as she accepted the pack. She threw it over her shoulder with a brash cavalierness that Rowan had not expected. Back then, it had charmed Rowan… just a little bit. "

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Meanwhile, his stowaway continued to play her part in the modified dream accurately. The Fae had no idea he’d even changed anything in the dream. As far as she was aware, she’d always been Helayna."
        "Useful information. Rowan was just beginning to scratch the surface of things."
        "They began their ascent."

        #cg1

        "Rowan remembered the climb well: a jagged, winding slope that zig-zagged onerously up and around the steep hillside. Rowan used to run it every few days after his return from the war, to keep his stamina up."
        "But {i}this{/i} hill was different. Rowan had reached deep into his memory, to the first time he’d ever ascended the imposing incline as a youth. By the end it had felt like he was dragging his own legs up the hillside by hand, step by agonizing step."
        "He projected that feeling now onto his companion, making the climb just a bit steeper, her armor and pack just a bit heavier. Her straining shoulders sagged under the weight of it."
        "She was panting before they’d gotten a quarter of the way up."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        hel "Goddess, the sun's out something fierce today, isn’t it?"

        ro "Need a break?"

        hel "No, Sir. {i}Huff{/i}. I am totally fine to continue. Just watch me!"

        "She was lying. But he’d admired her gumption. This was no fat, contented nobleman happy to sit on his horse while the levies force-marched for twelve hours. This was a {i}warrior{/i}."
        "…At least, the real Helayna was. It was time to test the pretender’s mettle. Rowan broke out into a jog."

        ro "Come on: up the hill, double-time."

        show helayna shocked at midright with dissolve

        "He cast a brief glance over his shoulder at the strained warrior. She gave him a very un-Helayna like look of incredulity before forcing herself to match his pace. The smallest of flaws in her recreation."

        scene bg43 with dissolve
        show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve
        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        "After a half hour of grueling hiking beneath the summer sun, they’d reached the summit of the hill."

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        hel "{i}Hah… hah…{/i} m-made it! See? I told you I could handle your training, Sir!"

        "Despite her bold words, his pupil was doubled over at the waist, her hands holding to her knees to keep herself upright as she fought to catch her breath. "

        ro "You’re half-right at least: you made it to the training ground. Now we can {i}actually{/i} start your training."

        show helayna shocked at midright with dissolve

        hel "Huh-"

        "Helayna gaped at the fencing circle Rowan had led them to, a flat piece of ground that had been cleared of rocks and debris. Two wooden practice swords sat nearby, propped against a small boulder. Rowan dropped his pack and strode over to them."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        ro "We completed the forced march, our army is on better ground."
        ro "-But Orcs are notorious for their stamina and relentlessness, we couldn’t get {i}everyone{/i} out in time."
        ro "A vanguard force pursued us up the hill, and now you’re in the rear guard."

        "Rowan tossed her one of the wooden swords, but she fumbled with it and it fell into the dirt."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Interesting… the real Helayna had caught it. The Fae could play a good part, but was not necessarily identical to those she imitated."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You’ve got to be quicker on your feet. A mistake like that in combat could cost you everything."
            ro "Now raise your sword: the training starts now."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            "He felt a momentary rush of annoyance at her clumsiness. Helayna never made that kind of mistake."
            ro "Unacceptable. You do that in a situation like this and you’re the first one they’ll gut."
            ro "Time to fight for your life."

        else:
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
            "His brow lowered… the real Helayna had caught it. He raised his own practice sword as she scrambled to retrieve her own."
            ro "Take your time. It's only a {i}battle{/i}, after all."
            ro "Now come on: defend yourself. "

        hel "{i}Now{/i}?!"

        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Wars aren't duels. You don't fight in courtyards with refreshments and servants at the side."

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Count yourself lucky you managed to find some level ground to face the Orc. Oftentimes, that won’t be the case."
        ro "…Think fast."

        "Rowan attacked, swiping at her face with the tip of his sword. She only just managed to stagger out of the way and avoid a painful bruise."

        hel "{i}Ah!{/i}"

        "He advanced on her, keeping his guard up while replicating an Orc’s relentless aggression. Helayna just had time to drop her pack and raise her sword before he was upon her."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing

        "If the hike had spotlighted the subtle differences between the real Helayana and the fake one, the fight itself was night and day."
        "The real Helayna had - after a moment’s hesitation - {i}thrown{/i} herself into the conflict, trading verbal barbs with Rowan even as he battered at her defenses."
        "Not once did she complain, eager to prove herself to her would-be mentor. She had ultimately lost, yes… but she had also earned his respect in the process."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Here, it was different. Rowan found himself holding back his attacks, immediately aware of just how outmatched this ‘Helayna’ was to him."
            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Your guard’s weak. Lift your shoulders."
            hel "I-I’m {i}trying{/i}!"
            ro "Then try harder. This is a matter of life or death."
            #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "Here, it was different. Rowan batted her around the arena like a parent toying with their child during a stick fight."
            ro "Your guard’s weak. Lift your shoulders."
            hel "I-I’m {i}trying{/i}!"
            "Rowan hit a glancing blow to her shoulder in response, nearly knocking the blade from her hand from the reverberation. She squeaked in surprise and pain."
            ro "I said do {i}it{/i}."

        else:
            "Here, it was different. Rowan easily outmaneuvered her, only just stopping from landing critical blows on her person by holding back at the last instant."
            ro "Your guard’s weak. Lift your shoulders."
            hel "I-I’m {i}trying{/i}!"
            ro "“Trying” makes corpses. Just do it."

        "The Fae struggled to comply, thrown off balance by the recent exertion and her own, faltering stance."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing

        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "There were many things one could learn about a person simply by watching them fight. Whoever this imposter was, she wasn’t a fighter… not a killer, either."
        "When Rowan advanced on her, she retreated. When he aggressed, she buckled under the pressure. The two separated after another brief clash of swords."

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        hel "T-that… {i}hah{/i}…"
        hel "That’s nothing. Isn’t this supposed to be… supposed to be a test, Sir?"

        "When Helayna had first said those words to him, it had come with {i}far{/i} more strength and bravado. Here, it sounded merely pitiful."

        ro "I thought I told you to keep your shoulders squared."
        ro "At this rate, you’ll be run over by the first Orc you encounter. Where’s your stamina?"

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Do it again."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        "Something changed in the Fae’s expression, a growing realization of the position he’d put her in. It was getting harder and harder for her to maintain the ruse."

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Helayna put a hand to her head, seeming to concentrate on something. When she removed it, a light was in her eyes."

        #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "She stepped forward, brandishing her sword in an artful replication of a knightly flourish. Rowan watched as Helayna, unbidden, advanced on him."
        "She sliced downward at him, putting her weight into the sword as she held it in both hands. Aggressive, but formulaic. Rowan avoided it with ease."
        "She blocked his counter thrust, parrying his wooden blade with the practiced ease of a trained warrior. Her breathing was steady, her stance perfect in its precision."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing
        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
        show helayna happy at midright with dissolve

        "The Fae had cheated; the hike meant nothing to her now. She allowed a small, mischievous smile to spread across Helayna’s face."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "…But that would have defeated the purpose of the lesson. Rowan wasn’t here to fight Helayna, he was here to break through to the pretender."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            "…No, he couldn’t have that. Rowan wasn’t here to fight Helayna, he was here to assert his dominance."

        else:
            "…That wouldn’t do at all. Rowan wasn’t here to fight Helayna, he was here to put a stop to the Fae’s trickery."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        "He concentrated, {i}willing{/i} her to feel that crippling fatigue, the bane of all combatants. Suddenly Helayna’s arms dropped, trembling from the weight of holding her wooden sword."

        show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve

        "The Fae couldn’t cheat her way out of this one. He’d made sure of it."

        hel "H-how did you- "

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan leapt forward, thrusting at her eyes with his sword. She gasped and fell backwards, collapsing in a heap on the ground."
        "Rowan planted the tip of his wooden blade gently against the chest of her armour. He gave her a long, meaningful look."

        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "...Again."

        "He turned away, moving to the opposite end of the arena. Helayna struggled to her feet and quietly retrieved her sword. After a moment’s silence, they engaged once more."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing
        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "Your stance is too narrow, you look like a pinprick. I could trip you up without even having to open my guard."

        hel "I’ve got this."

        ro "Do you?"

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "You’ve been shadowing me all this time, and yet I don’t even know your name."

        show helayna shocked at midright with dissolve

        hel "Wha-"

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing

        "{i}Thwack{/i}! Rowans weapon collided with her sword hand, striking the fingers hard enough to cause her to yelp in pain. She dropped her sword."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Your hands are one of your most vital areas. You need to protect them better."
            ro "Come on: pick up your sword."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "Had I chosen to, I could have broken your knuckle. Imagine what would have happened to you had that been a {i}real{/i} sword."
            ro "Now, pick it up."

        else:
            ro "You just lost three fingers and the use of your right hand. Pick up your sword."

        ro "Again."

        "She did so, arm quavering as she looked at him with fear."

        ro "What’s your name? Your real one."

        $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"

        hel "It’s… Heartsong."

        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Better. Now: widen your stance, you’re still standing like a pinprick."

        "She jumped to comply, spreading her legs as she held the trembling sword in her unsteady grasp."

        ro "Why did you bring me here?"

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        hel "I… {i}hah{/i}, I-I wanted to ask for your help."

        "Heartsong took a halfhearted swipe at his center of mass. Rowan smoothly sidestepped it."

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "For someone who “needs my help,” I’m doing an awful lot of chasing."

        "The thing pretending to be Helayna blushed."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        hel "I… I-I didn’t know how else to approach you."

        ro "Ideally by using better footwork than {i}that{/i} sloppy mess. Again."

        "They circled each other, watching for any hint of movement. The tenseness between them left the false Helayna shivering in anticipation."

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…What do the Fae want with me, that they keep sending you into my dreams?"

        hel "No one knows I’m here. I came of my own volition."

        ro "Then what do {i}you{/i} want with me?"

        hel "To help you."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing

        "She tried a feint on the right side of his guard, but he merely caught the edge of her blade and turned it, completely throwing her off balance."
        "Her sword fell with a dull thud onto the dirt in front of them. Rowan tilted his sword so the tip rested beneath her chin."

        ro "…Again."

        "Rowan noted a growing awareness of {i}eagerness{/i} in the Fae’s reactions. The way she stood at attention when he spoke, the speed with which she complied with his orders."
        "They resumed their fighting stances, Heartsong looking far worse for wear."

        ro "Why exactly might I want your help?"

        hel "I-I know my people… and you need information."

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "Information about the Fae?"

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "-Implying that I plan to bother with your kind at all."

        else:
            ro "What use would I have for the Fae’s secrets?"

        hel "You were there in the throne room, you saw my father and auntie- er, {i}Lady{/i} Arzyl argue."

        ro "Politics. The world is rife with it."

        #Fx/animation of swords clashing

        "Heartsong only just blocked a sword swing aimed for her shoulder; she took a faltering step backward as he advanced."

        hel "{i}Please{/i}, Rowan. Because of them, my people are on the verge of a civil war."

        #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve

        "Rowan responded by attacking again, driving her back to the edge of the hillside. She gave ground, always backing up."

        hel "Queen Kassandra is all that keeps the peace between them, a-and even then, only just."

        ro "-So you’re looking to poach me for your chosen side? Is that it?"

        show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

        hel "I-I just want peace. I’m on nobody’s side."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "An admirable goal, but you should be careful who you traffic with."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "Take it from someone who understands what it is you’re asking for: peace is an illusion."

        else:
            ro "Fence sitting never helped anyone."

        "She tried to dart to the side to avoid being pinned against the hilltop. Rowan caught her sword with his, and with a flick of his wrist disarmed her."
        "The weapon went sailing across the arena and landed on the ground with a puff of dirt. He pointed to it, stepping aside so she was no longer cornered."

        ro "Pick it up."

        "Breathless, she nonetheless dutifully marched over and retrieved her weapon. Heartsong turned to face him, and waited for his next command."

        ro "…Raise your sword."

        "She raised her sword. She didn’t have the killer instinct, but she would obey orders. Rowan took careful note."

        ro "What exactly are you proposing here? An alliance? A secret deal?"

        hel "A promise. My help, and your trust in dealing with the Fae together."

        "They clashed once more, and again Rowan disarmed her with ease. She no longer needed to be told to retrieve her weapon for the next bout."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "All due respect, I’m hardly in a place to adjudicate your people’s problems."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "What’s in it for me? I’m hearing a whole lot of words about how I can help {i}you{/i}."

        else:
            ro "A deal like that seems weighted in your favour."

        hel "I wouldn’t have come to you if I didn’t think we had something to offer."
        hel "My people are slow to trust, but we are {i}fierce{/i} allies. You have seen the ease with which we traverse the leylines, and we know many paths the Twins do not-"

        #show helayna concerned at midright with dissolve

        "This time Rowan did not bother with the pretense. Ignoring her weapon entirely, he stepped between her legs, sweeping her feet and bringing her down into a heap on the ground with the back of his elbow. He planted his sword on her heaving chest."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            ro "…It seems the lesson is over."
            ro "You did quite well for a novice, but Helayna was not a novice."
            ro "It’s over, drop the persona and let me see your true self."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
            ro "…You make a poor Helayna."
            "She averted her gaze from him, chewing fretfully on her lower lip. He’d struck a nerve."
            ro "Enough pretend. I know all I need to about you, now."
            "Rowan dug the blade just a little deeper into her armour."
            ro "Drop the act, lest I turn this wooden sword into a real one."

        else:
            ro "Sloppy. You need practice: Helayna wouldn’t have made those kinds of mistakes."
            "She averted her gaze from him, chewing fretfully on her lower lip. He’d struck a nerve."
            ro "Enough pretend. I think I’ve got the measure of you."
            ro "Show yourself."

        hide helayna
        #heartsong sad
        show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate

        "In the space of a blink, he was looking at the same white haired creature from before. The Fae - though fully clothed - looked almost naked without a persona to hide behind."
        "He made a point to stare her down. Her ears pulled back, and she wilted under his measured gaze."

        hear "H-here…"

        #heartsong neutral

        jump heartsong_first_visit_scene2_skip_rp

        label heartsong_first_visit_scene2_skip_rp:

            if earlyEnd:
                # replay mod: We skipped, load the scene.
                scene bg43 with dissolve
                show heartsong neutral at midright with pixellate
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

            hear "Here I am."

            "Rowan leaned down close to her face. Her breath hitched as she returned a wide eyed stare."

            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "May we finally talk like adults, now? I’m getting a bit exhausted with all these memories you keep dredging up."
                hear "Y-yes, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to-"
                ro "It’s fine. But let’s stop pretending, hm?"

            else:
                ro "Are you going to try this little stunt with me again? Pulling me into old memories and pretending I won’t notice?"
                #heartsong sad
                hear "N-no! I promise."
                ro "Good"
                #heartsong neutral

            "Rowan stepped off of her, dropping his sword and walking over to his discarded pack. Despite the fact that this was a dream, he felt parched."
            "Heartsong remained where she was in the dirt, watching him as he drew a water skin and took a long gulp from it. It tasted fresh and clear. He looked at the leather of the skin, felt its firmness in his hands."

            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "…This dream is remarkable. "
                hear "You have a powerful will, Rowan. It gives you incredible latitude whenever someone like me visits your dream grove."
                #show rowan intro angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "And just who is “someone like you?”"
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro " Why approach me at all? What do {i}you{/i} get out of all this?"

            elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                ro "…You’re not wrong, the Fae could prove quite useful. But they are an unknown quantity. You included."
                hear "I’ll do whatever it takes to prove myself to you."
                ro "You can start by telling me why you approached me at all. What do you get out of all this?"
                #heartsong sad
                hear "W-we can help each oth-"
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I don’t believe you."
                hear "..."
                ro "Why are you here?"
                hear "I..."
                #heartsong neutral

            else:
                ro "…Fresh from the stream. I can feel its coolness going down my throat."
                hear "You have a powerful will, Rowan. It gives you incredible latitude whenever someone like me visits your dream grove."
                ro "And just who is “someone like you?”"
                hear "I’m… nobody. "
                show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "For someone who is “nobody,” you certainly love your personas."
                #heartsong sad
                hear "T-that-"
                #heartsong neutral
                hear "I-I’m sorry, I’m just not good with talking face to face."
                ro "You can start by telling me why you approached me at all. What do you get out of all this?"

            hear "I just want to help you."

            ro "Why?"

            hear "Because you’re the most fascinating being I’ve ever encountered."

            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

            "Rowan blinked. Well {i}that{/i} was a new one."

            ro "And this… ‘fascination’ led you to want my help?"

            hear "I don’t know where else to turn, Rowan. My kind are on the verge of the abyss… but I’m just a nobody, a {i}recluse{/i}."

            ro "What does any of this have to do with the Fae threatening the Twins over the use of the leylines?"

            #heartsong sad

            "Heartsong’s ears pulled back against her head."

            hear "…Why do you think there are {i}two{/i} ambassadors currently representing one people? They have different visions of what that might mean."

            #heartsong neutral

            "She lifted her head, staring at him with her strikingly yellow eyes. A look of firm resolution crossed her normally timid expression."

            hear "You are Rowan Blackwell. The Saviour of Karst; Hero of Rosaria. "
            hear "You have faced down horrors and overcome challenges that would have destroyed almost anyone else a thousand times over."
            hear "If {i}anyone{/i} can find a way to solve this conflict, it’d be you."

            show rowan intro neutral at midleft with dissolve

            ro "…Just how long have you been watching me?"

            hear "L-long enough to know that you have been alone with your burdens, for a very long time."
            hear " I… I-I guess when I approached you, I also wanted you to know that someone was watching. S-someone who-"

            #heartsong sad

            hear "Cared."

            #show rowan intro concerned at midleft with dissolve

            ro "..."
            ro "…You really do trust me, don’t you?"

            #heartsong neutral

            hear "Of course I do! M-more than I trust {i}myself{/i}, to be honest."

            #heartsong happy

            hear "I’ve seen what you’ve endured- what you’re {i}still{/i} enduring. It’s… you’re amazing!"

            ro "..."

            "Rowan didn’t know what to make of her. If this was a game of some kind, then Heartsong was such a masterful player that he had no idea what her angle could possibly be."
            "The Fae was still breathless, panting from the “exertion” they’d both endured. He wondered if he had been a bit too effective at proving his point to her."
            "Rowan remembered how, after their grueling training, he and Helayna would go to the nearby pond to bathe the sweat and grime from their bodies."
            "He turned to look at Heartsong, whose yellow eyes met him with a curious sort of eagerness. She’d been staring at him this whole time."
            "He knew what that longing look meant."

            menu:
                "“You know, Helayna would often bathe in the pond after a training session. (Scene 2)”":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #heartsong neutral
                    hear "Yes. She would. It… {i}hah{/i}… it was refreshing for you as well, as I r-recall."
                    ro "Perhaps. But that’s not why I’m mentioning it."
                    "Rowan stared at her. The Fae’s eyes widened, her face flushing hot."
                    #heartsong happy
                    hear "O-{i}oh{/i}! Yes, of course she did. A-and you were there, too."
                    ro "Shall we finish what we started with the workout?"
                    #heartsong aroused
                    "The Fae, blush deepened. She shyly glanced away."
                    hear "I… would like that very much."
                    "Rowan closed his eyes, concentrating on the memory of the fresh pond, cool and soothing. He recalled a chill breeze brushing across his face as he stood at its banks."
                    scene bg3 with pixellate
                    show rowan intro happy at midleft with dissolve
                    #heartsong aroused
                    show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "…And just like that, they were elsewhere."
                    "Rowan had always been careful to respect Helayna’s privacy, standing well off into the woods with his back to a tree, calmly waiting his turn once she was finished."
                    if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
                        "In hindsight, some small part of him wondered if Helayna had ever peeked on him while bathing. It brought a wry smile to his face."
                    "Here though, he changed the character of the memory, willing it so that the two of them stood side by side at the water’s edge. The Fae shot him a worried look."
                    #heartsong neutral
                    hear "A-am I not supposed to be Helayn-"
                    ro "Pretend to be her, if you wish. I thought you looked prettier as you are."
                    #heartsong aroused
                    "The Fae said nothing, staring at her toes. Rowan chuckled and began to disrobe."
                    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
                    "He strode into the pond, taking careful note at the way she stared at his exposed back as he did so. The pond was shallow, only going up to his chest at its deepest point. He waded out to a point where the water was roughly at his ankles, then sat down."
                    "Heedless, he began to wash himself, wiping the sweat and grime from his skin as he felt the Fae’s eyes at his back."
                    "He ignored it, making a point to dunk his head and wash his face clean."
                    "Minutes passed. Seeing that she was stuck in place, he turned around to face her."
                    ro "You know, typically one {i}undresses{/i} before getting in the water."
                    "The blushing Fae paused at the waters edge. She could barely meet his eyes, much less look at the full display of his nakedness."
                    hear "A-ah! Just so, Rowan. S-sorry, I-"
                    "Her hands reached up in a rush to peel out of her clothing. But it was hurried; she was nervous. More a task to complete than something to savour."
                    "…Perhaps she would be better suited in relishing the experience."
                    menu:
                        "Imagine a Heartsong who might {i}enjoy{/i} a little undressing. (Scene 2)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            scene cg1375 with fade
                            pause 3
                            show rowan intro happy behind cg1375
                            #heartsong naked
                            show heartsong neutral behind cg1375
                            "Rowan concentrated, picturing a perverse thrill running up Heartsong’s spine at the thought of disrobing in front of him."
                            "A voyeuristic terror, the fear of being seen, the heat that would gather in her stomach and her chest at the thought of {i}him{/i} looking at her. Exposed and naked to his hungry gaze."
                            "Heartsong’s fingers paused at the sleeve of her frilly outfit. Her eyes dilated; a look of bashful contemplation crossed her face."
                            "She was going too fast, and she knew it. She had to slow it down, let him see all of her, piece by piece."
                            "Heartsong’s hands withdrew, sliding down the length of her body. Her claws traced the length of her midsection, ran along the hemline of her skirt."
                            "She bent forward, giving Rowan the briefest glimpse of her pale cleavage, before standing straight again and turning to one side, cupping the one side of her face still visible with her hand in embarrassment."
                            "As if she could really hide the burning color of her cheeks."
                            ro "…Afraid I’ll see something I won’t like?"
                            "Heartsong’s blush deepened. She sheepishly withdrew her hand, squaring her shoulders. It would have been a more impressive display were she actually able to meet his eyes."
                            ro "Maybe start with your top."
                            "Heartsong looked almost grateful for the direction."
                            hear "Y-yeah…"
                            "She took a breath to steady herself, reaching up to tug gently at the bow keeping her top in place."
                            "Rowan smirked in approval, leaning back into the water as he watched, affecting an air of teasing nonchalance."
                            "It was worse for her to be looked at in that manner than if he’d simply leered at her like a piece of meat. She shuddered at the ease with which he took in the sight of her impending nakedness."
                            "Her top popped open, and the Fae’s breath hitched. Heartsong’s pale breasts released from their prison, the ribbons of her top fluttering to the ground."
                            "Heartsong’s breasts were modest handfuls, her perky nipples and pink areolae standing in sharp contrast to the pale, milky color of her skin."
                            "She looked up at him with a mixed expression: lust and fear warring in her eyes as she waited with bated breath for a response."
                            ro "You like this, don’t you?"
                            hear "My heart is pumping out of my chest. I feel like I-I’m about to panic, but-"
                            ro "…But?"
                            hear "I… I think I like it."
                            hear "Is this… good for you? I-I can stop if you think I should-"
                            ro "Do you {i}want{/i} to stop?"
                            "Heartsong considered the idea for the briefest of moments, then shook her head firmly."
                            hear "I think if I stopped now, with you {i}right{/i} here in front of me, I-I’d go crazy."
                            ro "Then don’t stop."
                            "Her face flushed cherry red, but she nodded. Trembling hands reached up and undid the straps of her sleeves."
                            "She pulled one down, then another, exposing her slim arms and slender shoulders in all their graceful splendor."
                            "She was now naked from the waist up. Heartsong scrunched her shoulders in embarrassment, plumping her chest together as she chewed her lip."
                            ro "You’re halfway there."
                            "The Fae’s breathing quickened, her chest rising and falling as she squirmed beneath his knowing gaze."
                            "Her hands slid with delicate slowness down the length of her body, settling on her waistline. Her skirt concealed the last vestige of her dignity. She had only just to tug on it, and…"
                            "Heartsong hooked her claws beneath her sash, gently peeling it off her hips. The fabric slid with agonizing slowness down her thighs, past her knees, before dropping with a weightless sort of flutter to the ground."
                            show cg1376 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show cg1377 with dissolve
                            pause 3
                            "Rowan watched as she exposed first her thighs, then her legs, then as she straightened to step free of her clothing, that feminine divot leading to her groin."
                            "Now properly nude, she padded out into the water, walking with halting footsteps out to the same depth as Rowan. She paused a few feet away."
                            "Heartsong’s ears pulled back against her head, and she looked downwards, shyly hiding her eyes behind her scruff of white hair."
                            "She straightened, standing rigid in the pond like some glimmering nymph sent to tempt him. The thought made Rowan hard."
                            ro "That wasn’t so difficult, was it?"
                            "He smiled at her, and her whole body flushed. Heartsong’s tail wagged happily behind her, though her ears remained pulled back flat against her head."
                            hear "Do you… like seeing me naked?"
                            ro "I do."
                            "Heartsong smiled at that, lips quivering with a sort of nervous excitement. She peeked at him from beneath her white bangs."
                            hear "…I like you seeing me naked, too."
                            $ heartsongExhibitionist = True

                        "Let her figure it out herself.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            scene cg1376 with fade
                            pause 3
                            show rowan intro happy behind cg1376
                            #heartsong naked
                            show heartsong neutral behind cg1376
                            "…Better to let things be. She seemed nervous enough as it was."
                            "Rowan watched as she undressed at the shoreline, first removing her sleeves and carefully setting them on the ground, then hesitating."
                            hear "Could you…?"
                            hear "I’m… h-having a bit of trouble, uh-"
                            "Rowan smirked as he realized the problem: she was squeamish about being watched."
                            ro "I’ll close my eyes, then."
                            "He heard the sound of rustling clothing, and then a gentle splash. He waited patiently as the footsteps drew nearer, then paused."
                            hear "Um… you can-"
                            "Rowan opened his eyes, and was greeted with the sight of a naked Heartsong."
                            #cg1 - var 1
                            "She was beautiful. Wild and exotic, like some Fae maiden of legend. She’d have looked like a seductive courtesan, were her body language not so timidly uncertain."
                            "Heartsong fidgeted under his gaze."
                            hear "H-here I am."
                            ro "…Here you are."

                    "Rowan beckoned with a hand, gesturing to her."
                    ro "Will you join me?"
                    "He patted the surface of the water next to him, quirking an eyebrow as he shot her a look that said everything."
                    "A pause, an intake of breath. The Fae seemed to be steeling herself for something. Then, without preemption Heartsong sat down."
                    "She scootched over a little closer, settling down in the shallow water next to him with a timid lightness, as if ready to bolt at a moment's notice."
                    ro "Here, lean against me."
                    "Heartsong acquiesced, averting her eyes as they began to wander a little too greedily."
                    "She ran a hand through her thick, luxurious hair as she focused on a particularly {i}fascinating{/i} looking tree out on the shoreline in the opposite direction of Rowan."
                    hear "I- ah, I m-may have peeked once or twice at you when, um-"
                    hear "Y-you are a very accomplished lover."
                    "Rowan let out a huff of amusement. "
                    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                        "The way she admitted it… both ashamed and yet unashamedly honest. Fae were curious creatures, indeed."
                    elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
                        "The more time he spent around the little creature, the more she piqued his interest. Like a porcelain doll: so fragile, it might break."
                    else:
                        "Rowan couldn’t help but smile at her voyeuristic curiosity. Evidently her interest in him had been sparked by more than mere heroism."
                    ro "Given how persistent you’ve been with me thus far, there’s no point rushing into things."
                    "Rowan slipped an arm around her shoulder, pressing her tight against him. She squirmed and wriggled like an agitated cat, but did not shy away from his probing touch."
                    ro "Let’s start with something simple. Look at me."
                    "Heartsong turned her head to face him, and raised her eyes. Yellow like the sun, but colored with a worried, almost {i}fearful{/i} need."
                    ro "This is the easy part, you know. I haven’t even touched you, yet."
                    "She blushed, ears flattening to the back of her head."
                    ro "Are you… new at this?"
                    "Heartsong shook her head, her slender hand reaching up to rub gently at his pectoral. He felt her claws run lightly across his chest."
                    hear "I’ve uh… tried things in the past. Entered peoples memories when they were dreaming about... that."
                    hear "It feels {i}wonderful{/i}."
                    "Rowan chuckled, running his hand down her arm. She shuddered."
                    ro "Show me, then."
                    "Her eyes peeked downward, straying to what lurked beneath the still water. Rowan's erection poked up, waiting for her."
                    #cg2
                    scene cg1378 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1379 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    show rowan naked aroused behind cg1378
                    #heartsong naked aroused
                    show heartsong neutral behind cg1378
                    "Heartsong reached down beneath the water, her hand settling in his lap as she took hold of his manhood."
                    "Her grip was firm and steady as she began to stroke him. The sound of sloshing water could be heard as the Fae moved up and down, up and down his length."
                    "It was perfection. Just the right pace, with a careful, pumping action to milk his cock. Despite himself, Rowan let out a pleasured moan."
                    ro "…You {i}do{/i} know what you’re doing."
                    hear "I- know what you like."
                    "Heartsong's breathing shortened. Her touch grew more tender. The Fae inched closer to him, leaning flush against his body as her breasts brushed against his chest. She was practically in his lap."
                    "Heartsong ran her free hand down his stomach, her eyes alighting to the rough, masculine breathing he made as she jerked him off."
                    "She was good. {i}Damn{/i} good, better by far than any wet dream he’d ever had."
                    "Judging from the soft, breathy moans she made every so often, Heartsong seemed more than content pleasuring him like this."
                    "But… was that what he wanted? Rowan had already seen firsthand how he could manipulate her perception and mindset within this dreamscape."
                    "What if…"
                    menu:
                        "She felt the same pleasure he did, just by the act of pleasing him?":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Heartsong certainly seemed to be the type who would enjoy that sort of thing: she was already so eager to please."
                            "Rowan closed his eyes, focusing his attention on the slow tug of his dick in the Fae’s hands."
                            "He {i}willed{/i} her to imagine it, that thrill of watching another be pleasured by her efforts. Imagining what face Rowan might make when she touched him; what face he’d make when he came."
                            "Such {i}pleasure{/i} it would bring her to see him like that: to see him feel good."
                            "When Rowan opened his eyes again, Heartsong was staring intently at his face. She seemed to be concentrating in particular on his expression."
                            "Her pumping pace slowed, becoming a long, drawn out stroking. She palmed the head of his cock with her hand, running her fingernails gently up the sensitive length of his glans."
                            hear "…Can you feel that?"
                            "Rowan scrunched his stomach in an attempt to avoid cumming too soon, his face pulling taut with the effort."
                            ro "Yeah…"
                            "She smiled, flashing her canines as she let out a low, sexual purr. Her eyes lidded, her body relaxing against him in a careless possession of his personal space."
                            hear "Mmmh, you feel so {i}good{/i}, Rowan."
                            "Her thighs rubbed together, her voice taking on a breathless character. She was just as worked up as he was, and he hadn’t even touched her, yet."
                            $ heartsongOrgasmMirror = True

                        "She ‘discovered’ a newfound appreciation for dirty talk?":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "A creature as shy as she was added a depraved dimension to the idea. She could barely manage to talk to him {i}normally{/i}; the thought of her enduring lurid descriptions of her efforts was a delightful delicacy."
                            "Rowan closed his eyes, focusing his attention on the gentle flick of her ear as she stroked him."
                            "He {i}willed{/i} her to feel it, that sensitivity of sound to what she was doing. The moving of the water, the sound of his breath at her side."
                            "Wondering what would happen if he started {i}talking{/i} to her, in a heated moment like this. What would he say? What words would he use?"
                            ro "…Do you like stroking my cock?"
                            hear "…!"
                            "Her breath caught as she turned to look at him. Eyes wide at his frankness."
                            "He almost chuckled at her scandalized look. Rowan’s smile deepened."
                            ro "Do you like jerking me off, Heartsong?"
                            "She went beet red in the face, glancing away even as her pumping grew faster and more excited."
                            ro "Your hands feel so good around my dick."
                            ro "I love it when you look at me like that: like you want me to bend you over and fuck you till you scream."
                            "Heartsong let out a shuddering breath, as if picturing the image even as he painted it for her. She trembled, rubbing her thighs together even as the pace picked up on his prick."
                            $ heartsongDirtyTalk = True

                        "On second thought, best to leave her mind alone.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Rowan tilted his head back and simply let the pleasure wash over him. Heartsong’s hands were skillful to the point of omniscience. It was like she knew instinctively all his weak spots."
                            "She leaned her lips up to his ear, her breath a husky whisper in his ear."
                            hear "Do you like this?"
                            ro "…Would you stop immediately if I said “no?”"
                            hear "{i}Of course I would.{/i}"
                            "Rowan laughed at how earnestly she said it while still tugging at his cock. He tilted his head down to stare into her wide, yellow eyes."
                            ro "…Please don’t stop, Heartsong."
                            "He felt her grip tighten on him beneath the water, and she redoubled her efforts."

                    "They went on like that for a time, the only sound that could be heard was the sloshing of the water and the heated breathing shared between mortal and Fae."
                    "Rowan looked the pretty little Fae up and down, sizing up her assets. His eyes trailed especially to her wet breasts and the wetter place between her thighs."
                    if heartsongExhibitionist:
                        "She squirmed beneath his gaze, more embarrassed by his eyes than the sex act she was committing upon him."
                        hear "R-Rowan…."
                        hear "You… "
                        ro "You’re my favorite thing to focus on, right now."
                        "Heartsong could not contain her excitement any longer. The very thought that he was appraising her naked form made her tremble with desire."
                    if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
                        hear "I… I w-want to touch you, Rowan. Make you feel good."
                        "Rowan let out a deep, breathy chuckle. He pulled her against him, leaning up to her ear to whisper back."
                        ro "You already are, you little minx."
                        "She gasped in pleasure at the confirmation, leaning still closer to him, as if to give him {i}all{/i} the pleasure she could grant him."
                        ro "But now it’s my turn to help {i}you{/i}."
                    if heartsongDirtyTalk:
                        "Rowan leaned up to her ear and whispered in a wanton tone."
                        ro "I want to feel inside you, Heartsong. Wriggle a finger around your deepest place while I watch you go to pieces."
                        "His words were a weapon against her. She let out a loud, mewling moan as if it was the only thing she’d ever wanted."
                    "Rowan reached downward, reciprocating her attention by groping for her womanhood. His fingers alighted upon something soft, and he slid a lone digit into the clenching, wet hole."
                    if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
                        "She hardly needed any encouragement. So worked up already by the sensation of pleasing Rowan, Heartsong cried out in ecstasy."
                        "Her hips twitched, her body convulsing against his finger as her pussy clenched tight around the intruder."
                        "Rowan watched in satisfaction as the Fae clung to him, her hand pumping his shaft even as she moaned at the dual sensation of pleasing another and being pleasured herself."
                        hear "S-sol save us all, I can barely {i}breathe{/i}."
                    elif heartsongDirtyTalk:
                        ro "Do you like it when I finger your pussy like this?"
                        "Heartsong moaned, grinding her hips into his hand even as the pace of her pumping intensified."
                        hear "Yesss… {i}Yes{/i}!"
                        ro "Well I’m about to stick a second one in you. Don’t forget to thank me properly."
                        hear "Thank y- {i}ahn{/i}!"
                    else:
                        "Heartsong moaned, her eyes fluttering as her grip on his cock lessened. Evidently, he was distracting her."
                        ro "Remember what I said to you, when you were pretending to be Helayna? You’ve got to stay focused."
                        "She nodded, refusing to raise her head and meet his eyes. He heard her heavy breathing deepen against his chest as she leaned against him, her hand resuming its pace up and down his shaft."
                        hear "I… I didn’t expect it to be so- a-and so {i}quickly{/i} too!"
                        "Rowan smirked, watching the look of surprise on the Fae’s expression as he slid first two, then {i}three{/i} fingers inside of her."
                    "They were nearing their limits, both of them were. Heartsong’s quiet yips of pleasure grew louder and louder, her hand against Rowan’s cock moving with greater urgency every moment."
                    "Rowan redoubled his own efforts, watching with satisfaction as the Fae all but dissolved against him in a desperate bid to hold off her own impending orgasm."
                    if heartsongExhibitionist:
                        hear "A-are you watching?"
                        "Such a silly question, as if he really might not be. His knowing smile seemed to trigger something in her head, because her eyes rolled upwards."
                        "The voyeuristic Fae twitched and screamed and came, clinging to Rowan for support as she unleashed herself in the pond."
                        "Her eyes widened as she realized Rowan was doing exactly as she’d asked: staring directly into her eyes as she made that shameful, orgasmic expression. It only intensified the experience for her. "
                    if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
                        hear "{i}Please{/i}, Rowan. I-I want you to… it feels so good when I see you look like that."
                        ro "I’m close, Heartsong…"
                        hear "Please… {i}please{/i}, faster, I-I can’t-"
                    elif heartsongDirtyTalk:
                        ro "I’m gonna cum, Heartsong. I’m gonna shoot my load all over your face. "
                        hear "{i}Mmmh{/i}!"
                        ro "Do you want that? Have me mark you as mine?"
                        "Heartsong let out a plaintive whine, as if the very idea of being his marked bitch was so alluring that she could not contain herself."
                        hear "{i}Please{/i}, Rowan. I-I-"
                        ro "Say it, slut."
                        hear "Mark me as yours, Rowan. {i}Cum on my face{/i}!"
                    else:
                        hear "This… feels so {i}good{/i}!"
                        "Heartsong’s voice was part excitement, part sexual moan, as if the heat of the moment could not yet quench her own insatiable curiosity."
                        "Rowan laughed, pulling her tight against him as the two jerked and fingered each other to conclusion."
                        hear "Rowan, I’m gonna-"
                        ro "Me too."
                        hear "Face… do it on my {i}face{/i}."
                    show cg1380 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan stood up in a rush, pivoting so his groin was at eye level. Heartsong watched, enraptured as he jerked himself to completion. "
                    "Heartsong looked up at him, her striking yellow eyes holding to his as felt the bubbling tide of orgasm rise up the length of his cock."
                    show cg1380 with sshake
                    show cg1380 with sshake
                    show cg1381 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Rowan let out a grunt, jerked down to his base, and erupted across her face. The Fae shut her eyes as a string went down her eyebrow, another blasting her cheek, a third splashing as high as her forehead."
                    "Rowan kept jerking, letting out a groan of satisfaction as he felt his balls empty across the visage of this being he had once thought a mere fairy tale."
                    if heartsongDirtyTalk:
                        hear "{i}Sol’s bones{/i}, Rowan, I-I’m {i}cumming{/i}!"
                        "She let out a keening cry, arching her back as she let loose once more. She reveled in the lurid way he talked at her, the way he {i}looked{/i} at her. Humiliation manifesting itself as a wet smear of pussy juice dripping down her thigh."
                        "Rowan nodded approvingly as she struggled to catch her breath, bending down to whisper one last encouragement in her ear."
                        ro "Well done, slut."
                        "She shuddered at the word, looking up at him through the coating of his seed upon her face to smile exhaustedly at the degrading word."
                        hear "Th-thank you…"
                    elif heartsongOrgasmMirror:
                        "Heartsong came again as well, trembling at the rough treatment and the dominant way he’d marked her."
                        hear "S-Sol save us all, y-you look so…"
                        hear "{i}Ahn{/i}! You’re… {i}beautiful{/i}, Rowan."
                        "Rowan groaned as he squeezed the last droplets of cum out on her face. Heartsong accepted them all with the kind of grace one might bear in the presence of a king."
                    else:
                        hear "{i}Haaah{/i}, R-rowan…"
                        "The Fae basked in the electric joy of having satisfied her lover. Her shoulders wobbled, aftershocks of orgasm running up her spine even as she slipped her hand down to her groin."
                    "Sated, Rowan put a hand upon the tangle of white hair on her head, ruffling it. Heartsong let out a piteous moan and leaned into his touch, her ears going flat against her head."
                    "Rowan admired his handiwork for a moment, his eyes trailing across the pearlescent strings across her face. He smiled at her."
                    "Wet, warm and wild... Just how he liked it."
                    ro "Let’s get you cleaned up."
                    scene bg3 with pixellate
                    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
                    #heartsong happy
                    show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve
                    "Their tryst concluded, Rowan quietly began to wash Heartsong’s hair, face, and back. She quivered in his grasp, but didn’t try to stop him. She let him take the lead."
                    "Soon her luxurious white hair was a wet, sloppy mess, and he laughed at how it covered her eyes with her bangs."
                    hear "I… I really {i}do{/i} want to help you, Rowan."
                    #heartsong sad
                    hear "I just… I don’t know what to do. My people-"
                    ro "I think we are past the point of familiarity. Let’s call our first few meetings a mulligan."
                    #heartsong happy
                    "Her ears perked up, her eyes taking on a hopeful character as she looked at him."
                    hear "So… you’ll help me?"
                    "Rowan scratched behind her ear, and the Fae let out a soothing moan."
                    ro "We’ll see how things develop. For now, I expect you to keep your word."
                    ro "I need to know more about what’s going on between the Fae, before I can intervene one way or another."
                    ro "I need to talk to the Ambassadors."
                    #heartsong neutral
                    hear "…There are things that I know that my father and Lady Arzyl will wish to keep from you. My people are secretive; we do not like to reveal ourselves to outsiders."
                    ro "So I’ve learned firsthand."
                    "Heartsong blushed, unable to meet his gaze."
                    hear "I will tell you everything I know, in time… maybe {i}you{/i} can find a path that doesn’t lead to bloodshed."
                    $ heartsongSex = True

                "Rowan had no interest in such entanglements with the Fae.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "…Very well. Let’s say I trust you."
                    ro "I still need to know more about what’s going on between the Fae, before I can intervene one way or another."
                    ro "I need to talk to the Ambassadors."
                    #heartsong neutral
                    hear "…There are things that I know that my father and Lady Arzyl will wish to keep from you. My people are secretive; we do not like to reveal ourselves to outsiders."
                    ro "So I’ve learned firsthand."
                    "Heartsong blushed, unable to meet his gaze."
                    hear "I will tell you everything I know, in time… maybe {i}you{/i} can find a path that doesn’t lead to bloodshed."
                    $ heartsongSex = False

            if earlyEnd:
                return

            scene black with pixellate
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

            "Like a candle blowing out, the world around them began to blur into blank darkness. The Fae lifted her head, sniffing at the air as if sensing a change in the wind."

            hear "…You’re waking up."

            ro "The dream is ending?"

            "Heartsong nodded, casting a shy glance to the ground."

            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            hear "I-I will return as soon as I am able. Father will not like it if he found out I was talking to you. So I must be discreet."

            ro "Just so long as you keep your word to me."

            #heartsong happy

            "The Fae flashed him a tremulous smile."

            hear "I will {i}always{/i} keep my word to you, Rowan."

            ro "…I suppose this is goodbye for now."

            #heartsong neutral

            hear "Y-yeah."

            if heartsongSex:
                "Heartsong looked up at him, an unspoken longing coloring her yellow eyes."
                menu:
                    "Kiss her.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan tilted her chin, and planted a delicate kiss upon her lips. The Fae trembled in his grasp."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        "She tasted sweet… {i}far{/i} sweeter than lips should taste. He pulled back, looking at her nervous smile."
                        ro "…Strawberries?"
                        #heartsong happy
                        "She blushed."
                        hear "Your favourite."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "He laughed at the sheer gumption of her knowing such an obscure fact about him."
                        ro "You’re very troublesome, you know that?"
                        ro "…Until next time, then."
                        "She smiled at him, flashing a glimpse of her sharp canines even as she blurred into the background."
                        hear "Until next time, Rowa-"
                        scene bg9 with pixellate
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        #show rowan necklace naked shock at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"
                        "Rowan awoke from his dream like a drowning man breaching the surface of a lake. He looked around, momentarily disoriented."
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "..."
                        "Upon reflection, he did not know if his deal with the wayward Fae had made his life easier, or {i}far{/i} more complicated for him."
                        "He stretched, stood up out of bed, and proceeded to face the morning."
                        $ heartsongControl += 1
                        return

                    "Leave her wanting.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan leaned in as if to grant the little thing her wordless request. She sighed, closing her eyes and tilting her head back in preparation."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "Rowan planted a finger on her lips, smirking at the crestfallen expression that crossed her face when she opened her eyes."
                        ro "Maybe next time… if you earn it."
                        hear "I-I’ll do whatever it takes!"
                        ro "Heh. I don’t doubt it."
                        ro "…Goodbye for now, Heartsong."
                        #heartsong happy
                        "She smiled at him, flashing a glimpse of her sharp canines even as she blurred into the background."
                        hear "Goodbye, Rowa-"
                        scene bg9 with pixellate
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        #show rowan necklace naked shock at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"
                        "Rowan awoke from his dream like a drowning man breaching the surface of a lake. He looked around, momentarily disoriented."
                        show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "..."
                        "Upon reflection, he did not know if his deal with the wayward Fae had made his life easier, or {i}far{/i} more complicated for him."
                        "He stretched, stood up out of bed, and proceeded to face the morning."
                        $ heartsongControl += 1
                        return

            else:
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Remember: tell {i}no one{/i} about us meeting. If you do, the deal is off."
                hear "Of course, Rowan. I won’t say a word."
                hear "…N-not that there’s anyone {i}to{/i} tell."
                hear "Farewell, for now."
                "Now even Heartsong herself began to blur. She moved to turn away, but paused for a brief moment to look back at him."
                hear "…Helayna was lucky to have as good a teacher as you."
                ro "What?"
                "The only thing left that he could see were a pair of curious yellow eyes, watching him."
                hear "I hope to learn half as well as she did from you."
                scene bg9 with pixellate
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan’s eyes peeked open, taking in the sight of the morning sun rising through his window. He laid there for a moment, feeling the aches and pains of a night spent tossing and turning in bed."
                "…Just what had he gotten mixed up in by involving himself with the Fae?"
                # $ heartsongControl += 1
                # return

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins.rpy
label ziis_grand_intro_rp:

    # $ ziiziiIntroSeen = True
    # $ goblinEventCount += 1
    $ forgeLevel = 10
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100 # Only one line of dialogue
    $ tueRowName = "Tue-Row"

    #blackholt/trokholt BG
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    show orc soldier neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Debris of the forest crunched under Rowan's boots as he approached Tue-Row's battle encampment. But, he was not alone. A team of orcs followed behind, dragging heavy wheelbarrows down the makeshift path. Goblins whispered in their wake, eyes drawn narrow with suspicion."
    "Ever the logician, Rowan made careful note of the gear Tue-Row’s men were armed with. Poor by the standards of humans, especially when it came to the armor. But, the weapons seemed in decent condition at least."
    "It was surely beyond the works of goblin forges. Human-made arms, but not the good stuff."
    "Some hesitant whispers followed Rowan around the encampment. Humans were a rare sight this deep into the Blackholt. But, as usual, it dissipated with the recognition of his clothing."
    "Reaching the center of the encampment, Rowan turned back to the orcs and gestured toward a clearing near the centre."

    ro "Set them down here."

    "The orcs obeyed, dropping the and set to work ripping the lids open; swords, spears, arrowheads, and breastplates fell out. More than enough to fill the hands of every fighter in the entire encampment."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutleft
    hide wild orc with moveoutleft

    "Whatever soldiers were around camp drew in, eyes shining with awe. More soon emerged from the makeshift barracks built into the trunks of some of the nearby black trees."
    "One of Tue-Row’s men dared to step forward, glancing at Rowan while keeping one hand gripped on the edge of the crate. He gripped it as if its contents were imaginary. As if they would disappear the moment he let go."

    gob "Woah woah. These are for us!?"

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    if forgeLevel > 0:
        ro "Gifts from your new friends at Castle Bloodmeen. Made from our finest ironworks by our expert forgemaster."

    else:
        ro "Gifts from your new friends at Castle Bloodmeen. Taken from the stores of the human keep at Raeve. "

    "The goblins hesitated at first, unsure if this was a trap, but once a few grabbed their new weapons without consequence, others quickly joined the fray, admiring each new swing of their sword or twing of their bowstring."
    "Rowan nodded approvingly at the way they handled their weapons. This didn’t seem like a force of novices."
    "They weren't perfect weapons by any means– He’d barely managed to get Andras to approve any weapons transfer at all– but compared to what they were used to fighting with, these were a marked improvement."

    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan turned to see Tue-Row strolling towards him. Mai was at his side, stuffing her face with some sort of pasty. A small crowd of soldiers followed alongside him. They were worse described as guards than admirers getting a chance to be near their idol. "
    "The goblin prince seemed practiced at patting backs and giving smiles towards his adoring followers as he moved. It reminded Rowan of the way he’d learned to deal with crowds during his return to Rastedel immediately after the war."

    #//Tuerow to Smiling

    tuer "Aha! I see you've already spoiled the surprise."
    ro "Should I have waited for you to arrive?"
    tuer "No, no! By all means, let them have their fun. They’re gifts from your bosses. It would be real rude of me to take the credit."

    #//Sword slash animation.

    "Tue-Row picked one of the swords from the crate, testing its swing with approval before carefully placing it back into the crate. It had been with his undamaged arm, of course. The other hung at his side, bandages likely hidden beneath his facsimile of Rowan’s clothes."
    "Best not to advertise his wounded state."

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral

    tuer "Mai, help the men get ready for battle. I'll join you right after I check in with Rowan. Would be rude not to."
    tuem "Euw goddit -"

    "Tue-Mai coughed and swallowed the chunk of pastry in her mouth."

    tuem "You got it, boss. "

    "She nodded, disappearing into the throng of soldiers."

    #//Remove Tue-Mai
    #//Rowan to Neutral.

    ro "I’d planned to send the orcs back after the delivery, but I could always ask them to stay."

    tuer "If you’d like, though it’s not strictly nessacery. I wouldn’t call this a battle. If all goes according to plan, it will be more like a skirmish. A reminder, if you will, that she's got to keep her men on a tight leash until the wedding. "

    "Tue-Row gestured for Rowan to follow. Rowan glanced curiously around at the way the camp had been incorporated into the forest itself. The goblins were so used to battles in the woods, using trees themselves to house soldiers seemed almost rote. Rowan wondered how long it took to set up. "

    ro "Give me the rundown of the battlefield. Anything I should know before the fighting starts."
    tuer "I’m sure you’ve already got a brief look at Blackholt, it’s more of {i}that{/i}."
    ro "So the usual joys of fighting in a dense forest. Great. Still, let's make sure we’re on the same page here."

    "Tue-Row gave him a small nod, and the two sat down to discuss the details of their upcoming skirmish."
    "This was the first opportunity he had to talk with the new prince about anything else than “goblin politics”, a term he was growing to despise. And Tue-Row… "
    "It was like staring back at his reflection in a lake. The resemblance was uncanny - the attention to logistics, strategic flexibility, and heavy focus on tactical independence of individual units."
    "One maneuver, which Tue-Row called “Drider’s retreat” - it was his. It was the same strategy he used near Riverlem Grove, only adapted to Blackholt realities."
    "He would have to ask Tue-Row about this later. But for now, his focus was on the battle ahead - and the woman leading the enemy army."

    ro "What about this bride of yours? Zii. What should I expect out of her? "

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    "Tue-Row threw his head back in laughter."

    tuer "{i}Expect{/i}? The only thing you can expect with Zii is the {i}unexpected{/i}. She is a woman of chaos if I've ever met one. She’d make a demon scold her to behave less erratically."

    ro "How’d she even end up in charge of an army? Clan connection?"

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral

    tuer "She’s not even from a clan. Notice the single word name?"
    ro "“Zii”?"
    tuer "Or Zii-Zii, if you wish to indulge her. “Zii of clan Zii!”, of which she is the head and sole member. Zii doesn’t exactly care for conventions, as you will soon notice."

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    ro "Then you two have something in common. "

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling.

    tuer "Ha! I suppose we do. As to how she ended up in all of this… You could say I am to blame for it. I ended a lot of clans, Rowan. Smashed them to pieces."

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral.

    tuer "But there were no hard feelings in this, you know? When the dust settled, I asked them to join me. Gave them the whole pitch about how Gobnagoz could be their home too. And thanks to Tue-San, many of them now are working to build a better goblin tomorrow."
    tuer "But some would have none of it, and they had to go {i}somewhere{/i}. This is where they ended up."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "He shook his head, chuckling under his breath. He made it seem like the notion was almost funny. Rowan simply frowned."

    tuer "Zii is an upstart. And she built a coalition of the wildest goblins you’ll ever meet. From angry clannists, to savages from the deep woods, to downright brigands."

    ro "Sounds nearly impossible to organize."

    tuer "You’d be surprised. I’ll give the woman this, she stays on message. You have me in one corner talking about kingdoms and history and whatnot. But, she keeps it simple. Violence and conquest. Almost primal stuff."
    tuer "Maybe it’s just in her blood."

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "In her blood? I thought you didn’t know her clan?"

    "Tue-Row gave him a mischievous look, glancing at the other goblins nearby before leaning in conspiratorially."

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling.

    tuer "Zii isn't just wild in her tactics– she's quite literally a creature of chaos."

    ro "What is that supposed to mean?"

    "Tue-Row shrugged helplessly, a grin pulling at his lips."

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral.

    tuer "You’ve met some of our caravan traveling brethren. I know that for a {i}fact{/i}. Ever wonder why some of them look so different from each other? Goblins can have kids with non-goblins. And they may be goblins, but they’ll take after the other parent."

    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    ro "That would explain why a goblin might want some kind of {i}prestigious{/i} father for her children. "

    "Rowan pursed his lips and thought of a particular goblin."

    tuer "Exactly. But, here in Blackholt, there’s a stranger version of that. Some goblins from the deep woods take on…very unusual traits. Hybrids between goblin and beast."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "A {i}hybrid{/i}?"

    tuer "The rumour around camp is that her mother fucked a wolf."

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    ro "It can’t work that way. Can it?"

    "Tue-Row scratched his face, and offered a small shrug that could mean anything. Rowan took this for a cue to abandon the current line of questions…and never to return to it. He wasn’t sure if he wanted to know.  "

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    ro "So between that, and her fighting you and possibly trying to {i}kill you{/i}… Are you really {i}comfortable{/i} with getting married to her? She doesn’t sound like good wife material."

    #//Tue-Row to sad

    "Tue-Row hesitated, and that moment of uncertainty was almost an answer in itself."

    tuer "Well, I certainly didn't propose to her out of some sort of longing from afar, if that's what you're thinking. A leader to his people doesn't have such a benefit. "

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral.

    tuer "I won’t point fingers, but thanks to {i}someone{/i} being their usual, efficient self, things have started to move far more quickly than I anticipated. I had to adjust accordingly."

    ro "… You blame {i}me{/i}?"
    tuer "We need an army to take over Rosaria, no? Zii brings in the other half. Unless you want us to wait twenty years to raise a new generation of goblins."

    "Tue-Row rubbed his chin, a hint of exhaustion in his eyes betraying his otherwise composed demeanor. "

    #//Tue-Row to devious.

    tuer "Having Zii for a wife… It won't be an easy transition. Knowing her personality, I'm certain she'll try to find a way to use this union to her advantage– and I have an inkling of how she plans to do it."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "It all sounds like a bit of a gamble then. She doesn't sound like the kind of person that will stop raising havoc just because of a wedding ceremony. "

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "Oh, I'm counting on it! She’ll be tough as black oak. But a strong king needs a strong queen by his side. Tue-San would never forgive me if I wasted my bachelor status on some wilting forest flower."
    tuer "Besides, what's the fun in a marriage without a little conflict?"

    #//Whatever arrow effect we have.

    "There was something strange about the pointed smirk Tue-Row had, but before Rowan could ask about it, a sudden {i}WHOOOSH{/i}!! stopped the men dead in their tracks. Rowan stared at the arrow sunk deep into the tree beside him, just inches from his head."

    #//Move Tue-Row to the side of the screen. Tue-Row to serious. Rowan to battle stance.

    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "Rowan deflected the next arrow with his sword on reflex. Meanwhile, a counter volley from Tue-Row’s side struck back at the enemy sniper. A small cry echoed at the edge of the forest before a goblin tumbled out from a tree."

    tuer "Guess “my beloved” caught wind of our arrival at camp. "

    "Tue-Row's soldiers rushed to grab up their weapons and supplies. The rustling of trees and screams of distant foes told them of the danger."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan frowned. Zii's troops had the advantage of the dense forest for cover, while their base was clearly visible, providing an easy target. They’d need to advance fast and meet the enemy in the woods."
    "Rowan was so lost in tactical consideration, his ally had to shake him back to focus. Tue-Row had an uncharacteristically uncertain expression on his face."

    tuer "Rowan. I'm going to help Tue-Mai with the troops on our left flank. You command the right!"

    "Rowan couldn’t help but chuckle as they sprinted in opposite directions."

    ro "I showed up barely an hour ago and we’re already in the middle of an ambush?! "

    tuer "Goblin politics, keep up!"

    #//Remove Tue-Row. Rowan to battle stance. Inerspace combat animations and shit over the next few paragraphs.
    hide tuerow with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "Soon, Rowan found himself entangled in battle. He drew his sword and shouted orders to his newly assigned subordinates. It was a role Rowan stepped with familiar grace."
    "It helped that Rowan’s subordinates proved shockingly competent. They followed Rowan's commands without question, throwing themselves with spirit against the attackers. Perhaps Rowan was no goblin, but his towering figure and familiar outfit gave him natural authority."
    "Still, the battle proved far from easy. The density of the forest was unlike anything Rowan had fought in before. So too did the very nature of goblin warfighting. They flew in and out of his view. Despite the difference in kit, it was often hard to discern if any particular unit were his men or Zii’s. "
    "Yet, Rowan could not stay out of the fray, merely issuing orders. He was as clearly a focal point for his men as Zii’s. It was not long before the fighting on the right flank turned into a series of savage rushes towards him. A foolish strategy, likely to cost lives."
    "If one broke through the spears of his subordinates, they fell easily under the swipe of his sword. It came with a familiar rush of energy. The thrill of battle. His body moved on raw instinct, tearing through attackers without a second thought."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Momentarily, he’d stop and look at fallen foes. Zii’s men were half-dressed in rags, armed with rusted weapons and even sharpened stone. Fanatical, near-suicidal fighters…but limited by supplies."
    "More of them fell wounded than dead. A common feature of goblin combat. Why go for a kill strike when a captive was more valuable?"

    gob "Commander Rowan!"

    #//Rowan to combat stance. Combat animation.
    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "Rowan deflected an arrow off his sword before glancing toward the subordinate."

    gob "Word from the spotter in the high branches. The Wyrd Women are here. They’re coming right for us!"

    "Rowan looked to the point of contact. It looked like the enemy was falling back. Probably not to retreat though. There was a charge coming…"

    ro "Specifics, soldier. What’s a Wyrd Woman?"

    gob "You don’t know-"
    gob "Apologies. They are…her honour guard. Female fighters who take no mercy. It is rumored they drink the blood of fallen foes…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "The goblin glanced nervously between the trees, as though they would descend on him at any moment. Rowan glanced around as well, though more from prudence than from fear. He hadn’t noticed how close he had become to the front line. "

    ro "Damn it."

    "Had those suicidal rushes towards him been an effort to soften the segment of the line in front of him? He needed to get back before–"

    show bg3 with sshake

    questi "YAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!"

    #//Rowan to combat stance.
    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    "A battle cry echoed through the forest, practically shaking the terrain itself. Rowan gripped the hilt of his sword, shifting into a defensive position. He scanned the forest, the sounds of battle nearby keeping him alert."

    ro "What was–"

    "His words cut off by the sudden charge of hundreds of darkened forms through the forest. Only, now the ones at the head of the formation had the curved shapes of young women. The rank of his soldiers in front steeled themselves, though he could see the fear on their faces."
    "The two forces crashed in dramatic faction, screams and the pounding of weapons on shields were everywhere."

    #//Move Zii’s Sprit across the screen very fast. Ends off-screen

    "In the chaos, he nearly missed something important. There was something in the trees that had made it behind his lines. A young woman – or perhaps something closer to a beast. She bent low, a furry tail swishing behind her as she stalked her prey."
    "It took Rowan a moment to register that he {i}was{/i} that prey."

    ro "Get back!!"

    "He shoved his subordinate back, swinging his sword up to the charging monster. She moved with unnatural speed and grace, undeterred by the uneven ground as she beelined for the hero."

    #//Lots of combat animation shit here.

    "Rowan blinked. There were a pair of large axes in her hands and she swung them both wildly. Rowan’s sword barely moved up in time. The metal clashed violently. The force of the blow was so strong that it traveled up his arms. It may as well have been a hammer."

    #//Close up on Zii’s face
    show zii neutral at midright with dissolve

    "It brought her close enough to look into her eyes. Her wild, near bestial eyes. Then, she let out a sudden, high giggle. Rowan squinted."
    "So this was the queen-to-be."

    ziiz "A-hee-hee-hee~~!! You're stronger than you look!! Oh, this will be so much fun!"

    #//Show Rowan and Zii. Rowan combat stance. Zii Bloodthirsty

    ro "I don't–"

    "But, his words were cut off by Zii swinging an axe, this time directed at his head. Rowan ducked, sliding his foot forward to trip her. Yet, it failed. She bounced backward with all the agility of a cat."

    ziiz "Cheating is no fun, you know!! But I love a man willing to play {i}dirty{/i}!"

    "Rowan was caught off guard as Zii dove forward, slamming her forehead against his stomach. The hero stumbled back, clutching his stomach. He looked up to see an axe flying in his direction."

    #//COmbat animation.

    "He barely caught the blow with his sword, but the strength of his steel against the crudely made hilt of her weapon was enough to slice it in half. Zii gasped. She barely had time to jump away before Rowan's sword could open her stomach."
    "Rowan expected some sort of anger at the destruction of her weapon, but the bestial goblin’s eyes glittered with pure {i}excitement{/i}. She tossed the remains of the axe over her shoulder, discarding it without a second thought."
    "She’d started to giggle again, swaying from side to side. The fact that she was a goblin was clear up close. But, that swishing tail behind her could fool someone. Rowan’s eyes trailed its back-and-forth swishing."
    "Which is exactly when she sprung."

    scene cg1392 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1393 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1394 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1395 with dissolve
    pause 3
    show zii neutral behind cg1392
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg1392

    "Rowan didn't understand what happened; one moment he was shielding himself from her onslaught, and the next, she had him pinned to the ground. Zii straddled the hero and held his arms down with unnatural strength, her small body shaking with eager giggles."

    #//Zii to Cocky

    ziiz "Zii-Zii winsssss~~!!"

    "Rowan gasped as her hips dug forward, grinding into him. He tried to push upward but couldn't budge. He grit his teeth. He’d fought orcs with less arm strength than her. What {i}was{/i} she?"
    "He didn't know what to make of her strength nor the fact she was staring down at him like a piece of meat she couldn't wait to devour. When she smiled, it revealed a mouth of dangerously sharp teeth."

    ziiz "I was {i}sooo{/i} looking forward to meeting you, Great Trickster!! This has gone even better than I planned!"

    #show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve

    ro "Funny. I don’t recall my presence being announced ahead of time."

    ziiz "Ohoho~? You really didn’t think I would know? I have eyes everywhere, silly! Zii-Zii knows {i}everything{/i}."

    ro "…{i}Goblin politics{/i}…"

    "She bounced atop of him with another girlish giggle, her crotch pressing down ever so softly on his abdomen. He also was quite aware of how her breasts hovered over him, practically overshadowing her face."
    "From her level of restraint, it didn’t seem like his demise was imminent. Still, this was a precarious position, to say the least.."

    menu:
        "Try to shove her off.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shifted, just enough to claw some of the soil from the ground into his palm. The goblin warlord seemed sufficiently distracted with her fresh capture."
            "Distracted enough, it seemed, not to notice when Rowan's hand slipped from her grasp."
            "A second later, the entire handful of dirt had been shoved into her open mouth. Fast enough that she hadn’t been given a chase to bite down on him with those monstrous teeth."
            ziiz "MMPH?!"
            #//Show Zii and Rowan. Blackholt BG. Rowan combat stance. Zii (Cocky)
            scene bg3 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            show zii neutral at midright with dissolve
            "Rowan shoved her diminutive body off, with enough force to send her tumbling. Soon, he was back on his feet, sword in a defensive stance, he wasn't willing to take any more chances."
            ziiz "BLECK! BLEEEECK!"
            "Zii-Zii spit the soil back onto the ground, scraping her tongue clean with her hands."
            "But, before the fight could rejoin, Rowan heard the sound of someone approaching the little duel. Multiple footsteps."
            #//Move Zii to the right side. Tue-Mai and Tue-Row appear left side. Tue-Row smiling.
            show zii neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
            show tuerow neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            #show tuemai
            tuer "Ah, I see you've met my bride-to-be, Rowan. And here I was worried that I’d have to introduce you."
            "He turned to see Tue-Row and Tue-Mai standing together only a short distance behind them. Around them was a host of his soldiers, bows drawn."
            "Dazed, Rowan turned to the other side. Some of Zii’s troops were lining up behind her. Chief among them, the lightly dressed but heavily armed female fighters that had been called the Wyrd Women."
            "Zii’s tail wagged."

        "Try to think of another way.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan shifted, but the movement was useless against Zii's bullish strength. He needed to think of another way out of this, one that preferably wouldn't end in her death– or his own. That was a political can of worms Rowan wasn't ready to open."
            ziiz "Not struggling, hm?"
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
            ro "Trying to think how not to kill you by accident."
            ziiz "Ooooh, you don’t have to worry about that. Zii-Zii’s sturdier than she looks!"
            #//ZIi to bloodthirsty
            ziiz "{i}And she likes it rough.{/i}"
            "He swallowed heavily. Before he could decide on his next move, the fight was interrupted."
            #Tue-Row smiling.
            tuer "Ah, I see you've met my bride-to-be, Rowan. And here I was worried that I’d have to introduce you."
            "He turned to see Tue-Row and Tue-Mai standing together only a short distance behind them. Around them was a host of his soldiers, bows drawn."
            "Dazed, Rowan turned to the other side. Some of Zii’s troops were lining up behind her. Chief among them, the lightly armed female fighters that had been called the Wyrd Women."
            "Tue-Row didn't bother to hide the amused smirk on his face as he took in Zii's compromising position over the hero."
            tuer "Zii, would you kindly release my guest? Unless you’re enjoying the view too much to move, Rowan. "
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            ro "That would be preferable, thanks."
            "The bestial woman let out a low giggle, matching her glare with her fiance’s. Her whole body wiggled, even more excited to see Tue-Row than Rowan. Her tail even wagged, as though she were an excited puppy."
            #//Show Blackholt Forrest BG. Show Rowan, Zii, Tue-Row and Tue-Mai. Zii on the far right side. Zii to cocky. Tue-Row to smiling.
            scene bg3 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            show zii neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            show tuerow neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            #show tuemai
            "After a deliberate delay, she playfully shook her head and released Rowan, as if she were disappointed to let a toy go. Rowan scrambled back to Tue-Row's side, happy to be free of whatever potential danger being her captive implied."

    "Rowan forced a smile, ignoring the pain in his arms from where Zii had squeezed them. Damn, she was strong. Was that part of whatever strange process had made her so different?"

    ziiz "Now, there you are! You missed all the fun, Tue-Row~!! Zii-Zii was worried you’d be boring and never even show!"

    "The goblins flanking Zii had serious expressions. They held their weapons– a crude mixture of spears, maces, and swords– with intensity as they stared down their opposing numbers on either side."

    #//Move Tue-Row next to Zii. Move Rowan back next to Tue-Mai.
    show tuerow neutral at midright with moveinright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    "However, neither monarch seemed to acknowledge the tension between their armies. Tue-Row boldly stepped forward to speak with her, as if the danger was non-existent."

    tuer "Now now, Zii. If you were really that worried about it, you wouldn’t have sent a distraction force towards my wing while you and your elites went to hassle Rowan. A waste of your own resources, don’t you think?"

    ziiz "A waste!? Ehehehe. How could it be? Something delicious has walked in and made a mess of the whole game, and you expect me not to have a taste?~"
    ziiz "Really… {i}Darling{/i}. You should have seen through Zii-Zii’s plan sooner. Mmm. Unless, you’re not as interesting as I thought~."

    "Rowan felt her eyes trail over him again with animalistic exhilaration. An awkward laugh burst out of him; he wasn't sure whether to feel more annoyed or amused with her."

    #Tue-Row to annoyed.

    "Tue-Row rubbed his chin with a sigh."

    tuer "Zii, let’s put this nonsense to bed. The wedding day is coming soon, and you know I’m not going to just let you win in the field. It’s time to parlay and actually–"

    ziiz "A parlay? Tch! Where's the fun in that?!"

    tuer "I don't believe war is supposed to be {i}fun{/i}–"

    #/Zii to Bloodthirsty

    ziiz "Then why do they make it so damn {i}exciting{/i}?"

    #//Zii to Cocky

    "As if to emphasize the point, Zii picked up her remaining axe and ran her long canine tongue along its blade. Rowan tensed, half expecting her to break the negotiation and attack."
    "Tue-Row crossed his arms, more disappointed than scared. Yet, Zii just continued to wag."

    tuer "You never change, woman."

    #Tue-Row to neutral.

    tuer "How about this then. You stay in the field. Continue waving around your army and pretending you can stand up to me. All fine."

    #Tue-Row to Serious.

    tuer "But, we have important things to arrange, Zii. A wedding."
    tuer "At the very least, you need to stop forcing yourself on my emissaries. I’m a tolerant man, Zii, but this is too much. "

    "Zii smirked at Rowan. Considering her behavior when she’d knocked him to the ground before, the revelation was barely even surprising."

    #Zii to bloodthirsty

    ziiz "Well maybe you should get an emissary that's harder for Zii-Zii to rape then~~ I– Hm."

    "Zii rushed forward, putting her hands on Tue-Row’s arm. The guards around them panicked, knocking back arrows and aiming at them. Tue-Mai went frantic, reaching for her weapon. Yet, Tue-Row held up his hand to ease them."

    #Zii to cocky.

    ziiz "Darling. You’re hurt. Mmmm and not from any of Zii-Zii’s friends either. Tsss. It’s old."
    ziiz "…So {i}she was right{/i}…"

    "Tue-Row allowed her to lift his arm slightly for a better look. Had she seen the large healing cut that he’d tried to hide in the uniform? Or had she known about it before?"
    "Regardless, it was equally difficult to make out the tone of her voice. It almost sounded like genuine care…yet, it could just have been mocking sarcasm."

    #Zii to bloodthirsty

    ziiz "Mmm. Let me get a taste…"

    #//Zii to cocky.

    "Tue-Row pulled his arm back before she could follow through with that idea. His toleration of the wolf girl’s antics would only go so far."

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling.

    tuer "I don’t think that will be necessary. However, I appreciate your, er, wifely concern. Perhaps, if you’re so worried, you could help me with something, Zii. "

    ziiz "Oh, darling. Anything for {i}you{/i}~."

    "She wagged her tail and flashed an evil grin."

    tuer "Now, suppose for a moment that someone wished to see my forces routed and my position as prince taken from me. It would be natural for such a person to be a suspect in any…let’s say, assasination attempts. "

    ziiz "Very natural!"

    "His face suddenly darkened."

    #Tue-Row to serious.

    tuer "Zii. Tell me the truth. Did you try to have me killed? "

    "Rowan expected her to deny it, or to be offended by his suggestion. But, Rowan was quickly coming to realize such ideas didn’t quite apply to Zii."
    "She just laughed, as if he told a funny joke."

    ziiz "A-hee-hee-hee-heeee~~!!"

    "Zii-Zii gripped her stomach and doubled over in laughter."

    ziiz "{i}Me{/i}? You suspect your sweet Zii-Zii of…of sullying herself with assassins!? Oooh, that’s a good one. "

    "She wiped a few tears from her eyes and hunched her shoulders playfully. She brought a pawed hand to her mouth and playfully licked at her palm. "

    #ZIi to bloodthirsty

    ziiz "Darling, if your mighty Zii-Zii wanted to make a splatter of a worthy foe’s guts, I wouldn’t have some other squirrel-for-brains do it! I would murder them by my own blades!"

    #//Zii to cocky

    "She glanced at the spot where the remains of her destroyed axe lay."

    ziiz "…Blade!"

    "She paused, drawing into an impish smile. A single sharp nail poked softly at her lip."

    #//Zii to bloodthirsty

    ziiz "Though…if my beloved husband-to-be were to be killed by a {i}mere{/i} assassin….he wouldn’t be much of a worthy foe after all, would he~~? It could have been a test!"

    #//Zii to cocky.

    "She giggled to herself, and a few of her Wyrd Women gave fanged smirks in approval at the implicit threat. Tue-Row patiently waited for them to calm down, keeping his hands clasped neatly behind his back, but Rowan could see a little smile tugging at the corner of his lips."

    #//Tue-Row to annoyed.

    tuer "A fair point, I suppose."

    ziiz "Mmm. I knew you’d see it that way, Darling…"
    ziiz "Though, since you’ve finally come. No more wasting Zii-Zii’s time! You know you can’t hide the {i}real reason{/i} you’re here from me. I’ve been waiting this entire time!"
    ziiz "Ehehehe. And poor Zii-Zii just can’t can’t stand a man who’d leave her waiting~!"

    if chelinIntroSeen == True:
        "Rowan rubbed the base of his nose. Of course, there was another reason for this meeting. He was starting to see a running theme here. "

    else:
        "Rowan blinked and turned to Tue-Row."
        ro "So fighting Zii was just a pretext for something else? Seriously? "
        "Tue-Row winked at him before turning back to Zii."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "Since you've so {i}kindly{/i} agreed to meet with me, with no coercion necessary at all, would you turn around so this {i}worthy{/i} opponent could bestow a gift upon you?"

    ziiz "Mmm. Can’t wait for the dais before you get behind Zii-Zii, can you? Mmm. Okay! But, if you try anything, my girls will cut out your liver!"

    "Zii turned around, hands over her eyes. Her tail only flung itself back and forth faster in excitement. But, behind her, the Wyrd Women leaned forward, weapons in hand."
    "Tue-Mai walked over to Tue-Row and placed a velvet box in his hand. Rowan leaned forward, eyebrow raised. Was this some sort of Goblin custom?"

    #//Tue-Row to serious.

    tuer "Zii, my future Queen. May I have the honour of presenting you with your Wife Gift?"

    "Zii spun around with sparkling eyes. Tue-Row revealed the content of the, a shimmering gold necklace inside. It was quite the spectacle, with jewels circling the rim and a band so large that it would cover her neck. Almost a large choker, rather than a necklace."
    "From the relative scant wealth he’d seen displayed in his time here in Blackholt so far, such a treasure must have been rare indeed."
    "She didn’t show the slightest hesitation in yanking her hair out of the way and displaying her bare neck to a man who she was quite literally at war with. Tue-Row strode forward and clasped the necklace around her neck. "

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan leaned toward Tue-Mai, his voice dropped to a whisper."

    ro "A Wife Gift?"

    "Tue-Mai's gaze flickered to Rowan. She answered him, first in a slightly too loud voice, but then dropping to a more subtle volume."

    tuem "Ya don’t know what that is? Ach. Don’t ya give one to your wife before you marry her? And don’t she give you one too when you marry?"

    ro "Not quite. It might just be a custom here."

    tuem "Huh. Well, that’s just bad luck then. If you don't give them to each other how will the tie be solidified? "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "His attention returned to the impromptu meeting. Zii was eagerly tugging and playing with the chain. Tue-Row stepped away and returned the box to a subordinate. For once, the smile he gave Zii felt totally real."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "It looks quite lovely on you. You’re going to be the star at the center of our wedding."

    ziiz "Mhmmm~~!! It's shiny!!"

    "She danced in place for a moment, but then suddenly froze. Her head slowly spun around until she was showing Tue-Row a mischievous grin."

    ziiz "Ah, but Darling. You came all this way and killed so many of my friends. But, your Husband Gift isn't even ready yet!! You gotta wait!"

    tuer "That’s alright. With all the {i}useful{/i} things you’re doing in the meantime, I’m sure you’re just busy."

    "Zii ignored his light jab, and instead leaped forward, bringing her face close to his. She leaned in to kiss him - but Tue-Row's hand shot up, cupping her cheek just moments before she could steal one."

    ziiz "Awww… One day I will catch you with your guard down."

    tuer "You won’t. But I expect you to keep trying. "

    "He allowed her to give him a quick kiss, but when she started back toward her Wyld Women, intent on showing them her new jewelry, he caught her arm to stop her. "

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral

    tuer "Ah-ah, not so fast. I would also like this gift to be a reminder that this is my commitment to you and to our future. And maybe the next time you think of breaking our truce before the wedding, you’ll think twice about how much it actually benefits either of us."

    ziiz "Ehehehe. Is that my sweet darling telling me that I have to behave myself? "

    tuer "…I’m telling you to avoid your worst impulses. "

    #//Zii to Bloodthirsty

    ziiz "But they’re the most fun ones! "

    "She leaned in close, tracing a line across his vest with her nail. Again, her lips hovered close to Tue-Row. Certainly closer than any adversary had ever come to Rowan after a battle."

    ziiz "Mmm. Well, if you want me to behave~ You’re going to have to {i}make{/i} me."

    "She softly shoved him away and turned around, playing idly with her shiny new necklace. Despite the lack of malice from the push, her freakish strength was still enough to send Tue-Row stumbling backwards."

    #//Zii to cocky.

    "She returned to her ragged followers, and her all-woman guard crowded around to admire her new necklace. They gasped, prodding it and whispering amongst themselves with reverence. Zii’s excitement was clearly infectious."
    "She turned back to Tue-Row, who had returned to his side of the line."

    #//Tue-Row to serious.

    tuer "Look around at the battlefield. This is me making you, Zii. Don’t try to pull this again. My men will be ready and at arms every day until the wedding. You are too weak to stop us. "

    ziiz "Good. It would be a shame if you made it too easy for me. Especially when the real fun is yet to come."
    ziiz "Thank you for the fight, sexy. I had a real blast, hee-heee~~!"
    ziiz "And another thank you for the gifts! Your {i}lovely{/i} bride gift for me…and my new human friend to play with!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "She raised her eyebrows suggestively to Rowan. Then, with a final wave, she and her men started backwards. Soon, they disappeared into the dense dark Blackholt."

    #//Remove Zii. Remove Tue-Mai.
    hide zii with moveoutright

    "Rowan waited until the sound of her footsteps had faded to nothing before leaning in toward Tue-Row."

    ro "That was…"

    #//Tue-Row to smiling

    tuer "Something else, I imagine."
    tuer "First impressions?"


    menu:
        "The way she pinned him was… {i}Intense{/i}. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan coughed awkwardly, not sure if he should voice his actual thoughts. It wasn’t often that a woman could overpower him so easily. He couldn’t help but wonder how things would end if they weren’t in the midst of battle."
            ro "She’s… Lively."
            tuer "Truly the diplomat’s choice of words. Sure, let’s go with “lively.”"

        "Intrigued, but if Zii tries this again, he’d slap her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Bit of a handsy, isn’t she? I commend your self-control around her."
            tuer "I have little choice. I’ve tried slapping some sense into her with my army, but the results have been… Limited. "
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            ro "Have you tried a more literal approach for slapping said sense?"
            "Tue-Row chuckled humorlessly and rubbed his wounded arm."
            tuer "Not my punching weight, I’m afraid. But I invite you to try if you think you can handle it. "

        "She’s a lunatic, through and through. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Tue-Row, I’ll try to phrase it as mildly as I can."
            ro "Zii’s {i}insane{/i}."
            tuer "Maybe a little bit. But then again, some say the same about me. Probably about you too."
            "Rowan groaned. He should be insulted, but a part of him had to acknowledge his life was far from normal nowadays. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So why did you really bring me here? You didn’t seem like you needed much help against Zii. Was it about the Necklace? Or something else entirely?"

    "Tue-Row snickered briefly, but his posture soon deflated. Now that Zii was out of sight, he was able to lower the guard of self-control that Zii seemed to enjoy testing."

    tuer "Ha. Getting used to how we do things, huh?"

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral

    tuer "Well,  if there’s any true reason, I just wanted a chance to introduce you and Zii together. To see how she’d react to you."

    ro "Well, we certainly got acquainted."

    tuer "I saw. And the results surpassed expectations. She seemed to be mildly fond of you. Anyone who can stand toe to toe with her will get her interest."

    ro "And how does her liking me advance your plans?"

    tuer "Tue-Row smirked, drawing out the silence between them."

    ro "Come on. I can’t really help you if I don’t have {i}some{/i} inkling of what you want me to do for you."

    #Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "…Fair fair."

    #//Tue-Row to Neutral

    tuer "The truth is, I have a pretty good idea what Zii wants from me. She sees our engagement as a way to gain power."

    ro "Marry and kill you? Might the assassination attempt be part of that?"

    "Tue-Row shrugged."

    tuer "To be determined. But, my death would only be a backup plan. She’s made no secret that her real play will be usurping me on our wedding day."

    ro "{i}Usurp you{/i}? A coup?"

    tuer "Tsk. Not quite. Have you ever been to a goblin wedding before, Rowan?"

    ro "I can't say that I've ever had the pleasure."

    "Tue-Row nodded in understanding."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling

    tuer "In Blackholt, weddings are sealed with a public fucking on the raised wedding dais. An old tradition among our people. It ensures that the couple have been together. And makes things much more entertaining, let me tell you."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "I can imagine…"

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Sounds like my kind of party."

    #/Tue-Row to Neutral.
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "Well, it’s also taken a kind of social significance. Especially when it comes to pairings amongst the big clans. The one who takes the top during the dida is signaled as the dominant spouse in the couple. Determines who joins which clan, and who is the senior of the two."
    tuer "It’s almost always a staged affair. Before I put an end to the nonsense of the clans, a partner from a weaker clan trying to top on the dais would have been quite the scandal."
    tuer "But, as you may have noticed, Zii doesn’t care about that. She wants to use her physical prowess to turn our wedding dais into a public show of dominance. If she can do that, she can go from outsider warlord to reigning Queen of Goghahgoz in a single thrust."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling

    tuer "Well, unless I’m particularly hair triggered, more than a single thrust…"

    "Rowan’s scratched his head."

    ro "Surely your entire coalition of allies wouldn’t just leave you just because they saw you get dominated once."

    #/Tue-Row to Neutral.

    tuer "Yes and no. There are limits, of course. But, my image matters. I’ve put a lot of work into maintaining it. Honing it. Making my allies see me as a victor. Her plan is smart, because it attacks that entire foundation. It would very much leave me on a back foot."

    "Rowan stared at him. For some reason, even as Tue-Row was laying out a scenario where he’d have years of work stolen from him, he didn’t sound very concerned. The monarch was even {i}smiling{/i}."

    ro "It can’t be that smart. If it was, you’d sound a bit more worried."

    tuer "Well, it was to be expected. It isn’t like I hadn’t known Zii might try something of the sort back when I first proposed to her."

    ro "So you have a plan to stop her then? Some sort of countermeasures?"

    #//Tue-Row to smiling

    tuer "Let’s just say, I'm more than capable of keeping Zii in her place. She’s not going to find me an easy mount to saddle. "

    ro "A…fascinating…insight into how Goblin marriage alliances work. But, what does my acquaintance with her have to do with that?"

    "Tue-Row chuckled."

    tuer "Oh. Nothing whatsoever. But, knowing Zii, that won’t be her only plan. She’s going to have multiple schemes to bring me down, running simultaneously. Any savvy Goblin leader plants many seeds."

    #/Tue-Row to Neutral.

    tuer "What I’d ask of you, as a favor, is to help me keep tabs on her. Get closer to her, keep your eyes and ears peeled, and make sure she has nothing else planned to disrupt the wedding."
    tuer "Return to her camp, as my envoy. Parlay with her. Watch her."
    tuer "Of course, this is not a necessity either. If you wished to help me in other ways, I could use that sort of help just as much. It’s your choice."

    ro "I-"

    "Tue-Row held up a hand, cutting him off."

    tuer "I don't need an answer right away. Just think about it for me, will you?"

    ro "Of course."

    "Satisfied, Tue-Row started back toward the encampment. Rowan matched his pace, his mind still caught up on his battle with Zii and everything that came after. Something was nagging at him, like a loose thread he couldn't find the connection of."

    ro "…Tue-Row, about that necklace you gave Zii…"

    tuer "Hm? Yes, what about it?"

    ro "It seemed like a pretty big deal when you gave it. All of her followers seemed pretty impressed. Truthfully, I was too. Such a thing must have cost a fortune."

    "Tue-Row shrugged."

    tuer "Wife and Husband gifts are a big deal, Rowan. And a king’s wife gift must be the biggest deal of all. "

    ro "…Oh, certainly. It makes plenty of sense. Yet, it also seems like quite the cover. After all, how often do you even get a chance to give her a gift? "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "An astute observer might wonder if that necklace fits into your plans in a way you aren’t sharing."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling

    "Rowan raised an eyebrow at him. Tue-Row smirked, his eyes holding the answers to a thousand questions."

    tuer "Ah, Rowan. You think of me as more devious than I truly am. I {i}wish{/i} I’d thought of something like that."
    tuer "Though, it’s good you’re starting to get into the right frame of mind for how we do things here."

    "The goblin prince laughed, then waved Rowan to follow. Nearby, he could see the fire lights from Tue-Row’s camp peeking through the dense trees."

    # $ avatar.mp -= 5

    # $ released_fix_rollback()
    # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
    # $ push_to_previous_tile()
    # return

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_2.rpy
label tue_san1_rp:

    # $ tuesan1Seen = True
    # $ goblinEventCount += 1
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100 # Only one line of dialogue
    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ tueRowReason = "want"
    $ skillCheck = True

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
            $ submissionToTuesan = True
            $ countYule = "like"
            $ tueSanPermission = True
            jump tue_san1_skip_rp
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan submissive to Jezera? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade

    "Tue-San’s office was exactly how he imagined it."

    scene bg70 with fade

    "Neat and orderly, packed to the brim with books, notes, maps and schematics, all labeled and categorized."
    "He saw almost no personal items but he did notice a bed past one of the doors, and there was a small jewelry case on the table. It made Rowan suspect that Tue-San lived here, or at the very least slept here from time to time."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    tues "… This should be the last of them. Memorize their description, title, name, clan, motive, contribution to the war effort and well-known weak points."

    ro "“Well known?”"

    "Tue-San closed the small, black book she held in her hand, and took a step back from the large board that took up most of the wall. He wasn’t invited into her office just so he could take in the sights."
    "Fifteen names were placed on the board, male and female, of various clans and positions, including the Tue Clan itself. All names of goblins with plausible reasons to want Tue-Row dead. And all had a small, detailed dossier attached, compiled by Tue-San herself."

    tues "Most blackmail will remain classified information. There is no need to brief you on every detail of goblin politics."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "We don’t have half a year for that, I take it? "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He waited to get any sort of reaction from her, but she just stared at him with a deadpan expression. After a moment, he sighed and picked one of the dossiers on the board."
    "The name at the top read “General Jor-Bow”. The man was an old goblin, known for his caution, who had served Tue-Row for many years. He flipped to the second page, and learned he had a 18-year-old granddaughter he dotted a little too heavily on."
    "He turned the page, and found a second dossier underneath, describing said granddaughter. Her name was “Jor-Lin”, and she had a lover in the Yue clan her grandfather was not aware of."
    "He turned the page again, half-expecting another dossier underneath."
    "There was one."

    ro "… You’re thorough. "

    tues "Of course I am. It’s a matter of life and death."

    menu:
        "Why doesn’t his secretary keep blackmail on everyone in the castle?!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ disapprovingOfTuesan = False
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Once all of this wedding business is done and over, do you think Tue-Row would be partial, to say, switching secretaries?"
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "I have a slutty elf who does not mind being treated like a commodity and a dire need of cataloged blackmail. There must be a trade to be made here."
            else:
                ro "I have a charming elf who could use some away time from her kin, and a dire need of cataloged blackmail. There must be a trade to be made here."
            "She looked up from her book, and narrowed her eyes at him ever so slightly."
            ro "We could switch for a week, see how it goes?"
            tues "Unlike most men, the Prince follows his heart and his head, not his cock. I suggest you do the same."
            ro "So cold. I simply wanted to praise your work, Tue-San. Tue-Row is lucky to have you."
            tues "… And I consider myself lucky to have met him. Now, let’s get back to the topic at hand."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "Commend Tue-San on her work. It was impressive.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ disapprovingOfTuesan = False
            ro "It’s definitely admirable work. It must have taken you a lot of time to gather all of this."
            tues "Less than you’d imagine. Every clan has some sort of drama going on behind the scenes, and every clan has some young, foolish child who can’t help but gossip."
            ro "Still, it’s not easy to find actually useful intel in the sea of exaggerations and petty slander."
            "Tue-San gave him a soft, tired sigh. So he hit bullseye with that."
            tues "Pettiness is indeed rampant even among the oldest and most “dignified” of clans. Everybody’s always looking out for themselves. Ridiculous."
            tues "I will not let this continue. Not for long."
            tues "… But let’s focus on the investigation for now."

        "This was terrifying. Even the twins didn’t try to control their people so much.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ disapprovingOfTuesan = True
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan suppressed a shiver. Tue-San had a hook on everyone, no matter how high or low their position. The goblin woman used information the same way Rowan used a sword."
            ro "So this is what you actually do. I should’ve realized something was off when you introduced yourself as nothing but Tue-Row’s assistant."
            tues "That’s what I am, Sir Blackwell."
            "He looked at her from the corner of his eye, expecting an evil smirk on her face. There was none. She was noting something down in her book, paying him little attention."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan continued reviewing the dossiers. He trailed his finger over a piece of red string, with a small paper reading “mentor” in the middle, to another dossier, this one labeled “Count Yule”. As in “Count {i}of{/i} Yule”, though what the place was, the dossier didn’t explain."
    "He was a young goblin, head of his clan, apparently quite the prestigious one, and a… “Zii sympathizer”."
    "As he browsed through more names, he saw other notes like it, alongside “Che-Lin” sympathizer”. Che-Lin and Zii themselves were not present. After all, there was no need for them {i}today{/i}."
    "Today, they were investigating only people from Tue-Row’s inner circle, who the goblin prince conveniently gathered in one place for them to question, under the pretext of celebrating his upcoming nuptials. And yet…"

    ro "I don’t know why I’m surprised at this point, but I did not expect fifteen possible suspects."

    tues "For most goblins their allegiance is firstmost to the clan, then to themselves. There are enemies on all sides, Blackwell. And do not pretend it is any different in Castle Bloodmeen."

    "Seeing he was done with the board, Tue-San moved to put on her earrings. She was wearing her usual attire - not that it made much of a difference. With the ever-present air of authority around her, Tue-San would look regal even in rags."

    hide tuesan with moveoutleft
    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    show tuesan neutral behind bg70

    tues "Let’s move, we’re already late. "

    scene black with fade

    "She ushered him out of her room, and locked the door behind her. With a quick step, she then led the way as the two headed for the Grand Hall."

    scene bg70 with fade
    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    tues "Remember, you don’t need to do any actual questioning if you decide it might raise suspicion. You’re an outside party. Anyone with a scheme will try to feel you out, see if they can recruit you."

    ro "You really have it all planned."

    "Rowan mused about the fact she was sharing all of this with him. For all her power, Tue-San truly was obedient to her prince. He’d expected her to sideline him, at least as much as she could without outright angering Tue-Row."
    "Yet, she really was providing him with the information he’d need to actually investigate the assassination. By all indications, she was truly working him into her plan."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Though it didn’t change the fact she was pretty much bossing him around."

    tues "Yes. Is that a problem, Blackwell?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Do you expect it to be?"

    tues "Possibly. I’ve long learned many of your kind expect people of smaller stature, especially women, to be subservient. Meek. The idea to follow a woman’s order would be met with ridicule. "

    if society_type == "might":
        tues "… Then again, given your present employment, I imagine you’ve grown accustomed to being ordered. Lady Jezera seems to enjoy throwing her weight around."

    else:
        tues "… Then again, given your present employment, I imagine you’ve grown accustomed to being ordered. Empress Jezera seems to enjoy throwing her weight around."

    menu:
        "It’s a pleasure to work under Mistress Jezera. (Scene 1 and 2)" if tueRowReason != "need":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ submissionToTuesan = True
            if jezeraSubmission < 4:
                $ jezeraSubmission += 1
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "She’s the ruler of Bloodmeen, and despite some hiccups, her schemes and wit have progressed our plans immensely over the last year."
            ro "It’s… Refreshing, to work under someone who isn’t afraid to upset the status quo. I’m sure you empathize."
            "Tue-San eyed him with great interest, obviously trying to decide if this was just a learned platitude, or if he really respected the female demon that much."
            if serveChoice == 4:
                if jezeraSubmission > 1:
                    "And much to his own surprise, he realized he wasn’t embellishing that much. For all her shortcomings, Jezera had a certain charm that he was really starting to enjoy."
                else:
                    "And perhaps one day it would be true, but for now he was mostly hoping to convince Tue-San he really didn’t mind following her orders."
            else:
                if jezeraSubmission > 3:
                    "He continued to stare ahead, not wanting to meet her eyes. The circumstances under which he came to serve Jezera were far from pleasant, but the time they spent together since then… "
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    "Just thinking about it made his heart beat faster."
                else:
                    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
                        "And it wasn’t {i}exactly{/i} one. Jezera had a certain charm to her, one he wasn’t impartial to. But she was jailing both him and his wife. That could be overlooked."
                        "He just hoped praising her convinced Tue-San he wouldn’t mind following her orders."
                    else:
                        "It wasn’t, not exactly. Not after what Jezera had done to him and Alexia. But he hoped pretending he liked serving her would convince Tue-San he would have no problems following her orders."
            tues "… I see."


        "He enjoys decisive women - just not Jezera. (Scene 1 and 2)" if jezeraSubmission < 4:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ submissionToTuesan = True
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "He sighed, and realized just that revealed more than he might’ve wanted to. He decided not to hide his true feelings on the matter."
            ro "Not all Solansian share that view, and I’ve had the pleasure of both working with, and under, women who certainly deserved my respect."
            tues "But not Jezera."
            ro "She can be a little juvenile at times."
            tues "I’ve noticed. You seem a reasonable man, Blackwell. And a good judge of character. This bodes well for the evening."

        "Nobody bosses him around. Not for long. (Scene 2 only)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ submissionToTuesan = False
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            #tuesan angry
            ro "I don’t think I have to explain that circumstances sometimes push us into alliances with people we don’t fully get along with, given we are literally investigating {i}your{/i} allies for attempted regicide."
            ro "I work {i}with{/i} Jezera. As she is the ruler of Castle Bloodmeen, doing so involves following her orders. More often than not. And given these are your people we are investigating, I would be a fool not to follow your advice, and your plan."
            ro "But once your people join us in Castle Bloodmeen, it will be {i}my{/i} plan we will be following. And I hope that will not be a problem."
            #tuesan neutral
            "She didn’t answer him at first, her cold eyes studying his face for a long moment. She raised her chin a little, obviously in no way impressed by his speech."
            tues "As long as they take into account the interest of Gobnahgoz, and Tue-Row’s voice is heard at the table, it will not be."
            ro "Hrm."
            "Hardly what he wanted, more than he expected. He would have to play along with Tue-San’s bossing - for now."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Their conversation was interrupted by another going on ahead of them, loud and full of laughter. They turned the corner, and saw the entrance to the grand hall."
    "There was a welcome committee waiting for them - Tue-Mai, smiling from ear to ear, a glass in hand, and chatting with one of the guests. Once she noticed them she ushered the man inside, and opened her arms wide, laughing out loud."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show tuesan neutral at center with moveoutleft

    #Show Tue-Mai right, happy.
    show tuemai neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    tuem "Rowan! Sister! You’re here!"

    #Show Mai surprised.

    "Tue-San did not return the gesture. Instead, she snapped the glass from her hand and emptied it on the floor."

    tues "You’re drunk already. What did I tell you?"

    #show mai happy

    tuem "Heeeey, just slightly watered! I had to share a toast with a few of the important guests, in Tue-Row’s name! Speaking of!"

    "Tue-Mai grabbed two more glasses from a nearby tray. She got halfway through offering one to Tue-San, before her sister’s glare made her put it away. The other, she offered to Rowan."

    if submissionToTuesan:
        "He shook his head gently, and Tue-Mai put the glass away with a sigh."

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        "He took the drink, if only to prove his earlier point. Tue-San glared at him for a moment, then rolled her eyes. Smiling ever so slightly, he took a small sip."
        ro "Rosarian wine?"
        tuem "Can’t bring ale to a classy party like this one, can we?"

    scene bg71 with fade
    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft


    #show tue mai on right happy
    show tuemai neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan looked past the younger sister, and peered into the room. He noticed several dozen goblins, filling the hall, split into small groups. Everyone was chatting, laughing, drinking. He even saw a pair dancing. Three goblins on the other end of the room played some soft music Rowan did not recognize."
    "He tried to find a unifying theme among them, but failed. Some were dressed in military uniforms, others in expensive dresses that reminded him of Rosarian nobility. Some yet wore simple clothes that wouldn’t be out of place in a workshop."
    "The division Tue-San spoke of was all too clear here. But, of course, there was one thing that united them all. Standing in the middle of the room, carousing, was the man himself, Tue-Row. He was chatting with an old goblin he recognized as General Jor-Bow, surrounded by a small crowd of listeners."

    if submissionToTuesan:
        "The prince noticed him watching, and raised a glass in his honor. Rowan nodded at him with a smile."

    else:
        "The prince noticed him watching, and raised a glass in his honor. Rowan answered with a toast of his own."

    tues "No more drinks, Tue-Mai. You are here on a mission. Do I have to remind you Tue-Row’s safety comes first?"

    tuem "Hey, I have people on that! You worry too much, sister."

    tues "{b}Take this seriously{/b}. You can schmooze with the guests later."
    tues "And move aside. You are in my way. "

    hide tuesan with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Tue-San pushed past her sister, and disappeared into the crowd. Tue-Mai pouted like a slighted child. "

    menu:
        "Pat her head.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ schmoozeLater = True
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            tuem "H-hey, stop that!"
            "He ruffled her head affectionately, not caring for her protest. She pouted some more, smiling ever so slightly."
            ro "Let’s schmooze later Mai. Or your sister will get mad at both of us."
            tuem "A-ah, don’t hold it against her. She’s just worried. But yeah - I’m holding you on that!"

        "Tue-San was right. They had to focus.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ schmoozeLater = False
            ro "Focus, Tue-Mai. There’s an assassin on the loose, remember?"
            tuem "I know, I know… But schmoozing is important too, you know? That’s how you get all the juiciest gossip!"
            "Both sisters were quite invested in that, as it seemed, though Mai’s interest was far less nefarious in nature. He wasn’t sure which approach he prefered at the moment."
            "So he moved her to the side, and simply focused on the task at hand."

    hide tuemai with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

    "Leaving Tue-Mai behind, Rowan walked into the room. All eyes turned to look at him. Some tried to be subtle about it, others didn’t even care to hide it. He was greeted with hushed whispers, coy smiles, and hostile glares."
    "It was a nest of vipers, and one of these snakes possibly fancied itself a kingslayer. It was time to snuff it out."

    $ gobSeenGroups = 0
    $ seenYule = False
    $ seenGenerals = False
    $ seenMatriarchs = False
    $ seenCousins = False
    $ seenPair = False

    label gobGroupMenu_rp:

        menu:
            "Approach “Count Yule” and his group." if seenYule == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ gobSeenGroups += 1
                $ seenYule = True
                "“Count Yule”. Once heir of the Orn clan, now its young patriarch. He was one of the people dressed in a military uniform - but his had a crest on the chest. A downwards Y."
                "Surrounded by half a dozen goblins just as young as he, he watched Rowan’s approach with a cocky smile."
                yule "Where is the flaming sword of justice? The holy armor of Daenara? The angel of divine vengeance floating over your shoulder?"
                show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                yule "It’s almost as if there never was anything to be afraid of."
                "He snickered, as did his friends. Rowan tried to remember what had been written about him from his brief look at Tue-San’s dossier. He was one of Tue-Row’s commanders, and apparently the bloodiest amongst them."
                "When he’d heard of the marriage to Zii, he’d been one of the first to agree with Tue-Row’s choice. Tue-San seemed to believe that made his loyalty suspect. Just how upset would he be if Zii somehow ended up the ruling queen?"
                "Also he was apparently a cocky little cunt. A fact which the dossier forgot to mention. Rowan knew the kind, and would have none of it."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                ro "I see no Demon Lord to slaughter here. Just a count in exile, with no land, and a claim so dubious he might as well insist he was the bastard son of the Baron."
                ro "I’m sorry, but I don’t bring out the good stuff for battling jesters."
                yule "Ah, but at least the wit is sharp! Mock all you want - my claim is legitimate, and my clan’s disgrace will end soon enough."
                "He tapped on the crest on his chest, then closed his fist, his expression suddenly turning to raw fury."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                yule "The lands north of Raeve… Where river Noa meets river Rast, and together they flow into the west sea… Long before you humans came here, they belonged to us, goblins. And it was {b}my{/b} family who ruled them!"
                yule "Centuries of exile! “Now is not the time son, we must wait. Lie in waiting, like a snake, waiting to strike.” And crawl in the mud like one!"
                yule "No more! With Tue-Row leading us, we will take what is ours, and restore clan Orn to full glory! No- not clan Orn - House Orn! A new age calls for a new name, haha!"
                "He raised his glass in a toast, and all the soldiers around him cheered. Could a man this loud be part of any conspiracy?"
                ro "Glad to see at least someone is enthusiastic."
                "The goblin bared his teeth in a predatory smile, and set the empty glass aside."
                yule "Oh we are all, I’m just not ashamed to show. The Tue family might enjoy playing a royal court, but I have no patience for fake propriety."
                yule "You’ve arrived only a short time ago, so you don’t see it. But now that Tue-Row has won, there’s this… Feeling in the air. Winds of change."
                yule "Hundreds of years of disgrace, but we are finally reclaiming our pride! No longer will the goblins live on their knees. This time we’ll stand proud among the conquerors. And it’s all thanks to Tue-Row."
                yule "To Tue-Row! To the prince of all goblins!"
                gob "To Tue-Row!"
                "One of the goblins forced a glass into his hand, and he raised it up, shouting Tue-Row’s name."
                "He’s seen all of this before. This… Grandstanding, talking about reclaiming their pride. “Their honour” - as Rosarian nobles would claim."
                "So often, it was just an act, hiding thinly veiled ambitions. But at times… Such people really cared. Wanted to do right by their ancestors, wash the stain of dishonour that plagued their line."
                "The question was… Was Count Yule just another power-hungry young fool, or did he care? Did it matter to him how he was going about his quest, or was the end result all that mattered?"
                menu:
                    "Only fools believed in honour. This had to be an act.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ countYule = "dislike"
                        show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                        "Already claiming land while it still laid in the hands of the enemy… How else could Rowan describe it if not as opportunism? This man wouldn’t hesitate to switch Tue-Row for Zii in a second."
                    "The regalia obliged. The man might actually believe in regaining his clan honour.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ countYule = "like"
                        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                        "The dossier mentioned he was one of Tue-Row’s early supporters, so he couldn’t just be an opportunist. Perhaps it wasn’t just about the land - maybe it really was all about honour."
                yule "To victory! To the bright future of all goblinkind!"
                "The goblin raised yet another toast, and Rowan answered it, then slipped away. He couldn’t afford to be drunk - not on a night like this one."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                jump gobGroupMenu_rp

            "Approach the twin matriarchs, dancing and laughing." if seenMatriarchs == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ gobSeenGroups += 1
                $ seenMatriarchs = True
                "At the center of the room, two older goblin ladies were locked in a slow dance. Dressed in fine robes, with fanciful haircuts with strands of grey hair within them, they nevertheless had an air of graceful nobility to them."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "Each had a drink in hand, and every now and then the pair split to entertain a young man, joking and flirting, but always they returned to each other. Rowan walked up, aiming to ask one for a dance - only to catch their attention first."
                yues "Look, sister! It’s Rowan Blackwell. The one Tue-Row admires so much."
                yuet "The resemblance is uncanny. I’d say the only real difference is the size. And it’s one for the better, I’d say."
                yues "Oh yes, the size is {i}quite{/i} impressive."
                "The two women giggled and stopped their dance, giving Rowan a small curtsy."
                ro "Always a pleasure to hear a compliment like that. Yue-San and Yue-Tan, I take it? The twin matriarchs of clan Yue? Tue-San spoke highly of you, though she didn’t reveal how this particular arrangement came to be."
                "The former, at least, was a lie. Tue-San had nothing but contempt for the women, more so than for some. They were from an old Blackholt clan, with a long history of smuggling goods in and out of Rosaria."
                "They used to support Che-Lin. Now they served Tue-Row, but it was an alliance that cost the Tue clan a great deal."
                yues "Sisters are supposed to share everything, no? So we decided to take it a step further. There might be some arguments, but…"
                yuet "The Yue clan prospered under our rule. Two heads are better than one."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                ro "It certainly helps if there’s someone to take over at all times. Goblin politics can be quite dangerous, from what I heard."
                "The twin matriarchs looked at each - and signaled for Rowan to come with them as they walked away from the center of the hall. A worried look struck them both."
                yues "We’ve heard of the attempt on the Prince’s life. It’s good no harm came to him. He made some pretty big promises to have us back him…"
                yuet "Promises he has yet to make true of. But we’re merchants by heart, Rowan. We understand the nature of investment. Even if all of this did leave our network of contacts a little diminished."
                yues "The prince certainly knows how to cause a stir. But you needn’t worry about our loyalties. Even if something were to happen to Tue-Row, as long as Tue-San makes true of {i}his{/i} promises, we’ll stand by your side."
                ro "I wasn’t aware she handled matters of trades as well."
                "The two women looked at each other and giggled again, as if Rowan just told them a good joke."
                yues "Oh, honey, she doesn’t. Not directly. But {i}everyone{/i} knows Tue-San is the one closest to Tue-Row. Tue-Min and the rest of the Tue-clan are great company, but she’s the one who makes everything {i}tick{/i}."
                yues "She’s - oh, what’s the human term for it? Ah! The “heir apparent”, should something happen. Tue-Row himself told us that."
                yuet "Just don’t mention we told {i}you{/i}. Tue-San gets mad every time the matter of succession gets brought up. She won’t hear a word about it!"
                yues "So unlike her. You’ve got to have contingencies for such cases. We wouldn’t want another repeat of what happened after Tue-Kan died."
                ro "Should I know that name? Was Tue-Kan someone important in the Tue-Clan?"
                yues "Only the {i}head{/i} of it. He was Tue-San’s and Tue-Min’s father. His death almost derailed the whole campaign. It’s a good thing Tue-San backed Tue-Row for leadership."
                yuet "Back then it really felt like things could’ve gone either way. Glad we stuck with Tue-Row!"
                "The twin matriarchs nodded to themselves, as if they just shared some esoteric wisdom with him."
                "It felt like they really had all their bases covered - he couldn’t imagine them trying to stir trouble. He thanked them for their insight with a charming smile and tried to excuse himself."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    yues "Wait! Before you go… There is this… {i}Thing{/i} we’ve been told about… I mean, you’re so big and strong… We thought maybe you would be willing to do it with us."
                    yuet "It will just be a moment. But we would just love to try it."
                    "The pair giggled again, and Rowan arched an eyebrow. Whatever the two meant, seemed… Innocent enough?"
                    menu:
                        "Entertain them. ":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            scene black with fade
                            "… A loud laughter erupted across the hall, and Tue-San turned her head to locate the source of it."
                            #show grandhall
                            #show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            #show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve
                            "At the very center of the room, Rowan Blackwell was flexing his muscles, and the twin matriarchs of the Yue clan hung from each bicep, swinging their legs like little girls."
                            "Tue-San glared silently at the man. Rowan shrugged, then a moment later, set the two matriarchs down."
                            #hide tuesan
                            #show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                            ro "I hope this was exactly how you imagined it?"
                            yues "Oh yes! You’re the best, Rowan!"
                            yuet "Yeah, the best!"
                            show bg71 with fade
                            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                            jump gobGroupMenu_rp
                        "You’re not here to play the clown.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                            ro "Maybe another time. This is a formal party, after all."
                            yues "Such a shame. Well, don’t be a stranger Rowan!"
                            yuet "Yeah, visit us again!"
                            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                            jump gobGroupMenu_rp
                else:
                    yues "Don’t be a stranger Rowan!"
                    yuet "Yeah, visit us again!"
                    jump gobGroupMenu_rp

            "Approach General Jor-Bow and Tue-Row." if seenGenerals == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ gobSeenGroups += 1
                $ seenGenerals = True
                "He was watching the general talk with Tue-Row for a few minutes now, it didn’t seem like the man had any intention of leaving the prince’s side. Deciding he should at least get an impression of the man, Rowan made his way to him. "
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve
                jorb "… Think what a boost it would be to the Emerald Cohort. After that last incursion, we’ve lost almost half of them. You need someone to train up the new recruits. Jor-Lin- "
                tuer "Is needed at the pass. After the wedding I can give her a whole cohort of her own, but for now- ah, Rowan!"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                #show tuerow happy at midright with dissolve
                "The prince brightened up as he saw Rowan approach. He opened his arms, laughing in delight."
                tuer "So glad you finally dropped by to say hi."
                ro "I wasn’t sure what to say. I mean -"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "He pointed to his shirt, then to Tue-Row’s near identical one."
                ro "I’m sorry, Tue-Row. But one of us is going to have to change."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                tuer "Ha! Then I hope you are traveling with a full wardrobe, because I’m never dropping that outfit."
                "A few goblins chuckled, though most seemed confused by the exchange. What exactly was the relationship between Tue-Row and Rowan Blackwell was still unclear to many of them. "
                #If NOT seen: Tue-Row 1.
                    #"Including Rowan himself."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                tuer "Rowan, let me introduce General Jor-Bow. One of my most trusted commanders."
                "Just as the dossier said, Jor-Bow was an old goblin, small and hunched over, with graying hair and a cane to help his limp. Rowan lowered his head before the man - as one would in presence of a war veteran."
                "Jor-Bow didn’t answer with one. His small, intelligent eyes narrowed at the human, and he turned to Tue-Row."
                jorb "Are you sure you want him here? These are important military matters, and you know demons are fickle allies. "
                show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve
                tuer "For starters, this is a party, not a war council, so we should not be discussing them in the first place. But since you’ve breached the topic already…"
                tuer "Tue-San raised your concerns before, and Rowan’s answers were to my satisfaction. I have full faith in him and his intentions."
                jorb "Forgive me for not sharing it, but I’ve worked with demons in the past, my prince. No matter what the “hero of Karst” says… Trusting demons is always a risky business. "
                tuer "Some would say the same about trusting goblins, but I see your point."
                jorb "You can be reckless, Tue-Row. You know that."
                tuer "Bold moves win wars, my friend. And I must say, I am slightly surprised to hear it from you.. You never were particularly careful yourself. Is my wedding making you sentimental?"
                "The old goblin cracked a small smile, and looked up to the colorful, stained glass that decorated the ceiling."
                jorb "I just hoped I’ll be able to meet my great-grandkids before we go to war again. There’s been too many dead already, my prince."
                tuer "I know. And I mourn all of them."
                jorb "So if we are to fight Rosaria so quickly… At least I would like to know doing so will be worth it. That our allies will respect our claims to the lands west. Can you promise me that, Rowan Blackwell, Hero of Karst?"
                "All eyes turned to Rowan. This was his chance to strike confidence in their new alliance -  should Rowan seize it."
                $ tuerowReward = 0
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    $ rationalArgument = True
                    $ diplomacyArgument = False
                else:
                    $ rationalArgument = False
                    $ diplomacyArgument = True
                # if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 7, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    # $ rationalArgument = True
                # else:
                    # $ rationalArgument = False
                # if avatar.skill_roll("diplomacy", 7, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    # $ diplomacyArgument = True
                # else:
                    # $ diplomacyArgument = False
                menu:
                    "He knew what the goblins were capable of. They will be rewarded for their service." if rationalArgument:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "General Jor-Bow. Prince. Everyone."
                        ro " I’ve seen what your kind is capable of at the central pass. The soldiers you field… They’re amazing. Disciplined. Devoted. Only a few times in the past have I had the privilege to fight alongside such a masterfully organized force."
                        ro "Regardless of what happened in the past between goblins and demons, things will be different now. The twins and I - we all want you at our side. And you will get what you rightfully deserve."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        #show tuerow happy at midright with dissolve
                        "A murmur of approval passed across the crowd. The general didn't seem all that convinced - but then again, Rowan couldn’t imagine what would convince him."
                        tuer "Glad to hear it, Rowan. Though granted, this is not the time to split skin, not while the bear still lives, bites and trashes!"
                        $ tuerowReward += 1

                    "Humans, orc, goblins, demons - together, who could stand against them?" if diplomacyArgument:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "Everyone, I understand the demons of the past…were not exactly the honourable kind."
                        ro "But they no longer make the core of the Bloodmeen coalition. The twins are only half-demons, and see the world differently than their father did."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        #show tuerow happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "With goblins, humans, orcs and other races all siding side by side, victory is assured. And for their service, everyone will be rewarded accordingly."
                        "A murmur of approval passed across the crowd. The general didn't seem all that convinced - but then again, Rowan couldn’t imagine what would convince him."
                        tuer "Glad to hear it, Rowan. Though granted, this is not the time to split skin, not while the bear still lives, bites and thrashes!"
                        $ tuerowReward += 1

                    "Let Tue-Row handle it.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        #show tuerow happy at midright with dissolve
                        ro "I can. Though I think you’d trust your prince’s words over mine?"
                        "Tue-Row chuckled, and smiled at the crowd. Put on the spot, he didn’t lose his cool."
                        tuer "I have no intention of letting the twins pull at my strings like some sort of puppet. The alliance we negotiated was one of equals. We will see our dream realized, Bow. It will be as I promised."
                        "A murmur of approval passed across the crowd. The general didn't seem all that convinced - but then again, Rowan couldn’t imagine what would convince him."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                show tuerow neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                "A servant came in with a tray of drinks, and Tue-Row seized this opportunity to excuse himself and Rowan."
                "The prince of all goblins looked behind his shoulder to see if anyone was eavesdropping - and actually had to shoo away one of the younger soldiers."
                tuer "I applaud the audacity… Thanks for the assist Rowan. But I have Jor-Bow handled."
                ro "Tue-San is keeping you updated?"
                #show tuerow happy at midleft with dissolve
                tuer "Of course! Since I’m already here, I might as well contribute. And you should probably get moving. Tue-San expects a full report after all of this."
                if submissionToTuesan:
                    ro "Sensible advice. Wouldn’t want to displease her."
                    tuer "You’ll do it anyway. You get used to all that glaring."
                else:
                    ro "… How do you keep up with that woman is beyond me."
                    tuer "She keeps up with me. And that’s more than any leader could ever ask for. Give her a chance, Rowan."
                hide tuerow with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "Tue-Row winked at him, and retreated back to the group. Rowan sighed, and went to continue his investigation. "
                jump gobGroupMenu_rp

            "Approach Tue-Mai’s cousins." if gobSeenGroups > 0 and seenCousins == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ gobSeenGroups += 1
                $ seenCousins = True
                "The trio of Tue-Mai’s cousins were a sociable clique, always in a group of a dozen or so people. That made any investigation difficult, so he waited for the right moment to approach."
                hide rowan with dissolve
                #show tuemai neutral at center
                "He found one as Tue-Mai left the entrance and pulled her cousins aside."
                "Knowing it might be his only shot, he headed for the group. From what Tue-San’s dossier told him, none were particularly important. They all held lesser posts, granted to them primarily due to their connection to old clan head."
                "They were triplets, Tue-Les, Tue-Lan, and Tue-Lin. And the last one noticed him approaching."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                "With blonde twin-tails, a mischievous grin, and a daring dress that left little to the imagination, Tue-Lin struck him as the leader of the group. She eyed Rowan for a moment, then smirked evilly as she turned to Tue-Mai, who was still oblivious to his presence."
                #show Mai embrassed
                tuel "Maaaaaaaan, with Tue-Row getting hitched you should find a husband as well, Mai! What about that Rowan fellow? Isn’t he like, literally from a fairy tale? Hero of realms, slayer of demons? "
                show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
                tuel "Ready to jump on that human dick? I heard it’s all the rage among the caravan goblins."
                "Mai choked on her drink and started waving her cousin off, protesting loudly."
                tuem "Stop it Lin! You know dad would want me to marry, like, a clan head or something."
                tuel "Your father isn’t around anymore, and I don’t think Tue-Row cares. And think about it! A dick that is half your size!"
                "Just because he is gone doesn’t mean I should just disregard his wishes."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft
                hide rowan
                hide tuemai
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                show tuemai neutral at center with dissolve
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                tuel "But you {i}are{/i} curious."
                tuem "… Well obviously I am curious. And it’s not just about the cock! Not a lot of lovers can just grab you up and- and he’s standing behind me right?"
                "She trailed off as she saw a shadow over her. She looked up, blushing like hell, and smiled nervously at Rowan."
                #show tuemai concerned at midright with moveoutright
                show tuemai neutral at midright with moveoutright
                tuem "Aha, ha… Hi?"
                if schmoozeLater:
                    ro "I said we’ll schmooze {i}later{/i}, remember?"
                    tuel "Oh, you’ll schmooze, I am sure of that."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                else:
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Focus, Tue-Mai. {i}Please{/i}."
                    tuel "Probably not that easy with her head at the same level as your crotch. So convenient! Or so I’ve heard."
                "The blonde goblin opened her mouth and made a stroking motion with her hand, causing one of her sisters to giggle, and the man to roll his eyes. Tue-Mai on the other hand looked like she was about to hide under one of the tables."
                tuem "Rowan, please meet my cousins. Tue-Les, Tue-Lan, and of course, Tue-Lin."
                if society_type == "might":
                    tuel "Head of culture department, so honoured to meet you. I handled the bards for the party. Do you approve of them, Sir Blackwell? "
                else:
                    tuel "Head of culture department, so honoured to meet you. I handled the bards for the party. Do you approve of them, Lord Blackwell?"
                "She grinned flirtatiously, and downed another glass of wine. Now that he got a closer look at her, he noticed all three were drunk, even more than Tue-Mai."
                ro "They do seem quite skilled, Tue-Lin. Tue-Row picked the right woman for the job."
                tuel "Ha! Yeah, right. Tue-San did, I don’t think Tue-Row even remembers my name half of the time. Welp, not that I care! All this politicizing gets awfully droll after a while."
                #tuemai neutral
                tuel "Well {b}I{/b} do care. I can’t believe she’s making me keep that freaking nag around. Jor-Owi is supposed to be my secretary, NOT my babysitter!"
                tuel "Maybe you should stop acting like you need one. I find Orn-Bow positively lovely. To be home by noon - ah, what joy! Don’t you agree, Les?"
                tueles "… I think Yue-Hin is pretty okay."
                tuel "Rowan, my sister, Tue-Les, a woman of many words."
                "She giggled, while Rowan studied Tue-Lan more closely. Yue-Hin. Jor-Owi. Orn-Bow. All names mentioned in the dossier, but only briefly."
                "Tue-San had a low opinion of everyone, it seemed, but for the triplets it hit rock bottom, and then some. When he asked about them, Tue-San downright called them a bunch of idiots."
                "Apparently they were too high up the hierarchy to just demote - so instead she gave each an assistant too competent for that role, to ensure their departments would not fall apart."
                "It seemed to have worked for two of them. The final one… Was he slighted by it? Could he be driven by petty vengeance? If so, would he actually take it out on Tue-Row, rather than Tue-San?"
                #tuemai angry
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                tuem "… Tue-Lan, take that back."
                "He turned to look at Tue-Mai, surprised. She was glaring at her cousin, and for the first time he saw the resemblance with Tue-San. It was the same cold look her sister pulled off so well."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                tuem "Tue-San did more for the clan than all four of us ever will. If I hear you badmouthing her again, I will have to ask you to leave."
                tuelan "Sheesh… Alright, alright, I’m sorry. It’s just the alcohol talking."
                tuem "Then maybe grab some fresh air to sober up?"
                tuel "Said the kettle to the pot! Ha, yeah, let’s take a break. There is still so much partying to be done today!"
                "The three left, more swiftly than they needed. Rowan let them go - that short interaction revealed more than any interrogation could. He looked down at Tue-Mai - and saw her sigh with relief."
                #tuemai concerned
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                tuem "Aaaaah, man, being so serious is difficult! How does Tue-San does that all the time! And you too, now that I think about it."
                ro "Practice. Tons, and tons of practice."
                tuem "Blah, no thank you~~ Sis looks great with that imperious expression, but I’d rather keep a smile on my face! Now excuse me, I have to grab a bite. I’m ravenous!"
                hide tuemai with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                if schmoozeLater:
                    show tuemai neutral behind bg71
                    tuem "And after that - we schmooze. Ha ha!"
                else:
                    "He opened his mouth to remind her to actually focus on protecting the prince, but closed them a moment later. It was no use. Tue-Mai… Was just Tue-Mai."
                jump gobGroupMenu_rp

            "Approach the quiet pair near the wall." if gobSeenGroups > 2 and seenPair == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ gobSeenGroups += 1
                $ seenPair = True
                "He didn’t notice them at first. Two young men, staying on the sidelines, and whispering to each other. The other goblins seemed to purposely ignore them. His curiosity piqued, he approached them."
                ro "I don’t think we’ve been introduced to each other. I’m Rowan Blackwell."
                "The two goblins shot him a deadpan look, obviously knowing who he was. But now that he introduced himself, so did they have to. The one on the left, in a gray tunic of many pockets, sighed and went first."
                dirr "Director Raphael, from the War Innovations Division. And this is my friend, vice-principal Geralt."
                "Geralt gave him a cheeky smile. Dressed in a simple white shirt, he seemed to enjoy the hostile looks they now received."
                ro "… There’s a story behind the names, I take it?"
                if rowanCorrupt <31:
                    ro "I apologize if it’s an unpleasant one. Perhaps I shouldn’t pry."
                    vpg "Oh, don’t worry about it. Most people would rather forget it. But we aren’t going anywhere."
                else:
                    vpg "As it is with everything. Most would rather forget it. But we aren’t going anywhere."
                dirr "We come from clans who opposed Tue-Row. Most of our kin died fighting him, and we were on the verge of collapse when Tue-Row took Hoz’holt. We were asked to bend the knee."
                vpg "We refused. We would rather die than join the Tue clan."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve
                tues "Which would have been a senseless loss of talent."
                "Tue-San approached the three of them. Raphael offered her a respectful bow. Geralt hesitated a moment, then, tight-lipped, followed."
                tues "In return for their loyalty and service, vice-principal Geralt and Director Raphael were granted amnesty and were allowed to abandon and dissolve their clans. After doing so they followed my advice and took on new names."
                dirr "Allowed… As if we had a choice."
                tues "There is always one. Be glad the prince did not insist on you joining the clan."
                ro "How is this any different than actually doing it?"
                dirr "It’s a matter of principles. We serve the prince of all goblins, not the leader of clan Tue."
                vpg "As to if it is any different… We’ll see if Tue-Row stays true to his word."
                tues "He will. I guarantee it."
                "The two goblins didn’t seem convinced, but they still lowered their heads before Tue-San."
                dirr "… We should go now. I don’t enjoy getting glared at."
                vpg "But Tue-Mai looks so cute when she shows her tongue at us! I would love to put it to good use-"
                #tuesan angry
                tues "That’s enough. You know what is expected of you. Do not cause the Prince any trouble."
                "The two bowed - again - and retreated. Rowan looked to Tue-San, who narrowed her eyes at him."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                #tuesan neutral
                ro "What? They were suspicious."
                tues "… I suppose that is not an inaccurate assessment. But they are not our primary suspects."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "They seem to be exactly the people who would want Tue-Row dead. Is keeping them around worth the risk?"
                tues "They are third and fourth sons. They were never groomed for leadership, and before the conflict started, they both wanted to find their own road in life. Honour dictates they grumble and complain, but they are not the type to throw their life away in name of petty vengeance."
                tues "And they are worth the risk. Talent is a rare commodity. Their fathers were shortsighted fools, but they will build the new world Tue-Row envisions."
                tues "Now if we’re done with this little excursion, there are still people I must question."
                hide tuesan with moveoutleft
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "She left without another word. Factions within factions… And this one seemed to be held on a tight leash by Tue-San herself."
                "Goblin politics really did get complicated."
                jump gobGroupMenu_rp

            "Finish gathering information. (Scene)":# if gobSeenGroups > 4:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

        # Replay mod: Fix for skipping
        if gobSeenGroups < 4:
            $ seenYule = True
            $ seenGenerals = True
            $ seenMatriarchs = True
            $ seenCousins = True
            $ seenPair = True
            $ countYule = "like"

        scene bg74 with fade
        "Evening turned to night, and the number of guests slowly started to dwindle. Some departed early, citing various responsibilities, like Tue-San’s people. Others were simply too drunk to continue. "

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "He searched the room for Tue-San, and found her talking with Tue-Row. She was holding the prince by the arm, subtly helping him stand. His wound still hasn’t healed, and keeping up appearances the whole evening must have been exhausting."

        #show bg74 with sshake
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with moveoutleft
        #tuemai shocked at center with moveinright
        show tuemai neutral at center with moveinright
        show bg74 with sshake

        tuem "Ah, Rowan! I didn’t see you! "
        tuem "Haaaaaa, I don’t know how, I mean, you’re huuuuuuuuuge!"

        #tuemai happy
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Tue-Mai. You had a pleasant evening, I take it?"

        tuem "Yes! I mean- Reasonably. "

        "She tried to stand straight, and managed to do so, just barely. It seemed the short dinner break didn’t help her stay sober. She clung to Rowan’s arm, and followed his gaze."

        tuem "Aaaw, aren’t the two of them a pretty picture."

        ro "Are you jealous?"

        tuem "Of Tue-San? Never! She’s my sister! And, well-"

        #tuemai sad
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "She blushed, just a little, and spoke her next words quietly so nobody else could hear them."

        tuem "She and Tue-Row are made for each other. Tue-Row is- Tue-Row, really. There’s no comparison"
        tuem "Under his leadership, we’ve thought we’ve reached the sky, and then with just one swoop of his arm, he smashed the painted ceiling over our heads, and showed us how the real stars sparkle."
        tuem "And Tue-San… I meant everything I said earlier. She’s the best of us, Rowan. Always has been"
        tuem "Smart, talented, hard-working. We all thought she would take over after father. At least when she was younger. Then the arguments started, and…"

        if gobFamDinner:
            "She trailed off, a melancholic note to her voice. After his experience with Cla-Min, it was difficult to imagine a goblin family could actually argue this much."

        else:
            "She trailed off, a melancholic note to her voice. Goblin families were supposed to be tightly knit. Could they really argue this much?"

        ro "What did they argue about? Tue-Row?"

        tuem "Row? Ha! Nah, no, never. Well, possibly. Tue-San didn’t like him that much, back when dad adopted him into the clan. "
        tuem "But it started even before he joined us. I think it was mostly about… I dunno, politics, I suppose. Dad said Tue-San was selfish, and didn’t care about the clan at all. Tue-San complained he was a blind fool, with petty ambitions."

        ro "Your sister doesn’t mince words."

        tuem "Honestly? She’s more restrained nowadays. She once brought Tue-Lan to tears just for suggesting she should wear brighter colors more often."

        ro "… I think he actually deserved that. But - you said she and Tue-Row really didn’t get along at first?"

        "He backtracked before the conversation could veer off topic. Now that was an interesting little tidbit Tue-San oh so conveniently omitted…"

        #show Mai neutral.

        tuem "Yeah. It’s a little strange, now that I think about it. Tue-Row and father were best buddies from day one, so dad didn’t think twice about adopting him. Maybe that’s why Tue-San didn’t like him at first, since dad dotted on him so much."
        tuem "But then she and Tue-Row started working together, and as she spent more time with him she started to complain less about him, and then dad and Row started to have all of these disagreements on how to continue the war, and -"
        tuem "I’m sorry, it really wasn’t a good time for us. For a moment we were just… Dancing on the edge. If not for Row and sis… And I don’t want to think about it."

        "Tue-Mai sighed, still watching his sister. Rowan wondered if she really didn’t think all of this was strange."

        tuem "… I wish he wasn’t marrying Zii. Then everything would be just perfect."

        ro "I don’t think anybody is looking forward to the dias."

        "The goblin by his side shievered, and stuck her tongue out as if she just ate something nasty."

        #mai happy
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

        tuem "Yuck! Don’t remind me. I am {b}so{/b} glad I’m not privy to whatever Tue-Row is planning for {i}that{/i}. Will it include doggy-style? Because it feels like it should include doggy-style."

        ro "Beats me. It honestly might."

        tuem "Awful. Just awful. It’s going to ruin my favorite position."

        ro "Was {i}that{/i} something I needed to know?"

        "He laughed, and Tue-Mai rolled her eyes, pouting a little. Her cheeks were red with embarrassment - or was it just the wine?"

        #mai aroused

        tuem "… Well, I suppose it is the second embarrassing fact you’ve learned today about my bedroom preferences. "
        tuem "Would you like to learn another?"
        tuem "{i}And then another{/i}?"

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "She pressed herself against him, her fingers reaching up to grab his hand. Biting her lower lip, she eagerly awaited his answer."

        menu:
            "Try to learn Tue-Mai’s embarrassing bedroom secrets - firsthand. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "He ran his fingers through her hair, playing with her braid. Such a cute little goblin she was… "
                ro "I’m always eager to learn about my new allies. And from what Lin said, I could help satiate your curiosity as well."
                "Mai giggled, hiding her face in the sleeve of his shirt, then pulling him back, towards one of the exits."
                tuem "You certainly will ~~ "
                jump tuemaiSex_rp

            "Tue-San would definitely not approve of this.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "There’s an assassin on the loose, Tue-Mai."
                tuem "So? There are guards for that, and the party is already over."
                ro "I don’t think your sister would share the sentiment."
                #mai angry
                "Mai’s eyes went to her sister. She pursed her lips, and a moment later a slightly devious smirk appeared on her face."
                tuem "You want to stay on my sis’ good side, eh? Ah… Everyone always wants her. Never poor old me."
                ro "That’s-"
                #mai happy
                tuem "Oh, don’t worry. I don’t mind. Tue-San is amazing. If I was a man I’d probably want her to, ha ha!"
                tuem "Tell you what… I wouldn’t mind whispering a good word about you to her… But I do want something in return…"
                "She rubbed herself up and down against his leg, her casual, shy filtration now turning far more aggressive."
                menu:
                    "He was certainly interested in Tue-San… And Mai was pretty cute… (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Tue-San still hasn’t left Tue-Row’s side. And while he had no intention of competing with the goblin prince… From what Mai told him, he guessed Tue-San wasn’t exactly opposed to taking lovers from time to time."
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "… Does this count as goblin politics as well?"
                        tuem "From what I learned about humans, that’s just regular deal-making. Now come… Let’s find a room…"
                        "She pulled at his sleeve, and he followed behind her. A good word, huh…"
                        "He fully intended to give Tue-Mai plenty to talk about."
                        jump tuemaiSex_rp
                    "He had no interest in any Tue women.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        #mai angry at midright with moveoutright
                        "Rowan sighed, grabbed Tue-Mai by the head, and politely, but firmly, moved her exactly two feet away from him."
                        ro "Mai, please… "
                        tuem "Alright, alright, sheesh… Can’t believe you just picked me."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Should I not lord my physical power like this?"
                        tuem "You should, just not like that! You know, you and Tue-san would definitely get along. Both of you just seem to never let loose, not even for a moment."
                        tuem "It’s always work work work. I’d go insane if I functioned like that."
                        tuem "There’s just so much more to life than that! It should be cherished! Enjoyed with people you love and who love you back!"
                        show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                        tues "Please stop embarrassing yourself Mai."
                        tuem "But it’s the truth, sis! I wish you saw it that way too…"
                        tues "I don’t have time for this. Go sober up already."
                        hide tuemai with moveoutright
                        show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright
                        tues "Rowan, we’ll discuss today’s developments later. I just need to know one thing."
                        tues "Count Yule. Do you think he would back Zii over Tue-Row?"
                        "He scratched his chin, thinking. From just one interaction, to make a judgment call…"
                        ro "Impossible to say. He certainly seems enthusiastic about going to war…"
                        if countYule == "like":
                            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "… But I think he has a romanticized vision of how it will all play out. That it will be some grand rebirth of the goblin race. He certainly wouldn’t mind Zii being part of it, but I don’t think he would approve of her leading it. "
                            tues "And he certainly lacks support to do it himself, and he knows it. He’s not as reckless as he pretends to be. And I’ll ensure he stays that way."
                        else:
                            ro "… And all this bluster, and talk about restoring the goblin glory… He’s a little too enthusiastic about it."
                            tues "It’s not sincere."
                            ro "It’s all an excuse to lay claim to the land before everybody else. I wouldn’t trust him."
                            tues "Neither do I. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for any suspicious movements on his side."
                        tues "Good job. We’ll discuss the rest later."
                        if submissionToTuesan:
                            ro "Of course. As you command, Tue-San."
                            "He lowered his head in deference to the goblin woman - and caught her staring at him intensely, her expression revealing nothing. He smiled, a little nervously."
                            tues "… Precisely. Again, good job."
                            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                            hide tuesan with moveoutright
                            "His heart racing just a little, he watched her leave in haste, no doubt ready to put whatever political blackmail she managed to acquire today into good use."
                        else:
                            hide tuesan with moveoutright
                            "He nodded along, and watched her leave in a haste, no doubt ready to put whatever political blackmail she managed to acquire today into good use."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        "He wasn’t sure how much progress were they able to make today. But at least he was able to get a closer look at Tue-Row’s coalition."
                        "He just hoped all of these political plots won’t bleed over into Bloodmeen. Things were difficult as they were."
                        scene black with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                        ro "… Fucking goblin politics."
                        # $ avatar.mp -= 5
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
                        # $ push_to_previous_tile()
                        return

    label tuemaiSex_rp:

        scene black with fade

        "They stumbled into one of the guest rooms, Rowan hastily taking his clothes off as Tue-Mai undid the latches of her armor. They tossed them to the floor carelessly, along with their weapons."
        "They got lucky with their choice of rooms- this one was stylised in Rosarian fashion, full of robbed furniture and paintings. It included a red, plush sofa. Perfect for what Rowan had in mind."
        "He didn’t wait. The moment Tue-Mai dropped her panties, he picked her up and shoved her against the sofa’s armpit. "

        #cg1
        scene black with fade
        show tuemai neutral behind black
        show rowan necklace naked behind black
        show tuesan neutral behind black

        tuem "O-oh! So {i}that’s{/i} what it means to be manhandled… I’m starting to see the appeal."

        ro "The joys of having a goblin lover. You can pick them up and bend them over whenever you want to."

        "Tue-Mai giggled, and he placed his hands between her legs, and spread them open. He traced one finger over her pussy. She was already leaking, ready to take him."

        ro "For someone so high up the hierarchy… You’re quite the horny little slut. Was that what you wanted to show me?"

        tuem "Mmmm… Maybe ~~"

        "He pulled her ponytail back, forcing her head up so he could kiss her lips. She answered him ravenously, pushing her body back, brushing her ass against his cock."

        tuem "Can we - ah! - do it in the back? I… I promised to remain a virgin until marriage, so..."

        "She whispered, suddenly sounding shy. How could he say no to such a heartfelt plea? He forced his finger deeper into her pussy, coaxing it in her juices. Then he trailed it up, and slid it up her backdoor."

        tuem " A-ah! Ah…"

        "She moaned quietly, as he pushed his fingers deeper, thrusting in and out while his cock brushed against her leg, eager to find her entrance and defile it. Just a little more, and she’ll be ready. Just-"

        tues "What are you two doing?"

        "They both froze. Tue-San was standing at the entrance, closing the door behind her. She was glaring at them, her eyes radiating cold fury."

        tues "I ask you to be on the lookout for Tue-Row’s assassin, and you go slut around instead?"

        tuem "Ha-a… I mean, there hasn’t been any…"

        "Tue-San paid no attention to her excuses, and instead focused her attention on Rowan. Naked as he was, the intensity of her glare made him shiver a little."

        if submissionToTuesan:
            tues "Blackwell. You were supposed to follow orders. But I see it was your cock doing the thinking at the end."
        else:
            "Blackwell. I see you just had to prove what a strong, independent man you are."

        ro "I-"

        tues "I don’t want to hear it. If you have to stick your cock into someone that badly, then get on with it."

        "Rowan blinked. Tue-San walked up to them, their position allowing her to look down on the pair."

        tues "You heard me. If you two have to act like dogs in heat, then at least be quick about it. I have questions for you, Blackwell, and I’m not going to ask them while you are balls deep into my sister."
        tues "{b}So stop playing around and fuck her already{/b}."

        "Tue-Mai shivered beneath him, pushing her ass back just a little. With her needs not met, she certainly wasn’t opposed to the idea…"

        jump tue_san1_skip_rp
        label tue_san1_skip_rp:
        
        menu:
            "Do as Tue-San commands. (Scene 1)" if submissionToTuesan:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene cg1396 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1397 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1398 with dissolve
                pause 3
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1396
                show tuemai neutral behind cg1396
                show tuesan neutral behind cg1396
                "Slowly, he started to thrust his cock into Mai’s backdoor. The diminutive goblin bit her lips not to moan, grabbing the armrest desperately, seeking something to latch onto."
                "Being watched by her sister must have been humiliating, but seized by the madness of it all, she didn’t want to stop. Still, her tiny body shuddered as she struggled with every inch of his cock pushing inside her."
                tuem "A-aaaah, it’s so big Rowan…"
                tues "You were never bothered by excess before, Mai. Take it like a woman."
                tuem "H-ha, easy for you to say, sis…"
                "She whimpered, and Rowan slowly gyrated his hips, helping her adjust to the size. He didn’t want to hurt her. Was it out of concern for Tue-Mai, or because her sister was watching, he wasn’t sure."
                tues "You are being too gentle with her, Blackwell. Go harder."
                ro "She’s really tight-"
                tues "I said {b}harder{/b}! Do not argue, and do as you are told!"
                "Tue-San imperative tone froze them both for a moment. If someone was walking past the door, they had to hear it."
                "Tue-Mai whimpered again, and bit into her arm not to cry out. Swallowing heavily, Rowan pulled back - then thrust his cock back in."
                tuem "Mmmmmmm!"
                "The force of his thrust pushed Tue-Mai forward, and the goblin struggled to stay up. What little strength she had, she funneled it to answer his thrust, slowly moving her hips."
                "Fearing she might collapse, Rowan wrapped her arm around her, holding her up as he thrust yet again."
                tues "Adorable. You make for a wonderful cock-sleeve, sister."
                tuem "Tue-San, {i}pleeeeeeaaaaaaaase{/i}…"
                "Tue-San paid no attention to her pleas. She tilted her head - just a little - so she could watch Rowan’s cock as it disappeared into Mai’s ass. "
                tues "Hmph. Are all human men hung like horses? Is that why it’s so hard for you to focus on your job? All that blood flowing out of your head and into your cock?"
                "Her words were cruel, but this time, she sounded more amused than displeased. “Hung like a horse” - was it not a compliment?"
                "He sought her eyes – and instantly found himself at the receiving end of another cold glare."
                tues "Where are you looking, Blackwell? It’s my sister you are fucking, not me. Can’t you focus? Do you have not only the cock of a horse, but the brain of one too?"
                show cg1399 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "She leaned in, just enough to whisper into his ear. Mai’s moans grew louder, so when Tue-San finally spoke, only he heard it."
                tues "Or is my sister not enough? Are you that disgusting of a man, Blackwell? That you covet another as you take her sister?"
                "His throat grew parched, and he couldn’t bring himself to speak up. Instead, he pulled back, and thrust into Mai yet again, causing the goblin to yelp - all while holding Tue-San’s gaze. It was all the answer she needed."
                tues "Disgusting. Are you enjoying what this disgusting man is doing to you, sister?"
                tuem "Mmmmmmmm! A-aaaaah… Itsh ssshhoo gooood…."
                tues "{i}Of course you are{/i}. A slut and an animal in rut. What a pair you are."
                "Mai whimpered, lowering her head, hiding her shameful expression from the both of them. In a rare display of sisterly affection, Tue-San ran her fingers through Mai’s hair, ever so gently."
                tues "Let’s get this out of your system, Mai."
                "Which made her next words all the more humiliating."
                show cg1400 with dissolve
                pause 3
                tues "Fuck her harder, Blackwell. I want my sister to be unable to sit on her ass for the next week."
                "Nodding along, Rowan gripped Tue-Mai tighter, and pushed his cock all the way in."
                tuem "—--------! Mmmmmmm- mmmmm!"
                "This time he gave her not a moment of respite. He pulled out, his massive cock stretching her with every small movement - then trust again, the motion making Tue-Mai whimper, and causing the sofa to creak dangerously."
                "Holding the younger sister in place, his fingers playing with her chest, he kept pounding her, again, and again, dominating her completely, making the usually loud goblin bite her lips so hard she almost drew blood, all in a desperate attempt not to moan like a complete whore."
                "All while her sister watched. Tue-San didn’t move from her spot, her cold eyes watching the perverse display with seemingly little interest. But the soft flush of her cheeks revealed to Rowan she wasn’t entirely indifferent to it."
                "And it wasn’t her sister she was mostly focused on, but Rowan. Her eyes wandered his body, watching his muscles work, observing how his cock disappeared into her sister - and most importantly, meeting his desperate gaze."
                tues "Don’t you dare come before my sister, Blackwell."
                "He nodded, waiting for her permission, trying to ignore the maddening tightness of Tue-Mai’s ass. Her inner walls clenched around him, squeezed him greedily, never wanting to let go of him."
                tuem "MMmmm-mmm! Mmmm! Aa-ahh! AAAH!"
                "Eventually, Mai couldn’t hold herself back, she pulled her head back, screaming out as she came. He thrust as deeply as he could, and held her place, feeling her body spasm in his arms."
                "His own body yearned to join her in this release - but when he looked up into Tue-San’s eyes, he saw no permission in them to do so."
                menu:
                    "Hold back.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ tueSanPermission = True
                        tuem "Aaa-aaah! Aaaah…. Haaaa… Shoooo gooood…"
                        "After what seemed like an eternity, Mai collapsed back onto the sofa, breathing heavily - while Rowan was still trapped on the edge of his own orgasm. "
                        tues "Good job, Blackwell."
                        "He received only the faintest of praise from Tue-San - whose face was suddenly right next to his, her hair brushing his cheeks, as her lips neared his ear."
                        tues "Now come for me."
                        tues "Fill my sister with your cum."
                        tues "{b}Come!{/b}"
                        show cg1401 with dissolve
                        pause 1
                        show cg1401 with sshake
                        show cg1402 with flash
                        pause 2
                        "With a shameful grunt, he exploded into Tue-Mai, his hips instinctively thrusting his cock, filling her ass to the brim with his cum, like a stallion breeding his mare."
                        "Tue-San smiled ever so slightly, and pulled away, allowing him to enjoy the moment."
                    "Come.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ tueSanPermission = False
                        "Maybe it was the way Tue-Mai was trashing underneath him. Maybe it was Tue-San’s cold stare. Either way, he was no longer able to hold back."
                        ro "A-ah!"
                        show cg1401 with dissolve
                        pause 1
                        show cg1401 with sshake
                        show cg1402 with flash
                        pause 2
                        "With a shameful grunt, he exploded into the younger sister, his hips instinctively thrusting forth, his cock filling her ass to the brim with cum, like a stallion breeding his mare."
                        tues "… How disappointing."
                        tues "Not much better than an animal, in the end."
                        tues "{b}Both of you.{/b}"
                scene black with fade
                "… What followed was a long, awkward moment of silence. "
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                #tuesan happy
                show tuesan neutral behind black
                show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve
                "Rowan dressed himself swiftly, while Mai quietly waited for Tue-San to come back with a bucket of water, so she could clean herself up, and not spill human seed with every step she took."
                "For a moment, he wondered if Tue-Mai regretted her earlier decision - but when Tue-San wasn’t looking she gave him the widest, dreamiest smile, and a mouthed “Let’s do it again!” with a short giggle."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                #tuesan neutral
                tues "Now that this is done and over with, I want to know your impression of Count Yule."
                tues "And keep it short, Blackwell. This little excursion of yours took enough of my time."
                "Rowan started to answer her, then coughed awkwardly, and swallowed before starting again. He desperately needed a drink."
                if countYule == "like":
                    ro "I think he’s… Something of an idealist? He seems to have a romanticized vision of how the war will play out. That it will be some grand rebirth of the goblin race."
                    ro "I don’t think he would mind Zii being part of it, but I don’t think he would approve of her leading it."
                    tues "And he certainly lacks support to try and do it himself, and he knows it. He’s not as reckless as he pretends to be. And I’ll ensure he stays that way."
                else:
                    ro "I think… That all that talk about honour, pride - it’s all bluster. A way to veil his ambitions."
                    ro "He’s using his clan’s history to establish a claim on land he might have no right to, before the first arrow is even fired. I wouldn’t trust him."
                    tues "Neither do I. I’ll make sure to keep an eye out for any suspicious movements on his side."
                tues "This is satisfactory. We’ll discuss the rest later."
                if tueSanPermission:
                    ro "Of course. As you command, Tue-San."
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    #tuesan happy
                    "He lowered his head in deference to the goblin woman - and caught her staring at him intensely, her expression revealing little - just a hint of a smile."
                    tues " … Precisely. Again, good job."
                    "His heart racing, he watched her leave, no doubt ready to put whatever political blackmail she managed to acquire to good use."
                    "And maybe, just maybe… Reminiscent on what happened today."
                else:
                    ro "Of course. As you command, Tue-San."
                    "He lowered his head in deference to the goblin woman - and caught her staring at him intensely, her expression revealing nothing. He smiled, a little nervously."
                    tues "… Precisely."
                    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                    "His heart racing just a little, he watched her leave, no doubt ready to put whatever political blackmail she managed to acquire to good use."
                hide tuesan with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "It was only when she was out of the room that he realized he was holding his breath. He let it out, mumbling under his breath."
                ro "Fuck…"
                tuem "Ha… I know."
                "He shared a look with the younger sister. She smiled from ear to ear, red as a tomato."
                "He wondered if next time, they should invite Tue-San again."
                # $ tuesanThreesome = True
                # $ avatar.mp -= 5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #  prevent_tile_exploration()
                # $ push_to_previous_tile()
                # return

            "You couldn’t care less about being watched. Keep going. (Scene 2)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Well, since Miss Tue-San commands it- "
                tuem "G-ah!"
                scene cg1403 with dissolve
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1403
                #show tuemai aroused
                show tuemai neutral behind cg1403
                #tue san annoyed
                show tuesan neutral behind cg1403
                pause 3
                "With a grin, he pushed {i}hard{/i}, burying his cock deep inside Tue-Mai. The younger sister threw her head back, eyes rolling up, as she struggled with his massive cock almost splitting her in half."
                "Tue-San narrowed her eyes at him, much to his delight. He gyrated his hips ever so slightly, helping Tue-Mai accustom herself to his size. "
                ro "I hope this is everything you’ve imagined it would be, Mai. "
                tuem "A-aaaah, fffffuuuuck…"
                "She was bouncing back and forth with his every movement. He had to wrap his arm around her chest and hold her still, just so he could pull out of her."
                tuem "Aaaaa-aa-aaaah, oh my gods oh my gods oh my gods-"
                tues "…Can you at least pretend to have some dignity, sister."
                ro "Don’t be so hard on her, Tue-San. I’m expanding her horizons here. Showing her a world she never knew."
                tues "… Unbelievable. I retract my previous statement, this is too embarrassing to watch."
                tuem "Aa-aaaah, siiiiiiisssss, don’t be like thaaaaaat-"
                tues "Rowan, Count Yule. What was your impression of him. Keep it short, I might actually puke."
                ro "Count Yule, Count Yule, Count Yule…"
                "He pondered out loud, each iteration accompanied by another hard thrust into Tue-Mai. Tue-San’s eyebrow twitched - which was his greatest victory this evening."
                if countYule == "like":
                    ro "A bit of an idealist. With a romanticised vision of retaking his ancestral land and restoring his clan’s honor. Doesn’t seem like a good fit for Zii."
                else:
                    ro "So full of bluster… I don’t trust a moment of it. All he cares about is getting the biggest slice of the pie. All that talk about honor is just pulling wool over everyone’s eyes."
                tues "I see."
                "He pushed hard, again, causing Tue-Mai to yelp out in pained ecstasy."
                tuem "A-ah! Sssshhooo gooood… It’s like my asshh is on fire…"
                tues "Thank you for your input sister. I will reschedule your tomorrow meetings. I don’t think you’ll be sitting down anytime soon."
                tues "Please enjoy your evening, while I work on {i}keeping our prince alive{/i}."
                "And with that, she turned on her heel, and swiftly left the room. If she walked any faster, Rowan would accuse her of running."
                ro "Ah, the rightful indignation… You think next time we’ll be able to convince her to join us, Mai?"
                "He kissed her on the scalp, and slowed down his thrusts just a little, so Tue-Mai could gather her thoughts."
                tuem "A-ah… It’s… S-she’s just… Closed off…"
                ro "I see that. Then again… Maybe anally dominating you was a bit too much for courting."
                "He thrust again, wrapping his hand around her throat, leaning down so he could shower her neck with kisses, enjoying how her entire body trembled from the sheer size of his cock."
                ro "But enough about her. I want to enjoy you to the fullest, Mai."
                tuem "A-aaah! Y-yes! Please- fuck me hard, Rowan!"
                ro "Oh, I will. I promise."
                "He held nothing back, using Mai’s body to satiate his lust. His hands roamed freely, grabbing her tits, and teasing her nipples when she least expected it."
                tuem "A–aah!"
                ro "You have quite the erotic body underneath all that armor, Mai. So sensitive~~"
                "He pinched her nipple again, making her moan. Her sister might have been a harpy - but Mai’s sweet voice would fit a siren."
                ro "Whatever goblin marries you will be a lucky bastard. But for now-"
                "He slapped her ass, then sank his fingers into her yielding flesh, enjoying the softness of it."
                ro "For now I have you all to myself."
                "A weak moan was all she could manage. It was an admission of defeat - of being beaten and conquered by Rowan’s cock. He chuckled, and picked up the tempo."
                "With Tue-San gone, he was free to enjoy Mai for as long as he wanted. Pulling her hair back, he pounded her arse with no remorse, lording his physical strength over her, giving her what a goblin lover never might."
                tuem "Aaa-aaah! F-f-f-fuck!"
                show cg1404 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Teased by his skilled hands, his fingers caressing her clit as his cock violated her ass, she came quickly, screaming out, then forcing her mouth into the sofa to muffle her cries of ecstasy."
                "He chuckled, and kept going. He wanted her to come again, as many times as possible…"
                ".. And in the end, she came not once, not twice, but thrice."
                ro "Hngh- Ah!"
                show cg1404 with sshake
                show cg1404 with sshake
                show cg1405 with flash
                pause 3
                "After the third one, he himself came, painting her insides white. His hips instinctively thrust forward as he was cumming, pushing his cum deeper, stuffing her fully."
                tuem "Ooooohhhh gooooooods, R-rowan, this is too much!"
                ro "I- Ngh! - Wasn’t kidding about expanding your horizons. Now, lay still for a moment… I want to enjoy this moment."
                "He hugged her close, enveloping her from the outside as much as he was filling her on the inside. Holding her so close, he could sense every breath she took, her chest rising and falling."
                "He heard her desperately trying to get her ragged breathing under control.. He smiled ever so slightly, and kissed her head again. She giggled."
                tuem "Haaa… Alright, this is nice…"
                tuem "… Though Tue-San was right, I probably {i}should{/i} get back to keeping Row safe."
                ro "Five more minutes, Mai."
                "She raised her head, and nuzzled against him, poking his cheek with her nose, then giving him a quick kiss. "
                tuem "Alright."
                scene black with fade
                show tuemai neutral behind black
                tuem "Five more minutes. "
                # $ tuemaiFucked = True
                # $ avatar.mp -= 5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
                # $ push_to_previous_tile()
                # return

    return

# \rowan_intro.rpy
label prologueend_rp:

    # These only affects one line of dialogue
    $ jezeraIntroSex = False
    $ andrasIntroSex = False

    scene black with fade
    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The orc guards escorted Rowan from the throne room to the guest wing of the castle. They brought him to one of the rooms, then ushered him inside before closing the door behind him."
    "Rowan chuckled wryly after hearing the sound of his door being locked and that one of the guards hadn't left with the others. He may have had better accommodations now, but he was still a prisoner."

    scene bg9 with fade

    "He surveyed his surroundings, immediately spotting his equipment laying on the bed, the gear that had been stolen from him when he'd been captured all those months ago."
    "He picked up the blade, wincing in pain from the effort thanks to the stiffness in his arms."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "As he felt the waver in his grip from the long months of inactivity, his eyes wandered to a lone piece of parchment sitting on the nearby desk."
    "Upon it, scrawled in elegant, flowing characters was a single phrase."
    "{i}Sixth Window, North Tower{/i}."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stared at it for a long moment, then immediately began to dress."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "After making his way to the North Tower, he found the room the note had mentioned blocked by a host of Orcish guards. He managed to steal away into a room the floor below, then shimmied up the wall towards the window."
    "The climb should have been easy for him. He had done it countless times on the walls of Karst during the siege. But his weakened arms burned with effort, his lungs screamed at him to rest."
    "Sheer will was all that kept him going."
    "He {i}would{/i} see Alexia again."

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia sat alone in the darkness at the edge of her bed, staring at the floor, trying desperately to hold back tears."
    "She didn’t know why her breaking point was tonight of all nights. Nothing particularly untoward had happened: her daily trudge to the library had been boring and uneventful. The maids were quiet, and the orcs ignored her as always. The sky was full of just as many stars as yesterday."
    "Yesterday, and the day before that... and the day before that. Her lip quivered."
    "She thought about Arthdale all the time now. More than when she’d first left. She clung to those warm memories like she was drowning. Her fists clenched at her lap."

    al "{i}Oh, Goddess.{/i}"

    "Hope was such a subtle thing to lose."
    "She’d be fine after tonight, she knew she would. Tomorrow she’d wake up, put on her mask, and bear it all once more. Again and again, as long as it took. Till Rowan came for her, or fate decided otherwise."
    "But morning was still a long way off, and the walls of her gilded cage bore down on her with an oppressive weight. She put her head in her hands."

    al "What am I going to do?"

    "A sudden knocking at her bedroom window stirred her from her despondent reverie. She looked up, her dull eyes matching gazes with an onlooker from outside her bedroom window. She stared at him for a long moment, uncomprehending."

    show alexia intro necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "..."

    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Rowan?"

    "Time seemed to slow to a crawl. Alexia leapt up from her spot at the end of the bed and rushed over to the windowsill. Her hands clumsily fiddled with the lock, half-frantic as her heartbeat pounded in her chest. She flung open the window, nearly cracking the pane in the process."

    show alexia intro necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}Rowan!{/i}"

    "She took hold of her husband’s hand to help pull him up. His grin was wider than she'd ever seen it. He clung to her hand as if it was the only thing keeping him from falling. She all but yanked him into the room with her."

    show cg1412 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1413 with dissolve
    show alexia intro necklace shocked behind cg1413
    show rowan intro necklace happy behind cg1413
    pause 3

    "They embraced. It was wordless, a long moment of silence passed as they simply held each other."

    ro "Alexia…"
    al "Rowan… oh {i}Goddess{/i}, Rowan…"

    "The tears flowed freely now. She was laughing, she thought; it was hard to pay attention to anything but the feel of his arms around her and his familiar warmth. Her mind was going a million miles a minute. "

    al "You came. You really came."
    ro "Of course I did."
    al "I... I feel like a princess in a storybook!"

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan pulled back, smiling at her with that cocky grin of his. She giggled, feeling almost bashful at the sudden, unexpected intimacy of the moment. Rowan’s eyes trailed downwards, towards the necklace at her neck. His face fell."

    al "What’s wrong?"

    show rowan intro necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro " Nothing, love."

    "He hid his lie poorly, but Alexia was too giddy to care. She clung to him, burying her head in his chest."

    al "I missed you so much."

    if jezeraIntroSex or andrasIntroSex:
        ro "..."
        ro "Me… too."

    else:
        ro "Me too."

    al "Where have you been? Goddess, it’s been so long-"
    ro "I arrived in Bloodmeen several months ago, this was the first chance I had to find you."

    show alexia intro necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}What{/i}?"
    ro "I was captured. The demons, Jezera and Andras, threw me in their prison after I refused to help them take over the six realms."

    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "They..."

    show alexia intro necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "THOSE BASTARDS!"
    al "Andras lied to me! He said you never arrived, that you had left me behind to hunt orcs in Rosaria!"
    ro "Nothing could be farther from the truth, Alexia."

    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "You… all this time, you were-"

    "More tears came. This time hot and wet and angry dollops down her cheeks. She fell into Rowans arms and held him tight, her throat constricting as she struggled to steady her breath."

    #show alexia intro necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "But... since you're here now, that means you managed to escape, right?"

    "Rowan drew Alexia's gaze to the necklace with the blue gemstone he was wearing, a twin to her own. Her face turned white."

    show alexia intro necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "No..."

    show rowan intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "I didn't escape, love... I agreed to serve them."

    show alexia intro necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "No, Rowan, please-"
    ro "It was the only way I could guarantee your safety."

    "He stroked her face, his lips turning downward."

    ro "I had to do it, Alexia."
    al "So… we’re stuck here?"
    ro "For now. Until I figure a way out of this mess."
    ro "But, whatever happens…"

    "Rowan's hand reached out to clasp her necklace. She looked up at his solemn face."

    ro "We're in this together now."

    "Her lips tilted upward. She felt a flutter in her chest. Alexia leaned up, her lips brushing across his as she pulled her head down towards him. Rowan reciprocated, and the two shared a long, passionate kiss."

    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    "The sudden loud {i}rapping{/i} of a heavy hand at the door to the bedroom made Alexia jump in place. Rowan glanced at the door, then at her. She softly shook her head."

    al "Ignore it."

    "They kissed again, savoring the moment - however brief, together."

    scene black with fade

    return

# \rowan_intro.rpy
label prologueend_ntr_rp:

    $ alexiaIntroFriendly = False

    "Was Alexia friendly to Andras during the prologue? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaIntroFriendly = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade
    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

    "The orc guards escorted Rowan from the throne room to the guest wing of the castle. They brought him to one of the rooms, then ushered him inside before closing the door behind him."
    "Rowan chuckled wryly after hearing the sound of his door being locked and that one of the guards hadn't left with the others. He may have had better accommodations now, but he was still a prisoner."

    scene bg9 with fade

    "He surveyed his surroundings, immediately spotting his equipment laying on the bed, the gear that had been stolen from him when he'd been captured all those months ago."
    "He picked up the blade, wincing in pain from the effort thanks to the stiffness in his arms."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "As he felt the waver in his grip from the long months of inactivity, his eyes wandered to a lone piece of parchment sitting on the nearby desk."
    "Upon it, scrawled in elegant, flowing characters was a single phrase."
    "{i}Sixth Window, North Tower{/i}."

    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stared at it for a long moment, then immediately began to dress."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "After making his way to the North Tower, he found the room the note had mentioned blocked by a host of Orcish guards. He managed to steal away into a room the floor below, then shimmied up the wall towards the window."
    "The climb should have been easy for him. He had done it countless times on the walls of Karst during the siege. But his weakened arms burned with effort, his lungs screamed at him to rest."
    "Sheer will was all that kept him going."
    "He {i}would{/i} see Alexia again."

    scene bg7 with fade

    show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia stared at herself in the floor-length mirror. She took a deep breath and unconsciously fingered the blue gemstone hanging from her bare neck."

    al "(Am I really going to go through with this?)"

    "She’d agonized over the thought the whole day, her mind twisting and turning in uncomfortable circles at the memory of Andras’ invitation. She looked at herself, standing there in her nightwear, and shivered."

    if alexiaIntroFriendly == True:
        "In the months and months of her imprisonment, Alexia never would have thought things would end up like this. Andras was brash; aggressive; temperamental. But he was also kind, protective, and... engaging!"
        "When she was bored, he brought her books to read. When loneliness struck, he helped her talk through her fears and worries."
        "He wasn’t anything like what she’d expected. Despite his demonic appearance, he was…"
        "She blushed."

    else:
        "How had it come to this? Standing here in her knickers, ogling herself like a prized piece of meat to be sold at auction. All for the sake of that damned brute and his infuriating smirk."
        "He was a braggart. A loud-mouthed monster. He’d kidnapped her, threatened her husband, {i}tormented{/i} her with the helplessness of her situation and the hopelessness of her escape every second he was around her."
        "He was a beast, not even worth a second of her time or thought. If he was on fire, she wouldn’t even waste the time it would take to spit on him."
        "She scowled into the mirror, angry at herself for the rush of heat that flooded her cheeks."
        "That {i}bastard{/i}."

    "Just as she was about to turn away from the mirror to head towards her… 'rendezvous,’ Alexia caught sight of something out of the corner of her eye. She turned, her eyes meeting his as the full weight of what she was looking at fell on her shoulders like a pile of bricks."

    show alexia necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "...!"

    "A heartbeat’s pause. Then another. Then another. She found herself moving as if underwater, rushing over to the bedroom window to see the man looking at her from outside."
    "He waved at her to stand back, then stabbed a knife through the lock on the window, snapping the flimsy metal almost immediately."

    al "{i}R-Rowan!{/i}"

    show cg1414 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1415 with dissolve
    show alexia necklace shocked behind cg1414
    show rowan intro necklace happy behind cg1414
    pause 3

    "Alexia peeled open the window and shakily helped her husband enter into her room. His grin was wider than she'd ever seen it. He clung to her hand as if it was the only thing keeping him from falling."
    "The moment he was through the window Rowan embraced her; she could do little but dazedly return the hug. She felt queasy, like she was going to be sick."

    al "I… h-how did you-"

    ro "{i}Shhh{/i}. It’s okay. I’m here. I’m here now, love. You're safe."

    "Rowan’s grip tightened around her. Constricting her. Alexia’s vision grew blurry as she tried to blink away the stinging wetness in her eyes. The words tumbled out of her mouth with little rhyme or reason."

    al "W-where… where have you-"

    ro "I’ll tell you everything, I swear. Just... for a minute, just let me-"

    "He held her close, breathing deeply as he struggled to keep his breath steady. She felt the cold press of a disturbingly familiar piece of jewelry around his neck."

    scene bg7 with fade
    show alexia necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan intro necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia pulled back, staring blankly at the gaudy necklace with the single, sapphire gem in the center. Her heart sank even further. When she finally spoke, it came out as an almost inaudible whisper."

    show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "What... took you so long? It’s been…"

    ro "I was captured trying to rescue you. I’ve been here for several months already. Jezera and Andras threw me in the dungeon after I refused to help them."

    show alexia necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "{i}What?!{/i}"
    ro "This was the first chance I’ve had to find you."
    al "Andras, he... he {i}lied to me{/i}!  He said you never came, that he had gone to find out what had happened to you."
    ro "He didn’t hurt you, did he?"
    al "No, I… he just..."

    "She swallowed heavily. She couldn’t come up with the proper words."

    show alexia necklace hopeful at midleft with dissolve

    al "S-since you're here now, does that mean... you managed to escape? Are we leaving?"

    show rowan intro necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan’s face went grave. His hand reached out, gently fingering the blue necklace around her neck, a twin to his own. He slowly shook his head."

    show alexia necklace shocked at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I didn't escape, I agreed to serve them."
    al "No..."
    ro "It was the only way I could guarantee your safety."

    show rowan intro necklace angry at midright with dissolve

    ro "These necklaces can be used to track us and teleport us back to the castle if need be. You also can't take them off, I've tried. Obviously, they intend to keep me on a short leash."

    show alexia necklace eyes closed at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia put her hand to her chest, trying to take in everything that had happened. What was this whirl of emotions she was feeling? Sadness? Despair?"
    "Yes. But also frustration, and a burning fury at the core of her chest."

    show alexia necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "So I'm just another chain to keep you loyal."

    show alexia necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan’s expression softened. He cupped Alexia’s cheek and kissed her. She trembled at the feel of his lips against hers."

    ro "I’m so sorry, beloved. I didn’t have a choice."

    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    "The sudden loud {i}rapping{/i} of a heavy hand at the door made Alexia jump in place. Rowan’s eyes went wide. He shared a look with her, nodding at the doorway."

    ro "I was never here. I’ll visit you as soon as I can, I promise."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Rowan made for the window, clambering out as quick as he could back down the tower. He shared a last, longing look with Alexia."

    show rowan intro necklace neutral behind bg7

    ro "Stay safe, Alexia. I’ll get us out of this."

    "Rowan disappeared, leaving a profoundly conflicted woman behind in the room. The knocking grew insistent. It took Alexia a few moments of deep breathing to compose herself."

    play sound "music/SFX/door knock.ogg"
    pause 1

    show alexia necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    al "Coming."

    show andras happy at midright with moveinright

    an "Ah, Alexia. A pleasure to see you as always."

    show alexia necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Her expression stiffened. Her lips narrowed as she stared at his grinning face."

    if alexiaIntroFriendly == False:
        an "I've never seen you wear that before. It looks good on you."
        "The demon made a great show of looking her up and down, undressing her with his eyes. His smirk widened."
        an "...But it'd look better on the floor."
        "She couldn’t even respond. Her spine trembled, not from fear, but a seething {i}rage{/i}. She was rendered speechless by it."
        "The demon frowned for a moment, sensing something was off about her demeanor."
        an "Touched a nerve, did I?"
        show alexia necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        al "..."
        al "{i}Go fuck yourself{/i}."
        "She slammed the door in his face."

    else:
        al "Yes, it's... "
        al "It’s nice to see you, too."
        "Her voice was stiff, her stance rigid and unmoving. But Alexia was determined to maintain her ruse."
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
        "The demon frowned."
        an "Is something wrong? I’ve never seen you like this before."
        al "I'm just not feeling myself tonight."
        an "Are you unwell? Shall I send for a healer?"
        "Alexia opened her mouth to say something, then closed it again. She stared at him for a long moment."
        al "Surely… you have somewhere more important to be this evening, Lord Andras?"
        "She couldn’t look him in the eye as she softly closed the door."

    return

# \events\jez_favour.rpy
label jezSpyFavour_rp:

    $ jezFavourSpySeen = True
    $ jezeraFavourEventsSeen += 1
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ reformReason = "selfish"
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ castleSanctum = 10
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ laRoseRefused = False
    $ serveChoice = 4

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
            $ YlszSteelResolve = False
            $ ylszarasPraise = True
            jump jezSpyFavour_skip_rp
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan submissive to Jezera? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg14 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "Mistress, there’s an important topic I would like us to discuss. It concerns our spy network."

    else:
        ro "Empress, there’s an important topic I would like us to discuss. It concerns our spy network."

    je "Is that so? Going by the extremely careful choice of words, I take it I’m not going to like said topic?"

    "She wasn’t wrong. Shaya might have been the official spymistress of the castle, but it was no secret Jezera used their spies for her own goals - sometimes demanding their service despite them being in the middle of another assignment."

    if reformReason == "selfish":
        "And whatever it was, it couldn’t be any good. He needed her out of the Brothel - and he had the perfect excuse for it."

    else:
        "To say this made things chaotic would be an understatement. He needed to try and remedy the situation, even if Jezera wouldn’t approve of it, at least at first."

    ro "I understand that at times it might be necessary for you to direct our agents at other targets than the one I and Shaya have discussed. But I have noticed this has become a weekly occurrence."

    if jezeraSubmission > 0:
        ro "It’s somewhat… Disruptive to my own efforts, Mistress."

    else:
        ro "It’s quite disruptive, if I am allowed to be blunt."

    #jez smirk

    je "So you want me to back off. Defang and blind me, all under the thinly woven justification of efficiency. Aren’t you devious today."

    menu:
        "Lie - No, of course not!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            ro "No such thing, Mistress, I promise. But it’s something I’ve often seen when I was working for the Rosarian military. One lord contradicting the other, left hand has no idea what the right hand is doing, and so on."
            ro "We were supposed to be better than that. So let’s {b}be{/b} better."
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            je "“Being better” meaning “giving you full control over all spy assignments”?"
            ro "… Or at the very least, a chance to approve them beforehand?"

        "Apologize. Quickly and sincerely.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Never, Mistress! I didn’t mean it that way. I just - I felt like our efforts are, at times, damaged by us giving conflicting orders to the cubi."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Surely there is some way we could improve things?"
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            je "For example, by, oh, giving you full and complete control over all spy assignments?"
            ro "No, no, but… Maybe just a chance to approve them beforehand?"

    ro "Your expression is telling me that’s not an option."
    je "Oh, Rowan. Of course not. And there’s a good reason for it."

    "She put her hands together, turned them, then took them apart. A blue tether of energy grew from between her fingers, and didn’t stop expanding until a long rope of energy formed in her hands."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Neither you nor Shaya are demons. And while Shaya is the perfect spy mistress… It’s {i}my{/i} presence that keeps the cubi leashed. "

    "Both ends of it hit the ground. Jezera pulled at the ends, and the rope made a snapping sound that resembled a crackle. Then she brought it up to her eyes, and watched Rowan through it, as if measuring if it would fit him."

    ro "I wasn’t informed of any cases of spy disobedience."
    je "Because they know their place, and I make sure to remind them of it."

    #jez smirk

    je "Perhaps I should do the same with you."

    if jezeraSubmission > 2:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "She snapped the rope again, giving him a small smile, watching his reaction through half-lidded eyes. He swallowed heavily, and coughed."
        ro "Surely I haven’t disappointed you in any way lately. Have I?"
        je "I suppose not. We wouldn’t be having this conversation otherwise. But we would consider this a… Preventive measure."
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "She snapped the rope again, then let it go. It fizzled into thin air, as if it was never there."
        je "Then again, perhaps that would be mere indulgence on my part. And I know how you disapprove of {i}that{/i}."
        ro "I- Y-yes. Especially where cubi are concerned, we probably should overindulge."
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        "He cursed himself on the slip of the tongue. What, “we”, damn it! He hoped Jezera wouldn’t notice - but her smile told him otherwise. He had to quickly get the conversation back on track. "
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "It seems I owe you an apology. But this doesn’t change the fact there were reports of missions going awry because you pulled cubi away for your own plots."

    else:
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
        ro "That will not be necessary, Mistress. And while I must admit I approve of the efforts, this doesn’t change the fact we had missions go awry because you pulled cubi away for your own plots."
        "Jezera sighed, and let go of the rope. It fizzled into thin air, as if it was never there."

    je "Which is why you want to replace me. You think yourself capable of taming demons, Rowan? You don’t even know how far out of your league you are here."

    if jezeraSubmission > 2:
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    je "Yet I promised myself to educate you whenever an opportunity presents itself, so… I might be willing to give you a chance. For a price."
    ro "“For a price”? Is that really necessary, Mistress?"
    je "You ask for a lot Rowan, so I believe asking for a small favour or two is more than justified. Luckily for you, there is something I intended to discuss with you anyway."

    hide jezera with moveoutright
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene black with fade
    show jezera neutral behind black

    je "Follow me, and I’ll explain everything."

    "With a brisk pace that revealed Jezera’s excitement, the demon mistress took him to the Castle dungeons. It seemed things wouldn’t go so easily for him."

    scene bg8 with fade
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "As if they ever did. Rowan made a conscious effort not to look at his old cell, while Jezera explained what she expected of him."

    je "Tell me Rowan, do you recall the name “Henrietta La Rose?”"
    ro "… I think so? I think some of my old soldiers mentioned her. She was an instructor, taught them when they were kids."
    je "Still does! She’s been at it for over twenty years now. Miss La Rose takes young men who show promise and teaches them the fundamentals of warfare. Thanks to her reputation, her pupils often come from lesser noble houses and merchant families."
    je "Word is, age is starting to get to her, so she’s looking for an assistant. You’re going to write a letter of recommendation for one of our agents, so they can take that position."
    ro "You can’t be thinking about using her students to further your agenda. They’re children, Jezera."
    je "No, no, of course not!"
    je "I will be using their {i}parents{/i}. The kids themselves won’t come to harm."

    "Rowan felt his jaw tighten. This was low - even for Jezera. He pondered his response as the two went past a set of heavy doors Jezera held the sole key to, and stepped into a dark, dusty tunnel."

    je "Do not underestimate the value of good blackmail, Rowan. You will provide me that letter, and do one more thing for me. "

    if castleSanctum >= 1:
        je "The construction of dark sanctum and X’zaratl’s recruitment have laid a fine foundation for our future spy force. We already recruit many of our agents from the cubi that flood to her coven."
        je "Sadly, these can vary in quality. So every now and then, I attempt to recruit an exceptional individual to our services, through a… Variety of means."

    else:
        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
        je "As you are well aware, our spy network relies on the spellcasting ability of our cubi agents. Agents we have precious few, and will continue to have until you construct the sanctum."
        je "Because of that, I am forced to use whatever means necessary to recruit new agents to our services."

    je "Including summoning and binding."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    if castleSanctum == 0:
        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    show cg1550 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "They stopped by a wooden door with a small window at the top of it. A sinister, pink sheen radiated from the inside. Rowan looked to Jezera, then peered into it."
    "Pink light flooded the room inside, and he quickly located the source of said light. It was coming from a massive circle drawn on the floor, made of complex runes Rowan had not seen before, though of obvious purpose."
    "Right in the middle of said circle, kneeling, was a woman. Long chains held her arms and legs, and another was wrapped around her neck, forcing her to keep her head low. Long hair covered her face - and massive, bat wings rested on her back."
    "He narrowed his eyes, and inspected her closer. Green lingerie barely covered her privates, and there was this… Peculiar scent nearby, he now realized."
    "Rowan scratched his nose. It reminded him of strawberries, and it smelled… {i}Good{/i}."

    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1550
    "{i}So good. {/i}"

    show cg1550 with sshake

    "He jumped away, alarmed. He felt something in his mind - like a {i}soft{/i} mist wrapping around his thoughts. Jezera snickered at his reaction."

    je "Rowan, meet Ylszaras. If Bloodmeen books are to be trusted, she’s been sneaking into the human world for the last 400 years, and had served under at least one demon lord in the past."
    je "Like most older demons, she possesses some magical ability, in addition to the usual shapeshifting skills. Her signature move is an arousing, intoxicating aura that enthralls everyone who comes near."
    ro "Yeah, I noticed."
    je "My intent is to have her pledge herself to our cause, but she’s been difficult to negotiate with."
    je "You want more authority over the cubi spies Rowan? Prove you can handle it. Go through this door, and make Ylszaras bend the knee."
    ro "The aura-"
    je "I just one of many challenges you will face dealing with demons. I have no trouble withstanding it. If you want to share my responsibilities, show me you can do the same."

    show jezera happy behind cg1550

    je "And if you find it difficult to do so… Well, I did promise to educate you. I might have a few pointers for keeping your mind on track and your arousal in check. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves here."

    "Jezera’s wicked grin promised no good would come from doing so. Rowan rubbed his nose, then looked to the dungeon doors again."
    "This wasn’t the first demon he would be forced to subdue, but there were a million ways this could go south."
    "Then there was “La Rose”... It shouldn’t be strange that Jezera was looking to place their agents in important places, but he was hoping to keep civilians out of things wherever possible."
    "She was asking for a lot. Was all of this really worth it?"

    menu:
        "Once he takes over the network, Ylszaras and Henrietta could be useful to him.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
            "Rowan paid no attention to Jezera’s shit-eating grin as he considered his options. For now, his “mistress” had the final when spies were concerned. But things changed."
            "Every asset they gained now could be of use to him alone in the future."
            ro "(Baby steps, Rowan, remember. Rushing into things is what got you into this whole mess in the first place.)"
            ro "Fine. I’ll get you the letter by the end of the evening."
            je "And the demoness?"
            ro "I will make her submit."
            je "Music to my ears."
            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("sixth_asset")

        "This was his chance to impress his Mistress. He had to take it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ jezeraSubmission += 1
            # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
            "This had to be a test - his recommendation couldn’t hold that much value, and he had no doubt Jezera could simply forge one. He would give her what she wanted, and try not to think about the consequences."
            "As for the demoness… This intoxicating aura would be difficult to deal with. But Jezera was right - how could he prove he can handle high-level demons if he couldn’t resist their charms?"
            ro "I agree to your terms, Mistress. Both of them."
            je "Music to my ears."
            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("sixth_asset")

        "She was asking for too much - bargain.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "You ask for my skills, my name, and put me in danger on every opportunity. And I’m supposed to just nod, smile, and go along with it?"
            je "Isn’t that the hero's role?"
            "Jezera’s grin didn’t recede. He likely wouldn’t be able to get her to drop both subjects - he would have to pick one to focus on, and hope Jezera would be willing to compromise on it."
            menu:
                "Using La Rose was despicable. He’ll handle the demon.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
                    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
                    ro "I’ll get you that demon. But I’m not letting you use La Rose’s kids for your schemes. I have to draw the line somewhere."
                    je "I already told you I wouldn’t hurt them, but fine, have it your way."
                    $ laRoseRefused = True
                    $ rowanCorrupt -= 3
                    # $ avatar.remove_guilt(5)

                "Give her the letter of recommendation. But you aren’t dealing with that demon. (Scene route)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "I’ll give you that letter. But that demon is your problem, not mine."
                    je "Oh, Rowan. I’m afraid that is not up for negotiations. You need to prove you have what it takes to handle a high-level demon."
                    je "The letter and the demon Rowan. Or the deal is off."
                    menu:
                        "Fine. You’ll find some other way to get back at her. (Scene route)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                            show rowan necklace angry behind cg1550
                            "He gritted his teeth, trying to pay no attention to Jezera’s shit-eating grin. Every encounter with the woman was a battle. He couldn’t win all of them."
                            "One day, he will wipe it off her face. But not yet."
                            ro "(Baby steps, Rowan. Rushing into things is what got you into this whole mess in the first place.)"
                            ro "Fine. The letter and the demon. But you will keep your word."
                            je "When have I ever not?"
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("sixth_asset")

                        "Fine. He should’ve agreed to her demands in the first place. (Scene route)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                            # $ rowanCorrupt += 3
                            show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1550
                            "He rubbed his face again, trying to hide his weariness. It was always like this - he pushed for something, only for Jezera to cut him down like it was nothing."
                            "Sometimes he wondered why he even tried to argue."
                            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
                            ro "Fine, I’ll get you both. Happy?"
                            je "Very much so."
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("sixth_asset")

                        "Only the demon, then.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
                            show jezera displeased behind cg1550
                            ro "The demon and no letter, or the deal is off."
                            je "Really, Rowan? You already agreed to the latter, don’t pretend you oppose the idea."
                            ro "That’s irrelevant. You are taking advantage of my willingness to compromise, and I will have none of it."
                            show jezera happy behind cg1550
                            "Jezera cast him a long look, her purple eyes shining in the half-dark of the dungeons. Finally, she gave him a slight nod, and smiled again."
                            je "You strike a hard bargain, but fine. We have a deal, Rowan."
                            $ laRoseRefused = True

                        "Out of question. She gets nothing else out of him. (Exits scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            jump jezSpyFavourRejection_rp

        "Give nothing, and demand Jezera to back off from the brothel.  (Exits scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump jezSpyFavourRejection_rp

    "Jezera unlocked the door for him, and opened it wide. Pink, sickening light flooded the corridor, bringing with itself that sweet, intoxicating smell."
    "Steeling his resolve, he walked inside. "
    "The cell proved more spacious than he imagined, the binding runes extending through the whole floor, and creeping onto the walls."
    "Perhaps the space was meant to lessen the aura’s effect. If it did, he feared to imagine how intense it would feel in a more cramped area, because even now, standing far away from the source of it, it felt like submerging himself in a warm, pleasant mist."
    "His whole body tingled. It really felt {i}good{/i}."

    show succubus 2 neutral behind cg1550

    ylsz "Ah, is this the part where we move from threats to bribes, demonling?"

    "The demoness threw her head back, and looked at her captors. She had an angular face, with high cheekbones, and a cute, small nose. Her green eyes were like sparkling emeralds, and her lips were full and so perfectly kissable."
    "No wonder Jezera wanted her. {i}He wanted her too{/i}."
    "He shook his head, and got his thoughts back in order. He had to focus here. "

    ylsz "He’s quite the morsel. Come closer, boy. Let me get a better look at you."

    je "He’s not yours to play with Ylszaras. Meet Rowan, once hero of the six realms, now my slave."

    if jezeraSubmission < 0:
        ro "Servant."
        je "Hush, you."

    show jezera happy behind cg1550

    je "It’s high time we end this little game of ours. Rowan is going to help you realize how futile your resistance is."
    ylsz "Big words for such a little demonling. Again. How about you release me now, and I promise not to badmouth you {i}much{/i} when a real demon lord rises?"

    show jezera displeased behind cg1550

    je "… Bend the knee now, and maybe I won’t make kissing my feet your daily routine."
    ylsz "That’s your loss. I’d happily do it for a demon lord {i}worthy{/i} of the honour."

    "Jezera continued to glare daggers at the succubus, while Rowan took a deep breath, slowly accustoming himself to the vile aura that the demoness radiated despite the runes that bound her."

    show jezera neutral behind cg1550

    "There had to be some angle he could try here, some weakness for him to exploit…"

    $ ylszarasAttempts = 0
    $ ylszarasPraise = False
    $ ylszarasBribe = False
    $ ylszarasReputation = False
    $ ylszarasThreaten = False

    label ylszarasMenu_rp:

        if ylszarasAttempts == 3:
            jump postYlszarasMenu_rp

        else:
            pass

    menu:
        "Praise Jezera’s talents." if ylszarasPraise == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ylszarasPraise = True
            $ ylszarasAttempts += 1
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
            show jezera neutral behind cg1550
            ro "You seem to have a low opinion of Mistress Jezera. Yet here you are. Bound and at her mercy."
            "Another giggle filled the room. The demoness pulled at her chains, and shifted in her spot, as if testing the full range of her movements."
            ylsz "All of that is step one. The little demonling has much to prove. And I do not offer my services to arrogant upstarts with - oh what is the term? - “Milk under their noses.”"
            je "Watch your tongue, Ylszaras, or I {b}will{/b} find a way to remove it, turn your mouth into a second cunt, and make sure it’s stuffed with cock twenty-four hours a day."
            show cg1552 with dissolve
            pause 3
            ylsz "Mmmm, you wouldn’t be the first. It’s been a while since I had a pussy for a mouth, now that I think about it. It would be fun to try it again."
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1550
            "The demoness formed her lips in a tight little “o”, and the obscene image of her mouth replaced with a gaping, wet {i}cunt{/i} formed in his mind."
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
            "He shook his head, banishing it."
            if society_type == "might":
                ro "So you say. But we have already taken our first keep in Rosaria. A land no demon lord ever touched. And Mistress Jezera has recruited several talented individuals to her service, demons and others. Compared to some of them, you’re not {i}that{/i} impressive."
            else:
                ro "So you say. But we have already taken our first keep in Rosaria. A land no demon lord ever touched. And Empress Jezera has recruited several talented individuals to her service, demons and others. Compared to some of them, you’re not {i}that{/i} impressive."
            ro "Besides, age does not equal skill. How long have all the demon lords lived? Centuries? Millenia? None of them succeeded. Please, look past Jezera’s youth, and see the person underneath-"
            show jezera displeased behind cg1550
            ylsz "I know what lies below the surface, {i}slave{/i}. Pettiness and ambition. Low cunning."
            ylsz "It’s not enough. I will not see my name soiled by joining a vanity project of daddy’s abandoned little girl."
            "Jezera hissed, glaring at the demoness. They weren’t getting anywhere with this."
            jump ylszarasMenu_rp

        "Offer slaves and riches." if ylszarasBribe == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ylszarasBribe = True
            $ ylszarasAttempts += 1
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1550
            show jezera neutral behind cg1550
            ro "You took me for a bribe when I entered the room. Is that what you want? A harem of boy toys to please you?"
            show cg1551 with dissolve
            pause 3
            ylsz "Are you volunteering, Rowan of the six heroes? Do you want to be my… Boy. Toy?"
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1550
            show cg1552 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "She added a little purr to her last worst, and despite her bindings, gyrated her hips, as if straddling an invisible man beneath her. {i}It could be him - she could be riding his cock{/i}."
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
            ro "I’m afraid I’m a married man, Ylszaras."
            ylsz "She must be a lucky girl. And one can never have enough {i}boy toys{/i}."
            ylsz "But I would need a little more than {i}that{/i} to even consider joining the demonling"
            ro "And what would it be?"
            ylsz "Ah, now that’s a good question…"
            show jezera displeased behind cg1550
            "The demoness shifted again, and smiled mysteriously. Perhaps it wasn’t a tangible thing… But before he could even consider the option, Jezera intervened. "
            show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1550
            je "Don’t bother. She’s valuable, but not valuable enough for us to be chasing whatever whims she has. Even if she wanted to reveal them."
            "Rowan sighed. So she couldn’t be bought…"
            jump ylszarasMenu_rp

        "Use your own reputation." if ylszarasReputation == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ylszarasReputation = True
            $ ylszarasAttempts += 1
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
            show jezera neutral behind cg1550
            ro "You seem quite attached to the idea of serving a “proper” demon lord. But you know what happened to the last one right? And what role I played in it."
            "Ylszaras tilted her head, and for once, did not giggle. Her emerald eyes pierced through him, and he could swear he could {i}lose himself in them…{/i}"
            ylsz "You were there when he was killed. So I’ve heard."
            ro "It’s more than that, Ylszaras. I am the man responsible for his death. That-"
            ylsz "You {i}were{/i} the man responsible for his death. Now you’re his daughter’s little bitch. And that’s worth nothing."
            show rowan necklace angry behind cg1550
            show jezera displeased behind cg1550
            ylsz "Now, if something were to befall little miss demonling over there, and you came {i}back to me{/i}, alone…"
            ylsz "Then we could talk, Rowan of the six heroes."
            if serveChoice == 4:
                "He sighed. Demons… It always came to violence with them. As if the thought of casting your differences aside in service of a greater good was simply incomprehensible."
                "Maybe to them it was."
            else:
                "He tightened his lips, trying to ignore the heavy amulet hanging from his neck. He could say he already tried beheading Jezera once, but he doubted a failed attempt would score him any points with the succubus."
                "But he made a mental note of his words. Every demon the twins slighted could be an ally in the future…"
            jump ylszarasMenu_rp

        "Threaten her." if ylszarasThreaten == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ylszarasThreaten = True
            $ ylszarasAttempts += 1
            show rowan necklace angry behind cg1550
            show jezera displeased behind cg1550
            ro "You seem quite comfortable for someone bound. You do realize you’re at our mercy, right? We can make your stay far less… Pleasant."
            show cg1551 with dissolve
            pause 3
            ylsz "You’d like that, wouldn’t you? To wipe that smirk off my face, turn my defiance into submission. A mighty demon, fell by your “sword”. A-ah!"
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1550
            show cg1552 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "She bent her back, as if seized by either pain or ecstasy. Her moan was the sweetest sound he has ever heard, and the moment it died down, {i}he wanted to hear it again{/i}."
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1550
            "But she didn’t grace him with one. She smiled, showing off the whites of her teeth."
            ylsz "I’m sorry, but it won’t happen. The chains around me, the hold you have over me… Illusion of power. There’s nothing you can do to me, Rowan of the six heroes, that has not been tried a thousand times."
            ylsz "Despite my predicament, I am your guest. And I will remain one, until I am dismissed, or until my contract is negotiated and agreed upon."
            "He looked to Jezera, but the half-demoness offered no advice. She looked like she swallowed something unpleasant. She probably tried this a already…"
            jump ylszarasMenu_rp

        "Give up. (Scene route)" if ylszarasAttempts > 1:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump postYlszarasMenu_rp

    label postYlszarasMenu_rp:

        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Rowan rubbed his face, and shook his head. They really were getting nowhere with this, and Ylszaras… She was getting to him. Every smile, every little move, evoked impure thoughts he was finding increasingly difficult to ignore."
        "But worst of all was this gentle, strawberry scent around him. It grew with intensity with every moment, and has now become almost overbearing. It filled the room - it filled {i}him{/i}."

        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
        show bg8 with pinkflash

        "It was as if the world lost its rough edges, becoming pleasantly… Soft. {i}Soft{/i}. His head felt soft too. {i}So soft{/i}…"

        menu:
            "Steel yourself. You will never again submit to a demon!":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ YlszSteelResolve = True
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                "He closed his fist, hard enough to feel pain set into it. He would not be beaten by a mere succubus."
                show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                je "You’re feeling it, aren’t you? Don’t worry, I-"
                show jezera neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "I’m fine, Mistress. Thank you for your concern."
                "Jezera furrowed her eyebrows at his interruption, but he paid her no head. He turned his attention back to the demon. There was no reasoning with her. If he wanted to succeed, he would need to find a way to break her. "
                "This left only one option on the table..."
                menu:
                    "Torture her.":
                       # $ released_fix_rollback()
                       jump ylszarasTorture_rp

                    "Admit defeat. There are some things that shouldn't be even thought about.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
                        ro "You were right, Jezera, demons are difficult to deal with."
                        ro "Let’s not waste any more time on her. If she doesn’t want to serve you-"
                        show jezera displeased at edgeleft with dissolve
                        je "Then you pressure her until you find {i}something{/i} that breaks her. Don’t pretend you don’t know how it works, Rowan."
                        "“It worked on you.” laid unspoken between them. The succubus chuckled to herself, and hummed a happy tune, taunting Jezera further."
                        ylsz "Done already? I suppose it’s only natural. A man can never last as long as a woman."
                        je "I want that nasty tongue of her tamed, Rowan."
                        ro "Then ask Andras to do what he does best. My time is precious, and so is yours."
                        hide rowan with moveoutleft
                        scene bg8 with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
                        je "This is not what we agreed on."
                        ro "You wanted me to prove I can handle high-level succubi. I did."
                        je "By walking away?"
                        ro "She wastes our time to entertain herself. Indulging her is the worst thing you can do."
                        ro "I agreed to this little experiment, but the truth is, I’ve done more than enough to justify my earlier demands. Can I count on you giving me greater autonomy over our spies?"
                        "It was a bit of a gamble on his part, but Jezera couldn’t antagonize him forever. She had to give some ground, even only to pretend goodwill."
                        if laRoseRefused == False:
                            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            je "Only because you agreed to provide the letter. I was expecting more - but I suppose this will have to do."
                            je "But I expect more from you from now on. have I made myself clear?"
                            ro "You did, Mistress."
                            scene black with fade
                            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                            ro "I promise I won’t disappoint."
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fourth_asset")
                        else:
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                            je "First you refuse to provide me the letter, and now you try to spin your failure as some sort of strategic victory? If this is the sort of nonsense you sold to Rosarian nobility, then maybe I shouldn’t be surprised they stuffed you away in Arthdale after the war."
                            je "But fine, since you’re so bent on the subject, I’ll allow you {i}some{/i} autonomy - if only for you to see how wrong you are in your assumptions."
                            ro "Should that prove to be true, I promise I will be ready to admit the error of my ways."
                            je "I will hold you to your word, Rowan. Do not disappoint me."
                            scene black with fade
                            show jezera displeased behind black
                            je "Or else."
                            $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("third_asset")
                        return

            "Jezera was right. He was soft. Though being {i}soft{/i} felt nice… (Scene route)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ YlszSteelResolve = False
                "He groaned - or at least thought he did. To his own ears, it sounded more like a weak moan. This aura was really getting to him, making his head, his whole body, feel so {i}soft{/i}, and weak. He stumbled back-"
                show jezera happy at midleft with moveinleft
                "Right into Jezera’s inviting hands. Her soft tits pressed against his back, and he felt her hand reach up to touch his chin. So {i}soft{/i} - but the grip she suddenly held him in was anything but."
                je "It’s a little much, isn’t it Rowan?"

                menu:
                    "Yes, Mistress.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        pass

                    "No, Mistress.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        je "Don’t play coy. You are barely standing."

                je "I warned you. But still you needed to try."
                je "I’m not mad. The opposite. I like that in you. That relentless drive. Even when odds are against you, you still try, and so often you find unexpected ways to succeed."
                show bg8 with sshake
                "She pulled him by the necklace, sharply forcing him down, so she could lean in and whisper sweetly in his ear. Her next words were hard, but the way her breath tickled his skin still made him shiver."
                je "No more trying. You {i}will{/i} break this woman for me, Rowan. And if her aura is too much for you… I have a solution."
                je "Take your cock out. Now."

                menu:
                    "Yes, Mistress. (Scene route)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                        "He was vaguely aware of the succubus saying something in the background, as his hands went to his pants. His cock has been painfully erect for a while now - and freeing it made him sigh with relief."
                        show bg8 with sshake
                        #blueflash
                        ro "Ah!"
                        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                        "It was short-lived - his phallus was suddenly assaulted by a sharp sensation of stinging pain, right around its base. Jezera’s blue tethers coiled around his cock, squeezing it far too much for comfort."
                        "He had to lean against her for support. The soft, pleasant hue that crept into his vision now dissipated, bringing back the sharp edges of the world around him."
                        je "I see reason has returned to your eyes, good."
                        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                        "Jezera smiled benevolently, and wrapped her hands around his cock. She rubbed it just a little bit, making the pain subside, and causing him to moan again."
                        je "So you wouldn’t think me a cruel Mistress."
                        "The predatory smile failed to back her words. She caressed him for a moment, the pleasant feeling of her hands noticeable even despite the pain, then put his cock away, and redid his pants."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        je "Sufficiently focused now, Rowan?"
                        "He nodded slowly, Jezera’s band throbbing slightly. The succubus watched them in silence now, her eyes wandering from Rowan to Jezera."
                        show jezera happy at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                        je "Good. Now go, and break me a demon."
                        ro "As you command, Mistress."
                        jump ylszarasTorture_rp

                    "Get out, {i}now{/i}.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                        hide rowan with moveoutleft
                        show bg8 with sshake
                        "He pushed her aside, and stumbled out of the door, gasping for air."
                        scene bg8 with fade
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with moveinright
                        ro "A-ah, fuck!"
                        show jezera happy at midright with moveinright
                        je "Running away? That’s unlike you, Rowan."
                        "If Jezera was angry at his failure, the fact she was proved right was more than enough to soothe her. She grinned at him, eyes full of malice. Rowan turned his head away, unable to meet her gaze."
                        je "Don’t be too hard on yourself. That’s why you have me - to make sure everyone else stays in line."
                        if laRoseRefused == False:
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
                            je "Usually I wouldn’t be so lenient on you but I consider your efforts satisfactory. I will grant your earlier request, to an extent."
                            je "Now get yourself together. And do not forget about the letter."
                            je "Then get back to conquering Rosaria."
                            ro "… Yes, Mistress."
                            scene black with fade
                            show rowan necklace angry behind black
                            ro "(Damn it!)"
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fourth_asset")
                        else:
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
                            je "Of course, this only works when you actually try to work with me. First you deny me the letter, then you refuse my help… Have you ever considered I’m not the source of our problems?"
                            je "Oh well, I’ll be the bigger person, and grant you some of that autonomy you so desperately covet. Do not misuse it, Rowan."
                            ro "… Yes, Mistress."
                            scene black with fade
                            show rowan necklace angry behind black
                            ro "(Damn it!)"
                            $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("third_asset")
                        return

    label ylszarasTorture_rp:

        show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "He looked into Ylszaras eyes. She was a demon, a creature of chaos and evil. Cruelty was not in his nature, not even when demons were concerned, but he would do what he had to."

        else:
            "He looked into Ylszaras eyes. She was a demon, a creature of chaos and evil. And she was standing in his way. "

        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright

        "He started simple. He took a few steps forward and stepped into the circle. Ylszaras smiled and preened herself like a whore up for taking. He raised his hand-"
        "And found it hanging. He tried to slap her, but his arm wouldn’t move. Ylszaras noticed what he was trying to do, and giggled again."

        ylsz "Sorry, no rough play while negotiations are underway. We didn’t even establish a safe word! "

        je "Limitations of the summoning spell. We can’t hurt or harm her, and the spell sustains her, so we can’t even starve her to death."
        je "Apparently gagging is also out of the question."

        ylsz "Unless it’s a cock or a pussy. Can’t have anything get in the way of debauchery, can we?"

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveoutleft

        "Rowan sighed. So she couldn’t be reasoned with, and he couldn’t hurt her. It was high time to get creative."

        ro "How long will the seal hold, Mistress?"

        je "As long as I will it. There is no time limit."

        ylsz "Do you intend to bore me into submission? I must warn you, I have a {b}very{/b} active imagination."
        ylsz "Are you a fan of watersports, demonling? Because that’s {b}all{/b} I’ve been thinking about for the last four weeks."

        "The succubus giggled, and Jezera glared in response. Rowan paid them no mind, and instead looked around the room, searching for inspiration."
        "Torture tools laid discarded in the corner, no doubt from Jezera’s earlier attempts at breaking the demon. Pliers, a saw, a bucket for blood… The usual stuff."

        ro "… And you’re basically immortal, right?"

        ylsz "Killing me would be against the terms of the summoning contract. And I am everlasting, so… I might as well be."

        "She laughed, and Rowan rolled his eyes. His gaze fell on a nearby wall, old and weathered as everything in the lower levels of the castle."
        "He remembered something."

        ro "… You seem to consider eternity your ally, succubus. It isn’t. We aren’t in the outer dark anymore."

        "He grabbed the bucket, and left the room for a moment. When he returned, he carried another, both filled with water."
        "The first one, he unceremoniously dumped atop the succubus head."

        ylsz "… Drowning me would be against the terms of the summoning contract. "

        ro "Yes. But spraying you with water apparently isn’t."

        if YlszSteelResolve == True:
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            "He took another step and grabbed her by the face. Her skin was {i}soft{/i} - but he was starting to learn how to ignore the effects of her aura. "

        else:
            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
            "He took another step and grabbed her by the face. Her skin was {i}soft{/i} - but the band around his cock reminded him not to fall for her tricks."

        "Out of curiosity, he tried to squeeze her face, but couldn’t. He literally *couldn’t* will himself to hurt her."

        ro "Fascinating."

        ylsz "Smarter people tried to bypass the contract."

        ro "And some succeeded, no? That’s how the stories go. And I got what I needed."

        "The demoness' eyes narrowed. Jezera tilted her head, watching him curiously. Meanwhile, he left the room again - and came back with some tools and a ladder. He set it up beside the demoness, and started his work."

        ylsz "Oooooh, I think I know that one!"

        ro "Quiet, you."

        "With some effort, his work was soon completed - the leaky bucket he found was placed directly over the succubus’ head. Rowan waited patiently."
        "A drop fell on her forehead. Thirty seconds later, another did. The succubus giggled."

        ylsz "It won’t work, you know."

        ro "It will. I know it seems silly, but a week of this…"
        ro "I know stories. Of people driven to insanity by this. Irregular, constant drops. Quite maddening, they say."

        ylsz "Oh, I’m sure it is… But, ah, how do I put it, Rowan of the six “heroes”…"
        ylsz "I went insane once before. Interesting experience, I wouldn’t want to repeat it, but if I have to, I will."

        ro "Mhm. Good thing this isn’t all I had planned."

        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveoutright

        "He took a step back, and headed for the walls. He placed his hands on the old, weathered stone - ruined from centuries of humidity."

        show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

        "He traced his finger along a shallow crevice carved within it. He smiled, a little."

        ro "You know, this has a proper term. So I was told, years ago. By a mercenary battle mage, who really couldn’t shut up about how much smarter he was than everybody else. Nasim would love him."
        ro "Erosion. Slow deterioration of soil and stone caused by years of small abrasions."
        ro "Invisible to the naked eye, but decades of it can carve a riverbed, or even level a mountain."
        ro "It’s not about the force of it, I was told, but how constant it is. How it repeats, day, after day, drop after drop."

        show jezera happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        "He looked back at the demoness. She wasn’t smiling anymore."

        ro "I’ve started noticing it, actually. How in caves, decades of water dripping can carve stone. A single drop, falling on the same spot, time and time again. Drip, drip, drip."
        ro "Drip."
        ro "Tell me, everlasting Ylszaras. Are demons harder than stone?"

        show jezera happy at midright with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

        "Ylszaras opened her mouth to answer, but an evil chuckle interrupted her. Jezera walked up and ran her fingers through the woman’s hair, then held it in place, so the water would fall on Ylszaras’ eye."

        je "Your transformation magic is sealed away, Ylszaras. You look just as the book described you,  so I take it you’re quite attached to this form. You probably think it attractive, though I have no idea why."
        je "I’ll put a nice, large mirror in front of you. So you’ll be able to witness that slow, inevitable {i}destruction{/i} day by day. Until you forget how your original face looked."

        ylsz "… Sheesh. Alright, alright. Daddy’s little girl really has something to prove."
        ylsz "Let’s talk contract."

        if YlszSteelResolve == True:
            #jez angry
            show jezera displeased at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
            ylsz "But I want to sign it with him."
            "She nodded at Rowan. The man arched an eyebrow - and didn’t get a chance to respond when Jezera exploded."
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            je "Listen to me you little bitch, I tolerated your snide remarks for long enough. It ends here."
            je "Rowan serves me, and everything he does, he does in my name. I let him get a shot at you, and I’m pleased with the result."
            je "But don’t you ever forget who’s the Mistress here."
            if reformReason == "selfish":
                "The succubus turned to him, but he shook his head. His goal was to remove Jezera from interfering with the brothel - if Ysztaral was the price for it, then he would pay it without a bat of an eye."
            else:
                "The succubus turned to him, but he shook his head. His goal was to stop him and Jezera butting heads over the cubi spies - he couldn’t risk antagonizing her now."

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

        je "We’ll discuss the terms of your employment next week. I’ll let the water soften you up a little. Ta-ta!"

        hide jezera with moveoutleft

        ylsz "Now, now, there is no reason to be hasty here, demonling."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        ylsz "Demonling?"

        scene black with fade
        show succubus 2 neutral behind black

        ylsz "Demonling?"

        scene bg14 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

        "Ylszaras cried after them as the two left the dungeons. Rowan let out a tired sigh. Gods…"

        if castleSanctum >= 1:
            if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 3:
                "Why couldn’t all demons be as lovely and adorable as X’zaratl?"
            else:
                "Why couldn’t all demons be as amicable as X’zaratl?"

        else:
            "Is this how his days will look if he builds the sanctum? He shuddered at the thought."

        jump jezSpyFavour_skip_rp

        label jezSpyFavour_skip_rp:

            scene bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
            show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

            ro "Happy, Mistress?"

            je "{b}Very{/b}."

            if YlszSteelResolve == False:
                show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
                "She put her hand up and made a circling notion with her finger - and the band around his cock tightened ever so slightly. He groaned."
                ro "Mistress…"
                je "Oh, relax, I’m just teasing you. You did very well Rowan."
                show jezera happy at center with moveinleft
                "With surprising dexterity, she slipped her hand into his pants, and ran a finger up his half-hard cock. The magic binding shattered, and Rowan let out a deep sigh of relief."
                ro "Thank you, mistress."
                show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                "Jezera graced him with a wide smile, and ran her fingers over his cock once again, gently massaging him until he was hard again. Only then did she take her hand out. She brought it to her lips, and licked clean the translucent stains of his precum."

            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

            ro "I take it she will serve directly under you? "

            je "Maybe. Or maybe I’ll keep her here, as an example to demons who think to oppose me. Give little tours, so everyone can see her being driven to insanity, her face eaten away, decade after decade. Slowly, inevitably."
            je "What do you say, Rowan. How would she be more useful to me? As an agent, or as a warning?"

            if rowanCorrupt < 60:
                "Rowan had to make an effort not to look behind him. While he had no love for demonkind, actually confining one to decades of mental and physical torture for no good reason felt like going a step too far."

            else:
                "Rowan arched an eyebrow. He had no love for demonkind, but was there really anything to gain in such cruelty?"

            menu:
                "Recruiting the demon was more sensible.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "We can always make an example out of her later, Mistress. But we are short on talented individuals."
                    je "Are we really? I like to think I’ve gathered quite the colorful menagerie here."
                    je "But you are right. There’s no use in breaking brand new tools."

                "Make an example out of her.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "A questionably useful magic trick and equally questionable loyalty. I don’t think she’ll be of much use to us."
                    je "Interesting. I’ll keep that in mind."
                    # $ rowanCorrupt += 5

            je "My earlier concerns stand, Rowan. But maybe you have what it takes to handle demons."

            if laRoseRefused == False:
                je "I’ll grant your request. I will be mindful of your own missions from now on, and provide you with further autonomy when deciding how to use our spies."
                ro "Thank you, Mistress."
                if YlszSteelResolve == False and jezeraSubmission > 0:
                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
                    je "Oh no, thank {i}you{/i} for being so open-minded. You did exceptionally well today, Rowan."
                    "He smiled wearilly. This was absolutely exhausting. Negotiating with Jezera, handling Ylszaras… But at the end of the day, he felt like he got what he wanted. Jezera was happy too, so things couldn’t be better."
                    show bg14 with sshake
                    show rowan necklace aroused at edgeright with moveoutright
                    #jez smirk
                    show jezera happy at midright with moveoutright
                    "So maybe it was both that weariness and the feeling of a job well done that made him lower his guard, and allowed Jezera to suddenly push him against the wall, and seal their lips in a ravenous kiss."
                    "Her hand roamed his body, and released his still hard cock with a few simple tugs. He moaned pathetically, and she broke their kiss to laugh."
                    je "So well, in fact, that I think you deserve a little extra. How about I help you vent all that pent up lust, hm? A little love, from your favourite Mistress."
                    je "All you have to do is say “Please, Mistress, help me cum.”"
                    menu:
                        "“Please, Mistress, help me cum.” (Scene)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            jump jezFavourSpySex_rp

                        "N-no! ":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "A weak groan of protest was all he had the strength for. The sound of which made Jezera laugh out loud again. "
                            #jez smile
                            je "You are putting your foot down {i}here{/i}, Rowan? Oh, aren’t you just precious!"
                            show jezera happy at center with moveinright
                            "She pulled away, and he grabbed the nearby windowsill for support. Close. Too close-"
                            je "I shall take that as a sign that my little “lesson” on controlling your lust has bore fruit. Put it to good use, Rowan. Just not against me."
                            je "You’re missing out. Ta-ta!"
                            "Head whirling he watched Jezera wave as she left, trying to keep his eyes from straying to her swaying hips. He was letting her push him around too much."
                            scene black with fade
                            "He needed to get himself together, and soon."
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fifth_asset")
                            return

                else:
                    "He will have to be careful, Ylszaras proved there were demons in this castle who could play games with him. All in all, despite the extra work…"
                    scene black with fade
                    "This was still a victory. He got exactly what he wanted."
                    # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                    # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fifth_asset")
                    return

            else:
                je "It’s a shame you decided against increasing our capabilities further by getting Henrietta’s connection for us, but I suppose you wouldn’t be yourself if you didn’t act out every now and then."
                je "I’ll grant your request, to an extent. And if that won’t be enough… Maybe next time show a little more goodwill."
                ro "… I see. Thank you, Mistress."
                "Of course, Jezera wouldn’t let an excuse to make things difficult go by."
                scene black with fade
                "But despite that hic-cup, he could still consider today a victory."
                # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
                # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fourth_asset")
                return

        label jezFavourSpySex_rp:

            "His lips formed the words before he could stop and think to consider. But he had no time to regret them, as his enthusiasm was instantly rewarded. Jezera pressed harder against him, her hands clawing his chess possessively, opening his shirt so she could admire his body."

            ro "M-mistress, right here?"

            je "Why not? Who will spread unwanted rumors about us? Who will dare anger the Mistress of Castle Bloodmeen, or incur the ire of her most trusted servant?"

            "Her knee brushed the underside of his cock, rubbing it ever so slightly, as her fingers reached for his own. She pushed his hands into the stone wall, trapping him."

            je "Tell me, what was it you were thinking about, under the effect of Ylszaras magic?"

            ro "… About, a-ah, many things. But mostly about how… {i}Soft{/i} she seemed. Like I could just… Sink into her, and forget about everything."

            je "Ah, cubi magic. You know she would bite your head off the moment she sensed weakness. But I’m not that cruel."

            scene black with fade

            show jezera happy behind black

            je "In fact, I can be soft too."

            #show Blurred sex CG
            scene black with fade
            show jezera happy behind black

            "Her soft tits pressed against his chest. He looked down, wanting to admire them, as Jezera pulled up to purr more honeyed words into his ear."

            if ylszarasPraise == True:
                je "You had high praise for me earlier, but it saddened me a little you only focused on my accomplishments. Surely there were other things you wanted to praise?"
                "She kept rubbing against him, and the edge of her dress hiked up, baring her ass in full. He tried to peek past the hair that obscured his vision…"
                #show sex CG 1
                scene cg1434 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1416 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1417 with dissolve
                pause 3
                show jezera happy behind cg1434
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1434
                "And realized she wasn’t wearing any panties."
                je "Well?"
                ro "A-ah… Y-yes, but… I didn’t think Ylszaras would find them as enticing as I would…"
                je "Clever. Well said, Rowan."

            else:
                je "Though it did sadden me, you didn’t try to convince Ylszaras what a benevolent Mistress I could be. Surely there are things about me you find worthy of praise?"
                "She kept rubbing against him, and the edge of her dress hiked up, baring her ass in full. He tried to peek past the hair that obscured his vision…"
                scene cg1434 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1416 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1417 with dissolve
                pause 3
                show jezera happy behind cg1434
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1434
                "And realized she wasn’t wearing any panties."
                je "Well?"
                ro "A-ah… Y-yes, but… I didn’t think Ylszaras would appreciate them the way I do."
                ro "She was foolish to not see what was before her eyes the moment she met you. Nothing I could’ve said would convince her."
                je "What a silver tongue you have, when you want to. Well said, Rowan."

            "She sealed his mouth with a kiss, a quick and aggressive one. He winced as he felt her fang bite into his lower lip, drawing blood. But he could voice no protest, with Jezera forcing her tongue into his mouth, locking them in a lustful dance."
            "She let his hands go - and sunk her fingers into his chest, her sharp fingernails scratching him as her hands possessively roamed over his body. She kept rubbing her body against his, and his erect, throbbing cock ended pressed against her hiked dress, staining it white with precum."
            "Finally, she released his lips - a sadistic smile danced on them. What the hell did he agree to?"

            if jezeraSubmission > 3:
                je "Why the worry in your eyes? You’ve been a good slave today. So efficient and obedient."

            else:
                je "Why the worry in your eyes? You’ve been such a good servant today. And I will always reward you for being a good servant."

            je "And since you wanted so badly to sink into something soft… I’ll give you a taste of something special."

            "Her tits pressed to him, as she stood on the tips of her toes, wrapping her hands around his head. For a moment, his cock was free. Then he slid into something {i}soft{/i}."

            #Show CG 2 - Variant with cock.
            scene cg1418 with fade
            show jezera happy behind cg1418
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1418
            pause 3

            je "There… How do my thighs feel, Rowan?"

            "She chuckled menacingly, and rubbed her thighs together, his cock trapped between them. They were pleasant, lovely - and the dangerous glint in Jezera’s eyes reminded him not to even {i}think{/i} about putting his cock anywhere else."

            if jezeraSubmission > 2:
                ro "They’re - ah! - wonderful, Mistress"

            else:
                ro "They’re - ah! - wonderful, Jezera."
                je "{i}Mistress{/i}."
                ro "… They’re wonderful, Mistress."

            je "Good. Correct answer."

            "Leaning against his chest, she started to rock her hips slowly, the insides of her thighs stroking his cock, sending shivers up his spine. Very quickly, her legs were slick with his precum, allowing her to pick up the tempo."

            je "Ha, I’m getting your cum all over my legs, Rowan. Normally I wouldn’t tolerate something like this. But you…"
            je "You are special to me. So I’ll let your cock do as it wants to them."

            "Her words could not have been sincere, but seized by the sensation of her soft skin, he found himself wishing they were. His hand went to her chest by itself - only for Jezera to pin it to the wall again."

            je "A - a! Enjoy the rewards of your honesty, Rowan. Let your cock enjoy the sensation in full. But do nothing else."
            je "… Unless you think my soft thighs are not enough to make you cum?"

            "She stopped, and squeezed her legs together, urging him to refute her, and gently reminding him his cock was hers to do as she pleased."

            ro "They’re- ah! They are fantastic, Mistress. Please-"
            ro "Please make me cum with your thighs."

            "He knew he made the right choice when Jezera started to move her legs again, rubbing her thighs together, and thrusting her bottom against him. She kissed him on the cheek, then pushed on, and nibbled at his earlobe."

            je "Good answer again. You’re doing great today, Rowan."

            "Sharp fingernails scratched his skin, leaving long, red marks on his body. A single wrong word could turn this delight into agonizing torture - so he held his tongue, and used it only to utter praises for his Mistress. Jezera grinned at his conflicted expression, and held him more tightly."
            "With an energetic thrust, she enveloped the full length of his dick, her slick thighs now caressing it with almost no friction. He asked for this - Jezera might claw at him and push him around, but at the end of the day, he uttered the words."

            ro "Mistress!"

            je "Getting close, are you?"

            "He nodded his head, and was rewarded with another squeeze, then Jezera sharply forcing him to look her in the eyes as she picked up her tempo one last time."
            "Was it just him, or were her cheeks more flushed than usual? Had Ylszaras affected her as well? If so… Wasn’t she just using him for her own pleasure?"

            show cg1418 with sshake
            show cg1418 with sshake
            show cg1419 with flash
            pause 1
            show cg1420 with dissolve
            pause 2

            ro "A-ah!"

            "He felt his climax rise unexpectedly, and realized he didn’t care. With a groan, he came between her thighs, staining her skin and spurting his cum on the floor."

            scene bg14 with fade
            show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

            je "You wanted to finish in my pussy, no?"

            ro "I-"

            je "Maybe next time I’ll let you. Keep doing as you are told Rowan. Keep working to make my castle better. And even greater rewards await you."

            "One last time she kissed him, her hands holding his face, forcing him to submit."

            show jezera happy at center with moveoutleft

            "When she finally pulled away, he was barely able to stand. He looked at Jezera - and instantly turned his head away. With his cum dripping down her legs, she didn’t look… Proper."

            je "As I said earlier, I will grant you your request. Well, most of it.  I will still have to make an occasional appearance at the brothel, but I don’t think you’d mind those. Is that right, Rowan?"

            ro "… I look forward to seeing you again, Mistress."

            je "Good. Now excuse me, but I have to find someone to lick your cum off my legs."

            if alexiaJezObedient:
                je "I wonder if my little dove would be up for it… In the meantime-"

            scene black with fade
            show jezera happy behind black

            je "Ta-ta!"

            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("fifth_asset")

            return

        label jezSpyFavourRejection_rp:

            $ jezeraSubmission -= 1

            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

            ro "No."

            "She arched an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to elaborate. He did just that. "

            ro "No. I already worked my ass off doing everything exactly the way you want it. You can’t keep moving the goalpost whenever I ask for something."
            ro "I tried to be polite. I asked that you stop interfering with my work at the brothel. If you don’t want to - well, maybe I won’t apply myself that much the next time I have to do something for you. Maybe I’ll let your brother decide how I should be doing things."
            ro "It’s not only you I’m serving here, “Mistress”."

            #jez angry
            show jezera displeased at center with moveinright

            show bg8 with redflash
            show bg8 with sshake

            "Jezera’s hand shot forward, grabbing him by the cheeks, and squeezing hard enough to draw blood as her fingernails pierced his skin. She pulled him in, and growled, very quietly right into his ear."

            je "Careful, Rowan. You are overplaying your hand."
            je "I gave you a very simple task. You should’ve agreed to it without a word of protest."

            #angry
            show jezera displeased at midright with moveoutright

            "She let him go, pushed him away, her eyes holding only disgust for him. He rubbed his aching face, bringing the other hand close to his sword.  But it wouldn’t be needed today."

            je "I’ll give you {i}some{/i} space, out of respect for the work you have done thus far. But if you are expecting further concessions, you will have to try harder."
            je "Do not try this again."

            hide jezera with moveoutright

            ro "… Understood, “Mistress.”"

            if reformReason == "selfish":
                "He would not play her games. Every offer had a trap to it, and he would not fall for them. Jezera would learn to live with it. He was too valuable to be disposed of."
                scene black with fade
                "Or so he hoped."

            else:
                "He would not play her games. Jezera was her own worst enemy, and indulging the notion it was any different only fed her delusions. It wasn’t the first time he had to work against his supervisors."
                scene black with fade
                "Though if things went according to plan, it would be the last."


            $ favourEventJezeraFurious += 1
            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].remove_asset("second_asset")
            # $ castle.buildings["brothel"].add_asset("third_asset")

            # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label animals_of_experimental_natural_rp:

    # $ experimentalNatureSeen = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJob = "breeding"
    $ rowan_draith_sex = False

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Rowan had sex with Draith before? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ rowan_draith_sex = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg25 with fade

    "Rowan had seen plenty in his time in battle: wounds disgusting enough to make his stomach lurch, severed limbs that had accumulated rot, the stench of piled corpses that had been left to swelter in the sun."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Somehow, Draith's surgical experimentations reminded him of just that. It was almost nostalgic, in a dark humored sort of way. Except this time, the flesh was preserved in various jars--not all of them human."

    else:
        "Somehow, Draith's surgical experimentations reminded him of just that. He felt as queasy as he had in the aftermath of battle, staring down at the decaying flesh and lifeless eyes. Except this time, the flesh was preserved in various jars--not all of them human."

    "Rowan didn't dare touch any of the bottles-- with as many creatures as Draith collected in the jungle, he didn't want to risk letting any of them escape in his clumsy grip. Especially the venomous ones."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "And what's this one for?"

    "Draith peered up from his notebook, its pages scrawled front to back with tiny black handwriting."
    "It took Draith a moment to register what Rowan was referring to, but as soon as he understood, the dark elf perked up with excitement."

    show draith happy at midright with dissolve

    dra " That's the Limponome; it has eighteen {i}thousand{/i} sensors in those little antennas there. Most are used to help sense predators, but they use echolocation when they're underwater, too. They're one of the only insects in the world that can use echolocation."

    "Draith tapped one slender finger against the cork stopper as if petting the strange creature itself."

    dra "Do you see the little spout here?"

    "Draith pointed to a tiny tube that stuck out from the Limponome's face-- it was so small that Rowan had to squint to see it."

    dra "The spout is called a {i}vergorish{/i}; it connects to a venomous sac deep inside the Limponome's stomach. When threatened, the Limponome will spray out the venom toward its enemies."
    dra "It's not much, but the venom itself is quite potent; just one spray could knock a full sized drider unconscious. If two sprayed their venom at the same time, you would be dead in a heartbeat!"

    "He said it with such cheery demeanor that it took Rowan a moment to acknowledge the deadliness of his statement."

    ro "And you caught this thing while we were in the rainforest?"

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "He was impressed; the creatures were so small that Rowan wouldn't have given them a second thought, if he'd even noticed them. Yet Draith somehow managed to not only identify it, but safely capture it as well. Such a skill was bound to be useful."

    else:
        "The thought of crossing one of these deadly creatures in the wild sent a chill down his spine. They were so small that Rowan wouldn't have even noticed he disturbed it until it was too late."

    dra "I caught a few of them, actually. They're tricky to subdue, but I was able to capture enough to breed them in their own little cage! Isn't that exciting? "
    dra "It's lucky that I found them, too, considering their dwindling population…"

    "Draith returned to his work, mumbling to himself more about the creatures. Rowan turned back to the various bottles on display with a grimace."
    "The Limponome was alive and skittering through the large bottle, its beady black eyes staring up at Rowan as if in plea for help. Rowan knew that Draith took every measure he could to assure the animals never suffered, but perhaps this creature didn't know that."

    ro "What is your plan with the creatures exactly? I don't think you've gone over the entire process."

    "Or if he had, Rowan couldn't keep up-- and there was no way he was going to be able to read through Draith's entire journal. Just deciphering that messy handwriting was a headache waiting to happen."
    "Luckily for Rowan, Draith was more than excited to share his ideas."

    dra "I'm glad you asked, sir. You see, the Khusti's armor is impenetrable, but they don't have much in the means of offense. I'm going to transfer the Limponome's venomous sac and the sensors for echolocation to the Khusti."

    ro "How would the echolocation help the Khusti? Wouldn't you need more than one to test out that theory?"

    dra "I'm hoping to perform the surgery on a few Khusti, assuming we can manage to capture another. "

    "He glanced hopefully at Rowan, his sparkling eyes telling Rowan that he hoped there would be another adventure soon."

    menu:
        "Assure him another trip will occur.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', 2)
            ro "I'm sure we can make another trip sometime in the future. It may be a little far off, though…"
            dra "Of course, of course! I'm only thinking aloud."

