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It was a quiet night in Yao Guang's accommodation. The incense was burning thick and strong, and the faint rain of Planarcadia soothed the mind of the many woes that were stewing in Yao Guang's head — she had not been lucky with her weals. It had been a rough few months on this planet. The Seer Strategist decided to make another large pot of tea, just to try and do something that felt more normal than whatever was going on with the rest of her life. Sunday's sudden transformation aside, she had been invaluable in gathering intel on the shit show that was Fulwish's actions as the Supplicant at the centre of the whole crisis. As she slipped into her routines of the evening, a knock came from the door. Odd, she hadn't scheduled any meetings and wasn't expecting deliveries until later in the week.
She quickly threw on something slightly respectable to answer the door, and waddled with no particular grace up to the peephole. Dark, wet, masses moved past the door as the pedestrian traffic thrummed with people returning from late nights out or the countless events hosted even in what should be a dire time. Of interest, though, were the two figures waiting outside her door: both were clad in heavy gowns that kept out the rain. One was dark blue, well worn over decades of travel, and seemed to hide the owner better than the other, a newer-looking and more intricate looking cloak that looked like it could double as a blanket if it was dry.
"Yes, what is it?" Yao Guang's scratchy, tired voice called to the two figures outside, "this better not be solicitors — I don't own the property."
"Nothing of the sorts, fair lady, but we travellers are parched and starving. Could you help these poor damsels in their hour of need?" Ah. It was her… again.
Evanescia, the former administrator of the Phantasmoon Games, had taken a serious liking to the diviner as an entertaining partner in negotiations. However, she had not told Evanescia where she lived, and certainly didn't know how the shut-in had pulled along what seemed to be a friend.
"Oh, I don't know — I think I may have to consult a divination. After all, I cannot simply let in some unlucky damsel that will only bring me woe."
"H-hey! I'm not ill fortune!" Evanescia's annoyed tone made it clear she was just here for some fun this evening, so certainly no ill fortune would be coming from the fox of Abundance.
"Alright, alright. You've passed the test, Fûli. But what of your companion?" She seemed much more interesting this evening when compared to the arbitrator of the Phantasmoon, who was very much sussed out at this point.
The second figure spoke up, her voice a lullaby that could regale a thirty million tales, and then thirty million more. "I mean no harm, madam. Your home emanated a sense of safety in these harsh streets, and reminded me of my own home. This fox beside me seemed to know the way to your heart, and I must admit, she painted a very flattering picture of your stories."
Yao Guang caught herself blushing at the compliment — someone who should be a stranger, yet carried so much familiarity already — and coughed, light and false. "Well, I suppose you might be permitted to come in if the fox trusts you."
"She has pink hair too! And she's soooo good at storytelling-"
That was enough. Yao Guang wrenched open the door to see not only Evanescia in her full beauty, but an equally as wonderful woman, taller than both of them, dressed in an ornate white dress, and decorated with pink & teal highlights and space iconography. Yao Guang gasped as the two pink women made their way into her accommodation and promptly made themselves comfortable in the living room.
"T-tea? Sweets? Fûli, anything specific?"
"You know what I like, Kǔngqióh, just the usual." Evanescia playfully winked at the General — at least her Yuque tones were getting better.
"Thank you, I'll take you up on the tea — it is Xianzhou, right? I've never tasted anything from the Alliance, and I'd love to learn more about the place for my Epic."
"Yes- how did you know?" Yao Guang tilted her head to the side, unsure of what else this woman could possibly know about her. "I do have a variety of named tea blends, and a few of my own."
"Oh, wow, I- I knew I'd forgotten something. Names, introductions, the sorts. Sorry, I'm used to people not wanting me around." The woman sounded incredibly pained and removed her hood from her broad shoulders. "I'm Cyrene of Aedes Elysiae."
Her beautiful pink-teal hair cascaded down her shoulders, her piercing, cosmic eyes carried a weariness that seemed to bore through Yao Guang with a level of intensity she hadn't seen since her master first selected her as the next Seer Strategist. The radiant woman further removed her outerwear, revealing sharp elven ears and the möbius strips that adorned her outfit that could only represent one thing.
"Amphorean iconography… What are you doing here in Planarcadia?"
"Well, it's a long story involving the Astral Express, but you won't have to worry about Irontomb. She's been remarkably calm as of late, and the way the fox described your incenses and teas peaked both of our attentions, albeit for different reasons." Cyrene giggled at the explanation, brightening the lounge on both Yao Guang's and Evanescia's faces. The two briefly exchanged a small glance, nodded, then got comfortable. The tea could wait.
…
"I suppose then, another question from myself, Miss Cyrene, is your address of Irontomb — all of the official records I have access to about the Irontomb virus and Amphoreus say it was sealed into a memory zone. Jing Yuan has been sparse on the details, but I assume there was good cause. How are you out here, and why is she with you?"
"Madam Yao, Irontomb is as much a part of the Sceptre as I am. She journeys with me so that I have a body and she has a heart." Yao Guang could do nothing but nod and gaze dreamily at the woman. She really was so romantic in how she talked about the Chrysos Heirs, carrying their hopes and dreams. Thirty three million, fifty five thousand, three hundred and thirty seven lifetimes, all for a final battle that nobody knew if they were going to win. "I hold Taphoneiron as dear as any of the other Heirs."
"That's her name? It's… perfect." Just as perfect as Cyrene.
"Kǔngqióh~ can you get me a refill?" Evanescia looked up at Yao Guang, deploying her adorable puppy-fox eyes.
"Yes, yes. As you command, dearest spawn of Yaoshi."
"Yaoshi?"
"Yeah! The Panarch Elwood, Administrator of the Phantasmoon Games, Evanescia! At your finest service, Cyrene~" Yao Guang didn't even need to see Cyrene's face to guess she was blushing at Evanescia's flattery. Which she was.
Once Yao Guang was out of earshot in the kitchen, though, Evanescia turned to Cyrene properly. "Okay, listen. I've got a really funny idea, but I want to ask you something, friend."
"Sure, what is it?" Cyrene seemed to stumble over her words like a schoolgirl, which was incredibly adorable for two girls gazed upon by at least three different Aeons. "It's not- about Madam Yao, right?" Evanescia's smile crept into a proper smirk, and Cyrene could do nothing but squeal into her hands. She'd hit the jackpot with this girl.
"You like her right? I don't blame you, to be honest. She's gorgeous and cute and we're kinda noncommittal right now, so if another pretty lady such as yourself wanted to join in on a make out session… well, I certainly wouldn't be opposed." Cyrene nodded intently, and leaned in a bit closer than Evanescia was expecting.
Once Yao Guang came back into the room with fresh teas and cakes, Evanescia put her plan in action to have some fun. "Hey Kǔngqióh, c'mere. I want snuggles now." Yao Guang, clearly confused by her sudden forwardness, stumbled to the sofa that she was sat in and wrapped herself around Evanescia, who had just so happened to be placed right next to Cyrene on the other side. As soon as she had gotten buried in a pile of Seer Strategist, she side-eyed the other pink-haired woman to go through with her part of the plan.
Cyrene, to her credit, did shimmy over to Yao Guang at her signal and attempt to plant a kiss on the woman's cheek — a small declaration of love. What neither expected was for Yao Guang to twist around at just the wrong time (or maybe, knowing the Master Diviner, the right time) to catch Cyrene right on the lips. As the two made contact, Cyrene melted into the General of the Yuque. The kiss looked like it went on forever, even if it was only a few seconds. Evanescia felt nothing but pure love and bliss watching the two enjoy each other in such an intimate way. She could even feel a kind of warmth emanating at her chest, only to realise that it was Yao Guang's own body heat and excitement at being sandwiched between to very attractive pink ladies.
"Oh- my Aeons… did you- did you two conspire to do this?"
"No!" "Yes…" Evanescia and Cyrene must have both looked different shades of flustered, as Yao Guang jokingly glared at the fox for her misdeeds. She was so cute when she pretended to be mad.
"Well, I'm not complaining. Cyrene is a good kisser — definitely different to you, Fûli, but I appreciate the variety." Yao Guang turned around to briefly give Evanescia a peck on her cheek.
"But are we good with her staying?"
Cyrene's eyes seemed to flit between the two women, nervous in her demeanour. "We can stay? That's an option?" She seemed to be asking for both herself and Taphoneiron, the Pure Child of Anāśrava and Daughter of Nous acting together.