        "Shut the idea down.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('draith', -2)
            ro "I'd rather stick to us having that one adventure, actually. The jungle was more than enough for me."
            "Draith frowned, thumbing one of the tools in his hand."
            dra "Ah, is that so…?"
            dra "Hm. No disrespect, of course, but it may be necessary."

    dra "I won't know if the echolocation works until I have more than one completed after all, but if successful, our little beasts communicate wonderfully on land {i}and{/i} in the sea. I'll still need to find a creature to help expand lung capacity, though…"

    "Draith considered the complication briefly before jotting down another note in his book. The dark elf reviewed his notes with a frown."

    dra "It won't be an easy surgery though, sir-- plenty can go wrong, and with some of these creatures being rarities, I worry about making any mistakes."

    "It was understandable; there was always risk in surgery, Rowan had come to realize; it was always less precise than healing magic. But the experimentation of beasts seemed to be something else entirely, and Rowan could only imagine the added complications of crossing species."

    ro "What will happen to the Limponome when you're done?"
    dra "I'll likely attempt other experiments with it, but if it doesn't look like the little guy can handle it, I'll place him in his own tank to live out the rest of his days."
    ro "Why not put him in with the others?"
    dra "Oh, the Limponomes are quite cannibalistic; it's hard enough to get them to breed, but if they sense a weakness among each other, they'll hunt them down without a second thought."
    ro "I see."

    "Rowan leaned against the desk as Draith got to work, turning the Limponome's bottle this way and that to get a good angle as he drew a surgical mockup in his book."

    menu:
        "Admire Draith's Appearance.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ draithAdmired = "appearance"
            "Rowan watched him, admiring how the dark elf's lithe body stretched and moved-- the slight swing of his hips and the curvature of his ass when he bent down to pick up a fallen bottle."

        "Admire Draith's work ethic.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ draithAdmired = "ethic"
            "Rowan watched him, impressed with how the beastmaster focused intently on his project without distraction."
            "The preparation was fascinating; so many tools, so many bottles, all lined up carefully in the order Draith wanted them to go. Even amidst the mess of the breeding pits, there was order and precision."


    "He really should be getting back to work, but vague excuses filled Rowan's mind as he found more reason to watch the beastmaster prepare for surgery."
    show orc soldier neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    os "Draf."
    dra "Yes, Sarod?"

    "The orc held up a large wooden crate in his green arms. Something scratched and growled inside, rattling the crate against his chest, but Sarod didn't so much as flinch. Rowan eyed the box curiously."

    os "F'ryou. Got out, found it wand'rin' the halls. Was gun kill it, but the lady said I gotta return it."

    "Sarod scowled, clearly irritated at the lack of bloodshed. Draith felt differently, practically sighing in relief."

    dra "Obviously you shouldn't kill it! What lady stopped you? I have to give her some credit, it's not easy to do…"
    dra "Draith cast a sidelong glare toward Sarod, but if the orc noticed Draith's hostility, he didn't show it. This obviously wasn't the first time Draith had some unfortunate run-ins with the orcs."

    if alexiaJob == "breeding":
        os "The cleanin' lady."
        dra "Oh Alexia, you darling. If it wasn't for her, I'm sure the whole lot of you would've slaughtered these poor creatures by now."
        "Sarod glanced at one of the cages as if he wanted to do just that. Draith glared at him."

    else:
        os "Some red-hair lady. Like him."
        "Sarod jabbed a finger toward Rowan. Draith regarded the orc curiously but shrugged."
        dra "Whoever she is, give her my thanks. You lot are the real beasts around here…"
        "Draith wrinkled his nose in contempt."

    if draithAdmired == "appearance":
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Rowan felt a flicker of surprise pass through him at the mention of his wife. In his time with the beastmaster, he found himself thinking of his wife less and less."
            "He shrugged off the thought. In truth, he preferred not to think of her when he was visiting the dark elf."
        else:
            "Rowan felt a twist in his stomach at the mention of his wife. His wife, whom he was supposed to love and remain dearly devoted to."
            "Yet here he was, staring at the beastmaster's ass."

    else:
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Rowan held back a sigh. It was admirable of Draith to care for the creature's spared life, but it was impossible to rescue every beast that crossed his path. He wondered how the beastmaster would handle it when the time came to put his beasts into a real battle."
        else:
            "Rowan felt a hint of admiration for the beastmaster as he showed relief for the creature's spared life. It was obvious that Draith cared for his beasts, perhaps even more so than actual people."
            "A part of him worried for when the time would come to put the beasts into an actual battle. Would Draith be able to handle knowing some of them wouldn't come back alive?"

    "Draith peered into a slit of the crate before gesturing down toward the other cages."

    dra "He belongs on the third one on the left. Please make sure he gets there without harming him."

    hide orc soldier with moveoutright

    "Sarod grunted but followed Draith's instructions, his heavy footsteps fading with his departure."

    ro "Do the beasts usually get out?"
    dra "Oh no, sir! Our animals are very secure, but accidents do happen. "
    dra "I'll likely need to tighten the cage door-- some of them like to ram themselves against the sides, and bolts get loose. It will be an easy fix, sir."

    "As Draith returned to his notebook, a  thought occurred to Rowan."

    ro "You know Draith, I don't think I've ever heard you call me by name."

    "Draith cocked his head to the side in surprise."

    dra "Sir?"
    ro "Rowan. Go ahead, say it."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "I want to hear my name coming from that pretty little mouth of yours."
        "Rowan pressed his fingers against the elf's supple lips, his thumb running across the smooth surface of his skin. Draith's breath caught, eyes wide and yearning as he accepted Rowan's gentle touch."

    else:
        "Draith hesitated, as though afraid it was a trap."

    dra "Rowan."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "The name came out like a breath of fresh air. Despite his calm exterior, Rowan felt his heart beat a little faster."

    else:
        "He sounded uncertain, his shoulders curling inward as though bracing for pain."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        ro "You don't need to be so hesitant. Say it again."

    else:
        ro "There you go."
        ro "Try it again. It might take some getting used to."
        "Rowan smiled at him encouragingly, hoping the gesture would put the dark elf more at ease."

    dra "Rowan."
    dra "Rowan, Rowan, Rowan…"

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        "Draith repeated the name like a song, each rendition more reverent and filled with a growing need. He clung to Rowan, his fingers digging tightly into the hero's tunic as he repeated his name."
        "Rowan smiled; he liked the sound of his name on Draith's tongue, the soft voice pouring the syllables out like warm vats of honey."
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            ro "You may call me by my name… with one exception."
            dra "What's that, si-- Rowan?"
            "Rowan smirked and pressed his lips against the dark elf's ear, his breath hot and sultry as he whispered against his pale skin."
            ro "You still have to call me master when I'm balls deep inside of you."
            "Draith shuddered and nodded instantly, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips."
            dra "As you wish, sir… Rowan."
        "Rowan could feel the dark elf's pleasure through his shorts, the erection pressing hard against the hero's leg."

    else:
        "Draith repeated the name to himself in utmost concentration, committing the syllables to memory."
        if draithAdmired == "appearance":
            "The sound of his name on Draith's tongue filled him with an unusual sense of pleasure, of… desire. When did this become a thing?"
            "But as he watched Draith say his name, listened to the honey-like word repeat again and again, a part of him wondered what it might be like to hear him moan his name instead."
            menu:
                "Encourage him sexually. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan stepped toward the dark elf and pressed a hand against his cheek. Draith's words cut off immediately, eyes widening as the distance between them closed."
                    ro "Draith…"
                    "Rowan pressed his thumb against the elf's lower lip. Draith seemed to melt under his touch, a growing erection poking out of the dark elf's shorts."
                    dra "Rowan?"
                    "The hero captured his lips in his, unable to resist the temptation any longer. A small noise escaped from the dark elf, but before Rowan could pull away, Draith was kissing him back with fervent delight."
                    jump draithMakeMoan_rp

                "Return to work.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    pass

        elif rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Rowan nodded in approval. Draith was a useful companion, and Rowan had come to enjoy the dark elf's company. He hoped to guide him in a better direction."
        else:
            "Rowan smiled. He felt that their new first-name basis was a step forward-- toward what, Rowan wasn't sure, but he enjoyed the dark elf's company. He hoped to help him and, if he was being honest with himself, maybe befriend him."

    if rowan_draith_sex:
        menu:
            "Leave him hanging.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('draith', -5)
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                "Rowan smirked, then stepped away, leaving Draith teetering on the balls of his feet to catch himself. He frowned as Rowan collected himself, keeping the distance between them."
                ro "Good. Don't be afraid to call me by my name, Draith-- I like hearing it."
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    ro "And you want to please your master, don't you?"
                "Draith nodded, a hint of pleasure slipping back onto his face, but it didn't match the excitement he had when pressed up against the hero. Rowan could see the elf eyeing up his crotch, desperate to feel that cock in his ass."
                dra "Yes, Rowan. Of course."
                "Rowan, satisfied, nodded to the elf and gestured back to the desk."
                ro "I'll allow you to get back to work."
                "Disappointment again. Draith frowned, and for once, he stared at his experimental plans as if they were a burden instead of his lifelong passion."
                dra "I could put it off for a few moments--"
                ro "No, no. We're on a schedule, you know. Get back to it."
                "The dark elf deflated, mumbling in agreement as Rowan made his way out of the pits."

            "Make him moan your name. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                label draithMakeMoan_rp:
                    # $ change_relation('draith', 5)
                    #cg1
                    scene cg1422 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1423 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1422
                    #draith aroused
                    show draith happy behind cg1422
                    "Rowan pressed his leg forward between Draith's, relishing in the dark elf's slight moan and eager grind against the larger male's thigh. Draith's fingers slid from his tunic to Rowan's neck; they twined in his dark hair, gripping the back of Rowan's head as he humped greedily."
                    ro "Are you enjoying yourself?"
                    "Draith nodded, his lips pressed together in pleasure. Rowan's hands slid to the elf's ass and helped move him along. He hoisted his leg against the desk, lifting Draith off of his feet."
                    dra "Rowan… Ohh, Rowan, yes…"
                    "Draith allowed Rowan to yank him back and forth over his leg, his face twisting in pleasure with each rub and grind. Rowan's name came more naturally from his lips each time, the sound reverberating through the breeding pits."
                    "Lifting Draith in his arms, Rowan carried him to one of the closed cages and pressed him against the door. Draith gripped the bars, his breath already reedy with anticipation as Rowan slid the shorts from his legs. The elf whimpered in delight as Rowan's fingers came to rest against his puckered asshole."
                    show cg1424 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1425 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1426 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Draith tensed, clearly waiting for the penetration, but Rowan dropped to his knees instead, parting the elf's tight hole with his thumbs. A deep exhalation escaped from Draith as Rowan's tongue slid inside, coating the hole with his saliva."
                    dra "Rowan…"
                    "The sound of his whimpered name only excited the hero more. Rowan dug his tongue deeper, circling the ins and outs of Draith's hole while his other hand came to rest on the elf's ready cock."
                    "Rowan pumped, flicking his wrist in a steady motion as he worked to pleasure the dark elf. Draith shifted, his legs growing weak under the hero's undivided attention, and gripped the bars tighter. Precum dripped from his tip, and Rowan's hand moved faster, keeping in pace with Draith's involuntary thrusts."
                    "Rowan could feel his own excitement building, stretching his pants taut against his erection as he gleefully ate the beastmaster's ass. Draith whimpered and moaned above him, bucking his slender hips toward every movement as he struggled to keep himself standing against the cage door."
                    show cg1427 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1428 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Need outweighed decorum as Rowan rose to his feet, pulled himself out, and drove his cock into the elf's open asshole."
                    dra "Rowan-- Oh, fuck, Rowan…!"
                    "Draith threw his head back in ecstasy, arching to meet the full length of the hero's dick."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        "But Rowan stopped, earning yet another whimper from the dark elf. Before he could look back, Rowan gripped Draith's throat, his large hand splaying over his neck and up his face. The elf's cock hardened."
                        ro "Ah-ah. Did you forget my rule already?"
                        "Realization flickered across Draith's face. He struggled to shake his head, his hips moving tantalizingly back and forth across Rowan's cock. The hero had to bite back a moan of his own."
                        dra "...N-No, master. Oh, master…"
                        ro "There. That's a good little servant."
                    "Draith shuddered under him, his eyes rolling up as Rowan slammed into his pert little ass once more."
                    "Harder. Harder. Rowan's breath was hot and heavy against Draith's flushed face, his hands roaming across the elf's body as he fucked him against the cage. The noise drew the attention of a few creatures nearby, their gazes perked up and interested in the commotion, but neither man paid them any heed."
                    "Rowan loved it; the purple flush of Draith's body, his slender waist that squished when Rowan grabbed at his sides, the curve of his little round bottom as he thrust deeper inside, and each {i}smack, smack, smack{/i} of flesh upon flesh with each fevered thrust."
                    "Most of all, he loved how Draith struggled to keep himself upright as Rowan pounded into him, the elf's frail body betraying him as his climax approached. Rowan grinned down as he slipped between Draith's cute asscheeks and right back in."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        dra "M-Master…"
                    "Draith's breath caught-- he was close, so close. He reached down and pumped himself hard, struggling to match Rowan's quick pace."
                    "Rowan felt his own cock twitch inside of the elf's ass, begging for release."
                    ro "Say my name."
                    "Draith whimpered, glancing back at the hero."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        dra "I thought you didn't--"
                        ro "{i}Say it{/i}."
                        "There was no disobeying the order; they were so close, and Rowan could see the elf was barely holding back his own orgasm as he gasped the human's name."
                    dra "R-Rowan… Oh, Rowan-- Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck…!"
                    show cg1429 with sshake
                    show cg1429 with sshake
                    show cg1430 with flash
                    pause 1
                    show cg1431 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Draith gasped as he came, white cum shooting out between the bars and onto the cage floor. The metal bars rattled as his hips smacked against them, Rowan squishing him against the cage as he came."
                    "A grunt, then relieved exhalations passed through Rowan's lips as he finished inside of the elf, filling his pale ass with thick spurts of white cum. Draith shuddered, relishing in each hot burst until it was dripping from his open hole."
                    "Rowan pulled away, briefly admiring his work before tucking himself back into his pants. Draith seemed to be in no hurry, spreading one hand back to get a good feel of Rowan's cum on his skin. Rowan smirked at him, enjoying his cum-splattered figure."
                    ro "Looks like you have some cleaning up to do."
                    "Draith beamed, for once eager for the work ahead."
                    dra "I do. I don't mind, though, when {i}that's{/i} the beast I get to clean up for."
                    "Draith eyed Rowan's crotch hungrily, his own cock twitching with excitement. Rowan was almost tempted to drag him back into the cage and have his way with him again. Almost."
                    "Rowan clamped a hand down on Draith's shoulder."
                    ro "I'll see you later, then. I look forward to seeing what little beast you create."
                    "Draith's eyes sparkled and he looked back at the research table, suddenly reminded of his project. "
                    dra "Yes! I'll be sure to let you know when the operation starts."
                    dra "I'll see you soon, si-- Rowan."
                    "Draith caught himself again, smiling shyly up at the hero. It would take some getting used to, it seemed, but the elf was already off to a good start."
                    "Rowan bid the elf farewell with a wave before ascending from the breeding pits."
                    $ rowan_draith_sex = True

    else:
        "Rowan clamped a hand down on Draith's shoulder."
        ro "I'll see you later, then. I look forward to seeing what little beast you create."
        "Draith's eyes sparkled and he looked back at the research table, suddenly reminded of his project."
        dra "Yes! I'll be sure to let you know when the operation starts."
        dra "I'll see you soon, si-- Rowan."
        "Draith caught himself, smiling shyly up at the hero. It would take some getting used to, it seemed, but the elf was already off to a good start."
        "Rowan bid the elf farewell with a wave before ascending from the breeding pits."

    # return

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins.rpy
label high_priestess_of_BH_rp:

    # $ chelinIntroSeen = True
    # $ goblinEventCount += 1
    $ ziiziiIntroSeen = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100
    $ tueRowName = "Tue-Row"

    #blackholt/trokholt BG
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan followed the small forest path south. It was difficult, since the trail had been made for goblins walking in single file. On a few occasions, Rowan had even briefly lost track of where he was. A dangerous proposition. The Blackholt had swallowed many men alive."
    "He had no way of telling how close he was to his destination. Thick forest obscured landmarks in the distance. The shaded canopy above even hid objects of great height."
    "It was thus that Rowan stumbled on Gol tower. One moment, he was moving through the trees. The next, he was standing in a relative clearing, staring up at the building in awe."

    hide rowan with dissolve

    "Though, to call it a building was almost incorrect. Gol Tower was a tree. Its giant trunk had the base of a small mountain, and its branches extended far into the heavens, dwarfing everything around it. What was once wood had turned turned gray and solid. Petrified by advanced age."
    "The tower itself seemed almost built into the tree’s exterior. A long twisting stone spire, half-submerged into its surface."
    "The entire structure was a work of art. Murals and reliefs had been carved into the stone, most prominently at the base. Rowan could not recognize any of the stories they told, but the figures were all heroic pioneers of short stature. It made their subjects quite clear."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He marveled at it. This must have taken decades of work to construct, paired with centuries further of craftsmen working on the reliefs."
    "Rowan wondered why he had never even heard of it? Surely, it was one of the great structures of the continent. One, seemingly, lost to time and the chronicles. It was a wonder, for the eyes of the goblins alone."

    #show tuerow behind
    show tuerow neutral behind bg3

    tuer "I knew you’d find your way."

    hide tuerow
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Reluctantly pulling his gaze from the tower, Rowan turned to face Tue-Row as he approached. A trail of his soldiers followed as an escort."

    ro "It’s incredible. What is this place?"

    #//show Tue-Row sad.

    "Tue-Row stopped beside Rowan to admire the structure as well. There was a wistful smile on his face, almost nostalgic."

    tuer "Briefly…my home. And before that, a home for all goblins. "

    #//show Tue-Row serious.

    tuer "When your people drove us away, into the black forest, this was our first refuge. Our ancestors lived inside the trunk, waiting for the day the human patrols would stop venturing into the woods."
    tuer "It became the center of Goblin Culture, stewarded by the mighty Che clan, but worked on by all."
    tuer "Intermittently, of course. When the old clanists could stop fighting long enough."

    #//show Tue-Row smiling.
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "The summer I stayed with Che-Lin, before my adoption into the Tue-Clan, she held court here. So many memories… It’s here I came to understand how much Blackholt meant for all of goblinkind. "
    tuer "I would have hoped to have captured it, during my conquests."
    ro "Out of sentiment, or due to its political and cultural value?"
    tuer "Ha! A little bit of both. But if Tue-San asks, it’s {i}absolutely{/i} because of its strategic value."

    "The goblin prince winked at him, and the two of them proceeded to the entrance, at the very foot of the spire. There, a small host of goblin soldiers were in position."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "They wore outfits of leather, made in different colors and patterns. Yet, Rowan noted that none of their gear was particularly high quality."

    tuer "Greetings, my friends. Would it be rude of me to pay a house call?"

    "Tue-Row grinned wide, even as the goblins leveled spears in his direction. His bodyguards drew arms to defend him, but Tue-Row kept on acting as if the threat wasn’t even there."

    guard "Tch. You have a lot of nerve showing up here, tyrant. Why shouldn’t I tell my men to cut you up? "
    tuer "Can’t I come to see an old friend? It would be quite the dishonor on your high priestess’ clan name if she slaughtered a dignitary who came to parlay."

    "The guards sneered, subtly shifting their weight in front of the door."

    guard "Talk of a clan’s honour? From you? That’s rich."
    guard "Killin’ you here and now would be nothing compared to the shit that-"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Sensing the increasing tension, Rowan raised his hands in the air and stepped between the two."

    ro "We’re just here to talk. Why not send a message up to Che-Lin of our arrival, and let her decide?"

    "Their disdain shifted from the monarch to Rowan."

    guard "Who the-"
    guard "A human! You brought a human here? You fucking- "
    tuer "Well, that’s the reason I wanted to speak to her. He’s right though. Don’t you think the lady of the tower will want to hear this?"
    tuer "It’s your {i}duty{/i} to her after all. "

    "The guards shared a look between each other. Rowan caught a few grumbling complaints under their breath, but reluctantly, one of them disappeared into the tower."
    "The small stalemate, held for a time. The air filled with tension. Tue-Row didn't bother to hide his satisfied smirk when one of the guards finally returned, his face pinched in frustration."

    guard "She'll grant you an audience. This way."
    tuer "Ah, good old Che-Lin. Always willing to listen."

    #Gol Tower BG
    scene bg72 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Tue-Row and Rowan left their guards at the base of the tower and began the long trek up the castle’s spiraling stairwell. The interior was equally elaborate in its construction."
    "The grand stairwell was lined with vast murals. With the hurried pace the entourage moved, Rowan had little time to stop and take them in."
    "This was a populated place. While there was little foot traffic near the base, as they got higher and higher, more and more goblins could be found moving in and out of doorways. Others used the stairwell to get to other segments of the tower. There was a small city here."
    "The goblins here were unlike any Rowan had seen. Many wore elaborate outfits, in a variety of colors and materials. The most haughty wore gowns of spider silk. They were often followed by much poorer dressed attendants. Such goblins were almost like the nobles of Rastedel."
    "Many stopped to stare at the procession. To Rowan, their expressions were largely confusion and wonder. But, Tue-Row received equal amounts of attention. All glares, scowls, and hatred."
    "Tue-Row waved to the people of the crowd, almost as if they were his own supporters. Rowan was left with the distinct impression that many of them had a blood vendetta against him."
    "They finally stopped at a doorway and were ushered onto a massive platform. Rowan blinked at the sudden, uncharacteristic touch of sunlight on his face. This must have been a huge platform, held aloft by the tree’s branches."
    "He glanced over the side and saw dozens of other platforms. Some far larger than this one. Many ever had buildings atop them."
    "The guards directed them to a spot in front of a balcony. Another smaller platform, emerging from the very highest branch of the tree."

    guard "The high priestess will be with you shortly."

    "Rowan squinted for a better view. The balcony was ancient and marvelous, with more carved artwork along the railing and doorway. It was too far away for Rowan to make out the exact details, but it was impossible to ignore the precise craftsmanship."
    "Rowan leaned toward Tue-Row, keeping his voice low, lest they be overheard by the nearby guards."

    ro "Based on the welcome we’ve received, so far, I rather doubt she’ll be too eager for an alliance."

    tuer "I intend to ask, but I wouldn’t bet she agrees. I don’t wish to rule it out though. Truthfully, even accepting the wedding invitation is dicey. But, there is some hope she agrees."
    tuer "..."

    #//Tue-Row to Amused

    tuer "It’s funny. You’d think she’d wish to see how her scheme ended."

    "Tue-row sighed wistfully, taking in the sights, no doubt recalling some distant memory."

    #//Tue-Row to Serious.

    tuer "The plan that brought me where I am today? It was her idea. Find a goblin of great talent and ambition, one without a great name, and bring him covertly to the attention of her rivals, the Tue clan."
    tuer "Assist him from the shadows. Help him build up a reputation. In time, said upstart would earn the ear of the clan leader. Maybe even a shot at his spot, if he had the right combination of charisma, vision, and ability."
    tuer "It was genius. It still impresses me to this day. In one fell swoop, turning one of the other four great clans from a rival to an ally, led by a close personal friend."
    ro "But she made the mistake of trusting you."
    tuer "Mistake? Oh no, I was the right man in the right spot, at the right time. Che-Lin just couldn’t see it."

    "His tone turned somber, and a slight scowl briefly went past his face. Rowan looked up, waiting for this goblin priestess to appear. But, the balcony above remained empty."

    ro "From the sound of it, she didn’t agree with you taking on the clans. It must have rankled a traditionalist like her to go along with you."

    #//Show Tue-Row smiling.

    tuer "Che-Lin, a traditionalist? Ha! Back in the day, she was the heart and face of the reconciliation movement. She always advocated for restoring contact with the outside world, for ending the isolation. She understood Blackholt was a slow death for us."

    ro "Then how come you ended on opposite sides? "

    #//Tue-Row to serious.

    tuer "…Because she was too soft. My vision allows for no half measures. If one wishes to save his kind, he must stop at nothing."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "You taught me that, Rowan. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Tue-Row grinned at him, and Rowan hid his surprise. Just how much of an impact did he have on this goblin, and why?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #Tue-Row to serious.

    tuer "When I started to shatter the old clans one after the other, some of the survivors flooded to Che-Lin. They wanted her protection. I hear they practically begged her to help stop me."
    ro "And you think that they turned her against you?"
    tuer "There are days when I like to fantasize that is the truth of what happened. That she fell prey to insidious whispers."
    tuer "But that’s not Che-Lin. Passion might get the better of her in personal matters, but in politics, she’s guided solely by reason."
    tuer "I offered her a place at the table, a grand leadership position of the unified nation, if she agreed to disavow the isolationists, as she should have done years ago."
    tuer "She refused. After everything we’ve been through, she came to see me as worse than the people we vowed to destroy."
    tuer "So, I did what I had to do. By the time I was done, I had betrayed her. I had smashed her army in the field. I’d even taken her capital city for my own."
    tuer "That she and so many of her followers escaped here was what little mercy I spared her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan pursed his lips. The brutality and ruthlessness of it all struck him. Was such violence, directed at someone who he so clearly respected and cared for truly worth it?"

    else:
        "Rowan pursed his lips. The brutality and ruthlessness of it all struck him. Yet, he couldn't help but see things from Tue-Row's point of view. Sometimes great deeds require sacrifice."

    menu:
        "Empathize with his plight.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’ve had people I consider friends turn on me before. Many of those I served with during the war, officers and knights. I cannot tell you how many nights I spent drinking with them, or pouring over maps."
            ro "But, when the time came, none of them stood up for me. I was their comrade until I wasn’t. Then I was just a peasant."
            ro "I imagine for you it was like that. She was with you. Until she wasn’t."
            #//Tue-Row to amused.
            "Tue-Row chuckled. His eye gleamed with something imperceptible, something focused on Rowan."
            tuer "A solid comparison. Only, in my case, I was the one who did the backstabbing."

        "Suggest reminiscing is pointless.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "… You did what you had to do. That’s all there is to it."
            #//Tue-Row to sad.
            tuer "I know, I know. But during moments like these, I can’t help but feel a little bad about it. Especially the part where I knifed her. "

    ro "The literal one, yes, you mentioned. "

    "His chuckle turned to a laugh. But, the moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps from above. The duo quickly snapped their gazes up to the balcony."

    scene cg1432 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1433 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1434 with dissolve
    pause
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1432
    #//Tue-Row to Smiling
    show tuerow neutral behind cg1432
    #//Che-Lin to Pensive
    show chelin neutral behind cg1432

    "A shadow elegantly glided to the edge of the balcony. The sun was at her back, obscuring her features. But, Rowan could make out an elaborate gown of translucent white spider silk, flowing out in every which way."
    "Che-Lin was taller than Rowan initially imagined, with heels to help her height, and a soft, almost plush body. The thin material of her dress left the flawless green skin beneath tantalizingly hinted at. She tapped her nails on the edge of the railings."

    chel "Ag’nazorath Ganamorazac kre’likin."

    #//Tue-Row to Serious

    "Tue-Row adopted a slight bow, hands pressed together in front of him."

    tuer "Ag’nazorath Ganamorazac kre’likin."
    chel "Indeed."

    "The high priestess spoke in a soft, dulcet tone. Only so loud that Rowan had to strain to hear it. This was a woman to whom others went quiet and listened when she spoke."

    chel "A little princeling comes all this way to places {i}he isn’t welcome{/i}…"
    chel "Accompanied by a human with a famous name…"

    "She leaned forward slightly, giving Rowan the briefest flash of her face. She’d been regarding him with focused intensity. Weary, fascinated eyes."

    #//Che-Lin to Cocky

    chel "…{i}Trickster{/i}."

    #//Che-Lin to Pensive

    if ziiziiIntroSeen == True:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan chuckled to himself, despite the seriousness of the situation. Was there no such thing as a secret in Blackholt? First Zii had known of his presence. Now Che-Lin."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    chel "You must be here on a matter of great importance."

    "The faintest of giggles could be heard from the towering balcony."

    #//Che-Lin to Cocky

    chel "Should I presume you’re here to give me my city back? Naturally, if you wished to beg my forgiveness, Hoz’Holt would be a reasonable price."

    "Her voice suddenly swung darker."

    #//Che-Lin to Pensive

    chel "Or perhaps you’ve come to take this home from me as well? Za’tlachan. One less crack of light amidst the dark shade."

    "Rowan frowned. This was no good at all. They had come to extend peace, not start another war. Rowan glanced at Tue-Row, expecting some reaction, but the monarch simply smiled, as though everything were under control."

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling.

    tuer "So dramatic. And all for naught. I’ve simply come to deliver a piece of good news; your old friend is getting married!"

    chel "{i}Tsch. I hadn’t heard{/i}…"

    tuer "Naturally, in light of your ceremonial importance…as well as our long and fruitful personal history together, you’re invited. As a guest of honour, no less."

    "Tue-Row pulled a letter, sealed with an elaborate stamp, from his pack and held it aloft. The woman in shadow recoiled slightly from the ledge of the balcony."

    tuer "Che-Lin, High Priestess of Gol Tower, leader of the great Che clan. Will you do me the honor of attending my upcoming nuptials…"

    "Tue-Row flashed a grin."

    tuer "…And coronation. "

    "Tue-Row signaled for a nearby guard to take the invitation from his hand, so it could be delivered to Che-Lin’s place of seclusion. But, the high priestess let out a hissing sound, and the guard froze in place."

    chel "A lovely scene, wouldn’t it? You and the {i}cur{/i} exchange your fluids on the dais. I stand around watching on the sidelines as whatever fake crown they dig up is placed on your head."
    chel "Maybe you make me bow at the end. Is that the way of it?"

    tuer "Heh. I think curtsey would be sufficient.."

    chel "..."
    chel "Be serious, Tue-Row. You came for {i}that{/i}? Surely, you don’t view my time, or yours, with such little worth."

    "But Tue-Row grin only grew wider, undeterred by her blunt refusal. He then turned to Rowan, gesturing grandly."

    tuer "Then, allow me to present a new friend I’ve made. One whose reputation is known to you."
    tuer "This is an emissary in my court, {i}Rowan Blackwell{/i}. The Great Trickster himself."

    "The darkened figure on the balcony remained still. He couldn't tell if she was annoyed or engaged with Tue-Row’s little display."
    "Sensing the moment was right to jump in, Rowan dropped to one knee. He pressed a fist to his heart as he bowed his head in a sign of respect."

    ro "It is an honour to meet you, high priestess. Your grace and reputation much precede you. When I heard of this visit, I asked Tue-Row to allow me to accompany him."

    chel "Hm. I'm {i}sure{/i}."

    tuer "Rowan will be attending the wedding as representative of foreign monarchs. Andras and Jezera of Bloodmeen. I would be disappointed in you if you hadn’t heard of them."

    "Che-Lin turned her back on them suddenly, crossing her arms over her chest. Rowan leaned over to Tue-Row lowering his voice to a whisper."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1432

    ro "I know I arrived with Jezera in tow, but I try not to be so overt about it."

    tuer "I will eat my left shoe if Che-Lin hasn’t already heard of it and pieced everything together. There are reasons I want her with us, Rowan. I just need her to {i}kneel{/i}."

    chel "..."
    chel "I can’t say I’m surprised. It was only natural you would eventually turn to them. You will be the doom of us all, Tue-Row."

    "Tue-Row’s eyebrows narrowed. He spoke up with the same fire that Rowan had heard him adopt when first explaining his vision. The games and niceties were over."

    #//Tue-Row to Serious

    tuer "What I’ve done, is something you’d never be able to do. Bring real, powerful allies on our people’s side. With the armies of the black castle and the black woods united, we will see our homeland restored!"
    tuer "You should be with us! With me! Why rot in an aging tomb, drowning in what-ifs and maybes? Blindfolding yourself with the past, so you can’t see the future blooming in front of you!"
    tuer "Che-Lin. Old friend. Don’t do this to yourself. A new goblin nation is rising, and it needs you. This path you are walking right now, surrounded with relics of heroes past…"
    tuer "You could earn a place among them if you joined me."

    "Rowan glanced near the doorway, towards a large statue of a Goblin, holding a spear aloft in hand. Clearly, this was meant to be a figure someone recognized. Yet another story weaved into this place."

    chel "Glory was never my goal, Tue-Row.  "

    tuer "But it goes side by side with power and influence. And that’s what I offer."
    tuer "Of course, if you do not agree, I can always relegate you to a mere footnote in history,  as I did with all the great clan leaders that once stood beside you."

    "The other guards around them growled and glared, outraged at Tue-Row’s little speech. Che-Lin didn’t lower herself to such a response. Instead, she continued to stand in place, back turned to her political rival."
    "Her head turned slightly. Perhaps to see them in her peripheral vision. Or perhaps to stare at the same statue that Rowan had been looking at."

    chel "And if I were to accept your offer…"
    chel "You would accept me amongst your leaders. A voice at the table. No mere formality, but a true advisor of stature?"

    #//Tue-Row to neutral

    tuer "Just like I said. I wouldn’t be here if that wasn’t the case."

    chel "…Even if I demanded you abandon the foolish idea of a demon alliance? Or to put a halt to your blasphemous demolition of my clan’s ancestral city? Or even to throw the Cur you intend to marry in a ditch where she belongs?"

    "Tue-Row gave a stressed grin."

    #//Tuerow to smiling

    tuer "Come now. There are winners and losers in every war. I want you on my side, but we’re both experienced enough to understand there are limits to such things."

    #//Che-Lin to Amused

    chel "Are you here asking for my council...or my approval?"

    "He scowled slightly."

    #//Tue-Row to Serious.

    tuer "Council. The unification of the goblin people will happen with you, or it will happen without you. You want me to be blunt? {i}Fine{/i}. I don’t need you, Che-Lin. But, there is no other who has my respect like you do. I could use your help."
    tuer "So I am once again pleading you. Come down from your tower. Join your people. Do not let Gol Tower be your tomb."

    #//Che-Lin to pensive.

    chel "..."
    chel "You wish to hear my answer to your invitation?"
    tuer "Of course."

    #//Che-Lin to Cold Rage.

    chel "You are a tainted creature. One which I will do penance for the rest of my years. It would be wise if you leave my tower immediately. Wiser still if you never deign to come back."

    "Rowan expected the answer before it was said, but he could still see the brief blow on Tue-Row's face. His grimace solidified."

    #//Tue-Row to smiling.

    tuer "Heh. It’s a shame, Che-Lin. It really is. The offer remains open, should you change your mind. But in the meantime, I will give you a reminder…"

    #//Tue-Row to Serious.

    tuer "I will not tolerate any attempts on my reign. Should you try anything, our little detente will be over. I’ve had a problem with assassins lately. And you should consider yourself my prime suspect."

    "She shrugged, keeping her back firmly towards them."

    #//Che-Lin to Pensive.

    chel "You're still alive, aren't you?"

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling

    tuer "Ah, is that an admission I hear?"
    chel "…I do remember hearing about such an incident. A broken window above the grand hall. You’re going to have to repair it before the wedding."
    chel "Word travels fast, Tue-Row."

    #//Che-Lin to Grin

    chel "I admit, I found the prospect amusing. It would be an ironic way for you to go, considering…"

    "Tue-Row studied her, waiting. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them."
    "Rowan was struck by what a solitary figure she was, alone on that balcony. A single shape in the distance. He wondered how many of her other visitors she took this way. A distant voice addressing followers and well-wishers from afar. "
    "Has she always been this way? It couldn’t be, not when Tue-Row spoke of her so fondly."

    #//Che-Lin to Pensive

    chel "You can cease your staring. I didn’t send the killer after you…"
    chel "But, if I had...I would be answering the exact same way. The entire question is pointless. You will not be getting a satisfying answer out of me."

    #//Che-Lin CG Variant 2

    "Having said her peace, Che-Lin took a step backwards, away from the balcony."

    chel "If that is all you have to say, I shall be taking my leave. Tzer’ech kul. You have caused me enough pain for this life."
    tuer "Wait!"

    "Tue-Row suddenly spoke up, his voice loud enough to assuredly catch her attention."

    tuer "I understand that we have a…rocky personal history. Perhaps it was a mistake for me to come here. You always advised me that the messenger can be as important as the message. "
    chel "Both are vile, Tue-Row. Do not pretend they are not."
    tuer "… It’s clear to me I won't be able to convince you otherwise. And yet I firmly believe there is still a deal to be struck here. So just in case… Would you be willing to accept an envoy from me?"

    "Rowan didn’t have to work hard to understand where this was going."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1432

    menu:
        "Flatter her. She really does intrigue you.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "My lady, the political situation notwithstanding… I am glad to have come here. It’s been a true honor to meet you, and while I do not know if time will allow it, I would love to have a chance to be your guest again. "
            chel "A plot. To bring me to the wedding."
            ro "And to see you again. Though I think it’s a poor plot, when it’s entirely in the open and acknowledged."

        "Play along. A direct link to Che-Lin might be useful. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "My lady, I do not know if time will allow before the wedding. But, if you’d have me back in the future, I would be honored to be your guest."
            chel "A plot. To bring me to the wedding."
            ro "You misunderstand. I wear my intentions on my sleeve. There’s no ploy if it’s entirely in the open and acknowledged."


    #//Che-Lin CG Variant 3

    "Che-Lin paused, peering at Rowan from over her shoulder. For a split second, he could make out her face in the light."

    chel "..."
    tuer "Come now. Even if you don’t find him persuasive, I’m sure you’ll find his presence enjoyable. It’s been many years, but I recall you once professed to me an interest in his work…"
    tuer "Besides, wouldn’t it be fascinating to spend time with a human? You’ve never spoken with one before, have you? And from a woman who once had such bold ideas of how to interact with the human lands."
    tuer "Aren’t you {i}curious{/i}? Just think of the things you could learn"

    "She hesitated briefly. Then, turned back and resumed her departure. A final commandment echoed down."

    chel "Rowan may return, as a guest. You, and your wretched followers, may not."

    "And just like that, Che-Lin stepped back into the tower, her plump figure disappearing behind the thick curtain. Their meeting was adjourned."

    #//Revert to Gol Tower BG. Show Rowan (Neutral) and Tue-Row (Neutral).

    tuer "Well, I suppose that's our cue."

    #blackholt/trokholt BG
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "A short time later, Tue-Row and Rowan were safely deposited back at the base of the tower. The guards were none too happy to let Tue-Row walk free, but they obeyed the commands of their priestess."
    "Once they were far enough out that Rowan no longer suspected they were being spied on by Che-Lin's guards, he turned to Tue-Row."

    ro "…I suppose that could have gone worse. Still, bringing Che-Lin to fold seems like a longshot."
    tuer "It always was, and truth be told, I had little hope we would make much progress today. Still, when it came to what’s important, I got what I wanted."

    "Tue-Row chuckled."

    #//Tue-Row to Smiling

    tuer "I brought you for a reason, Rowan. You wouldn’t believe the fan of you that she was, back in her youth. There was a time she’d frequently profess that you were going to overthrow the human nobles, changing our fortunes in one fell swoop."
    tuer "Che-Lin doesn’t like to reveal emotions if she can help it. At least, not with people she doesn’t feel comfortable with. But, I could read all the tell-tale signs. She was downright fascinated by you."
    ro "So, it didn’t much matter what happened between you two. So long as she allowed me to return, the possibility is still there?"
    tuer "Exactly. Though it might not be easy. She’ll have her guard up."

    "Rowan scratched his chin in thought. It wasn't the worst plan, but there were obvious flaws. Just because Rowan had a way through the door, didn’t mean he had a way to manipulate her behavior. Especially if the goal was so dramatic."

    ro "I'm not sure how willing she'll be to submit to you, no matter how I try to go about convincing her. She seems pretty set in her ways."
    tuer "You sell yourself, short. You’re {i}Rowan{/i}. Of course, you’d be able to do it."

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Rowan frowned. Tue-Row’s fanboyish confidence was not entirely shared by the hero. Rowan’s contemplation meant that they walked together in silence for a time."
    "Gol Tower, in all of its majesty and vast history, retreated into the cover of the trees. So lost in the Blackholt that Rowan would not have known it was there, had he not just come that direction."
    "When Tue-Row spoke up again, it was an uncharacteristically mellow tone."

    #//Tue-Row to Sad.

    tuer "The truth of the matter is... My plans do not depend on Che-Lin’s submission. Having her by my side once more would be wonderful, but if she never bends the knee, I will simply continue on without her."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    ro "But it would be a loss to goblinkind, no? And to you, personally."
    tuer "When I started on this path, I was willing to sacrifice everything to see it to the end. This hasn’t changed. So help show her the light if you can. But, if you can’t…or if you deem it a waste of time…"
    tuer "Well there is no shortage of useful tasks you could help me with."
    ro "No room for feelings in goblin politics?"

    "Tue-Row sighed, a weak smile forming on his lips."

    tuer "No room for feelings in any politics. You can’t make a new world without knocking down the old one… "

    "The monarch said nothing more as they ventured through the forest, and for a moment, Rowan felt pity for the goblin whose dream could cost him everything else he had."

    # $ avatar.mp -= 5

    # # $ released_fix_rollback()
    # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
    # $ push_to_previous_tile()
    # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_47.rpy
label a_book_about_no_one_rp:

    $ forgeLevel = 10
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg19 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "I don’t think I need to specify, but we need utmost discretion in this matter."
    cla "Please, you think black market traders give a damn to whom they’re selling?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "The quickest way to scare them off would be for them to discover the weapons they’re selling are going to {i}demons{/i}."
    cla "But they’re not! They’re selling them to my family. Who, as it happens, have a {i}wealth{/i} of eager customers stretching across the continent."

    if forgeLevel >= 1:
        ro "I’m just saying. Purchases of this size tend to draw attention, and Greyhide is taxed to the limit as it is."

    else:
        ro "I’m just saying. Purchases of this size tend to draw attention, and Bloodmeen’s forges are taxed to the limit as it is."

    "Cla-Min winked suggestively at him."

    cla "You don’t have to tell {i}me{/i} twice. But your concern is noted. Loose lips suck dicks."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I uh… don’t think that’s quite the saying."

    "Cla-Min affected a careless shrug and took a drag off her pipe."

    cla "Must be a human anachronism then."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    cla "So, we done here?"
    ro "Yeah, we’re done."

    "Cla-Min snapped her fingers then pivoted on her heel, bending over with a bit too much eagerness as she fished around for something in a rucksack sitting near her cart."

    cla "Good, then there’s just one more thing…"

    "She pulled a small item out from the bag, turned back and handed it to Rowan."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…A book?"
    cla "Look at the title, silly."
    ro "..."
    ro "{i}The Ravishing Rogue of the Red Rose: an Erotic memoir?{/i}"
    ro "Is this about me?"
    cla "One of my nephews spotted it while frequenting a sordid little bookstore out in the hinterlands."
    cla "Apparently the entire store’s inventory is written by the owner herself. Calls herself “The Great and Wordy Exaga… Exagena-” something or other. It’s a pen name."
    cla "Anyway, he spotted your name while “just thumbing through the book” and decided to pick up a copy for you."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Wow, thank you Cla-Min. This is really-"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The goblin snapped her fingers twice, then rubbed them back and forth in an avaricious manner. Rowan let out a sigh and pulled out his coin purse."

    cla "Pleasure doing business with you. Hope it’s worth the read."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan’s daily errands carried him to a different part of the castle. He almost forgot the book tucked under his arm as he finished his final tasks for the day. At last, he was free."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "To his pleasant surprise, he turned the corner and bumped into a welcome face."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with moveinright

    al "Oh, Rowan! There you are."

    "Alexia leaned up and kissed him lightly on the lips."

    al "I was wondering where you’d gotten off to."
    ro "Perfect timing, love. I just finished my last task. Care to walk with me?"
    al "Always!"

    "She fell into step with him, the two walking side by side down the hallway. Alexia subtly interlaced her fingers with his own, and soon they were walking hand in hand."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She peeked past his chest at the book sitting snugly in his other hand."

    al "What have you got there?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Oh! I almost forgot about this. Cla-Min found this for me."
    al "A book?"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan puffed out his chest in exaggerated bravado, causing his beloved wife to raise an eyebrow."

    ro "Not just any book: a book about yours truly."
    al "…About you and the other heroes?"
    ro "Nope. Just me."
    al "Wow! That’s wonderful, Rowan! Who’s the author?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Er, no one you’ve ever heard of."
    al "Well, what’s the title? “The Life and Times of the Hero of Rosaria?”"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Have a look for yourself."

    "Rowan handed his wife the book, his grin widening when a look of utter bafflement crossed her face."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

    al "{i}The Ravishing Rogue of the Red Rose: an Erotic memoir{/i}?!"

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    al "Hahaha, Rowan what is this?"
    ro "Apparently a book of my exploits. None of which I was aware of."
    al "Goddess, what a title! I can’t believe something like this exists."
    ro "People will write anything about me these days, I guess."
    ro "Look at the table of contents."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    al "..."

    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at midright with dissolve

    al "Chapter 1: In which I discover the codpiece that gives me my powers?"
    al "Haha! What is this {i}tripe{/i}?"
    ro "What, you don’t remember me finding a magic codpiece down by the river when I was young? I wore it all about town."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Alexia slammed the book shut, a look of utter glee twinkling in her eyes."

    al "That’s it! I’m not reading another {i}word{/i} of this until I’ve got a bottle of wine on hand."
    al "This is the kind of book you read together drunk. Such depravity requires the proper motivation."
    ro "Is that an invitation, my beloved wife?"

    "Her lips twisted into a coquettish smirk."

    al "Meet me at the castle gate in a half hour, I’ll bring the bottle."

    scene bg57 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "After finishing up some final preparations, Rowan met Alexia at the appointed time."

    al "Ready to set off?"
    ro "Where are we headed?"
    al "A little hillock overlooking the castle, just a short hike from here. Perfect reading light."
    ro "You’re excited."
    al "Aren’t you? I {i}love{/i} trashy books like these, it sets my soul to singing."
    ro "Poetic. Somehow, I think that was more profound than anything we’re going to see in that thing."
    al "Come on! We’re burning daylight."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind black

    al "“Upon my ascension to {i}Hero of Rosaria{/i}, I was blessed by the Goddess Solansia with two swords.”"
    ro "Huh, didn’t know it was a Goddess-bestowed title. And here I thought I only got it at the end of the war."
    al "“My first sword, Headsplitter, is known by all my enemies. My second sword {i}Ass split-” pffff, ha ha ha ha{/i}!"
    al "“Hehe, i-is known by all my suh-{i}exual{/i} conquests- ah ha ha ha!”"
    al "“M-men and women alike know and fear this blade, for it is {i}the bane of every curvaceous rump in the kingdom{/i},” ha ha ha ha ha!"

    scene cg1435 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1436 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1437 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435
    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg1435

    al "{i}Oh Goddess{/i}, make it stop!"
    ro "You are having altogether too much fun."
    al "{i}Hoo hoo{/i} ha ha ha! “I have sampled the black cherries of many a noble and noblewoman, and laid claim to the High Arbitron of Rosaria’s blessed bootyhole in the name of the kingdom and of the Goddess!”"
    al "“L-long have I longed to spread the meaty cheeks of the Baron himself. But alas, {i}I am only a dirt general{/i}-” ha ha ha ha!"
    ro "Haha, this is possibly the only time in my life I have ever been grateful for that title."
    al "Pfft- “Many a maiden has {i}begged{/i} me to sire her a son, but I am bound by an oath to Solansia to only desire one sheath!” Hehehe {i}aaaah{/i}! It’s so bad!"

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435

    ro "I was kind of assuming a story like this would have more “monster slaying.”"
    al "Oh, there’s plenty of {i}that{/i} too. Look."

    "Alexia flipped back to the front of the book, thumbing the pages to the table of contents. Rowan took another healthy swig of the wine. He wished there was more of it."
    "Finding the page she wanted, she held the book up behind her for him to peer at over her shoulder."

    al "Look at Chapter 12."
    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1435

    ro "“{i}Wherein I turn a Skulltaker into an Ass-taken{/i}?!”"
    ro "What are these {i}chapter titles{/i}?"

    "Alexia’s hysterical cackling grew near demonic in character. She kicked her legs out in spasmodic fits of laughter."

    al "The best one is Chapter 3. Look, look!"

    "She pointed it out. Rowan squinted as he struggled to comprehend what he was reading."

    ro "“…In which I Bugger a Briarbridge Bum’s Bum?” {i}Goddess above{/i}!"

    al "HA ha ha! My sides! My sides!"

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435

    "The two collapsed against one another in lung-emptying giggles. Even Rowan had to admit that the work was almost breathtaking in its sheer lunacy. "

    al "W-what bookstore did you {i}get{/i} this from?!"
    ro "Evidently one that doesn’t care for the idea of censorship. Goddess only knows what I supposedly got up to during the Siege of Karst."
    ro "I have a… {i}colourful{/i} biographer."
    al "Bugger-ographer, {i}pfft{/i}-"
    ro "Don’t {i}you{/i} start on me now!"
    al "Oh Goddess above, I don’t know the last time I laughed this hard!"
    al "Thank you, Rowan. This has to be the best unexpected read I’ve ever encountered."

    ro "It’s good to hear you laugh. Even better to see you smile."

    "Alexia tilted her head back and planted a kiss on his lips. Rowan hugged her close and tightened his grip on her."

    al "Now I see how you were able to charm the High Arbitron with your second sword-"

    "Rowan let out a scoff and mock: pushed her away."

    ro "Haha, shut {i}up{/i}! I’m getting secondhand embarrassment."
    al "According to this book, you should be getting {i}firsthand{/i} embarrassment."
    ro "You know how stories can be exaggerated."

    "Alexia’s smile grew dangerous."

    al "Always with a kernel of truth though. How was I to know you were into buggery?"

    menu:
        "I may have been tempted to try it, once or twice.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "I suppose you did spend time with the Baron at all those balls and galas in the capital after the war."
            al "Evidently his “meaty cheeks” were more tempting than mine… {i}pff{/i}-"
            ro "You’re going to be the death of me, woman."

        "Nope, the thought never occurred to me before.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia 2 necklace angry behind cg1435
            al "Why, Rowan Blackwell! How dare you!"
            show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg1435
            al "After all those days spent watching all those soldiers strut about in their leggings, and seeing the Baron’s rump on full display on parade, you never felt a tingle?"
            al "A little stirring in the loins?"
            show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435
            ro "Goddess, who knew my own wife was as much a lech as this accursed author."
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435

    ro "More wine?"
    al "Yes please! I never knew laughing this hard could make one so parched."
    ro "Meanwhile I’ve been using it to wash away the memory."
    al "Hehe, you’ll need a few more bottles than that, love."

    "Alexia took a long drink from the wine, her eyes alight with humour as Rowan stared at her. He felt a momentary feeling of deep contemplation come over him."

    al "…What?"

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435

    ro "What?"
    al "You’re brooding. What about?"
    ro "Oh it’s nothing. Just a thought."
    al "I like thoughts, they pair together well with wine… well, until they don’t."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435

    ro "I was just thinking… if someone {i}were{/i} to write a book about me, a real one. What would you like it to say?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg1435

    al "Including everything that’s happened since…?"

    "Her fingers trailed gently across the gaudy necklace around his neck."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1435

    ro "Yeah."

    "Alexia took another careful drink of the wine, her eyes growing distant for a moment."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "I’d want them to know that you are a good man. That you care about this world, more than anyone I know."
        al "I’d want them to know that you are kind, generous, warm… that you fight against injustice, and that you protect others almost as a matter of course."
        al "…And If {i}I{/i} were writing that book? I’d say that you sacrificed everything for the sake of protecting the one you love."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        al "I’d want them to know that you knew how to do the hard thing, when others would posture and bluster about ‘goodness’ and ‘righteousness.’!"
        al "I’d want them to see what I see: a {i}real{/i} man, a man who can satisfy his wife, and then go out and make right the world."
        al "…And I’d want them to know you surrendered {i}everything{/i} for a nothing. A nobody. Simply because you cared for me."

    else:
        al "I’d want them to know that you are a hero, a real hero. Not the fake ones from the storybooks, but the kind that can actually exist in a world as ruined as this one."
        al "I’d want them to know that you are brave, intelligent, harsh but fair… that you fight back against the things that others simply shrug their shoulders and accept as “life.”"
        al "…And that you gave all of it up for the sake of a lowly peasant girl who never amounted to anything."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435

    ro "Alexia..."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg1435

    al "No no, it’s the truth. This peasant girl couldn’t be happier to have met a hero like you."

    #behind cg1
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1435

    ro "I’m just… Rowan."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind cg1435

    al "Maybe you really believe that, or maybe you’re just trying to be humble for my sake."
    al "Either way, it’s not true. Most people don’t wake up in the morning and do the things you do for the sake of another."

    "She leaned up to kiss him. He let her, his breath growing short."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg1435

    al "-And I am endlessly grateful for that fact."

    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435

    ro "This was only meant to be a fun outing. Now I’m all self conscious."

    "Alexia chuckled, reaching up from the book momentarily to toy with Rowan’s hair."

    al "Oh, because the {i}buggery book{/i} didn’t do it for you, hm?"

    menu:
        "…Maybe I wanted to try it with you. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Alexia’s eyes went wide, her jaw dropping as she twisted her head to look over her shoulder at him."
                al "Rowan! Haha, you absolute fiend! We’ve never done anything like that together."
                ro "What? It’d be fun to try!"
                "To his surprise she didn’t sound scandalised, but rather, curious. Alexia tilted her head to look up at him, a thoughtful look on her face."
                al "You know what? Maybe it’s the wine talking, but I’m feeling a little adventurous."
                ro "You know, when most people say “adventure,” they usually mean travelling to a distant land or something."
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg1435
                "Alexia laughed, her voice dipping into a low purr."
                al "…Isn’t that what this is?"
                show rowan necklace shock behind cg1435
                ro "..."
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435
                ro "Hah! And you call {i}me{/i} the fiend?"
                al "You are one!"
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1435
                al "Oh, I {i}know{/i} I am."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg1435
                al "…I’d be up for it."
                show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435
                ro "Just like that?"
                al "Were you expecting pushback?"
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435
                ro "If I’d known you’d be so open to it I’d have suggested it sooner."
                al "I’m open to a {i}lot{/i} of things with you, Rowan. You’re my husband, after all."
                al "Besides… I’m curious too."
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1435
                ro "About what?"
                al "How big you’ll feel there. Aren’t {i}you{/i} curious as well?"
                ro "…Put the book down, Alexia."
            else:
                "A devilish smile crossed her lips as she lightly fluttered her eyelashes."
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind cg1435
                al "Oh… would you, now?"
                ro "I got you this book, didn’t I?"
                al "Goddess, how did I not see it before? This was all a ploy to plant the thought in me!"
                ro "Did it work?"
                al "Hmmm, the descriptions {i}were{/i} quite thrilling. But I don’t recall any chapters centering on your wife."
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1435
                ro "Let’s write our own one, then. Call it an epilogue."
                al "Mmm, now that {i}does{/i} sound intriguing."
            "Alexia put the book down. Rowan leaned down and planted a heady kiss upon her lips."
            "Perhaps it was their earlier conversation. Hell, perhaps it really was the buggery book that inflamed their passions. Either way, things escalated quickly."
            "Soon they were all over one another, trading sloppy, wet kisses as the two rolled about on the sunny hillock like two teenage lovebirds on a date."
            "Rowan pulled her dress over her head, even as she undid the straps on his armour, peeling off the leather to get at the man beneath. He shuddered when he felt her warm hands palm his bare chest."
            show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1435
            ro "You sure about this?"
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1435
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "Yeah. With you? Anything."
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1435
                ro "I love you, Alexia."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "Hurry up and mount me, you stud."
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1435
                ro "You know, patience is a virtue."
            else:
                al "Too late to back out now. Besides, I’m sure."
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1435
                ro "Good, cause the {i}last{/i} thing I want to do right now is stop."
            "Rowan gently twisted her hips. Alexia shot him a quizzical look, but his touch was insistent."
            "Obedient but curious, Alexia got on all fours, presenting her fat rump to him with an extra shake and a wiggle."
            al "Oh… is this how you “plundered” all those other black cherries? How animalistic."
            ro "You’re such a tease."
            al "Only cause I know it gets a rise out of you."
            "As if to underscore that fact, she rubbed her ass back against his hips, grinding her crotch against his hardening member."
            al "…See?"
            ro "Give me a moment, I need to do something first."
            "Alexia let out a huff of amusement."
            al "What, another clever trick from the claimer of everyone’s buttho- ooooh!"
            show cg1540 with dissolve
            pause 3
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "R-{i}Rowan{/i}!"
                ro "Mmm, yes dear?"
                al "G-goddess, where are you {i}licking{/i}?"
                ro "Take a wild guess."
                al "{i}Hmmh{/i}!"
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "Oooooh, {i}ffffuuuck{/i}, Rowan…"
                ro "…You like that?"
                al "I {i}soooo{/i} like that! D-don’t stop!"
                ro "As my lady commands."
            else:
                al "Goddess! Warn me before you do that next time!"
                ro "I refuse."
                al "You beast!"
                ro "I’m just an eager devotee."
                al "{i}Aahnh{/i}!"
            show cg1541 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan planted a kiss directly on her clenching hole, then began to lick. Alexia moaned and leaned back against him as he delved into the sinful debauchery."
            "Rowan made a point to slather her ass in saliva, sampling the taste of her skin before gently biting on her ass cheek. She twitched in place."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "Ow! You arse!"
                ro "{i}Your{/i} arse!"
                al "Mmmh! Do it again!"
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "Fuck yeah, Rowan! Eat my ass!"
                ro "You’re starting to sound like that book."
                al "{i}Fuck the book{/i}! We’ll do it ten times better!"
            else:
                al "{i}Aah{/i}!"
                al "W-what’s gotten into you, today?"
                ro "That book gave me ideas."
                al "{i}Hmmm{/i}… got any more?"
            show cg1542 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan obliged, pressing his lips against her right cheek and suctioning hard. When he was done he’d left a bright, purple hickie on her rump."
            al "And what was that for?"
            ro "Marking you as mine."
            al "You {i}know{/i} I’m yours, love."
            "Rowan smirked then lowered his head once more, eating out her ass with a passion and ferocity that had his wife clenching fistfuls of grass to keep herself steady."
            "His tongue dipped down momentarily to taste the sweet honey of her cunt, then resumed his dutiful rimming with extra gusto."
            "Rowan slipped a pair of fingers into her drooling pussy, marveling at the ease with which they slid deep into her. She was wet, painfully so. Evidently his surprise tonguing had done its work."
            show cg1543 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan rose and moved forward on his knees, planting his waist against hers as they moved in hot friction against one another."
            ro "You ready?"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Alexia cast a heady gaze over her shoulder at Rowan."
                al "{i}Yeah{/i}."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "Alexia cast a coy glance over her shoulder at him, her eyes alight with avaricious need."
                al "Put it in already!"
            else:
                "Alexia turned back to stare at him with smouldering bedroom eyes."
                al "Take me."
            show cg1544 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Slowly, {i}painfully{/i} slowly, he pressed the head of his cock against her arsehole and pushed. He felt it when he slid home, his body clenching as he felt her insides surround him."
            "{i}Goddess{/i} it was tight, far tighter than even Alexia’s vicelike womanhood. Rowan could feel every micropush as he slid into her naughtier hole like a too-wide carriage skirting down a narrow alleyway."
            "Alexia let out a grunt of effort, shifting position on her arms to support the weight of him pushing into her. Rowan had to resist the urge to simply hilt himself to the base."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "{i}Nnnh!{/i}"
                ro "You okay?"
                show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1544
                ro "You okay?"
                al "Yeah, just take it slow."
                "Rowan felt her trembling through their illicit connection. It sent a delicious vibration through his cock that set his synapses aflame, even as he struggled to hold himself back."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "Ow- easy with your ass splitter back there! Pfft-"
                ro "Oh for the love of-"
                al "Ha ha ha!"
                "As if to goad him further, Alexia twerked against his shaft, teasing him with her hips as she all but dared him to plunge into her depths."
            else:
                al "Kharos take me, you’re so big! "
                show rowan necklace naked concerned behind cg1544
                ro "You okay to go deeper?"
                al "D-don’t stop!"
                "She pressed back against him, only a bit though. Enough to show her eagerness for him to continue the anal penetration."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1544
            "Rowan resisted his own urges and took it slow, grateful for the extra lubrication that her leaking cunny could provide."
            "Finally, after what felt like a minute of agonising ecstacy, Rowan felt the pleasing tickle of his wife’s ass settle comfortably in the groove of his hips. He was in her, fully."
            al "{i}Aaaah-{/i}"
            "Rowan drew his hips back, and thrust into her again. Short and gentle, but deep. Oh so deep."
            "Alexia’s knees shuddered beneath her as he picked up the pace, humping against her ass in smooth, sure strokes."
            "Minutes of frantic mating passed, a torrid whirlwind of thrust, drawback and unyielding, near suffocating {i}tightness{/i}. Rowan was panting, breathless at the sensation of it. And his wife was equally enthralled."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "Rowan, I’m…"
                ro "M-me too-"
                al "You can… on my back-"
                al "I want to {i}feel{/i} it, Rowan!"
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                al "Cum in my ass, Rowan."
                ro "What?"
                al "I said: {i}cum in my ass, Rowan{/i}."
            else:
                al "You’re getting close, I-I can feel it."
                ro "Yeah…"
                al "..."
                al "Inside… do it inside!"
            "Rowan couldn’t have denied her if he wanted to, the feel of her rump against his waist and the too tight fit of her ass clenching around his cock sent him spilling over the edge."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                show cg1544 with sshake
                show cg1544 with sshake
                show cg1546 with flash
                pause 2
                "At the last moment, Rowan just managed to pull himself free from her tight tunnel. There was a loud squelching sound as he slid out, followed by a cry of pleasure from his wife."
                "Rowan erupted, directing his heavy load in long, spurting lines down her back Alexia shivered, her hips still pushing back against him even as she orgasmed."
                "He felt the curve of her ass buffet his cock between her cheeks, like peaking an incline. Three more titanic bursts and Rowan spent himself, holding tight to Alexia's hips as the two panted and gasped together."
                al "O-oh Goddess, that was {i}amazing{/i}!"
                ro "Enjoyed that, did you?"
                al "I did. Very much so."
                al "…Who knew all this time we were using the wrong sheath?"
                ro "{i}Stop{/i}! Ha ha ha! You’re going to make me cramp."
                al "And I’m going to feel {i}you{/i} the next few hours every time I sit. Oof."
                ro "No pain no gain."
                al "Okay {i}ass splitter{/i}-"
                ro "Ha ha ha!"
            else:
                show cg1544 with sshake
                show cg1544 with sshake
                show cg1545 with flash
                pause 2
                "Rowan grunted and hilted himself, feeling the unbearable tightness of her ass clenching around him even as he swelled within her, ready to release his seed."
                "Alexia screamed out an orgasm, her body shivering as her empty pussy clenched in helpless desire. Rowan took her by the hips, squashed her ass as hard against his waist as possible, and exploded."
                "He pumped his load within her, thick semen blasting inside her insides as he painted her rear interior white. Alexia shivered, her hips still pushing back against him even as she orgasmed."
                "Rowan savoured the feeling of her ass for another long moment, then slowly pulled free from her. It took more effort than he expected, but eventually there was a soft pop, and he pulled free from her now-gaping hole."
                al "{i}Mmmh{/i}, fuck Rowan! That feels so good."
                ro "Enjoyed that, did you?"
                al "Of course I did! I came like four times."
                ro "You’re a dirty girl, Alexia."
                al "I can’t deny that. But being around you makes me feel {i}twice{/i} as dirty."
                ro "Hmm, we’re a good pair together then."
                "Alexia tilted her head back, and Rowan kissed her fiercely on the lips. She responded in kind, grabbing hold of his lower lip and gripping onto it with her teeth."
                al "…That we are."
            "They kissed again. Slowly, passionately. They lay together naked in the grass, hands exploring each other with a kind of hungry indolence."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace naked behind black
            show alexia necklace naked behind black
            ro "Oh! By the way, I forgot to mention…"
            "Alexia reached over and nabbed the book from where it had been carelessly discarded in the midst of their sexual congress."
            al "This thing has some illustrations in the back."
            #show rowan necklace naked shocked behind black
            ro "No..."
            al "Oh yesss..."
            ro "No, no no!"
            al "She must have found a sketch of you or something, it almost kinda looks like you!"
            al "Look at that smug grin!"
            ro "{i}Oh gods{/i}, what am I doing with that Ogre?!"
            "Alexia continued to playfully torment him with the crude drawings for the rest of the evening. It got to the point where Rowan had to hide the book from her in his room - to protect his sanity, if not his dignity."
            # return

        "Hey now, I stand by my accomplishments.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia rolled her eyes and snuggled a little deeper back into Rowan’s chest."
            al "You know, according to your ‘accurate’ author, you single-handedly defeated Karnas"
            show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1435
            ro "No..."
            al "You did! With your whole crowd of friends and heroes looking on, evidently. It’s right here in the final chapter."
            ro "Alexia please, spare me, I don’t need to-"
            al "“Roaring my triumph to the skies, I planted Headsplitter into the ground, cracking the black stone of the throne room with the weight of my blow.”"
            al "“Then, I unsheathed {i}mighty Ass splitter{/i} and proceeded to grab his unholy {i}heinie{/i}, planting it into his crack and-”"
            show rowan necklace shock behind cg1435
            ro "No!"
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1435
            ro "Goddess above, make it stop!"
            al "Hahaha! Come on, one more page."
            "Rowan put a hand over his eyes and massaged his brow in mock despair."
            ro "You will be the death of me, woman."
            al "Apparently Daenara was {i}very{/i} invested in the proceedings."
            ro "Nooooo! Goddess preserve me!"
            al "She didn’t preserve his rear’s virginity, {i}pff{/i}- "
            ro "Pass me the wine, will you? I suddenly feel the need to get very, very drunk."
            # return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label dress_to_impress_rp:

    $ alexiaJob = "maid"
    $ rowAlRel = 100
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ unlockFertilityTreatment = True
    $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
    $ enableNTRDiag = False

    "Show NTR dialogue?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ enableNTRDiag = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
            $ rowAlRel = 0
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg19 with fade
    show clamin happy at center with dissolve

    cla "Thirty percent off everything! One of a time offer! Buy them while we still have them, no guarantee we’ll get more this year, ha ha! "

    "It was no secret in Castle Bloodmeen that if you needed something, Cla-Min was your woman to go. The goblin mistress handled all kinds of contraband, with the silent blessing of their half-demon masters. "

    cla "You want to try them, there’s a screen set up behind the caravan! Don’t worry if it doesn’t fit! Just tell Cla-Owi and Cla-Tre, and they’ll work their magic!"

    "And this time, the contraband in question was {i}clothes{/i}. Apparently Cla-Min got her hands on what she insisted was the latest fad in Qerazel."

    show alexia 2 necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Alexia herself was sceptical. From her experience with the goblin matriarch, if a Cla-Min found a single yellow shoe, she would be selling it a day later as a gold slipper lost by an elven princess."

    cla "Alexia! Come closer, you have to pick something for yourself!"

    show clamin happy at midright with moveoutright
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with moveinleft

    al "That’s very generous of you Cla-Min."

    "She did her best to smile. She hasn’t forgotten how Cla-Min straight-up told her she intended to steal her husband right from under her nose. Being cordial was the most she could manage."
    "She glanced at the variety of clothes, of all sizes and colours, though most of them particularly skimpy. There was a vast selection of lingeries, some of which, she had to concede, were quite pretty."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if alexiaJob == '':
        al "I’m afraid I can’t buy anything. The work I perform in the castle is for Rowan’s benefit, not my own."

    else:
        al "I’m afraid I can’t buy anything. I’m a guest here, not an employee."

    cla "If that’s the case… Pick anything you like! It’s on the house, as a sign of gratitude for your husband's ongoing support for all of my endeavours."

    "Alexia narrowed her eyebrows, instantly suspicious of the goblin’s motives. Cla-Min’s dazzling smile as always revealed absolutely nothing."
    "… But one more glance around the place provided her with a theory. Cla-Min’s cart was absolutely stacked with clothes, but there were only a handful of women around. If she had to guess, Cla-Min was simply eager to get rid of it."

    al "If that is the case… I’ll take a look."
    cla "Don’t take too long! Some of the best stuff already got snatched up!"

    hide clamin with moveoutright
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

    "The goblin mistress threw her one last smile, then wandered off to sweet talk one of the maids into buying a second set of earrings. Alexia glared at her for a moment, then decided to inspect the merchandise after all."
    "Not everything would fit her - some things weren’t even made for a human, or a goblin. Others yet seemed terribly impractical, or completely improper."
    "In the end, she stopped browsing the dresses and moved to the undergarments. She wasn’t in need of any, but as she held a pair of nearly translucent panties, an old memory struck her… "

    #arthdale greyed out
    scene blurbg1 with fade
    show alexia necklace aroused behind blurbg1

    al "Oh my, isn’t this a little… Indecent."

    "Samantha, her freshly wedded neighbour, giggled. She was holding a pair of truly scandalous panties, which she nabbed from a merchant travelling south from the elven forest of Ealoaen."
    "Sheer and green, a stylized leaf was strategically placed at the center, to just barely cover a woman’s privates."

    sam "I’m not going to parade the village in them! But the bedroom, on the other hand…"
    sam "Well, I don’t think I’ll end up wearing them there for long, either!"

    scene bg19 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace happy at center with dissolve

    "… The leaf panties ended up an object of jokes for the years to come, until Samantha and her husband moved west, almost a year before twins invaded Arthdale. She wondered what happened to the woman - and if she still had the scandalous undergarments."

    al "Probably…"

    "She brushed the thin material with her fingers, admiring how light it was. A dress was out of the question, but maybe… She could pick something to surprise Rowan with."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    if rowAlRel > 50:
        "He was trying so hard to keep her happy… She should do something nice for him, every once in a while."

    else:
        "She couldn’t ignore how strained things were between them recently… Maybe she should surprise him with something nice, extend the olive branch?"

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "She inspected the display yet again. Two sets attracted her attention, which seemed to be her size."
    "One consisted of high-cut briefs, a full cup bra, lace stockings with a garter belt and a corset, all of them in bridal white. It was so extensive, if she put it all on she would be more dressed than in her normal nighty - yet she had a suspicion Rowan would love taking it all off her."

    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    "The other… Just looking at it made her mouth go dry. A cage bra and some string panties, in aggressive, blood red, and a pair of tacky earrings, supposedly ruby. Absolutely indecent."
    "But then again… Decency hardly mattered in Bloodmeen… And it was for Rowan…"

    menu:
        "Go for the white set. (Scene 1)":# if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ pureOutfit = True
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "After a moment of hesitation, she picked up the more conservative set. She wasn’t a teenage girl, who needed to desperately impress her man lest he’ll wander off to find another woman."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
            show clamin happy at midright with moveinright
            al "I’ll take this one, Min."
            cla "… I see. It certainly suits you, Alexia."
            "The goblin didn’t even try to hide her smug smile, brazenly insinuating Alexia was as boring as the outfit. Alexia resisted the urge to slap her, and simply handed the outfit to one of her kids to wrap up."
            scene black with fade
            "It’s not like everyone needed to know she bought one… "

        "Pick the slutty one. (Scene 2, 3, and 4)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ slutOutfit = True
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                "Once she laid her eyes on the red set, her choice had already been made. The other one was just so… {i}Bland{/i}. In the past, she would have thought it struck the perfect balance between being sexy and being proper."
                "But she was done being proper all the time."
            else:
                "She felt her cheeks flush. This really wasn’t something that suited a lady, but she couldn’t deny it looked {i}good{/i}. She couldn’t imagine a man who wouldn’t want to see his wife in something like it, if only just once."
                al "(I hope the same goes for Rowan…)"
            "She picked it up, and went to find Cla-Min."
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
            show clamin happy at midright with moveinright
            al "I’ll take this one, Min."
            cla "Feeling adventurous today? I’m sure you’ll look absolutely striking in it, hon."
            "Alexia examined the caravan mistress carefully, searching for a hint of sarcasm, yet finding none. For a self-proclaimed rival, Cla-Min insisted on being awfully friendly."
            al "… Thank you. That’s very kind of you."
            "She handed the outfit to one of her kids, to have it wrapped up."
            scene black with fade
            "After all… It should be for Rowan’s eyes only."

        "Abandon the idea - Rowan never appreciates her trying anyway." if enableNTRDiag:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            show alexia 2 necklace angry at center with dissolve
            "She stared at the undergarments for a long time, her expression slowly turning into a deep scowl. The more she thought about it, the less she imagined it going well."
            "If Rowan wanted her to wear something like this, he would buy it for her. He was the castle steward - he wouldn’t have to wait for Cla-Min to start a sale, he could simply order the goblin mistress to find one for her."
            al "( … It would take him five minutes to arrange … But it’s probably too much of a bother to do. Isn’t that right, husband?)"
            "Her mood sullied in an instant. By now she was convinced no matter what she picked, Rowan would simply chastise her for thinking about meaningless things."
            menu:
                "Andras would {i}definitely{/i} enjoy the red set.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                    # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'andras_influence', 1)
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                    "Maybe it was the intense, red color of it. Maybe it was the feeling of neglect. But a thought snuck into her head, unbidden, conjuring an image that took her breath away."
                    #show Slut Lingerie posing CG.
                    scene cg1442 with fade
                    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1442
                    pause 2
                    show alexia 2 necklace aroused behind black
                    "An image of herself, lying in her bed, wearing that slut, obscene outfit. A playful smile on her lips, her body tingling all over, as a hungry gaze devoured her naked form."
                    al "Are you enjoying the view, Lord Andras…? "
                    "His golden eyes ogling her tits, the intensity in them revealing he wished for nothing but to tear that flimsy material off her, so that all of her was {b}his{/b} to admire, his to enjoy, his to {b}fuck{/b}-"
                    scene bg19 with fade
                    show alexia 2 necklace shocked at center with dissolve
                    show bg19 with sshake
                    al "Ah!"
                    "She yelped, dropping the red material. Embarrassed, she looked around. Cla-Min was eyeing her curiously for a moment, then resumed talking to some other customer."
                    al "(What is wrong with me…)"
                    hide alexia with moveoutleft
                    "Ashamed of her own thoughts, she slipped away before anyone started asking what was it that scared her so."
                    scene black with fade
                    "Or worse yet - before she started fantasising again."
                    return

                "Jezera probably had no such problems.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                    # $ change_actor_num_flag('alexia', 'jezera_influence', 1)
                    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Getting angry over her man not wanting to pay her any attention… How ridiculous. Was this a problem for literally {i}anyone{/i} in this castle beside her?"
                    "She couldn’t imagine Jezera allowing any man to treat her that way. Sometimes she envied her captors."
                    "She sighed, then tossed both undergarments away. She should probably leave before she works herself into cold fury."
                    scene black with fade
                    show alexia 2 necklace angry behind black
                    al "(Men…)"
                    return

                "Just go before you completely ruin the day for yourself.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show alexia 2 concerned at center with dissolve
                    "Feeling absolutely miserable already, she sighed and tossed both undergarments away. What a disaster this turned out to be."
                    scene black with fade
                    "She left before Cla-Min noticed her sudden loss of interest. The last thing she needed was that damn skank grinning at her…"
                    return

        "Abandon the idea - she shouldn’t pull him away from his duties.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "With a sigh, she put both outfits away. There was no telling if Rowan would even be in the mood, with everything going on."
            "At times she felt like the most considerate thing she could do was to just… Be by his side."
            scene black with fade
            show alexia 2 necklace neutral behind black
            al "(Make after all of this is over… We’ll find some time to fool around.)"
            return

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    ro "(... How is it even possible for cockroaches to eat steel and breathe fire? Just how insane is this place?)"

    "Rowan rubbed his temples, trying to stop the incoming migraine, well aware the odds of him succeeding were close to null. Sometimes this place really got to him."

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "With a sigh, he pushed the door to his room open."
        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Alexia I’m home-"
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "The words died on his lips."

    else:
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "He turned the key to his room, and opened the door -"
        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
        "… Only to find an unexpected guest inside."

    if pureOutfit:
        jump alexiaPureOutfit_rp

    else:
        jump alexiaSlutOutfit_rp

    label alexiaPureOutfit_rp:
        scene cg1568 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1569 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1570 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1571 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1572 with dissolve
        pause 2
        #aroused
        show alexia white happy behind cg1568
        show alexia white happy at midright with dissolve

        "Right there on the bed, was his wife, almost naked, save for a full set of white, sensual lingerie. Her long legs were clad in sheer stockings, and her breasts held up by a full cup bra, pushed up to accent her best features."
        "Her hand rested lazily on her thighs, and her fingers nervously fiddled with the panties that hid her honey pot. She was looking at him, smiling, her cheeks red with embarrassment."

        al "Hello, husband. Was your day pleasant?"

        menu:
            "… What a wonderful surprise. Approach her. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('alexia', +5)
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1568
                ro "It’s starting to be."
                "With a growing grin, he devoured his wife’s lovely form with his eyes. Alexia played with her hair nervously, not used to so openly displaying herself."
                al "Cla-Min offered to let me pick something from the things she brought from Qerazel, so I thought… "
                "Her voice died out, but Rowan would have none of it.  He started taking off his clothes, and prodded her further."
                ro "You thought what? Do tell, dear."
                "She pouted at him, wiggling in her spot. He pretended not to notice, staring at her tits, and relishing how her nipples started to poke through the white material."
                al "I thought I’d give you a little surprise. One you don’t seem to be particularly grateful for."
                ro "You know me Alexia, I hate surprises, but this one time…"
                "He leaned in, and sealed their lips in a passionate, enthusiastic kiss. Alexia squeaked softly, surprised by his forcefulness, but quickly surrendered to it."
                ro "… I will allow it."
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1568
                "He discarded his shirt to the floor, then held Alexia’s face and kissed her again, losing himself in the moment. This time, Alexia returned it two-fold, sighing softly once he finally pulled away."
                al "Rowan…"
                ro "You look amazing. Like a wonderfully wrapped-up present."
                al "Waiting to be unwrapped, dear."
                "He chuckled, unbuckling his pants. His erect cock sprung forth, inches away from Alexia’s face. She pursed her lips, then gave it a little lick, smiling mischievously."
                ro "You want me to ruin such a wonderful wrapping? Oh no, that simply won’t do. I have a much better idea."
                ro "Turn around, dear. And lay on your back."
                scene cg1573 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1574 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1575 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1576 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1577 with dissolve
                pause 2
                #aroused
                show alexia white happy behind cg1573
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1573
                "She hesitated only for a moment, then followed commands. She laid down, curling up her legs as she looked up at him, still self-conscious about her new outfit."
                "Rowan grabbed her by the thighs and pulled closer, then shoved her legs open!"
                al "Ah! Rowan!"
                ro "Shh, just let me admire you for a moment. I want to appreciate this outfit a little longer - burn it into memory."
                al "Goodness gracious. Am I that of a pretty sight? How flattering."
                ro "Quite so."
                ro "But you’ll look even better once you start moaning my name."
                "Alexia glared at him for a moment, then suddenly burst out laughing. She covered her mouth and forced herself to stop, but still ended up giggling like a little girl."
                al "Oh Rowan, I didn’t expect it to drive you so mad with desire!"
                al "Suddenly I regret making myself so readily available. I should’ve teased you more."
                menu:
                    "She’s beautiful, of course she’s driving him mad, dressed like this.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_relation('alexia', +3)
                        "Grinning, he leaned in to kiss her again, then turned his attention down, showering with kisses her cheeks, her neck, and finally her chest."
                        ro "You’re beautiful no matter what you wear, my love. And if I haven’t shown it recently, let me make it up to you now."
                        al "Ha… You’re making me blush again…"
                        ro "I hope so. I’m learning rosy cheeks and bridal white fit you just perfectly."
                        al "So suddenly you’re a fashion expert?"
                        ro "Hardly, but consider me a… Enthusiastic student?"
                        al "Really now? So are you, mayhap, willing to listen to what I have to say in that area?"
                        al "Might you be even - dare I say it? - willing to consider those belts look just {i}dreadful{/i} on you?"
                        ro "They’re practical. Unlike this… "

                    "She should always try to be slutty and sexy.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                        # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                        al "Ep!"
                        "He slapped her ass, then dug his fingers greedily, kneading it and watching as Alexia’s eyes clouded with desire. What a wonderful expression it was on her…"
                        ro "You should do both way more often, Alexia. You’re one sexy woman, and I’d love to see flaunt your body more."
                        al "Ha… I almost regret not buying the other set…"
                        ro "Oh? Well then… I’m expecting you to check with Cla-Min later, and see if she still has it."
                        "He slapped her ass again, evoking another yelp, this one closer to a moan."
                        ro "Have I made myself clear, love?"
                        al "Ha… Y-yes… Dear…"
                        ro "Good. As for this one…"

                "He trailed his finger over her thin panties, watching with satisfaction how a wet spot formed on them. His wife started breathing heavily, and had to bite her hand to stop herself from moaning."
                al "Ha… Please… You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting for you to come back… Laying…  Posing…"
                al "It’s been torture. I don’t think I can handle any more teasing."
                ro "And here I thought it was my day you were concerned about."
                al "No reason not to improve both, love."
                ro "No, there isn’t."
                "Swayed by her heartfelt pleas, he moved her panties aside, revealing her glistening cunt. Not wanting to waste any more time, he pulled up, and grabbed her legs by the ankles."
                "He dragged his cock over her outer lips, enjoying their slick wetness. He didn’t push further - and instead watched her shudder with desire, waiting for her to speak again."
                scene cg1578 with fade
                pause 3
                #aroused
                show alexia white happy behind cg1578
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1578
                al "Rowa-aaaaaaaah!"
                "He thrust into her the moment she did so, and enjoyed the wonderful cry of pleasure that followed. Breathing heavily, his wife tried to regain some of her composure, maintain some, no matter how small, pretence of modesty."
                menu:
                    "Be gentle.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_relation('alexia', +3)
                        $ wentHard = False
                        "He pushed deep, letting out a moan of his own as Alexia’s warm pussy enveloped his cock whole. Then, he almost stopped, lightly gyrating his lips as his wife accustomed herself to the feeling of his cock inside of her."
                        al "Ha… Ha…"
                        "After a moment, she reached up. He grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. The two shared a loving smile - then Rowan started thrusting again."
                        "There were no more words to be exchanged. Rowan enjoyed the magic of the moment, the wonderful sight of Alexia spread before him."
                        "The lingerie was just that - clothes. Pretty ones, but who cared for such things? But the fact Alexia went out of her way to surprise him…"
                        "How could he not reward such devotion?"
                        "He stole another kiss from Alexia’s lips, then a moment later resumed his thrusts. He kept a slow, gentle pace, which made his wife absolutely melt with pleasure."
                        al "Ha… A-ah! Rowan…"
                        ro "Shh, enjoy yourself, my love."
                        "She nodded weakly, and let herself surrender to the sensation. Rowan smiled, then slowly picked up the pace."

                    "Go hard, and make her drop that facade.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                        # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                        $ wentHard = True
                        "His first thrust was soon followed by another, this was still gentle, but he was quickly picking up pace, and soon he was plunging into his wife with wild abandon."
                        al "A-ah! Not so rough!"
                        "He slowed just a little, but he knew her limits. Alexia enjoyed playing a delicate flower a little too much for his liking - he knew she could take a pounding. And that’s what she was about to get."
                        ro "I don’t think I can stop myself. This outfit is driving me crazy, Alexia."
                        al "That’s what it’s for, but- ah!"
                        "Her weak protest turned into a lustful moan, as he gave her no respite, claiming her cunt with his cock, thoroughly enjoying how it greedily clamped around his manhood."
                        ro "I love how wet your pussy is, dear. I love how it sucks me in so greedily."
                        ro "Be honest with me - were you fantasising about this from the moment you laid you put this outfit on? From the moment you laid your eyes on it?"
                        "She didn’t answer, gasping for air and covering her mouth to hide her expression. But her glazed-over eyes revealed her true feelings. Unfocused, on the verge of losing all sense."
                        "Rowan grinned, and made a point to drive his cock as deep as he could, just so he could witness her eyes roll up."

                "Soon the room was dominated entirely by slapping sounds of Rowan thrusting his cock into his wife, and Alexia moaning lewdly, her desire gushing out as freely as her pussy was. She was getting close - as was he."
                show cg1579 with dissolve
                pause 1
                show cg1580 with sshake
                show cg1580 with sshake
                show cg1580 with flash
                pause 1
                show cg1581 with dissolve
                pause 2
                #aroused
                show alexia white happy behind cg1579
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1579
                "Crying out, both of them came at the same time, his cock filling her fully, so generously that some of his cum leaked out, staining the bed’s sheets - and the panties she still wore."
                ro "Ha… Gods, that was amazing…"
                al "Ah… You came so much… "
                al "They’re ruined now, aren’t they?"
                ro "Y-yeah… But I’d say they served their purpose spectacularly…"
                al "Ha! Should I say the same every time you bring me a torn shirt to sew?"
                if wentHard:
                    "She was joking… Mostly. Rowan noticed she was pouting just a little bit. Maybe she was still mad that he decided to go so hard…"
                else:
                    "She stuck her tongue out at him, too tired to continue her teasing, but obviously enjoying it."
                "Chuckling, he leaned it and kissed her one last time, then with some regret pulled away. This was a lovely distraction."
                scene black with fade
                "… He could only hope it wouldn’t be the last like it."
                return

            "… What an unpleasant surprise. Cover her. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_relation('alexia', -2)
                scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "Not particularly, and it doesn’t seem to end."
                "With a sigh, he picked up the duvet and covered his wife. He tried not to think about her hurt expression."
                show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                al "… That bad?"
                ro "Yes. Cla-Min had a sale?"
                al "Top-of-the-line delivery from Qerazel, she insists. She let me pick anything, as a sign of gratitude for your “ongoing support for all her endeavours.”"
                ro "… Really now. Probably last year’s collection, then."
                al "Ha… Maybe even stolen."
                ro "I wouldn’t put it past her."
                "He unbuckled his sword, and left it next to his desk. It was nice of Alexia to want to surprise him like this… "
                scene black with fade
                "He just wasn’t in the mood for it."
                return

    label alexiaSlutOutfit_rp:

        scene cg1438 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1439 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1440 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1441 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1442 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show alexia necklace naked behind cg1438

        al "Welcome dear ~~ Had a pleasant day? Yes? No? No matter ~~ I’m sure we can make it better ~~ "

        "Right there on the bed, was his wife, almost naked, and grinning lasciviously. She wore next to nothing, save a pair of ruby earrings, heavy make-up and, a brand new, skimpy red lingerie."

        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
            "Her cheeks were as red as the outfit itself, a sign of her incredible embarrassment at wearing such a brazen outfit. Yet she didn’t attempt to cover herself, and the excited sparkles in her eyes revealed a part of her enjoyed showing off like this."

        else:
            "He thought such a brazen outfit could maybe embarrass her, but her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement, and she preened her body, gleefully showing off {i}everything{/i}."

        al "Cat got your tongue, husband? I’m not surprised ~~ Luckily for us… For what I have in mind, you won’t be doing a lot of talking ~~"

        menu:
            "What a wonderful surprise - but tease her just a little… (Scenes)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1438
                ro "And who said you’ll be the one making the decisions, hm?"
                "Smiling cheekily at her, he set for the desk, and took off his sword. Alexia watched him like a hawk, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "
                al "Maybe I wouldn’t mind being in control every once in a while?"
                ro "You would need a wholly different outfit than this. Posing like that…"
                ro "It makes me think you want to be {i}ravished{/i}."
                "Alexia giggled playful, sneaking her hand between her legs, and lowering her skimpy panties just a little."
                al "Really now…"
                "She murmured softly, waiting to see his next move."
                menu:
                    "Make love to her, as you always do. (Scene 2 and 3)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1438
                        "He didn’t hurry. He started unbuckling his belts, watching Alexia from the corner of his eyes, keeping her guessing. His shirt landed on the chair - his pants soon followed."
                        "With his cock swaying, he approached her. Alexia’s smile grew with every step, and she started rising up, waiting for his next move."
                        ro "You put a lot of effort into looking exceptionally appealing today. I appreciate it."
                        al "You should. Aren’t I just the best?"
                        "She giggled happily, and he pulled her in for a passionate kiss. She opened her mouth to let his tongue in, nimbly playing with it with her own."
                        ro "Ha… Aren’t you hungry for attention today. Is it because of the outfit?"
                        al "Mmmm… Well, I was waiting quite a while, fantasising about aaaaaaall the things you might do to me once you see me…"
                        al "So yes, I might be starved for attention… Among other things…"
                        if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                            "She leaned in to lick his cock, smiling bashfully. He shuddered, feeling his own need rising, threatening to spiral out of control."
                        else:
                            "She leaned in to lick his cock, smirking. He shuddered, feeling his own need rising, threatening to spiral out of control."
                        al "Are {i}really{/i} you going to make me wait, Rowan?"
                        "He couldn’t. Suddenly overtaken by desire, he seized her with ease and flipped her on her back. She cried in mock surprise, then started giggling, staring at him with hungry, lustful eyes."
                        al "Ravish me, dear."
                        "… She asked, opening her legs wide, moving her new panties aside, to show how wet and ready she was for him…"
                        menu:
                            "Take her. (Scene 3)":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                "How could he resist such an invitation? Unable to hold back anymore, he grabbed her legs - and thrust his hips forth!"
                                jump slutMissionarySex_rp

                            "Stare, awestruck. (Scene 2 and 3)":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                "His mouth went dry as he looked down, suddenly too enamoured by the sight in front of him to move a muscle."
                                "His wife was oozing sexuality today, showing her body off with such confidence… So unlike her usually meek self."
                                al "My, my, am I that {i}stunning{/i} today?"
                                ro "Never been more beautiful, my love. It’s almost a waste to ruin it."
                                al "Oh, but you have my permission to do so! Unless…"
                                "She placed her leg on his shoulder, and pushed down, ever so slightly…"
                                al "You want to show your appreciation in a {i}different{/i} way..."
                                menu:
                                    "Kneel before her. (Scene 2)":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                                        jump slutCunnilingus_rp

                                    "Kiss her leg, then take her after all. (Scene 3)":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        "Chuckling, he left a single kiss on her leg - then pushed it aside."
                                        ro "You’ve never wielded a sword, but you would make for a fearsome opponent in battle. One moment of hesitation, and you already go for the kill…"
                                        ro "You should’ve pushed harder. I won’t give you another chance."
                                        "Her eyes sparkled mischievously, in no way displeased by his words. With a wide grin on his face, he seized her other leg - and thrust his cock forth!"
                                        jump slutMissionarySex_rp

                    "She’s dressed like a slut - treat her like one. (Scene 4)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                        # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                        scene cg1443 with dissolve
                        pause 3
                        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1443
                        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1443
                        "He didn’t hurry. He started unbuckling his belts, watching Alexia from the corner of his eyes, keeping her guessing. His shirt landed on the chair - his pants soon followed."
                        "With his cock swaying, he sauntered to his wife. Her smile grew with every step, and she started rising, anticipating, hungering- "
                        ro "You put a lot of effort into looking extra slutty for me, dear. I appreciate it."
                        "She giggled happily, playing with her hair, quickly getting into the role. This place really was taking its toll on her… But right now, he didn’t mind it."
                        ro "But if that’s the role you want to play today… I expected you to go all the way. Stand up. Present yourself."
                        al "So commanding ~~ "
                        "Still giggling, she did as she was ordered, languidly pulling herself up, and standing in front of her husband. She rested a hand on her hip, and pushed her chest out, thrusting her full tits almost in Rowan’s face."
                        al "Like what you- Ep!"
                        "Without a word of warning, Rowan turned her around and pushed her against the bedpost."
                        "In an instant, he was all over her, sneaking one hand under her bra and squeezing her tits, and the other inside her panties, feeling her pussy as his cock nestled between her asscheeks."
                        ro "I do. But I have no intention of just admiring you from a distance, {i}slut{/i}."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            "Pulling her close, he kissed her neck, so forcefully and passionately it would leave a mark for days to come. Alexia moaned quietly, the corner of her lips rising in a lewd grin."
                            al "Such a horrible way to call your wife ~~~"
                            ro "Such a horrible way to dress, my dear."
                            al "I guess I get what I deserve."
                            "She giggled, then yelped again, as Rowan rewarded her words by pinching her nipple."
                        else:
                            "Pulling her close, he kissed her neck, so forcefully and passionately it would leave a mark for days to come. Alexia moaned quietly, and hung her head low, a little too embarrassed to show her face."
                            al "Ha… I mean, I know I dress the part, but-"
                            "He silenced her protests by pinching her nipples, and redoubled his caresses, until her weak attempts to protest turned into lustful moans."
                            "Soon she started gyrating her hips, wanting him to touch her more, no matter the crude words."
                        "He forced her legs apart, and she clung to the bedpost desperately. He moved her new panties aside, playing with them for just a moment."
                        ro "Don’t want to ruin them ~~ In case you want to repeat this later."
                        al "Mmmm… Maybe ~~"
                        "She still tried to play the tease, but her overflowing cunt told Rowan everything he needed to know. Without hesitation, he pulled his hips back - then pushed into her! "
                        al "A-AH!"
                        "Her sweet moan resounded across the room, as Rowan started to rapidly thrust his cock, her slick insides letting him take her hard and fast. Within moments, his wife dissolved into a moaning, whimpering mess."
                        al "F-fuck, Rowan - ha! It feels- Oh fuck!"
                        "She couldn’t even finish a sentence. Chuckling, he wrapped his hand around her stomach, holding her body close to his, as his hips continued their relentless thrusting."
                        ro "I know - fuck, you’re so tight today! Did you want my cock that bad?"
                        "Her lustful moans were his answer. Neither of them tried to keep their voices down, their obscene cries no doubt heard across the corridor outside."
                        "The raw obscenity of it all was driving Rowan wild. The lewd lingerie was her permission for him to let loose - to be rough, to relieve all that pent-up lust and frustration on her-"
                        menu:
                            "Hold back - make her enjoy the moment.":# if avatar.corruption < 61:
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                "With some difficulty, he held his lust at bay, massaging her tits and keeping a steady pace, claiming her again and again without hurting her."
                                "It was no easy task - not with her cunt sucking him in so greedily. But hearing Alexia’s voice break down into lustful cries felt even better than her body did."

                            "Be as rough as he wanted.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                                "He couldn’t resist the temptation. One hand squeezed her tits roughly, the other…"
                                al "Ah!"
                                "He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back, holding her in place as he mercilessly pounded her cunt."
                                if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                                    # $ change_relation('alexia', +3)
                                    "Her eyes rolled up, as she surrendered herself completely to him and his cock, just this once, a complete slut for her husband."
                                else:
                                    # $ change_relation('alexia', -3)
                                    "She let out a pained whimper. He was being too rough - but the cock inside it felt too good for her to ask him to stop."

                        "He couldn’t last much longer - and neither could she. And knowing what she liked, he didn’t see the need to hold back."
                        show cg1444 with sshake
                        show cg1444 with sshake
                        show cg1445 with flash
                        pause 3
                        "With a primal grunt, he came inside, pumping her full of his thick seed. The sudden warmth pushed his love over the edge, and she came as well, moaning loudly."
                        al "A-aaaah! Rowan!"
                        "Her legs trembled, and he pulled her close, holding her up so she wouldn’t collapse under him."
                        al "H-haaaaa, f-fuck, that was…"
                        ro "Amazing?"
                        al "Y-yeah…"
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            "She grinned, and pushed herself up, seeking his lips. She didn’t mind the cum trickling down her thighs - and he couldn’t help but chuckle at the fact."
                            ro "Wonderful job, my dear."
                            ro "You were a perfect slut today."
                            "He murmured lovingly as he kissed her. He didn’t bother to pull out of her. He wanted to enjoy the moment just a little longer. Let her rest."
                        else:
                            "She gave him a somewhat abashed smile, feeling his cum trickling down her thighs, staining the carpets. Without a doubt she was already concerned about it - and he couldn’t help but laugh at the fact."
                            ro "Perfect housewife and slut in one. Aren’t I a lucky guy?"
                            "He murmured lovingly as he pulled her up to kiss her. He didn’t bother to pull out of her. He wanted to enjoy the moment just a little longer. Let her rest."
                        scene black with fade
                        "… Then he would take her again, and again, and {i}again{/i}, making full use of that slutty outfit of hers."
                        "And she would love every moment of it."
                        return

            "What an unpleasant surprise - cover her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                scene bg9 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show alexia necklace naked concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "That’s… Very considerate of you."
                "Trying not to look at her, he picked up the duvet off the bed and covered her. Alexia blinked - then pouted, obviously upset."
                al "Really? After I took the time to make myself extra pretty for you today? {i}That’s{/i} your reaction?"
                menu:
                    "It was a pleasant sight - but Alexia will play the slut on his command, and at his command {i}alone{/i}.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        #show alexia white shocked at midright with dissolve
                        ro "And I applaud the setup, but between the two of us, you’re the one who’s supposed to be readily available, not {i}me{/i}. When I want you to act like a slut in heat, I will order you to do so."
                        ro "Have I made myself clear?"
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', +3)
                            "Alexia blinked, shocked by his words. Maybe he was a bit too hard on her… "
                            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            #aroused
                            show alexia white happy at midright with dissolve
                            "Then to his surprise, she bit her lip, and nodded her head."
                            al "If that’s what you want…"
                            "He almost burst out laughing. He didn’t expect her to be {i}that{/i} kinky…"
                            scene black with fade
                            "But he wasn’t going to complain."
                            return
                        else:
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -7)
                            #show alexia white angry at midright with dissolve
                            show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                            "Alexia blinked, shocked by his words."
                            al "How can you say that! Rowan, I’m your wife, not some whore!"
                            ro "Could’ve fooled me."
                            "The words left his lips before his mind could register them. The embarrassed blush on Alexia’s face gave way to absolute fury."
                            if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
                                al "Unbelievable. It’s time like this I regret I’m a political prisoner, because in Arthdale I would tell you to sleep in the fucking barn!"
                            else:
                                al "Unbelievable. It’s time like this I regret we agreed to separate rooms, because I can’t tell you to go sleep in the fucking barn!"
                            hide alexia with moveoutleft
                            "She turned around and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind her."
                            scene black with fade
                            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
                            ro "...{i}Fuck{/i}."
                            return

                    "Apologise.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ro "I apologise, but… Look, I don’t know what to say. I’m just not in the mood."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            # $ change_relation('alexia', -7)
                            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                            #show alexia white angry at midright with dissolve
                            show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                            al "I have you for two days a week, maybe you should try being in the mood more often."
                            "He blinked at the snide remark, but before he could say anything in response, Alexia had already turned away, heading out to wash the makeup off."
                            al "Fucking ass…"
                            hide alexia with moveoutleft
                            "She closed the door with a slam, leaving her shocked husband behind."
                            return
                        else:
                            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                            show alexia white concerned at midright with dissolve
                            "Her lips formed a thin line, and she examined him for a long time, battling with her thoughts. Finally, she sighed, and pulled the covers up."
                            al "I suppose…I can’t blame you. I took a risk, surprising you like this."
                            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                            show alexia white neutral at midright with dissolve
                            ro "I… appreciate the effort? What’s with the get-up anyway? Cla-Min’s doing?"
                            al "She had some sort of a sale. Top-of-the-line delivery from Qerazel, she insists. She let me pick anything, as a sign of gratitude for your “ongoing support for all her endeavours.”"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "… Really now. Probably last year’s collection, then."
                            al "Ha… Maybe even stolen."
                            ro "I wouldn’t put it past her."
                            "He unbuckled his sword, and left it next to his desk. It really was nice of Alexia to want to surprise him like this, but…"
                            scene black with fade
                            "He just wasn’t in the mood for it."
                            return

    label slutMissionarySex_rp:

        al "A-Ah! Yes, yes!"
        al "Just like that!"

        "She arched her back, moaning out encouragements, as he started to thrust inside of her. Gods, she was tight! Her pussy wrapped around his cock greedily, sucking him in, not wanting to let go."

        ro "Heavens above, Alexia! Fuck, you’re wet today!"
        al "A-ah! I’ve been waiting for hours for this! Waiting for your cock, my love!"

        "Lewd smile, lewd words, and a whorish outfit. All of it so unlike her. But the love he saw in her eyes could belong to no other woman."

        al "Harder. Harder!"

        "Her lustful pleas drove his desire, and he picked up pace without realising it. Her tits shook with every thrust, threatening to slip out of her bra."

        ro "Ha, ha!"

        al "Take me, my love! Fuck me, Rowan! {b}Fuck me{/b}!"

        "More obscene pleas, spoked with slurred words, her tongue lolling out as her eyes rolled up…."
        "The moment she picked up the red set, she decided that just once, she could cut loose, and not care about propriety. Not care how obscene she looked, sounded or behaved. Just let lust take her."
        "Rowan watched her arch her back with need, heard her scream his name. This woman under him…"

        menu:
            "… Was just another side of the woman he loved.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "F-fuck… Ha ha! Heavens above, where was this Alexia hiding all my life!"
                "He praised her, grinning from ear to ear, leaning in a moment, so he could caress her cheek. Alexia giggled, and for a moment she stopped moaning, and simply looked into his eyes."
                al "She was always there. Should I let her out more?"
                ro "I dread she might milk me dry."
                al "So the great hero fears something after all… I’ll remember that."
                al "But now… Keep fucking me, dear."
                "He needed no encouragement. Still holding her cheek, he picked the pace back up, and watched as she melted under his cock."
                al "H-ha!"
                "Gods, perfect wife or slutty whore, she was equally beautiful."

            "… Was so much {b}hotter{/b} than his wife.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                # $ avatar.corruption += 3
                # $ change_relation('alexia', +3)
                ro "Take it, take it you {i}slut{/i}!"
                "The words came unbidden, but felt so natural right now. Alexia giggled, and her smile only grew from hearing them. "
                al "That’s right! I’m your slut! I’m your slut, my husband!"
                "He realised he was grinning as well, thrusting his hips with wild abandon, filling the room with lewd, slapping sounds. {i}Gods{/i}, he wasn’t sure if he’ll ever be able to fuck his wife in any other way."

        ro "N-ngh, fuck!"
        "He couldn’t hold back anymore, not with Alexia writhing sexily underneath him. Sensing he was dancing on the edge, his wife wasted not a moment - she wrapped her legs around him, locking him inside."
        al "Fill me up, Rowan!"

        if unlockFertilityTreatment:
            al "Breed me!"

        "He came inside, pushing her over as he started to pump her full of cum, knowing there was not a feeling she loved more."
        al "Y-yes! A-aaaaah, feels so gooooood…"
        "Her face transformed into that of complete bliss, Rowan felt himself fall in love with her all over again. He thrust his cock again, causing some of his cum to spill, staining her new panties."
        al "A-ah, careful! I want it all in me ~~ "
        ro "Gods, you’re insatiable today. "
        al "I don’t see you complaining ~~"
        "She pulled him, and sealed their lips in a kiss, silencing him before he could protest. Not that he wanted to - she was right, he had no reason to complain."
        "This lustful part of her… He was starting to enjoy it a great deal."
        "They stayed like that for a moment, enjoying each other, for once not a care in the world. And when Alexia finally spoke up again…"
        al "Ha… Round two?"
        scene black with fade
        "He was inclined to agree. He started to slowly gyrate his lips, reading himself for a {i}very{/i} long night… "
        return

    label slutCunnilingus_rp:

        scene cg1446 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1447 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1448 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1449 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1446
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1446

        "Alexia’s eyes widened in surprise as he started to lower himself, not believing what she was seeing - but not wanting to stop it either."
        "The moment she picked the red set, she decided she would let herself act out all of her desires, not caring how lewd or obscene she acted or sounded. So this unexpected development…"
        "She needed to see it to its end."
        "Rowan knelt on the floor, still watching his wife, watching the myriad of emotions cross her face, and watching how ultimately, she settled on one - pure, undiluted excitement, sparkling in her eyes."
        "He wanted to preserve it - wanted to see more of that sexy, confident wife of his. And he put all his heart into doing so."
        "Without a word, he ran his tongue over her beautiful, pink slit, then kissed the pearl at the top, starting gently - yet still making her gasp."

        al "Ha-ah… That’s right… Show me how much you love my body, my beloved ~~ "

        "Her fingers gently pushed his hair aside, so she could look into his eyes as he nuzzled himself against her cunt. She didn’t feel the need to command him - Rowan himself wanted this. Wanted to praise and worship her."
        "She shuddered, almost drunk on that feeling of power. Is this how Jezera felt all the time… ?"

        al "Ha… "
        ro "Relax, my love. Let me do everything here."

        "Her needy moan was exactly what he wanted to hear. He started to poke her entrance with his tongue, testing it - then thrusting inside, eager to taste her fully."

        al "A-ah! Suddenly so aggressive… And all of it to please me…"
        al "Oh, Rowan, keep going… Keep licking… Keep worshipping me ~~"

        "Her lust-driven words sent shivers down his spine, and made his cock throb. He didn’t care for it - his own satisfaction would come later. Right now… Alexia was all that mattered."
        "Nudged forth by her encouragement, he started to lick her more vigorously, dragging his tongue across her slit with fervour, relishing the tart taste of her juices, and the sweet moans she was letting out."

        al "So good ~~ You’re doing so well, my love ~~"

        "His heart fluttered at her praise, and he redoubled his efforts, sucking and licking, spreading her pussy lips with fingers to reach deep within her."
        "He didn’t need to wait long to see his enthusiasm bring effects. Breathing heavily, Alexia ran her fingers through his hair, then grabbed it roughly and pulled him into her pussy, denying him any option to stop or slow down."
        "He never intended to. Seeing her tether on the edge, his tongue resumed its dancing, and soon- "

        al "A-aaah! Yes!"

        "She came into his mouth - he didn’t stop servicing her, drinking her juices, prolonging her ecstasy until her eyes rolled up, and she looked like she was about to faint - yet still was clinging to his head."

        al "Haaaa, a-ah! Haaa…"

        "Finally, she let go of him - and he slowly pulled away, holding her gaze."
        "Smiling, she pulled him up, and kissed him passionately, licking the remainder of her juices off his face."

        al "Mmmmm… Did I taste good, Rowan?"
        ro "Like ambrosia, dear."
        al "Liar. But a very sweet one, so I’ll forgive it."

        "She giggled, and kissed him again. Later, she would have to decide how to reward him for today’s service."

        scene black with fade

        "But for now… She let herself enjoy the moment."

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia breeding 4.rpy
label an_elvish_replacement_rp:

    scene bg25 with fade

    "Alexia scrubbed at a particularly stubborn spot of urine against the cage floor, her muscles aching as she worked to clean up the mess of a sick drider. She tried to quell her annoyance; it wasn't the poor beast's fault it was sick."
    "But as Alexia hauled the bucket of soapy water to the next cage–fully prepared to scrub more pungent urine and vomit–she felt the exhaustion of her work weigh on her. A virus had made its way through the breeding pits, throwing Alexia's daily work routine into chaos as she and Draith struggled to keep up with the ailing beasts."
    "It wouldn't have bothered her so much if it didn't take so much time away from her lessons with Sil. She'd barely had time to clean his tank and give him fresh food each day, let alone provide more than passing conversation before she rushed to the next retching drider."

    show alexia breeding neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I hope he's doing alright…"

    "After another hour of scrubbing cages clean, Alexia emptied her bucket and tossed her rags. Her stomach churned with the unpleasant scent that stuck to her uniform; she would need a long, hot bath after this."
    "But even as her body ached with each step, Alexia found herself wandering back to Sil's tank. Bidding him goodnight was the least she could do for her friend–she couldn't imagine how isolated he'd felt this week in her absence."
    "Alexia's footsteps slowed as familiar voices floated out from Sil's enclosure. Had Draith come to check up on him in her stead? Positioning herself against the wall, Alexia peeked in."

    sil "When is Alexia coming back?"

    "Sil's tail swished in agitation through the water, splashing over the lip of the tank. Draith sighed from atop the ladder, and Alexia could see the weariness on his tired face as he leaned on his elbow against the solid glass. He'd been working twice as hard this week with the driders, and it showed."

    show draith happy behind bg25

    dra "Who knows? The poor girl's working herself to the bone. She needs a break too, you know."

    "Sil frowned, his tail swishing until it thumped lightly against the glass. Guilt needled at Alexia–of course he would be struggling on his own."
    "Before she could step out and reassure her friend, Draith peered up at the Silquien with a look of interest."

    dra "Are you feeling lonely, Sil?"

    "Sil squinted at him, testing out the word."

    sil "Lone…ly?"
    dra "You miss having Alexia around."
    sil "Yes. I miss Alexia very much."

    "Sil sighed, sinking further into his tank. Draith leaned further against the tank's edge, his fingertips grazing the water."

    dra "Alexia isn't the {i}only{/i} person around, you know. Am I really that boring?"

    "Draith pouted at him, and Sil–bless his gentle heart–panicked."

    sil "No! You're not boring at all. I– welcome– er–"

    "Sil moved his hands frantically, struggling with his vocabulary. Alexia silently cheered him on, touched to see him working so hard. It was encouraging to see how far their lessons had taken him."

    sil "I en-joy your company."

    "Draith's pale lips curved into a mischievous smile."

    dra "Really? You don't show it that often."

    "Sil's brows pinched together in confusion."

    sil "How can I show you?"

    "Alexia could see the struggle on his face as he tried to communicate with Draith. A part of her was surprised by the difficulty he had–Sil seemed so eager to talk with her that there was rarely an awkward moment between them."
    "With Draith, however, uncertainty lined Sil's features. The Silquien seemed almost nervous around the dark elf, his tail swishing in small circles as the beastmaster's eyes flickered over his body."
    "Draith climbed further up the ladder, leaning over the edge of the tank until his face was nearly touching Sil's. Alexia strained to hear the whisper that came from his lips."

    dra "I may not be Alexia, but I have needs too, you know. I wouldn't mind you taking out some of those unrequited feelings out on me."

    "Draith's slender finger dipped into the water, running slowly down Sil's chest to his stomach. The Silquien shuddered, his cheeks taking on a darker blue hue."

    sil "You want me to… court you?"

    dra "I want you to {i}fuck{/i} me, but whatever gets that little dick of yours going."

    "Alexia's breath caught. Sil's eyes widened as he took in Draith's lithe body, seemingly noticing the dark elf's figure for the first time."

    menu:
        "Keep watching. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1450 with fade
            pause 3
            show draith happy behind cg1450
            "An unexpected burst of excitement coiled in Alexia's stomach. She shouldn't be here–the wrongness of what she was doing was not lost on her–and yet she couldn't look away."
            "She {i}wouldn't{/i} look away."
            sil "…I've never… to a male before…"
            "{i}To anyone{/i}, seemed to be what Sil was saying, but Draith merely smiled back at him."
            dra "Would it be so bad to try?"
            "Sil bit his lip. His tail swished with a newfound interest, betraying his reluctant emotions. Draith reached forward, brushing a strand of hair from the Silquien's forehead."
            dra "Of course, if you don't want to…"
            "Draith started to pull away, but Sil grabbed the dark elf's shoulder, stopping him. There was a beat of silence–so quiet Alexia swore she could hear a pin drop–before Sil pressed his lips to Draith's."
            show cg1451 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "The dark elf melted immediately. What was at first a soft, sensual touch of lips upon each other quickly turned into a passion-driven frenzy as the men grasped at each other, pulling at each other's hair, necks, and shoulders as their tongues explored each other's mouths."
            "For such a timid Silquien, Sil fell into his role easily, nipping at Draith's lower lip as his hands explored the planes of the dark elf's chest and back with ease. It was clear that the Silquien was inexperienced, but Draith was all too eager to guide him into it, carefully avoiding cutting himself on the rows of sharp teeth."
            "The water rippled, and Sil's dark erection poked out, catching Draith's attention. The beastmaster grinned, all too willing to slip out of his leather attire before climbing into the tank."
            "Sil paused–the sudden proximity of the dark elf caught him off guard–but soon his hands roamed across Draith's back, landing solidly under the curve of his ass. Sil squeezed the soft skin before parting his cheeks, his fingertips gliding against the beastmaster's supple asshole."
            "Draith squirmed against him, gripping onto Sil's shoulders for support."
            dra "Oh, fuck, Sil… Ngh…"
            "Small, pleasurable noises mixed in with the light splashing of water as Sil's slippery fingers stroked and prodded Draith's asshole. Sil's eyes half-lidded as he pressed hard, sloppy kisses along Draith's neck and shoulders, the movements of his fingers growing frenzied as he stretched the dark elf open wide."
            "It was too much for Draith to bear."
            dra "Keep going– Don't– Don't just– Fuck, Sil, {i}fuck{/i} me!"
            "Struggling against the pressure of the tank's water, Draith humped against Sil's crotch, his begging echoing through the small chamber. Sil complied, moving through the water easily as he pushed Draith against the glass."
            "There was an aura of uncertainty as Sil gripped the dark elf's hips, positioning him against the edge of the tank. Draith's cock bobbed against the glass, hard with excitement as the cool air stroked his ass."
            "Draith looked back at him, his lips curled into a playful smile."
            dra "Are you sure you've never fucked a male bef–Mmph!"
            show cg1452 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "A strangled cry escaped the dark elf's throat as Sil shoved the entirety of his erection into Draith's ass at once. Sil moaned, surprise flickering across his face as he realized just how much he too enjoyed the sensation."
            "The smooth texture of Sil's cock made for an easy transition, and Draith soon found himself writhing in pleasure with each deep plunge of Sil's dick."
            dra "Sil– yes, oh {i}fuck{/i}, Sil~~!"
            "Draith's nails scraped against the glass as Sil thrust in and out of the beastmaster, the elf's hole stretching wide with each slippery push. Draith arched himself against Sil's groin, eager for more."
            "Sil's breathing hitched as he neared his climax and, in a moment of passion, Sil gripped Draith's cock and stroked. The dark elf gasped, his body jerking to the motion as the Silquien pumped him."
            show cg1453 with sshake
            show cg1453 with sshake
            show cg1454 with flash
            pause 3
            "Cum propelled forward against the glass as Draith reached his orgasm, the sticky white goo floating away into the tank as Sil continued to pound the dark elf's ass. Draith didn't seem to mind, his eyes rolling back in pleasure with each full thrust."
            "Sil moaned against Draith's neck as he finished inside, his cum filling every open inch of the beastmaster's asshole."
            "Alexia pulled away, trying to ignore the rapid beat of her heart hammering in her chest. What was that? Did she really just stay to watch her two friends–one technically being her boss–fuck each other?"
            menu:
                '"But I enjoyed it…!"':
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Even worse, shame heated her face as Alexia realized that she {i}enjoyed{/i} it. Every violent thrust and quivering cock had sent a private thrill through her, the sight of two men enwrapped in such passionate intimacy nearly driving her over the edge."
                    "It was sexier than she ever could have imagined, and a small, guilty part of her knew she would be more than happy to see it again."
                    "What kind of person did that make her?"
                '"What was that?!"':
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Embarrassment heated her face as Alexia realized what she'd just done. She'd been in such shock that she couldn't properly register what was happening until the deed was done before her eyes."
                    "But now that she'd witnessed it, Alexia wished she hadn't."
                    al "I should have left when I had the chance…"
            "The shifting of water caught her attention. Alexia glanced back at the tank to find Draith climbing down the ladder to retrieve his abandoned clothes."
            "Shit. She needed to get out of here before either man noticed she'd been lingering outside. Alexia paled to think of the relentless teasing Draith would give her if he ever found out what she stuck around to witness."
            "Removing her shoes so they wouldn't clack against the floor, Alexia tiptoed as quickly and quietly as she could out of the breeding pits, the sight of Sil and Draith entangled in each other still etched into the back of her mind with each step."
            return

        "Get out of there":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "It didn't take a genius for Alexia to figure out what was about to transpire, and she was in no mind to stick around and watch it play out."
            "Remaining as quiet as possible, Alexia tiptoed from the tank, weaving her way back to the breeding pit's exit. She would just ignore what she saw, she decided. It seemed the best way to go about her next shift without making it awkward."
            "She just hoped Sil wouldn't accidentally share any details with her next time they hung out."
            return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 6.rpy
label ophelia_intro_rp:

    $ forgeLevel = 10
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ alexiaJezObedient = False

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alexia obedient to the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - to Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes - to Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral behind black

    al "O-oh, damn it… stupid things…"

    "In one hand, Alexia wielded a knife. In the other, she held down her adversary. She kept them pinned, steady, chopping away with the determination she imagined Rowan felt on the battlefield."
    "Despite that determination, tears stung Alexia’s eyes. They were the sort of tears she was used to shedding, caused by neither joy nor sorrow."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Nor were they caused by the weight of grief or stress, despite everything that had happened. Her master’s demonic cock was quite good at fucking away the weight of those worries."
        "He regularly filled other parts of her, too. It was tempting to just daydream about going back to Bloodmeen and getting fucked silly by him, but…"

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaJezObedient:
        "Nor were they caused by the weight of grief or stress, despite everything that had happened. Alexia’s mistress kept her too busy for such things to weigh on her mind, tidying up her messes."
        "Sometimes literally. Sometimes euphemistically. Sometimes Alexia was the mess that Jereza made. It was tempting to daydream about being with her and obeying her every command, but..."

    else:
        "A great deal had happened. She had plenty of perfectly good reasons to cry, if she wanted to, but that was all in the past. Alexia was focused on the present. She had to be."
        "Letting her focus lapse could have painful consequences. She had to focus through the tears, because…"

    "… She had a job to do, and the tears weren’t going to stop. Not until she finished her dreadful work.."
    "A grim job? To some, perhaps. Alexia continued butchering her adversary until they were in pieces. So many little pieces, enough that even her small hands were large enough to scoop them all up in the palm of her hand."
    "Alexia's adversary couldn’t be recognized for what it once was, which was just the way she liked them."
    "She stared at them for a long moment, then tossed them aside with the contempt of a glorious (if weepy) conqueror dismissing unworthy foes."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with moveinleft

    "They landed in the boiling cauldron, too small to make a splash."

    al "I hate onions."

    "Or at least she hated cutting them. And their texture too, unless they were chopped and diced and chopped again. The flavour they added to her mother’s famous stew recipe could not be denied, however."
    "The tears were more manageable when she was making a pot of it for just her and Rowan. For feeding the tavern’s patrons, though? She had to cut so many onions. So many."
    "It was done, though. Her grim job was over. Now it just needed to cook. Alexia washed the knife and her hands, then splashed a bit of water on her face and dried."
    "Tear stains in a tavern full of rowdy, generally lecherous drunks? Alexia had long since learned that was just asking for trouble. She checked herself in the mirror and nodded to herself, satisfied. Then Alexia turned and headed for the kitchen’s door."
    "Even with it closed, she could hear how busy the tavern was."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with moveinleft

    "Considering the tavern was nowhere-adjacent, if not exactly in its middle? Days could go by without any new travellers or caravans stopping by. Earlier that week, though, several had arrived within a few hours of each other. A couple of them still lingered."
    "Every night she worked at the tavern had been non-stop. There’d been no time for her and Indarah to rest their feet. Tomorrow though, the lingering caravaners would take off."
    "So naturally, they were getting smashed to restart their journey with a hangover. Alexia couldn’t blame them, though. It wasn’t like there was another tavern just down the road."
    "Or much of a road to begin with."
    "She took a breath, stretched, then headed out. Dozens of men and women crowded into the common room, some from mercantile backgrounds, some from martial ones. All of them, of course, armed to the teeth."

    show indarah neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    "Alexia didn’t have to look hard for Indarah, whose eye-catching attire stuck out even more for how gracefully she handled her service. She held an overladen tray of sloshing tankards against one hip all the while, like it was nothing."
    "Indarah caught sight of Alexia in turn, pausing between setting down two tankards to motion her towards an unserved table. The three patrons sitting there were familiar faces. Alexia had made them a promise earlier that week."
    "On the other side of the room, Indarah took a whack at the wrist of an ornery fellow who reached between her thighs, revealed as they were by her split skirt."
    "Alexia lifted a hand in a gesture of understanding. Indarah then turned away, giving a teasing smile at a regular who took advantage of the opening to grab her ass."

    hide indarah with moveoutright

    "In one last last glimpse Alexia had of her boss, Indarah almost seemed to be pushing herself against that hand."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 60 and alexiaAndrasObedient == False and alexiaJezObedient == False:
        "Cheeks pinkening, Alexia bit back a sigh. It was going to be one of those nights, wasn’t it? It could be easy enough to avoid stray hands, when the crowd wasn’t horny and overwhelmingly large."
        show alexia barmaid angry at center with moveinleft
        "With all these bodies jammed into the building, though? There was no room for her to dance out of everyone’s reach."
        "Enduring a gauntlet of squeezes and pinches, plus narrowly escaping being pulled into two laps made it take longer than she would have liked."

    else:
        "Alexia felt a brief but jealous flare beneath her skirt, though she knew some wandering hands would likely find their way to her bottom (and other parts of her body) soon enough."
        "She made her way over to the table Indarah indicated, slowed by only a few of her favourite tippers from the last week. Some ordered drinks. Some just wanted her. None got more than a moment or two of her time, though."

    "One of the patrons at the table beamed a lovely smile at Alexia when she noticed her approaching, calling out. From her distinctive hair colour, Alexia had her tagged as a native of Prothea."

    ophe "There you are! Fair maid, sweet girl, quencher of my soul’s thirst. Wherever have you been? We’ve been here all of an hour–"

    "The woman’s two companions quickly cut in, easily pegged for what they were at a glance: Rosarian noblewomen who had zero business being in the Rakshan Wastes. One had long, silky-straight brown hair while the other had hair not unlike Alexia’s."
    "A bit longer and a little more wavy, perhaps. Perhaps a bit better-kept, too, keeping their grooming to a frankly ridiculous standard for their environment. Alexia had not seen any servants accompanying them, and figured that they were doing it all themselves."
    "The brunette frowned openly at Alexia, visibly preparing passive-aggressive snark. The redhead’s eyes were cooler, with her lower face covered by the elegant spread of a hand-fan. Alexia could imagine her expression beneath it well enough, however."
    "Alexia had seen enough of it during their stay at the tavern. Haughty, arrogant and elegant. She also saw it every time she sat down at her vanity table in Castle Bloodmeen– between her hair and her facial features, the noblewoman bore an uncanny resemblance to Alexia. "
    "Were Alexia to wear her hair down and spend an hour dressing it, the two of them could have easily switched places without anyone the wiser. At least not until someone heard her speak, and–"

    rednob "A half hour. And a half hour too long. This place is a pigsty."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        "Alexia truly could not have matched the scorn in her voice if she tried. "
        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Well. … Maybe if she stubbed her toe unexpectedly, she could muster it. But frankly, Alexia knew she would end up shouting a cuss word without thinking first. Her look alike would probably need something more drastic to break her sense of propriety."

    else:
        "Alexia could only see herself matching the scorn in her voice if she was furious, but even then, she knew she’d probably spout something the noblewoman would die before blurting in front of strangers."

    "Having been about to speak, the brunette clamped her mouth shut and shot a glare at her redheaded peer, as though she’d stolen the words out of the brunette’s mouth. She thought up something else to say quickly enough"

    brunob "You have no sense of time at all! It’s been closer to FORTY minutes. And that serving wench hasn’t come to see us in nearly THIRTY minutes."

    scene cg1474 with fade
    pause 3

    "Alexia looked down at the table briefly. It may very well have been that none of them had a sense of time. There were at least five bottles of wine set out. Clearly, Indarah had front loaded their drinks to avoid revisiting them. Only one was empty, the others missing no more than half or a quarter at most."
    "… One of them was even knocked over!"
    "Either way, it was too much alcohol for three women to down in an hour. The brunette seemed to be particularly tipsy, unaware of how her body was swaying. They had probably been there for two hours."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve

    "Regardless, both of the nobles being catty about their corrections. The Prothean’s smile only grew, the cast of her golden eyes matching its wryness. Though she sat between the two ladies, she seemed unbothered by their attitudes and plowed on."

    "If she was even half as drunk as her brunette friend, it wasn’t showing."

    ophe "–Like I said, we’ve been here all of an hour without seeing you! I was worried you might have forgotten your promise, my dear."
    ophe "Or that you might have fled, rather than risk failing me! My poor little heart wouldn’t have been able to take that emotional devastation by that betrayal."

    rednob "Ophelia, please."
    brunob "You have the two of us, don’t you? You don’t need her."
    rednob "Or any of this rabble. Why are we even out here?"
    brunob "It’s so… dusty!"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
        show alexia barmaid happy at center with dissolve
        "Alexia smiled apologetically, glancing briefly but uncomfortably between the two nobles. Their contempt for Alexia, and everyone else in the tavern but their Prothean companion, had been obvious since they first arrived."
        "She’d be glad to see them gone tomorrow, even though they tipped outrageously well."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Alexia rolled her eyes. The two nobles oozed disdain, and they’d been nothing but assholes whenever they weren’t fawning over their Prothean companion and constantly pushed their luck."
        "She’d be glad to see them gone with their caravan tomorrow. The two deserved a tongue-lashing, but they tipped well enough that Alexia was putting it off, milking them as she could."
        "… Maybe tonight would be the night she gave them a piece of her mind, though. Maybe."

    else:
        show alexia barmaid happy at center with dissolve
        "Alexia put on her most patient smile, focusing on the Prothean over her fellow Rosarians. Their contempt for Alexia, and everyone else in the tavern but their Prothean companion, had been obvious since they first arrived."
        "They were, in a word, assholes. She’d be glad to see them gone with their caravan tomorrow. The two deserved a tongue-lashing, but they tipped well enough that Alexia didn’t want to be the one to give it to them."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve

    al "I’m very sorry, my ladies. And I haven’t forgotten my promise. In fact, I’ve been in the kitchen because of it."

    "Though Alexia spoke to the three women, she only truly addressed the Prothean, Ophelia."
    "Each of the three was dressed in silk and wore jewellery. Where the Rosarians wore impractical finery for the Wastes, Ophelia was dressed slightly more sensibly for travel."

    scene cg1473 with fade
    pause 3

    "Slightly. The outfit could have come out of Indarah’s closet with the dangerous amount of cleavage it showed. Her pants were a good call, though they were almost as revealing as Ophelia’s top through sheer tightness. No reasonable person would call it modest; in her native Prothea, it would have been downright scandalous."
    "She had the coloring so common to her people. With how pale her fair skin seemed, it was shocking that the Wastes hadn’t given her an awful sunburn. Long platinum hair spilled down her shoulders and back, as though her thickly-lashed golden eyes had stolen their color from it.  "
    "The woman had a certain elegance to her, yet something about the way she held herself teased at something far more risque, befitting her line of work."

    $ opheliaName = "Ophelia"

    ophe "Please, I’m no lady. Just Ophelia! Ophelia the Minstrel! A mere storyteller in the company of Rosaria’s finest, showing a pair of caged songbirds how to fly free and enjoy wonders of the world that their families would deny them."

    "She leaned forward, her eyes alight with delight. One of her hands disappeared beneath the table. Suddenly, that cleavage seemed much less tasteful and more like a trap to catch wandering eyes."
    "A thin golden chain hanging around Ophelia’s neck slipped down between the pale valley, briefly glinting in the tavern’s intimate lighting. It was more bait than jewellery, further tempting the eye and providing an excuse to look beyond mere appreciation or lechery."
    "The red-haired noblewoman gasped suddenly, eyes widening. She delicately cleared her throat, then squirmed to seat herself more comfortably. Perhaps her pompous bottom had fallen asleep."

    scene cg1476 with fade
    pause 3

    "Her arms slipped around Ophelia’s, and she fanned herself noticeably faster. At the same time, Ophelia closed her eyes and smiled pensively."

    menu:
        ".. goddess, but those tits!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1476
            "She took the bait."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "Alexia sucked in a soft breath, awed. She wasn’t the sort of woman to… admire other women’s forms. Not often, at least, but Ophelia’s breasts demanded the attention as surely as if she had stood up on the table and cried out Alexia’s name."
                "The soft swells gave Alexia new sympathy for the men who reached for her tits whenever she bent across a table to place a plate or mug on the far side. Not that she’d {i}ever{/i}, of course."
                "They were so distracting that Alexia almost missed the further glint of the signet ring suspended on the golden chain, normally hidden beneath her clothes."
                "Then one of the nobles cleared their throat. Alexia looked up, finding the brunette glaring at her. The redheaded lady seemed distracted by something else entirely, silent and struggling to stay composed."
                "Alexia blushed, embarrassed to be caught leering. The Prothean continued, as though not noticing a thing."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "With the way that Ophelia subtly shifted her arms and shoulders, it was clear to Alexia that the ‘trap’ was more of an invitation. She accepted it without a second thought and took a long look at what was on display."
                "Alexia wasn’t one to eyeball other women most of the time, but Ophelia was worth making an exception for. Or at least her tits were. Were she the patron and Ophelia the serving wench, Alexia had no doubt in her mind she’d be tempted to grab at them."
                "They’d be worth any slap or smack."
                "Alexia noticed that there was a signet ring weighing down the chain, normally hidden beneath Ophelia’s clothes, but she was more interested in the fleeting fantasy of what it would be like to kiss and suck on those tits. Maybe… with Ophelia holding her head down against them?"
                if alexiaJezObedient:
                    "Or… her mistress’s hand?"
                if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "Or… her master’s hand?"
                "Then one of the nobles cleared their throat. Alexia looked up, finding the brunette glaring at her. The redheaded lady seemed distracted by something else entirely, silent and struggling to stay composed."
                "A little colour flooded into Alexia’s cheeks, though she pointedly ignored him and smirked at Ophelia, who continued on as though she hadn’t noticed a thing."
            else:
                "Alexia sucked in a soft breath, awed. She wasn’t the sort of woman to… admire other women’s forms.  But if Alexia were ever invited to rest her head upon that bosom? She’d be tempted. Extremely tempted."
                if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "And she’d be just as tempted to nuzzle or kiss them."
                "They were so distracting that Alexia almost missed the further glint of the signet ring suspended on the golden chain, normally hidden beneath her clothes."
                "Then one of the nobles cleared their throat. Alexia looked up, finding the brunette glaring at her. The redheaded lady seemed distracted by something else entirely, silent and struggling to stay composed."
                "Alexia blushed, embarrassed to be caught leering. The Prothean continued, as though not noticing a thing."
            show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve

        "Alexia kept her eyes level.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "As inviting as the cleavage was, Alexia wasn’t in the business of ogling the tavern’s guests."
            else:
                "As inviting as the cleavage was, Alexia wasn’t in the business of ogling the tavern’s guests. She was in the business of getting ogled, in fact."

    scene cg1473 with fade
    pause 3

    "Both Ophelia and the redhead opened their eyes at the same time."

    ophe "So is it ready, then? Your famous, award-winning stew? The one that I’ve been waiting for all week? Fit for kings and queens, I believe you said, and hungered for across the Realms."

    "That was Alexia’s promise to Ophelia. On her first night in the tavern, she had overheard Alexia and Indarah planning meals for the sudden influx of patrons.  Alexia mentioned that the village had loved her family’s ‘secret’ recipe."
    "She hadn’t said anything about it being famous, award-winning or being fit for a royal tongues."
    "Indarah had been against the stew. Some of the ingredients were difficult if not expensive to get, so far removed from the rest of the world. Ophelia had all but begged for it to be served, playing it up in words far more grandiose than Alexia would have."
    "At the end of the day, it was just stew."
    "And yet the nobles offered to pay for it! They seemed willing to do just about anything to make Ophelia happy, and had only grown into larger assholes for the attention she gave Alexia."
    "She had gotten used to Ophelia’s exaggerations over the last week. They were constant. Unrelenting."
    "And frankly, they were fun, fueled by a sense of dramatic whimsy that Alexia lacked. Ophelia was never boring and never bored, and Alexia often found a bit of the minstrel’s energy rubbing off on her."

    show alexia barmaid happy behind cg1473
    al "Not yet, but soon. More wine in the meantime?"

    "Such as right there. The women had {i}plenty{/i} of wine already. They did not need another bottle."

    ophe "Yes! Tell your sommelier that we’d like something as fair on the tongue as you are on the eyes. White now though, not another red."

    scene cg1474 with fade
    pause 3

    "In the weeks that Alexia had been working in the tavern, not a soul had ever bothered to even {i}presume{/i} they had a sommelier. Briefly taken aback, she…"

    menu:
        "... couldn’t help but ask: why white?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "The words were blurted out of her mouth before she could even think about it."
            al "…What’s wrong with red?"
            scene cg1476 with fade
            pause 3
            ophe "Nothing! As you can see, I love a good red wine."
            "Her right hand did not gesture at the plentiful bottles. Instead, As as Ophelia spoke, she looked aside to her redheaded companion and smiled thoughtfully."
            "The brunette, by contrast, looked far less enthused. Envy and jealousy both seemed to increasingly define her sullen expression, giving sour looks to both Alexia {i}and{/i} the noblewoman now."
            "She made a clumsy grab for one of the many glasses and mugs on their table, knocking another over. Though the glass shattered and wine spilled across the table, she didn’t seem to realize what had happened, taking a hasty draught from the sipping glass."
            scene cg1473 with fade
            pause 3
            "The redhead didn’t notice it, either. Ophelia glanced at it with disinterest before smiling at Alexia. Wait… where was her other hand?"
            ophe "But there’s a difference between a full-bodied red and what you get in a bottle. The latter happens to give me a headache, you see. The former…"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "A certain red-haired, full-bodied barmaid’s cheeks reddened. She could see what the woman was getting at."
                al "O-oh, I see. Ah… well."
                "The minstrel smiled, patted her companion’s cheek and brought her fingers back from under the table whence they came."
                scene cg1478 with fade
                pause 3
                "Alexia avoided looking too closely at them."
                "Breathless and far less sour than she was before, the noblewoman made a noise suspiciously like a moan before clearing her throat and blinking a few times. She lowered the fan unconsciously, revealing panting lips. Alexia noticed a bit of sweat beading at her brow."
                "The brunette crossed her arms, almost pouting."
                "Alexia quickly stepped away, both to grab their orders and check on the stew."
            else:
                show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1473
                ophe "Well, I’ve always enjoyed a glass or two in bed."
                "She winked at Alexia as she patted her redheaded companion’s cheek, then stole back her fingers from underneath the table. They were noticeably glistening."
                "Alexia bit on her bottom lip to suppress her knowing smile. There was no suppressing the jealous warmth that claimed her cunt, however."
                ophe "I’m guessing you’re not on the menu, though, are you?"
                "Alexia paused and glanced over her shoulder, assessing just how busy the tavern was. It was no less busy now than it had been when she stepped out of the kitchen."
                "Too busy to even humour the temptation. It wasn’t a good night to find out if women born in the Dragon’s Tail inherited a dragon’s wrath."
                al "… Not tonight, at least."
                "Ophelia laughed, tickled. Breathless and far less sour than she was before, the redheaded lady laughed too, tittering along with Ophelia."
                "The brunette crossed her arms, almost pouting."
                "Alexia quickly stepped away, both to grab their orders and check on the stew."

        "... realized and played along with the joke. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia barmaid happy at center behind cg1474
            "She was jesting! Of course she was jesting. Another one of Ophelia’s exaggerations. She was a minstrel, not a fool."
            al "Of course, I’ll have him get right on that for you. We’ll just need to find whichever closet we stored him in first."
            ophe "Delightful!"
            "Ophelia turned to look towards the noblewoman, Alexia’s near-twin. She lifted a finger, lacquered nails touching along the noblewoman’s jaw and gently tilting it until she faced Ophelia, cheeks quickly turning far redder than her hair."
            "… Where was her other hand, though?"
            ophe "That sounds delightful, don’t you think, my rose?"
            scene cg1478 with fade
            pause 3
            "For all her prior elegance and arrogance, the noblewoman could only answer Ophelia with a distracted whimper. She accidentally smacked herself in the face with her fan, then hugged herself closer to Ophelia’s arm. The fan dropped, revealing panting lips."
            "Ophelia flicked a look at Alexia and smiled, perversely prim, explaining in a conspiratorial not-whisper."
            ophe "That’s a yes."
            "The brunette slouched her shoulders, sulking and pouting down at her empty glass."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "Was she…? Alexia’s eyes widened. The noblewoman’s shoulders shuddered, and Ophelia leaned in a bit closer to her."
                al "I… should go get your wine."
                "She hurried away."
                scene cg1481 with fade
                pause 3
                "Behind her, two voices cried out. One of those voices had nothing to express but wordless satisfaction."
                ophe "We’ll be waiting right here for you!"
            else:
                "Was she…? Alexia paused. The noblewoman’s shoulders shuddered, and Ophelia leaned in a bit closer to her."
                "She absolutely, shamelessly was."
                menu:
                    "Alexia waited to watch what happened next. (Scene 1)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
                        scene cg1477 with fade
                        pause 3
                        ophe "Come, now. Come. Isn’t this why you decided to leave home? To enjoy yourself? Don’t try to hold back, my rose, not when you know there’s no point to it. Let it happen."
                        scene cg1479 with fade
                        pause 3
                        "Now that Alexia had {i}noticed{/i}, it all seemed so much more obvious."
                        "The minstrel was subtle enough, but there were a dozen other little tells between both women, from the decidedly wanton cast of the noblewoman’s eyes and mouth to the minute movements from Ophelia’s arm."
                        rednob "B-but, there’s… all these commoners a-and ruffians and– oh, oh… I can’t, not here– please, can we go upstairs? Please–"
                        "The noblewoman no longer sounded all that haughty and arrogant. She just sounded desperate, wanting the climax Ophelia was urging her towards, but just as strongly feeling it was beneath herself."
                        scene cg1477 with fade
                        pause 3
                        "Ophelia’s painted lips curved with a slim but salacious smile."
                        ophe "No. I want you to come. Right here. Surrounded by commoners. You wanted to be my little harlot, didn’t you? Don’t think about them or worry about them hearing you. Think about me. Think about how I want them to hear you."
                        rednob "Y-yes, but, b-but… that peasant tramp…"
                        ophe "A tempting offer, but your ass can wait for later, sweetling. The next thing I want to hear from your lips is my name as you come. Let Alexia watch you come."
                        rednob "..."
                        ophe "Come."
                        scene cg1480 with fade
                        pause 3
                        show indarah neutral behind cg1480
                        show alexia barmaid shocked behind cg1480
                        rednob "OH–OPHELIA!"
                        ind "ALEXIA!"
                        "Alexia nearly jumped out of her boots and increasingly damp panties both, startled by the anger and volume with which Indarah called her name, and the lustful abandon with which the redhead called the minstrel’s."
                        "Two very different exclamations."
                        "When Indarah wanted to roar, she could be as dragon-like as one would hope from a woman from the Dragon’s Tail."
                        "Either way, Alexia had been caught gawking by the one person who had reason to care about it, apparently. They were too busy for her to be wasting time like this."
                        ind "If your damn stew burns in our best cauldron–"
                        al "Right!"
                        "Alexia quickly moved away from the table, sparing a glance back at Ophelia and her companions. The fairer, redheaded one was sagging back in her chair,  trembling and flushed. The brunette was sulking, jealous."
                        "And Ophelia? The Prothean sat as proud as a peacock, lifting one hand to wiggle a wave at Alexia, while suckling the foremost two fingers of her other hand clean."
                        "Alexia could sympathise with the brunette."

                    "Alexia left to go get their wine.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                        scene cg1477 with fade
                        pause 3
                        ophe "Come, now. Come. Isn’t this why you decided to leave home? To enjoy yourself? Don’t try to hold back, my rose, not when you know there’s no point to it. Let it happen."
                        scene cg1479 with fade
                        pause 3
                        "Now that Alexia had {i}noticed{/i}, it all seemed so much more obvious."
                        "The minstrel was subtle enough, but there were a dozen other little tells between both women, from the decidedly wanton hang of the noblewoman’s jaw to the minute movements from Ophelia’s arm."
                        "Alexia had no doubt that she was a welcome audience. The show even seemed {i}meant{/i} for her. The tavern was busy, though, and she could feel Indarah glaring at her from across the tavern."
                        scene cg1474 with fade
                        pause 3
                        show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1474
                        al "I’ll be back with your wine in a moment."
                        ophe "No rush, my love! No rush."
                        scene cg1480 with fade
                        pause 3
                        "Even so, Alexia heard the noblewoman’s cry as Ophelia rushed through what must have been a bone-melting orgasm, if the pitch of her wail was anything to go by."

        ".. missed the joke entirely.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1473 with fade
            pause 3
            al "I’m afraid we don’t have a sommelier here. Or all that extensive of a wine collection."
            "Ophelia laughed, seeming delighted by Alexia’s quick recovery and earnest answer."
            "She reached out and gently ran her lacquered nails along her female companion’s jaw."
            "Alexia frowned faintly. Perhaps she was itchy?"
            scene cg1477 with fade
            pause 3
            ophe "That’s alright. Use your best judgement… or go by the price tag, either’s fine. Right, my rose? We can afford that."
            scene cg1478 with fade
            pause 3
            rednob "R-right."
            al "Of course. I’ll be right back with the wine, and the stew shouldn’t be long after it."
            ophe "Fantastic!"
            "Ophelia flashed a brief but cheeky grin at the brunette, tongue darting over her lips as she gazed at the other woman. For whatever reason, she was pouting petulantly, nothing like the arrogant arse she’d been acting like earlier."
            ophe "You’re hungry for some, aren’t you?"
            brunob "… Of course I am."
            "Ophelia laughed at her, fond but teasing."
            ophe "You won’t be waiting much longer, don’t worry. She’s about to come…"
            ophe "Right back, that is. With our wine."
            rednob "Y-yes…"
            "A bit bemused, Alexia headed off to grab their wine, as well as the other drinks that had been ordered on her way there."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with moveinright

    "Alexia was back with them within a few minutes, delivering stemmed glasses and a bottle."
    "The tables had turned in Alexia’s absence, it seemed. Now Ophelia had turned in her seat towards the brunette, smirking and speaking softly. The brunette noblewoman seemed to be biting her lip so hard that it might begin bleeding at any moment."
    "Now, it was the redheaded lady’s turn to be envious."
    "Alexia didn’t have time to hang around and speak with them for long, having a tray with drinks destined for other tables."
    "Over the next twenty minutes, Alexia went from table to table, taking orders, clearing away empty tankards, wiping surfaces clean and trying not to get too delayed by adventurous hands."
    "Every now and then, she dipped into the kitchen to check on the stew.. When it was ready, she prepared the first three bowls for the mouths they were promised to and headed out to find Ophelia and her companions."
    "However…"
    "They were gone."
    "Alexia frowned, stopping at the table. One of the wine glasses had been turned over, and through the glass she could see a tidy pile of golden coins."
    "Another generous tip. But where were they? She put down the tray with the bowls to collect the coins, tucking them away in her apron."
    "A quick glance around the tavern revealed nothing to Alexia. If Ophelia was there, she would have stuck out like a pure-white thumb thanks to her hair. She frowned to herself, then looked to a nearby patron, half out of his wits and half out of his chair too."

    al "Did you see where the people sitting here went?"

    drunk "Uhhhhh… yesh? Fuckin’... draggin’ ‘em by their fuckin’ tits?"

    "He trailed off, waving a hand at the stairs with a lazy but heavy weight behind it. The rest of his body wasn’t exactly prepared for the motion, and he tumbled out of the seat."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
        show alexia barmaid shocked at center with dissolve
        al "Oh my goodness! Are you alright?"
        "Alexia’s eyes widened with concern. She set down the bowl-laden tray, then quickly stepped over to kneel beside the drunk as he groaned on the floor. She readily reached to help him sit up, then helped him back into his seat."
        "Almost as soon as the drunk was settled, his face planted into the table."
        "His companions laughed harder."
        "Alexia sighed, smoothed out her skirts and stepped away."

    else:
        show alexia barmaid angry at center with dissolve
        "Alexia rolled her eyes and turned her attention towards one of the man’s companions, who may as well have been about as drunk."
        al "Get your friend off the floor before someone steps on him. I don’t have time for this shit tonight."
        odrunk "Slightly-Less-Drunk Drunk: Ehm? Uhhh, sure–"
        "She left them to it, stepping away and collecting the tray."

    "‘Dragging them upstairs by the tits’."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia chewed on the inside of her bottom lip. It was hard to imagine that they were being literal about that… right? Surely, it was an exaggeration."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        show alexia barmaid happy at center with dissolve
        "Alexia grinned, teeth grazing at her bottom lip. It was easy to imagine Ophelia grabbing the two haughty noblewomen by their nipples, shamelessly pulling them along with wicked intent."
        "She probably would have heard a commotion if it happened {i}that{/i} way… but the tavern was more crowded than usual. It could have gone unnoticed."

    else:
        "Alexia nibbled at her bottom lip, pushing down a smile. She could see Ophelia grabbing her companion’s intimates through their clothing and pulling them through the tavern, careless for onlookers."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve

    "Throughout their week in the tavern, Alexia hadn’t seen Ophelia ‘perform’ once despite her proclaimed occupation."
    "Unless proving that the two nobles from Alexia’s homeland were wrapped around her little finger counted, at least. Maybe it did. It could be fun to watch."
    "She glanced at the tray on the table. Steam rose from the three bowls, fresh and ready to go, made specially at Ophelia’s request and paid for by the noble’s coin."

    menu:
        "Alexia decided to bring them the stew. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia shrugged her shoulders. It’d only take a moment to run the tray upstairs. The trio would probably want something to snack on after they were done. She could just… knock. Leave it on the floor."
            show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "And… then she’d hastily leave. Very hastily. Certainly before she heard anything, because Alexia would {i}never{/i} loiter around a door just to find out what was happening on the other side."
                "That’d be wrong."
            else:
                "Maybe stick around a moment. Call out to them a couple of times, put her ear to the door. Just to listen close and make sure they heard her. Perhaps she’d have to crack open the door and put the tray inside the room for them."
                "Ophelia wouldn’t mind."
                if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                    "And if the nobles did, they could go fuck themselves instead of getting fucked by her."
            "Alexia grabbed the tray and headed through the sea of people for the stairs, walking up them and heading down a door-lined hallway. Ophelia had gotten her companions to pay extra for the tavern’s ‘finest rooms’, likely imagining a royal suite."
            show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeright with moveoutright
            "When Alexia showed them to it earlier that week, the nobles had been put out to discover it was small, cramped, and more or less in line with what one would expect based on the tavern’s location."
            "Indarah charged them six times the usual rate."
            "Alexia soon reached the door, balancing the tray against her hip with one hand and lifting the other. Her knuckles gently rapped on the wood."
            "She could hear {i}something{/i} going on in there. Muted laughter, then a shriek not-quite-contained by the door’s not-quite-thick wood. Alexia gave another knock, but heard no acknowledgement from the other side."
            "After a moment, the barmaid decided to leave the tray on the floor to the side of the door. Then, she…"
            menu:
                "... walked away, deciding she didn’t have the time for this.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        "Alexia swallowed. She was so {i}sorely{/i} tempted to wait around, but… it was wrong, wasn’t it? And besides, Indarah needed her. She didn’t want to hear how a woman from the Dragon’s Tail could roar, given due cause."
                    else:
                        "Alexia puffed out a dissatisfied breath. As much as she wanted to eavesdrop? With how busy the tavern was, Indarah might just kill her– and she enjoyed working at the tavern far too much for that."
                    "She gave one last knock at the door, then quickly ahead back down the hall, back down the stairs, and right back to work."
                    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with moveinright
                    "As Alexia worked the tavern’s floor and bar, she couldn’t help but wonder at what the trio were doing behind their closed door."
                    "A few hours later, when the things were finally winding down and they were preparing to close up the common room for the night, Alexia took a moment to check the hallway."
                    "The tray was on the floor where she had put it, but the bowls were turned over. Empty, too, considering there wasn’t a mess of spilled stew around it, or oozing out from under the bowl’s lip."
                    "Alexia wondered if they had eaten it, or if some drunk patron had seen it on their way to bed and helped themselves."
                    "She got her answer when she knelt and lifted each bowl to stack them up, finding a few weeks worth of wages collectively hidden beneath them."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        show alexia barmaid happy at center with dissolve
                        "Alexia smiled as she carefully put the coins into her apron. She didn’t know about her family’s stew recipe being award-winning, but… she had always loved it."
                        "And she had always loved it when other people did, too."
                    else:
                        "Alexia quickly pocketed the coins in her apron, pleased that they had enjoyed the stew. She certainly always had, growing up."
                        show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
                        "She didn’t collect everything right away, though, instead putting her ear to the door."
                        "But she heard nothing. They were asleep. Alexia sighed and withdrew from the door."
                        "It was too bad they’d be gone tomorrow, well before Alexia returned from Castle Bloodmeen. She wouldn’t get to know if the stew lived up to the minstrel’s exaggerated expectations."
                    return

                "... leaned in close, putting her ear to the door. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ opheliaEavesdropped = True
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
                    scene cg1508 with fade
                    pause 3
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                        show alexia barmaid concerned behind cg1508
                        "Eavesdropping was wrong."
                        "Indarah needed her downstairs. The patrons did, too."
                        "But…"
                        "Alexia breathed in deep and swallowed thickly, feeling nervous butterflies fluttering deep in her belly."
                        show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1508
                        "Below those butterflies, beneath her skirt, she felt an all too familiar damp heat. Her body had already made its decision, and her mind went along with her pussy without much resistance, coming up with several excuses for her to run with."
                        "Maybe… she was making sure they weren’t too drunk to get in bed? Maybe she was checking to make sure they weren’t fighting. Maybe…"
                        "Each one rang hollow in Alexia’s head. None of them mattered. Her cunt certainly wasn’t ashamed of the truth: she was horny, and she wanted to know what the beautiful Prothean minstrel and her companions were doing."
                        "Alexia pressed herself close to the door, palms flat against it, chest pressed to the wood. A little turn of her flushed face, and her ear pressed against it too."
                        "She stopped thinking and started listening instead, eyes closed."
                    else:
                        show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1508
                        "If the thought of eavesdropping was… wrong, it wouldn’t have gotten Alexia’s pussy so wet, right?"
                        "It didn’t really matter if it was right or wrong, ultimately. Alexia wanted to know what they were doing. She’d been working for hours without a break, so what was a couple of minutes listening in on a threesome?"
                        "Alexia smirked to herself, an aroused heat building in her cheeks."
                        "She pressed herself close to the door, palms flat against it, chest pressed to the wood. A little turn of her flushed face, and her ear pressed against it too."
                        "She listened."
                    "The first thing that Alexia heard was a muffled grunt, followed by the heavy THUMP of a body hitting the floorboards. Alexia jolted in place, alarmed, but then–"
                    "Someone giggled. Her fellow redhead? It sounded like her. Yes, her. When she spoke, her voice was far less haughty than Alexia was used to hearing from her from the past week."
                    rednob "Oh, my hero! You’ve saved me from whatever cruel, horrifying fate this villain had in mind for me. But… but…"
                    ophe "But what, sweet girl? Speak quickly, now. I lured the rest of her band of brigands away, but they’ll soon realise that they’ve been had and come running back."
                    ophe "We must be away before then, Alexandria. Not even a swordswoman as great as I could handle them all at once."
                    show alexia barmaid shocked behind cg1508
                    al "Alex..andria?"
                    "There was a pause. Alexia opened her eyes and blinked once, then twice, confused. Ophelia was a swordswoman? She didn’t carry one."
                    "Just what were they doing?"
                    "And… Alexandria? That was uncomfortably close to Alexia, and she knew for a FACT that the noblewoman’s name was not Alex-anything."
                    'The redheaded noblewoman– "Alexandria" –giggled again, then cleared her throat and spoke dotingly.'
                    rednob "How lucky I am, to have one of the greatest heroes of our time protecting me! But… ah. The bandit, she’s struggling. Are the ropes tight? Secure? There’s something I must say."
                    "Alexia heard some sort of scuffling, wiggling around. The… brunette, perhaps? She heard a few more indistinct noises, but the door muffled them too much for Alexia to make sense of them."
                    ophe "Yes, I promise. Not even a minotaur could break free of my quadruple knot, and your panties ought to keep her from crying for help. Speak, and quickly."
                    if forgeLevel >= 1:
                        "A… quadruple knot. That not even a minotaur could break. Having met a minotaur, Alexia knew that was utterly fantastical."
                    "… They were roleplaying. Pretending."
                    show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1508
                    "Using their imaginations. Alexia kept listening, biting at her bottom lip as she closed her eyes."
                    show cg1515 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "She had an imagination, too. She pictured where and when they were. A small campsite in the Rosarian countryside. A little fire with a pot hung over it, boiling away with the band of brigands’ meal."
                    "An unhappy brunette bandit, defeated, left flat on her ass and left tied tight, wearing scuffed leather armor. Her mouth gagged with– Ophelia said {i}‘your panties’{/i}!"
                    "And… of course, Alexandria and Ophelia, the latter untying the former."
                    "The noblewoman had hair as red as Alexia’s. Much longer and curlier, yes, but… instead, Alexia imagined the rescued maiden with a short but thick bob of red hair. In a green dress, perhaps?"
                    "Or… no. A low-cut top. If she had her panties off, her long green skirt must have been pooled at her feet. Yes. She was probably a barmaid, just like Alexia was."
                    "Blue-eyed, with an elaborate amulet bearing a sapphire no village girl should have owned."
                    "Alexia put herself in Alexandria’s shoes."
                    rednob "Before your heroic entrance, she… she forced me to drink a foul concoction… and my body, it’s growing so warm. I can hardly think, and… my maidenly hole…"
                    rednob "Give me your hand! I… you must feel me."
                    "Ophelia grunted as Alexandria grabbed her wrist and pulled it on it. She guided Ophelia’s hand to her naked cunt as unseemly rivulets ran down her thighs, unnaturally aroused by alchemy."
                    "Alexandria let out a wanton exhale, her breath hitching high."
                    rednob "Do you feel how wet I’ve become?"
                    ophe "By the goddess, woman, you’re more drenched than a newly-sworn nun cloistered with a wagonload of incubi! And so warm, too. My fingers aren’t even in you and you’re almost scalding me."
                    ophe "There’s only one thing that could do this to such a sweet and innocent wench such as yourself. But… here. Muffle your moans while I check inside you."
                    rednob "W-what? Oh… oh, Ophelia!"
                    "Alexandria couldn’t muffle her moan as Ophelia’s fingers stroked along her cunt’s inner walls, knowing {i}exactly{/i} where her fingers needed to go."
                    "The barmaid proved no more capable of muffling her groan of disappointment when thoses fingers left her."
                    ophe "No… no, it’s as I feared. She’s given you a whore’s draught! What a dastardly cur. "
                    "Something on the other side of the door sounded suspiciously like muffled laughter."
                    "In Alexia’s imagination, though, it was no laughing matter. Tears welled in Alexandria’s eyes. She was fraught, despairing, in need of more than just a rescue from the bandits who had kidnapped her."
                    rednob "She said that the only thing that would stop it was… was cock, Ophelia. That I’d lose my mind without it. She was going to throw me… to her men…"
                    ophe "What a terrible fiend! You poor thing."
                    rednob "You must think me a whore too, my hero, and beneath your notice! Unworthy of your aid."
                    rednob "You can’t save me from this! Not without a cock. You must save yourself before her band returns. Leave me to get fucked by all their lawbreaking cocks! I…"
                    "Alexia slid one hand down from the door and tugged at her skirt. She found where a discreet latch kept it tight around her waist."
                    rednob "Oh… what are you… doing? My hero, your fingers are…"
                    "They were back in Alexandria’s pussy. Two of them, squeezing slowly past her restrictive slit, passage eased by the sheer wetness that just kept on flowing out of her."
                    ophe "Were I to leave you here, my rose, I could never look at myself in the mirror again. Fret not! I will cure your malady, and if I must fight off all her men at once, I shall."
                    show cg1509 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                        "One pull later, Alexia’s skirt was falling down her legs, pooling at her feet. Her fingers slipped between her spreading thighs."
                        "She pulled her thin, damp panties to the side, exposing the source of her free-flowing moisture."
                    else:
                        "One pull later, Alexia’s skirt was falling down her legs, pooling at her feet. Her fingers slipped between her spreading thighs."
                        "In her haste to touch herself, she slid her fingers along the wet spot just over her slit. It wasn’t enough, though. She needed to feel the warmth of Ophelia’s fingers there."
                        "Alexia could have just pulled her panties to the side, but… Alexandria wasn’t wearing panties, was she? So Alexia tucked her thumbs into their waist and tugged them down, too, stepping out of them and leaving them on the floor."
                    "Her fingers got right to work."
                    "Alexia wasn’t as wet as Alexandria. She hadn’t drunk a whore’s draught, after all, a most potent if imaginary concoction. but she was more than wet enough."
                    "The digits Alexia filled herself with may as well have been the same ones Alexia was being filled with, clearly trimmed with this in mind and lacquered."
                    rednob "B-but… you don’t… have a cock, surely…? O-oh! Oh, Goddess! But– Ophelia–"
                    ophe "Pfawh! I spit on this talk of cock-cure, fair maiden! Rest easy, for these fingers are all that I need to save you from this insidious poison. And with breasts like these…"
                    "Alexandria groaned quietly. Ophelia’s other hand lifted and tugged at the low neck of her top, letting them spill out. Her other hand found Alexandria’s pink, tight nipple and teased it lightly, before dipping her head to kiss it."
                    "It was only in her imagination, but Alexia could feel the warmth of that wet tongue swirling around her own nipple. Her other hand slipped down to pull one of her tits free, teasing it much the same way Ophelia did."
                    "Ophelia sighed between kisses."
                    rednob "S-stop, you must stop– Ophelia, I’m a whore now! What will the people think?"
                    ophe "Why must you say that like it’s such a bad thing? There’s nothing wrong with you being a whore, a slut… so long as you promise to be {b}my{/b} whore."
                    rednob "Ophelia…"
                    ophe "Tell me you’ll be my whore, my bride. My slut. My plaything. All of those things, and more. Tell me you’ll slicken whenever you see me. Tell me that you’ll spread your legs whenever I wish to touch you."
                    rednob "Y-yes… yes, yes, a hundred times yes, of course, yes, oohhh…"
                    "There was no way that Alexandria could stay standing with how skilled Ophelia’s fingers were, quickly finding where her fingers needed to go in order for her to play Alexandria’s cunt like a fiddle."
                    "Ophelia pinned Alexandria against a tree, and the redhead moaned with lewd abandon, submitting without hesitation. Ophelia’s fingers were… so good! So uncompromising. They didn’t slow or speed, steadily applying the same pressure… right there! over  and over!"
                    "Alexia followed suit in her own way. She quickly got her ear against the door again, biting back whimpers as she fucked herself."
                    show cg1510 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1511 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "For a moment, Alexandria’s moans softened, then quieted. Ophelia’s mouth abandoned her tit to take her mouth by storm, and like the greedy slut she was for Ophelia, Alexandria kissed back with mounting desperation."
                    ophe "‘Yes’ isn’t enough. Promise me. Cum on my fingers like the whore you are."
                    rednob "Ophelia…! I… oh, fuck… yes! I promise, I promise, I… oh! I promise to be your whore!"
                    "Alexia released her bottom lip from the pinch of her teeth, shuddering as her mouth wavered, every bit as wanton as Alexandria’s."
                    if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                        "She silently mouthed the same words that Alexandria whispered."
                    "Then the moment hit. Alexandria cried out again, a high and wordless exaltation to not just the sky, but the Prothean heroine who had brought her to that peak."
                    show cg1512 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Alexia cried out, too. Not as loud, but for much the same reasons as Alexandria. Trembles ran throughout her frame, a relaxed contentment following in their wake."
                    "Ophelia wasn’t done with Alexandria, though."
                    ophe "Taste yourself off my fingers."
                    show cg1516 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1517 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Alexandria gave a shudder and a mewl as those Prothean digits left her, but just as readily moaned around them as they lifted to her mouth, eagerly licking herself off the fingers Ophelia tucked into her mouth."
                    show cg1513 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1514 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Alexia did, too. Her other hand abandoned her tit to start slipping down to her now-lonely, still spasming cunt, finding her slit and starting all over again–"
                    "Something interrupted Alexia, though."
                    show indarah neutral at edgeright with moveinright
                    show alexia barmaid shocked at center with dissolve
                    ind "Alexia! Are you up there?"
                    "Alexia stopped immediately, wide-eyed."
                    "Did she hear what she thought she just heard?"
                    "Did Indarah just…? She quickly pushed off the door and rested back on her ass, glancing down the hallway. No, she called from down the stairs."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                        "Then Alexia glanced down at herself. More naked than not… sucking her quim’s juices off her own fingers… and still touching herself?"
                        "She let out a mortified squeak around her damp digits, wide-eyed and flushing with embarrassment."
                        "Things… had gotten out of hand."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            "She slipped her fingers out of her mouth, wiping them off quickly on her shirt."
                            "Way, way out of hand. Way, way into a hole. Alexia quickly got said hand away from said hole, panicking but unsure of what to do. Did she call back?"
                            "Ophelia and her companions would hear her, if she did–"
                        else:
                            show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
                            "Way, way out of hand and way too into her slutty hole, but…"
                            "Alexia gave her sloppy fingers one last suckle and lave of her tongue before taking them out. She didn’t bother wiping them clean."
                            "Goddess! How she wished they had gone just a little further than this, or that she had a little more time before Indarah came looking."
                            "Swiftly yet reluctantly, Alexia got the aforementioned hand away from the aforementioned hole."
                            show alexia barmaid shocked at center with dissolve

                    else:
                        show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
                        "Yet they hadn’t nearly gone far enough. Alexia hesitated for only a moment before she made her decision. She closed her eyes and began moving the fingers within her cunt once more, tongue lapping over the tangy fluids staining her fingers."
                        "Indarah was probably going to fuck off in a minute, if she was patient. And Alexia wasn’t patient. She wanted to cum again."
                        "That’s what Alexandria wanted too, she knew. For Ophelia to keep going. Not later, when she could masturbate or get fucked in private."
                        "However…"
                        show alexia barmaid shocked at center with dissolve
                    ind "Alexia! Where in the blazes are you?"
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        "Alexia froze at Indarah’s second call."
                    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                        "Part of Alexia longed to push her luck. Her common sense, however, gave her a healthy respect for the intimidatingly large dagger that Indarah wore on her belt."
                    else:
                        "Indarah wasn’t fucking off, was she? Alexia bit at her fingers suddenly. Not too hard, but hard enough to regret it. She growled with annoyance."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "Then Alexia heard Indarah’s heeled boots begin to pound on the stairs as she headed up them. She was about to get caught!"
                        "Alexia’s eyes widened, horrified. She gulped deeply and cleared her throat, calling back as quickly as she dared as she started to scramble up to her feet."
                    else:
                        "Then Alexia heard Indarah’s heeled boots begin to pound on the stairs as she took them by storm. She… was about to get caught, wasn’t she?"
                        "She sucked in a deep breath through her nose, flushed face curdling with further annoyance."
                        show alexia barmaid angry at center with dissolve
                        al "Shit."
                        show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
                        "She quickly weighed her options. Would it {i}really{/i} be that bad if Indarah saw she had abandoned her to the mercy of the crowds to fingerfuck herself outside a patron’s room?"
                        show alexia barmaid angry at center with dissolve
                        "… Yeah, it would. It’d be worth it, but it’d be bad. And Alexia liked what she had going on in the tavern."
                        al "Oh, fuck it."
                        "Resigned, Alexia swallowed quickly and then called back to Indarah, her breathy voice nevertheless suggestive of what she’d been doing. At the same time, she started to hurriedly rise."
                    show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve
                    al "I– I’m coming!"
                    ophe "Again? Already?"
                    rednob "That wasn’t me–"
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "Alexia fixed her panties, then tried to tug up her skirt and get her exposed tit tucked away at the same time, neither of which was a simple task. "
                    else:
                        "Alexia tried to tug up her skirt and get her exposed tit tucked away at the same time, neither of which was a simple task."
                    "The words had their intended effect on their intended recipient. Indarah’s footfalls came to an immediate halt, then reversed, quickly descending the stairs."
                    ind "Good, hurry! They’re killing me down here.."
                    hide indarah with moveoutright
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "At the same time, Alexia could hear footsteps suddenly approaching the other side of the door. Still not modest and in quite a panic, she rushed across the hall to the opposite room, praying it was open!"
                    else:
                        "At the same time, Alexia could hear footsteps approaching the other side of the nearby door. She hesitated, quickly imagining what {i}could{/i} come of it–"
                        "But she needed to go back downstairs, or Indarah would come looking again."
                        al "Fuck..."
                        "A quick glance up and down the hall revealed only one hiding spot. The room directly across from Ophelia’s… if Alexia was lucky, it’d be open."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "And more importantly, empty."
                    else:
                        "And more importantly, empty. Although..."
                        show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve
                        "Indarah couldn’t get THAT mad at her, if she came upstairs and found out Alexia had gotten pinned down. So to speak."
                        "Alexia quickly shook her head and focused up."
                    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                    "She lucked out on both counts and shoved the door shut behind herself. Then Alexia went still as a statue, listening as the door to Ophelia’s room opened."
                    "For a moment, Alexia heard only her own breathless panting paired with her pounding heart. What if they saw some sign of her?"
                    "Could Ophelia, a hero and likely an expert tracker, follow… the slippery trail of whore’s slickness left in Alexandria’s wake?"
                    "… {i}Her{/i} wake. Alexia’s wake. She swallowed again and reminded herself there was no such thing as whore’s draught, and if there was it probably wasn’t just a pussy’s slickness."
                    "Probably."
                    "Muffled voices. Then it closed. After several seconds, Alexia breathed easier and finished fixing herself up."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31 or (alexiaCorrupt < 61 and alexiaJezObedient == False and alexiaAndrasObedient == False):
                        "When she left the room to begin her return to the tavern floor, she noticed the tray and bowls were gone from the hall."
                        "Later, when they were closing up and doing a last sweep around the tavern, Alexia saw the tray and all three bowls set outside their room door, the latter set turned upside down and stacked."
                        show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
                        "Beneath the bowls was enough gold to pay Alexia’s wage at the tavern for months. After a moment of staring at the wealth, she bit gently on her bottom lip and then smiled."
                        show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "They, or at least Ophelia, must have liked the stew."
                        "Too bad that she’d probably never see the minstrel again."
                    else:
                        $ opheliaPanties = True
                        "When she left the room to begin her return to the tavern floor, she noticed the tray and bowls were gone from the hall."
                        "She didn’t think much of it, though, and spent the rest of the night quite distracted. Something felt off to her, like she’d forgotten something."
                        "Alexia couldn’t quite put a finger on what, though."
                        "She chalked it up to still being horny."
                        show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
                        "Later, when they were closing up for the night and doing a last sweep, Alexia saw the tray and three bowls set outside their room door, the latter set turned upside down and stacked."
                        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        "… Beneath the bowls, Alexia found her tip. She also found an answer to what had been distracting her. There was a sizable pile of gold there, enough to pay Alexia’s wage at the tavern for months."
                        "Gift-wrapped in her own panties, their dampness further marked by smeared kiss marks."
                        "They, or at least Ophelia, must have liked the stew… and appreciated the audience."
                        "Too bad that she’d probably never see the minstrel again."
                    return

        "They seriously couldn’t wait?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "Alexia couldn’t help but feel a bit hurt. She’d been looking forward to serving them the stew."
                "Well. Ophelia, more than the nobles. But evidently, she cared more about the carousing with the rich and powerful than sampling common stew."
                "But she was getting used to drunken behaviour and insincerity and lechery, working in the tavern. Sometimes people were just full of hot air."
                "There wasn’t much for Alexia to do about it but sigh, shrug her shoulders and get back to work."
                "Just in case, though, she left the stew out and didn’t clean the table, on the off chance they returned."
            else:
                show alexia barmaid angry at center with dissolve
                "Alexia scoffed quietly to herself. She chopped all those fucking onions to make the damn stew, and they had all just fucked off to fuck?"
                al "Whatever."
                "She’d gotten used to patrons being shitty in the tavern. It wasn’t anything new, but Ophelia seemed a bit different from them. From her own companions, too."
                "Alexia shook her head, deciding to get back to work."
                "She left the stew out and didn’t clean the table, on the off chance they returned. With her feet already aching, the last thing she wanted to deal with was hungry, pouting nobles and their beau."
            "Once other patrons started getting servings of the stew, it didn’t last long. No one got seconds or thirds. "
            show alexia barmaid happy at center with dissolve
            "Seeing so many people happy eating her mother’s stew reminded Alexia of a simpler time."
            "Even Indarah, who hadn’t wanted to waste coin on the Rosarian spices that went into it, tried some and sang its praises. Alexia knew she’d be making it again."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                show alexia barmaid angry at center with dissolve
                "… Which meant chopping many more onions. Perhaps she could get Indarah to take care of some prep, though. Save herself the tears."
            "The evening went on."
            show alexia barmaid neutral at center with dissolve
            "By the time she and Indarah were closing up for the night, Ophelia and company hadn’t reappeared."
            "And yet, when Alexia returned to clean up their table, the three bowls had been emptied, stacked and left upside down."
            "Beneath them, she found what HAD to be a few weeks worth of wages in gold coins. The large tip left her certain that no other patron had just helped themselves."
            "They wouldn’t have had the coin to throw around like Ophelia (or rather her companions) did. Alexia stared at the coins."
            menu:
                "It made up for skipping out.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "It was a lot of money."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        "After a moment, Alexia smiled slightly and began to tuck away the coins without counting them up. It was a sort of apology. Not the kind she would have preferred, but one she could understand."
                        "It showed they– well, probably just Ophelia –had thought of her. And that was enough for her, at least for now."
                        "It was too bad they’d be gone tomorrow, well before Alexia returned from Castle Bloodmeen. She wouldn’t get to know if the stew lived up to the minstrel’s exaggerated expectations."
                        "But that’s just the way life was sometimes, wasn’t it? Life goes on."
                    else:
                        "After a moment, Alexia started to count the coins out. … A {i}lot{/i} of money, all things considered."
                        "Way too much, but at least that proved they weren’t completely unaware of how they– or at least Ophelia –had wronged her."
                        "Alexia shrugged and began piling them into a pocket in her apron, deciding to chalk it up to drunken horniness. She could sympathise with that."
                        "It was too bad they’d be gone tomorrow, well before Alexia returned from Castle Bloodmeen. She wouldn’t get to know if the stew lived up to the minstrel’s exaggerated expectations."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                            "She didn’t forgive Ophelia completely, though."
                            "Fucking onions."
                    return

                "It didn’t make up for skipping out.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "It was… a lot of money."
                    "An apology, if she had ever seen one."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                        "Entirely too much money, in fact. Way more than Alexia would have been comfortable taking, even if they (well, Ophelia) had prostrated herself and pleaded for Alexia to take it in exchange for her forgiveness."
                        "Tomorrow, they’d be gone. It didn’t matter if Alexia took the money or not. They’d probably never come back to the little tavern in the middle of nowhere."
                        "She had no idea where they were leaving behind, and if they’d ever come back."
                        "Still, Alexia couldn’t bring herself to take the money. The more she stared at it, the more it hurt– she’d been more excited to see if the stew lived up to Ophelia’s expectations than she realised."
                        "After a few moments, she replaced the bowl and went elsewhere, leaving it for Indarah to collect."
                        "Later, when the taver’s owner tried to split the small fortune with Alexia, she refused to take a single coin."
                    else:
                        "A really fucking shallow apology, at that, but that was just like nobles, to think money and their status could excuse anything."
                        "And whatever Ophelia said or did, she definitely seemed more in line with the nobles than the common folk. She seemed different, but clearly, she wasn’t."
                        al "Assholes."
                        "Tomorrow, they’d be gone. It didn’t matter if Alexia took the money or not. They’d probably never come back to the little tavern in the middle of nowhere."
                        "She had no idea where they were leaving behind, and if they’d ever come back. It didn’t matter if she took the money or not."
                        "Still, she had her pride. Her integrity. Alexia replaced the bowls on top of the coins, deciding to leave it for Indarah to collect."
                        if alexiaCorrupt < 60:
                            "Later, when the tavern’s keeper offered to split the small fortune with Alexia?"
                            "Alexia reluctantly took some of it. It was a {i}lot{/i} of money, even if she didn’t have much need of it."
                        else:
                            "A few minutes later though, Alexia doubled back to the table before Indrah could reach it. It was a lot of gold, and it wasn’t like Ophelia and her companions would ever know she’d thought to leave it."
                            "Did she have anything to spend that gold on? Any needs she had to cover on her own?"
                            "… Not really, but it was the principle of the thing."
                    # $ opheliaDisabled = True
                    return

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 6.rpy
label ophelia_tells_a_story_rp:

    $ opheliaName = "Ophelia"
    $ rowAlRel = 100
    $ alexiaLiurialFriendly = True
    $ opheliaEavesdropped = True
    $ opheliaPanties = True
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Is Alexia obedient to the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - to Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes - to Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene alexia_tavern_1 with fade

    "It was another busy night in the tavern. Not busy enough so as to keep Alexia from taking a break, but busy enough that she wouldn’t be taking more than a handful of minutes here or there."
    "Usually, the best place for her to rest her heels was the tavern’s backroom or its kitchen. It kept patrons from calling out orders to her when she wasn’t actually taking them."
    "As of late, though, Alexia had found herself spending some of her breaks in Ophelia’s company. The minstrel was always happy to see her, full of life and energy. Compliments and appreciative words flowed endlessly from her, like some flirty river."
    "And so it was again tonight, with the Prothean minstrel gesturing animatedly with one hand as she began to rant at Alexia at something completely tangential to their original topic."
    "Any semblance of focus that Alexia might have had for the conversation had slipped minutes prior. Not an uncommon occurrence when it came to talking to her, but Ophelia never seemed to mind– and she could always get Alexia’s attention back in an instant, when she truly wanted it."
    "Alexia’s mind wandered, smiling and nodding as she listened to Ophelia.  Thinking it over in her head, she had to admit to herself that Ophelia’s behaviour towards her was…"

    menu:
        "... a bit much.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
            "It was a bit much. Maybe a little more than a ‘bit much’. Maybe it was just a lot, period."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "The attention was flattering, if a little off putting. Ophelia could be charming, but Alexia wasn’t naive. Even when she was at her most appropriate, Ophelia didn’t try to hide the fact that she really wanted to charm Alexia’s shoes off."
                "And her skirt, and her panties, and her brasserie and just about everything else she wore for that matter. Alexia just wasn’t interested in that, though."
                if opheliaEavesdropped:
                    "That… {i}moment{/i} when she’d gotten down on her knees and listened to Ophelia’s VERY private business had been a huge mistake."
                "Really, she would be happy with Ophelia as a friend– a connection and a reminder to the world beyond what Andras and Jereza allowed her. Someone not yet touched by their influence. Indarah was the closest Alexia had to that, but even she was connected to Bloodmeen."
                "… Maybe it was time to … try and talk about it, though Alexia knew there was a good chance it would push Ophelia away from her entirely."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    "An anxious knot formed in Alexia’s belly at the thought, but surely, it’d be better than stringing things out."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and rowAlRel > 50:
                    "Alexia could feel a headache coming on. Mundane drama with a minstrel sounded like it could be more exhausting than anything the twins could throw at her."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaJezObedient:
                    "Alexia could feel a headache coming on. Mundane drama with a minstrel sounded like it could be more exhausting than dealing with Andras for days on end."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "Alexia could feel a headache coming on. Mundane drama with a minstrel sounded like it could be more exhausting than having to deal with Jereza for the rest of her life."
            else:
                "As flattering as the attention was, it had begun to run its course. It was just too… thick for her. Too constant."
                if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "And there was only one too-thick thing that Alexia was interested in being constantly pressed by. Somehow, she doubted that Ophelia’s skirt hid a fat, red demon cock."
                elif alexiaJezObedient:
                    "Especially when Alexia far preferred another woman’s attention."
                    "Ophelia had no idea that she was competing against a demon. She might have been good at what she did, but Jereza was better. There was no doubt in her mind about that; were the Prothean and the blue lady in red put alone in a room for five minutes…"
                    "Well, Alexia had a feeling she would have been easy prey for Jereza."
                "Alexia didn’t have a problem with Ophelia lusting over her, but… {i}fuck{/i}. She didn’t need to be reminded about it constantly. It wasn’t even like the Prothean libertine was going unsatiated."
                "The only nights she went to bed alone were the nights the tavern had no female guests whatsoever. Sometimes she’d flirt with men, but never did she bed them."
                if opheliaPanties:
                    "Had she known that Ophelia would come back to the tavern…"
                    "Alexia didn’t regret her eavesdropping. She knew she probably would have done it anyway, even if she knew Ophelia wasn’t going to be gone forever after that night. But it was a lot less special of a moment, now."
                "While Ophelia could make for a fun friend– Alexia felt like it just might not be worth dragging things out, even if it meant hurting the other woman’s feelings."
                "Maybe it would be better to get the drama out of the way before it could build up any further."
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "She drew in a soft breath and came to a decision after a moment’s thought, refocusing her green gaze on Ophelia’s annoyed face."
            ophe " –the worst thing about them, really, is how {i}everpresent{/i} they are. Always underfoot! In cellars, that is. And around every corner, with their damnable curvature and iron banding! You might think I’d love them for that, but {i}no, no, no{/i}!"
            ophe "There’s no softness to them! No warmth! You’d never want to rest your weary head upon a barrel, or caress it or kiss it or pinch it until it screams for the Goddess’ mercy!"
            ophe "Mark my words, Alexia! In all of the Six Realms, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING worse than–"
            menu:
                "Establish boundaries. (End replay)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -3)
                    al "There’s something I want to talk to you about before I get back to work, Ophelia."
                    "Ophelia froze mid-rant, golden eyes blinking once. After a second, the annoyance in her face began to filter out, leaving behind a more measured expression, completed by a faintly disappointed smile. She must have known right away what was on Alexia’s mind."
                    "She finished her last thought, before gesturing for Alexia to go ahead."
                    ophe "… barrels."
                    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
                    "Alexia hesitated, tempted to ask why the hell she had such strong feelings about barrels, but her decision was made, and her mouth got to work conveying that."
                    scene black with fade
                    if opheliaPanties:
                        "Ophelia was calmer and more understanding than Alexia would have expected her to be… at least until Alexia was done talking. Afterwards, Ophelia said just one word to her. Just one word, but it may as well have been a slap to her face with how red it left Alexia’s cheeks."
                        "She wasn’t sure if the flush was out of anger or embarrassment, and she didn’t have anything to say back to Ophelia– not while she sat there smiling, smug in her dissatisfaction."
                        ophe "Tease."
                        "Indarah handled Ophelia’s orders for the rest of her stay at the tavern, and Alexia avoided the minstrel and her performances. After some time, Ophelia booked passage on another caravan and left the tavern behind."
                        "And this time, Alexia was certain she’d never be back."
                    elif alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                        "Surprisingly, Ophelia was more understanding than Alexia would have expected her to be. She laughed a lot of it off, rueful only of a missed opportunity."
                        "As Alexia expected, things were not the same between them after that conversation."
                        "They remained friendly enough until the time came for Ophelia to pay another caravan to take her and her stories far, far away from the Rakshan Wastes."
                    else:
                        "Ophelia was calmer and more understanding than Alexia would have expected her to be. It actually bothered Alexia, once she had a chance to sleep on it. She wasn’t sure why, but she felt as though she were expecting something… more."
                        "A fight, maybe? Not that she wanted to fight with Ophelia. Whether or not she knew how to throw a punch, those nails of hers looked like they could do some damage."
                        "As Alexia expected, things were not the same between them after that conversation. Ophelia’s interests went elsewhere. They remained friendly enough until the time came for Ophelia to pay another caravan to take her and her stories far, far away from the Rakshan Wastes."
                    # $ opheliaDisabled = True
                    return

                "Avoid the conversation.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "… Alexia decided to sit on those feelings, at least for the moment. Actually voicing them was something she knew she wouldn’t be able to walk back, if she later changed her mind."

        "... just simple fun.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
            "It was all just simple fun, wasn’t it? Ophelia knew that Alexia was married; she had made sure of that pretty quickly after Ophelia’s return. She had teased Alexia about it, and it seemed as though she’d pulled back some of her more salacious punches."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30 and (alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient):
                "… Not that being married had ever stopped Alexia from indulging in more than ‘simple fun’. Once upon a time it would have, not any more."
                "Still."
            "Unlike some of the tavern’s hornier guests, she never tried to reach out and touch Alexia without invitation. No matter how intense the ‘simple fun’ of their flirting got, she never propositioned Alexia. It was nice, in its own way. Safe."
            "No matter how heated or ribald it got, Alexia felt comfortable around Ophelia. Even without overt discussion, she felt Ophelia understood Alexia’s position well enough."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                "And Alexia felt far more certain that she understood where Ophelia stood: if Alexia ever wanted to take that next step, she would be greeted with open arms."
                if opheliaEavesdropped:
                    "Open arms? Maybe. Spread legs? Definitely. Or maybe Alexia would be the one spreading hers. Now that she was dwelling on it, it was hard to imagine Ophelia bottoming for anyone."
                    if alexiaJezObedient:
                        "… Jereza, maybe, but it was hard to imagine that ever playing out."
                    "Not with everything she’d seen of the two noblewomen, and the women Alexia had seen her seduce since. A different one every night, it seemed."

        "... arousing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia had made sure that Ophelia knew she was married a few days into her renewed stay at the tavern. The Prothean minstrel had seamlessly turned the conversation towards the ‘differences’ between a happily married woman and one in a loveless marriage."
            "Each difference was a hair’s breadth away from outright lewdity. For the rest of that night, even the most innocent of sentences Ophelia had spoken towards Alexia seemed laced with innuendo and spiked with suggestive smiles."
            "Just thinking about it got Alexia’s already slick cunt noticeably wetter and warmer. Spending a few minutes engaged in Ophelia’s shameless flirting was enough to get her cunt damp, now; willfully engaging with her conversational antics was an exercise in teasing herself."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "It always felt like she was on the verge of turning into a burning tomato around her. It was… exciting, almost too exciting."
                if alexiaLiurialFriendly:
                    "Alexia had imagined what it might be like to bring her into the bedroom with Rowan, but… without outright saying it, Ophelia had made her preferences abundantly clear."
            else:
                "It was all teasing, though. Ophelia never pushed for more, and Indarah kept Alexia busy, inadvertently preventing her from even considering offering Ophelia an opening."
                # Should probably be < 50 ?
                if rowAlRel > 50 or alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "Some nights, Alexia found herself growing as frustrated as she was slick - but at least she was able to take care of those frustrations back in Bloodmeen."
                elif alexiaJezObedient:
                    "What Ophelia offered couldn’t be better than what Jereza gave her back in Bloodmeen, but it was different. That alone was enough to make it tempting."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "A particularly empathetic wave of Ophelia’s hand snapped Alexia back into attentiveness."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia drew in a soft breath, refocusing her green gaze on Ophelia’s annoyed face while trying to figure out what she was even talking about now. It was clearly something she felt strongly about."

    ophe "–the worst thing about them, really, is how {i}everpresent{/i} they are. They’re used for so many things! Always underfoot! Around every corner, with their damnable curvature and iron banding! You might think I’d love them for that, but {i}no, no, no{/i}!"
    ophe "There’s no softness to them! No warmth! You’d never want to rest your weary head upon one, or caress it or kiss it or pinch it until it screams for the Goddess’ mercy!"
    ophe "Mark my words, Alexia! In all of the Six Realms, there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING worse than a barrel. Save perhaps coopers, but those are just part and parcel, are they not?"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia blinked."

    al "In all of the Six Realms…"
    ophe "Yes!"
    al "There’s absolutely…"

    ophe "Yes, yes!"

    al "Nothing worse than a barrel."

    "A beaming smile lit up Ophelia’s face, pleased by what she seemed to take as a statement, not a confused, drawn-out reiteration."

    ophe "Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! Oh, but if you weren’t already wed, I’d get on my knee before you right here and now. You GET it. See, I knew there was something special about you, Alexia. You get it. Barrels are the absolute worst thing ever, bar none. "

    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Barrels are the worst thing ever, bar none."
    ophe "Absolutely, yes."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "..."
        ophe "..."
        al "I-"

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        al "..."
        ophe "..."
        al "What the fuck are you talking about?"
        ophe "Oh, you don’t need to play coy. This connection that I feel between us…"

    else:
        al "… What?"
        ophe "I know! All my life, I haven’t found a single person who understood. Until now. Until you."
        al "No, I just don’t understand–"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    "Ophelia disarmed Alexia with a wink, lifting a lacquered nail to tap at the side of her nose in a knowing gesture."

    show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ophe "You don’t need to tell me what barrels have done to you, my sweet. I can guess. Few can say that they’ve suffered as we have, thanks to the misbegotten get of guilded coopers."
    ophe "The barrels, that is. Not their unfortunate children. They’re all innocent of sin, you know, unless they go on to become at least Journeymen."
    ophe "Though, I suppose I’m speaking from the perspective of a Prothean - the guilds seem to loom far less large in your Rosaria."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia couldn’t help but giggle, almost as much from sheer bafflement as it was from amusement. This had to be some sort of bit, one that Ophelia was quite committed to."

    else:
        show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia pursed her lips, trying to imagine what barrels ever could have done to her. She had vague memories of {i}someone{/i} getting stuffed in a barrel and rolled down a hill when she was a child, but personally…?"
        "Nothing, and her imagination wasn’t sparking anything. She pushed it from her mind, deciding to shift the subject. Whether it was a joke or even the slightest bit serious, she doubted Ophelia would explain herself tonight."

    al "Maybe. They’re all controlled by the nobility in Prothea, right? I remember Rowan mentioning something about that before."

    ophe "Oh, yes. Back home, it is so very rare to find a guildmaster who wasn’t bred, born and raised for the explicit purpose of SUPPOSEDLY overseeing this-or-that aspect of our society."
    ophe "A sacred duty handed down to them by the Church, you know. Whole bloodlines dedicated to this-or-that trade, and most of them not even learning a single related skill. But…"

    "Ophelia sighed, and then started to rise from her seat. Her golden eyes skimmed over the busy room, then touched on the tavern’s small stage."

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    ophe "I should get to work, I think. As should you. But keep your ears open for more than just orders and bawdy comments, hm? This trust you’ve shown me has inspired me. Thank you for your confidence, Alexia. I have to imagine not even your husband knows."

    al "But I didn’t–"

    "Ophelia lifted a hand to forestall Alexia, palm flat. She smiled and shook her head once."

    ophe "No words, my darling princess. You’ll ruin this most precious moment, and we can’t have that."

    "Alexia paused, then sighed, lifting her hands in a show of surrender."
    "Though Ophelia’s smile was one of kind understanding, her eyes showed satisfaction. Without another word, the minstrel turned and made her way towards the stage, quickly and gracefully weaving her way between patron-packed tables."
    "Some of the more lecherous drunks in the tavern were tempted by her arse-hugging trousers and her dangerous cleavage, but she avoided most of their hands thoughtlessly."

    if alexiaCorrupt > 60 or (alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaJezObedient):
        "Alexia couldn’t blame any of them. Rather than get straight to work, she sat tight and watched her friend go, hips shifting back and forth minutely upon her perch. Those trousers seriously looked like they might have been stitched into place– perhaps by Ophelia’s nightly playmates in the morning, before they parted ways?"

    "The last man that Ophelia passed got something a little different with their outstretched hand. She paused, pivoted to face him and clasped it with both of hers, beaming a smile down to him as she shook it. He blinked dumbly at her, and Alexia snickered into her hand."
    "Then, Alexia got up and got back to work. She hadn’t been sitting with Ophelia for too long, but just because she rested her heels didn’t mean the tavern’s guests were resting their throats."
    "As she climbed the steps, Ophelia rose her voice above the tavern’s din, voice energetic and clear without sounding as though she were shouting. Things started to quiet down as the attention of more and more caravaners turned towards her."

    #cg1
    scene cg1519 with fade
    pause 3

    ophe "My fine friends! My darling drunks! My sober sweets! Would any of you care to hear a tale tonight? A true story? It took place in a tavern not unlike this one. It is rife with heroism–"
    yelld "And tits?"
    ophe "–glory unlike any other–"
    yelld "And tits?!"
    ophe "–a damsel in distress–"
    yelld "Yeah but what about–"
    ophe "–and of course, tits! Perhaps even some ass! Actually, probably more ass than tits!"

    "That really got her audience’s attention."

    yelld "YEAAAAAH! I love your tits! And your ass!"
    someo "Shut the fuck up and let her–"

    "Punches were thrown between the pair, their angry shouting losing coherence. One of the two hit the floor within seconds, and then Indarah was there, yelling at the fallen man’s friends to take him to their wagon while grabbing at the ear of the brief brawl’s victor."
    "A consummate professional, Ophelia didn’t bat so much as an eyelash. She grinned at the crowd and took the stage’s centre, one hand on her hip, the other gesturing outward as she began to speak."

    ophe "How fitting! Our epic begins with a situation not unlike that one. The where and when matters not; only that one man lifted his hands against his brother in evening revelry. Unlike tonight, however, neither man had a glass jaw, nor was the proprietress quite as quick to intercede! She had been busy in the back, you see."

    "There the minstrel paused, then leaned forward dramatically, so far that the tits she promised very nearly slipped out of her top. Her gesturing hand lifted, flat and held up along one side of her mouth, eyes wide as she spoke in a false hush, like sharing a secret."

    ophe "Polishing a pirate’s pegleg, if you know what I mean."

    "Laughter spread throughout the tavern. Jak’s guffaw boomed loudest. Somewhere in the tavern, Indarah’s hand shot up, its back shown towards the stage, but the tavern’s denmother was also grinning shamelessly. Ophelia blew a kiss in her direction, then straightened and carried on."

    menu:
        "Alexia listened in. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaJezObedient == False:
                "Alexia paused between setting down tankards, her cheeks flushed as she darted a look towards Ophelia. She had a hard time imagining herself with that level of confidence, rolling with bawdy punches before a crowd on stage. While showing so much skin, too!"
                if alexiaCorrupt > 30 and rowAlRel > 50:
                    "It wasn’t something Alexia could see herself doing… unless it was for a much smaller and more personal audience. Just her husband. She wondered if it was the sort of thing he’d even be interested in."
                    "Not that she could see herself ever bringing it up."
                elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaAndrasObedient:
                    "It wasn’t something Alexia could see herself doing… not of her own volition, at least. If Andras looked her in the eye and told her to, though? That would be a very different story."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaJezObedient:
                "Alexia paused between setting down tankards, glancing over at the stage with a brief, red-cheeked grin. Ophelia’s confidence always struck her as a bottomless well. She couldn’t help but feel a hint of envy over it."
                "It was hard to picture herself doing anything remotely similar… unless it was something that Jereza asked of her, perhaps. Alexia had a feeling that her mistress could provide the proper motivation without much trouble."
                "Her eyes did a bit of wandering over the minstrel’s body before she turned her focus back towards her own work."
            "Ophelia soaked in the attention, pacing back and forth across the stage as she continued the tale, outlining a wild brawl that threatened to spill beyond the tavern that contained it, turning the surrounding area into a warzone."
            "All the while, one poor little barmaid did what she could to bring peace to the violence – a hopeless endeavour, as things quickly escalated to the point of swords being drawn and blood feuds being sworn."
            "Not all of her stories included a promise of tits and ass, but when they did, Ophelia didn’t play coy about it. The barmaid was her vehicle for that: she wasn’t shy about moving her hands in ways that used her ample curves to her advantage, emphasising parts of her performance with her own flesh."
            "Ophelia trailed her lacquered nails over the exposed side of her breast when the barmaid’s chest came up– and they did often, being seen as a treasure of the tavern."
            "When a patron reached out and grabbed the barmaid’s bottom loud enough to make her shriek, Ophelia jutted out her hip towards her audience and slapped at her own ass, pantomiming the barmaid’s startled expression. A squeal indeed followed."
            "Each time she touched herself in such a way, hoots and hollers popped off across the tavern."
            ophe "… And though the barmaid was making little headway in ending the madness, she– and her bosom, of course –were much beloved by the tavern’s guests. "
            ophe "So beloved that some of them formed up around her, intent on protecting her. You can imagine her relief! To her, it seemed like she had finally gotten someone to listen to her."
            "There Ophelia paused, her golden eyes narrowing. "
            ophe "Alas! Alas, alas, a poor lass was she. The men only cared about fighting for her, not for the peace that she sought to impose upon the anarchy. And they made things worse, for it gave the rowdiest of the ruffians a place to focus. A bastion for them to break with their brutish fists!"
            "Ophelia lifted her hands and shrugged helplessly."
            ophe "No matter how hard she tried, the barmaid was only making things worse, and over the course of an hour she finally realised it. She sought to escape from her supposed protectors, thinking that her absence might help calm things down."
            ophe "After slipping between their battered bodies, the barmaid hid behind the bar and hoped for the proprietress’ vengeful return, once she heard the commotion."
            ophe "But–"
            show indarah neutral behind cg1519
            ind "Don’t you fucking dare!"
            "Ophelia paused and frowned, though she hardly seemed deterred. After a long, wide-eyed look over her audience, she fucking dared."
            ophe "The pirate rolled up his trouser’s leg and showed her just how much pegleg there was left to go. She had scarcely managed more than the tip!"
            ind "Oh, fuck off!"
            show jak neutral behind cg1519
            jak "She’s just telling it how it is, ain’t she? Can barely fucking handle it half the time–"
            "Another wave of laughter rolled throughout the room, briefly interrupted by the sound of Indarah’s palm striking across Jak’s face."
            "Alexia glanced over there, only to see the slapped pirate pulling the proprietress into his lap, and the pegleg-loving proprietress trying to suffocate him, with her mouth against his. Cackles and chortling rose, with members of Jak’s crew heckling them on."
            "Even Ophelia laughed, clapping her hands gaily at the sight. Others applauded, but Ophelia continued the story and stole their attention back before it could turn into an ovation, back to business."
            ophe "When someone was thrown straight over the bar and landed right before her tucked-away self, however, she realised her folly. It would only be a matter of time before she was discovered, and once she was, who could say what would happen next?"
            ophe "So the barmaid quickly scrambled over the fallen man on her hands and knees, then spirited herself into the deepest, darkest part of the tavern: its cellar."
            "Alexia stopped in the middle of refilling tankards, brow knit."
            "Some of the details in the story had sounded strangely familiar to Alexia’s ears, but that one was what made it all come together in her head. Ophelia may have posed it as a tale happening elsewhere, but so much of it was based on the brawl that happened the night before her return!"
            "And that meant–"
            ophe "She lit a candle and descended into the one place left undisturbed by the brawl. There was not a soul in the cellar to admire how that small, hopeful flame lit her fair-skinned face and made her green eyes gleam. Its warmth was only matched by that of her red hair."
            "The specified colouring confirmed it: Alexia was the barmaid."
            if opheliaEavesdropped:
                "Feeling {i}surprised{/i} seemed like an unreasonable thing, given what she had heard listening through Ophelia’s door, yet she was."
            yelld "Were her tits big?"
            "Ophelia grinned a delighted grin, her hands lifting and cupping her beneath her tell-all cleavage, giving them a leisurely lift, visibly squeezing herself. They once more threatened to spill free."
            ophe "Bigger than I could show you, even if I were to pull this down. My size and half again, I would wager! Don’t fret, though, I promise she had a strong and healthy back to support them."
            "It was a flattering exaggeration. Alexia glanced down at her own cleavage– not modest, but certainly not within spitting distance of Ophelia’ endowments. Then her emerald eyes flicked back up to the stage, and found Ophelia’s golden gaze waiting to meet hers."
            "The minstrel’s grin grew a bit smaller, yet simultaneously more sly and genuine for it."
            "Her thumbs briefly teased at the neckline of her low-cut top, each toying movement tempting fate with a wardrobe malfunction."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                 "Alexia averted her eyes from the stage, swallowing and focusing on getting the next round of drinks out to thirsty patrons. Her cheeks were burning red with surprised embarrassment, but… there were thirsty patrons waiting for refills. Indarah was depending on her."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 30 and alexiaJezObedient == False:
                "Alexia averted her eyes from the stage, swallowing and focusing on getting the next round of drinks out to thirsty patrons."
                "Her cheeks were growing uncomfortably warm in their fluster– deepening just a bit each time her focus lapsed and she peeked over to see what Ophelia was doing."
            elif alexiaJezObedient or alexiaCorrupt > 60 and (alexiaAndrasObedient or rowAlRel > 50):
                "Alexia lifted a hand to her mouth, flanked as it was by now increasingly rosy cheeks. It didn’t manage to suppress her giggle, and for a moment she put off wetting throats entirely in favour of just watching the master at work."
            ophe "Now… were you any other crowd, I’d assume you’d have a care as to what came of that tavern brawl. Who won, who lost, who died. But I’ve been staying in this tavern long enough to know that I’m amongst kindred souls. You all appreciate the finer things in life, don’t you?"
            ophe "Like me, you don’t really care about the brawl. You want to know what became of the barmaid, her beautiful bosom, and what other parts of her we’ve yet to cover!"
            "The shouts, clapping and slammed tankards of men and women accustomed to life on the road answered her. Ophelia grinned again at them, one hand slipping up to rest over her heart, as though touched by their honesty."
            ophe "You filthy lechs!"
            "She paused, then spoke in a loud hush, wide-eyed."
            ophe "Our busty barmaid hid. First for five minutes, then for ten. Before she knew it, two hours had passed, and yet the sound of fighting seemed to rage on unabated. She would have waited another two hours in the cellar’s corner, but then she heard a different creak of wood."
            ophe "The cellar’s doors opened, and men began to descend the stairs, complaining about their unmet thirst. They had drunk every ounce of liquor in the barroom."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                 "That felt like the slightest bit targeted."
                 "She took another glance over at Indarah, who remained seated atop Jak, his bearded face clutched in her hands as their tongues continued their tangle. His hands were under her shirt, trying futilely to make her breasts fit in his palms."
                 if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                     "For a moment, she was tempted to yell out and remind Indarah that they had thirsty mouths to fill– but Indarah was dealing with thirst, of a sort. She decided against interrupting either her boss' kissing or her friend’s story. Would’ve been quite rude."
                 "It was just Alexia working, now. At least no one was clamouring for drinks. She ducked her flushed face briefly, getting back out there on the tavern’s floor to begin doling out thirst-quenching tankards once more. "
            else:
                "It felt like a hint, but… Alexia took one long look over the tavern’s guests. Ophelia had the whole room’s attention now, and if there was a thirsty throat amongst them, they could surely wait. Indarah and Jak were making out; service was the last thing on the former’s mind."
                "With no one there to tell her otherwise, Alexia kept her focus on Ophelia."
                if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaLiurialFriendly:
                    "And her tits."
            ophe "Fear gripped the barmaid and shook her to the core! What if they found her, and the fighting got worse? So she did the only reasonable thing there was for her to do, of course! She found a better place to hide within the cellar."
            "Ophelia narrowed her eyes, hands slipping down from her cleavage to rest atop her hips. She paused again, then leaned forward at the waist, just enough for her not-quite-secure cleavage to give a distracting sway."
            ophe "There was little time for her to consider her options, however, and she went with the first one that seemed reasonable to her."
            ophe "An open barrel with its head popped off, stacked on its side amidst many of its brethren. just wide enough to fit her if she crawled inside."
            ophe "And crawl she did, though her weighty breasts made it a mighty challenge! Inside, it was cramped. Dark. She knelt inside it, unable to turn, and kept her lovely head of red hair low. She waited and listened closely."
            ophe "They passed by the barmaid several times, and each time she was sure she would be caught. In the end, however, her lack of consideration was duly rewarded: they found the swill they were looking for and returned upstairs."
            ophe "Breathing out a deep sigh of relief, the barmaid kept her patience in check for just a minute more, then began crawling backwards, to return from whence she came. Unfortunately… "
            ophe "There was something she didn’t know about her place of employment. Something that not even the proprietress knew about!"
            "Ophelia straightened, her golden eyes wide again. As she began to speak again, one hand lifted from her hip, wrist rolling in a gesture that left her flat palm pointed towards the ceiling."
            "Some drunk gasped in astonishment."
            ophe "Once upon a time, the tavern had been owned by a sorcerer. A wizard. A mage! One of uncanny skill, innovative in their craft."
            ophe "Had they cared to help the people of the Six Realms, they could have done great things.  Instead, however, they turned their powers towards strange ends."
            "Ophelia’s brows lifted high, her expression markedly serious."
            ophe "Ends like making…"
            ophe "Fucking…"
            ophe "BARRELS."
            show alexia barmaid neutral behind cg1519
            al "… Oh, goddess."
            "Alexia began to wonder if Ophelia really did harbour a grudge against barrels."
            "One table broke out into baffled laughter, and Ophelia turned her flat palm towards them, shaking her head fiercely and beginning to frown."
            ophe "Emphasis on fucking, my friends! A dangerous magical artifact. Though the tavern’s unwitting proprietress used the barrels for wine, they had been made with people in mind."
            ophe "Anyone put inside such a barrel found themselves stuck, and so it was with the unfortunate barmaid. "
            ophe "Though its exterior did not change, the barrel’s interior began to shrink as she tried to move out of it. If not for her bountiful bosom, she might have been just small enough to slip before she was fully trapped. All she could get out were her legs, able to plant her feet on the cellar’s floor but kept bent at the waist, arse out."
            somed "YEAH, TITS!"
            anothd "AND ASS!"
            ophe "Though the tavern’s previous owner was a strange one, he was not unreasonable. Before panic took her, her mind flooded with the knowledge she needed to escape her wooden prison. That fucking barrel? Why, it would hold her until… she got fucked."
            "… … …"
            "… … …"
            "What?"
            "That was completely preposterous. For a moment, Alexia just stared at Ophelia, deaf to the audience’s laughter and cheers."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "Alexia felt like the red burning her cheeks might start to seep out through her pores, colouring the very air around her. She looked away again, plunking down tankards for men and women who simply grabbed at them without thanks, their attention rapt."
                "Alexia bit at her bottom lip as she worked, her mind beginning to fit together the various pieces. The distraction came together in her mind without a conscious choice on her part."
            else:
                "Then Alexia laughed, leaning forward on the bar with her arms folded atop of it. She just had to know where this was going next, and began to picture how it was playing out in her head. Her, bent over, stuck in the barrel–"
                "Ophelia met her eyes again, showing another slip of a smile before her attention was focused on the greater crowd once more."
            "Ophelia’s raised hand went to her top’s neckline again, tracing along it slowly. Many eyes followed that finger, and many asses scooted to the edge of their seats."
            ophe "And so, the barmaid again did the only reasonable thing she could think to do, my randy fellows, my lascivious ladies. She wriggled and shifted around, getting a hand underneath herself just so–"
            #cg 1 - var 1
            show cg1520 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Without any further preamble, Ophelia tugged at her top, exposing one of her sizable breasts with one smooth motion. It spilled out of her top with the ease of something that had barely been contained in the first place. The other one seemed rife to join its twin in breathtaking freedom."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "The tavern abruptly burst into excited yelling and stomping. Alexia startled, spilling a fair amount of beer from one of her tankards on her tray, and looked to see what caused the flare-up."
                "She forgot all about serving customers and just stared at Ophelia in wide-eyed shock. The tankard she had in hand, about to be set down before a patron, fell from her fingers. Once empty, they flew up to cover her gasping mouth. "
            else:
                "Alexia leaned a little more on the bar, one hand lifting from the counter to cover her grinning mouth. … It really was an excellent tit, pale and creamy in hue, contrasted by the shockingly pink tone of her areolae and pert nipple."
                "She almost wanted to join in the stomping and excited yells of approval that rippled throughout the room, but the goddess knew there was enough noise without Alexia adding to it."
            "Ophelia could get bawdy, but this… this was a first!"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "The exposure also bared the necklace-borne ring that Ophelia kept hidden in her cleavage; staring at it felt a little safer than her tit directly, even if it was too far for Alexia to make out anything but its golden lustre."
            else:
                "The exposure also bared the necklace-borne ring that Ophelia kept hidden in her cleavage, but Alexia’s eyes hooked instead on the minstrel’s now-naked flesh, like so many others."
            "Ophelia’s lacquered nails visibly pressed into her soft flesh, giving it a firm squeeze, tantalising her audience’s imagination with how it shifted the shape of her tit. Her other hand left her hip and started to trawl down towards her thighs, but stopped short, as though something seized her wrist."
            "Her expression contorted with faux-despair."
            ophe "Try as she might, the barmaid could not manage to reach her virgin cunt to fuck herself! The fiendish mage-cooper was a villainous bastard. So she did the next best thing, our barmaid."
            show cg1521 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Ophelia’s other hand shot up, grabbing at the other side of her top’s neckline. She waited only for the space of a breath before pulling it down, too, much to the audience’s pleasure. Her fingers sank into it just as easily as they did its sister."
            "The moan that followed was exaggerated, but not fake. When Ophelia next spoke, her voice had changed its tune just so, throatier and needful."
            ophe "“Someone, please!” she cried. “Someone please come fuck me!” Over and over again the barmaid begged, playing with her glorious breasts in the vain hopes that simply mauling them might prove to be enough. Had any of the brawlers heard her, they would have run cock-first to impale her!"
            ophe "Not a hint of foreplay. No tact!"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Ophelia paused, her hands shifting and her fingers going towards her nipples. As she gently brushed at them, the crowd quieted, waiting tensely to find out what befell… the barmaid."
                "The one that definitely wasn’t Alexia, even though it obviously was."
            else:
                "Ophelia paused, her hands shifting and her fingers going towards her nipples. As she gently brushed at them, the crowd quieted, waiting tensely to find out what befell the fictional Alexia."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                    "The real Alexia just hoped none of them would make the connection."
            #cg 2
            show cg1522 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1523 with dissolve
            pause 2
            ophe "Alas, no such brute answered her call! No one answered her call at all, in fact. An hour of pure torture followed, her body longing for what it couldn’t get, her need amplified by the foul fucking barrel’s spell."
            ophe "Our barmaid was lucky, though. One of the tavern’s guests finally awoke from her nap, bothered by the ruckus going on beneath her, and made her dainty, modest way down to see what was going on."
            ophe "What she saw matters not; only that she chose to descend into the cellar to get enough wine to knock herself out cold once more."
            #cg 2 - var 1
            show cg1524 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Ophelia smirked."
            ophe "She was a prim and proper lady– from Prothea, not unlike myself. An innocent noblewoman on the lark from her obligations, quite unlike me. Not once in her pious life had she ever done something untoward!"
            ophe "But just as the barmaid’s breasts were beloved, her ass was no less appreciated by all who beheld it."
            ophe "Including this innocent lady, of course. She was mesmerised, and knew only what was before her eyes: a round, ready ass wiggling back and forth, its owner inside a barrel and moaning out lewdly–"
            show cg1525 with dissolve
            pause 3
            ophe "“Fuck me! Please, oh please, someone come and fuck me already!” So the proper lady did what any one of us would do. She rushed over to the stranger’s ass and promised her solemnly–"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Once Alexia had gotten over the initial shock, she bent to collect the dropped tankard, thunking down the rest of what was on her tray before rushing back behind the safety of the bar. She tried to focus on her job, but the imagery was pervasive in her head."
                ophe "“I’ll fuck you, if you just ask me to.”"
            else:
                "She met Alexia’s eyes again as she said the words, her smile a simmering thing. The real barmaid shuddered."
                if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                    "Alexia drew in a breath, then bent to collect the dropped tankard. She thunked down the rest of what was on her tray before rushing back behind the bar, uncertain if she’d even get another round out there."
            ophe "“Yes, please! Just– just save my purity for marriage, please!” the barmaid squealed out–"
            "The tavern grew quiet once more, men and women alike listening closely as Ophelia spoke more softly."
            show cg1526 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "The language that Ophelia used to describe the rest of the story was– vivid, bordering on outlandishly crude in some parts. Alexia saw it in her mind more than she listened to it, closing her eyes and decisively putting off further work until the tale’s conclusion."
            "It was clear that despite being fundamentally opposite to Ophelia, the ‘proper lady’ was her stand-in within the story."
            "She sank to her knees behind the barmaid… behind Alexia, sliding up her skirt and sliding off her panties, leaving them around her ankles. Her painted lips left their mark over the back and insides of Alexia’s shaking thighs, nipping and licking."
            "It was a frustrating tease; the audience grew as impatient and eager for things to escalate as Alexia herself was. They were only placated by the sight of Ophelia’s real breasts out in the open, but Alexia pictured them out for the story’s sake, too– one hand playing with herself, the other gracing the barmaid’s body."
            "Alexia’s breathing quickened. Her real body longed for a real touch, but even with all eyes on Ophelia’s naked chest, there were far too many people nearby for her to even consider it. Relief was something she would have to find when she returned to Bloodmeen for the night."
            "… It was so very tempting, though. Especially once Ophelia began waxing poetic on Alexia’s wetness and the sweet taste of her cunt’s folds, She felt a warm throb flow through her, her need growing with each breathy syllable the salacious minstrel uttered."
            "After an hour of teasing herself, Alexia had gotten herself so close, but she hadn’t pushed herself over the edge. Ophelia’s tongue was more than fit for the task: it was perfect for it, unrushed despite the urgency with which Alexia wanted to cum."
            "At first it had been purely to escape the barrel, but an hour of denial had brought out her inner wanton."
            "One of her legs kicked up, toes curled."
            show cg1527 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "And then Alexia indeed hit her limit. She came, Ophelia granting her release from the barrel. Its interior expanded around her, and she sagged within its wooden confines, panting, one leg almost buckling beneath her."
            "She started to worm her way back out, but Ophelia… she didn’t know anything about the barrel’s true nature, that it was a fucking barrel. Alexia’s misfortune in the story was flipped on its head as Ophelia simply kept going and going–"
            show cg1528 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "For Alexia, supposedly saving herself from marriage, it was simultaneously too much and too little at once. Though Ophelia gave no indication of growing bored with her taste or whimpers, her fingers soon replaced her tongue, and her lips trailed higher, kissing to one side of the hole adjacent to her pussy, then the other."
            "As her expert fingers slipped slowly into Alexia’s squeezing cunt, Ophelia also introduced her tongue to that other hole, equally untouched within the bounds of the story."
            "Between the two, Alexia enjoyed no small sum of orgasms– something the story posited she had never enjoyed before, despite letting many village boys and girls and tavern guests finger her."
            "Which Alexia HADN’T in her real life, but–"
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "But listening to the story, Alexia could imagine herself living out every little word that came out of Ophelia’s sweet mouth."
            elif alexiaJezObedient:
                "But listening to the story, Alexia could imagine herself living out every little word that came out of Ophelia’s sweet mouth. Sans, perhaps, the boys."
            show cg1529 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "When it was all over Ophelia simply kissed Alexia’s pussy goodbye and left the woman to recover, without ever letting the barmaid see the face of her ass-eating, cunt-licking saviour’s face."
            "It was… a lot. The real Alexia came out from behind the bar with slightly-wobbly knees, the crowd coming back to life, demanding more of everything. More drinks, and more Ophelia. But the minstrel simply smiled at them, covering her chest back up as Alexia served up fresh tankards."
            "Just Alexia. At some point, Indarah and Jak had vanished from the room, but it was easy enough to tell they were in the backroom with all the sounds they were making. They were either fucking or fighting or doing both."
            "The next chance Alexia got to take a break, she sought the minstrel out, feeling like something needed to be said."
            "But Ophelia was gone. According to Indarah, she had absconded up the stairs with a female merchant. The only thing that she left behind in the tavern was another obscene tip tucked beneath a turned-over goblet on her former table."
            return

        "Alexia focused on her own work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Alexia chewed at her bottom lip, thunking down one sloshing tankard after another. Ophelia’s stories could be {i}very{/i} fun and engaging, but–"
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "They could get more than a little raunchy at times, too. There wasn’t always a warning attached to them when they were, but her commenting on tits and ass up front was a clear signal. And considering she had told Alexia that she had {i}inspired{/i} it?"
                if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                    "Alexia had a feeling listening too closely to the story would leave her mortified."
                else:
                    "Alexia had a feeling listening too closely to the story would leave her distracted."
                "She couldn’t help but catch hints of it and the patronage’s commentary over it, and over the course of the evening she couldn’t help but become aware that the ‘damsel in distress’ was a red-haired barmaid. A lot of the details seemed to match up with the huge brawl that happened the night before Ophelia’s return, too."
                "That ensured she was a very red-faced, red-haired barmaid for the rest of the night."
            else:
                show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
                "They could get more than a little raunchy at times, too. Alexia often enjoyed them, but tonight just wasn’t the kind of night that she could dump all the work on Indarah."
                "She tried to catch what she could of the story, but only got little bits and pieces of it– it was clear that its genesis was in the bar brawl that happened the night before Ophelia’s return, and that a central character was a red-haired barmaid, saved by a daring Prothean wanderer. From some kind of…"
                "Fucking barrel? There was a big emphasis on ‘fucking barrel’."
                "When Alexia asked Ophelia to explain, she just smiled and shrugged."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_43.rpy
label the_cake_rp:

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Castle Bloodmeen is full of surprises. But when Rowan came upon a note written on the corridor outside his room, the peculiar wording felt very surprising to the warrior."
    "‘There is delicious Cake in the Kitchen. First come, first serve,’ The note said, unsigned. The ridiculousness of the offer made him think of Jezera, but the crude handwriting ruled the demoness out."
    "Upon further examination of his surroundings, Rowan’s brown eyes noticed scrape marks on the stone floor in front of the note. It was obvious to the one-time scout that someone short had used a chair to get up to the right height, allowing them to mount the curious invitation."

    ro "… Somehow I doubt Skordred cooks cake. "

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    scene black with fade

    "This left only one person - or rather group - on the suspect list. Knowing better than to let what could be a rare opportunity slip him by, he wasted no time heading out."

    "Entering the kitchen, Rowan found himself proven right. Two goblins stood on a wooden table, with one coated in flour. Cla-Min the younger let out a startled peep and then hopped off the table to hide and clean herself up. Her mother Cla-Min, gave Rowan a big wide grin."

    scene cg1530 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1531 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1530
    show clamin happy behind cg1530

    cla "Hello Rowan. Fancied a cut of cake did you? Well, it’s ready and waiting. "
    ro "Care to join me?"
    cla "What? Oh… I would, but it’s just too sweet for my tongue."

    show cg1532 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1534 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Rowan studied the cake and then settled into a chair in front of it. It was a double-layered catastrophe, already starting to perilously lean to one side."
    "The younger Goblin woman appeared beside him, having quickly scrubbed her face clean. With a delighted smile, Cla-Mini reached her green hands up, giving Rowan a fork and plate."

    cla "It was all Min’s idea actually. Be a dear and try it out. I know Humans always love a good cake."

    "Cla-Min walked across the table to get closer to Rowan. He noticed shiny new earrings on the Goblin woman’s knife-like ears."

    ro "(She is dressed to the nines, today.)"

    "The matriarch of her clan braced her fingers together in front of his eyes. With the cake between them, Cla-min reached her hands up, slowly opening them as she spoke."

    cla "Imagine it, Cla-Min’s Cake Emporium. Or Cakes by Cla-Min, the sweetest Goblin you’ll ever know."

    "Rowan sliced off a piece of the cake and then placed it on his plate."

    ro "I don’t know about sweetest, but no one can ever say you’re not always looking for a new deal."
    cla "What a funny coincidence, As a matter of fact, I actually have a perfect new deal in need of a brave and handsome partner like yourself."

    "The cake froze midway to his lips. He knew it - this was all leading into something. "

    menu:
        "Eat the cake.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cg1533 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Cla-Mini waited nervously nearby. When Rowan admitted that the cake had a good taste, it was as if Cla-Min’s young daughter had just found herself a big shining gem."
            $ rowanAteCake = True

        "Eat the cake, but radiate disapproval.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cg1533 with dissolve
            pause 3
            cla "Oh enough with the sour-grapes face, Rowan. Consider the cake as… well... the icing on the cake for a wonderful opportunity your favorite Goblin has brought you."
            ro "You’re lucky it tastes good."
            "Hearing that, Cla-Mini let out an excited and gleeful cheer and thanked him for his kind words."
            cla "Hah. Luck had nothing to do with it. Now, can we get down to business?"
            $ rowanAteCake = True

        "“You lied to me with cake!”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            cla "Psh. I deceived you into enjoying a free meal, call the town guards! If you’d stop glowering at me for a minute, you’ll realize I have a perfectly good reason for my culinary cunning."
            $ rowanAteCake = False

    cla "A little rat brought me a juicy treat, recently. It piqued my interest, after doing some digging of my own, I, Cla-Min, know the location of a magical relic. We’re talking ancient relic too, not your grandad’s lucky socks."

    show cg1535 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Rowan put down the fork and leaned his head to the side, studying the devilishly mischievous Goblin woman."

    ro "How’d you hear about this relic? And what is it supposed to do?"
    cla "I won’t bore you with the full story, though know bribes, dice, and busty barmaids were involved. As to what it does…"
    cla "It’s not exactly clear. It’s said to date several hundred years, and has been in possession of - wait for it! - Karnas himself at one point, and was supposedly granted to his officers as a sign of favour."
    ro "Of unknown powers then, possibly cursed or corrupted, if not both. I’m sure the twins would love to know of it."
    cla "Ah, but here’s the catch! "

    if rowanAteCake == True:
        "Rowan raised his fingers, making the goblin matriarch pause. He finished the last piece of cake, then wiped his mouth and turned to the younger of the two."
        ro "It really was delicious. Excellent job, Mini."
        clamini "Thank you!"
        "Beaming with joy, Cla-Mini moved to clean the plates up. Rowan turned to Cla-min again, and motioned for her to continue."

    cla "Yes, the twins do pay a finders fee, but we both know they prefer gifts to gossip, especially Lady Jezera."
    ro "I think she likes both."
    cla "Alright, bad example, but the point stands! If I whisper that juicy piece of info into our mistress’ keen ear, I can expect, at best, a meager reward. But if we team up and find the relic ourselves…"
    ro "We could both earn her favour."
    cla "Indeed. I propose we split it fifty-fifty, Rowan. My resources and information, your expertise and leadership. What do you say? "

    "Rowan tapped the table, thinking. If the relic really did belong to Karnas at some point, then finding it really could lead to a nice reward. And if it proved to be too evil or valuable to deliver to the twins… Then perhaps he could conveniently “lose it”, or convince Cla-Min to deliver it to someone else."
    "… Or maybe use it himself."

    ro "Is the relic located in Rosaria?"

    "Cla-Min shook her head - but did so with a smile. She leaned in, and lowered her voice. "

    cla "I don’t know the details of the great game you’re playing with the twins, but don’t worry, I won’t ask you to reveal your hand. Luckily for us both, I’ve been dealing with the twins for a while now, and Jezera owes me more than she’d like."
    cla "I could think of no better way to cash in that favour than for some quality time with the Grand Trickster himself!"
    ro "… Wasn’t the whole point of this hunt to gain her favour?"
    cla "You have to spend money to earn money! Come on Rowan, that’s what business is all about!"

    "He let out a sigh. He had a gnawing suspicion the whole ordeal wasn’t as straightforward as Cla-Min painted it - it was almost a guarantee, even the cake had a catch - but with some annoyance, he realized it mattered little."
    "He had precious few opportunities to act outside of the twin’s jurisdiction. He couldn’t refuse this one, even if it came with a catch."

    ro "Alright, I’m in. Tell me the details."

    "Cla-Min jumped up with excitement, causing her bosom to jiggle in front of his eyes. She started to hastily explain everything to him, and after half an hour, Rowan was already putting a plan together."

    return

# \events\jobs\alexia forge 3.rpy
label sword_of_silvrada_rp:

    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
    $ greyhideRelationship = False
    $ earlyEnd = False

    "Skip to the scene? There is a lot dialogue before it"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ greyhideRelationship = 'alexia'
            $ earlyEnd = True
            jump sword_of_silvrada_rp_skip
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Alexia had sex with Greyhide? (affects CG)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene)":
            $ greyhideRelationship = 'alexia'
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg22 with fade

    "The heavy clank of hot metal echoed through the hallways surrounding the forge. Alexia waited patiently as bulky orcs carried wooden crates through the threshold, stacking them with little care before leaving to fetch another."
    "She ducked in between one of their runs, the heat of the fireplace brandishing her cheeks red. Alexia stood out of the way as another orc entered, the contents of his crate clacking together before he dropped it onto the floor."
    "Amidst the tower of crates stood Greyhide, his wide figure jutting out between the shipment. He hoisted one of the crates into his arms, grunting a little under its weight."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    al "Let me help you."

    "Alexia rushed to his side, her thin arms stretched toward the crate, but Greyhide gently lifted out of reach."

    gh "Careful, little one. They are quite heavy."
    al "It's no trouble. I would feel bad making you carry them on your own."
    al "They are heavy, aren't they?"
    gh "They are. I would not burden you with such a task."

    "Alexia waited a moment longer, wondering if he might change his mind. Greyhide maneuvered around her and, feeling useless, Alexia stepped aside."

    al "What is all of this, anyway?"
    gh "A shipment from the Rosarian mines."

    "Greyhide set the crate down and pried it open with ease, revealing a hoard of shining purple metal. He took a piece out and held it close to his eye for inspection."

    gh "Yes. This will do."
    al "What is it?"

    "Greyhide passed her one of the purple ores. Alexia turned it over between her fingers, admiring the sparkling glint it gave against the fire's glow. It felt heavy in her hand, more so than she had anticipated."

    gh "That is {i}silvrada{/i}. It is a special ore formed within crystallized volcanic ash. It is quite difficult to acquire, and even rarer to create."
    al "Why is it purple?"
    gh "It has to do with the cooling process. It will not stay that color, sadly. Once it is forged, the metal underneath will turn black."
    al "That's a shame. It's so pretty."

    #show greyhide happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Greyhide chuckled, the sound coming out in a low rumble."

    gh "You are not the only one to think so. Many clashes have been fought over silvrada. This is my first time seeing it up close."

    "Alexia set the ore back into the crate. Now that she could peer inside, she realized how little of it there was; most of the crate had been bulked with straw."

    al "What are you going to use it for?"
    gh "It has many uses. Some make it into jewelry, others into armour."
    gh "But I think it is perfect for forging weapons."

    "There was a gleam in Greyhide's soft smile, the hint of an implication tugging at his snout. Alexia ransacked her brain for the meaning behind it before the realization struck her."

    al "Do you think we could forge a sword for Rowan out of this?"
    gh "It is possible."

    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia's chest swelled with excitement. It had only been an idle suggestion before, but the idea of giving Rowan a newly crafted sword–one of such rarity, no less–that {i}she{/i} helped create filled her with a sense of pride."
    "Greyhide saw the eager light in her eyes and gently held up a hand, as if he could physically put a stop to it."

    "Do not be discouraged, little one, but the welp has requested they be used for the army. I must finish his order first."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Alexia nodded. She didn't want to take away from Andras's inventory, especially for something so personal."

    else:
        "Alexia nodded, some of her initial happiness dimmed. Of course Andras would get first priority of the metal; she should have realized that sooner."

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "I understand."

    "With the way Andras demanded things, she very much doubted there would be enough ore leftover to fashion Rowan a sword. Perhaps, if she was lucky, they could manage a dagger or a ring."
    "Her disappointment must have been obvious because Greyhide placed a large, gentle hand on her shoulder for comfort."

    gh "You ought to return to me after your work is finished. Then we shall see what we are working with."
    al "Of course."

    "Greyhide smiled and pulled away, casting his attention back to the stack of crates in the corner."

    gh "It would seem we both have much work to do today."

    scene bg22 with fade

    "With a slight huff through his nostrils, Greyhide moved to the next crate. Alexia left him to his work, certain she would be in the way otherwise."
    "….."
    "Alexia's muscles were stiff by the time she meandered back down to the forge, each step another ache against the soles of her feet."
    "Work had been an exhausting effort today, but Alexia was determined to push through it. She had half a mind to crawl into bed and rest, but the idea that Greyhide just {i}might{/i} have some {i}silvrada{/i} leftover was motivation enough."
    "Her heart raced–far more than her sluggish steps–as she walked to the forge. Yet, when it came time to go inside, she paused."
    "What if there weren't any ores left? Well, Alexia was expecting that–or so she had convinced herself–but it still disappointed her to think about. She had spent much of her shift picturing how she would give it to Rowan, what his reaction might be, what he would look like wielding it on his travels."
    "{i}It's not as if I'll never get a chance to make him a sword{/i}, she told herself. But it would certainly be nice if that sword came from silvrada now that she was aware of its existence."

    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Tempering her expectations, Alexia braced herself and stepped into the forge."
    "The stacks of crates were gone, all of the ores and materials set into their respective organizational holds. Alexia admired the newly forged weaponry as she passed by, their points a shimmering black."
    "Greyhide was hunched over his anvil, his large muscles taut as he brought down his hammer upon another fine piece of equipment."
    "Alexia lingered back and watched in awed silence. Each movement was precise like a painter, each stroke a work of art. There was something magical about the transformation of raw, heated metals into something practical. Something strong."

    #show greyhide happy at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "He must have felt her lingering gaze. Greyhide paused his work, his lips quirking into a small smile when he spotted Alexia amidst his finished weapons."

    gh "There you are, little one. The work was not too imposing on you, was it?"

    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia smiled warmly in return, her muscles relaxing."

    al "Nothing more than I can handle."
    gh "Come. I have something for you to see."

    "The bull gestured her forward, and Alexia gasped as he moved to display his work on the anvil."
    "A black sword shone against the firelight, the metal sharp and ominous. It was incomplete, with empty spots along the polished gray handle, but the black {i}silvrada{/i} blade was sleek and smooth with a sharp, deadly point."
    "Alexia ran her fingers lightly along the blade's surface before she could stop herself."

    al "It's beautiful."
    gh "I am humbled you think so. It is not as large as the other blades, but it will do nicely."
    gh "There was not much ore left. I am glad to have finished with this one. I hope he will enjoy it."
    al "This is for Rowan?"
    gh "If you think he will accept it."
    al "Oh, yes! Yes, he certainly will."
    al "I'm sure that he'll love it."
    gh "Greyhide's smile widened into a genuine grin. "
    gh "That would please me very much."

    "Hoisting the hammer from his shoulder, Greyhide gestured toward the sword."

    gh "Would you like to do the finishing touches?"
    al "What should I do?"
    gh "The blade is finished, but the hilt is not."

    "Greyhide lifted the handle from the blade for emphasis; apparently it had just been set there for show."

    gh "The cross guard is complete, but we must finish the grip and pommel and hammer the hilt in. Do you think you are up for the task?"

    show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia nodded, her nerves catching up with her as she plucked the handle from his oversized hand and examined it. She realized with a pang of embarrassment that she had no idea what to do with it."
    "Noticing her confusion, Greyhide placed a few molds onto the anvil."

    gh "There are a few common designs you can use for a pommel, but it is wise to make something that has meaning to the swordsman."
    gh "I do not think you are ready for carving. Choose a cast you think he will enjoy."
    al "Alright."

    "Something Rowan would like, hmm? Alexia racked her brain as she examined one cast from the next, uncertainty building in her chest."
    "She put the more complicated ones to the side. Rowan was a simplistic man; anything too gaudy would put him off."
    "Picking up one of the casts, Alexia held it out to Greyhide."

    al "I think this one will work nicely."
    gh "Then we shall pour the metal. This way, little one. Be careful."

    "Alexia followed Greyhide to the fire where a cast iron pot of molten metal swirled inside. Reaching above the fireplace, he passed her a large, heavy pair of gloves."

    gh "Put these on. I do not want you to burn yourself."
    gh "Pick up the pot and pour the metal into the cast."

    "Alexia followed his instructions as Greyhide placed the cast onto the floor. Crouching down, she poured the metal into the mold, careful not to spill any onto the floor."
    "When it was finished, Alexia set the pot aside."

    al "What do we do now?"
    gh "We wait. It will cool, and we will place it on top."
    gh "Until then, you may attach the hilt to the blade."

    "Removing her gloves, Alexia followed Greyhide back to the anvil."

    gh "First, we hammer down the tang. It is what will go into the grip and hold it together."

    "The great bull moved the other materials from the anvil, leaving only a smaller hammer and the blade. It was then Alexia noticed a smaller metal joint sticking up from the opposite end of the blade."
    "Taking up her hammer, Alexia got to work. She felt Greyhide's eyes on her as she tried to piece it together, his brown eyes warm with approval."
    "She followed each of his instructions thoroughly, moving from hammering the tang to attaching the finished cross guard, then building the grip out of soft but firm leather. Greyhide checked her work along the way, tightening things as needed."

    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

    "With each step, Alexia felt a surge of pride at her work. More than a gift for Rowan, she was bringing something to life with her own two hands. Did Greyhide feel this proud of every piece he made as well?"
    "Wiping the sweat from her brow, Alexia took a step back to admire her work thus far. It was so nearly complete."

    gh "It is time for the last step."

    "Greyhide set the cast down on the anvil and pried it open, revealing a metal pommel in a pear shape."

    gh "You must hammer it in at the top."

    "Alexia took the pommel in her hand, its weight bearing more in significance than ounces."
    "Leveling it over the top of the hilt, she struck her hammer down."

    label sword_of_silvrada_rp_skip:
        if earlyEnd:
            scene bg22 with fade
            show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

        if greyhideRelationship == 'alexia' or greyhideRelationship == 'poly':
            "It was a difficult task, more so than Alexia had anticipated. The length of the sword paired with her unskilled aim made it difficult to hit the pommel in correctly, and each strike felt lopsided and incorrect."
            "Greyhide watched each of her movements, the concern practically radiating off of his large body. Frustrated, she yanked it back, resigning herself to starting over."
            gh "If you do not mind, I will help you with this step."
            "Alexia bit her lip, half tempted to turn him down. But if she wanted to get this done tonight, perhaps she needed an extra pair of hands."
            al "If you wouldn't mind."
            "Stepping behind her, Greyhide overlapped his hands with hers as he helped guide her hammer over the pommel."
            show alexia forge aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "The bull's warmth pressed against her back, competing against the heat of the fireplace. Alexia felt her cheeks flush as she hammered away, though she was not entirely convinced it was due to the high temperature of the forge."

            menu:
                "Kick things up a notch. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Perhaps it was the heat, or maybe it was the idea of creating something together that excited her, but Alexia found herself staring up at the bull from below, hardly focused on the hammer's movements."
                    gh "You must have a firm grip. It will not…"
                    "Greyhide trailed off when he saw the look in Alexia's eye, his soft brown eyes glimpsing at the cleavage of her dress."
                    "Reaching up on her tiptoes, Alexia pressed a kiss to the underside of his jaw. The bull shuddered, his large hands loosening on the hammer. It fell to the ground, forgotten."
                    "Alexia continued her assault on his jaw, reaching her hands up around his thick neck to press closer. Greyhide's touch was softer, more hesitant as he grazed her waist and hips with his fingertips."
                    al "We've been working all day. Why don't we take a break?"
                    gh "What about the sword?"
                    "But she could tell the bull had lost his conviction. He lifted her skirt slowly, his hands running between her thighs. She shuddered beneath his touch."
                    al "There's a different sword I want to work on right now."
                    show cg1536 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Pressing herself against the anvil, Alexia hoisted the rest of her skirt up, giving the bull a full view of her wetness underneath. Greyhide let out a sharp exhale, and shortly after, Alexia felt the press of his thick cock between her legs."
                    "Greyhide held her hips steady as he thrust against her from behind. His member grew slick with her fluids as it rubbed up against her, his tip caressing her clit."
                    al "Mmph… Yes…"
                    show cg1537 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "Alexia ground her pussy against him, each rub of his cock against her body tightening that knot in her lower belly."
                    "Her legs tightened against him as Greyhide's movements picked up, his fingers carving into her hips as he pressed her further against the anvil. Alexia moaned, her toes curling with each frenzied knead against her clit."
                    show cg1538 with sshake
                    show cg1538 with sshake
                    show cg1539 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Her lower body shook against him with her orgasm, pressing further and further against his body until the bull finished as well, his seed splattering against the anvil."
                    "They took a moment to catch their breath, the excitement of their quickie fading as they realized they still had a job to do."
                    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve
                    al "…So, we should probably finish that sword–"
                    gh "Yes, I would agree."
                    "Greyhide hastily cleaned up as Alexia composed herself. Picking up the hammer, they resumed their work on the hilt."
                    scene bg22 with fade
                    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
                    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

                "Work hard for Rowan's sake.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve
                    pass

        else:
            "It was difficult work, but Alexia was determined to finish off the blade herself. Each slam of her hammer against the pommel was another resounding echo of her love for Rowan, her ambition to give him a gift from the heart."

        if earlyEnd:
            return

        "Sweat pricked her hairline as she worked, falling in tiny beads down her face. But the sword took on a proper shape with each hard clang of her hammer. Gratification overcame her as Alexia finally pulled the hammer back and examined her work."

        gh "I would say that is finished. What do you think? "
        al "There's only one way to find out."

        "With all of the confidence in the world, Alexia grabbed the sword's hilt and swung it high above her head with a satisfying {i}swoosh{/i}!"
        "Her confidence did not last long."

        show alexia forge shocked at midleft with dissolve

        "The sword came down in an instant, far too heavy for her to hold, and Alexia let out a startled shriek as the blade swung down in a loud clatter against the floor."
        "Greyhide struggled to contain his laughter as he picked up the blade by the hilt, examining the sword for damage."

        gh "Are you alright?"

        show alexia forge neutral at midleft with dissolve

        al "I-I think so."
        gh "No, little one, I was talking to the blade."

        "It took a moment for Alexia to register his joke, to understand the playful smile on the bull's lips as he gently set the sword back down on the anvil."

        gh "Swords are not toys. You are lucky the blade did not fall toward you."

        "Alexia tugged at the collar of her dress, heated shame making it impossible to meet his gaze."

        al "…I suppose you're right. I was a little too excited."
        gh "It is fine. Excitement is warranted. You have crafted a fine blade."

        show alexia forge happy at midleft with dissolve

        "She looked back at the sword with a sense of accomplishment. Greyhide had done most of the work, but it still felt nice to put on the finishing touches."
        "Perhaps one day she could manage to forge something on her own without help."

        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        ro "Are you having a party down here without me?"

        "Alexia jumped, instinctively stepping in front of the blade to hide it with her skirt as Rowan wandered into the forge. He smiled at the two before turning his attention to the weapons on display."

        ro "Andras wanted an update; these look amazing, Greyhide. Excellent work."
        gh "Thank you, Rowan. The welp's deadline was not ideal, but the work is done."

        "Rowan snorted softly, nodding in agreement."

        ro "You don't need to tell me twice. Unreasonable is an understatement."

        "He paused, an eyebrow raising as he eyed Greyhide and Alexia and their suspicious placement in front of the anvil."

        ro "…I know that look. What are you up to?"

        "Alexia and Greyhide shared a look before Greyhide nodded. Stepping aside, Alexia gestured toward the newly forged sword atop the anvil."

        al "Surprise!"

        show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Rowan blinked, confused as he stepped forward and saw the shimmering black metal."

        ro "What is this?"
        al "It's for you. A present."

        if greyhideRelationship == 'rowan' or greyhideRelationship == 'poly':
            gh "We hope you enjoy it."

        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve

        "Careful, Rowan ran a hand over the blade. Alexia beamed as she recognized the excitement on her husband's face as he admired the sword."

        if greyhideRelationship == 'rowan' or greyhideRelationship == 'poly':
            ro "Did the two of you make this?"
            gh "Yes."
            al "Greyhide did most of it. I was only able to help at the end."

        else:
            ro "Did you make this yourself, Alexia?"
            "As much as she wanted to take the credit, she shook her head."
            al "I only helped at the end. Greyhide did most of the work."

        gh "It would not be a finished blade without your help, little one. It is as much your accomplishment as it is mine."

        "Alexia bit back a smile, unable to ignore the swell of pride in her chest."

        ro "It's wonderful. You two outdid yourselves."
        ro "Let's try it out!"

        "Rowan picked up the blade in one fell swoop, swinging it up high into the air. It was as majestic as Alexia had pictured during her shift."
        "Greyhide leaned in beside Alexia, his voice low as he whispered to her."

        gh "…In case you have never seen it, that is how you hold a sword. "

        "Alexia scowled playfully and elbowed the bull in the side. Greyhide chuckled."

    return

# \events\fey\arzyl dialogue.rpy
label arzyl_banquet_rp:

    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ skillCheck = "success"
    $ rowanPerception = 0
    $ rowanDiplomacy = 10
    $ rowanBrawn = 10
    $ forgeLevel = 10
    $ tavernLevel = 10
    $ dryad_side = "isdruel"
    $ earlyEnd = False
    $ arzylName = "Arzyl"
    $ arzylFavour = 20 # Forcing this for the replay

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ earlyEnd = True
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            jump arzylBanquetSex_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan or Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Alexia":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Both":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither":
            pass

    # $ arzylDialogueStage = 3
    # $ arzylDialogueAvailable = False

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan stood before the towering doors of the throne room like a man about to stride onto a battlefield."
    "Arzyl, arm in arm with him, cast a furtive glance in his direction. She smiled sweetly at his grim expression."

    arz "Well, Rowan… are you ready?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "About as ready as I’ll ever be."

    "Arzyl let out a soft {i}tsk{/i}. Her grip tightened on him."

    #arz happy

    arz "Oh, don’t be so shy, my lovely!"
    arz "You may not enjoy such political niceties, but I assure you: they’re essential. As time goes by and Bloodmeen’s stature grows, they’ll only ever grow more commonplace."

    #arz aroused

    arz "And - it must be said - you look {i}ravishing{/i} this evening."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I’m not some debutante for you to display at the ball."

    #arz neutral

    arz "-Nor is this your first revolution around the diplomatic turntable. You know as well as I do that a toast of wine at dinner can buy a thousand swords on a battlefield."

    "The sound of laughter petering in from beyond the throne room doors caused Rowan’s brow to tighten."

    ro "Let’s get this over with."

    #arz happy

    arz "After {i}you{/i}, my lovely!"

    "The doors parted for them, and they stepped into a throne room transformed."

    scene cg1553 with fade
    pause 3

    "Gossamer strands of multifarious colors wound about the room like spiderweb threads, caressing tables and coating the stone floor in curving, coiling patterns and images. It was soft and downy to the touch, making the ground almost carpet-like, yet soft to tread."
    "Great torches had been erected in the rafters, casting merry yellow light upon the rows and rows of feasting tables that covered nearly half the room."
    "At one corner was erected a tall platform, whence a cadre of mortal minstrels performed a saucy tune. Their lilting, trilling voices only just carried over the heavy chatter of the assembled guests, who crowded the open floor like packed sardines."
    "Down one long side of the hall great banquet tables had been set. Rowan watched in mouth-watering awe as servants carried out great loaves of fluffy bread, mounds of leeks, carrots, sweet corn, and turnips white and yellow."
    "They hoisted up fresh boar on a spit, roasted duck swimming in a creamy white sauce, and trenchers dripping full of venison stewed with beer and butter."
    "Great casks of wine were carted in, borne in barrels so aged the oak itself was coated in moss. When the spigots were turned however, wine of a bright, shimmering gold emerged, filling the glasses and goblets of all who cared to partake."
    "And more. So so much more besides. This was no feast, this was a gourmand’s dream."
    "There was an otherworldly beauty to the banquet, a jovial air that went beyond mere decoration or music. Rowan had to stop himself before he broke out into a bright smile."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinleft
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with moveinleft

    ro "Your people prepared all this in a {i}day{/i}?"
    arz "Industrious, aren’t they? We are quite fond of banquets."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "In addition to the braziers, bright candles of glowing blue balefire hovered in the air, as if conjured from the aether."
    "The tables, upon closer inspection, were closer to wood sculptures than actual seating arrangements: looking for all the world like a grove of mossy trees bent and shaped into the form of seating arrangements."
    "And there, above in the far rafters: the twinkling of colored stars. Not stars, but jewels. Some as big as one’s fist, collected into rainbow constellations that swept the sky of the room."
    "The sound of ethereal music rolled over everything, adding an ecstatic, urgent calling to the festive atmosphere."
    "Some guests were dressed in their finest velvets, others in full body armor. No matter where Rowan looked, however, there were smiles on all their faces. Quite the feat, for a place as grim as Bloodmeen."

    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "An Orc dressed in a fanciful garb banged a large staff upon the stony floor, the loud {i}smacking{/i} reverberating across the room and bringing everyone’s attention to the fore."

    if society_type == "might":
        orcher "Introducing Sir Rowan Blackwell! Steward of Bloodmeen, Hero of Rosaria, Paramount Knight, General of the Twins, slayer of Demons and conqueror of realms!"

    else:
        orcher "Introducing Lord Rowan Blackwell! Steward of Bloodmeen, Hero of Rosaria, Paramount Knight, General of the Twins, slayer of Demons and conqueror of realms!"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "A loud titter swept across the crowd as all eyes turned to Rowan. Despite his stoic expression a rare blush crept up his face."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan cast a side eye at this party’s instigator, but Arzyl remained dutifully blank faced, watching the Herald patiently for her own introduction. After the murmuring died down, a second pounding of the staff ensued."

    orcher "Introducing Ambassador Arzyl, Lady of the Midnight Court and Representative of Queen Kassandra of the Fae."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    hide wild orc with dissolve

    "A muted clapping ensued, and Arzyl bowed her head in contrition to the Herald’s kind words. Rowan raised an eyebrow."

    ro "Quite the humble resume you gave yourself. Especially when compared to what was said about me."

    #arz happy

    "Arzyl smiled, though never made eye contact, her gaze sweeping across the assorted guests who cast furtive glances at them as they strode into the throne room."

    #arz neutral

    arz "A proper entrance is arguably the single most important interaction one can have! It sets the tone, and spins the guise with which we surround ourselves."
    ro "So you underplay your status?"
    arz "Quite the opposite! My titles and positions in the Midnight Court mean little and nothing to mortals. Those here who do know it’s import hold me in high esteem already."
    arz "Conversely, my stature is increased a {i}hundredfold{/i} if the “Hero of Rosaria” deigns to take a lowly ambassador from an unknown realm as his equal for an evening."
    ro "-Despite the fact that you invited {i}me{/i}."

    #arz happy

    "Her smile grew and grew."

    arz "Quite right, my lovely. The truth - much like a whore - is valued far more for its appearance than the mundane reality."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…I see the guests are waiting for us."

    "Arzyl beamed at his tactful response."

    arz "Then let us not keep them waiting!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #arz neutral

    $ banquetCourtiersSeen = False
    $ banquetDignitariesSeen = False
    $ banquetMemberSeen = False
    $ dignitariesRaeveSeen = False
    $ dignitariesDelfsSeen = False
    $ dignitariesDorfsSeen = False

    label arzylBanquetMenu_rp:

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        menu:
            "May we speak to your courtiers first?" if banquetCourtiersSeen == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ banquetCourtiersSeen = True
                hide arzyl with moveoutright
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinleft
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
                "Arzyl tittered, fluttering her eyelashes at him as she steered him towards a multifarious cohort of gussied up humanoids standing in the center of - yet distinctly apart from - the party, like a seed amidst soil."
                "As he approached he took in the sheer wonder of the sight of them: like walking into a different world entirely."
                "They were ethereal in their beauty, delicate in their movements. Some were tall, taller than even an Orc, but spindly in body, as if a shallow breeze might break them apart into seafoam."
                "Others were short, diminutive, sporting thick noses and even thicker brows. Heads like boulders hewn from rock, and grassy beards the color of the ocean."
                "All of them - be they human sized or ogre sized were beautiful, without exception. They carried with them distinctly Faelike characteristics: horns, claws, elongated toes or overthin fingers."
                "Their clothing was as resplendent as they were: loose fitting gowns and sharply cut tunics of a far more libertine style than one would find amongst stuffy Rosarian nobility."
                "They were a colourful bunch, both in demeanor and in clothing. Everywhere one looked there were vibrant reds and oranges, shimmering blues and purples, electric yellows and greens. When Rowan felt their gazes fall upon him, he saw those same colors in their otherworldly eyes."
                if society_type == "might":
                    arz "Sir Rowan, allow me to introduce to you some of the finest members of the Midnight Court."
                else:
                    arz "Lord Rowan, allow me to introduce to you some of the finest members of the Midnight Court."
                arz "This is but a sampling of our full glory, of course. I handpicked those who would be in attendance, based on the latest developments in the court during my absence."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…Developments?"
                arz "The Midnight Court is the {i}pinnacle{/i} of Fae society, orbiting our dear Queen Kassandra in waiting on her hand-and-foot."
                arz "Such proximity to her luminosity is a coveted position. Everyone always wants a… closer look."
                arz "You can imagine that such jostling for position can breed a bit of squabbling."
                #arz happy
                arz "But enough about politics, you simply {i}must{/i} say hello!"
                "As Rowan stepped up he felt the multifarious eyes of over a dozen immortals turn their gazes upon him. They enclosed him like a circle, with only Arzyl’s steady hand upon his shoulder to ground him to reality."
                "A pale, grinning female extended her hand to Rowan, chitinous black armor encircling her arm up to the wrist. After a moment's hesitation, Rowan took it. She smiled warmly at him, showing pearlescent teeth filed into points."
                arz "May I introduce: Lady Ordspythe of the Seven Wings."
                "Lady Ordspythe’s eyes narrowed on Rowan’s features, studying them with black-eyed intensity."
                arz "Lady Ordspythe? This is that charming mortal I told you about: Rowan Blackwell."
                ords "…The little {i}Seneschal{/i}? Lady Arzyl, you’ve caught me quite off guard! I did not expect such an august introduction so soon into the party!"
                if society_type == "might":
                    ords "How do you do, Sir Rowan? A pleasure to meet you!"
                else:
                    ords "How do you do, Lord Rowan? A pleasure to meet you!"
                "Rowan saw what Arzyl was doing, and so he played the part of the country bumpkin. Better her courtiers think him just another plaything."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "The pleasure is all mine."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Begging your pardon milady, but if such is your name, then where are your wings?"
                "Lady Ordspythe giggled, reaching with too long fingers to deftly cover her laughter. She fluttered her eyelashes."
                ords "Why, right in front of you! What do you think I’m wearing?"
                "The Fae pirouetted on bifurcated knees, swiveling in place as Rowan got a closer look at her “outfit.” What he mistook to be diagonal spiraling designs of colors on loose-fitting, fluffy fabric turned out to be the folded edges of her wings, wrapped around her like a shawl."
                "Arzyl nodded at her, and the frilly Fae nodded back, bowing her head in deference. Rowan felt her scaly hand slip from his grasp."
                #arz neutral
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "And so it went, one dizzying introduction after the next. The greetings grew more perfunctory the farther down the line it went. Arzyl breezed past a squat, multi-limbed portly man with nary a glance."
                arz "-And there is Garthor, the self-styled “Lord of Termites,” though I hear his deposed wife intends to make a comeback this midsummer. I suppose we’ll have to see which one ultimately eats the other."
                "She gestured blithely towards the creature next to him: a long-necked, wall eyed fellow with a hunched back and a too-long mouth. His skin was the color and texture of a frog’s."
                arz "Harudyz the Speckle-spined — how like a fish out of water he is! A master of the flute, and of bone carving. He sometimes likes to mix the hobbies."
                arz "I think you’ll quite enjoy his music, he is part of the entertainment for this evening."
                #arz angry
                "Marching together past the menagerie of ethereal beings, they at last came to a halt at the feet of the final courtier. Arzyl’s lip curled at the sight of her."
                "She was small, for a Fae. Yet beautiful beyond words. Her long, body length hair was a dark void, her eyes bright white and twinkling. She was slender, almost delicate, and pale as the moonlight."
                arz "-And lastly, {i}of course{/i}, is Jocelyn Star-Christened. A recent addition to our upper echelon."
                #arz neutral
                arz "Really, I quite preferred her sun-kissed sister. But, such is the way of duels."
                "Jocelyn hopped forward and smiled eagerly, as if she hadn’t heard a thing Arzyl had just said about her. She ignored Rowan completely, her black as night hair drooping to the ground from her obsequious bowing."
                joce "My lady, it is an honour-"
                #arz angry
                "Arzyl’s hand was in her face waving her off almost before she started speaking."
                arz "Enough. You are here to greet my guest, not bandy words with me."
                "Shaken by the rebuke, Jocelyn hurriedly turned to Rowan to properly bow and scrape, but already Arzyl was moving away."
                "She hustled Rowan onwards, peeling him off from the covetous stares the Fae courtiers gave him. He saw the look of jealousy in their eyes, both of murderous hostility and of tortured longing."
                #arz neutral
                "As if a spell had been broken, they began to disperse amongst the crowds, moving to mingle with their mortal counterparts. They reminded Rowan of nothing so much as a pack of wolves set loose to hunt."
                "He waited till they were all safely out of earshot to comment on the matter."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "That was… interesting."
                arz "High praise indeed! I pride myself on keeping things interesting for the Queen. There is nothing quite so distressing as a dull day at court."
                ro "They look like they’d all kill me - or {i}eat me{/i} - if they had the chance."
                "Arzyl giggled, grinning slyly at him as if he’d told a bawdy joke."
                arz "And they would! But they shan’t. Because I will not suffer such distractions."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "And Queen Kassandra is at ease allowing her people to scheme and bicker in such a manner?"
                #arz neutral
                arz "Her resplendent majesty is not the type to interfere with the minutiae of court."
                arz "So long as the trappings of tradition and niceties are observed, she does not look overlong at the shadows whence one might lurk."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "So is she naive, or simply consciously oblivious?"
                #arz happy
                "Arzyl tittered."
                arz "If the result is the same, who is to say which is true?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…I am beginning to see why you were made Ambassador, Lady Arzyl."
                arz "I’m glad you were paying attention."
                #arz neutral
                jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

            "Perhaps we can mingle with some dignitaries from other realms" if dignitariesRaeveSeen == False or dignitariesDelfsSeen == False or dignitariesDorfsSeen == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if banquetDignitariesSeen == False:
                    $ banquetDignitariesSeen = True
                    arz "Yes! Yes, of course. It’s practically the reason why we’re here, isn’t it? Sizing up the competition."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I’d be cautious throwing such words around, Ambassador. Ideally, we are {i}all{/i} aligned in our mutual interests."
                    "Arzyl rolled her eyes. She leaned a little closer to Rowan, her voice a breathy whisper in his ear."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    arz "Yes, and not a single battle in history was won due to the timely defection of a treasured “ally.” Let us not be reductive, my lovely."
                    arz "If {i}everyone{/i} could be on your side, there’d be no need for war at all. You must choose your friends just as carefully as you choose your enemies."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "-And you think this kind of open skullduggery credits you as a more valuable ally?"
                    #arz happy
                    arz "Of course! Because I know what is expected of me, and what I desire in return. Far easier to work with an equal than a dupe or a pawn who doesn’t think they are one."
                    arz "These others you’ve collected? Well… we shall see, shan’t we?"
                    jump banquetDignitariesMenu_rp
                else:
                    jump banquetDignitariesMenu_rp

                label banquetDignitariesMenu_rp:
                    menu:
                        "Rowan overheard the familiar drone of Duke Raeve complaining" if dignitariesRaeveSeen == False:
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ dignitariesRaeveSeen = True
                            scene bg6 with fade
                            show doran beardless neutral at center with dissolve
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                            show arzyl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                            "Near the front entryway to the throne room stood a profoundly uncomfortable Duke Raeve, flanked by what few knights had survived the fall of his keep and a small coterie of minor turncoat nobles, now traitors to their former liege lords."
                            "As the premier “servant” of the Twins in Rosaria, Duke Raeve theoretically had pride of place amongst the assorted dignitaries. But in reality, he was as toothless here as he’d ever been."
                            "He stood stiff backed, a faint sneer upon his face as he looked across the assembly of warlords and dignitaries whom he no doubt saw as miles beneath his dignity."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "Ah, is that the good Duke Raeve, I espy? Your former liege lord, if I’m not mistaken."
                            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                            ro "You are well informed, my lady."
                            arz "How dreadfully ill at ease he looks. Shall we go and welcome him? Perhaps he’d enjoy seeing a familiar face."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                            ro "If we must."
                            "Rowan strode up to Duke Doran Raeve with Arzyl on his arm, barely able to disguise his disdain."
                            ro "Duke Raeve, welcome to the banquet."
                            if society_type == "might":
                                dor "Hm? Ah yes, Sir Rowan. Greetings."
                            else:
                                dor "Hm? Ah yes, Lord Rowan. Greetings."
                            "The Duke, for his part, seemed entirely oblivious to Rowan’s scowl, treating him instead as merely another face to talk to. A glass of wine was in his hand. He swirled it about in surly disinterest."
                            #doran beardless angry
                            dor "What an ugly gathering this is. Brigands and beasts and bastards mingling with the bluebloods."
                            if society_type == "might":
                                dor "I am Mistress Jezera’s most humble servant, but even I did not think that I’d need to stoop so low."
                            else:
                                dor "I am Empress Jezera’s most humble servant, but even I did not think that I’d need to stoop so low."
                            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                            ro "Not all of us can be as ‘loyal’ as you, Duke. Bloodmeen needs allies, soldiers, money."
                            ro "You can’t just get that by relying exclusively on bluebloods."
                            #doran beardless neutral
                            "Duke Raeve seemed to only half hear him, his gaze sweeping the attendees like he was sizing up a midden heap. He swirled his glass once more."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                            dor "Nonetheless, a garish event all round. Have you {i}seen{/i} the beasts slithering about here?"
                            #arz angry
                            "Rowan felt the tingle of Arzyl’s claws dig slightly into his arm. There was a stillness in her body, like a viper coiled to strike."
                            dor "I tell you: if these be our allies we won’t want for enemies. Every ratcatcher, frog tamer and wolf hunter in the realms would flock to a place like this."
                            #doran beardless happy
                            "Duke Raeve chuckled to himself, taking a soft sip of his wine."
                            dor "Rich hunting grounds!"
                            show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                            "Raeve’s self satisfied laughter only grew in the aftermath of his punchline. It set Rowan’s teeth on edge. The grin he returned came out closer to a grimace as he stared the Duke down."
                            if rowanCorrupt < 60 or serveChoice ==4:
                                ro "Doran, I have not yet introduced you to my companion."
                            else:
                                ro "Duke Raeve, I have not yet introduced you to my companion."
                            #doran beardless neutral
                            "Duke Raeve’s eyes drifted lazily in Arzyl’s direction, as if seeing her for the first time."
                            #arz neutral
                            dor "Hm? Yes, yes, hello there."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                            show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                            "Arzyl slipped free from Rowan’s grasp, sliding smoothly into Raeve’s personal space. He let out a small grunt of discomfort."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "{i}Duke Doran Raeve{/i}, as I live and breathe! A pleasure to finally make your personal acquaintance."
                            dor "Er- charmed, I suppose."
                            dor "…Who exactly are you again?"
                            "Arzyl slunk closer to him, running her hand down his arm much like she did with Rowan. But firmer, with a harsher grip. He let out a gasp of shock at the impertinence."
                            arz "Oh, you would not remember me in specific, my Duke. Only by reputation."
                            #doran beardless concerned
                            dor "What is this? L-let go of me, this instant!"
                            arz "Please dear Duke, allow me to properly introduce myself!"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
                            arz "You see, I spent a few summers in your lands, cavorting with my friends. Beautiful country: a fine and robust people, your subjects."
                            arz "You’d remember our visit, I think: your yearly tithes dropped nearly in half."
                            #doran beardless shocked
                            "Duke Raeve’s face paled. His efforts to free himself slackened."
                            dor "The… the disappearances? The mutilations in the woods?"
                            dor "That was you?"
                            arz "Oh, I am not exclusive in taking credit, though I’ll confess to some of the more {i}creative{/i} works discovered by your knights."
                            "His eyes grew wide as he unsuccessfully tried to shake her off him. Arzyl’s clawed fingers curled tightly about his arm."
                            arz "…Lady Arwen was a particular delight! So slow, running in those heels."
                            arz "But - it is as you say: ‘rich hunting grounds.’"
                            "Raeve turned to Rowan, his mouth babbling as if searching for words. His eyes were begging him to help."
                            dor "W-who {i}is{/i} this woman?!"
                            menu:
                                "Tell Arzyl off.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "Lady Arzyl, that’s enough."
                                    #arz concerned
                                    ro "Duke Raeve is a loyal member of this court. May I remind you that {i}you{/i} are the foreign ambassador here, not him?"
                                    #arz angry
                                    ro "If you have a grievance, then take it up with the Twins. But please do not browbeat our dinner guests."
                                    "Arzyl’s eyes dimmed to the point of nothing. She went very still. For the briefest of moments, Rowan wondered if she’d lose her temper."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveinright
                                    #arz happy
                                    show arzyl neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                                    "But, just like that, she was back to normal. She let go of her grip on Raeve’s arm, smirking all the while."
                                    arz "Of course! How silly of me. One {i}does{/i} tend to get too used to the habits of one’s own household, hmm?"
                                    "Arzyl’s slunk away like a contented panther after a meal, returning to Rowan’s side with nary a glance back in the Duke’s direction, much to his relief. She took Rowan by the arm once more."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Shall I apologize to the good Duke? I’d hate to be too perfunctory in my contrition."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                                    ro "…That won’t be necessary."
                                    "She nodded to Duke Raeve as if Rowan hadn’t just spoken, her voice taking on an extra note of condescension."
                                    arz "Fae customs, you understand. No harm done."
                                    #doran beardless concerned
                                    dor "I-I… "
                                    dor "I must be going!"
                                    hide doran with moveoutleft
                                    #arz angry
                                    arz "Ah, there he goes. Tromping off to the next watering hole to gorge his gullet on the leavings of his betters."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "You waste your time defending rats like him."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                                    ro "His loyalty is not suspect, which is a lot more than I can say for you, Lady Arzyl."
                                    #arz angry
                                    "Arzyl glared at him, a rare look of genuine annoyance crossing her ageless features."
                                    arz "He is {i}prey{/i}, unworthy of notice. An ankle-biting social climber who dares pretend to join our hunt."
                                    ro "And what, pray tell, are you then my Lady?"
                                    "Arzyl’s cold gaze held steady to Rowan’s for a long moment. Her arm pulled tighter around his own as she led him onwards into the crowd."
                                    arz "I’d take offense, were your thinly veiled jab not so off the mark. It is not the climbing that I ridicule, it’s the climber."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                                    arz "You would do well to heed the difference, should we ever find ourselves in opposing camps, while you’ve got {i}Duke Raeve{/i} sitting as your councilor."
                                    $ arzylFavour -= 1
                                    jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                                "Dismiss the Duke before things get worse.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    if society_type == "might":
                                        ro "My lord, perhaps it would be for the best if you saw to our Mistress elsewhere."
                                    else:
                                        ro "My lord, perhaps it would be for the best if you saw to our Empress elsewhere."
                                    "The Duke did not even pretend to hear him, his eyes like dinner plates as Arzyl ran a lone fingernail down his chest. Her grin grew predatory."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "{i}Duke Raeve.{/i}"
                                    #doran beardless concerned
                                    "Rowan’s sharp rebuke seemed to shake him from his terrified stupor."
                                    if society_type == "might":
                                        dor "A-ah, yes, Sir Rowan?"
                                    else:
                                        dor "A-ah, yes, Lord Rowan?"
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "I said: ‘I believe Lady Jezera has need of you.’ Why don’t you go and find her?"
                                    "Jezera’s name seemed to shake something loose in his head. He gently pulled away from Arzyl’s grasp, and this time she let him, sliding free from her fingers and taking an unsteady step backwards."
                                    dor "Th-the mistress? Ah yes, the Mistress. I must see to her right away."
                                    "The Duke abruptly pivoted on his heel and began marching away. He paused, turning back to face then with a worried look on his face."
                                    dor "I -ah, bid you both adieu."
                                    "Arzyl’s eyes glowed with sadistic glee."
                                    arz "Run along now, Duke. And do try to contain your shivering: it’s unbecoming of high nobility."
                                    hide doran with moveoutleft
                                    show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutleft
                                    ro "…You didn’t need to frighten him like that."
                                    #arz concerned
                                    arz "That I noticed him at all is a testament to his loathsome nature. It’s like watching a herd animal try to run with its predators."
                                    ro "And here I took you for a hobnobber."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Oh my lovely, I am!"
                                    arz "But a worm like him? You’d have more luck power politicking with his wine goblet; at least that might get someone worth seducing drunk."
                                    jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                                "Defuse the situation." if rowanDiplomacy > 2:
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                                    if rowanCorrupt < 60 or serveChoice == 4:
                                        ro "Don’t take it so seriously, Doran."
                                    else:
                                        ro "Don’t take it so seriously, Duke Raeve."
                                    ro "Lady Arzyl is, of course, speaking only in jest. You’ve heard of the Fae, I assume?"
                                    "Duke Raeve did not respond, staring into Arzyl’s glowing eyes in blank terror."
                                    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with dissolve
                                    if rowanCorrupt < 60 or serveChoice == 4:
                                        ro "Doran?"
                                    else:
                                        ro "Duke Raeve?"
                                    dor "I-I- yes, the children’s fable, {i}what of it{/i}?"
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "She is not a fable, Duke. She is their ambassador."
                                    ro "You will recall that one of the primary traits of the Fae in such stories is their playful, trickstery nature?"
                                    dor "I-I… I suppose."
                                    show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "I’m afraid the joke has gone {i}completely{/i} over your poor victim’s head, Lady Arzyl."
                                    "Arzyl held Duke Raeve’s gaze for an instant longer than was comfortable, then released him with a smile."
                                    arz "My apologies fair Duke, I mistook you for a more jovial fellow. I’d hoped to warm your cockles with some black humour."
                                    arz "Alas! My jests are wasted upon mortals. A common tragedy, but nonetheless disappointing."
                                    "Duke Raeve, thoroughly bewildered, took an unsteady step back from Arzy, who was grinning like a cat."
                                    #doran beardless neutral
                                    dor "Yes, well… I-I suppose you are still learning the specifics of mortal etiquette. I magnanimously forgive you."
                                    arz "-And I magnanimously accept!"
                                    dor "I-I must be going now, Sir Archibald said he has need of my counsel, and I am sorely remiss in speaking to him!"
                                    ro "Farewell, my lord."
                                    arz "A pleasure. Perhaps we can speak again! Alone next time."
                                    hide doran with moveoutleft
                                    #arz happy
                                    show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutleft
                                    "Arzyl watched him leave before swiveling about to face Rowan. He saw the flash of fangs beneath."
                                    arz "A fine misdirection. Now he doesn’t know {i}what{/i} to think of me!"
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                                    ro "That was… interesting."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    "Arzyl let out a dismissive snort, waving her hand about in a theatrical circle."
                                    arz "A waste of time, more like. You did a good job keeping him off balance, but you’re coddling a minnow."
                                    ro "If such is the case, why were {i}you{/i} batting him around like a cat?"
                                    "Arzyl giggled, sliding smoothly back into place at Rowan’s side with a wink and a smile."
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "Knowing whom to cultivate and whom to dominate is a delicate dance. Too much velvet, and you are seen as a weakling. Too much fist, and you become a tyrant."
                                    #arz concerned
                                    arz "But him? A noble title wearing a man’s skin; as useful as the sunrise underground. Discarded at the first opportunity."
                                    ro "Even men like Doran have their uses."
                                    #arz angry
                                    arz "Yes, I’m sure he’d be of great use to you, should you have need for arrogantly engraved cutlery bearing the mark of his insipid heraldry."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "A man like that is less than a pawn, he’s a stooge. Use his political leverage, drain him of all his resources, then discard him like a spent shell."
                                    $ arzylFavour += 1
                                    jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                                "Name drop Jezera to further torment him." if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    "Seeing Duke Raeve’s abject fear was more amusing than he’d expected. Rowan decided to get in on the fun."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "…Who is she?"
                                    ro "This is Lady Arzyl of the Midnight Court, Ambassador of the Fae."
                                    if society_type == "might":
                                        ro "She is hosting this “garish event” at the personal request of our Mistress, Jezera."
                                    else:
                                        ro "She is hosting this “garish event” at the personal request of our Empress, Jezera."
                                    dor "M-mistress Jezera?"
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "Jezera is a {i}dear{/i} friend of mine. Oh the pillow talk we’ve shared, it’d make a maiden blush!"
                                    arz "Perhaps when next we meet I could spare a word or two for you, tell her of all the lovely things you’ve said about my party this evening."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "I doubt that she’ll be pleased at the Duke’s frank assessment."
                                    dor "I-I spoke in haste! Please, I did not intend to insult. Allow me to-"
                                    "Arzyl cooed, leaning still closer to Duke Raeve and pulling the wine glass from his hand. She took a long sip, allowing her dark lipstick to stain the edge."
                                    arz "There are many things in this world you are not privy to, good Duke. Your mistress is kind to keep you blind to them."
                                    "Arzyl nodded towards Rowan, turning Duke Raeve’s tremoring chin to point his gaze directly at him."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Rowan has seen beyond that veil, to the world that lies past your warm beds and your curtain walls and your silken doublets."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "It’s an ugly place, full of wolves and frogs and rats."
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "No place for a little mouse like you, wouldn’t you agree: dear, sweet Duke?"
                                    dor "I-I-I-"
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "A word of warning, Doran: your observation of being no longer amongst Rosarian Nobility very much holds true."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "Have a care for what that means, and what your place in the pecking order might be should you find yourself friendless at court."
                                    "Rowan stared down the terrified Duke, who shrank back from the both of them. Reveling in the feeling of superiority, Rowan allowed a dark smile to spread across his face."
                                    show rowan necklace happy at edgeright with dissolve
                                    ro "…We {i}are{/i} friends, aren’t we Doran?"
                                    dor "Y-yes! Yes of course we are!"
                                    arz "Great friends! The {i}best{/i}."
                                    arz "And a good friend knows when to scurry off and leave their betters to their business."
                                    "Arzyl made a soft {i}shooing{/i} motion with her hands. Duke Raeve cast a short glance in Rowan’s direction. Seeing his stone face, he nodded in agreement."
                                    dor "O-of course! Of course, of course how silly of me. I {i}quite{/i} forgot th-that Lord- that is Sir A-Archibald, he- he uh…"
                                    dor "I-I must be going! Farewell!"
                                    hide doran with moveoutleft
                                    #arz happy
                                    show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                                    show rowan necklace happy at midright with moveoutleft
                                    "Arzyl turned her cruel grin towards Rowan, her eyes alight with mirth."
                                    arz "How delightful! I didn’t expect you to be so willing an accomplice."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                                    ro "Duke Raeve is an incompetent fool. Much of the blame for the woes of my homeland can be laid at his feet."
                                    arz "Oh my lovely, it’s {i}more than that{/i}. You sense it, don’t you?"
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "A man like Raeve… he is the worst kind of creature. A lamb that feigns to be a lion."
                                    arz "The games of power that people like us play… we know the rules, and we understand the danger of failure, the ease with which we can be devoured."
                                    #arz angry
                                    arz "But he has the {i}gall{/i} to pretend that his breeding accounts for anything other than the tenderness of his flesh."
                                    show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                                    ro "…I will admit, it felt good to put him in his place."
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "Of course it did! You are a predator Rowan, and you must learn to scorn prey."
                                    $ arzylFavour += 2
                                    jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                        "Arzyl pointed out a gathering of Dark Elves sulking at a table." if dignitariesDelfsSeen == False:
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $  dignitariesDelfsSeen = True
                            scene bg6 with fade
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
                            arz "Ah! The Dark Elves, of course! Women after my own heart, if a little too blunt for my tastes."
                            "Arzyl leaned to whisper conspiratorially in Rowan’s ear, her warm breath tickling his skin."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "You know, they say the Dark Elves have been in a bit of a tizzy, recently. Some strange business between the three houses."
                            arz "I was {i}shocked{/i} to discover that the Sisters of Spite had refused to send an envoy to Bloodmeen, even when both her sister houses had done so!"
                            arz "Curious, really. I wonder if Jezera feels slighted."
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "…I doubt she’d have the patience to notice."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "Hmm, she {i}is{/i} impetuous, isn’t she? Still, at least the Sisters of Slaughter and the Sisters of Lust are represented."
                            arz "Seeing as the {i}Dae-Avakii{/i} can be a bit sour on the other races, I elected to seat the two ambassadors across from each other at the banquet table."
                            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                            "Rowan’s blood ran cold."
                            ro "Are you {i}mad{/i}? They’ll kill each other!"
                            #arz happy
                            "Arzyl’s laughter was light and airy, as if Rowan had just warned her that the roast duck might come out a bit well done. She waved him off."
                            arz "Were this a Dark Elven banquet, I’d be inclined to agree. However, they’re on neutral ground. Don’t worry: that alone will at least buy us a few minutes."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "Court etiquette can be so tiresome at times. I figured a little lively bloodshed could spruce up the party, keep the dinner guests from growing bored."
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "What are you playing at, Arzyl?"
                            "Arzyl’s expression suddenly grew deadly serious."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "This is no frivolity, Rowan. If anything, it’s a challenge: can we, together, navigate between two parties with such mutual disdain? Can we perhaps turn it to our advantage?"
                            arz "Or is it even worth bothering with one over the other? So many ways to handle an awkward situation, and only half of them involve blades or poison."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "You set this scheme up for us to… mediate?"
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "I’m a {i}man{/i}. Their culture despises us, they enslave their own males."
                            arz "A simple matter: pretend you are my servant. They shall treat with me, and ignore you completely!"
                            ro "Then why include me at all?"
                            "Arzyl’s eyes glowed with amusement."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "To test you, Rowan. {i}Always{/i} to test you."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "Now, a final question before we dive headlong into the fray:"
                            arz "Sword or no sword?"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "…What?"
                            "Arzyl made a show of picking at something under her thumbnail."
                            arz "Well consider the factions at play: the Sisters of Slaughter are very much women of their name: gladiators, warriors; killers all. They’d sooner cut your head off than treat with you."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "A strong sword arm might help offset their disgust for the sword between your legs, if you’ll excuse the vulgarity."
                            arz "But the Sisters of Lust are a different beast entirely. Sensual, seductive, venemous. A viper in the bed, as it were. The diplomats of the Dark Elves - if such a thing truly exists."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "They’d prefer to bite your cock off after kissing it quite tenderly, then watch your life blood drain onto the bedsheets."
                            arz "In short: they’re nonconfrontational. A blade at your hip is more insult than threat. They will kill you with a poisoned smile - mind the lipstick, by the way."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            arz "So I ask again: sword or no sword?"

                            $ banquetAllySeen = False

                            label banquetSwordMenu_rp:

                            menu:
                                "Sword.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    ro "…Sword. If I’m to face down a crowd of angry Dark Elves, I’d sooner be able to defend myself."
                                    arz "-As all good warriors should. Words are only as powerful as the strength that backs them."
                                    arz "Sometimes, intimidation is twice as valuable as conciliation."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                    ro "Something tells me that ‘conciliation’ was never an option with their kind."
                                    "Arzyl let out a sultry coo, looking Rowan up and down as if assessing his battle prowess."
                                    arz "True enough. The last King of Ealoaen to try that tactic ended up with his head spiked to the gates of Emyn Ordas."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                    ro "…You know your elven histories?"
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl smirked, her fingers reaching up to gently stroke the long point of her ears."
                                    arz "I have learned it. Over time."
                                    $ delfBanquetChoice = "sword"

                                "No sword.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    ro "…No sword. Let them think me helpless and unarmed. A proper “servant.”"
                                    "Arzyl giggled, stroking his shoulder as he removed his sword belt and handed it to a nearby guard for momentary safekeeping."
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "Good, lull the lambs into mistaking the lion for a housecat. Claws are, after all, retractable."
                                    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                                    ro "You just called one of the most dangerous races in the Six Realms “lambs.”"
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Reputation is not reality. The {i}Dae-Avakii{/i} are, like their kin, much diminished from the days of old."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                    arz "That they even bothered to heed the Twins' summons at all tells me that great change is afoot in the deeper places of the world."
                                    arz "Change you may be able to exploit."
                                    $ delfBanquetChoice = "no sword"

                                "…That depends. Which would make a better ally?" if rowanPerception > 2 and banquetAllySeen == False:
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    $ banquetAllySeen = True
                                    ro "..."
                                    ro "Before I answer, let me ask a question of my own."
                                    "Arzyl’s eyes lit up. She turned to face him directly, clinging still closer to his arm."
                                    arz "Oh?"
                                    ro "Seeing as you are the ‘expert’ in these matters, which faction is more powerful?"
                                    ro "Or I guess more accurately: who should serve my interests better?"
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl’s teeth glittered a brilliant white as she smiled broadly at Rowan. She reached up and stroked his shoulder lovingly."
                                    arz "Oh, I’m beginning to like you more and more!"
                                    arz "A charmingly astute question, but irrelevant in this case. The deadlock gripping the three Dark Elf houses puts paid to that fact."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Neither would have come here were they capable of defeating the other. They need {i}your{/i} favour, not the other way around."
                                    arz "For once, preference beats practicality in such matters. Trust your instincts, read the situation, and act accordingly."
                                    $ arzylFavour += 1
                                    jump banquetSwordMenu_rp

                            scene bg6 with fade
                            "Their commiserating complete, Rowan and Arzyl approached the long table where the Dark Elf ambassadors had been seated. And not a moment too soon."
                            #arz concerned
                            "On one side of the table - cleared of all other guests - sat a glowering Dark Elf woman, tall of body and well muscled. Pale white scars crisscrossed her skin from forehead to heels, a patchwork of faded cuts, slices and puncture wounds."
                            "She wore an outfit that could only be described as a gladiator’s ensemble: tight fitting leather armor, shin guards and vambraces, but everything else was bare skin."
                            "At her right hip she wore a serrated dagger of a reflective black metal, and at her left, a small Morningstar flail, the spikes made of thumbthick bonethorns rather than metal. Impractical… if one intended to simply kill their opponent."
                            "Sisters of Slaughter indeed."
                            "The only other person on her side of the table was an even taller Dark Elf warrior, bearing a jagged short sword and dressed in far more practical steel armor of a cold, grey tint. Her bodyguard."
                            "The other side of the table was a complete reversal. Instead of stone faced warrior women, a half dozen or more Dark Elven maidens lounged in varying states of repose."
                            "They wore silken half-togas, with one bare breast exposed. Clothes weaved in the thinnest fabrics of purple and gold and white, their pale skin was easily visible beneath the clothing."
                            "All of them were pierced in one place or another, many of them in far more… {i}unmentionable{/i} locations. Their skin was smooth, unblemished. But most curious of all, were their supplicant servants."
                            "Attending to the Sisters of Lust were several dozen slaves, each with their own, peculiar mistress. There was not a single one amongst the grouping who was quite the same, but Rowan spotted certain similarities."
                            "One Dark Elven lady evidently preferred masculine beast folk. An Orc, a Minotaur, even a male harpy hopping about on clipped wings. All of them naked, their leashes leading back on tiny, leather strings to her hand, around which she greedily clutched them."
                            "Another was quite the opposite, surrounded like a goddess by a gaggle of Elven women of a uniformly thin and wiry body type. They wore no leashes, but rather pale, silver torcs about their neck, emblazoned with their mistress’ symbol. They were allowed clothing, airy and effervescent though it might be."
                            "Most curious of all, however, was the maiden in the centers’ menagerie. They were a series of grotesques, each more disturbing than the next."
                            "A malformed Orc with a withered arm and a tumor-like face waiting on her hand and foot, a lipless Prothean woman bearing a permanent jester’s smile dancing sensually for her amusement, a midget goblin carrying a too-large platter of grapes for his mistress to sup on."
                            "…Rowan was ready for many things, but it was only in this moment that he realized just how unprepared he was to face the Dark Elves directly."
                            show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                            #arz happy
                            show arzyl neutral at center with dissolve
                            "Arzyl approached them, with Rowan at her heels, as if this was merely another raucous table amidst the revelry. However, the banter being thrown back and forth across the table was {i}far{/i} from friendly."
                            aron "It’s a waste of time, if you ask me."
                            "The Sister of Lust rolled her eyes, opening her mouth so that a thoroughly burned woman with strangely pristine hands could pop a grape into her mouth."
                            cali "Well, thankfully your opinion doesn’t count for much in the places where it matters, Aronya."
                            $ aronyaName = "Aronya"
                            $ calintheName = "Calinthe"
                            "Aronya let out a snarl, a pale gold lock of hair drifting down across her face as she glared at the voluptuous woman sitting across from her."
                            aron "And where does yours, pray tell? In the bordellos down in the slave warrens? Maybe the breeding pits?"
                            aron "I could cut your throat, Calinthe, and your lovely “sisters” would simply watch and laugh, happy to see you off into the void as I pull out your vocal cords and string them on a bow."
                            "Calinthe let out a soft sigh, as if the overt threat merely bored her. She reached up, deliberately drawing a line bisecting her eyebrow with her long, painted fingernail."
                            cali "Tell me, which manner of ape gave you that scar in Bellatriza’s arena, again? Orc or human? Regardless, it was a man, wasn’t it?"
                            "The smile Aronya returned was equally icy. Her dark gaze sweeping across the assorted servants of her rival house."
                            aron "At least mine can fight. Which manner of slave boy do you intend to have purple your rump this evening?"
                            "The Sister of Lust leaned back, casting a lazy hand in the direction of a poor young man, barely in his twenties, with gigantism. His hands were the size of Rowan’s head."
                            cali "Him, most likely. I prefer a proper colouring."
                            aron "You disgust me."
                            cali "And {i}you’re{/i} getting your blood-flecked fingers all over the tablecloth. I suppose we both have our grievances."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "-Dear ladies, please! Such harsh words that pass between you! And here I was, hoping to learn from the exemplary refinement of your elven culture."
                            "The two Dark Elven ambassadors turned their stiff gazes in Arzyl’s direction, like a pair of preying mantises sizing up a meal."
                            cali "A Fae. How curious."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "You are most adept at perception, my dear! Lady Arzyl, of the Midnight Court, at your service."
                            arz "I am your hostess for this humble gathering. I take it you are both enjoying the evening?"
                            aron "I didn’t come to see {i}you{/i}, beast. I came to speak with the Twins. Where are they?"
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "Indisposed, at the moment. But they will be arriving soon enough, I assure you."
                            "Aronya let out a contemptuous grunt."
                            aron "How kind of them to let their barking dog greet us at the door."
                            "Arzyl did not move, her cultivated smile lingering like a wound upon her face. Calinthe let out a theatrical sigh."
                            cali "…At {i}least{/i} tell them that we tire of this prattling going on on the other side of the table. I was under the impression we were going to get our own."
                            cali "Any more of this and I may well ask my master poisoner for a draught myself."
                            #arz concerned
                            arz "You are, of course, free to move to whichever table you wish, madame."
                            "A rare flare of anger burned in Calinthe’s eyes. She sat up straight, her regal bearing giving her a menacing aura."
                            cali "And why, should I move for {i}her{/i}? You do not tell me what to do."
                            #arz happy
                            "Arzyl almost too-innocently turned with a smile to look at Aronya."
                            arz "Ah, then my lady, would you mind if you and your bodyguard shifted to a different tabl-"
                            aron "I’m not moving an inch from this spot. That whore and her entourage can get up, I’m staying right here."
                            #arz concerned
                            "Arzyl held up her hands, as if helpless to do anything."
                            arz "I am at an impasse, I cannot force either of you to move. This is not my castle."
                            cali "Then you are of no use to us. Begone."
                            aron "Run along now, Fae, lest you wish to be the latest of your kind to sample my lash."
                            "Arzyl bowed her head obsequiously, all but prostrating herself before the two Dark Elves."
                            arz "Ah! Of course. My infinite apologies, your majesties."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "I will then leave your grievances to the overqualified care of my dear servant: Orwan."
                            "Arzyl turned and snapped her fingers twice, as if to summon Rowan."
                            #arz happy
                            show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
                            arz "Orwan! Lady Aronya and Lady Calinthe are having a bit of a dispute. Do help mediate it, won’t you?"
                            show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                            ro "({i}Arzyl you raging bitch{/i}.)"
                            ro "…Right away, my lady."
                            cali "{i}Him{/i}?"
                            aron "This is unacceptable."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                            hide arzyl with moveoutright
                            "But Arzyl was already making tracks, hustling away in as diplomatic a fashion as she could, disappearing into the crowd before the flabbergasted Dark Elves could so much as offer a word of complaint."
                            "They turned their hateful gazes to Rowan, eyes burning with contempt. Neither gave any sign of recognizing him, despite the earlier announcement."
                            if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                cali "Well, if it isn’t a ‘knight’ of Rosaria. I can tell by that straw hair and childish complexion."
                                cali "I want to pull every follicle off your head, one by one, just so I don’t have to look at it anymore."
                                cali "Now {i}stop gawking and find me your masters{/i}. I still intend to eat this evening."
                            else:
                                aron "Down from a dog to an ape. At this rate, I’ll be begging horseflies in the stables for help."
                                aron "Servant. Fetch me the Twins, and be quick about it: I’ve had enough of this farce."
                            "Rowan eyed the Dark Elven ambassador, keeping his expression level."
                            ro "…I’m afraid that Lady Arzyl spoke the truth: the Twins are indisposed. But I am more than happy to handle your requests in the meantime."
                            "Both of the diplomats sneered at him."
                            if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                aron "That little stick of yours doesn’t make you a warrior, ape. I can tell just from your stance you hardly know how to swing that blade."
                                "The scarred Elf yanked her dagger out of its sheath and slammed it onto the table before anyone could react. She smirked at Rowan."
                                aron "Tuck your tail between your legs, and scurry to wherever it is you came from."
                            else:
                                cali "…‘Orwen,’ was it?"
                                "The Sister of Lust leaned forward, exposing her bare breast even as her voice lowered to a delicious whisper."
                                cali "You’re from Rosaria aren’t you?"
                                ro "...I am."
                                cali "Yes, I can tell by your straw hair and childish complexion."
                                cali "Lest you wish to join my harem, you had {i}best{/i} make tracks. I am in no mood to entertain the “help.” Least of all the breeding bitch of Jezera’s fae mutt."
                            show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                            "Rowan clenched his fist, doing his best to keep hold of his temper. He was one wrong word from starting a war in the middle of the banquet."
                            "There was an angle here, there {i}had{/i} to be."
                            "The two hated each other even more than they hated him… maybe he could win one side’s favor by playing off one side against the other, like Arzyl had said?"
                            "Then again, neither was particularly disposed to him. Nor did they seem in a diplomatic mood. Dark Elves were terrible dinner guests. Maybe the time had come for him to throw his {i}own{/i} weight around."
                            menu:
                                "Intimidate the Sisters of Slaughter to move.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    "Rowan turned his glare in the direction of Aronya, who met it with equal malice."
                                    ro "…I think it’s time you chose a different table to sit at, my Lady. I can easily provide you some options."
                                    aron " -And I can open up your guts from groin to throat."
                                    ro "I’d advise against that, my Lady."
                                    "Aronya gave a sharp whistle, and her bodyguard snapped to attention. Her hand darted to her sword."
                                    #rowan combat stance at center
                                    show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
                                    "Rowan tensed, the moment stretching out to infinity, the world around him went into slow motion as he reacted to her murderous intent."
                                    if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                        if skillCheck == "success":
                                            "Rowan drew his sword in a blur, half a second ahead of Aronya’s bodyguard. He batted aside her blade, stepping into her guard and planting a knee into her stomach. She went down like a pile of bricks."
                                            "Aronya, still sitting, slashed at his belly with her dagger. Rowan spun around and blocked it, swinging his blade hard and knocking it from her hands."
                                            "He stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, shoving her elbow hard onto the table as he put his blade to her neck."
                                            "The sounds of revelry stopped. Rowan felt the eyes of the whole gathering upon him as he held the struggling Elf in his grip."
                                            jump delfCombatSuccess_rp

                                        else:
                                            "Rowan drew his sword at the same moment that Aronya’s bodyguard did. But she was faster, too fast for Rowan to catch her unawares."
                                            "Their blades clashed for a few, brief bouts, neither getting the better of the other. She was a good swordsman, quick and deadly just like him."
                                            "Rowan finally broke past her guard and moved to disarm her, but then felt a sudden sharpness at his neck."
                                            "He turned, and saw Aronya’s dagger pointing directly at his Adam’s apple. Her voice came into his ear like a low hiss."
                                            #rowan angry
                                            aron "Drop the blade, Ape, or I’ll make sure you bleed out {i}slowly{/i}."
                                            ro "You kill me, and a dozen of my men will cut you down."
                                            "True to his word, Orcish guards were rushing to his side. They hesitated however, once they saw his predicament."
                                            aron "-Not before I get the pleasure of watching you choke on your own blood. I needed some entertainment this evening."
                                            "Calinthe reclined on her seat at the table, thoroughly enjoying the proceedings."
                                            aron "Now: {i}drop it{/i}."
                                            "Out of options, Rowan let his sword slip through his fingers and clatter to the floor."
                                            jump delfCombatFail_rp

                                    else:
                                        if skillCheck == "success":
                                            "Rowan leapt forward, seizing Aronya by the back of her braid and slamming her face into the table. Her dazed confusion gave him just enough time to pivot on his heel, dancing back from her bodyguard's slash as she tried to gut him."
                                            "He rushed forward, catching her wrist as she went for the follow through and tossed her bodily over his shoulder. Her armour made a loud {i}thwack{/i} upon the ground as she landed with her full weight upon it. "
                                            "Pivoting back to Aronya, Rowan snatched the dagger from the table just as she groped for it. He planted it squarely against her throat."
                                            jump delfCombatSuccess_rp

                                        else:
                                            "Rowan leapt forward at the same moment Aronya’s bodyguard drew her blade. Forced on the defensive, he dodged her first swing before tackling her to the ground."
                                            #rowan angry
                                            "The two wrestled for a moment with the blade, the bodyguard doing her level best to draw it across Rowan’s neck as he peeled it from her fingers. He just managed to grab hold of the weapon when he felt a sudden sharpness at his neck."
                                            "He turned, and saw Aronya’s dagger pointing directly at his Adam's apple. Her voice came into his ear like a low hiss."
                                            aron "Get your filthy ape body off my guard, cur. Do it quick, or I’ll make sure you bleed out {i}slowly{/i}."
                                            ro "You kill me, and a dozen of my men will cut you down."
                                            "True to his word, Orcish guards were rushing to his side. They hesitated however, once they saw his predicament."
                                            aron "-Not before I get the pleasure of watching you choke on your own blood. I needed some entertainment this evening."
                                            "Calinthe reclined on her seat at the table, thoroughly enjoying the proceedings."
                                            aron "Now: {i}get off her{/i}."
                                            "Out of options, Rowan stood up off the put-upon bodyguard and raised his hands."
                                            jump delfCombatFail_rp

                                    label delfCombatSuccess_rp:
                                        #rowan angry
                                        ro "I know how fast your kind are, don’t think for a second I don’t."
                                        ro "That flail in your left hand might crush my kneecap once you swing it, but my blade {i}will{/i} cut your throat first."
                                        ro "The guards are already on their way. At a word I could command them to kill."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                                        ro "Do you want to make a mess of things, or would you prefer to take the table three rows down?"
                                        "Aronya’s eyes burned with hatred as she glared up at Rowan. But he saw the wheels turning in her head. Soon, her struggles ceased."
                                        "…Let go of me and I’ll go."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                                        "Rowan did as she said, stepping back quickly to avoid a sudden retaliation. However, his actions seemed to have thoroughly humiliated Aronya."
                                        "She did not so much as look at him, nor her fellow ambassador as she got up off the table and left. Her bodyguard, still with the wind knocked out of her, had to be helped to her seat."
                                        cali "…Well, that was brutish. Well done, I suppose."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Thank you, Lady Calinthe. I trust you will take such courtesies into consideration when you speak to the Twins about our mutual interests."
                                        "She smiled at him sweetly, her voice taking on a candy tone."
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                                        cali "Yes, I’ll be certain to tell them their pets did well keeping me at my dinner table. It was the least I could expect."
                                        "She dismissed him with a handwave."
                                        cali "Now be off with you: I’ve no stomach for such barbarity."
                                        show arzyl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                        "Rowan saw Arzyl appear from the crowd as if by magic. She snapped her fingers twice, calling him to her side."
                                        arz "Orwan? {i}Orwan{/i}! We’ve got an issue here with the table settings. Be a dear and join me, won’t you?"
                                        hide arzyl with dissolve
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "I must be off. Farewell, Lady Calinthe."
                                        "She didn’t even look at him as he left. Annoyed, Rowan stalked over to Arzyl."
                                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
                                        ro "What was the point of all that?"
                                        ro "I did as you asked, I even sided with the Sisters of Lust. But it did nothing!"
                                        #arz happy
                                        "Arzyl tittered, passing Rowan a spare wine glass to sip upon. He set it down immediately on a nearby table."
                                        arz "Yes, I saw. Quite the show you made of it."
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "But… are you certain it was the {i}Sisters of Lust{/i} you were trying to impress?"
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "What are you talking about? I literally cleared the table of their rival. I made them look twice as important to the Twins."
                                        arz "An empty gesture, handled in an “uncivilized” fashion. You no more endeared yourself to them than a servant at a feast bringing the expected meal."
                                        #arz happy
                                        arz "The {i}Sisters of Slaughter{/i} however, took careful note. You dispatched them, directly and without dithering. They will not forget that."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "As if they didn’t already hate me already."
                                        "Arzyl’s eyes flashed with glee."
                                        arz "Exactly, Rowan! You’re handling two hostile parties, “endearment” was never the object."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                                        arz "Some of the world’s strongest alliances have been forged through spite and hatred. One does not need to love the other to work together."
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "You proved you were a man more than ready to meet them on their own terms, and best them. That is more than enough for now."
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "-But now the Ambassador is likely to hate me more than ever now."
                                        arz "A respectable adversary shall always trump a lickspittle. The next time you meet, they will take heed of the words you speak."
                                        $ arzylFavour += 1
                                        jump postDelfChoice_rp

                                    label delfCombatFail_rp:
                                        "Aronya withdrew the dagger from his neck. She shoved him forward, sending him toppling to the ground."
                                        aron "Be grateful I’m here for your masters. A weakling like you wouldn’t last two minutes in the fighting pits."
                                        #arz concerned
                                        show arzyl neutral at edgeright with moveinright
                                        arz "Orwan! Oh, sweet Orwan no!"
                                        arz "Goodness, he was only following orders! Did you need to hurt the poor man?"
                                        aron "Stay out of this, dog."
                                        "Arzyl ignored her, gently pulling Rowan to his feet and leading him away. He watched in annoyance as the Dark Elf took her seat once more, none the worse for wear."
                                        ro "What the hell was that, Arzyl?"
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "…I could ask the same thing of you."
                                        arz "Violence? Really Rowan? As the Hero of Rosaria I know you’ve a reputation to uphold, but at least don’t be so damned {i}direct{/i} about it."
                                        ro "I was trying to get them to move, and words weren’t cutting it."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                                        arz "Evidently neither were your actions. You never - and I mean {i}never{/i} - start a fight you cannot win."
                                        #arz concerned
                                        arz "Beg, bargain, plead — hell, {i}prostrate{/i} yourself if you must. There is always another day, another chance to prove your strength."
                                        arz "All that you’ve accomplished is make a fool of yourself towards a prospective ally, and show yourself as weak to a potential foe."
                                        $ arzylFavour -= 1
                                        jump postDelfChoice_rp

                                "Subtly threaten the Sisters of Lust to move.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    "Rowan turned stiffly to face the Sister of Lust, doing his best to retain a modicum of decency in his tone."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    ro "My Lady Calinthe, perhaps I can find you better accommodations closer to the throne?"
                                    "Calinthe smiled at Rowan as if he were her favourite grandchild."
                                    cali "If you keep {i}looking{/i} at me, toad, I’m going to pluck out your eyes and feed them to a husk beast."
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    "Out of polite options, Rowan elected to take a less friendly route of conversation."
                                    if delfBanquetChoice == "no sword":
                                        if skillCheck == "success":
                                            jump delfDeceptionPass_rp

                                        else:
                                            jump delfDeceptionFail_rp

                                    else:
                                        if skillCheck == "success":
                                            jump delfDeceptionPass_rp

                                        else:
                                            jump delfDeceptionFail_rp

                                    label delfDeceptionPass_rp:
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "…Lady Calinthe, do you recall one of our servants bringing you a refill of that wine glass, not ten minutes ago?"
                                        "Calinthe cast a momentary look down at the half-empty drink in her hands, then shrugged dismissively."
                                        cali "Yes, no, what of it?"
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Really? How strange."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "You ought to recognize him, he was about yea high?"
                                        "Rowan held his hand next to his head, at the exact height of the top of his scalp."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Straw hair, a… ‘childish complexion.’ You took a drink without really thinking about it, busy as you were bickering with your companion."
                                        "The colour drained out of Calinthe’s face. She set her glass down gently, as if it were about to burst apart in her hands."
                                        ro "Well, it just so happens that that “servant” is {i}well acquainted{/i} with your penchant for poisoning, and took the necessary precautions, should the evening get out of hand."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        "Rowan tapped an empty pocket, just above his belt line."
                                        ro "Slow acting, of course. We don’t want things to escalate so drastically when we can still talk it out."
                                        if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                            "Calinthe let out a halfhearted scoff."
                                            cali "You're just a lowly knight. You wouldn’t stoop to something like that."
                                            show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                            ro "You’ll note, my lady, whom it is I currently serve. It is not the noble Baron of Rosaria."
                                            "That made the colour leave her face entirely."
                                        else:
                                            cali "You… are you the Twin’s Spymaster?"
                                            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                            ro "It makes no difference at all. I could be him, or I could have gotten it from him. The result is the same."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "…So what do you say? Shall I find you a new table? Perhaps the wine glass waiting for you over there might ‘counteract’ the one you just drank."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        cali "H-how {i}dare{/i} you-"
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "You are in {i}my{/i} castle right now, Lady Calinthe. And even if you don’t respect me, you’ll respect the rules here."
                                        cali "I will have your head for this."
                                        ro "You’d be the first to succeed. Better {i}men{/i} than you have tried."
                                        "Aronya let out a belly laugh from across the table. Calinthe was all but shaking with rage."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        "She rose on dainty toes, her warm body contrasting with the blood cold look in her eyes. With a single sharp gesture she drew her entourage after her, saying not a word to anyone as she stalked away to find another table."
                                        "Rowan leaned over to a nearby servant who had witnessed everything."
                                        ro "In about five minutes inform the Lady Calinthe that no such poison was in her drink, but remind her that I’m watching her, nonetheless."
                                        "The servant, terrified, nodded and hustled away. Rowan pivoted to face Aronya."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "My apologies for the interruption, my lady. I hope that the rest of your evening will be pleasant."
                                        "Now that Calinthe was gone, however, Aronya looked upon him with disdain."
                                        aron "Your poisoner’s tricks won’t work on {i}me{/i}, Ape. Better that you’d thrown her out on her fat ass directly than play her silly games."
                                        aron "I haven’t eaten or drank a single thing you’ve served me all night, and I {i}damn{/i} sure won’t now."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        "Dismissed perfunctorialy, Rowan could do little but stalk away in annoyance at his failure to woo the warrior."
                                        #arz happy
                                        show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                                        "Arzyl caught him by the arm, materializing seemingly from nowhere."
                                        arz "Well well! If it isn’t a little spider spinning a web!"
                                        ro "That was a complete waste of time."
                                        ro "I did as you asked, I even sided with the Sisters of Slaughter. But it did nothing!"
                                        "Arzyl tittered. She handed Rowan a small vial of indeterminate liquid. He turned it over in his hands."
                                        arz "Clever boy. Next time though: bring a real poison. Far more dramatic."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "All I accomplished was angering the Sisters of Lust."
                                        "Arzyl tilted her head, as if supremely confused by his statement."
                                        arz "Dear me, why would they be mad at you? Though you won no friends with the Sisters of Slaughter, you played {i}their{/i} game quite expertly."
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "They threatened your authority, and you deftly parried their threat with one of your own. You proved that you were two steps ahead of them - a dangerous thing when dancing the dance of politics."
                                        arz "If anything, you impressed them - jilted though they may be, at the moment. Next time, they will meet you with both eyes open — and with another on your wine glass."
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "But they hate me now."
                                        #arz happy
                                        "Arzyl’s eyes flashed with glee."
                                        arz "Exactly, Rowan! You’re handling two hostile parties, “endearment” was never the object."
                                        arz "Some of the world’s strongest alliances have been forged through spite and hatred. One does not need to love the other to work together."
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "You proved you were a man ready to meet them on their own terms, and best them. That is more than enough for now."
                                        $ arzylFavour += 1
                                        jump postDelfChoice_rp

                                    label delfDeceptionFail_rp:
                                        ro "My lady, you would do well to remember whose castle this is. And whose food you’re eating."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Should an accident occur like last time, well…"
                                        ro "I suppose your people can always dispatch another ambassador."
                                        "Calinthe tilted her head back and laughed."
                                        if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                            cali "Who? A knight like you?"
                                            ro "You’ll note, my lady, whom it is I serve. It is not the noble Baron of Rosaria."
                                            "Calinthe grinned at him like a viper about to strike."
                                            cali "No, you’re something worse: a reject who couldn’t even hold his own in a {i}human{/i} court."
                                        else:
                                            cali "Is this what passes for ‘spymasters’ in Jezera’s court? I’ve heard more credible threats in a slave pit."
                                            ro "Careful how you tread, this is not your home, Elf."
                                            cali "I’ll tread where I please, and {i}dare{/i} you to stop me, fool."
                                        "Calinthe cast a dismissive hand in Rowan’s face. He had to resist the urge to strike her."
                                        cali "Sleep well knowing my master poisoner is in the castle, and {i}well{/i} informed where you repose."
                                        show arzyl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                                        arz "Orwen! Oh Orwen! Be a dear and come help me, will you?"
                                        hide arzyl with dissolve
                                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                                        #arz concerned
                                        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
                                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                        ro "That was pointless!"
                                        "Arzyl sighed, leading him further away from the table so that they could no longer see them."
                                        arz "Yes, I suppose it might feel that way, given your conduct. You were so busy waving idle threats around you forgot to make them credible."
                                        ro "You gave me no time! How was I to know what to say to them?"
                                        #arz neutral
                                        "Arzyl’s eyes dimmed, her expression turning cold upon him."
                                        arz "Improvisation is the tool of a thinking man. A toothless bluff is {i}far{/i} more subtle than an intangible threat that a mind can easily dissect as false. "
                                        arz "If you want your foes to fear you, give them something that looks fleshy to gnaw on, even if in time it turns out you fed them only bones."
                                        arz "By then, they won’t know {i}what{/i} to believe, and you have them in your power regardless."
                                        $ arzylFavour -= 1
                                        jump postDelfChoice_rp

                                "Attempt to mediate.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    if skillCheck == "success":
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Perhaps we can come to some sort of an arrangement, hm?"
                                        aron "Did I stutter, human? I told you to leave."
                                        ro "I would not be so hasty to dismiss me, Lady Aronya. A man I may be, but I was raised up by a woman, perhaps you know her name."
                                        "Calinthe rolled her eyes."
                                        cali "Yes yes, “Lady Jezera,” the only person worth seeing in this dreary hellhole."
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "I’m afraid you’re a bit mistaken, my lady. I was referring to my first mistress: Daenara."
                                        "Aronya raised an eyebrow."
                                        aron "…The Living Saint? What of her?"
                                        ro "I was one of her champions in the war against Karnas, her right hand in many respects."
                                        "Rowan gestured to the revelry around him."
                                        ro "I orchestrated the march that led to the taking of this castle. One could even argue that had I not, we’d all be under the bootheel of the Demon Lord Karnas."
                                        ro "{i}She{/i} saw my value, and we triumphed for it. Just as Lady Jezera sees it now."
                                        "Aronya stared at him as if seeing him for the first time."
                                        aron "…Who are you?"
                                        ro "I am Rowan Blackwell, one of the Six Heroes who defeated Karnas. But tonight I am a humble servant of Jezera, here to help you find a compromise to your table predicament."
                                        if delfBanquetChoice == "sword":
                                            "Aronya looked taken aback. The Sister of Slaughter looked upon him with - if not respect, then at least a little more wariness. Rowan put a casual palm upon his sword pommel. He saw the bodyguard tense."
                                        else:
                                            "Calinthe regarded him with feigned disinterest. But he saw the way he carried himself, the ease with which he stood, even unarmed in their presence."
                                        ro "Do we {i}really{/i} need to separate your two parties? I doubt very much you’d enjoy the company of any of the other guests."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        if society_type == "might":
                                            ro "…Why not wait a short while instead? I’m certain Mistress Jezera will be here soon. And then you can speak to her directly."
                                        else:
                                            ro "…Why not wait a short while instead? I’m certain Empress Jezera will be here soon. And then you can speak to her directly."
                                        ro "You are, after all, the guests of honour."
                                        "{i}That{/i} got their attention. Aronya looked outright flattered, and Calinthe at least seemed a bit more interested in the conversation."
                                        cali "If such is the case, then why are we stuck together at a distant table?"
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "My lady, you of all people must know that appearances can be deceiving. Let the rabble think {i}they{/i} are the focus of the gathering."
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "But behind closed doors… we know whom this banquet is for."
                                        "Both ambassadors’ eyes colored at that statement. They exchanged a look, one of mutual calculation."
                                        cali "Well, when you put it {i}that{/i} way… the Sisters of Lust see no need to alter prior arrangements."
                                        "Aronya gave a stiff nod of her own, relaxing for the first time onto the seat. Both ambassadors seemed mighty pleased with themselves."
                                        aron "Tell your mistress that we patiently await her presence."
                                        "Rowan bowed with a flourish."
                                        ro "At once, my lady."
                                        "Content that he had… {i}somehow{/i} accomplished his goal, Rowan moved to return to the party. He found an ecstatic Arzy hovering at his side, practically dripping off his arm."
                                        #arz happy
                                        show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                                        arz "Gracious me, what a show!"
                                        arz "Here I was, assuming you were going to tackle the problem head on, and yet instead I find you acting more slippery than an eel!"
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "I don’t really feel like I endeared myself to either of them."
                                        arz "Oh my lovely, you didn’t! But that’s fine. It’s not like you were going to seal a marriage-pact alliance over a dinner dispute."
                                        arz "Nonetheless, you accomplished the impossible: getting two Dark Elves to sit at the same table together for more than five minutes. A rare feat indeed."
                                        arz "You are… quite the enigma, Rowan. Deft diplomacy like this oft requires years of experience in the craft, and yet you take to it like a fish to water."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "I likely wouldn’t have needed such skills had you not put me up to this in the first place."
                                        "Arzyl giggled, a subtle coo of sexual attraction."
                                        arz "For what it’s worth, you quite expertly cut the knot I intended to hopelessly tangle you with."
                                        arz "You kept in mind the first rule of diplomacy: never make a friend until you have to."
                                        $ arzylFavour += 2

                                    else:
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "There must be {i}something{/i} I can do for you ladies. Wine? Entertainment?"
                                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "Lady Arzyl I’m sure can provide you the-"
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        "Aronya waved him off with a murderous look."
                                        aron "“Lady Arzyl, Lady Arzyl,” what a wretch you are."
                                        aron "You want to mediate? Bring me a basket that I might drop this whore’s head in for the journey home."
                                        "Calinthe’s lip curled in disdain."
                                        cali "How like you Aronya, to send a man to do a job you’ll never accomplish yourself."
                                        "Aronya rose from the table, pulling her dagger into her hand. Calinthe stood up as well, facing down the far taller Elf with a black look on her face."
                                        "Rowan caught sight of a glittering discoloration on her pointed fingernails. The room filled with murderous intent. "
                                        #arz concerned
                                        show arzyl neutral at center with moveinleft
                                        arz "Aaah! Just a moment, my illustrious ladies!"
                                        "Arzyl, as if psychic, appeared from the crowd behind Rowan’s shoulder."
                                        #arz happy
                                        arz "You won’t {i}believe{/i} the coincidence at play: Lady Jezera herself has summoned the both of you to a joint meeting in her private chambers."
                                        "Aronya’s blade lowered. Calinthe glanced in Arzyl’s direction."
                                        aron "Where are they? I need to speak with her immediately concerning the-"
                                        cali "Not before {i}I{/i} do, you harridan! The Sisters of Lust have an actual purpose in coming here this-"
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        hide arzyl with moveoutright
                                        "Rowan disconnected himself from the gaggle of monsters, his heart beating out of his chest at how close it had come to violence."
                                        "He only just noticed a Fae courtier leading the two “dignitaries” away as Arzyl slunk back over to him."
                                        #arz concerned
                                        show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                                        "Her expression was that of rueful disappointment."
                                        arz "Rowan, oh no no no. Dear me, and here I thought you had things well in hand."
                                        arz "What madness compelled you to try to make friends with {i}both{/i} of them?"
                                        ro "I thought I could keep things civil, keep it from getting out of hand."
                                        arz "My lovely, {i}they’re Dark Elves{/i}. To them, violence {i}is{/i} civility."
                                        arz "A pair of prideful bitches like that can’t be reasoned with, you can only hope to distract them."
                                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "What was I to do? Neither seemed worth the trouble of befriending in the first place."
                                        "Arzyl’s eyes glittered with a sort of ageless eagerness. She smiled at him."
                                        #arz happy
                                        arz "Precisely! Only too late do you see the intent of this exercise."
                                        ro "…Which is?"
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "Not every power that passes before your purview is worth pursuing. Not every ally needs to be courted."
                                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        ro "That’s not how Jezera seems to think."
                                        "Arzyl shrugged."
                                        arz "And that is why I am speaking to {i}you{/i}. You must be more discerning than her."
                                        arz "The Dark Elves are quite powerful - in theory. But their social skills are sorely lacking.To say nothing of their fractious nature."
                                        arz "Three separate houses vie for power, ready to tear each other apart - perfect place to wedge oneself in as a power broker."
                                        #arz concerned
                                        show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                        arz "But blood has not yet been spilled. They’re too proud, not yet desperate enough for your help."
                                        arz "Why treat with one faction over another when none are yet weakened? What use is picking a fruit before it’s ripened?"
                                        ro "But you just sent them to treat with Jezera."
                                        #arz happy
                                        "Arzyl’s smile widened, her plump lips curling into a self satisfied smirk."
                                        arz "Oh no, goodness no. The Twins aren’t even aware they {i}came{/i}. You think I want a repeat of prior theatrics?"
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "Lady Ordspythe is leading them to the castle gate. That alone will be message enough to them, not to mince words with a man like you."
                                        arz "Worry not, my lovely: your reputation remains intact… prior bumbling notwithstanding."
                                        $ arzylFavour -= 1

                                "Reveal that you are Rowan Blackwell.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    ro "…I would be cautious with whom you trifle with."
                                    ro "Lady Arzyl misspoke when she called me Orwen. My name is Rowan Blackwell."
                                    "Rowan folded his arms and let the pregnant silence settle for a moment. Both of the Elven ambassadors stared at him as if he’d said nothing at all."
                                    cali "…Rowan Blackwell?"
                                    cali "You’re… one of the heroes who defeated Karnas, yes?"
                                    "Aronya ran a jagged fingernail across the wood table, seemingly uninterested."
                                    aron "Congratulations: a man killing a man. How many times in history has {i}that{/i} happened?"
                                    ro "A demon lord is a very different thing from a mere “man.”"
                                    cali "Yes! As is, I suppose an Elf different from a human, or a raven different from a worm."
                                    "Far from gaining their respect, Rowan seemed to have only united the two factions in mutual disdain for him."
                                    "Aronya rose from the table, pulling her dagger into her hand. She held it to Rowan’s throat."
                                    aron "I’ve had enough sleights this evening. I will not be talked down to by the likes of you. "
                                    #arz concerned
                                    show arzyl neutral at center with moveinleft
                                    arz "Aaah! Just a moment, my illustrious ladies!"
                                    "Arzyl, as if psychic, appeared from the crowd behind Rowan’s shoulder."
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "You won’t {i}believe{/i} the coincidence at play: Lady Jezera herself has summoned the both of you to a joint meeting in her private chambers."
                                    "Aronya’s blade withdrew from Rowan’s neck, and she brushed past him with nary a glance. Calinthe, not to be outdone, hurried to Arzyl’s side."
                                    aron "Where is it? I need to speak with her immediately concerning the-"
                                    cali "Not before {i}I{/i} do, you harridan! The Sisters of Lust have an actual purpose in coming here this-"
                                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    hide arzyl with moveoutright
                                    "Rowan disconnected himself from the gaggle of monsters, his heart beating out of his chest at how close it had come to violence."
                                    "He only just noticed a Fae courtier leading the two “dignitaries” away as Arzyl slunk back over to him."
                                    #arz concerned
                                    show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                                    "Her expression was that of rueful disappointment."
                                    arz "Rowan, oh no no no. Dear me, and here I thought you had things well in hand."
                                    arz "Did you {i}really{/i} think that revealing your identity would aid in your efforts to woo them?"
                                    ro "I was hoping it would help them see me as someone more worthy to treat with. An equal, of sorts."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Oh my lovely: {i}they don’t care{/i}, wasn’t that obvious?"
                                    arz "A pack of harpies like that wouldn’t have noticed you if you were the Emperor of Rakashan! A man is a man is a man to them."
                                    arz "This is {i}politics{/i}, my dear. And while a fancy title or renowned name might get you in the door, it certainly won’t help you win hearts and minds."
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    ro "What was I to do? They hardly seemed worth winning over in the first place."
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl’s eyes glittered with a sort of ageless eagerness. She smiled at him."
                                    arz "Precisely! Only too late do you see the intent of this exercise."
                                    ro "…Which is?"
                                    arz "Not every power that passes before your purview is worth pursuing. Not every ally needs to be courted."
                                    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    ro "That’s not how Jezera seems to think."
                                    "Arzyl shrugged."
                                    arz "And that is why I am speaking to {i}you{/i}. You must be more discerning than her."
                                    arz "The Dark Elves are quite powerful - in theory. But their social skills are sorely lacking.To say nothing of their fractious nature."
                                    arz "Three separate houses vie for power, ready to tear each other apart - perfect place to wedge oneself in as a power broker."
                                    #arz concerned
                                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                                    arz "But blood has not yet been spilled. They’re too proud, not yet desperate enough for your help."
                                    arz "Why treat with one faction over another when none are yet weakened? What use is picking a fruit before it’s ripened?"
                                    ro "But you just sent them to treat with Jezera."
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl’s smile widened, her plump lips curling into a self satisfied smirk."
                                    arz "Oh no, goodness no. The Twins aren’t even aware they {i}came{/i}. You think I want a repeat of prior theatrics?"
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "Lady Ordspythe is leading them to the castle gate. That alone will be message enough to them, not to mince words with a man like you."
                                    arz "Worry not, my lovely: your reputation remains intact… prior bumbling notwithstanding."
                                    $ arzylFavour -= 1

                            label postDelfChoice_rp:
                                scene bg6 with fade
                                "The pair reconvened to another part of the throne room, away from where they had approached the dark elves."
                                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                                #arz happy
                                show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
                                ro "What was the point of having me bring the sword or not in the first place? It did not turn out as you warned me it would, regardless."
                                "Arzyl seemed to be delighted by the sudden change in topic."
                                arz "-To see if you had vision. I gave you a false binary and then {i}dared{/i} you to prove me otherwise."
                                #arz neutral
                                arz "A clever manipulator can turn any situation to their advantage, regardless of how they approach it."
                                arz "It was not {i}that{/i} you brought a sword or no, but rather to see if you could wield the skills and tools you had at your disposal to attain the outcome you wanted."
                                arz "Your alliance - or lack thereof - with either, both, or no Dark Elf factions is of little consequence to me. It is that you choose: decisively and with consequence."
                                arz "Never assume that you are limited only to the options provided for you. You are not beholden to {i}anyone{/i} save your own interests. Anyone who tells you otherwise only seeks to weaken you."
                                ro "-And what is it that {i}you{/i} seek from me, Lady Arzyl?"
                                #arz happy
                                "Arzyl’s teeth glittered as she led them onwards into the banquet, arm in arm."
                                arz "The same thing you are: the means to free myself of all that restrains me."
                                jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                        "Rowan spotted a group of Chaos Dwarves talking loudly together." if dignitariesDorfsSeen == False:
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ dignitariesDorfsSeen = True
                            scene bg6 with fade
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
                            "Sitting together, flanked by a small phalanx of heavily armed guards, a group of Dwarven nobles were talking - or rather, {i}shouting{/i} - over the din."
                            arke "You feel this shite, Dimolt?"
                            "The Dwarf placed his hand atop the table and rattled it. There was some give as the table legs shifted back and forth. The other Dwarves let out harsh grunts."
                            arke "What kinda half-arsed construction is this? We marched how many hundreds o’ leagues to be here, just ta sit on a glorified tree stump?"
                            dimo "They says it’s Fae-make. Built directly from tha’ forest naturally, or some such."
                            "The lead Diplomat slammed his fist upon the table, rattling the silverware."
                            arke "{i}Fie{/i} on the Fae! Ya’d think a wood nymph would be better at shapin’ wood, aye?"
                            arke "I’d take a rock-hewn bench in our deepest, blackest mining pit over this drek. Like sitting mine arse in sandpaper."
                            arke "{i}And where in Kharos’ great burning beard are the alewenches{/i}?!"
                            #arz concerned
                            arz "Ah, the {i}Dakk-Kazii{/i}. I was wondering if they’d make an appearance."
                            ro "The Dwarves sent emissaries? I didn’t expect to see any of them here."
                            arz "Not quite the ‘dwarves.’ Only the dregs of them."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "The {i}Kazii{/i} have not been seen in these realms for an age or more. All that remains are these baseborn, blue skinned mongrels."
                            ro "You sound scornful."
                            arz "Hush dear, and bear witness to the reason why."
                            hide rowan with dissolve
                            "Without prompting Arzyl approached the much maligned wooden table, planting her hand upon the tabletop just next to the Dwarf’s fingertips. He cast a contemptuous scowl upward up at her."
                            arke "What’s all this then? You the entertainment? Come at last to bring me my drink?"
                            arz "Alas, if only. I am the hostess to this humble gathering: Lady Arzyl, of the Midnight Court."
                            "It was as if a sudden wind had caught the Dwarf. He sat up straighter, his eyes softened, and his lips curled upwards into a cultivated, neutral smile spreading wide across his beard."
                            $ arkedonName = "Arkedon"
                            arke "Arkedon, Barwon of the Bluebeard Warthrong. Nephew of King Molek III, lord of the Cloudspire mountains."
                            "Arzyl inclined her head low, with her hand held far behind her, mimicking Dwarven greeting tradition."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "A royal family member! You honour us with your presence, Arkedon. May your treasure troves be bloated and your belts bursting from the beer in your bellies!"
                            arke "Aha! Well spoken, my lady. Yer kind to see to us in person like this."
                            arke "Pardon mah prior rudeness, I’m just far too excited to try some of yer famed Fae wine!"
                            arz "Of course! I shall have a full tankard brought to you in but a moment."
                            #arz concerned
                            "The glow in Arzyl’s eyes faded, her lips twisting into a discomfited frown."
                            arz "But… Lord Arkedon, what’s this I hear about a subpar table?"
                            "Arkedon, nonplused, rushed to correct his prior bluntness."
                            arke "Nay! Nah! A slip o’ the tongue. We dwarves get surly when we ain’t had our meals, and Bloodmeen is notorious fer leavin’ a man’s belly to growlin’."
                            arke "A clever tactic fer negotiatin’ wouldn’t ya say? {i}Ha{/i} ha!"
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "I will of course rectify the situation good sir, if only you’ll tell me how."
                            #arz concerned
                            arz "Perhaps a solid, stone table can be brought up from the larder? It may take my kin some time to move it, but-"
                            "Arkedon magnanimously held up a hand, taking Arzyl’s soft fingers in his calloused grip. He stroked it softly, rubies glittering from the rings on his fingers."
                            arke "T’wont be necessary, lass. Far and away beyond what I’d expect of ya."
                            arke "Yer company and kind words ‘r more than enough. The table is more than fine."
                            arz "If you’re certain…"
                            arke "Certain as the stone beneath me feet. Ye are a welcomin’ host. I thank ye."
                            #arz happy
                            arz "I take it then that we may speak more of matters later, together?"
                            arke "Of course! O’course!"
                            "Smiling her sweetest smile, and followed at her back by a string of compliments from the grinning Arkedon, Arzyl slowly made her way back to Rowan."
                            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                            #arz angry
                            arz "You see? Obsequious little runt."
                            ro "…I wouldn’t expect you of all people to be annoyed by a little diplomatic two-facedness."
                            #arz concerned
                            "Arzyl shook her head, as if saddened by Rowan’s rush to conclusion."
                            arz "Dear me, have you no tact, Rowan? Do you take me for a raging hypocrite?"
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "It’s not {i}that{/i} they’re two faced, it’s that they’re {i}bad at it{/i}."
                            arz "Not every orange can be peeled with smiles and thank yous. I’d have far preferred a man like Arkedon insult me to my face, then use my scandal to his advantage."
                            arz "Resorting to the same old flattery well again and again… it’s unbecoming. Worse even than that: {i}predictable{/i}."
                            #arz angry
                            arz "You want an ally that you can dance circles around? Then milk him like a cow. But he’s counting on your gullibility, and his promises will want for substance."
                            if skillCheck == "success":
                                #arz neutral
                                ro "…You did that intentionally, didn’t you?"
                                ro "If there’s three things Dwarves value, it’s craftsmanship, food and alcohol, and you denied them all three simultaneously. That can’t have been an accident."
                                #arz happy
                                "Arzyl grinned triumphantly."
                                arz "-And why might I do something like that?"
                                menu:
                                    "To sleight them.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        #arz neutral
                                        "Arzyl shook her head."
                                        arz "No, too pedantic. A sleight without calculation is merely a mistake of diplomacy."
                                        arz "Never anger an envoy if it does not otherwise benefit your cause."
                                        arz "There are times and places for such matters - asserting dominance, letting other factions see the pecking order… but here? No. There is nothing to gain."
                                        #arz happy

                                    "To gauge their reaction.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        #arz concerned
                                        arz "Why? I already know what their reaction will be."
                                        #arz neutral
                                        arz "Ask yourself: a group of surly dwarves enters your hall. You deny them food and drink during the festivities, you gift them a wobbly table."
                                        arz "…Do you expect them to be {i}jolly{/i}?"
                                        #arz happy

                                    "To take advantage of their annoyance.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        #arz happy
                                        "Arzyl’s grin grew wide in approval."
                                        arz "Yes! How remarkable it is, the game we play: oftentimes the ‘wrong’ move is the best one to make."
                                        arz "Negotiations with a distracted and off balance opponent can produce far better outcomes than one might expect."
                                        $ arzylFavour += 1

                            else:
                                pass

                            "Arzyl smirked, gesturing to the still-grumbling Dwarven party."
                            arz "So Rowan, a question to you: what’s my next move?"
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "What do you mean?"
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "I have just engineered a scenario with a group of foreign diplomats, potential allies - or enemies - to your future interests."
                            arz "Arkedon carries with him the authority of his uncle, King Molek III himself, and I have left him hungry, thirsty, and annoyed at his accommodations."
                            arz "…What to do? Shall I see he gets all he desires? Shall I give him nothing? Something in between?"
                            #$ arkedonScore = 0
                            # Replay mod: Just boost to 10 in case of missing content.
                            $ arkedonScore = 10
                            menu:
                                "Bring him everything, be a good host.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    #arz concerned
                                    "Arzyl let out a soft {i}tsk{/i} of disappointment."
                                    arz "No no no, my lovely you are too kind hearted by far. What does a move like that tell him?"
                                    ro "That we are attentive to his needs."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "-Or that you are desperate to please."
                                    arz "Rushing to serve him hand and foot after a single complaint confers power in his words, in his demands."
                                    arz "Arkedon would see this as a sign of weakness, that he is your top priority, and thus will bargain all the harder."

                                "Bring him nothing, leave him fuming.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl giggled, covering her pleased smile with a hand."
                                    arz "As amusing as that would be, no."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "The point of such tactics is not to {i}enrage{/i} your opponent, but merely throw them off their orbit."
                                    arz "An angry negotiator becomes a stubborn negotiator. Tip the balance too far and it will be twice as hard to get what you want. The key is moderation."

                                "Bring him only some of what he wants.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    $ arkedonScore += 1
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Her eyes regarded him with interest, her lips curling upwards."
                                    arz "…Yes. You see it, don’t you? The delicate dance at play."
                                    arz "To give him everything is to appear capitulatory, and to deny him everything is to sacrifice your leverage."
                                    arz "You feed him morsels, not a feast. Each concession becomes a treasured bargaining chip to him. And a method of control for you."
                                    #arz neutral

                            arz "So… what do you bring him first?"
                            menu:
                                "The wine.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    $ arkedonScore += 1
                                    #arz happy
                                    arz "Yes! Ply his tongue with a dash of lubrication, dull his senses and lower his guard."
                                    arz "Hunger will keep him antsy, and a new table would take too much time to arrange, and do nothing to settle his nerves."
                                    #arz neutral

                                "The food.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    "Arzyl shook her head."
                                    arz "A fair choice, but it ignores the company you’re keeping. While a Dwarf may value his dinner, he {i}far{/i} prefers his flagon."
                                    arz "Food can be delayed - held back or excused. But beer and wine can never be put off, when a simple trip to the casks is within eyesight’s reach."

                                "A new table":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    #arz concerned
                                    "Arzyl {i}tsked{/i} him."
                                    arz "Takes too long to bring up, and is too small a boon for the wait required. He will be twice as surly when it finally arrives, and it will be a small consolation."
                                    arz "A drunk is far more forgiving of the discomforts of life, and twice as likely to forget his own requests."
                                    #arz neutral

                            arz "So… what next? You brought him wine."
                            arz "You bide your time, wait for him to become properly inebriated. Whatever you bring next, you wait a long time for it, draw out the expectation."
                            menu:
                                "The food.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    $ arkedonScore += 1
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl’s eyes glittered with glee."
                                    arz "{i}Yes{/i}! Leave Arkedon drunk and ravenous, he may well slip his tongue upon your honeyed words."
                                    arz "Draw it out until the uttermost moment, then grant him a bounteous feast to fill his belly and distract him from his goal."

                                "A new table.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    #arz concerned
                                    "Arzyl shook her head."
                                    arz "Think of the logistics, think of practicalities: a new table, brought in the midst of a raging banquet."
                                    arz "We’ll be on our third course by the time it arrives, and it will almost certainly cause a ruckus as we try to move it amidst the crowds."
                                    arz "Immediate needs will always trump temporary discomfort, no matter how loud one grumbles."

                            #arz neutral
                            arz "So, a final question."
                            arz "You’ve gotten him drunk, you’ve gotten him fat on food… Do you even bring him a new table at all?"
                            menu:
                                "Yes.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    #arz concerned
                                    "Arzyl sighed."
                                    arz "And here I thought we were getting somewhere."
                                    #arz neutral
                                    arz "You have already brought him everything he needs: food, drink. It is the place of the guest to act graciously for the host."
                                    arz "Such rank subordination is no better than Arkedon’s bowing and scraping, and he {i}will{/i} take notice."

                                "No.":
                                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                    $ arkedonScore += 1
                                    #arz happy
                                    "Arzyl clapped her hands."
                                    arz "Yes, you get it!"
                                    arz "With the wine and food, you have already given generously. To go so far for his sake is an implicit surrender, one he would exploit."
                                    arz "By giving him {i}some{/i}, but not all of what he wants, you leave him in a weakened position. He knows you value him, but not overmuch. He can make demands, but only go so far."
                                    arz "By controlling something as simple as a dinner table, you have established the dynamic by which we will negotiate empire."

                            if arkedonScore == 4:
                                $ arzylFavour += 2
                            elif arkedonScore > 2:
                                $ arzylFavour += 1
                            else:
                                $ arzylFavour -= 1

                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "…Are we done here? Or shall we discuss his cutlery as well?"
                            #arz happy
                            "Arzyl laughed at his annoyed expression."
                            arz "Dear me, and here I thought I was entertaining you with such dalliances! Worry not, I have already handled the minutiae of our good Dwarf’s dinner plans."
                            arz "Onwards then, to new horizons!"
                            jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

            "I should introduce you to members of the Twins’ court.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                if banquetMemberSeen == False:
                    $ banquetMemberSeen = True
                    #arz happy
                    arz "Oh, wonderful! What a treat this will be. It is always best to get to know one’s… {i}intimates{/i}."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "…A curious choice of words."
                    "Arzyl seemed bemused by his sudden reticence."
                    arz "Please Rowan, I’m hardly one to judge another’s conduct - or lack thereof - with their subordinates behind closed doors."
                    #arz neutral
                    arz "By all means find your own amusements! So long as such distractions do not interfere with your duties."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
                    #arz happy
                    "Arzyl’s smile stretched wide enough to show her gums."
                    arz "Of course not."

                    $ banquetClaSeen = False
                    $ banquetIndSeen = False
                    $ banquetSkorSeen = False
                    $ banquetGreySeen = False

                else:
                    pass

                menu:
                    "Rowan spied a group of goblins conferring with one another." if banquetClaSeen == False:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ banquetClaSeen = True
                        scene bg6 with fade
                        "Rowan approached the gaggle of goblins, who had asserted a position near the center of the gathering. Most gave them a wide berth, but a few were chattering away with others on the periphery."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        show clamin neutral at midright with moveinleft
                        cla "Mmm. What a night. A glass of wine in hand and the handsomest suitor in the castle comes to pay me a visit."
                        "Rowan schooled his expression."
                        ro "Cla-Min. I hope you’re enjoying yourself."
                        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                        cla "Of course! A gathering like this? There’s always coin to be made."
                        cla "It’s not often my kind are included in the festivities; thank you for inviting us."
                        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                        show arzyl neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                        arz "Actually, that was {i}me{/i}, my dear."
                        #arz happy
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        arz "Lady Arzyl, at your service!"
                        "Cla-Min cast a cool glance at Arzyl’s outstretched hand. After a moment's hesitation, she took it."
                        #arz concerned
                        arz "When Rowan told me about the invaluable services your Clan provides the Twins through the leylines, I simply {i}had{/i} to invite the lot of you!"
                        cla "Hm."
                        cla "Imagine that, hearing for years that I'm as wily as a Fae. And now I have the uh... honor to be invited to one of their parties."
                        #arz happy
                        arz "The honour is all mine, my dear! I imagine we could do great things together."
                        show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                        cla "Of course of course! There's so much gold to be had these days. I must admit, it’s a rare experience to speak to someone whom I have no idea what she might want to buy from me."
                        "Arzyl smiled, as if supremely flattered by the statement."
                        show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve
                        arz "Oh my clever friend. Surely you know that Fae appetites range {i}far{/i} wider than a few shiny bits and bobs. What tickles my fancy cannot be bought with gold."
                        "Far from seeming intimidated by the loaded statement, Cla-Min kept a neutral expression. She took a long, careful drag off her pipe."
                        cla "Hm. Right. Well, nice meeting you. We’ll catch up later Rowan, yeah?"
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "I’m looking forward to it."
                        hide clamin with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutright
                        "Cla-Min flashed a brief smile before turning away from the Fae entirely. The two continued onward, Arzyl laughing all the while."
                        arz "Goodness me, she doesn’t like me at {i}all{/i}, does she?"
                        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                        ro "She doesn’t trust you."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Of course she doesn’t. Why would she? A grifter trusts nothing but their own gut instincts."
                        arz "An admirable trait… for clever prey that don’t wish to be eaten."
                        jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                    "A woman’s bright foreign clothing could be spotted near the dance floor." if tavernLevel >= 1 and banquetIndSeen == False:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ banquetIndSeen = True
                        scene bg6 with fade
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve
                        #show indarah happy at midright with moveinright
                        "Indarah hovered near the empty dance floor, clearly attracted to the allure of the music. She hummed along to the bawdy tune the minstrels were playing on the dais."
                        "Rowan approached her, and she smiled at him."
                        #show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ind "Oh! Rowan. Fancy meeting you here."
                        ro "Hello Indarah, what brings you to Bloodmeen?"
                        ind "The Twins wanted some help arranging the throne room to their liking. Give it a “festive” atmosphere."
                        #show indarah concerned at midright with dissolve
                        ind "Have you seen the people they’ve got working on this? The Fae?"
                        #show indarah neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ind "Fucking beautiful work. Would kill to have their decorator spend five minutes on the tavern's interior."
                        ro "Well, you can tell them yourself. Allow me to introduce you to: Lady Arzyl of the Fae."
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                        arz "Oh! Is that the barkeep? Hello, hello! Lady Ordspythe told me so much about you!"
                        #show indarah concerned at midright with dissolve
                        "Arzyl approached her with an energetic eagerness, taking her hands in hers and shaking them with vigour."
                        arz "An absolute pleasure to meet you in person, Indarah! A wonder, a joy!"
                        "Indarah cast an uncertain glance in Rowan’s direction. He shrugged helplessly."
                        ind "Well, uh. Hello? Nice to meet you?"
                        arz "And you as well, my dear! You are as stunning as the stories told!"
                        arz "I must say: you are a {i}clever{/i} girl, using the Twins as you do. Cutting out the competition while at the same time securing permanent funding!"
                        arz "Oh so clever!"
                        ind "I... what? Are you fucking with me right now?"
                        arz "Not at all! Perish the thought! Without intrepid, adventurous women like you, we don’t find any…"
                        "Her grin grew wide as her eyes glowed with amusement."
                        arz "Women like me."
                        "Indarah’s face paled. She glanced at Rowan much more sharply, visibly on edge, and leaned away from Aryzl."
                        ind "…I need to go now."
                        hide indarah with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutright
                        "She pulled free from Arzyl’s grasp and marched away, her footsteps quickening the farther away she got from them."
                        "Arzyl watched her leave with an almost longing expression. Rowan glared at her."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                        ro "What the hell was all that about, Arzyl?"
                        #arz concerned
                        "She let out a soft sigh."
                        arz "Oh, nothing. Just a bit of hopeless yearning; it’s always the forbidden fruits we most desire, no?"
                        #arz happy
                        arz "I do so {i}love{/i} me girls from the Dragon’s Tail. Always so feisty!"
                        ro "She’s off limits."
                        #arz concerned
                        arz "Of course she is! Do you take me for a slobbering glutton?"
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Nevertheless: quite the beauty, that one. I do so hope you are “enjoying” her to the fullest."
                        jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                    "The sound of a Dwarf’s grumbling carried across the room" if banquetSkorSeen == False:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ banquetSkorSeen = True
                        scene bg6 with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        show skordred angry at skorright with moveinright
                        "The grim Dwarf Skordred stood like a statue frozen in the midsts of the gathering. He made no effort to speak to anyone, his beady eyes shifting this way and that as he glared at the assembled pageantry."
                        sk "Mockery, tha’s what it is. A damned mockery."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Skordred, do you have a moment?"
                        "The Dwarf looked up at Rowan from beneath his hood, revealing a pained scowl."
                        show skordred neutral at skorright with dissolve
                        sk "Almost a thousand years, this castle has stood, a throne room worthy of the avatar of Chaos."
                        sk "Blood banquets, orgies and rituals to Kharos have been conducted here. Kings have knelt at its feet, priests of Solansia prayed here like it were an altar."
                        show skordred happy at skorright with dissolve
                        sk "Tha’ envy o’ the world. A place to {i}rule{/i} the world."
                        show skordred angry at skorright with dissolve
                        sk "…And now {i}this{/i} gatherin’ is what’s left of it all. Karnas’d weep at the lows we’ve sunk to."
                        #arz concerned
                        show arzyl neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                        arz "-But from humble beginnings, great things can rise, good sir."
                        sk "…Who are {i}ye{/i}?"
                        ro "Skordred, this is Lady Arzyl, of the Fae."
                        arz "You may not know me, my good man,  but I remember this castle, both in its greatest glories and in its most abject destruction."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Time may wear down this place, but it always returns. And {i}you{/i} are a mighty part of that reclamation."
                        "The Dwarf stared at her a long moment, his jaw working the air."
                        sk "What does a forest spirit know of such things?"
                        arz "I have seen the armies of the Dark Lords on the march. I have witnessed their black banners waving in the breeze, uncountable in their number."
                        arz "We all have our part to play in bringing back those heady days, and every choice we make and ally we gather is a step in that direction."
                        #arz happy
                        arz "Take heart, good sir. Though we are a motley assortment, we are the seed of a new Demon Lord’s army."
                        show skordred happy at skorright with dissolve
                        sk "I… thank ye, mah lady."
                        arz "The pleasure’s all mine. A toast: for battles lost, and wars still to be won."
                        "The Dwarf took a flagon of golden ale from the table next to him and lifted it, chugging down the thing wholesale. Arzyl surreptitiously led Rowan away in the aftermath."
                        hide skordred with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace angry at midright with moveoutright
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutright
                        ro "…What was {i}that{/i} all about?"
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Some men wear their loyalty on their sleeves. So long as you show the proper deference, you can {i}always{/i} co-opt them."
                        arz "That little architect? Bring him the tiniest bit of solace and he will follow you unto the ends of the earth."
                        arz "There is no better servant than a broken dog who misses his master."
                        jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                    "Arzyl pointed out a lone Minotaur in a far corner." if forgeLevel >= 1 and banquetGreySeen == False:
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        $ banquetGreySeen = True
                        scene bg6 with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with moveinright
                        "Rowan found Greyhide lingering on the far side of the hall, his arms crossed as he watched the revelry in a quiet place behind the pillars. No one, not even the Fae courtiers got close to his hulking form."
                        "As Rowan approached he saw the Minotaur stealing glances towards the resplendent banquet table upon which heaps of food and drink were scattered."
                        "The bull's expression lifted at Rowan’s arrival, though quickly grew wary as he saw who was draped upon his arm."
                        ro "Greyhide. Long day at the forge?"
                        gh "Hello, Rowan. Work is work, I cannot complain."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Sorry if all this commotion bothered you at all."
                        "Greyhide shrugged."
                        gh "I could not hear it till I came up here. But thank you."
                        gh "…Who is this?"
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                        "Arzyl beamed as she extended her hand to him, treating him like a treasured suitor."
                        arz "Lady Arzyl, Fae of the Midnight Court. My {i}goodness{/i}, but you are a tall one!"
                        "Greyhide cast an uncertain glance in Rowan’s direction. Rowan shrugged."
                        gh "{i}Hrnh{/i}, normal for a Minotaur."
                        arz "Ha ha! And a sense of humor too! Dry as a bone, my favorite kind."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "So I take it you’re the fabled blacksmith of Bloodmeen everyone’s been telling me about?"
                        gh "I forge. Yes."
                        arz "Not a man of many words, I take it?"
                        gh "No."
                        #arz happy
                        arz "Good. Better to let your work speak for itself."
                        "Rowan watched the slightest hint of a smile curve Greyhides lips."
                        #show greyhide happy at cliohnaright with dissolve
                        gh "Yes."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Well, I shan’t keep you, then. I know this party may seem a tad much, but I do hope you’ll find time to enjoy yourself, Greyhide."
                        arz "…Who knows? Perhaps I may visit you anon in hopes of bringing back a finely crafted dagger from your forge?"
                        #arz neutral
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        arz "My kind do love artful craftsmanship."
                        "Greyhide huffed, letting out an almost half-chuckle."
                        gh "Maybe. We will see."
                        gh "It is good to see you, Rowan. Lady Arzyl."
                        hide greyhide with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                        #arz happy
                        show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutright
                        "Taking her cue, Rowan led Arzyl onwards towards the next suitor. She tilted her head back in the direction of the stoic blacksmith."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Quite the personality that one’s got."
                        ro "And here I thought you’d take him for tongue-tied."
                        #arz happy
                        arz "Who, {i}that{/i} one? For a Minotaur he practically chatted my ear off! Not all races are granted the gift of gab."
                        ro "Fae included?"
                        "Arzyl cooed seductively, running a hand down Rowan’s shoulder."
                        arz "I’ll admit, some are more talented than others. There’s more than one way to hunt prey; I prefer to do so with my tongue."
                        ro "So am I prey, or a fellow hunter?"
                        arz "Both. That’s the delight of it all!"
                        jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

                    "On second thought, let’s do something else.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        jump arzylBanquetMenu_rp

            "Enough introductions, let’s get this over with. (All Scenes)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #arz concerned
                arz "Oh Rowan, have you tired of my company already?"
                show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                ro "I’m not the “banquet” type."
                #arz neutral
                arz "Nor was I, once upon a time. But we are nothing if not creatures of our environment."
                arz "For what it’s worth, you are a far more canny courtier than you first let on. Though I do believe it’s {i}half{/i} past time to really get the festivities started."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                ro "What do you mean? Everyone’s already feasting."
                "Arzyl let out an amused snort, waving off Rowan’s statement even as she clung to his arm."
                arz "Oh {i}pssh{/i}! This dull prelude? Hardly worthy of a Fae Banquet. We prefer our merrymaking to be far more memorable!"
                arz "Watch now: the musicians are about to take their seats."
                ro "Musicians? But the bards are already-"
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                show arzyl neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                "True to her word, a small clique of her courtiers marched up to the stage where the musicians were playing a forgettable tune, made for easy listening while the crowd feasted."
                "A few words into their ears, and they rose as one, shuffling offstage to make room for their replacements. There was a strange, cloudy look in the mortal minstrels’ eyes."
                "A bone thin Fae with spindly arms sat down on the too-small stool, pulling out a pale white stringed instrument of a curiously curvaceous shape, almost like a fiddle."
                "He put his long forefinger down upon the instrument, and ran it down the thickest string."
                show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
                "It was… {i}beauteous{/i}. A long, mournful note. Deep, like a lover’s lament beneath the moonlight. He held the sound in the air for far longer than any mortal instrument, quavering his finger like the sound of sorrowful longing."
                "Then the other Fae sat down in their assigned seats, each pulling out their own, curious instrument. A cherub-like creature with brindled skin played a harp of silvergold; a big, brutish ogre with an Elf’s elegant features pulled a large fat-bottomed drum seemingly from nowhere."
                show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                "The room went silent at the wondrous sound. The fiddler held the note for just long enough for his companions to take their places, then he cut it off sharply with a see-saw from his fingers."
                "A long second of silence followed, and the ogrish Fae beat his drum. Once, twice, three times. And the rythym was set."
                "Then, the {i}true{/i} music began. With a flourish of his finger, the fiddler kicked into a jaunty tube that the rest followed by. At once the crowd began to murmur in delight, some standing up out of their seats to sway to the beat."
                show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Rowan found himself tapping his toe to the beat, and it was only when Arzyl leaned into his ear and whispered to him that he thought to stop himself."
                show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                arz "A warning, my lovely: the revelry of the Fae is particularly alluring to mortals. One often finds oneself overwhelmed at the pleasurable sensations it creates."
                arz "Have a care at what you touch, taste, hear, or see, lest you be pitched headfirst into the theatrics yourself."
                "Her words sent a chill up Rowan’s spine. He turned to glare at her."
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "…What have you done, Arzyl?"
                "The Fae did not even have the good grace to look chastened by his glare. She merely laughed."
                arz "I hosted a banquet! And a marvelous one at that. I hope you did not drink the golden wine."
                arz "Now, I must leave you for a brief moment. The Twins are coming and I wish to ensure that everything is {i}just{/i} right for their arrival!"
                ro "Why? What are you playing at?"
                arz "Oh do not worry, my lovely: I’m absolutely certain you will enjoy this development!"
                hide arzyl with dissolve
                "And just like that, she was gone, disappeared into the crowd as the bulk of the hall shifted towards the musicians and their hypnotic music."
                "Rowan felt himself carried by a wave of bodies as everyone jostled to reach the front, to get a better ear to the sound."
                "Those at the front moaned in rapturous joy, holding their hands to their ears as if shuddering at a lovers touch. Farther back, the patrons began to cheer wildly. Hopping and twisting and bouncing to the beat."
                if tavernLevel >= 1:
                    "Rowan watched for a long while, mesmerized, until he caught sight of someone upon the dance floor."
                    show indarah neutral at midright with moveinright
                    #show indarah concerned at midright with moveinright
                    "She moved like water amongst the revellers, dancing and swaying and spinning about in beauteous grace."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                    "It was only when he caught a glimpse of the look on her face that Rowan realized something was terribly wrong. Her body was moving perfectly in time, but her expression was that of distress."
                    "She couldn’t stop dancing. None of the people on the dance floor could."
                    hide indarah with dissolve
                else:
                    show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
                    "Rowan realized something was terribly wrong. None of the people on the dance floor could stop dancing."
                "The mood in the throne room changed. Gone was the staid, polite pageantry of a courtly banquet, replaced with a sort of thrumming energy. A manic energy. A {i}mad{/i} energy."
                "Everyone was moving, congregating, gathering together then breaking apart into new groups. Crowds of noblemen, guards and servants shifted this way and that, moving with the music as a state of pitched hysteria took hold in the room."
                "Rowan was swept up in the crowd, moving like a lone fish against the school as he was buffeted across the tide of shifting people."
                "A frenzied bacchanalia took hold of the room as the hall descended into hedonistic rapture. Everyone was rushing to and fro, hurrying from one entertainment to the next."
                "Rowan found himself thrust before the massive food table, where guests were gorging themselves upon the food they found."
                if forgeLevel >= 1:
                    show greyhide neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
                    #show greyhide aroused at cliohnaright with dissolve
                    "Chief amongst them was Greyhide, who had seized control of the salad bar and refused to let anyone else near. He stuffed his face with wild abandon, devouring every leaf, green, or other vegetable in sight, far faster than he could chew."
                    "A grinning Fae cook with a potbelly and ram’s horns fed him whole cabbages at a time across the table, letting him lick the juices from her clawed fingers when she speared ripe tomatoes and shoved them down his yawning gullet."
                    ro "Greyhide! {i}Greyhide{/i}! Are you all right?"
                    "Greyhide let out a low grunt in the back of his throat, then kept chewing. He only paused in his gluttony long enough to grab hold of a barrel of wine and lift it wholesale up to his puffed cheeks."
                    "He drank and drank and drank. Rowan tried to get his attention twice more, but the bull didn’t so much as look at him."
                    hide greyhide with dissolve
                "The crowd pulled him away before he could fight his way through, sweeping him onwards to new and terrible wonders."
                show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with moveoutright
                #doran angry
                show doran beardless neutral at midright with dissolve
                show rosarian knight neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "A lone Fae with wide eyes and a lipless smile folded his arms together as he conferred with the seemingly drunk traitor lords of Rosaria. They swayed in place as they spilled their golden wine about from their goblets."
                faec "But… I’m confused about your mortal concepts of “Nobility.” You all serve Jezera, yes?"
                faec "But… who is her champion?"
                "They all flinched, as if the idea had never occurred in their lives. One drunk fellow blurted out his answer first."
                archi "{i}I{/i} am her ladies’ most ardent champion!"
                reven "{i}You{/i}: Jezera’s champion?! You are a dim witted knave and always have been, Archibald, but I never realized the depths of your delusion!"
                reven "{i}I{/i} am obviously the most qualified lord to serve her Lady Jezera. You’re not even the dirt beneath her feet."
                archi "Care to test your blade, sir? I said: {i}I{/i} am Jezera’s champion!"
                dor "You take her name out of your lying mouth, Sir, or I’ll take it from you!"
                dor "The lot of you aren’t worth the {i}dirt{/i} beneath my mistresses feet! You half born mongrels!"
                archi "How {i}dare{/i} you, sir!"
                reven "How {i}dare{/i} you, sir!"
                show rowan necklace shock at edgeright with dissolve
                hide doran with dissolve
                hide rosarian knight with dissolve
                "Rowan watched, gobsmacked, as the small cadre of Rosarian Knights descended into a pile of flailing bodies. Fists flew and curses exchanged as they brawled for the sake of a nonargument."
                "Soon the entire area was cleared, with a dozen knights and lords kicking, biting and choking one another in a mad attempt to win no one’s favor."
                "And there, amongst the rest of them was Duke Raeve, bloody nosed and taking all comers in defense of his beloved Jezera."
                "The Fae whose “innocent” question had started all this madness laughed uproariously at the outcome."
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                "Rowan was unable to stay in place for long. Like a hurricane the crowd swept him onwards, towards the foot of the throne itself, where a wide circle had been made for a different kind of vice: gambling."
                "Cards and dice, coin and collateral lay scattered across the ground in an almost haphazard fashion. Nearly a dozen games were going on at once, the screams of exhalation mixing with the groans of defeat to create an avaricious chorus."
                "Life’s savings traded hands and back again as men and women gambled everything they had on hand: jewelry, clothing, their ranks and titles, their {i}spouses{/i}."
                show clamin neutral at midright with moveinright
                "And there, at the absolute center of the action, Cla-Min held court. A half dozen men and a giggling Fae with moth wings and four wraithlike arms all sat in a semicircle playing cards with chips that had seemingly appeared from nowhere."
                "A host of her worried family members looked on as Cla-Min slyly smirked, pushing all her chips to the fore."
                show clamin happy at midright with dissolve
                "The cards went down… and Cla-Min let out a cry of victory. Her whole family began cheering as the put-upon Fae stared at his losing hand. He sighed, snapped his fingers, and a half dozen fluttering moths carried in several sacks of weighted gold from the rafters."
                "The goblins stared greedily upon the bounty within, their eyes glittering with the sight of stack upon stack of gold bars enough to buy a kingdom. Cla-Min directed them to bring their winnings back to the caravan. The family leapt to obey their matriarch."
                #show clamin concerned at midright with dissolve
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "But… they couldn’t move the sacks. They were rooted to the ground. Several unsuccessful attempts to drag them led to the family gathering around one like a swarm of ants."
                "Rowan watched in horror as they yanked upon the thing, using one another for leverage. Some pulled, others pushed, still more shouted directions."
                "It was useless. But they never stopped trying, even when it became clear all they were doing were making fools of themselves."
                hide clamin with moveoutright
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                "The pull of the crowd soon dragged Rowan once more back into the river of people. He was swept along a ways, till he managed to extricate himself once more, this time near the banquet tables."
                "Here the Fae courtiers gathered in groups, sipping wine glasses and chortling at the mortals basking on the ground in ecstacy beneath them."
                show skordred happy at skorright with dissolve
                sk "I… I kinnae believe it!"
                sk "Lord Karnas? {i}Is it really ye{/i}?"
                "A pale Fae with starlight in her hair laughed at Skordred’s dumbfounded look of unabashed joy."
                "She sipped her glass of wine, and mechanically Skordred parroted the action, taking a deep swig of the gold-colored substance in his goblet. His eyes glazed over still further."
                joce "Yes, my child it is I: {i}the Demon Lord, Karnas{/i}! Returned to claim my rightful place as the ruler of Bloodmeen Castle."
                "The Fae made a great show of spreading her arms majestically and spinning about in a circle. The Fae courtiers gathered about Skordred cackled at his look of wonder."
                #show skordred concerned at skorright with dissolve
                sk "I-I-"
                "Skordred fell to one knee, bowing his head so low it knocked against the ground in his haste to abase himself."
                show skordred neutral at skorright with dissolve
                sk "I beg yer forgiveness mah lord, ye wouldn’t remember me. I served ye in the first war."
                sk "I am Skordred, yer humble servant. I have served as chief architect fer yer heirs, but… now yer back!"
                "The Fae put a finger theatrically to her chin, as if contemplating the name."
                joce "…Skordred?"
                sk "Y-yes, lord."
                "Jocelyn’s eyes lit up as if recognizing an old friend’s name."
                joce "Oh yes, {i}Skordred{/i}! How could I forget my {i}most loyal subject{/i}?"
                show skordred happy at skorright with dissolve
                "Skordred’s head lifted, his eyes filling with a sort of shocked wonder."
                sk "You… you remember me?"
                "The Fae put her hand upon his shoulder, and Skordred trembled."
                joce "Of course, my beloved servant! How could I ever forget you? You are my loyal, royal footstool!"
                "Skordred’s eyes clouded over momentarily in confusion, but the Fae mimed taking a sip from her wine glass. Skordred did the same, then he relaxed once more."
                sk "I… forgive me, Lord Karnas, but is it really {i}you{/i}?"
                joce "Yes, servant. It is me, in the flesh! Can you not see my mighty wings and rugged horns?"
                "Jocelyn, cackling, flapped her arms about in halfhearted imitation of a bird. Skordred let out an awestruck gasp, staring upwards at some unseen, looming wingspan."
                joce "Now, if you please: on your hands and knees! I need to rest my feet a while."
                sk "A-at {i}once{/i}, my lord!"
                "Skordred rushed to comply, bowing and scraping all the while. The courtiers that surrounded him laughed as Jocelyn sat down upon the wooden bench then propped her feet up upon the hunched Dwarf."
                "Skordred, by contrast, looked blissful. Almost disoriented with glee. The biggest smile Rowan has ever seen him wear was plastered across his face."
                hide skordred with moveoutright
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                "The crowd, like a ravenous beast, swallowed him whole once more. He felt like he was drowning in a sea of bodies, all stolen by the frenzy of the music."
                "Just as Rowan felt himself being pulled under again by the crushing throng, he felt a strong hand take hold of his wrist, yanking him free from the crowd."
                #arz happy
                show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
                arz "Ah, Rowan! There you are! Sane of mind and whole of body. You never cease to impress."
                ro "{i}Arzyl!{/i}"
                ro "This madness has to stop!"
                "Arzyl laughed, pulling Rowan along as if the crowd wasn’t even there. She moved with a clarity of purpose, though to where Rowan did not know."
                arz "Madness? Dear me, did I not warn you what would happen? It {i}is{/i} a Fae banquet, after all."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "The guests have gone insane!"
                arz "Ah, I’m afraid I must correct you: the guests are quite sane. Just a spot of fun, on our part. Livening things up, you see."
                arz "The glamours will wear off, soon enough. It is quite amusing to see how easily they fall prey to such distractions."
                ro " You’ve glamoured the lot of them?! What are you thinking? The Twins will be {i}furious{/i}!"
                "Arzyl laughed, pulling Rowan closer into the crook of her arm as she strutted through the crowd."
                arz "Who, sweet Jezera? She {i}adores{/i} these games and flights of fancy."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                arz "I dare say we may well be a breath of fresh air in this dreary place! What with all the endless lists and armies and expenditures and {i}war councils{/i}."
                arz "Sometimes, the best remedy for boredom is a little harmless fun."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "This is not ‘harmless.’"
                "Arzyl’s eyes glowed with mirth as she tugged him along towards the musicians."
                #arz neutral
                arz "Isn’t it? Tomorrow, they will all wake up safe and sound, none the worse for wear - perhaps a hangover, or two. No one will recall what has occurred."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                arz "Now please, join me for the final dance before the Twins arrive! Don’t worry: I promise to keep you safe."
                "With the crowd blocking all exits with the sheer press of people, Rowan was left with little choice. He stepped onto the dance floor, watching as Arzyl led him to a spot at the exact center."
                "It was a courtly quadrille. The Fae courtiers had lined themselves up with their preferred partners. Ambassadors, courtiers, even dazed servants joined in."
                "The music was the beat, and the dance was sharp and precise, yet all the dancers followed it to the letter. The room had become a single, unified choreography."
                "And at the center of it, Rowan and Arzyl danced together. She stared at him intensely, never glancing down as she led them in a flowing pirouette around the floor."
                arz "…I think there is much we stand to gain from a mutual partnership, Rowan."
                arz "I have seen the going’s on of this court: how the Twins treat you, the burden you bear as their keeper."
                arz "I myself have longed for an equal amongst the mortals, one of your skills and talent."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "You don’t even know who I am, nor what I’m capable of."
                #arz happy
                "Arzyl grinned at him, showing her too-perfect, white teeth."
                arz "Don’t I? I know your past, I have done my due diligence. Few indeed are those who have borne as many titles as you."
                arz "Peasant, hunter, rogue, soldier, general, hero, traitor, turncloak, brigand, murderer, both slayer {i}and{/i} seneschal of demons… You’ve worn almost as many skins as I have!"
                arz "More, counting the number of years between us."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "What’s your point, Arzyl?"
                #arz neutral
                arz "You have great untapped potential, and I speak to more than just your skill with a blade, or the wit of your tongue."
                "Rowan stepped to the dance along with her, casting a look around him at the enspelled dinner guests."
                ro "Is this how I can expect to be treated eventually? Will that be my final title: slave?"
                #arz happy
                "Arzyl’s toothy smile was perfect and pearlescent."
                arz "My lovely, have I not been up front with you since we first met?"
                arz "It’s not enough to simply play the game. Recognizing the pieces on the board is important too."
                arz "These hangers-on, these drooling sychophants? They are ours to move and sacrifice as we choose, for the sake of our greater goals."
                #arz neutral
                arz "But {i}you{/i}, Rowan? You are an equal - perhaps a potential adversary, but one I’d {i}far{/i} prefer to make my friend."
                ro "-Until such time as you can usurp me?"
                arz "This is no coup. I have no need for the trappings of mortal power, nor for the Twins in general. You are a {i}far{/i} more reasonable man to work with."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Then what is it that you want? An end to the Leyline usage?"
                "She shook her head, letting out a dismissive laugh."
                arz "Please! A problem I can fix in a fortnight. What I ask for will be but child’s play for you to give me."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "And that is?"
                arz "The means to maintain my court’s living standards, of course! Think of it like… a tithe."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "A tithe of what?"
                "Arzyl’s eyes glittered like two dying stars in the void of night."
                arz "Bodies."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "..."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Bodies."
                #arz concerned
                arz "Please don’t play dumb, Rowan. Not when I am being so painfully forthright with you."
                #arz neutral
                arz "You must have guessed by now - or at least was informed by that fool Whitescar - of the means by which the Midnight Court reigns eternal."
                arz "Souls are a transitory thing, contained only by the substance of the bodies that bear them. Every life must end, but not every soul need depart with it."
                #arz happy
                arz "That’s it, that’s all: my only asking price. A hundred a year, give or take. Handpicked by my courtiers."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Why ask at all? Why not take them yourselves?"
                #arz neutral
                arz "Because I am bound by rules that you are not, rules I have today circumvented exclusively because of my relationship to this court."
                arz "Great change is afoot in the world, and you are in need of a reliable ally."
                arz "You will find no better courtier, nor a more level headed advisor. Comparatively speaking, my asking price is a pittance."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "All the more reason for me to doubt your offer."
                #arz happy
                arz "Not at all! You are bargaining for your interests; I am bargaining for eternity."
                "Rowan opened his mouth to retort, but stopped cold when he saw whom the Fae next to them was dancing with."
                show alexia 2 necklace aroused at edgeright with dissolve
                "Her cheeks were red from exertion, her hair was matted with sweat. There was a glazed look in her eyes, a half madness of glee. She was laughing and laughing."
                "…She {i}couldn’t stop{/i} laughing."
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Alexia?!"
                hide alexia with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "The dance kicked into high gear, a frantic waltz that sent the different dance partners spinning off away from each other like comets in the sky. Rowan lost sight of her in the press of people, but he could just make out the image of red hair flashing in the eldritch light."
                ro "You brought my {i}wife{/i} here?"
                "Arzyl shook her head, her eyes glowing with interest."
                arz "I did not! If she came here, she came of her own volition."
                "Rowan’s brow tightened. The music grew ever higher in its pace."
                menu:
                    "Stay close to Arzyl. (All Scenes)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Rowan had little choice in the matter. He had seen what the Fae’s infernal music could do to mortals ensnared by its sound."
                        "Even now, only Arzyl’s voice and her guiding touch kept him focused on the present, on the movement, on the discussion."
                        "He just had to trust that what she said was true: that the guests would be hard pressed to remember what happened in the morning."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
                            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "If you won’t stop this madness, then at least let my wife go."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "Did I not tell you that Alexia is not here?"
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "I {i}just{/i} saw her."
                            #arz happy
                            "Arzyl giggled, twirling about as Rowan caught her hand and continued the waltz."
                            arz "…Did you? Did you really?"
                            arz "Many guises there are, fair and foul, that my kind can wear. Your masters may be able to shapeshift, but we can do them one better."
                            arz "We can make you {i}believe{/i}."
                        else:
                            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                            ro "Seems like you’ve ensnared the whole castle."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "Hardly. One does not need to sway the whole garrison to infiltrate a fortress, only the gatekeepers."
                            ro "Your turn of phrase is not very reassuring, Lady Arzyl. Those are the words of a foe, or a traitor."
                            #arz angry
                            arz "For a man who’s infiltrated {i}plenty{/i} of castles himself, that’s quite the condemnation."
                            #arz neutral
                            arz "Fear not, Rowan. My goal this evening is not a blood-soaked banquet. But rather, the wooing of a would-be friend."
                            #arz happy
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "I don’t think I should trust a word you say to me."
                        "Arzyl laughed, dancing to the rhythm as if it were the easiest task in the world to ignore the haunting music."
                        arz "You shouldn’t! Never trust the words of another without actions to back them up - and even then, be wary of their goals."
                        arz "There is no such thing as “trust” at the pinnacle of power, only dependability."
                        ro "And what, exactly can I depend on from you?"
                        "Arzyl’s smile was warm and inviting."
                        arz "To know where my best interests lie. My honesty alone should tell you where I think they do."
                        if arzylFavour > 2:
                            jump arzylBanquetSex_rp
                        else:
                            jump banquetTwinsArrival_rp

                    "Push through the crowd to rescue Alexia .":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show bg6 with fade
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                        "Rowan shook off Arzyl’s groping fingers and peeled himself from her grasp. He leapt into the crowd, pushing and shoving, heedless of the ripple of interruption he caused on the tightly choreographed floor."
                        hide arzyl with dissolve
                        hide rowan with moveoutright
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                        "Shoving aside a pair of cackling Fae, Rowan caught sight of his wife, dancing in the arms of a Rosarian knight who looked equally enthralled, he shoved the man aside, taking his wife in his arms."
                        "She moulded to him like clay, arms slipping about his shoulders as she dazedly gazed up at him."
                        ro "Alexia, {i}Alexia{/i}! are you all right?"
                        show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
                        "Her brow knitted in consternation, eyes swimming in a dull fog."
                        al "Rowan? Where… where are we?"
                        al "I was having the {i}strangest{/i} dream. There were demons and Orcs and a castle. And I…"
                        "Her voice dropped down into a quiet whisper, her brow furrowing with worry."
                        al "I think I {i}kissed{/i} a man. Why would I have done that?"
                        al "And you were there, but it wasn’t the same. You wore a necklace, with a sapphire as blue as the sea. But it choked you. Like…"
                        "Her eyes widened as her fingers reached out to gently stroke the necklace around Rowan’s neck."
                        al "Like that one. Am I still dreaming?"
                        ro "Alexia, we need to get you out of here. {i}Now{/i}."
                        "She shook her head, laughing in a carefree tone that he hasn’t heard for years. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close, looking fondly into his eyes."
                        al "Not yet. Can’t you hear the song?"
                        "As if waiting for that exact moment, the Fae on the minstrel’s dais began to play. It was a song of joy, of warm summer evenings and bygone friends, catching fireflies by the lakeshore as laughter drifted through the meadows."
                        "Rowan tried to move, tried to step away, but the rhythm took hold. Alexia smiled at him, and he smiled back, feeling that old, familiar tremor in his chest that had so inspired him long ago."
                        "The song, so wondrous and sweet, like warm cider in the wintertime, or a cooling bath after a long march. Days and months and years melted away in an instant, and suddenly, everything was clear."
                        "Rowan began to dance."
                        "“Come away, O lovely mortal, to places far from home"
                        "Where butterflies drink buttercups, and dreamers gaily roam.”"
                        "“Come away, O lovely mortal, cavort beneath the stars,"
                        "Join us in our jubilations, and cast aside your scars.”"
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        "“Your love will take your hand to dance, their smile soft and small,"
                        "You’ll whirl about the Fae Queen’s throne, like lovers at the ball.”"
                        "“Round and round and round again, round and round and round,"
                        "Till voices rise with joyous song, ears tickled by the sound.”"
                        "“The fae-folk they will tarry near, and watch you with their eyes,"
                        "Till it is {i}you{/i} that watches them, whilst wearing your own guise.”"
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        hide alexia with moveoutright
                        "“They’ll offer you a kind exile, a land so soft and fair,"
                        "Where winters weep their frozen snow, and summers singe the air.”"
                        "“A year there is a lifetime, a second but a day,"
                        "And each moment that you tarry, makes it harder not to stay.”"
                        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                        "“Round and round and round again, round and round and round,"
                        "Till all your Gods return to dust, and kings become uncrowned.”"
                        "“Come away, O lovely mortal.”"
                        "“Come away, O lovely mortal.”"
                        "“{i}Come away, O lovely mortal{/i}.”"
                        "RoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundandRoundand-"
                        "Rowan couldn’t stop - wouldn’t stop dancing, why would he? The summer tune was so delightful, the rhythm of the beat so hypnotic."
                        "Somewhere during the uptempo Alexia had slipped free from his fingers. Laughing in a way that was new for her, she’d left the dance floor like it was nothing. He lost sight of her in the crowd that had formed to watch him."
                        "So he danced, till his lungs burned and his shirt was coated in sweat, till the world around him swayed like the deck of a ship, and his knees were ready to buckle beneath him. Still he danced."
                        "Someone passed him a goblet of glimmering gold wine, and he drank it. And suddenly the song was in his gut, urging him onwards to dance still more."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        "The festivities only ended when the Orc herald pounded his staff upon the ground, and the music abruptly stopped. Rowan stopped with it, confused and not a little bit disappointed."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
                        show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve
                        show wild orc neutral behind bg6
                        if society_type == "might":
                            orcher "Introducing Lord Andras and Lady Jezera! Rulers of Bloodmeen, the Six Realms, and the world beyond!"
                        else:
                            orcher "Introducing Emperor Andras and Empress Jezera! Rulers of Bloodmeen, the Six Realms, and the world beyond!"
                        show rowan necklace happy at edgeleft with dissolve
                        "Muffled cheering rose from the room that proved infectious. Even Rowan politely clapped."
                        show jezera happy at center with moveinright
                        show andras happy at midright with moveinright
                        je "Thank you! Thank you! "
                        je "What a sight! What an evening! All our friends and allies here, together under one roof."
                        je "I hope you have been enjoying the fun, for I have an announcement to make this evening, a proclamation in fact!"
                        je "Brother, would you do the honours?"
                        an "Rowan Blackwell, step forward."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft
                        "The crowd parted like a wave, and Rowan was ushered forth to stand before the Twins."
                        "The entire gathering fell into a hush, everyone was looking at him. Even the Fae stood in quiet awe."
                        an "Kneel."
                        "Rowan didn’t know what was going on. But he saw no alternative. He kneeled."
                        "Andras reached out with his hands, taking hold of the necklace around his neck."
                        an "In light of your invaluable service to us, we have decided to free you from the burden of this trinket."
                        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "…{i}What{/i}?"
                        #Some audio sound of something breaking,
                        show rowan shock at midleft with dissolve
                        je "Arise, Rowan. Arise as a free man, bound only by your loyalty."
                        "Rowan’s knees shook as he stood, and the room broke into thunderous applause."
                        show rowan neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "This… this can’t be happening!"
                        "Andras held up a hand, and the room went silent once more."
                        an "We have another announcement to make."
                        an "Due to our seneschal’s tireless efforts, we have grown far beyond what we could ever hope to manage ourselves."
                        je "We have realized, in the fullness of time, the mistake we made in pushing him to the side."
                        je "Too long has he waited in the shadows, doing the work of a king, but bearing no regal title."
                        an "It’s time we fixed that problem, sister."
                        an "I, Andras son of Karnas, renounce my claim to Bloodmeen and pledge my loyalty to Rowan Blackwell."
                        je "I, Jezera daughter of Karnas, renounce my claim to Bloodmeen and pledge my loyalty to Rowan Blackwell."
                        "Andras and Jezera both kneeled before him, bowing their heads low."
                        an "Henceforth, you will be known as Rowan the first: King of Bloodmeen!"
                        show rowan happy at midleft with dissolve
                        "The room exploded into cheering and clapping. Orc guards climbed on tables and pounded their chests, roaring their approval to the sky."
                        "Duke Raeve and his entourage fell to their knees, and soon the whole chamber was kneeling before him. Rowan, speechless, could do nothing but smile."
                        "Then he was mobbed. The crowd carried him bodily to the base of the throne, cheering and laughing all the while."
                        "Someone thrust a crown upon his head, another swept a cloak of royal ermine about his shoulders. A scepter of imperial authority was placed in his palm, and Andras’ sword was placed in the other."
                        voices "All hail King Rowan! {i}All hail King Rowan{/i}!"
                        #Show CG “Rowan ascending the Throne”
                        "King Rowan, first of his name, ascended the throne of Bloodmeen with all the regal dignity his position demanded."
                        "His subjects cheered, they cried and they wailed, watching their king rise above their petty mortality to something greater, something near divine."
                        "Their laughter, such {i}kind{/i} laughter. The King joined in with it, laughing along with them at the joy of it all."
                        "It was everything he’d ever wanted: fame, recognition, love, conquest. The world was his to claim."
                        "Halfway up the steps, Rowan fumbled, and remembered who he was."
                        #Show CG “Rowan ascending the Throne” - var 1
                        ro "This… this isn’t right. "
                        "Rowan’s vision swam, his throat closing as he realized too late what was happening."
                        "He looked down at his royal raiment, and realized he was wearing rags. The scepter of his power was a piece of flotsam, his crown a patch of rotten seaweed. Andras’ “sword” was but a dinner fork."
                        show rowan neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        #show rowan angry at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "This is all a dream, isn’t it? None of this is happening!"
                        ro "{i}ARZYL{/i}!"
                        "The voices down below him changed, growing shriller, less human. The image of the throne room grew foggy and indistinct, the guests all merging into an incomprehensible mess of grey."
                        "The world around him turned to putty."
                        scene white with pixellate
                        show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                        show arzyl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                        "The banquet was gone, the mortal guests were gone. All that stood before him in the void were the gaggle of Fae courtiers that Rowan had met. One, whose face had looked so like that of Alexia’s shifted back to her more natural, birdlike appearance."
                        "Standing there in the back, far removed from the others, stood Arzyl. Watching him."
                        show rowan at midleft with moveoutleft
                        "He pushed through the crowd of giggling Fae and rushed over to her, his expression black."
                        ro "What is the meaning of this?!"
                        arz "Well done, Rowan. You never cease to impress. No mortal has ever refused to be the King in Motley once his raiment has been placed upon him."
                        arz "Your will is… remarkable."
                        ro "You set all this up to… what, make a fool of me?"
                        "Arzyl’s face twisted into a look of contrite dismay."
                        arz "Did I not warn you what would happen if you strayed? What did I say?"
                        arz "“Have a care at what you touch, taste, hear, or see, lest you be pitched headfirst into the theatrics yourself.”"
                        arz "I said you would be safe with me, and you ran off. Advice is only as good as the ear that listens."
                        ro "You tricked me. Manipulated me."
                        arz "Correction, my lovely: I {i}tested{/i} you. I gave you the means to play our deadly game of intrigue, with stakes that were not binding. "
                        #arz happy
                        arz "I gave you a glimpse of how our partnership might benefit you, and a few free lessons besides!"
                        ro "I am not to be toyed with, Fae."
                        #arz angry
                        arz "Nor am I toying with you. If you think {i}this{/i} is toying with someone, then you truly do not know what I’m capable of."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "You face a world full of horrors and magic and - worst of all - {i}politics{/i}. You need a friend like me to help you navigate it all."
                        ro "So this banquet was a sham?"
                        #arz happy
                        arz "Not completely! All our guests were “present,” though not in the manner you might think."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "Few will recall more than passing details of a hazy gathering, my servants will see to that. I promised you a Fae banquet, and I delivered."
                        ro "Your servants glamoured me, made me dress in motley."
                        #arz happy
                        "Arzyl let out a humoured giggle."
                        arz "We {i}are{/i} Fae, my lovely. A bit of playful trickery is always to be expected."
                        #arz neutral
                        arz "{i}But you{/i} were the guest of honour, and the Midnight Court - {i}my court{/i} - witnessed you, saw the importance I placed in you."
                        #arz happy
                        arz "If that is not a ringing endorsement, then I don’t know what is!"
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "…So what now?"
                        "Arzyl smiled, leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss upon his cheek. Rowan flinched."
                        arz "Now? Now you wake up."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "What abou-"
                        scene bg9 with pixellate
                        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "{i}Guh{/i}!"
                        "Rowan bolted out of bed, his sheets covered in sweat. His heart was pounding out of his chest and his eyes were puffy from clenching."
                        "After a moment to collect himself he let out a soft sigh."
                        show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Fae..."
                        "He would spend the next several days trying to parse out what it all meant, and the sincerity of Arzyl’s words."
                        return

    label arzylBanquetSex_rp:

        if earlyEnd:
            scene bg6 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        #arzyl aroused

        "Arzyl sidled up closer to Rowan, running a hand down his arm as she pressed her body tight against him."

        arz "And… if you should favour {i}other{/i} amusements, that can be arranged as well."
        
        menu:
            "And just how soon can that be “arranged?” (All Scenes)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Arzyl’s eyes grew bright with an ageless hunger. She pulled Rowan still closer, pressing her ripe breasts against him as she whispered in his ear."
                arz "Immediately, should you wish it."
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I do."
                "Arzyl’s smile was deep and sensual, she clung to Rowan now just a bit more posessively."
                arz "My, my, and here I thought it would take a bit of cajoling."
                ro "You don’t strike me as the type who likes to dither in such matters."
                arz "Oh, I’ll {i}play{/i} with my food, Rowan. But it’s a myth that the chase is better than the catch."
                ro "Good thing you won’t have to chase me far, then."
                "Arzyl let out a low, soft growl at the inclination. Her grin grew wide across her face."
                arz "…All right Rowan, you want to play the game? Eat me out, and I’ll ride you right here, in front of everyone."
                menu:
                    "Deal. (Scenes 1 and 2, combined variant)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Arzyl chuckled."
                        arz "Really? That easy, is it? I suppose you have been left hungry this evening."
                        "She leaned up to his ear to whisper huskily to him."
                        arz "I want to {i}fuck{/i} you, right here in front of this whole gathering. I want to show the world what kind of beast you can become."
                        ro "…Then what are we waiting for?"
                        "Arzyl let out a low, animalistic growl."
                        arz "Nothing. Nothing at all."
                        #CG cunnilingus
                        scene cg1554 with fade
                        pause 2
                        show cg1555 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1556 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1554
                        #arz aroused
                        show arzyl neutral behind cg1554
                        "Arzyl pushed Rowan down onto his knees, pivoting around and bending forward to plant her fat rear directly in his face."
                        arz "Drink of my honey, Rowan. Sup on the juices that leak out of my slit. {i}Show these gawkers how good I taste{/i}!"
                        "Rowan obliged, burying his face between her wobbling cheeks like a starving man devouring a meal. He slid his tongue along the length of her lips, reveling in the sweet taste of it on his lips."
                        "The crowd gave appreciative cheers as Arzyl planted her hands upon her thighs, bending forward like a common street whore attempting to entice a customer."
                        "She bobbed with the beat of the hypnotizing music, forcing Rowan to lean forward on his knees to capture another taste of her drooling honeypot."
                        "Her inner walls twitched appreciatively when he finally managed to dive his tongue headlong into her insides, rolling it about in triumphant glory at having finally speared her."
                        "His mouth suctioned against her cunt, making out with it as though it were an entirely different set of ‘lips.’"
                        arz "Mmm, that’s right, Rowan. Suck my cunt, lick my pussy!"
                        "The gathered crowd tried to press closer, but Arzyl’s courtiers held them back. They were helpless to do anything but watch at a distance as Rowan ate Arzyl out with manic glee."
                        arz "Look at these leches, ogling us from afar. They can only {i}dream{/i} to taste what you taste, to feel what I feel!"
                        arz "Mmmm, can you taste it? That raw passion leaking out my body? I’m wet for you, Rowan. Wet and tight and {i}ready{/i} for more."
                        arz "{i}Ahn{/i}! How to proceed, how to proceed? Shall I shove you on that floor and mount you? Feel my hips grind against your own as I take you into me?"
                        arz "Or maybe you wish to mount {i}me{/i}, shove me up against a wall and fuck my little pussy till I’m squealing like a stuck pig?"
                        #CG cowgirl
                        show cg1557 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1558 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1559 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1557
                        "Arzyl mounted Rowan’s prone body, her matronly hips gyrating even before Rowan’s manhood made contact with her pussy. She slid up and down his length, slathering her wet juices all across his now thoroughly lubricated dick."
                        arz "Oh, it’s always the moments like {i}these{/i} that I savour. The deep breath before the plunge, the last longing look before the feast begins."
                        arz "…Shall I do it, Rowan? Shall I jam that hard cock deep into my cunt, feel every inch of you?"
                        "Rowan, lust-drunk by the music, could only blithely nod, his mouth agape as he panted in need."
                        "Arzyl did not even bother to wait for his response. She planted her hands upon his chest, lifted her hips, and speared herself upon him in a single, swift movement."
                        ro "{i}Uhhhhngh{/i}!"
                        "Rowan squirmed beneath her, overwhelmed by the sudden, sweltering sensation of her warm, wet insides."
                        "She drove him deep into her, planting her fat ass upon his waist as though it were the easiest thing in the world. The only sign she gave that he was even in her was a slight tremor in the spine. She let out an appreciative groan."
                        arz "{i}Ohhh{/i}, you’re good. Nice and thick. You spread me apart perfectly. "
                        "She wiggled her hips forward and back, working his cock about while keeping it buried inside of her."
                        ro "Oh goddess- {i}fuck{/i}!"
                        "Arzyl purred at Rowan’s response, leaning forward to drop the weight of her heavy tits upon his chest. She smiled at him."
                        arz "No Goddesses here, only my cunt."
                        "She sat back up, beginning a rough fuck with her hips as she lifted her weight off him with her hands, then slammed down upon him with the full weight of her meaty ass."
                        "She repeated the process, again and again, heedless of Rowan’s ability to resist the sensation. It was everything he could do to not pass out from the pleasure. The music made his head spin, made his eyes cross as he descended into a fuck haze."
                        "Arzyl clenched at him from the inside, then swayed from side to side, keeping the head of his cock just barely enfolded in her lower lips, then swallowed him whole once more."
                        arz "Ah! Ahn! {i}Oooooooooh{/i} - hah!"
                        "Now even Arzyl was panting, losing herself to the hedonistic beat. She pumped at Rowan’s crotch like a woman possessed, her thick thighs straining as she kept up the strenuous beat with her rump, a wet slap, slap, slapping accompanying her every stroke."
                        ro "A-Arzyl, I’m going to-"
                        arz "Cum, my lovely! Cum in front of all these people! Squirt your fucking seed into my womb and let it taste your juices!"
                        "Rowan, now frenzied, bucked and humped and slammed his hips upwards into Arzyl’s pussy. She gasped and held fast as he thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times into her, and then-"
                        #CG cowgirl - var 1
                        show cg1560 with sshake
                        show cg1560 with sshake
                        show cg1561 with flash
                        pause 2
                        show cg1562 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        arz "{i}Aaaaaah, yessss{/i}! Good, Rowan! So fucking good! Shoot it out, shoot it out for me! Flood my pussy and claim it as your own!"
                        "Rowan came and came, his cockvein pumping and unloading wave after wave into the Fae’s trembling cunny. He humped himself to completion, even after his own ejaculation had long expired."
                        "And still that song was in his ear, calling him, tempting him with yet more debauchery and sin. Arzyl stood up off him, pulling free from his cock. A trickle of white cum flowed down her leg."
                        arz "Time to strike the bargain."
                        jump postArzSolo_rp

                    "Not so fast. (All Scenes)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "…{i}Is{/i} that the game we’re playing, Arzyl? Because if so, I want more."
                        "Arzyl’s sly smile curled the corners of her cheeks."
                        arz "…Oh?"
                        ro "You've said over and over this evening what a privilege it is to have me at your side."
                        ro "Maybe I think I’m worth more to you than you’re letting on."
                        ro "So here’s my counteroffer: let me shove my cock between your tits, and maybe I’ll fuck your brains out afterward."
                        "Arzyl tittered at Rowan’s crassness. Her hand briefly reached down to squeeze at the hardening bulge on his pants."
                        arz "Goodness, how delightful! My lovely little seneschal really was paying attention this evening."
                        arz "But you’ll need more than boasts to get what you want."
                        menu:
                            "Offer a compromise. (Scene 2 and 4 variant, and 3)":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                if rowanPerception > 5:
                                    ro "Come on, Lady Arzyl. Is that really the best offer you can give me?"
                                    arz "Why Rowan! You wound me! Here I am, offering myself as a prize, and you say I’m not good enough?"
                                    ro "It wouldn’t be a {i}true{/i} prize if you gave it to me out the gate, would it? You’re too clever to simply offer that without stakes."
                                    "Arzyl tried and failed to hide her growing smile. Still, she cultivated a faux-scandalized expression."
                                    arz "Am I to be bartered like a prized sow, then?"
                                    ro "Why does it have to be just you? Your whole court is here, aren’t they?"
                                    "At that the Fae’s grin came to the fore."
                                    jump ordspytheOffering_rp
                                else:
                                    ro "How about we meet each other halfway?"
                                    arz "-So long as that meeting involves your cock and my cunt I’ll be satisfied."
                                    ro "Heh… you suggested two things, I suggested two things. Why don’t I pick one and you the other?"
                                    arz "An exchange between equals! I like that. I’ll like it even more once you’re inside me."
                                    arz "So… what will it be?"

                                    menu:
                                        "Use your tits, and then you can ride me. (Scene 2 and 4 combined variant)":
                                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                            "Arzyl bit her lower lip, her eyes straying downward towards the source of her future ecstacy."
                                            arz "Get what you want first and get it out of the way, hm? Well, I can’t say I’m against the idea."
                                            "Arzyl ran her hands down Rowan’s chest, groping him possessively. She cast an imperious glance in the direction of a nearby servant, her voice commanding."
                                            arz "Make space for us. Tell the minstrels I wish to hear ‘{i}Femme Epicurica{/i}.’"
                                            faem "At once, mistress."
                                            show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
                                            ro "…What song is that?"
                                            "Arzyl turned her attention fully back to Rowan, draping her arms about his shoulders in lazy possessiveness as she pulled skin-close to him. Her smile curled the corner of her cheek."
                                            arz "They call it the ‘Hedon’s Waltz.’ You haven’t {i}lived{/i} till you’ve fucked a Fae with it ringing in your ears."
                                            "True to her word, the tone of the music shifted. It was deep, but sensual. A cherry beat mixed with low bass that rumbled in his stomach and spread warmth to his nethers."
                                            "It was…"
                                            "Rowan was hard. Harder than he’d ever been, in fact. His eyes glazed over as he stared in wonder at Arzyl’s bounteous breasts, her ripe contours, her teasing smile."
                                            "She said something to him, but her words dissipated into the ether like a dull drone. All he could hear was her voice, her feminine tones laced with seductive innuendo. She wanted him."
                                            "Something primal awoke within his loins, something monstrous and masculine. He wanted to {i}fuck{/i} this creature, wanted to mate with her till she was screaming with pleasure and his body was rutting hard against her."
                                            "It all happened so fast. First, they were kissing, tongues lashing together as their hands searched greedily for their tender places. She grabbed at his manhood as he slid a hand between her thighs."
                                            "The music went into a passionate frenzy, and then they were peeling off each other’s clothes. She whispered something dirty in his ears, and he growled in appreciation."
                                            "He was lust drunk, groping at her pale tit even as he exposed it to the open air. She moved around him like water, peeling him out of his clothing with quiet coos and subtle moans of appreciation."
                                            "The Fae courtiers formed a circle around the two wanton lovers, ensuring that none of the dancers stepped in their path. Curious eyes and hungry looks turned their way as guests became aware of their growing debauchery."
                                            arz "Look at them: watching us. Animals in a zoo. Look how jealous they are, of the freedom that we share."
                                            "She leaned up to his ear, gently biting at the lobe as her whisper carried like a sanguine promise."
                                            arz "Time to strike the bargain."
                                            "She licked his earlobe, her hand sliding down the seam of his pants to touch the warmth of his manhood in her palm."
                                            "She pushed him down onto his knees, then his back upon the floor. Naked, she straddled his waist, effortlessly peeling off his pants and exposing his erect dick."
                                            #CG Arzyl titjob
                                            scene cg1616 with fade
                                            pause 3
                                            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1616
                                            #arz aroused
                                            show arzyl neutral behind cg1616
                                            "The spectators let out shocked gasps as the matron of the party placed the guest of honor’s cock between her cleavage. It practically disappeared beyond the weight of her hanging mammaries."
                                            arz "Mmm, how warm you feel. How {i}thick and hard{/i} you are."
                                            arz "You want to fuck me, don’t you? Pin me down and show me how strong you are, how {i}ready{/i} you are to claim me."
                                            arz "How much…"
                                            "Arzyl tilted her head down and spat upon his cockhead, lubricating it’s passage through her tits as she began to stroke them up and down."
                                            arz "-of a {i}man{/i} you are."
                                            ro "Uhhn…"
                                            "Her pace quickened, her body electrified by the degenerate words that came tumbling out of her mouth in rapid succession."
                                            arz "Look at them, looking at us. A gaggle of hungry wolves waiting at the door, {i}begging{/i} for a piece of you… or of me."
                                            "Arzyl lifted her bare ass in the air and wiggled it back and forth, giving the spectators the blissful agony of the full sight of her exposed crotch, so tempting, and yet so far away."
                                            arz "But you’re {i}all mine{/i}, Rowan. The wolves will just have to go hungry."
                                            "She redoubled her efforts, sliding his dick between her heavenly tits with evident joy. Every time she saw Rowan groan with pleasure, she moaned in return."
                                            arz "Yes! That it! Slam your cock between my tits! {i}Fuck my chest{/i}!"
                                            "Rowan slammed his hips upwards, watching with fascination as her milky tits rippled from the impact. She pressed her hands against the sides of her breasts, squeezing his cock still tighter between them."
                                            show cg1617 with dissolve
                                            pause 3
                                            "The fey woman stuck out her tongue, lightly licking the head to give Rowan some extra encouragement."
                                            "He humped upwards, and she matched his tempo, moving to the beat of the music that throbbed in his ears. He was panting, gasping, sweating and shuddering."
                                            "The wall of people watching him seemed to undulate with every sordid movement of Arzyl’s jiggling tits. Eyes staring, mouths agape, appreciative coos and shouts arising from the onlookers."
                                            arz "{i}Let them watch. Let them hunger for us{/i}."
                                            "Arzyl's tongue snaked out of her mouth and wrapped around his cock, gripping it tight as it throbbed wildly. The inhuman sight and sensation was too much for him, and he began to cum."
                                            #CG Arzyl titjob - var 1
                                            show cg1618 with sshake
                                            show cg1619 with sshake
                                            pause 0.5
                                            show cg1620 with flash
                                            pause 2
                                            "Just as the first dollop of cum rose from the tip, Arzyl planted her thick lips upon it, staring at Rowan with glowing eyes as he erupted in her mouth."
                                            ro "{i}Ffffff-uuuuuck{/i}!"
                                            "She hummed at his agonized ecstacy, the vibration stimulating his dick to still greater heights of pleasure. Rowan bucked and humped into her mouth, his eyes rolling upwards."
                                            "{i}Pop{/i}! Her mouth removed from his dick, white clinging to the tip of her lips as she licked the fruits of his love off them with a seductive flourish."
                                            "Rowan panted, staring at her now having spent himself. There was a pleased self-satisfaction in her eyes."
                                            arz "…Well? Shall we continue?"
                                            ro "I…"
                                            ro "I’m spent."
                                            "She laughed at that, taking his half flaccid cock in her hands and whispering archaic tones under her breath. Her fingers began to glow like her eyes, and Rowan was struck with a sudden, overwhelming pleasure."
                                            ro "{i}Uhhhn{/i}! W-what are you-"
                                            arz "Please. As if this was my first union with a mortal. You think I don’t know the ways and weaknesses of your body?"
                                            "Rowan shuddered as he felt another wave of sensation rocket up his spine."
                                            ro "What {i}is{/i} that?"
                                            arz "Just a little trick I picked up over my years of dabbling. It’s amazing the things you can manipulate within the body."
                                            arz "I'm just… ‘massaging the soul,’ as it were."
                                            "One last orgasmic squeeze of her fingers, and her hands withdrew from his dick, now rock hard and rearing to go once more. If anything, Rowan was {i}more{/i} in need than ever before."
                                            arz "There we are! Now: let us truly enjoy ourselves."
                                            #CG cowgirl
                                            show cg1557 with dissolve
                                            pause 2
                                            show cg1558 with dissolve
                                            pause 2
                                            show cg1559 with dissolve
                                            pause 2
                                            "Arzyl mounted Rowan’s prone body, her matronly hips gyrating even before Rowan’s manhood made contact with her pussy. She slid up and down his length, slathering her wet juices all across his now thoroughly lubricated dick."
                                            arz "Oh, it’s always the moments like {i}these{/i} that I savour. The deep breath before the plunge, the last longing look before the feast begins."
                                            arz "…Shall I do it, Rowan? Shall I jam that hard cock deep into my cunt, feel every inch of you?"
                                            "Rowan, lust-drunk by the music, could only blithely nod, his mouth agape as he panted in need."
                                            "Arzyl did not even bother to wait for his response. She planted her hands upon his chest, lifted her hips, and speared herself upon him in a single, swift movement."
                                            ro "{i}Uhhhhngh{/i}!"
                                            "Rowan squirmed beneath her, overwhelmed by the sudden, sweltering sensation of her warm, wet insides."
                                            "She drove him deep into her, planting her fat ass upon his waist as though it were the easiest thing in the world. The only sign she gave that he was even in her was a slight tremor in the spine. She let out an appreciative groan."
                                            arz "{i}Ohhh{/i}, you’re good. Nice and thick. You spread me apart perfectly. "
                                            "She wiggled her hips forward and back, working his cock about while keeping it buried inside of her."
                                            ro "Oh goddess- {i}fuck{/i}!"
                                            "Arzyl purred at Rowan’s response, leaning forward to drop the weight of her heavy tits upon his chest. She smiled at him."
                                            arz "No Goddesses here, only my cunt."
                                            "She sat back up, beginning a rough fuck with her hips as she lifted her weight off him with her hands, then slammed down upon him with the full weight of her meaty ass."
                                            "She repeated the process, again and again, heedless of Rowan’s ability to resist the sensation. It was everything he could do to not pass out from the pleasure. The music made his head spin, made his eyes cross as he descended into a fuck haze."
                                            "Arzyl clenched at him from the inside, then swayed from side to side, keeping the head of his cock just barely enfolded in her lower lips, then swallowed him whole once more."
                                            arz "Ah! Ahn! {i}Oooooooooh{/i} - hah!"
                                            "Now even Arzyl was panting, losing herself to the hedonistic beat. She pumped at Rowan’s crotch like a woman possessed, her thick thighs straining as she kept up the strenuous beat with her rump, a wet slap, slap, slapping accompanying her every stroke."
                                            ro "A-Arzyl, I’m going to-"
                                            arz "Cum, my lovely! Cum in front of all these people! Squirt your fucking seed into my womb and let it taste your juices!"
                                            "Rowan, now frenzied, bucked and humped and slammed his hips upwards into Arzyl’s pussy. She gasped and held fast as he thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times into her, and then-"
                                            #CG cowgirl - var 1
                                            show cg1560 with sshake
                                            show cg1560 with sshake
                                            show cg1561 with flash
                                            pause 2
                                            show cg1562 with dissolve
                                            pause 2
                                            arz "{i}Aaaaaah, yessss{/i}! Good, Rowan! So fucking good! Shoot it out, shoot it out for me! Flood my pussy and claim it as your own!"
                                            "Rowan came and came, his cockvein pumping and unloading wave after wave into the Fae’s trembling cunny. He humped himself to completion, even after his own ejaculation had long expired."
                                            "And still that song was in his ear, calling him, tempting him with yet more debauchery and sin. Arzyl stood up off him, pulling free from his cock. A trickle of white cum flowed down her leg."
                                            jump postArzSolo_rp

                                        "I’ll eat you out, but then I get to fuck you hard. (Scene 3)":
                                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                            "Arzyl smirked, staring at Rowan with something approaching bemusement."
                                            arz "Sacrificing early for greater reward later, hm? Well, far be it from me to deny you."
                                            "Arzyl pushed Rowan down onto his knees, pivoting around and bending forward to plant her fat rear directly in his face."
                                            arz "Drink of my honey, Rowan. Sup on the juices that leak out of my slit. {i}Show these gawkers how good I taste{/i}!"
                                            "Rowan obliged, burying his face between her wobbling cheeks like a starving man devouring a meal. He slid his tongue along the length of her lips, reveling in the sweet taste of it on his lips."
                                            "The crowd gave appreciative cheers as Arzyl planted her hands upon her thighs, bending forward like a common street whore attempting to entice a customer."
                                            "She bobbed with the beat of the hypnotizing music, forcing Rowan to lean forward on his knees to capture another taste of her drooling honeypot."
                                            "Her inner walls twitched appreciatively when he finally managed to dive his tongue headlong into her insides, rolling it about in triumphant glory at having finally speared her."
                                            "His mouth suctioned against her cunt, making out with it as though it were an entirely different set of ‘lips.’"
                                            arz "Mmm, that’s right, Rowan. Suck my cunt, lick my pussy!"
                                            "The gathered crowd tried to press closer, but Arzyl’s courtiers held them back. They were helpless to do anything but watch at a distance as Rowan ate Arzyl out with manic glee."
                                            arz "Look at these leches, ogling us from afar. They can only {i}dream{/i} to taste what you taste, to feel what I feel!"
                                            arz "Mmmm, can you taste it? That raw passion leaking out my body? I’m wet for you, Rowan. Wet and tight and {i}ready{/i} for more."
                                            "It was all the encouragement Rowan needed. He surged upwards, pushing Arzyl off of him as he rose like a tidal wave against her."
                                            "Arzyl let out an appreciative squeal of pleasure, arching her back as she was pushed bodily towards a nearby pillar and thrust against it. She looked back at Rowan, hunger blazing in her eyes."
                                            arz "Do it, Rowan: show these drooling bystanders what only you and I can enjoy. Bend me over, spread my legs, and {i}claim me as your own{/i}."
                                            scene cg1563 with fade
                                            pause 2
                                            show cg1564 with dissolve
                                            pause 2
                                            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1563
                                            #arz aroused
                                            show arzyl neutral behind cg1563
                                            "Rowan slapped a palm hard upon her massive rump, eliciting a gasp of pleasure as he left a large red mark from his touch."
                                            "She shook her ass invitingly, spreading her legs apart before spreading her drooling pussy lips with her fingers. He could see into the depths of her, a gaping chasm of pleasure begging to swallow him whole."
                                            arz "Fuck me, Rowan. {i}Put me in my place{/i}!"
                                            "He did as he was bidden, aligning his cockhead with her spread pussy. She didn’t give him the chance to thrust into her, slamming her hips back against his own with as much force as she could muster."
                                            "Rowan nearly fell back on his heels, and was forced to grip the wide handholds of her hips for dear life. After a moments hesitation, he began to thrust against her."
                                            arz "{i}Nnnnnh{/i}- ha ha ha! What a filthy sight we must be! Two of the most powerful beings in this castle, rutting together like dogs in a kennel."
                                            arz "Show me your animal side, Rowan: {i}fuck me like a breeding bitch{/i}!"
                                            "Rowan obliged, slamming his hips with full force against her flank as he took her hard and fast. The wet sounds of their sloppy fornication carried over the sounds of the spectators, and the cadence of the minstrels."
                                            "He watched with lurid fascination as he drew his hips back as far as they could go, exposing the whole of his cock from her wet, fleshy slit, only to slam it home once again in her deepest recesses."
                                            "The lustful music made his head spin, made his eyes cross as he descended into a rutting haze. Arzyl screamed out her pleasure with reckless abandon, thrusting back against him again and again and again."
                                            arz "Oh, I’ve waited for a fucking like this for a {i}long time{/i}."
                                            arz "{i}Ahhn{/i}, can you feel it? That raw energy rising up within you, that deep need to fuck me into submission?"
                                            "Rowan responded by spanking her bare ass once more. Arzyl cried out in pleasure, only emboldened by the ecstacy he inflicted upon her."
                                            arz "Oh you’re so fucking good, Rowan. Fuck me, {i}cum in my fucking pussy{/i}!"
                                            "He heard her words like a tingle in his ear. The music built to a crescendo in his head, and it was all Rowan could do to cling fast to her hips and rut hard against her flank."
                                            "One, two, three, {i}four{/i} strokes, and the bubbling lust he’d been so mightily resisting finally boiled over."
                                            #CG standing doggy - var 1
                                            show cg1565 with sshake
                                            show cg1565 with sshake
                                            show cg1566 with flash
                                            pause 2
                                            "He let out a deep roar, pulled his hips back for one last thrust, then slammed hard against Arzyl’s twitching body, holding her in place as he unleashed himself."
                                            "White hot liquid lust spurred forth from his cock to rest deep inside her womanhood. She made a paltry attempt to squirm in place, but Rowan held her fast, reveling in the feeling of conquest it gave him."
                                            "Arzyl trembled out an orgasm as he did so, laughing at the covetous looks the crowd gave them as they did. It only seemed to improve the experience."
                                            jump postArzSolo_rp

                            "Assert physical dominance. (All Scenes)" if rowanBrawn > 4:
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                "Rowan grinned, taking Arzyl’s wrists and holding them firmly together with his implacable grip."
                                "With his free hand he shamelessly groped her breast, staring into her eyes as she tried and failed to tug away from his grasp."
                                ro "I don’t ‘boast,’ Arzyl. Nor do I make idle suggestions."
                                ro "You want to fuck me? Fine. But I’m going to fuck you how {i}I{/i} please."
                                "Arzyl ceased to struggle, her eyes coloring with a hungry contemplation."
                                arz "…Is that so?"
                                arz "My my, you {i}do{/i} have a wild streak in you."
                                arz "If this was the Netherweald, you and I would be fighting to the death to see who gets to mount the other."
                                "Rowan’s grip tightened around her wrists."
                                ro "It’s not, though. And I’m not one of your little minions."
                                ro "I want. What I want."
                                "A cold smile spread across Arzyl’s features, as if what he’d said had only excited her further."
                                arz "Then take it."
                                jump ordspytheOffering_rp

                            "Thing is, I don’t need to prove myself to you. (All Scenes)" if arzylFavour > 6:
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                arz "…Oh? Is that right?"
                                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                                ro "What has this entire evening been, if not a proving ground for you?"
                                ro "Take me or leave me, you know my worth. And my capabilities."
                                arz "Hmm! A fine point. I suppose you have impressed this evening."
                                arz "They say confidence is the quickest way to a woman’s bedchamber… but I’ve always found competence to be the more charming of the two."
                                jump ordspytheOffering_rp

                            "Tempt her with utter debauchery. (All Scenes)" if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                "Rowan down and out without preemption groped her crotch. Far from seeming scandalized, Arzyl giggled and leaned into the sensation."
                                ro "Please. As if this even needs to be a negotiation."
                                ro "I can feel you down there, dripping wet like you’re about to stain your clothes. You’ve been waiting for this, haven’t you?"
                                arz "{i}Ohhh{/i}, longer than you know, Rowan."
                                ro "You wouldn’t just fuck anyone. You need someone worthy of your attention."
                                ro "But you know that {i}I{/i} can give you what you want."
                                arz "-And what do I want, Rowan?"
                                "Rowan leaned up to growl huskily into her ear, his hand caressing the back of her neck as his other furiously fingered at her nethers."
                                ro "{i}Everything.{/i}"
                                "Arzyl shuddered, her eyelids fluttering as a heady smile spread across her face. She licked her lips."
                                arz "Oh, I {i}knew{/i} I was going to like you, from the moment I stepped through that portal."
                                jump ordspytheOffering_rp

            "I’m not seeking such distractions at the moment.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #arz concerned
                arz "Oh Rowan, your dedication is admirable, but you must {i}always{/i} remember to make room for indulgences!"
                #arz happy
                arz "After all, isn’t that the ultimate point of all this? Enjoying the fruit of one’s bounties. Power is seductive, but not an end unto itself."
                arz "Unless… that is your indulgence. Hmm, now isn’t that a thought?"
                jump banquetTwinsArrival_rp

    label ordspytheOffering_rp:

        "Arzyl turned her head sharply and snapped her fingers. An effervescent Fae hurried over to them on the dance floor, abandoning her dazed partner."

        arz "Lady Ordspythe! Come here for a moment, I have the most {i}wonderful{/i} news!"

        "The birdlike creature tilted her long neck, looking at the pair with interest."

        ords "What is it, my Lady?"

        arz "Rowan here has expressed a certain… {i}admiration{/i} for the Fae form. He wished to learn more about it. Carnally."

        "Lady Ordspythe’s eyes traveled up and down the length of him, even as Arzyl’s fingers began to greedily dig beneath Rowan’s clothing to get at the skin beneath."

        ords "Did he, now?"

        arz "Oh, indeed! Said it to my face as well. A regular charmer, this one."

        ords " -And how did you respond, my lady?"

        "Arzyl giggled, running a playful finger along the seam of Rowan’s pants."

        arz "I invited you over here, didn’t I?"
        arz "You might be impressed to know, Rowan, that the Midnight Court is absolutely {i}abuzz{/i} with tales of your virility!"

        "The Fae women circled around Rowan like a pair of lionesses hunting prey."

        arz "Perhaps… you could demonstrate it for us? The Lady Ordspythe and I."

        ords "I would be {i}delighted{/i} to see it. Mortals have such fascinating mating rituals."

        "Arzyl licked her lips."

        arz "Well, Rowan? What say you? Is this “enough” for you? "

        menu:
            "Give in to their temptation. (Scene 5)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The prospect of having both busty Fae at his beck and call was an appealing one. Though he doubted he had much say in the matter one way or another."
                ro "Deal."
                "Almost before he said the word they were upon him, hands ripping off clothing with enough force to hurt."
                "Now naked, they swarmed him, long fingers tugging at his manhood, cupping his balls, groping his ass."
                "Rowan grunted when he felt a naughty finger playfully press against a particularly sensitive spot in his rear."
                show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Hey."
                "Arzyl let out a sultry, self satisfied giggle. The finger relented."
                arz "Only testing the waters, my lovely."
                "After a brief molestation period, the two women stepped back, leaving a flustered and painfully horny Rowan in their wake."
                ords "He’s so {i}sensitive{/i}, mistress!"
                arz "A scrumptious morsel, to be certain."
                "Arzyl straightened her posture and held her hands out to her sides."
                arz "Disrobe me."
                ords "At once, my Lady."
                "She pulled with too-long fingers the silken clothing off of Arzyl’s pale skin with far more delicacy than had been afforded to Rowan."
                "Arzyl stood with the kind of easy authority that came with one unconcerned with her own nudity. She nodded with a smile to her servant."
                arz "Now you. Give him a show."
                #cg1
                scene cg1659 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1659
                show arzyl neutral behind cg1659
                pause 2
                "Lady Ordspythe turned to face Rowan, her pointed teeth gleaming in the light as she huddled into herself."
                "At first Rowan mistook this for shyness, but as she began to sway back and forth in a slow, hypnotic circle he realized it was merely the buildup to a grand reveal."
                "She teased the edges of her “clothing” with her delicate claws, fingers tracing between the downy feathers as she gave him but a glimpse of skin and chitin beneath."
                "Then…"
                "Her numerous wings lifted all at once, and a gale wind blew Rowan’s hair back. He stood, transfixed at the sight of the matronly Fae’s curvaceous proportions."
                "Clothed in her normal raiment, she appeared chastely extravagant. Revealed, her wings splayed out in seven angles pointing in all directions."
                "Gone was her demure demeanor, replaced with a barely-repressed hunger as she stalked over to Rowan, eyes glowing with lust. The pale light reflected off her chitin sleeves, her bifurcated legs ending in bird’s feet."
                ords "On your back, mortal. The Lady and I wish to honour you."
                "Rowan shot a glance in Arzyl’s direction, who responded with a knowing smirk."
                arz "Best do as she says, Rowan. Lady Ordspythe can get a tad assertive when she’s in heat."
                ro "You don’t say."
                "Arzyl grinned at him, her eyes lidding low as a soft growl emerged from her lips."
                arz "Worry not, I shall… {i}contain{/i} her."
                "Together, the two Fae gently pushed Rowan to the ground, leaving him prone and naked on the dance floor, his bare erection standing at attention."
                #CG 2
                show cg1660 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1661 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1662 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1660
                show arzyl neutral behind cg1660
                "Without preemption Lady Ordspythe planted her fat rear down against Rowan’s thigh, angling her hips so that the crack of her ass aligned with the length of his cock."
                "Doing very little to “contain” her subordinate, Arzyl dropped down on the opposite side, angling her hips so that she too nestled his cock between her cheeks."
                "The two women giggled as their asses touched, bonding over the mutual connection of the warm dick sandwiched between them."
                arz "Breathtaking, isn’t it?"
                "Rowan moaned, gasping at the sensation of their collective body heat, their smooth skin  rubbing against him."
                "The nearby Fae courtiers formed a circle around the three wanton lovers, ensuring that none of the dancers stepped in their path. Curious eyes and hungry looks turned their way as guests became aware of their growing debauchery."
                ords "I think we are gathering an audience, my Lady."
                arz "That we are, my dear. It’s not often one witnesses two of the most powerful Fae in existence debase themselves so abjectly."
                ords "-And for a {i}mortal{/i}, no less."
                "Arzyl licked her lips, wiggling her ass back and forth as Rowan felt the hot, wet press of her slick pussy against the side of his manhood. It was agonizingly tantalizing in its closeness."
                arz "Rowan is no mere mortal, but the scandal is nonetheless delectable!"
                "Arzyl tightened her thighs and leaned back flush against her compatriot, creating a suction space for his cock to reside in."
                ro "Oh {i}fuuuck{/i}!"
                "Lady Ordspythe took a cue from her mistress, leaning back and trapping his dick between the soft pressure of their enfolding cheeks. Rowan groaned at the lurid, almost-penetrative sensation."
                "They moved up and down in a bouncing rhythm, Arzyl taking the lead as she lifted and then {i}plopped{/i} her asss hard on his groin, bracing herself for Lady Ordspythe to do the same on the upswing."
                "Soon the loud {i}plops{/i} of their skin slapping against his waist filled the air, the crowd of onlookers {i}oooh{/i}-ing and {i}aaah{/i}-ing at the sight of such lecherous debauchery."
                ords "I think he’s getting worked up, my Lady."
                arz "Oh, indeed I think he is! Look at that obscene look on his face."
                ords "He almost looks like one of us!"
                "Arzyl licked her lips, shifting left and right as she cushioned his straining dick between her and her minion’s curvaceous asses."
                arz "Oh, what {i}sinful{/i} things I’d do to you, Rowan."
                "Rowan could do little but groan and clench his fingers against the floor, struggling mightily not to cum at the sensation the two wanton women were squeezing out of him bit by bit."
                ords "He’s getting close, my Lady."
                "Arzyl - as if taking that as ample reason to stop - stood up off of his trembling hips. Lady Ordspythe followed after, and the two stood naked before Rowan, staring down at him."
                "The crowd around ogled at their naked bodies, the heat that radiated from their nethers, the glistening wetness that trickled down their inner thighs."
                "Arzyl crossed her arms, her lips twisting into a devious smirk as her glowing eyes held fast to Rowan’s painfully throbbing erection."
                arz "Well, we can’t have {i}that{/i}, can we? The poor man hasn’t been properly rewarded yet!"
                arz "Lady Ordspythe, if you’d do the honours?"
                "Lady Ordspythe grinned, flashing her pointed teeth as she moved to mount him."
                #CG 3
                scene cg1720 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1720
                show arzyl neutral behind cg1720
                pause 2
                show cg1722 with dissolve
                pause 2
                ro "{i}Nnh{/i}!"
                "A shudder ran up Rowan’s spine as he slid deep into Lady Ordspythe’s folds. The Fae giggled at his audible pleasure at the sensation."
                "Arzyl positioned herself behind the two entangled lovers, her hands reaching greedily for whatever bit of them she could fondle."
                "Lady Ordspythe was relentless, her wide hips rolling in short, sharp thrusts upon his manhood as if she was polishing the pommel of a sword with her cunt."
                "The loud {i}slap{/i} of a spank echoed through the throne room; Lady Ordspythe gasped and tightened. Rowan groaned as her pussy became a vice, even as Arzyl’s strong hands began to fondle his balls."
                "The Fae was infernally hot, sweltering in her deep interior. Rowan felt a tingling sensation as the head of his cock pierced her down to the base."
                ords "Oh! Oh- {i}oh my{/i}!"
                "The Fae tittered like a jabbering bluejay at the sight of Rowan’s expression. She planted her hands on his chest and rolled her hips in long, steady strokes upon him."
                "Rowan felt a sudden, searching finger poking at the already-occupied entrance to Lady Ordspythe’s womanhood. A naughty, nailed finger squeezed it’s way in between the thrusting to root around in her insides."
                "Lady Ordspythe straightened her back, and screamed in pleasure. Her eyes fluttered as she rode Rowan as hard as he’d ever been ridden in his life."
                arz "Do you feel it, Rowan? That cavalcade of pleasure? That {i}maddening{/i} sensation of ecstacy?"
                arz "That is what it feels like to fuck a Fae. Most mortals can’t withstand it. I told her to go… {i}easy{/i} on you, this time."
                "Rowan could only offer a gasping moan back as a retort. Her hands were touching him everywhere, his thighs, his ass, his balls. It was as if she was trying to lay claim to him in his entirety."
                "Rowan felt the cloying drag of her finger gently squeeze between the gap of Lady Ordspythe’s womanhood once more, rubbing back and forth against his turgid length, adding still more unbearable, pleasurable pressure to the already tight confines."
                "Lady Ordspythe’s frantic humping was reaching a lurid crescendo. Her chirping gasps grew ever more harried and uneven. Rowan grabbed her by the hips and thrust against her with all his might."
                arz "Cum in her, Rowan. Thrust your cock so deep it leaves an imprint on her. Cum in her and {i}claim{/i} her as your own!"
                "Arzyl bared her teeth as she all but snarled out her final command."
                arz "{i}Cum{/i} in her, Rowan! Mark this whore as your own!"
                show cg1722 with sshake
                show cg1722 with sshake
                show cg1721 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1723 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1724 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Rowan let out an opened throated roar as he came, the first shot fountaining upward into Lady Ordspythe’s deepest place with enough physical force to make a literal {i}squelching{/i} sound on the downstroke."
                "Arzyl cooed in satisfaction as Lady Ordspythe turned into a puddle of nerves in front of her, helped along immensely by Arzyl’s frantic frigging of her clit even as Rowan thrust against her flank again and again."
                "He came and came again, groaning at the sinful feeling of draining his balls deep into a willing hole."
                arz "{i}Mmmh{/i}! Look at that! Delightful. Absolutely delightful."
                "Arzyl spread the still-trembling Lady Ordspythe’s asscheeks for the whole gathering to ogle. Spectators cheered approvingly at the sight of her freshly creampied cunt."
                "Arzyl planted a kiss on her rear, followed up with a smack. Lady Ordspythe gasped and tightened, wringing out the last dollops of cum from a thoroughly-drained Rowan."
                "He collapsed back onto the dance floor, spent, his chest rising and falling in tune with the creature above him, herself splayed out atop him in breathless post-orgasmic bliss."
                ords "W-what a man!"
                arz "Did I not {i}tell{/i} you, dear Lady? This one’s a rare gem."
                jump ordSexEnd_rp

            "What, can’t satisfy me on your own? (Scene 1 - 4)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan smirked, turning the whole of his attention to the Lady of the Midnight court."
                ro "You misunderstood me, Arzyl. I’m not here to play with your henchman."
                "Rowan reached out and brazenly took hold of her chin, tilting it to face him so that her glowing eyes were fixed to his."
                ro "I’m here to fuck {i}you{/i}."
                "Arzyl stared at him in silence for a long moment, then tilted her head in Lady Ordspythe’s direction."
                arz "…Leave us."
                "The Fae courtier bowed and hurried away, cowed by Arzyl’s sharp tone."
                arz "You grow ever more intriguing, Rowan. "
                arz "I must confess: that is {i}was{/i} preference too."
                "Arzyl ran her hands down Rowan’s chest, groping him posessively. She cast an imperious glance in the direction of her servant, her voice growing commanding."
                arz "Make space for us. Tell the minstrels I wish to hear ‘{i}Femme Epicurica{/i}.’"
                ords "At once, mistress."
                show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
                ro "…What song is that?"
                "Arzyl turned her attention fully back to Rowan, draping her arms about his shoulders in lazy possessiveness as she pulled skin-close to him. Her smile curled the corner of her cheek."
                arz "They call it the ‘Hedon’s Waltz.’ You haven’t {i}lived{/i} till you’ve fucked a Fae with it ringing in your ears."
                "True to her word, the tone of the music shifted. It was deep, but sensual. A cherry beat mixed with low bass that rumbled in his stomach and spread warmth to his nethers."
                "It was…"
                "Rowan was hard. Harder than he’d ever been, in fact. His eyes glazed over as he stared in wonder at Arzyl’s bounteous breasts, her ripe contours, her teasing smile."
                "She said something to him, but her words dissipated into the ether like a dull drone. All he could hear was her voice, her feminine tones laced with seductive innuendo. She wanted him."
                "Something primal awoke within his loins, something monstrous and masculine. He wanted to {i}fuck{/i} this creature, wanted to mate with her till she was screaming with pleasure and his body was rutting hard against her."
                "It all happened so fast. First, they were kissing, tongues lashing together as their hands searched greedily for their tender places. She grabbed at his manhood as he slid a hand between her thighs."
                "The music went into a passionate frenzy, and then they were peeling off each other’s clothes. She whispered something dirty in his ears, and he growled in appreciation."
                "He was lust drunk, groping at her pale tit even as he exposed it to the open air. She moved around him like water, peeling him out of his clothing with quiet coos and subtle moans of appreciation."
                "The Fae courtiers formed a circle around the two wanton lovers, ensuring that none of the dancers stepped in their path. Curious eyes and hungry looks turned their way as guests became aware of their growing debauchery."
                arz "Look at them: watching us. Animals in a zoo. Look how jealous they are, of the freedom that we share."
                "She leaned up to his ear, gently biting at the lobe as her whisper carried like a sanguine promise."
                arz "I want to thrust your cock between my tits and watch you cum a load within my mouth."
                arz "I want you to eat my cunt out till I’m wet and wanton and {i}begging{/i} you for more."
                arz "But which to do? What feeling shall we indulge in? Did I not tell you that everything’s a choice?"
                "She licked his earlobe, her hand sliding down the seam of his pants to touch the warmth of his manhood in her palm."
                "The music was red hot, burning like a furnace in his mind. It was almost too much to even speak."
                arz "So…  what will it be? How shall I fulfill your hunger?"
                menu:
                    "I want to feel your tits around my cock. (Scene 4)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "She smirked, as if she knew he would ask her for it."
                        arz "Your wish is my command."
                        "She pushed him down onto his knees, then his back upon the floor. Naked, she straddled his waist, effortlessly peeling off his pants and exposing his erect dick."
                        #CG Arzyl titjob
                        scene cg1616 with fade
                        pause 3
                        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1616
                        #arz aroused
                        show arzyl neutral behind cg1616
                        "The spectators let out shocked gasps as the matron of the party placed the guest of honor’s cock between her cleavage. It practically disappeared beyond the weight of her hanging mammaries."
                        arz "Mmm, how warm you feel. How {i}thick and hard{/i} you are."
                        arz "You want to fuck me, don’t you? Pin me down and show me how strong you are, how {i}ready{/i} you are to claim me."
                        arz "How much…"
                        "Arzyl tilted her head down and spat upon his cockhead, lubricating it’s passage through her tits as she began to stroke them up and down."
                        arz "-of a {i}man{/i} you are."
                        ro "Uhhn…"
                        "Her pace quickened, her body electrified by the degenerate words that came tumbling out of her mouth in rapid succession."
                        arz "Look at them, looking at us. A gaggle of hungry wolves waiting at the door, {i}begging{/i} for a piece of you… or of me."
                        "Arzyl lifted her bare ass in the air and wiggled it back and forth, giving the spectators the blissful agony of the full sight of her exposed crotch, so tempting, and yet so far away."
                        arz "But you’re {i}all mine{/i}, Rowan. The wolves will just have to go hungry."
                        "She redoubled her efforts, sliding his dick between her heavenly tits with evident joy. Every time she saw Rowan groan with pleasure, she moaned in return."
                        arz "Yes! That it! Slam your cock between my tits! {i}Fuck my chest{/i}!"
                        "Rowan slammed his hips upwards, watching with fascination as her milky tits rippled from the impact. She pressed her hands against the sides of her breasts, squeezing his cock still tighter between them."
                        show cg1617 with dissolve
                        pause 3
                        "The fey woman stuck out her tongue, lightly licking the head to give Rowan some extra encouragement."
                        "He humped upwards, and she matched his tempo, moving to the beat of the music that throbbed in his ears. He was panting, gasping, sweating and shuddering."
                        "The wall of people watching him seemed to undulate with every sordid movement of Arzyl’s jiggling tits. Eyes staring, mouths agape, appreciative coos and shouts arising from the onlookers."
                        "{i}Let them watch. Let them hunger for us{/i}."
                        "Arzyl's tongue snaked out of her mouth and wrapped around his cock, gripping it tight as it throbbed wildly. The inhuman sight and sensation was too much for him, and he began to cum."
                        #CG Arzyl titjob - var 1
                        show cg1618 with sshake
                        show cg1619 with sshake
                        pause 0.5
                        show cg1620 with flash
                        pause 2
                        "Just as the first dollop of cum rose from the tip, Arzyl planted her thick lips upon it, staring at Rowan with glowing eyes as he erupted in her mouth."
                        ro "{i}Ffffff-uuuuuck{/i}!"
                        "She hummed at his agonized ecstacy, the vibration stimulating his dick to still greater heights of pleasure. Rowan bucked and humped into her mouth, his eyes rolling upwards."
                        "{i}Pop{/i}! Her mouth removed from his dick, white clinging to the tip of her lips as she licked the fruits of his love off them with a seductive flourish."
                        "Rowan panted, staring at her now having spent himself. There was a pleased self-satisfaction in her eyes."
                        arz "…Well? Shall we continue?"
                        ro "I…"
                        ro "I’m spent."
                        "She laughed at that, taking his half flaccid cock in her hands and whispering archaic tones under her breath. Her fingers began to glow like her eyes, and Rowan was struck with a sudden, overwhelming pleasure."
                        ro "{i}Uhhhn{/i}! W-what are you-"
                        arz "Please. As if this was my first union with a mortal. You think I don’t know the ways and weaknesses of your body?"
                        "Rowan shuddered as he felt another wave of sensation rocket up his spine."
                        ro "What {i}is{/i} that?"
                        arz "Just a little trick I picked up over my years of dabbling. It’s amazing the things you can manipulate within the body."
                        arz "I'm just… ‘massaging the soul,’ as it were."
                        "One last orgasmic squeeze of her fingers, and her hands withdrew from his dick, now rock hard and rearing to go once more. If anything, Rowan was {i}more{/i} in need than ever before."
                        arz "There we are! Now: let us {i}truly{/i} enjoy ourselves."
                        arz "Shall I ride you like the stallion you are? Or do you wish to shove me up against the wall and fuck me into submission in front of all these people?"

                    "I want to taste a Fae’s cunt. (Scene 1)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Her smile was teasing, her gaze electric."
                        arz "Always the forbidden fruit with you mortals. Very well."
                        #CG cunnilingus
                        scene cg1554 with fade
                        pause 2
                        show cg1555 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1556 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1554
                        #arz aroused
                        show arzyl neutral behind cg1554
                        "Arzyl pushed Rowan down onto his knees, pivoting around and bending forward to plant her fat rear directly in his face."
                        arz "Drink of my honey, Rowan. Sup on the juices that leak out of my slit. {i}Show these gawkers how good I taste{/i}!"
                        "Rowan obliged, burying his face between her wobbling cheeks like a starving man devouring a meal. He slid his tongue along the length of her lips, reveling in the sweet taste of it on his lips."
                        "The crowd gave appreciative cheers as Arzyl planted her hands upon her thighs, bending forward like a common street whore attempting to entice a customer."
                        "She bobbed with the beat of the hypnotizing music, forcing Rowan to lean forward on his knees to capture another taste of her drooling honeypot."
                        "Her inner walls twitched appreciatively when he finally managed to dive his tongue headlong into her insides, rolling it about in triumphant glory at having finally speared her."
                        "His mouth suctioned against her cunt, making out with it as though it were an entirely different set of ‘lips.’"
                        arz "Mmm, that’s right, Rowan. Suck my cunt, lick my pussy!"
                        "The gathered crowd tried to press closer, but Arzyl’s courtiers held them back. They were helpless to do anything but watch at a distance as Rowan ate Arzyl out with manic glee."
                        arz "Look at these leches, ogling us from afar. They can only {i}dream{/i} to taste what you taste, to feel what I feel!"
                        arz "Mmmm, can you taste it? That raw passion leaking out my body? I’m wet for you, Rowan. Wet and tight and {i}ready{/i} for more."
                        arz "{i}Ahn{/i}! How to proceed, how to proceed? Shall I shove you on that floor and mount you? Feel my hips grind against your own as I take you into me?"
                        arz "Or maybe you wish to mount {i}me{/i}, shove me up against a wall and fuck my little pussy till I’m squealing like a stuck pig?"

                menu:
                    "Rowan’s hands were guiding her to sit on him as she talked. (Scene 2)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        arz "Yesss… {i}Yessssss{/i}! Let’s give them a show, my lovely."
                        #CG cowgirl
                        show cg1557 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1558 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1559 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1557
                        "Arzyl mounted Rowan’s prone body, her matronly hips gyrating even before Rowan’s manhood made contact with her pussy. She slid up and down his length, slathering her wet juices all across his now thoroughly lubricated dick."
                        arz "Oh, it’s always the moments like {i}these{/i} that I savour. The deep breath before the plunge, the last longing look before the feast begins."
                        arz "…Shall I do it, Rowan? Shall I jam that hard cock deep into my cunt, feel every inch of you?"
                        "Rowan, lust-drunk by the music, could only blithely nod, his mouth agape as he panted in need."
                        "Arzyl did not even bother to wait for his response. She planted her hands upon his chest, lifted her hips, and speared herself upon him in a single, swift movement."
                        ro "{i}Uhhhhngh{/i}!"
                        "Rowan squirmed beneath her, overwhelmed by the sudden, sweltering sensation of her warm, wet insides."
                        "She drove him deep into her, planting her fat ass upon his waist as though it were the easiest thing in the world. The only sign she gave that he was even in her was a slight tremor in the spine. She let out an appreciative groan."
                        arz "{i}Ohhh{/i}, you’re good. Nice and thick. You spread me apart perfectly. "
                        "She wiggled her hips forward and back, working his cock about while keeping it buried inside of her."
                        ro "Oh goddess- {i}fuck{/i}!"
                        "Arzyl purred at Rowan’s response, leaning forward to drop the weight of her heavy tits upon his chest. She smiled at him."
                        arz "No Goddesses here, only my cunt."
                        "She sat back up, beginning a rough fuck with her hips as she lifted her weight off him with her hands, then slammed down upon him with the full weight of her meaty ass."
                        "She repeated the process, again and again, heedless of Rowan’s ability to resist the sensation. It was everything he could do to not pass out from the pleasure. The music made his head spin, made his eyes cross as he descended into a fuck haze."
                        "Arzyl clenched at him from the inside, then swayed from side to side, keeping the head of his cock just barely enfolded in her lower lips, then swallowed him whole once more."
                        arz "Ah! Ahn! {i}Oooooooooh{/i} - hah!"
                        "Now even Arzyl was panting, losing herself to the hedonistic beat. She pumped at Rowan’s crotch like a woman possessed, her thick thighs straining as she kept up the strenuous beat with her rump, a wet slap, slap, slapping accompanying her every stroke."
                        ro "A-Arzyl, I’m going to-"
                        arz "Cum, my lovely! Cum in front of all these people! Squirt your fucking seed into my womb and let it taste your juices!"
                        "Rowan, now frenzied, bucked and humped and slammed his hips upwards into Arzyl’s pussy. She gasped and held fast as he thrust once, twice, {i}three{/i} times into her, and then-"
                        #CG cowgirl - var 1
                        show cg1560 with sshake
                        show cg1560 with sshake
                        show cg1561 with flash
                        pause 2
                        show cg1562 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        arz "{i}Aaaaaah, yessss{/i}! Good, Rowan! So fucking good! Shoot it out, shoot it out for me! Flood my pussy and claim it as your own!"
                        "Rowan came and came, his cockvein pumping and unloading wave after wave into the Fae’s trembling cunny. He humped himself to completion, even after his own ejaculation had long expired."
                        "And still that song was in his ear, calling him, tempting him with yet more debauchery and sin. Arzyl stood up off him, pulling free from his cock. A trickle of white cum flowed down her leg."

                    "Rowan stood up, pushing Arzyl against a nearby pillar. (Scene 3)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Arzyl let out an appreciative squeal of pleasure, arching her back as she was pushed bodily towards a nearby pillar and thrust against it. She looked back at Rowan, hunger blazing in her eyes."
                        arz "Do it, Rowan: show these drooling bystanders what only you and I can enjoy. Bend me over, spread my legs, and {i}claim me as your own{/i}."
                        #CG standing doggy
                        scene cg1563 with fade
                        pause 2
                        show cg1564 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1563
                        #arz aroused
                        show arzyl neutral behind cg1563
                        "Rowan slapped a palm hard upon her massive rump, eliciting a gasp of pleasure as he left a large red mark from his touch."
                        "She shook her ass invitingly, spreading her legs apart before spreading her drooling pussy lips with her fingers. He could see into the depths of her, a gaping chasm of pleasure begging to swallow him whole."
                        arz "Fuck me, Rowan. {i}Put me in my place{/i}!"
                        "He did as he was bidden, aligning his cockhead with her spread pussy. She didn’t give him the chance to thrust into her, slamming her hips back against his own with as much force as she could muster."
                        "Rowan nearly fell back on his heels, and was forced to grip the wide handholds of her hips for dear life. After a moments hesitation, he began to thrust against her."
                        arz "{i}Nnnnnh{/i}- ha ha ha! What a filthy sight we must be! Two of the most powerful beings in this castle, rutting together like dogs in a kennel."
                        arz "Show me your animal side, Rowan: {i}fuck me like a breeding bitch{/i}!"
                        "Rowan obliged, slamming his hips with full force against her flank as he took her hard and fast. The wet sounds of their sloppy fornication carried over the sounds of the spectators, and the cadence of the minstrels."
                        "He watched with lurid fascination as he drew his hips back as far as they could go, exposing the whole of his cock from her wet, fleshy slit, only to slam it home once again in her deepest recesses."
                        "The lustful music made his head spin, made his eyes cross as he descended into a rutting haze. Arzyl screamed out her pleasure with reckless abandon, thrusting back against him again and again and again."
                        arz "Oh, I’ve waited for a fucking like this for a {i}long time{/i}."
                        arz "{i}Ahhn{/i}, can you feel it? That raw energy rising up within you, that deep need to fuck me into submission?"
                        "Rowan responded by spanking her bare ass once more. Arzyl cried out in pleasure, only emboldened by the ecstacy he inflicted upon her."
                        arz "Oh you’re so fucking good, Rowan. Fuck me, {i}cum in my fucking pussy{/i}!"
                        "He heard her words like a tingle in his ear. The music built to a crescendo in his head, and it was all Rowan could do to cling fast to her hips and rut hard against her flank."
                        "One, two, three, {i}four{/i} strokes, and the bubbling lust he’d been so mightily resisting finally boiled over."
                        #CG standing doggy - var 1
                        show cg1565 with sshake
                        show cg1565 with sshake
                        show cg1566 with flash
                        pause 2
                        "He let out a deep roar, pulled his hips back for one last thrust, then slammed hard against Arzyl’s twitching body, holding her in place as he unleashed himself."
                        "White hot liquid lust spurred forth from his cock to rest deep inside her womanhood. She made a paltry attempt to squirm in place, but Rowan held her fast, reveling in the feeling of conquest it gave him."
                        "Arzyl trembled out an orgasm as he did so, laughing at the covetous looks the crowd gave them as they did. It only seemed to improve the experience."
                        jump postArzSolo_rp

            "I don’t want just one Fae, I want a {i}harem{/i}. (Scene 6)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Arzyl began to laugh."
                arz "You see, Lady Ordspythe? What did I tell you? As ravenous as any in the Midnight Court!"
                arz "Ambition, cunning, a hunger for more… you really are something, aren’t you?"
                ro "I know my worth."
                "Arzyl let out a low, sexual growl."
                arz "-And your rarity, it seems. But as any good social climber knows: one must start at the bottom before they can claim the ultimate prize."
                arz "Very well. You wish to make a harem of my court? Dominate immortal beings to your will? Then let us begin with the weakest of my inner circle."
                "Her head snapped too-quickly in Lady Ordspythe’s direction. The Fae flinched."
                arz "Where is Jocelyn Star-Christened?"
                ords "A-amusing herself with the Dwarf."
                "Arzyl lip curled in contempt."
                arz "Of course she is. Why toy with someone of consequence, when you can play petty tyrannies instead?"
                "Arzyl turned to look at Rowan, a dark grin spreading wide across her expression."
                arz "Shall we teach her a lesson in manners, Rowan?"
                ro "Yes. Let’s go put your servant in her place."
                "Arzyl clapped her hands excitedly."
                arz "{i}Yes{/i}! A fine proposition! That self-entitled brat has been riding {i}awfully{/i} high since she took her place in my inner court."
                "Arzyl took Rowan by the arm and led him from the dance floor, an evil grin spreading across her face."
                arz "-What say we disabuse her of her hubris?"
                "The crowd parted like a wave for the power couple as they strode confidently toward where Jocelyn was holding court, propping her legs up on the footstool that was Skordred."
                "The wiry Fae’s smile faded as target approached, her moonlight colored eyes going wide at the sight of them making a beeline towards her. She leapt off her footstool."
                #skor concerened
                show skordred neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                sk "…Did I do good, mah Lord?"
                joce "M-my Lady! What an unexpected surprise. I thought you were busy with the bacchanalia dance, I-"
                "Arzyl shushed her with a wordless finger to her lips."
                arz "Oh me oh my, what have we here, my little painter of the night sky?"
                "Arzyl pointed at Skordred."
                arz "Sipping at drips and dregs, pestering poor architects with your little japes? I taught you and your sister better."
                "Jocelyn opened her mouth to say something, then shit it, her lips going tight."
                #arz concerned
                arz "…Oh, what was that? Did you see that just now, Rowan?"
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I think she has something to say."
                arz "How astute."
                arz "…Well? Are you going to stand there like a mute, or are you going to say what’s on your mind?"
                joce "…I learned everything I know from {i}you{/i}, my Lady."
                arz "Not how to pick your meals, apparently."
                "Arzyl pulled Rowan closer, licking her lips in delicious anticipation."
                arz "Take Rowan, for example. Handsome, intelligent, a {i}born{/i} manipulator… a lonely minnow cast amongst sharks, forced to learn to live like they do."
                arz "{i}That{/i} is a being worthy of a Fae’s attention. We judge ourselves by the company we keep."
                "Arzyl’s lip curled, pointing for a second time at the still-kneeling, drunken Skordred."
                arz "What do you think, Rowan? What does {i}his{/i} company say about her?"
                ro "…Perhaps she intends to carve a statue."
                "Arzyl tilted her head back and laughed. Jocelyn’s head slowly turned towards the ground."
                arz "Oh dear me, did I mention he was {i}funny{/i}, too? So many admirable traits, were he a Fae, he’d already be near the top of my inner circle."
                joce "I… I am sorry, my Lady. I didn’t mean to impugn the coven’s stature-"
                #arz angry
                "Arzyl’s eyes blazed to life. Her lips twisted into a contemptuous sneer."
                arz "{i}I am NOT Queen Kassandra{/i}! I do not seek your repentance! Your groveling means nothing to me!"
                "Arzyl snapped her fingers, and Jocelyn Star-Christened went straight backed at attention."
                arz "Give Rowan a strand of your hair."
                joce "B-but Mistress-"
                "The look Arzyl gave her could have melted stone. She cast a hapless, pleading gaze in Rowan’s direction, but he merely smirked at her plight."
                "With painful hesitation, Jocelyn Star-Christened reached up and pulled a long, luxuriously thick hair from her head."
                "It glistened in the light as she reached out to hand it to him: black as the void, yet speckled with the twinkle-glow of starlight."
                "Rowan took it from her. It did not feel like hair, but rather like cold, malleable iron in his hands."
                arz "Bind her."
                "Rowan raised an eyebrow, but Arzyl merely smiled encouragingly at him. He shrugged and walked behind the trembling Fae."
                "He wove her long, delicate strand of hair around and around her wrists, binding her behind them. Jocelyn said nothing, merely whispering in an unintelligible language he’d never heard of."
                #cg 1
                scene cg1663 with fade
                show arzyl neutral behind cg1663
                show rowan necklace happy behind cg1663
                pause 3
                "When he was done, he took a step back to admire his handiwork. Arzyl, laughing, took him by the arm once more."
                "True to form, the Fae was shackled merely by the heavy strand of her hair. She went down to her knees, her expression despondent."
                joce "This is so humiliating."
                arz "So dramatic! Don’t pretend you don’t get off on this, my dear."
                joce "I-I-"
                joce "Yes, my Lady. B-but must the human-"
                arz "Yes. That is the point of the lesson. Your place in my court is not guaranteed simply because you are Fae."
                arz "If all it took was strength, and the ability to kill, we’d be no better than that sorry old Wolf preaching his nonsense."
                "Arzyl turned to Rowan, smiling sweetly."
                arz "Would you do the honours, my lovely?"
                ro "And what honour would that be, my Lady?"
                arz "The honour of bending her over a table and fucking this little waif till she can’t stand."
                "Rowan grinned back at her, getting into the act."
                ro "What, {i}her{/i}? I’ve had peasant girls more lively than her."
                "Arzyl let out a teasing series of {i}tsks{/i}."
                show cg1664 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1665 with dissolve
                pause 2
                arz "You hear that, Jocelyn? {i}He’s{/i} not impressed with your pedigree. To him, you’re just another piece of {i}meat{/i}."
                arz "Time to prove him otherwise."
                show cg1666 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1667 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show rowan necklace naked behind cg1667
                "Taking his cue, Rowan rushed forward, lifting the moaning Fae clear up off the ground, then shoving her facefirst onto the nearby table."
                "Wine spilled and plates shattered as he cleared the table forcefully with her body. He then pinned her in place, undid his buckles, and freed his turgid cock."
                "Jocelyn, helpless, could do little but gasp and squirm beneath him as he ran his hands roughly across her slender form. Whatever powers she had, it was evident they’d do her no good in his grasp."
                "Rowan reached down, beneath her dress, and felt around inside her. His fingers came back wet, and he licked the juices from the tips."
                "Arzyl’s laughter rose high above the crowd, causing curious eyes to turn in their direction, only furthering the degradation."
                arz "You {i}like{/i} it! Shameless whore, have you no propriety?"
                joce "{i}Mmmmh{/i}!"
                "Her too-delicate features twisted in humiliation at her Lady’s words. Far from struggling in Rowan’s grasp, she went limp, her pale face going beet red at the insinuation."
                ro "Did you expect any different? A slut like her always knows her proper place."
                arz "Under you."
                "The two shared a malicious grin before Rowan turned his attention back upon Jocelyn, Arzyl standing to the side and all but cheering him on."
                "He ripped the bottom of her dress, exposing her pale ass to the air, complete with a shameful wet trickle running down her right leg. It trembled as Rowan aligned his cock against her folds and shoved himself inside."
                "He did not wait for her to get used to it. Immediately his hips were pumping at a furious pace, reveling in the hot, tight confines of her cunt."
                joce "{i}Aaah! Mmmh{/i}! M-mistress, I-"
                "Rowan seized a fistful of her luxurious, starlight hair at the back of her scalp and yanked hard. She yelped as her neck craned back."
                ro "Don’t worry about her, focus on {i}me{/i}."
                "Her back arched upwards, her pale eyes staring into his as he began to tail her as hard as he could against the table, his hips slamming into her with such weight that what little silverware was left rattled and jostled with every hit."
                arz "You see that, Jocelyn? Dominance. So nebulous a trait to define, and yet when you see it, no one can deny its presence."
                "The hard-fucked Fae let out a scream of pleasure as Arzyl giggled at her wanton expression."
                arz "You still have much to learn about our inner circle."
                arz "It’s not enough to have guile, it’s not enough to be ambitious."
                "Arzyl leaned in, bending at the hips to place her luscious lips right up against the moaning Jocelyn’s ear. Her voice was a whisper only the three of them could hear."
                arz "You have to {i}know{/i} you’re worthy. And be ready to do anything to prove it."
                "The table shook on its foundations as Rowan threw his whole weight into her, pulling back far enough to see the wettened tip of his cock before driving back to the hilt."
                arz "Consider yourself one more step below the pecking order. The next time you see Rowan you had best be more deferential."
                ro "Or not. I can always reinforce the lesson."
                "Arzyl laughed, running her hands down Rowan’s shoulders as he fucked the sense out of Jocelyn Star-Christened."
                arz "I bet she’d like that! What say you, Jocelyn? Do you want Rowan to finish the lesson?"
                "Jocelyn - now lust drunk and crying out in pleasure - lifted her head up and stared at Arzyl with bleary eyes."
                joce "{i}Yesssssssss{/i}!"
                "Arzyl shrugged at Rowan, as if helpless to do anything but inform him of the circumstances."
                arz "Well, I suppose there’s nothing to be done, then."
                "Arzyl’s grin grew predatory."
                arz "…Will you do the honours?"
                "Rowan did not respond verbally, he chose action over words. With a grunt he redoubled his efforts, pounding the mewling Fae into the table wish such force it was a wonder she wasn’t getting splinters."
                "He took her by her bound arms and lifted her, thrusting as hard as he could even as she twitched and gasped and came upon his cock."
                show cg1668 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1669 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1670 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "One, two, {i}three{/i} thrusts… and then he slid home, gritting his teeth as his balls clenched and he unloaded himself into Jocelyn Star-Christened."
                "Her mouth opened into a wordless cry of pleasure, her voice giving out as her lungs were empty, unable to take in a breath from the exaltation."
                "Arzyl, thoroughly pleased, ran her fingers down Rowan’s back, marveling at his masculine prowess."
                arz "I haven’t had this much fun disciplining my subordinates in a long time!"
                arz "Normally I’m more hands on in my approach, but… you’re starting to sell me on the idea of the illicit voyeur."
                "Rowan, breathless, could do little but pant for a moment, his mating haze slowly fading away in the aftermath."
                ro "Glad… I could help…"
                "Rowan pulled out of her, watching with malicious satisfaction at the bead of white cum that built up at her entrance from the massive load he’d shot into her."
                jump jocelynSexEnd_rp


    label postArzSolo_rp:

        if earlyEnd:
            return

        scene bg6 with fade
        #arz aroused
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

        arz "Mmmmm, you {i}do{/i} know how to make a woman feel wanted. I daresay you’re one of the best lovers I’ve had in decades!"

        "Arzyl’s hand went idly to her nethers. She stirred her fingers about until they came back white and dripping. She lifted it to her lips, took an experimental sniff, then sucked the juices from each finger one by one."

        ro "Goddess… what {i}was{/i} that?"

        "Arzyl chuckled, turning about to face him, with his seed still glistening on her lower lips."

        arz "Pleasure, in its purest form. It’s not often that one can dive headlong into it free of consequence. I’m glad I could provide."

        #arz happy
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "Arzyl snapped her fingers, and suddenly both of them were fully clothed once more."

        arz "-{i}But{/i}, all good things must come to an end - or at least face a momentary postponement. I do believe I see the most important guests of the evening arriving!"

        jump banquetTwinsArrival_rp

    ###########################

    label ordSexEnd_rp:
    
        if earlyEnd:
            return

        scene bg6 with fade
        #arz aroused
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Lady Ordspythe clambered off of him, lifting off of him with her bifurcated legs and wrapping her wings tight about her once more. A raunchy grin was plastered across her face."

        ords "{i}Ooooh{/i}, I’m going to be trembling for minutes more!"

        arz "How was it, Rowan?"

        ro "It was…"
        ro "A lot."

        "Arzyl and Lady Ordspythe laughed as one. The birdlike Fae extended her too-long fingers out to Rowan to help him up. With some trepidation he took it and rose to his feet."

        arz "I take it you’ll be back for more sometime."

        ords "Oh, {i}do{/i} tell me when he is! I’d like a second go."

        arz "Shoo now, my dear. Rowan and I have some private business to attend to."

        "With a wink and a smile, Lady Ordspythe slunk once more back into the closing throng of people, now lust drunk themselves by the debauchery the three had displayed mere moments earlier."

        #arz happy
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "Arzyl snapped her fingers, and suddenly both of them were fully clothed once more."

        arz "Alas,  all good things must come to an end - or at least face a momentary postponement. I do believe I see the most important guests of the evening arriving!"

        jump banquetTwinsArrival_rp

    ##############################

    label jocelynSexEnd_rp:
    
        if earlyEnd:
            return

        scene bg6 with fade
        #arz aroused
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

        arz "Ah, a fine deposit!"

        "Arzyl gently brushed Rowan aside and stuck her finger knuckle deep into the still-twitching Jocelyn’s creamy cunt."
        "She twirled her finger around  until it came back white and dripping. After a brief inspection, she stuck it in Jocelyn’s pliant mouth."

        arz "Thank him for this."

        "After a moment’s hesitant suckling, Jocelyn turned over her shoulder to look at Rowan."

        joce "Th-thank…"
        joce "Thank you."

        ro "It was a good first time. Next time, I expect better from you."

        "Arzyl chuckled, turning about to face him, wiping the stray bit of cum on Jocelyn’s shredded dress."

        #arz happy
        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        "Arzyl snapped her fingers, and suddenly both of them were fully clothed once more. They left the still-exhausted Fae tied up on the table, naked for all to see."

        arz "-{i}But{/i}, all good things must come to an end - or at least face a momentary postponement. I do believe I see the most important guests of the evening arriving!"

        jump banquetTwinsArrival_rp

    #############################

    label banquetTwinsArrival_rp:

        scene bg6 with fade

        "The mad revelry of the room was interrupted when the Orc herald pounded his staff upon the ground. The music abruptly stopped."

        #arz happy
        show arzyl neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        arz "Ah! There they are!"

        show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
        show andras happy at edgeright with dissolve

        show wild orc neutral behind bg6

        if society_type == "might":
            orcher "Introducing Lord Andras and Lady Jezera! Rulers of Bloodmeen, the Six Realms, and the world beyond!"

        else:
            orcher "Introducing Emperor Andras and Empress Jezera! Rulers of Bloodmeen, the Six Realms, and the world beyond!"

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        "Muffled cheering rose from the room as the gathered dignitaries - so recently caught up in the excess - returned to their wits. Arzyl politely clapped, standing close at Rowan’s side."

        show jezera happy at center with moveinright
        show andras happy at midright with moveinright

        je "Thank you! Thank you! "
        je "What a sight! What an evening! All our friends and allies here, together under one roof."
        je "I hope you have been enjoying the fun, for I have an announcement to make this evening, a proclamation in fact!"
        je "Brother, would you do the honours?"

        an "Rowan Blackwell, step forward."

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What are you scheming at, Arzyl?"

        arz "You ask as if you haven’t already figured it out."
        arz "Onwards now: they’re waiting for you."

        "Rowan - with many a glance back at his hostess - approached the Twins. The crowd parted like a wave, and he was ushered forth to stand before them."
        "The entire gathering fell into a hush, everyone was looking at him. Even the Fae stood in watchful awareness."

        if society_type == "might":
            ro "I am here Lord Andras, Lady Jezera. What do you wish of me?"

        else:
            ro "I am here Emperor Andras, Empress Jezera. What do you wish of me?"

        an "Kneel."

        "Rowan raised an eyebrow. He didn’t know what was going on, but he saw no alternative. He kneeled."
        "Andras reached out with his hands, taking hold of the necklace around his neck."

        an "In light of your invaluable service to us, we have decided to free you from the burden of this trinket."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…{i}What{/i}?"

        #Some audio sound of something breaking,
        show rowan shock at midleft with dissolve

        je "Arise, Rowan. Arise as a free man, bound only by your loyalty."


        show rowan neutral at midleft with dissolve
        #show rowan angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "..."

        "Rowan stood to his feet in a rush, and the room broke into thunderous applause."
        "He ignored the Twins completely, pivoting around with a scowl to glare at Arzyl, who smiled at him from the edge of the crowd."

        ro "Really? This farce?"
        ro "Is {i}any{/i} of this real, or am I merely in a fantasy?"

        "The room went silent as a tomb. Arzyl smiled, strutting across the enchanted throne room with a careless swagger."

        arz "Oh, I {i}relish{/i} a mind like yours. "
        arz "Few mortals can resist the allure of their deep desires quite as well as you can - well, at least when you put your mind to it!"

        "She winked at him, and the world around them turned to putty."

        scene white with pixellate
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        #arz happy
        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Gone were the dinner guests, his wife and the Twins. All that remained in the blank void of his unconscious was Arzyl and her courtiers, gathered together like a hive of bees around their queen."

        arz "Most mortals wouldn’t have figured it out at all. Much less so quickly."

        ro "You all but shouted it at me with that last stunt. If there’s one thing in this world I can count on, it’s the capriciousness of the Twins."

        "Arzyl sidled closer to him, taking her hand in his. Her eyes glowed bright with an earnest energy."

        arz "Then take it as rote that whatever I may be, I am a {i}far{/i} more reasonable friend than they."

        ro "You and half the continent."