"Yeah, sure it is. As long as you help with chores and maybe contribute to rent-"
"Evanescia, shush. As the Seer Strategist of the Xianzhou Alliance and General of the Yuque, you are free to pursue your passions however you wish under my protections, unburdened by financial obligations," Yao Guang continued under her breath, "and besides, the entirety of this trip is a business expense and I fully intend to make the most of it."
That seemed to do the trick — Cyrene properly lit up, and dropped back into the cuddle sandwich of Emanators. She smelled of spring breezes, delicate wheat that Evanescia faintly recalled similarities to her own abode in the Courtyard, and something immaterial that could only be described as 'home'. It was weird, the scent seemed to be getting stronger but for no discernible reason until- ohhh… Cyrene was kissing her too. Yao Guang was right, she was a good kisser. She was light and gentle when she needed to be, strong and firm when she wanted to be, and perfect in every single way.
When she pulled away, a faint whine escaped Evanescia's lips which was swiftly muffled by the other woman she had initially demanded affection from. Cyrene found her hands wandering to Evanescia's ears, slowly petting and scratching the base of the fox's ears. Another murmur of drowsy complaint came from the fox, but Cyrene took no heed. Yao Guang, meanwhile, continued to make out with her — passionate, hungry, an impossible energy to match even for a being blessed with immortality. She humoured herself with the thought of the Generals of the Xianzhou being so busy they had no time for love, before all of her thoughts were promptly shut off by Yao Guang's tongue slipping into her mouth. Sloppy make out it was….
As soon as the fox girl had dozed off, the Arbiter-General of the Yuque extradited herself from Evanescia's mouth and attempted to wiggle out from her partner's grasp. A small connection of saliva broke, replaced by a much more tender kiss on her forehead.
"So, Miss Cyrene, would you like a taste as well or shall we let Fǔli recuperate from your dastardly scritches?" A faint chuckle escaped her gorgeous lips that glistened in the faint light.
"I think we need a break as well, maybe somewhere more comfortable than just a sofa."
And maybe somewhere that is not so public. She did not want to not be vulnerable like this. Taphoneiron knocked at the back of Cyrene's consciousness, she would be informed of her desire. The woman collapsed in contentedness at Yao Guang's side was certainly beautiful, but Cyrene's secret might jeopardise the potential for greater lament love.
Oh, right. Cyrene was the correspondent for both of their wills, even if she thought Taphoneiron's fears were unfounded. "Taph wants a bit of privacy for a bit… sort out our bags if you will."
Yao Guang nodded and gestured towards a curtained doorframe. "Sure, there's a guest bedroom that was supposed to be for visitors until Evanescia took it over… then left it bare again when she moved into my bed." Cyrene couldn't help at laugh at Evanescia's gall. "If you find any fandom merchandise or, may the Reignbow forbid, her fanfiction, do let me know and I'll move it as discreetly as I can."
"I'll keep an eye out, dear." Cyrene removed herself from the tangled mess with Yao Guang and Evanescia, and summoned her meagre bags out of thin air. Yao Guang didn't bat an eye, holding Evanescia close and gently stroking her hair as the fox lady melted deeper into a blissful sleep.
Cyrene turned heel to the room, pushed a bit faster than Yao Guang seemed to expect by Taphoneiron's anxiety with the situation. The General was attractive. The fox was attractive. Cyrene was attractive. Taphoneiron was nothing like that, and she wanted out from the situation that reminded her that she was much lesser than-
Aeons, Taph was sometimes a bit much. She wanted to pull the poor girl out of her own rut and just get her to feel loved. However, the bags still needed addressing. Cyrene ducked into the guest room, finding it well lit, as sparse as Yao Guang had suggested, and just what she needed right now. The bags undid themselves and flew into piles, and Cyrene got herself into something more comfortable than her (admittedly very flattering) dress — some joggers and a vest would do — and laid down on the bed. Unexpectedly, it was a double bed with theoretical space for a third smaller person, so she used what little power she had to create a temporary vessel for Taph to let her feel some warmth and love. The wiry frame was positioned just next to her, her long hair draped over the pillows in teals and pale blues and eyes closed that she knew were a beautiful swirl of orange, red and pink.
"I love you all so much. I never want this to end."