        "Arzyl laughed. Her cronies chuckled along with her."

        arz "Dear me, you’re {i}marvelous{/i}! A mere mortal staring down the Midnight Court like it was merely a fanciful  "

        ro "I have seen far worse nightmares in this world than your kind."

        arz "Our prey would beg to differ."
        arz "You face a world full of horrors and magic and - worst of all - {i}politics{/i}. You need a friend like me to help you navigate it all."

        ro "So you say."
        ro "…So this whole banquet was a sham?"

        arz "Not completely! All our guests were “present,” though not in the manner you might think."

        #arz neutral

        arz "Few will recall more than passing details of a hazy gathering, my servants will see to that. I promised you a Fae banquet, and I delivered."
        arz "{i}You{/i} were the guest of honour, and the Midnight Court - {i}my court{/i} - witnessed you, saw the importance I placed in you."

        #arz happy

        arz "If that is not a ringing endorsement, then I don’t know what is!"

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "…So what now?"

        "Arzyl smiled, leaned forward and planted a gentle kiss upon his cheek. Rowan flinched."

        arz "Now? Now you wake up."

        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

        ro "What abou-"

        scene bg9 with pixellate
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

        ro "{i}Guh{/i}!"

        "Rowan bolted out of bed, his sheets covered in sweat. His heart was pounding out of his chest and his eyes were puffy from clenching."
        "After a moment to collect himself he let out a soft sigh."

        show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Fae..."

        "He would spend the next several days trying to parse out what it all meant, and the sincerity of Arzyl’s words."

    return

    ###############################################################################################################################################################

    label arzyl_isdruel_rp:

        $ arzylDialogueStage = 4

        scene bg13 with fade

        "Rowan entered Arzyl’s dank chambers, the dying candles casting the room into a murky darkness like the inside of a witches cauldron. He found the Fae pacing the room, a tense expression across her ageless features."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Hello again, Witch."

        show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve

        arz "Give me a moment, Rowan. I am just about to receive word."

        ro "...Word of what? From who?"

        "Before Rowan could inquire further, there was a flash of light. Suddenly, a note was in Arzyl’s hands. It was sealed with blood-red wax, an unintelligible symbol gracing its back that looked vaguely like three moons interlocking with one another."
        "With a single, long {i}rip{/i} of her nails, Arzyl broke the seal. A small fount of magical power erupted out from beneath the seal, melting the wax away in a single instant. Arzyl folded open the letter, her glowing eyes skimming across its length as she read."

        arz "..."
        arz "I have been summoned by her Flawlessness, Queen Kassandra herself. It would appear that it's urgent."

        ro "It must be, if she’d dare to send a sealed letter into the Twins’ own fortress."

        "Arzyl spared a half smirk in Rowan’s direction before she began to pace the room once more."

        arz "I never pass up a chance to meet with my beloved Queen. However, this does complicate matters a bit."
        arz "Another member of the Court is headed here to the castle as we speak. I was supposed to meet her at the gate to ensure safe passage… unlike my sweet Nileth."
        arz "She is being ‘delivered’ here soon."

        ro "...Delivered?"

        arz "The Midnight Court boasts many different kinds of Fae within its ranks, Rowan. She just happens to be more - {i}eccentric{/i} than most."

        ro "Given what few Fae I’ve met who are a part of the Midnight Court, that’s saying something."

        #arzyl happy
        arz "Oh Rowan, you should know by now that I’m the most eccentric Fae you’ll ever meet! Isdruel just happens to be far less dignified about it than I."
        arz "As a result, the Queen and I decided we needed to use some discretion in getting her here."
        arz "But now the Queen wishes to speak to me! And I am quite loathe to deny her wishes. Would you be a dear and meet my sister Fae at the gate when she gets here? "
        arz "I shudder at the thought of what she might do if she’s left… unattended."

        ro "Well, I-"

        arz "Oh! There is my Queen calling now!"

        "Before Rowan could respond, a sudden blast of light blinded him. A swirling maelstrom of energy erupted from the ground at Rowan’s feet, a gleaming portal into Gods-know what. With a wink and a wave Arzyl stepped onto its surface, sinking like quicksand as the eldritch energy engulfed her."

        arz "I promise I won’t be long, Rowan…"

        hide arzyl with dissolve

        "Her otherworldly smile stays in Rowan’s mind long after the ground swallowed her into nonexistence. He stood there for a moment in her room, contemplating his options."

        menu:
            "Help Arzyl.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump helpArzyl_rp

            "Don’t involve yourself.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Considering his options, Rowan decided that this was a classic example of ‘none of his business.’"
                "Given the Midnight Court’s disturbing propensity for sadism and cruelty, the thought of helping Arzyl ‘retrieve’ a servant deemed dangerous enough to have to send them in a sealed box set off warning bells in his head."
                "Rowan shrugged to himself, resolving to let the situation work itself out."
                return

    label helpArzyl_rp:

        "Considering his options, Rowan decided that learning more about the Midnight Court and their baffling ways was worth the potential blowback of whatever Arzyl had just saddled him with. Besides: what’s the worst that could happen?"
        "Rowan did his best to ignore the pit in his gut as he considered the actual implications of the question."

        scene black with fade

        "Hurrying to catch this newcomer before she waltzed in the front door unattended, Rowan reached the front gate of Castle Bloodmeen in record time. What he found waiting for him shocked him."

        show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

        ro "W-what the hell is going on?!"

        "True to Arzyl’s words, her companion had been ‘delivered’ to the front gate in what appeared to have once been a sealed, runic crate of alien design. Rowan could see the shattered splinters of the thing lying in shards across the ground, its occupant now stood at the entrance, a picture of rage and spite."
        "The pair of Orcs guarding the gateway had inadvertently opened the crate without asking permission, freeing the being within from her interminable confinement. Now free from her shackles, the bark-skinned creature had enacted her vengeance upon them."
        "She was a creature of wood and vine, leaf and root. Her eyes were the color of sap, her hair like knotted brambles tangled together, her lips a curling, contemptuous oak. Though her body was feminine and curvaceous, she looked more akin to a living growth than a human."
        "Her eyes swept across Rowan, a dark grin growing upon her lips. One Orc guard was laid out on the ground, his body splayed back with his eyes rolled into his head. Rowan bent down and checked the brute’s pulse. It was still going, if very faintly."
        "The other Orc let out a roar of fear, dangling by the leg from a series of curling vines that emerged from the Dryad-woman’s body. Her cruel smile widened as she dragged a set of brambles across the struggling Orc’s body."

        show orc soldier neutral behind black
        os "Aaaaugh!"

        show isdruel neutral at midright with dissolve

        isdr "Yes, {i}yes{/i}! Feel it, you worm! Taste the delectable agony of my vines! "

        "The Dryad rose up, floating upon a canopy of vines that bear her up to the high place she’s dangled the helpless Orc. The stupid creature flailed about, helpless in her grasp as she inflicted herself upon him. Her bark-encrusted hands roamed about the Orc’s green skin, pinching and groping at whatever struck her fancy."

        isdr "You thought you’d use me, you little tick, didn’t you? First words out of your mouth when you saw me: ‘I’m gon’ fuck dat plant lady’ huh? Well {i}now{/i} who’s fucking who?"

        "Her claws raked his back, the Orc twitching in place as he cried out in pain. Rowan winced. He approached the plant woman, whose amber eyes darted over to him as he approached."

        isdr "Ah… Rowan. It has been a while."

        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Have we… met?"

        isdr "Oh, sweetling, you don’t remember your beloved Isdruel?"
        isdr "That gang of villagers… that {i}brute{/i} with the crossbow and his army of lackeys who had stolen my sister’s mushrooms? Surely you’d at least recall the fight. "

        if dryad_side == "isdruel":
            isdr "After all, you saved me like a blushing damsel in the fairy tales. You sexy thing."
            isdr "Arzyl really did give me a treat, sending {i}you{/i} of all people to greet me at the door!"

        else:
            isdr "After all, you left me to fight those heathens on my own, despite their thieving manner."
            isdr "I did not expect a weakling like you to be the one Arzyl sent to fetch me."

        ro "Well, she sent me. What are you doing to these guards?"

        isdr "You mean these {i}brutes{/i}?!"

        "Isdruel reached out, grasping the Orc’s upturned face by the chin as she leered down at his helpless expression. A dark smile graced her chlorophyllic lips."

        isdr "I am teaching them some manners. Care to join in on the fun?"

        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        ro "I’ll pass."

        isdr "A shame. Perhaps another time then. Something tells me that you could indulge in a bit of {i}domination{/i} better than most."

        "As if to exemplify this fact, Isdruel let go of the Orc’s chin, her other hand curving around and slapping him hard in the face. The Orc wimpered, and Isdruel went eye to eye with him."

        isdr "You. Do {i}not{/i}. Touch me without permission, worm!"

        "She slapped him hard across the face again, her brambly vines dragging themselves across his back as the Orc’s face contorted in pain. There was a manic, almost sadistic look in the Dryad’s eyes."
        "Rowan felt a vague stirring in his gut: these were just Orcs, after all. Brutes who themselves had undoubtedly committed whatever atrocities they could in the early days of the Twins’ campaigns. Who was he to judge a bit of comeuppance? Then again, something about the Dryad’s pure malice made him feel…"

        $ isdrWatchFailed = False

        label isdrMenu_rp:

            menu:
                "Disgusted. Put a stop to this now, however you can!":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Let the Orcs go Isdruel. {i}Now{/i}."
                    isdr "Hehe, why?"
                    "Rowan’s knuckles went white from his grip on his blade hilt. His scowl deepened as he saw Isdruel, her eyes matching with his, dragged her sharp fingernails down the Orc’s back in spiteful malevolence. Her smile widened as Rowan drew his sword."
                    ro "Because if you don’t, I’ll hack you to pieces and use your bark for kindling."
                    isdr "You flirt."
                    "There was a long moment of tenseness, the two staring each other down as the Orc dangled in the air, whimpering in a desperate tone. At last Isdruel shrugged, her vines unravelling around the Orcs legs as he collapsed to the ground in a heap. Rowan did not let go of his sword."
                    isdr "Funny, Arzyl said you {i}liked{/i} a girl who was into the rough stuff."
                    ro "Then Arzyl is sorely mistaken."
                    isdr "Or you’re just playing coy."
                    isdr "...Fine, lead the way. But I don’t grovel to mortals. Arzyl’s going to get an earful about this."
                    ro "I don’t doubt that for a second. Tell her I said she should fix her own messes, next time."
                    isdr "If this is how you solve problems for Arzyl, I’m sure she’ll take you up on that offer."
                    return


                "Impatient. Negotiate with the Dryad to let the Orc go.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Look, Isdruel-"
                    isdr "Hold on a moment, Rowan. We’re just getting to the best part."
                    os "Gaaaah!"
                    ro "I get that these guards acted outside their station, but they are loyal soldiers of the Twins."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "And if you think that torturing the servants of your would-be allies is going to secure their friendship, then you’re sorely mistaken."
                    "Isdruel’s sap-colored eyes trailed across Rowan’s impassive expression, her smile widening as she winked at him, as if it were all just some perverse game she was playing. She gave her best pout and released the Orc, who collapsed onto the ground in a heap."
                    isdr "Fine. I see your point. Arzyl would be quite cross with me if I messed up her little diplomatic excursion."
                    "The viney creature sidled up to Rowan, her arms wrapping around his as if he were her escort."
                    isdr "Shall we, Rowan? I hope next time we meet you won’t be so adverse to sharing little ‘fun’ between us."
                    ro "Something tells me that your definition of ‘fun’ involves inflicting pain."
                    isdr "Hehe, only on my inferiors. Who knows? Perhaps we can find someone mutually beneath us."
                    return


                "Intrigued. Watch to see what she does." if isdrWatchFailed == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if rowanCorrupt < 30:
                        "Rowan heard the first sound of the Orc’s agony and felt a stirring in his chest. He couldn’t just sit by and watch this happen! He had not yet sunk so low beneath his own morality, that he could sit by and ogle another being’s pain."
                        $ isdrWatchFailed = True
                        jump isdrMenu_rp
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt a strange sort of thrill watching Isdruel effortlessly torment the Orc. Despite his own misgivings, he found himself electrified by the sounds of the creature’s distress."
                        "Perhaps it was because of their ghoulish nature, or perhaps Rowan understood Orcs well enough to know that most of them were contemptible swine; either way, he could not bring himself to look away when Isdruel continued her sadistic vexations."
                        "The Dryad lowered the Orc, his face level with her waist as she came face to face with his hanging junk. She reached out, her hands grasping the sexual organ with the curiosity of a child playing with a picked dandelion."
                        isdr "Hm, so much fuss over so meagre an endowment."
                        "Her hands began to roughly jerk him, her free hand reaching up to cup his testicles in a solid, tugging grip."
                        isdr "Do you feel this, whelp? This is power. {i}This{/i} is control, not that banal bluster you and your friend were trying with me. That might make a mere mortal cower with fear, but I see it for the ruse that it is."
                        "Her fingers clenched, and Rowan saw the Orc’s face contort with pain. She held him for a long moment in her crushing grip, his body trembling at the precariousness of his position. The Orc let out a cry of pain."
                        isdr "I could eviscerate you in an instant, you filthy cur. Had I less important business to attend to for my Queen, I’d have likely done so."
                        "The Dryad let the terrifying threat hang in the air for another long moment, then released her grip on the Orc, the vines holding up his legs and keeping him suspended in the air unravelling."
                        "The Greenskin let out a yelp of surprise as he toppled to the ground, landing in a heap on top of his fellow Guard. The two collapsed into a pile of pitiful moaning."
                        "She turned to face Rowan, a brilliant, emerald smile spreading across her face. Without a word she took him by the arm and ambled forward into the Castle courtyard, humming a low, hypnotic tune as she moved."
                        isdr "My apologies for being late, Rowan. I was held up by the Twins’ unruly servants. You know how mongrels can get. The weak and powerless covet that which they cannot have."
                        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "Sure."
                        isdr "I see you did not try to stop the theatrics! Could it be I’ve found a kindred spirit amongst the Twins’ misbegotten slaves?"
                        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                        ro "I am no slave, Dryad."
                        isdr "Mmm, no. You’re not. I can tell. You’re something {i}infinitely{/i} more intriguing than that."
                        isdr "I would like to discuss this more with you in the days to come. Perhaps next time you can be a more… {i}active participant{/i} in the fun?"
                        ro "That depends entirely on where I am in that situation."
                        "Rowan felt the Dryad’s grip tighten around him as her eyes held steady to him. Her smile widened."
                        isdr "Oh don’t worry sweetling… you won't be the one dangling from my vines."
                        return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_47.rpy
label messy_cleanup_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ andrasFavours = 0
    $ castlePit = 10
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ andrasFavours = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg65 with fade
    show bg66

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Filthy. Dirty. Disgusting. Rowan felt all that and more as he trudged through the castle baths, his footsteps leaving behind a trail of blue goo in his wake."
    "When Rowan found himself cutting through the dense foliage of the jungle, he hadn't expected to cut across a sentient slime that kindly exploded all over his physique."
    "He especially hadn't planned on it smelling {i}so fucking bad{/i}. It was hard enough traipsing around covered in sticky blue film, but there was a special kind of misery when said film smelled like the rotting intestines of a drider."
    "The fresh, cleansing steam of the baths wafted toward him as he searched for an empty room. It appeared Rowan was not the only one in need of some relaxation, as most of the rooms he passed were occupied. He glanced into the next room, hoping for an ounce of privacy to get rid of this putrid slime."

    show andras happy at midright with dissolve

    "Andras sat chest-deep in one of the baths, his red arms spread out over the tub's edges as his dark, wet hair pooled around the water's surface. Eyes closed, the demon looked utterly content in his empty room, the sound of running water his only companion."

    if andrasFavours < 3:
        "Rowan quieted his footsteps as he walked by, not too keen on drawing the demon's attention his way. "
        an "Soldiers are supposed to be stealthier than that."
        "Rowan flinched and uttered a curse under his breath. Andras beckoned to him with a single finger, demanding his attention."

    else:
        "Rowan quieted his footsteps as he walked by, not wanting to disturb him in his moment of peace."
        an "Rowan."
        "Rowan paused mid-step. Andras beckoned to him with a single finger, drawing him near."

    "The scent of cinnamon and earthy spices drifted from the tub as Rowan stepped inside of the room, careful not to slip on the slick stones beneath his shoes."

    if andrasFavours < 3:
        "Andras peered at him with a smirk as the hero stepped closer, taking in the nasty blue grime clinging to the hero's body."
        an "Aren't you a miserable fucking sight."
        an "What happened? Run headfirst into a diseased cunt?"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan bit back his response. It was {i}Andras{/i}'s quest he'd been out on in the first place–the demon had no right to mock him."
        "Andras smirked wider, easily picking up on Rowan's dour mood."
        an "Don't be such a fucking pussy. Get your ass in here."

    else:
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "Andras's nose crinkled with disgust as the putrid stench of the goo wafted toward him. He held up a hand, halting Rowan's movements."
        an "Stop. Don't come closer. You fucking {i}reek{/i}."
        an "Get in here before I pass out."

    "Andras gestured toward the bath, his long fingers trailing across the water's surface."

    menu:
        "Join Andras. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if andrasFavours < 3:
                "Rowan eyed the bath reluctantly. He didn't trust sharing a bath with Andras–the mere suggestion was ringing alarm bells in the back of his head–but the warm, inviting waters were too much of a temptation to pass up."
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Stripping himself of his soiled clothes, Rowan slid into the heated water. The tension in his muscles eased instantly. The hero sighed, sinking down until the water brushed his neck."
                an "Heh. You like that?"
                ro "Yes, I–"
                "Rowan's words–his own air–was cut off as Andras violently ducked his head under water. He gasped, inhaling a mouthful of spiced water. Rowan struggled, but Andras's fingers grasped his short hair, forcing him under."
                "When Rowan tried to kick up from the tub–just enough for a gulp full of air–Andras shoved him back down, splashing water out over the floor. He could hear the demon's laughter above him, muffled by the bath."
                "It must have been seconds, but it felt like hours. Andras finally released his tight hold on Rowan's hair, and the hero bobbed up for air, coughing out the water onto the floor."
                "Andras laughed, the sound loud and arrogant as it echoed through the bath. A flush colored Rowan's body, but instead of the bath, it was his own anger guiding him."
                "That didn't matter to Andras. If anything, Rowan could have sworn the demon laughed harder."
                an "There! You're clean."
                ro "You tried to {i}drown{/i} me!"
                an "Don't be such a pussy. If I wanted to drown you, you'd be dead."
                an "Now get up and fetch me a glass of wine."
                ro "I don't–"
                an "Did I stutter? Wine. {i}Now{/i}."
                "Rowan clenched his teeth but climbed out of the tub. It would be easier to just go along with it, he told himself. He wasn't about to make an enemy out of Andras."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "Not yet, anyway."
                "As Rowan reached for his soiled clothes–inwardly cringing at the idea of placing them on his body again–he heard a distinct click behind him, as one might make to a dog."
                an "Ah-ah. I didn't tell you to get dressed."
                "Rowan froze, hand hovering over the clothes. He couldn't be serious, could he? But one look at Andras's pointed grin told Rowan everything he needed to know."
                ro "Do you have any wine down here?"
                an "No."
                "Of course he didn't."
                if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                    "Doing his best to act nonchalant, Rowan fought back the sense of humiliation that came over him as he strode out of the baths and up to the kitchens. While he was able to avoid eye contact, there was no end to the whistling and glances–confused, mocking, aroused–tossed his way."
                    "Rowan snatched a bottle of wine and a glass from the kitchens and hurried back to Andras's bath, determined to have this trip over and done with."
                else:
                    "A vague sense of embarrassment coiled in Rowan's stomach, but it was easy to ignore as he strode out of the baths to the kitchens. It's not as if there was anything to hide–he was sure the castle staff had seen a dick by now."
                    "Rowan took his time filling a glass of wine and tucking the bottle under his arm before heading back to Andras's bath."
                "Andras took a long sip of the wine, seemingly pleased. He swirled the wine in its glass, the red blending in with his crimson skin."
                an "Heh. You know, this would go great with some hors d'oeuvres."
                "Andras looked to Rowan expectantly, as if the hero could produce meat and cheese out of thin air."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    ro "I'm sure it would."
                    "They stared each other down, daring the other to break first. It was a dangerous game Rowan was playing, he knew. He could see the irritation growing on Andras's face at his small act of defiance."
                    an "What are you standing there for? Are you fucking stupid?"
                    an "Go. Get. Me. Some."
                    "Rowan felt a stubborn streak run through him, telling him to put his foot down and leave, but what use would that do? He'd already managed to piss Andras off–that was enough for now."
                else:
                    "Rowan didn't need to be told twice to know this was his cue to leave."
                "Turning on his heel, Rowan's footsteps made wet slaps against the floor as he trudged back to the kitchens."
                "It appeared very quickly that this had become Andras's new favorite game."
                "Up and down stairs Rowan went, naked as he fetched whatever the demon prince could think of on his dangerous whims. His body had long since dried by now, and the cold air of the castle raked across his skin with little mercy."
                "It was a relief to step back into the baths, to feel the warm steam comfort him again, only for it to be ripped away by Andras's next task."
                "Rowan stepped into the bath for what felt like the hundredth time, a cuckoo clock hefted in his arms. As soon as he passed it to the demon, Andras tossed it aside."
                an "Good. Get me my robe."
                ro "You already asked for that."
                an "Huh? Oh. Then get me my kilt."
                ro "You have that, too."
                "Andras looked over his shoulder; sure enough, the kilt was already there."
                an "Huh. You're more efficient than the idiots in the barracks. I can't get them to follow an order without beating the sense out of them."
                ro "…Perhaps that's your problem."
                an "Do you have something to fucking say?"
                menu:
                    "Suggest Alternative to earn the Orc's respect.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        "Rowan bit his tongue, debating how to best pitch his idea. It was something he had been thinking of for a while now; everyone knew the Orcs had little respect for others in the castle, and a solution would be needed sooner or later."
                        "The only question was if Andras would hear him out about it."
                        ro "I think that… you could benefit from developing a different strategy when it came to the Orcs."
                        "Andras snorted, rolling his eyes."
                        an "Yeah? And what do {i}you{/i} suggest?"
                        ro "You've tried beating them over and over–how many times?--and you're still having the same problems. Perhaps you need to consider a reward system."
                        an "Reward?! Reward for {i}what{/i}?! Doing what they're {i}supposed{/i} to do?"
                        ro "{i}Exceeding{/i} what they're supposed to do. It gives them a motivator to work harder and obey you."
                        "Andras gritted his teeth, but seemed to seriously consider what Rowan had to say. It gave the hero a small spark of hope."
                        if andrasFavours < 3:
                            an "You know what I think of your plan?"
                            ro "What?"
                            if castlePit >= 1:
                                an "I think the next time you give me such a {i}stupid fucking idea{/i}, I'm going to feed you to one of the beastmaster's little creatures."
                            else:
                                an "I think the next time you give me such a {i}stupid fucking idea{/i}, I'm going to drop your ass in the wastes for a month to fend for yourself."
                            an "Get it?"
                            ro "…Yes. Loud and clear."
                        else:
                            an "Hm. Maybe you're not such a useless oaf after all."
                            an "Very well. I will consider it."
                            ro "Thank you."
                    "Leave it be.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "…No. Nothing."
                        "He looked back at the ridiculous pile in the corner and sighed."
                ro "If there's nothing else you need–"
                an "Sit your ass down. I'm not done with you yet."
                "Rowan bit back a sigh and obeyed, dipping his legs into the water as he waited for Andras to think up another task. His feet were killing him–walking around the castle barefoot was miserable, but it was a special kind of hell trying to avoid smashed bottles and debris that had yet to be cleaned up."
                "Andras squinted up at the ceiling through the steam, brows pinched together in thought."
                "His eyes lit up, and Rowan braced himself for whatever the demon had concocted."
                "Andras climbed out of the tub and sat on its ledge, his half-hard erection poking out between his spread legs."
                an "Wash me."
                "Rowan observed Andras skeptically."
                ro "…Wash you?"
                an "Wash me–with your tongue."
            else:
                "Rowan looked again at the bath with longing, its warm, inviting waters pulling him closer. It was already hard enough to find an open bath; he would take what he could get."
                ro "Thanks."
                show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Stripping himself of his soiled clothes, Rowan slid into the heated water. The tension in his muscles eased instantly. The hero sighed, sinking down until the water brushed his neck."
                an "Nice, isn't it?"
                show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan nodded in agreement. Andras settled back into position, steam rising from the water on his arms as he lifted them out of the water to relax back on the tub's edge."
                an "It's busy as a fucking whorehouse down here. Usually half these fucks don't know how to hold a bar of soap."
                "Rowan snorted. He'd been around the castle staff enough to know what Andras said was true."
                "The demon cocked his head, his gaze flickering over the vibrant blue goo in Rowan's hair as Rowan dutifully scrubbed it out."
                an "So what happened to make you look like a water nymph's cum rag?"
                "Rowan chuckled as he washed himself, eager to get the sticky substance off of his face."
                ro "Fought a slime. I guess I won."
                an "Ha! I'm not so sure. The slime looks like the winner to me."
                ro "Heh. Yeah, it kind of feels that way."
                "The bath was certainly helping, though. Rowan rolled his head this way and that as he scrubbed, determined to wipe clean every inch."
                an "That happened to me once, years ago."
                ro "A slime exploded on you?"
                an "Please, whores do that to me all the time."
                "Andras smirked at his own joke, clearly pleased with himself."
                an "No, I once lived in the outer region of Mardiere–a desert city, you've probably never been. You would never believe the deadly creatures you find lurking in the sand, just waiting to tear you apart–or be torn apart."
                "Andras's pointed smile widened with bloodlust as he recalled his adventure."
                an "I was in the market when a giant fucking snake attacked me. Not {i}really{/i} a snake, the fucker had hooves–what the fuck did Draith call it? Whatever, who cares. The fucker was big and mean and ready to tear my throat out."
                an "It had already swept through half the market by then. Bodies just thrown in pieces all over the place, brains on the walls, people dying from some kind of toxic shit in its fangs. It was ugly."
                if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                    "Rowan leaned forward, fascinated by the story. It was gruesome and blunt, but Rowan could picture the scene in his head; dying civilians, a monster on the loose with a demon in sight."
                    ro "What happened?"
                else:
                    "Rowan grimaced, unable to share the same enthusiasm for the story as Andras."
                    ro "That's… messy."
                    an "I haven't even gotten to the best part."
                an "It ate me."
                ro "I'm sorry, it {i}ate{/i} you?"
                an "Took me in whole. So there I am, my skin's burning in this fucking thing, mixed up with a bunch of bones and guts and blood–"
                ro "I get the picture."
                an "So what do I do? I start swinging. I grab my sword–"
                ro "You had a sword on you? And you still let it swallow you?"
                an "–and I slice into its belly. I manage to cut it all the way around, so the thing is split in two. Took out half the marketplace, but the people treated me like a God. Had to flee when  I burned down the city after they tried to sacrifice me later, but I was treated like a {i}God{/i}."
                ro "...Huh."
                "The hero wasn't sure being covered in the blood and internal organs of Andras's enemies was quite the same as slime goo, but he guessed it wasn't that far off."
                an "If only I was offered the same respect by those idiots in the barracks."
                ro "You mean the Orcs? I think they respect you enough."
                "Feared him would be more accurate, but Rowan did not worry about semantics. Andras gritted his teeth as his expression fell into a scowl."
                an "Tch! Respect! If they had any respect, they wouldn't be so {i}weak{/i}! They won't listen to a word I say without me beating it into them!"
                an "They should be worshiping the ground I walk on for all the shit I do for them!"
                menu:
                    "Voice your suggestions for the Orcs.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                        ro "…Well, considering your solution is to beat sense into them, that could be your problem. Perhaps you need to revise your strategy with them."
                        ro "Not many creatures respond well to consequences. You might have better luck gaining their respect if you did more for them outside of the basics–maybe offer a reward system."
                        an "A reward system? The fact I don't flay them alive isn't enough?"
                        ro "…While I'm sure they appreciate that, I think we can rule that along with providing the basics."
                        ro "A reward system would probably boost their morale; at the very least, they would be more inclined to earn your approval and work harder for their reward."
                        an "They should already want to do that!"
                        ro "But a system would at least guarantee that they will."
                        "Rowan expected the demon to brush him off yet again, but was pleasantly surprised to find Andras rubbing his chin in thought instead."
                        an "…Hm. Perhaps your idea isn't half-bad. I will consider it."
                        ro "It helps to think of what kinds of rewards the Orcs will appreciate. New beds, maybe, or fresh clothes–"
                        an "A sex party! Who doesn't love a good sex party?!"
                        ro "Yes… Yes, I suppose that could work as well."
                    "Leave it be.":
                        #$ released_fix_rollback()
                        "The hero considered some possible solutions, but doubted the demon would want to hear them. It seemed as though Andras just wanted someone to hear his grievances for the time being, and Rowan was content to provide that listening ear."
                "Rowan finished cleaning the last bits of goo from his body, relieved to finally feel the soft flesh of his own skin again. Andras raised a brow as Rowan moved to climb out of the tub."
                an "Leaving already?"
                ro "I just finished bathing. Aren't you done? You seem like you've been in here for a while."
                an "I'm taking my time. There's no need to rush a good thing."
                "The demon's gaze flickered over Rowan's naked body, interest written plain on his face."
                an "Since I was kind enough to let you share my bath, though, the least you can do is repay me."
                "Rowan hesitated, peering back to meet Andras's wanting gaze."
                ro "…How do you want me to repay you?"
                "The demon moved himself to the ledge of the tub, his red legs still dangling in the steamy water, and spread his arms out wide. A half-hard erection poked out between his spread thighs."
                an "You can wash me–with your tongue."
            menu:
                "Bathe him with your tongue. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                    $ rowanGaySex += 1
                    scene cg1582 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1583 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show andras smirk behind cg1582
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        "Rowan's gaze fell to the smooth water droplets trickling down Andras's chest, desire coiling in his lower belly. Even if it wasn't an order, Rowan wasn't sure he could refuse."
                    else:
                        "Rowan's gaze fell to Andras's groin, the demon's intentions clear. Andras gave him an order and, if he wanted to stay on the demon's good side, refusal wasn't an option."
                    "Settling himself behind the demon, Rowan stuck his tongue out and licked along Andras's shoulder blades. Andras leaned his head forward, giving Rowan room to trace along the curve of his neck."
                    "Salty sweat and spiced water mixed together on the hero's tongue, the steam creating a dizzying effect as he dipped lower along the demon's spine."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        "Rowan's hands found themselves on Andras's hips as he licked across his back, lower and lower until his face was pressed against the curve of his ass."
                        "Andras relaxed against his touch, adjusting slightly so Rowan could press his tongue deeper between his cheeks."
                    else:
                        "Rowan reached the curve of Andras's hips and hesitated. Maybe just cleaning the surface areas would be enough."
                        "Before he could move away, Andras peered back at him over his shoulder with a knowing smirk."
                        an "You missed a spot."
                        "Refusing to meet his gaze, Rowan dipped his head low, tracing his tongue along the demon's ass."
                    show cg1584 with dissolve
                    pause 3
                    "The red prince bent forward, giving Rowan better access to his lower orifice. Gripping his ass cheeks apart, Rowan's tongue pressed against Andras's asshole."
                    if andrasFavours < 3:
                        "His muscle swirled against the taut hole, drawing in every bead of sweat and bath water against his tongue. He could feel Andras soften under his touch, his body–"
                        "Andras gripped his wrist and yanked Rowan into the pool. Rowan gasped, bobbing back up for air as the demon forced him between his legs."
                    else:
                        "His muscle swirled against the taut hole, drawing in every bead of sweat and bath water against his tongue. He could feel Andras soften under his touch, pleased with his ministrations."
                        an "Now the front."
                        "Rowan dutifully climbed into the pool, settling himself between Andras's legs."
                    scene cg1585 with fade
                    pause 3
                    show andras smirk behind cg1585
                    "Andras's red erection waited hard and patiently in front of him. Rowan licked his lips, practically brushing his tongue against the demon's tip."
                    "There was expectation in the demon's eyes, a quiet control Rowan could feel as Andras raked his fingers through his hair and gripped near the hero's scalp."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 60:
                        "Gripping Andras's inner thighs, Rowan pressed his tongue along the demon's length, savoring the taste of his cock on his tongue. "
                        "Andras grinned, then yanked Rowan's head forward, forcing his cock into the wet caverns of the hero's mouth. Rowan took the motion in stride, widening his throat to accept the demon's rough advances."
                    else:
                        "Seeing the reluctance on Rowan's face, Andras thrust his groin forward, forcing his member inside of the hero's mouth. Rowan gasped, giving the demon more room to press inside the wet caverns of his mouth."
                        "Rowan choked, struggling to catch his breath as Andras rocked back and forth in his mouth, forcing his cock deeper into his throat."
                        an "Heh. Not used to it, huh?"
                        an "Don't worry, I'll break you in."
                    "Andras's grip on Rowan's hair tightened as he yanked his head back and forth, violently thrusting against the back of the hero's throat."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        "Rowan kept up Andras's pace to the best of his ability, constricting his throat around the prince's cock with every deep thrust. Andras's nails scraped against his scalp, the only further indication of his pleasure."
                    else:
                        "Rowan struggled to keep up, tears springing to his eyes as the demon fucked his skull without mercy. He could feel Andras's nails scraping against his scalp, demanding to go deeper than Rowan's throat would allow."
                    show cg1586 with sshake
                    show cg1586 with sshake
                    show cg1587 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Andras forced the former hero's head down, his cock twitching as shot his load deep in Rowan's throat."
                    if andrasFavours < 3:
                        "Andras laughed, his voice loud and arrogant as Rowan swallowed every drop of the demon's cum."
                        an "Hahaha! What a fucking pathetic piece of shit! Hungrily slurping another man's cum… What a slut."
                        an "Get the fuck out of here so I can bathe in peace."
                        "Andras slipped back into the tub without care as Rowan scrambled out, using his already soiled clothes to clean his face on his way out."
                        "He would definitely need another bath after this."
                        return
                    else:
                        "Andras smirked, savoring the sight of his seed slipping down Rowan's surprised face. Rowan wiped his eyes, using the bath water to clean his face."
                        an "That was decent. Maybe I'll let you in my baths more often."
                        "The demon laughed to himself before slipping back into the tub."
                        an "Clean yourself up. You look like a slut."
                        "Rowan did as told, happy to at least wash his face again before leaving."
                        return

                "Leave the bath.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan stared at the demon, all too aware of how this would end. Climbing out of the tub, Rowan grabbed a nearby towel and wrapped it around his waist."
                    ro "I think I'll pass. I need to get back to work."
                    an "Don't be such a princess. It's not the first time you've tasted cock."
                    "Heat rushed to the hero's face as the memory of Andras's dick in his mouth resurfaced, but Rowan retained his composure."
                    if andrasFavours < 3:
                        an "I gave you an order. I don't like to repeat myself."
                        ro "I understand, but…"
                    else:
                        an "I was nice enough to share my bath with you, wasn't I? You could've been walking around smelling like drider shit for the next three days."
                        ro "And I appreciate it, but…"
                    ro "There's still a lot of paperwork I need to handle now that I'm back. I'd planned on going over some expense reports for the army, possibly establishing a budget for better armour, but if you'd rather–"
                    an "Fuck, you're boring. Get out of here before my ears start bleeding."
                    an "Fucking talking about {i}work{/i} during my bath… Do I look like Jezera to you?"
                    "Andras mumbled the last bits to himself as he settled back into the tub, a wave of steam washing over him."
                    "Rowan gathered his soiled clothes and hurried out of the baths, grateful to be clean for a little while longer."
                    return

        "Find own bath.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if andrasFavours < 3:
                "Rowan stared at the warm, inviting waters with longing. He could feel every slick discomfort as the slime's entrails stuck his clothes to his skin, invaded pores and crevices of his body that were better left alone."
                'But this was not something he wanted to share with Andras. No, he could already see the devilish glint in the demon\'s eyes, ready to make this "shared experience" far from pleasant.'
                ro "…I think I'll pass. I'd prefer some time to myself."
                "Andras rolled his eyes and scoffed, his hand flippantly batting at the water."
                an "Fuck, you're boring. Fine, stink like shit if you want."
                an "Ha! Good luck finding a bath. Maybe the pigs will let you share theirs."
                "Andras continued laughing to himself as Rowan walked away, his shoes sticking uncomfortably to the floor with each step."
                return
            else:
                an "Hmph. Suit yourself."
                an "Good luck finding a bath; I had to kick out a group of goblins to get one."
                "Andras reclined back against the edge of the tub and closed his eyes, no longer concerned  as the hero walked away, his shoes sticking uncomfortably to the floor with each step."
                return
            
    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_3.rpy
label tue_san4_rp:

    $ tuerowSuspect = True
    $ submissionToTuesan = False
    $ tuesanDomSession = False
    $ tuesanThreesome = True
    $ tuemaiSuspect = True
    $ tuemaiFucked = True
    $ skillCheck = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ jezeraSubmission = 10

    #$ tuesan4Seen = True
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade

    "It was a beautiful day outside."

    scene bg3 with fade

    "It was one of the few spots in Blackholt where the sky was not blocked by a thick canopy of leaves and branches. A clear blue sky could be seen overhead, without a single cloud to disturb it. Somewhere in the distance, a nightingale could be heard, singing its wonderful song. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Rowan had no time to enjoy it. He sat restlessly on a sole, large rock, right in the middle of the clearing he was waiting in. He rubbed his hand against his leg, keeping it close to his sword, eager to draw it for some comfort."
    "This would not end well. He felt it in his bones. But he had to see the investigation to the end."

    scene black with fade

    "And that meant going along with Tue-San’s plans."

    scene bg71 with fade

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Earlier that day, she called for him again. He found her in the Grand Hall, talking to the prince. There were no other goblins with them, and Rowan decided to wait by the entrance, so as to not disturb them."
    "He couldn’t hear what they were talking about. Tue-Row looked tired. Worried, maybe? Tue-San’s expression was unreadable, as it often was. The goblin prince said something, and his secretary shook her head. He sighed, resigned."
    "Then, for just a moment, his hand reached for hers. He squeezed it, and leaned in to whisper something into her ear, sharing a sad smile with her."
    "Tue-San didn’t return it. Instead, she straightened herself, looking even more imperious than before."
    "… But she squeezed his hand back. Then, the two parted ways. Tue-Row returned to studying the documents on the table, while Tue-San headed for the exit, her eyes burning with determination."

    hide tuerow with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright

    ro "Something I should be made aware of? "

    if tuerowSuspect:
        ro "Has Tue-Row finally come clean about faking the entire thing?"
        tues "No. But he remarked “As expected of the great trickster!” and pondered doing so next time."

    tues "I have determined the identity of the assassin. I’ve informed Tue-Row of it, and told him I intend to have the situation resolved by sundown."

    ro "You work fast."

    tues "We’ve wasted enough time on this… But it could’ve been worse. Your clues have been invaluable in speeding up the process, Blackwell. You have my thanks."

    ro "Only “speeding” the process?"

    tues "The answer proved simpler than I would have liked."

    if submissionToTuesan:
        ro "May I know it?"

    else:
        ro "Do you intend to share it?"

    "Her lips formed a thin line. She didn’t answer him, not at first."

    tues "Not yet. I have to handle some things first. In fact, I could use your help with them. Remember what I told you at the party? About the role I needed you to play?"

    ro "Yeah, that I just need to {i}be{/i}. Because I’m a natural target for all kinds of treacherous goblins."

    tues "I would like you to play that role again. Be bait, so to speak."

    if tuesanDomSession:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Whatever Miss Tue-San demands."
        "He lowered his head obediently - but Tue-San didn’t smile, her thoughts preoccupied."

    else:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "A rather ungrateful role."
        tues "Your further participation is not required, if you do not wish to provide it."
        "This time it was Rowan’s turn to grow silent. It seemed his help was only marginally preferred to keeping him in the dark on the whole thing. Infuriating. He did his job, and already she had no more use of him… "
        "With the amulet around his neck, playing bait was hardly dangerous. He had something to gain here - whatever Tue-San was planning, as long as he was present, he could influence the outcome."
        ro "I’ll play along, Tue-San."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    tues "Good. There is a spot, 25 minutes - I suppose 20 minutes for you, to the southwest of the western gate. A small trail leads to an open field with a large rock in the middle of it. Given your reputation, it shouldn’t be hard to find."
    tues "Wait there. The traitor will come to you, expecting to strike a deal with the twins - Blackholt’s full support, in return for Tue-Row’s head."

    ro "Why not simply arrest them here and now?"

    scene black with fade
    show tuesan neutral behind black

    tues "… I want to hear their reasons first."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve

    "Not even their “confession”. Just their reasons. The verdict has already been passed, and the punishment likely decided upon. And yet… It was unlike her, to even give people a chance to explain themselves. Not when the crime was this serious."
    "Then there was her being so secretive about the whole ordeal. {i}That{/i} was not out of the ordinary… But it still made Rowan uneasy. To Rowan, the vast majority of the goblin suspects were just… Random faces with names attached. He didn’t care for them, not that much."
    "So there was no need to play coy with him."
    "Not unless he already knew the assassin."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    questi "Ah!"

    "He saw the lone figure approach even before they let out a soft cry of surprise. They walked out of the forest - just one person, short enough to be a goblin, not as if he was expecting anyone else. Slim figure, and effeminate voice. A woman, more likely than a man."

    questi "Aaah, I was so happy to find your letter, Rowan! Has anyone ever told you you have wonderful handwriting? "

    "With a way too familiar voice."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
    show tuemai neutral at midright with dissolve

    if tuesanThreesome or tuemaiFucked or rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "(Damn it, Tue-Mai.)"

    else:
        ro "(Of-fucking-course.)"

    "Tue-Mai approached him, taking off her hood, and flashing him a bright smile. For now, it was just the two of them - but Tue-San’s people would no doubt arrive shortly."

    menu:
        "This was a disaster. He can’t let Tue-San get to her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ sympatheticToTueMai = True
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Whatever Tue-Mai’s reasons were, he had no doubt Tue-San wouldn’t see kindly to them. He jumped off the rock, and scanned the field. He was relatively sure there were no assassins around them. They had a very short window of opportunity to do something here."
            ro "Were you followed?"
            tuem "I wasn’t. And it’s not like many people know about this place. Me, Tue-Lan, Tue-Ste..."
            ro "And Tue-San."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "{i}Of course{/i} she was right there behind her, following her sister's footsteps. Rowan cursed Tue-San’s tenacity and pondered their options, while Tue-Mai turned around - seemingly unfazed."

        "This was of no concern to him. Let Tue-San resolve this. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ apatheticToTueMai = True
            "He let a soft sigh out, and looked to the sky. It really was a beautiful day. He hated doing dirty business on days like these… "
            tuem "Is something the matter, Rowan?"
            ro "It’s nothing. Were you followed?"
            tuem "I wasn’t. And it’s not like many people know about this place. Me, Tue-Lan, Tue-Ste..."
            ro "And your sister."
            "Of course, she was right behind her, following her sister's footsteps. He lazily slid off the rock, while Tue-Mai turned around - seemingly unfazed by Tue-San’s presence."

        "Unforgivable. Tue-Mai would pay for her crimes. (Ends scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ hostileToTueMai = True
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "It took considerable effort not to glare at the small woman. Hurting Tue-Row was one thing, another was jeopardizing his alliance with the whole goblin race. If she succeeded that day, the consequences…"
            "He would have to commend Tue-San on her restraint. Rowan wasn’t sure if he would even bother setting up a trap for her."
            tuem "Is something the matter, Rowan?"
            "Tue-Mai asked him, looking at him with wide, deceptively innocent eyes."
            ro "It’s nothing. Were you followed?"
            tuem "I wasn’t. And it’s not like many people know about this place. Me, Tue-Lan, Tue-Ste... "
            ro "Tue-San."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Of course, she was right there behind her, following her sister's footsteps. He slid off the rock, while Tue-Mai turned around - seemingly unfazed by Tue-San’s presence."

    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with moveinright
    show tuemai neutral at center with moveinright

    tuem "Ah, sister! I didn’t know you were here! I hope you don’t mind me showing Rowan our little get-together spot? "

    if tuesanThreesome:
        tuem "I hope we aren’t interrupting anything? Or wait - was this planned?! Are we having another threesome?! Out in the open?! Kinky!"

    else:
        tuem "I hope we aren’t interrupting anything? Did you want to use it for a secret liaison with someone? Don’t tell me, have you {i}actually{/i} agreed to a second date with Raphael?!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It was almost impressive how easily Tue-Mai lied. Tue-San walked up to her, her expression impassive."

    tues "You can drop the act now, Tue-Mai. I know it was you."

    if sympatheticToTueMai:
        "Rowan scanned the trees behind Tue-San, trying to spot if she brought anyone else. There was no way she came alone, so… Were they further away? Or was their camouflage {i}that{/i} good? He started sweating as his eyes darted through the forest. Damn it! He should never have allowed Tue-San to pick the meeting spot!"

    tuem "Aha, ha… Ha! Sister, what are you talking-"

    tues "Tue-Mai, I said drop the act. {b}Now{/b}."

    tuem "… Ha. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. I mean, I hoped if I laid low, I-"

    tues "And cut the pointless chatter short. I want you to explain yourself. Why did you try to kill Tue-Row?"

    tuem "Isn’t it obvious?"

    "Much to his surprise, Mai didn’t reach for her sword, nor did she try to run. Instead, she gave her sister a dazzling, warm smile, and announced happily-"

    tuem "Because it should’ve been you! It always should’ve been you."
    tuem "You should be the one marrying Tue-Row, not Zii! "

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuesan shocked at edgeright

    tues "Excuse me?"

    show tuemai neutral at midright with moveoutright

    "For the first time ever, Tue-San looked at a loss for words - and Rowan shared the sentiment. But Tue-Mai was just getting started. She threw her cloak off, and approached her sister, her eyes pleading."

    tuem "It should’ve been you! Tue-San, you are everything a man could {b}ever{/b} want in a wife and in a queen!"
    tuem "Smart, dedicated, hard-working, beautiful! You’re the perfect candidate! I know you know this! Heck, we all do! We all see it! We all hoped for the day Tue-Row would finally pop the question!"

    #tuemai angry
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuesan neutral

    tuem "But Tue-Row chose Zii instead."
    tuem "He chose some dirty mutt over someone like you!"

    tues "… That’s the reason? You betrayed your prince because of {i}that{/i}?"

    tuem "Oh don’t give me that sis! You’re too smart not to see it. He’s the one who betrayed us first! He’s using you!  All Tue-Row cares about is his war, and the prospects of further conquests."

    #tuemai neutral

    tuem "As if Blackholt wasn’t enough."
    tuem "I know you have feelings for him. And for a long time, I thought he felt the same about you. But then I realized it’s all just… Wishful thinking on my part."
    tuem "I just couldn’t let him use you anymore. I know you’re angry. I know you probably think what I did was wrong. But I had to do {i}something{/i}!"

    tues "You certainly did - you threatened everything we worked so hard to achieve!"

    tuem "And Tue-Row marrying Zii doesn’t?! Sister, please…"
    tuem "We don’t need him! You should be the one leading us!  Tue-Row is just some... Conman, wooing people with pretty words. He’s not the true leader the goblins deserve. You are!"

    tues "..."
    tues "… So stupid."

    if sympatheticToTueMai:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        "Tue-Mai frowned, and turned to Rowan. For a moment, he too hoped Tue-San would be swayed by her words - but it’s as if they had the opposite effect."
        ro "Tue-San, you heard her. She did it for {b}you{/b}. Or do you doubt her honesty?"
        tues "She had no trouble pretending to look for the assassin for the last weeks. Even if she speaks from the heart now… She {b}didn’t{/b} do it for me."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        "Tue-Mai frowned, and turned to Rowan, as if hoping for the man to back him. Tue-San didn’t look convinced at all - in fact, Mai’s words seemed to annoy her even further."
        ro "What do you think about this, Tue-San? She says she did it for you."
        tues "… No, she didn’t."

    #show tuesan angry

    tues "Shut up. You didn’t do it for me, you did it for the clan. They’re the ones who stand to lose the most on Tue-Row marrying Zii."

    tuem "I- But you are the Tue-Clan, sister! Tue-Row is just some parasite who took it over!"

    tues "Of course you would say that. {i}Gods{/i}, you’re so shortsighted. Just like father was."

    #tuesan neutral

    "Tue-San sighed, and at that moment, all anger seemed to leave her body. She just looked... Tired. But a second later the mask was back on, and the imperious goblin looked down on her sister, her eyes cold."

    if tuemaiSuspect:
        tues "I will admit, you surprised me. Rowan put you forward as the main suspect, and he thought it was personal ambition that drove you. When I discovered the truth, I thought he was correct in his assumptions."

    else:
        tues "I will admit, you surprised me. I believed it was personal ambition that drove you to this."

    #tuemai happy at midright

    tuem "Ha! Come on sister. I know I’m not as book-smart as you, but I’m not {i}dumb{/i}."
    tuem "Between the three of us? Just running the guard is a hassle. I can’t imagine leading a clan, much less ruling an entire nation!"

    tues "Of course. That would’ve been my job."

    tuem "And you would be wonderful at it. Believe me, San. I never minded being in your shadow. Never cared about being the second sister. All my life, I was happy, just… Walking in your steps."

    "Tue-Mai smiled warmly, perhaps hoping it would soothe Tue-San’s anger - but Tue-San only sighed on return."

    tues "… And I was happy, knowing no matter what you would have my back."

    tuem "It can still be that way, sister."

    tues "No ,Tue-Mai, it cannot.. I see now you are no longer just an obedient henchman, content with blindly following my orders."

    tuem "Ha, that’s a little harsh."

    tues "It’s the truth. It was your decisions, your judgment, that brought us here. You are no longer walking in my steps, sister. You are no longer standing in my shadow."

    tuem "… Thank you, Tue-San."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai shocked

    tues "Now, you are standing in my way."

    "Tue-San raised her hand, two fingers up. Then, Rowan saw it, and understood everything. Hidden in the foliage, a lone figure rose up, covered from head to toe in camouflage. Bow in hand, he aimed an arrow at Tue-Mai"

    scene black with fade

    "Tue-San flicked her wrist - and the sniper released the string without a moment of hesitation."

    menu:
        "Save her! (Scene)" if hostileToTueMai == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump savingTuemai_rp

        "His alliance with Tue-Row was too important." if sympatheticToTueMai:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump deathToTraitors_rp

        "Death to traitors." if sympatheticToTueMai == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump deathToTraitors_rp

    label savingTuemai_rp:

    if skillCheck == "success":
        show bg3 with flash
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        #show tuemai at midleft shocked
        show tuemai neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
        #tuesan angry
        show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        "He lunged himself in her direction, and at the last moment, pushed Mai out of the way."
        hide tuemai with dissolve
        "Tue-Mai fell to the ground, the arrow passing an inch away from her face."
        tuem "Wh-what?!"
        #battle pose
        "Rowan wasted no time, drawing his sword. He realized two more figures appeared around them, arrows knocked, ready to fire."

    else:
        #$ avatar.take_damage ([ "rage", "piercing",], "heavy_damage")
        "He lunged himself in her direction - and instantly realized he was too slow to push her away. So he did the next best thing."
        show bg3 with redflash
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        #show tuemai at midleft shocked
        show tuemai neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
        #tuesan angry
        show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        "He moved in front of her, and the arrow struck his side."
        hide tuemai with dissolve
        "Tue-Mai yelped out and fell on her back, surprised and shocked by what just had happened."
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        #battle pose
        "He only had a moment. He tore the arrow from his Side, hissing in pain as he did, and drew his sword.  He realized two more figures appeared around them, arrows knocked, ready to fire."

    tues "Wait."

    "Tue-San held an open hand up. The assassins froze, waiting. Rowan readied his blade - while Tue-San addressed him, her voice strained."

    tues "Blackwell. May I ask {i}what are you doing{/i}?"

    "Now {i}that{/i} was a good question…"

    menu:
        "Tue-Mai has done nothing wrong. Tue-Row was hardly a saint.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuemaiDoingRight = True
            #rowan neutral
            ro "Tue-San, you don’t agree with everything on Tue-Row either. You might not agree with Tue-Mai’s actions, but please-"
            tues "Don’t even try to justify her actions. My disputes with Tue-Row are minute at worst. What Tue-Mai did is high treason - and I will treat it as such."

        "Tue-Mai deserved a fair trial.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuemaiDoingRight = True
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            ro "Did you really think I would allow this? A shadow assassination behind the city walls? Is {i}this{/i} the new kingdom Tue-Row is creating?!"
            tues "I’ve done her a favour. But no matter."

        "He liked Tue-Mai too much to let Tue-San hurt her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuemaiLikeHer = True
            #rowan neutral
            ro "Come on, Tue-San. I get that you’re mad at your sister, but that doesn’t have to mean killing her!"
            if tuemaiFucked:
                tues "Is that pity I hear in your voice? Ugh. You stick your cock inside her one time… "
            else:
                tues "Is that pity I hear in your voice? Ugh."

        "Tue-Mai was too good of a lay to kill her." if tuemaiFucked and submissionToTuesan == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuemaiLikeHer = True
            $ tuemaiAnythingForPussy = True
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            #tuesan angry
            ro "Can’t let prime goblin ass go to waste."
            "Was this the best response he could give? No. In fact it was probably the very opposite of one. But seeing the furious expression on Tue-San’s face was one hundred percent worth it."
            tues "… I retract every word of praise I have ever spoken about you, Rowan Blackwell."
            ro "Eh, I still have all of Tue-Mai’s praises about my cock."
            tues "Shut up."
            "She took a deep breath, Rowan could swear she mentally counted to three before continuing, somewhat calmer now."

    if tuesanDomSession:
        tues "Blackwell… I am going to assume this is {i}not{/i} you acting out and expecting punishment later. Instead, I’m going to assume it is simply your heroic instinct getting the better of you. So I will ask exactly once:"

    else:
        tues "Blackwell, am I going to assume what you’ve just done was simply your heroic instinct getting the better of you. So I will ask exactly once:"

    tues "Stand down, and let me kill my sister. Do that, and I’ll pretend none of this has happened."
    tues "Do not try to speak in her defense. She has tried to murder the head of her clan and the leader of all goblins. The punishment for either is death."

    "She raised her hand again - and the archers drew their bows once more. Surrounding him from three directions, the odds of him coming out of this unharmed were slim at best, and for Tue-Mai surviving even less so, with her lying on the ground, too shocked to act."

    if tuesanDomSession:
        "If he didn’t stand down now… No matter what happened, he was risking his alliance with the goblins. Worse yet - he was risking losing what he had with Tue-San."
        "All the goodwill he gathered with her thus far was thanks to two things - his willingness to serve {i}her{/i}, and her cause. By protecting Tue-Mai, he was betraying both. She would not forgive him for it."
        "Was Tue-Mai really worth it?"

    else:
        "If he didn’t stand down now… No matter what happened, he was risking his alliance with the goblins. Was Tue-Mai really worth it?"

    menu:
        "Yes. Protect Tue-Mai. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
            "He clenched his teeth, his mind running wild. He was outnumbered, and with a dawned victim he needed to protect. He needed some way to seize control of the situation, if he was to survive this."
            menu:
                "If Tue-Mai dies, so does Tue-San." if tuesanDomSession == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "He turned the sword in his hand. Tue-San was only a few meters away from him. Not that far away."
                    ro "Tue-San, I’m not letting you hurt your sister. Not without consequences.  "
                    tues "Your permission is not required. You are a soldier, not a god. No matter what your legend says, you can’t deflect three arrows at once."
                    ro "And you have nothing to block a sword with. Funny thing I learned about fighting goblins during the war."
                    ro "Once you have them at arm’s reach, there’s only so much dodging they can do."
                    "Tue-San furrowed her brows, and judged the distance between them. She obviously didn’t like what she saw, as her expression darkened."
                    ro "So, what will it be?"
                    "He waited, seconds stretching into eternity. He was ready to strike, knowing everything relied on Tue-San believing he was both able and willing to kill her right there, right now."
                    tues "… Go ahead. But I would advise against it."
                    "He almost choked. She stared at him with cold eyes, that nevertheless spoke of her determination to meet him head-on. The situation has turned against him once more."
                    ro "I don’t think you understand what you’re saying, Tue-San."
                    tues "I understand very well. You want to kill me just to protect my sister? Fine. But the moment you return to Hoz’Holt without me, or if the two of us go unexplainably missing, Tue-Row will know of your treachery."
                    tues "There will be consequences for your actions, Blackwell. Far greater than you can imagine."
                    ro "I’ve been threatened with far worse, Tue-San. The demon lord himself promised me an eternity of torment the moment I walked into his throne room."
                    ro "You think you can fare any better than him? Think twice, because I promise you, Tue-San - if you give that order your head will hit the ground faster than any of those arrows reach me or Tue-Mai."
                    "{i}Stand down, damn it{/i}! In his mind, he frantically begged Tue-San to relent. A fight meant he might end up losing both Tue-Mai and the goblins - and he could only imagine the punishment that would carry for him."
                    #tuesan happy
                    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                    "But Tue-San showed no signs of giving up. Instead, she smiled - actually smiled at him!"
                    tues "… So this is how it feels, to put your life on the line on the field of battle."
                    show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                    #tuesan neutral
                    tues "You have my gratitude, Blackwell, for helping me understand what Tue-Row had to go through every day to make his dream come true."
                    tues "In return, despite my earlier words, I will ask you again - stand down and let me execute my sister. I promise no harm will come to you, and we resolve this little incident like civilized people."
                    "Yeah, like that was going to happen. He swallowed heavily, and-"
                    jump tuemaiAwakening_rp

                "Bargain - Bloodmeen alliance for Tue-Mai.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ tuesanBargain = True
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "He turned the sword in his hand, then lowered it down. He stood straight, and opened his arms - inviting Tue-San to make the worst mistake of her life."
                    ro "Tue-San, you should think twice before doing anything you might come to regret."
                    if tuemaiDoingRight:
                        ro "Shadow executions and ambushes are not how we do things in Bloodmeen, believe it or not."
                    else:
                        ro "Bloodmeen stands on the talent of the individuals that make it. I do not deny Tue-Mai crimes… But I’m not letting you just kill her like that."
                    tues "Spare me the propaganda."
                    ro "… Fine. The important thing is - Castle Bloodmeen will not stand for this. Tue-Mai gets out of here alive, or else this alliance is over."
                    ro "Now, I understand this is a tall order, given her actions. I am willing to negotiate certain concessions, in return for her life. State your terms, and I’m sure we can come to an agreement."
                    "The goblin secretary narrowed her eyes at him, not moving from her spot, still holding her hand up. Rowan waited with bated breath, hoping she would see reason."
                    tues "Terms of our alliance were already discussed with Jezera. And we were promised full independence in regard to internal politics."
                    tues "I know you are acting outside of your authority here, Blackwell. The way she treats you speaks volumes of your position."
                    "He cursed a thousandfold Tue-San’s keen eyes, and whatever spies the small woman had. For her to understand the dynamics in Bloodmeen so well after such a short time - ridiculous. Not that he had any intention of acknowledging it."
                    ro "All of this from just one meeting between the three of us? Because I was being polite with her? You of all people should understand servility does not reflect one’s influence."
                    "That hit the mark. Seeing her hesitate, he pressed on."
                    ro "You need this alliance more than we do, Tue-San. You have no other options available to you. So unless you want to explain to Tue-Row why you’re suddenly fighting a two-front war, I say you lower that hand very slowly."
                    tues "… Bloodmeen is not our only option."
                    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                    ro "What?"
                    tues "Your actions in Rosaria were not without consequences, Blackwell. There are people in Rastedel who would be very interested in learning of the role you played in Raeve Keep."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    tues "It would be enough to earn us an audition with the High Abritron. A deal can be struck."
                    ro "You can’t be serious. Your kind are pariahs among the Solansian society!"
                    tues "Doesn’t stop them from trading with our mercantile brethren. The Solansian church always displayed admirable doctrinal flexibility when it was politically convenient for them."
                    ro "You- You try anything like this, and we’re taking you down with us."
                    tues "I doubt that. Blackholt has repelled human knights for centuries, a horde of undisciplined orcs wouldn’t even reach Hoz’holt walls."
                    tues "We’ve offered your mistress some very generous terms on the understanding that our sovereignty would be respected. But if that no longer applies… Perhaps it’s time to rethink your stay in Blackholt."
                    #battle pose
                    "Fuck! He gripped his sword tightly, and raised it again. This just turned from bad to worse. But he wasn’t done. He just needed…"
                    jump tuemaiAwakening_rp

                "Appeal to reason - she’s her sister, for fucks sake!":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    ro "Tue-San, there is no disputing what Tue-Mai did was despicable. Vile, even. I understand you must be hurting right now."
                    ro "But killing your sister isn’t the answer! You two can still make this work. Just - call off the snipers. Sit down and talk to her!"
                    tues "I already heard everything I wanted. Not that it changed anything."
                    ro "Really? You would have had her executed regardless of whether she did it out of personal ambition, petty vengeance, love, or if she was- I don’t fucking know, blackmailed into doing it?!"
                    tues "… No, I suppose not."
                    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                    tues "If she was blackmailed, I could have used her to lure out the real mastermind behind it all.  But as it stands now, she’s more useful to me as a corpse."
                    "Rowan gawked, speechless. This went beyond ruthlessness - it was something he expected to hear out of Jezera."
                    "But Jezera would say it with a grin and an almost childish glee. Tue-San was serious. One hundred percent serious."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    ro "… I thought for a goblin, family was the most important thing in their life. What has happened to you that made you despise your own sister so much?"
                    tues "Are you trying to insult me now? Do you think I’m doing this out of personal reasons? Out of petty vengeance?"
                    ro "Are you not? For everyone, facing their siblings after learning of their betrayal would be heart-wrenching. They would be crushed, regardless of what they would choose to do next."
                    ro "Meanwhile, {i}you{/i} - you barely seem to care."
                    tues "I apologize for not breaking down into tears."
                    ro "That snide remark tells me I hit the mark perfectly. Be honest with me, Tue-San. Did you ever love your sister?"
                    tues "… Of course I did."
                    "If there was an ounce of fondness for her sister in Tue-San’s dark, shriveled heart, then Rowan hoped he could make her see reason. But his words seemed to have the opposite effect."
                    #tuesan angry
                    "Tue-San’s cold, hostile look grew hateful, and she glared at him openly now."
                    tues "… But if you think I’m going to let personal feelings get in the way of our plans, then you are sorely mistaken. Move aside. {b}Now{/b}."
                    "If he didn’t do something now, she would give the order, and all hell would break loose. He needed something, some idea - anything- !"
                    jump tuemaiAwakening_rp

                "Ask Tue-San to do it for him." if tuesanBonusSexSeen:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                    "The rage in Tue-San’s eyes… The determination… She was serious about this. So furious she was at her sister’s betrayal, he wasn’t sure if there was any argument that could convince her to stay her hand."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Then maybe, just maybe… He could appeal to something else. He lowered his sword, and opened his arms, to show he held no ill intentions."
                    ro "Tue-San… I know you feel betrayed. I understand you can’t bring yourself to forgive her… And maybe she doesn’t deserve to be forgiven."
                    if tuemaiDoingRight:
                        ro "But I can’t sit idly in the face of such blatant cruelty, no matter how monstrous its target seems."
                        ro "Not that long ago, you wanted to test my resolve, remember?"
                        ro "Well… This is it."
                    if tuemaiLikeHer:
                        ro "But she’s important to me, Tue-San. As are you."
                    tues "… Ridiculous."
                    #tuesan angry
                    "Her expression grew even more spiteful now, and Rowan’s heart sank."
                    tues "What are you trying to do here? Do you think our brief encounter meant anything?"
                    ro "… It felt that way to me."
                    tues "If it did, you wouldn’t be standing in my way too."
                    ro "Things are rarely that black and white, Tue-San. I’m sorry that I have to oppose you here, but-"
                    tues "Spare me the excuses. You made a choice, Blackwell. A foolish one, but a choice nonetheless."
                    tues "… In that regard, you and Tue-Mai fit one another. Both of you {i}betrayed me{/i}."
                    tues "Consider yourself lucky, Blackwell, that your ongoing survival is, for now, necessary for our alliance with Bloodmeen. Now show an ounce of survival instinct and {b}move aside{/b}."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                    #battlepose
                    "He swallowed heavily and reluctantly raised his sword up. He was right. That one moment, when they embraced one another… It meant something to her."
                    "And that just meant he was now no better than her treacherous sister."
                    ro "I’m sorry, Tue-San. I truly am."
                    tues "Your actions speak louder than your words, Blackwell. They always did."
                    jump tuemaiAwakening_rp

        "Let Tue-San kill her." if tuemaiAnythingForPussy == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuemaiMindChanged = True
            jump deathToTraitors_rp

    label tuemaiAwakening_rp:

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    show tuemai neutral behind bg3
    tuem "Enough… That’s enough!"

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    hide tuemai
    show tuemai neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #tuesan neutral

    "Finally, Tue-Mai pulled herself out of her stupor. She stumbled to her feet - and Rowan moved to shield her from the first archer, steadying her with his free hand."

    ro "Are you alright, Tue-Mai?"

    #tuemai angry

    tuem "How can I be alright, when my sister is trying to kill me!"

    "Tears welled up in Tue-Mai’s eyes - but Tue-San remained unmoved by them. If anything, they only served to anger her further."

    tues "You should’ve thought about it before you tried to kill your prince. You know the law. The penalty for treason is death."

    tuem "As if you ever cared about the law! You just want to be rid of me because- I don’t even know why!"

    tues "… Is this a real question? Do you think I could let you go now? After everything you have done? Are you stupid?"

    tuem "Why not? What difference does it make? Why kill me?"

    "Tue-San’s lips formed a thin line. Rowan used the chance to track the sniper’s movements through the trees, hoping to catch some window when they wouldn’t have a clear shot at the two of them. So far… No luck."

    tues "… Fine. I’ll explain it. One last time. "

    "Tue-San: Mai, you harmed the prince, prevented him from fighting on the front lines at a crucial point in our conflict with Zii. You damaged his image, made him look weak to our enemies. People who once were cowed into submission were emboldened to plot again."

    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
    #tuemai shocked

    tues "I need to remind everyone of their place. And your death will serve as a catalyst for it. That’s why you’re not leaving this place alive, Mai."

    tuem "… Are you serious?"

    "He heard the terror, and the hurt, in Tue-Mai’s voice. Tue-San didn’t as much as flinch. She kept looking at her sister with the same cold, contemptuous glare she regarded everyone else with."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    #tuemai neutral

    tuem "I don’t recognize you anymore."
    tuem "… No, that’s not it. I’m seeing you for the first time, am I? This is what you always were, sister. I just turned a blind eye to all of it. The golden child of the Tue Clan. The prodigious daughter. I can’t believe father put all of his hopes on you."

    #tuesan angry

    tues "I always hated that term. If it brings you any comfort, you are proving yourself more his daughter than I ever was."

    tuem "Gee, I’d thank you for the compliment, but you tried to shoot me the last time I did that! "
    tuem "Gods… I’m just glad he and mom are not around to see you like this. You sicken me, sister"

    tues "{b}Stop calling me that{/b}. My sister died when she tried to ruin everything I was trying to build for some misplaced notion of clan pride!"

    tuem "Yeah? Well, I’m still breathing. And you know what? I think I’d like to keep doing that."

    "Tue-Mai finally pulled away from his leg, and turned around, taking her short sword out."

    tuem "I’m not going down without a fight."

    #battlepose

    ro "I’m glad to hear that, Tue-Mai."

    tues "Your defiance changes very little, Mai. You never had anything to say in the matter in the first place."

    "The odds were still against them, but now…"

    ro "… Tue-San, you told me a while ago the punishment for patricide is death or exile. I understand you had everything planned out here, but… I think it’s time to accept that the situation has changed."

    #rowan neutral
    #tuesan neutral

    ro "You give the order, and anything might happen. Tue-Mai might die, yes, just as you want her to. But you might die too. Doesn’t even have to by either of our hands, wouldn’t be the first time a stray arrow hit your own commander."
    ro "I might die as well. Hell, we all might die. Nothing is ever certain in a fight. And from what I came to understand about you, Tue-San, is that you {i}hate{/i} uncertainty. You don’t want to gamble on this any more than I do."

    "For once, she didn’t offer a retort. Her lips turned into a thin line, and she lowered her head, eyeing him with clear annoyance."

    tues "What do you suggest?"

    ro "Let her go. She will leave Blackholt, and never return. After the wedding none of this will matter anyway. We’ll have bigger fish to fry."

    tues "Assuming our alliance still stands after all of this."

    if tuesanBargain:
        ro "We both know any alliance with Rosaria only holds up on paper. Tue-Mai is not worth picking a fight with Bloodmeen."
        tuem "Gee, {i}thanks{/i}. Oh fuck, I did it again!"

    else:
        ro "It’s something both of our bosses desire, no? I don’t think they’ll break it over a minor quarrel like this."
        tuem "“Minor quarrel”?"

    ro "Tue-Mai, I’m {i}trying{/i} to save your life here."

    tues "… Feels like you’re getting the better end of the deal."

    ro "Maybe. But consider this."

    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve

    ro "Do you {i}really{/i} want to go and tell Tue-Row you had to kill his idol because you just couldn’t let your sister go? "

    tues "You’re holding {i}yourself hostage{/i} now?"

    ro "Yes. Is it working?"

    tues "..."

    #tuemai shocked

    tues "Stand down, everyone."

    "Finally, she lowered her hand, and Rowan let a breath of relief out. {i}Fuck{/i}, this was close."

    #tuemai angry

    tuem "Seriously, {i}that’s{/i} what convinced you?"

    tues "Be grateful, Mai, because this is the last time I am showing you any sort of mercy."

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    #tuemai neutral

    tues "You are to leave now. Head west, and wait at the edge of the forest. My people will deliver you a week’s worth of supplies for your journey. Then you are to leave Blackholt, and never return."
    tues "You will be branded a traitor, and stripped of your clan name. If you are ever seen within the borders of Gobnagoz, you will be killed on sight. I expect the same to apply to all territories under the authority of Castle Bloodmeen, as long as we remain allies."

    ro "I suppose that’s only fair."

    tues "Good. Now leave my sight. And you, Blackwell - we’ll discuss all of this later."

    "Of course. The fallout would be not inconsiderable. But he made a choice, and he intended to stick by it."

    if tuemaiDoingRight:
        "Someone had to draw a line somewhere - and indiscriminate kinslaying had to be one bridge too far."

    elif tuemaiLikeHer:
        "{i}Nobody{/i} touched Tue-Mai. Not her sister, not her goons, not even the goddamn goblin prince."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft

    ro "Let’s go, Mai."

    "Mindful of the archers around them, he started to slowly back away, holding his sword high. At first, Tue-Mai didn’t want to follow - she glared at her sister, waiting for… Something. Some final words. Some sort of goodbye."

    tues "If you are not out of Blackholt by sunrise, the deal is off."

    tuem "… I loved you too, sister."

    hide tuemai with moveoutleft
    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    scene black with fade

    "And with that, they were gone."

    scene bg64 with fade
    "He didn’t leave Tue-Mai for even a step, as he escorted her out of the forest. Several times he thought he saw a lone figure trailing them, be it to ensure Tue-Mai followed through with the deal, or to silence her once and for all when Rowan wasn’t looking."

    scene bg38 with fade

    "They didn’t talk much during that time. Only once they left Blackholt, with the sun way well over the horizon, and walked away far enough that no arrow could reach them from between the trees, did the two allow themselves a moment of respite."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuemai neutral at midright with dissolve

    tuem "Haaaaaaaa, I’m beat. This must be the longest I have ever marched."

    ro "Aren’t you a trained soldier, Mai?"

    tuem "I was captain of the guard. You don’t need to be a soldier to be a good captain, you know!"

    "She pouted, insulted. For a moment it was as if nothing had happened - then she turned around to glance at the ancient forest, and the mood soured. "

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai concerned at midright with dissolve

    tuem "I can’t believe this is how it ends. Should we wait for Tue-San’s supplies?"

    ro "We could, but I suggest you don’t eat anything her people bring you. Just a hunch."

    tuem "Yeah, that’s probably wise advice. I think Tue-San is one of the few people who still have access to Black Blood - that’s a rare poison you could find in Blakcholt - but I don’t think she’s been using it…"
    tuem "… Though it was very convenient how the head of the Fen clan fell ill not long after hosting her to discuss a ceasefire. I know people talked but… I always thought “There’s no way she’d poison someone during peace talks, right?”"

    "The two shared a look. Tue-Mai sighed."

    tuem "When I look back now, a lot of things look different. Like, {i}a lot{/i} different."

    ro "Don’t beat yourself over it. She was your sister, we all have a blind spot for our loved ones."

    #tuemai angry

    tuem "Not Tue-San. Her sharp eyes see all! Or maybe I just wasn’t part of that exclusive group. Maybe that’s just Tue-Row, apparently."

    tues "Or maybe no-one is."

    #show tuemai concerned at midright with dissolve

    "She gazed into the forest, her expression grim. For a moment, her eyes welled up with tears. She wiped them off, and mumbled to herself."

    tuem "I really thought I could pull it off. I mean - I should feel grateful, right? I fucked up, and yet… Here I am. Alive and well. Free as a bird to start a grand new adventure!"

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "That’s an optimistic outlook. You should keep at it."

    tuem "That’s what my mother would say. She was always a free spirit."
    tuem "Haaaa… Maybe it won’t be that bad. I’ll get to see the world before Tue-San and Tue-Row burn it to the ground."

    if tuesanThreesome or tuemaiFucked or tuemaiLikeHer:
        "The hero smiled just a little, and rested his hand on her shoulder. Tue-Mai squeezed it back, not looking away from the forest."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai neutral at midright with dissolve

    tuem "… Blackholt and Rosaria are probably going to be first on the list. Sorry about that."

    ro "That’s no longer your concern, Mai."

    tuem "But it is yours! And, well… You quite literally saved my life back there, something I know Tue-San won’t forgive you for. I just wish there was something I could do to help. Some way to pay you back."

    ro "I am going back into that pit of vipers first thing in the morning, so… Anything you can give me, any secret or advice you might have could mean the difference between life and death."

    tuem "I wish I could! I’m sorry Rowan. Trying to get rid of Tue-Row… That was my initiative alone. Honestly, I don’t think that many people in the Tue clan dislike him, or would dare to go against him or Tue-San."

    ro "Your sister thinks otherwise."

    tuem "My sister sees enemies everywhere. I thought she was clever about their motives. Now I think she just assumes the worst in everyone."

    $ tueLinConnection = True

    tuem "… If you really need an ally in the house, you try talking with Tue-Lin."

    ro "One of the cousins I met at the party? She seemed content with her lot."

    tuem "Yeah, and a year ago I caught her exchanging letters with Che-Lin. I told her to knock it off, and that was the end of it. Never talked to anyone about it, not even Tue-San."

    ro "So she might just be laying low… In that loud, boisterous way of her."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai angry at midright with dissolve

    tuem "Heh, that’s what I was thinking.  Aaaah, damn it! Sorry, I wish I was of more help. That’s what I get for taking it easy all my life! So frustrating!"

    "She stepped on the ground angrily, and shouted to the sky in frustration. It was such an honest, pure expression, that Rowan couldn’t help but chuckle just a little. He looked to the horizon, gazing at the green countryside. Then, he heard a soft slap, as Tue-Mai clapped her face with both hands."

    tuem "Alright, Mai, get a hold of yourself, no point throwing a fit!  You have a long road ahead of you, and the shadowy assassins probably don’t sleep!"

    ro "Do you have a plan, yet? You should avoid through Raeve, I think Tue-San will have the twins warned before you reach the crossing."

    tuem "South or north it is, then. I don’t know, it’s still a long way to the main road. I’ll decide on the way. Maybe throw a coin."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai concerned at midright with dissolve

    "She followed Rowan’s gaze, looking at the endless fields just outside Blackholt. If she was intimidated by them, she didn’t show it. Well - only a little. She looked at him, her expression suddenly awfully bashful."

    tuem "… Would you mind staying with me just a little longer, Rowan?"

    menu:
        "Just a little longer. It could be the last time he ever sees her. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            #show tuemai happy at midright with dissolve
            ro "Sure thing, Mai. You could use a little rest. Both of us could, really."
            "He wrapped his arm around her, and gave her a short, reassuring hug. She returned it, and when she finally pulled away, she looked up at him with a warm smile. Now that they were, literally, out of the woods, she could relax."
            tuem "You can be surprisingly gentle, Rowan."
            if tuesanThreesome or tuemaiFucked:
                tuem "Didn’t think you had it in you, after brutalizing my ass at the party."
                ro "{i}That’s{/i} what you’re thinking about right now?!"
                tuem "What, would you rather I pout and complain about my lot in life? I mean, I still intend to do that. Like, a lot. But in private! Right now…"
                tuem "I am allowing myself the luxury of having certain dirty thoughts about the man who just saved my life."
                "She grinned at him, and he burst out laughing. For all the trouble that came from this, he didn’t regret saving Tue-Mai, not one bit."
                menu:
                    "One last gift for the road. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        jump tueMaiFinalSex_rp

                    "Turn her down. Gently.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        #show tuemai concerned at midright with dissolve
                        ro "Cherish that memory, then. And conserve your strength. You have a long road ahead of you, and I can’t have you collapse on it just because I couldn’t keep it in my pants."
                        tuem "Damn it, why do you have to be so responsible now! Where else am I supposed to find a large human hunk?!"
                        ro "Where you are going? Every other tavern."
                        #show tuemai happy at midright with dissolve
                        tuem "Ooooh… But what if I say something improper, and scare them away?"
                        ro "You’re plenty cute, so I think you could spend twenty minutes talking about Blackholt moss, and they’d still bang you."
                        ro "If you really want to, I could tell you a little about human culture, so you blend in better?"
                        tuem "I’d like that very much, Rowan."
                        jump tuemaiSexlessDeparture_rp

            else:
                #show tuemai concerned at midright with dissolve
                tuem "Makes me a little mad I never managed to seduce you out of your pants."
                "He burst out laughing. {i}That’s{/i} what she was thinking about?"
                ro "I’m flattered, but I think my main appeal was being the sole human in all of Blackholt."
                tuem "No…? I mean, alright, I was a little curious if human males are as large as people say they are."
                ro "You’ll get plenty of chances to find out, Mai."
                tuem "Will I? What if I say the wrong thing, and once again blow my chances at securing a human hunk for myself?!"
                #show tuemai happy at midright with dissolve
                ro "I’m flattered but… I suppose I could tell you a little about human culture, so you blend in better?"
                tuem "I’d like that very much, Rowan."
                jump tuemaiSexlessDeparture_rp

        "Their business is concluded. Wish her good luck.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #show tuemai neutral at midright with dissolve
            ro "I’m sorry Tue-Mai, but this is where we part ways. Stay safe, don’t attract any attention to yourself, and maybe pick a new name, like Tue-San ordered."
            tuem "Yeah… Don’t think I’ll want to go by “Tue” much longer. Aaaah, father would be so pissed."
            tuem "No matter, I’ll think of something. Once more, thanks for everything Rowan."
            "She squeezed his hand, for just a little bit, then let go of him. He watched as she headed out, traveling into the unknown. Tue-Mai was safe now, but he…"
            scene black with fade
            "He had one more stop to make."
            jump tuemaiPureWrapup_rp

    label tuemaiSexlessDeparture_rp:

    "He led her down the hill, and found a comfortable spot to set camp. They could only spend a few more hours together, before Tue-Mai needed to get back on the road."
    "But it was a precious time, full of jokes and laughter. Even with the events of today looming over them, they both tried to make the best of the time they have left."
    "By the end of it, Tue-Mai knew every bad pick-up line Rowan has ever heard in his life. How would {i}that{/i} help her survive… He didn’t know."
    "But Tue-Mai was smiling by the end of it all, and that’s all that really mattered."

    #tuemai happy
    show tuemai neutral at center with moveinright

    "They parted with a hug, with the moon high in the sky, and Tue-Mai using the cover of the night to remain unseen. "

    hide tuemai with moveoutleft

    "He watched her go for a long while, before finally turning around to make his way back to Blackholt."

    scene black with fade

    "He had one more stop to make."

    jump tuemaiPureWrapup_rp

    ##########################################

    label tueMaiFinalSex_rp:

    $ tuemaiGoodbyeSex = True

    ro "Funny thing, I didn’t hear you complain at the time."

    tuem "Funny thing, I wouldn’t complain now either."

    show rowan necklace happy at center with moveinleft

    "Her grin grew wider - and with it, Rowan’s mind was set. He scooped her up, bridal style, and much to the goblin’s delight. She laughed as he carried her down the hill, looking for the right spot for them."

    ro "Stop squirming so much! Do you want me to drop you?"

    tuem "You wouldn’t. I know that much."

    show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    "She whispered sweetly into his ear, then wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to kiss him."
    "There was something desperate in that kiss, an overwhelming need for comfort. She needed something to forget about everything that happened this awful day - so Rowan returned her affections twofold, wanting to give her exactly that."

    ro "… This will be a good spot."

    tuem "Ha? I thought you were about to fuck me like this. Bouncing me up and down your cock like a puppet."

    ro "That would be inconsiderate. You need to rest too, don’t you?"

    "He unclasped her armor, and discarded it to the ground. Holding her up with one arm only, he reached between her legs, and snuck his finger under her panties."
    "She let out a soft moan as he brushed against her labia. He did so again, teasing her gently, enjoying the sound of her quiet moans, before finally pulling her panties down, and laying them down on top of her armour."

    ro "… They’re wet already. I fear they might leave a smudge."

    tuem "Then it will be my new crest. Tue-Mai, of house “wet for that Rowan cock.”"

    ro "I love it already. I’ll find you a house motto before the night ends."

    hide tuemai with dissolve

    "He kissed her again, then let his backpack drop, and pulled out the traveling blanket he used in his journeys. He laid it on the ground - and Tue-Mai on top of it."

    #cg1
    scene cg1613 with fade
    show tuemai neutral behind cg1613
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1613
    pause 3

    tuem "You’re going on top again?"

    ro "I think it worked out well last time. You just relax, while I do all the work."

    tuem "Ha… That’s really nice of you, Rowan…"
    tuem "I smell deception."

    "He chuckled, and ran his finger over her virgin cunt, prodding her entrance a little - then sliding it in with ease. She gasped, and bit her lower lip, waiting for what he’ll do next."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30 and tuemaiAnythingForPussy:
        "He toyed with her a little more, watching his reactions with a smirk. Heavens… Her cunt was soaking wet! Last time, she asked him to spare it, claiming she needed to stay unsullied for her family. That was no longer the case… "
        menu:
            "He was taking her cunt tonight. She won’t refuse this time.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ pressuringTuemai = True
                #$ rowanCorrupt += 3
                "He thrust his finger deep into her, then snuck another inside, and started pistoning with rhythmic, decisive motions. Tue-Mai drew in a sharp breath, and arched her back."
                tuem "A-ah… Rowan~~"
                "Whatever she wanted to say, Rowan cut it short with a deep kiss. He searched for her most sensitive spot, teasing her mercilessly, until she could no longer mumble a coherent sentence."
                "Only then, did he let go of her lips, and leaned in to whisper into her ear."
                ro "I’m going to make you a woman today, Tue-Mai."
                "It was not a request, it was not a question. It was a matter of fact. And with his fingers deep inside of her, and his body pressing against her with all its might, she didn’t think to refuse. Drunk with lust, she nodded her head in agreement."
                ro "Good girl ~~"
                "Rowan smirked, and rewarded her by playing with her pearl, before he had to pull his hand away so he could undo his trousers, and give her what she truly desired."
                jump tuemaiFinalFuckasy_rp

            "See where she wants it more.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                jump tuemaiFinalProdding_rp

    else:
        jump tuemaiFinalProdding_rp

    label tuemaiFinalProdding_rp:

    ro "So distrastful… I just want to see where do you want me most. For example, this hole…"

    "He thrust his finger deep into her, then snuck another inside, and started pistoning with rhythmic, decisive motions. Tue-Mai gasped, and arched her back."

    tuem "Is quite wet already. However…"

    "He pulled his fingers away, and trailed them down, to her ass. They were soaking wet and slippery, so he had no trouble sliding one of them inside, gently prying her open."

    ro "You quite enjoy taking it in the ass, no? Is that where you want me again, Mai?"

    tuem "A-ah… No…"

    "She whispered a quiet refusal. Smiling shyly, she reached down, and pulled his hand back to where it was just moments ago."

    tuem "I want you… Here… "
    tuem "I want you to make a woman. Please."

    "How could he refuse such an honest request? He teased her a little more, then thrust his fingers back into her cunt again, curling them up so he could caress her upper walls, looking for her most sensitive spot."
    "She let out a sweet cry when he found it. Rowan smirked, and leaned in to kiss her, pulling his fingers out so he could undo his trousers, and give her what she truly desired."

    label tuemaiFinalFuckasy_rp:

    tuem " Ha… Ha… No way… I actually took it before? No way… No way!"

    ro "You did. And you were very brave. Now… Do it again."

    "He rubbed his cock against her moist labia, giving her ample time to admire its monstrous size. It looked far too large to fit inside of her. And yet she took it once - she would do so again."

    if rowanCorrupt > 60 or pressuringTuemai:
        ro "Once I’m inside… I’m going to ruin sex with goblin males for you."
        ro "You’ll need a cock like mine to satisfy you. Aren’t you happy, Tue-Mai?"
        tuem "Ha… So mean!"
        "She pouted, but did nothing to pull away. Her needy cunt grew wetter by the moment, wanting nothing more than to taste his cock"

    else:
        ro "Don’t worry, it’s only going to hurt a little in the beginning."
        tuem "Ha… So really… Really considerate…"
        tuem "Please, my hero… Be gentle with me…"
        "Her voice took on a pleading note - but her eyes shone mischievously. Her needy cunt grew wetter by the moment, wanting nothing more than to taste his cock."

    "He grabbed her thigh, and forced it open. With his other hand, he reached up, and wrapped her ponytail around his fist. For all her pretended shyness… Rowan knew what she really wanted.
    She wanted it {i}rough{/i}."

    #show cg2 with shake
    show cg1614 with sshake
    pause 3
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1614

    tuem "Aaaah!"

    "He thrust into her in one, powerful push, parting her lips, and tearing her hymen. A small trickle of blood stained the blanket she laid on, and he could see tears well up in her eyes."
    "He leaned in to share another passionate kiss with her, and waited for the pain to pass."

    tuem "Mmmm… Ha…"

    "Her petite body slowly stopped trembling, and once it did… He started thrusting."

    tuem "O-ooooh- Ah!  W-wait wait, I’m still - ah! Sensitive!"

    ro "It will start feeling really good soon, Mai. Just try to relax."
    ro "Focus on my cock, and forget about all your worries."

    tuem "Y-yes- ah?! O-okay?!"

    "He pulled at her ponytail, lightly, and forced her to look up into his eyes. He towered over her completely, dominating her with ease. His hand squeezed her thighs, enjoying their softness."
    "Her virgin cunt was unbelievably tight. Each push was a struggle, and when he pulled out, her walls squeezed him greedily, refusing to let go. Tue-Mai’s face quickly flushed red, and her breathing grew heavier."

    tuem "A-ah!"

    "A sweet note snuck into her voice, and it drove Rowan crazy with desire. More! Once again, he wanted her to scream with desire!"

    ro "Don’t hold back. I want to - ngh! I want to hear you beg for my cock!"

    tuem "A-ah! So mean! Isn’t it- ah! Isn’t it enough that I can barely talk? Isn’t it enough, ha, enough that your cock makes it so- so-!"

    ro "Still trying to joke around, Tue-Mai? Ha… So laid-back. But I like that about you."

    "He plunged deep into her, then slowly pulled away, so she could feel every inch of his length inside of her. So she could realize just how much of his cock he was able to take."

    ro "Everyone’s always too serious. Busy with their grand, ha… Grand ambitions. They don’t know how to enjoy life anymore."
    ro "But you… You brighten every room you’re in, Tue-Mai."

    tuem "A-ah, what’s this - what is this confession ~~~"

    "He saw tears in her eyes again, and once more silenced her with a kiss. They would part soon… Some things were better left unsaid."

    ro "Shhh… Just enjoy the moment, and focus on my cock, okay?"

    tuem "A-alright…"

    "With that, he picked up the pace, causing her whole body to shake every time he moved his hips, the power of his thrust almost threatening to split her in two."
    "Now overflowing with desire, her pussy made squelching, lewd noises. Tue-Mai’s cheeks took on an ever deeper shade of red, but she didn’t say a word, only let herself be conquered like this."
    "It was too beautiful of a sight. He wouldn’t be able to last for long."

    menu:
        "Finish on her. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was only one way to make this wonderful image in front of him even {i}better{/i}. His mind set, he continued his thrusts, introducing Tue-Mai to new heights of ecstasy."
            tuem "O-ooh-ooooh!"
            ro "Don’t hold back Mai, ah! Cum as much as you like! I know you want to!"
            tuem "A-ah, Rowan!"
            "He kept his relentless tempo, and her fingers dug desperately into the ground, as she tried to stay in place, shaken by the power of his thrusts. Her voice grew louder, as his cock drove her further and further into the throngs of ecstasy."
            ro "I said {b}come{/b}!"
            tuem "AAH!"
            "His merciless command was what finally broke the camel’s back - her whole body tensed, as she threw her head back, taken by delirious pleasure."
            "Right then, he pulled out of her, and exploded over her. Ejaculating strongly, he painted her body in long, white lines - covering her stomach, her tits…  Some of them even reached her face, landing on her lips."
            tuem "A-aaah… Ah?"
            "She blinked, then raised her hand to her mouth, and tasted the white fluid with bewilderment."
            tuem "Ah? Is this… Rowan!"
            "She pouted, causing him to explode in laughter."
            tuem "Stop laughing! There’s no river in the area! I’m going to smell of your cum for days!"
            ro "I can’t join you on your journey, Mai, so I had to find some way to stay with you in spirit."
            tuem "That’s a lot of bull! You’re horrible! You damn bully!"
            "He tried to appease her with a kiss, but she shoved her foot in his face, pushing him away. Grunting, he wrestled it away - then pinned her down, kissing her neck, making her giggle."
            scene black with fade
            "A little longer. He wanted to stay like that just a little bit longer…"
            jump tuemaiFinalPostSex_rp

        "Ask if she wants him to come inside.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He pulled her head back, forcing her to look him in the eyes as his cock plunged all the way inside of her. He stopped his thrust for only a moment, gently rocking his hips, so that she could appreciate his size in full."
            tuem "Haaa… Rowan…"
            ro "Shhh… Listen, Mai… I just want to know one thing…"
            ro "Where do you want me to finish?"
            "His cock continued to tease her, but only slightly. Tue-Mai shivered, fighting a losing battle with her body. He saw the answer in her eyes before her lips managed to say it. "
            tuem "In me… Finish in me…"
            tuem "I want to know… How it feels."
            tuem "And don’t - don’t go easy on me…"
            "He heard the challenge in her voice and smiled, just a little bit. He started to thrust in and out again, slowly at first, to get her used to the rhythm again. And soon…"
            jump tuemaiFinalCreampie_rp

        "Impregnate her." if rowanCorrupt > 60 or (rowanCorrupt > 30 and tuemaiAnythingForPussy):
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanCorrupt += 5
            "He pulled her head back, forcing her to look into his eyes as his cock plunged all the way inside of her."
            ro "Do you feel it, Tue-Mai? Do you feel my heavy balls hit your ass?"
            tuem "A-ah…Ah!"
            "She could only moan in response."
            if claminGobboBride:
                "He blamed Cla-Min for this, for all of this. Always begging him, always spreading her legs for him, always asking for Rowan to finish inside of her, and give her another child."
                "Who could blame him for wanting {i}another{/i} goblin bride?"
            jump tuemaiFinalCreampie_rp

    label tuemaiFinalCreampie_rp:

    "He sped up, driven entirely by desire. Tue-Mai’s modest breasts shook with every thrust, her entire body reduced to nothing but a receptacle for his lust. Her eyes rolled up - and he yanked her ponytail up, making her squeal."

    ro "Focus, Mai! I want to look you in the eyes as I pump you full of cum!"

    tuem "Y-yes!"

    "Holding her gaze, he felt the climax build up in him, an unstoppable wave that needed release - that needed to be released into his lover-"

    ro "Come with me, Mai! Come as I fill you with my seed! Come! "

    tuem "O-oooh-ooooh! OOOOOH!"

    $ tuemaiImpregnationChance = True

    show cg1614 with sshake
    show cg1614 with sshake
    show cg1615 with flash
    pause 2

    "He exploded inside of her, and she cried out in pleasure, so loud even Tue-San sentries had to hear it. She let her tongue roll out, no longer caring about appearances, just letting that feeling overtake her."

    ro "Ngh!"

    "He kept thrusting into her with short, quick movements, until he unloaded everything he had."
    "It lasted half a minute or more, after which Tue-Mai finally came down from her orgasm, and fell back, completely exhausted."

    tuem "Ha… Ha… That was… Wow."
    tuem "So warm… But it feels… Different… Than taking it up the ass."

    ro "Better? Worst? Come on, I want to hear all about how my cum feels inside of you, Mai."

    tuem "Mean… So mean… It feels mean, Rowan…"

    "She complained, cracking a small smile. He cupped her cheek, and held her like this, not wanting to pull out."

    scene black with fade

    "Just a little longer. He wanted to stay like that just a little bit longer…"

    label tuemaiFinalPostSex_rp:

    scene bg38 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuemai angry
    show tuemai neutral at midright with dissolve

    tuem "… I did not rest during that. Not one bit."

    ro "I apologize. Has my cock robbed you of all strength in the lower half of your body?"

    tuem "Yes. Now carry me all the way over the mountains as restitution."

    "She giggled. She was fully clothed again, ready to go. Rowan didn’t want her to, but he realized that as long as his alliance with the goblin prince stood firm, there was no way he could keep her safe."

    #show tuemai happy

    tuem "I’ll miss you, Rowan. Thank you, for everything."

    ro "I’ll miss you too, Mai. Look out there."

    tuem "I know how to handle myself in the wilds. I just don’t like to."

    ro "… You know, maybe you’re just a little {i}too{/i} laid back."

    tuem "Maybe I am."

    "They lingered for just a moment longer, neither wanting to let the other go. Finally, it was Tue-Mai who reached out for his hand, and squeezed it."

    tuem "Goodbye, Rowan."

    ro "Goodbye, Mai."

    "She hesitated for a fraction of a second, then pulled out. She cast him one long, last look - then hurried down the hill, to embrace all the world had to offer."
    "Rowan watched her go, then with a heavy heart, turned around. Tue-Mai was safe now, and he… "

    scene black with fade

    "He had one more stop to make. "

    ###################################

    label tuemaiPureWrapup_rp:

    scene bg71 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #tuerow happy
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    tuer "Bold. A little bit dramatic, but then again, how could it not be?"

    ro "You have Tue-San to blame, she’s the one who chose both the stage and the act. Did you approve of this, prince?"

    tuer "I was informed who the culprit was. I gave Tue-San permission to deal with it as she saw fit."
    tuer "A part of me hoped it was all one big misunderstanding, but… People like us don’t get the luxury of wishful thinking."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "Well, thanks for the update. You’re free to go Rowan."

    "He blinked, then looked at Tue-San. The goblin woman’s cold expression revealed absolutely nothing. She kept quiet the entire conversation, so there was no doubt she informed Tue-Row about everything earlier. So it fell to Rowan to ask the question."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "… That’s it? I can just go?"
    ro "Am I going to get stabbed in the back the moment I turn around?"

    tuer "What?! Heavens no, Rowan! Just because I did it that {i}one{/i} time!"
    tuer "Obviously this is not the ideal outcome. I really was hoping you and Tue-San would start getting along a little bit better. But…"
    tuer "Well you are Rowan Blackwell. Saving maidens and defying authority is exactly something you would do. So how could I hold it against you, you being exactly the kind of man that inspired me in the first place?"

    "Tue-Row flashed him a winning smile, his words seemingly sincere. For a man whose would-be murderer was just let out scott-free, he was a bit too casual about the whole ordeal."

    tuer "Anyway,  the assassin has been found, and will no longer interfere with the wedding. As far as the big picture goes, that’s all that really mattered. So for me, it’s case closed.  "

    ro "… I see."

    "Rowan stood up slowly. A part of him was relieved their alliance didn’t suffer because of his actions. Another…"
    "Another was all too aware of Tue-San standing behind the prince, glaring daggers at him. She didn’t appear chastised, not in the slightest."
    "This woman was willing to murder her sister in cold blood for the prince. What little goodwill he had with Tue-Row is likely all that stood between Rowan and being disappeared in the middle of the night."

    ro "I will take my leave, then."

    tuer "Don’t be a stranger just because of a little misunderstanding. I meant everything I said, back then."
    tuer "It’s you and me against the world, Rowan. Always."

    "“You, and me, and Tue-San”, Rowan thought bitterly, but he kept it to himself."

    ro "You and me against the world, Tue-Row."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    ro "Always."

    $ savedTuemai = True
    $ lostTuesanTrust = True
    #$ rowanCorrupt -=15
    #$ avatar.remove_guilt(40)
    #$ avatar.add_exp (500)
    #$ avatar.mp -= 5
    # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
    #$ push_to_previous_tile()
    return

    ###########################################################

    label deathToTraitors_rp:

    if tuemaiMindChanged:
        if tuesanDomSession:
            "If he loses the goblins here, he loses what little political clout he had with the twins. If he lost that, he loses all control over Bloodmeen armies, and all hope of regaining control of his life, and his and Alexia’s freedom."
            scene black with fade
            "… That’s why he couldn’t protect her. "
            #show grayed out CGof Rowan being ridden by Tue-San.
            "That was the only reason for it."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned behind black
            ro "(I’m Sorry, Tue-Mai.)"
            scene bg3 with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
            show tuesan neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "He stepped aside, not saying a word."
        else:
            "If he loses the goblins here, he loses what little goodwill he had with the twins. If he lost that, he loses all control over Bloodmeen armies, and all hope of regaining control of his life, and his and Alexia’s freedom."
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
            ro "(I’m Sorry, Tue-Mai.)"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
            "One life was too big of a price. He stepped aside, not saying a word."
        show tuemai at center with moveinleft
        tuem "Sister, I- ack! "
        show bg3 with sshake
        show bg3 with sshake
        hide tuemai with redflash
        "Still confused, Tue-Mai started to get up - only to be hit in the chest by the second arrow, stumble back, and fall once more."
        "She stared down, incredulous, at the arrow now sticking from her chest. The feathers at the end of it were surprisingly colorful and oddly familiar To Rowan."

    else:
        if sympatheticToTueMai:
            "Jezera already met with Tue-Row, their alliance was a done deal, anything happens it will be his fault, if he interferes now, if he- "
            show bg3 with flash
            "The arrow flew by him, and struck Tue-Mai in the chest."
            show bg3 with sshake
            show bg3 with sshake
            show tuemai neutral behind bg3
            tuem "Ack!"
            hide tuemai with redflash
        else:
            "No other outcome was possible from the moment Tue-Mai chose to raise her hand against the goblin prince. Rowan took a step aside - and watched as the arrow flew by, and struck Tue-Mai in the chest."
            show bg3 with sshake
            show bg3 with sshake
            show tuemai neutral behind bg3
            tuem "Ack!"
            hide tuemai with redflash
        "She stumbled back, then fell on her ass. She stared down, incredulous, at the arrow now sticking from her chest. The feathers at the end of it were surprisingly colorful, and oddly familiar to him."

    "Rowan realized he saw them before - during his encounter with Zii-Zii’s forces. These were Wyrd women arrows."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "… So that’s why you wanted me to lure her out."

    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright

    tues "You catch on quickly, Blackwell. This will help me recoup some of the losses from this whole debacle."

    show tuemai neutral behind bg3

    tuem "Sister, I - I don’t understand."

    "Still shocked, Tue-Mai pressed her hand against the wound, then brought it up. She stared at her blood-red fingers, slowly turning her hand around, as if not comprehending what she was looking at. Tue-San approached her, her expression as unforgiving as it was before."

    if tuemaiMindChanged:
        tues "What is there to understand? As I just told the human, you tried to kill Tue-Row, your clan patriarch and the leader of all goblinkind. The punishment for either is death."

    else:
        tues "What is there to understand? You tried to kill your clan patriarch and the leader of all goblinkind. The punishment for that is death."

    tues "As for everything else - I can’t try you for your crimes, Tue-Mai. Should news of your betrayal spread, we’d risk a house war. It’s not something I can afford right now."
    tues "So you will die here. Alone. Ambushed by Wyrd women."

    "Tue-Mai coughed up blood and blinked, confused."

    tuem "Why… Blame… Zii? I- I don’t understand."

    tues "You rarely understood anything. I’m astounded how many problems start with people with no intellectual predispositions for anything trying to do good in the world."
    tues "As I said, all you need to know is this little theater will help me undo some of the damage you’ve done. Raphael, is everything ready? "

    "The camouflaged goblin from before approached them - and from under all the dirt and leaves, Rowan recognized a familiar face."

    ro "War Innovations, was it?"

    "The goblin nodded, then turned to the impatient Tue-San beside them."

    dirr "Everything is ready. I avoided hitting anything vital, so… Well, Wyrd women like to play with their prey, so this is the part where the target usually attempts to fight back or run."
    dirr "Tue-Mai, would you mind, well… Doing anything?"

    tuem "… What?"

    dirr "Fighting back or running. We want this to look like a proper ambush."

    tues "Be so kind and follow the director’s orders. This needs to be as gruesome as possible."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31 or tuemaiMindChanged or sympatheticToTueMai:
        if tuesanDomSession:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan wanted to puke. Despite the moments he spent with Tue-San, this level of disinterest from her…"
            "Was it the right choice to visit her back then?"
            jump tuemaiFinalMoments_rp

        else:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan wanted to puke. The level of disinterest in Tue-San’s voice was sickening. Just who the fuck was he allying himself with here?"
            jump tuemaiFinalMoments_rp

    else:
        ro "You sound rather casual about this, Tue-San."
        tues "It’s business. How else should I sound?"
        if rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "So cold. He actually chuckled to himself. It was nice knowing someone in the goblin camp had the balls to make the hard calls."
        elif rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "So cold. A part of him approved of the practical approach, but to be able to keep it up even when executing one’s sister…"
        else:
            pass
        if tuemaiFucked == False:
            jump tuemaiFinalMoments_rp
        else:
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Still… If it really was just business… And Tue-San was looking to recuperate her losses… He wondered if there was something to gain here."
            menu:
                "Try to buy Tue-Mai’s life. He could use a personal goblin cumdump.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #$ rowanCorrupt +=5
                    ro "Then how about I make you a business proposal. You see, I am rather fond of your sister. As far as I’m concerned, it would be a waste to kill her here."
                    tues "Blackwell, I appreciate all of your assistance thus far, but if this is some late attempt at playing hero, please refrain yourself. Tue-Mai has only ever had her loyalty to offer. I don’t see…"
                    #tuesan angry
                    tues "… You want her as a sex slave."
                    ro "Hey now, there’s no need for that searing glare. I would take her off your hands, make sure she doesn’t interfere with the wedding. You and your side will be adequately compensated for this."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    #tuesan neutral
                    "Tue-San narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, considering the idea. Eventually, much to Rowan’s dismay, she shook her head no."
                    tues "Regardless of her actions, Tue-Mai is technically the prince’s step-sister. I cannot allow anybody, even an allied faction, to keep her hostage, much less as a sex slave."
                    tues "So I must refuse, Blackwell. But I’ll keep your preference in mind from now on."
                    ro "Don’t sound so disgusted. I thought you’d appreciate an excuse to keep her alive."
                    tues "You thought wrong."
                    jump tuemaiFinalMoments_rp

                "Let Tue-San do her thing.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    "It irked him, to stand around and do nothing for the whole encounter. But there would be a time for action, and a time to ask for a just reward for all his assistance. Just not now. Not yet."
                    jump tuemaiFinalMoments_rp

    label tuemaiFinalMoments_rp:

    "Tue-Mai’s lost eyes ventured aimlessly between the three of them, looking at them as if they were total strangers."

    tuem "What- What are you saying? N-ngh!"

    "Tue-Mai winced in pain - and that seemed to finally break her out of her stupor. Burning fury entered her eyes, and despite the pain, despite the pool of blood that now gathered under her, Tue-Mai forced herself up."

    hide tuemai
    #tuemai angry
    show tuemai neutral at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    tuem "How could you? I did it for you!"
    tuem "Everything I did, I did for you!"

    #tuesan angry

    tues "“For me?” Don’t make me laugh, Mai. You did it for yourself. You did it to preserve what you thought meant to be a “Tue goblin”. As if such things had any meaning."
    tues "Everything I worked so hard to achieve, you would sacrifice it just so the “right” goblin could sit on the throne."
    tues "Such basic, tribal understanding of the order of things. You disgust me."

    "Tears welled up in Tue-Mai’s eyes, and ran freely down her face. All that hurt WAS now reflected in her eyes as she addressed her sister."

    tuem "I loved you."

    tues "… You should have thought about it before you chose to raise your hand against the only man who matters to me."

    tuem "Y-yeah… I suppose I should have."

    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Her expression twisted with fury, and she pulled a dagger out, lunging herself forward-"

    show bg3 with redflash
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    hide tuemai with redflash
    show tuemai neutral behind bg3

    "This time it was Raphael who flicked his wrist. Another arrow flew out of the forest, striking Tue-Mai through the leg. She screamed in pain, then fell to her knees."

    if tuemaiMindChanged or sympatheticToTueMai:
        $ maiDeathRowanSad = True
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
        "He couldn’t look at it anymore. He walked up to Tue-Mai, and grabbed the dagger from her hand."
        ro "That’s enough, Tue-San. Your sister has struggled enough."
        tuem "Rowan, please…"
        "He couldn’t look behind him, not when Tue-San’s dark eyes studied his every reaction, no doubt searching for a moment of weakness or signs of betrayal. He fought the urge to stab her himself, and instead offered her the dagger."
        ro "Least you could do is have the decency to finish her off yourself."
        tues "As far as everyone is concerned I am currently inspecting Ulm-Lij’s work on the archives. It’s not a place one returns covered in blood."
        tues "Raphael, wrap this up."
        tuem "No, don’t-!"
        "He heard another arrow fly through the air, and Tue-Mai’s words were cut off mid-sentence. He heard her let out a pained gurgle, then something hit the ground with a light thud."
        "He couldn’t look behind him. He didn’t have the heart for it."
        dirr "Yeah, that’s, um… That’s a good expression. We can make it work, Tue-San."
        tues "I expect nothing less. Have her ready by sundown."
        tues "Let’s go, Blackwell. I need to be present when the body is found."
        hide tuesan with moveoutright
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        "Not even a moment to say goodbye. Rowan closed his eyes for a moment to say a quick prayer - then opened them when he felt someone pry his fingers open."
        dirr "Sorry, need the dagger. No missing evidence, Tue-San’s orders."
        ro "… Sure."
        hide rowan with moveoutright
        "He didn’t want to hold it either. He let him take it, then followed after the biggest bitch in all of Blackholt."
        ro "(Solansia, forgive me. There was nothing I could’ve done.)"
        jump tuemaiLeaveCrimeScene_rp

    else:
        if tuesanDomSession:
            $ maiDeathRowanSubmissive = True
            show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
            "He walked up to her, wrenched the dagger out of her hand, and threw it away, disgusted."
            ro "It’s bad enough you tried to kill Tue-Row, but now you raise your hand against Tue-San? Could you have the decency to at least die with dignity?"
            "She stared at him, too shocked to speak. Finally, a broken, half-mad cackle escaped her lips."
            tuem "You too… She got you too… Ha ha, ha…"
            tuem "I was dead the moment I stepped on this clearing… "
            ro "You were dead the moment you decided to act on your own. Tue-San,  I think it’s time we wrap this up."
            tues "Agreed. Raphael?"
            tuem "No, don’t-!"
            "The other goblin raised his hand, and another arrow pierced Tue-Mai’s throat mid-sentence. A pained gurgle left her throat, and Rowan watched as the light slowly left her eyes. A moment later, her body hit the ground with a light thud."
            dirr "Yeah, that’s, um… That’s a good expression. We can make it work, Tue-San."
            tues "I expect nothing less. Have her ready by sundown."
            hide tuesan with moveoutright
            "Let’s go, Blackwell. I need to be present when the body is found."
            hide rowan with moveoutright
            "He nodded his head, then quickly followed after his Mistress."
            jump tuemaiLeaveCrimeScene_rp

        else:
            $ maiDeathRowanProfessional = True
            if rowanCorrupt > 60 or (rowanCorrupt > 30 and hostileToTueMai):
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Oh for fuck’s sake."
                show rowan necklace angry at center with moveinleft
                "He walked up to and slapped Tue-Mai across the face, making her drop the dagger. Not hiding his impatience, he turned to Tue-San."
                ro "Are we done here? There was a moment when this was all rather cathartic, but now it’s just getting depressing."
                tues "Hmph. Raphael?"
                dirr "… I think I can make this work. Hold that expression Tue-Mai…"
                "Rowan glanced behind him. Tue-Mai was still on her knees, looking into space with unseeing eyes. Then, an arrow suddenly pierced her throat from behind, and she let out a pained gurgle."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                "Rowan watched as light left her eyes. She swayed for a moment, then hit the ground face down."
                "… Nobody said a word for a moment. Then, Rowan clapped twice and looked around the clearing."
                ro "Alright, that’s a wrap I take it? Everyone done?"
                tues "The two of us are. Raphael and his team will stay behind to prepare the body. Raphael, I expect it to be ready by sundown."
                dirr "Yes, Tue-San."
                show tuesan neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                tues "Good. We can go now, Blackwell. I need to be present when the body is found."
                hide tuesan with moveoutright
                ro "Sure, sure…"
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                jump tuemaiLeaveCrimeScene_rp
            else:
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "Rowan sighed tiredly, then walked up and wrenched the dagger out of her hand. He threw it away, not hiding his annoyance."
                show rowan necklace angry at center with dissolve
                ro "Tue-San, are we done here? This is all turning rather grotesque."
                tues "Hmph. Raphael?"
                dirr "… A different post-mortem expression would work better, but… I can work with this. Tue-Mai?"
                tuem "H-huh?"
                "She blinked, and looked around - then an arrow suddenly pierced her throat from behind, and she let out a pained gurgle."
                "Rowan watched the light leave her eyes. She swayed for a moment, then hit the ground face down."
                ro "About time."
                tues "Agreed. Raphael, have the body, ready by sundown."
                hide tuesan with moveoutright
                show tuesan neutral behind bg3
                tues "Blackwell, walk with me. I need to be present when the body is found."
                ro "Sure, sure…"
                hide rowan with moveoutright
                jump tuemaiLeaveCrimeScene_rp

    label tuemaiLeaveCrimeScene_rp:

    #blackholt bg
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    #$ avatar.add_exp (500)
    $ tuemaiDead = True

    "And so, that was the end of it. Just as Tue-San promised the prince, she had the situation resolved by sundown. The whole encounter lasted no more than an hour."
    "They walked in silence, slowly, careful not to leave too much of a trail, both of them preoccupied with their own thoughts."

    if maiDeathRowanSad:
        "Besides, Rowan had no desire to talk with Tue-San anymore. He knew he would have to, at some point. But for now… He let himself grieve, just a little bit."

    else:
        "No matter how hard Tue-San insisted this was all just business, she just had her little sister executed. She needed time to process it, and Rowan knew better than to bother her."

    "Unexpectedly, he saw her take a sharp turn right."

    tues "We’re taking a different route. Would be suspicious for us to return directly from the ambush sight."

    ro "… But you had no issue with me leaving in that direction."

    tues "Tue-Lan thinks you’ve already struck a secret deal with Zii. This will help fuel his fears."

    ro "Is that what you want? For the Tue Clan to be afraid?"

    tues "Isn’t it obvious? My family has grown complacent from Tue-Row’s victories. Tue-Mai’s death will remind everyone we’re not safe."

    if tuemaiMindChanged:
        tues "You have my thanks, Blackwell, for ensuring it all went according to plan… For the most part."

    else:
        tues "You have my thanks, Blackwell, for ensuring it all went according to plan."

    if maiDeathRowanSad:
        tues "But I couldn’t help but notice you seem less than happy with the result."
        if tuemaiDoingRight:
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Didn’t I tell you? Killing her like this wasn’t right."
            ro "… And I guess you now think less of me for saying as much."
            tues "… Not necessarily, no."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "He narrowed his eyes at her, full of suspicion. Tue-san kept at the front, leading him, and not looking back."
            tues "Your reluctance to engage in violence befits the image your legend tries to paint. I never gave it much faith, but perhaps there is something to it."
            tues "I… Respect your willingness to do what is necessary, when doing so goes against your beliefs."
            ro "Is it really something to be proud of?"
            tues "Yes. It shows vision."

        else:
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "… I {i}liked{/i} Tue-Mai. Even if I didn’t know her that well."
            ro "And I suppose you’ll now berate me for being sentimental."
            tues "… I will not."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "He narrowed his eyes at her, full of suspicion. Tue-san kept at the front, leading him, and not looking back."
            tues "I understand my sister had a certain charm to her. She claimed I was the golden child of the Tue-Clan, when in truth… She was the one people always flocked to."
            tues "Regardless, I… Respect your willingness to do what is necessary,  even if it means hurting people close to you."
            ro "Is it really something to be proud of?"
            tues "Yes. It shows resolve."

    elif maiDeathRowanSubmissive:
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I am happy I could be of service, Tue-San."
            tues "Whenever you are not, Blackwell?"
            "That part she murmured under her breath, but Rowan’s keen ear managed to catch it. Tue-San turned her head ever so slightly, and for a moment she simply observed him, as she led them forward."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "He couldn’t say what was going on behind those dark eyes of hers. “A one-time thing.” Those words hung between them like a curse. Their night together was to never be repeated."
            "But he couldn’t help but notice she no longer regarded him with the same cold indifference she treated everyone else with."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        ro "It was in my interest as well, was it not?"
        tues "That’s what I wanted to believe. I’m glad that was the case."

    ro "So what happens next, Tue-San?"

    "Tue-San walked in silence for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. She stopped before a large branch that was blocking the road, and Rowan moved it out of her way."

    tues "Tue-Mai’s body will be discovered by an evening patrol. The assassins’ identity will remain a mystery to the public - but a selected few will learn Zii is the likely culprit. They’ll confront Tue-Row about it - and he’ll reveal his plans to tame her."
    tues "That will ensure their loyalty, but they’ll want blood, so I’ll arrange for a little payback, using this opportunity to remove a Wyrd officer that’s a little too clever for her own good."

    ro "Three birds, one stone. How brutally efficient."

    tues "I don’t have a choice, Blackwell. I’m sure you’ve noticed balance within Hoz’holt is a very fragile thing."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    #tuesan angry

    tues "… And as it happens, it’s primarily your fault."

    ro "What?"

    "They stopped in the middle of the path, with Tue-San throwing him a somewhat accusing look. Rowan took a quick glance around. With trees all around him, he wasn’t that concerned about further snipers, but…"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    tues "Tue-Row’s coalition was never intended to operate as it does now. I have to pitch one faction against the other, threatening and bribing worthless parasites who contribute nothing to the new world Tue-Row is building, just to keep some semblance of stability."
    tues "I planned to sort all of this out a long time ago, but now Tue-Row needs a unified front, so he can keep Zii in check, and we need Zii and her band of ruffians because you took Raeve Keep, poking the Rosarian bear."
    tues "So now the goblins need a large army if we’re to get a seat at the table."

    ro "That’s a fair deal, no?"

    tues "Our support is worth far more than just a couple of soldiers. But demons only understand strength. And while I confess you display a better understanding of long-term strategy than the usual Demon Lord solansian texts speak off…"
    tues "The twins aren’t you. And your Mistress’ fake smiles are more see-through than she thinks."

    if (serveChoice == 4 and jezeraSubmission > 2) or jezeraSubmission > 5:
        "Tue-San never hid their dislike for both himself and Jezera. Now that he helped her deal with Tue-Mai he was starting to think that maybe, just maybe… He could change that."
        "Tue-San had more in common with Jezera than she wanted to admit. They both were ruthless and result oriented. While they may never be friends…"
        "Rowan could act as a bridge between them. But he needed to gain Tue-San’s trust first."

    else:
        "Tue-San never hid their dislike for both himself and Jezera. Now that they’ve dealt with Tue-Mai he was starting to believe the former could be worked upon, and the latter… Exploited."
        "Tue-San was exactly who he needed to deal with Jezera in the long term. Cold, ruthless, analytical. As long as Tue-San was around, Jezera would never spin her web around the goblins."
        "If played his cards right, Gobnagoz could be an independent power within the Bloodmeen alliance loyal not to the twins, but to {b}him{/b}."

    menu:
        "Strike a deal with Tue-San.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if maiDeathRowanSad:
                "He already sold his soul to the devil. Least he could do was get his money’s worth."
            ro "Tue-San, what if I told you I don’t need your army at all?"
            tues "Then I’d ask what game are you playing."
            ro "The same one you are, Tue-San. You’re not the only person who can plan beyond next week, you know?"
            ro "As of now, the Baron lets us run around unopposed. Whatever military response he ultimately manages to muster will be a mild threat at worst. I can handle it even without the support of Gobnagoz."
            tues "We will not be denied our rightful territories-"
            ro "No, of course not. Isn’t it obvious by now I do not wish to have you as my enemy, Tue-San?"
            ro "You could be of use to me. You and Tue-Row, and all of the goblin nation. I understand now that what I’m seeing is only the beginning of the world you and the prince envisioned."
            ro "You need time to clean house? It’s yours. Forget about any alliance with Zii, and finish what you started. You have my word Gobnagoz will receive their rightful share of spoils regardless."
            tues "On what grounds?"
            ro "As downpayment for your future help. Sounds fair, no?"
            "The goblin secretary eyed him for a long while, then focused on the trail, still mulling over his proposal. Not that Rowan had doubts about the answer."
            tues "I don’t like giving blank checks, Blackwell, but… This is not an unappealing proposal. At the same time, the wedding preparations are already underway. Changing the plan now would be unwise. Unless…"
            if maiDeathRowanSad:
                "She fell silent again. Rowan wondered what atrocities the two of them had planned for the wedding - or what atrocities he was just paving the way towards."
                tues "… I’ll discuss it with Tue-Row. If you’re sure about this… We can make this work. Inform the prince of your intentions before the wedding."
                ro "Of course."
                "He nodded, and said nothing else as they traveled back. Was this really the right idea? To ally himself with Tue-San…"
                scene black with fade
                "Will it be worth the price?"
            else:
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                "She fell silent again, and Rowan almost chuckled. He could almost see the cogs in Tue-San’s head starting to turn, planning everything out. Oh, she wouldn’t reveal what she was planning - but it would be a sight to behold, he was sure of that."
                tues "… I’ll discuss it with Tue-Row. If you’re sure about this… We can make this work. Inform the prince of your intentions before the wedding."
                ro "Of course."
                "He tried not to smile, but failed spectacularly. To have Tue-San on his side after all was said and done…"
                scene black with fade
                "That would be the ultimate reward for all his efforts here."
            #$ rowanCorrupt +=10
            #$ avatar.add_guilt(10)
            #$ tuesanEndingUnlocked = True
            #$ avatar.mp -= 5
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
            #$ push_to_previous_tile()
            return

        "He wanted no further deals with her." if rowanCorrupt < 61 and maiDeathRowanSubmissive == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "It can’t be helped, Tue-San. We’re at war."
            if maiDeathRowanSad:
                "After what just happened, he would have to be mad to try and empower that woman any further."
                "It’s the least he could do for Tue-Mai."
            else:
                "Someone willing to brutally execute their sister was no ally he wished to rely on. A line had to be drawn somewhere."
            tues "… We’re almost at Hoz’holt. Let’s keep quiet for now, I’ll let you in through a secret entrance."
            scene black with fade
            "… And that was all she said. In the end, the problem was resolved, and the wedding could proceed as planned. His job was done."
            #$ rowanCorrupt -=5
            #$ avatar.remove_guilt(5)
            #$ avatar.mp -= 5
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
            #$ push_to_previous_tile()
            return

    return

# \events\ruler_events_47.rpy
label revelry_of_sin_and_delight_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ brothelLevel = 10
    $ andrasFavors = 10
    $ rowanAndrasSex = False
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ rowanAndrasSex = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg27 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stared down at the small red parchment attached to his door with a wave of dread and curiosity. Messy yet somehow elegant writing stood out in black ink: BALLROOM, NOW."
    "He plucked the paper from the door and flipped it over. No name, no further notes; just an ominous message demanding his presence. Rowan had an inkling as to the sender based on where they wanted to meet, but a warning in the back of his head cautioned why."
    "Folding the parchment in half, Rowan took the risk."
    "Music drifted out into the hallway, a low vibrating song with drums mixed with a cacophony of laughter and grunts. Rowan peered into the ballroom, his suspicions correct as he saw the revelry inside."

    if brothelLevel >= 1:
        "Scantily clad denizens of the brothel meandered through the crowd of orcs, their hips swaying to the sensual beat of a nearby trio of musicians. They didn't object as orcs reached out to fondle them, their small, impish smiles encouraging."

    else:
        "Scantily clad men and women in thin veils and even thinner clothing meandered through a crowd of orcs, their hips swaying to the sensual beat of a nearby trio of musicians. They didn't object as orcs reached out to fondle them, their small, impish smiles encouraging."

    "Rowan pushed through the crowd, brushing against orcs and whores alike as he made his way to Andras's inner circle."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
         "Temptation lit a slow burning fire through the hero's body as he felt the heat of the packed bodies in the room, their hips and chests rubbing against him as he passed. One of the concubines smirked at him behind a thin veil, their eyes suggestively roving toward a corner of the room where the orcs were having their way with the other eager whores."
         "Rowan was almost tempted to follow their lead, but the summons weighed heavily in his pocket, a reminder that he was here by duty, not invitation."

    else:
        "Rowan shuffled awkwardly through the thick crowd, feeling out of place and overheated against the barely clothed pack of bodies pressing against him."
        "One of the courtesans caught his eye, her gaze roving over to a corner where the orcs were having their way with her companions. Her look suggested she wished for the same."
        "Rowan forced a tight smile on his face and shook his head, eager to duck between the crowd and away from the temptation."

    "The hero found Andras reclined against a large mass of floor cushions almost shaped like a throne in the center of the revelry, his legs kicked up on a coffee table and a whore in each arm. A few orcs sat on plush cushions around him–and a few more faces Rowan didn't recognize–as they laughed and drank from the mugs of beer in hand."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        "Rowan pulled the parchment from his pocket and waved it in the air to catch the demon's attention. Andras looked up, his pointed smirk spreading into a grin."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve
        an "There's the bastard! Get your ass over here."
        "One of the women at Andras's side obediently moved over, allowing room between herself and the demon. Rowan sat down, feeling even more confused. He gestured to the parchment as Andras called for more drinks."
        ro "What's the meaning of this? Is something wrong?"
        an "The fuck does it look like? It's an invitation!"
        "Andras took the red paper from Rowan's hand and folded it into a simple design before tossing it into the crowd. It soared, disappearing between the hoard of people."

    else:
        show andras happy at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan waited with growing impatience for Andras to notice him as he regaled his group with a tale of one of his greatest kills."
        an  "And I have the fucker squirming under my knee, so I grab his head on both sides, and I dig my thumbs straight into his–"
        ro "Ahem."
        an "--eyes popped right out like fucking marbles, right? But the bastard won't stop screaming, so I–"
        ro "{i}Andras{/i}."
        "At this the demon looked up, annoyance flickering across his face as he gestured Rowan forward."
        an "About time you showed up! Get your ass over here. You're missing the best part."
        "One of the women at Andras's side obediently moved over, allowing room between herself and the demon. Rowan didn't move from his spot just outside of the circle."
        ro "I think I'll stand."
        "Pulling the parchment from his pocket, Rowan unfolded the red paper and held it out to Andras."
        ro "I got your message. What did you need?"
        an "I {i}need{/i} you to yank that stick out of your ass and relax! It's a party!"
        an "Now get your ass over here. I'm not asking again."
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Still cautious, Rowan squeezed on the cushions between Andras and the whore, half-convinced that this was nothing more than an elaborate prank that would end in some sort of public humiliation."
            "But on the off chance it wasn't, Rowan wasn't about to turn down some beer and music."
        else:
            "Rowan hesitated, reluctant to spend any more time in the ballroom, but he was well aware of the demon's dislike for him already. If Andras was truly extending an olive branch to him, it wouldn't be wise to turn it down."
            "Keeping his limbs as close as possible to take up the least amount of space, Rowan squeezed on the cushions between Andras and the whore, his discomfort increased tenfold as the whore pressed close to his side with a flirtatious smile."
            "Andras called for more drinks as Rowan settled in, perfectly at ease amidst the den of sin."
        an "Where the fuck was I? I… OH! RIGHT!"
        an "So I've got the fucker pinned down, and–"
        "Rowan tuned out Andras's story as he looked around the room, half-expecting a trap to spring out at him. "

    "A courtesan returned shortly with another tray of ale, her ass barely covered by a thin piece of cloth as she delivered each mug. Rowan glanced in the cup, immediately suspicious of its contents."
    "Andras didn't hesitate to take a long gulp of his own ale."

    an "Drink up! There's plenty to go around."

    menu:
        "Drink the ale.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
            "Rowan took a sip of his, surprised by the bold flavor; it was unlike any ale he'd tasted before, with hints of nuttiness and cinnamon. A part of him idly wondered where Andras managed to acquire it– and how much it had cost them."

        "Reject the ale.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan stared at the ale, then set it awkwardly on the coffee table, untouched. Regardless of Andras's reassurances, Rowan didn't trust the alcohol offered."
            "Andras didn't miss the gesture, his eyes narrowing in distaste, but let it go as he finished his own mug."

    ro "So you invited me… to a party?"

    an "Not just any party– {i}my{/i} party. Look at this fucking place!"

    "Andras spread his arms wide, gesturing to the debauchery in the room. It was excessive, from the overflowing mugs of specialty beer to the dancing whores to the platters of food spread out over the ballroom tables."
    "The demon's hand came down in a hard smack against Rowan's back, startling him."

    an "I thought to myself, the poor bastard's probably never been to a proper fucking party before. No wonder you're miserable all the fucking time."

    "Rowan had been to plenty of parties before, but he was certain he'd never attended anything like Andras'."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "He didn't hate it."
        show zahira neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        "The whore beside Andras ran her fingers across his chest, her nails scraping down to his thigh and back up again. Andras moved his hand down to squeeze her ass, noticing Rowan's brief attention on her bare breasts."

    else:
        "He wasn't sure he liked it."
        show zahira neutral at edgeright with dissolve
        "The whore beside Andras ran her fingers across his chest, her nails scraping down to his thigh and back up again. Andras moved his hand down to squeeze her ass, noticing Rowan's struggle to avoid looking at her exposed breasts."

    an "Like them? Zahira is an expert– the best whore I've got."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan admired the shape of Zahira, from her tiny waist to her hefty breasts and full mouth. If he was as good as Andras promised, Rowan could easily picture her putting those assets to good use."
        ro "She's lovely."

    else:
        "Rowan nodded, his lips pressed into a thin line. He forced himself to look her in the eye, uncomfortable with her blatant exposure in such close proximity."
        ro "She's… lovely."

    an "I know. I wouldn't use her if she wasn't."

    "Rowan was suddenly reminded of the whore at his own side, her breasts pressing up against his arm as she rubbed against him."

    an "That one's Lelux. Eager little thing, isn't she? I like a whore that knows what they're doing."

    "Lelux smiled underneath her veil, reaching over to trace her hand down Rowan's chest, inching closer to his crotch."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan glanced at Andras in question. His attention on Zahira seemed possessive– only the half-demon prince could have the best of the best, of course– but he wasn't sure where Lelux stood in his interests."
        "Andras leaned back lazily against the cushions and Zahira moved to her knees between his legs. He watched Rowan with mild interest."
        an "What are you waiting for? Indulge. It's a party, so fucking party."

    else:
        "Rowan moved away from her touch, much to Andras's annoyance. The demon rolled his eyes as he leaned back against the cushions, Zahira moving onto her knees between his legs."
        an "What, you're too good to fuck a whore? Don't be such a fucking loser."
        an "Lay back, indulge. That's what a party's for."

    menu:
        "Let Lelux pleasure you. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
            scene cg1699 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1699
            show andras happy behind cg1699
            pause 3
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan needed no further encouragement. He leaned back against the cushions, his lips pulled into a lazy smirk as Lelux reached forward to pull his cock from his pants."
            else:
                "Rowan reluctantly leaned back against the cushions, his uneasiness subsiding as Lelux reached forward and pulled his cock from his pants."
            "Her soft fingers wrapped around the half-hard member and stroked. Lelux bent forward, her lips pressing against the tip as she teased him with her tongue."
            "A pleasured noise hissed through Rowan's teeth as he leaned back on his elbows, admiring the way the thin cloth hung from her curves, doing little to cover her breasts."
            "Sensing his attention, Lelux pulled the cloth away. It floated to the floor, exposing every inch of her curvaceous body. Rowan's cock stiffened at the sight."
            "Lelux smirked and leaned forward, pressing his tip between her lips again. She moved with a surety that betrayed her experience. Each pump of her hand and stroke of her tongue sent a thrill through the hero's body, his cock twitching in delight at her touch."
            "Moving lower, Lelux took his cock deeper past her lips. Into her mouth. Down her throat. Rowan shuddered, jerking his hips upward until his balls pressed against her chin."
            if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                "A low chuckle beside him captured the hero's attention. Zahira was already throat-deep with Andras's cock, the demon's fingers gripping her hair, but his attention was drawn to Rowan."
                "Amusement gleamed in the demon's eyes as he watched Lelux work on the hero. Rowan found himself matching her pace, his hips grinding into her face in time with each bob up and down along his shaft."
                "Something stirred inside the hero under the attention of the demon, more focused on Rowan's pleasure than his own. He felt his cock stiffen in Lelux's mouth and stifled a noise of pleasure at how her throat tightened in response."
                "Rowan gripped Lelux's pert ass in the air, squeezing the soft flesh between his fingers. Her body, her mouth, felt delightful. He imagined stroking his tongue along her spine to her ass as she sucked him off, licking every sweet inch of her body."
                "With every brush of her breasts against his thighs and squeeze of her throat, Rowan could feel himself riding closer to the edge. He settled back against the cushions and closed his eyes, a moan eliciting from his mouth–"
                "Something hard pressed against his lips. Rowan snapped his attention to the demon now standing before him, his hefty cock thrust in Rowan's face."
                "Zahira lounged on the cushions beside them, her face covered in a thick layer of Andras's cum. The demon thrust his cock again in Rowan's direction, his fingers tangling violently in the hero's hair."
                show cg1702 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Pleasure and need burst from Rowan as he took Andras's cock in his mouth, the demon's silent instructions clear. Heat rushed to his face as a few orcs in their circle laughed mockingly, but Rowan was too engrossed in ecstasy to care."
                "The demon's presence didn't slow Lelux down in the slightest. Rowan struggled to keep up with Andras's thrusts as Lelux went down on him, the brush of her skin, the warmth of her mouth, the tightness of her throat all sending him over the edge."
                "Rowan shuddered as he came, moaning around Andras's cock. Andras jerked the hero's head by his hair, his thrusts intensifying as he fucked Rowan's face."
                show cg1702 with sshake
                show cg1702 with sshake
                show cg1703 with flash
                pause 2
                "The hero gripped Andras' hips, eager to meet each violent thrust into his throat. Andras smirked, and Rowan received no further warning as the demon came deep in his throat."
                "The hero gripped Andras' hips, eager to meet each violent thrust into his throat. Andras smirked, and Rowan received no further warning as the demon pulled out and came across the hero's face."
                "Andras laughed as he dropped Rowan back onto the cushions, plopping back down beside him. Zahira had cleaned her face already, but her nails lightly brushed the demon's thigh, clearly willing to go again at any moment."
                an "You've got a lot to learn. Maybe I'll let you take lessons from Zahira here sometime."
                "The demon laughed, the orcs joining in. Rowan wiped his face off on one of the nearby cushions and let it fall to the side."
            else:
                "A grunt beside him captured the hero's attention. Zahira was already throat-deep with Andras's cock, the demon's fingers gripping her hair as he fucked her face."
                "Something stirred inside the hero at the sight, at the close proximity of another sexual act beside his own. He felt his cock stiffen in Lelux's mouth and stifled a noise of pleasure at how her throat tightened in response."
                "Lelux moved faster and Rowan found himself matching her pace, his hips grinding into her face in time with each bob up and down along his shaft."
                show cg1700 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "He gripped her pert ass in the air, squeezing the soft flesh between his fingers. With every brush of her breasts against his thighs and squeeze of her throat, Rowan could feel himself riding closer to the edge."
                ro "Fuck… Mmm…"
                show cg1700 with sshake
                show cg1700 with sshake
                show cg1701 with flash
                pause 2
                "The hero's grip on Lelux's ass tightened as he finished down her throat. Lelux swallowed his load easily, making a show of licking his cock afterwards as if she didn't want to leave any trace behind."
                "Andras laughed, and Rowan saw that he was long finished, Zahira's face covered in cum. The demon slapped him on the shoulder, jostling him."
                an "That's what I'm talking about!"
            scene bg27 with fade
            show andras happy at center with dissolve
            "The demon grabbed his mug of beer and stood."
            an "Let's party!"
            "The orcs cheered around him, beer splashing onto the floor as they clinked glasses and drank their fill."
            "Rowan sipped at his own mug, Lelux stroking his chest, and enjoyed the party."
            return

        "Refuse Lelux. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "There was a distinct pleasure to feeling Lelux press against him, her body new and unfamiliar, begging to be explored."
                "But even so, Rowan wasn't sure he wanted to participate in what Andras was offering."
                "Rowan untangled himself from her touch, determined to end this before it began."
            else:
                "Lelux tried to touch him again, but Rowan took her hands and gently placed them down on the cushion: a firm rejection."
            ro "No thank you. I'm really not interested."
            "Shock briefly flickered over the courtesan's face, but she didn't attempt any further pursuit."
            an "Come {i}on{/i}! You're killing the fucking mood!"
            "Rowan shrugged."
            ro "I'm just not interested in her. I'm sorry."
            show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
            "Andras scowled, but searched quickly around the room, snagging on a male figure swaying between two orcs."
            an "HEY! YOU! Get over here."
            "The male stopped at once, pulling out of the orcs' grasp as he came to the inner circle. He was lovely, with golden-blond curls and eyes as blue as the sea with a thin cloth over his bulge to match."
            malec "You called, master?"
            "He looked over the group of men with interest, his attention in particular snagging on Rowan and the demon."
            an "Yeah. Give this guy a good fuck. He needs it."
            show andras happy at midright with dissolve
            "Andras laughed, tossing his head back as Zahira's own mouth got to work on the demon's cock. His red fingers threaded through her hair, his hips rolling against her face as she took his length with ease."
            "The male courtesan brushed his bangs from his eyes and smiled at Rowan, dropping to his knees. He rested his hands on either side of Rowan's legs, settling in between."
            malec "You can relax, master. I'll take care of you {i}thoroughly{/i}."
            menu:
                "Fuck the male courtesan.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                    #$ rowanGaySex += 1
                    scene cg1823 with fade
                    pause 3
                    "There was something alluring about the way the courtesan looked up at him, his long lashes casting light shadows across his cheeks, his smile small and impish."
                    "Rowan found he couldn't say no."
                    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                        "He leaned back against the cushions, his lips pulled into a lazy smirk as the courtesan removed the hero's cock from his pants."
                    else:
                        "Rowan reluctantly leaned back against the cushions, his uneasiness subsiding as the courtesan reached forward and removed the hero's cock from his pants."
                    "The courtesan's fingers were surprisingly soft as they wrapped around Rowan's half-hard member and stroked. The young man bent forward, his lips pressing against the tip as he teased Rowan with his tongue."
                    "A pleasured noise hissed through Rowan's teeth as he leaned back on his elbows, admiring the way the courtesan's half-lidded eyes gazed up at him lustfully, his own cock pressing against the thin veil covering his crotch."
                    "Sensing his attention, the male courtesan pulled the cloth away. It floated to the floor, exposing every sensual inch of his hard, eager dick. Rowan's cock stiffened at the sight."
                    "The courtesan smirked and leaned forward, pressing Rowan's head between his lips again. He moved with a surety that betrayed his experience. Each pump of his hand and stroke of his tongue sent a thrill through the hero's body, Rowan's cock twitching in delight at the young man's touch."
                    "Moving lower, the courtesan took Rowan's cock deeper. Into his mouth. Down his throat. Rowan shuddered, jerking his hips upward until his balls pressed against the young man's chin."
                    "A low chuckle beside him captured the hero's attention. Zahira was already throat-deep with Andras's cock, the demon's fingers gripping her hair, but his attention was drawn to Rowan."
                    "Amusement gleamed in the demon's eyes as he watched the young man work on Rowan. The hero found himself matching his pace, his hips grinding into the courtesan's face in time with each bob up and down along his shaft."
                    "Something stirred inside the hero under the attention of the demon, more focused on Rowan's pleasure than his own. He felt his cock stiffen in the courtesan's mouth and stifled a noise of pleasure at how his throat tightened in response."
                    "Rowan gripped the courtesan's hair and yanked him forward, grinding against his face. This man's body, his mouth, felt delightful. Rowan imagined stroking his tongue along the man's spine to his ass as the courtesan sucked him off, licking every sweet inch of his body."
                    "With every brush of the courtesan's stiff cock against Rowan's leg and squeeze of his throat, Rowan could feel himself riding closer to the edge. He settled back against the cushions and closed his eyes, a moan eliciting from his mouth–"
                    "Something hard pressed against his lips. Rowan snapped his attention to the demon now standing before him, his hefty cock thrust in Rowan's face."
                    "Zahira lounged on the cushions beside them, her face covered in a thick layer of Andras's cum. The demon thrust his cock again in Rowan's direction, his fingers tangling violently in the hero's hair."
                    show cg1824 with dissolve
                    show andras happy behind cg1823
                    pause 3
                    "Pleasure and need burst from Rowan as he took Andras's cock in his mouth, the demon's silent instructions clear. Heat rushed to his face as a few orcs in their circle laughed mockingly, but Rowan was too engrossed in ecstasy to care."
                    "The demon's presence didn't slow the courtesan down in the slightest. Rowan struggled to keep up with Andras's thrusts as the courtesan went down on him, the brush of his erection, the warmth of his mouth, the tightness of his throat all sending the hero over the edge."
                    "Rowan shuddered as he came, moaning around Andras's cock. Andras jerked the hero's head by his hair, his thrusts intensifying as he fucked Rowan's face."
                    show cg1825 with sshake
                    show cg1825 with sshake
                    show cg1826 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "The hero gripped Andras' hips, eager to meet each violent thrust into his throat. Andras smirked, and Rowan received no further warning as the demon pulled out and came across the hero's face."
                    "Andras laughed as he dropped Rowan back onto the cushions, plopping back down beside him. Zahira had cleaned her face already, but her nails lightly brushed the demon's thigh, clearly willing to go again at any moment."
                    an "You've got a lot to learn. Maybe I'll let you take lessons from Zahira here sometime."
                    "The demon laughed, the orcs joining in. Rowan wiped his face off on one of the nearby cushions and let it fall to the side."
                    scene bg27 with fade
                    show andras happy at center with dissolve
                    "The demon grabbed his mug of beer and stood."
                    an "Let's party!"
                    "The orcs cheered around him, beer splashing onto the floor as they clinked glasses and drank their fill. "
                    "Rowan sipped at his own mug, the male courtesan at his side lightly grinding against his thigh, and enjoyed the party."
                    return

                "Refuse to have sex. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Annoyance made its way across the hero's face as he turned back to Andras. Before the male courtesan could begin, Rowan stood up."
                    ro "If that's all, I think I'll take my leave. There is still work that needs my attention."
                    "The demon glared up at Rowan, obviously pissed that the hero refused to play along with his little game."
                    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
                    an "You're not going to fuck at {i}all{/i}? What a killjoy."
                    "Rowan let the words bounce off of him as he turned to leave. Two orcs suddenly stood in his way, blocking the exit of the inner circle."
                    an "Where do you think you're going? I didn't say you could leave."
                    "Frustrated, Rowan spun to face the demon."
                    ro "Then what will you have me do? Stand here and watch?"
                    an "Tch. If you're not going to relax and party, then you can serve us with the others."
                    "Andras turned to the male courtesan and snapped his fingers."
                    an "Give him your uniform."
                    "The male courtesan did not hesitate; he stripped the thin pieces of cloth with ease, exposing what little was hidden as he tossed the outfit to Rowan. The hero caught it on instinct."
                    an "Don't just stand there. Put it on."
                    "Rowan stared at him."
                    ro "You're not serious."
                    an "Do I look like I'm fucking joking to you?"
                    "No, he certainly did not. Rowan's hands clenched into fists around the fabric."
                    "He was already risking the demon's temper; he couldn't refuse any further, that much was clear."
                    "Gritting his teeth, Rowan glanced back at the orcs blocking his way."
                    ro "Let me change and I'll be back."
                    an "HA! Where the fuck do you need to go?"
                    an "Do it here. Now."
                    "Of course. Why should he have expected anything else?"
                    "Humiliation coloured the hero's face as he stripped out of his clothes, leaving them in a heap on the floor as he quickly pulled on the courtesan's clothes. There was very little, and Rowan felt awkward in the swishing fabric as he was easily exposed."
                    "Andras laughed at Rowan's obvious discomfort, the noise loud and breathy as Zahira continued her assault on his cock. His grip on her head tightened, and she met his hard thrusts into her throat with ease."
                    "The male courtesan leaned down on the other side of Andras, his lips moving across the demon's chest as Andras smirked at Rowan."
                    an "That's much better. Now be a good little bitch and entertain us."
                    "Rowan wasn't sure what Andras's idea of entertainment was, but he had a few ideas. He glanced at the other whores in the room, searching for something easy that Andras wouldn't object to."
                    menu:
                        "Dance for them. (Scene 1)":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                            $ revelryChoice = "dance"
                            scene cg1588 with fade
                            pause 2
                            show cg1589 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show cg1590 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            show andras smirk behind cg1588
                            show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1588
                            "There was a group of courtesans by the musicians dancing enticingly upon the nearby tables to the beat. Their thin pieces of cloth swayed with each jerk of their hips, their intimates flashing at a cheering group of orcs."
                            "Rowan wouldn't consider himself a great dancer by any means, but he knew it would be enough to entertain the demon."
                            "Holding back his irritation, Rowan climbed atop the coffee table."
                            "His guess was right: Andras's eyebrows rose with interest as Rowan slowly eased himself into the beat of the music, working hard to match the sensual movements of the other courtesans dancing around the room."
                            "The other orc soldiers in the small circle laughed mockingly at his display, whistling and calling out derogatory insults as he fumbled through the dance, struggling not to knock over any of the mugs of beer–or step in any of the food."
                            "It was not a good dance, but it must have been entertaining enough, because Andras joined in the laughter as he fucked his whore's face."
                            "Rowan was grateful when Lelux– out of pity or mockery, he couldn't tell– also hopped up onto the table and danced beside him."
                            "This ceased some of the mockery– at least from the orcs– as she took most of the attention with the sway of her hips and bounce of her breasts."
                            "Rowan started to step off the table, sure that her involvement was more than enough to appease them, but Andras yelled back–"
                            an "Get your ass back up there! The song isn't over yet!"
                            "The orcs quickly agreed, shouting for Rowan's return. The hero sighed, fighting against his own embarrassment as he climbed back on top of the table and resumed dancing."
                            "Keeping himself from flashing the group was no easy task behind the tiny fabric, and Rowan could tell each time it had strayed too far by the immediate whistles and shouts in his direction."
                            "Andras's gaze followed Rowan's every move, dark amusement shining behind his pointed grin as the hero fumbled through the dance."
                            "The song ended, but they were not done with him yet. Rowan was goaded into the next song, and then the next, his steps slowing as fatigue pulled at his muscles."
                            "Andras thrusted in Zahira's mouth to the beat of each song and came halfway through the performance, coating Zahira's face in his cum. She did not seem to mind."
                            if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                                "Zahira dutifully moved away, and Andras used a lazy finger to beckon Rowan forward instead. From the half-hard cock still risen from the demon's crotch, it wasn't hard to imagine what Andras wanted him to do."
                                menu:
                                    "Give in to Andras. (Scene 1)":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                                        #$ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                                        #$ rowanGaySex += 1
                                        $ revelryAndrasSex = True
                                        "Rowan's breath hitched, anticipating the demon's next move. He should walk away now, get out of the ballroom while he still could."
                                        "But maybe he didn't want to."
                                        "Still swaying to the rhythm of the beat, Rowan danced off of the table toward the demon. Andras swirled his finger in the air, and Rowan spun as commanded."
                                        "Andras's fingers were on his hips then, tossing the thin courtesan cloth out of the way and yanking him down onto his stiff cock. Rowan squirmed, the feeling of the demon's thick erection pressed against him sending a thrill through his body."
                                        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                                            ro "You're not going to– In front of all these people–"
                                            an "{i}Shut up.{/i}"
                                            "Andras bit the hero's ear and Rowan snapped his mouth shut, equally mortified and aroused as Andras spread his legs apart."
                                        scene cg1591 with fade
                                        pause 3
                                        show andras smirk behind cg1591
                                        show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1591
                                        "The orcs were laughing at him, Rowan could see it in their faces that they loved to see him taken down a peg, but it was hard to pay attention to them when he was too focused on Andras spreading Rowan's ass cheeks apart before he thrusted inside."
                                        ro "{i}Fuck{/i}!"
                                        "Rowan tossed his head back in a moan, shame coloring his cheeks as Andras fucked him from behind, making a show of it for the boisterous soldiers."
                                        "Everything was exposed, from the hero's stiff, throbbing cock to his gaping asshole every time Andras pulled out–which was as often as he pounded deeper inside. Rowan bounced on the demon's lap, a prisoner to Andras's whims as he was humiliated before the orcish army."
                                        "Pleasure fought with mortification as Andras grunted underneath him, and Rowan had to grip the demon's thighs so he wouldn't fall off."
                                        "The hero's breath quickened as ecstasy built up within him, and Rowan bit back a moan as Andras's contained to pound away from underneath him."
                                        show cg1592 with sshake
                                        show cg1592 with sshake
                                        show cg1593 with flash
                                        pause 3
                                        "Andras laughed mockingly at the display, picking up speed until Rowan felt the demon's warm seed shoot deep inside of him."
                                        "It was too much for the human, who soiled the front of the skimpy dance outfit with ropes of hot jizz. Rowan's ass squeezed tight, savoring the feel of Andras's violent thrusts as the hero finished cumming."
                                        "Then Rowan found himself on the floor, discarded and forgotten as Andras picked up his beer."
                                        "Rowan began to scoop up his own clothes from their remaining pile on the floor, but Andras's voice stopped him."
                                        an "Hey! You're not done yet– there's another song coming on!"
                                        "The band seemed to pick up on this, immediately delving into a fast-paced tune."
                                        "Rowan grit his teeth but readjusted his cloth and climbed back up onto the table for the next dance."
                                        scene cg1589 with fade
                                        pause 3

                                    "Continue dancing.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        "Rowan pretended not to see the gesture, quickly averting his gaze as he jumped into another song, his feet slapping against the tabletop."

                            "It wasn't until Rowan– in his exhaustion– stepped onto a plate and slipped right off of the table, landing hard against the floor. Plates and mugs slid off the table in his tumble, drenching him in ale and half-eaten meat and fruit."
                            "Rowan grimaced as pain shot through his legs and ass. He could already feel the blisters forming on his feet, ass sore from his harsh landing."
                            "Uproarious laughter echoed through the room, drawing the attention of several nearby orcs and courtesans. Rowan ducked his head, mortified, as he scrambled up to his feet."
                            "He could still hear their laughter as he fled the room. Rowan refused to participate in this nonsense any longer, and it didn't seem Andras cared to call him back– the demon was too busy wheezing with laughter, almost doubled over on his cushions."
                            "The hero's fall couldn't have been {i}that{/i} funny, but clearly the demon disagreed."
                            scene black with fade
                            "Rowan shed the whore's clothing off as soon as he reached the baths and dunked himself in the hot water. It would take a long time to wash away the memory of that party."
                            return

                        "Serve drinks.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ revelryChoice = "drinks"
                            "One courtesan leaned low over a group of orcs with another tray of drinks, her breasts barely hidden behind a thin piece of cloth."
                            "Drinks. Rowan could deliver drinks."
                            "Before she could pass the next mug, Rowan took the tray from her hands."
                            ro "Let me help you."
                            "The whore regarded him curiously but nodded her thanks, passing the tray off just before an orc yanked her onto his lap. Rowan didn't stick around to see if she was still appreciative of his help, but he did hear a distinct moan behind him as he left."
                            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                                "Rowan weaved in and out of the crowds, passing mugs of ale and leaving to refill them as needed. Andras took advantage of this, constantly ordering more beer despite the full mugs on the table in front of him."
                                "There was no use in trying to keep the thin fabric between his legs as he bent over to place the mugs on the table, his ass and cock exposed with every slight breeze."
                                "The orcs and Andras whistled at him with amusement, their mockery drowning out the festive sounds of the revelry around them."
                            else:
                                "Rowan slowly paced on the outer wings of the party, occasionally passing an ale and refilling the drinks as needed. He kept himself away from the center of the festivities, content to watch– and stay hidden– from the sidelines."
                                "Until Andras caught sight of him."
                                an "BITCH! DRINKS OVER HERE!"
                                "Rowan struggled to contain his humiliation as he approached, careful to keep the thin fabric between his legs as he bent over to set drinks on the table."
                                "It was a useless effort– even the slightest breeze sent the fabric waving, and heat rushed through Rowan's face as Andras and the orcs whistled at him with every indecent exposure."
                            if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                                "Rowan could feel the demon's eyes trailing over his body with every slight movement, delighting in the way the hero's cock involuntarily stiffened at the slightest movement."
                                "The hero tried to avoid the demon's gaze, focusing on setting drinks on the table, but as soon as he felt Andras's finger peel away the thin cloth to get a better view of his ass."
                                menu:
                                    "Give in to Andras.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
                                        #$ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                                        #$ rowanGaySex += 1
                                        $ revelryAndrasSex = True
                                        "Rowan's breath hitched, anticipating the demon's next move. He should walk away now, get out of the ballroom while he still could."
                                        "But maybe he didn't want to."
                                        "Andras's fingers were on his hips then, yanking him down onto his stiff cock. Rowan squirmed, the feeling of the demon's thick erection pressed against him sending a thrill through his body."
                                        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                                            ro "You're not going to– In front of all these people–"
                                            an "{i}Shut up.{/i}"
                                            "Andras bit the hero's ear and Rowan snapped his mouth shut, equally mortified and aroused as Andras spread his legs apart."
                                            scene black with fade
                                            show andras smirk behind black
                                            show rowan necklace aroused behind black
                                            "The orcs were laughing at him, Rowan could see it in their faces that they loved to see him taken down a peg, but it was hard to pay attention to them when he was too focused on Andras spreading Rowan's ass cheeks apart before he thrusted inside."
                                            ro "{i}Fuck!{/i}"
                                            "Rowan tossed his head back in a moan, shame coloring his cheeks as Andras fucked him from behind, making a show of it for the boisterous soldiers."
                                            "Everything was exposed, from the hero's stiff, throbbing cock to his gaping asshole every time Andras pulled out–which was as often as he pounded deeper inside. Rowan bounced on the demon's lap, a prisoner to Andras's whims as he was humiliated before the orcish army."
                                            "Pleasure fought with mortification as Andras grunted underneath him, and Rowan had to grip the demon's thighs so he wouldn't fall off."
                                            "The hero's breath quickened as ecstasy built up within him, and Rowan bit back a moan as Andras's hand wrapped around the hero's stiff cock, pumping him over the edge."
                                            "Cum shot out onto the coffee table and a few orcs cried out, moving their beers before they became contaminated. Rowan's ass squeezed tight, savoring the feel of Andras's violent thrusts as the hero finished cumming."
                                            "Andras laughed mockingly at the display, picking up speed until Rowan felt the demon's warm seed shoot deep inside of him. "
                                            "Then Rowan found himself on the floor, discarded and forgotten as Andras picked up his beer."
                                            "Rowan began to scoop up his own clothes from their remaining pile on the floor, but Andras's voice stopped him."
                                            an "Hey! You're not done yet– get me another one!"
                                            "Andras raised his empty glass, as did several other orcs as they demanded more. Rowan grit his teeth but yanked on the courtesan's cloth and grabbed his tray."

                                    "Get out of there":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        "Anticipating the demon's next move, Rowan stepped to the side and used the mug tray as a shield. Andras laughed alongside the orcs, their voices mocking as the hero ducked his head and rushed to the next table."

                            scene black with fade
                            "It took everything Rowan had to continue with the charade until Andras was too drunk to care, and then he slipped out of the ballroom at the nearest opportunity."
                            return

    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue.rpy
label whitescarSecondDialogue_rp:

    $ whitescarName = "Whitescar"
    $ passCheck = "success"
    $ whitescarFlirted = False

    #"Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    #menu:
    #    "Yes - Skip":
    #        $ wither = 0
    #        jump faeSaviour_rp
    #    "No - From the start":
    #        pass
    
    "Pass all of the skill checks? Failing checks alters the scene."
    menu:
        "Yes (Outcome #1 with CG)":
            pass
        "No (Outcome #2)":
            $ passCheck = "fail"

    #"Do you wish to meet Whitescar in the forest?"

    #menu:
        #"Yes.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #pass

        #"#No.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #return

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan picked his way through the clinging brambles of the forest, striking off in no particular direction. The Fae was somewhere out here, he just had to find him."
    "The forest outside of Bloodmeen was not especially large, but he soon lost himself amongst the dense thickets, leaving the well-worn trail far behind him."

    hide rowan with moveoutright
    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "After nearly an hour of fruitless hiking, Rowan came to a suspiciously conspicuous clearing."
    "The grass all around had been flattened, deep track marks in the shape of a wolf’s paw matted the ground. The prints were larger than Rowan’s foot, and were spaced as if Whitescar had been stomping around."
    "A large spot of grass had been flattened completely, where the white wolf had evidently curled up to sleep. It was all so…"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Obvious. Too obvious. Rowan had been meant to find this place."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "He resisted the urge to call out for Whitescar, his instincts telling him that the Fae would likely not appreciate the attention it might bring. This was a test - or rather, a challenge."

    $ whitescarMenuCount = 0
    $ wolfTracksSeen = False
    $ investigateBeddingSeen = False
    $ checkThePerimeterSeen = False

    label trackWhitescarMenu_rp:

    if whitescarMenuCount == 3:
        jump postWhitescarMenu_rp
    else:
        pass

    menu:
        "Examine the Wolf’s tracks." if wolfTracksSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ whitescarMenuCount += 1
            $ wolfTracksSeen = True
            "There had been a light rain recently: the ground was porous and still dark in some places. Whitescar’s long, loping strides had churned up the grass with soggy mud."
            "The tracks themselves weaved about the clearing in a vague, circuitous pattern. Not quite a circle, as some of the footsteps had cut back in on the interior of the pattern, creating a looping pattern through the undergrowth. He’d been pacing."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("survival", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "Rowan took a closer look at the tracks, his brow furrowing as he noticed a few discrepancies."
                "The footprint was shallow at the toes and deeper in the back, as if he’d put all his weight onto his heel rather than stepping as he normally would."
                "That made no sense, unless…"
                ro "Wait, it couldn’t be."
                "Rowan knew what these tracks meant. How could he not? He’d pulled the same trick during the war with Karnas."
                "At the Battle of Deadman’s Pass, he and his men had marched backwards over their own tracks for over an hour to fool the vanguard of the demon army into thinking they’d retreated further down the trail."
                "When the Orcs came charging down the slope in pursuit of what they thought was a broken foe in full flight, they were ambushed from above by a barrage of rocks, arrows and scalding magefire. They never did take the pass."
                "Whitescar hadn’t gone out of the clearing with these tracks, he’d been walking into it."
                $ reverseTracks = True
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp
            else:
                $ reverseTracks = False
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp

        "Investigate the bedding." if investigateBeddingSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ whitescarMenuCount += 1
            $ investigateBeddingSeen = True
            "Rowan got down on one knee and inspected the dry, flattened grass where Whitescar had lain."
            "The spot was strategically placed: the tall grass that surrounded it made it hard to spot from afar. Stray brush had been cleared away from the area, bushes pulled out by their roots and tossed into the undergrowth."
            "The Wolf had wanted freedom of movement in all directions, the means to react to any unexpected ambush."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "Rowan spotted something twinkling on the ground. He bent down, gently pulling it free of the clinging strands of tallgrass."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                "It was a necklace, made of delicate silver links sized for a human’s neck. At the end of it hung a predator’s claw, black as smoke, sharper than a dagger and half as long as his hand."
                "Rowan stared at the thing. The claw was larger than any animal that could possibly live in these woods, but too thin and slender to be Whitescar’s. It was old, possibly decades old; it had already begun to calcify."
                "Rowan felt the weight of the thing in his hands. This was a thing of sentiment, of passion and care."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Left behind in his bedding."
                menu:
                    "Wear the necklace.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "It couldn’t be a coincidence, this strange bit of jewelry’s presence. The only logic Rowan could surmise for it being here at all was that it was deliberately left for him to find. Why else would the Fae have discarded it so callously?"
                        "After a moment's hesitation, he put the thing around his neck. No terrible magic emerged from it, no painful spell or mystical glamour. He gingerly tried to take it off his head again, and found it easy enough to remove."
                        "Rowan let out a soft sigh of relief and put it back on it again."
                        $ necklaceWorn = True
                    "Pocket the necklace.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        "Fae magic was a mystery to Rowan. But if he had learned {i}anything{/i} from his time spent serving the Twins, it was to not trust the mundanity of potentially magical objects. Necklaces especially."
                        "Still, it was more than passing strange that such a thing just {i}happened{/i} to be sitting amongst the Wolf’s bedding. A sign perhaps? Maybe a clue? If it was either of these things, Rowan did not have the wit to decipher it."
                        $ necklaceWorn = False
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp
            else:
                $ necklaceWorn = False
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp

        "Check the perimeter." if checkThePerimeterSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ whitescarMenuCount += 1
            $ checkThePerimeterSeen = True
            "Rowan circled the edge of the tree line, examining the brush as he did so. Whitescar’s tracks littered the area, moving off into the woods in several directions. He stopped short at a far end of the clearing when he spotted something odd."
            "A juvenile branch from a low hanging tree, snapped wholesale from its base and left hanging by a thread, like some mutilated soldier’s arm."
            "Too large a break to be made by a small animal. Possibly a deer, but even so it would have had to be moving very fast to snap such a thick branch in twain."
            "Rowan looked up at the sky, then down at the ground. Fresh tracks led past the branch into the woods beyond."
            "West… the tracks moved west."
            "Strange. Rowan had explored this area before. That direction led to a mountain stream that fed from a nearby gulley. Steep going, and a poor place to reach drinking water."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("survival", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "Rowan took a closer look at the branch. The break was stranger than at first glance: it looked like it had been broken from a heavy force pressing down on it, not knocked aside by a passing animal."
                "Acting on a hunch, Rowan circled the tree, looking it up and down for any other oddities."
                "There, halfway up the tree: claw marks. Faint but unmistakable, as if a bear had been scaling the trunk."
                $ wolfInTrees = True
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp
            else:
                $ wolfInTrees = False
                jump trackWhitescarMenu_rp

    label postWhitescarMenu_rp:

    "A predator. That’s what Whitescar was. Rowan’s initial wariness of the Fae had been well founded: he’d just entered the beast’s territory… and he was upwind."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "A {i}snap{/i} in the undergrowth caused Rowan to spin around, pivoting on his heel as his hand went subconsciously to his sword."
    "A heartbeat passed. He let out a soft sigh."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…Nothing to it but to continue."

    menu:
        "Follow the tracks":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan decided that the best option available to him was to follow the tracks to their source. He set off into the woods, picking his way through the brambles and brush to follow the Fae’s tracks."
            scene black with fade
            "..."
            scene bg3 with fade
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "It became increasingly evident that Rowan was being led through the roughest country available. The tracks seemed to weave about the forest in a frustratingly circuitous pattern, impossible to predict but painful to pursue. More than once he caught his cloak and clothing upon stray thorns, clinging branches and grasping roots."
            "By the time he reached the sharp slope of the gully he was winded, cuts and scratches covering his exposed skin. The tracks went downwards so Rowan followed, determined now more than ever to find their owner."
            "He picked his way down the rocky incline with care, nearly slipping several times as the loose gravel beneath his feet gave way. He reached the bottom of the gully panting, out of breath and covered in sweat and loose dirt."
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            "-And then a white avalanche descended from the canopy above."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 100, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                pass
            else:
                "Rowan tried to leap out of the way, but he was trapped. The steep heights of the gully pinned him in place, and the uneven rocks at the base of the stream tripped him up."
                #whitescar angry
                show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                "The full weight of the wolf landed in front of him. The most terrifying part of it was how silent he was: as hulking a beast as Whitescar was, there was barely a thump as his paws hit the ground."
                "The wolf seized Rowan by his shoulders before he could draw his weapon, shoving him up against the gully’s slope and pinning him in place. He snarled, exposing his long canines, sharper than daggers in his maw."
                ro "..."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Hello, Whitescar."
                whit "Foolish. Unobservant. Do you follow your masters with such blind credulity?"
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "I thought the point was to find you."
                "Whitescar snarled, snapping his jaws in Rowan’s face."
                whit "Then you mistook the test that was in front of you. I thought you were a hunter."
                ro "I’m not out looking for quail."
                whit "And yet you approached {i}me{/i} with the same callous disregard as if you were. Stupid. Dangerous."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "You’re not going to kill me. You need me."
                whit "{i}Your{/i} worth is yet to be determined."
                "After a long, tense staredown, the wolf finally let him go. He stepped back, rising to his full height."
                show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright
                whit "The trap was obvious, I herded you into the gully like a freshborn fawn. Did you not see the signs?"
                ro "I thought it strange, but my focus was elsewhere."
                whit "Your attention should be on the present."
                $ whitescarFavour -= 2

        "Follow the tracks backwards." if reverseTracks:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Whitescar’s tracks were not to be trusted. Odds were good that wherever they were leading him, it was exactly where Whitescar wanted him to go. Rowan was not about to be outfoxed."
            "He entered the treeline, working backwards from the false trail as he picked his way through the underbrush."
            "The fakeness of the pawprints became twice as evident once he lost sight of the clearing: the tracks went from long, loping strides to short, sharp steps one after the other, as if the Wolf had been looking over his shoulder the entire time he’d been walking."
            "Rowan hurried after them, now certain he’d made the right call."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "There was a sudden shift in the air.  Something… changed. Rowan felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end."
                "He stopped dead, his ears straining to notice anything out of the ordinary, but all he heard was the wind in the trees."
                "…And the gentle {i}snap{/i} of a branch far above him."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if passCheck == "success":
                    #rowan combat
                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Rowan threw himself to the left, rolling and drawing his sword in one swift movement. A white blur landed where he’d been standing mere moments before."
                    "Despite his hulking size, Whitescar was nearly silent, his feet making only the softest {i}thud{/i} as he hit the ground and leapt at him."
                    show whitescar neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
                    "Rowan swiped at his face, attempting to ward him off, but the wolf was too quick. Whitescar grabbed his sword hand by the wrist and yanked his arm high above his head, pinning him in place."
                    "Rowan tensed for white jaws to close around his neck, but the wolf merely tilted his head."
                    whit "…You avoided my trap. Clever."
                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "Next time, even out the weight distribution of your footsteps. A good tracker can spot the difference."
                    "Whitescar let out a low chuckle. It almost sounded like a growl."
                    whit "A good hunter also knows his limitations when pursuing prey."
                    ro "I’ll admit, I didn’t expect you to be agile enough to hide in the treetops."
                    whit "Fae are not bound by your world’s limitations. It is a danger to take heed of in the future."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "…May I have my arm back?"
                    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright
                    "Whitescar released his iron grip on Rowan’s wrist, stepping back so that the erstwhile hunter could sheathe his blade."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 2
                else:
                    "Rowan tried to leap out of the way, but he reacted too slowly. Whitescar pounced on him, the heavy weight of his body enshrouding Rowan in pale-as-snow fur as he was pinned to the forest floor."
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    "It had all happened in an instant. The most terrifying thing was how {i}silent{/i} Whitescar had been; he had landed on the forest floor with barely a {i}thud{/i}."
                    "Rowan struggled in vain to free himself. The wolf regarded him for a long moment, his teeth bared as if to bite."
                    whit "…Hmh. A mixed success."
                    whit "Canny enough to recognize the false tracks for what they were, but surprisingly inattentive in the moment."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "…You got the drop on me."
                    "Whitescar’s sharp yellow eyes held to him with an unwavering intensity."
                    whit "Wits without instinct is like wisdom without knowledge. Frail. Half-formed."
                    ro "I think I’d like to get up now."
                    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright
                    "Whitescar stood up and stretched, loping a few steps about as if to test the strength of his legs. Rowan picked himself up off the ground, shaken but otherwise unharmed."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 1
            else:
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "It was only when the dark shadow fell upon him that Rowan realized his mistake."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if passCheck == "success":
                    "Rowan blind-leapt to his right, slamming his shoulder into a stone as he skidded across the forest floor. The sound of a thud could be heard behind him, right where he’d been but a moment before."
                    "Rowan scrambled forward, pitching himself over a small cleft made by the advancing roots of an ancient tree that had lifted the soil, landing hard on the ground below."
                    "A snarl followed him, and he spun around to face his foe, drawing his sword as he did so. "
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "It never left his scabbard. The beast grabbed him by the elbow, pinning him in place even as he landed with his full weight in front of him, denying all escape."
                    "The two shared a tense staredown."
                    ro "Whitescar."
                    whit "Rowan."
                    ro "Fancy meeting you here."
                    whit "It seems my sudden appearance has startled you."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "My bowels might have loosened a bit in the interim, yes."
                    ro "…I take it you don’t intend to gut me?"
                    whit "Had I intent to harm, I’d have made your end far quicker than that."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Thanks, I guess?"
                    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright
                    "Whitescar nodded at him, releasing his grip on Rowan’s sword arm. Rowan kept his hand on his hilt as he stood to his feet."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Quite the dramatic entrance."
                    whit "Theatrics are for the Midnight Court. I was merely testing you."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "Seems to be a common theme for both enemies and allies, these days."
                    whit "At the moment, we are neither."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 1
                else:
                    "Rowan managed to take a single, faltering step before a white mountain collapsed upon him. He felt the weight of something huge slam into his back, arms the width of tree trunks encircling him and pinning him in place."
                    "He was helpless, unable to wriggle free or reach his sword."
                    "A wolf growled in his ear."
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    whit "You would do well to trust your instincts more. Mere tracking skills are not enough to hunt a Fae."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "If my intent was to hunt you, I’d have come better prepared."
                    whit "Then you did not come prepared."
                    ro "I’m not here to play games."
                    "Whitescar’s arms clenched around Rowan’s body, hard enough for him to gasp at the pressure."
                    #whitescar angry
                    whit "It is {i}never{/i} a game when the Fae are in conflict!"
                    #whitescar neutral
                    whit "I am not scolding you, I am {i}warning{/i} you: do not take us lightly."
                    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with moveoutright
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "The grip on Rowan’s chest loosened. He stepped forward out of Whitescar’s grip and turned to face him. The wolf made no attempt to attack."
                    whit "You noticed my trap."
                    ro "The tracks? Of course I did. I pulled the same trick myself during the war with Karnas."
                    whit "Then why did you not notice {i}me{/i}?"
                    ro "To be perfectly honest? Given your size, I didn’t think you nimble enough."
                    whit "A lesson then: my kind are more than what the eye perceives."


        "Follow the tracks, keeping an eye on the canopy." if wolfInTrees:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Keeping a wary eye on the canopy above him, Rowan followed the tracks. He set off into the woods, taking care to avoid seeming too conspicuous with his upward gazing."
            scene black with fade
            "..."
            scene bg3 with fade
            "It became increasingly evident that Rowan was being led through the roughest country available. The tracks seemed to weave about the forest in a frustratingly circuitous pattern, impossible to predict but painful to pursue. More than once he caught his cloak and clothing upon stray thorns, clinging branches and grasping roots."
            "By the time he reached the sharp slope of the gully he was winded, cuts and scratches covering his exposed skin. He paused at the edge of the slope, peering down into the rocky stream below."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "And then he heard it: a slight rustling in the leaves far above, so subtle he almost dismissed it as the wind."
                "Whitescar was waiting for him."
                "Rowan made a great show of looking to his left and right, peering around as if seeking an optimal way down the slope. As he looked he turned his eyes upward without lifting his head, peering into the canopy in hopes of spotting his quarry."
                "…There. {i}There{/i}! A tuft of white amidst a sea of shifting green. It was just ahead of him, looming over the gulley. If he descended into that pit, he would have nowhere to run."
                "Rowan had to try something more cunning: he would have to bait the beast into springing his trap early."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "And what better bait than seemingly clumsy prey?"
                "Rowan descended the slope as if he were in a rush, his steps fast and harried as he scrambled down the embankment."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if passCheck == "success":
                    "A quarter of the way down he bumped his foot against a rock, sending it rolling down the hill in a cloud of dirt and gravel. With a shout of surprise Rowan tipped forward, his arms pinwheeling as he sold the bumbling masquerade."
                    "The trees above him roiled in anger, and Rowan made his move."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Rowan found his footing with a desperate, rolling sidestep, only just catching himself from actually collapsing down the hill. He turned and sprinted upwards, finding a relatively flat part on the hillside with which to plant his footing."
                    #rowan combat
                    "The ruse worked: Whitescar landed a half dozen steps beneath him, right where his prey had been faux-falling. Rowan drew his sword and faced the Fae, secure now on the high ground."
                    "Whitescar looked at him for a moment, bent his legs and leapt the uphill distance between them. Rowan raised his sword but the wolf simply backhanded it away."
                    show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with dissolve
                    "He caught Rowan’s arm as he landed, pinning him. The two stared at each other."
                    whit "You wriggled from my snare. Clever. Resourceful."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "I know an ambush when I see one."
                    whit "Nonetheless, you underestimate me. Springing a trap early still springs the trap."
                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "Would you prefer I’d blundered into it?"
                    "The wolf let out a huff, then released his grip on Rowan."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 2
                else:
                    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                    "A quarter of the way down his foot caught against a rock, the ruse becoming reality. He fell forward, arms flailing."
                    "His face connected hard with something white and fluffy, the weight of his fall buffeted by a figure who seemed to appear as if from nowhere. Rowan felt a sharp claw jab gently against his back."
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    whit "You would have broken your nose had I not intervened. Clumsy. Foolhardy."
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    whit "If you cannot conquer a hillside, how do you expect to face me?"
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    "Rowan - his pride shaken - pulled away from Whitescar’s grasp, scowling."
                    ro "I saw you in the canopy. I was trying to draw you out."
                    whit "A failed deception is merely a mistake. Intent does not spare you the consequences."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 1
            else:
                "His eyes drifted upwards, straining to see some sign of his quarry in the trees above, but it was an impenetrable sea of green. He was back to square one."
                "Frustrated, Rowan kicked a small pebble down into the gully. It cracked against a rock halfway down, then tumbled into the water below."
                ro "Son of a-"
                show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
                "The snapping of a twig far above was the only warning he got. Rowan looked up, and saw a white avalanche descending from the canopy like a mountain collapsing upon him."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if passCheck == "success":
                    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Rowan only just managed to fall back onto the ground, dodging the Fae’s swiping grasp by inches. He rolled on his shoulder to his feet as the beast leapt at him once more, his hulking size belying his terrifying speed."
                    "Rowan squared his shoulders, feinting backwards then throwing himself to the left to avoid Whitescar’s mad charge. It bought him just enough time to draw his sword, holding it level to Whitescar’s nose to ward off any attempt to bite him. "
                    "Whitescar paused, then let out a grunt."
                    whit "Quick. Fine reflexes. But inattentive."
                    "Whitescar’s arm snapped forward, his hand closing about Rowan’s blade and yanking it from his grip. His strength was terrifying; it was as if he’d pulled a stick out of a toddler’s grasp."
                    "Whitescar inspected the sword for a moment, then tossed it aside."
                    whit "You let impatience cloud your judgment."
                    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                    ro "I didn’t come here expecting to have to track a Fae."
                    whit "Adaptation is as important to the hunt as preparation."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 1
                else:
                    show whitescar neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Rowan fell backwards as the Fae pounced on him, his long, black claws unsheathed. He hit the ground the same time Whitescar did, pinned beneath his weight."
                    "He was helpless, prey beneath the wolf’s gaping maw."
                    "The wolf growled at him."
                    whit "You disappoint me."
                    ro "…What?"
                    whit "All that tracking, all that {i}looking{/i}, and yet still you fell for my trap. Careless. Wasteful."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "I took you for an ambassador. I thought we were here to talk politics."
                    "Whitescar snarled."
                    #whitescar angry
                    whit "Do you think the same rules do not apply? The strong prey on the weak, the cunning outmaneuver the stupid, and the survivor avoids pitfalls."
                    whit "Life and death! This is ‘politics.’"
                    ro " A fine speech. May I stand?"
                    "Whitescar growled, but relented, rising up off of him and prowling about in sharp circles. Rowan picked himself up off the ground slowly."

        "Follow the tracks backwards, keeping an eye on the canopy." if reverseTracks and wolfInTrees:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Whitescar’s tracks were not to be trusted, neither forwards nor backwards. Both were a trap, as the beast had taken to the treetops to avoid detection."
            "Whitescar was cunning. Odds were that his eyes were on him even as he set off into the woods."
            "But Rowan was a hunter too. And now he knew what awaited him, he was ready to face him."
            "He entered the treeline, working backwards from the false trail as he picked his way through the underbrush."
            "The fakeness of the pawprints became twice as evident once he lost sight of the clearing: the tracks went from long, loping strides to short, sharp steps one after the other, as if the Wolf had been looking over his shoulder the entire time he’d been walking."
            "Rowan slowed his pace, casting his gaze about as if looking to his left and right, whilst subtly glancing up with his eyes to peer at the canopy."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "A snap of a branch far above alerted Rowan to the Fae’s presence. He was close, {i}dangerously{/i} close."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "Rather than give away his awareness, Rowan lowered his gaze, glancing about the area in search of strategic terrain."
                "To his right was a small hillock, formed from a large oak’s ancient roots rising up out of the ground and creating a small hallow. It wasn’t much, but it might buy him enough time."
                "He waited, acting for all the world as if he had lost himself in studying the tracks at his feet. His ears strained with the effort of listening."
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "There: the subtle shift in the leaves above him. The straining {i}creak{/i} of wood being shifted with weight. Rowan was off and running before he’d fully processed it."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                show whitescar neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                "He leapt over the small hillock, landing in the shelter of the hollow just as he heard a soft {i}thud{/i} of weighty paws upon the ground."
                "He’d timed his escape perfectly: Whitescar had dropped from the canopy above, losing sight of Rowan for a few, precious seconds in the leaves. Now he didn’t know where he was."
                "The wolf glanced this way and that, momentarily nonplused. However, the Fae’s gaze turned sharply upon the hillock, and he bared his fangs."
                #rowan combat
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
                show whitescar neutral at midleft with moveinleft
                "The wolf charged forward on all fours, crossing the distance in an instant. Rowan waited for as long as he dared, then drew his sword, rising up from his hiding place and stabbing with all his might at the beast’s-"
                whit "{i}WAIT!{/i}"
                "At the final instant Whitescar’s massive paw closed tight around the edge of the blade, stopping its deadly intent as if Rowan had suddenly struck stone."
                "The two stood there for a long moment, Rowan’s sword mere inches from Whitescar’s heart."
                "The wolf’s teeth peeled back, greeting Rowan with a crooked smile."
                whit "Your reputation holds true, slayer of Karnas. You are a formidable opponent. Inventive. Audacious."
                "Rowan tried to tug the sword out of the Fae’s fingers, but his grip was like iron. Frustrated, he relented but kept his grasp on the hilt."
                show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve
                ro "-For all the good it did me. This sword was never a threat to you, you could have attacked me any time you chose."
                whit "Irrelevant. My victory is a hollow one, borne only from my blatant physical advantages."
                whit "You {i}outthought{/i} me, and that is all the difference."
                show whitescar neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
                "The wolf released his grip on Rowan’s sword and stepped backwards, rising to his full height. He glanced down at his monstrous paw, where a small cut had formed, causing a trickle of blood to dribble onto the earth."
                whit "May we never meet as foes, Hero of Rosaria. My kind would dread the outcome."
                $ whitescarFavour += 4
            else:
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                "Rowan peered into the trees, attempting to ascertain the exact location of his prey. Only too late did he spot the color of white clashing with green, far above."
                "He heard the rustling of tree branches, and leapt to one side, drawing his sword in the length of a breath."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                show whitescar neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft
                "The only sound the wolf made was a soft {i}thud{/i} as he landed upon the leaf-strewn earth, and then the Fae was upon him."
                "Whitescar pounced, bouncing forth on all fours as he reached out to claw at Rowan. With ample warning, Rowan backpedaled, swiping his sword downward to make space between them. The wolf recoiled, his yellow eyes glaring at Rowan as the mortal took careful sidesteps, planting his feet for the next attack."
                "The wolf leapt forward, then juked at the last moment. Rowan was ready for it, swinging his blade in the direction of where his neck was headed."
                "But Whitescsr was too fast. He lifted his massive paw and slashed forward himself. His long, black claw caught the blade and turned it, yanking it from Rowan’s grasp."
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with dissolve
                "Disarmed, Rowan tensed, ready for the grisly kill. But the wolf paused, his head turning as they stared each other down."
                whit "Never let my kind get so close. It doesn’t matter if you avoid the first attack."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                ro "I was hoping I had more time to fool you."
                whit "A common mistake, Fae are faster than we look. If I am close enough to be seen, then I am {i}far{/i} too close."
                "The wolf straightened, relaxing his shoulders. Rowan lowered his sword."
                whit "You noticed my false tracks, and was aware of my presence in the trees. Impressive. Encouraging."
                whit "Few mortals are capable of tracking a Fae, much less face one in combat."
                $ whitescarFavour += 2

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    if necklaceWorn:
        "Whitescar’s eyes shifted, narrowing upon Rowan’s neck."
        whit "…You bear my former self’s claw."
        "Rowan glanced down, realizing what the Fae was referring to."
        ro "I found it whilst scouting your camp. It seemed too deliberate for you to have intentionally left behind."
        whit "That is a token."
        ro " Of what?"
        whit "Favour."
        whit "A glimmer of a bygone time. It is… personal to me."
        ro "In what regard?"
        "The wolf gave him a sharp, yellow-eyed glare."
        whit "You found it in my bedding, did you not?"
        ro "You don’t strike me as the sentimental sort."
        whit "Why, because I am blunt? Stoic? I feel just like any other living thing. To deny one’s emotions is to deny one’s nature. Cold. Hollow."
        whit "It is the {i}acting{/i} on such things that makes sentimentality treacherous, not the feeling itself."
        ro "Is there a difference at that point?"
        whit "Of course there is. We choose the chains that bind our minds: be it emotions, memories, or our own appetites."
        whit "I choose to be bound by the Will of Sol, rather than my own flaws. At least then when I err, it is not my intentions that give me pause, but rather their outcome."
        ro "Whose necklace was it?"
        "Whitescar stared at him for a long moment, his expression inscrutable."
        whit "…My mate’s."
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Oh."
        ro "Did you… want it back?"
        "The wolf let out a soft growl, then turned away."
        whit "Keep it. He needs it no longer."
        $ whitescarFavour += 1
        menu:
            "And what if I sought your favour in a similar manner?":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "The wolf paused, half-turning to glare at Rowan with one yellow eye."
                whit "You do not understand what it is you ask."
                ro "I think I do. Perhaps it’s you who’s confused."
                "Whitescar turned on his heel to face him, eyes unwavering. He loped forward, closing the distance between them in an instant."
                #cg1
                scene cg1713 with fade
                show whitescar neutral behind cg1713
                show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1713
                pause 3
                "His hand went to Rowan’s chest, shoving him back against a tree. The hulking weight of his body came perilously close, his thick white fur looming in upon Rowan."
                "He heard a soft, threatening snarl in his ear."
                whit "Is this what you seek? Carnal distractions? Wasteful. Unproductive."
                whit "You are mortal. I am Fae. We are of a different kind."
                if whitescarFavour > 2:
                    $ whitescarFlirted = True
                    whit "What makes you think I would ever consider such… entanglements?"
                    ro "The fact that you are even asking my opinion speaks volumes."
                    whit "..."
                    ro "This necklace… it wasn’t worn by a Fae, was it?"
                    "Whitescar growled in a deep voice."
                    whit "Not all truths need be said aloud."
                    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1713
                    ro "-Nor does every “entanglement” need to be immediately or intimately productive."
                    ro "Maybe sometimes… passion is preferable to reason?"
                    "The wolf sized him up with a predatory glance. He leaned in, his snout coming level to Rowan’s ear. The hero shuddered at the feel of his hot breath tickling his cheek."
                    "The wolf took a deep inhale, then another. Sniffing him. Rowan’s breath caught in his throat."
                    whit "I can smell it on you. Fear. Excitement. You are rank with lust."
                    "The wolf took another deep sniff. Rowan’s heartbeat quickened."
                    whit "Reeking. Like a bitch rife with pheromones."
                    whit "Is that what you think of me? Some rutting beast enthralled to his instincts? Slavish. Unbecoming."
                    ro "Tempting, you mean."
                    "The wolf snorted, amused."
                    whit "Brave of you. Foolish too. I have given several warnings."
                    menu:
                        "Tempt him with a submissive grope.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            #cg2
                            show cg1714 with dissolve
                            pause 3
                            "Undeterred, Rowan reached beneath the beast’s tabard, groping at his nethers. The wolf did not shy away, but neither did he acknowledge the hands that wrapped around his furry sheath and gently cupped his balls."
                            whit "..."
                            ro "Nothing? Not even a wiggle?"
                            whit "Prey that throw themselves headlong into my mouth are not as toothsome as those that make me give chase."
                            ro "Maybe we can recreate your ambush then. See if you can catch me."
                            "The wolf huffed."
                            whit "As dangerous as you are, you do not realize the danger you are in."
                            ro "I’m getting an inkling. Thankfully, I prefer a bit of danger."
                        "I intend to tame you, not service you.":
                            # $ released_fix_rollback()
                            "Whitescar paused, nonplused by the bold statement. But the hesitation disappeared in an instant."
                            whit "My mate once tried to tame me. He howled for hours in the spring moonlight."
                            "Rowan grinned rakishly, taking a great fistful of Whitescar’s fur in his hand and pulling him closer. The wolf’s eyes wavered."
                            ro "A tempting mental image. Perhaps I can replicate it for you. In reverse."
                            "The wolf pulled away from him, turning his back deliberately and lifting his tail in sharp alertness. Rowan could not help but notice the Fae’s powerful thighs, his taut hindquarters."
                            whit "You seek the exotic, but I am sterner prey than you think."
                    "The Fae’s wolfish smile dissipated, turning to stone before Rowan’s eyes."
                    whit "But such indulgences will have to wait. That is not our purpose here today."
                    ro "And yet you indulged me."
                    whit "I am here to show you the truth of your masters’ corruption. All other engagements are trivial. Distracting."
                else:
                    whit "You waste my time with such empty frivolities."
                    ro "You found a mortal mate before, why not me as well?"
                    "Whitescar let out a sharp growl, baring his teeth at Rowan. The two glared at each other for a long moment."
                    whit "You will not speak of him."
                    "The wolf pulled away from him, shoving him back against the tree with a slight application of his strength. Whitescar stalked away, agitated by the confrontation."
                    whit "The hour grows long, and we have much to see. You sought proof of your masters’ foolishness? I have it at my claw tips."
                    $ whitescarFavour -= 1
            "Let’s get down to business, then.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Recognizing the uncomfortability of the subject to the Fae, Rowan err’d on the side of civility."
                ro "Well, I’m here now. Have you anything for it?"
                whit "The wound in the world? Yes, I have much to show you."
    else:
        ro "You’ve fought humans before."
        whit "I have hunted many things, humans least among them."
        whit "Your mages are particularly vulnerable. Too easy to intimidate, break their concentration. Spell-words mean nothing if one’s teeth are at your throat."
        menu:
            "You are a formidable warrior, Whitescar.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                whit "I am no warrior."
                ro "Your recent display would indicate otherwise."
                whit "War is the purview of the mortal races. My interest is in the spirit of this world, not the body. Lines on a map."
                ro "You’re too clever for me to believe that, Ambassador. If that were the full truth, you’d have killed the Twins outright."
                ro "You’re looking for a different kind of solution."
                "Whitescar kept his expression blank, but there was a twinkle in his yellow eye."
                whit "Perhaps."
                $ whitescarFavour += 1
            "Let's just get down to business.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "I’d prefer it if we kept our attention focused on the present."
                ro "What news do you bring? What evidence do you have of the leylines’ tampering?"
                "Whitescar gestured to the forest around them."
                whit "It is here. It is everywhere around us."
            "I'm sick and tired of Fae “testing” me.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "{i}You{/i} claimed to have evidence of the damage done to the leylines. I came here to hear you out."
                ro "If this was an attempt to intimidate me, it has failed. And if it was just a “test” or a “game,” then I don’t have time for it."
                ro "Where is your proof?"
                whit "Impatient. Petulant. Am I not wise to test the mettle of whom I treat with? These are consequential matters."
                ro "Not when it wastes my time."
                "Whitescar’s expression grew harsh, his eyes flaring."
                whit "You speak to me of time, mortal? It is your misbegotten masters who have caused such crisis."
                $ whitescarFavour -= 1

    ro "Then show me."

    "Whitescar stared at him a long moment, then he waved his right hand, twirling his claws in an intricate spiral. They began to glow, a gentle gleaming like refracted light upon water."

    whit "Have you never wondered as to how these wastes came to be?"

    "Rowan shrugged."

    ro " The Folly ripped open a hole in reality, exposing Solanse to the Planes of Chaos. Then Chaos flooded through, even children are taught this."

    "Whitescar shook his head, weaving the light around his claws into a strange, twisted knot of colour above him. It grew and stretched, looking like nothing so much as a narrow river, choked at its mouth."

    whit "A half truth. It is not chaos that was the doom of Rakshan. Chaos is a part of this world."
    whit "It is the {i}balance{/i} that is broken. Too much order, and the world becomes a painting. Too much chaos, and this wasteland is the result."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So the leylines maintain… ‘nature?’"

    whit "No. Far more than that."
    whit "The leylines are the veins of this world, and the souls within its blood. Pinch the veins on your arm for a time, and it falls asleep."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…But pinch the veins too long, and the arm goes dead."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro " Can you prove this claim?"

    whit "Not here, for this limb of the world is long dead, gnawed by locusts. "

    whit "-But there is a place where the Twin’s meddling has pinched tight, numbing the arm. Perhaps that limb can still be saved."

    ro "Take me there."
    ro "We can use the portal room, I’m sure the Twins would allow me to-"

    whit "Whitescar reached out and placed his hand heavy upon Rowan’s shoulder."

    scene white with fade
    show white with sshake

    "A whirlwind enshrouded Rowan, like a hurricane whipping across his eyes and blinding him to the world. A howling gale swept through his ears and drowned out all sound."
    "He felt… {i}movement{/i}, a terrifying rush forwards, as if being bodily lifted off the ground in a crowd. He was carried onwards by a current that swept him through the air in whirling, twirling pirouettes."
    "He felt his ears pop, his eyes going wide as that awful wind slipped behind his eyes, into his body like a tide of water. Rowan lost all semblance of space and time, his sense of balance doing backflips as he lost track of where he was."
    "Then, the keening winds abated. Reality reshaped itself into something tangible. The world stretched out beneath Rowan as if he were a bird soaring amongst the clouds."
    "There was a plummeting sensation, and the earth came rushing up to meet him. A golden meadow of wheat, with a village in the distance. That was where he would hit the ground. Rowan opened his mouth to scream, but no sound came out."
    "And all at once, the sensation ceased. He felt the weight of his feet touch ground again."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "Rowan fell to his knees and heaved, emptying the contents of his guts out as his senses whirled about in clouded stupor."
    "Whitescar stood next to him, a gentle breeze rustling his pale fur. He seemed unfazed, his thick shoulders straightening as he looked around."

    whit "We are here."

    "Rowan stood unsteadily to his feet, his legs shaking from the effort. He battled down a second wave of nausea as his stomach strained to reach equilibrium."

    ro "How-"
    ro "How did you do that?"

    whit "Fae magic. Did I not say? The Leylines are the body’s veins. And we, like drops of blood, may follow the flow."
    whit "It is trying for mortals… dangerous to do overmuch. But what you must see is necessary. Vital."

    "Rowan was still reeling with the implication of what Whitescar had just done when the blue gem around his neck flared to life."

    #jex shocked
    show jezera displeased behind bg3

    je "ROWAN!"
    je "What are you- {i}how did you do that?!{/i}"

    "Rowan - still dizzy with shock - put a trembling hand up to his necklace."

    ro "I… I met Whitescar in the woods outside the castle. He said he wanted to show me proof of that the famine was caused by-"

    #jez angry

    je "I’m not interested in a famine, Rowan! You just teleported halfway across the continent without my help, and I want to know how!"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I-I don’t know! Whitescar said he was going to take me there, grabbed me, and then… I was there."

    "There was a long silence from the other end of the necklace."

    show jezera neutral behind white

    je "And he just… “took you there?”"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I don’t know where I am, but Kharos take me, it isn't the Rakshan Wastes."

    "Another long silence. When she finally spoke, the tenor in Jezera’s voice dropped an octave, her tone growing deathly calm."

    show jezera displeased behind white

    je "Listen to me, Rowan: however far he tugs you, you’re on {i}my{/i} leash. With the snap of a finger I could have you back here and-"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I’m well aware of your abilities."

    je "Finish whatever you’re doing and return at once. I don’t like having to monitor you."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The mental connection cut off with an annoyed huff, and Rowan was left staring at the hulking Fae in front of him."

    whit "{i}…Hmh.{/i} So, my suspicions were true. You serve from coercion. A puppet."

    menu:
        "I am no one’s puppet.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            whit "When the Twins beckon, you grovel. That is submission. It is better to be honest with oneself than live in a delusion. The Fae know this better than anyone."
            whit "There are no chains more binding than the ones we place on ourselves."
            $ whitescarFavour -= 1

        "It’s more complicated than that.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            whit "Circumstances are rarely complicated. Nor are the choices available to us. It is our emotions that make it so."
            menu:
                "I believe in what the Twins are doing.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    whit "Strange for a master to chain their lapdog so tightly."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "The Twins are a paranoid sort. They want leverage to ensure my loyalty."
                    whit "And this does not give you pause?"
                    ro "The future we are working towards - {i}our{/i} future - is worthwhile. Even if for now it causes me… personal discomfort."
                    "The beast stared back at him, gold eyes glimmering pensively."
                    whit "Perhaps that future will feel more familiar than you think."
                    $ whitescarFavour -= 1

                "My wife is their prisoner as well":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "If I make the wrong call, her life is forfeit."
                    "To Rowan’s surprise, the wolf’s expression softened."
                    whit "A gutter tactic, the coward’s tool. More and more does Arzyl’s meddling make sense."
                    "The Fae’s long claw extended from his hand, pointing at the sapphire necklace around Rowan’s neck."
                    whit "She is bound as you are, I take it?"
                    "Rowan nodded. Whitescar let out a low growl."
                    whit "Craven. Conniving. You were right to steer me away from them; any deal made in good faith will be repaid with treachery."
                    whit "You do not deserve such indignity."
                    $ whitescarFavour += 1
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

                "I am biding my time.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    whit "A mousy way to proclaim that you are doing their bidding."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "The Twins are {i}Demons{/i}. More than just that, they’re the children of Karnas."
                    ro "By birth alone they’re some of the most dangerous beings in all of Solanse. Inhumanly fast, preternaturally strong, gifted with dark magics and able to recover from even the most grievous wounds."
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    ro "If I make one mistake, choose my moment poorly, trust the wrong people… I am worse than dead."
                    whit "Better to die honestly cursing their existence than to live like a rat, cursing your own."
                    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

        "I’m well aware of my situation.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            whit "-And yet you act as if you’re sleepwalking."
            whit "Are you waiting for the weather to change? The winds won’t abate simply because you hope they will."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan turned to leave, but the sound of a muffled growl gave him pause."

    #whitescar neutral

    whit "Wait."

    "Rowan turned to face the wolf."

    whit "My words may cut, but they are not meant to harm."
    whit "I fear you have fallen too deep into the thrall of those who would destroy you."

    ro " …They’d think even less of destroying {i}you{/i}. Why meet with me at all?"

    whit "Because I was like you, once. Until I was saved."

    "The wolf trotted past him, and Rowan hurried to keep up."

    hide whitescar with moveoutright
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene bg31 with fade
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Whitescar loped forward with the speed of a predator on the prowl. His gaze was fixed ahead of him, towards some unseen scent upon the wind. It was everything Rowan could do to keep up."
    "Rowan glanced around, feeling strangely ill at ease. The woods here were familiar, yet oddly alien. Trees hunched forward with a weary curve. The brush was thick with fallen leaves, and the branches were bare in many places, even though it was not Fall yet."

    ro "That light you projected earlier… those are the leylines?"

    whit "In a fashion. You cannot see it with the naked eye, just as you cannot “see” another’s spirit, or their dreams."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I hear tell that the Fae see plenty of other people’s dreams."

    "Whitescar stopped dead in his tracks, swiveling around in a sharp angle to glare at Rowan."

    whit "-And who told you that?"

    ro "I inferred it when one of your kind barged into my own."

    "Whitescar growled."

    whit "Do not call those disgusting vermin that grovel at the Witch’s feet my “kind.” They are more loathsome than the beasts of chaos you serve."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Why do you hate them so? The Midnight Court?"

    whit "Why do you hate the taste of carrion? Why does the stench of death disgust you? "
    whit "Now witness the corpse of those you once  respected rising up, shambling about, wheezing with vocal cords gnawed by maggots."
    whit "Watch them slither into the skin of a different creature entirely, speak to you with smiling, blood-caked sinew and warping flesh as their puppet."
    whit "Would you call them human, still? Would you call that gory lump of rotting meat friend?"
    whit "No. You’d call them ghouls."

    menu:
        "Point taken.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            whit "Hatred is a curious thing, Rowan. We can detest something that is evil, or even despise those whose beliefs are against our own."
            whit "But hate. {i}Hate{/i} can only come from those we loved as kin. Betrayers. False friends."
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Do you think they can be saved?"
            whit "Some. But much penance would be required. And avoiding consequences was their folly in the first place."
            $ whitescarFavour += 1

        "That’s an unfair comparison.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "A ghoul is an amalgamation of the dead. You are speaking of living, breathing beings, possessing their full consciousness and memories."
            whit "Then tell me what this waking stillness is."
            whit "Were you to linger on, a thousand years or more, would you think yourself immune to time and rot?"
            whit "A mortal mind would turn to stone, be made cold and pitiless by the passing of the ages, and of people."
            whit "Death is a part of life, and we are spirits of life. They run from its shadow, steal bodies and eat souls, all to evade the mundane."
            whit "You are right: it {i}is{/i} an unfair comparison; at least a ghoul does not pretend to be what they once were."

        "Ghouls or no, they are your kind.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            whit "-And what does ‘kind’ mean to you? Do you embrace a murderer? Forgive a thief? "
            whit "Should the mere fact that they are your “race” stir you to unquestioning loyalty? Strange bedfellows you’ve chosen, if so."
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "My point is that you speak of your fellow Fae with a hatred they don’t seem to share."
            whit "That the hatred is mutual is irrelevant. Unnecessary. They do not need to hate me to be hateable."
            whit "That they feign disinterest at all shows how far they have fallen. No true Fae would look at what they’ve done and not feel contempt. We are made by our choices."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Then perhaps they felt like they had none."
            whit "You do not understand. They, more than most things that live, understand the circumstances of their mortality. "
            $ whitescarFavour -= 1

    "Whitescar let out a harsh exhale."

    whit "Enough of this wind. The {i}Bregac-Fae{/i} are not the reason for this journey. "
    whit "Come."

    #cg3
    scene cg1715 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1715
    show whitescar neutral behind cg1715
    pause 3

    "They cleared the last stand of trees, and emerged onto a wide plain. Spread out before them was a vast farmland, gentle hills of well-tilled soil etched in orderly rows, end upon end upon end."
    "Whitescar lifted his gaze, his expression grimly stoic."

    whit "A tragedy."

    ro "What, this? A fallow field? "
    ro "This is what we came for?"

    whit "Pay attention. What do you see?"

    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1715

    "Rowan looked closer, narrowing his gaze upon the rolling hills, the row upon row of ploughed dirt."

    ro "I’m no farmer, but… that is a {i}lot{/i} of empty farmland."

    ro "Is this some nobleman’s estate?"

    whit "It belongs to a village north of what you call the “Yael” River."

    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1715

    ro "A {i}single village{/i} tilled this? The hills are nearly bald!"

    whit "Desperation makes mortals move mountains."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind cg1715

    ro "Goddess, they had to have been working on it for weeks on end."

    whit "Months. Man, woman, and child. Bakers and butchers and blacksmiths. Weavers and masons and hunters alike."

    ro "To what end?"

    whit "Survival. What else?"
    whit "Six harvests ago, your Mistress Jezera’s meddling began to have an effect upon this region."
    whit "It was subtle. At first only the Fae and the local nature spirits noticed the quivering in the air."

    #cg3 - var 1
    show cg1716 with flash
    pause 3

    "Whitescar cast his hand out, and his claws began to glow. The wavy, curling light above appeared again. This time, it was a healthy flow, a gentle river in its course."

    whit "Like a slow infection it took time to worsen. The mortals only noticed it several harvests later, when their expected “bumper crop” turned out to be almost half the normal yield."

    #cg3 - var 2
    show cg1717 with flash
    pause 3

    "The glowing energy above the barren field rippled and contorted, like two snakes coiling together."

    whit "They could not discern the cause: there had been plenty of rain, and not a single insect infestation. The plants were healthy, and then they just {i}died{/i}."
    whit "They skipped their harvest festival that year, offering prayers and sacrifices to your Goddess. They would have been better off praying to Sol."

    #cg3 - var 3
    show cg1718 with flash
    pause 3
    
    "Whitescar gestured with his hand, and now the energies took on a frenetic pace, like a restive fog rolling down a mountaintop."

    whit "By next years’ harvest it became obvious that something was very, very wrong. The yield was so low that they had to sell most of it just to pay their yearly tithes."
    whit "The village leaned hard on their stockpiles, draining their storehouses till they were all but empty."
    whit "It was a lean winter that year, and some of the villagers did not survive."

    #cg3 - var 4
    show cg1719 with flash
    pause 3

    "Whitescar gestured upwards, and the roiling clouds became a raging tempest, light and energy contorting upon itself with the pressure of a strangled waterspout."

    whit "When springtime came the whole village went out into the fields. They worked in tandem, directed by their chief. They needed a massive harvest simply to avoid starvation."

    "The cold expression on Whitescar’s face sent Rowan’s heart into the bottom of his stomach."

    whit "By summer it was plain that there would be no harvest. Desperate to feed their kin, the villagers slaughtered their livestock. The other animals - dogs, cats, horses - followed soon after."
    whit "The woods became filled with skeletal figures, gnawing on tree bark and hunting any stray rodent or bird foolish enough to remain. But the forests were as sick as their fields."
    whit "Next year’s crop went into starving bellies as seedlings, a momentary abatement for their yawning hunger. "
    whit "Finally, when all other avenues were exhausted, they turned to scraping the earth for grubs. And when that failed, those that did not leave ate their dead."

    scene bg31 with fade
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "…Where are the villagers now?"

    whit "Gone. Abandoned these lands in hopes of finding food in the capital. Those that remain are either too sickly or too stubborn to flee."
    whit "You have been shielded thus far from the worst of this calamity, but Rosaria’s grain stores stand empty. Soon, your realm will starve."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Goddess, and the war will just make things worse."

    whit "The Twins are to blame, Rowan. You cannot simply subvert the natural order without consequence."

    ro "So how do we stop the famine? What do we do to fix this?"

    whit "Nothing."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "N-"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "{i}Nothing?!{/i}"
    ro "You came to {i}us{/i}! You stood at the foot of the Twins’ throne and threatened Andras to his face, and {i}that’s{/i} your solution?"

    "The Fae fixed him with a harsh, yellow-eyed glare."

    whit "…How does a wound heal?"

    "Whitescar dwelt for a long moment in the pregnant silence, then answered his own question."

    whit "You stop that which is causing the injury, you clear the body of infection, and you {i}let it heal{/i}."
    whit "There is no sudden way to “fix” a famine, just as one cannot “fix” the damage done to the leylines overnight."

    menu:
        "Solansian healers would beg to differ.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Whitescar let out a derisive growl."
            whit "Your petty Goddess does not intervene in the affairs of mortals, no matter what her priestesses might say."
            whit "She is a totem, a power to call upon when the proper propitiations are made. The Solansian order is a husk of a faith, crowned in haughty arrogance and inflexible dogma. Deceitful. Imperious."
            ro "So then you agree with the Twins’ plan to conquer the Six Realms?"
            whit "Who caused the famine in the first place, Rowan? Do you think the only thing lacking in your masters’ efficacy is the scope of their dominion?"

        "Kharos’ cultists have the power to reshape the earth.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            whit "No, they have the power to {i}warp{/i} the earth, to bulge and undulate it like a cancer. Malignant. Tumorous."
            whit "Using Chaos magic to fix its own, corrupting influence is akin to taking more poison to counteract the first dose."
            ro "The Solansians, then? Maybe I can beg the nobles to spare a crumb or two. At least that way I’ll know I’m wasting my time."
            whit "Again you fall victim to a false dichotomy. Rejecting one God is not a wholehearted embrace of the other."
            whit "The Solansian order is an old, lamed buck limping into its final winter. Its fearsome horns may yet fight off a few predators, but it’s only a matter of time before it starves to death."

        "What of Fae magic?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Whitescar shook his head, his expression softening."
            whit "Naive, but kind-hearted. Star-eyed."
            whit "We are tenders of the cycle, not its masters. Fae are specially attuned to the rhythm of reality, but that does not mean we command it at will."
            $ whitescarFavour += 1

    ro "Then what is the right path for us?"

    whit "There is no “right” path, only the righteous path. You will either cease your harmful actions or you won't. That is all."

    ro "I’m not here for a moral lesson, Whitescar. I came for solutions."

    whit "And what makes you think there is one? I have given you your answers, I did not say you would like them."
    whit "Fae mark the passage of time in ages, not years. One day, this too will pass."
    whit "But whatever you choose to do, you can no longer cling to the delusion of ignorance."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "-And if my masters decide to include {i}Arzyl{/i} in their schemes for fixing the matter?"

    #whitescar angry

    "Whitescar let out a sharp growl, baring his teeth."

    whit "Then I will rip her to shreds in front of them, my oath to my Queen fulfilled. We were warned not to meddle in the affairs of your kind."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "You seem to be meddling as we speak."

    whit "I am edifying you. The leylines are the physical connection between this world and the spiritual. {i}She. Devours. Souls.{/i}"

    #whitescar neutral

    whit "Must I really point out the contradiction?"

    ro "At least she seems to offer solutions. "

    whit "She offers hollow respite, a numbing draught to soothe you into stupor as the sickness gnaws you to death."

    ro "More than Sol seems to offer."

    #whitescar angry

    "A look of black, snarling rage crossed Whitescar’s face, more terrible than anything Rowan had yet witnessed."

    whit "YOU KNOW {i}NOTHING{/i} OF WHAT YOU SPEAK! "

    #angry
    show whitescar neutral at center with moveinright

    "Whitescar’s hand shot out, faster than Rowan could see. In an instant his head was engulfed in the Fae’s massive palm. Blinding light filled his vision, and he felt a sudden, deep, draining sensation."

    scene bg76 with flash
    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve

    $ wither = 0

    "…And like a bolt of lightning, he was elsewhere."

    ro "Whitescar?"

    "Rowan pivoted on his heel, his gaze whirling about in the barren surroundings. He was gone… teleported again?"
    "No… no, this was something different."

    ro "Where am I?"

    "The woods around him were ancient: an endless series of dead trees with petrified bark of a white, chalky texture. They stuck together like rootless matchsticks in disorganized piles across the earth."
    "Their leaves were dark and crinkled, wafting black dust that almost seemed like soot into the air, dissipating into the mustard-yellow sky above."

    ro "What is this horrible place?"

    "There was something… {i}missing{/i} in what he saw in the world around him. Something hollow."
    "He felt a breeze ruffle his hair. Hot and humid, festering like the interior of a plague victim’s lungs. Rowan nearly gagged on the stench."

    #if avatar.skill_roll("brawn", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    if passCheck == "success":
        "He resisted the urge to retch, his hand reflexively rising to cover his mouth. But there was no protection from this all-encompassing sensation."

    else:
        "As he took in a breath he felt it catch in his throat, his lungs spasming at the intake. Rowan doubled over as he hacked and coughed, chest burning as if he’d just inhaled smoke."
        $ wither += 1

    ro "Kharos take me, is {i}this{/i} the Planes of Chaos?"

    "Even as Rowan asked the question aloud he knew it wasn’t that hell. Demons had always spoken of their origins in ecstatic tones: a place of endless change, conflict and bulging unreality."
    "But this void? This yellow pallor? It was nowhere, a null-place. Devoid of all but a skeleton of what once was."
    "This was just… {i}suffering{/i}."
    "He had to go. He had to leave, find some kind of shelter from this madness. Wherever Whitescar had taken him, it was no place for a living thing."
    "Scanning his surroundings, his chest pumping with just barely restrained panic, Rowan saw three options available to him."
    "The deadwoods around were sparse and easily navigable. If {i}anything{/i} yet lived in this place, it would be amongst nature. Perhaps he could find a water source, some sign of survivors."
    "In the far distance, Rowan could just make out some strange stone structure, like the steeple of a temple rising up above the shattered treeline. Maybe there yet lived some small enclave of survivors from whatever calamity had occurred here."
    "A final glance to his south caught his eye: a break in the treeline, empty fields most likely. And where there were fields, there would likely be a village."
    "Everywhere seemed the same as anywhere else, but Rowan had to try."

    menu:
        "Search the Woods for signs of life.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ faePath = "woods"
            "He would risk the riven woodlands. Someone had to be there, something must be alive in that false wilderness."
            "Rowan walked beneath the boughs of petrified trees, awed by the terrible wonder of their creation. They were dead, beyond the shadow of a doubt, yet they loomed like standing skeletons, row upon row in legionary lines."
            "There was no undergrowth, no grass nor bush nor fern or any kind. Only a black dust, descending from ashen leaves to fall upon gray dirt."
            scene black with fade
            "..."
            scene bg76 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "The dead woods were a maze. No landmarks, no variation. Rowan soon lost himself in the deep thickets, unable to find his way back. Days passed in empty, aimless wandering."
            #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
            if passCheck == "success":
                "Then he heard it: the warbling of water. Rowan practically tripped over himself to pursue that fated sound."
                "He came upon a shallow stream, snaking its way across the poisoned earth in a trembling, incoherent fashion."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                "Relief washed over Rowan as he approached it, the first good news since he’d arrived in this place. A great thirst was upon him, and he had been wandering for so long."
                "The water was black and silty, moving with a curious slowness that seemed more like cold sap than water. The sound of its queer movement made his pupils dilate. His breathing quickened and his nostrils flared."
                menu:
                    "Drink greedily from the mire.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        label drinkMire_rp:
                        $ wither += 1
                        "Unshackled from all remnant of reason, Rowan threw himself upon the shallow riverbed, his head engulfed with water as he took in gulp after gaping gulp."
                        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                        "The water tasted like bile. Like a sludge of curdled phlegm. Rowan rose up from the depths retching, his stomach heaving at the horrible taste. Far from quenching his thirst, he was all the worse for wear, his throat burning red-raw as he hacked and coughed and spat."
                    "Ignore the thirst that claws your throat to red ribbons.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                        "With a mighty effort Rowan willed himself to look away from the horrid creek, his heartbeat hammering in his chest as his senses screamed at him to go back and dunk his head into it."
                        "But sense won out over base need. Whatever this thing was, it was not water. Standing to his feet, he scanned the yellow skyline."
            else:
                "The wooden wraiths disoriented him, his head spinning. He could have sworn he heard a sound, like voices whispering. Like the moans of the dying."
                "As time passed and hours became days, a maddening thirst took hold of him. Nothing grew here, nothing lived, and yet he lusted for it."
                "When he finally stumbled across a bitter stream making its sickly journey about the forest’s floor, he ran to it."
                jump drinkMire_rp
            "It was getting harder and harder to think straight, to trust his traitorous senses with anything other than what was in front of him. Following the river, Rowan came upon the first change in terrain he’d yet seen from this place."
            "His foot caught moldy, wet earth, sinking into the ground. He’d entered a swamp. In the distance, a crumbling grey tower stood. With ever increasing distress, Rowan made for it."

        "Seek shelter in the looming stone acropolis.":
            $ faePath = "acropolis"
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "It was the only sign of habitation, the only indication that life had ever been in this rotting place. So Rowan walked."
            scene black with fade
            "..."
            scene bg76 with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "He walked through stick-thin woodland as it wept black soot down onto the motionless earth. He followed an ancient trail, to him merely a strange gap in the trees. Rowan wound his way towards that singular grey edifice in the distance."
            "Before him stood a ruined churchyard, replete with a modest graveyard overfilled with stone markers."
            "The door to the abbey was ajar, causing Rowan to swallow nervously. There was no one here, he was certain of it."
            $ faeGraveyardSeen = False
            $ faeAbbeySeen = False
            label acropolisMenu_rp:
            menu:
                "Check the graveyard." if faeGraveyardSeen == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ faeGraveyardSeen = True
                    "Rowan wandered amongst the headstones, the borders of the graveyard bursting at the seams like a bloated corpse."
                    "He tried to read some of the inscriptions, but found them blurry and unclear. His eyes refused to focus, his head going dizzy the longer he looked at the spiraling nonsense carved into the granite blocks."
                    "Half-dug graves lay permanently incomplete, strange marks on the sides indicating they’d been clawed out of the earth by someone’s bare hands."
                    "Rowan felt his stomach lurch. He was struck with a brief, terrifying impulse to simply lie down in the dirt and move no more."
                    "Resisting the urge, he turned away from the mouldering graves."
                    jump acropolisMenu_rp
                "Check the interior of the church." if faeAbbeySeen == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ faeAbbeySeen = True
                    scene bg77 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "Reaching the stone structure, he slipped inside, his footsteps creating a haunting echo in the makeshift mausoleum."
                    "The pews were empty, the stone pulpit broken to rubble. The air here was cold, too cold for the living."
                    "Faded tapestries of a queer, eldritch hue hung upon the walls. A holy symbol wholly unknown to Rowan glowed dimly upon them: two trees standing next to one another, one golden, rising in full glory, the other burnt, black and dead."
                    "There was no light in the golden tree. Only a pale, brackish glow from the dead one."
                    "Rowan reached out, stroking the glowing symbol. His fingers touched the tapestry, and the stone wall behind it. The wall gave way, breaking apart at his touch."
                    #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    if passCheck == "success":
                        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                        "Rowan was running before he even realized it, sprinting out of the collapsing building with the haste of the damned."
                        "He threw himself through the doorway, rolling to his feet as he watched the entire, rotten structure  crumble to dust."
                        "He stood, dumbstruck for a long moment at what had just occurred. The structure was so ancient that a mere touch had shattered its foundations."
                        "Shaken, Rowan retreated from the rubble."
                        scene bg76 with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        jump acropolisMenu_rp
                    else:
                        $ wither += 1
                        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
                        "Rowan stood aghast as the building around him rattled and shook. He tried to move, but his legs were jelly beneath him. The brittle structure turned to dust and debris as the structure caved in on itself, with Rowan inside."
                        "He flailed madly to free himself from the suffocating pile of ancient architecture. It was only with an extreme exertion that he was able to wriggle his arm free. Coughing, he ripped at the shards of paperlike stone that entombed him."
                        "At last, with a final titanic effort, he pulled himself free, his mouth full of ashes and his ears ringing."
                        "Whatever gods had once dwelt here, they protected it no longer."
                        scene bg76 with dissolve
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                        jump acropolisMenu_rp
                "Move on.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "There was nothing in this place for him to find, only more death. In the distance, Rowan saw a mighty pillar of flame, burning in the pale sky. With no other landmarks to guide him, he made for that terrifying vista."

        "Take the long hike to the barren fields":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ faePath = "fields"
            "It was a tortuous journey to reach the fields, like crossing a desert. Rowan struggled through the hellish landscape, weathered by some nameless breeze that wafted across the wastelands."
            "The stillness of the air was the worst thing: a muggy air that tasted wet and sick upon his tongue. Despite the lack of exertion, Rowan soon found himself panting."
            scene black with fade
            "..."
            scene bg69 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "He finally reached the edge of the fields - or rather, what remained of them. There were no plants, nor sprouts nor seeds. Faded mold covered the tilled earth like a sheen of dew, squishing wetly as he stepped on it."
            "At the far end of the field loomed the desiccated corpse of a barn, leaning to one side like a man favoring his left leg. The angle was so crooked that Rowan was shocked the thing had not collapsed."
            "Squatting next to it was a sunken building with a shriveled roof, what had once perhaps been a home."
            $ faeBarnSeen = False
            $ faeHouseSeen = False
            label faeVillageMenu_rp:
            menu:
                "Check the half-collapsed barn." if faeBarnSeen == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ faeBarnSeen = True
                    "Rowan picked his way through the bent timbers of the leaning building. It was remarkably well preserved, but dizzying in its proportions. Everything, from the walls to the vacant cattle pens leaned to one side."
                    "Disoriented, Rowan took one step forward and tripped on nothing. His foot slid as if he was on a slope, yet nothing was there. It was only his vision that was tilted."
                    "Only upon closer inspection did Rowan discover that {i}everything{/i} in this impossible building leaned to one side: the tools, the ladders, even the {i}windows{/i}."
                    "Profoundly disturbed by this strange revelation, Rowan backed out of the farmhouse, keeping his eyes closed so as not to be struck with vertigo."
                    jump faeVillageMenu_rp
                "Investigate the husk of the old farmhouse" if faeHouseSeen == False:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ faeHouseSeen = True
                    scene bg78 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center
                    "Rowan picked his way through the broken doorway into the modest, one-room home."
                    show rowan necklace shock at center
                    "What he found made him wish he’d never crossed the threshold. The building wasn’t a house at all, it was a tomb."
                    "A nest of chains sat in the center of the barren room, as if someone had been coiled from head to toe in the thing. They sagged on the ground in a sad pile, limp now that whatever they had been holding back had been freed."
                    "A lone fingernail, delicate as a child’s, sat embedded in the splintered floorboards."
                    "Struck by a morbid curiosity, Rowan bent down and inspected the thick chains, black as onyx. They were not made in Solanse, that much was certain."
                    #if avatar.skill_roll("survival", 5, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                    if passCheck == "success":
                        "Rowan’s fingers froze at the final instant of physical touch. There was something mortally unsettling about this metal, something that set the hairs on the back of his neck on end. He stood up, and hurried from the house without looking backward."
                        "It felt like the chains were reaching for him."
                        scene bg69 with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center
                        jump faeVillageMenu_rp
                    else:
                        "Perhaps it was mad curiosity that spurred Rowan to touch the thing. Regardless, when his finger made contact with the cold iron, he felt it latch on as if had melted there."
                        ro "{i}Aaah{/i}!"
                        "It burned. {i}Goddess how it burned!{/i} Like thrusting one’s hands into the simmering coals of a furnace. Rowan opened his mouth, but no sound came out."
                        "His other hand seized upon the wrist of his stricken limb, all but yanking his finger from its socket to rip it free from the chain. Rowan felt a distinct sensation like spurting blood, and then his hand came free."
                        "He crawled frantically backwards from the inert chains, staring blankly at his hand, expecting to see a missing finger, or a melted digit."
                        "It was fine. As if nothing had ever touched it."
                        "Rowan stood to his feet, his knees trembling, and he fled from that accursed house."
                        $ wither += 1
                        scene bg69 with fade
                        show rowan necklace neutral at center
                        jump faeVillageMenu_rp
                "Move on.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "The farm was dead. The fields were dead. Whatever had transpired here, it had all turned to dust. Rowan scanned the skyline, desperate for anything to see. "
                    "To his surprise, he spotted something: black towers rising into the sky, far beyond the fields. With nothing else to go on, he made for the city in the distance."

    scene black with fade

    "Partway through the extended hike, Rowan suddenly clutched at his chest. Every heartbeat was like little throbbing needles being drawn by a string. He stopped for a moment to catch his breath, winded by his journey and weary of the relentlessness of this place."
    "He watched as a thin brown cloud moved in front of the sun, casting him in the faintest of shadows. Rowan’s breath caught in his throat as he feared for a half-moment that he would be plunged into total darkness, but the sickly cloud merely meandered onward in its listless journey."
    "He did not take two steps forward before he felt his heart skip a literal beat. The arrhythmic thumping caused his chest to lurch, and Rowan collapsed to his knees, a scream of pain erupting from his lips."
    "This place was eating him. The world was made of acid, and he was slowly dissolving into it."

    #if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    if passCheck == "success":
        "But self deception was a powerful placebo. Gritting his teeth, Rowan slammed his fist into his chest, {i}willing{/i} his body to keep going. He would not die here, he refused to."

    else:
        "Rowan tried to tell himself through gasping inhales that he would be okay, but the truth of the matter was dawning on him."
        "He was going to die here, without safety or succor. Alone."
        $ wither += 1
        if wither == 3:
            jump faeApocalypse_rp

    "Rising up on wobbly legs, he continued onwards towards his hopeless destination."

    if faePath == "woods":
        scene bg79 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "He worked his way through the stinking morass to reach the half sunken tower squatting in the swamp. It was made of grey stone, covered in a fossil-like chitin that Rowan assumed had once been moss."
        "Climbing the spiraling steps, he came to the top of the tower, the huddled alcove of a wizard."
        "Row upon row of empty bookshelves sat, cast about in their final ruin. The bed had been torn to shreds, the complex telescope peeking out from the high window clawed at so deeply that nothing could be seen through the glass."
        "In the center of the room, a great pile of ash sat. Rowan looked closer, seeing the final remnants of charred pages and book spines lingering in the dust."
        "Upon the workshop table there sat a single, unfurled scroll. Rowan bent forward to read, brushing away the ages of soot that had collected upon it."
        "It was unintelligible. Frantic scribblings that grew more frenzied as they continued, devolving into unintelligible shapes and curling symbols. By the end of the page it was only a series of jagged lines stabbing out onto the page, as if the quill itself had been seized in a final death throe."
        $ wither += 1
        if wither == 3:
            jump faeApocalypse_rp

    elif faePath == "acropolis":
        scene bg80 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "He journeyed onwards into the darkness, feeling every mile in his legs as he reached the tall walls of that black city in the distance. He crossed beneath a gateway so large it could fit the whole of Castle Raeve beneath its portcullis."
        "Beyond the curtain walls sat a dizzying maze of a city, its hundreds of towers rolling unevenly across the hills like trees in an alpine forest. He walked the streets of this fane necropolis gaping at the sheer scope of the ruin."
        "Stunning arcades of black marble, soaring towers taller than the highest spires in Prothea, bone-white avenues wide enough for a hundred armored Minotaurs to march abreast."
        "A city of unparalleled magnificence. A monument of mortal achievement."
        "A comatose catacomb. A grave marker for the world."
        $ wither += 1
        if wither == 3:
            jump faeApocalypse_rp

    else:
        scene bg76 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center
        "Rowan walked through the dusty wastes like a refugee fleeing the rape of his homeland. The fire in the distance turned the sky an uncanny shade of yellowish-orange."
        "All of a sudden the treeline ended, giving way to black char and knee-deep soot. Rowan waded through the choking dust, driven by morbid curiosity as to its source."
        "What shattered bits of burned trees remained lay flat upon the ground, like wheat scythed by a giant. Fire clung to the blackened trunks in places, little candles in the gloom."
        "The haze grew thick as he neared the great flame’s source. Rowan raised his arm to shield his face from the burning soot."
        "He took a step forward, and his foot caught on nothing. It was everything he could do to throw himself backward onto the ground, only narrowly preventing a plunge into the depths."
        "He saw now what the dust had obscured: an enormous pit, hundreds of feet in diameter, from whose gaping maw issued forth a noxious flame hundreds of feet into the sky."
        "A torch large enough to burn a city."
        "Perturbed, Rowan peered beyond the lip into the pit where the flame resided. Fissures and crags spiraled down into the darkness, descending into nothing. Even the light of the flame seemed to dim as it descended down to its unseen source. "
        "It was a flaming eye, a red abyss into hell that stared back at him. Rowan tore his gaze away from it, unable to withstand its glare."
        $ wither += 1
        if wither == 3:
            jump faeApocalypse_rp

    "Rowan continued onward, moving from place to place, finding the same devastation, the same cruel nothingness as before."
    "His throat grew parched and his stomach yawned with hunger. His limbs grew burning taut and his eyes watered, but still he persevered."
    "For a year or more he wandered, starving and exhausted and diseased, yet death did not claim him. This place would not let him go that easy."
    "Finally, on some far flung place, an eternity of footsteps, Rowan reached the end of his road. He fell to one knee, and could not bring himself to rise."
    "His breathing grew ragged, his tongue going fat and dry in his mouth."

    scene black with fade

    "Eyes slid closed as he accepted this unending suffering as his final resting place. Alone. Unmarked and unmourned."
    "Doomed."

    jump faeSaviour_rp

    ######################

    label faeApocalypse_rp:

    "Rowan fell to his knees, seizing up as his lungs tried and failed to take in a breath. His face purpled, eyes bulging as veins thickened upon his brow."
    "But no matter how hard he tried, he could not take in a breath. This air was not air, and his soul knew it."
    "Rowan collapsed to the ground, shuddering. Unable to move, unable to scream. Hope was dead, and he was dying."
    "Worst of all, he could not recall what had come before. He could not recall the touch of wind, nor the whisper of water. He forgot the sound of laughter and the warm touch of love."
    "As untold time passed and his soul shriveled, he even forgot his own name."

    scene black with fade

    "The wretched thing that had once been Rowan crumpled into itself, feeling the last vestiges of life seeping out of it, wafting away into the barren nothingness around."
    "At last, it’s heart ceased to beat, and it’s mind rolled into itself, and the wretched thing lived no more."

    pause 5
    scene bg76 with fade

    "…But the wretched thing did not die. Not even when it breathed its last. Not even as it felt its blood blacken and pool in its body, its limbs going to stone as muscles stiffened and lips curled back into a ghoulish corpse-smile."
    "It did not die. Not when flesh sloughed off, nor when hair fell to nettle-needles on the ground. Not even when eyes became hollowed husks and bones were bared to the cold sky above. For life dwelt there still: twitching and shuddering, wasting away to its uttermost angstrom."
    "It was not mere “death” that this place wanted, but annihilation."
    "And the wretched thing - for all that it lost, for all that it struggled and wallowed and wailed in voiceless, unrelenting agony - lived still, for the soul was a sturdier thing than its vessel."
    "It was the cruelest torment. Long, unending, without measure or respite."
    "Forever."

    ########################

    label faeSaviour_rp:

    "…And then, like a break of dawn across endless night, she appeared."

    #kass CG
    scene bg81 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1627 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg1628 with dissolve
    pause 3
    show rowan necklace shock behind bg81
    #kass sprite

    "A pale figure, white and gleaming. She was as antithetical to this place as a glacier in the desert. And yet there she was."
    "She stood, radiant before a golden, serrated gateway, stretching like the gaping maw of a dragon. And beyond that… "
    "Blue skies. Green grass. A grove of trees, wizened and ancient but very much alive. In the far distance there came the clear sound of music, of laughter and birds’ song. Of voices like his that delighted in the taste of nature and growing things."
    "A breath of spring. A gulp of sunlight. A radiant smile and warm, soft hands at his cheeks."
    "The wretched thing rose - or rather, was risen - to his feet, the light of life blinding him with its thunderous beauty."
    "He opened his mouth, and breathed life again."

    kass "Come, little one. You have been alone for too long."

    "A warm voice, full of pity and mercy. The wretched thing had all but forgotten his old life, and yet would never forget that voice for as long as he lived."

    ro "…Mother?"

    "The gleaming figure let out a gentle laugh. She extended her gleaming hand, bright with the glow of evening starlight."

    kass "Come. You are weary, and you have traveled o’er long."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind black

    "With trembling fingers he reached out to her, terrified that this was merely some final hope in his deluded mind. But when his fingers touched hers, he felt the truth of them, and knew that he was saved."
    "She smiled at him, eyes as soft as the summer breeze that tickled his cheeks."

    kass "You are safe. I am here, child."

    "And Rowan wept. He wept harder than he ever had before. He wept as his chest heaved and his breathing broke to pieces. The tears were partly borne of sorrow, but mostly of {i}profound{/i} gratitude."
    "The terror was over. The nightmare was finally coming to an end-"

    scene bg31 with pixellate
    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    ro "{i}Guh!{/i}"

    "Rowan sat up in a rush, his heart beating out of his chest like a war drum. A cold sweat covered his brow, his body broken out into chills."
    "He looked down at himself in a panic, checking to see if any lingering residue of death clung to him from that terrible place."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "After a moment's rank hysteria, he met the Fae’s knowing eyes."

    whit "…Now you understand."

    ro "Wh-what in the Planes of Chaos was… what did you {i}do{/i} to me?"

    whit "I gave you wisdom."

    "Rowan put a hand over his eyes, his mind still reeling."

    ro "I… I-I don’t even know where to-"
    ro "Was that… "
    ro "Where was that?"

    whit "A place far away, but not nearly far enough."

    ro "Was that… the future? "

    "Whitescar shook his head. There was a strange emotion in his yellow eyes. Something distant from his usual, predatory glare."

    whit "Our past. The dead world of my kind."
    whit "We are not native to your world, Rowan. We are exiles. Refugees. It is not your future you saw, but rather our doom."

    ro "What happened?"

    whit "Extinction. The slow decomposition of a comatose world."

    ro "...Why? What caused it?"

    whit "None know. Even the oldest among us cannot recall a time when it was anything else other than what it is now."
    whit "All that we know is that it is where the Fae go when we die: a lingering perdition, a stillborn world."
    whit "We can never fully escape it, for we are the nature spirits that once gave it life."
    whit "We are bound to that place, to its doom."

    "Rowan could feel it still: the quiet, sucking sensation that the profane environment had inflicted upon him. He clutched at his chest."

    ro "It’s horrible."

    whit "It is inescapable. But for one, saving grace."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Sol."

    "Whitescar nodded, his eyes softening as he graced Rowan with a wolfish smile."

    #whitescar happy

    whit "-And Kassandra our Queen, acting through his will. Through them, we are reborn. Remade."
    whit "You saw them, didn’t you? Sol: the gateway, and our Queen: the guide to lead us through it."
    whit "Without them, we are lost. Without their teachings, we are nothing."

    ro "..."
    ro "Why did you show me this, Whitescar?"

    "Whitescar - his face still curiously soft and kind - extended his paw to help Rowan to his feet."

    whit "Mercy. The hope that you would understand my haste and harshness in tone."
    whit "The leylines suffer a wasting illness that I dread recognize. But your masters are as uncaring as your gods."
    whit "Sol is {i}different{/i}, Rowan. He acts in our interests, suffers so we might not. And in gratitude  we - his rescued stepchildren - serve him."

    "Rowan took the Fae’s hand and stood upon uncertain legs. He took in a long breath, and felt relief when pure air touched his lungs."

    ro "H-how long does it take for a Fae to escape that place? For Kassandra to find them?"

    whit "It depends on the will and strength of the Fae. For some, months. Others? Years. For many… a century or more."
    whit "And some who venture there do not return. "

    if wither < 3:
        whit "You resisted longer than most. Many Fae lose themselves in that black abyss, they give in to its call."
        $ whitescarFavour += 1

    ro "I..."
    ro "This is a lot to take in."

    whit "As it should be. I would deem you mad if you emerged from that memory with clear thoughts and calm judgment."

    ro "…Memory?"

    whit "{i}My{/i} memory. Of when I died, and was saved by the merciful hand of Sol."

    ro "…How many times has he brought you back?"

    "A faraway look entered the wolf’s eyes. He lifted his snout to the air and took a deep inhale, as if to taste the freedom it brought him."

    whit "Enough to know my worth. And my purpose."
    whit "The Fae know what it means to watch a world die around them. You must not make the same mistake."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "..."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Will you give me some time to consider? I do not think the Twins will fully appreciate all that you’ve shown me."

    whit "Why do you think it is to you whom I’ve shown it?"
    whit "I do not hold out hope that your masters can be convinced of wisdom. But perhaps your own can be used to thwart their foolishness."
    whit "Time will tell."

    "Whitescar reached out and placed his hand upon Rowan’s shoulder. To Rowan’s surprise, the Fae squeezed it, as if comforting an old friend."

    whit "That you deigned to listen at all speaks to your merit. It is not often that a mortal will heed such troubling portents."

    if whitescarFlirted:
        whit "Brave. Courageous. Unflinching."
        whit "You remind me of…"
        "The wolf ceased his speaking, his jaw clenching. He patted Rowan’s shoulder."
        whit "It does not matter."

    ro "Why did Sol…"
    ro "{i}How{/i} did Sol-"

    whit "Mercy is a strange thing. Inexplicable. Mercurial. Often it is born from selfishness, twisted to self-sacrifice. "
    whit "But enough for now. I will speak more of my dreaming god when next we meet. I have given you much to think about."

    if whitescarFlirted:
        "Whitescar extended a hand, his claw gently rubbing upon Rowan’s cheek."
        whit "…And you, me."

    whit "…Are you ready to return?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I feel like I already have."

    "Whitescar smiled, showing his sharp teeth."

    whit "That is the way of Sol."

    scene white with fade

    "The winds whipped past Rowan’s ear as he was swept once more into the howling gale of the leyline."

    #$ whitescarDialogueStage = 3
    #$ whitescarDialogueAvailable = False
    
    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 6.rpy
label ophelia_breast_fondling_rp:

    $ opheliaName = "Ophelia"
    $ NTR = True
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ roAlRel = 100
    
    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (Scene 1)":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
            $ roAlRel = 0
        "No (Scene 2)":
            pass
    
    "Is Alexia obedient to either of the twins? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Here you are!"

    "And there Ophelia most certainly was, most pleased with the goblet of red wine that Alexia poured out before her on the table."
    "Already fairly deep in her cups for the evening, the minstrel beamed down at her fresh drink, saying nothing. Then she looked up at Alexia with her golden eyes and tilted her head, platinum hair spilling down over her shoulder."
    "Alexia prepared herself for a quip, a flirtation, {i}something{/i}. But Ophelia only blinked up at her, her smile sizing down but remaining strong. After a fidget, Alexia lifted a hand up to her cheek, confused but suspicious. She {i}did{/i} just come out of the kitchen–"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve

    al "… What? Is there something on my face?"

    ophe "Yes! Goddess, Alexia, YES. There are SEVERAL somethings on your face. First look… there, my sweet! Or perhaps don’t, because that would be frightening if you accomplished it without the use of a pocket mirror."
    ophe "See with your fingers, not your eyes!"

    "Up went one of Ophelia’s hands, using a lacquered nail to point not at Alexia’s cheek but towards– her brow? Alexia lifted her hand, doubtful that any of the night’s gravy had mysteriously splashed so high up and upon her forehead. Indeed, she found that area of her face clean. Still, she brushed it over."

    show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Did I get it?"

    "Ophelia’s other hand scooped up her goblet and lifted it to her lips, the motion graceful and precise, and as though she were not the slightest bit drunk. In the interim, her accusatory pointing finger shifted, upright in a motion for patience as she took a long sip."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "Alexia hesitated to lower her hand, though there was still much for her to do about the tavern. What if some stray spinach had gotten in her hair? She didn’t want to be seen walking around the establishment with spinach in her hair. That would be awful."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Alexia dropped her hand from her face unceremoniously, breathing out in a soft puff of air. Her fingers settled along the curve of her hip and began drumming away at it, giving Ophelia several moments of generous patience. The minstrel simply kept sipping, her eyes closing as she enjoyed one of the tavern’s best vintages."
        "That wasn’t saying much. Alexia spoke up."
        al "Ophelia. There are other customers here."
        if NTR and (alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient):
            "… Not that Alexia minded the distraction from them, necessarily. She just wanted Ophelia to get to the point."

    else:
        "Alexia pursed her lips and lifted her brows slightly, hand lowering from her face to rest upon the curve of her hip. She glanced over her shoulder briefly to make sure the rest of the rowdy tavern wasn’t burning down behind her, then looked back at Ophelia, whose sipping now seemed less long and more endless."

    "Ophelia finally let out a sigh, lowering the goblet from her lips and giving her tongue an errant flick over them, lapping up the hint of what remained upon her flesh. Then she set the goblet down and leaned forward, her generous bosom coming close to spilling out upon the table in the process."
    "As ever, her low neckline seemed impervious to its well-warranted wardrobe malfunction. Then, finally opening her eyes to gaze up at Alexia, the minstrel announced her results."

    ophe "You did not get it. But none of those SOMETHINGS are things you want to wipe off your face, my sweet. They’re all so comely! Such shapely eyebrows. So expressive, and paired so well with your eyes. Like Solnasia Herself graced you with the finest emeralds the world has ever seen."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
        "Oh. {i}Oh{/i}. Alexia felt a bit silly for expecting anything BUT this. Now self-conscious, she quickly dropped her hand from her face and cleared her throat to cut Ophelia off."
        "It did not slow the minstrel’s roll. Few things did, in Alexia’s experience."
        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "A hint of colour bled into Alexia’s cheeks, as though borrowed from her hair."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve
        if alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient:
            "Well. The other customers could stand to wait a bit longer."
        al "My eyebrows are shapely, are they? I could have sworn just the other day that you were praising something else for being ‘shapely’."
        "Ophelia paused mid-sentence, finger going to her lips in consideration."
        ophe "You might be right. But that was then and this is now, so if you don’t mind?"
        "The barmaid lifted a hand and turned it over in a gesture for Ophelia to continue."
        al "By all means, the floor is yours."

    else:
        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "A hint of colour bled into Alexia’s cheeks, as though borrowed from her hair."
        "Alexia took another look over her shoulder. Thankfully, the tavern still wasn’t on fire, and no table seemed to have a pressing demand for her– it wasn’t THAT busy, and from what she could see, Indarah had most everything covered."
        show alexia barmaid aroused at midleft with dissolve

    ophe "And those lips. THOSE LIPS. THE LIPS ON YOUR FACE, Alexia. As opposed to the ones not on your face, of course! They are VERY different pairs of lips."
    ophe "Oh, the sweet nothings you must be able to whisper from them. Just hearing you ask what someone would like to order is enough to give my heart palpitations. And when you ask me what I would like to order–"

    "After raising her voice dramatically and waving her hand through the air with those words, Ophelia sighed softly and sat up from her forward slouch, once more adopting a proper posture. Her hand went to touch her bare chest, just above where her top teased at the bounty of her buxom breasts, on the right side."

    "She paused and frowned, then glanced down."
    "After a beat, Ophelia fingers moved to the opposite side of her chest, just over her heart proper, and she looked back up to meet Alexia’s green gaze with slightly-glazed golds."

    ophe "Do you want to feel my heartbeat? You need only reach out and lay your hand upon me, right here, and ask me those wretched words– {i}what would you like to order{/i}. If you’d like to slip your hand just a bit lower, too, that would be fine. "

    "As Alexia stared at her, Ophelia picked up her goblet and downed what remained in a steady swallow."
    "The heady liquid went down her throat as easily as if it were water. The minstrel, it seemed, was far thirstier than usual, and in more ways than one. She slapped the goblet down on the tablet with a resolute THUMP better paired with a shot glass, then continued on."

    ophe "Though I confess, I would be hard pressed to ignore my desire to feel your breastbeat in turn, even if it means risking the softness of my skin against your hard nipples. Already, it is hard enough to ignore when they poke against the fabric of your top. Truly! Simply their undeniable nature, but even so. Even so!"

    al "My breastbeat?"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        al "I’m sorry, {i}what{/i}?"

    else:
        al "What the fuck is a breastbeat?"

    ophe "Ah! It’s like a heartbeat, but felt through one’s breast, of course."

    al "Well, that makes perfect sense."

    "The minstrel leaned forward, voice lowering conspiratorially without actually seeming to quiet down at all."

    ophe "Indeed! Oh, Alexia."
    ophe "I would wager that yours are so fierce and powerful that they would bounce and sway your tits even with the rest of you forced into utter stillness. And you know what else I would wager? That even if I were to gag your mouth to keep you from squealing, your lips would find a way to speak their womanly needs."

    "Ophelia paused, golden eyes gleaming as they seemed to sharpen with a focus that appeared only marginally less intoxicated."

    ophe "But probably through the lips between your thighs, not the pair on your face. Anyway! What do you say?"

    "Far thirstier than usual? That was a severe understatement."

    ophe "If your face-lips aren’t feeling up to speaking, you can always just drop your skirt and let your cunt answer. If you didn’t already know, I happen to be very fluent in cunt."

    "While Ophelia’s nonsense and flirtations could be a great deal of fun, something about her behaviour tonight seemed a bit… off. Excessive. Alexia KNEW she could hold her liquor, and surely she hadn’t already gotten sloshed."
    "It had been two days since Alexia last worked at the tavern, and she had to wonder if something had happened in that time."

    menu:
        "Decline Ophelia’s offer.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ opheliaGrope = False
            scene bg21 with fade
            show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "No. Alexia knew she had to say no."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                al "I’m married, Ophelia!"
                "And she knew it. This was DEFINITELY veering far out of the realm of fun, light-hearted flirting, but then– Alexia always knew in the back of her mind that Ophelia intended for more than just that."
                ophe "Oh! Yes! So you are. What a terrible disease marriage is. Must I go fight your husband for the key to your chastity belt? So very cruel of him, to keep your heart and cunt locked away so. You need only say the word, Alexia."
                ophe "I’ll muster an army the likes of which the world has never seen for the sake of your pussy, one that will put any previous cooperation against a Demon Lord to shame. And then–"
                al "Ophelia."
                "The minstrel started to rise from her seat."
                ophe "Fine, fine. Fine! Fine. -Fine-. No army. So selfless of you to think of the wellbeing of others! You needn’t worry, however. I happen to have a lockpicking set in my bedroom, if you’d care–"
                show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve
                al "OPHELIA. Give it up."
                "Surprisingly, it worked. Ophelia rolled her eyes and sat back in her chair once more."
                ophe "Fine. Another bottle when you have a moment, please."
                "Alexia made sure to water that one down. A lot. Ophelia didn’t seem to notice."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "A simple ‘no’ would not quite suffice for the minstrel, not really. Whether or not it was purposeful, Alexia had long since learned that Ophelia often heard exactly what she wanted to hear until she ran out of possible ways to misconstrue Alexia’s words."
                "So Alexia opted to fight fire with fire."
                al "Oh, Ophelia. Did Indarah not tell you?"
                "Ophelia blinked her eyes once, then made a peculiar frown at the mention of the tavern’s proprietress."
                ophe "Tell me what? She hasn’t told me a THING today. Nor did she tell me anything yesterday. What a prudish woman!"
                "Pointed words. Alexia left pondering over them for later and said the first thing that came to her mind thereafter."
                al "Unfortunately, I had to pawn off my tits and my cunt to cover gambling debts. What you’re suggesting tonight just isn’t possible."
                show alexia barmaid shocked at midleft with dissolve
                "Ophelia gasped sharply, jerking back as though the admission had been a direct strike to her gut. Just as quickly, she started to push up on the table, her present state of inebriation more starkly clearer as she wobbled in place."
                ophe "Solnasia’s snatch, woman! You should have said something sooner! We must away at once, lest you default and another purchases them in our absence! You needn’t fret, money is no object to me."
                ophe "I dare not think of how some charlatan might use them in their absence from your body–"
                ophe "Oh."
                "Ophelia plummeted back into her chair before Alexia could take a step forward, her eyes woozy, her head asway."
                ophe "Oh, nevermind. Whoof. Perhaps later. Yes. Later. Promise me."
                show alexia barmaid neutral at midleft with dissolve
                al "Of course. We’ll go to the pawn shop later and purchase back my tits and cunt, Ophelia. My thanks to you, brave heroine."
                ophe "Of course, of course, think nothing of it. I’m just going to… sit here and gather my wits for then. For later. Yes."
                al "A wise decision. Off I go for now, then."
                "Alexia hid an amused smile as she turned away and got back to work. As Alexia expected, the next time she saw Ophelia, her pawn-related promise had been forgotten."
            else:
                al "Not a great idea for tonight, I think."
                ophe "You’re right! Not only is it a {i}fantastic{/i} idea, it’s just all-around perfect. For EVERY night, not just TONIGHT specifically."
                "Before Alexia could edge in another word, Ophelia scooted back her chair, hands settling down atop of it to give her leather-hugged thighs a welcoming pat."
                ophe "Go ahead, make yourself comfortable. My poor lap has been deprived of a warm body for far too long, you know. It’s been torture–"
                show alexia barmaid angry at midleft with dissolve
                al "No, Ophelia."
                "Ophelia started to say something else, but after a moment of seemingly clear-minded scrutiny of Alexia’s face, she sighed dramatically and leaned back heavily in her chair."
                ophe "Fine. Fine, fine, fine. Another bottle when you have a moment."
                "Alexia made sure to water that one down. A lot. Ophelia didn’t seem to notice."
            #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
            return

        "Accept Ophelia’s offer. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ opheliaGrope = True
            "Alexia hesitated, then took a look over her shoulder. It was a slow night, all things considered. Indarah had the room well in hand, handling drunks and flirts and all things tangential with aplomb."
            "While Alexia wasn’t about to drop her skirt and her panties to say {i}anything{/i} with her lower lips– the thought of getting to feel Ophelia’s ‘breastbeat’ was more than tempting. She wet her lips, then glanced back at the sloshed minstrel and studied her."
            show alexia barmaid aroused behind black
            "The other woman’s pose only further emphasised the size and heft of her behemoth bosom, so much larger than Alexia’s own. As ever, the little golden chain of her ring bearing necklace dipped into her cleavage, inviting Alexia’s gaze to go perilously deep as its salacious dip."
            "Alexia glanced up and found Ophelia gazing at her, her eyelids heavy, lips smiling wide once more. The last goblet of wine seemed to be settling in now, if the soft hint of a flush on her cheeks was any indication."
            "Movement of the Prothean’s hand drew Alexia’s eyes back down, just in time to see Ophelia beginning to feel out her breastbeat on her own. Her fingers slid beneath her top, already strained fabric further distorted by her squeeze. She murmured softly, for Alexia’s ears alone."
            ophe "Oh, so strong. So fierce. You can really feel all the beatbreasting."
            al "I thought it was called a breastbeat?"
            ophe "Did I? Either works. The two are interchangeable. Come now, quickly."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                "Alexia hesitated again, but she dearly wanted to know what Ophelia’s heartbeat would feel like. It definitely wasn’t just an excuse to touch the breasts she flaunted around the tavern on a daily basis."
                "Miraculously, Alexia’s skirt did not catch on fire as she stepped slowly around the table, positioning herself in such a way that her backside would block the rest of the room from seeing what her hands did."
                "Her cheeks did catch on fire, but there was no helping that."
            else:
                show alexia barmaid happy behind black
                al "Come now? I thought you were offering to let me feel your tittyheart."
                show alexia barmaid aroused behind black
                ophe "Oh, my rose. Don’t play with my heart now, of all times. Or my cunt, for that matter. This is serious, intimate business. Waste not a minute, you cruel tease."
                "Though chastised, Alexia smiled at the words. She dearly wanted to know what Ophelia’s ‘heartbeat’ would feel like. Or her ‘breastbeat’, or whatever ridiculous terminology the minstrel wanted to assign to it. It was a blatant excuse to fondle what she flaunted around the tavern on a daily basis."
                "And Alexia would gladly take it. With her cheeks warming, she stepped around the table, positioning herself in such a way that her backside would block the rest of the room from seeing what her hands did."
            "As Alexia came closer, Ophelia sat back more comfortably, hand shifting up along beneath her top, in no rush. Her fingers visibly pressed down, dragging her tit up with their travel. A moment of clawing was necessary for Ophelia to get it out into the open, but once it was…"
            ophe "Go on. Touch it however you’d like."
            "Ophelia whispered the words, her other hand lifting and going to Alexia’s arm, moving up along her smooth skin to settle on her shoulder. The redheaded realised that to anyone watching them, it would probably look as though Alexia was helping Ophelia up."
            #cg2
            scene cg1629 with fade
            show alexia barmaid aroused behind cg1629
            pause 3
            "Instead, Ophelia coaxed Alexia to bend and lean down, bringing their faces closer together than ever before. Close enough that Alexia could practically taste the wine on Ophelia’s breath, something that paired well with the subtle yet heady perfume spritzed upon the other woman’s neck."
            "Alexia settled a hand upon Ophelia’s shoulder, too, opposite of the exposed tit. She drew in a slow inhale, reaching with her other hand towards the offered flesh that waited for her, her mind already wondering how it would feel in her hand compared to her own."
            "They were so large– just gazing at them made Alexia feel like her own tits were comparatively quaint throw pillows."
            "The initial contact was slow in its coming, and her first impression of them was that they were every bit as soft and inviting as Ophelia presented them to be, warm to her fingertips’ touch. Then the rest of Alexia’s fingers followed, spreading out to encompass what she could of the pale bosom."
            al "Goddess…"
            #cg2 - var 1
            show cg1630 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Ophelia laughed quietly, but said nothing, her breathing deep and slow, each inward and outward breath making her breast rise against Alexia’s palm before lowering away for one shy moment. Alexia couldn’t help but chase it each time, hand soon pressed down to keep its contact."
            "Even with each of her five fingers fully spread, Alexia’s hand couldn’t begin to actually cup Ophelia’s breast. It was just so damn big, and her pink nipple was like some strangely-cut gemstone against Alexia’s palm, stiff and unyielding no matter how she pushed down or squeezed around it."
            ophe "Mhh. Do you feel it? Its thump? Its rhythm? Its power? How its tremors shake my body so?"
            "Alexia did not, but that made the breast no less of a marvel to her, a wonder to behold and hold alike. She swallowed back clumsy words. Instead of feeling Ophelia’s heartbeat, she felt her own in her chest, rapid with excitement and apprehension."
            "If Indarah realised what she was doing… fuck, if anyone realized what she was doing, half the tavern would be ringed around them in seconds. Clearly careless or unaware of that knowledge, Ophelia pushed Alexia further."
            ophe "Now… ask me the question, Alexia. Please. I want you to feel what it does to me firsthand."
            show cg1631 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "It took Alexia a second to remember what that question was. She looked up from Ophelia’s breast to meet the minstrel’s fetching golden gaze once again, finding an openness waiting for her there, all intimacy and need. Vulnerability?"
            menu:
                "Ask the question. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "Ophelia…"
                    ophe "Shh. Say it for me."
                    if alexiaCorrupt < 61 and (alexiaAndrasObedient or roAlRel > 50):
                        al "What… What would you like to order?"
                        "It was a question Alexia had asked Ophelia many times before, but this time, there was a weight to it. A heat to it, threatening to scald Alexia."
                        "Her pussy throbbed with need as her mind flickered through all the things Ophelia might {i}order{/i} of her. Grace the minstrel’s knee with her ass? No, maybe further."
                        "Maybe she would have Alexia go beneath the table. Between her legs. It was just a passing fancy, not something Alexia could see herself doing, but {i}still{/i}–"
                        show cg1632 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        show cg1633 with dissolve
                        pause 2
                        ophe "Another bottle."
                        al "… Another bottle?"
                        "Alexia’s mouth went dry. Her {i}other{/i} mouth stayed very, very wet."
                        "A catlike smile took Ophelia’s lips as she repeated herself. Drunk or not, she seemed fully aware of what she was doing."
                        ophe "Another bottle. Of wine, thank you. Red as your hair, as usual."
                        "Alexia stared at Ophelia for several long seconds, not moving. Ophelia’s hands helpfully got her started, all slow and sure movements as she pushed Alexia away, pulled the barmaid’s hand off her and tucked away her tit."
                        al "I… but…"
                        ophe "You’re a delight, there’s no but about that.  But! Another bottle of wine."
                        scene black with fade
                        "After a moment’s fidgeting in place, Alexia turned stiffly and walked away. Ophelia sat up, seeming sober once more."
                        "She didn’t even get halfway through the rest of the bottle before needing help to her room, however– help that Indarah refused to give Ophelia when Alexia tried to shuck the duty."
                        "Alexia half-expected some move or another, but nothing more was forthcoming.  Needless to say, it took Alexia quite a bit of work to work out her frustrations before falling asleep that night."
                    else:
                        al "… What would you like to order?"
                        "It was a question Alexia had asked Ophelia many times before, in one way or another, but… not like this. Not so nakedly. She wished it were more properly so, in fact."
                        "The two of them, with proper privacy. No clothes, no pretence. Just them and whatever Ophelia ordered of her."
                        if alexiaJezObedient:
                            "Not that those orders would supersede those of Jereza’s, but she knew her proper mistress wouldn’t begrudge her something like this."
                        if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                            "Not that those orders would supersede those of Andras, but she knew he wouldn’t begrudge her something like this."
                        "At the question, Ophelia in a way Alexia hadn’t heard her laugh before– a drunkenly pleased titter that shook her shoulders."
                        "There might not have been such a thing as a breastbeat, but the giggle was enough to make her breast quake. Alexia bit her bottom lip and waited."
                        "When Ophelia spoke, it was in a whisper again, low and throaty– soft, but unyielding. It was an order through and through; not a request but a command, spoken by a woman used to being obeyed."
                        ophe "Lower your head. Put your lips to my nipple and kiss me."
                        #cg3
                        show cg1634 with dissolve
                        pause 3
                        if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
                            "Alexia took in a sharp breath. It was less than what she wanted, yet far more than what she would have expected Ophelia to demand of her in the tavern’s common room."
                            "She hesitated once again, starting to shoot a look behind herself just to make sure no one was looking– the plausible deniability they had up until this point was going to start eroding."
                            "Ophelia’s fingers slipped inward from her shoulder, to the base of her neck. Her lacquered nails traced lightly over Alexia’s collarbone in the process, before she swept her fingers behind the redhead’s head and began to push down."
                            ophe "Now."
                            "After letting out a soft groan, Alexia went willingly."
                        else:
                            "Alexia took in a shallow breath. It was less than what she wanted, yet far more than what she would have expected Ophelia to demand of her in the tavern’s common room."
                            "Though she hadn’t had a drop of the wine Ophelia had imbibed that night, she felt almost as drunk. Slowly but steadily, she began to dip down without a doubt or worry of consequence in her mind: the only thing that mattered was the next moment."
                            "As she lowered her head, Ophelia slid her hand up from Alexia’s shoulder to rest atop the back of her neck, possessive fingers a welcome presence there."
                            ophe "Good girl."
                        show cg1635 with dissolve
                        pause 3
                        "Although Alexia’s cheeks were already warm, their red burn blazed all the stronger as her mouth neared its destination."
                        "The pink thing was erect, tall and impossible to ignore, a perfect matching contrast to the softness of Ophelia’s pale chest."
                        "Alexia wet her lips with the tip of her tongue, then graced the nipple’s tip with them. Ophelia responded immediately to it with both a subtle sigh and tensed fingers on the back of Alexia’s neck."
                        "She did not pull her hand away. Alexia didn’t try to lift her head, as much as she wanted to push a little further. It wasn’t what she had been ordered to do."
                        "But Ophelia made things a little clearer to Alexia when she murmured down to the barmaid."
                        ophe "I said kiss, not peck. All the way down. Your lips to my areola."
                        "With that permission granted, Alexia pushed herself further down. Ophelia’s nipple slid ever-so-easily into her mouth. Its taste lightly mirrored that of Ophelia’s perfume."
                        show cg1636 with dissolve
                        pause 3
                        "For as long as it seemed at a glance, Alexia always immediately reached the base upon which the stiff pink feminine obelisk was planted. Her tongue rolled around it by way of old habit, leaving it slick with her saliva."
                        if (roAlRel > 50 and alexiaCorrupt > 60) or (roAlRel < 51 and alexiaCorrupt < 61):
                            "She made the kiss as intimate and familiar as any she would have given a lover, such as it was, lips moving and pressing against Ophelia’s areola. Her teeth gently pinched down on it."
                            "Above her, Ophelia giggled again."
                        else:
                            "She kissed it like it was her husband’s mouth, the way they once kissed in private, away from any prying eyes."
                            "She kissed it like it was more than just a nipple; a tongue to suckle, if not a finger presented to her."
                            "Between low giggles, Ophelia murmured down to her."
                            ophe "You poor slut."
                        "And just as Alexia found herself trying to deepen that kiss–"
                        ophe "Now, stop being so silly, get off my tits and go get me more wine."
                        scene black with fade
                        "Alexia couldn’t bring herself to stop right away; she frankly couldn’t bring herself to believe that she heard what she just heard. They had gone {i}this{/i} far and– {i}stop being so SILLY{/i}?"
                        "Ophelia’s nails quickly proved to be quite effective at prying off Alexia in the form of a yelp-worthy pinch."
                        "By the time she could wrap her mind around what happened, Ophelia had somehow managed to securely squeeze her titty back beneath her neckline."
                        "The only hint of what happened was the taste of flesh and perfume on Alexia’s tongue, and the bit of saliva she had to quickly wipe off her mouth."
                        "Miraculously, no one seemed to have noticed them. Alexia’s cheeks stayed hot red for the next hour."
                        if alexiaCorrupt < 61 and (alexiaJezObedient or alexiaAndrasObedient):
                            "She wasn’t sure that she would have cared, if anyone had."
                        if alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                            "She wasn’t sure that she would have cared, if anyone had."
                        "Ophelia didn’t make it halfway through the fresh bottle before Alexia really did have to help her to her room."
                        "And though Ophelia professed to have no memory of the event when Alexia tried to low-key broach it later?"
                        "The fact that she began to tease daily Alexia with winks and over-clothes pinches to her own nipple made her doubt the minstrel’s honesty."
                        return

                "Don’t ask the question.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "It was a trap. Not even the kind of trap that Alexia could say she wouldn’t enjoy being caught in, but a trap nevertheless. If she asked that question, Alexia knew she’d be putting herself on the hook for much more than delivering something from the kitchen."
                    "Ophelia, vulnerable. Goddess, how tempting."
                    "After a pause, pink-cheeked, Alexia began to pull away from the minstrel, starting to ask her a very different question as she straightened from her lean."
                    scene black with fade
                    show alexia barmaid neutral behind black
                    al "Can I get you anything else?"
                    "Though Ophelia sighed, she didn’t seem disappointed with Alexia’s choice– instead, she was satisfied with what she had gotten. "
                    "Rather than answer right away, she took a moment to get her top back in working order, somehow managing to stuff her impressive tit into its tight restraints without difficulty."
                    ophe "Yes, yes. Another bottle of wine, please."
                    "The minstrel didn’t even make it halfway through the new bottle before Alexia really did have to help her upstairs."
                    #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', -5)
                    return
                    
    return

# \events\ruler_events_47.rpy
label journey_to_the_stars_rp:

    $ andrasFavors = 0
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanAndrasSex = 0
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ skillCheck = "success"
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Has Rowan had gay sex before? (affects cg and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - at least once with Andras (Scene 1 and 2)":
            $ rowanGaySex = 10
            $ rowanAndrasSex = 10
            $ andrasFavors = 10
        "Yes (Scene 1 only)":
            $ rowanGaySex = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg43 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show andras disguised neutral at midright with dissolve

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        "The cold cut through Rowan's tunic like ice as he scaled the mountainside. Andras was leading the way, but he stopped every so often for Rowan to catch up, the demon seemingly unbothered by the blistering winds as snow fell in blinding gusts from the sky."
        "He wasn't even sure {i}exactly{/i} what they were going here for; Andras had showed up and insisted that Rowan accompany him on a trip to investigate some new invention."

    else:
        "The cold cut through Rowan's tunic like ice as he scaled the mountainside. Andras led the way like a shepherd with his cattle, not bothering to glance back as Rowan struggled to see him through the blinding gusts of snow."
        "He wasn't even sure {i}exactly{/i} what they were going here for; Andras had showed up and demanded Rowan lend his services as a pack mule for his latest trip."

    "Rowan just wished that Andras would have told him it was going to be so {i}cold{/i}."

    ro "How much farther?"

    "Andras kept his steps even, his vivid red skin standing out even more against the gray landscape as he spared a glance over his shoulder."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "It's just up ahead. What, you're not tired already?"
        an "I thought it would take more than a little snow to bring down the 'Great Hero.'"
        "Andras snorted, his voice dripping heavy with sarcasm. The hero rolled his eyes."

    else:
        an "What, you're afraid of a little snow? I didn't realize I was traveling with a princess."
        an "Stop bitching and keep up."
        "The hero bit his tongue in an effort to hold back his sharp response. Fighting with Andras on a mountainside wasn't energy he was willing to waste."

    "Rowan's legs were numb, and he was starting to lose feeling in his toes, but he kept this to himself as he trudged on. Each step felt leadened as the snow reached up his calves, leaving behind an obvious trail in the otherwise untouched mountainside."
    "It wasn't until they approached the top that Rowan saw plumes of smoke disappearing into the sky. A small cottage sat amidst the snow, the dark brown wood an inky stain against the foggy mountainside."
    "Andras strode forward with confidence and threw the front door open, either ignoring or not caring that the tiny silver lock broke off and disappeared into the snow in the process."
    "The cottage was less of a home and more of a workshop. As Rowan followed Andras inside, his gaze followed the shelves and crates of star charts, compass dials, astrolabes, tools, gears, and heavy tomes with celestial designs etched into the dyed leather covers."
    "There were small aspects indicating someone lived there–a cot in the corner, a small desk and table–but they were dwarfed by the sheer amount of astrological study surrounding them."
    "Rowan strayed to the cobblestone fireplace, relieved to find it lit as he warmed himself against the frost outside. Andras paid him no mind as he dug through the open crates haphazardly, searching."

    ro "So what is it we're doing here, exactly?"

    an "There's an invention here and I want it."

    "So blunt. Refraining from rolling his eyes, Rowan glanced around the messy room. Crates upon crates were stacked nearly to the ceiling, overflowing with star charts and maps. Strange machinery was scattered throughout, various shades of metal glinting against the roaring fire."
    "It was a miracle the astrologist–for Rowan was certain that was who lived here–could navigate their workshop, let alone Andras."

    ro "What kind of invention?"

    "Andras moved to another box, his thick brows drawn in irritation as he kicked aside the first, allowing scrolls to spill helplessly over the hardwood floor."

    an "It's called the Heat Capsule."

    "Rowan tried to place the name but came up blank. Not that he was particularly well versed in astrology to begin with, but he thought he would infer some understanding as to what this object was at least. A Heat Capsule…"
    "Perhaps it was related to the sun? Rowan pictured a device with the ability to capture and contain the sun's heat; a weapon like that could destroy nations. It could terraform the world, leaving nothing but a scorched wasteland in its wake."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "A device like that would be incredibly useful in their war efforts, especially if used effectively. There was no point in ruling over a hazardous wasteland, but a weapon harnessing the sun's power could turn the tides of war in their favor."

    else:
        "A shiver ran down the hero's spine. Andras was the last person Rowan wanted to have power over a device like that. His stomach churned at the thought, already imagining the sort of havoc the demon would release upon the world."
        "Rowan tapped his fingers against the fireplace, seeking a distraction from his troubled thoughts."

    ro "Why don't you wait until he comes back? The fire is lit; he can't be gone for long."

    an "He doesn't know we're here, idiot."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Understanding coursed through the hero as he watched Andras sift through one of the crates."
        ro "Oh, we're stealing it."
        an "Took you long enough to figure it out."

    else:
        "Realization crashed down on the hero like a bucket of ice."
        ro "Did you bring me here to {i}steal{/i} it?"
        an "Ha! What else? You didn't think we were here for tea, did you?"

    an "I drilled that old fuck for hours last time I was here, and when it came to taking it with me, the bastard refused."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        ro "Why didn't you just take it anyway? You're not usually one to back down from a fight."

    else:
        ro "Hmph. I'm surprised you didn't kill him for it."

    an "I {i}could{/i} have, but he's too useful."
    an "The fucker is a genius; he'll be making more inventions than this. You can already see the outlines for his next piece."

    "Andras gestured with his elbow to a stack of rolled scrolls in another crate. Sure enough, a peek at the detailed lines and frantic scrawls suggested to Rowan that there were many more ideas to come out of this man's mind."

    ro "I thought he studied astrology."

    "Accompanying those words, Rowan spread his arms wide to indicate all the instruments and diagrams about the cottage he swore were to study the heavens."

    an "What part of, 'genius' didn't you get?"

    "Rowan picked up one of the blueprints and traced his thumb over the stark black ink. The device was a cylinder with some kind of point sticking out of the top. Rowan couldn't begin to guess what it was used for, and the hastily written title at the top was too indecipherable to read."
    "He shoved the scroll back in the crate, noting that the others looked similarly hasty in their writing, as if their creator didn't have enough time in the world to jot his ideas down."
    "Andras kicked another crate over, startling the hero."

    an "{i}Where is it{/i}?"

    "Scowling, Andras picked up another box and dumped its contents onto the floor in his search. Rowan winced at the sound of gears and metal clashing against each other as they fell to the ground. The demon sifted through the items with his foot before moving to the next crate."

    ro "You're more likely to break it if you keep tossing boxes around like that."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "Then why don't you get off your ass and look? I didn't bring you here to sit around."

    else:
        an "I didn't bring you to stand around and bitch my ear off. Start looking."

    "Any of the human servants around the castle would have sufficed for that purpose, but Rowan was never sure if Andras had something else in mind or thought it would be funny to drag him over a mountain pass without winter gear."
    "The hero wasn't even sure what he was looking for, but that didn't seem like the kind of argument Andras wanted to hear. With a sigh, Rowan relented and began his search through the crates."
    "It appeared as though he was not the only one rummaging through the boxes; as he dug through the ones closer to the fireplace, Rowan noticed some of the items had been labeled and split up into piles, likely in a meager attempt to reorganize this mess."
    "He had only gotten through a box or two when he heard the front door creak open, followed by a set of footsteps."

    questi "{i}What are you doing to my home?!{/i}"

    "Rowan stopped cold, the box in his hand slipping from his grip and clattering onto the floor. Andras paused his search as well, choosing instead to cast a glare at their intruder."
    "The inventor was younger than Rowan pictured–he couldn't be more than twenty–with soft red hair and a small, pointed and freckled face. Thick purple robes hung from his small frame, several sizes too large, with celestial embroidery decorating the hem."
    "Andras eyed up the small man with suspicion."

    an "Where's the old man?"

    "The inventor's lips pressed into a thin line as he shut the door behind him, pushing out the cold."

    mikael "He's dead."

    "Andras's face scrunched up as if the news carried a bitter taste."

    an "Who are you?"

    $ mikaelName = "Mikael"

    mikael "Mikeal: his grandson. What do you want?"

    "Rowan watched as the two men regarded each other, a challenge in each of their eyes."
    "Suddenly, a devilish smile stretched upon Andras's lips. Rowan could almost see the idea turning in his wicked mind, an easy solution to his problem."

    an "Your old man promised me something. I'm here to collect it."

    "Mikael gave the demon a flat look, his lip curled in distaste."

    mikael "Somehow I doubt that. It isn't like my grandfather to promise anyone anything, much less to someone so…"

    "The apprentice looked Andras over, his lips pressing into a thin line."

    mikael "...nefarious."

    an "I'll take that as a compliment."

    "Mikael set down a pile of chopped logs he'd carried inside and shut the door behind him. Rowan did not miss how Mikael scowled as he reached for the lock only to find it had been snapped off. There was certainly no doubt as to who had done that."

    mikael "What are you looking for?"

    an "The Heat Capsule."

    "Mikael cocked his head to the side, a flicker of confusion crossing his face before his eyed narrowed in suspicion."

    mikael "The Heat Capsule?"

    an "That's right. I don't have all day, so cough it up."

    "Mikael studied Andras for a long moment, as though searching for the validity of the demon's statement. After a long moment, Mikael turned away and raised a hand toward one of the boxes on the floor."
    "Mikael stretched his fingertips toward the box, a strong wind emitting from his palm  as the box righted itself once again, the scrolls wrapping themselves back up into tight little cylinders before blowing back in the crate."
    "A {i}mage{/i}, Rowan realized. One attuned to the wind elements, at that."
    "It was with the shifting of the young man's robes that he saw the necklace dangling on his chest, the vibrant blue gemstone in the center glowing as Mikael continued to use his elemental magic to tidy up the room–attempt to tidy it, anyway."

    mikael "I doubt my grandfather promised you anything, certainly {i}that{/i} of all things. He was brilliant, but not a very generous man, least of all with his inventions. I suspect his plan was to be buried with them if he hadn't taken that tumble down the cliff."

    "Mikael shook his head as he rambled, a flicker of pain crossing his face as he recalled the old inventor's death."

    mikael "Even if you {i}were{/i} telling the truth, you would have had better luck finding it in this mess than me. I've been reorganizing my grandfather's inventions for days and I still haven't gotten through them all."
    mikael "Not to mention the backlog he left me to fix… That's going to take another year in itself. I don't know how I'll find the time to make half of my own creations."

    ro "You're an inventor, too?"

    mikael "I apprenticed under him for years. There is very little he didn't share with me."

    "At this, the apprentice cast a sideways glare at Andras."

    mikael "I don't appreciate being taken advantage of. I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place if you think I'm going to let you leave here with one of my grandfather's prized possessions."

    "The apprentice took a step to the side, clearing the path to the only exit available in the cabin."

    mikael "I'm sorry you wasted your time, but I think you both should leave now."

    "Rowan noted how well composed the young man was, especially in the face of Andras. The disguised demon made no attempt to hide his fury as he glared down at the apprentice, his lips curled into a deadly sneer as he held himself up to his full height."

    an "I think you've misheard me. I'm not leaving here without that Heat Capsule."

    "To his credit, Mikael didn't cower or shrink back. If anything, Andras's attempt to intimidate him only made the apprentice angrier."

    mikael "I think {i}you're{/i} the one that's hard of hearing. I said no."

    "A small smirk appeared on Andras's face."

    an "You have no idea who you're dealing with, do you?"

    "Mikael gave the demon a flat look."

    mikael "A nuisance?"

    "In one sudden, swift movement, Andras grabbed Mikael by the neck and pinned him up against the wall. Mikael's eyes bulged, his face red as he attempted to pry the demon's hands away."

    an "That's cute. Why don't you try saying that again?"

    "Andras's hand squeezed around the apprentice's neck. Mikael gasped for air, his legs kicking frantically against the wooden wall as he dangled above the floor. He reached for the gemstone on his necklace."
    "The gemstone pulsated in his hand before releasing a short burst of fire toward Andras. It was small, aimed almost specifically for the fireplace, so Rowan could guess the item's original use–but Mikael wielded it was a weapon instead, ready to fight."
    "The short burst of fire zipped past Andras's head, landing with a happy pop against the logpile in the fireplace."
    "Andras tore the necklace away with one easy yank of his hand."

    an "What's that? I can't hear you."

    "The apprentice gritted his teeth, tears springing to his eyes as he faced the disguised demon."

    mikael "Nu–Nui…sance…"

    "Mikael glared at the demon, his voice raspy and tight as he choked. His face was turning people, but Rowan knew the demon wouldn't kill him just yet; not until he knew where the Heat Capsule was."
    "Then, well, there were some fates much worse than death."

    menu:
        "Let them duke it out. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan stood back as Andras slowly choked the life out of the young apprentice, uninterested in interfering with the demon's work. If Mikael was smart, he would give up the invention and move on with his life."
                "Rowan, however, did not think Mikael was very smart."
            else:
                "Rowan hung back as Andras slowly choked the life out of the young apprentice, his gaze landing on anything but the twitching body against the wall. He could feel Mikael's eyes seeking him out, begging for help, and guilt twisted inside of the hero as he avoided helping the young man."
                "He wished Mikael would give in already. Andras was not a patient man, and Rowan wasn't sure the demon wouldn't kill him here to prove a point."
            an "Well?"
            "The demon loosened his grip slightly, just enough for Mikael to nod frantically in agreement. Andras dropped the apprentice onto his knees, delivering a swift kick to the collapsed bundle of robes wheezing on the floor."
            jump mikaelA_rp

        "Threaten Mikael. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan felt a tick of annoyance as the young apprentice defiantly shook his head, his eyes searching pleadingly to Rowan for assistance. Did he think Rowan was going to be playing the good cop here?"
                "Unsheathing his sword, Rowan approached the young man, noting the fear in his eyes as Mikael spotted the weapon glinting in the hero's hand."
                ro "You seem to be under the impression that we're not going to take it as long as you continue to thrash about like an idiot, but the truth of the matter is that it doesn't matter if you're alive or dead–we'll turn over this entire cottage if we have to."
                "Andras shifted to the side so Rowan could press the tip of his sword against the apprentice's chest."
                ro "I'll give you until the count of three."
                ro "One. Two. Thre–"
            else:
                "The apprentice's gaze sought Rowan's, eyes wide and pleading. The hero felt a pang of sympathy for the young man, but that feeling was outweighed by how long the apprentice was dragging his own death out."
                "Rowan didn't want to see Andras kill him anymore than he wanted to search for this mysterious device in the middle of this frozen mountain."
                "Unsheathing his sword, Rowan approached the young man, noting the fear in his eyes as Mikael spotted the weapon glinting in the hero's hand."
                ro "I think you've wasted enough of our time. If you've got nothing more to say, let's end this now and begin the search."
                "Rowan hoped his empty threat sounded real enough as he positioned himself to maim the apprentice. He had no intention of actually stabbing him, but if Mikael didn't speak up soon, Rowan wasn't sure he could back out on his threat."
                #if avatar.skill_roll("deception", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    "Andras's smirk widened at Rowan's attempt at intimidation, and the hero felt a small sense of approval from the demon as his nails dug against Mikael's neck."
                else:
                    "Andras huffed a laugh, the mockery evident on his face as Rowan positioned himself as an additional threat. Clearly he did not believe a word coming from the hero's mouth."
                "Thankfully, Mikael bought every word of it."
            mikael "WAIT!!"
            "The word came out as a wheeze. Andras loosened his grip slightly, allowing the young man to gasp for air."
            mikael "I-It's yours…!"
            "Andras dropped the apprentice onto the floor, delivering a swift kick to the collapsed bundle of robes wheezing on the floor."
            an "Say that again."
            jump mikaelA_rp

        "Attempt to settle this with conversation. (Scene 2)":
             # $ released_fix_rollback()
             #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
             jump mikaelB_rp

        "Seduce the invention from Mikael. (Scene 1)" if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan watched the young apprentice struggle and felt a slight change of mood in the atmosphere. Andras leaned close to the young man's ear and whispered something indecipherable–causing the apprentice to blush, his eyes growing wide with shock."
            mikael "I beg your pardon?!"
            ro "What did he say?"
            "Andras chuckled darkly, his pointed smirk glinting against the firelight's glow."
            an "I offered him another solution. I'm getting that invention one way or another, so would he like to feel pleasure or pain?"
            mikael "T-Those aren't the words you used…"
            "Rowan raised a brow, marginally surprised by this turn of events. Usually Andras was eager to kill–he could see the bloodlust in the demon's eyes–but a new idea had struck him, something that seemed to be far more entertaining than murder."
            "Well, to Andras at least."
            ro "Are you planning to fuck it out of him?"
            "There was a hint of amusement in Rowan's voice that he couldn't hold back. The confidence–no, the {i}arrogance{/i}–that Andras's dick was somehow powerful enough to end negotiations and get the demon anything he wanted was almost laughable."
            "Yet, Rowan had felt that dick firsthand. There was something desirable about it, whether he chose to admit it or not. Andras knew how to wield his best weapons, and his cock just happened to be one of them."
            an "Well, which is it, boy? I don't have all day."
            "Mikael winced at the growing impatience in Andras's tone. If he didn't decide soon, Andras would choose–and it probably wasn't going to be sex."
            mikael "F-Fine. If that… If that'll get you to leave faster…"
            "Andras laughed at the trepidation in Mikael's voice, causing him to flush harder. It was all too obvious that the apprentice wasn't as willing to toss them out; not if this was the result of their company."
            an "Get over here."
            scene cg1690 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1691 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1692 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1693 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show andras disguised neutral behind cg1690
            scene black with fade
            show andras disguised neutral behind black
            "Andras waved Rowan over, loosening his grip on the apprentice. Mikael fell into his pile of robes instantly, coughing a little as he touched the blossoming bruise on his throat."
            "The apprentice didn't have much time to catch his breath; Andras grabbed Mikael's robes and forced him to his feet, ignoring how the apprentice trembled under his touch."
            "Once Mikael was standing, the demon yanked the robes off of his body with a grand flourish, leaving the apprentice's slender body naked and exposed."
            "Rowan felt his own cock stiffen at the sight, at the slight blush to the young man's body as he–in embarrassment–attempted to cover himself up."
            "Andras was having none of that."
            "Grabbing him by the ass, Andras hoisted Mikael around his waist, hooking his legs so he wouldn't fall. The apprentice let out a small noise of surprise, his cock brushing against Andras's stomach as he quickly clung to the demon's shoulders in case he should fall."
            mikael "W-What are you doing?!"
            an "What does it look like? You've never been fucked before?"
            mikael "I-I have, but certainly not like– Ohh!!"
            "Mikael gasped as Andras's thumbs squeezed into and parted the apprentice's asshole. Slipping his erection out of his trousers, Andras shoved his cock against Mikael's entrance, slowly inching it apart to allow the full extent of his girth."
            mikael "W-Wait, that's… That's too much, it's…!!"
            mikael "Is that–is your dick {i}okay{/i}? It's bright re–"
            "The apprentice's words abruptly cut off as Andras slammed his length inside of him. Mikael bounced atop Andras's lap, the demon's grip on his ass hard as he drove fully into Mikael's rear."
            "Rowan's breath caught and, before he could think better of it, he felt his own hand removing his cock from his trousers and stroking in time to Andras's thrusts. The demon caught his eye with an approving smile as he fucked the apprentice."
            "The hero's strokes quickened as Mikael relaxed in Andras's hold, allowing the demon to fully fuck him at his pleasure. He could almost feel the pressure of Andras's cock against his own ass as he watched Mikael take each thrust, his entire body trembling in delight at the movement."
            "Unhooking Mikael's arms from his neck, Andras flung the apprentice backward while continuing his thrusts, gripping his hips hard so he wouldn't leave Mikael's ass."
            "Rowan barely caught the apprentice before he fell too far down. Mikael blinked up at the hero slowly, his lips parted as small noises of pleasure escaped. His gaze slowly trailed to the hero's cock pressed against his head, an understanding passing between them."
            show cg1694 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Tilting his chin back, Mikael slowly took Rowan into his mouth, his eyes lidding at the sensation of fulfillment on each end. He wrapped his arms around the hero's waist, pulling him close until Rowan's cock pressed down into the young man's throat."
            "A shudder ran through Rowan at the sight of Mikael stretched between them, his legs holding onto Andras for dear life as he was penetrated from both ends. Rowan ran a hand down the apprentice's chest, earning a shiver and moan from the young man."
            "Unable to contain himself, Rowan grabbed Mikael's forearms and fucked his face, working to match Andras's frenzied pace."
            show cg1694 with sshake
            show cg1694 with sshake
            show cg1695 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg1696 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg1697 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1698 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Andras dug his nails deeper into the apprentice, practically clawing at him as he came, pouring his cum deep into the young man's ass and along the floor."
            "Mikael bucked between them, crying out with pleasure around Rowan's cock as he came, coating his own stomach in sticky white fluid. The sight was enough to send Rowan over the edge, pouring his load deep into the young man's throat."
            "Once he was released from their hold, Mikael collapsed onto his pile of robes on the floor, his body filthy with cum as he struggled once again to catch his breath. There was a new look in his eyes as he glanced between the men; a mix of excitement and shame."
            mikael "T-That was…"
            an "The best sex of your life? Yeah, I get that a lot."
            an "Now get me the Heat Capsule."
            "Mikael nodded shakily, not even bothered by Andras's harsh response. Once they were clothed again, the apprentice began his search, carefully avoiding their watchful eyes as he dug through piles of gears and metal."
            scene bg43 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show andras disguised neutral at midright with dissolve
            "After about an hour, Mikael handed Andras the invention."
            mikael "...If there's anything else you need next time, just knock."
            "The apprentice couldn't look either of them in the face as he said it, but Rowan saw the bright red blush creep up to his ears all the same."
            "Andras threw a terrible, wicked grin at the young man as he raised the invention in salute, already making his way to the door."
            an "We'll keep that in mind."
            "Rowan followed Andras out of the cottage, feeling Mikael's gaze watch after them on their way out."
            jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

    label mikaelA_rp:

    mikael "Y-You… You can ha…have it… Find it… and it's yours…!"

    "Andras ground his foot on Mikael's hand. The apprentice whimpered as bruises bloomed over his knuckles, his gaze lingering on the necklace dangling above in Andras's hand."

    an "What was that?"

    "Mikael wheezed, a dark bruise forming on his neck where Andras's hand had been."
    "He looked between the men with a mixture of hatred and fear. Rowan guessed he did not interact with many on these mountains, but the few people he came across likely feared whatever simple magic he wielded."
    "Andras was something else. Something darker. The look in Mikael's eyes showed Rowan just how young this apprentice was; how little he knew, and how much farther he still had to go to understand how this world worked."

    mikael "...I'll look for it."

    an "Good dog. Fetch."

    "Andras tossed the necklace into the mess, the blue gemstone disappearing behind a pile of metal and paper. Trembling, Mikael chased after it, staggering as he rummaged through the junk."
    "There was no further argument from Mikael as he searched throughout the room, keeping his distance from the other men as they lingered by the fireplace."
    "Rowan did not miss the way Andras positioned himself so the firelight shadowed half of his face, casting his wicked smile in a demonic light."
    "Rowan wondered if the apprentice would use the necklace as some sort of revenge–and from the glances Mikael cast in their direction, the thought had no doubt crossed his mind–but he seemed to think better of it with the Andras's eyes on his every move."
    "Almost daring Mikael to fight back. Rowan could feel the tension radiating off of Andras's shoulders, the excitement for a fight taut in every muscle of his body."
    "Mikael did not give in. About an hour later, the apprentice emerged from the wreckage with a small metal device in hand. He practically threw it at Andras, who easily caught it in his hand."

    mikael "Well? That's it. You'll be on your way then?"

    "There was hope in the young apprentice's voice. His eagerness to be free of their presence was clear in every fidget he made, shifting from side to side anxiously as he waited for them to leave."

    if rowanGaySex > 0 or rowanCorrupt > 30:
        menu:
            "Give him a final 'punishment' with Andras. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Andras stepped up before Rowan had a chance to speak, his dark eyes glittering with wicked thoughts as he looked over the young apprentice."
                an "Just one more thing."
                "The demon tilted Mikael's chin up to face him, stroking down the length of the apprentice's neck with his nail. Mikael shuddered, his breath caught."
                an "You're been giving me shit since you got here. I'm not finished with you just yet."
                "Mikael blanched as Andras reached around to squeeze his ass."
                mikael "W-Wait! I did what you said! This isn't… I…"
                "The apprentice fumbled for words as Andras pressed close to his face, his teeth grazing Mikael's earlobe. He shuddered under the larger man's touch, letting out a pleasured noise that he immediately clamped his good hand over his mouth for."
                an "Ha! You like this, don't you? Even if {i}I'm{/i} the one doing it."
                mikael "T-That's not…"
                "Mikael's words died in his mouth as Andras bit his neck. The young apprentice gasped, all but melting into the demon's arms."
                "He couldn't bring himself to look at either Andras or Rowan in the eye, his attention fixed on the fireplace as Andras groped and fondled him through his robes."
                mikael "T-This isn't– You should stop–"
                an "That's not what your dick is telling me."
                "Andras pressed his knee between Mikael's legs. The apprentice's breath hitched as the demon rubbed against his growing erection, each touch earning a slight whimper as his fingers clutched the front of his robe."
                "A low chuckle rumbled through the demon's chest as he watched the apprentice squirm underneath him."
                an "How fucking pathetic. You're so desperate for dick that you'll take it from {i}anyone{/i}."
                "Mikael started, bright red coloring his face from his neck to the tips of his ears."
                mikael "T-That isn't–"
                "Andras silenced him with his mouth, forcing his tongue down the apprentice's throat. Mikael stumbled back at the contact, pressing further against the wall, but Andras dragged him forward so their bodies melded together."
                "When he pulled away, Mikael's lips were swollen and his eyes half-lidded with desire. Andras wasted no time yanking the young man's robes to the floor, exposing his slender naked body to the open air."
                "Rowan felt his own cock stiffen at the sight, at the slight blush to the young man's body as Mikael–in embarrassment–attempted to cover himself up."
                "Andras was having none of that."
                scene cg1690 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1691 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1692 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1693 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show andras disguised neutral behind cg1690
                scene black with fade
                "Grabbing him by the ass, Andras hoisted Mikael around his waist, hooking his legs so he wouldn't fall. The apprentice let out a small noise of surprise, his cock brushing against Andras's stomach as he quickly clung to the demon's shoulders in case he should fall."
                "Mikael gasped as Andras's thumbs squeezed into and parted the apprentice's asshole. Slipping his erection out of his trousers, Andras shoved his cock against Mikael's entrance, slowly inching it apart to allow the full extent of his girth."
                mikael "W-Wait, that's… That's too much, it's…!!"
                mikael "Is that–is your dick okay? It's bright re–"
                "The apprentice's words abruptly cut off as Andras slammed his length inside of him. Mikael bounced atop Andras's lap, the demon's grip on his ass hard as he drove fully into Mikael's rear."
                "Rowan's breath caught and, before he could think better of it, he felt his own hand removing his cock from his trousers and stroking in time to Andras's thrusts. The demon caught his eye with an approving smile as he fucked the apprentice."
                "The hero's strokes quickened as Mikael relaxed in Andras's hold, allowing the demon to fully fuck him at his pleasure."
                "He could almost feel the pressure of Andras's cock against his own ass as he watched Mikael take each thrust, his body trembling in delight at the movement."
                "Unhooking Mikael's arms from his neck, Andras flung the apprentice backward while continuing his thrusts, gripping his hips hard so he wouldn't leave Mikael's ass."
                "Rowan barely caught the apprentice before he fell too far down. Mikael blinked up at the hero slowly, his lips parted as small noises of pleasure escaped his throat. His gaze slowly trailed to the hero's cock pressed against his head, understanding passing between them."
                show cg1694 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Tilting his chin back, Mikael slowly took Rowan into his mouth, his eyes lidding at the sensation of fulfillment on each end. He wrapped his arms around the hero's waist, pulling him close until Rowan's cock pressed down into the young man's throat."
                "A shudder ran through Rowan at the sight of Mikael stretched between them, his legs holding onto Andras for dear life as he was penetrated from both ends. Rowan ran a hand down the apprentice's chest, earning a shiver and moan from the young man."
                "Unable to contain himself, Rowan grabbed Mikael's forearms and fucked his face, working to match Andras's frenzied pace."
                show cg1694 with sshake
                show cg1694 with sshake
                show cg1695 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1696 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1697 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1698 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Andras dug his nails deeper into the apprentice, practically clawing at him as he came, pouring his cum deep into the young man's ass and along the floor."
                "Mikael bucked between them, crying out with pleasure around Rowan's cock as he came, coating his own stomach in sticky white fluid. The sight was enough to send Rowan over the edge, pouring his load deep into the young man's throat."
                "Once he was released from their hold, Mikael collapsed onto his pile of robes on the floor, his body filthy with cum as he struggled once again to catch his breath. There was a new look in his eyes as he glanced between the men; shame and regret as he realized what he'd done."
                "Without a word, the apprentice yanked on his clothes, careful to avoid touching either of them in the process."
                mikael "If you're finished, the door's over there."
                scene bg43 with fade
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                show andras disguised neutral at midright with dissolve

            "Leave.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                pass

    "The poor apprentice had been through enough. Rowan could see how eager Andras was to pounce on the young man, to humiliate him for ever questioning the half-demon prince, and Rowan wasn't sure Mikael would be able to handle it."
    "Before Andras could say anything, Rowan nudged him and walked toward the door."

    ro "Come on, you got what you wanted. I'm tired of freezing my balls out here."

    an "Tch. Who are you to tell me what to do?"

    "Still, Andras followed Rowan out of the cottage, kicking over items in his wake simply to spite the young apprentice before he left."

    jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

    label mikaelB_rp:

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan attempted to refrain from rolling his eyes at Andras's quick resort to violence. He doubted the demon needed to go so far for information–a little persuasion could go a long way."

    else:
        "Rowan felt a deep pang of sympathy for the young apprentice as he dangled against the wall, his eyes seeking out the hero's in a silent plea. Andras was going to kill him at this rate."

    "The hero pressed a hand to Andras's shoulder, earning the demon's attention. Andras glared down at him, irritated at the interruption."

    an "What?"

    ro "Let me talk to him."

    an "So you can bore him to death? I like my way better."

    "Andras gave the young man's throat a squeeze for emphasis."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        ro "You're going to make the guy piss himself. Look at him–he's no use to us if he's passed out or dead."

    else:
        ro "Look at him–he's terrified. He isn't going to be able to help us if you crush his windpipe"

    ro "It'll just be a minute. If I don't get through to him, then we'll do things your way."

    "Andras clicked his tongue in annoyance but reluctantly dropped the apprentice to the ground. Mikael folded into his robes, coughing and wheezing as the oxygen rushed back into his windpipe."
    "Rowan crouched down to the apprentice's height with a small smile. Mikael flinched back, Andras's threatening presence still creating a wall between them."

    ro "I'm sure you don't want to die anymore than we want to kill you."

    "He ignored Andras's snort behind him."

    ro "So let's handle this civilly. You want us to leave, and the sooner we get that device, the sooner we'll be out of here and you can go back to your isolation."
    ro "We aren't leaving without the Heat Capsule either way, so wouldn't you rather help us out and kick us out faster?"

    "Mikael opened his mouth to argue but fell into a coughing fit instead. He glanced between the men, wary to trust either one."

    mikael "You'll… You'll leave if I give it to you…?"

    ro "Yes. You want to make this as quick as possible, don't you?"

    "Mikael reluctantly nodded."

    ro "Then let us have it and we'll be on our way."

    "The apprentice stared at them for a long moment, turning the offer over in his head. There wasn't much to consider–Rowan had made it clear they were leaving with the item either way–but was that enough to convince him?"
    "Mikael sighed, slowly climbing to his feet. He kept his distance from Andras, sensing the hostility radiating off of the demon from across the room."

    mikael "I will–You can have it."
    mikael "I haven't the faintest clue where it is, though. We could be searching here all night."

    an "What do you mean 'we'?"

    "Mikael blinked, shock flitting across his face."

    mikael "You don't expect me to search through all of this by myself? You've dumped out half of my organization system already!"

    an "And you're wasting my time!"
    an "Find me the Heat Capsule. {i}Now{/i}."

    menu:
        "Offer to help Mikael search.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanhelpedMikael = True
            #$ change_favor('andras', -1)
            "Rowan placed a hand on the apprentice's shoulder. Mikael tensed underneath him, bracing for the next attack."
            ro "It's fine; I'll help you search. I'm looking forward to getting home myself."
            "Mikael nodded hesitantly, nodding his thanks as he took in the disorganized state of the room. Andras and Rowan were both certainly to blame for how chaotic things had become."

        "Make Mikael search on his own.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanhelpedMikael = False
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            "Mikael looked to Rowan for help, but he shrugged."
            ro "Sorry. You're on your own."

    an "Hey, bitch; fetch."

    "Andras tossed Mikael's necklace into the mess, the blue gemstone disappearing behind a pile of metal and paper. Mikael chased after it, muttering curses under his breath as he rummaged through the junk."
    "There was no further argument from Mikael as he searched throughout the room, keeping his distance from the other men as they lingered by the fireplace. Rowan did not miss the way Andras positioned himself so the firelight shadowed half of his face, casting his wicked smile in a demonic light."

    if rowanhelpedMikael:
        "The two men ravaged the stacks of crates in silence, doing their best to ignore the intimidating demon standing a few feet away. It suddenly felt as if they were on a deadline, and time was quickly running out."

    "Rowan wondered if the apprentice would use the necklace as some sort of revenge–and from the glances Mikael cast in their direction, the thought had no doubt crossed his mind–but he seemed to think better of it with the demon's eyes on his every move."
    "Almost daring Mikael to fight back. Rowan could feel the tension radiating off of Andras's shoulders, the excitement for a fight taut in every muscle of his body."
    "Mikael did not give in. About an hour later, the apprentice emerged from the wreckage with a small metal device in hand. He practically threw it at Andras, who easily caught it in his hand."

    mikael "Don't forget your end of the bargain."

    "There was wariness in the young apprentice's voice. Rowan couldn't blame him; they'd broken into his home, threatened him, and made him search for the object of their desire for quite some time. It was no wonder he wanted them gone as soon as possible."
    "Andras threw a terrible, wicked grin at the young man as he raised the invention in salute, already making his way to the door."

    an "Pleasure doing business with you."

    "Rowan followed Andras out of the cottage, ignoring how the demon kicked over items in his wake simply to spite the young apprentice before he left."

    if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
        if andrasFavors >= 4:
            "They'd barely left the front door when Andras grabbed Rowan by the shoulder and jerked him to face the demon."
            an "So, you want to talk your way out of everything, huh?"
            an "I don't like being undermined, especially in front of wimps like that fucker in there, so give me a reason why I shouldn't throw your ass in the snow and punish you right now."
            "The demon ran his thumb over his lip, his gaze growing heedy as he slowly looked at the hero from top to bottom. His disguise had already dropped, exposing the demon in full."
            menu:
                "Call his bluff.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan found himself laughing a little in disbelief."
                    ro "Punish me how? By giving me frostbite?"
                    ro "You aren't going to fuck me in the snow. For fuck's sake, Andras, we'd both freeze our balls off out here."
                    ro "If I'm out sick, all of my work falls back on you. There will be delays, not to mention all of the paperwork that's going to stack up. All of my traveling will be put off, of course, which puts us even {i}further{/i} behind, not to mention the time I would need to recover…"
                    "Andras was already scowling by the end of Rowan's speech, his interest long gone with the nagging excuse."
                    an "Fine, {i}fine{/i}. For fuck's sake, just shut up already. My boner fled at your damned grating voice."
                    "Waving the hero off, Andras stomped back down the mountain, his new focus drawn to the small device in his hands."
                    jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

                "Let him 'punish' you. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                    $ rowanGaySex += 1
                    "Rowan couldn't help but let out a small laugh of disbelief."
                    ro "You want to fuck me in the snow?"
                    "As he said it, Rowan didn't altogether hate the idea. In fact, the more he tossed it over in his head, the mental image of Andras's body overtop of his, the demon's body heat mixed with the cold of the snow, sent a thrill of pleasure through the hero's body."
                    an "Want to and going to are different things."
                    #cg
                    scene cg1637 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1637
                    show andras smirk behind cg1637
                    pause 2
                    show cg1638 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "One moment the hero was standing, and the next he found himself thrown into the snow, his clothes hastily being discarded around him as Andras tore at the cloth with animalistic vigilance."
                    "It was a strange sensation, the cold air and snow around him contrasting against the heat of Andras's large body. Andras didn't seem to mind the change as he kicked off his own attire, his vibrant red skin standing out against the otherwise gray world."
                    "While Rowan's cock had initially shriveled against the touch of the cold, Andras's hard erection brushed against the hero's belly, almost like a warning of what was to come. Rowan arched his back toward the warmth of the demon, desperate to pull away from the freezing ground."
                    "Grabbing the hero's hips, Andras dragged Rowan's ass onto his cock, using his thumbs to widen the taut hole with each languid thrust."
                    ro "Ngh, fuck…"
                    "Rowan's cock twitched in delight at the sensation, begging for more. He quickly reached down to stroke his growing member, feeling it expand between his fingers as Andras picked up speed."
                    "The demon hoisted Rowan's hips higher as his thrusts grew rougher, slipping deep into the hero's arse as he yanked Rowan to match his pace."
                    "Desperation pulled at Rowan as he struggled to meet Andras's thrusts; desperation to get away from the cold lingering on his back, desperation for the warmth of Andras's bare skin against his, and a heedy desperation for every violent thrust rocking against his anatomy."
                    ro "More, more, keep going… fuck, fuck…"
                    show cg1639 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1640 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "The demon delighted in Rowan's pleasured expressions, at the raspiness to his voice as he struggled to catch a breath amidst Andras tearing into his asshole."
                    show cg1641 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1642 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Rowan's nails clawed into the demon's thighs with obvious need as his cock twitched between his slender fingers, each stroke coupled with Andras's thrusts sending him over the edge."
                    show cg1642 with sshake
                    show cg1642 with sshake
                    show cg1643 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1644 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1645 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Cum splattered onto the demon's stomach as Rowan felt Andras fill his ass up with his seed. The sticky fluid dripped out onto the snow, melting in small droplets."
                    "Satisfied, Andras smirked and used one of Rowan's articles of clothing to wipe off before tossing it back at the hero."
                    an "Get dressed before your dick turns into a popsicle."
                    "The hero nodded, wasting no time in his haste to clean up and pull his clothes back on. He tried to ignore the wetness of the fabric where their cum mixed together, making a mental note that it would need to be cleaned later."
                    scene bg43 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show andras disguised neutral at midright with dissolve
                    jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

        else:
            "They'd barely left the front door when Andras grabbed Rowan and threw him face first into the snow. Rowan gasped as he stumbled to the ground, shocked by both the movement and the sudden cold seeping through his clothes."
            "Spitting out a mouthful of snow, Rowan turned to glare up at the laughing demon. His disguise had already dropped, and somehow the laughter felt even crueler coming from Andras in his usual form."
            ro "What the hell was that for?"
            an "You thought you could undermine me in front of that fucking loser in there and get away with it?"
            ro "But it worked."
            an "I don't give a fuck that it {i}worked{/i}. You don't call the shots around here; I do."
            an "Maybe you need a reminder."
            "Rowan saw the crotch of Andras's trousers flex with his growing boner, an obvious sign for what kind of 'reminder' the demon was thinking of."
            menu:
                "Apologize.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Face heated in shame, Rowan dug his nails into the snowbed and took a deep breath. He wasn't about to get frostbitten on his balls because Andras wanted to prove a point."
                    ro "I'm sorry. I was trying to offer another solution to our problem, but I see that I shouldn't have interfered."
                    ro "I'll remember not to get in the way next time."
                    "Andras's face pinched; this clearly wasn't the result he was hoping for, but seeing Rowan freezing in the snow with an apology must have been enough to satisfy him."
                    an "You'd better not. I won't make things easy on you next time if you do."
                    "Leaving Rowan to scramble out of the snow himself, Andras stormed back down the mountain, his attention fixed to his new invention."
                    jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

                "Accept the 'reminder' (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                    $ rowanGaySex += 1
                    "Rowan couldn't tell if the heat rushing through his body was from Andras's suggestion or the wet snow seeping through his clothes. From the look in Andras's eye, Rowan knew he had little choice in the matter."
                    "So why didn't he mind it?"
                    "Refusing to entertain his own thoughts, Rowan averted his gaze to a tree swaying in the distance."
                    ro "Fine."
                    #cg
                    scene cg1637 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1637
                    show andras smirk behind cg1637
                    pause 2
                    show cg1638 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Andras was on the hero in an instant, tearing at his clothes with an animalistic vigilance as Rowan flinched when the snow touched his bare body."
                    "It was a strange sensation, the cold air and snow around him contrasting against the heat of Andras's large body. Andras didn't seem to mind the change as he kicked off his own attire, his vibrant red skin standing out against the otherwise gray world."
                    "While Rowan's cock had initially shriveled against the touch of the cold, Andras's hard erection brushed against the hero's belly, almost like a warning of what was to come."
                    "Rowan arched his back toward the warmth of the demon, desperate to pull away from the freezing ground, but Andras pushed him back down."
                    an "Get your ass back down there. You'll get up when I say you can."
                    "Andras flipped Rowan onto his stomach, pressing him chest-first against the frozen ground. Rowan sucked in a breath of frigid air through his teeth, practically hissing at the touch of frost against his skin. The demon chuckled darkly behind him, relishing in the minor torture."
                    "Grabbing the hero's hips, Andras dragged Rowan's ass onto his cock, using his thumbs to widen the taut hole with each languid thrust."
                    ro "Ngh, fuck…"
                    "Against the stiff snow, Rowan couldn't get his cock to rise, but pleasure burned through his body as Andras thrusted  inside of him, the slap of his balls against Rowan's ass echoing across the mountainside."
                    "The demon hoisted Rowan's hips higher as his thrusts grew rougher, slipping deep into the hero's arse as he yanked Rowan to match his pace."
                    "Desperation pulled at Rowan as he struggled to meet Andras's thrusts; desperation to get away from the cold lingering on his chest, desperation for the warmth of Andras's bare skin against his, and a heedy desperation for every violent thrust rocking against his anatomy."
                    show cg1639 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1640 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    an "Ha! Are you enjoying the reminder, boy?"
                    "Rowan opened his mouth to answer–positively or negatively, the hero didn't know–but Andras just as quickly shoved his face back in the snow, his laughter ringing through the hero's ears as he struggled not to suffocate."
                    show cg1641 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1642 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Andras yanked his head back up by his hair, pulling hard against the strands as he took turns thrusting and smashing Rowan's face in the snow."
                    show cg1642 with sshake
                    show cg1642 with sshake
                    show cg1643 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1644 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1645 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Cum poured into the hero's ass at once as Andras came. The sticky fluid dripped out onto the snow, melting in small droplets, and Andras let go of Rowan's hair, allowing the hero to catch his breath."
                    "Satisfied, Andras smirked and used one of Rowan's articles of clothing to wipe off before tossing it back on top of the hero."
                    an "Get dressed before your dick turns into a popsicle."
                    "The hero nodded, wasting no time in his haste to clean up and pull his clothes back on. He tried to ignore the wetness of the fabric where their cum mixed together just as he attempted to ignore the satisfaction he felt at Andras messing with him during sex."
                    scene bg43 with fade
                    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show andras disguised neutral at midright with dissolve
                    jump heatCapsuleConclusion_rp

    label heatCapsuleConclusion_rp:

    "Rowan did not miss the cold as they trudged back down the mountain, each gust of wind sending another shiver down his spine. He crossed his arms and searched for a distraction."
    "His gaze landed on the metal device in Andras's hand. It was square with a red gemstone pressed into the back. Long, narrow slits were cut into the center, sharp enough to cut."

    ro "What are you planning to use it for?"

    "Rowan once again tried to imagine how this tool could be useful in Andras's war efforts. Harnessing the sun's power might have been a stretch, but he wasn't sure what the old inventor had been capable of."

    an "My hair."

    ro "Your– what?"

    "The hero halted, Andras's words echoing across the mountaintop."
    "Noticing the hero's shock, Andras turned and pressed this thumb against the gemstone. It glowed a vibrant red as hot air poured out of the slits–vents. Andras waved it in front of his hair and the snow that clung to the black strands dried instantly."
    "Rowan could only stare in shock."

    an "Haha! Amazing, isn't it? That old man was a genius. Shame his grandson is such a fucking loser."

    ro "We went through all of that… for {i}this{/i}?"

    an "I don't blame the kid for putting up a fight. This is a real find."
    an "If he's anything like his old man, he can just make another one–and if he's too stupid to, then that's his own fault."

    "Tucking the Heat Capsule into his pocket, Andras continued his descent down the mountain. Rowan slowly followed behind, unable to even form anger at the absurdity of their adventure."
    "Maybe he would borrow that device after a long, {i}long{/i} hot bath."

    return

# \events\chaos_inc_3.rpy
label the_duel_5_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ isdruelName = "Isdruel"

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            jump the_duel_5_skip
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve
    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    je "…And you’re certain of this? A dryad actually bothered to speak with you?"

    ro "‘Threatened’ would be the more accurate word, but yes."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "How intriguing! I wouldn’t have thought them capable of such guile. "

    ro "Her terms were rather straightforward: leave the Blackrose forest alone, and she won’t trouble us."

    an "She killed my men. I’ll take her bones for kindling."

    "Rowan turned to face the unsmiling Andras."

    ro "I told her as much when I was at her mercy. The fact she let me go at all implies an opportunity for us to strike a better bargain than the one she offered directly."

    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    an "Fuck the tree bitch. What of this Shagron you’ve found?"

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Ygriss? Well at a minimum, the tales of her kind’s ferocity are well founded. Maybe even understated."
    ro "I dragged her out of that forest half dead, and in her spare time recovering she hunted and slew a full grown bear."

    an "{i}That’s{/i} the kind of strength I’m looking for. Gaining her allegiance would be more than worth the price of a patrol."

    je "Now now, dear brother. Let us not underestimate the potential of this wayward tree nymph."
    je "The magical properties of her botany alone could be of great use to us - to say nothing of her own formidable powers."

    show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

    je "Would it be possible to convince {i}both{/i} of them to join us?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Given that one of them swore a blood feud against the other? Unlikely in the extreme."

    je "Perhaps the Shagron can be distracted, turned away from her hunt?"

    ro "She’s too stubborn for that. She {i}will{/i} go looking for Isdruel."

    an "A killer through and through."

    ro "…And odds are any deal with Isdruel will require us to help protect her woods from just such an invader."

    show andras displeased at edgeright with dissolve

    an "A Shagron would be worth a legion of Orcs in battle, and you’ve already gained her trust. I say we burn down the Blackrose on her behalf."

    je "Maybe I didn’t state my case clearly enough brother: Isdruel is clearly looking to make a deal, and her strength goes beyond mere battle tactics."

    ro "If we don’t intervene, one will kill the other regardless."

    je " -And what does our valued seneschal suggest?"

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "There are intangibles to both. Neither seems particularly disposed to outright submission."

    je "Such deals have been made in the past with Demon Armies. Not every piece on the board needs to be {i}our{/i} partisan to serve our purposes."

    an "We need more strength for the great battles to come."

    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

    je "Indeed, and seeing as you are the spokesman for our burgeoning coalition, We leave the matter of choosing up to you."

    "Jezera cast a dismissive wave in Rowan’s direction as the Twins turned to confer with one another."

    je "You may go."

    "Rowan bowed and turned away, returning to his office."

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan stood over the old map of the Blackrose Forest, pondering. He took a swig from his wine glass, his thoughts shifting this way and that."
    "Noticing the glass was nearly empty, he thought to call a servant to fetch a fresh bottle, but he couldn't have any more wine before making the decision. Professionalism forbade it."
    "Two paths lay open to him, both uncertain in their outcome, though utterly irrevocable once chosen. He could negotiate with the Dryad or help the Shagaron destroy her."
    "Ygriss was hot headed, reckless and casually destructive. She’d threatened to kill him upon first meeting him, stuck in a tree. Such traits did not speak to her reliability."
    "…But then again, her sense of honour, and her personal affinity towards him - to say nothing of her terrifying size and skill - spoke well of her usefulness. Whatever else could be said of her, Ygriss was not the type to plot against him. She alone could prove the turning tide of a battle."
    "Isdruel, on the other hand, was as dangerous as she was unreadable. The very existence of the Dukes and their enslavement through the blue cap mushrooms made her an existential threat to the Twins operations in Rosaria."
    "What would happen, one wonders, if one of her minions happened to slip some of those accursed mushrooms into the rations of the Twins’ army? Worse still: what would her ambitions be should she acquire an army in such a manner?"
    "Yet, such ambitions seemed beyond the scope of her ken. Indeed, the very fact of her stubborn isolationism bespoke another issue entirely: just how much would Isdruel’s terrifying potential be limited in its application beyond the immediate borders of her lands?"
    "Neither side seemed ideal, yet their mutual antagonism made siding with both an impossibility."
    "Rowan downed the last of his drink and stared hard at the map."

    menu:
        "Rowan decides to forge an alliance with Isdruel. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ isdruelAlliance = True
            $ ygrissAlliance = False
            jump warningIsdruel_rp

        #"Rowan decides to help Ygriss destroy Isdruel.":
            ## $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ isdruelAlliance = False
            #$ ygrissAlliance = True
            #jump teamupWithYgriss_rp

        "Leave the two to sort out their differences.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            return


    label warningIsdruel_rp:

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The dense wall of trees loomed before Rowan. Wooden wraiths reaching out to him with gnarled, grasping fingers."
    "When he reached the outer bank of trees, Rowan found an opening and pushed his way through. He continued in no particular direction, knowing that his path would be made for him regardless."
    "After nearly ten minutes of trudging through thickets and thorn bushes, the forest started to react to his presence. Trees thinned out, turning into rows of bowed sentinels that let him travel unhindered."
    "The path twisted and turned, and Rowan’s pace slowed. He turned a corner, and found himself in the precisely ordered garden with all its lovely flowers in arrangements."

    show isdruel neutral at midright with dissolve

    "There, amidst the riot of colours, stood the Dryad."
    "Isdruel ignored the flowers, however, instead bent over a desiccated tree whose half-toppled boughs formed fodder for the flower bed beneath. She ran her fingers over the base, her voice whispering like wind over leaves. Rowan spied magical energy coursing into the bark."

    isdr "Rowan Black-well. You disturb our garden once more."
    isdr "Speak flesh-ling: when last you stood here, you wind-worded peace."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I come in good faith, with a warning to you."

    "Isdruel’s expression tightened. Her lip curled."

    isdr "Peace should not need a warning."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "This is not a threat from my masters, but of another."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "On my honour, Bloodmeen and its soldiers will give your forest a wide berth from this day onward."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "But you’re going to need my help: the Shagron intends to return to this forest."
        isdr "Her lifeblood fed our trees before. If she wishes, we can take the rest."
        ro "I don’t think you quite recognize the danger you face."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        ro "From this day forward, the forces of Castle Bloodmeeen will leave Blackrose to its devices."
        ro "But there is something else: Ygriss, the monster hunter."
        isdr "The beast whose veins we drank. What do we care for her?"
        ro "She intends to hunt you, mount your head upon a trophy rack, and leave your forest to rot. And this time, she won’t be caught off guard."

    "The wood nymph actually laughed at that. Then, rising to her full height, Isdruel slowly turned to face him."

    isdr "Do we look like some soft lily, easily trampled, flesh-ling? If she persists we will suck the green-marrow from her bones."

    "She laughed again. It was a strange sound, a mixture of bird chirps and grinding wood."

    isdr "Maybe it is true what the bandit’s say: a fleshling’s worm can make him foolish."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "My ‘worm’ isn’t what’s at play here."

    "Isdruel - seeming almost charmed by his reticence - pulled close to him. Her captivating green eyes held fast to his as her fingers trailed down his chest."

    isdr "No."

    ro "This is hardly the time for japes."

    "Isdruel’s smile grew wider."

    isdr "Flesh-lings are predictable, how many times did they walk into our garden, smell a sweet herb and fall in love? Buzzy-bees looking to pollinate our bloom."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Rowan blustered, stumbling over his words while Isdruel remained poised to grope him."

    else:
        "Rowan’s eyebrow rose, the Dryad’s searching fingers crawling down to his midsection."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    menu:
        "The thought had not occurred.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I didn’t even consider ‘that’ until you brought it up."
            isdr "No? Can you smell the nectar in the air? So sweet, so tempting. Do you not want our honey?"
            menu:
                "No I don’t.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = False
                "*Lie* No I don’t. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = True
            isdr "Flesh-lings always want more. Whether they know it or not."

        "I have a wife, Isdruel.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Isdrue’s piercing green gaze swept the area, as if seeking some unseen foe."
            isdr "We do not see her. Does this “wife” have such power over you that she can halt your pollination?"
            menu:
                "Yes. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = True
                    ro "I do not break vows so easily, Isdruel."
                    isdr "So you say."
                "I don’t desire you.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = False
                    "The dryad giggled, as if he’d told a hilarious joke."
                    isdr "Then we are of the same mind, flesh-ling."

        "I’m here to protect our interests.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I’m here on behalf of my masters. A bargain of this importance merits a bit of caution."
            ro "After all, what good is a deal if the person we’re dealing with is dead?"
            "Isdruel did not look convinced. The dryad loomed closer."
            isdr "No? There is no hidden desire?"
            menu:
                "It would be a lie to say I hadn’t thought about it. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = True
                    isdr "We knew it. Greedy eyes wander. Steel-men always want to pluck rare flowers."
                    ro "Is it such a crime to look?"
                    "Isdruel grinned, a harsh smile full of malice."
                    isdr "Dangerous. Rare flowers are oft poison on the tongue."
                    ro "If that was your intent, I would already be one of your thralls… or dead."
                "Like I said, I’m here for my masters.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = False
                    isdr "Boring little bee."
                "I think it is you who has a hidden desire. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ isdruelAttraction = True
                    $ isdruelSlappedRowan = True
                    "The dryad scowled at that. One of her vines lashed out and whipped across Rowan’s face."
                    "Rowan felt a trickle of blood on his cheek. He stayed his band from his blade, doing everything in his power to hold his temper."
                    ro "-And here I was always told that the dryads of the woods were benign creatures, devoid of passion."
                    "Isdruel glared at Rowan but did not slap him again."

    "Isdruel turned her attention back to the desiccated tree. She closed her eyes and held her hand up to the broken bark once again. Magic crackled from the tree, causing Isdruel to recoil in pain."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "What happened?"

    isdr "Broken. Seed-sick. Even as old as he is, we cannot heal his anger. "
    isdr "It should not be like this. We…"

    "Her words drifted off. Her eyes took on a faraway look."

    isdr "It will never be the same. You would not understand."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stepped up to the tree, gently laying his hand on its bark. Isdruel watched him but did not intervene."

    ro "…Who is he?"

    isdr "Old-oak, gnarled and grumpy. His shade has covered this meadow for nearly six hundred springtimes."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "He survived the great burning."

    isdr "Ashes and char is his memory, his siblings all kindling. Alone, singed in a meadow of black dust."

    isdr "Old-oak wanted to see green again, see the old meadow in which his kin once grew. We told him: “do not drink too deeply,” but he was stubborn, like all oaks are."
    isdr "Now the meadow is green, but he cannot be consoled."
    isdr "He hates you."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Somehow, I’m not surprised."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan looked at the old tree, looming like a specter over the gentle flowers."

    ro "I’ve seen trees like him growing in abundance in the northern wastes."

    isdr "Seed-sick from first acorn. We must prune him constantly to prevent the taint’s spread."

    ro "Yet you keep him alive."

    "The Dryad said nothing for a moment. Her fingers flexed, and her hands fell to her sides."

    isdr "…If the Barking Ogre returns, and you stand with us, she may hunt you too."
    isdr "The Blackrose is nothing to you, flesh-ling. Our deal is made."

    ro "Nevertheless, I intend to help you."

    isdr "Why?"

    menu:
        "Because I freed her.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "She was your prisoner, but I let her go. If she takes revenge on you, it will be my fault."
            ro "We made a deal, protecting your woods is part of that deal."
            isdr "Revenge is beyond her. A hate-beast that charges into the undergrowth will find only death."
            ro "Then let me help her find death faster."

        "You would make a good ally.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            isdr "‘Ally.’ Steel-men words."
            isdr "We have witnessed countless ‘alliances’ come and go, standing as their hedgerow. Horses and banners and shouting and death. Betrayal and murder grow from it."
            ro "Some. But not all. Goodwill and a helpful disposition can go a long way in that manner, hence my offer."
            "Isdruel bent her head to one side, observing him."
            isdr "What does Blackrose need for… ‘allies?’"
            ro "The means to guarantee that old-oak will be the last of his broken kind, that this cycle of burning and exploitation ends. Forever."

        "I don’t want to see you hurt." if isdruelAttraction:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            isdr "Your lust does not obligate you, flesh-ling."
            ro "Then what of my affection?"
            isdr "That even less so."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You underestimate a fleshling’s tenacity then. Is it really so shocking to you - you, who has a literal gang of bandits at your beck and call - to know that a mortal fancies you, and wishes you safe?"
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Isdruel said nothing. She closed her eyes. Rowan’s ears picked up a great rush of wind gusting through the forest. As the wind danced across the bark, he also heard crickets chirping, birds singing their songs, and even the low growl of a forest cat."
    "Finally, the rumbling stopped. When Rowan looked at Isdruel, he found her staring back at him."

    isdr "We will speak to the trees, maybe they’ll believe you."
    isdr "If you desire to help... we will not stop you."

    "Isdruel raised her hand, and Rowan assumed she meant to dismiss him. Instead, a gap opened up in the treeline, and Isdruel strutted toward it."

    if isdruelAttraction:
        "It was only once she reached the gap that he recognized the… hypnotic sway of her hips."

    isdr "Come, Rowan Black-well."

    menu:
        "Follow Isdruel. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Leave Isdruel.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan bowed his head respectfully."
            ro "Apologies my lady, but other matters press on me."
            ro "I stand by my words: if Ygriss returns to threaten you, I will fight by your side."
            "The dryad studied him with a blank expression. Then she turned her head, waved her hand, and opened up a new path among the trees."
            isdr "We have heard your promise, Rowan Black-well. Now leave us…"
            "The ranger nodded and took his leave of the hidden garden, content in the fact that he’d made a new ally. "
            #end quest
            return

    $ isdruelLore1 = True

    "Rowan followed Isdruel at a short distance, watching as she moved fluidly through the undergrowth."

    ro "Where are we going?"

    "She did not answer him, her spine stiff and her shoulders squared. They traveled together in silence."
    "Eventually stopped at a brook. The gentle stream trickled eastwards with a merry babble. Rowan could just make out a larger pool of water through the thick shrubbery."
    "Isdruel knelt before the brook, as if to pray. A ways upstream, Rowan saw a deer with its head bent to the cool waters."
    "The animal didn’t bother with Rowan or Isdruel as they lapped at the water, indifferent to the agenda of dryad and man alike. After a time, the deer trotted away."

    isdr "We are alone in this forest, flesh-ling. We can no longer hear singing."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "‘Singing?’"

    isdr "Green music. The tender’s song."

    "Rowan sat down next to her at the shore of the creek. She did not complain of his presence."

    ro "…What of your brigands?"

    "The dryad let out a snort, a sound like a woodpecker’s knock against a hollow trunk."

    isdr "Fungi. Bloodsap parasites. Incapable of music."

    ro "And your sisters? You can’t be the only dryad in these woods."

    "Isdruel reached down, toying with a tiny white flower that grew at the water's edge."

    isdr "Different. Ahh…"
    isdr "Thoughtless spiders spinning the same web, day after day."
    isdr "Steel men hack their orchards, burn their groves, and they just… watch. Tend to what is left."

    "A forlorn look came over the dryad’s expression."

    #isdruel sad

    isdr "We cannot hear their singing."

    "A long silence stretched between them."

    ro "…How long has it been?"

    isdr "Countless springtimes. We thought we could pretend, but the silence suffocates us."

    show isdruel angry at midright with dissolve

    "A look of rage crossed her face."

    isdr "We watched the steel men trim us to hedgerows, pleading with our sisters to help stop them. But they were silent."
    isdr "Then brigands came, and we stopped them. Then {i}Orcs{/i} came, with axe-hackers and fire, and we could bear it no longer."

    "She turned to look at Rowan, her eyes glaring hard at him."

    isdr "We will not let the forest burn again. We will not let other sisters forget their songs."
    isdr "We will bear our curse as best we can for the sake of green music. Like old-oak and his meadow."

    menu:
        "You are not cursed.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Isdruel sighed, but her eyes were distant."
            isdr "Your meat-tongue wags and fills the wood with empty air. Your strange eyes cannot see what is natural and what is…"
            "Isdruel’s fingers stroking the flower clenched into a fist."
            isdr "Withered."

        "Most mortals think of free will as a gift.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Isdruel snorted again."
            isdr "Spoken like the deaf. We did not ask to choose, we were content to tend. To sing."
            "Her expression tightened. She pulled her knees up to her chest."
            isdr "Now we cannot listen, cannot tend, cannot bask in sunlight for all the thoughts that descend. Leaves in fall."
            isdr "We have withered."

        "Is there no cure for this? Your fellow dryads can’t help?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            isdr "Seed-sick. No ‘cure’ for thinking, no cure for anger."
            isdr "Sisters cannot hear us, and we cannot hear sisters."
            "She lifted her head skyward, as if pleading to the heavens. Rowan wondered if dryads were capable of tears."
            isdr "Pale mother has not changed us since we were made. Her voice - quiet thunder - does not reach us."
            isdr "We are alone. Withered."

    ro "How did you become like this? What changed you?"

    show isdruel neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Her eyes were downcast, lost in the river’s flow. The dryad placed a hand into the stream, breaking the normal rhythm of the water with her fingers."

    isdr "A storm. A great storm. The pale mother’s pain. Before: an endless, green song. After… thoughts. Fire and ashes."

    "The dryad sounded like she was trying to give words to a memory she could hardly recall. Rowan began to guess at her origins."

    ro "You drank too deep, didn’t you? Like old-oak did."

    isdr "We… we just wanted to save our grove: little sprouts. So much had burned… why this too?"
    isdr "Our sisters watched, as they should. As nature dictates: growth begets death begets growth. But we couldn’t bear the loss, the chance to see what they might be."
    isdr "So we drank. And we thought."

    menu:
        "…And now you can’t stop thinking.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            isdr "How do you manage? Thoughts buzzing in your head like rude horseflies?"
            ro "I think you know the answer to that already: you use it to your advantage."
            isdr "We hate it. The endless, windless words."
            ro "Those ‘windless words’ have allowed you to protect these woods far better than all your other sisters combined."
            ro "Had you not the foresight to intervene, the brigands you co-opted would have drawn Duke Raeve’s attention, and likely led to warfare within your woods."
            ro "Steel men hacking and burning to flush out their quarry. Would that have been better for you?"
            "Isdruel bit her lip and looked away."

        "Sometimes making the right choice means sacrificing yourself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Isdruel turned to scowl at him. It was a very human expression."
            isdr "We didn’t want ‘ourself.’ We wanted to sing."
            isdr "Little sprouts are grown, most have gone back to the soil. Their great grandchildren dot the earth, but we cannot tend to them. "
            ro "That they live at all is a testament to what you did for them."
            "Her eyes softened, her mouth quivering for a moment."

        "You seem to misunderstand the gift you’ve been given.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Isdruel scoffed."
            isdr "‘Gift!’"
            isdr "We suffer in silence, forced to choose when once we were content. Forced to know and think and {i}hate{/i}."
            ro "-And in doing so, you found freedom. You no longer have to sit idly by as all your efforts turn to cinders."
            ro "Is it not more noble, in absence of the green song, to still facilitate its singing?"
            ro "The pale mother may have made you as you are. But you, Isdruel, have ensured its flourishing in her absence."

    ro "Choice is the bane of our existence, but it is also the means by which we overcome our problems."
    ro "You cannot hear the green music, but you are also not bound to it. Think of what you’ve accomplished for this forest."

    isdr "We… we have done much. Never enough, but much."

    ro "-Now think bigger, Isdruel. Think of a world where those axes and flames are used {i}against{/i} the foes of your forest. "
    ro "Think of a world where dawn breaks on a mighty woodland: a Blackrose restored. Back before the steel men trimmed it."

    isdr "That would… please us. We have not seen such growth in an age."

    ro "It can be real. You could do more than simply guard your immediate borders. Ally with my masters - with {i}me{/i}, and you can spread the green song across this land."

    isdr "You speak bee-sweet words, honey on the tongue."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Not all sweet words are a lie. Have I not proven the promise of them already? Raeve Keep is fallen, and the Rosarians are in disarray."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "One more push, and there will be no one to stop you, no one to stunt your growth."

    "Her green eyes coloured at that assertion, as if all the promises he’d made her were running through her head at once."

    isdr "There is dark-danger in your words. If we fail, the axe-hackers will burn us down to char."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    ro "-As opposed to a slow death by shearing."
    ro "Do you think the steel men ever intend to stop? Better to strike them weak, pull the weed out before it strangles."

    isdr "..."
    isdr "Green words from a flesh-ling. But don’t you realize that {i}you{/i} are a weed, too?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan watched as the dryad pulled back from the river and planted her body near him. Before he could move, vines began emerging from her shoulders and hips. Each of them was ringed by rows of black thorns."
    "They tangled about him, encircling his person as he sat, unmoving. She stared hard at him, murderous accusation in her eyes as he met them unflinchingly."
    "After a moment, the vines paused in their writhing."

    isdr "How do you remain so oak-backed, Rowan Black-well? You look upon death, but you don’t flee."

    ro "You don’t intend to kill me, nor do you want to."

    "She leaned close, her eyes holding fast to his with burning green intensity."

    isdr "Then what {i}do{/i} we want? Tell us, flesh-ling."

    if isdruelAttraction:
        menu:
            "Peace. The contentment that comes from knowing your purpose.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Isdruel frowned, her face taking on the long countenance of a weeping willow."
                isdr "Our purpose is gone."
                ro "-And you have already found a new one."
                ro "We all seek purpose. The only difference thinking adds to the matter, is the realization that we have a {i}choice{/i}."
                "Isdruel paused, chewing on his words. The thorny vines pulled closer to him."
                isdr "What then is your choice, in this moment?"
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "Whichever one you give me."
                "She smiled at that."

            "Freedom. The chance to follow your own desires.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Isdruel scoffed, the vines pulling closer."
                isdr "Did we not tell you we were content? We hate being free."
                ro "No, you are {i}afraid{/i} of it. And that’s understandable. Choosing which path to tread can often feel overwhelming."
                ro "But tell me truly: knowing what you know, and knowing that you’d act as your sisters do, indifferent to these woods."
                ro "…Would you be content to watch the forest burn again?"
                "The dryad looked like she wanted to snarl at him. She turned her eyes away, unable to meet his gaze."
                isdr "It doesn’t matter."
                ro "Doesn’t it?"
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

            "Control. The one thing you never had.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                isdr "You think we desire control?"
                ro "All living things that think do."
                ro "You have lived for ages at the call of another’s tune. And now that you’re free of it, you cannot follow."
                ro "Your sisters are blind to the world, stuck in their roles. You are the {i}ruler{/i} of this forest, and everything within it."
                "The thin line of her lips curled."
                isdr "Even you?"
                show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
                ro "If you can manage it."
                isdr "The ‘thought’ excites us."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "She tilted her head. It was a slow, insectlike action. The vines receded away."
        isdr "And what if, we told you, as our first ‘want’ that we thought for ourselves…"
        isdr "What if we desired pollination?"
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "…With whom?"
        "She turned to look at him, her smile widening."
        isdr "Black-well pollinating Blackrose. Symmetry. Nature’s compact. Seal our alliance."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Most mortals would prefer a handshake."
        "Isdruel leaned forward, her voice becoming breathy."
        isdr "And {i}we{/i} would prefer this…"
        "She took his hand in her iron grip and placed it upon her chest."
        isdr "Sap-sacs almost as soft as milk-sacs, no?"
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "…You could have worded that better."
        isdr "Do we test your resolve?"
        ro "‘Caught off guard’ would be the more proper term."
        "Isdruel giggled, a strangely charming sound. Like chittering birds."
        isdr "Do we unman you? We did not expect Black-well would hesitate to sow acorns."
        menu:
            "Test my resolve then. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ isdruelSex = True
                "The Dryad grinned, her strange eyes fluttering at the sultry intonation."
                isdr "Give us your man-ness."
                jump isdruelSex1_rp

            "That’s not what I came here for.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "A heartbeat passed, then the vines receded. Isdruel, near pouting, huffed and turned away."
                isdr "Very well, flesh-ling. Leave us."
                "Rowan nodded and stood to his feet, walking away from the brook. As had been the case before, a pathway appeared through the trees, and he calmly made his exit from Blackrose Forest. Isdruel called out to him as he retreated."
                isdr "The compact is made, we will face the beast together."
                return

    else:
        ro "…To tend and be content. To oversee an endless woodland for your sisters to sing in, and for you to defend them."
        "Cold and pitiless was her smile."
        isdr " Then you understand us, from root to canopy."
        ro "So you know the deal I’m offering you."
        "Isdruel waved her hand dismissively, and the vines receded."
        isdr "Flesh-ling terms. The compact is made, and we abide by it. A woodland for a war, a harsh winter for a greater springtime. We know what we ask for."
        ro "And Ygriss?"
        "Isdruel shrugged, pointing Rowan towards the glade’s exit."
        isdr "We will drink from her."
        return

    label isdruelSex1_rp:
    jump the_duel_5_skip
    label the_duel_5_skip:

    #cg1
    scene cg1646 with fade
    show isdruel happy behind cg1646
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1646
    pause 2
    show cg1647 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1648 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Isdruel pulled aside his trousers as if they weren’t even there, exposing his hardening cock. Rowan - sensing the danger that could come from interrupting the curious dryad’s actions - let her toy with him in her fingers."

    isdr "Mmm, flesh-ling man-ness makes an odd stamen. Warm, wriggling."

    "She kneaded him in her hands, tight in the grip but never so much as to be uncomfortable. Several seconds of groping soon found him groaning under her grip. She was… surprisingly good at this."
    "Rowan shivered as he felt a single thorny vine brush across his shoulder. The thorns did not break the flesh, but neither could he ignore the sting. Isdruel smiled at him, her eyes filled with dangerous possibility."

    isdr "Pain. The moon to pleasure. Both are good, no?"

    ro "Within reason."

    "The dryad smiled wickedly as she groped and jerked at his body, seeming to almost experiment with his form."
    "Her pale, almost chitinous fingers caressed and teased his body the way a blind person given sight might do. Soon the tentativeness was gone, replaced by an insatiable curiosity."

    isdr "Pollination. Another incessant thought, like all the others. Once, sisters only pollinated when needed. Now, we dwell on the act. Lust for it."

    ro "Sex is about more than mere procreation."

    isdr "So we see."

    "Her quickening pace mixed with the sharp caress of the vines at his shoulder created a strange dichotomy of discomfort and pleasure, but Rowan was no stranger to such sensations."

    ro "Have you not used the bandits in this manner?"

    "Isdruel scoffed, even as she jerked him harder."

    isdr "Fungi. We do not touch compost."

    ro "-But you’ve thought about it."

    "Isdruel said nothing, focusing overlong upon the up and down, up and down of her hand upon his cock. If Rowan didn't know any better, she seemed to almost be trying to duck the question."

    isdr "We have watched them bathe. Wondered at their shape and size."
    isdr "Wondered… why sisters don’t have brothers."

    "Rowan smiled. He reached out, brazenly putting his hand atop her vine-strewn head as if to comfort her. Isdruel’s eyes flashed a rageful green as they flicked up to glare at him."

    isdr "Does he desire a {i}different{/i} kind of draining? Bones can pollinate the earth as well."

    ro "What a tragic use for my bones… and my cock."

    "Isdruel scoffed, but did not complain when Rowan kept his hand on her head for a few moments longer."
    "He knew he’d pushed his luck once the vines wrapped tight around his shoulder, digging into his skin with a sharp stab of pain."

    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1646

    ro "{i}Ah!{/i}"

    "The dryad grinned wickedly as she jerked him up and down."

    show cg1649 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1650 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1651 with dissolve
    pause 2

    show cg1652 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1653 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1654 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1652
    show isdruel happy behind cg1652

    isdr "Soft and pliable. Little flesh-ling is in our garden, now. "

    ro "I always was."

    "Something in what he said seemed to please her. Isdruel leaned more intimately in his lap, rubbing his cock between her palms with an almost playful demeanour."
    "A wall of thorny vines closed about him, wrapping about his chest, running sharp lines down his back. Rowan groaned."

    isdr "Flesh-lings take and take and take. Where is {i}our{/i} pleasure?"

    ro "I’m right here, aren’t I?"

    "Rowan smirked at her through the pain, watching as she took careful measure of him."

    isdr "You are. And we will drain you as we please."

    ro "Best get to it then."

    "She did exactly that, her hands working him with increasingly practiced verve. Rowan felt the stitch and jab of the odd thorn as the vines circled his body."
    "It was painful, but also… erotic. Challenging. It was like a battle of wills, a contest of endurance. If she wanted to, she could make it truly agonizing. But she didn’t, hovering on the seductive border of pain and pleasure."
    "The feeling of their prickly touch treaded down his back. He hissed as she drew blood, even as her grip tightened in his cock and her jerking grew more insistent."

    isdr "Do we unman you, Rowan?"

    menu:
        "Boast.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1652
            ro "I’ve endured demonic torture, the death of loved ones and the horrors of Chaos."
            ro "Your thorns are going to have to get a lot sharper than that to prick me."
            "He smirked cockily at the dryad. Isdruel’s breathing quickened."

        "Tease.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1652
            ro "Sorry, were you trying to hurt me? Felt more like a summer breeze, to be honest."
            "Isdruel gave him a look that bordered on murderous. And yet, her grip tightened delightfully about his cock."
            isdr "You are too brave, flesh-ling. We could flense you to ribbons."
            ro "Would be a kind change of pace, at least."

    "Her vines dug hard against his flesh, quickening their pace. The hero’s shoulders and abs became covered in cuts and scrapes."
    "Rowan gulped down the torment to the best of his ability. Blood trickled down his chest, and he struggled to raise his chin. Defiant as he was, beads of sweat began collecting behind his ears and at the back of his neck."

    show cg1655 with dissolve
    pause 2

    isdr "Delicate little seeds…"

    "Rowan chewed his lip when the dryad firmly gripped his groin. Her flesh felt like soft wood. It was pleasant, but there was not as much give as with a human hand. She cupped his balls, fingers working them in sharp, kneading movements."

    ro "You don’t have to coddle me."

    isdr "Coddle?"

    "Rowan growled and nearly buckled over when Isdruel’s hand tenderized his sensitive orb again. The woman didn’t stop at just squeezing. Instead, her palm opened, lifting his ball gently, only to drag a clawed finger across his sack."

    isdr "Do we coddle you, Rowan?"

    "Rowan bit his lip to stifle a howl. Isdruel cackled, noticing his discomfort."

    show cg1656 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1657 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1656
    show isdruel happy behind cg1656

    "As if to placate him, she pulled back from molesting his testicles and put his hand on her breast. Rowan felt the soft plush of it, groping it like he would a normal woman’s breast."

    isdr "Would you feed on our sap? Make honeydew from our liquids?"

    "Her voice was teasing. Haughty and authoritative. Her lips tickled at his ear as she whispered."

    isdr "Some have tried. We tasted {i}them{/i} instead; their lifeblood enriches the soil."

    ro "I’m not like them."

    "She chuckled, a low coo even as the vines dig deeper into his skin."

    isdr "No? Your blood tastes like any other."

    ro "Is that why you’re savouring it so much?"

    "Rowan squeezed her breast, delighting in the soft gasp she gave when he did so."

    ro "Did you want to drain me like you did them? Feed the trees? Perhaps you could grow something out of me."

    "Isdruel let out a growl, like teeth scraping wood."

    isdr "We would make a whole {i}forest{/i} out of you."

    ro "Then what’s stopping you?"

    "She glared at him. A long, hungry look. Her eyes did not waver, her attention set wholly on his features."
    "After a long, terrifying moment of contemplation, she let out a huff."

    isdr "Your green words please us too much. It excites us."

    "Rowan leaned close, as if to kiss her. The dryad hesitated, her brow furrowing. He grinned at her."

    ro "You like it, don’t you? The danger of it. The thrill."

    "Rowan held up his hand, pressing his thumb against his index and middle fingers. She looked at it, confused."

    ro "I never told you, did I? That I am a fire mage."

    isdr "…What?"

    "Her eyes widened, staring at his hand more closely. Even her thrashing vines ceased their rough caress."

    ro "With a snap of my fingers, I could…"

    "Rowan snapped his fingers, and Isdruel twitched back in terror, as if he really could conjure fire to his fingertips."
    "It took Isdruel another second of horrified silence to see the teasing look on Rowan’s eyes. Her lips curled into a snarl."

    isdr "You… {i}wicked{/i} flesh-ling!"

    hide cg1654
    show cg1654 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show isdruel angry behind cg1654

    "Rowan felt himself rise off the ground as the vines clenched tight about him. He stifled a grunt of pain as they lifted him bodily into the air. He shot up into the treetops, ending up nestled in a small alcove between branches near the head of the canopy."
    "Isdruel rose up to follow him, buffeted on a tangle of writhing vines that shot upwards in riotous growth beneath her."

    isdr "Toy with us, leave us {i}raging{/i} for pollination… "

    "The dryad pivoted around, planting her ass back against his waist. She guided him with merciless fingers inside of her glistening flower. Rowan felt his member wedge up against her cunt, then slide in. The sensation felt like thick, clenching honey on his cock. He let out a gasp of tortured pleasure."
    "Isdruel didn’t moan, but her green eyes fluttered as she slid back against Rowan’s hips, planting her ass hard against his groin. Isdruel put her hand back against Rowan’s chest for leverage, then began to {i}slam{/i} herself against him in an immediate, relentless tempo."

    isdr " Is it - {i}unf{/i}, all you desired? Was it worth tempting me?"

    ro "If I said yes,  would you keep going?"

    "She growled at him. His cock disappeared once more into her clenching hollow, her wood-like hips scraping against his waist. Her green eyes were practically burning with rage."

    isdr "You disgust me. Blood and bone-born. Wet flesh-sack."

    ro "Wooden whore. Drinking sap from a “flesh-sack’s” stamen. Did you expect me to quiver?"

    "Her walls tightened around him, her vines digging deeper into his already aggrieved flesh. Rowan cried out as he felt the thorns in his back dig deep enough to bleed."

    isdr "{i}Fool{/i}. I will spare you the seed-sick pleasure. Your lifeblood is not worthy of feeding us."

    ro "Well your plant cunt feels great milking my cock. Busy little shrub that you are, I hope you enjoy the watering."

    "She snarled again, as if his taunting were somehow equal to the physical pain she was inflicting on him. Isdruel turned her head away, smacking her hips back hard against him as if to ignore her own annoyance."
    "But Rowan was not about to be a passive observer to this illicit coupling of flora and fauna. Isdruel might have him perched in a literal life or death situation, but he’d be damned if he let her think she was ‘in control.’"
    "On the upswing of her thrust, Rowan leaned forward, slamming his hips against hers and burying his cock to the hilt. Isdruel let out a sharp gasp, but did not deny him his insolence. If anything, she began to do the same to {i}him{/i}."
    "The two began an arythmic fuck session, with both trying to out-fuck the other in strength and tempo, doing their best to throw the other off their game as they relentlessly mated in the upper boughs. Rowan grunted as Isdruel tightened the hold of the branches on his body, digging still deeper. It was all he could do to maintain focus."
    "With each new thrust Rowan put against her, it appeared as if the dryad’s senses were succumbing to a growing fog of pleasure. The more he humped against her hips, the warmer her honeylike passage became. Every thrust caused more of her sap to spill out."

    isdr "You… {i}filthy{/i} brute! This gift, I… it is not meant for me."

    "Rowan - still bound as he was - leaned his chest flush with her back, slowing his deep thrusts so he could whisper in her ear."

    ro "And yet here you are, bouncing on my cock. Look at us: {i}you{/i} planted us together."

    isdr "Silence."

    ro "Why? Afraid you might like what I have to say? Afraid I’ll make you feel even better?"

    isdr "{i}Silence!{/i} Stop… wagging your tongue!"

    ro "Make me."

    isdr "{i}Rrrgh!{/i}"

    hide cg1657
    show cg1657 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She pulled free of him, spun around and fell backwards. For an instant, Rowan thought she’d plummet to the forest floor below, but the vines caught her. She spread her legs, reaching down with her hands to spread her dripping honeypot."

    isdr "Stop wagging your tongue. {i}Pollinate me.{/i}"

    ro "With pleasure."

    "Isdruel's green eyes gazed at him intensely as he aligned himself once more and slid home. Her clawed fingers reached up to cup his face. They dragged his cheeks, leaving scratch marks."
    "Rowan growled and lurched his body forward to stuff himself deep within Isdruel’s dripping crevice. She let him, wrapping her legs around his waist and urging him onward as the two mated in increasing frenzy."

    isdr "More… {i}More!{/i}"

    "Rowan gave it to her, his hips rocking in rolling waves against her cunt even as the thorny vines that encircled his arms did their level best to hold him back. But he would not be denied, and neither would she."
    "She thrashed against him, warping her waist so as to accept him into her deepest place. Rowan couldn’t think, couldn’t {i}breathe{/i} for the frantic pace they took. The stinging pain, the clenching grip of her womanhood, it all mixed together into tortuous ecstasy."
    "Finally, he felt himself reaching his limit. He leaned forward as far as the vines would allow, thrusting with the full might of his body against the woodland creature, unleashing the whole of his body to the effort of pleasuring her."
    "She let out a cry of ecstasy, and Rowan felt himself erupt within her."

    show cg1658 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "His hips pumped forward indiscriminately, spearing Isdruel’s wet warmth as the last of his resolve withered. Isdruel - not content to remain as passive as she’d been -  leaned up into his chest, enfolding her arms, and biting into his shoulder."
    "He gasped at the pain, at the breaking of the skin. She was so terrifyingly close to losing control… but she didn’t. She merely bit and held on. At the same time, a gale of his sperm fired forth, burning a path inside Isdruel’s shivering insides."
    "Isdruel took his seed with no hint of shame or anxiety. The dryad’s hands clutched his shoulders, drawing even more blood, her nails jabbing into his skin while his cock penetrated and throbbed within her pulsing flower."
    "Rowan groaned, letting out the last spurts of cum from his dick like Isdruel was wringing a towel out with her cunt. His wits slowly returned, and he found the warden of the forest nibbling on the crook of his neck, marking his flesh with her sharp teeth while his essence marked her."
    "The dryad trembled against him, holding him tight for several seconds as she seemed to lose herself. Rowan didn’t say anything, preferring to focus on the lingering pleasure, and the dull ache of having his body yanked about and his skin cut and scraped in half a dozen spots."
    "Rowan might have grinned if he had enough energy for such a simple gesture, but he was exhausted with the effort."

    ro "-So I take it you don’t intend to drink me?"

    "His voice seemed to spur her to action, lazy as it was. Isdruel drew her head back, her green eyes holding to his with something bordering annoyance dwelling within them."

    isdr "…We have already sampled your nectar. Disgusting."

    ro "Oh? Perhaps a second sampling later is in order, to cure the taste."

    "She let out a soft growl at him, but Rowan saw the barest tuggings of a smile on her cheeks."

    isdr "Insolent. Fearless. You are foolish, Black-well."

    ro "I choose to be."

    "Isdruel reached up a hand and stroked Rowan’s cheek. The action had no meaning, no logic to a dryad. Yet she did it all the same. Her fingers clenched, and the soft touch became a harsh one. She drew a single, bloody line down each cheek. A  teasing smile crossed her smooth features."

    isdr "We choose to enjoy it, then."

    "A look of realization and concern crossed her face."

    isdr "This is ended. We… must tend to our garden. We have been gone too long."

    "The vines slackened, and the two descended down from their shaded refuge."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
    show isdruel neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Just as he neared the forest floor, the vines dropped him. Rowan plummeted a half dozen feet and landed on his arse. He shot an annoyed look in Isdruel’s direction, who floated down as daintily as a spinning wildflower caught in a summer breeze. She smirked at his annoyance."

    ro "What, no cuddling?"

    isdr "We have made our compact. Our alliance is sealed. You may go."

    "The dryad let out a soft sigh as her natural, bark-like armor extended, covering her flowery cunt and sealing Rowan’s cum inside her. Isdruel raised her chin."

    isdr "You should be honoured."

    ro "I’m scratched and drained, naked and tired. Will that do?"

    "With a last parting look of menace, Isdruel pivoted on her heel and walked away."
    "Rowan called out to her retreating form."

    ro "We should make a plan, for when Ygriss arrives."

    isdr "We will call."
    isdr "Now, leave."

    "The dryad disappeared into the brush, the woods closing about her and denying Rowan even the brief pleasure of seeing her swaying hips slide into the undergrowth. With a chuckle and a wave, he set off for home."
    "Next time, he’d bring chainmail."

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_3.rpy
label tue_san3_rp:

    #$ tuesan3Seen = True
    #$ goblinEventCount += 1
    $ tueSanWarmInvitation = False
    $ tueSanBrutalInvitation = False
    $ tueSanPermission = False
    $ tuemaiFucked = False
    $ tuesanThreesome = True
    $ tuesanSuspectBacked = False
    $ tuesanSuspectNeutral = False
    $ goodboyPoints = 20 # Forcing in for the replay
    
    "How was Rowan received by Tue-San? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Warmly.":
            $ tueSanWarmInvitation = True
        "Brutally.":
            $ tueSanPermission = True
            $ tueSanBrutalInvitation = True
        "Passively.":
            pass
    
          

    if tueSanWarmInvitation:
        scene bg75 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "Rowan tapped the stone windowsill, as he gazed out of his room at the evening sky. Much of it was hidden behind the thick canopy that covered all of Hoz’holt. Yet he could still see the orange rays of the sun, as it slowly set down."
        "With his thoughts occupied with other matters, he paid it no attention."
        scene black with fade
        #tuesan happy
        show tuesan neutral at center with dissolve
        tues "{i}I want you to be mine for one night. From dusk to dawn{/i}."
        tues "{i}For one night, I want you to serve me. With your hands, your cock, your tongue. However I demand, with whatever I demand.{/i}"
        scene bg75 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "Back then, driven partially by curiosity, partially by desires he did not want to name and perhaps not even acknowledge, he ended up kneeling in front of her. And for that, she promised him that should he agree, his servitude would be aptly rewarded."
        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
        "He rubbed his face, trying to make sense of his own feelings. He tried to keep his distance from the Tue women. Tried to be polite, respectful. But back then… He just couldn’t stop himself."
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "He knew simply considering the idea wasn’t wise. He had seen Tue-San’s black book, seen how she conducted politics. Agreeing to a full night with her felt… Dangerous."
        "Which was exactly what made it so appealing. He wanted to see what she was capable of. He wanted to see if he could handle her. If she really was as special as everyone else claimed."
        "And maybe, just maybe…"
        "Show her he was the same."
        menu:
            "Visit Tue-San. He could handle her. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tuesanHappySubmission = True
                "He tapped the windowsill one more time, then stopped. With women like Jezera and Cliohna… He was always on the back foot. Anytime he said “no”, he had to be prepared to have his “disobedience” punished with magic."
                "It will be different with Tue-San. She had no power to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do. Even if he agreed to let her be on top… It was something he conceded willingly."
                "And the fact he did it all willingly… Had an appeal of its own."
                "With a slight smile on his lips, he watched the sun finally set."
                scene black with fade
                "Then, his mind set, he pulled away from the window."
                jump seeingTuesan_rp

            "Keep things professional.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "He sighed, and shook his head. Goodness gracious… He was here to do a job, not engage in wildly dangerous sex with a woman that frankly, was pretty likely to use his submission against him."
                "Tue-San might not be able to bind him with magical tethers like Jezera, but here, in the middle of the goblin territory, she was no less dangerous than the demon mistress."
                "With a solemn expression, he watched the sun set. Once the sky turned dark he simply closed the curtains and headed to bed. He needed to be on his guard in this place - always."
                #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
                #$ push_to_previous_tile()
                return

    elif tueSanBrutalInvitation:
        scene bg75 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "Solemnly, Rowan sat at the window of his room, gazing at the evening sky. Much of the horizon was hidden behind the thick canopy that covered all of Hoz’holt. Yet he could still see the orange rays of the sun, as it slowly set down."
        "He paid little attention to it, his thoughts occupied with other matters."
        scene black with fade
        show tuesan neutral at center with dissolve
        show black with sshake
        "{i}Smack!{/i}"
        tues "{i}Don’t worry. Behave, and this won’t happen again.{/i}"
        scene bg75 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "His hand went to his face, and he rubbed the spot where Tue-San slapped him. He still couldn’t believe it. She {i}slapped{/i} him."
        "And that was all she needed to make him fold. He faced drow assassins, pushed back a full siege, fought the fucking demon lord. But he fell to his knees before a simple goblin woman."
        "Maybe that was the difference between power and authority. Tue-San had no power to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do. Yet when push came to shove he found disobeying her far more difficult than opposing even the twins."
        "He shouldn’t visit her. He knew it was a bad idea. Giving any woman such sway over him could only end badly."
        show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
        "He licked his lips nervously. Exactly - this was a very, {i}very{/i} stupid idea…"
        menu:
            "… (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tuesanReluctantSubmission = True
                "He rubbed the spot again, and chewed on the inside of her cheek. {i}‘Behave, and this won’t happen again.’{/i} Such were her words. And Tue-San was nothing if not a woman of her word."
                "… Or so he wanted to believe. He kept replaying that short moment in his head, mulling over her words. To her, he was a man who {i}‘would not disappoint.’{/i} He wasn’t just another servant. He could be {i}special{/i} to her."
                "How would she reward someone like that?"
                "That question seized his imagination, as he watched the sun set over the horizon. He wanted to know. No, he {i}needed{/i} to know."
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                "He was the hero of the six realms, and when push came to shove… He never shied away from danger."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
                "He pulled away from the window, and glanced at the door. A single slap was hardly abuse. He took a step towards the door. And it would be well worth it - if he played his cards right."
                show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
                "He made another step, then another."
                scene black with fade
                "And soon he was out of the room."
                jump seeingTuesan_rp

            "Forget about the entire thing.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                "He rubbed his face, and let out a deep sigh. Fuck, what was he even thinking about? Was this Jezera’s fault? Was it because he was separated from Alexia for so long?"
                "He didn’t know, and thinking about this any further wouldn’t help. He shook his head, and pulled away from the window. He closed the curtains, then swiftly headed for the bed."
                "Perhaps tomorrow, he would think more clearly - and not consider such insane ideas."
                #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
                #$ push_to_previous_tile()
                return

    else:
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        "Rowan tapped the stone windowsill, as he gazed out of his room at the evening sky. Much of it was hidden behind the thick canopy that covered all of Hoz’holt. Yet he could still see the orange rays of the sun, as it slowly set down."
        "He paid it little attention, his thoughts occupied with other matters."
        scene black with fade
        #tuesan happy
        show tuesan neutral at center with dissolve
        tues "{i}I want you to be mine for one night. From dusk to dawn. For one night, and one night only.{/i}"
        tues "{i}For one night, I want you to serve me. With your hands, your cock, your tongue. However I demand, with whatever I demand.{/i}"
        scene bg75 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
        if tuesanThreesome:
            "… Of all the people in Blackholt, she wanted him. Despite scolding him for sneaking away with Tue-Mai. Or perhaps because of that. Because she saw the effect it had on him."
        else:
            "Of all the people in Blackholt, she wanted him. He tried to keep her at arms reach, denied her sister - but all that seemed to do was impress her. Now here he was, wanting, wondering… "
        "He licked his dry lips, and swallowed nervously. An entire night with Tue-San… Was it a wise thing to do? He had seen her black book, seen how she conducted politics. Giving her this sort of leverage over him was {i}definitely{/i} unwise."
        if tuesanThreesome and tueSanPermission:
            "Then again… No matter what she claimed, he was no wild, mindless animal. He proved it once - he could prove it again. And maybe, just maybe… Make her see he was a worthy partner."
        elif tuesanThreesome and tueSanPermission == False:
            "They both knew he couldn’t control himself around her. Her cold glare was enough to have him finish inside her sister, no matter her orders. If he goes to her room…"
            "She would make sure he’ll stay an obedient little pet this time."
        else:
            "At the same time… This might be his only shot, to experience what she had to offer. And Maybe, just maybe… If he follows her orders to the letter as he had thus far, the entire experience could prove more than just enjoyable…"
        menu:
            "An evening like that was too good to pass on. He could handle her. (Scene)" if tueSanPermission or tuemaiFucked == False:
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tuesanHappySubmission = True
                show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                "He tapped the windowsill one more time, then stopped. He couldn’t deny his excitement. As for the risks…"
                "Tue-san was no mage, no shaman, and no warrior. She had no power to force him to do anything he didn’t want to do. It’s something they both knew. All he needed to do… Was to not provoke her."
                "With a slight smile on his lips, he watched the sun finally set."
                scene black with fade
                "Then, without a moment of hesitation, he turned around and left the room."
                jump seeingTuesan_rp

            "This was a horrible idea. However… (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tuesanReluctantSubmission = True
                show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                "He clenched his fist, then unclenched it again. He was stronger than her. There were no goblin shamans or mages in Hoz’holt, and even if there were, Tue-San was not one of them. She was just a goblin woman. She couldn’t force him to do anything he didn’t want to do."
                "But he wondered…  If she did order him to do something he did not want to - could he refuse her? Could he look into those cold, glaring eyes, and say “No.”?"
                "He licked his lips again, then pulled away from the window. He wasn’t so sure, and…"
                "He glanced at the door."
                show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                "And he wanted to know."
                show rowan necklace concerned at midright with moveoutright
                "He took a step towards the exit. Even knowing this was a bad idea… He wanted to see how it would all go. And right here, in the middle of goblin territory, with the day heading to its end, that morbid curiosity…"
                "Was just that little bit stronger than reason."
                show rowan necklace concerned at edgeright with moveoutright
                "He made another step, then another."
                scene black with fade
                "And soon he was out of the room."
                jump seeingTuesan_rp

            "Stay away from her.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
                "He sighed, and shook his head. The reward was so tempting, but the risks…"
                "He was not in friendly territory. And Tue-San proved she was willing to use every piece of information available against both her allies and enemies. He would be playing with fire."
                "…The risk was simply too high."
                "With a solemn expression, he watched the sun set. Once the sky turned dark he simply closed the curtains and headed to bed. He needed to be on his guard in this place - always."
                #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
                #$ push_to_previous_tile()
                return

    label seeingTuesan_rp:

    scene bg75 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "During the day, the Grand Hall was a lively place, with people hurrying across the halls, working or plotting, sometimes both. Now the corridors of this large building were almost empty, with only a handful of guards eyeing him as he walked past them."
    "None questioned him on the purpose of his evening stroll. But a few of them lingered for long enough to see where he was going, and a few others sent their underlings to report on his location, as soon as they thought Rowan couldn’t hear them anymore."
    "In the end, nobody stopped him, and within minutes he found himself in front of Tue-San’s room. Today, two goblins stood guard by the entrance. Both struck him as veterans, carrying that lazy confidence that characterized seasoned warriors."
    "They shifted positions when Rowan approached them, standing on full alert, one grabbing a short sword by his side, the other reaching for a crossbow by his hip. Rowan stopped at a safe distance, and cleared his throat."

    ro "Tue-San is expecting me."

    "Neither took their eyes off him, but the one with the crossbow knocked on the door three times. He heard Tue-San ask “What is it?”, and the guard opened the door to announce his arrival. "

    show tuesan neutral behind bg75

    tues "Let him in."

    "The guards parted before him. As he walked past them, one eyed his sword, and looked to the other, who made a sign with his hand Rowan did not recognize. In the end, they let him pass undisturbed. "

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveoutleft
    hide tuesan
    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Despite the late hour, Tue-San’s room was well-lit, thanks to the light coming from several lanterns. Tue-San sat at her table, writing something. She didn’t turn around to greet him."

    tues "There are only two reasons for you to visit me at this hour. The first one concerns urgent and important news which cannot wait until morning. Do you bear such news?"

    ro "I do not, Tue-San."

    tues "Then it’s the other."

    "She didn’t follow up on her response. He waited, hands crossed behind his back. A few minutes later, she finally finished what she was writing. She poured sand over the parchment to have the ink dry, then rolled it up, and sealed it. She then walked past Rowan, and handed it to one of the guards."

    tues "Deliver this to Fen-Min. I am not to be disturbed until noon."

    "The guards nodded their heads, and Tue-San closed the door - locking it with a key. She hid it in her pocket, and headed for her desk to sort out the remainder of her documents."
    "Rowan did not want to disturb the silence that followed, but eventually, he could no longer hold back the nagging question that arose."

    if tuesanHappySubmission:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    ro "“Noon”, Tue-San?"

    tues "I intend to take some time to rest afterwards. And I {b}expect{/b} to have reasons for it. Wait here. "

    "She left the room for a moment, but returned soon after, carrying a somewhat large, locked casket. She took a small key out of her dress, and opened it. Rowan didn’t intend to peek, but he towered over everyone in Hoz’holt, so he catched a glimpse of what Tue-San was taking out."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    "Leafs, flasks, some sort of complex machinery… He blinked, surprised. Was this really what he thought it was?"

    ro "Alchemy, Tue-San? You’re a woman of many talents."

    tues "I learned the basics of it in my youth. It was complimentary to the work I was doing."

    "He watched her set up the machinery, and insert a small, red stone under a kettle full of water. She took two cups, and put a handful of leaves from a red sachet into one of them, then put another handful from another sachet into the other."

    tues "It was never my ambition to engage in politics. Growing up, I studied what your scholars call “agriculture”. I hoped to turn Blackholt into a place that could sustain the entire goblin race."

    ro "Your plans have changed since then. Yours and Tue-Row’s."

    "She picked a small vial, and dropped a few drops of some sort of bluish liquid into the cup on the left. They all had labels on them - but Rowan wasn’t close enough to read the contents of Tue-San’s herbs."

    #tuesan angry

    tues "I was forced to abandon them long before I met Tue-Row. They were too… ”Naive”."

    "She spoke the word like some sort of cuss, her expression twisting into pure distaste."

    tues "My father always believed greater good required sacrifices. In that, he and I agreed."

    #tuesan neutral

    tues "But I haven’t invited you to talk about the past."

    "She sprinkled some unknown herb into the cup on the right, then set all the ingredients aside. She took a seat, and turned her gaze at Rowan. Instantly, he felt the atmosphere change."

    tues "You will start your service now, human. {b}Kneel{/b}."

    show cg1671 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Her heeled foot gently tapped the floor right in front of her, and her cold, blue eyes demanded him to obey."

    menu:
        "Do so, eagerly." if tuesanHappySubmission:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ goodboyPoints += 1
            ro "As Miss Tue-San demands."

        "Tease her, just a little." if tuesanHappySubmission:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ goodboyPoints += 1
            ro "Already? Just when we found a common topic to bond over!"
            tues "You can {i}attempt{/i} to entertain me with your wit in public. Not {i}here{/i}."
            tues "Do not make me repeat myself."
            "She tapped the spot in front of her once again, more impatiently this time. He smiled somewhat nervously, and decided against teasing her any further. He was her guest after all… "

        "Do so, reluctantly." if tuesanReluctantSubmission:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ goodboyPoints += 1
            ro "… Yes, Tue-San."

        "Hesitate." if tuesanReluctantSubmission:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He thought he was ready for what he was about to do. But when it came to making the final step, he found himself frozen in place."
            if tueSanBrutalInvitation:
                tues "Are you hesitating again?"
                tues "Do I have to remind you {i}what{/i} you are?"
                "Her quiet words carried an unspoken threat. Rowan swallowed nervously, and finally did as he was ordered."
            else:
                tues "… That’s unlike you, Blackwell."
                tues "Every story I read about you paints you as a man of conviction and resolve. So why are you hesitating now?"
                tues "Am I that intimidating?"
                "She mused quietly, and he could tell she was mocking him. And she was right. Swallowing his pride, he shook his head slightly, and approached her."

    show rowan necklace aroused behind bg75

    "He sank to his knees before her, keeping his eyes low - but stealing a brief glance at her expression, wanting to see the approval on her face."
    "He saw none. He knew it was a rare gift, granted only for extraordinary service. Instead, their eyes met - and she raised her nose, looking down on him."

    if tuesanHappySubmission:
        tues "… You’re smiling, Blackwell."
        tues "No, there’s no need to stop. You don’t need to pretend you aren’t going to enjoy this."
        ro "It would be difficult to do, Tue-San."
        tues "Hmph. I like your enthusiasm, Blackwell. But your cocky attitude could use correcting"

    else:
        tues "Where are you looking, Blackwell? Do you not know your place yet? "

    tues "{b}Eyes on the floor. Now.{/b}"

    "He lowered his head, feeling a shiver run up his spine. The mighty hero of Rosaria, brought to his knees with words alone. It felt both pathetic and exciting. Who else could make him feel that way?"
    "In the corner of his eyes, he saw her fiddling with her shoes, using the tip of one to push off the other. A quiet thunk hit his ears as the first one hit the floor. Then, so did the other."
    "She brought her feet close to his face, wiggling his toes at him. Did she really…"

    tues "Kiss them."

    menu:
        "Kiss her feet.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show cg1673 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Like reaching for a religious idol, he gently grabbed her foot, and laid a single kiss on it. He started to gently massage her soles, as his other hand strayed up, caressing the back of her thigh."
            "He strained his ear, desperately listening for any reaction from the goblin mistress. All he heard was a soft sigh. Knowing she was at least a little pleased, he laid another kiss on her naked skin, and moved down, kissing her toes, then licking them with great attention."
            tues "Good. Keep going."
            "Her approval pushed him to grow bolder, as he sucked on her toes, tickled her feet with his tongue. From the corner of his eyes, he saw her lips twist into a shadow of a smile - and that sight alone made his cock throb harder."
            "Painfully so, as he realized, when her other foot casually brushed against his groin. He groaned in discomfort, and Tue-San did it again, observing his reactions."
            tues "So hard from just kissing my feet?"
            if tuesanHappySubmission:
                tues "Is that what you were so happy about? What a disgusting pervert you are, Blackwell."
            else:
                 tues "And you were so reluctant just moments ago."
            tues "But you are not here to get yourself off with my feet."
            "She parted her legs, and raised her skirt up, revealing all of her black, sheer pantyhose. Through it, he could see, just barely, the outline of her pussy."
            tues "You are here to please me."

        "Kiss her legs.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Like reaching for a religious idol, he gently grabbed her foot, and placed a single kiss on her elegant leg. He started to massage her soles, as his other hand strayed up, caressing the back of her thigh."
            "He strained his ear, desperately listening for any reaction from the goblin mistress. All he heard was a soft sigh. Knowing she was at least a little pleased, he laid another kiss on her naked skin, his other hand reaching down, his fingers playing with her toes."
            "Her silence was his permission to continue, so he grew bolder, kissing her with more fervor, his hand straying up, dangerously close to her ass. He wanted to show her the full extent of his passion, how deep his desire went."
            "He shuffled closer - and her foot brushed against his groin, making him groan as his erect cock strained against his pants. Tue-San caressed it again, her actions making him stop."
            tues "So eager. Good."
            tues "Now move here."
            "She parted her legs, and raised her skirt up, revealing all of her black, sheer pantyhose. Through it, he could see, just barely, the outline of her pussy."

    show cg1672 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "He didn’t wait. He dove in, thrusting his face into her crotch. His senses were overwhelmed by the intoxicating scent of her pussy, and he kissed her with wild abandon, not caring for the black material that divided them."

    tues "Ha… Good."
    tues "Keeping going. You are proving to be an acceptable pet, Blackwell."
    tues "Keep pleasing your new goblin {i}Mistress{/i}."

    "Rowan shivered from her words, and answered them by thrusting his tongue, trying his damndest to please Tue-San even more."
    "Briefly, he wondered if he should slip off the pantyhose, so he could taste her cunt directly. But when he tried to sneak his hand up, she seized him by the wrist, and glared at him with silent disapproval. He didn’t try again."
    "Instead, he devoted himself fully to worshiping her cunt. He poured all his passion into his movements, licking and kissing, losing himself in the moment."

    tues "Aaaah, ah."
    tues "Ha…"
    tues "Ah, it’s ready."

    "He didn’t know where all the time went, when Tue-San turned her head away, and took the red stone from under the boiling pot. Their potions, whatever they were, were about to be ready."

    menu:
        "He was given no order to stop.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ goodboyPoints += 1
            "His insistent, enthusiastic worship did not cease. He dragged his tongue against the black pantyhose, with long, strong strokes, doing his best to stimulate her through the material. He heard a quiet murmur, and he knew his efforts were not for naught."
            tues "Do you wish to challenge yourself, Blackwell? Do you want to prove you can get the job done no matter the circumstances?"
            tues "Admirable. You really are the right man for the job…"
            "Her fingers slipped into his hair, and she pulled him closer, pulling his head up and down as he continued his licking. Her lingerie was now completely drenched, her dark pussy lips clearly visible now."
            "That sight only served to excite him further. He switched to thrusting his tongue inside of her, and Tue-San held his face in place, encouraging him. Her breathing grew heavier, and he knew he was on the right track. Just a little bit more…"
            tues "… But you are not here to satisfy your ego."
            "She pulled him away suddenly. He blinked at her, startled. A shadow of a smile danced on her lips, as she examined his expression."
            tues "I want something more, Blackwell. And I think you’ll be happy with it as well."

        "Pull away.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He pulled away, slowly, expecting the goblin mistress to seize him by the head and thrust it between her legs at a moment's notice. But for the time being, Tue-San seemed to lose all interest in him."

    show tuesan neutral at center with moveinright

    "Tue-San smoothed her skirt and stood up. Still on his knees, he watched her pour the boiling water into the cups, waiting for permission to stand."

    ro "… What exactly is that, Tue-San?"

    tues "Precautions, for me. As for you… You’ll see."

    tues "Now come, follow me."

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at center with dissolve

    "She headed to the sole side door in the room, carrying both cups in her hands. Rowan scrambled to his feet, dusting off his knees, and hurried after her."
    "They entered Tue-San’s bedroom. Earlier, he noted how few personal items her office had, and the same was true for her private quarters."
    "No family symbols, no decorations. A wardrobe for dresses, and a couple of bookcases, still only half full.  And a small, neatly made bed."

    tues "Strip. "

    if tuesanHappySubmission:
        "He was still looking at the bed when Tue-San gave him her next order. He obeyed swiftly, reaching for his shirt to quickly remove it. Tue-San set one of the cups aside, then turned around holding the other, sipping from it as she watched him."
        show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "He felt a twinge of excitement, as he saw her examine every part of his naked body. Her eyes ventured freely, admiring his sculpted chest, his powerful arms. He subtly tried to pose - just a little, so as to not end up mocked. "

    else:
        "He was still looking at her bed when Tue-San gave her next order. He obeyed swiftly, scrambling to remove his clothes. Tue-San set one of the cups aside, then turned around holding the other, sipping from it as she watched him."
        show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "He saw her examine every part of his naked body, and it made him both nervous, and excited. Her eyes ventured freely, admiring his sculpted chest, his powerful arms. He did his best to stand proud, show all his best features - and succeeded in it only partially."

    "Finally, he dropped his pants - and his cock sprung free, hard and throbbing. Tue-San raised the cup to her lips and took another sip, as her eyes soaked in the glorious sight of it."

    if tuesanThreesome:
        tues "Impressive length. I didn’t get a good look at the party."

    else:
        tues "Impressive length. Good. "

    ro "You flatter me, Tue-San."

    tues "I’m just stating the facts. And the fact is… You are exactly what I wanted to see."

    #tuesan happy
    show tuesan neutral at center with moveinright

    "She stepped up to him, and trailed her finger down his cock. He straightened herself, her unexpectedly gentle touch sending shivers down his spine. Next, her hand ventured further down,  to his testicles."
    "Still sipping from her cup, she weighed his balls - and murmured appreciatively at what she discovered."

    tues "Properly endowed here as well. Good."
    tues "… Do you want to know why, Blackwell?"

    "He swallowed heavily, as she leaned in, an unexpectedly devious smile dancing on her lips. It wasn’t like her to smile. It wasn’t- "

    tues "Because I intend to have you cum inside me for the whole night long~~  "

    "He drew a sharp breath, and his penis twitched as he heard the sing-song whisper coming from Tue-San’s lips. This had to be a trick - he knew her too well for it not to be. But it didn’t make it any less exciting."

    tues "That’s a good reaction, Blackwell. But be warned - it will be a reward for your good behavior. So I expect you to behave. Do you understand?"

    "He agreed with a short nod, not trusting his voice to use it."

    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveoutright

    "Her smile lingered for a little while longer, then she pulled away, and handed him his own cup."

    tues "Drink it."

    menu:
        "Ask about the potions again.":
             # $ released_fix_rollback()
             show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
             ro "Mistress, please, what- What is in this?"
             if tuesanHappySubmission:
                 "She glared at him for a moment, then sighed softly, and answered his questions- partially. "
                 tues "Nothing you have to worry about. Ot will help you… Perform. You might feel a little drowsy tomorrow, but there are no side effects."
                 tues "You can thank me for it, since we’re on that topic. My brethren almost used all of it up, nearly driving the necessary herbs to extinction. Idiots. I put an end to their reckless overindulgence."
                 "He waited for her to elaborate, but it seems that was all she had to say on the topic. Not wanting to annoy her further, he drank the potion down, then set the cup aside. "
             else:
                 ro "I gave you an order, Blackwell."
                 "He instinctively shriveled. He should’ve known better than to question her. Feeling her searing gaze on him, he brought the cup to his lips, and drank it all."

        "Bottoms up!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if tuesanHappySubmission:
                "If Tue-San wanted to poison him, she would have done so ages ago. He drank it without a moment’s hesitation, and set the cup aside."
            else:
                "He didn’t dare to refuse her. Hesitating only ever so slightly, he drank it all, then set the cup aside."

    tues "Good. Now lay down on the bed. Back to the wall."

    "Little by little, she seized full control of their encounter, ordering him around like a puppet on strings. By now, he found it hard to refuse. The promises she made… Were too tempting to ignore. "

    show rowan necklace naked aroused at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show tuesan neutral at center with moveinright

    "He moved to the bed, and sat down, noting how it was far too small for a human male. He heard a soft click - and turned around his head to see Tue-San unhook her necklace. She laid it down on the nearby table, then proceeded to remove her gloves."
    "He watched, enchanted, as his goblin mistress slowly undressed in front of him. She reached back and unclipped her skirt, revealing a round, soft butt, so enticingly clad in sheer pantyhose."
    "Tue-San was not as generously rounded as Cla-Min - but she had an elegant, womanly figure that called to him with every small movement. She took her time, folding her clothes - her hips swaying gently before his eyes, making his cock throb."

    menu:
        "Masturbate.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuesanMasturbated = True
            if tuesanHappySubmission:
                "This was exactly what he was hoping for, from the moment he walked into her room. Seeing her like this…"
                "Not thinking twice - not thinking at all - he wrapped his fingers around his painfully erect cock, and started to stroke it, his eyes glued to her body."
            else:
                "For all his concerns about her, there was no way he could deny the siren call of her ass. He wrapped his fingers around his painfully erect cock, and started to stroke it, his eyes glued to her body."
            "She didn’t say a word, she didn’t even pay him any attention. She undid the zipper on her back, and the form-fitting tunic followed next. Only one item of clothing remained."
            "She lowered her pantyhose, and bent over, flashing him her full ass as she finally finished stripping. Rowan inhaled rapidly, wanting nothing more than to go there and-"
            #tuesan angry
            show rowan necklace naked concerned at edgeleft with dissolve
            tues "{b}What the hell are you doing, Blackwell.{/b}"
            "Her icy tone froze him in place. Tue-San finally turned her head, and now glared at him with cold eyes. He smiled awkwardly, not sure if he should take his hand away, or not."
            if tueSanBrutalInvitation:
                tues "Why am I even surprised? It’s like you {b}want{/b} to be punished. Unbelievable."
            else:
                if tuesanThreesome and tueSanPermission == False:
                    tues "Why am I even surprised? We both know your discipline is lacking. Like most men, you are a slave to your cock, so it’s no wonder you do its bidding."
                else:
                    tues "Tue-San: Have I misjudged you after all? Are you just another man who is little more than a slave to his cock, always doing its bidding? Disgusting."
            tues "It’s a good thing I have just the right tools for this."

        "Get a hold of yourself.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ goodboyPoints += 1
            "It was difficult to remain still with such a sight right in front of him. But he held back, hoping that soon all this waiting would be rewarded."
            "Tue-San didn’t pay him any attention as she continued. She undid the zipper on her back, and the form-fitting tunic followed next, revealing her naked back. This too she folded neatly, and laid right in front of her."
            "Only one item of clothing remained."
            "She lowered her pantyhose, and bent over, flashing him her full ass as she finally finished stripping. Rowan inhaled rapidly, wanting nothing more than to go there and thrust inside of her."
            tues "Be patient, Blackwell. We are almost ready."

    "She walked to a chest right beside her bed. Rowan didn’t notice what was inside of it, as his eyes were drawn to her naked tits. Modestly sized, he could cover them with his hands, squeeze them whole with such ease!"
    "As if reading his mind, Tue-San picked his hand, raised it up, and-"

    show bg75 with sshake

    "And pinned it to the wall. He heard a soft click, as Tue-San locked a pair of handcuffs around his wrist, then around a metal hook on the wall. Rowan pulled his hand - and the cuffs rattled."

    ro "Tue-San? …. Mistress?"

    if tuesanMasturbated:
        tues "Since you cannot be trusted with your hands, I’ve decided to take certain precautions, so that you would not get any stupid ideas during our session."

    else:
        tues "Be at ease. This is just to ensure you will not do anything unwise in the throngs of passion."

    "She explained lazily, as she walked around him, and chained his other hand to the wall. No matter his concerns, he was far too deep into this to refuse her."
    "With his second hand secured, she walked back to the chest - but took a moment to appreciate the view in front of her. Resting a hand on her hips, her eyes trailed his body, then stared at his still hard, erect cock."

    tues "I see you’re not going soft. Good. The potion will take a while to start working, so I’ll take this as a compliment."

    tues "Now we just need one more element."

    "She reached into the chest - and pulled out a simple, black string. Rowan blinked, then realized what it was for."

    ro "Mistress, is this necessary?"

    tues "Of course it is. Be at ease, Blackwell, I will let you cum."
    tues "But not before I come first."

    menu:
        "You can hold back. Show her what you’re made of. " if tueSanBrutalInvitation == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I would never forgive myself if I failed to satisfy you, Tue-San. Let me prove that fact to you."
            tues "You claim you’ll be able to stay your lust as I mercilessly ride your cock for the next several hours? Do you think so little of my body and my skills? Should I be insulted, Blackwell?"
            ro "Nothing of the sort, Mistress. But having to hold back for so long would be a minor inconvenience compared to the soul-wrenching pain of knowing I disappointed you."
            if tueSanWarmInvitation or tueSanPermission:
                 tues "Such claims. If you were any other man, I’d laugh you out. Not that some of them wouldn’t enjoy it."
                 ro "I am serious, Tue-San. Let me show you what I’m made of."
                 "She regarded him for a long time, playing with the black string in her hand. Rowan waited with bated breath - then felt his heart start beating faster, as Tue-San placed the string back into the chest."
                 tues "You are full of surprises, Blackwell. Show me the will of the man who inspired the prince of all goblins."
            else:
                 tues "Such grand claims, with so little to back them. I do not approve of such empty boasting."
                 "She played with the string wrapping it around her fingers, causing Rowan to glance away uncomfortably."
                 tues "But if you truly are committed to this… I will give you a chance to impress me. Show me the will of the man who inspired the prince of all goblins."
                 "He felt his heart start beating faster as Tue-San placed the string back into the chest. Suddenly he wasn’t so sure of himself - but he wouldn’t back down now."
            $ noStringsOnMe = True
            "She made her way to him, then brushed her slender fingers over the full length of his cock, once more admiring the length of it. She teased the tip just a little, causing him to draw a sharp breath."
            tues "So sensitive. You want to come already, don’t you?"
            ro "I give you my word it will not happen, Tue-San."
            tues "We’ll see how long your resolve will last."
            "Throwing him a shadow of a smile, she swiftly straddled him, kneeling over his cock, his penis poised to take her."

        "… If that’s what Tue-San wants.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ noStringsOnMe = False
            "He licked his lips, trying to think of some excuse to avoid the string. But he had nothing. He hung his head low, surrendering to the goblin mistress. "
            tues "Good. Remember - obedience is rewarded."
            "She made her way to him, toying with the string in her hand. Her slender fingers teased the tip of his cock just a little, causing him to draw a sharp breath - then she swiftly tied the string around the base of it."
            ro "I-it’s a little tight, Tue-San."
            tues "I’ve done this before. You have nothing to worry about."
            "Not wanting to hear any more of his objection, she straddled him, kneeling over his cock, his penis poised to take her. "

    #cg 1
    scene cg1674 with fade
    show tuesan neutral behind cg1674
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1674

    "Forced to fit in her small bed, with his arm high up and chained to the wall, he was only half sitting, resting on the pillows behind him. In this position, even on her knees, Tue-San easily towered over him. Just as before she looked down on him, her lips tightened into a thin line."

    tues "… Are you enjoying the view, Blackwell? "

    "She reached down, gently caressing his cheek - then tugged his hair roughly, demanding to hear his answer. "

    ro "A-ah! Y-yes, Mistress."

    "She had a lithe body, with a flat stomach and narrow waist, testimony to an iron diet she no doubt adhered to religiously. Her dark green nipples protruded proudly, betraying excitement that had no reflection in her cold eyes."

    tues "Good. I’m enjoying mine."
    tues "To see the hero of the six realms tied up beneath me… To see such a human humbled…"
    tues "It’s more exciting than I thought."

    show cg1675 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She ran her hand up his chest, pressing her fingers against his muscles, feeling how hard they were."

    tues "Your kind… Always wanted to see mine {i}submit{/i}.  Always expect {i}us{/i} to conform to {i}your{/i} norms. Never the other way around. Centuries have passed, and nothing has changed. Your nobles still see us as either slaves, or pets. "
    tues "They think your physical might gives you the right to subdue us. In so many ways… You humans are no different to orcs or demons. "

    "Her fingers found his nipple, and twisted it sharply. He hissed in pain."

    tues "It won’t be that way for long. Tue-Row will show just what goblin-kind is truly capable of."
    tues "… But I am getting ahead of myself. For now… I’ll enjoy seeing Rosaria’s most beloved hero {i}squirm{/i} beneath me"

    if tuesanHappySubmission:
        "A shiver ran up his spine, and he did his damnedest not to grin. Exactly! That’s exactly what he wanted to see! Tue-San in all her cold glory!"

    else:
        "A cold shiver ran up his spine. This was a mistake- he knew this was a mistake, and he still went through it. What type of an idiot was he!"

    show cg1676 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "She pulled away, letting go of his hair, and of his chest. One hand seized his cock, steading it - the other parted her lower lips, as she slowly, steadily, took his full length inside of her."

    ro "N-ngh-ah! "

    "Her cunt was already wet, and even though Tue-San went in slowly, she had no trouble with his girth. Her warm, velvet walls squeezed him greedily, as she kept pushing down, all the way to the base of his cock."

    tues "Hm-mph!"

    "She let out a soft grunt, and rolled her hips slightly, enjoying his size. Once she was comfortable, she closed her eyes, and sighed."

    show cg1677 with dissolve
    pause 3

    tues "Now shut up, and let me enjoy myself."

    show cg1678 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "It was her whole order, as she started to rise up, then push down, setting up a steady rhythm that quickly started to speed up."
    "She didn’t hold back - with every thrust, she took his full length, then raised her hips so only the tip remained inside - and thrust down again. And while his legs were not bound, he didn’t dare to move his own hips. He surrendered to her tempo, letting himself be used fully."

    tues "Ha… Ha…"

    "Her soft moans and the soft creaking of the bed were all that could be heard in her bedroom, as Rowan didn’t dare to even say a word. He bit his lower lip, trying his hardest to control his lust as his cock drowned in pleasure."

    if noStringsOnMe:
        tues "Are you regretting your earlier promise, Blackwell? I bet you are."
        "She placed both of her hands on his stomach, and started rolling her hips in slow, sensual movements. Less focused on her pleasure, and more intent on pleasuring {i}him{/i}."
        tues "You must want to cum in my pussy so much. Isn’t that all you human men desire?"
        tues "To find yourself a goblin wife, a goblin slave, and fill her to the brim with their seed? To impregnate her, to breed her, to pump her full of your kids?"
        "Tue-San’s voice was unexpectedly sweet, but her eyes held nothing but contempt, a silent challenge. She {i}dared{/i} him to give even a single sign it was something he wanted."
        tues "Do you want to come, human? Do you want to fill this goblin with cum? Do you want her to carry your children?"
        tues "Be honest with yourself. Be honest with your cock."
        "She leaned in further, her small breast swaying before his eyes as her hips started to rhythmically bounce on top of his cock, trying to milk him off his seed."
        tues "Listen to it, like the {i}animal{/i} you are."
        menu:
            "It’s too much!":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ tueSanSuccumbedToGoblinPussy = True
                "Up and down, she rolled her hips, her velvet walls tightening around him. His cock was trapped in a heavenly cage, and his balls throbbed with need, {i}begging{/i} him for release. His eyes started to roll up - this was too much, way too much!"
                tues "Does your cock want to cum, human? Does this {i}tight{/i}, goblin pussy feel just {i}too good{/i}?"
                "She kept pouring sweet, venomous words into his ears, tempting and taunting him at the same time. He promised - he promised -"
                tues "I can feel it {i}throb{/i} inside me. I can feel it {i}twitch{/i}."
                tues "You want to cum, Blackwell."
                tues "You want to cum {i}so bad{/i}."
                "She moaned swiftly into his ear-"
                show cg1679 with sshake
                show cg1679 with sshake
                show cg1680 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1681 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "His whole world turned white as he exploded into her. Groaning in ecstasy, he pushed his hips up, coming and pumping his semen into Tue-San. The violent ecstasy, delayed for so long, was almost unbearable - and he didn’t want it to end."
                "Eventually, it did. Exhausted, he fell back to the bed. Breathing heavily, he opened his eyes again, and despite the fear that seized his heart, looked at his goblin mistress."
                if tueSanBrutalInvitation:
                    show black with sshake
                    "She struck him across the face, so hard his ear rang. Blinking rapidly, he tried to think of some excuse, mumbled some sort of apology-"
                else:
                    "Her eyes were like small furnaces, glaring hatefully at him. He froze in terror. Briefly, he tried to mumble some sort of apology, but-"
                #tuesan angry
                tues "{i}Shut up{/i}, worm. Weak-willed and disappointing. I knew it."
                if tuesanThreesome and tueSanPermission == False:
                    tues "I cannot believe I gave you a second chance. You disgusting excuse of a man!"
                "She rested her hands against his stomach - then suddenly lifted herself up and pushed down with great force, impaling herself on his cock."
                "Rowan groaned in discomfort. He realized he was still hard - but his cock felt too sensitive to endure the powerful stimulation. Bliss and agony mixed together, and he didn’t know if he wanted to beg for mercy, or cry for more."
                tues "{b}I said shut up{/b}. Your punishment is enduring this until I use your cock to get myself off."
                "He could thrash around, but with his hands chained, he had no hope of freeing himself. He could beg for mercy - and for the audacity of cumming without permission, he knew he would receive none."
                "So he endured, and Tue-San rode him roughly, treating him as little more than a sentient dildo."
                "He gritted his teeth, counted the seconds go by, and soon…"
                tues "Ha…Ha…"
                tues "Ah!"
                "She let out a soft sigh as she impaled herself on his cock. Her small body trembled as she reached satisfaction, and he was allowed a brief moment of respite."
                ro "… Mistress?"
                tues "I hoped you learned your lesson, Blackwell."
                "Her cold voice lost little of its hostility. He swallowed heavily. He would pay dearly for that one moment of weakness."
                tues "Because we’re doing it again."
                ro "Y-yes, Mistress…"
                "Torn between fear and excitement, he could only go along with it…"
                "And pray next time he’ll have more self-control."
                jump tuesanEndOfNight_rp

            "Don’t! ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ goodboyPoints += 1
                "He bit his inner cheek, fighting back the urge to climax, as his balls ached for release. One second, then another - he fought for every single one, like a man drowning, reaching for the surface of water. "
                tues "… That’s a nice expression you have there Blackwell. Keep at it."
                "Her black eyes stared into his own, as she straightened herself again, and picked up the pace. Her breathing grew ragged, more needy. Just a little longer. A little longer~"
                tues "A-ah…"
                "She came with a soft sight, his cock buried deep into her cunt. It twitched like crazy all around him, stimulating him further. Not yet. Not yet! "
                tues " ... Commendable job. For once, I find a man capable of keeping his word."
                tues "You may come for your Mistress now, Blackwell."
                show cg1679 with sshake
                show cg1679 with sshake
                show cg1680 with flash
                pause 2
                show cg1681 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "Her eyes widened in surprise as he did immediately, crying out in pleasure, exploding into her with a painful, powerful orgasm. He thrust his hips forward, lifting her up, as he kept coming."
                "He was in no state to control himself, so she was forced to steady herself, holding onto his desperately, as he finished inside of her. He feared she would punish him for it… Instead, he saw her smirk ever so slightly."
                tues "Oh… You came a lot, Blackwell. Well done. I was hoping you’d prove a stud."
                ro "T-thank you, Mistress."
                "She stayed up, bending over to grab a handkerchief and clean herself up. Rowan breathed heavily, taking a moment to rest."
                "It was not given to him. He drew a sharp breath as he felt sliding into Tue-San again, the goblin mistress rocking her hips gently on top of him. He was still hard - as hard as before."
                tues "Now, do it again."
                "He swallowed heavily. This was proving to be a very long night…"
                jump tuesanEndOfNight_rp

    else:
        "The black string drove into his sensitive skin, not enough to hurt, but enough to cause some discomfort, to remind Rowan of its presence. No matter how good Tue-San felt… He wouldn’t be able to cum."
        tues "Ha… So large…"
        "This quiet whisper was all Tue-San would say, fucking herself on his phallus. She wouldn’t praise him, Rowan knew that. But ordered to keep quiet, with his hands locked up, all he could do was study the subtle ways her expression changed."
        "She kept the steady rhythm she set up, and he saw her modest tits jump up every time she smacked her ass down. All too quickly, she started to pant softly, and every time she took his full length, she would let out a quiet moan."
        tues "Haa…. Ah! Haa…. Ah!"
        "Every word that ever came from Tue-San’s lips, was either mockery, an order, or a complaint. But now, the room was filled with her soft, womanly moans. Her lips parted softly, and her cheeks flushed with desire."
        ro "N-ngh."
        "He could almost cum from that sight alone, but his locked cock and his own desire not to disappoint kept it at bay. Tue-San didn’t even notice his suffering."
        tues "Reaching me all the way there… What if…"
        "Instead, she switched her pose slightly, leaning back now. Her thrusts grew quicker, shorter - more urgent."
        tues "Ha… Yes!"
        "It was that one, quiet expression of wonder that made Rowan realize she never had a lover as large as him. He was exactly what she wanted… "
        "{i}Gods, he needed to cum inside her!{/i}"
        tues "A-ah!"
        "She thrust down and held that position as her body trembled. A moment later, her breathing calmed down, and she opened her eyes again. She looked at Rowan - and seemed almost disappointed by what she saw. As if she had forgotten he was here."
        tues "Good Job, Blackwell. Not that much was required of you."
        tues "But I’m not going to go back on my word. As promised… Your reward."
        "With his cock still deep inside of her, she reached for the string, and pulled it open…"
        tues "Fill your mistress with your cum."
        show cg1679 with sshake
        show cg1679 with sshake
        show cg1680 with flash
        pause 2
        show cg1681 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Her eyes widened in surprise as he did immediately, crying out in pleasure, exploding into her with a painful, powerful orgasm. He thrust his hips forward, lifting her up, as he kept coming."
        "He was in no state to control himself, so she was forced to steady herself, holding onto his desperately, as he finished inside of her. He feared she would punish him for it… Instead, he saw her smirk ever so slightly."
        tues "Oh… You came a lot, Blackwell. Well done. I was hoping you’d prove a stud."
        ro "T-thank you, Tue-San."
        "She stayed up, bending over to grab a handkerchief and clean herself up. Rowan breathed heavily, taking a moment to rest."
        "It was not given to him. He drew a sharp breath, as he felt the string tied around his cock again. The goblin mistress straddled his hips, and he felt himself sliding into her wet, warm cunt again. He was still hard - as hard as before."
        tues "Now, do it again."
        "He swallowed heavily. This was proving to be a very long night…"

    label tuesanEndOfNight_rp:

    $ tuesanDomSession = True

    scene black with fade

    "In the end, they both came several times. Tue-San’s potion kept him hard, and the goblin mistress allowed them almost no time to rest."
    "Once, she uncuffed him so he could drink some water, as she cleaned herself out more thoroughly. That break lasted no more than fifteen minutes - then he was ordered to return to his place on the bed, and once more satisfy her desires."

    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with dissolve
    #tuesan concerned
    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    "It was late into the night when Tue-San finally uncuffed him for good, and decided to take a longer break. The whole room reeked of sex, and his nether regions started to ache.  He was exhausted - as was she."
    "Tue-San did most of the work, and it showed. Her usually immaculate image was nowhere to be seen, her hair in complete disarray, and he could see traces of his cum on her thighs. She sat on her chair heavily, looking out of the window with a bored expression."

    ro "… Are you not satisfied, Mistress?"

    if tueSanSuccumbedToGoblinPussy:
        tues "Despite the abysmal start… Your overall performance was adequate, Blackwell."

    else:
        tues "Your performance was adequate, Blackwell."

    tues "But I have much to do in the morning. Regardless of the prince’s orders… This is no time to relax for any of us."

    "Her words make his blood grow cold. All of this… Because Tue-Row ordered her to unwind."
    "He wanted her to want him for all he had to offer. They’d been at it for hours, but his cock was still hard. And he wanted to see Tue-San satisfied."
    "She caught him looking, and her gaze drifted to his cock. With a soft sigh, she got up from her chair, and leaned against her desk as she slowly raised her leg… "

    tues "Still hard… Very well. Since you were such an obedient pet, I think you deserve a {i}proper{/i} reward. Something many of you ask… Though personally, I don’t see the appeal."

    "She wiggled her toes, giving no doubt as to what she meant."

    tues "On the ground, human. {b}Now.{/b}"

    $ tuesanTopSeen = False

    label tuesanSexMenu_rp:

    menu:
        "You can still go on. She just needs to let you be on top. (Scene: Sex)" if tuesanTopSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuesanTopSeen = True
            ro "Tue-San, I cannot accept this. If you are not satisfied yet, then let me be of more service."
            tues "How charming. But no."
            ro "Are you sure? I’ll do everything, any way you want. Please, Mistress."
            "The moment he spoke the words, he realized how true they were for him. All this time, Tue-San always had this dissatisfied look on her face. Even when she came, it was like it wasn’t {i}enough{/i}. Like it wasn’t what she really wanted."
            "Maybe he was simply not the right man for her. But he wanted to try. Damn it, he would have Tue-San know true ecstasy!"   
            #if goodboyPoints == 4:
                #if ((tuesanThreesome and tueSanPermission) or tuesanThreesome == False) and (tuesanSuspectBacked == False and tuesanSuspectNeutral == False):
            jump tuesanBonusSex_rp # just bounce
                #else:
                   #pass
            #else:
                #pass
            "Yet much to his dismay, the goblin mistress shook her head, and narrowed her eyes at him."
            tues "Your initiative has been noted."
            tues "Now get on the floor, before I lose my patience."
            jump tuesanSexMenu_rp

        "Do as she commands. (Scene: Footjob)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuesanFootjob = True
            "In the end… She had the final say in everything. What little attention she deemed him worthy of receiving, he had to accept. It might be his only chance at doing so."
            "He slid down to the ground, his cock swaying up in the air, eager to feel more of Tue-San’s body. The small goblin mistress offered him a shadow of a smile, then got up from her chair."
            show rowan necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve
            tues "Oh? How curious…  After experiencing my pussy, will you really be satisfied with anything else?"
            ro "Is there a part of Tue-San’s body that won’t feel wonderful?"
            tues "… A correct answer."
            show tuesan neutral at center with moveinright
            "She didn’t hurry, slowly making her way towards him, her hips swaying with each step. Goblin or not, when he was sprawled on the ground, she towered over him with ease."
            tues "Let’s see how much more do you still have inside of you."
            #footjob cg
            scene cg1725 with fade
            show tuesan neutral behind cg1725
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1725
            pause 3
            "She pressed her foot against his cock, stepping on it ever so slightly. He hissed, expecting it to hurt - but Tue-San showed to be surprisingly gentle, her soft soles massaging the underside of his cock with slow, pleasant strokes."
            tues "Be at ease, Blackwell. This is your reward no? I keep my word."
            if tueSanBrutalInvitation:
                 tues "As long as you behave and do as you are told… I am going to make you feel {i}good{/i}."
            "Her foot traveled down, and she pressed against his balls, teasing the base of his cock with the tip of her toes. His cock twitched. If she kept at it…"
            tues "You’re pretty sensitive right now. After so many times… I’m glad now I keep the ingredients at hand."
            tues "Again, Rowan. Your mistress will make you come again."
            "She focused her attention on that one spot, then switched to rubbing his cock with all of her foot, her soft soles caressing his throbbing cock. He drew a sharp breath at the incredible sensation."
            tues "Don’t hold back. Show me the virility of a human male."
            "Up and down… In smooth, stroking motions, with far more skill than he imagined. Just how many times has Tue-San done this?!"
            ro "Tue-San, please-! Ah!"
            "She pressed a little harder, her toes teasing the tip of his cock. A soft, humorless chuckle reached his ears, as the goblin mistress glared at him."
            tues "Opening your mouth to do anything but praise me? Do you want to squander your reward so thoughtlessly?"
            ro "N-no, Mistress!"
            tues "Then show me."
            "Again, stroking his entire length! He couldn’t-"
            tues "Show me what the Hero of Karst is made of. Show me how he submits!"
            tues "Cum!"
            show cg1726 with sshake
            show cg1726 with sshake
            show cg1727 with flash
            pause 2
            "For her to evoke his title in this humiliating position - the sudden feeling of shame was too much. His cock twitched, and he came, unable to hold back. His seed stained his naked stomach, with long, white lines."
            show cg1728 with dissolve
            pause 2
            tues "I think I just discovered something interesting about you. Blackwell."
            ro "I… I think I’d rather you didn’t call me by that name…"
            tues "Is that so... "
            "She wondered out loud, still teasing his cock, her toes now stained with his cum, glistening in the moonlight. She was not done with me. Not yet."
            scene black with fade
            "Not even remotely."
            jump tuesan3WrapUp_rp

        "You’ll die if you come any more. Skip the footjob.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I am honoured, Tue-San. But I think I may actually die of dehydration if we keep it up."
            tues "Oh? That would be a difficult thing to explain to the twins."
            "He chuckled - though Tue-San’ serious expression made him wonder if it really was a joke."
            tues "I respect that. Clean yourself up. Take your time."
            scene black with fade
            "For once, she seemed cordial, perhaps because he knew when to say stop."
            scene bg70 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve
            "He left her room half an hour later, somehow able to make himself look dignified despite the fact he could barely stand."
            "He came to serve a goblin goddess - and he did just that. To the end, he wasn’t sure if he really performed as well as she had hoped. She bid him goodbye with the same cold expression she greeted him with, and words that left no room for interpretation."
            tues "This was a one-time thing, Blackwell. We will not speak of it, and you will never ask to repeat it. Tell me you understand."
            ro "I understand, Tue-san."
            "In the end, they were ambassadors of two independent parties, brought together by convenience, not shared values. Allies for now… "
            scene black with fade
            "But who knows what in the future?"
            #$ avatar.mp -= 5
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
            #$ push_to_previous_tile()
            return

    label tuesanBonusSex_rp:

    $ tuesanBonusSexSeen = True

    #sekrit sex cg
    scene cg1729 with fade
    show tuesan neutral behind cg1729
    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1729

    tues "… Hm."

    "She didn’t refuse, and that alone made Rowan’s heart skip a beat. Her eyes inspected his body - and he stood up, so she could admire it properly."

    tues "You certainly don’t lack stamina, Blackwell. And you’ve been… Obedient. More than I expected."

    ro "I wanted to please you, Tue-San."

    tues "And now you want to get on top of me. How typical of a human male."

    ro "If that would not be to your satisfaction, then maybe I could suggest something else? Would you like me to serve you with my tongue again?"

    tues "That would not be a bad idea… But it would be a waste to not use your tool some more…"

    "Her hand wrapped around his cock, and she teased the underside of it. She was so close now… He needed to seize this chance."
    "His body acted on instinct. He seized her up, and brought her up to his chest. Shocked, her legs flailed in the air - then she wrapped them around his hips - and sunk her fingernails into his face, her expression twisting into that of murderous rage."

    tues "{b}Let. Me. Down.{/b}"

    ro "If that’s what my Mistress demands. But maybe… I could serve you like this? "

    "He shifted her, and his cock brushed against her pussy. Her fingers still dug into his face, breaking skin, and drawing blood. Still, he held her."

    ro "I want to give Tue-San something no other lover could offer. Please, consider it."

    tues "..."
    tues "Hand me your belt."

    "Wrapping one hand around her waist to stabilize her, the other blindly reached for his pile of discarded clothing. He found the item he was looking for, and handed it over."
    "Tue-San let go of his face - and his own belt suddenly ended up wrapped around his throat, far too tightly."
    show cg1730 with dissolve
    pause 3
    "He whizzed and he tried to draw a deeper breath - damn it, she was choking him!"

    tues "That makes things a bit more fair, doesn’t it?"

    "She leaned away, hanging from his throat. He grabbed both of her hips up, alleviating some of the pressure - but that just made her pull harder."
    "It wasn’t enough to truly prevent him from breathing, but… They were playing a dangerous game here. Still, he couldn’t ignore how flushed her cheeks were right now."

    ro "… If that’s what my Mistress desires."

    "He swallowed with some difficulty, and lifted Tue-San up. She adjusted her legs, parting them for him - giving him permission to slide inside of her."
    "He did so, soaking in the sight of Tue-San arching her back as his massive tool once more took its place inside of her. This entire night, it was bringing her to orgasm, again, and again."
    "He wanted to keep doing so, so no other man ever felt as good as him. He wanted this goblin mistress all to himself."
    "This time, he dictated the tempo, controlling Tue-San’s body, lifting it up and down with ease. But whether he was too rough, or too gentle - she would pull at the belt, and hiss into his ear."

    tues "Faster, Blackwell. I am not made out of paper."
    tues "Slower. Are you thinking with your head or your cock?"
    tues "That’s right. Keep that pace. Good…"

    "He couldn’t say who was in control of the situation. But the more they embraced each other, the less Tue-San ordered him around. First, she placed her hand on his shoulder, steadying herself. Then, her hips started to rock in accordance to his thrusts."
    "For the first time that day, they were in perfect sync. Tue-San’s soft, needy moans were the most wonderful sound in existence, and Rowan didn’t dare to make a sound of his own, just so he could enjoy them undisturbed."

    tues "Ha… Ha…"
    
    show cg1731 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Her breathing deepened, and he felt her body tremble with desire. She came before his eyes so many times today, he could see the signs as clear as day. She parted her small, plump lips - their image so inviting… "

    menu:
        "Kiss her - if she wants to.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ kissedTuesan = True
            show cg1732 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1733 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Moving his hand up, he pulled her closer. She was bouncing on his cock of her own accord now, so he wasn’t sure if she even realized. She was now only inches away from him, her hot breath tickling his face."
            "They locked eyes, and he waited for her to pull away, or shake her head, or mock him, or try to tear his eyes out."
            tues "Ha… Ha!"
            "Instead, she picked up the pace, chasing release. Wanting above all else, to cum from {i}his{/i} cock-"
            show cg1734 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He kissed her passionately, pushing his tongue into her mouth. She surrendered to the sensation, bouncing up and down. With his own climax just around the corner, he exploded right there - and she came with him."
            "He pulled her even closer, hugging her with his arms, as he pumped his seed inside of her. Lost to ecstasy, she trembled with desire. Her tongue danced with his own, and her hand reached behind his head, as she pulled him in too."
            "It was heaven. He wanted to stay that way forever."
            tues "Ha…"
            hide cg1730
            show cg1730 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "But eventually, she pulled away - and her dark eyes, just moments ago filled with passion, now glared at him with fury. She sunk her fingers into his face again, pushing him away, while she pulled at his belt - {b}hard{/b}."
            ro "A-ack! Mistress!"
            tues "{b}Never do that again.{/b}"
            ro "Y-yes, Tue-San!"
            "Unable to speak, his voice was barely louder than a whisper. This time, she was actually choking him!"
            "… And she kept doing so a little longer, until she saw his eyes rolling up. Only then, did she release him. He started breathing heavily, desperate for air."
            tues "Good. Now, are you done for the day, or can you keep going?"
            "There was a challenge in that question, and despite her actions just now… He could… And still wanted to do so."
            "From the very start, he was ready to fuck her in whatever way she wanted, no matter the risk."
            scene black with fade
            " So he did just that, bringing her to orgasm again, and again, and again."
            "This time, staying away from her lips. But not forgetting the taste of them."
            jump tuesan3WrapUp_rp

        "Do not overstep.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ tuesanSexualRespect = True
            "… And he thought back the urge to pull her closer. Tue-San decided what bridges to cross, not him. He already overstepped by pulling her up like this."
            tues "… Just like this! Yes!"
            "She closed her eyes and leaned away, letting a short cry of pleasure as she came on his cock. Her walls squeezed his manhood - and he came with her, exploding inside of her, pumping her full of his cum for the umpteenth time that night. "
            "Instinctively, he pulled her closer, wanting to feel every tremble of her small body. The heavenly sensation of her pussy… He wanted to feel it forever."
            tues "Ha…"
            tues "Good Job, Blackwell."
            ro "You can call me by name, you know."
            tues "Hmph. So cocky."
            tues "I take it you can keep going, then?"
            "The challenge was clear as day, and the answer for that… "
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
            ro "Of course, Mistress Tue-San."
            "Driven by lust, and fueled by whatever potion she fed him, he would bring her to orgasm again. Then again… And Again."
            "As many times as she wanted."
            jump tuesan3WrapUp_rp

    label tuesan3WrapUp_rp:

    scene bg70 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    "She would let him go in the morning, completely drained. He swayed on his feet as he headed for his room, barely having the strength to stand."
    "He came to serve a goblin goddess - and he did just that. To the end, he wasn’t sure if he really performed as well as she had hoped. She bid him goodbye with the same cold expression she greeted him with, and with words that left no room for interpretation."

    tues "This was a one-time thing, Blackwell. We will not speak of it, and you will never ask to repeat it. Tell me you understand."

    hide tuesan with dissolve

    show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft

    "In the end, they were ambassadors of two independent parties, brought together by convenience, not shared values. Allies for now… But who knows what in the future."

    ro "I understand… Mistress. "

    "Still, there was a small part of him that hoped…"

    scene black with fade

    "That this was not the end."

    #$ avatar.mp -= 5
    ## $ released_fix_rollback()
    #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
    #$ push_to_previous_tile()
    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_4.rpy
label claminAltarSex_rp:

    #$ claminAltarFuck = True
    scene bg71 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
    show clamin neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Aren’t you a little greedy, Cla-Min? You want all the rewards with none of the work?"

    "He pointed to the altar, a devious smile dancing on his lips."

    ro "Zii had to pay for the privilege of both being the queen, and being fucked… And while the priest did pass out two hours ago…"

    #rowan smirk

    ro "The altar is still here."

    "He had to applaud Cla-Min’s poker face. Not showing even a hint of her true feelings, her eyes turned to the altar, then again to her husband."

    cla "I’m going to assume you jest?"
    ro "Why would I? Do you not want to be taken like a queen?"
    cla "Rowan, there are {b}people{/b} here."
    ro "So? Most of them are out cold. And you said it yourself, we’re thousands of miles away from home."
    cla "I’m going to work with some of them in the future."
    ro "I don’t think being taken by the Great Trickster would be any reason for shame."

    #clamin shocked

    "He reached over, wrapping his hand around her shoulders, and grabbing her tit from the back. He squeezed it, causing Cla-Min to let out a soft, sweet moan, despite the unease that started to show on her face."

    ro "Come on. It’s a magical night, no? Who knows, maybe there were some gods who’ve been watching today… Who blessed the altar so that the union between the goblin king and his wife proved to be a fruitful one."
    ro "Do you really not want to try? Do you want this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to pass you by?"

    "He whispered sweet poison into her ear, kneading her tits as she wriggled in her spot, chewing on her lower lip, unsure what to say."

    cla "Rowan, I am a merchant, my reputation is worth more than even my gold. You want me to risk it just so we can…"

    #clamin aroused
    show clamin happy at midright with dissolve

    "She couldn’t finish her sentence, too embarrassed about the whole idea. Her cheeks flushed red, but excitement shone in her eyes… "

    menu:
        "Yes. Exactly.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ avatar.corruption += 3
            $ claminFuck = "brutal"
            "He reached up and grabbed her by the throat, forcing her to look up at him. She was always so sure of herself… Pushing her like this was {i}thrilling{/i}."
            ro "Yes. Taking my cock is far more important than any of that fancy stuff you occupy yourself with."
            ro "Get on the altar so I can {i}fuck you{/i}. Am I making myself understood here, Min?"
            "Chewing on her lower lip, she very slowly nodded her head. Rowan chuckled and slapped her ass as she stood up."

        "She just needed a little convincing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ claminFuck = "gentle"
            #rowan happy
            ro "Exactly. And you of all people should know when to take a calculated risk."
            ro "You have a quick mouth, and a good head on your shoulders. You’ll keep them quiet. I know you will. And in return…"
            "He let go of her tit, and slid his hand lower, placing it on her stomach."
            ro "Maybe today is the day."
            cla "… Let’s do it."
            "Her voice trembled, betraying her uncertainty with the whole idea. But she couldn’t back down now. He let her stand up, and pushed her slightly in the direction of the altar."

        "Maybe he was pushing too hard…":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ claminFuck = "gentle"
            #rowan happy
            "He smiled gently, and pulled his hand away. Maybe she was right-"
            "She grabbed him by the arm, stopping him."
            cla "What are you doing? After you worked me up so much…"
            "Her voice was desperate, pleading. She already made up her mind. She just didn’t want to say it."
            ro "… Cla-Min. Get on the altar."
            "She bit her lip, and nodded shyly."

    #clamin aroused
    show clamin happy at center with moveinleft

    "At first, Cla-Min approaching the altar didn’t attract any attention, but when Rowan followed her, and placed his hand on her butt, the few goblins who were still conscious started realising something was about to happen."
    "A wyrd woman whispered something excitedly to the old clan head, and the man glared at the pair. Cla-Min flushed even more - only for Rowan to unceremoniously shove her on top of the altar."

    cla "R-Rowan!"

    ro "What? You needed help."

    "The older goblin stood up, outraged at what was happening - only for the wyrd woman to smack his head down on the table, knocking him out. With a wild grin, she watched the two, sneaking her hand under her skirt."
    "Rowan chuckled quietly, then unceremoniously pulled Cla-Min’s pants down. Just like Zii before, she was forced on all fours, her pussy presented to her husband. Rowan ran his fingers over her glistening cunt - then pushed inside."
    "It was slick, and ready to receive him. He wondered what excited her more - the humiliation, or the prospect of receiving his seed?"

    if claminFuck == "brutal":
        ro "Get ready. I have no intention of being gentle."

    else:
        ro "Get ready. I might not be so gentle."

    "Someone gasped in the background. Rowan glanced in their direction, while Cla-MIn covered her eyes. This was too much for her - but the heavy, excited breathing revealed she had no intention of stopping."

    #cg1
    scene cg1682 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1682
    #clamin aroused
    show clamin happy behind cg1682
    pause 2
    show cg1683 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Rowan applauded her resilience by slapping that great, fat ass of hers. He undid his pants, and threw them on the floor. Then, without hesitation, he placed one leg on the altar, and thrust into his curvy, goblin wife."

    cla "O-oooh, haaaa… "

    if claminFuck == "brutal":
        "She couldn’t stop a quiet moan from escaping her lips. Rowan grabbed her hair, and pushed her head down, holding her in place while he slowly gyrated his hips, exploring her insides with his massive phallus. "

    else:
        "She couldn’t stop a quiet moan from escaping her lips. Rowan lovingly ran his finger through her hair, then grabbed it, holding her in place as he slowly gyrated his hips, exploring her insides with his massive phallus."

    ro "How many times have I taken you by now, Cla-Min?"

    cla "L-lots…"

    if claminFuck == "brutal":
        ro "Thought so. And every time, you clench my cock like a slut who hadn’t had a man in years."

    else:
        ro "Thought so. And every time, you clench my cock so desperately..."

    ro "You must really love it."

    cla "Mmm-haaaa-ha… I do, I do! Please, Rowan!"

    "Her sweet begging was little more than a whisper, for his ears only. Leaning in to kiss her neck, passionately enough to leave a hickey, he started to thrust into her."
    "Slowly at first, he didn’t want this to be painful. What he wanted… Was to hear fall to temptation, and give into this feeling."

    show cg1684 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1685 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She moaned again, and this time, she placed her hand over her mouth, to stifle her voice. He chuckled, and sped up just a little."

    ro "You feel so good, Cla-Min. You’re always so wet for my cock. Do you not want to sing it praises?"

    cla "Mmmmm!"

    "Even her quiet, muffled moan could be heard across the hall, as all conversations stopped. The few goblins who were still awake now all watched the show. Some with lust, some with disapproval, some with simple curiosity."
    "Cla-Min couldn’t stand it. She still covered her eyes, ashamed of her own position, but unwilling to stop now."

    ro "There’s no reason to be ashamed. You’re beautiful like this."

    show cg1686 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "More sweet poison into her ears, as he started to speed up, pistoning into her wet, greedy hole. You could hear his balls hitting her thighs, adding to the obscenity of it all."

    cla "Mmmmm… R-Rowan…"

    "She moaned his name, chewing on her hand, fearing what she might do if she let her mouth run unrestricted."
    "It was all moot at this point. The few people who would remember this would all know she was a complete slut for Rowan’s cock. There no longer was any need to hide it."

    ro "Come on, Cla-Min… I know you’re feeling good… {b}But I want to hear it too{/b}."

    "He pulled her hand away from her mouth and pinned it to the altar, as he started to pound into her even harder!"

    cla "A-aah! Ah, d-don’t! A-aah! H-haaa! It-it feels too good!"

    "That was what he was after - this sweet, intoxicated voice of his wonderful goblin wife. Still struggling to keep her voice down, but knowing she can no longer stop her overflowing desire in full, Cla-Min opened her mouth, and let herself pant with desire."

    cla "Haaa… Haaaa… Come on, come on… Fill me up Rowan! Fill me up! Pump me full of your sperm!"

    "It was wonderful, delirious begging. She let her tongue hang out, smiling from ear to ear, as ecstasy took her."

    cla "Haaa! Haaa!"

    "Her cunt clenched around his cock, and her body trembled underneath his own. After such a display, he couldn’t hold back himself."

    ro "Hngh- ahh!"

    show cg1687 with sshake
    show cg1687 with sshake
    show cg1688 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg1689 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "With a few final thrusts, he came inside of her, pumping her full of seed - just like she wanted."

    cla "Y-yes! Goblin gods, smile upon me! Make me bear the Great Trickster’s child!"

    "If there was a goblin god watching, then perhaps they would smile upon them. The goblins had a king now, and not a single drop of goblin blood was shed. Though another fluid overflowed with plenty..."

    cla "Haaa, haaa… So hot and thick…"

    "And for Rowan, with his cock deep in Cla-Min…"

    scene black with fade

    "This really was the best ending he could wish for."

    #$ avatar.add_exp (1000)
    #$ goblinFinale = "tuerow"
    #$ avatar.mp -= 5
    return

# \events\nasim_2.rpy
label fertilitySlutFinale_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ alexiaSeparateRoom = False
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
    $ fert3Dom = True
    $ fert3AlexiaDom = False
    $ alexiaDomScore = 0
    $ rowanDomScore = 0
    $ abandondedPregnancyAspirations = False

    "How is Alexia and Rowan's relationship? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Good":
            pass
        "Bad":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ alexiaSeparateRoom = True
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ abandondedPregnancyAspirations = True
        "No":
            pass

    "Who was more dominant in the other fertility scenes? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Rowan":
            $ rowanDomScore = 1
        "Alexia":
            $ rowanDomScore = 0
            $ alexiaDomScore = 1
            $ fert3Dom = False
            $ fert3AlexiaDom = True
        "Neither":
            $ fert3Dom = False
            $ fert3AlexiaDom = False

    # $ alexiaFertTreatment5Seen = True

    scene black with fade

    "The hero tried not to stare, but it was an impossible task."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show alexia necklace naked at midright with dissolve

    if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
        "His wife waited on their bed, naked, and smiling to herself. She caught him staring, and her grin took on a mischievous hint."

    else:
        "His wife waited on his bed, naked, and smiling to herself. She caught him staring, and her grin took on a mischievous hint."

    "Nasim would be with them in just a few minutes, and she just couldn’t wait for the next ritual."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "Seeing her in such a good mood helped ease his own nerves. So what if his own reasons for this whole project strayed ever so slightly from their original goal? It’s not like they weren’t still pursuing it... And more importantly, Alexia was happier than ever."
        al "You seem a little nervous, my love. One might think you’re the one undergoing treatment."
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "She chuckled, throwing him a flirtatious look. He answered with a smile of his own. In the end… Did his reasons really matter? Was a little lie of omission not worth seeing such a brilliant, dazzling smile on her face?"
        ro "Just a little. I didn’t ask before, but how much do you remember from your last session?"

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "He caught himself grinning as well. It was such a joy, to see his previously demure wife get all giggly at the prospect of turning herself into a sexed-up breeding doll."
        "She caught him staring, and stuck her tongue out."
        al "That happy with my treatment?"
        ro "How could I not be? Do you remember what happened last time?"

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "He couldn’t help but share her good mood. Maybe he had them stray just a little from the project’s original goal, but if they were both happy, what harm was there to it?"
        al "You’re staring, dear. That excited with what’s to come?"
        ro "After last time, how could I not be? Do you remember what happened?"

    al "Honestly… It’s all a little blurry. I remember holding your cock between my tits."

    if fert3AlexiaDom:
        show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
        al "And I think I got a little aggressive there. You didn’t mind it, dear?"
        al "Because I can’t promise I won’t jump your bones again… "
        "She was trying to tease him just a little, but to Rowan, who still remembered her cock-hungry expression, those words were anything but playful. It was a nefarious promise, whispered by the hungry beast that dwelled within her."
        menu:
            "He wouldn’t mind if she took the initiative again.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ alexiaDomScore += 1
                "His throat went dry. {i}Of course{/i} he wanted to see it again - that crazed glint in her eyes. That unshackled desire for him and his cock. What man wouldn’t?"
                "Not that he’d ever say it out loud, lest she question his motives… But his face clearly betrayed his true feelings, as Alexia’s smile grew wider, almost predatory."

            "It would be wiser to control himself this time. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                "His throat went dry, and as much as he enjoyed their last session, right now he pushed the memories of it aside."
                "It wouldn’t be wise to let Alexia dictate the tempo this time, and if he wanted to have any control over what was going to happen, he would have to reign in his wife, even if only a little."

    elif fert3Dom:
        "You got a little rough with me there, didn’t you, dear?"
        #ro smirk
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve
        ro "You didn’t seem to mind."
        "Her cheeks blushed red, and she played with her hair just a little. Much to her credit, she didn’t turn her eyes away."
        al "I did not."
        "So willing and submissive. She knew after the spell was cast, she would be at his complete mercy. Despite that - or was it because of that? - she was eagerly waiting for Nasim to finally arrive."
        menu:
            "It was everything he ever wanted. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ rowanDomScore += 1
                ro "Good. I don’t intend to hold back this time either."

            "She was his wife, not some mindless toy.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #ro happy
                show alexia necklace naked at midright with dissolve
                ro "As fun as it was, I promise to be a little more considerate this time."
                al "How nice. Do I not have just the most loving husband?"

    else:
        pass

    show alexia necklace naked at edgeright with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveoutright
    show nasim neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    if society_type == "might":
        nas "Alexia. Sir Rowan. I see you’re ready to begin."

    else:
        nas "Lady Alexia. Lord Rowan. I see you’re ready to begin."

    show alexia necklace naked at midright with moveinright
    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    "Finally, the man they were waiting for walked through the door. Alexia rose to her feet, and walked up to the center of the room, no longer bothered by her nudity, not in the slightest."

    al "We’re not going to use the mirror this time?"

    if society_type == "might":
        nas "You’re attuned enough. I already explained the details to Sir Rowan."

    else:
        nas "You’re attuned enough. I already explained the details to Lord Rowan."

    "The eyes of the two men met - and Nasim was quick to look away, trying not to look irritated. This was Rowan’s silent warning to him, reminding him not to say anything unnecessary."

    show alexia necklace naked at center with moveinright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "His message sent, the hero took his place behind Alexia and laid his hands on her shoulders, while Nasim took the spot opposite them. Rowan left a soft, reassuring kiss on Alexia’s cheek, and murmured lovingly into her ear."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    ro "Just do what you did last time, dear. Focus on your perfect form."

    al "Yes, dear."

    if society_type == "might":
        nas "Right… As Sir Rowan said. Close your eyes and focus,  Alexia."

    else:
        nas "Right… As Lord Rowan said. Close your eyes and focus, Lady Alexia."

    #if avatar.skill_roll("perception", 11, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    if True:
        #$ RowanNasimSuspicion == True
        "His fingers traced the air, leaving an eerie, purple-pink trail behind them. Magical aura enveloped Alexia’s body - and were Rowan’s eyes playing tricks on him, or was there a second set of motions following immediately after?"
        al "A-ah!"
        "He didn’t have the time to inquire about it, as Nasim’s magic started to take hold. Focusing on his wife, he leaned in to whisper in her ears, his own imagination running rampant."

    else:
        "His fingers traced the air, leaving an eerie, purple-pink trail behind them, and enveloping Alexia in the same magical aura. It did not matter how often they did this; seeing the spell take hold was both terrific and chilling, like watching a spider building a web."
        "Roman's imagination ran rampant as he ushered his wife through the fantastical transformation."

    ro "Remember, my love. Bigger. Bigger and swollen with milk."

    show alexia necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve

    al "Ahhha…"

    ro "For all of our kids… So many mouths to feed…"

    if abandondedPregnancyAspirations:
        #$ rowanCorrupt += 3
        "From the start, he didn’t care for it. Everything they did here, was to placate Alexia’s own, desperate desires. But since they served his needs now… Why not embrace it? "

    else:
        "From the start, he was conflicted on the matter. Were kids something he actually wanted… He still didn’t know. But right now, her desperate desires served his own goals. "

    ro "All born from your womb… All raised on your milk…"

    "He knew it would tap into her deepest urges, sending Alexia deeper into the world beyond the banal and the normal. A world where only {i}desire{/i} mattered. "

    al "Ha… "

    "Another sweet moan from between her lips. Now, Nasim told him his assistance wasn’t really necessary at this point, that he could just sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour…"

    menu:
        "Let the spell take hold. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "… So he massaged her shoulders, allowing the magic to do its job. On and on, her breasts grew, but they were only one element of her transformation. "

        "What would be the fun in that? Remind her what a slut for cock she is. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ rowanCorrupt += 5
            #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 5)
            #ro smirk
            "He snuck a finger between her legs, and plunged it inside, making her cry out and arch her back. He playfully nibbled at her earlobe, whispering more and more depraved things into her ears. "
            ro "Remember your tits, so swollen with milk, after taking my {b}cock{/b}, again, and again, and again."
            ro " Imagine it thrusting into you, breeding you, {b}owning you{/b}."
            ro "Think about my {b}cock{/b}, Alexia."
            "She threw her head back, eyes rolling back. On and on, her breasts grew, exactly as he wanted - but they were only one element of her transformation."
            #show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "Gone were Alexia's straightened dark red locks. They'd been replaced with a mane of golden-red curls that perfectly settled on her shoulders no matter which angle Rowan looked at her."
    "Her ideal body - the body of a nubile, young fertility goddess, already mother to many children, yet ready to birth a dozen more. She was a different woman now, and yet she was still Alexia."

    if alexiaDomScore == 1:
        $ rowanEventTitle = "Rowan"
        show rowan necklace aroused at midright with dissolve
        "Her hand sought his own, and she pulled his palm to her tits, allowing him to feel how they grew with every moment, filled with magic, milk, and rampant desires."
        al "Ahhh… Yes. You will take care of them after you take care of me."
        ro "Of course."
        al "Save your words, love… Nuraah…"
        "Her head dipped ever so slightly. When it rose again, her eyes were intense, like the white-hot glow of steel from a forge."
        al "Don’t just praise them… I want to feel your lips all over them, my husband… Sucking them… Licking them…"
        "Again, her desires drove her forward, making her demand his attention. He didn’t mind that assertiveness one bit."
        ro "We will do whatever you want. After the children are born. After your hips grow wide. Wider… like the beer barrels from back home."
        al "Murraah… Ha… Barrels, Rowan? Do they make you as light-headed as the finest spirits?"
        "He brushed his fingers against her pussy, then brought them up to her face, showing how they now glistened from her overflowing juices."
        ro "I could plunge my head right between them, and drink your sweet nectar to my heart’s content."
        al "Ha… Wonderful… Later, maybe…"
        show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    elif rowanDomScore == 1:
        $ rowanEventTitle = "Master"
        #ro smirk
        "Grinning, he slapped that wonderful ass of hers, causing his lovely wife to half moan, half yelp. "
        ro "Look at you. Every part of you, made to entice me."
        al "A-ah… Because I want you, dear."
        "Not a word of complaint. Not a hint of resistance. His wife, now turning into this wild, lustful beast, unchained by any societal norms… All because {b}he{/b} wanted it."
        al "I want you so bad~ "
        ro "Master."
        al "Huh?"
        "His hand reached up, wrapping around her throat. He would show her exactly what was expected of her."
        ro "Call me, Master."
        al "Ha…. {i}Master{/i}…"
        #show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    else:
        $ rowanEventTitle = "Rowan"
        "He couldn’t help but kiss her neck lovingly, his hand roaming her body as the spell continued to change her. This little experiment of theirs would soon end - but he wanted to experience it in full, unshackled from societal dogma and expectations."
        al "Haaa… Your kisses are so greedy, dear… Do you love my new body that much? Do you want to explore it so desperately?"
        ro "And do you not crave to feel my cock inside of you, you slutty minx?"
        "She giggled, pressing her ass against him, and letting that magical energy fill her entirely. She felt safe in his arms - safe to embrace that dark magic, and all of its gifts… "

    "The more her body changed, the more everything about Alexia changed. Her posture, her voice, the distance between her legs… With each moment, his wife's altered form continued manifesting itself."

    if rowanDomScore == 1:
        al "Gods, I feel it, Rowan… {i}Master{/i}..  That magic. Filling me. My body, my mind - ah, it’s like I’m floating!"

    else:
        al "Gods, I feel it Rowan! That magic. Filling me. My body, my mind - ah, it’s like I’m floating!"

    hide nasim with moveoutleft

    "Rowan licked his lips. The sight of this feral Alexia, eager and ready to eat him up and take every drop of cum he offered, made him feel like a young man during a festival. This moment was chock-full of opportunity."
    
    scene cg1799 with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind cg1799
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1799
    pause 2
    show cg1800 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1801 with dissolve
    pause 2

    ro "You look beautiful, Alexia. They're so plump now."

    "A thin smile appeared on her face. Alexia's fingernails dug into the meat of her orbs for a long, torturous moment before they slowly slid along the front of her bust."

    al "And they're all yours, [rowanEventTitle]."

    ro "Present them, then."

    "He turned her around, and took a step back so he could admire her in full, just as before - massive tits, shining hair, wide, breeding hips. The perfect breeding slut."
    "And that look in her eyes… Attraction and hunger, burning like twin stars in the sky."

    show cg1802 with dissolve
    pause 2

    al "Will we mate now? Will you take that big cock out and ram it inside me?"

    "Rowan chewed his bottom lip, and felt his cock twitch. A part of him wanted to do just that - to mount Alexia as if they were two wild animals, driven by lust alone."
    "But concerns did stir within him…"

    menu:
        "Maybe - but they couldn’t rush into things.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "I would love to do that. But we need to be careful."
            al "Careful? Yes… But, ah… On the other hand, we {i}could{/i} also fuck like rabbits… Until this bedroom stinks with our musk."
            "Alexia sniffed at the air in the bedroom, idly stroking her hand across her abdomen while her fingers danced up toward her reinforced bust."
            al "Hmmm. It's not fair. In this twisted life… we are kept away from one another for too many nights."
            "Rowan watched his wife slip her fingers up and up until they danced across her nipples. His breathing quickened, and his cock throbbed, growling and barking at him to fuck her and spill his seed."
            al "I want it… every day. You… In me. On top of me. Or under me. I don’t care. As long as you are {i}breeding{/i} me."
            ro "It’s what I want too. Especially when you look like this."
            "He pinched her nipples, and she moaned sweetly. A mischievous hint entered his gaze, and he pulled them ever so gently, as he took a step back towards their bed."
            ro "Come. I want to appreciate them fully."
            #CG Tit Smothering
            scene cg1735 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1735
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1735
            pause 2
            show cg1736 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He laid down, and pulled her on top of him - her enormous titflesh dominating his vision. Rowan let the sight overwhelm him while his lips touched Alexia's standing nubs."
            "The pleasure of eagerly sucking on her nipples had his entire body buzzing, but something else stirred inside Rowan as his fingers sank into the mountains attached to her enhanced body."
            "It was so comforting, this act he was partaking in. As if there was a soothing, calming aura around her, now that she was like this. A hint of motherly affection, for her future children, and for him as well. It made all his worries melt away."
            al "I can't get enough. More… please, Rowan."
            show cg1737 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1738 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "The more she begged, the more he slobbered all over the pair of soft spots. After that, it didn't matter if Rowan kissed her nipples, sucked on them, or pulled them."
            "Every little touch set the woman's body on fire."
            al "Ah, Rowan. I love them, I love this, but…  I need more… This cannot be everything we do tonight."
            al "I want… To feel it… Your cock, my love… "
            "Even though Rowan was already enjoying abundant pleasure as he snaked on her shaking orbs, he knew this was only a prelude. He pulled away, and graced her with a smile."
            ro "Maybe return the favour?"
            al "Of course. A thousand times. Whenever you want."
            "She pulled away, as the two shifted. She pulled herself down - kissing his body all the way to the base of the bed, as he sat up - and she knelt before him. "

        "He wasn’t sure if he could make that final step…":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ alexiaDomScore += 1
            "He swallowed heavily. Now that she was standing in front of him once more in all her expanded glory, his head felt strangely empty. What was his plan again? Should he really… "
            al "It is good that no one is trying to sneak up on you, Rowan. You'd never drag your jaw off the floor before they struck."
            ro "A-ah… I’m sorry, but no matter how many times I look at you like this… I almost can’t believe my eyes."
            "Alexia's tongue played across her bottom lip, and she took a step forward. She grabbed his hand, and led it up, placing it on her massive tit-flesh, and letting out a vulgar, needy sigh."
            al "Then don’t trust your eyes. Not when there are so many better ways to admire this body."
            "He nodded dumbly, and she giggled in return, her radiant, feverish eyes watching him with joy."
            al "No reason to hold back anymore."
            #CG Tit Smothering
            scene cg1735 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1735
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1735
            pause 2
            show cg1736 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "She pushed him back - then again, making him stumble back, trip over the bed and fall on the soft sheets."
            "She climbed after him, like a predator, as he scuttled back - only to hit the end of his bed - and for Alexia to shove her tits right into his face."
            al "Suck on them! That's it… They are your whole world now.."
            "He was enveloped in this warm, incredible softness. It almost made his head spin. Not even considering resisting, Rowan opened his mouth, and devoted himself fully to giving her the attention she so feverishly demanded."
            al "Ah-haah…. Feast on them… I know you want to..."
            "Alexia's breathing rattled off in savage little bursts. Within her body, catapults of pure ecstasy were being loaded. His hands trailed across her body, firmly squeezing her big round melons while his tongue wagged like a mutt's tail."
            al "That's it. Use your tongue and fill me with joy… huhuah… More!"
            "A finger trailed through Rowan's hair before she let more of her bust's weight settle on his flesh."
            al "Harder… Mark my breast with your mouth. Show them both what will come when you put a child inside me."
            show cg1737 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1738 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan pursed his lips against her flesh, fucking and biting down and enjoying every minute of it."
            "The thought of giving his woman what she craved sounded more and more like the best plan he'd ever had. Far better than whatever it was he thought of before. She deserved a child. And more… Far more. "
            "Head in her tits, he couldn’t imagine refusing her."
            ro "More… morrhaah… ah-huaah… gods!"
            al "Mmmm… Yes… I know it feels good, for you too Rowan… I feel it."
            "Her leg rubbed against the bulge of his cock, and her hand soon followed, admiring the size of it - admiring her ultimate prize. She pulled away - and the individual he looked at appeared less like his wife and more like a feral, hungry wolf, with untamed red locks framing her face."
            al "So hard already, ha… Yes… Hard and ready for me… That wonderful cock of yours…"
            al "{b}Show it to me{/b}."
            "She got off him, climbing down to the base of the bed, while he struggled to pull himself up. He just barely managed to keep up with her, her fingers already pawning his crotch, her eyes focused entirely on his raw, throbbing member hidden beneath his pants."

        "First, she had to understand she belonged to him, and him alone. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanDomScore += 1
            ro "Tell me what you are."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
                "Alexia looked a little nervous, a little ashamed of her whorishness. Quickly enough, the shame gave way to her desire to hunt and use her body to lure Rowan to play with her and explore what pleasure she could give herself."
                "Her hands scrawled slowly over her massive teats. She let one fall while keeping the other up."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                "Like a mountain lion prowling through the hills, Alexia's shoulders slinked along as her eyes remained charged on her husband's crotch."
            else:
                "It was easy for Alexia to keep her nerves in check. Caution wasn't called for in the situation."
                "All she needed to do was use her body to give her gallant husband what he wanted."
                "Like a shameless tavern girl, she absent-mindedly teased and played with her huge breasts, kneading the flesh and then slowly pressing the twin orbs together."
            if rowanDomScore > 0:
                al "I am a vessel for my Master's seed."
            else:
                al "I am a vessel for my husbands' seed."
            "Normally, she might have flaunted her body with a few bounces of her hips and a coy smile, trying to turn such words into a lighthearted joke. Not this time."
            al "His perfect breeding beast… The mother of his future children."
            "Her fingers clawed all over her nipples, toying with the hard nubs before she let her hands glide elegantly over her stomach and out to her inner thighs."
            al "His… His cock-sleeve…"
            "Her finger snuck between her lower lips, and she began playing with herself, still holding his gaze. Her breathing entered a frenzied pitch, her movements quickly taking on a rapid, feverish pace."
            al "I only have one desire. To take my husband’s cock. To feel it fill me. To h-have it breed me, to, to-"
            ro "Enough."
            ro "He raised his hand, and she stopped, eyes wide like a lost lamb. He chuckled. His dear wife was getting ahead of herself."
            #CG Tit Smothering
            scene cg1735 with fade
            show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1735
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1735
            pause 2
            show cg1736 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He beckoned at her, and as if in a daze, she obeyed. With every step, her massive tits quaked. Smiling, he laid on the bed, and ordered her to come even closer."
            al "Yes, [rowanEventTitle]... "
            "Once she was within arms reach, he pulled her to him, right on top of him, so that her tits hung right over his head. She gasped, struggling to support their weight, as Rowan's lips hungrily attacked her sensitive nub."
            al "Ah! Fuck me… Yes… that's it, Rowan. Auhaah… don't spare any part of my breasts."
            al "Every part belongs to you."
            "The woman's arousal flowing from her bottom lips increased. Her husband devoured her nipples like they were his last meal."
            ro "They're so tasty. So amazing. Soft as a flower but firm as iron."
            al "It's a sign… The magic is blessing us both. I know it… Ahhuaaah!"
            "Alexia screamed out as Rowan planted his hands on the other breath of her tits and squeezed both of her orbs together."
            al "Nuh-ahuaah… my pussy… It's drooling now… And I… Ah I, I feel it! It wants your cock, [rowanEventTitle]!"
            show cg1737 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1738 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "She would wait for it. He bit her nipple, hoping it would put her in place. She moaned, the dark spell turning even pain into pleasure."
            al "Mmmmm! Ha… Ha… So erect… My nipples are so erect."
            al "Your cock is erect too, right? It's twitching… It wants to fuck me. Doesn't it?"
            "She begged again, but a gentle slap on the side of her tits put an end to it - at least for a moment."
            "So {i}needy{/i}. What Alexia wanted was secondary - this body was his to enjoy, for as long as he wanted-"
            al "[rowanEventTitle], {i}please{/i}!"
            ro "Mmrrrmmm…. Grdmmm… Mmmmuah… {i}Fine{/i}."
            "He didn’t bother to hide his annoyance. Some part of him wanted to live out the rest of his days beneath these immense pendulums… But he had a job to do here."
            "He needed to make sure they would be his to use whenever he wanted it."
            al "[rowanEventTitle]?"
            "The sex-crazed and cock-starved version of his wife softly growled as he managed to extract himself from her massive knockers. She waited for his next words, for once acting like a good puppy."
            "And for that, he graced her with a warm, benevolent smile. He reached out, and gently ran his fingers through her hair. He leaned in, his next words delivered in an affectionate whisper."
            ro "Since you want it that bad… How about you give my cock a proper welcome, {b}slut{/b}.  Take a good look at the tool that's going to be breeding you."
            "His demand and his message tickled Alexia's untamed thoughts. Every word from her husband was golden, stoking her cravings, turning her more and more into an animal only meant for breeding."
            "He shoved her head down - and she quickly obeyed, scrambling to the base of the bed, kneeling before him as Rowan pulled himself up. Her nostrils flared, filling her mind with the scent of his cock, still hidden in his pants."

    al "Ha… So good… Just the smell of it…  "

    "While her eyes remained fixated on his massive bulge, she couldn’t hold her desire back, and started to pawn at the front of his pants."

    al "It’s so hard and heavy~~ It’s throbbing~~ Ah… So wonderful…"
    al "I want it… I want it in my pussy…"

    "She undid his pants - freeing his cock. Instantly, her eyes zeroed on it, her world reduced to that single, powerful breeding tool. She stared, mouth agape - then slowly reached out, carefully running her hands over it, as if she was worshipping a holy symbol. "

    #CG  Regular BJ - intro .
    scene black with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black
    show rowan necklace naked behind black

    if rowanDomScore > 0:
        "Rowan eyed her, seeing just how fixated she was with his cock. Then, with a sly grin, he leaned his pelvis left and right, enjoying the treat of Alexia's emerald orbs dancing left to right."
        al "It's wonderful, the slight bend. Every drop of precum dripping out. It's mine…"
        al "All mine!"
        "He swung his cock again, gently slapping her face, stunning her."
        ro "Not yours, Alexia. Rather… It’s the other way around, no? You belong to it. It’s all you can think about."
        al "Ha… {b}Yes{/b}. Cock… Your cock… Please, [rowanEventTitle]... Let me taste it… Let me suck it… I beg you!"
        "He chuckled darkly, and tapped her cheek with his tip one more time."
        ro "Permission granted."
        al "Thank you~~"

    else:
        if alexiaDomScore == 0:
            "Rowan eyed her, seeing just how fixated she was with his cock. Then, with a sly grin, he leaned his pelvis left and right, enjoying the treat of Alexia's emerald orbs dancing left to right."
            al "It's wonderful, the slight bend. Every drop of precum dripping out. It's mine…"
            al "All mine!"
        else:
            al "It's wonderful, the slight bend. Every drop of precum dripping out. It's mine…"
            al "All mine!"

    "Alexia's tongue slowly peeked out from her enlarged, pouty lips. Was there a part of her that was not improved by the spell?"

    al "Yes. It's so warm… I can't wait to feel it explode deep inside me."

     #CG  Regular BJ - proper .
    scene cg1739 with fade
    show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1739
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1739
    pause 2
    show cg1740 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The red-haired vixen purred vibrantly, the tip of her tongue brushing over Rowan's crown, mixing the paint of his precum with her essence. Then, she fluttered her tongue across the upper length of his cock, leaving not an inch untouched."

    al "Mmmm… Shooo gooood…"

    "Alexia's muscles moved quickly and precisely, with incredible fervor. Each new brush of her flesh intensified the heat in Rowan's balls."

    ro "Nrrrggh… Y-yes, like that… Keep going…"

    "With a playful smirk, Alexia strung some errant strands of crimson hair back behind her ear before she gobbled up the crown of his cock. Rowan's body stretched out on the bed, absorbing every pleasant but firm stroke of Alexia's tongue."

    al "Wurrlp… Plurpp… Glurrppph… Sss-aaaah!"

    "His cock finally popped free from her lips, only for Alexia teasingly thump his wet tip against her drooling lips."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "How could this still be Alexia? Gods, there was no end to the lewd displays she made."
        "Rowan gulped down his fear, knowing that he had to remain alert, an ever increasingly difficult proposition given every sultry glance from the person his wife had become."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "An almost manic smile cracked across his features. Rowan didn't believe that his attraction to Alexia could grow further, and yet, watching her slutily suck and slobber all over his penis only pushed Rowan to go harder."
        "Surely, Nasim was just a worry-wort. Why else would the chaos magic be working so well? Rowan didn't know, but knew he didn't want any part of this to stop."

    else:
        "Rowan couldn't believe how far he had gone or how far Alexia continued to go. A quiet voice in the back of his head told him to stop, but many… more vocal voices called out to just {i}keep going{/i}."

    show cg1741 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "The heat fomented by his sex-crazed wife smashed against the shores of his mind. Alexia had finished playing with his cock and set her mind on swallowing up every inch."
    "Each time her lips reached close enough to where his balls surged with rampant heat, she let her set her glazed, green eyes on her husband."

    menu:
        "Relax, and enjoy the moment.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ alexiaDomScore += 1
            "It was a magical moment, and her skilful tongue robbed him of all strength to do anything but enjoy it. He sighed and leaned back, all while Alexia continued to deepthroat him, her cheeks hollowing out with each slobbering thrust."
            al "Mmmmm-uaaaah…  It's okay [rowanEventTitle]. Let me take care of you."
            ro "Y-yeah… "
            "It almost felt like all the moisture from his body had been slobbered up by the hellcat on her knees beside him."
            "The waves of pleasure coursing through his cock intensified. It felt like his blood might simply burn out from within his body."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Gods, what had he done?"
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "That's it. Good girl."
                "He just couldn't get enough of this slutty slide of Alexia. She was like a bloodhound who could only follow the scent of his cock."
            else:
                "Rowan's head rocked back against the bedding. Alexia's easy-going licking hit the perfect spot."
            "Inevitably, almost against himself, he felt himself approach the edge. But the moment he did-"
            ro "H-ha?!"
            "Her lips sealed themselves tightly around his cock, preventing him from finishing, keeping him on the edge. She held him like this, staring into his eyes, until the urge subsidized."
            al "[rowanEventTitle]... That’s not the right hole for your sperm… No…"
            "She raised from her knees - and instinctively he once more backed away from the edge of the bed. Giggling, she pushed his chest, making him fall down - then in one smooth motion turned around, planting her juicy cunt against his face."
            al "This is where your sperm has to finish, [rowanEventTitle]. Come on. Give it a lick."
            "He wondered if he should say something, but then her tongue licked his cock again, making him shiver. He had no choice but to return the favour, driving his tongue right toward the apex of his wife's glistening folds."
            jump fert69_rp

        "It was time to return the favour.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "There was beauty in this moment - in the mindless worship of his cock. His fingers ran through her hair, and he wondered just how could he express the boundless love and desire he felt for her now."
            "Only one thing came to mind."
            ro "Pull up, Alexia. Come here."
            "Slightly confused, she nevertheless did as ordered, sliding off his dick, leaving long strands of her saliva dripping off it. Gods, it was obscene. Wiping her cheek clean, he had her stand up, and laid a single kiss on her forehead."
            ro "I want you to feel good too."
            al "Ha… You don’t have to, just - just give me your cock, [rowanEventTitle], please!"
            ro "Are you sure you’re ready for it? Turn around. Show me how wet you are."
            "He moved to the center of the bed, pulling her with him. She didn’t resist - her eyes still followed his cock. He let her stay focused on it, as he turned her around, and pulled her hips up to his face."
            ro "Oh, {b}very{/b} wet. And such a wonderful fragrance…"
            al "Ah… [rowanEventTitle]..."
            "She licked his cock again, drawn to it like a moth to a flame. With a smile, he leaned in…"
            jump fert69_rp

        "Enough playing around - make her choke on it!" if rowanDomScore > 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanDomScore += 1
            jump fertFinaleRowanDom_rp

    label fert69_rp:

        scene cg1742 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1743 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1742
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1742

        ro "Mrrrmmm… wrrmmm… ammmm…"

        "Shamelessly, his tongue walked a perfect path within her petals, each of which was soaked like a flower after a cold rain. The more his tongue nudged and explored her depths, the greater the wetness became, until Rowan practically lapped a quarter cup of Alexia's juices each time he nuzzled her sweetness."

        al "Mrraauaah… Rowan… Yesufffuah… Mrrrmmmm."

        show cg1744 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg1745 with dissolve
        pause 2

        "On Alexia's end, her feverish worship resumed. She wrapped her lips around his cock, bobbing her head up and down, shivering ever so slightly whenever her husband’s tongue hit a sensitive spot."

        show cg1746 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "For a brief moment, the two were in perfect sync. One lust fueled the other. But where Rowan didn’t mind this position, Alexia couldn’t stomach it for long. Not anymore. Not after feeling his hot, throbbing cock in her mouth, not after watching his heavy, virile balls swing before her very eyes. She needed something more. She needed his cock."

        al "More… More… I want… I want more… "

        if rowanDomScore > alexiaDomScore or rowanDomScore == alexiaDomScore:
            ro "And what is it that you want so desperately, my love?"
            al "{b}Cock. I want your cock, [rowanEventTitle]!{/b}"
            "He chuckled to himself. Such zeal… The goddess herself would envy it."
            menu:
                "Have her climb your cock, and show just how much she loves it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump fertFinaleTop_rp

                "Push her down, and fuck her till cock is all she can think about." if rowanDomScore > 0:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    jump fertFinalePiledriver_rp

        else:
            "Misinterpreting her words, Rowan didn’t stop licking her cunt, drinking up her juices. He didn’t know if it was the effect of the chaos magic as well, but they tasted different."
            "He couldn’t quite describe it - but they were intoxicating. His tongue lapped at her lips almost on its own, prodding and drilling with abandon."
            "He realized, at some point, that she let go of his cock, and now focused on desperately rubbing her crotch against his face. He didn’t care. His world was reduced to that delicious pussy alone it was irresistible…. He wanted nothing but to worship it, praise it."
            al "Haaa, haaa… Soo gooood… But…"
            al "It feels so… {b}Empty{/b}."
            jump fertFinaleTop_rp

    label fertFinaleRowanDom_rp:

        "Rowan studied his wife like a hunter. His gaze was both malicious and coveting."
        "Alexia was more than indulgent in her wifely duties… Her progress was nothing if not extraordinary. But Rowan couldn't stop wanting more. She needed to {b}fully{/b} learn what her place was."

        al "Mmmm… H-huh?!"

        scene cg1747 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1748 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1747
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1747

        "He tugged her hair sharply, pulling her off his cock, then raised from the bed. She looked at him with confused eyes, wanting to ask why they were stopping - only to zero in on his cock once more, as he laid it across her face."

        ro "You want that cock? You’re going to work for it!"
        ro "Open those slutty lips, whore!"

        show cg1749 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "The words barely left Rowan's mouth before he swung his hips forward, pulled Alexia's head forward, and thrust his cock inside her opening hole."

        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "Rowan adjusted his hands on Alexia's head. He felt blood rushing to his head. Gods, dominating her was easier than he imagined!"
            ro "(I should stop… but…)"
            "None of Alexia's garbled words or noises suggested she {i}wanted{/i} Rowan to stop."
            "With the dawn of domination, pleasure flowed inside Rowan. Suddenly his hands were pulling her forward and back on his erection."
            "Slowly but steadily, he lost the hesitation as he continued forcing every inch of his meat back into her throat, showing Alexia what her place was when the mood took him."

        elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "The harder he pumped his hips and slid every inch of his cock inside her, the more hungry his wife looked."
            al " Mrrrllpffff… Orrmmm… Gllrrupph!"
            "As she watched him, sparks flew in Alexia's eyes, observing Rowan steadily. If the green orbs could talk, Alexia's would have been howling a simple message."
            "More!"
            "Now and then, her eyes glazed over because of the constant spurring of pleasure each time Rowan went so deep that his balls slapped her chin."

        else:
            "The absolute brutal fashion in which Rowan hammered his wife's face with practically his entire lower body threatened to turn the clouds of pleasure in their bodies into an outright storm."
            "Rowan watched as tears welled up and streamed down his wife's face. Even with her mouth and throat being hollowed out by his cock, her eyes never gave off anything less than unchained desire."
            ro "Good girl… this is all you want. All you need."
            ro "All you're good for. When I return to the castle, you should be ready and rearing for me."

        show cg1750 with dissolve
        pause 3

        "The motion between the two heated up. Alexia’s head was moving, dragged up and down his cock, at the pace he dictated. All while her fingers plunged into her pussy."
        "She couldn’t help it - the sudden, brutal thrusting - it was as if he was thrusting into her cunt, not her mouth. So her fingers started thrusting in and out of her pussy, mirroring her husband’s movements, imagining the man penetrated her from both sides."
        "She loved it. She loved being used as an object for her husband’s pursuit of pleasure. For the life of her, the only thing she wished to do more than this was to do it while her belly was fat with their child…"
        "She lost herself in those thoughts, while her tongue struggled to wrap around Rowan’s cock, trying to lick it while it was pistoning in and out of her throat. He demanded her to suck it, worship it, but there was no chance for her to do anything."
        "She was there to take his lust, however and whenever he wanted."

        al "Glurp-up-pu-pa-pluurp… Gluhp-upa-up-pu-glupprh!"

        "Rowan's body arched, and he nearly came. Then, at the last second, he pulled Alexia off of his cock."
        "The room's cool air couldn't begin to counter the radiant heat coming from his loins, but he managed to hold back… at least for now."
        "Finally able to breathe through her lips, Alexia gulped down every refreshing breath she could squeeze into her lungs."
        "Each time she breathed, her large breasts thundered. A huge strand of drool and precum hung from her lips like a broken chain."

        al "Whiffff… ahuaah…"

        "A few strained breaths later and Alexia's head was moving again, once more the target of Rowan’s brutal facefuck. It was unreal - utterly perverse. The force of each blow, the scent of his sweat and precum, every part of it bathed Alexia in salacious sensations."
        "But she couldn't hold back the tides forever. Not that she even wanted to. After one more brutal thrust that sent his crown to block the entrance of her throat again, flashes of raw fire sprang to life in her eyes."
        "The pleasure rattled her entire body like a bird in a cage tumbling down a mountain. Her eyes rolled up, and her tongue finally lost its stamina."

        al "Affuuaaah… fuffffthh… gllrrrbllfffuhhaaaffahh…"

        "The whole time her heavy tits swayed and danced, Rowan continued slamming every inch of himself deep inside Alexia's mouth."
        "She finally coughed and sputtered around his meat, and Rowan pulled out. Alexia's lips opened and shut slowly, almost grasping for the shape that had left a sweltering impression inside her lips."

        ro "Do you still want it, my love?"

        "His words were like sweet poison, like a curse wrapping around Alexia’s heart. Her eyes stared at his cock, unseeing, yet focused."

        al "{b}Yes…{/b}"

        "That was all he needed to hear."

        jump fertFinalePiledriver_rp

        label fertFinaleTop_rp:

        "She pulled herself up, eyes focused on his cock, like a predator hunting its prey. She was panting heavily, her mind dominated by a singular thought."
        "She {b}needed{/b} to feel it in her."

        al "Ha… Haaa…"

        ro "Alexia?"

        "Her husband’s voice was like a faint beacon of lighting in the raging storm of desire. She turned around so she could see him, as she positioned herself over that proudly standing mast of virility."

        if rowanDomScore > alexiaDomScore or rowanDomScore == alexiaDomScore:
            ro "What are you waiting for?"
            "The manic glint in her eyes betrayed what little reason she had was long gone. She cared for one thing, and one thing only now."
            ro "Take it in. Take my cock, Alexia."
            al "Yes [rowanEventTitle]."

        else:
            "Rowan’s throat went dry as words betrayed him. She didn’t hurry - but the manic glint in her eyes revealed she would not release him until her desire was satiated. "
            al "I am taking it in, [rowanEventTitle]."

        scene cg1751 with fade
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1751
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1751
        pause 3

        "She parted her legs and started to crouch down. Rowan raised her knees so she could grab on, steady herself - but maybe there was no reason to. She was fueled by the dark energies of Nasim’s spell, powered by chaos and desire."

        al "Yes… Yes!"

        "His cock twitched, and Rowan could swear the lewd display made it grow even bigger. So big, in fact, that he couldn't easily slide into Alexia's snug entrance."

        if rowanDomScore > alexiaDomScore or rowanDomScore == alexiaDomScore:
            al "[rowanEventTitle], it won't go in. You have to~~ uha… do something!"
            "Her pleading had an almost inhuman sadness, like the spell itself was terrified that Alexia could come this far for nothing."
            "Rowan didn't leave her hanging, of course. Instead, with a wry look, he quickly rubbed his crown all across the eager female's mound."
            "Each time he pushed back to his starting position, fresh trails of her arousal leaked out like a stream breaking free from an icy mountain."
            if rowanDomScore > 0:
                al "Masteruaaah!"
            else:
                al "Roooo-ooowaaaan!"
            show cg1752 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Alexia yelped as he plunged his head inside her honey pot. Her hips trembled, but she grabbed onto her husband's knees and quickly steadied herself. Then she slid down. All the way down."
            "The sensation of such fullness carried on the back of her wanton lust had her close enough to cum all over again."
            "But the fiery woman did not give in. Dunking her body in another lake of pleasure had its appeal, but she still had a duty that she had to accomplish. She {i}needed{/i} his cum."
            ro "Gods!"
            "Rowan croaked out, feeling the true power of his corrupted woman's petals pushing in around his shaft. He didn’t know if it was the corrupt magic as well - but her pussy was almost like a succubus, coiling and wrapping around him."
            "It was perfect. And she was only getting started."
            al "Haa… Haaa… So good, so good…"
            "She picked the pace quickly, fueled by that one desire that seized her heart the entire evening. She pulled herself up, then thrust down, taking his entire length in. And soon… "
            al "Haaa… Haaa.."
            "Soon she was completely gone, mindlessly bouncing up and down his cock, as if it was the only thing that mattered in the whole world. "
            al "Yes, yes, cock, cum, so good, so good…"
            "Her words stopped making any sense. The spell captured her completely, and utterly."
            "His cock twitched inside of her. If he came now… That sensation would overwhelm her completely. It would burn itself in her mind, forever at the edge of her consciousness, a constant reminder of what she should be."
            if rowanDomScore > 0:
                "A cock-hungry slut for her Master."
            else:
                "A cock-hungry slut for her husband."
            menu:
                "Finish inside her! ":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "And the beauty of it all… Was that he didn’t need to lift a damn finger. Grinning from ear to ear, he simply sighed, relaxed, and pushed his hips up as ecstasy took him."
                    al "Yes, yes!"
                    "Realizing what was happening, his wife thrust down, taking him in full, and started to rock her hips in small, sharp motions, not letting her cock leave her cunt for more than a few inches."
                    "His breeding bitch knew how to finish things. She wouldn’t let a drop go to waste. She wanted it all."
                    al "Yes, yes! All of it, pour all of it inside!"
                    ro "A-aah, Alexia!"
                    "Any worries that had once lodged themselves in his mind vanished when he added the fiery syrup of his essence into Alexia's sex."
                    al "Rowan! I… Yes!"
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1754 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1755 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her eyes lit up, and she rubbed and squeezed all over her bountiful tits as more and more of her man's sperm doused her most intimate point."
                    al "Yes, [rowanEventTitle]! Give it to me! All that~~ Hot seed! And don't stop."
                    "Alexia breathed haggardly throughout the experience. Even when Rowan's cock was done pelting her womb with cum, she chuckled happily and didn't pull off her husband's body."
                    "She looked at him affectionately, the whole time she rubbed her belly, hoping, praying, 'imagining' the sensation she'd feel if their union would finally bear fruit."
                    if rowanDomScore > 0:
                        "It would make her unimaginably happy, and it would all be thanks to her Master."
                    else:
                        "It would make her unimaginably happy, and it would all be thanks to her husband."
                    al "Thank you so much, [rowanEventTitle]. Any time you wish it, just take me. Like a wild beast… Every day. I live for you."
                    al "… And our children."
                    "Alexia put on the biggest smile Rowan had ever seen. Then she leaned forward, planting her mountainous orbs on his chest and kissing him up and down his cheeks and neck."
                    scene black with fade
                    "Holding him down, and keeping his seed embedded deep in her, for a long time… "
                    jump FertImpregnationFinale_rp

                "That would be too much - pull out.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Feeling himself reach the edge, he let himself slip out of her - much to her vocal disappointment."
                    al "What- No, why?!"
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1756 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1757 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her shocked expression was soon replaced by pure wonder as he came all over her, showering her thick body in his cum. Shocked, she stayed as she was, letting herself be painted white."
                    al "W-wow… "
                    ro "Fuck… That body really is best…"
                    al "Ha… Thank you…"
                    al "But… Wouldn’t it be better to cum inside of me, then…? Don’t you want me to look that way all the time? "
                    "He chuckled, and beckoned for her to come closer. She did, ever servile and submissive while under the spell."
                    ro "Later, Alexia. I promise."
                    al "Yes! Thank you, [rowanEventTitle]!"
                    "He left a chaste kiss on her forehead, wrapping his arms around her waist…  Holding her in place, trying to stop her from rubbing her cunt against his dick, so she couldn’t entice him to slide into her {i}again{/i}."
                    jump fertRegularFinale_rp

        else:
            al "Yes… So big… It’s perfect. It’s perfect!"
            "She rubbed her cunt against his cock, coating it in her overflowing juices. Rowan grunted, feeling the heat of her honey, himself yearning to finally explore it. Maybe it was a step too far, but-"
            show cg1752 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "She pulled her lips open, and thrust down, enveloping him in full."
            al "Oooooh, yes, yes yes!"
            "Alexia howled out, the warmth in her pussy close to overwhelming her mind as she started to feverishly bounce up and down on Rowan's thick shaft."
            "She loved herself at that moment, brazenly taking what she wanted. No more waiting. No more stalling. She would have him breed her today."
            al "So good, so good, so good - you feel it too, don’t you [rowanEventTitle]? Isn’t my pussy the best? Isn’t it amazing?!"
            "Rowan moaned out loud. Nasim's warnings appeared furthest from his mind as Alexia continued twerking her hips, his cock buried deep into her nethers. Every twist and every slide of her hips only intensified the pleasure within his loins."
            ro "F-fuck, yes, it feels amazing!"
            al "And it’s yours, [rowanEventTitle]! My pussy is only yours, so use it, fill it, breed it, whatever you want!"
            "He gasped, and arched his back - each time she hilted his length fully inside of her, he could feel his fire-hot balls punch against her sex."
            al "And if it feels so good now… Just {i}imagine{/i} how good it will feel when you come inside!"
            "Her breathing grew duskier, like the hungry, snarling breaths of a wolf on the hunt. Up and down her body raced, her breasts bouncing rhythmically and almost creating a hypnotic pattern to crumble what little remained of Rowan's resilience."
            ro "Alexia… we should~~ Nurrh… think about this."
            "But there was no room for thinking or discussions. There was only the heat of the moment, and Alexia was in charge of that."
            al "Don’t think, [rowanEventTitle]. It feels too good to think, a-ah, it feels too good to think!"
            "Sweaty hips smashed down against Rowan's haunches while her walls clamped down on his penis, greedily refusing to let go of it."
            al "Look at me, [rowanEventTitle]! This… This is what I {b}want{/b}."
            "Even knowing doing so was a mistake, he looked anyway - stared at his amazing, thick wife, bouncing up and down his glistening cock, tits swaying hypnotically, her thighs working relentlessly to take his virile spear time and time again."
            al "So good - so good - don’t want me to always be like this? Don’t you want my tits so big? Don’t you want my pussy? Don’t you {b}always{/b} want my pussy?"
            "Her sweet whispers eroded his resistance, inching him ever closer to release. Her manic, happy smile demanded he let go, her pussy milking his cock, waiting for him to explode inside of her-"
            al "Cum in me [rowanEventTitle], breed me!"
            menu:
                "Cum.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 15)
                    #$ rowanCorrupt += 5
                    #$ avatar.add_guilt(5)
                    "Warning, concerns, worries - all of it vanished when the first fiery shot of his essence lept free from his tip."
                    "Rowan's mouth opened, but his word was lost in the chorus of raggedy moans spilling out from his wife's lips."
                    al "Rowan! I… Yes!"
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1754 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1755 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her eyes lit up and she rubbed and squeezed all over her bountiful tits as more and more of her man's sperm painted the walls of her chamber."
                    al "Hot seed! Right there… again… Yes! More… moreaah!"
                    "Her head rolled and veered. It got to the point where Alexia imagined she might very well just float away from her body."
                    "Such was the intense pleasure that only magnified when another dart of Rowan's cum splashed out within her shivering walls."
                    "She looked at him affectionately, the whole time she rubbed her belly, hoping, praying, 'imagining' the sensation she'd feel if their union would finally bear fruit."
                    al "It worked… it must have worked… *sniff*  We're going to have so many children…"
                    al "Here. Envision it, Rowan. It's what we've always talked about. I know you will make~~ A great father…"
                    "He could only nod, robbed of all strength, marvelling at the sight in front of him…"
                    scene black with fade
                    "And feeling himself harden again, as she slowly started to gyrate her hips, still hungry for more… "
                    jump FertImpregnationFinale_rp

                "Pull out!" if alexiaDomScore < 3:
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Her movements were driven by unholy desire - but lost in the ecstasy of their mating, her control slipped for just a moment - enough for Rowan to pull out. "
                    al "A-ah, no {b}no{/b}!!!"
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1753 with sshake
                    show cg1756 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1757 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "He had never heard a greater scream of anguish as he exploded all over her, coating her head to toes in his seed. His cum dripped off her tits, and his wife froze, her hands weakly reaching for his cum, as if considering if she should shove it between her legs."
                    al "We were so close… So close!"
                    ro "Not… When the spell is active, Alexia."
                    ro "Later… I promise I’ll breed you later, okay?"
                    "That snapped her out of her stupor. It was as if the clouds had parted, her expression instantly turning ecstatic. She leaned in, and wrapped her arms around his head."
                    al "You promise, [rowanEventTitle]?"
                    ro "I promise, Alexia."
                    "He left a chaste kiss on her forehead, wrapping his arms around her waist…  Holding her in place, trying to stop her from rubbing her cunt against his dick, so she couldn’t entice him to slide into her again."
                    "Because if he did… This time he surely wouldn’t be able to hold back in time…"
                    jump fertRegularFinale_rp

    label fertFinalePiledriver_rp:

        #CG 1 - Moving her into position. She has a finger near her lips, not sucking it.
        scene black with fade
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind black

        "Himself driven to near madness from lust, he seized his wife, and forced her to the ground. He grabbed her luscious thighs, holding her upside down on the floor."

        al "Ooh… Oooh! "

        "His member thumped her folds, teasing Alexia with what her heart desired most."
        "He wasn’t supposed to fuck her… Tentacles for eyes and all… But… Just a little wouldn’t hurt. A taste of things to come."

        #CG 2 - Fucking her, Alexia is sucking on her nipple.
        scene cg1758  with fade
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg1758
        show rowan necklace naked behind cg1758
        pause 3

        "His wife watched, helplessly, as he rubbed his cock against her overflowing cunt. Her fingers grasped the air, as if seeking to wrap around his phallus, to guide it in."
        "Her pussy would do her grabbing for her. The moment Rowan finally pushed his thick cock deep inside her envelope, Alexia felt another orgasm racing toward her mind."

        al "Yes! Pound me… Train my body with your dick… Please [rowanEventTitle]!"

        ro "Oh, I will. Once I’m done with you, it will exist only to be bred and dominated for my pleasure!"

        "The warrior growled out, his fingers sinking deeper and deeper into the giving flesh of her thighs while her breasts danced to the jarring tempo of his thrusts."
        "He couldn't tell if it was the position and gravity of the fact that his tower was already close to crumbling before he even plunged his cock inside of her. All Rowan knew was that it wouldn't be long now before the final measure of his control was washed away like blood in the rain."

        ro "Gods… you're incredible."

        "Herself lost to ecstasy, she brought one of her tits to her mouth, sucking it greedily, while the rest of her body quaked with every thrust as Rowan's stiffness smashed against her womb again and again."

        al "Ah… So close, so close! I can feel you throbbing inside of me! Ah-hura… hura-hu-up–puaaah! "

        "Alexia's tongue quivered as Rowan's spear scraped harder and harder against her deepest point. He was poised to let his seed blossom out within her well. He knew it - they both did."

        al "Come in, please! [rowanEventTitle]! Come in me! Come in me! Please, please, please!"
        al "Fill me with your seed, breed me breed me breed me {b}breed me{/b}!!!"

        "All reason left her eyes, and his wife lost herself completely to ecstasy. Her cunt twitched around his cock, urging him to finish inside of her, urging him to throw caution to the wind - {b}to breed her{/b}."

        al "Cum, cum, I want your cum [rowanEventTitle]! I beg you, {b}fill me with your cum{/b}!"

        "Nasim's warnings echoed in his head. He couldn’t finish inside of her - just fucking her was risky. And yet…"

        al "Please please please, fill me [rowanEventTitle]! Please!"

        "And yet Alexia’s desperate pleas made his resolve crumble. That’s what he wanted - for his wife to embrace this - to learn how to be a cock-hungry {b}slut{/b}, absolutely and completely devoted to his cock."
        "He could seal the deal, right here, and right now - teach her her {b}place{/b}."

        menu:
            "Enough was enough.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Nngh!"
                "He felt his balls throb, demanding that he finish in that velvet, warm, hungry hole. It took all of his willpower to pull out - and ignore Alexia’s disappointed cry."
                ro "You want it to breed you?! Then I expect you to beg for it every night! No more lying around like a fucking log - you will show how much you appreciate it!"
                al " Yes! Yes! Whatever you say! Just give me your cock [rowanEventTitle]!"
                show cg1761 with sshake
                show cg1761 with sshake
                show cg1762 with flash
                pause 2
                "He exploded a moment later - showering her with cum, those massive tits, that lust-struck face, head to toes."
                al "A-ah, yes, yes… Next time… In me, finish in me!"
                ro "As long as you’re a good slut… We’ll think about that.."
                al "Thank you, [rowanEventTitle]~~ "
                "She let out a tired sigh, and all strength left her body. Smiling ever so slightly, Rowan pulled her up, and laid her on the bed, not caring he was dirtying all the sheets… "
                scene black with fade
                "It was a meager price for having such a dirty wife."
                jump fertRegularFinale_rp

            "{b}Break her{/b}. ":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                #$ rowanCorrupt += 15
                #$ avatar.add_guilt(15)
                #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 15)
                #$ fertilityTreament3MaledomSubjugation = True
                "Seeing the desperation in Alexia's unseeing eyes, there was only one choice available to him."
                ro "Alexia. Alexia! Look at me! Look at my cock as it impregnates you!"
                show cg1759 with sshake
                show cg1759 with sshake
                show cg1760 with flash
                pause 2
                "She found his eyes - and right then, he thrust deep into her, and exploded."
                al "O-oh-ooooh! Yes! YES YES {b}YES{/b}!!!"
                "His wife cried in ecstasy as his balls pulsed, rattling off an incredible barrage of his sperm straight into her womb. Her entire body shook with ecstasy, and despite his orders, her eyes rolled up, completely lost to pleasure."
                "It didn’t matter now. That image - the image of her husband towering above her as he exploded right into her fertile cunt - would forever burn itself in her mind. "
                al "Ha…. Ha… Ha…."
                "He held her there for what felt like an eternity, simply basking in her beauty, her wishes, and the serene pleasure of her walls nibbling on his cock even after he was done filling her up."
                "When his loins ceased their quaking, Rowan pulled his wife back onto the bed, not caring for the trail of cum running down her body…"
                scene black with fade
                "It was a meager price for having such a dirty wife."
                jump FertImpregnationFinale_rp

    label fertRegularFinale_rp:

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
        show alexia necklace naked aroused at midright with dissolve

        "Eventually, the spell's power faded away, and Alexia returned to her original form. Her hand roamed her body, and she recoiled a little bit at all the dried cum."

        al "Yuck. You sure you couldn’t just finish in me?"

        ro "Tentacles for eyes, Alexia."

        al "I know, I know… Still… I had this feeling it would feel really, really {b}good{/b}."

        "There was a wistful note in her voice. Rowan worried things might have gone too far, but it seemed she was still mostly herself… "
        "Her hand gently traced his cock, and she cosied up to him. Her cheeks were flushed, and she was still smiling."

        al "Well, now that the spell is gone… So how about we do it again, but this time you finish with a creampie?"

        if rowanDomScore > 0:
            al "“Master”?"

        "Mostly herself, just {i}hornier{/i}. Exactly how he wanted her. Now to make sure the effect would stick..."

        ro "Of course, my loving cock-slut …"

        "He pulled her in, and kissed her forehead, his hand reaching down between her legs. This would be a long night..."

        #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 15)
        return

    label FertImpregnationFinale_rp:

        scene black with fade

        "…"

        scene bg9 with fade
        show rowan necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve

        "Rowan washed his face, not raising his head above the water basin. He didn’t want to look in the mirror. He couldn’t look himself in the face."
        "The transformation ran its course an hour later. Alexia woke up some time afterwards, exhausted, but happy. Again, she remembered only glimpses of what had happened. But she kept glancing at his crotch, with that dreamy, hungry expression… "
        "And she kept rubbing her stomach, grinning to herself whenever she thought he wasn’t looking."

        ro "Holy fuck… What have I done?"

        "Nasim told him, time and time again, not to finish inside of her. You don’t fuck with chaos magic. And yet, despite all of that, in the heat of the moment, lust triumphed over reason."
        "She seemed fine, for now… But gods only knew what be the long-term consequences of his actions."

        hide rowan with moveoutleft

        "He splashed his face one more time, he then wiped it clean, and headed for the door. He needed to see Nasim - he needed to run damage control- "

        scene bg14 with fade
        show rowan necklace shock at midright with dissolve
        show nasim neutral at midleft with dissolve

        ro "Huh?! "

        "He was waiting for him, leaning against the wall, book in hand. Seeing Rowan barge out of the room, he looked up, sighed, and promptly closed it."

        nas "Judging from the haunted look in your eyes, I take it you {b}didn’t{/b} listen to everything I said about not finishing in your wife."

        ro "I- yes. How did you-"

        nas "How did I anticipate this {i}shitshow{/i} would turn out exactly as it turned out? Must be mystical foresight."

        if society_type == "might":
            nas "Be at ease, Sir Rowan. I cast a contraceptive spell on you before I left. You’ll be shooting blanks for the whole next week."

        else:
            nas "Be at ease, Lord Rowan. I cast a contraceptive spell on you before I left. You’ll be shooting blanks for the whole next week."

        show rowan necklace angry at midright with dissolve

        "The wave of relief almost knocked Rowan off his feet - only to be immediately replaced by outrage."

        ro "If that was an option, then why haven’t we been doing this from the start?!"

        $ nasimAttitude -= 2

        if society_type == "might":
            nas "Because I am not your personal slut maker, Sir Rowan. Now, as we discussed, I consider the project concluded. Good day to you."

        else:
            nas "Because I am not your personal slut maker, Lord Rowan. Now, as we discussed, I consider the project concluded. Good day to you."

        hide nasim with moveoutleft
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

        "Just like that, Nasim walked away, not waiting to be dismissed. Rowan gritted his teeth for a moment, then decided to simply let it go."
        "He got what he wanted, and without any repercussions… Alexia certainly got a taste of what it meant to be a proper cock-slut. Now…"

        scene black with fade

        "Now he just needed to make sure the lesson stuck."

        #$ fertilityTreatment3Creampie = True
        #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', 15)
    
    return

# \events\room_events_7.rpy
label mindless_helayna_1_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    #$ mindlessHel1Available = False
    #$ mindlessHel2Available = True

    scene bg9 with fade
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "A week without Rowan had proven to be too much for Helayna. Even just a few days without Rowan was too much."

    else:
        "A week without Rowan’s cock had proven to be too much for Helayna. Even just a few days without getting fucked once by her master had proven to be too much for Helayna."

    "Some careful experimentation on the pair’s part had shown she could keep herself in check for up to a day, provided Rowan made sure to give her ample attention in the lead-up to his departure."
    "Every time they repeated the experiment, she seemed to be able to last a little longer before her lustful anguish filled Bloodmeen’s halls with the whorish echoes of a slut neglected."
    "Over time, Rowan hoped that Helayna would be able to claw her way back to something resembling normal; to be able to function without a reliance on him setting aside several hours at a time to lay with her."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "But in the midst of satiating her, he always had to be honest with himself. Though Rowan wanted his student to regain herself, and he felt guilty for the part he played in her descent into debauchery…"
        "It was nice having her around. Always available, always ready. Never saying no. Never complaining about being tired or sore or not in the mood."

    else:
        "But in the midst of satiating her, he always had to be honest with himself. Rowan enjoyed having Helayna as she was. He didn’t want her to go back to being {i}completely{/i} normal."
        "As fucked up as it was, he couldn’t see them ever coming close to having {i}this{/i} relationship without his treachery at Raeve Keep. There was a silver lining to that tragedy."

    #new cg - roxhel missionary
    scene cg1708 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1709 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1708
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg1708

    hel "Rrrrrowan– ahh, mmh, ahhh, yesssss…!"

    "The fallen knight was laid out on her back beneath and before Rowan, pulled to the edge of their shared bed. Its sheets were tousled and stained with the sweat and various other fluids they had spilled thus far– most of them coming from Helayna’s sensitive, nubile body."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Your cunt feels so good, Helayna…"
        "Praise, as always, seemed to shoot undulations through Helayna’s spine. She squealed out deliriously happy words as she seemed ready to hit another peak."
        hel "Love… love you… love your cock…! Fuckkkk!"

    else:
        ro "How does my cock feel, Hel? Do you like getting fucked by your teacher?"
        "The illicit reminder of their former relationship shot undulations through Helayna’s spine. She squealed out deliriously happy words as she seemed ready to hit another peak."
        hel "Love… love you… love your cock… ohhh… fuuuuuuuck, teach me, teach me–"

    #new cg var 1
    show cg1710 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Whenever he fucked her like this, he often had to hold her ankles apart or back to keep her from kicking or thrashing too much in her ecstasy. Rowan had tried to get Helayna to hold her legs back herself, but after a while, such simple instruction slipped her mind."

    show cg1711 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "They had been going at it for some time already. A fair amount of Rowan’s seed was on Helayna’s pelvis, and more trickled or spurted out of her pussy with every thrust that crashed his hips against her. Both of her hands raked over her smooth skin, squeezing a breast while her nails raked up her face and into her hair."
    "As it came time for Rowan to cum, he didn’t bother announcing it. When his cock gave a telltale twitch inside her, Helayna wailed out, the promise of what was about to come proving to be enough to push her over the edge."

    #new cg var 2
    show cg1712 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "A few minutes later, they were at it again. It would be several more rounds before Helayna was suitably satiated for his absence."

    return

# \events\raeve_keep.rpy
label raeveCapture_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg16 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind bg16

    ro "It's time to launch our attack on Raeve keep. Andras, gather your forces and I'll explain my plan...."

    scene bg15 with fade
    show helayna neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
    show jezera disguised neutral at edgeright with moveinright

    ro "Captain Raeve, this woman says that she knows where the demons are operating from."

    show helayna shocked at midleft with dissolve

    hel "Is that true?"

    je "Yes, they captured me not long ago, but I managed to escape. The great hero here says that you'll be able to take them down? There aren't many of them."

    show helayna happy at midleft with dissolve

    hel "Yes, of course. You must have been through quite the ordeal. Please come inside. We’ll need to go over everything that happened to you."

    ro "You two go on ahead. Something about the walls bothered me. I’m going to take a closer look."

    hel "Very well, but please don't take too long.  I believe we will need your advice soon."

    hide helayna with moveoutleft
    hide jezera with moveoutleft

    scene bg17 with fade
    show rosarian knight neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright
    show andras angry behind bg17

    "Rowan turned to the side and stepped into the small guardroom, where the mechanism for raising and lowering the portcullis was kept. Inside was a single knight sitting at a table, in the middle of a meal with a book off to the side."
    "The armoured man stood up when Rowan entered, quickly knocking the book off the table and upon a seat, out of sight. He gave a short bow."

    ro "Relax, man. I know all too well that boredom is more threatening than invaders on a duty like this one."

    "The knight relaxed."

    rkn "Heh, you’re right about that, sir. What brings you in here, though?"

    ro "Something about the door mechanism is nagging at me. It doesn’t sound right. I want to take a second look at it."

    rkn "Sir, I assure you it is in perfect working order."

    ro "Can we check it over, just to make sure it won't end up jammed if an attack comes?"

    "The knight seemed ready to argue, but after a look at Rowan’s expression, he shrugged and stepped away from his lunch. "

    rkn "As you wish."

    "The armoured man turned to the side, looking down at the crank as Rowan shut the door behind him."
    "Rowan looked at the remnants of the meal briefly. It would go unfinished. For a last meal, the stale bread and aged apple that remained looked unappetizing."
    "Undoubtedly, the duke was saving the finest and freshest of their provisions for himself. Rowan shook his head and stepped after the knight, hurrying his stride to reach the gate’s crank just a second before the knight did."
    "A second before he could turn to look at Rowan."
    "Then he slipped out a dagger and buried it in the knight's neck, slipped between a discreet gap between his gorget and his helmet."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "I’m sorry…"

    else:
        ro "… nothing personal, kid."

    show bg17 with flash
    show rosarian knight injured at midleft with dissolve
    play sound "music/SFX/BodyfallDirt.ogg"
    pause 1
    hide rosarian knight with dissolve

    "He fell to the ground with a wet gurgle.  It was over too fast for him to shout a warning or even realise who had stabbed him."
    "For his part, even Rowan was somewhat shocked at how he'd killed the man.  A Rosarian knight at that, one who'd obviously respected him as a hero.  A shudder ran through his body.  He fingered the sapphire amulet at his neck, which steadied his shaking hands."
    "A handful of spears were laying in the corner of the small gatehouse.  Rowan grabbed two of them, one he stuck into the portcullis crank, jamming it open.  The other he used to brace the door to the room closed.  Finally he sent a one word message to his master:"

    ro "Now."

    "A few moments later, a shout echoed high above. Then other shouts all confirming the same thing. Attackers were in sight."
    "Someone started beating on the door to the gatehouse."

    show rosarian knight neutral behind bg17

    rkn "Sir Haris, close the portcullis! The crank on the walls seems to be jammed! Sir Haris?!"

    "Rowan looked at the fallen knight on the floor and shuddered again."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Sir Haris."
        "He shuddered. For a flash, he wondered if the name would haunt him or if he would forget it in time, but there was no time to dwell on the backstabbing."

    else:
        "He drew a deep breath, then looked away and focused on listening to the building clamour outside."

    "The banging and shouting at the door increased in intensity, then those on the other side began trying to break the door down. The spear held. A moment after that it was too late."

    rkn "They're upon us! Forget the gate, man your stations!"
    rkn "Where is Helayna? Why hasn't someone fetched her?"
    rkn "Didn't the hero just get here? Find him instead!"

    "What was once the distant roar of orcish screams of battle had become deafening. Battle was joined and Rowan could hear the sound of Andras's army pouring through the open gates. Then came his master's voice."

    an "Hahaha! Kill them all in my name!"

    "There was no need to hold the gatehouse anymore, so Rowan pulled out the spear he'd used to jam the door and prepared to join the battle."

    hide rowan with moveoutright

    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    "He'd hardly needed to, there was nothing but chaos on the other side.  The defenders had almost no direction and couldn't seem to mount a coordinated defence to deal with the savage attackers."
    "The superior equipment of the knights was overwhelmed by the raw ferocity and numbers of the orcs."

    # TODO
    # if cubi sorcerers participated in the battle: (to do when troop selection is added)
    # "The cubis darted about at the same time, strengthening those who were losing their fights or flinging magically attacks at archers attempting to pick others off. One had even entwined themselves with one of the defenders and had turned him against his fellows."

    "Most terrifying of all was the tattooed red demon, Andras himself."
    "He moved about the battlefield, the very visage of terror, savagery incarnate. Even the most courageous and skilled knights did not last long against him. Decades of training and field experience meant little when one’s adversary could wrack their body with agony through magic."
    "The demon’s bare hands pounded deep dents through plate armour, crushing bone with his immense strength. At other times, his fingers slipped through cracks in armour with a surgeon’s precision, ripping out flesh or shoving straight through their body to emerge bloody on the other side."

    scene cg107 with fade
    show helayna angry behind cg107
    pause 3

    "Only one thing slowed Andras– an arrow piercing his side, causing Andras to stumble backwards in shock and confusion at his blood being drawn by mortal arms. The knight he was facing saw an opening and took it, trying to take Andras’ head off his shoulders."
    "That opening did not last long enough to bear fruit. With a furious shout, Andras caught his sword, careless for the damage his fingers sustained. He disarmed the knight and treated the seized blade like its new hilt, turning its pommel into a crude polemace to brutalise the astonished knight."

    hel "Knights to me! For Rosaria, for Raeve!"

    "The red haired captain lowered a bow as she made her proclamation and started rallying the defenders. Fighting together, limiting the angles that the orcs could come at them from, it seemed like Helayna could turn the battle around– assuming they could deal with Andras."
    "Rowan drew his sword, fearing he would need to join the battle."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "His hands were shaking again, no matter how tight he made his grip."

    else:
        "Though his hands trembled, firming and redoubling his grip steadied them."

    "Then, feeling the small hairs on the back of his neck rise, Rowan looked up and realised that his fears were unfounded. Jezera had shed her disguise and was standing on the ramparts of the inner keep, magic smoking at her fingers."

    #CG variation with blue ribbons added.

    "Vibrant blue ribbons of energy shot down, whipping through the knights yet to rally. It was enough to strike them, to trip them: the brief distraction ensured that the orcs quickly overran them."
    "Those gathered with Helayna stayed strong, but their numbers were not enough. Even if they fought valiantly to their dying breath, attrition paired with Jezera’s appearance made their defeat inevitable."
    "The rest of the keep fared far worse."

    scene black with fade
    #CG of Helayna and knights surrounded by orcs and Rowan.

    "Only Helayna and a handful of knights remained amongst the forty defenders in the keep's garrison. They had made it to a secluded part of the keep, safe from Jezera's magic, but completely surrounded by enemies on all sides."
    "Orcs jeered at the cornered knights, but none of them made any move to break the standoff. The air was humid with tension."
    "Only one man could break the stalemate."
    "And Rowan could not stomach sitting in the shadows any longer. Hoping to prevent further bloodshed, Rowan pushed his way past the orcs."
    "Standing in front of Andras's forces, he addressed their remaining enemies."

    show rowan necklace neutral behind black

    ro "Helayna, knights, please... surrender. The battle is lost, end it before more lives are."

    show helayna shocked behind black

    hel "Rowan?"
    hel "No… this isn’t possible."

    "The shock on Helayna’s face was contagious, catching amongst all the remaining defenders."
    "For a moment, Rowan could not think of anything else to say."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "He struggled to keep his shoulders steady. He needed to say {i}something{/i}, but…"

    else:
        "No. It wasn’t that."
        "The words were already on his tongue, but their taste was beyond bitter."

    "Just as the shock seemed ready to turn into despair, Helayna’s expression hardened. Her gaze flitted, as if searching the room’s corners for some hidden party."

    hel "My teacher… the Rowan I know wouldn’t ever do this."

    "As if searching for the real Rowan, ready to come in and turn things around at the eleventh hour. She was resolute. Her confidence in him must have been absolute. She still {i}hoped{/i}."

    hel "This is some trick. Some illusion meant to fool us. Knights, we fight to the last–"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "The words came to him."

    ro "Helayna."

    "Helayna flinched at her name coming from his lips, as if the words had struck her across the cheek."

    ro "They have Alexia, Helayna. I’m sorry."

    "Helayna’s clear blue eyes stared at Rowan. Slowly, the stubborn light of hope behind them diminished. Staring back at her grimly, Rowan could see the tears begin to glisten in her eyes. She swallowed a lump in her throat."
    "When she spoke again, her voice was quiet. The surviving knights wavered, sensing their leader’s despair."

    hel "… This whole year? This whole year, you’ve been with them? This whole year… everything…"

    "Rowan didn’t say another word."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "He looked away from her, ashamed of himself."

    else:
        "He could not bring himself to look away from her heartbreaking gaze, his inability to deny her realisation speaking volumes."

    "The dame released her grip on her weapon. It clattered to the stone floor at her feet, followed by the heavier sound of her armoured knees as she fell to them."

    hel "No… no… no… you… you let them in… I showed you everything…"

    "One dropped his sword, the impact of which sent a ripple through their ranks."
    "Then another blade hit the ground."
    "Cracks had already started to form in their resolve from their captain's breakdown, with each weapon clattering to the ground being another leak in the dam. One by one, the knights gave in to similar grief and horror."
    "Each dropped weapon seemed to fall louder than the last. Several orcs started forward, eager to slaughter them, but they held back when Rowan lifted his arm."
    "He had saved what few lives he could. The battle was won."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "It felt like a loss."

    "The shock of their surrender gave way to distraught. Not one of the soldiers looked grateful; of course they didn’t. They were agitated, humiliated, ashamed, shaking."
    "No one resisted as the command came down for the orcs to take the humans prisoner."

    scene bg15 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
    show helayna sad at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan stepped towards Helayna before any of the orcs could reach her, not willing to see what they might try or say in the face of her undisguised femininity. The tears in her eyes had finally begun to run down along her cheeks."
    "He offered her his hand. Staring at it, Helayna seemed to find a stubborn seed of {i}something{/i} inside her. She lifted a gauntlet to slap it roughly away; the impact stung his flesh, but only sped the tears running down her cheeks."

    hel "No. No, I… I can’t. I don’t want to see you– I don’t want you to see me like this. This is…"

    "Like one of his namesakes, Rowan remained rooted. As Helayna’s tears turned to body shaking sobs, he warded away any orcs eyeballing her. He allowed her space to grieve."

    ro "I’m sorry."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "What else could he possibly say to her?"

    else:
        "He almost wanted her to cuss or strike at him. He had earned her hatred."

    hel "You're the one person I trust above all others.  The one who made me deserving of this post, a-and… and this…"

    "When she quieted down, Rowan offered her his hand again. Reluctant, her grip weak, Helayna  took it and rose to her feet unsteadily. His other hand fingered at his amulet."

    ro "This… this is a chain. Resistance means death, or worse, for both Alexia and I."
    ro "If it was anyone but her, I’d-"

    show andras angry at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "Both of them looked up as Andras approached them, an arrow still protruding from his belly and a look of fury in his eyes."

    an "That was a good shot, bitch. Really hurt. If I was a mere human, perhaps I’d have died."
    an "But, I didn’t die. And I am going to make you regret it. Slowly. Painfully…"

    "Andras’ eyes strayed to Rowan. He had placed himself protectively between Andras and the defeated knight."

    an "...Or maybe I should make your little friend here do it instead."

    "Before Rowan had a chance to respond, Jezera's voice drifted down from above them."

    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve

    je "That will hardly be necessary, brother. Why waste a valuable captive on such trivial revenge?  Our hero shouldn't have to kill a beloved student just to heal your fragile pride."

    "Jezera walked down directly from the battlements, her previously-displayed ribbons of power forming precise stairs for each elegant step."

    an "You dare come between me and my vengeance, sister?"

    je "Tearing her apart limb from limb would only be a temporary distraction. Why don't you take care of our prisoners and start looting our new keep? That's something you'll enjoy that has an actual long term benefit."
    je "Kharos’ word. "
    je "You pretend you couldn’t recover from such a wound in an hour with a bit of flesh crafting."

    an "It’s the principle of the thing, Jezera, but fine. We won’t kill her."

    "Andras turned towards Rowan with a fell smile, looking past him to Helayna as he spoke again."

    an "Maim her, servant. Give her a wound she won’t ever recover from. At least an arm–"

    "Rowan kept steady between the demon and his prey. A paper barrier."
    "Jezera sighed to herself. Clearly, standard persuasion methods were not going to work."
    "Jezera strode up to her brother and put her lips to his ear. What she whispered to him, Rowan would never know."

    an "And that’s your compromise?"

    je "It is."

    show andras displeased at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "… Fine."

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Without a word or another look at Helayna or Rowan, Andras turned and strided away."

    show helayna angry at edgeright with dissolve

    hel "So now what, am I going to be a prisoner?"

    ro "Andras is the jailer. She's as good as dead if we bring her back to Bloodmeen!"

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "No, we're going to let her go."

    hel "Just like that?"

    je "That’s why we’re not going to send her to the dungeon. We have a role in the castle in mind for her. One where she’d be free to roam."

    "Rowan could sense how Helayna tensed. When he glanced back at her, she was as furious as she was indignant."

    je "Well, on one little condition. We can’t have her sneaking about in the night. She could try to take a dagger to our quarters. "

    "The blue skinned woman pulled a small obsidian band from a pouch."

    je "Just put this on your finger. A little security mechanism, similar to what Rowan wears. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you to my brother."

    "After staring at the ring for a moment, the knight captain angrily threw off one of her gauntlets and held out her hand. With a flair and a pleasant smile, Jezera placed the band on Helayna's finger. Then stepped back and motioned for Rowan to release their captive."

    "Helayna looked hard at the demoness. Tears still stained her face."

    hel "You may as well execute me now. I will neither serve you nor be held hostage."

    je "Hmm. Well, in that case–"

    "Rowan spoke up before Jezera could call Andras back."

    ro "… Helayna, please."

    hel "Please? Please what? In one day, you’ve destroyed everything I have to live for."

    ro "I can’t have your death on my hands. Please, trust me. I’ll do what I can to keep you safe."

    "Helayna’s stony expression softened, and then cracked."

    hel "Trust you? After… after this?"
    hel "… I hate that I still do. Goddess give me strength."

    "Helayna set her jaw, then began to tear off her gauntlet. She threw it off to the side and held out her hand for Jezera to drop the ring into her palm, but the demoness laughed, lifting her other hand to motion for Helayna to flip her hand over."

    je "Please, let me do the honours of putting it on you."

    "The dame took in a breath as though prepared to argue. After a glance at Rowan, she exhaled, taking a second to wipe her cheeks dry before offering Jez her hand, its back skyward. Very deliberately, she slid it on to Helayna’s left ring finger."

    show helayna aroused at edgeright with dissolve

    hel "What was, oh, hot, hot...."

    "Something was wrong, Rowan could tell immediately."
    "There was an abrupt change in Helayna, the summation of many little shifts. Her breathing deepened and hastened while her eyes glazed. Perspiration began to roll down her brow."

    hel "Too hot. Too… hah, hah… hot…"

    "As if the armour was scalding her skin, Helayna began to frantically try and strip herself. Donning or removing a full suit of armour was not a one person job."
    "A number of buckles and straps were beyond her reach, though she tried so desperately that Rowan feared she would dislocate a limb. Rowan stepped forward to stop her, but–"

    je "Let’s keep things moving along, hm?"

    "Jezera’s ribbons of energy cut in front of Rowan, quickly and surgically cutting straps. Helayna hardly reacted to it, concerned only with getting naked no matter the means."

    show helayna naked aroused at edgeright with dissolve

    "Rowan took a step back, stricken. As the armour was left discarded, it revealed more of her skin. It was covered with a thick, almost unnatural stream of sweat."

    ro "What did you do to her, Jezera?"

    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve

    je "Oh, sweet boy…"
    je "The ring is like the amulet, in a few ways. But it makes her a bit more… eager."

    hel  "Fuck. Mmmm. Fuck. Oh."

    scene cg1704 with fade
    show jezera happy behind cg1704
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1704
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1704

    "Rowan had never even heard her cuss before, not even when she banged her toe in training."
    "Still muttering, the now naked Helayna dropped to her knees, but not quite as she had in her surrender."
    "That had been the weight of a warrior’s despair. Now, Helayna’s knees were sliding apart, wanton and shameless in her display. Her fingers rushed both low and high, rubbing clumsily at her cunt while her other hand started mauling her breast."

    hel "Something is...something is wrong and I…"
    hel "Need… I need…"

    show cg1705 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Between her panting and moaning, Helayna couldn’t even form a full sentence."
    "Rowan recoiled. She was his student. {i}His friend{/i}. Seeing her like this was...it was…"
    "He expected them to treat her like Alexia, but this…! He had asked her to trust him, and this was the result."

    ro "This is wrong. Stop this, Jezera. I won’t–"

    je "Too much talking. Time to listen, if you care for this girl."


    "Rowan grit his teeth."

    je "The ring cannot be removed. From my previous experiments, it doesn’t even matter if you cut the finger off. In a couple of minutes, your sweet little student is going to be begging to be used by everyone she can find. She’ll be far worse than a bitch in heat."

    show cg1706 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "As if to emphasise the point, Helayna let out a lustful whimper. Playing with herself was not satiating whatever need possessed her."
    "Rowan clenched his hands into shaking fists, glaring at Jezera whenever he wasn’t staring with worry at Helayna."

    je "Given how short of time we are, I won’t belabour the point. You have a choice, my hero. Helayna will be our castle slut. She can either serve all those who want her, or–"

    hel "Rowan…"

    "Helayna’s previously unseeing eyes had latched on to him, and now she crawled to her teacher’s feet, love and lust intertwined in her eyes."

    show cg1707 with dissolve
    pause 3

    hel "Rowan, Rowan… rrowanrowanrowanrowan…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan tried to look away from her, but couldn’t, not with him treating his name like a litany."

    else:
        "Rowan stared at her, unable to ignore her beauty, unmarred even in humiliation."

    "He had never looked at Helayna before– not like this. She was his student, for Solnasia’s sake, but now it was impossible to ignore her curves and beauty."

    je "Hm. That didn’t happen the last time I tested out the ring. Interesting, very interesting… and completely correct."
    je "Your student can either serve you or the castle, and it seems to me that she has a clear preference."

    ro "Damn you, Jezera."

    "Jezera slipped around Rowan, one arm wrapping around him as she whispered in his ear, quite pleased with herself."

    je "You can think all you want about damning me. Right now, you need to make a choice. And quickly, before she moves on from her first choice. "

    "Helayna continued mumbling his name right up until she stopped at his feet, staring up at him like a lewd parody of the proud, duty-driven noble she had once been. She panted impatiently."

    return

# \events\arzyl dialogue 2.rpy
label arzyl_riddle_game_rp:

    $ society_type = "notmight"
    $ jezeraSubmission = 10
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ arzylSacrifice = 4
    $ jezWonRiddles = True
    $ arzylName = "Arzyl"
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    arz "But enough with such ho-hummery! I had a… {i}different{/i} idea in mind to conclude the evening’s entertainment."
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    je "Oh? Do tell!"
    if jezWonRiddles:
        #arz neutral
        arz "When last we met to play our little games dear girl, I recall that {i}I{/i} was in the lead."
        #arz concerned
        arz "Counting your recent victory, I do believe we are now tied."
    else:
        #arz concerned
        arz "Well when you think about it, Rowan may have won the riddles game, but who takes second?"
    "Jezera put a hand over her mouth in mock-shock."
    show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve
    je "Goodness! You’re right! Such a conundrum!"
    show jezera happy at midleft with dissolve
    je "Does my dear friend have any suggestions on how to break the stalemate?"
    #arz aroused
    "Arzyl licked her lips."
    arz "I’ve got an idea or two. The ritual I just performed requires a certain… {i}mindset{/i}. And I’m having a bit of trouble shaking the feeling."
    je "You don’t say!"
    #show jezera aroused at midleft with dissolve
    je "Speak of the devil, there are a few details about this ritual that I’d like to go over with you myself."
    arz "Hmm, that sounds positively delightful, my Lady!"
    je "Rowan, would you give us the room?"
    if arzylSacrifice == 2:
        "Arzyl gave Rowan a knowing look that he took as his cue to leave. The two began to grope at each other even as he reached the door."
        ro "Do you have any more orders for me, my Lady?"
        "Jezera let out a snort."
        je "No. That will be all, my hero. You may run along now."
        arz "Oh, and Rowan dear?"
        "Rowan turned back to look at the Fae."
        #arz happy
        arz "You’re cordially invited to witness the ritual. We’ll begin preparations immediately."
        "Rowan gave her a sharp nod and turned away. He heard one last, sultry chuckle emerge from Jezera before the door closed shut behind him."
        return
    else:
        arz "No. Let him watch. I enjoy a captive audience."
        menu:
            "Stay and watch. (Scene)":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan wordlessly withdrew to the wall nearest the side of bed. He leaned back against it, crossing his arms."
                arz "A willing voyeur! How daring!"
                je "My dear hero may act the part, but he is a pervert at heart."
                je "Now let’s get that robe of yours off."
                #//Show “Jezera groping Arzyl’s boobs CG (clothed variant)
                scene cg1797 with fade
                show jezera happy behind cg1797
                #arz happy
                show arzyl neutral behind cg1797
                pause 3
                "Jezera strode forward, boldly groping one of Arzyl’s milky tits through her clothing. With a twist of her thumb, she unceremoniously ripped the Fae’s slim blue bodice, exposing her heaving breasts and large areolae."
                "Rowan’s gaze trailed across Arzyl’s naked form, his face betraying no expression. Jezera cast a sly gaze over her shoulder in his direction."
                je "Watch closely, Rowan. Perhaps you’ll learn something."
                "Arzyl let her demonic partner knead the Fae’s breasts within her hands, cooing and moaning at each touch. "
                arz "Gracious me, you’ve improved!"
                "Jezera’s self-satisfied grin grew as Arzyl’s face struggled to maintain its regal indifference. Jezera, ever the minx, leaned up and planted a wet kiss upon the Fae’s lips."
                je "I’ve had plenty of practice."
                "Undeterred, Arzyl began her own erotic attack. Her slender fingers slid across the bare, purple skin of Jezera’s shoulders, sliding off her crimson dress with an almost effortless grace. Her hands trailed southward, grasping Jezera’s fat bottom in her hands. The Demon let out a contented purr."
                arz "Please: we can do far better than this for our handsome watcher. Perhaps another demonstration is in order?"
                "Jezera’s purr turned into a sudden gasp as Arzyl whispered something under her breath, her fingers hovering over Jezera’s tailbone as they massaged something that only she could see. Jezera shuddered for a moment, pulling back before Arzyl could get a firm grip on her."
                je "Naughty little witch! And here I thought we were playing a simple lover’s game."
                arz "Why settle for such pale mundanities, my girl? We are both {i}far{/i} better than that."
                "As if to exemplify that fact, Arzyl reached out and brazenly groped Jezera’s left breast, pinching her fingers together to tweak her nipple. The Demon let out a pleasured laugh."
                je "Hmm, careful what you wish for, my dear. I’m afraid I’ll leave you a wet mess upon the floor."
                arz "Is that a threat?"
                je "A promise."
                "A whispered breath was all it took, and familiar, blue tendrils of power erupted from Jezera’s fingertips. But unlike her normal, eldritch puppeteering, this took a decidedly different turn."
                "Rather than going to her extremities, they swept about Arzyl like whips before stretching down towards the Fae’s crotch."
                arz "{i}Aahn{/i}!"
                "They rubbed against the fabric of her underwear with a pleasing friction, causing the Fae to let out a low, breathless sigh. Her thighs clenched for a moment before she put a hand to Jezera’s wrist. "
                arz "{i}Ah{/i}! Yes! You are exactly what I needed today, my girl. Delight and danger together as one."
                arz "But… why should unleash ourselves upon each other so quickly? Isn’t the kill far more savory when it has been…"
                arz "‘Tenderized?’"
                je "What did you have in mind?"
                arz "A tiebreaker. A competition, if you will."
                je "Of our abilities?"
                arz "Of our ability to resist one another."
                "The low growl that emerged from Jezera’s throat told Rowan everything he needed to know about the stakes of their unspoken wager. Her eyes practically glowed with glee as she began to caress the ancient creature’s chest with her free hand."
                je "Mmm, so it {i}is{/i} a lover’s game, then."
                je "Very well, may the best woman win."
                #//Show Arzyl/Jezera fingering CG
                show cg518 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "It was as if her words were the spell to some sinister ritual. In the blink of an eye Arzyl and Jezera attacked one another, groping flesh and pinching bottoms."
                "They ripped at one another’s clothing with the heedless care of two hyenas mauling a dead carcass. In seconds they were naked, bare skin exposed to the merciless touch of their opponent."
                "Jezera’s used her left hand to grope, and her right hand to cast, her fingers rubbing together to stimulate movement across the hair-thin tendrils under her command. More erupted tendrils from her fingertips, swirling about Arzyl’s breasts and forming something approaching breast manacles."
                "Arzyl gasped, her body going taut at the same time the ropes did. The very touch of them seemed to stimulate pleasure, and Rowan could see her mouth open wide in a near-orgasmic O. The ropes flashed pink, and Arzyl let out a literal squeal."
                "Not to be outdone, Arzyl’s glowing fingers caressed Jezera’s body, her face, her breasts. Everywhere the fingers traced, goosebumps appeared. Rowan watched as Jezera shivered, her concentration wavering as she struggled to keep her knees together."
                "Arzyl ran her fingers down Jezera’s spine, leaning forward and planting her lips upon Jezera’s flushed neck. The Demon laughed at the Fae’s impudence, planting her hand in a rough spank across Arzyl’s ass as her spell-finger continued to grind and twist and pull against the threads upon the ethereal creature’s cunt."
                if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                    "Rowan did his best to keep his face impassive as he observed the increasingly-erotic display. Both of the voluptuous women were gasping and panting, the raw heat and stench wafting over his nose and bringing an uncomfortable twinge in his pants."
                else:
                    "Rowan couldn’t help but gawk at the lewd display. Jezera and Arzyl were going at one another like bitches in heat, their bodies slick with sweat as they endeavored to out-tease the other."
                    "Emboldened, the hapless spectator reached down to fondle his growing erection through his pants. Jezera smirked at his arousal."
                "The twining torsion of Jezera’s semi-corporeal threads twisted and squirmed against Arzyl’s soaked thighs. She grimaced, her magic fingers leaving a trail of shivering ecstacy across Jezera as she tried to resist her partner’s magics."
                "Jezera grunted, leaning forward and taking Arzyl’s right nipple in her mouth. Her casting hand sent out yet more pleasure ropes which wound tight about the other nipple, clenching and constraining like the contractions of her vagina."
                "Seeming to almost read Rowan’s thoughts, Arzyl reached down, her fingers curling into a question mark that found its answer at the junction of Jezera’s thighs. She cried out, grasping Arzyl’s arm to steady herself, to keep her own legs from giving out."
                je "C-clever... "
                arz "I haven’t forgotten your weak spots."
                "Jezera shifted focus, clenching her fingers as her hand clasped tight to Arzyl’s ass, pulling them together, chest to chest."
                "The Demonic twin clenched her teeth, her brow furrowing with concentration even as her wet sex glistened with every {i}schlicking{/i} sound that the Fae witch inflicted with her finger. It was an utterly ruthless game, one neither intended to lose."
                "The first sign that the sexual dam had broken came when Arzyl’s pale face reddened to a bright, cherry color. She bit her lower lip, her eyes clenching for a moment. Jezera’s ropy tendrils slid across her mound, dragging with slow, delectable torsion up the length of her womanhood, wrapping tight around her clit."
                "Jezera flicked her thumb across her hand, and more ropes emerged. One wrapped itself tight around Arzyl’s luscious lips, sealing whatever spell the ancient Fae had been about to utter. Her body went slack, her fingers slipping bonelessly from Jezera’s drooling snatch as she shuddered in place."
                arz "{i}Aaaahn{/i}!"
                "Rowan watched as the vaunted Lady of the Midnight Court orgasmed onto the floor. A flood of feminine fluids squirted forth as Jezera’s relentless ropes pulled tighter and tighter, forcing the Witch to helplessly endure the erotic euporia that radiated out from their touch."
                "Jezera, her face as red as her opponent’s, laughed aloud."
                je "{i}Mmmmh{/i}, see? Easy as that!"
                arz "{i}Hah… haaaah…{/i}"
                "Despite Jezera’s bold words, Rowan could see she was near her limit. Her spine was taut like a drawn bowstring, and her body all but quivered like one too."
                je "Looks like I win."
                #//Show “Jezera groping Arzyl’s boobs CG (naked, nipple tweaking variant)
                show cg1798 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Jezera reached out and grabbed Arzyl’s puffy nipple, twisting it sharply with a sadistic grin on her face."
                je "Don’t feel too bad, dear Arzyl. Think of it as me living up to my potential!"
                arz "Th-that you have, dear girl. You’ve… {i}hah, hah{/i}- improved immeasurably!"
                "Jezera made a show of kneading Arzyl’s breasts, keeping her restrained with her tendrils so as to continue to tease the trembling Fae."
                je "So, what do I get for winning?"
                "Arzyl didn’t answer, moaning as the Demon aggressively groped at her."
                je "No answer? Perhaps I should sic my ‘little seneschal’ upon you, perhaps that would make a more even contest?"
                je "Then again, maybe that’s what you want. Someone to rub your face in the dirt."
                arz "{i}Anything{/i}, Lady Jezera, {i}anything{/i}!"
                "Jezera twisted her nipple a final time, then stepped back. She allowed the mystic ropes that bound Arzyl to become incorporeal, and the Fae collapsed back onto her knees, panting. With a sultry flourish Jezera pivoted on her heel and made for the door."
                je "Eye for an eye, dear Arzyl. You kept me waiting, so I’ll leave you pining for now."
                "Jezera waved her hand casually over her shoulder as she closed the door behind her."
                je "Be a dear and clean her up, will you hero?"
                "The door slid shut behind her, leaving an air of smug superiority in its wake. Panting, breathless, her hair a disheveled mess, Arzyl looked very much the defeated, humiliated wretch."
                "The Fae glanced up at Rowan, panting, covered in sweat."
                "She winked at him."
                # jump riddleEnding_rp

            "I’ll leave you two to it.":
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                ro "Kind of you to offer, my mistress. But unfortunately I’ve got work to do."
                show jezera neutral at midleft with dissolve
                je "Why did I have a feeling that would be the case?"
                "Jezera planted a thoughtful finger on her lips and smirked. Rowan did his best to ignore the jab."
                #arz concerned
                arz "Are you quite certain, my lovely? You’re more than welcome to stay."
                show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
                ro "Forgive my rudeness Lady Arzyl, but I must see to my own affairs."
                "Arzyl frowned, but let off a careless shrug."
                arz "If you insist."
                ro "Do you have any more orders for me, my Lady?"
                "Jezera let out a snort."
                je "No. That will be all, my hero. You may run along now."
                "Deciding that any further interaction would only give Jezera ammunition for more mockery, Rowan pivoted on his heel and left the room."
                arz "Oh, and Rowan dear?"
                "Rowan turned back to look at the Fae."
                #arz happy
                arz "You’re cordially invited to witness the ritual. We’ll begin preparations immediately."
                "Rowan gave her a sharp nod and turned away. He heard one last, sultry chuckle emerge from Jezera before the door closed shut behind him."
                # $ arzylFavour -= 1
    
    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_2.rpy
label an_extended_recovery_rp:

    $ extendedRecoverySeen = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ tueRowName = "Tue-Row"
   
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg71 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The Grand Hall was in a state of disarray upon Rowan's arrival; goblin servants fled from one room to the next, some muttering about security measures while others openly discussed plans for the upcoming wedding."
    "They hardly spared the human a second glance, already growing used to his presence."
    "Rowan hesitated in the entrance of the main chamber. Perhaps he ought to visit another time; he didn't want to get in the middle of preparations for something as minute as a courtesy call."
    "Still, he'd come all this way."

    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Tue-Row was exactly where Rowan expected him. At Rowan’s arrival, he glanced up at him from the comfort of a comfortable cot, his eyes lighting up as he recognized his visitor. Piles of parchment were spread out across his lap or else spread out elsewhere on his cot."
    "Tue-Row sat up slightly. He winced though, at one particularly poorly thought out movement of his bandaged arm."
    "Another goblin is there; One wearing thick glasses and fine high-waisted pants with curious patches sewn in. An advisor, Rowan guessed. The goblin paused a droning speech that he’d been directing at Tue-Row, his eyes flickering with annoyance at the interruption."

    ro "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

    #show Tue-Row smiling

    tuer "Rowan! My dear friend! I could be in the middle of my damn coronation and you wouldn’t be interrupting. Come in. Come in. "

    "Then, to the advisor–"

    tuer "Let’s pick this up another time, shall we?"

    "The advisor bowed in acceptance, silent as he passed the hero on his way out. Rowan took a seat by the foot of the goblin's bed."
    "Now that he was closer, Rowan caught a glimpse at some of the documents lying around. They varied from plans for the flower arrangements for the wedding to contingency plans in case Zii tried to force the pass."
    "Tue-Row hurriedly stuffed the documents into a messy pile before dropping them onto a nearby end table."

    tuer "Don’t mind all of this mess. It's been absolute madness around here, with everything we’ve had to get ready. Still, not the {i}most{/i} wild of a mess you’ve found on a visit to me, eh?"

    "Tue-Row chuckled, catching himself."

    tuer "No more rambling out of me though. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise? Just taking a break from your busy schedule?  "

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan smiled warmly."

    else:
        "Rowan smiled shrewdly."

    ro "It’s not a big deal, or anything. I just wanted to check on your recovery. To see if you’d be fully healed for your big day. I'm sorry to see you're still in bed–"

    #tue-row neutral

    tuer "Oh, don't be fooled by that. I’m fine, I’m fine. Tue-San hasn't let me leave the Grand Hall in days. Not after gallivanting out with you to meet my erstwhile rivals. She called it, er, “unforgivably irresponsible”, I think."
    tuer "If I can let you in on a little secret…I'm close to hurling myself out of the window for a moment's peace. Hahaha."

    "Rowan relaxed back in his chair and answered Tue-Row’s little joke with a small chuckle. Tue-Row had a certain easygoing nature to him that made Rowan unsure if he should lower his guard or raise it extra high."

    ro "Prince Tue-Row, a prisoner in his own castle. Has your warden let you rest at least?"

    #show Tue-Row smiling

    tuer "Of course, but she insists on having everyone come to me instead of letting me roam the town myself. I've barely left my bed all week."

    "Tue-Row huffed, tossing the blanket off of his lap as he climbed out of bed."

    tuer "Come. You couldn't have arrived at a better time; there's something I've been wanting to show you. You’ll be floored, that’s a promise."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan followed Tue-Row to a large table with drawers underneath. Tue-Row pulled open one of the drawers and unfolded a long parchment across the tabletop."

    tuer "Have a look at this."

    "Rowan peered down at a map, a slow recognition dawning on him."

    ro "This is…Deadman’s Pass. North of the elven lands…"

    #show Tue-Row smirking

    tuer "Heh, I knew. I fucking knew. One look and it comes flooding back, eh?"

    "Rowan leaned over the map, tracing over the lines with his index figure. He followed along to markings whose significance he knew from many a knight hunched over parchment. Strongpoints, unit positions, fortifications."
    "Memories of that brutal campaign came to him at once, a flood of aching muscles, clashing swords, and severed limbs. The feeling of rocks against his fingertips as he climbed. The over-aweing sight of the demon fortress rising into the sky."

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

    ro "This map…was this one used in the human commander tents? The position markings are just right."
    ro "Where did you find such a thing?"

    "Tue-Row stood a little taller, his face proud as he patted the worn parchment."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "Heh, you’d be surprised by what ends up in a caravan’s odds and ends, Rowan. It's gone through some wear and tear over the years, but you can still read it almost as clearly as the day I first bought it."

    "Tue-Row cast his gaze upon the map with almost reverence, his hand brushing against the crisp folds as if it were a holy relic."

    #tuerow neutral

    tuer "I’ve heard what happened there before, of course. I’m sure half of what people say about the battle is poppycock. They make it sound like you stormed the damn keep yourself. Stories become legends, and legends become myths, and the truth gets lost somewhere."

    "The prince turned his attention to Rowan, and there was almost a challenge in his eyes."

    tuer "How about it, eh? You tell me the story from the eyes of the bastard who’d know it best."

    ro "Hmm. Alright then. "

    "Rowan lightly traced his finger over the map, looking for a place to start. He settled near the top of the map, at the imposing fortress guarding the pass."

    ro "You know we had to take the mouth of the pass, else we would never have been able to advance into the Rakshan wastes. Karnas knew that too, so he must have put as many troops in there as he could support."

    tuer "They say there were tens of thousands of orcs, thousands of dwarves, thousands of dark elves, and…"

    ro "No. No dark elves. And not quite that number. The pass would never have been able to hold that many mouths. You really think they had the supply lines for that?"

    tuer "Damn, I suppose not."

    "Rowan went on. He described the heroic, outnumbered elven army he used as bait to draw the enemy out of the fortress. Then the dramatic forced march to the base of the pass."
    "Tue-Row interjected at parts, noting little details that he had heard from the event. There were a few embellishments among them, but most of what he said was accurate. It was a famous battle, of course, but it still astonished Rowan to learn just how much the goblin leader knew."

    ro "The climb was pretty slow going. The schedule called for us to reach the gate by sunrise, but you wouldn’t have known that from the pace we made. One of the groups had an accident and we lost a bunch of them. Another two were behind."
    ro "I actually had to stop the whole infiltration group at one point, just to help the stragglers catch up. Plus, even some of our best guys were pretty worn out by that point. It was really scary though."
    ro "We were exposed in the light. If the orcs outside the fortress had turned back, they could have seen us. "

    tuer "You mean you hadn’t meant to arrive right with the sun at your backs? Whenever I heard the story, it made it sound like you planned that."

    ro "Nope. It only happened because I fell behind schedule. People seem to think it’s a better story that way."

    #show Tue-Row smirking

    tuer "It is. There’s no shame in telling the best version. The one that really gets right to someone’s heart and makes the blood pump."

    ro "Isn’t this entire conversation because you wanted to know the real truth though?"

    "Tue-Row smirked."

    tuer "Stories can be a lot of fun, my friend. Yet, they’re more useful for the teller than the listener. If you catch my drift."

    ro "..."

    "Tue-Row threw his head back with laughter. Rowan couldn’t quite decipher what about what he’d said had actually been funny."

    tuer "Still, still. I can’t praise your masterful deception enough. Whether there was a garrison of twenty thousand or even two thousand, to take it with less than five humans was a great feat. "

    #show Tue-Row serious.

    tuer "There’s a reason my people revere you, Rowan. You’re truly the great trickster."

    "Rowan shifted awkwardly, the goblin's bold admiration almost verged on embarrassing at times. Though, it was nice to occasionally be appreciated."

    ro "Heh. I didn’t exactly do it for praise. I had a mission."
    ro "Besides, you're a remarkable general in your own right, Tue-Row. A conqueror even. I won a few battles, but that is nothing in comparison to all the things you’ve accomplished. I'm sure many of your soldiers would agree, too."

    "Tue-Row balked at the suggestion, waving off Rowan's compliment with a dismissive wave of his hand."

    tuer "Bah! Nonsense. I wouldn't {i}have{/i} a single victory if it wasn't for you."

    ro "I wouldn't say that. You might have been inspired, but–"

    tuer "Inspired! Heh. More like I stole them."

    "Tue-Row licked his lips. He drummed his fingers against the map, pretending to analyze each marked position, although Rowan was sure he had it memorized by now."

    tuer "When I first came to Che-Lin, I had a dream and the drive to make it reality, but no experience on the battlefield. When the war started, I used your tactics–your {i}exact{/i} ones– as a model for my battles."
    tuer "There were some adjustments to be made of course, but they were your plans nonetheless. With every challenge, I just thought which of your battles was most applicable and there was the answer."
    tuer "Not a perfect one, of course, goblins warfare differs from everything you might know. But the principles behind them, your ideas, all the dirty tricks…  I made them my own. "
    tuer "And it {i}worked{/i}. I started winning, one battle after another. Not always! Not until Tue-San joined me. But enough. And every time I put one of your maneuvers into action, it was as if you were there with me, helping lead my men on the field."
    tuer "Aah, how I miss that. Nowadays, I barely even see the field of combat. Too busy with {i}politics{/i}. I’m sure you understand it, Rowan. "

    "Rowan leaned back in his seat in silence. Rowan had been in a battle with Tue-Row before, but at the time he hadn’t had much of a chance to see how Tue-Row went about generalship."
    "Was it really all him? Somewhere deep down, underneath all the adjustments and changes, the genius of Tue-Row’s campaign - was it just Rowan’s own plans, improved and adapted?"
    "A long time ago, he wondered if there would be an officer among the Rosarian military who would follow in his footsteps. He would have never imagined he would find him here."

    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with moveinright
    #show  tuerow happy

    tues "I see you have a visitor."

    "The men snapped their attention to the doorway. Tue-San's little glare caught on Tue-Row's bandaged arm. Rowan could practically see the way she wanted to scold him back to bed with her eyes alone."

    ro "Ah, Tue-San. My apologies. I should have informed you of my company."

    tuer "Oh hush, hush. Your company is always welcome here! Announced or not."

    "Tue-San didn't look like she necessarily agreed."

    tues "Since you are out of bed, your highness, would you care for some tea?"

    "Tue-Row chuckled and shook his head at her."

    tuer "Now, now, aren't you a little too important to be getting me tea? Why don't you let one of the servants do it? What else are they good for, anyhow?"

    "Although he admonished her, there was a playful gleam in Tue-Row's eyes, and Rowan could sense the familiarity in their banter as Tue-San stared back at him with a deadpan expression."

    tues "… Do you want the tea or not, my Prince?"

    "Tue-Row hummed to himself, rubbing his chin in exaggerated thought as he pretended to debate over the simple task. The prince grinned at his advisor's slight annoyance."

    tuer "I suppose I am feeling a thirst coming on. What do you think, Rowan?"

    ro "Tea sounds lovely."

    #tuerow happy
    show tuerow neutral at edgeright with moveoutright
    show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Tue-San nodded, her body stiff as she departed for the kitchens. Tue-Row pulled the maps to the side, clearing space for Tue-San once she returned with a steaming pot and two cups."

    tues "If there is anything else you require, you need only call."

    tuer "How about a walk around the town, eh?"

    #tuesan angry

    "Tue-Row winked at her, but Tue-San showed no signs of humour."

    tues "On your last “excursion” you decided to {i}fight a battle{/i}. I cannot allow it, My Prince."

    hide tuesan with moveoutright
    #tuerow happy
    show tuerow neutral at midright with moveinright

    "Without another word, Tue-San quickly left, the door clicking quietly in her wake. Tue-Row slumped down onto one of the plush couches, cradling his teacup in his hands."

    ro "You’re aware that you don’t have to listen to her, right {i}prince{/i}?"

    tuer "I do if I value my life. You should have heard the earful I got before. Haha."
    tuer "Truth be told, she is right. If you’re going to pick an advisor who’ll fuss over you, then you might as well listen to them sometimes. I’m alive today because of her. I have a habit of…"
    tuer "…Diplomatically, let’s call it “ignoring my own limitations”."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I think we might share that in common."

    "Tue-Row lifted his cup."

    tuer "To one more thing we share."

    "They clinked their teacups together. Tue-Row took a long sip of his tea and Rowan joined him. A woodsy aroma wavered under his nostrils, and Rowan enjoyed the taste of chamomile and honey-flavored liquid."
    "After a few moments, Tue-Row stretched out his legs and grunted, setting the teacup down onto the nearest table. He folded his hands in his lap, his expression shifting between uncertainty and anticipation."

    #tuerow neutral
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "Since we are strangers no more, there is a little something I've been meaning to tell you about, Rowan."

    ro "Oh?"

    "Rowan took another sip of tea, mentally preparing himself for Tue-Row's confession. He could feel the atmosphere shift, like a tide about to rush in over the shore."

    tuer "You may not remember, but you and I have met before–many, many years ago."

    "Rowan's brows pinched together in confusion. Sensing his doubt, Tue-Row quickly continued."

    tuer "A long time ago, I used to travel the human lands in a caravan of goblin traders. I’d heard about the wonders of the holy city of Prothea once in a scroll and wanted to see it myself."
    tuer "On the way back though, I ended up traveling the road to Raeve Keep. Even back then, I was a really huge fan of yours. So I asked them to stop at Arthdale –just for a little bit– so I could try to catch a glimpse of you."

    "Tue-Row watched Rowan for his reaction. There was an eagerness to the goblin's eyes, a silent pleading that this would jog some long forgotten memory in the hero's skull."
    "But Rowan couldn’t recall any prior meeting. Arthdale was a common road stop on the way to Raeve Keep, so goblin caravans were not unheard of. In fact, it was so common that such visits almost blended together in his head."
    "Then, considering Tue-Row’s admission, another thought struck him."

    ro "You’ve traveled all the way to Prothea? I wasn’t aware there was a single goblin from here who’d even left the forest. "

    #show Tue-Row smiling

    tuer "Well, I ain’t exactly the average goblin am I? I got bit by the urge to travel, so I packed up and left. "

    "He chuckled."

    tuer "And why not? I was a smart young kid, with no prospects. My birth clan was…well let’s just say I was pretty distant to them. What’s more, we were friendly with one of the caravanner clans that actually stops in Blackholt. So I said… ”Why not?”"
    tuer "I don’t regret it. Let me tell you. The world is so…vast! There’s so many wonders to see, so many things to learn, so many stories to hear."
    tuer "And so many of them denied to my people. I thought these woods a cage in the past, but now, they feel like a prison. "

    "Tue-Row leaned back in his cot and swirled his cup of tea in his hand. In the process a few droplets even spilled. Rowan kept his focus on Tue-Row’s face. It showed the same determination that he’d heard during that first meeting with Jezera."

    ro "... There is one caravan visit to Arthdale that sticks out in my mind. I don’t know if it was yours. But, the main cart was oddly colorful. If I recall, it was green and orange, with yellow and pink details on the sides."
    ro "I'm pretty sure I bought some herbs from it. They came in these dyed pouches, with a purple ribbon on top, I think…"

    #tuerow happy
    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    "Tue-Row's face lit up. He laughed, throwing his head back with enthusiasm as shock ran through his body."

    tuer "That's the one! Incredible! Simply incredible!"

    "Rowan scratched the back of his head."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "It wasn’t anything impressive. It was just the first caravan I remembered. That was the best tea I've ever had. I haven't been able to find anything like it since."
    ro "I remember Alexia asked me to drop off a departing gift; she'd used some of the herbs in a bread she made, if I recall…"

    tuer "Guess who ended up receiving the bread! Guess! I practically had to fight with the others to have it. Let me tell you, I remember how it tasted to this very day. If your wife is still alive, please give her my regards."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "I will. I will."

    "Tue-Row sighed in contentment, sinking down with a lofty smile. The memory came slowly to Rowan, bits and pieces of a fun drunken night with travelers, but he could see there was more to it for the prince."

    tuer "I can't put into words how much meeting you then had meant to me, Rowan. I know we only exchanged a few words, but to me… It was life-altering."

    "Tue-Row laughed."

    tuer "Imagine my surprise when I saw your village–your house!–and it was no more than a peasant's cottage! I’d heard you’d been sent home from the capital, but I was certain they would have given you some sort of mansion or estate. And money too. Enough to live comfortably for life."

    #tuerow angry
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    tuer "You are their {i}hero{/i}, they would have lost without you, no question. Your leaders should have rewarded you ten times over for such triumphs! And what did they give you? Nothing. They treated their own heroes almost as harshly as they treated our kind."
    tuer "So foolish. So shortsighted! I can understand the casual cruelty your elites display towards my kind, but for them to be so callous with their own champion? Unbelievable."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31 and serveChoice != 4:
        "Rowan frowned. Part of him wanted to defend the lords in Rastedel. It was not as if he didn’t {i}like{/i} living in Arthdale. The whole war, he’d longed to be home. Yet, thinking about it only brought sour thoughts and regrets."
        "Rather than confront them, he silently let Tue-Row continue."

    else:
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan grunted and took a sip from his tea. Being reminded of such things made him wish that Tue-San would have brought in alcohol instead."
        ro "Let me tell you, if you think that it was a surprise for you…imagine how much of a surprise it was for me."
        "Tue-Row chuckled darkly."
        tuer " I cannot imagine, my friend. I cannot imagine. Let’s just say that I was not all too surprised when I first learned of your defection to your new overlords."
        tuer "There’s something else too…"
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


    #tuerow neutral

    tuer "That day back in Arthdale taught me something about you too, Rowan. Goblins… My kind is quick to assume that everyone is looking out to profit for themselves or their clan."
    tuer "Truth be told, when I first heard about you, I assumed it must have been the same way. That you were fighting to earn distinction and advantage, beating demons and showing up nobles at the same time."
    tuer "So after slaying Karnas, we all wanted to see what the next great trick would be."

    ro "Killing a {i}Demon Lord{/i} was not enough?"

    #tuerow smirk

    "Tue-Row chuckled darkly. "

    tuer "Not nearly enough. {i}Never{/i} enough. Not for a goblin."
    tuer "So when I came to Arthdale, I was hoping to catch a glimpse, a hint of what the next step would be. What the great trickster was planning. Maybe figure out if your exile was a minor setback, or if it was part of a greater strategy. "

    #tuerow neutral

    tuer "Then I saw you, and… If there was a plot brewing, it eluded me. And if it was exile, then you seemed fine with it. You looked… Content. Happy. I watched you interact with the other villagers. They all seemed to like and respect you."

    ro "What were you expecting to find? A secret army, raised in the very heartlands of Rosaria?"

    "Tue-Row didn’t answer, his eyes looking into the distance, no doubt thinking about that fateful encounter. Rowan cursed himself for not remembering more of it. Maybe then, he would understand the goblin better."

    tuer "The great trick… The end goal of all your efforts as a Rosarian general, a hero chosen by Solansia herself… It never was about power, was it? Or fame. Or riches. Or women. Or men."
    tuer "It was about doing the right thing."

    "He looked to him, searching for confirmation."

    menu:
        "Someone had to save the world.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "The world was at stake. Someone had to look above politics and do the right thing."
            tuer "So simple. And so true."
            $ rowanCorrupt -= 3

        "He wasted his chance back then. It will not happen again. ":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            ro "It was. And it cost me seven years."
            tuer "Ha, but you saved the world! We wouldn’t be here if not for that!"
            $ rowanCorrupt += 3
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    #show tuerow smiling

    "Tue-Row forced himself up, a slightly manic smile on his lips. He started pacing back and forth, enraptured in the story, once more reliving that fateful day."

    tuer "That was the trick. The greatest, most unbelievable deception. Haha! All of us -  goblins, nobility, even the prothean church - we’ve wasted so much time trying to figure out Rowan Blackwell’s great plan! "
    tuer "And the plan was “Kill the Demon Lord.” That’s all it was! And that’s why it {i}worked{/i}. And that’s what my people needed."

    "He made a broad sweep with his hand, as if discarding something filthy aside. When he spoke again, there was resolve in his speech, as if he could see a world–a future–beyond the room they were sitting in."

    tuer "Not clan politics! Not ancient history! Not selfish glory! But a single guiding principle, a single idea to unite behind, for which everything else could be sacrificed! As long as we had that - no matter the goal, we would stand a chance!"

    "He turned around, pointing to the hero."

    tuer "And it’s all thanks to you! You helped me break the rotten way of thinking all goblins are taught from birth! Selfishness disguised by lofty ideas of clan loyalty and familial bonds!"
    tuer "You made me realize that as long as I focus on my goal, nothing is impossible! Our better future started on the day I met you! "

    "The goblin's confession hung in the air, the words slowly dawning on Rowan, making him realize just what an important role he held in the goblin prince's life."
    "He set his tea down, the earlier flattery of Tue-San's compliments easing away like the fading light of twilight. He'd been touched by Tue-Row's insistence on how the prince had been changed, but now…"

    menu:
        "It felt good, knowing he was responsible for Tue-Row’s success.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "A warmth overcame him, the sort of humbling emotion that left the hero temporarily speechless. He leaned back, then made an elaborate gesture with his hand."
            ro "So all of this is because of me? Your rise to glory, taking Hoz’holt, proclaiming a new goblin kingdom?"
            ro "I used to think Cla-Min’s infatuation with me was a little overblown, but if all your victories are my doing, then I truly must be the greatest of all goblins heroes."
            tuer "Haha, maybe not all of them, Rowan. Your actions shaped the man I am, but it’s not like you can claim all my successes and mistakes as yours. It’s the same with me and Tue-San."
            ro "Just Tue-San? You had quite the impact on everyone here."
            tuer "Mostly her. And… Maybe Zii too, if I must be honest."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

        "How many goblins died in Tue-Row’s crusade? Was he to blame for it?":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow neutral
            "His guts twisted, and a cold feeling took over his body. How could the noble deeds of his past lead to something so atrocious? Start a full-blown goblin civil war?"
            "Judging from his frown, Tue-Row must have noticed his lack of enthusiasm. The wounded goblin made his way back to the chair, and sat down heavily."
            tuer "Too much? Tue-San always tells me I go way overboard with my speeches."
            ro "It’s not that, just… I’ve been thinking about the… Scale of everything that has happened here."
            ro "I left Arthdale to end one war, and it seems my return to it invertedly started another."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow happy
            tuer "Ha! I wouldn’t say you’re to blame here. Are we to be responsible for every sin that sprouts from our decisions? For every hero or villain born from it?"
            ro "If I said yes, would you feel bad for some of the things that happened here because of you?"
            tuer "Hmmm… I think I wouldn’t mind it. It would let me claim at least some credit for Tue-San spreading her wings. But then again… Would Zii be my fault as well?"
            #tuerow neutral

    ro "Don’t tell me her rising to power is your doing."

    tuer "Not directly, no. But… I’ve enabled it. By breaking the clans, I pushed the few that remained into the hands of the first warlord to promise them an easy victory."
    tuer "And just as I was inspired by your selfless devotion, so was she inspired by my ruthless cunning. She admired the destruction I wrought. The complete annihilation of the world that once was."

    "The goblin prince grimaced."

    tuer "I resent that portrayal. Zii has trouble grasping the greater picture. Something we’ll have to work on after the wedding."

    ro "It’s almost as if the wedding is your way to make amends. Or is it just a scheme to tame her?"

    tuer "Is that what a wedding is in human culture? Oh, don’t give me that face, I jest, I jest. And no, I’m not that selfless."
    tuer "Zii will be useful to me. Brutality has a place in both warfare and politics, if used carefully. And it’s not like Zii’s aggression isn't entirely unattractive, per se."

    ro "You know if she has her way you’ll end up pinned down and thoroughly fucked, right?"

    tuer "Yes, but I have no intention of letting her have her way."
    tuer "Besides, if I were to be pinned down, I’d rather it was a man doing it. Not that any of my subordinates would have the audacity to do that to their prince! Ha ha! "

    show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
    #tuerow happy

    "Rowan noticed a flickered glance in his direction as Tue-Row chuckled to himself, his green hands clasped together on his lap in an awkwardly tight hold."

    tuer "Of course, not everyone has that kind of experience. Have you ever…?"

    menu:
        "I've had sex with men before. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan failed to suppress the smirk that curled on his lips, a slight chuckle sneaking out."
            ro "Yes, I've had the pleasure."
            "Tue-Row's body seemed to relax at once, the tension in his shoulders easing. He grinned in relief."
            tuer "I have no doubt! I can't imagine a gobli–er, man having an easy time keeping their hands off of you."
            ro "Sometimes it's the other way around."
            "Tue-Row choked on a laugh, and for what might have been the first time, Rowan caught a glimpse of the goblin's cheeks darkening in color with a blush."
            jump tuerowSexChoice_rp

        "I think men are attractive, but I've never had sex with one. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow neutral
            "Rowan shrugged, considering the idea."
            ro "No, never sex, but I'm not opposed to the idea. Men can be equally as attractive as women, sometimes more."
            tuer "Oh, most certainly! Women are quite fine, sure, but some men… Well, they certainly do something to the loins, don't they?"
            ro "Heh, well said."
            jump tuerowSexChoice_rp

        "I have no interest in men.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow neutral
            "Rowan shook his head, the disinterest clear on his face."
            ro "I can't say that I have. I've never had the interest."
            "Disappointment fell upon the goblin prince's face. Tue-Row forced a smile, but just as quickly looked away, pretending to find interest in something else in the room."
            tuer "Ah, yes, of course. Well, it's certainly not for everybody."
            jump tuerowEnd_rp

    label tuerowSexChoice_rp:

    menu:
        "Offer to give Tue-Row a final taste of men. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ fuckedTuerow = True
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow concerned
            "Rowan looked over the goblin prince, enjoying the awkward fluster of the goblin prince before him."
            scene cg1811 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1812 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1813 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1814 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1811
            #tuerow happy
            show tuerow neutral behind cg1811
            "Before he could think better of it, Rowan leaned forward on the couch cushion between them, keeping his voice heedy and low."
            ro "You know, you aren't {i}technically{/i} married yet, but the wedding is coming up fast. Your opportunities are growing pretty slim, aren't they?"
            "Tue-Row nodded seriously, his mind no doubt wandering to the wedding ahead."
            tuer "There really isn't much time left, is there? I'll be a married man before I know it."
            "Rowan peered around the Grand Hall, ensuring that no servants or unsuspecting guests were passing by."
            ro "What if I gave you an early wedding present? A final taste of a man before you're carted off to the altar?"
            #tuerow happy
            "Tue-Row's eyes widened, but it certainly wasn't from scandal; Rowan could see the excitement in his eyes, the way the prince's gaze snagged onto the crotch of Rowan's pants."
            "The goblin prince caught himself, a genuine, eager smile stretching across his face."
            tuer "Heh. It's almost an offer too good to be true."
            tuer "But what kind of host would I be if I turned down a wedding gift from a friend?"
            tuer "Don't be afraid to be rough."
            ro "Heh. I won't."
            show cg1815 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Rowan stood up at once, hoisting the smaller man into his arms. Tue-Row gasped with excitement, his grin wide as Rowan yanked the prince's trousers off of his hips and onto the floor."
            "If it was aggression Tue-Row wanted, Rowan was happy to oblige."
            "Turning the goblin upside-down, Rowan admired the thick expanse of Tue-Row's erecte cock as it curved toward his lips. Tue-Row gripped the hero's trousers, twisting his neck to beam up at the hero."
            "Rowan smirked down at him, licking the tip of the goblin's cock once. Tue-Row shuddered, his grip tightening."
            ro "I'll take care of this once you take care of me."
            "Rowan nudged Tue-Row down slightly so the prince could see the zipper of his pants. Tue-Row wasted no time, immediately yanking at the fabric until it was a twisted bundle at Rowan's ankles."
            "There was almost a reverence to the way Tue-Row caressed Rowan's cock, like a long-lost artifact he'd been desperate to uncover. He stroked the human's erection, admiring the way it hardened between his fingers and picking up tempo when Rowan grunted his pleasure."
            "But it wasn't enough. Still holding the goblin up, Rowan thrust his cock toward Tue-Row's face."
            show cg1816 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "The prince was more than happy to comply. Tue-Row took the cock into the warm caverns of his mouth, reveling in the touch and taste of his hero. Rowan thrust against him, bucking harder the deeper he went."
            "The goblin's body shuddered with pleasure, his girth twitching with anticipation until Rowan took its width into his mouth as well. Tue-Row moaned from below, his tiny fists reaching around to grasp Rowan's ass as they blew each other."
            "Rowan no longer paid lookout to any wandering servants or stray eyes; the feel of his cock deep within Tue-Row's throat, the taste of the prince's precum on his tongue, filled him with a distracting pleasure that was almost dizzying."
            "Each wet, sloppy thrust pushed him closer to the edge. He could feel Tue-Row struggling to keep control as well, his submissive desire overwhelmed."
            show cg1817 with sshake
            pause 2
            show cg1818 with sshake
            pause 3
            "Tue-Row came without warning, and a flood of cum poured onto Rowan's tongue and down his throat like an explosion."
            if rowanGaySex == 0:
                "Rowan choked, popping the goblin out of his mouth as he spit the cum out onto the floor."
                "This did not hinder the goblin prince, however; Tue-Row worked harder, using a mixture of his hands and tongue on Rowan's cock until the hero couldn't bear it anymore."
            else:
                "Rowan took the spill with ease, swallowing each salted drop until he'd sucked the last of it from Tue-Row's cock."
                "Tue-Row worked harder, using a mixture of his hands and tongue on Rowan's cock until the hero couldn't bear it anymore."
            "Hot cum poured from Rowan's tip directly into the goblin's mouth. Even upside-down, Tue-Row had no trouble swallowing his load whole, seemingly relishing in the taste."
            "A little wobbly, Rowan set the goblin prince down, and they each fell back onto the couch to catch their breath."
            tuer "Ahaha! What a sendoff. I'm not sure I'll be able to think about Zii-Zii at all now during the ceremony…"
            ro "Heh. Hopefully you won't be too disappointed."
            "After a few moments, the men cleaned themselves up and redressed."
            jump tuerowEnd_rp

        "Wish him luck in his upcoming marriage.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            #tuerow happy
            "Rowan smiled to himself, partly enjoying the awkward fluster of the goblin prince before him. It was almost a shame that he was settling down, but perhaps Zii-Zii could satisfy him in a way a man couldn't."
            ro "I wish you luck in your coming ceremony, Tue-Row. Who knows? Perhaps Zii-Zii will be a better partner than you think."
            "Rowan did not miss the look of disappointment on the goblin prince's face as Tue-Row quickly glanced away, the reminder of his bride-to-be creating a wall between them."
            tuer "Yes… I suppose we'll have to see. She's certainly a feisty one, I'll give her that."

    label tuerowEnd_rp:

    scene bg71 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Tue-Row cleared his throat and steadily rose from the couch. Rowan joined him, his limbs stiff from sitting for so long."

    tuer "I should be returning to my work; there's still much to be done. I wouldn't want to fall behind."

    ro "Of course. I'll leave you to it, then."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft
    hide tuerow with moveoutleft

    scene bg70 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Tue-Row escorted Rowan to the front of the Grand Hall. Before the hero could leave, Tue-Row lingered in the doorway, looking past Rowan at the business in the streets."

    tuer "I want to thank you, personally, for all of your help, Rowan. None of this could have been accomplished without you."

    "Rowan glanced out at the street; goblin children laughed, playing games along the roads while their parents bargained for goods nearby. There was happiness, a beginning of peace."

    tuer "When all is said and done, I will remember the lengths you went for me, Rowan. This I promise you."

    scene black with fade

    "With a final smile and a wave of farewell, Tue-Row closed the door."

    # $ avatar.mp -= 5
    # $ released_fix_rollback()
    # $ prevent_tile_exploration()
    #$ push_to_previous_tile()
    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_4.rpy
label tuesanWeddingBonus_rp:

    # $ tuesanFinaleVisit = True
    $ tuesanBonusSexSeen = True
    $ kissedTuesan = True

    scene bg70 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "It didn’t take him long to find her. The guards were all but familiar with him by now, and pointed him to the main war room."

    show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve

    "It proved to be a large, round area, with a circular table at the centre, and the map of Rosaria crudely drawn over it. But Tue-San wasn’t at it. She was sitting at one of the small tables nearby, browsing over some books."

    tues "Blackwell. Don’t you have a party to manage?"

    ro "It’s all but wrapped up by now, Tue-San."

    "He walked to her, and glanced at the book she was studying. It proved to be a supply ledger - one that was promptly shut when she found him reading it."

    tues "Just because we’re allies now doesn’t mean you’ll have access to our military records, Blackwell."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    #tuesan angry

    ro "Wha- No, no! That’s not why I’m here!"

    tues "{i}Then why are you here?{/i}"

    "Tue-San’s cold eyes drilled holes in his skull. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. He shouldn’t have expected anything else, really, given what he had seen earlier…"

    #tuesan neutral

    ro "You looked pretty shaken at the wedding. And now that Tue-Row is… You know…"

    tues "Fucking Zii into compliance?"

    ro "Y-yeah…"

    "He wasn’t sure how to breach the subject. Tue-San kept glaring at him - and if anything, her eyes became even colder now."

    tues "Don’t tell me… Are you here out of concern, Blackwell?"

    ro "… And if I said yes?"

    tues "Then I would call you a fool and a hypocrite."

    show tuesan neutral at edgeright with moveoutright

    "She answered him venomously, as she moved to hide the book in a chest nearby. When she did, she slammed the wooden container close, further accenting her irritation."

    tues "An alternative was prepared. You chose not to take it. I am not pleased by it, but I will not hold a grudge. One cannot gain something without being willing to sacrifice. We both accepted this was the fastest way to end the civil war ahead of schedule. In the end, it was necessary."
    tues "So why are you here now, when everything was resolved exactly as you wanted? "

    #tuesan angry

    "There was a moment of silence. Then, she turned around - and glared at him with hateful eyes."

    tues "Are you here out of regret? Does knowing I was angered, or hurt, by your choices, make you wish you’d chosen differently? "
    tues "{i}Are you that weak-willed?{/i}"

    menu:
        "Back off. (Scene 1)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ tuesanFinaleFurious = True
            show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve
            ro "I- n-no."
            "All this time, he had only ever seen Tue-San mildly annoyed. This time, she was furious. Furious at Rowan. Furious at Zii. Maybe even furious at Tue-Row, for how willing he was to throw his life away."
            #tuesan angry
            show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright
            tues "{i}So what is it? Do you lack any spine to speak of, or is it your conscience that led you here, and a desperate need to be punished for your betrayal?{/i}"
            "And it was a terrifying, yet beautiful sight. When Cliohna or Jezera got angry, they exploded like a raging storm, wreaking havoc and destruction. Tue-San fury was like a cold, ice pick, slowly thrust between his ribs."
            tues "{i}Or are you little more than a brat who acts out, hoping to be punished for his misdeeds?{/i}"
            "If he didn’t act now, whatever followed would not be pleasant."
            menu:
                "... (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    #tuesan angry
                    show tuesan neutral at center with moveinright
                    "He watched in sheer horror as she started walking in his direction. He backed away, unsure what to do. He could see it in her eyes. She wanted to {i}hurt{/i} someone, anyone. And he just happened to be around."
                    show tuesan neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    hide rowan with moveoutleft
                    show rowan necklace shock behind bg70
                    ro "Tue-san, I- ack!"
                    "Not watching his step, he hit one of the chairs behind him and stumbled to the ground."
                    tues "{i}Why are you running? Are you still pretending a part of you doesn’t want this?{/i}"
                    show bg70 with sshake
                    "He tried to crawl away - only to freeze in place as her heeled foot slammed on the ground right between his legs. She was towering over him, her hateful eyes burning with fire he has never seen before."
                    tues "{i}A goblin army is exactly what your mistress wanted, isn’t it? Are her punishments so terrifying that you do whatever she wants?{/i}"
                    tues "{i}Are they something like… {b}This{/b}{/i}?"
                    show bg70 with sshake
                    show bg70 with redflash
                    #cg
                    scene cg1819 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1820 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1821 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1822 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1819
                    #tuesan angry
                    show tuesan neutral behind cg1819
                    "Without a word of warning, she drove her heel right into his crotch. His whole world exploded in agonising pain, as she mercilessly shifted her weight forward, almost crushing his genitals."
                    ro "F-fuck, Tue-San!"
                    ro "{i}A little late to beg for forgiveness, Blackwell.{/i}"
                    "She kept turning her foot, and pushing up and down, not sparing an inch of his tender manhood. He felt tears well in his eyes. He was stabbed, burned and maimed a hundred times before, but this…"
                    "This was something else. A realm of intimate pain foreign to him. And yet, despite it… "
                    tues "… Why am I not surprised?"
                    tues "{i}Hard already.{/i}"
                    "He couldn’t explain it. Maybe it was the raw vitriol in Tue-San’s voice, so different from her usual, indifferent tone."
                    "… Maybe a part of him wanted this pain."
                    tues "{i}As wicked as the demons you serve. Jezera’s doing? Or maybe you were always that much of a pervert?{/i}"
                    "He didn’t know the answer to that. He swallowed nervously, trying to get ahold of himself."
                    ro "Tue-San, I-"
                    tues "{i}{b}Shut up{/b}. For you to taint even this...{/i}"
                    tues "{i}Humans truly are disgusting.{/i}"
                    show bg70 with redflash
                    "Despite her words, she kept rubbing her shoes up and down his crotch, feeling the outline of his erect cock, then stepping down on it with considerable pressure. He hissed in pain, his reality reduced to only that agonising sensation that enveloped his cock."
                    "She said something else - he didn’t catch what. The pulsating sensation in his cock only grew stronger."
                    ro "Nnngh… Ha… Aa-ah…"
                    "This feeling of helplessness… This agony… It mixed together, forming something he could not describe. Something that was building up, growing ever stronger by the moment, as Tue-San cruel torture continued."
                    "He didn’t want to acknowledge it, but he couldn’t deny it either. It grew, and grew, and-"
                    ro "A-aaah… A-aaah! "
                    "It overtook him completely. He exploded as the tip of her shoe pressed against the tip of his cock, a large, wet spot forming in his pants. He twitched uncontrollably, his body refusing to obey him."
                    tues "{i}… Disgusting.{/i}"
                    scene bg70 with fade
                    #tuesan angry
                    show tuesan neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    "She glared at him a little longer, then took her foot off his crotch. Panting, he tried to pull himself away from her - but found himself too weak for even that."
                    tues "… I’ll have the guards bring you some ointments. Pull yourself together before the guests wake up."
                    hide tuesan with moveoutleft
                    #tuesan angry
                    show tuesan neutral behind bg70
                    tues "Do not disappoint me further, Bloodmeen emissary."
                    "And with that, she was gone."
                    "… He helped unite the goblin clans, gained new allies, an entire army at his disposal…"
                    "This evening really was a huge success, in many ways."
                    scene black with fade
                    "He should’ve known when to call it quits."
                    #$ tuesanFinaleTorture = True
                    #$ avatar.add_exp (1000)
                    #$ goblinFinale = "tuerow"
                    #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                    return

                "Leave. {i}Now.{/i}":
                     # $ released_fix_rollback()
                     "I’m sorry Tue-San, I… I shouldn’t have come. I’ll leave you to your work."
                     show rowan necklace shock at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                     "He started walking towards the exit, feeling her hateful glare on him every step of the way. Once he was at the doors, she turned around, and started clearing out the scrolls on the table."
                     hide rowan with moveoutleft
                     hide tuesan with dissolve
                     "Earlier that day, he helped unite the goblin clans, gained new allies, an entire army at his disposal… Tue-Row’s wedding was his victory, without a doubt."
                     scene black with fade
                     "But one could never have everything."
                     #$ tuesanFinaleTorture = True
                     #$ avatar.add_exp (1000)
                     #$ goblinFinale = "tuerow"
                     #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                     return

        "Stand your ground. (Scene 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            ro "You misunderstand, Tue-san. I am here because I value the people I work with. And I understand and respect everything you’ve done for Tue-Row, and Gobnagoz as a whole."
            ro "And because I suspect that out of everyone here, the weeks that will follow will be hardest on you. Maybe in some part because of me, but… As you said, one cannot gain something without sacrificing something else."
            "Yes, I am here out of concern for you. But I do not come to apologise. I would like to think we both respect each other too much to care for such platitudes."
            #tuesan concerned
            show tuesan neutral at midright with moveinright
            "He withheld her withering glare, and after a long moment, it finally lost some of its intensity. Tue-San sighed, and sat back at the table."
            tues "You may be a better judge of character than I suspected you to be. Your sympathy is noted, and fully disdained."
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            "He smiled ever so slightly. For her to crack a joke right now… Maybe he made a better impression on her than he imagined."
            ro "So would you mind if I stayed a while?"
            if tuesanBonusSexSeen == False:
                #tuesan neutral
                tues "I would. There is much work to be done, and if the King isn’t resting as we talk, then I see no reason why we should."
                ro "He’ll need someone to look after him once he’s done with Zii. And isn’t he the one who always tells you to take the time to unwind?"
                tues "… I suppose."
                tues "Fine, you’re right. I’ll have some rest."
                "That was surprisingly quick. He half expected her to follow it up with some snide remark, but Tue-san simply cleaned up the scrolls on the desk, and headed for the exit. She really didn’t waste any time."
                show tuesan neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                tues "I’ll see you around, Blackwell."
                ro "Want me to walk you to your room?"
                tues "That will not be necessary. And…  Thank you for dropping by."
                hide tuesan with moveoutleft
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "He held the door for her, as they both left the war room. In the end, almost everything was resolved to his satisfaction. And while this wasn’t a perfect ending for her…"
                scene black with fade
                "But one could never have everything."
                #$ avatar.add_exp (1000)
                #$ goblinFinale = "tuerow"
                #$ avatar.mp -= 5
                return
            else:
                tues "There is much work to be done, and the King isn’t resting as we talk."
                ro "I am sure he takes some breaks… You don’t leash someone if you don’t intend to keep them helplessly flailing at some point."
                tues "Speaking from personal experience, Blackwell?"
                ro "As if you had none on the matter."
                #tuesan neutral
                tues "… A valid remark. And you are correct, there are several break periods in his schedule. They were deemed necessary for his physical health."
                ro "Then I see no reason why you shouldn’t do the same. And maybe… What Tue-Row is taking a break from, you should rather indulge in. "
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "He made his way to her desk, under her watchful, cold glare. Just as he was about to be in arm’s reach, she raised her leg, and ran her heel into his chest."
                tues "You overstep, Blackwell. We had an agreement. One night, and one night only."
                ro "It was less of an agreement and more of a dictate. And we don’t have to do anything together. Just let me provide some comfort, will you?"
                ro "Since we aren’t doing apologies, consider it… A sign of appreciation."
                "Her cold eyes kept watching his every move, as he first took off the shoe that was placed against his chest, then knelt before her, gently grabbed her other leg, and took off the other. He placed a gentle kiss on her shin, lightly caressing her thighs."
                tues "..."
                "He was expecting some scathing remark, or yet another refusal. But Tue-San seemed torn - something Rowan chose to instantly capitalise on."
                "He reached up, grabbed the edge of her pantyhose, and slid it down. He took it off, and knowing her preference, neatly folded it and set it aside on the table, something that got an amused snort out of her."
                if kissedTuesan:
                    tues "Charming. But you try to pull something off like last time…"
                    ro "I’ll behave. Promise."
                else:
                    tues "Charming. You really do know how to behave… "
                    ro "High praise, coming from you."
                    tues "Don’t let it go to your head, Blackwell."
                scene cg1871 with fade
                pause 2
                show cg1872 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1873 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show cg1874 with dissolve
                pause 2
                show tuesan neutral behind cg1871
                "He pushed her leg up, and Tue-San laid it down on the desk. Maybe it was the exhaustion from earlier, or maybe it was a direct result of how comfortable she was starting to feel around him, but Tue-San finally let herself relax her posture."
                "She slid down her chair just a little, allowing him easy access as he pushed her thighs open. Slouching, she watched him without speaking a word, granting him the initiative just this once."
                "It was a blessing he could only use for good. He leaned in to leave a soft kiss on her cunt, then another, worshipping her lower lips with his mouth. He was gentle - she was in no need for further excitement that night."
                tues "Haa…"
                "The soft, appreciative moan was his reward, and was all the encouragement she could will herself to offer. His tongue danced over her cunt, licking and teasing her entrance, letting her sink into pleasure."
                tues "Haaa… Ah…"
                "That slow, deep breathing of hers was different from the way she was back then, that night when she rode him. He snuck a glance upwards, and saw she had her eyes clothes, and her lips slowly parted."
                "She let herself be vulnerable with him. Of all the victories of today… This one was the sweetest."
                tues "Ha… Faster."
                "He obeyed without question, thrusting his tongue into her wet folds, while she snuck her hand onto his head, running her fingers through his hair, then grabbing it possessively. She held him in place, urging him to try harder, to go faster."
                "And he did, not caring that her juices ran freely down his chin, licking and sucking without restraint. Her breathing grew faster, more hectic, and she started to thrust her hips into his face, not caring for decorum anymore."
                tues "Yes… Just- just what I needed!"
                tues "Keep going! Keep going Rowan!"
                tues "A-Ah- Ah! MMmmm!"
                "Biting into her hand to stop herself from crying out loud, she wrapped her legs around his head and let ecstasy seize her. Robbed of all mobility, Rowan left a long, passionate kiss on her pussy, and let her ride that sensation in full."
                scene bg70 with fade
                "… A moment later, he was finally able to untangle himself."
                show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
                show tuesan neutral at midright with dissolve
                ro "Feeling better?"
                tues "… Yes. Your efforts are much appreciated, Blackwell."
                show rowan necklace happy at midleft with moveoutleft
                "With a soft sigh, she pushed him away, and reached for her pantyhose to dress herself."
                ro "It’s the least I could do. Are you sure you don’t want to take a longer break? Tue-Row will need you by his side once he’s done with Zii."
                tues "… Again, you are correct. I am starting to find it a little jarring."
                ro "As if. You wouldn’t exchange for any other of your goblin servants."
                tues "… Let’s call it quits for today, so we can capture some sleep before the guests start to sober up."
                show tuesan neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
                ro "Want me to escort you to your room?"
                tues "There’s no need. I bid you goodnight, Blackwell."
                hide tuesan with moveoutleft
                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                "He held the door for her as they both left, trying not to smile. In the end… Things would work out with Tue-San. Just as they did with the clans."
                scene black with fade
                "This was his complete, and full victory."
                #$ tuesanFinaleComforted = True
                #$ avatar.add_exp (1000)
                #$ goblinFinale = "tuerow"
                #$ avatar.mp -= 5

    return

# \events\room_events_7.rpy
label mindless_helayna_2_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    # $ mindlessHel2Available = False
    # $ mindlessHel3Available = True

    scene bg14 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Although Helayna slowly seemed to become more patient, Rowan always had to mentally prepare himself for what his room would look like after a week away."
    "Whenever her sexual frustration peaked, none of the maids were willing to go near Helayna beyond delivering meals. For them, there was no telling if a lust-maddened Helayna would try to visit violence upon them– or if she would be trying to get up their skirts, if not get them to fuck her in some way."
    "Normally, the well-trained slaves and servants throughout Bloodmeen would simply preserve through it. Rowan’s claim on Helayna and Jezera’s decree of his ownership over her, however, kept them at bay."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Rowan had tried to assure them that so long as his room was cleaned and Helayna wasn’t harmed, he wouldn’t mind them having to restrain her, perhaps with the twins’ help."

    else:
        "Rowan had tried to order them to do it anyway, but they were far more frightened of the blue-skinned demon than her servant."

    "In the end, Helayna’s state was his problem, and he would always have to take responsibility for it."

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Fucking her as soon as he could after a return would always get Helayna to calm down enough for the maids to come in with their mops, dusters and so on."
    "A (not so) slightly passive-aggressive comment from one made Rowan aware that he might just be rewarding Helayna with that approach, training her subconscious to associate tipped-over furniture and broken vases as a way to get fucked."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "So today, Rowan was taking a different tact. After being apprised of his plan, some of the maids reluctantly joined his reunion with his lust-crazed lover."

    else:
        "So today, Rowan was taking a different tact. After being apprised of his plan, some of the maids reluctantly joined his reunion with his lust-crazed pet."

    #new cg - Rowan x Hel spanking
    scene cg1791 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1791
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1791
    pause 2
    show cg1792 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Helayna’s default assumption was that their sex would always follow in the path of their first time together - her ass high and her head low. As he approached her, she panted with anticipation and dropped down to present herself as always. One of her hands went straight to her thighs, eager to spread her sodden sex."
    "Rowan didn’t take out his cock as he bent down. Helayna didn’t pick up on the clue that she wasn’t about to get a hard dicking, wiggling her hips temptingly. He grabbed both of her arms and pulled them behind her back, side-by-side, pinning them with one hand."

    ro "You can’t keep doing this, Hel."

    hel "Ahmm, aahhh, Rowan, Rowan, Rowan–"

    #new cg - var 1
    show cg1793 with sshake
    pause 2

    "{b}THWACK{/b}. Rowan’s other hand came down across Helayna’s ass, producing a loud crack of skin-on-skin that the maids ignored. Helayna cut off from panting his name with a gasp of surprise followed by a squeal of a yelp."

    hel "Haaaa!"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Bad Helayna. Bad!"

    else:
        ro "Bad slut. Bad!"

    "The next spank came faster, harder, and proved to only be the first of many."
    "Rowan had intended to keep going until Helayna seemed to calm down or couldn’t take any more, but he had underestimated his former student’s tolerance for pain– and, of course, just how much corporal chastisement would appeal to the part of her that loved him being rough with her."

    #var 2 - squirting
    show cg1793 with sshake
    pause 0.5
    show cg1794 with dissolve
    pause 0.5
    show cg1795 with dissolve
    pause 2

    hel "Rrrrowan, yes, yessss, yesyesyes–"

    "She took to the admonishment about as well as she took to Rowan’s praise. Three minutes of stinging slaps against her ass left it far redder than her hair, and resulted in her gushing cunt adding to the mess that the maids would have to clean. "
    "One noticed the spill on the carpet and sighed, stepping over to quickly mop it up with a cleaning rag."

    show cg1796 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "After a certain point, Rowan had to acknowledge he didn’t seem to be chiding Helayna at all so much as giving her more of what she needed."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "He could have stopped, but… she was enjoying it, and the maids were used to this kind of thing anyway. Hel certainly didn’t seem ashamed (or even aware) of the others around them."

    else:
        "He could have stopped, but Helayna was enjoying it, and her ass looked good when it matched her hair."

    scene black with fade

    "When the maids finished, Rowan and Helayna got down to business as usual. His hand was no replacement for his cock."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_48.rpy
label take_a_stand_rp:

    $ andrasFavors = 10
    $ rowanGaySex = 5
    $ rowanAndrasSex = 5
    $ NTR = False
    $ skillCheck = True
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg6 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "This can't be right…"

    "The hero flipped through his reports again, his brows scrunching in concentration as he read through the paperwork. With each pass over the files, the problem made even less sense to him."

    ro "These measurements don't make sense. That physically can't go there, unless… Did I misplace something…?"

    "Hunching over his desk, Rowan shuffled through thick piles of paper that had managed to stack up into tall parchment towers over the past few days."

    show andras angry behind bg6

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "...an!"
        an "ROWAN!"

    else:
        an "...ant!"
        an "SERVANT!"

    hide andras
    show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan jolted, nearly smacking his head on the demon's elbow as he sat upright at his desk. Papers fluttered to the floor as Andras hovered over him from behind, his lips curled into a devilish smirk."
    "With a sigh, the hero bent down to retrieve his paperwork."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        ro "Yes, Andras?"
        an "Come. I am in need of your services and expertise."
        "Placing the fallen papers back on his desk, Rowan regarded the demon curiously. It was rare for Andras to ask for his help, but to ask for his expertise in anything took him doubly by surprise."
        ro "My expertise? What do you need help with?"

    else:
        ro "Yes, master?"
        an "Get up! I have an important task for you."
        "Rowan eyed the demon warily as he placed his papers back on his desk. With so much on his plate as it was, the hero wasn't sure he could manage much more."
        ro "What kind of task would that be, exactly?"

    an "We are going to Venlafax. There is an item there I'm interested in acquiring."

    ro "I've never heard of Venlafax before. Where is it?"

    an "It's a small village in the middle of some farmland. Don't worry about the specifics–we won't be there for long."

    "A small headache pulsed at Rowan's temple as he recalled their last expedition that Andras had {i}also{/i} promised would not take very long. He rubbed at the spot, glancing at the pile of paperwork still waiting for his attention."

    ro "Are you sure this is not something you can handle on your own? There are still many things that require my attention today."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "Where's the fun in that? You're too uptight! Fuck your work and indulge every so often."
        "The hero gave the demon a flat look. It was a lot of words for Andras to say that there was no {i}real{/i} reason that Rowan needed to be there. His attendance would be nothing more than a lackey to witness whatever marvel Andras stumbled upon this time."

    else:
        an "Tch. Of course I can. This isn't about whether I can manage shit, it's about whether {i}you{/i} can follow orders."
        "The hero fought back a sigh of irritation. Rowan had thought this might be some small attempt for Andras to once again flaunt his power over his steward, but it still annoyed him nonetheless–especially when there was plenty of work to finish {i}without{/i} Andras dragging him on another excursion."

    ro "And what sort of item is it we're getting?"
    ro "(Something useful, I hope? The last trip might have been a waste, but if we're getting something to improve the army, that might be worth–)"

    an "I've been visiting a glassblower there. We spent three nights working on a magnificent piece of my own design."
    an "It needed some time to cool, but it should be ready now."

    "Of all the things Rowan expected to come out of the demon's mouth, glassblower was not one of them. What could the army possibly need a glassblower for? Blacksmiths, he understood, but glass? "
    "Rowan looked back to the paperwork, then to the demon standing confidently before him. For as many improvements the twins demanded amongst the castle, they left their steward with very little time to accomplish them."

    ro "Is it urgent we pick this thing up soon? Can it wait another week…?"

    an "{i}No.{/i} We are getting it today."

    "The inherent stubbornness of the demon grated on Rowan's already frayed nerves. Rowan took a deep breath to collect himself. He had to remember that this was a half-demon prince he was upset with–not exactly someone that he wanted to intentionally piss off."

    ro "I– Fine. Okay. You… How is this going to help the army?"

    "Andras looked taken aback."

    an "What?"

    ro "How is your creation going to help the {i}army{/i}? Is it some kind of improvement for the barracks, or some kind of weapon, or…?"

    "Rowan tried to give him the benefit of the doubt. Surely Andras wouldn't just demand his attention to go on some self-important excursion {i}again{/i}, right? {i}Right{/i}?"

    an "This has nothing to do with them! It's a creation of my own volition. Those half-brained rabble wouldn't appreciate the finer mechanics involved in something like this."

    ro "So it's a project for yourself."

    an "Tch. Obviously. Who else would it be for?"

    "The steward's headache pounded in his skull. Rowan bit back a frustrated noise and gripped the edge of his desk to ground himself. In the back of his mind, between the fog of pain and frustration, he could see the false measurements on his paperwork still taunting him."

    ro "I can't."

    "Andras's brow quirked in irritation. Rowan was testing the limits of his patience once again, but this time, the hero could not back down."

    an "You 'can't'? You can't do {i}what{/i}?"

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        ro "I can't go with you today, Andras."
        an "And why not?! I gave you an order!"
        ro "If I followed your every whim, then nothing around the castle would get done. Do you see how much paperwork I have to get through today?"
        an "Give it to that elf slut you have of a secretary to do. Where is she anyway?"
        ro "Dealing with other critical jobs for you and your sister. Besides, this..."
        "He indicated a particular form."
        ro "... is what I personally need to sign off on. Since I only get one day a week to deal with running the castle, I don't have the time or the resources to follow you into every idealistic hobby you want to try."
        ro "We need to be focusing our efforts on {i}actual{/i} issues the army is having."
        "Rowan pressed his palm flat against the paper containing the very issue he'd been lingering over since the morning."
        "It needed a resolution sooner rather than later, and each bickering disagreement with Andras only ate up more of his time he could have dedicated to solving it."
        "The demon scoffed, crossing his bulky red arms across his chest."

    else:
        ro "...I can't go with you today, Master."
        an "Come again? I wasn't offering, I was ordering you to accompany me. This is not a request."
        "Rowan's lips pressed into a tight line, holding back all of the words he wanted to spit back at the demon. Andras was already angered, he did not need to provoke him further."
        ro "There is too much work to do. I simply {i}do not have the time{/i}."
        an "Then get someone else to do it! Isn't that fucking elf slut you have good at more than sucking you off?"
        "Rowan rubbed his temples, warding off the ferocious thumping against his skull. After taking a breath he indicated a particular form."
        ro "This is what Liurial couldn't resolve herself, but that's besides the point. We shouldn't be wasting time and resources indulging in hobbies when there is already so much to do for the army's preparation."
        ro "There are {i}actual{/i} issues that need to be addressed, in case the thought slipped your mind."
        "The steward expected his master to give in to a tantrum, but Andras crossed his arms over his broad chest instead, glowering at Rowan with every ounce of displeased authority the demon could muster."
        "Rowan had to admit, it was effective."

    an "And what problem is so important that you must disobey me to fix it? You've gotten too comfortable in your position. Perhaps you have forgotten that {i}I{/i} am the one in charge here, and if I tell you to so much as lick the floor I walk on, you'll get on your knees with {i}pleasure{/i}!"

    "The demon loomed over Rowan, every bit as horrific and intimidating as the hero remembered when he'd first arrived. If Rowan was smart, perhaps he would have conceded, but the steward was exhausted from his endless work and found Andras's attempt at intimidation irritating at best."
    "Rowan held out the paperwork he'd mentally labored over for the past few hours. Andras snatched it from his hands and briefly glimpsed it over."

    an "The fuck is this?"

    ro "It's a report I received this morning; half of the army is out sick. Everyone is falling behind on their duties because we're short staffed."

    an "So what? Tell the idiots to quit their whining and push through it! I'm raising an army, not a fucking basement of children!"

    ro "It's not that simple. They caught some kind of infection that's sweeping through the whole barracks. I've managed to quarantine most of them for now, but if we let it spread, all of Bloodmeen could be out of commission for a while."
    ro "We need proper medical care if we're going to continue housing this many people. I've been talking with Skordred about plans to add a medical wing, but we've run into some complications…"

    an "Such as?"

    ro "The medical wing needs to be fairly large so it can house several soldiers at a time. Ideally, we'd also want easy access so anyone injured can have a clear path to get there for immediate attention."
    ro "...Unfortunately, the only spaces that make the most sense are the throne room and Skordred's workshop. Obviously the throne room won't work, and we would want some kind of direct connection to the barracks anyway–"
    ro "–but then there's the issue of the castle infrastructure; we can't do too much construction in this area of the castle basement without the whole thing collapsing."

    an "Then just move it somewhere else! I don't see how this is a problem."

    ro "Hm. {i}You{/i} try telling Skordred that his prized workshop needs to move."
    ro "Even if he went along with it, that still doesn't solve our problem of the infrastructure."
    ro "Not to mention how much noisier it would be if Skordred had to move into the throne room. It's already a struggle to focus sometimes…"

    "Scowling, Andras shoved the steward out of the way and peered down at a set of blueprints of the castle across the table. His expression eased into concentration as he saw the issue Rowan had described."

    an "Hmph. That's frustrating."

    ro "Precisely. It's an issue that needs to be handled soon, though. The longer we wait, the quicker the army's infection will spread."

    "Andras glared down at the blueprints, but he did not argue. Rowan could almost see the demon coming to terms with their predicament; they needed this expansion too badly to drag Rowan away from such important work."
    "Reaching around him for the sheet of measurements, Rowan cleared his throat."

    ro "So, as you can see, I don't really have the time to–"

    an "I will find a solution."

    ro "You– What?"

    "Finally ripping his gaze from the blueprints, Andras looked Rowan over with slight offense."

    an "What? You don't think I'm capable?"

    "Rowan was too stunned to speak for a moment. Swallowing his surprise, the steward shook his head."

    ro "It's not that, it's just… I thought this work was beneath you?"

    an "Under normal circumstances it is, but this particular problem has interested me. It's a sort of puzzle and I want to solve it."
    an "Does that satisfy you?"

    ro "Well, yes, that does {i}help{/i}…"

    an "Is that all, then? You have nothing else?"

    ro "I wouldn't say {i}nothing{/i}, I still have plenty of work to do–"

    an "Great! There's nothing to keep you here, then."
    an "Hurry up. I want to make sure it turned out exactly as I imagined it."

    hide andras with moveoutleft

    "Andras was already walking out of the office, fully expecting his steward to follow behind. Rowan hesitated, the backlog of work still eating at him."
    "With the greatest of his issues promised to be resolved by the half-demon prince himself, Rowan supposed he owed Andras a short trip in exchange…"

    scene bg31 with fade

    "Pushing aside his reluctance, Rowan followed Andras. After a brief exchange with his sister, they were through the portal and onto a wide expanse of farmland. The demon quickly disguised himself, but there was nothing human behind Andras's malicious smirk as he viewed the small rooftops of the village of Venlafax in the distance."

    show andras disguised happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    an "This way."

    hide andras with moveoutright
    hide rowan with moveoutright

    "Rowan and Andras ventured toward the pointed roofs and plumes of smoke billowing out from rooftops. The hero didn't even realize they'd entered the village until he saw a few locals going about their business for the day. "

    scene bg1 with fade
    show andras disguised happy at midright with dissolve
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The village itself was smaller than he'd expected, with homes spread out between thick fields of wheat and trees."
    " Rowan had trouble imagining what use there'd be for glassblower out here, but sure enough, a small painted sign of a wine glass over fire caught their attention. Andras entered quickly, leaving Rowan to catch the door before it smacked him in the face."

    an "Siegal!"

    "An old man–Siegal, Rowan presumed–did not look up from his blowpipe, his white hair pulled back as he watched a bubble of molten glass form on the other end and gestured his guests inside."
    "The shop was small, with several simple glass products displayed on wooden shelves; figurines, cups, bowls, but most prominently, vases. Rowan admired the artwork from afar, certain he would break something if he stepped too close to one of the displays."
    "Andras had no such qualms; he lifted and set down as many fragile products as he could, cocking his head at what Rowan assumed were newer creations since his last visit."

    an "Where is it, Siegal? You didn't pawn my creation off to some idiot, did you?"

    "The old man waited a moment before removing the blowpipe from his lips with a huff. He took a large gulp from a cup of water nearby before scowling at Andras."

    siegal "After you threatened me with eternal damnation? Yes, I sold it off to the first buyer."

    "Siegal rolled his eyes as he struggled to climb off of his stool before carefully placing the molten glass inside of a nearby kiln to cool."

    siegal "Don't be ridiculous. I have it saved in the back. I didn't think it fit in with the rest of my products up front."
    siegal "Wait here for just a moment."

    "The old man shuffled to a room in the back, disappearing behind a thick purple curtain. Rowan raised a brow at his demon companion."

    ro "Eternal damnation?"

    an "I had to be sure that he wouldn't replicate it. I won't have some idiot making a fortune off of {i}my{/i} ideas."

    ro "I didn't know you knew how to blow glass."

    an "I didn't until four days ago."

    ro "And you already created something?"

    an "Of course. I don't take years to perfect every skill like {i}some{/i} mortals do."

    "Rowan bit back his retort as Siegal returned from the back with a glass vase in hand. He offered the vase to Andras with little interest."

    siegal "Now that it's cooled, is this more of what you had in mind?"

    an "Yes, this will do nicely."

    "Now that the steward got a better look at it, the vase was oddly shaped compared to the ones displayed; it more closely resembled a beaker with a small glass spout sticking out from one side near the base."

    an "I wanted to make the spout a snake head, but you just can't blow glass like that..."

    "It was unlike anything Rowan had ever seen. Apparently, Siegal thought similarly."

    siegal "Hm. Can't imagine why you would want a vase designed like that, but I suppose it'll make watering your plants easier."
    siegal "Now if you'll excuse me, I have an order I must fulfill."

    "Siegal returned to his stool without so much as a backward glance, ready to return back to his hard work."
    "Thankfully, Andras did not seem to mind the old man's slight, already too preoccupied with admiring his new treasure as he stepped out of the shop. Rowan hurried to catch up."

    ro "I thought you made some kind of new creation, but this…"

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "--is more than it appears, Rowan. Wait until we're back at the castle; I'll give you a little test run."

    else:
        an "--is more than it appears, servant. Wait until we're back at the castle; I'll allow you to witness its full might."

    scene black with fade

    "Rowan wasn't sure he wanted such a thing, but kept his opinion to himself as they returned to Bloodmeen and ascended the stairs to Andras's room."

    scene bg41 with fade
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    "Andras's room was messier than Rowan could have predicted. The steward paused in the threshold as Andras strode in and set the vase on his mattress, moving instead to rummage through a half-open drawer across the room."
    "Gadgets, collectibles, trophies, and figurines all cluttered the walls and floor, the room more closely resembling the aftermath of a hurricane than a sleeping chamber. Rowan spotted the heat capsule Andras had so desperately wanted now discarded on the floor, forgotten with other dust-covered tools."

    an "There it is."

    "Rowan's attention fell back onto the demon as he lifted a pouch from his drawer. Andras opened it to reveal a hefty amount of purple-pink herbs, so small they almost resembled tea leaves."

    an "Don't just stand there with your cock in your hand. Come in."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Rowan wasn't sure where to go. Carefully stepping over the mess on the floor, Rowan joined Andras atop the bed. The demon scooped some of the herbs and placed them into the small spout at the decidedly not-vase's base. Then he attached a hose of some kind."

    an "Grab that pitcher of water there."

    "It took Rowan a moment for him to spot the pitcher, but he did as told, pouring it into the beaker as Andras instructed. Reaching under the bed, Andras grabbed a box of coals which he placed on top of the device and lit on fire."
    "The hero recognized the scent that filled the room instantly. A memory from his war days came to the back of his mind when soldiers from Qerazel would roll up similarly colored herbs and smoke them to ease some of their anxiety before battle. Nightglove, he thought they called it."
    "He'd never seen the herbs used in this way, though."

    if andrasFavors >= 4:
        an "Put your mouth here and inhale."
        "Andras pointed to the beaker. Rowan hesitated, eyeing the unusual vase."

    else:
        "Andras put the hose to his mouth and inhaled deeply. The demon relaxed almost instantly, the tension in his muscles easing as the smoke worked its way through his system."
        if rowanCorrupt > 30:
            "Rowan recognized the look of euphoria across Andras's face as he took another hit and almost felt a pang of jealousy. Nightglove was uncommon to come across already, and after all of the stress associated with his position as the demons' steward, he desperately needed an outlet to relax."
        else:
            "Rowan watched a look of euphoria cross Andras's face as he took another hit. The demon looked utterly relaxed and contented–a far cry from how the steward felt after a hard day's work."
        "The demon must have felt him staring. Andras turned to Rowan with a lazy smirk and held up the vase."
        an "What? You want to try it?"
        an "Get on your knees and beg me for it. Perhaps I'll consider sharing."

    menu:
        "Return to work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', -1)
            "As much as the steward could have used a stimulant for relaxation, he'd already wasted enough time away from his work. With only one day a week to resolve every pressing issue in the castle, there was little room for pleasure."
            ro "I should get back to work. There's still a lot I have to finish taking care of."
            an "You're serious? I've already agreed to take on your construction shit!"
            ro "That's only {i}one{/i} piece of work I have to finish for the day. In fact, I've already spent so much time on it that I've fallen behind on plenty of other reports that need to be addressed."
            ro "For all I know, there's something even more time-consuming in my pile of reports."
            "As he said it, Rowan grimaced. That would be just his luck, wouldn't it?"
            ro "If you want the castle to continue operating smoothly, I need to return to work on those reports."
            "Andras glared at his steward, obviously displeased with Rowan's decision. Still, the demon was not immune to reason–and it was obvious to Rowan that the demon preferred the comfortable operation of his castle over the steward's company."
            an "Tch. Have it your way. I don't need a lame ass sticking around to ruin my trip."
            "With that, the demon took a long, exaggerated hit from the vase. Rowan sighed and left Andras to his stimulant as he returned to work."
            scene black with fade
            "Paperwork seemed a lot less appealing, but if he continued now, at least he might be able to finish before midnight…"
            return

        "Smoke from the vase. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            scene cg1763 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1764 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1765 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1766 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1763
            show andras smirk behind cg1763
            #$ change_favor('andras', 1)
            if andrasFavors >= 4:
                ro "This isn't going to poison me, is it?"
                an "Ha! If I wanted you dead, I have more entertaining ways to do it."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    "Taking that as a {i}no{/i}, Rowan decided it was safe enough and inhaled from the beaker."
                    "The smoke from the herbs infiltrated his system immediately, releasing a tension in his shoulders and fulfilling him with a contented sense of euphoria."
                    "He passed the vase back to Andras, who took a longer hit."
                else:
                    "It wasn't an outright {i}no{/i}, but Rowan doubted he was going to get a clearer answer. He viewed the herbs instead reluctantly, trying to recall any adverse side effects his troops had shown when they'd smoked Nightglove."
                    "He couldn't think of any. Clasping the vase, Rowan inhaled from the beaker."
                    "A sudden wave of dizziness overcame the hero as he inhaled too much smoke at once. Rowan pulled his head away and fell into a coughing fit, much to the amusement of the demon beside him. Andras roared with laughter, snatching the hose from his steward."
                    an "Let me show you how a real man does it."
                    "Pressing his lips to the beaker, Andras took an impressively long hit."
                "Rowan leaned back against the bed and waited, allowing the new sensation to flood through him. A few minutes ticked by and his skin began to tingle. The steward tapped his fingers slowly, fascinated by the distant feeling between his fingers and his movements. His body lagged as if he were trapped in a dream."
                "The men passed the vase back and forth a few more times, inhaling the smoke until Rowan felt an uncontrollable giggle burst from his lips. Andras joined his laughter, the bed jostling slightly underneath them."
                jump postAndrasSmoke_rp
            else:
                "Shame coiled in the steward's stomach as he reluctantly climbed off the bed and settled on his knees before the demon. Andras reveled in his position of power above him, even more pleased with his steward's embarrassment than usual."
                "Rowan gritted his teeth and fought back the urge to stand. His tasks were particularly frustrating as of late, and if presented an opportunity to relax, he needed to take it."
                ro "Please let me smoke some of your herbs, Master."
                "Andras's grin was malicious."
                an "Sure. Knock yourself out."
                "Rowan tried to ignore the demon's mocking laughter as he accepted the hose and pressed his lips to it."
                if skillCheck == "success":
                    "The smoke from the herbs infiltrated his system immediately, releasing a tension in his shoulders and fulfilling him with a contented sense of euphoria."
                    "Rowan breathed a sigh of relief, accepting one more hit before Andras snatched it away."
                else:
                    "A sudden wave of dizziness overcame the hero as he inhaled too much smoke at once. Rowan pulled his head away and fell into a coughing fit, much to the amusement of the demon beside him. Andras roared with laughter, snatching the hose from his steward."
                an "How does it feel?"
                "It took Rowan a moment to answer. The herbs' smoke worked through his system and eased whatever pressures had been pounding at the back of his mind. His body tingled and movements felt detached from his body, as though he were in a sluggish dream."
                ro "Heh, pretty good, I think."
                an "That's how it's supposed to feel. Sometimes it'll make you paranoid though."
                an "I'm almost disappointed. It would have been fun to see you lose your shit."
                "The demon chuckled darkly to himself before taking another hit from the vase."

    label postAndrasSmoke_rp:

    if rowanGaySex > 0:
        "Andras's gaze roved over the steward, a lazy smirk forming over his face as he eyed the hero's crotch."
        an "Hm. You should be thanking me for sharing my crap with you."
        ro "Ah, right… Thanks. I feel a lot more relaxed now."
        an  "Not good enough. {i}Show{/i} me your appreciation."
        "The demon removed his already-protruding loincloth, revealing the extent of his red erection."
        menu:
            '"Thoroughly" show your appreciation (Scene)':
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                # $ rowanCorrupt += 5
                scene cg1767 with fade
                pause 3
                show andras smirk behind cg1767
                show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1767
                if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                    "Rowan's throat ached at the thought of the demon's cock shoving its way into his mouth once again. This wasn't the first time Andras demanded such a thing of him, so what did it matter if he gave in again?"
                else:
                    "It wouldn't be his first time having sex with another man, Rowan decided, so what was one more?"
                "Climbing across the bed, Rowan grasped Andras's thick shaft in his palm and got to work."
                an "Hm… That's better."
                "The demon propped his head up behind his arms to get a better view as Rowan jerked him off."
                "Andras's erection grew stiff under the steward's ministrations and, from the jerk of Andras's hips, Rowan knew the demon was ready to move on from simple handplay."
                show cg1768 with dissolve
                pause 3
                "Lowering himself against the bed, Rowan ran his tongue along Andras's shaft."
                "The demon rocked his hips with the movement. His erection rubbed against Rowan's tongue, allowing Rowan to set the pace as he properly thanked his Master."
                "Rowan took the demon's cock between his lips and swirled his tongue around the tip."
                if andrasFavors >= 4:
                    an "Stop pussyfooting around. Are you appreciative or not?"
                    "Rowan smirked, secretly pleased that the demon had not yet physically forced him to adhere to his own preferences. Was that a sign that he trusted Rowan to follow through?"
                    ro "I'll get there, don't worry."
                    an "Hurry up. I'm not a patient man."
                    ro "So I've noticed."
                    show cg1769 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1770 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1767
                    "Slipping his clothes onto the floor, Rowan positioned himself on the demon's lap. Andras's interest increased as the hero carefully maneuvered himself over the demon's cock."
                    an "Yes, yes, that's {i}much{/i} better."
                    "Before Rowan could tease him with more foreplay, Andras drove his cock into the hero's ass, pressing as deeply as the steward's taut hole would allow."
                    "Rowan yelped, surprised by the sudden intrusion, but there was a pleasurable sensation to his Master's rushed movements as well, especially when paired with the euphoric high he felt from the herbs."
                    "The hero moaned as Andras fucked him from below. He bounced atop the demon's lap at Andras's speed, but he felt as if he couldn't keep up, that each thrust and grope was too fast for Rowan to keep track of."
                    "Pleasure poured through Rowan's every pore. Each sensation heightened, his desire and need for the demon's cock increased tenfold as Andras pushed deeper, deeper, deeper still."
                    ro "Fuck… Shit, Andras–!"
                    show cg1770 with sshake
                    show cg1770 with sshake
                    show cg1771 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1771 with sshake
                    show cg1771 with sshake
                    show cg1772 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1773 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1774 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Andras laughed as he came deep in the fallen hero's asshole and it wasn't long before he felt cum splatter across his broad chest, as the sensation of hot demon spunk filling his ass was too much for Rowan to bear."
                    "By then, the hero felt uncomfortable not only because of his eager submission but also from the forced friction, but the addition of semen made it easy for Andras to slip out of him."
                    "After cleaning himself up, Rowan and Andras enjoyed a few more hits off of the vase before Rowan reluctantly returned to his duties downstairs."
                    # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                    # $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                    return
                else:
                    "Tired of Rowan's slow ministrations, Andras grabbed the hero by his hair and forced his mouth down upon the demon's cock."
                    an "That's more like it. Take it in, bitch, every inch."
                    "Rowan gagged but complied, struggling to meet Andras's urgency. Each thrust pushed deeper down the hero's throat, forcing the hero to accept him in full."
                    "The steward's head rocked up and down as Andras set the pace. He shoved Rowan's head down but the hero did not object."
                    "In fact, Rowan felt his own sort of pleasurable shame from the act."
                    "Although he tried to deny it, there was no ignoring the stiffening erection in Rowan's pants nor the way he willingly let Andras use his mouth as little more than a fuckhole."
                    an "Do you {i}like{/i} this, you little slut? You're a bigger whore than I thought!"
                    "Rowan couldn't deny it with Andras's cock down his throat, but even if he wasn't busy sucking the demon off, he wasn't sure he could argue against it."
                    "With the addition of the smoked herbs, Rowan felt a sort of euphoria at being under Andras's thumb he hadn't felt before. His body reacted positively to each one of the demon's movements, almost as eager to please him as Rowan felt."
                    "Andras's hips rocked violently against the steward's face until he came with a grunt. Semen poured down Rowan's throat as Andras held his head there to accept it all."
                    "Rowan gasped for air when Andras finally let him go, collapsing back onto the bed. The shame didn't settle in until afterwards as Rowan cleaned up."
                    "Andras didn't argue as Rowan excused himself back to work, eager to store the day's events away in the back of his mind."
                    # $ rowanGaySex += 1
                    # $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
                    return

            '"Thanks" should suffice':
                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ rowanCorrupt -= 5
                if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                    "In moments like these, Rowan wondered if ever giving in to the demon was a mistake."
                else:
                    "Rowan swallowed hard, pointedly ignoring the erection positioned in his direction."
                "Although he appreciated the moment of relaxation, that didn't mean he had to give in to Andras's whims every time the demon found it suitable."
                ro "...I said my thanks, and I've already wasted enough time away from work. There's still a lot that needs to be done, so I should–"
                an "Oh shut the fuck {i}up{/i}. You're killing my trip."
                if NTR:
                    an "Get the fuck out of here if you're such a lame ass. I'll just get your wife to suck it instead."
                    "The statement irked Rowan, but considering their inebriated state, he couldn't tell if Andras's threat had any meaning behind it. The demon didn't look inclined to leave the comfort of his bed, much less find Alexia."
                else:
                    an "If you're going to be such a lame ass, get out. I've got better things to do than listen to you bitching in my ear."
                ro "Hm. You should be glad for the work I do. This castle would have crumbled to the ground without my help."
                an "You're still fucking {i}here{/i}?"
                an "I don't want to hear another word unless it's 'Yes Master, let me suck your delicious cock'."
                "Frustrated, Rowan turned and left the room, the high of the herbs fading as he returned to his office desk. So much for a moment of relaxation."
                return

    else:
        "The men relaxed against Andras's bed for a little while longer, chuckling over the mismatch of gadgets around the room and creating new, impractical ideas for how to use them in the army before Rowan recalled the paperwork downstairs and left to resume his duties."
        return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 7.rpy
label ophelia_and_indarah_rp:

    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ andrasTavernVisit = True
    $ opheliaName = "Ophelia"

    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Is Alexia obedient to the twins?"
    menu:
        "Yes - Jezera":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Yes - Andras":
            $ alexiaAndrasObedient = True
        "No":
            pass
    

    scene alexia_tavern_1 with fade

    "It was the tail end of another long shift in the tavern, and Alexia was quite looking forward to putting her bottom down and her feet up."
    "As the evening guests filtered out, she moved through the room collecting empty tankards and plates, exchanging smiles and brief conversation with some of the travellers as they prepared to pack in for the night."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "She kept one hand at the ready and her hips nimble, slapping and dodging at the occasional stray hand that sought a fleeting touch of her hiney. This late and this deep into their cups, those so inclined lacked the coordination to get remotely close to a good fondle."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Alexia stopped at a couple of tables in particular, wishing particularly good nights to those she had been flirting with on-and-off throughout the evening. With those men and women, she emulated Indarah’s well-set example, not shying away from not-so-innocent touches on her hips or a hand resting on her behind."
        "Those she favoured so were even welcome to a squeeze or two before she drifted away, certain they would leave a sizable tip for the privilege. And, for that matter, that they would be leaving with a hard tip or tips of their own, be they man or woman."

    else:
        "A few drunk men and women saw those minutes as the last call on their chance to get a little Rosarian red, so to speak. Alexia didn’t try too hard to deter fleeting touches or grazes, knowing the tips they left behind on the table would be all the better for it. "
        "Those who got too grabby got a behaviour-rectifying thwack."

    "Most nights, Indarah would be out on the tavern floor with her at closing time, but for the last couple of weeks she had been– well, unreliable. Only late at night, but still."
    "With Jak away on business for an extended period, the nameless watering hole’s owner had gotten swept up by their long-term guest. After Ophelia’s performances on the stage, it wasn’t rare for her and Indarah to spirit away an hour or two before closing."
    "Whether or not the Islander helped the Prothean in the performances, the very act of the minstrel taking the stage seemed to ignite something in them both; Indarah always watched on with something close to lusty admiration on her face, and Ophelia was happy to indulge."

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve

    "And it wasn’t a secret {i}what{/i} she was indulging. Indarah was not a quiet woman, and Ophelia didn’t seem inclined to try and keep her hushed until the tavern wound down for the night."
    "Most guests didn’t notice their noise over the din of the tavern’s main room, further dampened by the door, but Alexia certainly did every time she went behind the bar."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31:
        "It had been inconvenient at times, but Alexia tried not to hold it against either of them. The two women were clearly enjoying each other’s… company a great deal, and who was she to deny them that?"
        if alexiaJezObedient:
            "Not that it was {i}fair{/i}– it wasn’t like her mistress ever came around to…"
        elif alexiaAndrasObedient:
            "Not that it was {i}fair{/i}– it wasn’t like her master ever came around to…"
            if andrasTavernVisit:
                "Well. Maybe Andras didn’t, but Lord Daniel Dras did, which was basically the same thing, so…"
        else:
            "Not that it was {i}fair{/i}– it wasn’t like her husband ever came around to…"
        "She paused, then wrinkled her nose and gave her head a shake, trying to pull her head out of the lewd ditch it had stumbled into before dropping off the last set of tankards behind the bar. The last of the guests headed out the front door."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
        "Though she had yet to bring it up, Alexia had found herself growing quite vexed with it all– it was unfair. It was bullshit. Not just getting saddled with the extra work while Indarah literally fucked off; Ophelia had been teasing and tempting Alexia for so much longer that it actually {i}stung{/i} to lose the perverse minstrel’s attention."
        "Had she done something wrong? Had Ophelia been disappointed by her fondling? Was she just not that into her? If not, why wasn’t she in the back room instead of Indarah? Or at the very least, why wasn’t she back there WITH Indarah?"
        "Alexia wet her lips as she stepped behind the bar to drop off the last set of tankards; the last guests were departing at the same time, leaving her alone."
        "Jealousy already had her {i}other{/i} lips quite wet."

    else:
        "Alexia had been increasingly tempted to give Indarah a piece of her mind over it, but– when she heard the laughter and moans coming from the tavern’s back room? Her will to do so always flagged and faltered."
        "What was {i}really{/i} bothering her was the fact that she wasn’t back there with them, that she wasn’t even invited."
        "The very reminder of that fact left her pussy a bit damper, with an uncomfortable fire lit in her loins and rosy cheeks. Thankfully, guests made their own biassed presumptions about that."
        "The last of the guests headed out the door as she stepped behind the bar."

    "In the quiet of the room, the voices from beyond the door were particularly audible."

    #ind aroused
    show indarah neutral behind bg21

    ind "Oh, fuckin’ goddess–"

    ophe "Mmm? Am I your fucking goddess, Indearah? Do you think that I’m a stand-in for Solnasia? That might get you in trouble with the church, and I am a pious woman. Perhaps I should report you; you may just be a slut of chaos."

    "Alexia lifted her fingers to her mouth, almost giggling at the uncomfortable absurdity of {i}that{/i} accusation, between Ophelia’s piety and the awkward reality of Indarah’s situation. Her own situation, too."
    "For a moment, Indarah didn’t speak, but her throaty groans picked up unimpeded as she struggled for an answer. Alexia had to wonder if she was even thinking about her allegiance to demons– if she was fretting over the possibility that Ophelia knew something, or might have been a spy."

    ind "What… do you want me to say, you fuckin’ insatiable cunt-craving monster? That you’re a goddess or that I’d never–"
    ind "Oh, fuuuuuck."

    ophe "Hmmmm…"

    "Alexia cleared her throat softly, glancing down at the tankards she needed to clean. She needed to do that before heading back to Bloodmeen, but– even if she retreated to the kitchen with them, she was going to continue hearing Indarah and Ophelia’s private play."
    "If she found some other chore, though, she could probably wait them out and avoid overhearing far too much information. Alexia glanced up, green eyes starting to scan the main room for options on the far side of the tavern."

    label opheBarMenu1_rp:

    menu:
        "... clean the windows.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "... wash the tables.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "... sweep the floor.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "... crawl under the tables to collect loose change.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "... pick up forgotten cloaks for the lost and found.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "... snuff out the lights.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"
            jump postOpheBarMenu_rp

        "More choices. (Any choice but this for the scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump opheBarMenu2_rp

    label opheBarMenu2_rp:

    menu:

        "... just hide in the far corner.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her choice made, Alexia drew in a deep breath and set down the tankard she had picked up, beginning to head around the bar to the safety offered by the other side of the room."
            "Before she could get more than two steps, however–"

        "... Hover awkwardly and indecisively.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if alexiaAndrasObedient or alexiaJezObedient:
                "This was just another one of those situations that life as a house wife in a rural village had {i}not{/i} prepared Alexia for. It was a little like ‘being kidnapped by demons who lie about your husband’s continued existence and proceed to seduce you into infidelity’, in that regard."
                "Alexia grimaced."
            else:
                "This was just another one of those situations that life as a house wife in a rural village had {i}not{/i} prepared Alexia for. It was a little like ‘being kidnapped by demons who then use you as a hostage to ensure your husband’s loyalty’, in that regard."
                "Alexia grimaced."
            "She wavered between her options until–"

        "... Reflect on what life choices led here.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia breathed in deep, deciding the best thing to do, ultimately, would be to hold her ground. Do a little thinking, keep her hands busy, and try to ignore the present until she could leave in good conscience."
            "Before she could do much of either, however—"

        "... Fuck it, just clean the tankards.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Alexia breathed in deep, deciding the best thing to do, ultimately, would be to hold her ground. Do a little thinking, keep her hands busy, and try to ignore the present until she could leave in good conscience."
            "Before she could do much of either, however—"

        "... Fucking fuck it, eavesdrop.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her decision made, Alexia turned towards the door hiding away the pair’s debauchery. She steeled herself and took in a deep breath, before taking a resolute step for the door. As she reached out towards it, however–"

        "Barge in uninvited!":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Her decision made, Alexia turned towards the door hiding away the pair’s debauchery. She steeled herself and took in a deep breath, before taking a resolute step for the door. As she reached out towards it, however–"

        "Back.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            jump opheBarMenu1_rp

    label postOpheBarMenu_rp:

    show alexia barmaid shocked at center with dissolve

    ophe "I want you to say “come in and watch, Alexia.”"

    "Alexia froze up, though heat rushed into her cheeks."

    show alexia barmaid aroused at center with dissolve

    ophe "I want you to say “come in and see what I let Ophelia do to me when we leave you alone, Alexia”."

    "She stared at the door with wide green eyes."

    ophe "I want you to say “I’m sorry that I’m not sorry that I’m such a slut, Alexia”."

    ind "Oh, you’re a fuckin’ demon if I’ve ever met one."

    ophe "Don’t keep me waiting."

    ind "… You’re serious?"

    ophe "Do I look like I’m joking?"

    "That question invited immediate silence as an answer, but it did not last long. Alexia took a step towards the door without realising it, fingers clutching at her skirt. After a shaky, breathless laugh, Indarah recited Ophelia, nearly word-for-word, lacking reservation."

    ind "Come in and watch, Alexia. Come in and see what I let Ophelia do to me when we leave you alone out there."

    "The invitation was clear: her presence was welcome. Alexia took another step forward, swallowing softly and lifting a hand towards the door’s knob."

    menu:
        "Go inside. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Before Alexia could touch the door’s knob, it turned and the door began to pull away from her. She pulled her hand back. Slowly but surely, it opened wide, revealing what had been previously kept away from her eyes."
            #cg 1
            scene cg1775 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1776 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1777 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1778 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show indarah neutral behind cg1775
            "Indarah greeted Alexia with a loose grin, flushed but not embarrassed by her near-nudity; all of her clothes sans her thigh-high boots were off. She had been busy, and it showed in her physical state, skin glowing and glistening with sweat."
            ind "Hi, Alexia."
            "Alexia opened her mouth, unsure of what to say. Glancing past her friend, she could see Ophelia just a bit deeper into the room– luxuriant and wearing naught but her own smile. Indarah filled the silence, her grin growing a little more lopsided and wry in the process of going off-script."
            ind "I’m sorry that I’m not sorry that I’m such a slut, but uh– she’s kinda fuckin’ good. Are you sure you want to watch?"
            "Alexia had already made her decision. She nodded, closing her mouth."
            ind "Then c’mon in before some fucker gets up to take a piss and tries to invite themselves. Women only tonight."
            "The Islander reached out, grabbing Alexia’s wrist with damp fingers and drawing her through the door. It closed behind her, and the redhead immediately felt overdressed, trapped in the small room with two of the most beautiful women she had ever known."
            "Two of the best-endowed, too– her own breasts were nothing to be ashamed of, but Indarah and Ophelia redefined what Alexia considered buxom. Her eyes caught on Ophelia’s for a moment, sticking to the Prothean’s brazenly displayed body like her gaze was caught by glue."
            #cg 1 - var 1
            show cg1779 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "From tip to toe, Ophelia was everything that Alexia would have expected and more– slim but with some toning that suggested some of the minstrel’s more action-focused tales could have really involved her, yet flagrantly feminine."
            " Her cunt seemed proud to be on display, having clearly received its fair share of attention from Indarah’s painted lips already."
            ophe "You have such pretty eyes, Alexia. They might just be my favourite part of you."
            "The comment made them snap up from Ophelia’s nudity to the minstrel’s golden gaze, her calm smile shifted to a smirk."
            al "T…thank you?"
            ophe "Tonight, you can use them as much as you’d like– but you’re not ready to join us yet, I think. So if you want to remain in here, you’ll keep your mouth shut and your hands to yourself and in plain view."
            ophe "I wouldn’t want your wedding ring to get soaked and just slip off! Besides, we’re nearly done."
            ophe "Is that understood?"
            "Alexia hesitated but nodded, taking a step back and to the wall. Without further remark or acknowledgement of the redhead, Ophelia turned her focus upon Indarah, lifting her free hand and crooking her finger in a come-hither."
            "Wide hips swinging, Indarah sashayed her way towards Ophelia once more. The pale Prothean shifted herself on her perch, reaching up with both hands to grace the Islander with grazing hands, delicately drawing her forward."
            "Indarah went with eager willingness, climbing upon the desk to straddle Ophelia’s lap, knees tucked in against the other woman’s thighs."
            ophe "Now, we’ll have to show Alexia a bit of what she missed tonight before we pick up where we left off, my dear Indearah. Can your sweet cunt handle a delay?"
            ind "Yeah…"
            "Indarah’s hands came to settle upon Ophelia’s hips, trailing along her sides."
            #cg 2
            show cg1780 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Ophelia smiled faintly at her. Her own hands grew more bold, confident and ready for action. They rose along Indarah’s belly, soon coming to cup and palm the heavy tits no mortal hand would have been able to fully grasp."
            ophe "I thought as much. You do love putting on a show, don’t you? And not just flaunting what a gorgeous body you’ve been blessed with– you enjoy being used and commanded in front of an attentive audience."
            "And Alexia was exactly that. The implied brevity of this display and the fact that she wasn’t going to be allowed to join them was disappointing, but what she was watching demanded her whole focus. Her breathing was as shallow and quick as Indarah’s as the Islander bit at her bottom lip, nodding."
            "Indarah’s back arched, pressing herself into Ophelia’s increasingly rough hands."
            ophe "Mmm. What a perfect woman that makes you. I’m {i}almost{/i} tempted to steal you away from this place. You’d make a lovely partner for the road, and that’s not something I say lightly. A slut like you needs someone to obey and follow."
            ind "Like… fuck I’d fuckin’... I’m not a fuckin’ slave–"
            #cg 2 - var 1
            show cg1781 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1782 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Indarah’s breathy protest came to an abrupt end when Ophelia lifted her chin and caught her lips, a short but hard kiss leading into a bite and tug on her bottom lip. As Indarah groaned, Ophelia changed things up a third time, her long and devious tongue snaking past Indarah’s mouth."
            "Alexia closed her eyes briefly, clutching at the side of her blouse to busy her hands. When they reopened, the kiss was still going on, intense and simmering with scorching heat– driven by a power and passion Alexia had never experienced herself. There was no love to it, except perhaps love of lust itself; a mastered addiction to it."
            "When it ended, Indarah was panting, eyes heavy-lidded. Ophelia smirked at her, head tilting."
            ophe "You’ll do whatever I tell you to do if you want to cum one last time tonight. Won’t you?"
            ind " … fuck you, yeees."
            ophe "Then keep your mouth closed until I tell you to cum."
            show cg1783 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Indarah complied promptly, lips sealing as she squeezed her eyes tight. Ophelia abandoned her tits, in a sense– her hands slipped away from the soft, touch-craving mounds. One of her arms slipped around Indarah and hugged her close, their breasts squeezing, almost fighting for dominance over their contrasting rivals."
            ophe "There’s a good, obedient slut. Almost makes me want to bring you to bed tonight."
            "Her other hand reached back, picking up the empty bottle of wine sitting to the side– a common thing around Ophelia that Alexia didn’t give a second thought towards. The redhead blinked, for a moment confused and expecting Ophelia to try and take a drink."
            show cg1784 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "She almost turned towards the door to start fetching another one preemptively, but the way Ophelia lifted it to her lips and wet its neck with her tongue made her pause. The minstrel was a lush, but no lush did {i}that{/i}."
            "Once it was sufficiently slick for her purposes, Ophelia touched the bottle’s lip to Indarah’s back, dragging it down over her spine… through the valley of her ass’ crack… and then just a tiny bit lower."
            "Alexia’s eyes widened with surprise, then darkened with interest. She wasn’t going to use it for… {i}that{/i}, was she? Indarah tensed with anticipation, a faint moan not quite fully stifled by the tight set of her lips."
            show cg1785 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Ophelia let out a soft laugh at the sound, as close to a giggle as Alexia had ever heard out of her lips. She shifted her golden eyes over to where the redhead hovered, unafraid to lock eyes as she began to push the bottle into Indarah’s waiting twat."
            "Alexia couldn’t hold that eye contact for long, however, gaze drawn by the glassware sinking inside of Indarah slowly but surely. She had never considered using something like… {i}that{/i}… for {i}that{/i}."
            "Indarah’s moan built, hips asquirm, muffled twice-over now by both her buried face and her shut mouth."
            "The saliva on the bottle’s lip and neck couldn’t be enough lubricant for the job, but the Islander was wet and ready for it in her own right. It slowly squeezed inside her puss bit by bit, without Ophelia rushing her work."
            show cg1786 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Without looking away from Alexia, Ophelia moved her lips to Indarah’s ear, humming softly into it as the last bit of the bottle’s neck disappeared into her. It wasn’t a large insertion by any stretch of the imagination, but the way Ophelia manoeuvred it nevertheless garnered bodily tremors throughout the Islander."
            "Alexia tried to imagine it, shifting her hips, unable to avert her gaze and unwilling to."
            ophe "That’s good, isn’t it? You’d be happy with anything put inside you, so long as it was me putting it inside you. Especially with your friend watching you."
            "Indarah’s moans heightened as she nodded her dark head against Ophelia’s pale neck. Leisurely, Ophelia dragged her free hand’s lacquered nails up along Indarah’s back; they ventured into her riotous curly mane, disappearing for a moment."
            show cg1787 with dissolve
            pause 2
            ophe "Tell me who you’d rather get off in front of. Three dozen strangers, or Alexia."
            "Her hand reappeared as she grabbed a hold in Indarah’s hair, pulling it back and making the tavern’s proprietress break her contact with Ophelia’s neck. With glassy eyes, Indarah proved incapable of keeping her mouth shut any longer; she struggled to look at the Prothean and seemed to stare more at the ceiling as her orgasm neared."
            ind "I– fuckin’– Alexia, Alexia, Ophelia, Alexia–"
            "Alexia nearly squeaked."
            ophe "And Alexia is watching. Cum for me, but scream for her. I want to hear her name like no woman has ever said it before, like–"
            show cg1788 with dissolve
            pause 2
            ind "ALEXIA!"
            "And at that, Alexia {i}did{/i} squeak, hand leaping up to cover her mouth. Uncomfortable, hungry warmth suffused her core."
            "Indarah cried out her name, every bit the submissive wanton that Ophelia demanded her to be. The cry itself lasted much longer than the name on her lips, long and wordless as her body writhed atop Ophelia’s lap."
            "Her arms wrapped ferociously tight around Ophelia, and Ophelia held her with a matching passion. The Prothean released Indarah’s hair, but drew her in by the back of her head as the wailing cry ended, tucking her face against the crook of her neck once more."
            hide cg1786
            hide cg1787
            hide cg1778
            show cg1786 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "For as long as it lasted, however, Ophelia kept the bottle moving– not fast, not hard, but sure and confident of even the slightest twitch. When she finally slipped it out, Ophelia’s inner pink clung tight, unwilling to release it until the last moment. Hints of her feminine spill gleamed in the room’s dim lighting."
            ophe "Good girl. Such a good girl. I love that about you."
            ind "… fuckin’... bitch… damn…"
            ophe "You’re so sweet."
            "Alexia wasn’t certain if that was a comment towards her or Indarah; Ophelia’s eyes were still on her, her grin tapered down to a smile that bordered on saccharine. She lifted the bottle slowly, giving its heavier end a wiggle in the redhead’s direction."
            ophe "But the show’s over, now, and you still have work to do. So take this and take your leave, won’t you? Give a woman and her slut some privacy, Alexia, for goodness’ sake."
            "Alexia blinked sharply, then cleared her throat. After a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward, needing to remind her legs how to move. She reached out tentatively and took the bottle from Ophelia, stepping back and looking down at the bottle’s top half, glistening and gleaming with everything Indarah’s cunt stained it with."
            al "What… What do you want me to do with this…?"
            ophe "Shhh. We’re cuddling. Go away. You’ll have your turn, eventually."
            "Without an apparent care beyond that shush, Ophelia dismissed Alexia with a flick of her fingers, and the redhead retreated quickly from the room, closing the door behind herself."
            scene black with fade
            "It was impossible to keep what had happened off her mind as she got back to tidying up for the night; she frankly didn’t do a very good job of it. At least no more lurid sounds came from behind the door."
            "Alexia stopped short of washing the wine bottle to be reused. She took it back to Bloodmeen with her."
            return

        "Stay out.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            show alexia barmaid concerned at center with dissolve
            "Alexia dithered with her hand extended towards the doorknob. There was no telling what would happen once she touched it, turned it and went through that door, and she could immediately come up with numerous very good reasons not to proceed."
            "Someone had to clean up and close up the tavern for the night."
            "For all she knew, Ophelia could be doing something to Indarah that she’d find wildly uncomfortable."
            if alexiaJezObedient:
                "Would Jezera have a problem with it? Would she see Ophelia as some form of competition and come to quash her?"
            elif alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "She shuddered to think of what Andras might do, if he found out about Ophelia."
            else:
                "She was married, for Solnasia’s sake! What would Rowan think?"
            "Either way, once the door opened, there would be no closing it, no undoing or unseeing whatever it was that awaited her there. Perhaps it was more nerves than it was fear of the consequences."
            "It was one thing to overhear Ophelia’s dalliances with strangers, and quite another to hear and see her commanding the woman that Alexia ostensibly worked for."
            "The knob began to twist and the door began to pull outward. Swallowing hard, Alexia reached out quickly to grab it and yank it shut before Indarah could reveal what waited beyond the portal. The Islander grunted with surprise."
            al "I– I’d rather not, to be honest. Not tonight. There’s– there’s a lot to do at the end of the night, you know, so–"
            ind "Oh."
            ophe "Oh. Oh, hm, that’s a good point. She’s not exaggerating, is she? Whenever I stick around this late to watch you two, it’s mostly to watch you bend over and so on."
            ind "Well, yes–"
            ophe "Well then! You’d best get dressed and get out there quickly to help her. We like Alexia too much to burden her with all that extra work while we play, don’t we?"
            ind "But–"
            ophe "Don’t we?"
            ind "I haven’t–"
            ophe "Don’t. We."
            "Several seconds of silence followed, all the more uncomfortable for Alexia without any idea of what the other two were doing in the other room. She cleared her throat."
            al "I, I think I can manage on my own–"
            ophe "Nonsense. She’s already getting dressed. I’ll scratch my own itch while she helps you, and if she’s a good girl and finishes up quickly, I’ll get that pout off her face before passing out for the evening."
            "Mussed and haphazardly dressed, a stormy-faced Indarah emerged from the tavern’s backroom a few moments later. She gave Alexia a look of exasperation and tossed her hands up in a silent ‘what the fuck’, moving without much of her usual grace as she went straight out to the tavern floor."
            "What followed was the most awkward twenty minutes of cleaning that Alexia had ever endured, but also the quickest– usually, it took about an hour alone and working together only shortened it to forty minutes. Indarah was eager to get back in there."
            "The last thing Alexia heard before she slipped out back to call for her teleportation home was Indarah’s throaty moans and Ophelia’s amorous laughter."
    
    return

# \events\chaos_inc_4.rpy
label cormalda_calling_map_rp:
    
    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ rowanGaySex = 0
    $ scene_skipped = False

    "Skip to the CG content? There is a lot of dialogue before it."
    menu:
        "Yes - Skip to the CG":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ scene_skipped = True
            jump cormalda_calling_map_skip_rp
        "No - From the start":
            pass

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    # $ cormalda_calling.mark_objective_done(o_id="cormalda_02")

    scene bg1 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "The village by Rastadel was small, barely more than a few shops and houses. A large house–an estate, really–sat apart from the rest, its land mingling with that of a nearby farm."
    "The farm itself looked as if it had been pushed off its original land, shoved far to the side so that it touched the border of the forest. "
    "It was an odd place for either home, or at least Rowan thought so."

    ro "I guess some people really like their privacy."

    "As he ventured into the village, a loud growl caught his attention. The sound was familiar, although Rowan couldn't quite place it."
    "An older man passing by shook his head, a look of irritation on his face."

    hest "Damn it… Not again."

    ro "What's happening?"

    "The gruff man pointed towards the farm with a huff."

    hest "Ask that bastard in there! We've been dealing with his shit for months now."
    hest 'Goddess, it\'s a wonder we haven\'t driven him out of town yet. I keep sayin\', good ol\' mob mentality will do it, but "nooooo, Hestor, you can\'t just {i}run people off their land{/i}."'

    $ hestName = "Hestor"

    hest "Well back in my day, we did more than that. It's not like the old days anymore…"

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Hestor hobbled off, continuing to grumble under his breath about days long gone. Rowan chuckled and watched him go in amusement."
        "There was something inherently entertaining about the old man's mentality. Rowan was sure Andras would appreciate Hestor's ideals."

    else:
        "Hestor hobbled off, continuing to grumble under his breath about days long gone. Rowan watched him go, thrown off by the exchange. The old man's ideals were dangerous, and something Rowan was glad to see them left in the past where they belonged."
        "Perhaps not far enough in the past. Wasn't he doing the very same thing for the twins?"
        "Rowan shook his head and swallowed hard, pushing back his guilt."

    "He glanced back at the farm, the growls still echoing throughout the village. Rowan couldn't deny that he was intrigued."

    menu:
        "Go to the farm.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ cormaldaFarm = True
            $ cormaldaEstate = False
            "Surely he had a little time to spare, right? It wasn't as if he'd been given any deadlines for his return."
            "Turning around, Rowan made his way up to the farm."
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Up close, it looked even more dilapidated than he'd expected; the fence had been repaired and broken and repaired again more times than he could count. The fence stretched out into the forest, and the farmhouse had been constructed in a rush, as if there had been little time to prepare."
            "Before he could call out a greeting, something stirred between the trees, its shining eyes locked on Rowan."
            questi "Oi! Enough 'o yer fightin' now, ya hear?"
            "The owner of this strange farm emerged from the forest, his long dark hair pulled back haphazardly as he tugged on a leash. The beast on the other end growled, still hidden in darkness."
            nole "Ya think I'mma let ya wander 'round these parts? No sir, ya got this situation all wrong."
            "He tugged again, finally pulling the creature into the light."
            "A drider– a {i}drider{/i} –followed behind the farmer, its sharp canines barred. The farmer seemed unconcerned about the drider's behavior, simply leading it back into the pen."
            nole "Ya, ya, growl at me all ya want. It ain't makin' dinner come no faster, ya hear?"
            "The farmer stopped when he spotted Rowan leaning against his fence, his grip tightening on the leash."
            nole "Whatchu want?"
            "Rowan stared back at him, speechless. The last thing he expected this farmer to come dragging out of the forest was a {i}drider{/i}."
            "But his silence only furthered the farmer's hostility."
            nole "Look, I ain't movin' an inch more, ya hear? Ya can tell that bellyachin' noble {i}parasite{/i} that he's got more 'an enough land for 'is damn horses–"
            ro "I'm not here on behalf of the noble."
            "Rowan finally managed to find his words, unable to take his eyes off of the snarling beast. But even with the drider's hostility, it didn't move to attack anyone. {i}Odd{/i}."
            nole "Then whatchu want?"
            ro "Is that… Is that {i}your{/i} drider?"
            nole "Tch. Who else's would it be?"
            "Shaking his head, the farmer led his drider back to a large barn near the back of the field. Rowan hadn't noticed it at first, but he could make out black legs of other driders shuffling inside."
            "The farmhand returned shortly after, the snarling ceased."
            ro "What are you doing, exactly?"
            "The farmhand's eyes narrowed."
            nole "Who wants to know?"
            ro "Forgive me–my name is Rowan. I came here looking for an item my friend mentioned, but this…"
            "Rowan glanced back at the barn with a grin."
            ro "Well, I think you two would get along just fine."
            $ noleName = "Nole"
            nole "Well, welcome to Whitefield, Rowan. Name's Nole– and these here are my pets."
            "Rowan nearly choked."
            ro "{i}Pets?{/i}"
            "Nole shrugged, glancing back at the barn."
            nole "Close enough to what they are–they'll be gettin' released back in the wild soon enough. Gotta wait for them babies to hatch."
            ro "…I have so many questions."
            nole "Bet ya do. Wait on the porch here, I'll grab us some drinks."
            "Rowan did as told, his gaze locked on the barn as he sat on one of the old whicker chairs on Nole's porch."
            "The farmhand returned shortly after, two glasses of water in his hands, and explained everything."
            ro "So you breed them?"
            nole "Breed and release–population's dwindlin' round here on account of that damned noble's sport huntin'. Ya know what happens when driders disappear?"
            "Rowan shook his head."
            nole "Then we get overpopulated with other critters. Then what feeds on the driders comes lookin' for other prey–and we're a mighty good size for 'em to eat."
            nole "I figure, if lord bastard-face is gonna kick me off my ol' land, might as well put my new one to good use. Can't do much farmin' here with the trees in the way, but it's good access to the drider nests. Least I can do a lil good in the world."
            ro "It doesn't seem like the town appreciates it very much."
            "Nole laughed, waving his hand toward the village."
            nole "Course they don't! They're lil lord bootlickers!"
            nole "They'll get used to it. Don't got much of a choice."
            "A new sound arose from the barn–equally familiar, but certainly not a growl. Rowan cocked a brow."
            nole "Looks like 'er ready for matin'. I been needin' to calm 'em down 'fore they get to it. 'S hard, bein' round all these people for 'em, but they manage."
            "Perhaps he'd come to the right place after all. "
            ro "How do you calm them down?"
            nole "Y'know, 's funny, I got an 'ol shell thing from my gramps that they've taken a likin' to. Don't bother me none, but they sure is calm after bein' round it."
            "Rowan opened his mouth to ask more, but another angry yell stole his speech."
            questi "YOU!!!"
            "Both men turned toward the sound, Nole's expression slipping into revulsion as they watched a skinny man–perhaps a decade older than Nole–in fine pressed clothes storm up to the porch. He slipped a little in his shoes, the material not quite built for fields."
            "There was only one person in the village who could dress so extravagantly."

        "Go to the Estate":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ cormaldaFarm = False
            $ cormaldaEstate = True
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan shook his head and walked toward the estate. He didn't want to spend all day here; the sooner he spoke to the noble about the cormalda, the better."
            "The hero approached the humble estate and knocked thrice."
            "A young woman in a maid's outfit answered shortly after, her face scrunched up in suspicion as she eyed Rowan up and down; visitors were clearly a rarity."
            maid "Can I help you…?"
            ro "My name is Rowan. Is your lord in?"
            maid "He isn't taking visitors."
            "The maid started to shut the door, but Rowan slid his foot between the crack."
            ro "It's regarding the Cormalda– I heard he was asking about it in town."
            "The maid hesitated, and Rowan could see the conflict on her face as she debated sending him away regardless."
            "Instead, she opened the door wide and gestured for him to follow."
            maid "You can wait for him here in the parlor. I'll let him know of your arrival."
            "With a formal curtsy, the maid disappeared back into the hall. Rowan said in one of the plush chairs and waited."
            "A few minutes passed before a tall, lanky man in his forties strode into the room, dressed in a rich emerald green. He smiled, taking in every inch of Rowan with his sharp gaze."
            hayw "Rowan! A pleasure to meet you, my boy."
            ro "The pleasure is all mine."
            "Haywood sat down in one of his chairs and waved his maid away, only for her to return shortly after with a set of drinks. He took a sip, offering the other to Rowan. The hero obliged."
            hayw "Now, I hope you haven't traveled far; I'm afraid my inquiry has already been handled."
            ro "You've already found a cormalda?"
            "Haywood nodded, but it was a reluctant gesture. He tilted his hand back and forth with uncertainty."
            hayw "More or less. It wasn't the device itself I was searching for, you see, simply information. "
            ro "What type of information?"
            "Haywood sighed, his attention drawn outside of the window. Rowan saw the farm in the distance, its fence cutting through into the forest."
            hayw "We've been dealing with a little pest problem as of late; my neighbor didn't own as much land as he thought he did and was rather distressed when he had to move upon my arrival."
            hayw "He's chosen to spite the town by taking in wild beasts from the forest. I hunt down as many as I can, but there's only so much you can do when your neighbor insists on {i}breeding more{/i} next door."
            ro "I see. That sounds like a frustrating situation."
            hayw "It is! No one feels safe with those {i}driders{/i} running around–"
            ro "Driders?!"
            "Rowan gaped at the man, unable to contain his shock. He'd expected {i}something{/i} strange from the forest given Lord Haywood's distaste, but the last thing he'd imagined a local farming tending to was {i}driders{/i}."
            "Lord Haywood nodded grimly, his focus and ire reserved for the farm across the fields."
            hayw "Indeed. He claims he's tamed them, but I've seen them break the fence and escape. They are wild creatures! A wooden fence isn't going to keep them out, no matter how well trained they are!"
            "Rowan couldn't disagree with that– even Draith took greater precautions when it came to housing the driders in Bloodmeen."
            hayw "Not to mention the noises they make! The growling and the snarling and the grunting and the {i}heaving{/i}–"
            "Haywood gave a shudder of disgust."
            hayw "How is a soul supposed to get some sleep around here when those ugly black masses are bumping and grinding all throughout the night?!"
            ro "Have you spoken to your neighbor about this, Lord Haywood? Perhaps he can take on another pet project."
            "One that wouldn't endanger the town would be a good start."
            hayw "Of course I have– we all have! The blasted man won't listen. Nole is perhaps the most stubborn man I've ever met, besides myself."
            "Before the lord could continue, a feminine voice cleared her throat from the doorway."
            "Rowan looked up to see a young woman in a soft pink dress, her long hair piled into a fashionable updo. She glared at Lord Haywood, her arms crossed over her chest in disapproval."
            questi "I thought we weren't accepting guests."
            hayw "Bah! Leave me, Cynthia. Can't you see I'm busy with work?"
            cynth "I would hardly call this work, {i}my lord{/i}."
            "She hissed the title, her distaste written on her face as strongly as it is in her voice. \"Busy with work\" was clearly a common lie told in this household."
            hayw "You're my wife, not my mother. Find something to do and leave the men alone."
            "Cynthia rolled her eyes, her gaze landing solidly on Rowan. Something shifted in her expression–interest? Further revulsion?--but before Rowan could place it, the lady of the house left the room."
            "Rowan shifted in his seat and cleared his throat, attempting to ease the newfound tension in the room."
            ro "So, how did Nole manage to train them in the first place? I've never heard of driders sticking around confines so… flimsy."
            "Flimsy was a generous term to give the fence– it looked downright ready to fall apart, having been through more repairs than it could handle."
            hayw "The cormalda, of course. That is why I wanted to know about it– I had to know how he was managing this."
            "Lord Haywood leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper."
            hayw "If you're interested in helping this town, I'd be more than happy to compensate you for your efforts. "
            ro "What is it you want me to do?"
            hayw "You see, no matter how frustrating those beasts are, there's nothing I can do to convince the mayor to get rid of them. They've yet to hurt anyone, so they are not a liability– {i}yet{/i}."
            hayw "But if we smash the cormalda, the driders will return to their natural state. The mayor will {i}have{/i} to do something once they attack the village."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                ro "Someone will get hurt."
                "But Rowan found he wasn't as concerned as he should have been; people got hurt every day, didn't they? And this was bound to happen anyway. Lord Haywood just wanted to expedite the inevitable."
            else:
                ro "What if someone gets hurt?"
                "Rowan was appalled by the lord's suggestion. "
            hayw "Perhaps, perhaps not. Your arrival has come as a blessing, actually; if a {i}guest{/i} to the village got hurt– fake or otherwise– I doubt they would be able to let it go."
            hayw "So, what do you sa–"
            "Before Lord Haywood could finish his sentence, a loud grunting carried in from outside. Haywood's eye twitched as he looked back out at the farm."
            hayw "What do you–"
            "The grunting got louder, cutting him off entirely. "
            hayw "That's {i}IT{/i}!"
            hayw "Come, Rowan. We're ending this now."
            "Lord Haywood left the hero little time for contemplation as he marched out of the estate. Rowan hurried after him and tried not to laugh as the noble struggled over the slick grassy fields. Clearly his shoes weren't well equipped for mundane travel."
            "A dark-haired man stood on the porch to his farmhouse, his skin tanned from the sun's exposure. He watched the two men march toward him in amusement."

    nole "Lord Barnwood. Well, ain't you a sight for sore eyes! With all that money, shouldn't they be makin' ya boots for walkin'?"

    "The lord bristled."

    hayw "That's Lord {i}Haywood{/i}, you imbecile."
    hayw "I believe I told you to cease this ridiculous affair!"

    "Lord Haywood gestured wildly toward the barn where the sexual grunts of the mating driders had become harder to ignore."

    nole "Don't see nothin' ridiculous round here. Maybe ya got the wrong farm."

    hayw "Wrong {i}farm{/i}–?!"
    hayw "I have had enough of this! Now see here, you've refused to get rid of these beasts time and time again. If you won't do it, I'll handle the job myself."

    nole "Ya ain't touchin' my pets!"

    "Nole stood up to match Lord Haywood's height, his muscles and deep tan pronounced against the noble's lean figure."
    "Lord Haywood raised an eyebrow but kept his composure as he took a small step back."

    hayw "I wouldn't dream of it– but accidents do happen, you know. I doubt anyone would blame me for ridding the village of the monsters that destroyed their homes and hunted their children."

    nole "Tch! My pets ain't never done that!"

    hayw "Not {i}yet{/i}."

    "Lord Haywood spared a knowing glance toward the barn."

    hayw "But if your… {i}techniques{/i} of taming were no longer available, well, there's very little keeping your \"pets\" from causing destruction."

    nole "You tryna threaten' me?"

    "Nole's fists tightened at his sides, ready for a brawl. Lord Haywood smirked, but there was no humor behind his smile."

    hayw "Let me put this in as many words as your adolescent mind can comprehend: get rid of those beasts {i}now{/i}, or I'll be forced to remove them {i}for you{/i}."

    jump cormalda_calling_map_skip_rp
    label cormalda_calling_map_skip_rp:
    
    if scene_skipped:
        # Replay mod: Add in scene in case we skipped
        scene bg31 with fade
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        $ cormaldaFarm = True
        $ cormaldaEstate = False

    if cormaldaFarm:
        "Lord Haywood turned to Rowan, only just noticing him for the first time. He cleared his throat and addressed the hero firmly."
        hayw "You aren't from here. You're not related to this fool, are you?"
        ro "I'm not."
        hayw "Then you can't be blamed for any sympathy towards him–an underdog has always been a popular story. "
        hayw "But don't let this boy fool you– he's become a menace to this town. Ask any of us here."
        hayw "If you were to help me remove this little problem, I would compensate you greatly."

    else:
        "Lord Haywood gestured vaguely to the farmer, a look of disgust on his face."
        hayw "Don't let this boy fool you– he's become a menace to this town. The village will be glad to be rid of him and his monsters."
        hayw "I stand by what I said earlier– help me remove this little problem, and you'll be compensated greatly."

    menu:
        "Assist Haywood in getting rid of the driders. (Scene 1 - 2)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_personal_gold(100)
            "Rowan looked back at the barn full of mating driders; it was hard to accept that their presence so close to the village was safe, regardless of what taming techniques Nole used."
            "The farm itself was already falling apart; it was only a matter of time before the driders escaped and wreaked havoc."
            ro "They can't stay here, Nole."
            nole "Wha–?! Ya can't take 'em! I won't let ya!"
            "Nole threw a punch at Haywood. Rowan jumped in, barely blocking the blow with his forearm."
            ro "Go, Haywood! Bring me the cormalda!"
            hayw "{i}Me{/i}? You want {i}me{/i} to go in there? Absolutely not!"
            "Nole threw another punch; it was easier for Rowan to stop this one, but it was difficult for him to keep up a conversation on top of it."
            ro "You want to handle the fighting then?"
            "Haywood considered, his expression troubled. Without another word, he ran toward the barn."
            nole "{i}NO!{/i}"
            "Rowan prepped for another attack that never came. Nole dodged past him and ran after Lord Haywood."
            "Rowan sprinted after, surprised by the farmhand's tenacity. Even with all that muscle, Nole had the fleeting grace of a fawn."
            "They reached the barn in time to see Lord Haywood pick up the cormalda. The noble held it above his head, ready to smash."
            nole "{i}DON'T!{/i}"
            "{i}CRASH!{/i}"
            "Rowan and Nole both reached for the device, but it was too late; the shell splintered off into large pieces against the floor."
            "The driders slowed their mating, the calm atmosphere of the barn broken at once. They looked around the room as if in a daze."
            nole "Shit! Shit, shit, {i}shit{/i}!"
            nole "Get outta here! NOW! GET!"
            "Grabbing the two men roughly by their arms, Nole all but dragged Rowan and Lord Haywood out of the barn and to the opposite side of the fence."
            nole "Ya got no idea watcha've just done! Not a damn clue!"
            nole "Now scram 'fore someone gets hurt!"
            nole "I gotta get these guys back in the woods 'fore they really lose it…"
            "Nole's shoulders slumped in despair as he trudged back to the barn, forced to free the creatures he'd worked so hard to tame."
            "Lord Haywood laughed at Rowan's side."
            hayw "I say, that was easier than I thought it would be!"
            hayw "Good job holding him off– a man that size is a trifle too much to deal with for someone of my state."
            hayw "Now, as for your payment."
            "Rowan followed Lord Haywood back to his estate, where the noble offered him a back of coin."
            hayw "That should do it. Thank you again for your help."
            "Cynthia reappeared from her bedroom, observing the two with a suspicious gaze."
            cynth "What is this all about? I heard yelling from that damned farmer again–"
            "The lord's mood visibly soured as he spared a glance toward his wife."
            hayw "Nothing for you to mind, woman. I've handled the situation, Nole won't be bothering us any longer."
            cynth "{i}You handled it?{/i}"
            "There was reasonable doubt in her eyes, and Cynthia returned her gaze to Rowan, expression softening."
            cynth "You rely on our guests for too much–surely he wasn't looking to settle more of your disputes with the town."
            hayw "What does it matter? I've paid him, it was a fair transaction!"
            "The lord paused, looking Rowan over from top to bottom with an impish smile."
            hayw "If you were looking for {i}another{/i} form of payment, though, I'm happy to oblige."
            "Cynthia stepped forward as well, cocking her head to the side."
            cynth "The last thing he wants is a useless old man like you panting over him."
            "She smirked, coiling a stray piece of hair around her finger."
            cynth "Not when he can choose something {i}younger{/i} to play with."
            menu:
                "Allow the Lord to pay you with his body. (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "Rowan bit back an amused grin. There was something delightful about this pristine older man eyeing him up with far dirtier intentions in mind."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt something stir inside of him at the suggestive look Lord Haywood gave him. There was an electricity in the air, a string pulled taut between them."
                        "And quickly, Rowan realized he {i}wanted{/i} what this man was offering."
                    ro "What did you have in mind, Haywood?"
                    "The noble grinned with the assurity of a man who knew he was getting exactly what he wanted. Cynthia scowled, put out by the hero's decision, and left in a huff."
                    "With one vague gesture of his hand, Lord Haywood led Rowan to his bedroom."
                    "It wasn't as elaborately decorated as Rowan imagined, but there was nothing cheap about the soft, heavy fabrics that made up the blankets and sheets to his bed."
                    "Rowan sat on the edge of the bed, only to be motioned to flip over."
                    hayw "If you don't mind– I do have preferences, you see."
                    "Rowan cocked a brow but didn't object as he stood and bent over, his hands pressed against the bedspread."
                    scene cg1466 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1467 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1466
                    "He could feel the lord removing his pants, but nothing prepared him for the sudden wet muscle that licked his asshole."
                    ro "!!"
                    hayw "Hah, don't worry, this is just the warm-up."
                    "Lord Haywood positioned himself on a spot on the floor, his tongue darting in and out of Rowan's taut asshole."
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "It was a strange sensation, one Rowan never imagined he would feel before."
                        "And yet, it was oddly pleasant. He felt himself inclining his ass back toward the noble's face, urging him deeper."
                    else:
                        "Rowan breathed a sigh of contentment, enjoying the sensation of Lord Haywood's tongue roaming inside and around Rowan's ass."
                        "It was a pleasurable feeling, almost a tease to what was sure to come."
                    "The lord's tongue darted in and out of Rowan's hole, his movements rough as Rowan arched his back to push him deeper inside."
                    "After a short time, it wasn't enough. Rowan was craving more."
                    "Thankfully, Lord Haywood was, too. The noble stood and tossed his clothes to the side, their heavy fabrics audibly collapsing against each other on the floor."
                    hayw "Ooohh… Yes…"
                    show cg1468 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1469 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace naked aroused behind cg1466
                    "The lord moaned as he slid himself into Rowan's open asshole, easing in one inch at a time. Rowan's ass clenched, pulling him deeper."
                    hayw "Oh, you like that too, don't you?"
                    "His fingers clenched into the bedding, back arched to meet each quick movement of the noble's cock."
                    hayw "Mmm… Yes, yes, this is what I've been missing!"
                    hayw "It's so hard to find a man around here that will just {i}take it{/i}."
                    "His words were emphasized by his thrusts, the slap of his skin against Rowan's ass creating a steady rhythm in the room."
                    "Rowan felt his pleasure build alongside the lord's, his own cock twitching as he reached his climax."
                    show cg1470 with sshake
                    show cg1470 with sshake
                    pause 2
                    show cg1472 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "A geyser of hot cum erupted from Rowan, splashing out across the dark bedspread in a stark white shade."
                    "Rowan used a spare towel in the room to clean up while Haywood collapsed back against his bed, pointedly ignoring the puddle of cum staining the bedspread just a few inches away."
                    hayw "Hah… Quite a good transaction, I think."
                    hayw "Safe travels, young Rowan. May the roads treat you well."
                    ro "Goodbye, Lord Haywood."
                    "Rowan nodded and made his departure, half-dressing himself on the way out."
                    return

                "Take Cynthia to bed. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan took the opportunity to look at Cynthia–to really look at her, from the way her dress clung to her curves and the slight mussed up state of her hair that was both careless and sexy at the same time."
                    "If he was going to pick up an extra payment, she would do nicely."
                    ro "What did you have in mind, Lady Haywood?"
                    "Rowan didn't miss the look of disappointment that crossed the lord's face as the hero turned toward the noble's wife. Her smile spread into a smirk."
                    cynth "Why don't you come with me and find out?"
                    "Cynthia left no room for argument as she strode to her bedroom, swishing her hips for Rowan's benefit."
                    scene cg1789 with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1789
                    pause 2
                    show cg1790 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her room was obviously a separate place than Lord Haywood's–Rowan couldn't imagine the man sleeping in a place filled with so much {i}pink{/i}."
                    "From the four-poster bed to the heavy curtains blocking out most of the sight of her balcony, Cynthia's room was the most feminine creation Rowan had ever seen."
                    "Cynthia was already half-undressed when he peered back at her, her underwear slipping into a neat pile on the floor before she promptly kicked it under the skirt of her bed."
                    cynth "No need to look so put off. The colour won't bite you."
                    "There was a teasing lilt to her voice as Cynthia dropped her last bit of clothing onto the floor. She sauntered toward the hero, drawing her fingers up and down his shoulders."
                    cynth "Relax. Why don't you take out all that aggression on me?"
                    "Rowan didn't need to be told twice. Grabbing Cynthia by her slender hips, Rowan pushed her toward the bed, enjoying the bounce of her ass as she landed face-first against the light comforter."
                    "Cynthia let out a slight purr as she glanced back at the disrobing hero, her eagerness showing through when she caught sight of his erect cock."
                    ro "Like what you see?"
                    cynth "I'll like it even better when it's inside of me."
                    "She wiggled her ass for emphasis, the soft folds of her pussy already wet with anticipation."
                    scene cg1237 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1238 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Gripping her rear, Rowan drove himself into her pussy, surprised by how easily she took him inside of her. Cynthia gasped, her fingers curling against the bedspread."
                    cynth "Hah–you don't waste any time, do you?"
                    "But there was an excitement in her voice as Rowan thrusted in and out of her wet folds, driving in and out of her pussy with force."
                    "Cynthia writhed against him, arching her back higher, higher–as high as she could to meet each violent drive of his cock."
                    "Rowan licked his lips, pleasure overwhelming him. There was some perverted glee in knowing that Cynthia's husband was somewhere in this estate, fully aware that his wife was being fucked mercilessly by a stranger."
                    "Perhaps that's why she moaned so loud; Cynthia's voice carried throughout the room, each gasp and whimper emphasized by Rowan's deep insertion."
                    show cg1239 with fade
                    pause 3
                    "His hands moved to her tits, squeezing and squishing the soft mounds of fat as he came, grinding hard against her ass with each hot spurt of cum."
                    show cg1240 with sshake
                    show cg1240 with sshake
                    show cg1241 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Cynthia shook underneath him, her hair wild and out of place as she too finished. Her pussy clenched, savoring the feel of Rowan's cock one last time before he pulled out."
                    "She watched him clean up and get dressed with an impish grin, once more coiling her hair around her finger. Cynthia didn't bother with clothes; she sprawled herself out naked over the bed, cum still dripping from her cunt."
                    cynth "I see why my husband invited you in. Don't be a stranger, you hear?"
                    "He could still feel her hungry gaze follow him as he left the estate shortly after."
                    return

                "Pass on their offer.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "…I think the gold is enough for now."
                    "Lord Haywood nodded, although Rowan could sense his disappointment. Cynthia scowled at his side and left abruptly, clearly put out by his decision."
                    hayw "Yes, of course."
                    hayw "Safe travels to you, then, Rowan."
                    return

        "Recruit Nole to the breeding pits. (Scene 3)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ castle.buildings['pit']._driders += 1
            #lower pits upkeep - TODO
            "Rowan looked back at the barn full of mating driders; it was an impressive sight, especially given what little resources Nole had to work with."
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "He couldn't let an asset like that go. He had better uses for it."
            else:
                "He knew if he gave Nole the proper resources he could make substantial improvements to the breeding pits."
                "If he left the farmer here, Nole's ambition would burn under Lord Haywood's fist."
            ro "Do you love these creatures?"
            nole "What?"
            hayw "What?"
            "Both men snapped their attention to Rowan, confusion drawn on their faces. Nole caught himself, nodding."
            nole "Sure I do. They can't help the way they are, they're driders."
            "Rowan felt his lips quirk into a grin. He'd heard almost the very same thing from Draith."
            "The two would get along splendidly."
            ro "How about you bring your driders and join me at Castle Bloodmeen then?"
            nole "…Eh?"
            hayw "What?!"
            hayw "You want to {i}recruit{/i} him? The man is a spiteful, petty numbskull!"
            "The lord looked between the two in outrage. Rowan shrugged."
            ro "We need caretakers, and Nole would help ease our workload."
            ro "That is, if he wants to join."
            nole "Ya! Er, ya, I'll join ya."
            nole "Better than stayin' where I ain't wanted."
            hayw "Tch. Very well– it's your mistake for taking this fool, but who am I to care. He'll be out of our village and out of my hair."
            "Haywood spared another glare at the barn of driders, unable to suppress a disgusted shiver. Shaking his head, he marched back to his estate, eager to rid himself of the entire ordeal."
            scene bg25 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            nole "Wow… This is Bloodmeen?"
            ro "Well, a part of it– you'll be spending most of your time here in the breeding pits."
            nole "I feel I oughta repay ya somehow."
            "Nole licked his lips nervously, his gaze darting over the hero's body."
            menu:
                "He can repay me with his body. (Scene 3)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    scene black with fade
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind black
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        "Rowan felt a smirk tug at the corner of his mouth. There was something delicious about the rough, muscled body of the farmhand that stirred him up inside."
                    else:
                        "Rowan felt a sudden heat rush up his neck as he looked over the rough, muscled body of the farmhand. It stirred up something both familiar and foreign inside of him."
                    ro "Come with me."
                    scene cg1303 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1304 with dissolve
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1304
                    pause 2
                    "Nole followed Rowan dutifully to a hallway just outside of the breeding pits–a secluded stone-walled space that led to nothing but storage facilities."
                    "Disguised by the darkness of the small space, Rowan turned toward Nole and pressed his hands against the taller man's shoulders."
                    "Nole got the hint, quickly moving to his knees."
                    "As the farmhand slid Rowan's stiff cock from his pants, he idly wondered how many times Nole had done this. The farmhand seemed to be a pro, easily sliding his tongue across the hero's erection."
                    ro "Ngh…"
                    "Rowan bucked his hips toward the farmhand's mouth as Nole took the tip into his mouth, running his hand up and down the hero's shaft."
                    ro "Fuck…"
                    "Rowan let out a sharp breath, urging himself further into the farmhand's mouth. He could have sworn Nole was {i}smirking{/i}."
                    "Well, if that's how things were going to be."
                    nole "Mmph–!!"
                    show cg1305 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Rowan gripped Nole's shoulders and shoved him forward, his dick sinking as deeply as it could down the farmhand's throat."
                    "The hero tossed his head back in ecstasy, nails digging into Nole's muscled shoulders as a deep-seeded burst of pleasure rushed through him."
                    if rowanGaySex > 0:
                        ro "{i}That's{/i} more like it."
                    else:
                        ro "Fuck, that's good…"
                    "Nole didn't attempt to push him away– instead, the farmer's hands reached back to grip Rowan's ass, massaging the soft flesh between his sturdy fingers as Rowan fucked his face."
                    "Rowan could feel the constriction of Nole's throat around his cock, every slight hum or motion urging him closer to the edge."
                    "Nole sensed Rowan's growing urgency, his grip on the hero's ass becoming rougher as Rowan plunged in and out of his mouth."
                    show cg1306 with sshake
                    show cg1306 with sshake
                    show cg1307 with flash
                    pause 3
                    "Rowan bit back a moan as he unleashed his cum down Nole's throat. The farmhand swallowed easily, clearly experienced in the way of blowjobs."
                    "Rowan pulled away shortly after, and Nole stepped back to wipe his mouth with his sleeve."
                    ro "Hah… Your show of thanks is appreciated."
                    "Nole grinned, almost laughing as he walked back to the breeding pits. He didn't even bother to wipe the bit of cum that had dripped onto his collar."
                    return

                "Garnish his wages.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "Don't worry, we'll be taking a small payment for your room here."
                    ro "Otherwise your help is payment enough."
                    nole "Ah. I gotcha."
                    "Nole glanced around the breeding pits in a mixture of awe and stress; there would be a lot to get used to."
                    "Rowan pointed him in the direction of Draith; the beastmaster would be ecstatic when he saw the cormalda in his new assistant's arms."
    
    return
    
# \events\ruler_events_48.rpy
label cumup_keep_rp:

    $ can_summon_Liurial = True
    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Between acting as Bloodmeen’s steward and as the twin’s agent in the Six Realms, Rowan had a lot on his plate. Two full-time jobs that both deserved his full focus, if his ‘employers’ took a moment to consider his efficiency."
    "Claiming Helayna as his had made her into his responsibility. Her needs almost demanded around-the-clock attention."
    "It was, in effect, a third job when two were already stretching him thin– to say nothing of maintaining his marriage with Alexia."

    if can_summon_Liurial:
        "At least he had Liurial to help him with administrative business."

    else:
        "At least he could delegate some of the administrative business."

    "There were times he wished he had someone to delegate the minutiae of his adventures across the countryside. His responsibility to Helayna, however, was something Rowan would never shirk."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "Other than when he was tired to his bones, he always looked forward to returning to his former student."

    else:
        "Other than when he was tired to his bones, he always looked forward to returning to his slut."

    "It was too enjoyable, and she was always so happy to see him. Rowan was certainly happy to see her in turn, both figuratively and literally. Even when it was lost to lust, her familiar face lifted his spirits, just as her deep, borderline desperate need for him lifted his cock."

    #cg 1 - var 0
    scene cg1827 with fade
    pause 3

    "Most often, he wouldn’t see her face for too long upon a return to his rooms. Helayna had a clear preference for revisiting the moment Rowan first took her, and presented with the sight of her raised ass and drooling, flushed cunt, he couldn’t say no to her."
    "Sometimes he didn’t even say a word to her at all, not until cursed lust subsided enough for her to calm, wordless cries turning to lewd litanties of her love for him."

    #cg 1 - var 1
    show cg1828 with sshake
    show cg1828 with sshake
    show cg1829 with flash
    pause 3

    "There would be time for smiles and pillow-talk after."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_48.rpy
label medicinal_pleasure_rp:

    $ groglFriendship = 100
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ cotIntervene = False
    $ rowanAndrasSex = 0
    $ andrasFavours = 0

    "Does Andras favour Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ andrasFavours = 100
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    "Has Rowan had gay sex? (affects scenes and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - enable gay content":
            $ rowanAndrasSex = 10
        "No - straight content only":
            pass

    scene bg10 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show skordred neutral at skorright with dissolve

    "The hero had barely stepped through the portal when he noticed Skordred slumped against one of the pillars in the portal chamber. The dwarf offered a weak wave when Rowan got over to him."

    ro "Everything alright there, Skordred?"

    sk "It will once we had time to rest. Wha matters is it's done and the master wants you to see it."

    ro "You finished the medical wing?"

    sk "No, tha was the easy part. Tha whole team whas exhausted buildin the new barracks."

    ro "Wait, what?"

    "A somewhat wistful expression covered the Skordred's face."

    sk "It wha tha first time tha young master took such an interest in my work. He drove us hard, but with such determination! I simply ha to see it to the end..."

    "The dwarf trailed off and went silent. A moment later a snore rose from him."
    "Rowan stood up and looked around for someone to take the exhausted master builder to his chambers. Immediate issue addressed, his attention returned to the initial revelation."

    ro "Don't tell me he actually finished it…?"

    "The hero changed direction toward the castle underground, determined to see the supposed construction for himself. "

    scene bg58 with fade

    "He was already well past fatigue when he'd arrived back at Bloodmeen. After a long week of travels, negotiations, and exploration, Rowan had wanted nothing more than to collapse against his bed and ignore the mounting piles of paperwork that awaited him the next morning."
    "Even as he made his way to the medical wing, Rowan rubbed his hands across his haggard face. He idly wondered if he was even more tired than Skoredred had been. Exhaustion clung to him with iron claws, dragging him down into slow, effortful blinks as he took each step forward."
    "The prospect of Andras actually having resolved this complicated issue that had nagged at the back of Rowan's mind for the duration of his travels, however, was too appealing to ignore. There was no possibility of the hero finding sleep until he saw the medical wing for himself."
    "As he turned the corner, Rowan nearly collided into a line of orcs impatiently waiting to the side."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
    show orc soldier neutral at midright with dissolve

    if groglFriendship > 0:
        grogl "Oi, watch it, hu–HUMIE!"
        "The familiar orcish lieutenant Rowan nearly collided into quickly switched from a sneer to a toothy grin as he recognized the hero. He turned to cough loudly to the side, something that Rowan took a not-so-subtle step away from."
        ro "Hey, Grogl."
        "Grogl sniffed, wiping his runny nose with his arm."
        grogl "Sick, too?"
        ro "No, thankfully not. I actually just returned from some travels…"
        "Another sluggish orc lined up behind Rowan. He grumbled to himself, but whatever discontent he had was waning with his lack of energy."
        ro "What is this line for? It's the middle of the night."
        "Grogl gestured up ahead with his chin."
        grogl "Get in da sick room. Lotta us not feel so good. Had'da get more beds fer us in da sick room."
        ro "I see. Have you all been waiting here for very long?"
        grogl "Not long. They bring up cots from barracks. Some not sick, they bring beds. Sick? We wait fer bed."
        ro "That's good to hear. I'm glad that they're being efficient."
        ro "Speaking of, how have the sleeping arrangements been in the barracks, Grogl? I haven't had the opportunity to check in on the situation myself."
        if cotIntervene:
            grogl "Best sleep! I rest like baby."
            ro "I'm glad to hear that. Your wellbeing is my priority, so if there's anything else you and your men need down there, feel free to come find me."
            "Grogl seemed to consider this for a moment. The orc seemed almost surprised by the offer."
            grogl "Okay, humie. Remember dat."
            "Grogl tapped his head roughly as though to commit it to memory. Rowan chuckled."
            ro "Don't worry, I won't forget."
            ro "I'm going to look for Andras and see if he needs any help with the medical center. Try to feel better, alright?"
            grogl "I try!"
        else:
            "Even though he clearly wasn't feeling well, Grogl seemed to pick up on Rowan's intent. He smirked, leaning close enough to Rowan that the hero could smell his breath."
            grogl "Bad, humie. Good fer me, I get bed, but da others? Bad sleep."
            "Rowan fought to keep the smile off of his face as he glanced down the hall to make sure the other staff weren't paying attention."
            ro "I'm very sorry to hear that. You seem to be well taken care of, at least."
            grogl "Mm! Fight good, sleep good!"
            ro "I see. And has Andras said anything about it?"
            "The orc shook his head."
            grogl "Da boss don' care long as we fight good."
            "Rowan suspected as much, but it came as a slight relief to know that the demon hadn't noticed his steward's subtle sabotage within the army."
            "Speaking of the devil…"
            ro "Have you seen Andras anywhere? I wanted to check in and see if he needed any assistance with the medical wing."
            "Grogl squinted over the line of sick soldiers, cocking his head to the side as he searched. Suddenly, he pointed ahead."
            grogl "Da boss's up dere, by sick room!"
            "Rowan tried to see where Grogl was pointing, but only caught a few glimpses between the mass of bodies."
            ro "Alright. Thanks, Grogl."
            grogl "Sure, humie!"

    else:
        os "Oi, watch it, humie!"
        "Before Rowan could apologize, the orc turned and coughed loudly against the wall. Rowan grimaced and took a step back. "
        ro "(They must all be waiting to get into the medical wing. I wonder why the line is so long, though…?)"

    hide orc soldier with dissolve

    "As Rowan approached the front of the medical wing, he was surprised to see groups of healthy orcs carrying in cots while a redheaded nun smiled and offered directions for placement."
    "One nun with long blond hair sat at a desk up front, quickly scribbling down each patient's ailments as the orcs told it to her before sending them off into a different area of the wing."
    "Rowan bypassed the desk and stepped into the medical wing itself, surprised by how much was available. Half of the orc barracks had been completely remodeled and he swore that a bunch of the adjoining wings had been shifted several rooms further out!"

    ro "What is this?"

    "Loud, raucous laughter caught the hero's attention. Rowan turned to find Andras in the midst of a conversation with another nun and an orcish patient near the back of the room. Andras caught the baffled hero's eye and waved him over."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    if andrasFavours >= 4:
        an "Rowan! There's the fucker. What do you think?"

    else:
        an "Servant!! About time you showed up. I was about to send some of these idiots out to grab you if your ass didn't get up."
        ro "Yes, well, I only just returned."
        an "Yeah, yeah, you're a busy guy, we get it. Shut up and take a look around."

    an "I solved your little construction problem. Had to fuck around with moving some of the barracks, but there shouldn't be any more issues."

    ro "Yeah, I ran into Skordred when I first arrived. With how tired he was, it didn't look like a little problem."

    an "Pft! That cranky fucker will get over it. He should know by now that we've got other shit to take care of."
    an "'Sides, I already set him up somewhere else. He'll be fine."

    "The demon reeled his arm back and gave the steward a violent slap on the back. Rowan stumbled forward, barely catching himself on a nearby pillar."

    an "Come on! I'll give you a tour."

    "As Andras led his steward through the medical wing, Rowan took note of the nuns scurrying from one sick bed to another, offering their widest smiles and reassurances to the orcs in their care."

    an "We've got all the sick ones recovering here. The nuns said they're past being contagious, so they're allowed in with the injured fuckers. The quarantine room is over there, we've got a couple religious whores stuck in there 'till everyone's cleared."

    "They meandered past several medical beds and into another room where orcs with far worse injuries lay sprawled in their beds. Some were bandaged and on the road to recovery, while a few others were waiting for attention from one of the few nuns running around."
    "The fact that there were nuns at all might have been the biggest surprise to the steward."

    ro "There's… a lot more {i}nuns{/i} than I was expecting. How did you convince them to join Bloodmeen?"

    an "Ha! These whores hardly needed convincing."
    an "After they got a taste of some demon dick, they were practically begging to come serve us."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but it wasn't that. He regarded the nuns with a hint of amusement as they busied about, appearing as wholesome as ever whilst no doubt finding delightfully sinful pleasure between each shift."
        ro "I see. It sounds like you and your incubi did a decent job, then."

    else:
        "Rowan wasn't sure what he had been expecting, but it wasn't that. He felt a little more awkward as the nuns regarded him with a smile before moving onto the next patient, all too aware of the kind of depravity they almost certainly craved between each shift."
        ro "I… see. I'm glad they've… found their calling, I suppose."

    ro "(Even with all the nuns, though, there aren't enough medical staff. We'll definitely need to acquire more at some point to accommodate the rest of the castle.)"

    "As they walked toward the back of the room, Rowan noticed a strange arcane symbol etched into the ground. A couple of nuns stood nearby as an orc hobbled forward in the center, his left arm ripped clean off."

    ro "What are they doing?"

    an "Ah, you're about to witness one of my improvements."

    ro "Your 'improvements'?"

    an "Mm. I noticed your blueprints were missing some key elements, so I took it upon myself to add them."
    an "Sit back and watch."

    "The orc settled into the middle of the symbol, too tired to be wary of what may occur. The nuns settled on either side of the circle and pressed two red glowing gems against the symbol."
    "A sudden beam of purple light shot up from the ground. The orc fell to his knees, an agonized scream ripping from his throat as the light wrapped itself around his wounded arm."
    "Rowan knew he should intervene, but he couldn't find the words to speak as he watched the light form into a strange, solid figure against the orc's stump."
    "The purple light faded, revealing a brand new arm stretching out from the orc's stump as if it had been there all along. Seemingly no longer in pain, the orc stood up on shaky legs and stretched his new arm out, the fingers of his hand moving on his command."
    "Andras laughed."

    ro "What did you {i}do{/i}?"

    an "It's just some chaos magic. Look, his injuries are healed. Just like that."
    an "Pretty impressive, isn't it? This was a hard set up, but I found a way to patch up the army when they've got severe injuries. They come out even better than the first time around!"

    "Rowan had no idea what to say to that. He had no idea what to {i}think{/i} of that. The orc tested out his new hand, more interested in it than horrified as one of the nuns led him back to his bed."

    ro "So it just… gives them limbs? Is that right?"

    an "Close. It can regenerate lost limbs and heal over more severe injuries. It took a few trial runs first, but the patients survived. Most of the time."

    ro "How are the nuns able to do this, though? I thought they couldn't do chaos magic due to being… well, nuns."

    an "Simple; I made Nasim teach them. He's got them worshiping Kharos out the ass. He's {i}not{/i} happy about it, but who the fuck cares? The orcs have limbs, don't they?"

    "Andras was already across the room before Rowan realized it. He couldn't stop staring at the orc, dumbfounded."

    an "You coming? I saved the best for last."

    ro "('The best', he says. Knowing it's Andras saying that, I'm not so sure I can trust it.)"

    "Still, Rowan followed Andras into the final room outside of medical storage. Or maybe this was the medical storage. It was about the size of a large closet with a door situated against the right side of the wall. "

    an "I had Skordred add this room. It's for physical therapy."

    ro "...Where's all of the equipment?"

    "Rowan didn't see any of the usual training equipment associated with physical therapy. In fact, there wasn't {i}anything{/i} in the room aside from a chair and a wooden table discarded to the side."

    an "Heh. It's right there."

    "Andras pointed forward. It took Rowan a moment to notice two holes marked in the wall, barely noticeable from the room's dim lighting. "

    ro "Don't tell me that's–"

    an "A couple of gloryholes. The nuns have been fighting over who gets the longest shifts on the other end."

    ro "That… You {i}do{/i} know that's not what physical therapy is, right?"

    an "Of course–but my way is better. I told you I made some improvements, and this is one of them."
    an "So, you've seen everything now. What do you think?"

    "Rowan took a moment to take everything he'd seen in the medical wing in. He hadn't actually expected Andras to pull through on his promise, but he could tell from the carefully constructed rooms and attentive nuns that this had been well thought out."
    "As he thought over the tour, Rowan looked for flaws and complications that could become a burden down the road. He could feel the demon's eyes on him, waiting for a response."

    menu:
        "Compliment Andras's hard work.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', 1)
            ro "This is… really thought out, Andras. I'm impressed."
            ro "There are a couple of kinks we'll need to work out here and there, but nothing that needs to be handled urgently. The medical wing is actually, surprisingly, efficient."
            "Rowan hadn't noticed the tension on Andras's face until it disappeared with the steward's praise. The demon relaxed against the doorframe with an arrogant smirk, his stance exuding pure confidence."
            an "Of course it is. I told you I'd take care of it, didn't I?"
            ro "You did. Thank you for your hard work."
            ro "I'll start looking into how to acquire more staff later. The nuns should work for the timebeing."
            an "Ha! Excellent. I expected as much."

        "Help improve the medical wing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            ro "Well, it's a really good start. I think we can keep most of this, but there are a couple of problems that will need to be addressed."
            "He could feel the demon glaring at him from the side, obviously displeased that his steward hadn't awarded the plan with utmost praise. Rowan felt that honestly might be the best policy when it came to the medical care of Bloodmeen's staff, though."
            an "Tch! What problems? The medical wing is perfect!"
            "Rowan sighed and bit back his annoyed response."
            ro "It is… efficient, but at some costs… I'm not saying what you did was bad. I'll definitely keep what you made, but it could stand to use a few improvements."
            an "What kind of improvements?"
            ro "Well, for starters, the physical therapy room should have more than just two gloryholes."
            an "Hm. I see. You think we should add more?"
            ro "...No."
            ro "The physical therapy room needs actual equipment for patients to use. It will probably need a bigger space, too. We need somewhere with sufficient room for patients to regain strength in their limbs after traumatizing injuries."
            an "Tch! Why would they need that when their limbs can just be regrown? It's as if nothing changed!"
            ro "...Even with that magic, if they haven't had their limbs for a little bit, there could still be an adjustment period where they need to get used to using it again."
            ro "It wouldn't hurt to add an extra space for them to train themselves back to a familiar pace."
            "Although it was clear the demon wasn't pleased, Rowan was relieved to see Andras was not as heated as when Rowan initially knocked down his idea."
            "It wasn't as though the steward {i}completely{/i} lied, either; he could use a lot of this, and considering Andras didn't work with the reports Rowan handled all too often, it made sense that the demon wasn't aware of all the finer details the hero needed to iron out to make the medical wing truly work."
            an "Very well. Do with it as you will. As long as you keep my improvements as well, I don't give a shit what you do."
            ro "...Of course. Don't worry, everything you've added will stay as is. The wing itself will just need a few adjustments."
            an "Good."

        "Point out all of the flaws in Andras's execution of the medical wing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', -1)
            "Rowan hesitated. He knew the smart thing to do would be to compliment Andras's plan and make any adjustments he needed to later, but everything he'd seen of the medical wing thus far… This wasn't going to work."
            "He could sense the demon's growing impatience as Rowan searched for the right words to turn him down. "
            an "What is it? Spit it out."
            ro "...We need to redo the medical wing."
            "The hero wasn't surprised to see Andras glaring at him when he finally turned to face the demon. Andras sneered in offense."
            an "Why the fuck not? Explain yourself."
            "The steward pointed to the gloryholes to start."
            ro "A physical therapy room needs more than two gloryholes. In fact, there shouldn't be gloryholes in here {i}at all{/i}."
            ro "The patients need a space large enough for equipment that will help them improve their movement and restore their functionality. Fucking a nun through a hole isn't going to help with any of that."
            ro "And speaking of the nuns, they're a temporary solution at best. We need an actual medical team with doctors and nurses that are going to be able to handle the kind of injuries Bloodmeen has. Even with the nuns here, we're clearly understaffed."
            ro "Then there's the issue of–"
            an "ENOUGH!"
            "The steward fell silent as Andras's voice bellowed through the physical therapy room."
            an "I've heard enough. You're saying these improvements are useless?"
            ro "...Not {i}useless{/i} but–"
            an "Useless."
            ro "I can't use them."
            "Andras did not speak. He simmered in his anger, glaring at Rowan as though his poor planning was his steward's fault."
            an "We are not getting rid of them. I worked hard on {i}your{/i} fucking problem, so you can take my improvements and live with it."
            ro "You're not willing to budge on this at all?"
            an "Why the fuck would I?! I was {i}helping{/i} you! And this is the thanks I get?"
            ro "...I appreciate the work you put into this, but there are certain procedures and improvements that are necessary if we want the medical wing to run efficiently."
            ro "I suppose I will need to implement these on my own, though…"
            an "Tch. I'm not fucking helping, you can be certain of that."
            "Rowan had planned on handling the medical wing anyway under the assumption that Andras had ignored his promise, but somehow this was worse. For a moment, Rowan had {i}hoped{/i} the issue would be resolved without his input. Clearly he had hoped for too much."

    "The demon regarded his steward for a long moment, his lips curling into a lazy smirk."

    an "You look like shit."

    "Rowan ran a hand through his hair and looked out to the hallway of the medical wing. The windows were still black with the night, a sudden reminder of the late hour."

    ro "Yeah… I guess I'm more tired than I thought. I should retire for the night."

    "The steward turned to leave, but Andras shut the door with an easy smack of his hand. Rowan paused, looking back at the demon in confusion."

    an "You've impressed me with your work as of late, Rowan. Perhaps it is time you, too, receive a reward."
    an "How does a mouthfuck from my favorite whore sound? You can have a private session together–you've earned her mouth for once."
    an "Unless you don't mind sharing. Ha!"

    if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
        "The demon licked his lips as his gaze roved over Rowan's body, sending shudders down the hero's spine. Andras ran a claw down Rowan's chest, his smirk widening as the steward's breathing hitched."
        an "Or perhaps you would like me to yourself?"

    menu:
        "Let Andras pleasure you. (Scene 1)" if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
            $ rowanGaySex += 1
            "Rowan glanced at the gloryholes with interest. He'd never imagined a day would come when Andras was offering up a thank you of sorts, let alone willing to pleasure him."
            "Such an opportunity would be stupid to pass by."
            ro "Sure, if you think you're up for it."
            "Andras laughed, low and mischievous, as he towered over the steward. Andras gripped Rowan's chin and ran his thumb over the mortal's lower lip with his claw."
            an "That's my line. Pick a hole and wait."
            "The demon released him at once. Rowan's head felt light and dizzy with budding excitement as Andras disappeared behind the door."
            scene cg1912 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1912
            pause 3
            show andras smirk behind cg1912
            "Lowering his trousers, Rowan pressed his cock through one of the holes and waited. He heard a low chuckle from the other side before the warmth of the demon's fingers curled around his half-stiff erection."
            an "Do you get many blowjobs from a shapeshifter?"
            ro "Hah… I can't say that I have."
            an "Hm. This will be fun, then."
            show cg1945 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1946 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1947 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "The moment the demon's tongue pressed against his cock, Rowan's knees buckled. He pressed his palms against the wall, biting back a moan as Andras swept his tongue from Rowan's base to his tip."
            "There was an urgency to Andras's movements, a rapidity Rowan had never felt before from another. Andras tongue wrapped around Rowan's tip, circling and pressing in new ways Rowan didn't know tongues could do."
            show cg1913 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "No, tongues definitely {i}couldn't{/i} do. Yet the demon's did, coiling around Rowan's stiff erection and pumping him with each wrap towards his base."
            "It was unnatural. Inhuman. It was… Fuck, it was {i}good{/i}."
            show cg1914 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan's hips jerked forward with Andras's tongue, his groin smacking against the barrier in place as Andras pleasured him. He closed his eyes, savoring the sensation of the demon's unnatural muscle pumping his cock."
            ro "Fuck… Ngh, fuck…"
            show cg1915 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He was close–so close. His hips jerked faster as he neared his climax."
            "Until he heard a hiss from below."
            show cg1916 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan's eyes snapped open. A bright green snake was coiled around the hero's cock, its head reared up toward the hero in a hiss."
            ro "{i}Fuck{/i}!"
            "He tried to pull away, but the snake clung tighter. It continued to pump his cock, its body moving back and forth until Rowan could hold it in no longer."
            "Cum shot out from his tip and the snake uncoiled, disappearing through the hole just as fast as it had come. Rowan yanked his pants up, at a loss for words as a dark laugh echoed from the other side."
            "Damn it. He should have known the cursed demon would pull something like this."
            "…And yet, Rowan had still enjoyed it. He didn't even want to address that part of himself and safely tucked that thought away in the far back of his mind."
            "Andras stepped out from the back room with a knowing grin. Rowan avoided his gaze, half-convinced that if the demon opened his mouth, a snake would come crawling out."
            scene bg58 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "What's the matter? Snake got your tongue? Haha!"
            show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
            "Rowan scowled. He wouldn't dare admit how wonderful that demonstration had felt, even after the demon's impossibly long tongue had transformed."
            "No, Rowan would take that to the grave."
            an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
            "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
            an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
            "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
            ro "I understand."
            "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
            ro "I have a lot of work to catch up on in the morning. Goodnight."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            "He did not stay to hear Andras's reply, but he could hear the demon's more characteristic laughter behind him as he hurried to his bedchamber. "
            ro "(This is what happens when you trust demons…..)"
            "As the hero collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep, his dreams remained plagued with sinfully delicious blowjobs and unnaturally tantalizing snakes to accompany them."
            return

        "Ask Andras to let you pleasure him. (Scene 2)" if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rowanAndrasSex += 1
            $ rowanGaySex += 1
            "Despite the offers that Andras had given him, Rowan had something different in mind as a reward for his services of late."
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            ro "Would it be alright if…"
            "The demon raised an eyebrow quizzically. "
            an "If?"
            ro "I pleasured you instead…"
            "Andras laughed, and then clapped his hand on Rowan’s back. "
            an "The whole point of this was to be a reward for you, after all the hard work you have done helping around Bloodmeen."
            an "It hardly seems fair for me to make you do all the work now as well."
            "The hero burned with shame as he pressed on with his request."
            ro "Pleasuring you would be a reward…"
            "A slow pause, and then the word escaped from his lips unbidden."
            ro "Master."
            "Andras let out a throaty chuckle, eying Rowan with a smirk."
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "Well, I’ve never been one to turn down a blowjob, and Gods be damned if I’m about to start now."
            "Come on, pick a hole and let's get you that reward."
            #cg1
            scene cg1909 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1909
            show andras smirk behind cg1909
            pause 3
            "Rowan chose the whole in the middle of the partition, and knelt before it, silently waiting for the reward that had been promised."
            "Meanwhile, the demon went to the other side and positioned himself opposite. In one quick movement of his arm, he unbuckled his kilt, letting it slide to the floor, revealing beneath it his thick red beast, half-awakened by the hero’s proposition."
            "Rowan’s own cock throbbed beneath his trousers, anticipating the excitement of what was about to happen. He knew it was {i}wrong{/i}, like he had known the times before, but still, the thought of submitting to Andras’ sent a {i}shiver{/i} through him."
            "He didn’t have to wait long as his master’s now fully erect dick thrust its way through the hole before him. Long and thick, a veritable monster. He breathed it in; the demon’s sweat was so musky, so masculine. {i}Fuck{/i}, he wanted to taste it. {i}Needed{/i} to."
            "Another chuckle from the other side of the wall."
            an "Yes, I know it is magnificent. But it isn’t going to suck itself. "
            show cg1910 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1911 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "{i}The cocky bastard{/i}. He {i}knew{/i}. But that didn’t stop the hero from doing as he was told. Dispensing with any sort of foreplay - no stroking or licking today - he took the demon’s cock in his mouth."
            an "Much better."
            "The smugness of his tone shone through as Rowan began to get to work servicing his master’s cock. Moving back and forth, he built up to a slow, steady rhythm, sucking the best he could as he went. "
            an "This definitely feels more like a reward for me than you, but I’m not complaining."
            "Rowan let out a moan of disagreement and continued with his task. Back and forth, back and forth. Licking, sucking, savouring."
            "He wanted more, {i}needed{/i} more. And so he sped up, increasing the rhythm, taking the demon’s fat cock deeper and deeper into his mouth. Sloppy, squelching sounds filled the room as excessive saliva dribbled down Rowan’s chin."
            an "Fuuuck. You keep that up, and I’m gonna cum."
            "Encouraged Rowan pushed his head forward, taking Andras’ dick as deep in his throat as the wall separating them would allow. "
            if alexiaAndrasObedient:
                "He sucks dick almost as good as his wife, the demon thought."
            an "Make sure you swallow every drop of your reward."
            "Rowan’s hard dick throbbed wildly upon hearing the command. He replied, with a mouth full of cock:"
            ro "Yesh mashtahh!"
            an "{i}Unnnn{/i}! Fuuuuck yeah!"
            show cg1911 with sshake
            show cg1911 with sshake
            "The demon came hard down Rowan’s throat, and true to his word, Rowan swallowed every last drop of the hot, salty load."
            ro "Mmmm…"
            an "Enjoy that?"
            ro "I did, thanks."
            "Andras laughed again."
            an "Good, hopefully all your rewards will be that enjoyable for me."
            scene bg58 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
            "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
            an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
            "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
            ro "I understand."
            "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
            ro "I have a lot of work to catch up on in the morning. Goodnight."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            "He did not stay to hear Andras's reply, but he could hear the demon's more characteristic laughter behind him as he hurried to his bedchamber. "
            ro "(This is what happens when you trust demons…..)"
            "As the hero collapsed onto his bed and fell asleep, his dreams remained plagued with sinfully delicious blowjobs from the powerful demon who constantly taunted him."
            return

        "Receive a private blowjob from Zahira. (Scene 3)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan did not contain his shock at Andras's proposal. Was that an offer to have Zahira, Andras's personal whore? To be allowed a session with her… Well, that was unheard of."
            "He couldn't help but wonder if she was as talented as Andras boasted. No one would know other than the demon himself, so there was no one to contradict him."
            "Until now."
            ro "...A private session? Alright. I'm curious to see if she lives up to the hype."
            an "I wouldn't keep her if she didn't."
            an "This way."
            scene bg6 with fade
            show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            show zahira happy at midright with dissolve
            "Andras led his steward out of the medical wing and into the throne room. Zahira seemed to be waiting for her demon master, already lounging at the foot of the throne like a doll anticipating play. She perked up as the two of them entered."
            an "Eager as ever, even when it's not me you're going to be pleasing."
            an "A blowjob should be enough to reward my loyal steward's efforts. He's not ready for the rest of you yet."
            zah "Of course, master. I am happy to oblige."
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            hide andras with moveoutleft
            "Andras shoved Rowan forward before departing from the throne room."
            "Zahira cocked her head at Rowan wordlessly. She inspected him with quiet interest, as one might view a new toy."
            "With a small, impish smile, Zahira rose to her feet, displaying every sensual curve of her body for Rowan's pleasure. The hero found himself unable to look away–he'd never been this close to Zahira, much less with Andras's approval."
            zah "You seem nervous, my lord. You are not having second thoughts, are you?"
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan licked his lips before breaking out into a grin."
                ro "Hardly. You're very beautiful–it's difficult to look away."
                zah "Thank you, my lord. You flatter me."
            else:
                ro "No. I am simply entranced by your beauty."
                "Zahira laughed, unconvinced."
                zah "You are a terrible liar, but it is kind of you to say."
            "Her long fingers trailed down his chest and rested at the edge of his trousers. Never breaking her gaze from his, Zahira descended onto her knees before him."
            zah "Relax, my lord. I will take care of everything."
            scene cg2082 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg2083 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan released a long breath, his muscles relaxing with the action as Zahira removed his half-stiff erection from his trousers."
            "Zahira worked on him with familiarity, easily adapting to Rowan's desired pleasure in a way only a trained whore could do. Rowan succumbed to her ministrations, leaning into the soft touch of her hands and the press of her lips with each stroke of his cock."
            "There truly was something special about her. Rowan found himself jerking his hips with each movement, reaching closer toward a limit he wasn't ready to hit."
            "Opening her mouth wide, Zahira took his full length into her mouth and down her throat. Rowan grasped onto her hair for support as his knees threatened to buckle under the sensation."
            "She made a show of rubbing her clit with one hand while deepthroating the steward. Rowan's cock twitched in her throat as he took in the growing fluid between her legs, her fingers coated in her own pleasure."
            "Grasping her head in place, Rowan fucked her mouth as fast as his hips could carry him. Zahira did not struggle, easily accepting his cock in the warm, tight space of her throat."
            show cg2084 with sshake
            show cg2084 with sshake
            show cg2085 with flash
            pause 1
            show cg2086 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "His fingers curled against her skull as Rowan came. Zahira swallowed his load in full, her long neck arched so he could see his seed carry down."
            "Rowan released her slowly, suddenly aware of how tightly he'd gripped her head as he struggled to uncurl his fingers. Zahira stood without issue, obviously familiar with such behavior."
            scene bg6 with fade
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            show zahira happy at midright with dissolve
            zah "Have I satisfied you, my lord?"
            ro "Yes… Yes, hah, I would say you have."
            zah "I am pleased to hear it. May you rest well tonight, my lord."
            "Rowan nodded, wishing her the same before leaving the throne room. Andras waited outside with a cocky smirk."
            scene bg14 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            an "Look at you. You barely took any time in there."
            an "How was it? Best blowjob you ever had?"
            menu:
                "Zahira lives up to the hype.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "She was amazing. Better than anyone I've ever had."
                    ro "I see why she lives up to the hype."
                    an "Ha! Better than your wife then, hm? Interesting."
                    an "I wouldn't keep that slut around if she wasn't good for {i}something{/i}, and that whore knows how to suck a good dick."
                    an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it.."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    ro "I am going to retire for the night. Thank you for letting me try her out."
                    an "Hah. You're welcome."
                    scene black with fade
                    "Rowan left the demon behind, although Andras's satisfied gaze followed after him until the hero was out of sight."
                    "Sleep was, perhaps, an impossibility. Rowan tossed and turned the rest of the night, the memory of his cock down Zahira's throat keeping him up well into the morning."
                    return

                "I've had better.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan shrugged. Zahira was amazing, no doubt, but there was no personal connection there. Her skills couldn't make up for everything."
                    ro "She was alright. I've had better."
                    "Andras scoffed."
                    an "Bullshit. Lie to yourself all you want, but we both know that's the best mouthfuck you'll ever have."
                    an "If you can't appreciate that, then clearly her skills are wasted on you."
                    ro "Uh-huh. Sure, Andras."
                    an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    ro "I'm retiring for the evening. Goodnight."
                    scene black with fade
                    "The hero returned to his bedchamber and was happy to pass out, secretly riding the bliss of Zahira's sexual expertise well into the night."
                    return

                "Ignore him.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "...I'm retiring for the night. Goodnight."
                    an "Ha! I'm sure it was."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    scene black with fade
                    "The demon did not antagonize him any further, allowing Roman a moment of peace as he hurried to his bedchamber. The hero would not admit it, but he thought only of Zahira's sexual expertise well into the night, leaving him little time to sleep at all."
                    return

        "Have a Threesome with Andras and Zahira. (Scene 4)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "Rowan did not truly expect Andras to let him have a private session with his favorite whore, although the thought was tempting. Rowan had trouble finding a reason not to put her experience to the test."
            ro "Alright. I wouldn't mind getting a blowjob with you there."
            "Andras threw his head back with a laugh."
            an "Ha! Excellent. This way."
            scene bg6 with fade
            show andras smirk at midleft with dissolve
            show zahira happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
            "Andras led his steward out of the medical wing and into the throne room. Zahira seemed to be waiting for her demon master, already lounging at the foot of the throne like a doll anticipating play."
            an "There will be a change of pace tonight. How do you feel about some double penetration?"
            "Something in Zahira's eyes seemed to light up. She regarded Rowan with a newfound interest before averting her gaze back to Andras."
            zah "That sounds lovely, master. Anything to please you."
            an "That's what I like to hear."
            an "Now get over here, slut."
            scene cg1830 with fade
            pause 1
            show cg1831 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show andras smirk behind cg1830
            "Zahira obeyed without question, her lips twisted into an impish smile as Andras's hands roamed over her body. He squeezed and groped her flesh, grinding against her until he bent her towards the ground."
            "Andras snapped his fingers at Rowan and pointed to the floor."
            an "Lay down."
            scene cg1832 with fade
            show andras smirk behind cg1832
            pause 3
            "Rowan followed the demon's instructions, resting on his back against the hard stone floor. Zahira hovered over him, her large tits pressed against his groin as Andras grinded against her from behind."
            "Zahira's long fingers wasted no time pulling Rowan's half-stiff erection from his trousers. She uttered small moans as Andras fucked her from behind, his cock driving her ass up toward the ceiling while her breasts remained firmly planted on the steward."
            "With Rowan's cock in hand, Zahira worked on him with familiarity, easily adapting to Rowan's desired pleasure in a way only a trained whore could do. Rowan succumbed to her ministrations, leaning into the soft touch of her hands and the press of her lips with each stroke of his cock."
            show cg1833 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "There truly {i}was{/i} something special about her. Rowan found himself jerking his hips with each movement, reaching closer toward a limit he wasn't ready to hit."
            show cg1834 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "Pressing her tits against him, Zahira stuck his cock between the soft flesh and took his tip in her mouth. She moaned against his sensitive flesh as Andras dug into her, somehow managing to meet her master's violent thrusts and roll her tongue atop Rowan's tip as well."
            "Rowan grasped the sides of her breasts, unable to contain himself any longer. Neither Zahira nor Andras seemed to mind as he jerked his hips upward in a frenzied motion."
            "Zahira's tits bounced with the motion, but she kept Rowan's tip firmly between her lips, sucking and licking between her pleasured moans. Rowan groped the soft flesh, pushing and pulling them away from his cock as he pounded against her mouth."
            an "See how this whore likes it? You can do anything to her and she'll fucking beg for more."
            "Andras picked up speed as he spoke to emphasize his point. She never once stopped sucking the steward. If anything his cock slid deeper into her mouth, grinding between her lips and her breasts with every thrust of the men's hips."
            "To Rowan's surprise, Zahira was the first to cum. Her body convulsed against him, jerking hard to meet both men's touch."
            an "That'a girl. See how she keeps taking it? You can go like this all night long, heh."
            "Indeed, Zahira made no move to leave. She seemed even more invested than before, eager to please both of them at once with her body."
            show cg1835 with sshake
            show cg1835 with sshake
            show cg1836 with flash
            pause 1
            show cg1837 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Rowan couldn't take it anymore. He gasped as he came against her, coating her lips and breasts in his cum. Zahira lapped it up eagerly, causing the hero's dick to twitch pleasantly under her touch."
            "Andras finished last between a mix of laughter and sexual grunts. Cum spilled out from her pussy, dripping onto Rowan's legs and the stone floor underneath."
            "Properly satisfied, Andras let Zahira go and she climbed off of Rowan, unbothered by the cum drying on her skin. Rowan sat up, disoriented as the adrenaline of the night came crashing down on him."
            scene bg6 with fade
            show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
            show zahira happy at midright with dissolve
            show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            an "What do you think? Best blowjob you ever had?"
            menu:
                "Zahira lives up to the hype":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "She was amazing. Better than anyone I've ever had."
                    ro "I see why she lives up to the hype."
                    "Zahira's head rose slightly, her confidence boosted with Rowan's praise."
                    an "Obviously. I wouldn't keep her around if she didn't."
                    "Andras's hand fell easily to Zahira's ass, groping the flesh without much intention. Zahira jerked her hips in his direction, almost asking for more."
                    an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    ro "I am going to retire for the night. Thank you… for this."
                    zah "Goodnight, my lord. Sweet dreams."
                    an  "Oh, he'll be dreaming sweet alright…"
                    scene black with fade
                    "Rowan left the demon and his whore behind, although Andras's satisfied gaze followed after him until the hero was out of sight."
                    "Sleep was, perhaps, an impossibility. Rowan tossed and turned the rest of the night, the memory of his cock between Zahira's breasts keeping him up well into the morning."
                    return

                "I've had better.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Zahira was amazing, no doubt, but there was no personal connection there. Her skills couldn't make up for everything."
                    "Carefully avoiding Zahira's gaze, Rowan shrugged."
                    ro "She was alright. I've had better."
                    "Andras scoffed. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Zahira's attention snap to him, obviously offended by the slight."
                    an "Bullshit. Lie to yourself all you want, but we both know that's the best mouthfuck you'll ever have."
                    an "If you can't appreciate that, then clearly her skills are wasted on you."
                    ro "Uh-huh. Sure."
                    an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    ro "I'm retiring for the evening. Goodnight."
                    scene black with fade
                    "Andras muttered a few more insults under his breath, but Rowan paid him no heed. The hero returned to his bedchamber and was happy to pass out, secretly riding the bliss of Zahira's sexual expertise well into the night."
                    return

                "Ignore him.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    ro "...I'm retiring for the night. Goodnight."
                    an "Ha! Goodnight {i}indeed{/i}."
                    an "Don't expect any free facefucks, though. They're only given to those that earn it."
                    "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from his usual bravado to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
                    an "If you continue to please me, then we'll talk. I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
                    "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
                    ro "I understand."
                    "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
                    scene black with fade
                    "The demon did not antagonize him any further, allowing Roman a moment of peace as the hero hurried to his bedchamber. The hero would not admit it, but he thought only of Zahira's sexual expertise well into the night, leaving him little time to sleep at all."
                    return

        "Retire for the night.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_favor('andras', -1)
            # $ rowanCorrupt -= 5
            if rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "Rowan glanced back at the gloryholes in the walls but shook his head. He was far more tempted than he should have been, but the exhaustion of his week paired with the night's eventful tour had finally taken over. If he didn't get to a bed soon, he was going to pass out where he stood."
            else:
                "Rowan shook his head, his earlier exhaustion eating at his consciousness once more. The idea of even considering another activity besides sleep was abhorrent to him."
            ro "Not tonight. I can barely keep my eyes open; I need to sleep or nothing is going to get done tomorrow."
            if andrasFavours >= 4:
                an "Tch. You're going to pass up a golden opportunity for rest?"
                an "You can sleep when you're dead. Learn to live a little!"
                ro "I'm sorry, Andras. I just don't have it in me tonight."
            else:
                an "I gave you an order. Do I need to remind you just who is in charge here?"
                if rowanAndrasSex > 0:
                    ro "Master, do you really want to fuck me while I'm exhausted? It's going to be miserable for both of us."
                else:
                    ro "I'm sorry, master, but the moment I sit down in that chair I know I'll fall asleep."
                    ro "I could be wrong, but I don't think my snoring is going to be a huge turn on."
            "Andras gritted his teeth, obviously displeased with his steward's final decision. A moment later he started pacing back and forth in irritation."
            an "Tch. Fine, waste the precious, slim hours of your mortal life on sleep. After I got my slut ready for you and everything... you just say no? Well who hardly needs your company to have a good time then?"
            "The demon was half ranting at Rowan, half ranting to himself. Suddenly he stopped and faced Rowan directly."
            an "I hope you continue trying to impress me, even if you can be so frustratingly obstinate about accepting my rewards."
            "Suddenly Andras's expression shifted from a familiar frustration to something different, unfamiliar. Was it... trepidation, a warning?"
            an "I'd like to keep our relationship... positive."
            "Or perhaps most worrying of all, respect?"
            ro "I understand."
            "A moment passed and Andras's expression returned to normal. Letting out a breath, Rowan pressed a hand to his lips in a poor effort to subdue what had turned into a yawn."
            ro "Goodnight, then."
            scene black with fade
            "Andras waved him off, offering no further objection as Rowan dragged himself out of the medical wing and towards his bedchamber."
            "As the hero prepared himself for the night's sleep, he thought back to Andras's thoroughness in creating the medical wing. The fact the demon had held true to his word was a surprise, one that Rowan wasn't expecting to feel so… proud about it."
            if andrasFavours >= 4 and rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "There was something about earning Andras's trust that pleased the hero. He felt a sort of satisfaction, to finally be getting through to the demon prince. And that fact worried Rowan."
            elif andrasFavours < 4 and rowanCorrupt > 30:
                "It was satisfying to know that even without Andras's approval, he still kept true to his promise to Rowan. It was something the hero hadn't expected but was pleased with nonetheless."
            if andrasFavours >= 4 and rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Even though Rowan had made it clear he did not approve of all of Andras's morals, the demon still respected him enough to keep his promise and solve the problem of the medical wing. It left Rowan with a sense of unease, having respect from a demon."
            else:
                "With how obviously the two men barely tolerated each other, Rowan hadn't expected Andras to keep up his end of the deal at all. Yet the fact he did… Well, there was something to be said about that; Rowan just wasn't sure what there was to be said."
            "Properly finished with the day, Rowan collapsed onto his bed and passed out without a second thought. What an odd night, indeed."

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_4.rpy
label tamingTheBitch_rp:

    $ tueRowName = "Tue-Row"

    hide tuesan with moveoutright
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "A handful of guests quietly left the hall, not even hiding their distaste, while the Wyrd women all pushed to the front. The priests finally cleared the altar, and Tue-Row pulled away from the kiss."

    ziiz "Mmmm-oh? They’re done? Nice! So - ready to “tame” me, your highness?"

    "Zii started taking her clothes off, and casually tossing them to the side. She was half-naked already - this change of attire didn’t make much of a difference in the first place."

    tuer "Such unsavory behavior, Zii. You’re a Queen now. You should try to act like one."

    ziiz "Don’t wanna ~~"

    tuer "Good grief. Well, it’s not like I didn’t expect it. It will fall to me to teach you some basic manners."
    tuer "Lesson one - {b}bow to your king.{/b}"

    "A gold contraption Rowan had never seen before appeared in Tue-Row’s hands. The goblin king twisted it ever so slightly-"

    show bg71 with sshake
    hide zii with goldflash
    show zii neutral behind bg71

    ziiz "Ngh?!"

    "The necklace around Zii’s neck shone with golden light, and the wild woman fell flat on her face, as if suddenly crushed by some unexpected force. She tried to push herself up, without any success, while Tue-Row calmly turned another switch."

    ziiz "No way! This one too?! "

    tuer "Among others. They cost a fortune, but I needed you to put on {b}just one.{/b}"

    "Still shining gold, the amulet started to change. It melted down, like molten metal, and travelled up, until it formed a collar around Zii’s neck."

    wyrd1 "Hey, that’s cheating! "

    #tuerow happy

    "One of Zii’s generals cried out in protest, furious. The king chuckled, and simply walked up to his growling wife. He patted her head - then attached a leash to the newly formed collar."

    tuer "I suppose it is. Well then, Zii. Do you want me to turn it off?"
    tuer "Should I make it {i}easy{/i} for you?"

    "He regarded her with a mocking grin. Zii placed both of her hands on the ground, and with shaking hands, started to push herself up."
    "And after much effort, little by little, she was starting to do so."

    ziiz "Ha, ha… Ahaha, haaa! {b}And ruin the fun?!{/b}"
    ziiz "{b}Do your worst, Tue-Row!!!{/b}"

    "There was no mistaking the wild laugh in Zii’s voice. Rowan shook his head. In the end, all Zii cared about was the fight itself."

    tuer "So eager. So impatient. Well, since you are that eager… Lesson two - {b}Follow.{/b}"

    scene cg1860 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1861 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1862 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show tuerow neutral behind cg1860
    show zii neutral behind cg1860

    "He pulled her roughly, basically dragging her towards the altar as he started removing his clothes. He revealed a body marred with scars, reminders of the many battles he participated in. It was not luck that led him to this point, but tenacity and sacrifice. The only thing he kept was his new crown."
    "The crowd watched in morbid fascination at the events unfolding. Many of them dreaded this moment. Those who opposed the union believed this would be where the foolishness of Tue-Row’s plan would become all too apparent."
    "Instead, Tue-Row was forcing Zii onto the altar, keeping the barbarian queen leashed like a wild animal. There would be no doubts on who would be the “top dog” in Hoz’holt."

    tuer "All that bark, and so little bite."

    ziiz "Ha… Enjoy this moment, Tue-Row! Next time you’ll be the one squirming underneath {b}me!{/b}"

    tuer "Not if I fuck that defiance right out of you!"

    "He pulled at the leash, forcing her to raise her head, presenting her rear to him as he took his place behind her. Leashed like an animal, and taken like one- "

    #cg1
    scene cg1864 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1865 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show zii neutral behind cg1864
    show tuerow neutral behind cg1864

    "Without a word of warning, Tue-Row thrust from behind, brutally penetrating his wife. His cock slid into her pussy with ease, something Tue-Row didn’t hesitate to remark upon."

    tuer "You’re way too loose, Zii! I didn’t expect you to stay a virgin, but I had hoped you would show at least some restraint!"

    ziiz "You knew what you were taking aaaaaaaaah!"

    show cg1866 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "He gave her no chance to form a coherent response, as he rammed his cock into her, yanking the collar and forcing her to pull her head back or risk suffocation."

    tuer "Yes, a diamond in the rough! A shitty blade made from the finest steel."
    tuer "I’ll break you down and reshape you into something new, Zii. Rejoice. You will be the first to be born anew."

    "Despite almost choking, Zii’s laugh resounded across the whole hall. With bloodshot eyes, she looked at the man - and against all odds, started to gyrate her hips against him."

    ziiz "So arrogant! Zii thinks his majesty bit off more than he can-"

    scene cg1867 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1868 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show zii neutral behind cg1867
    show tuerow neutral behind cg1867

    "He slammed her head into the altar, making her giggle, and redoubled his efforts, brutally pounding her pussy, filling the room with sloppy, lewd sounds of his balls slapping against her thighs."
    "It was obscene, completely obscene. But nobody could turn their eyes away from the spectacle, not even Rowan."

    ziiz "Mmm, fuck, at least you have a nice dick - oooh!"

    "Every attempt at banter, every snide remark, was met with swift punishment. He pulled at her leash, slapped her ass, or pushed her face into the cold stone. All while he relentlessly conquered her cunt."

    ziiz "What are you trying to prove here, Zii, that you have a dirty mouth? I know that already."

    tuer "I intend to turn it into a holster for my dick. So how about you practice moaning incoherently instead?"

    "She grinned, showing off her long, sharp teeth."

    ziiz "Willing to stick your cock into that, Row?"

    "He thrust his finger into her ass, surprising her and causing her to arch her back as she cried out."

    tuer "Among other places. Do you really think there’s a hole I’ll leave untouched, Zii?"
    tuer "{i}You’re mine now. And I will do with you as I please.{/i}"

    ziiz "Yeeeees~~"

    "She sighed almost dreamily, and giggled again. He pulled at the leash again, forcing her to almost kneel, as he reached down with his other hand to tease her clitoris, assaulting every one of her weak spots."

    tuer "Cum, Zii."

    ziiz "Mmmm, I dunno ~~"

    tuer "Cum as I pump you full of my seed, bitch!"

    ziiz "Oooooh?!"

    tuer "Cum as I turn you into the royal breeding sow! You fucking animal!"

    ziiz "O-oh! Oooh!"

    show cg1869 with sshake
    show cg1869 with sshake
    show cg1870 with flash
    pause 2

    "Rowan didn’t know what was it that finally pushed her over the edge, but Zii’s tongue rolled out, and she spasmed in Tue-Row’s arms - only to be slammed into the altar again, as he thrust deep into her, filling her with his seed."
    "They all saw it leak out of her, trailing down the altar. Rowan noticed the priest wipe his head with a handkerchief, and almost burst out laughing. So was this a holy act, or sacrilege?"

    ziiz "Ha… Ha… Alright… "
    ziiz "Round two?"

    tuer "Obviously. But not here."

    "The king pulled out of his wild bride, leaving her gaping cunt for all to see. She tried to turn around, only for Tue-Row to twist the cursed contraption once more, causing her to spasm in pain and stopping her in her tracks. She groaned, slightly dazed - with all of her orifices still on display."

    scene bg71 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show tuerow neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Meanwhile, Tue-Row wrapped himself in a purple robe handed to him by a nearby servant. He took a deep breath, calmed himself, and turned to the guests."
    "There was a slight commotion as everyone suddenly realized they'd been standing completely still for the last fifteen minutes. It was like a spell being broken."

    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue 2.rpy
label whitescar3Control_rp:

    $ heartsongDirtyTalk = True
    $ heartsongExhibitionist = False
    $ heartsongOrgasmMirror = True
    $ heartsongDirtyTalk = False
    $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"
    
    "Is Heartsong an Exhibitionist? (affects CG and dialogue)\n{size=-6}The dialogue changes, and you get slightly different CG for each choice.{/size}"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ heartsongExhibitionist = True
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Talk dirty to Heartsong? (affects CG and dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes (more CG)":
            $ heartsongDirtyTalk = True
        "No":
            pass
    
    "Rowan smirked. It was almost too easy to fluster her. He took a step closer."

    hear "U-um! We- w-we shouldn’t do this here."

    ro "Do what?"

    "He took another step, and she backed up. He took another step, and she backed up into the tree behind her."

    #//Show CG Rowan/Heartsong Tree grope (no grope) CG
    scene black with fade
    show rowan necklace happy behind black
    #heartsong aroused
    show heartsong neutral behind black

    "Rowan casually placed his arm against the bark above her head, leaning forward into her personal space. She trembled."

    ro "What are you so afraid of?"

    hear "I-I-"
    hear "Father might see us."

    "Rowan cast an incredulous look into the brush beyond the woods. There was no sign of the now-departed Whitescar."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind black

    ro "…In a dream?"

    hear "I know it’s silly but-"

    if heartsongExhibitionist:
        "A nervous smile spread across her face and she averted her eyes. "
        hear "I don’t want him to… you know…"
        ro "No, I don’t know."
        ro "Why don’t you elaborate?"
        "Her stammering hesitation caused Rowan to lean in closer."
        ro "You {i}want{/i} him to see you, don’t you?"
        hear "N-no! Never!"
        "Rowan’s fingers flirted with the seam of her clothing. With a flick of the finger, he could expose her cleavage. She began to pant."
        ro "It gets you excited, doesn’t it? The thrill of getting caught, being seen."
        hear "N-no…"
        "The end of his index finger caught on her clothing, and pulled it aside, exposing one of her breasts. Heartsong gasped."
        "Rowan smiled, bending in close enough for his lips to brush her cheek, his breath a tickling whisper in her ear."
        ro "It gets you wet, doesn’t it? Doing something like this behind his back, covering your mouth to hide your moans, {i}knowing{/i} he’s within earshot."
        scene cg1849 with fade
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1849
        #heartsong aroused
        show heartsong neutral behind cg1849
        "She let out a soft sigh as he reached down, hiking up the hem of her dress to expose her bare ass. He grabbed a handful of it, assuming ownership even as she trembled in his grasp."
        hear "R-Rowan…"
        ro "Can you hear it, Heartsong? Your father is out there, looking for you, hunting through the brush in search of his beloved daughter."
        "Rowan groped her ass, kneading it in his hands with greedy possessiveness."
        ro "All that worry, and you’re here with {i}me{/i}."
        "She let out a gasp of delight. Her eyes fluttered shut and she shivered in blissful ecstacy. The dream reshaped itself, and Rowan heard the telltale thump of Whitescar’s footsteps in the near distance."
        show cg1850 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show whitescar neutral behind cg1850
        whit "{i}Heartsong{/i}?"
        whit "Where are you child?"
        "Rowan smirked as Heartsong’s eyes flew open, her mouth gaping in shock at the sound of his voice. Seizing the moment, Rowan whispered again in her ear."
        ro "He’ll hear you. He’ll hear the sweet sounds of your moans if you’re not careful."
        show cg1851 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Rowan’s groping grew more aggressive. He pinched her rump, and the Fae let out a delectable squeak."
        "Whitescar’s ear turned to the sound. Her face flushed as she clamped a hand across her mouth."
        "Rowan chuckled. As fun as this game was, the time had come for {i}him{/i} to feel some pleasure."

    else:
        hear "The thought of father seeing me… with you… I’d die at the thought!"
        "Rowan grinned."
        ro "-And just what would he see us doing?"
        "Heartsong blanched, her cute lips working the air as she tried and failed to come up with an answer."
        hear "I-I dunno…"
        "Rowan casually reached into the seam of her clothing, pushing aside her dress to expose a breast."
        ro "Don’t you? You recall the lakeside experience well enough."
        "Rowan leaned in and took a deep inhale, savouring the sweet scent of her. Heartsong shivered."
        hear "Y-yeah…"
        ro "Is that why you’re afraid of being caught?"
        ro "The fact that you want more."
        "He felt her slender hand hesitantly reach up to grasp his own."
        hear "Yeah..."
        scene cg1849 with fade
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1849
        #heartsong aroused
        show heartsong neutral behind cg1849
        "Taking it as his cue, Rowan reached down, yanking the hem of her dress up to her bare ass."
        "He took a palmful of her rear, inspecting the feel of it like he was sizing up a piece of meat. Heartsong - far from seeming scandalized - leaned into the gesture."
        hear "{i}Mmmh{/i}!"
        ro "You like it when I touch you, don’t you?"
        hear "Y-yeah…"
        ro "You like the feeling of being {i}mine{/i}, don’t you?"
        hear "{i}Yes...{/i}"
        show cg1851 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "He groped harder, rolling his fingers like he was kneading dough."
        ro "You like this feeling, don’t you? The look on your face says it all."
        hear "What… do I look like?"
        if heartsongDirtyTalk:
            ro "Like a slut pining for dick."
        else:
            ro " Like a good girl who wants to feel bad."
        hear "{i}Mmmh{/i}, I am, Rowan!"

    if heartsongDirtyTalk:
        ro "Get down on your knees then, dog."
        "{i}Dog{/i}. The word, spoken so callously, went through her like a lightning bolt"
        "Heartsong sank down on her knees, eyes tilted upwards in utter submission to him."
        ro "Admit it, talkings not what you came here for. You want those pretty lips of yours wrapped around the head of my dick."
        "His words only seemed to inflame her further. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes burning with erotic hunger."
        hear "Y-yes…"
        ro "Yes… what? You want to suck my cock?"
        hear "I-I want to suck your cock, Rowan."
        ro "Beg for it, then."
        "Her expression became plaintive, desperate and needy. When she spoke she sounded like she was about to cry."
        hear "P-{i}please{/i}, Rowan:"
        hear "I need you, I want you so {i}bad{/i}…"
        ro "Then take off your clothes. Have a bone, dog."
        "She did as she was told, pliant and cooperative. Her fingers fumbled with his belt as she peeled his pants down, exposing his turgid erection."
        scene cg1852 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1853 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1852
        #heartsong aroused
        show heartsong neutral behind cg1852
        hear "…!"
        "Her eyes locked to the length of his dick. Her breath caught in her throat."
        ro "What are you waiting for? My cock won’t clean itself."
        "She reached out with trembling fingers, taking him in hand. Her grip tightened as she leaned forward, planting a sloppy wet kiss straight upon his glans."
        "Emboldened, she jerked him, moving up and down the length as she made out with the head of his dick. Rowan grunted in satisfaction."
        ro "{i}Mmh{/i}, just like that."
        ro "Remember the last time you were beneath me like this? On your knees, head tilted back as I coated your face with cum."
        ro "Well this time you’re gonna taste it."
        "Rowan put his hand against the back of her head, pulling her to his groin."
        show cg1854 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Her lips came in contact with the tip, then crossed the threshold, inches disappearing down her throat before she had time to process."
        hear "{i}Ghlk{/i}!"
        ro "That’s right dog: don’t leave a job half finished."
        "She nodded, eager to please him but uncertain how to continue. He pulled her lips back onto his shaft."
        ro "Go on, you can do it:"
        ro "{i}Suck my dick{/i}."
        "The dog did as she was bid, amateur that she was. Her lips suckled as she gulped down inch after inch of his cock, her face flushed and her tail quivering."
        if heartsongExhibitionist:
            "The sound of wet gagging filled the forest, punctuated every so often by her dream-Father calling out to her in the distance."
            #behind cg
            show whitescar neutral behind cg1854
            whit "{i}Heartsong{/i}!"
            hear "{i}Ghlk! Ghlk!{/i}"
            whit "Where are you, child?"
            hear "{i}Ghhhk!{/i}"
            "Every time he called to her, her ear twitched and her throat constricted. Rowan smirked and pushed harder at the back of her head."
            ro "Oh? Afraid of getting caught, dog? Scared of showing your father something he might not care to see?"
        "The Fae’s nose flared, her mouth working as her tongue waggled beneath her. Tears formed in her eyes as Rowan’s fingers clenched at the back of her head, trailing through the soft tuff of her white hair."
        ro "No need to rush now, dog. It’s a dick, not a lollipop."
        ro "I would have thought you’d practiced this, with how often you peep on others. "
        "She {i}hummed{/i} in her mouth, indicating she wanted to speak. With some reluctance Rowan pulled free from her throat. The glistening dick emerged from her mouth glistening with saliva."
        "Heartsong - after taking a moment to catch her breath - flashed him an apologetic smile."
        hear "N-never practiced {i}myself{/i}, you know? I always watched through the eyes of people who were more… experienced."
        hear "It’s… i-it’s a bit harder to do in person."
        "Rowan smiled, pulling her head into his lap again."
        ro "Well, no better way to practice than polishing me off, hm?"
        "She gurgled an agreement, her mouth moving a bit more smoothly now that she’d lubricated the shaft."
        "Rowan felt the soft tickle of her canines brush across the sides of his cock as she greedily devoured him, the heady reminder of her feral origins."
        "He picked up the pace, guiding her with a firm grip against the back of her head. She soon was spitted halfway down his length, her golden eyes looking up at him with amorous ardor."
        "Her tongue lapped at his shaft like a good dog should, swallowing still more of him down her tight gullet."
        ro "You’re a natural at this, Heartsong. You were born to suck cock."
        "Her tail wagged. Rowan chucked at her pet-like behaviour. She {i}did{/i} like being complimented, even if that compliment was solely about her ability to take dick."
        if heartsongExhibitionist:
            "Her father’s voice gradually faded off into the distance, giving them the privacy to make as much noise as they liked. Loud slurping sounds began to echo through the forest."
        "At last Rowan felt himself reaching his limit. Heartsong, oblivious to all but the task set before her, continued to blow Rowan with eager bobs of the head."
        "Rowan gritted his teeth, pulling her head down firmly into his lap as he felt the last few inches nestle deep within her warm, pulsing throat."
        ro "That’s a good {i}doggie{/i}…"
        "The Fae gagged, coughing and spluttering as Rowan held her face firm to his groin. Her nose pressed against his navel, and he savored the submissive look she gave him as his cum vein bloated down her throat."
        #Show CG Rowan/Heartsong Tree blowjob (cumshot) CG
        "He came, grunting in pleasure as he felt hot, white satisfaction burst forth from his bloated cockhead."
        "Heartsong’s eyes widened, her lips suctioning as she belatedly realized what was happening. She started to pull away, but Rowan held firm, reveling in the feel of her airtight throat."
        "{i}Gulp{/i}. The first shots of his seed went down her throat with an obedient swallow. The Fae’s eyes flicked up to look at him, gold coin irises glowing with adoration as she took his sperm in her belly."
        "He held her to his crotch, content to drain himself to the uttermost."
        "At last, having spent his seed, he pulled his saliva-coated dick, still dripping with cum free of her in one smooth motion. She gasped in a breath of fresh air, panting in the aftermath."
        hear "Th-that was… {i}hah… hah…{/i}"
        hear "Y-you called me a dog."
        ro "And did you like that?"
        "Her eyes lit up, a hungry smile spreading across her face."
        hear "I {i}did{/i}, Rowan. It felt so…"
        hear "Naughty."
        ro "You’re a naughty girl, Heartsong."
        "She shivered in delight."
        hear "I {i}am{/i}."
        jump whitescar3StandingFuck_rp

    else:
        ro "Get down on your knees."
        "Her voice returned as a stammering whisper."
        hear "B-but-"
        ro "Now."
        "The word, spoken so tenderly, went through her like a lightning bolt. Heartsong sank down on her knees, eyes tilted upwards as if in awe of him."
        #Show CG Rowan/Heartsong Tree blowjob (clothed) CG
        "Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes aflame with erotic hunger."
        ro "…You remember what we did last time?"
        hear "Y-yeah."
        ro "You remember what I looked like from this angle?"
        hear "Yeah, you were… you’re {i}beautiful{/i}."
        ro "This time, I want more."
        ro "Take off my pants. I want you to taste me."
        "She did as she was told: obedient and compliant. Her fingers fumbled with his belt as she peeled his pants down, exposing his growing erection."
        scene cg1852 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg1853 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1852
        #heartsong aroused
        show heartsong neutral behind cg1852
        hear "...!"
        "Her breath caught in her throat. She sat, mesmerized at the sight of him. Rowan smiled at her momentary trance."
        ro "You can touch it."
        "Emboldened, she did just that, her clawed fingers brushing across his glans before taking firm hold of his cock. Rowan grunted in satisfaction."
        "Then, to his surprise, she gave his head a hesitant lick."
        "Far from discouraging her, Rowan put his hand against the back of her head."
        show cg1854 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Her lips came in contact with the tip. Though she did not hesitate to kiss it, she paused when his hand urged her further."
        ro "Come on now: don’t leave a job half done."
        "She nodded, eager to please him but uncertain how to continue."
        ro "Try suckling on it."
        "She did as he bid, engulfing his head in her mouth as she gently bobbed her head up and down upon his cock."
        if heartsongExhibitionist:
            "Every so often the sound of sucking was interrupted by her dream-Father’s voice calling out in the distance."
            "Each time she tended, glancing worriedly about with Rowan’s cock in her mouth, before steadfastly continuing."
            "She pressed forwards, nose flaring as she struggled to fit him on her mouth. She was new at this, that much was certain."
            "Rowan’s fingers clenched at the back of her head, trailing through the soft tuff of her white hair."
            ro "Easy now, it’s not a rush."
            ro "I would have thought you’d practiced this, with how often you peep on others."
            "She pulled the glistening dick from her mouth just long enough to flash an apologetic smile."
            hear "N-not {i}myself{/i}, you know? Always watched through the eyes of people who were more… experienced."
            hear "It’s… i-it’s a bit harder to do in person."
            "Rowan smiled, pulling her head once more into his lap."
            ro "Well, no better way to practice, hm?"
            "She gurgled an agreement, her mouth moving a bit more smoothly across his turgid length now that she’d lubricated the shaft. "
        "Rowan felt the soft tickle of her canines brush across the sides of his cock as she blew him, the heady reminder of her feral origins. She looked up at him, innocent eyes gazing at him as she seemed to catch on to his concern. She smiled."
        "Rowan picked up the pace, guiding her with a gentle but firm grip against the back of her head. She soon had herself spitted halfway down his length, her golden eyes looking up at him with amorous ardor."
        "Her tongue, once hesitant now began to waggle beneath his shaft, attempting to swallow still more of him with a liberal application of saliva. She might be new at this, but she was a natural cocksucker."
        if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
            "As she blew him she shifted back and forth, thighs rubbing together. A glistening patch of wetness coated her crotch. She seemed eager, almost desperate to please him."
            "A hand darted down beneath his groin, and to Rowan’s surprise he felt her fondle his balls, groping at the swollen orbs with an eagerness well beyond her experience."
            "Her eyes lit up as she saw him moan, redoubling his efforts as the dick in her mouth began to swell and bulge."
            hear "{i}Mmmmmh, hhnkg{/i}!"
            "She hummed happily at her efforts, her arms encircling his waist as she bent her head into the action of blowing Rowan. The amateur had grown {i}far{/i} more bold."
        "At last he felt himself reaching his limit. Heartsong, oblivious to all but the task set before her, continued to do her task with gusto."
        "Rowan gritted his teeth, pulling her head down firmly into his lap as he felt the last few inches nestle deep within her warm, pulsing throat."
        "The Fae gagged, coughing and spluttering as Rowan held her face firm to his groin. Her nose pressed against his navel, and he savored the submissive look she gave him as his cum vein bloated down her throat."
        #Show CG Rowan/Heartsong Tree blowjob (cumshot) CG
        "He came, grunting in pleasure as he felt hot, white pleasure burst forth from his bloated cockhead."
        "Heartsong’s eyes widened, her lips suctioning as she belatedly realized what was happening. She started to pull away, but Rowan held firm, reveling in the feel of her throat."
        "{i}Gulp{/i}. The first shots of his seed went down her gullet with an obedient swallow. The Fae’s eyes flicked up to look at him, gold coin irises glowing with adoration as she took his seed in her belly."
        if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
            "She let out a muffled squeal, hips gyrating as she humped futilely at the air. Her eyes crossed as the full realization of her lover's unfolding orgasm struck her like a tidal wave."
            "A wet stain appeared on the ground beneath her, like a slow drip of dew from a leaf drenched in rainwater."
            "She drank from his balls as if savouring the sweetest nectar, shoulders shuddering all the while."
        "He held her to his groin, content to drain himself to the uttermost. At last, having spent himself, he pulled his saliva-coated dick free of her in one smooth motion. She gasped in a breath of fresh air, panting in the aftermath."
        hear "Th-that was… {i}hah… hah…{/i}"
        hear "Y-you came."
        ro "Are you surprised by that fact?"
        "She tilted her gaze to meet his own, a shy smile spreading across her face."
        hear "I… I can’t believe I made you do that."
        hear "M-made you feel… good. It made me feel…"
        hear "Desirable."
        ro "I think it’s pretty obvious that I desire you, Heartsong."
        "She beamed."
        hear "And I, you!"
    
    return

    label whitescar3StandingFuck_rp:

        "Staring down at the now-satiated Heartsong, something stirred in Rowan. He was not satisfied with what they’d done. He wanted more."
        "He glanced down at his now-flaccid cock, considering the situation. If he could affect reality in these dreams, seize control of the dream’s narrative and structure, even change Heartsong’s mind about things…"
        "Why couldn’t he change himself?"
        "He willed himself to get hard, picturing the dominant image of his erection towering over the prone Fae in all its masculine glory. Despite having just finished in her mouth, he felt his length thickening again."
        "Heartsong let out a squeak of surprise, watching in rapt attention as he grew in front of her. Rowan growled, stoking that ember of lust into a raging fire. It was more than a mere attraction, it was a craving, a ceaseless appetite, an animalistic urge spurring him on to claim this female as his woman."
        "His mind was filled with images of power, of control. A primal hunger grew in his belly till his thoughts were flooded with the thought of rutting and fucking and thrusting."
        "The dam broke, and Rowan felt himself lift the Fae bodily to her feet, overpowering her completely."

        hear "R-rowan, what are you-"
        hear "{i}Aaahn!{/i}"

        scene cg1857 with fade
        pause 3
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1857
        #heartsong aroused
        show heartsong neutral behind cg1857

        "He thrust into her clinging wetness with a roar of triumph. His ears alighted to the sound of her surprised moan mixing sweetly with the {i}squelch{/i} of her cunt around his cock."
        "He lifted her leg over his shoulder, pushing aside the only barrier between their bodies. Heartsong, flabbergasted at his boldness, nevertheless complied."
        "He pushed her up against the tree, astonished at his own aggression. With a second thrust he buried himself to the hilt inside her, rock hard and ready to breed."

        hear "{i}Haaah! Uhn!{/i} R-Rowan…"

        "Her candy-sweet voice, soft and trilling as if in desperation, as if caught unawares by how much she’d needed this. Far from discouraging him, she tightened her legs grip upon his shoulder, urging him onward."
        "Rowan obliged, drawing his hips back and pistoning into her with a series of sharp, short thrusts. The Fae squirmed and squealed at the rough treatment, but her body was far more honest than her voice. Her claws gripped tightly to Rowan’s back, so sharp they might draw blood."
        "But that was part of the dance. Primal and unfettered. Rowan thrust into her again, taking a handfull of her ass and groping it, spreading her cheeks wide and exposing her intimacy to all of nature."
        "There was no time for soft touches, gentle caresses or the pageantry of love. This was hot, wet fucking. The mating of beasts. He, the aggressor and she the submissive. Without words, they had established their rapport."
        "{i}Slap slap slap slap{/i} went his hips against hers, mashing his groin tight against her to bury in her depths and plant his seed. She cried out wordlessly at the ruthless aggression, tamed by her stronger mate and the pleasure he could give her."
        "Rowan growled in her ear, giving himself utterly to the conquest. His hips drew back and slammed into her hard enough to make her body quake, arms scraping against the tree as she braced against it for dear life."

        hear "{i}Hah… hah…{/i} f-fuck me, Rowan…. {i}fuck me{/i}…"

        "Heartsong was in a daze, driven by the same madness that had overtaken Rowan. She did not question why he took her, nor the intensity of its onslaught. If anything, she was more desperate than he: plaintive and pleading."

        hear "Rowan… Rowan, Rowan {i}Rowan{/i}."

        "She bent her hips into the action, driving him still deeper into her. She impaled herself upon his dick, alway groaning and resentful when he drew back from anything but the hilt."
        "The stench of sex hung heavy in the air, an omnipresent aura that drove the two lust-mad animals madder still in their fucking."
        "Rowan spanked Heartsong, and she let out a yip like a fox. He pulled at her tail, and she howled her pleasure to the heavens. He mauled at her breasts, growling like a beast as she let out her own, pleasured snarl in response."
        "They fucked for what felt like hours, and perhaps in this dreamscape it was. Finally, feeling that deep something bubbling up within him, Rowan picked up his pace, pinning her to the tree with all his strength."
        "Heartsong, her face half-mashed against the tree, growled and bit at him as he thrust to completion, his hips gyrating against her again and again and again and again until he reached the uttermost peak of sensation and-"

        show cg1858 with sshake
        show cg1858 with sshake
        show cg1859 with flash
        pause 2

        hear "{i}Aaaaaaaah!{/i}"

        "Heartsong screamed, twitching and trembling on his cock, held fast and helpless to escape the orgasm that jolted through her at the peak of Rowan’s ejaculation. He swelled and swelled until a spurt of molten lust burst forth from his cockhead, and he spent himself within her."
        "They held at the peak of pleasure for long minutes, bodies entwined as Rowan held her to the tree, content to fire sticky threads of new life within her as he claimed her body and his own for the reproductive purpose for which he’d been made."
        "He came, the sensation lingering a long time, far longer than usual, till a tingling came to his testicles and he knew he’d drained himself to nothing. She had taken it all."
        "He held her for another long moment, teeth hovering at her throat, then pulled free, letting her go now that he had fulfilled his purpose. The female, freed from her constraints, collapsed to the ground, as spent as he was in the act of creation."
        "Rowan stood over her, panting, exhausted at the sudden storm that he had unleashed. Heartsong was shaking, her body quaked by aftershocks from that first, titanic orgasm. Her hair was a mess, her clothing ripped and askew, but she looked completely, utterly content."
        "She lazily lifted her head to look at him, rolling onto her back and displaying with pride the mark of his seed spread across her thighs, splattered across her stomach, dripping from her glistening womanhood."

        hear "Rowan…"

        "A gentle purr. Her soothing voice speaking words that were abundantly redundant, given what they’d just done to each other. She ran her hands down her body, seeming for the first time since they’d met utterly content, casual in her self-confidence."
        "Rowan smiled as he gazed down at his conquest, content in the fact that they’d both gotten what they’d wanted. His back was covered in scratches."

        ro "Was that good for you?"

        "Careless laughter let loose from her lips."

        hear "I-it was {i}amazing{/i}! Is sex always that good with you?"

        #behind cg
        show rowan necklace happy behind cg1859

        ro "I wouldn’t know, you’d have to ask my lovers."

        "A sly smile spread across the Fae’s face."

        hear "I… think I might be one of them now."

        ro "That was certainly unexpected."

        if heartsongOrgasmMirror:
            "Heartsong beamed at him, flashing a glimpse of her sharp canines."
            hear "You make me feel so wanted. That moment when you came in me, I…"
            "Her smile regained a tinge of its awkwardness as she blushed."
            hear "It was like watching daybreak, but I felt the light of the sun in me. It felt so good, knowing that I could make you feel that way."

        else:
            hear "You… I’ve thought a lot about this, about you and I."
            hear "I never dared to think we could… I-I thought, maybe at least if I helped you, it’d be enough for me, but…"
            "She smiled shyly at him, seeming once more bashful in his presence."
            hear "I’m glad there’s something more."

        scene bg3 with fade
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        #heartsong happy
        show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

        ro "You’ve proven to be quite intriguing to me, Heartsong."

        "Her tail began to wag as she stood to her feet."

        hear "Th-thank you, Rowan."
        
    return

# \events\jobs\alexia barmaid 7.rpy
label ophelia_tells_a_story_2_rp:

    $ opheliaName = "Ophelia"
    $ opheliaGrope = True
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaWatchedJak = True
    $ indarahStripSeen = True
    
    "Is Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg21 with fade
    show alexia barmaid neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    if opheliaGrope == False:
        "Thankfully for Alexia, Ophelia’s raunchy, risky offer seemed to be a one-off event, a boiling-over of steam desperate to escape its kettle. She didn’t push the issue or bring it back up."
        "But it soon became clear to Alexia that whatever need spurred it had not quite been quenched. Ophelia simply turned her attention towards another outlet."

    else:
        "Although Ophelia teased Alexia with constant reminders of the event she claimed to have no memory of, she didn’t seem inclined to offer Alexia another chance at her chest."
        "Whatever need had spurred the escalation did not seem quite yet quenched, however. She just seemed to turn her attention towards another potential outlet."

    ophe "Alexia, my darling dahlia, my courageous carnation, my succulent silene–"

    show alexia barmaid shocked at edgeleft with dissolve

    al "Succulent?"

    "A lot of men had made passes at Alexia throughout her life, especially as she worked in the tavern, but…"

    al "That’s a new one."

    "Ophelia laughed, tossing back what remained in her wineglass before setting it aside. As she set it down on the table and Alexia poured from a fresh bottle, the Prothean minstrel smiled a slim smile, eyelashes seeming to lower dangerously."

    ophe "And yet still all too apt, my riveting rose. Given the opportunity, I don’t think I could stop myself from taking a bite out of your flower’s, mm,  fruit. I cannot imagine how delicious its juices must be, or how messily they might run down–"

    "Rather than allow Ophelia to wax on at length, Alexia quickly interjected."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Oh, stop that. It’s too busy tonight for you to carry on like that."
        ophe "Oh, only if you OFFER the opportunity, of course. Though if you were to appear, say, naked and bound in my bed this evening–"
        al "Ophelia!"
        "Ophelia laughed again, gesturing lazily and quieting to take the first sip of her new glass."
        show alexia barmaid neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    else:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Your chin or my thighs?"
        "Ophelia blinked, briefly losing her flirtatious equilibrium at Alexia’s ribald riposte. Before she could recover, the redhead pressed her advantage."
        al "We have euphemisms in Rosaria, if you had forgotten. And as flattering as that offer is, you’ve had your eyes elsewhere recently."
        "It had not escaped Alexia’s notice. Few of the women stopping at the tavern seemed to entice the minstrel as of late. The interest normally pointed at the redhead had shifted to their little oasis’ {i}other{/i} fixture."
        show alexia barmaid neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
        al "Are you buttering me up for something?"
        "Ophelia paused, then broke into laughter. She straightened in her seat, taking up her wineglass and taking a sip."
        ophe "Very astute of you. As much as I’d love to {i}really{/i} butter you up? Yes."

    ophe "I’d like you to help me with something."

    "Her tone seemed candid, and she spoke the words while looking Alexia in the eye rather than letting her golden gaze rove in suggestive fashion."
    "Alexia set the wine bottle down on the table, propping her now-empty serving tray against her hip. She glanced over her shoulder briefly; they were hosting plenty of travellers and caravaners tonight, but it didn’t seem like anyone needed immediate service that Indarah couldn’t provide."

    al "What’s that?"

    ophe "Why, with the other gem in this unfortunate rough, of course. That little bit of misplaced treasure that the Dragon’s Tail ought to be hunting for."

    al "The other… …Indarah?"

    ophe "Of course. Who else? Don’t answer - purely rhetorical. Although, if you happen to have a buxom blonde bar wench hidden away from my eyes…"

    if alexiaCorrupt < 61:
        al "Of course not. You would have sniffed them out by now."
        ophe "One never knows. Anyway…"

    else:
        al "Yes, and we’ll never show her to you. The poor thing is a maiden with a childhood sweetheart she means to marry, and I shan’t allow you to come between them for five minutes of fun."
        ophe " My favourite sort of maiden! Alas. In any case…"

    ophe "I’d like Indarah to help me with a particular tale. It takes place in the Dragon’s Tail, and her tail would lend it an air of authenticity. Her assistance as well."

    "Ophelia took another sip of her wine, then gestured as she picked up where she left off."

    ophe "Unfortunately, she’s been playing hard to get since I got here. You know–"

    "The minstrel’s voice grew huskier, adopting a surprisingly accurate islander accent for a string of quickly-spoken words."

    ophe "Girl, I don’t tend to mix business and pleasure. Except for when I do, which is constantly, because there is nothing I like more than mouthing off and being put in my place by the strongest and bawdiest bastards that come here."

    if alexiaWatchedJak:
        "… … Yeah, that seemed true to life."

    "Afterwards, Ophelia’s eyebrows piqued up, lifting a flat palm as if to present her imitation for Alexia’s assessment."
    "Given everything she saw and knew, Ophelia’s intentions were rather undisguised. Whatever tale that Ophelia told tonight was guaranteed to skew into suggestive if not outright lewd and vulgar territory. That was her favourite, and sure to get a literal rise out of the rough, road-weary men and women throughout the tavern."
    "She wasn’t just asking Alexia to help convince Indarah to participate. Ophelia was asking Alexia to help her get an in with Indarah."

    al "Have you considered that you might not be her type?"

    "The minstrel’s eyes widened, her brows sweeping up even higher. Her fingers leaped to her mouth to cover the faux gasp of surprise."

    ophe "Why, that’s impossible! Utterly unthinkable! Whatever would make you bring up such a wretched possibility?"

    "Alexia glanced down over Ophelia, then lifted a finger to gesture at her lap, her arms and the deep depths of her pale cleavage in order."
    "Ophelia tilted her head."

    al "I’m quite certain the commonality between the ‘strongest’ and ‘bawdiest’ bastards is a cock, one or two balls, a great deal of muscle and some hair on their chest."
    al "While I haven’t seen under your pants–"

    ophe "We can change that."

    al "–I’m quite certain you don’t possess any of those things. She likes men, not women, and you’re far from masculine, even in trousers."

    ophe "Hm. You might have a point. The lack of cock is something easily addressed, but I don’t plan to bulk up for the sake of one tryst. As for the hair on my chest, hm…"

    "The minstrel considered for a moment, then reached back, drawing some of her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder. Although long, the sheer swell of her chest could not be fully concealed beneath the silken curtain, forming a pastiche of chest hair. "
    "As she looked up at Alexia, curious, the redhead giggled."

    ophe "How’s this? Deepening my voice might help, but I’d prefer to sound something like myself."

    al "Not good enough, I think."

    ophe "Alas."

    "She brushed the hair back over her shoulder."

    ophe "You needn’t fret over that, however. Humour aside, I know for a fact that Indarah’s bedroom door is open to our sort."

    al "How do you figure?"

    ophe "Because I’m not a landlocked travelling minstrel, and like any traveller worth their bosom’s weight in gold, I’ve had the privilege of visiting Traveller’s Rest. Not a fan of sea travel, so I doubt I’ll be going back any time soon, but I digress."

    al "Huh."

    "It made sense. Despite everything that suggested Ophelia stemmed from status, she was always comfortable around the tavern’s more dangerous guests. She could be as crude as any one of them, and her jokes often made surly, grim-faced gentlemen twitch their lips with something that LOOKED like a smile."

    ophe "The entertainment in that city’s watering holes is just… mmmm. Unrestrained. Few of the establishments keep my sort as full-time employees. They go from stage to stage, sometimes throughout the day, sometimes day-to-day, plying their trade. It’s not rare for people to follow the talent instead of the drinks or their prices."
    ophe "It’s very competitive, as you might imagine. Those with the most devotees make a very lucrative living– as lucrative as one can get there without being a pirate lord or family to one, anyway. One needs to stand out."

    al "What does this have to do with Indarah?"

    ophe "Just a few years ago, there was a particular dancer that dominated the stages. Like many of her peers, she wasn’t afraid to show it all, and if anyone ever tried to upstage her– well. It’s fair to say she was so hungry for the crowd’s love and coin that she was willing to cross lines no others would."

    "The minstrel smiled, glancing across the tavern to where the tavern’s proprietress was, passing out a round of drinks and crooking a grin in the face of their ogling eyes."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 31 and indarahStripSeen == False:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Alexia followed Ophelia’s eyes over to her friend, cheeks taking on a flush."
        al "You don’t mean–"
        ophe "Oh, I do."

    else:
        show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
        "Alexia wet her lips as she looked over to her friend, unsurprised. Her cheeks warmed."
        al "Oh. So…"

    ophe "With the audience she drew, I’m ashamed to say I would have been just another face in the crowds for her. In those days, I happened to be rather coy and dressed accordingly. Not a hint of skin!"

    show alexia barmaid neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    "Alexia looked back to Ophelia, unconvinced."
    "If the minstrel noticed the barmaid’s doubt, she did not acknowledge it."

    ophe "In any case, I knew enough to be able to tell when a woman was faking her interest in another– when sapphism was part of the sale to the crowd, versus the real thing. And Indarah did not need to pretend when another woman was on stage with her. Her business {i}is{/i} pleasure."
    ophe "Even here, however she ended up running a tavern in the middle of fucking nowhere."

    al "So what are you asking me to do, really?"

    ophe "Ah! Well. She’s given me a number of reasons for why she won’t get on stage with me, and the latest one was along the lines of “I don’t want to burden all the night’s work on Alexia”, which was frankly farcical."
    ophe "Just tell her that you’ll be fine and that she should do it. She already knows what part she’ll play in the performance, and it’s nothing new to her."

    "Alexia frowned, glancing over the evening’s patrons once more. Though the tavern was fuller than not, there were certainly empty chairs; if Indarah really had used that as a reason, it had definitely been an excuse. She had managed similar crowds in the past, and surely would again in the future."

    ophe "So, what do you say? I think she’ll thank you for giving her the push she needs, and I certainly will."

    al "Well..."

    menu:
        "I’ll do it. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ indarahNudge = True
            if alexiaCorrupt < 31 and indarahStripSeen == False:
                "Though Alexia hesitated, she couldn’t see the harm in just telling Indarah that she would be fine working the floor alone. Beyond that, things would be between her and Ophelia."
                "It wasn’t like she would be spending the rest of the night on stage, after all. At most, it would be some ten or twenty minutes, surely."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 60:
                show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Alexia wet her lips, glancing towards the stage. If Ophelia got up there with Indarah, things were going to get… interesting."
                "And Alexia happened to like interesting things. Particularly explicit interesting things."
            else:
                show alexia barmaid aroused at edgeleft with dissolve
                "Alexia took a shallow breath and considered briefly, but assuming Ophelia wasn’t grossly misrepresenting whatever exchanges she had with Indarah…"
                "Well, the tavern had a stage for a reason, and Indarah seemed like the kind of woman born to be on stage. She wasn’t any shade of shy."
            al "Alright. I’ll mention it to her, but I’m not going to push it."
            "The Prothean woman smiled confidently, taking another sip from her glass before winking at Alexia. When she spoke again, her words further implied her absolute certainty."
            ophe "Fantastic. Just remember that whatever happens up there tonight, or any other night, you’re my favourite."
            show alexia barmaid happy at edgeleft with dissolve
            al "You say that to a lot of women, don’t you?"
            ophe "And every time, it’s true!"
            "Alexia rolled her eyes with a smile of her own, turning and getting back to work."
            show alexia barmaid happy at midleft with moveinleft
            show indarah neutral at midright with moveinright
            "The next time she and Indarah were both behind the bar at the same time, she cleared her throat and spoke over the sound of pouring ale."
            al "Listen, I don’t know what’s been going on between you and Ophelia–"
            ind "Our silken skirt-chaser?"
            al "Just, she mentioned that you didn’t want to help her with a performance because it would leave me alone on the tavern floor."
            ind "Did she, now."
            "Indarah thumped the topped-off, froth-leaking tankards on her platter, then turned to Alexia with raised eyebrows and a humourless expression."
            ind "What of it?"
            al "You know I can handle the crowd if you do want to help her with whatever it is she wants you for."
            "Indarah pursed her lips, looking at Alexia for a long moment, steady as it was silent. Then, she let out a soft snort, grabbing a washrag to drape over her shoulder. A little crook at the corner of her mouth hinted at some wry expression being suppressed."
            ind "That woman just can’t take no for an answer, can she?"
            al "Not well, no."
            ind "Fine. I’ll do it."
            "A bit of tension bled out of Alexia’s shoulders. For a moment, she was certain Indarah was about to show her a hint of Islander anger. They both looked over to where Ophelia sat, sticking out like a sore thumb amidst the other travellers."
            "The pale-blonde made no disguise of the attention she paid them, leaned forward on her table with her chin pillared in a palm. When her eyes met theirs, she smiled and lifted her other hand, twinkling them in a laissez-faire greeting."
            "Indarah returned the wave with her middle finger, before sighing and turning it into a thumbs up. Ophelia leaned back, faking pleasant surprise as she moved a hand over her heart, showing them just how touched she was."
            "From there, the pair’s hands flickered as they communicated across the room. It involved a few more crude and unsavoury gestures on Indarah’s part, none of which Ophelia acknowledged beyond a widening of her smile."
            "Following their fingers with her eyes, Alexia surmised it was nothing more than them deciding if they would start in however-many minutes. They settled on twenty-five as Alexia gathered her drinks and went out to replace empty drinks."
            scene black with fade
            "The minutes passed quickly, and the performance was underway before most of the tavern’s intoxicated guests realised what was going on. Both Ophelia and Indarah slipped onto stage without any sort of announcement or fanfare, one after the other."
            "When they made their presence there known, the room quieted and turned towards them, some patrons caught off guard by its peculiar beginnings. After all–"
            ophe "LAND HO!"
            "–they weren’t on a ship, so. What the fuck was that about? The confused murmurs hushed."
            #cg1
            scene cg1838 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1839 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1840 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "With her unaddled wits, Alexia continued to focus on providing service to the hard bitten caravaners and more plush merchants throughout the room, glancing up from time to time to see what was playing out on stage."
            ophe "A call most sailors love to hear after a hard voyage. After days or weeks surrounded by nothing but the same stinky lot and the open sea, hearing ‘land ho’ is a relief. It means a change of pace and a break from the norm is coming."
            "The minstrel flashed her audience a grin, touching lacquered nails to her chest."
            ophe "Oh, how a crew roars with excitement when they hear that call. It warms the heart to hear their joy and excitement; even the hardiest of sailors shows a glimmer of their inner child at such a time."
            ophe "But it’s a versatile cry. It isn’t always a declaration of land spotted. So many words, so many different meanings! A sailor might also cry…"
            ophe "LAND HO!"
            "Ophelia cried the word aloud, before flicking her hand out in an expressive indication of Indarah."
            ophe "… when they spot their first land-locked whore upon disembarking."
            "Chuckles ran throughout the crowd. Indarah rolled her eyes, but Ophelia carried on merrily over the sound of their amusement. Her fingers curled, wrist flicking up and down in a gesture reminiscent of an act most of them were familiar with."
            ophe "One’s preferred hand can only provide so much company over time, you know, before it begins to cramp."
            "Alexia giggled amidst the rising laughter."
            "Golden eyes atwinkle, Ophelia leaned forward, voice lowering for a confession."
            ophe "Not that any one of you should try crying out ‘land ho’ at this one, once she gets off the stage. She’ll box your ears, knee your cock or cunt and tear you a new arsehole with her tongue. And that’s {i}after{/i} she cuts you off from the ale."
            "A few more laughs and clapped hands acknowledged Ophelia’s wisdom. Indarah’s smile returned."
            "Ophelia straightened again, pacing along the stage as she resumed her narration."
            ophe "Seldom will a sailor cry ‘land ho’ with both those meanings in mind, but when they do– when they do! All their glee and delight will turn quickly to dread, my friends, for it means their lives are in danger from both the land and whore alike."
            ophe "Imagine, now, that your difficult journey through the Wastes thus far has been a turbulent sea-crossing. You hear the cry– LAND HO! –and rush to the ship’s prow, catching your first glimpse of land."
            ophe "But where you hope to see a harbour or cove, you instead see a rocky outcropping jutting up from the waves, wet with the ocean’s wash. There is no reason to stop there, and every reason for the helmsman to give it a wide berth."
            ophe "As mighty as the ship seems, its hull would break on those salty stones. Yet the vessel does not cut away across the waves; it continues towards its certain doom as your eyes catch upon the– LAND HO! –whore upon it."
            "Once again, Ophelia gestured towards Indarah. Her pacing steps brought her behind the other woman, fingers trailing over her nearest shoulder as she closed the distance between them. Their colouring struck an immediate contrast; sun-kissed dusky skin on pale and gold."
            #cg2
            scene cg1841 with fade
            pause 2
            show cg1842 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Taller than her stage-partner, Ophelia came to a stop behind her, resting her chin on the Islander’s other shoulder, their faces side-by-side to the crowd. Both her arms wound around Indarah’s body, pulling her back against the Prothean’s front in an intimate hold."
            "Despite her supposed reluctance to take the stage, Indarah leaned back against Ophelia, her eyes heavy as she gazed over the crowd watching her in turn. Her breathing was heavy– not laboured, but deep, deliberate, her chest rising and falling in rhythm. "
            "The curl of Ophelia’s arms seemed to guide all eyes towards Indarah’s breasts."
            ophe "Her beauty is as mesmerising as it is immodestly presented to you and the rest of the crew. From head to toe, there is not a stitch upon her curvaceous body."
            ophe "Unhidden by her long hair, her breasts make converts out of those who preferred ass; though you only see her front at first, the dip of her waist and the wild bloom of her hips promise that her ass is capable of the inverse."
            #cg2 - var 1
            show cg1843 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Though the minstrel paused for the span of a breath, her fingers began to move in their stead."
            "The higher of her two hands brazenly glided along Indarah’s cleavage before dipping under her neckline. Her lower hand slipped over Indarah’s hip, grazing its unhurried way to the proprietress’ covered cunt."
            "For the span of that silent breath, the only noise in the tavern seemed to be Alexia’s steps and the clunk of tankards being placed before their destined imbibers."
            "Ophelia spoke again, but only for Indarah’s ear, whispering something into it. The Islander seemed to shudder at whatever it was. Though she nipped at her bottom lip, she could no more hide the curve of her mouth than those of her body."
            "Then, grinning, Ophelia addressed her enchanted crowd once more. With her tray emptied, Alexia headed back to the bar, taking a moment to listen along, her mind easily painting what Ophelia meant to evoke."
            ophe "Her arms lift and spread wide, welcoming you towards her. There is no shortage of men or women aboard your ship, but you are {i}certain{/i} she has eyes for you and you alone. She needs you."
            ophe "For years, decades, maybe even centuries, she has waited for you. Her lips move. Though she is too far for you to hear what she says, you know it is a promise– to be both your love and your whore for the rest of your life."
            "Ophelia paused, but only for a beat."
            ophe "Then you hear the anguished cries of those sailors who have realised who and what she is. For a moment, their horror helps you see her for what she truly is. But her beauty is no less haunting for her demonic horns and bat-like wings. Before she had two arms, and now they number four."
            ophe "Once that moment passes, however, all your fellow sailors fall quiet. The ship is close enough to hear her now, and the sound of her voice washes away all fear felt by you and your friends. She does not speak. In a sense, she sings, though in no familiar fashion to you."
            show cg1844 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Skilled and knowledgeable even on unfamiliar terrain, Ophelia was playing Indarah’s body like an instrument, roughly handling the Islander’s prestigious tits with elegant fingers. From the bar, it was hard to tell what Ophelia’s fingers were doing; they could have been fingering or stroking, or attending to her clit."
            "Whichever it was, the results mattered more: Indarah stopped holding back and let the sound of her pleasure pour out of her, both shamelessly expressing herself before their captivated audience and voicing the character."
            "Ophelia’s voice pitched over it, as delighted as their audience was. Indarah’s hands clutched at the Prothean’s slim wrists, not to pull them away but to hold on for dear life."
            ophe "Although wordless, you cannot deny the temptress’ song. Its meaning is clear to you– it is {i}your{/i} song. It is what {i}you{/i} will do to her, soon enough."
            ophe "All day, the seas had been calm and the sky cloudless. Now, a freak storm strikes suddenly, battering winds and vicious waves sending crew members overboard."
            ophe "Yet none who remain care to batten down the hatches. No one thinks to bring down the sails. The only thing that matters is the woman, the land whore, and what she offers you: eternal bliss."
            ophe "Strangely, the storm only brings you closer and closer. It is a boon, not a hindrance. You lift your hands, reaching out to her just as she has reached out to you."
            "Indarah’s cries reached a timely crescendo, her moment near. Performance or not, it sounded real."
            ophe "Suddenly, the ship crashes against the rocks, and you lose your footing as the hull breaks. There are already dozens of other shipwrecks around you, further warnings of danger that she blinded you to. Her joy drowns out any pain or horror in the savage winds."
            hide cg1844 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Ophelia seemed to whisper something into Indarah’s ear."
            "Indarah’s moaning then hitched, almost as if she had finally gained ground and self-control over her cunt’s impending rapture. If she had, it broke immediately thereafter, an unmistakable squeal of ecstasy dominating the room."
            #cg4
            scene cg1845 with fade
            pause 3
            "Her body trembled, and after a second she began to sink. Ophelia could have easily supported the other woman’s weight, but instead allowed her down. The Prothean knelt behind the panting Islander as she tried to recover. Her hands remained in place on Indarah’s body, still and yet still intimate."
            "The crowd was quiet."
            ophe "Just like that, it’s over. The storm ends with the end of her song, dark clouds parting away to allow the sun to shine Solnasia’s light on the tragedy. Everyone else is dead, the land whore is silent, and your journey is over."
            #cg4 - var 1
            show cg1846 with dissolve
            show indarah neutral behind cg1845
            pause 2
            "Ophelia’s eyes gleamed."
            ophe "Or perhaps it has just begun, for this is not an unhappy tale. Against all odds, you’ve survived the wreck, and when she realises that, she is stunned. No other soul has ever stepped upon her rock. She has never had a {i}survivor{/i} before."
            "Indarah swallowed roughly, lifting her head. Confusion sheened in her eyes. In the tavern’s rapt silence, her mumbled words reached even Alexia’s ear."
            ind "Hold on a fuckin’ second, you said just once–"
            #cg4 - var 2
            show cg1847 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "She cut off quickly, groaning and tossing her head back as Ophelia’s fingers picked up right where they left off. Despite the protest, Indarah gave herself over to Ophelia without struggle, her grip on the minstrel’s wrists white-knuckled."
            ophe "And so, she makes good on her promise to you! After her whorishness led to the death of countless sailors, you pledge to avenge them all. It will take years for you to do, but for every life cut short, you make her cum for their sake. "
            #cg4 - var 3
            show cg1848 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "The audience broke into cheers, clapping hands, slapping thighs and thumping boots. It was a raucous cacophony, but not one that could drown out the sound of Indarah being taken for another ride on the exhibitionism-go-round."
            ophe "It is a heavy duty, but one you occasionally bullshit yourself into believing you take no pleasure in it. With her obeying your every order, your life on that small rock is nothing but pleasure and paradise!"
            ophe "For years, you carry on stalwartly, not questioning how you can fuck all day and all night without a wink of sleep, let alone food or drink. Why would you, after all? Your new lover isn’t inclined to complain–"
            #cg4 - var 1
            hide cg1845
            show cg1845 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Indeed, Indarah’s next orgasm was anything but a complaint, mouth hanging open as she wailed out. The raunchy, unfiltered showing continued for quite a bit longer than Alexia initially expected it to run."
            "Beyond that point, it abandoned any attempt to maintain a coherent plot: it was outlandish and lurid for the sake of those things, nothing more. The crowd drank it up, and more to the point, they drank up the ale Alexia served like they were tossing back small shots."
            "When the tips for that night began to roll in, Alexia could see why Indarah might have agreed to Ophelia’s perverse proposal. The coin was staggering; the crowd’s genuine enjoyment and appreciation were easily amplified by drunken disregard for the weight of their coin pouches."
            "She could also see why Indarah had used Alexia working alone as a reason not to do it. It wasn’t just that she would be working the floor and bar alone during the show. Indarah and Ophelia disappeared upstairs together at the show’s conclusion, leaving Alexia very busy for the rest of the evening."
            if alexiaCorrupt > 30 or alexiaJezObedient:
                "… And a little jealous, too."
            return

        "I won’t do it.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ indarahNudge = False
            "Alexia knew she could handle the patrons without any trouble, but– she had a feeling that Ophelia wasn’t asking her to give Indarah a nudge her friend desired. She wanted an in with the tavern’s keeper."
            "Before Alexia could open her mouth to say the words, however, Ophelia seemed to read her expression and her mind with it. She cast a rueful smile, lifting a hand in a flat-palmed gesture."
            ophe "Fine, fine. Forget I asked, though do keep an eye on me and my good friend here."
            "She reached out for the bottle set on the table, pulling it close."
            ophe "I have a feeling I’ll empty it out fairly quick and be in desperate need of another before getting on stage all on my lonesome. And the last thing any of your patrons want is to hear me with a dry throat."
            al "Of course. I’m sorry."
            ophe "Nothing to apologise for, hm?"
            "Alexia got back to work after that."
            "After emptying her bottle and half of a second, Ophelia graced the stage with her usual energy, weaving a tale that Alexia had heard her tell several times before– all high seas and shipwrecks. It focused on the courage and the derring-do of the graciously endowed Prothean captain."
            "While it hooked those in the crowd who had never heard it before, it was little more than background noise to Alexia as she worked. Though the redhead wondered how things could have gone with Indarah’s involvement, she kept her focus on her customers throughout the evening."
            return
        
    return

# \events\ruler_events_49.rpy
label hel_nightmare_1_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene black with fade
    show rowan aroused behind black
    show helayna naked aroused behind black

    "Helayna felt like the luckiest woman in Rosaria– and in the midst of such a moment, it was indeed easy for her to forget what had happened to her over the past few months."
    "All the trauma of Rowan’s betrayal and the sacking of her home gone, swept under a rug then rolled-up and thrown out a window."
    "The room was filled with the most beautiful music that Helayna had ever heard, and considering her station…?"
    "Oh, her ears had been graced by some of the finest players in the Seven Realms, travelling or kept at court."
    "What she was hearing now was magic to her, made even better by the accompanying song that she sang with her partner:"

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        ro "–goddess, Helayna…!"

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        ro "–you want it? Because here it comes, slut…!"

    else:
        ro "–Helayna, I’m going to…!"

    hel "Yyyyyyesssss… Rowan! RRRRROWAN!"

    #Show CG: Nightmare 1 CG 1, Variant 0
    scene black with fade

    "Their instruments were their bodies, and the sounds they made were harsh, wet. Inarguably indecent to any level-headed person."
    "Helayna had stopped being a level-headed person when she first donned the ring given to her by Jezera. She felt as though she were singing with a perfect pitch, but anyone listening with a more objective ear only heard a hoarse scream of her mentor’s name, wanton and giddy but well-worn."
    "With one final thrust and a grunt of deep satisfaction, Rowan buried himself inside her and emptied his balls into her waiting womb, his body pinning her tight against the wall. Helayna felt as though she could feel it {i}all{/i}, that she could distinguish every individual droplet of his cum as it shot deep within her."
    "Her pussy writhed with ecstasy around him, urgently begging for more in the only way it knew how. The peak that she reached did not plateau, redoubled and then quadrupled just from the salty white gift deposited within her."

    #Show CG: Nightmare 1 CG 1
    scene black with fade
    show helayna naked aroused behind black

    "Only one of her legs bore her weight, the other lifted high. She continued to cry out well after he pulled out, torrid shakes threatening to send her to the floor, but Rowan remained pressed tight to her."
    "He held her."
    "He whispered to her, as though to calm her, as though his voice were a hand offered to help his lady step down from a carriage."
    "He kissed her, and tasting his tongue was enough to send Helayna into orgasmic spasms once more."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "The gentle, massaging touch of his hands kept her body locked in a torrential storm–"

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "The rough, possessive grasp of his blood-soaked hands kept her body locked in a torrential storm–"

    else:
        "The sure, confident caress of his calloused hands kept her body locked in a torrential storm–"

    "–Helayna had no sense of how much time had passed by the time he carried her over to the bed they now shared. Satiated to her bones, filled with far more than just that last load left inside her twat, she curled close to her lover’s warmth and whispered one word against his sweaty skin before sleep took her."

    hel "… love …"

    scene black with fade

    "Love."
    "As time passed, she was getting more acclimated to the accursed ring’s effects upon her body and psyche. Every time that Rowan left her, she could go a little longer without him, seizing handfuls of the woman she once was."
    "But she had not grown any more acclimated to her love of him, nor how wonderful it felt to physically express it. At her most lucid, while Rowan was away from Castle Bloodmeen and she had to entertain herself?"
    "Sometimes, Helayna tried to feel bad about it."
    "About coming between Rowan and Alexia."
    "About receiving what rightfully belonged to another woman."
    "About what she had been reduced to, going from noble knight to Rosaria’s sluttiest virgin in an instant."
    "She couldn’t. Before donning the ring, Helayna had thought herself over Rowan. She had thought she had accepted that she could never have him, and that she could only pine for him from afar."
    "The fact that Helayna fantasised about him taking her whenever she touched herself should have been telling, considering the frequency with which she pleasured herself before Rowan claimed her."
    "The ring may have been cursed, but she quietly cherished what it did to her. It helped her be honest with not just herself, but everyone around her, without worries of propriety or station getting in the way of her love."
    "With the ring on, Helayna could become her best self. She could…"
    "… She could dream of her love."
    "She dreamed of her love every night; her all-consuming obsession with Rowan continued even there. Seldom did she cling to the memory of those dreams for long after waking, remembering scattered hints of passionate sex and humble domesticity only for as long as it took for her to hunger for her lover’s cock."
    "There was something different about the dream that came to her that night, however. Far more lucid than usual, it sunk its claws deep into her from its very beginning."

    scene bg15 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna neutral at midright with dissolve

    questi "…that the demons have returned."

    "Helayna shuddered despite the warm lust that kept her from ever feeling cold. She remembered the conversation, but–"
    "She was not {i}remembering{/i} the conversation. She was watching it, disembodied. Her voice sounded so alien coming from lips that were simultaneously hers and not hers at the same time."

    questi "Word of new attacks has started to circle around, suggesting that they're now–"

    ro "Helayna."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna shocked at midright with dissolve

    questi "Yes?"

    ro "I can’t lie to you. They’ve kidnapped Alexia. Their swords hang over both our heads. I work on their behalf. This amulet I wear-"

    questi "... What?"

    "He said nothing, staring at ??? with eyes hollowed in their intensity."

    questi "Is this some sick joke, Rowan? People are in danger–"

    ro "Their first order, their way of testing my loyalty, was to sack Briarbridge."

    questi "Rowan, stop."

    "Helayna’s throat tightened. An odd sensation, when she had no throat to speak of. The dream warped around them. First the fortified stone of Raeve Keep bled away like wet paint in the rain, and then the grass–"
    "Briarbridge burned into being around ??? and Rowan, the latter approaching the former, reaching for her. ??? stepped away, tears brimming in her blue eyes."
    "The smoke of the destroyed village burned Helayna’s lungs. The smell was gut-wrenching. The modest homes aflame screamed in cracks and crunches as they fell apart; those within spent their last breaths cursing the hero that once protected them, mocked by the orcs who barred them inside."

    questi "Why are you telling me this?"

    ro "Because I need you, ???"

    questi "Why?"

    ro "Because there’s no one else who can stand by my side as you can, ???."

    questi "... why?"

    ro "Because I love you too much to hide the truth from you, ???."

    "The inferno intensified, spreading into a burning ring that devoured everything but ??? and two of them. Beneath their feet, the earth was charred."

    questi "You’re not asking me to–"

    ro "I am."

    questi "You know I… what you mean to ask of me is {i}monstrous{/i}, Rowan."

    "??? stopped, holding her ground, steeling herself."

    ro "I know."

    #CG: Nightmare 1, CG 2, Variant 0
    scene cg1885 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1886 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1887 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg1885
    show helayna neutral behind cg1885
    pause 2

    "The hero reached out to take ???’s hands into his own, her gauntlets vanished. Helayna could feel those hands, though not as though ???’s were hers. It was as though hers were trapped between theirs without quite blocking their touch."

    ro "Help me, Helayna. Will you join me?"

    questi "Damn you…"

    "The only answer that Helayna’s love could allow left her lips."

    menu:
        "Yes.":
            pass

    hel "Yes."

    "She could be more than {i}just{/i} Rowan’s slut."
    "Tears ran down ???’s face, her lips trembling into a smile both loving and torn. Just the sound of the roaring flames around them should have drowned out her whispering voice, yet it rang clear."

    questi "Yes. Of course I’ll join you. I’ll become whatever it is I need to be for your sake, my love. I only wish you had asked me sooner."

    ro "Would you have been able to say yes without the ring?"

    "Helayna tried to repeat herself, but whatever allowed her a voice had faded away."

    questi "Kiss me. Make this into reality, Rowan."

    "He did, without hesitation, slow and loving in contrast to the darkness inherent to… their promise. His hands slid up along her armoured arms as he stepped closer to ???, pulling her close, and ??? in turn embraced him. "

    #CG: Nightmare 1 CG 3, Variant 0
    scene cg1888 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1889 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace angry behind cg1888
    show helayna neutral behind cg1888

    ro "I can’t. Only you can do that, ???. The power is yours, if only you realise it."

    "She could be more than Rowan’s slut."

    menu:
        "How?":
            pass

    hel "How?"

    "??? did not mirror the question, simply accepting the answer for what it was."
    "??? understood."
    "Helayna began to notice details about ??? that had evaded her notice, distracted as she was by the conversation and the changing landscape. ???’s armour was growing steadily darker, and cracks erupted throughout the steel, from which blood-red roses began to bloom. "

    #CG: Nightmare 1 CG 3, Variant 1
    show cg1890 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The braid that ran halfway down ???’s back was now thicker than her wrist, longer than she was tall. As though they were symptoms of a spreading disease, those blood-red roses began to bud throughout her hair. They criss-crossed Rowan’s clothing as well."

    #CG: Nightmare 1 CG 3, Variant 2
    show cg1891 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "And then Helayna felt the thorns beneath her skin, every vein throughout her body a vine, her skeleton their garden trellis. A scream ripped free of her nonexistent throat; so used to screaming now, but in pleasure, not pain. Not in fear. Not in horror."

    #CG: Nightmare 1 CG 3, Variant 3
    show cg1892 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She felt all of those things as unbearable pain shot through her body, no part of her left untouched as the thorns began to rip straight through her skin–"

    scene bg54 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked behind bg54
    show helayna naked sad behind bg54

    "–Rowan had grown accustomed to Helayna waking him up in the night, either nuzzling or cuddling, moaning or pleading, touching or grabbing–"
    "Clawing, wailing, frantic? That was a first. She thrashed about she was fighting something, and unfortunately, Rowan’s body seemed to be its unintended effigy. Already, her nails had drawn his blood. Now wide awake, he twisted about to grab her and hold her down."

    menu:
        "Wake her up.":
            pass

    ro "Hel! It’s just a dream!"

    "His shout seemed to startle her out of whatever possessed her, words already moaning out of her throat. For a long moment, Helayna stared at him with trembling eyes. Then the tears welling in her eyes began to run down over her cheeks as she whispered three words."

    ro "I want it."

    ro "What, do you need me to fuck you again?"

    hel "I… no, just… just…"
    hel "You. I want you. Just hold me, please."

    "They could talk about it in the morning."

    ro "… Of course."

    "The hero loosened his grip on Helayna, running his hands more gently down along her arms as he eased down beside her. She rolled to her side and curled close to him again, burying her face against his chest. Rowan wrapped his arms around her, stroking her back until sleep’s sweet embrace took them both again."
    "When he broached the subject, Helayna professed to remember nothing of the previous night’s stressful dream."
       
    return

# \events\room_events_7.rpy
label midnight_snack_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "It had been a long, hard and stressful day for Rowan. Back in Arthdale, where things had been so much simpler in domestication, it would have ended in predictable fashion."
    "Once he returned home, shucked his boots and put up his cloak, the hero would settle in for the evening and relax. Maybe that would be a nap, or just nestled in his favourite seat, looking out the window to appreciate the familiar scenery of his yard."
    "Or towards the kitchen, appreciating the familiar scenery of his wife’s arse as she worked on supper. Throughout their marriage, there had been no shortage of times where Rowan had been unable to resist the sight and had interrupted her work, more interested in his cock’s thirst than his stomach’s hunger."
    "Never when he was {i}this{/i} tired, of course."

    if persistent.sc001:
        "The last time he had gotten in the way of Alexia’s cooking… It was a bitter memory to think back on, now. As enjoyable as it was, the arrival of ‘Mariel’ and what followed afterwards soured it in his mind."

    else:
        "Looking back, Rowan had taken those opportunities for granted. There had been days where he thought about what might have happened to him and Alexia if he had chosen to fuck her that fateful and ignore the knocking on the door. Would ‘Mariel’ have stormed in?"
        "Probably."

    "He missed having the option."
    "Keeping Helayna in her right mind permitted him no opportunity for immediate rest and relaxation. Although weary to his bones, he had eaten a meal in the kitchens before returning to his rooms, where he got straight to work fucking sense back into the woman he had claimed."

    #cg 1
    scene cg1893 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1894 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1894
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1894
    show cg1895 with dissolve
    pause 2

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "With each time he filled Helayna with his seed or she reached her own climax, her screams grew louder and wilder. Her crescendos never marked the end, just because Helayna had hit her throat’s limit. From there, she would become quieter but more articulate, frenzied lust fading for loving devotion."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "With each time Rowan filled his slut with her master’s seed or her cunt spasmed around his cock, Helayna’s screaming ode to his cock grew louder and more debased."
        "When the volume inevitably peaked, Helayna would finally begin to quiet on subsequent orgasms; as verbosity returned to her, she replaced her slatternly shrieks with lurid expressions of love for him and his cock."

    else:
        "With each time Rowan filled his former student with her teacher’s seed or she lost herself upon his cock, Helayna’s screams grew louder, wilder."
        "The loudest of her cries never marked the end; once she crested that hill, she needed to come down it as well, growing quieter and more articulate in expressing her loving devotion."

    show cg1896 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Sometimes the twins or some other business in the castle would interrupt them. This evening, Rowan was able to keep going until Helayna seemed just as ragged as he was."

    #cg 1 - var 1
    show cg1897 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "With the two of them both tangled in each other’s sweaty limbs and the bed’s sweaty sheets, they fell asleep, Rowan’s softened shaft still in Helayna’s placated pussy."

    scene black with fade

    "..."

    #cg 2 - var 1
    scene cg1898 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1898
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1898
    pause 3

    "The seemingly spent hero groggily woke up in the middle of the night to find his reinvigorated cock inside another part of Helayna entirely. It was wet and warm and loving, but in distinctly different ways than her pussy."

    ro "Wh… what in the hells…"

    #cg 2 - var 0

    "Rowan groaned out as he sat up on an elbow, his eyes struggling to adjust to the room’s darkness. Though he had fallen asleep on his side, pelvis pressed to Helayna’s ass, he now found himself on his back."
    "The moon’s serene glow trickled in from the window, giving him just enough light to make out Helayna’s shape. She must have slipped away from him and rolled him over, for she now lay on her belly between his spread legs, legs bent and feet up."

    #cg 2 - var 2

    hel "Mmmm, mmmmmmmmm…"

    "It was not the first time that Rowan had been awoken with his cock in a redhead’s mouth, but it was the first time that it happened well before sunrise. Her head bobbed shallowly as she experimented, her tongue awash over his shaft as his crown pushed into her throat."
    "The blues of her eyes seemed aglow despite the darkness, hooked on Rowan’s face."

    #cg 2 - var 0

    "Helayna’s pleased moans reverberated down through his cock, always at their most potent when she had him breaching her airway."

    ro "Gods, Helayna. You truly couldn’t wait…?"

    hel "Mmmm-mmmm."

    #cg 2 - var 3

    "As she hummed the reply, Helayna gave her head the tiniest of shakes, and in the process took Rowan’s cock just a tad deeper, pushing him against the sides of her throat."

    ro "Fine… but just once. I need to be up early."

    hel "Mmm, mhm, mmm!"

    "Her raised feet gave a lazy little kick back and forth, happy with the simple promise."

    menu:
        "Take control.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "Although Helayna was doing an appreciable job and was surely polishing up on her fellatio skills in polishing his cock, Rowan had to get up early in the morning. He just didn’t have time to let Helayna carry on."
                ro "Keep that mouth wide for me, Hel."
                "She slowed immediately and came to a quick stop, parting her cock-kissing lips and looking up at Rowan with loving, trusting eyes. Rowan smiled tiredly at her, reaching down to take hold of her head with both hands, briefly combing through her soft hair."
                "After giving her a few precious seconds to prepare herself, he began."
            else:
                "Although Helayna was doing a passable job and was surely polishing up on her fellatio skills in polishing his cock, Rowan had to get up early in the morning. Just letting her continue set a bad precedent for the future."
                "She was {i}his{/i}. She got his cock when he wanted {i}his{/i} slut’s mouth, not when she wanted to taste him on her tongue."
                "Rowan didn’t give her a warning. He simply reached down to take her head with both hands, catching her mid-movement as his grip tightened. Though she mewled softly in complaint, she did not argue or fight back."
                "Even as he began, she looked up at him with loving, trusting eyes."
            #cg 2 - var 8
            "As Rowan pushed her head down further than she had taken him on her own, Helayna’s throat tightened noticeably. Her eyes snapped shut and squeezed tight as he began to fuck her face, beginning to grapple with her still-novice control over her gag reflex. "
            hel "G-guh, gluk, guuuh–"
            ro "That’s it, Hel, that’s it…"
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "You’re doing so good."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "That’s right, take your teacher’s fat cock like the slut you are."
            else:
                ro "Your throat feels so fucking good."
            "Helayna shuddered at the praise, her hips giving a squirm more noticeable through the way it shifted the bed than anything Rowan could see."
            "The increasingly harsh noises coming out of her throat seemed to deepen, as though his words of debauched approval were enough to make her her toes tighten and her untouched pussy to find an abrupt orgasm."
            #cg 2 - var 9
            "The last time that Rowan had been inside her throat, she hadn’t been able to take his entire length down her gullet; the effects of the ring had allowed her to get close, but not {i}quite{/i}."
            "As her pleasure peaked and her throat thrummed with a muffled whine, however, Rowan was able to push her down all the way, nose to his pelvis and chin to his balls."
            ro "Fuck…!"
            #cg 2 - var 10
            show cg1899 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Her body’s instinctive need to expel the thing choking her could only be held off for so long. Rowan kept Helayna pushed down and struggling until her throat’s spasms could be denied no longer, almost as sweet as the shivers he frequently felt inside her pussy."
            "With a long groan, he hit his release, seeding her belly with his salty load before finally letting go of her head. His cock slipped from her lips, and as Rowan panted, Hel coughed and cleared her throat several times before whispering sweet and ragged words."
            #cg 2 - var 7
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            show helayna naked aroused behind black

        "Allow her to continue.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()()
            if rowanCorrupt < 61:
                "It was hard to feel annoyed with someone devotedly slobbering over his cock like it was made of candy, but Rowan was a bit annoyed. He was so damn tired, and he would be getting up early in the morning to fuck Helayna {i}again{/i} before starting his day."
                "Deciding to conserve his energy, Rowan eased back against his pillows and closed his eyes. Though her fellatio skills remained amateurish, there was no harm in giving Helayna this opportunity to practise them."
                ro "Take me down your throat, Hel. Show me how much you love me."
            else:
                "Rowan couldn’t help but feel annoyed, despite being in the enviable position of having a devoted nubile noblewoman slaving away over his cock. He was tired, and he’d need to get up early in the morning to fuck Helayna {i}before{/i} burying himself in Bloodmeen’s clerical business."
                "The simplest thing to do was simply conserve his energy. Rowan dropped back against his pillows, closing his eyes. Helayna’s cock-sucking abilities remained wanting, but her wanton nature warranted allowing her the opportunity to train them."
                ro "Swallow my cock, Hel. Show me how much you love my cock."
            #cg 2 - var 4
            "Helayna shuddered softly at the instruction, her hips giving a squirm more noticeable through the way it shifted the bed than anything Rowan could see. After a moment to gather herself, she gripped his thighs and began to push herself past her previous limits."
            "As her moans segued into harsher noises of protest, Helayna finally managed to push her luscious lips down against the base of Rowan’s cock, face reddening as she tried to hold herself down there. She could only stand a few seconds of having him hilted before a need to breathe had her withdrawing."
            #cg 2 - var 5
            "Helayna hardly seemed to take that breath before pushing herself down on him again, sparring with her gag reflex in obedient contrition. More and more by the moment, Rowan found it difficult to maintain his feelings of annoyance."
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                ro "Come on, you’re doing good. I’m not going to last much longer."
            elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
                ro "There’s a good slut… make me cum. Swallow all of it."
            else:
                ro "Yeah, keep on doing that, Hel, make me cum."
            "The increasingly harsh noises coming out of her throat seemed to deepen, as though his words of debauched approval were enough to make her her toes tighten and her untouched pussy to find an abrupt orgasm."
            #cg 2 - var 6
            show cg1899 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Helayna’s whining cry rippled her throat and pushed Rowan over his edge as well. With a long groan, he hit his release, seeding her belly with his salty load"
            "His cock slipped from Helayna’s lips, and as Rowan panted, she coughed and cleared her throat several times before whispering sweetly, words ragged."
            #cg 2 - var 7
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            show helayna naked aroused behind black

    hel "T-thank you…"

    ro "Y-yeah… just… that’s it until tomorrow morning. Alright?"

    "Helayna allowed both her head and legs to fall, giggling breathlessly as she nestled between his legs for the night. The rest of the night was blessedly uneventful, and he had all the energy he needed come morning, when it was time to make her cum again."
       
    return

# \events\room_events_7.rpy
label cavalry_charge_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Over the weeks that Helayna had been with Rowan, he had found it difficult to get a grasp on how much ‘better’ she was getting."
    "The most noticeable improvements in the condition that the ring afflicted upon her were the earliest ones, when the several hours of sex needed to calm her down and restore her to herself dwindled down to just a few."

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "And even then, saying that it {i}restored her to herself{/i} at all seemed… wrong. The Helayna that Rowan knew had been elegant, determined and courageous. The cursed ring she wore ensured there was always an edge of perversion to her, never fully dull."
        "But as Jezera had pointed out, it seemed to be a part of Helayna that had been buried, kept restrained and finally cut free."
        "By her own admission,for years she had longed and lusted for him in secret. Helayna had saved herself in hopes of giving herself to him. There were days when Rowan grappled with how to feel about that; there was simply no clean, easy answer to it."
        "They were both making the best of the situation. It wasn’t right, but there were silver linings."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "Saying it {i}restored her to herself{/i} wasn’t right, however; the ring was a fiendish thing, and everything inside Rowan told him that it was wrong that Helayna wore it– that he should want it off of her."
        "Though he knew it was fucked up, Rowan didn’t want it off Helayna. Its effects somehow limited and made less debilitating, yes, but he was enjoying the honesty and intimacy that it enabled them to have. It reminded Rowan of courting Alexia, and the earliest days of their marriage."
        "Without the ring, their relationship never would have gone past that of a plutonic mentor and student. She never would have had the courage to throw away decorum and give herself over to him so freely, and he never would have realised what she had been keeping secret from him."
        "What they had now was wrong, but it felt right. The one regret that Rowan had was that he felt a bit of {i}gratitude{/i} towards Jezera for it."

    else:
        "In a way, saying that it {i}restored her to herself{/i} at all felt… just a little off."
        "The ring forced upon by Jezera by Helayna was, in effect, a chain– and being chained so had freed Helayna to embrace the deepest, darkest parts of herself. Without it, Rowan doubted he would have ever learned how she felt about him. "
        "And without Jezera pushing him into it, Rowan doubted he would ever give into the temptation if he had; not that he could imagine Helayna crawling naked towards him and begging for his cock without her libido being so twisted."
        "The situation, he knew, would never feel entirely right, but… they were both making the best of it."

    "However, that afternoon Rowan wasn’t thinking about the ethics or morality of his claim over Helayna and how a need for him was imprinted upon her. They were between rounds in a loud and proud marathon, skin slick with sweat. As they rested, she clung to him, cum dripping from her cunt along her thigh and upon the bed."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        "The only thing on his mind was how {i}right{/i} Helayna felt inside and out, from the way she felt against him when they cuddled during their recovery to how her pulsing pussy tried to milk out his cum."
        "It was like she had been made for him."

    else:
        "The only thing on his mind was how {i}right{/i} it felt, fucking Helayna– how easily her athletic body yielded to his thrusts. When it came to sex, the impressive strength and stamina she had built up as a knight amounted to precious little. She loved every moment with his cock as much as the first."
        "It was like she had been made for him."

    "Their rest had not been silent nor still, their chests rising and falling with heavy breaths that slowly evened out. Helayna broke the silence, feeling the stirring of his restored cock against her thigh before Rowan did."

    hel "Mmm… my Rowan… again, please? You’ve so much more to teach me today…"

    "Rowan grunted, shifting beneath her as her hand wandered to his cock and made it twitch. There was nothing particularly shy or modest about the sex they had, but for the most part, Rowan had been doing all the work unless Helayna took him in her mouth."
    "His hips had gotten used to the work-out; when her mind was far-gone with lust, Helayna could think of nothing but getting his dick. Anything more than basic instructions eluded her. But she was enough of herself now that she could do more than just spread her legs or hike her ass."

    ro "No. I want you to show me what you can do, Hel."

    #hel naked shocked

    hel "What I can do? What do you mean?"

    "Another question left her lips before Rowan could answer either of them, delayed realisation making her already breathy voice grow all the more eager."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        hel "How do you want me?"

    else:
        hel "How do you want your slut?"

    ro "On top of me."

    hel "Mmmm… yes… I haven’t ridden a stallion in so long…"

    "Rowan grinned."

    #cg 2 - var 0
    scene cg1900 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1900
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1900
    pause 3

    "With a movement both sensuous and slithering, Helayna rose from her side to her hands and knees, breasts asway as she crawled atop Rowan. Coming to straddle him, she made his hips into her saddle, thighs tucked tight to his sides. Her hands leisurely explored his body, soft palms feeling over his abdomen and chest."
    "Gazing up at her, it was impossible for Rowan to ignore her beautiful figure, tempered with lithe, agile muscle. Helayna was as deadly as she was lovely."
    "At least, she was once upon a time. It remained to be seen if she could ever return to being the knight she once was. For a moment though, Rowan could make her feel like a cavalier again."

    #cg 2 - var 1
    show cg1901 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Not that any horse would ever reach up and take hold of Helayna’s tits as she prepared to mount up, squeezing them. If one did and Rowan witnessed it, he would have had serious concerns about how it got opposable thumbs and what happened to its hooves."
    "Her pussy brushed against his rising shaft, and her eyes flickered, a soft moan slipping easily from her lips that deepened quickly. With undisguised urgency, she pushed her hips down against him and squirmed in a futile attempt to slip him inside right away."

    #cg 2 - var 2
    show cg1902 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The angle wasn’t right. His cock simply glided along her dampness, amply lubed by her arousal and his spent spunk."
    "Rowan watched for a moment as she simply doubled down on the futile attempt– her eagerness lent itself to worrisome short-sightedness. When her fingers began to scratch deep into his skin, he spoke up."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Use your hands, Hel. Don’t rush it. Think archery, not swinging a battle axe."

    else:
        ro "Stop that. You’re a smarter slut than that. Use one hand to part yourself and the other to hold me steady."


    "Helayna answered him with a frustrated whimper, but obliged after a moment, lifting her hips and trailing her hands down to where their bodies longed to join."
    "A quick but potent tremor ran through her body once her pussy’s parted, cum-leaking lips came into contact with his cock’s pre-leaking crown, and she bit hard at her bottom lip. Hel visibly fought to keep herself in check. Glancing down, he could see what he felt: her pussy twitching, already ready to explode."

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "You don’t need to hold back. Do what feels right to you, Hel. You’ll feel amazing either way."
        "Simple as the lustful words were, they did not quite have their intended effect: a soft squeak escaped Helayna, and her shudder redoubled, as though Rowan had plunged deep into her."

    else:
        ro "You don’t need to fight it. You’re a slut, Helayna. My slut. Embrace it, and I’ll enjoy how you dance on me."
        "Lurid as the words were, they had their intended effect. A soft squeak escaped Helayna, and her shudder redoubled, as though Rowan had plunged deep into her."

    hel "Rowannnnnn, oh, my Rowan–"

    #cg 2 - var 5
    show cg1903 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She was already cumming when she finally found it within herself to slam her hips down, her snatch in delicious spasm as she took him to the hilt."
    "The words whining out of her cock-loving mouth lost their verbosity as she tossed her head back, her cry turning into a wanton wail. Helayna’s hips continued to grind down as they had previously, but this time, Rowan was slotted inside her, primed to enjoy how she stirred him around her clenching cunt."

    #cg 2 - var 6
    show cg1904 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "For a long, long minute, her ride was nothing more than that– she stayed atop her saddle, like Rowan was some bucking warhorse. Her hands had gotten out of the way of their fucking quickly, lifting to clasp over his as they played with her tits, urging rougher."

    ro "Fuck…!"

    "Rowan gave her rougher. He played into the roll of her hips as well, with shallow movements of his own that pushed him deeper against the walls of her cunt. Were it any earlier in the day, he wouldn’t have been able to hold on half as well as he did."
    "After cumming four or five times earlier– he didn’t bother keeping track –Rowan was well-situated to ride out Helayna’s winding-down orgasm. It didn’t quite end, however; if it did, another started right where it left off."

    #cg 2 - var 7
    show cg1905 with dissolve
    pause 2

    if rowanCorrupt < 31:
        "As she acclimated to the feeling of being impaled atop him, Helayna reopened her eyes, all panting lips and glassy eyes as she stared down at her lover."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
        "As she acclimated to the feeling of being impaled atop him, Helayna reopened her eyes, all panting lips and glassy eyes as she stared down at her master."

    else:
        "As she acclimated to the feeling of being impaled atop him, Helayna reopened her eyes, all panting lips and glassy eyes as she stared down at her former teacher."

    hel "Goddess, Rowan, I love you and your cock so much…"

    "Her fingers released his and her hands slapped back down on his chest, leaning her weight forward on his pectorals as she abandoned the circular twist of her hips."
    "With her pussy’s tight walls still fluttering around him, Helayna started to ride in earnest, lifting herself inches off his cock before slapping her ass back down."

    #cg 3 - var 1
    scene cg1906 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked neutral behind cg1906
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1906
    pause 3

    hel "And y-your cum, I want your cum so bad, so bad, cum in me, pleeeasseee…"

    if rowanCorrupt < 61:
        ro "Make… me… Hel, fucking make me–"

    else:
        ro "Make… me… you slut, fucking make me–"

    "There was no magic leaving Rowan hyper-sensitive to mere touch with Helayna or such sincerely wanton words; she earned it. He indeed held on as long as he could, soaking in her whorish worship until the pressure building inside him could be fought no longer."

    #cg 3 - var 2
    show cg1906 with sshake
    show cg1906 with sshake
    show cg1907 with flash
    pause 2

    "As Rowan grunted and shot his load, Helayna kept riding, the roll and ripple of her inner pussy seeming intent on getting everything his balls were offering to her womb."
    "Helayna came hard with him, her unchecked wail the only thing louder than the constant slap of her sweaty ass upon his similarly-soaked thighs. The throes of ecstasy drove her to hilt and twist her hips again, going and going until–"

    #cg 3 - var 3
    show cg1908 with dissolve
    pause 2

    ro "Enough, that’s enough, fuck–"

    "–until Rowan had to push her off, his post-nut sensitivity unable to keep up with Hel’s debaucherous hope that he would cum again. She didn’t complain, giggling softly and breathlessly as she snuggled up to his side again. "

    scene black with fade

    "Only one of her hands returned to exploring his body. The other not-so-softly played with her sloppy cunt as she peppered kisses upon his chest."
    "They were back at it again that evening, with Helayna hungry for the chance to try being on top again."

    return

# \events\map_plains_4.rpy
label praying_for_cliohna_rp:

    $ raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna = True
    $ cliohnaSubmission = True

    scene bg38 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve

    "Rowan threw some dirt to extinguish the bonfire he set up just an hour earlier. The sun was already past the horizon, and instincts told him it would be a warm night."
    "He laid the cot down, and laid on his back. He was far off the main road and the tall grass around him meant no random traveler would notice him from a distance. He was as safe as he could be."
    "How many nights like this has he had over the last year, alone and in the wilds, looking up into the open sky, not a soul in sight? … He lost track. In the end, they all melded together."
    "First few months, he thought of Alexia. He was worried sick about her - even after regaining a modicum of freedom, he still couldn’t look after her."

    if raeve_keep_rowan_claimed_helayna:
        "Then, it was Helayna that worried him - how she handled the ring, if she would be able to restrain her lust while he was away."

    else:
        "Then, it was Helayna that worried him - what happened to her after Raeve fell, was she able to endure the vile ring Jezera forced onto her."

    "Then, there was another thing, and another. Neverending problems, an ever-expanding collection of worries. A constant stream of loneliness and misery, with no relief in sight. Until now."

    scene black with fade
    show cliohna happy at center with dissolve

    cl "{i}… If you ever find yourself wishing for company, as you lay safe and alone on the green fields of Rosaria… You will need only to pray…{/i}"

    scene bg38 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    "He swallowed heavily. At nights like these, he rarely let his mind wander, fearing what dark thoughts doing so may bring. But maybe… The night needn’t be so lonely anymore."
    "He didn’t know what Cliohna did the last time they talked, something that was both scary and exciting. Yet a part of him felt - if he could trust that feeling to be his - that embracing it could only lead to something good. That Cliohna was exactly who he {i}needed{/i}. He just had to accept it."

    menu:
        "He wanted to see her. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "There was this subtle sting in his heart, a {i}yearning{/i} to see the sorceress again. And the moment he embraced it - acknowledged it to be true, something he {i}wanted{/i} - he felt something else."
            "Words tethering at the edge of his mind, placed there for this very moment, waiting to be recalled and spoken into reality. A spell - no, a {i}prayer{/i} to his goddess…"
            menu:
                "“Oh blonde Goddess, mistress of the arcane..” (Scene)":
                    # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                    jump cliohnaDreamSex_rp

                "Suppress the sensation. Cliohna shouldn’t have so much control over him.":
                    # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                    show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
                    "The words tempted and taunted him, waiting to be spoken. He kept his lips closed, biting them so hard he feared he might draw blood."
                    "Slowly, the feeling subsided, and the words retreated back into the depths of his mind."
                    "Rowan sighed, suddenly feeling absolutely exhausted. A champion and his goddess. Another name for a pet and his mistress. What a dangerous game he was playing…"
                    "He rolled to the side, taking solace in the companionship of the hard, cold ground. He wanted her. But he needed to draw a line somewhere…"
                    $ cliohnaVisionsDenied = True
                    return

        "He shouldn’t give her so much control over him.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
            "A champion and his goddess. Another name for a pet and his mistress. Perhaps if he didn’t already have a cursed amulet around his neck, Cliohna would present him with one."
            ro "(... No, that’s not fair. You agreed to this, damn it!) "
            "He sighed tiredly, then rolled to the side, the hard ground his lone companion for the night. Maybe it was just his paranoia talking, but he needed to draw a line {i}somewhere{/i}…"
            $ cliohnaVisionsDenied = True
            return

    label cliohnaDreamSex_rp:

    #Possibly Cliohnaless CG?

    ro "… May your devoted champion be graced with your visage once more. May he find solace in your dazzling smile… "
    ro "… May he cherish the sight of your body. May he once more gaze upon the wonder of your breasts, admire how full and shapely they are. May he lose himself in your pearly eyes, so beautiful and deep…  "

    "Words flew out of his mouth, spoken softly and with great reverence. And with them, he felt himself calm down, then - relax. His body grew heavy - as if he was drifting into sleep - but his eyes remained open."

    ro "… May he see once more as your hair dances on your back, swaying gently with every step of your long, wonderful legs… "

    "He could stop at any moment, if he wanted to - he simply didn’t. He didn’t rush - he let the prayer guide him. And once he finished it - he said it again, then again, each time falling deeper into this strange, trance-like state."
    "He wasn’t sure how many times this process had repeated. Eventually, he realized he no longer had the strength to move his body, or even to move his lips. Yet his eyes were still open - staring into the sky, tracing the stars. He could still hear the wind, rustling the leaves of a nearby tree."

    #Show CG - zoomed in, clothed Cliohna.
    scene cg1917 with pinkflash
    pause 2
    show cg1918 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cliohna happy behind cg1917
    show rowan neutral behind cg1917

    "Then he saw her. His goddess, lying beside him, watching him with a bemused smile on her face. Her pearly eyes sparkled in the night - in fact, her whole body seemed to."
    "He opened his mouth to say her name - but a lone finger was placed on his lips, silencing him before he could say a word. He didn’t feel it, not exactly - it was like a memory of a sensation, a slight tingle, cruelly lacking the warmth of her body that he craved so much."

    cl "Shh, my champion. Do not say a word. I am not here, not really. I am only a vision. Or rather… A gift. A truly {i}divine{/i} gift. A moment of grace. A moment of comfort. "

    "She lifted herself up, and her full bosom swayed gently, as if her robes did nothing to support it. He felt the familiar pink haze of her magic wrap around his mind, slowing his thoughts - yet his senses remained as sharp as ever."

    cl "If there is one thing I have learned, it is that your mind is a most remarkable thing. Strong, yet flexible, yielding for one moment, then hardening into an impenetrable fortress."
    cl "You feared I would… Distract you. I believe you sell yourself short. You are very much capable of both standing guard, and {b}worshiping me{/b}."

    "Her hand trailed down his right arm, and her fingers interlocked with his. The tingling sensation overtook his hand, and he realized he was moving it - reaching for his belt, undoing it with languid motions."

    cl "You will spend this night with me, Rowan. Thinking of me, admiring me, worshiping me. That is… As long as you stay focused."

    "Her gentle hand freed his cock, and he became aware of how painfully erect it was. She stroked it gently - and he felt a surge of pleasure run up his spine, shaking his body."

    cl "Hear me, my champion. Do not let this sensation conquer you! Stay focused. Pay attention to your surroundings. "
    cl "As long as you do… I will be by your side. "

    ##Switch CG to naked Cliohna.
    show cg1919 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Her clothes vanished into thin air. She was his to admire. Not even a single stray of her long hair dared to cover her body. It was like a painting crafted to capture her majesty in full."

    cl "Yours to admire. Yours to worship."
    cl "Look and admire, my champion. Admire and worship."

    show cg1920 with dissolve
    pause 2


    "Her gentle words were like iron chains wrapping around his mind, holding his gaze as her hand - his hand? - started to work up and down his cock… "

    cl "Stay focused! On me, and on your surroundings. Prove I am not wrong about you. "

    "Her enchanting visage was impossible to look away from - yet the more he stared, the more it seemed to lose detail. He forced himself to obey, to split his attention between her, and the green fields around him - and the vision sharpened again."

    cl "My champion. My paragon."

    "Just a vision - yet he knew every word was carefully picked, and spoken with honest intent. He spent so many nights listening for beastly growls and swords clattering, that the soothing tone of her voice almost brought tears to his eyes."

    cl "Look. Admire. Worship."

    "She didn’t hurry. Trapped in her trance, time seemed to lose all meaning. He wasn’t sure how long he had stayed like this, staring and stroking, enjoying her gentle caress."

    cl "Look. Admire. Worship."
    cl "Wait! Relax."

    "A few times he felt he was already reaching climax. Every time he did, the vision ordered him to stop - and he obeyed. It transformed the act from a naughty game to an almost holy ritual, one he was starting to think would last all the way till morning."

    cl "… Stop."

    "Suddenly, Cliohna’s hand stopped. She still held his cock as her other hand lovingly ran through his hair, and her pearly eyes studied his expression, her small smile turning somewhat… Mischievous."

    cl "Well done, my champion. You did as ordered. I knew you could. I knew you {i}would{/i}."

    "There was a hint of gloating in her tone. Enough for him to notice. Not enough for him to care."

    cl "Because of that, I think we could try a more advanced ritual. Do a little bit… {i}More{/i}."

    "The last word was whispered into his ear, and his whole body tensed. He could swear he felt her breath tickle his skin, her lips playfully nibbling his earlobe."

    cl "Tell me, my champion. Do you want to feel… {i}More{/i} of me? Do you want {i}more{/i} of your goddess? Of her body? Of her voice? Of her {i}guidance{/i}?"

    "Each word like a spell on its own, capturing his imagination-"

    cl "Or are you worried a night like this will make evening “paperwork” just {i}unbearable{/i}?"

    "He grunted, her blatantly mockery grating at his nerves, {i}almost{/i} taking him out of the fantasy. She dangled the safeword right in front of him, taunting him to take it. She wanted him to admit defeat. To admit how much he {i}needed{/i} her."
    "A part of him knew this was where he should put a stop to everything. Another… Couldn’t take his eyes off her, and couldn’t help but fantasize what else she had planned for him…"

    menu:
        "Ask for more. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            pass

        "Say the safeword. ":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "Opening his mouth was a struggle, something his phantom mistress had to know would be the case when she prepared this little “dilemma” for him. Despite that…"
            ro "As boring as it is…  As unbreakable as it is…"
            ro " And as much as I don’t want it…"
            ro "Sometimes I still have to find time…"
            ro "For more paperwork."
            "He didn’t know if the image would pass his words to Cliohna, but he hoped it would, somehow. He would not have his resolve mocked."
            cl "Ah. My champion is ever stalwart."
            "There was not even a flicker of displeasure in her eye - if this really was her, he would see one without a doubt. Or perhaps… This was how she wanted to be with him?"
            scene black with fade
            show cliohna happy behind black
            cl "It’s what I adore most about him."
            show black with pinkflash
            pause 1
            scene bg38 with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
            "The vision started to slip away from him - and he allowed it to, releasing his focus. He watched as the visage of his goddess grew blurry, then dissipated into thin air, leaving only the cold air and hard ground to keep him company."
            "He let it go. A part of him wondered if there was a way to keep her there, without her trying to tempt him to go deeper into her trance. But he drew a line, one he needed to enforce, otherwise Cliohna would never learn to respect it."
            "With a sigh, he tucked his cock back into his pants. The mood was gone anyway, and it was late - had to be past midnight, judging by how high the moon already was. Cursing to himself, he resolved to get what little rest he still could."
            scene black with fade
            "And next time he’s in the castle… Perhaps he and Cliohna should talk again."
            $ brokenVisionFinish = True
            return

    show rowan necklace aroused behind black

    ro "I want to… Feel… More… "

    "Desire triumphed over pride, and what little humiliation he felt from begging was quickly squashed as he saw her eyes sparkle with joy."

    cl "Did I hear right, my champion? Do you want more of Cliohna? Do you want {i}more{/i} of your goddess?"

    ro "Y-yes… Goddess…"

    cl "And what does my champion wish to see most? What drives him wild?"
    cl "The wonderful, delightful peaks of the goddess…"
    cl "… Or her succulent, entrancing bottom?"

    menu:
        "Her delightful tits. (Variant 1)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            $ clioLookingAtTits = True
            $ clioLookingAtAss = False
            ro "Your tits… Let me stare at your tits… Goddess…"
            "Like a wish spoken upon a shooting star. But for once, his prayers were answered."
            cl "Your wish is granted, my champion."
            show cg1921 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1922 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He drew a deep breath, as Cliohna let go of his cock, and climbed atop him. She weighed nothing, but wherever she touched, he felt warmth on his skin."
            cl " But remember, you {i}must{/i} stay focused."
            "There was a teasing note in her words, and her fingers trailed over her breasts, drawing his attention to them. She cupped them, squeezed them - all the things Rowan wanted to do, but couldn’t find the strength for."
            cl "Look. Admire. Worship."
            "Her words seemed to come from every direction. She let go of her tits and shook them for him as her arms went up, hands running up her hair then letting the cascade of golden locks fall freely. They shone in the moonlight, with a thousand tiny sparkles."

        "Her wonderful ass. (Variant 2)":
             # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
             $ clioLookingAtTits = False
             $ clioLookingAtAss = True
             ro "Your ass… Let me stare at your ass… Goddess…"
             "Like a wish spoken upon a shooting star. But for once, his prayers were answered."
             cl "Your wish is granted, my champion."
             show cg1925 with dissolve
             pause 2
             show cg1926 with dissolve
             pause 2
             "He drew a deep breath, as Cliohna let go of his cock, and climbed atop him. She weighed nothing, but wherever she touched, he felt warmth on his skin."
             cl " But remember, you {i}must{/i} stay focused."
             "There was a teasing note in her words, as she reached behind her back and scooped her hair up. She moved it aside - like pulling a curtain - revealing all of herself to him."
             cl "Look. Admire. Worship."
             "Her words seemed to come from every direction. Her other hand ran over her round bottom, then slapped it lightly. She looked over her shoulder, and cast him a coy smile that {i}almost{/i} made him look up."

    cl "{i}Focus{/i}. And enjoy."

    "That was the sole warning he got, as the image lowered itself - and his cock parted her pussy lips. He gasped - there was no mistaking the warm, wet walls squeezing around his phallus. Magic or not, it felt {i}real{/i}."

    cl "Stay focused, my Chosen. Look. Admire. Worship."

    if clioLookingAtTits:
        "Despite her words, he felt himself losing to the sensation, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to let it swallow him whole. The image of his goddess stared at him with a benevolent smile, and once his breathing steadied…"

    else:
        "Despite her words, he felt himself losing to the sensation, and it took every ounce of his willpower not to let it swallow him whole. He saw the corner of her lip rise in a benevolent smile, and she waited. Once his breathing steadied…"

    "She started moving her hips."

    cl "Haaa… "

    if clioLookingAtTits:
        "The soft moan mirrored his own, needy one. Her tits swayed gently before his eyes, as his goddess rode his cock, looking down on him with that small, knowing smile. What was real, and what magic, ceased to matter."

    else:
        "The soft moan mirrored his own, needy one. Her ass shook every time she pushed it down on his hips, and she kept watching his every reaction with that small, knowing smile. What was real, and what magic, ceased to matter."

    cl "Look. Admire. Worship. Enjoy."

    "Her words were like a spell that gripped his heart. The pink fog that seized his mind never lifted, and his thoughts ground to a standstill, his attention focused entirely on the moment."

    cl "Worship. Enjoy. Praise."

    ro "Goddess…."

    "The gentle rustle of the leaves, and the distant whistle of birds. Cliohna demanded he pay attention to it all, to always be on his guard…"

    cl "Worship. Enjoy. "

    "But with each passing moment, with each loving movement of her hips, all of it threatened to slip away as the enchanting vision pulled him in deeper."

    cl "Worship. Enjoy. {b}Surrender{/b}."

    "No surge of magic accompanied the sudden command.  There was only the addictive delight of her body, that kept building up, and up. The promise of even greater pleasure waiting for him just around the corner."

    cl "{b}Submit{/b} to your goddess, Rowan. {b}Surrender{/b} to pleasure. Let it all go."

    ro "N-naah!"

    if clioLookingAtTits:
        "Yes, the world threatened to slip away from him - but this time as his self-control slipped the vision only grew in intensity, dominating everything in his sight. The promise of release, hidden in that captivating smile."

    else:
        "Yes, the world threatened to slip away from him - but this time as his self-control slipped the vision only grew in intensity, dominating everything in his sight. The promise of release, woven into every word."

    cl "{b}Surrender to pleasure{/b}. Your goddess demands a tribute. Offer it with your very own hand."

    "Sweet temptations delivered by bewitching lips. And he only had the barest sliver of control left."

    cl "{b}Submit to me, Rowan. Surrender to pleasure.{/b}"

    menu:
        "Surrender. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            ro "H-haaa!"
            if cliohnaSubmission > 2:
                "He was never able to resist her, not for long - and he wouldn’t be able to do it now."
            cl "{b}Submit. Surrender to pleasure.{/b}"
            if clioLookingAtTits:
                "She picked up her pace, and the world around him melted away, leaving only the visage of his goddess riding his cock. Her tits jumping up and down with every motion. Her lips parted with delight."
            else:
                "She picked up her pace, and the world around him melted away, leaving only the visage of his goddess riding his cock. Her round ass shaking, thrusting on his cock, enveloping it in full - his hand following in turn."
            cl "{b}You are mine, Rowan. Submit and obey. Pay your tribute.{/b}"
            "The pink fog that clouded his mind washed away all doubts."
            cl "{b}Submit to your goddess and cum, my champion.{/b}"
            "His worries, the dangers - they ceased to matter."
            cl "{b}Cum. Cum for your goddess.{/b}"
            "{b}She{/b} was the only thing that mattered anymore."
            if clioLookingAtTits:
                show cg1923 with sshake
                show cg1923 with sshake
                show cg1924 with flash
                pause 2
            else:
                show cg1926 with sshake
                show cg1926 with sshake
                show cg1926 with flash
                pause 2
            ro "A-aaah!"
            "What little willpower he still had, he used it all to stop himself from moaning out loud. His climax was sudden, uncontrollable - he pushed his hips up and ejaculated into the sky."
            "He felt the cum fall on his shirt. The image of his goddess was unmarred, and unmoved - perfection burned into his retinas. With climax came clarity - and he was once again aware of the clearing he was resting on."
            ro "Ha… Ha… "
            "He felt exhaustion seize his limbs. Focusing was difficult now, and he felt the image slip away, his goddess watching him, still smiling - still happy."
            cl "Rest well, my champion."
            scene black with fade
            show cliohna happy behind black
            cl "And pray often."
            show black with pinkflash
            pause 1
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
            "… It was the last thing he heard before the vision dissipated, and he let go of his cock. He licked his parched lips, suddenly aware he lost all track of time. The things she could do to him… "
            if clioLookingAtTits:
                "He’d be furious, if a part of him didn’t wonder if she’ll let him stare at her ass next time… "
            else:
                "He’d be furious, if a part of him didn’t wonder if she’ll let him stare at her tits next time…"
            #$ cameToCliohnasVision = True
            return

        "Hold back!":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "He had no strength to whisper the safeword, he struggled to even recall it. His one free hand dug weakly into the ground as he attempted to claw himself back to reality. "
            cl "Submit. Surrender to pleasure."
            cl "You are mine, Rowan."
            cl "Submit and obey. Pay your tribute."
            "His goddess didn’t cease her temptations, each word a promise of unearthly delights. And yet, little by little, he started to tune her out. She demanded he split his attention before - and he did just that, anchoring himself to reality, putting them into an unstable, volatile equilibrium."
            "… Eventually, it tipped in his favour. He didn’t know when, but at some point the whispers stopped - and the pink fog lifted just a little bit. He could banish her now, if he wanted."
            cl "My champion. Your goddess is proud of you."
            "Her words stopped him from doing so. The image of her remained, and his Goddess rocked her hips slowly, still holding a smile, then closing her eyes. She focused fully on riding his cock, her pace now dictated by his hand."
            "She was there for as long as he wanted her - his reward for enduring her trials. And despite the little trick from earlier…"
            "He didn’t want her to go."
            scene black with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral behind black
            "… Lost in Cliohna’s spell, time lost all meaning. He didn’t realize when the sun went up the horizon - only that once it did, he knew it was high time to end it."
            ro "… Paperwork. "
            show black with pinkflash
            pause 1
            scene bg31 with fade
            show rowan necklace concerned at center with dissolve
            "He whispered the safeword, and the vision dispersed without a trace. He found himself lying on the ground, cock in hand, hungry, stiff and sore all around. Grunting, he forced himself up, dreading the day to come."
            "For a moment, at least. He feared Cliohna’s little spell would leave him completely exhausted, yet as he started his morning routine, his drowsiness dispersed, and he found himself… Perhaps not energized, but rested."
            show rowan necklace happy at center with dissolve
            ro "Magical trance instead of sleep, huh…"
            "He marveled at the new experience. He wasn’t sure if it trumped actually sleeping, but… "
            show cliohna happy behind bg31
            cl "{i}My champion. My paragon. {/i}"
            "There were some advantages to it. He found himself smiling. Whenever he wanted to experience all of it again, he just needed to say the prayer. She could be with him - every night, if he wanted to."
            scene black with fade
            "And it felt {i}good{/i}, knowing he didn’t have to sleep alone anymore."
            #$ visionEdgingFinish = True
            return
    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue 2.rpy
label heartsongSecondDialogue_rp:
    
    $ heartsongNurture = 100
    $ heartsongName = "Heartsong"

    "A long silence followed, the crescendo of the story reached. Heartsong lingered a long moment in his arms, staring at him."

    ro "... So?"

    #show heartsong happy at midright with dissolve

    "Her gold eyes widened, seeming to remember herself. She blushed and glanced away."

    hear "A-and then they—"
    hear "..."
    hear "This is where the dream ends. I don’t know what happens next."

    menu:
        "Kiss her. (Scene)":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            #show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
            #scene cg1927 with fade
            #pause 2
            show cg1928 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show rowan necklace happy behind cg1927
            #show heartsong aroused
            show heartsong neutral behind cg1927
            ro "I do."
            "He kissed her, long and deep. Their lips pressed together in a passionate embrace as she went limp in his arms. Her voice came out as a tortured whisper."
            hear "…I like this dream."
            "She kissed him back, arms encircling him with slow, halting hesitancy."
            "Their lips met again. And again and again. She ran her fingers down his back, around his waist, testing the feel of him."
            "He tested her too, running his fingers down her spine and smiling at the shivers he induced. She backed up from his touch, but he followed her, moving with sure steps as she half-stumbled backwards."
            "He pinned her to the bedpost, body against body as she whined in plaintive need."
            hear "Rowan..."
            "His name was like a prayer on her tongue. She looked up at him, ears pulled back and eyes shining in the fairytale moonlight coming from the tower window."
            "She kissed him this time, her tongue poking hesitantly in search of his own. It was a whirlwind of emotions as her fingers nervously undid the buckles on his clothing."
            "Rowan watched her, letting her take her time, catch her breath. Her face was bright red, her fingers trembling."
            ro "You’re new at this, aren’t you?"
            "The revelation was surprising. Given how interested she seemed, how many memories she’d witnessed, this was the first time she’d ever been in direct contact, person to person."
            "Dreams and fantasies were one thing, but personal intimacy was quite another."
            "Her response to his question came seconds too late, blurted out as an artless, thoughtless observation."
            hear "I… you’re very handsome."
            "Rowan laughed, indulging in her hands’ curious exploration."
            ro "And here I mistook you for a manipulator when we first met."
            "Heartsong shook her head, her eyes glimmering like gold coins."
            hear "I would never lie to you, Rowan."
            "The way she looked at him… Rowan wondered if she could ever say the same about someone else. Even with Arzyl - as friendly as they were - she seemed to withhold that tiny part of herself back. How else could she have concealed their clandestine meetings?"
            "But with Rowan? He believed her. The look on her face, the adoration in her eyes… she would never lie to him. A part of him wondered if she’d do {i}anything{/i} he asked of her."
            "A dangerous thought. She was more naked to him in clothing than most people were without."
            ro "You’re shaking like a leaf."
            "She nodded, trembling. He hadn’t touched her beyond the barest of fingertips to skin, and yet she shuddered."
            ro "We can take it slow, if you want. There’s no rush."
            "She nodded again, biting her lip."
            #//Show CG “Rowan/Heartsong mutual masturbation, clothed variant”
            show cg1929 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1930 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He took her hand and sat down on the bed. After a moment's hesitation, she followed suit. Her hands were in her lap, her eyes trained straight down."
            ro "What are you thinking about?"
            hear "H-how good that felt. "
            hear "I’ve never-"
            hear "I-I’ve “tried” things before, in dreams. But I’ve never done it with someone else, someone who’s aware of who and where they are."
            ro "And how do you feel about that?"
            hear "Nervous, jittery. {i}Terrified{/i}. But…"
            "She looked up, her eyes staring straight ahead instead of at him next to her."
            hear "Happy at the same time. Like I could leap off this tower and take flight."
            ro "With how often you watch other’s memories, how come you’ve never tried this before?"
            hear "It didn’t seem right, doing it with someone who wasn’t aware. Some Fae do it, wet dreams they call them. But…"
            "Her mouth quivered."
            hear "I didn’t want that. I wanted them to know, to care. So I could care back."
            ro "That’s a noble thought."
            "She smiled softly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye."
            hear "…Is it?"
            ro "It means you want connection. Something substantive."
            hear "But… am I worth-"
            "She stopped herself, letting out a sigh."
            hear "Do you care?"
            "Rowan took her cheek in hand, turning it to face him. She looked at him, wide eyes searching his expression."
            "He leaned forward, and she closed her eyes. Their lips met, and she found her answer."
            "She pulled away just as his hand began to seek more private places. Her chin pointed downwards, eyes apologetic."
            hear "Could we- I-I’d rather we take it slow. It’s hard to show myself like this, to be aware of who I am and not be the character in the dream."
            "Rowan leaned back, exposing his still-clothed body to her. He smiled."
            ro "Take your time."
            "She did, her hands sought out his chest, his abs. Fingers brushed hesitantly across his groin before quickly pulling away. She ran her hands down his thighs, marveling at the curve of them."
            "She pulled off his boots, peeled down his pants. She unbuckled his armor and pulled off his shirt. Slowly, like a priest venerating a saint, she disrobed him."
            show cg1931 with dissolve
            pause 3
            show rowan necklace naked behind cg1931
            "Her clothes came next, pale skin shining with an almost reflective glow in the eerie light. He watched her with quiet awe, the slender curves of her form half hidden by her long hair and furry tail."
            "Heartsong looked at him with lidded eyes, face flushed and mouth open. Without thinking she moved forward, kissing him long and deep."
            "Thus distracted by his lips, her hands hesitantly moved lower, fingers closing tight about his erect cock with a probing, hesitant curiosity."
            hear "Oh."
            "Spoken like she had made a grand discovery, one she appreciated. Her sharp nail traced the length of his vein, tickling his skin with its gentle track. She touched his balls, cupping them gently as if handling a treasured bauble."
            ro "Take it by the base. Up and down, slowly."
            "Her hand closed around his dick, her light touch sending shivers up his spine. Rowan had to hold himself back from groaning in pleasure: her touch was heavenly."
            "He let her indulge herself, content to watch her naked form bend and shift in place as she worked the shaft of his cock. She was eager, but inexperienced. Perhaps that made her clumsy efforts all the more endearing."
            hear "You're so… warm."
            "There was a curious tone in her voice, something approaching transcendence. She tested the grip of him, clenching and releasing her hand while watching Rowan’s expression intently for feedback."
            "Soon she was working up a true lather, precum leaking out of the head. She spread it about on her palm and applied it to the rest of his shaft. Her brow furrowed as she became more and more focused on her task."
            ro "May I touch you, Heartsong?"
            "She paused. Her eyes went to his, excited at the prospect yet fearful as one who has never truly experienced it can be."
            hear "{i}Please{/i}."
            "His hand went between her thighs, his fingers caressing her tender place. He found her womanhood, wet and slick to the touch. She nearly jumped when his fingertips made contact."
            "Heartsong shuddered but continued, intent upon giving Rowan that same pleasure back to him."
            "She leaned against him, sighing in pleasure as she grew more comfortable with the intimacy. Her hand relaxed, head resting upon his shoulder as she panted in lust."
            hear "Rowan…"
            "She kept saying his name, as if committing it to memory. The fondness in her voice only grew as he slipped a finger into her, the clinging warm wetness yielding to his gentle touch."
            "Driven by an unbidden urge he kissed the top of her head, marveling at the downy softness of her fur. She purred in his grasp, leaning a little closer into his lap as she worked the shaft in ever more vigorous motions."
            "A second finger, sliding in with a little more difficulty into her tight opening. Heartsong gasped when he did it, leaning forward and placing a hand on his elbow to steady herself."
            "She looked up at him again, eyes aflame, intent upon enduring her unceasing pleasure that he’d inflicted on her. She tugged at him harder, insistent, urging. Heartsong growled when he slid in a third finger, as if it had merely raised the stakes."
            "Their mutual masturbation session lasted only a few minutes longer. The intensity of the experience was far beyond what Rowan had been expecting. She kissed him, the sharp canines of her teeth brushing dangerously against his lips."
            "She came. He felt the first inkling of it when her thighs clenched together about his hand. Then the rocking shake and shudder of her back as something like lightning shot up her spine."
            hear "{i}Aaahn{/i}!"
            "A victory, though a minor one. He made her cum first. She took him in both hands, trembling in place even as she began to jerk him vigorously."
            "His own ejaculation followed soon after. He felt the first inkling of orgasm once her hand clenched tight about him. Her lips pressed against his neck, kissing him fiercely and suckling on the bare skin."
            "The gripped the base tight, compressing his pleasure into a single, unbearable point of contact."
            #cg 1 - var 2
            #scene black with fade
            #show rowan necklace naked behind black
            #show heartsong neutral behind black
            #show heartsong naked aroused behind black
            "She loosened her grip and the floodgates were opened. Rowan let out a groan of ecstacy, his hips humping upwards as his cock bloated, then burst at the tip. A string of white-hot cum shot upwards, coating Heartsong’s chest in seed."
            "The action surprised her, and she let out a soft gasp. The shock turned to eagerness as her fingers coaxed still more of the pearlescent liquid from his body. She blushed as she watched him, transfixed at his pleasure."
            "Spent, Rowan sank back, panting. It had been such a brief experience, and yet it felt so right. There was something… {i}natural{/i} in the way they interacted."
            "Despite how new she was to the act of pleasure, she had managed to send him over the edge with almost no effort. The eager smile on her face as she looked at him made his cock twitch in helpless desire."
            hear "I… s-sorry, I didn’t know if you-"
            hear "Should I have… slowed down?"
            "Rowan let out a contented sigh. He smiled at her."
            ro "The fact that you had to ask means probably no."
            "She beamed, as proud covered in his love juices as she’s been seeing him rescue her as the Baroness. There was something genuine about her, something raw and unabashed."
            ro "Don’t worry about me, Heartsong. I have a better idea on how to end the night."
            hear "What do you mean?"
            "He slid off the bed, eyes hungry and predatory. It made Heartsong hesitate, unused to such forwardness. It was only once he began to spread her legs that comprehension dawned on her."
            hear "Oh… {i}oh!{/i}"
            show cg1932 with dissolve
            pause 2
            show cg1933 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "He ran his finger down her slit, teasing the line of her womanhood with agonizing, delicate tenderness. She shuddered beneath his touch, but outright twitched when he pressed his tongue against her."
            hear "Oh my- {i}mmmh!{/i}"
            "Her back arched, her mouth opening wide in a mixture of shock and pleasure. Her hands went around his head, at first an instinctive act of protection, but then an urging encouragement."
            "Rowan kissed her pussy, licking at the wet juices that dripped from it with relish. She was sweet to the taste, a different flavour from the more mundane mortals he had savoured."
            "Heartsong’s hips rolled gently, following instinct, driven only by the probing touch of his tongue and his hands against her thighs."
            "His tongue trailed northwards, towards that bundle of nerves that made women scream. Rowan’s tongue parted the flesh around it, exposing it to his relentless caress."
            hear "W-what did you- {i}Aaahn{/i}!"
            "The cry of pleasure that emitted from her lips was closer to a howl than a gasp. Her fingers entwined in his hair, nails clenching tight against his scalp as she leaned into the feeling, burying his face in her pussy."
            "Rowan obliged, diving his tongue downwards into her insides and swirling about. Heartsong’s fingers tightened around his head, urging him to further cunnilingus."
            "Far be it from him to oblige, the Fae was more enchanting than he had first expected. He redoubled his efforts, using his hands to spread her wide as he lathered her in his affection."
            "He knew her every spot instinctively. It was a strange parallel to her own instinctive ability to make him feel good. Every touch, every caress… it was less the awkward rumblings of two lover’s first encounter and like more the meeting of old lovers after many years apart."
            "She excited him, {i}expanded{/i} him. He found himself eager for more, his active mind drifting idly to future trysts, chance encounters."
            show cg1934 with dissolve
            pause 3
            "They kept up at it for gods-only-know how long, a repeated cycle of bringing her to the brink, raising her pitch to the uttermost… then bringing the tune to a crescendo, lingering in the silence again before resuming again."
            "Exhilaration mixed with a queer kind of serenity as Rowan ate Heartsong out, feeling a profound sense of masculinity as he felt her fingers in his hair, gripping and clenching as her thighs sat like little twitching electrodes on either side of his head."
            "By the fifth Orgasm she was screaming his name, a cacophony of sound that surely would have awoken anyone in that fanciful tower had it not been a dream. Rowan reveled in the sensation, a strange sort of conquest where the conquered gives themselves over wholeheartedly."
            "At last the final wave crested, and the Fae collapsed back in a heap upon the bed, her chest heaving as she lay spent."
            hear "N-no… no more…"
            "She had reached her limit - as had he, if his sore jaw was to be believed. He wiped the love juice from his face and tried to collect himself in the aftermath."
            "What had they just done?"
            "It wasn’t like Rowan didn’t know what had been going on between them, given their prior experience. But this way, in some way felt different."
            "Personal. More personal than he’d expected."
            "He looked up from his reverie to see the Fae gazing upon him with what he was beginning to think was love."
            hear "Rowan, that was…"
            ro "You don’t have to say anything, Heartsong."
            "She let out an exhausted chuckle, falling back onto the bed."
            hear "I-I feel like… I should…"
            "Thankfully, she didn’t. It left Rowan alone for a moment to ponder his feeling on the thought."
            scene bg85 with fade
            show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
            #show heartsong aroused at midright with dissolve
            show heartsong neutral behind black
            "They stood a half hour later, silent but awkward, staring at one another. Both of them were blushing and unable to hide it."
            hear "S-so…"
            show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
            ro "…So?"
            "Heartsong seemed just as uncomfortable discussing the elephant in the room as he was. That, at least was a blessing."
            "The implications of their shared experience would have to be untangled at a later date."
            ro "Maybe let’s stick to discussing that first dream for now, yeah?"
            "Heartsong nodded, seemingly just as eager to escape the murky truth of it as well."
            hear "Y-yeah."
            jump throneHSDreamEnd_rp

        "Hold back.":
            # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
            "They hovered on that instant between thought and action. But for Rowan, that moment became an unbridgeable gulf. He sighed and pulled back."
            hear "Is… something wrong, Rowan?"
            ro "No. I just think that it’s time for the dream to end."
            hear "Of course, Rowan."
            "If she seemed hurt by his rejection, she didn’t show it. If anything, her warm smile indicated a happiness to simply be within his presence."
            jump throneHSDreamEnd_rp

    label throneHSDreamEnd_rp:

    if heartsongNurture > 0:
        show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Honest question: do you think Arzyl is a threat to me?"
        hear "I don’t… think so. Not unless you give her good reason to be. She likes you, I think."
        show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        ro "For all the good that does me."
        ro "I think either way we should not let on to her the fact that we’re talking like this. It's unlikely the two of you would meet up while she’s still here in Bloodmeen, but-"
        hear "We can’t be too careful?"
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        "Rowan smiled, nodding at her."
        hear "Thank you, Rowan. I think you gave me an… interesting perspective on my Auntie."
        ro "You have a forgiving nature, Heartsong. I know this must be a conflicting experience to relive."
        "She nodded and looked away, her mind going someplace far away."

    else:
        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
        ro "Arzyl told me once she wished she’d recruited you to get in contact with me. I’m beginning to see the reasons why."
        "Heartsong perked up considerably at that mention. She flashed him a brilliant, if shy smile."
        hear "I-I… {i}thank you{/i}, Rowan! That means a lot, coming from you."
        ro "Well, keep supplying me information like this, and it may become a permanent position for you!"
        "The joking sarcasm rolled off her earnest features like a wave hitting rocks. Her placid, excited expression did not so much as waver at the implication."
        "Rowan was starting to see the reasons why Arzyl had hesitated to recruit her. Her trusting nature made her a supremely valuable source of information, but Kharos take him, he’d be hard pressed to think her capable of the slightest subterfuge."

    ro "Arzyl is certainly not someone to underestimate, nor take lightly. I think in time, you and I might be able to figure out how to manage her."

    hear "You think so?"

    ro "…Of course. But for now keep searching your memories, perhaps something she has told you in the past could give us a better perspective of her."

    #show heartsong neutral at midright with dissolve

    hear "I’ll do that Rowan, I promise."

    ro "Then till next time."

    "Rowan closed his eyes, and willed himself to wake up. The world of reality came rushing up to meet him, with only the image of the white fox lingering for a moment in the morning light to tell him anything at all had occurred."

    #$ heartsongDialogueStage = 3
    #$ heartsongDialogueAvailable = False

    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue 3.rpy
label whitescarThirdDialogue_rp:
    
    $ sharpName = "Sharptongue"
    $ whitescarName = "Whitescar"
    
    "Was Sharptongue wounded or badly wounded during the fight with Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Wounded":
            jump fightWounded_rp
        "Badly Wounded":
            jump fightBadlyWounded_rp
    
    label fightBadlyWounded_rp:

    scene bg46 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan climbed the tall stone steps two at a time, coming to the chapel yard where a trail of blood led inside. He kicked open the door, stalking amongst the pieus in hopes of finding his quarry."
    "There was blood everywhere. The Fae was wounded badly. Unfortunately, a cornered beast was clever: he had run to and fro across the room in a frantic effort to conceal just where the trail led."
    "A {i}whoosh{/i} of air caught his back, and Rowan turned to see Whitescar standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the sun."

    show whitescar neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    whit "Where is he?"

    ro "Somewhere in here. You have the scent?"

    "Whitescar lifted his nose and took a deep whiff. A low, trembling snarl emerged."

    whit "He makes for the graveyard. Hurry."

    "Rowan led the way as Whitescar bounded on all fours through the chapel. It was intimidating just how little sound he made despite his hulking size."
    "Rowan reached the back door and tried to open it. It was jammed, a last attempt to buy time. Whitescar’s hand settled upon his shoulder just as he was about to shove it against the doorway."

    whit "Please."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan stepped aside, only to gawk as Whitescar took the door by its frame, grunted, and yanked it clear of the stone base in one sharp pull. He set aside the door almost reverently, then rushed through."

    scene bg1 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
    #whitescar angry
    show whitescar neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #hooded figure on right

    "They leapt the small stone wall that separated the graveyard from the rest of the building, only to spot the hooded figure, clutching his side, blood pooling on the ground below him."

    sharp "You..."

    whit "{i}YOU.{/i}"

    "The Fae took an unsteady step backward. He lifted one hand to ward off the wolf, the other hiding something deep in his cloak."

    whit "There is nowhere to run. Do not make your sin worse than it already is."

    sharp "..."

    "The figure looked to Whitescar, then to Rowan. Its free hand dropped to its side."

    #cg 1
    scene cg1935 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1935
    pause 3

    "A blur of movement. A tucked bundle hurtling through the air. The Fae turned to run."

    ro "{i}NO!{/i}"

    "The wolf was moving. Rowan was moving. The world slowed down to a crawl."
    "Whitescar snarled. His claws were out, fur bristling on his neck."
    "He wasn’t looking at the robed figure."
    "As the arc of its trajectory propelled it into Rowan’s arms, the baby’s eyes opened."
    "Ancient eyes. Eyes that looked and saw and comprehended."
    "Eyes that {i}hated{/i}."

    show cg1936 with flash
    pause 0.5
    show cg1937 with dissolve
    pause 0.5
    show cg1938 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Rowan stopped short and the baby did too, hovering in the air against all logic. It’s tiny mouth opened, yawning outwards far beyond a size that seemed possible, exposing row upon row of serrated teeth."
    "He stood, aghast as something writhed beneath the surface of the babe’s blanket like a knot of breeding snakes. Its tiny arms stretched, elongating into horrifying elasticity as the skin ripped and tore across newfound joints."
    "Its face flattened, skull almost ape-like as pudgy fingers curled into the red-gristled bone of claws."
    "But it’s {i}voice{/i}. Its voice was the true terror: a gaping maw opened wide to rancid stench of breath like bile. It let out a screech that was the confluence of a child’s hysterical laughter and the baying of hounds."
    "The creature lunged at him, overthin arms swiping wildly like a mantis to hack him to bloody ribbons. It was all Rowan could do to stumble back in the face of it."
    "Whitescar roared, charging at the monster as if it were prey to be devoured. He grappled with the thing, snarling and biting at its tiny torso even as the thing ripped and tore at his back."
    "Rowan regained himself, shaking off the momentary shock and leaping forth with his sword. The blade pierced the not-child’s chest as it wrestled with Whitesacar. It screamed, eyes too old to belong to such an immature face turning its haunting glare in Rowan’s direction."

     #cg 1 - var 2

    "Whitescar’s claws pierced its throat, turning its screeching howl into a bloody gurgle. He threw it to the ground, and stomped his foot atop its head with a sickening {i}crunch{/i}."
    "A bloody mulch was all that remained of the thing, even as it twitched and spasmed on the ground like a worm split in two. The wolf did not so much as spare a glance in its direction before he was off after the badly wounded Fae."
    "Ignoring his lurching stomach Rowan followed after, his sword bathed in baby’s blood."

    #jump resultExecution


    label fightWounded_rp:

    scene bg46 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan climbed the tall stone steps two at a time, coming to the chapel yard where a trail of blood led inside. He kicked open the door, stalking amongst the pieus in hopes of finding his quarry."
    "A trickle of blood led in a line down the pieu. Rowan followed it like a hound at the chase, but stopped short when he saw it make a sudden zig-zag motion and dive down one of the rows. Rowan looked at it with growing alarm: the Fae had run to and fro across the room in an effort to conceal where the trail led."
    "A {i}whoosh{/i} of air caught his back, and Rowan turned to see Whitescar standing in the doorway, silhouetted by the sun."

    show whitescar neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    whit "Where is he?"

    ro "I’m not sure. Maybe in here. You have the scent?"

    "Whitescar lifted his nose and took a deep whiff. A low, trembling snarl emerged."

    whit "He’s in the graveyard. Hurry."

    "Rowan led the way as Whitescar bounded on all fours through the chapel. It was intimidating just how little sound he made despite his hulking size."
    "Rowan reached the back door and tried to open it. It was jammed shut, something heavy was on the other side of the door. Whitescar gently pushed Rowan aside, took firm hold of the door by its frame, and with a mighty effort yanked it clear of the stone base. He tossed it aside and rushed through."

    scene bg1 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace angry at edgeleft with dissolve
    #whitescar angry
    show whitescar neutral at midleft with dissolve
    #hooded figure on right

    "They leapt the small stone wall that separated the graveyard from the rest of the building, only to spot the hooded figure, clutching his side, blood trickling to the ground below from where Rowan had wounded him."

    sharp "{i}Hnnngh{/i}, h-heh heh…"
    sharp "You should be proud of that meat standing next to you, Whitescar. It managed to get a good knock on me."

    whit "{i}YOU.{/i}"

    "The Fae took a step backward. He lifted one hand to ward off the wolf, the other hiding something deep in his cloak."

    sharp "Yes, me. What a reunion this is. Were you expecting me to bow?"

    whit "There is nowhere to run. Do not make your sin worse than it already is."

    "The figure laughed."

    sharp "Sin.’"

    ro "Don’t try anything."

    "The figure looked to Whitescar, then to Rowan. Its free hand dropped to its side."

    #cg 1
    scene cg1935 with fade
    show rowan necklace shock behind cg1935
    pause 3
    show whitescar neutral behind cg1935

    "A blur of movement. A tucked bundle hurtling through the air. The Fae turned to run."

    ro "{i}NO!{/i}"

    "The wolf was moving. Rowan was moving. The world slowed down to a crawl."
    "Whitescar snarled. His claws were out, fur bristling on his neck."
    "He wasn’t looking at the robed figure."
    "As the arc of its trajectory propelled it into Rowan’s arms, the baby’s eyes opened."
    "Ancient eyes. Eyes that looked and saw and comprehended."
    "Eyes that {i}hated{/i}."

    show cg1936 with flash
    pause 0.5
    show cg1937 with dissolve
    pause 0.5
    show cg1938 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Rowan stopped short and the baby did too, hovering in the air against all logic. It’s tiny mouth opened, yawning outwards far beyond a size that seemed possible, exposing row upon row of serated teeth."
    "He stood, aghast as something writhed beneath the surface of the babe’s blanket like a knot of breeding snakes. Its tiny arms stretched, elongating into horrifying elasticity as the skin ripped and tore across newfound joints."
    "Its face flattened, skull almost ape-like as pudgy fingers curled into the red-gristled bone of claws."
    "But it’s {i}voice{/i}. Its voice was the true terror: a gaping maw opened wide to rancid stench of breath like bile. It let out a screech that was the confluence of a child’s hysterical laughter and the baying of hounds."
    "The creature lunged at him, overthin arms swiping wildly like a mantis to hack him to bloody ribbons. It was all Rowan could do to stumble back in the face of it."
    "Whitescar roared, charging at the monster as if it were prey to be devoured. He grappled with the thing, snarling and biting at its tiny torso even as the thing ripped and tore at his back."
    "Regaining his senses after his momentary shock, Rowan moved to help the Fae. But Whitescar stopped him short with a snarl."

    whit "No! Stop {i}him{/i}!"

    "Whitescar gestured with his snout in the direction of the hooded figure limp-sprinting down the rows of graves towards the back of the graveyard. Against his better judgment, Rowan did as he was bid."

    #if avatar.skill_roll("agility", 4, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
    if True:
        "The Fae was fast but Rowan was faster, leaping over graves to cut off his escape to the far wall. Cornered, the figure snarled at him."
        sharp "It dares to get in my way?"
        "Rowan didn’t answer, rushing at him with sword brandished. Too late the Fae realized that he was not facing a talker."
        "The hooded figure tried to run, but Rowan’s blade slashed down his back, opening yet another wound and sending the Fae sprawling."
        sharp "{i}Filthy{/i} mortal! Repulsive, nose-breathing reptile!"
        "Rowan kicked the beast, rolling it over on its front as it cowered from his blade."
        show rowan necklace angry behind cg1935
        ro "Stay down this time, won’t you?"
        "Bloodied but not broken, the beast scrabbled to his feet, limping backwards as he clutched at his weeping wounds."
        "Meanwhile, the battle between the false child and Whitescar reached a climactic conclusion. The thing that wore an infant’s face tore into Whitescar’s form, drawing blood and staining his white fur."
        "It only made Whitescar angrier. He grabbed it by both of its arms and twisted, its arms snapping into pieces from the force of the torsion. The thing screamed in pain."
        #cg 1 - var 2
        "Whitescar’s claws pierced its throat, turning its screeching howl into a bloody gurgle. He threw it to the ground, and stomped his foot atop its head with a sickening {i}crunch{/i}."
        "A bloody mulch was all that remained of the thing, even as it twitched and spasmed on the ground like a worm split in two. The wolf did not even wait for the twitching to cease before he turned and charged the badly wounded Fae."
        #jump resultExecution

    else:
        "The Fae was fast, even with it’s wounds. It bobbed and weaved between the gravestones as Rowan struggled to keep up. The hooded figure cast a contemptuous glance behind him as his mortal foe gave chase."
        sharp "It is not quick enough. Mortal feet tromp like boulders on the ground."
        "Rowan slashed sloppily at the Fae, but he was expecting it, dancing back well outside his guard."
        "Some strange voice warbled out from behind the hood, primeval words of terrible power. Rowan felt his chest constrict and his capillaries squeeze as the Fae’s words grew more haggard, more pain-filled even as he spoke the words."
        "At last Rowan’s blade met flesh, and he sent the Fae sprawling, covered in blood."
        "But still those words - which only seemed to wound him further - danced from his lips. His voice grew more and more strained, till he was all but screaming the words."
        "Meanwhile, Whitescar wrestled with the not-baby, their bloody contest coming to a dramatic conclusion. The thing that wore an infant’s face had managed to cut deep into Whitescar’s arm, drawing blood and staining his white fur."
        "Whitescar, in his rage, slammed his fist into the thing’s body sending it sprawling, boneless to the ground. It cried out like an infant seeking its mother."
        #cg1 - var 2
        "Whitescar’s claws pierced its throat, turning its screeching howl into a bloody gurgle. He threw it to the ground, and stomped his foot atop its head with a sickening crunch."
        "A bloody mulch was all that remained of the thing, even as it twitched and spasmed on the ground like a worm split in two. The wolf did not even wait for the twitching to cease before he turned and charged the badly wounded Fae."
        "But it was too late."
        whit "NO!"
        "Rowan swung at Sharptongue’s form, but it was already incorporeal. With a loud {i}snap{/i} the Fae yanked himself out of existence. A pained scream filled the air, then dissipated into silence."
        scene bg1 with fade
        show rowan necklace concerned at midright with dissolve
        #whitescar angry
        show whitescar neutral at midleft with dissolve
        "The wolf snarled in helpless rage."
        whit "He {i}escaped{/i}?"
        ro "I don’t know how he did it."
        whit "With distraction and guile. The calling card of his kind."
        "Whitescar paced the ground where Sharptongue had disappeared from, now covered in blood."
        whit "SOL CURSE HIM!"
        "Rowan glanced over his shoulder to look at the not-baby - lying in a bloody heap on the other side of the graveyard."
        ro "What was that thing? That…. ‘Baby?’"
        #whitescar neutral
        "Whitescar did not look at him."
        whit "A changeling. A Fae in the glamour of a false-child, set to take the place of the one they intended to steal."
        whit "The parents - in their pitiable ignorance - would have raised the babe as their own, none the wiser. But the ruse would only last a year and a day… until one day the ‘infant’ would wander off. The parents, terrified,  would see it be taken by an animal, or ‘fall’ into a river."
        whit "And so they would belatedly mourn the loss of their child, never the wiser that it had already been robbed of them. Of love and care. Of a life that knows what joy is."
        whit "We prevented that outcome, if nothing else today."
        show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve
        whit "Sharptongue yet lives."
        #$ whitescarFavour += 2
        #jump resultEscaped
        
    return

# \events\ruler_events_49.rpy
label hel_nightmare_2_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 100

    scene black with fade

    "Helayna went back to sweet dreams after her nightmare, but something had changed. They all felt a little more real, and the details that were once fleeting were now nailed down, cemented in her memory. Each night, she awoke with new joy in her heart, gifted imaginative fantasies of the lives she might have lived without Rowan."
    "A life where tragedy took his wife, before Helayna met her hero."
    "A life without her title."
    "A life where he gave in to her pressuring for him to seek one himself."
    "A life where tragedy took his wife, well after Helayna met her hero."
    "A life where…"

    scene bg2 with fade
    show helayna neutral at midleft with moveinleft

    "Helayna entered to the sweet scent of warm baked bread and the sizzle of roasting duck."

    hel "Rowan? Are you home?"

    show rowan intro happy at midright with dissolve

    "Helayna’s husband turned towards her, drying off his freshly-washed hands on a cloth. A smile brightened his oft-sombre face."

    ro "Where else would I be? I’ve been cleaning up this awful mess I made with dinner."

    hel "Hmm. I don’t know. Sneaking off for your own patrol, maybe."

    "Between the two of them, one was better suited for homemaking than the other. After a few weeks of off-and-on trading off chores, the two had accepted the fact that Helayna was a downright awful cook and incapable of improving."

    ro "And leave you hungry? I won’t say this doesn’t bore me on occasion, but I’m not suicidal."

    "Helayna smiled, unbuckling the harness that held her axe and hanging it up on the wall by the door. She stepped over to him. Their somewhat unusual living situation had some of Arthdale’s villagers assuming she wore the proverbial pants in all things, but–"
    "Her hero would always be just that, her hero. As soon as Helayna was close enough, Rowan reached out to grab her, pulling her close and kissing her like it was their first time all over again, grabbing her ass and pulling her up against the hard cock forming a lump under his apron."

    #Nightmare 2, CG 1, Variant 0
    scene cg1948 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg1949 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1950 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan intro happy behind cg1948
    show helayna neutral behind cg1948

    "The kiss did not last as long as it should have. In handling her body, Rowan could feel her tension."

    ro "What’s the matter?"

    hel "I noticed some tracks in the western woods. Bandits, I suspect."

    ro "Bandits? Here, in Arthdale? Are you sure they weren’t just traders?"

    hel "You taught me everything I know about tracking, love. Do you think I’d mistake one for the other?"

    "He smirked."

    ro "No, you wouldn’t."

    hel "Traders tend to stay on roads. They were heading through the deeper parts of the forest, trying to hide themselves."

    ro "Then shall we take a closer look tomorrow?"

    show helayna happy behind cg1948

    "Helayna flashed her husband a grin, her eyes alight at the prospect of the two of them scouting side-by-side once more. She couldn’t resist the urge to tease him, however."

    hel "Are you sure you’ll be able to keep up with me? Retirement hasn’t rusted your skills?"

    "Rowan’s smirk grew, and he did not back down from her bait."

    ro "I’ve taught you {i}everything{/i} you know about a lot of things, Hel."

    "Helayna’s tongue dabbed over her lips."

    hel "Oh, is that so? I must have forgotten."

    ro "Then perhaps you’re in need of a reminder–"

    "A reminder was just what Helayna was after. The dream blurred in its segue, but all the details would be there for Helayna later, when she needed something to tide her over until Rowan’s return: he shoved her up against the counter and kissed the Goddess right out of her, tearing her clothes off whenever he couldn’t easily remove them."
    "She didn’t make it easy for him to tame her. That was a constant in her dreams: Rowan as her conqueror, and once she was his, she remained his. Their dinner ended up on the floor, ignored and neglected in preference for tastes more carnal. His fingers played her clit like an instrument while his mouth laid fresh claims across her neck."

    show cg1951 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show helayna naked happy behind cg1948

    "When she was weak-kneed, he picked her up– no easy feat for a househusband! –and placed her upon the windowsill beside the counter. Any of the villagers passing by their house would be able to see her bare back pressed against the glass, and what they could see of Rowan past her head and shoulders would be telling."
    "But for her husband, Helayna was without shame."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "He liked others to see how he made the noble girl from Raeve {i}his{/i}, and Helayna was proud to be his trophy. It did not lessen their love; it only made her lust burn hotter."

    "Sliding his hand to her cunt, and finding her already sodden, he began to finger her roughly drawing shallow moans from between her lips."

    ro "Someone has been waiting for this."

    "The househusband grinned as he continued his assault on her nether regions."

    hel "Guilty."

    show cg1952 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "With her free hand, Helayna impatiently pawed at his trousers, trying to free his cock from beneath the waistband to fill her in ways that his fingers could not."

    ro "Not so fast, my love."

    "In combat, Rowan was no match for his amazonian wife. But the bedroom was the one place he could exert some control, and he was quite enjoying himself."
    "Any protestations, or further furtive attempt to lower his trousers were stopped in their tracks as he slid another finger inside."

    show cg1953 with dissolve
    pause 2
    #show helayna naked aroused behind cg1948

    hel "Ooooooohhhhh...."

    "She rode against the pistoning of his fingers. Again and again. Again and again. Until..."

    show cg1954 with dissolve
    pause 2

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG 3, Variant 1
    show cg1955 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1956 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "She hooked her legs around his waist and flexed them as he pushed into her, relaxing the muscles lining her twat to take him in deep as quickly as she could. The moment he hilted, she squeezed her wet hole around him as tight as she could."

    hel "Ffffuck, yes, Rowan–"

    "Her attempt to trap the hero failed as it ever did, and her reminder, her punishment, {i}whatever{/i} it was proceeded accordingly, pussy rammed deep and repeatedly. He taunted her."

    ro "Come… on, Hel, can’t you… keep up?"

    "Oh, she couldn’t. She could best her husband three times out of five with swords, but when it came to this kind of swordplay, she was nothing but his slut, eyes in constant roll and mouth hanging open for a prolonged, lurid wail–"

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG 3, Variant 3
    show cg1957 with sshake
    show cg1957 with sshake
    show cg1958 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg1959 with dissolve

    "–Those were the sorts of dreams that Helayna was used to. Sex, bliss. Love. A bit of romance here and there. But it was no coincidence that her dreaming mind picked this night to emulate, rooted in what Rowan had told her of Jezera and Andras’ machinations."
    "An urgent knocking on the door came soon after Rowan came, and giggling breathlessly, Helayna pushed him away. She didn’t dismount the window’s ledge as he did up his pants and opened the door."

    show cg5 with fade

    "She didn’t even bother trying to squeeze her thighs shut, so as to avoid giving their guest an eyeful of her commoner-inseminated noble cunt. Sometimes travellers came begging for Rowan to plant his seeds in them, something Helayna delighted in watching."
    "The woman who darkened their doorstep was Solnasian. Young, beautiful, and pale of both skin and hair. Frail and cloaked in red, Helayna would have loved nothing more than to see her husband breed her, but the girl’s panicked face said she was there for something other than a chance at rearing Rowan’s young."

    scene black with fade

    "Things happened so quickly after that. Helayna sobered herself and dressed for combat, and together she and Rowan searched for Mariel’s daughter. Helayna’s dream-self could not benefit from her knowledge of who Mariel truly was."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
    show helayna neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "There was never a daughter. The bandits that Helayna had discovered…"

    show wild orc neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    wo "Takes ‘em! Alive if youse don’t want your fuckin’ head crushed!"

    "An ambush. The initial wave numbered eight to the two of them; four to one and caught off-guard, the odds should not have been in the favour of a couple living in a rural village. Each orc was stronger than a man on their lonesome."
    "Together, though…"

    ro "Left or right?"

    hel "You’ve always liked right. Let me have it tonight."

    ro "Left it is."

    #//CG: Nightmare 2, CG 5, Variant 0
    scene black with fade

    "The lawfully-wedded heroes had a manageable situation on their hands. One wide swing of Helayna battleaxe gutted two of the orcs immediately while warding off the other two, surprised and flustered by how handedly the female knight dispatched their brothers."
    "Rowan’s sword did not lend itself to the same brutality, but with his fleet-footed movements and the knowledge Helayna had his back, he could use the size and numbers of the orcs against them. He dodged the first weapon to come his way and parried the second, pivoting to kick the third orc away from him."

    #//CG: Nightmare 2, CG ?, Variant ?
    scene black with fade
    show rowan neutral behind black
    show helayna neutral behind black

    "The fourth came in swinging, but Rowan redirected its savage, spiked maul to ensure it found green flesh instead."
    "What confidence the early clash gave them was suffocated by the long, low call of a warhorn. Helayna looked up from an orc split down the centre, from shoulder to sternum, wide eyes flicking in the direction of the sound."

    hel "Arthdale…! No!"

    ro "Shit! We need to get back!"

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    "The horn sounded more than just an attack on their home. More orcs began to flood in like a green tsunami, some roaring war cries. Some came from portals or ripped away from the spells that had kept them invisible to the naked eye."
    "They were not a random warband braving a deep foray into Rosaria’s countryside."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    "The situation was no longer manageable. Any time an orc fell, another stepped over its corpse and renewed the assault. Though dozens died, they were more afraid of whatever drove them than the pair of heroes. It became impossible to avoid or deflect every blow coming their way. "
    "Their defeat was inevitable, but still, they fought, not for their own lives but that of their love. So long as they had each other, they had {i}hope{/i}."
    "Helayna’s hope was crushed when Rowan fell, an ugly gurgle heralding the blood he spat as he fell to his knees."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade
    show helayna shocked behind black
    show wild orc neutral behind black

    hel "ROWAN!"

    "The orcs did not give her time to learn if she had been widowed, taking quick advantage of her distress to press the attack. A strike against her armour sent her tumbling to the forest floor, and the orcs roared with glee. One of their number quickly yanked her battleaxe away."

    wo "Oi, oi! She got me hard. Dids the boss say if we coulds have a little fun with this bitch?"

    orclead "Hnnn. No, buts youse fucking idiots will probably break her and they want her alives."

    wo "Pfff. We ain’t gonna breaks her!"

    "The argument over what they could do to Helayna distracted the horde. She crawled across the blood-soaked dirt, her ears ringing from the blow to her head."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    "Wherever her gauntlets pushed down, bright roses began to bloom, mirrored across Rowan’s wounds… across her own. Terrible pain wracked more than just her heart as thorns began to cut through her skin. She could feel her armour blacken, an extension of herself."
    "An extension of who she, the real Helayna, could become. She was cut away abruptly from her body, once more a lucid observer in the nightmare. Though she had a sudden awareness that none of what she was seeing was {i}real{/i}, the grief she felt was real."

    questi "Rowan, no…!"

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    "??? pulled Rowan’s limp body to her own, weeping as she cradled him. The roses and vines thriving on their blood began to grow and twist together, as though the place where the two heroes died might be marked by an eternal rosebush."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade
    show rowan shock behind black
    show wild orc neutral behind black

    "??? was already dead, murdered with her husband. The fight was over. Except…"

    ro "Hel…ayna…"

    "His hand, weak and slick with his life’s blood, lifted to touch ???’s cheek. He smiled weakly up at ???. Though life began to fade from his eyes, he clung to life, to hope–"

    questi "Rowan…"

    "And until he drew his last breath, ??? had hope. ??? had a reason to keep fighting."
    "Behind her, the argument was over. The orcs had put it to a vote, and the yeas had overwhelmed the naysayers who feared the twins’ wrath, literally and figuratively. The dissenting voices had been rendered permanently silent."

    wo "Heh… c’mere, girlsies…"

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    questi "Rowan…"

    "The first orc to reach ??? started to turn her, but found her shoulder stiff and her body unbudging until she deigned to turn her head."
    "He expected to see the face of a grief-struck widow."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind black

    wo "Whats youse smiling about…?"

    "??? whispered her response, and something in her voice felt… beautiful, to Helayna. Darkly beautiful and terrifying. She slowly released Rowan and allowed him to rest on the bed of roses beneath him. At the same time, the orc was dropping his loincloth."

    questi "He’s alive. My husband’s alive."

    wo "Oh, that’s goods. S’pposed to take you both alive, weak fuckers. Speakin’ of fucks, before we delivers youse, youse going to suck my–"

    "He never finished those words, grunting and then squeaking as ??? grabbed hold of his revealed cock. She squeezed, and then the orc let out a much more shrill shriek as his proud green appendage became pulp in her hand."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    questi "MY HUSBAND’S ALIVE!"

    "??? cackled joyfully as she surged to her feet, not even discarding the remnants of the orc’s cock as she surged to her feet."
    "Fighting for Rowan, ??? didn’t need an axe or a sword to do battle. The shocked, de-cocked orc stumbled back from her, hands clutching over the geyser that marked where his manhood once was."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade
    show wild orc neutral behind black

    "Even before ??? had risen to her full height, her gauntlets’ sharp claws had sliced neatly through the orc, spilling his guts out. He dropped dead. The surviving horde were surprised, but startling acts of violence were common enough that they quickly acted upon the apparent threat before them."

    questi "I’M GOING TO KILL YOU ALL FOR HIM!"

    wo "Kill his bitch!"

    "There were {i}so many{/i} orcs, and she was but one woman, but… "

    questi "His bitch!"

    "Helayna was not ???. Not yet."
    "??? frightened Helayna, but…"

    questi "Yes, yes, I love that… I’m his BITCH! ROWAN’S BITCH!"

    "She was incredible, capable of all the things that the ring had stolen away from Helayna. Helayna wanted that. She wanted what her first nightmare promised."
    "Vines and roses bloomed around ???’s neck and rose quickly, solidifying and blackening, copious petals becoming a helmet with a frightening visage. As they charged her, ??? charged fearlessly into them, howling not a blood-hungry war cry."

    #CG: Nightmare 2, CG #, Variant #
    scene black with fade

    "??? was savage. Orcs crumpled, their bodies broken by her blunt blows when she opted for them. Blood geysered from the wounds slashed by her claws. The weapons she seized from their hands broke from ???’s brutish strength, embedded deep in the friends and kin of their allies."
    "For Rowan, ??? was unstoppable. She carved her way through them like a demon, the defender that Rowan deserved. The bitch that he needed. Helayna watched in envious awe; it was a hellish amount of gore that should have driven her to her knees in sickness."
    "She felt her disembodied knees grow weak, but for other reasons entirely. The dream began to fade away."
    "Helayna awoke aroused, soaked in sweat and trembling. It was still dark, and the previous night’s creampie stained the sheets beneath her and along her inner thigh. Rowan was still asleep, but when she reached along his body to check, she found one part of him was already awake and ready."
    "She smiled softly to herself and slipped down to give his cock its good morning kiss."

    return

# \events\blackholt\goblins_5.rpy
label ziiziis_curious_human_inneraction_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ society_type = "might"
    $ andrasFavours = 10
    $ tuesan4Seen = True
    $ ziiScore = 0

    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

    # $ ziiAvailable = False

    scene bg3 with fade

    "Rowan could hear the eager chatter of Zii-Zii and her clan before he arrived at their camp. The goblins were already well on their way in their preparations for the hunt, strapping on sharp weapons and supplies as the hero passed through."
    "For what Rowan considered to be a rather familiar activity, he was surprised by the sheer excess of weaponry and armor the goblins hoisted on their person. The clan seemed better prepared to take down an army than some elk and deer. Their excitement permeated the air, the clan's teeth barred and weapons clutched with growing anticipation."
    "Zii-Zii was in the midst of preparations at the center of her army, her eyes wild as she tested her weapon's weight in her palms. There was no calculation or strategy in her gaze; only pure, untamed bloodlust."
    "When she took notice of the hero's presence, Rowan wondered if she might start the hunt early by attacking him instead."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show zii neutral at midright with dissolve

    ziiz "Aren't you ready yet?!"

    ro "Huh? Er, yes, I'm ready."

    "Rowan glanced at his armor and weapon as if they might have fallen off his person on the way there. Zii-Zii eyed him up, then burst into a grin."

    ziiz "That's all you're bringing then? Tee-hee-hee~~!! Oh, this'll be fun!! I've never seen someone take a {i}Clacklog{/i} with just'a sword before!!"

    ro "A… Clacklog? I was under the impression we were hunting animals; bears, deer, and such."

    "Zii-Zii looked almost offended by the suggestion. To his surprise, a few other goblins glanced his way as well with judgemental gazes."

    ziiz "{i}Normal{/i} animals?! What fun is that?! No wonder you're so ill-prepared…Taking a sword to fight a Clacklog, ha! "

    ro "A sword was enough for a Demon Lord."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-hee~~!! No Demon Lord ever set foot in Blackholt, no? Oooh, that'll make this hunt even more fun, though!!"

    "The hero could not tell if she was delighting in the idea of him defeating one of her odd beasts with just a sword or in the suggestion that he would easily be consumed by whatever monstrosity Zii-Zii hoped to encounter."
    "In truth, he wasn't sure he wanted to know."

    ro "I… see. You'll have to forgive me, I'm not familiar with the creatures in these parts. I've only encountered the usual animals around here."

    ziiz "That's because you haven't been to the {i}Twilight{/i} woods. Only the strongest beasts show up there– and {i}I{/i}~~ have a path right to it!"

    "Turning toward her clan, Zii-Zii raised her voice above the chatter."

    ziiz "THIS WAY! ANYONE TO FALL BEHIND GETS TO BE BAIT FOR THE BEASTIES~~!!"

    "Rancorous cheers rang out through the camp as the goblins hustled to follow their leader through the dense foliage. Rowan kept up at Zii-Zii's side and regarded the narrow path in a new light."

    ro "So, what kind of beasts {i}should{/i} I expect on this hunt?"

    ziiz "Oh, all sorts!! You've got your Clacklogs, your Huntstrows, your Spillow-whills–careful, they may be slight, but they've got a {i}massive{/i} bite, hee-hee~~!!"

    ro "… You’re making them up, aren’t you?"

    ziiz "Ehehe ~~ Oh, they’re real. You’ll see once one bites you in the ass."

    "He'd never heard of any of these creatures and Zii-Zii's explanation offered little understanding of what they might look like. He wanted to prod further, but the goblin already skipped ahead, focused on the potential bounty."
    "The trail was not so much a trail as it was a few significant markings barely distinguishable in the tree bark, twisting and winding the group until they were so deep within the thick foliage that Rowan lost his sense of time."
    "Regardless, Rowan was certain they were near the Twilight woods, if not already inside of it. The forest had taken on a sinister feel with foliage canopied until the sky was black as night, the trail snaking over tree roots and other debris that Rowan navigated through with little grace."
    "Zii-Zii's clan grew quiet, leaving no trace of their presence aside from the soft shuffling of footsteps against the forest floor. Their silence did not grow from fear but instead reveled in anticipation. Rowan could practically hear their hearts beating in time, waiting for that first creature to venture too close to their sword."
    "{i}BOOM! BOOM{/i}!"
    "Loud, thundering footsteps shook the forest floor. Rowan tried to squint through the darkness as a beast with the broadness of a bear but the jaw of a crocodile lumbered into view, but the goblins shot it down before he could register the grotesquerie he just witnessed."
    "As Zii-Zii's clan let out a battle cry of victory, Rowan squeezed past the eager goblins to get a better look at the beast."
    "Rowan had thought his mind was playing tricks on him, but no– the creature slain before him was indeed a bear, or at least the body was. The head was shaped like a crocodile but maintained the bear's fur, the light brown patches curling up to reveal sharp pointed teeth."
    "The pads of the beast's paws were scaly and Rowan could make out bits of more thick, scaly skin for armor tucked between tufts of fur."
    "Unfortunately, that armor did little to protect the beast's most vital organs. A black ooze that reeked of sulfur pooled under the creature from its wounds as its glassy reptilian eyes stared into the darkness. "

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        "Rowan leaned closer to examine the beast, more fascinated by this strange trick of nature than horrified."

    else:
        "Rowan grimaced, taking a full step back from the mutilated beast. There was something horrifically wrong with it and, despite the many challenges the hero had faced, he had trouble looking this creature in the eye."

    ro "What {i}are{/i} you…?"

    ziiz "Tee-hee-hee~~!! You like 'em?! That there's a Snapclaw!! Usually they hibernate this time of year, but I guess someone was a little slow~~."

    "Zii-Zii's high-pitched giggle was unsettling to the hero as he surveyed the beast's corpse. The other goblins took no time to haul the Snapclaw away, muttering amongst themselves as to who would be lucky enough to skin the beast and keep its natural armor."

    ro "Are all of the beasts here like that?"

    ziiz "Mhm!! For the most part."
    ziiz "The Twilight woods are the best for hunting; the creatures here have been around for centuries and centuries, and every couple of years we get a new fun beast to track down!!"

    ro "A new one? How does that work?"

    ziiz "I dunno! Prefer killing animals to studying them. If I had to guess… "
    ziiz "It’s because of all the fucking. The beasties can't usually find their way out of the Twilight woods, so they mate and breed and birth over and over and over again with each other–so you get things like the Snapclaw!!"
    ziiz "The longer the creatures stay here, the stranger they become. Isn't it the best?!"

    if True:
    #if avatar.skill_roll("survival", 6,  should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
        "Zii-Zii beamed with great delight at the deceased Snapclaw as members of her clan carried it away, stripping off bits of fur and meat as they went. Rowan’s eyes followed them, a deep scowl forming on his face."
        "He had traversed Rosaria far and wide, walked under the great trees of the Forest of Ealoaen, and crossed the Rakshan Waste. He had seen beasts both natural and magical, and while he always considered himself a humble man, there were some areas where he prided himself as an expert."
        "Zii-Zii was mistaken - no amount of interbreeding could spawn such a creature. Something was very, very wrong with the Twilight woods."

    else:
        "Zii-Zii beamed with great delight at the deceased Snapclaw as members of her clan carried it away, stripping off bits of fur and meat as they went."

    ziiz "LISTEN HERE! LET'S MAKE THIS HUNT FUN~~!! WHOEVER CAN SLAY THE BIGGEST BEASTIE WINS!!"

    "Her words echoed through the woods, but she hardly finished her speech before the clan members took off, splitting up amongst themselves into the darkness to appease their leader."
    "Zii-Zii giggled to herself before picking a direction herself, her tail wagging in excitement as she charged into the forest. Rowan moved to follow behind when he felt a hand press against his sleeve. It was Wen-Dii - the prince’s spy."

    wend "Be careful with her. Zii is… another thing entirely when it comes to the hunt. It wouldn't surprise me if she forgets friend from foe."

    "It was troubling to hear, but Rowan had guessed as much when he'd agreed to join Zii-Zii on the hunt to begin with. She was not a tame woman by any means, and her bloodlust seemed to increase tenfold with an ax in her hand."

    ro "I'll do my best."

    ziiz "Weeeen-Diiiiiiii~~"

    "Zii reappeared with a wolfish grin on her face and levied an accusing finger at the goblin in question."

    ziiz "You aren't trying to steal Zii-Zii's fresh meat, are you?! I won't stand for it~~!!"

    "Wen-Dii took a step back, keeping a respectable distance between herself and Rowan as she regarded Zii-Zii with a cocky smirk."

    wend "Not at all, warchief. I was wondering how this lump of flesh is going to hold up against a Clacklog."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-hee~~~!! Zii-Zii would like to find out! We'll bring lotsa meat back one way or another~~!!"

    "Zii-Zii once more dove into the forest and this time Rowan gave chase. She was speedier than he'd expected, weaving between the trees with animalistic instinct as she sought out her prey. It made it a struggle to keep up."
    "Strange creatures caught Rowan's eye as he stumbled through the woods; beasts with elongated necks, twisted limbs, and hollow eyes. One creature stared at him with a wide, distended mouth before disappearing between the trees–perhaps more frightened of the hero than he was of it."

    ro "(They get more deformed the deeper we go… What kind of beast is Zii-Zii looking for?)"

    ziiz "You're so quiet!! Zii-Zii is growing bored."

    "The goblin leader's complaint surprised him. Considering they were on a hunt, Rowan had assumed silence was preferred."
    "Then again, Zii-Zii rarely met his expectations."

    ro "Well then, what would you like to talk about?"

    ziiz "Mmmm…"

    "As she considered, the creature with the distended mouth stumbled back into view. It was tall, like a goat that had been stretched out and forced to walk on two legs, and its unhinged jaw swung as it belted out a startled cry."
    "Zii-Zii leapt upon the beast in an instant, digging her claws deep into the beast's shoulder. It let out a pained roar. Its whole body shook in an attempt to throw her off but she clung tight."

    ziiz "What is it like living in Bloodmeen?"

    "Rowan almost missed her question as he brought an arrow to his bow and aimed it toward the creature."

    if rowanCorrupt > 30:
        ro "Less violent than living in Blackholt, if only slightly. But more exciting than my village."

    else:
        ro "It's… suitable in terms of housing, I suppose. I prefer my home village, though."

    "Zii-Zii scrambled across the creature, swiping claws and biting into its fur-lined flesh until her lips dripped red with blood. The beast howled, unable to focus between her wild attacks and Rowan's more precise hits."

    ziiz "You grew up in a village?! Is it like Zii-Zii's?!"

    ro "Not quite. There is far more… community, I guess you could call it. We don't compete with each other for dominance over who rules over one another."

    "One of Rowan's arrows pierced into the beast's knee. It howled as it crumbled in pain, but its cry was cut off as Zii-Zii tore its throat out with her teeth."
    "He was surprised by how quickly they took it down– and even more so by how well they'd worked together. With Zii-Zii's chaotic offensive providing a distraction for the beast, it was easy for Rowan to focus on piercing its more vital organs."
    "Observing the corpse's wounds, Rowan could tell that– with a little more time– Zii-Zii could have handled it on her own, but it would have been a bloody mess that took more time than it was worth. "

    ro "(We make a pretty good team.)"

    ziiz "Haaaa… So what, people just {i}talk things out{/i}?"

    "Zii-Zii's demand pulled Rowan from his thoughts. He tried not to show disgust as she spit a piece of the beast's furry throat out of her mouth."

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "It's different everywhere. Bloodmeen works similarly to your own camp, I think, but most places are ruled by lineage. I heard some ports in Dragon Tail have people vote to determine their mayor."

    else:
        ro "It's different everywhere. Bloodmeen works similarly to the goblin clans, I think, but most places are ruled by lineage. I heard some ports in Dragon Tail hold elections. They have their citizens vote to determine their mayor."

    "Zii-Zii climbed off of the creature and continued her walk forward in the woods, not bothering to wipe the blood from her mouth as she left the carcass to rot on the forest floor."

    ziiz "PFEH!! “Lineage”, “elections”..."
    ziiz "Fancy words. Ask Che-Lin if they stopped Tue-Row’s dagger, Hee-hee-hee~~~!!"

    "Zii-Zii giggled, grinning from ear to ear. He shouldn’t be surprised - neither her nor Tue-Row carved out their petty domains without spilling blood."

    ro "You do know once you and Tue-Row get married, it will be your child who may one day inherit Hoz’holt, right? Royal lineage and all?"

    ziiz "Only if he can take it from my cold dead hands."

    ro "Yes, that’s how it usually works. I’m afraid you won’t have much say in the matter when the time comes."

    ziiz "Then maybe I won’t have kids. Keep the throne up for grabbing. Leave it for the strongest, baddest goblin to take. Someone like me and Tue-Row."

    "She sighed dreamily, wiggling her hips and cupping her cheeks, not even noticing - or maybe not caring -  she’s smearing blood all over her face."

    ro "Maybe. But are you sure they would follow him as they follow you? It’s not a given. I've even heard of some places that don't have a leader at all."

    ziiz "No leader?! How do they get anything done?!"

    ro "They simply rely on the honesty, hard work, and goodwill of their people to keep their towns operating."

    ziiz "PFEH! That won't last long!! Nuh-uh!!"

    menu:
        "Her stubbornness is endearing.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ziiScore += 1
            "Rowan shrugged nonchalantly, working to bite back his amusement. There was something endearing about seeing Zii-Zii get so riled up about a difference in customs."

        "You're not sure she's cut out to be a leader.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ziiScore -= 1
            "Rowan bit back his annoyance. Her absolute refusal to see or understand human nature was expected, but he couldn't help feeling irritated. "
            ro "(If she can't accept basic differences like these, I'm not so sure she's cut out to be a leader… Here's hoping Tue-Row wins on the dais, I suppose.)"

    ro "I couldn't say; I've only heard about them here and there. It seems to work well enough for those communities, though."

    ziiz "PFEH! Zii-Zii knows you can't rely on people to do their part!! They need to be told what to do by the strongest leader around or face death!!"

    ro "Hm. Sounds like something Andras would say."

    ziiz "Tee-hee-hee~~!! Of course it is!! Demons are pretty cool, after all. It's only natural we would have the same ideals!!"

    ro "Heh. I'm sure you would fit right in at Bloodmeen."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii doesn’t need to fit in. Zii-Zii is a clan unto herself! Zii of clan Zii!"
    ziiz "But if a demon wanted to join it, I wouldn’t mind, Tee-hee-hee~~!! I’ll have to ask that guy~~ After I check if he’s as tough as you say."

    "Rowan wasn’t sure if he liked the sound of that - but before he could say anything a scuttling in the bushes caught the duo's attention. Zii-Zii did not wait for the creature to come out– she dove forward instead, releasing a battle cry with her full chest."
    "Rowan positioned himself with his arrow to shoot, but between the thick foliage, he found it hard to see what Zii-Zii was attacking, let alone where it was."

    ziiz "What about hunts?!"

    ro "What about them?"

    "Rowan followed the sound of Zii-Zii's voice, but from what he caught, it was almost as if she was swinging between the trees."

    ro "(What is she attacking?)"

    ziiz "What are human hunts like?! Zii-Zii wants to know!!"

    ro "Er, well… They're not quite as deadly as these ones. What do you do with these carcasses anyway?"

    ziiz "All sorta stuff!! Armor, blankets, but mostly meat!!"

    ro "Are these even safe to eat?"

    ziiz "A-hee-hee-heee~~!! Only if you're not a shitty little weakling~~!!"
    ziiz "RAAAAAAHH!!!!!"

    "An angry bellow tore through the woods. Zii-Zii stepped through the foliage a few seconds later, covered in blood and grinning devilishly from ear to ear."

    ziiz "Don't worry, Zii-Zii will give you something very tasty to eat back at the camp, hee-hee-heeee~~!!"

    "Zii-Zii turned to walk away, but Rowan's gaze drifted back to the black ooze seeping into the forest floor from the beast's hidden carcass."

    ro "Don't you want to collect your kill?"

    ziiz "Mmmmm, nope!! Zii-Zii only collects big game!!"

    ro "I see… I can’t say I’m surprised. There are some humans like that, too."

    ziiz "Really?! Aaah… That makes me so happy~~"

    "Rowan blinked as he saw Zii-Zii wag her tail in joy."

    ro "Really? That's odd to hear from you. I thought you hated humans with the passion of a thousand suns."

    ziiz "Eh?? Where'd you get that idea?"

    ro "…Well, it could be the fact that you declared war to the death against them."

    "Zii-Zii pursed her lips in thought, as though she couldn't decipher why that would make any difference."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii {i}adores{/i} humans– just like Zii-Zii adores Tue-Row!!"
    ziiz "It's the tribal clans that are so boo-riiing!! They never want to liven things up!! They're all so content with their weakness, they never want to make big changes, it's so so so BORING!!"
    ziiz "If you want something you {b}take it{/b}! Humans get it! Demons get it!"
    ziiz "And now thanks to Tue-Row, goblins get it too. Hee-hee-heeee~~!! "

    "She stopped and spread her arms, palms open. Slowly, she closed her fists - as if wanting to squeeze the very world around her."

    ziiz "I will make Tue-Row mine. And Blackholt. And all of Rosaria."
    ziiz "I might even take you."

    "She threw him a dangerous smirk that showed off her sharp teeth."

    ro "… You’re quite confident in yourself."

    ziiz "Because Zii-Zii is the strongest."

    ro "So you say."

    ziiz "I know it. I proved it. I've encountered other humans besides you before– lots of them!! And Zii-Zii still came out the strongest!!"

    ro "We’re talking knights or peasants? "

    ziiz "Both! And others! The slave traders were fun, though~~!! Played reeeeeeeal dirty… One even got a drop on me. Knocked me out cold, then got me a snuggly collar and a nice leash. Kept me around for fuckings while he tried to sell the others off."

    "Her tail wagged eagerly at the memory."

    ziiz "He had this massive dick that Zii-Zii loved~~!! He knew how to use it, too~~..."

    ro "So what happened to the slave trader? Clearly you're not in binds anymore."

    ziiz "Oh, Zii-Zii had to kill him of course!! A win’s a win, he earned the right to fuck me silly... But not the right to keep me. Nobody keeps Zii-Zii!"
    ziiz "But the fucks were great while they lasted, hee-hee~~!!  "

    menu:
        "It sounds like a great time. (+1 Zii Score)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ziiScore += 1
            "Rowan chuckled to himself under his breath. Any {i}normal{/i} woman would be traumatized by such a situation, but Zii-Zii not only took it in stride; she reveled in her capture."
            "It was a sort of strength Rowan didn't understand, but made him admire her all the more for it."
            ro "Well, it sounds like you had a great time. At least you found some enjoyment in the situation."

        "What a strange woman… (-1 Zii Score)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ ziiScore -= 1
            if rowanCorrupt < 31:
                "Discomfort stirred inside of the hero upon hearing Zii-Zii's story. To laugh at such a traumatic event and even revel in it… Well, it left Rowan feeling uneasy."
                "Not to mention how enthralled she was with the whole experience. Was that something she was willing to do to another person as well…?"
            else:
                "Rowan raised an eyebrow but kept his opinions to himself. Zii-Zii was an odd creature, and despite her enthusiasm over the fucking she received, he could tell there was a darker excitement underneath."
                "No doubt if she were in such a position of power, Zii-Zii would revel in enslaving her own harem."
            ro "I… see. Regardless, I'm glad you were able to make the best of your situation. "

    ziiz "Hee-heee~~!! Who wouldn't?! He would fuck Zii-Zii all day and all night looong~~!! He could go for hours!! Ahhhh, Zii-Zii misses it sometimes!!"

    "Zii-Zii looked Rowan up and down and licked her canines suggestively."

    ziiz "I’ve been wondering if another human could compare…? Should we find OUT~~??"

    "She shouted the last word, her voice breaking off into a high-pitched giggle as a burst of flame shot out in the darkness. Rowan stumbled back with a gasp, only centimeters away from being burnt to a crisp."

    ro "What–"

    ziiz "THE CLACKLOG!!"

    "Zii-Zii's excited shout was drowned out over the ferocious roar of their next opponent."
    "A giant beast stumbled out of the forest, a hybrid monstrosity of horror if Rowan had ever seen one. Atop a lion's body were two heads– a lion and a goat– and enormous, black-feathered wings resembling a raven's stretched out from its back."
    "A long serpentine tail flicked back and forth in agitation as the creature eyed its prey. It was only when the tail hissed that Rowan recognized it as a snake with long pointed fangs."
    "The beast roared from all three heads, their shared vicious cry shaking the very woods themselves. Rowan gripped the trunk of a nearby tree to steady himself."

    ro "I see… So that's the Clacklog."

    ziiz "Mhmmm~~!! I knew killing one of its babies would lure it out, hee-heee~~!!"

    ro "You– {i}what{/i}? What baby–"

    ziiz "With the big jaw!! Like this!!"

    "Zii-Zii pulled her jaw down as far as it would go and swung her head back and forth lazily. Suddenly, Rowan recalled the strange goat-like creature they'd fought earlier."

    ro "That was a {i}baby{/i}?!"

    ziiz "Mhmmmm~~!! That's why it was so weak, hee-heee~~!! This is going to be MUCH more fun!!"

    "The beast roared again. This time, a ball of flame came hurtling from the lion's head in their direction. Rowan dove to the side, the edge of his shirt singeing as the flames brushed past."

    ro "Zii-Zii?"

    ziiz "RAAAAAAAAHHH!!"

    "The goblin woman's battle cry intermixed with her laughter as she slid on her knees underneath the ball of flame, tilting her head back enough that it missed her entirely. She threw herself at the beast with a wild grin and a raised ax."
    "Before she could make contact, the beast turned and slapped her down with one of its massive paws."

    ro "Zii!"

    "Zii-Zii rolled across the ground before digging her claws in the dirt to halt herself in place and bared her canines at the beast. With her untamed hair, crouched posture, and the guttural growl she emitted low in her chest, Zii-Zii was somehow more animalistic than the Clacklog itself."
    "It was not the goblin warrior the Clacklog was paying attention to, though– it was Rowan, who had foolishly shouted for said warrior's attention and made his position known."
    "The serpent hissed as the lion reared its head back for another fiery blow."
    "Zii-Zii dove at the beast, causing the flame to spiral upward into the darkness. Rowan hadn't realized how tall the trees were until nothing caught aflame."
    "The Clacklog roared in unison, whipping its heads back and forth. Zii-Zii clung to the serpent, ignoring how it snapped its jaws and swung her high into the air with every violent flick of its body."

    ziiz "WEAK LITTLE BEASTIE~~!! IS THAT ALL YOU'VE GOT?!"

    "Laughing maniacally, Zii-Zii dug her sharp teeth into the serpent's body and ripped away a piece of its flesh. The creature howled, a violet foam dripping from the serpent's mouth as it hissed and cried against Zii-Zii's attacks."
    "The lion's head was not flexible enough to blast Zii-Zii with its fire, but the goat's head seemed to have other plans. Dropping onto its front paws, the Zii-Zii and the serpent fell behind the beast's hind legs."
    "The hooved back feet kicked Zii-Zii hard in the head and sent her flying."

    ziiz "GAHHHHHHHH!!"

    "Zii-Zii let out a yell that was filled with more fury than pain as she was tossed against a tree. For her, losing the upper hand in any circumstance– but certainly against a wild beast– was a humiliation she could not stand."
    "She tried to spread her claws out to catch herself against the bark, but another kick crushed her body against the tree instead. Zii-Zii choked, her growl cut off as she dropped to the ground."

    ro "(Is she going to die?)"

    "Zii-Zii flipped herself over, her movements less graceful now that she'd taken two kicks to the chest. Blood pooled at her side, but Rowan couldn't decipher if it was her own or merely blood from her earlier kills."

    ziiz "Wretched beastie~~!! You don't play fair either, huh?! Zii-Zii likes that in a hunt!!"

    "The chaotic goblin reached for her fallen ax, but Rowan could see that the hit she'd taken had at least temporarily disoriented her– and the lion's head was poised to strike again."

    if ziiScore > 0:
        "Rowan felt a spike of panic as the lion reared its head, its mouth glowing with embers of the fire it would release. She was almost as good as dead."
        ro "(I can't just sit here and watch her die like this!)"

    else:
        "Rowan paused, watching the lion rear its head. Its mouth glowed with embers of the fire it would release, and the hero could already imagine the damage it would do to the maniacal woman."
        "He could sit back and allow nature to rid itself of Zii-Zii, but…"
        ro "(If I let her die here, it'll ruin the possibility of Tue-Row's marriage. I guess I have no choice…)"

    "Rowan drew his bow. The creature's other two heads noticed him too late– the arrow flew in time with the goat and serpent's cries, piercing itself deeply into one of the lion's eyes."

    clack "{b}GRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!{/b}"

    "The Clacklog stumbled back, its painful shrieks and thundering footsteps shaking the forest once more. Rowan drew his bow again, using the beast's momentary confusion to land another hit."
    "Zii-Zii stumbled to her feet, seemingly determined to ignore the wound in her side as she held up her ax and gritted her teeth. There was a delighted look in her eye as she watched the Clacklog wail and thrash, pawing at its face to remove the arrow."
    "Rowan drew his bow again but his brief luck had ended; the serpentine tail rushed forward, snapping its jaws around the bow until it splintered under its teeth. Rowan dropped the weapon, eager to get away from the violet foam pouring from the wounded creature's mouth."
    "Out of the corner of his eye, he saw fallen leaves rot underneath the dripping foam– surely a poor sign if the hero found himself bitten as well."
    "Rowan had expected Zii-Zii to attack by then, but it seemed the goat leg's kicks had a harder impact on her than he thought. Zii-Zii gripped her ax in one hand and her side in the other, her face pinched in rage."
    "This temporary distraction was enough for the Clacklog to dive forward, sending all three heads biting at the hero. Rowan unsheathed his sword and held it up in time to stop the lion's head from decapitating him, but only barely as the beast's massive body pinned him down."
    "With three heads snapping jaws at him at once, Rowan could do nothing more but block their attacks with his sword, using the wide edge of the blade as a barrier between their teeth and his face. When he wiggled his sword free from one snapping jaw, he rushed to place it between another."

    ro "(I can't hold out like this forever. Shit!)"

    "Suddenly, all three heads reared back. Rowan could see it play out in his mind before it did– and there was no way his sword could handle all three sets of teeth at once."

    ro "Shit–!!"

    ziiz "…heee-hee-heeeee-hEEEEE-HEEEEEAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!!"

    "Horrific, pealing laughter pierced through the animalistic roars and snapping of jaws above him. The glint of an ax caught his attention as the goat's head cried once, twice, then ceased its painful shout entirely as it fell {i}off{/i} of its body and rolled to the side, leaving behind a thick stump of black ooze that trailed in its wake."
    "Rowan gagged against the stench. Zii-Zii's laughter intermingled with the Clacklog's painful cries as the animal reverted its attention to the deadly goblin on its back."
    "The hero's gaze fell back onto the discarded goat head. It was twice the size of his own with black ichor left to seep into the soil, yellow eyes closer to glass as they stared lifelessly into the forest."

    ro "(She chopped {i}that{/i} head off on her own?!)"

    "Rowan climbed to his feet with the sword still gripped in his palm. Zii-Zii swung around the Clacklog with utter delight, black ichor spewing from the beast's wounds with every hack of her ax."
    "He almost felt out of place in the fight; there was something strangely intimate about Zii-Zii's attack on the beast, her eyes wide and gleeful– almost lustful– as she reveled in the blood and gore spilled at her feet. This was her truest self: a being of pure chaos."
    "Still, Rowan did not believe she could take it down on her own; despite her chaotic swings and excitement for battle, the Clacklog had left its fair share of marks upon the goblin as well. Zii-Zii bleed from her brow and arms, marks of where the lion's head had managed to lock down before she ripped her own flesh free."
    "Lifting his sword, Rowan focused his attention on the serpent. Rowan was certain that even Zii-Zii's tenacious attitude would not be able to withstand the rotting effects of the violet venom dripping from the serpent's fangs, and she had enough on her plate with the lion's head reacting toward her every move."

    ziiz "Oooh~~ Have you decided to slay the beastie, too?!"
    ziiz "Let's see which of us finishes it off first!! GO!!"

    "Rowan had thought Zii-Zii's fighting style was erratic enough before, but now that she was motivated with yet another competition, there was a level of chaos to her movements that even the hero could not keep track of."
    "She scrambled around the Clacklog like a monkey with one quick strike of her ax after another, the momentum of her strikes enough to swing her around the beast and out of the threatening clamp of its jaws."

    "{i}HISSSS!!!{/i}"

    ro "Gah–!"

    "The snap of the serpent's jaws missed Rowan by a hair. He could feel the heat of the creature's mouth against his face, the stench of its venom stronger than decay."

    ro "(I can't let myself get distracted.)"

    "Focusing on the serpent, Rowan did his best to put Zii-Zii's reckless fighting out of his mind. The beast was already wounded on multiple fronts, but it was putting up a difficult fight. The Clacklog would not go down easily."
    "Raising his sword, the hero swung for the serpent's head."
    "He missed, but got a second chance when the Clacklog's body swerved to avoid Zii-Zii's attack and placed itself within the hero's path. Zii-Zii dodged a burst of flame from the lion's head, cackling madly as she tore her teeth into the beast's shoulder and ripped a chunk of flesh."
    "The serpent hissed and swiveled its head in her direction. Fangs bared, the creature's tail hissed and lunged for Zii-Zii's throat."
    "Rowan brought his sword down upon the serpent's neck."
    "The lion's head roared as the serpent fell into a black-blooded stump at its feet. Flames spiraled into the sky, burning out before they could touch the forest's canopy. "
    "Zii-Zii's ax sliced through the lion's neck shortly after, hacking away until the beast was no more than a headless, bloodied torso in a pool of black ichor."
    "Rowan took a moment to catch his breath. There were several instances in that fight that the hero was certain he would meet his demise."
    "Zii-Zii did not seem to share his level of exhaustion. She stood proudly over the corpse, her teeth black with ichor as she giggled down at her kill. She licked off the blood from her mouth with a sharp-toothed grin."

    ziiz "That. Was. FUN!! Zii-Zii hasn't had this much fun killing in a long LONG LONG time~~!!"

    ro "It was… certainly something."

    "She cocked her head to the side and smirked up at the hero."

    ziiz "You really held your own against the beastie!! Zii-Zii didn't expect you to be so competent!!"

    "Zii-Zii crouched over the corpse and admired the carnage. She was delighted by the bloodshed, her attention flicking from one wound to the next as she soaked it all in."

    ziiz "Look at it, all weak and submissive~~!! It fought hard, but Zii-Zii fought {i}better{/i}!! This just proves Zii-Zii is the strongest beast in ALL Blackholt~~!!"

    "Before Rowan could respond, Zii-Zii leapt off of the Clacklog's hide and skipped to Rowan with a mischievous grin."

    ziiz "Fighting alongside you was fun~~ Zii-Zii thinks we should do it again real, {i}real{/i} soon~~!!"

    ro "Er… Sure. I'll consider it."

    "Zii-Zii waved him off as she began her traipse back through the woods, leaving Rowaan to hurry after her lest he lose himself in that deranged forest."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii knows you'll do it~~ It was so, so, {i}so{/i} much fun that you'll start craving it just like Zii-Zii~~!!"

    ro "I guess it was pretty exhilarating. I don't know if I'll ever crave it, but it was certainly an adventure. "

    ziiz "Yes, yes!! Zii-Zii's taken down many Clacklogs before, but this was the MOST fun~~!!"
    ziiz "Mmm…. Have you been hunting with the demons before? Zii-Zii thinks that would be even {i}more{/i} exhilarating!! The MOST fun hunt!!"

    "The goblin hugged herself tightly in excitement as she relished in the idea."

    ro "I don't know if {i}fun{/i} is the word I would use, but…"

    ziiz "But can't you IMAGINE running through the woods and pushing over Andras and tackling and fighting him for who gets to kill the beast first?!"

    if andrasFavours >= 4:
        "Rowan had a little bit of an idea what that kind of hunt would look like, but he couldn't imagine besting Andras in such a sport. Demons liked to fight dirty, and while they were on amicable terms, Rowan doubted Andras would show him any mercy in a hunting challenge."
        "It might be fun to try sometime, though."
        ro "I think I understand what you mean."

    else:
        "Rowan understood a little bit of what Zii-Zii meant, but when he tried to picture fighting Andras for a kill, all he could imagine was the demon breaking his head open like a grape."
        ro "I can certainly {i}imagine{/i} it, yes…"

    ziiz "Brawling over a kill, ripping a beastie's flesh alongside a demon, the fight for physical dominance over the last blow~~!! Ahhh, it gets Zii-Zii all hot and bothered!!"

    ro "(That sounds familiar…)"

    ziiz "Demons can be as wild as beasties, so hunting with them would be SOOOOO much fun, tee-hee-heee~~!!"

    ro "I can't imagine Jezera would delight much in hunting, but I think Andras would likely take you up on that offer. You two have a similar… hunting style."
    ro "(I can't imagine going on a hunt with those two together. It would be a massacre.)"

    "A shudder ran down Rowan's spine as he pictured the aftermath."

    ro "(I pity the poor prey those two hunt down.)"

    ziiz "Heee-heee-heeee~~!! You think so~~? Zii-Zii would take down Andras in a hunting challenge any day~~!!"

    "The goblin pursed her lips in thought."

    ziiz "Mmmm… but Zii-Zii doesn't want to wait that long!! Who KNOWS when Andras will accept Zii-Zii's summons for a hunt?!"
    ziiz "Zii-Zii wants to find someone to match her strength {i}now{/i}!!  Blackholt gets so BORING when Zii-Zii is the strongest one around. In hunts, in fights, in bed, it's all the same."
    ziiz "Zii-Zii wants something new!! Zii-Zii wants a CHALLENGE!!"

    "She threw her hands up in the air for emphasis, her tail flicking in agitation. There was no satisfying her; the thrill of a battle was short-lived when Zii-Zii was always the one to come out on top."
    "Zii-Zii's footsteps slowed as a new idea seemed to enter her mind. She looked over at the hero with interest, her attention lingering on his muscles still bruised from the fight."

    ziiz "Why don't {i}you{/i} try to best Zii-Zii, hmmm~~? You won't win, but Zii-Zii will let you do your best!!"

    "Rowan's lips quirked upward in amusement."

    ro "You want {i}me{/i} to tame you? I'm not sure anyone is up to the task, much less myself."

    ziiz "Sure you are!! You helped Zii-Zii take down a Clacklog, so you're at {i}least{/i} that strong."

    "She flicked her gaze over him once more and made no attempts to hide her ogling of his groin."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii wants to see you try to take {i}her{/i} down, too~~!! Tee-heeee-heee-heee~~!!"

    menu:
        'Attempt to dominate Zii-Zii in "every way" (Scenes)':
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if ziiScore > 0:
                "Rowan smirked, all too aware of Zii-Zii's own {i}personal{/i} interest in his role in this experiment. Well, if him trying to put her in her place helped Tue-Row in the long run, why wouldn't he give it a try?"
            else:
                "Rowan considered Zii-Zii's offer seriously. After all, if she was to be Tue-Row's wife, she needed to learn her place eventually. The earlier Rowan could establish some sort of control over the wild woman, the easier Tue-Row would be able to bring her to submission."
            ro "Alright. I'll give it a shot."
            "Zii-Zii lunged at him before he'd finished talking."
            menu:
                "Attempt to dodge.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan caught sight of her attack and managed to sidestep her just before she came tumbling down on top of him. Zii-Zii gasped, colliding facefirst with the floor."
                    "This was not enough to deter her, however."
                    ziiz "Tee-hee-heeee~~!! Zii-Zii knew you would be FUN!!"
                    "Zii-Zii aimed a punch at his knees, causing the hero to fall onto the ground before her. The goblin scrambled on top, eager to make her victory known."

                "Take her head on.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Rowan stumbled back, but it was not enough to prevent Zii-Zii from tackling him to the forest floor."
                    ziiz "Oh you're not going to be boring too, aaaaaare you~~? Zii-Zii will be VERY mad if you don't give her a fair fight~~!!"
                    "Pushing himself from the ground, Rowan managed to flip her over so she was underneath him."
                    ro "A fair fight wouldn't start with you lunging at me–"
                    "Zii-Zii's teeth snapped at him before he could finish. The hero was so taken aback at this that his grip loosened, allowing Zii-Zii to pin him down once more."

            menu:
                "Throw her off.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Despite her chaotic nature, Zii-Zii was still physically smaller than him. Settling his hands underneath her abdomen, Rowan flung her off of him."
                    "Well, attempted to. For a spritely little thing, Zii-Zii managed to cling to Rowan with the strength of a grown man. Her claws dig into his clothes and pinched his skin underneath, a sign of her absolute refusal to give in."
                    "Rowan soon found his attempts at prying her off and throwing her across the forest floor were futile. The harder he yanked at her, the tighter her grasp became. Even as he managed to get to his feet, the hero could not remove her from his chest."
                    ro "(This is insane! Her grip is like steel! What is this woman made out of?!)"
                    "Her loud, peeling laughter grated on the hero's ears as Zii-Zii swung her body weight around on him, knocking him off balance. Rowan struggled to stand upright as he was unused to his body being used like a children's play structure."
                    ziiz "You aren't giving up yet, are you?! Zii-Zii's just getting started!!"
                    ro "(Tch. She's stronger than she looks. At this rate, she's going to top me without a problem!)"

                "Slip out of her grasp.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "So, instead, he took his shirt off– and sent Zii-Zii flying with it."
                    ziiz "EEEEHHH?!"
                    "Zii-Zii and the tattered shirt landed some feet away, but it was far enough that it gave Rowan time to get back steadily to his feet."
                    ro "(I feel like I'm just fending her off right now, though. If I'm going to win, I need to be more on the offensive…!)"

            menu:
                "Use every chance to dominate her. (Scene 1)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ ziiMaledom = True
                    #$ ziiSex = True
                    scene cg1960 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1961 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1962 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1963 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1960
                    show zii neutral behind cg1960
                    "Fuelled by a newfound determination, Rowan made every last ditch effort he could think of to overpower Zii-Zii."
                    "They wrestled on the ground, limbs flying and hands grabbing as they fought each other to be on top."
                    "Rowan pinned Zii-Zii to the ground on her back, using his calves to keep her legs apart. She tried to throw herself out from underneath him with her upper body, but Rowan was quick to grab onto her shoulder and press her back down into the dirt. She struggled underneath him, growling and snarling and strangely laughing as the hero made his point."
                    show cg1964 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    ziiz "Teee-heee-heee~~!! So you can pin Zii-Zii down, so what?! You can't move either, or Zii-Zii will escape!!"
                    ro "I wouldn't be too sure about that."
                    "Zii-Zii's already limited clothing had suffered during their battle against the Clacklog, but her fight against Rowan had rendered them useless, revealing much of her body as she twisted and writhed in his hold."
                    "Rowan wasn't so much better between his cuts and bruises, and it only took the swift movement of his hand against his trousers to remove his cock. Zii-Zii tried to use the opportunity to throw him off of her, but Rowan knocked her back down with his elbow and pressed against her wet cunt."
                    ro "Huh. You really do get off on this."
                    ziiz "Tee-hee-heeee~~!! Zii-Zii wasn't lying!! You're quite excited too, y'know~~!!"
                    "Rowan didn't disagree; his erection was a blatant truth to his arousal. Something about this constant back and forth with her both verbally and physically left him desperate to thrust her into submission."
                    "Clearly, Zii-Zii shared the sentiment."
                    show cg1965 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "She tried to push herself up onto her elbows for some semblance of control, but Rowan shoved her further onto her back and swung her legs up against her chest for a better vantage."
                    "Before she could attempt to push him again, Rowan drove his cock as deeply as he could go."
                    show cg1966 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    ziiz "NGH!!"
                    "The goblin tossed her head back in a poorly concealed moan. She gritted her teeth, unable to hide the desire from her voice as Rowan ground his cock inside of her, refusing to remove himself lest she decide to make another attempt to top him."
                    ro "What? No argument?"
                    ziiz "Tch! Not half bad for a huma-ahh-ahhhh~~!!"
                    "Zii-Zii hiked her hips up as far as Rowan would allow. He left little room for her to move, and her apparent desire to fight back against him was quickly fading as he fucked her into submission."
                    ro "I would say better than that. If you want to behave like a beast, I'll treat you like one."
                    "That seemed to irk her. Zii-Zii, with what little movement she could, slammed her cunt hard against him. Rowan's position over her didn't allow much in terms of her own control, but Zii-Zii did what she could to jerk her hips in a harsher, wilder rhythm than his, her claws biting into his skin hard enough to cut."
                    "That behavior simply would not do."
                    "Rowan bit down on the goblin's neck as he mounted her, practically pushing his full weight atop Zii-Zii to prevent her from taking control."
                    " This drove her mad, her moans eliciting a mixture of frustration and desire as she tried and failed to pull out on top. Her claws dug into his skin, leaving long red tracks along his arms and legs, but did nothing to deter his position above her."
                    "It wasn't until Zii-Zii's legs trembled and several loud, half-moaned howls echoed through the Twilight Woods that the goblin came."
                    "Rowan did not let her off that easily, though. He rutted against her, never pulling out too far. Her temporary calm as she came down from her orgasm filled him with a sense of satisfaction– almost pride."
                    show cg1967 with sshake
                    show cg1967 with sshake
                    show cg1968 with flash
                    pause 2
                    "Squeezing her breasts between her legs, Rowan finished with a few final thrusts, his seed spurting deep inside her."
                    "Zii-Zii stared at him in shock for a long moment."
                    "Then, she laughed."

                "Fight and see who wins (Scene 2)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ ziiMaledom = False
                    #$ ziiSex = True
                    "Rowan might have been the stronger of the two, that much he knew, but he could not predict Zii-Zii's animalistic movements."
                    "With every attempt to pin her down or wrestle her to the ground, the goblin managed to outmaneuver him, scrambling to use everything in her arsenal from kicking, scratching, and even biting to overtake the hero."
                    "Rowan fought like hell and the wheezing of his breath proved it– yet it still wasn't enough to outwit Zii-Zii. And by now, Rowan was tired of fighting."
                    scene cg1969 with fade
                    pause 2
                    show cg1970 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg1969
                    show zii neutral behind cg1969
                    "Rowan coughed as she slammed him into the ground, giggling to herself as she hurriedly yanked his trousers out and revealed his stiff erection."
                    ziiz "Teee-heee-heee-heee~~!! Zii-Zii thought you would put up a better fight!! At least you aren't the MOST boring beastie I've ever bested~~!! Hee-hee-heeeee~~!!"
                    "She poked his erection, earning a small noise of pleasure from the hero. Zii-Zii laughed again, delighting in the embarrassment upon his face. As much as Rowan wanted to deny his arousal at her antics, the proof was there in front of her face."
                    "Repositioning herself, Zii-Zii sat down on Rowan's face with a look of expectation. Rowan couldn't part his lips without meeting the taste of the goblin's damp pussy– an effective way to silence him, he had to admit."
                    "She ground against his mouth a little, urging him onward. Rowan pressed his tongue against her folds, lapping at Zii-Zii's cunt like an obedient pet."
                    ziiz "Mmmm~~!! Yes, obey your goblin mistress!! Zii-Zii will show you who's in charge, hee-heee~~!!"
                    "Zii-Zii rubbed her pussy against his face, forcing Rowan to keep up with her erratic pace. It was hard to predict if she wanted him to do so, but she flicked his cock with her forefinger at any sign of displeasure, so Rowan tried to keep up."
                    ziiz "Heee…. Hah… Mmmm~~!! More! {i}More{/i}!!!"
                    "Rowan angled his head back to drive his tongue into her wet cunt deeper. He could feel every pleasurable twitch of her muscles as he worked his mouth on her pussy, his many years of practice coming into use."
                    show cg1971 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1972 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Zii-Zii leaned forward over his body, forcing Rowan to push himself up onto his elbows to keep her groin in his mouth. Rowan gasped as she suddenly took his cock down her throat in one long, quick suck."
                    ziiz "Oooh!! Zii-Zii found something you like, huh??"
                    "Unable to speak, Rowan twitched his cock in response. Usually a deepthroat had to be worked up to, but Zii-Zii appeared to have no trouble taking his full length all at once."
                    "She swallowed him whole again. Rowan's hips jerked in her direction by reflex, but Zii-Zii pushed him down by the hips with her claws, their points sharp enough to draw blood. "
                    "Then she slammed her own hips back down, forcing Rowan's head to the ground. Instead of her mouth, Zii-Zii used her saliva and the precum on Rowan's cock to jerk him off."
                    "Her grip was tight, almost uncomfortable as she squeezed and tugged his cock to draw every flick of cum out."
                    show cg1973 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg1974 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Yet, Rowan couldn't help himself from meeting every jerk of her hand as he coated his tongue in her juices. He wanted her to be rough. He wanted her to jerk him off as hard and as fast as she could, to treat him no better than one of the beasts of the Twilight Woods."
                    "For a brief moment, Zii-Zii consumed him; the scent of her cunt, the tang of her wet pussy dripping in his mouth, the pinch and grind of her flesh against his as they each fought to be the last one to cum."
                    "Unfortunately, it was too much for Rowan. Zii-Zii rapidly moved her hand up and down his shaft, practically rubbing him raw in her kick of power. He tried to hold off, but the instant her fingers grasped his tip, Rowan lost control."
                    show cg1975 with sshake
                    show cg1975 with sshake
                    show cg1976 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1977 with dissolve
                    "Cum spurted up and onto himself as Zii-Zii moved out of the way. Rowan felt the warm seed pool on his stomach as she humped his face, her claws digging further into his waist as she reached her own climax."
                    "Zii-Zii rolled off of Rowan shortly after. She looked almost perplexed as Rowan wiped his mouth clean. Then, after a moment, the hero heard a quiet giggling coming from her direction."

            scene bg3 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show zii neutral at midright with dissolve
            ziiz "…tee-heee-heee-HEEEAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAA!!!"
            ziiz "Heee-heee-heeeee~~!! You are a human worthy of my strength!! Ohhh~~ Ohhh it's been AGES since Zii-Zii's had this much FUN~~!!"
            if ziiMaledom:
                ro "Heh. Glad to see we know who came out on top."
                "She hopped to her feet while Rowan fixed himself up, hardly caring for the state of her appearance as she bounced around in excitement."
                ziiz "Hee-hee-HEEEE!! Ooooh, top for now, for now!! Zii-Zii will get stronger, then you'll see!! Tee-hee-heee~~! Just you wait!!"
                "Rowan shook his head to himself as he followed her back out of the woods. Even after all of that, she was still not fully ready to accept defeat. "
            else:
                ro "Glad to see you enjoyed it."
                "She hopped to her feet while Rowan fixed himself up, hardly caring for the state of her own appearance as she bounced around in excitement."
                ziiz "Hee-hee-HEEEE!! Oooh, your tongue was soooOOOOO good!! Zii-Zii is aaaaalmost tempted to make you her slave, tee-heee!!!"
                "Rowan shook his head to himself as he followed her back out of the woods. He hoped that agreeing to this little test of strength would not backfire on him in the future."

        "Reject Zii-Zii's advances.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            if ziiScore > 0:
                "Tue-Row {i}had{/i} said he could use any means to earn Zii-Zii's trust, but Rowan wasn't sure he wanted to put himself into such a position considering her erratic nature."
            else:
                "Although Tue-Row had encouraged Rowan to use any means necessary to earn Zii-Zii's trust, the idea of trying to compete in strength with her– in bed or otherwise– did not appeal in the slightest to the hero."
            "Besides, after seeing what she did to the Clacklog, Rowan wasn't certain Zii-Zii wouldn't try to do the very same to him."
            "Rowan held up a hand to stop Zii-Zii before she could try to convince him otherwise."
            ro "I'm afraid I'm not up for anymore fighting today. The hunt was quite enough for me."
            ziiz "Tch!! You lie!! There is still plenty of strength left in you, Zii-Zii can see it!!"
            ro "Regardless of if there is or isn't, I'm simply not in the mood."
            "Rowan had hoped the conversation would end itself with that, but once glance in Zii-Zii's direction told him otherwise."
            ziiz "COWARD!! Zii-Zii has seen you fight!! Zii-Zii knows of your strength!! Backing down from a battle with me now is only the sign of a WEAKLING!!"
            "If she was hoping to rile him up, such a plan failed with Rowan's heavy sigh. He should have known that Zii-Zii would not take kindly to his rejection."
            ro "Call me what you will, but I am tired, Zii. I think I should return to the camp now; I'm sure the others have already finished with the hunt."
            "He tried to step past her but Zii-Zii blocked his path. She growled at him through gritted teeth, her tail flicking irritatedly behind her as she sized the hero up."
            ziiz "NO!! That can wait!! Zii-Zii wants a rematch!!"
            "Before he could refuse, Zii-Zii lunged at Rowan."
            "The hero caught her right before her claws dug into his eyes, but not before they fell violently to the ground. They rolled over the forest debris, joints cracking as Zii-Zii desperately tried to fight him and Rowan tried with equal desperation to hold her back."
            ro "Zii-Zii! Enough! I don't want to fight you right now!"
            ziiz "COWARD!! SHOW ME YOUR STRENGTH!!"
            ro "Zi–GAH!"
            "The wild woman bit into his arm, her teeth sinking in deep as she fought for dominance. Rowan didn't trust her not to rip a chunk of flesh from his skin on her own so, gripping her jaw, he forced her mouth off of his arm, wincing as pain stung through his bicep."
            "The wound bled from the tiny indents of her teeth, but Rowan did not have time to focus on it as Zii-Zii threw herself again at him."
            ro "(It doesn't even feel like I'm fighting with a person!! Has she wholly turned into an animal?!)"
            if True:
            #if avatar.skill_roll("combat", 6, should_roll=True, ignore_guilt=False) == "success":
                "Zii-Zii tried to bite him again, but this time, Rowan was ready. The hero knocked her to the side, throwing off the goblin's momentum long enough for him to tackle her to the ground."
                "Rowan trapped her legs to the ground under his own calves while he held her arms down against her sides. Zii-Zii wrestled under him, using every ounce of force she could muster into her limbs as she desperately tried to get up."
                "But even a goblin as powerful as Zii-Zii could not match the sheer weight of a grown human– especially one as trained in combat as Rowan."
                ro "Give up yet?"
                ziiz "TCH! NEVER!!"
                ro "Alright. I've got time."
                "Zii-Zii continued her fight from underneath him, but her attempts soon proved futile. She huffed and growled until her fight gave out and it was clear she had been bested."
                ziiz "Mmmmm…. Not a very FUN fight, but Zii-Zii will accept you bested me– for {i}now{/i}. Teee-heee-heeee!! Just you wait; Zii-Zii will take you down next time!!"
                "Accepting that as Zii-Zii's way of saying she will no longer attack him for the time being, Rowan released her and stood his ground."
                ro "I'm sure you will. In the meantime, though, we really should return to camp."
            else:
                "Zii-Zii bit him again, but this time only caught the sleeve of his tunic. She ripped it with her teeth, eliciting a wolfish growl as she fought to overwhelm Rowan."
                "Between her unwieldy claws, snapping jaws, and the strange bounce to her movements, Rowan was overwhelmed; he had no way of predicting what kind of attack she would use on him next, and more often than not, he guessed the wrong one."
                "After a confusing scuffle, Rowan felt something hard kick into the back of his legs, sending him down onto his knees."
                "Zii-Zii dove onto his back from behind, the full force of her weight sending him face down against the dirt."
                ziiz "Tee-hee-heee-HEE-HEE-HEEEEEE~~!! This is so FUN!! Zii-Zii hasn't had this much fun in a LONG time~~!!"
                ro "Tch. I'm glad you're having a good time. Mind getting up now?"
                "Rowan tried to stand up and throw her off of his back, but Zii-Zii knocked him back down with the hilt of her ax. The hero could sense his patience waning as she giggled atop of him, once again thrilled to be the victor of another battle."
                ziiz "Not yet~~!! Zii-Zii thinks you fought well, but not as good as I'd hoped!! How BORING!! Are you really that weak? Was the Clacklog all just for show~~?"
                ro "I did the best I could. Can I {i}please{/i} get up now?"
                ziiz "Mmmm… That's boring!! Tired after one little battle? Zii-Zii thought you were better than that!!"
                ro "(I fought at least three battles today, in case you forgot– and that's not including you!)"
                "Still, the goblin hopped off of his back and Rowan breathed a sigh of relief. The pressure of her crushing his chest into the ground had started to affect his breathing."
                "Before she could change her mind and start up another battle, Rowan hurriedly got to his feet and straightened up."
                ro "We should return to the camp now. I'm sure the others are waiting for us."
                "Zii-Zii's eyes lit up with interest as she suddenly recalled the rest of the hunters and their potential bounties."
            ziiz "OOoooohhh!! Yes, yes!! Zii-Zii wants to see everything her tribe collected on the hunt!! Zii-Zii will eat so well tonight~~ Tee-hee-heee!!"
            "Rowan did not argue. In fact, he did not bother to speak again until they had long returned back to the camp…"

    scene black with fade

    "..."

    scene bg30 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show zii neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Rowan and Zii-Zii relaxed in her tent after dinner, their stomachs bloated and full after a successful meal gathered from the hunting expedition. Rowan wasn't entirely sure any of it was actually safe to eat, but after spending an entire day without food, he was willing to risk it."
    "Zii-Zii settled back into her chair, giggling to herself. Once they'd entered the tent she'd eaten a mushroom that they foraged on the way back, one that apparently had certain effects on the mind, and it seemed to only now be kicking in."
    "Holding out a small blue pouch, Zii-Zii offered the bag of mushrooms to Rowan."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-heeee, try some!! Zii-Zii loves these after dinner. They're so, so gooood~~!!"

    "The hero had no doubt about that. After such an exhausting afternoon, Rowan was tempted to join her."
    "Noticing his hesitation, Zii-Zii plucked one of the mushrooms out and dropped it into his palm."

    ziiz "Take it already!! Zii-Zii won't poison you. What a boring way to kill."

    ro "…Thank you."

    "Rowan popped it into his mouth and chewed. The calming effects were delayed, but they were there. He felt a slow sense of ease and reclined back into his chair, the chaotic adventures of the day fading to the back of his mind."

    ziiz "You like it? Hee-hee!! Think of it as a way to honour our new partnership!!"

    ro "Partnership?"

    ziiz "Yeah!! We're allies now, riiiiight?"
    ziiz "Zii-Zii still thinks you're up to something and probably faking the whole thing, but who cares~~!! You're fun and Zii-Zii isn't stupid enough to pass up on an alliance with you!!"

    ro "I guess so. What does this alliance entail, exactly?"

    "Zii-Zii giggled and leaned across the table with a wicked grin. Her tail wagged eagerly behind her, betraying any sense of calm she might have portrayed."

    ziiz "Tee-hee-hee~~!! Do you want to hear Zii-Zii's master plan?"

    ro "Sure. We're allies, right?"

    ziiz "Exactly!! SO!!"

    "Zii-Zii slammed her hands down on the table."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii has it all figured out, tee-hee-hee~~!! We launch an attack on the human settlement in the north and start a war between my tribe and Rosaria."
    ziiz "{i}But{/i} Zii-Zii also marries Tue-Row at the same time, so when we wed, the war is his!! Zii-Zii won't have to worry about it, because Tue-Row will be at war with the humans the moment we say our vows, hee-hee-heee~~!!"
    ziiz "Isn't Zii-Zii smart?!"

    "The goblin beamed proudly at her guest, her hands positioned on her hips in full confidence. Rowan wasn't even sure he could attribute the plan to fully being hers– was she capable of that kind of practical scheming?-- but found himself impressed nonetheless. "
    "Then again, the plan itself was so simple, and considering the trickster-type mind games Rowan had come to realize the goblins played on each other, perhaps he should have been more impressed that someone outside of Zii-Zii's tribe hadn't already figured it out."

    ro "That's… You really have it all thought out, don't you?"

    ziiz "Mhhmmm!! Now all Zii-Zii needs to do is wait!!"

    ro "I see."

    if tuesan4Seen == False:
        "The hero paused, the exhaustion of the day weighing on his limbs like cement. He wanted nothing more than to return to Bloodmeen and get a good night's sleep, but there was something nagging at the back of his mind that needed to be addressed."
        ro "Zii-Zii, can I ask you something?"
        ziiz "Ask Zii-Zii anything!! Shoot!"
        "Rowan leaned forward on the table and Zii-Zii grinned as she mimicked his movements, eager to be part of whatever conspiratorial whispering Rowan was about to share with her."
        ro "Be honest. Did you have anything to do with sending someone to assassinate Tue-Row?"
        "Whatever joy Zii-Zii felt at her moment of inclusion was short-lived once Rowan spoke what was on his mind. The goblin rolled her eyes and leaned back into her chair, shaking her head."
        ziiz "Zii-Zii had nothing to do with it!! Zii-Zii already said she was telling the truth."
        ziiz "Zii-Zii would never do something so boring like that. What a cowardly way to murder. Make it fun or don't do it at all!!"
        ro "Er… Yes, I suppose you're right."
        "Despite his caution, Rowan felt in his gut that Zii-Zii was telling the truth. Her personality which yearned for excitement was at complete odds with something as discreet as an assassin. Zii-Zii lived for and reveled in her kills; if she wanted someone dead, she wanted to be the one to kill them."
        ro "(If not Zii-Zii, who else has a motive for killing Tue-Row…?)"
        "Goblin politics were complex. It was possible someone held a vendetta against Tue-Row that none of his closest allies even knew about– which made Rowan's job all the more difficult."

    else:
        "Rowan sighed, sinking down further into his chair. Exhaustion seeped into his very bones, the day's adventures weighing down on him with every cut, bruise, and ache to his muscles. After a wild afternoon like that, Rowan wanted nothing more than to return to Bloodmeen and get a good night's sleep."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-heee~~!! Are you going to pass out in Zii-Zii's tent?"
    ziiz "Careful~~!! Zii-Zii might not let you go if you do, hee-hee-hee!!"

    "Rowan sat upright at that. He couldn't tell if she was joking or not, but the hero wasn't interested in finding out the hard way."

    ro "I think the hunt just took a lot out of me. I should be heading out now; there's still a lot I need to get done."

    ziiz "Heh, how boooring. Zii-Zii has other people do the boring stuff for me so I don't have to~~!! You should consider making someone else do it."

    ro "I do have an assistant, but she can't handle everything on her own, unfortunately."

    "Rowan stood and assessed himself. He looked like shit, but that could all be fixed with a hot bath and some clean clothes."

    ro "I'll be heading out now. Thank you for the invitation to the hunt. It was… an experience."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-heee~~!! Zii-Zii had fun; we'll have to do it again!"

    "As the hero moved to step out of the tent, he felt his foot accidentally kick something across the ground."

    ro "Sorry, I think–"

    "His apology stopped when he realized the discarded trinket he'd kicked was none other than Tue-Row's wife gift. The necklace's pendant lay in broken pieces across the floor, a few scattered where Rowan had accidentally knocked it aside."
    "This wasn't his doing, he realized; this necklace had been broken long before he arrived at the camp."

    ro "Zii-Zii, what happened to your wife gift?"

    ziiz "Hmmm~~??"

    "The goblin peered over the side of her table to regard the broken pieces. She didn't seem surprised at all to see them."

    ziiz "Ohhh, yes!! Zii-Zii smashed it to bits!!"

    ro "Er, but… why?"

    "She shrugged and the look on her face told him that the answer should have been obvious."

    ziiz "Tue-Row probably cursed it. Zii-Zii won't fall for any of that old goblin's tricks, hee-hee-hee!! Zii-Zii is waaaaaay too smart for that!!"

    "Reaching under her blouse, Zii-Zii pulled out a necklace identical to the broken one on the floor– albeit, the mock-up was still intact."
    "The look of shock must have been written on Rowan's face. Zii-Zii laughed, removing the necklace only to precariously swing it around on her finger."

    ziiz "Hee-hee-hee~~!! Identical, isn't it? Zii-Zii has veeeeeery good goldsmiths in her tribe, yep yep!! Tue-Row won't know the difference, and Zii-Zii gets a pretty uncursed necklace out of it, hee-hee-hee~~!!"

    "Rowan fought hard to keep the dread from his face. He suspected Tue-Row may have planned for this possibility already, but if he hadn't…."
    "Zii-Zii did not seem to notice the hero's new discomfort. She laughed again, swinging the necklace carefreely on her finger. Rowan was surprised the jewelry didn't fly off and break, but the chain must have been incredibly sturdy."

    ziiz "Zii-Zii is prepared for everything~~ Including Zii-Zii's victory!! Hee-hee-hee-heee~~!!"

    "The goblin did not pay him any further mind as she enjoyed her pre-celebratory accomplishment, leaving the hero to wonder what Tue-Row might walk into on his wedding day."

    #$ avatar.mp -= 5
    # $ released_fix_rollback()
    #$ prevent_tile_exploration()
    #$ push_to_previous_tile()
    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue 3.rpy
label sharpDominant_rp:

    $ whitescarName = "Whitescar"
    
    ro "Get down on the ground."

    "Whitescar gave him a look."

    ro "Now."

    "The white wolf could have gutted him. His fist could have crushed his head with a single clench. It would take nothing at this distance, no effort or challenge. Rowan had goaded him plenty, led him on in interminable impudence."
    "Shouldn’t he be saying, “Let go of me, mortal” and stalking away? No, instead, instant docility: he slid to his knees."

    #cg1
    scene cg1978 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg1978
    show whitescar neutral behind cg1978
    pause 3

    "Rowan rewarded him with a hand to his head, stroking the white fur with an almost reverent gentleness. A commanding, declarant indulgence."
    "The wolf said nothing, perhaps he himself was uncertain just what was driving this new and confusing turn of events. Something in Rowan lifted, a growing excitement at the knowledge that he had this raging beast in the palm of his hand, hapless and pliant."
    "There was something there, poking up beneath his teal sash. A disturbance in the fabric that lifted higher and higher. Rowan chuckled, feeling the weight in his pants grow and grow at the submissive display."

    ro "Pull down my trousers."
    ro "Gently."

    "Condescension mixed with desire. An intentional sleight turned into playful teasing. The white wolf’s fur bristled at the humiliation, but Rowan saw his yellow eyes holding fast to Rowan’s groin."
    "His hand - almost as wide as Rowan’s waist - reached out, his palm caressing the mortal’s manhood with gentle pressure. He rubbed up and down, a low growl emitting from his chest and rising up like a groan from his throat."
    "His sash was now a pitched tent, pointing accusingly up at its owner as if to spite his feeble attempts at self control. Rowan lifted Whitescar’s chin with a lone finger, curling it about the point of his snout with soft recrimination."

    ro "Pull them down."

    "The clearing was silent but for the chirping of birds."

    show cg1980 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The wolf did as he was bid, heavy hands capable of ripping him apart, yet tenderly did he peel them down, exposing the pale skin of his legs and revealing Rowan’s erection."

    whit "{i}Hrmh…{/i}"

    ro "You know what to do. You showed me already before."

    "Again the peeled back lips, exposing sharp teeth. Again the momentary resistance met by an unyielding smile. Again the predator’s eyes stared but did not blink, snout leaning forward as it engulfed his manhood in a swift, sure movement."

    show cg1979 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "There was no leadup, no foreplay or preemption in this. One lick, and the whole of Rowan’s cock was engulfed by the beast’s flat, wet tongue. Warmth shivered up his spine at the sensation, a deluge of sensation as he felt the surge of victory rise up in his chest."
    "The wolf had submitted. Perhaps he’d been hoping for this all along."
    "He worked Rowan’s shaft with an unusual pace, more like a diner sampling a fine wine, lolling it about on his tongue back and forth like the shifting motions of the sea. Far from showing hesitation or shyness, Rowan felt the Wolf’s eyes unwavering upon his own, a topaz glimmer tinged with predatory hunger."
    "He reveled in the sensation, his hand going to the back of the beast’s head and urging him onward. He did not get far, the wet bump of his snout pressing tight against Rowan’s midriff. The long lathe of his tongue pressed against Rowan’s groin, engulfing his cock in hot, wet warmth."

    ro "You can touch yourself."

    show cg1981 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "As if the Fae needed permission. Yet, when Rowan commanded, the wolf obeyed. Brushing aside his sash, he exposed the bright pink pillar of his manhood, bestial and inhuman."
    "It was tipped at the top, with a thick knot near the base where skin met white, furry sheath. His hand darted down, taking the thing in a three-fingered grasp and jerking aggressively."

    ro "You’ve never done this before, have you?"

    "Rowan only meant to tease, yet the question made the wolf stop, pull his cock free from the wonderful sensation, and then stare at him."

    whit "..."
    whit "Only once."

    "He kept jerking at his wolf-cock, staring up at Rowan with unvarnished earnestness, despite the compromising position."

    ro "With who?"

    whit "A mortal mate. This is…"
    whit "Familiar. Intoxicating."

    ro "Then don’t stop."

    "The wolf leaned forward, engulfing Rowan’s manhood once more. Rowan gasped in ecstasy as he felt the wolf work his shaft from balls to tip, slathering him in saliva as he all but devoured him."
    "Rowan thrust forward, enjoying the sensation of Whitescar having to pull his head back to not choke at the sudden, deeper intrusion. His hand was a blur in his lap as he jerked himself off fitfully."
    "His fingers dug deep into the back of his head, taking fingerfulls of white fluff and clenching tight. The Fae growled but let him, content to experience the thrill of being led for once."
    "Rowan audibly moaned when he felt the wolf’s tongue droop, lapping at the underside of his balls in a long, languid motion that sent his pleasure receptors into overdrive."
    "Rowan stared into Whitescar’s eyes, smiling."

    ro "Turn around. On all fours. I’m going to ride you."

    "Quickly, without discussion, the Fae did as he was told. This was no coupling of lovers, reclining on soft pillows and warm blankets as they embraced. This was animalistic, rough and callous. Whitescar shifted position, joining months of scattered leaves and half-buried debris as he exposed himself like an animal in heat."
    "Face on the floor, ass in the air, sash pushed up, Whitescar’s claws digging into the wet earth, groaning as he felt Rowan’s cock slide along his rear entrance with the enthusiasm of a conquering lover."
    "Whitescar’s tail lifted, exposing his tight asshole. A lewd part of Rowan’s mind openly wondered if he was the first mortal in this life cycle to sample it. The wolf’s labored breathing as Rowan surveyed his prize certainly made it feel that way."
    "Whitescar’s feet rested upon the ground, ready to spring. His thighs were clenched, keeping his rump taut. Rowan reveled in the feel of it, running his hands down his body in greedy trails."
    "Rowan knelt behind the Fae, positioning the tip of his cock so it brushed gently against the wolf’s backdoor."

    ro "Push back against me."

    "A command. An intolerable one. The wolf turned his head back at Rowan and snarled. Rowan shook his head."

    ro "{i}You’re{/i} doing this, not me. Come on."

    "Another pause. The wolf turned his head away so that Rowan could not see his eyes."
    "He sank backwards. Legs powerful enough to leap a dozen feet into the air clenched."

    show cg1982 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg1983 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Penetration. That sublime feeling of ultimate submission. Rowan could not help the predatory grin from spreading on his face as he claimed the wolf in his deepest place. The wolf pushed back once, twice, and by the third had taken him to the base. Kharos take him, but it felt good."
    "Whitescar did not look back, as if the very admission of submission was something he could not bear to countenance. His ears were up, his tail lifted as if sighting some far prey in the distance. And yet, here he was: on all fours, surrendering himself utterly."
    "As Rowan began to thrust he looked down at the wolf’s strong back, at the junction between the contours of his shoulders demarcated by the straps of his elaborately decorated shoulderpads, between his thick buttock in his left hand and the pale ivory of his fur in stark contrast with the greenery all around them."
    "Encouraged by the variance of sensation, sight and sound, Rowan’s left ring-finger moved towards his filled anus, rubbing at the edge. The sharp tension of his cock around the hole provided a delightful contrast, the friction and push eliciting a groan at the sensation of his fingertip’s involvement."
    "Whitescar snarled at the sensation of a mortal’s finger poking at him. He turned and snapped his teeth, eyes bright with anger. Yet Rowan did not flinch, nor did the wolf cease his hip movements."
    "Emboldened, Rowan let out a wild snarl of his own, reveling in the sublime tension of Whitescar’s hole clenching tight to his cock. His ass constricted with a vice like grip, yielding only with great effort to his pressure. Whitescar didn’t seem to mind, though; if the erection bobbing beneath him was any indication. "
    "As Rowan took on a strong, commanding pace, pistoning his hips back and forth in sharp thrusts against the beast’s flank, the wolf began to let out soft yips, deep rumbles in his throat that came out strained as it reached the open air."
    "There was something electric about the feeling of taking Whitescar this way. Rowan’s hands, a mortal’s hands, gripping him forcefully by the hips, exactly where it mattered, exactly where some primal set of nerve receptors waited to be found and pressed like keys on a harpsichord."
    "He trembled in Rowan’s grasp, his thick arms holding himself up like tree trunks even as his tail began to wag."
    "Down on the floor, nose level with the exposed roots of the tree, Whitescar’s voice grew shorter, more unrestrained. A shadow of that wild beast that lay within him, bubbling just beneath the surface. Deny it all he wanted, the Fae was driven by the same base instincts as mortals were… perhaps even moreso."
    "Rowan leaned forward, draping himself across Whitescar’s back and pinning his tail in place. His hand reached downward, circling the wide weight of his hips and finding purchase on that distinctive pillar of masculinity poking out. He took hold of Whitescar’s cock and began to jerk it vigorously, his smile widening as the wolf stiffened in his grasp."
    "He hadn’t expected that."
    "He picked up the pace, driven by that primal need to complete himself and solidify his ascendancy. The wolf’s yips grew sharper and more pronounced, and Rowan himself growled in ecstatic pleasure."
    "They thrust and thrust and thrust and thrust until-"

    show cg1984 with sshake
    show cg1984 with sshake
    show cg1985 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg1986 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The tipping point was passed. A flood of white cum erupted from Rowan’s cock, spurting forth in hot wet jets deep into Whitescar’s bottom. The wolf let out a howl himself, spine straightening as Rowan’s fingers clenched and he felt the wolf swell and burst in his hands."
    "White ropes of cum painted the forest floor, a final admission of Rowan’s domination. White streams of pearlescent wolf-cum spurted forth in virile streams. All the while, Rowan kept thrusting against him."
    "Panting, Rowan withdrew, marveling at the work he’d done spreading Whitescar’s furry cheeks. The wolf’s mouth was open, tongue lolling out as he breathed heavily. His shoulders rose and fell, and he did not move for a long moment as Rowan loomed over him, enjoying the view."

    ro "Told you."

    "Yellow eyes snapped to his, but Rowan met them fearlessly. For once, the Fae blinked and glanced away."

    whit "You did. Impressive. Gratifying."

    ro "Is that all you have to say for yourself?"

    whit "For now? Yes. You have already given me more to think about than any mortal I have met in a lifetime."

    ro "Given that howl, I’d have expected you to be more… {i}energetic{/i}."

    "The wolf picked himself up off the ground, brushing himself off and readjusting his sash. When he spoke, his voice was surprisingly soft."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    whit "Please. Do not mistake my forbearance for indifference. You…"
    whit "That was…"

    "He growled, turning his gaze to some far off thing in the distance. He could not meet Rowan’s eyes."

    whit "I need to consider what this means."

    "Rowan smirked, gently brushing off some imaginary dust on Whitescar’s chest in a show of control. The wolf’s hand grabbed him by the wrist, hesitated, then released him."

    ro "It means we had sex."

    whit "Yes. That as well. But in this instance, I do not understand myself. And that is intolerable."

    ro "What’s there to understand?"

    "Whitescar looked at him, the girth of his sated erection slowly shrinking beneath his sash."

    whit "If I knew, I would explain myself to you. Confusing. Frustrating."
    whit "For now, make it as if this did not happen."

    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan did not comprehend the solemnity in Whitescar’s tone. Against his better judgment he nodded."

    ro "So… I did well today, I take it?"

    "A predatory grin spread across Whitescar’s face, a glint of humour even as Rowan pulled on his pants."

    whit "You did more than ‘well,’ Rowan."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    return

# \events\ruler_events_49.rpy
label hel_hard_at_work_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0

    "Are Rowan or Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Neither are":
            pass

    scene bg14 with fade

    "The ‘celebratory dinner’ that the twins invited Rowan and Alexia to had been the first time either of them had seen Helayna since the conquest of Raeve Keep. In the time since, they had learned a little of why that was."
    "She had been receiving training towards her new purpose in Castle Bloodmeen, which was nothing as glamorous or trophy-esque as being the personal plaything to Jezera and Andras. Her purpose there had just been to parade her before the Blackwoods."
    "It was a twist of the dagger embedded within Rowan’s heart; an opportunity to watch Alexia squirm in discomfort at watching what became of a high-profile prisoner that ordinarily would have been ransomed back."
    "Not that anyone remained who would ransom for the Raeves… and even if someone did, it was unlikely they would want her after they saw what she had become under the ring’s influences."
    "With her training complete and her debut concluded, Helayna settled into the position that Jezera had prepared for her and became a far more common presence around the castle. It was easy to find her, whenever one cared to go find her."
    "One just needed to follow the high, wanton screams that often erupted out of her, so much unlike the battle cries Helayna once roared to frighten her enemies."
    "They were constant throughout the day and night. To those who knew Helayna before her enslavement, it was easy to distinguish {i}her{/i} screams from any other woman being fucked into an orgasm, wanted or not."
    "The expression of Helayna’s physical satisfaction was always unfiltered, bordering on satirical levels of exaggeration every time she peaked."
    "And Helayna peaked often. Nevertheless, there was a certain earnestness to those screams and the words she occasionally managed to screech out that left one thing clear. The cursed ring she wore really did make everything {i}that{/i} good to her."
    "With how much of a ruckus Helayna made, it was easy enough to avoid her while she was ‘working’."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with moveinleft

    if rowanCorrupt < 30:
        "It crushed Alexia, seeing how Rowan’s face often fell upon hearing her latest joyful cry. If they were walking the halls together, they would immediately detour without a word of discussion."

    elif rowanCorrupt > 59:
        "Seeing how numb Rowan was to the sound upset Alexia every time they heard it together."
        "Her husband was changing."
        if alexiaCorrupt > 30:
            "Not that she could claim to be innocent."

    else:
        "It bothered Alexia, seeing how Rowan clenched his teeth and tried to ignore the reminders of what he had done."
        "Sometimes that extended to bullishly forging ahead; more than once while walking the halls together Alexia had coaxed him into taking other routes, knowing what the sight would do to him."

    "Of course, Rowan was more often than not off in Rosaria, doing the Twins’ bidding."
    "Every fresh scream that Alexia heard outside her husband’s company fanned the flames of a morbid curiosity within her."

    if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
        "It was uncomfortable to think about, but Helayna was no stranger, no matter how uneasy the young woman’s infatuation with Rowan had left her."

    elif alexiaCorrupt > 59:
        "Thinking about Helayna made Alexia angry, and she wasn’t sure why. Irritation at the noise? She should have been used to it."
        "That she could feel so good, or that she was perhaps so good at faking it? Alexia couldn’t imagine herself jealous of being open game for anyone around Bloodmeen to grab or use."
        "At the very least, she knew it wasn’t {i}satisfaction{/i} at what had become of the little slut she once feared would seduce Rowan."

    else:
        "Thinking about it made Alexia feel uneasy and unsure of why– once upon a time, she had feared Helayna trying to steal her husband away."
        "She feared that beneath the unease, she felt some form of {i}satisfaction{/i} in seeing the returned threat defanged. But was she that vindictive of a woman, truly?"
        "Helayna’s lot was horrendous."

    "There was only one way to satisfy the upsetting questions haunting Alexia’s mind, and that was to indulge her curiosity."

    scene black with fade

    menu:
        "Alexia followed Helayna’s screams. (Scene)":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "… She decided that she had to see for herself what Helayna’s life had become."
            "The next time that she heard the bliss-stricken wail of her husband’s former student, Alexia took a moment to steel herself before following after the source of the noise. She passed a number of servants on the way."
            "Some looked unnerved, but most had grown innured to such noises and barely batted an eyelash at anything that wasn’t shoved in their face."
            if alexiaCorrupt < 30:
                "Alexia could not count herself amongst their number. As Helayna’s voice grew louder and the words within her screams became easier to parse, something tightened in her chest."
                "Her feet wanted to stop moving, but she kept them in motion, her decision made. It did not soften her dread."
            elif alexiaCorrupt > 59:
                "The lustfully-unhinged squealing didn’t rankle Alexia, but even so, she felt a rising worry in her gut, dreading what she would see when she finally laid eyes upon Helayna."
            else:
                "If not for the fact she {i}knew{/i} Helayna, Alexia would’ve been able to block it out too. As Helayna’s voice grew louder and the words within her screams became easier to parse, something tightened in Alexia’s chest."
                "She dreaded what she might see, but kept moving forward."
            "She went along a seldom-used side passage and then down a spiral stairwell, growing more cautious. Though Alexia expected it to lead down to the lower floors, it seemed too short for that– perhaps leading down to a storeroom?"
            "The acoustics made Helayna’s voice all too clear."
            show black with sshake
            show helayna naked aroused behind black
            hel "Haaa, aaaaah, haaaaa, YESSSSSSsssssssSSSS, yesssss dick, more dick, DON’T STOP COCKING ME, FUUUUUUUUUCK, AHHHHH, HIIIIIIIIIIA!"
            "Flesh slapping on flesh sounded off like a drum in Alexia’s ears, along with deep, guttural grunting of her partner. Guffawing and chattering, their audience was not silent."
            "Alexia stopped in sight of the landing, the exit a sharp left that would hide what awaited her until she stepped off the stairs."
            "It was her last chance to back out."
            menu:
                "Alexia had to see Helayna. (Scene)":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Before she could second guess her decision, Alexia tip-toed down the rest of the stairs, though it was noisy enough she could’ve firmly stomped each step without alerting anyone to her presence."
                    #cg 1
                    scene cg1987 with fade
                    show orc soldier neutral behind cg1987
                    show wild orc neutral behind cg1987
                    show helayna naked aroused behind cg1987
                    show alexia 2 necklace shocked behind cg1987
                    pause 3
                    "Flattening herself against the flat of the wall, she took a quick breath, then peeked around the corner to see–"
                    os "Loudah if youse want more, bitch. Loudah!"
                    "Helayna was staring dead ahead, right at Alexia, but her eyes were unseeing."
                    "The disgraced knight’s face had turned a shade far redder than either woman’s hair, nearly purple with strain. The position she was in was just–"
                    al "(How is that… even possible? Oh, Goddess…)"
                    "Just looking at her hurt Alexia. Her husband’s former student had been practically folded in half, legs bent back so far that her knees touched her shoulders and her feet were high overhead, toes rigidly pointing at the ceiling."
                    "An orc held her from behind, keeping her legs pinned back with his powerful arms, his fingers interlaced behind her neck. Though Helayna was no small woman, he easily bounced her nude weight as he fucked her."
                    "Several others were present, some playing with spent or turgid cocks, others simply jeering, sitting on barrels or crates that held Solnasia-knew-what."
                    show cg1988 with sshake
                    pause 2
                    hel "AIIIIEEEEEE YESSSSS, GIVE ME MOOOOOORE, GIVE ME MORE COCK, COCK ME, COCK ME, COCKMECOCKME–!"
                    "To Alexia’s shocked eyes, Helayna already had {i}plenty{/i} of cock, both in the past and present. The cum leaking out of her gaping cunt and staining so much of her body was indistinguishable from that of a human man."
                    "The thick green cock of the orc holding her upright split open not her pussy, but her asshole."
                    os "Heh, fines…"
                    "And the one urging her to demand more wasn’t even the one ruining her insides. He was standing before her, smirking, like he was waiting her turn."
                    "Alexia wasn’t not so naive as to think a woman could only handle one cock at a time. The orc stepped up, and she expected him to align himself with the drooling snatch presented to him."
                    show cg1988 with sshake
                    pause 2
                    hel "Oh. Oh. OH. OHHHHHAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
                    "Alexia felt her face go white, and it took her several long seconds to understand what she was seeing. Ignoring the opportunity to enjoy sloppy sevenths, the orc put his cock up against that of the male holding Helayna up and began forcing himself through her straining sphincter."
                    show cg1989 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "Her immediate reaction was severely understated– softened whimpers, overwhelmed and caught up in her body being pushed past its limits. Helayna visibly shuddered, jaw slackening, but she didn’t cry out in pain or discomfort."
                    wo "Wasn’t youse a knight, humie? They say ya killed three boys in my warband, but ain’t no bitch knight taking two green cocks in their ass."
                    os "You’re loving it, ain’t youse?"
                    hel "YES, FUCK, YEEEEEES, SO MUCHHHHH, LOOOOOVE COCKSOOSO MUCH FUUUUUUUUUUCK–"
                    "Alexia put a hand to her belly, sick, trying to imagine herself surviving that; she squeezed both her thighs and her asshole tight in the process, horrified."
                    if alexiaCorrupt > 59:
                        "Wet, but horrified."
                    show cg1990 with sshake
                    show cg1990 with sshake
                    show cg1991 with flash
                    pause 2
                    show cg1992 with dissolve
                    "It did not take long for Helayna’s wretched song to become one high-pitched note, her body shuddering violently as her pussy gushed its own fluids and that of the spunk left inside of her."
                    "At that moment, Alexia knew that she had seen enough. More than enough. She stumbled over her skirt on her way back up the stairs and fled straight to her rooms. All told, she hardly slept that night, and the nights that followed were not much better."
                    "By the time Rowan returned to Bloodmeen, however, she had settled her mind and made the decision to keep what she had seen to herself. He didn’t need more on his shoulders."
                    return

                "Alexia couldn’t go through with it.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    "Just a few steps away, Alexia’s nerve broke. What awaited her down there was not something she wanted to see; it was something that had never been meant for her eyes."
                    "She froze stiff for one moment, then bolted back up the stairs the next."
                    "The thought and worry of what had become of Helayna was never far from her mind after that, even if she never worked herself up to get that close to her in use again."
                    return

        "Alexia continued to avoid Helayna’s screams.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "But Alexia decided that would be a bridge too far for her. With more time, perhaps Helayna would simply become another one of the castle’s walking sex toys, someone that Alexia could learn to overlook and ignore for the sake of her own sanity."
            "She was wrong about that, but she had made a decision and was determined to see it through."
            return
    
    return

# \events\rastedel\rastadel_battle.rpy
label rastedel_battle_2_xzaratl_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ alexiaAndrasObedient = False
    $ astartePath = "astarteServant"
    $ astarteArmySize = "large"
    $ RowanXzaratlInfluence = 10
    $ rowan_shares_room_with_helayna = False
    $ roAlRel = 100
    
    #courtyard bg
    scene bg57 with fade
    show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show wild orc neutral at midright with dissolve

    "Almost every fighting body in the castle was organized in the courtyard. Mercenaries and orcs alike swapped tips, tested their weapons’ readiness, and congregated together."
    "At the center of the display, a square of orcs stood together, following the commands of a general. They struck out, fell backward, and acted all in unison."

    os "Shields. Shields."

    wo "Hup!"

    "The troop raised their shields in unison."

    os "Strike!"

    "The front rank went down to one knee and slashed forward with their cleavers. The rank behind them jabbed forward with a motley collection of swords and axes. Standardized equipment was impossible to maintain."

    os "Arrows. Arrows."

    "The front row jumped back to their feet. Just in time for the entire unit to raise shields upwards. There were few gaps of any real size between them."

    hide orc soldier with dissolve
    hide wild orc with dissolve
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    "Rowan watched the scene with something approaching awe. He’d fought in the field with orcs many times. Only, always on the opposite side. These were hardly the most sophisticated infantry tactics, but they were still strides ahead of the unorganized fighting he’d seen before."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Try not to soil yourself."
    an "They’re disciplined now, but the moment the killing starts, every last one of them will break ranks. Still, they should be able to hold together for the initial charge. That’s all we really need from them."

    "Rowan turned to face the demon. With a battle scheduled for the following day, he thought he’d see Andras feasting and fucking. But, he was surprisingly engaged in the preparation."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    ro "Do you still plan on standing at their head?"

    an "And do you still intend to watch from afar?"

    ro "The neighboring hill offers a good vantage point. It will make relaying orders far easier."

    an "And it’s {i}safer{/i}. Don’t think I don’t understand what you’re trying to say here."

    "Andras spat to the side."

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "If you think for a moment that you can convince me not to be in the thick of it, I’ve got some news for you."

    if society_type == "might":
        ro "Master, you know how battles can go. Even the winners lose people. And the moment you step on the battlefield, with your red skin and all, you will be the biggest target."
    else:
        ro "Emperor, you know how battles can go. Even the winners lose people. And the moment you step on the battlefield, with your red skin and all, you will be the biggest target."

    ro "You could well die out there."

    "Andras didn’t respond for a moment. It was almost like the idea of death had never crossed his mind."

    an "I could. So what?"

    if astartePath == "astarteServant":
        "Was it foolishness? Or a sign of maturity? In legends and tales of olds, the greatest kings always marched at the helm of their armies… "

    #if sabotage
        #TO DO
    #else (Control)
        #TO DO

    ro "Very well. It is not my place to make that kind of choice."

    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    an "Good. I didn’t have to remind you."

    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
        an "Besides, if we were in each other’s places, I’d rather that you die. Quickly too. If you were really so smart, you’d be begging me to stay on the front lines."
        "Rowan pondered to himself what exactly Andras meant by that…"
        "...Probably just that if Andras died it would be easier for him and Alexia to escape."
        show andras displeased at midright with dissolve

    ro "I read the latest report we got from Jezera."

    an "Oh? And what do you make of it?"

    ro "Everything is going according to plan. The enemy army has encamped itself in the Astarte basin. It has been confirmed that they’ve split up the army into four forces, each has fanned out to retake key garrisons and harass known orc encampments."
    ro "Their army is divided up for now. But, with enough time and preparation, they’d be able to link up mid-battle."
    ro "Or worse. Catch us from behind while fighting one force and pin us in the middle."

    if astartePath == "astarteServant":
        an "Still worrying, Warmaster? Really?"
        if astarteArmySize == "small":
            "Rowan glanced at the gathered soldiers. With the reinforcements they received from their allies, their army wasn’t nearly as small as they feared."
        elif astarteArmySize == "large":
            "Rowan glanced at the gathered soldiers. The legions of chaos. He chuckled, and shook his head. "
        else:
            "Rowan glanced at the gathered soldiers. Hundreds of them. He smiled ever so slightly."
        ro "Old habit, I suppose."

    #else
        #TO DO

    ro "I’ll make a round. Make sure everything and everyone is in top condition."

    an "Do that, Warmaster. And tomorrow we break the world. "

    hide andras with moveoutright
    show rowan at center with moveinleft

    if society_type == "might":
        "His Master left him to his own devices. Rowan watched the troops for a little longer, then walked down from the battlements and into the courtyard."

    else:
        "His Emperor left him to his own devices. Rowan watched the troops for a little longer, then walked down from the battlements and into the courtyard."

    "Literal hundreds. Orc warriors, human mercenaries, goblin special forces. The seed of the new chaos invasion."

    #if on sabotage.
        #TO DO

    #else
    "The sight filled him with a strange sense of pride. All his hard work would finally pay off."

    "Here and there, he saw familiar faces. The castle inhabitants, people he fought with… All readying themselves for the battle to come."
    "Who should he approach?"

    $ astarteXzSeen = False
    #$ astarteGhorzaSeen = False
    #$ astarteDrokkSeen = False

    #label preAstarteVisit_rp:

    menu:
        "X’zaratl.": #if castle.buildings['sanctum'].troops + castle.buildings['sanctum'].reserve > 49 and astarteXzSeen == False:
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ astarteXzSeen = True
            scene bg68 with fade
            show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
            show succubus neutral at midright with dissolve
            show xzaratl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
            "There was a not small number of cubi hanging around, watching the soldiers, pointing to some and laughing at others, calling out to them, promising unearthly pleasures."
            "In the back lingered X’zaratl, the cubi Mistress watching all of this with a benevolent smile, like a mother watching her children play in the playground."
            ro "Your kind sure is lively, X’zaratl."
            hide succubus with dissolve
            show xzaratl neutral at midright with moveinright
            xz "For many this is the first battle they’ll ever take part of. They’re all excited."
            ro "You seem less so."
            xz "Ah, I’m… Conflicted. I know magnificent things will happen tomorrow. Acts of sacrifice. Acts of bravery. Perhaps even another hero will be born."
            xz "You know all of this. It’s what made you."
            "She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with pent-up emotions."
            xz "How I wish I could’ve seen the day when you first carried the sword to battle! How I wish I could’ve seen that moment, when all hope seemed lost, and any other man would have given up - and yet you remained steadfast in your convictions!"
            #TO DO - add "AND Rowan did not break off things in her finale."
            if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 6:
                "The moment the gallant hero I love so much was born."
                scene bg14 with fade
                show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
                show xzaratl happy at midright with dissolve
                "She caressed his cheek gently, and pulled him away from the courtyard into one of the corridors that led to it - so she could have him for herself, if only for a moment."
                show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
                ro "There was nothing glorious about that battle, X’zaratl. Don’t trust what the bards sing in taverns for a handful of coins and a cup of cold ale."
                xz "I know. I know it was brutal. I know it was painful. Full of violence."
                xz "I must confess - I do not enjoy fighting. I will not take part in the upcoming battle. And a part of me hopes you wouldn’t have to either."
                ro "It’s not really my decision, X’zaratl. That’s just what being a soldier means. You do what the situation demands of you, even if it’s dangerous. Especially then."
                "She drew close to him, and he welcomed her embrace. She caressed his face, looking into his eyes."
                xz "Oh, my gallant Rowan! You already gave so much of yourself to others, and you are ready to give even more without a moment of hesitation."
                xz "How I admire it! And yet… I can’t help but think it isn’t right."
                "She pressed her hand against his heart. She lowered her head, and her voice. He could hear the racket from the courtyard, but paid no attention to it."
                xz "Rowan, I would never ask you not to go. I understand there are things you {i}must{/i} do..."
                "Her lips quivered, the rest left unspoken. Rowan held her hand, hoping it would bring her comfort."
                xz "But… I ask for one thing only. If the battle does not hang by the thread… If you stand at the decision of taking to the fray yourself…"
                xz "Before you think of duty, before you think of glory - please think about the people waiting for you back in Castle Bloodmeen."
                if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
                    xz "Think about Alexia, Rowan. Think about Helayana. They’ve been through enough. "
                else:
                    xz "Think about Alexia, Rowan. She’s been through enough."
                ro "Alexia, huh…"
                menu:
                    "X’zaratl was important to him too. (Scene)":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                        show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
                        ro "What about you? Can I not think about you waiting for me back at the castle?"
                        "Her cheeks flushed crimson as he grabbed her face in both hands. At moments like these, she was just So. Damn. Cute."
                        xz "Ha-a… R-Rowan… I wouldn’t dare to attribute myself such a role… As pleasant of a thought that it is."
                        ro "You don’t have to attribute yourself anything. It’s simply what you are to me."
                        menu:
                            "Kiss her. (Scene)":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                #$ RowanXzaratlInfluence += 1
                                #$ rowanCorrupt += 3
                                "His lips met hers, and he locked them in a long, passionate kiss. X’zaratl melted into his touch, his words and his lips leaving her completely defenseless."
                                xz "Mmmm, ha… Ha… I shouldn’t be… Distracting you…"
                                scene cg2005 with fade
                                show rowan necklace happy behind cg2005
                                show xzaratl aroused behind cg2005
                                pause 2
                                show cg2006 with dissolve
                                pause 2
                                "She tried to pull away - only for Rowan to pull her back in. The sudden motion caused her to twirl around, and she found herself with her back to the hero, helplessly trapped as Rowan embraced her with one arm. "
                                ro "Do I look distracted to you, X’zaratl?"
                                show cg2007 with dissolve
                                pause 2
                                "He teased her mercilessly, pulling her in for another kiss. Her hands flailed helplessly, as the demoness struggled to make sense of her emotions. On one hand, Rowan’s loving caress dominating her body. On the other…"
                                xz "Mmmm… Mmmmm… A-ah…"
                                "Whatever weak justification she had for not surrendering to his touch evaporated into thin air, as his hardening cock pressed against her supple ass."
                                "He had no doubt she could feel it. Her dress was so light and thin, it was like she was wearing nothing at all. It allowed his hand to greedily caress her skin, his fingers enjoying her body as much as his lips enjoyed her mouth. Her taste reminded him of raspberries."
                                ro "You would deny me this, X’zaratl? Say this is not a good enough reason to fight to live another day?"
                                xz "No ~~ Never. I”ll always be there for you, Rowan."
                                show cg2008 with dissolve
                                pause 2
                                "She let herself be enchanted by his words. Her heart and body took over, and her ass started rubbing against his crotch. Unbidden, her cock slipped out of her robe, and now swayed in the open, twitching like mad."
                                "She was burning with desire, obeying his every unspoken command… "
                                menu:
                                    "Have her come.":
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        if RowanXzaratlInfluence > 9:
                                            "He couldn’t get enough of her. He wouldn’t be able to stop, even if he wanted to. He wanted to see her lose herself in his touch. Wanted this wonderful, gentle succubus to come from his kisses alone. "
                                        else:
                                            "It was too lovely of a sight. He wanted to see her lose herself in his touch. Wanted this wonderful, gentle succubus to come from his kisses alone."
                                        "At every moment, her tongue fought with his, exploring his mouth, wanting more, and more of him. She greedily drank his affection, letting herself drown in it."
                                        xz "A-ah… Haaa…"
                                        "She didn’t try to pin him. Didn’t try to turn around, or ask for more. She knew it was his gift for her. "
                                        ro "You’ll wait for me, will you X’zaratl?"
                                        xz "Always, my gallant hero."
                                        "She savoured every word, like a delicacy. He pulled her closer, letting her feel the muscles under his shirt, the outline of his cock in his pants. Let her know the full extent of his desire for her."
                                        ro "You’re wonderful, X’zaratl."
                                        ro "You don’t have to hold back. Let yourself go."
                                        xz "A-ah… Rowan~~ "
                                        "He could see her lone eye roll. Felt her buckle her hips, thrusting into the air. He wanted to deliver the final blow~~"
                                        ro "Cum."
                                        "Her whole body shuddered as she exploded on the floor, leaving long ropes of thick, white cum, all while moaning into his ear, struggling to contain her excitement."
                                        xz "Mmmm- Ah! Rowan! O-oh Rowan ~~"
                                        "It was wonderful. Beautiful. He could watch her face drown in ecstasy over and over. But for now… "
                                        ro "There. A sample of things to come, when I get back."
                                        xz "Ha, ha… That would be… {i}Delightful.{/i}"
                                        "He chuckled, kissed her again - then sent her off with a smack on her ass."
                                        scene bg57 with fade
                                        "X’zaratl always was a {i}wonderful{/i} distraction."
                                        #jump preAstarteVisit_rp

                                    "Leave her like this. They’ll finish after he comes back.":# if RowanXzaratlInfluence < 10:
                                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                        "His kisses grew slower, but his grip grew hard as iron. X’zaratl’s lips greedily chased his own - and the sad mewl that escaped her lips when he pulled away almost broke his heart. Almost."
                                        ro "There. Stay like this, X’zaratl. Don’t you dare come until you see me again."
                                        ro "Now we both have something to look forward to."
                                        xz "So mean! So horrible! So cruel! Oh Rowan~~~"
                                        xz "Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times yes~~ ! It will be as you command."
                                        "She sounded almost drunk with excitement. She shuddered in his hands, and he saw a drop of precum drop to the floor."
                                        ro "You almost came from being told {i}not{/i} to come."
                                        xz "Every delight under the crystal blue sky is a thousand times better when I get to share it with you. I understand the agony of waiting, and I know the pleasure of release."
                                        xz "If you want… I’ll gladly play that game with you as well."
                                        scene bg14 with fade
                                        show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve
                                        show xzaratl aroused at midright with dissolve
                                        "He laughed, and let her go, smacking her ass for goodbye. She jumped up, her erect cock jiggling comically."
                                        ro "Happy to hear it. Now, I’d say you should keep in your pants… But we both know that’s not possible."
                                        xz "Why should I? It’s because of you I’m like this. If I could, I’d tell the whole world about it."
                                        ro "And I’d never hear the end of it from the castle maid."
                                        "He smiled, enjoying how her lone eye sparkled with excitement. Edging a succubus probably wasn’t that smart of an idea…"
                                        scene black with fade
                                        "But he might die tomorrow, so frankly, he didn’t give a damn."
                                        $ xzaratlAstartePentUp = True
                                        #jump preAstarteVisit_rp

                            "Thank her.":
                                # $ released_fix_rollback()
                                ro "So when the time comes to decide… I’ll think of you too. I promise."
                                xz "A-ah… "
                                "She was too overwhelmed with emotion to answer him. Rowan chuckled, left a kiss on her forehead, and pulled away. He couldn’t linger with the succubus, as much as he’d love to."
                                xz "And you think of me while I’m gone, X’zaratl."
                                xz "Oh, Rowan, I {b}always{/b} am."
                                hide rowan with moveoutleft
                                hide xzaratl with dissolve
                                "… So damn cute."
                                scene bg57 with fade
                                #jump preAstarteVisit_rp

                    "You’ll take her advice to heart.":
                        # $ released_fix_rollback()
                        ro "You’re right, X’zaratl. I’ll keep it in mind. But even if there is no risk of losing… "
                        xz "Just be careful. Please."
                        ro "I will. I will."
                        "He left a kiss on her forehead, and pulled away. He couldn’t linger with the succubus, as much as he’d love to."
                        hide rowan with moveoutleft
                        hide xzaratl with dissolve
                        "There was work to be done."
                        scene bg57 with fade
                        #jump preAstarteVisit_rp

            else:
                xz "The day the gallant hero I adore so much was born."
                ro "There was nothing glorious about that battle, X’zaratl. Don’t trust what the bards sing in taverns for a handful of coins and a cup of cold ale."
                xz "I know. I know it was brutal. I know it was painful. Full of violence. "
                xz "I must confess - I do not enjoy fighting. I will not take part in the upcoming battle. And a part of me hopes you wouldn’t have to either."
                ro "It’s not really my decision, X’zaratl. That’s just what being a soldier means. You do what the situation demands of you, even if it’s dangerous. Especially then."
                xz "Oh, my gallant Rowan! You already gave so much of yourself to others, and you are ready to give even more without a moment of hesitation."
                xz "How I admire it! And yet… I can’t help but think it isn’t right."
                if alexiaSeparateRoom == False:
                    "She gazed up, at the tall towers of Bloodmeen. She sought the window to Rowan’s room, and sighed quietly."
                else:
                    "She gazed up, at the tall towers of Bloodmeen. She sought the window to Alexia’s room, and sighed quietly."
                xz "Rowan, I would never ask you not to go. I understand there are things you {i}must{/i} do..."
                xz "But… I ask for one thing only. If the battle does not hang by the thread… If you stand at the decision of taking to the fray yourself…"
                xz "Before you think of duty, before you think of glory - please think about the people waiting for you back in Castle Bloodmeen. "
                if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
                    xz "Think about Alexia, Rowan. Think about Helayana. They’ve been through enough."
                else:
                    xz "Think about Alexia, Rowan. She’s been through enough."
                if roAlRel >= 50:
                    ro "I know. And I will. I promise."
                else:
                    ro "I know. And I will."
                xz "Thank you."
                hide xzaratl with moveoutright
                show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
                "She gave him a wide, heartwarming smile, and squeezed his hand as she left. Rowan glanced at the cubi’s, then walked away a moment later. They didn’t have much to offer besides their mistress anyway."
                scene bg57 with fade
                #jump preAstarteVisit_rp

    return

# \events\alexia_corruption3.rpy
label the_lords_work_rp:

    $ serveChoice = 4
    $ andrasFavours = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ brothelLevel = 10
    $ rivalryAlexia = 0
   
    "Is Alexia corrupt and has cheated on Rowan? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ roAlRel = 0
            $ andrasFavours = 10
            $ jezeraSubmission = 10
        "No":
            pass

    scene bg27 with fade

    "An orc had arrived earlier in the morning as Rowan was getting ready to set out for the day with a summons to meet Andras in the castle ballroom instead. It was clear from the orc’s gruff tone that it was not an optional request."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with moveinleft
    show andras displeased behind bg27

    an "Ah, Rowan, there you are. You took your bloody time."

    hide andras displeased
    show andras displeased at midright with dissolve
    show doran neutral at edgeright with dissolve

    "Andras stood waiting for him with the usual mix of disdain and displeasure plastered on his face. Behind him, cowering as usual, stood Doran Raeve, who had now settled into his role as a simpering toadie for the twins."
    "Beside the demon stood another man, a man whose presence surprised Rowan. It was someone who the hero would have been quite happy if he had gone the rest of his life having never seen again."

    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

    "He was now in his fifties and, with the exception of a few more lines of age on his face, looked the same as the hero recalled. Short, bold, overweight, and was decked out in garish finery emphasised by the rings and jewellery that adorned his fingers and fat neck."
    "And on his face, that same fucking smug grin he always wore."

    ro "What are {i}you{/i} doing here, Greffin?"

    "He spat the words out like venom, not even attempting in the tiniest way to hide his contempt for the man."

    gref "What? No {i}Lord de Vere{/i}?"

    "Viscount Greffin de Vere. Rowan had no love for the aristocracy in general, but even among them, de Vere was the worst kind of noble. Everything he did was solely to shore up his own power and enrich himself, always at a cost to somebody else."
    "While Rowan held the line at Karst, watching men die all around him, de Vere withheld support that would have saved lives in order to increase his bargaining position. Here was a man who would quite happily trade a life for a coin or two, so long as the coin ended up in his purse."

    if serveChoice == 4:
        "He was exactly the sort of self-serving parasite Jezera had told him they would rid Rosaria of; and yet here he was, standing before him."

    gref "As for what I am doing here, I was invited by my old friend Lord Raeve, isn’t that right?"

    dor "Uhh.. Yes…"

    "Rowan threw his murderous gaze toward the duke, who fidgeted and looked everywhere but back at him, desperately trying to avoid eye contact."

    gref "As for {i}why{/i} I am here, I assume it is because I have something that your masters want."

    ro "And I’m sure you would be willing to give it to them for the right price. So quick to sell out your own homeland, absolutely no surprises there."

    gref "You are one to talk, Blackwell. Our friend Doran has been telling me all about what happened at Raeve."

    "Rowan’s blood boiled. One stroke, that is all it would take. The demon was fast, but even he wasn’t that fast."

    ro "I’m not doing this for myself, Greffin."

    gref "I’m sure that is what you tell yourself as you lie in bed at night."

    show andras angry at midright with dissolve

    an "ENOUGH!"

    "The demon’s voice boomed through the ballroom. He stood there in silence while the pair bickered, but had clearly reached the limit of what he was willing to endure."

    if andrasFavours >= 3:
        ro "Master, this man cannot be trusted. He holds no loyalties except to himself, and- "
        an "The decision is not yours servant."
        ro "If you would just-"
        an "Are you fucking deaf?!"
        "What little rapport he managed to strike with Andras seemed to go down the drain. The man would not budge. Of all the people to be stubborn about!"
        ro "If you want to deal with this snake, go ahead. But don’t tell me later I didn’t warn you."

    else:
        ro "You are right. It is enough."
        ro "If you want to deal with this snake, go ahead. But I will have no part in it."
        ro "Just don’t come crying to me when he bites you in the ass."

    hide rowan with moveoutleft

    "Without allowing anybody the chance to reply, Rowan turned on his heels and marched out of the ballroom."

    gref "Well, that went well."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    "Alexia was returning to her room when she saw the heavy doors of the ballroom swing open with some force, and her husband emerged from them, with a face like thunder."

    show rowan necklace angry at edgeright with moveinright

    al "Rowan!"

    ro "Oh."

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with moveinright

    "As he approached his wife, Rowan’s face softened a little. His rage was reduced to a more subtle mask of annoyance."

    ro "Hello Alexia."

    show alexia 2 necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

    al "Is everything alright? You looked very upset."

    ro "Not particularly."

    "Her husband let out one of his world weary sighs. The ones normally reserved when he returned from particularly difficult trips."

    ro "I’ve just walked into the worst ambush since that day Jezera arrived at Arthdale. That bastard Greffin is here."

    al "Lord de Vere? Here?"

    "Alexia’s heart sank. While Alexia did not know the man, she had seen him several times and heard the stories. Oh the stories. Much was spoken about de Vere  and none of it was good."
    "From what her husband had told her from his time in the war, there wasn’t a noble in the whole of Rosaria who cared so little about their subjects."

    ro "Imagine my surprise to see him in Bloodmeen. What didn’t surprise me though is that he’s still the same slimy, self-serving, pompous piece of shit he has always been."

    if roAlRel > 50:
        al "I’m sorry, my love."

    else:
        al "I’m sorry."

    show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve

    "He mustered a slight smile."

    ro "Why? You didn’t invite him here, so there is no need for you to apologise."

    show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    al "I know, but still. I just can’t believe that Jezera would-"

    if jezeraSubmission > 3:
        "Rowan glared at her, seemingly outraged by her suggestion."
        ro "Jezera knows what she’s doing. If she were to ever let that man into {i}her{/i} castle, it would be with a collar around his neck. She’d probably have him crawl on all fours. Maybe even make him squeal like a pig. Hah! "
        "A rare smile graced his lips, and quickly vanished as he remembered reality wasn’t nearly as accommodating to his desires."
        ro "No, it wasn’t Mistress Jezera. It was Andras."

    else:
        "Rowan surprised her by letting out a short, sharp laugh."
        ro "That is at least the one amusing thing in this whole shitty situation."
        ro "It wasn’t Jezera that invited him, it was Andras."

    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Really? Andras?"

    "Alexia felt conflicted, she didn’t doubt what Rowan had said about Greffin was true, but if this were her master’s plan, he must have had a good reason to invite him to Bloodmeen."

    if andrasFavours >= 3:
        ro "I couldn't believe it either. Andras has never been one for politics or alliances before. To start with that toad of all people is just stupid though..."
        ro "I wonder if sometimes I give too much credit to the demon."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "Too much? The implied insult bristled Alexia more than she expected. She had to bite her tongue to not snap back. Rowan had never shown the respect their keeper deserved and underestimating Andras was terribly perilous."
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    else:
        ro "Yeah, I guess the muscle-bound moron fancies himself some sort of master tactician now. Or perhaps he's decided to dabble in politics?"
        ro "He’d be better sticking to just punching things."
        show alexia 2 necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
        "The insults bristled Alexia more than expected, and she had to bite her tongue to not snap back. Her master was more than just some brainless brute and you underestimated him at your own peril."
        "She thought her husband might have at least realised this from his own current predicament."
        show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    al "Surely, there must be some reason he was invited here though?"

    show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

    ro "Greffin has resources, and there’s no denying that his lands hold a good deal of strategic value."

    if jezeraSubmission > 3:
        ro "Plus, he has a network of spies. Or so the rumour goes."

    else:
        ro "Plus, he has a network of spies that would even make Jezera wet if she could get past the envy."

    "See, not so stupid after all."

    menu:
        "Try to talk some sense into Rowan. He should learn to trust Andras.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Would it be so bad to just talk to him?"
            ro "Alexia, I-"
            show alexia 2 necklace concerned at center with moveinleft
            "She moved closer to him, placing her hand on his cheek."
            al "It’s just I worry about you every day when you leave this place, I don’t want to have to worry about you fighting with the twins as well…. I know Andras has his faults’, but-"
            ro "Alexia."
            show rowan necklace happy at midright with dissolve
            "He took the hand from his cheek and squeezed it gently."
            ro "I appreciate you looking out for me, but I can’t even consider it."

        "Don’t bother. He’s a lost cause.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            "She stared, blankly, as Rowan nervously ran his hand through his hair. She actually felt some pity for him. Things would be so much easier for him if he just learned to trust his Master."

    ro "It is one thing to be forced to do the twins’ bidding, but to willingly choose to work with a man like Greffin? After what happened at Karst? Then the valley slaughter six months later? It’s unconscionable."
    ro "Anyway, in the long run, we’d come to regret it. Look at how willing he is to sell out Rosaria, he’d just as soon as stab us in the back as soon it was advantageous for him to do so."

    "Master would take care of him long before that, she thought, but she could see this was a battle she could not win."

    show alexia 2 neutral at midleft with moveoutleft

    al "What will you do then?"

    if jezeraSubmission > 3:
        ro "I’ll go and talk to Jezera. Hopefully, she will see what a monumentally bad idea this is."
        "Running off to tell Jezera yet again, what was new? Could Rowan fight no war on his own?"
        "First it was Daenara and her heroes, now Jezera… She could swear he was consulting her about the smallest of things nowadays."

    else:
        "I’ll go and talk to Jezera. If she’s the more intelligent of the pair hopefully she will see what a monumentally bad idea this is."
        "Running off to tell Jezera yet again, what was new? Could Rowan fight no war on his own?"

    al "If you think that is for the best."

    ro "I do. I had better go, I am already behind thanks to this farce and now I have to see Jezera before I leave the castle as well. I’ll see you later, okay?"

    al "Okay, take care?"

    ro "Always."

    "He rushed to find his Mistress - only to turn around, and rush back to give her a quick peck on the lips. Almost like an embarrassing afterthought. Then, again, he hurried away, ever busy with everything but his wife."

    show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveoutleft
    show andras smirk at edgeright with dissolve

    "Just as Rowan headed off down the hallway, her master appeared at the doors of the ballroom and beckoned her over."

    scene cg2009 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2010 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2011 with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace concerned behind cg2009
    show andras smirk behind cg2009
    pause 3

    "Without a word, Andras placed his hands on her head and brought it forward for a kiss, only metres behind her husband’s back. She panicked, trying to pull away."

    al "M-m-m-master, what are you doing?"

    an "Showing you how a real man kisses his woman."

    show alexia 2 aroused behind black

    al "But… what if he sees?"

    an "Who gives a shit? What is he going to do about it?"

    "Firmly he brought her head forward again and was met with no resistance this time. She burned with a heady combination of shame and lust.

    Alexia knew it was bad and she knew she shouldn’t think that way, but she could feel herself getting wetter from her master’s boast of his physical prowess. He was right, if Rowan saw them and tried anything, it would not go well for her husband."
    "Even so she was still terrified that he might see, should she try and stop this?"
    "As if sensing her hesitation, Andras took the hand she had cradled Rowan’s cheek with (did he see?) and slid it under his kilt, pressing it against his cock. Even in its current semi-engorged state, it was long and thick and hot."

    an "Do you want me to stop, or do you want this?"

    al "I… want this."

    an "“I want this” what?"

    al "I want this, master."

    an "Good slut."

    "Once against his tongue mashed against hers in her mouth as she fondled his thick dick. He slid his arm down her back and gave her ass a rough grope. Rowan would be gone by now at least, and she could enjoy herself without worrying."

    scene bg14 with fade
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve

    an "I am going to meet with Greffin again later without your useless husband present to spoil things, and I would like you to join us."

    al "Of course, master."

    an "Excellent. Make sure you wear my favourite outfit, and don’t worry, Zahira will take care of any additional negotiation should it come to that."
    an "You are to play the role of precious plundered spoils. To show that even the hero of Karst’s loyal wife belongs to the mighty demon lord Andras."

    al "Master!"

    "A word of protest slipped out of her mouth - then she realised her hands were still wrapped around his dick, his enormous tool hardening under her touch. He pushed her closer, and it slipped between her thighs."

    an "You wanted to say something, {i}Mrs. Blackwell{/i}?"

    "Everytime that fantastic cock was anywhere near her, her husband was the last thing she wanted to think about. For all their adventures together there was still-"

    al "A-ah!"

    "He thrust his hips, and a gasp escaped her lips. {i}Fuck it{/i}.  Yes, maybe she shouldn’t let him call her like this. Yes, maybe she should feel bad for even considering his request. De Vere was her husband’s enemy. To parade and preen before him meant humiliating her own husband."
    "However, the thought of her master wanting to display her like a trophy filled her with joy, and sent a thrill down her spine."

    al "There will be no doubt who I belong to, master."

    "Andras let out a laugh that echoed down the empty hallway. He slid the hand that had been on her ass around to the front, and forced two fat fingers into her sodden cunt, drawing a loud gasp from the redhead."

    an "I should strip you down right now, press you up against the wall and fuck your brains out. Anyone who might see us be damned."

    al "Ohhhhh…."

    an "You’d like that, wouldn’t you whore?"

    "So risky. Who knows who might see them, and if they would tell Rowan. She should say no, she knew she should, but the demon continued his assault on her pussy with his fingers, and her mouth betrayed her with a moan."

    al "Yessssssss…."

    "He smirked and he withdrew his hand and gave her a swift, hard spank on her ass, sending a shudder through her whole body."

    an "Serve me well and maybe I will. We have to save some things for you to earn, slut."

    "A pout quickly formed on her face, but he was the master after all."

    al "Yes, my Lord, I look forward to pleasing you sufficiently."

    an "Now go, I’ll send someone to fetch you when it is time for the meeting."

    al "Yes, master."

    menu:
        "Tell him about Rowan going to Jezera.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanJezTold = True
            al "One thing before I go, master."
            an "Oh?"
            al "Rowan has gone to see your sister to try and convince her to intervene in your attempt to ally with Lord de Vere."
            an "Oh, has he now?"
            "He tenderly stroked her face, then slid his thumb into her mouth. She sucked it obediently, hoping it would encourage him to slide something else inside of her."
            an "Thanks for the information. Those pretty lips never fail to please me."
            "A flush crossed her cheeks, half of which was fuelled by shame. She didn’t want to tattle on Rowan, but Andras knew what he was doing and any attempts to undermine him would only hurt them in the long run."
            an "I can only imagine how hard it must have been to tell me that, we’ll have to ensure you are well rewarded."
            "Her fanny fluttered at the thought of a reward, and her mind immediately went into overdrive about all the sexy, nasty things that might entail."
            al "That is not necessary, my Lord, I didn’t do it for a reward. It was for the good of Bloodmeen."
            an "Nonsense, you did the right thing and put your loyalty to your master before your husband. That behaviour must be rewarded."
            an "Now, run along. You have a meeting to get ready for."
            "She said her goodbyes and then headed back to her room, wondering what the night would bring."

        "Don’t tell him about Rowan going to Jezera.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ rowanJezTold = False
            "No, Rowan might be wrong, but she still couldn’t bring herself to betray him by informing Andras of his plans."
            hide alexia with moveoutleft
            "She said her goodbyes and then headed back to her room, wondering what the night would bring."

    scene black with fade

    if brothelLevel >= 1:
        "Later that evening, a succubus came to escort Alexia to the castle brothel."
        "Instead of leading her to one of the main entertainment rooms, she was taken to a small room that she had never seen before. Once there, the succubus pulled on one of the female-shaped decorative braziers to reveal a secret passage."

    else:
        "There was no brothel in Bloodmeen. It was something that continued to surprise her, as she heard Jezera mention several times building one was imperative to their long term expansion. Her husband seemed to disagree."
        "Nonetheless, Andras' plans required a certain setting, so she was allowed a one-time leave from the castle. Later that evening, a woman Alexia has never met came to escort her out of the portal, and then led her to a house of ill repute located nearby. She wasn’t sure what country they were even in, as all her questions were left unanswered."
        "Instead of leading her to one of the main entertainment rooms, she was taken to a small room that looked like it was used for storage. Once there, the woman pulled on one of the braziers to reveal a secret passage."

    "She followed her into the dark and was led to a place in which two round holes had been placed in the wall for prying eyes. Without a word, her guide gestured for her to spy on whoever was in the room."
    "She peered through, and her first sight was her master Andras. He was was lounging on one of the brothel’s ornate sofas, a goblet of wine in his hand. Opposite him on another sofa was Greffin de Vere, also in possession of alcohol."
    "The pair were conversing, the subject of which she could not make out as their voices were slightly too low for her to hear anything but the odd word from her current vantage point. It didn’t matter anyway, it was what was between them that captured her attention."

    scene cg2012 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2013 with dissolve
    show zahira neutral behind cg2012
    pause 3

    "On a divan between them, just to the side so as it be in both of their eyesight without obscuring their view of each other, was Zahira."
    "In essence, she was dressed as a Solansian nun, but her outfit was nothing like a real nun. Her large cow tits, fat ass, and pussy were completely visible through gaps in the outfit. It was a mockery of the Church and everything that it stood for."
    "Whether this particular fetish was Greffin’s thing, or Alexia's master had arranged it because he thought such a blatant act of blasphemy would please de Vere, she did not know. There was no doubt of its effectiveness.  The noble was eyeing Zahira hungrily, not even bothering to look at Andras as they conversed."
    "As if that were not enough, in her hands Zahira held the largest dildo Alexia had ever seen! A shudder ran up Alexia's spine when she wondered what large, monstrous creature that thing had been fashioned on.. The tip of which was pressed against  the lips of Zahira's pussy lips."
    "Something that large couldn’t fit inside her, surely?"

    show cg2014 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "As if to answer her question, Zahira forced the monstrous member inside her. Slowly at first, it inched deeper and deeper into her sodden twat. Greffin watched intently, practically salivating at the scene before him, while Alexia's master just looked on and smirked."
    "Due to the ridiculous size of the thing, Alexia was sure she’d never get more than halfway, but now it had passed that point and was still going. Had Andras trained her so well? Or did Zahira learn it of her own accord?"

    zah "Ohhh…. Mmmmm…"

    "The dark skinned harlot was moaning loud enough now that they could be heard even through the wall between them. Greffin’s eyes were transfixed on her and, while Andras seemed to be still talking, Alexia suspected the portly noble was not listening to a word that was being said."
    "Zahira -fully aware of the effect that she was having on the man- writhed against the huge dildo, teasing it deeper and deeper and moaning ever louder as he looked on. "
    "The false nun's lips began to move, forming actual words. From Alexia's peeping place between the walls she couldn’t quite make them out despite her best efforts. However, as Zahira built up speed, ramming the dildo inside her again and again and again, her voice grew louder until it was clear what she was saying."
    "By the gods was she…"
    "{i}Praying?"

    zah "Ohhhhhhh…. Solansiaaaaa…. Lady of… .nnnn…. Light…"

    "Her pussy must have stretched to accommodate the size of the dildo, since she fucked herself with it as if it were a normal one and not one so comically large. Time and again, she forced it all the way in to the hilt before sliding it back so she could greedily force it deep once more."

    zah "P-p-protect ussssss… from the p-p-powers of darknessss…."

    "Andras was talking to himself now, de Vere probably wouldn’t even have noticed if the room was ablaze at this point. Andras watched Zhaira in the peripheral of his vision with a smug look on his face, no doubt happy at how his plan was working."

    zah "And keep usssss puuuuuuuure assss we walk in…"

    "Now she was fucking herself as hard as she could until she reached the point where it was too much for even her to bear."

    zah "Your liiii- liiiiiiigh- Ohhhhh fuck! FUCK! FUUUUUUUUUCK!!!"

    show cg2015 with sshake
    show cg2015 with sshake
    pause 1
    show cg2016 with flash
    pause 2

    "As she came, the Qerazel whore pulled the dildo free, her gaping cunt squirting like a fountain and soaking the divan she was laid upon. Greffin was so impressed he actually clapped."

    scene black with fade

    "Alexia felt a light tap on her arm, informing her that her time as an observer was over. She followed her guide back down the narrow, dark corridor toward the room where they had entered."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show andras smirk at center with dissolve
    show zahira neutral at midright with dissolve

    gref "What an amazing whore, you {i}must{/i} let me buy her from you."

    an "She’s not for sale."

    gref "I have learned everything is for sale at the right price. {i}Name it{/i}."

    an "Not her, I’m afraid. I’ve spent far too much time moulding her to ever let her go."
    an "Don’t be too disappointed though, I still have one more surprise for you."

    gref "I don't think you’ll be able to top the last one."

    an "Oh, I think I can."
    an "Enter."

    show alexia slut necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

    "Alexia had been kept outside, listening in, until it was time to make her grand debut. She strode into the room, confidence infused from the role that her master wanted her to play."

    show cg2074 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Andras was still sitting on the couch with Zahira's curvaceous body pressed against him,  still wearing the slutty nun outfit. Greffin was sitting opposite the demon, and upon seeing Alexia, his jaw dropped to the floor."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show andras smirk at center with dissolve
    show zahira neutral at midright with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

    an "Well?"

    gref "I’m absolutely speechless."

    "A smug grin was plastered on Andras’ face. Whatever discomfort she felt at parading like this in front of de Vere vanished in the presence of her Master’s approval. A familiar warmth spread between her legs, and she posed before the men. Legs apart, tits out. Like a good little slut."

    an "Told you I could top it."

    gref "Top it you did. Blackwell’s {i}wife{/i}! How on earth did you manage that? Some dark demonic sorcery?"

    "The demon laughed."

    an "Some people might call it that, but no. Tell him slut."

    "Alexia had been thinking about this since her master had told her what her role was to be earlier, and knew exactly what to say."

    menu:
        "Humiliate Rowan, and praise your new master.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
            al "I loved my husband, but that was before I met master Andras. Rowan could never measure up to him. He’s more masculine, confident, and powerful, and he has made me cum in ways no man ever could. He’s the rightful ruler of the Six Realms, and I live to serve him just as everyone else will one day."
            if roAlRel > 50:
                "It was just words - or so she told herself. Andras really was more powerful, more confident, more masculine, and he looked after her, and the way he fucked her was just divine, and, and…"
                "… What was it that she loved about her husband again?"

        "Praise Andras, but reaffirm you are still Rowan’s loyal wife.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ change_relation('alexia', 5)
            al "I love my husband, and I always will, but Andras is my master. He’s the rightful ruler of the Six Realms, and I live to serve him just as everyone else will one day."
            "There. Nice and obedient. She rehearsed it, so there would be no doubt where her loyalties lie."
            "Zahira smiled a little, and purred in Andras’ embrace. Alexia felt her mouth go dry. With the way Andras made her feel… Was a weak confession like this really enough?"
            menu:
                "Yes. You have your pride.":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    pass

                "Absolutely not!":
                    # $ released_fix_rollback()
                    al "... I serve him with my mouth. And I serve him with my pussy. Every time he enters me, I learn what it means to feel ecstasy again. Master has shown me pleasures I’ve never dreamed of."
                    al "I love my husband, I really do, but Rowan could never measure up to master. He’s more masculine, confident, and powerful, and he has made me cum in ways no man ever could."
                    # $ change_relation('alexia', -5)
                    # $ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)

    gref "And she says this entirely of her own free will?"

    an "It wouldn’t be much fun if she didn’t."

    "Greffin let out a guttural and deeply unpleasant laugh, his flabby flesh jittering and wriggling with the motion."

    gref "True! And that outfit, she looks like a cheap common whore."

    al "It is my master’s favourite."

    an "Perhaps I’ll have {i}you{/i} wear the nun outfit next time, would you like that?"

    menu:
        "I would love that.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "Mmmm… I would love that master."
            al "The chaste virginal nun corrupted by the sexy, powerful, demon, and addicted to his fat cock…"
            al "Forsaking Solansia to be used and abused by a creature of chaos…"
            gref "By the gods, she is one filthy filly."

        "If it pleases you, master.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            al "If it would please you, master."
            an "I think it would."
            gref "My, she is eager to please."

    an "Pour him another drink, won’t you slut."

    al "Of course, master."

    "Alexia picked up a silver jug filled with wine from a table off to the side and sauntered over to the sofa. In refilling de Vere’s goblet, she leaned forward and gave him a clear look down the tiny piece of fabric that covered her breasts. Very little was left to the imagination."

    gref "Mmm, I have to say, Andras, your little show aside, I wasn’t much impressed so far."
    gref "The run-down stronghold, the ragtag orcs, it certainly didn’t seem like it would be worth it for me to risk throwing in my lot with you in even a small way."
    gref "But this? Turning that self-righteous little shit, the so-called hero of Karst into a clueless cuckold right under his nose."

    "He laughed, it was just as loud and obnoxious as the first time."

    gref "Colour me impressed!"

    an "Well, I’m glad that we could impress you."

    scene cg2075 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2076 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show andras smirk behind cg2075
    show zahira neutral at midright behind cg2075
    show alexia slut necklace neutral behind cg2075

    "The demon gestured for Alexia to join him. She sat on the sofa, mirroring Zahira by pressing her body into her master’s side. If Andras had been angered by the noble’s sleight, he did nothing to show it."

    gref "No offence meant, of course. I would never want to offend you."

    "Andras smiled at him, a predator eyeing its prey."

    an "Of course."

    gref "Now, every time I see the jumped-up bastard, I’m going to think about his precious wife being defiled by the very thing he hates."
    gref "What a wonderful gift you have given me."

    an "In that spirit, perhaps we could come to some sort of arrangement then?"

    gref "Mmm, perhaps."

    scene black with fade

    "The two began their discussions in earnest, with talk of garrisons, army numbers, and other strategic minutiae Alexia had no interest in. She nuzzled against her strong, muscular master, choosing instead to focus on him."

    #double bjobbers
    show cg2077 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2078 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "After some time, Zahira disengaged from Andras’ side and pulled his kilt down, freeing the large flaccid red cock from beneath it. She lay down on the sofa and started to worship it with her tongue, soon bringing it to life."
    "Whether this had been some pre-ordained display of Andras’ dominance or merely the boredom of her fellow whore, Alexia did not know, but she wasn’t about to let Zahira have all the fun. She lay down too, and joined Zahira in her ministrations."
    "As Alexia leaned in, she was hit with the musky, masculine smell of her master’s cock. She inhaled it happily, it had been too long since she had last smelled it. At this point, it had become a sort of aphrodisiac to her."
    "Zahira was currently busy with Andras’ balls, so Alexia took the opportunity to run her tongue all the way up the long length of his shaft to the head, where she swirled her tongue around, tasting a mixture of pre-cum and sweat. She tongued it hungrily, hoping to taste more."
    "Most men would be unable to concentrate as two beautiful women licked and kissed their cock and balls, but not their master. He continued his conversation as if nothing was happening. The twitching and throbbing of his dick told a different story though."
    "Negotiations continued while the girls took turns servicing the demon’s cock. One would take it into their mouth, while the other would kiss and suck their master’s balls. A symphony of {i}glugs{/i} could be heard beneath talks of spies and strategic locations."
    "As things began to ramp up, Alexia noticed that Zahira was taking longer on her turn. {i}That bitch, she’s trying to make him cum{/i}. Two could play at that game though, but what was she to do?"

    menu:
        "Choke on his dick until he cums.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            $ rivalryAlexia += 1
            "If Zahira was going to hog their master’s dick, she could do that too. She waited until it was her turn and then took his cock as deep in her throat as she could and held it there, working her tongue against the shaft as best she could."
            "While she did not have much of a gag reflex anymore, this was still too much for her. First, her eyes started to water, then her nose ran, and she began to choke audibly. She wasn’t about to give up though, she’d make him cum in her mouth, whatever it took."
            show cg2079 with sshake
            show cg2079 with sshake
            show cg2080 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg2081 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "Thankfully, her vigour was soon rewarded. She felt the demon’s cock started to throb uncontrollably and he shot his load deep in her throat with a grunt. Not wanting to be a sore winner, she leant over and shared some with Zahira. Alexia did keep the lion’s share to herself, swallowing it hungrily."
            "He gave her a sharp, hard slap on the ass in appreciation. The mixture of pleasure and pain made her cunt throb."

        "Just keep going normally.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            #$ rivalryZahira += 1
            show cg2079 with sshake
            show cg2079 with sshake
            show cg2080 with flash
            pause 2
            show cg2081 with dissolve
            pause 2
            "They kept it up, swapping every now and then. Alexia tried to take longer when it was her turn, but eventually they would switch and Zahira would take longer still. With her superior technique, it wasn’t long before the Qerazeli woman coaxed the spunk from the demon’s balls."
            "When she was done, she leaned over his lap and kissed Alexia, sharing their master’s load with her. She swallowed her salty consolation prize, thinking of ways she may get one over on her rival in the future."

    scene black with fade

    "The talks continued, but without the lure of her master’s cock, Alexia soon grew bored again. She may have even dozed off at one point, pressed against her master’s strong form. Eventually, the negotiations were concluded and Lord Greffen de Vere left with Zahira in tow."

    scene bg24 with fade
    show andras happy at center with dissolve
    show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

    an "You did very well tonight my pet, I am proud of you."

    "Warmth spread through Alexia’s body as she heard the words of praise fall from her master’s lips."

    al "I am happy I was able to please you, my Lord."

    an "You did, in more ways than one."

    if rivalryAlexia > 0:
        an "I didn’t know you liked it that rough, perhaps next time I’ll choke the life out of you as I cum deep in your cunt."
        show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        al "Ohhhhh…."
        show alexia slut necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve


    an "I’m not sure about Greffin, he’s still on the fence. I’ve sent Zahira with him to try and convince him but he may need a little extra convincing in the future."
    an "Would you be willing to help with that?"

    al "I would do anything to help you assume your rightful place as the ruler of the Six Realms, master."

    an "Really, anything?"

    al "{i}Anything.{/i}"

    "As she said it, she realised that she really did mean it. Andras did everything he promised her, and then some. And that {i}some{/i} in particular made her want to be at his every beck and call."
    "She wasn’t blind to her circumstances. She didn’t forget about the amulet around her neck. But that… Nowadays, it felt like something that was really just between the twins and her husband."
    "It didn’t concern her. It didn’t really matter. Not for what she shared with Andras."
    "He leaned forward and gave her a kiss that was more tender than the rough ones she was used to. It was almost romantic."

    an "Good. Now get back to your room before anyone realises you are missing, and think about the ways your master might reward you for how well you played your role tonight."

    show alexia slut necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

    al "Mmmm, I can’t wait, master."

    scene black with fade

    "Sneaking back to her room in the outfit her master favoured always evoked a mix of fear and excitement. Nobody saw her though, or if they did, they didn’t say anything."
    "Before long, she was back in her bed, imagining all the different ways that her master might reward her for her service tonight…"

    return

# \events\fey\arzyl dialogue 2.rpy
label arzJezSubmissiveSex_rp:

    $ delfQueenSex = True
    $ arzylName = "Arzyl"

    show rowan necklace aroused at center with moveinleft
    show jezera happy at midleft with moveoutleft
    "Arzyl’s lips curled upwards at his words. With Jezera’s attention focused solely on him, the Fae discreetly raised a finger to her mouth, asking him to keep quiet as she sauntered to them both."
    arz "You have my compliments, Lady Jezera, and my unbound jealousy. Rowan is turning out to be a magnificent asset to you. And that body… "
    "Her taloned finger ran between his legs - only for Jezera to lightly slap it away."
    je "A-a!  You overstep, Lady Arzyl. Again. Goddess save me, is there no part of my servant you will not attempt to lay a claim on?"
    arz "Lay claim? No, no, goodness no! Not a claim… But… A {i}lease{/i}…"
    arz "Truth be told, The ritual I just performed requires a certain… mindset. And I’m having a bit of trouble shaking the feeling. I need release. I {b}need{/b} to feel something big and hard inside me. I need a proper cock."
    arz "And as I couldn’t help but notice no name embedded on his skin, or around his neck…"
    "She let the rest linger in the air, unspoken. Jezera glared daggers at her, her fingers possessively sinking into Rowan’s ass. He stifled a pained moan as her sharp fingernails almost pierced his skin."
    je "Not even hiding it. Aren’t you a brazen, greedy little slut."
    arz "I prefer “Decadent”. A connoisseur of the perverse. And with such a fine specimen before my very eyes… I simply couldn’t help myself."
    "She cast him a look of such insatiable hunger, Rowan could not believe it was pretended. Her long tongue licked her lips ravenously, and she fluttered her eyelashes at him."
    je "So it’s not enough you twisted his thoughts, and used his mouth to pour lies into my ears. Now you want to use his cock as well."
    arz "{b}Yes{/b}. I want to feel it grow {b}hard{/b} and {b}throbbing{/b} between my fingers. I want to slam my face against it, {b}gorge{/b} myself on its masculine scent! {b}Choke{/b} myself with it, have it pump my belly full of its {b}thick, salty seed!{/b}"
    "Arzyl let out a deep, guttural moan that had Rowan shiver. Besides him, Jezera rolled her eyes."
    je "You’re disgusting, Arzyl."
    arz "I wear my lusts on my sleeve, my fellow Mistress."
    "Despite his Mistress’ harsh words, Rowan could see how the corners of her lips kept twitching up. Suddenly, Jezera’s attention switched back to him."
    je "It is true that after Rowan’s questionable display today his cock might be the best thing about him. But to trade him like a piece of meat…"
    if delfQueenSex:
        je "Do tell, Rowan, should I whore you out? Again?"
    else:
        je "Do tell, Rowan, should I whore you out?"
    "Again he found himself entangled in a game - only this time he was the prize. He didn’t know where it was taking him, but he knew he couldn’t back down now."
    ro "If that’s what my Mistress desires."
    je "Mhm..."
    show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
    show jezera happy at edgeright with moveoutright
    "She pulled away from Rowan, carrying a mysterious smile on her lips as she suddenly grabbed Arzyl’s hand. She dragged the Fae across the room, to where the guest bed was located, and sat her down."
    je "Come, sit by my side. And you, Rowan…"
    je "Be a dear. Strip and pose."
    show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
    "With a magnanimous gesture, she ordered him to stand before them. He obeyed without a word of protest, still driven by that unhealthy, dangerous curiosity. His hands undid his shirt, then his pants, and soon almost all parts of his attire ended discarded left and right as he approached the two women."
    #cg 1
    scene cg2026 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2027 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2028 with dissolve
    pause 2
    #arz happy
    show arzyl neutral behind cg2026
    show jezera happy behind cg2026
    "Both of them watching him with predatory eyes, both smiling. Finally, he took off his underwear. Arzyl let out a soft sigh as her gaze ventured to his newly freed, hard cock, now proudly pointing up."
    arz "Glorious."
    je "Is that so? You seem awfully invested in this, Arzyl. I know Rowan is a great lay, but I find it hard to believe it’s the best cock you’ve seen in a hundred years."
    arz "It’s not the cock alone that fuels my desire, Mistress Jezera. I can sense his potential."
    je "Oh {i}do{/i} tell. Actually, no, let’s get comfortable first."
    je "Come, Rowan. {i}Lay with us.{/i}"
    "She invitingly patted her thighs - and Rowan’s head went blank. There was a moment where he could’ve out of this - and that moment had now passed. His body moved on its own, following Jezera’s orders, while he wondered if he understood her right."
    "By his Mistress command, he now found himself resting on Arzyl’s and Jezera thighs. Naked and vulnerable. Jezera ran her hand lovingly through his hair, while Arzyl’s taloned fingers delicately traced his muscled chest."
    arz "The body of a hero… Sculpted like a statue. Each scar carrying a history."
    je "A pleasant thing to look at, no doubt."
    "She brushed the hair off his eyes, and her every word carried a deceptively sweet tone to it. Rowan felt his heart hammer in his chest, as a sinister feeling crept into it. No matter what would happen, he was now powerless to stop it."
    arz "More than that. A legend made flesh. Twice so - once for his heroic deeds, turned into songs. And again, for the history still written."
    arz "Jezera, my dearest - how can you stomach ever letting him out of the castle? He’s like a trophy. I do not know if I could resist showing him off to everyone at all times. He deserves to be put on a podium, not thrust into ruins and battles."
    je "You would sooner thrust him into pillows and bedsheets - or wherever you would find a flat surface at any given moment."
    "Jezera teased her, and Arzyl answered with a burst of delightful laughter. Her taloned hand reached down, and she ran a finger up the underside of his cock. He instinctively thrust his hips up, a moan escaping his lips."
    arz "You are right. I would not be able to resist. Not until I had my fill of {b}this{/b}."
    "Her finger circled his sensitive head. The border between torture and caress grew even thinner, and Rowan wondered if he should beg for mercy or ask for more."
    arz "I would teach his cock every pleasure known to man, then some more. I would let him experience whatever he would ask for, my mouth, my tits, my hands, my pussy, my ass, my feet, my armpits - every hole the mortal form allows."
    arz "… Then some more."
    "Her eyes briefly shone with green magic - a reminder of what she could do, and by how little she was shackled. Countless promises."
    je "My, my… Aren’t you a mighty generous mistress…"
    je "Does that appeal to you, my pet? Would you like {i}Arzyl{/i} to be your Mistress instead?"
    "She asked him, sweetly - and for a brief moment, he felt the {i}tiniest{/i} shock from his amulet. A bolt of lighting drilled into his chest, strong enough only to make a finger twitch ever so slightly."
    "He looked up - and saw the lingering rage in his Mistress’ eyes. And in that instant Arzyl’s marvelous plan made itself clear to him, as were the words he now knew he needed to say."
    ro "I couldn’t care less for that obscene hag’s disease-ridden cunt, Mistress. Nor her disgusting maw, sagging tits, or whorish “skills”. I serve you Jezera. Only you."
    arz "That’s some attitude-"
    je "It’s not “attitude”, Arzyl, it’s cold, honest truth. Does {i}this{/i} look like the face of a brat to you?"
    "She cupped Rowan’s cheeks, as one would with an adorable puppy, and cooed lovingly. Arzyl glared at the display, her mood suddenly soured."
    je "Rowan’s a hero. You might have tricked him, for a time, but in the end… He has no taste for your empty promises and deceptions. He knows the cause he serves. And he knows faithfull service is rewarded."
    scene bg7 with fade
    #show jezera naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show jezera naked happy at midleft with dissolve
    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
    "She pulled away - sending both of them sprawling across the bed. The demoness looked down on them, on Arzyl in particular, then casually discarded her dress."
    je "You find yourself “in need” Arzyl? That’s too fucking bad. Feel free to take one of the slaves you’ve been promised and fuck the life out of him. But Rowan’s cock is not {b}yours{/b}. It’s {b}mine{/b}."
    arz "Surely there’s enough for us to share-"
    je "There is not, and I tire of your wicked tongue, you greedy witch. On the floor, and do as I say, or the deal is off. Oh, but worry not - I’ll let you cum, in the most shameful way imaginable."
    "The two women glared at each other - each pushing for dominance. But Rowan knew the outcome of it. When it was for getting what she wanted, Arzyl wasn’t above sinking to the very bottom."
    hide arzyl with dissolve
    show jezera naked happy at center with moveinleft
    "Slowly, she slunk to the floor. With a grin, Jezera pointed between Rowan’s legs, ordering her like a lowly maid. The Fae shuffled awkwardly, dragging her thick body with some reluctance."
    show arzyl neutral behind bg7
    arz "You’ve grown, Jezera."
    je "And from the top I see how weak you all are. Desperately in need of someone to take charge."
    "She stepped over the hero and straddled him, facing away. Her cunt briefly brushed against his cock, a promise of things to come. She leaned back - leaned against his back, just so she could whisper into his ear."
    je "Good boy. Enjoy yourself, pet. You earned it."
    "She rubbed against his cock, and he gasped in response. Hearing Jezera giggle, it was the best answer he could give. She pulled away, then positioned the tip of his cock right above her cunt, so dangerously close…"
    je "You’re a parasite, Arzyl. Your whole kind. You can only take from others. You don’t know what it means to {i}nurture{/i}."
    je "But stick by me, and maybe the Fae will have a place in my kingdom. At some point in the future, at least. For now… The thing you wanted so {i}bad{/i}. {b}Mine alone{/b}."
    scene cg2029 with fade
    show jezera naked happy behind cg2029
    show arzyl neutral behind cg2029
    show rowan naked aroused behind cg2029
    pause 3
    "She lowered herself down and Rowan’s erect cock slid into her with ease."
    je "{i}Mmmmm…{/i} Perfect."
    "Again, he answered with a lustful moan. After being teased for so long, her wonderful, wet pussy felt so good, he feared the first thrust could push him over the edge. But struggled to keep his composure - he knew he needed to."
    "He understood his role - he was only a tool to humiliate Arzyl. But for once, he didn’t mind being used. All of Jezera’s spite, all of her vitriol… Was not directed at him, but at the Fae.  For {i}him{/i}, she had only the sweetest praise."
    je "So hard and throbbing for your Mistress ~~ Don’t be shy, put your hands on my hips, my hero."
    "Her sweet words wrapped around him more tightly than any magic. Why did she ever bother with the amulet, when she could’ve just whispered this into his ear every night?"
    arz "Keeping him all to yourself. And you call {i}me{/i} selfish and greedy."
    je "Is it greed to enjoy the things you already possess? Now, enough of that backtalk Arzyl. Put your filthy tongue to good use. Make amends to my servant. And don’t pretend it displeases you."
    "A low, sinister chuckle came from between his legs. He felt Arzyl’s taloned fingers sink into his thighs as she pulled closer, felt her hot breath on his scrotum."
    arz "A special treat, then. If only to show Rowan what he’s missing out on."
    ro "Nngh?!"
    "Something wet pushed against his anus, pushing into him with worrying skill. Instinctively,  he bucked his hips up - thrusting deeper into Jezera’s welcoming folds."
    ro "Ha-ah?!"
    je "At a loss for words Rowan? Good. You too are better off not flapping that tongue mindlessly. One with a lying tongue, another with one far too loose. What a pair you are."
    "Even that small jab did nothing to detract from the heavenly sensation that took over his lower body. Arzyl’s tongue…"
    menu:
        "Was absolutely divine.":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "All that talk about Arzyl’s twisted tongue did not do it justice. It drilled into Rowan’s ass far deeper than humanly possible, and Arzyl twisted it with extraordinary skill. She reached places Rowan didn’t know existed - and offered them no mercy."
            je "So much better. Your mouth was made to eat ass, Arzyl."
            "Rowan had to agree. The overwhelming sensation robbed him of all control in his lower body."
            "Pegged on by her hellish tongue, he tried to thrust his hips, but Jezera’s expert control rendered him powerless. She held his cock in an iron grip, slowly rolling her hips up and down, continuing that tortuous, sensuous dance."
            ro "Hngh?! "
            "He didn’t think it possible, but suddenly Arzyl’s tongue hit the most sensitive spot nestled deep within him - and never left it. The tip of her tongue pushed into it, not too hard - {i}just right{/i}. His mind went blank. If she kept doing that-"
            "There was no way he could stop himself. Midthrust, he exploded into his Mistress - and just as he did, she pushed her hips down. Her pussy tightened, and she started to jump up and down his cock, with short, quick motions."
            "She was milking him of all his cum. Her lower lips seemed to seal around his cock - ensuring not a drop of his semen will end up wasted. All while Arzyl kept assaulting his ass."

        "Felt so strange…":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            "He let out a soft grunt, his mind in complete disarray. Should he argue? Should he protest? Did he even want to? "
            ro "A-ah!"
            "He didn’t get to decide as Jezera suddenly thrust herself down, taking all of his cock inside her, and sensually rolled her hips, letting out a soft coo of appreciation."
            je "I think I rather enjoy having you beneath me, {i}helplessly{/i} moaning. Don’t you agree, Rowan?"
            ro "Ha-ah!"
            je "Good boy."
            "She giggled, quite delighted with his response. He could offer no other. The way her pussylips wrapped around his cock robbed him of all control, of both his mouth and his lower body."
            "He could only lie, helpless, while she held his cock in an iron grip, thrusting her hips up and down, endlessly continuing that tortuous, sensuous dance."
            ro "Hngh?!"
            "He knew he wouldn’t last long. Assaulted from both sides by two women hellbent on having him drown in pleasure, and sweetly tempted to do just that, he abandoned any attempts at keeping his pride."
            ro "A-aaah-aaaah!"
            "Midthrust, he exploded into his Mistress - and just as he did, she pushed her hips down. Her pussy tightened, and she started to jump up and down his cock, with short, quick motions."
            "She was milking him of all his cum. Her lower lips seemed to seal around his cock - ensuring not a drop of his semen will end up wasted."

    je "Shoot it all out, Rowan ~~"
    show cg2030 with sshake
    show cg2030 with sshake
    pause 1
    show cg2031 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg2032 with dissolve
    pause 2
    "Seconds stretched into eternity. Finally, he fell back on the bed, and felt Arzyl pull out of him. Breathing heavily, he stared at the ceiling - only to unexpectedly moan when Jezera jumped up and down again, giggling mischievously."
    je "Goodness gracious, for you to come so soon… Ah, but I did tell you to enjoy yourself, so I shouldn’t be surprised…"
    je "Still, it feels a little {i}too{/i} soon. Arzyl, do you still do that trick of yours…?"
    arz "On demand, Mistress."
    show cg2032 with greenflash
    ro "Ngh?!!!"
    "A flash of green accompanied a sudden surge of magic that overtook Rowan’s body. In an instant, his cock was hard again - and just as sensitive as before."
    je "Oh, we just have to trade spells at some point ~~"
    "If there was an answer, Rowan was too far gone to register it. Jezera resumed sensually rolling her hips, dominating Rowan’s cock, not at all caring that her pussy was overflowing with his cum."
    "He didn’t have to do a thing. He instinctively held onto Jezera’s thighs, as if he was holding for his dear life. Jezera’s inner walls tightened around his cock with inhuman control, conquering him with tightness no pussy could compare to."
    "He wouldn’t be able to last for long yet again. Groaning, he felt a climax approach-"
    je "Don’t hold back Rowan ~~"
    "And with his Mistress’ permission, he let it all go. Again he released into her, coming without end, milked by her pussy, The second climax seemed to rob him of what little strength he had remaining, draining him completely."
    ro "A-aaah, so good… "
    je "Remember your manners, Rowan."
    menu:
        "“Mistress.”":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            # $ jezeraSubmission += 1
            je "Good boy."

        "...":
            # $ released_fix_rollback()
            pass
    "He had no strength left. Briefly, he wondered - was Jezera really a daughter of a Demon Lord, and not a cubi? Every time he came inside her… He felt like he was losing something…"
    "Whatever it was, if giving it away meant enjoying that feeling every week, he wouldn’t mind giving it up."
    scene black with fade
    "..."
    scene bg7 with fade
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at center with dissolve
    ro "… Ngh?"
    show rowan necklace naked concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
    #arz happy
    show arzyl neutral at midright with dissolve
    arz "Take it easy, Rowan. Your mistress didn’t go easy on you."
    "He heard the fey witch giggle. He groaned, and forced himself up. He was still on her bed…"
    "He actually blacked out for a moment there. What was he {i}thinking{/i}, letting Jezera {i}and{/i} Arzyl do with him as they pleased? Did he {i}want{/i} to die?"
    ro "How long… "
    arz "A little over an hour. Your Mistress has graciously allowed me to host you while you recover… To spare us the… Ah, “issue” of your unconscious body being carried out of my chambers. Someone could misinterpret the situation."
    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
    ro "How nice of her."
    "He mumbled. He shook his head, trying to get his thoughts in order."
    arz "Have you enjoyed seeing this new side of Jezera, hero?"
    "He didn’t answer. He feared thinking what the answer would be. All this time, Jezera teased and denied him - only for now to drain him of {i}everything{/i}."
    ro "How… ?"
    "Arzyl giggled again, and Rowan finally gathered enough courage to look at her. She was sitting at the very table they played at not so long ago, watching him with great interest."
    arz "One should never attempt to appeal to Jezera’s good nature. If you want to find your way to her heart, it’s the {i}lowest{/i} of emotions you must take advantage of. The spite. The jealousy."
    ro "It can’t be that simple."
    "He forced himself up and started to dress. Over an hour… People would talk anyway…"
    arz "It’s not. One bad move and you’ll end up hanged on a hook. It’s a dangerous dance you’re playing here, Rowan. Like a moth circling around the flame…"
    ro "But you’ll help me handle her, is that what you’re trying to say?"
    arz "You’re not the only one with a capricious mistress, Rowan."
    ro "Right. Why do I suddenly not feel all that confident about all of this? "
    arz "Afraid of my “lying tongue”? You needn’t be. Jezera was awfully harsh with me… She felt threatened, so that’s natural."
    arz "Yes, I was using you to get what I wanted, but she was mistaken to think I was manipulating your empathy."
    arz "Rather, I was counting on your pragmatism. In the end… I’d say we both won today."
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    "Rowan let out a dissatisfied grunt as he buckled his leather armor on. He tried to mask his embarrassment with annoyance, and only succeeded in feeling foolish twice over. As if a cheap trick like that could work on Arzyl."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_48.rpy
label hel_efficiency_rp:

    scene bg9 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
    show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

    "Sometimes, the unreasonable demands that the twins foisted upon their pet hero made it difficult to fit fucking Helayna into Rowan’s chaotic schedule. He did what he could to make it work, though. "
    "Anything else would have been failing her, when he was the only one that she could depend on within Castle Bloodmeen’s dark walls."

    scene cg2033 with fade
    show rowan necklace neutral behind cg2033
    show helayna naked aroused behind cg2033
    pause 3

    "What was most important to her was his cock and cum; until she calmed from her overwhelming lust, Helayna seemed beyond realising– or even caring –that his attention might be elsewhere. She didn’t even really seem to mind after she settled down."
    "So it was that once or twice a week, Rowan would usher her under his desk or a table, loosen his belt and unbutton his breeches and let her do as she pleased. There was always a brief pause, as though waiting for some instruction from Rowan, but patience was no longer a virtue Helayna possessed."
    "With heady, moaning laughter, Helayna jumped into her most perverse whims. "

    show cg2034 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "On some nights she stroked his cock, marvelling at it all the while. "

    show cg2035 with dissolve
    pause 3

    "Others, she would suckle his head and worship his shaft."
    "Sometimes, she rubbed his crown over her face like a noblewoman drunkenly applying cosmetics."

    show cg2035 with sshake
    show cg2035 with sshake
    show cg2036 with flash
    pause 2
    show cg2037 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "No matter what she did, her moans would deepen, face reddening and breath quickening as though he were fucking her. Even before Rowan got off, Helayna seemed to cum from nothing more than that, and when he did nut she seemed to gush with him, whether she swallowed his cum or it stained her face."
    "He had learned the hard way not to have any hot drinks while Helayna was attending to his cock. Just one spilled cup of tea had been enough to disavow him of that; thankfully, it had been lukewarm, and Helayna happily cleaned the mess."

    return

# \events\fey\arzyl dialogue 2.rpy
label arzJezDominantSex_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ arzylName = "Arzyl"

    #$ event_tmp['arzJezDominantSex'] = True
    "Maybe his expression slipped for a moment. Maybe the look he shot at Arzyl revealed more than just mild irritation. Regardless, the witch sensed his frustration. She raised a single finger to her lips, asking him to keep quiet as she sauntered to Jezera."
    arz "I am sure you will turn him into a wonderful tool, my Lady. Yet if I may…"
    "Her taloned finger ran down his chest - only for Jezera to seize it, and pull Arzyl’s hand away."
    je "You overstep, Lady Arzyl. Again."
    arz "I apologize most profoundly. But truth be told… The ritual I just performed requires a certain… {i}mindset{/i}. And I’m having a bit of trouble shaking the feeling."
    arz "I {i}need{/i} release. And I was hoping your hero could rise to the task. "
    "She cast him a look of such insatiable {i}hunger{/i}, Rowan could not believe it was pretended. Her long tongue licked her lips ravenously, and she fluttered her eyelashes at him."
    "Besides him, Jezera burst into a giggle."
    je "Oh {i}Arzyl{/i}, if that’s what a single sacrifice does to you, I fear after the ritual you may drain my brother’s entire army."
    je "And so {b}greedy{/b}! It wasn’t enough for you to use my pet for your ploys, you want him for your pleasure as well! {i}Whatever{/i} will I do with you?"
    arz "Use your pet to fuck me into a fine mess? "
    "The manipulative Fae slipped a hand up Jezera’s thigh, while the demoness trailed her finger down Arzyl’s deep cleavage - then twisted the witch’s nipple, evoking a deep and lustful moan from the busty seductress."
    je "What do you say, my Hero? Want to put an ancient Fae in her place?"
    "If victory was like fine wine, then Jezera was gorging herself on it like a common drunkard. Starting to see Arzyl’s play unfold before him, he lowered his head obediently."
    if society_type == "might":
        ro "It will be an honour, mistress."
    else:
        ro "It will be an honour, empress."
    if jezeraSubmission < -2:
        je "Finally seeing reason, my pet."
    else:
        je "I expected no other answer."
    scene cg2017 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2018 with dissolve
    show rowan necklace naked behind cg2017
    show jezera naked happy behind cg2017
    show arzyl neutral behind cg2017
    pause 3
    "Jezera tore Arzyl’s dress off her, revealing her absurdly large udders. She turned her around, making her face the bed, then smacked her ass to get her going."
    je "On the bed, “Lady” Arzyl. {b}Now{/b}."
    arz "Yes!"
    "With giddy enthusiasm Arzyl sauntered forward, casting pieces of her elaborate dress aside, until only the horn ornaments remained. Her alabaster skin was illuminated by the green light of her room, giving her a truly otherworldly appearance."
    "Jezera followed suit, her red dress falling to the floor. Where Arzyl revelled in her obscenity, Jezera prided herself on her mix of regal authority and sensuality. With a tantalizing sway to her hips, she made her way to Arzyl, beckoning Rowan to follow."
    je "Come, my pet."
    "Like a pair of succubi. There was a time when Rowan would slay such witches on the spot. Now he wanted both of them to be his."
    je "On your back, Lady Arzyl."
    arz "Eager to be on top, my Lady?"
    "The witch giggled, while Jezera climbed the bed, standing over her. The ruler of Bloodmeen raised her foot, presenting it to the Fae to kiss."
    je "I always am."
    "The witch leaned in and started lavishing Jezera’s toes with kisses, her long tongue wrapping and licking with reverence. Seemingly unimpressed with the display, Jezera moved her foot forward, slowly forcing the Fae to lay down."
    je "That’s where the best sights are."
    "Rowan was inclined to disagree. He stared at Jezera’s naked, curvaceous ass, imagining a thousand ways he could punish it. He started discarding his own clothes, eager to taste the fruits of his labour."
    arz "A feast for the eyes will not sate my appetite, my Lady."
    je "No, of course not. You’ve made it all to clear {b}what{/b} you want."
    "He crept towards his mistress, like a hunter stalking his prey. Her back was turned. Her attention divided-"
    show cg2019 with dissolve
    pause 3
    "Jezera twirled a finger in the air, and a whip of blue energy suddenly wrapped around his throat. She pulled him in. {b}Hard{/b}."
    ro "Hnrh! Mistress-!"
    je "Oh don’t complain, you can take it. Consider it punishment for getting played, Rowan. Well, further punishment."
    "He wanted to strike her - but before he could talk himself into doing stupid, Arzyl's hand, trailing Jezera’s back, burned with subtle, green fire. She flicked a finger up, and the flames jumped up, turning into letters."
    "{b}“Patience.”{/b}"
    "It dispersed into nothingness before his Mistress noticed a thing. Grinding his teeth, he played along."
    ro "I understand, Mistress."
    je "God. I don’t want you acting up tonight. Not when I have bigger prey to put in her place."
    arz "You promise the most wonderful things…"
    "Arzyl’s tongue slithered over Jezera’s breasts - only for Jezera to force the Fae down, and run a finger between her alabaster legs. "
    je "Soaking wet. That hungry for my pet’s cock?"
    arz "Yesssss, my lady."
    je "{i}Call me Mistress.{/i}"
    "Arzyl’s finger flicked Jezera’s nipple - and the Fae lunged forward. She stopped just an inch from Jezera’s ear, and whispered, in the most lascivious, seductive way possible. "
    arz "{i}Feed me Rowan’s cock, Mistress.{/i}"
    je "Greedy slut. Be careful what you wish for."
    show cg2020 with dissolve
    pause 3
    "The demoness pushed Arzyl down again - and pulled Rowan in. Already nearby, Rowan pressed into both women - his cock riding up Jezera’s plump, soft ass. His Mistress murmured in appreciation."
    je "Hard and ready. Good. Now, Rowan, be a doll…"
    je "Fuck Arzyl’s brains out."
    ro "… As you command, Mistress."
    "Whatever game Arzyl was playing, he wouldn’t say no to at {i}least{/i} putting her in her place. He pulled back - for a moment regretting leaving the valley’s of Jezera’s buttocks - then plunged into Arzyl’s cunt."
    arz "Yyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssss~~ !!!"
    show cg2021 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2022 with dissolve
    pause 3
    "Like a wild beast being slain, Arzyl trashed under his cock, her pussy greedily pulling him in, twisting and wrapping in unnatural ways. Seized by unholy lust, she sunk her lips into Jezera’s mouth, locking them both in a passionate kiss."
    "… All while her hands trailed Jezera’s body. Teasing her ass. Caressing her tits. And when she crossed over Jezera’s back, once more green flames danced off her fingers, for a brief moment forming another short message for him."
    "{b}“Don’t cum.”{/b}"
    "He took the advice to heart, keeping his pace slow, watching with growing fascination as Jezera lost herself in a meaningless battle for dominance with the Fae."
    "His demonic mistress was putting her all into this. Pinning Arzyl down. Kneading her tits. Trying to tame her with her tongue. To show her she’s superior."
    arz "Mmmmmm… M-mmmhaaa… Your body is wonderful, Mistress. So young. So {i}supple{/i}."
    je "A-ah- envious much, you old hag?"
    "All meaningless. Being pinned down only meant Arzyl’s hands were free to do as they pleased. The roamed Jezera’s body with impunity, finding every weak spot, exposing it for Rowan - and taking full advantage of it."
    je "Ha… Haaa-{b}Ah{/b}. You’re fucking insatiable."
    arz "With a cock soooooo gooooood inside of me… Can you blame me for wanting {b}more?!{/b}"
    "He had never heard Jezera panting so hard. More like a bitch in heat with each passing second. Even though he was thrusting into Arzyl - her pussy in itself a thing of wonder - it was Jezera that attracted all of his attention."
    "The three of them were locked in an endless dance of passion, fucking, sucking, caressing and teasing, for what felt like eternity. Each moment tested Rowan’s endurance. Until again, Arzyl’s fingers trailed a message."
    "{b}“Almost. Faster now.”{/b}"
    "He picked up the pace, and Arzyl arched her back, crying in ecstasy, seemingly lost in sensation."
    arz "Sooo goood… So close. I’m so close!!"
    arz "Ravish me, Rowan! Dominate my pussy! Show me ecstasy!"
    je "Ha… Haaa… {b}Stop{/b}."
    "The whip around his throat tightened, and he froze in place. As did Arzyl. Jezera giggled. She was breathing heavily, her chest rising up and down with every breath."
    je "Pull out, my pet."
    "{b}“She’s almost ready. Do as she says.”{/b} spoke the letters. He pulled out - then, instinctively rested his cock against Jezera’s ass, rubbing himself against it. She didn’t even notice."
    arz "Mistress… "
    je "You really thought you could have it all, did you, Arzyl? Use my servants for both intrigue {b}and{/b} pleasure?"
    arz "Mistress, please… "
    "Her alabaster hands reached out, pleading for Jezera to show her mercy - only to weakly slip down her body, lightly caressing Jezera’s skin. Arousing her more and more."
    "{b}“One more push.”{/b}"
    je "The arrogance! Rowan is {b}mine{/b} to play with!"
    "One more push - he couldn’t put it better. His hand running down Jezera’s thigh, he pulled away - and thrust his cock between the nether regions of his two uppity “Mistresses”."
    arz "A-aaah, so cruel! Put it in, Rowan, put it in! I want it! I need it!"
    je "Ahahaha! That’s a nice expression you’ve got there Arzyl! It was worth putting up with your obnoxious demands just to see it!!!"
    "Both of their pussies rubbed against his cock. One cried to be taken. The other - called to him not with words, but through heat alone. Jezera instinctively rubbed herself against his phallus, her wet cunt begging to welcome it."
    "The leash lay helplessly in her grasp. So focused she was on Arzyl, she forgot where the danger was."
    je "Cry for release! Beg for it! You will find none!"
    arz "Don’t! Please! {i}Mistress{/i}!"
    je "Rowan’s cock is mine! Mine alone!"
    je "Mine to do with as I please!"
    "She shifted, parting her legs- "
    show cg2023 with dissolve
    pause 2
    "He slid it in. Parted her velvet, moist cave with his throbbing cock. Without being asked to. Without being ordered. He took his “Mistress” from behind, and all she did was let out a sweet, needy moan."
    je "Mine alone~~"
    "Arzyl bared her teeth in a twisted snarl, and Jezera pushed her down again, holding her beneath her, as she propped herself up to sensually roll her hips to Rowan’s thrust."
    "He set up the tempo. He guided her body to move as he desired, greedily holding her thighs. She was his to use - for a moment, just a moment, while she was distracted, drunk on lust and victory."
    "It didn’t make the moment any less sweeter. Holding his breath, not letting even the slightest moan pull Jezera out of her trance, he kept fucking her cunt. “Her cock”. “Her Rowan”. One day it will be “His cunt”, and “His slut.”"
    je "Mmm-Mmmmm… Sooo goooood Arzyl… Look at you - abandoned and alone!  Discarded like a dirty cumrug!"
    arz "Jezera…"
    je "{i}Mistress{/i} Jezera. Don’t forget your place!"
    "The demoness twisted Arzyl's nipples, pulling the twin, obscene jugs up, while she let Rowan hold her up. His foolish, misguided “Mistress”."
    ro "Hnngh-?!"
    "He wouldn’t be able to last long - the moment alone was driving him wild. But he couldn’t finish yet. Now that she was in his hands like this. What he wanted to do, what he absolutely had to do now…"
    je "Ha… Haaa… Always thinking you’re {i}better{/i}. Ancient {i}cunt{/i}."
    "He strained his ears, focused on Jezera’s moans. Focused on how they raised in timbre, on how uncontrollable her movements grew."
    je "Ha… Ha!"
    "She threw her head up - and he wrapped his arm around her waist, held her in place and he plunged into her cunt, fucking her with passion held in for months, for once {i}fully{/i} claiming her."
    show cg2024 with sshake
    show cg2024 with sshake
    pause 1
    show cg2025 with flash
    pause 2
    je "Haaa… Good job, Rowan…"
    je "But didn’t you forget something…?"
    ro "I’m sorry, Mistress."
    "But no dream could last forever. The demoness turned her head, glaring at her servant from the corner of her eyes, outraged at the {i}audacity{/i} of being came in without permission."
    "Too little. Too late. Still, he pulled out, lowering his head - to avoid her eyes, and to admire how his semen dripped out of her cunt."
    arz "Come on, come one… Please… Mistress Jezera… At least let me have sloppy seconds… "
    je "{b}No.{/b} Your kind really is little more than a slightly smarter breed of parasites, aren’t you? Or perhaps I should equate you to a transdimensional locust? "
    "I like to think we’re more pleasant to the eye."
    scene bg7 with fade
    #show Jezera center, naked, Pissed.
    show jezera naked happy at center with dissolve
    show rowan necklace naked at edgeleft with dissolve
    #arz happy
    show arzyl neutral at edgeright with dissolve
    "Arzyl giggled, and Jezera rolled her eyes, pulling off the Fae and pushing Rowan away. She was still leaking cum - it was such a wonderfully obscene display, it almost made up for all the months of torture."
    je "I need a bath. Rowan, don’t linger too much. You might catch some otherworldly venereal disease. Ta-ta."
    hide jezera with moveoutleft
    show rowan necklace naked at midleft with moveinleft
    #arz happy
    show arzyl neutral at midright with moveinright
    "She bid them goodbye, conjuring a red towel around her waist to make herself somewhat more proper, and strolled out of the room."
    "Rowan watched her go, wanting nothing more than to shove her against the door and keep going."
    ro "… I’m starting to see the value of this alliance."
    arz "Ah, sweet Jezera! She always needs to be on top, and thinks bringing down the haughtiest bitch in the room is the way to accomplish it. So {i}limited{/i} in creativity."
    "Rowan stared down at the naked woman lying on the bed. She propped her head up on her shoulder, showcasing the pearlescent liquid dripping down her leg like a proud lover enticing her paramour. She didn’t find satisfaction that day - at least not in the way Rowan did."
    arz "I hope you enjoyed this taste of what I have to offer. I doubt the same trick will work twice. But, as an “old hag”, I do have centuries of tricks to go through."
    "After taking Jezera, Rowan had no appetite for taming another horned witch. He dressed quickly, throwing on his trousers. He felt slightly frustrated, despite the intensity of what they’d just shared."
    show rowan necklace naked angry at midleft with dissolve
    ro "You knew she’d assume you were manipulating me, didn’t you? Throwing the riddles game, backing up your play."
    arz "The best misdirects are ones that bear a kernel of truth. I was using you to get what I wanted, but she was mistaken to think I was manipulating your empathy."
    arz "Rather, I was counting on your pragmatism. We both won today."
    show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve
    "Rowan let out a dissatisfied grunt as he buckled his leather armor on, tugging on his boots with a huff."
    
    return

# \events\fey\whitescar dialogue 3.rpy
label sharpSubmissive_rp:

    $ whitescarName = "Whitescar"

    "The wolf held him up off the ground, his feet dangling helplessly as the wolf surveyed his prey."

    whit "An easy catch."

    scene cg2044 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg2044
    show whitescar neutral behind cg2044
    pause 2
    show cg2045 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2046 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2047 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "The wolf’s jaws opened, revealing row upon row of sharpened teeth. Rowan grimaced as he felt those jaws close about his throat, pausing just at the point of contact. Teeth as thick as his fingers brushed across the vulnerable stretch between his carotid arteries and his larynx."
    "The Fae could tear his throat out in an instant. The tantalizing fear and sensation of the point of contact proved it. A simple snap of his teeth and…"
    "A warm, flat tongue brushed across his adam's apple, lathering his throat in warm saliva. Rowan shuddered at the sensation, knowing he was utterly at the mercy of this hulking beast. Willing or no, he was helpless prey to one such as he."
    "The wolf pulled back, yellow eyes holding fast to his in predatory aggression. He sized up Rowan the way one would size up a meal. The Fae licked his lips."
    "He dropped Rowan unceremoniously to the ground, the grip of his thick hands loosening so that his prey collapsed in a heap at his feet."
    "Whitescar loomed over him like a snow-capped mountain at the cusp of an avalanche. He looked down his nose at Rowan, his gaze unwavering and erotically intense."
    "He extended his hand, a lone claw tilting Rowan’s chin so he was forced to stare up at the beast."

    whit "I will not relent. I will not be gentle."

    ro "Good."

    "The Fae shook his head, his lips pulling back into a snarl. For the first time since they’d begun this game between them, it looked genuine."

    whit "You don’t understand."
    whit "I want you to run."

    show rowan necklace concerned behind black

    ro "..."
    ro "What?"

    #whitescar angry

    whit "{i}FLEE{/i}, prey!"

    "Rowan, shocked, felt energy come to his legs at the sight of the wolf’s terrifying presence. Before he knew it, he was off and running, his heart beating wild in his chest out of a mixture of fear and arousal."
    "He wondered how far he’d get."

    scene bg3 with fade

    "In a small grove not far from the clearing, a human is crawling on all fours, scrambling to escape the stalking white figure, a beast. But there is no escape: the Fae is relentless. Faster, {i}stronger{/i}, greater than him."
    "The wolf puts his foot upon his back, pinning him in place. There is nowhere to run, to have even tried to do so was an insult to the wiles of the wolf."

    show cg2048 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2049 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg2048
    show whitescar neutral behind cg2048

    "Down on both knees the Fae hovers over him, positioning himself in a dominant position at the mortal’s flank. The human can do little but shudder at what is to come."
    "He grips the grass beneath him in a tight fist and the Fae breathes behind him, hot air rolling down his back which is starting to sweat. He’s been disrobed, stripped, denuded of weapon and dignity, his pale rump exposed to the gnawing predations of this terrifying figure."
    "Heavy hands grasp at his ass, his groin, his balls, poking and prodding like it was an inspection. The wolf’s pleasured growl seemed to indicate his satisfaction with his victim."
    "Something warm. Something thick. It runs up the inside of his thigh, bumping against his undercarriage before settling with a disturbingly intoxicating weight between the crack of his ass. It doesn’t feel like a normal cock, it feels thicker, longer, more animalistic."
    "There’s a knot at the base, it bumps against him as the Fae begins to thrust in slow, languid movements up and down, up and down against him, heedless of how his knees scrape the earth or the rocks in the underbrush rub against his exposed skin."
    "The human hides his expression in the discarded leaves strewn about the forest floor. He doesn’t want the Fae to see his face because it is blowing up inside, red and ashamed. He’s grimacing at the exposed root of the tree in front of him which is rough to the touch when he puts his hand on it to help him push back into it."
    "He wants this, craves this. He feels the pulsing heat of it, the tantalizing press of it’s semi-pointed head poking at his entrance. He feels the shameful desire to push back harder, to spear his dick inside him until there’s nothing left to fill up his body, until there’s nothing left of himself inside: just dick."

    whit "You did not run far."

    "Pedantic. Of {i}course{/i} he did not run far, where could he have gone? He was prey the moment the wolf deigned to notice him, deigned to recognize this frail form as something worth unleashing himself upon. It was an almost-insult to even make such an observation."
    "And yet, he moaned in response. His hips worked backwards in soft circles as if he {i}wanted{/i} this, encouraged it even. When did he come to enjoy such humiliation? Had he always wanted this, or had the Fae’s bestial nature simply compelled something deep within he’d never known the nature of, before?"
    "Such questions fled from his mind as he felt the tip catch upon his anus, pressing inward bolstered by the slick wetness of his precum forming a natural lubricant. Rowan moaned when he felt his cock slide in, a tortuous entrance made all the more scintillating by the deep growl of the predator at his back."
    "{i}Oh{/i} how it stretched him! A painful reminder that the beast made good on his threats. The penetration was not gentle, nor were the teeth at the back of his neck, holding him firm in place so he didn’t squirm. The human felt less like a lover and more like food to be played with."
    "Deep, deep, {i}deeper{/i} it went, till his teeth clenched and he tried focusing on the uncomfortable feeling of the foliage beneath him, or the bark of the tree in his grasp, {i}anything{/i} to ignore that burning, pinching sensation deep in his gut."
    "The wolf thrust, and he groaned. The wolf drew back, and he whimpered. A second thrust followed as quickly as the first, relentless and jarring like a harsh knock at the door in the middle of night."

    ro "Unh! Uhn! {i}Aaah!{/i}"

    "The wolf snarled in his ear, sending the human’s heart into his throat. He squirmed and twisted in place in a vain attempt to extricate himself, but the Fae pinned him in place, large mitts at his shoulders holding him firm to the ground, his cheek rubbing harshly against the forest floor, drool coming from the corner of his mouth."
    "When the human tried to turn his face away so as to hide his shame the wolf’s had went to his head, turning it sharply so that one eye was forced to meet his unyielding yellow glare. He thrust deep into him, keeping eye contact the whole time, breath expelling in great gouts from his snout."
    "Rowan had never felt a fear like this in his chest before: he was naked and disarmed; literally {i}disarmed{/i}: deprived of the means to cover his shame. Whitescar’s eyes were aimed at Rowan like a weapon, only furthering the humiliation. He was completely at the mercy of the white wolf."
    "This beautiful submission intoxicated Rowan. He wished that this glorious moment, pinned beneath this beast would never end. "
    "Whitescar, too, felt the strange enchantment of the situation: the submission of a hero of the mortal realms, oddly compliant and timorous before his aggression when normally he was so self confident. His growls grew in intensity, deepening in pitch till his roar carried in a bellowing echo across the forest."
    "Rowan couldn’t get enough of him. He was tired and sore but he didn’t care. He didn’t want rest, he wanted the ache. He wanted him inside, all the time. The wolf’s weight on top of him. He wanted to squeeze him in further and further. He wanted to watch his face, feel his sweat drop onto him. "
    "He thrust back, deep enough to feel the bump of the knot against his ass.He felt deeper in than ever before. The Fae went mad; he bucked. He split Rowan in two. Rowan pushed back. Neither could believe the other. A stray claw traced the curve of his ass, pricking the skin but not drawing blood. He lifted and heaved. "
    "Whitescar’s thrusts grew shorter, his snarls more pronounced. Rowan felt the bulging thickening of that piercing, pushing thing fill him up and up and up and up until-"
    "The wolf pulled free, grabbing the startled human by the shoulder and flipping him onto his back. He hunched over the helpless human, gripping his cock and jerking it directly above him."

    #cg3
    show cg2103 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg2104 with sshake
    show cg2104 with sshake
    show cg2105 with flash
    pause 1
    show cg2106 with dissolve
    pause 1
    show cg2107 with dissolve
    pause 2


    "Then he came."
    "White strings of masculine virility spurt forth, coating Rowan’s orgiastic expression. The wolf did not spare him a drop, bending forward so the tip of his manhood fired gouts of the stuff across Rowan’s face."
    "The humiliation was total, and yet Rowan, naked, found himself ejaculating as well, his erection firing globs of cum onto his stomach in sympathy with the heavy load now coating his face."
    "Whitescar grunted, his knot growing into a tight, veiny ball as he unleashed himself upon the gasping human’s nubile form. Rowan trembled, reveling in the sensation of utter mastery which the Fae held over him."
    "Whitescar turned his head, his mouth diving forward, latching onto Rowan’s neck again. The slightest pressure, and his teeth were pressing upon his neck. Rowan moaned, shifting this way and that."
    "Then, like a wind passing, the Wolf stood up, adjusting his sash so that he was normal once more."

    whit "Clean yourself up. We will speak once you are decent."

    "Panting, breathless, Rowan could do little but try to recover from the orgasm. It took him several minutes to do as he was bid."

    scene bg3 with fade
    show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
    show whitescar neutral at cliohnaright with dissolve

    "After an awkward stretch of time, wherein Whitescar did little but stare off into the distance, his expression pensive, Rowan approached. Fully clothed and with his shame now hidden, the two shared a brief, knowing look."

    whit "We will not speak of this to others. Who we mate with and the manner in which we choose is ours alone."

    "Rowan nodded. A sharp curve of a smile rose on the wolf’s lips."

    whit "I’m glad we got that out."

    show rowan necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

    ro "So am I. Back to business then?"
    
    return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_battle.rpy
label astarteServantSex_rp:

    $ society_type = "might"
    $ astarteBattlePlan = "andras"

    "He instinctively rested his hand against Andras’ naked, muscular chest. All too often, there was a cruel streak in his Master’s voice, a mocking undertone in every word."
    "He wasn’t sure what Andras had planned… But right now, his demon master radiated only desire and appreciation, in equal proportions."

    ro "A reward sounds… Nice."

    an "Rightfully earned. You always just {i}have{/i} to play the brat, Rowan. But today you were {b}exactly{/b} who I wanted you to be, the way I wanted you to be. "

    if astarteBattlePlan == "andras":
        an "The perfect servant. So obedient, and {b}submissive{/b}."
        "His cheeks flushed. He really did everything Andras wanted off him - gathered their armies, supported his plans, spied on their enemies…"
        an "And the day is not over yet…"
        "His tongue assaulted Rowan’s ear, while his hand ventured down. Andras started to undo the hero’s pants, throwing his belt aside. Then, he pushed him to the side - urged him to lean against the table - as he whispered hungrily in his ear. "
        an "… my perfect {b}slut{/b}."
        menu:
            "Be his submissive, obedient slut.":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                "For a short moment, in the midst of preparations that would change the very nature of the world, Andras shoved everything aside just to focus on {b}him{/b}. To shower him with his favuor for a job well done. However could he resist?"
                ro "What… What are you planning to do, Master?"
                an "Oh, nothing complicated."
                $ astarteAndrasSubmissive = True

            "Not exactly what you were hoping for…":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                ro "I was hoping you’d let me be more… Active."
                an "Ha! {i}No.{/i} This is your reward, Rowan. You ain’t doing shit, except enjoying yourself."
                "He tore his pants right off him, and pushed him into the table. Now freed, his erect cock rubbed against Andras’ sculpted stomach."
                ro "What are you planning to do, Master?"
                an "Oh, nothing complicated."
                $ astarteAndrasSubmissive = False

    else:
        an "The perfect servant. One worthy of a Demon Lord."
        ro "Just a servant?"
        "He threw him a cocky grin. Andras slapped the hero’s ass, and started to unbuckle his pants."
        an "{i}Just{/i} a servant. One day maybe someone more. "
        an "For now - shut the fuck up and enjoy your reward."
        "He tore his pants right off him, and pushed him into the table. Now freed, his erect cock rubbed against Andras’ sculpted stomach."
        ro "And what are you going to do?"
        an "Oh, nothing complicated."
        $ astarteAndrasSubmissive = False

    an "I’m going to make you cum your brains out."

    scene cg2051 with fade
    pause 2
    show cg2052 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show andras smirk behind cg2051
    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg2051

    "He shoved him up, forcing his legs apart. He tried to push his meticulous council notes to the side, before they could ruin them - a momentary distraction that allowed Andras to take off his kilt, and wrap his hand around the back of Rowan’s head."

    an "Look at me. "

    if astarteAndrasSubmissive:
        "He didn’t dare to say a word. Andras studied his face, turning it first left, then right, admiring it in full. He knew he was flushed, he knew his lips parted as he started to pant heavily. And all these little details pleased his master greatly."
        an "I love it when you make that face. Especially after trying to act all serious in front of everyone."
        an "You’re the best Warmaster I could’ve asked for."
        ro "Thank-?!"

    else:
        "He did so. His master studied his face, turning it first left, then right, admiring it in full. He knew he was flushed, but he had no intention of feeling ashamed of it."
        ro "Seeing something you like?"
        an "A pair of indolent lips."
        ro "How ru-mhmmm?"

    "Andras put a finger on his lips, silencing him. Then, using his index and middle finger, he pried his mouth open."

    an "Lick them."

    if astarteAndrasSubmissive:
        "He ordered, hovering them an inch away from his face. His blush deepened, and he leaned in, obeying without much thought. He ran his tongue over one finger at first, then the other. And when Andras didn’t pull his hand away - did so again."

    else:
        ro "Sheesh…"
        "He ordered, hovering them an inch away from his face. His blush deepened, and he rolled his eyes - but eventually, he leaned in. He ran his tongue over one finger at first, then the other. And when Andras didn’t pull his hand away - did so again."

    "Over, and over, until his jaw was numb, and Andras fingers were dripping with the hero’s saliva. Only then did the demon pull away, to examine them with a pleased smile. "

    an "Good job. Now open wide."

    show cg2053 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2054 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "It was the only warning he got when Andrass suddenly reached down and shoved both fingers inside of him, forcing his pincer open. Obscenely wet, they slid in easily - perhaps also because he was anticipating this."

    an "Relax…"

    "He heard Andras murmur in appreciation as he started to explore Rowan’s ass, with small, deliberate movements."

    an "Just keep your legs open, and let me handle the rest."

    ro "Uh-huh…"

    if astarteAndrasSubmissive:
        "Despite his words, the demon kept him in an iron grip. He really couldn’t do much except agree, trembling under his touch. It was a wonderful combination - being held so decisively, while also being caressed so tenderly… "

    else:
        "Despite his words, the demon kept him in an iron grip. He really couldn’t do much except agree, slightly trembling under his touch. Rowan hated to admit it, but it was a wonderful combination - being held so decisively, while also being caressed so tenderly..."

    ro "O-oooh, f-fuck, that’s really- really good!"

    "Andras bent his fingers, easily hitting his prostate. Rowan’s cock twitched, a drop of cum trailed down his shaft, his phallus unable to withstand the demon’s masterful touch."

    an "Don’t try to hold it in, Rowan. You know I always get what I want."
    an "And right now I want you to shoot all over yourself."

    "There was a seductive, sweet undertone to his voice - had he ever heard Andras talk to him like this? It had an almost hypnotic quality to it - or maybe it was just his fingers, tirelessly pushing in and out of his ass, keeping a steady rhythm as they rubbed his most sensitive spot."

    ro "N-nnngh- A-ah! Fuck!"

    "Andras was relentless - and he was in control. His gold, predatory eyes held his gaze - for once holding no cruelty, yet being no less intensive."

    an "I said don’t try to hold it in, Rowan."
    an "Cum for me."
    an "{b}Cum.{/b}"

    ro "A-aaaah!"

    "On command he exploded into thin air, his cock twitching wildly, bathing them both in white, thick semen. Andras didn’t stop thrusting, turning Rowan’s sudden orgasm into an intense, violent release."
    "He was milking him, methodically and relentlessly. Completely helpless, the hero’s legs flailed in the air as he kept cumming, until the last drop of his cum dripped down his throbbing cock."
    "He was utterly spent. He went limp when Andras pulled his fingers out of him - completely unprepared for what was about to happen."

    ro "Wait, what are you- ah!"

    show cg2055 with dissolve
    pause 2
    show cg2056 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "Andras thrust his cock into his now gaping asshole, sliding in easily now that he got him all lubed up. He still held Rowan’s face in a firm grasp, while his other hand wrapped around the hero’s waist, locking down his whole body."

    an "Making you cum your brains out. Did you really think we’d be done so soon? Do you not know I’m a man of my word? "

    "His voice took on that all too familiar, animalistic growl. He felt foolish for ever believing Andras would keep things simple - but at the same time, Rowan couldn’t turn his eyes away. Fiery passion shone in the demon’s eyes - and he soon felt it in full."

    ro "Aaah!"

    "This time Andras wasn’t even trying to be gentle. He thrust in hard, quickly setting up an unrelenting, brutal tempo. Had the demon started with this, he’d be howling in agony. But now… "
    "Every thrust felt like it was rearranging his insides, but the discomfort paled in comparison to the feeling of fullness that radiated up his spine and to the very tip of his cock."
    "Andras wasn’t using him, no. Just as promised, the demon was thoroughly fucking him into mindless bliss."

    an "Isn’t that the best reward for a job well done, Warmaster?"

    if astarteAndrasSubmissive:
        ro "Uh-h-huh…"
        "A meek moan was all he could manage. He was still {i}so sensitive{/i} after cumming! It wasn’t fair, it was… "

    else:
        ro "S-shit…"
        "A quiet curse was all he could manage. He was still {i}so sensitive{/i} after cumming! It wasn’t fair, it was… "

    ro "… A-ah… You’re cheating {i}again{/i}."

    an "Of course I am. I take what I want, through any means possible. "
    an "Help me have everything, and you can share the spoils, Rowan."
    an "Now shut up and cum {b}again{/b}."

    if astarteAndrasSubmissive:
        menu:
            "A wonderful vision, but…":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                pass

            "{i}Let him ruin you.{/i}":
                # $ renpy.fix_rollback()
                ro "N-nngh!"
                "He came again, just as he was ordered, soiling them both in cum. The first climax left him weak, but this one robbed him of all strength to resist."
                ro "A-ah! Ha…"
                "But his master didn’t stop. Holding him in place, Andras kept thrusting, and thrusting - dominating the hero with his cock."
                an "Who do you serve, Warmaster?"
                if society_type == "might":
                    ro "Y-you, Master... "
                else:
                    ro "Y-you, Emperor... "
                an "Good slut."
                "A cruel smile danced on Andras’ lips. He didn’t notice it anymore. His massive cock was his whole world now. And he let it bring him to satisfaction again… And again… "
                show cg2057 with sshake
                show cg2057 with sshake
                show cg2058 with flash
                pause 1
                show cg2059 with dissolve
                pause 2
                "And again."
                "…"
                scene bg27 with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused at center with dissolve
                "He wasn’t sure when they stopped. He lost count of his own orgasms - he only remembered that his Master came twice inside of him."
                "His clothes were completely ruined - but someone left a spare shirt for him to change into, and he decided to put it on while he snuck to the castle baths to put himself in order."
                ro "F-fuck…"
                "He never anticipated the war council would end this way. He wanted them to win, and he knew Andras would be happy with his efforts."
                "But for him to fuck him with that much fervour… It wasn’t normal. And yet…"
                scene black with fade
                show rowan necklace naked aroused behind black
                ro "(I might get addicted to this…)"
                return

    else:
        pass

    ro "A-ah, haa- ha!"

    show cg2057 with sshake
    show cg2057 with sshake
    show cg2058 with flash
    pause 1
    show cg2059 with dissolve
    pause 2

    "There was no stopping another violent climax, his cock once again bursting out a thick rope of cum that dirtied his shirt as his Master came deep in his ass. Andras was fucking him in a fine mess - and he would keep doing so if Rowan let him."

    ro "Enough! Enough… I don’t think I can handle any more, Master."

    an "Do you think you get a say, Rowan?"

    ro "Master, {i}please{/i}."

    "This time he reached for Andras’ arm and held him. He would push him away if he had to, but he hoped it wouldn’t come to this."

    an "Tsh. And here I thought you were tougher."

    scene bg27 with fade
    show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    show andras smirk at midright with dissolve

    "He pulled away - forcing Rowan to stand on wiggly, weak knees. Fuck, he was a mess already… "

    an "Don’t tell me you didn’t enjoy yourself. "

    ro "… I was, but some people might get the wrong idea what the Warmaster’s duties entail. "

    an "I don’t give a fuck, and neither should you."

    "He pulled up his kilt. His cock was still hard, creating a considerable tent in front of him. He wouldn’t… No, of course he would parade around with it."

    an "Good job, Rowan. I’m looking forward to our celebrations after the battle."

    hide andras with moveoutright

    "He patted the hero on the cheek, and sauntered out of the war room. Rowan let out a deep sigh, and rested his back against the table."
    "This certainly wasn’t how his past war councils ended… "

    scene black with fade

    "Not that he was complaining."

    return

# \events\ruler_events_18.rpy
label helaynas_day_off2_rp:

scene bg14 with fade
show helayna angry at midleft with moveinleft
show jezera happy behind bg14

"After a week of repeat struggles, Helayna knew where she needed to go, and who she needed to talk to. She couldn’t train under the effects of the ring, and there was only one person who would know enough about the ring to help her."
"And she was the last person that Helayna wanted to speak to. Ever."
"Uncomfortable, hateful anger tightened her chest and belly as she approached the woman’s unguarded chamber, rapping on the door loudly with her metal-clad knuckles."
"The loathsome creature responded in a melodic sing-song, perverse to Helayna’s ears in its undeserved happiness."

je "Who is it~?"

hel "Lady Helayna Raeve."

"Silence."
"Laughter. Helayna fought back a snarl."
"Then, an answer."

je "Right, my hero’s toy. You may enter."

scene cg181 with fade
show jezera naked happy behind cg181
show helayna neutral behind cg181
pause 3

"Helayna opened the door, and her mouth opened too, far further. She gaped at the sight awaiting her."
"Jezera was not alone. Two other women joined her– one a painter, labouring upon a canvas to capture the demon in a regal masterpiece. Only, most regal portraits for women were not done in the nude."
"Or with another naked woman licking their toes."
"For a moment, Helayna could only gape at the obscene display, unlike anything she had seen before in her life. She knew that strange debauchery took place within Castle Bloodmeen’s walls– why, most would consider her sex life ‘strange debauchery’."
"But this? This was something else. Being kept in Rowan’s room, being protected, had kept her from witnessing anything of the like."
"The young woman worshipping Jezera’s feet couldn’t have been deep into her twenties. It wouldn’t be right to say that her posture had dignity to it. No one so reverently delving their tongue between the toes of another person could have much in the way of dignity."
"Her clear, smooth skin? Her lack of scars, of cracks? The care taking with her curly ringlets? She was no common peasant."
"It took Helayna a minute to recognize her, and her heart dropped into her belly when she did. She knew that woman."

je "Rude to stare, isn’t it?"

"Helayna almost jumped. Jezera was gazing at her with heavy-lidded eyes, lips cast with an amused smile, too relaxed to be arrogant."

je "Out with it. As you can see, I’m very busy today."

scene cg182 with fade
show jezera naked happy behind cg182
show helayna neutral behind cg182
pause 3

"Helayna coughed, then straightened herself. She tried to meet Jezera’s eyes, but the young woman at her foot demanded another look."
"Another Rosarian noblewoman, one whose father had brought her to Raeve Keep days before the… attack. To be paraded before her uncle as a possible bride."
"Helayna recalled how she had felt for her. Her uncle had been unwed as long as she had lived, and that seemed unlikely to ever change: his status aside, he was a deeply unpleasant man, and in no need of heirs thanks to his siblings."
"They hadn’t exchanged more than a few words; Helayna had found her haughty and as insufferable as her uncle. There was none of that pride in her now, though. She looked happy down there, like tongue bathing Jezera’s feet was what she was born to do."

hel "It’s the ring."

"Helayna finally managed to lock eyes with the demon, cheeks afire."
"Jezera rolled her wrist in a gesture for Helayna to continue."

hel "… I want it off."

"The demon closed her eyes and tilted her head back briefly, making a thoughtful noise."
"It was a long moment. Helayna grit her teeth and put her {i}everything{/i} into keeping her eyes on Jezera’s face. So many temptations called to her– Jezera’s breasts, rising and falling with her breath. Her lean belly, her wide hips, her taut thighs."
"Her uncle’s would-be wife."

je "Ah!"

"The demon opened her eyes, bright in her exclamation."

je "I’ve got it. Lift your hands."

"Helayna lifted her gauntlets, her fingers always free."

je "Now, take your other hand. Yes, just like that. Now, pinch the ring with your index and thumb. Wonderful, yes."
je "Now pull."

"Helayna hesitated, uncertain. It couldn’t be that easy, could it? Had the demon done something?"

je "Really, go on. Pull it off."

"Helayna only gave it a token effort. The ring wasn’t {i}tight{/i} or {i}snug{/i}. It simply was, and it refused to budge."
"Jezera giggled. The pet at her feet arched her back, only to earn swift discipline from her owner in the form of a tap on the head from her other foot."

je "Hold still, girl. Mmm… now, if simply {i}removing{/i} the ring didn’t work…"

hel "… You’re mocking me."

je "Yes, I am."

"How good would it feel to bury her axe between that woman’s breasts one day? … And what nice breasts they were…"
"Helayna squeezed her eyes tight, forcing the thought away, but her already wet pussy could not be dissuaded from its arousal."

hel "L-look. I wish to be an asset to Rowan, and this ring–"

je "A marvelous idea!"

hel "–you don’t need it to keep me in check, I’m not going to run off or fight you–"

je "For the best. My brother would be quite displeased if… Well, no, I think he’d still like to kill you, actually. Hm. "

"Helayna clenched her jaw and paused to calm herself."

hel "How do I take it off?"

"Jezera smirked and leaned over the arm of her throne. The artist sighed quietly. Surely, there were less demanding clients to paint."

je "I don’t know."

hel "What?"

"Jezera lifted one shoulder, distracting Helayna with how the movement shifted her heavy purple breasts. It took the wind out of the disgraced knight’s rising anger."

je "It’s not my invention, and I know nothing about it. We found it in the ruins of Rakshan, and I was holding on to it for a special occasion. To be honest, I expected it to kill you within minutes of putting it on."
je "But perhaps we can take a look at it together, another time. Perhaps in a few months? I do have current engagements, after all, and a very busy schedule besides."

"Helayna scowled openly, but held her tongue in check: antagonising Jezera would do her no favours."

je "So, you’re just going to have to make do with it on, dear."
je "Unless you’d like to take off that cumbersome armour and attend to these little piggies? I could make some time in the immediate future, if you’d be so kind as to give them the love they deserve."

"Jezera lifted her foot off her pet’s head, twinkling her toes at Helayna. She lifted her leg high and straight in the process, too, revealing a brief hint of the demon’s ready pussy."
"Helayna felt her jaw begin to go slack, her anger fleeing her."
"– Lust took Helayna by storm, and her mouth opened to answer Jezera. She needed {i}something{/i} and she needed it {i}now{/i} and {i}fuck she didn’t care{/i}–"

menu:
    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "No. I belong to Rowan.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass


"The ring burned hotter than her slutty cunt for but a second. She spoke without thinking, calmly and simply."

hel "No. I belong to Rowan."

"{i}As all things should. Just as she should.{/i}"
"{i}Rowan.{/i}"

#cg1
scene cg2060 with fade
pause 2
show cg2061 with dissolve
pause 2
show cg2062 with dissolve
pause 2
show cg2063 with dissolve
pause 2
show cg2064 with dissolve
pause 2

"Suddenly, Helayna found herself back in Raeve Keep’s throne room. Rowan was where he belonged– confidently perched atop the throne from which he ruled the Seven Realms. He could have relocated his court to any castle or keep, but here was where his conquest began."
"And it meant something, choosing that which Helayna was set to inherit. She loved him for that, more than she could possibly put into words. She was sitting sideways over his lap with one arm slung over his shoulders, the other busily fucking between her thighs, gazing at his stoic face with adoration."
"Behind the throne, his lawfully wedded wife draped over the back of his throne, her breasts resting atop his head. Similarly nude, her arms hung down over his front, smiling down dotingly at her man and his mistress. Though Alexia had him first, she acknowledged Helayna was his true partner."
"… Beneath them both, whorishly displayed, was Jezera. Her arms were wrapped tight around Rowan’s leg. The amulet she once hung around his neck had been affixed to the steely collar she wore as his pet, his bitch."
"A dozen feet away, Andras brooded behind his painter’s canvas, hard at work painting a masterpiece of their mutual master in jealous envy."
"{i}Rowan.{/i}"
"{i}As all things should be–{/i}"
"Jezera’s voice snapped her out of it."

scene cg181 with fade
show jezera naked happy behind cg181
show helayna neutral behind cg181
pause 3

je "Well, good for you. Be gone then, I’ll have my steward pen you in somewhere."

scene cg183 with fade
pause 3

"Helayna blinked once, then wet her lips. She found it far too easy to nod and turn and simply… walk out."
"No temptation. No ire. Not that she wasn’t {i}horny{/i}, but…"
"Jezera regarded her backside thoughtfully as she departed, but made no attempt to interrupt her departure."
"Helayna would spend the rest of her day locked on the singular task of honing her skills, taking several breaks to return to the room she shared with Rowan. There, she brought herself to repeated orgasms with the use of whatever smelled or reminded her of him most."
"It brought her enough peace to return to the training yard, clear of mind and desire, at least for a little while."

scene black with fade

"Helayna would spend the rest of her day locked on the singular task of honing her skills. Afterall, without Rowan around, what was there to do but try to focus on her rusted skills as much as circumstances allowed."

return

# \events\ruler_events_18.rpy
label helaynas_day_off3_rp:


    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
    $ alexiaJezInfluence = 0
    $ roAlRel = 100
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ alexiaJezObedient = False
    $ society_type = "might"

    "Are Rowan and Alexia corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:   
        "Both are":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 100
        "Just Rowan":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaCorrupt = 0
        "Neither":
            pass
    "Is Rowan or Alexia submissive to the twins? (affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes - Just Rowan":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 5
        "Yes - Just Alexia":
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Both are":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 5
            $ alexiaJezObedient = True
        "Neither are":
            pass
    "Is Alexia influenced by Jezera? (affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ alexiaJezInfluence = 10
            $ roAlRel = 0
        "No":
            pass
    "Is the society might? (affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            pass
        "No":
            $ society_type = "feudal"
scene bg6 with fade
show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
show alexia 2 necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve
show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

"Rowan entered the throne room, lips pursed and mind wary. He had been ordered to come right after he finished with the day’s work. Jezera awaited him."

ro "You wanted to see me, Jezera?"

je "Mmm, yes, yes. Come in. It’s about your strumpet, whatsherface. She came and visited me the other day."

show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

ro "Helayna did?"

"Both Rowan’s eyebrows and his hackles raised. Jezera talking to or {i}about{/i} Helayna… that couldn’t be good news. In just one meeting, she had ruined the once proud knight."
"What other damage could Jezera do?"

je "Indeed. You are aware that she’s been trouncing around in armour, yes? Trying to restore her sword arm?"

show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

#if Jezera influence on Alexia is higher than Rowans
if alexiaJezInfluence > roAlRel:
    je "One must keep track of what theirs are doing, and who they are doing it with. And you do quite a bit with that pet of yours, my hero."

#rejoin
show jezera neutral at midright with dissolve

"Rowan bit at the inside of his cheek, willing himself to remain composed. It was clear that Jezera had something of import to say; equally clear was the fact she’d take forever to say it if he let her lead the conversation."

ro "Why did she visit you?"

je "No single reason, I’m sure. My charming personality, a glimpse of her better, the chance to admire alien beauty previously unknown to a human girl…"
je "But I suppose the one you’d care the most about? She wanted the ring taken off of her."

"Jezera then went into detail explaining the encounter. She spoke at length, sparing no detail and taking obvious relish in regaling Rowan with the specifics of what the pet at her feet had been doing."
"At this point, it hardly shocked Rowan."

if jezeraSubmission > 4 and rowanCorrupt > 30:
    "The lewd details did have an affect on him, but Helayna was his focus, and she could help him deal with that after the fact."

"He hadn’t made the time to have that talk with Helayna yet. Perhaps if he had, she would have confided in him about the difficulties she was facing."

je "Now, there’s one other thing. Whatsherface spent an awful lot of time staring at the pet cleaning my feet. Far longer than mere curiosity would dictate, my hero."

"Rowan held back a sigh. At last, they had arrived at the point."

ro "Is that a surprise? Anything remotely erotic gets her into a state."

je "Oh, certainly. But lust and submissive devotion? Different things. If it was just lust, she would’ve sought an outlet for it. No, she wanted to be that waif at my feet… albeit, she imagined other feet."
je "Trust me on this. I’m good at picking these things out."

ro "I don’t doubt your experience."

"He held his tongue. Surely, this wasn’t going where he thought this was going..."

show jezera happy at midright with dissolve

"Warm laughter bubbled out of Jezera. She was enjoying this."

if jezeraSubmission < 5 and rowanCorrupt < 31:
    "It set Rowan on edge."

je "Need I say it out loud for you, Rowan?"
je "That girl, she pines to be {i}yours{/i}. Your submissive. I’m sure you fuck her very nicely or very roughly or whatever suits you in the moment, but she wants to be owned, even if she doesn’t know it yet."

show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

"Rowan’s eyes narrowed, his brows steepling sharply."

if jezeraSubmission < 5 and rowanCorrupt < 31:
    "She was stepping over the line."

else:
    "His glare was a rare show of backbone against his captors."

show rowan necklace angry at midleft with dissolve

ro "… We have our pact, (title). I will serve as you wish."

if jezeraSubmission > 4:
    ro "How you wish."

ro "But, you’ve already done enough to Helayna. I won’t remain silent if you do anything else to her. Consider how far I’ve proven willing to go for my wife."

"As if to further emphasize the point, he put his hand on his sword handle. Though he kept his head bowed somewhat."

je "Always the hero, huh? Well don’t worry. I’m just a friendly helper. I won’t do anything to her at all."
je "After all, you will."

show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

"As if to further emphasise the point, Rowan put his hand on his sword handle. Though, he kept his head bowed somewhat, deferentially. He was making a dangerous statement."
"Jezera laughed at him; to the demoness, he was but a child waving a thin stick."

if roAlRel < 50 or alexiaJezObedient or jezeraSubmission > 4:
    je "Yes, we both know how well that has gone for you."
    je "But, you needn’t rattle your sword, hero."

je "Don’t worry. I’m just a friendly helper, helping you help her become her best self! I won’t do anything to her at all, you see."
je "You will."

show rowan necklace shock at midleft with dissolve

"Rowan’s stern expression began to falter, and his hand slipped from his sword’s hilt. Slowly, he raised his head and looked at her eye-to-eye. Did Jezera intend to force him into playing one of her sick and twisted little games?"

if society_type == "might":
    ro "I beg your pardon, mistress?"
else:
    ro "I beg your pardon, Empress?"

je "Oh, you needn’t beg! You have it pre-approved. Consider this, hero."
je "You have this girl, pretty thing that she is– a bit too much muscle for my taste, but different strokes, of course, of course. You’re her universe, and right now? She eats, sleeps, and breathes Rowan. I suspect she sucks Rowan and swallows your children down multiple holes, but we needn’t get into the sordid details."
je "Throwing herself at her training? Longing to be yours?"

"Jezera looked off into the middle distance, sighing an almost dreamy sigh; it was almost wistful, romantic. As if the demon were capable of such thoughts and expressions!!"

je "You can make Helayna into anything you’d like, Rowan. Anything at all. And she would only love you more for it! Your slave? Your fanatic? Personal footstool? A present to Alexia? I suppose you could even give her to Andras, if you were feeling sick of her."
je "Were I in your place, I would already have a training regiment prepared and implemented. Her day-to-day structure would be wonderfully rigid, every moment accounted for–"

"Rowan opened his mouth to retort, but he only spoke the words inside his head."
"Jezera was wrong… in a sense. Helayna had already made it clear to her hero what she wanted, and he had blown it off. Going to Jezera for a solution? She must have been desperate, and feeling so alone."
"Clamming his jaw, Rowan took a moment to calm his anger, then spoke more neutrally."

show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

if society_type == "might":
    ro "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, mistress. I will consider the matter at length."

else:
    ro "Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Empress. I will consider the matter at length."

je "Oh, Rowan. Don’t do it for my sake! Or even yours! Do it for hers."
je "She can never go back to being what she was, but she’s desperate to be useful to you. The only way you can make her happy is by keeping her chained to your bed. Proverbially speaking."
je "Or literally, I suppose. Or whatever other bed. I’m sure if you told her to fuck every stranger in the castle, she happily would."

"Rowan made a face at that, one that made Jezera grin, but made no comment. He bowed to her."

if society_type == "might":
    ro "By your leave, Mistress?"

else:
    ro "By your leave, Empress?"

je "Yes yes, be on your way."

"Rowan considered the matter as he returned to his room. He hadn’t seen Helayna’s attempts at practising yet. Perhaps this was all nonsense, but… it was worth a visit, if only to be sure."
"If Jezera was right, it would be a waste of his time, but at least he would {i}know{/i}. Holding firm on his position wouldn’t be ignoring Helayna’s wants and desires."

scene bg9 with fade
show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve
show helayna naked neutral at midright with dissolve

"Several distractions kept Rowan from reaching their shared room until the castle was dark."
"When he arrived, he found Helayna curled up under the sheets, verging on sleep. She groggily turned towards him, rubbing her eyes with one hand while her legs stretched out languidly."

hel "Mmmm…? My love, you’re back… oh, it’s so late…"
hel "Is something wrong?"

"Rowan perched on the edge of the bed and removed his clothing, piece by piece."

show rowan necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

ro "Not a thing, Hel. Just the usual circus. How was your training today?"

show helayna naked happy at midright with dissolve

hel "Very well, I think. I’ll be back to fighting shape in no time, you’ll see."

"Rowan nodded and eased beneath the sheets besides Helayna. He felt a pair of soft hands working their way around him in a light hug; the callouses present stood out. Her breasts tucked against his back, warm and comforting."

ro "You’re right, I will. Someday soon, I’ll join you out there. We can spar, and you can show me how far you’ve come on your own. It’ll be like old times."

hel "Oh. I… I look forward to that, my love. Greatly."

"The faint tremble of fear in her voice suggested otherwise, though Helayna was quick to cover it up. There was a teasing purr in her voice as she spoke her next words."

hel "Although, you didn’t use to fuck me after sparring… will that change?"

"Although she spooned him comfortably, Helayna’s hands could not help but wander. Her fingers explored his body; old, overly-trod territory to her by now, but no less fascinating to her for it. Rowan would have had to be a fool to mistake what she wanted."
"It was what she wanted every night she could get it; every day, every hour, every minute."
"Her cheek nuzzled his nape before her lips kissed it. Though Helayna’s hands were cold when they first encountered his cock, they quickly reflected his length’s warmth. In turn, its length quickly reflected and then exceeded theirs."

show helayna naked aroused at midright with dissolve

hel "My love… if you’re not too tired, might we…?"

menu:
    "Indulge Helayna.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        "Jezera’s words were already flowing through Rowan’s mind, already harkened by Helayna’s initial touch."
        "{i}She’s desperate to be useful to you{/i} - not what Jezera meant to emphasise, exactly, but the demon didn’t know what Helayna had said to him behind closed doors."
        "He was still feeling a little tense from that encounter, and everything that had delayed him joining Helayna."
        ro "… Yeah. We might."
        scene cg2065 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg2066 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Helayna giggled against his neck, her fingers abandoning whimsical caresses to curl around his cock, stroking him with lewd urgency."
        "Her hand rubbed over the head of his cock, gathering its slippery leak to make each subsequent glide downward slicker, wetter, smoother. One of her feet caressed along his calf, before beginning to hook its knee over his thigh."
        "Tempting as it was to let Helayna settle in and have her way, Rowan was in the mood for something different."
        show cg2067 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "She gasped out as he twisted, freeing his cock of her hand’s sinful touch and rolling upon her. Just like that, Helayna was pinned beneath Rowan, and he was posed between her legs, cock just inches away from the heavenly heat of her soaking twat."
        if rowanCorrupt < 31:
            "He was perfectly positioned to make love to her."
        elif rowanCorrupt > 60:
            "He was perfectly positioned to use his slut as she wanted to be used."
        else:
            "He was perfectly positioned to make love to his former student."
        "From there, there was no need for words. Their bodies could do all the communication. Helayna smiled up at him with loving, wanton desire, and Rowan smiled back before he kissed her."
        "Her legs shifted to wrap around his waist, and his hands shifted to support his body’s weight– one pillaring alongside her head, while the other interlaced fingers with one of Helayna’s own. They squeezed each other’s hands tight as he pushed towards her wet entrance."
        show cg2068 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg2069 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "And as the hero was welcomed into a far more receptive Raeve Keep, Helayna’s other hand went to his back, softly caressing until his first thrust grazed somewhere that made her tremble."
        "The knight’s powerful legs locked around him and squeezed tight, unwilling to let go. Though any choice to the contrary was sealed to him, Rowan had no intention but to go deeper."
        show cg2070 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Upon bottoming out, he spent a few moments grinding against her pelvis, focused on kissing– she delighted in it, albeit with impatience, beginning to claw at his back and squeeze his hand painfully tight."
        "The fucking began in earnest then, and it ended almost as quickly. Helayna was worked up, and her spasms pushed Rowan over the edge with her. He came deep inside her in the middle of their sweaty storm."
        show cg2071 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "He remained inside her as he softened, kisses continuing, sweet nothings murmured between each. Eventually, he divested his weight from her and pulled her close."
        "Helayna asked for nothing more that night, content to be held by him and bask in her beloved’s warmth."
        show cg2072 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Beneath him, she felt so… malleable."
        show cg2073 with dissolve
        pause 2

    "Not tonight.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        ro "I don’t think so, Hel. Can you wait until morning?"
        "He could feel the pouty purse of her lips against his mouth, but her voice was calm and understanding afterwards. Her hands settled somewhere more safe upon him, though it would be some while before he softened from her touches."
        hel "Of course. I love you."
        ro "I love you too."
        #cg 2 - var 4 (morning)
        "Her patience lasted until dawn; they made love well into the morning as the sun rose across the sky, the sounds of their bodies warding off any intrusion. Rowan held her in his arms for nearly an hour thereafter."
        "She felt so… malleable."

return

# \events\ruler_events_49.rpy
label cockzilla_rp:
    $ alJob = "yes"
    $ alexia_knows_magic = 1
    "Does Alexia have a job?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            pass
        "No":
            $ alJob = "none"
    "Does Alexia know magic?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            pass
        "No":
            $ alexia_knows_magic = 0
if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
    scene bg9 with fade

else:
    scene bg7 with fade

show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

"Alexia sighed. She couldn’t sit still."

if alJob != "none":
    "She had a rare day off, but Rowan was somewhere doing the twins’ bidding, so he’d be no help. "

else:
    "Rowan was somewhere doing the twins’ bidding, so he’d be no help."

al "Why can’t I just relax?"

"She’d tried everything! She tried taking a walk, but the scenery around Bloodmeen was too familiar. She’d tried reading, but she couldn’t concentrate. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it but something was missing. Maybe she was lonely?"

if alJob != "none":
    "She hadn’t had a conversation about anything other than work in a while."

else:
    "She hadn’t had a good conversation in a while."

"But who could she go to?"

if alexiaAndrasObedient:
    "Andras was out; he was “training” his orcs. For the sake of convenience, she hoped some of them survived."

if alexiaJezObedient:
    "Jezera was out; she was “entertaining” some diplomats. Alexia was sure Jezera would derive far more entertainment from that meeting than any of the diplomats."

show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

"X’zaratl! The demon had gone out of her way to make time for Alexia and Rowan in the past. The tip of Alexia’s tongue rested briefly on her lower lip. And conversations with X’zaratl were always so…stimulating."

scene bg23 with fade
show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

"She’d have knocked, but the doors of the sanctum were always invitingly open. She looked in on a scene of well-padded divans populated by languorous sex demons."
"Some of the cubi were putting those couches to use, and she felt a not unwelcome heat begin to rise. She spotted a group of three that seemed to be looking at her in a corner of the room."
"One of them, a tall strawberry blonde with her hair in ringlets, crossed her arms and stuck her nose in the air when she saw Alexia return their gaze."

al "I didn’t think people actually did that…"

"Another succubus from that group, this one with blue hair, approached her. Alexia hadn’t made much of a practice of differentiating between cubi—other than X’zaratl, but then, she differentiated herself—this one was a little less…lush…than the others."
" Her limbs a little less rounded, her face a little more angular, her lips more mobile than plump."
"Despite the blue hair, there was something foxlike about her."

show succubus 3 neutral at midright with dissolve

lapis "Hello! It’s you!"

al "I’m sorry, do I know—oh, it’s you."
al "You were one of the cubi who tried to sleep with my husband."

if blueSuccubusLeave:
    al "One of you accosted me in the breeding pits!"

if blueSuccubusScrub:
    al "I thought your friend would have warned you to stay out of my way."
    lapis "I hoped that things might go differently if someone less foul-mouthed approached you."
    al "Being less foul than an open sewer isn’t a high bar."

if blueSuccubusDriderFuck:
    al "I thought your friend would have warned you to stay out of my way."
    lapis "Mmmm. She told us about the drider. We made her tell us over and over again."
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
    al "I’ll have to be more creative in the future."
    show alexia 2 necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

lapis "I’m sorry for our misbehaviour. If it makes you feel any better, X’zaratl has given us strict instructions to leave you alone."

"The succubus shuddered."

lapis "It’s worth more than our lives to disobey her."

al "{i}More{/i} than your lives?"

lapis "Oh, you really don’t want to know. But perhaps in the spirit of following those orders we can start over a little?"

"She stuck out her hand."

$ lapisName = "Lapis"

lapis "I’m Lapis."

"Alexia stared bemusedly at the hand for a second."

al "And I’m Alexia."

lapis "Charmed!"

"Despite Lapis’s claim of non-interference, her handshake went on for a second too long."
"She made sure to slide her hand off of Alexia’s, touching as much skin as possible during the release. It was subtle, but Alexia knew she’d been meant to notice. That inner heat built just a little more."

al "Would you mind doing me a favour?"

lapis "...Sure?"

al "Obviously I married him, so I am well aware of his good points, but what is your obsession with my husband? Can’t you sleep with whomever you want—I mean isn’t that the point of being a succubus?"

"Lapis laughed. Alexia mentally rolled her eyes, of course cubi would have pretty laughs."

lapis "Lots of reasons! Decent pickings are slim. If all you want is to get railed, you can do okay, but there’s no inventiveness. And pillowtalk, much less {i}entertaining{/i} pillowtalk? Forget it. Your husband is renowned for being clever, and we so rarely get to fuck the clever ones. "

al "That’s it? Novelty?"

lapis "There’s a lot to be said for novelty when you’re immortal. Also, not to bring up a sore spot, but it was incredibly hot when he made you blow him in front of us. Don’t sell him short though, there are other reasons. Mine are a little esoteric…"

al "...Go on."

"Lapis’s eyes gleamed; she jumped into her explanation with the avidity of a hobby fisherman explaining different kinds of lures."

lapis "His essence is so complicated! He was clearly a champion of Solansia in the last Demon War, but now he serves as a champion of Kharos, albeit a reluctant one. Humans typically tend to be mixes of Order and Chaos, but not like this. And not so vibrantly! His aura is practically a bonfire."

if alexia_knows_magic:
    "Alexia could follow most of what Lapis was saying; the implications were astonishing. Rowan’s position as a nexus of conflicting spiritual forces made him…{i}tastier{/i} to cubi?"
    "That might explain what had attracted X’zaratl’s attention in the first place. She’d have to discuss this with Cliohna when she had a chance."
    "While Lapis’s theories were fascinating, Alexia couldn’t help but notice the flush on Lapis’s face and the sparkle in her eyes. The cubi looked almost like X’zaratl did when she talked about Rowan and Alexia’s love. Right now, it was the most attractive thing about her."

else:
    "Alexia noticed that Lapis’s hand started to slide down to her exposed sex. It was hard to keep her eyes on Lapis’s face; what she was doing with her hand was so much more interesting than the magic gobbledygook coming out of her mouth."

lapis ":...experience that!"

"Alexia shook her head to clear it."

al "I see. Thank you for telling me."

lapis "What brings you down here? It can’t just be discussing your husband."

al "No, I came to see X’zaratl."

"Lapis made an adorable moue."

lapis "She’s out, I’m afraid. But you could wait for her here; we expect her back soon."

menu:
    "Wait for X’zaratl, it’s not like you have anything better to do today.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "Ugh! Sitting around! Just what you didn’t want to do!":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        "Alexia declined Lapis’s offer and went on her way."
        return

"X’zaratl’s room was full of magical knick-knacks and trinkets."

if alexia_knows_magic:
    "Alexia recognized a few of them from pictures in some of Cliohna’s books. The Glove of Gilrathas was prominently displayed."
    "Gilrathas was a wizard of some standing who’d clearly had a finger fetish, as the artifact was designed to let ones fingers extend to 16 inches, if so desired."
    "Two so-called Rings of Reflection sat in two opened cases. They would let the wearers experience each other's pleasure during the act. Unfortunately, the minds of most races weren’t equipped to handle that kind of feedback."
    "People who wielded the rings had the bad habit of turning into pleasure-drunk zombies."
    "A Branching Dildo lay on X’zaratl’s bedside table. If used correctly, each side could grow a second shaft and head, allowing its users to doubly penetrate each other. Its size was also adjustable. Alexia felt her underclothes grow damp, did X’zaratl intend to use it with her?"
    "Alexia never thought she’d be grateful for Castle Bloodmeen, but she wouldn’t have her new education or skills—any of them—if she hadn’t been kidnapped. Alexia smiled; she felt positively wicked! And it was so, so good to be wicked."
    $ gloveOfGilrathasSeen = True

else:
    "Knowing X’zaratl, they would all have to do with pleasure. Alexia’s fingers itched to try them out. Alexia felt a flush bloom on her chest then rise to her face."
    "What would that runed glove do, if placed on someone’s hand? Would it inscribe a map of pleasure as skillful fingers traced paths across her body?"
    "A polished stone double-headed dildo lay on one of X’zaratl’s bedside tables. Alexia experienced a small quiver as she imagined simultaneously fucking and being fucked. She felt herself becoming wet. Did X’zaratl want to use that with her?"
    "Bloodmeen had been a hellish experience in so many ways, but it had opened her mind to a whole world of sensual possibility. Alexia smiled; she felt positively wicked! And it was so, so good to be wicked."
    $ gloveOfGilrathasSeen = False

show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve

"After a moment of looking around, she spotted a familiar looking crystal cock."

lapis "You can stay in X’zaratl’s room, if you like. She said that you and Rowan were to have full access to it."

"The succubus noticed that her guest seemed distracted and followed her gaze to the artefact."

lapis "I see you have good taste. X’zaratl makes those as presents for people she cares about. She does let us try them, and frankly, I think they’re even better than the real thing."

al "Huh?"

"The succubus pointed down. Alexia could now see a sizable dick hanging where Lapis’s pussy used to be."

lapis "Most of us can shift genders. X’zaratl can too, but she prefers to keep her options open. Anyway, her crystal cocks add a little extra oomph."

"Alexia looked back at the shiny purple penis. That was it. That was what had been missing from her day. She {i}needed{/i} that cock… X’zaratl had charged it up and let her play with it on her own once; would she mind…?"

menu:
    "Umm, well, of course not.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

    "Better not go messing around with this. Especially not behind X’zaratl’s back.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        "Alexia let out a deep breath, then turned to Lapis and excused herself before the temptation overwhelmed her."
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
            scene bg9 with fade
        else:
            scene bg7 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Her cheeks flushed, she hurried back to her room, closed and locked the door, and then frigged herself to several serviceable, if not outstanding, orgasms."
        "Her restlessness gone for the moment, Alexia set about enjoying her day off, though a sense of dissatisfaction lingered."
        return

if alexia_knows_magic or alexiaFertTreatment2Seen:
    al "Better than the real thing, eh?"
    "Alexia grabbed the cock and placed it shaft first on her groin."
    lapis "Um, do you know what you’re doing?"
    al "I know enough."
    lapis "I really don’t think you should go using that without some supervision."
    "Alexia looked at Lapis."
    lapis "What? Me? Oh no, I’m not supposed to interfere, remember?"

else:
    "Alexia knew that she couldn’t use the cock on her own, but maybe…"
    al "Lapis, would you be a dear and make that thing work on me?"
    lapis "What? Me? Oh no, I’m not supposed to interfere, remember?"

show alexia 2 necklace happy at midleft with dissolve

"Alexia smiled."

lapis "Lapis, I know you haven’t given up on getting my husband’s cock. I can see the wheels turning in that scheming brain of yours. So if you want me to forgive and forget the next time you fail to fuck my husband, you’ll do what I’m asking. Please."

"Lapis licked her lips nervously."

lapis "Fine. You’ve got me over a barrel. One word from you and I’m toast."

if alexia_knows_magic or alexiaFertTreatment2Seen:
    "Alexia closed her eyes and visualized a hard cock jutting proudly from her nethers. It took a minute, but she soon felt a tingle that became a thrum."
    "When it finished, her hand held an impressive, warm, hard dick. A dick that needed to be slammed home into a warm wet sheath."

else:
    "Lapis put the dick against Alexia’s groin, shaft first."
    lapis "Hold this here and think about dick. Having one, not getting some. Ugh! You know what I mean; just think about growing a cock."
    "Alexia closed her eyes and visualized a hard cock jutting proudly from her nethers. It took a minute, but she soon felt a tingle that became a thrum."
    "When it finished, her hand held an impressive, warm, hard dick. A dick that needed to be slammed home into a tight wet sheath."

#$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
#$ AlexiaXzaratlInfluence += 1

"Holding her dick in her hand was pure torture; it throbbed with unused virility. It seemed her entire body had become a single nerve, with all of her consciousness centered on her marvellous new appendage. All thoughts of her captivity in Bloodmeen left her mind."
"She was a creature with just one goal: to {i}fuck{/i}."
"She had to restrain herself from simply jumping on Lapis. The succubus had so many holes, it seemed almost unfair that Alexia wasn’t using any of them."
"Not that Alexia thought the succubus would have minded; her pupils had dilated, her breathing was shallow, and Alexia could smell the musky scent of her arousal."
"Lapis, in her turn, involuntarily licked her lips and stared down at the cock in Alexia’s hand. Her hand made an abortive reach for Alexia before what remained of her self-control forced it back to her side."

menu:
    "Lapis looks like she’s barely holding on; why not thank her for being a good host?":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +3)
        $ fuckedLapis = True
        pass

    "You got what you came for, no need to risk X’zaratl’s wrath falling on Lapis.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        "Alexia leaned in and kissed Lapis gently on the lips. The succubus was startled, but quickly responded."
        al "Thank you. I don’t think we should go any farther, do you?"
        lapis "N…no? No. You’re right, of course. Um. You’re very welcome, please feel free to come back any time."
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
            scene bg9 with fade
        else:
            scene bg7 with fade
        show alexia 2 necklace aroused at midleft with dissolve
        "Alexia nodded and left the Sanctum before temptation could overwhelm her. She hurried back to her room, stopping only to exchange a hurried and awkward greeting with Cla-Min."
        "Awkward, because she kept wondering whether the goblin woman’s ample cleavage would make a good resting place for her cock. Hurried, because if they’d talked any longer, Alexia was going to find out."
        "Once she was back in her room, she rushed to the bed, her hand already wrapped around her rapidly hardening cock."
        al "S-so fucking hard… "
        scene black with fade
        "Overtaken by desire, she spent her day off wanking herself into oblivion… "
        if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna == False:
            scene bg54 with fade
        else:
            scene bg13 with fade
        "Her new cock disappeared just around evening, exhausted, she let her head sink into the pillows. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, she heard X’zaratl’s voice. She saw the succubus slip into the room. Did she not close the door?"
        show xzaratl neutral at skorright with dissolve
        al "A-ha, X’zaratl. I…"
        xz "Shh, it’s fine, my dearest Alexia. You can rest. I am so proud that you had the courage to seek your own pleasure."
        "X’zaratl’s subtle scent filled Alexia’s nostrils as the succubus leaned in to whisper in her ear."
        xz "But next time please wait for Rowan and me to be present. There is so much {i}more{/i} you can experience that way."
        "X’zaratl brushed the hair from Alexia’s face and kissed her on the cheek."
        xz "Goodnight, dearest Alexia. Sleep well, and dream of all the things you and your husband and I can do together."
        "Alexia murmured and snuggled into her pillow. Sleep found her quickly…as did her dreams."
        return

"Alexia grinned."

al "Lapis, you’ve been sooooo helpful; is there anything I can do to show my gratitude?"

lapis "Um. Noooo? I’d better not. I mean, I’d {i}really{/i} better not."

"Alexia advanced on Lapis, hips swaying like a metronome, and backed the helpless succubus up against a wall. She put her hand above Lapis’s left shoulder and leaned into the side of her neck. She took a delicate sniff, exhaled, then took a much deeper breath."
"The succubus smelled delicious, like strawberries and cream. There was no way Alexia would let her beg off; besides, she could see the goosebumps on Lapis’s smooth, smooth skin. Just one more push and Lapis would be hers. She put her mouth up to one delicate, shell-pink ear."

al "Are you sure there’s nothing I can do to change your mind? I know how much you’ve been aching for some Blackwell dick. Even if it isn’t the one you originally had in mind."

lapis "I…that is I—"

#cg 1
scene cg2087 with fade
pause 2
show cg2088 with dissolve
pause 2
show succubus 3 neutral behind cg2088
show alexia 2 necklace happy behind cg2088

"Alexia tangled her right hand in Lapis’s hair and pulled her head to the side. She took a moment to savour the line of the succubus’s neck before she bit down firmly just under her ear."

lapis "Ohhhhhhhhhhh."

"Alexia’s left hand stroked down Lapis’s side, making a small but important stop at the succubus’s tit to roll her nipple. Lapis moaned again; her hips twitched involuntarily. Alexia took that as an invitation to slide two fingers slowly into the succubus’s dripping pussy."

lapis "I shouldn’t—I shouldn’t—"

"Alexia planted a soft kiss on Lapis’s lips, reveling in their softness and the faint taste of strawberry."

al "Shhhhh. You let me worry about what you should and shouldn’t do right now. We’ll tell X’zaratl that {i}I{/i} interfered with {i}you{/i}."

"She stroked her fingers against the upper wall of Lapis’s tight channel in “come hither” manner."

lapis "Please…"

al "What was that, dear?"

"She continued her ministrations, biting down fiercely where the succubus’s neck joined her shoulder."

lapis "AAAAAHHHHHHHH! Oh Kharos! Please…please don’t stop!"

"Alexia's smile was feral."

al "Not even if you begged me."

"She increased the pace and pressure of her ministrations and soon enough Lapis gasped and shuddered her way through an orgasm. Alexia presented her left hand to the succubus. Lapis kissed her fingers, then sucked them into her mouth, licking up every drop of her own juices."
"Alexia clenched her hand, tightening her grip on Lapis’s hair. Lapis moaned on Alexia’s fingers, a faint blush staining her neck and cheeks. The sex demon seemed oddly shy, slightly reluctant to meet Alexia’s gaze."
"Alexia could feel her rock hard cock strain against the fabric of her underclothes. She removed her fingers from Lapis’s mouth and kissed her again. The succubus opened her mouth to Alexia, inviting her tongue in. Alexia's kiss was firm, but slow. "
"She took time to explore Lapis’s mouth, tasting the remnants of the succubus’s cum from Lapis’s own tongue."
"Alexia undid the ties on her skirt with her free hand, then used her grip on Lapis’s hair to pull the succubus to her knees. Lapis nodded once, her eyes downcast, then reached to pull down Alexia’s underclothes."

al "No. Kiss me through the cloth, then use your mouth to free my cock. "

"Alexia emphasized her command by placing her hand on the back of Lapis’s head. Lapis needed no further encouragement and placed a gentle kiss on the cloth covering Alexia’s balls."
"Lapis’s mouth moved up Alexia’s shaft; her tongue flickered hesitantly, then more insistently as she reached the head. Alexia was practically grinding her dick against the succubus’s face when Lapis’s careful teeth removed the final barrier and left them skin to skin. Lapis looked up at Alexia."

al "Suck me."

"Lapis’s mouth, softer and more skilled than Alexia could have imagined, drew her in."

al "(Finally! This little tart deserves everything I can give her.)"

if rowanFutaSuck:
    "She had a moment to think that it might be unfair to compare her husband’s eager, if unskilled, efforts to Lapis’s wonderful blowjob. Lapis was, after all, made for sex. The thought flickered across her mind for an instant before sensation overwhelmed her."

"Lapis had no gag reflex and her throat was achingly tight. Alexia could feel the succubus’s muscles massage the head of her cock while Lapis’s tantalizing tongue made its way down her shaft to lave her balls. "

lapis "Let me try something?"

al "It had better be worth taking your mouth off my cock."

lapis "It will be. X’zaratl’s magic cocks are something special."

"Lapis sucked on one of her fingers and slowly slid it into Alexia’s ass. Alexia stiffened at the unexpected intrusion; she wasn’t used to the exploration of her back passage."
"The welcome return of Lapis’s mouth to her cock was enough to distract Alexia from the succubus’s questing finger. Until it hit something. Something good."

al "OHHHHHHHHH!"

"Alexia had never felt anything like it. Her whole body felt like it was centred on a small bump inside her ass. Waves of pleasure rolled out, almost overwhelming her, as she felt her dick begin to gush pre-cum."
"Alexia’s dick never did require much stimulation, and whatever Lapis was doing was more than enough. Alexia felt herself building to an orgasm. Grasping Lapis’s head with both hands, she face-fucked the succubus."

al "That’s right, slut! Gods! Your mouth was made to take my cock! Ahhhhh!"

"With that, Alexia came. Huge spurts of cum splashed against Lapis’s throat as the succubus, desperately, {i}eagerly{/i}, drank everything. Alexia gave herself a moment, then pulled her cock out of Lapis’s mouth with a soft “pop”."
"Lapis looked Alexia right in the eyes, and opened her mouth to show Alexia what was left of her semen before closing her mouth and very deliberately swallowing it."

lapis "I love the way you taste."

al "I bet you say that to all the cocks."

"Lapis smiled."

lapis "I do, but it happens to be true for all of them. That was a lot of fun, but we’d better go before X’zaratl—"

al "Does my dick look limp?"

lapis "What?"

al "My dick. Is it limp?"

lapis "No—"

al "Then we’re not done. Get on the bed."

lapis "{i}X’zaratl’s{/i} bed?"

al "Do you see another one in the room?"

lapis "No, but there are plenty just out there—"

al "Maybe, but I want you on that one. Didn’t you say that I had permission to use X’zaratl’s room?"

lapis "Yes, but… "

al "On the bed. {b}Now{/b}."

"Lapis’s eyes glanced at the door, then at the bed. She licked her lips, then stood and scurried to the bed, her face betraying both her fear and her arousal."

lapis "Do you want me on my back, or—OHHHHHHHHHHH!"

#cg 2
show cg2089 with dissolve
pause 2
show cg2090 with dissolve
pause 2
show succubus 3 neutral behind cg2089
show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg2089

lapis "Big! Ahhhh! Feels…so good!"

"Alexia reveled in the sensations even as her cock urged her to slam herself harder and harder into the succubus. Lapis’s little moans and cries did nothing but encourage her to go as deep as she could."
"Was this what men felt like all the time? This overwhelming need to enter, to penetrate, to force? Gods! How did they stand it? How did Rowan keep from pushing her onto a bed whenever he wanted?"

if rowan_shares_room_with_helayna and LiurialThreesomeAllowed:
    "She was really getting a taste for pussy. She’d been jealous and hurt when Rowan had started	his little harem, but now she was beginning to see the benefits. One woman did not seem nearly enough for {i}this{/i}."
    "Rowan was generous. Maybe he wouldn’t mind if she had another taste of Liurial. She could only imagine how tight that elf slut would be around her dick. And Helayna… That whore was craving Blackwell cock too… "

elif rowan_shares_room_with_helayna:
    "Is this why Rowan took Helayna in? To have a wet, willing slut by his side at all times?"

elif LiurialThreesomeAllowed:
    "Rowan didn’t know how lucky he was to have Liurial’s willing holes at his beck and call. Alexia had tasted the submissive elf, but she could only imagine how tight Liurial would be around her cock. Rowan was generous…surely he’d allow his wife another taste?"

else:
    pass

lapis "How…are…you so good?! How are you so good with this cock?!"

al "If you can form complete sentences, I’m not doing good enough."

lapis "If you want to shut me up, you can always choke me."

al "What?"

lapis "Mmmmmm-UNH! Just put your hand on my neck and give it a little squeeze."

al "I never… "

show cg2091 with dissolve
pause 2
show cg2092 with dissolve
pause 2

lapis "You never had a cock before either! Come on, it will feel good ~~"

"Her cock twitched. The sight of Lapis writhing and moaning beneath her made her head go blank. She wanted to try more things, wanted to really mess her up, really break her with her cock. Just the thought made her hard as a steel bar."

menu:
    "Don’t get carried away.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        $ lapisChoked = False
        al "How about this?"
        "She bent forward and took one of Lapis’s hard nipples into her mouth. At first she just sucked and licked carefully; Lapis moaned in response. When Alexia bit down, Lapis screamed and came, her bucking hips dragging Alexia over the edge."
        lapis "That’s it! Fill me up! Fill up your little cumdumpster! Ahhhhhhhh!"
        "Alexia leaned in and bit the succubus’s earlobe."
        al "YES! {i}My{/i} little cumdumpster fuckslut pet! Take this big Blackwell dick!"
        "Alexia painted Lapis’s insides white. It felt like she would never stop coming, and she didn’t want to. The feeling overwhelmed her senses; she was barely aware of the succubus screaming her name."
        "All she knew was that the tunnel she was buried in convulsed as much as she did. She couldn’t wait to start the cycle again. She might have to apologize to X’zaratl later, but she was going to fuck this little minx into the ground."
        "Alexia rotated her still-hard dick inside Lapis, who moaned in response."
        lapis "How are you still so hard?"
        al "Magic dick, remember?"
        lapis "Oh, I know. Believe me, I know. But we really should stop now."
        "She grabbed Lapis’s wrists and pinned them above the succubus’s head."
        al "I’m still making the decisions, my little cumslut; you’re just going to have to live with that."
        "Alexia kissed Lapis again. Lapis put up a brief front of reluctance, but then eagerly accepted Alexia’s tongue in her mouth."
        "Alexia began to thrust as Lapis moaned into their kiss. The succubus couldn’t help herself and wrapped her legs around Alexia’s ass, forcing the other woman’s cock in as deep as it would go."
        "They both lost track of time as they sunk into a sea of pleasure. Alexia took Lapis in every position they could think of until they both drifted into an exhausted sleep."

    "Masochistic bitch. Use her. Choke her. Degrade her.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        #$ change_corruption_actor('alexia', +5)
        $ lapisChoked = True
        "Alexia put her hand on Lapis’s neck, luxuriating in the feeling of power it gave her. She could feel the pulse in the succubus’s blood vessels. She moved her thumb and middle finger just below Lapis’s jaw and squeezed."
        lapis "Oh! Just like that! OHHHHHHHHH!"
        "The succubus’s face turned red, and Alexia felt Lapis’s tunnel contract and spasm around her cock. She thrust harder in response. It felt like the little slut’s cunt wanted to suck her in; it was only polite to oblige."
        "She tightened her grip on Lapis’s throat; the succubus writhed in response. From the sounds Lapis was making, she was getting close to another orgasm. Alexia wasn’t far behind."
        "Alexia released her grip on the succubus’s throat for balance. She bent forward and took one of Lapis’s hard nipples into her mouth. At first she just sucked and licked carefully; Lapis moaned in response. When Alexia bit down, Lapis screamed and came, her bucking hips dragging Alexia over the edge."
        lapis "That’s it! Fill me up! Fill up your little cumdumpster! Ahhhhhhhh!"
        "Alexia leaned in and bit the succubus’s earlobe."
        al "YES! {i}My{/i} little cumdumpster fuckslut pet! Take this big Blackwell dick!"
        "Alexia felt herself paint Lapis’s insides white. It felt like she would never stop coming, and she didn’t want to. The feeling overwhelmed her senses; she was barely aware of the succubus screaming her name."
        "All she knew was that the tunnel she was buried in convulsed as much as she did. She couldn’t wait to start the cycle again. She might have to apologize to X’zaratl later, but she was going to fuck this little minx into the ground."
        "Alexia rotated her still-hard dick inside Lapis, who moaned in response."
        lapis "How are you still so hard?"
        al "Magic dick, remember?"
        lapis "Oh, I know. Believe me, I know. But we really should stop now."
        "Alexia kissed Lapis again. Lapis put up a brief front of reluctance, but then eagerly accepted Alexia’s tongue in her mouth."
        al "You still have one hole left."
        lapis "Oh!"
        al "Get on all fours, my little cumdumpster."
        "Lapis blushed, then complied."
        show cg2093 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg2094 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show succubus 3 neutral behind cg2093
        show alexia necklace naked aroused behind cg2093
        "Alexia pushed gently against Lapis’s asshole, the succubus’s own liquid easing her way in."
        al "Relax."
        lapis "I know what I’m doing!"
        "Without thinking Alexia slapped one of the pert ass cheeks in front of her. Lapis yelped."
        al "I told you; I’m in charge. Now be a good cumslut and relax."
        "Alexia felt herself slide past the last bit of resistance as she fully entered Lapis’s ass."
        lapis "Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhn."
        al "Did that hurt you?"
        lapis "Uh huh."
        al "Do you want more?"
        lapis "Uh huuuuhhhhh."
        al "Good cumdumpster."
        "Lapis’s ass was even tighter than her pussy. Alexia pumped her hips slowly at first, giving Lapis time to adjust to her girth."
        if rowanFutaAnal:
            "She’d been inside Rowan, but Lapis had more experience and it showed."
        "She could feel Lapis tighten and loosen her muscles, pressing and releasing against Alexia’s cock. On her next thrust, Alexia spanked Lapis again."
        lapis "Thank you!"
        al "Hmmm."
        "Alexia spanked Lapis again. Harder."
        lapis "Oh! Thaaaank you!"
        "Alexia couldn’t help herself. She let fall a rain of slaps on the succubus’s tight ass, turning it a very fetching shade of pink. Lapis thanked her until her words became an unintelligible babble as Alexia picked up her pace."
        al "Where is my cock?"
        lapis "In my aaaaaaassss!"
        "Alexia spanked Lapis as hard as she could."
        al "Where?!"
        lapis "In your cumdumpster’s ass!"
        al "And what do you want?"
        lapis "More! Fuck me more! {i}Hurt me{/i} more!"
        "Alexia complied, rhythmically beating Lapis’s ass until she saw bruises bloom on her slut’s fair skin."
        lapis "Cum in my ass, pleeeeaaassee! Cum inside me; fill my slutty little ass with your jizz!"
        al "I don’t know. Do you deserve it?"
        "Lapis whined plaintively."
        lapis "Pllleeeeeaasseeee."
        al "Do you promise to let me fuck you as much as I want?"
        lapis "Yeesssss!"
        al "Whenever I want?"
        lapis "Yeeessss! Please, please, please give me your cum."
        al "Take it, you slut! Take! My! Black! Well! COOOOOOOOOOCK!"
        "Alexia unleashed inside Lapis for a third time, doing her best to honor Lapis’s request. After several spurts she was done, and she collapsed on Lapis’s back, dick still firmly lodged in the succubus’s ass."
        lapis "Mmmmmmm. That was so good. Gods! You’re way too good with a cock for someone who wasn’t born with one."
        al "Glad you think so."
        lapis "Oh no…"
        al "Oh yes. I believe you promised."
        "Alexia grabbed Lapis’s hair and pulled her head back."
        al "As much as I want."
        scene black with fade
        "She spent the next several hours showing Lapis just how good she was with her cock. At last, spent, she collapsed on the bed, pulling the succubus against her for ease of access. "

scene bg23 with fade

questi "Dearest Alexia, I am so proud that you had the courage to seek your own pleasure. "
questi "But next time, dear one, please wait for Rowan and me to be present."

"… A  subtle scent filled Alexia’s nostrils. She stirred in her slumber, and felt a weight next to her as someone sat on the bed and leaned in to whisper in her ear… "

show xzaratl neutral behind bg23

xz "If you think one of my minions was good, I invite you to imagine what it would feel like with {i}me{/i}."

hide xzaratl
show xzaratl happy at skorright with dissolve
show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve

al "X’zaratl! Oh, I’m so sorry! I got carried away."

"X’zaratl laughed. Again, damn these cubi! Alexia could have listened to X’zaratl laugh for hours. "

xz "Of course you did. Do not worry, this place - among other things - is open to you. You did enjoy yourself, I trust."

show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

"Alexia nodded. X’zaratl pouted at her."

xz "I must admit to some disappointment. It really should be you and Rowan and I in a tangle of limbs on my bed. You must give me a chance to redress this imbalance."

al "Yes. I would like that. Very much."

xz "Perhaps we can surprise gallant Rowan when he returns? But that must wait for later. For now, why don’t you return to your room to sleep."

show xzaratl neutral at skorright with dissolve

"X’zaratl’s face hardened."

xz "I have to deal with this miscreant."

show alexia necklace naked shocked at midleft with dissolve

al "Oh no, X’zaratl! Don’t punish her; this was my fault, truly. Lapis tried to persuade me to stop several times."

xz "… {i}Several{/i} times?"

al "I can be very persuasive myself."

"She rose up, and the duvet slid off her chest, baring her ample tits to the succubus. X’zaratl’s lone eye ventured down and stayed there for a long while, before finally finding its way back to Alexia’s face."

xz "I see. I am very nearly persuaded right now."

show alexia necklace naked aroused at midleft with dissolve

al "What was that you said about surprising my husband?"

if lapisChoked:
    xz "Later, dear one. Oh! {i}Later{/i}."
    "Alexia rose to go, but turned just before she walked out of X’zaratl’s room."
    show alexia necklace naked at midleft with dissolve
    al "There is just one tiny thing."
    xz "Yes?"
    "Alexia pointed at Lapis."
    al "She swore up and down that she was my cumdumpster and that I was free to use her wherever and whenever I wanted."
    xz "Oh my…"
    "The demon mistress hid her mouth with her sleeve, clearly surprised at Alexia’s choice of words. Her cheeks burned red. Maybe calling her a cumdumpster to her boss was a little harsh… "
    "X’zaratl giggled again, and Alexia let out a tiny sigh of relief."
    xz "Of course, dearest Alexia. But please don’t make me wait longer than she does."
    al "I wouldn’t dream of it."
else:
    xz "For now, while Lapis might not have earned a punishment, she has certainly not earned the right to {i}sleep in my bed{/i}."

"X’zaratl slapped Lapis’ ass, and the succubus sat bolt upright."

lapis "Mistress X’zaratl! I’m sorry. I tried to stop—"

"X’zaratl held up a hand."

"X’zaratl’s eye glinted and Lapis swallowed."

lapis "YesMistressX’zaratl. SorrytottakeupyourbedMistressX’zaratl. Goingnow!"

"Lapis leapt out of bed, almost crashing into Alexia, who instinctively reached out a hand to stop the Succubus. Lapis squeaked, then scurried around Alexia’s hand and out the door into the sanctum. Alexia took a moment to admire the way Lapis’s ass flexed as she ran off."

show xzaratl happy at skorright with dissolve

"X’zaratl smiled."

xz "Discipline has its place. Don’t you agree?"

"Alexia smirked."

al "Definitely."

"She blew X’zaratl a kiss and took her leave."

if lapisChoked:
    scene bg14 with dissolve
    "On the way back, she couldn’t help reflecting on what she’d done with the very willing Lapis. Would she find herself being choked and spanked while she was mercilessly fucked? Would Rowan treat {i}her{/i} like that?"
    if alexiaAndrasObedient:
        "Would Andras?"
    if alexiaJezObedient:
        "Would Jezera?"
    show alexia 2 necklace aroused at center with dissolve
    "She didn’t think that would be bad. She didn’t think that would be bad {i}at all{/i}."

return

# \events\ruler_events_49.rpy
label armchair_therapy_rp:

    $ rowanCorrupt = 0
    "Is Rowan corrupt? (only affects dialogue)"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorrupt = 100
        "No":
            pass

show bg14 with fade
show rowan necklace neutral at midright with dissolve

"The past few weeks had been hectic for Rowan. As a part of the castle hall improvements, Skordred had begun work on the renovation of the secondary guest wing."
"To call it an ordeal would be a tremendous understatement. When he was first released from Bloodmeen's dungeons, they were little more than a moldering pile of rubble and silk."
"But the task had been on Jezera's wishlist for a while, and he knew this. With her ever-revolving social circle, more room to house guests meant greater opportunities to grease palms and eliminate dissenters."
"And that meant that it had to be perfect."
"Through hard work, perseverance, and more than a little bit of teeth-gnashing, the construction had been completed with few complications. Now, Rowan was faced with the biggest challenge of all:"
"Interior decoration."

show orc soldier neutral at midleft with dissolve

"He stood beside a mountain of furniture, each piece more sumptuous than the last. Surrounding him in every direction was a swarm of orcs and maids, hauling the furniture in and out of rooms in a chaotic shuffle."

pigm "Take this one to the fourth room on the right."
pigm "And bring the ottoman, too! They're part of a set. They'll be a gaudy nightmare next to anything else!"

if rowanCorrupt > 60:
    "In response to the maid's instructions, the nearby orc took the fanciful—opulent—{i}expensive{/i}—armchair by one of its wooden legs and began to drag it across the floor like a ragged corpse."
    "Rowan pinched the bridge of his nose. {i}Idiot{/i}."
    ro "Hold."
    "The orc craned his neck over his shoulder quizzically. As he did, Rowan placed one hand on the leg of the armchair to secure it, then kicked the back of the brute's shin, causing him to stumble."
    "The hero rotated the chair until it stood upright, then fixed the green-skinned soldier with a stern glare."
    ro "Do it right. I won't tell you twice."

else:
    "Rowan couldn't resist cradling his head in his hands as the nearby orc took the fanciful—opulent—{i}expensive{/i}—armchair by one of its wooden legs and began to drag it across the floor like a ragged corpse."
    "He raised a forestalling hand to the soldier."
    ro "Hold."
    "He prised the chair from the orc's hands—(not without some stubborn resistance on the orc's part)—and rotated it until it stood upright."
    ro "There."

"The orc said nothing as he reclaimed it, but his expression betrayed the fact that he had no idea what the difference was and did not particularly care to figure it out. His jagged yellow nails sunk carelessly into the fabric as he passed Rowan by."

hide orc soldier with dissolve

"Rowan ran his hand down his face, cursing himself. He should have brought a few of their human staff. While they may not have had the same strength, they might just have a pinch more tact."
"As he considered this, he felt the gentle tap of a thin and feminine finger on his shoulder."

show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with moveoutleft
show mary happy at edgeright with dissolve

mary "Hey there."

"He turned to see a bespectacled maid peering up at him. He recognized this particular girl as one of Jezera's favorites. She carried with her a boudoir chair carved from rich, dark wood."

mary "This one's for you."

show mary happy at midright with moveinright

"Without further ceremony, she handed him the handsome piece of furniture, a hint of amusement half-hidden in the corners of her upturned lips. Rowan could only assume she was enjoying his struggle."
"Paying her little mind, he wrapped his hands around the lacquered legs of the chair to accept it."

show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

ro "…Thanks. I'll pass it along to one of our men."

"He made a gentle attempt to pull it from the maid's grasp, then furrowed his brow quizzically when her grip did not loosen in the slightest."

mary "No, no, silly."
mary "It's for {i}you{/i}. You understand?"

show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

"The realization dawned on him. A member of Jezera's inner circle singling him out, assigning him what seemed to be a menial task, unwilling to give it up to anyone else… "
"This was not a chore. This was an invitation."
"He nodded ever so slightly, clearing his throat."

show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve

ro "I understand. Where should I take this?"

mary "Down to the end of the hall. See that door?"

"His eyes followed hers, alighting upon the only closed door in the entire wing. He should've known that was suspicious."

mary "Yeah. That one over there."
mary "Now, listen. Here's a friendly tip from one faithful servant to another."
mary "That door has a lock. Use it."

"The maid winked, sending a wave of heat through Rowan's body—a baffling cocktail of embarrassment and arousal."
"{i}From one faithful servant to another…{/i}?"
"He would have to unpack his feelings on that particular label at a later date. He shook his head, clearing his thoughts."
"The maid looked upon him with a knowing smile. After meeting his eyes, she curtsied in farewell."

mary "Best of luck."

scene bg14 with fade
show rowan necklace concerned at midleft with dissolve

"Rowan approached the door with trepidation marking his every step. He reached for the doorknob—then, thinking better of it, he curled his knuckles to knock instead."

#Play knocking SFX

questi "{i}Mmmmmffhh…{/i}"

"His ears pricked up as a high-pitched, feminine whimper leaked through from the other side. It was muffled. Smothered, slightly. As if buried beneath something soft and pillowy."
"Following that, Jezera's voice rang out loud and clear."

show jezera happy at edgeright with moveinright

je "Come in!"

hide jezera with moveoutright

"Rowan reached to open the door for a second time. But as he did, a thought occurred to him."
"If he wanted to walk away from this, this might be the best time to do it. Should he cross the threshold, he would undoubtedly be getting an eyeful of something obscene."

menu:
    "Turn tail and don't look back.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        "One moment of clarity was all he needed. Ducking into the neighboring room, he abandoned the chair wherever he could."
        "As soon as it was out of his hands, he made his way through the corridors toward his office. He could no longer linger in the halls, now that he had denied Jezera's task."
        "He hoped the maid had been telling the truth—if she couldn't handle the orcs on her own, there would be hell to pay."
        $ jezeraSubmission -= 1
        return

    "Enter anyway.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        pass

scene bg7 with fade
show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with moveinleft

"As Rowan stepped inside, several things immediately caught his eye."
"Firstly, there was the vanity that stood at the centre of the room."
"Large and luxurious, with a mirror as clean and clear as the surface of a pond, it seemed to be carved of the same rich, dark wood as the chair that Rowan carried."
"Secondly, there was Jezera."

show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve

"The heiress was perched at the vanity, sitting with her left side to the door. A line of items laid before her, ranging from the magical to the mundane, the most notable among them being a glossy crystal ball."
"For but the briefest moment, he swore he saw the smudged impression of a face caged within the crystal's misty core…"
"…but before he could look too closely, Jezera shooed the image away with a wave of her hand."
"Peering at his reflection in the mirror, she smiled warmly to greet him."

je "I'm glad you could come, my hero."

"She crossed her legs at the ankles, bringing to his attention the last point of intrigue that the room had to offer."

show rowan necklace aroused at edgeleft with dissolve

"Beneath Jezera was one of her female servants, sitting on her knees.

The girl's posture was as straight and stiff as a rod. On each of her shoulders, Jezera's thighs were hooked. And in each of her hands, she held Jezera's supple ass aloft."
"She wore nothing aside from a flimsy lace bra that clung uselessly to her ribcage, yanked partway down to allow her heavy breasts to hang free. The only part of her head that wasn't obscured was her short, mousy brown curls."
"Judging by the way her arms trembled, she'd been there for quite some time."

show rowan necklace neutral at edgeleft with dissolve

"Following the friendly advice he received earlier, he slowly swivelled around to lock the door behind him."
"Then, he addressed Jezera with a subtle bow of his head."

ro "…You called for me, mistress?"

"Jezera's smile sharpened."

je "Why, my darling steward—you've brought me someplace to sit. How thoughtful of you! It'll be hours before our little drones have the rooms fully furnished, you know."
je "Though you may have noticed that I've already come up with my own solution in the meantime."

"Her thighs tighten around her servant's head like the coils of a snake. The maid inhales sharply in reply. With as much patience as she can muster, she rubs her own damp thighs together, the scent of sex filling the air."
"She gestured toward the empty space beside her."

je "Drop it over here."

show rowan necklace aroused at midleft with moveinleft

"Without so much as a second thought, Rowan obeyed. He crossed the room, tiptoeing over the pile of black and white frills where Jezera had discarded the maid's uniform, careful not to sully them."
"Setting the chair a few paces from Jezera's side, he lingered, awaiting further command."
"The demoness took a moment to run her violet fingers through the female servant's curls, then dismounted her tired shoulders and stood."

#show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve

"Jezera laid her hands on the back of the chair. The wooden legs ground against the masonry, groaning complaints as she slid them into place before the unclothed maid."
"Her eyes wandered over Rowan appraisingly. Her hair slid from her shoulder in a gentle cascade, as smooth and silvery as gossamer."

je "You poor thing. You look like you could fall over at any second."
je "Come to me, my hero, and sit. Rest your weary body, here—at my side."

"Rowan did his best to ignore the obvious irony there; if anyone in the room was on the verge of collapse, it was the girl sitting sprawled out on the floor."
"He spared a glance in the maid's direction, but it seemed that her exhaustion was already forgotten. Her hungry eyes now lay between his legs, and if the way she licked her lips was any indication, she intended to get a taste of what lay hidden underneath."

menu:
    "Take your seat.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        hide rowan
        show rowan necklace neutral at midleft
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with moveinleft
        ro "Thank you, mistress. How—"
        "Rowan paused. Searching for the right turn of phrase, he settled on Jezera's previous sentiment."
        ro "{i}—thoughtful{/i}, of you."
        show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
        "Rowan moved to settle into his seat, spreading his legs wide to set his feet on either side of the girl beneath him."
        "Jezera extended her index finger, running a single manicured nail under his chin as if it were the tip of a blade."
        je "Oh, Rowan. For you, I would have only the best."
        "The point of her fingernail vanished. With a snap of her fingers, the maid jumped to attention, a spark of light igniting in her empty eyes."
        je "To work."
        show rowan necklace shock at center with dissolve
        "Without so much as a '{i}yes, mistress{/i},' the maid's hands flew to Rowan's belt, tripping over herself in the rush to obey."
        "A smile spread over the hero's lips, cock twitching in the confines of his underclothes. He reclined against the back of his chair, extending a hand to lay on top of the girl's head—"
        "—but before he could reach her, a bright flash of blue energy yanked the hero's hands onto the arms of the chair, locking them in place."
        ro "Jez—?"
        "He feels the press of Jezera's breasts against his back. Her arm slips around his shoulder—a moment's foreshadowing before her hand loosely grips his throat, forcing his chin upward."
        je "Shh-shh-shh. Hush, now. You're here to rest. Not to think. Not to speak."
        je "I'm granting you a rare privilege, my hero."
        #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
        je "If this were any other day—any other hour—without my explicit permission… A feeble mind would earn you the axe. Your sharp wit is the key to your survival."
        "Her thumb ran across the gold chain of his necklace for emphasis."
        je "But the day is today, and the hour is now, and I've given you a new purpose: To have every rational thought sucked out through the head of your cock."
        je "Which means that from here on out, until I say otherwise, that clever mouth of yours stays shut. Understood?"
        ro "…Underst—"
        "Jezera's grip tightened around his Adam's apple, cutting off his response. Rowan fought off the instinctive urge to squirm. It was better to go limp; to remain pliant."
        show rowan necklace neutral at center with dissolve
        "He pressed his mouth into a firm line and nodded. A pleasant chill somersaulted down his spine as Jezera giggled lowly, right beside the shell of his ear. "
        show jezera naked happy at midright with dissolve
        "Soon the maid had his pants around his ankles. Pulling one leg of the garment over his boot, she spread his legs to expose his half-hard member. With a look of hunger, her soft, delicate hands began to pump him to full mast."
        je "Every part of you is my tool, Rowan."
        je "Your hands. Your mind. Your voice."
        "The servant girl bent to press her mouth to Rowan's crown in a lazy, open-mouthed kiss, peering up through her eyelashes at them both. Jezera's free hand wanders downward, delving once again into those dolly-brown curls."
        je "Your needy prick."
        #cg 1
        scene cg2095 with fade
        pause 2
        show cg2096 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg2097 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show jezera naked happy behind cg2095
        "In one smooth motion, the demoness yanked the girl down by the hair—down, down to the very hilt of Rowan's dick."
        "It's like leaping into ice water and it's everything but, the way that his cock surged so deeply into the vice-tight cavern of her throat. His mouth fell open in an audible gasp, which the hand on his neck once again tightened to smother."
        je "From the beginning, I had little doubt that you would prove a useful tool. But I had no way of knowing that you would be so willing."
        "The girl swallowed around him. His toes curled in his boots, his eyes on the ceiling—his mistress' warmth pressed against his skin."
        "Jezera lifted her maid's head upward. Plush, damp lips dragged deliciously over the tight skin of his erection, caressing every throbbing vein. Then—another {i}yank{/i}, and they kissed his balls."
        je "You've been driving yourself like an inner-city whore, haven't you? All for my sake."
        "With every repetition, the servant girl gulped him down, taking the challenge in stride. Her saliva spilled down Rowan's thighs, as warm on his skin as a freshly drawn bath."
        je "I'm not blind to it. Neither am I so heartless as to ignore your devoted attempts to earn my attention. My affection."
        je "You {i}were{/i} trying to impress your mistress, weren't you, my sweet hero?"
        "Jezera's mouth was hot against his ear when she uttered her next command."
        je "{b}Nod.{/b}"
        menu:
            "Nod.":
                $ released_fix_rollback()
                $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                "It may have been the truth, but Rowan would have agreed even if it were a lie. It didn't matter what the real answer was."
                "All that mattered was that he followed his mistress' orders."
                "He bit his lip to stifle a moan, the girl's tongue massaging the underside of his dick as Jezera continued to bob her up and down on his length, and nodded his assent."
                "The demoness smiled against his skin."

            "Hesitate.":
                $ released_fix_rollback()
                "Rowan couldn't deny it. He had been obvious in his pursuit. He was in no way ignorant to the fact that it was his own actions that brought him to this moment."
                "Yet he couldn't bring himself to admit it outright."
                "His heart twinged. Shame prickled at the back of his neck—for how far he'd fallen, or for his hesitance to fall as far as he truly wished he could, he wasn't sure."
                "The demoness {i}tut, tut, tutted{/i} against his skin. Her immaculate fingernails dug into the skin above his jugular, pressing possessively on his pulse."
        "Her right hand left the maid's hair to lay flat upon his stomach, creeping downward until her fingers wrapped tightly around the base of his soaking-wet shaft."
        je "Look in the mirror, Rowan."
        #cg 2
        show cg2098 with dissolve
        pause 2
        show cg2099 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Straining against Jezera's grip, Rowan gazed into their reflection."
        je "Isn't it a relief, to hand me the reins? To live without uncertainty?"
        je "Don't you fit so perfectly in the palm of my hand?"
        "Without Jezera to guide her, the maid lost all sense of restraint. With a strangled squeal of delight, her puffy, cock-bruised lips slurped licentiously at his length, setting a brutal, erratic pace that had Rowan writhing against his restraints."
        je "As long as you continue to prove me right about you—as long as you remain my hardworking, devoted, eager little pet—I can give you everything."
        "His balls ached with the mounting urge to cum. For as deep as he was inside the girl, he wanted to lay his seed even deeper. But the decision was not his. The hand on his cock kept him dancing precariously on the edge, waiting for the right moment to grant him release."
        je "I will use you, yes. Your hands, your mind, your voice. You'll have to fulfill your purpose, the same way that the mouth around you is fulfilling its own."
        if jezDomAstarte:
            je "But I will always reward you for it. Just as I did at Astarte."
        else:
            je "But there will always be a tight, slobbering hole like this one waiting for you once it's done. And your doting mistress will always be there to help you breed it."
        "At last, he felt the hand leave his base. In the next moment, it shot upward to grab the maid's head and {i}pull{/i}, unsheathing his member from her mouth."
        je "{i}Cum.{/i}"
        show cg2100 with sshake
        show cg2100 with sshake
        show cg2101 with flash
        pause 1
        show cg2102 with dissolve
        pause 2
        "Jezera's teeth sunk into the soft flesh of his earlobe, and Rowan saw white."
        "His orgasm hit him like a sudden storm, sweeping him up in a torrent of pleasure. His cock bounced freely, splattering the maid's face in wave after wave of cum."
        "Jezera held her still all the while, making certain she was coated in every last drop."
        "Then she released her, moving to caress Rowan's heaving chest. Her palms smoothed over his pectorals, passing over his tight nipples, still hard with arousal."
        scene black with fade
        "It was a long time before she removed her hand from the hero's throat."
        "At first, Rowan counted the passing seconds, dreading the end of their encounter. Then it occurred to him: Jezera had not yet given him the command to think."
        "So instead, he sunk deeper into her grasp. Boneless. Mindless. Savoring each moment to the fullest, before it passed him by."
        "It had been a long while since he'd felt so free."
        return

    "Sit, but reject the oral service.":
        $ released_fix_rollback()
        ro "It's gracious of you to offer, mistress, but if I could sit undisturbed…?"
        #show jezera naked neutral at midright with dissolve
        "For a moment, the heiress said nothing. She studied his expression, peeling it thoroughly apart, searching for any minute detail that might suggest defiance."
        "Then she sighed, resting her hand on the back of the chair."
        je "You ask much of me to not be offended by your refusal, my hero. Here I am offering you fine wine, and you ask me for water?"
        je "But fine. Have it your way."
        "Jezera looked to the maid and patted her thigh, calling her to her side."
        je "Come here, my dove. You're no longer needed."
        "Rowan almost felt guilty, seeing the girl's eyes grow wide and doleful as she crawled out from underneath the chair. He imagined that her services weren't often declined."
        "Once she was safely out of his way and sat clinging to Jezera's leg with a pout, he took his place at the vanity. From there, he was able to get a better look at the various stationery items and magical implements spread across the countertop."
        "A slip of parchment caught his eye, scrawled with a list of names and—what seemed to be—their sexual preferences and vices beside them. One passage in particular made special note of a certain lords '{i}fondness for figging{/i}'."
        je "As long as you're here, why don't we discuss the accommodations for our first round of guests? Starting with the seating arrangements… "
        return

# \events\rastedel\rastedel_battle.rpy
label astarteJezeraCameo_rp:
    $ jezeraSubmission = 0
    $ astarteBattlePerformance = 0
    $ socity_type = "might"
    $ astartePath = "astarteSabotage"
    $ serveChoice = 1
    $ rowanCorruption = 0
    "Is Rowan corrupt?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ rowanCorruption = 100
        "No":
            pass
    "Why did Rowan agree to serve the twins?"
    menu:
        "To bide his time":
            pass
        "To avoid dying in the dungeon":
            $ serveChoice = 2
        "To see Alexia again":
            $ serveChoice = 3
        "Because Jezera was convincing":
            $ serveChoice = 4
    "Is the society might?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            pass
        "No":
            $ society_type = "feudal"
    "Is Rowan subbmisive to Jezera?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
            $ jezeraSubmission = 5
        "No":
            pass
    "Did Rowan had good battle performance in Astarte battle?"
    menu:
        "Yes":
           $ astarteBattlePerformance = 100
        "No":
           pass
    "Did Rowan commit to the twins ultimate victory?"
    menu:
       "Yes":
           $ astartePath = "astarteServant"
       "No":
           pass

scene bg31 with fade
show rowan hood neutral at midleft with dissolve
show jezera neutral at midright with moveinright

"The next burst of purple came from behind him. A winded Jezera stepped out of the portal, accompanied by a cubi demoness with a cruel smile and a short woman dressed in leather armor. Her personal guard, he assumed - it was the first time Rowan had ever seen them."

je "So? How does it look, Warmaster Rowan?"

"Her hand laid on his shoulder as she leaned in to look down on the battle raging below. The culmination of years of planning and efforts… "

#if the twins are losing.
    #to do

if astarteBattlePerformance > 59:
    show jezera happy at midright with dissolve
    ro "So far things are developing to our advantage, but I- "
    "His words of caution were interrupted by gleeful laughter. Jezera caressed his chin lovingly and pointed to the carnage below."
    je "If {i}you{/i} think this is merely “things developing to our advantage”, then the enemy must be praying to every god that has ever graced this fertile land to return from beyond the grave to save them."
    je "Come on, Rowan. Speak openly. Say what we already know. I want to hear it from your lips."
    if society_type == "might":
        ro "... Their morale is in shatters. There’s no leadership. No cohesion. They weren’t able to form ranks, so there’s no way for them to offer any real resistance to our attacks. We are winning, Mistress."
    else:
        ro "… Their morale is in shatters. There’s no leadership. No cohesion. They weren’t able to form ranks, so there’s no way for them to offer any real resistance to our attacks. We are winning, Empress."
    je "Wonderful. I dreamed of this moment. From the day you knelt before me."
    if astartePath == "astarteServant":
        if jezeraSubmission > 0 and rowanJezSex > 0:
            show jezera happy at center with moveinright
            #show rowan hood aroused at midleft with dissolve
            "She pulled him in and locked their lips in a long, passionate kiss that made Rowan weak in the knees. When she finally pulled away, her laughter could be heard all across the cliff."
            je "Oh, my sweet, wonderful hero!"
        else:
            #show rowan hood happy at midleft with dissolve
            "He hid a smile. Exactly as he imagined. In time his Mistress would learn all her dreams would come to fruition only with him by her side."
        je "I believe a reward is in order."
        ro "You are most gracious, Mist-"
        je "Right now."
        #show rowan hood shock at midleft with dissolve
        "Her hand briefly brushed against his crotch, raising all alarm bells in Rowan’s head. He looked at her, incredulous. The battle was still raging on - and might continue to do so for many more hours."
        je "Our forces are already deployed. The enemy is in shambles. And it’s all thanks to you, Rowan. You delivered the world on a plate for me. Or at least, a part of it."
        #show rowan necklace neutral at midleft with dissolve
        ro "My forces are still in reserve, not to mention-"
        je "Tell them you do not wish to fight. I’ll send them home. We don’t need to expend all of our resources here, do we?"
        ro "... {i}What?{/i}"
        "Her expression was the picture-perfect example of innocence. She smiled sweetly, and lovingly caressed his face."
        je "Sounds like something you would do, no?"
        if jezeraSubmission > 0:
            $ jezeraAstarteResistance = 0
            "His blood went cold. {i}He{/i} was to tell {i}his{/i} soldiers they would not take part in the greatest victory the forces of Chaos had seen in decades."
            "She asked him to give up all the glory he worked so hard for, and in return…"
            je "Do it, Rowan, and I will reward you beyond your wildest dreams."
            label tempAstarteMenu:
            menu:
                "Obey your mistress.":
                    $ released_fix_rollback()
                    $ astarteBattlePerformance -= 5
                    #rowan hood aroused
                    "He knew what he would say from the moment he locked eyes with her. Despite it being foolish. Despite it being unreasonable, and harmful to him, his position, and possibly his long-term goals."
                    "She asked him to obey, with a beautiful smile, and a sweet voice. And it was enough."
                    show rowan hood neutral at center with moveinleft
                    hide jezera with dissolve
                    "He licked his parched lips, and pulled away from her. Behind them, his soldiers were shuffling restlessly, ready to be deployed. Seeing his approach, the first officer called out."
                    show orc soldier neutral behind bg31
                    orco "Warmaster! Let our blades taste blood already! There will be only scraps remaining if we wait any longer!"
                    ro "This will not be necessary. "
                    #If Helayna is present.
                        #"The shocked silence was deafening. The orcs gawked at him. Helayna gawked at him. Only Jezera paid them no heed, humming to herself as she watched the slaughter down below."
                    #else
                    "The shocked silence was deafening. He felt the stare of dozens of orcs on him, like a tribunal. Only Jezera paid him no heed, humming to herself as she watched the slaughter down below."
                    #rejoin
                    ro "Return to the castle. We don’t need to throw everything at the enemy."
                    #rowan hood angry
                    ro "This is an order, officer."
                    "He cut the orc off before he could protest. The officer gripped the handle of his axe with such force Rowan thought it would shatter into splinters."
                    orco " … You heard the “Warmaster”. Go."
                    #If helayna is present.
                        #show Helayna right, plate armor, confused.
                        #"Despondent, they walked through the portal. Helayna approached him, full of questions Rowan did not wish to answer. He gestured at the portal, again."
                        #hel "Love, I- I don’t understand."
                        #ro "I’ll explain later. For now, trust in me, alright? And make sure they don’t demolish the castle."
                        #hide hel with moveoutright
                        #"The thin line of Helayna’s lips betrayed a part of her wanted to smash a few things herself. She bowed her head obediently, and hurried after the orcs. She cast him one last worried look, then crossed the portal."
                    #else
                    "They turned around, despondent, and walked through the portal."
                    #rejoin
                    "It closed with an ominous fizzle. Rowan took a deep breath. Did he really just… ?"
                    show jezera happy behind bg31
                    "Smart decision, my hero."
                    #rowan hood aroused
                    #hide jezera
                    show jezera naked happy at midleft with dissolve
                    "He turned to face her - and found her standing right behind him, completely naked."
                    je "One of many."
                    show rowan necklace aroused at center with dissolve
                    "She took off his hood, and slid the cape off his shoulders.  Her hands wrapped around him, and she pulled herself closer."
                    #cg 1
                    scene cg2108  with fade
                    show jezera naked happy behind cg2108
                    show rowan necklace aroused behind cg2108
                    pause 3
                    je "The heart of Rosaria, in my hands."
                    "She forced his mouth open, and invaded it with her tongue, kissing and claiming him a dozen times over. Every time he thought she was done with him, she attacked him again, showering him affection until he could think of nothing else but her."
                    show cg2109 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "When she finally pulled away, they were both panting. Rewards beyond his wildest dreams…"
                    "She was manipulating him. Sowing discord between him and his soldiers. Was this how things would always look? Whenever he would accomplish anything, she would pull on his leash so he didn’t get any funny ideas…?"
                    #If Rowan Submissionis lower than 3
                        #TO DO
                    #else:
                    "And seeing her like this… Did he even care?"
                    je "Rowan ~~ I can see you’re letting your thoughts wander. How insulting, given who’s throwing herself at you."
                    ro "I’m sorry, I-"
                    "She silenced him with a kiss. When she pulled away this time, a tiny, triumphant smirk played on her lips."
                    je "I understand. We haven’t always been on the best of terms. And that is, in part, your fault."
                    "She poked his chest with her finger, and laughed."
                    je "You are a very difficult man to be with, Rowan Blackwell! Absolutely infuriating! All that year, fighting me over so many things! Bah!"
                    je "… But, I understand now. I see where your loyalties lie. And what your language of {b}love{/b} is."
                    je "Now I know everything you do, you do for {b}me{/b}."
                    "Her last word was whispered into his ear, and she pulled herself up to lightly bite him on the earlobe. He shuddered, unsure where to put his hands, or how to hide his hardening cock. Or if he even needed to."
                    je "You are mine. Oh, don’t make such a face. I mean it. You are mine. You are the only man worthy of standing beside me. The only servant really worthy of the title. The only man worthy of me."
                    "His heart started to beat faster. He looked into her eyes, and for once found no malice in them. He saw joy. He saw victory. And dare he say it…"
                    je "Love me Rowan. Right here, right now."
                    ro "Yes, Mistress."
                    "It was like a dream. She pulled away from him, inched closer to the edge of the cliff, and lay down on the grass. His trembling hands discarded what remained of his armour. His sword, once so disgracefully buried in her neck, was tossed to the ground."
                    "She opened her arms, and opened her legs, ready to accept all of him."
                    je "Come, my hero. Claim your reward."
                    show cg2110 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show cg2111 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    show rowan naked aroused behind cg2110
                    "He slid into her, her pussy taking his cock with almost no resistance, warm and inviting. He heard her moan in a most delightful manner, and his Mistress left a small kiss on his cheek as he struggled to take control of his lusts."
                    "Too often did he play this game before. The constant push and pull with his Mistress. He wanted to fuck her without restraint and without any care. But he didn’t know if she’d allow him. He-"
                    "She kissed him again, and her legs wrapped around his thighs."
                    je "Start slow. I want to relish this. I want {i}you{/i} to relish it."
                    ro "Yes, Mistress."
                    "As she commanded, he started slow, thrusting into her without hurry, sliding his cock fully inside her, her snug walls wrapping around him tightly, refusing to let go."
                    je "Aaaah…"
                    "And each thrust was accompanied by a quiet, almost inaudible gasp. She held his gaze, and her fingers inched closer to his hand."
                    je "The perfect lover."
                    if serveChoice == 2:
                        "Their fingers intertwined. Their bodies united. And to think he first knelt before her only to avoid perishing in the dungeons…"
                    elif serveChoice == 3:
                        "Their fingers intertwined. Their bodies united. And to think he first knelt before her to… See his wife again…"
                    elif serveChoice == 1:
                        "Their fingers intertwined. Their bodies united. And to think he first knelt before her to plot her demise… "
                    else:
                        "Their fingers intertwined. Their bodies united. And to think she came to him talking of saving Rosaria, and not of what they could share together…"
                    je "You can go faster now."
                    "She whispered into his ear again, pulling him closer. His hips picked up pace, as he desperately tried to quench that burning heat in the wet sheath between her legs. Faster and faster, mindlessly thrusting, as deep as he could, as hard as she would allow him."
                    je "Faster. Go faster ~~"
                    je "Slay that pussy like you slay your countrymen."
                   # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame",], "graze")
                    "Thinking back, he would have liked to say he stopped at that moment. But he was so enamoured in the warmth of her slit and the softness of her body, he didn’t register what she said until a few moments had passed."
                    ro "Mistress?"
                    je "What? Do you not hear them scream, my hero?"
                    "Between his grunts, mixed with Jezera’s sweet moans… The sounds of battle still reached high into the sky, up to the plateau they laid on. The sounds of blades clashing. The screams of pain…"
                    "He grimaced - then stumbled forward as Jezera pulled him in with her legs, urging him to keep thrusting. And even though he couldn’t force himself to ignore the battle still playing before his eyes, just beyond the cliff - neither could he resist his Mistress welcoming cunt."
                    je "So much blood spilled… Mmm, it really makes me wet ~~"
                   # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame",], "graze")
                    je "You did such a good job Rowan, betraying your people ~~"
                    ro "Mistress, please-"
                    je "But it makes me so happy Rowan! Some men gather flowers, buy jewellery, or craft poems…"
                    je "You express your love with a {i}bodycount{/i}. And I love you for it."
                    "She thrust her hips up, not letting him slow down for even a moment, her demonic cunt trapping his cock with unnatural prowess. Her words seared into his heart, and he let out a pained moan. And yet- and yet-"
                    je "Mmmmm, that’s right, don’t stop. You make your Mistress so happy ~~"
                    "He didn’t stop. He didn’t {i}want{/i} to stop. Despite the cruel words, she saw something in her eyes he had never seen before. A yearning, some possessive desire… And he was the sole target of it."
                    "His reward. And the price he paid for it."
                    je "You killed for me. You lied for me. You enslaved, and you hurt, and you exploited people to my benefit. All so you could deliver the world to my feet."
                    if rowanCorruption > 60:
                        "When did all of this become so easy? He didn’t know. He couldn’t remember. It started with one compromise, then another… Gods… So much suffering… "
                    elif rowanCorruption > 30:
                        "It wasn’t true, he- Maybe sometimes. Necessary sacrifices. He needed to raise an army, it wouldn’t be possible without compromises! But only sometimes! He wasn’t… He… "
                    else:
                        "It wasn’t true! He kept to his ideals. He- "
                        "The screams of pain put an end to his delusions. So what if he offered mercy whenever he could? He could even be a saint, but in the grand scheme of things, he still built the twins an army, one that would be used to no good ends."
                    je "And you will keep doing that."
                    "It was not a question. Did this really change anything? Sharp words- he got used to them. Like a rose, she pricked, and she hurt, but…"
                    je "You will do far worse for me, my dark hero. And I will love you for it even more."
                    menu:
                        "“Yes, Mistress.”":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraSubmission += 1
                           # $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame",], "graze")
                            pass

                        "...":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraAstarteResistance += 1
                            pass
                    "Like a siren song, softly whispered into his ears. Not once did she raise her voice. Not once did she allow him to ignore the screams of pain around them."
                    je "Say you will kill for me, Rowan."
                    menu:
                        "Obey.":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                          #  $ avatar.take_damage (["mental_shame",], "graze")
                            ro "… Whoever you want. H-ah! Whenever you - a-ah! - want!"

                        "Keep quiet. ":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraAstarteResistance += 1
                            "He swallowed heavily, and kept his lips closed. He felt the fear creep into his heart. He couldn’t displease her now, not when he was so close!"
                    je "Say you will betray your friends for me, Rowan."
                    menu:
                        "He was loyal only to Jezera.":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            ro "I have nobody but you, Mistress."
                            je "No ~~ You have friends, Rowan. They trust you. They believe in you ~~ Tell me you will use it against them ~~"
                            ro "Y-yes…"

                        "He couldn’t let this keep going.":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraAstarteResistance += 1
                            "For a moment, he found the strength to pull away, to try and untangle himself - and she pulled herself up, thrusting her hips into his own, making sure his cock stays buried deep in her cunt."
                            ro "Nn-gh- ah!"
                            je "A-a! This is where you belong, Rowan."
                            "His disobedience earned him no punishment, only more sweet poison. His body betrayed him, and his hips started to plunge his cock into her again ~~"
                    "His thrust grew desperate, as his heart sought solace in the mindless bliss of the encroaching climax. Just a little more…"
                    show cg2112 with dissolve
                    pause 2
                    "She clung to him unexpectedly, and locked their lips together, trapping him in a long, decadent kiss that lasted into eternity, and for a moment brought him back to reality. Her nose playfully nudged his cheek, as she nuzzled herself into him."
                    je "You know…"
                    je "They say… That for a Demon Lord to have children…"
                    je "They need love ~~"
                    "She kissed him gently on the cheek, her hands and legs gripping him tightly…"
                    je "You always do the impossible, Rowan. So…"
                    je "Cum in me."
                    menu:
                        "Breed her.":
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraSubmission += 2
                            show cg2113 with sshake
                            show cg2113 with sshake
                            show cg2114 with flash
                            pause 1
                            show cg2115 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            "As they were, embraced under the open sky, he climaxed inside her."
                            "He didn’t know what gave first - his heart, or his body. He only knew the next thing he was doing was shaking his hips in short, rapid thrusts, cumming in her, pouring more and more of his seed into his Mistress."
                            je "Mmmmm… Just like that… Undo everything you’ve ever done in Solansia’s name…"
                            show cg2116 with dissolve
                            pause 2
                            je "You will have no goddesses before me, Rowan."
                            "She gave him a short kiss on the cheek, and laid back, letting him do as he pleased and enjoying the moment, studying his every reaction."
                            je "Too much ~~ ?"
                            "She giggled softly, feasting her eyes as she saw the unearthly bliss on Rowan’s face twist into horror."
                            "He pulled away. He saw his cum {i}gush{/i} out of Jezera. She was just joking, right? Every word - there to hurt him, there to tease him, there to taunt him, {i}break him{/i}."
                            "He opened his mouth, needing to know - then closed it again. At best, he’d amuse her, and he would get no answer. At worst, he’d insult her, and…"
                            "And lose the chance to do this again…"
                            ro "Happy to be of service, Mistress."
                            je "Happy {i}to be serviced{/i}, my hero. Now, I believe the battle is slowly coming to an end, no?"
                            $ jezDomAstarte = True

                        "Pull out!" if jezeraAstarteResistance > 0:
                            $ released_fix_rollback()
                            $ jezeraSubmission -= 2
                            "With the last of his willpower, he pulled out of her, throwing himself back. She’d have him undo everything he ever worked for! She-"
                            #show cg with blueflash
                            show black with blueflash
                            #cg3
                            scene black with fade
                            show jezera naked happy behind black
                            show rowan necklace aroused behind black
                            "Ropes of azure lighting wrapped around his arms and neck, pulling him to the ground, forcing him to kneel - bent backwards and thrusting his hips out. Jezera’s jeering laughter rang in his ears, and she lazily nudged his cock with her foot."
                            je "Oooooh Rowan, did I push too hard? {i}Too soon{/i}?"
                            ro "Mistress, please-"
                            je "“Mistress please”, “Mistress don’t”, as if you weren’t thrusting into my cunt like an animal in a rut seconds ago!"
                            "She didn’t move from her spot, merely leaned away, and wrapped his cock with both of her feet, her gentle soles rubbing up and down his painfully erect phallus. Fuck, he was already at the edge-"
                            je "You scorned me Rowan, but it’s fine. You will be back. You know you will."
                            je "For now… Enjoy your reward."
                            "He closed his eyes, trying to imagine it was anybody else. That it was someone else’s delicate feet masterfully stroking his cock, tiny toes teasing his engorged head, caressing him-"
                            je "Cum, my hero."
                            "And even with his eyes closed he saw her face, holding that wicked smile - and this time, it was too much."
                            ro "A-ah!"
                            "He exploded into the air, right onto her. She released his bindings, and he fell down on his knees."
                            je "Mmmm… So thick… And such a tantalizing aroma!"
                            "His demonic mistress smeared his white cum over her cobalt skin, then brought it to his lips, and licked it clean with a content sigh."
                            je "Delicious ~~ Such a shame you couldn’t finish in me ~~"
                            "More mockery, more {i}taunts{/i}. And even if it was just pretended, even if she didn’t mean a word of it… A part of him still felt a pang of regret at his own resistance."
                            je "Ah, but we played enough. I think the battle is nearing its end, no? Get yourself cleaned up, Warmaster.  You’re still needed."
                            je "Just don’t blow it at the very end this time."
                            ro "… Yes Mistress."
                            $ jezFootjobAstarte = True

                    scene bg31 with fade
                    show rowan necklace naked neutral at midleft with dissolve
                    show jezera naked happy at center with dissolve
                    "He nodded numbly, and forced himself up. He cast a quick look at the battlefield. She was right - the Rosarian army was starting to crumble."
                    je "Aaaah~~ It almost makes me want to go again…"
                    "Small groups of soldiers started to break out, trying to escape. To the north, and to the south. A pathetic amount, compared to the sheer number of bodies that now decorated the land."
                    "The rest, surrounded by what they thought were the innumerable legions of the outer planes, chose to make a desperate last stand. Rowan watched as the circle of orcs closed around them, tightening like a hangman’s noose."
                    "It would not be long before the few sole survivors would lay down their weapons, hoping for mercy that may prove far crueler than death."
                    show rowan hood neutral at edgeright with dissolve
                    #if Helayna was present at Astarte.
                        #"Still numb, he started to pick up his gear. He had a job to do. He’d process all of this later. Put on the armour. Find the sword. Get Helayna. Don’t think about Jezera. {i}Don’t think about Jezera{/i}."
                    #else:
                    "Still numb, he started to pick up his gear. He had a job to do. He’d process all of this later. Put on the armour. Find the sword. Don’t think about Jezera. {i}Don’t think about Jezera{/i}."
                    ro "Warmaster Rowan. Point E-8."

return